Central High School - Blackhawk Yearbook (Davenport, IA)

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'36 YEARBOOK The first hotel or tavern came Into existence then. With Edward Powers manager. And other earnest men. James Mackintosh opened a store. Built by Antoine LeClaire. With general assortment of Provisions and hardware.

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At lust, they were at liberty And started home again; A storm arose upon the sea And washed o'er board, a man. He saved the man. but brol e his leg. So badly hurt was he That to the hospital was sent. And ne'er again to sea. He soon came to America To J ew England, and thence To Philadelphia, where he met The young Custom Lawrence. Who offered him a sergeant's ran . Adventures, too, and grave; And Davenport the army joined. To fight the Indians brave. He first, to New Orleans was sent With General Wilkinson. They stopped Burr's expedition, there Arrested every one. Through years of strife with red men. He builded many a fort. Arose from ran of sergeant, up To Colonel Davenport. After many adventur'us years He'd served his country long. He left that tvor for private life. Came to old Fort Armstrong. He built a home quite near the fort. And moved his family there, Was l nown and loved by every one, Especially. LeClaire. A trader, he. called ''Saganash By Indians far and near; To the white men. protector strong. And friend both l ind and dear. • When Davenport a town became In thirty-six. you see. Eight men did lay it out in sites. They formed a company. Gordon. McGregor. Colton. Smith. Hambaugh. May. and LeClaire. With Davenport, each for a sum Did buy himself a share. Two thousand dollars was the price. The town was one mile square. Two hundred fifty dollars each. Col. George Davenport Did start the village fair.

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i ii n D L A C K M A W K I 6 YEARBOOK For years, of course, there was no bridge. No railroad for the mails. Antoine LeClaire. himself did bring It in his own coat tails. Now D. C. Eldredge, Methodist. In spring time of the year. Did bid his friends come to his home. A preacher there to hear. Antoine LeClaire. the first church built. As Catholic devout. ‘Twas in the center of the town. Four acres land about. The Presbyterians built a church In eighteen thirty-nine. Then came the Congregational And others in short time. September of eighteen-forty The citizens did rule That a stoc company be formed To build a public school. The town was in Wisconsin 'till In thirty-eight, they say. They changed it all and made a state. And called it Iowa. Since Davenport and Rockingham Were rivals then, and hot. Each thought its town should be the seat Of the new county Scott. To Davenport the honor came In February thirty-eight. Thus it has been Scott's county seat Up to this very date. The bridge was made eventually. And railroad, as you know. Crossed over it past LeClaire's house Which was then the depot. The house still stands, though old and drab. Reminder of that time; Today it's marked in reverence As an historic shrine. The river men hated the bridge. They tried to burn it down. That was the reason Lincoln came With Douglas to the town. It was a most historic trial A real test case, it seems. To find if they could henceforth bridge The navigable streams. The first newspaper of the town Was called Iowa Sun And Davenport. Rock Island News Of three it did forerun. The first graveyard was filled too soon. For life was cruel and hard: Some years, one out of every ten Went to his last reward. Among the early burials Was Doctor Emerson. The master of Dred Scott, the slave. Who famed decision won. November fourth, old papers state. The town had quite a thrill. For to Antoine LeClaire's house came The J ind Prince De Joinville. One hundred years have passed since then; LeClaire and Davenport. With spirit brave and true, these men Have made a city port. Today we praise these honored names. The men who l neui no fears: We hope to k P their spirit still As years roll into years.