Rock Island County, Illinois - The whole text, 1885 (part 20 of 24)

Maj. Quincy McNeil, by order of the Board, compiled a list of the soldiers from this county, which is on file in the office of the County Clerk. It shows a total of 2,299 men, as follows: g^VEN before the close of the war, measures "* were taken for the erection of a monument to commemorate those who lost their lives !|S. in the service of their country, and the sum of i $2,000 was appropriated for that purpose. A [ committee was appointed to procure plans and make all necessary arrangements for its erection in a suitable place ; but after fully considering the matter it was thought best to defer action for a time. The money was drawn, however, and (loaned out, thus accumulating interest. In March, 1867, the committee having the matter in charge reported that they thought the time had come when action should be taken. They were instructed to proceed with the work. Accordingly, plans were secured and the work commenced, resulting in the handsome monument now standing in the Court-House Square. On the 9th day of April, 1869, on the fourth anniversary of Lee's surrender to Grant at Appomattox the monument was unveiled. One of the largest crowds that ever assembled in the city of Rock Island was present on the occasion. In the procession were the Masonic, Odd Fellow and Good Templar societies, lodges of the city, the firemen and civic societies, the Mayor and City Council of Davenport, the Mayor and City Council of Rock Island, the President and Board of Trustees each of Moline and Milan, the Board of Supervisors of the county, and citizens. The late Emery A. Storrs, of Chicago, delivered a masterly oration. Everything passed off in a pleasant manner, and while tears were shed for the brave boys who perished, all rejoiced that their memory would be perpetuated anc1: that generations yet unborn would know of their heroic deeds.

HE printing-press is surely the Archimedean lever that $& moves the world. Until its » invention the world moved o but slowly, the events daily fjt-00 transpiring in one country or ;f|]@ community requiring days and months, and even years, to be made known in other countries or communities. To-day all is changed. Every event of importance transpiring in any part of the world, is, with the aid of the telejy graph, made known to all other parts, and by the printing-press given to the people almost as soon as they transpire. The press thus disseminates knowledge and exerts an influence that cannot be measured.

The press of Rock Island County is the equal of that of any like community in the country, and is doing much to mold public opinion. The publishers of this Album would here render to the newspaper men of this county a world of thanks as a mild expression of their obligations for many and valued favors received at their hands. They showed a willingness to encourage and aid every enterprise with its aim to educate the people or preserve the historical record of the county. The editor of this volume is indebted to Col. Danforth, of the Rock Islander, the oldest newspaper man in the county, for the greater part of the facts given in this article.

HE first attempt at starting a printing-office and publishing a newspaper in Rock Island was by Henry C. McGrew, in 1839. The office was in the second story of a two-story wooden building, on what is now Sixteenth Street, formerly Buffalo. The Rock Island Banner and Stephenson Gazette was the name of the V paper. It was a five-column folio, " devoted to news, < arts, sciences, literature, agriculture," etc., and neutral in politics. The Banner suspended publication in the fall of 1841. Mr. McGrew deserved well of the community, and ought to have succeeded ; but the limes were unfavorable for a neutral or even an independent paper. The remarkable political excitement during the Presidential campaign of 1840 aroused bitter prejudices on both sides, and he joined with the Democratic party.

|N the spring of 1840 was commenced the publication of the above-named paper, de. voted to agriculture and education. The Upper Mississippian, in its issue for Nov. 5, 1840, thus speaks of it: "This valuable agricultural paper is published monthly in this place by Messrs. Gould and Jenks, the former taking (« charge of the agricultural, and the latter the educa- nature to give aid and comfort to the rebels, and discourage and dishearten our brave army, meet with our deepest detestation and abhorrence ; and we believe for such traitorous acts the civilized world will, in all coming time, assign them a place in public esteem compared to which the Tories in the Revolution bear no comparison.

At the June term the Board set forth its views in still stronger terms, and strongly denounced any and all so-called peace congresses. It also denounced the attitude of the Legislature in its policy toward the Administration.

In September, 1864, the Board re-affirmed their previous resolutions, and resolved that it " considered the claims of our country paramount to all other claims," and pledged itself " not to make any new appropriations of county money or means that will conflict with this high duty or lessen our ability in this direction." That the Board did its duty none can doubt. The resources of the county was strained to the utmost to meet all demands for help from the needy families of the soldiers and to promote enlistments. As already stated, every call was quickly responded to and the credit of Rock Island for loyalty to the Government was sustained. When the last call was met, when the brave boys that were left returned to their homes and families, even then the Board did not consider its duty done. There were many children in the county who had been made orphans by the war who must receive its kind attentions. A Soldiers' Orphans' Home had been established at Normal for the care and education of all such, and to this institution $1,000 was appropriated. A large number of children were sent to the school from this county and appropriations were made for their welfare. The school at Fulton also received accessions from this county of soldiers' orphans, and appropriations were made for their maintenance.

Maj. Quincy McNeil, by order of the Board, compiled a list of the soldiers from this county, which is on file in the office of the County Clerk. It shows a total of 2,299 men, as follows:

VEN before the close of the war, measures were taken for the erection of a monument to commemorate those who lost their lives in the service of their country, and the sum of $2,000 was appropriated for that purpose. A committee was appointed to procure plans and make all necessary arrangements for its erection in a /^ suitable place ; but after fully considering the matter it was thought best to defer action for a time money was drawn, however, and lloaned out, thus accumulating interest. In March, 1867, the committee having the matter in charge reported that they thought the time had come when action should be taken. They were instructed to proceed with the work. Accordingly, plans were secured and the work commenced, resulting in the handsome monument now standing in the Court-House Square. On the 9th day of April, 1869, on the fourth anniversary of Lee's surrender to Grant at Appomattox the monument was unveiled. One of the largest crowds that ever assembled in the city of Rock Island was present on the occasion. In the procession were the Masonic, Odd Fellow and Good Templar societies, lodges of the city, the firemen and civic societies, the Mayor and City Council of Davenport, the Mayor and City Council of Rock Island, the President and Board of Trustees each of Moline and Milan, the Board of Supervisors of the county, and citizens. The late Emery A. Storrs, of Chicago, delivered a masterly oration. Everything passed off in a pleasant manner, and while tears were shed for the brave boys who perished, all rejoiced that their memory would be perpetuated and that generations yet unborn would know of their heroic deeds.

HE printing-press is surely the Archimedean lever that moves the world. Until its invention the world moved but slowly, the events daily transpiring in one country or ^r§1|4 community requiring days and months, and even years, to be made known in other countries or communities. To-day all is changed. Every event of importance transpiring in any part of the world, is, with the aid of the telefif graph, made known to all other parts, Y and by the printing-press given to the people almost as soon as they transpire. The press thus disseminates knowledge and exerts an influence that cannot be measured.

The press of Rock Island County is the equal of that of any like community in the country, and is doing much to mold public opinion. The publishers of this Album would here render to the newspaper men of this county a world of thanks as a mild expression of their obligations for many at.d valued favors received at their hands. They showed a willingness to encourage and aid every enterprise with its aim to educate the people or preserve the historical record of the county. The editor of this volume is indebted to Col. Danforth, of the Rock Islander, the oldest newspaper man in the county, for the greater part of the facts given in this article.

HE first attempt at starting a printing-office and publishing a newspaper in Rock Island was by Henry C. McGrew, in 1S39. The office was in the second story of a two-story wooden building, on what is now Sixteenth Street, formerly Buffalo. The Rock Island Banner and Stephenson Gazette was the name of the paper. It was a five-column folio, " devoted to news, arts, sciences, literature, agriculture," etc., and neutral in politics. The Banner suspended publication in the fall of i84r. Mr. McGrew deserved well of the community, and ought to have succeeded ; but the limes were unfavorable for a neutral or even an independent paper. The remarkable political excitement during the Presidential campaign of 1840 aroused bitter prejudices on both sides, and he joined with the Demociatic party.

\ N the spring of 1840 was commenced the 1 publication of the above-named paper, de. voted to agriculture and education. The Upper Mississippian, in its issue for Nov. 5, A 1840, thus speaks of it: "This valuable agri- p cultural paper is published monthly in this j£ place by Messrs. Gould and Jenks, the former taking (4 charge of the agricultural, and the latter the educa- ^y ational department. It was commenced in March last, and has already received about 1,000 subscribers. Both editors are natives of Maine, whose energetic sons are always indefatigable in all their undertakings, and rarely ever fail in gaining the end desired. We wish every farmer who reads this notice would send to Stephenson for the Illinois Cultivator. He will never regret the $1.50 for the subscription."

The first number of the paper was issued in March, 1840, " P. Gould, editor and proprietor; H. McGrew, printer." It was an eight-page paper, three columns to a page, and size of pages 8% by 13 inches. Gould & Jenks were the proprietors - P. Gould and J. W. Jenks. But notwithstanding its boast of r,ooo subscribers, it proved to be a losing concern, and died in a few months. Gould left before the publication was abandoned, and Jenks returned to Massachusetts. Previous to his coming to Rock Island to live, Jenks had been a Chaplain on board a United States war vessel.

|^ HE Banner having become a Democratic paper, the Whigs felt the necessity of start- W^ ing a paper at Stephenson. Accordingly, 't>S on October 5, 184.0, appeared the first number of the Upper Mississippian, under the management of Daniel Crist. It was a six-column folio, published at $2.50 per year. Daniel Crist was born Nov. 30, 1806, near Lewisburg, Union Co., Pa. His father was a farmer. At t4 years of age he was clerk in the store of a man named Boyd, in Danville, Pa.; at 19 he became an apprentice to George Sweeney, in Danville, to learn the printer's trade ; at 2r he was a "jour." printer in Harrisburg; at 25 he returned to Danville and married a daughter of George Sweeney, and went to Angelica, Allegany Co., N. Y., and published the Allegany Republican, a Whig paper. In 1834 he came to this State, working sometimes as a surveyor, and sometimes as a printer, in Springfield. He went back to Angelica, where he had left his family, then to Danville, Pa., and came again to this State in 1836, stopping in Ellisville, in Fulton County. In 1840 he came to Rock Island.

He had quite a limited education, but was persevering, experiencing many " ups and downs" - sometimes printing a newspaper, sometimes keeping a tavern, and sometimes making brick out at Case's Yards, He left Rock Island in 1852, for Sharon, Whiteside County, where he carried on a store on commission. He was then a farmer in Henry County ; then a clerk in a store at Annawan, that county, and about r86o left for California, and was Postmaster in Lodi, San Joaquin County, and assisted his son, Daniel L., in his store. He died there Nov. r4, 1874, aged about 68 years. His first wife died in March, 1848, and in October, 1849, he married Mrs. Elizabeth William, a widow, of this place. He had a large family.

Dr. Silas Reed assisted in the preparation of editorial matter for some months, though never connected with the paper in a business capacity. The Upper Mississippian had a remarkable career, the greater part of its editorial space being taken up in personal quarrels. It had a hard time financially, being compelled occasionally to suspend a week or two at a time for want of means to procure paper. In the issue for June 16, 1842, appeared the following:

There was no paper issued from this office last week. Reason, no paper. No paper! Cause, no money. However, we have the gratification to acknowledge the receipt of the following sums since then, which will procure paper for two weeks, viz. ; Thos. McCabe, $5, and S. W. Bowman, $1.50, of Lee County; and R. L. Wilson, of Whiteside County, $3-

This week makes up the 26th number or the half year of the second volume of the Upper Mississippian; and there will be no paper issued until we can get a supply of paper, as we are out of - sorts.

The expense, delay and want of cash to buy paper, caused Maj. Frazer Wilson to propose that a quantity of white muslin be procured and cut into pieces the size of the forms, and print the paper on these and send them out to the " numerous " subscribers, and after they had read them then return them and have them washed out for the next issue! The suggestion was not adopted, but Crist's supplication for money seems to have had the desired effect, for the paper continued to appear, and was running over with the quarrel between Crist and D. G. Garnsey, Receiver of Public Moneys at Dixon, and C. A Garnsey, Postmaster at Rock Island.

On the 24th of November,- 1842, Crist gave notice that he had purchased a new press and was again under way. In March, 1844, Thomas Gregg, now of Hamilton, 111., became associate editor, remaining until Oct. 5, 1844. In November, 1844, Crist sold the office to Harmon G. Reynolds.

Mr. Reynolds' life was an eventful one. He was one of the. most prominent, able and influential of the early settlers here. He was bom Dec. 21, 18 10, at Moreau, Saratoga Co., N. Y., and raised principally in Berlin, Washington Co., Vt. He was only able to read and write, with a small knowledge of arithmetic, grammar and geography at 21; worked and 'studied antil 27, and was then admitted to the Bar -at Montpelier. Vt. He was a Jackson Democrat in 1825, and ever after. He emigrated to Rock Island E^Co., 111., in June, 1837, and practiced law in this jfecounty until 1S50; taught school in Rock Island ^and Hampton over two years ; elected Magistrate in Hampton, December, 183-8; elected Probate Justice, ^ August, 1839 and 1843; State's Attorney, January,

185 1, to Knoxville, and was elected County Judge of Knox County, November, 1853; appointed Postmaster at Rock Island in 1847, and in Knoxville in 1854. He was a very prominent member of the Masonic Order.

From 1838 to 1850, he was often in peril of his life, as, from the settlement of this county up to that time, the whip, bludgeon, fist, knife and pistol were of frequent use - and occasionally since. Mr. Reynolds, when last heard from, was a resident of Blue Rapids, Marshall Co., Kan, engaged in the practice of his profession, the law.

Mr. Reynolds changed the name of the paper to the Upper Mississippian and Rock Island Republi- £ can. The name of '' H. G. Reynolds, editor and ^ publisher," was followed by " H. C. Randall, printer." Randall subsequently became a partner of Reynolds.

The paper finally passed into the hands of Jonas H. Case, who retained Mr. Reynolds as editor. It is supposed to have died in the spring of 1847. The first year of Reynolds' administration, while he published a neutral paper, he made it a success, but when it espoused the cause of Democracy, the Whigs withdrew their support.

i N 1845 the Whigs were again without a newspaper. Dr. Horatio P. Gatchell and Miles VV. Conway, in the fall of that year, issued a prospectus for a new paper, to be f,S known as the Independent Republican. A successful effort was made to have them change their plans, and instead of issuing a neutral or independent sheet, print a Whig paper. Accordingly, the Northwestern Advertiser made its appearance as an exponent of Whig principles. Mr. Conway died within three or four weeks after the paper made its first appearance. His death greatly discouraged Dr. Gatchell, who relied much on his aid and business management. The paper did not prove a success, it being too scholarly to suit the times, and gave too little attention to local and political affairs. He is thus spoken qi by one who knew him well:

Dr. Gratchell will be remembered by old residents of Rock Island and Davenport as an eloquent and talented minister of the sect known as Disciples. As a pulpit orator he was one of the most eloquent and effective speakers of that day, and was in private life a man of irreproachable character. But whatever induced him to become a journalist was a puzzle to every one. If it was to print as well as preach his sermons it was not necessary, for he could preach them extempore quite as well as he wrote them, and people in those days appeared to prefer to take their gospel orally.

Dr. Gatchell soon disposed of the office, Wm. Vandever becoming the purchaser. He settled in Rock Island in the spring of 1839, and the first year was a clerk in a store. Afterwards he spent some time in the law office of Knox & Drury, and subsequently did some Government surveying. In 1844 he was elected County Cleik, and served two years. On the election of Gen. Taylor he was appointed to a clerkship in Washington and afterwards to a clerkship in the office of the Survejor-General of Iowa, at Dubuque, opening a law office. In 1S58 lie was elected to Congress on the Republican ticket in the Dubuque district, and was re-elected in i860. On the breaking out of the war he entered the military service of the United States as Colonel of the Ninth Iowa Vol. Infantry. He was born at Baltimore, Md., on the 3rstdayof March, 1817. Mr. Vandever continued as editor and publisher of the paper for about a year, when the office was sold to Messrs. Sanders & Davis, of the Gazette, in Davenport, whe published it a few months, when it became the property of F. R. Bennett, though Mr. Vandever was connected with the editorial management until after the election of Gen. Taylor, in 1848. Mr. Bennett changed the name of the paper to the Rock Island Advertiser.

R. BENNETT continued alone in the publication of the paper till 1851, when *r?s A. G. Brackett became an associate, the t \ partnership continuing until October, 1853. Mr. Brackett has had an exciting career, serving for many years in the regular army in various grades, from Lieutenant to Colonel. In 1855 he was appointed by Franklin Pierce, President of the United States, a Captain of cavalry in the United States Army. After raising, by recruits from Rock Island, a company of regulars for the Second Regt. U. S. Cav., he proceeded to Texas to guard the country from the hostile incursions of Indians and Mexicans, where he remained four years, until the breaking out of the war between the States, with much difficulty escaping from Texas. Making his way to Florida, thence to Cuba and New York, he proceeded to Washington. After recruiting his company at Carlisle Barracks, Penn., he marched to Washington and was with the first troops that crossed the Potomac into Virginia. In the fall of i86r he raised the Ninth 111. Vol. Cav. Regt., of which he was Colonel through the war.

of Col. Brackett, about a year previously, had been the sole editor and proprietor. The same issue also contains the introduction of the new proprietors, Thomas R. Raymond and Oliver P. Wharton. The partnership continued till Sept. 13, 1854, when it was dissolved by mutual consent, Mr. Wharton continuing the publication of the paper and Mr. Raymond opening a job office. In December, 1853, they started the Tri- Weekly Advertiser. In the fall of r855 Mr. Wharton started the Daily Advertiser, and he writes that he " stood under and over the enterprise till the spring of 1858, or about that time, when it became too heavy for me and I suspended the paper. "

In the publication of the weekly a partnership was formed in January, 1S56, by Mr. Wharton, with I. S. Hyatt. This did not long continue. The paper was continued by Wharton until August, 1S56, when T. R. Raymond became sole proprietor. In December following Dr. S. A. Paddock became associated with Raymond in its publication. The partnership continued about one year, when Dr. Paddock retired. In the spring of 1S58 the paper died.

HE fifth effort to establish a newspaper in [Vgajii Rock Island was by C. B. Waite, who has , -i^since been Chief Justice of Utah. The Liberty Banner was started in the spring of <$ 1846, - a small, unpretentious sheet, advocating the abolition of slavery in the United States. This was not a popular side to take at that time, both the great parties, the Democrats and the Whigs, violently opposing the doctrines of the Abolitionists ; and as the party had no offices or spoils to dispense, its followers were few and generally were poor. He had no printing office and procured his work done in the office of Reynold's Upper Mississippian and Rock Island Republican.

Mr. Waite was born at Red Creek, Wayne Co., N. Y., Jan. 29, 1824. His father removed to Illinois with his family in 1840, and settled on the prairie west of Chicago. He was educated at various common schools and finally entered Knox College and went through the Freshmen's year. He learned the trade of a compositor in the office of his father, Daniel D. Waite, who, soon after his arrival in Illinois, started a newspaper at St. Charles. He then (1843) worked in William E. Little's printing-office in Joliet, and in 1844 on the Western Citizen, in Chicago. He wrote, more or less, for all these papers.

In the winter of 1845 he went to work for Reynolds on the Upper Mississippian and Rock Island Republican, and in the spring of 1846 he started the Liberty Banner. He traveled over the country on horseback soliciting subscriptions, and for awhile was quite sanguine of success. But the power of party organization was so great that men who were inclined to embrace the doctrines of the Liberty party were deterred, literally " bulldozed " into remaining with their old organizations. Abolition meetings were broken up and abolition speakers mobbed, until it was about as much as a man's life was worth to stand out boldly and avow himself an Abolitionist. It is no wonder then that the Liberty Banner soon shared the fate of its predecessor. It was published only a few months.

On the failure of Waite's newspaper enterprise he turned his attention to the law, and in the spring of 1847 he was admitted to the Bar. He soon formed a partnership with William Brackett, Esq. He moved to Chicago in the fall of 1853. In 1862 he was appointed by President Lincoln Chief Justice of Utah Territory, which office he filled with credit till 1S64, when he resigned. In 1865 he was appointed by Governor Lyons District Attorney for the principal judicial district of Idaho, which office he filled for some time, and then returned to Chicago, where he still resides and is devoting his time to authorship.

f3 were without a newspaper to advocate their ^ principles, the Advertiser, a Whig paper, being the only newspaper published here. In the fall of 1851 Fred S. Nichols and John W. Dunham purchased of George K. Budd, of the St. Louis Intelligencer, second-hand materials for a small weekly paper, and on the 18th of October of that year they issued the first number of a Democratic paper called the Rock Island Republican, the name of which was changed to Argus in December, 1855, because a political party had assumed the name Republican, and to continue the paper under that name would deceive many as to its political character.

The paper was started in the back room of the second story of Whitaker & Everts' store, opposite the Rock Island House. In the summer of r854 Mr. Charles Buford built his four-story brick block, northeast corner of Seventeenth Street and Second Avenue - the first four-story building in Rock Island - and the Argus printing establishment was moved into that building in November, 1854, and it remained there for 17 years. In the summer of iS7t the Argus Block was erected and the office moved to its present location in October of that year.

Mr. Nichols, one of the founders of the paper, was a native of Macomb Co., Mich., and born in 1828, removing with his parents to Davenport, Iowa, in 1838. He learned the printer's trade in the offices of the Advertiser, Rock Island, and Republican, St. Louis. Dunham was born in East Tennessee and learned the printer's trade in Nashville. He was a genial, whole-souled man - a born gentleman in the truest sense of the word. He remained but six weeks at Rock Island, when he returned to St. Louis, and afterward removed to New Orleans, where he died of yellow fever during the epidemic in that city in

Nichols continued the paper alone until 1852, when he sold a one-half interest to J. B. Danforth, Jr., and March 16, following, he sold his remaining interest to Danforth, and soon afterwards left for the gold fields of Australia and lived in the mining district of Beechworth and engaged in mining, chiefly, during his stay in that country. From the time Danforth became interested in the 'paper, Nichols gave himself no further concern about the office. He " made up the forms " and " pulled off" the weekly edition occasionally, but that was about all. Mr. Danforth continued alone until January, 1, 1856, when he associated with himself Robert V. Shurly in the publication of the paper, selling him a onethird interest. On the 16th of September, 1857, Pershing & Connelly purchased the remaining interests of Danforth. These gentlemen had been publishing the Rock Islander for some time previously, and on purchasing the Argus office they united the two papers under the name of the Islander and Argus. On the 23d cf September Mr. Shurly severed his connection with the paper, Milton Jones becoming the purchaser. Mr. Danforth, Sept. 16, 1859, re-purchased his two-thirds interest of Pershing & Connelly, and with Mr. Jones continued the publication of the paper. In 1869 Robert T. Mc- Neal purchased of Mr. Danforth one-half interest in the office and Mr. Jones the remaining one-sixth, Jones & McNeal thus becoming equal and sole proprietors. On the 1st of January, 1870, J. S. Drake purchased the interest of McNeal, and in 1873 a stock company was organized under the general incorporatin law of the State.

In 1881 the office was purchased by Richardson & Powers, who ran the paper about one year and then sold it to John W. Potter, of Freeport. Mr. Potter placed the office in charge of his son, John W. Potter, Jr., a born newspaper man, who has since had control. In May, 1S85, Mr. Potter died, and the son, John \V. Potter, Jr., became sole proprietor. The Argus is a neat and well-printed paper, ably edited, and reflects credit upon its editor and manager and ably represents the Democratic party. For a personal sketch of its editor and proprietor see page 643.

17, 1S55, when it was changed to a morning paper and continued as such until Nov. 18, 1861 when it was changed back to an evening paper and has continued as such ever since. During the ownership of Pershing & Connelly, on the 18th of July, 1859, the daily was suspended and a tri-weekly issued. This was continued until Sept. 1, i86i,when the publication of the daily was resumed. The publication of the daily was again re-commenced by its present enterprising editor, J. W. Potter, who has made it one of the most newsy and interesting dailies published in the State, outside of Chicago.

£ N the summer of 185 1 there came to Rock Island a young man named Emanuel J. Pershing, seekinr in a change of climate to reinvigorate a weak constitution. He had been connected with the Mountain Echo, a newspaper published at Johnstown, Pa , and his tastes naturally ran in the direction of newspaper life. It was at a time when the people were greatly excited about " the Nebraska bill," as it was called - a bill reported by Senator Douglas, as chairman of the committee on territories, for the organization of the Territories of Kansas and Nebraska, repealing " the Missouri Compromise " and establishing " squatter sovereignty," leaving the people who should locate in those territories to settle the slavery question for themselves. The Democracy of Rock Island were divided on the question of the propriety of the bill, as, indeed, they were nearly everywhere. Joseph Knox, George Mixter, and a few others, anti-Nebraska, anti-Douglas Democrats, encouraged young Pershing to start an anti-Nebraska Democratic paper. Mr. Pershing procured material and started a weekly paper, issuing the first number on the rgth of September, 1854, calling it the Rock Islander. The office was in the basement of Lemuel Andrews' building. Though generally regarded at that time as an anti-Nebraska paper, the Rock Islander supported the regular Democracy at all times and was always a warm friend to Judge Douglas.

The office remained in Andrews' building until Bailey & Boyle's block (now Mitchell & Lynde's block) was erected, when it was moved to the third story- of that building and there remained until it was united with the Argus on the 16th of September, 1 S 5 7 . The Daily Rock Islander was started in May, 1855, and published until its union with the Argus. Mr. Pershing was bom in Johnstown, Cambria Co., Pa., in the year 1831. From boyhood he was a close reader and diligent student. For a short time he attended the academy at Elder's Ridge, Indiana Co., Pa., under the charge of Rev. Alex. Donaldson, D. D. Subsequently he entered as a student Jefferson College, at Canonsburg, Pa. In 1857 or 1858 he

From his earliest years he was compelled to battle with ill health, and he came West, in the hope of improving his physical condition. Books were his delight and -j. newspaper office had great charms for him ; but it was too exhausting and he was reluctantly compelled to seek a more active life. He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church and was most amiable in all his ways.

In the early part of July, i860, he left Rock Island to visit friends in Pennsylvania, where he died suddenly, at the Continential Hotel, Philadelphia, July 22, i860.

The Rock Islander under his management was an able, dignified, well conducted newspaper, and its editors and proprietors men of high character, always held in great respect by all the people. Mr. Pershing's early death was much lamented. His surviving partner, Maj. Connelly, is yet one of the leading citizens of Rock Island, honored and respected by all.

In the fall of 1877 the County Central Committee of the Working-Men's party of Rock Island County g issued a prospectus for the publication of a paper =t devoted to the interests of that party. The prospec- 7 tus set forth very distinctly the principles which would be advocated, among which were the taxation » of Government bonds, taxation of incomes above $800 per year, the percentage of taxation being increased in the ratio of increase of income, the revision of the tariff laws in the interest of the working men, greenbacks to be the only national currency, change in the system of taxation that the rich might pay the same proportion as men of small means, revision of the patent laws that monopolies might not be fostered, reduction of army and navy expenses, opposition to Government subsidies, reduction of the number of civil officers, the remonetization of silver, payment of the Government debt in greenbacks, the better remuneration of labor and its protection. Col. J. B. Danforth, Jr., agreed with the committee to purchase an office and publish the paper, provided sufficient encouragement should be given for its support. In a very short time a large subscription was secured, and on the 5th day of January, 1878, the first number of the paper made its appearance, a large, handsome nine-column folio. Mr. Danforth having retired from the Argus, thought best to revive the Rock Islander, which was formerly well known to the citizens of the county, rather than to start a paper under a new name. In his salutatory, Mr. Danforth says of the Rock Islander: " Its mission will be to watch for and oppose all legislation which gives advantages to the rich over the poor, to warn the people that constant vigilance is the price of freedom. Its discussions will be conducted in candor and with a view to truth and justice. It will treat everybody fairly and justly, and strive to inculcate good morals, and to benefit the mass of the people. It will be a working-men's paper, a greenback paper, a silver paper, a grange paper, a business newspaper, a good family paper, a paper through which the men and women who work in factories, shops, mills, or for railroads or other corporations, and in which laborers, farmers and business men can all find a friend, and be heard in any matter of public interest - a paper which should be in every house." Every one who knows Col. Danforth knows that the principles set forth in the prospectus would find in him a steadfast friend, and that his blows in defense of that which he considered right would fall thick and fast. He is one among the few men born to the editorial profession, and in his writings could not be dull if he tried. The Rock Islander has been a success from the start. It is well-printed, ably edited, and worthy of the cause which it espouses.

HE first issue of this paper made its appearance March 10, 1855. It was a very neat * paper and well filled with local and news items. There were two other dailies in Rock Y Island at this time, and, as might be expected, there was patronage enough for the third. It lived just 128 days. James Bowie, its editor and publisher, was a fresh, sparkling and terse writer, a capital printer, and a pleasant companion. After his failure here he went to Geneseo and started a weekly paper, which lived but a short time. He subsequently published papers at Peru and Moline, and finally drifted back to Geneseo, where he died in the spring of i860.

V f\j X the 17th of July, 1S5S, C. W. Kirklend ''. I'-^i .Tj commenced the publication of;), morning daily paper, and also a weekly paper called the Commercial. In his first issue he said : " The Commercial 'will be the firm, zealous and consistent supporter of the principles of the Republican party." The printing was done at Raymond's office in Gothic Block.

In 1861 he enlisted in Capt. John B. Hawley's company, and he staid until the close of the war. He was promoted to a captaincy in Company A, of the 66th U. S. C. I., in which he remained until mustered out on the 20th of March, 1866.

HIS was a Republican paper started by T. J. Pickett, on the 9th of February, 1S59. A *** weekly and a tri-weekly were published. The office was in Raymond's job office, Gothic Block. The tri-weekly ceased some time in the summer of 1861, and the weekly maintained a precarious existence to some time in the summer of 1862. Mr. Pickett never gave any very serious attention to the paper, either in the sanctum or in a business way. His first issue announced Campbell W. Waite as associate editor, who remained only about five months, his " Parting Word " being published July 27, 1859, and assigning as a reason that he was about " to make a trip to the seat of war in Europe." From that time to June 6, i860, no other name but Pickett's appears as connected with the paper, on which date C. W. Kirkland is announced as a partner - " Pickett & Kirkland, editors and proprietors."

On the 9th of January, 186 1 (Mr. Pickett having been elected State Senator), there is an announcement by Pickett & Kirkland that M. S. Barnes had been engaged as editor. June 19, 1861, Kirkland's name disappears. Aug. 21, 186 1, M. S. Barnes withdraws. From that time to the last issue (August, 1862) there was only a weekly.

Thomas J. Pickett was born March 17, 182 1, in Louisville, Ky., to which city his father emigrated from Virginia. When quite a lad young Pickett removed to Peoria, and engaged as a printer boy. In 1840, when only 19 years of age, he established the Tazewell Register, at Pekin. From thence he returned to Peoria and became associated in the publication of the Peoria Republican. In June, 1862, he was chosen Lieutenant Colonel of the 69th 111. Vol. Inf. Towards the close of the war he removed to Paducah, Ky., where he became editor of the Paducah Sentinel, in which place Colonel Pickett has successively held the position of Postmaster and Clerk of the United States Court. He is a man of kindly nature, and thoroughly honest; a pleasant, social companion and agreeable gentleman.

Campbell W. Waite was a native of New York, a printer by trade, and before and since has been connected with various newspaper enterprises. He resided in Chicago when last heard from.

Graham, and was that on which was printed the Moline Independent. Mr. Graham had enlisted in the army, leaving Mr. Kuck in charge of the paper, and the latter, through the solicitation of some of the leading Republicans of Rock Island, moved the material and commenced the issue of the Union. Mr. Graham died within a week of its first issue. Mr. Kuck continued to publish the paper until May, 1863, when M. S. Barnes became the proprietor. Myron S. Barnes is a native of New York, born March 4, 1824. He received a good education, and learned the printer's trade. He served on many newspapers as compositor and edi- tor, and in 1841 moved to Chicago. At the breaking oat of the Mexican War he enlisted as a member of Co. E, Second Regt. 111. Vol., and participated in several battles, the chiefest of which was that of Buena Vista. At this battle he stood a few feet from Colonels Hardin, McKee and Clay, who fell in the desperate charge about 4 o'clock on the 23d of February, 1847. He was especially complimented by General Wood during the engagement.

At the close of the war he returned to newspaper work, and was connected with several papers before coining to Moline, in 1858, where he published, in connection with Robert H. Graham, the Moline Independent for one year. He removed to Rock Island the next year and became one of the editors of the Register, issued three times a week, and supported Abraham Lincoln for President.

In the summer of 1861 he aided in raising a company here for the war, and was chosen Captain. The company went into camp at Chicago, and on the 18th of September was organized as a part of the 37 th 111. Vols., with Captain Barnes as Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment. He was, after Colonel Julius White's promotion, made Colonel.

Coming home from the army, he bought the Union, as already stated, in May, 1863, and continued its publication till August, 1864, when he sold the establishment to William Caffrey, who retained the office but three months, and being unable to pay for it, it again passed into the hands of Colonel Barnes, who continued its publication till the fall of 1 866, when he sold to Captain Haverstick. Colonel Barnes in 1872 went to Galesburg, 111., where for several years he had charge of the Free Press.

Shortly after Captain Haverstick purchased the Union establishment-he bought the Moline Republican and merged it into the Union. While engaged in compiling his history of the press, Colonel Danforth wrote Captain Haverstick for some points in his life, and received the following :

" I entered the world in the usual way ; I was baptized in infancy, studied the Heidelberg Catechism and was confirmed in the German Reformed Church, by a preacher who used to trade horses and steal pumpkins from my father. I grew up to the age of 17 between a pair of plow-handles on one of the rockiest and stumpiest farms in the Cumberland Valley, in the meantime gathering what knowledge

I could in an old log school- house, whose distinguishing feature was a pair of wooden pegs behind the teacher's desk, on which lay two or three birchen hoop-poles for disciplinary purposes in the school. I taught school myself awhile, and finally struggled into college - the college that graduated James Buchanan, Judge Greer, of the Supreme Court, John A. J. Cresswell and other eminent men. About four months before I graduated, the faculty gave me unanimous permission to leave for a time, which I did, but returned, passed my examination and received my degree of A. B., standing second in my class, and delivering the Latin Salutatory on Commencement Day. Three years later the same faculty selected me to deliver the Master's Oration, and bestowed upon me the degree of A. M., for which I paid them $5. I worked at a paper-mill one summer - that is to say, I drove a mule team by day and studied Andrews' Latin Grammar by night. There are many (to me) interesting occurrences in my history which modesty and a due regard for your patience forbid me enumerating. I will only add that I am married six years, have a wife and three children, probably the healthiest and noisiest youngsters of their age in the State. Built my own house and barn, and built the present Union office. Am poor as country newspaper men usually are, and as Divine Providence seems to indicate they shall ever remain. Am now in the pottery business, making good ware and allowing the usual discount to the trade. The P. P.'s which I am now manufacturing are highly commended, and the business promises to be a blessing alike to the Western public and to yours, etc., L. M. Haverstick."

Captain Haverstick remained editor of the Union until Sept. 23, 1874, when he was succeeded by Walter Johnson. In 1876 he was again editor of the paper for a few months, but sold out in October of that year.

In March, 1874, the office passed into the hands of a joint-stock company, which was organized with a capital stock of $20,000. Several changes have been made in the ownership of the stock, but Walter Johnson has continued since its organization, and W. H. Burdett since 1876. These two gentlemen own the greater part of the stock at the present time. W. H. Burdett is president, and Walter Johnson, secretary, while each assists in the editorial work. The Union is considered a good investment, and is one of the reliable Republican papers of the State. The Daily Union was commenced in 1S62, though but a few numbers were issued. In June, 1863, its publication was resumed as an evening paper, and was so continued until 1866, when it was changed to a morning paper, and as such continues to be published. The Union is the only paper publishing the Associated Press dispatches.

*N the fall of 1872 a young lawyer, named L. G. Johnson, attempted to establish a newspaper in this locality, for the purpose of reporting decisions of courts, especially Iowa and Illinois courts, and furnishing such other legal information as should be of use to lawyers, justices of the peace, sheriffs, constables and other officers. Two other persons were interested with him in the enterprise, but their names did not appear in the paper. The paper was called The American Law Reporter. It was a quarto, of good size and appearance, the mechanical execution being fine. The first number was issued in November, 1872, in Davenport, though Mr. Johnson made his headquarters in this city. After awhile he purchased printing material and opened an office in Union Block, Washington Street (now 18th Street) in this city. The paper was issued weekly for 18 weeks, and ceased for want of support.

OBERT TOMPKINS and Isaac N. Kirkpat- - rick either leased or purchased the printimm ' ing-office in Union Block, and The Amerifiy\ can Law Reporter, in its last days, was printed there, - also a paper called The Liberty League, the first number of which is dated April 3, 1873. It was a handsome eight-column paper.

" Typographically it was a very neat paper. Intellectually it was very weak. The name of no man was connected with it, and who composed "The Liberty League Publishing Comoany" was not known ; in fact no such organization existed. The paper was started as an organ and mouth-piece of the liquor dealers of this city and adjoining towns, but it hadn't brains enough to be "a sheet-anchor," as they claimed for it, for an empty whisky barrel. It lived two or three weeks only, and Johnson says somebody stole the material of the office, run it off in the night, shipped it to Burlington, Iowa, and sold it. And that was the end of The Liberty League and of the Union Block printing-office.

AS the first newspaper in Rock Island printed in the German language, and was started in 1857. It was a small, weekly paper. It was started by Magnus Mueller, in Charles Buford's block. It was neutral in politics, and was edited by Dr. Fr. Ciolina. The paper was not well supported and survived only about one year. Dr. Ciolina was a physician who resided here and practiced his profession some years. He was born at Nierstadt, southwestern Bavaria, in 1S17; was educated at the University of Berne, Switzerland, as a doctor of medicine. He came to America in 1838, and to Rock Island some time previous to 1856. His name appears in the city directory of 1 856 as residing at the corner of Jefferson and Rock River Streets. He was a man of ability, and was a forcible writer and public speaker. He left here many years ago for Chicago.

- ( ;Y;tECEMBER, i8<;o, was the date when the &2|g£J., material of the Bcobachtci office was pur- " cllased by Adam and George Lieberti** knecht, who, on the first day of January, i860 started a weekly newspaper, printed in the German language, called the Chronik des Westens. The name was afterwards changed to Monitor ties Western. This paper, like its predecessor, was neutral in politics. Though a better paper than the Beobachter and living longer, it failed to command a paying support, and ceased to exist sometime in 1863.

During the latter part of the existence of the paper Mr. Adam Schaaf was connected with George Lieberknecht in the publication of the Monitor. He did not remain long and Mr. Lieberknecht was the sole owner and conductor for the balance of its existence. The office remained idle on the hands of its owner for some time, and was finally sold and removed from town. George Lieberknecht removed to Geneseo and engaged in business.

N the spring of 1875 Mr. Charles C. Winter, one of the editors of the Westliche Post, of St. Louis, having been informed that there was a general desire in Rock Island and vicinity for a newspaper printed in the German language, came here in April of that year for the purpose of considering the project. After consulting with the German-born citizens of the town and county he became satisfied that there was a promising field for an enterprising and well-conducted German paper here. He accordingly returned to St. Louis and made arrangements for material, and returned about the middle of August of that year prepared for the enterprise.

On the 30th of August the first number of a handsome semi-weekly paper, entitled " Neue Volks-Zeituug,"wa.s issued from Zeiss building on the northeast corner of 18th Street and Second Avenue.

On the 15th of September the office was removed to the Union office, on 1 8th Street. The paper was a success from the start. In politics it is thoroughly independent. Mr. Winter, its editor and proprietor, in his salutatory, said :

The Neue Volks-Zeitung will freely discuss all political questions of the day in an independent manner, commending what it thinks good in both

And this position it has admirably maintained, discussing every phase of national and local politics with vigor, fairnesss, impartiality and perfect independence. It is also an enterprising paper for local, town and county news.

Mr. Winter was born on April 21, 1842, at Heidelberg, Germany, where he was educated and attended a course of philology and history at the celebrated university there. He then entered the publishing house of his father. In 1866 he arrived in this country to set up in business for himself. He filled editorial positions on several prominent German- American papers. Ever since his arrival in this country Mr. Winter has been a contributor to the American press. He wrote a series of essays and reviews on European literature for the Nation.

In May, 1882, George L. Lechner became proprietor and continued its publication two months, when F. Protar purchased the office. The paper is still continued as a semi-weekly and under Mr. Protar's management is independent in politics. The German-Americans in Rock Island County are ably represented by the Volks-Zeitung, the prefix " New " having been dropped.

HE first newspaper in Moline was started by Amos Smith, Aug. 21, 1854, and was ^ called the Moline Workman. It was po- litically anti-slavery. Smith rented his office 11 of James Chapman, then a lawyer and banker in Moline - son-in law of Mr. John Deere. Mr. Chapman always had a warm side for newspapers, and has written a good deal for them - especially for the Work/nan, and later for the Citizen, as well as other papers. Amos Smith had a clear head, was genial, kind-hearted, and very generally esteemed by all who knew him. Poor health and failing eyesight compelled him to relinquish an occupation he was much attached to, and in 1857 he sold out to Graham & Webster and returned to his kinsmen and home in New Jersey. He was never married. He the Moline Workman and changed the name of the paper to Moline Independent, issuing their first number on the 25th of that month. In May, 1858, Webster sold his interest to Graham and retired. In April, 1859,0. H. Brennan became a partner with Graham, and remained such until the 28th of December following, when he sold out to Col. M. S. Barnes. In i860, Graham was again sole proprietor. He went to the war in August, 1861, and J. A. Kuck, his brother-inlaw, managed the paper until October, 1S62, when it was discontinued. Robert H. Graham was a native of New York, locating in Moline about the time he became connected with the Independent. He aided in raising a cavalry company in Moline in August, 1861, was made Captain and took his company to Leavenworth, Kan. He was subsequently made Lieutenant-Colonel of the 14th Missouri Regiment, and again promoted to the Colonelcy of the Eighth Kansas Regiment. Ill health compelled his resignation, and he died Nov. n, 1862.

M. LINNEHAN started a job-printing office in Moline in May, 1856, in connection with Wallace & Sickles, known as the " Franklin Book and Job Printing House.'' ^K, In July, 1S58, the Citizen was started by F. M. Linnehan, as a semi-weekly Democratic paper of small size. In September, Linnehan admitted James Bowie as a partner. In January, 1859, they enlarged the paper to nine columns to the page and published it as a weekly. In February,

Linnehan sold out to Bowie, on time, taking a mortgage. The paper was not a success, and as Bowie could not pay, the paper ceased to exist some time during the summer of 1859, and Linnehan took possession of the property, and in 1863 moved the material to Marengo, Iowa, where he started the Iowa Valley Gazette, continuing its publication until November, 1864, when he sold the establishment and went to Dubuque.

~l/ "- unti' 1S65 ; but late in that year William- 2$r H. Jenkins started a six-column paper there, , 6 called the Moline Republican. It was Republi- ' can in politics, and the town being in need of such a paper, it prospered. In 1867 it war enlarged to an eight-column paper, and in June of that year Mr. Jenkins sold the establishment to Capt. Haverstick, who closed the office, and Moline was again without a newspaper.

Mr. Jenkins is supposed to have been a native of Kentucky, but learned the printer's trade in Galena. He then worked some time as a journeyman, and then entered Knox College. He was poor, and taught school occasionally to earn money to complete his studies ; but not being able to go on with the course, he left and obtained work at his trade in Springfield. He there studied law in Mr. Lincoln's office, and was admitted to the Bar and opened an office. Not succeeding, he returned to his first trade. He was well educated and was a good writer. In 1856, he went to Davenport, and during the Presidential campaign of i860 he aided in editing the Daily Review, a Democratic paper in Muscatine, Iowa. In 1 86 1, he came to Rock Island and worked in the Argus office. In 1865 he started the Moline Republican, selling it in 1867 and going to Des Moines, ./.. Iowa, where, in connection with Clint Parkhurst, he purchased the Statesman. The enterprise was not a success, and he returned to his home in Moline much broken in health.

^ROM June, 1867, when Capt. Haverstick C bought the Republican and discontinued 1N it, to Nov. 26, 1870, Moline had no newspaper; but on the last day mentioned Lowe & -jfS^ Gilson (they having bought the printing material used for the dead Republican) started the M[oine Review. On Feb. 17, 187 1, the firm of Lowe & Gilson was dissolved, the latter continuing the paper. Mr. GUson's editorial experience was brief. Sept. 23, 187 1, he wrote his valedictory, and one week later Kennedy & Crichton assumed the control of the paper. May 1, 1872, Mr. Crichton retired. He was succeeded byB. F. Tillinghast, July 1, 1872, the firm of Kennedy & Tillinghast continuing the business until March 23, 1874, when Mr. Kennedy withdrew. Mr. Tillinghast published the paper alone until July 1, 1875, when he was joined by J. H. Porter, and the firm was Tillinghast & Porter until Feb. 5, 1877, when the establishment was sold to R. H. Moore, who ran the paper for three years and failed ; John H. Porter bought the material of the office, and transferred the subscription list of the paper to Samson Kennedy, who united it with the Dispatch, the weekly being continued under the name Re view - Dispatch .

HE Dispatch was started by Oliver White, the daily being a five-column folio and the weekly a six-column quarto. The paper tA was a neat and sprightly sheet. Mr. White continued its publication for one year and then disposed of it to Sam. Kennedy, who ran it till December, 1882, when the office passed into the hands of Fred O. Dean. While under charge of Mr. Kennedy, the subscription list of the Review was purchased, and the two weekly papers consolidated under the name of the Review -Dispatch, and is still continued as such . The daily was enlarged by Mr.

Kennedy to a seven-column folio. Mr. Dean continued the publication alone of the daily and weekly until Nov. 19, 1883, when he sold a one-half interest to Newton J. Hubbard, and its publication was continued by the firm of Dean & Hubbard. The latter lived but a short time after becoming interested in the paper, his death occurring Jan. 1, 1884. F. O. Dean then ran it alone until May 15, 1884, when he sold to J. H. Dean. On the 15th of March, 1885, a stock company was organized under the name of the Dean Printing Company, to whom was assigned the office and good will of the paper. F. O. Dean was managing editor under the arrangement, which continued until July 1, 1885, when the Union Printing Company of Reck Island purchased the office, and ten days after transferred it to McGlynn & Groom, who are the present publishers. These gentlemen have been connected with the local press of this county for some years, know and appreciate the wants of the community in which they live, and therefore publish a live paper, which is read with pleasure by its numerous patrons.

FIVE-COLUMN quarto sheet under the above named made its first appearance wm from the city of Galva, Henry Co., 111., Nov. 26, 1880, with Eric Johnson editor and proprietor. The paper was printed in the English language, with a view of its not being confined to the Swedish people, and for the purpose of giving all English-speaking people a greater knowledge of the Swedes. It presented a very neat appearance, and was edited with considerable ability. On the first of January, 1881, the office of publication was removed to Moline. In May, 1881, the prefix Swedish was dropped, its editor giving as a reason that it was misleading many, thinking it was printed in the Swedish language, and devoted exclusively to Swedish affairs. In July following J. E. Osborn was admitted to the partnership, the firm name adopted being Johnson & Osborn. The Citizen was continued until April, 30, 1883, when it was merged into the Republican.

HEN Sam. Kennedy was forced out of the Dispatch he said he thought he had bid J|^p farewell forever to newspaper life in Moline. Believing that an injustice had been done him by those lie had considered his friends, he resolved once more to embark in the business. A stock companv was incorporated under the name of Kennedy & Co., with a capital stock of $20,- 000, only a portion of which was paid in, the remainder being subject to call. The company purchased an office, and on the 30th of April, 1883, the first number of the Daily Republican made its appearance. The good will and subscription list of the Citizen was purchased, which formed the basis of the circulation of the weekly. In his saluta'ory, Mr. Kennedy related his difficulties in connection with the Dispatch, and his attempts to re-purchase the office. It was not until all attempts had failed that he concluded to establish the Republican. He gave notice that the new paper had such backing as would make it a succes. The Daily Republican is a neat seven-column folio and is conducted with ability and care. Sam. Kennedy is a practical printer of many years' experience and ranks among the best in the State. Whatever he prints must be well done. The weekly edition is printed in two parts and thus supplied to its readers, making virtually a semi-weekly. This course, began as an experiment, has proven very satisfactory to the patrons of the paper. In August, 1885, the company purchased a building on the corner of 1 6th Street and Fourth Avenue, from which the paper is now published.

'OME time in 1857, John H. Shipman, a civil engineer of the Warsaw & Rockford I'yVJ," Railroad project, undertook to establish a newspaper at Port Byron. Fleming & Impey, across the river in LeClaire, were publishing a small weekly sheet, and Shipman furnished local matter for this side of the river, and, with a change of name to Port Byron Messenger and dating it at Port Byron, produced a paper which was printed at LeClaire and was mainly the same as the LeClaire paper. It had no political opinions. Shipman closed his business and left Port Byron ?ome time in 1858. He was born at Andover, Mass., in 1826, went to New York city with his father's family in 1832 and was educated in the public schools there. He became a civil engineer, and at 21 years of age, after he left Port Byron, he returned to New York, and at the close of i860 obtained a position on the Sun, where he served as night editor until the winter of 1868. In 18C9 he was appointed on the editorial staff of the New York World.

I Iter

.'y Nathaniel Belcher purchased a press and ? °" type and started a printing-office in Port IM& Byron. Not long afterwards there came along ll^ a man named Lyman E. Knapp, who reprej sented himself to be just the man to run the concern, and Belcher and Johnston installed him in the position of business manager, etc. The new paper was named the Port Byron Times. Its first issue bore date March 24, 1859. The change of name of the Port Byron paper from Messenger to limes and the establishment of a printing-office on this side of the river, gave a little impetus to the affair, but it was a hopeless task from the beginning to attempt the establishment of a paper there. The price was only $1 a year and it was neutral in politics. It was a six-column paper. Belcher and Johnston finally got rid of Knapp and took in his place one Chambers P. Ober. The paper continued in existence about a year and a half.

rv eight-column folio; H. L. and A. J. Barter, publishers. The paper was independent in politics, but in the fall election in 1875 supputted the Republican county ticket. In 1S76 the)' commenced the support of the Republican ticket, but in September changed the name of the paper to "Our County," dropped the Republican county ticket and came out for Tilden and Hendricks. Up to this time A. J. Barter, a freight conductor on the Western Union Railroad, had furnished the money to run the concern and his name was used as one of the partners, though never leaving his business on the road. By this time " Jack" had got enough of newspaper glory, and he " pulled out, " and H. L. Barter was announced as editor and Thomas Barber manager. The new firm soon dropped Tilden and Hendricks and came out for Cooper and Gary; and, having thus boxed the compass the concern died, and H. L. Barter appeared on the other side of the river with a sheet 20 x 26 inches, four pages, five columns to a page, and three pages of it patent, called the LeClaire Pilot.

j£T^ J. W. Simpson being editor and proprietor. rfeLn It is an eight-column folio, neutral in politics In his salutatory the editor said : " Loca schemes for personal ends at the sacrifice of municipal rights and matters of personal spite, controversy or revenge shall find no place or encouragement in the Globe. We have brought our family - not a small one either - together with a large share of our earthly possessions, and propose to make our home at this place, and we already have received assurances of substantial support and encouragement from nearly all the community, and feel assured that the Globe will move forward, giving light and doing good. "

The Globe is a well printed sheet, bearing evidence that it is in the hands of thorough masters of this trade. Its columns are well filled with local and miscellaneous matter, while merchants of the place attest their liberality by giving it a good advertising patronage. Mr. Simpson did a good business, but Feb. 22, 1885, sold out to Hess & Owen and moved to Elgin. The firm of Hess & Owen continued till July 1, 1885, when G. A. Metzgar purchased the interest of Mr. Hess, the firm now being known as Metzgar & Owen. The paper continues to be well printed, well edited, and is a model country paper.

N the spring of 1884 Will Gray commenced the publication in Rock Island of an independent, eight-page paper, under the above name. It was continued under that name until May 16, 1885, when it was merged into the Advertiser, of Rock Island. The Advertiser continued to be published until June 20, 1885, when the subscription list and good will of the paper was transferred to the Milan Record.

HE Record is an independent, quarto sheet, the first paper ever published in Milan. It \ also is published by Will Gray, and is isted every Saturday at $i per annum. Its columns are well filled with advertisements of the business men of the place, together with a large amount of interesting local matter. The Record was established in June, 1885, and during the following month the increased demands for space were such that the editor was obliged to enlarge it, and at the present writing the publisher is again contemplating a second enlargement. When taken into consideration that the paper has been published but six months, the success of the Record is something most remarkable.

*OCK ISLAND is situated in the Mississippi River, about midway between St. Louis and St. Paul, and opposite the upper end of the city of Rock Island. The base of the island is a mass of limestone of of the Hamilton group, which underlies this section of country. It is about three miles in length and from one-fourth to three-fourths of a mile wide. " The island was a favorite resort for the Indians long before it had ever been visited by the white man," said a well known writer. " Here they loved to assemble for their summer pastimes and to indulge in the simple amusements of their race. Along these rocky shores was their favorite fishing ground ; the swift current which here pours down over successive chains of rapids, was the scene of many a dash and frolic in their light canoes; and here dwelt the kindly spirit whose protecting power preserved the red men, and over whose subterranean abode none dared to walk but with the silent step of supreme reverence and awe." Black Hawk, in his autobiography, thus speaks of the island : " This was the best island in the Mississippi and had long been the resort of our young people in the summer. It was our garden which furnished us with strawberries, blackberries, plums, apples and nuts of various kinds, and its waters supplied us with pure fish, being situated in the rapids of the river. In my early life I spent many happy days on this island. A good spirit had care of it, who lived in a cave in the rocks immediately under the place where the fort (old Fort Armstrong) now stands, and has often been seen by our people. He was white, with large wings like a swan's, but ten times larger. We were particular not to make a noise in that part of the island for fear of disturbing him. But the noise of the fort has since driven him away, and no doubt a bad spirit has taken his place." That the island in its natural state was a delightful place none can doubt. Improved by man, it is none the less delightful.

The following is the key to the numbers on the view of the island of Rock Island, as shown on the opposite page: i. Building of 1865. 2. Bridge to Davenport. 3. Bridge to Rock Island. 4. Railroad bridge to Rock Island. 5. Bridge to Moline. 6. Post Cemetery. 7. Confederate Cemetery. 8. Proposed woolen mills and tannery. 9. Barracks. 10. Commanding officers' quarters, n. Subaltern officers' quarters. r2. Tank. 13. Lake. 14. Arsenal and armory. 15. Office. 16. Cuard-house. 17. Gun-yard. 18. Laboratories. rc>. Magazines. 20. Government dam. 21. Contemplated shops.

1 luring the last war with Great Britain the Indians in this region of country united with the British, who supplied them plentifully with munitions of war, and at the close of the conflict left them with feelings of strong and bitter hostility to the general Government. The Government at this time had practically no military posts between Jefferson Barracks, a little below

St. Louis, to the mouth of the Wisconsin River, with which to protect its citizens. It therefore became a matter of necessity that something should be done. Being somewhat centrally located and in the midst of that band of Indians from whom most was to be feared, it was determined to build a fort upon the island. Col. Wm. Lawrence, with a force of regulars, was detailed for this purpose. On the 10th of May, 1816, they landed upon the island and at once commenced the erection of the fort and suitable store-houses for their provisions. The fort was a substantial structure of hewed logs, built in the form of a square, the sides being 400 feet. At each of the four angles a block-house was erected, embrasures for cannon and loop-holes for musketry being provided. There were also erected within the enclosure a magazine, store-house, barracks- and officers' quarters, and sections of heavy stone work for protection against fire. The fort was named in honor of the Secretary of War, Fort Armstrong.

Col. Geo. Davenport came with the troops as contractor for the commissary department. On the 10th of August, 1816, Mrs. Davenport and Mrs. Lewis arrived at the fort, being the first ladies who had ever ascended the Mississippi River to this point.

The Indians were very much dissatisfied upon the first arrival of troops on the island, but the officers took great pains to gain their friendship by making them presents and they soon became apparently satisfied. During the first summer they would frequently take over supplies of sweet corn, beans, pumpkins, and such other vegetables as they raised, presenting them to Mr. Davenport and the officers, with the remark that they had none, while they themselves had plenty, invariably refusing to take any pay.

With a view of persuading the Indians to retire peaceably to the west side of the Mississippi and there remain, a council was held by Gen. Gaines with about 30 chiefs of the Sac and Fox tribes, in 1 83 1. Among the chiefs present were Black Hawk and Keokuk. The council held by Gen. Scott with the chiefs in 1832 would have been held upon the island had it not been for the prevalence of cholera. As it was, the council was held on the Iowa side, about where the depot of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad now stands, in Davenport.

was still held as a Government reservation, agents being appointed to take charge of it. General Street, who at the time of the withdrawal of the troops was Indian Agent at Prairie du Chien, was ordered to this point and the agency here established. In 1838 the agency was removed to Iowa, on the Des Moines River, and Gen. Street was succeeded by Col. Geo. Davenport, who had charge of the island until 1840, when Capt. Bell was ordered here from Jefferson Barracks, Mo., and Fort Armstrong was made a depot for arms. He was subsequently succeeded by Capt. Shoemaker, who remained until 1845, when the arms, being required for the Mexican War, they were shipped to New Orleans, Capt. Shoemaker go ing with the army to Mexico. He was succeeded by Thomas Drum, who died in 1853, when Sergt. Cummings, from Fort Crawford, at Prairie du Chien, was appointed. On his declination, Col. J. B. Danforth, Sr., was appointed, Jan. 20, 1854. Col. Danforth resigned in 1857 to accept a position in the United States Navy, and H. Y. Slaymaker,of Davenport, received the appointment. In May, iS6r,T. J. Pickett was appointed to succeed Mr. Slaymaker, and was in charge of the island until it was again occupied for arsenal purposes.

In September, 1840, Capt. Wm. H. Bell, of the Ordnance Department of the United States Army, was directed to examine Rock Island with a view to its occupancy for ordnance purposes and report to the department. He reported having examined the island carefully and that it belonged exclusively to the United States. At that time there were but two occupants on it, one occupying the upper end, whose name is not given; the other the lower end, Col. George Davenport. Capt. Bell recommended the occupancy of the island for the purposes mentioned.

In September, 1841, Congress passed an act for a thorough examination of the whole western country, " for the purpose of selecting a suitable site on the western waters for the establishment of a national armory." Brig. -Gen. W. K. Armistead, Surg.-Gen. Thomas Lawson and Lieut-Col. S. H. Long were appointed commissioners for this purpose. They made a very exhaustive report. In reference to Km k Island, they said :

"This beautiful and interesting island derives its name from the circumstances of its resting upon a bed of Rocks, consisting of limestone in horizontal strata, well adapted to the purposes of building. It stands in the Mississippi at the foot of Rock Island Rapids. Its length is about two and seven-eighths miles, and its greatest width four-fifths of a mile. It contains about 8,ooo acres of excellent land, still the property of the United States. The surface of the island is generally waving, and is pervaded by a broad valley passing centrally and logitudinally two-thirds the length of the island. With the exception of a few acres cleared at the head of the island (the site formerly occupied by Fort Armstrong, now used, in part, by the United States as a depot for arms for the wes! - ern country, and a large garden, with other improvements, occupied by Geo. Davenport, Esq.), the island is covered with a dense timber growth. The island is bounded for the most part, by precipitous cliffs or abrupt and rocky hill slopes, its surface rising io to 20 feet above the highest freshets."

A committee, consisting of John Buford, Joseph Knox, Joseph B. Wells, John Morse and George Mixter, acting in behalf of the citizens of the county, addressed a communication to President Tyler at this time, in which was set forth the claims of the island in strong terms.

Notwithstanding the favorable reports made as to the beauty and eligibility of Rock Island, nothing was done for many years after, though the debates in Congress, when bills were introduced for the sale of the island, show that the subject was not forgotten, while Government officers in their reports recommended that the island should under no circumstances be relinquished by the War Department, for the reason that it would eventually be required by the Government as a site for an armory and arsenal for the Mississippi Valley.

Gen. Jessup, writing to the Secretary of War, in 1852, says: "The site of Fort Armstrong, Rock Island, is one of the most valuable in our western country for an armory and arsenal." Jefferson Davis, while Secretary of War, in a report to the United States Senate Committee on Public Lands, said : "The water power available at Rock Island, and the communication by water and by railroads projected or in course of construction, concur with other circumstances in rendering Rock Island one of the most advantageous sites in the whole western country for an armory or arsenal of construction for the manufacture of wagons, clothing or other military sup-

As time passed and nothing was done for the establishment of an arsenal, attempts were again made by private parties to obtain possession of the island. After the construction of the water power ' at Moline, a number of improvements were made upon the island, and those making them were anxious to obtain a title to the land. In 1857, a party, mostly from the city of Rock Island, moved upon the island and at once filed the necessary pre-emption papers with the Register of the Land Office at Springfield. Before settling upon the island, the settlers, or " squatters," as they were called, had consulted Reverdy Johnson and Montgomery Blair, >if Washington, respecting the status of the lands, and had obtained opinions favorable to the success of their plans. They afterwards retained both these eminent lawyers, and also Abraham Lincoln, as counsel. In April, 1858, they went to Springfield to prove title and pay for the lands. While in Springfield, a telegram from the Commissioner of the General Land Office, in Washington, was received by the Register, prohibiting further action in the matter, and stating that the island would be sold by the War Department at public auction as a military reservation.

Just prior to the settlement made by the party from Rock Island, Thales Lindsley, said to have been a clerk in one of the departments at Washington, came out, claimed much of the land, and propi Psed the establishment of a great military school and national university. The course of study proposed for the university was wonderful and unique. It embraced 100 different courses of study, and required for its faculty 100 professors, besides tutors and teachers. To complete the whole course of study in this university required 16 years of "laborious study." The Legislative course alone included over 80 separate subjects of study, divided into seven parts or sub-courses. As novel to universities, the projector proposed each of the following: School of domesticity, ceremony, militia, manufactures, arts, arms, editors, authors and politics. In a note appended, the author said: "Of five of these, viz.: domesticity, ceremony, manufactures (wherein the business only of manufacturing is considered), editing and authorship, have never existed in any form as schools."

The War of the Rebellion occurring, the subject of establishing here a national armory and arsenal was again agitated. On the lirst day of July, 1861, a petition addressed to the Senators and Representatives in Congress was drawn up by N. B. Buford, J. Wilson Drury, Ira O. Wilkinson, Ben Harper, Reuben Hatch, Geo. Mixter, J. B. Danforth, Jr., and P. L. Cable, a committee representing the citizens of Rock Island, asking Congress to establish a national armory and arsenal on Rock Island, and setting forth the special advantages of the location. By the request of this committee, another committee, representing the three cities of Rock Island, Moline and Davenport, was appointed, consisting of the following named : Ira O. Wilkinson, N. B. Buford, H. C. Connelly, J. Wilson Drury and Bailey Davenport, of Rock Island; Chas. Atkinson and P. R. Reed, of Moline; W. H. F. Gurley, Geo. L. Davenport and G. M. French, of Davenport. Congress was memorialized by these gentlemen in an ably prepared pamphlet, with a map of the locality, and setting forth the claims and advantages of the island as the site of the proposed Western arsenal and armory.

The memorial set forth the fact that a new armory and arsenal for the manufacture and safe -keeping and distribution of arms and munitions of war, are of pressing national necessity, demanded alike by the present wants and future requirements of the Government, and that the preponderating growth of the Northwest, as well as the absence of any such establishment within its limits, indicate that such an armory should be located on the Upper Mississippi. Even before this action was taken by the three cities, the Iowa General Assembly passed a series of joint resolutions urging the claims of the island upon the general Government. These resolutions were passed and approved March 24, 1861, three weeks before the overt act was committed by the rebels in tiling upon Fort Sumter. They were incorporated in the memorial. The Illinois Legislature, not being in session, could take no action, but Gov. Yates and the other State officers, both civil and military, addressed a letter to the Secretary of War, urging the location of the armory upjn Rock Island.

The first act taken by Congress for the construction of the Rock Island Arsenal was in the passage of an act approved July 11, 1862, appropriating $100,- 000 for the purpose; and soon after this a board of officers, consisting of Majors F. D. Callender and C. 1'. Kingsbury and Capt. T. J. Treadwell, was appointed to select sites on the island for the arsenal buildings and to determine upon materials to be used in their construction.

The committee made their report and recommendations, and Major C. P. Kingsbury was assigned to the duty of constructing and the command of the arsenal. Ground for the fust building was broken on the 1st day of September, 1863. This is what is known as shop A, and stands nearly on the site of old Fort Armstrong.

The act of Congress approved July 11, 1862, was only for the establishment of a small arsenal of storage and repair. It had, however, been a plan and cherished wish of the War and Ordnance Department, and of army officers of high rank, for many years, to have constructed somewhere in the Mississippi Valley a great arsenal of construction, consistent in character and capacity with the probable future growth, magnitude and necessity of this part of the country. This plan was not lost sight of, but was prominent in view when the Rock Island arsenal was located, and it was hoped and expected that at some time in the future the Rock Island Arsenal would become the great arsenal needed for the Mississippi Valley. Major Kingsbury kept this thought in view in all his actions and recommendations.

An act was passed and approved April 19, 1864, authorizing the Secretary of War to take and hold all the land upon the island, and on the 15th of June, Chief of Ordnance wrote Major Kingsbury to notify all parties upon the island to vacate within six months. It must be remembered that special acts of Congress had been passed granting certain tracts of land to Geo. Davenport and David B. Sears. The latter had disposed of a jjortion of his tract to other parties, who were engaged in manufacturing. At the time the order was given to Major Kingsbury this land was owned by Geo. L. and Bailey Davenport, D. B. Sears, Dimoek & Gould, Stephens, Huntoon & Wood, Robert Welsh, James Robinson, S. H. White, Daniel Jones, Peter Peterson and David Sears. In September, 1864, Dimoek & Gould made application for permission to remain on the island and continue their business until the Government should require them to move, by the payment of a fair rent. Their request was granted, and in due time granted to

At his own request Major Kingsbury was relieved from the command of the arsenal in June, 1865, and Major T. J. Rodman appointed to the command. (See biography, page 655.) He remained here until his death, in June, 187 1. " During this time, " says Col. Flagler in his history of the island, " storehouse A was completed, the water reservoir was built and the greater part of the water power was constructed. A great deal of work was also done in clearing up the undergrowth on the island, laying out and building roads and protecting the shores of the island from washing by rip-rap. But Gen. Rodman's more important works were his plans for the armory and arsenal, his procuring the removal of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad from its position across the island, its re-establishment at the west end of the island, with the construction of the great bridge connecting the island with the Iowa shore and the settling of the many claims growing out of the removal from the island of parties who had established themselves thereon.

On the 15th day of June, 187 1, Major D. \V. Flagler (see page 317) was assigned to the command of the arsenal. That he is a worthy successor of Gen. Rodman, the work that he has performed since the command was given him attests.

Col. Flagler at once comprehended the vast importance of the work he had in charge, and to it he bent his energies and profound study. The plans as he received them were crude and imperfect, and they have developed under his hand into an elaborate work. Inventions of practical value, resulting in conceded economy, have been applied. The progress of construction has been supplemented by the manufacture of army stores to the amount of $125, 000 annually. By this means has Col. Flagler proved that these stores could be manufactured here and distributed to the army cheaper than they could be manufactured East and brought West. Eight shops have been completed, and the last two are under procoss of construction. The officers' quarters, the barracks and the commanding officers' houses are completed. The post buildings, a complete system of sewers, the Moline bridge, - a fine iron structure. - the many roads and drives around the island, the powder magazine, the pump-house and water-works, beautifying the grounds, the levee wall and numerous other creations all attest the admirable selection of Col. Flagler to the command of the island.

A thoroughly practical man, Col. Flagler has steadily worked on until Rock Island Arsenal is acknowledged by military officers and others to be one of the grandest institutions in the United States. In 1876 he prepared an exhaustive history of the island and arsenal, from which the facts contained in this sketch are gleaned. At this time there had been completed shops A, B, C, D and E, with shops F and G begun ; commanding officers' quarters completed ; three other stone buildings for subaltern officers' quarters completed; the soldiers' barracks, one post building for main guard- house, fire-engine house, Commissary and Quartermaster store-houses and offices and one powder magazine built ; pump-house for waterworks, entrance gates and guard-house and the post ice-house built ; also a complete system of sewers, an eight-inch water main, supplied with fire plugs and branches to the buildings, were laid from the reservoir around the site of the shops.

Since 1876 four shops, from F to I, have been completed and one begun, which is now in course of erection ; one set officers' quarters ; one large storehouse, south of shop A ; and several miles of macadamized streets, avenues and stone walls built. On the streets a very important work was the blasting of the rock in an elevated plateau, leveling it, and the filling up of a swamp. A large amount of work that has been done has been putting into the shops the castings, shafting, shop fixtures and machinery, fitling them up for practical use. The wall of the lower dam of the water power has been completed, waterwheels and mill machinery put in and a temporary experimental line of wire-rope transmission erected, of about 200-horse- power capacity, from the waterpower to shops E and C, a distance of about half a mile. This line has been running and furnishing a steady, perfect power to the shops since June, 1878.

At the request of the Moline Water-Power Company, a portion of the large stone dam was removed and a new cut stone made for masonry walls, with six water ways and iron gates constructed for use of that company. A tail-race canal has also been deepened three feet in a tough, hard rock for benefit of that company. The wing dam has been extended about one-half a mile up the river and the old wing dam greatly widened and raised about ten feet. A channel 150 feet wide, with an average depth of about three feet, has been cut through the rock from the head of the wing dam down to the Moline bridge, a distance of about three-fourths of a mile, for the better inlet of water into the pool. A dam, with water ways and 15 iron gales, has been constructed between Rock Island and Benham's Island, for use in washing sediment out of the pool.

In 1S79 the manufacture was begun, in a small way, of infantry, artillery and cavalry equipments and accoutrements, horse equipments and harness and materials for target practice. After demonstrating to the Government that these articles could be made here cheaper than at any other arsenal, the manufacture was increased until now the greater part of all these things in use by the army are manufactured here. The shops, when completed and furnished, will accommodate 16,000 workmen.

" In time of peace prepare for war, " is an old saying. While not manufacturing large supplies, the building and furnishing of the shops and all the arrangements that have been made upon the island have been with the view of being well prepared for instant use.

At the upper end of the island is located .the National Cemetery, where lie the remains of about 400 Union soldiers. The grounds are scrupuously cared for, and with each Decoration Day the graves are strewn with flowers.

One of the curiosities shown on the island is the home of Col. Geo. Davenport, after whom the city opposite was named. He was the first white settler and was made Indian Agent, receiving a grant of* land on the island. On the 4th of July, rS45,Col. Davenport was cruelly murdered in his own house, the family being absent at a picnic. The murderers escaped unrecognized, but were afterward detected;^ and executed. The house is preserved and the blood marks are still shown by the custodian.

Another interesting object is the arsenal gun-yard, on the main avenue. Here are displayed all manner of heavy ordnance, from the Rodman to the howitzer, several hundred in all, and among them are several trophies captured from British and Mexican foes, with the inscriptions, one bearing date 1777 at New Orleans. The most formidable gun, however, was the rifled Parrott piece, with its black front and great length. Many of these guns have been ininscribed with the names of the thousands of visitors, and on some of them it was impossible to find a spot large enough to write one's name. As the visitor comes up to the gates he is confronted with two heavy brass cannon, and over the brow of the island * pointing directly down the river, are three Parrott guns frowning.

^"W^j. tr ,-'^%" HI LE the people of Rock Island County in early days had great faith in the Mississippi River as a means of transportation, the thoughtful ones realized that there was a great inland country to be developed, and that its products, to be valuable, should be quickly transported. Several railroads were projected, among others the Warsaw & Rockford Railroad, running from Warsaw, 111., to Rockford in the same State, taking in the city of Rock Island op, its way, and traversing a considerable portion ot the county. The county was appealed to for aid and individual subscriptions called for. The people responded as liberally as their means would allow.

This was accordingly done, and the amount placed in the hands of the company to be used in the construction of the road. Like a great many other Utopian schemes, this came to naught. The road never was built, and the county left about $200,000 poorer, including the interest on the bonds. The citizens lost individually probably as much more.

The Sterling Branch of the C, B. & Q. extends from Sterling to Rock Island. This branch dates back to about 1854, at which time the Sterling & Rock Island Railroad Company was organized and chartered. Its officers lived principally in Sterling. In 1857 the company procured from this county a grant of 20 acres of swamp land, through which the load was to be built. This, it is believed, was all the aid received. The panic of 1857 delayed its building, and during the war that followed it was almost forgotten. When tire Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis Railroad Company was organized, the franchises and property of this company were, in some measure, transferred to it, and by that company completed in 1869. In addition to the line from Sterling to Rock Island, a branch was built from wlial is known as Port Byron Junction to the village of Port Byron. This has since been transferred to the \\ estern Union, now the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company.