The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-03-16
HOME FROM THE i MARD1-eRAs.
Passenger Travel on the Lower MIS-
sissippi--The Home of "the
Darkey."
On BOARD THE PASSENGER STEAMER,
LANES HOWARD March 13. 1878.

On BOARD THE PASSENGER STEAMER,
JAMES HOWARD, March IL, 1875.
Editor OF the Argus:
AS nv time for pleasure was rather
limited, I left my friends at New Orleans.
They go from there to Florida, then to hot
Springs and a number Of other places,
while return to Chicago and wrestle
once more with the realities of life.
We left New Orleans Thursday the 7th.
at s p. NJ. with one hundred passengers,
among whom were s. M. Turner and wife,
of the Grand Pacific, Chicago; j: Shep-
herd and wife of the U. s. Elk: Co;
Col. o. G. Scoville, of Cleayland; I. d.
Blackwell, OF Pittsburg; Hamilton s. Wicks
of N. Y. city. who is connected with Frank
Leslie's newspaper corps. Nobody could
have the blues where Mr.. Turner and
Shepherd were. they kept every one in
good humor they came in contact with.
Their wives are very excellent, unaffected
ladies': Col. o. G, Seoville was the joker,
but entertained the gentlemen only. Mr..
Bakewell and Wicks were both very enter
tanning, having travelled extensively. In
fact | don't think the ladies could have
dispensed with them.
Mr.. B. r. Pegram was everything q
captain should be aud j. H. Chassaing
the clerk not only looked after the comfort
of the passengers but did everything in his
power to entertain them. He was voted
by all model clerk. | must not forget
Aunt Mandy" in fact nobody could, for 9
warmer hearted old lady never met. She
makes every one at home and comfortable
She made the first trip the boat did, sever
years ago, and has been on her ever since
We have had delightful weather evel
since we started with the exception OF one
day, then we had terrific rain storm,
There is good string band on board anC
we dance every evening; during the day
we play cards, promenade the guards, &c
The scenery along the river varies. Th'
first evening we passed large, well KEEP
plantations, the next day everything had
wild appearance and it would be hour
before we passed anything that looked lik
habitation. Most of the trees were il
blossom and it looks and feels quite Xix
our May and June. At one place wher
we stopped for wood there wa
an old cabin belonging to darkey. TIL
lady of the house had twin baby girls an
as soon as she saw the boat was going t
land, she planted herself in the door wit
one on each knee. Of course the ladie
went frantic over them, and collectio
was taken up to send them to Vassar whic
amounted to $40, but even that will d
them more good Than Vassar.
Sunday we landed lot of cotton see
at an oil press and we took look at it an
brought away some Of the oil cake.
resembles old-fashloned ginger bread yer
much, but is not quite as palatabe.
Monday aud Tuesday the river was a
smooth as glass. With such entertainin
companions, elegant weather, etc., woul
be willing to stay on the river for month!
Tuesday morning we got to Memphi
where number of passengers loft US, th
genial Messrs. Turner, Shepherd an
Scoville with them. you may know We fe
their loss fearfully. We didn't stay ;
Memphis long enough to see much, exceI
, the levee which is as fine as any on the rive
We arrived at Cairo Wednesday mornin
but stayed there only short time. Fror
Cairo up the scenery was very Crane
High bluffs, with now aud then little tow
nestled between some of them, but v
made no stop between there and St. Loui
Altogether the trip was success in ever
way, and | with one and all wish Il
James Howard, captain, clerk and crew
long and prosperous life, and may it alwa,
be as pleasant as our trip from New o.
f leans to St. Louis. Yours, NIKE.