The Portland daily press., 1889-08-10
THE BuM BOAT WOMAN,
Arrival Of the War Ship saba and Its
Remarkable Attendant.

Inc Austrian man-of-war Saida arrived In
this harbor from Boston yesterday. She will
remain hereia few days and then proceed tc
Halifax. The following are her oficeIs:
Captain Ritter Won Becker.
LleutenantS Constantien Pass Herman Won
Eedlna, wilhelm Ritter Won Bockman, Emil
yuKavlch, Robert steingass, Egon Rlsrer yoI
Zahony, Alfred Weber. Stephan Won Rim epacf
Physicians Adolf Ledderer. Moriz Las.
clio.
Paymaster-Tasez Kuceiuka.
With the arrival of the Austrian man-of-
war saba, novel character Is introduced to
Portland and this part Of the worl for al
though 1t has been known to other countries
| for years, it has only been seen in this port
on the mimic stage as Buttercup In Pima,
I fore" and similar plays. "A. veritable bum
boat woman has came all the way from New
| York to Portland for the express purpose of
trading with the foreigners on the Saba.
Some years ago Mrs. A. S. Woolley found
herself widow, with a family OF children
to support. Her husband had apparently
been doing good business, but at his de-
cease there was little left for his wife and
children.
1t was then that Mrs Woolley opened a
little variety shop in the city Of New York,
close down to the Battery, when she catered
principally to the wants of the jolly marin
er. and today is we'll remembered by many
of the sailors coming into that city as the
place where they could buy anything, from q
penny-roll to suit of ''go-ashore" clothes,
but more particularly is it known to the Of
fcers and seamen attached to the United
States navy.
Some time ago lieutenant in the service
suggested to the widow to put some Of
her wares into a boat, and, after gaining
permission from the commanding officer, go
on board the vessels Of war lying at anchor
in the river and trade with the men.
Through the assistance of this officer she
obtained an audience with Admiral Luce,
and after laying her case before him that
| gentleman readily granted her permission
| to visit and trade with all vessels of the
| United States navy.
Since that time Mrs. Woolley has driven d
| good trade, the first woman in America te
visit the hundreds Of sailors on board the
| various vessels of the government and sell to
them everything that a man could wish for
not only useful articles for himself, but Gu
riosities and mementoes such as no could
carry to his loved ones at home.
While the Saida was In New York, Mrs.
Woolley turned her attention to the foreign
vessel, and her upright dealing with officers
and men secured for her liberal patronage,
and the promise Of still more if she should
follow the vessel to Boston.
In pursuance of her calling this strictly
business woman went on to Boston and at
once chartered Commodore Driscolps steam
launch Maggie to transport her and her
wares back and forth to the vessel, and
while the man-of-war was in Boston she
sold vast amount of goods; There is
scarcely an article to be thought of. save
| spirituous liquors. that she did not sell to
the Austrian Sailors. Fseis 2 a9f' 20
| AS soon as her launch is seen approaching
the officer Of the deck details several men to
carry the stock IN trade up the gangway,
while Mrs. Woolley herself is assisted on
board with all the courtesy due to the high.
est lady in the land pe - Ele re ssss
The officer allows the men all tho facili
ties possible to trade, and one of the cadets
is detailed to prevent any slight or insult
should such thing lie offered to the enter
prisng woman.
Mrs. Whoolley does not care to trade with
merchant vessels, as she finds less mony
with the crews, and also fails to meet with
that respect which she demands.