Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1868-07-28

| steps IN 'front.' OF the hOtel.
l took passage the next day, on
the steamer Shmidt, from Bremen,
for Sl14.SO for three of us, second
cabin, We were treated kindly, and
neither or my child were sea sick,
but my wife was confined to l. n
room for week. We had a very
pleasant journey, and nothing of note
occurred, save fellow dutchman los :
ing or being robbed of $500; and the
celebration of the captains birthday
by raising the flags, and firing the guns
at sunrise, and every ! persons were
furnished bottle of wine, which was
thankfully received; ordinary sobrie-
ty prevailed. At o'clock on the 9th
of June, we discovered the first light
house on the coast of Ireland, and
the same day, entered the English
Channel, where we were in sight oil
land two days then we entered the
North Sea, and after a days ride,
came in sight of the coast of Holland,
and landed the 18th Of June, in Bre-
men Harbor, having made the jour
across the Atlantic in twenty one
days.
1t generally takes but about eleven
to 60 Germany, but our machine got
out of gear several times, and having
no wind at the same time, had to lay
still for for days at time.
| went in two days on the cars to
Hanau, city on the river Main
where a brother Of mine resides
Stopped with him eight days, then
went home to my birthplace, Gelh-
hausen. This city was built in the
18th century. 1t was four or five
times as large then, as at present, but
was destroyed in the war of the Re
formation. It was the residence OF
the Emperor Barbarossa. called the
Red Beard, and well known in histo-
ry. The city runs east and west
along small river, and north of it.
the mountains are covered with vine
yards. / have already tried to buy q
a house, but failed. | find houses
very dear here for the amount OF
business done, but is owing to their
substansial construction, which will
last for centuries. They might De
built half as heavy for half the mon
ey and the balance invested in some-
thing else. but such is style and Gus,
tom here | should like to put up a
frame house, but it is not allowed in
the city, and there is no one here that
knows how to do it. For the pres
ent, have rented a couple of rooms,
partly furnished, oe my brother, and
am awaiting my chances People
are very anxious to sell me places
that do not suit me, and are asking
pretty high prices for them, because
| am from America, and therefore
must have plenty of OF money, and
bound to buy, but shall tire them
out and if cannot get good chance,
| will be back in September next.
The weather has been unusually
hot the past two weeks, and rain is
much needed. Crops Of all kinds
look very fine, and fruit trees are
breaking down. The first rye was
cut here on the 18th of June. Cher
ries, curlants and gooseberries were
ripe almost three weeks ago. Apples
are almost full grown, and early
pears will be ripe in a week. Grapes
are farther advanced at this time of
the year than they have been since
1911. The most of them are twice
the size of marrowfat pea, and
all expect this wine year equal
to that of 1911, the best wine year
the present century.
Wages have advanced 80 per cent.
since | left, and the necessaries of life
accordingly. Abs. of bread cost Is
kreutzers, or about 10 cts; in the
country it is sold for less meat, from
Is to 90 kr., per ID. butter, from %
to 30 xr drink of common whis-
key, l kr. ; old Rye, 2 kr. ; cider, 2
kr. Grape wine, from 2 to II kr., a
full grown glass, big enough to make
three beer glasses full such as you
| get IN Lancaster. Here is a chance
to ret drunk for 10 cts. The licens>
saloon keeper is protected and re-
spected, and has the privilege of sell
ing tn whom he pieases, but if man
gets drunk, which is very seldom,
fred tape" will take care of him
Saloons are open Sundays at 2 o'clock
in the afternoon, and you will find
them all occupied and the best order
prevailing. This would be bad
climate for Wisconsin wild oats and
drunken soldiers, that used to come
into my saloon, hollering, Set them
out here, cd d--n you, or down
goes your shanty."
receive the Herald regularly, but
have TO pay as much postage as
would buy three newspapers. l
wish you would inquire into the mat
ter. 1t is not the fault of the GER
man Post Masters, for it is marked
in English, "Short pay, 10cts" On
ly one | received, was stamped paid
ALL" / hope you will receive this in
good health. | and my family have
much improved in health, since our
arrival here | will close for the pres
ent, as it is drawing hear shutdown
and am invited by committee Of
Americans, to meet with them to
night, to make arrangements for cell
ebrating the 18th of July among our
selves. A good dinner and fire works
are already provided and we are get
ting up al American flag, to raise on
| the occasion,
You may publish this letter, if you
see fit as it will save me writing to
20 many friends,
| remain yours,
JOHN BEIG.
Geinhaasen, JGly End, 1868.