The Washington herald., 1912-02-04
Capt Charles Keating, Once Figure in Mississippi
River Trade, Spending Declining Years in Shadow
of the CapitoI-Led an Adventurous Life

On the streets OF washington one may
see every day men who have excelled in
one line OF endeavor or another. Some
are wizards of finance. some are scien-
lists Of world renown; others, the greater
proportion. are men whose lives have
been held up TO Young America as wor-
thy examples OF courage-men who carry
scars OF several battles. both on land and
sea.
With the passing OF Fighting Bob
Evans, Is called 70 mind one OF his
stanchest friends and admirers-Capt
Charles Keating. a former pilot on the
Mississippi River. and the man who
stood nt the helm OF the Robert z. Lee,
guiding II through the treacherous chan
nels the night OF the memorable race
with the Creole Belle, from New Orleans
to Natchez
The life OF Capt, Keating reads better
than most Of the fiction that has been
written around these adventurous men,
who prompted the late John Hay 20
write his weii-known poem, Jim Blud-
Capt, Heating was born in Newport
KY, and entered the river service when a
young man. After serving several years as
deckhand, he rose 10 the grade OF pilot.
and although one OF the youngest men
IN that capacity. soon gained an envlable
reputation as n sober and cautious officer.
During the early years OF the civil
war the steamer Ruth was launched at
New Orleans. and Capt Keating was
placed IN charge OF what was then the
most modern and fastest boat on the
Mississippi. To use his own expression.
She cost 10000. and no half million
dollars was ever as well spent"
PIIOted the Ruth.
CftfJp, a, "a. .o.... -. a..
Hotel last week. the veteran pilot, with
a broad Kentucky smile fitting across
his face, waxed reminiscent
Funny how trouble always seems to
hit you unexpectedly" he remarked. The
conversation had developed along lines
of danger, IL beng the theory Of one OF
keating's friends that one who was al
ways watching for danger seldom met H.
Trouble" explained the old pilot. AL
ways seems TO walt until you've stopped
watching for II. Now. l remember the
steamer Ruth" and the listeners drew
near. knowing a story was Forthcoming.
The steamer Ruth" continued the
Pilot was launched during the civil.
war and was in my opinion one OF the
finest boats that ever foated on the Mis-
sissippi River-if not the finest. She was
a wonder.
Il was her pilot when she was launched.
was twenty-five years old then and you
can naturally imagine the affection and
pride felt for a boat like the Ruth.
She piled between St Louis and New
Orleans. Six trips we made as fine as
you please without the least sign Of a
hitch. When We returned to St Louis
at the end Of the sixth trip we laid up
a while for repairs and while the boat
was being overhauled and cleaned 1 hung
around her as though she was child Of
mine.
I'VE pulled out of 81. Louis one bright
Monday morning. with the bands playing
and the flags flying. We made fast trip
to our first stop at Cairo. ILL.,, and there
was not the slightest mishap TO mar our |
trip as we drew near the city. Slowly we
steamed toward our wharf. the band |
playing Home. Sweet Home and the
Tags flying in the brisk breeze.
I'VE were in mldstream and slowly /
turning. great crowd was on the wharf
10 greet US. ! blew our whistle four !,
times Then from the depths Of the |
steamer came a great deafening roar,
rash that seemed 10 fairly tear the life
,ut OF everything on board. Great
ongues OF flame leaped a hundred feet
n the air and twisted masses OF wood
md metal hurtIed through space and fell
n the river. Two minutes after the ter
'ible explosion the steamer was at the
,ottom OF the Mississippi River. half
wreck that would never
gain be OF use TO mortal man.
when the explosion shattered the sides
II the Ruth / ran to the side OF the yes-
vel and jumped overheard. 1 was not