Note: The following is part of a series of columns exploring use of rivers in the early history of Georgia and Bulloch County. The Altamaha, Ocmulgee and Oconee Steamboat Company was formed by Col. J. Rivers and his associates in 1867. Shortly thereafter, Col. J.M. Stubbs, W.H. Tillery and W. Burch formed the Oconee River Steamboat Company in 1879.