Memories Of Our Journey

Our journey from Ström parish, Jämtland, Sweden, started November 17, 1892, during favorable winter weather. Only short stops among friends in the villages Mo, Fyrås and Österåsen were made so that as soon as possible we would get to the goal of our journey, New Stockholm in Canada. On November 21 we went by the Swedish-Norwegian train across mountain land and enjoyed passing the magnificent scenery around the impressive Åreskutan.

On our arrival in we bought tickets from the Dominion Line for Winnipeg, Canada, and, after being occupied for two days with Trondhjem's wonders, went on board the steamboat Walo. The boat docked at the Norwegian cities Kristiansund, Bergen, Ålesund and Stavanger before it set out for Hull, England. The journey from Trondhjem to Hull took five days and we were spared the discomfort of seasickness even though the waves sometimes washed over the deck and dislodged many hidden things.

In Hull we were received by the company's agent in a commendable manner and accompanied to the train that would bring us across England to Liverpool. The train went with such a great hurry that I was afraid we might be flung up to the moon. However ... thanks to the heavy atmospheric pressure ... after about five hours flying we arrived all right at Liverpool at 9 o'clock at night ... With the small children in our arms and luggage in hand we now had to follow a hurrying agent who continually tripped along and shouted "Go on, go on!" During this three-mile-long slave march one of my little boys fell and hurt himself in the street. That naturally didn't stop the adventure and dripping with sweat we finally reached the so-called immigrant hotel where we had the sad pleasure of staying ten days. We then had time to visit the Swedish Church, museum, shipyards, and several other places. I even had the honour of seeing England's greatest statesman, Gladstone sweep past to pay his respects.

The poorest we saw were barefoot and ragged labourers and children in the three-inch-deep snow.

During the trip over the Atlantic nothing of note happened, yet it was a welcome sight to see America's shore even though it did not look any more special than any other place on this planet. However, we arrived successfully in Halifax where the train took us slowly but surely to during which time the great heat inside and the chill outside gave us vicious colds.

Our reception in Winnipeg by Mr. Wendelbo was really considerate. He did much more for us than we dared to hope, therefore we will herewith give him hearty thanks. Also we got to meet our countryman Emmanuel Ohlen and his wife who showed us all possible goodwill. The next day we continued the journey to Whitewood, the nearest station to New Stockholm, in company with our future neighbour, C.O. Hofstrand. In Whitewood we were met by my old friend and comrade, N. Johanson, who arranged a ride to New Stockholm for us, and we arrived at his home at Ohlen P.O. where we were received with kindness and stayed there over Christmas Eve. We saw that we had come to friends. Next day, Christmas Day, my brother-in-law, E. Zakrison, came and took us to his home where we have permission to stay until spring. God has blessed their pantry and I am glad that I have come to my friends.

Concerning the colony in other respects, I cannot give any other judgement than that the few settlers I have visited seem to be satisfied with their land. And when I see their wheat and cattle, I don't wonder about it at all.

And here I now say farewell.

P.W. (Per Wikberg)