The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-07-04
On the Mighty Mississippi
Jasper Blines On the Steamer Saint Paul
From Alexandria to Burlington

Crossed the rushing Esconawbaw,
Crossed the mighty Mississippi.
Song Of Hiawatha.
When Breezes are soft, and skies are
fair,
I steal day from study and care,
And HE away to the woodland scene,
Where wandsrs fhs stream with wat
ers &c green s'9W
Bryant's Poems.
4 Nothing Is lost to him who sees
With an eye that genius gave,
For him there's story in every
breeze,
And picture in every wave.
/ Thomas Moore.
When the beautiful ship comes
sailing sgIli 8 into port. there win be many
hefaFts expectant saand-a happy. Was
this ship, the, LUCY Bertram or the
Hannibal City Or the Golden Eagle OF
years ago? No, this was the Saint
Paul, of majesty and power and
beauty, all decorated and perfect for
voyage on the Esconawbaw OF the
1 Winnebagoes. and Chief Black Hawk
said he loved the Father of Waters.
Was it any wonder that De Soto re-
iquested to be buried in the deep wat
lers OF the stream which he discovered?
| An audience upon Front street Of
Alexandria were talking of the times
they would have when their ship
came into port, and of the scenes and
! experiences which would greet them
on their journey to Burlington. Mr..
Brinkman and Mr.. Grant were over
early from Warsaw, to care for the
citizens here, and arrangements were
Very happily made for the excursion
Ito begin at this place. Well, that
was a pleasant recognition of the lit
tie town, and SO it was that we en-
joyed preferred privileges, and that
Thursday in June was about perfect.
THE liberal showers of Sunday and
Tuesday just previous were events
1 which frightened and beautified all
nature for dress parade display. The
forests, the waters, the ripening wheat
fields and all the scenery combined to
attract and inspire the reflective
mind and the refined soul. rejoice
that the steamers of the Mississippi
maintain their rights and rank. This
grand old water avenue deserves
great homage. The stream shall have
my devotion and a large river is so
grand, and possesses SO many ele-
ments of profound study. If one
grows UP along stream with its
ships and changing conditions, he wilt
mot care to wander far away or be
gone only few days He will return
like a good true lover and walk down
the pavement of Front street, formed
| from Keokuk limestone, and renew
acquaintance with his big friend of
waves and steady current.
| Well, now the time is eight O'Clock
and the Saint Paul moves down In 4
long, graceful curve, and slowly ap.
lproaches the beach Oh what diff
ference right at this point is noticed
I by one who has studied boats and
their government for series of
years. Where is the heavy stage or
bridge, moved by twenty stout colored
men on either side? They have pass
ed away, in company with the man
who gave order OF movement in a
musical melancholy voice The loud,
! fierce mate is also gone. Instead, the
bridge swings around either way and
is quietly dropped uron the stone
beach. There's corporaps guard to
do the work of fifty or sixty Of years
gone by. In modest voice the captain
jgiyes direction, the bell sounds soft
and agreeable, and the great ship
moves away and begins It's journey.
This excursion really belonged to the
good people OF Warsaw, but they pro-
posed to be friendly and have for COM
pany near a hundred neighbors from
Missouri. | would mention that the
calliope sent forth its music quite
Frequently. The calliope is closely
associated with navigation on the
Mississippi, and presume the towns
/ from Keokuk to Des Moines have
been serenaded by the romantic notes
iof this high pressure steam power
loEgan.A eiseIaffs4a, ssr
i guess about regiment Of people
came aboard at Warsaw. Anyway,
the Saint Paul was pretty well popu-
lated, but room was spacious, for the
Saint Paul is large and queenly. The
new and great lock at Keokuk was
attractive and a great study. and the
advent upon Lake Cooper opened a
vast opportunity for observation and
reflection. Above the dam the river
appears as IT usually does at high
tfloodsstids along way, especially
tfarthsr o,ith@aas
The movement Of the steamer to
4 Hamilton Is sunerh And 49,, ~,