Ingraham Expedition: April 5, Tuesday

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Ingraham Expedition: April 5, Tuesday

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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Island No. 4, Tuesday, April 5th, 1892.

Mr. Newman was up at 3:30 preparing coffee and at 5 A.M. we started arriving at the rapids of the Miami River about 9 A.M. The rock had been approaching nearer the surface all the morning in many places forming the bed of the glades or streams making the headwaters of the river. At the rapids the rock appeared prominently. Messrs. Ingraham and Newman walked around the rapids through the pine timber and met the canoe with Billy and the canvas boat with Messrs. Chase and Moses who under the leadership of the Indian shot the rapids, coming through without accident, though the trip was quite exciting, the rocks being very sharp and jagged and the current very swift. There appeared to be a fall of perhaps 10 feet in 300 yards. The limbs of the trees which lined the banks thickly met and interlocked overhead, close down to the water. Sharp rocks with but a few inches of water on them impeded progress while the banks were lined with what appeared to be bog iron, having many sharp projections. The river appears to have two or three outlets from the glades which make it.

The character of the glades changed materially today. Many small and some of considerable area appeared in various direction. The bottom was less boggy except in spots the rock frequently cropping out and the saw grass growing less though there was still plenty of it and the prairie showing occasionally. The timber was plainly visible all the morning.

We arrived at Miami at noon and were warmly welcomed by Mrs. J.D. Tuttle, a friend of Mr. Ingraham's, who had been informed of his prospective arrival and who raised the national ensign and exploded dynamite cartridges in our honor. Her well served meals and soft beds made a profound impression on our minds and bodies as we enjoyed these concomitants of civilization, of which we had been deprived for, apparently, so many days, but really few in number.

Mr. Newman immediately hired Omathla and his canoe and with Billy Harney and his boat left at 3 P.M. with a supply of provisions such as he could secure at the store of Mr. William B. Brickell's, for the rescue of the 17 men left behind, who had expected Mr. Newman back by today noon, through misunderstanding a statement of Billy's as to how long it would take to go to Miami and return.

The expedition was left in charge of Messrs. Baker and Church with instructions to proceed as usual, on a course S. 23 degs. East following our trail as well as they could and which we marked by various burns.

In the meantime Messrs. Ingraham, Chase and Moses will remain at Mrs. Tuttle's until the balance of the expedition arrives.

Omathla is the guardian of the Seminole Boy Chief, whose name we could not ascertain positively. He is said to be called George when mentioned by the Indians.

The banks of the Miami are lined by mangrove and cypress growth. In some places the pine timber is visible near the river. Several indications of former settlement were noticed in the shape of boat landings and some cocoanut trees as the mouth of the river was approached. It is quite an attractive stream. Tide water, but little current at this state of the water in the glades. It is called 6 miles from its mouth to the rapids. The width is from 150 [feet] to 1/4 of a mile and is quite straight for the most part. The engineers plat will show its course and correct distance.

Miami is situated on the south side of the Miami River in the angle made by Biscayne Bay and consists of Mr. Bickell's store warehouse and dwelling house. The post office is in the store. Mrs. Brickell is the postmaster. Mr. Brickell has quite a trade with the Indians who bring their skins and before prohibited by law, plumes. Some of them raise sweet potatoes, bananas, and compte which they also dispose of taking flour, coffee and tobacco in exchange. The "Margaret" is a 30 ton schooner owned by Mr. Brickell and makes regular trips to Key West carrying passengers and bringing supplies for the store. Many of the Indians come down Snake Creek 8 or 10 miles north of Miami in their canoes. We are told they prefer this way to Miami instead of by Miami River from the glades. The warehouse is situated near the head of the dock. Has been recently finished. Is two story and is finished off up stairs for renting to winter visitors. The grounds are somewhat attractive and have quite a number of fine cocoanut trees.

Mrs. Tuttle's property is in the other angle of Biscayne Bay and the Miami River, north side and opposite Brickell's. It was formerly known as Fort Dallas. The fort still remains. It has been converted into a dwelling house after being renovated and repaired with the addition of a kitchen, etc. The barracks [a long] one story building, is used as office and sleeping rooms. Both the buildings are of hewn rock finished off with cement, and facing towards the south. They are delightfully located in the midst of orange, lemon, lime, and cocoanut trees together with other tropical trees and growth. Some of the cocoanut trees are 30 or 40 feet in height. Mrs. Tuttle has quite a stock farm and dairy with an abundance of chickens. Also a fine kitchen garden. All the improvements are on hammock land which fringes the river and bay from 1/4 to 1/2 mile deep. She has shown a great deal of energy and enterprise in this frontier country where it is almost a matter of creation to accomplish so much in so short a time. Her improvements [began] in November '91. Lemon and lime trees are growing wild all through the uncleared hammock. Where the forest growth remains they look quite healthy. Where the forest growth has been cleared the hot sun or something else seems to have a bad effect on them.
April 5th. Left camp #21 at 6 A.M. Struck big slough leading into marked channel, rapid current, - rock bottom, - at 10 A.M. Soon after arrived at falls of Miami. Beautiful hammock islands plentiful. Pine comes out to meet outer edge of islands. Rock appears at surface, confirming basin-like condition of Everglades. Shot falls. Arrived at Ft. Dallas, Miami, Mrs. Tuttle's at 1 P.M.

Flags up salute and dinner.

Newman bought supplies and I arranged through Mrs. Tuttle for him to get Omathlier, Chief of the Seminoles, to take part of his provisions up to camp for him, thus securing the aid of the Indians in future if necessary, committing them to our work.

Newman returned to the men with provisions at 3 P.M.

Chase, Moses and self extremely tired, too much so to note detail of falls at Miami.
We stayed that night where we were, had an early supper and an early breakfast next morning, and taking the course given us by Mr. Newman before he left followed it as nearly as the saw grass would permit. At noon we had made good progress but Mr. Newman could nowhere be seen. The grumblers then took the floor and talked as though there was little hope of ever getting home again. It was decided however, to push steadily on in the direction we were told to follow, and when our provisions gave out to turn due east and try and get to the coast. In the afternoon we had to make several pulls through the saw grass, and as we were looking for a convenient camping place we saw something on a little island not far off, that moved. We stopped and carefully examined it, but could not make it out; some were sure it was an Indian watching us, another thought it was some wild animal; but none were positive. Some of us went forward to examine it, and close inspection revealed the fact that it was the pair of breeches worn by Mr. Sydney when he left us, hanging to a tree. The sight of those pants was worth a gold mine to us, for it assured us that we were on the right track, that the party ahead of us had been delayed in getting to Miami, and that we ought not to expect Mr. Newman back until tomorrow. That night we decided to again reduce our allowance of food, and to have no dinner the next day, but to save what we had left for supper.
X (Close panel)Text:
Island No. 4, Tuesday, April 5th, 1892.

Mr. Newman was up at 3:30 preparing coffee and at 5 A.M. we started arriving at the rapids of the Miami River about 9 A.M. The rock had been approaching nearer the surface all the morning in many places forming the bed of the glades or streams making the headwaters of the river. At the rapids the rock appeared prominently. Messrs. Ingraham and Newman walked around the rapids through the pine timber and met the canoe with Billy and the canvas boat with Messrs. Chase and Moses who under the leadership of the Indian shot the rapids, coming through without accident, though the trip was quite exciting, the rocks being very sharp and jagged and the current very swift. There appeared to be a fall of perhaps 10 feet in 300 yards. The limbs of the trees which lined the banks thickly met and interlocked overhead, close down to the water. Sharp rocks with but a few inches of water on them impeded progress while the banks were lined with what appeared to be bog iron, having many sharp projections. The river appears to have two or three outlets from the glades which make it.

The character of the glades changed materially today. Many small and some of considerable area appeared in various direction. The bottom was less boggy except in spots the rock frequently cropping out and the saw grass growing less though there was still plenty of it and the prairie showing occasionally. The timber was plainly visible all the morning.

We arrived at Miami at noon and were warmly welcomed by Mrs. J.D. Tuttle, a friend of Mr. Ingraham's, who had been informed of his prospective arrival and who raised the national ensign and exploded dynamite cartridges in our honor. Her well served meals and soft beds made a profound impression on our minds and bodies as we enjoyed these concomitants of civilization, of which we had been deprived for, apparently, so many days, but really few in number.

Mr. Newman immediately hired Omathla and his canoe and with Billy Harney and his boat left at 3 P.M. with a supply of provisions such as he could secure at the store of Mr. William B. Brickell's, for the rescue of the 17 men left behind, who had expected Mr. Newman back by today noon, through misunderstanding a statement of Billy's as to how long it would take to go to Miami and return.

The expedition was left in charge of Messrs. Baker and Church with instructions to proceed as usual, on a course S. 23 degs. East following our trail as well as they could and which we marked by various burns.

In the meantime Messrs. Ingraham, Chase and Moses will remain at Mrs. Tuttle's until the balance of the expedition arrives.

Omathla is the guardian of the Seminole Boy Chief, whose name we could not ascertain positively. He is said to be called George when mentioned by the Indians.

The banks of the Miami are lined by mangrove and cypress growth. In some places the pine timber is visible near the river. Several indications of former settlement were noticed in the shape of boat landings and some cocoanut trees as the mouth of the river was approached. It is quite an attractive stream. Tide water, but little current at this state of the water in the glades. It is called 6 miles from its mouth to the rapids. The width is from 150 [feet] to 1/4 of a mile and is quite straight for the most part. The engineers plat will show its course and correct distance.

Miami is situated on the south side of the Miami River in the angle made by Biscayne Bay and consists of Mr. Bickell's store warehouse and dwelling house. The post office is in the store. Mrs. Brickell is the postmaster. Mr. Brickell has quite a trade with the Indians who bring their skins and before prohibited by law, plumes. Some of them raise sweet potatoes, bananas, and compte which they also dispose of taking flour, coffee and tobacco in exchange. The "Margaret" is a 30 ton schooner owned by Mr. Brickell and makes regular trips to Key West carrying passengers and bringing supplies for the store. Many of the Indians come down Snake Creek 8 or 10 miles north of Miami in their canoes. We are told they prefer this way to Miami instead of by Miami River from the glades. The warehouse is situated near the head of the dock. Has been recently finished. Is two story and is finished off up stairs for renting to winter visitors. The grounds are somewhat attractive and have quite a number of fine cocoanut trees.

Mrs. Tuttle's property is in the other angle of Biscayne Bay and the Miami River, north side and opposite Brickell's. It was formerly known as Fort Dallas. The fort still remains. It has been converted into a dwelling house after being renovated and repaired with the addition of a kitchen, etc. The barracks [a long] one story building, is used as office and sleeping rooms. Both the buildings are of hewn rock finished off with cement, and facing towards the south. They are delightfully located in the midst of orange, lemon, lime, and cocoanut trees together with other tropical trees and growth. Some of the cocoanut trees are 30 or 40 feet in height. Mrs. Tuttle has quite a stock farm and dairy with an abundance of chickens. Also a fine kitchen garden. All the improvements are on hammock land which fringes the river and bay from 1/4 to 1/2 mile deep. She has shown a great deal of energy and enterprise in this frontier country where it is almost a matter of creation to accomplish so much in so short a time. Her improvements [began] in November '91. Lemon and lime trees are growing wild all through the uncleared hammock. Where the forest growth remains they look quite healthy. Where the forest growth has been cleared the hot sun or something else seems to have a bad effect on them.
April 5th. Left camp #21 at 6 A.M. Struck big slough leading into marked channel, rapid current, - rock bottom, - at 10 A.M. Soon after arrived at falls of Miami. Beautiful hammock islands plentiful. Pine comes out to meet outer edge of islands. Rock appears at surface, confirming basin-like condition of Everglades. Shot falls. Arrived at Ft. Dallas, Miami, Mrs. Tuttle's at 1 P.M.

Flags up salute and dinner.

Newman bought supplies and I arranged through Mrs. Tuttle for him to get Omathlier, Chief of the Seminoles, to take part of his provisions up to camp for him, thus securing the aid of the Indians in future if necessary, committing them to our work.

Newman returned to the men with provisions at 3 P.M.

Chase, Moses and self extremely tired, too much so to note detail of falls at Miami.
We stayed that night where we were, had an early supper and an early breakfast next morning, and taking the course given us by Mr. Newman before he left followed it as nearly as the saw grass would permit. At noon we had made good progress but Mr. Newman could nowhere be seen. The grumblers then took the floor and talked as though there was little hope of ever getting home again. It was decided however, to push steadily on in the direction we were told to follow, and when our provisions gave out to turn due east and try and get to the coast. In the afternoon we had to make several pulls through the saw grass, and as we were looking for a convenient camping place we saw something on a little island not far off, that moved. We stopped and carefully examined it, but could not make it out; some were sure it was an Indian watching us, another thought it was some wild animal; but none were positive. Some of us went forward to examine it, and close inspection revealed the fact that it was the pair of breeches worn by Mr. Sydney when he left us, hanging to a tree. The sight of those pants was worth a gold mine to us, for it assured us that we were on the right track, that the party ahead of us had been delayed in getting to Miami, and that we ought not to expect Mr. Newman back until tomorrow. That night we decided to again reduce our allowance of food, and to have no dinner the next day, but to save what we had left for supper.
X (Close panel)Text:
Island No. 4, Tuesday, April 5th, 1892.

Mr. Newman was up at 3:30 preparing coffee and at 5 A.M. we started arriving at the rapids of the Miami River about 9 A.M. The rock had been approaching nearer the surface all the morning in many places forming the bed of the glades or streams making the headwaters of the river. At the rapids the rock appeared prominently. Messrs. Ingraham and Newman walked around the rapids through the pine timber and met the canoe with Billy and the canvas boat with Messrs. Chase and Moses who under the leadership of the Indian shot the rapids, coming through without accident, though the trip was quite exciting, the rocks being very sharp and jagged and the current very swift. There appeared to be a fall of perhaps 10 feet in 300 yards. The limbs of the trees which lined the banks thickly met and interlocked overhead, close down to the water. Sharp rocks with but a few inches of water on them impeded progress while the banks were lined with what appeared to be bog iron, having many sharp projections. The river appears to have two or three outlets from the glades which make it.

The character of the glades changed materially today. Many small and some of considerable area appeared in various direction. The bottom was less boggy except in spots the rock frequently cropping out and the saw grass growing less though there was still plenty of it and the prairie showing occasionally. The timber was plainly visible all the morning.

We arrived at Miami at noon and were warmly welcomed by Mrs. J.D. Tuttle, a friend of Mr. Ingraham's, who had been informed of his prospective arrival and who raised the national ensign and exploded dynamite cartridges in our honor. Her well served meals and soft beds made a profound impression on our minds and bodies as we enjoyed these concomitants of civilization, of which we had been deprived for, apparently, so many days, but really few in number.

Mr. Newman immediately hired Omathla and his canoe and with Billy Harney and his boat left at 3 P.M. with a supply of provisions such as he could secure at the store of Mr. William B. Brickell's, for the rescue of the 17 men left behind, who had expected Mr. Newman back by today noon, through misunderstanding a statement of Billy's as to how long it would take to go to Miami and return.

The expedition was left in charge of Messrs. Baker and Church with instructions to proceed as usual, on a course S. 23 degs. East following our trail as well as they could and which we marked by various burns.

In the meantime Messrs. Ingraham, Chase and Moses will remain at Mrs. Tuttle's until the balance of the expedition arrives.

Omathla is the guardian of the Seminole Boy Chief, whose name we could not ascertain positively. He is said to be called George when mentioned by the Indians.

The banks of the Miami are lined by mangrove and cypress growth. In some places the pine timber is visible near the river. Several indications of former settlement were noticed in the shape of boat landings and some cocoanut trees as the mouth of the river was approached. It is quite an attractive stream. Tide water, but little current at this state of the water in the glades. It is called 6 miles from its mouth to the rapids. The width is from 150 [feet] to 1/4 of a mile and is quite straight for the most part. The engineers plat will show its course and correct distance.

Miami is situated on the south side of the Miami River in the angle made by Biscayne Bay and consists of Mr. Bickell's store warehouse and dwelling house. The post office is in the store. Mrs. Brickell is the postmaster. Mr. Brickell has quite a trade with the Indians who bring their skins and before prohibited by law, plumes. Some of them raise sweet potatoes, bananas, and compte which they also dispose of taking flour, coffee and tobacco in exchange. The "Margaret" is a 30 ton schooner owned by Mr. Brickell and makes regular trips to Key West carrying passengers and bringing supplies for the store. Many of the Indians come down Snake Creek 8 or 10 miles north of Miami in their canoes. We are told they prefer this way to Miami instead of by Miami River from the glades. The warehouse is situated near the head of the dock. Has been recently finished. Is two story and is finished off up stairs for renting to winter visitors. The grounds are somewhat attractive and have quite a number of fine cocoanut trees.

Mrs. Tuttle's property is in the other angle of Biscayne Bay and the Miami River, north side and opposite Brickell's. It was formerly known as Fort Dallas. The fort still remains. It has been converted into a dwelling house after being renovated and repaired with the addition of a kitchen, etc. The barracks [a long] one story building, is used as office and sleeping rooms. Both the buildings are of hewn rock finished off with cement, and facing towards the south. They are delightfully located in the midst of orange, lemon, lime, and cocoanut trees together with other tropical trees and growth. Some of the cocoanut trees are 30 or 40 feet in height. Mrs. Tuttle has quite a stock farm and dairy with an abundance of chickens. Also a fine kitchen garden. All the improvements are on hammock land which fringes the river and bay from 1/4 to 1/2 mile deep. She has shown a great deal of energy and enterprise in this frontier country where it is almost a matter of creation to accomplish so much in so short a time. Her improvements [began] in November '91. Lemon and lime trees are growing wild all through the uncleared hammock. Where the forest growth remains they look quite healthy. Where the forest growth has been cleared the hot sun or something else seems to have a bad effect on them.
April 5th. Left camp #21 at 6 A.M. Struck big slough leading into marked channel, rapid current, - rock bottom, - at 10 A.M. Soon after arrived at falls of Miami. Beautiful hammock islands plentiful. Pine comes out to meet outer edge of islands. Rock appears at surface, confirming basin-like condition of Everglades. Shot falls. Arrived at Ft. Dallas, Miami, Mrs. Tuttle's at 1 P.M.

Flags up salute and dinner.

Newman bought supplies and I arranged through Mrs. Tuttle for him to get Omathlier, Chief of the Seminoles, to take part of his provisions up to camp for him, thus securing the aid of the Indians in future if necessary, committing them to our work.

Newman returned to the men with provisions at 3 P.M.

Chase, Moses and self extremely tired, too much so to note detail of falls at Miami.
We stayed that night where we were, had an early supper and an early breakfast next morning, and taking the course given us by Mr. Newman before he left followed it as nearly as the saw grass would permit. At noon we had made good progress but Mr. Newman could nowhere be seen. The grumblers then took the floor and talked as though there was little hope of ever getting home again. It was decided however, to push steadily on in the direction we were told to follow, and when our provisions gave out to turn due east and try and get to the coast. In the afternoon we had to make several pulls through the saw grass, and as we were looking for a convenient camping place we saw something on a little island not far off, that moved. We stopped and carefully examined it, but could not make it out; some were sure it was an Indian watching us, another thought it was some wild animal; but none were positive. Some of us went forward to examine it, and close inspection revealed the fact that it was the pair of breeches worn by Mr. Sydney when he left us, hanging to a tree. The sight of those pants was worth a gold mine to us, for it assured us that we were on the right track, that the party ahead of us had been delayed in getting to Miami, and that we ought not to expect Mr. Newman back until tomorrow. That night we decided to again reduce our allowance of food, and to have no dinner the next day, but to save what we had left for supper.