The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1916-11-09
THE LAST OF THE BOATNIEN.
CONTINUED from page 2, column p


All the way to Shawneetown,
Long while ago.
In a few moments the boat took
the chute of Letart's Falls and dis
appeared behind the point with the
rapidity of an Arabian courser.
Mike Fink may be viewed as the
correct representative OF a class Oh
men now extinct, but who once pos
sessed as marked character as that
of the Gypsies of England or the Laz-
aroni of Naples. The period OF their
existence was no more than thlro
Of a century. The character was ere
ated by the Introduction OF trade on
the western waters, and ceased with
the successful establishment of the
steamboat.
There is something inexplicable in
the fact that men could be found, 1or
ordinary wages, who would abandon
the systematic but not laborious pur-
suits of agriculture to follow lie
of all others, except that of SOLDIER
distinguished by the greatest expos
ure and pHvation. The occupation OF
a boatman is more calculated to oe-
stroy the constitution and to shorten
life than any other business. In as
cending a river it was contlnueu
series of toll, rendered more irksome
nv the snail-like rate at which they
moved. The boat was propelled os
poles. against which the shoulder
was placed, and the whole strength
and skill of the individual were ap-
piled in this manner. AS the ooat-
men moved along the running ooaro'
with their heads nearly touching the
plank on which they walked, the ell
feet produced on the mind OF the oo-
server was similar to that on behold
ing the OK rocking before an over
loaded cart. Their bodies, naked 10
the waist, for the purpose OF moving
with greater ease, and OF enjoying
the breeze of the river, were exposeo
to the burning suns of summer anu 10
the rains of autumn.
After a hard days push tnes
would take their "fillee, or ration
Of whiskey, and having swallowed a
miserable supper of meat half ournt
and of bread half baked, stretcn
themselves without covering on the
deck. and slumber until the steers
mans call invited them to the morn
ing .fillee." From an exclusive as
sociation together they had formed
q kind of slang peculiar to them
selves. and from the constant eXer-
else of wit, with the squatters on the
shore and crews of other boats, they
acquired a quickness and smartness
Of vulgar retort that was quite anus
ing. The frequent battles they were
engaged in with the boatmen on dlf-
ferent parts of the river, and with the
lass civilized inhabitants of the low
er Ohio and Mississippi, invested
them with that ferocious reputation
which has made them spoken of in
Europe.
On board Of the boats thus navl-
gated, our merchants entrusted val
liable cargoes, without insurance, and
with no other guarantee than the re-
ceipt of the steersman, who possessed
no property but his boat; and the
confidence so reposed was seldom
abused.
Among these men Mike Fink stood
as an acknowledged leader for many
years. He was the hero of hundred
fights. and the leader in a thousand
daring adventures. From PittsDurg
to St. Louis and New Orleans his
fame was established. On the Ohio
ne was known among his companions
by the appelation of Swapping Tur-
tle,'' and on the Mississippi he was
called ''The Snag."
At the early age of II Mikes char
acter was displayed by enlisting him.
self in a corps of scouts-a body OF
irregular rangers, which was employ
ed on the northwestern frontiers
of Pennsylvania, to watch the
Indians and to give notice OF any
threatened inroad. In this corps
while yet STRIPPING, Mike acquired
a reputation for boldness and cum
ming far beyond his companions. A
thousand legends illustrate the fear
lessness of his character. There was
one which he told himself, with much
pride, and which made an indehole
impression on my boyish memory.
He had been out in the hills OF
Mahoning, when he saw signs OF IN
dians about. AS he was creeping