The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-08-05
IN THE FUTURE.
Barge line of the Mississippi
and Ohio Rivers.
Prospects of the scheme and
its Originators.

/ A company has been organized in New
York with a view of controlling the freight
tonnage on the Mississippi, Missouri and
Ohio rivers. Sixty three steamers and 100
barges have already been bought at their
i actual value. The purchasers claim that
they can run them at reduction of $500.
600 year in expenses. James b. Keene
is said to be at the head of this compsny.
It's projectors say they are now perf..eting
arrangements by which grain and provis-
ions can be shipped to Europe at a little
more than half the prices now ruling by
rail via the Atlantic ports. The company
| have bought all the warehouses on the
rivers not controlled by railroad compan-
| les, and are to erect others at New Orleans
| and various other points on the three
rivers. A meeting of those interested was
held on Friday, and complete arrangements
perfected this week
THE FOIL. OWING ACCOUNT
is recorded in a st. Louis paper touching
this important move:
When it was announced that Jim Keene
Louis to buy all the steamboats, on the riv
er, it was thought by river men that it was
all talk, and in the end would result as
Capt John N Boffinger's interview with
Jim Fisk ended. Capt B. wanted Fisk to
buy into the old Atlantic and Mississippi
Steamship Company, then plying between
this port and New Orleans After Boffin-
ger had stated his case Mr.. Fisk asked:
Does your company own the track?''
'sOh, no; it's river"
We'll, guess | won't buy in then"
But it seems there is something more in
the wind at this time, at least Capt. E.
W. Gould, one of the most reliable business
men on the river was sent for by Keene to
meet him in New York last week. He
went east and after having interviewed the
great schemer returned to st. Louis yester-
day morning
AN INTERVIEW.
He was met on Change by a reporter of
the Globe Democrat, and the following Is
the result
Been to New York? When did you get
back?" asked the reporter.
Yes. got back this E.orning."
Did you see Keene?"
Il did"
did he do anything about the purchase
of the boats on the Mississippi and tribu-
taries?a
He did not
did you talk with him about it,"
Il did"
''Well, what did he say?'
''0h, everybody, nearly was out of town
and nothin definite was arrived at but /
viii know in few days
GWhat does Keene propose to buy. Now
let's have it straight?"
.sWell, I'll tell you; he wants to own
continuous line from St. Louis to New Or
leans"
HAS not proposition to Commodore
Davidson for his upper river boats been
NADER"
Eyes sir; Frank johnson, Davidson's
secretary, was in New York. / met him
there"
CAPT. j. p. KEISER
came up and entered into conversation
with Capt. Gould. evidently concerning the
trip just completed. This broke tap the
interview, for after Capt Keiser had fin
ished with Capt. G., the latter would say
nothing concerning his trip, only that it
was in too imperfect shape to say much
about Capt Keser said no direct propo-
sition had been made the anchor line but
declined to have any further talk concern
ing the matter.
Commodore Geo. H Rea, President of
the Mississippi Valley Transportation Com
pany. held an extended consultation on
the floor with Capt. Gould, after which
the reporter tried the lever on the Commo-
dore. He positively refused to affirm or
deny any of the surmises made by the re-
porter concerning his talk with Capt. |
Gould However, he stated that from
what he was able to learn he judged that
the Keene syndicate was not quite ready to
make the purchases talked of. lie did not |
know that the prices named by the st. Lou
is owners were too high but it appeared
to him tkat they were looking for AN open |
ing at the other end.
OCEAN LINE.
'Do YOU mean an ocean line of steam |
ers9'
An affirmative nod was the response.
HAS this party made any proposition to
your company
Not bit of it; now here, this thing |
isn't in shape yet to give to the public; it's |
better to say nothing about it.
'It's too big thing, commodore; the
public is looking anxiously for anything
pertaining to this matter
well, stick to facts; don't do too much |
guessing"
'.Say, commodore, didn't Ell, c. Haar
STICK, vice president and general manager
of your company, go to New York to see
Keene?"
NO, sir, he went to Narragausett
Pier "
Didn't he stop in New York, or go
through there2"
mo
And the commodore slipped off in the
crowd.
MORE APPROXIMATIONS
Later in the day it was learned from a.
well posted river man. who don't want his |
name mentioned, that Bryson had shown
letters from Keene down on the bank to
boat owners and controllers of the lines,
authorizing him to get proposals from the
various presidents of lines for the sale of
their boats. He had been treated just a
little offish, and the figures were put up to
a very high point. Keene became dissat- |
isficd and autographed to q. w. Gould to
meet him in New York after he had seen
the boat owners and gotten their figures.
1t is possible, thought that river man, that
Keene would buy all the boats plying on
the Missouri, Illinois, upper Mississippi, |
lower Missouri, excepting Jay Goulds
line) o hio, Red and in fact, all the rivers
4r.I Al,