DIARY OF AN 1858 WAGON TRAIN JOURNEY This diary of John C. Darr was printed in the Atkins (Arkansas) Chronicle 30 July 1909 through 08 October 1909 The articles were researched and contributed by Mrs. James D. (Earlene) Peak to the Pope County (Arkansas) Historical Association Quarterly. Quarterly Editor: Ms. Laura L. Shull P.O. Box 670 Dover Arkansas 72837-0670 The spellings, punctuation, and sentence structure in the article follow those contained in the reproduction in the Pope County Historical Association Quarterly. It is uncertain whether the deviations from present writing style reflect the writing style of Mr. Darr or choices made by the typesetter of the Atkins Chronicle. Fifty-one Years Ago Then and now, as seen by one who has passed his three score and ten mile post, and experienced the same. 51 years ago since the writer with many others commenced a journey of almost 1000 miles by the modes of travel used at that day and time and trusting that the readers of the Chronicle will be interested in reading this diary of every day travel as kept by him and can make their own comparison of the present as compared with the past. But if not interested the writer trusts that you will extend to him the hand of charity and forgiveness for having used so much valuable space of the Chronicle which might have been much better filled by others who are able to entertain you very much better than the writer. With these introductory remarks I will open by diary which I hope you will not condemn before you read it through. Our first days journey commenced on Oct. 5th 1858, by leaving our old home and land of our birth in Lincoln county, North Carolina, almost in sight of the battleground of Ramsuers mill which was fough in the war of American Independence, 128 years, between those who favored liberty, and those who preferred to remain slaves under King George of England, properly called tories, and as it is well said that blood will tell, the truth of this saying has good proof in this case, as the same chopped out in the war between the states, the blood did tell. The first day of starting on this long journey, cutting loose from relatives, neighbors, and our old home and stamping grounds, all our company bound for Arkansas, having collected from our neighborhood, moved out and passed through Lincolton, our County Site, crossed South Fork of the Catawba river and camped seven miles beyond. One days travel 13 miles. Our train consisted of two horse wagons, old time carryalls, and carriages with good teams of horses and mules to all, and all supplied with good tents, etc. All the company consisted of sixty souls, crossed 1st Broad river. Days travel, 16 miles, weather fine. Must tell how I got in a tight place at our first camp. Many of the neighbors came to our camp and amongst them was a pretty and attractive young lady with the good name Prudence, who made many remarks of regret because she could not accompany us as she had kinsfolks amongst us. The writer not looking for anything more serious than a joke remarked, "Why not go with me?" Oh Jerusalem! But she answered, "This is so sudden, but I will answer you in the morning before you leave camp." Now what was I to do? No trouble if her answer was "no" but if "yes" the d___ I would be to pay, as I could not care for myself, of course I would have to back down if yes, and treat it as a joke, but I done better. I hit the road and was several miles on my way at sun up. This taught me never to joke with a young lady on this subject unless prepared to foot the bill