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THE EARLY FERRIES
During the earliest days of the county's
history, passage over the streams within its boundaries was accomplished by
fords, at the best unreliable, and always, at certain seasons, impassible.
In a prairie region like this, the banks of the streams are soft and
yielding, and even their beds are continually changing, hence a ford is by
no means permanently reliable. When the last obstacle to the
colonization of this county, and indeed of western Iowa, had been removed,
and the tide of immigration began to flow westward, increased facilities
were demanded. Very many reached this county from sections farther
north, having crossed the Nishnabotna so high up that a mere fording was all
that was necessary. Many stopped, but others kept on their way.
These passers-by were of two classes; very many of them were Mormons on
their way to the New Jerusalem, and many others were adventurers, the news
of the discovery of gold in California having filled every road with trains
of fortune seekers. With this increased travel came an increased
demand for better and safer facilities by which to cross the streams that
lay in the way of the emigrant.
One of the earliest ferries was that at
White Cloud, across the Nishnabotna in the southeastern part of the county.
It is not known whether this is the one kept by a Mr. Hill, but if not, he
was the proprietor of one near that point at a very early day. The
records and all authentic information with reference to this ferry have long
since been destroyed.
To operate these ferries a license was
required from the board of county commissioners, who also fixed the rates of
toll or passage. These ferry licenses were granted usually for a
single year, but not infrequently for much longer periods. The keeping
of the ferry was a public necessity, and those who were able to purchase a
"flat-boat," turned it to good advantage by use in this manner. Some
of the applications are in full accord with other legal documents of early
days. Sometimes a notice was posted to the effect that the person whose
signature was attached, intended applying for a license. The following is an
instance wherein the intention was followed by the act:
NOTICE.
Is hereby given that I shall apply to the next term of the county court at
Coonville, for a license to establish and keep a ferry on the Missouri River
at Plattsville in the County of Mills and state of Iowa December 12th, A, D.
1851.
SAM’L MARTIN.
PETITION.
To the Honorable Court of Mills County:
I pray your Honor for license to establish and keep a ferry at Plattsville
across the Missouri river in the county of Mills and State of Iowa,
extending three-forths of a mile down the river and one and one-forth miles
up said river from the town of Plattsville, for the term of ten years,
January the fifth, A.D. 1852.
SAMUEL MARTIN.
This was the first establishment of a ferry at this point across the
Missouri. There had previously been one in operation at Trader’s point,
conducted by Peter A. Sarpy.
Col. Sarpy was one of the first white men in this county, having come in
1836, and engaged in trade with the Indians. The boats used were the
ordinary flatboats of the western rivers, and frequently the crossing was so
uncertain, the boat would land a mile below its usual haven. Often the
passengers were obliged to lend a helping hand to get across at all.
Conscious of these disadvantages, in 1853, Col. Sarpy proposed to establish
a steam ferry, and the result may be gathered from the following extract:
APPLICATION OF PETER A. SARPY FOR FERRY LICENSE,
The court being satisfied that all the legal requisites on said application
were complied with, and that a ferry was needed at the said point, and that
the said Sarpy is a suitable person to keep said ferry. It is, therefore,
ordered, that license be granted to the said Sarpy to keep said ferry as
follows, to-wit:
STATE OF IOWA,
MILLS COUNTY
To all whom these presents may come, greeting:
Whereas, Peter A. Sarpy having made application to the county court for
license to establish and keep a steam ferry boat during the spring
emigration, and suitable flat boats, skiffs, etc., at other times across the
Missouri river at that point where the east half of section 26, township 73,
north, of range 44 west, borders on said stream, and having in all respects
complied with the requisites of the law.
These are therefore authorizing the said Peter A. Sarpy to establish and
keep for ten years a ferry boat as aforesaid, at the same point at the said
river, and have the said privilege exclusive for the distance of one mile
above the said point, and one mile below said point, and so far as the shore
of the said river at the said point, within the limits of the said county is
concerned, shall charge ferriage at the fo1lowing rates, to-wit:
For wagon and two horses
(steamboat)
$ 4.00
For wagon and four horses
$ 5.00
For loose cattle per head,
.25
For sheep per head,
.05
For man,
.10
For wagon and two horses, (flat-boat)
1.00
For wagon and four horses,
1.00
For footman,
.10
For-horseman,
.50
For sheep per head,
.05
For cattle per head,
.10
In testimony whereof, I have
hereunto set my name and affixed my private seal, (there being no seal of
office yet provided by law), this the sixteenth day of April, A.. D. 1853.
H. P. BENNETT, [SEAL]. (County Judge of Mills, County, Iowa.)
In the following year a license was granted to J. L. Sharpe to "Keep a
ferry” at Bethlehem. The following is the record in this case;
Upon application of Joseph L. Sharpe for a license to keep a ferry on the
Missouri river at the town of Bethlehem, and it appearing to the
satisfaction of the court that the said applicant is a suitable person to
keep a ferry, and the keeper of the previous ferry at the same point, and it
further appearing to the court that due notice of the application has been
made, and all other requisites of the law being complied with, it is
therefore ordered that so far as the shore of this state is concerned,
license be and is hereby granted to the said Joseph L. Sharpe, for the term
of ten years from the date hereof, as follows, to-wit:
STATE OF IOWA,
MILLS COUNTY
To all whom these presents shall
come, greeting;
WHEREAS, Joseph L. Sharpe having made application to the county court of
Mills county for license to establish and keep a ferry at the town of
Bethlehem, on the Missouri river, and having in all respects complied with
the requisites of the law, these are therefore, authorizing the said said
Joseph L. Sharpe to establish and keep, (so far as the shore of this state
is concerned) for ten years, a ferry on the Missouri river at the said
point, with the exclusive privilege of one mile each way therefrom, above
and below said point, and he is authorized to charge and receive tolls for
ferrying at the following rates, to-wit:
For wagon and two horses
1.00
For wagon and four horses
1.50
For footman
.10
For horseman
.50
For sheep per head
.05
For cattle per head
.10
The time for ferrying is between sunrise and sundown, at all times when the
river is within its banks and in boating order.
In testimony whereof, I, Hiram P. Bennett, county judge, have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the seal of said county at my office in Glenwood, this,
the 1st day of May, A.D.,1854.
[SEAL.) HIRAM P. BENNETT,
County Judge of Mills county, Iowa.
These were all the ferries
established in the county. The rates of ferriage in these days seem
exorbitant, but they were hardly so then. There was no choice; either the
rates current must be paid or there was no passage. The modern triumphs of
engineering skill, by which the widest streams are readily bridged, have
made the ferry a thing of the past, and they have, many of them, taken their
places among the things that were. |
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