Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-01-04
MEMPHIS AND ST. LOUIS.
The Organization, Business and Progress
Of the Memphis and ST. Louis
Packet Company.

The St. Louis Republican,, In the Annual
Review of the river trade, has tbs follow
ing about the Memphis and sc. Louis
Packet Company, which will be interest
ing to our readers:
This company was organized in 1859 by
John A. Scudder, Daniel Able, VIM. J.
Lewis. VIM, Q. Postal and r. l.. McGee.
Boats, how ever, had been running in the
trade previous to this Ofhcered partly by
these same gentlemen, but it was not
until this date that the present company
was founded. The line commenced with
the steamers Ben. Lewis, J, H. Dickey and
Platte Valley, all fair boats for their day,
yet not to be compared with the floating
palaces which at present constitute the
stock Of boats. They afterWard purchased
the John d. Perry, ROWens, c. E. Hill
man, Colorado, st. Joseph, Mary Z. For
sytb, SOutherner, Courier, RObb, Adam
Jacobs, City Of Alton, Luminsry and
Julia, and have since built the G., ".
Graham, Belle Memphis No. /, Belle St.
Louis, City of Cairo, City of Vicksburg,
Grand Tower, Belle Memphis No. 2, and
last the City Of Chester.
Notwithstanding the numerous steam
ers the company has had under its control
during the past eleven years, but one Sc
riOus accident has ever happened, and
that was many years ago, when the line
was scarcely g working organization; we
Lewis, at Cairo. The Belle Memphis No. 1
was lost in the ice at this city, and the q.
W. Graham burned at the levee, but in
neither instance were any lives lost. The
company have at present fourteen steam
ers running from this city to Memphis
and Ficksburg, and often during busy
seasons have to charter auxiliary boats.
The nrst president Of the company was
Captain Daniel Able, whose life has been
identified with river interests from boy
hood. He has gained his knoWlege of
steambOsting in the school Of experience,
having begun at the bottom of the ladder
and worked his way up with viii and
rapidity which showed plainly the ma
terial he was made Of He infused into
the line the enthusiasm and energy of mis-
own ardent nature, besides giving it that
solvent and responsible character, always
attending a successful career. Captain
Able was succeeded by Mr.. W. G.. Lewis,
q very sIbstsntisl and energetic business
man Of large experience snd indOmitsble
will Under Mr.. Lewis management the
company manifested renewed Vigor, and
several new boats we're added to the line.
The stock, which was at first necessarily
limited, had now, under the judicious
management Of its officers, assumed re-
spectacle proportions, and the success Of
the enterprise was an acknowledged fact,
and the affairs Of the company were in a
John J. Roe succeeded Mr.. Lewis as
president Of the Company. The election
Of Mr.. Roe was OF great servics 10 the
company. His great wealth, his far-sse-
ing mprehensiveness Of mind, his high
character for honor and integrity, his per
severance and industry, added greatly 10
the character Of the company of which he
was made chief officer. The Memphis and
81, Louis, already well established, was
placed at the very head of the list Of our
great freight lines. Under his admins
tratiOn the business Of the company was
greatly increased and extended. A regu-
lar line Of packets was placed in the trade
TO Nicksburg, and new boats were con-
tracted for TO take the place Of those
already getting Old-fOr this company
does not use old and inferior boats 70 &C
commOdste their business-snd the affairs
of the company were placed in The best
possible shape. Mr.. Roe died suddenly
about one year ago, and was succeeded in
the presidency of the company by Captain
Henry W. Smith, who had long been
identified with the company as general
superintendent. Captain Smith thor
oughly cOmprehended the affairs
Of the company, and no man
was, perhaps, better titted at that time for
the place. Under his able administration
the steamers building were speedily COM
pleted, and all necessary repairs and i'm
prOVements made on those already In use.
But Captain Smiths administration was
short, for after a few months valuable
service he, like his illustriOus predeces-
sOr, was suddenly snatched away by the
ruthless hand of death, and the company
was again without a presiding officer
But the vacancy was soon filed by the
election Of Hr. John A. Scudder, who for
years had ably filled the office Of Secrs- /
tary to the company, to the office Of Pres
q II
expectations Of bis friends, and has proved
to possess administrative talent not infe-
riOr to any Of his predecessors. The
Memphis and st. Louis Packet Company
is now at the head Of all the steam boat
companies that do business on our West
srn rivers.
The following are the names and carry
ing capacity Of all the boats belonging 70
this great steamb boat corporation: