Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1880-02-05
LIFE ON THE BIG MUDDY,
wild Geeseo Upon Mississippi Flat.
BOatGs

"hd Geese" Upon Mississippi Flat.
Boats.
Correspondence Of the Pi evidence Journal
One Of the most striking sights to be
seen upon the Mississippi is the immense
number of wild geese constantly going
down at this season of the year, not only
geese with feathers, but an iunumerable
host whose wings are the sweeps of the
hatboats upon which they hive. The
term "wild geese" is applied to those
persons who make the river their homo.
During the summer these people build
tiatboats similar to the "scow" of the
New England states, upon which they
erect the most primitive style of habi-
tations, and, collecting their household
utensils, embark with their families, and
float down the river with the current,
keeping equi-distant between the ex-
IRENE cold of the north and the heat of the
south. Occasionally they make a stop
page to trade, or to do little work to
obtain money enough to purchase am
munition, or some of the necessities of
life that the river docs not afford, for the
most of their food is obtained by the gun
or the fishing tackle. Duck, geese and
turkeys are abundant, while the num-
Der of squirrels are enormous;
catfish and buffalo are plenty in
the river, the latter being specie
of fresh water fish resembling the suck
er. At night hook is baited with n
piece of meat and thrown overheard, and
in the morning the line is hauled in, and
a fish is generally at the end of it.
Gradually they float down the river until
n,la 70 VIII col
out, work their passage up the river and
take new start. The craft Of the
"wild geese j" are as strange and peculiar
us are the natives of the strange beings
who inhabit them. Upon many are
painted, in large letters, signs or MINES,
such as "Tin Shop" "Feathcrs Reno
vated," and one bore the homogeneous
title of Faith, Hope and Charity"
Some of these people are Industrious and
thrifty, and are engaged in different oc-
equations, while others are mere tramps,
too lazy to fish, and, when there is no
fishing, exist upon what they can beg or
steal. Thus they live a sort of nomad
life, never content to remain in one place
any length of time, and, like a rolling
stone, "gather no moss" but it seems
to give them a degree Of hardness and
sef-reliance that is indeed surprising.
AS a specimen of their hardness, three
men accomplished successfully Journey
of 500 miles down the Mississippi in
skitf twelve feet long. They were provid-
ed with light canvas covering which
they could rig tent-fasbion over their
bout at night, or fasten with stick for
sail. Their cooking utensils consisted of
a couple of stew pans, an iron pot, two or
three old knives, spoon and few cards
of matches, besides a fishing line, shot
gun and bulldog. The adventures of
George W. Sedan, steersman upon
steam lannch, is another example. A
year ago last August he found himself in
Leadville with scarcely cent in his
pocket and no prospect of work. Run
ming across congenial companion, they
consolidated their fortunes, and, obtain
ing some inch boards, constructed skiff
fifteen feet long and four feet wide, using
their understands to calllk it with. Col
lecting shotgun, some ammunition,
and coffee. sugar and salt, they started
for New Orleans. They passed through
Kansas during the Indian raid in that
state, and were obliged to hide them
selves and their boat in the daytime, and
go down with the current at night, and,
after several perilous adventures, reached
their destination in March, having left
Canon City in September, thus complet-
Ing journey of nearly three thousand
miles.