The following article appeared in the August 1855 issue of "The
Photographic and Fine Art Journal" (Vol. VIII, No. 7) pp. 252-3:
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DAGUERREOTYPING ON THE MISSISSIPPI.
Dear Editor:--As you expressed a desire that I should give you an
account of my experience during the past twelve months, I now retire a
few minutes from business for that purpose.
In the first place, I must inform you that my business now, is wholly
conducted on the River. I have run two floating galleries down, and am
now fitting out another, and expect to start down in a few weeks.
This kind of Gallery, I suppose, is rather new to most of your
eastern operators: however, it is becoming quite popular in the west.
Last year I fitted one up at this city, which I took down as far as
Bayou Goula, on the sugar coast, one hundred miles above New Orleans.
We have out boats fitted out with every convenience for taking
likenesses. In front of all, is the reception room. In our sitting
room we have a large side and sky light that enables us to operate in
from five to ten seconds in fair weather. The dampness does not affect
our operation half so much as a person would imagine that it would on
the river. Notwithstanding, we have to guard against it continually.
There is something about a Flat-Boat Gallery that savors very much of
the romantic; however, it is not half so romantic as convenient. I am
almost induced to think that there cannot be a more convenient plan
devised for travelling operators than a Floating Gallery. As soon as
the boat is landed we are ready for operations, without all that extra
trouble that travelling artists usually experience in unpacking and
setting up ready for operating. And there is no lack of conveyance; as
soon as we are ready to leave, we untie our lines, spring upon deck,
catch hold of our oars, and are off for another "port." Besides, we
are entirely independent. If business is good, we can remain, if dull
we can leave; we are not tied to one particular place. When we are not
employed, we can fish or hunt, as best suits our fancy, as the rivers
are thronged with ducks and wild geese.
While we are floating along, we are not unfrequently amused by the
inhabitants along the shore. Their houses, customs, &c., in many
places are very peculiar. And, then, there is that universal annoyance
that every boatman must endure, of answering the foolish questions that
are asked on shore, mostly by the "colored population," such as,
"What's yer loadin?" "What ye got to sell?" or "Where ye gwine to lay
to-night; got any whiskey?" and so many other such foolish questions,
that you may imagine that persons with an artistic craft like our Magic
No. 3, would not at all times feel disposed to return them correct, or
even satisfactory answers. In this respect, we amused ourselves in
proportion to the annoyance.
However, it is not to be wondered at, that they should take us to be
traders, there being such a large number of that class of boats on the
river. Indeed, there is no kind of business that does not find its way
on the river. There are merchants, grocers, carpenters, cabinet-
makers, blacksmiths, tinners, coopers, painters, shoe-makers, wagon-
makers, plough-makers, (and I should have said likeness makers),
saddlers, jewellers, potters, glass-blowers, doctors, dentists,
showmen, ventriloquists, machinists, jugglers, Barnums, black-legs,
gamblers, thieves, humbugs, museums, concerts, circuses, menageries,
Tom Thumbs and baby shows, "till you can't rest." Indeed you could not
name any business from the quack doctor to the Bar tender, that is not
represented on the western rivers. And the bosom of the "Mighty Father
of Waters" may truly be compared to the streets of a great city, where
motley crowds from every nation are flocking to find sale for their
merchandise, produce and manufactures. A full description of this
river, with its trades and traffics, would be very interesting to those
unacquainted with it. Those who have never navigated this river can
have no conception of its vastness, nor of the amount of trade that is
carried on along its shores, and on its surface. In a good stage of
water, I suppose, that in regard to depth, velocity, and amount of
water that flows down this stream, it is not surpassed in the world.
Last year I left New Albany, on the first of March; stopped at about
fifty landings, took something near one thousand likenesses, travelled
(by water,) near fourteen hundred miles, arriving, as before stated,
upon the sugar coast, where the French language is universally spoken.
Here the weather became rather too warm for my northern blood, at a
season of the year, (June) bordering so close upon that of the yellow
fever, and I did not find it practicable to remain longer; so I boxed
up, sold the Boat, (or rather gave it away,) and boarded the fine
steamer Belle Sheridan, for home, where I arrived in something less
than six days.
Thus ends last year's experience. As I am on the eve of making a
similar "Trip," if you desire that I should give you an account of all
that is interesting, you will please let it be known. In the mean time
if there are any points that I have not touched upon, connected with my
business,--manner of traveling, &c., that you would like to be
enlightened upon, please let me know, and I will give you all the
information I can. For the present, I remain yours, &c.,
New Albany, July 18th 1855 SAM. F. SIMPSON.
A little more of the "lay of the land, and the looks of the
people," as daguerreotyped from day to day, would interest.--Ed.
[Transcriber's note: I made two corrections to what I considered
original typographical errors. In the fourth paragraph, I changed the
original "Bayon" to "Bayou." In the fifth paragraph, I added the word
"not" in order to make sense of the statement: "If business is good,
we can remain, if dull we can leave; we are **not** tied to one
particular place." -Gary W. Ewer, 8-11-97]
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Posted for your enjoyment. Gary W. Ewer
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08-05-97 |
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