Commodore's House for Sale

*Laidley House news here*
Morning, Frank & Steamboating colleagues,
Many thanks, Frank, for your posting above RE: Commodore Fred Laidley's mansion in Covington, KY now appearing on the market. 'Word' filtered across the Ohio River to the north shore this week. Appears more than one real estate company involved with the names HUFF and COLDWELL BANKERS WEST SHELL as two agents. Alas, as expected, no definitive market price listed with all the agents being 'cagey' in so stating. No doubt inquiries accepted only after listing our full names, E=Mail, address, zip codes, telephone. Full particulars with fine color photos shown if you just type in Laidley home, Covington, Kentucky and hit GO on your computer/internet search engine.

The Laidley's and the mansion worthy of a Gothic novel along the lines of 'The Fall of the House of Usher.' I well remember the last Laidley daughter [Margaret?] living there to an advanced age. The mansion was a total shambles after her death requiring a ton of money to have artistically restored in grand luxe style, upgrading of all systems inside and out. A few here remember some years back the fascinating tour the MOR group had inside by the present owners. We all signed the guest book with our group photo taken in front. I was astounded hearing they had to put in some 10,000 feet of new wood/lumber. I'm sure the owners also received some tax incentive linked to their corporate business.

Shipyard Sam is one here who knows tons about the Laidley family, mansion and what happened to many interior furnishings. Capt. Doc Hawley and GL Purser Bob McCann recalled meeting Rook Laidley, the Commodore's son, years ago. Seeing is believing with words not doing justice to the beautiful restoration. So, will any prospective buyers please step up with check book, bank references in hand? I've been ground in here with two family members ill and needing attention; thus partly out of the 'loop' catching up on postings. Then I got hit last week with news I have so far slow maturing eye cataracts. No rush now with my specialist until later in the year. I suspected as much noting how signs looked blurred etc. with too many 'typos' in writing. Ah, the joys of growing old. "All that swimming, lifeguarding, boats, ships, beaches contribute to it," he said.

R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati

Have $2.2 million?

Here is a link to a recent news story about the sale of the house.

Wesley

Historic Laidley House in Covington nowon the market for a very cool $2.2 million | KyForward.com

*Just $2.2 million? No problem*
Hi, Wesley & Steamboating colleagues:
Just in from church and clicked to read the above noting the mansion of Commodore Fred Laidley now listed at 'just $2.2 million.' Frankly, I thought it would command an even higher price. The art work, antiques alone a good portion but I wonder how much of the contents will remain or be removed after the sale? Some sales like this can/do include certain contents if it can be worked in the contract. Gosh, it's only money and I can't wait to put a bid in tomorrow bright and early. *Little joke here.

The Allens certainly did a fantastic job initially tackling the then dismal, decrepit mansion pouring love, hard work, money and effort in the restoration. Their hospitality to our MOR group wonderful. The cupola atop the mansion now done in the Moorish style as a sitting room with access out on the roof giving a fine view of the Cincinnati skyline. Commodore Laidley was said to go up on high with watch in hand to see his steamers departing. I wish the new prospective owner all the best for years of their own in the mansion.

Fred Laidley made his fortune(s) in more than just steamboats ending with the famed L&C LINE here after 1918 when 'shovel king' John W. Hubbard of Pittsburgh and Billy Roe took over the L&C LINE to reogranize, rebuild with great hopes with their then big, new sidewheel steamer CINCINNATI in 1924. Laidley was first in salt, then meat packing, railroads etc.

Covington, KY is a real gem with its fine old homes now being beautifully restored. Frank Prudent lives on 3rd St. able to tell us all and more.

R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati

Update on Laidley Mansion

I checked the Zillow.com real estate web site and found different photos and the current price with Coldwell Banker Real Estate is 1.5 million. the house next door is 2.5 million. Both have great views of the river and Cincy. The current listing is 24 days old.

Last time I talked to Jim Allan he was looking at the 3-4 million range. What's a few bucks? Of course this included a Blaser original of the City of Louisville over the fireplace. Allen's are moving to Tuscon Az. and have built a post modern monument. It is the antithesis of the Laidley home.

The Laidley House

My dad, Col. Jess Sanders, a Covington police officer, told many stories about trouble calls concerning family problems between the Laidley sisters and their brother. They had divided the mansion with a wall separating the sexes, and a certain complaint came from the girls grumbling about a foul smell emanating from the brother's side of the house. When the officers arrived they found the junior Mr. Laidley had been deceased for an extended number of days. Such a sad end for a noble dynasty.

Doctor Tom Mc Elhenney, noted Cincinnati area surgeon, and his wife, Ruth, bought the manse at auction after Miss Mary Laidley was eventually laid to rest. And after all the Commodore's treasures were removed, Mrs. Mac invited me to be a docent for a number of tours she sponsored at the house. On one weekend tour, I was not there, of a Sunday, when Jim and Franny Allan took a turn through the Commodore's digs and bought, and, later, extensively restored the mansion to the condition that "would have made the Commodore proud", as Mr. Allan described the work. At that time, I served as Vice-Chairman of the Covington Urban Design Board and, as such, was in the Second Street house on many occasions during, and after, the restoration.

Captain Albert "Bow-Wow" Kelly, piloted the AVALON and DELTA QUEEN when I worked with him, but in earlier days, he was a Pilot on the legendary CITY OF LOUISVILLE, owned and operated by Commodore Laidley, and knew the Commodore well. Cap'n Kelly told several stories about his boss, and recalled that Mr. Laidley "had a long goatee that flapped when he talked"... so whenever Kelly quoted the Commodore, he put his hand, with extended fingers, that mimicked the boss's chin whiskers and flapped his hand as he quoted the words of Commodore Laidley. It was quite interesting to watch and hear... possibly the next best thing to have actually been in the presence of the legendary owner of the L&C Packet Line.

*Laidley/Greene family friendships*
Hi, Shipyard & Steamboating colleagues:
Shipyard Shipyard's description of Capt. Albert Kelly imitating the Commodore's Billy goat whiskers humorous. Kelly also related to me knowing the Laidley daughters in his time with the company stating, "And even then they were not young 'debutants' or such...nearly in early middle age." Sam on the money with more details of the Laidley family, death of Miss Mary Laidley, purchase by the Allans, "trouble calls." In spite of our often humorous anecdotes using the commodore, he was then considered a good man, fair in business and relationships. To him steamboats a business and not a venture into romance. He knew the fast CITY OF LOUISVILLE guzzled coal by the ton and not the money maker he desired; yet he reveled in her lavishing care, money.

Some years back I 'think' Capt. Fred Way happened to run a photo in his REFLECTOR showing possibly the cabin of the TACOMA [?] with Capt. Gordon C. Greene, fellow officers and Capt. Jesse P. Hughes seated for a meal in the main cabin. Among the group were Commodore Laidley and his then young looking son, Rook Laidley, in fine suits, white shirts, ties staring in the camera for the "pitcher man." There had been for years cordial to friendly relationships between Fred Laidley and the Greene family especially after the Greenes moved their operation to Cincinnati long about 1904. Fred Way also 'hinted' in writings, conversations that Fred Laidley went so far as something of a 'guiding angel' to the Greene family and their operation. This due to the 'link' Laidley needed between his steamers and those of the Greene family.

Capt. Ellis Mace, in his book and private letters, tantalized me with his coy mention of the "knock down battle Fred Laidley had in the meetings attempting to gain control of not only the WHITE COLLAR LINE but the then L&C LINE." Laidley also took it on the chin from the gang on the Cincinnati Public Landing when he pulled the plug ending express steamboat service between Cincinnati and Memphis, TN. Laidley's fingers and money were also in other boat lines.

Laidley's investment/interests in meat packing garnered him for a time a near monopoly on the meat business in and around the region of Indianapolis, IN. Well, what do I know?

R. Dale Flick on the northern shores of Lake Michigan.