Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society
History Quarterly Digital Archives

Source: January 1941 Volume 4 Number 1, Pages 25–26

In days of the stage coach

Page 25

(Editor's Note: This letter gives a picture of the transportation problem nearly a century ago. It is printed through the courtesy of John Curwen, of Berwyn, to whose great-uncle it was addressed. The uncle was a Savannah cotton exporter, and his nephew, the writer, was an Ohio lawyer.)

Dayton, Ohio
May 6, 1847.

My dear Uncle,

Your letter of the 29th ult. has just been received.

There are several ways by which you may reach Romney. I presume you would prefer that which had the least staging. The Miami is never navigated, or I believe, navigable beyond a few miles. The Wabash is generally navigable in the spring and sometimes as late as July, for steamboats, to Lafayette.

Should you go from Savannah to Nashville, you would most probably find comfortable boats bound thence to Louisville, as there are regular packets, usually, during the summer, between the two places. If, on your arrival at the mouth of the Ohio, you should learn that the Wabash was "full", you could, by stopping at Shawneetown or at Henderson, Ky., find boats bound to Lafayette. I would recommend this route if the Wabash was high, as you would then have only ten miles of staging, and Dr. L. could meet you in Lafayette, but if that river was only in a "middling stage" of water and falling, I would by all means advise you to go on to Louisville, as there might be the inconvenience of grounding and indefinite delay. The Wabash cannot be called a regular navigable river, and of course you cannot tell until you reach it, what the chances of ascending it may be.

Supposing that you go on to Louisville, you will there find a regular packet daily at 10 o'clock (they mean 11) for Cincinnati. Embark on this and about sunset the same day you will reach Madison, Indiana. From this place you will find a railroad to Columbus, about 45 miles going toward Indianapolis; the rest of the way is staging. Leaving Madison in the morning, I think you will arrive in Indianapolis that night. Here, if you feel at all fatigued, I would advise you to remain a day. You will find good accommodations. The rest of the journey, between 45 and 60 miles, I think the most fatiguing. Many parts of the road are corduroy. The Hoosiers call them railroads, and pole bridges. The drivers, however, are merciful, and it is possible to get along. I think they leave Indianapolis about 3 in the morning and arrive at Romney in 12 or 14 hours.

I have just conversed with Mr. Hall, a gentleman who is well acquainted with Tennessee and Kentucky, and he says if you choose a southern route in preference to Baltimore, he would by all means go to New Orleans and so up the river, in preference to a land journey over the mountains. He says the fare is enormously high by land to Nashville; and no man who has any regard to his legs or neck and who has not made his will, should attempt it. From Nashville, there are two land routes, one by stage by way of Scottsville, Glasgow, Lebanon, Ky., to Lexington. From Lexington you,may go on to Maysville and thence by steamboat to Cincinnati. Or, from Lexington by either railroad or stage to Frankfort, and thence by steamboat to Cincinnati (or Madison) or by stage to Louisville. This route is through the

Page 26

heart of Kentucky, over a fine country and good macadamized roads - time 2 1/2 days; you will be out two nights. There is another route to Louisville by way of Bowling Green and the mouth of the Salt River, over a similar road, in the same time, but not through so handsome a country. If you should prefer the route by N. 0., I would recommend that. The accommodations on the river are first rate, and as neat and comfortable as possible. The fare is about $12-$20 - time 4-6 days. It would be the cheapest and least fatiguing. If you would come to Cincinnati, it would afford me very great pleasure to go with you, should I be in funds at that time.

If you go by Baltimore, take the Monongahela steamboats at Brownsville to Pittsburgh, if the river Ohio is up, as you will avoid the mountains; and thence - down the Ohio to Cincinnati. We have there a canal and a good macadamized stage route to Dayton - 53 miles; then over the National Road, macadamized to Indianapolis - 100 miles. The expense on this route from Baltimore to Romney would be from $30-$40. If you do not like the staging, you can go from Cincinnati to Madison, Indiana, for about the same sum.

The route by the lakes is very pleasant; and there is no staging, but you say you prefer a more southern one. If you will write me which way you determine on, I will send you all the information I can collect on the subject, and will keep you informed on the state of the Ohio River. My letters will reach you at Savannah on the 7th or 8th day, and at New Orleans in about 3-6 days, Baltimore 3 days. I hope I am to come in for a share of your visit, that you may give me an opportunity to show you Dayton.

I am your affectionate nephew,
M. E. Curwen.

Thursday
I have opened my letter to say that we have good canal packets running from Dayton to Lafayette, Indiana, by which you could go very comfortably in about 2 days, and no staging.

Three feet water is abundant; 18 inches if rising will do for small boats.

Copy of Newspaper Clipping;

"Western waters - at Pittsburgh on Sunday 5 feet water in the
channel and falling slowly.
The river at Cincinnati yesterday was at a stand.
There were 3 feet 8 inches water on the falls at Louisville on
last Saturday and rising.
The Illinois was falling on the latest dates, with 6 feet water
in the channel.
The Cumberland was receding at Nashville on the first with 5 feet
water on the shoals.
Cincinnati Gazette of yesterday.
May 6th.