ABSTRACT: The Bickel Steamboat Newspaper Clippings Collection consists of a binder filled with photocopied newspaper clippings and some realia related to steamboats and the people who crewed them.
DATE: 1853-1967
EXTENT: 0.2 Linear feet
SCOPE: The collection was arranged by the creator, and order has been kept in its original format. Each page contains a page number, which corresponds to an index (reproduced in this finding aid), with information indexed by steamboat name or river personality name. Most of the newspapers clipped and photocopied are from around the Keokuk, Iowa area, such as the Daily Gate City, the Constitution-Democrat, and the Daily Consitution, though on occasion newspapers from farther afield have been clipped as well. Clippings cover river news from around Keokuk and the Upper Mississippi River Valley, such as arrivals and departures and races. There is also extensive coverage of steamboat disasters, ranging from the entirety of the Mississippi and Ohio River Valleys and Great Lakes region. News and obituaries of important river personages are also contained in the collection, as well as a few photocopies of bills of lading and licenses.
ACCESS: This is collection P-035. Due to the fragile nature of this collection, access to the collection may be restricted. When possible, this collection is available for on-site use only in the Rare Book and Manuscripts Reading Room. Some of the collection may be photocopied, digitally scanned or photographed, depending on condition. Researchers are advised to call ahead concerning changes in hours due to University intersessions and holidays. The St. Louis Mercantile Library is located on levels one and two of the Thomas Jefferson Library building. More information about conducting research with the archival collections of the Library, including current building hours and reading room policies, can be found on our Research page.
Please direct all inquiries regarding use of this collection to the Curator of the Herman T. Pott National Inland Waterways Library
Preferred Citation note: The preferred citation for this collection is "From the Collections of the St. Louis Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.”
A finding aid for the collection is available:
Bickel Steamboat Newspaper Clippings Collection (.pdf)
