Capt. Amadee T. Papin

12/31/02
From site visitor Jim Byrnes

Dear Dave,

I thought you like this information I received from the Great-Great Grandaughter of a Amadee T. Papin, who captained a steamboat named the "Carroll" on the Yellowstone during the Little Bighorn Battle era. Her name and email address is Renee Flood [flood@mcn.net]. Here is what she emailed me today.

"My great great grandfather's name was Amadee (pronounced AW MA DAY) T. Papin. I have his pilot's license for 1881, the year he died on the Far West and was buried on a bluff overlooking Bismarck. His pilot's license is for the Missouri, Mississippi, Yellowstone and Bighorn Rivers. I have a copy of his log book that tells the exact location of the fight, which differs somewhat from the description that your have. The river log is remarkably like the river is today."

I have been researching a battle that occurred on July 29, 1876, and her great-great grandfather was the captain of the "Carroll", loaded with cavalry & infantry, when they fought a large contingent of Sioux at the confluence of the Yellowstone & Powder Rivers.

You may wish to add him to your captain & boat name list. I understand that their family was close friends with Grant Marsh, the captain of the "Far West", who transported the wounded of Custer's 7th Cavalry. You may wish to contact her for further details.

Sincerely,
Jim Byrnes

P.S. - The only instance I have found so far on the "Carroll" is in the 22nd U.S. Infantry reports located at: http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/books/R&H/R&H-22IN.htm about half-way down in the report at the end of section #685.

Captain James A.Payne

By Charles Ray Harper

Born in 1802 on the banks of the Kanawha River, orpaned at the age of only 10 in 1812 . Also in 1812 he was an apprentice to a blacksmith and just a few years later he shows up as the first blacksmith in Red House Shoals.. After a few years there he disappears from Red House and then reappears in 1830 as the Captain of the Enterprise ( as you can see Capt. Kirk was not the first Capt. Of the Enterprise. ) The first towboat on the Kanawha River.

Thus began a Illustrious career for the Captain. His Steamboat career was the most successful of any up on the waters of the United States. By 1848 Capt. Payne had five steamboats hauling freight on the western and southern rivers. Shipped freight to Mobile Ala. and the ports all along the Rio Grande, the Mississippie and the Ohio Rivers. And of course his old stomping grounds Red House and The Great Kanawha River.

Around the year 1853 Capt. Payne went to the golden state of California, where he, after two years , he was controlling the traveling trade on the Sacramento . Then after a while he returned to the Kanawha Valley. And run his affairs from here. Then he left this area and went to the lower Mississippi area and engaged in the Coal trade. He died in 1880 at his son in law's house in Charleston Kanawha County W.Va. , Doctor Waggener was his son in law.

His remains was where interred in the Armstrong - Wilson Cemetery , it was on a lofty hill near the residence then of Andrew B. Alexander Esquire, in Mason County W.Va. He had two sons and three daughters according to the newspaper acounts. One of his daughters was Grace Timms wife of the Honorable L.J. Timms of Buffalo one of Putnam County's representative in the State Legislature. The newspaper was wrong about one acount Capt. Payne was not buried in Buffalo in Putnam County.

Buried in the Armstrong - Wilson Cemetery with him is his wife Elizabeth A. Payne ( 1823 - 1862 ) and his son Joesph M. Payne ( 1862 - 1862 ) Obit says - State matters - On the 9th inst. Capt. James Payne , died of parallysis at his daughter's residence in Charleston . He was 78 years of age, and was favorably knowen to the people of this county. He was buried at Buffalo Putnam County .

Capt. James A. Payne was also the first Merchant of Red House and had the first hotel also.

Capt. Jeremiah M. Pettit

From site visitor June Bowen Pettit who would appreciate any additional infomation anybody might have on this captain. Obituary, New Orleans Daily Crescent, issue of December 9, 1858, page 4, column 2:

On Wednesday, the 8th last, at 6 o'clock a.m. Captain J. M. Pettit of Crittenden, (Grant County) Kentucky, aged 41 years. His friends and acquaintances and those of Philip A. Shaw are invited to attend his funeral from the residence of P. A. Shaw, Number 253 Carondelet Street, at 11 o'clock, this morning.

Obituary, Covington Journal, (Covington, Kentucky) December 31, 1858, page 2:

Captain J. M. Pettit, died in New Orleans, on the Farland of heart disease, of Crittenden, Grant County, Kentucky.

Captain Pettit was a native of Kentucky, but emigrated when a youth with his father to the state of Missouri. Whence, he returned, about ten years ago, and united his fortunes in marriage with those of the estimable lady, whom he leaves a widow (Zerelda Craig Pettit) to mourn her irreparable loss, since when he has resided in Crittenden. He came here a stranger to most of the community but such were the many excellencies of his character, that he soon contracted friendships that no time can destroy. In all his intercourse with his fellow men, the most untarnished honor and integrity marked his footsteps, and the overflowing kindness and generosity of his heart were proverbial with all who knew him.

Captain Pettit was a river man, and had been but recently chosen as the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Pilots Association, an organization having for its object the amelioration of the condition of that numerous class of river men to which he belonged, and upon whose capability and fidelity to the trust repose - - in them, the lives of so many of the traveling community often depend and all his compeers in that association will bear testimony to his incomparable worth.

He was also and honored member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and it will be consoling to his friends at home to know, far away from them he was yet in the midst of friends who failed not in ministration to his wants and who did all in human power to alleviate his sufferings. He was sick about 20 days, but his family at home informed of a telegram informing her of his illness, his devoted wife, with that heroism which never fails a true woman, herself arose from a bed of sickness, and employing the most expeditious modes of travel, flew to his side - - but alas, she only reached the scene to realize the saddest forebodings of her aching heart. The Destroyer had come, and his pure spirit had winged its flight to the Mansions of its Father.

Oh! Who can know the anguish of that widowed heart, bereft of its dearest idol save those who have had the trial. What unutterable pangs of woe must ring the heart of that wife, who alone can know her loss cannot be repaired! His four little children will never know the loss they sustained, although, they were the objects of his most anxious solicitude and tenderest care, their little minds and hearts are too young and tender to have been so ineffaceably impressed with their kind father's devotion. May the God of Truth and Love give their bereft mother heart to bear meekly and humbly this dispensation of the All-Wise, and guide her hand in their nurture and education, and they may throughout their lives reflect the noble traits of their father's character.

Indeed doth it seem that the monster Death chooseth his victims from the choicest flowers of life.
- - Crittenden, Kentucky. December 28, 1858.

Pilot Miles (Milo) A. Pruden

From site visitor, Paul Pruden

Miles (Milo) A. Pruden born 1834 in Athens, Athens Co., OH, died abt. 1877. Married Charlotte Ellen Ruby October 14, 1853 in Buffalo, Scott Co., IA.
Source: 1870 Federal Census Lee County, Ft. Madison, Iowa, occupation: Pilot on Steamboat.

By the way, was there any steamer upper Mississippi that exploded about 1877? Milo Pruden is listed LeeFort Madison 1870 census as being a pilot steamboat. 1877 he just vanishes. Wife (Charlotte (Ruby) Pruden) remarried 1878. Children are with new marriage. I cannot find grave anywhere. Yes parents, but not him. Wondering if he might have died in a steamboat explosion.

Further info from Paul Pruden, 10/23/06:

Hi again Dave, it's been a while since I have contacted you. I have just found a little more info on Milo Pruden from the writings of Capt. E. H. Thomas from the Saturday Evening Post where he writes about a boat called Gate City as the Marshal's have just taken her: 'The bankers sent her to the Rock Island Boat Yards, where she was remodeled and repaired and converted into a stern wheel steamboat. Milo Pruden was made Captain and Pilot, and the Gate City' This is just in case you were still collecting info.

Thanks--Paul Pruden