Another Great Outing for the Blue River Regulators

[River City John]

Our posse has been planning events as an excuse to get together every month over the winter to satisfy that itch to get gussied up in our 19th c. clothes until the shooting season arrives again.

Yesterday, Saturday, we toured the museum of the Bertrand, a stern-wheel riverboat that sunk in 5 minutes after hitting a snag in the Missouri River as it was bound north towards the frontier in 1865 with a full cargo laden for merchants in the territories where the new gold fever had struck. This on her maiden voyage, too!
The museum and excavation site is on the DeSoto Bend Wildlife Preserve, which it so happened was also having it's 50th year celebration that same day, with lots of activities. Neat thing was park entry fee was waived for the day and we all got free goodies to commemorate the event.
Found in 1969 within an oxbow cutoff created when the river course went through one of it's many changes before the Corps of Engineers stabilized the river in the 20th century, excavation was started that eventually yielded over 200,000 items, much of it well preserved due to silt sealing off oxygen within the layer along with a slight acidity to the mixture.

Evidently the high-value cargo of mercury (mercury was used in a process to leech gold out of soil and sand) had been salvaged by insurance company divers shortly after the sinking, which left all the everyday items that were intended to be sold to the miners. Tools, dinnerware, munitions, lead, clothing, canned goods, bottled licquors and delicacies, etc.
The museum shop had lots of nice reference books about the Bertrand and items excavated, plus steamboating on the river in general.

Many of us had never been, and I had always had going tucked in the back of my mind since Ottawa Creek Bill described his trip there several years ago when he and his wife traveled out west to visit other NCOWS ranges.
Every event we have attended we have been very well received by the people we have met, and gives us a wonderful opportunity to promote our posse and NCOWS. People love to see our group in all it's finery.
Not to mention we always go out to eat and enjoy each other's company afterwards. It makes for a fun day.

Some of our members have visited the Arabia museum in Kansas, another laden steamer that had sunk in 1858 and by the 20th c. ended up buried in a field by the ever changing river. Again, the degree of preservation of the items was astounding. I guess that museum is more extensive than the Bertrand, and we're going to plan a sidetrip to the Arabia museum next year at the NCOWS Convention.
Seeing the actual items is a real help in getting a feel for how everyday items were packaged and sold. It really helps to round out your 19th c. image.


RCJ

[Will Ketchum]

John, it sure looks like you had a great time!   It would be nice if we could get an organized tour of the Arabia next year.

Some of my pards went this year and said it was very interesting.

Will Ketchum

[River City John]

RCJ,

It is really great how you all go out and enjoy such outings dressed in you finest. Also, your photo really emphasizes the good time you are having. Do you have any photo's of the exhibits that you could share?

Joss

Thanks for the kind words, Joss.

We weren't allowed to take pics at the Colt Firearms exhibit, although Lone Gunman did manage to get one before they pointed out the sign restricting photos.
At the Bertrand I did not take pics of the items as they were all behind a wall of glass and somewhat dark setting, which would have played havoc with trying to get good, clear images. Some people did, however, and perhaps those that visit here in CAS City will post some.
I know many bought exhibition brochures or material at the museum shops both times, myself included. Maybe I can scan a few images in the future.
I did not have my camera when we went as a group to see "3:10 TO YUMA", or when our posse volunteered to promote our sport at the Crete Gun Show, but again others did take pics and may be able to post.
One event I was unable to attend, so again perhaps some of our other posse members may have some candids.

Incidentally, we were all very reserved in most of the group shots, but this group photo was snapped right after someone offered a comment that cracked us up.
Yes, we are a fun group and we enjoy trying out different experiences. For several years, our posse are the ones who do the Mcandless-Hickok reenactment at Rock Creek station each year in June. I've only done it once, but I learned that you can't be throwing a fat man onto the ground pretending you've been shot 3 times a show, two shows a day for a two-day weekend without getting somewhat bruised.  

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[Quick Fire]

Here are a couple of pictures. One is of period percussion cap tins from the wreck, and the other one is a hat taken from the wreck. Interesting in that 3 of the 4 men's hats that were on display had four and a half or five inch brims.

[Quick Fire]

Here are a few more pictures. The first on is of the earliest type rubberized rain jacket. The second on is of period whiskey and bitters bottles.

[Quick Fire]

And here yet are 2 more pictures. The first is of period ketchup bottles along with brandy bottles and the second is of match safes.

[Will Ketchum]

Thanks Jack for the pictures.  Looks like a very interesting place.

Will Ketchum

[Boot]

Hello all,
           Can anyone tell me exactly where the museum is, is it anywhere near the town of De Soto ?
I'll be in that area next year and would like to take it in.

Thanks in advance.
Boot.

[River City John]

Hello all,
           Can anyone tell me exactly where the museum is, is it anywhere near the town of De Soto ?
I'll be in that area next year and would like to take it in.

Thanks in advance.
Boot.

It is between the towns of Blair, NE and Missouri Valley, IA on Highway 30, about 30+ minute drive north of Omaha, NE.

[Boot]

Thanks John,
                  It's no where near where I thought it was. It'll have to miss next years trip, I'll probably do the Arabia instead.

Boot.

[Books OToole]

Nice pictures.  The timing is great, as I am working on a liquor/mess chest and the dishes I am using are modern equivilants of the Bertrand's white china dodecahedron dishes.

Books

[River City John]

Awww! now Books, you've been waiting months in order to work 'dodecahedron' into a conversation, haven't you?


All the dishwear displayed was plain white Ironstone, or the cheaper low-fire ceramics imported from the Staffordshire district in England.
The 'dodecahedron' shape was a carryover from popular styling of silver holloware in vogue earlier in England.

Your Gentleman's impression will probably have high-fire porcelain or bone china I am guessing.

[Dr. Bob]

Joss,

That sound like a great idea.  I'll have to start saving some money!

[Boot]

The area known localy as "The Potteries" incorporates about five small towns, one of them being Stoke on Trent it is in the North of the county of Staffordshire. It's only a distance of about twenty miles from here.
Many of the factories have now closed or moved production to china, but Spode and Wedgewood remain in production and continue to make many traditional designs.

Boot.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

I've been to the Wedgewood factory.  Very interesting.  WAAAAAY back about 1967 or 8.  Went to the Royal Delft factory, too.  (On the Continent)