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.
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.
