Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-11-30
NOT ALL SMOOTH SAILING.
a Free Course, an Independent Cap
tain and Music by the Band,
The Steamer Guiding Star, Cap
tain Miller, on the War Path.

The Ohio river steamer Guiding
Star, now forty-eight hours out from
New Orleans on her way to the Ohio
river, is owned and commanded by
Captain VIM. B. Miller, an educated
gentleman of culture and refinement,
who has had long years of experience
as a river commander. The captain
is well known and has wide circle of
friends in this city. He ran the mag
nifcent steamer Thompson Dean be-
tween this port and New Orleans sew
eral seasons, and previous to that was
a well knownriver captain in the trade
between this port and the Ohio.
While Captain Miller holds a warm
place in the hearts of thousands along
the river from Cincinnati to New Or
leans, and indeed in many other quar-
tiers, yet all who know him say he is
Of a rather Independent temperament
stubborn some call it, but it is gen
orally conceded that the affable cap
tain is up to snuff in one sense, and
that is, he knows his business thor
oughly, and always attends to it are
fully.
The Guiding Star is a splendid side
wheel steamer, with elegant passenger
accommodations, and very speedy.
50 far this season the boat has been
running in the St. Louis and New
Orleans Anchor line, owing to
the Ohio, for which she was built,
having been too low for the navigation
of vessels of her class. The recent
swell Of Ohio waters causes Captain
Miller to return to his Legitimate line.
He. however, decided to do so outside
of a combination of boats which ply
between New Orleans and the Ohio
in what is known as a pool line"
where each boat takes her turn in get
ting a trip, news close TO the line of a
certain card Of rates for freight and
passage, and is controlled by a board
of directors, who run or manage the
corporation and divide the earnings Of
the steamers according to an agreed
plan. Last year Captain Miller's boat
was in this line, and he made but
seven trips during the entire season.
owing to the necessity Of waiting his
turn, either at New Orleans or Gin
cinnati. Rhis year the Captain de.
termined on going it alone, and he is
now making fast time up the river in
pursuance Of this system.
The announcement that the Guiding
Star has started on her own hook, al
an independent excursion boat, Gre
ated a great sensation among river
men at Cincinnati, last Saturday. The
Commercial newspaper printed the
Guiding Stars New Orleans card, and
made a few appropriate comments
This created a greater. sensation b!
a sudden withdrawal of a business
card from the Commercials adver
Using COLUMNS by the New 0rleanI
steamboat line. On Sunday morning.
the Commercial printed the Guiding
Stars card announcing her intended
departure from Cincinnati southwark
on Wednesday, December 9Th, adding
a few appropriate remarks, and saying
There's music in the air"
Meantime, Captain Miller's fin,
steamer is bowling along up the Miss.
issippi river, and may be expected
here late tomorrow evening or earl,
Thursday morning. He will explain
his business position to his friends
and accommodate all traders or ship
pers who wish to patronize his splen
did vessel. The river is free, h,
claims, alike to combinations as to in
dependent steamboats,, and he man
ages one of the latter in tho best pos
sible style.