Lögberg-Heimskringla - 01.05.1992, Blaðsíða 4

Lögberg-Heimskringla - 01.05.1992, Blaðsíða 4
4 • Lögberg-Heimskringla • Föstudagur 1. maí 1992 The personal account ofan Icelandic immigrant’s experiences in America - from 1886 to 1930 Contínued by Stefan Jónsson (changed to Johnson In U.S.A.) Translated from the original hand-written lcelandlc by Stefan Johnson’s eldest grandson, Jon Wlllard Freeman. We lived for two months in this one- room shanty on the place we had fled to from the flood. Then we moved farther north on the prairie, for no one thought about movingback to the meadow where we had been. New arrivals That summer a number of people (Icelandic) moved to our area from the old country and from the east. Among them were Jacob’s parents, Einar Magnusson Westfjord and wife and their son and Jacob’s brother, Svein Westfjord, who became a well-known farmer and member of the community, as did his brother Jacob. Now we had much help in the building of sod houses. We worked together and built sod build- ings for the newcomers and also for Gísli and myself. We worked as fast as possible, because the haying season approached and the brothers, Jacob and Svein, were going to Pembina coun- try for the harvest season. So there was a lot to do: hauling hay and looking after the cattle we had under our care until the latter part of October. For this we always had trouble collecting. Some paid angrily, and some paid only a part and some paid nothing. On this place we remained for about 2 years, and then our partnership with Gísli was severed. His wife Anna was in poor health and died June 5th. Then Gísli moved north of the river, where his father was established, then moved to Swan River, Manitoba, and diedthere in 1928. Our third child is bom In some ways it was good in this new place, but the big fault was that water was very difficult to get. We dug wells 35 to 40 feet deep, all by hand and spade, and never got water. It was on this place (near Ely Post Office south of where Kramer is now) that our third child, Jón Magnús, was born Dec. 18, 1894, in a sod house, on a bitterly cold and stormy night. There were no doc- tors of course, so I went to fetch a midwife, but when we retumed the child was already bom. An old man staying with us (Ásgrímur, the same who chopped the ice when the horses floun- dered) had helped, and all went well. This was with God’s help also, for we always trust in Him in our troubles and hardships, which were many in those days. Then there was faith in those days. We had faith in each other and helped each other and were happy. I once loaned my oxen team to a man who took them to Cavalier and back (150 miles, approximately, each way) and got 10 pounds of shorts (feed) in payment and was well satisfied. The next spring, my father decided to quit the Knoll he and Rosa lived on and offered the place to me. I accepted gratefully though I was to regret it, as will be told later. But then it was attrac- tive. Moving for the fourth time Father and Rosa sold some of their stock and some they put out on shares. They moved to Pembina county with intentions of quitting entirely. So, I moved for the fourth time and lived there for five years. In those five I had to move three times due to floods, and that was very difficult because we had to move all possessions, including ani- mals. But in some ways it was pleasant and convenient. Our nearest town was Willow City, 20 miles east, but soon a German set up a store and post office not far away. It was a great convenience to be able to buy sugar and coffee, etc., and get our mail so close by. But after three years, this enterprise closed after a scandal involving mail thievery by the son or the old man. He soon fled the country and shortly afterward someone else took over the post office, so we still had that. Fleeing floods As said before I was on the Knoll five years and had to flee the floods three times. The first spring there was no flood. The second spring there was flood and I moved to the prairie (west of where Upham is now) and stayed with John Phillips. I must tell of our experi- ences then. I had traded my oxen for a team of horses and paid some to boot. I loaded a wagon with household goods and drove the team and wagon while my daughter, Sigga (Sigríður), then eight years old, followed on foot behind and drove the cattle. There was already a lot of water, especially in the low places. The cattle followed the wagon and the child behind, to keep them moving. All went well, except we were wet and cold, but at our destination we got dry and had food and hot coffee. Then we went back because my wife was alone with the other children. We had the most difficulty moving the sheep and lambs. I had more sheep than cattle and had forty-five newbom lambs. With the help of my wife and children I rounded up and loaded the lambs in the wagon. Then I had Sigga drive the team and wagon while I fol- lowed and drove the sheep on foot. They followed willingly, for their lambs were in the wagon. All went well and we forded all water well until we came to the last slough, which had to be U0fétA*MMÍty /téodc - ‘Ptncc Pctuc" The Town of Gimli welcomes Delegates and Guests to the Annual Convention of the lcelandic National League of North America at Hecla Island, May 1. 2, 3. 1992. We hope that your stay in this area is a pleasant one. We look forward to meeting and greeting you. As you pass through Gimli, stop, and enjoy our ships, recreational facilities, and friendly people. Mayor and Council, Town of Gimli crossed in the right place else every- thing would be under. The wagon was about halfway across when I saw it go over on its side and the child and the lambs all into and under the water. Again, God helped me. I rushed to save the child and found her and pulled her out to safety. I had feared that she would be under the wagon or trampled by the horses. But, thank God, she was unhurt, and I got her and all the lambs to dry land and the horses and wagon also. And with God’s help I got all the lambs loaded again, and we continued on. I was conscience-smitten to see the child shaking from cold, soaking wet and frightened, but we could not tum back. That summer we stayed with Jon Phillips until August, and then moved back to the Knoll. Next spring we did not have a bad flood; the next after that there was a flood, but not bad enough to have to move. We were surrounded by water, but had sufficient hay and feed. The following winter was a bad one. It was very cold; there was so much snow that it was difficult, sometimes impossible, to getfirewood. Then it was that we found it necessary to burn hay. We did it this way: we had the children sit by the stove and twist the hay into compact little bundles, which were easier to handle than loose hay and lasted longer. We also bumed a lot of sheep manure, which when mixed with the hay waste, trampled down by the sheep and dried, could be cut into chunks and made into good fuel. Continued next week Tip Top Foods IN GIMLI Icelandic Foods v__________________J Fresh Manitoba: Lamb Rúllupylsa Hangikjöt Lifrapylsa Mysuostur Skyr lcelandic Brown Bread From lceland: Haröfiskur Svali lcelandic Water Brian & Ken Arnason For delivery call: 642-5418 r PRESENTS... FINE DINING &c COUNTRY ROCKIN GOOD TIMES ÍSZ AVENUE ON THE BEACH Tour Iceland in Julv lli atCýettmc Phone Oli (204) 642-7684 m Vlklng Travel - ...j...... (204) 642-5114

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