Note
Notes: Photo is scratched on the surface and has cellophane tape attached to it.
Poem is spotted and fading fast with cellophane tape attached to it. Both are affixed to cardboard.
Status: OK
Status By: Deborah Schroeder
Status Date: 2008-03-31Note
The Launch of the William Cary
There is a boat, let down the shore,
A one, as no one's seen before,
on the Grand River stream.
It's fifty feet in length we know,
A hundred passengers can go,
And this is not a dream.
William Cary is the name, [spelled "Carry" in original]
And well built, built by men of fame,
Someone, we all do know.
Who's called the Jesiek Company,
And fifty feet in length you see,
So there is now a show.
For us all to take a ride,
(As least so says George C. Wright)
The owner of the same.
He feels proud, no wander why,
Because no boat will pass him by,
To lay on him a shame.
It is a four thousand one,
So you see this is no fun,
(or Joke) what we do say.
The first ones, as I understand,
It's Mayor Comstock with his man,
To show this boat his way.
Yea, everyone will sure adore
To dedicate, t'left Jesiek's shore
(The ninths) The month of June,
The Mayor first of Saugatuck
Also his council, they struck luck,
The band did play a tune.
The Mayor, I think had the say,
Where she should go on her first day,
Muskegon number one.
From there to Holland they did roam,
Then Saugatuck their own good home,
Believe they have some fun.
But fancy this, this boat will make,
A daily trip without mistake,
To Holland every day.
The fare how much, I do not know,
Whole Saugatuck will surely go,
And those that live that way.
Hear! Zeeland, Holland, Saugatuck
And all you farmers, here is luck,
Pick out your picture day.
Take out you autos to this boat,
She takes one hundred to a load,
And takes you either way.
-S. PRAKKEN
Source: SDHS newsletter insert, pages 216-217