ISO A RAFT PILOT'S LOG 



when they got hold of a vein of even better coal near by 

 and opened "Wanlockhead Mines" in 1874. 



H. M. Gilchrist was a man of great industry and 

 push, with pleasant looks and manners, and with such 

 good coal only one and one-half miles from the river 

 he soon had the big end of the lucrative steamboat 

 trade. 



In order to handle his growing business he had the 

 handsome little steamer "Jennie Gilchrist" built at the 

 LeClaire yard. Taylor Williams had put in a railroad 

 from the river up to their mines that served both, and 

 Mr. Gilchrist provided and operated the steamer that 

 did the towing for both the Gilchrist and the Williams 

 mines. 



The Williams mine was opened in 1871 and operated 

 until closed in 1884. 



The Gilchrist mine was opened in 1874 and worked 

 out and closed in 1882. 



I stated that the "Jennie Gilchrist" was a very pretty 

 boat and very popular. This is true, and well she might 

 be both, for she was named for Mr. Gilchrist's only 

 daughter, now Mrs. Charles Shuler of Davenport. 



The Green Tree 



In writing of the green tree I recall one night in 1887 

 when on the "Ten Broeck," we landed at LeClaire for 

 fuel, and awaited daylight before proceeding down 

 over the rapids. It was after midnight and everything 

 was closed up but two saloons. 



I wanted a cook and was told that Hayden was the 

 only one in town, and I could find him under the green 

 tree. I looked over the bunch of sleepers under the tree 

 and not finding Hayden I waked a fireman and asked 



