John Milton Binckley, June 1859 Travel Diary, Page 57

[John Milton Binckley, June 1859 Travel Diary, page 57. 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.]

retorts that it "is a wonder, if crying children are about" -- baby's mother cares[?]. Mother adds also, that she would much prefer to travel to Indianapolis in [an] ox cart. I agree, if she would drive. Would (says she) if not other passengers; another fling at the brat's mamma.

Off again -- what next to happen? Jolting is tremendous. Mother believes we are off the track, or that there is none. Remark cut off by a bump of head and dislodgement of spectacles - advise her to swear.

All dark, all blank, we must be near Indianapolis by this time.

Cumberland, 11 miles from Indp'ls, other towns we passed at times, but could not see, & cared nothing for the names of them.

Here (or may be farther back) entered an old country magistrate and a couple of attorneys before his court. Case is broached, old gent lays down the law rather circum[spectl]y, and foggily.

Indianapolis, about midnight.

 [to be continued.]

[John Milton Binckley (1831-1878).
Mother = Charlotte Stocker Binckley (1788-1877)]