Perth Amboy evening news., 1904-07-23
Last Letter Received from S. B.
GTeacen was Mailed
a Chicago.
INCIDENTS OF THE TRIP.
Found II Hard BuckIup the Current Of the
Mississippi inspected City in Illinois
and Draw Some Comparisons for the
Bsntfit Of Perth Amboy- Gave Pilot a
Lin.

Chicago, July II, 1904
Editor Evening News:
Dear Sir:
We have arrived safely Mt Chicago
on our return trip from the st. Louis
fair. We found that there was not
water enough for us to pass through
the Wiscon in river from the Missis-
sippi river to the Fox River Canal
into Green Bay on LAX Michigan as
we intended and were compelled to
return by the same route we came.
We left st. Louis at 9 O. IN. July 10
and started on our return homeward.
There was a five mile current against
US up the muddy Mississippi when we
left st. Louis and as we reached the
mouth of the Missouri river 1t was
running from seven to eight miles per
hour against us and it was hard pull
ing against the stream until we slowly
pulled through the muddy current in
to the back water of the Mississippi
beyond the Missouri and it was n
great relief whom we ran into the Il.
linois river at Gfafton. as we found
tho current running only about two
miles against us. Twenty-fonr miles
mp the Illinois river we stopped at Il Q
town of Hardin, ILL.,, where we spent
Sunday two weeks ago for the night.
Tho mouth of the Missouri river
where IL empties into the Mississippi
river is q great sight to one who is
from salt water. As We passed it
slowly on account of the strong cur
rent we had n good chance to see it.
There was freshet in tho river, it
being twenty-six feet above low
water mark when we left st. Louis
and the snags and pieces of wood of
every conceivable shape floating
down stream made an endless proceh-
sion that we were compelled to avoid
for fear of harm to our boat. and, in
one place, linn bs Of trees and grass
party covered with foam covered the
river In patches, acres in extent,
looking rs If they were islands float
ing down stream. We had no trouble
whatever in making our way mp the
river without q pilot ns there was
plenty of water for us every where and
as we were catching onto the way of
looking out for dangers the way was
easily found.
Monday, July ll:-After foraging in
the little town Of Hardin for supplies
in the shape Of drinking water and
milk and eggs we we're under way
again ut . q. m. mp the Illinois river.
About noon the coal that we had
hought at Sc. Louis began to stop mp
our boiler tubes with SCOT and ut p.
m. they were closed MP so that the
fire under the boiler went ON strike
and we were compelled 20 anchor in
the river for the night, we could not
make steam enough TO stcm the cur
rent In the river.
Tuesday. July l2:-we turned out
early and taking on the smoke stack
mad time Of 1t cleaning out boiler
tubes and it was nearly 3 O'Clock
when. with clean tubes and lots Of
steam We started up stream again.
Han ine run OK IL ell day and no
trouble 70 make steam enough. We
were endeavoring 20 make the town
Of Pekin. Ill, for the days run. but
about a. tho sun was falling quite
some distance ahead of us tied 10 tine
bank We saw ailittle. tug boat lying
alongside Of a scow loaded with wood
and ~ We came nearer 20 them a row
boat Towed out in our way with two
men in IT, Hailing as 20 stop, which
We did. we were asked 70 take one OF
the men mp the river 20 Pekin Will
us. After taking on the passenger w
found him 10 be the pilot OF the little
tug who had received word by mes
senger that his wife was seriously II
and had sent for him 70 come to MI
home in OttawAy. We pressed hin
into service as soon as i vas dark ans