MEN PROMINENT IN THE RAFTING INDUSTRY 253 



in Davenport. He came down to the landing while I 

 was sending out the last load of his household goods 

 that we brought down on the "Silver Wave." I had two 

 green men who persisted in going up to get a drink, 

 when they felt like it, and were beginning to show the 

 effects of three or four such absences in spite of my 

 warnings. 



When Captain Sam came back in the deck room he 

 asked, "What's the matter here, boys?" Not giving me 

 time to explain they told him what they were doing and 

 what they were going to do. He grabbed those men, 

 slammed them together, threw them down, slapped 

 their faces and then made them stand up and listen 

 while he told them a few things that I am sure they 

 remembered. 



As related elsewhere in this volume, the firm, Van 

 Sant and Son of LeClaire, Iowa, were pioneers in build- 

 ing real raft-boats. 



The success of the "J. W. Van Sant" from their yard 

 in 1870 stimulated and encouraged others to build simi- 

 lar boats. Some of these were built at LeClaire. The 

 LeClaire yard soon had plenty of repair work during 

 winter and early spring, but the decline in the packet 

 business and the absorption of the old Northern line by 

 the Davidsons diverted a large summer repair business 

 to Davidsons yard at LaCrosse, Wisconsin. 



Captain Van Sant always took a great interest in 

 politics, but never aspired to official position until he 

 removed to Winona in 1884. 



He was elected to the state legislature and on his 

 third term was chosen Speaker of the House. While 

 holding this position the appropriations were made for 

 the new Capitol and during his two terms as governor 

 the present, splendid building was completed and dedi- 



