Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-08-09
Streckfus' Dream Realized

Of Mexico, its outlet, as Captain John
Streckfus.
Capt streckfus is today the most
notable figure on the Mississippi and
its tributaries. In acquiring owner
ship of the Diamond 10 line, the most
colossal feet Of boats on the river
and the only through line from ST.
Louis to st. Paul, he occupies an
unique position in fresh water navi-
CATION.
Capt. Streckfus was evidently born
with an instinct for the river, al
though his early environment did not
tend in that direction. His birth
place was not even within sight of
the river, being fully three miles
away. His father was in the habit
of cutting cordwood and selling it to
the boats as they passed up and
down the stream. Wood was then
the chief fuel for steamboats,. The
only opportunity johnny had of
seeing the river was when he rode on
top Of a load of wood with his father
to meet a steamer.
On one of these occasions the lad
concealed himself on board a packet
loaded with wheat and other mer-
chandise. Crouching among the sacks
of grain, he remained concealed until
the boat cast away from its moor
ings. Then his youthful dream, a
ride on the Mississippi had come
true But the dream had a sorrow
full awakening In the meantime,
his father noticed that Johnny had
that ba had
gone aboard the boat, he whipped up
his team and drove to the next land
ing The father boarded the boat and
dragged Johnny from his place of
concealment. To this very day Capt.
Streckfus winces as he tells of the
licking that was his punishment
From that time on it kept his par
ents busy keeping q watchful eye on
him, lest he run away to the river
and board one of the boats. When 10
years old, JOhnny's heart was glad
dened by the decision of his parents
to forsake the farm and move 10
Rock Island Here he could see the
river and watch the boats every day.
Once again his natural inclination
for the water was manifested by the
ease Win " L4NA ne " d. clDAC ~ dAS-
tinguish every boat on the river by
the whistle. His knowledge of the
river and boats while yet a mere
lad in his teens was so phenomenal
that he gained the sobriquet of The
Boy Wonder among rivermen- He
knew the location of every sand-bar, !
every twist of the channel, the names
of all the boats, their owners and
captains. In fact he was a human
encyclopedia on all things pertaining
to the river.
His father, insisting that he should +
follow a land occupation, the lad I
found his first employment in a -four
mill and until % years ago was a I
miller. Then fate served as an &C /
complete 10 his natural inclination I
for the water. as the close confns- /
ment Of the mill proved injurious to 4
his health. Almost a physical I,
wreck. upon the advice of his physi- /
clan. he sought the open air. AMI /
soon rega' ned mis- health. /
His first venture in steamboating /
was the Verne Swain. Of wh'eh he /
was both master and engineer. The /
boat piled daily in the packet bust 4
ness between Rock Island and Gin /
ton. 1t was one OF the fastest boats 7.
on the upper Mississippi and for /
years contested with the steamer 10 /
Long for supremacy in this direction. /
Fifteen years ago Capt. Streckfus i
purchased the City OF WinOna and /
entered IL in the Rock Island Clinton I.
packet trade with the Verne Swain. 4
In 1895 he bought the little steamer
g Freddie" built at Kahlke's boat /
yards in Rock Island, and started .
daily packet service between Rock 4
Island. Davenport. Buffalo and Anda-
lusia. Two years later he sold the 1
. Freddie" TO the United States gov !