are widely known as the leading manufacturing cities of the great west,
with railroads stretching out from ocean to ocean, and although the
Mississippi makes a dividing line, they are united by a magnificent
bridge, which makes their intercourse easier than over paved streets.
Rock Island, at that time, was excluded from settlement by the orders of
Government, as it had been reserved, on the recommendation of Hon. Lewis
Cass, whilst he was in the Senate and Cabinet, as a site for a United
States Arsenal and Armory. Fort Armstrong was situated on the lower end
of the Island, and was then in command of Col. William Davenport. The
Sac and Fox agency (Maj. Davenport, agent,) stood on the bank of the
river about half a mile above the Fort; next came the residence and
office of Antoine Le Clair, United States Interpreter for the Sam
and Foxes, and a little higher up, the residence, store-house and out
buildings of Col. George Davenport, who had by an act of Congress,
preempted a claim of two hundred acres of land running across the Island
from bank to bank of the river. The Island is about two miles long, and
being at the foot of the rapids has the best water power on the river,
capable of running a much greater amount of machinery than is at
present in operation. The entire Island is now owned and occupied by the
Government, (the heirs of Col. Davenport having sold and deeded their
interest), and is now used as an