The Kevin review., 1927-09-22

herself over the bottom by winding ur
the line.
When we were on our short journey
up the river, we frequently grounded or
bars but, while an intensely interested
observer, l was too young and too
process which eventually took us off
There was always an immense clatter
from something up forward, heard
called a donkey engine;" much running
about of deck hands stimulated by pro-
fame commands from the mate; the ring
ing of bells and the sound of what
seemed to be chains drawn upward and
then let fall. All those connected with
the boat who could aid in what was
going on, worked hard. The passen-
gers, feeling themselves helpless to offer
suggestions, watched proceedings with
that peculiar pleasure always afforded
by sitting idly by and seeing others
labor. They had no fear of the result;
they put their trust in DOllinger," or
whatever the captains name might be.
with utmost confidence that "he would
see them through" and he did.
It happened now and then that sound
ings were necessary to learn the depth
of the channel. A man at the front Of
the lower deck threw the lead, and
Withdrawing it called the number Of feet
to another man on the third deck who
passed it on to the pilot. The first
soundings on our boat were taken a
little after sunset as 1t was growing
dark, In the gathering twilight the
chanted calls in deep bass and a boys
shrill soprano suggested the sea and
the river called by Captain Bixby Of
the lower Mississippi, THAT rainwater
creek above Bismarck"
First Boat Up in 1919
On my first river Journey l did not
visit the upper deck nor the pilot
house. I noticed the cabin on the third
deck and heard it called the Texas.
How it came by that name later years
disclosed. It is said that at first, the
boats then being smaller, the names |
Of the different states Of the Union
were given to the cabins. Texas is our
largest state and it was fitting that the
largest cabin should be named for it,
was later abandoned, only the Texas
remaining unchanged
The first steamboat to navigate the
Missouri was the Independence, which
n 1919 ran to Charlton, to be soon
soloWed by the Western Engineer that
managed to reach Council Bluffs These
boats were not at all calculated for so
shallow river, drawing as they did
tx feet Of water. The first yellowstone"
rev five and a half feet when loaded.
lriven by stern wheels were more suit
lble for the Missouri, and the later
)oats were built on this model
Their initial point Of departure was
generally St. Louis. 1t is to be ex-
lected that the walters employed would
e colored, as was frequently the stew
rdess, laundress, or whatever the one
7oman was called. The meals served i
7ere excellent, especially in the SOS. !
able etiquette placed the most dis !
inguished passengers at the head of (
he board. These given precedence, the
est could sit where they chose. S
The cabins were fairly good except J
aould not equal newer boats was not 1
as some Of them-for example c
he Far Wests'-had seen hard service. h
We saw no Indians on the lower river 4
! 1868, nor did we at Omaha. Un- F
oubtedly they noted the passage Of the
oat, but had learned by this time that
was unWise to attack Fire Canoe"
) they termed the steamboat.
There was but short time during 4
Ugh water that boats could reach Fort +
entOn. In 1866 the Peter Balen'' t.
canned up to within six miles Of the 6
reat falls Of the Missouri, and two t
.her boats. the tom Stevens" and the t.
aallatin." are reported to have gone p
Lrtl1er. Il
The days Of Missouri river steamboat &
Ig with It's mingled danger and fascina- n
on are gone forever. but they still live
the memory Of those who were SO
rtunate as to have known them. The
me may come when our great water D
ays win again be utilized both for "
easure and profit. II