Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1869-04-13
Letter from John Beig he is to Return
to America-His Experience in Ger
many.

but one cOld speh IN the middle of
January, lasting about week. at
which time the thermometer stood s
below zero but spring now seems 70
be almost at hand. l took walk or
the Eth inst. and saw a great many
pefons spading their gardens, plant
ing lettuce, peas, carly potatoes, etc.
The already green gooseberry bush~
es tell the story of an approaching
spring. Winter wheat, rye and bars
| ley look very promising. We do not
know anything about spring wheat
here in tact, | d not know there
was such a thing until | went to
America twenty years ago.
Twenty years in tie United States
and | thought it possible to come
back TO my old homo and remain
here the rest of my life, but to tell
the honest truth, have found it ut
terly impossible. ! have at present
a greater longing for America, than
had when there to come back here
and sec my home once more. On
Washingtons Birthday saw the
Stars and Stripes floating over one
II our hotels am more refreshing
sight | have not enjoyed since the ith
81 Jaly last. When | came here last
summer | was delighted with the
country and thought to stay hero
ofever, tramping over hills anJl
mountains again as | did in the time
of my 70 40, but those happy days
are 0ger. On my arrival here | had
d great many friends, as long as
gave them employment making my
furniture, barrels, etc. buying their
apples aud grapes, bat since they DO
not get any more money out Of me
lhoy DO not like me bali so well; but
| viii not blame them too much, for
such is human nature. The greatest
obstacle | find here ID getting along,
IS that am too outsp0ken and not
polite enough, not in regard TO the
government, for they allow you to
say what you please about politics,
so you do not insult any off ser per
sonaIly, but it is the custom here
when man enters a saloon TO hand
him c chair, tell him to be seat
ed, inquire about his health, say that
you are very glad to see him, and
many more empty phrases then he
sits there with his big Dutch. meer-
schaum, diffusing smoke enough in
one night to cure couple Of hams
and all that for the pittance of from
1 to 6 cts. 1t is impossible for me to
be polite for cts. only, and | have
often told them | would see them in
purgatory first.
There were a great many Americans
here last summer on visits, but they
have all left, with the exception Of
myself and two others, one OF whom
is to start for New York in April, and
God willing, l will start in August.
And promise to be better Amori-
can than | have been before.
| and my family are enjoying very
good health, Ny eyes are well.
For health, this climate cannot be
beat. 1t is not quite as hot in sum-
mer, nor near as cold in winter as in
Wisconsin. The hottest day we had
last summer was about 30 in the
shade, and the coolest this winter, as
above stated, s Below zero, whether
in the shade or out, | did not ascer-
tain.
do not find any difficulty in max
ing q living here the only trouble is,
we Americans differ too much as res
CARDS political and social life, and I
begin for the first time to find out
that ! am q westernized man.
The people here are constantly at
war among themselves; for seven
heads there are eight opinions, and
that is the greatest reason why they
are kept down 50 easy. But when
there is chance to enjoy themselves
they 90 in for il like one man. This
State was formerly governed by the
Earl of Hesse Castle, but the Prus-
Stars snailed it in the War 1866.
They are al the better for being
Prussaus now, only they can't see it,
because they have TO pay q little
more taxes, bus tho advantages they
gained more han balance the adii-
liJual tax. In former times man
was not allowed to take hold Of any
business or trAde, or change his
place Of residence without enormous
costs. This IS all doue away with.
a man can start anything he pleases,
except saloon keeping for which be
wal! nave TO bo & man Of good stand
ing in society to get a license. Ii a
mAu wants W move to another town
or city ia the " hole hiugdom Of
Prussia, he can do 50 at q very small
expense for instance, il cos Prus-
sian but gulden or 81 90 Ia Ameri~
can gold, out stranger has TO pay
more. The authorities Of this place
tried bard 10 pick the ticks off me,
demanding 1929 gulden to start in
business, and, 10 addition TO that. be-
Co me q Prussian subject, which | de-
clined | told them | knew the laws
respecting American citizens better
than they did, and that [ was not
obliged to become a Prussian until
residing two years in Prussia, and
then only if | wanted to stay here
always. To become . Prussian they
demanded $1,000 more, and all they
wanted was 20 make all they could
out of me, but all they got wasIs21.00'
in gold for letting me start in bus
ness here. With regard to becoming
a Prussian, told them that | would
write to Bancroft in Berlin first to
find out. Since that time they have
left me alone, and the thing is pend
ing yet, and guess it will be pend
ing until August next. The fact is,
got tired of living here sooner than
| would have believed.
In conclusion, let me say there IS
nothing perfect in this world except
| am perfectly cured Of ever coming
TO Germany again if once get odt OF
it. remain your Friend.
Ge!nhausen. Germanv. Fe5. 81 JOHN BEIG
No~r We have since recaived