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crossed the Withlacoochee River at Hornes Bridge at 11.30 We stopped and ate dinner by the house of the toll keeper a Mr Brown whom we paid $1.00 for toll and 50 cts for 2 bundles of fodder It rained quite smartly whilst we were eating our dinner the Spanish cockleburr Urena reticulata which makes such a beautiful himp fibre had choked up the stable yard and all about the premises Mr Brown was making an attempt to eradicate it cutting it down We travelled about 18 miles farther making 27 miles today stopped at the place of some one where there was a fine pond down in an old field not far from the house We went down to the pond and camped under some beautiful live oaks a group of four a fine camping place Wash pot bench &c &c It turned off quite cool in the afternoon after the rain and cleared off from W very cold after night We scalded our ducks in the wash pot cleaned them filled them with butter wrapped them in wet paper & cooked them under our hot fire in a hole previously prepared for the occasion with roasted Hayti potatoes they were delicious we cleaned the ducks out throroughly I never ate any better cooking anywhere This was called Camp Live Oak
Sunday Nov 5th We left Camp Live Oak before day at 5.20 A M a clear cold glorious morning We reched Mrs Tyners 8 1/2 mile at about 7.30 we made a fine fire near her house and fed our
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horses and ate breakfast We left there about 10 oclock Our intention was to strike the R R at Archer but finding that the cars only go there ocasionally we changed our course to the right for Gainesville We had abominable roads about Wacahoota washed by the late heavy rains and in one place blocked by fallen trees in the track of a late gale We passed many persons going to church got very much bothered about our road at one time got out of our way passed through the Allapaha prairie during the afternoon we stopped at the residence of a gentleman near Paimes prairie and got 1/2 bushel of corn and some dried beef paid him $1.00 We went a few miles farther and camped on a place owned by a Mr Patterson of South Carolina a very large plantation we camped near a steam saw mill & gin house Six miles from Gainsville in a grove of heavy timber We saw ten fox squirrels and two foxes today Jim & I slept very cold tonight smart frost
Monday Nov 6th We named our camp Oak Grove a cold frosty morning I shot a large owl with the rifle that was attracting the attention of some squirrels We left camp soon after sun rise Fletchers old horse having given out yesterday was allowed to proceed without any burden Fletcher footing it himself I walked several miles this morning to get warm We had to travel about six miles ro rach Gainesville which we did about 9 oclock We were anxious to sell the old horse and a little solicitous about getting a purchaser
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there was no occasion however for any such solicitude. We found old horses at a premium in Gainesville; the 40 acres & a mule was the practical cut idea amongst the darkies, it was quite evident. A negro boy made a bid for him before we stopped, and we soon had a lively spirited bidding on him from 3 or 4 darkies and in a short time, he passed into the hands of a colored citizen of that region on the payment of $40.00. Dr Feay assuming the business; as he had to settle with Mr Harris for the horse. We gave Fletcher $2.00 of the money.
We left Fletcher with the horses & buckboard, and went to the Suwannee Hotel, were Jim & I washed and put on clean clothes. Dr Feay purchased a suit of new clothes, and got some privisions for the rest of the journey for himself & Fletcher. I bought myself a vest. Dr F. after making his purchaes, bade us goodbye; & he & Fletcher (the latter mounted on Evans' pony) went on their route homeward; towards Newnaneville. Jim & I dined at the Hotel a rough house, and rough fair and rough people in it they had corn bread, sweet potatoes, & fresh pork, and very rough specimens of humanity around the dirty board.
At 2 o'clock P.M. we left on the train for Baldwin, which place we reached after dark; we ate supper at the eating house there, which was pretty well thronged.
Jim and I turned over a few of the backs of the seats in the R.R. coach, & placed a number of cushions appropriately, and made a splendid couch, in contrast with the bosom of Mother Earth, on which we had been reclining for some time.
We slept gloriously -Paid at Gainesville -- Dr. Feay's pants $7.50 vest $5.00 -soap .30 cts 4 lbs crackers $2.00; 1 lb Lard 60 cts -- 1/2 lb tea 75 cts -- Tabacco for Fletcher 50 cts -- candy 50 cts -vest for self $5.00 bot whisky $2.50 -- Fare for self at Suwannee House 75 cts -- fare at Baldwin -- 75 cts -- Fare R. R. Gainseville to Baldwin $________
Tuesday -- Nov. 8th -A glorious, beautiful day-; we rose at about 4.15 A.M. -Paid 75 cts for breakfast at the eating house -- When the Jacksonville train came up, I met Frank Smith of Quincy, and W. L. Robinson of Leon Co. from whom I bought a pair of horses a few years ago, as I have told -- a regular brick-; a man of rare accomplishments & parts generally-; I believe he speaks fluently in several languages, and is a accomplished scholar in a general way-; and when a little tight, is a very fluent and interesting man, on any subject that may be started -running over with vivacity & wit -- He had along with him a splendid setter of fine blood and training -- An an old negro woman, who formerly belonged to him, whom he found in New York in a state of destitution; and he was generously paying her way back to her old home, which she longed to reach -Frank Smith was returning home from New York, where he has been buying goods -- I had sent by him an order for some staves &c for making kits for putting up fish; which he failed to get -- for which I am very glad-; they would have been a dead loss to me -
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We reached Lake City at 10 o'clock;- Robinson showed me the Clustee battle ground, and explained it as we passed -- I saw the breast works and the pine trees torn by the cannon --
I met Gen1- J. J. Finley, and Sam Spencer -- in Lake City -- and Prof. Odens -- The Western train broke down yesterday, and we had to lay over all day to wait for a train that has been telegraphed for the Tallahassee -- I spent the day impatiently enough. I was at Odens' store a good deal-, I brought a pair of fine black cassimere pants from him for $16.00 -- (he was owing me, and I was having unexpected good luck in making the collection).
I dined and supped at the Tresvent House-; I enjoyed Robinson's over flowing run of wit and humor -- Got off at last at 11 o'clock P. M. for Quiney -- a bitter cold night -- We were intensely disgusted with the conduct of the H. H. officials there -- the agent would not let us get in to the nice warm fire he had inside, where his writing was done--; plenty of room too -- it was excessively cold out side, and we were suffering from it -- It was inhuman and outrageous-; worthy only of a yankee --
Wednesday -- Nov. 8th --
Ticket on the cars from Lake City to Quiney cost $10.50 -- We reached home at 11.30 -- Thankful to God above to be back again, and find all well --