In the August 1961 issue of FLASHBACK, page 28, reference was made to a diary-memorandum-account book kept by Mr. William S. Moore, proprietor of Moore's Mill at Boonsboro (now Cane Hill) during the 1860s. The nicely bound pocket-size book is now (1961) owned by Mr. Moore's granddaughter Mrs. Juanita Moore Caldwell of Avoca, Ark.
During the years some of the pencil entries have become illegible. However the following transcript of some of the diary entries covering a trip to Cincinnati, Ohio, and Mr. Moore's old home in East Tennessee, will reveal some of the discomforts experienced in traveling in those days, as well as some of the costs of travel. The trip to Cincinnati and Louisville was for the purpose of purchasing an engine for the mill.
The diary reflects that Mr. Moore not only had a liberal education but that he also had plenty of common sense. Some of the spelling may not meet with Webster's approval but Mr. Moore got the job done intelligently. For example, he used "Elinois Bio" for the Illinois Bayou which flows into the Arkansas just west of Russellville; "brakefast for breakfast; "nocking" for knocking; and "Nepolian" for Napoleon, and early-day town at the confluence of the Arkansas and Mississippi rivers.
The part of the diary from Boonsboro to Van Buren can not be deciphered, but beginning at Van Buren, March 22, 1868, read on:
Sunday, 22: Made a start from VanBuren, but it was only a start for we are aground about a quarter mile below Van Buren, and it is near 5 o'clock.
23rd: VanBuren is in sight yet. we lay last night a mile below VanBuren, We are around now and it is 10 o.c. I would guess.
24th: Still where we was at 10 o.c. yesterday but feel the boat rocking. Think we will get away from here today. Got off and landed about dark.
25th: Started soon and got down to Sawyer's (?) and we are aground again. Are looking for a small boat up every hour. A dream last night and it was about another boy. VanBuren 22. Dear_____ I will come on first boat __. Do not therefore present the paper I ____ to Adams. I will ____ the day I get ____. Your Friend, JJ ____. William M. Daniels Anthony House. Scott Lawson & Co., Little Rock.
Thursday, 26th: Haven't been aground today but it is 4 o'clock. John McClellan was at Mrs. N (M?) today a little while in the morning. The river is rising a litt, 1 inch an hour.
27th: Are nocking a long a little. Has been aground two or three times. Camped or anchored for the night in sight of the steamer Hamilton, whitch has sunk and they say a wreck. We passed Ozark.
28th, Saturday: Passed the sunk steamer Hamilton and Hesper also sunk, with the steamer Gleaner by her side taken off cotton. Mr. W. McBride and wife was aboard the Gleaner. She started to VanBuren but failed to get up the river. Landed at Spadra and took on some cotton. The VanBuren met us there. Seen a Mr. M---- there on his way to Washington County from Greenville, East Tennessee. Lay at H---- below the mouth of Piney.
29th: Started at sunrise. Got aground but soon got off. Lewisburg 50 miles from there to Little Rock.
30th: Got to Little Rock about 4 o'clock in the evening.
31st: Slept on the Peerless last night. Took dinner at the Commercial House. Went to Mrs. N? with J.T. McC.
April 1st: Stayed at the Anthony House last night. John left at 4 for Arkadelphia. I left the Rock at 7 o.c. this morning. Got to Devalls Bluff at 12 o.c. and got dinner aboard the steamer Liberty - for Memphis.
April 2nd: got out of White River last night about 3 o'clock. Passed Fryer Point 15 miles below Helena. Got to Helena half after 1 and left in a short time. The steamer Rochnoner (?) passed us there.
3rd: Got to Memphis last night at 12 o c and took this morning train for Louisville. Dinner at Paris. Arrived at Russellville, Kentucky 8p.m.
4th: Brakefast at Bowling Green; arrived at Louisville at 2 pm and took steamer American for Cincinnati. She is a large boat 315 feet long.
April 5th: Arrived at Cincinnati this morning for brakf. Nocked around a while through town. This is a very dirty looking town and the day wore away.
6th: Have been around among the shops getting their price for work. The Ohio Machine Works offer to furnish an engine for 1950$. Lane and Co for 2250$, Greenwald 2025$. Had another offer for 2000$ and he makes a good machine but couldn't make one as soon as I wanted.
7th: Was at J&H P Straubs today but didn't traid any with him. Made a traid with I & E Greenwall today for an engine for 2025 dollars.
8th: Didn't do much today. Looked over town.
9th: Settled things up and took passage on the steamer America for Louisville at 5 pm
10th: Left Louisville at 8 1/2 this morning for Chattanooga. Dinner at Bowling Green, 72 miles from Nashville about 4 pm.
11th: Got to Chattanooga this morning a little before day. Got home late in the evening.
12th: Went visiting today and saw a good many old acquaintances.
13th: Went over to see Uncle John and Tomey (?). To my Aunt Susey. Took dinner at Dave Jewell's. ----Mother, Aunt Sallie, Pollie, Dave Galbraith and Mary present.
14th: Went over to see Old Coz Sallie Holt and Aunt Jane. Sister Lucy along with me came down to sister Betties and stayed all night. Jo and Jerry came over and stayed all night.
15th: It rained until about 12 o. c. Got dinner at Bettie's and went up to Dave G's and met Papy J A Galbraith and wife. D. Jewell and wife, Laney and Lizzie Ross came over to Uncle John's.
16th: At Uncle John's last night. Lucy and Margaret came over and stayed all night. Went over and took dinner at Uncle Tomeys. Mary Farmers (?) was there and sister Lucy went home in the evening.
17th: Left home in company with sister Margaret. Far over the ridge took dinner at Aunt Pollie's. Went down and stayed all night with Aunt Sallie.
18th: Jo was over last night. Coz Liz Ross and sister Mag and I went over to Aunt Rise's and took dinner. Came back to Aunt Pollie's.
19th: Stayed last night with Aunt Pollie. Jerry came over. Was over at Old Mt. Bethel today and heard Coz Rankin preach. Was but few there that I knew. How changed. Where are they? Went to Greenville after preaching and stayed with James Galbraith over night.
20th: Went to W.B. Rankin's and to J. Wilson. Took dinner at Galbraith's and started out home. Stopped at Moisers and Johnsons. Got home.
21st: Rained. Aunt Susie and Mary Jane came over in the evening. Went home with them.
22nd: Stayed last night at Uncle John's. Went home for brakefast. Went over to see Aunt Jane Galbraith. Took dinner with Dave Jewell. Went home and seen Aunt Sallie. John Moore came over.
23rd: Started for the West. Sue, Jo, Jerry and Margaret went over to the depot with me. Landed at Concord. Oh how hard it is to part dear dear friends that we loved.
24th: Stayed last night with Uncle Joe Galbraith. Went up to Lee's today.
25th: Stayed at Uncle Joe's last night. Went to see Coz An Hann (?). Left Concord about 3 o.c. for Memphis. Thomas Olmet (?) was aboard going West with me, got to Chattanooga about 9pm. Took the Memphis train. Fare $15.50.
26th: Got to Memphis at 6pn Stopped at the Worsham House. Found Walter Parks and stayed with him.
27th: Have been strolling around town today. Have paid for passage to Little Rock. Far 15 Dollars on the steamer Celeste. Left Memphis 6pm
28th: Passed Helena about 6 this morning. Got to Napolian by 12 am and left in about an hour for the Rock.
29th: Nothing of interest took place today. Land every little while to put off freight and take on a passenger. Got to Pine Bluff about 7 pm. Seen Mr. Patterson.
30th: All getting along well today. Got to Little Rock about 4pm
May 1st: This has been a very restless day with me. About ready to start on the steamer to Ozark and it is 5pm Left in a short time.
2nd: Still steaming up the river. Got to Lewisburg this morning at sunrise. Got to Galley Rock at half past 9 am Traveling on a steam boat is a very slow way to get along when one is wanting to get home and see the dear ones there, particularly one that he hasn't seen. Got to Dardanelle at 1 pm ad are there yet at 7:30. Think we will get away in a short time. They are firing up.
Sunday May 3rd, 1868: This is Sunday again and I am still away from home. Oh how I would love to be there today. We got along very slow last night. Was at the mouth of Piney this morning when I got up. Passed the wreck of the Florence below Spadra and passed the sunken steamer Hesper on Logan's Bar above Spadra.
4th: Haven't anything worth writing. Will get to Van Buren some time this evening I guess. Are at Savages now. Got to Van Buren at seven.
5th: We left Van Buren last night about - - - to - - -Hill - - - Pyeatt got a horse at Van Buren and - - - up to Mr. Babs (?).
(Later entries)
May 12th: Was at VanBuren. 20th:At Vanburen after - - - - -. Left Van Buren in the evening. Camped at Foster's
18th: Got old shed cleared away.
19th:We are laying the foundation today and got the sills in.
20th: Raised the building today.
22nd: Laid the timber for the engine in the house.
23rd:Rolled the boiler down and got itin.
24th:Got the standpipe and furnes front up today.
25th: Got the mane shaft and some other tricks up.
26th: Raised the chimney.
27th:Got the pump up and the safety valve on.
July 6th: Got the engine to running today. Grandpaw got his hand hurt.
July 21st: Got the saw started today. Think it will do very well.
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| 1881 Painting of the Moore-Buchanan Mill at Cane Hill by Henry Moore, son of William M. Moore. |
Oct., 2021. Just saw this. William is my grandfather's uncle. A million thanks for the picture and excerpt.
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