Str PRESIDENT

Capt Jim,

What a sad situation the PRESIDENT has had the last few years. I can only hope she gets restored and is preserved as we have heard she will be.

Unlike the Europeans, we do not preserve our history well in this country. It is sad to think the sidewheel steamboat is all but extinct in a mere 200 years! At the same time, the overnight steamboat will become a memory of the past in a couple of days.

I should think steamboat fans should hang around the dumpsters near the PRESIDENT for the next few months. If I were there, you'd find me scarfing up collectibles!

~Travis~

Sad days

Thats just more sad news Jim and Travis. You know when I was in High School that was the place to go on Friday and Saturday nite The Admiral or the President. They always had a good band on those cruises. I am proud to say that I have ridden those boat as well as worked and Lived on the MQ and the DQ. I would also like to say that I am proud to have worked for you Captain Jim Blum, you were the second Captain i ever worked for and you always treated me fairly and with respect. And by the way Jim I really didnt see Mintz and Candeloro climb on at the Lock that morning, t was either Cannelton or Newburgh. It really is a shame to see these Beautiful Boats go the way they are.

Oh lordy, Mel - Tony Mintz and Charlie Candeloro, what names from the past! Those were our bartenders back in the late '70s, for newer readers/riders...

well they missed the boat one nite whilst partying uptown and climbed on in the lock next morning and the Cap'n saw somebody get on but couldnt quite tell who. so he came stormin down to the bow and said where'd they go and I said who and he said you know who and I said no I dont I was here on the bow. so he goes down to charlies room who had run down and jumped in bed fully clothed and pulled the covers up. Jim opened the door and there is Charlie acting half asleep with the covers pulled up to his neck.

I used to call him "Candelabra" and we enjoyed hurling insults at each other. When I was running mate, it was always a treat to have a fire and boat drill in the AM, because I knew the bartenders hadn't been to bed for long. As I made the rounds, I looked forward to getting to the bartender's station as I knew I could find some half awake guys, probably hung over, and would say something upbeat, like "Well, Candelabra, your eyes have nice roadmaps on them this morning." It is my understanding that he has passed away, and some time ago. Way too young to be gone.

Yes Lexie I heard he passed away some years ago. Yeah Charlie and Tony Mintz and the Obriens, Dianne Lee, Jackie lee, Dave Cosgrove. Oh and Lumpy LOL! Tiny the cook. The Gatzkes. Engine room Jim. Ed Smith and Bubba. Vic and Mom. Dan Foreman and his bird. Those were the days. Remember our code name for Mac..."cheeseburger"

A stop late this afternoon in St Elmo, IL revealed one Str President Smokestack planted in a plot of ground close to the St Elmo Exit on I-70. A couple hundred feet away a banner stating Future Home of the President Hotel and Convention Center. As a public disclosure the stack that was planted there was NOT the stack with the Whistles attached, although the Nooter Boiler Company plate was still attached----and was still attached as I left the scene at approximately 1545. No other activity was observed.

Very admirable restraint, Capt. Blum!

Good that you mentioned the Nooter Plate still being there after you left, in case it does disappear in the future. It sounds like this stack is right out in the open and you were able to walk up to it? Was any grading or work on the ground being done? The whistles were on the starboard stack, so this must be the port..