Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-03-23
DAVENPORT AND NEiGHBORING
TOWNS TO OBSERVE GEN.
TERMINAL OF OLD FORT.
PIONEER DAYS TO BE
HISTORICALLY DEPICTED
of June 1s and 24-OId Fort Arm
strong, Of Arsenal Island, to Be
Erected-OfficaIs Of Two States and
euardsmen Invited to Participate.
ecial to Times-Repu blican.

Special to Times Republican.
Davenport, March 23.-To make the
celebration of the one hundredth ami
versary of the establishment Of Fort
Armstrong upon Arsenal island. mid
way between Rock Island and Daren-
por. and Moline. the most stupendous
event staged in the middle west since
the worlds fair at st. Louis, is the
aim OF the directors Of the centennial
association. chosen from among the
most prominent business men OF the
Tri-,itles.
The directors are headed by Irving
c Norwood. secretary Of the Daven-
port Commercial CLUB. and he has the
announcement and support of prac-
tically every civic and fraternal organ
ization Of the three cities in the under
taking.
The centennial will be held during
the week of June 1924 and is expected
to bring many thousands Of visitors
to the scene of the former conquests
of the Indians on the most historic sites
IN the middle west Pageants typify-
ing the early history of the vicinity OF
the Tri- Cities are being planned for
each day while at night land and wa
ter parades, electrical and fireworks
displays and other events are planned
by the executive and subordinate COM
mitrees.
State Officials Invited.
The state officials of Iowa and Hi
nols are TO De asked 10 Cooperate
with the directors in securing several
companies from the national guards &c
participate in the sham battles and the
reproducing Of the events leading Up
to the final treaties between the whites
and the Indians while hundreds OF To-
cal people will participate in the va
rious parades and spectacles that will
be staged
The centennial is being financed by
money from the citizens Of the three
cities and 1t Is estimated that the ex-
penditure will finally amount to more
than $4,000. A large portion Of this
money Is already in the hands Of the
directors.
Arsenal Island and the territory i'm
mediately surrounding Davenport Rock
Island and Moline is rich in historical
lore and the recollections Of old inhabi-
tants. as vel! as facts cleaned from
a close study Of many writer's is being
enlisted in an effort to make the re-
productions Of the scenes as accurate
as possible.
To Rebuild Fort.
Fort Armstrong will be rebuilt upon
the extreme western end OF the island
where 1t stood during the strenuous
days OF Indian and British warfare and
one Of the principal ceremonies Of the
week will be the dedication of the
building. which will be constructed. as
was the original fort of hewn twenty
two-foot white oak timbers Historical
facts that surrounded the erection of
the fort and life within the stockad de
that surrounded it. have been gathered
and will be the foundation for a seem
ario that is now being arranged as o1e
Of the spectacles
While the United States government
will not allow the use OF the entire
island because of the huge arsenal
buildings and shops, the directors have
secured the use OF q large acreage on
the western end where immense grand
stands will De erected for the seating Of
the spectators.