The Paducah evening sun., 1910-03-15
FIRST Step in Amaleamation
Of Two Evansville Steam.
boat Lines.
Would Mean 1Boat to Louis.
vile Every Day.
PROBABILITY Is INCREASING.

Regarding the proposed merger OF
the Evansville a Paducah Packet
company and the Evansville a Louis
Vile Packet company the Evansville
Journal-News Is optimistic. II the
consolidation Is made II win mean
a packet leaving Paducah every day
for Louisville. The Journal-News
says;
"Plans for the merger Of the Lou
isvilie and Evansville Packet COM
pany with the Evansville. Paducah
and Cairo Packet company were
practically completed Wednesday aft
ernoon when the big sale was made
whereby the steamers John S. Hop
klns and Joe Fowler became the
property Of Captain George Ragan.
OF Henderson. Arch Hollerbach and
Captain J. u. Thompson Of this city.
"Mr. Hollerbach. Il Is understood
is backing the financial end OF the
consolidation and negotiations have
already been commenced for the
purchase of the steamers Tell City.
Tarascon and other vessels owned by
the l.. and y. company, together
with the various wharfboats along
the river between Evansville and
Louisville.
Al present the new purchasers Of
the Evansville. Paducah and Cairo
Packet company. are merely Joint
owners, but as soon as the Louisville
Packet company has been taken over
a stock company will be formed.
Captain Rasan holds one half OF the
stock Of the Hopkins and Fowler and
Captain Thompson and Mr.. Holler-
bach have each a one-fourth inter-
est. II In said that the two latter
will balance the division OF stock by
holding the majority OF stock OF tho
Louisville and Evansville Packet
company
1T was semi-officially admitted on
Thursday morning that Messrs Hol-
lerbach. Thompson and Ragan would
endeavor TO get hold OF the boats
and equipment of the defunct Louis
Vile company when the property is
put up for sale about April 1.
VIII Have Big Capital.
1T is known definitely that the
two Evansville men and Ragan OF
Henderson will not undertake to
swing the deal and operate the half
dozen or more boats without ample
capital. IL In stated that this has
been arranged for and with the ar
rival OF the day for the sale either
Captain Ragan. Thompson or Mr.
Hollerbach. perhaps all three, will 40
to Louisville TO bid In the property.
Untll such a time as their plans cul-
inmate the stock company neccssi-
tated by Wednesdays purchase will
not be officially organized
II II planned to put one OF the
boats now owned by the Louisville
and. Evansville Packet company and
operated In the upper river trade. In
Ne daily trade between Evansville
and Henderson.
VIII Have Competition.
1T became known Wednesday aft
ernoon that Rounds Brothers. OF
owensboro. KY, the owners of the
Rockport daily packet service. and
big gasoline boat builders. intend to
put two or three fast and well equip
ped gasoline boats In the Evansville
and Henderson daily trade. The
brothers have been making inquiries
for some time. They have realized
good results from the Rockport and
owensboro trade and regard the Ev-
ansville and Henderson field as af-
fording better opportunities. Their
plans to enter the field are said to
have materialIzed when the steamer
Jewell burned in Green river several
weeks ago.
The River Center.
With headquarters of the newly
proposed Louisville and Paducah
Packet company established here ana
four boats meeting at this point to-
gether with the entrance of Rounds
brothers. Evansville will become the
steamboat center OF the Ohio river
trade below Cincinnati, taking the
honor from Louisville. All the
funds OF the companies will be
handled here. II is said. and the
superintendent OF the service and
subordinate employees will be located
in the city.
'Tt Is estimated that the new
owners OF the r. and p. Packet CON-
pany have under consideration even
greater plans than have been an
nounced to their confidential
yrfandap