The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1890-05-15
STEAMBOAT RIVALRY,
Some "Reminiscences OF tho Famous Ttntcs
In tho River Trade,


Some "Reminiscences OF the Famous Tintcs
In tho River Trade. --.......-
A gentleman who has long been con.
nected with the river trade writes to the
Pittsburgh Commercial Gaxtlt:
The country never produced better
class of men, in every sense tho term
implies, than wcs found included among
steamboatmen few years ago, without
disrespect to those OF present date. The
system made ita necessity. Connect.
ton among each other could produce no
other result. No parchment was reouir,
ed Tor graduate other than the stamp
by his fellows that he. was man. at
no time were those qualities developed
to such extent as were brought out when
the Union Line steamers were built to
compete with the old aud famous Pitts,
burgh and Cincinnati packets. Two OF
the ioimer We're builtat Louisville, two
at Wheeling and two up the Monon.
gahela. One OF the latter was handsome
as u picture, with the others but shade
less Il was 20 ordinary affair to tackle
a brigade having every quality skill, ex.
perlence and success had crowned,
Neither was it m ordinary affair to meet
the rivalry that had studied the move.
ments producing this result. Careful
maneuvering was called into reouisit;on
as each new champion appeared. No
modern politician measured an Adyers.
AIRY more closely than did those opposing
bo2tmen. No point Of advantage could
be guarded more carefully. -
KEEN RIVALRY.
Among opponents the new line had
to conteAd with was the favorite OF old
and young alike, alike, a leader that had
thus far met no rival, whose emblem oil
speed was carried naughty and delian,
ON the pilot house, rs were those mas.
sive antlers upon the head OF the forest
beauty where they we're grown. Leav
ing the wharf it was interesting to look
back at the crowd, all moro or less aux.
ious about the ensuing struggle, when il
would come off and howis would end,
1t came Mt length. Gayly the shores
were passed until evening and Wheeling
was reached. Lying ut the wharf
bright and beautiful was our ANTAGONIST
Every individual among the crew, from
the humble rouster OH deck unto
tall, good-natured John Shouse in the
pilot house, felt it the tins OF trial,
Both boats lay at the wharf beyond the
usual time for leaving; great thcorie.
and probabilities considered, culminat
ing IN tho assurance OF good fortune
that Capt. Sam Dean was aboard, q guar
antee that good steamboa,ing would bt
done. Wheeling was left, only 10 70 Il
the bank by both boats near Hates
Rock, owing to sudden fog. 1t was lat,
next morning before we could leave
our antagonist leading, with mile O
more space between. Away We 20, til,
only perceptible difference being in GU,
fayor when both engines were v.pnpp,
on our rival. What poul1 1t meanP !!
few seconds solved it; they were aendin
tho yawl ashore ut Long Reach ior on
Of the famous Written boys, I'l
! TIE LEAD AGAIN. afs,
This gives the lead to us with abou
same space between. Into Mariett,
pMkershurg, ETC., and out again wilt
the deSterity Of athletes did these rival
go. Not fraction OF time wasted
neither a semhlance OF space lost or VOL
Three thousand bushels OF coal w.r
dumped aboard at pomeroy, betwec
them, SO quick US to almost stagger b,
lief. Out and away again, each haviu
about same number OF Landings to max
until early next morning We were
Alaysyille with ono moro landing
make at Ripley, our rival rounding
rs wo rounded out. II tho Ripley Ian,
ing could be made quick enough II
race was ours. After STRENGTHENING Il
.. from the latter place our rival ",
abreast: then came one OF IL
grandest scenes OF those days. IT,
Of the most elegant pieces Of mari,
, architecture the, country cou
produce. OF the embodiment Of q
that mechanical Ingenuity. art ar
: money could devise; graceful in fort
powerful in build. The other with almo
an equal power adorned with a reput
ton that was the summit OF boa,mau
desire; fearing no rival, intimate with ,
competitors. Side by side the race WEI
on, leaving behind for miles sheet
: smoke from those huge chiEneys like
;! pail to cover the river. New Richmo1
bar was reached, our rival taking Il