Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-08-18

! yesterday conveyed the sad intelli-
gence Of the death, at Richmond, KY,
Of Capt. Thomas Prince, the veteran
steamboat man. His wife and one Of
his daughters were at his bedside
when he breathed his last. The in
formation came in the nature of a
surprise to his host of friends here,
as it was generally supposed that
his condition was not serious. He was
lover Of fast horses and had some
of them entered in the races at Rich
mond about two weeks ago. 1t was
while leaning against a post which
supported the grand stand that the
structure gave way and his spine was
crushed. When he regained con-
seriousness, after several hours, his
wife was notified of the affair and
Joined him the next day. Capt. Prince
appeared to realize that his injuries
were of very serious character, al
though friends here who were with
him did not give up hope until within
few hours Of his death.
In the death of Capt Thomas Prince
Wheeling loses a prominent and much
esteemed citizen. He was one of the
best-known river men along the Ohio
and Mississippi, and he numbered his
friends by the hundreds at every i'm
portant landing. He was born near
Wheeling, his parents coming from
England, reaching this city by the
primitive methods of TRANSFORMATION in
vogue at that time. The Prince fam
lily was one of Wheeling's pioneer fam
flies. Capt. Princes father died about
1857.
Thomas Prince manifested a fond
ness for the river in early life, and
as steamboating then was remunera-
tive occupation, no effort was made to
direct his inclinations into other chan
nels. He was first associated with
his brother. Capt William Prince, IN
the early 70's. They operated the Iron
Valley, a towboat, which is still re-
membered by the older generations.
This venture proved successful, and af-
ter some years there was dissolution
Of partnership between the brothers.
Capt Thomas Princes next boat was
the Prince, which operated in the
Wheeling and Bellaire trade at time
when there not such excellent street
railway systems to compete against.
He also owned the wharfboat at Bel
laire
The Princess was the successor Of
the Prince. and was built especially
for Capt tom" for the Bellaire and
Wheeling trade. The Prince waA
transferred to lower waters, carrying
the mail between Natchez and Bayou
Sara on a government contract. The
other business in the trade increased
and the Stella Wild was built here
and sent down to NatcheZ. Another
change was made in the course Of a
few years. the Stella Wild being sold
at a profit, and the Lulu Prince,
named for daughter Of Capt. Prince.
taking its place. Not many years
ago the Lulu Prince went down and
Capt. Prince purchased for the trade
the Liberty which had been operated
between Wheeling and Darlington by
Can't. John X. Booth.
During recent years Capt Prince
has spent most of his time in the
South, although Wheeling still remain
ed his home. His steamboat and other
interests in the South necessitated his
absence from this city and all his WIN
tiers was spent in that section Of the
country. Capt. Prince was not only
successful in his steamboat enter
prises. but was identified with several
very successful institutions in Wheel
Ing. among them the La Belle iron
works. He was also interested in the
West Virginia State Fair. and made
q number of real estate investments
which netted him handsome returns:
He was also stakeholder IN several
Wheeling concerns. A Wheeling gen
tleman who was associated with Capt.
Prince in many of his undertakings,
and who was intimately acquainted
with him. last night estimated his
wealth at s25000Oa
During recent years Capt. Prince has
become well known as a lover ana
owner of fast horses. He devoted
considerable portion of his time TO
his horses and his stable included
many good steppers, which had been
entered in the Kentucky circuit at
the time of the unfortunate accident
which resulted in his death. he also
took an active interest in politics
and was an ardent Republican: he
has represented the Madison district
several times in the City Council ana
has been honored with other positions
cant Princes varied interests
brought him into contact with many
n nerS and he possessed the happy
faculty of not only commanding their
r rt,s but of winning their friend
shin He was a man Of sterling lnteg-
Tity Of character, and his genial dis
nosition and entire absence OF ahecta-
ton in any form won him many warm
friends. ,5 60 Mice
Martha Campbell, Of the North End
t tti'r years ago. His wife and five
daughters survive him. One cniId Is
dead dead THOSE living are Mrs. Roy Ray:
- ~ Now Castle. Pa Mrs. Dennison. OF
New orleans: and Misses Lulu May
~ this city