The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-12-29

Steam vessels on the rivers OF the Unit
"a States are gradually growing more nu-
nerous. but they are showing decrease
a total tonnage figures On tho Missis-
Appi riy~r the number of steam vessels IN
creased by nearly half In the II years from
kt9 to 1906 while at the same time their
ptal tonnage decreased by one-fourth
sasoline power-boats are Included as
Weam vessels In this enumeration which
argeiy explains the surprise OF these iig-
ares.
With the possible exception OF the delta
training Nile no other river In the worid
history has borne upon It's waters the COM
uerce that was fioated on the Mississippi
turing the three decades OF the middle or
NE last century In 1850 there were rev
miiroacs west OF the Aileghenles. but the
wheat Acids of Minnesota and the north
Nest were commanding the attention or
mo whole country At the same time the
,lantaticns OF Louisiana. Arkansas. Mis-
tssippi and Tennessee with their acres OF
Sotton and sugar cane. their cattle. hogs.
eotatoes and other products were the rich
est In the south All those vast and fruit
ful territory from st. Paul to New Orleans
Houred It's wealth into the Golfers OF the
hen who navigated the steamboats, from
b. Lou,sSto 81 Paul on the upper Missis-
sippl srdl from st. Louis to New Orleans
Sourf and the Ohio, the great right ana ieft
arm tributaries, brought coal from the
Aiieshenies and sent the pioneer on the
1rst stage OF his journey toward the gold
IN west with its bonanza promises or the
sewly discovered mines in California.
No period or place In American history
Aas bccn fraught with more romance ana
adventure than life on the mississippi IN
- N lU
chances and large profits. Steamboats,
sostins from $4,000 to 10000 with hulls or
esrtshable wooden planks, with their
bimsy s,,perstructures literally soaked In
eii paints their boilers made Of iron and
their officers ever eager TO takc
ehancs." were in constant peril OF destruc-
hon from those four great foes or river
keffic -snags, fre. explosions and cosiision.
The average life OF q river steamboat IN
~ .ED~ was four years Many OF them
cant TO the bottom--or up In the clouds
- their flrst trip But their short tenure
of life was more than offset by the tre-
aaandous profits which they yielded 10
khair owners and masters. 1t was not an
nnusuai accomplishment for large,
evfft steamboat to clear 50 per cent net
. e, one season and frequently this was ex-
5000 Tho traffic handled was enor-
nso,,r and the rates charged were proper
ssorstely large. the competition between
iines not being OF such nature as to cut
Into the revenue This was due to the fact
that the shipyards could not turn out boats
rapidly enough to meet the growing oe
mands OF the shippers and passengers II
= new ana booming section OF the faou
lously rich river basin. -
hui the romance and adventure o.
steamboat I,fe are not TO be found IN ths
account books OF the packet companies
nut rather am nfig the passengers VINO gave
coior ard variety to every trip. The river
gambler was not mythical figure re
was one OF the most picturesque CHAR
acters OF our eas' history. Few stories
OF tho old south fall TO mention the suave
Individual who inveigles the weaitny
Ma ntsr into = game OF "cynards' wher
tae latter Is returning from ST. Louis OF
ths east, his belt laden with 5000 golt
pieces. the yield of his cotton sacks. Anc
In most Of these stories one finds the
pis..ter. stripped to his last penny. finally