[John Milton Binckley, June 1859 Travel Diary, page 64. 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.]
he does not undertake to stop the iron horse, by an undignified attack. Mitchell would have read in his countenance unmistakable confidence in his power to destroy and consciousness of his mercy in sparing the train.
I stand on the platform, the speed is tremendous, behind time a good road here.
The boundaries vast of the Grand Prairie cuts forward before me, I feel the bracing air, keen and cold, and with a head wind, almost capable of blowing down.
I stand, hat off & hair blown almost off my head, & my feelings are roused as if something glorious were about to absorb me and waken those deep passions which only public joy or danger can awaken in the bosom of patriots and natives.
I never was so proud of my country, not that this displays, but that it suggests all the glories of our sublime governmental fabric.
Dudley, a town in the Prairie, prairie flowers, in all sorts, varieties . . .
[Mitchell = probably Harvey Mitchell (1799-1866).
John Milton Binckley (1831-1878).]
[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).]
[John Milton Binckley, June 1859 Travel Diary, page 62. 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.]
old man at Ease. Speculated a while on what relations he was going to see, or if not what at his late age could take him out, when it was plain he was not used to going. Inquired if he would smoke. He thought I was conductor, & was much alarmed fearing he had done something wrong, being deaf & not having heard what I said. Repeated louder, with a cigar in mouth. Said he never smoked cigars, but when at home had his pipe, asked why he didn't bring it, timidly produced it. Told him to light, grin even half an acre of wrinkled cheek. Dug down deep in pocket & filled pipe. Smoked with him, talked, got him perfectly happy. Told how scared he was. No fire in any but our car. Old man most frozen, made him come forw back to our car & sit by fire, etc. He was going to Pana to visit his son. Since I had set him right, was delighted with his journey.
In Every village & country store here, as in Indiana & Ohio, I see the [to be continued.]
[John Milton Binckley (1831-1878).
Mother = Charlotte Stocker Binckley (1788-1877).]
