Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
SHAW, Harry
SHAW, Harry. (Reeds Landing, MN, 1867-- ). Shaw's first job working on the MISSISSIPPI RIVER was a "slush cook" at the age of twelve aboard a raft boat. The following year he was prompted to working under the pilot's direction steering the rafts from side to side as they were pushed downstream. Crews could be aboard one of these working boats for two months at a time without ever touching ground. Everyone was paid in GOLD with the captain earning ninety dollars.
One of Shaw's most exciting adventures was aboard the "OK," a floating commissary loaded with groceries, dry goods, shoes, tobacco and barrels of whiskey. The boat, owned by Dubuque resident Oscar Knapp, left Dubuque and followed the Missouri River through the Dakotas to the mouth of the Yellowstone selling goods to ranchers.
Shaw eventually earned his engineer's license in 1906.
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Source:
Grimm, Maud. "Retired Engineer Misses the River," Telegraph Herald, December 7, 1960, p. 21