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
February 28, 1833
Early in the morning, slightly overcast sky, cold wind; it had stormed all night. At seven thirty, -6 1/2°R [17.4°F, -8.1°C]. This morning I sent a letter to Mr. Théodore Nicolet in [New] Orleans with three receipts for the money Mr. Bodmer had withdrawn for us. After ten o’clock it began to snow heavily. At noon, -5 1/2°R [19.6°F, -6.9°C]. Snow continued to fall heavily and increased constantly during the afternoon. At five o’clock the snow was three inches deep and the thermometer registered -5 3/4°R [19.1°F, -7.2°C]. In the forenoon and afternoon, we stayed at home to work. Dreidoppel packed cases; we sketched and wrote. In the evening, very dreary; air full of snow, blown about somewhat by the wind. People who went out hunting brought back an Anas rufitorques. Paid a visit in the evening to Mr. Say.