Crossing the Mississippi

"Fifth day, 11 o'clock [Thursday, October 17, 1867] Are now sailing swiftly over the Great Father of Waters in the 'Niota Belle', not a very splendid boat. A mile & 3 quarters from dock to dock. We camped 8 miles west from Ft. Madison where we got on the boat. We are just now about to land on the Illinois side at Old Appanoose. Farewell, Iowa, I love thee yet."


We were glad to cross the Mississippi on a bridge, not a ferry boat. It was a lovely sight to look back at Fort Madison from Niota on the Illinois side. At Appanoose, we found a cemetery, a church and a few farms. Ryan drove up in his truck and asked if we needed directions. Then he invited us to see his round brick barn, the only one in the county. We followed him to his farm which is also set up as a horse rescue, met his wife, and learned more about this part of Illinois.