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Strange Ohio River Craft*A Circxia Boat and a Mission Boat. Each Uniqus in its Way, Help to Vary the Monotony of Life to People Who Live Along the Southern ********** Indiana Line *********ERE Iff nothing: of the unusual In this routine of life along the Ohio where the huge boats come and go with the regularity of mall steamers; where the puffing tow-j boats push their monstrous barges of black diamonds down stream aud returnwith empties; where the slow, cautlously-movlng ferryboats ply between the varioustowns and villages along the shores, or In the crude, frail gasoliue boats that go snorting and puffing furiously along, taking aboard and discharging piles of freight andnumerous passengers, seemingly from some subaqueous depth, at every wayside landing. or turning In at a lonely spot perhaps to take aboard a single man, basket on arm. going to town, provided he has lungs lusty enough to make his call heard by the pilot In the diminutive wheelhouse. or when on a summer evening the younger population of the towns betake themselves for a row in skiffs or canoes. These might be termed the everyday occurrences In river life. But It Is the advent of some strange, unusual craft aloug the Ohio that arouses the wonder and admiration of the urchins and levee loafers who frequent the wharves and warehouses along the river front, and stirs them Into a state of contagious animation which extends even throughout the whole towu until one and all. from sedate man of affairs to happy school child, have made the trip down to the levee to see the strange craft. News travels swiftly between the* river towns, and so an event of this kind 1b never entirely unexpected. And In this connection could he mentioned the excitement prevailing all along the Ohio In ISM when it was announced that Kelley and his army ofunemployed had embarked In barges atsome Southern river point and were ontheir way northward to Join Coxey and his industrial army.” or rather, army of the commonweal of Christ,” for the mightymarch to Washington to demand relief from the government. For days lefore It was even possible for the army to reach certain points of their steamboat Journey, the towns and villages were expectant, and almost any distant, unfamiliar whistle would raise the cry. There comes Kelley's army,” and the populace perhaps would turn out forthwith, only to be disappointed. And when the army” did Anally pass along, all one saw was a horde of tramps and crtmlnal-looklng wretches riding by Inbottomed barge on which the circus was given. The barge was covered with a large regulation tent securely fastened down, inside of which was the familiar sawdust ring where were performed *n-chantiug equestrian exercises and entertaining equllibristlc elTorta.” Of course, thiswater circus lacked interest for the manywho delight in watching the big showsplace their tents and assemble their paraphernalia. for it steamed into a town, which had been well billed, everything ia readiness for a performance and with thahorses hitched in the band wagon, the calliope already playing on the ~oof of the steamer, and the parade prepared to start as soon as they were conveniently moored along shore. And In the evenlug there was no pulling up of stakes or tearing down of tent to mar the latter part of the performance. but after all was over the flotlll* silently steamed away, everything prepared for the next town and exhibition, just as It had come in the morning. It was a well conceived scheme, snd never failed of a large and generous patronage. If rata or wind kept away a crowd the circus might tarn* for another day, future engagement! not being too pressing. The people connected with the affair were of a much better class than is usually found in such connection and there was no following of fakirs and swindlers.Directly opposed to this affair of amusement but as interesting in Its way and methods, was the Meglddo Mission boat.” This boat was owned aud managed by ft man who. for more than forty years, has devoted his life to the spreading of the Bible. Like the Apostle Paul, he determined to be free from all men and has laboredwithout any salary whatever, having mad*mu. h money from several proAtable patents. The boat was built on the Mississippi, and has held meetings in many places between St. Paul and Memphis. It has penetrated the Cumberland river as far as 'Nashville, and is now at work along tbft Ohio. Besides a beautiful and commodious boat, there Is a barge, but the religious meetings are frequently conducted on shore In a large, well-appointed tent. Aboard this boat live thirty families, dwelling In ft state of harmony and peace that Is remarkable. The women and men who arw devoting their lives to this work accomplish much in defraying expenses. Th# women do various kimis of needle and fancv
Newspaper Details
The Indianapolis Journal
Indianapolis, Indiana, US
Sun, Nov 29, 1903
Page 14
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 20 Aug 2020
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