Note 078 — {52} CHAPTER III

The lack of a good harbor at St. Louis has occasioned vast trouble and expense. The encroachment of the river on the Illinois side caused sand-bars to form along the city water front, and for many years it seemed likely that the town would eventually be left high and dry. Efforts at improvement were begun in 1833, ox-teams and plows being used to loosen the sand for high water to remove. Both city and federal governments have since made many improvements, the river at that point requiring almost continuous care.—Ed.