Join me this summer as I travel the country to research the steam calliope tradition on America's inland rivers.
Holy Kratz!: Week of July 13-19
Posted 07-21-2008 at 12:03 AM by Jon Tschiggfrie
As you know, it is about time for your humble author to return to a regular posting schedule. Accordingly, I’m again taking up blogging on Sundays. I’ve had relatives, many friends, and even some people who I’m sure I should know but don’t, mention that they’ve enjoyed following this blog, and are always ready for the next installment. All the comments I’ve received on last week’s are much appreciated! It would be terribly unfair of me to deprive all my supporters of today’s entry. Therefore, I now offer you my latest (albeit brief) report of the goings-on of the seemingly unending research grant.
Since the plan for the past week involved few “bona fide” research activities, I expected this to be a relatively easy seven days. I should have known better. A large part of this time has been spent consolidating copies and synthesizing summaries. I’ve also been working with the various photos and audio/video recordings I’ve made over the trips. Saturday was planned to be a nice relaxing day up north at Lee and Kathy Havlik’s anniversary aboard the Julia Belle Swain. The whole family (Caitlin included) did indeed enjoy our cruise, savoring our visits with some good river friends. We feel very blessed to know Lee and Kathy (pictured below with Lee’s mom, whose birthday was the day before), and attempted to display our gratitude with a few ear-wrenching renditions on the calliope.
Without fail, I never completely shed the researcher hat that I donned at the beginning of the summer. I was introduced to Mr. Peter H. Burno of the Burno Boiler and Engine Works out of Stoughton, WI, who was also aboard the boat Saturday. Mr. Burno, I was informed, had a hand in refurbishing some steam calliopes, including those at the Circus World Museum where I had been some weeks ago. His company has been in business since 1848, and so I took his words in great interest. I plan to get a fuller interview with him soon.
Afterwards, we drove forty miles north along WI-35 to Alma. For those of you wondering what could possibly be in a little Upper Mississippi town like AL-muh (the official pronunciation and DON’T-YOU-FORGET-IT), the answer can be found nestled in between contemporary houseboats at the local marina. There sits one of the prettiest little genuine sternwheel houseboats you ever saw: the CLYDE. Unfortunately, our planned ride on the CLYDE was postponed due to hydraulic problems, but we took pleasure in the opportunity to become acquainted with Ed Newcomb, who sometimes posts on this message board. He graciously invited me to take a look at this beauty that he built between 1980 and 1991. Pictures of Ed and his labor-of-love below.
At this point, all that remains in the way of travel is to get aboard the Delta Queen boats. We have a tentative schedule worked out, subject of course to the whims of a swiftly-changing river. The American Queen has been sticking her foot in the waters of the Upper Miss for the past few weeks, waiting until the stage gets low enough for her to pass under the multitude of bridges. We expect her to be here in Dubuque for the first time this season on Wednesday afternoon, and hopefully we can get aboard to take a look at Dave Morecraft’s instrument up on the roof. The Delta Queen is a bit different story. With no scheduled stops on the Upper, we’re planning to meet her down in St. Louis on August 12. Any help with either of these appointments would make me extremely grateful.
For the curious types, I also plan to contact the various historical resources in Vanderburgh County, IN regarding this week’s blog title. George Kratz ran his calliope enterprise out of Evansville, and so I’m hoping that information can be ascertained from the historical society there and also possibly the public library and Museum of Arts and Sciences. This remains to be seen. I still have much to do in the way of putting together a paper for the university, which is to be done by the end of this coming week.
A note to all prospective readers of my findings: The paper that is required of myself by the University does NOT represent the totality of my research. St. Thomas wishes me to turn in a 10-page paper outlining my research results. I will be lucky to write an abstract that is 10 pages or less. All the information I’ve been gathering, along with interviews and multimedia recordings, will eventually culminate in a much longer and in-depth report, possibly to be published in book form sometime in the future. Unfortunately, I have nowhere near enough time to complete that project this summer, and so I will keep you posted as to my progress and approximate release of said materials. Many have requested a copy of my findings, which I am more than happy to provide; however, please note that what you will receive at the end of the summer is a mere summary of a far more detailed tome. In our river-folk tradition, those receiving a summary copy will also receive the final product without charge or recompense (although I suppose that goes without saying).
MYSTERY OF THE WEEK: I’m surprised I didn’t recall this until just now. There is a brilliant photograph of the Str. Rose Island gracing the main deck of the Belle of Louisville. This image shows the calliope under steam, which would be swell for my research, but there is no credit for the photo. Any leads on where a guy can find a copy of that image and possibly secure a reproduction?
INQUIRY OF THE WEEK: Here, I simply repeat my call from last time. Anything that you think would be relevant to my studies is welcome and appreciated.
Yet again, thank you to my supporters, materials donators, blog fans, et cetera. I never tire of hearing comments on my research, and I’ve said many times that I always prefer to have more information than I could possibly use than not enough. Keep it coming!
As per usual, address all concerns and inquiries to jdtschiggfri@stthomas.edu.
See you ‘round the bend,
Jon Tschiggfrie
Since the plan for the past week involved few “bona fide” research activities, I expected this to be a relatively easy seven days. I should have known better. A large part of this time has been spent consolidating copies and synthesizing summaries. I’ve also been working with the various photos and audio/video recordings I’ve made over the trips. Saturday was planned to be a nice relaxing day up north at Lee and Kathy Havlik’s anniversary aboard the Julia Belle Swain. The whole family (Caitlin included) did indeed enjoy our cruise, savoring our visits with some good river friends. We feel very blessed to know Lee and Kathy (pictured below with Lee’s mom, whose birthday was the day before), and attempted to display our gratitude with a few ear-wrenching renditions on the calliope.
Without fail, I never completely shed the researcher hat that I donned at the beginning of the summer. I was introduced to Mr. Peter H. Burno of the Burno Boiler and Engine Works out of Stoughton, WI, who was also aboard the boat Saturday. Mr. Burno, I was informed, had a hand in refurbishing some steam calliopes, including those at the Circus World Museum where I had been some weeks ago. His company has been in business since 1848, and so I took his words in great interest. I plan to get a fuller interview with him soon.
Afterwards, we drove forty miles north along WI-35 to Alma. For those of you wondering what could possibly be in a little Upper Mississippi town like AL-muh (the official pronunciation and DON’T-YOU-FORGET-IT), the answer can be found nestled in between contemporary houseboats at the local marina. There sits one of the prettiest little genuine sternwheel houseboats you ever saw: the CLYDE. Unfortunately, our planned ride on the CLYDE was postponed due to hydraulic problems, but we took pleasure in the opportunity to become acquainted with Ed Newcomb, who sometimes posts on this message board. He graciously invited me to take a look at this beauty that he built between 1980 and 1991. Pictures of Ed and his labor-of-love below.
At this point, all that remains in the way of travel is to get aboard the Delta Queen boats. We have a tentative schedule worked out, subject of course to the whims of a swiftly-changing river. The American Queen has been sticking her foot in the waters of the Upper Miss for the past few weeks, waiting until the stage gets low enough for her to pass under the multitude of bridges. We expect her to be here in Dubuque for the first time this season on Wednesday afternoon, and hopefully we can get aboard to take a look at Dave Morecraft’s instrument up on the roof. The Delta Queen is a bit different story. With no scheduled stops on the Upper, we’re planning to meet her down in St. Louis on August 12. Any help with either of these appointments would make me extremely grateful.
For the curious types, I also plan to contact the various historical resources in Vanderburgh County, IN regarding this week’s blog title. George Kratz ran his calliope enterprise out of Evansville, and so I’m hoping that information can be ascertained from the historical society there and also possibly the public library and Museum of Arts and Sciences. This remains to be seen. I still have much to do in the way of putting together a paper for the university, which is to be done by the end of this coming week.
A note to all prospective readers of my findings: The paper that is required of myself by the University does NOT represent the totality of my research. St. Thomas wishes me to turn in a 10-page paper outlining my research results. I will be lucky to write an abstract that is 10 pages or less. All the information I’ve been gathering, along with interviews and multimedia recordings, will eventually culminate in a much longer and in-depth report, possibly to be published in book form sometime in the future. Unfortunately, I have nowhere near enough time to complete that project this summer, and so I will keep you posted as to my progress and approximate release of said materials. Many have requested a copy of my findings, which I am more than happy to provide; however, please note that what you will receive at the end of the summer is a mere summary of a far more detailed tome. In our river-folk tradition, those receiving a summary copy will also receive the final product without charge or recompense (although I suppose that goes without saying).
MYSTERY OF THE WEEK: I’m surprised I didn’t recall this until just now. There is a brilliant photograph of the Str. Rose Island gracing the main deck of the Belle of Louisville. This image shows the calliope under steam, which would be swell for my research, but there is no credit for the photo. Any leads on where a guy can find a copy of that image and possibly secure a reproduction?
INQUIRY OF THE WEEK: Here, I simply repeat my call from last time. Anything that you think would be relevant to my studies is welcome and appreciated.
Yet again, thank you to my supporters, materials donators, blog fans, et cetera. I never tire of hearing comments on my research, and I’ve said many times that I always prefer to have more information than I could possibly use than not enough. Keep it coming!
As per usual, address all concerns and inquiries to jdtschiggfri@stthomas.edu.
See you ‘round the bend,
Jon Tschiggfrie
Total Comments 3
Comments
|
Jonathan: The photo of the Str. ROSE ISLAND, with calliope tootling, at the Louisville wharf is in the collection of the University of Louisville Photo Archives. They gladly make glossy prints and for a very nominal fee.
Go to: Ekstrom Library to access the site. "Uncle Keith" |
 
|
|
|
Wonderful stuff Jon, thanks so much from the New York contingent. Your patience is an inspiration to all us older, um more mature, um seasonally weathered old foagies.
Bruno and Deb |
|
|
|
|
Great work yer doing, Jon. Didn't someone already mention the apple not falling far from the tree?
Pray tell, what do you know about the fate of the calliopes that were on the DIAMOND, EMERALD, and GOLDEN ladies? Also, the tiny steamer LORENA, owned by Charlie Brown, from Cincinnati, had a cute little tooter. What became of it? |
|
|
Recent Blog Entries by Jon Tschiggfrie
- It All Boils Down to This: Week of August 10-16 and Beyond (08-18-2008)
- Letting Off Some Steam: Weeks of July 20-August 9 (08-11-2008)
- Holy Kratz!: Week of July 13-19 (07-21-2008)
- Nichols and Dimes: Weeks of June 30-July 12 (07-13-2008)
- Up On the Rooftop: Week of June 22-29 (07-11-2008)
