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Fragment of a Letter by Anders S. Houkom
... However the light is mixed with the dark. I cannot completely lose myself in the enjoyment of the happy memories without the ugly and sorrowful pushing themselves forward and casting shadows over the beautiful pictures. As when good memories, where father and mother were the direct cause of the full experience of happiness, filled my mind, then so often such thoughts would intrude: Yes, yes, they were grand days! But what, then, did father and mother gain from their toiling and self-sacrificing life for me and the others? Then follows the one picture after the other of mother, as so often: "My legs ache so badly; oh, how good it is to be able to sit down," when in the evening she sat on the milking-stool close to a cow and began to milk; that was her rest. Many such memories come unbidden and blend themselves in with the happy ones and they become sorrowful. I will not say that this is the right way to look back on childhood and youth; but what can one do, when such thoughts come unbidden. We people are so completely different. I am more and more reminded of this, the older I grow; therefore I become (at least so I myself believe) milder in my judgement over my fellow-human-being's way of living and acting. I have sometimes thought of Garborg, who was never able, in spite of his great talent for describing life, to depict any of his young characters in light colors, because of his father's dark life and tragic fate. That which is impressed on the soft wax of a child's mind is never easy to rub out again.
Yes, I remember quite well our first trip to Solli Cabin and cut our names into the door: ASSH, ASSH, 1871. It was the first thing I looked for when one day in June 1887 I opened the door to Solli Cabin. The other thing that stands clearly in my memory from that trip was that we threw our fish-lines into the pool near the dam but didn't get a single 'bite'. Father was busy fixing and tarring Heiva's row-boat, and there came a shower of rain and I don't think we had our jackets with us, for I clearly remember that we became wet through to the skin in spite of the fact that we tried to creep in under the bows of the boat and were so cold we shivered. "Poor things," said father.
My first trip to the summer pasture was however in the summer of 1869, when mother, Olaf and I about noon one Sunday went to Hovstaul, where Big Anne along with a hired boy from 'Huken' was staying with the milk-cows and calves. Olaf was to carry a large empty milk can up to the pasture. Mother fetched a loaf of bread from the Big-Storehouse cellar; but it was too big to go through the opening of the can. Mother knew what to do; she went into the hearth-house and cut it in two and down in the can went the pieces. I thought mother was very clever that time. We rested twice on the way up Solli Hill; mother was happy then and talked and told us stories. She walked fairly lightly; she was then only 44 years old, but had already carried 11 children under her heart and later when they were born carried them on her heart in motherly tenderness in spite of the endless toil. Think of her and then of present-day mothers with their one, two or three children in a modern house and comfort; hospital, anesthetic and nurses at the child's birth; sympathetic talk and 'mother's day'. And what are the fruits before and now.
You can believe there was joy and festivity at Hovstaul that Sunday. In a couple of hours Anne and the hired boy went out to round up the cows for milking. We took our time. Before we left to go home mother cut up some of the bread from the milk-can in small pieces and poured sweet milk on and so we three ate. You can imagine how it tasted to an 8-year-old. Oh, what an appetite.
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Note: The 'Big Anne' mentioned by Anders was his eldest sister Anne, called 'Big' to distinguish her from the youngest sister, Anne Andrea. Although Anders refers to eleven babies, three of them must have died in infancy, for only eight children are listed in the records at present available, as follows:
1. Olaf born May 31, 1851
2. Anne born April 8, 1852
3. Hans born April 8, 1855
4. Tarjer (Thora) born September 16, 1856
5. Tone born July 30, 1859
6. Anders born August 17, 1861
7. Aslak born May 4, 1864
8. Anne Andrea born June 19, 1866
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From Svenung Ouversen to Svenung Houkom 12/18/1856
Coone Prairie the 18 December 1856
Dear Brother-in-law Svenung Olsen Hukum,
Now I must for the first time write to you a few lines to let you know that we are all in good health and live well till this date which we have the good God to thank for. Likewise we also wish the same good news from you when you write to us again. However I must admit that I last winter was very sick for 6 weeks! A kind of fever which also struck my brother Aslak Saave as well as our youngest brother Ouver lay in the same fever for two months until God of His endless goodness took him to Himself to Joy and Blessedness. Our twin sons Ole and Ouver grow and thrive well. Here next that here has been an average year. I had 20 acres to take crop from this year from which raised two hundred and twenty-three and a half bushels maize corn, and 50 bushels potatoes and a great deal of garden fruits. Here next prices per bushel a bushel is two Norwegian bushels. Wheat per bushel 1 dolar, oats P.B. 2 dolar Maize P.B. 2 dolars. Potatoes P.B. 2 dolars. So that is my harvest in addition to seed and food for the house brings in for me 200 dollars this year.
These aforementioned prices seem to you much exaggerated but it is to the cultivator's advantage and in the same way profitable for the worker's class for then they receive much higher daily pay and the money is more spread out among the public thereby.
Here next what animals I am in possession of which are 2 pair oxen 3 cows 2 heifers 2 sheep and 4 pigs prices per animal 1 horse from one to 200 dollars a pair of oxen from 100 to 100 and 50 dollars a cow from 25 to 35 dollars, a sheep from 2 to 3 dollars. I have this summer bought various equipment for the first an old cradle for 21 dollars, a cleaning machine for 26 dollars, a plow 14 dollars and various other farm tools. Altogether I have spent a lot on my land as I have broken 15 Acres with various other repairs on the House Fences etc. here next prices for worked land here in this District 40 Acres of worked land here on the Prairie costs from 400 to 1000 dollars. So that my Land Ownership is worth about 2000 dollars perhaps you think these land prices are unreasonable but I will not exchange my arable land for the farms which are bought and sold in Norway for 2000 dollars.
I must not forget to inform you that the Settlement here will soon be regulated with a School and Church the same as in Norway and we have bout 3 quarters walk to the church and can see it from the farm here however to which I have contributed 10 dollars and must contribute 10 more in Winter. This is a pretty God's house standing on a visible place for the whole prairie and will cost about 3000 dollars when it is finished.
I will this time advise Brother Ole to undertake the journey here if it isn't contrary to your decision for I believe it is advantageous for you as here he can be both sexton and school teacher for fairly good pay. Sister Birgit is greeted also that it would be useful to her for a servant here has from 5 to 10 dollars per month and as well as that it is much finer work. What they should or shouldn't bring here. Dyed Wadmal and ready made clothes must be brought but no more ready made clothes than they need on the journey. Sell your silver breastpins and buy spoons. If you bring me a half dozen eating spoons I shall pay well for them and a half dozen tea spoons of silver. Brother Aslak is much thanked for His last writing which I received in the end of September which I immediately will answer just as I also wish an answer to this.
I wish to have a visit from you if not more than in Christmas holy time but you certainly won't yearn for it in Winter (ha ha). Herewith I must cordially end my writing with diligent and friendly greetings to you all. Live well in God.
Svenung Ouversen
The address for here sounds thus Spring Velle, P.O. Bad Ax Co., Wis.
Translator's Note: For this letter and the next I worked from typed copies. Most of the rest in this collection are from the handwritten originals or from photocopies of originals.
In this letter I have been very careful to include or omit capital letters, periods, and commas, exactly as the typed copy did, and I have followed the spellings of dolar, Dolars, Dollars, as I found them (Val's note: when retyped, the spell checker corrected many of those errors). The translator included some notes about the letter as follows:
The above-copied letter was addressed to Hr. Svennung Olsen Houkom Bratesbaerges Amt Vidsø Post Offis Skien Norveg Europe. It was sent without envelope. It was only folded together and sealed with wax. In another handwriting, apparently of the postmaster in Springville is written the sender's name and address, as follows:
Svennung Ouversen Kaasa
Adres. Springville P.O. Bad Ax Co.,
Wisconsin in America
Springville Wis. Dec 19th
The number 65 is also written on the address side of the letter in two places, as well as once on the backside. There are five postmarks on the letter, as follows: One on the address side, name of the place illegible with the date 23 Jan. Also one with the same date on the back side, it looks as if the name of the place is either Kristiania or Kristiansand. Also two others on the back side, names of the places illegible, but apparently of 27 and 28 January 1957.
Finally one on the address side of the letter: Svinesund 5 2 1857
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From Svennung Kjaerkebøn to Svennung Houkom 10/23/1866
Coon Prairie the 23 October 1866
Dear Brother-in-law,
In last August month received your much honored of 26th March this year for which I here enclose my most obliged thanks. I will pursuant to your request in the same letter comply with your wish as far as I am capable thereof but it is fairly certain that I can not as both you and I wished, give you a satisfactory appraisal of it as you desire. As concerning conditions here now compared to before the War, whether property is dear etc. then I can inform you very briefly that all things are in particularly high price as you will see of the following: 1 bushel wheat costs 1 dollar to 1 dollar 55 cents, oats 30-50 cents, barley 50-80 cents, maize corn 50-80, butter about 30 cents per pound, pork from 10-15 cents per pound, meat 6-7 cents pr. Pound, all to be understood as fresh. Pay for work is now for Autumn and Winter work for a simple worker from 75 to one dollar pr. Day.
Cultivated land which is fenced and plowed but without buildings costs about 15 dollars pr. Acres and land with buildings is depending on the buildings more expensive. But completely uncultivated land is much cheaper such as 2, 3, 4 and 5 dollars pr. Acres but then it is usually hard to work mostly small woods and stumps and much else. Animals are here as follows a good milk cow costs 30-40 dollars, a good fairly big horse from 150-200. Yes if it is very good it costs more and a set of new harness costs from 40-50 dollars. A pair of work oxen cost 1330-160 dollars but then the yoke doesn't cost more than 1-3 dollars, and a man can also make it himself from a piece of wood. Sheep cost from 3-5 dollars a piece, pigs are sold alive from 8-10 dollars per 100 pounds. Merchants' wares cost: coffee 32-34 cents a pound, white sugar 20 ditto, brown 12-15, white linen 20-30 cents pr. Yard. That is a piece 3 feet square. Wool clothes are very dear however there are countless kinds of clothes of wool and cotton which are not very dear but which can be quite strong.
Concerning the journey I will advise you to embark on a sailing ship as it will be so much cheaper for one who has such a large family and by all means try to come out the sooner the better in the spring for then one has almost always better wind and a quick passage and then one can come up through the land before it becomes too hot and is less liable to have climate sickness and then one can come here so early in the summer that one can get work in the mowing time and better convenience for making preparations for winter. And concerning the best transportation up through the land it is usual that one goes the way which the Captain sends his passengers on for it is not so good to be parted from your company. And if you have a choice then it is the best way I know to go direct from Quebec to Lacrosse on the railway and make sure that one has a contract and tickets therefore all in one, for the exchange countless times with railway and steamship entails many difficulties. When you come to Quebec you should write to me immediately so that I shall if possible meet you in Lacrosse. Concerning your weakness it is difficult to say anything but I know that your sister Thone was less sick from the journey and after she came here than in Norway and I know several cases in which on by traveling at sea and changing climate has become better, but I also know the opposite.
Concerning the things you should bring with you. Then clothes are the first thing you must bring but preferably material for clothes the most you can but take care to pack them carefully underneath so that the Customs Officers don't see them or you could come to pay customs for them but other things such as silver articles, except eating and tea spoons, are not always very good to bring, however many small things which don't take much room can be quite useful. But if you decide to travel then do me the service of buying me a very good sheepskin coat, as I have heard that it is very good to get such a one purchased from a tanner in Laurdal, but perhaps that would be a great trouble for you.
I would also wish that you would buy me a pair of wagon axles namely for a four wheel wagon of the kind that are turned with appropriate bushings and also strong and thick of the best kind, I have heard that such are available to buy and that they can be taken apart in the middle. If not just take them off so that you can lay them in a box. There are plenty such available here but very expensive and with such brittle iron that they often don't last. I shall on their arrival pay you well for your trouble and outlay.
Although I would rather not advise anyone for or against traveling to America I cannot other than say that I think it would be advantageous for you and especially for your numerous family to come here as it is certain one has for the future better prospects here than in Norway presuming that one in Norway does not have great wealth and does not have really promising prospects. But if it is hard to make both ends meet there, then it is certainly the best to come over here while one is still capable. From the Spring and long into the Summer it looked as though it would be an especially good year, but on account of the extreme heat and especially much rain particularly in early Autumn, it did not have a good result so I can say that over here it was less than an average year. Everything is fine with my family and me and nothing new has happened in the family. All are well and healthy and God be praised live well. Last Spring I wrote a letter to Aslak Gadeholdt which I presume has arrived and so I will omit writing here about many things concerning the family. Finally I must break off with a very diligent and loving greeting to all relatives and friends which greeting you will most kindly offer. First and last you dear brother-in-law are most diligently greeted and wished all happiness and blessing with wishes for a speedy reunion. Your - Svennung Kjaerkebøn
Since space permits it, I will also bid you kindly to tell or let my sister's sons Guldmund and Høie read the following words from me. I am now God be praised both well and healthy and have in the recent time been with my son Tron, otherwise I am kindly and lovingly received by whichever of my children I will be with. I have it especially good in my old age so that I have nothing to complain about for my bodily concerns. Both you and the above named Guldmund and Høie as well as all relatives and friends are diligently greeted from
Your fondly remembering
Karen Kjaerkebøn
Translator's note: This is Karen Knutsdatter, widow of old Ouver, Svennung's mother.
P.S. I have not talked with anyone from our birthplace who has come over here last year, but I have heard that John Roholdt has bought himself a farm in the State of Minnesota about 40 English miles from here, I have heard he is very well satisfied. Three weeks ago I sold my share in the Threshing machine after I had threshed for a month's time for 200 dollars. For next Autumn I intend to buy another new one again. In case you decide not to travel, write to me immediately and let me hear your condition. But I certainly expect that you will come as it is always likely to be thus when one has begun to think about a trip to America it is usually nothing else but in the end Emigration must occur. Yes dear brother-in-law I delay you with many incoherent words for which I must beg forgiveness. Herewith you are most heartily committed to God's guardianship and fatherly guidance in all your undertakings. Live well! I and the family greet you diligently.
S. Kjaerkebøn
My address is Mr. Svennung Overson Kjaerkebøn, Coon Prairie P.O. Vernon Co. Wis. U. States
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From Anders Hansen Houkom to Ole Svennungsen Houkom 3/29/1870
To Honorable
Ole Svennungsen Houkom
Since you seem to have the firm decision to travel to America as presumably in agreement with your parents is well pondered, then herewith I will not either refrain from sending forward some well-meant words to you, which are a little guidance, not only for the journey, but for the rest of your life, when you for the biggest part come to live among complete strangers.
The first is that you at all times pray Our Heavenly Father, that he will hold his care over you, who is greater than we sinning people have a notion about, and the other is that you in the future, keep in mind, to behave yourself in such a way among unknown as well as among known people, that it can be to gain and advantage for yourself, to honor for your parents, and relatives and to a delight for the Lord.
Just the same you must always remember that you are no longer at home with Father and Mother, so first you must learn to depend on yourself, and that is the first Stumbling block, a young man begins to desire in the world. But think on the old Proverb, which also is true, if you believe that every man is a rogue you will not be deceived, but you must not either play the rogue yourself against anyone, but hold yourself passive.
Avoid all light minded company, so you will be respected and honored of every honest man, which I believe you already have a little experience of, although you are young. This must you in no way lose sight of.
I am also sure that from your home you do not lack admonitions, in even dearer and greater form, but you probably ignore them, or rather do not remember.
The Honor you showed me by visiting me before your journey I grant you many thanks for. At our parting last Monday by Brunkeberg Church I spoke of coming to Houkom later in the week, but as that can be uncertain for me, on account of the many unforeseen happenings, which for me have often occurred, I will herewith most lovingly greet you, and say many thanks, for every loving service you have shown as a smart boy towards me.
As a little mark of honor I send you enclosed 5 Speciedaler, as I know that such, on an expensive journey, are acceptable, considering the distance you intend to go.
And so I will wish you a pleasant crossing, and also that the Lord will grant you support as well on the journey, as in the future in the new home you intend to inhabit.
So must you live well, and greet all relatives and friends from me, that I am their, and your, respected, obliging.
Farewell Ole,
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Gjorsund, the 29th March 1870
Anders Hansen Houkom
N.B. When you like all others have loose money, on you, so must you bid your mother sew a pocket inside your vest or coat for you, so it is not as easy to snap away, for the unrighteous.
It is not impossible that I still send you a letter before you leave from Houkom or Skien.
Translator's note: I have tried to locate Anders Hansen Houkom in the many pages of information now available to me, but he is not mentioned. However, Pastor Olaf Houkom's Mother, Marie Hansdatter Saltevje, had a brother, Anders Hansen Saltevje, and in several of his letters (Book I) Olaf sends greetings to Uncle Anders, sometimes referring to him as Mother's Brother Anders Houkom, so perhaps this Anders moved from Saltevje to one of the three Houkom farms and from there to Gjorsund.
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From Andreas Ness to Svennung Olsen 6/20/1870
Cheepewa City P.O.
Cheepewa County Minnesotte
The 20th June 1870
My Dear Svennung Olsen
Your letter of 22nd March this year have I to my great joy received and thank you most kindly for it. You remind me also of all the confidence you especially have to me who has been gratified by your letter's whole contents, and it should be my wish that you are not disappointed in this your confidence. It is dear to me to hear you are well and that your wife is getting better, which also certainly will be the case with your daughter. It is certainly a sickness which many young girls are prone to. Also I thank you for all the news you sent me in your letter, it is always of interest to hear news from the Fatherland how they there struggle and work both in the fleshly and private family life. I suppose what most can interest you in these lines is to write about your son with his arrival and how he can acquire Land since also you are decided to choose this Land as your future home. For this reason I restrict myself to what I believe can most interest you and omit insignificant stories of this or that which certainly also basically are somewhat immaterial.
What now concerns your son and what I believe is right and most advantageous for him who is ignorant of the conditions you probably have the opinion that he simply and plainly could travel west and take up Land for you, or also for himself, but this would scarcely be possible, as for the first he must have a legal age of 21 years and for the next he must be so supplied with money that he could keep himself well in a new and undeveloped Land you can comprehend would not be adequate to work, however a man tries to help himself the best he can.
The most advantageous for him is to be in Wisconsin among his relatives where he can have a means of earning money - and learn to know something about the conditions. For the rest I shall in so far as it lies in my power be helpful to him in Word and Deed as soon as he comes in my vicinity. But immediately to go out West would be too irresponsible for him who seems fairly inexperienced and also young.
Another thing is that when you come then you must all share the new settler life, problems, and then it is good to have a Son in America and for a Son to have a Father and Mother after him for together to set foot under a new table. I shall write to your son and tell him that I have written to you and what I believe he should do thereafter, if he can be with his relatives in Wisconsin and what you believe is right.
My advice is that when you come after next year you leave your family behind in Wisconsin and yourself travel west to look over land for yourself where you believe it best. For it is not good to travel around with a family in the west and it is not good to choose land at the first the best place. Meanwhile it will be time to write more about it when your journey is first decided to occur.
I have had a letter from Gunder H. Saltevje he and his family are all healthy and live well. The mentioned portrait of Gunder I shall try to get and send you later. From Jorgen in California I have also had a letter; he writes that he will come on a visit to us now in Summer and thereafter make a trip to Norway, if unexpected hindrances don't cause delays. From Anders, Eivind's son, I can greet you. He is for 14 days since traveled west to the same place as we - just before June he was married to Bergit Torgersdatter Haugen from SkaeseBygd and has gotten a clever and good wife. Also from Hans Saltevje who also is here west he is also well and finds himself contented.
Don't forget to greet my mother's brother Anders Hansen and Sigtorn I should wish to get some lines from him.
Dear Friend I end my present letter with many greetings and wishes for you as well from my brothers as myself. We wish all that it may happen so that we one time again can gather here in America and tell each other about one thing and another from old times and share family life together.
Now live wonderfully well and let me see you soon again. Write to your always devoted.
Andreas Ness
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Olaf to Tarjer (Thora) 10/25/1875
La Crosse, Wis. Oct 25, 1875
Dear Sister:
Long enough, yes much too long have I put off answering your very welcome writing of 9th July this year. Your letters to me are an indescribable joy, and that so much more when they bring me such happy news, as that you are all healthy, many of the sick have become well, others with a blessed death have entered the eternal peace and happiness. Thus is the Lord's all-wise rule always good for us, when we only in trust and love obey and serve him. How it gladdens me dear sister, that you again so richly have won health after such a long and weakening sickness, which it must be, which you have been plagued with but how strengthening can not such sickness be in spiritual respect, for we have many examples of, how many have been stretched on a sick-bed and first there come to consider their soul's condition, for as long as they have health and everything goes well for them, have they no time to engage in such thoughts but went safely like those about whom the Lord said: The healthy do not need the physician. What a happy day it must be for such, the day they rise up from the beds well and with the strong conviction of the Sin's forgiveness which they cannot have without also first coming to the consciousness of their own infirmity, and felt the pressing burden of sin, and experienced how little their exterior good deeds benefit them, if they do not spring from interior love for and trust in the Savior.
This letter dear sister seems to be an expression of trust and love as well as happiness and cheer, love and trust as an effect of the long weakness which I believe must have caused you a heartfelt and devout adherence to Him who alone can and will heal both body and soul.
Your healing has effected for you happiness and cheer, for in it you have a clear sign that the Lord is with you and a certainty that He also will be with you in the future.
How I was surprised, however, by knowledge of your thoughts about following me to the far west. To me it would be an indescribable happiness to have you over here, but you must not put any weight on that, as neither can I give you any prompting to come; for it would not give me great happiness if I should be the cause of your coming, and you didn't find it to be up to you expectations, no, it would bring a great sorrow over me, if that should happen. You must yourself over weigh how it will be for you to forsake a quiet and happy home with relatives and friends, and come to a distant land among strange people with, for you, an unheard of language and customs and manners which seem to put a restraint on a Norwegian farmer's personal freedom, as far as speech and behavior are concerned, for Americans are more particular about such than the finest folk at home. Many think that this is bad, but I for my part like it.
But if you once have caught America-fever, I know how it is, then nothing at home tastes good. Father's and Mother's permission is then the only thing which will make you happy, and if you have come so far, dear Sister, so pray God to be with you and come, for there is enough work here for women. The pay is from 1 2 to 2 2 dollars per week here in the town for ordinary housework, as they are used to. In the country it can also be as low as 75 cents or 1 dollar but that I believe is only among the Norwegians. Where lady's sewing is concerned, they must usually work a couple of months without pay, which is called learning time. When that is over they get 3 dollars or more for a week, as well as food. But I believe you must learn the language first, for which cause it is necessary to work for a time with an American family.
I left the Halvor House in Minnesota the 11th last. They were good people. I got 5 dollars extra pay and a pair of stockings when I left. I began at school the 18th last. I pay E. H. Midtbøe 2 2 dollars for board and room. He is a parson for some small congregations around here. He greets you ver sincerely. Write soon what your decision is. If there is anything you want to know, just ask, and I will gladly answer. Greet Father and Mother and the family, as well as relatives and friends most lovingly. Finally you are most lovingly greeted from your always devoted brother
O. S. Houkom
(Marginal notes) I am healthy and strong for which I stand in great gratitude to the Lord.
This is a style of writing which I have taken from a Norwegian-American letter formula, published here. I think it is good, what do you think? My mistakes must not be blamed on the pattern.
My address is now again La Crosse. I thank you for the enclosed song. Tell Father Thanks for the two letters with enclosed photograph which were a great joy to me. I accept and thank for the offer of newspapers if it isn't too much expense.
O.S.H.
Translator's note: This letter, which was mailed in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on October 25, 1875, was postmarked on arrival in Skien, Norway on November 16, 1875, taking just one day over three weeks for the trip. Surface mail from the USA to Norway, or reverse, nowadays, (1985) takes two months or more. Air mail sometimes takes two or three weeks!
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Olaf to Tarjer (Thora) 1/15/1877 and 1/23
Augsberg Seminary
The 15th January 1877
My Dear Sister
Your unexpected but very welcome letter I received a few days after New Year, and only a few hours after I had posted a letter to Father which I hope has reached its destination. I therefore didn't expect a letter here before you had received on from me, as I can't remember having given any exact address; but I see you have guessed it quite correctly. The letter was unexpected and therefore doubly welcome. It is so much more pleasing for me, when it bears the stamp of a heart, which has felt the Lord's call, and speaks for a Sinner who has had his eyes opened to his lost condition and begun to rely on him without whose help we achieve nothing. Yes, when we can only see our deep downfall, our own inability and weakness, then will the Lord's grace be to us so much more precious and the Savior, who suffered death for our sins, be to us so much dearer; but self-love is so strong, and pride so commanding in our heart, that it is very difficult to acknowledge one's self to be nothing, and to take up the Yoke, of which Jesus says; that it is easy; but we would much rather help ourselves and seek our own honor in everything which happens to us.
(Sideways in the margin) I began this letter the 15th, and then school began, so I didn't get it finished before today, the 23rd.
Now, as I have so recently written to Father, and told therein whatever I had to tell, I will now go over what is more necessary concerning your decision to come to America. I must then first state, that it will be both joy and comfort for me to have a dear Sister nearby, so we can converse together with comfort and admonishment, which are so precious and necessary for the soul which has reached the standpoint, when both the Devil, the World, and the Flesh rise up to destroy that life, which has begun to stir. But you must not consider what could please me, only take consideration for yourself and your own welfare. I hope you have considered well how it will be to forsake a dear Home in a peaceful valley and come out on a high plain where the wind blows from so many directions, that it is difficult to say, whence it comes or where it goes. If one had not found the rock, Jesus Christ, to hold on to and pray for his Spirit's Light to be able to discern the illusion, which can tempt one to put his confidence in, there can be a danger of being torn away by the storm, which rages around us. But at home in the peaceful valley is certainly no better for the spiritual life; for I seem to remember, that one sleeps so safely and peacefully within the walls of the State Church, and it was not so rarely, that those who awoke, heard abuse for their warnings. You see therefore that there are dangers in both places, but under the Lord's Wings you can live safely, wherever you are. So it can be a question, why you will come here; if it is a desire for goods and honor that drives you; then drive that desire from you; for it is sinful, and you can therefore not pray for the Lord's blessing on your decision but if it is for the sake of your health, you decision is commendable; for one should do what one can for the furthering of one's health.
I have also talked to a local Norwegian doctor about your sickness, as I was afraid that conditions here could be damaging for you. I received the answer that anemia is more prevalent in Norway than here and that the sea voyage would be a benefit to your health. But now the question is whether you will receive permission to travel from Father and Mother. I have now, I believe, in this and in my previous letter to you, given the necessary information, and you must now plead your cause before them. Much will depend on the situation at home, if it can be done, I hope they will not oppose it, but if they forbid you, it must be for a reason unknown to me, and it would therefore be wrong and unscrupulous of me to persuade them to act against their conscience. The remonstrances, which they make about the dangers, which can be met on the journey and in the new home, will I pray them to leave along, for that is only a lack of faith. I know that the thought is not strange to them who remain at home: Perhaps you in one way or another might die on the sea, or in a railroad accident; but haven't the Savior's own lips said: "Not a sparrow falls to the earth without the Father's will". When we in the faith wander in the Lord's way, nothing but his will can overtake us.
Concerning traveling without known escort, I will say, that it is certainly more pleasant, and therefore preferable, to come in company with acquaintances, but that it involves more danger, is certainly not true. No matter how well traveled one is at home, it wouldn't help much, unless one knows the language. There is no danger of getting lost when one only follows carefully the advice and instructions which are given by the Travel Company, on whose ship one travels. But one must not listen to or obey any foreigners. Which would be best, to travel by Steamship or Sailing-ship, I believe you know better information about at home than I can give; but if you have the means for it the steamship is preferable because of the shorter travel time and better accommodations. From what I have heard about the various Lines, it would be best to choose between the "Norwegian" and the "American", as emigrants are well treated on both these Lines, and the Norwegian has also the advantage that it is direct, one doesn't have to travel over to England. In case you should come by sailing-ship, I will mention the 'eats' that I think are best: sheep meat, both roasted and dried, are good. Milk, cheese and whey cheese, especially sweet whey, tastes good and I missed potatoes very much, then all were gone. I didn't like sardines or ship's bread. Don't bring any more clothes than necessary to change during the trip, except for woolen underwear. Don't bring a decorated chest with you, it will be damaged on the journey. Don't use a padlock, it will be smashed easily. Preferably buy a through ticket to La Crosse; there I shall arrange for someone to meet you at first. Midtbøe will be glad to meet you, so you can get a good knowledge of his friendly hospitality.
I shall write some lines to you again in a while. A heartfelt greeting to Father and Mother and the family. You are lovingly greeted and commended to the Lord by your devoted Brother Olaf.
(Marginal notes) Write as soon as you have made a decision. I have just had a letter from Hans.
Paint on your chest you name and clearly: La Crosse, Wisconsin, North America
I thought about writing especially to Father and Mother and pray for you; but I thought it better, that you alone settled the matter among yourselves. This letter is therefore also the letter to give them true information which they can use in consideration in the matter's decision. Give yourself over to God and don't set yourself against Father and Mother, for I hope they act according to their conscience.
(The following translation is from an undated postcard, without greeting, bearing a picture of Augsburg Seminary; it may have been enclosed with the letter to Father (not available but referred to in the previous letter).
Write soon, for I shall be sorely longing for the reply to come back, and I would like several to write to me, as it is an extreme joy which exceeds all the joys of the world. I wish all of you a New Year Happy in the Lord.
Addr. Olaf S. Houkom
Care Prof. S. Oftedal, Augs. Sem.
Minneapolis, Minn
North America
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Olaf to Tarjer (Thora) 2/19/1877
Augsberg Seminary
The 19th February 1877
Precious Sister,
After promising to write to you again soon, I will send you a few lines to give you even more information, so that you, if you have decided to travel, can have something to guide you and so more confidently can undertake the journey. The fact is I have written to a family in La Crosse, whom I know well, and they will with the greatest willingness receive you in their house when you come. They are kind, pleasant folks, with whom you can be as safe as if you were at home. From there you can easily come out into the country to Midtbøe and there where I worked last summer. They are also good-living folks, who will strive to make you as comfortable as possible. In any case, I believe it will be best for you at first to live in the country, unless I should remain here in Minneapolis, which is a very healthful place, so you could certainly come here immediately, but there is little likelihood for that, as I believe I will try to get a couple of months school somewhere and after that go to the harvest. Meanwhile I shall inform the folk, where you are to come, where I am and later, what I think best for you.
Although I know how hard it is for Father and Mother to let you go, I hope however that I can see you and enjoy the company of a dear sister over here; as I believe that your health lies more closely on their hearts than having you with them. There is one more thing I have come to think about, and that is your situation compared with your environment at home. You have perhaps heard the Lord's Call to follow him and forsake the world's desires and joys in order to be happy in him who is the source of true happiness and eternal blessedness. It will be bad then, if you in any way in your present conditions should not be able to resist the temptations, which the many sinful customs offer one. Such temptations must be overcome, if we will find quiet and rest in the Lord. You will therefore perhaps have an advantage from changing the conditions, as here are found many faithful, who could stand by you with encouragement and guidance.
The 31st of last month I received my Father's letter. I will now take the first opportunity I have, to say to him my heartfelt thanks for his advice and exhortations. I see that he was moved to do much more than I deserved or expected. Tell him I have written S. Kirkebø, but not had an answer. Greet Father and Mother, family, relatives and friends most lovingly. Be now dear sister commended to the Lord's care. Live well!
Your always devoted Brother Olaf
(Marginal note) Don't neglect to advise me of what time you leave and on what ship. You could also as soon as you come to harbor send some lines to the Man in La Crosse Wis who is called John N. Karsrud. Take a lunch pack with you on the train, where there is always water to drink; and also Lokum.
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Tarjer (Thora) to Parents 8/18/1879
Merchants Hotel the 18 Aust 79
Dear Parents:
My soul praise the Lord and forget not, all his goodness, he who has held his Hand over me across the great water. The words of David must in truth have surrounded me when we saw America's coast. We had helpful wind, food and drink, everything we needed and peaceful sleep at night, we needed no more from bodily respects; but we had visible proof of the Lord's strong arm, needed to lead us over the mountain-like great waters, which daily stormed towards us; yes I must in truth say that there was danger for the Christly minded youth, for the worldly minded there was peace and no danger, if there had not been such strong words the unclean Spirit would have taken the upper hand; but unmarried men and women had each their cabins, the women were fetched in the evening when the dancing went on too long, and if the boys wanted to follow them down they had to turn back if the watchman saw them. So I had no good female companionship. There was rather none I was so closely acquainted with , that they wore my style of clothing, only two little girls from Skafsabygd who were with their Father. The other few Norwegians among hundreds of women were a few from Gudbrandsdal and some from Sogn, that I became acquainted with them. However, we had the best company, namely a sailor from Brevig, who had sailed twice to America while he was at sea, but would now go to America to get work on the land. Yes, I saw it as a great God's good work, that he came in company with us, as we on the ship from England were so strange to all, and the reason that he was such good company for us, was the he was such a sincere Christian boy.
The day after we sailed from England it roughened a bit, so that many especially the women, were strongly attacked with seasickness, I was also smitten a little, but I got such good attention that I was soon over it again; as soon as day broke I went up on the deck, and immediately came the aforementioned sailor and asked me if I was well enough clothes, whether I had had food, if one stopped eating the seasickness took control, he said: so he went after food for me which would dispel the seasickness and fresh water to drink, and when it was later in the day and the wind became strong came an Englishman I think because I couldn't talk with him, with a thick wood blanket and threw it over me and some sliced bread which tasted very good to me. Yes, then I had to smile at him in wonder, when one so strange to me, had such compassion for me: I saw in this my Heavenly Father's care for me, his mercy surrounded me, so that a man came and asked me if I was Swedish, he wouldn't believe I was Norwegian when I was so brave on the sea, he said, because the Norwegian women were the most seasick. Yes, everything went exceptionally well for us on the journey, both by sea and land. As I believe that Thor has received a letter from Hans, in which he described in detail everything on the journey, I will skip over the 5 days land journey to 11 June, when we after 3 weeks travel from home had come to Minneapolis. On this same day began the Annual Meeting of the Conference, we went straight to the Church, for if possible to meet Olaf, if he had come to the meeting, from Vilmar, but he didn't come. But I've never felt myself so much at home as on that day, yes, it came over me that I could be in a church in Norway. They had for the text the 31st verse of John's Gospel 8th Chapter, if ye continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed etc. I thought this text especially applied to us, as newcomers, and when they began to sing in Landstad's Hymnal, the Hymn a Mighty Fortress is our God my Heart Rejoiced, on account of that excellent Hymn. When we came to Minneapolis we stayed with a widow a few days to get organized. This widow got a job for me here, whether I began by standing in the kitchen and washed dishes, but here I have had the hottest days I have ever lived, so much hotter air here than at home, but I think it was a good airing for me when I had to throw out the washing water, I broke out all over my face and neck, with small sores, but it saved me from an internal sickness said a Norwegian girl whom I now work with.
I stayed there a month, but then I went in to work together with this Norwegian, an old and Godfearing girl, we work in the same room, she washes and I iron for 8 dollars a month and food. I don't iron anything except bedclothes, tablecloths and serviettes, and handkerchiefs, but I have plenty of work with them, because there can be over 100 people here overnight and everything must be washed and ironed afterwards, every day there are 12 girls and 6 boys here at the hotel. All are Irish except for two Negroes, and everything is in English, so that here I have no on else to talk to except this Norwegian, whom I work with, but she is a gentle, old, Christian woman, so I can safely hold to her for everything until Olaf comes to the Seminary again.
I have still not become acquainted with any of Olaf's friends as I am not so familiar with the city that I can go far alone and we both have no opportunity to go; but I took this place because the Norwegian girl said it was very difficult for newcomers to get in with a family when they had had no training in washing and ironing, but if I am here a while she would teach me all kinds of ironing. Therefore nobody knows I have come, only Oftedal, Hans had a message for me from him that I should come to him, but I have still not had an opportunity to do so, but Hans went to him before he traveled to Olaf, as you probably know, as I hope you have received his letter from Vilmar. I am still healthy, which people say it is a wonder for a newcomer to be so well, yes it is truly a wonder for which I cannot possibly sufficiently thank the Lord. I must now break off. Greet acquaintances and friends and relatives from their hastily emigrated friend, but first and last you, family and parents, be greeted from your devoted daughter, Tarjer.
(Marginal notes) Thone must write when she has a chance, I am so busy, also Anne must write, it would please me, if she could collect many letters from her school comrades, when she sends it, she must then first and foremost greet them from me, and be yourself greeted little Anne.
You have certainly waited a long time for a letter from me, but I haven't previously completed it, although it is a long time since I began it.
When you will write to me, you will do best to address it to Oftedal just as to Olaf, as I don't know how long I will stay here at Maartsens Hotel. (That is how it is pronounced).
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Olaf - fragment of Diary
Augsburg Seminary
May 1880
Saturday 1 Service 8-9 am
Thursday 22nd last month Norwegian (written)
Friday 23rd English (written)
Monday 26th Greek (written)
Tuesday 27th Latin (written)
Subjects
Norwegian: "The relationship between people's history and literature"
English: "Singleness of Aim"
Greek: Aeta 8, 26-40 (to translate)
Latin: A story about Conon (..)
Neither the Greek nor the Latin had I translated before, nor ever heard the story about Conon.
Wednesday 28th we had free
Thursday 29th oral examination in Greek and German; unlucky in German
Friday 30th Latin and English (oral)
Today we had a photograph taken (4 Greek class) in a group
Sunday 2. A clear sunny day. Prof. Oftedal preached over John 16, 23 #, on different types of prayer. Had dinner with Steinug. Very hot.
Monday 3.
(Nothing more written).
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Olaf to Tarjer (Thora) 5/24/1880
Wilmar the 24th May 1880
Dear Sister:
We were granted the joyful experience of meeting again after so many years apart; we were also able to live together for a few months, but because of our differing work we couldn't benefit from the joys usual in being together, as we otherwise might have done. The time will come when we shall be free from our schools busy time; but the work in the Lord's vineyard called after us: Come soon! And we had to go. We didn't even have time to talk about what might fill our hearts. It seems to me namely that we still have much to talk to each other about; therefore I feel our parting so much more. Dear Tarjer! If there is anything you wished to ask or talk to be about, it would cause me great sorrow if you refrained from doing so, from bashfulness or any embarrassment. I wished often that we could have spent longer time together, to talk together about both our spiritual and our temporal welfare; but as I said both my own and your endeavors laid obstacles in the way. I could wish, that no other should allow himself to be so governed by the struggle as I, for I didn't give myself the time, which I should to gather from God's word's life-giving strength. I am therefore very glad and thankful to God because I have been released from the worst struggle.
I am also very busy now as I am namely keeping school every day, holy Sunday-school every Sunday afternoon and various other things which crop up occasionally. But I am well and the Lord who cares for my health will also stand by me in my spiritual work.
I have still not had a letter from Hans, I am longing to know how it is going with him in his new work. There can be no chance of him coming here for July 4th, as there are 50, 60 English miles between us, which would either have to walk or drive with a horse. But you must see that you come, if it is in any way possible. Pastor Paulson has told me that it will be celebrated in the same place and about in the same way as last year. It is very beautiful down here, and the people are obliging. It is in all ways very pleasant to be here, although I don't really like moving from place to place. Here I must break off, as the one who is to take the letter to the post office is waiting; live well! Hope in the Lord with all your heart.
Be lovingly greeted from
Your devoted brother
Olaf S. Houkom
When you come to La Crosse there is usually a Police Officer who meets immigrants. You can show him the back side of this paper and he will see that you come to the place you are directed, or to a Norwegian shop where you can ask someone to accompany you to your destination. If such a police officer should not be there, you must not be ashamed to go to the finest man you can see for of such a one you can expect the surest help.
Lovingly, your Brother,
Olaf S. Houkom
(On the other side of the paper, in English)
Please show the bearer to the residence of
John N. Karsrud on the corner of Pine and Fourteenth Sts.
Or: L. Tollefsen, grocer, on
Third Street, where she will get information of above
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Olaf to Tarjer (Thora) 6/28/1881
Liverpool the 28th June 81
Dear Sister:
It is perhaps uncertain whether you can receive this letter before we come, but as I know that you very much wished to know about what time we come, I will since we have so much time, send you a few lines from here.
I must first of all tell you, that I have the pleasure to be accompanied by our dear brother Anders. We will probably both stop in Minneapolis for a day and then go on to Willmar. We also have in our group Inger, daughter of Gunder Skredder. She will be with us to Minneapolis, where she will seek work, and it will then be good for her, if you could find a place, where she could stay temporarily.
Else Mikkelsdatter Hauge from Vraadal is also traveling with us; but she is going to the Red River Valley.
We shall leave Liverpool with the steamship "Arizona", but unfortunately not before Saturday. The days will be long among such a motley crowd, which lies here waiting and is annoyed over the poor service.
I left home fourteen days ago, but then I was up in Tin, where I visited Pastor Weinaas and had a trip to Rjukan.
All at home were well when I left them. Our old parents again expressed the wish to be coming with us to America.
In Kristiania I met Miss Herslet who had just come home from America; she could tell me that you had begun to sew and live with Sessil
I hope that we shall meet in the middle of July. Everything else which you would be interested to know I must save until then. Greet Sessil and other acquaintances whom you have the opportunity to meet.
Be most heartily greeted from us all and first and foremost from
Your always devoted brother
Olaf S. Houkom
Translator's note: Gunder Skredder means Gunder the Tailor. Some immigrants who had names of this type changed their names to the English work after emigrating, so possibly Inger became Inger Taylor (or Tailor), or she may have married before considering the possibility of a name translation. I mention this in case a reader has an acquaintance who may be descended from an emigrant who changed the last name in this way.
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Anders to Parents 6/28/1881
Liverpool the 28 June 81
Dear Parents and family:
I have now the joy to tell you, that we are well and healthy and with good weather came to Hull on Sunday evening the 26th. We stayed on board till the morning. At 12 o'clock we fetched our clothes from the steamship and in on the railway wagons and everything was ready and so we set off and came to Liverpool about 7 o'clock in the afternoon. I have not been seasick only from Skien to Kristiania and not much then either. We are now in a hotel here and will not leave before Saturday for what reason we do not know whether the ship has not come here or it waits for more emigrants. We come to travel with Guion Lines biggest and best ship. Aslak sent with me 4.00 to the Norwegian Cooperative which I should take care of for him. I and Olaf were at the home of Johansen once but then it happened he wasn't home and we didn't have time later, but we shall arrange everything for the best when we meet Hans so he had better not start worrying before then.
I have enjoyed the trip so far so I can not sufficiently thank God for all the good he always pours over me with.
Yes, when one is out in the world's tumult among all kinds of people, then first feels one it is good to have a loving friend and Father who one can go to with all his lack and sorrows.
Inger and Else have been fairly well and happy. Here is such tumult and so full of people that it is hard to write here.
Olaf wrote a letter to Tarjer so he will delay writing till he gets over.
Be now most lovingly greeted from us all.
The Lord be with you all, this wishes you
Anders
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Anders to Brother Aslak 12/18/1881
Willmar 18-12-81
Dear Brother
Summer and Autumn have already passed since I traveled at home and "on Woods and Fields the snow fell and cold it was out there". I think it is like that now at home. All the Summer and Autumn work is done and the sun gets lower and lower all the time, the long evenings come as before with the hearth and firelight, with reading and studying. Evening school and other amusements and fun. I am in America, as you well know, and am therefore in something entirely unfamiliar. Here it is not long till Christmas, but no snow, short evenings, warm weather so I can go out without gloves. Here are many fine small lakes in the settlement and it has been cold enough to form ice on them so I managed to try to skate a little which I must say is the only fun I have had since I left. Here in the settlement I have little young company and I have missed it, and long for it. I have gone here working and struggling, as all do here in the summer, and not had a single comrade to meet with in leisure time as I was so accustomed to at home, the only girls I see are when I gather with others in the Church and sing the old homelike hymns and hear the sermon and I have never gone from there without having felt the true happiness of hearing the Glad Tidings foretold and explained. Here they don't have many Summer excursions, the only thing they have is to take a horse or two and drive in on some flat woods; there is also good fresh air as you say; I have never been with one of these parties, but I have been many times alone in these woods and eaten my fill of gooseberries, plums, and wild grapes which are plentiful here but this can't be reckoned as much compared to the Brokefjell trip at home. Here there are many kind and Godfearing folk but here I am also quite an unfamiliar outsider and there are home-like Pastors I am already well acquainted with two of them.
In Summer, just after I came here, when Brother Olaf and I traveled around and looked for work on the way we me Pastor Paulsen who came driving in a buggy, (a sort of lightweight four-wheel wagon) and was going to the Church to set up a Gravestone on a grave of a child who had died, he asked us to turn back and set up the stone with him, yes we did and when we had done it, he drove us right over the prairie to four farmers and offered us to them as workmen and stayed with us so we were received as the best guests. Now I am at the home of a man from Vinje Parish, Olaf Aslaksen, whom I wrote about in the letter to Father, and I shall go to English School for 3 months. It is the most hospitable family I have ever been with. He has two boys and a girl at home, the one boy is to be teacher at the school I shall attend. Every evening he gathers as around him and holds service and prayers and every Sunday morning we are gathered for Hymn singing, reading the glad tidings, and prayer, so he has a great organ which the boy and the girl can play on so we play and sing two-part and three part songs.
Yes Aslak now you have certainly begun School again and strive with your lessons, but don't be too eager, watch that you do not overwork at your reading, which can put too much strain on your chest. It is strange to be so far from home, from much that is dear, from beloved memories there at home, how many good wishes are certainly not offered all this, how good was it not, as Olaf said to you the evening before he left, how good was it not to think that we were all gathered together in the Lord. Yes, you probably don't realize how much good one has in over-abundance for the dear, unforgettable home, when one is so far away from it. I must go back to my new home for here have I got a feeling I have never felt before and for another thing there is something I so deeply wish was present there at home, namely that the life together was a life of love, a life in God, yes then was life down here a wandering to the glad banquet which is waiting. Yes, when I can just express it as I feel it, that life down here is a yes and amen and a hope for the joy of meeting again after this life.
These are not new thoughts for me, no I have borne these thoughts for a long time, but it is the unbreakable band of love which binds a family together which gives me strength to hope and wish this. It is this I have felt a little of in this family and grant God it some day will be so there at home also, it was so good to think about yesterday evening when I came from school, I went into town to inquire about a letter. Yes there was finally a comforting letter for me and it was finally at home. You can imagine how glad I was, I couldn't refrain myself, I must open it there in the post office and found there letters from Tone and Aslak, but it was already getting dark and I had to hurry home, so I didn't have time to read it. On the way home, as was natural to think about you all there at home, and so I remembered that there was only a few days till Christmas, which there wasn't any kind of sign of, either in the weather or in work and I wasn't free from wishing to be home with you and the child-years I lived there. With these thoughts I came home and sat down to read with the greatest desire. It is wonderful how a heart softens when one meets the same heartfelt thoughts and feelings from another as one's self bears and I found them in these dear letters. While I sat and read one of the boys here began to play four part "Sinner" and "Always Blessed", yes, then I couldn't do other than remember the happy Sundays from last Spring when I worked with "Straight Forward" and you let these beautiful harmonies stream down over me from the bedroom so I often had wonderful feelings which were blended from the wish for peace and longing on truth and the seriousness of life there at home. This wish and this longing it was I want to seek for, but oh dear, here is wishing, here is longing, wherever one wanders in the world; but it is comforting that these disappointments create seriousness and the longing for a better life. I have not talked with Hans as we haven't had a chance as it has been too expensive to travel to each other (but we have exchanged letters) so I can't answer your questions. With reference to the bodily, I can't complain, as one can almost say that here there are opportunities for all kinds of progress. As far as the rest is concerned you can see in the letter, though the work is heavy. Be now all of you most lovingly greeted and so are you most sincerely greeted from your always devoted
Brother Anders.
(Marginal notes on all eight pages).
I began this letter fourteen days ago, as you can see.
I have not had any letter from Father yet.
I think I shall soon answer Tone's letter, also. Greet all acquaintances.
I wish you all a Happy New Year. "Merry Christmas" probably comes too late.
It makes me feel bad that you have been bothered by my neglect. But I shall remember it.
The address for Hans is Olaf's old one, Augsb. Seminary, Minne. Minn.
I cannot remember getting any money from Olaf Midtsund. You can ask him.
Greet Anne and Olaf Saltevje from me and other relatives.
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Tone to Tarjer 2/24/1883
Midtsund
My Dear Sister
Yes now it is soon four months since I received a letter from you, I am the same old careless one you remember me, certainly. Your letters did me such good, they both warn cheer and comfort, yes I thank you very much for your good letters, think if only I also can make you glad with such letters, but I can't, you must have thanks you who have it I don't have it alas. We are well God be praised and thanked therefore but here in the Parish many are sick I don't know how many are dying here of pneumonia it rages much here, it is thought it comes of the wet Summer and the strong wind. It is true as you say Tarjer that one doesn't think so much of the blessing of being a big family until one is parted from the others, then first one feels the right love for each other, yes it is different to think back, it happened not so seldom that we squabbled when we were all at home together but first when we get away from each other it is all forgotten. I tease all those who do good towards me yes I have many times sat alone and sung the song "Now we must say Farewell" for at that time it is just as if I feel you, but I hope that a glance and a smile shall meet with real eyes.
Teacher Anvik has begun an evening school now which I and little Anne go to, it is every Wednesday and Saturday evening it should be from 6 o'clock to 8 o'clock but he is so enthusiastic that sometimes we don't come home before 10 o'clock yes it is a clever teacher with all this we have learned much about here. I am very glad because we shall move to Haukom in the Spring, because I am so tired of all this moving back and forth which we have done now for these three years. Yes Haukom is the dearest place I ever come to know if I can be there all my time I shall not beg after America that I have always said, but in case God lets me live a long life I know that I will not stay there, therefore I thought it would be easier for me over there, but there I probably think wrong as I see from your letter so I think it so bad to leave Father and Mother when they are old. I must always read American letters for Mother but I have still never read a letter for her without her crying and it makes me feel so bad that I can't hold back the tears either. As we don't have any servants this year except maybe a boy they are able to do some brewing whenever they need to have because now Anne is a grown-up girl, you shall see. Anne Saltevje was brought to bed with a big girl eight days ago, she is well and resembles the others at Saltevje. Greet Inger kindly from me but you are most lovingly greeted from me. God be with you is the wish of your sister Tone.
(Marginal notes on all four pages):
Many thousands thanks for the fine Violin strings I received from you, I am so glad to have them.
Now I am weaving on the sewing cloth which we spun for when you were home. How do you like your towel; we like perhaps grey it would be very fine.
Others are probably waiting for a letter as I think but I don't think it will be long before I write.
Greet the other relatives from all of us together.
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Olaf to Tarjer 8/1/1883
Dalton, Minn, the 1st Aug 1883
Dear Sister
You were surprised, I expect, when I did not come to the annual meeting. I hope you have heard the reason, which was that I undertook so much of a school that I couldn't take off time for it; for I must see about getting myself finished with 3 months school before the harvest. You probably had a good time at annual meeting I expect. I had a greeting from you through Pastor Iverson, thank you. There was apparently considerable dissension at this meeting, but I think there is a good ground to be pleased with the outcome. I was not so little annoyed that I couldn't be present, in the days when the meeting took place, especially when I heard how Prof. Gunnarsen had distorted and misinterpreted the students' writings to the annual meeting of the Conference. But it went as it should, when it came back over himself, poor Gunnarsen! He must certainly have been misled by somebody, for I had not expected anything like that of him.
I have had a well intended school. In the first month I had over 30 school children and since I have had over 40. But they are fairly uneven, so there are some so kind and clever that I have scarcely had their match, others are very undisciplined and some very lazy. That is also about what I can say about the people here. I preach also now and then on Sundays, but usually it is hard for me, that I am still in doubt if it is the best I can do for God's Kingdom's cause to be a pastor. I would much rather be satisfied with a less esteemed position in the Church, when in such I could do more good. Pray for me dear sister, that I may come to see more clearly in this matter!
It pleases me much to hear that you are in good health and condition and that it is easier for you now. As far as my health is concerned, this summer has been unusually good.
It pleases me much to hear that you are in good health and condition and that it is easier for you now. As far as my health is concerned this summer has been unusually good.
I probably won't come back to the school before the 1st October, as I can have a school right up to that time and perhaps longer if I wish.
Greet acquaintances from me.
Be most heartily greeted from your always devoted
Brother Olaf
Add. Dalton, Otter Tail Co., Minn.
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Olaf to Tarjer
Manvel, Grand Forks Co. Dakota
The 26th Aug 1884
Dear Sister:
It is now so long since we parted, that it is time for me think about my promise to send you a few lines.
That I have happily reached my destination, and that I since have had my usual good health, which I in general can be glad about, you have known from my greetings through Swenson, just as I have received your greetings through his "post cards".
You are probably wondering, I expect, how I am getting along here. I must say, there is plenty here which makes it unpleasant, but I still have not reached the point of wishing to be somewhere else. Spiritual Death seems to reign over all here, so that I don't know whether I have met more than two people who have confessed a need for the Savior; there may be a few more who sign after him in secret, without my eye or any other human eye having noticed it, but the Lord grant that they are many, and that they may receive grace to shine like the city set on a hill. You can also realize, that I, in a way, feel very lonely, but not so much that I am miserable; because at the same time I feel that the Lord has set me in this place, to do what I can to draw poor sinners to the Wisdom of Jesus; patience and a humble mind are what I must daily pray for, to perform this task, and God be praised, I am strengthened by the hope that, with his assistance I can do a little.
Last week I went with Pastor Lundeby on a mission trip north of Devil's Lake about 100 miles west of here. It is two years since Norwegians began to settle in that area, and now one can travel for days over the prairie and see small black huts everywhere, most inhabited by our countrymen. The huts are either built of turf, or of boards covered outside with tarpaper. The poor settlers certainly lack much, both in spiritual and material respects of which people in the older settlements have rich resources to draw from, but which they forget to thank God for, as long as they have it. But it is encouraging to experience how satisfied the new settlers are when they have obtained a piece of land, and how happy they are when a servant of the word creeps into their huts with a message of peace.
As far as I remember, you once borrowed from me Pontoppidan's "Truth of Godliness", "the great Explanation", as it is also called; will you be so kind as to sent it to me, and the melody book for Homeland's Songs, which you certainly have also. You can probably get Swenson to pack them and send them if you just pay the postage, which I will repay later.
I think it is too bad that I shall retain so much of your money for such a long time, but I can't get my pay until near Christmas. I will then try to repay you some of it. Greet Swenson and the children from me, as well as Gunnar and Inga, and others who would enjoy hearing from me.
Herewith be lovingly greeted from your always devoted brother.
O. S. Houkom
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A. Houkom to Svenung O. Houkom 12/5/1885
(Translator's Note: There is no heading to this letter. I am working from a machine copy, not the original, and there are copies of the back and front of the envelope. The front is postmarked at Porsgrund with the date 6XII85, and the back at Skien with the same date. I suspect that the writer is Svennung's youngest (?) Brother, Aslak, and concerns sale of some of the timber from the hills around Houkom. I am not sure of the significance of the numbers he quotes. Each pair of numbers is divided by a symbol like a long thin V hanging below the line. Sometimes there is a sort of hook on the side of this symbol. I cannot reproduce it with a typewriter.)
Dear Brother,
Enclosed is sent a Business Contract and Kr.190. I took the Liberty of borrowing the remainder until Wednesday, as I just must have some in the afternoon and can not have the money, I expect, before Tuesday. I send less than 200 Kr., because the commission was cheaper. Yesterday I went out to Koch. He will by no means buy, before he has seen the Timber. He will quote 6v6 and 8v6 as the lowest Price, so it should remain until Hans Gundersen comes up in 8 or 14 days. His son has previously bought from you he said and been all the way up to Heivandet and seen the timber, he said, and what he then got was such ordinary quality he will not buy unless I have it for 6v12 and 8v12. I went away very dissatisfied and regretted that I had taken the business on myself. As soon as I came home I went to Rasmussen, who I think is a rarely fine and friendly man and after some polite chat I got him to offer 6v12 and 8v12. I demanded 7 and 9. He assured me that he would not buy more, but as most of it is only fir and passable lot it was this finally. I then got on to 6v9 on undersized. As soon as we were finished and I had barely got the contract and order in my pocket said the son Rasmus, who wrote the contract; there come two who also want to sell timber. Who was it? Hans Herbjørbsrud and - I forget the name - Now I won't buy any more, even if you sell it at half price, said the old man, and went right out from me. I went out happy over for once having undeniably come at the right time. Today I have been in Skien and raised the money and done a cattle transaction. I would rather have received a little on our old account, but I suppose, that you are just as embarrassed as I and I shall therefore send the remainder Wednesday, if nothing goes wrong with my money. But so must you definitely promise me, and that I won't let go of, that we get everything settled up in the Spring, when you have the amount.
All well, sincerely
A. Houkom
5/12 85
(In a letter from Svennung to his son Aslak, in August 1886, he writes "Brother Aslak's business arrangements give me grey hairs on my head. My credit is, because of this, completely ruined, and so it is not easy for a debt burdened man to clear himself." )
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Olaf to Thora 2/1/1886
Manvel, Dak. The 1st Feb. '86
Dear Sister!
Herewith I send you a draft for 60 Dolls. And 38 cents in stamps. Of this $60.38 I must ask you to pay our 3 Dolls. to some papers namely; 1 Doll to "Lutheraneren" and 1 Doll to "Folkebladet" for me, also 1 Doll to "Lutheraneren" for Mrs. Martin Sand, Warren P.O. Marshal Co. Minn. The remainder $57.38 is for you as payment for my old debt; how should I not have wished that I could have repaid the whole, but it is quite uncertain whether I can pay more within one year. That which I have borrowed from you is altogether "128. As I have figured it. I think I will pay you the same interest, as you could get from "Farmers and Mechanics Savings Bank" for the time I have borrowed the money, namely 6 per cent and add the interest to the capital every half year. So I get the whole interest in Dec. '85 to be $29.38 - also the capital $128. and interest $29.38, together is $157.38. You will herewith understand, that there now remains exactly 100 Dolls. I shall still pay you the same interest, which you could get, if you put your money in "Farmers and Mechanics Savings Bank", which I believe is at present 5 per cent, if you will be satisfied with such low interest. It would be best if you would let Swenson put your money in the bank, if you have no use for it for a while. You can also get him to take care of this draft for you.
You have probably heard about the terrible happenings here in the settlement! Yes - think! That man in whose house I have lived for more than a year now sits behind lock and bars awaiting his doom because he has taken a person's life. In a quarrel on the road to town, almost arrived at the neighbor's house, he pulled a pistol out of his pocket and shot his opponent, called Little Halvor, dead immediately. It was December 21st.
About a week after I heard that a man who lived about 3 miles from here, had on Sunday between Christmas and New Year, at "High Mass time", committed suicide with the help of a rifle, which he fired against his forehead. His wife is left with 7 small children in poor circumstances, although people have done not so little for her.
God grant that I never have such a Christmas again!
Since New Year I have had a fairly bad cold for a long time, but I am somewhat better now.
Greet Anders, Swenson, and the children and be yourself greeted most lovingly.
A Blessed New Year in the Lord is wished all of you,
Your devoted brother
Olaf S. Houkom
P.S. For better understanding I am putting in a special piece of paper about how the 3 Dolls. are to be used. O.S.H.
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(The envelope is addressed to Miss Thora Houkom, c/o Mr. L. Swenson, Augsburg Sem., Minneapolis, Minn.)
Aslak Svennungsen Houkom to Parents 6/23/1886
Liverpool 23rd June 1886
Dear Parents and Sister!
We are now God be praised in good safety arrived in Liverpool. We have had fine weather the whole time except from Skien to Kristiania; then we had not so little storm, from which we all were more or less seasick. As you know we were in Kristiania till Friday so we got well organized. Friday afternoon at 5 o'clock we left Kristiania, arrived at Kristiansand Saturday morning just as we woke up in our bunks. So we left Kr.sand Saturday morning, spent the night in the middle of the North Sea; Sunday afternoon at 5 o'clock we could see England. At 7:30 o'clock we were in Hull Harbor. We stayed on board overnight. Monday morning was spent arranging railway tickets. 1.30 o'clock Monday we drove on the train from Hull and came here to Liverpool at 8.00 o'clock the same day. It was a fairly enjoyable trip partly above ground and partly underground. Here it is very beautiful in England. The fields are cultivated like the most fruitful Gardens with grand cities among them. We cannot complain about the food because we get enough, but the coffee is bad, so most of us make our own coffee. We have now had lodgings at an emigrant hotel and will be here till tomorrow Thursday 24th. We have it pretty good here. Olaf's foot is now somewhat better but he has still not tried to put a shoe on it; he has used cloths soaked in Goulard's extract on it. Anne is better now than when she left. Little Sveinung has hard spasms of Whooping Cough; but is lively and happy in between. Ragna was ver sick coming over the North Sea, she ate nothing the whole trip: Anne and Thone were not very well, as they had no appetite, we others were quite well.
Tomorrow Thursday 24th June we leave here on the steamship Adriatic; it is supposed to be a very good ship.
On this trip we have made we have nothing to complain about except the coffee and the disorder which was allowed on board across the North Sea, when namely, boys and girls could unchallenged lie with each other in their bunks. We will be finished with this disorder across the Atlantic Ocean. We (especially Hans) have trouble getting along with Olaf Saltevje. He demands much help.
I must finish as it is impossible to sit here any longer because of all the tumult. It is impossible to concentrate here when some falter with their hands and come and sit on the table where I write others play on accordions others dance and jump so here is a tumult so one is nearly deafened; therefore there is no coherence in this letter. ---
You must then be most lovingly greeted from us all.
Your devoted Aslak
Greet friends and relatives from me.
Greet Kristofer that the ring is not gold, even if 14K is written in it. It is almost yellow of copper rust.
The same
Translator's Note: According to a letter from Olaf in 1880 Hans was living in America. From this letter it seems as if he returned to Norway to bring more of the family to the States, including sisters Thone (Tone) and Anne. This is the oldest sister, and the Olaf in this letter is her husband, and possibly also cousin, Olaf Saltevje. (Their Mother was Marie Saltevje). It seems amazing that the authorities would allow a small child to travel on crowded ships while suffering from whooping cough. Times were different then! The word I have translated as Goulard's extract is Blyvatn, or Lead Water. When my mother sprained her ankle on our visit to Norway in 1948 the waitress at the hotel brought Blyvatn (we didn't know what it was) and cloths, and it helped mother greatly.
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Aslak to Parents 7/3/1886
Stm Shp Adriatic 3 July 1886
Dear Parents and Sister!
Now we are God be praised come so near New York that we have taken the Pilot on board and will, so we are told, be in harbor this evening or tonight. We have had perfectly fine weather across the Atlantic. We have had very little storm. A great many have been sick but none of us neither Olaf, Mikkel, Hans or I have been sick. Anne has been seasick sometimes Tone also a little. Ragna has been well now. It has gone very slowly, I think; it is partly because we have had headwinds the whole time, partly because we are on a slow boat. A little while ago we passed the sunken steamship "Oregon"; it actually lies in such shallows the mast tops stick up. It was a sorrowful sight.
You can believe it has been a tiring trip. We are now delighted with the result of the journeys we have made. In England we saw our suitcases and chests again, and we hope therefore that we have them with us. Anne is now quit of her cough. The rest of us are well except for Sveinung who has Whooping Cough as you know. I am now lying in my bunk to write. My small suitcase serves as a desk. Here there is no good opportunity to write. We shall be in New York till Monday, so we are told. Hans and Ragna and I will travel to Audubon while Tone will stay in Minneapolis. Hans and I will also be in Minneapolis a couple of days before we go on to Audubon. Olaf and Mikkel with their families bid me to greet you; also to greet all in Flaabygd that all has gone well.
Here it is so horribly hot down in my cabin that the sweat drips off my nose; I must therefore finish with a loving greeting to you from us all.
Greet friends and relatives
Your Aslak Houkom
When I reach somewhere peaceful I shall write a more detailed letter.
The same.
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Aslak to Parents 7/10/1886
Lie the 10th July 1886
Dear Parents and Sister!
I hope you have received the lines I wrote, while we were in England. So you know, how the journey was to there. 24th June, St. Hans Day, we were to go on board the steamsh. "Adriatic". We were therefore awakened early that morning 5 or 6 o'clock we ate, then we had to go to the railway station so that each should take his things out of a huge heap of suitcases and mattresses and bedding there. It was a serious business: all crept and crawled in the heap after his own like ants in an anthill, suitcases tumbled down from the top and burst open so Lefse and Butterboxes rolled out the dock; then they were loaded on a large wagon all together and driven on the dock. There again was a pulling and tugging after mattresses and suitcases. Then, overloaded as we were, we were herded together like sheep on board a boat which would take us on board "Adriatic". All this running between stations and docks had taken a long time, so it was late in the afternoon before we got organized on board. We were therefore horribly hungry before we got any food; we got a small price of meat with a few potatoes; this was naturally not enough so we were dissatisfied and demanded more; we got also a few biscuits with much scolding. The first two days we got far too little food; but when we threatened to complain to the doctor we got enough, of a sort. As you can imagine there was much annoyance and uproar among so many nations. There were not many Norwegians, perhaps about 40 but there were many Swedes. There were also many other nations; Russians, Finns, Poles, Germans, yes even Prussians; It is said there were about 500 Irish. Most of them are intolerable and impudent folk. They are much like the Gypsy tribes in Norway. Altogether there were over 1,000 people on board the Adriatic. We had beautiful weather but a headwind. There were some who were seasick; but in our group none of the men were sick; the women were also, most of the time, well. Anne was quit of her cough on the sea, which we were very happy about. Whooping Cough still bothered Sveinung; though he didn't seem any worse now than in the beginning.
Saturday afternoon the 3rd July we came to New York; we stayed on board that night also; which I shall not soon forget. Then we really felt we had come to Hot America. We lay and sweated in our bunks so we almost couldn't sleep. Sunday morning we were up at 3 o'clock and immediately we were in the mob with each other with mattresses, bedclothes and suitcases. When we finally got on land we had to go on board a steam ferry which took us to Castle Garden. What we went through there I cannot easily describe. We were chased from one room to another with all our stuff, from one ticket clerk to another continually and all were angry and tired. The people at Castle Garden (Agennts and Ticket Clerks) all seemed to have fun making it difficult for the immigrants. After all possible and impossible fatigues we finally got on the train the same day. That we got there that day we can thank a boy from Kristiania for. We became acquainted with him on the trip. I and Hans had bunks alongside him. Now when the suitcases were weighed at Castle Garden we all had overweight. But what could we do? None of us had enough money. Olaf bought so much in Kristiania that he had only a few Kroner left of his reserve. When one travels one must be careful not to have overweight as that is shamelessly expensive. Hans and I therefore borrowed from the Kristiania boy, although he didn't have much more. Olaf also borrowed a little from him. Tone borrowed from a girl from Østerdalen. Olaf had to pay about 12 dollars, Mikkel almost 3, Hans and Ragna about 10, Thone 42 and I almost 3 dollars in overweight. Olaf and Mikkel had bought tickets to Rutchfurt Wic., Thone to Mineapolis, I, Hans and Ragna had taken tickets here to Audubon; so we had company to Cikago; there we parted from Olaf, Mikkel and Thone.
(Translator's Note: The place name spellings in the last few lines are as Aslak wrote them; not typing errors.)
Aslak to Parents 7/10/1886
This was unplanned for us as we thought, we could be together to Mineapolis. In Cicago we met several who had travelled with the Allen Line and also landed in Quebec; They had had it fairly good. Nothing was weighed, so they missed having to pay for overweight. They had enjoyed themselves better on the sea trip than we had. Wednesday morning the 7/7 we (I, Hans and Ragna) were in St. Paul; there we should have stayed till 8.30 o'clock that evening. We asked therefore that instead of staying in the emigrants' house in St. Paul we might visit Tarjer and Thone in Mineapolis, which we received permission to do; it was only a 45 minute drive on the train. We had to walk about two miles from the railroad station to Swendson's house, where Tarjer lives. When we reached Tarjer Thone had just come. It was a great joy to see each other again. Tarjer is well and looks good. She almost looks younger than Thone. She said she wouldn't have know me again. Thone was already in great spirits over her position. Actually she learned from Tarjer that she should go to Olaf to be his housekeeper. The fact is, Olaf wants a house of his own. Tarjer is therefore to go with Thone west to Olaf and get her started. Thone was very happy about this, and now it seems she was to receive three dresses from Tarjer, so you can be sure, that Thone was very happy. Thursday evening the 8th July would Tarjer and Thone travel west to Olaf; when Tarjer had been with Olaf a while she would return. She would arrange her route through Audubon to visit us here at Lie. Thursday morning I, Hans and Ragna came here to Lie, where we now are and have everything both good and comfortable. You can be sure it is well worth coming to folk and being able to rest after such a long journey together with so many beasts.
Tomorrow, Sunday, I and Hans shall go to a farmer to get work with him. He was here today to talk with us; but nothing was settled. We shall try to make an agreement with him.
In Mineapolis we visited Gunnar Torvildsen; he has serious trouble with his foot, which he has broken out of joint and not got it back in again. He stays in bed most of the time. Gunhild his daughter is dead. She died in childbirth on Rogation Day. She was after a fashion married to a widower. She had twins, one of which survives her.
Olaf and Mikkel bade me to greet you; actually I wrote a letter on board in New York harbor which Hans got; but in all the tumult we forgot to deliver it. Hans and Ragna bid me to greet you most affectionately. Ragna thanks you so much father for the spinning wheel. Greet friends and relatives. Yourselves are most lovingly greeted from your
A. S. Houkom
(Upside down) Write soon from Home; my address is Audubon P.O. Becker Co. Minn.
Translator's Note: I have tried to copy Aslak's spelling of names very carefully, and must point out that he uses both Tone and Thone for his sister, and Cikago as well as Cicago, plus other variants.
I have no proof, but I wonder whether the Ragna mentioned here was Hans' wife. Later letters refer to his wife, without name, and mention that she took a trip home to Telemark. These hints, and the fact that Hans' father gave her a spinning wheel, as well as her travelling all the way with Hans and Aslak, suggest that they were perhaps engaged back in Norway. Perhaps some family member can supply more certain information about this.
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Aslak to Parents 8/3/1886
Translator’s Note: The contents of this letter make it obvious that Aslak has made a mistake when he wrote July. It has to be August. The events he mentions follow those he wrote about on July 10 in the last letter; therefore I am listing it as August.
Audubon, Becker Co. 3rd Aug 1886
Dear Parents!
Since I now have an opportunity to write you a few more lines, I will not let it go unused. I wrote in my previous letter which I now hope you have received, that I and Hans should try to get work with a man here in the neighborhood; but we didn’t, because he only needed one. So I was the one he hired. I should be with him for two months for 24 Dol. Pr. Mn. But I was there only 2 weeks; as I got an ache in my hand (left) which made me stop. All the previous week I had no appetite and have been here at Li the whole time where I have lacked nothing; but had everything just as at home. Although lying idle is wasting money, I am glad however that it happened this way, as it was a very strict man I was with. He had a farm in Red River in Norman Co. and I should have been there for the harvest, but I missed that as the storm destroyed all his acres (about 3,000 Dolls loss for him), but he can easily stand it as he is very rich. Now my hand is almost better and then I shall go to a man from Trondheim to work and there be neighbor to Hans, who is also with a man from Trondheim 4 or 5 English miles from Li. I have had a letter from Olaf Saltevje. They will be with his brother Hans till the spring. He writes that there is little work. I have long since written to Brother Anders, but still had no answer; perhaps he has moved. We haven’t heard anything from Olaf and Thone either. It is bad to be so spread around and not hear from each other. You probably wish to know how I have liked it, the time that I have been here, and so I must say, it hasn’t been too strange. The time, I have been here at Li has been all right; but the two weeks, I was with the aforementioned man, were very long; for all the work is so very different here from that in dear old Norway. Everyone has his own ways here. I had never realized how great the difference is. I am longing to hear how you are now, dear parents, if you really have the desire to come after us to America and if you have in that direction taken any steps since we left. I scarcely thing that you will thrive here in America, you who are so old and accustomed to Norwegian conduct; but there is perhaps no other expedient, and so we will all certainly work so that you have everything you are used to as nearly as possible. But if you are reluctant to forsake the Fatherland (Houkom you are certainly forced to leave) and you have a chance in sight to stay there so just write your thoughts and I shall do what I can to help it through; I certainly thing the others of us will go along with that. On the journey over I thought often that it would have been troublesome for you, especially for you Mother, who are so often plagued with rheumatism in your legs. It is not so easy to speak either for or against in such a case. But I do say, that it is more spacious to live here than in Norway, even though it is a time of scanty fare at present. But truly it depends on a farmer being careful, here also; for there is much outlay for machines and tools; a man can not make his tools himself as he can in Norway; almost everything must be bought. As I said, just write and say how you would prefer to have everything arranged; for I think it is very bad to drag you away from all your accustomed ways, if it is within my power to help with anything. I think, however, that I will be able to live a life free from worry if you come, (that is, as far as caring for necessities is concerned); for we will all give you the help we can. Then write immediately, if you have not already written about this. Greet relatives and friends from me! But you are the most lovingly greeted from your devoted son
Aslak.
(Marginal note:) I must bid you. Anne, to be so good as to write to me immediately first and foremost about home and also about other things in the town all, all is of interest now for me.
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Svennung to his Children 8/13/1886
Hvideseid the 13th Aug 1886
Dear Children:
Thank you for the letters Aslak! It gladdens us in truth much to hear that you all after such a long and troublesome journey however finally happily and well are arrived at your destinations in the greatly praised America. May you all now find what you sought, namely: a good future home so the journey’s goal will be well fulfilled, and the old with all their troubles and worries will soon be forgotten. I have the joy to be able to tell you that we are al healthy and live well, even though it is somewhat busy now in the Hay making season. I have only little Guttorm Kaasen as helper, he is still somewhat lame, but we have managed fairly well as I have leased a 3 or 4 teig piece of mowing so we are now nearly finished with the cutting, and have already begun the timber cutting. We have had especially good hay weather, rain now and then, but rarely has it lasted more than a day, also, we have had wind and sunshine. The hay crop will be small because of drought since spring, and the distressing spring pasturing, but the hay is exceptionally good. The corn (Translator’s note: The word ‘corn’ in Europe refers to wheat, oats, barley, or rye, whichever grows best in the various regions. It does not refer to American corn, or corn-on-the-cob, which over there is usually called maize.) and potato fields stand especially beautiful, so that if the weather is still lucky for the in-gathering we can reckon on a good corn and potato year. You have probably learned that the great canal work between Ulefoss and Strangen was unanimously passed in the Storting. We can well hope that this will have its great influence on the livelihood and property prices here in Upper Telemark, which is desperately needed, and everyone thinks it has affected Halvor Napor, for he has now persuaded himself to add 500 Kr. to his previous offer. Recently I have also had another businessman, namely; Olaf G. Graver, he was on a trip home and will soon come back and have with him either his father or Aavold Ormtvedt to whose daughter he is married. I shall then see how bold he is, but I don’t believe I will now sell under 12,000 Kr. for I believe surely that property prices will now climb. My inheritance right to Saltevje I now believe also will begin to have value; perhaps not so insignificant yet. If I could only struggle on for a couple of years with my debt obligations it would doubtlessly be a great advantage for me, but Brother Aslak’s business arrangements give me grey hairs on my head. My credit is, because of this, completely ruined, and so it is not easy for a debt burdened man to clear himself.
A terrifying accident has recently struck our market town Skien. Last week Saturday the 7th wildfire broke out and laid the whole town from the Railroad Station and up to the Bank of Norway in ashes. Even the Church and the Latin School have gone with it. Only a section on Bratsbergkleven and Klosterhaugene still stand, as well as the old Bank of Norway. Also Kragerr Town has had a great fire, whereby about half the town is destroyed. These disasters as well as the canal need a great work force, so here certainly must be a great work movement in Telemark. And it is certain that such great town rebuilding will have an influence on freight prices up here, which are highly needed. As time doesn’t permit me to write more I must end herewith this time, with a loving greeting from us to you all, and I remain always yours as before.
Obliged S. O. Houkom
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Anders to Aslak 8/24/1886
Manvel, Grand Forks
Dak. 24 Aug. 1886
Dear Brother!
Welcome to America!
I understand you are not happy, you tall student, office worker, and violinist from old mother Norway, where you sat up in the moss-grown Yggdrasil behind Haukom house and played from Fykeruens long tunes on the Hardanger fiddle so old Sveinong must rear up and listen. Life up your head you active boy! It was good you came. If you don’t like the people over here, yes you must have been in Seljord so much that Ullmann has managed to set on you a pair of wings with which you can raise yourself up over the plains here and in poetic intoxication consider the beauties, the cultivations, the promise in the Norwegian folk life. Now brother, you have dreamed enough. We live in dreams in Norway. The melodies of waterfalls, the fiddler’s tones, Ullmann’s stories and Poet’s songs lull us into its blessed dream kingdom. The longing for the white mountains comes over us no matter what meets us, yes if reality is so dark so sick so prosaic so pretentious and shouts only work, work and again work. Here it is necessary to lift your head in hope or to be broken.
Therefore: fresh courage!
It is true what you write about father and mother. Something must be done for them. I thought we would be quit with all this business now, at least I have had the steadfast hope the last 2 years. But if we are to do anything for them, we must guard ourselves against old-woman fuss and old-woman behavior; and I would like to say more but -------
Just the same for again and again to have bent at both ends in everything we would do for them and for each other.
I met Thora and Thone at the station with Olaf’s team and buggy, since we have been together here.
A day’s pay here is 1.50 Dollar during threshing. I will not advise you to come here out west as here it is even more melancholy concerning both people and the place. I heard you had three fiddles with you. I should like to get hold of a Hardanger fiddle. It is in the middle of stacking and very busy - so the letter - as you see - is written in great haste. Hearty greetings from
Your B. Anders.
(Marginal Notes:) Your letter was addressed to Hillsboro Walesh Co. I was in Manvel. Hillsboro is not in Wal. Co. but in Traill Co. therefore it took such a long time before I received it.
Write again soon, and then you shall have a few words immediately.
Translator’s note: Yggdrasil was a great ash tree in ancient Norse mythology, with its roots binding heaven, earth, and the underworld together. On some Norwegian farms, a big ancient tree would be called Yggdrasil, and would be a landmark, a meeting place for sweethearts, a climb to sanctuary for children; and apparently there was such a tree on the hill behind Houkom.
The Hardanger Fiddle, sometimes called the Harding fiddle, differs from a violin in that it has eight strings instead of four. Four of the strings go over the top of the bridge, as in a typical violin, but the other four go through tiny holes in the bottom of the bridge, and provide a drone accompaniment to the melody something like the drone in Scottish bagpipe music. Hardanger fiddles are usually very beautifully crafted with inlaid mother-of-pearl and different colored woods. If any reader would like a sample of Hardanger fiddle music, send me a blank cassette tape and I will record some from my record collection. D.R.
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Aslak to Parents 9/5/1886
Audubon, Becker Co., 5th Septbr. 1886
Dear Parents:
Many thanks for the letter which I received yesterday Saturday. I and Hans have still been around here Audubon in harvest and stacking. We have now for several evening each our time met at the Railroad Station to guide Tarjer to Lie. Actually she is still in Dakota with Olaf and Thone and she had then written that she would in the end of last month come here to Audubon on her return; but she has still not come. Naturally Thone will hold on to her as long as she can. Now yesterday evening Hans went and he brought back both a Hvideseid letter and a Bratsberg-Fillemore letter, namely from Olaf Saltevje. He - namely Olaf Saltevje - has not yet had any earnings. It is certainly a very bad place Fillemore Co. - Anne has now newly given birth to a healthy and well-formed girl. She had an easy birth, he says, and is well - Yes it was a great joy for me to hear from home now. Especially it was happiness to hear that you are well at home; for the question of whether you at home are well has often run in my thoughts. You have certainly been busy in the mowing; but it is so good that one with good health can get through with it. Here in America it is very hard to work in the summer because of the hot and heavy air. In the summer it has been very hot so it is not rare to hear that folk die or become ill from the heat. Yes, here in America the mowing work is done in the different method than home. Each land must operate according to its conditions. The great America must naturally operate in a great way; although I for my part often feel a longing for the small Norwegian methods and ways; but "all things are forgotten with time" -
I notice now that I am beginning to feel happier here; but the thought of your painful indebted condition often makes me restless and anxious. It was therefore good to hear that the times, for Telemark’s concerns now, although only a little, have changed for the better; — it was good that there was no farm sale in the spring. It would perhaps have gone well for you if Aslak Haugen’s affairs had not been involved. Yes I have often walked alone and been angry and worried over Aslak Haugen’s concerns. It seems to me as though he has worked to make you feel safer until he had tangled you in his web of debt to leave you in it so that he himself could wriggle out and be free of the whole thing. I wish I knew whether he doesn’t have a good sum of money to travel with; or where and how he got the money for the tickets for himself and Signe. For my part I certainly have the thought that he wasn’t so short of cash yet. He didn’t always keep his word in his transactions, and in that case one also has reasons to suspect what I have written. Yes, it is reasonable that it would be advantageous for you if you could wait to sell; but Aslak’s affairs probably make that impossible; so I’m not surprised Father that this is giving you grey hair. Have you heard from Aslak? What if he thinks of compensating you for the loss you suffer for him? I have recently had letters from Anders and Thone: they live in the vicinity of each other in Dak. I hope you have had a letter from Thone. I hope you have received the letter I wrote you a while since when I had the swollen hand; I was unlucky with my first workplace but then I was lucky there by reason of the swollen hand. Now threshing has begun and here there is plenty of work available for 1 Doll and 25 cents and perhaps a bit more; but for that will neither I or Hans go into threshing and we will probably go to work on the railroad at Hawley in Clay Co. There one can get work until New Year for 2 Doll pre day and not heavy work; one has to work from 7 o’clock till 12 and then from 1 o’clock till 6 o’clock so we have exactly 10 hours daily while one in threshing works both early and late; but so on the railroad one has to keep himself in food and get it for 4 Dol per week but it is not so bad as there is rarely here any opportunity to earn more than one’s food in winter. I therefore plan to take what earnings I can for the winter and then if I have any time left over, I intend to spend it at English school; for it is very bad not to know English.
If one knows English one is ready to accept whatever is available. Here there can be various jobs that are well paid and which preferably Scandinavians get, as they generally have a reputation of being reliable. However, I believe that Agriculturalists live the healthiest life and it should therefore not be out of the way to speculate preferably on taking land in Washington or Oregon where the climate is supposed to be very healthy and nature similar to Norwegian. A prairie farm seems to be barren and sad although it in many ways is preferable. Yes I should certainly like it if we could gather with you, parents, away in Washington and build a new Sundbygd where we could live free from worries about sustenance. It would certainly be somewhat strenuous at first but I certainly think it would succeed once we got used to the conditions. It would certainly be a long and troublesome journey for you who are old; ut one of us could come home to help you on the journey, which I foresee as necessary. You can not depend on strangers, as they, after all, probably think they have enough to do for themselves. — Yes as I said I’m thinking of going to English School however I don’t intend to pay for any other schooling; but work myself to an independent position with the education I already have, so that in return for your solicitude I can be of help to you. Yes, if one is lucky, that is to say, not unlucky, here in Amr. one can certainly make progress, I already seem to understand; but it truly depends on working, so I understand now that it involves doing a great deal more in one day than what I considered a full day’s work at home.
Yes, we must now each one strive to his own corner as well as he can for the present, with the hope of a happy reunion.
I have still not sold any of the fiddles. They stood the journey well; but I have had little time to use them. Around here people don’t know much about music and of Norwegian country music they know nothing. If I want to enjoy my fiddle I prefer to be alone.
As far as growth and crops are concerned it looks like a good year. Wheat prices are also still climbing.
It will be fine if you write immediately. Until later you can still use the same address. Greet friends and relatives from me. Be yourselves most lovingly greeted from us.
Your devoted As. S. Haukom
Translator’s note: This is the second letter in which Aslak has addressed his parents as "so old"! His father, Svennung, was born on April 3, 1829, so at the time of this letter he was 57 years old; but it is likely that his responsibilities and financial worries had made him seem much older. Aslak himself was 22. D.R.
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Svennung to Aslak 10/12/1886
Hvideseid the 12th Octbr. 1886
Dear Son:
Your letter of 5th last month as also your earlier one, namely of 3rd July have I well received, and it truly gladdens us greatly to hear that you are all well and live well in your new home, and the same glad tidings I can also convey to you from the home. We are God be thanked still in uncomplainable good health, and live as usual well even if it is very busy, and many times appears very difficult to overcome our many debt obligations. But when the need is greatest help is nearest, says the Proverb, and often in my life I have experienced the truth of that. And so I hope still to find a source for the necessary expenses, even though such as so often before in my life seem to be completely closed to the natural ways of thinking. Yes we must not lose courage, but steadily hope for the best, so there will certainly be a solution, even if at present it seems unlikely.
Thursday nest week we were finished with potato digging, which turned out well. We got over 50 barrels of fresh and especially good potatoes which is a great amount from the seed. The corn also came safely into the barn, as we have had such perfectly good weather the whole autumn, that I can not remember such even, mild harvest weather, and not too dry either as we have now and then had rain, but briefly, so the water level for a long time has been too low for the steamships in Sundkilen. For an example: I can tell you that for the temperature during the day the barometer shoed 10 degrees of heat and so it has been for the whole autumn from the middle of September showing between 10, 12 and up to 14 or 15 degrees of heat, but about the middle of last month we had a few cold nights so that the potato leaves froze almost all over, and snowsqualls showed until the snow lay thick on the mountains in the east, but here it appeared only as hail showers. I can not tell you that once again I have my brave servant boy Tarjei Klevstul, he came here 14 days ago and will be here at first till Christmas. He is certainly expensive for me, I pay him 4 Kr. Per week, but all the same I am very happy to have him as I had great need for one, and he is a very kind and capable boy. Now he is also well and looks just as good as he did before. Guttorm was a wild fellow who was not the one to have, which he made more obvious the better he was known. On Sunday night I was at Heien fishing, but it was apparently too early in the autumn, nothing would bite, but today I shall go again to try once more. It is so wonderfully free and enjoyable to be in Heien, even in Autumn, when the weather is as beautiful as now, I for my part think I seem to get another life when I wander there in Heien. One is seemingly lifted up over the daily struggle which continually occupies the thoughts and subdues the mind, and so for a while to be escaped from the everyday makes one feel so light and free, and therewith returned to the days of youth, so tha
