Navigating The Maumee History of Defiance County 1883 Page 110-111

    When the new settlers on the Maumee raised a surplus of grain it was sometime shipped down the Maumee River in pirogues. Dr. John Evans, who was engaged in trade at Defiance at that time, had taken in quite an amount of corn, which he concluded to ship, and hired Thomas Warren, Isaac Perkins and James Shirley to ship it to market. It was loaded into a pirogue and started down the river, arriving at the head of the rapids (Providence) where they landed for a rest. Eighteen miles of rapids, currents and intricate channels were before them. None of them knew the channels and rocks; neither of them had ever passed over the rapids, and in prospect was not a pleasant ride; after a short rest they moved on and into the whirling rapids through which they passed in safety, and in due time arrived at Maumee City, where they sold their corn for 50 cents per bushel to Col. John E. Hunt. The measure upon unloading overrun twelve bushels, caused by the splashing of the water in the rapids, which swelled the corn. This the boatmen claimed, giving them $2.00 each, which they proposed to expend on there journey home in high living. Being now ready to return, Mr. Thomas Garrett,a blacksmith, was on his way to Defiance to locate, and proposed to take passage with them. He treated the boys and thanked them for being his relieved from the journey on foot. They now had to run the river against the current, and they made but six miles the first day, with the aid of  Mr. Garrett (their passenger), who towed manfully on the cordelle. Next morning, Mr. Garrett again treated the boys, thanked them for their kindness, but proposed to continue his journey on foot.