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Letter to Germany |
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10/1/1854
Dear Parents and Brothers and Sisters,
To fulfill your wish and my promise, I pick up the pen to write you about my journey and my being here in America. On March 17, we arrived in Bremerhaven after a pleasant trip, where we had to stay 6 days because despite the many chips which are constantly departing, they cannot transport all immigrants. Approximately 2-400 new people arrive daily, and this city is always crowded with masses of people. On March 23, we embarked. Oh what a frightful sight, the huge ship and the vast ocean. During the first hours, almost everybody on board became seasick and had to vomit. There were 400 people, the Captain and the sailors on our boat. Kaspar and Xavier were very ill during the trip. Thank God, I didn�t get sick, not even for a quarter of an hour, during the whole trip. A sea journey is dangerous and very difficult, especially for married people with children - truly no Ascension. We had a nice pleasant voyage until Good Friday, when suddenly such a mighty storm broke loose that one thought we would all go to the bottom. One could neither stand or walk and had to hold on tightly. This lasted until Easter Sunday. During this storm, one ship, which had left with us, sank near New York with 500 people on board, and no lives were saved. We felt as if we were near our end. On May 2 we passed two islands, Boston and Long Island, and fianally, on May 4, after a long painful trip which seemed a small eternity, we arrived in New York. Oh, what a joy, everything was so green, nobody was sick anymore but jumped on deck for a look at the New World. Dobler remained in New York. The Sulmetigers had no more money and they asked me and Kupfer to help them. We saw no other way but to go to Toledo with them. On Wednesday, May 10, we arrived in Toledo. Their sister was quite surprised to see her four brothers so totally unexpected and was very happy. Since I didn�t have enough money to go to Oshkosh, I had to go to work. I worked for a contractor and had to dig cellars, making $1 per day. Toledo is a very pretty city, quite flourishing, but unhealthy, and is, therefore, not exempted from the cholera which has affcted every city this summer. After six weeks I left for Oshkosh. My heart was pounding from joy that finally, after such a long and hard journey, I was to see the fulfilment of my wish to be with my uncle and aunt. They, too, were happy to see a relative of theirs. They are quite comfortable and own a nice inn. But do not think the restaurants here are anything like those in Germany. However, here in a small house made from wooden planks one makes more money than over there in one of the biggest places. Oshkosh is a nice town and more than half are Germans. It is steadily increasing because it is a healthy place. I am working for a shoemaker, but had to learn everything anew because here everthing is made differently. Now I do piece work and can earn $4-S weekly, however, expenses are heavy. One Gulden in Germany buys more than one Dollar here. I eat at my Aunt�s and pay her $2 for food money. My everyday meal here is better than at the Parish Fair over there. I have never regretted that I came to America. So far, I have done well and have not been sick for a minute (Thank God) since I left my home land. Off and on, it is rather sad for me to realize that I am here in the far West of America, separated from my dear homeland where I enjoyed so many friends and pleasures which I can have no more. Here in America is no social life, and one must give up the Germany ways and become a completely different person. But then I think how many thousand people are hungry and suffering in Germany and are without employment which isn�t the case in America. People who can, and want to, work - for those America is good. They can earn much and thus get ahead sooner than in Germany. Oh, how often do I think of my brother, who spends his life so miserably in the harness of servitude - how free and independent could he make his life here. Dear Parents, the reason for my not writing sooner was that I was waiting for Schlichtharle and Ziegler�s girl. Schlichtharle came alone on September 28. He has become a completely different person. I only wish you could see him now. He isn�t as happy here as he had imagined it in Germany. For a man of his age to start a business and not even master the language is very difficult and requires a lot of money. His people are in Philadelpia, and most of them are ill. I was glad to get some real information about Philadelphia. He likes Oshkosh and wants to move here, if not this fall then next spring.
Dear Parents, I would like to write much more, but the letter will be too thick. I greet you all, dear Parents, Brothers and Sisters, friends and acquaintances, and all those who came to my farewell. I have thought often of them. Hoping that my letter finds you in the best of health I remain
your thankful son
Joseph Staudenraus
Greetings from my Uncle and Aunt, they are well and healthy.
Please write how my brother in the Army is and how you all are. Say hello to my friends, and I hope we will meet again. Stay well, always well.
Translation on envelope. My first letter from America to Germany
Jos. Staudenraus
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