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I have typed "Davenport Past and Present "as written. The only thing we have added is a surname Index divided by Chapter at the end of this book. Cathy Labath and I have set up this book by chapters. There will be a link on each chapter to that chapter when it is completed and uploaded. Where there are pictures in the book - we have made a note. The pictures will be located in the Pictures/Document section of the Scott County Site. Following is the title page, preface and contents page. We hope you enjoy reading the book. We hope by our efforts Davenport Past and Present has helped you in some way. Cathy Labath and Debbie Gerischer _____________________________________________________________________ DAVENPORT PAST AND PRESENT;INCLUDING THE EARLY HISTORY, AND
PERSONAL AND ANECOOFAL REMINISCENCESOF DAVENPORT; TOGETHER WITH BIOGRAPHIES, LIKENESSES OF ITS PROMINENT MEN; COMPENDIOUS ARTICLES UPON THE PHYSICAL, INDUSTRIAL, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CITY; FULL STATISTICS OF EVERY DEPARTMENT OF NOTE OR INTEREST, AC.
________________________ BY FRANC B. WILKIE _______________________
DAVENPORT: PUBLISHING HOUSE OF LUSE, LANE & CO. _______ 1858 ________________________________________________________________________________________ Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1858, by FRANC B. WILKIE, In the Clerk's office of the U. S. District Court of Iowa. __________________________________________________________________
PREFACE________
As Prefaces are in style, it is well that one should be written for the present work, although the author may not have anything particular to say, but which might as well as not be said in the body of the work. However, a few words may not be inappropriate. The present work has been prepared under no ordinary difficulties - the data being in the first part of the work, such as were afforded by the memories of "old settlers," no two of which ever agreed exactly in relating the same circumstance. Often would the author get a glimpse of a promising fact or anecdote, and after diligently hunting it through the mazes of a half dozen memories, would discover it to be a jack o'latern; or after finding it, having it corroborated by the "mouths of two or three witnesses," and having it printed, he would be most positively assured by some one that the thing in question was either entirely wrong, or a fable. However severe and disheartening the task has been, the author flatters himself that in almost every statement truth has been arrived at as near as is possible - for he has been careful in every case to get all the different versions, and to adopt the one having a majority in its favor. There have been other difficulties no less arduous, and much more disagreeable. In a work of this kind few are without an opinion as to what the book should contain, while not a few others are of course better judges of, and much more able (in their own opinion,) to write a book than the author. In looking over the printed sheets, exceptions would be taken to this or that - one wished no anecdotes, another nothing else - a third wished simple statistics - a fourth wished it to build up this particular interest or depress that, or make it a prose song of adulation to some reining Jupiter in the financial Olympus of Davenport. Others have ventured so far as to threaten to use their influence to suppress the work if it were not gotten up after a particular manner. Appreciating the absurdity, as well as despising such coercive measures in book making, the author aimed only to write a book for the majority, and corresponding with its title, trusting opposition would die away when its authors appreciated either its futility or unreasonableness. The author takes pleasure in acknowledging many obligations to Hon. G. C. R. Mitchell, G. L. Davenport, Esq., James Mckintosh, Esq., D. C. Eldredge Esq., Willard Barrows, Esq., Mrs. Goldsmith, of Rock Island, Antoine LeClaire, Capt. James May, and others, who have afforded him information in regard to the early settlement of Davenport. We would acknowledge also indebtedness to Dr. C. C. Parry for the able article upon the geological character of Davenport, to Dr. T. J. Saunders for the article upon its Medical Topography, and Scott County Medical Society, to ADD H. Sanders, Esq., for a notice of Mr. Wild, the artist, and to various Clergymen for information in regard to their respective Churches. Of the Future of Davenport, it has been thought best to spend no time in treating - a close perusal of the Past and the Present will at once indicate the future. With a hope that Davenport Past and Present will meet with the approbation of the public to an extent commensurate with the labor of getting it up, the author leaves it. Davenport, April 5th, 1858.
______________________________________________________________________ CONTENTS_________
"Past and Present,"....................................................................................................... 9 Saukees and Musquakees - Black Hawk - Character, &c - Treatied of 1804 - Successive Treaties - Spirit Cave on Rock Island,.................................................................... 13 Black Hawk Continued - Treaties - Removals - Invasions - Executive influence and Alarm - Crossing the Mississippi - Stillman's Run - Retreat - Massacre at Bad Axe - Treaty - Close of Black Hawk's History,............................................................................. 20 Meeting at Col. Davenport's - Site of Davenport - Proprietors - Survey - Cost of Pioneer Enterprises - Anecdote of a Politician - First Ball - Religious Services - Rockingham - Postmaster Appointed............................................................................................... 32 CHAPTER VIndian Duel-Col. Taylor's Defeat in 1812-Fight between Sacs and Foxes and Pottowato- mies - Burial of the Slain - Opening of River - First Marriage - Getty's Flouring Mill - Ferry Company - Jumping Claims - Intruder Expelled - Thrashing an Indian - Sacs and Foxes - Sioux Horse Thieves - Visit to Washington - Murder of an Indian at Moscow- Escape of Murderer - Population - Scott County Organized - Elections.................... 42 CHAPTER VIContest for County Seat - Newspaper Magniloquence - Death of Black Hawk - Old Burying Ground - Summary................................................................................... 54 CHAPTER VIIFinancial Condition of County - Militia - Territorial Council - Meetings - Town of Daven- port Organized - Growth of Village - Navigation of Rock River - First Church - Sub- scribers - Fire Department - Original Temperance Society - Schools - Death of W. B. Conway - Resolutions......................................................................................... 68 CHAPTER VIIIClose of 1839 - Missouri War - Financial Statement of year 1839 - New Election for County Seat - Result.......................................................................................... 80 1841 - Finances - The Village - Duel - Court House and Jail - Davenport Gaxette - Prince De Joinville - First Thing - 1842 - Temperance - Bank - Population - Judge Williams - Bible Society - Elections - 1843 - Churches - Elections - Major Wm. Gordon - 1844 - Elections - Stage Lines - 1846 - Murder of Col. Davenport - Indian Ceremony............................................................................................. 90 From 1846 to 1854 - Railroads - Rapids Convention - Growth of City, &c,&c..... 104 Opening of Chicago and Rock Island Railroad - Bridge Opposition - Laying Corner Stone - Proceedings - Growth of City - Statistics, &c. - Letter from W. Barrows.114 CHAPTER XIITemperance - Taxable Property - August Election - Election of Gen. Sargent - Inaugural Address - Improvements - Close of 1857 - History of "Past" finished - Editorial from Gazette........................................................................................ 125 Biography of Col. Geo. Davenport......................................................................... 145 Biography of Antoine LeClaire.............................................................................. 167 Biography of Geo. L. Davenport.......................................................................... 171 Biography of James Mackintosh.......................................................................... 173 Biography of G. C. R. Mitchell............................................................................ 181 Biography of Willard Barrows............................................................................. 183 Biography of James May.................................................................................... 193 Biography of Chas. Weston............................................................................... 197 Biography of LeRoy Dodge............................................................................... 201 Biography of Hiram Price.................................................................................. 203 Pioneer Settlers Association, Festival, &c.......................................................... 205 Geological Sketch of the City of Davenport....................................................... 249 Medical Topography of Davenport................................................................... 253 Scott County Medical Society.......................................................................... 255 Manufactures and Industrial Products............................................................... 257 Report of the Board of Trade, for 1857........................................................... 270 Hotels............................................................................................................. 277 Religious.......................................................................................................... 282 Educational...................................................................................................... 292 Military........................................................................................................... 303 Fire Department.............................................................................................. 303 Musical........................................................................................................... 305 Artistic............................................................................................................ 307 The Press........................................................................................................ 311 Renevolent Orders - masonic........................................................................... 315 I. O. of O. F.................................................................................................... 316 Census............................................................................................................ 319 List of Officers from the date of the first Charter to the present time.................. 326 City Vote, April, 1858.................................................................................... 328 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |