DUBUQUE, MINNESOTA AND WISCONSIN PACKET COMPANY

DUBUQUE, MINNESOTA AND WISCONSIN PACKET COMPANY. In 1856 the Dubuque, Minnesota & Wisconsin Packet Company, with Mr. Farley as president, was in operation. They bought the steamer Golden State for $14,000; it was a side-wheeler of 277 tons. It also bought several new boats — Excelsior, Captain Kingman; Fanny Harris, Captain Worden; Kate Cassel, Captain Harlow; and Golden State.

The organization of this company was due to hostility of from Galena merchants. The Illinois Central Railway, the Galena Packet Company and the ferry companies united to force Dubuque to pay exorbitant rates of transportation. The Galena Packet Company refused to allow its boats to touch at Dubuque.

                "They treat the public in the most contemptuous manner, 
                swindle the commercial and traveling community, and are 
                independent and insolent in all things and at all times, 
                when they have the power,"
                          Express and Herald, July 15, 1857. 

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Source:

Oldt, Franklin T. History of Dubuque County. http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/franklin-t-oldt/history-of-dubuque-county-iowa-being-a-general-survey-of-dubuque-county-histor-tdl/page-24-history-of-dubuque-county-iowa-being-a-general-survey-of-dubuque-county-histor-tdl.shtml