1858: MASON CITYANS MADE TRIP BY BOAT TO WATERLOO

RANDALL, HUNTLEY, CHRUCH

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 11/18/2014 at 05:24:12

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Monday, June 01, 1953
Mason City Centennial Edition, Section 3

1858: MASON CITYANS MADE TRIP BY BOAT TO WATERLOO

[Section 3, Page 4] The early settlers almost always traveled on land but there were times when they went by water.

In June, 1858, rainfall came daily for a week with the result that all streams were overflowing their banks.

At that time Elisha Randall, Charles Huntley, who was treasurer and recorder of the county, and County Judge J. S. Church, wanted to go to Waterloo on important legal business.

With few bridges over the streams they decided it was impossible to travel by land. They procured a flat boat made of boards and pitched to prevent leakage. This they launched in the Winnebago River, going from there to the Shell Rock River, then into the Cedar River until they reached Waterloo, safe and partly dry.

The records do not show how the return journey was made.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, November of 2014