FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1861. Started on the 11½ o’clock train for Madison.
Arrived in Clinton at 4 P. M. Waited 20 minutes for the cars on the C
& N. W. R. This road passes through the village of Shopiere and the
city of Janesville. Arrived at Milton Junction about ½ past 4--then
took the train on the M & P du C R. R. & arrived at Madison about 7½
O’Clk Went with J. G.[3] to Mr. Whites where he boards. Met Mr.
Bradford[4] there.
SATURDAY 23. In the forenoon went to the Capitol where the Legislature
was in session. Both the Senate and Assembly were in Committee of the
whole on private and local bills. Was introduced by John to Mr
Curtis,[5] one of the students in the University. In the P. M. went
with Mr. Bradford to the State Historical Society’s rooms, where there
is a large library and many portraits, pictures, and curiosities. Also
went to Prof. Sterling’s[6] room, paid our tuition and room
fees--$12.50 received tickets for our keys and for the library, and
visited our rooms.
MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1861. On Sunday went to the Episcopal Church in the
A. M. the rector Mr. Britton[7] preached from Col. III. 2. In the
evening went to the Baptist Rev. Dr. Brisbane.[8]
On Monday attended the University--Mr. J B. Parkinson[9] is the tutor
in the Prep. Dept. Commenced Algebra, Geometry & Latin. Our goods not
having arrived on Saturday eve, we must wait till this evening. We
board with Mr. White in the meantime. In the Assembly at noon they
were discussing the bill appropriating money to the Lady Elgin
sufferers.[10] The bill was lost--Heard Bradford, D. H. Johnson &
Capt. Knapp[11] speak.
TUESDAY 26. Our goods arrived last night, but we could not get them
then. They will send them to us today. It is raining and freezing all
forenoon. settled with Mr. White--paid him $1.75 each--our freight &
cartage cost 2.87. occupied our room in the P. M. In the Assembly at
noon, the Personal Liberty repeal bill was under consideration but
they were only voting on amend. &c. so we heard no speaking. It was
passed in the Assembly.
WEDNESDAY 27. Went to the Capitol at noon the Assembly were taking the
final votes on the amendment to the Banking Law. It finally passed
with only five dissenting voices. Several of the students visited us
today, and invited us to attend their Societies, of which there are
two--the Hesperian and the Atheneum. There appears to be considerable
rivalry between them. The meetings are on Friday evening. John will
stay with us tonight and probably always after this.
THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 1861. Bought 28 tickets for bread between us.
Wrote a letter home describing our rooms &c. Went down town to the P.
O. after 4. Nothing especial going on, but heard that the Legislature
will hold an evening session.
Went to the Capitol in the evening. Assembly in Committee of the
Whole, but soon had to rise on account of the noise and confusion, a
number of private and local bills passed to a third reading and
several of the same kind passed Bradford is going home tomorrow on a
visit
FRIDAY 29. Saw the 2 wonderful clocks & the thermometer[12] this
morning. Attended both Societies this evening--went first into the
Atheneum--they were discussing the question, “that the mentality of
the sexes are equal.” a spirited debate sprang up on a proposition to
amend the question by inserting “mental power,” instead of,
“mentality.” but it was lost. Heard Messrs. Norcross, Green &
Salisbury[13] & another whose name I do not remember speak.
In the Hesperian they were discussing whether “the war of 1812 was
justifiable on the part of the U. S.” it was decided in the aff.
John’s name & mine were presented for admission.
SATURDAY 30. After breakfast, about 8½ O’Clock, Will[14] & I went
across the lake to the Asylum. Had considerable trouble in getting
across a large crack in the ice in the middle of the lake. On arriving
on the shore found that the Asylum folks were making sugar. An
Irishman whom we found there took us immediately to the engine rooms,
and showed us the gas works,--(retort & meter), the engines, a large
wheel with fans for driving air into the principal buildings, the
large force pump worked by steam, the laundry rooms, took us through
the underground passage which leads between the two buildings. Found
Uncle T. in the billiard rooms where a crazy half breed & two others
were playing. Uncle T. looks quite healthy & appears somewhat better
in mind than when he left home. He took [us] all over the
building--let [?] into the ward in which he is--there we saw about a
dozen insane some sitting, some walking back & forth the length of the
hall, one lying down full length upon the floor, & 2 curled up in the
window; one was a man named Jones, who came from Racine Co. and had
often been at U. G. He had sometime been injured by a thrashing
machine & showed us a scar where one of his ribs had been taken out.
One was a preacher’s son, named Hall, he would speak to no one. One
had a violin which he commenced playing shortly after we came in, and
kept it up all the while we were there.
Uncle T. showed us in this ward, the water closet, where opening the
door caused water to run through the seats: the bathing room, the
reading room where they keep the daily & other papers for patients to
read. We were invited to take dinner with the help. Mr. Griswold the
keeper, told me that Uncle T. has improved much; when he came there he
was a great bore. After dinner we went into the cooking room where
most things are cooked by steam.
We went out and visited the Indian mounds between the Asylum & the
beach. several are in the shape of men, and one is a very accurate
representation of a rabbit. We went around the lake going home and had
a pretty hard time of it.
MONDAY, APRIL 1, 1861. Yesterday all 3 of us attended the Cong. Heard
Prof. Butler[15] preach from John XVIII. 38. Joined Prof.
Conover’s[16] Bible class in this church. In the eve. went with about
20 of the other students to hear Mr. Mason of the Universalist. His
theme was the “mercy of the Lord,” and his discourse was strongly
Universalist.
To-day, after the regular routine of school duties, John & I went down
town about 5 o’clock so as to be at the depot when the cars arrived, &
see if C. White came he did not arrive however, & we got home at 9
somewhat disappointed and very tired John & I hired a P. O. box
between us No. 693.
TUESDAY 2. Went to the depot in the evening to meet Mr. Bradford if he
came, but were disappointed. Received two letters from the Grove--one
from C. & Billy White[17] & one from Libbie. It is the first I have
heard from the Grove since I have been here. Will also recd a letter.
No news of importance. It has been quite warm & thawing all day.
WEDNESDAY 3. The sun rose clear and warm after a frosty night, & as we
were sitting by our open window, we were startled by loud & frequent
reports, which resembled the discharge of cannon, but Will says it is
the ice cracking on the lake.
Went to the depot again to meet Bradford, but were again disappointed.
Made arrangements to have bread baked by a woman near the Univ.
THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 1861. The forenoon passed without incident worthy
of remark, except that when I rose in the morning I had a very sore
throat which I am afraid will trouble me.
In the evening John & I again started for the depot to meet Bradford,
but the cars having arrived before we could get there, we went to the
Capitol to wait for him. He brought John’s things and also some summer
clothes & a letter for me from Sarah. I sent several of the Univ.
catalogues to our Eastern friends
FRIDAY 5. By advice of Mr. Bradford I slept last night with a wet
towel bound round my throat & this morning it is much better. Went
down town after school, to the depot after the things which Mr. B.
bro’t & then to Mr. White’s with John to get some of his things. Did
not get back in time to be initiated into the Society tonight--attended
both--the Hesperian the most of the evening--The Hesp’s discussed,
“Res. that a man should resist a law which his conscience tells him is
morally law [wrong].” decided in aff. The Ath’s. discussed “Res. That
the character of Queen Elizabeth was worthy of emulation.” I dont know
how it was decided.