SHE RUNS RIVER PACKETS.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 391, 5 November 1903, Page 3

SHE RUNS RIVER PACKETS.

! Mtssovrt Woman Who la tHo Only oW «* Mo* Sex in the Haofiw '• \ ; .\. I ~ ...V ;■// At La Grange, Mo., an important landing for steamboats on the Mississippi river, Miss Lena Bohnon is the\ duly accredited agent of a' packet company and discharges all -the duties of the office to the satisfaction of all concerned. She enjoys the unique distinction of being the only member of her sex to All such a position, either in this or any other Country, and is proud of the fact, says the Chicago Chronicle, It is only rec«ntly that it haa been possible for a woman to successfully discharge the duties of such an office. Years ago the steamboat agent was a man. Hfe ; had to 'be; because he had to hustle aboard arriving steamers and then hustle off as the gang-plank was being- hauled in. Then he had frequently to mingle with the roustabouts. ' ' ■ ,;. But there are not as many steam* boats now as there used to be, and the business isn't done in the same way. This may, in part, account for Miss' Lena Bohon's position. appointed in 1898 after the death of her father, who had been the agent of the Diamond Joe line for 40 years. She ' is now, agent for live steamers, three plying between St. Louis and St. Paul and two between Keokuk and Quincy. Miss Bohoh has no assistant. She is ■ always ready for duty at the old-fash-ioned wharfhouse.. When steamboats at night announce their approach Miss Bohon, who lives with her mother five blocks away, hastily dresses, picks up her lantern and hurries to the landing place. If she desires the steamer to stop she Hashes her lantern in a «ertain way. Officials of the packet companies aver that she is one of the most faithful, accurate and' capable agents in their employ. She sells tickets, makes out freight bills and receipts, collects weekly accounts with the merchants and other shipjiers and checks' off ivery bale of hay, bushel of wheat or tub of butter that goes on board a boat. She oversees personally the r«seiving and discharging of freight. At the age of 15 the affairs of the | office could be safely intrusted to her ' sare during a short absence of h«f father. She grew up in ths atmoe'S? phere of this active'life and her d»- ; sire to continue in its «nvironjoa.»ifti i& but natS,?s*, * i■.•-•- -•-■.••}

~< ' 'Their 17**. ;;''7—- ~~ rr 'f Knox—As fire escape* are eon'difitWS to-day I cant for the life of me «e* what use they are. ~ ," can't? Why, they are ta* fulin fferaiitting the escape of the fire ilia* la aot utilized in consuming the. hvi&dmg,-- Boston Gouristi .^.