John Jacobson 1853

John Jacobson's description of his descent of Madison's inclined plane on the Madison & Indianapolis Railroad is probably the most detailed account yet found of what was apparently a hazardous journey. He made the trip as part of his return from visiting Moravian churches in Indiana.

The Moravian Miscellany, March 1853, No. 3 Vol. IV

Br. Clauder and his daughter Ann Eliza accompanied me to Madison, the former to proceed to Louisville, on some business connected with the Enon Church, and his daughter to go with me to Bethlehem, where she was to enter the Female Academy as a teacher. We arrived in safety at Madison about 4 o'clock, P. M. The descent of the inclined plane for several miles, before reaching the town, seeamed to be rather more hazardous than the ascent ; on approaching it, the train stopped, the engine was removed, every part of the cars was carefully examined, the doors thrown open, so as to leave an unobstructed view from one end of the train to the other, guards were placed at every door, who kept a watchful lookout, the passengers were requested not to leave their seats, the wheels were partially locked, and thus we descended by the momentum of the cars, sometimes with considerable velocity.

Apparently beyond the application of any human skill or power, we felt ourselves, as it were, borne along by the hand of Providence; a deep silence prevailed among the passengers, until we finally stopped on the level.

Having walked down to the landing together, our dear br. Clauder, after bidding a final adieu to his daughter and myself, stepped on board the Sea-gull for Louisville, while we repaired to the Madison packet for Cincinnati. The boats started about 5 o'clock; it was a lovely evening and we enjoyed the beauty of the river banks for several hours, until night drew its curtain over the scenery