Monthly Archives: August 2011

 This picture was a postcard from the early 1900’s.  The origional postcard was cleaned up using Photo Shop since heavy postmarks bled from the back to the front of the card as well as parts of the card were faded.   The side … Continue reading →

 This post card of the REES LEE was post marked June 16 1909 Cairo IL.  The steamer in the back ground is the SPREAD EAGLE.  The Eagle Packet Co. was based in Alton IL and was a competitor of the … Continue reading →

A number of years ago, Shelby County TN Register of Deeds Tom Leatherwood had his staff digitize old records dating to the Civil War and before.   These records include the City Directories from 1859 through 1918, birth and death records, … Continue reading →

A nearly complete history of Lee Line owned boats has been added under Lee Line Boats tab.  My intention is to add pictures of these many boats over the next few weeks in addition to boat pictures already in place, … Continue reading →

 Way’s Packet Directory makes no mention of this boat being owned by the Lee Line.  However, the following is taken word for word from a newspaper clipping of unknown date (likely written in the 1940’s).  The byline of the article … Continue reading →

November 25, 1912 Former Friend Objects to His Enthusiasm for the Colonel Special to the New York Times Memphis, Tenn, Nov. 25.  Gilbert E. Raine, editor and publisher of the Memphis- News Scimitar, was beaten with a cane in the … Continue reading →

Memphis Commercial Appeal article Feb. 4, 1943.  In the Pilothouse byline by Joe Curtis.  Every now and then two or three old steamboat men congregate to discuss their years on the Mississippi, and they generally go back to the days … Continue reading →

      When the JAMES LEE (second) renamed the DESOTO was crushed by ice December 1918 the bell was salvaged and went to a plantation in Arkansas.   On October 16, 1970, Dr. Webster Riggs Jr. along with his wife … Continue reading →

Way’s Packet Directory has the following history of the KATE ADAMS (the first) as follows; built Sewickley, PA, 1882. 250 feet long x 37 foot width x 8 foot draft.  Five boilers .  Boat built entire under contract to James Rees & Sons., … Continue reading →

Old books telling the history of steamboats occasionally refer to rousters being able to carry a 500 pound bale of cotton on their backs.  These references mention that a bale of cotton was what 2 men could lift and one … Continue reading →