April 25 to June 6 1905, Entries from Christian Frautschi's Diary for 1905
University of Wisconsin-Madison. Max Kade Institute. Frautschi
Letters (MKI/Frautschi3)
Electronic version: http://frautschi-letters.mki.wisc.edu/let/diary1905.html
Diary of Christian Frautschi, entries from April 25 to
1905
Trip to Europe
Tuesday, April 25 Somewhat gloomy day.
Today we started out on our European trip. Left Madison at 6:10 am, reached
Chicago at 10:00 am, visited Adolph, and left Chicago at 2:30 pm.
Visits from Emil and Ida.
Ten years ago today our dear Christian Edmund was buried. Rev. H. E. Erffmeyer held the funeral. He preached on the words, "Let little children come unto me". Math. 10:19.
Wednesday, April 26 Beautiful day.
Arrived at Buffalo at 9 am, and visited Niagara Falls, and left
Buffalo at 5:30 pm.
43 years since leaving Monsieur [Marini-Cloud] at Oron, Canton de Veau. Stayed 24 weeks, from Nov. 10, 1861, until April 26, 1862.
42 years since learning joiner [Delasert], at Lausanne, Canton de Veau. Stayed 5 weeks, from March 15, 1863, until April 26, 1863.
41 years since starting with Monsieur Savoure, rue de la Clef, Paris, 1864. Before that, 31 days out of work. Left June 1, 1866.
Thursday, April 27 Morning, rain; afternoon, clearing
beautifully.
We reached N.Y. at 8:00 am. Saw Brooklyn Bridge and visited Coney Island.
44 years since beginning of the health treatment in ???. Ended May 8.
[at top of page]
Steamship Philadelphia, May [?]
Dear children: Forgive my writing with pencil, I left my fountain pen at home.
They are no good. (underlined in English)
Friday, April 28 Beautiful weather.
We received several letters addressed to the steamer Philadelphia,
and enjoyed them very much.
Today we visited Broadway, Central Park, Grant Tomb, Department
Store and other places.
Saturday
Concerning N.Y., I still want to note down that we were very
well served. We paid 6 dollars for two rooms for two nights. We
secured good, abundant meals for 20c to 35c.
Saturday at 8 o'clock we could take up our quarter in our ship.
Our trunk was brought to our rooms. At 9:30 our ship was cast
loose and set sail.
A strong, cold wind and rain forced us during a great part
of the day to [ ] in the ships parlor in upholstered chairs.
A deck chair which I rented for [mamma] for 1 dollar couldn't
be used today.
At 12:30 o'clock we had a good lunch; at 6 o'clock, supper; next
morning at 8 o'clock, breakfast. The meals are abundant and well
baked or cooked, just as I like it, though to be sure my better
half would rather [ ] it burnt. Our views on this we harmonized
so well, though [on this matter] we ??? had to live with one another.
Saturday, April 29 Gloomy [ ] weather with rain
and fog.
A thick fog surrounded us, so that the ship had to be brought
to a stop for 4 hours. We reconciled ourselves to this extent,
[that we could so tolerably go out with one another]. The dinning
hall has upholstered seats. The service is very fine.
Sunday, April 30, was gray and rainy, although in the afternoon
the air was warm and refreshing. In the morning we had church
service in the saloon. In the absence of a clergyman, the captain
himself led the service according to the rites of the English
High Church and then followed in a succession of readings scripture
prayers, profusion of the Christian creed, and hymns, among others
"Rock of healing opened for me". It made me very sorry
that mamma suffered a great deal today from sea-sickness.
A [ ] number of young sailors took active part in the church
service.
Sunday, April 30 Gray and rainy, in the evening a few
rays of sunlight.
Attended church service on board the steamer Philadelphia.
This month was for the most part unfriendly.
Monday, May 1 Unsettled day with storm and rain.
Tuesday, May 2 Unsettled, stormy day, with rain and occasional sunshine. Most part of the passengers suffer from sea-sickness.
Wednesday, May 3 Beautiful day.
Today we saw some ships in the far distance.
Thursday, May 7 Beautiful day.
Saw more ships.
41 years since leaving Monsieur Marquis, rue de la [Peprinere], Paris. Stayed 3 months and 22 days, from January 14, 1864 until May 4.
Friday, May 5 Beautiful day.
Saw still more ships.
In the evening we had a ship's concert.
40 years since release from hospital at Vincennes arrived again at Monsieur Savoure's. Absent since February 16.
Saturday, May 6 Beautiful day.
This afternoon we saw land. Bishop's Island with fortifications.
Saw a great quantity of fishing boats and others, steamboats and
sailing vessel, countless white birds, "ducks".
Reached Plymouth about 5 PM. A considerable number of passengers
left us. Next morning at 6 am still more left us at Cherburg,
France.
Friday 5/26 Beautiful day.
We reached Brother Gottlieb's house in Bissen about 2 o'clock.
Saturday 5/27 Fine day with occasional rain.
We came to Turbach by the [?] about 2 o'clock. Today we visited our old original house (homestead).
Sunday 5/28 Very lovely day.
Attended church service in Gstaad. Then we paid a visit to Herr von Siebenthal and then at the home of Cousin Johannes Kubli on the upper Bort [?] we had a good noon meal and a pleasant time. In the evening we returned to Turbach.
Monday 5/29 Beautiful day.
Wrote to the dear children on King St. and to Emil, Adolph, Herr Seifert and Myss [?].
Tuesday 5/30 Very lovely day.
We visited our cousin J. Benedickt and Siebenthal in Scheindbach and his sister Maria. Visited also Bendicht von Siebenthal [?] them to Bachegg. There we found ourselves in front of the house which our father build in the year 1856. Six cherry trees and one apple tree which my brothers planted in our youth perhaps 45 years ago. We also found furniture and windows made by me, and also a fence which I made about 45 years ago. Everything is well preserved.
Wednesday 5/31 Lovely day.
Today we visited Herr Zumstein [?] in Turbach and Chr. von Siebenthal [?] then Frau Lisie Welten in Bachegg. Then we went to Bissen to the home of Brother J. Gottlieb and remained there overnight.
The weather this month was with some exceptions unfriendly, and cold.
Thursday 6/1 Altering sunshine and rain
Ascension of Christi (?)
We went with Brother Gottlieb's family in die Worsetz [?], then up the Berotzkenberg, where we had a good lunch and with beautiful Gesängen and Jodeln were most pleasantly entertained. In the evening we returned to Turbachthal.
Thursday 6/2 Beautiful day
Today we visited nephew Johannes in his Vorsatz [?], then bh.
von Siebenthal.
Received a letter from Bertha and one from Ida.
Friday 6/3 Beautiful day, rain in the evening
Today we paid a visit to nephew Bendicht Frautschi in Scheidhaus, then we came to Brother Gottlieb in Bissen.
Sunday 6/4 Beautiful day with rain
We attended the church service and sermon by Pastor Bäschlin in our old mother church in the village of Saanen. Then we visited Herrn von Grünigen, son of our cousin Maria von Grünigen-Frautschi (deceased). In the morning we attended the Bruderdorfe (fellowship meeting?) at the home of Johannes von Grünigen on the Bissenstalden (Bissen slope?). It was a day rich in blessings.
Monday 6/5 Beautiful day
Today we visited J. Jakob Frautschi (89 years old) and our cousin Mariann Kohli-Frautschi in Windszillen and our cousins Kath Zwahlen-Frautschi and Marianne Renntaler-Zwehlen in Morsfang.
Tuesday 6/6 Rainy day
Today we went to Saanen village and made some purchases and visited Karl Tanniger. In the evening (we visited) Johannes von Grünigen on the Bissen slope [?].
Wednesday 6/7 Cloudy day
We visited Herr Frautschi-Siebenthal in Bissen.
Thursday 6/8 Cloudy day with rain
Today we visited Isaak Frautschi in Trom.
Johannes Benedickt von Siebenthal in Scheidbach, cousin, and his
sister Maria, and Bendicht von Siebenthal, Petthea's [?] sort
of the schoolteacher in Turbach.
Friday 6/9 Sunshine and rain
Today we went to Bachegg. There I located the fence which I had built about 45 years ago.
Saturday 6/10 Pleasant day, with rain
Today I went to see a doctor in Saanen and obtained a double hernia supporter. Then I went with my wife to Brother Gottlieb's house in Bissen and stayed there overnight.
Sunday 6/11 Rain
Attended the service and sermon by Pastor Bäschlin and received Holy Communion. Then we went again to Turbach.
Monday 6/12 Overcast day with rain and some sunshine
Our sister-in-law Katherine had a family picture taken by (school) teacher Mordsung, also must there be one of Brother Jacob, Zilla, my wife, and myself to be seen [?]. Visit of Pastor von Siebenthal and his mother.
Tuesday 6/13 Sunshine and rain
Today we took a mountain tour, namely to upper Zwirtzeregg. Then we visited Herr Emanuel Renteler in his Vorsatz [?] and were fronted to a sweet Niddle [?] "Rahm" (cream).
Wednesday 6/14 Sunshine and rain
Ernst returned to Bern today. We accompanied him to Barwengen, then we climbed the high mountain Barwengen "Birna" and returned through meadows [?] to Turbach.
Thursday 6/15 Sunshine with rain & thunder
We visited Johannes Kubli, over Bort [?], then Emanuel Renteler in the gruben (mine?). Then we went 4 hours by foot over the mountain to Ablëndschen [?]. stayed there overnight at the home of Chr. Pascheng, made the acquaintance of Pastor Gasser, and the next morning in company with C. Pascheng returned to the village of Saanen and visited Herr Rud Wehren and toward evening came back to Turbach, and visited Herr Annen, originally from Freiburg.
Friday 6/15 Beautiful day, in the evening light sprinkle (rain)
Return from overnight trip (see 6/14).
Saturday 6/16 In the morning sunshine, later light rain
We visited the Frautschi nephews in the Vorsatz (Alps?). Brother Gottlieb in Berghi and Berotzkenberg end giffer ??? (hut).
Sunday 6/18 Rain and some sunshine
Today we went to Brother Gottlieb's in Bissen. In the evening returned to Turbach, and here we took leave of Brother Gottlieb and his wife. Visit from Bendicht von Siebenthal.
Monday 6/19 Sunshine with rain
Today we visited Chr. von Siebenthal and were served [?] sweet Niddle. Then we went up on the Hornberg, and climbed the Hornflug, where we had a lordly view to Zweisemmetal, ???, grund, ???, and so forth. Visits from nephews Benedickt and Emanuel, two von Siebenthal sisters, Fraulein Renteler and Elise Frautschi.
Tuesday 6/20 Beautiful day, fresh (cool?) rain in the morning
This morning we left our old, unforgettable ??? "Saanen"
and [?], never to see them again. Brother Gottlieb and all of
our other relatives and friends have extended to us much love
and friendly hospitality during 3 weeks and 4 days, May 26 -June
20. May the Lord be willing to reward them.
Herr Annen served us as carriage mean. Nephew Johannes Frautschi
and his sister Louisa accompanied us to Gstaad. About 9:45 am
we took the train and arrived at Montreux about 12:50 PM.
We found Joh. Von Siebenthal and his family in Chillou and were
received in a very friendly manner and entertained and housed.
Wednesday 6/21 Beautiful day
We took leave of Johannes von Siebenthal; visited Ville???, [?], left Montreux about 3 PM, passed through Venery and Lousanne and reached Paris the next morning at 7 am ------ Tedious day.
Thursday 6/22 Beautiful day
We wandered during _ of the day through the streets of Paris and saw much worldly magnificence.
Friday 6/23 Beautiful day
At 1:00 PM we left Paris and reached Le Haure at 6 PM. At 12 midnight we left Le Haure on the steamship.
Saturday 6/24 Beautiful day
At 6 o'clock this morning we reached Southampton.
At 12 o'clock noon we sailed on the steamship toward New York.
The city of New York in the New World.
33 years since departure of my brother Johannes Peter and his
family to Minnesota.