38                  HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY

seen on the site, which, from its exterior, looked as though it had been
built of slabs. It stood, as I remember, on the south side of the road and
at a point somewhere between Meridian and Walnut streets.”
    Under the administration of President James Buchanan the postal
department and the management of the Terre Haute & Indianapolis
Railroad could not agree on terms for carrying the mails between
Indianapolis and Terre Haute, when the route was re-established on the
National Road, and so maintained until such time as the government
and the railroad came to an agreement on the terms of the service. In
the spring of 1857, when the road was so muddy as to be practically
impassable with stage, the trip was repeatedly made by the use of only
the front axle and wheels of the vehicle with an improvised attachment
of sufficient capacity for the holding and handling of the mail-sacks.
    In the days of the stage-coach the trip between Terre Haute and
Indianapolis covered from twelve to fifteen hours or more, owing to
the condition of the roads; now, by railroad coach, either by steam or
electricity, the trip is made in an hour and a half.