"The Gus Linn at Fort Riley, Kansas in 1859"

by Michael Boss
Casein on Rag Board
14" X 22
From the Collection of Richard and Delores Kaczor, Lawrence, Kansas

The Col. Gus Linn was built in California, Pennsylvania in 1859. The Gus Linn was like the other Kaw riverboats and was constructed with a very shallow hull draft. At most 12 inches!

1859 saw high water on the Kaw and the navigation was a bit easier. The Gus Linn carried supplies from Ft. Leavenworth to Fort Riley, Kansas.

In the painting the First Territorial Capital building is shown. At that time it was used as a supply building. In 1860, the short-lived Gus Linn snagged and was sunk on Blackbird Bend below Sioux City, Iowa.