Omaha daily bee., 1897-11-30
MINING FOR WHISKY.
Unique Enterprise on the Missouri
Ncnr LcnNenWOrtlI


Ncnr LcavenwOrth.
Whisky mining is now under way at point
along the bank OF the Missouri river between
Leavenworth and Kansas City, and an effort
is baing made to secure from 200 to 600 bar
rels of 4O-year-old liquor that is said to have
been buried in the sand since 1856,
Nearly every man, woman and child living
along the Missouri river from ST. Louis to
Omaha, relates the Globe-Democrat, has
heard the old story of boat laden with
whisky sinking, always close to the town
where the story was told, and of the great
wealth in store for the person who would
resurrect these spirits from the deep and
place the same on the market. From time
to time reports have been circulated that the
steamer had been discovered, but at last 1t
can truly be said that such is the case and
the hulk of the old boat will soon be exam
ined and whatever 1t contains will be brought
to light.
On August /, 1856, a large side-wheel
steamer the Arabia, left st. Louis for Omaha
and Council Bluffs loaded with pork, queens
ware and whisky, the wet goods now esti-
mated from 200 to 600 barrels. The trip was
made without incident or trouble until Park
Vile was reached, on August 90. At this
time the channel of the river was a mile
west of where 1t is at present, and in at
tempting to get into the Parkville landing
the boat was snagged and began to take
water. The pilot lost his head so the story
runs, and swung the boat into the stream,
and after drifting down, as the engines could
not hold her against the current, she struck
on the opposite side of the river. The water
was not very deep and the pilot house, cap
tain's cabin and the roof of the upper deck
were out of water, and while the excitement
was great the passengers and crew were all
crowded on to this part and afterward they
were taken off in small boats.
The upper part of the steamer remained
1ttt Of tha Nfntn faa QUO L..
following spring divers were put to work and
were removed The whisky and quesnswarc
could not be secured, as they were In the
hold, which filled with sand during the win
ter, and in time the boat was lost to sight by
sand washing over 1t and the channel OF the
river changing. The spot where 1t sank was
forgotten, and after hunt of years 1t was
only discovered a few days ago
The work of hunting for the boat began
In systematic manner nearly a year ago
when a company was formed with G, G.
Henson as president; T, J. Reese. treasurer
and w. II. Smith, secretary. Their first
move was to secure rights from farmers
living in the bottoms west OF Parkyiile to
Gearch and dig for the boat. Early in the
spring they hired man from Kansas City,
who claimed TO be able to locate water,
mireral or almost anything hidden in the
bowels OF the earth, and he spent several
months with his magnetic instruments,
passing over the place where the boat was
buried time and again without discovering
anything.
Dad" Henson rlgged up a contrlyanee, OF
his own invention, whereby he was able TO
sink an iron rod into the sand for a depth
OF forty-two feet, by using ladders, and
many soundings could be made in a day.
Starting at the edge OF the water, over 1000
soundings were made. covering several
square miles. aud twig was placed at every