Ingraham Expedition: April 1, Friday

• • • Project Home • Credits • Index • Map
X (Close panel) Project Information

Ingraham Expedition: April 1, Friday

Original Source

Encoded texts are derived from three typescript accounts of the 1892 Everglades Exploration Expedition found in the James E. Ingraham Papers and the Chase Collection in the Special and Area Studies Collections Department of the University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries. Digital reproductions of the typescripts are available at:

Moses, W.R., Record of the Everglade Exploration Expedition

Ingraham, J.E., Diary

Church, A., A Dash Through the Everglades

Contents

Electronic Publication Details:

Text encoding by John R. Nemmers

Published by John R. Nemmers.

George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida

2015

Licensed for use under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 Unported License.

These manuscripts are available from this site for education purposes only.

Encoding Principles

The three accounts of the 1892 Ingraham Everglades Exploration Expedition have been transcribed and are represented in Text Encoding Initiative (TEI) P5 XML encoding.

Line and page breaks have not been preserved in the encoded manuscripts.

X (Close panel)Text:
View Page Image [CAMP NO. 16], Friday, April 1st, 1892. View Page Image April 1st View Page Image [Friday, April 1, 1892]
[CAMP NO. 16], Friday, April 1st, 1892.

Broke camp 16 and left Island No. 31 about 8:30 A.M. Though we made strong efforts to get away earlier.

Small islands are becoming quite frequent. On some of them is a small stunted tree said to be a custard apple. It resembles the northern apple tree somewhat in color and shape of leaves as well as its growth. A bloom was mentioned to have been seen on one of the trees.

The character of the everglades is becoming noticeable different. Many islands, some quite large, are visible to the north and east, while little bushes 4 to 8 feet high appeared all around us.

The wind strong from the east all day and felt as though the ocean was not far distant.

Good water for the boats, the deepest yet, about 2.5 feet on an average; sometimes 4 feet. It seemed to have fairly well defined banks. Along the edges of the channels the saw grass was very heavy and tall, as well as quite dark colored.

We came across frequent Indian burns, some made within a few days; smokes to the east, southeast, and west, indicating their presence, but none were visible. The water gave out after dinner and we made several portages finally reaching Camp No. 17 about 5:30 P.M. Island No. 1 is exceedingly rich, having been cultivated and Indian signs found. It was occupied by buzzards that left on our approach.

Rock about 5 feet from surface of water.

All hands nearly rather cross and tired.

Made 4 miles 800 feet. Our engineer Mr. Newman estimates the distance yet to go to be about 20 miles. We have 4 days provision on hand, which are carefully rationed out daily by the Commissary Mr. George Matthieux, who has proved very valuable and deserves special mention and commendation. He has not only acted as commissary since his appointment, but has assumed chief charge of the cooking and by his untiring zeal and good nature won the friendship and good will of all.

It must be understood that the rations above mentioned consist almost wholly of hominy and such game, principally herons and terrapins as we can secure and when cooked and served out is only about one half the quantity craved, though sufficient to sustain life reasonably well. The character of the food together with its quantity is not muscle producing sufficient to meet the excessive labor required in this expedition.

The growth on the last two islands has consisted largely of morning glories, wild cucumbers, bays, elders and other familiar growth.

Mr. Lucky found a piece of pine bark on Island No. 1.

We caught 7 terrapins, 3 blue herons, several young water turkeys and an alligator, whose tail we cut off intending to eat the latter, but the prejudices of some of the party caused it to be thrown away, although the meat looked fully as well as that of sturgeon. It weighed about 40 lbs. and the writer was sorry to see it go, as with our present appetites it would not be difficult to try the experiment of testing it as an article of diet.

Several very fine trout jumped into our boats, while going through narrow channels connecting the glades. We had them for supper. As it is requiring our utmost exertions to complete our trip and survey before the provisions become exhausted entirely, no fishing has been attempted while marching. When we reach camp all are too much exhausted, though we have tackle.

High water mark well defined on the sawgrass, indicating about 12 inches above present level. We noticed at many points since leaving Camp 5 nests of ants fastened to leaves and bushes, usually about 18 to 24 inches above present water level.

Crows frequent the rookeries of the herons and water turkeys and not being afraid of our presence rob the nests of eggs abandoned by their natural guardians on our approach. The crows thrust their bills through the shell and fly away with them, sometimes dropping them and returning for another. It would seem as though the same flock of crows remained with us, knowing our presence would scare away the old birds. April 1st. Broke camp at 8:45 A.M., taking course S.8 in the river we came on yesterday. 6 fine trout jumped into the boats on yesterday, all about 1 lb. weight.

Having been longer in crossing the saw grasses than anticipated, we are now reduced in food very considerably, and but for young cranes, young water turkey and cooters, we would have suffered seriously for food. We have had nothing but grits or rice for 8 days, no bread. No one can leave the line to hunt for fear of bogging and being lost. Have seen many Indian signs, but no Indians.

Rather easy day; 5 short portages, but deep water. Men chilled with cold wind. Camped on island #1, camp #17 at 5:30 P.M. Island #1 is very rich. Indian rubber trees growing wild, and morning glory vines in abundance.

N.B. The islands are numbered with the day of the month,- not consecutively.

At this camp survey had to be temporarily suspended by reason of the broken down condition of the men, who are unable to work in the saw grass, and to the lack of food, making it necessary to proceed to Miami as speedily as possible to procure new supplies so that the survey can be resume from island #1. Next day, Friday, April 1st, the channel we had been following lost itself in the saw grass, and we again had to pull through it. We found, however, a great many little channels, hardly wide enough for our boats and very deep, yet preferable to the saw grass. The fish now became more plentiful, and when we would run them into a corner they would jump wildly out and sometimes would fall into one of the boats. We killed a large alligator and cut off his tail, intending to eat it, but finding some young water turkeys a little further on, threw the 'gator away.

We reached an island about five o'clock, and found it to be another buzzard roost, but much better to camp on than the last one. We had a hard time getting up to it, and indeed had to leave our boats several hundred yards from our camp. Mr. Sydney and I missed our bedding and luggage for awhile, and were very much frightened at the thought of losing them, [but] that night made a very comfortable camp.

During the day we had been constantly on the lookout for some indication of land or an Indian camp, and late in the evening much excitement was caused by someone crying out that an Indian was in sight. We hurried forward, anxious to find some one who could tell us how far we were from land and how we could get there, but found only a bush in the edge of the saw grass. We now began to realize for the first time that constant looking at a dead level of saw grass had destroyed our idea of perpendicular distance or height; as we waded along, almost to our armpits, in mud and water, the bushes that now began to appear seemed as trees, and we were constantly thinking that just in front of us was a thick forest.
X (Close panel)Text:
View Page Image [CAMP NO. 16], Friday, April 1st, 1892. View Page Image April 1st View Page Image [Friday, April 1, 1892]
[CAMP NO. 16], Friday, April 1st, 1892.

Broke camp 16 and left Island No. 31 about 8:30 A.M. Though we made strong efforts to get away earlier.

Small islands are becoming quite frequent. On some of them is a small stunted tree said to be a custard apple. It resembles the northern apple tree somewhat in color and shape of leaves as well as its growth. A bloom was mentioned to have been seen on one of the trees.

The character of the everglades is becoming noticeable different. Many islands, some quite large, are visible to the north and east, while little bushes 4 to 8 feet high appeared all around us.

The wind strong from the east all day and felt as though the ocean was not far distant.

Good water for the boats, the deepest yet, about 2.5 feet on an average; sometimes 4 feet. It seemed to have fairly well defined banks. Along the edges of the channels the saw grass was very heavy and tall, as well as quite dark colored.

We came across frequent Indian burns, some made within a few days; smokes to the east, southeast, and west, indicating their presence, but none were visible. The water gave out after dinner and we made several portages finally reaching Camp No. 17 about 5:30 P.M. Island No. 1 is exceedingly rich, having been cultivated and Indian signs found. It was occupied by buzzards that left on our approach.

Rock about 5 feet from surface of water.

All hands nearly rather cross and tired.

Made 4 miles 800 feet. Our engineer Mr. Newman estimates the distance yet to go to be about 20 miles. We have 4 days provision on hand, which are carefully rationed out daily by the Commissary Mr. George Matthieux, who has proved very valuable and deserves special mention and commendation. He has not only acted as commissary since his appointment, but has assumed chief charge of the cooking and by his untiring zeal and good nature won the friendship and good will of all.

It must be understood that the rations above mentioned consist almost wholly of hominy and such game, principally herons and terrapins as we can secure and when cooked and served out is only about one half the quantity craved, though sufficient to sustain life reasonably well. The character of the food together with its quantity is not muscle producing sufficient to meet the excessive labor required in this expedition.

The growth on the last two islands has consisted largely of morning glories, wild cucumbers, bays, elders and other familiar growth.

Mr. Lucky found a piece of pine bark on Island No. 1.

We caught 7 terrapins, 3 blue herons, several young water turkeys and an alligator, whose tail we cut off intending to eat the latter, but the prejudices of some of the party caused it to be thrown away, although the meat looked fully as well as that of sturgeon. It weighed about 40 lbs. and the writer was sorry to see it go, as with our present appetites it would not be difficult to try the experiment of testing it as an article of diet.

Several very fine trout jumped into our boats, while going through narrow channels connecting the glades. We had them for supper. As it is requiring our utmost exertions to complete our trip and survey before the provisions become exhausted entirely, no fishing has been attempted while marching. When we reach camp all are too much exhausted, though we have tackle.

High water mark well defined on the sawgrass, indicating about 12 inches above present level. We noticed at many points since leaving Camp 5 nests of ants fastened to leaves and bushes, usually about 18 to 24 inches above present water level.

Crows frequent the rookeries of the herons and water turkeys and not being afraid of our presence rob the nests of eggs abandoned by their natural guardians on our approach. The crows thrust their bills through the shell and fly away with them, sometimes dropping them and returning for another. It would seem as though the same flock of crows remained with us, knowing our presence would scare away the old birds. April 1st. Broke camp at 8:45 A.M., taking course S.8 in the river we came on yesterday. 6 fine trout jumped into the boats on yesterday, all about 1 lb. weight.

Having been longer in crossing the saw grasses than anticipated, we are now reduced in food very considerably, and but for young cranes, young water turkey and cooters, we would have suffered seriously for food. We have had nothing but grits or rice for 8 days, no bread. No one can leave the line to hunt for fear of bogging and being lost. Have seen many Indian signs, but no Indians.

Rather easy day; 5 short portages, but deep water. Men chilled with cold wind. Camped on island #1, camp #17 at 5:30 P.M. Island #1 is very rich. Indian rubber trees growing wild, and morning glory vines in abundance.

N.B. The islands are numbered with the day of the month,- not consecutively.

At this camp survey had to be temporarily suspended by reason of the broken down condition of the men, who are unable to work in the saw grass, and to the lack of food, making it necessary to proceed to Miami as speedily as possible to procure new supplies so that the survey can be resume from island #1. Next day, Friday, April 1st, the channel we had been following lost itself in the saw grass, and we again had to pull through it. We found, however, a great many little channels, hardly wide enough for our boats and very deep, yet preferable to the saw grass. The fish now became more plentiful, and when we would run them into a corner they would jump wildly out and sometimes would fall into one of the boats. We killed a large alligator and cut off his tail, intending to eat it, but finding some young water turkeys a little further on, threw the 'gator away.

We reached an island about five o'clock, and found it to be another buzzard roost, but much better to camp on than the last one. We had a hard time getting up to it, and indeed had to leave our boats several hundred yards from our camp. Mr. Sydney and I missed our bedding and luggage for awhile, and were very much frightened at the thought of losing them, [but] that night made a very comfortable camp.

During the day we had been constantly on the lookout for some indication of land or an Indian camp, and late in the evening much excitement was caused by someone crying out that an Indian was in sight. We hurried forward, anxious to find some one who could tell us how far we were from land and how we could get there, but found only a bush in the edge of the saw grass. We now began to realize for the first time that constant looking at a dead level of saw grass had destroyed our idea of perpendicular distance or height; as we waded along, almost to our armpits, in mud and water, the bushes that now began to appear seemed as trees, and we were constantly thinking that just in front of us was a thick forest.
X (Close panel)Text:
View Page Image [CAMP NO. 16], Friday, April 1st, 1892. View Page Image April 1st View Page Image [Friday, April 1, 1892]
[CAMP NO. 16], Friday, April 1st, 1892.

Broke camp 16 and left Island No. 31 about 8:30 A.M. Though we made strong efforts to get away earlier.

Small islands are becoming quite frequent. On some of them is a small stunted tree said to be a custard apple. It resembles the northern apple tree somewhat in color and shape of leaves as well as its growth. A bloom was mentioned to have been seen on one of the trees.

The character of the everglades is becoming noticeable different. Many islands, some quite large, are visible to the north and east, while little bushes 4 to 8 feet high appeared all around us.

The wind strong from the east all day and felt as though the ocean was not far distant.

Good water for the boats, the deepest yet, about 2.5 feet on an average; sometimes 4 feet. It seemed to have fairly well defined banks. Along the edges of the channels the saw grass was very heavy and tall, as well as quite dark colored.

We came across frequent Indian burns, some made within a few days; smokes to the east, southeast, and west, indicating their presence, but none were visible. The water gave out after dinner and we made several portages finally reaching Camp No. 17 about 5:30 P.M. Island No. 1 is exceedingly rich, having been cultivated and Indian signs found. It was occupied by buzzards that left on our approach.

Rock about 5 feet from surface of water.

All hands nearly rather cross and tired.

Made 4 miles 800 feet. Our engineer Mr. Newman estimates the distance yet to go to be about 20 miles. We have 4 days provision on hand, which are carefully rationed out daily by the Commissary Mr. George Matthieux, who has proved very valuable and deserves special mention and commendation. He has not only acted as commissary since his appointment, but has assumed chief charge of the cooking and by his untiring zeal and good nature won the friendship and good will of all.

It must be understood that the rations above mentioned consist almost wholly of hominy and such game, principally herons and terrapins as we can secure and when cooked and served out is only about one half the quantity craved, though sufficient to sustain life reasonably well. The character of the food together with its quantity is not muscle producing sufficient to meet the excessive labor required in this expedition.

The growth on the last two islands has consisted largely of morning glories, wild cucumbers, bays, elders and other familiar growth.

Mr. Lucky found a piece of pine bark on Island No. 1.

We caught 7 terrapins, 3 blue herons, several young water turkeys and an alligator, whose tail we cut off intending to eat the latter, but the prejudices of some of the party caused it to be thrown away, although the meat looked fully as well as that of sturgeon. It weighed about 40 lbs. and the writer was sorry to see it go, as with our present appetites it would not be difficult to try the experiment of testing it as an article of diet.

Several very fine trout jumped into our boats, while going through narrow channels connecting the glades. We had them for supper. As it is requiring our utmost exertions to complete our trip and survey before the provisions become exhausted entirely, no fishing has been attempted while marching. When we reach camp all are too much exhausted, though we have tackle.

High water mark well defined on the sawgrass, indicating about 12 inches above present level. We noticed at many points since leaving Camp 5 nests of ants fastened to leaves and bushes, usually about 18 to 24 inches above present water level.

Crows frequent the rookeries of the herons and water turkeys and not being afraid of our presence rob the nests of eggs abandoned by their natural guardians on our approach. The crows thrust their bills through the shell and fly away with them, sometimes dropping them and returning for another. It would seem as though the same flock of crows remained with us, knowing our presence would scare away the old birds. April 1st. Broke camp at 8:45 A.M., taking course S.8 in the river we came on yesterday. 6 fine trout jumped into the boats on yesterday, all about 1 lb. weight.

Having been longer in crossing the saw grasses than anticipated, we are now reduced in food very considerably, and but for young cranes, young water turkey and cooters, we would have suffered seriously for food. We have had nothing but grits or rice for 8 days, no bread. No one can leave the line to hunt for fear of bogging and being lost. Have seen many Indian signs, but no Indians.

Rather easy day; 5 short portages, but deep water. Men chilled with cold wind. Camped on island #1, camp #17 at 5:30 P.M. Island #1 is very rich. Indian rubber trees growing wild, and morning glory vines in abundance.

N.B. The islands are numbered with the day of the month,- not consecutively.

At this camp survey had to be temporarily suspended by reason of the broken down condition of the men, who are unable to work in the saw grass, and to the lack of food, making it necessary to proceed to Miami as speedily as possible to procure new supplies so that the survey can be resume from island #1. Next day, Friday, April 1st, the channel we had been following lost itself in the saw grass, and we again had to pull through it. We found, however, a great many little channels, hardly wide enough for our boats and very deep, yet preferable to the saw grass. The fish now became more plentiful, and when we would run them into a corner they would jump wildly out and sometimes would fall into one of the boats. We killed a large alligator and cut off his tail, intending to eat it, but finding some young water turkeys a little further on, threw the 'gator away.

We reached an island about five o'clock, and found it to be another buzzard roost, but much better to camp on than the last one. We had a hard time getting up to it, and indeed had to leave our boats several hundred yards from our camp. Mr. Sydney and I missed our bedding and luggage for awhile, and were very much frightened at the thought of losing them, [but] that night made a very comfortable camp.

During the day we had been constantly on the lookout for some indication of land or an Indian camp, and late in the evening much excitement was caused by someone crying out that an Indian was in sight. We hurried forward, anxious to find some one who could tell us how far we were from land and how we could get there, but found only a bush in the edge of the saw grass. We now began to realize for the first time that constant looking at a dead level of saw grass had destroyed our idea of perpendicular distance or height; as we waded along, almost to our armpits, in mud and water, the bushes that now began to appear seemed as trees, and we were constantly thinking that just in front of us was a thick forest.