Rock Island - Davenport Ferry
The waters of historic old Mississippi, with-in smoke-signal of the
Watch Tower of Black Hawk, the Sachem, have been parted by the keels of
Illini dug-out, Huron birch canoe, batteau of voyageur, flat boat of
pioneer, winch-ferry of the early settler, horse-ferry of established
villagers, steamer of modern date, and motor boat of oil and electricity
of the opening era, and almost without exception, the introduction of
these modes of passing over its waters have been due to transversely
directed migration rather than lateral travel-the desire to cross the
river rather than float with or stem it.
At this point the "Father of Waters" is a trifle over three-fourths of a
mile wide, and while- not deep enough to float an ocean liner, it is never
shallow enough to ford; and even the earliest settler found himself
naturally beset with the hankering to keep both sides the mighty stream
under foot sovereignty. As a result, the boat. Probably at first a canoe
or dug-out did duty for such as dared the red man's treachery-white
taught; but the day was soon when the advent of the advance guard of the
pioneer host made its appearance and household effects, and women and
children called for better accommodation-and got it.
Just when Antoine LeClaire of Dubuque started ferrying his followers
across is problematical, but May 28, 1837, it is sure that he deeded to
John Wilson, of Rock Island County, Illinois, "the right, to keel) and
operate a ferry across the Mississippi at a point known as `The Ferry
House,' recently erected and standing on the west bank of the Mississippi
in the town of Davenport, extending one miles up and one miles down the
river" together "with the boats and crafts now used on said ferry," and
including the "privilege of passing over his land for purpose aforesaid,"
for the sums of $5.00 in hand and $1,000.
The phraseology is not of the clearest and the "one miles" up and down
river is especially obscure, but the intent is clear so far as the ferry
being already in existence as owned property is concerned, as is also the
fact that the said Antoine LeClaire owned much land in the locality. By
another clause it is also made clear that the said Antoine Le-Claire was
fairly modern in his ideas and would have done credit to this day and age,
namely: "Subject to the said LeClaire crossing in ferry free of charge."
That the ferry in those days was not a gift enterprise is shown by the
schedule of prices affixed to this document, now yellow with age, held in
the vaults of the Rock Island National Bank by the present
secretary-treasurer, which schedule shows as follows:
FERRY RATES, 1837-Footmen, 25 cents; man and horse, 75 cents; loose cattle
and horses, 25 cents per head; yoke oxen, 50 cents; loaded wagon and two
horses, $1.50; loaded wagon and. yoke oxen, $1.50; loaded wagon with horse
or ox, 25 cents; two-wheel carriage with horse or ox, $1.50; hogs and
sheep, 12 1/2 cents per head.
Just when John Wilson and wife came into the matter is uncertain, but in
1853 and 1854 John W. Spencer, James Grant and Thomas J. Robinson acquired
the Wilson interests in this ferry, and January 28, 1857, the first actual
charter for the ferry was issued to Spencer, Grant and Robinson. It gave
wide latitude to the landing place, allowing for the growth of Rock Island
and Davenport up or down the river, but stipulated the keeping of a Rock
Island landing between Buffalo and Madison Streets, the keeping up a
suitable equipment, etc.
April 7, 1888, the original license to operate this ferry was issued by
the United States Treasury Department, and April 26, 1888, a charter was
issued to the incorporated body -The Rock Island-Davenport Ferry Company,
with a capital stock of $60,000.
From that. time practically no change of stockholders in the corporation
nor in its management occurred until the death of Thomas J. Robinson,
which occurred in April of 1899, when his stock was heired by his son, J.
Frank Robinson, and with it went the management. Upon the death of J.
Frank Robinson in May of 1902, it was learned that he bequeathed the
Robinson stock to his cousin, Captain Marcus L. Henderson, who had been in
charge of the ferry as general manager since 1896.
Captain Henderson is the president and manager, with H. E. Casteel
secretary and treasurer.
In 1891 the "Augusta" was put in service. In 1902 she was rebuilt,
re-christened the "T. J. Robinson," electric lighted and re-furnished. In
1904, entirely without public demand, the "Davenport" was built at Rock
Island by Kahlke Brothers, and put in commission. She is also of modern
design.
Source: Historic Rock Island County, pub. Kramer & Company, Rock Island, Illinois, 1908