Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-06-14
THE GEM CITY.
The Finest Floating Palace Ever Plying
Upon the Upper Mississippi.

The Finest Floating Palace Ever. Plylng
Upon the Upper Mississippi.
The new packet of the st. Louis & st. Paul
line, Commodore Davidson's,) received a
genuine ovation upon the occasion of her first
trip to Quincy, III, in honor OF which city
the boat is named Seem City," The
reception occurred Thursday the I'd. Awaiting
her arrival two thousand or more of the citi-
zens of Quincy had assembled, and as the boat
put in sight an artillery salute was fired. The
boat landed and an address was presented Com
modore Davidson by Col. w. w.
Berry, on behalf of the city,
in connection with the presentation of beau
tiful stand of cslors, consisting of an Ameri-
can flag and four streamers, TO
the boat. Upon the conclusion
of Col. Berry's remarks Commodore Davidson
was introduced, and made most happy re-
spence TO the compliment paid him and his
boat. Then followed an inspection OF the
boat, an excursion, and a royal good time.
With reference to the boat, we copy the fol-
lowing brief mention from the Quincy Her.
aid:
City Is the finest beat that above st. Louis.
She Is seauty as she elts on the water. Her
sleed is believed to be great and Is expectea that
she will before The season is out equal the time OF
the Louisiana, which made the best time on record
between st. Louis and Keokuk Certain 1t Is that
she ie faster than either the Golden or War Eagle or
any s7eamer of late years.
The boat is elegantly furnished. The cabin is a
beauty The state rooms are commodious aud msg-
niicent. The cabin and state rooms we're fitted up
under the super intend of Ed. Buckley, the pop
ular ste Hard who had a carte blanche commiss on
from Commodore Davidson.
One feature Of the Gem City not possessed by the
other boats on the upper river is the electric hght
which is placed in front of The cabin 1t " rks ad-
fhn
most as light as day.
While the Gem City was laying at the landing two
large and magnificent floral horse shoes were taken
on board aud presented to the boat. They were the
gl1t of MIS-. Robert Stewart and daughter -. I he
offerings were placed on exhibition in the cabin and
attracted general attention. Many were the COM
pliments paid to Mrs. and Miss Stewart for the1I
handiwork
Daring the trip home the presentation of the bible
purchased by the ladies of Quincy took place. The
pIesentat on address was made by Miss Emma Bob
bitt, Of Pike county. The speech was brief but ap
propriate to the occasion and YVES complimented
The bible was received by Commodore Davidson with
thanks.
During the excursion trip of the boat a
meeting was organized in the cabin, at which
the following resolutions were unanimously
adopted:
WHEREAS, The st. Louis 4 st. Paul Packet
company, under the management Of W. F. David.
son, long and favorably known to the clippers and
travelling public of toe upper Mississippi, ts now
launching upon the great river q fleet CT passenge,
and freight steamers, and
WHEREAS, Many Of the officers of the new line
have been long known to the business men OF
Quincy as efficient and reliable in eminent degree
therefore
Resolved, That we congratulate the PEOPLE Of the
great Northwest on this important addition to the
transporon facilities of this setion and extend the
thanks of our communicate Commodore Davidson
and his associates and pledge ourselves to stand by
them in the venture, and by every means in our
power 10 promote the interests of this company.
Resolued, That in naming the new steamer the
Gem City, honor has been done us that will ever
be appreciated, and for which We give the company
unanimous vote Of thanks.
Resolued, That We tender to Capt. A. M. Hut
Crimson. Clerk N. Hatcher, Steward Ed Buckley
and assistants together with all the crew. our hearty
thanks for the many fayors received at their hands
The Gem City will leave St. Louis at P
NJ. on the 21st for st. Panl. She will undoubt
eddy be the means of bringing a good many
thousand excursionists to the city during the
season, as the public will delight to use SO fine
river steamer. The people of st. Paul ought
to give this splendid boat welcome wher
eha rriyas newt week