[R. Dale Flick]

Steamboating colleagues:
Discussion of old steamboat brochures elicited a number of interesting postings. Discovered here is a period brochure: 'A Round Trip Between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. All the way by water on Steamer BETSY ANN. 7 DAY TRIP only $35. INDEPENDENT PACKET CO. Good Meals A Feature & AWay From Heat and Dust.' *Meals, possibly, but I don't know about the heat and dust in days before air-conditioning in the summer months and no mentions of the smell from livestock on the lower deck. [See WAY'S PACKET DIRECTORY Entry No. 0604 for her 'bio' or read Fred's LOG OF THE BETSY ANN]. This undated brochure [Possibly 1927/1928] lists 14 wharfboat stops on the Ohio River for shipment of passengers and freight. One way fares at $17.50 from major terminal points. Recently mentioned veteran Horace P. Lyle was the Cincinnati agent and continued on in later years with the GREENE LINE and the DELTA QUEEN. He was a real veteran. Crew on the BETSY were:
Master: W.I. Guthrie
Pilots: Charles Ellsworth/Elmer Fancher
Mate: Charles Arthurs
Purser: Frederick Way, Jr.
Clerk: William S. Pollock
Chief Engineer: William Smith
2nd Engineer: Herbert E. Banks
Cook/Steward: Ora Milligan

The BETSY used the GREENE LINE terminals at Gallipolis, Oh., and Hungtington, W.Va. This on a commission basis but with good feeling between rival lines and boats as per Keith's mention of the relationship between the EAGLE PACKET CO., GREENE LINE and BETSY ANN. It made sense as on-going freight and passengers were served by a link of boats. As early as 1904 there was a friendly link between Capt. Gordon C. Greene and Mary B. Greene when their company moved to Cincinnati and the L&C LINE under 'Commodore' Fred Laidley.

Brochures as such based in the emerging area of Public Relations/Marketing/Advertising came on strong just before World War I. Banks in major cities quickly learned of the commission profts in their 'Tourist Bureaus' for travel on rail/steamboats/steamship lines. This led to what is known widely today as 'Travel Agencies.' In the old days of steamboat/steamships etc. was the use of 'letters of credit.' That's for another day and discussion.

Cheers,
R. Dale Flick