Look Back: On our waterfront
More Sawdust Cases Brought Up
Kenner Poole, who owns a sawmill in the upper end of the county, was arrested this afternoon by Constable E.J. Savage, on a warrant sworn out by Deputy Game Wardens Heaton and Sharp on the charge of allowing sawdust to be thrown into Sycamore Creek. Mr. Poole was released to appear at four o'clock this afternoon before Squire Ruttencutter for a trial. He has secured an attorney and may fight the case. The warrant in this case is the same as those that were sworn out for several firms here several weeks ago.
Game wardens Heaton and Sharp have returned from a trip up and down the Ohio in this district landing offenders of the game laws. William Baker paid twenty-five dollars and costs for polluting the Ohio with sawdust at St. Marys, and J.C. Ross a like sum at Millwood, down the Ohio, for allowing sawdust to go into Mill Creek.
The Parkersburg Daily State Journal
Aug. 17, 1906
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Boats To Go On The Docks
The steamer Darling which has been on the dock here for several days will be taken off tomorrow, the work upon her having been practically completed.
The steamer Kanawha laid up here Sunday, having been unable to go any farther on her trade, because of the low water. She will be placed upon the local docks at once and given a thorough overhauling. Two other boats, the Buckeye and the Leroy, are waiting their turn to be placed on the local docks for repairs.
The river is but three and a half feet at the local wharf and falling slowly. Only the smaller packets can run and they can not make their time on account of the low stage of the river.
The Parkersburg State Journal
Sept. 17, 1906
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A New Packet About Ready
The work of remodeling and repairing what was formerly the steamer Avalon, but which is to be known in the future as the Ohio, is about completed with the exception of a few minor details, and the boat under a new name will resume her place in the Pittsburg and Charleston trade on Wednesday of next week.
The boat while not one of the largest on the river will be one of the best of its size with the new improvements, and will hardly be recognized as the same boat with the changes that have been made. The cabin has been extended forward to make about twenty additional state rooms, and will afford sleeping accommodations for about fifty more people than before.
Excerpt from The Parkersburg Sentinel
March 21, 1908
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Still Down Goes the River
The Ohio river, in emulation of the state that was named for it, continues to slowly go dry. The stage here today was about .25 below the zero -- just half of a tenth of an inch lower than it has been for the past few days. There is no prospect of rain.
Excerpt from The Parkersburg State Journal
Oct. 6, 1908
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Novel New Boat
The new craft, which is being constructed by J.F. Woodyard, on original designs of his own, is all completed and is only awaiting the arrival of the propeller wheel, which is being made in New York, and which is expected at any time.
When the wheel arrives, and river conditions are propitious, Mr. Woodyard will launch his craft and give it a trial. The boat is a radical departure from anything that has ever been seen on the Ohio, the most radical feature being the air cushion and the propeller wheel and the model of the boat, all of which are on ideas evolved by the owner, who is a firm believer in its success, and if it is a success the propeller wheel will cause a revolution in the construction of boats and airplanes. The new boat is a launch about 35 feet in length and nearly five feet in width.
Excerpt from The Parkersburg Sentinel
Jan. 2, 1913
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Bob Enoch is president of the Wood County Historical and Preservation Society. If you have comments or questions about Look Back items, please contact him at: roberteenoch@gmail.com, or by mail at WCHPS, PO Box 565, Parkersburg, WV 26102.