New Orleans, July 21.
Winding thers way through the narrow and treacherous channels of the Mississippi, two river steamboats of the old-time sort immoralized by the pen of Mark Twain are speeding through rain and darkness in an attempt to break the famous record of the Robert H, Lee which negotiated the 1,260 miles between New Orleans' and St.
Louis in 90 hours 31 minutes some 59 years ago.
Two veteran pilots are at the wheels of the two craft. George Cox is handling the Martha Jane, while Dr, Lewis Lo Roy is pilot of the Bogie.
The entire river region is thrilled by the race, which calls. mories of a day when the Missi sippi steamboat was romance embodied and afloat, while her pilot was at least the equal of a king.
Many wagers of every size and description have been laid on the outcome of the contest—United Press,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.