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
November 11, 1832
At about eight o’clock in the morning, temperature of 4°R [41°F, 5°C]. The region along the horizon hazy, though sunshine quite early. Messrs. Say and Lesueur paid us an early visit; then Mr. Owen arrived and took Mr. Bodmer off for lunch. Noon was bright and beautiful, but [there was] a north wind, therefore [the day was] not nearly as warm as yesterday. During the afternoon I went for a walk [and] paid several visits, where I obtained a coot (Fulica) native to the region. When I arrived at home, [I] found our vigorous young hunter from the Fox River, who brought me a magnificent buck (C. virginianus), two wild turkeys, and a beautiful bird of prey.
Today I sent a messenger on horseback 50 miles for a physician, Dr. Dake, who lives 15 miles from Shawneetown [Illinois] and is said to be competent. Mr. Owen obtained a messenger for me and then rode out to his house with Mr. Bodmer. Since I had been very careful about my diet today and had eaten nothing but rice boiled in water and some chicken, I felt better again. The cool weather, too, may have helped. Today at Mr. Lesueur’s I saw excellent illustrations of invertebrates from the South Sea, especially the Actinia. In the evening Dr. Say visited me.