The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-10-15
THE WICHITA COUNTRY.
A Trip on q Mississippi River
Steamer, Years Ago.
Boat-An Eden-Like Plantation and An
Arcadian Village--A Bear Adventure.


Solomon says: 'Man hath sought out
many Inventions" but among all his
devices for personal locomotion he has
never hit on any thing to surpass-for
the man of leisure-the Western steam
er, as it existed in the antf-railroad days,
thirty or forty years ago. The ''float-
ing palaces" as some of the finer ones
were designated, were then the only
means of travel on long journeys, and
there are numerous citizens of St Louis
who can. remember when our levee was
lined with them three or four abreast
from one end to the other. The ocean
steamer is more commodious, stately
and grand; but for solid comfort the
more humble Western boat, discounted
it by very large odds. On such a craft
one could be as much at home rs in his
own house, and for semi-invalid or
one who from any cause was indOlent
and wanted to kill time pleasantly,
there was no better euthanasia for old
chronos than trip on tirst-class
Western steamer. was suffering from
the restlessness incident to tedious
.convalescence after a long illness. and
uncertain where to seek relief, bethought
me of a long cherished desire to see
New Orleans and other Southern points,
and having concluded to make the trip,
considered myself lucky when found
my old friend, Captain Dickinson, with
his small but elegantly Fitted steamer,
the Princeton, just ready to start out.
The boat was built by Captain Dickin-
son. Darrah & Fomroy and the vener-
able Captain Clark, who was recently
harbor master at St. Louis, and was
especially designed for the navigation
of the Southern rivers. On this-her
first trip-there were just enough pas
sengers to fill her comfortably and one
could scarcely wish for pleasanter set
of people for fellow-passengers. Many
OF them were ladies, and among them
were several musicians, both vocal and
instrumental. There was good piano
in the ladies' cabin, and several of the
gentlemen had flutes, violtns or guitars,
so there was plenty of good music to
cheer the passengers.
On the first night out the sky was
dark and lowering, with indications of
a storm. Long before it was shutdown
it was so dark in the cabin that the
lamps had to be lighted. The passen-
gers huddled together, most OF them
looking anxious, and some of them
frightened. Afloat in storm would
have been new experience to nearly
all of them. Just at this juncture
startling effect was produced by num-
Der of hands filing in and proceeding to
remove the furniture, take down the
chandeliers and put up side lights.
Every one thought it was preparation
for danger and for a moment a panic
seemed imminent. 1t was soon learned,
however. that the captain was only
having the cabin cleared for a dance.
A good string band had been provided
for the occasion and soon the pleasant
motion of the dance to the merry music
banished all thought of the threatened
storm, which, in fact, failed to material
ize. Among the gentlemen was one
who called himself Kelly. He was a
remarkably fine violinist, and as he was
handsome and of peculiarly agreeable
manners, he Immediately became a
general favorite. As the night grew on
and the dancing began to hag, Captain
ID. came into the cabin, announced that
there was an old negro on board, who
was somewhat noted for his ability as a
vocalist and dancer, and that, although
he was little uncouth, he would prob
ably afford some amusement for the
company, and if they cared to hear him
he would bring him in. The proposal
was eagerly embraced, and the cap
tain introduced what appeared to be an
old and decrepit negro, bending under
the weight of sixty or seventy years.
The ancient-looking colored brother
proceeded to regale the passengers
with .'Old Black joe 1.-The Log Cabin
in the Lane MY Old Kentucky
Home" and several other negro melo-
dies, with dancing interludes. fairly
surprising the company with the rare
excellence of his performances. no one
doubling that he was what he purported
to be. When he mad concluded. it was
proposed to take up a collection for
him, but he said: mo, thankee GEM
men and ladies. Dis old niger nebber
sings nor dances for money; he has
little later and watermelon patch down
Souf, and his ole woman raises a few
Chickens and ducks. and dey gets all de
money dey needs date way" During
this performance, every one had no
ticedahe absence of MIR. Kelly, and it
was supposed he had retired to his
;stateroom; but soon after It's conclusion
he reappeared and his numerous friends
condoled with him on his not having
witnessed it. He replied that he did
not regret it at all, as he had seen so much
of that sort of thing that it wearied
him. The fact was that the performer
was Kelly himself. who was sailing un-
der a pseudonym to conceal the fact
that he was the noted burnt-cork min
strel. Luke West
Next day the weather was as beauti-
full as the most fastidious could desire.
and it continued so during the remain
der of the trip. The delight of breath
Zig he baimy air, freshened by passing
over the water. and of sitting on the
guards or promenading on the hurricane
deck. viewing the beautiful scenery on
each side of the river, is something to
he remembered. Four or five DAYS thus
driftcd pleasantly away, with but few
incidents to disturb the even tenor of
the way. OF course the mischievious
boy was on board, and like all of his
kind was always doing something oaa-