Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1883-06-10
DOWN IN the STATE.

burg Points.
PARxERssUsG, June "a trip up tn,
beautiful little Kanawba river at this sea
son OF the year is pleasant one. and espe
cialiy SO when the journey is made on tn,
popular steamer Carrie N. Kraft. the Par
kers5urg and Palestine daily packet, which
uskes the trip daily from the latter point
to Parkersburg and return. Your cores
pondent left Parkersburg on the Kraf,
Wednesday afternoon and reached Pales
tine, s. miles distance, before dark. Dur
ing the trip the REGIsTEE scribe had pleas
ant chat with the genial commander Of this
popular steamer,
Capt. y. Z Katbbene,
and many interesting details of his life ob-
tained. The captains life has been an
eventul one and full OF interest, ana il re.
corded would abound in many startling
and thrilling scenes. enacted on Sea ard
on land, as the captain has been an exien-
siye traveller, having visited nearly every
section Of the civilized World. The captain
is brother OF Col. J. c, Rsthbone and Jno.
'. Rsthbone this city. Born and raised in
the city of New York, at the early age Of
l6 be entered the merchant service and
made bis first voysge from New York TO
Liverpool. After two years service he en-
listed as midshipmsn and was ordered
to the line of battle ships North Carolina,
one Of the heaviest vessels in the navy at
that time. After six months service he
was transferred to q receiving ship. the
frisste Brandywine, and sent 10 the Medi
teranean sea, visited Portugal, Spain,
Frsnce. Italy, Isles OF Sicily and other
parts during l2.months' cruise. Return.
ing to Norfolk, Va, he was transferred to
the steam frigate Missouri, which was short
OF officers. After cruise TO the Gulf OF
Mexico he returned to the coast of Maine.
While there the Mexican trouble arose and
his ship was ordered to Vera Cruz, but
aite- 80 days returned TO Pensacola, Fla,
thence 10 Norfolk, Va, and on TO Washing.
ton, where, after stay OF three months,
he volunteered on the Decatur and sailed
for the coast Of Africa in the squadron
commanded by Commodore NJ. c. Perry,
which was sent out in accordance with the
first treaty with Eng land for the suppress
sion OF the slave trade. During q stay OF
% months on the African toast they sighted
and pursued several slavers, but failed to
capture one, as the slayers always used fast
sailing vessels and took good care to keep
beyond the reach OF their guns. Although
q strict watch was kept ny the commander
Of the squadron, those engaged in the slave
would mansge TO secure cargo. | pom
certain signals being displayed from their
agent on shore. which vas general dur
ing the prevalence OF gale which always
blew from the shore, the slaves would ap
proach as near As possible with safety, aud
the slaves wOui be placed upon the boats
and run out to the vessel and placed on
board, and away she sailed with her human
cargo for the United States. At some point
on the coast during the stay OF Commodore
Perrys' squadron, q merchant vessel was
destroyed by the nations, and the officers
and crew masSaCred. \ detachment of the
force was sent on land to capture and pun
ish the offenders, and well did they per-
form their duty. Ii was here that captain
katnborn, the hero of our sketch VAS first
under fire, and il was fearful charge, a
regular hand to had encounter. The ma
tiUns were well armed, aud the marines
were armed with short CutlasseS and many
revolvers. Five towns were destroyed and
great many of the natives were slaughter
ed. including one OF their kings. The loss
to the marines was small. The captains
description of the scene was interesting
and thrilling.
On returning to Norfolk, Va, he received
three months furlough, and came to Park.
ersburg for the first time and remained
until his furlough expired, when ii was
extended three months longer, during
which time he went East and was married.
but in the short space OF four months he
was called to mourn the loss of his wife.
Resigning his commission in the navy he
entered the merchant service. where h. re.
manned until the late war broke out, when
he recruited Company c OF tn lst w. Va.
Cavalry, and for three months Immanded
the company, which was on duty in this
vicinity, and as the steamer sped along
upon the placid waters OF the Little Kama.
wha, yesterday, our hero commander point
ed out spots along shore where his cavalry
had been fired upon by some OF the innum-
cradle bands OF bushwhaCkers which in
tested this section OF the State. After Sery-
ing three months in the cavalry service, as
related, Capt. K. entered the navy "a acting
master on board the Penguin, attached TO
the Eastern Gulf blOckadinG squadron. In
ls63, having been disabled by rheumatism
he resigned and went TO Maine. where he
resided until ls72, when he returned TO
West Virginia, and has been en-
gagged in various enterprises here, But
his life OF quarter of century on the
seas, together with the mate love of life
on the water led him to embark in the
steamboat business, and purchasing an in
terest in the Carrie NJ. Kraft last Deem
ber went on board as her commander. but
was stricken down with rheumatism and
suffered for two months, but is now in good
health, and although the froSts Of three
score years have whiteucdhis locks slightly
the Captain says that he feels as young as
ever. One important event in the career
Of our hero has been overlooked in this
hasty sketch, and that was his second mar.
rage, which was followed by many years Df
happy welded life, and the union was
blessed with three sons and two daughters,
all OF who are living. the eldest, John A.
Rathborn, is prosperous merchant OF
Palestine; another holds responsible po-
sition with Portsmouth mercantile firm.
and the youngest son is a pilot on the Car.
RE NJ Kraft. The family circle was broken
last October by the death OF the Captains
estimable wife, who died after few min
utes illness.
"&..i engaged in the tie and timber
. . lal.stine are anxious for rise
o., i;redy and tributaries as they have
:. ,.ge amount of ties, logs and
slaves on the bands and in the
ready for a freshet. Armstrong ~ De,mi
of Roane county. are the most extensive
dealers in this vicinity at present.
Business in Elizabeth, the county seat OF
Writ, is dull. with the exception OF the
saw mills. OF which there are three, and
running to their full capacity. County
Court now in session; nothing OF special
interest before the body, except some APP
plications for reduced assessments on land !:
very few reductions have been made, as 1t
is conceded that the pr3ent valuation.
with few exceptions, are fair enough. d..
c. Caste and the Hon. NJ. II. Shirt, are ex.
tensiyely engaged in the real estate bust.
ness, and both staunch Democrats rs Of
wore, and don have the east fears that
the Republican hosts will ever carry tie
State nj Nest NIrviuia
The Temperance element has strong
following in that section of Writ. Quite a
spirited meeting was held in the N. L..
Church in Elizabeth Tuesday night. Brief
and interesting speeches were made by
Rev. 8. ". Grims, pastor; u. c. Costa, and
- Mann OF the ic'iiJo"""'. who wa in town
| r. the interest Of bis paper, and recon-
| mended the lntelligeHcer 70 all who de-
sired 10 subscribe for first class temper
| ance , paper.
The following are the delegates from
Elizabeth 10 the State Temperance Con
yention on the 10Th inst: N. A. Kendall,
Miss Dora Rodgers aud Rev. q. W. Grimes.
A very troublesome yandbar has been
found beloT the Wells lock. but Superin-
tendent DeIiker has improvIsed dreds &c
boat, and will remove the obstruction a.