Ingraham Expedition: April 4, Monday

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Ingraham Expedition: April 4, Monday

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.

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View Page Image Island No. 3, Camp No. 19, Monday, April 4th. View Page Image April 4th View Page Image [Monday, April 4, 1892]
Island No. 3, Camp No. 19, Monday, April 4th.

The constant wading in water and bog appears to have weakened all to a greater or less extent and considerable lassitude prevails. No one is ill however and the weather continues perfect. Very few mosquitoes or other insects.

We got an early start this morning breaking camp about 7 A.M. with cooked food on hand for lunch. We hope to make the timber to-day and friends or a wagon road on which to continue our journey. It is two weeks today since we left Shackleford. The time seems much longer.

The bushes are growing more plentiful and larger and as before mentioned looking like trees and quite large at a distance, but become much dwarfed on a near approach.

After traveling about a mile, making several portages, saw an Indian in his canoe, whose attention we attracted and who came to us[;] this occurred about 10 A.M. His name is Billy Harney. He is a small wiry built man of perhaps 65 or 70 years. He would not agree to go with us to Miami, at first, but signified his willingness to get some one to go. Told us it was 25 miles. Although his houses were in sight about 500 yards off, he said it was 5 miles around and after following him 3 miles, Mr. Newman decided to go on alone with him in his canoe, leaving us to await his return with a guide. They left at 12 noon after lunching. In the mean time we landed on an island of quite small extent unpacked all the boats, dried out and repacked our stores and tent, painted the bottom of one of the canvas boats and got dinner.

They returned about 3 o'clock and being unable to get any one else, the old man agreed to take two in his canoe, go to Miami and return with provisions. It was decided that Messrs. Newman, Ingraham, Chase and Moses should go taking one of the canvas boats and at 3:15 P.M. they started.

Billy's home consists of a hammock field, one building covered by rived board and 2 palmetto thatches. Has corn growing 3 feet high, pumpkins bearing, bananas, etc. Mr. Newman saw 4 or 5 good trunks, chairs, mosquito bars and said that he appeared to be in prosperous circumstances. His wife, daughters, and grandchildren were at home, but the balance of the men folks were away hunting 65 miles distant. The houses are built on a sand hill at considerable elevation above the surrounding glades. The island is some miles from the pine timber.

Camped on an island of about 20 feet diameter at sunset. The course from where we left the men to this island was very circuitous and followed narrow channels connecting the glades. The water was not very abundant at times. The general character of growth about the same as in the forenoon. April 4th. Broke camp island #3, 7:30 A.M. Course E. to Timber Island at 10 A.M. I saw an Indian who soon after approached in response to our signals. He was an old man, named "Billy Harney". He said we were 25 miles N.W. of Miami, meaning by water, and said his house was on the island we were making for. Mr. Newman arranged to go with him to his camp to get some of his young men with their canoes to take us to Miami, the men being too broken down to wade much further. Billy says he can take us by water into Miami in "one, maybe two days". His distances are by water, circuitous in the extreme, and partially confirm our own location as previously determined.

At 3 P.M. Billy retuned with Mr. Newman and took self, Mr. Newman in his canoe, and Mr. Moses and Mr. Chase took the little canvas canoe and we started for Miami River, leaving the men in camp to follow S.25 E. tomorrow 3 miles, where Mr. Newman would meet them with provisions. We went into a labyrinth of saw grass sloughs following circuitous channels, seeming only known to Billy, and camped at island #4, camp #21. Next morning from the top of a tree could be distinctly seen the thatched roof of some Indian hut on a neighboring island, and we knew that this was what Mr. Ingraham had seen the day before. We started off in high spirits for the Indian camp but found saw grass in front of us whichever way we turned. Just as we were preparing to force our way through the grass, an Indian in his canoe came in sight. Instantly there was the greatest excitement, and everybody wanted to rush forward to meet the man, and when they were restrained from that, stood on the boats, waved their hats, cheered and shouted "Come on, old man, come on!" in the most frantic manner; even the sick men were reanimated. When the Indian came up he said his name was "Billy Harney", and when Mr. Newman asked him how far to Miami, said 25 miles, and pointed in different direction from that we had expected. When he said twenty-five miles to Miami our faces fell several feet, for at the rate we were going it would take us five days to get there, and we had only enough rations, on our half allowance for two days more.

Billy Harney talked such very poor English that Mr. Newman decided to go with him to his camp, which he said was near by, and try and find out whether he could get any provisions or boats there, and more definite information about the way to Miami than the old Indian could give. Mr. Newman got in the Indian's canoe and we all started off, but the Indian seemed to be taking us away from his camp rather than to it, so it was decided that Mr. Newman go on alone with the Indian while we cooked something to eat and waited for him. We found a little clump of bushes where we made our fire and cooked up enough food for our dinner and supper and about two o'clock Mr. Newman came back. He did not get out of the canoe, but told us there was no one at Harney's camp but some women, that we could get nothing to eat there, and that from the women he had learned that he could go to Miami and come back by this time next day, if an Indian took him. He said that he had determined to go to Miami with Billy Harney and to bring back provisions to us, and that Mr. Ingraham and Mr. Moses were to follow the canoe in the canvas boat and Mr. Chase was to come with him and the Indian. He took a bucket of cold hominy, cooked, and the Indian in his canoe and Mr. Ingraham in his canvas boat shoved off and left us. As they went Mr. Newman called to us to follow a certain course next day, make fires in the saw grass, and that he would be certain to meet us at noon.
X (Close panel)Text:
View Page Image Island No. 3, Camp No. 19, Monday, April 4th. View Page Image April 4th View Page Image [Monday, April 4, 1892]
Island No. 3, Camp No. 19, Monday, April 4th.

The constant wading in water and bog appears to have weakened all to a greater or less extent and considerable lassitude prevails. No one is ill however and the weather continues perfect. Very few mosquitoes or other insects.

We got an early start this morning breaking camp about 7 A.M. with cooked food on hand for lunch. We hope to make the timber to-day and friends or a wagon road on which to continue our journey. It is two weeks today since we left Shackleford. The time seems much longer.

The bushes are growing more plentiful and larger and as before mentioned looking like trees and quite large at a distance, but become much dwarfed on a near approach.

After traveling about a mile, making several portages, saw an Indian in his canoe, whose attention we attracted and who came to us[;] this occurred about 10 A.M. His name is Billy Harney. He is a small wiry built man of perhaps 65 or 70 years. He would not agree to go with us to Miami, at first, but signified his willingness to get some one to go. Told us it was 25 miles. Although his houses were in sight about 500 yards off, he said it was 5 miles around and after following him 3 miles, Mr. Newman decided to go on alone with him in his canoe, leaving us to await his return with a guide. They left at 12 noon after lunching. In the mean time we landed on an island of quite small extent unpacked all the boats, dried out and repacked our stores and tent, painted the bottom of one of the canvas boats and got dinner.

They returned about 3 o'clock and being unable to get any one else, the old man agreed to take two in his canoe, go to Miami and return with provisions. It was decided that Messrs. Newman, Ingraham, Chase and Moses should go taking one of the canvas boats and at 3:15 P.M. they started.

Billy's home consists of a hammock field, one building covered by rived board and 2 palmetto thatches. Has corn growing 3 feet high, pumpkins bearing, bananas, etc. Mr. Newman saw 4 or 5 good trunks, chairs, mosquito bars and said that he appeared to be in prosperous circumstances. His wife, daughters, and grandchildren were at home, but the balance of the men folks were away hunting 65 miles distant. The houses are built on a sand hill at considerable elevation above the surrounding glades. The island is some miles from the pine timber.

Camped on an island of about 20 feet diameter at sunset. The course from where we left the men to this island was very circuitous and followed narrow channels connecting the glades. The water was not very abundant at times. The general character of growth about the same as in the forenoon. April 4th. Broke camp island #3, 7:30 A.M. Course E. to Timber Island at 10 A.M. I saw an Indian who soon after approached in response to our signals. He was an old man, named "Billy Harney". He said we were 25 miles N.W. of Miami, meaning by water, and said his house was on the island we were making for. Mr. Newman arranged to go with him to his camp to get some of his young men with their canoes to take us to Miami, the men being too broken down to wade much further. Billy says he can take us by water into Miami in "one, maybe two days". His distances are by water, circuitous in the extreme, and partially confirm our own location as previously determined.

At 3 P.M. Billy retuned with Mr. Newman and took self, Mr. Newman in his canoe, and Mr. Moses and Mr. Chase took the little canvas canoe and we started for Miami River, leaving the men in camp to follow S.25 E. tomorrow 3 miles, where Mr. Newman would meet them with provisions. We went into a labyrinth of saw grass sloughs following circuitous channels, seeming only known to Billy, and camped at island #4, camp #21. Next morning from the top of a tree could be distinctly seen the thatched roof of some Indian hut on a neighboring island, and we knew that this was what Mr. Ingraham had seen the day before. We started off in high spirits for the Indian camp but found saw grass in front of us whichever way we turned. Just as we were preparing to force our way through the grass, an Indian in his canoe came in sight. Instantly there was the greatest excitement, and everybody wanted to rush forward to meet the man, and when they were restrained from that, stood on the boats, waved their hats, cheered and shouted "Come on, old man, come on!" in the most frantic manner; even the sick men were reanimated. When the Indian came up he said his name was "Billy Harney", and when Mr. Newman asked him how far to Miami, said 25 miles, and pointed in different direction from that we had expected. When he said twenty-five miles to Miami our faces fell several feet, for at the rate we were going it would take us five days to get there, and we had only enough rations, on our half allowance for two days more.

Billy Harney talked such very poor English that Mr. Newman decided to go with him to his camp, which he said was near by, and try and find out whether he could get any provisions or boats there, and more definite information about the way to Miami than the old Indian could give. Mr. Newman got in the Indian's canoe and we all started off, but the Indian seemed to be taking us away from his camp rather than to it, so it was decided that Mr. Newman go on alone with the Indian while we cooked something to eat and waited for him. We found a little clump of bushes where we made our fire and cooked up enough food for our dinner and supper and about two o'clock Mr. Newman came back. He did not get out of the canoe, but told us there was no one at Harney's camp but some women, that we could get nothing to eat there, and that from the women he had learned that he could go to Miami and come back by this time next day, if an Indian took him. He said that he had determined to go to Miami with Billy Harney and to bring back provisions to us, and that Mr. Ingraham and Mr. Moses were to follow the canoe in the canvas boat and Mr. Chase was to come with him and the Indian. He took a bucket of cold hominy, cooked, and the Indian in his canoe and Mr. Ingraham in his canvas boat shoved off and left us. As they went Mr. Newman called to us to follow a certain course next day, make fires in the saw grass, and that he would be certain to meet us at noon.
X (Close panel)Text:
View Page Image Island No. 3, Camp No. 19, Monday, April 4th. View Page Image April 4th View Page Image [Monday, April 4, 1892]
Island No. 3, Camp No. 19, Monday, April 4th.

The constant wading in water and bog appears to have weakened all to a greater or less extent and considerable lassitude prevails. No one is ill however and the weather continues perfect. Very few mosquitoes or other insects.

We got an early start this morning breaking camp about 7 A.M. with cooked food on hand for lunch. We hope to make the timber to-day and friends or a wagon road on which to continue our journey. It is two weeks today since we left Shackleford. The time seems much longer.

The bushes are growing more plentiful and larger and as before mentioned looking like trees and quite large at a distance, but become much dwarfed on a near approach.

After traveling about a mile, making several portages, saw an Indian in his canoe, whose attention we attracted and who came to us[;] this occurred about 10 A.M. His name is Billy Harney. He is a small wiry built man of perhaps 65 or 70 years. He would not agree to go with us to Miami, at first, but signified his willingness to get some one to go. Told us it was 25 miles. Although his houses were in sight about 500 yards off, he said it was 5 miles around and after following him 3 miles, Mr. Newman decided to go on alone with him in his canoe, leaving us to await his return with a guide. They left at 12 noon after lunching. In the mean time we landed on an island of quite small extent unpacked all the boats, dried out and repacked our stores and tent, painted the bottom of one of the canvas boats and got dinner.

They returned about 3 o'clock and being unable to get any one else, the old man agreed to take two in his canoe, go to Miami and return with provisions. It was decided that Messrs. Newman, Ingraham, Chase and Moses should go taking one of the canvas boats and at 3:15 P.M. they started.

Billy's home consists of a hammock field, one building covered by rived board and 2 palmetto thatches. Has corn growing 3 feet high, pumpkins bearing, bananas, etc. Mr. Newman saw 4 or 5 good trunks, chairs, mosquito bars and said that he appeared to be in prosperous circumstances. His wife, daughters, and grandchildren were at home, but the balance of the men folks were away hunting 65 miles distant. The houses are built on a sand hill at considerable elevation above the surrounding glades. The island is some miles from the pine timber.

Camped on an island of about 20 feet diameter at sunset. The course from where we left the men to this island was very circuitous and followed narrow channels connecting the glades. The water was not very abundant at times. The general character of growth about the same as in the forenoon. April 4th. Broke camp island #3, 7:30 A.M. Course E. to Timber Island at 10 A.M. I saw an Indian who soon after approached in response to our signals. He was an old man, named "Billy Harney". He said we were 25 miles N.W. of Miami, meaning by water, and said his house was on the island we were making for. Mr. Newman arranged to go with him to his camp to get some of his young men with their canoes to take us to Miami, the men being too broken down to wade much further. Billy says he can take us by water into Miami in "one, maybe two days". His distances are by water, circuitous in the extreme, and partially confirm our own location as previously determined.

At 3 P.M. Billy retuned with Mr. Newman and took self, Mr. Newman in his canoe, and Mr. Moses and Mr. Chase took the little canvas canoe and we started for Miami River, leaving the men in camp to follow S.25 E. tomorrow 3 miles, where Mr. Newman would meet them with provisions. We went into a labyrinth of saw grass sloughs following circuitous channels, seeming only known to Billy, and camped at island #4, camp #21. Next morning from the top of a tree could be distinctly seen the thatched roof of some Indian hut on a neighboring island, and we knew that this was what Mr. Ingraham had seen the day before. We started off in high spirits for the Indian camp but found saw grass in front of us whichever way we turned. Just as we were preparing to force our way through the grass, an Indian in his canoe came in sight. Instantly there was the greatest excitement, and everybody wanted to rush forward to meet the man, and when they were restrained from that, stood on the boats, waved their hats, cheered and shouted "Come on, old man, come on!" in the most frantic manner; even the sick men were reanimated. When the Indian came up he said his name was "Billy Harney", and when Mr. Newman asked him how far to Miami, said 25 miles, and pointed in different direction from that we had expected. When he said twenty-five miles to Miami our faces fell several feet, for at the rate we were going it would take us five days to get there, and we had only enough rations, on our half allowance for two days more.

Billy Harney talked such very poor English that Mr. Newman decided to go with him to his camp, which he said was near by, and try and find out whether he could get any provisions or boats there, and more definite information about the way to Miami than the old Indian could give. Mr. Newman got in the Indian's canoe and we all started off, but the Indian seemed to be taking us away from his camp rather than to it, so it was decided that Mr. Newman go on alone with the Indian while we cooked something to eat and waited for him. We found a little clump of bushes where we made our fire and cooked up enough food for our dinner and supper and about two o'clock Mr. Newman came back. He did not get out of the canoe, but told us there was no one at Harney's camp but some women, that we could get nothing to eat there, and that from the women he had learned that he could go to Miami and come back by this time next day, if an Indian took him. He said that he had determined to go to Miami with Billy Harney and to bring back provisions to us, and that Mr. Ingraham and Mr. Moses were to follow the canoe in the canvas boat and Mr. Chase was to come with him and the Indian. He took a bucket of cold hominy, cooked, and the Indian in his canoe and Mr. Ingraham in his canvas boat shoved off and left us. As they went Mr. Newman called to us to follow a certain course next day, make fires in the saw grass, and that he would be certain to meet us at noon.