USA > Illinois > Hancock County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II > Part 43
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I may be mistaken in relation to there being three feet of head water created by the railroad embankment or fill, from the bluff to the river, but that there is sufficient power now to drive several run of mill stones, I think no one will dispute who knows anything of water power.
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This head and volume of water could easily be doubled, by the construction of a few hundred feet of the proposed wing dam at the head of the Island, for this I believe, is just at the foot of the "lower chain," where the water is the swiftest. I confess to being somewhat sur- prised that men of energy and science have not taken hold here before, for all must admit that a steady, constant water power is almost in- valuable in a country like this.
I do not propose to put up temporary "fix- ings" such as I before alluded to, and costing but a few hundred dollars, ruining their owners and no benefit to the country. But I do insist that a few thousand dollars might be so ex- pended in obtaining water power at the foot of these Rapids as to derive an income from it at once, and not be in the way of that "tre- menjus canawl" that is to be, but in fact antici- pating it, or something better which I still think is the disconnected wing dam system, for by this, machinery might be run from the head to the foot of the Rapids, on both shores, and probably the water would be so deepened in the channel that there would be no necessity for locks. I am told that wing dams are not uncommon in the rivers on the continent of Europe for the single purpose of deepening the water over shal- low places, and it seems to me that in the aggregate, the power would be far greater and certainly much better distributed for corpora- tions or mills, by throwing out wings miles apart, or heading one at the terminus of another.
I do not like the idea of waiting to petition Congress for an appropriation. It is delaying the matter, and then government has enough to do just now without commencing the ditching business again so soon.
Yours truly, Inquirer.
The Carthage Gazette-Dec. 14, 1865.
A committee consisting of Bryant T. Scofield, Esq., Col. Alex. Sympson and F. M. Corby, Esq., left town on Tuesday, for New York to attend to matters appertaining to bridging the Mis- sissippi.
The Carthage Gazette Feb. 1, 1866. .
The Board of Supervisors, at their session on Tuesday, appointed Messrs. Alex. Sympson and George Edmunds to visit Washington City, as a committee to represent the claims of Hancock
County before the present session of Congress, in regard to the improvement of the rapids.
The Carthage Gazette -- April 5, 1866.
IMPROVEMENT OF THE RAPIDS
A bill has just been introduced in Congress to improve the navigation of the Upper Missis- sippi, at the Des Moines Rapids, between Keokuk and Nauvoo, by constructing two canals, one about six miles long and about two hun- dred and fifty feet wide, with a depth , varying from six to thirteen feet, and having two locks, the other four and a half miles long, three hun- dred and fifty feet wide, and the same depth and with two locks. These canals it is esti- mated, can be constructed for about one and a quarter millions of dollars, and will extend the navigation of the Mississippi one hundred miles further up, that is to the towns of Dav- enport and Rock Island. The Rock Island rapids could also be improved, it is said, for about the same amount, and this improvement would open additional free navigation to St. Paul, a distance of six hundred miles above the present head of unobstructed navigation. The advantage to the West, if this project is carried out will be immense. Eminent en- gineers say it is entirely feasible at moderate cost. Incidental to the construction of the canal, there will be a large excess of water, which it is intended to employ as a water power. It is estimated that a power equal to fifteen thousand horse-power can be obtained, which would be two and a half times as great as the water power at Lowell. The facilities afforded for mills and factories along the river would induce large investments at these points, and in time would render this a grand manu- facturing center.
We have several times predicted that could we only make a start towards improving the Mississippi, eastern capitalists would come to our assistance, thereby benefiting themselves, and making ours one of the most important counties in the State.
The writer of the above, from the Boston Journal, has evidently seen our estimate of the water-power to be derived from such improve- ment (which was in reference to this side of the river, published some time since), and men- tions Keokuk as being better known than Ham-
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ilton, by eastern men, as being one of the chief points, although he had, no doubt, the Illinois side of the river in view, when writing.
We have often spoken of the impossibility of improving the Iowa side, and realizing any- thing like the benefits which would be secured by such improvements on this side. There are also reasons for improving the Illinois side, which we think would benefit Iowa even as much as though they were upon her shores. In regard to the manner of improving the navi- gation of the Rapids, it is now conceded by all who are conversant with the subject that the only method which will prove to be effectual and satisfactory, is by canals and locks, of such dimensions as will pass the largest boats that can navigate the river above them. And in the location and construction of the improve- ments it is believed to be essential to the public interest, that no part of the works be placed in the river or channel in such position or manner as will in any measure obstruct or impede the free navigation of the Rapids by the river and channels as they now are. And as an incidental public benefit of great im- portance to the people of the whole Valley, it is believed to be equally essential to the public interest to require that the works of the im- provements be so arranged and constructed as to produce the greatest, most constant, and uni- form and useful hydraulic power. To accom- plish this, the work must be done on the Illinois side for various reasons :- first, the only channel boats can pass in low water lies close along tlie Iowa shore, in all the upper rapids; and be- tween Montrose Island and the shore the stream and channel are too narrow to admit of suchı encroachments as would be required by such a canal as would be useful for navigation, and give any considerable amount of hydraulic power; and between Montrose Island and the Illinois shore no part of the river has a con- tinuous depth at low water exceeding thirty inches. 2d. There is no room at the foot of the Rapids on the Iowa side of the river for the accommodation of even a very small amount of hydraulic motive power (as we have before . said), as the bank of the river from the edge, at low water, being a nearly vertical limerock bluff, more than one hundred feet high along the foot of the Rapids for the distance of at least one mile; and the bank below the foot of the Rapids (which is a continuation of the same un-
broken bluff), is required to be kept unob- structed for the Keokuk landing.
The best men to decide such things are the Civil Engineers, and manufacturing capitalists, who are almost a unit in favor of this side, and when the appropriation is made, it will be ac- cordingly. ^
The Committee of Commerce in the House of Representatives have agreed to recommend an appropriation of $90,000 to improve Chicago harbor, $300,000 for the improvement of the upper and lower Mississipi rapids, and a sum sufficient to survey Rock river, Illinois,-all of which is very welcome news.
The Carthage Gazette-May 10, 1866.
The River and Harbor bill, which passed the House of Representatives on Monday, 30th ult., contains appropriations as follows :
For the improvement of Chicago harbor, eighty thousand dollars; Kenosha harbor, sev- enty-five thousand dollars; Racine harbor, twen- ty-three thousand dollars; Milwaukee harbor, forty-eight thousand dollars; Manitowoc, fifty- two thousand dollars.
For the improvement of Western river, five hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
. For the improvement of the mouth of the Mississippi river, seventy-five thousand dollars; for the improvement of the Des Moines Rapids in the Mississippi, two hundred thousand dol- lars; for the improvement of the Rock Island Rapids, one hundred thousand dollars; for St. Clair Flats, eighty thousand dollars, for the improvement of the harbor, at St. Joseph, Michi- gan, six thousand dollars.
The Secretary of War is directed to make, surveys of the Western rivers.
The Carthage Gazette-Nov. 22, 1866.
The Mississippi is low, and navigation will probably close early. On the last of October, 1865, there was a rise, and during the first week in November there was eight feet of water to Keokuk. The river fell steadily after the 6th, and after the 22d of November no boat came down from above the Rapids. On the 14th of December navigation was suspended from above St. Louis.
The Carthage Gazette Dec. 13, 1866.
In view of the completion of the survey of the Mississippi Rapids by Gen. Wilson, and
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probably the recommendation by him of the construction of a canal around them, as being the best means of improving the navigation of the river, the Merchants' Exchange of St. Louis have adopted a series of resolutions, calling all citizens of States bordering on the Missis- sippi river, who are interested in the river com- merce, to meet in convention in St. Louis in January next, to take steps to bring the matter speedily before Congress. The resolution also provides for a committee of merchants to wait on Gen. Wilson, and represent to him the advan- tages of a canal over all other improvements.
The Carthage Gazette-Jan. 3, 1867.
THE RAPIDS IMPROVEMENT
The citizens of St. Louis, at a meeting re- cently held, passed a resolution calling a con- vention of all persons favorable to the improve- ment of the rapids of the Mississippi river, to be held at St. Louis, Mo., on some day during the month of January, 1867, hereafter to be named by the President of the Chamber of Commerce, and that all persons interested be invited to attend. The object of said convention being to urge upon Congress the mode and neces- sity of said improvements.
A committee was appointed to consult with Maj. Gen. Wilson and his corps of engineers, and urge upon them the advantages of a canal over any and all other modes of improvements.
Gen. Wilson, in reply, assures the committee that the rapids have been thoroughly surveyed, and that his plan of improvements, based there- upon, will provide in the largest and most liberal way for passing the present obstructions by every species of craft, at all times during the boating season.
, The subject of improving both the Upper and Lower Rapids has long been before the public, and amply discussed. The misfortune of our people, who are deeply interested in the im- provements, is that, until within the past four years, we have had no Representative in Con- gress who believed in the General Government appropriating moneys for public improvements. 'Now, however, it is different, and with concert of action the great work will, no doubt, be com- pleted at an early day-perhaps cotemporane- ously with the completion of the Pacific Rail- road, which, it is thought, will be within two years.
A convention is to be held at Rock Island, on the 27th inst., for the consideration of this subject, and Hancock County should be repre- sented on that occasion. Delegations are ex- pected from all the cities and towns on the river from St. Louis to St. Paul.
The Carthage Gazette Jan. 24, 1867.
RAPIDS IMPROVEMENT
A bill for the "Improvement of the Lower Rapids of the Mississippi River," has passed the Illinois House of Representatives, and will soon become a law. We will guarantee that with all the improvements going on in our County, at present, such as railroad building, improvement of the Mississippi, etc., we shall in ten years, instead of being the seventh county in the state, be the second. The improve- ment of the rapids, so long talked of, is about to be accomplished, upon the completion of which we shall have a water-power, within our own County, fifteen and a half times greater than that of Lowell, Mass. The population of the City of Lowell, resulting from her manufac- tures is about 45,000. Think of what it may be, with the water-power, which we shall gain by this project, all in use! Truly, this is destined to be an important County.
The Carthage Gazette-Feb. 28, 1867. DIED,
On Saturday, the 16th inst., Zebulon Parker, in the seventy-second year of his age.
The subject of this notice was born near Harper's Ferry, Va., on the first day of Oct., 1775. His first labor was performed in his father's mill, an ancient structure, propelled by water, and the probability is that his first whit- ling was done on a miniature representation of the old wheel, as he very early developed a re- markably acute mathematical and mechanical genius. But soon he discovered defects in the primitive machinery, and as he filled the hopper and "toll'd" the "grist," his busy mind was re- volving a project for an improvement in the rude appliances with which the bubbling rivulet or turbid river was harnessed for the comfort and profit of man, an improvement whose in- fluence should be felt to the farthest bounds of civilization and stamp indelibly on the page of mechanical history, the name of its inventor, as one of the remarkable contributors to the ad- vancement of civilization.
Eng by E & Williams & Bro NY.
Munsell Publishing Go.
NADowd
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY
The invention of the "Parker Percussion Water Wheel" was an era in the history of mechanics, one of those grand steps in advance between which ages often intervene, and was accomplished and letters patent obtained about the year 1829, but like the most of his class, dis- coverers of new principles in mechanics and the sciences, he found himself in the hands of sharp- ers, who, in a brief space of time, stripped him of the fruits of his invention and left him in comparative poverty. Previous to this he had transferred his residence from Virginia to Ohio; and about the year 1851 or 2 he again removed, this time to La Harpe, Ill.
His attention was early attracted to the seri- ous obstructions to the navigation of the Missis- sippi River, occasioned by the Des Moines Rapids, and the feasibility of different plans for their improvement. Government had expended what was then considered fabulous sums of money on them, with but little effect except to gorge the leaches who fattened themselves on the crumbs falling from the table of the then reigning political party.
Mr. Parker soon commenced his surveys and finally perfected a plan, with drawings and specifications of all the minutiae of the great improvement, which is destined to work a revo- lution in the navigation of the "Father of Waters," and create a water-power second to none on this continent. His plans contemplate a dense city of manufactories extending along the east bank of the river a distance of twelve miles ! One who can imagine such a city along the beautiful bluffs connecting Hamilton City and Nauvoo, peopled with thousands of industri- ous mechanics and artisans, the backgrounds elaborately decorated with their cottages, in- terspersed with the residences of the rich and those palaces of learning and religion for which our manufacturing towns are noted, can sym- pathize with Mr. Parker in his labors, mental and physical during the last ten or eleven years of his life, and form an idea of the reality his labors have made possible.
To attract the attention of the state and national Governments to his daring project, he has made several journeys to Springfield and Washington, sometimes defraying his own ex- penses, at others assisted by those who believed in his simple faith and untiring industry, finally accomplishing the labor of giants; latterly his traveling expenses have been defrayed by the county thus luckily, in a small part, cancelling
the immense obligations under which our im- mediate descendants will of necessity, rest, to his genius and philanthropy.
His plans have been examined and their adop- tion recommended with the highest encomiums, by a commission appointed under the direction of the Secretary of War, and it now remains to be seen whether his death will retard the ad- vancement of this great improvement or bury the hopes of its friends with the mortal remains of its immortal projector.
The Carthage Gazette-March 21, 1867.
Des Moines Rapids Improvement Company. Carthage, Ill., March 6, 1867.
At a meeting of the commissioners, appointed by an act entitled "an act to incorporate the Des Moines Rapids Improvement and Hydraulic Company," approved Feb. 21, 1867, held at the office of William C. Hooker, in the town of Carthage, in the County of Hancock and State of Illinois, on the 6th day of March, A. D. 1867, pursuant to notice. Present Alex. Sympson, Francis M. Corby, George Edmunds, Jr., Wil- liam C. Hooker and David Mack.
On motion, David Mack, Esq., was called to the Chair and Francis M. Corby was appointed Secretary.
George Edmunds, Jr., moved that we pro- ceed to open books for subscriptions to the capi- tal stock of the Des Moines Rapids Improve- ment and Hydraulic Company, as provided for in said act. Carried.
Mr. Edmunds moved that the contract of sub- scriptions to the stock of said Company until otherwise provided, be as follows: "The under- signed hereby subscribe to the capital stock of the Des Moines Rapids Improvement and Hy- draulic Company, the number of shares set opposite our names respectively and severally, agree to pay the amount of the shares of said stock subscribed by us respectively, as follows : five per cent. thereof whenever required by the commissioners authorized to take such subscrip- tions, and the balance thereof after the organi- zation of said Company, pursuant to an act entitled "an act to incorporate the Des Moines Rapids Improvement and Hydraulic Company," approved Feb. 21, 1867, whenever the same shall, from time to time, be called in by the Directors of said Company." Carried.
Mr. Edmunds moved that Francis M. Corby be appointed a committee of the commissioners to keep said books open for subscriptions to the stock of said company. Carried.
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Mr. Edmunds moved that F. M. Corby be authorized to call meetings of said commission- ers. Carried.
The Carthage Gazette-April 11, 1867.
IMPROVEMENT OF THE DES MOINES RAPIDS
The most feasible plan yet proposed.
We have been shown, and have carefully ex- amined. a plan for the improvement of the Des Moines Rapids of the Mississippi River, origi- nated and drawn up by Dr. W. H. Githens, of Hamilton. We are by no means an engineer but can readily see, and can convince any one who will examine the plan, of its feasibility, and we take the liberty here, of inviting the attention of capitalists to an enterprise so re- munerative, and the people to that which will make our county one of incomprehensible future greatness.
This plan, which we think is the one of all that have been offered, supersedes the suspen- sion and drawbridges, and combines all the great projects which have ever been before the coun- try, for improving the navigation. It makes a crossing for all railroad trains, wagons, and foot passengers, and immense hydraulic power, compared with which Lowell, Mass., is no- where.
A bird's eye view of the dam shows the fol- lowing : A tunnel or hollow dam to be con- structed on the bed of the river, somewhat as follows: First, a temporary or rubble dam en- tirely across the river, high enough to back water to the desired depth over the rapids, and to hold the current in check sufficiently to ad- mit of the construction of an arch or hollow dam of stone or iron below, of the capacity to admit the passage of locomotives on a center track, and for wagons on either side; the whole to incline to the center of the river or some point near the channel, to give a sufficient depth of water on top to allow the largest class boats to pass over, by the aid of a lock or locks.
The practicability of such a plan would be :
First. The great width of the river-giving a depth (at low water) averaging only about eighteen inches, and in extreme high water less than ten feet, thus being easily kept within bounds.
Second. Solid rock bottom at all points.
Third. Ease of access, being nearly on the
same level of all the railroads now built, or likely to be built in this locality.
Its advantages would be, a safe and speedy crossing for all land travel, without the delay and annoyance peculiar to draw bridges.
It effectually and forever covers all obstruc- tions to the navigation of the river, on the lower rapids, or so much of them as it may be deemed expedient to overflow. It gives inexhaustible hydraulic power on both sides of the river, also a magnificent steamboat harbor and landing. It cannot be affected by ice, flood or fire, and consequently when completed may be consid- ered there for all time. No objection can be entertained, that navigation would be obstructed by requiring all vessels passing up or down, to go through the locks, as the great depth procured would make comparatively still water, and enable craft to run on a direct line, and with greater speed, thus compensating for all delay, also obviating the necessity of changing pilots. There being nineteen feet fall in the first four miles, would give sufficient head of water for all manufacturing purposes, which can be readily made available, along the bluffs on either side, and on this (the Ills.) side, the slough forming Island No. 2 would afford ample waste-way.
To sum up, it is cheaper than any other plan of improving the rapids, and combines three times the advantages. I tis more durable than any other plan yet suggested. Cars can run at greater speed than over a bridge, and crossing can be effected at all hours, and at all seasons.
It is the center of a great agricultural, and wool growing region, also near the vast mineral resources of Missouri, and the North. It is easier of access to the cotton fields of the South than any of the manufacturing cities of the East, and there is no reason why a large manu- facturing city might not be built up here, and make St. Louis the great depot of manufactured goods. And the time is coming rapidly, when the crude material must be worked up some- where in the Mississippi Valley, to supply the vast population now setting towards the Pacific, which must necessarily be agricultural or min- ing in its character.
It is further necessary, from the fact that the people of the West can no longer afford to pay the exorbitant tariffs for transportation, both on produce and manufactured goods. Why not bring the manufacturers and operatives here and feed them, instead of sending supplies to the
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New England States, and thus save enough an- nually to build the entire work?
We are gratified to learn that St. Louis people are taking hold of this plan with eagerness, and, in fact, so is every one, who have taken the pains to examine it.
The Carthage Gazette-April 18, 1867.
The new Board of Engineers, detailed by the War Department to make the needed exami- nations, and to decide definitely upon a plan for the improvement of the upper and lower Des Moines Rapids, and also the mouth of the Mis- sissippi river, will meet in Keokuk shortly, to organize. They will enter at once upon their work. The Commission is composed of the fol- lowing distinguished engineers: General T. J. Cram, U. S. A .; Gen. G. K. Warren, U. S. A .; Col. J. N. McComb, U. S. A .; all of the Engi- neer Department, and W. Milnor Roberts, of Philadelphia.
The Carthage Republican-April 25, 1867.
"Des Moines Rapids Improvement .- Messrs. H. G. Ferris and A. Sympson, on behalf of Hancock county interests, visited Keokuk on Thursday last to meet Col. Mason and a corps of government engineers, who had arrived in that city with the view of gathering statements, estimates, etc., respecting the proposed Rapids improvement.
"The Hancock committee laid before the engineers such facts as they were possessed of in favor of constructing the proposed improve- ment on the Illinois side of the river. They also left in the hands of the corps an elaborate compilation of estimates, surveys, etc., prepared by Judge Edmonds; which it is hoped will have a controlling influence on the decision of the engineers."
The Carthage Gazette-May 9, 1867.
Among the most sensible acts of the Board of Supervisors, at their recent meeting, was the appointment of Gen. Jno. G. Fonda to take charge of the proposed survey of the Rapids. The General's reputation as an engineer is a sufficient guaranty that the work will be well done, and claims of the Illinois side fully and fairly represented to the proper department.
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