Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1893-12-15
WAS AN IDEAL CAPTAIN.
TOM" feathers. BELOVED
OF ALL BOATMEN.
He Commanded the Steamer Natchez,
and His Name Was "a Household Word
In War Times-He Never Lost Life
Short History of His Career.

TeDOfLSf. - udG SbOTy IGluluuS me
of my old friend, Captain Tom Leath-
ers of New Orleans. You all, of
course, know whom / mean, for when
a crack Mississippi river steamboat
captain outranked the governor of
Southern state, Tom Leathers was
easily the most popular steamboat
man on the river, and af-
ter the celebrated race between
the Robert f. Lee and the Natchez
in 1870 his name was in every body's
mouth. The old fellow must be now
nearly fourscore, and is doubtless
the last OF tho men who made the
river travel what it was before and
just after the war. All the rest, so
far as | remember, have made their
last landirg, and only brave, Dig
hearted Tom is left In 1916 | first
became acquainted with him l
almost lived on the river in those
days and knew the big boat captains
intimately. All of them, with few
exceptions, were men of u type now
seldom encountered. Bluff they were
in manner to men when opposed,
but to women they were gentleness
itself. In care of the captain was
sufficient on any liner then to protect
a woman from the unwelcome atten-
tions of the most audacious villain.
1.-THE popularity and ia me of Cap
tain feathers were household word
in the Mississippi Valley, and the
staterooms on his boats brought pre-
miums. He never lost a life His
GOODNESS and presence Of mind never
failed kim when danger menaced,
which was often. He know his bust
ness thoroughly and his rise was due
to merit His first boat, | think, was
the old Princess, of which he was
mate before being promoted 90 her
command. In 1853 he built the first
Natchez and from that day his prom
inence as a river man was assured.
When this boat was burned on
Black river by the Federal
soldiers just after the war
commenced. Captain Tom was ruined
All his earnings were invested in the
boat, but his friends stood by him
and bought the Magenta, which he
ran for a while until the second
Natchez was a1oat. This is the boat
which took part in the historic race
with the Robert +. Lee from New
Orleans to st. Louis. The race
created great interest throughout
the whole country. Along the river
the big race occupied public atten-
tion exclusively for two weeks before
it came OF. The betting on the out
come is said TO have been the heaviest
ever }Gown.
Captain feathers succe ssively
built and commanded five boats
called Ndtchez, all of them magnif-
| icently appointed steamers. In those
/ days the boats monopolized the river
/ passenger traffic, and as there was
much competition the accOmmoda-
tions were OF the costliest descrip-
tion. and the tables on first class
| boats were equal TO those of the best
/ hotels of the present day. The big
saloon cabins every night after sup
per were cleared and the passengers
had their choice of amusements.
/ There was always a good band for
dancing, and card tables stood in
willingly in the forward saloon. These
were the palmy days of gambling,
and the boats were patronized by all
kinds of professional sports. 1t was
difficult for captain to protect
his passengers. but so well known
was Captain Tom Leathers' deter
mined way with card sharpers that
his boats enjoyed comparative inn
munity from the swindling fraternity
He never drank to excess or gam
bled himself. and If passenger was
leeced on his boat the accused man
was hunted up. summarily iuvesti-
gated, and, if guilty, the boats nose
was pointed TO the nearest bank and
the offender walked the plank and
waded through mud and water TO the
shore, sometimes many miles from a
settlement. AS such experiences
were unpleasant Captain Toms boats
were given a wide berth by sharpers,
and consequently the wealthy river
front planters between Vicksburg
and New Orleans preferred the
Natchez always FOR themselves aud
families.
Captain feathers is a Kentucki an,
hailing from Covington, and has fol-
lowed the river since childhood. He
has married twice. His second wife
was Miss Claiborne and a member OF
the well-known New Orleans famil y
of that name He has six children
living, three boys and three girls.
Captain feathers gave up active life
on the river ten years ago He is
now largely interested in a company
running boats between Vlcksburg
and New Orleans, and has offices In
the latter city His eldest son,
Boland, commands stern-wheel
Natchez belonging to the line and is
chip of the old block. The other
boys likewise followed in their
fathers footsteps and are popular.
Captain George A. Devol, who
lived for many years in New Orleans
and travelled constantly with Captain
feathers and his compeers, said res
Gently: Eyes, / am we'll acquainted
with Captain feathers | knew all
OF the old-time river captains init.