A Raft Pilot's Log cont. Some of the Men Prominent in the Rafting Industry, 1840-1915 CAPTAIN SAM R. VAN SANT 250 The subject of this sketch is at the age of eighty-three still enjoying good health and stands a fair chance of out living all who were engaged with him in the rafting business and securing the proud distinction of being the last survivor of the Grand Army of the Republic of which he is a past Commander. The Captain was thirty-three when at twenty-one I entered his employ- ment as clerk and watchman on the 'LeClaire Belle in March,1878. He took great interest in my work and gave me every encouragement to learn the river. In the spring of 1881 he gave me the chance to invest in a one-sixth interest in the 'Last Chance' which led a year later to the organization of the LeClaire Navigation Company, of which he was manager and I was captain and pilot on its best raft boats. We were always glad to have with us for a day, or a trip. He was full of fun, life and ambition; always encouraging us to do our best. Good work and good behavior naver failed to secure recognition and approval and he was very kind and charitable to those who failed or went wrong-even when it resulted in considerable loss to him. His acquaintance and sociabilty were not confined to the officer 'up stairs'. He soon knew everyone on board and was always popular with those on the lower dack. But while friendly and sociable his manner alway commanded respect. He was very active then and as strong as a young lion and 'woe be' to any foolish person who underestimated his ability to take care of himself in a scrap. In Maech, 1881, he moved from LeClaire to reside 253 in Davenport. He came downto the landing while I was sending out the last load of his household goods that we brought down on the 'Silver Wave.' I had two green men who persisted in going up to get a drink when they felt like it, and were beginning to show the effects of three or four such absences in spite of my warning. When Captain Sam came back in the deck room he asked, "What's the matter here, boys?" Not giving me time to explain they told him what they were doing and what they were going to do. He grabbed those men, slammed them together, threw them down, slapped their faces and then made them stand up and listen while he told them a few things that I am sure they remember. As related elsewhere in this volume, the firm, Van Sant and Son of LeClaire,Iowa, were pioneers in building real rafts. The success of the 'J.W.Van Sant' from their yard in 1870 stimulated and encouraged others to build similar boats. Some of these were built at LeClaire. The LeClaire yard soon had plenty of repair work during winter and early spring, but the decline in the packet business and the absorbtion of the old Northern line the davidsons diverted a large summer repair business to Davidsons yard at LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Captain Van Sant always took a great interest in politics, but never aspired to official position until he remover to Wininain 1884. He was elected to the state legislature and on his third term was chosen Speaker of the House. While holding this position the appropriations were made for the new Capitol and during his two terms as governorthe present, splendid building was completed and dedicated, completly finished and furnished with several thousand dollars left of the appropriation. 254 When the captain closed out and sold his raft-boats at the end of the gamehe had made more profit than any one else who had been in the business of rafting only by timely and judicious investments in Minnesota farms, he greatly increased his competency and can take life easy and enjoy his mounting years. In his case I cannot use the term 'declining years' for he is not declining-he is just maturing. During our fifty years of association, through storm or sunshine, high water or low, good luck or bad, in buying boats or selling them, I always liked to have him with me. i always admired his intelligence and good judgement, and thoroughly enjoyed his fine, loving companionship. Though separated now, it is a great satisfaction to know I still have his confidence' and his friendship. The governoe, as we have learned to call him, and his estimable wife have made their home for fifteen years in the Leamington hotel in Minneapolis, but they always spend the winter months in or near Tampa, Florida. chapter complete.