John Milton Binckley, June 1859 Travel Diary, Page 41

[John Milton Binckley, June 1859 Travel Diary, page 41. Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy, Sally Young and Sue Davis for their ongoing research collaboration; specifically to William for providing scans of the original document, and in turn many thanks to Peter Johnston Binckley and Patricia D'Arcy "Trish" Binckley (1951-2007), at the source. This is my rough transcription. Extra paragraph breaks inserted for easier reading.]

[continued] The Earth shall close here over over it. And yet that canal made the greatness of Ohio, which would never [have] had this railroad, so proudly binding her with iron clamps, had she not borne its fortune on her route[?] and uncomplaining bosom. 

In this region, the Spring beyond doubt is more advanced than I left that of the DC three days ago.

Shortly after passing canal, a singular incident stopped is. A country man & his wife signalled [signaled] us to stop. Train stopped -- a baby, just born, found by the man & wife, wrapped in part of an undergarment, on the railroad side, had been thrown from a train passing East west a few minutes before us, at full speed, and was alive!  The amazement with which this announcement was received may be imagined. As the old countryman remarked, it is Enough to convince us of a Providence. 

What could express the joy Even of that dishonored and unnatural mother, could she know that the babe lives! This incident occurred about opposite Kirkersville, which town is not visible from the cars.

Forgot to observe that Wm. Jackson sent us [to be continued.]

[John Milton Binckley (1831-1878).]