Dr. Will and Dr. Charlie

Biographer Helen Clapessattle described how the brothers' use of the river reflected their personalities:

“River cruising was still Dr. Will's chief relaxation... Many a summer weekend he spent with Mrs. Mayo on the river. On spring and fall vacations, they cruised slowly down to the Gulf or up the Ohio to Cincinnati.” Helen Clapessattle Biographer

“But not even on the boat could Dr. Will forget his responsibilities. His itinerary was always carefully planned beforehand and rigidly adhered to, so that at any time the (staff) left in charge at the clinic could telephone him for advice or to ask him to return immediately if he was needed. Sometimes his chauffeur followed the boat's course along the shore, so the car would be at hand if it became necessary for Dr. Will to return to Rochester in a hurry.

When Dr. Charlie took the boat, he lived to the full the carefree life he loved. After the boat was tied up for the night, he would wander off for a walk, and one of the party usually had to be sent to find him when supper was ready. There he would be, somewhere downstream, sitting on the riverbank, discussing the state of the crops or swapping yarns with some old fisherman he had come across.”

>> Memories of Dr. Will