THE FIRST BOAT BUILT TO TOW RAFTS 201 



easily managed as she could pass under the bridges and could run in 

 any u-ind that the raft could weather. 



Twenty years after this boat was built, it is safe to state that there 

 were fully one hundred stern-wheel boats engaged in the rafting 

 business. 



The "Van Sant" was under charter to Capt. Winans during the 

 entire seasons of 1870 and 1871 and early in 1872 we sold her to the 

 Eau Claire Lumber Company who kept her busy for several years 

 and then used her engines on the new "Peter Kirns" built to replace 

 her. 



The above description was received direct from Ex- 

 governor S. R. Van Sant on December 3, 1920. His 

 letter of even date is in my file. 



