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 23, 1832
Early in the morning, clear, bright sky. Frost. At seven thirty, -8°R [14°F, -10°C]. The backs of the cattle that had stood on the street during the night are completely white with hoarfrost. Today is Sunday, but we are never aware of that here in New Harmony. The children were already playing ball early in the morning. We worked at home. At noon, splendidly warm weather, 3°R [38.8°F, 3.8°C]. Afternoon hunting until six o’clock. The Cutoff River is partly frozen. Many ducks on its open area. In the forest behind Harmony, several hunters were shooting at prairie hens, which pitched into the corn near us. We did not get to shoot at them. Afterward we found a covey of [prairie] chickens. Visit in the evening at the home of Mr. Say.