DAVENPORT PAST AND PRESENT

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CHAPTER IX.

STATEMENTS OF THE RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES OF THE COUNTY OFSCOTT, FOR THE YEAR ENDING JAN. 1, 1841.

EXPENDITURES

A. W. CAMPBELL,

                                                    JOHN G. QUINN,

                                                    JOHN WORK,

                                                                      County Commissioners.

Davenport, Jan. 7, 1841.

The River opened March fourteenth.  At the April election, J. W. Parkerwas elected Mayor, John Pope Recorder, and J. M. Witherwax, Harvey Leonard, T.K. Mills, T. McLosky, and Seth F. Whitney, Trustees.

The condition of the village, yet laboring from the effects of the"crisis" of '37, may be well understood from the following extractfrom an April number of the Sun:

"The times are hard, and business of all knids dull.  Money, evencounterfeit paper, and bogus, have almost totally disappeared.  (No othermoney having been current here since the last land sales.)  Emigrantscontinue to pour into the Promised Land by tens, hundreds, and thousands -filling up the back country with an industrious and enterprising population. 

Notwithstanding all these evils, and many others of an embarrassing nature,frame buildings are going up daily, and several brick dwellings are beingerected.  Our merchants are not doing so good a business as we could wish,owing to the scarcity and uncertainty of money, but still we believe that thosewho advertise most liberally do a respectable business.

Six hundred dollars was paid for barrels and hogshead alone, by one house, inthis place, to coopers at Cincinnati, Ohio.  This money would have remainedamongst us if coopers had been here to perform the work.  A good cooper ismuch wanted here.  Blacksmiths are said to be also in demand.  Ahatter could not find a more advantageous location in any part of the earth thanthis place presents at present.  There are about one thousand heads in thiscountry to cover, and no hatter in the Territory above Burlington.  Furs,and other articles for manufacturing hats, can be procured here in abundance. To be sure, coon skins have commanded an extravagant price for the lastsix or eight months, but as soon as the log cabin delusion subsides, we opinethat coon furs will depreciate as fast as irredeemable blank paper.  We,therefore, advise a hatter, a cooper, and a blacksmith, to locate in ourpleasant, healthy, and thriving village."

A duel, the second on record in Iowa, and the first among white men, occurredin this year, between Messrs. Egnor and Fitch.  Love, as is the casegenerally, was the cause of the emeute, and pistols alone could quell it. They met early one morning on the banks of a stream below Davenport -which stream in consequence, has been immortalized as "Bloody Run." They fired, and returned to the city unharmed, save that Egnor's arm wasbandaged, and carried in a sling.  Posterity is divided in regard to thenature of the wound - a minority asserting that it was caused by a bulelt, whilethe remainder assert that neither pistol had anything more deadly in it thanpowder and wadding.

Readers who have perused the account of the "First Duel," spoken ofin a previous chapter, will doubtless see much more to admire in the first thanin the second - although the actors in the former were the ignorant, uncivilizedIndians.

The Court House and Jail were finished this year, and presented to theCounty, free of cost, as provided for in the bond, before noticed.  Toomuch honor cannot be given to the gentlemen by whose liberality and enterprisethese valuable privileges were conferred upon Davenport.  The immensesuperiority of our place over every other in the county would have availednothing, had not events been controlled by a liberal expenditure of what, atthat time, was no easy thing to obtain, viz:  cash.

In August the Davenport Weekly Gazette was started by Alfred Sanders;and it took prominence immediately in Journalism as a finely printed and ablyedited sheet.  It espoused Whig principles, and has occupied a leadingposition in politics to the present time.  It eventually expanded into theDaily and Tri-weekly and weekly Gazette, and has undoubtedly amplyremunerated its enterprising proprietor.

November fourth, Prince De Joinville and suit stopped a short time atLeClaire House, while on their travels Westward.  His freedom fromostentation and aristocratic exclusiveness was the theme of general remark; andwould serve besides as an exemplary model to many who unlike him lack theprivileges of lofty birth, and are unduly elevated by the possession  ofwealth.  He was strictly republican in his doings; and seemed always to besimply a gentleman.

Newhall, in 1841, thus writes in regard to Davenport:

"This town was laid out in 1835-6, on a reserve belonging to AntoineLeClaire, Esq.  It is the seat of justice for Scott county, and is situatednearly opposite to the lower end of Rock Island, on a handsome elevation, with abeautiful range of sloping hills in its rear.  It is about three hundredand fifty miles above St. Louis, by water, eighty miles above Burlington, andninety-five below Dubuque.  The town of Stephenson, on the opposite shore,with the glittering dome of its court house, the mouth of Rock River a few milesbelow, the picturesque and antiquated fortifications on Rock Island, with itsbeautiful villa,* the charming residence of LeClaire, the magnificent hoteloverlooking the white cottages of Davenport, and the adjacent village ofRockingham - all form a combination of picturesque beauty, seldom if eversurpassed.  I have approached this point from all its bearings, and whetherviewed from river or bluff, it is like a beauteous picture varied in all itslights and shades.  I well remember the first and lasting impression itproduced upon my feelings; it was on a bright sunny morning in August, in theyear 1836, the sun was fast dispelling the glittering dews, and every droopingflower was lifting its smiling crest; on the Iowa shore might be seenoccassionally a gaily painted warrior of the Sacs and Foxes riding along theheights, his painted form partially exposed to view as his scarlet blanket wavedto the breeze, his light feathers and gaudy trappings being in admirablecontrast with the verdure-clad hills; then did I feel the utter incompetency todescribe so beautiful a scene - then could I have invoked the pencil of thepainter, or the pen of the poet.

*The residence of Col. George Davenport.

The distant reader may be skeptical concerning this high-wrought description. As this I marvel not.  The author is aware of the diffculty ofconveying entirely correct ideas of a region to those who have neveer traveledbeyond the threshold of home; especailly in delineating this (in commonparlance) land of the "squatter;" as if, forsooth, the land of song,of Arcadian groves, and shady bowers, must needs be in sunny Italy, or classicGreece.

I will, however, add the corroborating testimony of one or two graphicwriters, to convince the reader that nature here has been lavish or her beautiesas well as her bounties.

'The country around Rock Island is, in our opinion, the most charming thatthe eye ever beheld.  Rock Island is, of itself, one of the greatestnatural beauties on the Mississippi.  The "old fort," not tospeak of its military association, is, in truth, an object on which the eyedelights to dwell.  The flourishing town of Stephenson, upon the Illinoisshore, adds greatly to the attractions of the scene; and Davenport, with itsextended plains, its sloping lawns, and wooded bluffs, completes one of the mostperfect pictures that ever delighted the eyes of man.  The interior of theterritory is rich, beautiful, and productive from end to end.  Enterprisingand industrious farmers may flock in from all quarters, and find a rich rewardfor moderate toil.  The interior is healthy, and every section of landadmits of easy cultivation.'

A correspondent of the New York Star, a gentleman of much taste,writing from Rock Island, says:

"There are some bright spots in this rude world which exceed our mostsanguine expectations, and this is one of them.

"In beauty of the surrounding scenery, both on the Upper Mississippi andthe Crystal Rock, I have found imaged all the charms I had pictured in myyouthful imagination while reading a description of the happy valley in Rasselas,but which I never expected to see in the world of reality.  The Father ofwaters is a giant even here, three hundred and fifty miles above St. Louis; itis estimated to be over a mile and a quarter wide, and is one hundred milesbelow Dubuque, and about five hundred miles below the head of navigation, at theFalls of St. Anthony."

The location of Davenport is a healthy one.  Its position, near the footof the rapids, will cause it to become a place of commercial importance. Water-power, building stone, and bituminous coal, are convenient, and asufficiency of timber will be found upon the bluffs and neighboring streams. It has been laid off on a liberal plan, evincing an enlightened judgementcontemplating the benefits to be conferred upon future generations."

The question of a location for an Armory was again agitated this year, and aCommittee from Washington gave the Island a thorough examination.  Severalfamilies came on from the East with a view to a connection with itsestablishment, but the result, as heretofore, was simply reports, and no action.

In the Fall and Winter of this year game was abundant in the county.  Arespectable marksman would average two or three deer per day, while snipe andquail could be bagged by the score.

The first shoe store was opened this year by L. B. Collamer, and a butcher'sstall by a Mr. Armitage.  A harness shop was also opened by Jacob Lailor;and the watch-making and jewelry business was pioneered by R. L. Linbaugh. The population at the close of 1841, was about seven hundred - and aboutsixty thousand bushels of wheat were raised in the county, which was worth fromforty-five to sixty cents per bushel.

The year 1842 seems to have improved rapidly upon its predecessors in manyparticulars - one of which was in the use of liquor.  "Tell yourreaders" - says a writer in the Gazette - "that a passenger yesterdaytraveled all over your place without being able to get a glass of whisky!' The imortal Capt. Litch must have rested uneasily in his grave (if dead,)at the promulgaion of such a heinous sentiment in his once powerful dominions. Powerful must have been the rush of the ball set in motion by Rev. Mr.Turner to have so soon effectually bowled down all the toddy-shops which stoodso thickly but a short time previous.

By an act approved in February of this year, the inhabitants of Davenportwere incorportated a body politic, &c., under the name of the "Mayorand Aldermen of the Town of Davenport."  The town was divided intothree wards, each of which elected two Aldermen.  That protion west ofHarrison street was the First Ward; and that laying between Brady and Harrisonstreets the Second, and that lying East of Brady street constituted the Third.

The Bank question was again agitated this year, and meetings were held, andreports published, but the rusult was the same - amounting to nothing more thansimple agitation.

The population in August amounted to eight hundred and seventeen; and aboutone hundred thousand bushels of wheat were raised in the couny.  Winterwheat was raised in the county which was worth fifty cents, and Spring do.thirty cents.

Two Churches had already been built; and two more were in process of erection- Methodist and Bapist.  And Episcopal society was organized - making inall six Church organizations.

Judge Williams was re-appointed as Judge of District Court.  Hisadministration was of a character calculated to excite neither particularadmiration nor dislike.

The Scott County Bible Society was organized September thirteen of this year. L. L. Hoge was elected President.

The Commissioners appointed to report upon the location of a point for aWestern Armory, reported in favor of Fort Massac - a situation on theOhio River, in Illinois.  It is needless to add that fort Massac was notadopted.

In the elections for this year, R. Christie was elected to the Council, andJ. M. Robertson to the House of Representatives.

The expenses of the County for '42 were two thousand one hundred thirty-onedollars forty-seven cents - the receipts were one thousand four hundredfifty-eight dollars fifty-two cents.

It will be needless to dwell minutely upon the details of each year - it is,therefore, thought best to hurry over the prominent events of several years,until one is reached remarkable as an era in the growth of Davenport.  Thetedious route by which emigrants reached the place, prevented a development ofmore than ordinary rapidity - and it was not until railroad connection with theEast had been established that those marvels in the growth of the place wereexhibited.

1843.  Seven Churches in town, viz:  One Baptist, one Catholic, oneCongregationalist, one Presbyterian, one Methodist, one Episcopal, and oneDisciples.  G. C. R. Mitchell, for Representative, received two hundred andforty-one votes, and his opponent, James Grant, two hundred and eighteen. Jas. Thorington was elected Judge of Probate, and the whole Whig Ticketelected, with the exception of Mr. Davenport for Collector.  CountyReceipts one thousand six hundred forty-four dollars seventy-eight cents. Expenditures, two thousand five hundred fifty dollars sixty cents.

About this year Maj. William Gordon, one of the original proprietorsof Davenport, disappeared.  He had proceeded from St. Louis up the MissouriRiver, and the last ever known of him was at a short distance beyond thefrontiers.  It is supposed that he was overtaken by a storm, and frozen todeath.  It is believed by some that he made his way to California, but thislacks confirmation.  A person representing him was afterward ascertained tobe another Gordon.

He was a remarkable man - a Tennesseean by birth, and a son of Capt. Gordon,who commanded a company of Spies under General Jackson in the Creek War. Major Gordon was liberally educated, and had spent several years in theRocky mountains, in some capacity under the American Fur Company.

He was an elegant and engaging conversationalist - spicy, original, andhumorous.  His fund of anecdote was endless, and of a character that alwaysdrew a crowd of interested listeners.  There was a small dash ofeccentricity in his character.  Mr. Davenport, of LeClaire, relates, thatupon one occasion he called upon Gordon.  Some one asked the latter forsome money to make some purchase for the company present.  "Helpyourself," said he, as he pointed to an inverted tub in the corner of hiscabin.

He lifted the tub, and revealed the Major's "pile," to the amountof some fifty or sixty dollars, lying under it!  Thus he kept his money,and revealed by it his confidence in human nature, and those about him.

Some difficulty occurred between himself and another resident of Davenportnamed Nye.  The latter suspected the Major of some attempt upon theliberality of his wife.  Calling at Nye's house at one time, Nye waylaidhim, and as he came out struck him down with a club, and then  stabbed him. Gordon fired at Nye, but owing to dampness,  and a thick coat worn bythe latter, the ball did not penetrate beyond the clothing.  Gordon wascarried home, and lay for months unable to rise or help himself.  He neverused a bed, but always slept and lay, during his sickness, on some buffalo robeson the floor, with his feet to the fire.

Did space permit, many interesting incidents might be given relative to hisconversational powers, his passionate nature, and originalities.  At thetime of his disappearance he was aged about fifty.  He was unmarried tillthe later portion of his life, and then to one who had long lived with him inevery capacity, save the title of wife.  She was, however, an affectionate,and otherwise worthy woman.

1844.  In August, E. Cook, Geo. B. Sargent, and James Jack, werenominated by the Whigs as candidates for the Convention to form a StateConstitution.  Messrs. Campbell and Grant, Democrats, and E. Cook, wereelected.  Campbell three hundred and eight votes, Grant two hundred andninety-six, Cook two hundred and seventy-five.  At the same election thewhole Democratic ticket, with the exception of Cook, was elected.  CountyReceipts, three thousand nine hundred fifty-three dollars seventy-seven cents -Expenditures, four thousand three hundred eight dollars sixty cents.  (Itwill not be supposed from reports thus far given, that the County wascontinually falling behind; but on the contrary, the balance was in most casesin favor of the county.  The seeming preponderance of expenses overreceipts arose from the fact that at the time of making each report, there wasalways a certain amount of taxes due and unpaid.  This latter amount wasalways large enough to leave the balance in favor of the County.

Stage lines were established this year to Dubuque and Burlington, and thecontract obtained by Bennet and Lyter.

1845.  River closed February fifth.  Population of town onethousand.  Vote upon constitution in April two hundred and ninety-oneagainst, and one hundred and sixty-nine for, in the county.  Mr. D. C.Eldredge who had held the Post Office until July resigned, and John Forrest,Esq., was appointed his successor.

July fourth was marked as being the one upon which the venerable Col.Davenport was most cruelly murdered.  Particulars of the sad affair will begiven in his Biography.  He was a favorite of the Sacs and Foxes; andappended is a ceremony, which was performed over his grave.  It is from theready pen of Alfred Sanders, Esq.:

"AN INDIAN CEREMONY.- On last Friday afternoon we were witness to astrange and interesting ceremony performed by the Indians over the remains ofMr. Davenport, who was murdered at his residence on Rock Island on the 4th inst. Upon proceeding to the beautiful spot selected as his last resting place,in the rear of his mansion on Rock Island, we found the War Chief and braves ofthe band of Fox Indians, then encamped in the vicinity of this place, recliningon the grass around his grave, at the head of which was planted a white cedarpost some seven or eight feet in height.

The ceremony began by two of the braves rising and walking to the post, uponwhich, with paint, they began to inscribe certain characters, while a thirdbrave, armed with an emblematic war club, after drinking to the health of thedeceased from a cup placed at the base of the post, walked three times aroundthe grave, in an opposite direction to the course of the sun, at each revolutiondelivering a speech with sundry gestures and emphatic motions in the directionof the north-east.  When he had ceased he passed the club to another brave,who went through the same ceremony, passing but once around the grave, and so insuccession with each of the braves.  This ceremony, doubtless, would appearpantomimic to one unacquainted with the habits or language of the Indians, butafter a full interpretation of their proceedings they would be found incharacter with this traditionary people.

In walking around the grave in a contrary direction to the course of the sun,they wished to convey the idea that the ceremony was an original one.  Intheir speeches they informed the Great Spirit that Mr. Davenport was theirfriend, and they wished the Great Spirit to open the door to him, and to takecharge of him.  The enemies whom they had slain they called upon to act incapacity of waiters to Mr. Davenport in the spirit-land - they believing thatthey have unlimited power over the spirits of those whom they have slain inbattle.  Their gestures towards the north-east were made in allusion totheir great enemies, the Sioux, who live in that direction.  They recountedtheir deeds of battle, with the number that they had slain and taken prisoners. Upon the post were painted, in hieroglyphics, the number of the enemy thatthey had slain, those taken prisoners, together with the tribe and station ofthe brave.  For instance, the feats of Wau-co-shaw-she, the Chief, werethus portrayed.  Ten headless figures were painted, which signified that hehad killed ten men.  Four others were then added, one of them smaller thanthe others, signifying that he had taken four prisoners, one of whom was achild.  A line was then run from one figure to another, terminating in aplume, signifying that all had been accomplished by a chief.  A fox wasthen painted over the plume, which plainly told that the chief was of the Foxtribe of Indians.  These characters are so expressive that if an Indian ofany tribe whatsoever were to see them, he would at once understand them.

Following the sign of Pau-tau-co-to, who thus proved himself a warrior ofhigh degree, were placed twenty head-less figures, being the number of the Siouxthat he had slain.

The ceremony of painting the post was followed by a feast, prepared for theoccasion, which by them was certainly deemed the most agreeable part of theproceedings.  Meats, vegetables, and pies, were served up in such profusionthat many armsful of the fragments were carried off - it being a part of theceremony, which is religiously observed, that all the victuals left upon such anoccasion are to be taken to their homes.  At a dog feast, which isfrequently given by themselves, and to which white men are occasionally invited,the guest is either obliged to eat all that is placed before him, or hire someother person to do so, else it is considered a great breach of hospitality.