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
January 17, 1833
Clear, bright sky. Haze and hoarfrost on the ground, very cold besides. At seven thirty, temperature of −10°R [9.5°F, −12.5°C]. I spent a pleasant morning reading my letters from Germany. Afterward I went out and found it very cold but calm and very nice weather. I saw a covey of prairie hens. In the afternoon a man brought four opossums, one mink, a rust-bellied squirrel, and a pheasant (Tetrao umbellus), all of which I kept. Later Russel also brought a turkey hen, so that Dreidoppel had quite enough to do. Visit that evening at the home of Mr. Lesueur. When I went home it was cold and the stars were twinkling brightly.