[Wilmington Star – October 14, 1904]

A few days ago Mr. Herbert Lutterloh got a restraining order against the Fayetteville & Wilmington Steamboat Company, and an order to show cause why a receiver should not be appointed for the company. Yesterday the order was vacated and judgment given Mr. Lutterloh for a bond $450, and $150 additional.

Yesterday John I. Jacobs, of New York, to whom had been assigned claims of the crew of the City of Fayetteville, for salaries due them, obtained seven judgments amounting to $1,240 in all, and execution was issued, and Constable Goddard levied on the “City of Fayetteville.”

The boat is still in his hands, awaiting further developments in the case.

The Wilmington star of Sunday says:

The Star was in error yesterday in stating that the steamer “Hawes” was one of the fleet of the Cape Fear and Peoples’ Steamboat Company, which went into the hands of a receiver Friday. The “Hawes” is owned and operated independently of the Cape Fear Steamboat Co., Capt. W. A. Robeson having purchased her about three months ago. Mr. J. A. Munn is Wilmington agent of the “Hawes” and she is doing a good river shipping and is paying.

Papers in the receivership of the Cape Fear Steamboat Co. were filed with the Clerk of the Superior Court here yesterday and copies transmitted to Fayetteville for service on the agents of the corporation there. Receiver D. McEachern executed the required bond of $1,000 with Hon. Jno. D. Bellamy and Mr. Jno. S. Armstrong as sureties.

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The appointment was made after hearing argument by a number of interested counsel including H. L. Cook, representing the steamboat company, s. H. MacRae, representing the complainant, J. F. Jacobs; N. A. Sinclair, representing the holders of bonds issued by the company, there being $125,000 of bonds outstanding; and Charles Rose, of Fayetteville, and E. T. Brown, of Wilmington, representing the libalants against the company.

The Raleigh Post of this morning says:

In connection with the order for the receiver in the district court, there were a number of bills in admiralty representing claims against the company filed in the circuit court. After making the order naming the Carolina trust Company as receiver the court took under advisement the petition on the part of the bondholders to have the claims against the company investigated, the bondholders to give bond in the sum of $250 to cover the cost of such investigation.

The Fayetteville – Wilmington Steamboat Company was organized more than two years ago, A. A. Lisman, of New York, being the promoter and president of the corporation. Bonds in the sum of $125,000 were issued and a fine boat equipped with every modern improvement was built at Jacksonville, Fla., especially for operation as a freight and passenger boat between Fayetteville and Wilmington. Extensive wharves were constructed at Fayetteville ###### Wilmington and the boat operated on a very liberal scale.

The receivership order provides that the Carolina Trust Company shall take charge of all the property and assets of the company after giving bond in the sum of $15,000 and operate the steamer as usual subject to the orders of the court, the receipts to be applied first to the payment of the operating expenses and any surplus to the liquidation of claims against the company as the court may direct.

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D. McEACHERN,

Receiver

Jan’y 19, 1905

The steamer A. P. Hurt, of the Cape Fear and People’s Steamboat Co. with her tackle, apparel and all other appurtenances, was sold yesterday at auction under receiver’s sale at the wharf of the company, in Wilmington. Mr. W. J. Meredith having become the purchaser at $2,475 says the Wilmington Star, of Sunday:

The sale was conducted by Hon Jno. D. Bellamy, attorney for Receiver D. McEachern, and the bidders, besides Mr. Meredith, were Col. W. S. Cook and Mr. A. E. Martin, of Fayetteville, and Mr. C. H. Dock, of Wilmington. The sale is subject to confirmation of the court, under a decree of which, in the case of H. L. Vollers and others against the company, the property was ordered sold. It is understood that the bid of Mr. Meredith will be raised ten per cent before confirmation, in which event, the steamer will probably be re-sold.

Mr. Meredith said last night that in the purchase of the steamer he was representing a new and entirely independent company, which proposes, if the sale is confirmed, to operate the steamer on the Cape Fear under the same name which she now bears. It is understood that Mr. A. J. Johnson, of Clear Run, is associated with Mr. Meredith and others in the new company.

The Wilmington Star of Saturday says:

Mr. W. J. Meredith, who purchased the steamer A. P. Hurt at receiver’s sale recently, announces that he has conveyed his interest in the same to the Tar Heel Steamboat Company, of this city, and that the new owners will take her in charge immediately. The Hurt will be placed on the marine railway and will undergo a thorough overhauling after which she will resume her run on the Cape Fear river as an additional freight and passenger boat with the steamer “Tar Heel” now operated by the above company.
[Fayetteville Observer – Thursday, March 16, 1905]

FOR SALE

An elegant modern steel hull passenger and freight steamboat, “The City of Fayetteville,” and, also, the valuable wharves, floating dock, warehouses, offices, hoisting engine fully equipped with cable cars, and about forty-five acres of land on the river front in Fayetteville, suitable for railroad and steamboat terminal and building purposes, also a valuable lot near the centre of the town, suitable for building purposes.

At the same time and place there will be sold, all other property, real and personal or mixed, in possession of the Receiver for the Fayetteville & Wilmington Steamboat Company, of whatsoever kind.

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The real property herein advertised is more particularly described as follows:

Certain tracts or parcels of land in Cross Creek township, Cumberland County and State of North Carolina, bounded and described as follows, viz:

Beginning at a stake the upper corner of Council Hall land, thence with it, so called, south 73 ½ west 20 chains to a stake in edge of ditch; thence along said ditch south 30 east 5 chains 39 links to a stake and pointers; thence south 15 east 4 chains 65 links; thence with it to the river; thence up the river to the beginning, containing thirty acres more or less.

2^nd tract. Beginning at Burton Johnson’s on a gully, thence as a ditch south 6 east 5 chains to a stake at a road, thence north 75 east 14 chains west bank of river; thence up said river 5 chains to A. B. Williams’ lower corner on the river; thence with his line south 80 west 10 chains 50 links to Burton Johnson’s corner; thence with his line south 16 east 50 links to a stone, his other corner; thence with his other line south 80 west 2 chains 40 links to the beginning containing 6 ½ acres more or less.

3^rd tract. Beginning at a water oak bush on bank of ##ly; thence north 80 east 10 chains to the river, thence up the river north 9 west 11 chains to a hackberry at the mouth of a gully; thence up various courses of the gully about 15 chains to the beginning, containing about 7 ½ acres.

4^th tract. Beginning at a stone formerly J. W. Powell’s corner, and running thence with his line south 76 west 5 chains and 50 links to a stake in a ditch, where said Powell’s line crosses the ditch; thence with said ditch south 6 east 4 chains to a stake in the ditch where it forks; thence with a ditch south 28 east 6 chains and 37 links, to A. B. Williams’ corner; thence with said Williams’ line north 79 east 4 chains and 65 links to a stake in a line formerly Powell’s thence with said line north 14 west 10 chains and 60 links to the beginning, containing about 5 1-5 acres.

5^th tract. Beginning at a stone in the ditch bank, Powell’s line formerly the northwestern corner of the Western Railroad land, and runs thence with a ditch south 27 east 2 chains 68 links to a bend in the ditch; thence south 15 east with said ditch; thence south 57 west 2 chains 68 links to another ditch, “Buxton’s line,” thence with said ditch north 20 west 1 chain; thence north 28 west 5 chains to a stone on said ditch; thence north 65 east 3 chains 12 links to the beginning, containing 1 6-10 acres more or less.

The above five tracts were conveyed to the Fayetteville and Wilmington Steamboat Company by R. G. Haigh and wife, by deed recorded in book K, No 5, page 474 in the office of the Register of Deeds, in and for the county of Cumberland, North Carolina.

6^th tract. Beginning at the intersection on the southern margin of Franklin st with the eastern margin of Donaldson at and runs thence with the southern margin to Franklin st south 72 degrees 45 east 84 feet to a stake; thence south 17 degrees 45 west 125 feet to a stake; thence south 72 degrees 45 east 80 feet to a stake in Bevill and Vanstory’s line; thence with said Bevill and Vanstory’s line south 17 degrees 45 west 91 feet to a stake in said Bevill and Vanstory’s line; thence with their line, and past their corner and with J. A. Lambeth’s line north 67 degrees west 185 feet to the east margin of said Donaldson at north 23 degrees 30 east 196 feet 9 inches to the beginning. This was conveyed by Walter Watson and wife to the Fayetteville and Wilmington Steamboat Company by deed registered in the office of the Register of Deeds in and for Cumberland county, book N, No 5, page 395. From the eastern portion of this tract has been sold a lot 60 feet wide to Messrs Borden and Schwab, more particularly described as follows, viz: Beginning at the northeast corner of tract six on Franklin st, and running west with said street north 72 degrees 45 west 60 feet; thence south 17 degrees 45 west 210 feet to J. A. Lambeth’s line; thence with J. A. Lambeth a line south 67 degrees east 60 feet to Bevill and Vanstory’s line; thence with Bevill and Vanstory’s line north 17 degrees 45 east 216 feet to the beginning. With a twenty-foot right of way reserved.

TIME, PLACE AND TERMS OF SALE.

The above property will be sold on Monday, March 27^th, 1905 at the hour of 12 M, at the Court House door of Cumberland county at Fayetteville, North Carolina. Terms, one-third cash balance within thirty days after confirmation of sale by Court.

Sale made subject to the confirmation of the court, and title reserved until balance of purchase money shall be paid.

CAROLINA TRUST COMPANY,

Receiver.

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CAROLINA TRUST COMPANY,

Receiver.”
[Fayetteville Observer – Thursday, March 30, 1905]

The sale the other day of the steamer “City of Fayetteville,” for $11,750—costing $30,000 to build, exclusive of its expensive wharfs, automatic freight and passenger lifts, and bonded for $125,000—set me to thinking of old flush times on the Cape Fear river, when the steamers plied the waters, loaded with goods to the gunwale, and the saloons and staterooms were full of passengers. There was nothing of any exciting interest about the journey between Wilmington and Fayetteville, but the trip was always pleasant. The captain walked his quarterdeck “monarch of all he surveyed, but he was a kindly autocrat, and his passengers were his well cared for family.

Captain S. W. Skinner, now a citizen of Wilmington, was for many years a steamboat captain on the Cape Fear, and no man was more cordially liked and more highly esteemed than he throughout Fayetteville and from one end of the river to the other.

One night, many years ago, when Captain Skinner was commanding the steamer Hurt or Governor Worth, he was on one of his up trips from Wilmington to Fayetteville. It was cold, sleety weather, and the mate, wrapped up to his ears, slipped and slided on the decks as he made his rounds. The sparks rushed out from smoke stack in angry battle array against the deepening gloom, and the laboring craft churned the black, cold waters in impatience of her dreary task. The interior of the saloon was cosy and comfortable, with a good fire in the great box stove, but it was almost deserted, for the passengers going all the way through, after the evening spent in talk and cards, had retired to their berths.

A long awkward looking, typical backwoodsman, in a saffron jeans suit and sandy chin whiskers, was alone awake and restless—sitting on a rocking chair near the stove, spitting tobacco juice now into the spittoon on the left and then on the right, and peering anxiously through the cabin windows. Finally a pine torch was seen waving on the river bank a few hundred yards ahead, the whistle blew frantically the deck hands were heard stamping about, and the passenger rose to his six lank feet of stature, and gathered up his bundles.

The boat rounded to, the captain gave his quick, sharp commands, the engine puffed and groaned in discordant protests at being stopped in such weather, then egro roustabonts jumped out on the bank, and carried a rope around a big juniper tree, the gangplank was put out—and then there was a pause. “Where in thunder is the passenger to get off here?” demanded Captain Skinner. “Hasn’t come down from the upper deck, sir.” “Go after him, and bring him down, we can’t stop here all night!” The mate found the dilatory passenger marching deliberately up and down the saloon, turning over chairs, ransacking cushions, looking behind doors, etc.”

“Come get out of here man; you are keeping the boat waiting.” “Well mister, I carried down four pounds of lard to sell in Wilmington, and I can’t find the empty tin bucket, high ner low!” There was no further parly. The mate marched him out of the cabin by the shoulders, and he and the captain had him over the gangplank in a jiffy.

The passenger stood on the bank in the glare of the pine torch in the hands of his son, who had come down to wait for him. He watched the rope and the plank pulled aboard, the bow of the steamer swing out to the middle of the stream, and the sheet of parks lengthen out to a broad sparkling ribbon on the curtain of the night, as the boat passed on its way. He was silent, but he was thinking about something—and what he was thinking about will develop presently.

Two or three trips after this the Hurt going to Wilmington, was very late having been delayed several hours at Fayetteville by an unusually heavy freight, and was putting forth every effort to make up for lost time. About 10 o’clock Captain Skinner, passing through the cabin, stopped to look over the shoulder of one of a quartette at whist, when there was a quick, sharp blow of the whistle; and, with an impatient, exclamation at the stoppage when he was in such a hurry he went out on the deck, to see a torch waving on the river bank below—it was the lard bucket man’s landing.

There he stood, looking on with languid interest while the steamer was put in to the bank and the gangplank thrown out, down to the end of which he strode, and hailed: “Is that the steamer Hurt?” “Why, blame your fool soul, you know it’s the Hurt!” “Is that Captain Skinner?” “Confound your picture, come aboard, if you are coming!” “I don’t want to git aboard, but if that’s the Hurt and that’s Captain Skinner, I jist wanted ter know if he had found my lard bucket yit.”

Words were inadequate to that situation. The captain gave just one wild sweeping gesture of arms and hands to signify to the pilot to go ahead, and dived into his stateroom. I cannot give the thoughts of the backwoodsman as he tossed his torch into the river and ascended the bank, because I do not know what those thoughts were—as Dickens said about Job Trotter, when he outwitted Mr. Samuel Weller.

J. H. M.

There is an impression prevalent among the people that the steamer Hurt, of the Tar Heel Steamboat Company, was simply to be overhauled, whereas the fact is that the Government Inspector condemned it. Hence, the company decided to build a new boat, steel hull and modern in every respect, and the name will be changed. Probably the name will be the Cape Fear,, and they hope to have it ready by September 1^st.

Mr. Martin, the general manager, informs the OBSERVER that he hopes to have the new boat second to none that has ever been on the river.
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River News

The strange whistle on the river about 10 o’clock last night, which attracted some attention, heralded the coming of the Duplin, a boat that has never visited Fayetteville before.

The Duplin is owned by T. D. Love & Co., and is in command of Capt. Roy Smith.
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The “City of Fayetteville.”

D. L. Gore & Company, who last week raised the bid on the “City of Fayetteville” 10 per cent., and the sale to whom has been confirmed by Judge Purnell, in the Federal Court, announces that they will keep the boat on the Cape Fear.

“The City of Fayetteville” --- Gore’s

Judge Purnell, in the United States Circuit Court Thursday, made an order affirming the sale of the steamboat “City of Fayetteville,” now at her wharf in Campbellton, to S. H. MacRae for the Northern parties who bid in the entire property at the recent sale in this city, the 10 per cent. Increase bid by D. L. Gore having been withdrawn.

The Wilmington Star of Friday has the following account of a new boat on the Cape Fear:

Mr. Jno W. Squires, of Natmore, Bladen county, came down the river yesterday in a neat little craft which he has rigged up himself and which he proposed to run as a freight boat upon a small scale between Wilmington and the “home port.” The boat is about 25 feet long and has a stern wheel propelled by a hand-crank rigged up with a system of weights which propel the wheel quite rapidly and is productive of great speed. The new boat was built outright by Mr. Squires, and on her initial trip, yesterday was anchored in Princess street dock, where she attracted a great deal of attention.
[Fayetteville Observer – Thursday, June 29, 1905]

THE DROWNING OF YOUNG

MR. PATE.
His Body Reaches Fayetteville.
The remains of Mr. Hector Lloyd Pate, of Sherwood, this county, who was drowned Friday night by falling overboard from the steamer Tar Heel while the boat was on her way to Fayetteville, reached here at noon from Wilmington and was taken throughout the country to his home for burial. The body was discovered yesterday floating near the place where the accident occurred, by Capt. Jim Williams, of the steam tug Navassa.

The Wilmington Star of Tuesday says:

Mr. Pate came to the city Friday on an excursion run by the owners of the steamer Tar Heel and spent the day here. When the boat started on the return trip he was safely on board the steamer. When near Mount Misery about seven miles from this city. Mr. Pate went to descend the stairs leading from the upper to the lower deck. In some way he tripped and fell and being unable to stop himself rolled overboard. A boat was lowered immediately and a thorough search made for the body. The unfortunate young man, however, was beyond mortal aid, as no trace of him was discovered whatsoever.

The father of the young man was immediately made aware of the sad end that had come to his son and he and Mr. Lloyd Hall, a neighbor and friend, went down to the spot Saturday morning where the accident happened and made a search for the body. However, it was not recovered until yesterday morning.

Early in the morning Engineer George Grimsley while sitting in the engineer’s room of the tug Navassa, which tug was tied up to the factory wharf at Navassa, saw a body floating face downward in the water about 20 feet from the boat. He immediately informed Captain Williams of his discovery and preparations for the recovery of the body were made at one.

Some time elapsed before the boat went after the body. When the body was overtaken it was about one mile down Brunswick river, the tide having carried it that distance.

The body was towed back to Navassa and Dr. Moore, the coroner of Brunswick county, was sent for. After viewing the remains he deemed an inquest unnecessary and gave permission for its removal and burial.

Mr. Freeman Yopp, assistant of Mr. W. F. Yopp, undertaker went to Navassa and brought the body to the city about 1 o’clock yesterday. It was carried to the Yopp undertaking establishment and prepared for burial. The body, of course, after its long stay in the water was in a bad condition. It was very much discolored and decomposition had already begun.

Young Mr. Pate was about 24 years old and leaves to mourn his unexpected and extremely sad death a feather, a mother, three brothers and three sisters. Mr. Pate was a farmer and had a reputation for being a young man of integrity and good character.
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