The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-09-30
All the Tribe of New Orleans Out
10 Receive the Young
Big Injun.
fhe Booming Of Cannon, the Dipping
OF Flags and the Ringing Of
Bells Greet Capt. Leath-
erss New Boat.
A Fire Discovered in the Cotton on Deck.
and the Threatened Disaster to Our
New Carrier Display Of Cool
T ness by the Crew and
Those on Board.

| The telegraph had already m ade known the
| approach OF the new Natchez to our city, and
early yesterday morning the town was on the
| qui viDe for her anticipated arrival. At about
| 7 o'clock quite number Of people assembled
on the wharf to see the new boat come Ia, not
withstanding the fact that they knew some
hours must eiapse before the staunch craft
| could heave in sight. About half-past the
| flagship Charlie Woods, Capt. Vim. Mckay,
backed out, covered with bunting, closely fol-
lowed by the N. M. Jones with Spors Louis
lana fold band on board. Quito o number OF
gentlemen prominent in commercial circles
! were also on board, and o merry mornings
"trip they had up to Carroiton. The
MUSIC OF THE BAND,
| the deep boom OF their guns let off at inter-
| walls TO awaken the late sleepers on Shore
made the trip more exciting than it otherwise
| would have been. Carrolton was soon reached
and passed, and the tugs headed for their
coming guest. Nine mile point had been
rounded, and in the long reach the two tugs
steered for twelve mile point. Presently
across the long reach OF land the smokestacks
OF the Matches we're discsrned, and Just be-
| hind twelve mile point the two tugs met her
as she ploWed through the water with all
| flags flying. A salute from the Woods and
| Jones was given and the band on the latter
struck up lively air. The Natchez slowed
down for a few minutes, and the gentlemen
who had voyaged thus far to greet Capt.
Ieathers and his superb boat walked across
the tiers OF cotton and congratulated the 'old
commander" From twelve mile point down
| the darkies all along seemed 70 participate in
the general excitement, and from cane fields
and gardens they fiocked to the levee to see
"dat dar new Natchez what ole Capt. Leathers
done built again." With the flagship Charlie
Wood leading, nine mile point was rounded
and the ear was torn to tatters with the
piercing cry OF the try-whistIes. Over the
water In the luIl Of the whistles came the well
| come greeting to the new boat from Carroll
| ton at the muzzle OF
CAPT. FORTIERs GUNS,
| OF the Louisiana Field Artillery, and at the
landing some two Thousand people had con
gregated to pay their devoirs also. It was in
teresting to see the flash OF eye and expand
ing Of nostril OF the veteran captain when the
! first boom came to him from Capt. Fortier's
guns. There" said he, "the old boys are at
| 1t again. I can toll them by their voice." The
hurricane roof was soon crowded as the boat
rounded to. The stage was run out, and the
number on board was largely increased by
the accession Of a crowd OF ladies and gentle
men, among whom Mrs. Leathers and
| daughter Gen. Ogden, Major Ku1si1eedt, Mr..
| Bienvenu and others. Falling into line, Capt.
| Fortier and his men left their gun and also
| came On board as the steamer backed out and
headed down river. From this point nothing
could have been more gratifying to Capt.
Leathers than his reception from the people
on shore. Cheer after cheer was echoed and
re-echoed along the shore, and the side streets
OF Carrollton seemed to pour out it's every in
habitant.
As soon as Carrollton had been left there
was a gathering In the ladies' cabin that gave
token OF something extraordinary about to
ocuer there. The hurricane roof Was sudden
ly deserted. and all the guests betook them
selves toward the rear In anticipation OF
something about to occur. The captain had
been invited aft and after the gathering had
assembled Mr. Octo n. Ogden stepped forward.
and In the following neat and appropriate
speech presented the sturdy commander with
a beautiful pennant, tribute from the mer-
chants OF our city. He, advancing toward
the table whereon lay the ensign, said:
/ have been asked, Captain, to present to
you this beautiful flag In the name OF your
merchant Yriends in New Orleans. Its stlken
folds, no matterehoW costly and graceful, OF
course do not adequately express the full
compliment which they desire to convey.
But even were the gift less handsome, being
prompted by sentiments Of warmest admirar
ton and respect, every star that bedecks It's
blue expanse would glitter, to your appreeia-
tive eye, with all the splendor OF the dis-
mOnd'S light.
1t, sir, is the distinctive characteristic OF
! o1r faaHftT te Pc tribute 10 those Whnaa
honorable efforts In the various branches OF
human industry raise them up to the emuIa-
ton Of their fellows, aud it Is In accord with
this feeling that your friends desire to honor
| the persistent labor in the interests OF COM
| nerce that has launched upon our grand old
stream new NatcheZ, gathering about her
all the prestige and fame Of her peerless pre-
deeessors.
I, sir, have To- tupately witnessed some por-
tiOn OF your services, aud though your useful
career dates to period far beyond personal
| memory, all OF it's glories have been preserved
| by an imperisbable tradition. There is one Lo
which can refer without the appearance q q
| fiattery, because it looks as IL it was nOk
wholly derived from your capacity, vlenaIG a ma
and management, but seems as. a. = - the con-
spicuous glory that, amid all LIE aois auerg
NAVIGATION and accidents of our rivers, bs bansa
steamer that has woan upon pan ns1 sas BEEN an
the honored name OF sascne@ ~
bear you tne latest est aha an Dsss s
this ensign which Proeamsa e you And 1ns your
ceress Wlsn III that when 1t is nailed TO her
I1aaathead. Iaisnh that wherever its graceful foios
aast II will be- an emblem OF honor, Of energy
and enterprise. They expect that. true 20
har iliustr.ous ancestry, wherever sne walks
lie Grand highway OF commerce she will Dta