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Archiver > ILPOPE > 2004-02 > 1076291379
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Subject: [ILPOPE-L] Metropolis News/1965
Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2004 20:49:45 -0500 (EST)
Letters to Home
page 2
Competition across the street on Third was afforded by John's Bros and
the Dollar Grocery.
Saturday evenings afforded the most business downtown as the
men were paid and came in to do their shopping. Most employment was
afforded by wood working mills along the river front. Starting at the
west end, there was Rampendahl's Heading Factory, Turnbo's Brick Plant,
the big Quante Flour Mill, corner of Front St and Girard. Whyler's Spoke
Factory, the Municipal Power and water Plant across the bayou.
Rampendahl's Stave Factory, The Daly Mill, Harris and Cole Bros Lumber
Mill. ( known as the big mill) and the Roberts Box Factory, nearest Fort
Massac.. All of these operated long before the Bending Factory or
Leonard Mill were established. The wages for men was $ 1.25 and boys
$.60 per day of ten hours a day and six days a week.
For refreshments, should men desire
(and men only) there was Ike's Daniel's Saloon at the corner of Front
and Ferry and Covington's Saloon at the corner of front and Metropolis
Streets. For those desiring a german atmosphere there was the Pergrande
saloon at the corner of Metropolis and Second Street. The Zel Bruner
Livery Barn which was destroyed by a fire in 1897, was located between
the above mentioned saloons on a site later occupied by the ice plant.
The river front was far different than it is today
both in activities and appearance. Steamboats were numerous and
Metropolis had very good service. First the Geo H. Cowling ( a one
decker) and the later the Geo cowling made two round trips to Paducah,
fare 25 cents. The Dick Fowler made a daily trip from Paducah to Cairo
and back and made landings at Metropolis. The Ferry operated from the
foot of Ferry St. In addition packets as they were known up and down the
river from Cincinnati to St Louis and Memphis.
Much freight moved on the river by boats and it was ________
behind one
of ____ a skiff and ride the swells.
The river furnished entertainment. Moonlight
excursions up and down the river, and the music of the steam calipoe as
she approached the Fort would announce the arrival of French Show Boat,
or Dr Price's New Sensation. That evening the populace would be regaled
with renditions of Uncle Tom's Cabin or the Missouri Girl.
( More To Come)
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