USA > New York > Montgomery County > St Johnsville > Mohawk Valley genealogy and history : [a compilation of clippings, 1948] > Part 27
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
Just a few miles south of the city of Syracuse on a reservation of about 6000 acres live a remnant of the once powerful nation of the Onan- dagas, the ancient keepers of' the council fire of the great confederacy. Near the suspension Bridge in Nia- gara Co. is a small band of Tus- caroras. The Senecas, the, ancient keepers of the western gate of the six nations are now scattered in five reservations in Erie, Genesee and Niagara County and in Pennsylvania. The descendants of that powerful na- tion who gave the New York State the immence domain extending from the Hudson to the Mississippi are now alloted a few thousand acres on which to eke out a meager exist- ance. here in the history of the world's so called Christian civilized country can we find such base in- gratitudes. The pale face came to a strange land and stripped an inno- cent people of every thing they held dear. .
The great six nations, the "Romans of the West" who once ruled a vast domain are now strangers in their own homes confined to a few acres of land and their tribal laws, and customs 'forgotten and ignored."
THE END
Grist Mills On The Old New York Frontier
By Paul B. Mattice
June 7th, 1948
The Enterprise & News
Dear Editor:
There were a few errors and omis- sions in. the recent 'publication of the. article. on "The Grist Mills' of the Old New York Frontier." You may wish to correct them.' A line or two was left out of the paragraph on William Fox and should have read: "William Fox, 'list-master' built a grist mill on Foxe's Creek near pre- This mill was on Quassaick Creek at sent .day . Schoharle village about 1720. This was the first grist mill west of Schenectady. Fox in 1723 removed to the Mohawk Valley when the Provincial Government of New York failed to"carry out the provi-
New Windson just below Newberg'fa in the' Hudson Highlands It might be added that Clinton, before he be- came involved in public affairs, be- came a large grist mill operator not only grinding the grain of his neigh- bors for toll but buying wheat, grind- ing it into flour and shipping it to points in New England where whast did not grow so well as in New York. There were a few other grist mills that might have been added to the list had the information been oba- tained before mailing the manuscript to you. One of these mills was built by John Van Derwerker, formerly of the Mohawk Valley, at Mornel Flatts near Oneonta, before the year 1775. The John Carr mill at present day Sidney, noted in the published list, was one of two grist mills that Carr built, in the Unadilla area of the Susquehanna Valley before, the Revolution. Joseph Sleeper, a Quaker preacher, received a gift, of a hund- red acres of land for building the first saw and grist mills at Laurens in Otsego County on Factory Creck, a tributary of the Otego Creek, about 1769. The saw and grist mills of Gen- eral Phillip Schuyler on Fish Creek at Schuylerville in Saratoga County were bullt| before the Revolution and burned by General Burgoyne in the invation of 1777.
Judge William Cooper, the fath- er of J. Fenimore Cooper the novel- ist, in letters to his son depicted graphically some of the hardships of the New .. oYrk frontier after the Re- volution when he wrote: "The great- est discouragement was in the ex- treme poverty of the people, none of whom had means of clearing mare than a small spot in the midst of the thick and lofty woods, so that their grain grew chiefly in the shade; their maize did not ripen, their wheat was blasted, and the little they did gath- erf they had no mill to grind with twenty miles distance; not one in twenty had a horse, and the way lay through rapid streams, across swamps, or over bogs." Of the famine of 1789 Judge Cooper says: "Graim rose in Albany to a price before da- known. The demand swept. all the granerles of the; Mohawk country." And so the record runs of hardships caused by the lack" of Bread, grain, horses and oxen, grist mills; roads and ' bridges. This founding of the. Empire State exacted a mighty price In human suffering, that should not be forgotten.
1 The other errors were typographi- cal in the matter of a few dates and were apparent to the history minded reader. I am still awaiting replys to letters inquiring about old mis, water wheels and mill stones. The estimate of sixty grist mills on the. New York frontier at the beginning of the Revolution -is very close the real number and will. not be mater- ially changed by later research2.
P.,'S. The following information taken from Nathaniel Bartlett Syt- vester's History of Ulster County, 1880, has just been received!
"A small. grist mill. had been-built quite early, on Front Street (Witt- wyck) which Peter de Muclenaar at- tends to." As Wiltwyck. ((Esopus)) was · settled in ,1661 this grist mall may have been built as early as 1665.
"Near Hurley village (Ulster Co- unty), often spoken of & 'Old Hor- ley', were' a grist mill, a distillery; and a carding machine. They were supplied by the water of' Mill Creek."> They were pre-Revoultionary built. "Saugerties. This was the place of the very ancient grist mill and .. an landing upon' the (Hudson) " River." This trumluna's cottiand in or about
Warner Dygert. Married Peter (Joh- ann Peter) . Walrad or Walrath. He was born May 3,'1756; bapt. April 23,-1757 .(Stone Arabia Rec.) He died Nov. 17, 1834. He was a son of Joh- ann'es Walrath, ferryman and black- smith, who mraried Amalia Suits, and served in the Revolutionary War. See Pension papers. Children 5. .
`" 890X Warner' Walrad, born 1794, died at Lyme, N. Y.' aged 77 years. Married ? ? ? ? ? ?.
: 891X . Peter Walrad, Jr., born 1799; died ) July 5, 1857, aged 58. Married, Catharina Bellinger, daugh- ter of Christopher P. Bellinger of Little Falls, N. Y. She died at Homer, NA.Y. - where her descendants live. Children: ?
892 Charles Walrad. 893 John Walrad. '
894! William Walrad. Married Ma- tilda " Dygert, daughter. of Warner St. Johnsville, N. Y.
Dygert:
(To Be Continued) .
DON'T COUGH
1 Take
KEMP'S BALSAM FOR COUGHS DUE TO COLDS
Enterprise & News
An ABC Newspaper LUCILLE IVERSON PUBLISHER ST. JOHNSVILLE, N. Y ..
Telephone 3741
Entered at the St. Johnsville Post- office, St. Johnsville, N. Y., as sec- ond class matter. Published every Thursday ..
SUBSCRIPTION . RATES
Montgomery, Fulton and Herkime. Counties-One Year, 2.50 All
"others. $3 except Canada, $ Six Months, $2.00
ST CASH PRICES le and Calves to Livestock Auction
ST CREEK
made this the largest cat- k Valley .. The large num- ing us many good buyers. bw or a whole dairy, you ull value for them here. andle an auction on your ge, or will buy your dairy When in need of dairy sale. Always have a big
DUPONT 'alls, 23F21
vom people vi every wing they held dear ... .
The great six nations, the "Romans of the West" who once ruled a vast domain are, now strangers in their own homes confined to a few acres of land and their tribal laws, and customs forgotten and ignored.' THE END .
Grist Mills On The Old New York Frontier
By Paul B. Mattice
June 7th, 1948
The Enterprise & News
Dear Editor:
: There were a few errors and omis- sions in the recent publication of the. article on "The Grist. Mills' of the Old New York Frontier." You may wish to correct them.' A line or two was left out' of the paragraph' on William Fox and should have' read: "William . Fox, 'list-master' built a grist mill on Foxe's Creek near pre- This mill was on Quassaick Creek at sent day Schoharie village ,about 1720. This was the first grist mill; west of Schenectady, Fox in 1723 removed to the Mohawk Valley when the Provincial Government of New York failed to carry out the provi- sions of' the London Covenant be- tween Queen Ann, her Cabinet,' and the Palatines in the failure to allott forty acres of land to each person. as promised. Fox built the first saw and the first grist mill on the Caroga Creek at present Palatine Church in the Mohawk Valley."
The writer was in error in locating the Governor George Clinton grist mill at Esopus . on 'Rondout Creek.
a really to a price velure Da- known. The demand swept all the graneries of the Mohawk country." And so the record runs of hardships caused by the lack" of Bread, grain, horses and oxen, grist mills; roads and' bridges. This founding of the Empire State exacted a mighty price in human suffering, that' should not be forgotten.
: The other errors were, typographi- cal in the matter of a few dates and were apparent to the history minded reader. I am still awaiting. replys to. letters inquiring about old mills, water wheels and mill stones. The. estimate, of sixty grist mills on the. . New York frontier at the beginning of the"Revolution is very close the real number and will not be matec- ially changed by later researchz.
P.'S. The following information taken from Nathaniel Bartlett Syt- vester's History of Ulster County, 1880, has just been received!
"A small, grist mill. had been built quite early, on Front Street (Writ- wyck) which Peter de Muclenaar at- tends to." As Wiltwyck. ( (Esopua) was · settled in ,1661 this grist wolf may have been built as early as 1665. "Near Hurley village (Ulster Co- unty), often spoken"of a 'Old Hur- ley','were"a grist mill, a distillery. and a carding machine. They were supplied by the water of Mill Creek" They were pre-Revoultionary built "Saugerties. This, was the place of the very 'ancient grist" mill and an landing upon the (Hudson) : River." This town' was settled in or about 1687 and this grist: mill soon con- structed.
' "The following millers 'of Marble- town (Ulster County)' recorded their "brand-marks' in 1751; Stephen Not- tingham, Peter Cantine; Leonardi Hardenbergh, Thames Schoonmaker." This indicates that Ulster County may have had ten grist mills in.oper- ation before the year 1775 ..
THE END
1947 FORD SEDAN
USED HOUSE TRAILER
See The New POST HOLE DIGGERS At
DUESLER'S GARAGE
Ford Tractor Dealer . R. D. 4 Fort Plain
Dearborn Farm Equipment" .. Ephratah, N. Y.
MOHAWK VALLEY
GENEALOGY AND
HISTORY
St. Johnsville Enterprise and News, St. Johnsville, N. Y.
THURSDAY, JULY 1, 1948
Questions and Answers
A department devoted to the pursuit of knowledge. No charge to regular subscribers. Any reader, whether subscriber or not, is in invited to submit answers. Gives dates, places and sources.
KIERS
I am interested in gathering re- cords of the Kiers. I noticed the name William Edward Kiers in one of your papers. My line of Kiers came from Parton Comberland, Eng- land. John born 27 Mar. 1772. He married Agnes Campbell 28+ Sept. 1798 in Landown, Scotland. I will appreciate any information regard- ing these people.
Susan J. Young
433 I Street Salt Lake City Utah
SHOEMAKER, VAN VALKEN- BURG, BAXTER
I would like further information about the family of Charles and Nelly (surname unknown) Shoemak- er of Schoharie Co., N. Y. The name is found spelled Schoemacher, Schu- macher, etc., in the early church re- cords. . Their known children were:
1. Helena, porn Apr. 1, 1781.
.. 2. Gertrude, born May 2, 1784. . Johan Volchmann, born Mar. 15, 1788.
4. Petrus; born Apr., 3, 1790. 5. Alexander, born Aug. 3, 1791 ... All possible data wanted on my great-great-grandfather John A.
Shoemaker, who resided in the Towns of Carlisle and Sharon, Schoharie, Co., N. Y. What were the names of his parents? Was he the son of an Alexander Shoemaker? John A. Shoemaker was born in Schoharie Co.' fathers' uncle was drowned at Hud- about 1802. He was residing in the son, N. Y. He was a minister and at- tempted to walk across the ice to a funeral across, the river. He was Joseph. He used the Van as did his children, my father's cousins. I be- lieve the wife of John Wert was Dorcas. I saw Peter Keller when I was a little girl. They had a candy factory in Utica. Town of Carlisle in the census of 1850, and the census records of 1860, 1865 and the years 1870 and 1880. Where is he buried? Who has ceme- tery records of Carlisle and Sharon ? He married (when and where) Eva Van Valkenburg, who was born in the Town of Sharon about 1805. Who were her parents? Was she the Eve, daughter of Adam and' Maria or Mary (Leroy) Van Valkenburg, who was born Apr. 20, 1804, and bap- tised in the Lawyersville Dutch Re- formed church June 10, 1804? She was living in Sharon as late as 1880. Data wanted on the children of John A. and Eve (Van Valkenburg) Shoe- maker and their descendants. Their known children were:
1. Adam Alexander.
2 John Joseph, (see forward).
3. Susan Margaret.
4. George Lorenzo.
5. Louisa Jane.
6. Leah ' Catheline, Catalina or
Cataline.
7." Ann or Amna Elsia.
John Joseph Shoemaker, son of John A. and Eve (Van Valkenbdrg) Shoemaker, was born in, the Town of Sharon in 1827 He died in' Argus-
goods merchant of Baltimore, Md. They had a dau. Elizabeth . (1821- 1904), who mar. in 1840, Herman Daggett Aldrich. He died in 1880, ion Thorp) born Aug. 26, 1826, mar- *Nicholas, (grandfather of Mar- ried Mary Campbell Lutheran min- ister).
pmib. New York City. Marie Lyle
Lyle Heights Paso Robles, California
WERT
I have been interested in the re- plies to the inquiry concerning the Van Wert family. I think I have the answer to the confusion. There were Hollanders (low Dutch) Van Werts, Woerts and German (high Dutch) Werts. The Mohawk Valley Werts from near Johnstown were Palatines, German.
In 1932 my father came down the Hudson River Valley with us. When we got near West Camp, he said his ancesters had settled there. They were Palatines. He knew that his great great grandfather's name had been Hanse or Johannes. He had visited his own grand father Daniel (Daddy) and his grand mother, Han- nah (Mammy) many times. They lived on a farm at Keck's Center. Some of the relatives had always used the Van or Von. His cousins had used it for a long time. When some of the Wert boys went to col- lege they adopted the Van too. That was in the 1870's I imagine. I think only my uncles and not Nicholas, my grandfather, one of my uncles, George, never used the Van. . My
My father died in the fall of 1932. I never found out any more about the family from him.
In 1937 I thought I'd write for a Johnstown Pamphlet. The author, a Mrs. Grant, had played the organ at my grandfather's Nichoolas' fun- eral. She put me in contact with my father's cousin Elmer Dorn who gave me some information. Later on Mirs. Grant sent me the enclosed in- formation which as you see is about the same family. .
I imagine the Michael was the son of Christian Wert and. Mary Magde- lene Van Coughnet, a brother of Daniel and a great uncle of my fath- er or he might have been a brother Johannes children. If anyone has that list I would appreciate it also. The spelling of the name from Van Wert to Van Wirt I believe was be-
er of John E.): Michael, Hannah, Margaret, Mary Dorothy. * Christion was a trustee of the Johnstown Luth- eran Church in 1810.
4 Daniel Wert lived at Keck's Cen- ter. He spoke both German and Eng- lish well. He was a good student, religiously inclined. He had children: Mary Magdalene, b. July 9, 1821, m. 1842 James Spraker, d. Mar .. 20, 1886. John D. b. 1821 married sister of James Nellis (Dorcas ?)
Margaret b. 1831, Married Eli Dorn. Dorothy b. 1833, married Peter Keller.
Joseph b 1837, married Adeline ( ?) (Lutheran minister. )
Elizabeth b. 1840 m. Aaron Dock- stater.
James b. 1842.
Jane ib. 1845 m. Peter Dorn. + Christiana b. 1847, m. William Kilmer.
Johannes Wert called Hanse Wart. Beers history page 206, New York State in the Revolution Vol. 1 pg. 92. 15th Reg. Albany Militia. Col. Peter Vrooman.
RELATIES OF HERKIMER CO. PEOPLE STARVING IN GERMANY By W. C. KIMM
An appeal in the form of a letter for food and clothing has been re- ceived by S. C. Kimm of Herkimer from relatives in Germany, The let- ter was written by Michael Kluppel a relative of the well known Kluppel family of Ilion, N. Y. Michael. writes,
"I .am 67 years old. My brother Heinrich was killed in the war of 1915. I have 5 children, my oldest son is married, his wife went to Kassel and was killed in an air raid and I am taking care of their child 8 years old. My son was killed in the last war. When I am gone the boy will be cared for by my daughter, Annie who 'is engaged to be married to a prisoner of war in Yugoslavia. My youngest son is 22 years old, was a pilot in the war and is a pri- soner with the Russians. My other daughter has 2 children. Her hus- band died in a Russian prison camp. In one month we get 400 grams of meat, 100 grams of lard, 500 grams of sugar, 500 grams of cereal, rice flour, oat meeal etc. 621/2 grams of cheese and also imitation coffee. It is hard to live on this for four weeks. We have sunk so low we cannot buy a bar of soap. We live so primitive now. We must. save' everything for fear of running out before the next ration.
We have received a package from Fred Klippel of Cedarville with clothing, coffee and soap .. You could not believe the joy is gave my wife and two daughters." .
The foregoing letter was written from the village. of Sand, Provincey of Hesse in western Germany. Mr, Kimm whose parents came from that village and who has many relatives living there to day in great need of
All possible data wanted on my great-great-grandfather John A. Shoemaker, who resided in the Towns of Carlisle and Sharon, Schoharie, Co., N. Y. What were the names of his parents? Was he the son of an Alexander Shoemaker ? John A. Shoemaker was born in Schoharie Co. about 1802. He was residing in the Town of Carlisle in the census of 1850, and the census records of 1860, 1865 and the years 1870 and 1880. Where is he buried? Who has ceme- tery records of Carlisle and Sharon ? He married (when and where) Eva Van Valkenburg, who was born in the Town of Sharon about 1805, Who were her parents? Was she the Eve, daughter of Adam and' Maria or Mary (Leroy) Van Valkenburg, who was born Apr. 20, 1804, and bap- tised in the Lawyersville Dutch Re- formed church June 10, 1804 ?. She was living in Sharon as late as 1880. Data wanted on the children of John A, and Eve (Van Valkenburg) Shoe- maker and their descendants. Their known children were:
1. Adam Alexander.
2 John Joseph, (see forward).
3. Susan Margaret.
4. George Lorenzo.
5. Louisa Jane.
6. Leah ' Catheline,
Catalina
ör
Cataline. .. .
7. Ann or Anna Elsia.
of John Joseph Shooemaker, son John A. and Eve (Van Valkenburg) Shoemaker, was born in. the Town of Sharon in 1827. He died in Argus- ville, Town of Carlisle, Sept. 18, 1903, aged 76 years and 9 or 7 months. He married (when where) Adaline Baxter, who was
and
born about 1835 (where ?). Who were her parents? She was residing in Sharon in 1892. When and where did she die? They are buried in Slate Hill Cemetery in Sharon. Donald A. Keefer
R. D. 2 Sacandaga Road Schenectady, N. Y.
SMITH
Ancestry and brothers and sisters with dates, locations, marriages, wanted of Rev. Charles A. Smith, pastor of the Stone Arabia Luth- eran Church 1830-38. If married, his wife and children, with full informa- tion, also wanted.
Who was Rev. Henry I. Smith, pas- tor of the same church, 1838-39, and professor of German in Columbia College, New York City, in 1876 ?
FOX, WAGNER
Who was F. M. Fox who, in 1897, wrote a series of articles, or letters, to the "Fort Plain Register" con- cerning the Isaac Paris "Castle" ? Alt that time, F. M. Fox was resid- ing in New York City.
. I should appreciate having his an- cestry and connection, if any, with the Wagner family.
BRISCOE, SMITH
Ancestry asked of Ruth Briscoe who mar. John (3) Smith (John-2-1), b. June 18, 1674; d' abt. 1751; prob. of Milford, Conn.
MAYO, WYMAN, ALDRICH
Brothers and sisters, with dates, ' locations, and marriages. asked of Hannah Davis Mayo who marrled Samuel Wyman (1789-1865), a dry
had used it for a long time. When some of the Wert boys went to col- lege they adopted the Van too. That was in the 1870's I imagine. I think only my uncles and not Nicholas, my grandfather, one of my uncles, George, never used the Van. My fathers' uncle was drowned at Hud- son, N. Y. He was a minister and at- tempted to. walk across the ice to a funeral across, the river. He was Joseph. He used the Van as did his children, my father's cousins. I be- lieve the wife of John Wert was Doncas. I saw Peter Keller when I was a little girl. They had a candy factory in Utica.
My father died in the fall of 1932, I never found out any more about the family from him.
In 1937 I thought I'd write for a Johnstown Pamphlet, The author, a Mrs. Grant, had played the organ at my grandfather's Nichoolas' fun- eral. She put me in contact with my father's cousin Elmer Dorn who gave me some information. Later on Mrs. Grant sent me the enclosed in- formation which as you see is about the same family.
I imagine the Michael was the son of Christian Wert. and Mary Magde- lene Van Coughnet, a , brother of Daniel and a great uncle of my fath- er or he might have been a brother Johannes children. If anyone has that list I would appreciate it also. The spelling of the name from Van Wert to Van Wirt I believe was be- cause others made that error SO many times they gave up. When my father was married he used the name William Van Wint altho some of his early books said: Will Wert. It always . confused me. However, all the cousins in this family use the Van Wirt. The cousins another gen- eration back use the Van Wert. Old Johannes Wiert( Wart) was their ancestors anyway.
I hope this clears up some of the confusion. .
Marion Van Wert Thorp 10 Ferris Lane
Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
I do not seem to have the_man's name and address so I'm sending you the information.
WERT
(Von) (Van) Werth, Wierth, Wirt, Wert, Wart
Among the Palatines who settled in Columbia and Dutchess county in 1710 was a certain Wierth or Von Wierth. His Christian name is un- known to his descendents.
1 Wert, surname unknown.
2 Johannes (son) born at West Camp, N. Y. moved to the Mohawk valley 1750. Cleared the first farm in the vicinity at Sammonsville. Near Johnstown. He became a prosperous farmer. Because of corruption in pro- nounciation he was listed in the tax rolls as Hanse Want, He had ten children, whose names are not listed. 3 Christian b. 1770. Married Dec. 4, 1790 (Mary) Magdalene, dau. of John Eberhard Von Coughnet and
26.
Elizabeth Rupoorts died Mar. 1847. Magdalene (as she was called) died Je. 7, 1947. They lived in a small house at Kecks Center 3 miles from Johnstown. Their chidlren were. John Nicholas, died at 18; * Daniel born Sept. 3, 1797 died Sept, 7, 1877. mar- rled Jan 22, 1820 Hannah (b. Apr. 3, 1803) died Nov. 18, 1887)) daughter of John Luke Von Cosmet (12 broth-
family of Ilion, N. Y. Michael writes, "I'am 67 years old. My , brother' Heinrich was killed in the war of 1915. I have 5 children, my oldest son is married, his wife went to Kassel and was killed in an air raid and I am taking care of their child 8 years old. My son was killed in the last war. When I am gone the boy will be cared for by my daughter, Annie who is engaged to be married to a prisoner of war in Yugoslavia. My youngest son is 22 years old, was a pilot in the war and is a pri- soner with the Russians. My other daughter has 2 children. Her hus- band died in a Russian prison camp. In one month we get 400 grams of meat, 100 grams of lard, 500 grams of sugar, 500 grams of cereal, rice flour, oat meeal etc. 621/2 grams of cheese and also imitation coffee. It is hard to live on this for four weeks. We have sunk so low we cannot buy a bar of soap. We live so primitive now. We must, save' everything for fear of running out before the next ration.
We have received a package from Fred Klippel of Cedarville with clothing, coffee and soap .. You could not believe the joy is gave my wife and two daughters."
The foregoing letter was written from the village of Sand, Province of Hesse in western Germany. Mr. Kimm whose parents came from that village and who has many relatives living there to day in great need of food, clothing and medicine makes of the new land of freedom. Those good fortune of the descendants of thoose Hessians now living in the United States, a land of plenty.
Mr. Kimm's article follows:
Sand is a village in western Ger- many in the province of Hesse about 15 miles from the large city of Kas- sel. From this state or province; of Hesse 170 years ago came several thousands of Hessian soldiers hired by the English King at $35 per head and living expenses to fight the col- onial troops in the Revolution. Many of these Hessians were killed. Sev- eral deserted from the English armies and settled in America to be- come prominent in the development, of the new land of freedom. Those. Hessians soldiers who returned to Germany told wonderful tales of the land across the ocean, of its fertile soil, vast forests, great streams for water power and best of all there was no aristocracy and no law to hind- er any man from owning all the land he could pay for. A great contrast to the pitiful two or three' acres al- lowed a peasant in the Fatherland. The Viliagers Excited
When the soldiers came back home to the village of Sand and told thelr home folks of the, opportunities in America, there was much excitement. Some thought these stories fairy tales, but others believed. For a gen- eration they talked and wondered and planned how they might get per- mission to leave their native land and how to raise funds to pay their passage on the old style sailing ships. From time to time some venture- some young man would escape the army draft and work his way across the ocean. He would write back to his people of his good fortune and send them money from his wages. Such a man was John Sassman who was lucky enough to escape the
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