Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-12-18

Vi cOai oargeS ior Memphis, is still
at Point Pleasant unable to come
through until there is q rise in the
river.
wv foARo STE NMER ILLrvoIs.
oAAR Nlcks3rRG, December IS, 1875,
FRIEND DuRFF - DESPITE the
prevailing fogs and smokiness Of
the weather, we have made excel
lent time considering the immense
amount Of business transacted on
the way. We left your beautiful
city after dark with passengers and
an unusually large number Of
deckers." The first night out but
little Roadway was made, but dur
ing the succeeding day the Illinois
showed that her reputation for
speed was founded on solid fact.
and that all she desires is plenty of
water aud clear weather 10 make
railroad time. 1t is simply wonder
full the amount of way business we
have transacted this trip. Every
few miles we have stopped to land
and receive passengers, put out
freights, and We have taken on
board a large amount Of cotton and
cotton seed for Vicksburg. The
clerk informed your correspondent
this morning that he had registered
ITO cabinand so bureau passengers,
besides having nearly 800 way and
through passengers on deck. This
looks like business, and un-
doubtedly justifes the colored
deck crew in bestowing on her
the name of that "B-a.d
Illinois" Another thing that
astonishes meis the absence Of noise
or confusion in the transaction of
all this business. Everything is
done quickly and quietly, and in q
way that would make a Northern
river steamboatman open wide his
eyes. We remarked to one of the
officers that everything must be
CREASED to work so smoothly, but he
calmly smole a smile and remarked
" Cheek" Now thus seemed some
what personal, but on demanding
an explanation, we learned that
Captain Mark r. Cheek, the COM
mander Of this packet, is used to
having things done in this way, and
in consequence has a we'll discip-
lined, thoroughly posted corps of
officers as his assistants, and no
foOlishness is allowed. Captain
Cheek has won well-deseryed popu-
larity in the trade, and is a thor
ough gentleman. He is ably as
sisted in his endeayors to please the
public by his chief clerk, G. w.
Floyd, more Familiarity known as
g Wash" who strictly emulates the
of the illustrious Father Of
his Country, and never tells a lie to
u passenger. lie gains his popu-
larity, not with a little Ratchet, but
by a neyer-failing courtesy and at
t~entiyeness to the wants of the pas
sengers, which is duly appreciated
by them, as shown in their pleased
expression Of couutenance. Mr..
Floyd has had years Of experience,
and takes an especial delight IN
registering the fair sex. He
says it IS easier to write their
names, but we know better
than that. Every night we have
excellent music and dancing, and
the hours glide swiftly by. Messrs.
Sullivan and Priddy are Mr.. Floyd's
assistants in sthe Office, and they are
very popular at the different land.
ings as well as with the passengers
on board. Mr.. Frank Smith, the
veteran steward, who has won al
most a national reputation during
his career as steward on various
floating palaces in the Southern
trade, has charge of the cuisine,
and discharges his duties in such a
thorough manner as to not leave
even the slightest pretext for grum-
bling. The table is supplied with
all the Injuries, as well as substan-
tial', Of the season, and the man.
ner in which it is served by the
active and polite crew of colored
waters renders it truly enjoyable.
The bureau" for oolored passen-
gers on this boat is the best we
have ever seen, and reflects the
highest credit on the officers for
their thoughtfulness, It is well
patronized, which shows hat the
oolored people appreciate the en-
9eayors that are made to render
them comfortable. For speed, CON-
fort and safety altogether, we will
take Illinois in ours.