Lee Line Steamers | Riverboat History

Thank you Marcus Tullis for sharing this picture of the STACKER and the background info on where it was taken as well as your family history from that era. I am always interested in finding new pictures of Lee Line boats as they went about their trade routes. Jim Lee

Glad I found this information about the Str. Stacker Lee. I found a photo of it that was taken by my grandfather in October 1916 when she had run aground north of Memphis. I believe he was about two weeks shy of his 15th birthday at the time and was working cutting timber for Mengel Brothers Company near in Henderson Swamp in western Tennessee at the time.

The Valley Line was operated by my grandfather S Rees Lee and G Peters Lee following the liquidation of the Lee Line in 1926. Great Uncle Peters owned and operated the Majestic Hotel and the Majestic Pool Hall next door he also renamed one of the Valley Line boats the MAJESTIC.

Here is another recent EBay postcard postmarked Sept 17 1907 detailing a little sisterly drama.

Another recent EBay find. The steamboat at the Landing is the MORNING STAR which according to Way’s Packet Directory was built at Howard Shipyard Jeffersonville Indiana in 1901, she was 225 feet x 38 feet with a 6 foot draft. In 1910 her new owner added 25 additional feet to her length. Way’s history records her in 1915 September and October she made a tourist trip from St. Louis to New Orleans which explains her stopping in Greenville possibly to refuel. The Morning Star was destroyed by fire on November 4, 1922 when “a heedless watchman boiling tar on her galley stove for roof repairs caused the blaze. Of additional interest is the advertising banner BON BON Baking Powder, I have not seen advertising on previous family boats.

My great uncle James Lee 3rd son of Captain James Lee Jr. operated the Owl Auto Company. Wrecked and broken down autos pulled in and repaired; day or night, you call we come, day or night. We serve you on the road, at your home, or at our home. First aid to the injured automobile. This letter came from old family financial records preserved and given to me by Buzzy Barnett.

A recent find from old family papers given to me by Buzzy Barnett who along with his wife looked after the daughter of G Peters Lee, Rowena (Ena) Lee until her passing. Milburn Gin and Machine Co. is listed in the Dow 1890 Memphis City Directory. Thank you Buzzy. I look forward to adding more Lee Line history from this massive collection of family papers.