The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-05-14
STEAM BOATING ON THE MISSISSIPPI
BEFORE THE WAR.
To the Editor of the Eagle.

To the Editor of the Eagle.
Long ago, when the old Mississippi
was younger than now, and the Arkan-
sas was but a purling brook, the writer
filled the responsible and lucrative posi-
ton of mud clerk on a Mississippi
steamer.
The duties were to superintend the re-
ceipt and delivery of freight, kill mecca
son snakes when wooding up, and watch
the gamblers that they did not pluck the
pigeons and ruin the reputation of the
moral character of the boat.
The latter was not safe or pleasant
duty, as the gambler resisted at the
point of the bowie any interference with
what he considered his legitimate bust
ness.
Pigeons were plenty but mud clerks
vigiIant and the gamblers business was
much restricted.
The planters of Kentucky and Tonnes
see raised a lot of boys, mules and ne
groes, at one and the same time. The
boys were sent to boarding school where
they learned some new trick at cards not
quite new to the gamblers. Solomon's
old chestnut of Nothing new under the
sun" applies to playing cards. When
the son was fully developed in body he
was sent to New Orleans with some
negroes and mules TO sell and complete
his education. which he usually accom-
plished. and was always anxious to try
his new card trick on some of the pro-
feSSionals. scoop in his cash and be
hero ever afterwards. and it was like an
elOpement when both are willing the
mud clerk must be Unsleeping or the
good name of the boat was lost.
Speaking of racing. didn't we have
some exciting ones? The time the Prin-
cess and Shotwell ran from New Orleans
to Louisville in four days and four hours.
Then the New Natchez was the race
horse OF the lower waters, but the wild
est steering craft on the river. Would
seem at times as if possessed by demon.
Took after the Little Pearl one moon
light night and run her down without
dislocating her iackstaff. All that was
ever recovered from the Pearl was the
barkeepers account book, feather bed
and a nest of young mice. We smaHfry
Rugged the shore in shallow water when
we saw the Natchez coming around the
bend. She was running in the Pittsburg
and Cincinnati packet line when they cut
the chimneys off the Crystal Palace TO
save lowering them to get under the
Wheeling suspension bridge IN high wa
ter. The company got an order from
the supreme court to have 1t removed
but the Wheelingites induced congress 10
run post route over IT and the bridge
was left to obstruct navigation and IN
jure the steamboat interests
The Isaac Newton was the grey hound
of our fleet and was phenomenon. built
for freight boat but took fancy To
run fast up stream.
The Tom Swan carried the horns OF
the Wheeling & Louisville line four
rivals The final contest for supremacy
was Just above Maysvllle, Ohio. a good
stretch of river.
The Swan hauled on rs, we threw the
Newton wide open and shook her up to
a white heat. But she blew of and the
Swan crept upon Us about an inch a
revolution.
The engineer butfened down the safety
valve and as soon a. the old Newton
found this out she walked away with the
Swain in fine srvle. Upon reaching
PIttsburg her boilers were found started
all along the river line: only hairs