An Emigrant’s Journey – First Hand Account

Reproduced here with permission, from the diary of Olga Charlotte Olsen Ojerholm.

Olga was born 7 January 1875 in Saltvik, Idenor Parish, Sweden. She came to America and to Texas in 1904. Here she married John Melcher OJERHOLM, a publisher of the Swedes In Texas book. Olga passed away in Austin, Texas on 29 September, 1963.

Mama's Diary 1904

Trip to America translated by Julia Ojerholm, May 1978

Trip To America September 13, 1904

I left home at 8 o'clock in the morning with Elizabeth and Mama. We also said goodbye to Malin Larson on the way. Near the bridge were Papa, Red, Odelins, Mr. and Mrs. Vennerlund, Maria Johnson, Anna Jonson, Kristen Vestlund and Anna, Mother Markuson, Hulda Johnson and Lotten Person, Butcher Larson. Mama, Elizabeth, Maria Johnson and Mrs. Vennerlund followed along to Haga bridge. Carl Hdnrikson also came. Oh, how painful it felt to say goodbye to my dear Mama, Papa and Elizabeth. May God help them to trust and be with them. How ardently I wish that I could be with them the rest of the days of their life, but we have to part. Dear God, gather us all home to You one day. My dear, Mama, shall I see her anymore on earth?

It is with sadness that I leave that naturally beautiful Sunne. Here I enjoyed much of the beautiful nature while I was at home. I wonder if I shall swing on "Fryken"* anytime again! Everything you see was so beautiful here. Oh, how glorious!

I am soon in "Fryksta". Foreman Olson is also with the boat on the trip to Karlstad. We came to Fryksta at 11:50. We traveled from there at 12 o'clock - came to "Kil" at 12:30. The train left there at 12:45. The next station was Skare, Salvation Army Captain Boltsius's home. There was also a missionary Ericson. Boltsius looked very concerned, a stout little man. I am glad I could see him. We came to Karlstad at 1:45. Foreman Olson invited me for coffee and cake at a fine confectionary. Then we went back to the station and boarded the train. We left there at 3:15. I am now on the way to Laxa; arrived in Laxa at 4:45. Hildur Liljegren met me there and gave me a little flower. I left there at 5:10; I came to Skofde at 6:45. Pastor Hugo met me at the station and invited me to his home. I was graciously received by his wife, a very dear women. Mother Aberg was there and was waiting for me. She was so happy when she saw me. She looked lively and well.

At night the young people's working group were invited here. Many were gathered. The chairman read some from God's word, then sang some songs and Pastor Hugo read an interesting story; then invited us to coffee, then closed with prayer and a song. It was a pleasant afternoon for me, a rest after the day's journey. In the morning Fru Hugo and I were with the woman Aberg and helped her get ready for the trip. I have since seen the town in company with Pastor and Mrs. Hugo. Skofde is a very pleasant and progressive town. It is beginning to enlarge now. Population is about 7,000. I was in the Mission's church; it was large and pleasant. I was over at the Baptist church, a very pleasant and practical church which has accomodation for 500. In the afternoon we were invited to Rylander's for coffee. The train leaves for Goteborg at 7 P.M. When we left Pastor Hugo's home he had a prayer and asked God's blessing and care over us. Then they followed us to the station where already many friends had assembled to say farewell to Mother Aberg. Even though my visit there was short, I felt sad over leaving them. Pastor and Mrs. Hugo befriended me so kindly. It shall be fondly remembered in my mind.

The train left Skofde at 6:50. At 7:30 we came to Falkoping Ranten. The whole station was festively decorated in green and flag because the king was expected at 8 o'clock. At 9:45 we came to Goteborg. Olga Soderlund and a Fru Romberg were at the train to meet us. I was so glad to see her. She ad reserved us a place where she had been assigned. It wasn't particularly pleasant, but we couldn't change so late at night. Slept very well. In the morning at 9 o'clock we went to the office to get our tickets. Since then we have been out in the town and bought something. We'll soon go to the office to buy Mother Aberg's ticket.

September 16 - We got Mother Aberg's ticket yesterday but had to pay 80 kronor because the price had risen. We were afraid to go to the eye doctor to have her eyes examined to have evidence that she didn't have any contagious eye disease. In the morning at 9 we had to be at the office to get our contract. We had to go from there to the police station and there we received our tickets. From there we went to our lodging and carried our bags to the office. We paid them 50 ore to get it freighted and carried on the boat. Then I followed Mother Aberg to Dr. Pihl. He examined her eyes and found them healthy. We had to pay 3 kronor for the certificate. The woman was anxious that she would be sent back but now became very glad. We went in to the office and showed the certificate. From there we went down to the dock and there came after while a terrible crowd on board the steamship Ariosto.

There was a terrible mass of people on board, both White Star lines passengers and Cunard lines. It was difficult to press through the mass and have one's things down in one's bunk. We got our place to sleep two flights down. It looks dark and gloomy but we are glad anyway to have a place to rest. The boat left the land at exactly one o'clock in the afternoon. The whole cabin was packed with people who were saying goodbye. I was glad that I didn't need to say farewell to some dear relative or friend here. The weather is the prettiest one could wish. The sea is quiet as a mirror. We still see a streak of land of the dear Sweden, but soon it was gone. I am thankful for all pleasures I had at home - that is so good. I feel thankful to God that He has helped us so well on the trip thus far. He will help us from here on. Just now Wilson's line Angare Rollo passed by. It came from Hull on the way to Goteborg. The clock is now 4:30. We are passing the Danish coast. It looks like a cold mountain chain. We have just cooked and drunk coffee. It tasted very good. The weather is quiet and pretty. A sun-set on the sea! Oh, how fascinatingly beautiful! It is now 7 o'clock, and it is beginning to get dark. Am glad our first day at sea came out so well.

September 17 - We went down at 9 o'clock last night; slept quite well during the night, although it was warm and humid. We got up at 6 o'clock this morning. We dressed as quickly as possible and then went up on deck. Here it was fresh and cool. We have just eaten our breakfast out of our lunch basket - buttered bread and herring. It is now afternoon. It is storming and the boat rolls. A lot of people are seasick, both here on deck and below. The Woman has managed herself very well so far. We hope she will escape being very ill.

September 18 - We went down very early last night. When we came down it felt almost impossible to endure. The air was terribly stuffy, but we must find ourselves in the circumstances. We slept very well

and woke at 5 o'clock when the boat slowed near Hull; got up and

dressed as fast as possible in order to get out in the fresh air. How happy we were to see land again! How thankful to God for His care!

About 12 o'clock we came into the dock. At one o'clock we had dinner with meat, soup, and potatoes. We ate one potato each and a hard sandwich. Then we went back to the boat. We rested awhile, after which Olga, I, and another girl went out in the town again, left the old woman on the boat in company with other people. It looks dark and unpleasant on the streets nearest to the harbor. We bought a little soda water, grapes and pears. We went back to the boat. I should wish that I could go home and visit my dear little mother in the afternoon. How pleasant that would be! It is now 4 o'clock. We have just had a little prayer service on the boat. An Englishman preached in Swedish. It was beautiful to listen to God's word awhile. There is even going to be a meeting tonight at 6:30 here on the dock.

September 20 - It is now 7 o'clock, and we are sitting in Cunard lines' dining room and waiting for breakfast. We ate on Sunday night on the dock. Hull was very pretty. The preacher was a very serious man. We went down to our cabin about 10 o'clock. We slept very well at night and got up at 4 o'clock the next morning to be ready in good time. We got off the boat at 5 o'clock and sat and stood on the dock until 6 o'clock when they came with an omnibus to take us to the station. There was a terrible crowd when all were going to get up in the bus. We had to stand and wait 1½ hours before we were lucky to get on. We came to the station where we had to show our tickets in order to get train tickets over England. Then there was a rush to the train. We were 8 in our group. We traveled from Hull at 9:30 and came to Liverpool at 1:45. We traveled through several large cities, including Manchester. The air looked heavy and smoky over England even on the land. When we came to the station in Liverpool the omnibus was standing there waiting. We got up in it without much trouble or crowding. We were driven to Cunard lines' hotel. Here it is very pleasant but we didn't get a room here and were taken to another place. We found a very near room there. We were 9 people and 2 children in the room. Yesterday we were out in the town awhile. We bought a glass of milk and a bit of cake which tasted so good. We had a good dinner at the hotel, of soup, meat, and potatoes.

September 21 - We are now near Ireland's coast. Yesterday we had a terribly hard and troublesome day. But everything passes and we felt heartily thankful to God for His help and goodness toward us. At 9:30 yesterday morning we were all gathered in the yard of the hotel to get our tickets - again a time of crowding. When we had gotten our tickets we had to go out in the street and wait for the omnibus that was going to take us to the dock. We stood there a whole hour before we could get a bus. Finally we got one and came to the dock. There were a lot of people ahead of us. When we all had gotten on, the water began to move and we became pushed and crowded from every side. It was very had to move through the mass of people with all our baggage. We had to go on a little boat first that took us to the big boat. At 11:15 we left the dock.

When were were getting off the boat to the big boat there was crowding and trouble again. After a lot of trouble we got on board the Carpotia. There we were stowed in the dining-room. We had to sit and wait to get us places. It was impossible to describe. We had to take what we got. We had to go far to the stern of the boat through long, small walks. This was a big misreckoning for me because I had hoped for a little cabin for 4 people. I hope, though, to find a cabin later because it is impossible for Mother Aberg to go so far away. Next we have to go up on deck to show our tickets and go by the doctor. In the crowd I first got separated from the old woman and afterwards from Olga, and it was a time of fright and anxiety, but at last we were re-united and we were very happy. Then we ate lunch. We tried again to talk with the steward who was in charge. At last we were fortunate to get a cabin in the middle part of the ship. We felt so happy and thankful so we were ready to forget all the hardships, trouble, and pain we had suffered during the day. It had been a very troublesome day.

It was about 5 o'clock when we got the cabin and then we immediately took Mother Aberg down and she could lie down and rest. She managed very well under all the trouble. Last night we had glorious weather, moonlight and quiet. Oh, how wonderful it felt to enjoy such beautiful weather! How thankful we felt that the Lord helped us so well. But there are many who pray to God for us that our trip will be successful. We went down at 9 o'clock last night. It was so wonderful to go down to our little cabin. We slept very well during the night and got up at 6 in the morning. We got up and dressed. Then we went u p on deck and took a walk. Then we went down to wait for breakfast. We were not able to eat any of the food they had so we ate later from our lunch box. In the afternoon we came to Ireland. How pleasant to see land again! About 500 Irish came on board. There should be about 2600 passengers on board. It is very crowded at mealtime. We have had a lot of pretty weather all day today though there are some already seasick.

We were going to cook coffee in the afternoon but we couldn't get it cooked, only cooked the water but it tasted very good anyway. We have been up all afternoon. Tonight there was a beautiful moon and we enjoyed walking on deck. We were in the dining-room a while tonight. They played the piano and sang there. Now it is 10:30 and we are ready to crawl down and sleep. We are happy that this day is over.

September 23- I didn't get anything written in my diary yesterday. We had beautiful weather all day yesterday. Mother Aberg was very weak so we had to ask the doctor to come down. He said it was a cold and gave her medicine. That was good for her cough so it is much better today. She feels weak and tired. I hope she is able to endure until we arrive. Today it is beautiful weather.

September 24 - Last night we sat in the ladies room and sang some songs. A missionary preacher Hagbloom from Lake City, Minn. Sat with us. After while one of the crew came in and told him to leave because the room was only for ladies. Earlier in the day many men had sat there and played cards without being sent out. But Hagbloom left without protest. We later went down and went to the cabin. Today the sea is rolling a great deal. It is cloudy and gray. We are sitting now in the dining-room. Mother Aberg has crawled up today but she feels very weak. Wish we were on land.

Yesterday a 15-year old girl died on board. She didn't have any kin. She died of pneumonia. I don't know whether they sank her in the sea in the night or what they did. It was very sad when we heard it.

September 26 - Monday morning - Our second Sunday on the trip is now in the past. We thought it was going to be very long but it went extremely fast. The whole morning we sat in the dining-room. A Swedish young man played the piano and many sang songs in English, Swedish and Norwegian. Then we had a very good dinner of soup, turkey, potatoes and beans - plum pudding and ice-cream for dessert. In the afternoon at 3 o'clock Hagbloom was going to have a little meeting in Swedish in the dining-room but then some from the second class came down and held a meeting in English here out on the middle-deck. So the Swedish meeting wasn't held. Later in the afternoon we cooked coffee and it tasted so good. We went to bed at 9 o'clock. There had been a strong swelling of the sea in the night so the boat has tossed a great deal. Today it is somewhat quieter but it swings quite a bit.

September 29 - On Tuesday we must all show our vaccination scars. All who were without had to be vaccinated. We sat in the dining-room about 2 hours and waited for the doctor. There was a large crowd of women and children. Lots of confusion and noise. Finally our time came to pass by the doctor. Mother Aberg was vaccinated because she didn't have a scar, even Olga Soderlund. The weather has been very pretty since Tuesday - quiet and warm. On Tuesday we saw two small fishing vessels. That was so much fun to see. At night we saw the lights of a steamer. Last night we had a concert in the dining-room, but we were not there. We were up on deck a couple of hours instead. It was such heavenly weather - starlight and quiet. Nearly everyone was below so it was quiet and still. Had a very uplifting talk with Hagbloom. Then went down to rest.

Early this morning the White Star steamship passed by us. It left Liverpool one day later than our boat. We began now to near land. Saw a little glimpse of land this morning. How glad and thankful we feel that our trip was so successful. Out of the depth of our hearts we send thanks to God for His care.

September 30 - We came into the dock at 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon.; We didn't get to go on land until this morning. We got up at 4 o'clock. We ate breakfast about 6 o'clock. Then we had to go on land to pay duty on our trunks. It was 11 o'clock before all found their trunks. Then we went on board a ferry that would take us to Ellis Island. It was about 11:30 when we went on board. It was about a half hour's ride there, but we had to sit on the ferry until 1:15 before we could go on land. We were tired from waiting and hungry because we had not eaten anything since early in the morning. When we got there, we were taken to different rooms. We had to wait over an hour in one room. Then we found out we couldn't go through today in that we must go before higher consul in order to find out whether Mother Aberg could go or not. We must therefore stay here until morning.

That was a big misreckoning because I had thought we would get a good night's rest at the emigrant home tonight. Instead we had to spend the night here and that is not very welcomeAt 5:30 we had a little food here - a plate of baked beans, bread, and applesauce - a frugal meal, but it tasted good because we were so hungry. At 7 oclock we were shown up here - I think that there are 3 or 4 steps up. Here is a very large drawing-room with two stories of beds through the whole room - two in width and three in length. Here are women and children of all nations. But we have a few Swedes of our traveling companions near us so we don't feel completely alone. But it was a big misreckoning for us not to go ashore today. I hope that it will brighten tomorrow so we can again be glad. May God be with us and help us as He has done up to now. We are going to try now to lie down to rest. I feel tired and depressed tonight.

October 1 - It is 6:30 in the morning. We got up at 4 oclock. We sat up there until 5:30. At 6 o'clock we had breakfast consisting of a cup of coffee that we couldn't drink and a piece of bread. Now we sit here and wait for whatever will come. Hope we will be free today. At 12 o'clock we were shown to the Board. It was composed of 5 men. They were very friendly. We had to lay our hand on the Bible and promise to tell the truth. We were asked where we came from, where we were going, how much money we had. All went well, but then they wished to see my railroad pass so therefore we had to wait until they got message to the emigrant home. It was then 10 o'clock. At 11:30 Pastor Samuelson came from the emigrant home, but he had no letter. They had given the wrong name and he didn't know if there was one for me. But he promised to look into it. We felt misreckoned because we are tired of waiting. At 12 o'clock a Swedish Pastor Peterson came here. He also promised to do his best for us and to try to get back as fast as possible. We expected him right after 2. We longed greatly to be released from here. Here there is terrible noise - a whole lot of younger Jews, and I donâ' know who all who are here. A mass of children and all crying and making noise. How delightful it will be to be at peace.

October 2 - Pastor Peterson came back at 1:15 but did not bring along any letter to me. I became very sad but hope though, the best. I was called before the Board. I had to tell them my passport hadn't come, but I had money enough to buy my ticket. They considered what was to be done, whether I could go or stay until my passport was straightened out. There were a few minutes of terrible strain for me. I was so anxious that we could not get out. One of them recommended we could go and the others supported the recommendation. Oh, how lucky we felt that we were at last free from our prison! Pastor Peterson was with us and helped us. Then he took us to his room, the missionary office. There, the old lady sat down and rested while I went up to look for our trunks. I succeeded finding all three and got them transported to the emigrant home. About 4:30 we got on board a ferry to ride over to New York. Oh, how very h appy we felt finally to be free from all the crowd. We felt like freed prisoners. Mr. Peterson led us to the emigrant home. We went immediately down to the dining-room and got some coffee. It tasted good. Here there were many people so we couldn't get a room at the same time but had to wait until later. Mother Aberg got a bed so she went to rest early.

At 8:30 there was a prayer time in the sitting room. Both Pastor Samuelson and Pastor Peterson spoke. Peterson read and spoke about Psalm 46. It was so beautiful. Oh, what rest and trust it was to sit in quietness and peace and listen to God’s word after all the difficulties we went through. But I could with all my heart thank God that He has helped us so well through it all. Later we were assigned a room together with two other girls. When we came in, they were our traveling companions. We began to get ready for bed. We were so tired out.. I couldn’t go to sleep for a long time but slept afterwards very well. We woke in the morning and felt rested. After breakfast Olga and I went out awhile. Later we went in company with a girl and a man from here to the mission church, Betesda, on 50^th Street. It was a half hour ride on the street-car. Pastor Olson preached there. His text was on the rich young man who came to Jesus. It was a good sermon. Came home later and ate dinner. In the afternoon we wrote some post cards. Then Mr. Vesterburg from Brooklyn came here. Johnson had written to him and he came to see Mother Aberg. Then he took Olga and me out to see the city. First, we went to Brookly Bridge and saw tht. It is a mighty construction. Then we took the streetcar on Madison Avenue and rode as far as 125^th street. We got to see much of the big city New York. We rode for two hours. It was a great pleasure for us. When we came back he treated us to coffee. Then we sat down there awhile, wrote a few more postcards and then went to our room where we sat and wrote this. We shall now go to bed.

October 5 - We are now in Indianapolis on our trip to Austin. I haven't had time to make any notations since Sunday. On Monday afternoon Mrs. Bering came from Brooklyn to the emigrant home to greet Mother Aberg and take her home with her. They are old acquaintances. Then Olga and I took the streetcar up to 1216 Broadway to get my ticket. It cost $12.20, half fare to St. Louis. Olga's cost $44.20. At 1 o'clock we came back to the home.

October 22 - Now it has been two weeks since I wrote the above. I haven't had time to finish my account of my trip. I will try to write down what I remember. We left from New York October 4 at 10:20 in the morning. Two girls of our traveling party, who were at the home, followed us to the station. We took an elevated car there. Then I got our trunks transported, and we were ready to go on the train. We were glad to be again on the way to reach our goal.

End of Mama's Diary. Continuation from Aunt Olga's Diary.

From Aunt Olga's Diary

After we left the city there was a very beautiful landscape that rolled by us. On one side we had the Hudson River with high hills and mountains in the background and on the other side there was a variety of farms and meadows. We had real comfortable benches to sit on - stuffed seats for two and two. But it shakes more than the trains in Sweden. It is probably because they travel much faster.

We did not need to change until that night at 9:30 PM at a station called Buffalo. Here we had to wait only twenty minutes, and we were on our way again. We tried to get some rest but that did not go so well as we had to sit up. We traveled all night without having to change trains until we came to St. Louis. We got there at 6 A.M.

Here there was an awful lot of people because of the World's Fair. We inquired about leaving as soon as possible. We left St. Louis at 9 A.M. We had better seats now. We could let these down and we could lean back a little, but we did not get much sleep. We did not have to change trains again until 12 noon on Thursday at a placed called Texarkana. We were now in Texas. Here it began to feel warm and sultry. We had been traveling past large cornfields. Now we began to see the large cotton fields and all the Negroes. I think they look so mean.

We stayed on this train until 4 P.M.  At Longview we changed trains again but this time was the last time and we would stay on this one the rest of the way.

Olga felt so bad that last night I was so afraid that she would get real sick. We did not sleep any on Thursday night. Oh, how we wished the trip would be over! At 3 o'clock at night Broline met us at a station called Taylor, Texas. We were so glad when he came and now we did not have far to go. We were supposed to arrive in Austin at 4 A.M. but the train was delayed so it was 6 A.M. when we arrived.

Our joy cannot be described in words when we, on Friday, October 7, 1904 stepped off the train for the last time on this journey.

Pastor Karlsson was there to meet us at the station, and we turned our old woman over to him, who with tears in her eyes parted from us. But we promised that we would visit her soon, poor old woman.

Olga and Broline and I rode now in a horse drawn carriage (buggy) up to Maria's home. It was not far from the station. Only a ten minute trip and we were there. We stopped in front of a yellow house and who was that who came? Yes, just my cousin Maria, and I recognized her even though fifteen years had passed since we had seen each other. I was only a child 5 years old. Then came her husband and Olga, their daughter.

All welcomed us warmly. We went in right away and put down our luggage for the last time. Now we had reached our goal. Oh, that it was true that we're there!

I could not grasp it! 

Maria had food ready for us and the table was set, and it felt so good to sit down in peace and quiet.

We had a troublesome trip, but so much more delightful the rest.

So I have tried in a few lines given an account of our journey to America

Footnote: "Fryken" was a lake - translation should probably be "I wonder if I will ever rock in a boat on Fryken".

Astrid typed Mama's Diary