Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-07-30
THE RIVER EXCURSION.
Captain uObeFI ". Wise and his Elegant
Steamer James ID. PRrker-A Merry
Crew, a SumptUOns Banquet
aad jolly Time ON Ihe
wave,

| Pursuant 10 arrangements previously
| made, of which the Appeal has spoken,
| Captain Robert w. Wise's popular
steamer James D. Parker, last night
| took q gay party of ladies and gentle
men on a pleasant excursion several
miles up the river, By early candle
light the invited guests commenced
boarding the steamer where they were
received by the committee, Captain Wise,
Messrs. John r. Stanley, E. w. Gibson
and. Charles A. Burr, who were both
graceful and invaluable in their polite.
| ness Owing to the hardness OF some Of
the exCuTsiOnists, the steamer did not
leave the wharf until nine o'clock. Pre-
vious to the Parker's leaving the
band on the steamer Illinois cOmpli-
mented Captain Wise and his party
with three airs, the last being a spirited
galOp. TheTeupOn Captain John Harp
man, who had charge of the hurricane
roof, tapped the bell, and the boat
swung gracefully out into the stream,
Captain Joe Gray, one of the most sci
enCfic astronomers of the Ohio, having
hold OF the helm. In the meantime
dancing had commenced and the length
of the entire cabin was thickly studded
with the devotees of terpsichore. The
music, consisting Of eight or ten pieces,
was excellent, pOlkas, schOttisches and
Other aifa being given to the great de.
light of the participants and the joy Of
the spectators. A more elegant party
never EN- baTked on a steamer at Mem
phis, fact which not only evidences
the popularity Of Captain Wise and
his officers, but is no little compliment
to his WOT and esteem as gentleman
and reliable steamboat master. In fact,
we do not know who but Captain Bob
Wise las he is Familiarity, yet apprecia-
lively termed could have induced a
party to take an excursion st q time so
muTky and threatening, as was last
night, whose very stars seemed dripping
rain like tear-drOps from beauty spark
ling eyes. The corps of secretaries on
this popular steamer are Cantain Phil
Calvert and Mess S. Lutte n. KeIsoe and
Will J. Colbert, gentlemen who in the
social circles are no less attentive and
interesting than reliable and energetic |
in their business affairs. To these gem
tlemen the eXcursiOnists, especially the |
ladies, are deeply grateful for unremit- |
ting couTtesIes. The first astronomer of |
the Parker is Judge Hack Kelsoe, |
q gentleman of fine literary and |
musical attainments, and genial, |
social qualities, which render |
his conversation at all times elegant in
sentiment and graceful in expression.
After attaining a high position as q
jurist and lawyer, he abandoned his
chosen profession, studied astronomy,
the tides, currents, and the wild winds Of
the storm as well as the soft zephyrs,
and finally took the position of pilot,
which he fills to q dot. Captain ice
Grsy is also scholar, q philosopher and
a poet, and although not so eminent in
the art Of bellies iettrCS as his Falstaffian
is, nevertheless, an astrono-
mer OF the finest water, one of steady
nerve and unerriDg judgment. But we
had wandered in our Writir (, though
not in thought, from the cabin, the
dance, and the music. The steamer
moved rapidly across the river, in whose
depths the myriad gaslights of build
Dgs, steamers and siguai.pOsts, cleaned
brightly as the countless stars, and were
rs beautiful IN their picturesque
lrilIiancy as the glittering rain bow
Dues. The beauty OF the gas-lit shore
Jeemed to inspire the excursionists with |
resher feeling OF joy and pleasure, and
While the cabin was filled with ladies
md gentlemen engaged in dancing,
.lODg the quarter deck were groups en-
,sged il conversation and enjoying the
beautiful vision OF the receding city,
where the light Of many a household
danced far across the rolling waves in
ne wake Of the gliding steamer. By
leVen o'clock dancing was interrupted,
nd the guests were invited to stump.
uous banquet, which Captain Wise bad
roviGed for the occasion. Its cuisine c
ature was fit for the palate of an cpl
ure, and upon the spotess linen were
be rsrest Viands, and arranged with
Itistic skill due to the talented PR.
'0liius, the marine commits SdTEdt of the
'arker. Ii was indeed a royal BAN +
uet, and one that required eXpe-
enCed skill, such Is Mr.. Collins proves
pom every occasion. The steamer, eff q
r going seventeen miles, rounded +
nd came slowly down stream to the a
'hsrf The guests, however, did not =
ave as soon as the stage-planks were
lrOwn out, but fingered until quite a =
tie hour in the bTightly-Iit cabin, where
le strains OF delicious music and the
,aceful m8zes Of the dance seemed to
SENATE every one. The entire affair L
as OF the most creditable character, fun,
iTth and pleasure being its character .
tic features. To Captain Wise and his +
Ulcers we return the sincere thanks of =
e one hundred and fifty ladies and
lntlemen that went on the excursion. T
allure, in her generous wisdom, has :
sde but few men like Bob Wise, and
t We know that he has in Memphis l.
lends as warm and as numerous as =,
ose who greet him along the Missis- '