April 22, 1853: Friday

"Day clear and warm.  More pleasant than yesterday.  Less wind.  Wrote back to Charley Coombs at Cannelton.  As night close in appearance of rising storm.  Thick clouds in South West with lightning.  Expense  of trip $64.50.  Arthur $7, Ms. D $8, Mr. H $10—making together $89.50."

April 23, 1853: Saturday

"Reached St. Louis about Midnight last night.  Found letters from Mr. Richardson & Wallace.  Several boats for the Missouri but getting pretty well filled.  Took passage on Timour No. 2 to leave on Monday.  Moved on board after dating dinner on Wharfs Boat.  Called on Rev. L.J.P. Anderson & Mr. Band Editor of St. Louis Presbyterian. Wharfage and Drayage—$3.00."

April 24, 1853: Sunday

"The Rain of last evening has had greater effect upon the weather making it gentle cool—especially in the afternoon.  Went to Central Ch[urch].  Prof. Ryons preached in morning."

"Not on the boat when Rev. L.J.P. Anderson called.  Went to his study there met with Prof. Ryons.  Bought two tents besides other articles of outfit."

April 26, 1853: Tuesday

"Completed purchases of groceries—crackers Meat Buscuits etc. Had ... put about the beehive—Hoped to start in the evening but disappointed."

April 27, 1853: Wednesday

"Left St. Louis at ½ past 6 o’clock. Entered the Missouri at about 3 pm. Had a pretty good view of Alton [Illinois]. The waters of the Mississippi very muddy but at the mouth of the Missouri the line of no mud distinctly marked."

April 28, 1853: Thursday

"Boat making slow progress. Some gain during the morning. Day cloudy & part of the time quite cool. The only place of note today was Washington on the left bank of the Missouri River. About sundown, the lightning increased in frequency. Stormy & dark. Boat laid up about 9 o’clock. Tried to storm some during night."

April 29, 1853: Friday

"Made but little progress last night. Clearing cloudy & cool. Troubled considerably with a dull .... of tooth & jaw ache. Reached Jefferson city about 9 o’clock pm. In the after part of the day it became clear & pleasant."

April 30, 1853: Saturday

"Pleasant Day—State slowly advancing have made but 27 miles during the night.  Reached Boonville at 3 o’clock pm.  Met the F.X. Aubrey.  After dark were passed by some boat supposed to be the St. Ange."