Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1892-07-14
THE BOY BOATMAN.

A large pair of heavily laden Goa
boats, or "broadhorns" as they were
termed, swept out of the Ohio and
catching the current of the mighty Mis-
sissippi, began the second stage of the
journey to New Orleans.
The numbering, cumbrous crafts had
come all the way from Pittsburg under
the command of Joe Trick, a most skill
full pilot. These coal boats were pecu.
liarly constructed vessels, but they are
now things of the past, their places being
supplied by large barges, which are
towed back and forth by steamers.
They were built of 1-inch pine boards,
carefully selected, and any piece of lum.
Der containing but single knot was re,
jected. No nails were used in putting
the timbers together, sut wooden pins
were called for.
These frail vessels were loaded deep
with coal from the mines, then two
were lashed together side by side, and
with crew of thirty-fve or forty men
would float serenely down the Ohio and
Mississippi to their destination.
The day in which our story opens Joe
Trick was standing in the stern of one Of
the boats, with the long steering oar in
hand guiding his broadhorn on its way.
Beside him was lad about sixteen
years of age, a handsome, intelligent
looking boy, who seemed to be wrapped
in wonder and admiration at the sublim-
ity of the scene that stretched out before
him.
well, Jimmy, my son, we're on the
old Mississippi once more. Let me see;
this is the third time for you, isn't it,"
Eyes, uncle, you know you have taken
me twice yourself to New Orleans"
"That's fact, Jim. But you see I'm
getting old and am apt to forget little
things like a trip down river. Now
couldn't tell within fifteen or twenty
how many times I've been down stream" !"
"That's not to be wondered at" re-
turned the boy, respectfully, "for you
were pilot long before l was born
But, look, yonder comes high pressure
boat up stream" and Jimmy pointed to
dense cloud of black smoke which was
pouring out of the double stacks of a
large steamer that was approaching.
"Let her come, my lad, let her come.
She's got to keep out of our way. Now,
what would you say" continued Trick.
If could tell you the name of that craft;
and, what's more, the name of the man
who is looking at us now out of her
pilot house, and likely enough wishing
us sunk down among the catfish for
presuming to get in his course. Yes,
my son, that's the River Queen, and
John Williams is her pilot"
Chow can you be so positive at Such a
distance~ asked the boy, his gaze still
riveted on the boat.
"Listen to that exhaust" and Joe
Trick turned his head so as to better
catch the peculiar sound. "There isn't
another hooker betwixt Cairo and the
Gulf with such voice as that. Now
you'll see when we meet Williams, he'll
lay the River Queen as close to this
broadhorn as he dares to. It's an old
trick of his. He thinks to frighten us,
but here's hoss that don't frighten 30
easily. l tell you one thing, Jimmy,
he'll cut up that caper once too often,
and when he sends pair of boats with
their freight to the bottom of the
Mississippi Pm under the impression
that the owners will fire him ashore on
the bank, and then he'll have to take to
coal boating himself, like the rest of u.s.
By this time the steamer was within a
few yards of our friend, when she was
seen to change her course fraction.
"There, boy, didn't ! tell you? Jack
Williams has starb'-ed his helm, think
ing to raise our hair" Then in loud
voice, which could have been heard
from one side Of the river to the other,
Joe called:
"Hulloa, Williams! Up to your old
tricks again? | reckon you wouldn't
have taken the trouble of tNsnging your
course If you'd a known Joe Trick was
on board here. He don't belong to the
scary breed"
"Howdy, Joe," returned the man in
the steamers pilot house. "Oh, no,
don't want to crowd you into the bank.
There's room enough on the stream for