A trip to Illinois

I have some pages of a journal written in 1829 or '30 about a trip to Illinois from Ohio which I'd like to share with the readers and without further ado, voila, here it is:

"This book is a memorandum of the family relations as they come to my mind and as information obtained [the writer, Zophar Case from Long Island originally, descendant of Henry, states in his own hand].

"In this relation I know of no better way or place to make a record of my trip to Illinois when there was not one hundred thousand people in it.

"1829
     "December 7 at 4 o-clock AM at Hepbourns hotel Cleveland Ohio left in the stage hard stage fare and expens that day no remarkable incident happened - Company James S Clarke and Charles Wilkinson we were all very sleepy - A little difficulty between Mr. Clarke and two females passengers - roads very muddy carriage in the after part of this day made it appear like lightning that had almost spent its force before the sounds of thunder cracking to keep time -

"Thursday Dec 10th 1829
"Spent on yesterday $3.12's A Milan - Started from Milan, two horses, four passengers beside the driver. roads abominable horses balked had to walk. hired an extra team at Monroe two lordy passengers, one a female who wished me to pay her in her own coin - Sandusky prairie delightful Allosa and birch bark. good living for footmen to bed and calculated to stay our Sunday, and wait for Mr. Clarke to come up. Expenses at Spaffords $l.45

[Some of this is hard to read and understand with no punctuation, but dear readers, we will trudge on.]


"December 14th 1829
"Started Mr. Clark and myself Capt W rather indisposed Mr Clark and myself stopped at the County Treasurers and share $6.50 in County orders to help pay Capt Wilkinson's taxes in Perrysburg made 44 cents in the operation taxes settled and proceeded up the river to opposite Manmu(Miami?) Village lef Capt W at his uncles to stay and recreate until tomorrow morning and Mr. Clark and myself crossed the river to stay all night - stayed at Mr. Lloyds Inn and wrote a letter to friend O. B. Skinner in the evening got in company with the U. S. Engineers, they said the country is fine up the river - The best country in the Wabash valley they ever saw on the Tippicanoe very poor all oak barrens, on the Wabash good. On the big St. Josephs very good country of land - They have a run a line of canal from the mouth of the Tippicanoe to the big bend of the St Josephs - about 90 miles to Fort Wayne - Can if we choose about 30 miles from Fort Wayne git on the head waters of the Wabash and go down in a canoe -

"The Engineers have constructed their falls work and are now on their return to Washington - They feel well with their face turned homeward jovial good company, did not learn their names
Expenses$2.12's - Crossed back

"December 15th. 1829
"Started up the south bank of the Manmu we had to cross some bad creeks Kept round on the hills made only 9 miles to Missionary station snow and sleet pelting us all day - Kept Capt W spirits up. Mr Clark unusually dull. As we waded along through the mud snow and sleet and red water. When we got to the station we anticipated something good for body and soul and found ourselves disappointed. Station has 22 (or 27?) Indian schollars - some attended to the farm under the direction of the Rev W Van Tassel Preacher and Indians all poor and deluded have been there
about six years
"Expenses at Station 58 cts freight(?) al(?)

"December 16th 1829
"Crossed the river in a canoe Indian paddle Thence up the North bank of the river sixteen miles to Judge Vance's at 9 (?) on the route Manors(?) --- and land good along the river flat back had some bad creeks to cross. left Capt W-- to come from Manors to Vance's in a canoe along with the Frenchmen -
    "Expenses $0.88---

[Next Post we'll start with Dec 17th.]