Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-07-25


and leave Friday with a return
trip.
The Bee and barges passed up
last evening for st. Louis. She
left q barge here to be loaded with
oil cake and meal.
The VIoKsBURG PAcKET.-The
Memphis and Vicksburg packet Il
lnois resumes her regular trips in
the V~icksburg and bends trade,
leaving this evening at 5 o'clock
sharp and, as heretofore, giving
strict attention to all way business,
and making direct connection with
New Orleans packets and also those
for Yazoo river. The Illinois was
withdrawn from the trade for a short
while in order that she might re-
ceive a complete and thorough re-
fitting to prepare her the better for
her large and increasing business.
She was taken to Mound City, ILL.,,
placed upon the docks and the best
workmen employed with instruc-
tons to put her in frst-class order,
regardless of expense. An exam
nation of her hull discovered that
to be in excellent condition-good
as new--not a single broken or de-
cayed timber being found in it. Mr..
Hambleton, the celebrated builder
of hulls, gave it as his opinion that
her hull was perfect, and that no re-
pairs were needed, so none were
made in that quarter, except to dry
it out and strengthen it. After
this was done, she returned here to
receive other necessary repairs and
embellishments, her owners desiring
to patronize home mechanics as far
as possible. Her decks were relaid
and recaulked, new warehouses
were erected, her machinery, the
finest and most costly on the river,
was overhauled by her head engin-
eer, in fact, she has been put in the
most complete order from top to
bottom. Tom Demmons, the best
workman in his line in the Missis-
sippi valley, brought forth all his
taste and skill in decorating the Il
linois, painting her inside and out
in a style beautiful to behold. The
most handsome Brussels c%arpeting
covers her cabin floors; new bed
ding and fine linen have been placed
in her stateIooms; the cabin furni-
ture has been newly upholstered
and freshly vanished, and every
thing arranged with an eye to com
fort and without any regard for ex-
pense. The cabin for colored pas
sengerS, in the texas, has also been
reftted and refurnished. Wherever
repairs were at all needed they have
been made and, with her new, beau
tiful and majestic chimneyS, she
presents an appearance second to
no steamer that plies tho Missis-
sippi. Ten thousand dollars have
been expended in these repairs, and
this amount distributed among the
various mechanics who had a hand
in the work is of no small benefit
. to the community at large in this
dull season Of the year. Captain
Cheek deserves the thanks of oul
| people for thus literally circulating
money at a time when it is so much
needed. At the solicitation of 8
large number of our merchants and
with a promise Of their support, the
Illinois was placed in the above
r trade, leaving here on her first triI
April I'd, 1875, and since that time
with the exception of possibly on,
or two trips and! her recent with
drawal for repairs, she has run reg
D ularly through the dull as V i a
the busy seasons. Her officers hav,
labored assiduously in the interes
of Memphis and her merchants an,
have succeeded in building up
g trade worthy Of their great efforts
Immense quantities Of freight an,
produce, which have heretofor
i found their way to other cities, ar
t now landed at our wharf through
q the fundamentally Of the Illinoi
2 and her energetic crew. This fac
i should be borne in mind and thei
d appreciation shown by those inter
ested in the welfare of our city
n The owners and officers feel gratt
full for the patronage beretofoI