09th Nov (1858). Raining, at an early hour we resume our journey, traveling through a beautiful and fertile country, pass through Millburn, a small village 14 miles east of the Mississippi river, the country was very heavily timbered. Passing on over the fertile country of the Mississippi we take up camp after a days drive of 20 miles having endured a very cold day, with rain and snow, our camp is five miles east of the Mississippi river. 10th Nov (1858). Leave camp very early in order to be first at the ferry; but great Jerusalem and Julius Caesar, there was another road leading to the ferry, and vehicles were as thick as far as eyes could see on all roads leading to the ferry taking their turns in crossing from either side of the river. We had a fine view of our first from the bluff about one mile from the river of Fathers of Waters. Here we come to Columbus, a thriving new town having been located only a few years previously. Here we find a splendid steam ferryboat the Ella, owned by Mess, Guinn and Robinson, nice accommodating gentleman. This boat would carry some 12 to 20 teams each trip. The river at this point was said to be ¾ mile wide. After all our great hurry we only reached our turn about 12 o'clock noon. I walked down the river early and ask the captain if I might come on his boat, he told me to go right on, and up to the sitting room which I did. I found the room a very comfortable one. And as it was a very raw day I ask if I might bring a number of females aboard. He replied, "Bring as many as you can get into the cabin and let them stay right there until your company all are across, as they will find it much more comfortable than standing around camp fires in the cold rain." I succeeded in getting quite a number in the boat. I saw catfish here enough to load a steamboat, some said to weigh over 300 pounds. I bought one for 20¢ which weighted over 20 pounds, it looked like a very little minnow amongst the big ones. The rest of the company sliced and bought one weighing about 100 pounds. But it was not good, too fat. But my little fellow was fine. After crossing the river we passed up its western banks on our way to Charleston, Mo., you see we are now in Missouri. A fine sandy road. But wait for another day and I will tell you about other roads. Our company increased on our route through Kentucky, good and agreeable company. We made 12 miles today and camped on the bank of the greatest river. 11th Nov (1858). Leave our camp on the banks of the Mississippi and wind and drag our way through the swamps and mud for twelve miles. We then pass on to a beautiful swamp prairie on which is located the village of Charleston, a small but lively town in Missouri. Pass over some very fertile lands, and take up camp on the banks of a lake. In passing through the swamps which had been overflowed the previous spring and summer, settlers' cabins showing the water marks on many above the doors; still with all the proof before our eyes they would tell us, "No we are not overflowed right on this place but just over here a piece they were under about 15 feet." We had in our company a mischevious couple (man and wife) and we came to a place where the people were raising a log dwelling, the very sickliest crowd I ever saw. Our man asked the crowd how long they had been dead, right then we were almost in a fight; but our man apologized by begging pardon telling them the cause of his mistake was that they buried people where he came from long before they look half as bad as that crowd did, then we had to retreat double quick and beg off. Our days travel was only 17 miles, raining. 12th Nov (1858). Raining, we again resume our journey, pass over hills, swamps and barren plains. The swamps and lakes are alive with ducks, brants, turkeys, prarie chickens, quail and numerous other game, not mention bear, deer, panther and many other wild animals, the country being very sparsely settled. Roads very muddy. On an elevation we came to the village of Benton, a small dull looking place. Three miles north of Benton we take up camp having dragged through the mud 21 miles. 13th Nov (1858). Leave camp, find a very hilly country, then swamps, pass over a swamp or lake on a good turnpike, said to be three miles long, but I think a measured mile would take it in out of the wet. I suppose the imaginary miles were used to help out the pike charges, as we had to pay from one to one and a half dollars for each team of two animals, but the crossing was the best we met on our whole trip. Having crossed in these Mississippi bottoms, swamps, creeks, lagons and lakes on shabby pole bridges, the worst I ever saw but no charges on these; the only good point on them. After leaving the pike we encounter hills and mud making very heavy moving for the teams. Our road passes up the Mississippi river at a short distance from it. We camp four miles from Old Jackson, days travel 19 miles. Clear and cold. 14th Nov (1858). Sabbath day, part of our company violated our agreement made at the beginning of our journey, not to travel on Sunday, and left camp, but part of them came back after a drive of a few miles and persuaded those who remained to move up to the camp they had selected. The others moved on, the women said that they were possessed of the devil. How far they moved that Sabbath we did not know and care less, as this little bunch of our company were trying all the trip to control all the balance of our company. We moved up four miles and camped with those who came back after us. Cloudy, threatening rain.