Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1845-01-18

s Last OF Mike Einck.
The late Morgan Neville, Of Cincinnati,
an accomplished gentleman and scholar,
was we'll known as the author Of story
giving certain particulars respecting the
life and death Of the celebrated Mike Finck,
''the last Of the boatmen.' Though ro-
mantle tale, il was generally presumed 10
be possessed of the merit of authenticity.
A late number Of the St. Louis Reveille
details some events attending the close Of
Finck's career which do not agree with
Mr.. Neville's narrative. The statement
of the Reveille is made upon the authority
Of Charles Keemle, Esq, substantiated BY
his personal knowledge Of the events re-
lated. Finck, it appears, in 1922 entered
the service of the Mountain Fur Company,
under the late Gen. w. H. Ashley, of St.
Louis, and went to the Fort at the mouth
Of the Yellow Stone River, where the oc-
currence narrated by the Reveille took
place. The whole story is so interesting
that we give it without abridgcment.
Mike, with many generous qualities,
was always reckless daredevil; but, at
this time, advancing in years and decayed
in influence, above all, became victim of
whiskey; he was morose and desperate in
the extreme. There was government
regulation which forbade the free use Of
alcohol at the trading posts on the Missouri
river, and this was continual source Of
quarrel between the men and the COM
mandant Major Henry, on the part of
Finck particularly. One of his freaks
was to march with his rifle into the Fort,
and demand sspply Of spirits. Argu-
ment was fruitless, force not to be thought
Of, and when on being positively denied
Mike drew up his rifle and sent ball
through the cask, deliberately walked up
and filled his can, while his particular
'hoys" followed his example, all that
could be done was to look upon the mat
ter as one Of his ''queer ways and that
was the end Of it.
This state ofthings continued some time;
Mixes temper and exactions growing
more unbearablc every day until finally, a
split took place, not only between himself
and the commandant, but many others in
the fort, and the unruly boatman swore he
would not live among them. Followed
only by youth named Carpenter. whom
he had brought up, and for whom he felt a
rude but strong attachment, he prepared a
sort of cave in the rivers bank, furnished
it with supply of whiskey, and, with his
companion turned IN to pass the winter
which was then closing upon them. In
this place he buried himself, sometimes
unseen for weeks, his protege providing
what else was necessa,y beyond whisley.
At length attempts were made, on the part
Of those in the fort to withdraw Carpenter
from Finck; foul insinuations were made,
as to the nature Of the connection; the youth
was twitted with being mere slave, &c.,
all which { Finck heard Of il spite Of the
retirement) served to breed dis,rust be-
tween the two, and though they did not
separate much Of their cordially ceased.
The winter wore away in this sullen
state Of torpor; spring came with its reviv-
ing influences, and to celebrate the season
a supply Of alcohol was procured, and q
number Of his acquaintances from the tort
coming to "rouse OUT Mike a desperate
'sfrolic,n Of course, ensued.
There were river yarns, and boatman
songs, and "nigger breakdowns," inter-
spersed with wrestling matches, Jumping,
laugh and yell, the can circulating freely,
until Mike became somewhat Modified.
81 tell you what it is boys he cried,
ssthe forts skunk hole, and I'D rather
live with the bars than stay in it. Some
on yes bin tryin 10 part me and my boy,
that | love like my own cub-but no mat
ter. May be he's pisoaed against me; but,
Carpenter, (striking the youth heavily on
the shoulder,) took you BY the hand
when it had forgotten the touch Of q fathers
or mother-you know me to be a man
and you amt going to turn out dog?n
Whether it was that the youth fancied
something insulting in the manner Of the
appeal, or not, we can't say; but it was
not responded to very warmly, and re-
proach followed from Mike. However,
they drank together, and the frolic went
on, until Mike filled his can, walked of
some forty yards, placed it upon his head,
and called to Carpenter to take his rifle. .
This wild feat Of shooting cans Of each
others head, was favorite one with Mike
himself and aboy' generally winding up
= hard frolic with this savage, but deeply
meaning proof Of continued con6dence; as
for risk, their eagle eyes and iron nerves
defed the might Of whiskey. After their
alienation, doubly generous impulse,
without doubt, had induced Finck to pro-
pose and subject himself to the test.
Carpenter had been drinking wildly, and
with : boisterous laugh snaiohed up his
rifle. All present bad seen the parties