Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-08-25

was an ovation from the beginning.
One of the Parrott guns had been
borrowed from the State-house and
rolled to the levee, where a number
of rounds were discharged in honor
OF the craft ; when, at the nine
teenth discharge the gun burst
into fragments, but Fortunately
without inaicting injury to any one
of the large concourse Of people in
the vicinity.
Although yesterday was to some
extent disagreeable as to weather,
yet during the day large numbers
of our citizens visited and thorough
ly examined the craft, which at
tracted great attention for various
causes, not the least Of which be-
ing the fact that she was named
after the daughter of our respected
fellow townsman, DR.. Hooper. Cap
tain Rowland last evening gave a
grand ball to the young ladies and
gentlemen Of this city, at which,
about 10 o'clock there was a lull in
the music, the occasion being the
presentation of a flag to the gallant
captain by Miss Katie Hooper, who
accompanied that act by the follow
ing poetical remarks:
Captain Edward Rowland:
Whatever be our lot in lie.
Of pie ssure, labor, rest or strife,
Of profit. losses. veal or woe,
Sweet It's, in any chance, to know
Whichever way our glances tend
were sure 70 sse a faithful friend.
Fair fortune keeps, brave Commodore,
This enyied boon for you in store.
Some of these friends with me here stand
To greet you in your new command.
vi dire mishaps which sometimes bear
On every oRe, you've had your share.
OF all tight places man gets trapped in
The tghtest you have seen, my Captain.
The roll of perils have exhausted
Been smothered, drowned. blown up and
roasted;
Now safely here. you shall be toasted.
TOT let I0hL 20 eacn passing year
Must bring its freight Of i'll or cheer.
Our memory, sunshine will recall.
NO cloud Ger us may hang its pail.
We drink your health in sparkling wine,
And wish success to thee and thiHe;
And to the horn and viol's sound
Dance merrily TO hands ali round"
Bid circling cares of days gone by
Before these bright auspices fly.
With these gay coloTs take this boat
Safe may she in these rivers float.
May all her trips be trips of luck;
May snags and sawyers ne'er be struck:
May bales of fieeey cotton fill her hold,
And all her freights be paid in current gold;
May her gallant master win the fate he
Merits to have, a treasure-bag right Weighty,
Is the cordial toast We give the bonnie Katie.
Captain Rowland received the
flag at the hands of the fair donor,
but his business being to command
steamboats, and not to speak, he
gave way to Major W. II. Haynes,
of Memphis, who responded in his
behalf in the following remarks:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: Had
|, Miss Katie, your silyer-tongued
elOquence or the matchless gifts of
your own Garland, Newton or How
ard, then from the fullness of the
heart the mouth would speak, Civ
ing voice to emotions of gratitude
which | know thrill Captain Now
land, his officers and the owners of
this superb steamer, for testimo-
malls SO freely offered here and else
where throughout Southern waters.
1t has been one grand ovation from
Memphis to the City of Roses, and
| can but say ''till life be done" its
recollection will abide with Captain
Nowland and associates-an incen-
tive for continued %exertions to
please you.
From the day the boy-commander
trod his first deck on the upper
Arkansas, until the present, "Ex-
celsior" has been his motto, and
now he presents his browning effort
the beautiful, unequaled Katie
Hooper. While so many smile upon
him, he can justly feel that he is
possessed indeed of the "Pride of
the Arkansas valley" named typi-
cal of worth, and he hopes for him
self and boat always to have your
appreciation.
In the name of Captains Now
land, Hardin and others, | accept
the colors. While they wave they
will emblazon this truth We are
one people, having one country,
which all can love, and nowhere
shall the handiwork of the stalwart
sons Of the Monongahela - our
Northern builders-haye greater
recognition than here, the home Of
Southern chivalry and bright-eyed
beauty. | thank you, one and all.
The Katie Hooper, Captain Ed
Rowland, will leave promptly at six
o'clock this evening for Little Rock
and all points on the Arkansas,
carrying the mail and giving special
attention to all plantation business.
She will also attend to all Missis-
sippi river business between here
and Terrene. Captain Jimmy
Thompson and Billy Nucles, two
worthy and efficient clerks, have
charge Of the office. She has I'M