The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-04-12

The great steamboat race, which has en-
crossed the attention Of almost the whole
South and West for the last three or four
days is over, and we place the result before
our readers.
Whatever may be the merits Of the trial
Of speed between the steamers Robert F..
Lee and NatcheZ, one thing is quite certain.
the contest was regarded with unexempled
interest by all classes Of people throughout
a large extent OF the Mississippi Valley.
There never was an event Of like char
acter anywhere in which so many people,
covering such a length and breadth of ter
ritory, were so completely absorbed. III.
therefore. interest be taken as a criterion Of
merit. the boats above named have done the
greatest and best thing that has ever been
recorded Of n steam vessel. either river or
ocean. They have. moreover. both shown
how quick a passage can be made between
New Orleans and st. Louis In these days
when many old patrons of the river route
have deserted steamboats, fer railroads.
Such a result may have the effect to call the
wanderers back to the bosom of their first
love, and thus encourage the building o.
more first-class river steamers, especially
for the accommodation of travellers.
The morning Of the Fourth was bright
and beautiful. and promised not too hot a
day for comfort out OF doors. so the people
seemed TO prepare with one accord for a
grand entertainment in open air.
As the day advanced, occasional light
ClOuuE CuTIdllPu Oh INC vi anu Aoot hhc
prospect inviting, even In the broad expos
ure OF the landing. The river and land ex-
%cuTsions usually incident to the national
eliminating interest Of a race.
SIGNIFICANCE OF INDEPENDENCE
DAY FORGOTTEN.
The particular significance OF the Fourth
of July was lost. The close Of the contest
between the Robert L. Lee and the Natchez
was the all-absorbing topic and the special
RI ---.w1 -~fN mr.
tainly never be disputed on account OF a
lack of witnesses.
EXCURSION BOATS
MEET RACING STEAMERS.
About 8 O'Clock the excitement all over
town rose TO fever heat, and as II rose the
stream OF people in all the avenues leading
to the river became wider and deeper.
Men. women and children poured along
in dashing currents. and. having reached
the river front, spread out like a vast living
sea. Thousands had gone OF on short ex-
cursions by river and rail to welcome the
missed. and IL they had stayed 1t seemed
that there would not have been room for
them at any eligible point where a view
of the boat might be obtained.
The Bismarck, T. L McGlIl. Glasgow and
Harry johnson. which were to make excur-
sions to meet the racing steamers received
huge loads Of passengers. The Bismarck
left about . O'Clock and the others followed
at intervals.
The telegraph, at intervals, so provoking
ly retieent regarding the progress Of the
race, grew more nimble-tongued, and be-
came quite laxative about the coming
event.
1t fully shared in the universal excite
ment, and seemed resolved, at the outcome,
TO tell all IT knew. Thus II kept up a con-
slant chatter with the public through a
rapid succession of bulletins. and at last
announced the Lee in sight at Sulphur
Springs; then at Jefferson; then at the bar
racks; then at Carondelet: and then the
telegraph relapsed into a profound silence,
as though too full for ~utterance.
The least susceptible people were now
aroused TO a sense OF duty, and with the
last words Of warning ringing in their ears,
sped to the landing to get a view of the
victor, still under way, and glowing with
the early flush Of triumph.
The gathering excitement OF three days
thus burst out in q grand expression Of in
terest, the like of which was never before
seen on a similar occasion. 1t seemed that
the whole population of the city had >0n-
gregated In the vicinity Of the river.
II the census takers were down there, and
they doubtless were, they Witnessed a scene
which gave them some idea OF the magni-
tuds of their labor in the city OF ST. Louis.
Having al eye to business, they might
have caught sight of their diligence and en-
terprise. The throng appeared to be a COM
plete outpouring Of the city from end to
end.
MULTITUDE ASSEMBLED
ON THE LEvEE.
To say that the Leyee Wa lined. or