15/03/2011 5:32 pm
I was blessed to spend an hour or so in the Forward Cabin Lounge with Mom. listening to some wonderful memories. After we made our way down to the Orleans Room for the evening show, I realized how very fortunate I, a newly addicted steamboat enthusiast, was to have such a pleasant chat with such a remarkable lady.
Ralph and I extend our condolences to all the family and thanks for sharing her with us.
15/03/2011 5:43 pm
*RE: Helen's arrangements/Memorial*
Steamboating colleagues:
Again, thanks to Keith for his timely reporting with photos from him and many of you. Helen had hinted to me years ago RE: cremation etc. She certainly will be missed but we all have to celebrate her long, fruitful, enthsiastic life. Helen, until well in her 90s, could out-walk and hike many in their 50s--a marvel. As far as I know Helen was probably one of the last survivors of the old GREENE LINE days with living memories of Capt. Gordon C. Greene. Are there others we can recall? My grandmother recalled well the old days knowing Capt. Jesse, aunt Telia along with the Egingtons from the boats. That was indeed a L-O-N-G time ago. Sorry to say the dismal 'cycle of three' has visited me again here with three friends/colleagues passing away since last week.
When Betty Blake passed away prematurely she commented, "I peeked on the other side and saw lots of little steamboats." I'm sure Helen will not only see "lots of steamboats" but a fine calliope and piano waiting for her to enter, sit down and began playing. Go in peace Helen, we'll all catch up with you in time.
R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River.
Topic starter
15/03/2011 9:30 pm
I can't say for certain, but I would imagine that, at 98, Miss Helen was the eldest member of the Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen. She certainly was one of the very last with such a direct connection to the final days of steamboating when the Greene Line operated packets and there were many other steamboats in existence. And it would be impossible to list the river people she knew and loved!
Herewith is an image of Miss Helen, at age 7, with Capt. James Wright, pilot, on the forecastle of the former Greene Line steamer LEROY. This photo was taken in 1918, while the boat was under the brief ownership of Helen's father, Capt. Jesse P. Hughes.
16/03/2011 3:30 am
In addition to "lots of little steamboats," a fine calliope and piano, I am confident that her favorite imbibement, a Wild Turkey Manhattan will be handed to Helen as she takes her place at the heavenly keyboard.
We are still graced with the presence of Miss Virginia Bennett, whose river career stretches way back to the Greene Line days.
16/03/2011 5:33 am
To all who knew Miss Prater,
May I offer my sincere condolensces to all who knew and seem to have great fondness and admiration for this lady. I didn't have the pleasure of knowing her, but think I would have liked to just from what I've read in the previous postings. She sounds like she was quite a woman.
I hope this doens't sound insensitive, but I was not very familiar with the Str. Leroy and the first thing that struck me about the photo taken on the forecastle of the Leroy was that the Diamond Lady's handrails are almost identical to those on the boiler deck of the Leroy. Just an observation.
Again, my sincere sympathy. I wish I could've met her...steamboat stories, piano/calliope music and a good whiskey (although I prefer Jim Beam)...sounds like a good time to me.
John
16/03/2011 6:16 am
Keith Norrington;24939 wrote: And MORE Adventures with Miss Helen...
(1) On the Texas deck of the BELLE OF LOUISVILLE with Capt. Roddy Hammett and his mother, Marguerite Hammett - En route to TALL STACKS - October, 1992.
(2) At the grand piano in the lobby of the Hotel Lafayette, S&D 1999, with Keith enjoying it to the max!
(3) Reveling in the Greene Line exhibit in the River Heritage Room of the Behringer-Crawford Museum, Covington, Kentucky - April, 1995.
The third picture of Mrs. Prater in the Covington Museum features two items familiar to me! The half pilot wheel is of the upper-Ohio River steamboat "Leroy" which my ancestors part owned and operated. I now own that item after purchasing it from Mickey and Linda Frye of Cincinnati. The Wheel and steering levers seen in the pic (from the Wake Robin) now grace the Monroe County River Museum in Clarington, OH. Thanks for posting the pic!
16/03/2011 6:32 am
Mrs. Prater's Passing
On behalf of the Monroe County River Museum, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the family of Mrs. Prater.
I was fortunate enough to have been introduced to Mrs. Prater when I was 8 years old at my first S&D meeting by Fred McCabe. I very much enjoyed talking with her with each new year at S&D. Although my memories and experiences with Mrs. Prater can no where match those of you who had the priviledge of knowing her many years before I, her loss is undeniably sad. I wish to extend my personal sympathies and ask that God bless this remarkable woman.
Topic starter
16/03/2011 1:36 pm
John: Here's an image of the Str. LEROY that I thought might interest you. The LEROY was operated by Greene Line Steamers from 1908 until 1918.
16/03/2011 11:32 pm
Keith Norrington;24991 wrote: John: Here's an image of the Str. LEROY that I thought might interest you. The LEROY was operated by Greene Line Steamers from 1908 until 1918.
What a great picture of the Leroy Keith! I've never seen this one before. I am unsure of the year, but my ancestor Captain Thaddeus Thomas captained and co-owned the Leroy. If I am not mistaken, the boat was purchased from the Greene family around the turn of the century. I don't have my records handy here at Ohio University or I would look myself! Thanks again for the great picture Keith. Fred McCabe asked that I say hello to you from him by the way!
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