I thought I'd share with you this letter. It was translated from German in 1933 by a Lutheran minister. The letter was from a William Blum. We received the original letter from Pius Bloom of Fostoria, Ohio. I'm am still trying to locate information on him. But never the less it is of considerable interest.
Fremont, May 1 1854
Dear Parents, brothers, and sisters,
We received your communication, April 26, and with sad hearts we perceive what your condition in Germany actually is. We also learned from your letter that all your property was sold. Yes, you are even forced to leave your home and move into a rented house. You very likely feel as though you are entirely forsaken, and that there is no help which you can longer hope for. You must not on that account despair. Since they no longer help you in Germany, aid comes from distant America, for we have not forgotten you, dear parents, brothers, and sisters. We think of you day and night. Your brothers and sisters all come to our aid and help us make it possible that you can come also and be with us. You also asked what you are to do with the money which your brother "Will" sent you. Your brother wanted to send me that money because he didn't beleive I could collect my travelling expenses. He had sent the money only a day before I arrived at his home. If we hadn't been mistaken and would have gotten on the Erie train, we would have arrived in Buffalo in twice twenty four hours from New York. We have to ride two days and two nights before we reach Buffalo. There our money cost us the most. What work "Will" is doing I have written already. Uncle Will also helped me out that I could carry on my trade as before.
Now, hurry and get over here to America. The money will arrive. We are sending you 250 pounds. Get started just as soon as you can. Don't spend much money for clothing. It is sufficient if each of you has 2 "Mundarna", for you have as big a choice of clothing in America as in Germany. Don't take more along than (necessary) so that you will not have to pay much for access weight, for in America you cannot chose your own method of transportation. I want to remind you also that you do not deal with any other agent than the Inn Keeper, Ulrich, in Emmendingen. I wish that all Germans from Baden would deal with him, we have much to thank him for. I pray him to care for our parents, as he did for us. When you deal, then deal without cost as we also did. Supply yourselves with money for 8 weeks, and I advise you that you take mostly potatoes, fruit, a considerable amount of coffee and a good sugar sack. Buy the sugar at the harbor, then you will have to pay no tax. Make your own Zwiebach, do not make it too hard, as ours was. Take about as much _____ as the two of us had. Take a quantity of prunes. Also take a considerable amount of tea and vinegar. I advise you not to take along any pork, you can (smoke?) other kind of meat and take it along. Supply yourselves with provisions for eight weeks, then you can take along what you like. You can do your own cooking on the ship. Fresh bread you can take from the harbor. You can take a 4 to 6 week supply of bread. Potatoes and coffee were most desirable to me on the boat. When you arrive at the city in which the harbor is, write us a letter before you sail, write us the name of the ship, and the name of the captain and when the ship sails and when you are to arrive in New York, then you can stay in the German In at xx____ St. NO. 66. Do not remain there long for it may cost you from 1 pound to more than a pound. Deal with the Inkeeper before you ______.
Do not permit a "Wagler" to coax you to go with him. When you are in the Inn have the Keeper go with you at once to the Telegraph office and have them wire us that you have arrived, then Wilhelm will come and meet you in New York. When you are in the Inn, look for Keller and stay with him until Wilhelm comes. It will cost much money to stay in the Inn and Friedrich Keller will be glad to care for you for the time. Do not deal _____until Wilhelm is with you, for there is much deceitfullness. We were shamefully deceived, therfore the brother is coming to get you. Telegraph Siring Young in Fremont, Sanducky County, State office. Rosina is working in town and likes it now. At first she didn't like it. One must learn everything anew here in America. Her sister is to do what she likes, she can not be blamed, for at first no one is satisfied, but after you have become somewhat acquainted, nobody desires to return to Germany.
With the first money you receive there are two dollars for a mouth organ. With the money which was now sent to you there are six dollars for a "Zilinter" pocket watch. You can bring 3 of them , one for me, one for Wilhelm, and one for yourself. You must bring very good ones, however. Put them in a box and pack them well with cotton. I had to sell my watch on the trip. Address: Friedrich Keller, butcher on the 9th "Aehen" St. 37, house number 428.
One thing more, I know that many would like to come to America, but haven't the heart. Greet Martin Glaus, and Nicolaus Kern, and his brother, they are strong fellows. They can earn more in 2 years in America than in 6 years in Germany. Sell your possissions and get on your way, you will not regret it. Also greet (Rebstock) Wirth (Innkeeper) and his wife and children, Adolf, student, Mina, and little Karolina. Also greet Grandmother and all her relatives. Also the assistant teacher Fischer, your maid, Maria and her sister Magdalena Friedericka Dolder. You said that he who would like the sweet kernal must break the hard nut. I would never want to return to Germany.
Take some of every kind of garden seed, and flower seed, and if possible some plants from the garden, put them in soil and take them along. You can bring "Nuz" too (perhaps that was the name of a pet dog). I greet all good friends and especially William Fohringer and the bowling alley keeper Mrs. Mossinger.
William Blum
Appendix:
Dear Father;
You have forty dollars for a single person, born in -----. She is employed in --------. Go to her at once, she is to go with you. Her name is Elizabeth Danker, she is employed by Jacob Taur in Buschenfingen. Take care of the girl as though she were your own, take care of the dealings together with yours. Pay the money personally with your own hands. Pay for her whatever expenses there are and make accurate note of it that you may give account of it when you arrive.
The forty dollars were given with ours to Mister Nollar so that you can care for her on the trip.
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