USA > Illinois > Massac County > History of Massac County, Illinois with life sketches and portraits > Part 7
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The Colored Baptist Church Society for several years maintained a church paper, "The Baptist Truth," under the editorial direction of Elder J. B. Mccrary. It has since been moved to Cairo and Mr. McCrary now publishes and edits "The Metropolis Gazette," a weekly five column quarto devoted to the interests of the colored race, and republican in politics.
In 1898, G. Lay Wolfe began the publication of "The Brooklyn Eagle," a six-column quarto at Brooklyn, Illinois. It was first independent, but has since become Republican in politics. R. B. and T. B. Thompson published "The Weekly Review," and afterwards the "Egyptian Obelisk," a proposed literary journal for Southern Illinois, both of which suspended as various others have done. The latest newspaper venture is the six-column folio, Democratic paper, "The Metropolis Trib- une," issued by "Stewart & Mulkey," as the firm name, and composed of Messrs. S. M. Stewart and C. L. V. Mulkey.
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CHAPTER XII.
SECRET ORDERS.
HISTORY OF ODD FELLOWSHIP.
(H. R. SMITH.)
C HOSEN FRIENDS LODGE. This is the parent lodge of Odd Fellowship in Massac county. It has furnished charter members for all the other lodges, Rebeccas, and Encampments. A charter was granted by the Grand Lodge of Illinois, Oct. 17th, 1851, to the following members for the pur- pose of instituting a subordinate lodge of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, to be hailed and known as Chosen Friends Lodge No. 86, I. O. O. F. namely: Messrs. Wm. Brown, Wm. Sheets, Wn. J. Allen, Wm. V. McGee, Wm. Potts, Louis Jones and James Steel. William J. Allen was the first Noble Grand. All are now dead.
In the forty-nine years of its existence the Lodge has in- terred thirty-eight of its members at a cost of $2,979.00, and has paid 4,051 weekly sick benefits at an average of $4.50 week- ly, amounting to the munificent sum of $18,270.00. In addition widowed families have received over $1,000. The lodge is pros- perous.
Massac Lodge. Twenty years after the institution of Chosen Friends Lodge on the 10th day of October, 1871, the Grand Lodge of Illinois granted a charter for the institution of subordinate lodge I. O. O. F., of Metropolis, to be known and
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hailed as Massac Lodge No. 442. The following were charter members: J. L. Elliott, John A. Williams, Henry O. Derr, Thomas Brannon, Richard A. Austin, John H. McCartney, Da- vid Snodgrass, Frank Fuller, John Austin and J. H. Ober- marck. R. H. Austin was the first Noble Grand. The lodge is in a flourishing condition.
During the twenty-eight years of this lodge twenty-six members have been buried by it at a cost of $2,080, and 2,604 weekly sick benefits have been paid, averaging $4.50 weekly, and reaching the grand total of $11,718.00. Over $800.00 ad- ditional has been paid in special relief.
Egypt Encampment. On Feb. 12th, 1867, the Egypt En- campment No. 45, I. O. O. F. was instituted by the following charter members: Messrs. Tilman Roby, W. R. Brown, J. T. Rennie, Townsley Roby, Daniel Bowker, W. H. Green, John A. Brown, and Martin Craig. J. T. Rennie was the first Chief Patriarch. During the thirty-two years of its existence the En- campment has paid 2,340 weekly benefits at $2.00 a week, amounting to $4,680 with an additional $500 special relief spent during that time.
Welcome Rebecca Degree Lodge. This lodge was grant- ed a charter, organized and instituted on the 13th of October, 1870, with twenty-four charter members, as follows: Messrs. T. S. Stone, J. M. Stone, John Lewis, T. J. Fuqua, T. L. Wal- lace, J. D. Hedges, Edwin Corlis, Nathan Shick, E. Carmichael, I. V. Casey, George Musgroves and Robert Cole; Mesdames O. V. Stone, M. A. Lewis, N. J. Wallace, C. M. Craig, Sarah A. Corlis, J. E. Carmichael, Sarah V. Stone, Margaret Fuqua, L. Shick, Sarah Casey, E. Cole and also Alice Hodge. James M. Stone was the first Noble Grand.
Welcome Rebecca Degree Lodge No. 28 is an adjunct of Chosen Friends Lodge I. O. O. F. and aids materially in pro- moting works of charity and social enjoyment. Within the past thirty years the ladies have contributed over $300.00 in special charitable purposes, while they control the peenliar features of their order.
Metropolis Rebecca Degree Lodge. Twelve years after Welcome Lodge was organized a charter was obtained by cer-
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tain members of that Lodge to institute the Metropolis Rebecca Degree Lodge No. 116 I. O. O. F. They are as follows: M. Dinkelspeel, J. W. Sands, Andrew Shoulders, C. E. Bess, J. L. Miller, H. R. Smith, W. D. James, John W. Rupecke, Leming Corlis. James H. Hood, C. L. Spencer, David Smith, J. M. Boi- court, Henry Shelton, J. M. Elliott; the ladies are Mary Sands, E. M. Shouldier, Georgia Bess, Elvira Miller, Josephine Smith, Sallie B. James, Amanda Smith, Mary E. Daniel, Lizzie Shel- ton, Annie E. Elliott and Dora Obermark.
The first Noble Grand was H. R. Smith and Mrs. H. R. Smith is the only remaining charter member of the ladies' orig- inal list yet a member, while H. R. Smith, David Smith and J. M. Boicourt are the only remaining male charter members uow connected with the lodge. Like their sister lodge the Metrop- olis Rebeccas have unostentatiously labored in connection with the Massac Lodge No. 442 in doing acts of charity, which can be attested by many families, particularly, widows and orphans who have received $300.00 within eighteen years.
In addition to the enormous amount of charity carried for- ward by the various lodges it might be well to state that over $5,000.00 have been contributed by all the lodges to needy mem- bers and their families, who were not entitled to sick benefits owing to arrearages in dues.
The lodges of Massac county have twice entertained the celebration of the Inter-State Odd Fellows' Association, held annually on April 26th, and each time have won words of praise from their visiting brethren.
JOPPA LODGE.
(THOMAS R. ANDERSON.)
Joppa Lodge No. 135. This lodge was organized Dec. 20, 1884, by the following charter members: W. E. Brown, G. W. Anderson, R. W. Hutchinson, J. H. Jones, of Massac Lodge No. 442; Thomas R. Anderson of Chosen Friends' Lodge No. 86; and R. A. Austin, J. H. Strawbridge, J. H. Johnson and W. R. Morgan of Hurricane Lodge No. 617.
The lodge was instituted in an attic over L. W. Copland's
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store room in Joppa, Ill., and met there for fifteen months, when everything burned with but small insurance. Not dis- couraged, they completed a commodious two-story hall in 1886 and sold the lower story to Fletcher & Sexton for a store room. In about two years this building burned, and a policy of $700.00 was paid in full within nine days. In connection with Messrs. Fletcher & Sexton another building was erected, which was also destroyed by fire April, 1894, with $500.00 insurance.
Permission was now granted by the Grand Lodge to build an upper story on the Hillerman Baptist church, making one of the finest country lodge rooms in Southern Illinois. Here the lodge grew and prospered, initiating fully 125 members only three of whom have died, namely: Dr. Joseph Brown, A. J. Smith and W. S. Thompson. The membership is very small at present, numbering about one dozen. The lodge is worth fully $1,200. William N. Kelley is the present Noblc Grand.
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
Lieutenant Colonel Thomas H. Smith was one of the early volunteers in defense of the Constitution during the Civil War. He was a practicing lawyer, noted for his bravery and patriot- ism. At the capture of Fort Donaldson he fell in the honored uniform of Lieutenant Colonel of the Forty-eighth Illinois Reg- iment of Volunteer Infantry.
To perpetuate his memory and keep alive the sparks of patriotism the Tom Smith Post No. 345 Grand Army of the Republic was organized, Oct. 1, 1883, by G. S. Parks, a veteran, with sixty-three charter members.
The first officers were Robert W. McCartney, now dead, Commander; E. P. Curtis, Senior Vice-Commander; Robert N. Leek, deceased, Junior Vice-Commander; Samuel Atwell, Ad- jutant; John H. Morris, deceased, Surgeon; Charles P. Wilson, a Methodist minister, Chaplain; James A. Peter, O. D .; Charles Barfield, O. G .; E. B. Cropper, S. M., and J. A. Farrell, Q. M.
In his memorial sermon, May 27th, 1900, Captain Samuel Atwell said:
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"There have been 241 names enrolled on the Descriptive Book. Of that number fifty-two are known to have died; a number moved away and some others may have died; a unm- ber have been dropped for non-payment of dues. I have not been able to find out from the Descriptive Book the exact number in good standing. Some have reached their four- score years and must of necessity soon drop ont of the ranks -. in fact in a few years the post must cease to exist for want of members, for there is no recruiting station from which we can fill up the vacancies as they occur."
At the Grand Encampment last week in August, 1900, the report shows over 7,000 who died in the last year. Thirty thou- sand joined in the parade, four and one-half miles in length, and the record also shows a membership of about 305,000 vet- erans at the present time, the noblest army on earth. No wonder General Joseph Wheeler told Hon. J. P. Dolliver that the ambition of his life was to die in the uniform of a soldier for the Union.
MASONIC HISTORY.
Metropolis boasts of one of the early lodges of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons in Illinois. The organization came together April 1, 1850, and Messrs. George Hawpe, Gabriel Kay, H. L. Cook, and several others became charter members. The charter was obtained Oct. 8, 1850. George Hawpe was the first W. M .; Gabriel Kay, S. W., and H. L. Cook, J. W.
The lodge has also had the eminent distinction to have two of its members elected R. W. Grand Master of Illinois; Rev. W. H. Scott, 1880-1, and 1881-2; Hon. John R. Thomas, 1884-5 and 1885-6.
The lodge today is in a prosperons condition and is known as Metropolis Lodge No. 91 A. F. and A. M.
Metropolitan Chapter No. 101, Royal Arch Masons was char- tered Oct. 5th, 1866. The charter members were Thomas Moore, W. S. Lane, C. H. Greenwood, T. E. Ward, J .L. Geb- hart, W. H. Scott, J. P. Choat, L. H. Simpson, Joseph Brown, J. C. Sheets, L. A. Lafont, J. W. Thrift, and Geo. W. Corlis.
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The first officers were Thomas Moore, H. P .; W. S. Lane, K., and C. H. Greenwood, S. The chapter is flourishing. Thomas Moore attained distinction in Masonry in Arkansas, where he died this year at a ripe old age. Many of the others are also dead, or live in other places.
Gethsemane Commandery No. 41 Knights Templar was organized under dispensation January 1, 1872, and is one of the few commanderies in Southern Illinois. Its charter was obtained Oct. 22, 1872.
The charter members were Sir Knights Thomas Moore, William H. Scott, Jonathan C. Willis, Manning Mayfield, Noah M. Farrin, Geo. W. Corlis, George F. Musgrove, Benjamin Ran- kin, and Benjamin Howard.
Thomas Moore was the first E. C .; J. C. Willis, Gen .; G. W. R. Corlis, Captain General. Of the charter members Captain Willis is the only living resident, Captain Benjamin Howard having died at his home in Metropolis this August, 1900. The commandery is in good condition.
EASTERN STAR.
September 26, 1886, Sarah Thrift, Maria J. Davis, Luella Corlis, Eva Craig, Fannie E. Willis, B. Howard, Aeira Stan- hanser, Kitty Brown, D. Baer, Eliza M. Lukens, Alice Flana- gan, Amanda Greenwood, Lute A. Ward, Thomas Moore, E. V. Conner and W. H. Staleup secured a charter.
The new lodge was hailed as Lilly of the Valley Chapter No. 85 Order of the Eastern Star and Maria J. Davis was ap- pointed first Worthy Matron. Thomas Moore was the first Worthy Patron. Mrs. Elizabeth Cutting is the present Worthy Matron.
The Chapter has always been recognized for its sociabil- ity, growth and works of charity.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
No lodge excels the Orestes Lodge No. 268 Knights of Pythias for the character of the members. The charter was secured Oct. 20, 1892, by Messrs. Benjamin O. Jones, R. Lynn
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Minton, John H. Norris, Norman J. Slack, Ed Barbero, O. S. Morse, William H. Craig, Geo. A. Stewart, Wm. O. Towle, W. H. Kraper, Benedict Bender, Robert C. Barham, Henry Heid- eman, Charles Hilgeman, B. P. D. Schroeder, Frank Adams, R. N. McCartney, J. C. Courtney, Willis B. Ward, Edwin Corlis, Morris Dinkelspiel, Frank C. Johns, Abram S. Bruner, J. D. Barfield, W. A. McBane, E. T. Scott, John Gowan, Geo. D. Zettler, W. H. Hines, D. W. Helm, Ed. S. Hood, Herman E. Pergande, Fayette E. Hazen, J. M. Choat, William Wright, W. L. Bridwell, R. H. Austin, J. T. Cummins, W. H. Moreland, Fred Pfaus, Eb. Phillips, P. H. Norris, H. F. Kraper, John W. Rupeke, Robt. Nuckolls, and James E. Gowan.
Most of these are yet living, residents of Metropolis, while to the number have been added many of our leading young men. The first Chancellor Commander was R. Lynn Minton. The present staff is composed of Ed Barbero, C. C .; William Craig, V. C .; William Seilbeck, P .; Tilman R. Lovelace, M. W .; Louis Quante, K. R. S .; R. B. D. Schroeder, M. F .; W. A. Fitch, M. E .; W. H. Arnold, M. A .; Thos. E. Craig, I. G .; Gus Quante, O. G.
April 23, 1896 warrant of authority to organize an En- dowment Rank was secured by Louis H. Quante, George A. Stewart, Benhart P. D. Schroeder, Henry S. Meyer, Tilman R. Lovelace and William Wyant. This relates to the insurance in the order.
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CHAPTER XIII. MEDICINE.
(O. J. PAGE.)
W
HEN the county was formed, the laws governing the medical profession were liberal, one simply "turned doctor," and proceeded to offer his ser- vices. Although "quacks" thrived many pursued a systematic, scientific and thorough course of study, who became men of mark in the profes- sion, and gave it character. Others possessed a bold spirit of investigation and made peers of themselves in new fields of discovery and re- search.
Drs. Padgett of Metropolis, and Hanna and Rodgers of the country, were the pioneers. Dr. Becker, later of Paducah, was a pioneer who attained eminence. These were so-called "regulars." The "Eclectic," or "Thomsonians" were represent- ed by Drs. Samuel Boicourt, Metropolis, and Samuel Peter of the country.
Doctor Alnez McLean McBane, a graduate of the Philadel- phia Medical College, who visited the clinics of some of the most noted European physicians and surgeons, came to Me- tropolis soon after the organization of the county and was highly successful. He excelled throughout Southern Illinois, in morality and professional skill; the member of no church, he was Presbyterian in sympathies. His mother was an ardent member of that church and donated the lot on which the church and parsonage stands. His son Joseph followed his father's
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professional tastes, graduated in medicine in New Orleans, and returned home broken in health. He started on a sea voyage around the Cape to San Francisco, and died. A. M. L. Mc- Bane, the oldest child, is a lawyer at Shawneetown, Marietta, his daughter, is Mrs. William Ward, resident of Chicago; and William A. McBane, the youngest, lives in Metropolis. Dr. McBane died July 3rd, 1860, three months after his wife's death.
About 1860 Dr. Jacob Gebhardt of Ohio came to Metrop- olis. He was successful. Julins C. and David L., his two sons, became practitioners. His daughter Helen, became the wife of Major E. P. Curtis. She was a remarkable woman of excep- tional traits of character. September 9, 1899, she died.
Dr. Charles S. Rush, yet living in Metropolis, was a most successful practitioner in Washington precinct for years. He is a native of New Jersey, a graduate of the Eclectic of Phila- delphia, April 28th, 1867. Dr. J. A. Williams graduated from Rush Medical College, 1863, served in the army, was an excel- lent physician and died some years ago.
Drs. J. E. Bronson and S. G. Merrill came in 1868, the lat- ter soon leaving. Both were "Homeopathic." Dr. Bronson, yet practicing successfully, graduated at the Homeopathie of St. Louis, Aug. 15th, 1877. His son, Scott, will also graduate soon in the same profession.
The legislature in 1878 passed a law placing certain re- quirements for practice with a view to weed out the "quacks," and elevate the profession. Practitioners of ten years' exper- ience were required to register if they continued and all others stood an examination for license to practice.
Up to this date appear the names of Doctors Charles Greenwood, William P. Courtney, father of Attorney J. C. Courtney, Eli M. Melton, father of Dr. D. O. Melton, veterinary surgeon; Alexander Cheek, brother of Mrs. H. Quante.
Dr. S. H. Bundy, a graduate of the Medical Department of Vanderbilt University, Tennessee, March 1, 1878, was the only active church worker up to that time. He was pastor several years of the Christian church in Metropolis, and died in 1899 in Marion, Illinois.
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Dr. F. A. Holliday, St. Louis Medical College, 1872, was twice a successful physician in Metropolis. He entered the government service and was last heard from in the Indian Ter- ritory.
Dr. J. H. Scott obtained his certificate by registration, but never practiced extensively afterward.
Dr. J. H. Norris graduated from the Keokuk College of Physicians and Surgeons, February, 1870. He came to Massac county soon afterward and took front rank, which he main- tained until his death a few years ago.
Dr. J. W. Burnett graduated from the Ohio Medical Col- lege, 1872, practiced at Metropolis for a few years, removed to Alto Pass and died a few years ago.
James E. Gowan, M. D., came to the county, 1864, and en- tered upon a long and successful practice. He died, 1899.
Dr. Joseph Brown passed the medical examination of the Illinois Army Medical Board and entered the service .. Later he graduated from the Medical Department of the University of Tennessee and practiced in Massac county until his death.
Of the physicians yet living and actively engaged in their profession may be mentioned the following:
Dr. H. C. Fisher, graduated, 1868, Medical College of Ohio, moved to Metropolis, 1882, and enjoys a good practice.
A. B. Agnew, M. D., Samoth, Ill., Ohio Medical College, 1862, entered the Union Surgical services, made a good record and yet does office practice.
Dr. R. W. Hutchinson, an undergraduate, who made his license by hard self-application and examination, still practices extensively at Joppa, Ill.
Dr. S. J. Rhoads, St. Louis Medical College, 1861, practiced in Kentucky until 1883, when he came to Metropolis.
J. D. Young, M. D., Brooklyn, graduated from St. Louis Medical College of Missouri, 1874, served in the Legislature and has excelled in his profession.
Z. Cummins, M. D., Metropolis, graduate University of Kentucky, and still practices.
Dr. James A. Crow, Washington precinct, graduate Phy- sicians & Surgeons, St. Louis, 1892. Followed school teaching.
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Dr. Jesse A. Orr, Metropolis, graduate Eclectic Medical College, Cincinnati, 1878, came from Washington precinct to Metropolis, 1892, and enjoys an active practice.
Dr. M. M. Glass, Brooklyn, graduate Rush Medical College, Chicago, 1886. Active practitioner; also a druggist.
Dr. A. T. Mobley, New Columbia, physician and druggist, graduate Kentucky School of Medicine, 1880.
Dr. J. N. Shemwell, Metropolis, active practitioner, grad- uate Kentucky School of Medicine, 1889.
Dr. J. T. Willis, Metropolis, active practitioner and drug- gist, graduate Evansville Medical College, 1872.
Dr. O. M. Willis, son of Dr. T. J. Willis, active practitioner, graduate College of Physicians and Surgeons, St. Louis, 1898.
Dr. A. C. Ragsdale, Metropolis, active practitioner, grad- uate College of Physicians and Surgeons, St. Louis, 1889.
Dr. Finis Purdue, graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1897, associated with Dr. J. E. Gowan, but soon left the county.
Dr. Charles A. Mozely, active practitioner, Brooklyn, and graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1892.
Dr. George W. Walbright, Round Knob, active practition- er, graduate Louisville Medical College, 1890.
Dr. J. A. Helm, Metropolis, active practitioner, graduate University of Tennessee, 1885, and Baltimore Medical College, 1892.
Dr. Chenault Webb, Unionville, active practitioner, grad- uate St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1892.
Dr. George A. Stewart, active practitioner, Metropolis, graduate Louisville Medical College, 1889.
Dr. C. E. Trovillion, active practitioner, Metropolis, grad- uate St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1891, and Barnes Medical College, 1890.
Dr. Andrew Miller, Metropolis, active practitioner, grad- uate Medical College of Ohio, 1900.
Dr. C. E. Tucker, Joppa, active, practitioner, graduate St. Louis College of Physicians, 1891.
Dr. Thomas Roberts, Joppa, active practitioner, graduate St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1898.
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Dr. M. H. Trovillion, active practitioner, graduate College of Physicians and Surgeons, St. Louis, Round Knob, Ill.
Dr. Johnson, Brooklyn, Dr. Trigg, Unionville, and Dr. Al- vin Smith of Logan precinct, are also active members of the profession.
Dr. J. W. Wymore, active practitioner, Samoth, Ill., grad- uated Marion Sims Medical College, St. Louis, 1891.
Dr. R. H. Pollard, active practitioner, Samoth, Ill., gradu- ate University of Tennessee.
The Massac County Medical Society is one of the oldest county organizations in the State, having been organized three years before the passage of the first act governing the practice of medicine in the state. It was organized March 31, 1875, for mutual improvement, wider and deeper social inter- course, the elevation of their chosen profession to a higher standard and to promote the general welfare of the com- munity. All active physicians belong to the society.
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CHAPTER XIV.
ITEMS OF INTEREST.
A
UGUST 5th, 1868, the county board sent the notor- ious Daniel Benton, alias Wm. Newby, to the poor house, Pitts Lyun, keeper. He claimed to have had two brothers, Charles and Lewis Ben- ton, killed in the army. He was an inmate a few years ago when Mr. Slack was keeper.
The first man sent to the penitentiary was An- gus McGee, indicted by the first grand jury and sentenced by the first court, Judge Walter B. Scates, presiding. The charge was "passing counterfeit money," and the sentence two years with solitary confinement the last two days.
Mary E. Green sued for divorce in the first court. Her husband Henry, was a non-resident, and publication was made in the "Illinois Republican," Shawneetown.
By some, Robert G. Ingersoll is accredited as a teacher in his early days in Metropolis and they point to the old frame building opposite the Elliott corner as the scene of his peda- gogical experiences.
Others deny this, but it is a verified fact that Rev. Inger- soll, his father, a Congregational minister, lived in Dres- den, N. Y., 1833, when Robert, the Agnostic, was born. His father came to Illinois when Robert was 12 years of age, and during the youth of the noted orator and lecturer, lived in Me- tropolis and taught school. One of Robert's brothers, a small boy, was drowned while here and lies buried in the cemetery
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long since desecrated by the building of the Christian church and adjacent residences.
Robert Ingersoll is described by faithful witnesses as a lazy lout of a boy who laid around favorite "swimmin' holes" in summer.
THE FIRST STEAMBOAT.
(B. O. JONES.)
The first steamboat that ever appeared upon any Western river was the New Orleans, built at Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1810 and 1811, by Mr. Roosevelt of New York, acting in conjunction with the originators of the first steamboat that ever appeared on any waters, Messrs. Fulton and Livingstone, also of New York. This boat was 138 feet keel, about 400 tons burden, and was launched at Pittsburg in March, 1811, later descend- ing the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, and landing at Natchez, Miss., in December, 1811.
The experiment proved a success. The boat cost $40,000. She was run as a packet from Natchez to New Orleans, and cleared the first year, according to Capt. Morris, of New Or- leans, who was one of her pilots, $24,294. Passenger fare be- tween New Orleans and - Natchez was $18.00 per head, and freight rates in proportion. She employed twelve hands at $30.00 per month each; Captain, $1,000.00 per year; 800 cords of wood at $1.75 per cord. The vessel furnished meals to pas- sengers and crew, and was fitted with a bar room, which sup- plied liquors of the most approved brands. Her speed was nine miles per hour, down stream. This boat was a success from the beginning, and with her advent begins the era of suc- cessful navigation of the rivers of the world with steam for the motive power. This boat, the New Orleans, passed down the river by Metropolis, which was then, except Fort Massac, a. howling wilderness, inhabited only by the bear, panther, buffa- lo, elk and many others of the wild animal kingdom, to say nothing of the ever stealthy and treacherous Indians that con- stantly trod the northern and southern banks of the Ohio. We can imagine how these nomads regarded the approach of this
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