Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1902-05-14

|
5O0,0OO,000 feet annually.
| This marvellous development is due
to the steamboat, and few, if any,
achievements of my life afford me
more personal satisfaction than the
fact that built and operated the first
steamboat of large power for this par
ticular branch of river traffic.
In the inland sections of the coun-
try an impression prevails to-day
that the Mississippi is now no longer
an active factor in the world of
| transportation, that it's traffic days
are only recollection, and that the
| great stream has no claim upon the
gratitude of the people of the
northwest on the score of present
benefits. This delusion will be keen
ly resented by all who are loyalty
jealous of the reputation Of the
great river.
True it is that it's through pas
senger traffic has been almost COM
pletely absorbed by the railroads.
On the other hand, the volume of it's
freight carrying, especially in lum-
Der and coal, is still very large, as
the facts I have already cited will
Indicate. But of far greater mo-
ment is it's value as a conservator
of freight rates. 1t acts as per-
petual and unalterable check upon
the greed of railroad systems-and
will continue so to act for all time
to come.
With the completion of the 18TH
milan canal a new era of prosperity
will be assured to the river A
mighty volume of traffic will sud
denly be turned southwark and the
activities of the Mississippi will be
multiplied in manner now hardly
to be realized. This great govern
mental enterprise should, for this
reason, command the heartiest sup
port of every dweller in the valley
of the Father of Waters, and of all in
the vast northwestern empire tribu-
tary to it.
1t is by no means to be admitted,
however, that passenger traffic is
wholly dead letter on the Mississippi.
On the contrary, it is still considera BILE,
although radically changed in char
acter. All along its course the river is
piled by 'short-line packets" which
make daily and profitable trips be-
tween cities not far distant from each
other. The lines from Davenport to
Burlington and from Keokuk to
Quincy are examples Of this traffic,
which will certainly increase with the
passage of time
Another recent development is the
excursion business, which is also
destined to increase. The boats de-
voted to these lines of the carrying
trade are modern and slightly, some of
them costing $4,000 each.
No review of the old days on the
Mississippi is complete without refer
ence to the famous races in which the
fast steamboats, indulged-a practice
which has found appropriate embodi-
ment in the literature as we'll as the
history of the west. How strong was
the racing spirit in the time river
masters is best illustrated by an in
cident which will ever remain vivid in
my recollection.
AS captain and part owner of the D.
a. Mcdonald I had shown the proper
river spirit by trials of speed with all
corners, and these efforts to maintain
the reputation of our boat had reached
the ears of my partner, Mr.. Musser, a
conservative man, much older than my
self. He had given serious admonition
against the folly and danger of racing,
and had exacted a promise that would
not again indulge in the practice. I'm
mediately after had given this pledge,
however, he accompanied me on an
up-river trip. We were in a deep and
broad channel when one of the fastest
boats of the day hove in sight of our
stern and was rapidly overhauling us.
The strain on my self-control was
great and 1 could hardly restrain my
self from putting on more speed, when
my partner suddenly appeared at my
side, his eyes blazing with the fire of
contest.
Sammy" he exclaimed excitedly,
clapping me on the -'Sam-
my, throw in more coal and wood!
Throw in all you want, and I'll pay for
it,. But don't let that boat pass YOU"
Strife for speed records was not al
, ways orindeed generally inspired pure
ly by racing sentiment. The first boat
of the season to get in at the port of
destination received her wharfage free
and was sure of rich cargo, and the
fastest boats were invariably in favor
with the public.
Among the boats which held high
place in the galaxy of racers were the
War Eagle, the Hawkeye State and the
Gem City.
In the golden days of the river it was
not uncommon for good boat to clear
$4,000 to 100000 in season, and one
or two of them brought their owners
as high as 100000 year. A single
trip in some instances yielded $40, 900.
The Gem City, commanded by Capt.
Davidson, deserves an especial place in
river history as being the first boat to
carry an electric light on its waters.
Electricity has been an important fac
tor in lessening the rate of river
freightage by doing away with the
necessity of tying, up at night. This is
especially true of towboats.
Some Famous Pilots of the Past.
Of the famous pilots of the old days
volumes might be written. They were
distinct class, of marked individuai-
ty, with the common characteristics
of great courage, decision and sense
of locality. Their handling of boats
and knowledge of the river were SO
marvellous as to seem intuitive, almost
supernatural, to the lay mind. It is