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.
235 pounds of ice for Mrs. Kerns icebox cost $2.35. Lake Ice referred to a time before the then modern steam powered equipment was installed and northern lake ice was shipped by barge to Memphis. Later the name was changed to Bohlen-Huse Ice and Coal Company with coal shipped by barge from northern coal mines. In addition to selling artificial ice and coal, the company sold lithia water which was described as having a calming effect on the consumer. Some time in the later 1890’s, my great grandfather, James Lee Jr., started an ice war when he lowered the price of 100 pounds of ice from $.10 to $.05.
These pictures are from the collection of my friend and fellow steamboat collector Ed Provine.
Thank you Lola Culler for sharing these pictures of your Lee Line sugar dish.
Justin B., thank you for sending these pictures of Lee Line serving dishes. These silver plated dishes were made by Reed and Barton. Last year I was able to purchase an identical creamer pitcher that had lost just about all its silver plating. When my grandfather was asked how many boats the Lee Line operated, he would reply “We have more boats under the water than on the water.” I am always excited to see new\old Lee Line items turn up as most of the items such as these reside under the water.
Way’s Packet Directory recorded the SADIE hit a snag at Dennis Landing. Of interest is the stern sign SADIE LEE of NEW YORK. Sometime after the death of Capt. James Lee Jr., (Feb 1905) the Lee Line reincorporated in New Jersey. I suspect a tax dispute over the value of the assets of the company between the executors of his estate and the state of Tennessee led to the Lee Line reincorporating as a New Jersey corporation. Additionally, my great aunt Rowena Teagle’s husband Walter who was the chairman of Standard Oil of New Jersey became the President of the Lee Line. Walter Evans Edge the wife of Lady Lee Philips Edge became the Vice President. Lady Lee Philips Edge was the daughter of my great aunt Sara Lee who married Capt. Sam Philips in 1905. Walter Edge was a newspaper publisher, governor of New Jersey and an ambassador to France. Way’s Packet Directory records Sadie Lee as the daughter of Capt. James Lee Jr. Actually Sadie Ardinger Lee was the daughter of James Lee Jr.’s son James Lee III and Capt. James Lee Jr.’s law partner Hiram Warinner and Bodien Warinner. Capt. Tippits History of the Lee Line seems to be missing pages for 1912.
