Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-03-21
WAITING FOR ICE To MOVE:
WHAT RIVER MEN ARE DOING


TIE ice in front Of the city still
holds, though there was a move last
night \ few miles below it is out
and the river from that point down
is clear The Crescent bridge is con-
sidered the main factor in preventing
movement here some DAYS ago. The
steamboat men are being given ample
time TO make all preliminary arrange
ments so that they can begin opera
tions as soon IS the channel is clear.
Capt. Tom GIynn, of Dubuque comes
soon to take up his duties with the
Acme Packet company. Capt. Glynn
takes command of the steamer City of
Winona this year, succeeding Capt
Black. who has another position with
the company. Mr.. Glynn was pilot
on the Diamond 10 boats for several
years, knows the upper Mississippi
like book, and is one of the best
known of river men.
The steamer Ben Hershey. which
has been towing logs down the river
for so many years. and is such a ia
miliar figure in these waters. has been
sold. The Staples Towing company,
of Saltwater. former owners of the
craft, has disposed of her to Lyle
Staples, who will use her the coming
season in towing logs between Still
water and Reeds Landing. The Her
shey viii net be seen this season in
this locality.
The packet j. s. is coming north
this year. The boat will leave New
Orleans, where she has been in the
excursion business all winter. about
April j.. and Will at once proceed to
the north. She will be on the upper
river and its tributaries this summer.
Capt. y. NJ. Short, formerly of La
Crosse who for years had charge of
the rafter Lizzie Gardner. towing logs
from the northern booms to ST. Louis
and other points. has purchased
tract of 1-SO0 acres Of land near Med
ford. Ore, and has sold his Saltwater
residence and shipped his household
goods to the far west. Capt. Short
viii follow the river business this
summer, which, however, will be his
last season on the Mississippi.
Aside from the chirp of the robin
or the tones of the hand organ. there
is no surer indication that spring is
near at hand than the activity of the
steamboatman.
Capt. ID. W. Wisherd. passenger
manager for the Acme Packet com
Pany. arrived home from the south
Saturday. and today was found in his
Office at the foot of Eighteenth street
planning for the seasons business
here.
He has been all winter at New Or
leans, from which point excursions
were run by the steamer j. s.. which
has come To be one of the most popu-
lar boats touching there. She will
leave the south the middle of April
and will reach Rock Island about May
10. She will continue i'm the excursion
business, finding it more profitable
than engaging as Il packet between
given points.
The City of Winona. to which the
y. 8. operated as companion for Il
time between Rock Island and Clinton,
will leave the Kahlke boat yards.
where she has been given an over
hauling. as soon as the ice moves out
Capt. Wisherd stated his company had
never considered seriously any move
to take the Winona from the Rock
Island-Clinton trade. On the contrary,
Capt. Streckfus. when ne withdrew
the j. s. to follow the excursion bus
mess exclusively in order that the
people with whom he had been in such
pleasant relations for so many years
might not accuse him of neglecting
them. purchased a steamer TO take
the place of the j. S. but when he
realized that a second boat in that
trade would prove a bigger financial
loss than he could stand comfortably.
did not bring the craft from the
south, where he had bought her, but
disposed Of her there.