OHIO STATEWIDE FILES - Know your Ohio: Ohio Canals (Part 4) *********************************************************************** OHGENWEB NOTICE: All distribution rights to this electronic data are reserved by the submitter. Reproduction or re-presentation of copyrighted material will require the permission of the copyright owner. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/oh/ *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Darlene E. Kelley http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006374 August 28, 2001 *********************************************************************** Historical Collections of Ohio The Kelley Family Collections Newspaper article, Plains Dealer compiled by S.J. Kelley-- 1925 And Then They Went West by Darlene E. Kelley 1998 *********************************************************************** Ohio's Canals -- Part 4. How it was done-- The speed of a canal boat was nothing to brag about, yet working on the packets, was grueling. The position of canal driver, the person who supervised the pulling horses or mules-- was the least desirable job on the narrow water routes. A driver's toughest task was the recovery of an animal that had fallen into the canal, something which occurred with regularity. Because the loss of a mule or a team was so expensive, escape holes were provided every so often that prevented the animals from drowning. The hole included a ramp that let the driver lead the animal back to the bank and to work, or be relieved, depending on how tired the animal might be. Driver's walked behind the mules for six hours, rested six hours, walked six more hours, rested, and so on. Fresh drivers were awakened an hour before their walk began so they could harness, water, and feed the fresh team stabled aboard the boat. Changing teams took about 15 minutes in the spring and summer, which were the canal seasons. Canal employees hurried home in November before the four foot deep ditches froze over for the winter. Those who were stranded found a rooming house for themselves and a stable for the animals, and they awaited the spring thaw. One of the most overlooked facets of canal life, was the quality of water. Since it flowed very slowly or not at all, canal water became thick with disease bearing organisms. As mentioned before, as a boy President James A. Garfield worked on summer on a canal boat. He was promoted from driver to bowman before he developed malaria and was sent home. The canals also were places where everyone threw their trash. Boats often hit objects in the water that resulted in costly repairs and lost time. Although the State owned the canals and belonged to the Commission, recuperation of money from outlay had to be considered. Tolls were instated as well as fees charged for products shipped. Boat owners were allowed to lease from the State, as long as they too, helped to repair damages done to the canals. Leases were long and complicated, giving explicit details of areas allowed to be used. Boat maintanience was the Captains responsibility as well as to the wages of his workers. Boats often hit objects in the water that resulted in costly repairs and lost time. Having just deposited freight or passengers made a boat ride higher in the water, with less room to pass safely under a bridge. Cabins were sometimes torn off boats, or bridges ruined. So the State had to have iron clad leases. Though the price of a ride was a couple of cents a mile, the Captain did not sometimes recoup his money. The State sometimes had trouble in collecting their money as well. Bartering was the way of life, and wages were sometimes paid with clothes, boots, and food. Whiskey was always a problem. Boat owners who had families, oft time had their families living on the boats. The family, most of the time, being the workers as well. Children were expected to help with the work as soon as they were old enough. Reports of earnings showed rather low incomes as compared with the general run of other industries. The Captains were paid per ton for freight, receiving about $75.00 or $80.00 for a trip. If a Captain had paid helpers, his helpers were paid out of this fee. So the majority of captains having four or more children, did not hire crews. Without the assistance of their children, most captains could have not have made both ends meet. The boat captain was responsible not only for the wages of hired hands, but had to meet the expense of certain equipment and repairs. The " fall board " or gangplank over which the mules were led from the boat to shore had to be replaced frequently, and the price was about $16.00 . Troughs for the mules ranging in cost from $2.50 to $4.50. Every man was expected to furnish oil for his bow lamp, the expense varying with the number of hours that the boat was operated after dark. This expenditure averaged about $10.00 per season. If the the boat was furnished by a company, a certain amount of necessities were usually provided, such as mules, feed, harness, and lines. If the captains owned their own mules, then the company furnished feed and made the captain a cash allowance for every trip on which his mules were used. During this time a captain usually received less than $ 1,250 from boat work. Other income had to be supplimented by winter employment or incidental work during the off season. Of the boating households which consisted of four persons, the captain and his assistants ( " deck hand , " --the captains wife and children would be doing the driving, steering, housework, or what ever was needed. ) Living aboard was a lonely life. Schooling was either taught by the capatins wife or was taught during the winter months during off season. Living Conditions-- The average size of the cabins on the boats was 10 by 12 feet. All cabins had two bunks, one set into the inner wall of the main cabin and the other located in the so-called stateroom, which was partitioned off from the main cabin by a diagonal wall. These bunks were 36 inches wide, sufficient space for one person but ordinarily occupied by two. In addition to the cabin bunks, the feed box extending across the deck at the center of the boat was ordinarily used for sleeping purposes. This box was 4 feet wide and 4 feet high, and with blankets spread over the hay and other feed it provided a fairly comfortable bed, usually used in some cases by the deck hands and occasionally by the children. Often in hot weather the floor of the deck was used as a bed, although some mothers were afraid to let children sleep away from the cabin. In spite of the narrowness of the berths, the cabins were ordinarily regarded by the families as providing sleeping space for four persons. To these may be added two places in the feed box, making the accommondation of six places . The floors of the cabins were usually left bare, but cases have shown to have coverings, which was impracticable, as the floors usually leaked and were always damp. The stove occupied a place in the main cabin near the steps of the deck. Coal or wood was ordinarily burned in these stoves and in many instances the heat from them being almost unendurable. In most cases food was prepared in the summer season on the banks of the canals for this reason. Practically every boat had a heavy canvas awning for protection from the weather, sun or rain and was most welcomed by the passengers on deck. Water for drnking and for cooking purposes was secured from springs along the canal and stored in barrels or kegs; for washing, fresh canal water was used. Toilet facilities were entirely lacking. Cabin windows were not screened and in someplaces, especially at terminals. they were troubled by flies. Most complained of mosquitoes. Food supplies could be secured by any town along the canal, but most captains with families agreed it was better to stock up when they could at stores at town, as the stores along the banks charged higher rates. Most milk was gotten at the locks or farm houses along the way. This was not for daily use as there was no way to keep milk fresh. Ice could be gotten sometimes at the locks to cool drinking water. During the off time seasons, most had homes on land. The dwellings were chiefly small detached wooden houses, some being built of logs. None of them had modern conveniences and nearly all were located in or near towns along the canal within one mile of schools. Education for the children came within these off months. Medical supplies were routine. Usually the kind off supplies that were used in the early days as pioneers. Very little services for doctors were needed for the canal venturers, because they did not consider ordinary illness as an excuse for sending for a physician. " They just stay sick until they get well. " Money was always the excuse. " Doctors at that time were few along the way. Midwifes or friends along the way, became the helping hand. Some knowledgeable and had the skill for knowing what to do. Most managed well. Accidents did happen to the boat children. Some falling into the canal and being kicked by the mules, cut with axes while getting firewood, burned by fire, and being dragged by a mule. But mostly were able to be treated along the way. Childrens accidents were considered inevitable. Recreation was meager. Singing and teaching how to play the banjo and the mandolin was a good form of recreation. Swimming in the canals at lower levels or at the terminal was enjoyed by most. Telling stories were enjoyed mostly and it became a way of education. Games played by the children were often joined by the adults. Pebble tossing became an art. Hide and seek with articles hidden though out the boat and hunted, was always fun. Imagination was always used and if there was a will for recreation it took just the mind to reason something to do. *********************************************** to be continued in part 5-