Árdís - 01.01.1953, Síða 67

Ársrit Bandalags lúterskra kvenna
65
A meeting at Modruvollum on January 26, 1877, had considered
both the organization of government and the establishment of the
publishing company that called itself “Prentfelag Nyja Islands” (The
Publishing Company of New Iceland). Elected as the company’s
executive were Johann Briem, Sigtryggur Jonasson and Fridjon
Fridriksson. It was announced at the meeting that 7OV2 shares had
already been sold and construction was immediately begun on a
building to house the printing press. The editor for the first eight
years was Sigtryggur Jonasson, but after that, Halldor Briem. The
printer was Jonas Jonasson a Loni, and his assistant was Bergvin
Jonsson from Big Island. At the first annual meeting the number
of subscribers in America was given as 258. 256 editions had been
sent to Iceland, but no information had been received as to how
they had sold. Altogether, 600 copies of each edition were being
printed. “Framfari” apeared for less than three years, the last
number being printed on April 10, 1880. It may be seen at the
Manitoba Provincial Library and is one of its treasured possessions.
It carried not only local news but excellent summaries of world
news and news from Iceland. Of great interest are the letters telling
of life in the other Icelandic settlements. There is one starting
“Hljeskogum, Islendingabygd, Halifax County, Nova Scotia”,
written December 8, 1877, by Sigurdur Johannesson. The February
4, 1878, number, introduces a new feature. This is an excellent
synopsis in English of the contents of each paper, for the benefit of
any English speaking persons “who may take an interest in the
affairs of the colony of the Icelandic people at large.”
There are many items of great interest but only one or two
will be mentioned here. The first attempt at winter fishing on the
northern part of the lake is reported in December, 1877. A few
young men from Gimli went as far as Grindstone Point, 20 miles
north of Lundi. The four men mentioned are Magnus Stephanson,
Joseph Schram, Jon Gudmundson and Petur Palsson. They caught
500 large white-fish, “Framfari” says; “500 af rigfullordnum
hvitfiski”. This fine catch put new life and hope into the colony
and immediately a larger group of men set out for the new fishing
grounds—20 men from Gimli, 12 from Arnes and about 10 from
Fljotsbygd. They took nets for those who for various reasons could
not leave their homes. The latter in return helped to look after the
fishermen’s homes. This example of co-operation between neigh-