550 BOAHl) OK ACiUJcn.lTKK. 



the cvput of a sreat fire, when the pniiips of the Iiulianapolis Water Com- 

 pany fail to fill the waterniaiiis of the city. 



Some of the oldest inhabitants rememljer the transportation of passen- 

 gers, lumber and wood. Many recall the fishing parties and frolics in the 

 flatboats that used to ply the water of the "raginj? canal." 



The "Wal)ash and Erie" was of hifinlte service in developing the lands 

 of the Wabash N'alley. furnishing an outlet for timber, lumber, wheat, 

 etc., from Lafayette to Toledo, and a corresponding influx of merchandise, 

 machinery, that make the W^abash Valley one of the most desirable sec- 

 lions of Indiana. 



It was partly navigable from Evansville north to Daviess County. 

 My memory is that a large section of the canal was not used for naviga- 

 tion between Washington, Daviess County and Lafayette. 



From Lafayette to Toledo regular lines of passengers and freight boats 

 were employed for years. This was a relief to the people of those parts of 

 Imiiana neighboring on the canal. One trip from Logansport, Indiana, 

 to Defiance, Ohio, is indellibly impressed on my memory. Leaving Indian- 

 apolis at 10 o'clock at night in a Concord stage coach, four horses attached, 

 we went nortli on the Michigan Road bound for Logansport. 



About four miles had been passed when we came to the usual watering 

 place on the edge of the road. Black as midnight. Four passengers, 

 husbaiul. wife and child not over a year old. My place on the stage was 

 with the driver. Always cultivate the acquaintance of the driver on the 

 stage, the captain and pilots on boats. 



The woman was the most quarrelsome specimen of humanity that has 

 crossed my path, and her hus))and seemed to be the target for her com- 

 plaints. Glad I was on tli(> outside Avith the driver. After watering the 

 horses, in an effort to get back on the traveled road, the right wheel struck 

 a stump, and over went the stage. "Oh my baby is killed, my baby is 

 killed," were the screams and screeches that poured out of that woman's 

 mouth. Opening the door of the stage, out came the man. out came the 

 woman, and the baby never woke up. How it could sleep when that 

 woman was quarreling with her, husband I never could guess. Nor can 

 I now explain the mystery. Suffice it to say, if that woman had broken 

 her arm, it would have been retributive justice for the past, and a ,iudg- 

 ment for the rest of the night, for she did not cease quarreling with her 

 husband till we rested at the tavern kept by Col. Vigus at Logansport, 

 the next morning, where a Hoosier bi-eakfnst awaited us. 



xibout 7 o'clock p. m, the horn of the canal boat summoned us. forty 

 to fifty passengers, out of the cabin, on the deck. The cabin boys made 

 up the beds or bunks. Rouse up by daylight. Bunks and beds gave way 

 to the breakfast tables. Good victuals. On deck. Three horses tandem 

 made about five miles an hour. Scenery beautiful. Aii- delightful. Quite 

 a difference as compared with the United States mail coach. 



Travel too slow; might do for freight. As it was, the investment in 



