Mike Fink
Mike Fink | |
|---|---|
An early drawing of Mike Fink, on a keelboat, with rifle in hand, ready to take on anyone who challenged him to a shooting match | |
| Born | c. 1770–1780 |
| Died | c. 1823 (aged 43–53) |
| Other names | Miche Phinck, Bangall, The Snapping Turtle |
| Occupation(s) | scout, hunter, keelboatman, riverman |
| Known for | his near folklorish, tales and legends, as the Ohio and Mississippi keelboat riverman, who could outshoot, outfight, and outdrink all challengers |
Mike Fink (also spelled Miche Phinck) (c. 1770/1780 – c. 1823), called "king of the keelboaters", was a semi-legendary brawler and river boatman who exemplified the tough and hard-drinking men who ran keelboats up and down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.