Marlow Cook's Belle of Louisville recollections

We were saddened to hear last week of the death of U.S. Sen. Marlow Cook, who also served in the Kentucky legislature in the 1950s and as Jefferson County judge-executive in the early ‘60s.

During his time as county judge, he made a decision that impacts our waterfront to this day – he purchased the steamboat Avalon and rechristened her the Belle of Louisville. The Belle, a National Historic Landmark, is known internationally and draws visitors from all over the world to take a step back in history as they cruise the Ohio River on her decks.

When the Belle celebrated her 100th birthday in 2014 with the Centennial Festival of Riverboats at Waterfront Park, we asked Sen. Cook to record his memories about the Belle and her auspicious beginning in Louisville, and his response was this letter to the community.

David K. Karem
President
Louisville Waterfront Development Corporation

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To the citizens of Metro Louisville,

Over one-half century ago, I was elected county judge of Jefferson County, a position in which I presided over county government outside the city limits of Louisville. It thrills me that today you have a consolidated government, so that there is no longer a need for a separate county government.

I wanted to join you today [for the Belle Centennial Celebration], but I am 88 and lacking the Belle’s steel hull, I’m not as healthy as she is.

It’s true that former Mayor Charles Farnsley came to my office and talked me into buying the steamship Avalon. It’s also true that my wife Nancy’s nickname at Connecticut College was “Belle,” and that when I heard the auctioneer say that I had bought the vessel, I knew the Avalon’s new name had to be “Belle of Louisville.”

Some people thought that a government should not own a steamboat. Nancy’s father told me that his friends at the Pendennis Club told him I “would never be re-elected to anything.” Hundreds of people called my office saying I was crazy to waste tax money that way. My golf pal Pee Wee Reese, former great Dodgers short stop, advised me to get a big pigs feet jar from a bar and fill it with pennies. Then I was to place it on my desk and tell every complainer to take out seven cents, the cost to every taxpayer of the county.

Two friends of mine, both good Democrats, Henry A. Triplett and Daniel B. Boone, filed suit against the Republican county government to hold the purchase void. During the litigation, there were no funds appropriated to restore the old boat, but volunteers called every day offering services to help us rebuild her.

Buying the Belle had brought hundreds of people on the western river system out from under the rock. People from Tell City, Ind., offered to supply lumber for the paddle wheel. Local industrialist Wendell Smock gave us a steam calliope so folks could hear its music miles from the river. H. Clyde Glass donated his mechanical know-how to the restoration.

A river rat first class, C. W. Stoll, worked hard on the boat and then he organized a great Steam Boat Race with the Delta Queen to be held every Derby Week. The day before the first big race Nancy and I were on the Belle. She was forward and I was aft. The stern wheel began slowly turning, over went the lines, and we moved. I ran to join Nancy. We looked at each other with tears in our eyes and yelled, “It works!”

Yes, Kentucky’s highest court eventually ruled that we had the power to buy and own the Belle. I still remember hearing of the decision from Cecil Davenport and Mark Davis, who had argued the case with their boss County Attorney E.P. “Tom” Sawyer.

I arrived in Louisville as a kid of 16. I did not know it, but it was the best day in the rest of my life. I married a Louisville lady and we have five great children. Jefferson County, Louisville and the Commonwealth of Kentucky are a dream come true. I can sing the National Anthem without a problem but when I get to “weep no more my lady” in My Old Kentucky Home, I cannot sing without tears in my eyes. Good luck with the Belle over her next 100 years, and thank you all so much.

Sincerely,
Marlow W. Cook
Oct. 6, 2014