Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-02-18
OLD TIMES.
The Steamer WRshington-Ths Penn
syIvania-The First Boat that De
Eesmded the Mississippi.

Two years ago we published the ap-
pended story giving the facts substantially
as recited by our ancient fellow citizen,
James d. Davis, in q solemn conclsve of
the Old Folks association. We fud it, ct
this late day, reproduced in the ST. Louis
Journal of Commerce. Cannot some Of
our old river men amend any historical
errors found in this conversational recitsl3
"In 1928 Captain Shreve commanded
the coed steamer General Washington,
the Ieetest boat that had ever trsv6rsed
the waters of the west, He made In the
year desiRnsted, the shortest time ever
known bet Eeen Now Orleans and Louis
lle-tWenty. I've dsyEi When ct Lou
Isvills he anchored his steamer in the
midst Of the river and nred gun Tor
each day consumed in the wonderful
vovsqs. The whole population of Louis
wills was gatheled on the river shore 70
behold the marvel of speed, the glorious
General washington, and Shreve was te-
tad and honored and cro~ned with roses,
and born by the huzzaing multitude
through the streets Of Louisville.
Shreve, dressed Is an American sd
mirai. made an eloquent speech
10 the people of Louisville, and while
whisky lowed and toasts weHs drunk,
Shrsve, who gave paternity to Shreve-
mort. declared that the time OF the Cen
eral Washington could never be equaled.
-H CuriouslY enough, 1t was collapsed be-
fore the season closed, and the Teoum-
sch, in 1928, made the same trip in eight
davs ard seventeen hours, and not until
isSs vas tbis time beaten. The Shepherd
ess wes then crowned victIix, beating the
Tecurnseh's time seven hours. She was
commended by Captain Milton Daley.
The Reindesr, In 1928, made q desperate
afIort To dsfsat the Tecumseh, but failed
ignouainiously. In those days when on
race, ali the psssengers, ofhcers and
crew'Were employed al stated intervals In
o1ood.c6opping along the shore. There
v,ere no wood or coal ysrds. When
stsarner encountered an attractive pile of
5~iSt1voad. the people on board covered II
SSl-a hirdS of prey, and depositing 1t on
the bost. soon converted It into hrewood.
ssThe PennBylvsnia was the flrst steam
| Az tbat ever descended the Mississippi.
she came down from PittsouTg In lelS.
| At that time this whole VaIeyi oiAl nom
Memoirs 10 Louisville had been recently
convuised BY successive earthq qskes.
1 When the thnnderous PennsylyAIlla &C.
scending the OHIO, drew near shawnee,
town on dark, tenn pestuoua night sno
the people OF the village heard the fesriul
thunder Of the PennsylYsnis's yoice, they
thought It the living genius OF the eaEtn-
quake. Led By John r. Scully, who was
gathered 10 his fathers years ago, the
people Of the village went down TO the
river shore and on their knees In sbject
terror prayed for escape.
SAT length the stesmer, with its glaring
eyes redder than that of Polyphemus, and
hideous noises, came In sight. Fires be-
meath the boilers illuminated the soene
, vvitt a chastity glare, the boat braathed
heavily ss the embodiment OF a earth.
/, auslre might have done; the good peopls
81 f,hawneetoWn rose mp, and In helpless
fTiaot and utter diHmsy fed awsy to the
l.
, F-oTn tfe shock of that fearful night. lis
! ss-so,1th was etunted, and there &c stands
tosIsv. hunchbacked, little, half-grown
|. s,,oient village, the victim Of stupendoul
! te~ror inspired by the first steamer tina
1 aver descended the Ohio and Mississippi.