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Thursday Jany 17th After breakfast I started out in search of Howard Morse?. find him at the only Music Store in the City. very glad to meet and after the usual congratulations we start on a lark about town cross over the Mississippi on the ice to Davenport to call on Mr Corbin? a friend of D W Wilerx? to whom I am indebted for a letter of introduction. as ill luck will have it he has just gone East on a visit which puts an end to my prospects in that quarter. after looking about this truly? fascinating place which is situated on the west bank of the river on the gently rising land between the river and the very high bluffs back which protect it from the cold winds in the Winter. It contains some 10,000 inhabitants. almost all kinds of business are carried on here. some Manufacturing, Flouring Mills, Foundries, unclear. I am told that one concern in the Flouring business cleared last year $20,000. on the whole I think this city to be a very interesting place. cross back to Rock Island which is also a business like place although I prefer Davenport. great gift concert this evening got up by Morses'? employer buy a Ticket. at 7 1/2 O'clock a Polka is played on the Piano by German performer then the drawing commenced and after waiting about one hour Morses'? and my numbers are called and we draw. bunch of Toys. Morse is going to Du Buque? tomorrow and as I should not be able to see Mr Corbin? think I will go with him as I am tired of travelling alone. Friday Jany 18th Start from Rock Island at 6 1/2 O'clock A.M. for La Salle at which place we connect with the Illinois Central R.R. 83 miles from Rock Island. arrived at 11 O'clock and wait until 1 P.M. for the Train from the South. this road runs through beautiful Prairie country. interspersed here and there with a fine flourishing Village to Freeport. here it comes into the mountainous country