128 NOTES ON THE NORTHWEST. 



and consists of two narrow streets running parallel with the 

 river ; and, tliongh they are placed as near as possible, the 

 foundations of the houses upon the second are upon a level 

 with the roofs of the first. Such is the business in this little 

 nook, that the lower street always presents the appearance of 

 a large and thronged city. Scarcely any street, in any city, 

 has more of a crowd and bustle. Lately, some houses have 

 been built on the opposite, or left, bank of the river, which 

 is a better site than the original ground. 



The lower part of Joe Davis, and the adjoining part of 

 Carroll, is a very sterile tract, quite unusual in this country, 

 except in a few points where the sand has been heaped up by 

 the streams or the winds, or by the joint action of both. 

 One of these causes, probably the river, was the agent in piling 

 up sand here for several miles in extent, where, perhaps, 

 there was formerly a deflexion of the river, or an expansion 

 into a lake. Carroll county may not be ranked among the 

 good agricultural counties, and is without minerals. Pro- 

 ceeding down the river, the land improves in quality. 

 Whiteside has more good land. In this county Fulton has a 

 good situation on the river, and a pleasant site. The exor- 

 bitant ferry charges have some influence in deciding against 

 the prosperity of so small a village. Albany, also on the 

 river, is a small village, with a site rather inferior to the 

 former place. 



Rock Island is at the mouth of Rock River, extending a 

 long distance on the Missisippi, in a narrow strip, having the 

 little villages of Cordova, Port Byron, Hampton and Moline, 

 and the town of Rock Island on the river. The latter is a 

 place of some business, has 1000 or 1,200 inhabitants, and oc- 

 cupies nearly the site of the old Sauk village, called Senisepo 

 Kebesaukie, Rock River Peninsula. It is at the foot of the 

 Upper, or Rock River, Rapids, opposite Davenport, known 



