The Illinoisans ran up the river in the spring, worked in the mines during the summer, and returned to their homes down the river in the autumn,thus resembling in their migrations the fish so common in the Western waters, called the Sucker.

It proved a costly display; for while the New York "irregulars" were parading the streets, the Illinoisans were filling the wigwam: when the Seward procession arrived, there was little room left except the reserved seats for the delegates.