The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1910-07-01

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Everybody was eager for the strug-
gle, at length, for at last all was in
final preparation for the race begin
mig, as several days before the sen
sational advent was to come off both
night and day were spent in unceas-
ing labor stripping the boats, particu-
| larlv the Lee, for the long trial of en-
durance on an up river race against adj
verse currents of a bank full, mighty
water course. Both boat hulls were
creased below the water line with the
aid of side docks, and all supeffuous
wei CHIT and bulk liable to wind pres
sure was removed from the different
decks Thus on the hour Of departure
the two palatial champions were as
clean and trim as a well gr0Omed
thoroughbred race horse at derby stalk
es The commOdiOus bunkers held the
choicest picked lump Pittsburg coal,
wetted down and cleaned by hose play,
while the main guards and monkey
decks were apack with close stacks of
pine knots and many barrels of rosin
and tar filed in the spaces of the
wings and deckrooms.
Prior to the departing time set for,
p. m, the steamers Mayfiower, Hen
ry Tete, Tahlequah and large tOwboat
Mary Alice left the wharf ahead all
crowed with excursionists anxious to
see the inspiring sight of two great
steamers of speed while under full
headwav in a race The levee and en-
tire waterfront we'll back was blocked
bv a dense mass Of humanity whose
undivided interests were at fever
point. Hundreds of sporting gentle
men and gamblers galore were making
the welkin ring by calling off offers
and bets, such as "Feven money rules,
gentlemen; so if you like, you, can bet
any size packages in chunks; hedge
and seesaw if yOu want to plunge, for
we can take or place cool million.
eleven Natchez money to nine she
makes Harry Hills Gate eighteen
miles) in first hours rum ''Nlne
to ten the Lee makes Vicksbnrg IN
first twenty-four hours rum "Any
size bet to ten thousand here at rine
to ten the Lee reaches Memphis in less
than fifty hours. Many other combl-
nation bets running up in the tens of
thousands were wagered on the. spot,
for big money, as circulating med
ium, was the order of the hour.
Negro Ioungers were in thei. Gle
ment and there were the ante belum
aunties selling their edibles; all their
wares of wharf pies and gingerbread
ing; little pickaninnies ran about bare
foot and bare headed, lodging around
the crowds; the big bucks, husky fell
lows, were searching partners to ship
up"; the gruff voices of the boat S
mates howled for the best niggers IN
the gangs to step up and get shipping
tickets while they sorted out their
pick, then they looked with abject
contempt upon the majority of aspir-
ants, who sought ode honah OBJ de
trip, boss After these last prelimi-
naries, the sable breed were ordered
to ''stand by the Lees lines to east
off, quick, d ye,'' the stage was
launched inboard and then the males
tic Robert E. Lee was the first of the
boats to back out-making truly
picturesque appearance while she re
sponded to her backing wheels the
Niger crew were all stationed on the
foreeastle and, battered headgear in
hand. bowed and scraped, singing lust
lily their lingo,
Hoppin' Bob backs out on time,
An leaves big injun here benin
Goodbye, niggers, goodbye all
See you at de mex big ball.
Robt E. Lee got railroad time.
Her crew am all de superfne.
Whoa, whoa, gals.
When Strengthened out the Lee gain
ed full Roadway and shot ahead like
thing of sentient feeling; at St.
Mays market starting point she
fired her def signal gun and the race
was begun in earnest By this time