The Diary of Elise Tips Wuppermann
Through her First Years of Marriage
September 1850 - July 1860
Transcribed by Gerhard Vowinckel 1990
with The Letters of Otto Wuppermann from Texas to his Father in Barmen,
Germany 1848, 1850
and The Reminiscences of Clara Wupperman Tafel of her Girlhood Years
in Texas
Translated by Alice Wupperman Lundy 1991, 199
Published 1993 and Friend Press Orange, California
This Translation is in the Public Domain. It was made, with permission,
from the original transcription in German, Elise Wuppermann Texanische
Tagebuecher 1850 - 1860 which is marked "All Rights Reserved" (alle Rechte
vorbehalten) Hamburg 1990 by Gerhard Vowinckel
While the translator and editor have imposed late-twentieth-century
standards of English grammar and punctuation, along with a regular scheme
of indicating dates, they have left the spelling of proper names largely
as in the nineteenth-century German. The writers found no need in their
personal correspondence or diary-writing to maintain consistent spelling
or to avoid nicknames or shortened forms for people or places. Also, readers
not familiar with German should note that the affectionate ending -chen
on a name is more or less equivalent to English -y in Mikey, Johnny, Suzy.
In lieu of footnotes, translator's comments appear in square brackets.
ABBREVIATED GENEALOGY OF THE TIPS FAMILY IN TEXAS
Johann Conrad, born Jan. 12, 1797, Solingen. d. Jul. 3l, 1850, Live-Oak-Hill
Farm (near Seguin, Tex.) (of yellow fever). Wife Anna Caroline, born Nov.
23, 1800 the oldest daughter of Wm. Braun, merchant in Elberfeld. d. Jun.
27, 1885, Austin, Tex.
1. Julius b. Sept. 11, 1828 Elberfeld d. Sept. 7, l867 La Grange, Texas
2. Elise b. Jan. 26, 1830 Elberfeld d. June 25, 1918 Dsseldorf m. Live-Oak-Farm
Sept. 27, 1850 to Otto Wuppermann from Barmen, who had migrated to Texas
but returned to Germany l863. Children: Clara 1851, Herman 1852, Eugen
1859, Lilli 1861, Richard 1863, Laura 1865, Walter Otto 1874, Dsseldorf.
d Oct. 27, 1950 Austin.
3. Eduard b. May 23, 1832 Elberfeld d. June 20, 1872, Austin, Texas
m. Olga Basse, b. Jan. 31, 1841, d. Feb. 25, 1914
4. Hermine b. Nov. 15, 1833 Elberfeld d. Oct. 2, 1903 Darmstadt m. Johann
Staehely, b. Elberfeld 1825?, d. Darmstadt.
5. Clara b. May 31, 1835, Elberfeld. d. Live-Oak-Farm, Jul. 25, 1850.
6. Rdiger died early.
7. Gustav b. Nov. 27, 1839 Elberfeld d. Aug. 24, 1917 Houston, Tex.
m. Marie Bertalet.
8. Walter b. Jul. 23, 1841 Elberfeld d. Apr. 20, 1911 Austin, Tex. m.
Feb. 6, 1867, Mary Jane Pearce, b. Aug. 11, 1848 d. Jul. 26, 1921 in Pau,
France, buried Austin.
9. Helene b. Jun. 1844 Elberfeld d. Sep. 22, 1930, Cuero, Tex. m. Emil
Reiffert b. Elberfeld, d. Sep. 22, 1930, Cuero.
Willow Spring (Weidenquelle) two English miles from Seguin 13 English
miles from New Braunfels Rhodius Farm August 12, 1848
My Dear, Beloved Father!
On June 30 my last letter to you left New Orleans. Since then I wrote
from Galveston to Gleichmann and Ernst with the request that they give
you the message of my happy arrival on Texas soil. In these four weeks
I have made a long trip through the country, looked around here in the
area of the Guadalupe River, and finally a few days ago, with Krochmann
and Bechem, bought a 200-acre farm. It has timber, a house, cookhouse,
a barn and a garden, all for 1 thousand dollars. To that we will add 15
milk heifers with calves for ten dollars each, three riding horses for
30 dollars in 14 days at our property; pigs with young 5/6 dollar, chickens,
dogs, cats, furniture, kitchen utensils; a yoke of oxen $40, a supply of
food until the first crops, all for about 500 dollars. With these we hope
to establish for the time being, by work and effort, a reasonably worry-free
but admittedly very modest existence. There is a woman who came with us
from Europe, but whose husband stayed in New Orleans; we have hired her
for 5 dollars to manage our kitchen and dairy work. We came to know her
on the ship as very orderly, hard-working and tidy; we believe that she
is a good acquisition. Actually it would have been much more sensible if
one of us had married first and brought his wife along, but that cant be
helped now.
I would have written to you sooner if we hadnt been traveling about
so homelessly till now. Even today I would have hesitated (the former owner
is still living here), but we have our belongings in the barn, and I am
sitting out on the porch, so that I can tell you more details later, if
your birthday had not reminded me of it.
So, my dear Father, on this important day, I wish you Heavens richest
blessings in every respect, and that it may be the Lords will to leave
you among your children for a long while yet, and that you will see the
day when you receive the message that all is well with me, and that I am
happy and content and progressing. I have thought of you a lot today, and
imagined your grandchildren and children and friends coming to you and
congratulating you; and how they then also think of your son in Texas,
and hope to have news from him. In the afternoon you will sit in the garden,
and take a walk. I would so much like to be with you today and to hear
how you are getting along. Yesterday I read a New York newspaper from July
1, and was astonished to learn what all has happened in Europe , and am
so much more eager to receive news from you, and to know what effect the
political events have had on the businesses of Theodore and Gustav and
Peter and Fritz and Wilhelm. I hope and do not doubt that my funds are
on the way via letters of credit to the firm of Schmidt & Co. New Orleans,
to whom I received a letter of recommendation from Gleichmann. This is
even better than to Warnecke and Kirhoff, N.O. That is, I would prefer
if it were still possible a letter of credit from Gleichmann to Schmidt
& Co.
First, I am sending you a little summary from my diary, from which you
see that in spite of various indispositions and difficulties on the trip
here it has gone quite well with me so far and I have remained well. We
still protect ourselves while working during August and September, especially
during the middle of the day, but then we go to work vigorously. We do
not consider owning Negroes, though there are some in this land, but not
many. If we should definitely need workmen, we can find some Germans in
the New Braunfels area. In the meantime we prefer to do as much as possible
ourselves. That way one gets along best, and the unusually fertile soil,
the ease of raising cattle, swine, sheep etc., and also the few needs one
has here, makes it all easier.
Admittedly after only a few weeks in the country I naturally dont presume
to give a good judgment, much less to invite anyone to emigrate. The idea
to emigrate must come to each on his own; it is no small matter to forsake
house and home, native land, friends and relatives and accustomed lifestyle,
and to establish for oneself something wholly and totally new in every
respect. Considering the existing conditions in Europe and Germany, or
rather what happened in May or June, and perhaps what occurred since then,
I am glad to be here. After all that Ive heard and seen here, I do believe
that in the long run I will like it here. To be sure, anyone who is accustomed
to the luxuries and the lifestyle in our large German cities admittedly
will find here many differences and will lack a great deal. On the other
hand, here there are pleasures that one has no idea of in Germany. As I
said, as little as I am disposed to advise anyone to emigrate, yet it would
make me very happy if someone else in the family would decide to come here.
If this should be the case due to conditions there, or for some other reason,
he is welcome to join me if he wants to work hard.
Oh, how different many conditions are here! There, even a wealthy father
of a family looks with anxiety at his many children. Here they are a blessing
even to the poorest. Even the four-year old lad helps his father drive
the sheep into the pen in the evening. He rides the horses to water; here
even the smallest children ride. As the boy grows older he learns to handle
oxen, to plow, harrow, etc. Several times I have seen 10-year old boys
help their fathers accomplish important farming duties. The cattle here
are different from those in Germany; that is, much more tame with people.
Though larger and stronger, they allow themselves to be led by children
as by adults, and most of the children enjoy those chores. The parents
have the profit of having their children usefully employed near them. Since
only minimum effort is needed here to care for the soil and animals, the
parents always have enough time to spend educating their children. Incidentally,
I can ride from here to Seguin in 10 or 20 minutes, and there are schools
there.
So, dear Father, stay well. In my next letter I hope to be able to assure
you that I am making good progress in the many new things I have to learn
here. Give my greetings to all my acquaintances and also to the old gentleman
Mr. Teschenmacher. Though I had
promised, it will be impossible for me to write to him today, because
I have to get fresh hay for the draught-oxen (in winter the cows, calves,
sheep and horses run free). And I have to shell corn for the mill, so that
for another week we will have meal for bread when Mrs. Krger comes. Give
me the joy of a reply soon, and dont forget the political news.
Your devoted son Otto.
August l6
After closing the letter I received your news of July 8, for which I
thank you heartily. Accordingly I expect my funds soon, and if possible
by letter of credit on Schmidt and Co., N.O. per Gleichmann in Hamburg
(an associate of his firm, Consul Schmidt, lives in Hamburg). Thereby you
would be spared the costly shipment of cash money. Greetings to everyone
back there in Elberfeld. I cordially reciprocate their greetings. Tell
Auffermann that Stefflin died of yellow fever in New Orleans. If the three
scamps are too great a burden for his wife, he can send one or two of them
over here, including god-son Walther. I will look after them here without
it costing them anything.
I just read in a New York newspaper news from Paris of June 20. It was
so disturbing that I will be glad when my funds are actually received,
for I believe that it is much safer to invest money in this country than
in Germany. Texas is still very much behind in many respects, but it is
improving remarkably, from all that I have heard from various people whom
I consider very honorable. If only 100 thousand Germans with diligent hands
came, even without means, they could all live here and prosper; but the
emigrant must not let himself be misled and stay at the coast. He must
arrive here between September and February and immediately come at least
into the higher country 90 miles from the coast. I will write to Hohrath.
Osnabrck, March 5, l849 Mr. Reinhard F. Wuppermann Jr. Barmen
At the request of my brother Eduard Krochmann in Willow Spring at Seguin
in Texas, I take the liberty of sending you herewith a package with various
items, as listed below, with the respectful request that you forward it
to him. He indicates you will be sending other articles to Willow Spring
in the near future. Respectfully, H. Krochman
H.W. No. 2 a package contained in gray linen l hair brush 6 hunters
bags 6 dress shirts l money pouch l comb l piece of soap l length of linen
cloth
Herewith by ferry post H.W. No. 2. A package in gray linen containing
diverse items, according to the declaration.
Franco 21/2 To Reinhard F. Wuppermann Jr. 4 Barmen
April l, l850. Easter Monday evening. My beloved Father!
By the time you receive these lines I hope you will have received my
letter of March 1. I dont want to conclude the beautiful days of Easter
without chatting with you, even though only briefly for today. I spent
yesterday morning quietly at the farm, and at midday we had the two lively
boys of our new neighbors the Tipses (10 and 12 years old) here with us;
in the afternoon two more small siblings came, too. So we let the dear
children hunt the brightly painted eggs which we had made for them and
hidden in yard, barn and cowpen. We used a harmonica to give them a signal
when a child came close to an egg. I heartily enjoyed the excitement of
the children, and remembered how your grandchildren often, in these special
days every year, enjoy your colored eggs. In the evening Mr. Bechem and
I were at Tipses for several pleasant hours of visiting with these folk,
whom we like more and more.
This morning the new German preacher Jung in Seguin celebrated Holy
Communion, and Mr. Bechem and I took part . May the Lord bless it to me,
and let it be of lasting effect for me! We then stayed in Seguin at the
home of a devout Christian-spirited man, Clasing. He is from Braunschweig,
where he was a furrier. He has a small farm here, where we later spoke
to Jung. Admittedly, he is a Methodist preacher, but so far I like him,
although, like most Methodist preachers, he does not have the education
that most preachers in Germany have. The Methodist Church here does much
to place preachers. They suggested to the Germans hereabouts that they
make a firm offer to a preacher for the good people of Braunfels if we
wanted to contribute something. This was soon accomplished, so Jung was
called here from Galveston, though due to the illness of his wife he could
only recently begin. He now lives in the Schumann Settlement circa eight
miles away, between Braunfels and here, and preaches alternately here and
there, so that we will have services only every fortnight. He asked me
about Pastor Feldhoff in Barmen, from whom he had received a letter years
ago through a Mr. Lutter from Barmen. Soon he will visit us here; then
I will get to know him better.
Toward evening, during a violent thunderstorm, we returned from Seguin
on foot, for we lost three of our horses five or six days ago, and have
not yet been able to find them again. In spirit we have surely been close
today, my dear Father. You must have thought of me; and longed to know
how Im getting along, how I am spending the holidays in distant Texas!
Let me close for today. I want to read a while yet, and then go to bed.
Friday evening April 5, 1850, 12 oclock
Greatly moved, I sit down today to give you an announcement of the greatest
importance for me. I mentioned to you in passing in my earlier letters
our neighbors, the Tips family. But I told you nothing about the fact that
for some weeks a special interest ties me to that house. I will say it
briefly, my dear Father: my special interest ties me to the eldest daughter
of Mr. Tips, Miss Elise Tips. Her charming, really extraordinary attributes
have completely seized my heart, little by little, the more we were together.
For years I had not considered myself capable of fervent, sincere inclination.
To my own great astonishment I found that suddenly feelings appeared that
did intimate it. I tested myself with the greatest care. I attended the
Holy Communion for this reason as well as my own special desire, to get
quite clear to myself about my expectations of a wife, and about my firm
intention to make her happy, etc., etc. (Elise was at that time not at
home, but in Braunfels with her relatives.) So I came to the firm conclusion
to recommend this important, most important matter to the Guide of all
human fortunes, and to ask for His blessing, and to beg for His sign, if
it were possible. I had a rival, a neighboring young German (not from our
area; you dont know him at all). To my distress, he had ridden along to
Braunfels, so that I believed I must fear the worst. In my prayers I commended
this especially to Our Lord! So, Easter Tuesday came, and Wednesday Elise
was back; I spoke to her, but could not detect any special partiality toward
me. The great uncertainty upset me exceedingly. Finally I determined to
confide in the parents by letter, and to ask them their opinion. Just then
your letter of February 12/15 arrived, along with enclosures to Gustav,
Lansa, Hohrath. What you say about marriage suited my situation so specifically
that I impulsively decided firmly to deliver the letter, which I still
had in my pocket. So that is what I did, on the day after receiving your
letter. The rest you can easily imagine. In my letter I requested that
the parents consider carefully, and finally on the third day I went back
to the Tipses. The elders were quite agreed; they even spoke of honorable
union, but referred me completely to the daughter, with whom alone I must
settle the matter, to win her consent. The parents had told her nothing
about my letter. With the greatest embarrassment I went to Elise in the
cowpen this evening, where she was milking. When she was finished I took
the milk pail from her and took her to the door; but then I could delay
no longer; with the sweat of fear on my brow, I made my request in very
blunt words, and then heard to my great astonishment and joy that for a
long time a sincere affection for me had existed in the depths of her pure
heart! I could and couldnt believe that such a charming young girl could
actually have a sincere affection for such a miserable, stubborn 31-year-old
fellow.
But as Elise over and over assured me of this, there, then, dear Father
I truly became overjoyed. So then for a long time we sat on a log under
the beautiful starry sky, until the cool evening air reminded me to take
Miss Elise into the house. We called her mother, who took us to her father.
We received the heartfelt, sincere blessing of her parents, and were formally
presented to the other 7 siblings as betrothed. Hereby I now come to request
your approval also, my dear Father. I believe I may expect it. My fiancee
is 20 years old, so artless, simple, natural as no girl I have ever seen,
and moreover very intelligent, honest, very hardworking, and industrious
as well, and, I am convinced, sincerely devout! I said immediately: with
God we want to begin our union; all depends on Gods blessing; without that
we are lost. Elise agrees with me completely, and so I believe I can hope
that we will be happy together on this basis! Elise sings well and plays
the piano well, to my extraordinarily great joy. However, there is no fortune
whatever, not even for a good trousseau, as Mrs. Tips already told me.
God grant the rest!
I hope you reply soon; you can imagine how important your consent is
to me. More details later.
Affectionate, doubly heartfelt greetings to all. Your loving son Otto
Elise is small, but healthy and strong; the sea voyage agreed with her
especially.
The enclosure to Mr. Bechem is urgent. You would oblige Mr. Bechem very
much by prompt attention. All goes well in the settlement, including with
Fischer von Knemann.
July 30, 1850.
Dear Father!
Last week I wrote to you. Since then we have experienced very difficult
days. In the night between Wednesday and Thursday I watched beside Father
Tips, because he was extremely weak, but also very excited, and in the
heat of delirium wanted to spring out of bed. The following day the old
gentleman was somewhat better, while the mother had high fever, and the
third daughter suffered so that she raved incessantly, and could be kept
in bed only with great difficulty. Toward evening I went home to finally
rest a while. It was midnight when suddenly Eduard Tips, the second son,
18 years old, came to my bed (here we sleep mostly with open doors), woke
me, and seemed to want to prepare me for something out of the ordinary.
A terrible fear gripped me, and I begged him to speak openly; and he said:
Otto, we have only three sisters! What? I cried, Is Clara... Yes, said
Eduard, Clara is dead!! No one had thought of that; you can imagine our
terrible fright! I sprang out of bed, threw on a few clothes, and hurried
out to the Tips farm. Along the way, in the prairie, one of our horses
was tethered; I took it with me to Tipses, and asked a cowboy to saddle
it, while I went inside. In the front room lay the father, completely apathetic
from weakness. In the ladies bedroom there was boundless crying! Toward
10 oclock in the evening Clara had become quieter; the others were glad
and went to bed. Later the worried mother had heard Clara breathing very
heavily. Later Clara became very quiet. The mother became aware of this,
and in spite of her own serious illness she got up and went to Clara and
found heralready stiff and cold, with clouded eyes!! The spirit had already
departed from this lovely, most charming girl!! You can picture the terror,
the terrible dismay of the whole unhappy family, who all except Eduard
and 10-year-old Gustav are sick and ailing. All attempts at resuscitation
failed. After a while I threw myself on my horse and hurried to Fischer
von Knemann, whose sorrow and sympathy were very great when I awakened
them from their sleep with such terribly sad news. I wrote a letter to
Dr. Nohl while Mr. Knemann dressed and prepared to take it to Braunfels.
I assumed, surely with good reason, that such an occurrence at the ill
Tips family must have a very protracted effect, especially on the poor
inconsolable mother, so that the attendance of a doctor would be very necessary.
We healthy ones were horribly affected; how much more so the ill ones!
Finally, finally the morning dawned. I mounted my Katy and hurried to Seguin
on sorrowful business. A coffin for the dear deceased must be made quickly,
for in this hot climate no corpse keeps 24 hours. On return I was very
glad to find several American women of the neighborhood at Tipses, to help
with word and deed. The choice of a burial spot was discussed; under 3
large beautiful live oaks we found a suitable place. Now all the men of
the neighborhood were called upon to dig the grave. All followed suit with
the greatest willingness. It was hard work, as the soil was stony and the
day very hot, and it was l0 oclock by the time they started. Eduard, Mr.
Bechem and I were too exhausted to be able to help; Mr. Fischer had to
remain behind to take care of his cook, Amalia, who had recently been seriously
injured in a fall from her horse. (In Texas it is the custom that the farmers
themselves choose a burial place for their dead, usually on their own land,
and then inter them.) Toward noon Dr. Nohl came. He found that Claras death
was caused by a sudden paralysis of the lungs. He brought strengthening
remedies for the sick ones. In the afternoon I rode to Seguin to get the
coffin. Cabinetmaker Schieffer from Elberfeld had made it; he and our dear
sharing friend Schmitt came too. Everything then proceeded according to
custom. The American women helped with great, sacrificial sharing. Twilight
began as the funeral procession started. Bechem, Krochmann, Fischer, Knemann,
Schmitt and Schieffer carried the dear deceased, so loved by us all! Eduard
and Gustav, Julius led by me, the Americans of the neighborhood, and then
the American women on horseback followed. The burial spot is about 2 or
300 steps from the Tips house. I shall never forget this sad walk, wending
down the hill, as we brought this young German girl to her final resting
place here in distant Texas under the tall live oaks. Our hearts wanted
to break; only the thought of the inscrutable but wise decrees of The Almighty
could give us a measure of peace! We sang a few verses from our hymnal
at the grave, lowered the coffin, filled in the grave and threw up a mound
over it; then we sang again and departed.
In the house of mourning I found the father unexpectedly quiet and lucid.
Also the mother was more calm than I could have hoped; my dear fiancee
had set aside her own grief and her great weakness, and summoned all that
only so sympathetic and sincerely devout a disposition as Elise possesses,
to console her mother!
August 2, 50
Prepare yourself, dear Father, for a further sad message! Our good,
dear Papa Tips is no more; yesterday evening we buried him! I am still
hardly in a condition to write to you today, and do it only because the
post leaves tomorrow and I dont want you to receive this sad news from
others first. Last Saturday, the day after Claras burial, in the morning
Father was again extremely weak and exhausted; in the afternoon he was
a little better, so that following Mothers wish, I did not ride to Braunfels
for the doctor. In the night, before Sunday, at 3 oclock in the morning
I did mount my Katy and hurried away, and quickly arrived. I had the medicine
promptly prepared after I had received exact medical instructions from
Dr. Nohl. At eleven oclock I was back at Tips. Hardly then had I lain down
at home to rest, when Gustav Tips came and called me back to the father,
whose weakness and excitement had again increased greatly! Two hours later
at 3 oclock Sunday afternoon Mr. Krochmann rode off again at a gallop to
Braunfels and returned at 12 oclock at night with Dr. Remer. Dr. Nohl was
too ill with dropsy to be able to come. Dr. Remer from Breslau is known
as a very good physician; this occasion was the first time I had met him,
and I now trust him fully. He attended the patient in the night, stayed
with us to sleep, and was with Mr. Tips until about 9 oclock in the morning.
The drops he had brought along, taken from a spoon with white Rhine wine,
agreed with the patient very well, and strengthened him and tasted very
good to him. Afterwards Dr. Remer explained to me that Mr. Tips was in
great danger, that strong help had come too latehis fever made him very
disturbed. From then on Eduard Tips and I stayed with him constantly until
his end on Wednesday evening; he often needed the help of 2 men. Also Mr.
Krochmann was so good as to watch with us once. Tuesday midday Dr. Nohl
came, and Wednesday morning Dr. Remer came again; he predicted the end
within the next 24 hours. Many abscesses troubled the patient greatly;
especially the very necessary bandaging; also often anxiety, and breathlessness.
His gentle character and his submission to what lay before him, and of
which I am convinced he had the correct presentiment, was often touching.
Wednesday midday he said to me: This is the end for me. Then he ate according
to his appetite, 6-8 spoonfuls of chicken soup, but which I could administer
in only very small quantities. Swallowing became very difficult for him.
The medicine which Dr. Nohl had given him had no noticeable effect.
Wednesday afternoon I was so terribly exhausted from constant emotional
excitement and physical effort of nursing that I had to lie down in the
sickroom to rest, because I could not sleep due to excitement. Eduard Tips
cared for the patient and I helped only when necessary. From midday on
Mr. Tips was very quiet and we believe he slept often. Toward 6:30 oclock
in the evening it became hard for us to give him the medicine; the poor
man was simply too weak. Mrs. Tips lay in the next room; she was prepared
for his end, and with his increasing weakness she wished to be brought
to his bedside. At 8:30 oclock the patient was to take medicine again;
but we succeeded in feeding him only half a spoonful. So we made an attempt
with very strong drops which we shoved into his mouth on crushed sugar.
But the weakness was too great; it didnt succeed! We held it appropriate
to fulfill the mothers wish; she came and sat down by her husbands bed,
supported by us all, for the poor woman, who had only in the past 2 days
been freed of the fever by the strong measures of Dr. Remer, suffered terribly
from weakness and agitation. In these moments, as we all believed the death
of our dear Father was no longer distant, there appeared, to the comfort
of
us all, Mr. Schmitt from Seguin, that wise, sensible counselor. He was
very welcome, for the time approached when good counsel was valuable. About
9 oclock Wednesday evening, July 3l the patients breathing became ever
slower, and soon he passed away quite softly and quietly in the arms of
his wife!! With difficulty we brought the mother back to bed and to the
other females. You can imagine that for Eduard and me this night was without
rest. We called Mr. Krochmann, who with the help of us two and Mr. Schmitt
took the body to another room, where the same night he was washed and dressed.
The next morning I again mounted my Katy to hurry to Seguin to order
the coffin etc. With true devotion, close and more distant American neighbors
then appeared to make the grave, which was finally accomplished about 5
oclock in the evening. Forgive me for omitting further details. With everyones
greatest participation, the burial took place. Dr. Remer explains his sickness
as a nerve fever, Dr. Nohl as a putrid fever. As for me, I lean toward
Dr. Remers word rather than Dr. Nohls; [later records indicate it was probably
yellow fever] the latter in my opinion does not intervene quickly or strongly
enough for this climate. Just between usI do not care to have dealings
with Dr. Nohl or come into conflict with him. Considering the circumstances,
the mother is doing well, extremely weak and exhausted. My dear fiancee
sends you many greetings. She is still very weak; in fact I fear Dr. Nohl
has let her get too weak! With heartfelt love, your faithful son.
Ott
Elise Wuppermann
Texas Diaries
Transcribed from the handwritten manuscript for her granddaughter Alice
Lundy, nee Wupperman Prepared by her great-grandson Gerhard Vowinckel Translated
into English by Alice W. Lundy 1990
(Inside cover, on a pasted-in sheet with the engraved initials E W:)
Everything in this world may Pass, change. Happiness and sorrow do not
last, But my love forever. May what God wills always come to pass, We will
trust Him. Devoutly look up to Him. To love you, to dedicate my life to
you To be loved by you only Is my greatest happiness; My wish on earth
Never to be parted from you!
From your faithful Elise. Live-Oak-Hill, 11 June, 1850
My Diary,
begun on 29. September, 1850, on the first day of our marriage.
After my return home (death) my Texan and German diaries and letters
shall pass into the possession of my be- loved daughter, Clara Tafel. After
her, they should go to Lily Thomae, and after Lily to Laura Vowinckel.
Dsseldorf, 9 Nov. 1915 Your deeply loving Mother, Joh. Elise Wuppermann
September 1850
29) Yesterday we celebrated our wedding, a glorious, happy day, a day
filled with happy, sweet expectations, full of love and joy.
My beloved Otto and I were married at 5 oclock in the evening in the
garden of our dear mother, under a beautiful oak, by Preacher Joung; he
gave a beautiful, meaningful sermon. The guests: Jettchen and Bianca Nohl,
Minchen, and Lenchen, Mr. Ferguson, Schmiedt, Krochmann, Fischer, Knemanns,
Heusinger, and my dear Mother and brothers and sisters, stood in a circle
around us, congratulating and hugging us lovingly. Oh Father, oh Clara,
I missed you so very much; why did you leave so soon? But how egotistic
of me to complain so. You no longer have grief, or pain, and are with our
gracious Father in Heaven!
After the wedding service we had a glass of wine, and then went into
the house for our meal. Among other things, we had a beautiful sand tart
from Mr. Tillmann, a cornstarch pudding from Jettchen, and a rice cake
by me. Ham, pork roast, potato salad, before dinner a bouillon, after dinner
tea. The guests asked us to make some music, so Hermine and I sang several
duets, after which Minchen accompanied me to our dear little house. My
dear Otto was dressed in black, with a white vest, and a rose boutonniere
in his lapel. After I was dressed, dear Hermine fastened in my hair a myrtle
wreath which she had made, and my precious Mother surprised me, as she
presented me a beautiful pin set with diamonds, a gift of my dear Otto,
and pinned it to my breast. Otto wore a watch chain made of my hair, a
gift of my brother Julius. As wedding gifts we received: from Louis and
Jettchen a dozen flat plates and salad fork and spoon with silver handles;
from Mr. Ferguson a soup spoon, ordinary salad fork and spoon and a water
bucket of cedar with copper hoops, from Minchen a pretty bedspread, from
Mr. Schmidt 4 ducks, and from Mr. Bechem a pretty little chest, which we
wont receive till after he leaves. This morning I prepared a good beefsteak
for us. In the afternoon Mother and my brothers and sisters visited us.
October 1850
15) Tues. Today Louis told us that dear Minchen is engaged to Gustav
Heusinger. Eduard shot a large deer.
19) Sunday. We took a little tour to hunt for pecans. Mother and brothers
and sisters drove; Otto and I rode. We spent a quite enjoyable day, for
lunch had bread and butter with eggs, diligently hunted nuts and returned
home early. Poor Helenchen had fever. Intermittently I tickled my bear
a little, and in return he squeezed my feet hard with his paws.
29) My dear Otto has a thick swollen cheek and toothache. This morning
he brought our 4 pigs from Willow Springs. Yesterday Mr. Reinbach visited
us, who was on the way to travel to Germany to fetch his mother and sisters.
His driver brought the two womens saddles for Mother and Hermine. The latter
visited me yesterday afternoon.
25) Otto branded and marked our cattle with Messrs. Bechem and Krochmann.
The gentlemen stayed for midday dinner with us.
3l) Our chicken house was finished. Otto shot a big rat. Otto lanced
the boil on his tooth, and the swelling and pain are stopping. Mr. Schmidt
is traveling to Indianola to fetch his wife, and will buy provisions for
us. Julius is in Seguin, to make us a joiners bench. Mr. Tillmann is visiting
Mr. Bechem. He has a bad hand, was here today. I poured 98 wax candles
for next summer.
November 1850
2) Today Otto with Mr. Schuchardt closed up the lower part of the house
on the outside. Early in the morning a pig lay dead in the pen. My dear
husband today sold the first butter, 2 lbs., for 20 cents a pound. This
evening Otto and Mr. Sch. killed a large skunk in the smokehouse.
3) Sunday. This morning Otto made the dearest little box, with the help
of Mr. Schuchart, which he said was for our little Caro. But after dinner
he confessed to me that it was intended for two doveshe had ordered them
from Navarra when he bought Mina and Biancaand that theyre meant for me.
The good, dear man! In the afternoon we rode over to Navarras to get the
doves. The ladies were very polite; gave us another 2 young doves, 3 sticks
of sugar cane and flowers, and showed me the beautiful big spring.
4) My dear husband oiled the kitchen floor with Mr. Schu., and found
a little egg snake under the fireplace, the 3d in 5 weeks. Previously I
killed 2 large moccasin snakes, one at the spring, the other in the kitchen
in the salting tub.
7) This morning Brill brought a quarter of beef. We salted it down and
tomorrow it will be smoked. Unfortunately, poor Mother has fever again.
Mr. Krochmann brought Otto letters from our dear father [R. Wuppermann],
and sister Laura, which unfortunately brought the sad news of the death
of our dear sister Mathilde. Three dear, beloved relatives have parted
from us in this year. That is very painful. On 28 Sept., on our wedding
day, the letters had been mailed.
8) Today, in cleaning out the corn crib, Otto found an egg snake. This
morning, with Mr. Krochmann, he drove our Horn into the pen. Toward noon
my dear man shot a big rat in the smokehouse.
9) I roasted and ground a small sack of coffee for an American who came
to the fence and asked for it, for 20 cents.
14) Otto bought Cid, and was several days in Seguin, concerning Mr.
Bechems lawsuit.
15) Hermines birthday; my dear Otto is readying our living quarters,
and my brothers are helping him. It is very agreeable and pleasurable to
sell butter. Up to now I have taken in $2.50 for butter.
17) Otto, with Mr. Rogers, Bechem, and Julius, branded Ali, Cid, and
Mary. Then we butchered one of the three pigs for winter.
18) Sunday. With Mother, Julius and Hermine, we rode to Seguin and visited
Tom Johnsten and Klasing. In the evening we had coffee at Mothers. Otto
has a little swelling on his leg.
December 1850
6) Otto and Julius butchered 2 pigs, one weighing 128 and the other
140 pounds. We had a double norther for 6 days, and 5 degrees cold. Ottos
swelling and pain have lessened considerably.
8) My dear Otto shot a squirrel, a duck and a partridge.
13) Otto, with Messrs. Krochmann and Bechem, drove Rose into the pen,
with a beautiful heifer calf. A few days before, we made bratwurst sausages
and scrapple. I suffered greatly from the cold.
14) This morning Otto rode to Braunfels to buy gear for the horses.
In Seguin he lost his blanket, which Mr. Tillmann returned. I was with
Mother all day. As Otto wants to stay over until tomorrow, I asked Eduard
to sleep here, which he did. In the afternoon Mother had company, Rogers
and Brills. We made music, which they enjoyed very much. You could die
laughing when Mother speaks English. For instance she said to Miss Perregh,
Et is heute werry wrm. To Mr. Rogers: Iss yue modder well? Mr. Rogers:
Yes Mem. Mother: Yes?
15) For several days Ive been feeling nauseated, very shivery and tired.
If its really the reason Mother thinks, I would be unspeakably happy.
21) Today Eduard shot 5 rabbits, of which he brought us 2. On the 15th
Otto came back from Braunfels, and brought a young Spanish horse which
he had bought in Braunfels for 10 dollars and named Fritz.
24) Today we were visited by Mr. Krause and another man named Maurer,
who spent the night with us. In the afternoon I decorated a little Christmas
tree. A stick of wax was used for little lights. In the morning I baked
spekulatius [a spicy Christmas cookie]. tterchen brought the children from
Mothers in the evening. They each received a plate of speculacius and some
other small trinkets. As I heard them coming I lighted the tree, which
was quite pretty. Ottochen surprised me with a nice laundry basket and
a watering can, which I like very much. I gave him l pair of boots, a pair
of deerskin gloves and a pair of knitted ones, and a blue carpentry apron.
We all enjoyed it very much and drank a little glass of punch together.
How good my dear, beloved Otto is, and how very much I love him!
25) First Christmas Day, bad weather, rain all day. We had a little
party at lunch; Mother and siblings and Messrs. Bechem and Krochmann. Midday
dinner a fine meal: a roasted turkey, noodles, potato salad, cut green
beans, apple pie. We played charades, and about 8 oclock had tea, for which
I served two kinds of good bread, smoked meat, butter, cheese, and apple
pie. Then we talked a while more, and sang a Christmas carol.
26) Last night and today constant rain. We had to move our beds into
the main room.
January 1851
6) Monday. How happy I am to be back in our dear little house, to be
able to milk our sweet cows again, and again to bake for my darling hubby
his favorite food: hot cornbread. On New Years eve we were at our dear
Mothers, where we drank a glass of punch. On New Years morning we started
our trip to the Zibolo. First we rode to Mothers, to congratulate her on
the New Year. The poor woman lay in bed and had a fever. It was so cold
that to warm ourselves we several times walked considerable stretches.
Otto led the horses, but I ran behind and drove the horses on with a stick.
At 1 oclock in the midday we arrived at Nohls. The Guadaloupe was so small
that we could ride through. In the evening we were at Fergusons for tea,
where we had a good time. Since Fritz was lame, Otto borrowed Bill from
Ferguson, a lovely little horse, which I rode to the Zibolo and back. Otto
was so hoarse that he could hardly speak. On the second we rode to Riotte.
En route old Niles ran into us, and showed us the nearest way to go . Mr.
Wallrath and Mrs. Riotte received us in a very friendly manner. Mr. Riotte
had gone to San Anton, but returned in the evening. We stayed until Sunday
morning, and Mr. Wallrath accompanied us to Braunfels. While I visited
with dear Mrs. Riotte and her children, Otto rode around to several neighbors
in the area. The main purpose was to look at wagons. The last morning he
finally found one which he will probably buy. On the 3d we were at Brachts
for coffee. Mrs. B. and I were happy to see each other again. She was well
and in good spirits; they were living quite comfortably in a pretty little
house. Mrs. Bracht promised to visit us quite soon. On the 4th I went with
Mrs. Riotte to Perimanns, who have bought the pianino from the old von
Steins. Since I have become closer acquainted with the dear Riotte family,
I doubly regret that they dont live close to us. We both caught bad colds;
I especially got a bad cough. In Braunfels we met Heusinger, to whom Minchen
had introduced us on Dec. 30 as her fianc. They spent the night with us,
and the next morning rode back to Braunfels with Bianca, Goldbeck and Seele,
who came with them.
7) Yesterday at our return we heard that a chicken had died, and one
of the doves had had an accident. Today Otto and Mr. Krochmann recaptured
that wild Nonne, who had run away. He is again working on the fence at
Willow Spring.
13) Yesterday our dear mother decided to follow all our advice, to accept
Louis and Jettchens invitation to Braunfels to recuperate and finally get
rid of her fever. Julius drove her there this morning. I hope to God, and
pray that He will soon return her to us in health.
17) We have another strong norther. On the l4th Mr. Runge visited us,
and gave us the good news that the awaited boxes are on the way; he stayed
overnight with us. On the 15th Mr. Riotte visited us. He came to hire a
negress. In the evening we went up and made music, which entertained Mr.
Riotte very much. Otto finally brought letters from Germany, of which 5
were to Mother, 2 to Julius, and one from Uncle Hermann to me. Mr. Krochmann
is helping Otto make the fence secure, and to improve the gate to the cowpen.
Yesterday morning Otto and Mr. Bechem and Mr. Riotte rode over to get the
wagon from Maclln.
Otto hasnt returned yet. At all events the norther is delaying him.
Today again it is raging and blustering with full force. Today I made up
a little poem for him, entitled: Hihsenbeinchens Return Home. Walter and
Helenchen are sleeping here.
19) Sunday. Yesterday evening my dear Otto came back; he brought the
wagon. He brought the long-awaited two boxes with the wedding gifts. Last
night we unpacked the larger one, and this afternoon the smaller one. Both
contained beautiful gifts, among which were a silver soup spoon, l dozen
each newly silvered spoons and teaspoons, l dozen table knives and forks,
a little tea- and spoon case, 2 pieces of linen and many household articles.
Also a beautiful spice shaker, 2 small sacks of prunes, a large can of
tea, garden tools, a beautiful lamp with 6 globes, 3 lampshades, and 3
dozen lamp wicks; thread, strong; for Otto a tobacco pouch, for me a money
pouch, and l pretty childs cap, and other things. These beautiful gifts
give us lots of pleasure. For H. Knemann there was also a little package,
out of which we made a box cake. Today Otto is in bed; last night he had
to vomit violently, probably because he overate. This morning Julius rode
to Br. to deliver Mothers letters from Germany, and to inquire about the
state of her health.
24) We had a visitor: Preacher Kleist, whom we liked quite well. Letter
from Mother; unfortunately she has the fever again.
26) Today I turned 21 years old. My dear Otto gave me a mattress, Hermine
a plum cake. Julius had dinner with us; we had rabbit ragout with noodles
and plum compote. In the afternoon we all rode to church, and in the evening
all the siblings had tea with us. So: now Im 21 years old; a year ago I
hardly knew my beloved Otto, and now I have been his wife for over 4 months.
May the dear, Good God let us live a long time, happy and without sorrows,
and as now loving each other sincerely!
27, 28) Otto and I worked together in the garden the whole day. Otto
dug it all up, while I raked and sowed seed.
February 1851
4) This morning I drowned our little cat because she stole too much.
Tomorrow I will drive with Eduard to Braunfels to bring Mother home.
7) Yesterday I returned from Braunfels. Mother is, sadly, still not
well. Mrs. Ferguson delivered a stillborn. The poor, poor woman, how I
grieve for her. Minchen came with us, to stay here 4 weeks. The day before
yesterday morning I accompanied her and Eduard to their future farm, which
I liked quite well. Today Otto transplanted the peach trees, with which
I helped him.
March 1851
9) Today I went with my dear husband to holy communion. Pastor Kleists
sermon did not edify me at all. Also, the service was not as solemn and
festive as in Germany. Mother and Hermine also attended the communion service.
This evening Messrs. Bechem, Runge, and Listig were here to tea. The weather
is unusually warm and nice now.
10) Christian, the boy whom Otto hired to help him, today had a fever
after a heavy cold. Otto wrote to Dr. Morgan about him. A few days ago
Bianca was here to introduce her fianc; they took Minchen back with them.
Today Otto finished planting the corn.
A few days ago Otto had a little argument with Hermine about Hans (the
horse), which is, however now happily settled.
12) Sunday. Edmund v. Stein took us to Braunfels in Fergusons wagon,
to take part in the Amateurs Concert. Hermine and I rode with him, Eduard
rode horseback, and Otto came the next day. I visited Mrs. Ferguson and
drank cocoa with her. In the evening, the 13th, the concert took place.
Hermine and I played the Overture to The Caliph of Baghdad and sang the
duet from Freischtz; Schelm, halt fest [Rascal, hold fast]. I sang the
aria from Robert the Devil; Mr. Listig, Miss Dittmar, Eduard and Hermine
played alternately. After the concert was a ball, and I had the pleasure
of dancing several times with my darling hubby. Intermittently coffee,
tea and wine with fine pastries were served; also good potato salad, head
cheese, bread and butter, and roast veal, pork, and turkey. We enjoyed
ourselves very much, and only about 1:30 in the morning did we go to Nohls.
The next day it rained. We couldnt go home till Friday. Mr. Seele drove
us. The other day he proposed to Hermine, who of course didnt accept. We
sold Louis 72 lbs. of bacon, which Mr. Seele took along.
The 26th of March the piano was picked up from Mothers, in the evening
at 9 oclock, by Messrs. Morgan and Hill. When will she have another? Mother
sold it for 200 dollars.
The 25th I caught a skunk in the bedroom. Otto was not at home. I called
Julius and Eduard, who shot it dead.
The 27th Otto drove in Altsche and Flora with young calves. Christian
has fever, and I also have been very unwell since yesterday morning.
April 1851
On April the tenth I made 18 pounds of butterat least four pounds for
me and four for Mother, and ten for Mrs. Brill. On the eleventh Otto buried
it in the smokehouse.
On the thirteenth, Nami delivered a dead calf in the cowpen. On the
fourteenth, Almas calf died.
20) Easter. We and Mr. Bechem ate dinner at Mothers: turkey, green salad
with eggs, and cut green beans. After the meal Navarros came, and stayed
till the next morning because of the rain. I rode to church with Otto,
Messrs. B., Julius and Eduard. Pastor Kleist preached quite well. In the
evening we drank tea at Mothers, ate Easter eggs and rice cakes. The second
day of Easter nothing came of the party going to Geronimo Springs. Otto
worked all day in the field.
26) Today I received letters from Germany, from Aunt Hannchen, Louise
Korte, sister Laura and her daughter Laura; Otto from Aunt Hannchen and
brother-in-law Hsterey.
June 1851
22) For a long time I have written nothing in my diary, so I have to
make up pretty far. Three weeks ago Staehely came to visit us, or rather
to see Hermine. James Ferguson and Mrs. Riotte had mentioned her to him.
He liked her very much and promised us a second visit in a fortnight. Mrs.
Theisen and her husband paid us a first visit.
The 8th (first day of Whitsuntide) we ate at Mothers: roast venison
from Goldbeck, and beans. Mrs. Opem and Perrig, Mr. Bechem and Mr. &
Mrs. Schmidt also ate there, the first two uninvited.
The 9th (second day of Whitsuntide) we drove to Geronimo Spring at 6
oclock in the morning, on Louis Goldbecks land. Mr. Bechem, Fischer and
Prbsting as well as Mrs. Cooke, Ccilie and Josepha Navarro went along.
The two Goldbecks had built a long table and benches at a beautiful spot
in the [river] bottom. With the Braunfelsers we were 29 persons. Fritz
Goldbeck shot 2 fish, both of which Jettchen claimed. We had provided well
for ourselves: cold turkey, smoked meat, eggs, bread, butter, grape torte,
and Otto cake. Navarros had baked cookies. About 6 oclock in the evening
we went and robbed a bee tree. Practically all of us ate too much, which
disagreed with us. Toward evening, by the most beautiful moonlight, we
played group games, and sang several pretty songs. Prbsting became very
foolish, so his blanket, saddle, whiskey flask and boots were confiscated.
Eduard played for dancing; my poor Otto too, dutifully danced several times,
though he felt very unwell. Several days previously Theodore Goldbeck struck
himself hard in the foot with his axe. We amused ourselves quite well and
drove back home at 10 oclock the next morning. The next day Otto drove
back to get the bees, but they had flown away half an hour before.
14) Staehely returned. After our evening meal we all went together to
Mr. Fischers. Mr. Bechem carried Mother, and Mr. Staehely carried Hermine
across the creek; I rode.
16) We rode to Seguin, visited Mrs. Theisen and played piano. On the
way back Mr. Bechem was a bit tipsy.
17) After dinner Mr. S. proposed to Hermine. She asked for a fortnight
to think it over.
19) Otto rode to Braunfels to make further inquiries about Mr. Ss character.
They gave him the best testimonials. He also rode to lkers concerning a
girl to help me. But she couldnt be persuaded. Im getting sick of all this
work. Dear God, only a few weeks more and well have a dear child, but what
all Ill have to suffer till then! If only it were finally here. How we
will both love the dear child, and how we will endeavor to rear it as a
good, pious person! Dear Father in Heaven, give us blessing. If only my
beloved Otto stays healthy. Unfortunately, lately he is often feeling unwell!
20) My dear husband returned from Braunfels healthy and in good spirits.
21) He rode to San Anton to the auction to be held there on the 23rd,
hoping possibly to trade that wild Fritz and his gold watch and pistols.
23) Monday, old Luziano Navarro invited us and Mr. Bechem to his birthday
celebration. His son called for us in the pretty little new wagon. We spent
the whole day quite happily, and ate the first very fine watermelons of
the summer. Young Navarro drove us home again in the evening. That is a
very amiable family!
25) Otto returned quite healthy and happy from the trip to San Antonio,
but without having bought or traded anything. He had been received quite
hospitably by Kampmann and his wife.
28) The 14 days of consideration had not quite passed, but Hermine asked
Otto to tell Johann Staehely that he should come today. We invited Mother
and Hermine to tea and puff pastries in the evening, so that Hermine and
Johann could have an undisturbed conversation. After refreshments we left
them alone in the room. After the conference had lasted about an hour,
we all drank a glass of wine to the health and happiness of the engaged
couple.
We drove in the cow Lame Foot, with her new calf.
Otto shaved off his beard in honor of Hermines engagement.
July 1851
4) Otto was in Seguin with Mr. Bechem, Eduard, Gustav and Walter for
dinner. They did not enjoy it much. Johann and Hermine in Braunfels to
introduce themselves as betrothed pair. Julius with them to go from there
on the next day via Zibolo [Cibolo] Creek to San Anton, where he wants
to look for work.
10) My dear Otto this morning again rode to Hordenville and Braunfels
to hire a girl for me. Yesterday afternoon the poor man had a terrible
toothache. He had gone to Mothers to roast coffee beans, since the heat
hurts me, but he had to stop. Toward evening Otto shot and killed a big
snake at the spring.
Yesterday I had such a fright that I could hardly breathe, and trembled
all over. That tricky Horn kicked me three times hard in the milk bucket,
for which Otto whipped her hard with the whip. I had a very bad night,
and terrible dreams. I only hope my sweet child was not harmed by it!
13) Otto had a toothache again yesterday, so he applied 2 Spanish fly
plasters. This morning he borrowed Navarros wagon to fetch a girl for me
from Hordenville; he brought us and Mother each 5 beautiful watermelons.
Helenchen, Gustav and Walter are in Braunfels. Julius has the fever. Today
we invited Mother, Johann, Hermine and Eduard to dinner. We had roast rabbit
with Savoy cabbage, beans from Mother, and rice pudding. Later we drank
a glass of ginger beer. Johann caught the fever. Toward 5 oclock Otto drove
to Hordenville. As I watched him leave, I had such a sad feeling that I
had to cry; I didnt know why myself. May it not be some premonition of
an approaching accident. Dear God, protect my beloved husband! This night
I am sleeping all alone on the gallery.
21) On the 14th Otto brought Hanchen to us; so far I am satisfied with
her, as she shows much inclination to work. But she does have several unpleasant
faults: talks too much, loves to snack, and tends to fibbing. However,
I hope with time and Gods help to break her of these faults. Julius has
had the fever for 11 days but is, thank God, improving. Dr. Morgan is treating
him, but he is still very weak. John was also very sick with the fever
for several days. Otto is busy making leaf fodder. So far he has made 350
bundles and will make l50 more. Mr. Schmidt (Johannes) had the cholera,
and was dangerously ill, but is now improving. Today is Monday. This week
I am washing for the last time before my confinement, for it is getting
too hard for me. Helenchen has been for a fortnight in Braunfels at Nohls,
but John writes that she is homesick. Yesterday noon Mr. Bechem ate with
us. I had soup, a large rabbit which Otto had shot, cabbage, and grape
cake. Today for dinner we devoured a raccoon which Eduard had shot at Millcreek.
The 15th was my dear Ottos birthday; he turned 33 already. I baked him
a grape cake and made up a little poem to go with it. Six weeks ago I went
ahead and gave him 2 pairs of blue work pants, since he needed them very
much.
24) This morning Otto rode to Seguin with Mother concerning a midwife
for me. Otto talked to Mrs. Dee about it. He also brought letters from
Germany, one from Father, one from brother Ernst and one from brother Gustav.
After Mother and Otto had breakfast, he rode to Seguin to attend the trial
there, after he had first attended the burial of Springers child.
25) A year since Claras death. I made a wreath, which we laid on the
unforgettable grave. On the 27th I went back with Mother and Eduard, and
the wreath was almost completely destroyed by the ants. Julius is convalescing.
John and Hermine made engagement visits to Navarros and Mr. Fischer. Otto
is unwell and is taking pills for diarrhea.
August 1851
On the 5th our dear Clrchen was born. On the 4th, Monday, Otto rode
to Seguin, where he stayed the whole day. In the afternoon I washed a shirt
for Otto, but complained to Mother, who was with me, of a stomachache,
which got worse and worse toward evening. About 7:30 Otto returned from
Seguin, and asked hows it going? I said not good, etc. but did get supper
on the table in spite of occasional strong pains. Soon after, Otto called
Mother, and about 10 oclock, as the pains were getting unbearable, I asked
her to send Otto to Seguin to get the midwife. After a long hour he returned
with Mrs. Dee, an American. She declared the child could arrive within
an hour. The pains kept getting more terrible, and occasionally I vomited,
and felt faint. Nevertheless I had an inexpressible joy when I heard the
first cry of our child. Otto had a horrible sleep in the night, but in
spite of that he had to be constantly holding my hand, which I must have
pulled at very hard, because 8 days later my arms were still sore. Our
dear Mother shed tears several times in sympathy for me.
On the 8th that detestable Alfes came for his lying, thieving Hannchen.
Mother and I cried with anger at the insolence and crudity of these people,
and I cried for fear of the bad effects that this horrible anger could
have on Otto.
13) Caroline Hohlfeld came to us.
18) In the evening Mother went home. At first she had wanted to stay
longer, but Hermine let everything get too untidy. The 12th was Father
Wuppermanns birthday. To celebrate the day Otto gave me a bottle of wine,
gingerbread, a piece of sponge cake, and little peppermints.
16) I wrote to our dear father and congratulated him on his birthday.
17) Sunday, for the first time I went up to Mothers again. John Staehely
was there too. A wager between John and Mother about Clrchens nose a year
from now: 3 bottles of wine.
30) Evening tea party, Pastor, Mother, John and Hermine. Fergusons,
whom we expected, didnt come until Sunday the 31st, were with us in the
morning, drank a glass of ginger beer, saw the spring, etc. At noon we
all ate at Mothers, incl. Mrs. Dove and Mr. Bechem. We had fried pork,
noodles, potato salad, and plums. After dinner as we were drinking a cup
of coffee John got a high fever. In the afternoon we visited Mr. Bechem,
and in the evening we were at Mothers again for tea. I was glad to have
the dear Ferguson folks here for once, but in spite of all our urging they
didnt want to stay overnight. On this day Otto first had the idea (in a
conversation with Mr. Ferguson) to move to Friedrichsburg and start a store
there. My dear Otto told me this in the evening, and although I was at
first very surprised I soon saw his reasons quite clearly. We will then
have a better, though in some respects not so pleasant, life. We wont have
so many vexations and Otto will earn with less effort than he now has to
put forth, like the average man. But parting from Mother and siblings will
be terribly hard for me.
September 1851
On Sept. 1 Otto dug up the butter, which had kept quite well.
2) Yesterday afternoon Caroline H. went to visit her father, and hasnt
returned yet. It seems its over with her, too. Namis calf, Jhrling, is
dead. Julius and Gustav happened to be near Braunfels when retrieving his
Biene and was driving her back. Today he brought us the sad news that Gustav
Heusinger died suddenly Sunday morning of a lungstroke. Poor, poor Minchen.
Otto and I immediately wrote inviting her to come to us.
6) Count Reichenbach visited Otto to hear family news. Saturday evening
and Sunday morning he had a dizzy attack. Otto and Eduard could hardly
hold him. Dr. Morgan bled him on both arms Sunday afternoon. On the 9th
he went to Braunfels, and a few days later to Navarro to learn Spanish.
Our dear Clrchen had fever several times, which caused me much fear and
worry. On the 13th Hermine went to Braunf. and the Zibolo, and returned
on the 15th.
10) An unpleasant development at Mothers. Eduard wrote me an impertinent
letter. In the evening he came down here; we had at least a 2-hour long
conversation with him. But, because of his heartless stubbornness, we were
unable to convince him of his injustice.
21) On Sunday morning a reproachful letter from Mother, in which she
unfairly forbade us her house.
22) Early in the morning Otto rode to Mr. Schmitt to lay the matter
out to an understanding older man. He said we were right, so we wrote to
Mother clearly explaining how she had done us a great injustice, but weve
had no reply. We have both done everything possible in the matter, gone
to the greatest lengths; therefore we calmly await further developments.
Mother will eventually very much regret having done us such an injustice;
I feel very sorry for her. Yesterday we had a very good time at Navarros.
I took Clrchen, who is now, thank God, quite well, for the first time on
horseback. Julius returned from Braunfels today, and is for the time being
without a job. He brought us a letter from my dear father-in-law. Today
I had the negress Juno here, who did 6 weeks laundry.
23) Today Hermine fetched our child, because Mother wanted to see her.
We let her take her, because we want to be as nice as possible to Mother,
and because we thought it was the first step toward reconciliation. But
no such thing.
26) Today Mr. Bechem and Knemann were here to tell us good-bye. Mr.
B. took along some prairie tea, to take to our father in Germany. Since
yesterday morning Julius is helping Otto haul in corn. Our darling little
angel is doing quite well; she is getting bigger every day and brings joy
to our hearts with her friendly smile. Dear God in Heaven preserve to us
this treasure. With Mother its sadly still the same.
27) We now have 3 dogs: Caro, Philax, and Nestor. Today I was at Mrs.
Brills, where I ate my first apple in a long time. For several days now
weve had great heat again. Yesterday afternoon around 3 oclock, 88 degrees.
Today Otto finished harvesting the corn. Today we had the first mild norther.
28) Today it is a year since we were married. Much has changed in this
year, but not our love. My precious hubby brought me 8 apples today and
a bottle of wine from Seguin. In the afternoon the children and I went
to hunt grapes. 30) Otto and John rode to Braunfels to talk to Louis about
me. Returned on the 3d and brought some pills for me.
October 1851
On the 4th Otto had a blood-letting by Dr. Morgan, since he hasnt been
any better, feeling ill, dizzy, headachy, etc.
On the 5th Otto rode with Fritz and Hans, whom I have christened Juno,
to Hordenville, to sell Fritz. But he didnt get any farther than to Steins,
where Fritz threw him off, though thank God he wasnt hurt. Fritz ran far
back and lost the good bridle from Germany. Was found again later.
7) G. Reichenbach helped Otto brand 2 calves, and made 6 beautiful cigars.
8) Otto sold Fritz for 24 dollars to a man named Flagge, and yoked 2
oxen together. Our little angel is beginning to laugh aloud; she is a friendly
child, and lies in bed all day without crying. Our dear good Father in
Heaven, bless our beloved child, may she grow up to Your and our joy; give
us understanding and strength to rear a good, pious child. The old American
from Yorks Creek was here today and offered to sell us a Negro girl, but
as Otto is going to start a store we wont need her now. It seems to me
the 250 iron pills are beginning to work; since yesterday I am beginning
to feel stronger and better.
Sorry to say that my dear good hubby is still not getting better. Daily
he is getting more violent and becomes angry at the slightest trifle. Dear
God grant that he will soon be better again. His violence is especially
unpleasant to me when friends or one of my siblings are there, as I think
then I feel it more: a woman can be proud of her husband (if he quietly
and calmly meets each big, and, especially, small unpleasantnesses in life),
and he is a support to which she can cling, and to whom she, the weaker
one, can look up with trust and admiration. But if her husband swears and
storms around at every trifle that gets in his way, then a woman who loves
her husband has to be ashamed of him, cannot respect him, has no support
from him, especially if she herself is considerate and calm while he is
not. My dear, beloved Ottos violence, thank God, is caused only by his
present illness; isnt he otherwise the best man in the world? Yes, thank
God that he and none other is my husband. Everyone has his faults and I
well realize mine are far more numerous.
John Staehely arranged for us all to ride to Seguin to make music. Mother
and Julius caught up with us on the way. She pressed my hand, and all was
forgiven and forgotten. Otto took Clrchen on his horse with him. In Seguin
Mother took her on her lap; the whole afternoon she was quiet and well-behaved.
For a long time the key to the piano could not be found; finally Julius
brought it. We played and sang to our hearts content. John had a headache.
13) Mother sent Helenchen down to invite us for coffee. I went up with
my Clrchen, and we had a real nice time. In the evening Mr. Schmitt was
here.
16) After coffee, Otto started his trip to Fredrichsburg. May the dear
God bring him back healthy and content. After I had eaten at Mothers I
went with her, Helenchen and Clrchen to Amalia, where everything was in
great disorder. Without coffee, to which we had looked forward, we returned.
Mr. Schmitt came over to buy 25 bushels of corn from Mother. I gave the
bay horse 6 ears of corn.
17) At Mothers I roasted coffee. She invited me to eat with her as long
as Otto is away. Helene helped me drive the Schecks calf into the field.
Clrchen was unwell. She had diarrhea. The pigs were in the field again.
In the evening the bay horse came and got four ears of corn. I sent Mother
some bread.
18) Two pigs in the field. They had ripped up a lot of leaf fodder.
Caro has worms. Helene and I cleaned up the yard and the rooms. With difficulty
we drove the three pigs into the pen, and closed it up. I gave the bay
some corn. Clrchen was well. I had a real good appetite. Today I hauled
eleven buckets of water.
19) Sunday. Goldbeck came over for potato pancakes. At noon Clrchen
had a bit of fever. Otherwise we are all quite well except for Amalia.
In the evening Clrchen was well again. There was a dead chick in the chicken
house.
20) Last night I was wakened by chickens squawking, and this morning
I found a chicken that was just barely alive, but it was so torn up that
I had to kill it. I sent it to Mother and she fried it. Eduard brought
me a letter from my dear ttchen, which gave me great joy. At the same time,
he brought one from Mr. Dittmar to Otto. Caro was wounded again by the
boar. Betty came in the evening, and I gave her six ears of corn. Reichenbach
finally returned the lantern.
21) Nothing special happened, except that the bay got himself eight
ears of corn and Ms Perrihs got married.
22) I often looked up the road toward Seguin to see if my hubby was
coming, but he didnt come. I am so lonely for him; if only he would come
back soon healthy and in good spirit.
23) I succeeded in driving that wild Hannes, and with great effort the
wild Carlchen, into the pen.
24) Another whole day gone, and Otto still didnt come. Tomorrow he must
come, or I will be very fearful for him. Every time the dogs bark I run
out in vain, and countless times I vainly look down the road. Otto will
find our dear child stronger and bigger. She has another bad cold. Good
night dear man of my heart, Id like to make up a little verse for you,
but Im too upset to have a reasonable thought. God be with you!
25) Evening once again and still Otto hasnt come. Today hes been away
10 days. No, this is almost unbearable, this constant tension, and yet,
what can I do? Nothingexcept to wait patiently.
After dinner Mr. Fischer came to visit Otto. Later Ccilie and Josepha
Navarro came with Hermine, for whom I made a cup of coffee.
27) Mr. Schmidt came from Braunf. to inspect Willow Spring. He rode
off again on the 30th, after he had offered 1700 dollars, and Otto cannot
and doesnt want to sell for less than 1800. Schm. went out several times
to shoot a deer, but did not get one, which seemed to make him very angry.
31) John and Jettchen arrived at Mothers.
November 1851
1) In the afternoon I went to Mothers and plucked a turkey for the wedding.
2) John and Hermines wedding day. In the morning I made garlands to
decorate the gallery. Around midday after lunch Minchen came down to see
our dear child; the poor woman, what all she has gone through! Then I drove
to Seguin with Eduard to get the roast and the cake from Tillmann. About
5 oclock we went up, taking our dear Clrchen. The guests: Mr. and Mrs.
Ferguson, Messrs. Fischer and Prbsting, Mr. and Mrs. Navarro and Cooke,
Ccelia as bridesmaid, Louis, Jettchen, Bianca, Minchen, Goldbeeck, and
Doove, were already assembled. Preacher Eisenlohe from Braunfels married
them under a beautiful elm in the middle of the yard. The dogs caused much
disturbance, and it was rather amusing that the pastor twice shushed Hermine.
To celebrate the occasion Otto shot off 20 previously loaded rounds. Soon
afterward we sat down to table; I sat between Louis and P. Eisenlohe. The
meal consisted of turkey bouillon, a whole suckling pig, potatoes and green
beans, salad, potato pudding, roast turkey with chopped giblets, and preserved
plums. Tillman had baked a pretty pastry, and Hermine a grape cake. Otto,
in a little speech, asked those present, in memory of our late father,
to take a sip from the large silver goblet. Many merry, merry toasts were
proposed, and numerous songs were sung. All were happy and gay. At 10:30
the gentlemen accompanied us home and, after another little serenade, returned.
Poor Minchen had a toothache in the night.
3) All breakfasted together at Mothers; Mrs. Ferguson gave me a little
dress for Clrchen. Only Jettchen had a hangover, because she had eaten
too much. Around 8:00 oclock everyone left, Hermine and John in a little
decorated cart. I helped Mother all day.
4) Uncle Hermans birthday. The fifteenth will be Hermines birthday.
10) Schuchard is rebuilding the chimney on the house. On the 8th Otto
shot a terribly thin pig, which we singed and cleaned in the moonlight.
I wrote to Louise Korte.
13) Otto rode to Braunfels to speak with Mr. Schmidt concerning the
sale of Willow Spring.
16) Otto returned, just as Mother and I were about to ride off to Navarros.
The surprise and happiness was great. Just before that we had had a great
scare, because Mother and Helene, who sat behind, had fallen from the horse,
but hadnt been hurt at all. Otto brought along Mr. Alex. W.S. probably
sold. Schmitt (Joh.) relatives arriving. Aunt Helenchens birthday.
17) Otto rode with Mr. Alex back to Braunfels; sadly his headache is
still not better. Gustav rode along to stay with Louis. Clrchen is very
well.
18) The negress Juno came this morning. In the afternoon as I was about
to lay several things out to bleach, I saw Horn, a wild cow, who had run
away from me several days ago, walking in the bottom. I enticed her with
corn, and see there, here came Violetta too, with the darlingest heifer
calf running along. That gave me great joy.
Its really only half an existence, to be living without the beloved
man; for 2 days I havent seen him, and to me it seems as though it had
already been 8 days. Perhaps it would be easier for me if Otto were quite
well again. This is my daily prayer to God!
Betty and the old Bones came for their portion of corn late in the evening.
That fat Beerbarrel came about 9 oclock. Mr. Hahnert, with wife and children,
is moving into the schoolhouse on the hill.
19) Julius brought me a thick letter from the post office, to Otto.
I opened it, and found a lot of letters from Germany, 3 among them to me.
Letter from Hermine to Mother.
23) Mothers birthday. Julius and Otto set up a little table with the
simple gifts, and then we led Mother in; she was very surprised and moved.
From Otto she received 2 bottles of wine, 2 apple pies, l glass bubble
of white sugar, and from Helenchen a green washline. From Julius a large
porcelain jug, from Hermine 2 little morning caps, and from John a teapot.
In the afternoon we had coffee at our house. Mr. Wieprecht was also there.
John wanted to come, but was prevented by the fever.
December 1851
1) During these days Otto sold his wagon to the Hahn brothers for 80
dollars cash.
7) Willow Spring is now, fortunately, sold. In the process Otto had
many unpleasantnesses with that scoundrel Henri Runge. Schmidt bought it
for 1700 dollars. Yesterday there was to be an auction of plows, horses,
etc., but it didnt take place because of a complete absence of buyers.
This evening I had a little argument with Otto: without his knowing it
I gave back Prbsting his Rock. Otto scolded me a bit strongly; I began
to cry and accused him of treating me like a child, but pretty soon we
were reconciled. Otto is unfortunately bothered constantly by heat in his
head. Thus he is easily irritated and angered by the smallest trivialities.
The poor, dearest man, this illness has lasted too long; gladly I would
sacrifice a little finger, if it would cure him. We had a great fright
yesterday evening. Our sweet angel fell out of bed, but thank God was not
hurt.
9) Minchen was with me 10 days. She was still very sad over the loss
of Heusinger. Minchen is a good-hearted woman. She made Otto a pretty vest
at my request; I gave her my real black veil, which pleased her very much.
Yesterday evening Bianca and Theodor came; today after lunch they and Otto
rode to Braunfels again. Yesterday Otto, in spite of his illness, finished
building the chimney; the good manif only God will soon make him well again.
10) Yesterday evening I had a great scare. I went into the cowpen to
drive out the calves, and when I came back, I found our beloved child lying
on her face and breathless. The dear God saved her once more, for if the
calves had not left the pen quickly and I had come a couple of minutes
later, the beloved child could have strangled.
January 1852
4) So, with Gods help and His gracious care the old year passed without
misfortunes. With fresh courage, the best resolutions, and trusting in
God, I begin the new year. If only He will maintain our health and faith.
My dear Otto is, thanks to our dear Father in Heaven, finally improving.
He is now practically always with Fergusons, and we often do not see each
other for 10-14 days, but faithfully write to each other.
We spent Christmas quite merrily; John and Hermine were here, both cheerful,
and also Julius, who has established an elementary school in San Anton
and so far has 15 students. The Holy Eve was celebrated first at Mothers,
and then with us. Otto received from Mother 2 pair of good woolen socks
and a beautiful silk foulard scarf, which he lost a few days later while
driving cattle. I surprised Otto with a fine beaver hat and a small pipe.
He surprised me with a MOUSETRAP!! From Mother I received 2 pair of white
and l pair of merino wool stockings and a silk ribbon, both of us received
a big chunk of beautiful grape torte, and Clrchen received 6 little shirts,
2 pair of stockings, and several bibs. Both we and Mother had set up little
Christmas trees. The first evening we were at Barroos wedding, but we didnt
have a good time, so we went home right after the supper, which was served
in a large tent. On Christmas Day our dear Clara was baptized. We drove
through an unpleasant rain to the church, which had just shortly before
been vacated by goats. Soon the pastor arrived, and baptized: Clara, Anna,
and Laura, who was held over the font by Hermine, as proxy for Laura Hsterei.
Thereupon we went into the Akadamie and made music till about 4 oclock,
after we had first treated ourselves to jellyroll and wine. Then we drove
home again, where we spent a very entertaining evening with Messrs. Wieprecht
and Tillmann. We had potato salad, roast duck and venison, rice pudding,
tea, bread, cheese and a fine cake from Mr. Tillmann. Later we had a glass
of punch.
February 1852
20) In January 1852 Otto sold old Fox for 25 dollars to H. Hahner. On
the 26th I turned 22 years old. My dear hubby surprised me with beautiful
gifts. I had expected nothing. Otto called me into the next room, and there
was the black chest covered with a dirty towel (which served as tablecloth)
and on it were displayed 4 bottles of Bordeaux, a pair of new shoes, a
pound each of sago and barley, a pound of raisins, a large bag full of
candy, 4 packets of matches, and pink trimming for a hat. In addition my
dear man gave me a check on his account for $5. The thought that he had
carried this all out by himself to please me made me so happy that I was
moved to tears. Also dear Mother and Helenchen came over to congratulate
me. We drank a little glass of wine together.
For about 3 weeks now Georg Schmitt and his sister have been living
on the farm. Therefore we have to make do with the big room, which actually
works quite well, for: There is space in the smallest hut for a happy,
loving pair!
Our dear Mother and Helene have been visiting with Hermine for 4 weeks.
I had expected them back today with my beloved hubby, but in vain. I hope
they will come tomorrow. I hope then to go with Clrchen for a few weeks
to Hermine and Johns. Our dear child has been able to sit up alone since
Feb. 10, and already has a little tooth.
I am and feel myself to be very happy now; all are well, Otto and I
love each other wholeheartedly, and we have a healthy, friendly, beloved
child. Also, we are making progress in our plan to move to Friedrichsburg.
Ottos corn sold well, about 150 bushels at 70 cents; the farm rented to
good people, the wagon sold for $80, etc. Daily I thank our Maker for all
his goodness and love; may He bless us further, and spare us from sickness
and harm!
Poor John still constantly has the fever. Mr. Krochmann has probably
left for Germany by now. Julius has only 12 pupils. At Christmas 51 he
started a school in San Antonio. On New Years Eve Otto was in Braunfels;
I was at Mothers, where we drank eggnog and everybody proposed a toast.
In January I received a dear letter from our dear father, which I promptly
answered. I also wrote to Mrs. Betzhold, Aunt Minchen in W. and Auguste
Wupperm. Mother received a long letter from Aunt Hanchen.
March 1852
26) At last I am back from my long trip, and glad to be home again.
On Feb. 23 I drove with Otto and Clrchen and Nestor in Louis gig to Braunfels.
There I visited Mrs. Ferguson, who was friendly as always. One evening,
the 24th, there was a concert. But since it wasnt pleasing to Otto, I declined.
After the concert there was a ball, which I enjoyed very much. My dear
Otto took care of our child. At 11 oclock Louis persuaded Otto to join
the ball while he watched the child. On the 25th we drove to Humboldt.
After a 3 1/2-week stay Otto came for me again, and we were both glad to
have it behind us. My stay there can in every respect be described as unpleasant.
Mostly the weather was terribly stormy and rainy, so that we couldnt get
outdoors except for one Sunday, when we were at Stappert and Wahlrath.
John grumbled a lot, and was always cross. Instead of thanking Otto when
he came twice to help him with planting and shocking corn, he ignored him
and was unfriendly and domineering. Hermine was indifferent and cooked
miserably badly. In Braunfels I spent a pleasant several days. Julius came
over one day, too. I saw the Grothaus family again, healthy and happy.
April 1852
5) Rose had died, so we had Eduard butcher her calf, too. We gave Mother
a hindquarter, and gave Eduard the hide for doing the butchering.
6) Mr. Bettge bought 9 cows and 3 yearlings from us for 121 dollars.
Eduard and Mr. Kettner helped herd them off this morning. Mr. Grothaus
bought Nonne for $12; Mr. Bettge bought: Flora, Blackhead, Scheck, Violetta,
Alma, Horn, Hinkfuhs, Mina, and Hannes. Otto rode with him to Braunfels.
Otto has now definitely decided to start a store in Seguin, to my great
joy. I would gladly have followed him to Friedrichsburg, but this way it
is a thousand times pleasanter for me to stay near our dear Mother and
siblings. Clrchen is constantly very restless, as she is cutting her next
two little teeth. Also Louis gave her the smallpox vaccination; of 4 pox,
2 ulcerated, and she has a rash over her whole body, which causes much
itching.
On the 26th of March we took Alice with us, but she was often homesickthat
wild mustangso on the 4th of April Louis came in the middle of the night
to take her back. He was so inconsiderate as to demand clabber for himself
and his 4 companions, but Otto refused him, much to my approval.
On the 4th Otto drove in my Mary, with a most darling foal, which I
named Rosinchen.
Otto bought the house of Elliott & Taunten in Seguin for $625. Georg
Schmitt will build a gallery onto the back. Otto traded my Mary with her
foal for a big American horse; but it ran away, and Otto hunted it unsuccessfully
for 14 days. He had just posted notices everywhere that he would pay a
reward of $5 to anyone who brought it back to him, when a quarter hour
later he happened to find it himself, and sold it to Navarro for $60. Our
charming brother-in-law told Julius and numerous others that Otto moved
here only for my sake, and did nothing himself. The fellow is himself so
wicked that he cant understand that someone else is capable of doing something
good.
Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson were with us for dinner one day on their trip
to Indianola. We invited Mother, too, and had a rooster, salad, fritters,
and green beans. After they enjoyed coffee with us, they continued their
tripMrs. Ferguson to take the baths at Indianola, and Mr. F. to Galveston
on business, where he will also buy supplies for Otto.
May 1852
11) We attended Bianca and Theodors wedding, where we enjoyed ourselves
quite well; we had taken Clrchen with us on horseback. On the return trip
Mrs. Grothaus rode with us, which gave us much amusement, because her horse
stopped under practically every tree. We rode past Louis spring, and ate
lunch at Navarros. Several days later we received the sad news of the death
of our dear sister-in-law, Auguste Wuppermann; she died 6 weeks after childbirth,
of typhus. Also, Ottos Aunt Gretchen and Uncle Joung died within 2 days
of each other.
25) In recent days Otto has been doing lots of business: he traded a
fine tablecloth and 12 napkins worth $20 and a silver soupspoon worth $12
to Taunten toward walnut wood for counters, materials, etc. for the store.
He traded Betty with her foal worth $90 to Milet for wood from Bastrop;
an ox at $13.50 and 2 pigs, $5 for shingles. I traded him Jud for Juno,
and sold the old Mexican sow with 7 young ones to Mrs. Runge for $8. Otto
gave Mother a yoke of oxen for her horse Boz.
30) Pentecost. Julius, John and Hermine are at Mothers. Julius visits
us often, the others not at alljust as well! The conceited fellow told
Mother he wanted to forget everything and made friendly gestures toward
Otto, but hed been cold and unfriendly toward him. The first day of Pentecost
we ate at Mothers (while Mother and siblings ate with us at the first Easter
noon and evening meals). In the afternoons we were at the Academie for
entertainment.
31) For several days Ive been drinking mineral water, which Dr. Nohl
prescribed for my stomach, and which agrees with me very well. Otto bought
an apparatus from Mr. Grothaus for $5. Now Im suffering badly from fatigue
and dizziness. Otto is, thank God, healthy. Clara has a very bad ear and
a heavy cold, and is troubled by her teething. The 6th is about to erupt;
she stands up alone at a chair, and crawls about busily.
In Seguin several people died of cholera, among others the two tailors,
Kessler and Windstrot.
June 1852
4) This morning Otto left for Indianola to contact Fromme. How glad
I am that the dear, good man is this far along. He worries too much; recently
it has caused him sleepless nights, and no happy hours. He still lacks
$200 to pay for the freight. In the meantime James Ferguson has promised
to lend it to him.
On the 6th, Mother, Eduard and Hermine went to Louis spring, and will
bring Minchen back with them, who will stay 3 months with Mother. Because
my beloved hubby cant go along, I am content to stay at home with my darling
child.
28) Yesterday I talked to Malchen Schmitt, and asked her if she would
care to move in with us if we move to Seguin, for $5 a month. She would
like to very much, but wants to talk to her brother about it first. Otto
helped today working on our new house in Seguin, so the workers will make
some progress. This evening he brought me the first apple chips from his
own store. Hermine is going home tomorrow morning to the Cibolo, after
visiting Mother for 4 weeks, during which time she never once set foot
in our house; [two lines have been made illegible; instead is written:]
naturally, John incited her to it.
26) Clara is making attempts to walk; for 14 days already shes been
standing alone in the middle of the room, and runs past the chairs. The
angel child gives us much joy; she already has 8 little teeth, and says,
Atta, atta, atta.
July 1852
28) Gustav is at Dr. Henfs in San Antonio, and goes to Juliuss school.
Alice Nohl recently fell from her horse and got a deep wound on her forehead.
Unfortunately, Mrs. Ferguson, who had gone to Indianola to take seabaths,
caught a fever. So Mr. James hurried there to find out if the dear, good
woman had recovered. Our dear Mother has also been sick for several days;
tomorrow morning early she wants to go back to New Braunfels with Minchen
and Hermine. From there she wants to go to the Zibolo for a week. Eduard,
too, has the fever today. In a week I want to have all three of them here
for lunch.
August 1852
13) Tomorrow it will be 4 weeks since our dear Mother contracted a gastric
fever. She had fever for 7 days. She took a sweat bath every day for 1/2
to 1 hour, wrapped in a damp sheet and wool covers, after which she lost
the fever. But she still has no appetite and is still very weak. I was
up there 3 1/2 weeks, nursed her and did her work. Since yesterday Mariechen
Haner is up there half a day daily to help her, for 6 bits [75 cents] a
week. Last Sunday Julius was up there; he was quite cheerful, soon wants
to become a Ranger, and gave Clrchen $1, for which I bought her 2 pair
of little shoes. On the 5th Clrchen had her birthday. She was very sick
on that day, had a fever, and vomited often. I gave her nothing but sugar
water, which agreed with her well. Also, my dear husband was, on that day
and several days following, very unwell, but is well again now.
Yesterday that horrid fellow von Doct. moved out of our house. Today
the plasterers are plastering our living room. Tomorrow Eduard is going
to Braunfels to work as a stonemason. Then Mother will be all alone on
the farm with the younger boys and Helenchen. Clara is energetically running
about in the yard, and gives me great joy with her friendly, loving nature.
Since my dear, good father-in-law loaned Otto $800, poor Otto has been
helped with many of his worries. So far the business is going only slowly;
actually, it is a quiet time now with all stores.
Watkinses left for the Salao this week without telling us good-bye.
Im always feeling well now, thank God, and hope this time to have a
boy, who will be named Conrad Theodor. Mrs. Runge still has the fever.
October 1852
8) Since the 19th now I have been in town with my dear hubby. I like
it much better here, especially because one sees more people. Also, I have
a much prettier room than at the farm. The gallery has a railing all around,
and I no longer have so much rough work. Also, for about 14 days now I
have had a pretty, convenient stove, which is, after all, an extraordinary
amenity. Last week I wrote a long letter to Father and a little note to
Laura. Mother is constantly improving, and comes to visit us one day every
week. Julius was with us 8 days in August, during which Otto made a business
trip to Braunfels and San Antonio. He is now bookkeeper with Calehan in
S. Ant. and earns $40 a month, and later will even make $50. Since Julius
is away, Mr. Tillmann is practically always with us. As of Oct. 1 he pays
$8 board per month and sleeps in the storehouse. For 5 weeks Malchen Schmitt
has had an abscessed thumb, and couldnt do our washing for 4 weeks. She
is so slow and disorderly, lazy, and phlegmatic, that as soon as Ive recovered
from my confinement Im going to let her go. Then possibly Ill get along
myself with the help of a 10- or 12-year-old girl.
On Sept. 28 it was 2 years since we married. We have experienced much
that was good as well as unpleasantnesses, but our love has remained the
same. If I could relive the two years, and still had the choice to take
my dear Otto or not, I would, even as then, with joyful willingness, become
his wife, and I believe my good hubby would choose the same! Our beloved
Clrchen gives us great joy, and is a great comfort in gloomy hours. She
now has 8 front and 3 back teeth; she is almost too energetic, and makes
us lots of work. Every day she falls several times from whatever chair
shes climbing on, in spite of our forbidding it. Recently she climbed up
the high stairs in the store, and it took me a great effort to carry her
down. She steals crackers, prunes, candy, packets of tobacco, nails, onions,
candles, in short anything she can reach, and every few minutes he comes
running after her to retrieve the stolen goods.
This morning Otto rode out very early on Ali to bring in Juno and her
foal, which had worms on its head, and found the foal dead. We had heard
about it Sunday; since it was too late for Otto to ride out himself, he
offered Mother half a dollar if she would get Gustav to drive it inagain,
as usual, refused. Otto took a lot of trouble, hunted it day before yesterday
on foot without finding it, offered several people, including that shiftless
Mohlfeld, $1 to driven it in, etc. [blacked out]: Mother, Mother,??????
your detestable disagreeableness and egotism are all to blame! Yet it is
the duty of the children to pardon a fault in the parents, for they do
cause them much grief and work in their youth, as I myself am experiencing
with my child; therefore I should forgive and forget this also!
The business has been very quiet the past several weeks. Otto often
takes in only $3 or at most $10 in a day.
A report that Mr. Bechem is coming. If it were true I would be very
happy.
It is Sunday morning, 11 oclock; it is cool, but the sun is shining
so bright and friendly; a pretty little fire is burning in the fireplace,
and Clrchen our beloved child is lying asleep in her bed. She looks pale
and delicate. The past few days she has had a bad cold and a high fever,
and still has a heavy cough. I too have a heavy cold and cough. Mr. Theisen
was lodging with us the whole week. He was giving testimony in court concerning
folk history. Mother, Gustav, and Helene took Jettchen Nohl back to Braunfels
yesterday morning (in the wagon), but returned this evening. Otto, too,
rode to Braunfels very early this morning, planning to return this evening
or early tomorrow. He sold a white mare to an Irishman last week for $21.
He loaned that plus Hagemanns saddle to a certain Clarenbach von Remscheid,
and the latter, presumably going for a short ride, disappeared 8 days ago
with horse, saddle, and a shirt borrowed from Tillmann. The business is
bringing in approximately $10-15 per day.
Hipp died of yellow fever.
November 1852
17) Yesterday Mrs. Runge was here. She wept terribly because she had
received the news that her husband lay dangerously ill of yellow fever
in Indianola; probably she will travel down there by next Saturday. Mr.
Krochmann has arrived in Indianola. Yesterday we read the first New Braunfelser
Zeitung [New Braunfels Times]. John plans to start a store in Braunfels
in a few weeks, and, in fact, with credit in San Antonio.
For 2 weeks now Ive been expecting my confinement, but it seems that
perhaps another 2 weeks will pass. May God grant that it will go as happily
as the first time.
Yesterday the first immigrants came through here. The business is going
better now$18, $20-25 per day. Julius in San Ant. is sick.
20) Letter from Julius; he is better. Yesterday evening Otto made a
condolence visit to poor Mrs. Runge, who yesterday received the terrible
news of the death of her husband; I wrote her a few lines. Since a few
days ago Otto has had a boy, David Allen, to help him in the store.
23) Mothers birthday. Otto invited Mother for today, to eat sauerkraut
with us. We gave her several small gifts, arranged on a table, encircled
by a pretty wreath: a little almond cake, 1 little gilded milk pitcher
filled with almonds, raisins and candy, a bottle of olive oil, and 2 1/2
pounds of plums. We spent quite a happy time together, ate broth, and sauerkraut
with beef. Afterward we drank a glass of wine to Mothers health, and had
apple pie with it. Later, after we had had a cup of tea together, Otto
accompanied Mother home.
Today we weighed ourselves on the gallery. Mother weighed 110 pounds,
my dear hubby 152 1/2, Helene 54, Clrchen 19, and I 116 1/2 lbs.
Julius sent a carton of potatoes and wine, which unfortunately didnt
arrive in time.
December 1852
19) On the 5th the long-awaited little Theodor finally arrived, in the
morning about 8 oclock. Otto wanted to ride Ali to Neuntdterns, but I asked
him instead to go to Mrs. Dee and call her. About 9 oclock she came, and
I visited with her quite a while longer, the pains getting stronger all
the time. In the meantime Otto rode to Mothers to call her, and about a
quarter to 11 dear Mother came, and about 11 oclock little Th. was born.
Mother stayed with me 10 days, and nursed me faithfully.
Yesterday Mr. Bechem arrived here again. He brought us many letters
and a box full of things. Eduard also finally returned; he had been to
Bastrop with Fritz Goldbeck; there they had gotten boards, and sold them
in San Antonio. Yesterday Gustav came from San Antonio (where he had taken
a horse to Julius, who is unfortunately still sick), returned through Braunfels
and brought along Johns little wagon, in which Mother wants to drive to
Braunfels next Tuesday to care for Hermine, who is also expecting within
a few weeks.
Mr. Bechem brought me 4 letters from Louise Korte, Alwine Tillmann,
Laura Hsterey and Aunt Hanchen, for Otto from Father (who included a pretty
little package of ribbon), and his friend Hohrath.
Otto is suing the swindler James, who owes him $75, of which hell probably
get nothing back. This is a considerable loss for him, and worries him
sorely. Ive often warned him not to trust the fellow so much, but he allowed
himself to be deceived by the mans sanctimonious mask.
Yesterday Gustav took Clrchen back to Mothers. But she wasnt gone very
long when I already began to regret letting her go; I long to see the dear
child again, and I urged Otto to bring her back this eveningOtto, incidentally,
had gone to the Jeronimo at about 10 oclock with Mr. Bechem. Mr. Griesenbeck
had an attack of yellow fever in Indianola. Rust sold his store to Oliver
and ???????. Calvert sold all his possessions for $8000.
February 1853
13) Today Otto and I took a pleasant walk along the Guadalupe; on the
way back we visited Ankermllers and Klasings. Otto and I wrote to Father
and Laura. On Dec. 24 Hermine delivered a little girl. Mother went over
on the 20th, and had to nurse Hermine and also Julius, who was deathly
ill. We spent Dec. 25, the first day of Christmas, very quietly and peacefully.
I couldnt do a tree because I couldnt get wax candles anywhere in town.
Eduard and Gustav spent the day with us. Otto gave E. a pair of trousers
and Gustav a pair of shoes. Otto and I gave each other nothing, as we expected
the box from Germany, whose contents were to be our Christmas gifts. The
box arrived on Dec. 29, as well as Mr. Bechems piano, which we rented from
him. On the 18th of January Lieschen came, and that stupid chick, Mamsell
Schmitt, shoved off. On January. 26 I turned 23 years old. Otto gave me
a pretty little sewing box, 4 lemons, 2 bottles of wine, and a beautiful
cake from Mr. Tillmann. Mr. Theisen visited us the 29th and 30th.
On the 3d I wrote to Hermine that we would like to change the continuing
unpleasant relationship, and lets visit each other again, etc., to which
Hermine replied on the 9th, and in fact quite friendly and courteous. Thank
God that its to this point again, and Otto, for my and Mothers sake, kept
a low profile.
Mr. Bechem helped Otto plant shade trees in front of our house. Hermine
visited us and Mother with her little daughter Emilie (a small, frail child).
Hermine had gotten rather thin, but she was more affectionate than formerly.
March 1853
3) Yesterday I received a letter from Minchen that she wants to marry
for the third time, and is engaged to Wilhelm Reuter.How is it possible?!
Yesterday I weighed both my little kiddies; Clara weighed 22 and Theodor
14 lb.
Yesterday evening Calverts stable burned down, a terrible fire. Just
recently a lot of corn and hay had been hauled in. It was so light that
one could have seen to read on our gallery. H. Runge returned from Indianola
the day before yesterday.
July 1853
22) For a long time I have written nothing in my diary. Much sadness
and much happiness has happened in our family in the meantime. Emilie Staehely
died June 29. I drove over with Mother, Julius, Helenchen, and my two children.
As we had crossed the ferry Walther met us to give us the news. I returned
the next day with Julius, who was delivering merchandise for Otto. On July
4 I was alone at home with my children. I had let my girl Minchen go to
Braunfels. Julius and Gustav were with me. The latter had fever. Otto rode
to Braunfels, where he had a very good time, and even danced several times.
We received letters from Father and Laura, and answered them. Hermine
was with Mother for 14 days for a visit, and took Helenchen back with her
so she can go to school there. She brought Ccelia Navarro back as well,
to keep her a couple of weeks.
Mrs. Bremer died. Mr. Jung died. Moreaus had a little girl, Hulda.
Eduard is sick, has the fever. I am very worn out from nursing the baby,
often so weak that I cant stand, and have lost 15 lb. in 3 months, now
weigh 85 lb.
Otto is building a new house of stone. He has lots of annoyances with
it, as he cannot get the necessary building timber, and people lie to him
and cause delays.
Clara is beginning to talk quite nicely, and is getting a little more
reasonable. She calls her little brother Titi; he is a splendid, plump
little fellow. At six months he sat up alone, which he first did at Mothers
when I visited her for a week with both children. At the same time Caroline
Bastian was at Mothers for several days, too. At 7 months he crawled, and
now at 7 1/2 months he stands alone at a chair. He is the embodiment of
friendliness and liveliness. Clara doesnt gain much. Wieprecht thinks she
may have worms. For that she had to wear a damp cloth around her tummy
for a while; and I bathe both her and Theodor in cold water every morning.
Mr. Griesenbeck has been working since Monday as clerk in our store.
Im very happy for my dear Otto; the poor man wont be so dreadfully tied
down. July 15 was Ottos birthday. I had ordered a grape torte from Mr.
Tillmann, with which I surprised him before dinner. At 8 oclock I drove
in Wintzs little cart, with Mrs. Cooke and Paris Smiths boy to Plumrich,
and by 11 was home again with a big basketful of plums.
On July 25 I moved into the Hipp house, a beautiful, comfortable, roomy
dwelling. On the 27th the fireplace and chimney between dwelling and store
were torn down. On the 28-29 I weaned my little Theodor, since nursing
drained me so much that I was finally so weak I could hardly stay on my
feet. The milk still causes me much pain, breasts very swollen and stone-hard.
Eduard still has fever.
August 1853
On the 19th I rode with Walther (who after 9 months at Johns finally
visited Mother for a few days) to Braunfels to attend a ball on Sunday
evening. Our dear, good Mother stayed with the children. We rode off about
5 oclock, came to the ferry in the dark about 8, and shouted for about
1 1/2 hours, but the ferryman was too lazy to come. So there was nothing
to do but camp at Wyskemanns for the night.
We drank a glass of beer and ate bread and butter, we lay down on a
bed made up of boards and blankets; lying on it, instead of getting rested
one only got more exhausted. After breakfast we rode right to Braunfels,
where we were greeted quite hospitably. During the morning Hermine and
I went bathing at vom Steins. In the evening we all went to the ball together.
That is, we drove there. Ccelia Navarro was unfriendly. Otto unexpectedly
surprised us in the morning. We had a good time together. John was drunk
and behaved disgustingly. Monday morning I went bathing again with Hermine,
then rode to Minchens and from there to Stahelys, where the old Navarros
were with the wagon, to pick up Ccelia. About 4 oclock we all went home
together, including Eduard, who is now rid of the fever.
September 1853
Yesterday I rode with H. Griesenbek to his mothers. The Jung farm is
situated attractively, but the house is a dog kennel. The wood and trees
are small and crippled, and the area around the house looks disorderly.
Julius Griesenbeks house is a miserable little hut which stands on a rough
hill with stunted trees. Both farms are rough and wretched, and have increased
my antipathy toward farming. My dear Otto is well and cheerful, the business
is going well, our pretty home is nearing completion, Klara is very well,
and she talks more every day. Today she stuffed some partly-chewed nuts
into Titis mouth, and asked him: Want some nuts, Titi? No more, you be
sick! Our dear little Titi is, thank God, improving. Hes getting more cheerful.
But he still has bad diarrhea, for which I must give him two enemas every
day. My dear hubby has now promised me a new wardrobe!
January 1854
16) This evening I found the name Erens [Evens?] on the forged $20 note.
My beloved hubby left for San Antonio this morning in Fahrs wagon hitched
to 2 mules, so for several days Gustav and I have to manage the store alone.
Since I last wrote in this book, much has again happened in this family,
and thank God mostly good. Our sweet little son is completely well again,
and in fact through a water cure by Mr. Wieprecht. In appreciation Otto
gave him a Mexican Plneit [plant?] for Christmas. Our dear Titi was so
sick several times that I feared for his life, but our gracious God spared
him for us.
Julius recently became engaged to Anna Tischmeier, and now is accompanying
her to Houston, probably to attend to certain inheritance arrangements,
and then he will bring her back here. The new sister-in-law from Spee pleases
me quite well. She is natural and friendly16 years old, Julius 25, so they
suit each other agewise well, like my dear Otto and I. Today Mr. Carl Griesenbeck
introduced his fiancee, Miss Rser.
We have been living for several months in our new house. At first I
was very cold here. But since Otto, at my frequent request, had a ceiling
installed in the room it is warm and pleasant there.
Since Christmas I have had a new girl, Sophie Schubert; she is stupid,
but much better than Minchen. Several days ago Mr. Krochmann came by Mothers,
and today traveled on to Braunfels and San Antonio. He is still always
the good, loyal friend.
Mr. Bechems illness has worsened recently. Now he needs the water cure
for half a year, and is living with Wieprecht on our farm; they board at
Mothers.
Bianca Goldbeck has borne a little son, so now Louis is a jolly grandfather.
Uncle Peter is remaining very quiet in Braunfels. He has not been here
again since his arrival.
We celebrated the days of Christmas quite happily. I had made a pretty
little tree, and gave my Otto a handsome new bathrobe; Otto gave me a rocking
chair, which will probably not arrive until my birthday. The first day
we were happily at Mothers; ate an excellent fat turkey for dinner. In
the afternoon Tischmeiers came and we made lots of music together; in the
evening the Christmas tree was lighted. From Mother we received: Otto,
a fat turkey; I, a feather bed with a silk binding. We gave her a large
porcelain bowl.
New Year's Eve Otto and I were happily together, drank a glass of Wipp,
and congratulated each other on the New Year.
On January 1, Mother, Julius, Eduard, Helene, Mr. Bechem and Wieprecht
joined us to eat sauerkraut. In the evening we lighted our little Christmas
tree and let it burn out, ate Pussertcakes [?], and were very gay.
On the 8th Julius accompanied the Tischmeier family down to Indianola.
On the 17th, Otto has cold traveling weather, since this morning suddenly
a norther stormed in. Eduard wants to go to Bastrop tomorrow to get a load
of boards and then sell them in San Antonio or Braunfels. Earlier, he had
been in Indianola; I loaned him my breadbox, and he lost the lid and didnt
mention it until I asked him about it. Right afterward, he asked Otto for
$2 to go and get Juno, which he had seen several days before; anybody else
would do it for $1. The previous summer Otto had contributed $5 to lighten
his loss of a wild mare, which had died because of his carelessness. [The
next sentence is blacked out.]
May 1854
16) Practically half a year has passed since I entered anything in this
book. Much has happened in that time. Juliuss engagement was canceled.
Otto gave me a rocking chair for my birthday; in addition we have added
the following new furniture: 1 pretty wardrobe, a small milk cupboard,
and 8 pretty wicker chairs. In March Hermine delivered a little girl; Mother
was with her 4 weeks. In April Hermine spent several weeks with Mother
with her little Eugenie, and just at that time my poor dear husband got
sick, and had a bad gallbladder attack. The second night I sent to Dr.
Starkeit was high time. Otto got so weak that he couldnt bear even the
slightest noise, and at the same time he was in a very irritated mood.
Eduard, Mr. Krochmann, Dr. Starke and I alternated sitting with him at
night. Louis visited him once, too, at my request. I wrote to him through
Mr. Seele. He confirmed Dr. Sts prescriptions, and if Otto had not had
a relapse the illness would not have lasted 4 weeks. On the 9th and 10th
of May Otto again had terrible toothache and facial pains. On the 11th
it improved somewhat, so he drove to San Antonio early in the morning to
buy summer goods, and to take part in the songfest. Saturday morning Julius
(who had come to us in the second week of Ottos illness), Eduard, and Mr.
Wm. Fromme, who was visiting Mother for 2 weeks, also rode to San Antonio.
Yesterday and today I minded the store all alone, an unpleasant business,
especially when one is, as I am, expecting to deliver in 8-14 days. That
horrid Albert ran off to Braunfels on the second Easter Day, in spite of
Ottos bad illness. And Sophie married a fellow whom she had known 8 days.
Tomorrow, I hope, my beloved hubby will come back well again from San Ant.
Both our children are covered with sores and rash. Clrchen, Im sorry to
say, is not improving; she doesnt weigh more than half a year ago: 27 lb.,
and often causes us irritation by copying all that unpleasant Ernestines
naughtinesses. Titi is a darling little angel, plump and healthy, and is
beginning to talk.
June 1854
24) On the 8th of June our little Anna was born, about 11:30 oclock
in the midday. I suffered much more than with the first two children. The
child had the umbilical cord wrapped twice around her neck (a result of
my having tied up the vines on the arbor in front of our door, and reached
up high too much) and therefore couldnt deliver properly. Six days before
my confinement, after much searching, I obtained a nurse from Brfls, Mrs.
Hildebrand, who did deliver the baby. She receives $10 per month, which
she does earn. Mother happened to come that evening, to attend Schmidtchens
wedding, and was very glad that it had been accomplished. Mrs. H. nursed
me like her own daughter, and also took care of the rest of the household
quite well. Her only fault is that she talks too much. Otto, thank God,
is completely well again. A month ago he and Julius were in San Antonio
for the Songfest. For the past 2 weeks Clara has been with her grandmother.
25) On July 3 the Staehelys had their child baptized. Mr. James Ferguson,
Mr. Bechem, and I were sponsors. In Braunfels I enjoyed myself very muchon
the 4th of July on the Zinkenburg; on the hill; music; and at a ball. On
the way there ???? Mama in the little postwagonterrible heatClara vomited
a number of times. In Brfs. we were received very cordially by Hermine
and John. One afternoon at Moreaus for a coffee visitat Fergusons for chocolatewe
bought a perambulator for $4 1/2Wilhelm Elbers shot himself on July 5,
probably because of an unhappy love affair with Alma Nohl. John drove us,
Mr. Bechem and me, back to Seguin in Fergusons wagon. Two miles out of
Braunfels we were met by Kreutz with his wife and child. The most recent
news, according to his wife, from Alex Ferguson, is that Kreutz was en
route to Braunf. to demand $400 of Alex F. to rear the child. If F. doesnt
want to pay, hell sue. On James Fs behalf, John requested a conference,
and offered $200, but Mrs. Ferguson will not hear of it, because she has
high hopes. Mrs. K. drove back to Seguin with us, and Mr. Bechem as mediator
returned to Braunfels. Once returned here, John allowed himself the rude
remark that it had been a stupid trick for Otto to tell Kreuz that he had
heard that his wife too had had dealings with other men, etc., etc. The
haughty way in which John said this so angered Otto that he asked Mr. Bechem
to tell John that such rudeness in his home, etc. Mr. B. did this, and
it caused Johns own self-conceit to suffer so that he swore never again
to enter our house. In fact, he immediately returned to Br., and with him
Mrs. Hildebrand, who in the last few days had been insufferable, because
she had dreamed that her husband had died, so that I was glad to be rid
of her. Mrs. Shick helped me several days, until on June 18 I again obtained
a decent girl (at least so it seems till now), Ernestine Glser.
Today Louis Nohl was here and prescribed cod-liver oil for our poor
little Titi. Theodor has scrofula and is cutting his eyeteeth; he has become
very thin and has a swollen belly. Clrchen is now growing well, and is
pretty healthy. Little Anna is a darling child; she is growing noticeably
and is very healthy. John left for Germany today; his mother died, and
he will probably inherit $15,000.
Julius is managing Staehelys business during Johns absence. I am sorry
that Julius isnt with us oftener. He was quite amusing and made lots of
jokes with Mrs. Hildebrand. To replace him we have had Mr. Looff since
about 8 days ago. Now Otto wants to build on a bedroom, and to our joy
Mother plans to come to us for several months, as soon as she has rented
her farm. Today Mother received a letter from Aunt Hanchen. Stuve, with
his wife, arrived in Braunf. the day before yesterday.
The 15th, Ottos birthday, he was still in a bad mood and affected by
his anger toward John. I baked him a large cake with raisins, and gave
him a picture of Kossuth [Hungarian patriot who came briefly to the United
States], 6 linen handkerchiefs, and a little square of silk.
[On the last page of the manuscript is the note: On July 30 1854 Otto
weighed 145 lb., Elise 102 lbs., Clrchen 27 lb., Theodore 21 lb., Anna
11 lb.]
September 1854
20) Next Monday our dear Mother is leaving the farm. The day after tomorrow
she wants to have a little auction. Then she will stay with us for two
weeks, and will then go to Mrs. Ferguson. Our bedroom is being built; Ill
be very glad when the beds get out of the living room, as that will give
us more space. Tomorrow I will write to Uncle Hermann to bring us a piano.
December 1854
On Wednesday, December 6, God took our dearly beloved Annchen to Him.
The child was too beautiful and lovable for this evil world, in which there
is so little joy and so much grief. The poor child suffered terribly from
dysentery, cramps, and teething. The attack of dysentery was so severe
that Louis and Dr. Morgan could not save her. Day and night the good Louise
and I watched beside her, supported the last two nights by our dear Mother,
who came from Braunfels at my request.
On Nov. 23, Mothers birthday, she was with Mrs. Ferguson, who delivered
a baby on that day. On the 24th, at Ottos request I rode to Mrs. Wilcox,
on the Guadaloupe, because she was sick. On the 24th Annchen was sick and
had violent diarrhea. That night Otto rode to Braunfels to attend a concert
and ball at the local Choral Society. Sunday the poor child even lost some
blood. This frightened me so that I called Mr. Zorn and asked him whether
he thought I should have someone call an American doctor, but he definitely
advised against it. The illness continued to get worse, in spite of baths
and medicines, and on the 6th our most dearly beloved child died. On the
7th we drove out and buried her beside our good father and dear Clara.
On the 8th she would have been exactly 6 months old.
On the 9th Mother got sick, with headache and fever, and had to stay
with us, though she had intended to return to Fergusons. On the 10th we
had a letter from Aunt Hannchen, and from Eduard in Austin. Clrchen and
Theodor both have heavy colds and have a bad rash at the mouth. January
1855
On Dec. 12th I accompanied my mother to Braunfels, and caught such a
bad cold that I got a throat infection and suffered much. On Dec. 24th
I traveled to Braunf. with Clrchen and Theodor, stayed 14 days at Nohls,
and enjoyed myself very much at Nohls and Moreaus. The children received
gifts there, too. On New Years there was a pretty ball at the Casino; Otto
had come, too. There was a lottery of all sorts of trivia; I won a pin
with a glass button, a deck of cards, and a little tin of hairpins.
On Jan l5th Otto gave me a barrel of potatoes, a pretty tablecloth,
and 2 pretty blue dishes as Christmas gifts. I gave him a cigar case, a
white shawl, and a ladyfriend [??]. The children received a little table.
Oh, if our sweet, beloved Annchen were still alive, how gladly I would
exchange balls, entertainments, and everything of that kind! The rash on
the childrens mouths is healed.
26) My birthday; I turned 25 years old. My dear good Otto gave me a
pretty lacquered washbasin, a painted brooch, and 2 cakes. The dear fellow
even ran around until he found me a bouquet of greenery.
February 1855
20) Clrchen was quite sick for 8 days. Had a bad catarrh, fever, spit
up bile several times from a heavy cough. Fritz had to ride to Braunfels
3 times. Louis prescribed for her quite well without seeing her, and she
is now, thank God, quite well again. Otto has been on a trip for 8 days
with Mr. Carl Wieprecht, to look about in the Guadaloupe Mountains or the
Rio Blanco for a good piece of property to farm and raise cattle. On the
19th Otto returned and told me that he will probably buy Wilkes Farm, situated
20 miles from Braunfels on the road to Friedrichsburg.
March 1855
At the end of February Otto and I and the children went to Braunfels
in Fahrs little cart. We lodged at Moreaus, and went to the ball at the
Club in the evening. It was too full, too many ordinary folk there, and
Otto was annoyed that I often sat by Hermine. On Monday we drove home again,
and took our dear Mother along, who stayed with us for a month. Just at
that time we received 2 boxes of oranges and 1 barrel of fresh apples.
Mother and I often went for walks with the children along the Guadalupe.
Unfortunately, during recent weeks it has often been very cold, so that
we have not been able to go out. Lehmann and Eduard left for a trip in
February, and Mr. Pelzer took Lehmanns place.
April 1855
On the first, Otto and Mr. Andro Erskine traveled up to see Dr. Potters
mill.
August 1855
For almost 14 days I was at our dear Mothers with both the children.
She lives in the little cottage with Helenchen. During that time her piano
arrived. Ottos and Johns disagreement resulted in several very unpleasant
scenes. Practically every day we went on coffee visits, often bought peaches
for ourselves, and had quite a pleasant time. I was the very picture of
Struwelpeter here, and was often exhausted. Julius became engaged to Anna
Pelzer. Otto took a trip with Mr. Bechem into the hills, and with the help
of Mr. Groth, a land surveyor, laid out the town of Middletown. He had
lots of rain, and stayed a number of days longer than he had intended,
so I was greatly worried about him.
The Democrats held a big barbecue here in Seguin. We had 4 Braunfelsers
and Agnes Dittmar lodging with us.
15) Ottos birthday. I baked him 2 plum tarts, which I encircled with
pretty wreaths, gave him a pair of suspenders, and composed a little poem
for him. On that day there was a barbecue here. I had exhausted myself
the day before, doing so much baking that in the morning I fainted. After
Louise ran away I was 4 weeks without a maid. Later Mrs. Heinze came to
work for me. We arranged for our clerk, Mr. Radeleff, to board elsewhere,
because just now provisions are quite short, and he is a formidable eater.
September 1855
17) Julius was here for several days. His company (business with Staehely)
fell apart before it started. Now he wants to establish his own business
here. Mr. Otto Fischer was here with 2 Mexicans; he brought shingles and
took goods with him, including 2 young kittens. Simon took our bitch; Schulze
went along. Yesterday Otto drove Mad. Fromme and her little son to Dr.
Nohls, because the child is not very well. From there Otto will drive into
the Martinus, perhaps to buy several mares from Real; and from there to
San Antonio to buy supplies.
Yesterday I had a letter from Eduard. He doesnt care to follow Ottos
suggestion to move to the new town on the Blanco. The Indians have recently
been stealing and murdering, and come quite close to the towns. Mr. Andro
Erskine wants to go out against the Indians with a company of volunteers,
which company Mr. Bechem plans to join, too. Otto is quite well and in
good spirits. Clara and Theodor are quite well too, and give us much enjoyment.
As for myself, I am now on the whole in better health than at the beginning
of pregnancy; especially as the morning sickness has practically stopped.
Nothing came of Erskines expedition against the Indians because General
Smiths help in getting weapons, provisions, etc. was not forthcoming.
November 1855
On the 12th little William Otto was born, at 3:30 at night. The midwife,
Mrs. Hildebrand, had been here since Nov. l. Anna Pelzer was here for a
14-day visit. On Oct. 30 we arranged a ride for her back to Braunfels by
Suchard, and to bring Mother and Mrs. Hildebrand back. On November 1 Otto
traveled to Austin in the pleasant company of Americans, and attended the
barbecue there, which he enjoyed very much.
Today, the 19th, Sunday, Otto and Julius rode this morning at 6 oclock
to Braunfels, in spite of a pretty strong norther. They plan to attend
the theater tonight. From there Otto will ride to San Antonio tomorrow,
to make various purchases. Since 3 weeks ago, Julius is a partner in Ottos
business; he realized that a business of his own was not going to work;
it is good on both sides that it has turned out this way.
We can be very thankful to our Dear God that the birth of our little
Otto went so quickly and well; if only He will preserve him in good health.
My maid, the sanctimonious Mrs. Heinze, gave me notice on the 24th that
[a sentence blacked out] because I dont want Otto to give her son-in-law,
Glser, the shingles on credit. Its horrid herethe servants are so insolent.
Mrs. Hildebrandt is an outstanding exceptionshe is a wonderful example
of a midwife.
What good luck, and what happiness, to have my dear, good Mother with
me. With what love she cares for me, and takes on the housework as if it
were her own.
Used Courtesy of Gerhard Vowinckel
January 1856
About 2 weeks before Christmas our dear, good Aunt Hanchen arrived,
well and happy, from Germany. For Christmas we made a beautiful big Christmas
tree. Unfortunately I did not have a maid, and had to do all the work alone
with Mother and Auntie, which was very difficult for me because I was still
very weak from my confinement. It was very unpleasant for me for Mothers
and Aunties sake. Mrs. Schick came down to do the washing and milking.
We had made beautiful cakes and little pastries, and would have had a happy
time if it had not been so terribly cold. We gave Julius a fine tablecloth
and 6 napkins, and a leather bucket with copper hoops. Our dear Mother
received a beautiful clock and a pair of silk gloves, and Aunt Hanchen
the same kind of gloves and a fine comb. My dear, good Otto gave me a half-length
of fine linen, tulle for a veil, a pair of gloves, and a tin container
of green peas. Otto received from me a hat, vest, gloves, and the start
of a pair of suspenders. The first day of Christmas was terribly cold,
so that we all crouched as close to the stove as possible. On the second
day Eduard came, and we had a fine roast turkey; but our poor, dear Mother
unfortunately had a bad headache. The following day Mother and Auntie drove
back to Braunfels with Suchard. On New Year's Day Julius and Anna were
married; they were married at Staehelys by Mr. Seele, and afterward went
to the ball at the Union Club.
On January third our present maid, Tine, arrived. I had had her brought
here from Yorks Creek by Nagel. [See entry below for March 2.]
On January 26 I turned 26 years old already. It was extremely smoky
in our living room that day. Otto gave me a barrel of German potatoes.
March 1856
Our dear Clrchen has been with Mother in Braunfels for 3 weeks, and
sorry to say has a fever and gastritis; Louis did say that there is no
danger, but nevertheless I am very concerned about it. Louis was here to
see Theodor, who has scarlet fever; thank God he is now improving very
much.
2) (Seguin) At the same time [that he brought Tine the maid, Nagel]
took Alma back, who was here 2 weeks, during which time unfortunately we
had constant rain and cold. Little Otto has a herpetic infection on both
cheeks. Louis says he could easily get rid of it, but its better not to,
because it could easily cause swollen glands in the lower abdomen.
Otto has already been back to Middletown. Through Louis I hear that
Indians have been seen again. Since my last confinement I do not feel quite
well again, even though I have fed Otto generously with oatmeal, and Louis
advised me to take the mineral water cure.
May 1856
Pentecost Sunday, May 11. A sad, at least very boring, Whitsuntide:
3 days of rain, so very dirty; Otto in Middletown; Julius to Brfs. to visit
his wife, who has been visiting Mother for 2 weeks already. So I was all
alone with the children. But still I have cause to be thankful to God,
that our dear Ottochen is better again. Last week he was sick, first 3
days with high teething fever, and then after the first little tooth had
come through, heavy diarrhea, so that he has become quite thin. Eight days
ago Otto drove off to Mitn. with Batholomae, the carpenter, and on the
way there took Aunt Hanchen to Braunfels. The next night my beautiful Juno
died, probably from too much exertion after foaling. Probably now the beautiful
foal will not thrive, either.
Aunt Hannchen was here about 8 weeks. The first 4 weeks of her sojourn
here I was in Braunfels with ttchen visiting with dear Mother, to take
a mineral water cure, but without any observable success. At Easter there
was a concert there, for the benefit of the school. Otto came over, too.
I sang the Adelaide, and, with H. Schtze, a duet from Faust. Mrs. Torry
and Mrs. v. Roth sang a duet, and later in a quartet. I was received in
very friendly way by all friends and relatives, especially by dear Alwine
and Franz. On the other hand I became acquainted with Hartmanns from a
very unfavorable point of view. After dear Aunt Hannchen has returned to
Braunfels, it seems very lonely here; she was so good about taking care
of my household, and caring for our two dear eldest children, so that I
could stay in Braunfels quite without worry.
For a month now Amalia from Fischers has been here at young Whlers.
She arrived during my absence. Auntie, who didnt know her, didnt take her
in, so now she seems to be stirred up by Whlers, for she will not come,
in spite of repeated invitations. While I was in Brfs. the gray stallion,
Gray Pasha, was stolen from Martinos. Again a great loss!
On the 4th Otto drove up into the hills with Bartholomae, and took dear
Aunt Hanchen along to Braunfels. He drove for the first time with our new
wagon, and hitched up Juno, who had a little foal, and the mule. Juno didnt
want to pull at all, so that Otto had great trouble with it. The next morning
she was dead. The poor foal is with Cramer in Hortontown, who will raise
it.
20) Ottochen, the little angel, already had 2 teeth; he was quite sick
for a week, had fever 3 days, and then the severest diarrhea. Early in
the morning and in the evening I gave him a little glass of fresh cows
milk. Since he did not digest it at all, but excreted in rock- hard clumps,
I have not given him milk any more. Also, for several days he had nettle-
rash. Two days ago I weaned him; the good little angel screamed loudly
only the first evening, and since then has quietly resigned himself to
his fate. The child is not pretty, but so good and friendly that he is
everybodys favorite, especially Juliuss.
On the 16th Mr. Baier came through here with his pretty wife, whom he
introduced to us. The 20th, yesterday, Gustav Pelzer brought his sister
here again. Anna was off on a trip for 3 weeks; Julius boarded with us
long enough that I earned $9 from him, with which I shall buy 6 bed sheets
from Mother. Edmund and Mathilde were married on the l9th. Anna Dittmar
is engaged to Mr. Konrads, Mr. Real to a Miss Kaehe, who had traveled by
ship with Aunt Hanchen. Aunt Hanchen sent me as a love gift a beautiful
lorgnette!
Klrchen has grown well. Every morning it is her job to scrub the candle-lighters,
which is not very suitable for her. The child is quite excitable, and for
her age very smart; she has a good, affectionate heart, but many faults,
of which the worst is a tendency to fibbing. For some time she has often
been having very heavy nosebleeds. Theodor is an obstinate little fellow,
but a kindhearted boy.
21) Today Mr. Krochmann was here, but only about 5 minutes, since he
was immediately leaving with the post to San Antonio. But he promised to
stay for a day on his return trip.
August 1856
17) Again I must enter great, great sadness in my diary. On July 23
our beloved little Otto died, after 5 weeks of painful suffering from teething
fever, dysentery, and mucous fever. The good little angel remained conscious
until a few minutes before his death. He was terribly ravaged, nothing
but skin and bones. Aunt Hanchen came 2 weeks before his death, and faithfully
helped me nurse him. On the 24th I wrote to Franz Moureau, and he sent
a messenger with a letter from me to poor Otto at Middletown, to bring
him the mournful tidings. We drove in Suchards carriage, Aunt Hannchen,
Mrs. Zorn, the children and I, to the gravesite of our loved ones, beside
whom we buried the beloved boy with hot tears. He was 8 months and 11 days
old.
During the following days we packed up our things, and drove to our
good Mothers. On the 6th Otto finally took us to Middletown. We had a bad
trip, terrible heat, shortage of water, and lost a mule at the Guadalupe,
so that we had to drive to M. with 2 horses instead of 3, of which one
was sick. Auntie and I both like it quite well here, but by no means is
everything finished here. The greatest inconvenience is that we have to
haul the water such a distancefor Otto 300 steps, and for me 450.
Of course we could not celebrate Ottos birthday, because he was in Middletown
and I in Seguin with the deathly ill child. I crocheted him a little pouch
for steel and tinder, had a pair of red slippers made for him, and gave
him a box of effervescent powder.
14) Auntie and I went with Georgs wife and daughters and my children
to hunt wild plums. We found quite a lot, and preserved them for Mother
and us for the winter. We bathe in the morning before sunup, and in the
evenings in the moonlight, because we do not yet have any little bathhouses.
Day before yesterday evening, Auntie drove with Otto 4 miles from here,
where she got 15 big, beautiful chickens.
We have about 50 horses, 6 cows with calves, and a number of pigs. In
Seguin Otto bought a sturdy wagon, in which about 6 persons can sit comfortably.
Theodor and Clara are now, thank God, quite well; may the Dear God preserve
them to us, and make of them good, upright people. I am so weak from all
the night-vigils, worry, and grief that I weigh only 92 pounds and am very
feeble. Also, my stomach is not well, so that for about 4 months I have
suffered a lack of appetite. In the space of 3 months I lost 14 pounds.
November 1856
29) This afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Meierhofer came to visit us. We had
expected them for midday dinner, but they couldnt come before noon because
they had lost their mules. Ive been home again for 12 days, after I took
the water cure at Dr. Kapps for almost 5 weeks, admittedly with quite good
results. Here at home I still must continue the cure. I do already feel
much stronger, and have a pretty good appetite, and have gained 4 lbs.
Otto and I became acquainted with the families of Degener and Rhodius,
very dear, pleasant people. But let me begin at the beginning.
I rode with Otto first as far as Judge Johns Farm, where we overnighted
with the tenant, Mr. Hees. It is a big, beautiful farm. There we saw 500
beautiful apple and pear trees, and in October still gorgeous roses in
bloom. The next morning I rode with my dear Otto to Dr. Kapp, where we
arrived about 11 oclock, to consult him about my ill health. He advised
me to stay now, and to utilize the cure, because it is bad to approach
the winter with the condition I was in. My main trouble is a weak stomach,
and constipation. Otto also hoped that I would want to take the water cure,
and I myself have strong faith in it. I decided to stayespecially because
I knew that the children were well cared for by our affectionate Aunt Hanchen.
Once during my absence, Clrchen was somewhat sick with a fever, which soon
improved. My dear husband visited me every Sunday, which then always became
a special occasion for me.
During my stay in Sisterdale, a horrifying scene took place. The 22-year-old
son of Dr. Runge was murdered and scalped by Indians half a mile from his
house. He had 5 arrow wounds and a knife-stab in his breast, and he was
found naked and mutilated. Horrible for the poor parents and siblings.
Nine young people, all friends of young Runge, followed the Indians several
weeks. When these friends were close on their heels, the Indians set the
prairie on fire, so that they could no longer follow the tracks.
Otto arrived in the night with H. Stockmanns, so as not to be seen by
Indians. He did not bring a horse for me, because he did not know that
I was able to ride yet. Dr. Kapp declined to lend us a horse. Otto appealed
to Mr. Degener, who not only loaned us a horse as far as Currys Creek,
but also accompanied us with his son. En route his son shot a deer, which
he presented to us. From Currys Creek Otto and Mr. Stockmanns had to alternate
walking.
December 1856
My joy at seeing my beloved children and good Aunt Hanchen was so great
that I shed tears of happiness. A few days later I dismissed Stockmanns,
who always came to meals without doing any kind of work in return. Otto
treated him very brusquely, but didnt want to give him his walking papers,
so I undertook to do it. Then for 2 weeks we had Herbst and Bindseil here
for board and room. Herbst made a Dannstie cover [ceiling? rug?] in the
living-room, tanned several bear hides, and made bridles and other things.
Bindseil framed our new kitchen. One day, during a strong storm, the roof
blew off our smokehouse; however it was not yet covered with shingles.
Twelve days before Christmas Otto drove to Seguin, and returned only 3
days before the holidays. In these 9 days I tended the store alone, and
unhappily had to forego my water cure the whole time. Otto brought our
dear Mother and Helene along from Seguin. Mother had been 4 weeks with
Julius and Anna, who had borne a little son on Dec. 5th, Titis birthday.
We spent the Christmas holidays quite enjoyably together. Since Mother
forgot to bring the forms for the speculatius cookie cutters, we made all
sorts of fantasy figures, which was lots of fun. On Christmas Eve I went
into Aunt Hanchens room, where Mother and I had decorated the little tree,
and arranged the gifts. Otto came off the worst this time, since I had
no time to make him something, and no opportunity to buy him something;
so I baked him 3 applecakes, which he so likes to eat. Otto surprised me
with very lovely gifts: a pretty checked wool dress, a pair of white gloves,
very elegantly packaged scented soap, a little bottle of perfume, a pretty
little package of hairpins, a little silk scarf, and a pair of pretty scissors.
The good man made every effort to fulfill all my wishes, and it made me
feel very sorry that I could not give him anything. Aunt Hanchen received
a beautiful womans saddle, a calico dress, a work basket, riding gloves,
and several trifles. Mother received a little bucket with copper hoops,
a little jar of apple jam, a bottle of honey, and trifles. Helene received
a pair of Sunday shoes, belt, hairpins, etc. Wilhelm received a good hat.
Clrchen and Theodor were beside themselves with joy; they both had picture-books,
dolls, dishes, etc., etc., and from Mother each one $1 in their money-box.
Aunt Hanchen gave me another bottle of eau de Cologne, and a little package
of shoelaces.
The little tree was charming, and we were all quite gay. On the first
day of Christmas, Otto, Auntie and I rode to Hodges Mill, where a large
dinner was being given. The food was quite good, the people all very respectable,
and the weather wonderful. We were home again by 6 oclock in the evening,
and ate fresh head lettuce from Mothers garden, with potato cakes. On the
second day of Christmas we took a pleasant walk in the afternoon on the
other side of Cherry Creek.
28) Sunday. This afternoon Mother, Otto, and I took a hearty walk, where
we stood on a high hill in the most magnificent weather, and saw a very
beautiful, even an enchanting, view. Aunt Hanchen was too tired to go along,
since she had ridden to Specht with Otto only yesterday. The children are,
thank God, very well and lively; may God keep them so.
January 1857
The 26th, my birthday, Mother gave me a pair of beautiful white Merino
wool stockings, Aunt Hanchen a pair of kid gloves, and a velvet ribbon
to wear under my collar. A few days before we had butchered 3 pigs, which
Mr. Pressler brought for us from the Pedernales. One broke our pen, and
after long hunting was found again at the Blanco, shot there, and carried
up. On my birthday we were all very occupied salting the meat and making
sausage. Otto was very cross and often rude to me, even when Wilhelmine
was near. Nowadays hes enthusiastic, and dreams of nothing but Germany.
Aunt Hannchen explained to me, to my great regret, that she wants to
leave us. She cares a lot for Otto and me, but is afraid that in the summer,
in the heat, the work will be too difficult for her. She thinks she could
find a more pleasant position elsewhere. It is especially disagreeable
to her that so many uncultured people come here, and often eat with us,
which makes meals very unpleasant.
In January I rode with Otto to Btges, but found only his wife at home.
She was very friendly and polite, but served us quite a miserable meal.
On the ride back, when it was pitch dark, my horse Castor shied badly as
we rode through a freshly plowed field. I fell right on my head, but escaped
with only a thorough scare and headache. Otto caught the horse, and I mounted
again, still trembling all over.
February 1857
On the 11th Louis Nohl surprised us late in the evening; he came from
Friedrichsburg. He said I looked much better than he would have thought;
I should just continue with the water cure, etc. Also, he liked it quite
well here with us, and also the whole area.
13) Otto traveled to Braunfels in company with Mr. Robison, and from
there to Seguin, where he must stay several weeks to collect old debts.
We, Mr. Iwonsky and I, are working busily in the garden.
19) One of our neighbors, Brmmer, lost his 4-year old child. Iwonsky
has gone to help hunt him.
22) The poor child has still not been found, though all the neighbors
went on foot and on horseback to look for him; no trace of him has been
found. It is terrible for the parents.
Yesterday, with Erfurt, I planted a large plot of German potatoes. Clrchen
and Theodor are, thank God, both very well. We especially enjoy Theodor,
with his good nature, droll ideas, and cheerfulness. Clara is not so open
and affectionate as Titi. She seems to be developing a talent for drawing;
also, she writes the words I write out for her quite well. Otto has traded
in the mule, Jl, on a 2-year-old stallion, a six-shooter, etc., all totaling
$140. He has baptized the mule Hector; hes beautiful, strong, gray in color.
April 1857
30) Once again I have long neglected to write down the daily happenings
in this book. In April Julius visited us for several days, while Otto was
in Seguin 3 weeks. Eduard was with us for several days, too, and both liked
it quite well here. Mr. Seele, Bechstdt, and Baier were here for dinner
and spent a night, on their way to Friedrichsburg. The gentlemen were very
entertaining, and we often laughed quite heartily at Seeles jokes. Otto
traded our wagon for a donkey stallion.
May 1857
On the 4th I rode with Otto to Dr. Kapp to consult him again on his
opinion of the state of my health. The last 4 miles we rode most of the
time at a gallop, as we were somewhat apprehensive of Indians; both of
us were wearing six-shooters. We arrived safely at Kapps. The sun shone
extremely hot at midday, so that my face was completely sunburned from
the hot air. Early in the morning the temperature was only 3 deg. [40 *F],
and by midday it was 28 deg. [90 *F]. Dr. Kapp and his wife received us
quite hospitably, and the doctor advised me to wear damp bandages around
my abdomen, and to use enemas and sitzbaths. For my 5-month-long sniffles
he could do nothing directly; it was probably related to my stomach and
abdomen. In the morning we got up at 5 oclock, I went into Kapps cowpen
and milked 2 glasses of milk from an old cow, one of which I drank immediately
and the other I took to Otto. Then, without further breakfast and after
taking leave of Dr. and his wife, we rode directly home again, where we
arrived by 10 oclock.
The next day, the 6th, I had a terrible headache and toothache. On the
7th my dear Otto started on his big trip to New Orleans, New York, and
Germany. He bought an excellent pony for me from John Robison. This little
Bill, a pacer, cost $75 in cattle, and I rode him to accompany Otto as
far as Seguin. Parting from the children was very difficult for him. We
rode first to Fischers, where we arrived at 10:30, had dinner with them,
and after we had rested a while we mounted up again to ride another 6 miles
that evening. Little Fischer resembles his father exactly, and is very
far from being a pretty child. From Fischers we rode straight to the Guadelupe;
Otto missed the correct crossing; he let his horse leap up a steep slope.
Since I was too timid, and Bill refused, too, I dismounted to lead him
up. Otto, who was afraid that we would not arrive at G. Schmidtts before
dark, where we hoped to spend the night, became furious over the little
delay, ran over and grabbed my horse by the bridle. It shied away, and
almost knocked me to the ground and stamped me. When I scolded him for
his rude, angry behavior, he replied it was nothing but obstinacy on my
part, and called me hard-headed and that I should keep quiet. When I tried
to explain to him that it was not obstinacy but fear, he said, When I say
be quiet, be quiet. Then he rode ahead a bit, swearing. I saw that no reasonable
word could be exchanged with him, and rode behind him, deeply offended.
Shortly before sunset we arrived at Schmitts, and slept in one room with
husband and wife, both 50 years old. Otto slept on a bench, and I on a
messy, bug-infested bed, where of course I didnt sleep 10 minutes the whole
night. The next morning we were up again quite early. The first thing Otto
said to me was that he was very sorry for his behavior yesterday, for which
naturally I heartily forgave him.
We rode across the wild, romantic Bear Creek, and about 11 oclock we
happily arrived in Braunfels. We first rode to Mothers, and said good-morning,
and then to Moureaus. As we arrived there, several ladies were standing
in the front room, including Jettchen. As she saw us, she was so surprised
that she spilled half a container of liquid pomade on her pretty gingham
dress and on the floor of Alwinas pretty room. In the afternoon I consented
to be sketched in my riding costume by H. von Iwonsky, so I could give
Otto a picture to take along on his trip. Toward evening I brought Mother
to Moureaus, where I made music with Alwine. Otto accompanied Mother home
again. On Saturday we rode to Seguin, where we arrived at 9 oclock in the
evening. Julius and Anna received us graciously. Sunday we went to Zorns;
Monday toward evening we rode together to Erskin, where we stayed for supper.
On Tuesday morning, May 12, Otto departed on his big trip by stage, on
which he rode to Indianola. Although we had promised each other to part
with a smile on our lips, sadness overcame us at the thought of such a
long separation.
On Tuesday afternoon Julius and Anna went for a ride on our horses,
while I took care of their delightful little boy. Wednesday morning R.
Voigt accompanied me to Braunfels. I went directly to Mothers. In the afternoon
we went together to Hermines, who was very glad to see me and had baked
a beautiful Rodon cake. John was as usual.
August 1857
31) Now I have already received 2 letters from Otto from Germany. The
first I could read only with many tears of joy and sadness, as he tells
of his delight at again standing on the soil of his fatherland, and the
mixture of great joy and sadness at again embracing his good father. Aunt
Hanchen and Mother too were moved to tears when I read them the letter.
In the second letter my beloved Otto describes how his dear relatives celebrated
his birthday so beautifully, and even on my behalf remembered him with
lovely gifts. (In this letter was also enclosed a very dear letter from
my dear Alwine. In the first letter were enclosed nice letters from Laura
Hsterey and Aunt Minchen Tips.) O how happy I am for my good man, that
he can have the joy of seeing all the dear relatives again. During Ottos
absence I spent 5 weeks with my dear Mother, where I really enjoyed myself
on July 5 at the theater and ball. Julius and Anna were there, too. Juliuss
little son, who was sick, was not there, but he is well again now.
On June 26 little Alfred Staehely was born. During the 8 days that Mother
spent with Hermine, Helene and I were alone. Little Elfriede was also very
sick. Hermine and John finally decided to consult Wieprecht, and to utilize
the cold-water cure for the child. The last 8 days that I spent in Braunfels
I had practically constant toothache. Otherwise I was very cheerful with
my good mother, and daily went bathing with her and Helene in the glorious
Comal. We busily made music with Hulda Stuve, Hermine, and Walter; at Mothers
we also sang Mendelsohns Quartette in the evenings. Every week I heard
only good through Aunt Hanchen; also I received letters from Otto and my
dear father- in-law. When I had been there 3 weeks I wanted to go back,
but could find no opportunity. Nor was it possible for Iwonsky to send
a wagon from home. Finally Dr. Kster was so good as to send his servant
to drive us home. To my great joy Mother and Helene accompanied me. We
left Braunfels at 4 oclock in the morning, and were here by 4 oclock in
the afternoon.
Since Im back here again weve had a lot of activity. Mr. Iwonsky papered
our living room, which turned out quite pretty. Weve had a lot of company
recently. Mr. Anderson, his wife, and Mrs. Stith were with us a whole day.
We had quite a nice dinner, very cultured, agreeable people. They brought
with them a negress who helped with the cooking and afterward washed the
dishes. I gave Mrs. Anderson a little basket of figs and a little jar of
jelly. A few days later she sent a piece of meat and a dozen rosebuds;
I had toothache all day. Then Mrs. Robison was here a whole day. Mr. Fischer
and his wife came one Sunday, and took Aunt Hanchen and Mother along in
the evening. They stayed till Wednesday, when Mr. Fischer brought them
back in his carriage. My dear brother Eduard was with us 8 days; we enjoyed
being together. At the same time that Mother and Auntie were at Fischers,
Mr. Iwonsky was in Braunfels. Yesterday the dear Fergusons, with their
little daughter Emma, and Mrs. Pauli, a pleasant, cultured lady, were with
us all day. The day passed very pleasantly and enjoyably, and would have
been even much more pleasant for me if I had not again had constant toothache
the whole day.
About 10 oclock, before Fergusons arrived, we had a great misfortune.
I was busy straightening the living room, which I had swept, when I heard
Auntie give a loud scream and a great outcry from the kitchen. Much frightened,
I ran into the kitchen, and there lay the burning stove on its side. Two
roasted cocks and a rice pudding were mingling their juices on the floor.
With Mr. Iwonskys help the stove was soon set upright, and the two cocks
fortunately saved.
A few days before, Goar and Mr. Ferguson came to alert us to the visit.
After the damage had been cleaned up (though Aunt Hanchen still had a headache
from the fright), Fergusons arrived. Mrs. Ferguson liked it very well at
our place, especially the papered walls. I served them a glass of Rhine
wine and macaroons.
For dinner we had noodles, chicken, cucumber pickles, ham, rice pudding
with wine sauce, and preserved plums. Then, after we had taken a rest till
about 3:30, I made good coffee, for which Auntie had baked raisin cake.
Toward evening we showed our guests the little bathhouse, the spring, and
the garden. They then took their leave and drove on to Goars, to visit
the next day at Andersons. I urged them to stay the night, which they declined
with thanks.
Our bathing spot is now so low that we can no longer bathe there, which
is especially disappointing to the children, who especially like to bathe.
The Guadalupe is quite dry from Schurz to Btge, a distance of 6 miles.
Our dear children are, thank God, quite healthy, and give Auntie and me
great joy. I very much wish that I could say the same for myself. Dr. Nohl
advised me to go to Wieprecht at Braunf. and take the water cure (I had
written him about my nasal complaint and asked his advice), but I dont
care to do that. I have also written to Dr. Kapp, and am waiting to see
what he will advise. For a week now I have let Mother pack me up every
morning and have sweated heavily, [In the water cure, one is wrapped up
completely in a wet sheet, then in a warm blanket, and given a hot drink
and left to sweat for an hour or so. A horrid experience. The theory is
that the pores will excrete whatever is causing the illness.] I had hoped
to get rid of my toothache, from which I have been suffering for 4 weeks
, but so far no success. In our garden, from which we had promised ourselves
so many pleasures, in spite of all my effort I havent grown a thing. First
everything was destroyed by the very late northers, and later the great
drought prevented anything from coming up. The business is extremely slow;
Julius, too, writes that he has nothing to do in Seguin. There is no longer
any trace of grass at Seguin, on the Zibolo, at Martinos, or in Braunfels,
so that people all had to drive away their cattle and horses.
My dear Otto sent me from New Orleans a great amount of dried fruit:
plums, figs, dates, jellies, coconuts, lemons, and grapes.
Otto had great losses on the horses; 1 mare and 9 foals died, and since
spring 4 horses have run away, and still havent been found again.
Aunt Hanchen bought herself a cow for $12, which we named Fats.
September 1857
Mr. Iwonsky rode to Hodges & von der Deeken to collect some money,
but returned without any. For a month now I have had constant toothache,
and 6 times have had Mother give me the hot-pack in the mornings and sweated
heavily, but it didnt help and my abdomen got weaker, so I gave it up.
One morning as Mother was packing me up, Titi said to her: Grandmother,
dont you think, too, that Mother is very dear? The little boy is so dear,
and so cheerful; Clara, too, is very affectionate and sympathetic, and
will surely some day make an excellent nurse.
2) Today I received an affectionate, 12-page letter from my beloved
Otto, several lines from brother-in-law Auffermann, and from Mr. Horath,
and a note from Sophie Mathi. Ottos letter is very tender and affectionate.
Also from Eduard I received a letter, wool, and his daguerrotype, which
gave me much pleasure as it resembles him so much. Yesterday evening, on
the advice of old Mr. Iwonsky, I took a real horse cure for my toothache:
I drank half a glass of brandy in small sips. It was ghastly, as if my
whole mouth were burning, but what wont one do in desperation when one
has toothache for 4 weeks? I got so dizzy that I had to go to bed, and
threw up three times, but I did get rid of the toothache. If only it doesnt
come back. Otto wrote to Mr. Iwonsky that he probably would start home
on Sept. 15. If only God would grant that I am well again when he returns;
what a joy for my dear husband and for myself.
3) Last month Mr. Iwonsky and I papered the living room with a friendly
blue paper, and Aunt Hanchen made a new drapery.
I received a very nice letter from my dear Alwine, and answered it.
Also from Aunt Minchen, Laura, Sophie Mathi and brother-in-law Auffermann.
4) Today I received a reply from Dr. Kapp; he advised me to snuff up
water into my nose, and to take footbaths and sitzbaths. Bad toothache
again.
5) This afternoon hefty toothache again. The young Kaehe brought back
the lost horses from the Martinos, for which I paid him $5.
The Free Masons want to hold a festival, and were here to buy some supplies
on $30 credit, which we politely declined.
6) August Jonas helped Mr. Iwonsky yoke one of the escaped mares with
one of the cavalry horses. Still toothache.
7) Today Mr. Rittberg was here; he inspected the horses and is interested
in buying them. Since Real charges only $35 for a mare and foal, Mr. Iwonsky
suggested that $25 a head is too much, so we charged $22.50 per head. Since
the toothache has continued uninterrupted, within an hour I am planning
to ride with Mr. Iwonsky to Reszinsy, to ask him if he can dig a tooth
out by the roots for me.
8) Mr. Rescinsky gave me creosote to cauterize the wound, and terribly
bitter pills to stuff into the tooth, and gutta percha, to fill the tooth.
It seems that the pain disappears after the mouth is so chewed up from
the powerful stuff that the skin keeps coming off. In Mrs. R. I found a
quite courteous, cultured lady. Jette Deutsch had criticized me to her,
which is the reason she had not visited us up to now.
10) Last week Mrs. Lang told me that Cibo had the deed to our property
lying ready. Otto just wrote to Mr. Iwonsky concerning that. So Iwonsky
immediately wrote to Cibo, to please send the deed, because Langs are moving
away from here, and it would be much more inconvenient later to have it
signed by Mrs. Lang. Cibo neither replied nor sent the deed, and tomorrow
Langs are leaving.
In the letter from Eduard in which he gave me his daguerrotype, he writes
that he is giving up his wheelwright business, will go for a time to Julius
to learn the shopkeeper business, and then start a grocery business in
Austin.
This morning I had Mr. Iwonsky weigh me, and I weighed only 91 pounds,
so since Otto left I have lost 6 pounds. My stomach still isnt in orderits
always full of bile. Vegetables and fruits, which are my best sources of
nourishment, are entirely lacking.
13) For several days the bitter taste in my mouth in the morning has
abated, and my tongue is less yellow-coated. The night before last we had
such a strong rainstorm that this morning the Blanco is flowing strongly
everywhere, so now we will have beautiful grass for the cattle and horses
this winter. Last night I dreamed that Otto had come back; he had become
an old man with a snow-white beard.
15) Yesterday I received a precious, tender letter from my beloved hubby;
O, how I long to see him again; if only he were already happily here. In
our garden turnips, lettuce, beets, squash, and carrots are greening. Helenchen
caught a cold from running barefoot in the Blanco, and is sick abed. Again
I dreamed all night of Otto.
16) Poor Aunt Hanchen had a great misfortune last night. In the darkness
in the kitchen she stumbled over the wood box, which fell against the stove,
the stove fell over, and Auntie with all her weight fell onto the stove
with her right hand. Her hand is terribly burned, the whole hand covered
with blisters.
18) Day before yesterday in the evening we had a terrible storm. In
the calf pen a big tree was uprooted, the apartment was quite twisted around
and overturned, and the roof of the store and storehouse was almost torn
off. Several logs were pushed right to the north, and it is a wonder that
the whole roof didnt fly off. Dan and Ben Georg helped Mr. Iwonsky push
the logs back into place, using a thick iron bar. For 3 nights and 4 days
Ive been suffering terribly with toothache. Ive used everything possible
for it: strong drops, so that the gums fall in bits from my mouth, sitzbaths,
footbaths, cold and hot packs on my head, cold and warm water in my mouth,
all ineffectual. Im completely discouraged, and sometimes think death would
be better than such a life. It is most fortunate that Mother is here; she
now does Aunties work, who because of her burned hand cannot do much, and
also for me. My head aches so that there is no way I can lie. Clara and
Theodor are very well, and also Helene is better again.
Mr. Anderson, who ate here the day before yesterday, gives us hope that
he will buy our houses and horses.
19) Today there was a lot of commotion down in the store; Anderson was
there, too; toward evening he rode away very drunk. They were betting on
the clay-pigeon shooting and horse racing. Mother, who had caught a cold
at the bathhouse, had a bad headache all day. Aunt Hanchens hand is somewhat
better. My toothache has also improved very much, so that I can at least
sleep at night. Friday it was so bad several times that I ran about like
crazy, sobbing loudly. I dont like Iwonsky any more. He is terribly untidy,
and I will strongly advise Otto not to engage him as clerk when we move
to Seguin. In his last letter Otto writes: In case I should stay in Germany
this winter, I would have work enough here, etc. In the first moments I
almost fainted from fright: the thought of being separated from my beloved
husband so long is too terrible. But I comforted myself with the thought
that that was just a momentary idea, and in fact a very unhappy one, which
my beloved hubby will not carry out. Oddly, Julius has the same idea: He
writes: If I were in Ottos place, I would stay in Germany for the winter!
Yes, if we could sell everything up here and spend this winter in Braunfels,
and Otto would write me in spring: Follow me! yes, then it would be a different
matter! Otto always speaks of going back to Seguin, of which I have a secret
horror, for one thing because in that unhappy house, which swarmed with
ants, we lost our two so-beloved children, and then because of the bad
race relations between Germans and the Americans who live there.
Sunday the 20th. Today at noon, as we had just sat down to table, young
Dittmar turned up here, on a trip to Friedrichsburg. We were just about
to share portions of a very small cabbage from our garden and venison roast,
with dried plums and apples. Although I several times invited him to eat,
he declined, saying he had already eaten a lunch he had packed. He told
me among other things that Andro Erskine, who had recently been drinking
a lot, had gotten into a fight with another American, and had broken an
ankle, so that hell probably have to walk with crutches for the rest of
his life.
Iwonsky rode out today to return 12 sheep of Mr. Andersons which had
run away and which Iwonsky had found.
21) Again a whole sleepless night with terrible toothache. O, God, what
have I done to have to suffer so?
22) Yesterday afternoon we collected a whole little bucketful of cactus
pears, took a lovely walk, and the children picked a pretty bouquet. My
toothache is somewhat better. This evening a hefty rain storm.
Today we already have the first norther. It isnt actually so cold that
we need a fire in the fireplace, but if it keeps on like this the few vegetables
in the garden will freeze before they are big enough to eat. I received
a letter from John, enclosing advice concerning the water cure.
On the 28th, our 7th wedding anniversary, at 6 oclock in the evening
John arrived in his cart and brought Hermine, with the little Alfred and
Eugenie. Hermine wept with joy at seeing us (we had gone to meet them as
far as Georgs), from which I did see that she has an affectionate heart.
She wants to stay with me 4 weeks, to my great happiness. Mother and Helene,
who had been with us for 2 months, drove back the next morning with John
to Braunfels. I gave Mother a pair of sturdy shoes in appreciation of her
stay here.
Anderson yesterday received the news that McKulloch now no longer wants
to move, so unfortunately he no longer wants to buy our houses. Tomorrow
Ben George will marry Miss Marie Duces.
Aunt Hanchens hand has been completely healed in 14 days by wet bandages.
October 1857
1) This evening I was working in the garden spading up a bed for beets
and sowing lettuce when I heard someone at the store calling, Halloh. I
asked Clara to bring me the store key; how surprised I was when Julius
and Anna with little Gustav stood at the gate in a single-span buggy. Its
only unpleasant theyre on bad terms with Hermine. Gustavchen is very thin
and sickly.
4) Yesterday morning Anna and Julius drove to Fischers; I accompanied
them on my Bill.
On the 5th, Sunday morning, after we had been hosted in very friendly
manner by Fischers, we returned. I rode some way ahead, and saw Julius
driving a distance behind me. After I had ridden a mile I no longer saw
their rig, and rode about 7 miles beyond the Crossing all alone. When they
finally caught up with me Julius told me that they had lost their way,
and had come out again at Fischers field. I saw 3 deer, which watched me
curiously, and quietly let me ride by them. Three miles from home I traded
with Anna, because she wanted to ride. Hardly was I in the buggy when a
sudden rain shower hit us. I felt lucky for the trade, for I was somewhat
protected by an umbrella, while Anna got quite wet.
On the 8th Julius and Anna drove back to Seguin via Fischers and Braunfels.
15) This afternoon I rode with Hermine to Mrs. Goar, to pay a condolence
visit. Mr. Goar died 8 days ago, and I could not attend his funeral because
Mr. Iwonsky could not find my horse. Mrs. Goar was at first quite pissed
about it, but after I explained and apologized she became friendlier. We
had a beautiful ride, a clear, lovely day. Theodor had gotten a big bruise
from a fall when we got home. A daughter of Dr. McKinney fell from a horse
and was dragged, so that she died of it.
On the 17th Mr. Iwonsky and I attended a big meeting on the Big Blanco.
Pfarr and Milford Day invited me to dinner. The previous evening there
had been great excitement there. Boose the sheriff wanted to arrest Pfarr,
with the help of the brothers Blasingham. Pfarr defended himself, and a
shoot-out occurred, in which one of the Blassinghams was wounded.
Today John picked up Hermine and her children. He was so friendly as
to bring me 100 lb. of flour, and vegetables from Jettchen. Both Hermine
and I were quite moved at parting, and the 4 weeks that she spent with
me passed quite pleasantly and quickly.
Between here and Currys Creek 5 horses have been killed with arrows,
and partly dismembered; probably by Indians. They belonged to Sparks. In
this area 15 or 20 men have gone out to pursue them.
Last week we made a potful of rhubarb jam from our garden.
December 1857
For the holy Christmas Eve we had a quite nice little Christmas tree.
The children were beside themselves with joy, for they had noticed nothing.
They each received $1 from Grandmother, and from Auntie several miscellaneous
trinkets. I received a woven underjacket and a pretty piece of lace to
use on a dress. From Iwonsky the children received a pistol, fishes, and
little feather dusters. From me they received a box of blocks and tin dishes,
knives and little whistles, etc. Iw. received a carton of cigars and a
silk neckerchief from me, Auntie a calico dress, 2 aprons, 2 dozen envelopes,
and a little square of silk.
Although I heartily enjoyed the childrens pleasure, still I missed my
good husband very much. How much he relished everyones enjoyment last year!
When will I have him home with me again?
We have taken over from Mr. Robison the delivery to the Rangers for
$200 compensation. Again this will cause a lot of trouble and disturbance.
The Rangers are stationed at the source of the Blanco.
January 1858
26) My birthday, Aunt Hanchen surprised me with a kings cake, a pretty
little collar, and cuffs. The dear children congratulated me too, and were
happy that I had my birthday. This afternoon we took a lovely walk in glorious
weather, in 15 degrees [R.] warmth. The children even found several pretty
flowers blooming along the fence. So far we have had a very mild winter,
but a great deal of rain. If only my good Otto were here, my happiness
would have been complete. Clrchen has learned to spell from Mr. Iwonsky,
and is now progressing under his guidance, and I teach her writing and
knitting. She learns remarkably quickly and easily. Titi Hermann is a dear
boy; he is growing well now, and is everyones favorite.
February 1858
On Wednesday, the 24th I received from Julius the happy news of Ottos
safe arrival in New York. That was a happy surprise, for Otto had written
me that he would sail in March. The good man; he wanted to spare me the
worry about his undertaking the trip at such a dangerous time of year.
Just 2 weeks ago a letter arrived from Otto in which he sent me his portrait
(photograph), and the previous week, too, the long-awaited little trunk
of gifts from Germany arrived. The most precious to me, Ottos and Sophies
picture, had broken into many pieces. Mr. Rescinsky will try to restore
it for me. Unpacking the lovely things gave us all, me and Auntie and the
children, great fun. Clara received a very beautiful doll, and both got
a lot of pretty picture- and storybooks and a game with flowers. I received
a beautiful piece of linen for shirts for me, dried salad beans, beans
to plant, berries, hair ribbon, little collars, a brooch, and a good book
of devotions from dear Papa. Also my good hubby, well knowing how much
I like to eat them, included candied pears. The velvet for jackets for
Mother and me is very crushed. Now, God willing, in a few days we will
finally after so long a separation have each other again. How happy I am
to be seeing him again, and from now on I will daily do my best to make
life sweeter for my good, beloved Otto. He does deserve it, and loves me
with his whole heart, as I do him. It is very good that he is returning
now instead of not till April or May, since it might be possible through
his negotiation to bring the county seat here.
28) Today again we are having a pretty cold norther, after a number
of days of very hot weather, 20-22-24 degrees Reaumur. May God only grant
that in the coming year we have more rain, so that people can raise a good
crop; otherwise we will have a famine. Eduard could develop a good business,
but he lacks good merchandise. Freight charges have gone down from $4 to
$3.50 per 100 lb. Walter has a job with Dewine in San Antonio, but he doesnt
make anything. Gustav, the poor rascal, had a bout of fever and is again
without a job. I invited him to come and stay with us until something else
turns up for him, but he wants to try first in Austin. Moureaus this month
were blessed with a fourth girl. Franz would rather have had a boy; I comforted
him with the thought that its postponed, not canceled. Our dear Mother
is occasionally having dizziness and bad headaches, which probably is caused
by her old problemconstipation. I now consult Mr. Reszinsky, and it does
seem to me that his medicines and prescriptions agree with me very well.
The children are quite healthy; God keep them so! Clara learns very easily;
last week she wrote her first letter to Grandmother.
March 1858
Sunday the 6th. So far no further news from my beloved Otto; if only
no accident happens to him on his trip here from New York. This week I
hope to get news that he is in Seguin. Then, if Mr. Fischer himself doesnt
care to, I will drive myself down; Ill get Mr. Jonas to accompany me and
drive myself. For a year now Ive had a red rash on my face, which is very
ugly but not painful. My Bill has been lost for 3 months, and Im afraid
I will not get this good, beautiful horse back. March 1859
A whole year has passed, and many changes have taken place. At the beginning
of April my dear Otto returned in good health from his trip. I traveled
to Seguin to meet him, where we stayed several days, and then drove via
Braunfels and Fischers to Twin Sisters. En route we broke something on
the wagon, and Otto was very unhappy about the bad conditions here.
In June Otto took me to Braunfels to Mothers, where I stayed three weeks
and benefited from the water cure. At the beginning of August Aunt Hanchen
departed. She had disagreements with Otto, acted rude, etc., so that we
were basically glad when she was gone. Hermine was so good as to take the
children for 4 weeks, so that I could finish the cure. In August I drove
with Otto to San Antonio, where we lodged for 3 days with Riottes, and
relished the marvelous peaches.
Otto was all alone at Twin Sisters, where he had a pretty dull time,
when only the old slovenly Mrs. Magers occasionally cooked for him. When
I came up again I was 4 weeks without a maid, then Otto rented Georgia
from Robinson, but I had more annoyance than help from her. At the beginning
of November we moved back to Seguin; after Otto had expended great effort
to sell the houses, he finally succeeded in making a deal with Stuart:
half the houses and the land for half a house in Lavaca.
On Nov. 5, 1858, the day of the death of my good father-in-law, we moved
away from up there. We drove in our heavily-loaded buggy. The furniture
had left several days before in 3 heavily-loaded oxcarts. Georgia rode
behind on my Bill. At Scherzs John drove the buggy through the Guadalupe
and broke it quite in two. So we had to spend the night with Scherz. Besides
us there were two other families there, so that l9 people were there, all
in one room. The buggy was fixed well enough that we could continue the
next morning. In Braunfels we stayed several days with Hermine and then
had to wait 2 days in Seguin for our furniture.
We celebrated Christmas together quite happily. Sunday the 2nd, Tips
and Dittmars were with us for a meal. On January 9 our little Eugen was
born, at 11:30 in the morning, 2 weeks earlier than I had expected him.
July 1860
6) Yesterday morning in the dawn Otto rode to Braunfels and from there
to Twin Sisters, to brand the horses, which now with the foals already
number approximately 100 head. In the night at 1 oclock I awakened and
woke Otto, but it was still too early for him. Later about 5 oclock when
I awoke his bed was empty, and he had departed without my noticing it.
John has left for New York. Mr. and Mrs. Zorn recently returned from New
Orleans; they had taken a long pleasure tour all the way to New York. Julius,
too, was in New Orleans. Mother went to Austin to help Olga in her first
childbirth. I have definitely broken up with Anna Pelzer since Christmas,
which makes me feel very good, as I dont have to suffer her rudeness any
more.
In the middle of May I went to Hermines for 3 weeks, and the end of
May I took part in the Sngerfest there. Since spring I have been constantly
unwell, and am drinking mineral water prescribed by Louis. Otto suffered
last winter very badly from rheumatism, which thank God has almost completely
disappeared. However, he is not entirely well, which is probably caused
partly, too, by the terrible heat this summer. Today, July 6, at 5 oclock
in the afternoon it is 34 degrees R. in the shade. Clara and Herman, who
go to school at Miss Mahoina Sanders but now have 2 months vacation, can
already read and write English quite well, especially Clara. Eugen is getting
his eyeteeth. The pitiful, weak little baby has become a healthy, pretty
boy, who gives us much joy. He still talks very little: Mama, Papa, Hama
and Claka, attette and wasa [eat and water?] is about all he says. His
favorite occupation is chasing about after the chickens, and hanging around
with Floras youngster, Little. Instead of the mulatto Betsy, whom I had
last year, and who had a child in June, during which time I unfortunately
had Miss Bhm for 2 months, for the first 6 months I put up with the disorderly
Annette Moos. Now have a Negro girl, Lisa, pr. Liza, from Dr. Fennel.
Last summer at Pentecost Herman and Eugen were baptized, to which Mr.
Krochmann, Hermine, and Mother were invited. John declined. Mrs. Zorn was
also present. The day before yesterday we and all the children and Liza
went to the Guadalupe bottom for a barbecue
Clara Wupperman Tafel
Texas Reminiscences [written in Barmen, Germany, in 1925]
l850
As I have already told in the Wuppermann Family Chronicle, my father,
a handsome, distinguished-looking man, could have led a pleasant and respected
life. But his energy and love of travel drove him to distant places, where,
as we know, he engaged in farming with Messrs. Krochmann and Bechem.
On the farm called Willow Spring, as farmers they had to do all the
work. One of the men usually had to stay at home and do the housekeeping,
while the other two did the field work. They had to do everything themselves,
even cut each others hair; once when Otto visited his neighbors the Tipses,
Elise, later my mother, thought, If only I could cut Mr. Wuppermanns hair;
its cut in terrible stairsteps!
The Tips family lived on Live-Oak Hill, where in early l850 they had
experienced a very bad time. The whole family lay ill with chills and fever,
and if Cousin Minchen had not come to nurse them, death would probably
have demanded more sacrifices than it did. This cousin of my mother, Minchen,
born Tips and married Lensen, had also emigrated with her young husband.
She was a very jolly person, and my mother used to tell that her father,
Grandfather Peter, always wore a cap on his head, which he took off and
held before his face during lengthy prayers. Then daughter Minchen prayed,
Dear God, please dont let Father pray so long. Im hungry! She lived with
her husband on a farm on the Cibolo River, and at that time came to nurse
the family. After the familys arrival in Texas, Father Konrad wrote enthusiastic
reports about the wonderful country, which were published in the Elberfeld
newspapers, and still exist today. Father Konrad and l6- year-old Klara
became very ill with the chills and fever, and both died of the illness
in July. (Once, in my childhood, my parents took me to visit the graves,
lying in the middle of the prairie, and also buried there were a brother
and sister of mine who died in infancy.)
Otto and Elise had become engaged on April 5, and on September 28 the
wedding took place under a large elm tree on Grandmothers farm. Many dear
friends and family came from near and far: Nohls, Fergussons, Schmidts,
Krochmann, Fischer, Krhnemann, and Husinger; but in the diary which my
mother started on Sept. 29, l850 she wrote, Oh Father, Oh Klara, we missed
you so much! Why did you leave us so soon? The wedding gifts were appropriate
to the circumstancesof very practical nature: plates, salad-fork and spoon
with silver handles, soup spoons, a water bucket of cedar wood with copper
bands, a beautiful bedspread, four ducks in the chicken yard, and similar
items. Cousin Minchen, who had lost her husband after only a short time,
later became engaged to Mr. Husinger.
At the Live-Oak-Spring farm, to which the newlywed couple moved, there
was still much left to be done. According to Mothers diary the young husband,
with the help of friends, had much work to do: finish building the chickenhouse
and the smokehouse, improve the pen (fencing for various animals); spade
up the garden, etc. Otto was often on horseback to bring back escaped cows
(the cattle grazed in open prairie); or to attend to business in the little
town of Seguin. In the meantime Elise busily made butter and sold it to
other farmers, and busied herself with sowing and planting in the garden.
Between times Mother made music when visitors came, or they rode to Seguin
to visit Nohls and Brachts. (Dr. Bracht and his wife and the related family
of Dr. Nohl were: father Louis, mother Jettchen, and daughters Alma and
Alice. They had emigrated with the Tips family.) They made excursions into
the virgin forest with wagon and horse, with mother and siblings, to gather
wild pecans in sacks. The herd of cattle increased; they bought cows and
little calves from Navarros, the Spanish neighbors, driven into the pen
and named (Minna and Bianca). The first little pig was butchered. Otto
drove in his share of the cattle from Willow Spring. Elise found and killed
an eggsnake in the corncrib, and twice in the kitchen large moccasins (large,
black, very dangerous snakes). Meat was salted and smoked. The horse Cid
was bought. With the help of friends and brothers, Cid, Uli and Mary were
branded. (The branding of horses was done by heating an iron bar with the
owners initials at the end to glowing heat, and pressing it against the
shackled animals shank.) In December two large pigs weighing 128 and 140
pounds were butchered, and among other things scrapple was made. Brother
Julius shot a large deer; Eduard 5 rabbits; Otto ducks and partridges.
Mother Tips made efforts to converse with American neighbors, and it caused
much amusement when she said: Is y moder well? And to Miss Perret she said:
Et iss heute werri warm. Otto bought the horse Fritz; Elise pours 98 candles
of wax.
The circle of hospitality on the Texas farms was very extensive: all
acquaintances and whoever they brought were certainly accepted at every
meal and overnight. In December the first Christmas was celebrated with
splendid food at Elise and Ottos with mother and siblings. After New Year's
they took a tour to German friends on the Cibolo and to New Braunfels,
where there was much music-making and also dancing. The letters from Germany
from both sides of the family brought much joy, but especially two boxes
containing many beautiful wedding gifts from Barmen (from Ottos father
and sisters). Also they rode to church in Seguin. l85l
On January 26 Elise turned 2l years old. In this blessed land one could
reap two or three crops a year, and even at the end of January the young
married couple were digging and planting their garden and planting peach
trees in beautiful warm weather. In early March Otto planted corn in the
field (Indian corn, maize). In the meantime both were in New Braunfels,
where Elise and Hermine participated in a concert. They played a duet from
the Overture to The Calif of Bagdad, sang the duet from Freischtz: Scoundrel,
Hold Fast; Elise sang an aria from Robert the Devil; Miss Ditmar, Mr. Littich,
Eduard and Hermine took turns singing and playing. After the concert there
was a ball, and, as my mother wrote: I had the pleasure of dancing with
my dear Hubby; very good refreshments were served, we enjoyed ourselves
very well, and finally went to Nohls at 2:30 A.M., where we spent the night.
In April 18 pounds of butter were buried in a little crock in the smokehouse,
and thus preserved. At Easter a picnic at the Geronimo Springs was planned,
but nothing came of it, and Otto worked the whole day in the field. Soon
one could eat beans and venison roast. On the second day of Pentecost they
could take a tour to the Geronimo Spring, on land which belonged to Messrs.
Nohl and Goldbeck. Messrs. Bechem, Fischer, Prbsting, Mrs. Cook, and Ccilie
and Josefa Navarro went along. The two Messrs. Goldbeck had built a long
table and benches at a beautiful spot in the bottom (river bank). Also
they were joined by the Braunfelsers, so they were 29 persons. Fritz shot
two fish. We had all provided ourselves with good provisions, with cold
smoked meat, eggs, bread, butter, grape torte, an Otto cake. Navarros had
baked cookies. Toward evening we went and robbed a honey tree, but practically
all of us ate too much, which agreed with us very badly. Later, in the
most beautiful moonlight, we played games and sang pretty songs, during
which Mr. Prbsting was badly teased, and gradually lost his saddle, whiskey-flask,
his blanket, and his boots. Then Eduard played for dancing. My poor Otto
also danced a few times, although he felt quite unwell. But we did enjoy
ourselves very well, and didnt drive home until 6 oclock the next morning.
The next day Otto drove back with Schmidt to get the bees, but they had
flown away.
Otto, like all farmers, swapped a great deal: horses, clocks, boots,
pistols were thus obtained and disposed of. At the end of July they took
a trip to Navarros. Young Navarro came in a pretty new wagon, took the
ladies and brought them home again in the evening. These invitations for
the whole day were quite customary among the farmer families, and were
very pleasurable. In the summer people always slept on the gallery surrounding
the house, since they were quite isolated.
A great disadvantage was that the unfamiliar climate, ignorance of rules
of safety precautions, and the consequences of unusual exertions resulted
in the many many fevers among the farmers.
On August 5, to the joy of the parents, they heard the first cries of
their first child, your now old mother Klara, dear children. On Sept. 2l
Klrchen was taken on horseback by her mother to spend a happy day at Navarros.
Daughters of German working men were engaged as maids, and a Negress came
in to do the washing. On Sept. 27 Otto was busy harvesting corn; it was
still very hot, the temperature 100 degrees. Otto suffers much with headache
and dizziness, and always feels unwell. He doesnt tolerate well the constant
hard work in the hot climate, and he is thinking of opening a store in
the hills of the Guadalupe in Fredricksburg. Elise took care of the whole
farm, and got very angry with the pigs, which broke out and ruined the
field; the boar bit and wounded one of the three dogs. They seriously considered
selling Willow Spring.
On November 2, 51, Hermine married John Staehely. This uncle was even
more unpractical than the other German farmers. Once he gave the pigs soapwater
to drink, from which they perished. He soon gave up his farm, and the family
moved to New Braunfels, where he set up a store and became a merchant.
I was often with this very beloved aunt, in New Braunfels as well as later
in Germany, to which she returned in l864. She lived first in Wiesbaden
and later in Darmstadt. You, my dear Reinhard, were with Uncle and Aunt
Staehely several years while your father and I were still in Turkey. l852
In February Otto and Elise with Klrchen were in Humbold with Staehelys
for three weeks, and in New Braunfels. In New Braunfels there were a concert
and a ball. Elise writes in her Diary, My dear husband kept our child during
the ball, but at 11 oclock Louis (Dr. Nohl) relieved him, sent him to the
ball and took care of the child.
In April Otto and Elise sold their 9 cows, Nonne, Flora, Black-Head,
Scheck, Violetta, Alma, Horn, Lamefoot, and Hannes, and 3 calves, which
were driven away by their mounted new owners. Otto bought a house in Seguin
rather than Fredricksburg, and added on a gallery. This was behind the
store, which fronted right on the mulberry tree- bordered street. But he
lacked a great deal in furnishings and wares. In spite of selling everything
they could do withoutcattle, silver, etc., etc.Otto was very worried till
all was ready. But in August Elise too could move into town, and in December
my brother Hermann was born. Two other siblings were born in Seguin, Otto
and nnchen, but both died, at the ages of 7 and 8 months, in that climate
of fever, dysentery and diarrhea.
My Reminiscences
So transitory is our youth, So lasting our memories of it.
My first memory is the following: I was probably about 3 years old,
on Grandmothers farm in the yard, where Uncle Eduard was splitting wood.
I must have been sucking my thumb, for my uncle called to me, Come over
here, Ill chop off your thumb for you! In great terror I ran to my mother,
and demanded her handkerchief for comfort. That was always my comfort,
but only my mothers; if someone else offered me theirs, I angrily rejected
it. Then I remember that in Seguin, in the night, someone once threw stones
from the street onto our roof. Later, it was our move into the hills, where
my parents moved when I was 4 years old. My father had built a pretty farm
there, with a smokehouse (when one went into this freestanding little blockhouse,
with no board floor, one could see hanging under the roof many hams and
sides of bacon); chickenhouse, and free-standing kitchen. The farm lay
very beautifully on a hill, with a magnificent view into the distance,
to two very beautiful, equally high mountains called Twin Sisters, and
that was the name of the farm too. Right close by flowed a beautiful clear
river, the Blanco River, and still today I can remember the rushing of
the beautiful waterfall, which one could hear especially clearly at night.
There my father raised horses on a large scale, and also cattle. I can
still well remember the red-haired, good-natured, trusted foreman, Wilhelm
Jonas, who with the help of cowboys herded the horses, cattle herd, and
large herd of swine.
My brother Hermann and I had a wonderful life there. All day we could
play with our toys in the very large fenced yard under the trees and in
the bushes. In the morning we could drive the ducks to the river (in the
evening they came back on their own), where we waddled along in the same
path as the ducks. Once when our mother expressed disappointment at the
poor egglaying of the ducks, my little brother said, Mother, if I were
a duck I would lay an egg every day. Besides the big dog Nestor, we had
a little playmate in the little black and white puppy Flora, who lay beside
our little bed when we slept, sat with us at our table at play, and was
fed cake and sugar lumps. Once when Aunt Hermine and Aunt Helene were visiting
us at Twin Sisters, the ladies went to the Blanco River to bathe and fish.
Flora snapped at a piece of bacon on the fishline and got the fishhook
caught in her lip. To my fright she came galloping to the house, dragging
the fishing-rod behind her, and my mother had to cut a piece out of her
lip, so that for the rest of her life she had a sort of laughing expression.
In the fall the large herd of horses were driven in, and young horses
were branded and broken, that is, caught with a lasso and ridden by the
cowboys. This was naturally very dangerous for the riders. Once Wilhelm
Jonas was seriously injured when a horse he was riding reared up and fell
over backwards. Also the swine herd was driven in in the fall and those
intended for butchering were shot, since they were too wild to be killed
otherwise. Then occasionally a big, strong boar would break out, was followed
by the riders and the dogs, and held at bay in the river. Then such a horrible
noise resounded that I can still remember it today. As children imitate
everything, my brother and I played hog-killing too. In fact we caught
big black grasshoppers, cut off their heads according to the rules, and
hung up the haunchesfor which we got a hard spanking.
I well remember a big, heavy wildcat which lay chained to one of the
outer posts of the gallery, and to our horror killed a hummingbird. And
sometimes when chickens were killed, when they were being prepared to eat,
we would find in their stomachs pins which Mother had dropped and lost
during her sewing. Also there was a beautiful large white hen which regularly
always sneaked through the fence into the neighboring chaparral (very dense
thorny bushes) to lay her eggs, and one day appeared with a large brood
of chicks. At a second attempt she was killed by a marten, and in the morning
lay dead in the bushes. The cattle herders had to be very alert to guard
the cattle against wild animals, e.g. jaguars, and sometimes calves were
dragged away. The many poisonous snakes were very dangerous, and you will
all remember that I have often told you about my and our parents terrible
fright when once I stepped barefoot on a rattlesnake, and that it was considered
a great miracle that I hadnt been bitten by the snake, which was probably
sleeping in the warm evening. Just as well I remember one morning very
early when my mother took us to her in the bedroom, and pointed out of
the window where there was a large snake trying to crawl up the stairs
to the second floor. My father finally killed it with his rapier and a
large stick. While chopping wood Wilhelm Jonas was once bitten on the foot
through his boot and almost died of the poison.
Naturally, my brother and I each had our own cow and own horses, when
we gradually learned to ride. My cow, from which I always got fresh milk
in the cowpen each morning, was named Thusnelda. She had the bad habit,
instead of grazing in the prairie, of breaking through the fence and grazing
in the field, so she was shot.
Once when the kitchen roof was reshingled, we gathered a lot of shingles
and made a little house out of them. We hunted wild carrots, because we
had seen the pigs dig them up and eat them. We took them in our little
hut and ate them with salt, and were determined to sleep there at night,
but that was not allowed.
My father had built a little blockhouse at the foot of the hill, inside
the fence, and had furnished it as a little store, to serve the many German
and American farmers who lived near and farther away. This store was managed
by a young man, an artist by vocation, named Iwonski. He was also my teacher,
and he painted me and my brother as children. You probably all know the
little picture. He also helped my mother diligently in the garden. [This
picture now hangs in the home of Herman and Alke Wupperman in Pinneberg.]
I can still well remember that my mother had a very pretty brown pony
named Billy. When, on May 7, 1857, my father began his long journey via
New Orleans and New York to Germany, my mother accompanied him on horseback
to Seguin, where they visited several acquaintances, to whom my father
said his good-byes. They also stopped over in New Braunfels, where in the
meantime Mother Tips and her younger children were now living. It was a
difficult time for my mother. She had with her a sister of my grandmother,
Aunt Hannchen, Wilhelm Jonas, and Iwonski; the two men stayed as protection
against possible Indian raids. I still remember that she suffered badly
from toothache, and paced the room for days crying with pain. Across the
river, which we could cross on large stones when not much water was flowing,
there lived an American family named George. The old mother sat at the
hearth smoking a short pipe. Every evening there sounded through the valley
the loud cry, Sook, sook, calling the pigs, which gathered and were fed
in long troughs. While my father was still away, Indians stole these neighbors
horses, which disturbed my mother very much. It later led to my parents
decision to leave this area. The pleasant farm was later burned during
the War of Secession by a band who were camping there.
My memories of this time also include watching my mother shoot a large
opossum in a tree above our chickenhouse, while Nestor, who had treed it,
stood below barking. The opossums ate chickens and eggs. I received a beautiful
little Newfoundland puppy from a neighboring fine American family, which
I took along when we moved to Seguin. But later he became too much bother
for my mother, so he was taken away from me.
Old Mrs. George, mother of Dan and Ben George, was a great enemy of
snakes. As my mother and brother were taking a walk one day, on their return
they found a big rattlesnake lying coiled in the middle of the road, and
ran back the way they had come. After a while they came back again and
happily the snake was gone. When Mrs. George heard that my mother had not
killed the snake, she was beside herself with anger, for every snake should
be killed, especially the poisonous ones. Once, on horseback, my father
was followed by a large black snake, and could only outrun it when he let
the horse gallop.
Not only deer and wild turkeys, but also a lot of wild fruit was nearby:
grapes big and small, many wild plums, wild nuts, and little wild pears.
I can remember that a young farmer once came to our house, leading his
horse by the bridle, with a large deer across the horse, which he sold
to us, with hide and antlers, for three dollars.
During my fathers absence in Germany my mother had many visitors, both
family and friends: my grandmother with my youngest aunt, Helene, only
6 years older than I, and my Aunt Hermine with children, weeks- and months-long;
also the brothers and friends of the parents. Some of our nearest neighbors
were a German family, Fischer, but even so one had to visit them on horseback
or by wagon. Once we drove there, and the loaded hunting gun lay in the
bottom of the buggy. By an accidental jolt it fired, and grazed my fat
old Aunt Hannchen along her leg, which offended her intensely.
Originally, in August of 55, my father had bought this land up on the
Blanco for a town named Middletown. He had laid it out with a land surveyor,
and bought the land from the state. Since the war intervened, no town came
of it, but perhaps there is one there now.
Many friends of my parents: Edmond and Mathilde von Stein, Franz Moreau
and wife, the Dittmar family, and others visited us up at Twin Sisters.
After the deaths of the two younger children, nnchen and Otto, my mother
was very sick for a long time. To recuperate she spent 5 weeks at Dr. Kapps
Watercure Institute at Sisterdale in the mountains. I remember that Father
and Mother rode there in half a day. During their stay there, a young farmer
named Runge was killed by Indians with arrows, scalped, and robbed of his
clothes. Nine young people, friends of young Runge, followed the Indians
for several weeks, and as they were on their heels the Indians set fire
to the prairie, destroying their trail. From then on, when Father wanted
to visit Mother he rode at night because of the Indians; when he went to
bring her home, he was accompanied by Mr. Degner and his son and Mr. Rodius,
German farmer friends who also lived in Sisterdale in the hills, to bring
them safely home.
During my fathers absence, if Mr. Iwonski was busy otherwise, my mother
had to take care of the store and the connected post office. Once when
Grandmother and Aunt Helene were visiting us, I dressed myself up with
a parasol and a pair of old white gloves to receive them, and was deeply
offended when they laughed at me; for only cows and pigs could appreciate
this splendor.
In spite of the fact that my mother had sufficient protection in the
house, she always slept with a loaded six-shooter under her pillow. Not
only my parents, but also my plump old aunt and my grandmother had ladies
saddles and rode, which was not wholly without danger. My mother fell several
times, and a young girl in the neighborhood was dragged and suffered fatal
injuries.
As I said, in my fathers absence my mother had many visitors, even though
one had to ride or drive 12 hours from New Braunfels to Twin Sisters. Also
the neighboring German and American farmers, Andersons, Robinsons, and
other very fine Americans, didnt want her to have to be constantly alone.
My father had had a pretty bathhouse built on the bank of the crystal-clear
Blanco River. Above this was a marvelous spring, from which came all the
water for the farm. The climate up in the hills was wonderful. My mother
writes of her birthday on January 26, 1858, that in a temperature of 65
degrees they took a long walk. My dear little brother Hermann was at first
called Titi (Theodore), but after my fathers return from Germany this name
was changed to Hermann, since my father had promised way back in elementary
school to name his eldest son after his best friend, Herman Delius. After
my fathers return from Germany my little brother learned to ride. Yes,
soon he rode on unsaddled horses, and I too was allowed to have this pleasure,
sitting behind my mother on the horse. I well remember a Christmas at which
we children had made gifts for our parents: my brother a slate covered
with writing and I a knitted article. My father, who was in Germany during
[the winter of] 1857-58, wrote home enthusiastic letters, especially about
his favorite niece, Sofie Matti. On February 24, 1858, my father landed
in New York on his return trip. Among other matters he writes, My idea,
to have completely forgotten Germany as soon as I landed on American soil,
did not quite materialize, although my joy was great when one morning I
entered the magnificent port of New York. The very stormy trip had lasted
15-1/2 days. He continues his trip from New York by train and writes from
Philadelphia, I arrived here in the City of Brotherly Love yesterday evening,
and must spend Sunday here because here in Uncle Sams land no railroads
may run until 11 oclock tonight. Then via Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Louisville
and Cairo I will arrive at the Mississippi, and swim on down to New Orleans.
My father often described to us the glorious trip on the giant river.
In May my mother again went to take the water cure, this time at New
Braunfels with Dr. Wieprecht, son-in-law of Dr. Kapp. She suffered for
years with stomach trouble. At that time, too, I went to school in New
Braunfels, but only for 3 months, as I was in delicate health; during the
hot months my father took me back to the better climate of hilly Twin Sisters.
Father loved to have his children with him, because he had to be away from
them so much. At that time he wrote to Mother, Hermann is beginning to
be a bit wild, rides almost every day on an unsaddled horse, but which
I lead. Mornings and evenings he drives horses and calves into the pen,
and for milking, and makes himself useful that way. Then in the evening
he goes to bathe with Papa in the crystal-clear Blanco. Clara learns unusually
easily, but has a delicately built physique, so we have brought her into
the cooler mountain air during the hot summer months. The area is beautiful,
but already in June it is very hot, 80 or 85 degrees, and on stormy humid
days 100+ degrees. Europeans really arent made for the tropical climate.
There are a great many snakes this year, and they even get into the houses.
In the morning Hermann noticed an egg snake above his head, which fortunately
isnt poisonous. On July 28 we again had 98 degrees in the shade, but in
the afternoon a pleasant southerly breeze came up. The two beloved children
are sitting with Auntie devouring a melon (Hannchen Braun took care of
the household during Mothers absence), while she tells them stories about
Germany.
Below the house was a garden with a high stake fence, then a corral
for cows and calves, and beyond, 300 steps from the house, the Blanco falls,
from rock to rock, forming beautiful waterfalls. Beyond the river valley
a lovely chain of mountains rises, with the two equally high Twin Sisters.
Below the waterfalls of the Blanco River the banks are very high. At one
point the river flows along a rock face over 100 feet high. The area is
really romantic, but it is too hot to go hiking. Papa is thinking of closing
out his affairs in Texas and going back to Europe, for he is heartily tired
of Texas. Mother is frequently ill. Also, during Fathers absence his business
manager Iwonskis large expenditures caused him difficulties and considerable
losses. In the fall of 58 he decided to return to Seguin, where he wont
have to live near such disorderly, wild border dwellers, rowdies who were
often known to rob and murder.
How well I remember our departure and trip to Seguin in November 58.
Pulling one of the wagons we had a horse named John, and at noon we were
resting with a family at the ferry crossing of the Guadalupe River. The
horse, which had been left untended with the loaded wagon, shied at something
and raced around the whole fenced lot of the farm, always kicking at the
wagon, till it was smashed to bits. Later, on a drive with me and my father,
John kicked the whole front of the wagon to pieces, so Father got rid of
him. After the wagon had been laboriously repaired we continued the trip,
accompanied by large luggage vans. In Seguin we could not move into our
house, since my Uncle Julius Tips, my fathers business partner, was still
occupying it. We moved into a house called the James House, which was also
situated very attractively near the Guadalupe River. From there one could
see across large, lower-lying cotton fields, to the magnificent river flowing
through deep forest.
At Christmas in 58 many beautiful gifts arrived from Germany for parents
and children. Among others for my mother were a little writing desk filled
with all sorts of delightful things; a little notebook, a little black
box that I kept for a long time and then gave to Udelein; a gorgeous doll;
a silver thimble for me; and many beautiful picture books for us children.
In January of 59 my brother Eugen was born, and later he and my brother
Hermann were baptized together. Hermann and Klara go together to school
to Miss Klasing, a little misshapen person, and learn next to nothingbut
they are occupied, and there is heavenly quiet in the house when the restless
ones are away. I quote the following from a letter of my mothers to niece
Sofie Matti: Now I dont know anything else new, except that your dear Uncle
Otto, in spite of all his work, is very well, big and fat and cheerful,
sometimes very affectionate and agreeable, but sometimes grumpy. Havent
you noticed that he is inclined to the latter especially before breakfast?
In this case you would have to do as I do, and give him a good pounding
on the back, or drip a bit of water on his head, which quickly makes him
quite tame. We already sleep at night with the little one with open doors;
today we had 85 degrees in the shade. To Mothers remarks is added a note
from Papa dated March 5, 59: Dear Sofiechen! My wife dutifully gave me
her letter of yesterday to read before sending it off. I must admit that
she was sounding rather shrewish, but actually its not so bad as she pretends.
She uses the beautiful water of our spring more for bathing and drinking
than for pouring over her old man [written in English] as the husbands
are usually called in Texas. Spring this year is beautiful. Since February
trees and meadows are fully green; pear, plum and all fruit trees are laden
with blossoms. I often think of you all, and wish you could enjoy this,
too.
I also want to describe how my mother went to meet my father in March
58. My father wanted to be in Galveston on March 4, l858, and from there
to travel by the post stage or wagon to Seguin. My mother borrowed a light
wagon from our neighbors, the Fischers, and drove to New Braunfels taking
Klrchen, who was to visit her grandmother there for several weeks. She
writes about it: I hired a boy, who rode along beside the wagon, and myself
drove through the Guadalupe River without incident, though the river was
so high that the water came into the wagon; we stayed overnight with a
farmer, and on the second day arrived safely in Braunfels. But, oh dear!
Here she had to wait two weeks, for Otto had been delayed in New York on
business. This time seemed to stretch out forever. Then she drove to Seguin,
where finally after so long a separation they celebrated a blissful reunion.
In Seguin, after the return from the mountains, they celebrated a beautiful
Christmas with a Christmas tree, and many Americans came and admired this
little tree as a miraclethey had never seen such a thing in their lives.
Mother writes with disdain that even cultured American women smoke their
little pipes.
Mr. Jamess house, in which we lived, also was set in large grounds with
the most magnificent huge trees hung with gray Spanish moss. Here too,
we children had a delightful life, with a chickenyard, dogs, naturally
horses to ride and drive, and little schoolmates. We soon went to school
to an American, Miss Malvine Sanders, and there learned at least something.
At home we had guinea-fowl, too, which wandered through and laid their
eggs in the reeds by the river, where they were eaten by a possum. Once
some American boys came by who had caught one, and were dragging it along
by its tail. One noontime I was sitting on our back verandah busy with
schoolwork when I saw a big raccoon sneak out of a big woodpile and climb
up a tree behind the house. I called my mother, who shot it and gave it
to an old Negro, Uncle Ruben. He lived in a little house in our neighborhood
with his wife, Aunt Betsy, who was hired to do housework for us. Toward
evening when I came out on the verandah again, the Negro came and asked
me, Miss Clara, do you want a chicken leg? To which I answered, Of course,
gladly! and ate the fried chicken leg with relish. As I was finished, he
told me with a big laugh that it was a raccoon-leg, and I almost got sick
at my stomach. In the area around our house many persimmon trees were growing,
with black, soft fruit a little bigger than a walnut which tasted good
but were forbidden to us because of the dreadful, indelible stains they
caused on hands and clothing. We had brought our dogs, Nestor and Flora,
from Twin Sisters. We were very happy when Flora had a delightful little
puppy, named Little. Our little brother, now a year-and-a-half old, lugged
him around all day. One day the little pet was resting in the shade of
a huge cotton bale, when it rolled over and crushed the little creature.
(Incidentally, my father had in the meantime begun a cotton business, and
numerous big bales were lying in the yard.) The little dead animal was
carried to a little dry creek, and to our great amazement we watched as
Flora, who sat alongside, raised her head and howled, shedding large tears.
Once on a Sunday afternoon a schoolmate of my brother Hermann came by and
invited him to join in a walk along the bottom (wooded river valley). My
father didnt allow it, saying, Sundays one stays at home. This was very
fortunate, because one of the two boys who went later fell into the river
and was drowned.
After the death of our Grandfather Reinhard Theodor Wuppermann, the
whole estate was liquidated by Uncle Matti, widower of Fathers eldest sister,
nnchen. House and garden were sold, and the beautiful old family home at
Schüren came into other hands. Part of the reason for this was that
both Fathers brothers, Theodor and Gustav, had gone bankrupt, though at
different times (besides, Theodor had another house). These matters aged
Father greatly, and he could never get over the fact that the family home
and the marvelous garden could not stay in the family. The great longing
to return to Germany and to the circle of the family in Barmen was decreased;
but the idea of returning as soon as possible was not given up, even though
not necessarily to Barmen. His niece Sofie had written about the great
family horror (said of the house and garden), and also about the many illnesses
in the family. The faithful niece, Johanna Auffermann, over the long term
kept this far-distant Uncle Otto in touch with every thread of the family.
It has only been since reading her letters that it has become clear to
me how congenial his relationship with this smart, good, noble, and fine
niece had been. In one of his letters, thinking of his return home, my
father writes, But in these times after a year of bad harvests, who will
buy my hundred horses, my 540 acres on Elm Creek, my cattle, my land and
houses on the Blanco River? Otherwise, though, financially it was going
well with my father, for by buying up cotton, which he had been selling
to Mexico since 58, he was making a good profit.
Concerning us children he writes the following: Klrchen is being reared
in the German way, and later is to go to her Aunt Laura to boarding school.
She is a smart little creature, already knows how to cook, speaks better
English than Papa and Mama, and from time to time we have to take her out
of school for a few months, or she studies more than is good for her health.
Hermann (called Titi by his little sister) on the other hand is a born
lazy bones, possesses endless calm, but at the same time has a good dry
wit. (In numerous letters Papa, who had so many young nieces, remarked
how very much he was against girls marrying so young. But when his own
eldest daughter was not yet 18 years old she became engaged, and married
a year later. Poor Papa!)
My father was away a great deal, partly to look after his land and herds,
and partly on businesses. As I turned 8 years old, my returning father
surprised and delighted me on my birthday with a whole wagon-load of girlfriends
from New Braunfels, plus a box of delicious peaches. (These must have grown
particularly well in New Braunfels, where he had been, for there were lots
of peaches available in Seguin. Every morning an old Negro came from a
farm near Dittmars and drove from house to house with an open wagon with
peaches.) Since I spent much time in New Braunfels with my grandmother,
I had many friends there: Emmy Torri, Elise Kster, Toni Benner, Emilie
vom Stein and my little cousin Eugenie Staehely. Toward evening, then,
my dear father drove them all home again.
That same summer I begged my mother until she allowed me to go barefooted.
At that time we went a long distance to school at Mrs. Midlins. The school,
as usual held in a small blockhouse, lay at the other side of the town,
on the other bank of a deep creek under beautiful trees.
In the low-lying house of Mr. James, my father that year of 1860 suffered
a great deal with rheumatism and neuralgia, in spite of the fact that we
had a very hot summer; for instance, already in June it was 85 degrees
in the shade. Also that summer there were barbecues, a feast outdoors where
a whole pig was roasted; and camp meetings (outdoor religious services)
where at the close there was eating and dancing. My father was, as I said,
often in the mountains at Twin Sisters, when the horses, about a hundred
of them, were driven in and branded; and otherwise in the country round
the Brazos River, where he also owned land; on the Cibolo, and in St. Antonio.
Once when I was out for a drive with Papa, with John hitched to the wagon,
the horse kicked out so often that the whole mud guard was broken to bits.
(A buggy is a two-seater wagon with a covering, in which one can set an
extra little bench for a child.) Consequently, that bad old John was sold
and a very pretty horse named Seppo was bought. Hermann, who was 8 years
old at the time, could already ride 20 English miles in a day, and rode
with Mother to New Braunfels, and went on rides with Mother and Papa. The
heat of that summer of 60 kept getting hotter up to 110 degrees in the
shade. When my Aunt Hermine in New Braunfels christened her youngest little
daughter Klrchen, my father and I stood up as godparents.
In 1860 or the beginning of 61, I dont exactly remember which, the idyll
in the James house ended and we moved back into our own house, lying more
in the center of the town. This house with garden, of which I have made
a sketch, was back of Fathers store, which was on a street lined its whole
length with mulberry trees. I can still remember today how delicious these
tasted. In front of our house there was a rose bed, and I can still today
remember the scent of the Prince Royal rose. On one side, between the garden
that stretched along the whole length of the house and the gallery, there
stood a row of beautiful mallow plants, at which the hummingbirds buzzed
while they sank their long beaks into the flowers. Also in this garden
stood a tree of luscious plums with red spots (I have never been able to
find that kind again), and whoever got up first in the morning could gather
those that had fallen. On the other side of the dwelling, connected to
the house by a covered walkway, was a free-standing kitchen with a little
eating room where one could eat on cool days, and a second room for the
Negresses. (My mother, who was very independent, at first bought several
Negro girls, with whom she had bad luck, but always sold them at a profit,
but then she rented from Parson Wilson an excellent older Negress, and
then bought her for $1100. She was named Lou (Louvinia). I can still well
remember the special little Negro celebrations which she could have. These
consisted of much eating with banjo music, and followed by dancing. On
the other side of the kitchen was a yard with so-called shade trees, planted
by my father. In the spring these had bushels of light lavender blooms,
and in the summer bushels of yellow, unpleasant-tasting fruit [chinaberries].
Next to this yard was the cow-pen, an open stall for the horses, and the
coachhouse. Next to the store, which was separated from the house by a
yard and a garden, my parents had had the carpenter, Mr. Lesser, build
two additional rooms, since the dwelling-house consisted of only two large
rooms and a lovely, airy gallery.
After a brief time at school with Mrs. Midlin we returned to school
with Miss Malvina Sanders, who was an excellent teacher. She had moved
her residence, and lived in a completely different direction, way out of
town. The road to it was very attractive. We passed sugarcane and melon
fields, had to use large stepping-stones to cross a creek in which there
were many crawfish, and so reached the school (blockhouse) standing under
magnificent trees. The town, which was very spread out, had scattered on
this side a number of beautiful, large houses surrounded by beautiful gardens.
I still remember one which belonged to a French family, La Guette, who
had a charming l7-year-old daughter, Lucie. Also on this side of town was
the cute little house of the couple named Sherwood. They were Americans
from the North. It often occurred that people from the North came to the
south for their health. This couple loved children very much, and had taken
me especially to their heart. I was often with them, could look at their
magnificent picture books, and play with the Newfoundland dog. Every morning
he was given a little basket with money in it to carry in his mouth to
the butcher, where he bought his meat. Mrs. Sherwood once gave me a canary
bird hen, which sang sweetly. She had carried it in a little cage on her
lap on the trip from the North, and I owned it for a long time. Mr. Sherwood
was Superintendent of the Sunday school. Already in 1858 and 59 Hermann
and I attended the Sunday School. It was held quite near to us in the Court
House. We just loved to go there, because not only were the teachers, men
and women, very friendly, but also we received all sorts of pretty things,
each week could borrow books from their library, and each time we attended
we received three little cards, on which we could read Good lessons, Good
behavior, and Punctuality. When we had a sufficient number of these little
cards, we received colorful little cards with charming, fine pictures.
After a certain number of these one received large pictures, and finally
at Christmas a beautiful book as Reward of Merit. Each man and each woman
teacher had only one bench full of pupils, so that the teachers knew the
pupils very well. My teacher, whom I loved very much, was named Miss Julia
Coorpender, a beautiful young girl. At Christmas time a huge cedar tree
was decorated as a Christmas tree, which besides being hung with candles
also had little silk bags filled with fine bonbons, which were then distributed.
In May came the festival of the May Queen, for schools and Sunday school.
This is a festival much loved in the United States, when the most popular
young girl was queen, with a great court of court ladies and all sorts
of courtiers. I can remember being dressed in a white muslin dress, with
a wreath and a garland of rose-geranium and oleander blossoms, as one of
the court ladies.
We children felt nothing of the already prevailing uneasy political
atmosphere. On free afternoons (Wednesday and Saturday afternoon) Hermann
visited his friend George Wilcox in the country, where they practiced riding
calves in the cowpen. One Sunday he went to visit his friend Buss on the
farm in the prairie, all dressed up in his elegant white linen suit, with
shoes and stockings. In the evening he returned, I can well remember, with
a sturdy stick over his shoulder, on the front end shoes and stockings,
and on the back two partridges and a rabbit. He was extraordinarily skillful
at using the sling shot, and had bagged his game on the way. He was a dear
boy, a good brother, a typical wild youth! At 11 years he went alone with
his little gun squirrel hunting in the river bottom.
Every spring the horses, excepting a few riding stock, were taken to
the so-called spring pasture (meadow). These were broad, fenced meadow
areas, in contrast to the way horses and cows usually pastured in the ownerless
prairie. If only one horse was at home, both of us rode together on free
afternoons, I in front on Mothers saddle, Hermann behind me on a blanket,
to friends in the country; we especially liked to visit the children of
Parson Wilson. There, with our little friends, we made excursions into
the woods, looked for wild fruit, or berries for chewing-gum (we got chewing-gum
from a certain berry which had, under the outer skin, a rubbery skin over
the seed), and when we were tired and hungry we went to the old Negress,
the so-called Mammy, who had reared the children, and let ourselves be
treated to ginger-cake and fried chicken. On this as on all other large
American farms and plantations the Negroes all had their own little blockhouses
with chickenyard and garden, and Mammy was always gladly ready to slip
her little favorites some goodies. It was from these kind parents, Parson
Wilson and his wife, that my mother had obtained our excellent Negress
Lou.
In the early years of the 60s there was much visiting back and forth
between my parents and the relatives and friends in New Braunfels, which
in contrast to Seguin was almost entirely settled by Germans, and I remember
the following families: Mrs. Benner, who managed the post office and had
a splendid garden in the middle of which was a circular rosebed as memorial
to a deceased daughter. Emil vom Stein and wife with their daughter Emilie,
who later was a good friend; James Fergusson and wife, who were among the
oldest and best friends of my parents. (On our wedding trip in Stuttgart
I visited Mrs. Fergusson, then widowed, who was living in Stuttgart with
her only daughter Emmy.) Also Mr. and Mrs. Stuve. The former later gave
me my first music lessons, the latter lessons in sewing. Franz Moreau and
wife, who owned whole cupboards full of the most wonderful playthings for
their three daughters; also von Grens, Schmidts, Forke, Buss, Flge, etc.
Behind the big Flge house lived my little grandmother in a very nice little
house set in a large garden. I remember that in her garden delicious peaches
grew, and luscious sweet yellow tomatoes.
But in Seguin there were also German families, though few. Especially
the Dittmar family associated a lot with my parents (attorney Dittmar and
family were from Darmstadt and, if I remember correctly, had emigrated
on the same ship with Tipses); but they lived on the other side of the
Guadalupe River on a farm, and the drive there was not quite without risk
because of having to take the ferryboat. Here, where the deep river flowed
through the dark forest, lay the large estate of my fathers friend Mr.
Andrew Erskin. There was a farm, plantation, a cotton gin (where seeds
were removed from the cotton bolls, and crushed mechanically to press out
the oil which was used for greasing wagons, etc.); also he owned the very
large ferryboat, on which one crossed with wagon and horses. I can still
remember well how uneasy and trembling the horses were when the big heavy
iron chain was hauled in. The animals were especially restless when the
so- called bullfrogs were croaking, and they probably also scented the
alligators in the deep river (bullfrogs are large frogs which bellow as
loudly as oxen). On the end of the ferry ride they just drove up the incline
and to Dittmars farm. My Braunfelser friend, Emmy Torry, was often with
her Dittmar grandparents, and I visited her there. Besides the two sons,
Emil and Albrecht, the youngest daughter Agnes, a very pretty young girl,
was often at our home.
At Erskins, who had a large number of children, it once happened that
a two-year-old little girl couldnt be found. As children do, she had wandered
off, come to the river, and according to the tracks had been pulled into
the water by an alligator. Only her little hat was found.
Especially in the so-called bottoms of the river, in the primeval forest,
the most magnificent trees grew: oak, elm, giant cedars, as well as large
pecan trees with excellent, thin-shelled nuts; also the hickory tree with
excellent wood and walnut-like fruit with thick, extremely hard shells
and tiny kernels. In the prairies there grew an acacia-like mosquito tree
[mesquite] with long thorns and long, red, sweetish-tasting pods. Ive already
told about the persimmons. American grapes [also called mustang grapes]
grew on vines as thick as ones arm which snaked from tree to tree in the
bottoms. These we children loved to use as swings, the so-called grapevine
swing. Of birds I remember the magnificent red cardinals, the mockingbird,
the entrancing hummingbirds, the whippoorwill, an evening bird that makes
this saddest of calls; the many wild doves and the innumerable vultures,
or turkey-buzzards.
The beautiful river valleys were sites for barbecues and camp meetings;
I remember very well one camp meeting, I believe arranged by the Sunday
school. People came in their wagons from all around, some from far away,
and gathered around the parson who conducted the camp meeting services.
Later tablecloths were spread, some on the ground and some on long tables
with benches that had been built ahead of time by Negroes. Plates, implements,
and food were brought out of the wagons and spread out. On the ground one
sat on blankets or leather seats from the wagons. Roast turkey, ham, cake,
torte, grapes, peaches, and many other foods were eaten during lively conversations.
After this picnic an old Negro played on a level spot sprinkled with sawdust
for dancing, and last was a candy-pull. For this, old Negro cooks stirred
over the fire a bit of butter and a lot of molasses (the thick residue
from making sugar from sugarcane). It was cooked over an open fire until
it was thick enough to cut. One spread a bit of butter on ones fingers
and two people, mostly young men and ladies, were given a still-warm piece,
which was alternately pulled and folded back on itself, until the mass
was light golden-yellow; then it was braided, and laid on paper to cool,
broken in pieces, and distributed to the children. In the evening, then,
partly by moonlight, everyone happily returned home.
In Seguin, as I said, practically the whole population were Americans.
I remember the names Johnston, Patty, Wilson, Cotton, Brown, Jefferson,
James, and others. The Germans were mostly shopkeepers and artisans: Nolte,
Zorn, Klasing, Schmidt, Schuchard, etc. Mr. Nolte was postmaster; Schuchard
drove regularly from Seguin to New Braunfels to deliver letters, goods,
and travelers; Schmidt was a cabinet maker; he lived with his wife without
children in a very beautiful garden, in the middle of which was a pretty
little house, and next to it were his workshop and beehives. They loved
children very much, and I remember that when I had to order something there
I was allowed to examine with great interest the many beautiful colored
pictures hanging all around the walls of the room, all framed to the same
size.
I do not exactly remember the beginning of the War. As I mentioned,
my little brother and I went to Miss Sanderss school, far from our house.
It was too far for us to go home for lunch in the hot weather, so all the
children coming from near and far brought their lunches, mostly in little
tin buckets. We too took ours, consisting of bread, cooked meat, and a
big bottle of milk. So at noon we ate together under the beautiful trees,
when there was lots of trading of food. Once my little brother and I surprised
our dear teacher, Miss M. Sanders (a beautiful, stately blonde figure,
who lived with her mother in a neat house next to the blockhouse school),
as she tearfully took leave of her fianc, who stood beside his saddled
horse and was going to the War. Later she gave up her school, and we came
to a Mrs. Nelson to learn.
Since all young people, including the teachers at the Female and Male
Academy, went to the war which began in 1861 between the Northern and Southern
states, Mrs. Nelson had a large addition of boys and girls to her school.
Hermann and I made friends there with many American children: Tony Goodrich,
Jonny Gordon, George Wilcox, Blucher Erskin, the children of Parson Wilson,
and others. Among the little girls it became customary to make memory gifts
of their own hair sewn on paper in the shape of little wreaths, and I still
treasure mine from Franky Brown, Ada Cotton, Jenny Burgess, and others
(the first one died while swimming). On the free afternoons, Wednesday
and Saturday, I was then often in American homes, and remember that because
of the heat we sat for hours on blankets in a darkened room and played
jacks.
My father, who definitely felt more congenial with Americans than my
mother did, became good friends with Mr. Erskin, a well educated, amiable
man, but like so many Americans given to drink. When he once asked him,
How is it that your son has such an unusual name, and what does it actually
mean? he exclaimed, What, you dont know your great General Bluker (he meant
Blcher)?
Mrs. Nelsons school, a large house, was quite close in our neighborhood.
The classes consisted of boys and girls arranged by ages from 8 to 14 years,
and the two teachers always conducted one class while in the next room
the children prepared for the next class. There was no homework assigned.
Later, at age 12, I went to a good German school. From the Sunday school,
too, all the young men went as volunteers to the War. Later, as the armies
of the Southern states diminished, older people also volunteered, including
Mr. Erskine, Sherwood, and others. My father, too, then 44 years old, signed
up in a cavalry unit, but was discharged because of rheumatism, and so
went to San Antonio in the administrative service of the Army. My young
uncles, first Gustav and later Walther, were from the beginning in the
Texas Rangers (scouts); in the later war years all young Germans were pressed
into the war service and woe to those who would try to flee to Mexico to
avoid military service, often motivated by their parents: at the border
they were seized and shot. The names of Fort Sumter at Charleston, South
Carolina, in April 61 taken from the Confederation (Southern) and the slaughter
at Vicksburg, Gettysburg, Richmond (Virginia), Chattanooga, Bull Run are
still firm in my mind, as well as the names of the Northern and Southern
generals, especially of course the southern Robert Lee (after whom my brother
Richard was named Richard Lee; Stonewall (who earned this name because
he stood like a stone wall and didnt move) Jackson; Buchanan, Johnston.
As well as those of the North, Grant, Sherman, and Sheridan. Many patriotic
songs were produced which are still in my possession, above all The Bonny
Blue Flag, with the refrain: Hurrah! Hurrah! for the bonny blue flag, That
bears a single star! (The state of Texas had a blue flag with a large silver
star in the middle, thus single star). In Seguin as well as later in New
Braunfels, Hermann and I took part in performances of concerts, live pictures,
raffles, and similar activities for the wounded soldiers and survivors
of the fallen; our musical mother also took part by singing and playing
the piano.
Because practically all men left Seguin (in New Braunfels there were
almost no Negroes) there was the danger that the Negroes would become hostile
toward the remaining whites. Of course the Negroes knew exactly what the
War was about. The Proclamation of the President of the Northern States,
Abraham Lincoln, which promised freedom for all the slaves, had made the
Negroes very rebellious. (As is well known, for many years already there
had been strong friction between North and South. The Northern states did
not need the slaves, whereas in the southern states they were indispensable
to the owners of the large plantations to cultivate their large holdings
of cotton and sugarcane, and they would lose a large part of their fortunes
through freeing the slaves, which did actually happen later.) The War was
lost after 4 years of heavy fighting, since the heavily populated North
could send more manpower into the field than the weakly populated South;
for those on both sides demonstrated great bravery. It did happen that
Negroes held to their masters and were then killed by others. We heard
of a loyal Negress who, as she was working in the cotton field, overheard
a plot being concocted, whereupon she wanted to hurry to the house to warn
her mistress; as she left the field she was killed from behind by a Negro
with an axe. The Negro was thrown into jail, to be hanged, but in the night
the jail was burned after the man had been freed. I well remember the bright
blazing light. The Indians also were agitated, and near Fredrichsburg in
the hills a whole family were killed.
Also, there were plenty of white rowdies, and I remember very well how
one evening Papas young clerk, Alfred v. Stein of New Braunfels, came in
from the store and said to my mother, How glad I am that I could put those
drunken fellows, among which was Andrew Erskin, out into the street. A
short time later Mr. Armstrong, brother of Mrs. Sherwood, came in and asked
Mother for her six-shooter (which she refused, thinking of her own danger),
and he said Andrew Erskin had been found lying in his own blood nearby,
and he wanted to follow the murderer. Mother went out with a lantern, with
Mrs. Lesser and Alfred to the front of the store, where they found everything
covered with blood. The murderer was caught just as he was about to mount
his horse and flee. Later before the judge, he said he had really wanted
to
kill my father, but he was out of town. My father often visited his friend,
who did recover, and was later killed in the war.
During the War years my father had bought two big gray mares, Margarethe
and Martha, of Spanish descent. Especially the latter was so big that three
of us children could ride on her back, and she pulled our buggy as though
it were a nutshell. She caused my parents much irritation, especially my
mother in my fathers frequent absences, because she kicked down the fences
and repeatedly stamped through our pretty garden. As I said, my father
traveled a great deal. He was engaged in the cotton trade, as I mentioned
before. The product was shipped through Mexico and on to London. A business
friend of my fathers, a very cultured Frenchman, Mr. Eugen Jean of Havana,
in 1862 became more closely associated with him. He was often at our home,
and I remember him very well. Once Father and Mr. Jean took me with them
to San Antonio to Navarros, old friends from our farming days; I remember
Amelie Navarro, about my age, and their wonderful garden, with pomegranate
fruit, grapes and bananas, as well as the Spanish-style VERY peppery dishes.
Often my father traveled with Andersen, probably with permission and
also partly in the employ of the government, to Mexico through Eagle Pass,
Chinava to Monterey to buy merchandise. This was because in Texas not only
foodstuffs but especially all manufactured goods (as there was no industry
in the land) tobacco, tea, etc. were expensive to unavailable. So I remember
that the men smoked all sorts of things in their pipes, even sumac leaves.
In many families, especially where there were Negresses, cotton fabric
for clothing was woven, a gray color called homespun, which made very simple
clothes.
From one of my fathers trips in the 60s years I have saved several letters
which my mother later gave me. Here are several quotations:
Eagle Pass, 1 August 62 My dear little Wife! Just now you will be sitting
down to table with the children, and thinking of their father. How I would
like to be with you, for the heat is unbearable and of course gets worse
with each day that we go further south. Griesenbeck arrived this morning,
and tomorrow we depart; 5 gentlemen, 7 servants, drivers and guards, in
3 coaches in this land of wilderness, heat, dust, and robbers. The latter
we have no special reason to fear in the meantime. Here I have heard that
there is practically no merchandise to be had in Monterey. The French have
blockaded Tampico and Veracruz, and no European merchandise can enter Mexico.
Also in the interior supplies are said to have become very scarce, so that
we fear we may not even think of importations. On 4 August. Now a few lines
more before we go into this desolate, hot, parched land on the other side
of the Rio Grande, to travel to Monterey. Here we have had to be delighted
to have been received in a very friendly manner by the whites. De Castro,
Provost-Marshall and School Inspector, a very amiable man, put us up in
his home in a most friendly manner. He was born in London and has seen
the world; also Duclos and 6-10 young people who are here, some Germans
and some French. We immediately became acquainted with them all, were well
received, and ate together with them a quite good, half American and half
Mexican meal. Monterey, 17 August. This morning at 7 oclock, with Pentenreader
and wife and Mr. Jean we made a tour deep into the hills. Drove nine miles
on neckbreaking roads, through canyons and lovely valleys, all at the foot
of high mountains; then stopped at magnificent springs, breakfasted (coffee,
eggs, sardines, bread, etc.) and after that on foot farther on steep footpaths,
always farther. After ca. 3 miles, under shade trees magnificent rocky
grottos with bubbling springs, steep canyon walls, sky-high on both sides,
with at the top only a bit of blue ether showing, mostly quite bare but
often with fan palmstrunks as thick as ones thigh and up to 50 feet tall,
from whose branches our fans are made in Central America, growing out of
the cliffs. Finally our wanderings ended at the foot of a perpendicular
cliff wall 100 to 150 feet high. A Mexican climbed up and then down a rope
hanging from above. He belongs to the timber raftsmen, who deliver the
timber from the highest mountains, where much fir wood grows. They deliver
it down to Monterey; but here the rafting is not by water as in the Black
Forest. The felled trunks are thrown down such a steep cliff from the ridge
of the mountain and then dragged down along UNBELIEVABLY BAD trails by
mule teams, hitched one behind the other. After we had feasted our eyes
on the really grand prospect of the area and of even higher craggy summits
above us, we returned to camp. There Sancho, Pentenreaders factotum, his
cook, coachman, houseboy, etc. had prepared for us a fine dinner. It was
5 oclock. Lying on our carriage seats, we enjoyed with endless pleasure
delicious chicken soup, roasted and fried chicken, two kinds of salad of
native plants, and fruits such as radishes, Swiss cheese, claret, grapes,
and good coffee. After brief pistol-shooting practice we started the return
trip, happily passing all the dangerous spots on the way, visited a mine
where lead is dug out and melted down, and passed the huts of the poor
mountain dwellers. One ponders on what human happiness really is. A hut
of stakes with a roof of straw suffices in this mild climate against all
eventualities of winter and summer! Tortillas, frijoles, a piece of meat
dried in the sun, onions, and the wild red pepper satisfy these brown nature
dwellers completely. They know nothing of furniture. A deer hide is their
bed, the clay floor their table and chair and sofa. Who is really happier,
they or we?!! Before we arrived in town, the light cart of von Deutz broke
down, and it was only a stroke of luck that Mr. Jeans spirited mules didnt
run over it. Two hours after dark we came to the hotel; the broken buggy
was brought in by natives. 22 August. This afternoon I drove with Pentenreader
in his wagon to Saltillo; after a short stay I will return to Texas with
Mr. Jean. This morning early we were in a quite large garden in town, where
we saw hundreds of orange and lemon trees, loaded with wonderful fruits,
which however will not be ripe for another month. So now comes the time
for departure, unexpectedly soon. Farewell, kiss the dear children, and
remember your loving Otto.
These trips by coach could be made only in a group with protection.
At l2 years of age I went to New Braunfels to a German school with German
and English teachers. I lived with my grandmother and Aunt Helene in her
neat cottage with garden. I took piano lessons from Mrs. Stuve, and from
Mrs. Lavrenz received instruction in handwork. I had plenty of pleasant
socializing with the many German girls my age. I remember various school
festivals, once with costumes on Shrove Tuesday. The head teacher, Mr.
Schmitz, who also led the choir and whom we all liked very much, was showered
with little gifts from us on his birthday, as well as little wreaths and
bouquets. Once he invited all his pupils and their parents and siblings
to a ball at his house, with cake and coffee. We children went early at
3 oclock; it was in Mr. Schumachers large hall, and later when the adults
came, everyone, large and small, danced gaily together. In Mothers diary
we read, I had trouble bringing Klara and Hermann home at 10 oclock; especially
Hermann was really crazy about dancing; he danced almost every dance with
Meta Khler, and without embarrassment, no matter what was played, he danced
always at a gallop.
My young aunt Helene also had many friends, among others a Miss Brner,
and Miss Marie Konring, who always came in from her farm by horseback.
She was a brilliant horsewoman, and mounted the most restless horse with
a light spring. I found a new friend in a young Canadian, Sally Mather,
whose parents lived in a large house with a swarm of children and Negresses,
including one who was a weaver. I kept up my correspondence with her from
Germany. With another friend, Emilie vom Stein, we girls bathed in her
bathhouse in the garden, in the crystal clear, very cold Comal River. This
river originated not far above New Braunfels from many magnificent large
springs in the forest. It had only a short course as a wide, beautiful
stream, and at the town there was a large dam where Torrys Mill stood;
but close below the town it flowed into the Guadalupe River. Picnics at
the Comal Springs, with egg hunting at Easter time in the beautiful meadows
in the woods, were very popular.
After my parents moved to New Braunfels in early 64, Emilie v. Stein
and I had many rides together. Once we rode to visit a German farm wife,
with a tin bucket hanging from my saddle horn, to buy butter. We had to
cross through a pasture; as I dismounted to open the big gate, my horse
tore the bridle out of my hand, gave a couple of kicks to get rid of the
saddle (unsuccessfully), and ran off. By good luck several people came
up, caught the horse, and helped me back into the saddle. When we arrived
at the farm womans house, we accompanied her to her spring, where the butter
was kept cool in a large stoneware pot. As she raised the lid, a black
moccasin slithered away past her hand. We were happy that the very poisonous
creature had not harmed us, and rode gaily home.
One also had to be wary of poisonous insects. The big tarantulas, grayish
spiders as big as ones hand, with a big red mouth, were very dangerous;
I remember the death of a Negress who had been bitten by a tarantula while
picking cotton near Seguin. Equally dangerous were the ca. l6-cm.-long
centipedes. I remember a young girl who while dressing found such an insect
and killed it; it bit her through her nightgown, and she was sick a long
time. Several times I sprang back out of bed because a little, admittedly
not very dangerous, scorpion had stung me.
Since my father was away a great deal traveling, my parents decided
to move to New Braunfels. In Seguin one kept hearing of the Negroes plotting
against the whites, and it began to feel uncomfortable. We took the two
Negresses (Lou and Diana, bought in 63). We lived on the edge of the town,
with stable and coachhouse close by, and here my brother Hermann, and even
Eugen and I, rode often. Hermann had his own little horse, named Frank;
at the age of 10-1/2 he rode with my father to Twin Sisters, and often
besides that. I remember that Dr. Bracht had a pretty little brown stallion
as a riding horse, and since people often loaned their horses, once my
brother Hermann rode this one without a saddle, and of course was smoothly
thrown off by the temperamental little animal. But that didnt scare me
off, and the next Sunday I proudly rode this magnificent pacer beside the
carriage with my parents and siblings on an outing.
In front of this house in New Braunfels there also took place the memorable
occurrence when Hermann was practically run over by a big traveling coach
with two big mules, but escaped with only a bloody ear. It happened this
way: my father had a business friend visiting from Mexico, and during their
conversation had admired his fine Mexican rebozo [probably a sarape, A.L.]
(a large rectangular shawl woven of the finest wool in tasteful patterns,
with a slit in the middle, dropped over the head, to protect a rider from
rain and cold). So when the Spaniard was leaving, as he entered his carriage,
he sent his servant back to present the admired rebozo to my father as
a gift, in the chevalieresque manner of many of the men of the old Spanish
families. My father hurried into the street and wanted to return the valuable
gift. At this moment Hermann ran out, surrounded by a swarm of wasps, whose
nest he had knocked down, beating with both hands at the insects swarming
over his head, and bumped against the already restless mules. He was knocked
over and fell with his head right in front of the wheel. The driver was
able to hold the hard- mouthed animals in control, so that Hermann escaped
with only a squashed ear. I was standing close by, and can still remember
all the screams of terror. As the Spaniard saw that no further damage had
been done, he drove swiftly away, and the beautiful wrap remained in Fathers
hands. For years it lay over the sofa in his room, then belonged to Hermann,
and is still in the possession of his son Hermann.
After Aunt and Uncle Staehely moved away with their family in October
63, at first to Monterey in Mexico and in March 1864 on the ship Willi
Weber to Germany, I moved with Grandmother and Aunt into their roomy house
with its large garden. Often in the evenings Aunt Helene and I lay on a
bench in the garden, and she pointed out to me the pictures in the stars,
and so I learned about Orion and the Big and Little Bears.
Here I must explain how exceptionally capable my mother was. She had
not only always helped my father in the mountains at Twin Sisters, and
during his absence in Germany managed everything, but always and in all
ways had stood by him. During his trips she supervised the store and the
men working there, and looked after the horses so that my father once wrote,
The good woman really understands more about horses than I do. And later
in Seguin and New Braunfels she supported him in everything. To make a
point of it I must here describe what a magnificent swap she once made.
It was before Christmas 63, and she writes, Before Christmas I made a good
swap with that little Schmidt. I gave him the old clock, which ten years
ago I got for a pair of gold earrings from Mrs. Runge, plus a pair of fireplace
fenders, against a pair of fat little pigs, which we guessed to be about
100 pounds each, and which he had to butcher and clean the entrails and
deliver. Later it turned out that the one little pig weighed 140 pounds
and the other even 145. Otto cut up the pigs into sausage, with the help
of brother Gustav, who was taking a rest leave from his business and visiting
us. Uncle Henry, the Negress Dianas father, came in the evening after supper
and stuffed the sausages. The liverwurst is a delicacy, and we sent some
of it to Mother and Klara for Christmas to New Braunfels.
For years my parents had had the plan to go back to Germany, discussed
it innumerable times, and as it seemed that the War of Secession would
last a long time yet, decided in the spring of 65 to prepare to carry out
this plan. In Seguin my mother had already sold everything dispensable.
Since my father, employed by the government, had obtained his discharge
because of continuing rheumatism, the rest of our possessions were sold
in New Braunfels. We obtained a large traveling wagon with two large mules
hitched to it, and seating space for 6. My father would occupy the coachmans
seat, with Aunt Helene and my mother; then Grandmother and the three little
siblings, Eugen, Lilly and Richard. A freight wagon with four mules was
driven by the American owner, named Gallaher; as I remember he was quite
sickly and mostly bad-tempered. That wagon was to carry all luggage, foodstuffs
for weeks, mattresses, and bedding, and my brother and I were to ride with
Mr. Gallaher. Mr. Jean and his young clerk, the Spaniard Mr. Navarra, also
wanted to make the trip to Mexico.
In San Antonio, the first destination of the trip, we were to join a
large number of travelers in their own buggies, among others a Catholic
bishop in a large, comfortable carriage, and their servants. Since the
Mexican population were considered very bigoted in their spirituality,
and highly revered their clergy, the bishop was considered as a protection
against Mexican robbers. Because of the Indians and robbers, it was necessary
to travel in large companies, accompanied by a number of mounted Mexicans,
who had already been recruited for the purpose. After many farewell festivities
and all sorts of difficulties, we finally departed from New Braunfels on
April 20, 1865 in our two wagons and in the evening came to our first camp.
At this point Id like to recall something that happened during the time
that I lived with my grandmother in New Braunfels. On beautiful days we
walked for about 2-1/2 hours through an attractive area and, as soon as
we arrived at the big beautiful farm of Correths (while I was with my grandmother
in New Braunfels I often visited the Correth family with her) the family
was called from the field: Mr. Correth, a stately, very courtly man, the
stout wife, young sons and two teenage girls, of whom the younger, Anna,
was my friend. Once she showed me a letter from Austria with the address:
Countess v. Correth. What, I exclaimed, you are a countess? As I knew,
Count Correth came from the Tyrol. The eldest daughter and husband, Count
and Countess Musebach, with many small children, worked like peasants on
their farm, and looked very bad. I remember that they had a huge chickenyard,
and always gave us a little basket of eggs to take home. While the mother
and eldest daughter set the coffee table, the old man carried on a lively
conversation with Granny, while Anna and I disappeared into her room. Toward
evening then we were accompanied a long distance homeward. They were fine,
lively, congenial people, with a dialect quite unfamiliar to us.
In November 64 my father was once more in Mexico with Messrs. Runge,
Navarro, Jean, and Navarran, this time in the east, in Brownsville (Texas
coast) and Matamoros (Mexican coast), on the Rio Grande, where they discovered
many acquaintances from Texas as well as letters from Germany, some as
much as a year old. (The Texas ports were all blockaded by the Northern
states for several years.) l865
In New Braunfels a very enthusiastic social life developed, especially
with the Runge family and their beautiful niece Mary Pierce. Aunt Helene
and I loved the l7-year-old so much that we ardently hoped that she and
our good Uncle Walter would get engaged. This wish did come to pass, in
the very same year, and in later years we often saw the dear couple Walter
Tips and wife Mary in Germany, in Dsseldorf and Darmstadt. You all of course
knew them, too.
At age 12-1/2 Hermann drove alone in a buggy to a farm 8 miles away
and back.
Now the time for departure was set. Invitations and picnics accumulated,
all sorts of accessories for traveling, such as jelly, zwieback, sardines,
given by acquaintances, piled up. In the meantime one more concert and
ball were given for the benefit of families of soldiers, to which many
acquaintances from Seguin came, and from which there still exists a program.
We and Grandmother held an auction; we were still camping in the house,
with the furniture already sold, sleeping on mattresses on the floor. We
rented out our Negresses for a year eachLou for 80 dollars to the Schmitz
Hotel as a good cook, and Dina for 60 dollars to an old couple. In renting
them we strictly required promises of good treatment for both Negresses.
We were delayed partly by bad weather and partly by the difficulty of finding
a driver and wagon for our possessions. Most of the wives didnt want their
husbands to make the long, dangerous trip. Finally on April 19 a contract
was made with the American Galeher, and on the 20th we departed.
So here I want to include my description of our trip from April 20 until
May 10. Papa required me to always learn English well, since it was the
world language, even though he hated the English, and always said that
an Englishman becomes decent only after hes had a crack on the head. So,
from short German notes which I still possess, I had to write a description
of our trip while we were on the ship. So here it is, though naturally
its only a childs inferior work [she would have been 14 years old]:
A TRIP FROM NEW-BRAUNFELS COMAL COUNTY TEXAS TO MATAMOROS, MEXICO
After having been kept back for weeks by constant rain and a certain
teamster, Rollwink, (who then left us in the lurch) with whom Papa had
made an arrangement to take our baggage, we started in the afternoon of
the 20th of April from New-Braunfels, a German town in the County of Comal,
Texas, to St. Antonio, 36 miles distant. It was a fine day. Mama, Papa,
Grandmama, Aunt Helene, Eugen, Lilly and Richard rode in a large hack or
traveling carriage, and my brother Hermann and I rode with the teamster,
an American by the name of Gallaher, in the Baggage wagon. We reached the
camp late in the evening, it being almost dark, but still we were cheered
by the hope of finding good grass and water for the mules. Just as my Aunt
and Papa, after giving the reins to my mother, who sat on the front seat
of the hack, had got down, one of the Mules, Lula, young and spirited,
sprang suddenly forward, as if frightened by something, at the same time
jerking Mama over the dashboard to the ground, while the animals, still
more frightened by the screams of the children, rushed on. It was a terrible
sight! My Aunt, brother and I standing horror-strucken, not knowing what
to do, my Papa running to stop the mules, the teamster sitting in the wagon
and holding tight the reins of his animals fearing that they might also
get frightened and Mama springing up, collecting her thoughts the next
moment after she had fallen, run and throw up her arms, and at last succeeded
in bringing the mules to stand! Truely, we thought her a heroine! All were
very much excited, till Papa and boys succeeded in making a large fire,
while the rest were busy in preparing supper, the beds, etc. Very late
did we lay down this night to rest. After midnight we were awakened by
the howling of a sharp north wind, so frequent in that state, and as at
the time we went to bed it was warm and we had not taken much covering,
we all suffered from cold, until we had got up and covered ourselves warmer.
The next morning all went further down the hill into a grove or hollow,
where the trees protected us from the wind, for it was indeed very cold.
Papa put the wild mule before the teamsters wagon, for all were so afraid
of her, that they declared they would not ride in the carriage unless another
mule was put in the place of Lola. Towards noon it grew warmer and in the
evening about 5 oclock we came to a place 3 miles from St. Antonio, where
there was fine grass, trees and tolerable water. We made a fire in a small
gulley, but the stones burst from the heat and sprang about at a furious
rate, so that we had to make the fire on the grass. (They were firestones,
which blew apart quite dangerously.) The next day being the 22nd of April,
Papa went to town, St. Antonio, to learn if the gentlemen who were to accompany
us from here, were prepared, while the rest except Hermann, who went with
Papa, staid in the camp. Lilly and I rambled about, searching for fresh
water, pretty stones and flowers. That evening Papa came back and told
us, that the gentlemen were not quite ready and that we would have to wait
two days more; we had been there allready one day. The same evening, while
Papa was breaking a bough off a dry tree, he slipped over a rock, fell
and hurt his left knee; he soon forgot the worst pain and thought no more
about it. After a few days the pain in the leg grew worse and Papa concluded
to consult a doctor. Dr. Herft of St.Antonio told Papa that his leg was
quite out of joint and if he would not take great care of it, it would
become seriously hurt. Papa could not take great care of himself on account
of having too much business to attend to, consequently it became worse
with him. Every morning, while we were in camp near San Antonio my brother
and I together or I by myself went about half a mile to some farmers, where
we bought milk and cheese; we also went in the evening, thus having fresh
milk every day. During the three days of our incampment my brother Hermann
shot 25 wild doves, which the children plucked and which were in due time
prepared and eaten. My uncle Walter, who had gone to San Antonio the day
before we started from home, came out to the camp and visited us several
times and also bade us farewell there, if not for ever, for a long time.
He was a dear son, brother and uncle to all of us. We had several visits
from other gentlemen from San Antonio while in camp. Papa traded a fine
American mule, Hope, for wild Lola, which was quite gentle and would stand
as quiet as a lamb, while Lola could not be brought to stand more than
two moments without rearing and jerking.
On the morning of the 25 of April, all started with a joyous heart at
the prospect of continuing our journey from the camp near San Antonio to
that city, where a party of ten persons were to join us. Arriving at the
city, we halted at the hotel of Mr. Jean, a friend of Papas, who was among
the travellers; we had to wait several hours on account of the several
travellers consisting of a Catholic bishop and a Jew by the name of Martin.
At last we were tired of waiting and prepared leaving, and for the bishop
to follow, Mr. Jeans horses, Dick and Dock, two fine animals, were brought
up and put into the carriage, but they were so wild and spirited, that
they could hardly be held; now they were in the carriage; and driver sprang
in while the horses rushed forward very wildly, rearing and springing all
the time; but turning a corner to join us, they suddenly halted and could
not be brought to move either by good words or the whip, which were not
spared by the driver. After some time Dick, who was the wildest, commenced
rearing up and at last plunged into another street. In a few moments they
came galopping down the street, and although we tried to get ahead of and
so check them, rushed by us; Papa drove on and in the suburbs of the city
we saw them again, running as fast as they could; soon we saw Mr. Jean
with another gentleman who told us that on account of something being broken
on his carriage, he would follow us, while we should drive on with Mr.
Ochoa (the gentleman with him), who was also one of the party.
In about two hours Mr. Jean came up with us, his horses having abated
a little of their wildness, telling us that the rest of the party would
come up in the night. Arriving at the Medina River, 15 miles from San Antonio,
in the evening, we encamped for the night. It was a fine place for a camp,
on one side a high precipice along the foot of which the river was flowing
as clear as crystal, then a small elevated space of ground with beautiful,
tall, overarching elm-trees, and covered with grass, and on the other side
again a high hill, upon which were Mexican huts. During the evening Mr.
Cardenas and his moso (servant) arrived at our camp, while the bishop,
Mr. Martin and their driver preferred staying in one of the Mexican huts
at the top of the hill, during the night. At twelve oclock my Aunt got
up and said that we should get up and put the bedclothes into the baggage
wagon, as she was sure it would rain; we thought that she was mistaken,
but as she insisted on, we did so to please her; we had hardly got ready,
when it commenced to rain and all had to crawl into the carriages. The
rain continued till in the morning. During the night Papa was very much
afraid, that the river would rise, and it was all we could do to keep him
from driving through the river in the night. The next morning Mr. Jeans
horses were so spirited, that he could not put them to the carriage. But
after harnessing them, he took the reins and let them walk about for some
time, until they were somewhat soothed and after prancing some in the carriage,
behaved quite well. The party consisted now of Mr. Jean, Mr. Navaran in
Mr. Jeans carriage and their moso, Mr. Cardinas and his moso, Mr. Ochoa
and his companion, our carriage and baggage wagon and the Bishop, Mr. Martin
and their driver, who were not with us yet. The river had not risen a bit
during the night and the banks were not slippery, which Papa had feared.
The road fine at first became very sandy; it rained or rather drizzled
all day. Papas leg was so bad by this time that he could not walk without
being supported by two persons. In the afternoon the Bishop and company
came up with us, he said that if we would drive with him, he would take
us to a house near the road. Accordingly, in the hope of finding a shelter
for the night, we drove back with him, soon taking a side-road and all
of the carriages followed the Bishops coach. After driving a little piece
the road or track ended, but as the driver of the Bishop assured us, that
he was well acquainted with that section of country and knew well, where
the house was situated, we continued, thinking that we now must go on as
we had commenced once. At last we reached the house after driving through
bushes, gullies, ditches and creeks. There resided in this house a hospitable
Frenchman, Capt. Duran; his wife, a Spanish lady, was also very hospitable.
It was wet and dreary out of doors, and as the Capt. kindly invited us
to stay with them till the next day, we gladly accepted his invitation;
we prepared and ate our late dinner in the kitchen, as the house consisted
only of two rooms, a sitting room for all and a kitchen without floor;
the family consisted of the host, the hostess, the little son, a sister,
brother and niece of the hostess; they had several servants also. (The
owner and the related gentlemen slept up under the roof). We slept very
well on the floor of the little sitting-room, while the rest of the party
camped near the house under some beautiful trees. This house stood in the
midst of thick bushes and trees, very much hidden. Papas knee was so bad
now that he could not walk at all; Capt. Duran kept a few pieces of calico
and domestic for sale of which mama took several yards and made Papa a
good bandage; with the help of this, put so tight around his leg that he
could not bend it, and a rough crutch which the kind brother of the hostess
made for him, he could walk a little, although he still suffers very much.
The next morning we started again after bidding the kind people adieu;
the bishops carriage took the lead again, the driver assuring us that the
main road was near and could easily be reached. This fellow must have been
either an imposter or a fool, for again he led us through bushes, deep
gullies and holes, that, had we not seen him drive through first, we would
have believed it to be an impossibility to pass them. After two hours we
found the road and continued our journey. Mr. Jean was so kind as to drive
our carriage in consequence of Papas knee being so bad, that he could not
drive himself and rode with Mr. Navaran in Mr. Jeans carriage. Towards
noon we crossed a creek called San Miguel, which was a very bad place in
consequence of the rain; while crossing it, one of the mules in our carriage
slipped and fell three times, but at last succeeded in reaching the top
of the hill on the other side. We encamped late in the evening near the
road; we saw many tracks of tigers (or Panther) near the camp, but saw
none. The grass was beautiful. This camp was very pretty.
28th April. This morning we started very early. The bishop always drove
so fast, that the rest could not keep up with him, consequently he was
seldom with us, either by night or day. Toward evening it was near a good
rancho when Mr. Jeans moso pointed towards some high hills, where he had
seen some suspicious looking persons who were probably robbers or Indians.
We drove tolerably fast (two hours at a gallop), until we came to the rancho,
where we bought some milk. Driving several miles further, we found a fine
grass plot and encamped for the night. We saw whole prairies covered with
cactus. This camp was but three miles from the Nueces River.
29th of April. We were now in the bottom of the dreaded Nueces River.
It was in a fine state covered with grass and flowers instead of mud and
weeds. Papa has always said during our journey till to this spot: If we
cross this river with safety, we may thank God. Having made the same voyage
in the previous year, he had crossed this river in such a state, as would
have made it an impossibility for all who were not driven by necessity;
whole trains of wagons and mules had been lying there for weeks, waiting
until it was possible to cross. At nine oclock we arrived at the river
or rather at the bed of the river, for it was perfectly dry and in the
best state. The bank was dreadfully steep and I was continually in dread,
that the carriage would turn over the mules. Mr. Jean bought a bay horse
on account of his gray horse Dick becoming lame; traveling this way the
previous year he had much trouble with this horse and was now more cautious.
At twelve oclock we camped near a rancho where there were no trees at all.
It was intolerably hot and we had to stay inside of the carriage for shelter
from scorching rays of the sun; there were some very pretty flowers of
which I plucked and laid into a book. Towards evening, as it had been extremely
warm that day, the mules and horses began to be thirsty, and we were glad
when we found a fine bay; but what was our dismay, when we saw a dead ox
at the end of the bay, lying in the water and thus making it unfit to be
drunk either by man or animal. Several miles farther we found water, but
it was salty. We were compelled to water our mules, although the rest of
the company drove on; soon we caught up with the rest, who were waiting
for us. They had found a large bay of fine water; accordingly we drove
there and watered the animals again. At dusk we drove to the right of the
road into high grass; here we all with our friends Mr. Jean and Navaran,
drank some wine and ate some cake (with wine and gingerbread we celebrated
the successful crossing of the feared Nueces). Here we saw a rabbit.
Sunday 30th of April.This morning soon I went to fill our water-keg,
but the banks of the water, which was near our camp were so steep that
I could not reach the water and almost fell in by attempting to do it.
Mr. Jean, who saw my fruitless attempts, had the kindness to fill the keg
for me. Returning to the camp, we all continued our journey. In the afternoon
towards five oclock we arrived at a Mexican village, Los Ojuelos (the clear
springs), where we found some beautiful water; there we washed ourselves
(that is, very thoroughly, which one could not always do). We also went
into a small store, where we saw a Mexican playing the harp. On some account
or other we were still there after the rest had driven off and as Papa
was not acquainted with the road in this part of the country, he was the
more anxious to keep up with the rest. We drove very fast but saw as yet
nothing of the others; the dust was dreadful, the animals grew tired and
more tired. Then Aunt Helene and I got out and walked a good piece, but
we always staid near the carriage, fearing every minute to see an Indian
or a robber spring out of the shapperells (thick thornbushes) which were
on both sides of the road. (Also we saw the tracks of large snakes; repeatedly
the men killed some of them). It was getting dark and at last we saw Mr.
Jean standing on the left side of the road in a small gulley waiting for
us. We drove into the shapperells or rather into a small opening in the
shapperells, but there were so many pricklepears that we could hardly find
room to spread our bed-clothes. This camp was 5 miles from Los Ojuelos;
we found good grass but no water. Every night guards had to wait and watch
about the camp, for Indians and Mexicans were possible to attack us at
every moment. In the night I heard a noise and voices speaking, the horses
were wild and beginning to stampede (break out, flee). Perhaps the horses
were scenting an enemy and we were very much afraid; but soon they again
became quiet and I fell asleep again. During the night a heavy dew fell
which was very lucky, as we had found no water.
Monday the 1st of May. We started in the morning and drove 30 miles.
Aunt Helene and I walked once and saw many tiger tracks. Late in the evening
we drove far from the road to the right. The camp was bad, for the country
was ugly, quite flat and no grass. No water could be found until at last
the servant that had gone to look for water came back and took the mules
and horses 3 miles off, where they had found some water, after seeking
a long time for it. It was so late that mama and grandmama would not make
any supper, so we had to do without, while Papa and the boys went and ate
with Mr. Jean.
Tuesday 2nd of May. Towards evening, we found fine water on the road
in cisterns in a small Mexican village, Los Es Robos. (The cisterns were
surrounded by high stakes.) We saw some small half naked Mexican children
hovering in the dirt. After the mules were watered, we drove on. After
driving five miles on we stopped for it was perfectly dark. We drove to
the left of the road, where we found no water and no grass, only a sort
of marsh grass. Mr. Navarren had shot a rabbit in the afternoon and gave
it to Eugen; after they had made a big fire, Hermann fried it very nicely
and when we ate it we found the meat was very tender. When I was wrapped
up in my blankets, I heard the melancholy cry of the wip-por-will out in
the dark night and a shuddering seized me and fear was in my heart. Wednesday
3rd of May. At half past 5 oclock we started and after driving 6 miles
we got to some houses called South Range, where we found water for the
mules. We also succeeded in getting some milk. The sandy ground was everywhere
covered with traces of sandcrabs and we first thought they were traces
of snakes. Mama and Aunt Helene were full of fun and ran to a large as
it seemed untenanted house; when they were about to put their heads in
at the window, they were scared by a curious noise and they came back laughing
at themselves for having been scared so much. By dinner time we came to
Davis Ranch, also called Rio Grande City. At a large store, Sokush &
Co. we asked where we could stay. A gentleman, Mr. Rinker, advised Papa
to go to the barracks and camp there. It was a terribly hot day and we
had to drive through deep sand. When we at last reached the barracks, we
found them occupied by Confederate soldiers and we returned to Davis Ranch.
Mr. Rinker was so kind as to allow our carriage to drive into his yard
and took us to his wife into the house. Mrs. Rinker was very kind.
To this point I had finished, and from here on I will return to my German
notes:
May 4. We were delayed by Mr. Jean. We didnt leave till late, 9 oclock
in the morningvery sunny and hotmet Mr. Gordon from Seguinfinally we drove
away alone again waited for Mr. Jeanfinally continued with himlowlands,
nice shadePapa and Hermann went to hunt waterother companions and wagons
are joining usMr. Jean lost againHermann and moso (servant) went to hunt
Mr. Jean and waterone of the recent arrivals tells us about the areashowed
us the place where his brother had been murdereda soldier whom we met took
us to a place where there was supposed to be waterplace was dryfurtherwe
got some cistern water at a ranchothe people dont want to take any pay
for itMr. Jean found againat night more companions arrivedgot some green
corn (maize) for the horses and mules.
May 5. Off earlyto Rio Grande CityHope (a mule) broke down21 miles to
Edinburghferryoccupied by Confederatesopposite a beautiful Spanish churchat
noon a very pretty camp in a bottom on a lakebeautiful trees, woodcocks,
rabbitsin the afternoon American trainwild turkeys sightedpassed the haciendas
of Llun and Zacatanalways close to the riverin the evening turned right
off the roadgave the animals waterthen left off the road into a mesquite
chaparral and into campMr. Jean made a big firea trade of sausage for milklittle
grassat night very hotfear of horsethieves and similar rabble.
May 6. Rain in the morningat ten oclock stopped and let the horses graze
on nice fresh grassMexican refugeesConfederate military trainsMexican soldiershaciendas
are increasing in numbers, mostly deserted because of the Civil War45 miles
till evening right off the trail into campasked around till we finally
found a pretty, open place in the middle of the bushmosquitos-wax.
Sunday, May 7. On the road terribly early because of fear of rain. (Before,
I forgot to say that the mattresses taken along for camping are made in
such a way that the head end fits under the wagon, with a pillow and covers;
over the covers an oilskin sheet against the heavy nightly dew. So Auntie
and I shared a mattress, Hermann and Eugen on another, both under the luggage
wagon, while Mr. Galleher slept in the wagon. Mother, Grandmother, and
the two little ones slept in the big traveling coach, and my father under
it. If it rained everything immediately had to be packed up and we waited
patiently until morning to travel on.) Fifteen miles to Brownsvilleon the
way a Confederate captain gave Papa some very important political news,
of the death of President Lincoln and that was finished. Our pretty little
water barrel, that Hermann and I had to fill every morning, was stolen
from the back of our luggage wagon10 oclock in the morning in Brownsvillecamped
in a yard at an estatePapa in the afternoon to Matamoroshunted a house
for usfound none.
May 8. Papa and Mama again to Matamorosfound a housein the afternoon
all drove to the river to crossin great heat and dust Major Waltersdorf
led us into his houseat the ferry load and unloadfinally acrossin Matamoros
we moved into the same poor house that Staehelys had occupied a year before,
with an old Mexican and his daughter, for 2- 1/2 dollars a day renttwo
rooms by the lot where the horses staystamped earth floor rats, mice, lice,
and especially fleas torment us very much. (My grandmother promised to
pay me 10 cents if I would catch 100 fleas; when I got to 80 we departed,
and I got nothing!)near a large marketMexican soldiersFrench soldiers,
who moved through the streets at night as guards, and I can still hear
the loud call: qui viveon the streets many kinds of food are hawked: pan,
leche, agua, pandevavos, and others. Milk 25 cents a quart, water 50 cents
per barrel, very bad brown water out of the rivermet many acquaintancesAunt
Helene receives grapes from Mr. Navarrenin the evenings on the Alameda
very nice musicthere we saw Mr. Rossi from New Braunfels, Mr. Krochmann
from Bagdad, Captain Schnibbe from the ship Weser, Wagner from Galveston,
Hartmann from San Antonio, and two old acquaintances: Julius Moreau and
Mr. Iwonski.
Two weeks we languished in Matamoros, until on May 22 we sailed in a
beautiful ship down the Rio Grande to Boca del Rio. This trip lasted two
days, with repeated stops to load cotton. We arrived on May 24, and Papa
had to find a place for us to live in this miserable little town, where
everywhere there were single little houses of boards. One of these stood
in deep white sand near the ocean, where we had to live until we had the
message from Captain Sandstett of the Bremer sailing ship Willi that we
could travel. We had hoped to be able to travel in the same ship, Weber,
with Captain Schnibbe with which the Staehelys had traveled the previous
year, but that plan fell through. On June 1, on a lighter, we safely passed
the dangerous bar where every year many people lose their lives. From the
narrow lighter we were, one at a time, hoisted up by sailors. Of the ship
Willi I still remember well the captain, the friendly sailors, the keen
rat catcher (a boxer dog), who one day lacerated the steersmans whole hand.
In the Gulf of Mexico we lay for weeks in windless calm in great heat.
We sat all day on deck, where a large tent of sails had been stretched;
that was where Hermann and I had lessons from Papa in arithmetic and geography.
In the mornings at 6 oclock we could take the loveliest sea baths. Grandmother,
Auntie and I occupied ourselves with knitting, sewing, and embroidery.
My good grandmother, then 64-1/2 years old, had suffered a great deal from
rheumatism en route, but had remained active. Aunt Helene returned in 1867,
after she had become engaged by correspondence, and married Mr. Emil Reiffert
in Quero, where she still lives today at age 8l. Then Grandmother also
moved back to Texas, and in 1872 she made the long trip, also to visit
her sons, and died there in 1887 at the age of 87.
We occupied the nice stateroom with surrounding cabins, and were the
only passengers. The large 3-master Willi had made a trip around the world,
and in Mexico had loaded cotton for Liverpool; the sailors had many beautiful
things, especially shells from China, and gifted us children with them;
I still have a number of these shells. In the evenings one of the sailors
always played a large accordion, and I still remember the song: Whoever
wants to become a soldier, he must have a gun, and how lively the sailors
danced to it. Once a shark was harpooned and hauled into the air, but it
was able to escape. Also, large edible fish were caught and served for
food. The meals were not good: much canned food, and fresh lean mutton
[presumably sheep were brought on board live and slaughtered as needed.
A.L.]. For years after I couldnt stand even the smell of mutton. Besides
that, especially my poor mother and I were seasick for 5 weeks out of the
51-day trip! My youngest brother, Richard, 1-1/2, had not withstood the
long trip well, and had dysentery from the first day on board ship. I can
still vividly remember how in the middle of the night he would call in
his thin little voice, mnne, mnne, mnneh! which meant, water, water. It
was thanks to my mothers constant nursing that the skeletally thin little
child began to improve at the end of the voyage. My fathers knee was also
healed by the end of the trip, which was probably due to the excellently
crafted crutches made by the ships carpenter. On July 14 Aunt Helene, who
had been healthy on the whole trip, celebrated her 20th birthday, and received
a magnificent box of bonbons from Captain Sandstett.
When after long weeks we reached the latitude of Newfoundland, we entered
a strong storm with considerable cold, and this weather lasted with few
breaks to Liverpool. As we approached this harbor the sailors pointed out
to us in the distance a large sailing ship, Captain Schnibbes Weser, and
it filled us with great pleasure that they had also crossed the ocean safely
.
On July 22 we entered the great harbor of Liverpool, but stayed on board
until time for our departure by train to Hull. We supplied ourselves with
the most necessary clothing, for we must have looked AWFUL: calico sun
bonnets (a sort of Dutch hat), and totally faded and worn-out clothes;
it was only with the greatest effort and expense that one could get material
for clothing in the last years in Texas.
On the second day after our landing, a Sunday, we accepted the invitation
of the family of Emil Htte, related to Papa, at Birkenhead, the estate
of the rich Liverpool merchant. At that time it made an ineradicable impression
on me to realize with what kindness this highly elegant English wife and
children received us, who looked like a bunch of Gypsies. (Httes also later
lived in Dsseldorf.) So, the trip continued, from the western to the eastern
coast of England, to Hull; from there by steamer to Rotterdam and by train
to Barmen. Now the destination of the long trip had finally been reached.
After my parents had recuperated at the home of our good Uncle Gustav
Wuppermann and Aunt Isidore in Barmen, they went in search of a place to
live, and when they found it in the charming village of Boppard on the
Rhein the whole family moved there in September 65. It was the year of
delicious wine, and as something completely new we were invited everywhere
to the vineyards in the hills, and feasted on the wonderful, sweet grapes.
Grandmother Tips and Aunt Helene, who in the meantime had visited with
Uncle and Aunt Staehely in Wiesbaden, also moved to Boppard, where two
old sisters of my grandmother were already living. In October my youngest
sister Laura was born.
Meantime my father had consulted with his many relatives in Westphalia,
and had found a position in Dortmund. To be closer to him, the whole family
moved to Dsseldorf at the end of 66. There began the sound learning and
regular school attendance for us children. Brother Hermann and I did not
feel ourselves quite comfortable in Germany, and missed our Texas life
of freedom, much riding, etc. VERY MUCH.
My teenage friendships with, among others, Anna Tafel, your fathers
sister, developed most pleasantly. Papa wished that I would take the teachers
examination, as a number of my friends did, and I had already decided to
do it when I became acquainted with your father. END
Elise
Clara |