Information Sheet

 

 

R            Kreilich, August.

22                    Contract, 1886.

                                    One page.

 

 

 

This item consists of “Instructions to Light Keepers.”  It is a photocopy of the contract with, and instructions to, August Kreilich, keeper of the lights at the Saline Rocks on the Mississippi River in Sainte Genevieve County, Missouri.  The U.S. Light House Establishment issued it on 27 March 1886.

 

Jerome Kreilich of Saint Marys, Missouri gave this photocopy of “Instructions to Light Keepers” to the Western Historical Manu­script Col­lection.  Jerome Kreilich is the son of August Krei­lich, who was born on 1 February 1863 at Belleville, Illinois, and died on 13 August 1933 at Saint Marys.  It is not known for what period he remained the keeper of the lights at Sa­line Rocks.

 

The exact location of Saline Rocks is also unknown.  The probable location was south of the present-day confluence of Saline Creek and the Mississippi River.  The confluence has changed location due to a course change in the river that captured the lower part of Saline Creek.  The creek was previously several miles longer and flowed south past the Kreilich farm before entering the Mississippi.  The confluence is now north of the Kreilich farm.

 

The Office of Lighthouse In­spector, Fifteenth District, U.S. Light House Establishment, is­sued the instructions to Kreilich at St. Louis.  Commander James O’Kane, U.S. Navy, signed them.  Specific measures for the care and maintenance of the lights are listed, and there are warnings to avoid floods and caving banks.  Pay for light keepers was ten dollars a month, and deductions were to be made for lost or damaged equipment and lights not burning as specified.  Pilots and masters of boats were to report on the condition of the light stations.

 

 

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