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 13, 1832
In the morning, hazy horizon, lightly overcast sky. At seven thirty, 5°R [43.3°F, 6.3°C]. We worked at home during the forenoon. In the afternoon I undertook a walk to the Wabash and collected seeds. Our young hunter came and brought four turkeys, of which I bought three for a dollar. In a period of six days he had already brought in eleven turkeys, not counting those he had eaten himself. He has a good dog, which flushes the birds into trees, from which he shoots them with a rifle. He is excellent at luring them with a birdcall. He does not own a shotgun; therefore he shoots everything with his rifle.