![]() Sumner, about five miles up the river from Port Williams, had the next ferry. The post was located on the upper part of the island about opposite Iatan, Mo., and probably on the west side of the island, that site being selected on account of the abundance of large timber close by. Keel boats, first brought up the Missouri river with supplies for the new outpost known as "Cantonment Martin," were the crafts made use of by the garrison stationed there for the better part of a year. This island was given the name "Isle au Vache" by the French and was known to Americans and traders as "Cow Island." The following year the Long Expedition spent some time on this island. In October of that year the first United States military post west of the mouth of the Kaw river was established on an island in the Missouri river a few miles below present Atchison. In all probability the earliest ferrying carried on in territory embraced in present Kansas, of which there is written or printed record, was begun in the fall of 1818. Bailey, the place was probably named for William Johnson, owner of the claim and cabin called "Fort Williams," and called Port Williams after steam boats and ferryboats began to land. ![]() It was common for farmers to go to Port Williams every Saturday afternoon to witness the fights and drunks." According to W.J. It "had its town bullies, and fights were of frequent occurrence. The town never attained any great size, but was quite well known over the country, its ferry no doubt being accountable for this. This primitive mode of transportation soon gave way to steam in order to keep up with the rush of settlers. A hand ferry had been established to this point from the Missouri side about 1854, by Jake Yunt, who did quite a thriving business. The town was incorporated by the legislature of 1855, and was located about two miles northwest of present Oak Mills and about eight miles below Atchison, at a big bend in the river, which has since disappeared. PORT WILLIAMS was the next settlement above Iatan. NOTE: The numbers in brackets are links to footnotes for this text. 2), pages 115 to 138ĭigitized with permission of the Kansas Historical Society. Ferries in Kansas, Part I, Missouri River, Continued
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |