Rock Island Township (part 1 of 2)

Rock Island Township

A history of the towns of Rock Island and Moline would apparently be similar and coincident to the history of the cities of Rock Island and Moline, the two towns being the corporate limits of the two cities. The date of the formation of these two townships is noted in Township Organization.

po])iilati()n of aliout ^'J.OOO. In our recently issued city directory is ^Wen 14,0.55 names; which by the usual multiple of 2},^ would give us a ]iopulation of 81.G24. It is situated on the Illinois side of the .Mississippi River. at the foot of the Upper Rapids, and just lielow the western extremity of Rock Island, from which it derives its name. The situation of the city is one of the most beautiful that can be imagined. The bluffs on the Iowa side approach the shore, so that the City of Davenport lies chiefly on the hillsides; on the Rock Island side the hills recede to a distance of more than a nule. leaving a broad and beautiful plain on which the city is built. This plain is sufficiently elevated to afford a dry and healthy location, and is Ijounded by the river in front, forming a graceful curve southward at the lower end of the city, and in the rear of the distant hills, which form a charming backgroimd to the city plat. Here the space is amply sufficient for a city of a hundred thousand inhabitants. From almost any point of observation in this city the views are fine. They combine a landscape of nunglcd art and nature: the cities of Daven- ])ort. Rock Island and Moline, with their tall s]jires and smoking factories; the Island of Rock Island in the broad liright channel of the Mississippi, and connected with both shores by its magnificent iron britlges. Looking up the river towartl the Island, the bridges, with their piers and spans, are seen stretching across a space of three cpiarters of a mile, at the ])oint formerly occupied by old Fort Armstrong, while in the distance rises the tall smoke stacks of the Government works, the Arsenal and Armory - almost hidden in the trees - which in this part of the Island have been preserveil. and the grounds converted into a beautiful syhan park- About the center of the Island, from a tall flag staff erected on top of a high structural iron pier, floats the Stars and Stiipes - symbol of national aiitliorit\-.

The Island, the Arsenal works and groimds, and tlie wonderfid improvements of the water ))ower. constitute the chief points of attraction to visitors at Rock Island.

The City of Rock Island was preceded by the Town of Farnhamsburg. the first settlement on this side of the river within the ])resent City limits. Here the first house was built by Colonel Davenport and Russell Farnham. partners in the Indian trade, in 1826. It stood near the landing from old Fort Armstrong, about a block south of the southern approach to the present railroad bridge over Sylvan Water, and on an elevated lime stone knoll. The county road from the east ran in front of it. and turned from the Moline road to the west of the Lemuel Andrews residence - now Honorable Ben T. Cable's residence - and down along where is now the Hurlington and ^lilwaukee Railroad tracks, until it reached Twenty-fom-th Street, where it met old Illinois Street, now Second Avenue. The house was a noted place in the early history of Rock Island County. Here the County Covernment was formed, the first elections held, and the first postoffice established; it was the seat of the Circuit and County Courts from 1833 to 1835. In the latter year, this original seat of justice of the county was sui^erseded by the Town of Stephenson, and a laid out in what is now the lower ])art of the City of Rock Lsland. It was laid out by the commissioners authorized by the Legislature to establish the seat of justice for Rock Island County, anil contained the old county grounds, with a ])ortion of the county buildings. There are still standing many of the earlier buildings erected by the pioneers and here were inaugurated man}' of the first institutions of Rock Island. Stephenson was the cradle of Rock Island, the nursery of much of that intellectual and social life which has since expanded into the laraor and intenser life of the cit\-.

"The inhabitants of the town and its environs could not be surpassed, if equalled, by any city in the west, for men of intelligence - courteous and kind in everything. Our judiciary consisted of Judge Stone, who was very soon superseded by Judge Brown; our bar consisted of Joseph Knox, Joseph B. Wells, J. \\'ilson Drury, and H. CJ. Reynolds; the clerk of the court was an old bachelor, Joseph Conway, brother of Miles Conway, who, with a Mr. Cooper, composed the magistrac}- of the village; while our medical department was represented by Doctor Gregg alone, a man eminent in his profession.

"There were three stores in the place, kept by John Meller, Lemuel Andrews and a Mr. Kauffman. Two more came afterwards, viz: ilr. Bond and Mr. Moore. There was one tinning establishment, Lee & Chamberlin's; one saddler shop. J. il. Frizzell's; one cabinet maker's and one gunsmith's sho]); three taverns, ^Ir. Bently's en the river l)aiik; Buffum's, back of the Court House Square; and the Rock Island House on Main Street, kept b\- \'anConrt iV: Brothers. This was the leading hotel at that da}-. There was one restaurant, and one other, called a saloon for the want of a more ajjpropriate name. One minister of the gos])el (Presbyterian), Reverent "Sir. Stewart, preached in a little schoolhouse liack of Doctor Gregg's residence on Main Street - our only church, lyceum and town hall. * * * The Powars family, Guarnseys and old "Sh. ^'andruff, who lived on the island in Rock River, and kept a ferry at the Rapids, and something for the inner man, were among the first settlers of Rock Island. There were but few places of any note above Quinc}-, Illinois. Where Keokuk now stands there was a trading post ke])t Ijy a half-breed, who sold liquor to the Sac and Fox Indians, and engaged in towing barges over the rapids with horses, to Fort Montrose. At the east side of the Mississippi, at the head of the rapids, at a place then called Commerce, was situated a stone warehouse, where passing steamers discharged freight for the surrounding country. The JMormons had a short time ]ireviously l)een driven out of ^lissouri, and they encamped on the west bank of the river, awaiting transportation to the Illinois side to build the City of Nauvoo, and their wagcms and equipages presented the apjiearance of an army encamped. The town of Burlington, Iowa, had but few houses. * * * Bloomington. now Muscatine, contained about six houses, and had the appearance of being a very sickly jilace, if I could judge from the looks of the citizens who came aboard the steamer.";

This had reference to the Summer of 1838, when the writer, Mr. C. McGrew, came up the river. In all the distance described, from Quincy to the lead mines at Galena, Stephenson was then the most noted steamboat landing. Here for manj^ years, travelers from the "Sangamon Country" and Fort Clark, reached the river on their way to Galena, and the mineral regions north.

Town Of Rock Island

The Town of Rock Island came into being as a new edition of Stephenson, enlarged and revised by an act of the Legislature, passed in March, LS41. This act changed the name to Rock Island, and incorporated the latter as a town under a board of nine trustees. The trustees of the old village held over until the next annual election in September, but a special election was held on the first Jlonday in April for four other trustees, who, together with the five old trustees, constituted the new board. The additional trustees elected were: John Bufcn-d, George W. Lynde Lemuel Andrews and James JI. Bellows.

The boundaries of this town, as defined by this act, were made to include ' ' all that portion of land contained within the limits of the plat of the town of Stephenson, and all tlie adilitions thereto, as of record in the recorder's office, in the County of Rock Ishmd." hy c()ii:~ulting the records we found that the following additions had been made: Thomas and Wells' Addition, April o, 1S36; Sjjencer and Case's Addition, May 17, 1836; and Jones, Garnse}- and Beardsley's, known as the Chicago or Lower Addition, October 22, 1836, As is well known, numerous additions have since been made to the city, extending its limits to something like ten scjuare miles, viz: About two miles and a cjuarter in average width, by about three and a half miles in length. It was invested with a city charter by ' ' An Act to Charter the City of Rock Island," February 12, 1849. Febrviary 16, 1857, a more comprehensive charter was granted, November 4, 1879, by an election the incorporation was changed, and an organization effected under the general laws of the State, of 1872, A canvass of the votes bj- the City Council November 10, 1879, affirmed for organization, under the new general law, and on December 10. 1879, was certified to and made of record in the County Court. Its eastern bounrlary coincides with the western corporate limits of the City of Moline, and thus the two cities adjoin, and aie connected by three street railways, as well as by the regular passenger trains of four railroad systems.

The nearest approach to a "boom" experienced by Rock Island was in 1854, when the old Chicago and Rock Island Railroad reached Kock Island in January of that 3^ear, being the first railroad to reach the Mississippi River; but in 1857, a year of panic, and heavy migration west, gave us a few years set-back; we regained, however, in good time, and since have had a steady, legitimate growth, one to be proud' of. From that ])eriod the city began to move west in its i)uikling operations, and of late years, both east, west and soutli. The greatest credit for the vast and ra|)i<l improvement now enjoyed by Rock Island may be ascribed to the Citizens Improvement Association. Tlie proposer of the association was Richard Crampton, who, coming from a trip east, recognized that we were stagnant, needed a jjush and stu', and his ideas interested W . T. Medill, Will R, Johnston. Dr. Willard A. Paul, Fred Flass and others, and the association was organized. They advocated and secui-ed, through the good offices of tlie City^ Council, the special assessment tax for home improvement.

This organization of business men performing the same beneficial work now being accomplished by the Rock Island Clul). It was mainly through the efforts of the association and club that the paving of our streets was secured, new additions were laid out into city lots, sidewalks brought to a high standard, factories encouraged, and others secured, the force at the Arsenal enlarged, new bridges constructed, new railroads promoted, a new Federal building secured; all these materially increasing the population, and adding stren.gth and reputation to the city.

Rock Island has a strong urban population, beautiful homes, cheap fuel, the finest of coal at our very door, an abimdance of water furnished by a fine combbied system of water works, a large water power adjacent to ourselves and neighb,oring city, awaiting development, a wealthy farming district surrounding us, and a location that capital and labor can both appreciate. There are few cities that can boast of, and offer more advantages for investment, than the City of Rock Island. The Chicago. Rock Island and Pacific; the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy; the Chicago, ^lilwaukee and St. Paid, and the Davenport, Rock Island and Northwestern Railroads entering her boiindarie-s - each of the great roads supplying every facility for both passenger and freight traffic. There is also a net work of electric surface cars running to Davenport, Aloline, East Moline. Silvis, Milan, Watertown, Rock Island .\rsenal. and a score of pleasure resorts, giving her one of the finest street car systems anywhere. Her prosperity is evidenced bj' the parks and drives, which excite the admiration of all visitors; her substantial and commodious schools and colleges, the large number of churches of all prominent denominations, shops and stores of every kind, and manufactories with millions of capital, giving eni])loyment to thousands of men. A plowfactor}^ which ranks Avith the best in the country, a large stove factory of prominence, an immense table oil cloth factory, a brewery with 1,500 barrel capacity, soda and mineral water factories, candy factories, inunense lumber, sash door and blind interests, large insurance agencies, good hos])itals, ample police and fire protection, the best of hotels, has a magnificent inU.)lic library, which is a home production.

Early Names Of Ouk Stukets

In tlie original plat of the town of Stephenson the allej's were named. The main streets running east and west, parallel with the river, were: ilississippi, Illinois, Orleans, Rock River, and Moline Avenue; its continuations being Highland, and Canal Streets. Tiie alley between Mississippi Street and Illinois Street was named Cherrj' Alle}-, tlien came Molet, Pink and Rose Allej-s; between Orleans and Rock River Streets, Peach and Phun AUej's; between Illinois and Orleans Streets, running north and south, in the blocks east and west of the Court House, The names are surely not suggestive of some of our present allevs.

The first brick store in Hock Island was built by Lemuel Andrews, and is still in existence, just east of the Court House, and now occupied by Mrs. Roessler, adjoining the old frame house built and occupied by Mr. Andrews, and Ions occupied l)y Mrs. Benjamin Cobb. This (lid lii'ick luiihliufi was a general store, kept by Andrews and Mc- Masters. Mr. Andrews later building on the site of the present E. P. Reynolds' homestead, a good brick residence with a large porch around three sides, and facing the slough, beside the county i-oad, where the railroad tracks now are.

Mr. Andrews afterward built the large, costly mansion known as the Cable residence. He also built the first saw and grist mill in the lower end of town, in 1841. The first boat yard was established by J. C. Holt, in 1841, succeeded by Bailey and Boyle, about where the present Arsenal viaduct bridge is located. They h^ter established a large general store in a new brick block, on the present site of the i\Iitchell and Lynde block.

The principal early-time liook store was that of H. A. Porter and Brother, in 1849, located on the south side of Illinois Street, between Buffalo and Eagle Streets. At one time their chief clerk was Richard Crampton, who arriA-ed here from New York ;\lay 1, 1854, and e\-er since has been in the book business in this city. H. A. Porter and Brother went to Chicago in 1858, where they e.stablished the Chicago Type Foumlry. Mr. Crampton succeeding to their book business, later forming a partnershiji with .John G. Devoe, who at one time was a proof reader for Horace Greeley on the old New York Tribune, the firm becoming Devoe and Crampton, They started in at the old stand, afterwards moving to Frank Warren's old store, where Sam \\'right now is, and then to the old postoffice building of L. M. Webber, on which site Miss Byrnes is now in business. Later they moved into a new building erected bv Tom Plummer, the old lixci'v man, in the center of the same iilock, where his old livery stable was, the first story being below the street. The building was cpiite a tlistance from the siilewalk. ha\-ing a vn-y wide and long platform making a carriage way to the second story, nearly even with the street. Afterwards the firm mo\-ed across the street to the Peter Fries Ijuilding, located nearly on the site of the old W. H. Whitman residence, which .Mr. fries and family at one lime occupietl, where Voimg and ilcCombs now are. Devoe and Crampton's store was the political and newspaper headcpuirters of the city, everybody going there after supper for the Chicago papers and talk. Those were lively, chatty evenings. At one time they had a prominent elevated sign in front of the store on the outer edge of the sidewalk representing a very large wheel, the spokes of which advertised their wares, and on the rim was the motto by which the establishment was long known - "The floral Center of the Intellectual World."

Where Bengston's block is, in the early fifties, stood an old two-story long frame building, called Doty's Row, built in the forties. In 1855 Smith and Lathrop leased forty feet of the grounil on the corner foitwenty years, at a yearly rental of four hundred dollars and taxes, and tearing down the old Doty Row, they built a three-story brick block, which they later sold to E. H. Smythe. It was called the E. H. Smythe block, a covered stairway running up the outside of the building, as does the present Bengston block, built on this old site in 1875. E. H. and H. A. Smythe were old clothiers here, having been preceeded by Knox and .Company.

The chief caterers were Mr. an 1 Mrs. Butcher, two respected colored people, who will be remembered by a great many of the (lid timers. At their i-estaniant the best supper, game, steaks and chops, could be had, none better since their day; game, especially, being \('ry plentiful, (inail imuLI be l),)ughl for twenty-five cents per dozen in those days, and prairie chickens in comparison. Mrs. Butcher often served families at their home jiarties.

The Butchers were located in a good sized frame house, back of the old Rock Island House toward the rivei-, on old West Eagle Street. They had an unusually bright, smart son, and there was no better dressed man in town than AI. Butcher. Dame Rumor says he used to wax the white boys at jioker; no names mentioned. He paid a short visit here a year ago from Memphis, his home now, where he was made provost marshal after the War of the Rebellion.

The nlain provider for the inner man was old Fred Ridenbaugh, who conducted the old Young America - called the Empire - on Market Square, a place where the best men in town went for a supper, oyster stew, or drink - business men, lawyers and doctors. At his demise, according to his desire, the funeral was held from the First Presbyterian Church, its pastor, Reverend S. T. Wilson, officiating.

One of the very early butcher shops, in 1852, was that of L. Buttrick, situated in Market Square, near the ]iresent drinking fountain and hay scales. It was a small, one-story frame building, hoards running up and down, with a small shed addition in the rear, and all whitewashed.

The first foundry and machine shop was established by Webber, Boyd and Company, in 1849, on the corner of Illinois and Broadway Streets, succeeded by C. C. Webber and Company, and known as the Union Foundry. One door east, in 1855, was estat)lished the office of Lowry, Thomas and Company, proprietors of the Carbon Cliff Coal Mining Company. In 1853 N. B. and T. J. Buford built a foundry and machine shop on Water Street east of Buffalo. Another good old foundry man, an expert, was W. H. Thompson, who in 1856 had the \'ulcan Foundry near liroailwav and Moline .AAcnuo, facing what is now Twenty-fourth Street. His son, David C. Thompson, for the past thirty-six 3-ears superintendent of the foundry at Rock Island Arsenal, became, under the tutelage of his father, an adept. W. H. Thompson was a great ' ' Bobby Burns " man. and always recognized his birthday. He could quote Burns galore, and with the genuine Scotch idiom.

John Btdley, an Englishman, in 1S55 kept a crockery store on the corner of Buffalo and Rock River Streets, and was an importer of china, crockery and glassware. The building was a long one-story frame building, the boards running u]) and down, anil whitewashed both inside and outside. He was commonly s])oken of as the "bully man."

Lee and Wilmans had another crockery store in 1854, in a frame building just east of the present Central Presbyterian Church, north of the Covn-t House.

.John Bengston came here in 1862, clerking in the drug store of C. H. Fahnestock, in the center of the block east of Buffalo Street. The store was conducted afterwards by Fahnestock and Lewis, and then by Charles A. Benser, who ni(i\ed to the corner of Eagle and Illinois Streets, the ])resent place of T, H. Thomas, where the old corner has had Cook, Sargent and Parker's bank, the grocery stores of il. S, Herrick, and Charles M. Knox, son of .foe Knox, one of our old time lawyers. There have also been two drug stores on this site.

K. Bard, in the nii<l(lle sixties, kept a grocery store called the "Painted Barrels," located under Dart's Hall. The store took its name from a prominent ele\'ated sign of a barrel painted in \-aried colors.

In the centre of the block between Sixteenth and Seventeenth Streets, in the early sixties, used to be a large sized nursery display grounds for the Hakes Nursery, which was in the rear of Holmes Hakes residence, now .Joseph Rosenfield's residence, on Seventh Avenue near Eighteenth Street. A two-storv brick building was built there afterwards, occupied by W. C. and H. T. W'adsworth as a dry goods store: they were succeeded by Mitchell and Parsons. Next door west, in 1854. was the grocery store of Gray Brothers, Tom and Jessie. Near where Carse's Block now is, a heavy set man. known by the name of "Puff and Windy Smith," had a dry goods and general store.

Henry Hcnsman started a stove store and tin shop in 1845. in the center of the postoffice block on Illinois Street, next door to a butcher shop kept by .James Copp, senior. and his son. George. Mr. Hcnsman sometime later moved to the present Buford Block, leaving Rock Island for Denver in 1863. He was succeeded by Hass and Kane, and afterwards by Michael Kane, J. B. Danforth being a silent ])artner. In 1855 George Whisler kept a grocery and seed store next to Copp's meat market; next door was Eric Okerberg. who came to Rock Island in 1851, said to be the first watchmaker in Rock Island County.

In 1862 David Don opened a stove store and tin shop on Illinois Street just east of the present Illinois Theatre. Robert Don, in 1860, ran a bakery where the Beecher property is. just west of Carse's Hall. The oldtime baker was Charley Yates, en Illinois Street east of Buffalo, and then Jake Aster on Market Square. For years Ernest Krell was baker, confectioner and caterer; alwavs ready to assist the ladies at their church socials. W. B. Sargent started a small grocery store in 1860 en the corner of Illinois and Washington Streets, where the Peoples National Bank stands, afterwards having as a partner, Harry Williams, then David Hawes. After Major C. W. Hawes, his son, returned from the Armj', he bought his father's interest. The store was a small frame building, painted a reddish brown, and

Sargent and Hawes used to advertise it as the Dilapitated Corner." It made way for fut\u-e improvements. ^Ir. Sargent and his son. Nute. in 1868. bought out the grocery store of J. H. Plummer. under the old Rodman House.

Warnock antl Kelly started the first soap factory, prior to 1855. advertising as manufacturers of "candles, variegated soaps, and common soaps, and dealers in soda - ash and rosin." This mantifactory was near the boat yard.

In December, 1859, Archie and Tom Shaw commenced pork packing on the present site of James S. Gilmore's packing house, and continued until 1870, when they went to Chicago, and James S. Gilmore succeeded to the business, which he has carried en ever since, making a continuous pork packing business for over forty-eight years at the same place.

Joseph and Mayer Rosenfield started business in 1856, in hides and leather findings, in a one and one-half story building next to Gray Brothers' grocerj^ store, on the north side of Illinois Street, between Buffalo and Eagle Streets, afterwards moving to the Iglehart corner, then to the N. B. Buford Block, east of Carse's Hall, and afterwards to more commodious quarters at 1628 Second Avenue.

Christopher Atkinson. brickmaker :.n I builder, en Bluff Road near the old grave yard, afterwards locating at the present c.irner of Seventh Avenue and Thirtieth Street, and later en Thirtieth Street between Tenth and Eleventh Avenues.

Historic Rock I S L A X D Co U X T Y.

Hawes and Babcock, David Hawes and George M. Babcock, stone quarry and linio kiln, south side of Moline Avenue, now Fifth Avenue and Thirty-fifth Street. David Hawes came here in 1835, returning to Nashville, and coming back in 1S37.

Barnes and Handel, old saw mill, above railroad bridge, afterwards the site of the second Chicago and Rock Island railroad round house, the first round house being built on the north side of Illinois Street, at the foot of Broadway Street.

Blythe and Stoddard, wagon and carriage makers, corner of Eagle and Orleans Streets, the ohl shoji being operated afterwards by Thomas Hooper.

J. M. .Moore, in 1847, erected a two-story brick building ou the northeast corner of Illinois and Jiuft'alo Streets. In 1860 the main store was remodeled, another story ]Mit on. and a residence erected, adjoining the rear of the store, wliich was the first hardware firm.

Clasius and Speidel, ilruggists, on the corner of IlHnois and East Eagle Streets, in the Buford IMock. Dr. Clacius coming here in 1858, Mr. Speidel jdined him the following' year. They sometime later sold out to (ileim and Hinckley. ,Iohn Bcngston buying the stock March 15, 1808, building and moving to his jiresent quarters in 1875.

John H. Langley and Company, George W. 1). Harris being the company, forwarding and commission merchants, steamboat agents, agricultural implements, cement, fire lirick. etc. Water Street west of Madis(ni Street. They were successors to E. T. Sawver and Company, prior to 1855.

Peter Fries, wholesale dealer in wines and liquors, on the southeast corner of Washington and Water Streets, commenced business in 1855, with F. W. Kellerstrass, who retired in 1861. TIk^ location was the old "Boston Store" of Cornelius Lynde, senior and junior.

Warner Mills, built in 1856, corner of Wasliington and Highland Streets, was a fourstor}' brick building, originally built for a barrel factory, but converted into a flouring mill, with a cajiacity of two hundred and forty barrels of flour a day. The flour mill was first run by Baker and Gilmore, then by John Warner and L. C. Biu-\vell, afterwards by John R. Warner, who later built on .-i heavy frame addition for a sash, door and blind factory, and ])laning mill, now occu])ied by the Rock Island Stair Works. There is still in existence on the premises one of the first artesian wells drilled in the city, one luuidred and fifteen feet deep.

C. H. Leas and son, T. Silas Leas, built the first steam flouring mill, in the Winter of 1854, on Water Street east of F^xchange, \A'. H. Hayes being their head miller.

Henry Curtis, junior. City surveyor and civil engineer, whose work can still be seen on many of the original jilats on file in the Court House.

W. L. Sweeney, wagon maker (1855) and Cyrus Churchill, blacksmith (1855), nuist have joined forces shortly after, as the old firm of Churchill and Sw^eenej- existed for years on Eagle Street south of Orleans.

A. J. Swanson, boots and shoes, started in 1856 on the .south side of Illinois Street east of Buffalo and next door to Graham's stove store, and was afterwards, for many 3-ears, near the old Island City Hotel and Harper House,

John Harper and Alexander Steel came from Chillicothe, Ohio, to Rock Island in 1855, and started a hardware store at the present location of the Rock Island Savings Bank. They continued in business together until 1865, when John Harper removed to Denver and started in the hardware business there. They were succeeded by Harper and Company, a firm composed of William Harper, a brother of John, and his brother-in-law, J. R. McCalister, then of Aledo, Illinois, the latter being a silent partner. In 1S57

William Harper died after a brief illness, and ^Ir. McCalister took charge of the business. On September 1, 1869, J. W. Stewart moved to Rock Island from Dayton. Ohio, and took Mr. Harper's interest, the firm being ^IcCalister and Stewart. In 1874 Mr. Mc- Calister sold his interest to James M. Montgomery, then of Andalusia, Illinois. The firm. Stewart and Montgomery, continued until 1892. when J. W. Stewart bought Mr. Montgomery's interest and continued the business alone until 1905. being then succeeded by the present owners, the Rock Island Hardware Company. The business has been in but two locations since the beginning, namely; The Second Avenue and Seventeenth Street corner from 1$55 to 1877, and the Dart corner, Second Avenue and Eightteenth Street, from 1877 to the present time.

Quincy McXiel, school teacher in the little l)rick school house in Union Square, was one who used the rod and was for manj' j-ears a strenuous figure around the Court House, being at one time Circuit Clerk.

Historic Rock 1 S L A X D Co V N T Y.

1834. Charles H. and L. L. Case built the first house in Stephenson on the corner of Water and Beaver Streets. The building was used as a Court House luitil 1837, when the first Court House was built in Court House Square, being the first brick building in town. The first hotel in Stephenson was opened by Walter Phillips on Orleans Street, opposite the Coiu't House.

1835. This Spring the town was surveyed by Charles Bennett, w-ho was the first sur- \eyor. J. H. Coon was the first brick maker and brick laj-er.

1836. James Copp opened the first butcher stall, also packed the first pork. William Lathrop was the first wagon maker. Israel Showdy the first blacksmith. Morgan Ferguson the first painter. Adam Y. Smith the first lawyer. Doctor P. Gregg opened an office, and kept drugs and medicines for sale. The first school house was erected on the corner of Orleans and Otter Streets.

1850. First skylight daugerrean gallery by Erastus Downey. A. Benedict and Company opened an extensive store of boots and shoes, leather belting, saddlery, hardware, and carriage trimmings, French and American calf skins, shoe thread, lasts, boot trees, awls and tacks. N, B. Buford and M. B. Clark l)eing the Conspany, location Illinois, west of Buffalo Street.

1851. The Collegiate Institute and Female Seminary. The four-story brick liuilding in rear of the Rock Island Club house, and facing Third Avenue, was built and opened in 1852, by Reverend J. W. Dennison as principal.

Rock Island Cias, Light and Coke Company, the first gas company in the city, was organized June 24, 1854, and has been iii successful operation since January 1, 1855. The original stock was $100,000: Jacob Riley coming from Pittsburgh to install the plant. During 1854 the company laid one and a iialf miles of street mains, had over one hiuidred private consumers, and thirty public lamps. Tl ey contemplated laying pipes to Moline duiin'j.- 1855, Imt the extension was not made until

1888. Benjamin Harper was prdjirietor for some time, later selling out to Sylvester Watts of St. Louis. W. H. Judge was the superintendent uj) to 1 892, when the property was sold to the Jirush Electric Light Company, and in 1893 transferred to the Peoples Power Company, who at the present time have fort^v-fi^^e to fifty miles of street mains. The Rock Island County Agricultural Society, situated in the town of Rock Island for a number of years, on the old Camden road north of Cooperstown, was organized in 1853, holding fairs in October of each year. At its first fair .S1.5().9.5 was distributed in premiums.

1854. February 22d the Chicago and Rock Island Raih'oad being completed, the first train arrived. A big celebration was given, and an excursion of six steamboats carried the railroad officials and notetl visitors to St. Paul.

1855. The Methodist portion of Church Sqmire was purchased by the City and the name changed to Union Square, and enclosed with a neat, fence. The first exclusive hat and cap store opened by Cook and Spangler. First exclusive music store started hy .1. T. Croft. First regular millinery and fancy (h-y goods store by Strickland and Judd.

Rock Island and Moline Hacks run as follows: Leave Rock Island at S. 9:30 and 11 o'clock A. M.. and at 1. 2:30 and 5 o'clock P. M.; leave :Moline at 7:15, 9:15 and 11 o'clock A. M., and 1, 3 and 4 o'clock P. M. Packages of less than one hundred and fifty pounds weight carrietl carefully and delivered jiromptly.

Camden and Rock Island Hack leives Camden at 8 o'clock A. M. and 2 o'clock P. M. ; leaves Rock Island at 11 o'clock A. M. and 6 o'clock P. :\I.

Stages for Galena and Dixon, via Port Byron, leave the Rock Island House every Ti'iesday, Thursday and Saturday morning at 7:30 o'clock. For [Macomb at the same time and place. For Knoxville, every Tuesday and Saturday morning as above.

Rock Island Postoffice

The first jiostoffice in this comity was established in connection with old Fort Armstrong, April 23, 1825, Colonel George DaA-enport being the first postmaster. Owing to the fact that there was no one to administer the obligations of the position Mr. Davenport served a number of years without taking an oath. April 4. 1834, the first postoffice was established upon the mainland and Josejjh Conway was made the' first postmaster. The office was first located at Farnhamsburg, but when Stephenson became the country seat it was removed to somewhere in the neighborhood of what is now Seventeenth Street. In 1843. when Colonel John Buford was postmaster, the office was located between Sixteenth and Seventeenth Streets on First .\ venue. In 1849 it was removed to Second Avenue between Seventeenth and Eighteenth

Historic Rock I S L A X D C 0 U N T Y.

Streets. In 1853 Bailey ;ind Hdvle's build, ing, in the rear of where Mitchell ;inil I.ynde's building now stands, was occupied. Tliree years later another remoA-al to the south side of Second Avenue, No. 1704, between Seventeenth and Eighteenth Streets, was made, but in 1S61 Bailey and Boyle's building was again occupied, the office remaining there till the removal to the present quarters in tiie federal building in December, 1896.

As one of the best indications of the manner in which the city has grown, the receipts of the pDstoffice at different periods during the ])ast twenty-three years are given :

The free delivery system was inaugurated in 1888 with five carriers. The money order dejiartment does an unusually large amount of l>usiness for a citv the size of I\ock Ishiiid.

Twenty-nine mails are received and thirtytwo dispatched daily. There arc now being received daily an average of over 12,000 pieces of first class and 7,000 pieces of other mail. The present office force consists of nineteen clerks, one au.xiliary clerk, eighteen carriers, three substitute carriers, one nn-al carrier, and one special delivery messenger. Ten jwstal stations are also located throughout the city.

Rock Island Police Department

In the early days of Rock Island the police force was small, being in ])roportion to the needs of the city in this respect. As the )X)pulation increased the number of guardians of the property and peace of the citizens was gradually increased, mainly by the addition of night men. For many years the mar.shal was the only day man on ordinary occasions. He staid aliout the city (jffices and if anything came up demanding his services he went out alone and disposed of the business. About thirty years ago the first attempt was made to ])rescribe uniforms for the members of the force, but each man was allowed considerable latitude in the matter, with the result that there was a wide variety in the makeups. It is only during the last fifteen years that the officers have been uuifoi'med witli any degree of precision in the details of dress.

The force now emploj-ed consists of; Chief <if police, two desk sergeants, two plain clothes men, a police matron, sixteen patrolmen, and the following apparatus; One rubl)er tire anil.)ulance, one patrol wagon, one chief's buggy.

Rock Island Fire Department

The old ' ' Bucket Brigade " was followed by (lie i-egular A'olunteer I'ire Department, which (H-ganized in 1856. ;i i,,-ind engine imrchased, and named " \\'(-.sterii No. 1." Tli.e onginc \\ hen recei\ed was housed in a new two-story brick huildinK on the nortliwest corner of Court House Square. Frazer Wilson was elected ])resident, and (ieorge E. Biddison foreman. The company was limited to seventy-five members.

Later another company was formed and took the name of "Aquarius No. 2" - motto "Water Hearer." The comjiany having a membership of si.\ty-five, with George L. Carlton as foreman. The second comjiany organized was the "Rescue No. 2." in 1.S.5S, and a doul)le-decker hand engine purchased, named "Rescue No. 2," and stationed in a new engine house on Jefferson Street, l)etween Orleans and Rock River Streets, afterwards Walter Dauber'.s old blacksmith shop.

The old primitive ladder wagon was a rough convenience, the ladders likewise: the sides being of good sized gin poles, sawed lengthwise in the center, and heavy enough to take eight or ten men to raise them. The first modern Hook iuid Ladder Truck was purchased in 1S74; named the "Reveille," and housed in the Western No. 1 engine house. The Wide Awake Hose Company was exjjected to run this truck, but arrangements were made for quick word to a livery stable for a s])an of horses, often running their street hack on the .juni]) tf) furnish the horses.

The first steam fii-e engine was purchased in LS69 and named the William Eggleston, and housed in W^estern No. 1 house. The second fire engine was the Reserve No. 2, piu'chased in 1S71. and hoiised in Rescue No. 2 iuind engine house.

In 1876 the department consisted of fi\e hose companies, one hook and ladder truck, and one steam engine held in reserve, and one hose carriage. The hose companies were the Phoenix No. 1, Wide Awake No. 2, Hope Hose No. 3, Rescue No. 4, Neptune No. 5. The old volunteer chiefs have been George Carlton, Elton C. Cropper, William Kale, S. Ji. Stoddard, A. Roswog, ('. 15. Kno.x,

Sei>tember 2. 1X01. the j)aid Fire Department of the City of Rock Island was organized. Honorable William McConochie, mayor Daniel Corken. B. F. Knox and Winslow P. Tindall fire and light committee. William Ramskill was appointed chief, and Bernard- Hrahm assistant chief. The department at that time consisted of eight men, including officers. The apparatus included one twoliorse hose wagon, and one two-horse ladder truck, that was formerly used l)v the Volunteer Fire Department. On March 8, 1892, the department was increased by three men, making tlie total number eleven men. On May 26, 1S94, two sub-stations were installed; No. 2 hose com])any located on Eighth Street, in the building formerly occupied by the Phoenix hose company; and No. 3 hose company located on Twenty-sixth Street; these hose comjjanies consisted of three men each and one two-horse hose wagon. At this time T. J. Medill was mayor, and appointed Bernard Brahm chief of the department, and J. D. Collier assistant chief. In 1895, as mavor, 11 F. Knox a|)pointed James Johnston as chief and .1. 1). Collier as assistant chief. Mr. Johnston had served the old volunteers as their chief with honor and credit to himself and the city. In May, 1897, T. J. Medill being again elected mayor, J. D. Collier was apjiointed chief, and Peter Frey assistant chief.

In 1899 Charles Hastings was ajjpointed chief under Mayor McConochie's administration, aiul Peter Frey assistant. Mr. Hastings served as chief without interruption frf)m 1899 until June 1, 190.5, when he resigned. Mr. Fred L. Tul)l)s was appointed chief September 9, 1905, and served until the Spring of 1907. when Mr. Hastings was again appointed chief, and Peter Frey assistant chief; and both are the present incumbents. The recognition of both Mr. Hastings and

^[r. Frey bespeak their merit and efficiency. Mr. Frey has been in continual service as assistant chief since May .5. 1S97. As one of the new chiefs says, "a kind word of praise for the volunteer firemen of liygone days should not be amiss; too much praise or credit can not be given these men who in the faithful, voluntary discharge of their tluty often endangered their lives and health, while responding to alarms of fire; often contracting serious illness and jjermanent disability; never receiving one cent of compensation for their services; these heroes of tlie other days deserve the same credit as the volunteer solider. but the public as usual in such cases withholds the reward that is due."

At the present time the department force consists of nineteen men; eighteen men being paid full time, and one man acting as substitute when men are laying off through sickness or injuries, or on their annual fvndough.

The Waterworks Systiim

August 14. ISTI. the city council passed an ordinance authorizing the location of a pumping station near the Rock Island Flow factory. at the west end of the city and the installing of \\ater mains along the business streets, l)onds to the amount gf $75,000 being issued to meet the cost. In a few years there began to he complaints that the water was bad, especially after a system of sewers had lieen built in 1878. The city was divided into two sewer districts, with Seventeenth Street as the dividing line, and the waste of the lower district in particular a])pears to have affected the water supply. In l.SSl the ])resent pumping station at the foot of Twenty-fourth Street was Iniilt, F, L. Cable contriliutiiig .|'2.").t)(l() toward its construction. .\ t\\(Mit\-- inch iidet pipe, 2,200 feet in length was laid to the channel at the north end of the (Jovernment bridge, and two Holly |)umps were installed, having a capacity of :{,()()0,()()() gallons a day.

At the end of ten years the consumption of water in the city became so great that these facilities were inadecpuite. A Gaskcll pump with a capacity of ,5,000,000 gallons daily was installed and a thirty-incli inlet pipe was laid beside the old twenty-inch one to the channel of the river. At this time there was no way in which the water supply could be filtered and at times it was rendered unfit for most uses by the sediment caused by floods. A mechanical filter was donated by Honorable Jien T. Cable as a memorial to that gentleman's father. F. I,. Cable, and considerable im])rovement in the w.ater su]iply was noted.

The bluffs above the city affording such e.xceptional advantages for the location of gravity filters and reservoirs, a strong sentiment in favor of such an improvement developed and in 1897 the tract of land now known as Reservoir Fark was purchased from a syndicate of Rock Island ca[)italists for the sum of $27,600, and the following year the e.xcavation for six basins was begun. The system was adopted in response to the painstaking efforts of the then mayor. T. ,1. Medill. In 1899 the work was done, but imperfections in the workmanship brought about through bhmders on the jjart of the engineer in charge, developed, and it became necessary to do a great part of the lining of the basins over again. The system is now in perfect working order. Its operating capacity is 3.000,000 gallons daily, wliich is barely sufficient to supply the city's needs in ordinary times. There are two settling basins, three sand filters and a large clear water basin, the latter having a capacity of 5,500,000 gallons. The water is pumped direct from the ri\-ei- to the settling basins and after filtration it i-etiu-ns to the nuiius through the action of gravity

For fire protection and to furnish the bhiff district with water, a stand pipe lias been erected on Thirtieth Street and last year an electric puni|)ing station with a capacity of l.oOO.UOU gallons daily was placed near the reservoir.

The total cost of the system to date (August. 1908) has been 8260,000. There are now 4.400 private consumers, and two hundred and fifty fire hydrants, against one hundred and sixty fire hydrants six years ago. The average daily water consumption is 3.000.000 gallons, and daily operating capacity 16.000.000 gallons. There are about forty-five miles of water mains. A new pump was installed at the pumping house in February, 1907, at a cost of §25.000, which with the addition to the building made a total expenditure of S40,000.

Rock Island Public Parks

The parks of Rock Island consist of three public squares, and a tract containing about forty acres within the corporate limits, known as Long A'iew Park. The small parks are known respectively as Spencer Square, Ciarnsey Square and Court House Square,

Spencer Square is situated in what is known as Spencer and Case's Addition, this Addition was laid out in 1836 by John W. Spencer and Jonah Case. What is now known as Spencer Square was not laid out in lots, but in the first instance was occupied in part for school piu-poses. from April. 1846. to about 1850. The little old one-story brick school house being in the center of the square, the northwest part by the Fir.st Methodist Episcopal Church, and the southwest part by the Baptist Church, It ceased to be occupied for school purposes about the year 1850, by the Baptists about 1846, and in the year 1855 the City of Rock Island bought out the claim of the Methodist Church. After the year 1855 it was not occupied for either church or school purposes. It was fenced in by the City, a large Liberty Pole erected, and trees planted; the fence was removed about the year 1870, since which time it has been in actual use by the public.

Previous to the year 18S0. occasionally during periods of high water in the Mississippi River, Spencer Square, then known as Union Square, was flooded. This continued until the grade of Second Avenue was raised. This prevented any further flood on the Square. Previous to 1889 there existed in the City a society known as the Citizens Improvement A.ssociation. This association was organized for the purpose of advancing the imi)rovement of the City in matters material.

The first objects of improvement advocated by the association was the paving of the streets and the filling up to grade of Spencer Square; the Square before that time was in a very rough condition. At one time a quarry was opened in the Square by the City, very much to the disgust of ilr. Ren Harper, who in 1870 built what is now known as the Harper House, situated on the west side of the Square. For the purpose of further improvement the Cit}- Council appointed the office of park commissioner without salary, to which office flavor William McConochie appointed William Jackson, a lawyer of the City. Immediately after his appointment ^Ir. Jackson laid out the Sqiuire with cross and interior walks, then called upon the citizens for donations of statuary, vases, arches and other ornaments, the principal ornament was a fountain donated by Honorable Ben T, Cable and IMrs, Lucy Castleman,

In 1892 a granite statute of the Indian Chief, Black Hawk, was presented by Otis J. Dimick, of Chicago, who for many years was a resident of Rock Island, ^lany citizens contributed to the ornamentation, costing altogether about S6,500. When completed the Square was conceded to be one of the handsomest in the northwest, the pride of the citizens of Rock Island. Judge Spencer, after whom the Square is named, came to Hock Island about the year 1828, and resided here until his death-in 1878. He was a kind, Christian gentleman, held in high regard by all the people. The Square was named after him in 1885.

About the year 1871 the heirs of Jonah Case endeavored to recover from the City an undivided half of the Square, claiming that the purposes of the dedication of the Square by the proprietors had been abandoned by the City and others, and that the Jonah Case half of the Square belonged to his heirs. Judge Spencer supported the City's claim. A suit was brought in the United States Court in Chicago by the Jonah Case heirs to recover the land, but the court sustained the possession and right of the City. Since tliat time no attempt has been made to disturb the City in the possession of the Square as a public park.

The Coiu't House Square was dedicated for County purposes by the County Commissioners, who laid out the town of Stephenson in 1835. Afterwards, in 1841, it was named the town of Rock Island, The Square was named Stephenson Square after one Colonel Benjamin Stephenson. On this Square is located the Court House and jail, the first Court House was built in 1837, the first jail in 1836. The present jail was built in 1857, the present Court House in 1895. It is never spoken of as Stephenson Square, always Court Hotise Square.

Garnsey Square is located at the west end of the City, it is located in what is known as the Chicago or lower Addition, and was fir.st called Franklin Sqviare. It is named after Daniel G. Garnsey, who was one of the proprietors of the Addition. The Square was underlaid by a gravel deposit, a few trees were grown upon it, but the nature of the soil was not favorable to trees and vegetation.

.-\bout the year 1881 the City Council induced by the popularity of the imi)ro\-cment of Spencer Square, resolved to improve Garnsey Square. With that end in view the}' hauled away the gravel underlying the Square and filled it u]) with clay; after that was done the Square was graded, trees were planted, also by walks and cross walks, a fountain, the gift of Weyerhaeuser and Denkmann, was placed in the center, and improved and ornamented in other respects b_v gifts from citizens. Tlie Sq\uu'e is now a beautiful public resort.

Long Mew Park contains about thirty-nine acres. It is bounded by Eighteenth and Twelfth Avenues, Seventeenth and Fifteenth Streets. The land was donated to the City for park purposes by Frederick Weyerhaeuser, Morris Rosenfield, Charles H. Deere and Captain T. J. Rol^inson

The deed conveying the land, made by Rudolf Weyerhaeuser, who was trustee for the donors, is dated August 30, 1897, and contains a provision forbidding the sale, barter, gift or use of intoxicating liquors on the land.

About 1902 ilr. Chris Gaetjer was appointed superintendent of the park without salary, but on account of the meager annual appropriations made by the City Council little was done by way of improvement except the cleaning up of the land and the trimming of the trees.

In 1905 the Honorable George W. McCaskrin, then ma3'or of the City, for the purpose of securing the permanent improvement of Long View Park, appointed a Board of Park commissioners, consisting of William Jackson, Fred C. Denkmann, William H. Dart, Otto Huber and Ed B. McKown. These gentlemen afterwards formulated a plan which was concurred in by the City Council, bj' which the City agreed to appropriate for two years the annual sum of $6,250, provided the citizens would subscribe a like stun.

Gaetjer. Tlie cffoii was successful. By the month of May. 1!)()(). the citizens' siibscriiition anKnuited to over .|13,OU0; thereupon the work of ])ermanent improvement was befiun. The phiii of iinjirovement consisted of hiving out macadamizing and draining a road and l)rancli road through the park; excavating for two hikes on which beautiful swans and water fowl could disport, and be viewed with pleasure by visitors; the improvements also including a model public building. Cement walks, a waterfall, a lirooklet connecting the lakes, a splendid pavilion overlooking the Cities of Rock Island and Davenport, a rustic bridge and series of dams on the line of the lakes and connecting brooklet. A beautiful memorial fountain, the gift of Misses Naomi and Catherine Davenport, of Davenport, Iowa, in memory of their uncle, the Honorable Bailey Davenport, deceased, several times mayor of Hock Island. ^lany other valuable imjirovcments were made, all of which are highly ap]ireciated by the citizens of Rock Island, as evidenced by the numbers that visit the park daily. On the west side of the park is a children's ]ilay ground, with swings, slides and other fixtures for their amusement, the gift of Mrs. Anna Davis. From the varied character of the land composing Long Mew Park, with its beautiful plateaus, mounds, slopes, with the improvements nuide it is no exaggeration to say that when completed it will favorably com]3are with any ]iark on the Mississipjii River; the ease l)y which it can be reached by the people will make it always a center wliere the people can enjoy its restful and beautiful surroundings.

The citizens of Rock Island at an early day evinced a great interest in education. Prior to 1857, the schools of Hock Island existed under the sub-district form of organization. At this time, however, the attendance liecame so large and the schools were growing so lapidly that a different organization became nece.ssary in order that the pupils of the district might enjoy better facilities for securing a common school education. Through a united effort a law was enacted to incorporate the "Rock Island School District," and a charter obtained February 18, 1857. for the establishment of the present school system. This charter which was thus created for the government of the Rock Island schools, has been in force for over fifty years, and under its wise provisions the schools have been efficient in jjroviding excellent facilities for obtaining a good, common and high school education.

The first board of education consisted of AV. L, Sweeney, George Mixter, Jacob Sailor, Elton C. Cropper, and David Hawes, Of this board Messrs. Cropper, Sailor and Haw-es served two years, George Mixter and AV. L. Sweeney six years. Of the forty-eight ])ersons who have served on the board since 1857, J. M. Ruford served twelve years; S. AV. Mc- Master, eleven years; ]\[. D. Alerrill. thirteen years; F. M. Sinuett, ten years: and Mylo Lee, nine years.

Among those who have rendered excellent service in Iniildiug up, from a snuill beginning, the excellent system, were William Bailey, Charles Buford. George Mixter, E. C. Cro]Ji)er. John Barge. A. F. Cutter, M. I). Merrill. Edward Burrall. and W. S. Knowlton. who have ]3assed to their eternal home. They are. howe\er, kindly remembered by thcnisands who ha\-e enjoyed the educaticuial advantages they were so largely instrumental in providing.

The first sujierintendent ]ilaced in charge of the schools, as organized under the charter, was B. M. Re\nolds, who served from lSo7 to 1862. During the jiast forty years, the schools have had ten superintendents, whose names and terms of service are as follows:

It will be observed that S. 8. Kemble. who is largel}' responsible for the system of schools which has been built up in the city, has had the longest term of service, having held the position of superintendent for fourteen consecutive years. Superintendent Kemble did a grand work in our city during the long term he had charge of the schools; and, though he is today far away in his western home, he holds a warm place in the affections of our citizens, both young and old.

Our district should congratulate itself upon the exceptional facilities that have been pro- ^-ided for the education of its young people. Few cities have their school Ijuildings more wisely distrifnited, more substantial in structure, and graceful in architecture, or more completely and comfortably furnished.

In the year 1856 there was set on foot a ]ilan to erect a High School building. A lot was imrchased for .16.000 and a building erected for $30,000. When nearly finished, on the night of July 4, 1858, it was fired, and the interior entirely destroyed. It was rebuilt and occupied in 1859. The second High School was burned February 15, 1901; after which the classes were conducted in the Broadway Presbyterian Church Sunday School rooms. The present High School was erected in 1901, at a cost of $125,000. Mr. Frederick F. Borgolte was the architect, and John Volk and Company the contractors.

The contract was let June 4, 1901, and the building opened for occupancy September 6 of the same year. While the chief object of the High School is the preparation of pupils for life, rather than for college; several University prejniratory courses are offered. Graduates of this school who have completed any of these courses are eirtitled to a University certificate which will admit them to any (jf the leading colleges and universities.

Augustaxa College

At a meeting held in Chicago, April 27, 1860, the founders of the Augustana Synod (feeling the urgent need of teachers, preachers and citizens prepared to take the lead in religious and intellectual work) decided to erect an institution where young men could be prepared for the great work of life. This ilatc has liceii jienerally ohserx'ed e\er since as Day" by the churches (if the synod; the income from ail tliese celebrations to be fiiven to a permanent fund for an Aufiustana professorship.

Durinj; the first three years of its existence (1S(3()-1S68) Angustana was located at Chicago Professor L. P. Esbjorn Ijeing president. Througli inducements from Paxton, Ford County. Illinois, in 1S63. Augustana was nio\ed there, where it remained for twelve years, under the successful guidance of President Doctor T. X. Hasselcpiist and Professor Henry Rock of Pennsylvania. The location at Paxton not being considered central enough a removal was very strongly urged, some wishing Chicago, and others the Mississipjii A'alley. Rock Island was finally chosen and ground broken for the new college. A few friends assembled on the forest-covered bluff at Rock Island, and as they prayed that the institution in its new home should become a teni]ile of the Lord and shed its benign influence far and wide, they thought of the tcnqile of the Israelites, and how men in their prayers turned t<iward it as a source of blessing to a whole nation. Filled with this feeling, they luinied the hill which name it bears to this day. In 1875 the college was opened, although not thoroughly com])leted. Doctor Hassekiuist being jiresident and Professor Rock vice-president.

From these beginnings the institution has grown to be a first class American College, offering courses and doing work equal to the very best, with students numbering seven hundred and a faculty composed of men from the leading American and European universities. All departments are extremely strong and jjrogressive. The academic department offers a foin--years' course, giving preparation for entrance to Vale and other universities. F(n- graduates who desire to become clergymen the institution has an excellent theological seminary. The college department of foin- years offers courses in classical and scientific work leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science, recognized by American universities, such as Yale and Harvard, and European universities. The normal dejiartnient jirepares students for woi'k as teachers. In the conservatory of music thorough instruction is given in singing, violin. ])ipe organ, jiianp, harmoii}-, counterpoint, musical dictation, elocution, ph3-sical culture, orchestra instruments, and other subjects. The art department, under the direction of Professor Graftsstrom, a fellow student of the great artist, Zorn, has shown some excellent work. In the business department are taught bookkeeping, stenography, type WTiting, and other necessary commercial branches. It is an institution that Rock Island should more than be proud of and appreciate. For tliirty-three years, in which it has made its home with us. under the guidance of Doctor (lustav Andreen. the scholarly gentlenuui who is now Augustana 's ]3resident. the college is experiencing an un])arallelled ])eriod of prosperity and growth.

This institution (Home school for girls) was formerly known as Francis de Sales Academy, and was founded in 1864 at Maysville. Kentucky. In Aug\ist, 1S99. the academy was removeil to Rock Island. The Mlla de Chantal is located on one of the most beautiful bluffs o\-erlooking the Mississippi, and commanding a superb view of the surrounding country. The institution was first incorporated in 1S6G. under the title of "The Sisters of the Msitation." Maysville. Kentucky, and after its removal to Rock Island it was re-incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois, with the new title, "The Sisters of the A'isitation," Rock Island. Illinois. By its charter the academy possesses all the rights and privileges of a collegiate institution. The course of study embraces the academic, intermediate ami primary departments.

Historic Rock Island Co U X T Y.

The academic department offers two courses, the general and the college preparatory; art, drawing, painting and crayon work are provided for in the course. The piano, organ, harp, mandolin and violin are taught by competent instructors.

The department of elocution is under the supervision of a finished pupil of the Chicago School of Oratory. Foreign languages may 1)6 studied under the supervision of accomplished linguists. Aesthetic culture, and daily physical exercises receive special care. The library of the Villa de Chantal is one of the most complete school libraries in the State. The City of Rock Island is to be congratulated on possessing this excellent educational institution.

The Rock Island Piblic Lihrary

The public library building of the City of Rock Island, is very beautiful in design and architecture, and is the most imposing edifice belonging to the citv, and of it all its citizens are justly jjroud. In fact it is readilv conceded to be the most beautiful and commodious public building in the county, and with its valuable and well .selected library, both for reference and general literature, its influence for good in the community is very great and cannot be over-estimated. Its architecture is of "Ionic" design. Its interior decoration is in "Italian renaissance'' and most beautifvd in design and execution. Tiie building complete with all furnishings together with lot cost approximately .194,000.

The present library is the result of arduous and incessant toil and attention; and it is to l)e deplored that no record of the exertions and sacrifices of the intellectual men and women who were primarily responsil)le for its l)eiiig, has been preserved. All the facts are therefore not obtainable, but tiiis mucli is known : definite form June 26, 1855. The Rock Islander of July 4, 1855, announced that "one of the oldest and most eminent citizens will gladly give one hundred dollars toward a library; provided nine others would give a like amount." On September 15, 1855, a public meeting of citizens was held in the basement of the First Presbyterian Church, and was organized by the selection of Honorable M. B. Osborn as chairman and H. C. Connelly and O. P. Wharton as secretaries. The desirability of a lilirary organization was discussed by Messrs. Bailey. Hayes, Pershing, Knox and Marshall, and sesulted in the appointment of Messrs. Knox, Velie, Steel, T. J. Buford, Pershing, Fish, Bailey, Conway, Harper and Kelly a committee to solicit subscriptions upon the conditions that those giving one hundred dollars, their children between the age of fourteen and twenty-one, should be life meml)ers: persons giving fifty dollars shoidd he life members; those giving twenty-five dollars shoukl be members for ten years, those giving ten dollars should be members for four years, and those giving three dollars should be members for one year. Five hundred dollars was subscribed at that meeting, and Messrs. Knox, Pershing and Wilkinson were appointed a committee to draft a constitution.

On October 3, 1855, the organization was completed by the adoption of the name of the " Rock Island City Library and Reading Room Association" and the election of the Honorable Joseph Knox ])resident, H. C. Connelly vice-president. Honorable W. M. Bailey treasurer and R. M. Marshall secretary. At this meeting Mr. C. H. Waite of Chicago donated lot three, block fifty-three, Chicago or Lower .\ddition, valued at two hundred dollars, to the Association, and the hall ciiinmittee was instructed to lit up "Lilirary Hall" on the third floor of Jiaile}' and Boyle's block. On October 24. 1S55, an advertisement was inserted in the Rock IMandcr for a librarian, and Mr. Ricliani P.

Cropper was cho.seti librarian. The reading roona was opened about November 7, 1855, from 10 A. M. to 10 P. M. On December 3, 1S55, announcement was made tliat a large invoice of books had been received from New York and that the fully equipped library would be ojjcned to the public (in Tuesday and Wednesday following, from 1(1 to 12 A. M., 1 to 5:30 and 6:30 to 10 I'. M. In 1857 the nundjcr of volumes had increased to 1,000. P'or many years this association was prosperous, and proved a great benefit to the city. After some years the interest seemed to wane, and Mr. Charles Pettifer became librarian. During his incumbency the library substantially ceased to be popular and it was closed.

Afterward some of the young men of the city organized an association known as the "Young Men's library Association," and the library of the original association passed to its control. It continued to he. a live and valuable association until the organization of the present City library, having increased the number of \(ilumes to 2,000, and was supported by the annual dues of its members.

It was not until August, 1872, that full public cognizance was taken of tlie manifold and far-reaching value of such an organization. In this last mentioned year the General Assembly of this State passed the present library law, and it was approved and came in force March 7, 1872. A few of the leading citizens of the City readily realized that a public library would be of inestimable value to the City, and they ]iromi)tIy ]iroceeded to avail themselves ol' the law, and their efforts to that end were readily sti|)ported by the mayor and V\ty Cinmcil of the City. On August 12, 1S72, tlic City Cotuicil pa.ssed an ordinance organizing a public library as a part of the City government, and at the same meeting Messrs. Henry Curtis and E. I). Sweeney appeared before the council, and on behalf of the "Young Men's i,il)rary Association," donated tie entire librai'v of that association, consisting of about 2,000 volumes, to the City. Thus the present public library was established, and it is believed to have l)een the second library established under the law of 1872.

On October 12, 1872, Mayor Bailey Davenport recommended to the City Council that Messrs. Kdward Burrall, Cornelius I-ynde, junior, E. I). Sweeney, W. H. Gest, L. M. Haverstick, Milton Jones, Conrad Spiedel, R. Lloyd and P. T. McKlhern should constitute the first hoard of directors, and they were unanimously approved as such directors. The Vioard organized by the electitm of Edward Uurrall as president and K. 1). Sweeney as secretary.

The discussion of the proposition to erect a new library building in the City begun as early as 1895, and serious consideration was given it by the Ijoard of directors, collectively and individually, from time to time; Init definite action to that end was delayed for the reason that the majorit_y of the board thought it inadviseable to increase the taxation upon the citizens to the extent necessary for such iiur]iose. During these years the different members of the board gave the cjuestion much thought, and various wealthy citizens of the City were approached u])on the subject, with the view to elicit their cooperation and financial aid toward the erection of a suitable building as early as 1897. Mr. Frederick Weyerhaeuser early showed an interest in the project, and proposed to join with others he mentioned in providing a fund with which to build: but as no one else wcuild co-operate the project failed. ^Ir. Andrew Carnegie's attention was called to the needs of the City by one or more citizens other than members of tiie hoai'd of directors, but without being able to interest him in tlie matter.

The accomodations for the lil):'a;\v beca lie so poor ami inadequate and tlie growing needs of the library so great, that finally the iward of directors, which consisted of Charles L. \\'alk<'r, ]iresi(lent ; .lohn \V. Welch, secretary; and Walter Johnson, Louis Kohn, Charles J. Larkin, C. W. Foss, Charles Fiebig, Alexander lie Soland, and Joseph Kerr, were compelled to take action looking toward the erection of a new library building by general taxation, and in view of the steady advance in real estate it seemed imperative that a suitable site be secured without delay, and the board finally, on October 10, 1S99, appointed a committee to consider the matter and report. On March 6, 1900, the committee reportefl that they had obtained an option on the present premises for $8,500, and the committee was continued to further consider the question. On April 7, 1900, they reported that Messrs. Drack and Kerns had been emjiloyed to prepare preliminary plans for a suitable liiirary building, and such ]>lans were submitted, with the estimated cost of $70,000, The board unanimously approved such report and plans, and passed the required resolution for the erection of the building, out of general taxes, to be collected in seven yearly installments. On April 9, 1900, the City Council authorized and directed the board of directors to proceed to have such building erected.

For this action, and the liberal and progressive spirit manifested, the jieople are indebted to the following city otiicers: Hon- (iral)le William McConochie, Mayor; H. C. Schaffer, city clerk; and Aldermen George W. Aster, Fred Gall, John Lawhead, Thomas A. Pender, H. L. Wheelan, Andrew Soderstrom, Michael Concannon, Charles Willis, Albert Johnson, Robert Beck, Charles Heidemann, Basilius Winter, J. O. Freed and Henry Elwell.

On June 12, 1900, the board requested that the first installment of $10,000 be levied, and the City Council on June 26, 1900, duly ordered such levy. August 20, 1900, the l)oard of directors obtained a deed for the lots on which the building now stands.

the immediate erection of a library building, had very generously offered to give the l)oard outright $10,000 and to loan them $50,000 at five per cent, provided a fire proof and ornamental building be erected. This offer was gladly accepted and i)lans for such a building were ordered. Mr. Leonard Drack, architect, submitted plans of the present building, but when the bids for its erection were opened, it was found that it coidd not be erected within the jimoinit at the disposal of the board, except by eliminating the beautiful columns and ])ilasters. This dilemma was submitted to Mr. Weyerhaeuser, and he insisted that the beauty of the building should not be sacrificed; and in order to prevent it, generously gave $2,500 in addition, and ptn-suaded Mr. F. C. A. Denkmann to give a like amount. Sui)scquently. in order to eiuxble the board to liquidate the extra cost of the building occasioned by the difficulty of getting a safe foundation and some other necessary changes, Mr. Weyerhaeuser gave the further sum of $5,369.32, and finally his generosity induced him to purchase thirty feet additional ground adjoining the library lot on the east, so as to make the lot one hundred and fifty feet square, thus making his total gift to the library $20,769.32. The contract for the liuilding was entered into September 10, 1901, with Collins Brothers as general contractors, for $58,147, who immediately begun work. The corner stone was laid in the Fall of 1902, and the building was opened to the jniblic for general use December 15, 1903. The first floor consists mainly of one large room, divided only by the delivery desk with its attachments and metal stacks, into stack room, reading room, reference room and children's room. To the right of the stack room are the librarian's office and the work rimui. The stack room will accommodate 60,000 \-olumes. Up stairs are the directors' room, art room and audience room, the latter to Ije used in tiie future for a general reading nioui. In ilie ixisement are rooms for Government documents, newspaper files, heating plant, lavatories, etc. All are finished in quarter-sawed oak. in antique finish. The rooms are thus conveniently arranged for entire supervision from the delivery desk, and the rooms are spacious and airy. It is, withal, a public institution for which the people of the city and county are justly proud, and for this they are largely indebted to the generosity and public spirit of Mr. Weyerhaeuser. It contains, in round numbers, 18,000 volumes, besides pamphlets, which are freely loaned to all citizens. The art and assembly rooms are large and well adapted to such uses, and the directors' room is beautifullj' decorated and furnished.

The building committee consisted of Mr. C. L. Walker, elected member of the board in Juty, 1891, and who has been its president since July 25, 1893; Mr. J. W. Welch, appointed a member of the board in 1890, and has been its secretary since Juh- 25, 1891; C. J. Larkin. appointed in 1886, and Louis Kohn, appointed in 1894. The present members of the board are Charles L. Walker, .John W. Welch, Claude W. Foss, Charles J. Larkin, Louis Kohn, Charles Fiebig, Alexander de Soland, C. P. Comegj-s and Doctor Joseph DeSilva.. Miss Ellen Gale is the librarian, and Miss Fanny F. Cleland first assistant librarian, and Miss Elsie Schocker second assistant. The library and reading rooms are open from 9 A. M. to 9 P. M. on week days.

Bethany Home, for neglected children, orphans and deserving poor, located in the upper end of Rock Island, on Fifth Avenue, was formerly known as the Lnian Mission, and was located at Eighth Street and Fourtli Avenue. Later it wa.s transferred to South Rock Island, wl-.ere it was maintained until

January 3. 1906. The new quarters are of brick, and are capable of accommodating fifty children. There are now forty inmates. The cost of the present home, inclusive of SI .000 transferred in real estate, was 810,600. It was incorporated July 12, 1899, and its donors and supporters ran into the hundreds. It is non-sectarian.

This magnificent and much needed structure was originally established in 1894, under the care of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. In 1904 the present building, including the new section and alterations, was completed at a total cost of S60,000. The hospital is now self-supporting, twelve nurses are employed, twelve sisters are retained to perform the necessary work aside from nursing, and it has a capacity of one hundred patients. The building is an imposing four-story brick structure, and is surrounded by a beautiful and spacious lawn. Miss Mary X. Robertson, widely known for ability as a trained nurse, is superintendent.

Chippiannock Cemetery Association of Rock Island was organized in 1855. The cemetery grounds occupy a beautiful natural spot of sixty acres, one mile south of the City of Rock Island. Outside of the natural advantages, the grounds are beautifully laid out in winding drives and walks, according to plans made by Mr. Hotchkiss, who laid out the celebrated Greenwood Cemetery of Brooklyn. New York. The grounds are mainly sLijiing. with the hill top flat, backed by a wooded ravijie, and are nicely timbered with fine old trees. It is an ideal spot for a cemetery, and surpassed by very few in natural beauty. The name Chippiannock is of Indian origin, and means ''City of the Dead." Here rest over 7,000, including those removed from the old cemeterv at the head of Eagle Street.

Historic Rock Island Co U N T Y.

The Hebrew Burying (iroiind Association of Rock Island was organized in 1.S69, and owns one acre in Chii)]iiannock Cemetery, very beautifully laid out and enclosed with a fine hedge.

Calvary Cemetery Association, adjoining Chippiannock Cemetery (jh the southeast corner, contains about five acres, and was established nearly fift_y years ago. Three years ago it was incorporated under the name of "Calvary Cemetery Association," and is controlled by a board of directors. In this cemetery rest about one thousand.

8t. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, located south of Chippiannock and Calvary, was instituted about ten years ago, aiul is governed by a board of directors.

Within the last fifty-six j^ears there have been numerous panics, but none so disastrous locally as that of 1S57 and 1858. Four banks in Rock Island were reduced to one (MitcheU and Cable) as the immediate result, and that bank and the bank of Gould, Dimock and Company, Moline, were the only banks in the county for several years. The bulk of the currency in this section in those days was issued by the Bank of Florence, organized by Cook, Sargent and Parker, but it was located at Florence, Nebraska, which is still an insignificant suburb of Omaha. It must be remembered that there was no railroad across the State of Iowa in 1857. hence the jilace of ultimate redemption of Florence money was |iractical!y inaccessible. As long as the pow erful banking house of Cook and Sargent at Davenport voluntarily redeemed the notes, they stood high bvit when that firm went down in the panic great distress followed in this section.

As far as I know there was never but one daylight baidv hold-up in thecounty. March 24, 1856 there was a robbery of $5,000 from the bank of Cook, Sargent and Parker in Rock Island. Jlr. Parker, the cashier, was out of the city, and at the noon hour A. F. Heath, bookkeeper, had gone to the Rock Island House for dinner, leaving the teller. John Thorington. alone in the office. Thorington said he was assaulted by three men, having been knocked down with ashmgshot , ami that the robbery and escape followed.

He dragged himself inin th(> adjoining hardware store of Har|)('r and Steel in a \ery much battered state. Alarm was immediaately given and officers and citizens, horseback and afoot, swarmed over the city and surrounding country, but withotit a-vail. The matter is still a mystery.

.lulj' 20, 1904, burglars made a desperate attempt to enter the safe of the State Bank of East Moline. With a liberal use of nitroglycerine they blew off the outer safe door. but left at about two o'clock in the morning without having made any impression on the Inu-glar proof money box.

While they did not get a cent of money the}- made a sad wreck of office and furniture. No clew was ever obtained of the burglars. Charles Fiebig, lock expert of this city, opened the money chest next morning and contents were intact and uninjvu'ed.

John L. Drew, of Davenport, was a clerk in the tiank of Cook, Sargent and Parker of Rock Island in 1854. continuing with tl e bank of Mitchell and Cable for a few niuntlis during the year of 1856. He, therefore, served as a lianker at an earlier date than any livini man in this section. Honorable .1. .M. floid 1 late of Moline, served for a great many successive years as a banker, and is the pioneer living bank president. Phil Mitchell commenced his bank service in 1863; it has been practically continuous, and he is probably entitled to credit for longest service.

In order to sliow the growth of the banking business it may be said that in 1873. which was a panic year, deposits in all the banks in the county did not exceed $600,000. Now they are SI 1.800,000.

The first bank in this section was that .of Cook and Sargent, established in 1847 at Davenport. It continued in business, as the leading bank on the upper Mississippi until its failure in the ]5anic of 1858. Its owners, Ebenezer Cook, John P. Cook and George B. Sargent, were able financiers, and at the time of the failure they probably owned more good Iowa land than any later firm or individual, but it could not be sold at any price in those distressing times.

The first bank in Rock Island County was that of Cook. Sargent and Parker, which in 1852 occupied the room now occupied by T. H. Thomas, Second Avenue and Seventeenth Street. In 1854 this bank was moved to the quarters' now occupied by the State Bank of Rock Island, its successor, showing a continuous existence of more than fifty-six years. It is the oldest bank in the State of Illinois, save one. In 1856 the late P. L. Mitchell, and the late P. L. Cable came to Rock Island frcnn Kentucky and bouglit out the Cook, Sargent and Parker bank, continuing the business under the firm name of Mitchell and Cable mitil 1860. \\hen the late Cornelius Lynde. junior, bought out Mr. Cable's interest, and the firm became Mitchell and Lynde, whicli firm was in turn succeeded by the present State liank of Rock Island iu 1905.

Ishuid Hank, a state institution, and authorized under the then existing state banking law to issue bank notes, which it did liberally. Jolin H. Kinney, now of Chicago was cashier for several years. This was the first hank of i.ssue in the county, and it is fair to state it met every dollar of its oldigations. both to depositors and note holders, chiefly through the financial rectitude and moral stamina of the late Isaac Negus, wlio stood by it manfully, and was its last president when its bank building and business were sold to Mitchell and Lynde in 1861.

The Hank of the Federal Union of Rock Island was organized in 1856 by the late General N. B. Buford. H. C. Blackburn antl Bushrod Birch, all brothers-in-law. This was also a bank of issue as well as deposit and svu'ciinilied to the ]ianic of 1857 and 1858.

In 1S56 there was the private banking house of Fish, (Joodale and Lee at Rock Island. This bank also went out of business in the panic of 1857 and 1858, but our late fellow citizen. Mylo Lee, was the medium through which every dollar of its oljligations were paid.

Mitchell and Lynde continued to be the only bank in Rock Island from 1861 to 1863, when P. L. Mitcliell and Cornelius Lynde. junior, organized the First National Bank of Rock Island, capital .Sloo.diio, with P. L. Mitcliell as president and J. .M. Buford as cashier. It was among the earliest of the national banks to be in operation in the United States, its charter number being one hundred and eight. It continued in business until 1S90. when its business was merged with that of Mitchell and Lynde.

The next liank to be started in Rock Island was the Rock Island National Bank, in 1871, whose first president was the late Captain T. J. Robinson, and first cashier Mr. A. Benedict, now of San Jose, California. Mr. Benedict served but a short time and he was succeeded bv the late J. F. Robinson, the

The Peoples National Bank of Rock Island - capital, $100,000 - was organized in 1S74, with Bailey Davenport as president, .Joseph Rosenfield, vice-president and John Peetz as cashier. Its present officers are Otto Huber, ])resident, and Carl Hellpenstell, vice-president and cashier.

The Rock Island Savings Bank was the first savings bank, and first state bank to be organized imder the present Illinois banking laws in the county. Capital, $100,000. The first officers were E. P. Reynolds, president, and .1. M. Buford, cashier, which position he retained up to the time of his election to the presidenc}' to succeed the late P. L. Mitchell. The present officers are Phil. Mitchell, president; H. P. Hull, vice-president, and P. (ireenawalt, cashier.

The Central Trust and Savings Bank of Rock Island - capital, $100,000 - was organized in 1899, and its present officers are H. E. Casteel, president; M. 8. Heagy, vice-president and H. B. Simmon, cashier.

In Moline, Chajjinan Brothers conducted a small banking and exchange business, with insurance agency, as early as 1856, but they failed in the ensuing panic, and it may be truthfully said the beginning of the banking business in Moline was in 1857, when Gould, Diniock and Company started their private bank.

This bank was succeeded in December, 1863, by the Fir.st National Bank of Moline, with J. S. Koatiir as president, and J. M. Gould as cashier. John Deere was president in 1866, succeeded by J. M. Gould as president and J. S. Gillmore cashier in 1867, H. S. Chai)man becoming vice-president in 1905, succeeding J. T. Browning. It was merged with the Peoi)les Saving.s Hank and Trust ('oni]nin3- in 1905.

officers being C. H. Deere, president; Morris Rosenfield, vice-president, and J. S. Gilmore, cashier, merged with the Peoples Savings Bank and Trust Company in 1905.

The Peoples Savings Bank and Trust Company of Moline was organized in 1905. Capital, $150,000. This was a consolidation with the First Xatioinxl Bank, and Peoples Savings Bank of Moline. Its first officers were C. H. Deere, president; H. L. Chapman, vice-president; and J. S. (iillmore, cashier. The present oflicers are William Butterworth. ]iresident; N. H. Green, vice-president; and C. W. Lundahl, cashier.

The ilanufacttu'ers Bank of Muline was organized under a state charter in 1869. Its first officers were S. W. Wheelock, president ; Porter Skinner, vice-president; C. W. I.obdell. cashier; and C. l'\ Henicnway. assistant cashier.

It was succeeded in 1872 by the .Moline National Bank - capital. $100, 000 - with the same officers as above, and this bank was in turn succeeded in 1906 by the State Savings Bank and Trust Company, of Moline - capital, $200,000. The pre.sent officers are F. (]. .\llen, president; C. I. Josephson, vice-president; and Sol. Hirsch, cashier.

In 1863 W. H. Devore started a pri\atp bank at Port I5yron. At first it was under the name of Brown and Devore, lint .Mr. Devore succeeded and continued until Simonson and Schafer became his successor, to l)e in turn succeeded by the jiresent Port Byron State Bank - capital, $50,000. The present officers are J. W. Simonson. president: F. S. Gates. A'ice-president; B. B. Huntlex-, cashier.

E. E. Rogers and Sons .started in the private banking business in Port Byron in 1871, the partners being E. E. Rogers, I'rank E. Rogers and E. M. Rogers, the bank beim: known as the Bank of Port Byron.

The Farmers State Bank of Reynolds was organizedin 1904 - capital. S25.G00 - with M. Schoonmaker, president; Elisha Lee. vicepresident; and J. E. Lee, cashier.

The State Bank of East Moline was organized in 1904 - capital. $25,000. Its first officers were Phil Mitchell, president ; Daniel McNeal, vice-president; and B. J. Mitchell, cashier. The present officers are ,1. A. O'Neil, president ; William Jackson, vicepresident; and F. A. Sudlow . cashier.

Rock Island Manufactories

Our manufacturing interests are strong and growing every day. Space forbids our mentioning everybody. The products of the factories are very diversified, and all. large and small, are on a good sound basis, with a very satisfactory business.

The Rock Island Plow Company was originally established in 1854 by Charles Buford and R. N. Tate; afterwards named B. D. Buford and Company, and later the Rock Island Plow Company. They manufacture high grade agricultural implements; mainly plows, cultivators, harrows, hay loaders and other farm implements. The company has recently been re-organized, increasing its capital stock from $600,000 to $2,600,000.

Weyerhaeuser and Denkmann Company, manufacturers of and dealers in lumber, lath, shingles, and anything connected with that line of business. Thej' are also the largest general concern in the logging and timl)er interests in the United States.

Thk Standard Tarle Oil Cloth Co.Mpax-V

In July. 1901. the organization of the Standard Table Oil Cloth Company was effected; seven manufacturers sold their jilants to the Standard Company.' These l)lants were largely located- in the east. The jiroduct of the company is light weight oil cloth, liy which is meant oil cloth manufactureil on a cotton base used for covering tallies, imitations of leather, bag muslin, shelf and stair oil cloth. The company has never manufactured oil cloth for floors, which is a separate industry, inasmuch as floor oil cloth is manufactured on a burlap instead of a cotton base, the machinery and method of manufacture being entirely different.

The growth of the business, particularly in the A\est necessitated the erection of a new plant, one of the largest of its kind in operation, at Rock Island. Illinois, with a frontage on the Mississippi Ri\-er. This plant in time will likely be the largest plant of its kind in the world. It is centrally located, has good shipping facilities and caters to the wants of the richest country on the globe; the Mississippi and Missouri ^'alleys.

The output of the Standard Company has steadily increased. For its last fiscal year it manufactured about 36.000 miles of light weight oil cloth, one yard wide. Its trade mark " Meritas," which is stamped on the l)ack of every yard of its product in oil cloth is well known in all commercial centers. A large export business is done.

One of the products of the company which has been recently introduced to the public is a washable wall covering called " Sanitas." This new product is meeting with great success.

III May, 1907, the assets of the Stanilard Tal)le Oil Cloth Coni])any were sold to tiu' Staiulard Oil Cloth Coni]jaiiy tmder a iiierfier agreement, the directors and oHicers retaining' their ])ositions.

The Stanilard Oil Cloth Company has a capital stock of $6.(X)().0(K): .f3,()(Kl.(l()() of preferred and S3, ()()().()()() of coninion. Its officers are as follows; President and treasurer, Henry ^I. (iarlick, ^'onnjistown, Ohio: vice-president. George H. Hughes, New York City: secretary and general manager, Alvin Hunsicker, New York City; assistant treasurer. ^V. E. Thatcher, Orange. New .Jersey.

In the year 1880 on the inx'itatioii of the late Samuel S. Guyer, the pioneer savings institution of Rock Island was organized. This instit\ition was one of the first Puilding .\ssociations organized in Illinois an<l lias lieen the model for many similar associations in this and adjoining States,

During the first year the total receipts were only -S-l,263.7(). But so lapidly were the inxesling ]iublic educated in the ad\antages of the Uuilding .Association, that in the \-('ar

How much benefit has accrued from this association to the City of Rock Island in promoting habits of thrift and economy, in furnishing the means whereby rent payers become home owners: in putting life into real estate investments generally and in stimulating all the Ijuilding trades, can hardly be overestimated.

Through the medium of this association over two thousand citizens have been enabled to provide their families with homes on the payment of monthly installments, no more luirdensome than the monthly payment of rent. Savings depositors have been accorded the full earnings of their moneys and these earnings have averaged considerably above the rates that money could be loaned for. There are no favored stockholders to absorb the major part of the earnings. The association is purely mutual. All the earnings are divided equitably \'Vo rata according to the amount and the time of investment.

The Black Hawk Homestead I'.uilding, Loan and Savings Association, of Rock Island, Illinois, was incor])orated under the laws of the State of Illinois on July 25, 1SS7, with an authorized capital stock of $1,000,000, consisting of ten tliousaud shares of one htmdred dollars each, to be issued in series at the discretion of the board of directors. So great was the demand for the stock, the association, at the end of two years, was .compelled to increase its autiiorized capital stock to 110,000,000.

This association has l)v resolution of its board of directors issued series every three months. The stock is issued in three classes,- namely; ",\," " I' " and [layalile as follows: Class "A," fifty cents per sliaro |)cr iiKiiitli: class " H." mic ilnllai' per share per month; and class iwo dollars pcv share per month, matnrinu' to par value of one lumdi-ed dollars ].)er share in one hniidred and thirty-seven months, seventynine months and forty-five months. res]jectivelv.

This money is loaned by the association to its stockholders at the rate of six per cent per annum, and a monthly ])remium of twenty cents per share ])er month. Thus, a 'stockholder having a lot of sufficient value to warrant a loan for huikling a house is enabled to acquire a home by the payment of easy monthly installments similar to house rent.

Through this system, the association has prospered wonderfully, and in the twenty and a half years of its existence has loaned to its stockholders over $1,700,000, jiroviding money for the building of houses to the number of eighteen hundred in the Cities of Rock Island and Moline. Estimating the population on the basis of five to a family. the association has provided homes for nine thousand people, which in itself would make a city of no mean proporticin.

This association is to be regarded also from the standpoint of a savings bank, and in this feature cannot be excelled. It affords an opportunity to those who are desirous of saving money in small amounts of one dollar and upwards, and pays a liberal interest upon their investment. It has, during the time of its exi.stence paid out to retiring and maturing .stockholders, »2,250,000.

The officers of the association at present are: E. D. Sweneey, president; H. H. Cleaveland. \ice-president; F. K. Rhoads. treasurer; T. J. Medill, secretary; and Sweeney and Walker, attorneys.

J'ollowing a wide spread movement among cities and towns to develop their commeroial and manufacturing importance and recognizing that this could best be attained through an organization whose efforts would be confined to this field of activity the Industrial Commission of Rock Island was created.

The first step necessary thereto was accomplished through the contribution of a ftuid of $10,000 intended to meet the expenses incidental to the work for a given period, and upon the attainment thereof an organization was effected liy the creation of five committees, namely: The manufacturers, the railroads, the jobbers, the conventions and the board of control, of which F. C. Denkmann was elected first president, Charles McHugh, vice president; T. J. Medill, treasurer; and Mayer Levi, secretary.

Soon after the completion of the organization it became evident that something more was necessary if Rock Island woidd compete with other points in an effort to secure the location of new industries, and in recognition thereof impetus was given to a movement to raise a fund of $100,000 to be employed in providing sites and buildings and in such other ways as would meet the appro^-aI of the board of trustees. The mere suggestion was sufficient to awaken an interest in the plan outlined and within less than thirty days there was subscribed a total of nearly $150,000, known as the Greater Rock Island Development Fmid.

Nothing speaks more loudly of the loy^alty, unselfishness and progressive spirit of the people of Rock Island than the success that marked this undertaking.

J. F. Robinson and Morris Rosenfield estates, of fifty acres of land exceptionally well adapted to manufacturing purposes and admirably situated with respect to shipjiinf!; facilities, both by rail and water.

Coupled with these concrete conditions there has been a spirit awakened to the consciousness of the possibilities that lie before Rock Island and a determination to grasp them in furtherance of the aniljition to become what nature ordained and which is already evident in our wonderful growth as a successful manufacturing center.