Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-07-13
THE STEAMER ST. FRANCIS.
She is Newly Refitted from Hull
to Pilot House.
Her Trial Trip YeSterday-A Number
of Guests Express their Adj
miratiOn Of Her APP.
pOintments.

The St. Francis, during her retire.
ment, has undergone a thorough over
hauling and put in complete running
order, under the supervision Of Captain
Eph Banks. Her hull, which is the best
constructed on the river, was thoroughly
caulked and new timbers replaced those
that were imperfect. The machinery
was oyerhauled by the chief engineer
John Edwards, and his assistants, and
was cleansed and painted SC. perfectly
that it resembled new machinery. Boil
Hester did the carpenter work, which
was executed in true artisan style
Thomas Demons, who is one Of the best
artists in the Southwest, did the paint
ing, and we'll may he feel proud OF his
workmanship and taste. The cabin, In
side and out, presents a beautiful APP
pearance with its snowy white dress, and
we must, as others do, say that Mr..
Demons excelled himself in dressing up
the st. Francis so handsomely. Mr..
Ike Leonard, her efficient steward, su-
perintended the renovating and rehtting
of the cabin and culinary department,
and in doing so he displayed much
taste. An elegant new Brussels carpet
adorns the cabin, which came from the
house of Messrs. Bryson & Camp, furhi-
ture dealers on Main street. New car
pets were also placed in all the state
rooms. Mr.. Leonard, who has no supe-
rior as caterer, selected the outfit for
the boat The upholstery was done by
Louis Keith, mattress maker, corner
of Main and Washington streets.
The staterooms are all furnished with
new spring mattresses and bedding Of
the finest material. New chandeliers
were furnished by Hitzfeld & Son. The
renovating of the cabin furniture, and
painting and vanishing of the above
was done by Messrs. Mitchell q Hoa-
man, furniture dealers on Main street
opposite the Peabody. They also fur
nished the table coverings, which are
beautiful The sheet iron work and new
chimneys, which set the boat off to a
good advantage, was executed by one oil
our mechanics Messrs. Elliott & Co.,
furniture dealers on Main street, reno
waited part Of the cabin outfit, and aided
in furnishing the cabins with new aed
elegant ma5erials. The Office is newly
fitted up for the reception OF her polite
clerks. Jake Braun, who is known by
all the weary travellers on the Missis
sippi and St. Francis rivers, and has
been on her since she first came out, has
his saloon fitted up in grand style and
stocked with the finest liquors, wines
and cigars that the market can afford,
Mr.. Braun's assistant, Tom Cunning
ham, is one of the jolliest fellows in the
world. He is not only par excellence in
catering to the thirst and palate of the
inner man, but is noted as vocalist, and
sings Shamus o Brien equal to Florence.
Steam was raised yesterday morning on
her, and with a number of guests on
board, Captain Basket and Captain
Banks took the almost new steamer up
the river q short distance to try her ma
chinery, which worked exceedingly well
and to the perfect satisfaction Of her
chief engineer. Improvements have
been made on her machinery which will
increase her speed, while the cleansing
and drying of her hull causes her to sit
on the water like a duck, showing her
beautiful model to good advantage. The
St. Francis, as she appeared yesterday,
looked much prettier than when she first
came out. Captain Banks, who is an
experienced boatman, superintended her
repairs, and he spared no pains or ex-
pense in making her complete in all her
appointments, and he and Captain Bas-
ket may justly feel proud of their beau
tiful packet. On her trial trip yesterday
she performed well and was landed at the
wharf to take the place of the Phil Allin
in the Friar's Point trade while that
steamer is being reconstructed.
Captain Stack Lee will have charge OF
the office, assisted by B. P, Fields and
Charley Smither. At the opening Of the
fall season the St. Francis will reenter
the St. Francis river trade, and we feel
satisfied that the people along the bends
and St. Francis river will give. her
warm reception and feel themselves for
tunate in having their favorite steamer
in the trade looking handsomer and bet
ter than ever. We wish the st. Francis
and her efficient and worthy officers a
prosperous and lucrative season. Mr..
Joe Solari, her efficient mate, who has
done his share to improve the St. Fran
els and convert her into new boat, says
she is now staupcher and in better order
than when she first came out; and Joe
knows, as he is one of the best and most
experienced mates on the river. He,