Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-26
CAPT. MINNIE HILL.
A Handsome Young Matron Who II
Master OF Pacific Coast Steamer.

From the San Francisco Chronicle
Capt. b. s. Lubbock, experimenting inspec-
tor for the first district, returned recently from
atour Of inspection Of steamers in the Portland
district. Since his arrival here his attention
has been called to an article lately published
in regard to what women can do and are doing
in the way Of earning livelihood. The article
spoke OF lady who was engineer Of steamer
on the Columbia river, and thinking that .
history Of the fair one might prove interesting
Chronicle reporter called on Capt. Lubbock
with view of learning something of this para
gon. She is not an engineer, as was stated, but
is master Of the vessel. There is but one other
lady captain known in the United States, who
has masters license on the Mississippi river
The lady commander Of the Columbia was
born in Albany, Ore, in 1865, and lived at that
place until short time before her marriage
with Chas. Hill. which took place in 1885, Mr..
Hill was at that time purser of the steamer
Joseph Kellogg. He continued in this position
for three years, being assisted in his duties by
his young wife. Living economically all this
time they managed to save 81, 900. With this
money they purchased an old schooner and
converted her into a trading boat putting q
| small engine into her. Mrs Hills next step
was to take out a second-class masters license
Sne had studied navigation and had thor
oughly learned the Columbia and Willamette
passed her examination without any trouble.
Her husband obtained an engineers license in
December, 1886, for the steamer Minnie Hill to
run from Portland to Astoria, distance of ITO
miles They then bought stock of goods on
credit and launched into trading business at
the various points on the Columbia river.
Their venture was crowned with success and
in the second year their business had assumed
such proportions that they were obliged to get
larger steamer, for which they paid So. OOO
mOnnV n noda nv thavn nr,v,
their first year Of trading besides paying off
all Indebtedness. They bought the Clatsap
Chief, and on November 20, 1887, Mrs Capt.
Hill applied for and was granted masters and
pilots license, and on that day she entered on
her duties as commando; Of the Clatsap Chief,
while her husband went on as engineer. A
larger stock of goods was put on board, as they
had found it profitable to branch out and take
in more territory. Another year followed and
their fortune was established.
Capt. Minnie Hill and her husband and their
trading were known all over the Columbia and
Willamette rivers. The captain had won the
heart OF every one by her happy disposition,
her kindly heart and charming manners, while
the engineer was equally well liked for his up
right and manly qualities. In another year they
bought the steamer Gen. Newde for $500.
The steamer is Ill 5-12 feet in length, 20 5-l2
feet beam, and has a depth of hold of s feet.
Their business Is fourishing greater than ever.
Ihey now carry nearly every article that can be
found in general merchandise store. Engineer
Bill runs the lower deck, where he looks after
the mems wants, and the captain dickers with
the women on the upper deck, and is said to be
an excellent hand at making a shrewd bargain.
She steers their ship of life, and her husband
calamity responds to the bells and "goes
ahead" or ''slows down" she directs, and
happier couple is unknown. When not on the
river their home is in Portland, where 1t is said
they have accumulated property to the amount
of about S25, 900.
Mrs. Capt. Hill is handsome brunette, about
5H feet in height and weighing about lao
pounds. She has the happy faculty of making
friends, and no one is more highly thought Of
among her large circle of acquaintance than is
Mrs. Capt. Minnie Hill