1873 Shelby County Travel Journal I received the following email from Sharon Ivy who writes: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dave, I have a 1873 journal of a family that traveled to Shelbyville, Ind possibly to visit from Cherryvale, KS The front portion of the journal is missing as the back but it covers Apr 14, 1873 to May 23, 1873. listing names and places in route. I hope to find the family that this journal belongs to add to their history. My father found this journal and several old books dating in the late 1800's in an old house he was tearing down in Colorado Springs Co in the 1960's. These people could of lived there also. I am sending a 2 page attachment that I typed from the journal (9 pages) I typed it the way the old letters looked and haven't edit it to insert words that I think they might be. If you could tell me where to post this maybe some of your inquirers may know of this family by the references made in the journal. Thanks for amy help you can give. I have contacted the Roots-l and a kansas county also. Thanks, Sharon p.s. Could you mention my father's name Earl Dodd of Colorado Springs, CO as the finder of the journal and that he kept it for ouver 40 years even though it had nothing to do with his family. He torn down an old house on 31st street in Colorado Springs and found several old books there. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Copied from an 1873 Journal about someone's (?) trip from Cherryvale, KS to Shelbyville, Ind.- Sharon Ivy ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Left Cherryvale Apr 14th 1873 at 10 o'clock A.M. cold and windy camped on Little Labilli? creek for dinner camped at ??S.W. West two miles from Ladoce? here met with a lady that was aquainted with Phillph S?effler. Her name was Mifo Ridlin has a cousin lives at St paul Ind stuck in the mud west of Osage Mission dove to dinner 1 1/2 o clock at Mr McKuarnan? twp N E mission Apr 16, 1873 camped last night at W pages 10 miles N E Osafe mission snowing this morning hurt myself lefting wagon (end page 1) (Con't Page 2) Apr 16 camped for dinner 16 miles S W Fort Scott met Mr Leline?(could be Cline) moving to Cowley Co Ks lest Pittsfield Ill raining Apr 17 camped last night at the house Mr. Dunn 3 sw scott all well. bought 3 lb butter, cloudy and cool Passed Ft Scott at 9 o'clock camped for dinner five miles S?E scott road mudy crossed state line 3 oclock Apr 18th camped last night 22 NE Ft scott and 3 miles S W Bull town in Vernon co mo at mr Barbour this morning clear sun shining Ma had chill last night all (unreadable writing) (end 2nd page) Apr 18th crofsed osage river at Bulltown Mo at 8 oclock A.M camped for dinner close to stone bridge at the line of Vernon and Butes Co. a woman wanted 15cents for sour milk could not see it- here crofsed Maridescygne river bottom 3 miles wide in mud and water got to Paffernsville? a 3 oclock P.M. Apr 19 camped last night 7 miles N.E. of Paffensville in Bates co Mo jurt?wh? our tent last night for the first time Ma and I slept in it Mr holt lives here Eddy had a chill ??harly has sore throat all wt to breakfast (end of third page) (start pg 4) camped in a lane 2o(unreadable scribble) miles S. W. Clinton will put wf early to night and prepare for tommorrow is the sabath and will rest until Monday April 20th Sunday camped on depp water creek by the house of Mr tleough? three Illinois teams here last night. today Mr. McAnallen camped at noon on the way back to Penn, shall ravel east together this is 9 miles S W Clinton Mo. Pleasant day all well Monday Apr 21st Ma had a chill last night was quite sick but was up for (end of pg 4) (start pg 5) Breakfast left camp at 6 o clock AM arrived at at chrinson? at 8 oclock bought some bread and dried peaches close to here met jim? Higgma did not know him until we had paped? him took dinner on a small creek about 6 miles N.E. Clinton the roads are good a very fine day - company agreeable Tuesday Apr 22 campoed last night one mile S.W. Winson in Henry co. Mo it looked like rain but cleard off cold Eddy had a chill last night saw a three story brick house, oh what a fool (end pg 5) (start pg6) to build so high in this windy country. Left camp at 7 oclock passed Windson and Greenridge land poor? camped for dinner 9 miles S. W. Sedalia cool and windy Charlie drove 20 miles arrived at Sedalia at 3 o clock Pitt found a letter from bro Naltie? wrote a short letter in reply. Met mr Hathaway formirly of Hamilton saw Clol Ritter? Apr 23rd camped last night 3 miles N E sedalia has a pleasant place on a small creek it liiked like we would have snow this morning cold and (end Pg 6) (start pg 7) cloudy camped for dinner on the banks of Larmine River wood ?scorer corn and Hog very high corn 75 ct hog $100 hundred Apr ? camped last night near a Mill church and school house 14 miles S.W. Boonville MO Ma had a chill is better this morning cool and cloudy arrived at Boonville and crossed MO river at 12 oclock ??? out to Franklin took dinner in a wood lot arrived at Fayette? county seat Howard Co Mo looks like snow (end pg 7) (Start pg 8) Apr 25th Friday morning camped last night on Pan brake lerick? one mile from Fayette cold and cloudy snowed. campe in a lane about 12 miles west of Renick? in Howard Co Mo poor hilly country water poor and scarce rough roads Apr 26 camped last night in a lane one mile west Renick Randolph Co is was clear but cool Mr Mc Anallen had a chill when the fever was on wanted his wife to trade the gun? and mustang pony for butter. all well as usual this morning (end pg 8) (start pg 9) except Ma she has the ear and tooth ache offered to send her to Shelbyville, Ind on the cars but she does not want to leave the children an me thinks we had all better stay together Passed Renick this is on the North Mo RR lively town bought ??apples drove to Middle gove? and camped on the creek for dinner will put wf ? tonight as this is Saturday in Monroe Co. (end of pg 9) (start pg 10) Sunday Apr 27th, 1873 leirnsrd? in bottom close to the house of Mr. Horn an old Kentatukian. The girls washed las-night it was a cler morning but-clouded up and rained. Mr. Fanah and myself went about one mile to a missonary Bapbist Church heard Mr B Cerigg? preach text in James 1 01 6 Kasrir. Sin concevied brings forth death. The church is called Mt Airry this is monroe county 10 miles west of Parris it rainned all the afternoon got ma and Eddy in the house, the girls Wille & Charlie slept in the wagon looks like it will be a wet night Eddy has a chill (end pg 10) (start pg 11) Monday Apr 28th, 1873 This morning still raining got breakfast and took some up to Ma and she was eating at the table of Mr. Horne. All well as usual we shall stay here today as it is wet and muddy. At noon concluded we would drive this afternoon. Mrs Horne would not take any pay for Ma's staying at the house. We parted with many good wishes for our safe journey they are good old people. God blesss thier? moother Basfret and slore? and may we meet in the land of the blessed (end pg 11) (start pg 12) Tuesday morning Apr 29th We stayed last night a some old camp which we named for Mr. Farrah Shall bid cousin Farrah a long farewell after breakfast-- Six men came into camp last night- after dark and scared some of us a little until we found that - they wanted to trade horses they had been Drinking wiskey and whisered to each other as to arouse our supsintions? that they were not all right-- But - they went away and we all slept soundly passed through Parris at noon drove out eat-town and fed and took dinner (end pg 12) (start pg 13) Wednesday April 30th 1873,camped last night 13 miles East of Parris at the crossing of the Hannibal & Moberly RR 1?? milesfrom the bridge across Salt creek Passed over a hilly ?? country from Parris to here the yellow mud sticks to the wheels of the wagons (unreadable text) bars hay one et lbs all well as usual looks like rain passed winky town on Indian Creek 24 mile from Hannibal at 9 oclock took dinner close to an old blacksmith shope about 18 miles west of Hannibal in the afternoon passed over a better country the spring is late feels just like winter (end pg 13) (Start pg 14) Thursday May 1st 1873 Camped last night in a bottom with creek on one side and the Hannibal & St. Joe RR on another The Hannibal and Molerky? RR on another five miles west Hannibal. It rained some last night- Ma and Eddy had a chill. I had a slight fever. All up for breakfast looks like rain heard here first- that the Mississippi River is bridged shall cross today If nothing happens. Arrived at Hannibal about 11 oclock A.M. crossed the river on the bridge saw boat pass through under the bridge, toll 20 cts. (end pg 14) (Start pg 15) Camped for dinner on the Snye?, two miles east of Hannibal. Toll on the Snye? 25 cts. Friday May 2nd, 1873 Camped last night one mile west of Kinderhook? in a woods pasture it rained a little cool and cloudy this morning saw a great deal of fine wheat growing between here and Hannibal we are camped at the foot of the Bluffs 11 miles East Mississippi River in Illinois- Saturday May 3rd 1873 camped yesterday at noon it was raining we stayed all night. the camp is in the woods four miles East Barry in Pike Co. Ill this is a negro settlement (end pg 15) (start pg 16) Sunday May 4th, 1873 Yesterday we passed New Salem and Lsneggoville? both on the RR camped last night half mile west of the Ill river near Phillips ferry.. Ma and Eddy had chills did not get any hay for the horses. this is a very pleasant May morning we are glad to see it for it has been cloudy and rain g for a week the road were dreadfull muddy. Mr. Farrah sold his bay hourse yesterday. the boys all rode in his wagon Many with Mr McAnallen all well as usual this morning. Monday May 5th 1873 Did not travel yesterday, went to church on the bank of the Illinois river heard a Bn Stonber? of the M.E. Church preach his text Acts 2 01 21 he the preacher is English there was a good congregation we shall cross the Illinois river this morning and go towards Jacksonville. Eddy had chill last night he fell into the creek yesterday Cloudy this morning the mud dried up some. ferried up the river about 2 miles landed at 15 minutes to 10 oclock left shep dog camped 2 1/2 miles west of Exitor? in Scott Co. Hilly and sandy all well. Warm day. (end pg 16) (Start pg 17) Tuesday May 6th, 1873 Camped last night 7 miles west of Jacksonsville Morgan co. Ill in a lane we passed through fine country yesterday good houses and improvements Annie had the Headache passed Jacksonville at 10 oclock A.M. it is a nice city but lacks stone to make good streets. the Aslumn for Mutes is a fine building and grounds. good churches rather poor business houses on the Public square Camped for dinner about 7 miles NE on the Springfield Road near a frame church watered out of a pond got water at a house for cooking still see a fine country. (end pg 17) (Start pg 18) Wednesday May 7th 1873 Camped 9 miles west of Springfield Ill on a small creek near a school house it rained last night and this morning laid a bed until late breakfast for it to quit raining It is very cloudy we want to go as far as Springfield today for I expect letters there from Bro Nattie and want to write him and sister Olive shall look a President Lincolns grave while there. Passed over flat country yesterday afternoon the roads have been extremily bad are rough and full of ruts yet. Ma & Eddy had a chill camped for dinner 1/2 mile west of Springfield. (end pg 18) (start pg 19) Wednesday afternoon visited the momument of President Lincoln it is 72 ft square at the base is one hundred ft high cost two hundred and twenty five thousand dollars. They are building a new Capatal? building there is a watch man ufactory? here also a large RR Rolling Mill Our Jun hourse was sick yesterday I received two letters from Bro Nattie It looks like rain we counted up to here and find that we have traveled four hundred and eighty miles and it is more than that for they ar zigzag. (end pg 19) (Start pg 20) Thursday May 8th Camped last night one mile north of Springfield, Ill it rained some all up for breakfast. wrote letters to bro Nattie and sister Olive. Shall start for lirriharrty?. As we passed Springfield saw the police arrest a dnnk? Black women. Camped for dinner at the Clear Lake house 6 miles east of Springfield the roads are good. it is cloudy. will drive toward Decator, next town (end pg 20) (start pg 21) Friday May 9th 1873 Camped last night 20 miles East Springfield, Ill in the woods near Mr Wills and an empty house. said tobelong to a young man that his intended wife went back on him because the house did not suit her. it was clear when went to bed but it commenced to rain about midnight and is rainnd yet 12 oclock noon Nattie was sick all night. I expect we will stay another night here this is the worst storm we have been in since we left Cherryvale. Nattie is quite sick has something like lhltisec?(end pg 21) (Start pg 22) Saturday May 10th, 1873 It is clear this morning and we will leave camp Wills this morning for Decator. Last night Ma cook tea made of corn leaves it made her sweat and she missed the chill. we had plenty of wood & Hay & Corn here, good country this is in Sangarnon? Co Illinois passed Illiapolis & Niantie on the T.W.W.R.R. Camped for dinner in a loane about 2 miles east of Niantie wood scarce good land and bad roads. Mack and Ed Farrah has a chill last night and they are sour as sour kraut. It is clouldy and cool. (end pg 22) (Start pg 23) Sunday may 11th 1873 Camped last night and today 3 1/2 miles south of Decator, Macon Co. Ill went to Sunday school at Mr Gilead there was no preaching as the Preacher of M.E. Church was a quarterly meeting. Heard good singing returned had beef soup for dinner. This is a pleasant day looks like that we will have a peasant day tommorrow all as well as usual good camping place Monday May 12th 1873 Found bee tree cut it got some honey Ma has a chill went south 8 miles (end pg 23) written up the side of the page " school house burned up" (Start pg 24) then east to wrlhim? two miles west of Dalton for dinner. this afternoon we arrived at Dalton and was told we could not go east on account of the mud. Was sent north to Springfield road through fields. this days travel is decidely the worst on the trip got stuck in the mud Mr. Farrah pulled us out with his team an Indiana man moving from N.W. Missouri got his mules and horses mared down, we pulled his wagon and donkeys out. Ma and Eddy were very sick all day. We are going east under difficulies. All of us are very tired late when we camped (end pg 24) (Start pg 25) Tuesday May 13th Camped last night in the Barn Lot of Mr Mattox 3 miles west of Lovington in Manthie Ill to the the ^west okaw timber Ma and Eddy an Nattie slept in the house it rained the hardest last night a great deal of thunder and ligthing. Our tent leaked a little last night the wagon did not. All up for Breakfast- this morning shall roll out eastward if we dont stick in the mud arrived at Lovington about 10 oclock drove out 4 miles and camped for dinner in a lane, good road today but there is bad place just ahead. Ed Farrah made fire today and smoked us the girls will be smoked yunkies? (end pg 25) (Start pg 26) Wednesday May 14th 1873 Camped last night 6 miles N.W. of Arcola on East Okaw Creek. plenty of wood and feed. we got safely over the mud holes yesterday. It looks like rain. the farmers here are gathering last years crop of corn gathered none planted they are discouraged? the season is late one old Indiana man and his donkey got to our camp and stay here last night. Camped for dinner 5 miles East of Arcola is a nice town land flat- but good stuck in the mud doubled teams and bad roads (end pg 26) (start pg 27) Thursday May 15th 1873 Camped last night two miles east of oakland os? oin? brook in Coates Co. Ill got to camp late all very tired we are traveling east under difficulties all up to Breakfast This is the Ambrows creek Camped for dinner in a lane 5 1/2 miles west Parris Man asked me to ?? for corn, can't see it the roads are better today. Friday May 16, 1873 Camped last night five miles East of Parris in a sugar camp belonging to Mr Kims. read an account of the horrorable murders by the Bender family in Kansas near Cherryvale. Eleven bodies were found on their lot(end pg 27) (Start pg 28) It is awful to think that we lived so close to such devils. We crossed the state line into Indiana 10 oclock. Camped for dinner one mile West of Terre haute good roads today as soon as we get dinner we shall cross the Wabush river and then will go to the Post Office to get letters from Bro Nattie and Sister Olive. All well as usual. Arrived Terre Haute and found letter in the Post Office from Bro Nattie wrote one in reply. Mr McAnallen had to telegraph to friends in Pennsylvania for money and we drove out on the National road two miles and camped (end pg 28) (Start pg 29) Saturday, May 17th 1873 Camped two miles East Terre Haute on the National road. a drunken fellow stoped and got his horse tangled in his bridle and reared back wards into our tent and tore it badly. he paid 25cents and I let him go I was amused and provoked at the fool. Mr Mcamallin has gone to Terre Haute before sun up. If he gets back soon we will start for Indianapolis Shall camp over Sunday as usual. Drove seven miles to a creek and camped and the girls are washing our dirty clothers. Jims horse got choked on oats, we drenched him on water. he is well now. (end pg 29) (Start pg 30) Sunday May 18th 1873 Still in camp. ma has a chill. Here we met Mr. Charlie Leinkemeyer? was down to see us. he was aquainted with every person about Sharonville? Hamilton Co Ohio. while talking to him a Mr King told me that Jeanina Harris is his sister-inlaw and that she lives within three miles of our camp. It is raining or I would go over and see her. My aunt Rebecca raised her. It was a pleasant morning but the prospect now is for rain and muddy roads. Did not go to church today. This is the first Sunday I missed Sunday school or church we passed the day pleasanty reading and talking. (end pg 30) (start pg 31) Monday, May 19th 1873 Left camp this morning for Indianapolis. Passed by Cloverland? and Brazil at the latter place there are three iron furnaces. This is the great coal region of Indiana. Camped for dinner along side the national road about 7 miles east of Brazil pleasant day I am quite unwell took medicine last night- This is in Clay co ind. good orchards, poor land. feed is scarce and high This afternoon crossed little bridge in Clay co. across Walnut and paid 15 cts it is about as large as Mill creek Ohio this is a scandal on the county for we only paid 20 cts on the bridge over the Mississippi. (end pg 31) (Start pg 32) Tuesday May 20th 1873 Camped last night in lane close to Meredian in the county that Grcancottle? is county seat. feed high and scarce rained and went to bed without supper Ma and the children that slept in the wagon eat their supper. This morning clear but very muddy shall start- for Indianapolis which is thrity five miles East Our Pennsylvania folks don't like Indianas because they cannot get accomadations But the people are trouble son much by movers. Had three miles pike? then three of mud, Annie stuck Camped side of the pike 20 miles West -Indianapolis for Dinner (end pg 32) (Start pg 33) Wednesday May 21st, 1873 We arrived last night at Indianapolis, put our team in Hollingsworth wagon yard went out and found Bro Billys house. He was gone to Illinois on business seen sister Dorcus? Charlies came to the wagon about 9 o'clock to see us we can decided not to go to Billys until morning for breakfast arrived at the house and had a good breakfast about 7 o'clock AM had a pleasant visit would liked to stay longer but are anxious to get down to Shelbyville and get my team out on grass and let them rest (end pg 33) (Start pg 34) We parted this day with our traveling companions Mr. Mc Anallen and Ed Farrah been with them for over four weeks It was fortinate for us that we met them for they rendered us great assistance in hauling us out of the mud and getting our horses feed Camped for dinner about 13 miles from Shelbyville ma has a chill Arrived at Shelbyville about 5 o'clock PM was kindly received by Philip Olive and Susie found all well Looks like rain I an so glad that we have had a safe journey (end pg 34) (Start pg 35) May 22d Rested well last night Ma and Eddy are up this morning It rained last night. Is warm today Put my horses in pasture on Mr. Hamilton Farm got my boots mended wrote letter to Brother Nattie. I seee many old familier things here that once belonged to our Dear Mother all reminds me of the days of my childhood before I knew about the cures and sorrows and affications of this life. Friday May 23rd Last night Mr. Jennings called I was acquainted with his first wifes father Rev Z Leonnel? Today Mrs Jennings called we talked about.......... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This ends the journal. You can tell the last pages were cut out of the binder.- Sharon Ivy ------------------------------------------------------------------------ My sincere thanks to Sharon who spent many hours typing and emailing her journal to me. Please help her find the descendants of the family who wrote this journal. To send her email, use her address of weldon@centex.net. Thanks again Sharon-Dave Distler ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Sharon Ivy (© 1997 Sharon Ivy)