Captain Wagner Memorial

Mary, thanks for your posting about Cap's Memorial at New Richmond. A couple of years ago Capt. Ted Davisson organized a group of us to collect donations for maintaining and/or updating that memorial and the grounds, but after checking with Bill Judd at New Richmond, it was his suggestion that we look for another possible location or museum at which to memorialize Cap. We are still investigating a suitable place, and have not as yet made a commitment to any particular spot. So far, suggestions have been made to set up some kind of memorial at the Museum at Chilo, OH; at the Crawford-Behringer House in Covington, KY; on the grounds of the River Museum at Marietta, OH; or on the riverfront at Newport, KY. Any suggestions from you or other interested dot-orgers? We're still looking for the right place to move ahead with this project, after collecting contributions from ten donors. Thanks for bringing this to the attention of the river family!

David

David, I agree--as much as I enjoy visiting the memorial from time to time, I suspect Fred and I are among the few who do. We always share a story or two, and I know his spirit is happy being remembered--but it would be better to be in a place where more who actually knew him could tell the stories. It's time, folks--I don't like seeing the memorial start to look shabby, and that stone does not look good with the corner missing. What do you say we get serious?

I'm Serious

Mary --- You are friends with Cap'n Al, who was a student of the BIG Captain, and my favorite place for a memorial to the Skipper would be on the landing in front of BB Riverboats in Newport, Kentucky. Newport was not only Captain Wagner's first hometown after he left Tennessee, but that very spot, on the Newport side of the Ohio River, is exactly opposite where the Coney Island wharfboat was shackled to the Cincinnati cobblestone landing- and where the ISLAND QUEEN used to land. See if you can get Captain Al stirred up and involved in a memorial to a man who meant so much to so many people, including him. I would love to see a full-size bronze statue of Wagner overlooking the place where he first stepped aboard a steamboat. Even a simple bronze plaque might due if the statue is beyond the present means of the contributory budget.

SBW

Mary,

I agree with Shipyard! Please check your e-mail for a private message regarding our future plans. Thanks.

David

Dave: I agree with Shipyard totally. I never personally met the Big E but did see him upon occasion...and, of course pictured in the REFLECTOR. I have at least one photo of him that I took many years ago. I only know him thru the good offices of those who served under and really did know him and they've been more than sufficiently vocal that I feel that I really did know him. (has anyone really done a biography of him like Barbara H did for John Beatty?). The place is ideal to my mind. Go for it! Cap'n Walnut.

Let's consult with Captain Ted Davisson, who spearheaded a campaign awhile back, and get with this idea. I like Newport, too. An article in today's Cincinnati paper mentioned a tentative date for the next Tall Stacks as 2010. It seems that if we want to do something in Newport, that would be a good goal. But we are pretty preliminary at this point.
As to a biography, I'd thought of doing one at one point. I've never met Captain Wagner, either, but sure have heard the stories!

Mary, you said the next Tall Stacks was tentatively 2010, obviously a typo. When is it really scheduled for?

Oops! I meant 2012! Thanks, Cap.

Wonder what boats will be left for a 2012 Tall Stacks?