Captain Horace McElfresh “Noah” as he was later known was a riverman for over 50 years. At the age of 16 he built and operated the Racket, a horse ferry across the Ohio River until 1907. A team of horses that walked on a treadmill to turn the paddlewheels furnished the power of the ferry. The horse ferry made the trip across the river, one mile in width, in five minutes.

McElfresh, being nicknamed Yautchy built a boat by that name ( see photo) that was destroyed by fire. Then he built the Clermont I which was worn out in river service. His cargo was everything from tobacco to mussel shells. His next boat construction was Clermont II, which like Noah’s Ark came to rest on dry land following the flood of 1937. He would live out his last days with his ferryboat on dry land at his home in Chilo.

Portraying the Captain is Steve Keller, a long time resident of Chilo and a descendant of Captain Horace McElfresh. Steve too is a modern day Ohio riverman. He is an avid boater and fisherman on the Ohio River.

                                     Pictured above Captain Horace McElfresh relaxing on the Yautchey.