J. Richard Beste Family's Visit to Terre Haute in 1851 (Conclusion) Part IV

Before J. Richard Beste and his family left England for a tour of the U.S. in 1851, he read about the American fad of "Bloomerism," a new "costume" for ladies.

Endorsed by Amelia Bloomer, editor of The Lily, a journal for ladies published in Seneca Falls, N.Y., the curiosity called for women to substitute trousers for petticoats.

"Before I landed in America," Beste wrote, "I had expected to find half of the females wearing them, and the press in America itself still teemed with articles for and against Bloomerism.

"Imagine my surprise, therefore, that during my stay in New York I should only have seen two women wearing the Bloomer costume.

"Two I did see, but they were so followed and laughed at by the boys that they were obliged to take refuge in a hack carriage. Since then I had not come across a single Bloomer in all my travels through the United States."

However, 20 Terre Haute women had bloomers made, using a standard pattern, and agreed to meet at the Read residence for a party "to judge each other's charms."

"They were in high glee," Beste reported, "and pirouetted and turned one another about admiringly, half regretting that they excluded anyone of the male sex. The door opened, and Dr. Read walked in. Twenty screams uprose from 20 blushing throats."

Beste became particularly fond of Simon Lalumiere, the priest at St. Joseph's Church, who "lived on good terms with everyone of whatever creed."

"The Protestants, of every denomination, were the principal supporters of his church; his own congregation being poor.

"In his garden, he told me, was a great bell waiting for a belfry to hang in; and the Protestants had promised to build him a belfry if he would put up a good town clock in it for the use of all. The clock was on its road to Terre Haute."

As August approached, the Bestes made plans to return to New York City.

"Steamers from the Ohio, indeed, ascended the Wabash to Terre Haute and beyond in the winter," Beste noted, "but the waters were now getting too low for them.

"We were advised to go by the Wabash & Erie Canal boats, which would carry us a distance of 320 miles, and deliver us at Toledo on Lake Erie in something less than five days and nights.

"The prospect of such a journey was not cheering. True, that the line of the Meaumee [sic; Maumee] River, which the canal next followed, was notoriously infested with ague and fever; true, that the little village of Fort Wayne, like many others on that line, was known to consume at least four hundred ounces of quinine in a season; but no other route was available to us ."

Prior to leaving, the family was in Terre Haute for the Aug. 4 election, and Beste printed a copy of the ballot.

Edward W. McGaughey, of Greencastle, opposed John G. Davis of Rockville for Congress. There were four candidates for prosecuting attorney: Harvey D. Scott, Henry Slavens, Delana E. Williamson and William A. Jones.

Robert N. Hudson, Grafton F. Cookerley and Samuel B. Gookins were the candidates for state representative. Ishmael Hugh and John Barton vied for commissioner. And Stephen H. Taylor, John Clem, Stephen D. Gattrell and William P. Thornton were running for assessor.

Democrat Davis defeated McGaughey, the Whig incumbent, in the congressional race. Had McGaughey been elected, he would not have completed the term. He moved to San Francisco after the election and died there, at age 35, on Aug. 18, 1852.

Whigs Gookins and Hudson were elected to the House. Democrat Cookerly already had served two terms as state representative between 1845 and 1848. Scott, later a congressman, judge and Vigo County treasurer, was favored for prosecuting attorney.

Before Beste and his family boarded a canal boat for Toledo, he and his wife strolled "along the high street of Terre Haute and had a glimpse of the blue Wabash at the end of the street."

At the invitation of the tollkeeper, they crossed the bridge. "At the other end of the bridge," Beste wrote, "a forest of large trees grew down to the water's edge, and many roads diverged from the bridge seeking out the hardest bottom, or the highest levels for times of inundation, and avoiding the pools and swamps which still lingered around.

"It was a beautifully wild but dismal scene, and different wheel tracks looked as if they could only lead into the same interminable forest."

Beste could not refrain from describing a sign, at the entrance to one of the roads "off to the right," which read in large red letters:

"To Hannibal Ferry, 200 miles; direct route to northwestern Missouri, Iowa, Oregon, California, by Paris, Springfield, Jacksonville or Philip's Ferry, Florence, Naples and Griggsville."

Four years later, Beste's book was published. By that time, Okalla Reed, Dr. Read's daughter, was in her second year at "The Female Institute at Saint Mary's-of-the Woods." Lovilla Read died in 1856 and the doctor married two more times.

When Ezra Read died on May 10, 1877, flags flew at half mast and mills and foundries closed to allow employees to attend the funeral.

Dr. Stephen J. Young practiced medicine in Terre Haute and became a co-founder of Union Hospital in 1892. Drs. Read and Young served in the Civil War.

Father Lalumiere died in 1857 after 15 years as the city's only Catholic priest. According to tradition, his remains were placed under the altar at St. Joseph's Church. Touissant C. Buntin became president of the Terre Haute Saving Bank in 1878 and died in 1892. Dr. Young succeeded Buntin as president of the bank.