Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-05-21
The Lee Line and Its Veteran
Chief


Chief
The following from an Arkansas
coast correspondent, pays a deserving
tribute to this popular and favorite
packet line
Chief among the instrumentalities
that have contributed to the growth
and prosperity of your city, no unim.
portant factor is found in the thor
oughly systematic and we'll handled
packet lines, converging upon Mem
phis as a commercial center, and
prominent and foremost among these
are the lines owned by, and under the
direct management of the Lees-the
Friar's Point and Memphis connec-
ton, established by Capt. Jas. Lee, ST.,
in 1867, and the Memphis aud 0sce-
ola, falling into the hands of the com
pany by purchase during the past
season.
The company's boats, with speed,
carrying capacity, convenient arrange
ments for handling and storage of
freights, cabins designed with taste
and elegance for the comfort, even
luxurious enjoyment of passengers,
rank as equal to those of any line of
like extent on the western OF southern
waters. These are run under the
management of men of prudence
vigil ance, of strict training and large
experience in their respective official
positions. That in the conduct
of their business the Lees should
have been antagonized lly rival
interests and challenged the ,nest de-
termined competition, was to have
been expected; but after the long
struggle one by one the ant agonists
have left the field-one by one the
rival interests have succuml,ed, and
to-day they are masters of the situa,
ton, holding with iron grasp a trade
for which they have SO long and gal.
lantly fought and worthily won. The
truth Of this is realized in the aban.
donment of a rival line, but rec emily
established, by an ass ssociiatior
at the head of which was
one of the most popular anC
yigilant river commanders. Bit il
the place of this are heard the NUT
terings ofa jealous opposition, tina
the Lees have made money, that larg,
profits have been realized in Jthei
commercial ventures. Granted. l
not, to long and toilsome endeav ors
indomitable perseverance, success &C
corded? Does not push and pIu ,cl
generally win in the enterprises a n,
ventures of life? If not, then we r
its struggles without promise, thu u
isenergy a curse and labor a Grim G
In the river service, wit
its sharp, attritions and ferC
conflicts, has Captain Lee, seniol
spent fifty years of his not IN
eventful life. A half century has h,
devoted to building up the commerce
and fostering the the industries of the
southwest. Would it Oe more then
than a seemly and deoorous grace, thai
in his old age he should enjoy at least
a competency, and be permitted tC
view with cheering complacency-
pardonable pride, the results of tn,
labors OF his own hands. This testi
monial to an old friend spring
from an acquaintance, beginning
with the writer's boyhood an,
now marking quite forty years
Your correspondent will add tina
the truth of the convictions herein. ex
pressed were more than cOnfr NE
during recent trip on the stea. ne
james Lee, named in compliment o
the veteran chief. The steam,s "a
peerless in model, in marine arch
tecture-a materialized perfection
was in charge ofa corps of officers au
fait in all the requirements of their
respective positions. Captain Stack
Lee, cOmmanding-not now the troop.
er Of Forrest, riding down the enemy;
but fully reconstruted-with a dash
and elan, treads her decks, every inch
a man, with the pride of conscious
power and the honor not to abuse it
Frank, resolute, ,vigilant-traiued fro n
boyhoOd to the service-a fitting corn
mander for fitting vessel. TIN
chief clerk, Lloyd W. Whitlow, an ,ex
perienced officer. though only q Iev