The John J. Roe
Mark Twain's boat was so slow no other steamer would condescend to race with it.
With the utmost candor, Twain comments that his boat moved at such a pathetic
pace, they used to forget in which year it was they left port. Nothing would
mortify Twain more than the fact that ferry-boats, waiting to cross the river, 
would lose valuable trips because their passengers grew senile and died waiting
for his boat, the John J. Roe, to pass. Mark Twain wrote in a jocose manner about
the races his steamer has with other islands and rafts. With quiet humor he 
continued to malign the river-boat, but his book is replete with love for 
this sort of life.

from pillar to post--The company was so large and spread out, he was sent
from pillar to post  before he found the proper official.
(from one place to another.)