John Milton Binckley, June 1859 Travel Diary, Page 58

[John Milton Binckley, June 1859 Travel Diary, page 58. 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.]

Fire raging in the city, not very large one. In the Depot, city invisible. Have to be by half hour or so, I check baggage to Pana Illinois, grumble at the baggage master, ought to have had a kick in mouth for it. Didn't get it. Ought to have had some cigars, tobacco & drink of liquor. Didn't get them.

Here Enter several passengers, some came though Ft. Wayne, report a Railroad accident this morning, one gent demonstrates by his bandaged head, all from New York I believe, but us.

We sit in cars waiting start. Talk of comfort in arranging & customizing cars, seats etc.

Everything blank & dark, nothing to write. Here, no fire, but not only that, no stoves in cars. Good God, what a prospect of balance of this night, getting colder, too, Every moment!

Mother remarks against Route. Gent suggests that other routes less direct, declares she would rather go, and believed next time she would go by way of North Carolina. 

Reminded her that back some hours she had declared she would go by [to be continued.]

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