Four-and-a-Half Months’ Stay in New Harmony
Description of the region – Natural history – Messrs. Say, Lesueur, and Owen – Hunting excursions in Indiana and Illinois – Wabash, Fox River – Illinois prairies – Albion – Black River – Mr. Bodmer’s trip to New Orleans
December 15, 1832
Early in the morning, dreary, foggy weather; very muddy. At seven thirty, 2°R [36.5°F, 2.5°C]. Today our landlord sent to Albion for tow, which is not obtainable here, for our work. At twelve noon, 3°R [38.8°F, 3.8°C]. In the afternoon, visit at the homes of Messrs. Lesueur and Twigg, where we heard no good news about cholera in New Orleans. In Mr. Maclure’s orchard, we shot the large spotted woodpecker, Picus villosus. Mr. Bodmer went out and found several coveys of partridges. He also saw turkeys along the Cutoff Hills. A large number of planters from the surrounding area rode away from our house this evening. Some of them had very fast horses. One planter was thrown into deep mud; he had an authentic “land chart” on his back. In the evening we stayed at home.