16.07.1947
Begins at Wednesday the 16th of July. Had lunch at my sister Pouline’s in Holstebro. Threw it up in Vejle, had some water and threw that up in Odense. An elderly man asked ironically if a glass of water wouldn’t be good for me.
17.07.1947
Was looking at the street life in Malmö. Noticed that the Swedish bricks are bigger than the Danish. Got the impression that the Swedes aren’t as bad regarding smoking as the Danes and noticed the very good and well kept bicycles the Swedes rode.
18.07.1947
Was outside of Malmö. Could see across The Sound to Copenhagen, it was the strangest feeling one could ever imagine.
19.07.1947
Today the actual journey to America begins. We drove 300 kilometers by car from Malmö to Göteborg (Gothenburg) in a landscape that much looks like the Danish apart from that in many places rocks rise out of the ground. Got onboard “The Gribsholm” and started the journey the same night at 6 (p.m) Got our first cup of coffee since dinner on the ship.
20.07.1947
Passed Scotland and the Orkney Islands. Had engine troubles that were fixed again.
21.07.1947
Passed Scotland and the Orkney Islands. Felt as if I need some time to myself. Figured out how to rectify this need. Discovered that there were many Danes, Norwegians, Finns but most Swedes and there were many Christians from many different religious communities. Witnessed the soldiers of the Salvation Army travelling first class on the ship.
22.07.1947
Got out onto the Atlantic Ocean, saw nothing but sky and sea. Was a little seasick for the first time. Attended church service at the ship where the Swedish Mission Alliance’s song book was used and brother Aksel Kristensen spoke, which did my heart good. What especially blessed me was the good singing and a solo about childhood faith. The subject of the meeting: David spoke to his soul, also the rich man. Farmer spoke to his soul.
23.07.1947
We woke this morning, it was foggy. The sirens roared. We passed another freight steamer, it was as if it was a greeting from land. We looked at it as long as we could see it dimly and then again saw only sky and sea. Realized that my three berth mates all were free church members and were saved at the Swedish mission Alliance.
24.07.1947
Church Service at the ship. The speech was about the fact that the apostles couldn’t keep quiet about what they had heard and seen, as can no real Christian. The ladies sang the old song “Fortæller mig om Jesu kærlighed” (Telling me about the Love of Jesus). As soon as the meeting was over they lit their cigarettes and painted and colored with make-up they were. Found Anders Frøkær Hornstrup on the ship and we had a good time together.
25.07.1947
At night the sirens started hooting as there was a dense fog. There was what they called a great big concert with music and choir singing but I didn’t think any of it was worth anything.
26.07.1947
Passed as the previous days, saw only sky and sea.
27.07.1947
We had the captain’s dinner in the evening and we got robbed for tips so it hurt, seriously hurt.
28.07.1947
A very nice day with sunshine and a calm sea. Tomorrow we expect to arrive in New York.
29.07.1947
Got ashore in New York at 5 o’clock. Had many troubles getting off the ship. Charles was there to pick us up. It was very hot in New York. Got aboard the train for Chicago at 12 (noon) and drove all night.
Impression of New York:
New York is the biggest city in the world and is a strange mix of black and white people. Clean you cannot say it is. I was inside the big catholic church, to see it, where the virgin Mary stood with the baby Jesus. A man put a lot of money in a box, opened the lattice into the Virgin Mary, uncovered his head, embraced Mary’s knees and prayed. Kissed the cross on her dress and went away quietly. The Catholics knelt when they entered the church.
30.07.1947
We were still on the train. Was surprised at the barrenness of the soil. Not until we reached the Chicago area the soil was of medium quality. Met Chris and family and Martin and family. Could recognize the boys. We immediately drove to Martin’s home and then to Charles’ and was there through the night.
31.07.1947
Slept well. Chris came to visit us at Charles’. Took us to Freeport and bought pants and shirt for me. Charles bought me 3 pairs of socks.
01.08.1947
Was out at the neighbours, had quite a few problems with the language. They were yelling “newspaper” everywhere, struck out with arms and legs, I think they thought I was mad or crazy.
02.08.1947
Out as usual at another farmer’s, also he yelled about newspaper. Tonight it rained and thundered. It is very hot today.
03.08.1947
Attended church for the first time in America, first for Sunday school at 10 o’clock where Martin led the Sunday school. Service at 11 where Chris’ Bernice sang a solo. Charles, Martin and Chris, all with wives and children, were present. We were all photographed at the stair to the mission-house and afterwards I, mom and Charles, Chris and Martin were photographed.
04.08.1947
Was with Charles in Rockford, saw quite a few things, amongst them a dairy work where they made almost everything except butter and cheese. They used paper for bottles and everything. They made milk powder, breast milk substitute, consumption milk. Beum visited us at Charles’. Was also locked in at Charles’ lavatory.
05.08.1947
Charles harvested and thrashed with Kombain today. Christian Holmgaard visited us at Charles’ today. An American family drove us to Freeport to see the fine places/sights. Saw the statue of Abraham Lincoln. When we got home to Charles I threw up violently, had gotten carsick. One of mom’s legs was very poor. Had an uneasy night.
06.08.1947
Was in Freeport with Vera. Kirstine got a pair of shoes, a pair of socks and a pair of pants. Was at a neighbour where their dog bit me. The man ensured me that it was the first time. Kirstine’s leg is better.
07.08.1947
Charles got his straw pressed. The man whose dog bit me came to check up on me and told us that the dog was now 5 miles away so I could come to visit him again. Came back later and gave Charles quite some raspberries. Martin came and took us to his home. Have had a good night.
08.08.1947
Am at Martin’s. He is thrashing oats. They all work hard, have many work hours.
09.08.1947
Martin is thrashing oats again today. My leg is recovering well after the dog bite for which I am happy.
10.08.1947
Today is Sunday. Attended Sunday school and service today in the morning and at an excursion in the afternoon to a fine place. This farm had been in the family since the time of the Indians. Now it will go outside the family as the present owner isn’t married and is an old bachelor. Have given the fine place to the brethren church. It is an acreage of 60 acres.
11.08.1947
Christian Holmgaard visited us. Wanted us to come to his house for dinner. Told us that he hadn’t had one happy day since he arrived in America.
12.08.1947
Was with Martin in Freeport in the big stores, in a shoe store and a grocer's
13.08.1947
Letter from Karoline and Martine stating that everything is well at home.
14.08.1947
Charles and Vera were at Martin’s today to visit us. It is Helen’s birthday.
15.08.1947
Was with Martin in Rockford where we got the car “greaset and cleanet” which means greased and cleaned.
16.08.1947
Was up early and drove to the big “reunion” (gathering/family party) in Bremen. A trip of 450 kilometers does not feel good.
17.08.1947
The big reunion is held in Bremen. 58 people had gathered. Eating outdoors. 2 services in the church. A strange feeling to see one another after so many years of separation.
18.08.1947
Visited Ellen Bendsen at her farm, it was very very hot that day.
19.08.1947
As usual – at Bendsen’s
20.08.1947
Was at an excursion to a giant field. Talked to Brubaker. Was at two meetings. There were more than 1500 people present. Brubaker spoke strongly to the young.
21.08.1947
Was out seeing the town at night. Noticed the many churches, there were 12 of them in a town of 2200 people.
22.08.1947
Saw a mechanical digger work today, for two hours. During that time it dug a ditch for a water pipe and covered it again.
23.08.1947
Sat on the corner in Bremen. Saw some peculiar, strangely dressed people. Asked a gentleman what kind of people they were. The answer were “Amis” (amish).
24.08.1947
It is Sunday, we are at Sunday school and two meetings. A common peasant woman and a farmhand directed music and singing.
25.08.1947
Went looking at an “Amis-farm” (Amish farm). An odd religious society that is spread out across Indiana and Pennsylvania. Out for dinner, at one of the congregation members’. A very nice farm.
26.08.1947
Looking at a farm today in Indiana. The man’s name was Miller.
27.08.1947
Sat at the corner in Bremen. Two beautiful American women asked for directions. I had to regret to them that I was a Dane and couldn’t speak English. Was at Beum to eat dinner.
28.08.1947
Went to the country to have dinner.
29.08.2009
Went from Bremen to Christian. Jack drove us 200 miles.
30.08.1947
It is Sunday, we attended Sunday school and service. Felt homesick for the first time. Saw an aero plane start for the first time.
01.09.1947
Bernice’s father came to visit us.
02.09.1947
Picnic in the park in Urbana.
03.09.1947
Bernice’s father went home. Said at the parting that it is always hard to leave.
04.09.1947
It is as if the homesickness is dying out. Bought 6 cups of coffee and 2 pieces of bred for 34 cent.
05.09.1947
As usual
06.09.1947
As usual
07.09.1947
Sunday we went to a bug village church. Had “lunch” in a home in Decatur.
08.09.1947
Went to the bank. The “præsident” (bank manager) spoke to me. I didn’t understand what he said. The cashier came to my aid.
09.09.1947
No entries
10.09.1947
Spoke to a travelling salesman who had been to France during the First World War.
11.09.1947
Told my friend the Negro that I was going to Chicago. Good for you, he said, you will get to see a big city.
12.09.1947
Chris drove us to Chicago. A good drive. Saw the big airport where a big aero plane arrived every five minutes and just as many took off. Lived at Sørine’s.
13.09.1947
Was in the big department store in Chicago where they had everything from, yes, I do not know what; in short everything!
14.09.1947
Sunday. Went to church and Sunday school in Chicago, the best service I’ve experienced in a long time.
15.09.1947
Was out seeing Grafil Park (possible Grant Park?) with Roy. Saw the dome on the police headquarter which was covered with 22 carat gold.
16.09.1947
Was in the Jewish quarters and visited Lydia Flarup in the night. Kirstine has a bad cold. Saw the Liberty-monument from 1917-1918
17.09.1947 – 20.09.1947
No entries
21.09.1947
Went to church in Chicago. There were white, black, Jews, Greek, Chinese, Japanese, learned and unlettered; people of all sorts were there.
22.09.1947
Martin filled his silo with chaff of corn. They used 4 tractors, one corn binder and a chaff cutter and 4 men.
23.09.1947
Was out looking at a property that Martin was considering buying. It was 130 acres and were to cost 130 dollars per acre.
24.09.1947
Was at a parent meeting at Ridott school. The entire household was present and the neighbourhood people. They had this kind of get-together once a month. They all brought something and they eat it together.
25.09.1947
Charles, Kirstine and I were out trying to buy a tractor for Charles, but we did not succeed this time. Also went to see Martin.
26.09.1947
Was with Charles in Freeport to do some shopping in different stores.
27.09.1947
No entries
28.09.1947
It is Sunday. Was in church in Freeport. Witnessed Martin being ordained missionary with 100 % of the votes.
29.09.1947
No entries.
30.09.1947
Martin visited us at Charles’. We decided to go to Chicago again.
01.10.1947
Went to see the farm again that Martin was thinking about buying.
02.10.1947
The reverent in Freeport came to visit Charles and to show us some slides of all parts of America and some family pictures of us here in America.
03.10.1947
Was visiting a very rich farmer. I think he was a Christian.
04.10.1947
Charles drove us to Elgin and Chicago. Saw slides. Attended Communion in Chicago in the evening.
05.10.1947 – 08.10.1947
Chicago.
09.10.1947
Karoline Bak and Ingeborg Bendsen from Bremen visited us in Chicago.
10.10.1947
Niels Bendsen drove us from Chicago to Freeport, to Martin’s.
11.10.1947
A good day in Ridott.
12.10.1947
Was at Martin’s home in Ridott. It was his birthday. Charles and family were there. Chris and family were there. We had a good day.
13.10.1947
In Martin’s home in Ridott.
14.10.1947
No entries.
15.10.1947
Was in Freeport with Martin to see a “Kombain” (combine harvester)
16.10.1947
Went to see a plant for fungicide treatment of seed in a town called Warren, Ill.
17.10.1947 – 18.10.1947
No entries
19.10.1947
Spoke in the church in Freeport.
20.10.1947
Saw how one thrashes corn in America and how they harvests soybeans in America.
21.10.1947
Was at Martin’s. Charles came to visit us and we had a good time. Helen’s parents was at Martin’s
22.10.1947
Was at Martin’s. Was in Freeport, we visited Charles. A Danish lady at 92 of age visited us.
23.10.1947
Was at Martin’s Was at Charles’ to say goodbye before we went to Denmark.
24.10.1947
Martin drove us to Urbana down to Chris’ home.
25.10.1947
At Chris’ in Urbana. Said our goodbyes to Martin and Helen and the Kids and packed our things for our journey home to Denmark.
26.10.1947
At Chris’. Was in church in Champaign and said goodbye to the friends there.
27.10.1947
Still at Chris’. Klener and wife were here to say goodbye to us.
28.10.1947
We are preparing for the journey home. Was out saying goodbye to the nieghbours around Champaign.
Sofus Johansen’s recollections of America
o The blue eyes are dying out in America.
o First come the Scandinavians and do a good job, then come the Jews and then come the negroes. I think that there might be something about that.
o An American estimates that the most suitable size for a farm for one man to look after is 150 acres.
o At the parent meeting in Ridott the lot started by singing the national anthem.
o Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky. Came to Illinois with his parents when he was 6 years old.
o The American Indian way of spelling place names is almost always with an A. Makasaka, Kakakaka, Pekatanika and so forth.
o The American farmers have a lot to struggle with. They have everything that we have and then they have mestadis (cattle disease) and many grasshoppers.
o The old Italian said that Mussolini played cards with the wrong man, namely Hitler.
o In America they have a cattle disease (mestadis) that we do not know in Denmark. Blood appears in the milk. Formerly the disease was incurable but now the veterinarians believe that they can cure the disease by putting a penicillin-plug into the udder.
o The corn originates from the American Indians. They caught fish and placed a fish at each corn plant (the fish was used as a fertilizer).
o Here in America, as soon as it gets dark, flies that are luminous appear. It is an odd sight.
o One notices that there are many Negroes, especially in the cities but where the money are the white man is and not the negroes.
o American newspapers wrote about Charles Johansen being in New York to pick up his parents from Denmark.
o Pig breeding as Martin does it in America.
o Martin drove to town to have his car “greaset and cleanet” which means greased and cleaned.
o Only 10 % of the American population lives in the country, the remaining 90 % lives in the cities.
o “Pompernikkel” is a slice of rye bread.
o The welder that didn’t answer but just walked away.
o In America matches can be stricken everywhere.
o Thistles and burdocks and everything is much worse than in Denmark.
o The farmers in Indiana all have trailers for their cars.
o Saw trucks with 14 wheels.
o Saw cars with house trailers
o Americans are always practical they very often use Negroes for working with coal.
o Saw a truck with 18 wheels.
o Saw the biggest soybean factory in Decatur, where 2000 men were employed and they worked with automatic machines to a wide extend.
o In Chris’ store the clerks wrote three bills. One for the manager, which is Chris, one for the book keeper, one for the costumer. Each bill had a note of who had served the costumer in question. If a bill was to be noted in the books (editor: and paid later) the costumer was to sign it too.
o Spoke to the American Doctor Masen. He tried to tell me that he was Finnish. He could not make me believe that. The truth was that he was Jewish.
Prizes of American goods:
1 jeep = 1500 Dollars
Small tractor = 1000 Dollars
Pr. Pound of living pork = 28 Cent
Pr. Pound of cattle (livestock) 1. class = 32 Cent
Pr. Pound of cattle (livestock) 2. Class = 16 Cent
Eggs (pr. Unit) = 4 Cent
Milk pr. 100 Pounds = 3 Dollars
Good Horses = 50 Dollars
Oat = 1 Dollar 80 Cents pr. bushel
One bushel is 32 Pounds, which is twice the normal rate.
Corn = 2 Dollars 40 cents pr. Bushel.
A bushel is 56 Pounds which is twice the normal rate.
Corn has been down at 15 Cent per Bushel.
A big tractor costs 1800 Dollars.
The American farmers sow in a width of 30 feet per row
A disease that Americans also have problems with in pigs is cholera. If they get it they surely die. They can get it in all ages, also sows. Almost all pigs get vaccinated against it, which turns out to be very effective. Foot-and-mouth disease has now appeared in South America too. Down in Mexico it appeared a few years ago. America had avoided this dangerous disease up until recently.
The Danes especially live in the states of Wisconsin, especially in the cities of Racine and in the state of Minnesota.
Negroes, Jews and Europeans.
There are six railroad stations in Chicago.
Silos for feed for 12 cows that they can eat from during the day.
Height: 25 feet high 31 feet diameter
10 feet
Saw how they produced gravel in America. They filled a truck every 2 minutes.
Saw a site where they sorted and treated seed corn in the city of Warren, Ill.
Saw a cheese factory in Freeport.
Saw a machine factory in Freeport.
80 pound of corn is to be sowed per acre.
1 acre is 43.560 English feet. English feet is a bit smaller than Danish.
1 foot of farm land close to the city is 40.000 Danish feet.
Americans are always practical. They have housing for students. When they are married they make better students.
Breeds of cattle in America:
o Holstein-Friesian
o Jersey
o English Shorthorn dairy cattle
o Black Swiss beef cattle
o Braunschweiger
o Black Angus
• In America there are people of all races. American Indians, Indians, Chinese, Japanese, Jews, Greeks, black, brown, white, Christians and heathens.
• There are 500 Indians that study at the American universities.
• At a football game in Champaign there were 65.000 spectators present. The price per ticket was 3 dollars 50 Cent, which all benefitted the university.
• There are 22.000 students at the university in Champaign. Many of them are married and live in barrack huts.
• I passed by the place where the White surrounded the Red (The Indians). The Red would not surrender and starved to death.
• Everything is faster in America. 2 months after they have started building there is business in the building.
• A bad disease is cholera amongst pigs. If the livestock is struck by it they all surely die. It is possible to vaccinate against it.
• Hundreds of years ago Illinois was mostly forests. The old can still tell about their ancestors telling about how they cleared and burned the forests. Illinois is now one of the poorest in trees in the world.
• There are 100.000s of people in America that live in wagons that they move from city to city as inclination and work drives them.
• America has the same difficulties as Denmark in regards to people moving from land to city. The farms are put together and the price of land rise. A lot of buildings are just falling apart.
Words of thought:
The last man will be saved from untruth.
Exaggeration and underestimation are related to lies.
The American constitution is respected by all.
The different State’s laws are not identical.
