Lists: As I remember, the Eads bridge opened up a new commercial era for St. Louis in 1874. The city had relied upon the river trade and although very successful, had missed the chance to connect to the East by not building a bridge. There were also charges of business & political collusion in denying St. Louis a bridge, some by St. Louisans heavily invested in the river economy, that served Chicago's interests. Of course, Mississippi, Illinois & Missouri River traffic would keep up for many years afterwards but most eventually fell to the economy of the railroads. As was said by a businessman from Chicago (St. Louis' chief economic rival), "Rivers run where nature pleases, but railroads run where man plans". Over the years, there has been some interest in the river traffic on the lists and the Captains/Masters. Thought these may give an incite to the commerce of the day.The following are some announcements made on that cold February 20th, 1876: LOWER MISSISSIPPI Carroll Line Passenger Steamer "John A. Scudder" leaving for N.O Sunday, the 20th (for the Mardi Gras) A.J. Carter - Master (Captain), C.H. Dix - Clerk Merchant's Southern Packet Co.. Steamer "James Howard" - Memphis & N.O. - B.R. Pegram, Captain, J.H. Chassaing, Clerk.Foot of Walnut St. Carroll Line Steamer "Glencoe" Freight & Passage, John T. McCord, Master. Foot of Market & Chestnut Mississippi Valley Transportation Co. Steamer "Future City" and barges. For freight contracts apply at wharfboat at foot of Elm St. (no longer exists) Offers greatly reduced rates to Texas, Alabama & Georgia. George H. Rea, Pres., W.F. Haines, Freight Agent, H.C. Haarstick, V.P. Memphis & St. Louis Packet Co. Steamer "Emma C. Elliot" For St. Mary's, Ste, Genevieve, Chester, & Grand Tower (Memphis?) I. Lightner, Master, W.B. Russel, Gen'l Freight Agent Memphis " " " U.S. Mail Line For Cairo, Columbus & Memphis (?) Ziegler, Master, To Anchor Line (connects with ?) (There were two Mail ships, one the 23rd & the other 28th) UPPER MISSISSIPPI Under "The Rivers," it reported that, "the upper Mississippi is falling fast". Assume this was a major problem before the lock system. Keokuk Northern Line Packet Co. Steamer "Bayard For Hannibal, Quincy, Keokuk & Burlington - (?) Kinnear, Master, wharf at Vine & Locust MISSOURI RIVER Missouri River Packet Co. - Star Line Steamer Belle St. Louis" Cartwright, Master For Jefferson City, Rocheport, Boonville, Arrow Rock, Glasgow, Cambridge & Frankfort - Regular weekly trip Missouri " " " Steamer "Fannie Lewis" Keith, Master - same destinations as above ILLINOIS RIVER General Agent R.F. Sass - Steamer "Mary Boyd" to Peoria connecting to Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Railroad delivering freight at Illinois Central depot at the foot of Lake St. (Chicago, I assume. I would imagine that agent Sass' route to Chicago wouldn't have lasted too many more years after the proper connections were made through Eads & East St. Louis) St. Louis & Illinois Packet Co. Steamer "Lady Lee" Samuel Rider, Master, (numerous stops - it stopped at Rock Island to offload freight to the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific R.R. and continued to Chicago) First class fare to Chicago $7. Apply at company's wharfboat at foot of Spruce St. Regular Napes Packet Light Draught Steamer "Fannie Keener" - Abrams, Master Grafton, Hardin, Montezuma, Florence, Griggsville, Perry, Naples & all way landings (?) Gary Stoltman Mercerville, NJ