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Subject: Diary of Elisabeth Koren - 193-202
Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2003 08:56:11 -0700
Acknowledgment
The following selection is taken from "The Diary of Elisabeth Koren"
translated and edited by David T. Nelson and published by the
Norwegian-American Historical Association (NAHA) in 1955. The Volume is
still in print and available from NAHA at http://www.naha.stolaf.edu
where you will also find the first 33 volumes of Studies and Records
online as well as Theodore C. Blegen's 2 volumes on Norwegian Migration
to America. This chapter is published with the kind permission of NAHA.
The book this selection is drawn from is under copyright and permission
has been granted for educational purposes and it is not to be used in any
way for commercial purposes.
Wednesday, March 15. Yesterday afternoon I sat upstairs and wrote
steadily, for Eli was busy washing floors, hanging curtains, arranging
and baking, and getting everything ready for the pastor's return, which
she got into her head should be yesterday. But nothing came of that; he
is hardly likely to come this forenoon either.
What lovely moonlight there was last night, and how mild and peaceful! I
sat knitting by the open door. Eli was inside washing potatoes; the
cattle were in the stables; we did not hear a sound save now and then the
baying of the dog. It is very beautiful at Sørland's when the moon is
above the trees by the brook. I could easily have sat there all evening,
but had to close the door at last and take my place at a well-provisioned
supper table.
Today is a perfect summer's day. It is very warm, although it is blowing
fairly hard. While I was writing, a little while ago, Eli called down
from the loft, "The fire is right up to our field now." I went upstairs
to look at it and then ran out to the road to see where it was. I soon
stood right by it and saw how it advanced with each little gust of wind.
Since there is not much grass, it does not travel fast; otherwise it
might easily be dangerous to the woods, which are not many steps from the
house. I stood and looked at it and heard how it snapped and crackled in
the dry grass, how at times it shot up a tall tuft of grass and caught in
the tops of the withered flower stalks when the wind bowed them down. At
last the smoke was so strong that it put me to flight; but now at any
rate I have had a chance to see a prairie fire at close range.
I have just had an interesting little visit from Mari Katterud and a
sister of Ola Hegg. The former does not say much and the latter was as
talkative as a mute and looked as if she were asleep. But I am no master
conversationalist, either. Eli went about her work as if everything were
as usual; nevertheless, they sat here a terribly long time before it
occurred to them to get up and go.
The fire continues its way through the woods; it burns only the grass and
leaves without setting fire to trees or twigs. I have been far up in the
woods with Eli to investigate, accompanied by the dog, the cat, and the
sheep, who now and then come bounding over the fence in one leap and
gallop right into the house, so that we have to block the door with a
chair when we wish to have it open.
There were many people here today. Just a moment ago there were the two
delegates from Clermont for the meeting tomorrow; scarcely had they
ridden off before the two from Paint Creek came --- Moller is one of
them. {12} They are putting their horses in the stall, I see, so they
will no doubt spend the night here. But it does not look as if a pastor
is coming to this meeting. I wanted to go to meet him, but this
entertaining group came and prevented me. The sun will soon be going
down, so he should be here before long. There, the dogs are beginning to
bark; I wonder if that can be he?
Thursday, March 16. Quite right, it was Vilhelm who came driving along
the road, step by step, so very sedately. So I went to meet him. The
first thing I heard was, "Why, how tiny you look when you come walking
like that!" He could not forget it, just as if everything does not look
smaller at a distance. Why, he himself, the wagon, Charlie, and the whole
glorious procession almost vanished in the grass while I watched them
coming! "Here is something for you," he said and gave me a bundle of
cotton and a quantity of goods with which to start quilting. I was glad
to get it, though now l shall have plenty to do. He was very tired
yesterday but had to go ahead with preparations for the meeting today
just the same, poor man.
That meeting is now under way downstairs, so I had to retire up here. I
hear Vilhelm reading something aloud without interruption. I sit and
laugh because of the hearty laughter I hear below; I suppose Vilhelm has
made some witty remark. Now I have been down to help Eli set the table
and serve coffee, and have watched the men come in one by one to take
their places; and every last one of them before he crossed the threshold
very audibly blew his nose with that nature's handkerchief they
customarily use. Now they are leaving the table, and there comes Vilhelm
rushing up the stairs. He is after cigars, I imagine. Now I had better go
down and have a little to eat. {13}
That is done. I was introduced to Thorkild Ederklep, and had a
conversation with Evenson, a stiff-appearing person, so stiff he looks as
if he were afraid to move his lips when he speaks. {14}
Now the deliberations are in full swing again. I found a pretext for
going downstairs to see what it was like. Vilhelm is sitting at the table
with a map before him, the others about him, old Thrond with folded hands
and a very devout look, several smoking tobacco and spitting on the clean
white floor. When they are through, the whole committee will go over and
look at the parsonage land. Meanwhile I must be industrious and write
while I am banished up here, where Eli, too, has taken refuge. The noise
is very loud below, as if they were all talking at once.
Friday, March 17. The meeting began and ended in complete peace and
harmony. The whole group visited the parsonage land, Vilhelm and old
Thrond, deep in conversation, bringing up the rear. They returned well
satisfied, and all went home except our guests from Paint Creek.
In the evening I watched the prettiest fire I have yet seen. It began
quite near us but gradually drew farther away and took on the appearance
of a distant conflagration which had sprung up not in one but in many
places; here flames, there smoke, farthest off a sudden puff of flame,
only a weak reflection in the sky, and in the center a great sea of fire.
The whole thing cast a magic illumination on the landscape and formed a
rarely beautiful scene. Hardly an evening passes that we do not see a
prairie fire; but today I hope will be the exception; a fire would be
dangerous, for there is a regular storm outside.
The Paint Creek people rode away this morning. This forenoon Vilhelm has
had candidates for confirmation, fifteen in all. Unfortunately he does
not feel well today, and tomorrow he is going away again if he is better.
He went upstairs some time ago to lie down a bit. Since he is sleeping
soundly, I shall not disturb him yet; but it is not wise for him to lie
up there while it is blowing hard, there are so many drafts. Oh, well, I
need no longer have any doubts whether he is awake or not, such a racket
as there is up there with the table and chairs. I had better pay him a
visit - I hope I shall be graciously received and will not disturb his
reverence.
Saturday, March 18. It is now that time of day when the sun has set and
the twilight is deepening. I am alone in the house, Eli is milking the
cows, and Ingebret, very erect, is marching back and forth on top of a
haystack, throwing down hay. It is pleasant here; the fire burns merrily
in the stove. Eli churned this afternoon and so we shall have buttermilk
mush this evening; it is already on the fire and has been left in my
care. {15}
I hope Vilhelm is in Paint Creek by this time, for he got an early start.
It is delightful outside this evening. I hope he keeps well while he is
away. He is not coming home before Tuesday or Wednesday.
I have been busy sewing for Eli today. The old man from McKay's was here
to say there were no letters; he had promised to inquire. I hope Vilhelm
may be luckier. Preus surely must write eventually and give us some news
of our belongings.
Monday, March 20. It is already March 20 --- I do not know where this
month has gone. Time certainly passes much faster here at Sørland's than
at Egge's. That I feel much better here is doubtless due not least to the
more beautiful natural surroundings. Today we have once more that lovely
summer weather which threatened to leave us; this is a delightful
morning.
We have just eaten, and had some chickens in to visit us, and afterward
watched Ingebret let the little pigs out for the first time. There was
certainly a running and grunting, in fact there is almost a concert here
by all the animals.
Yesterday forenoon we went over to Skaarlia's, ate dinner there, and
talked with the two old people until late in the afternoon. They,
especially Guri, were very much dissatisfied because there was so little
progress with the parsonage and because people, once they had sent a call
to a pastor, were not more conscientious in meeting the conditions agreed
to. When we went home, we took the road past the parsonage land so that
Eli could see where the house was to stand; while we were there, two
beautiful deer went leaping across the meadow into the woods. Fido, who
was with us, ran after them; but they were too swift for him. It is
pleasant to know they are there; I hope we do not drive them away by
building our home there. {16}
The rest of the day passed quietly. I read. Ingebret is quite English in
his idea of Sunday --- sat the whole time and read aloud in a book of
family sermons. But there is little comfort in reading one sermon after
another without a pause; he hurries on without even being able to wait
until all have eaten before he begins again.
It is evening and will soon be bedtime. I have been busy today; I ironed
and cut out some things for Eli on which I am now sewing. It began to
blow disagreeably outside, so I did not take my intended walk this
afternoon. I have neglected my walks since I came here; I must see to
correcting that. I have just been down to the cellar and watched Ingebret
sitting there singing and cutting up beetroots for the cattle. Now I
shall put this away for the day.
Tuesday, March 21. What weather! It blows and rains frightfully, and
lightens and thunders now and then. I hope Vilhelm is not out in this
weather! He would be completely soaked, for it certainly is blowing too
hard to hold an umbrella. I so much wanted him to come today, but now it
would be better for him to wait until tomorrow.
The rain is forcing its way through the walls here and there all over the
room. I do hope we get a tight house so that I will not have to go about
with a rag in my hand and mop up, every time it rains. Yet, if we only
get a house, it will not matter what it is like.
I have been busy all day trying to finish my sewing. Since it will be
dark in no time now, I do not believe Vilhelm will come. Eli has gone
after the cows and left me to take care of her biscuits, which I must put
in the oven.
Wednesday, March 22. I had no more than put the biscuits in and tidied up
the room a little before Vilhelm, with water running off his hat, stuck
his head in the door, handed me my old cloak, which is useful for almost
everything and this time had served him to sit on, and said, "Throw this
upstairs, it is so wet and dirty," and dashed off. I did as he said and
then went over to the window, where I stood wondering what they were
fussing over down by the wagon, something which moved and which Ingebret
carried away. It turned out to be a puppy which Vilhelm had brought along
from Paint Creek and of course had had trouble enough looking after on
the way. Vilhelm was not as wet as one might have expected, however,
although he not only had to drive in the pouring rain, but also had to
hold the umbrella and take care of his restless traveling companion.
While he was standing in the door recounting his adventures, Ingebret
called to us and asked what had become of the horse. Well, we knew
nothing about that; Vilhelm had walked away from the horse and now it was
gone. Mr. "Challe" (of course it should be Charlie) had found it most
reasonable to look after himself, since no one else would, and had gone
his usual way to the stable with the wagon behind him, and there at the
stable Ingebret caught up with him.
I went with Vilhelm and fed the dog and named it Vige. It is a nice
golden-brown puppy. So now we have obtained one of the two much-talked-of
dogs. The weather is disagreeable and raw and keeps us inside. Vilhelm is
absorbed in his certificates, smokes cigars, and talks to himself. I must
finish my letters and would be glad if they were safely started on their
way.
Monday, March 27. It is too bad I have let four days go by without
writing a word; it is only laziness or, more properly, industry, which is
to blame. The fact is, I have been so busy sewing for Eli that I did not
take time for anything else, or I have been writing letters home and was
so interested in them that I did not even think of the diary. Now these
matters have been taken care of and I shall be able to think of other
things.
Saturday Vilhelm was to go out to the settlements west of us but was in a
dilemma for a suitable means of travel, for he has no horse collar and,
if he rides, no knapsack for his gown. So he rode over to Knud. Knud and
Erik were to go with him so that they might finally reach an agreement
about the parsonage, which haunts the heads of all the people. I hurried
to bake communion wafers and get his clothes ready in case there should
be an order for a hasty departure. They decided to put their horses
together and get a wagon and start as soon as Knud could get ready. Knud,
good soul, who does not know what it is to hurry, did not get here until
half-past four, which was rather late. So they left Sunday morning --- at
eight instead of seven. {17}
Eli asked me to accompany her to Andrew's --- her family; I agreed and we
set out with Guri [Skaarlia] and little Embret. {18} The latter ran ahead
and played with Eli, while I walked like a grave and sedate matron and
talked soberly with Guri. Since we had three miles to go in raw gray
weather and a fairly strong wind, the walk was not particularly pleasant
and I was glad when we reached the house. Before anyone heard us, we were
inside, finding them in the midst of their family devotions. It was very
pleasant to come into that room, where everything was arranged neatly and
without crowding. Bjorn sat in a rocking chair and read aloud from the
Bible; by his side sat his young wife, a handsome woman with attractive
features and a pretty little child in her lap. Two old women, a
grandmother and a maternal aunt, their gray hair tucked up under their
caps, sat on stools with their hymnbooks; on the bed lay an old man
reading. The whole scene seemed to be very Sabbath-like and comfortable.
We had dinner before we went on to the other brother, who lives nearby.
It was pleasant there, too; both wives had worked for Americans, and
where this is true one can be sure to find things tidy and clean. Of
course it was impossible to leave without having something to eat and
drink, although we had just come from the table. Guri and Eli went out
and looked at the calves and livestock, which are among their chief
interests and positively have to be inspected wherever we are before we
can leave.
Many plum trees had been planted on these farms, and at one, a vine on
the side of the house. "What kind of a plant have you there?" I asked the
man. "Oh," he answered, "it has leaves and such like on it in the summer,
so it is green." Well, now I know what kind of a vine it is that has this
remarkable quality of being green in summer.
I was glad to get back to the Sørland valley, for the wind was biting all
the way home; but there it was spring and summer, so I sat down on a
stump and rested, a large stick in my hand to keep off the dogs.
Some time after everyone had gone to bed and just as I was about to fall
asleep, I heard someone open the door downstairs. Thinking it was Embret,
I calmly turned over to go to sleep, but a moment later was disturbed
again by someone stealing up the stairs and taking hold of the door. "Who
is there?" I cried, quite terrified. "It is I," said a voice, which I
gradually convinced myself was Vilhelm's. Who would have thought that,
after setting out this morning, he would return the same day? And who
would have thought that, coming from the western settlements, he could
possibly bring letters? Yet he so distinguished himself this time. He
isn't bad --- at times! I received the letters we had been expecting so
long from the "Buonovento." It was wonderful to get Christiane's letter;
now I know the news of Christmas at home too and have had an account of
the wedding, which I have longed for since I was aboard the "Rhein."
Christiane is very good about writing fully and telling me everything to
the last detail. God be praised, all is well at home. {19}
Vilhelm received a letter from Mr. Solmer with the joyful news that our
things are on the way. {20} He also received a letter from Consul Bech,
who is certainly very kind to us. He offers to send us American
newspapers and says that he has forwarded another letter from Larvik,
which I may now expect soon. Mrs. Bech has received my letter at last, so
I know one at least has gone through safely. Now the letters are
beginning to stream in.
<12> Clermont is a town in Fayette County thirty-five miles south and
slightly east of Decorah.
<13> The meeting was called to draft rules for the several congregations
in Pastor Koren's call and to recommend what their future relations
should be to other Norwegian Lutheran congregations in the United States;
minutes of the Little Iowa congregation for March 16, 1854. This minute
book is filed in the Koren Library at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.
<14> Johannes Evenson was a member of the Little Iowa congregation; in
1850 he had taken land in the northeast quarter of Section 32 in Madison
Township, Winneshiek County; Sparks, History of Winneshiek County, 27.
<15> Buttermilk mush is made by boiling buttermilk and adding flour for
thickening and salt to taste.
<16> Guri was the wife of Erik Skaarlia and the mother of Eli Sørland.
<17> The western settlements or western district served by Pastor Koren
comprised the areas west of Trout Run, a stream that runs northeast from
Conover in Calmar Township to the Upper Iowa River at a point just east
of Decorah.
<18> Embret was Guri's son, then about nine. Later he stayed for a time
at the parsonage with the Korens. He eventually married Kari Egge,
daughter of Helene Egge by her first marriage; Bailey, Winneshiek County,
2:444.
<19> No doubt the Korens watched for news of ship arrivals, if the papers
carried them; they might also have had word from home that the
"Buonovento" carried mail. Christiane was Mrs. Koren's sister. The
wedding here mentioned was that of Johan Koren, the pastor's brother, who
was married in October, 1853, to Marie Louise Munster. See chapter 1,
footnote 10,
<20> Jørgen Ziølner migrated to the United States in 1851, crossing the
Atlantic on the same ship as the Herman A. Preuses. He lived with them at
the Spring Prairie parsonage for two years; later he changed his name to
Solner; Mrs. Koren spells it Solmer. He is mentioned frequently in
Linka's Diary. He married a sister of Mrs. Adolph C. Preus.
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