Hooks were used to drag the sandy bottom of the river to collect clams. Clam fishers in small boats dragged sets of hooks along the river bottom to collect the clams. Clamming for button manufacturing was big business in the late 1800's along the Mississippi River.

Iowa Pathways: Iowa History Resources for Students and Teachers
Home ~ My Path ~ Artifacts ~ Timeline ~ Quest ~ Teacher Resources ~ Project Information ~ SponsorsIowa Pathways © 2005 - 2013 Iowa Public Television