New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-03-19
Ante-BelIum BOatmen-

We copy the following communication
from the St. Louis Times:
The Vicksburg Herdid Of recent date
contains lengthy article on the above sub
ect in which occurs many errors. The
writer. in referring to Captain Thomas p.
Leathers, says
"Captain Leathers first commenced his
steamboat career as mate OF the steamer
SunHower, in 1884. That steamer ran in the
Vicksburg and Sunhower river trade. Since
1886 he hag been actively engaged. He
commanded the steamers Princess No. |
and No g He built six boats Of the name
of Natchez For several years he made
| weekly trips from New Orleans to Natchez
| His first appearance in the NIcksburg and
| New Orleans trade was in 1910. He com
| manded tbs famous steamer General QUIT
man, the only Mississippi river boat, VIZ
| believe. that did not fall into the hands OF
the federals daring the war. She sank IN
1868, the writer being passenger on her
at the time on bridal tour. Captain
Leathers is tifty-siX years OF age.
Il the first place, Captain LeatheTs did
not command the Princess Nos. and :; in
the second place, he did not enter the New
Orleans and Vicksburg trade in 1870, for
in I849, when the WOodman blew up az
Bayou Sara, he came alongside with his
two boilcred NatchcZ and rendered assist.
anCG. ne NdlCnGZ No IL - W Oh hlON A.
did not extend her trips higher than Nat
chez. and it was not until he built the
Na,cheZ No. 3 that he went through 10
Vicksburg In the third place. Captain
Leathers never commanded the Genera.
Ouitman until after the war, and then OniT
a short tine, the boat sinking while he was
on her. OF Captain Cannon, :the write.
says:
CAPTAIN John W. Cannon was first \
fireman on toat running up Red River.
about the wear 1893. He entered the Weeks
burg and New Orleans trade, We believe.
as commander of the steamer Nicksburg.
in antp-bellum times. He was in charge OF
the General Quitman ten years. when he
built the Robert T.. Lee. which steamer he
now commands. We do not remember III.
age, though he is well up in the tifties."
Captain Cannon did not enter the New
Orleans aud Nicksburg trade with the
Vicksburg, but with the K. w McRae. a
popular Ouachita packet, which he put in
and General Quitman ran to GreenvlIe.
In 1917 Captain Cannon commanded the
Louisiana, and. year. before this, ranked
as the best New Orleans and OuachIta
river pilot so il will be seen That If bee be-
gan as fireman, he did not remain lon. IN
that position
Captain y. NJ. White" says the writer.
'tTst came down the Mississippi river IN
1871 as passenger on the Mazeppa, with
Captain Auter. He was then d beardless
youth of about eighteen summers. He was
on his way to Texas. where be remained a
short time and went to New Orleans. dis
first start was as . mud clerk. which
position he filled until he attained the
position Of captain In the capacity OF
clerk he made very favorable impress
sion with everybody, 1t was he from
whom the famous steamer j. NJ. White re-
ceived her appellation." Here is another
mistake The j. M. White was not named
after the gentleman here referred to, but
after wealthy Pittsburger. Besides, the
advent of the steamer j. III. White and
Captain j. M. White into the South oc-
Cured about the same time. T.. II