Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-06-24

FIhof fhiF Of iHt ClEhMONi =
Group % Women who Made the uls-
forIc Voyage.
The "ncw boatv OF the letter was tie
now celebrated Clcrmont. the steam
boat Of Robert Fulton, which in Au.
gust, 1907, made the first successful
steam voyage up the astonished fIud-
fon, and demonstrated to the world
that new force had been discovered
by which old methods In nearly all lines
were to be revolu,ionized.
.3Nery likely, with al their loving con-
hdcncc IN the wisdom Of the chancei-
lor. the sisters embarked with some
dlstrust Of his new boats making good
its promise to get them home in less
than three days, even II both wind and
tide should prove unfavorable; but
they were not afraid Of anything worse
than delay, though most of their
friends feared for them. Daring the
nine years that had passed since Rob
crt n. Livingston and Robert Fulton
had first secured the concession 10 nayi-
gate the waters in New York state for
20 years, providing they should build
boat OF not less than 20 tons, that
would GO not less than four miles an
hour against wind and tide" the sub
feet had been so often talked over In
their presence that the sisters were
already quite intelligent upon II, and
laughed az the fears Of their timorous
friends.
The embarkation was from a dock
'near the state prison" (Which was in
"Grcenwich village" on the north
river). and was witnessed by n crowd OF
mot less than 500 persons" Many
we're friends OF the passengers, who
bade them farewell with as much solicit
tude as II they were going TO Madagas-
car. especially trembling with appre-
hcnsion at the "terrible risk run by
sailing in boat full OF fire"
The adventurous voyagers, who were
the guests Of Robert Fulton and Chan
cellor Livingston, were about 40 In
number, including but few ladies'.
Among the latter. besides our two
Young sisters and their aunt, Mrs
Thomas Norris (daughter-in-law OF
Robert Morris. the fnancier Of the
revolution), were at least one Of he
chancellor's two daughters, four Of
the many daughters Of his brothers
John r. and Col. Harry, and n young
lady who was more interested In the
result Of this memorable experiment
than anyone save the inventor himself.
In all the biographies of Fulton. Miss
Harriet Livingston is called the chan
cellor's niece, but she was really his
cousin. She was n beautiful, graceful
and accomplished woman. and had
long given her heart 10 Robert Fulton.
The fair Harriet wns at this time about
two-and-twenty. and deeply in love
with her handsome, gifted lover as any
girl well could be-" There were many
distinguished and fine-looking men on
board the Clermont, but my grndmoth-
er always described Robert Fulton as
surprising them all. "That son Of
Pennsylvania farmer" she was wont 20
say, "was really n prince among men.
He was as modest as he was great, and
as handsome as he was modest. His
eyes were glorious with love and
genius"
A little before reaching Clermolt,
when the success of the voyage was well
assured. the Detrotnul was dHhpuhNcN
by the chancellor in graceful speech.
IN the course Of which he prophesied
that the "name Of the inventor would
descend TO posterity as that of bene-
factor of the world. and that II was not
impossible that before the close Of the
present century vessels might even be
al,ie to make the voyage 70 Europe
without other motive power than
steam"
This hardy prediction was receitef
with but moderate approval by any,
while smiles qt- iaeredhity were ex-
lehanged between those who were so
placed that they could not be seen by
u speechmalSer or the inventor. John
R. was heard 10 say, in an aside to
his cousin, John Swift Livingston, that
"Bob had many a bee in his bonnet be-
fore now. but this steam folly would
prove the worst one yet" But the
chancellor's brothers lived 90 see the
ocean regularly traversed by steam yes
sells. but the prophet himself and the
inventor both passed away before the
realization of their dreams.-Helen
Evertson Smith, in Century.