The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1904-12-01

margins looks dreary compared Ia
the beautiful timber lined banks
and clear water of the Usage. We
estimated, as near as we could, from
where started in Bates county ia
this place was not much less than
$50 miles.
Nothing of much interest occurred
on this trip down the Missouri river
except We landed one night Opposite
a plantation where we saw hegreat-
est display OF water MELONS and
peaches we ever remember Of seeing
at one time, the owner OF which
gave us all we could use OF this
delicious but perishsble fruit.
The next event OF Importance was
to debauch into the Mississippirlver,
near large island called Mobile
After going down this river a short
distance we encountered a most
terrible storm of wind and rain,
thunder and tightening and for the
first time on this expedition, we all
became dreadfully alarmed for fear
the "Sally Mcconnell" would found
er and all on board perish Vi Ter the
muddy waters OF the Mississi poi river,
but we managed with great effort to
get the boat into the narrow channel,
next to the Illinois side and the
Chouteau island, here we rest d
anna z the willows till the storm
abated.
We then resumed our journey, now
in full view "a the great city and
landed at the Merchants bridge and
city water works. We did not like
the place and surroundings for a
residence and after a stay of three
days we moved down the river ten
miles and cast anchor at the foot of
Haven avenue. We liked this place
very we'll, the people in the vicinity
were kind and social, We could get
anything we needed, such as milk,
eggs and ice and all such as that; we
were near Broadway street where it
was convenient to take the cars
when We wanted to go to the Fair,
We can sit in our boat ana see the
great excursion steamers as they
pass on the River and get all the
dry wood we need from the drifts
near by"
1t Sas here In his coy house boat,
at the foot of Haven street, that the
narrator found Dan Mcconnell and |
his charming family and from whom
We obtained the details that make
up the story OF the exposition.
We enquired Of them what part OF
the journey appeared the most
pleasant and interesting, they said
the Usage hills and river by long |
odis.
They remarked that when the II
dian summer settles down and cast
a halo over the gorgeous hills oil the
Usage valley, We gaze upon a wild
forest scene that is without descrip
ton, the woods seemed alive with
sqirrels, quail and ducks, there is an
abundance OF game in the Usage bot
toms and hills at this time, Tor the
nuts and mast are amazingly plenti
full, the ground is covered with hick
DRY nuts, walnuts and acorns the
trees drop wagon loads of these nuts
which lie thick with none to pick
them up. Everywhere we see the
wild grape Irvine and cling to the
limos OF tne Tall trees, ladened with |
clusters OF the purple fruit.
We asked Mr.. Mcconnell how long |
he would remain in bis boat in St. |
Louis, he said had not determined
as yet how long, that his boat was
not adapted for a residence 10 the
winter and as the weather got colder
he would probably 60 on to New
Orleans, and remain there during
the winter. then sell his boat and |
return to Butler by railroad in time
to make crop OF corn.
Thankful Because Folk Won.