John Milton Binckley, June 1859 Travel Diary, Page 63

[John Milton Binckley, June 1859 Travel Diary, page 63. 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.]

huge sign, "cash for wheat."

Paris, Edgar co. Illis. This is a very respectable town. Here I see a tall church, a moderately high steeple, a long shaft projecting wonderful above it strait [straight] up, as a continuation, & from all, see the aspirations of the popular. 

Soil black, grain country begins. Blue flags, fine crops, stock, etc. Grand Prairie seen at distance, half hid by clumps of intervening timber, country evidently settled many years.

Now, out fairly in the Grand Prairie (60 by 40 miles in Extent). Richest country I ever saw, the very curse of Eden is exempt here, for bread may be had almost without the sweat of the brow.

Everything seems on a grand scale, like the prairie, the very hedges are of forest trees. This, if the climate were milder, should be a slave country. None under the sun is so well suited in other respects.

Old ram by the roadside. Resisting[?] the train with an imperial shake of his head, that awes his flock, but [to be continued.]   

[John Milton Binckley (1831-1878).]