You will see from the above that I am on my way to the West. We arrived in Louisville at eight o'clock this morning. It is now after three. We have been since that time passing through a canal which is about 2 miles in length which was cut for boats to pull around the falls of the river. I left Delaware yesterday morning at 1 o'clock got to Cincinnati about seven. Went immediately to the wharf in search for a boat for St.Louis. Went aboard on one called "South America" and about the first man I saw was a friend of mine from Bloomingburg bound for St. Louis. He had no mate yet which was very lucky for me. I went in with him which is much more agreeable to both than to have you in with a stranger.
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Fare is high $10 to St.Louis. Boat left Cincinati about 3 o'clock yesterday. About six we passed the former residence of General Harrison. It was a plain frame house about 200 yards from the river.. His burial ground was pointed out to me.
Have just passed the home of the Kentucky giant. Seven and a half feet is his height I believe. Some of the passangers wanted to see him but he was not at home.
Thursday 19th 5:30
Formed an acquaintance with a Baptist preacher _______ . Last night we had a controversy of about 3 hours on "The final perseverance of the Saints", close communion B.C. I never talked so much in my life on these subjects before did not intend to this time. but he got so hard could not stand it. He was requested this afternoon.
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by some of the passengers to preach. His text was in Colas N.C.He was confused I suppose o account of the noise and some were gambling in the farther end of the boat I had to close after him.
Saturday night 21st
Thought by this evening I should have been above St.Louis but we are yet below about 100 miles. Will have to spend most of tomorrow on the boat. Night before last a boat run into the side of ours and did a good deal of damage. Today one of our cooks was dismissed but not without trouble. I am getting tired of the boat, it is so much crowded and every dandy must have lit cigars almost continually in this mouth and such a fog as we have
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to breath is enough to make any man sick. Good night.
Tuesday March 24th
I intended to write yesterday but could not get at my ink neither can I today. So must pencil. Look where ______ is in I'll on Mississippi river then you will know about where I am this afternoon 4 o'clock I landed at St.Louis on Sabbath 2 p.m Went to a M.E. Church heard a very good sermon. Left St. Louis yesterday at 3 p.m. on a very fine boat for Keokuk. It is rumored today that one of the deck passengers fell over boat last night.
Wednesday 24th
Arrived here (keokuk) last night about eight o'clock am going to start to _____ morning soon. My friend from __________
Farmington, Friday 27th I left Keokuk about 2 o'clock on Wednesday traveled ten miles and stopped at night
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for the night we had very good fare but a very wicked land lord. Yesterday, I left my company as a cow to drive, and had driven very slowly. I got to Farmington at o'clock. Stayed at a hotel. Rested a little then inquired for and found they lived where they did when I was out here before. Aunt is not at home. She and Bradford her son have gone up the country on business. They will be back today or tomorrow. They are all well and I think doing very well. They have money coming to them for land to which they sold before Uncle died. I am writing these things because I thought Mother would like to hear. There are four children it seems the ui uyk
Did you know: The word "inst" was a very commonly used abbreviation for the Latin "instante mense" meaning this month.
think. She is a fine girl. The next is Brad, of course, he is man or he would not have the name he had, next lister and Mary two very pretty, little girls one 12 and the other 10 years old. Bennet is practicing medicine not far from here. Leed is in California. Charles in ____ writes to them here that he will be at home certinly this summer. Hey, Las sent a draft here of $100 for Grandfather on that land co and will and the home some at their time. he sent it once before but it was lost. Uncle Leonard Beck lives 8 miles form here Perhaps go there tomorrow or next week. Parny says that Aunt Caroline is enjoying good health. ___ is married, that little, white-headed girl. Mary Brooke lives 60 miles from here. I will go there about next week. My land is about 200 miles from here. I have been offered $1000 for it one half down and the other in a year. I want to see it first. >illegible sentence< My love to all. illegible sentence
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