Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-05-03
BOATS LEAVING TO-DAY.
7. j. Brown. Observer.
RIVER, BUSINESS, MISCELLANEOUS.

7. j. BRowY, Observer.
RIVER, BUSINESS, MISCELLANEOUS.
The river rose five inches during the past
twenty-four hours. and is going up slowly but
surely. The extent of the rise can hardly be
conjectured yet. as several of the lower tribu-
taries Of the Ohio are swelling, but to what
extent is not known. A decline has. however,
set in at Cairo, and it would perhaps be safe
to say that we will not have more than foot
more of rise here before a decline sets in.
The river is falling at st. Louis, but rising
above there as far up as Davenport. The
Missouri and Illinois are falling, the former
with a very light stage of water, and the lat
ter has n sufficient depth for the packets to go
above Peoria without difficulty. Tho Ohio is
rising at Louisville and Cincinnati. and a
slight rise is reported at Pittsburg. The Ar
kansas is about stationary, with nearly twenty
feet to Little Rock. White river is falling,
but has large stage all the way up. Bust
ness at the levee was dull to-day, and the ar
rivals limited to one or two local packets.
The weather has cleared off and is quite cool.
| The r. p. Walt will be the next steamer for
White river. She leaves on Saturday and
carries the United States mail.
The elegant Pat Cleburne gets away on FRI
day evening for all points on the Arkansas.
Those desiring pleasure trip up that winding
stream cannot do better than to secure one of
her elegant state-rooms.
The Lawrence. Captain John Terrell in
command. will slip her cables and start for
tho Ohio river at o'clock this evening, going
through to Louisville and Cincinnati without
delay. Mr.. John McMeen. clever gentle
man, has charge of the office.
The elegant Phil Allin. with Capt. Jim Lee
on the roof, backs out this evening at her
usual hour for Helena, Friar's Point and all
intermediate landings. Stacker Lee has her
office in charge.
The II. C. Yeager passed down last night,
adding here 500 bales of cotton.
The good steamer City of Alton, Capt. E. A.
Sheble master, will pass down tomorrow at
6 p.m. for picksburg and New Orleans.
Tho sale of the hull and machinery of the
Mollie Able. wrecked some time ago by tor
nado, came off yesterday at st. Louis, and re-
allied $3.50. George II. Roe, president Of the
barge company, was the purchaser Of the hull,
which is to be converted into wharfboat for
the barge company. The machinery has been
resold for 5000. The entire wreck of the
Mollie Able has realized about Sl3,5OO.
A morning cotemporary furnishes the as
founding news that the E. c.. Kent has ceased
work upon tho Durham. There were several
"old steamboatmen busily engaged to-day
in looking up old papers to ascertain when
and where the E. C. Kent was built, but all
failed. Perhaps the journal that furnished
the item can enlighten tho "old steamboat
men,"
The Phil Allin came in on time this morn
ing with 90 bales of cotton and 900 sacks seed.
A small sternwheel coasting steamer came
down this morning with u bales of cotton and
COO bags Of seed.
The prospect for active business. says the
Louisville Ledger. is rather discouraging.
The amount of tonnage offering is in excess Of
freights, and there is nothing in sight which
warrants the conclusion that any special i'm
provement is likely soon to occur. The Mary
Houston. Kate Kearney, Potomac, Charles B.
Church and Shannon are in port to take their
turn in the New Orleans trade.
During the month of April 81 steamers and
90 barges arrived at St. Louis. The total
amount Of tonnage was 65,siS; total amount
| Of wharfage collected from April 18th to May
LIST was o55 s..
Captain Harry Brolaski has been appointed
Superintendent Of the st. Louis Express and
Transfer Company.
Joseph Nixon, the mate Of the Belle Of
Alton, who is charged with having fred that
steamer at New Orleans, made the following
voluntary statement before the Chief Of Police
at New Orleans few days since:
He said that VIM. Marsh. an engineer. whe
said that he was part owner Of the boat, APP
preached him and said: /" wish this boat
was burned up' she is eating herself up, and
have some money IN her, and that Is the only
way / can get it," Marsh asked Nixon to do
the work. stating that tho old man. meaning
the captain, wants it done. and so does the
rest Of them, meaning the rest Of the owners;
Nixon declined. saying that was a job he did
not like, and that he had better get somebody
else. Marsh replied no; that he had known
Nixon many years and had full confidence in
him. and that he would pay him $500 as soon
as the work was done. Nixon agreed.
The next day the captain had his effects
moved of the boat, and the next day the books
were carried ashore out Of the steamboat olfce.
Then Mr.. Marsh said TO Nixon; Let
her 90 tonight" That night. between
and 4 n m. Nixon set the boat on fire abaft
of the ladies' cabin. The FIRE spread rapidly.
Nixon ran 10 the texas to get some clothing.
Then he ran and got bucket and threw some
water on the FIRE, to make show as II trying
20 put out the fire. He then went down
stairs, where he net the Waterman. who, he
says, was awake and on duty. The next
morning. at ten o'clock, the Captain visited
the wreck Of the boat, aud said She II
gone, is she? Where did she catoh2" Alter
making these remarks he walked on. The
aext day Marsh gave Nixon one hundred dol
lars, and told him he would give nun me
other two hundred very soon; but Marsh went
OF 10 ST. Louis.
The case is watched with much interest, as
tho insurance money. a sum Of ss4.5l0, and
the honor Of some Of the most respected Of
the citizens Of ST Louis and Alton. are in
volved.