Belle of the Mississippi by Jesse Barnes ~ The days of old were a time when the almighty steamboat ruled the grand rivers of this land. Each day goods and people found passage from the North to the south along the mighty Mississippi and the East to the West on the majestic Missouri Rivers. The churn of the paddlewheel and the song of the calliope gave testimony to the awesome power and delicate charm of these beautiful vessels. Known for their grace as they waltz down the river they will always be revered as the "Belle of the Mississippi"