Kentucky Sky

by R. David Anderson

  We wore our finest dresses and summer bonnets for this momentous occasion. We could not contain our excitement as we waited to board the majestic river steamer.

  Pelina suddenly jabbed me with her elbow. “Look! That man is Flynt!” She gasped.

  I looked at the man she pointed to, he was towards the front of the line and he boarded with the second-class passengers onto the freight deck.

  “That is Flynt!” I said. “I hope that he didn’t see us.”

  “I don’t think that he noticed us in this crowd,” Pelina said, reassuringly. Nonetheless, it made me uncomfortable knowing that Flynt was on board. But it did give me some hope that now we could track his movements.

  Once the freight was finally loaded the long line of passengers began to move towards the gangway. We walked up the ramp to the main deck and showed our tickets to the clerk. We followed the other first-class passengers up a wide balustraded staircase. This stairway branched halfway up, one stairs curving left and the other right. We moved up the steps to the balcony. Now we found ourselves on the cabin deck. We asked one of the stewards for directions to our room. He said that our state room was on the starboard side and he directed us to the promenade.

  “I will show you to your room,” he said politely. He took our bags and ushered us to our quarters, unlocked the door and entered, setting our bags on the floor. He inspected the interior, then told us to ring the bell if we needed anything. I thanked him and gave a small tip.

  The room was rather narrow, but it was furnished with comfortable chairs, a foldable table on the window wall, and some bunk beds. It was crowded with the three of us, but it was nice to sit at the little window table and look out at the city. We had a good view right up Third Street toward the rows of shops that went onwards up towards Main.

  To our right we could see the imposing Louisville Hotel, one of the largest buildings downtown. All along the waterfront were many long-storied warehouses and freight yards. There were many work horses pulling freight wagons back and forth. Louisville was a city hard at work, it never rested.

  The whistle sounded several times as the boat shuddered slightly and began moving slowly up river. People waved from the landing and blew kisses as we were under way.

  Downtown buildings became smaller as the steamer moved farther out on the river. We passed foundries, mills, factories, and tobacco warehouses along Water Street. I counted the steeples of Louisville’s many churches as we went, and I knew all of them by name.

  Once we had passed downtown, the residential areas came into view. Two and three story white wood frame houses were just beyond the Fulton Street mills. The windows of homes and factories glittered in the afternoon sunlight as we slowly moved up river. We quickly passed Bear Grass Creek and Butchertown

  Our accommodations on The United States were exceptionally grand. We were fortunate to be able to ride in the first-class section. The second class had to ride in very cramped conditions on the freight deck. They had to provide their own meals and bedding. This was an exciting new experience traveling in first class, and I must say, after this, I did not want to go any other way.

  About the only advantage the second-class passengers had over first class was that in case the boat was sinking, they could jump off faster from the main deck. But if the boiler blew, as was prone to happening on many an ill-fated riverboat, they would be blown to bits.

  We were now passing the outlying areas of Louisville. I recognized the inlet of Harrod’s Creek. Memories of my youth flashed by; the horse farm on Mint Spring, the fields where my Papa and I gathered corn, the one room school house where Pelina and I attended several years ago on Wolf Pen Creek. Louisville was quickly fading away in the distance; now we were on our way to new places we had only heard about.

  Pelina snapped me out of my reminiscing. “Let’s go out and explore the boat!” She suggested.

  We went out to the promenade. A steward came and locked our door for us. The promenade was lavishly adorned with an ornate wood carved colonnade with Southern style lattice arches. All the wood was painted white, except for the deck, which was bare.

  We walked up the promenade holding our parasols slightly tilted upon our shoulders, trying to imitate the rich ladies on board. There was an open observation deck at the front of the riverboat, with many tables and chairs clustered towards the cabin.

  Pelina, Katherine and I sat at one of the tables. This was a nice place to relax and talk. A waiter came and asked us what we would have, so we ordered some drinks. We had some excellent Longworth’s Catawba vintage 1863, a famous sparkling wine.

  An elegantly dressed young woman holding an umbrella entered from the promenade. She looked at us and smiled. There was an available chair at our table.

  I took a sip of wine.

  “Mind if I join you?” She inquired.

  “Oh, please do,” I invited.

  “My, aren’t you all such lovely young ladies. I’ve never seen you on board before. Are you looking for prospects?” She giggled.

  “Prospects?” I repeated, not really knowing what she meant by that.

  She laughed. “Prospects. You know girls, wealthy young men!”

  “Oh, yes, we are chasing some men,” Pelina volunteered.

  “Well, there are many fine eligible bachelors in the first-class section on this steamer, as you will see.”

  The idea of chasing after a rich boy had never occurred to me, but I am sure that the notion made us most curious. Marrying money and being set for life was an inviting prospect.

  “So, girls, tell me your names, and where you are from…”

  We introduced one another and told her a little about ourselves. She seemed especially interested when I told her about how Katherine and I had been in an orphanage for several years. She inquired about our parents. She listened intently as I explained how my parents were killed by Union soldiers when I was twelve, and how I was now chasing those same soldiers to Newport. I also told her about the black-market activities which they were operating.

  “Please tell us about yourself,” I said. “What is your name?”

  “I am Theresa Wrampelmeier. My husband is the owner of the Wrampelmeier furniture factory in Louisville. He does a lot of business in Newport and Cincinnati, so we travel the river regularly.”

  “What kind of furniture do you make at the factory?” Katherine asked.

  “We make everything from tables to bedroom furniture to upholstered sofas and chairs. The sofas in the salon area of this boat are made at our Louisville factory. Our products are widely distributed throughout the country.”

  Mrs. Wrampelmeier paused. I poured her some wine. She smiled and seemed very grateful for the drink.

  “John and I came to America from Germany many years ago. We were poor. John learned the furniture business in New York. Then we moved to Louisville and started out in a small warehouse near the river, then we expanded our company. We are now located in our new factory and we’ve become the largest furniture business in Louisville.”

  The whistle blew from the uppermost deck. It was very loud. We saw another steamer up river loaded with freight and passengers. It passed us going in the opposite direction and was quickly out of view. We could read the boats name on its paddle wheel housing: The America.

  “You all look so very young. What are your ages?” Mrs. Wrampelmeier asked.

  “We are seventeen,” I replied.

  “Oh, my, only seventeen. So young. I am a little more than twice your age…I’m thirty-five.”

  Pelina seemed surprised. “You are?” I thought that you were twenty!”

  Mrs. Wrampelmeier laughed. “No, my dear, I’ve been around awhile. But many people say that I look much younger than what I actually am. So, have you girls ever been on a riverboat before this trip?”

  “This is our first time on a riverboat,” I answered. “We’ve never been out of Jefferson County before. This is all so exciting. I have always wanted to ride on a riverboat since I was n
ine years old and saw them on the Ohio River. I remember that I was with my Pa on our hay wagon when we went to get supplies at Goose Creek. I’ll never forget seeing all the paddle wheelers going up and down the big river.”

  Mrs. Wrampelmeier smiled. “Now you are on one of the best steamers on the river today. Only the America riverboat is newer. Did you see her? She just went by a minute ago”

  “Yes, it looks very much like this boat,” I replied.

  “Have you been on The America?” Katherine asked.

  “Yes. I’ve been on that boat twice now. It’s the largest steamer in the Mail Lines and competes openly with The United States. However, this boat has the best kitchen staff. The chef is the best anywhere.”

  Mrs. Wrampelmeier looked at her gold brooch watch.

  “Dinner will be in about half an hour. Do you girls want to come with me for a tour of the boat, and dine with me and my husband tonight?”

  “We would be honored,” I said.

  We were excited to go on a tour of the boat with Mrs.Wrampelmeier as our guide. She took us to the grand salon, where we stood next to the large brass plated water cooler, gazing in amazement at the expansive hall, about 300 feet long and 40 feet wide. It was lavishly adorned with paneled and frescoed ceilings and soaring gilded lobed arches traversing across the beams. Seven gold plated crystal chandeliers with crimson shades glittered from above. The walls, ceilings, doors and trim all had hand carved exquisite woodwork crafted in many designs. High etched glass windows at the roof line allowed the soft glow of outside light to filter down into the spacious room.

  Down the center of the salon dining tables were being readied. Waiters were setting up for dinner, moving chairs to the tables. Silverware, fine porcelain dishes and crystal glassware were set in place.

  Rows of doors on each side of the magnificent length of the salon led to the state rooms.

  “At the other end is the ladies’ salon,” Mrs. Wrampelmeier told us. “The other door of your state room will open to this section, also. Have you found the baths?”

  “No, we haven’t been there yet.” I said.

  “Just follow me, my dears. You must know where the baths are located.”

  We followed Mrs. Wrampelmeier down to the ladies’ section. There was a huge ceiling high mirror here with doors to each side. A variety of plants had been placed along the wall lattice, and the foliage draped down from above.

  We went into the ladies’ wash room. There were several private bath chambers where ladies might have warm baths with mineral salts. There was also a long counter with built in sinks and running water taps…a real luxury for those times. A line of women waited with number chips for their turn to take a bath. Maids scurried around to wait on the needs of the women in the wash room. It was a busy atmosphere in there. Soaps, shampoos, mineral oils and towels were provided by the maids. Manicures and hair styling services were also available, and several ladies sitting on plush sofas were availing themselves of such treatments.

  I wanted to try the baths and hair styling, but this was a short trip and it was almost time eat. I was more eager for dinner to begin at the moment. Pelina could give us a quick makeover in our state room.

  Mrs. Wrampelmeier also showed us the bridal suites, child care center, and the upper balcony area with the crew cabins and pilot house. The views were inspiring from the upper deck, often called the Texas. We stood next to the imposing black smoke stacks looking at both shores of the wide river; there was mostly woods dotted with farmland and a few small towns.

  We could hear the grand piano down below from the salon. A catchy tune was being played to signal the start of dinner. We descended the stairs back to the cabin deck. Upon entering the dining area, we saw many of the first-class travelers leaving their state rooms and finding a place at one of the many tables. The pianist continued to play tunes as the passengers waited to place orders.

  The gas lighted chandeliers made the big room bright and cheerful. We selected a table toward the upper end of the salon and sat down. Mrs. Wrampelmeier saw her husband in the crowd and she whistled and motioned for him to come and join us. He took off his black silk top hat and placed it on a hat rack near a wide doorway, then he came and sat down next to his wife.

  “So, what’s for dinner tonight, dear?” He asked. He gave us a quick glance. “I see that you have met some new friends here.”

  “Yes, these young ladies are on their first river trip and I have been giving them a proper orientation of the first-class accommodations. Oh, let me introduce you…girls, this is my husband, Mr. Wrampelmeier.”

  Mrs. Wrampelmeier then introduced us one at a time as her husband kissed our hands and said our names.

  “You look so very young!” He exclaimed.

  “They are all only seventeen.” Mrs. Wrampelmeier said.

  Mr. Wrampelmeier shook his head and smiled. “So, this is your first trip on a riverboat? Well, you will absolutely love this one. She’s only two years old, built in Cincinnati in 1865 by the U.S. Mail Line Company. Their newest sidewheeler, The America, was launched earlier this year. So, we have The United States and The America operated by the same company, both assigned to serve the Louisville – Cincinnati route.”

  “I think that this is the best way to travel,” I commented. “I would like to visit other cities like St. Louis or New Orleans and go by riverboat.”

  “Well, just let me know if you do…I can recommend the best boats that go to those places.”

  Night on a Riverboat

  The waiter came to take our order. We each had a menu on the table in front of us, but I was having a difficult time deciding what to get. There were so many selections from which to choose. The menu was listed by categories: Beef dishes, Fowl, Pork, Mutton, Sea Food, Desserts, and Beverages.

  Mr. and Mrs. Wrampelmeier recommended the roast duck. We all ordered that, and we were not disappointed. It was the best I’ve ever had, served with mashed potatoes and gravy with string beans and a side salad. For drink, we had an excellent wine that Mr. Wrampelmeier ordered. It was a feast for nobility.

  “So, all you young ladies are from Louisville?” Mr. Wrampelmeier asked.

  “Pelina and I grew up on farms outside of Louisville, near Harrods Creek,” I explained. “Katherine is from Louisville.”

  “Ginny and I have been closest friends since first grade at Wolf Pen School,” Pelina said. “I still live on the farm, my family owns a lot of acreage by Mint Creek, not far from Ginny’s place…I mean, where she grew up. She lives in Louisville now.”

  Mrs. Wrampelmeier looked at Katherine, “You haven’t said much about yourself, dear.”

  Katherine smiled. “I have lived in Louisville all my life. My Ma died when I was six and I never had a Pa. I grew up in the orphanage…St. Vincent’s in Louisville. That’s where Ginny and I met after her parents were murdered.”

  “Your parents were murdered?” Mr. Wrampelmeier said, giving me a concerned look.

  I told him about that fateful day in 1862 when my Mama and Papa were murdered by the soldiers. Mr. Wrampelmeier shook his head in disbelief and expressed disgust.

  Then I told him about how we were following the same soldiers who had committed this violent act. “The sarge is the man who actually killed my Mama and Papa. So, he is the one that I want to get the most. The other men were with him when he did it. One of those soldiers is on this boat!”

  Mr. Wrampelmeier looked shocked. “Where is he?”

  “He’s on the main deck in second class. We saw him getting on, but he did not see us.”

  I continued. “We overheard the sarge saying that he was going to meet his companions in Newport, and he also said that he was bringing some loot in a freight wagon from Frankfort. Apparently, this “loot” is diamonds, gold and silver that was plundered from homes in the South at the end of the war.”

  Mr. Wramplemeier took his last bite of roast duck and wiped his mouth and thick moustache with a cloth napkin. He heaved a deep sigh.

/>   “Ginny, I think that you may be in over your head. How do you intend to stop these criminals?”

  “I intend to use whatever legal means I can…the police or the army provost at Newport Barracks.”

  “That will be difficult; many of these kinds of criminal activities go unpunished and law enforcement winks an eye.”

  “Well, I will find a way. If the police do nothing I will take matters into my own hands. I am going to make sure that sarge pays for what he did to my parents.”

  The Wrampelmeier’s both nodded but they looked rather uncomfortable with my suggestion of taking personal vengeance. If frontier justice was the only way, then so be it, one way or another, the sarge had to pay for his war crimes.

  “Let me know how it goes with the authorities, Ginny.” Mr Wrampelmeier smiled. “I have some friends in high places in Newport, I may be able to help.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  Mr. Wrampelmeier reached into his overcoat and pulled out some business cards. He handed them to me.

  “My Newport office is printed on that first card. The other one has the address of our showroom in Louisville. We have jobs available at our Fourth Street showroom if you would like to work for us.”

  “I would be honored to work for you. I will give your kind offer consideration,” I replied.

  We finished our meal and continued to make good conversation while we sipped our wine. We probably had too much wine, as we were becoming quite giddy. I had more to drink than anyone else.

  When I rose from my chair to go to the washroom, I fell to the floor. I rolled around laughing hysterically. Pelina and Katherine tried to pick me up, but they couldn’t.

  “Oh, my, she doesn’t hold her liquor well,” Mrs. Wrampelmeier said, quite alarmed.

  “I should have stopped her, she was drinking down that wine like it was water,” Mr. Wrampelmeier exclaimed.

  I stood up and started to run about the dining area, laughing and knocking against tables, spilling drinks all over the place. I glided over to a table of nice looking young men, and I sat on their laps and started to kiss them.