Mississippi - Ohio River sidewheeler. The KEYSTONE STATE first was built in Freedom, PA in 1850. She ran 337 tons and had hull measurements of 234' x 26' x 5.7'. She originally ran in the Pittsburgh - Cincinnati trade and later in the St. Louis - New Orleans trade. She was destroyed by fire at Florence, Il on May 31, 1855. The image bears a possible signature of "A Dave" or "A. Dare" which is transcribed on one of the parcels on the main deck, just in front of the stacks., Graphite drawing on paper, undated, c. 1852. Paper size, 5 9/16 x 14 1/2" (140 x 368 mm).
This map, plotted out by Norbury Wayman, shows the various locations of steamboat lines and related companies on the St. Louis levee, detailing three periods of time; before 1865; 1865 - 1900; and 1900 - 1953. Lines and companies are donated by name, location and years of operation. Nearby streets are mapped as well, for easy frame of reference. Scale in feet: 100 ft. = 1 inch.
Letter from Enos B. Moore to his brother. He explains that Milton will join their trip to Jack McFarland's place. He goes on to say that the Captain believes the boat will run all summer, and one or two more trips will indicate if it will. Moore says that obtaining a low water boat is improbable due to the fact that they are in high demand, and that the Yazoo citizens do not have much to depend on. He then asks his brother for assistance in searching and offers two-thousand dollars if it will be of use to him. He planned to leave that evening and return after 17 days.
Letter from Enos B. Moore to his brother on his way to St. Louis from Paducah. Samuel was with him on the boat and they are not sure how the boat would perform. He was afraid the draft was not right despite that they had not given it a fair trial.They had only had a few drunken firemen. He said the boat is alright, but drew a little more water than he expected. Moore expects the boat to trim on approximately 42 inches. The prospect for business looked gloomy. When the boat was complete, she would have cost about sixty-one thousand, which was a good deal of money. Moore writes that he put in $16,852 and Duvall $11,208. He offered his brother William a share in the cost of the boat.
Letter from Enos B. Moore to his brother. The letter appears to be primarily an update on various people, family, and business. He mentioned Milton needing to save up money for a bushel to help him get through the hard times in the world, saying that people would swindle (fleece) individuals of their disposition. He received a letter from their father that all is well at home. While the letter is difficult to read, Moore discusses two locomotives on the Portsmouth Railroad and the N.O. Company, as well as another bridge and its association with a bridge that had fallen the previous fall. Business with the steamboat Crescent is doing well. He would like to hear of what kind of a boat they are building as Captain Waller is a little extravagant in his notions.
Letter from Enos B. Moore to his brother about the monument being built. Mr. Rule would build the monument after the model with slight modifications to the shaft. The monument would be made of the best material available, and would be delivered to the boat for $900. The inscription would be of the same pattern and size as in Spring Grove Cemetery. Moore mentioned being on the steamboat Mass for a few trips until the steamboat Crescent came out. He planned to take Sam with him and they would pilot it themselves.
Letter from Enos B. Moore to his brother about ordering a monument in Cincinnati. He heard his brother was laid up and feared the monument would not be ready. Moore said he was on the steamboat Mass headed for Cairo, and would return on the steamboat Michigan before attempting to work on the steamboat Crescent.
Letter from Enos B. Moore to Maria discussing how he misses her presence already, and he hoped to return on time. He felt lonely in the world, but even though she was absent her heart was with him. He had heard a report of the river at St. Louis rising, and being clear of ice. He thought of the risk a woman took in entrusting her happiness to a man and how he was to assume a fearful responsibility, but they both have proper motives. Moore mentioned it would be a pleasure to fulfill the obligations he was assuming. He hoped they would be able to arrange their affairs in Yazoo City quietly, and would telegraph to her from Memphis.
Letter from Enos B. Moore on maintenance issues the boat was having. He mentioned a poor trip where no passengers were picked up in Cairo, and he was having trouble getting the spark burner put in. He mentioned that Sam got off at Vicksburg but that Moore will travel down the coast as he waits for the boat. He was sure there was no danger but didn't want to risk the striker pilot. He did not know if Duvall would stop but hoped to get the boat taken in. He had only half-freight as he was not able to get the rest.
Letter from Enos B. Moore to his brother giving an update. He mentioned that he received a letter about Captain Chute going over to the lake but he did not return before they set off. He had learned from the Custom House that J.E. Caldwell was the only owner of the line known on their books. Captain Pittfield went to Pensacola and took his books with him. He shared information given by Crescent Insurance Co. about an ownership position on a boat that might be available.
Letter from Enos B. Moore to William from Hiawatha. The steamboat Oglesby had been laid up at St. Louis. He was going to go down and arrange for some money to be sent to the bank for Mr. Moore. The shafts had been made, and most of the work was done except for the boilers and a few other tasks. Work was to be done in the shop for the remaining tasks and the engines. The steamboat Crescent had gone down to standby until spring. They had a fair trip down that would pay them something.
Letter from Enos B. Moore to Maria before landing in Memphis regarding how he and others felt lonesome after she left, but he knew it would not always be that way. He mentioned that a young friend of theirs felt it is not good for a man to be alone, and would be asking many hard questions before long. Moore mentioned sympathizing with her trouble with Mrs. Roberts, which was a delicate subject that he hoped Maria would be able to arrange a compromise. He hoped to hear back from her soon when he arrived in Vicksburg, as he was anxious to hear about her arrangements to the school and the future.
Letter from Enos B. Moore to William, sent from about fifty miles south of Memphis. He mentioned that Captain Gould, the superintendent of the line, was on board and stated the boats would not try to make their regular time until after the ice cleared. Their schedules had run out and other boats were laying up. He planned to spend three days in St. Louis to do some sheet iron work and would write again from Memphis.
Employment reference letter for Mr. Woodworth from Enos B. Moore to Captain Moore. Woodworth was employed as a mate on the steamboat The Home for $75.00 a month.
Short letter from Enos B. Moore to a man written in haste after getting off of his watch. He stated he had yet to hear from home since his last letter, but would send them a draft for $500 and mention some sort of case. It would not be worthwhile for him to have returned that summer as the boats would be laying up before he had started. Their load was very heavy and he suspected they would have to wait until the river rose to set off.