Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
FIRST RUN
From Encyclopedia Dubuque
Jump to navigationJump to search
FIRST RUN. To encourage steamboat captains to attempt the journey up the MISSISSIPPI RIVER to reach St. Paul, Minnesota as early in the spring as possible, a large cash prize was offered by commercial interests along the river. This was done because as soon as the river was opened, shipping could commence. This prize went to the first captain to get his vessel through the dangerous ice jams.
