Behold the mighty Susquehanna, gently yet powerfully carving its way down from the Appalachians to the Chesapeake Bay where it empties its contents of discarded tires, farm chemicals and industrial waste.

The benefits man has received from the flowing bodies of water known as rivers are endless. And like any Hamlet established on the banks of these aquatic highways, Binghamtonians have learned their secrets.

Besides the Susquehanna, the Chenango also flows through Binghamton (where it meets up with the Susquehanna), which is why it became such an economic hotspot. Laugh all you want but Binghamton once had an economy the size of a small country.

Early Binghamtonians utilized the confluence of the two rivers to collect the raw materials and food stuffs that were sent down from upstate farms and then prepare them to be shipped further south where they would used to feed and clothe the teeming masses within New York City.

Of course rivers also spawned their fair share of artistic outlets, such as songs (“Old Man River”), paintings and photography. However, one of the best known works influenced by Binghamton and rivers was “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” by Mark Twain.

Now I know what you’re thinking: “Wait a minute Townie Dan, Mark Twain’s writing was all about the south. And Huck Finn is straight Mississippi, not Susquehanna. Even a foolish down-stater knows more than that!”

Well you might find its surprising that Samuel Clemens actually spent a period of his life living in the Southern Tier, and was clearly influenced by Binghamton.

Granted, Twain was living in Elmira (which is about an hour away from Binghamton), not in the “Greater Binghamton Area” and therefore outside of my historical jurisdiction, but I think I can make a decent argument that he did spend time here and thus is a part of Townie-Lore.

Considering Binghamton’s economic prowess at the time, Twain would have been more than likely lured to the city to maybe give a lecture or sell a book, and like I said before, it is clearly evidenced in his writing.

If you were to ask me, I would say that the “Mighty Mississippi,” was just a metaphor for the “Strong Susquehanna.” And it was originally supposed to be Huck and “Townie” Jim floating down it on a raft.

While this analysis is most certainly not factually based or accurate, Twain did live in Elmira, and every summer there are festivals celebrating this fact.

Dan Lyons is a junior English and Biology major.