Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-01-21
IN. ..walHinr-s.am Boy.~

In 1885 the steam whistle had not
yet been introduced on the boats o!
the western rivers Upon approach
ing towns and cities in those days,
vessels resorted to all manner of
schemes and conJrivances to attract
attention. They were compelled to
do so in order to secure their share OF
freight and passengers, so spirited
was the competition between steam.
boats from 1885 to 1910. There were
no railroads in the West (indeed, there
were but one or two in the East, and
all traf1c was by water. Consequently,
steamboat men had all they could do
to handle the crowds of passengers
and the tons of merchandise offered
them.
Shippers and passengers had their
favorite packets. The former had
their huge piles of freight stacked
upon the wharves, and needed the
earliest possible intelligence Of the
approach Of the packet 80 that they
might promptly summon clerks and
carriers to the shore. The passengers.
lettering in the neighboring hotels,
demanded some system of warning Of
favorite steamers coming, that they
mighJ avoid the disagreeable alterna-
tive of pacing the muddy levees for
hours at time, or running the risk
of being left behind.
Without whistle, how was a boat
to let the people know it was coming,
especially If some Of those sharp
bends for which the Ohio River is
famous interviewed to deaden the
splashing stroke of its huge paddle
wheels, or the regular puff, puff, puff.
puff, of it's steam exhaust-pipes?
The necessity originated several
crude signs, chief among which was
the noise created by sudden escape
ment Of steam either from the rarely
used boiler waste-tubes close to the
surface of the river, or through the
safety-valve above.
1t was reserved for the steamboat
champion" to carry this idea a lit
tie further. 1t purposed to catch the
eye Of the patron as well as his ear.
The Champion was one of the best
known vessels plying on the Missis-
sippi in 1886. 1t was propelled by
walking beam engine.
One day it was discovered that the
escapement-tubes were
broken, and no signal could be given
to landing place not far ahead. A
rival steamboat was just a little in
advance, and babe fair to capture the
large amount of freight known to be
at the landing. -.
cpl make them see us, sir!" cried
a bright boy who seemed to be a bout
fourteen years old, who stood on the
deck close to where the Captain was
his misfortune.
Without another word, he climbed
up over the roof of the forecastle,
and, fearlessly catching hold Of the
end of the walking-beam when it in
clined toward him with the next os-
citation of the engine, swung himself
lightly on top of the machinery, 1t
was with some difficulty that he
maintained his balance, but he sue
,eeded in sticking there fifteen min
ltes- He had taken off his coat, and
he was swinging it to and fro.
The plan succeeded. Although the
other boat beat the Champion into
port, the crowd there had seen the
odd spectacle of a person mounted
on the walking-bea of the second
vessel, and wondering over the cause,
paid no attention to the landing of
first boat, but awaited the arrival Of
jhe other!
The incident gave the master of
Jhe Champion an idea. He took the
BOY as permanent member of the
crew, and assigned him to the post of |
''walking-beam boy" buying for him
! large and beautiful f1ag.-St. Mich
as