Jonas Victor tells of some family business of money loaned. He also writes about the schools and education in America.
Omaha, Nebraska
November 8, 1922 Part 2
On the farm near Cleburne, I think that Anton knows Anderson and his son Karl, who have borrowed money from him. They are carpenters and earn much money. They have built houses here and there. When the war was over, the building stopped. The son, Karl Anderson, has moved to Kansas City. In that town several hundreds of people live, and the town does not have too many carpenters. Anderson, who has borrowed money from Anton, works with repairing a roof, so he earns money. When I wrote to you, brother Albert, I said that they could pay because their earnings were so good. You answered that Anton did not know that. Then I thought that Anton had the same idea. I do not know if Smitt has sent something. I thought that he paid and sent it himself to Anton. I feel badly that Anton cannot get his money because he needs it.
Workers on farms earn $45-55 a month. Farm-hands receive this and food and a place to live. All farmers cannot pay a high salary, because they cannot make as much money, when they sell something from their farms. The machines and tools are expensive to buy. The tax is high, because you have to pay tax to the schools.
Every district has to keep a school like in Cleburne, about 2 1/2 miles apart and pay the teachers and maintain the buildings. Some teachers earn about $2,000 or more. It works well for the farmers who have sons. They come home three months during the summer, when it is a busy time. Those who have no sons, have to work hard. You must send the children to school.
Here in Omaha, a school is ready now after two years' work. The master builder had a contract of three million dollars. There are 3,000 students fourteen to sixteen years old. They go to this school for four years. (This would be what we call a high school). In another part of the town they are building another school in the same way at the same cost. That school will be ready next year. After the children have finished this school, they continue at high school (college?).
The children go to school from six to twenty years and more. Both poor and rich children go. All want to learn as much as possible.
I will finish writing for today, because the weather has been so cloudy and misty. As I have not received any letter from you, I wonder if I, in my last letter, wrote something offensive. In that case I want to ask your forgiveness. Have you received the paper?
Dear Brother, if you are well, write to me. I am in good health for my age, thanks to God. Old memories come now and then.
Greetings to all of you from your brother and friend.
J.V. Svenson
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Saturday, November 26, 2011
84. November 8, 1922 Part 1
This letter does not have the year stated, and 1922 is just a guess.
Jonas Victor mentions a terrible storm that struck the area that he calls a hurricane. I have found a record of a bad tornado that struck Omaha, NE on November 4, 1922, so this must be the correct date.
After the death of his wife, Anna Greta, in June 1922, Jonas Victor lived part time with his children, mostly in Omaha, Nebraska, and Randolph, Clay Center and Cleburne, Kansas.
I wish he had written what work the women in his family did. I do know that my aunt Huldah, daughter of Grandma Matilda Swenson Skonberg, worked in a store the Swenson Brothers had set up near Osage City, Kansas. Roselyn
Omaha, Nebraska
November 8, 1922
Dear Brother Albert and Family.
Now in my life's evening, I will try to write a letter to you. I cannot verbally talk to you, but my thoughts are often of you, and I wonder how you are.
I am still in Omaha, but if I am still alive when you get this letter, I will be with my son Alfred in Randolph, Kansas, a big town like Omaha. (I never knew Randolph to be nearly that size-Roselyn). There is so much to see. Everything moves so quickly. If you are in the shopping center among the big buildings, some are from four to eight stories, there are many automobiles and trucks there. It is nearly impossible to cross the street, and everybody is in a hurry.
I think that in forty years it will be another generation. Of those who are now living, not many will be alive. Everything is vanity and perishes under the sun. It I go to a park, there are many flowers and it is very beautiful and nice to see. There are thousands of people there, and they talk to each other and enjoy it. You do not see any discord.
A week ago there was a hurricane in the south part of town; about four miles from here, trees were pulled up by the roots. The houses were destroyed, with large floods and five people were killed and five hundred were homeless.
In a little town twenty-five miles from here, there was a burial of 118 people, some from Illinois, who were in the same house after the burial, were killed. (I am not sure what he means here--Roselyn). The rain and the hurricane destroyed the house. Such accidents do not happen in Sweden. I think that you can read in the newspaper what happens in other countries, that never happens to you.
Here in Omaha they have built several hundred houses in summer. The people go to the bigger towns, especially the young. If they have knowledge and are clever they earn a lot of money. They have short working hours. In the evening they visit different places of amusement.
Even the girls earn much money. My daughter (Matilda), has a daughter who makes $175 a month. She works seven and a half hours a day. Saturday afternoon is free. My daughter (Matilda), has a daughter in law who makes $175 a month. They have no children and her husband is sick. Many people do not earn that much money. Girls who have grown up on a farm can work for a rich family and earn $15 a week.
The railway workers say what they want to earn. If they do not get that, they go on strike. When there are hundreds of thousands, and the trains stop, no power can do anything against them. The bigger towns grow quickly. In the smaller towns there is not much work. The carpenters receive $1.25-1.50 an hour. In small towns they do not build anything.
Jonas Victor mentions a terrible storm that struck the area that he calls a hurricane. I have found a record of a bad tornado that struck Omaha, NE on November 4, 1922, so this must be the correct date.
After the death of his wife, Anna Greta, in June 1922, Jonas Victor lived part time with his children, mostly in Omaha, Nebraska, and Randolph, Clay Center and Cleburne, Kansas.
I wish he had written what work the women in his family did. I do know that my aunt Huldah, daughter of Grandma Matilda Swenson Skonberg, worked in a store the Swenson Brothers had set up near Osage City, Kansas. Roselyn
Omaha, Nebraska
November 8, 1922
Dear Brother Albert and Family.
Now in my life's evening, I will try to write a letter to you. I cannot verbally talk to you, but my thoughts are often of you, and I wonder how you are.
I am still in Omaha, but if I am still alive when you get this letter, I will be with my son Alfred in Randolph, Kansas, a big town like Omaha. (I never knew Randolph to be nearly that size-Roselyn). There is so much to see. Everything moves so quickly. If you are in the shopping center among the big buildings, some are from four to eight stories, there are many automobiles and trucks there. It is nearly impossible to cross the street, and everybody is in a hurry.
I think that in forty years it will be another generation. Of those who are now living, not many will be alive. Everything is vanity and perishes under the sun. It I go to a park, there are many flowers and it is very beautiful and nice to see. There are thousands of people there, and they talk to each other and enjoy it. You do not see any discord.
A week ago there was a hurricane in the south part of town; about four miles from here, trees were pulled up by the roots. The houses were destroyed, with large floods and five people were killed and five hundred were homeless.
In a little town twenty-five miles from here, there was a burial of 118 people, some from Illinois, who were in the same house after the burial, were killed. (I am not sure what he means here--Roselyn). The rain and the hurricane destroyed the house. Such accidents do not happen in Sweden. I think that you can read in the newspaper what happens in other countries, that never happens to you.
Here in Omaha they have built several hundred houses in summer. The people go to the bigger towns, especially the young. If they have knowledge and are clever they earn a lot of money. They have short working hours. In the evening they visit different places of amusement.
Even the girls earn much money. My daughter (Matilda), has a daughter who makes $175 a month. She works seven and a half hours a day. Saturday afternoon is free. My daughter (Matilda), has a daughter in law who makes $175 a month. They have no children and her husband is sick. Many people do not earn that much money. Girls who have grown up on a farm can work for a rich family and earn $15 a week.
The railway workers say what they want to earn. If they do not get that, they go on strike. When there are hundreds of thousands, and the trains stop, no power can do anything against them. The bigger towns grow quickly. In the smaller towns there is not much work. The carpenters receive $1.25-1.50 an hour. In small towns they do not build anything.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
83. May, 1924. Part 2
Jonas Victor continues with his letter saying the boys go to school so they won't farm, people are spending more than they can afford, etc. He gives advice to his brother Albert, about selling some of the wood in the forest on their land. We do not have the end of this letter. Roselyn
Randolph, Kansas
May, 1924 Part 2
The young boys are studying, and then they will not work at the farms. The employees receive big pay, but nobody is satisfied. These are troubled times. The people have lived greatly in everything, so they do not have enough money. There is much anxiety between the countries. We do not know what will happen.
You say that the forest affairs are good, so there will be a shortage of wood. They have to plant where they cut down.....from Hamra forest. I understand what is causing this.
Brother Albert, I cannot say that you should do as I say. You know better than I do, but if it was I, and the prices were so high, I would sell. There can be a forest fire and burn it up. There can be a crisis so the affairs end, but if the times go ahead as it seems to do, the forest will get a higher price. The price of boards and planks are unusually high here. If I sold the wood, I would be careful until I received the money. Now you do not need to take advice I have given you. I have only said what I would do.
In the Church, it is as you can see in the paper. I can only say that, because Anton knows how it is in Cleburne, where there is a good clergyman, so it is a blessing.
I will tell you that I have given Smitt $5 for taking care of Mother's (his wife's) grave. I told him the he should send the money and give something to Anton. I wrote to Anderson that he should try to add something, too, so they could send $8 to make it nearly 30 Skr. Smitt said that he would try. He has been not been well this winter and it is hard to get interested.
Randolph, Kansas
May, 1924 Part 2
The young boys are studying, and then they will not work at the farms. The employees receive big pay, but nobody is satisfied. These are troubled times. The people have lived greatly in everything, so they do not have enough money. There is much anxiety between the countries. We do not know what will happen.
You say that the forest affairs are good, so there will be a shortage of wood. They have to plant where they cut down.....from Hamra forest. I understand what is causing this.
Brother Albert, I cannot say that you should do as I say. You know better than I do, but if it was I, and the prices were so high, I would sell. There can be a forest fire and burn it up. There can be a crisis so the affairs end, but if the times go ahead as it seems to do, the forest will get a higher price. The price of boards and planks are unusually high here. If I sold the wood, I would be careful until I received the money. Now you do not need to take advice I have given you. I have only said what I would do.
In the Church, it is as you can see in the paper. I can only say that, because Anton knows how it is in Cleburne, where there is a good clergyman, so it is a blessing.
I will tell you that I have given Smitt $5 for taking care of Mother's (his wife's) grave. I told him the he should send the money and give something to Anton. I wrote to Anderson that he should try to add something, too, so they could send $8 to make it nearly 30 Skr. Smitt said that he would try. He has been not been well this winter and it is hard to get interested.
Monday, November 21, 2011
82. May, about 1924.
Jonas Victor is saying some things I heard from the "old Swedes" as I was growing up. They regretted that most or all of the sermons at church were now in English instead of the familiar Swedish. The next generation spoke English. Roselyn
Randolph, Kansas
May, about 1924.
Dear Brother Albert and Family.
Grace and peace I wish you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thought I would write a letter to you. When I am sitting in my solitude, my thoughts often go to you.
I am now with my son Alfred, and have it good. I pay for it. They are kind to me. I have it much better than other people my age. Here I can have contact with God in private. My health is good for my age. I walk a mile every day if the weather is fine.
I miss my companion. Many times I wish to move to her side. May God help me.
I can see and read when it is clear and sunny, but if it is cloudy, I must strain my eyes to see. I can not hear when the clergyman preaches. If I know the lesson, I can understand the contents. Now most is in English and I can not follow that. I feel that I am not as strong as I was a year ago. (In spite of often feeling he will soon die, Jonas Victor lives on for at least 10 more years).
The weather is dry and cold. In May people tended to plant grain. The wheat and oats are tall.
I have paid the newspaper, so you will have it until the first of April, 1925. I have not written anything the last week, because the weather has been cloudy and cold, and I could not see to write. Yesterday I got your letter. Thank you so much.
We also have a late and cold spring. First in April we had warm weather, so Alfred sowed oats, and it grew tall so the hens go there to eat every day. The first of May, the cattle were let out so they had pasture then.
Before the war I did not know any farmer who had declared bankruptcy; now there are many. It depends so much on the automobiles. They cost a lot to have, but for them who can afford to have automobiles, it is good. Then the taxes and employers are expensive.
Randolph, Kansas
May, about 1924.
Dear Brother Albert and Family.
Grace and peace I wish you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thought I would write a letter to you. When I am sitting in my solitude, my thoughts often go to you.
I am now with my son Alfred, and have it good. I pay for it. They are kind to me. I have it much better than other people my age. Here I can have contact with God in private. My health is good for my age. I walk a mile every day if the weather is fine.
I miss my companion. Many times I wish to move to her side. May God help me.
I can see and read when it is clear and sunny, but if it is cloudy, I must strain my eyes to see. I can not hear when the clergyman preaches. If I know the lesson, I can understand the contents. Now most is in English and I can not follow that. I feel that I am not as strong as I was a year ago. (In spite of often feeling he will soon die, Jonas Victor lives on for at least 10 more years).
The weather is dry and cold. In May people tended to plant grain. The wheat and oats are tall.
I have paid the newspaper, so you will have it until the first of April, 1925. I have not written anything the last week, because the weather has been cloudy and cold, and I could not see to write. Yesterday I got your letter. Thank you so much.
We also have a late and cold spring. First in April we had warm weather, so Alfred sowed oats, and it grew tall so the hens go there to eat every day. The first of May, the cattle were let out so they had pasture then.
Before the war I did not know any farmer who had declared bankruptcy; now there are many. It depends so much on the automobiles. They cost a lot to have, but for them who can afford to have automobiles, it is good. Then the taxes and employers are expensive.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
81. April 1922 or 1923 Part 2.
This is a difficult letter to read. Jonas Victor is remembering his brother Hans, who had mental illness. I have read of others who had "religious insanity" at that time. The treatment of mental illness in Sweden is similar to that which other countries used in the 1800's. Roselyn
Clay Center, Kansas
April 1922 or 1923
I remember how it was with Hans. He had begun to study the Bible. He was filled with agony and had a troubled mind. Mother and Father mourned him. He was a kindly man. He was merry, not annoying. When he was "feebleminded" (troubled) he went around and preached. Many people began to think that he could hurt somebody.
We had to put a chain with a lock around his foot and chain him to the bed. On Sundays after dinner, I loosened him so he could go out. When it was evening, I put on the chain again, and he never complained about that. He was so manageable. He had many difficulties.
I remember that in Hessleby parish there was a woman with a daughter and a son. He was a lieutenant. They were not rich and had a fine little home. She could cure illness. Hans went there and I went with him. When he was there they gave him medicine, which he spit out. When he refused to take the medicine, the lieutenant took a long whip like a twig and beat Hans three times. It was very painful, so after that Hans would take the medicine. We were there three days, but Hans did not get better.
Little by little he got better and then he decided to go to America with different climate and nobody there to take care of him. He had to work. He saw that, and the result was death. (All of this is told in Letter 21 from his brother who was in Andover, Illinois where Hans committed suicide). He should have stayed at home with his parents and worked when he could and they could have taken care of him. Perhaps he could have had a good life.
I see that you have much to do with wood and the costs with selling it. You have sold wood before and made money. Perhaps you will have a good harvest. If you have good pastures, you can have animals and get money from them.
(Then he returns to talking about Hans and others who seemed to go insane over religion.) It was not only Hans who had mental problems at that time. Many people began to study the Bible and were made crazy by it, specially in Stockholm, when Valdenstrom preached. In that time they did not believe in resurrection. (Irene writes "Then there is much about different persons in the Bible and God's grace, among other things).
Your devoted brother J.V. Svenson
Clay Center, Kansas
April 1922 or 1923
I remember how it was with Hans. He had begun to study the Bible. He was filled with agony and had a troubled mind. Mother and Father mourned him. He was a kindly man. He was merry, not annoying. When he was "feebleminded" (troubled) he went around and preached. Many people began to think that he could hurt somebody.
We had to put a chain with a lock around his foot and chain him to the bed. On Sundays after dinner, I loosened him so he could go out. When it was evening, I put on the chain again, and he never complained about that. He was so manageable. He had many difficulties.
I remember that in Hessleby parish there was a woman with a daughter and a son. He was a lieutenant. They were not rich and had a fine little home. She could cure illness. Hans went there and I went with him. When he was there they gave him medicine, which he spit out. When he refused to take the medicine, the lieutenant took a long whip like a twig and beat Hans three times. It was very painful, so after that Hans would take the medicine. We were there three days, but Hans did not get better.
Little by little he got better and then he decided to go to America with different climate and nobody there to take care of him. He had to work. He saw that, and the result was death. (All of this is told in Letter 21 from his brother who was in Andover, Illinois where Hans committed suicide). He should have stayed at home with his parents and worked when he could and they could have taken care of him. Perhaps he could have had a good life.
I see that you have much to do with wood and the costs with selling it. You have sold wood before and made money. Perhaps you will have a good harvest. If you have good pastures, you can have animals and get money from them.
(Then he returns to talking about Hans and others who seemed to go insane over religion.) It was not only Hans who had mental problems at that time. Many people began to study the Bible and were made crazy by it, specially in Stockholm, when Valdenstrom preached. In that time they did not believe in resurrection. (Irene writes "Then there is much about different persons in the Bible and God's grace, among other things).
Your devoted brother J.V. Svenson
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