Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1891-07-03

to use your goods. and I'll advance you
q dime on their account, II you'll tell mo
what you know about the Chicago docks,
and show me around generally
sits . bargain, Mister. l havn't made
the price OF . snifter out Of the shaving
fake to-day and my hold needs ballast
I'm the lad for YOU; l vas born 10 .
canal boat I know every turn In the
creek, an every plank In the docks. I'm
Billy the wharf-rat, / am."
Thus escorted, the writer saw-and
smelt--his fill Of tho docks and their
appuftenances, and came away con-
vinced that Butler had the f~orefathers
Of the denizens Of the Chicago docks In
mind when he wrote In Hudibras:
some rats of An amphibious nature,
Are either Of the earth or water.
Probably not many know that the
Chicago docks, like the old-time White
frisrs Of London, contain. and for the
most part conceal, . peculiar people OF
their own. who there earn and steal
their livelihood. Unlike their first cou-
sins, the tramps and buns they some
times work. Their principal occupation
IL that Of stevedore, and In loading and
unloading vessels they often labor for
twenty-four and thirty-six hours with
out cessation. This II done only when
the carrying trade 10 brisk or tho yes
sell has . cargo awaiting her and time
Is valuable. In such cases the men arc
paid large wages, and can afford to loaf
for . few days. Night work Is . bonanza
to the stevedore, who generally man
ages to conceal and carry away some
articles Of value. BY . pre-srrangement,
q small boat often comes alongside In
the mig It, and receives goods Of oil de-
scriptions dropped overheard by the
confederate wharf-rat whenever OccAr
sion permits. This Is even done while
the boat Is In charge OF . Government
inspector, and, In spite OF the greatest
vigilance, the shortage from the bill Of
lading Is generally considerable Vessels
often discharge and receive their freight
at different docks. and carry the steve
dores with Thorn, who frequently sue
coed in throwing overheard metals.
pieces Of machinery and other heavy
articles, which they afterward fish out
with graphing irons.
sWhere do the rats sleeps the guide
was asked.
sSome snoozes under the bridge ap-
proaches, lots Of en- In saloons and eat
| Ing houses on tho docks; quite . number
1 ~ NkAC0p ~ nO000O pa vSO
while . few actually has homes. We
don't pay hotel pills In the summer time,
but the winter fetches "a and VI have
TO look up . tenner every day for Z
berth In . lodging house. Cold weather
drives US away from the creek and
makes regular buns Of e."
slow ab0nt the dock saloons7s
.They're generally pretty tough. They
make most Of their money a OF the
rats, and always stands In with EN-,
There's whore sailors are dome up.
The rats catch onto EN-, steers 'em Il
. saloon. where they give up everything
They take EN- singly, 30 they cant make
out , casa II they try, which ain't often
Some saloons has some pretty tough
women in tow. . an tnducement 70 fetcf
poor Jack in.s
.who are the patrons Of the docl
saloOns?"
.The rats for regulars. Nearly 81
they make or find they drop Tor drinks
and always ON tho wharf. A rat w0uldn'
drink above the sidewalk. Some saloon
along the river do . good business will
sailorA Grain.trimmers amt bad Gus
toners. Railroad laborers out Of w0rl
fancy rat saloons, and you can be
they're not afraid to 60 there. OHce II
q while . we'll heeled lubber goes dow
the stairs at one of the bridges for
drink. He generally gets something Il
It,, Is he didn't order. gets absentrmind
Cd, and forgets to take his roll An
watch away with him.
sDo river men gamble?s
.Poker's oil the 20 here, though mos
rats drink too much to play well. Neal
~ every saloon has . game, but .they'r
never on the square. The boss AWAY
WINS
10 there much lighting along u
dOcks?s
Lots Of II; and mighty ugly, some
times. A rat don't shoot; he strike
aAd cuts, and many . cash charged .
I innocent propeller By the corner
Jury was put onto the hOater with
knife In . rat saloon. Sometimes ssi
ors - has been done up and kick, get
that way. Generally the man Is
fxed Amt known away from here. IN
IL . terror that honest rats are glad I
get rid Of; 20 no tears IL shed and n
fuss made I know . dozen u ha
downed their 3 You see | set II
Inside facts"
.Don't the police sometimes captus
them?s
II never hear ont The cops don
care to come around here much, and Va