A Raft Pilot's Log cont. Some of the Men Prominent in the Rafting Industry, 1840-1915 223 CAPTAIN E.J. LANCASTER John Lancaster, as he was known on the river, was born and raised at LeClaire, Iowa. His father, Thomas Lancaster, was a very competent millwright and ship carpenter. John enlisted when only eighteen years old, saw a very active service in the Civil War, was captured and confined a long time in Andersonville prison. He only weighed ninety-five pounds when he was released, but picked up rapidly after he came home, and soon went on the river and learned it while pulling an oar on a floating raft. Towiing by steamboats was then coming in vogue amd Johnny Lancaster was quick in catching on to the new way and was successful from the start. He always had employment on good boats like the 'J'C' Chapman l,' 'Mountain Belle,' 'Stillwater,' and 'Eclipse.' He was not only a skillful, safe,pilot, but a creful, intelligent master who took care of his boat and had excellent control of his crew. his last rafting was on the steamer 'Eclipse' that was owned by Lindsay and Phelps and the Cable Lumber Company of Davenport. He ran all the logs for these two sawmill companies from 1885 until they shut down in 1904. Thsi expression from Mr. Fred Wyman of the Lindsay and Phelps Company certainly is a strong testimonial of their appreciation of Captain Lancaster's work: 224 Office of Lindsay and Phelps Company (Fred Wyman, George F. Lindsay, C.M. Cochrane, Edwin B. Lindsay) 501 Citizens Bank Building, Davenport, Iowa, March 13, 1928 Captain E.J. Lancaster was master and pilot of the steamer 'Eclipse,' owned by Lindsay and Phelps Company and the Cable Lumber company. This association continued until the Cable mill was destroyed by fire, when the Lindsay and Phelps Company purchased the interest of the Cable Company. During all of rhese years Captain Lancaster had the confidence of his employers to such an extent, that he was given entire charge of the steamboats, the 'Eclipse' and the bow-boat 'Everett,' also care and laying up of surplus logs in storage harbor. He was a man so conscientious, and of such sterling integrity that the confidence reposed was not misplaced. He was a skillful pilot with unusual ability in managing his work. It was a sad day when the 'Eclipse' was sold, and the relations were severed after so many years of such close friendship. Fred Wyman When the rafting business played out, Captain Lancaster made changes and improvements in the steamer 'Eclipse' and operated her three or four seasons in packet service; first between Clinton and Davenport and later between Prairie Du Chien and Dubuque. The packet business not proving satisfactory, he sol the 'Eclipse' to an Ohio river party and took charge of the fine little bow-boat 'Marquette,' towing gravel from Meridosia to Moline. Captain Lancaster died on May 9, 1914. His son, Harry, succeeded him and and has been master and pilot of the 'Marquette' ever since.