Author Archives: leelinesteamers

This is the last picture from the set of glass negatives showing the REES LEE taking on a load of cotton.

Sometime in the mid 1880’s James Lee Jr. diversified the family business by adding the Bohlen-Huse Machine and Lake Ice Co. to his successful enterprises.  This company was founded in 1850 and became the largest ice business in Memphis under … Continue reading →

This is the 5th and final REES LEE picture from the recently purchased glass negatives.  Besides the boat and wharf boat, there are several other things of interest.  The first is on the rail road bridge in the background where … Continue reading →

This picture is the 4th of 5 pictures of the REES LEE reproduced from a glass negative.

This picture is from the group of 5 glass negatives.   Passenger or crew member?  My great great grandfather James Lee Sr. a number of years prior to the Rees Lee entering the Lee Line fleet added cabins onto the back … Continue reading →

This picture is from the group of glass negatives purchased recently.   With quite a number of bales of cotton to load, these men found a way to occupy themselves with what appears wagering on the luck of the roll.  The … Continue reading →

Recently I was contacted by an individual (M.K.) who purchased at auction, a set of glass negatives of the REES LEE taken somewhere on the Mississippi River taking on a load of cotton and cotton seed during the winter.  Most likely … Continue reading →

  This picture is from the Galina Illinois group of postcards.

This humorous 1881 comparison to 1931 was found in papers belonging to my great uncle Robert E Lee (no kin to the other more famous Robert E Lee).

The Memphis Commercial Appeal reported a 100 years ago, “A new steel steamer, costing $100,000, to take the place of the James Lee for the Memphis Friars Point trade, will be 245 feet long and capable of carrying as many tons … Continue reading →