The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1922-01-30
ABERDEEN'S RECORD
IN PRODUCING RIVER
MEN IN old DAYS
Cincinnati Historian Recalls the Great
Number Of River Men Who Have
Been Born and Reared at
Aberdeen.

neers in Local Transportation" in the
Cincinnati Enquirer Sunday, has this
to say of Aberdeen as river town:
| Captain William B. Campbell
owned and operated one of the first
horsepower ferry boats that piled be-
tween Aberdeen and Maysville, run
ming from the old Campbell ferry
right at the upper landing. Captain
Campbell, who died in 1882, was one
of the first Odd Fellows buried in the
Charter Oak Cemetery at this place.
! One son, Thomas Campbell. is now
living at cambridge, Ohio.
Captain J. C. Poowers, commanded
the side-wheel steamer Merry-a-m -ment,
which piled in the Cincinnati and
Chilo trade as daily packet. Later
he built and commanded the steamer
Wildwood, in the Cincinnati and
Maysville trade. The WILDWOOD S
maiden trip to Aberdeen brought an
excursion to the 'Slick-aWay Meet
ing Bonnet Show which was q noted
affair of early times. Captain Powers
had n heart as big as steamboat; !;
many an old Aberdeen boy stranded in
Cincinnati was brought home free of
charge and was always given state
room and a seat at the table.
Colonel Gus Simmons. one of the
best-known steamboat stewards that
ever gave the table a 'once-over,' had
charge Of the cabin on the old Fleet
wood, Bostona and other famous
boats. Colonel Simmons. never having
any children of his own, raised large
family of orphans. Mrs. Simmons, his
widow, Is still living at the old home
in Aberdeen.
Captain Sam Bryant and brother
Bill were two of the best old-time
steamboat mates that ever walked
down the stage plank. David Little,
an old Aberdeen mate, was looked
upon as one Of the very best in those
days. He was mate on the old steamer
Telegraph and other large boats. He
met his death by drowning several
years ago, having been struck by
towboat when crossing the river In
skiff at Dayton, Ky.
Captain Bill Riggs was hummer
and took delight in fighting the old
White Collar Line. He was Captain
on the T, j. Pickett, America and
Argosy. Captain Riggs knew and was
known by nearly every man, woman
and child along the river. The ship
pers and passengers stood by Captain
Riggs when he had a boat in the trade.
John b. Campbell built and owned
the steamer Palmetto, which was of
the recess-w wheel pattern with two
slide-valve engines, one boiler and
single chimney He operated the Pal
metto in the Vicksburg and Yazoo City
trade, carrying principally cotton and
cottonseed. He also built and owned
the light -draught steamer Evergreen,
which piled on Southern streams. The
crews of Captain Campbell's boats
were always taken from Aberdeen
Ohio. When the boys came home they
always reported huge and exciting
time.
"Of early steam ferry boats, one was
named Shanghai and another The
Cleaner. The latter was owned by
Campbell & Helm. Captain Shelby
Campbell was in command; John
Dansberry, engineer, and D. c. Camp
bell. pilot. The old Cleaner used to
take Captain Bill Baldwin's prize
show cattle to the Ripley Fair each
year; they always brought home the
first prize. Colonel w. w. Smoot, OF
Mason county, Kentucky, was always
close contender for the ribbon.
ben Beasley was an old-time river
pilot, and held the wheels on many
Ohio River boats. Captain VIM. X.
Ellis was an old New Orleans flat
boat pilot and had charge OF the steer
ing oar on many broad-oar flatboats,
loaded with plows from the James II.
Hall factory of Maysville, for the SUI
gar and cotton plantations of South.
Captain T. ]. Hall was born in the
suburbs Of Aberdeen, in what was
known as the 'Narrows' captain Tom
Hall swapped into a suit of overalls
long before he was of age and began
the shipping of limestone rock by flat
boat. He built and owned several tow
boats and a large fleet Of deck barges. |
Other Aberdeen river men, well
known and popular, were Louis Roser,
steward on the old towboat Market
Boy; william Rocllff, steward on
many Ohio River boats; Allen Gates
and Bob Dawson, watchmen.
Colonel John Hall and Ben II.
Campbell were two well-known and
popular engineers. Captain Joseph
-heesemen was an old resident OF
Aberdeen and owned large stock In
he steamer st. James and other boats,
The present ferry boat, plying be-
ween Aberdeen and Maysville, called
no Laurence. 10 owned by Captain
,talder. No other town along the Ohio
ma produced moro owners, builders