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Gc 977.701 Sco8d v.1 1143011
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01086 1380
1
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2009 with funding from Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
http://www.archive.org/details/historyofdavenpo01down
HE. Donner.
HISTORY
OF
DAVENPORT
AND
SCOTT COUNTY IOWA
HARRY E. DOWNER
ILLUSTRATED
-
VOLUME I.
CHICAGO THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1910
1143011 TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER I.
THE STORY OF THE ROCKS.
From creation days-Preparation of the earth for the abode of man by gla- ciation and inundation-The pre-glacial topography-The Mississippi of ages gone-The age of the great ice-Scott county's perfect drainage -A wealth of building stone-The carboniferous strata which have brought wealth-Geological section of Scott county
1
17
CHAPTER II.
THE EARLIEST DWELLERS.
of
The central attraction in the museum of the Davenport Academy of Sciences The elusive autochthon-The mound builder's claims to interest-His textile skill-Cotton Mather hazards an opinion-Mound pottery of all kinds-Effigy pipes, especially the elephants-The Bureau of Eth- nology and the Academy of Sciences-Prof. Seyffarth's conclusions. . 31
CHAPTER III.
INDIAN OCCUPANCY. +
The Illini in Scott county in early days-Later the Sacs and Foxes possess the land-Davenport's predecessors, Oshkosh and Morgan-Morgan or Ma-que-pra-um-The great Sac town on Rock river-Music and dramatic art-Black Hawk's narration of Indian customs-The annual hunting trips-Honor as the Indian understood it-The Sioux took home their scalps.
47
CHAPTER IV.
THE WHITE MAN COMES.
Pierre Esprit Radisson, maker of paths, philosopher and probable explorer of Iowa-Marquette, Black-Gown, and Joliet the trader-Indian elo- quence-Pewaria's location-Pike, the Intrepid, visits this locality- Captain Many's experience with the British band-It is easy to spell Wapsipinicon-The Harris family compelled to land
61
6
CONTENTS
CHAPTER V.
WARS AND TREATIES.
A battle of the Revolution fought in this vicinity-A polyglot command no loot and great disappointment-First flag in the Mississippi valley-The fight at Campbell's island-The battle of Credit island-Official re- ports-Treaties made in Davenport-Col. J. H. Sullivan writes of In- dian chiefs-Black Hawk war ends Indian claims 69
CHAPTER VI.
THE BARROWS HISTORY.
A history written by a pioneer at the request of other pioneers-Re- ceived on its appearance with great commendation-His own estimate of the gravity of his commission-Some incidents which have been noted since the Barrows history was written-Biography of the histo- rian-The history itself without omission, erasure or comment-A mon- umental work. 93
CHAPTER VII.
THE ISLAND OF ROCK ISLAND.
The United States acquires the island by treaty-The expedition to estab- lish a fort-A duel by the way-Fort Armstrong, an outpost in the wilderness-Efforts to secure an army and arsenal-General Rod- man's plans-Items fabricated at the arsenal-Cost of the plant-Gen- eral Crozier's estimate-Squatters' claims 289
CHAPTER VIII. THREE BRIDGES TO THE ISLAND.
A railroad on each side of the river made a bridge necessary-Charters on injunctions-Acts of congress and court interpretations-The Rock Island road in partnership with the government-The first bridge to be thrown across the Mississippi-River interests aroused-Abraham Lincoln in bridge litigation-Presidential visitors. 325
CHAPTER IX.
IOWA'S EARLIEST LIVING RESIDENT.
Capt. Warner L. Clark and his varied experiences-Acquainted with many men of prominence-Has remarkable memory-Pioneer customs-Capt. Clark's home town the first to be platted in Scott county-Description of the pioneer cabin-Indian neighbors-Incidents of Indian life- Why buffalo fell behind in the race
345
7
CONTENTS
CHAPTER X.
TOWNSHIPS AND TOWNS.
History of the townships from the close of the Barrows history-Their record in patriotism during the days of '61-The prosperity that has come to the farmers of the county-Rural schools and churches- Township officials-The many small settlements that form social cen- ters in the county-Bettendorf-The village of LeClaire. 361
CHAPTER XI.
DAVENPORT'S FIRST CITIZEN.
Antoine LeClaire, prominently identified with the city, territory and state- The owner of a half-dozen sections of land given him by Indian friends -Generous to all-Marguerite LeClaire, his wife who shared his pleasure in making others happy-A tribute by Pere Pelamourgues- LeClaire and Davenport-Names inseparable. 395
CHAPTER XII.
PIONEER LIFE.
The log cabin was the palace of the pioneer-Chinked logs, covered with clapboards-Rifle and spinning wheel-Almost anything was a bed- room-Cooking was primitive for sharp appetites-Welcome for the way- farer-Prairie fires and wolf hunts-Amusements for the frontier peo- ple were not lacking-What unremitting toil has accomplished ....... 407
CHAPTER XIII.
TERRITORIAL DAYS.
William B. Conway made first territorial secretary of Iowa-Comes to Davenport and meets Antoine LeClaire and George Davenport-He is governor of Iowa and Davenport is its capital city-A caustic letter to the state council-The indignant reply of the committee-Conway's un- timely death and burial in this city-A valuable citizen. 419
CHAPTER XIV. THE GREAT RIVER.
The glory and majesty of the father of waters-Description of the keel- boat-An early trip from Cairo to Galena-A list of the early steam craft that breasted the currents of the upper river-Bringing down the logs-The ferries which have brought people into Scott county- The long-awaited Hennepin canal. 429
8
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XV.
LIFE ON THE FRONTIER.
The reminiscences of the uioneer, Judge John W. Spencer-Life among the Sacs and Foxes-When friendship changed to distrust and enmity --- Neighbor Black Hawk-Indian agriculture and hunting trips-The wars of 1831-33-Stillman's defeat and the flag of truce-The merciless Sioux-A neighbor who drew the long bow. 447
CHAPTER XVI.
LOOKING BACKWARD.
J. M. D. Burrows, merchant, miller, packer, handler of produce, looks back over his busy life and tells some incidents-Davenport a hamlet of 15 houses-A remarkable career-Hummer and his bell-Rev. John O. Foster tells of boyhood days in Rockingham-The view from the Decker home-A relic of Credit island battle 475
CHAPTER XVII.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
The pioneer physicians of Scott county-Their hardships and self reliance -Many of them practical men of great force of character-Reminis- cences of Dr. E. S. Barrows-Scott County Medical Society-Minutes of the bygone meetings -- The society has taken advanced ground while conservative in character-Dr. Preston writes. 495
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE SCOTT COUNTY BAR.
The bench and bar of Scott county-Early lawyers, many of them men of great ability-The earlier courts-Supreme court sessions in Davenport -- The district, circuit and county courts-Members of the bar of 25 years ago-The present bar-Diverting incidents of the legal record since courts were established-Judge Grant's toothpick. 517
CHAPTER XIX.
ADMINISTRATION OF THE COUNTY.
The conduct of the county's business affairs-The county commissioners' court and its work of organization-Road districts and voting places- County judges-Board of supervisors-Officials from earliest times to the present-A record for reference-Growth of the county in wealth and population. 547
9
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XX.
CHURCHES AND PARISHES.
Davenport the city of the diocese of Iowa and the diocese of Davenport- The handsome cathedrals and other sanctuaries of the city-Sketches of the bishops who have directed church work from Davenport-Sketches supplemental to those appearing in the Barnes history-Davenport a city of spires. 571
CHAPTER XXI.
THE CIVIL WAR.
Dred Scott in Davenport-John Brown and Coppoc the refugee-The call for troops-Iowa's response-Local enthusiasm-Scott county soldiers in many regiments-Proved themselves the bravest of the brave-Iowa drum beat heard in every portion of the south-The honored dead- Unappreciated eloquence-Littler's firemen-Some clothes 619
CHAPTER XXII.
PATRIOTIC DAVENPORT.
Military headquarters-Camps where soldiers were trained-Minnesota Sioux -Many Confederate prisoners at Rock island prison-The routine of prison life-The soldiers' monument-Oration of General J. B. Leake -Iowa Soldiers' Orphans' Home-First exercises at Oakdale-Company B goes to fight Spain-The roll of honor-Company roster in days of Spanish-American war 669
CHAPTER XXIII. CITY OF DAVENPORT.
Always noted for striking beauty of situation-The mayors of the city from the beginning to the 1910 election-The police and fire departments-A splendid street car service-Water service of equal merit-The parks of the city-What the city owes and owns-A few dollars each way for each man, woman and child. 685
CHAPTER XXIV.
A GOOD PLACE TO LIVE.
Every opportunity to grow in culture and usefulness in Davenport-Public buildings provided for all lines of interest-A fine line of helpful institu- tions-Places of instruction and amusement-Hotels, hospitals-Some- where for everybody to stay-A great array of organizations for those who believe in banding together.
7II
10
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XXV.
THE COMMERCIAL SIDE.
Cheap fuel, transmissibility of electrical power and fine shipping facilities have made Davenport a great manufacturing center-The thrift of the people of Scott county have made it a great banking center-The growth of manufacturing interests and the widening of the field supplied-Coun- try banks springing up, everywhere. 753
CHAPTER XXVI.
AT THE COURT HOUSE.
The handsome palace of justice-Tablets whereon the Pioneer Settlers' As- sociation have inscribed those coming to Scott county before 1846- Full list of names-The county jail-The Scott County Agricultural Society-Description of the first fair-Baseball when the pitcher over- stayed his time in the box and gentlemen caught fly balls. 769
CHAPTER XXVII.
PUBLIC LIBRARIES, OLD AND NEW.
In 1839 the citizens moved for a collection of books-Library progress from that date to this has been along a devious path of hardship and discour- agement-Ladies managed the library for years-Mr. Watkins tells of years of devotion to the ideal of a public library-Andrew Carnegie, a life member, sends by Mrs. Maria Purdy Peck, president of the Dav- enport Historical Association, money for a new building. 783
CHAPTER XXVIII. SOME OLD HOUSES.
Some remain and others have given way to better ones-The first frame house in Iowa-The first house in Davenport-Dr. John Emerson's brick residence-Many old residences of strong historic interest-Struc- tures that incite reminiscence-A beautifully written sketch of the hospitable homes of other days. 801
CHAPTER XXIX. THE GERMAN IMPRESS.
The influence of German immigrants upon the social, financial, patriotic, commercial and artistic life of the United States-From the general to the particular-What German-Americans have done for the prosperity, material and spiritual, of Davenport and Scott county-A trip cross- country and what it shows-German organizations. By Adolph Pe- tersen, Editor of "Iowa Reform."
813
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER XXX.
A FORCEFUL INFLUENCE.
The Germans of Davenport and the Chicago Convention of 1860-The part those who opposed knownothingism played in the party preliminaries leading up to the republican nomination of Abraham Lincoln-The Davenport resolutions of March, 1860-German strength recognized throughout the land-With Bates out of the race Abraham Lincoln the strongest Compromise candidate. 839
By F. I. Herriott.
Professor of Economics, Political and Social Science, Drake University.
CHAPTER XXXI.
DAVENPORT'S BAPTISM.
Could Rock Island be Davenport ?- Would Davenport have been Rock Is- land ?- For whom was Davenport named ?- There seems to be no doubt that Colonel George Davenport was so honored-A life which ranks with the heroes of romance in variety and thrilling incident-One of the founders of the city that bears his name-An Indian ceremony .... 849
CHAPTER XXXII.
CLIMATOLOGICAL CONDITIONS.
Being an article based upon weather bureau observations covering a period from 1871 to 1909-The location of office and instruments-A climat- ological summary-Unusual weather phenomena-Warm and cold pe- riods-Length of growing seasons-Unusual amounts of rainfall-Not- able river stages-Remarkable flood stage 877
By J. M. Sherier, Local Forecaster, Weather Bureau.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
THE PRESS.
The Archimedean lever that moves the world in this part of the world the present press which ably serves Davenport and Scott county-English and German, political and religious-Papers of bygone days which did not fill a wide felt want-The papers of long ago and their news service -The Tri-City Press Club 88
By Ralph W. Cram. President of the Tri-City Press Club.
12
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XXXIV.
THE RAILROADS.
Strenuous efforts to build railroads in Scott county's early years-Agitation to the eastward and westward-The first railroad west of the great river-A. C. Fulton, a man ahead of his times-Hiram Price as pro- moter-The M. & M., C. & R. I., D. & St. L., C. R. I. & P., C. B. & Q., C. M. & St. P., also the I. & I .- Fifty years an engineer
899
CHAPTER XXXV.
EDUCATION.
The foundation laid by early statesmen-A look ahead-The beginnings of schools in Iowa-Those who taught school in Davenport in the thirties -Many years of private schools-Arrival of the public school in the fifties-Latter day schools-Magnificent high school-The special branches-Schools of higher education-Biography of J. B. Young .. 919
CHAPTER XXXVI. THE SALAD COURSE.
In this chapter may be found almost everything aside from the item the reader is searching for-There are some things that will prove of in- terest to somebody-Other things that everybody knows-Some inci- dents are unusual and others just so-so-There seemed to be a neces- sity for this sort of chapter 963
CHAPTER XXXVII.
CHRONOLOGY.
This is something of a record of the years in Scott county from 1832 to 1910-Other things have happened but these appear notable, as the list is scanned for items that look worthy of type-It is a collection of short stories somewhat lacking in description but good what there is of them 979
FOREWORD.
And after the book has gone to the printer, the author, editor, compiler or whatever or whoever he may be, carries in a preface his burden of regret to the public who probably expected nothing better, and in dismal remorse tells how his plans have buckled, his roseate visions turned to leaden hue, his budding hopes chilled and filled with April snows. Not in this book. There is a disposition to acknowledge that prospectus plans covered a scope a trifle wide for the binding of any one book or two books, but there is a belief that there is much in this work that will be new to the reader, and that it merits recognition rather for what it con- tains than for what has been omitted. There are plenty of inconsistencies, no doubt, and misstatements, perhaps. But it is a good deal to expect that the writer of history can arrive at truth in incidents wherein principals and bystand- ers are all dead. It puzzles any one who drops into any court of justice to sort the truth from the conflicting testimony of witnesses who saw the self-same thing happen yesterday. How much more difficult is the task of the assembler of facts for a local history. In any event there is as much amusement in denying as agreeing, and the reader, gentle or otherswise, gets his money's worth.
If there have been matters passed over without mention that are worthy extended notice in any history, let it be remembered that many things have hap- pened in Scott county since Radisson yearned for the red souls of its inhabitants, and that the comparative estimate of values is the sole pleasure of the writer of history and may be exercised by anybody who can find a publisher.
Some expert who has given the matter thought says no man has a right to pen history unless he has something new to tell or a new way of telling the old. There is a third reason,-the same which impelled the Galena hotel keeper to charge the Prince de Joinville $4.00 for playing one tune on his piano; the same reason which caused the assistant superintendent of a New Jersey lunch counter to ask $1.00 of Bill Nye for that combination of sliced ham and some baker's absent mindedness known on the road as a boxing glove.
Schleiermacher, the great philosopher, draws a distinction between longitu- dinal and transverse views of any series of historical facts. An attempt has been made in this work to combine both plans, with what success the reader, pugnacious or otherwise, may judge.
The opportunity offered by this foreword is eagerly embraced to acknowledge indebtedness. First of all, credit for the finest portion of this work must go to one who has long been gone,-the fine old pioneer, surveyor, linguist, gentleman, Willard Barrows, and in lesser measure to his son, B. H. Barrows, once of Dav- enport, now of Omaha, who generously gave permission for reprinting Willard Barrows' history in these words, "I not only do not see any objection to your using any of my father's material which you can find, but I should be very glad
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
indeed, to see the collection of his historical work in some permanent form," and finally in this connection the writer's personal gratitude is expressed to the pub- lishers of this work for being willing to reprint the Barrows history, complete, unabridged, unchanged, without modification or erasure, an adequate recognition of this masterpiece of local history to which it has been entitled any time these fifty years and which has not been before accorded.
By way of tribute to the memory of another writer gone from earth it should be recorded that had it not been for D. N. Richardson's love for history, his patient untangling of historical problems and his ability to coordinate seemingly unrelated facts, supplemented by his delightful narration of matters thus ar- ranged, much of Scott county history would have been lost beyond recovery. There are many others, old associates on the Democrat, the Richardsons, B. F. Tillinghast, J. E. Calkins, Ralph W. Cram, whose chapter on the Press is a fea- ture of this work; fellow members of the Press Club, W. A. Meese, of Moline, H. P. Simpson, of the Rock Island Argus, J. E. Hardman and Joe Carmichael, of the Times, Dr. August Richter of Der Demokrat, the most prolific of local historians, Fred B. Sharon, of the Messenger, Adolph Petersen of the Iowa Reform, whose chapter on the German Impress is a notable portion of this his- tory: When this is read, it will be understood by the distant reader why Scott county is sometimes spelled Skat county.
The permission to use any of the copyrighted material in that mine of local history the Half Century Democrat is only an added instance of a generosity which has never failed in an association of twenty-five years.
Thanks are due to Mrs. Maria Purdy Peck for her chapter on the Public Library. Those who know this gifted writer will not fail to identify her with the Mrs. W. F. Peck who took such large part in making library history. Prof. Frank I. Herriott, a resident of Scott county by inheritance, for his father farmed near Durant before the citizens of Iowa called him to be state treasurer, has devel- oped something in regard to the nomination of Abraham Lincoln that has escaped the actual dwellers of Scott county. For this analysis of a hitherto neglected incident in Iowa political history he has our gratitude.
The list of those who have aided in producing this work is long and to every one thanks are due,-to J. B. Young, who patiently collected material for the hitherto unwritten chapter on local education, to J. M. Sherier for his scientific and interesting chapter on climatology, to J. H. Paarmann, curator of the Dav- enport Academy of Sciences and Miss Sarah Foote-Sheldon, corresponding secretary of that institution, to Capt. W. L. Clark, for his interesting interview, Col. F. E. Hobbs, commanding Rock Island Arsenal, Secretary C. A. Steel of the Commercial Club, to city and county officials, the Davenport Board of Park Commissioners, to Miss Grace D. Rose, librarian, Mr. and Mrs. Louis A. Le- Claire, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Mccullough, Dr. C. H. Preston, C. E. Harrison, W. C. Mossman, G. E. Hubbell, Prin. J. A. Hornby, to Supt. F. L. Smart and Secre- tary J. D. McCollister of the Board of Education ; and finally to the good friend whose name has been omitted and whose neglect shall seem perfectly inexcusable when it shall be made apparent by sober second thought.
H. E. DOWNER.
REFECTORY IN CENTRAL PARK
CHAPTER I.
THE STORY OF THE ROCKS.
FROM CREATION DAYS-PREPARATION OF THE EARTH FOR THE ABODE OF MAN BY GLA- CIATION AND INUNDATION- THE PRE-GLACIAL TOPOGRAPHY-THE MISSISSIPPI OF AGES GONE-THE AGE OF THE GREAT ICE-SCOTT COUNTY'S PERFECT DRAINAGE -A WEALTH OF BUILDING STONE-THE CARBONIFEROUS STRATA WHICH HAVE BROUGHT WEALTH-GEOLOGICAL SECTION OF SCOTT COUNTY.
When the six great creative days were fully ended and the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them, when the evening of the sixth day brought the achievement of the marvelous work, the Book records that the Creator of the universe rested from his labors, saw everthing that he had made, and be- hold, it was very good. From chaos, formless and void, had come through omnis- cient plan and omnipotent will a beautiful planet, fitted for the home of man, a sphere which swung in ether in perfect poise with jarless revolution and with certain and flawless procession. Upon this world which seemed good to its Creator appeared continents, seas, islands and straits. Had there been a spectator upon a neighboring planet when this earth fresh from the creative process took its place in the firmament, to him the western continent would have appeared but an island circled by the sea, the belt of land which was to be in after years the United States but a patch of greens and grays, the magnificent Mississippi valley a blur of color and the state of Iowa an indistinguished item in the har- monious whole. Surely the abiding place of our love and pride is but a speck in the wide-unfolding map of creation, but to us who live in Iowa there is nothing more sure than this, that no fairer spot exists the world around than this small portion of the splendid work that received the commendation of the great Archi- tect, and to those who live in Scott county there is also the surety that nowhere in Iowa has the Creator more kindly planned for his children or scattered in greater measure the blessings of his good will.
For the story of the preparation of the world to be the abode of man from fire mist to finished planet we must go to the geologists and learn of the ages of evolution and gradual change which stretched through time and into a seeming eternity measured only by the stupendous span of the great creative days of the
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
Almighty. To them it is given to read the book of creation in the everlasting hills, to glean history from eroded valleys and learn in stratifications of the living things which enjoyed life in this region when it was under seas. Under Iowa prairies and by the banks of Iowa streams have been found most illuminating records of the ages when the rocky foundations of Iowa were being laid and of the later ages when this substructure was being covered by glacial drift and lev- eled in prairied sweep from great river to great river. Prof. Samuel Calvin says: "In no part of the world are certain chapters of the Pleistocene record clearer, or fraught with greater interest than in our fair Iowa." This geological eminence Scott county shares with the remainder of the commonwealth, but there is also an especial distinction all our own. Prof. W. H. Norton writes in the report of the Iowa geological survey: "In the diversity and interest of its de- posits of glacial drift, Scott county is hardly surpassed by any area of equal size in the United States. Lost pages of Pleistocene history are here recoverable, and evidence is at hand which may help to solve questions of long dispute in glacial geology."
In its long preparation for human habitation, its endowment with a climate of pleasing and healthful variety, soil of unexcelled richness and water in abun- dance, this favored corner of the earth has passed through a most remarkable ex- perience. It has been under the ice not once but four times. It has been under the sea no one knows how many times. It has been traversed by great rivers. It has been covered by strange tropical forests and through its savannas have roamed animals of strange form and uncouth appearance. As a possible human habitat it is very old.
STRANGE CLIMATIC CHANGES.
Wise as are the geologists and much as they can read in the rocks and run- ning brooks they cannot tell us what changed the climate of Iowa from the warmth and grateful fruitfulness of the Carboniferous period to the frigidity of glacial days which chilled and killed all life, the stricken land with its vernal crown of grass and woods finding burial under ice of such thickness that material brought from the north by the slowly creeping ice sheet was deposited as soil many yards in depth upon the rocks beneath. What disarrangement of ocean currents, of polar winds or aberration of axis inclination or orbit was responsible we do not know, but there is told in the rocks and soil of Scott county the story of fearful storms of ice and snow lasting thousands of years which piled the ice in mountain semblance in a grinding glacier sheet that made soil in tremendous fashion from the material frozen in the stream of ice and the material that lay beneath. And this cycle of growth and destruction was repeated time and again. The creative plan seems to have contemplated the devastating forces of storm. glaciation and inundation in the preparation of the richest soils and most beautiful arrangement of land and water forms in this region most fit for the abode of man.
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