Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-07-22

with
Hi, therel'
hi there yourselfr" was our quick re-
spouse, not proposing any one, whoever
they were, should have any advantage
over US in so cheap a commodity as a
salutation. Upon turning. around to
learn who it was that was making so
familiar with US, imagine our surprise to
find no other person than the genial
superintendent Of that very popular line,
the Memphis and Ohio River Packet
Company, Captain r. W. Lightburne.
He had just gotten into their new quar-
tiers, No. 7 Monroe street, and extended
to US a cordial invitation to step in and
see how elegantly the same was fit
ted up.
We scquiesced, and what was our sur
prise to fnd what had been but a few
days before an unsightly %stors.room,
filled with dirt and flth-the Aecumula.
ton Of years metamorphosed into as
perfect a gem OF an Office as one gets to
see only once in a lifetime, and surround.
ings entirely in keeping with the rare
genius and perfect taste of its present
occupant. While taking in the situation
it occurred to us to make a few inquiries
relative to the packet company which he
represents, which might be Of interest to
our readers.
Reporter-Captaiu how long has your
line been in existence2
Captain Lightburne-About fifteen
years. 1t was first represented here by
Captain Enoch Taylor; that was during
the war; subsequently, and in turn BY
Captain Larry Harmstead, E D. Cobb
and Majer Dick Bradford.
R.-The line seems to have grown
greatly in favor lately with the Memphis
public, captain.
Captain Yes sir. 1t has been the
endeavor Of those most interested to
study the interest Of Memphis quite as
much as that Of Cincinnati, inasmuch
as giving them the advantage Of cheap
i, freightS, low passenger rates, without
discriminating in favor Of any one or
any place; besides the company purchase
all their boat stores that are needed for
: their return trip in Memphis, thereby
giving her merchants an equal share Of
: the compauy's trade.
q Row many boats have you in tn,
{ line now2
: Captain Live. The Gsf, Parker
II Wat Shinkle, Baum and Millsr, beside
a new boat that is uow building for III
trade. .
RI notice your company are yer
liberal in rendering the services Of the
% boats for different charitable purposes.
20 Capt. L.-Yes, sir. Our captains ar
all very generous in that particular, T,
~ spending with a~lacrity TO any call in bt
ie half of those whose mifortune it is to b
thrown upon the cold charities Of tn
s. world, and l think rebounds very muc
to their credit.
is R-Who are your principal officer
a captain2
as Capt. L.-James W. CAT, after whor
one Of our boats is called, is our preser
- president. Besides being president
II the line he represents some Of the largei
J. mercantile interests 10 the United State
~ if not in the world. He is a nan OF il
es dominable will and persevering energ.
0e and possessing an ample fortune,
~ which be vas his own architect. Csptai
James Wise is our general superihten.
ent, and Of whom a brief history may |
found in the Graphic, of the llth ius
y He, like Mr., Gsf. is a mar untiriu
energy and knows no such word as fai
20 While quite young he attained q liSer
education, mainly through his own e.
l'A e%rtions. Starting poor in life he b
d gradually worked his way up until he
70 numbered among the best known az
most prominent citizens Of Cincinna
ny He was vice president OF the Cincinna
10 chs mber Of m for two year
tai elected treasurer of Hamilton count
O., in 1876, and is strongly talked of
represent his district in the next Co
gress. Captain j. D. Parker is Il
secretary-A man possessing all the q
tributes that 20 to make up q clever &c
tleman and irst-clsss business man, al
is now one of the firm of Parker, Wi
be & Co.
Thanking the captain for the valuat
- information impaired, we took our leav
fully impressed that to his indomitab
energy and untiring exerlions the pack
company owed much Of their prese
- popularity, and that so long as he ma
!. aged their business for them here 30 10
would they grow in grace aud the
TEEN of the business men of Memphis.