42 



some instances, the fines have been remitted by the State's attorney, some 

 are still unadjusted. I have, as a rule, undertaken to enforce the law with- 

 out litiprution, and in a number of instances have not prosecuted when parties 

 would themselves destroy the seines or nets. 



I am reasonably sure that if the law would permit me to take such illegal 

 seines and nets as I found, whether in use or not, 1 could soon rid the rivers 

 of all unlawful tackle. It has been very difficult to get convictions, as we 

 have only our crew to prove violations, and we are nearly always met with a 

 strong force of witnesses ready to refute our testimony. If seines and nets 

 could be taken at sight there would be none used. 



My time has been occupied from the opening of the season until July first, 

 in patrolling the river, and preventing, as best I could, the use of any seine. 

 The latter part of season it is given to the collection of fish, though still en- 

 gaged in watching for violations. 



My crew consists of the following persons: 



George T. Williams, master and pilot. 



William V. McKinley, engineer. 



J. D. Crompton, fireman. 



L. Verniaud, fireman. 



F. Grussenmeyer, watchman. 



A. T. Lorenz, cook. 



Wm. Clark, helper. 



We run only in daylight, except when necessity compels a night run, as we 

 have only a single crew. The boat has made the following distances: 



Season of 1899, miles. 



Season of 1900, 6,137 miles. 



She has covered the Mississippi river from Keokuk to East St. Louis, and 

 the Illinois river from Grafton to La Salle. The greater part of the time, 

 however, has been spent on the Illinois river. 



During the two seasons we have had no serious accidents to either boat or 

 crew. A slight damage to the wheel at Peoria on the night of the great wind 

 storm and a slight damage to head of boat in the La Grange locks in a storm 

 being the extent. 



Respectfully submitted, 



(Signed): George T. Williams, 



Chief Warden TlUnois Eiier. 



Log— Steamer Reindeer— for Season 1899. 



Boat left Quincy with steamer Lotus in tow for St. Louis, where Lotus was 

 delivered to her purchaser. 



Leaving Quincy at 6 o'clock, a. m., May Gth; arriving at St. Louis on 7th 

 at 9 a. m. 



Left St. Louis at 2:50 p. m. for Illinois river arriving on May 8th at Mere- 

 dosia 5:50 p. m. on 9th. 



Left Meredosia on 10th for Quiucy, 111., arriving at Quincy at 5 p. m. on 

 nth. 



April 12 to 20. — Laying in Quincy Bay repairing aud renovating boat. 



April 20. — Left Quincy at 1:45 p. m. for St. Louis arriving at 2 p. m. on 

 21st. 



Left St. Louis at 5 a. m. on 22nd arriving at Meredosia at 5:15 on 23rd. 



April 24. — Run from Meredosia to Beardstown. 



April 25 to 29. — Working between Beardstown. and Havana. 



