Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-03-12
NAUTICAL NOTES.
A Pleasure Trip to Helena, Ark
Down on the Josie Harry
And Home Again On the James
Lee.--Sigilis Seen During
The short Voyage.

Saturday afternoon for White river.
The quintette, for there we're FIVE OF
them, were en- route to Helena, Ark +,
expecting to board the Kate Adams
on their arrival there and return on
that famous steamer to Memphis.
Captain Cheek had telegraphed from
Arkansaw City early Saturday morn
ing that if the weather was favorable
the Kate Adams would attempt to
lower all records of time made by
steamboats, between Helena and Men,
phis, and would leave Helena at five
O'Clock Sunday morning. This knowl>
edge was taken advantage of by the
party, whose names it is needless to
mention, and upon the pressing invi-
tation OF the gallant little commodore.
Milt R. Harry, took passage with him
to Helena. 1t seems, however, the
gentlemen were doomed to disap-
pOintment. When within 30 miles OF
their destination the Kate Adams was
met coming towards Memphis. The
weather was too uniavorable for Cap
tain Cheek to attempt the run, and as
there was no prospects Of the wind,
which was blowing strong from the
north to calm down. he had on arriv>
ing from below at Helena, wisely gone
forward with his steamer, delaying the
attempt to reduce the record between
the two points until some time in tho
near future, when he will surely make
the run. The disappointment however,
to the party was only slight Their
comfort and entertainment on board
the Josie Harry were made so COM
plets that it was with regret they
parted company with the steamer
at Helena, which city was reached at
midnight The courtesies Of Captain
Harry, Clerks Banksmith and Smith
and the genial steward James Maho
ney, will not soon be forgotten by
them, and if the attention shown the
excusionists is fair sample of the
article" that is bestowed upon the
travelling public, it is no longera mys.
terry why the Josie Harry is such a
popular steamer 10 the White river
trade
On arriving at Beleni, the Mem
phians were received by that prince Of
hotel keepers, Major Nose Mason, who
a short time ago lett Memphis TO open
hotel at Helena, and show the
people OF that place how to conduct a
hostelry. Major Mason is proprietor
of the Mason House, and his thorough
knowledge OF the hotel business has
made a name for him in Helena
that time will only strengthen. The
party were stored away in comfortable
rooms, and given a breakfast Sunday
morning that would have done credit
to the st. Charles Hotel in New Or
leans, of which Major Mason was for
number of years chief clerk. Mem
phians cannot fud a better kept hotel
in any city than the Mason House at
Helena, and it is recommended to the
travelling public as being in ell respects
first class.
10 return to Memphis was the next
move made by the gentlemen, and the
opportunity was afforded them by the
arrival at the Helena wharf, at 10
am. Sunday morning, of the lightning
james Lee.
This fast steamer, under command
OF Captain Lloyd Whitlow, had left
MemphisSatur6ay afternoon forFriars
Point, between which ports she is a
regular tri-weekly packet. She had
gone down during the early hours OF
che morning and was on her return.
The Memphians, on going aboard
we're made to feel at home, thanks to
the attention OF that paragon of clerks
Arthur Browne, who. together with
Captain Whitlow, did the honors in a
way only to be. experienced by the
patrons of the Lee. Leaving Helena
Just before noon. a fine view was OBJ.
tained of the food that is laying
waste to so many plantations in
the Mississippi valley. Houses
half submerged line the banks
OF the mighty river. their former oc-
cupants having sought safety by aban-
doning their dwellings to the ruthless
waters that have caused so much de
structiOn from Pittsburg down the
Ohio into the Mississippi aud from
Cairo to the guilt. Nearly every land
ing between Helena and Memphis is
under water, and In some places water
extends from either hank forty miles
into the interior. The negroes who
cultivate these submerged farms have
either gone to the hills or came to
Memphis, and it is estimated that
there arc no less than 5000 now in
this city who are only awaiting the
decline OF the river to again 90 TO
work on the plantations that are oyer.
flowed. Considerable stock has been
lost by drowning, but otherwise there
has not been any great damage done,
and as the river is steadily declining
there will be no decrease in acreage
between Memphis and Vicksburg
The James Lee has been the friend
of the flooded farmers between Mem
phis and Friars Point. There is no
landing too difficult for her expert
enced officers to make, and she never
fails to respond to signals and give as.
sistance when needed. She is the
pride of Memphis. aud has Justly
earned reputation for both speed and
libePality that is properly appreciated
by her patrons.
In this connection it is but proper
to state that the James Lee has made
the fastest time between Helena and
Memphis, viz; 5 hours and 30 minutes,
| and il is to reduce this record that tbs
Kate Adams will make her run. The
Lee with her passengers arrived last
night at midnight, and the excursion
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