The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-11-17
ROCK ISLAND HOUSE SITE
OF .HOSTELRY SINCE DAYS
OF HARRY POWARS M~,37

" HANI
Transformation of the Rock Is
land House into modern estab-
lishment for the Hill Furniture
company now begun by force of
! workmen who are demolishing GER
tain portions of the structure, to
make way for new material. serves
to remind old residents of the long
period of the occupation of the site
! for hotel purposes.
The edifice now being remodeled
was erected in 1875, and it was the
successor of frame hosiery
which was built in 1887 and which
had an eventful history. Among
the landlords of the first Rock Is
Gland House was Marvin Hughitt.
father of the railroad official of
that name. who is the president of
the Chicago and Northwestern
Railway company. Another of its
landlords was Ben Barrett, the
first mayor of Rock Island.
Phil Mitchell, president of the
State Bank of Rock Island when in
a reminiscent mood can tell of in
teresting episodes in the career
of the first Rock Inland House, but
much of his store 6 anecdotes is
preserved in a copy of an issue OF
The Argus dated November %,
1875.
According to this old file, the
frame building which was the pre-
decessor of the brick hotel now
being remodeled, was built by
Captain Henry Powars who was
also its first landlord.
The opening of the house took
place July H. 1887, the event be-
, ing celebrated by a dance One
hundred couples we're present from
as far distant as Galena and
Monmouth. OF that event, The
Argus said:
1.-THE house overlooked with
champagne and jollity. No aris-
tocracy or rings existed in those
days; no exclusive society; but all
the early settlers felt common
sympathy and a common interest
with each other and fraternized in
the most friendly way without re-
. gard to style of dress, education or
wealth.
Rockingham was then the larg-
est town in this vicinity, and prob
: ably furnished quite number of
representatives at the opening ball,
among whom was DR.. Barrows, al
ways a prominent man in this re-
gion.
When They Learned Quadrille.
1.-The Cooks, Gen. Sargent, and
: others were present from Daven-
port. OF our own citizens, still
living, DR.. Gregg, Maj. Frazer Will
son, T. A. Babcock, S. w. McMas-
tiers, James NJ. Bellows, and prob
ably N. Belcher, Lucius Wells and
I others now living were present and
many who have passed away.
Dancing in those days was
mostly confined to French tours
! but Maj. Wilson. then young man
introduced Quadrilles and himself
: did the calling in order that those
: participating might be able to &c
, through the movements properly
Who furnished the music We have
, not been able to learn, but their
, names ought to be preserved. T
A. Babcock. our Moline. avenue
grocer, handled the bow some in
those days, but although he was
one OF the leading spirits of the
party he has, forgotten the names
OF the musicians.
ain the center of the house was
:. a flagstaff run up through the rooi
and probably resting on joist OF
timber over the hall, but it was no,
firmly fastened and came crashing
down through the ceiling into the
ballroom, creating great excite
i ment. Fortunately no one was
hurt.
There was a great thunderstorm
1 during the dance, one of the great.
est ever known. The supper was
j the best ever gotten up in the then
|new town, and the night rang out
with fun and jollity, with song and
dance, toasts and speeches. and
with merry laugh and good feeling
. the time passed quickly away.
"At daylight, those who could get
home, did so. Others camped down
on the hall floor and took things
easy. There was a good deal OF
money paid to Capt. Powars, the
\ bills ranging from IS to $40 each
!, from the jolly guests who were
i there"
i Information from that newspaper
OF II years ago. recalling an event
Of 1897, is that Captain Powars took
ia force Of men to the bluffs back OF
Port Byron where timber was
hewed for the frame Of the contem-
plated hotel. The timber was haul
ed to the river bank and RATED to
Rock Island a the river opened In
the spring Of 1887.
| Materials for the house were
bought BY Captain Povars in Pitts
burgh, Cincinnati and st. Louis.
There were no saw mills in this
vicinity at that time, and all the
boards, shingles. doors, window
frames. sash. nails. glass and paint
had to be purchased In those cities.
Common aiding boards thsn cost