Taking another look at Madden’s diary
Our last peek into George Madden’s diary found him in Council Bluffs, the location of the area land office. Madden’s claim to a parcel north of Hawleyville had been challenged and the case went to trial. Madden won, although the verdict was appealed and the matter would drag on.
In late May of 1855 Madden closed up the cabin he had spent the winter building and set out for Indiana. His parents were moving to southwest Iowa, but their spring crops had been planted. The plan was when George arrived in Indiana the parents would go to Iowa, leaving George to care for the wheat and corn.
Of the journey Madden, who walks unless he can catch a ride, writes:
Mon. May 21, 1855. I am ready to leave for Indiana. Judge Lowe is in town with his team. I start with him and reach his residence that evening which is near Bedford. He said Ringgold County was organized this day one week ago. The judge has a fine looking garden of potato vines and many other things.
May 22. Mr. Lowe charges me 50 cents. Bedford is a new place, all cabins except for one frame house just going up. No post office yet. I was told that nine families compose all the inhabitants. Reached Mr. Allo-way’s in Ringgold County and took dinner there. Was directed to take a straight shot across the prairie without any roads to the White Oak Grove. The county is very thinly settled. Put up with a Pennsylvania Dutchman, a clever fellow.
Wed. May 23. Am charged 55 cents for night’s lodging. Yesterday was very warm and I suffered exceedingly for want of water. Today is cool and pleasant. I took dinner on Grand River, charge one dime. I passed but one house since morning in walking 20 miles.
Thurs-day May 24. Charged 15 cents for night’s lodging. Traveled over a nice slope of country. I have been traveling pretty much all day in Clark County. Put up at a house 15 miles from Chariton. Traveled about 20 miles.
Friday, May 25. Reached Chariton about 11 o’clock. Rained considerable and I got very wet. The hack left here earlier this morning and I am left out. Will have to foot it still further. Bought an umbrella and set out in the rain. Reached Mr. Yoatley’s. Continues to rain with wind. Walked 21 miles.
Sat. May 26. Charged 30 cents. Walked 10 miles and took dinner, for which I paid 10 cents. Reached Albia in a heavy rain and muddy roads.
Sunday, May 27. Charged 55 cents. Started for Ottumwa. Traveled all day without eating dinner on account of being refused. Reached Ottumwa being nearly worn out, traveling so much through rain and mud. Took supper at a tavern, paid 40 cents.
Monday, May 28. Reached Libertyville in time to take breakfast. Came through Fair-field, a fine town. Took dinner on Skunk River. Reached Mt. Pleasant. Stopped a few minutes with Ruben Mason. Reached Burlington at dark and put up at Barrett House. Stage, $5.
George was only a few minutes at the home of a relative, Ruben Mason, but as we will soon see he took an interest in Ruben’s 15-year-old daughter, Elizabeth.
At Burlington, the westernmost point of the CB&Q, Madden boarded the train. In traveling to Indiana he estimates he walked 160 miles, went about 80 on the stagecoach, with the final 400 by rail.
Roy Marshall is a local historian and regular columnist for The Red Oak Express. He can be emailed at news@redoakexpress.com.