| The following
interesting advertisement appeared in the May 7, 1852, edition of the "Shelby
County Democrat": "Captain Kingseed has taken charge of the packet boat Clarion
and will run regularly between Sidney and Lockport (now known as Lockington) connecting
with lines running north and south. The Clarion will depart from Sidney daily at 1
o'clock P. M. and return the same evening at 9 until further notice." The
advertisement noted that tickets were 50 cents to Piqua, Troy, $1, Tippecanoe (now Tipp
City), $1.50, and Dayton, $2.25. Working on a canal boat must have been an interesting experience. An article by Margie Wuebker appearing in "The Sidney Daily News" on March 31, 1990, recounted the experiences of New Bremen native Louis Doenges (shown at right). He worked on a canal boat from 1856 to 1862. Doenges was just 7 years old when he completed a 14 week trip across the Atlantic to New York with his family in 1847. They joined relatives outside New Bremen after traveling to Toledo and then down the canal. Nine years later, he slipped aboard a canal boat in New Bremen. The 16 year old begged the boat captain for a job. "What can you do," the captain asked. "Well, mister, I can certainly ride a mule!" Doenges replied. For the next 2 years, he rode the boat, taking his turn prodding stubborn mules along the tow path for $20 a month. Work shifts were five to six hours, with the boys changing when the mules were changed. (Cruelty to the mules used on the canal was apparently an issue. The author of an article in "The Sidney Daily News" on August 3, 1885, pointed out: "The drivers in many cases appear to make less sense than the mules, and make a most brutal use of the whip...A handsome fine would have a tendency to limit the abuse, without obstructing canal traffic.") [Back] [Next] [Up] [New Search] 'Canal' segment written in December, 1998 by Rich Wallace |
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Louis Doenges |
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