Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-03-31
A ROYAL RECEPTION.
TIE FERRY BOAT CHARLESTON ARRIVES
AT TIE PUBLIC LANDING
And is Chsersd BY Bindrsds Of Peopls-Ths
Boat Stsans Into Port Win Flags Fly
ing and Band Playing

The ferry boat Charleston is not only
the property Of the Island Ferry and
Packet Company, but after an eventful
career it has arrived at its destination
and will to-day be placed in operation
as a ferry between this city and the
Island. This is the most important step
taken by indignant Islanders toward
forcing the bridge companies to lower
their toll rates. The boycott is now on,
aud its effect will be awaited with in
terest.
The report that the boat would ar
rive yesterday afternoon was so gener-
ally circulated that it served to attract
a big crowd to the wharf. In the morn
ing a telephone message brought the
information that the boat had passed
New Martinsville, and was then nearing
Moundsville. At11 o'clock the Ben Hur
cleared for Petersburg, and Directors
H. 2. McGregor, r. X. Giffen, w. Il.
Chapman and Lewis Jones took passage
as guests Of Captain kemple. The
Charleston was met above Moundsville,
and the directors were transferred TO
the boat.
During the morning Meister's Cornet
band was secured, and accompanied by
number of enthusiastic Island citi-
Gems, iwent down on the electric motor
line across the river. The party pro-
ceeded TO Heatherlngton's coal works,
where the Charleston stopped. The
trip from that point to the landing was
a continuous ovation 10 the gallant
craft. Crowds lined the bank at Ben
wood and Bellaire, and waved their
hats and handkerchiefS. The same was
true In South Wheeling, men and women
running TO the bank when they heard
the footing Of the boats whistle and the
music of the band.
The boat arrived nearly an hour
earlier than the schedule time, but
there was large crowd at the landing,
nevertheless. When the bow Of the
Charleston was seen, coming around
the bend at the Belmont mill, and the
footing Of her whistle was heard, II
brought hundreds OF people to the
wharf, while both bridges were crowd
ed, and men, women and children on
the Island side stood on Ohio street and
the approach 30 the ferry landing.
There were probably one thousand peo-
pie on the wharf, and half as many on
the other side.
The boat was in charge OF Capt.
Prince, and her regular engineer A
beautiful silk flag loated from her staff,
aud countless smaller flags were placed
at other points. As she steamed past
the wharf, the crowd sent up a cheer,
which was taken up on the opposite side
of the river, the band all the while
playing "GOod bye, my lover, good
bye" When she reached the float,
there was a mad rush for that punt,
and the people swarmed on the boat
until two officers found il necessary TO
keep them back. After being carefully
inspected, she left for the Island side,
where the same scene was enacted.
There were scores OF lady visi-
tors. and they took an es-
pecal delight in examining the
boat. Bader Il Maurer and VIM. Nc
Laughlin each donated a bottle OF
champagne to chrsten the boat, and
that interesting ceremony was per-
formed by Mis- Ida Taylor, a charming
young lady OF the Island. The direc-
tors assembled az the bow of the boat,
and she broke both bottles on the rail-
ing. She was not an adept In crashing
glassware, and as a result q goOdly
portion OF the contents were spilled
on her dress. When both bottles
we're broken, she said: II christen you
Charleston. One spectator facetiOus-
ly remarked that it was a shame to
waste such good wine, while another
suggested that some person gather it
up with a sponge.
1t had been the intention to have a
season Of speech making, but that fea-
ture Of the programme was not carried
out. Ii was also intended to
90 to Martins Ferry, but
the size Of the crowd rem
dered it impracticable. The boat made
a few round trips during the afternoon,
and will be placed IN operation to-day.
To-day and tomorrow no charge will be
made for tolls. After that the rates
printed in yesterdays REGISTER will go
into effect, namely: 81 cents per month
for the head OF family; % cents per
month for each male over is years
OF age; single trip one cent;
ladies and students free. Single
horse and buggy, cents a round trip,
SIP per month, 100 tickets s.. so. Single
horse and wagon, cents a round trip,
81. 50 per month, 100 tickets s.. Single
riding horse, cents per round trip.
Double teams, 50 per month, 100 tickets
$3.50 Stock, cattle aud horses 3 cents,
hogs and sheep cents per head.
The boat will be in charge Of Captain
Ben Goodwin, master and pilot. The
other pilot will be Casper Giles; en-
gineers, L. Brennan and Andrew White.
The boat is not the most proposes
sing one on the Ohio. but she Is strong
and substantial, and with more than
sufficient capacity 70 handle all the
business which may be required OF her
in the ferry trade. Several improve
ments will be made. A new pilot house
will be built, and the cabins enlarged.
The ladies' of the Island will furnish
the ladies' cabin. The cabins will each
be thirteen feet Ia length.
While the boat was steaming up to
the wharf a lao named Finney, who
lives with his parents in shanty boat
on the Ohio side, had q narrow escape
from drowning. he rowed out TO the
Charleston ia a skif and caught the
railing on the side. Fearing that the
skin would be drawn under the boat.
be chung TO the railing, and IL drifted
away from him. lie had sufficient
presence Of mind to cling to the boat
until several persons noticed him, and
Charles Sylvis succeeded In resculng
him from his dangerous position. The