Author Archives: leelinesteamers

Both the Idlewild and Quick Step entered the Lee Line fleet after 1874.  Capt. James Lee Sr. had a knack for buying or chartering boats as family boats were lost or sent to repair yards following accidents.  

St. Louis river front 1907 Theodore Roosevelt landed on the Lee Line wharf boat.  The top panorama was enhanced using PhotoShop to take out the folds in the original postcard.

Another recent find also purchased from an antique dealer who to the best of his recollection purchased it years ago at a garage or estate sale.  Originally this creamer was very thinly silver plated since the family knew that most of the … Continue reading →

This poster came from a family member by way of an antique dealer who purchased it years ago.  I am happy to return it to the family.

Ms. M.P. Thomas sent me this picture of the whistle from the KATE ADAMS with the following history and family remembrances of the KATE. My great grandfather, as I understand it, bought the salvage rights to the Kate Adams.  The … Continue reading →

This advertising postcard is another EBay find.  It was post marked April 16, 1910 at Memphis Tenn.  Unseen below the recipient Jno. St. Avit & Son is hand stamped  Cape Girardean Mo.  Of interest are the sentences We beg to … Continue reading →

Recent EBay find.  Pictured is the Steamer STACKER LEE.

This interesting page of history covers May through October 1884 and covers some work history of Capt. James Lee Jr as well as chronicles a number of steamboat accidents beginning with a broken tiller line on the JAMES LEE.   … Continue reading →

Another recent EBay find.   A hand written inscription on the back of the card to the right reads “Excursion picnic on Eclipse to Garner’s Landing.”   A close examination for the card picturing the ECLIPSE shows the negative should … Continue reading →

A recent EBay find.  1900’s Lee Line passes are somewhat harder to find than pre 1900.