Frederick Kohlhepp - Mission Journal Entries - April 1906 (2 of 2)

17 April 1906 - Tuesday

Tues. 17th Just received [a] circular letter from Pres. Serge F. Ballif of an intended Trip through Switzerland, and [a] Conference to

[p. 48]

be held In Zürich [on] May 25th [19]06.80 Received [a] letter from sister Anna [Kramer Schneidt] in [the] evening, stating that she and Lizzie were comming to Germany in the latter part of May.[N9] I am answering her letter now [at] 10 P.M.

18 April 1906 - Wednesday

Wed. April 18th 06 Went tracting to day[. I] am not feeling very well. Visited [the] Ketterers on [the] way home from tracting and had diner there. Met an old gentleman in a park, had [a] conversation with him + gave him tracts which he said he would read. Received the [Der] Stern from Zürich today.[N10] My money is all gone[.] my land lady lent me two Marks.

19 April 1906 - Thursday

19th Did not do anything[.] walked around town[. I] am not feeling very well.

20 April 1906 - Friday

20th Am feeling somewhat better today [and] went tracting to Guttenfingen [Gundelfingen]. Weather is rainy and cold. I have a slight head ache yet.

[p. 49]

21 April 1906 - Saturday

Sat. 21-1906 April. I just received new’s of [a] big Earthquake and destruction by fire of the city of San Francisco[,] Cal[ifornia].[N11]

22 April 1906 - Sunday

Sun. 22nd Bro. [John] Mack called on me in the morning, and we had a pleasant walk together for a way’s in the country. Then we went up town and had dinner togeather. after which we went out to Bro. Ketterers and held [an] after noon meeting, had supper at [the] Ketterers[.] in the evening we all went down to a woods outside of the town where there is a small stream of water, and I baptized Sis. Bertha Ketterer.[N12] I confirmed her the same night in their house. After which we sang a hymn, and Bro. [John] Mack and I went home togeather[.] our room’s are not

[p. 50]

far apart.

23 April 1906 - Monday

Mon. 23rd April 1906. Went tracting, around town. There are a great many students comming into Freiburg now.[N13] Many of the Students have scars on their faces from swords wound received

in fighting or duels.[N14]

24 April 1906 - Tuesday

Tues. 24 April 1906 Rainy and cold[. I] did not tract. In[the] evening went out to [the] Ketterers and held [a] Bible Class.

25 April 1906 - Wednesday

Wednesday April 25 tracted around town[.] Some more students arrived to day.

26 April 1906 - Thursday

Thur. 26 April Tracted in Freiburg[. The] Weather [was] Cloudy + Cold with [a] sprinkle of rain.

27 April 1906 - Friday

Freiday April 27 tracted in Freiburg[. The] Weather [was] still cold and disagreable.

28 April 1906 - Saturday

Sat. 28th Still cloudy + stormy.

29 April 1906 - Sunday

Sun 29th April. Went out [to] the Ketterers and held [a] meeting.

[p. 51]

30 April 1906 - Monday

Mon. 30th April 1906. Went trackting in Frieburg. Also visited a family of friends by the name of Stein. The weather has been a little more agreeable with occasional sunshine[.]

NOTES:

[N9] It appears they arrived in either late May or early June. However, Frederick did not see them until the end of July. See 28 July 1906 entry. I have much of their correspondence during their visit available to post later.

[N10] Der Stern [The Star] was the Mormon church’s German periodical, similar to the British Millennial Star. During Frederick’s mission, it was published semi-monthly.

[N11] The San Francisco earthquake of 1906 was a major earthquake that struck San Francisco and the coast of northern California at 5:12 A.M. on Wednesday, April 18, 1906. It ruptured along the San Andreas Fault both northward and southward for a total length of 296 miles (477 km). Shaking was felt from Oregon to Los Angeles, and inland as far as central Nevada. The earthquake and resulting fire is remembered as one of the worst natural disasters in the history of the United States. The death toll from the earthquake and resulting fire represents the greatest loss of life from a natural disaster in California’s history. The death toll resulting from various aspects of the disaster reached over 3000, and the damage caused by the earthquake was estimated at $500,000,000 in 1906 dollars.

[N12] Bertha Ketterer was Bro. Ketterer’s daughter. See April 16, 1906 entry.

[N13] Some of these students would be attending Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg, an educational institution established by the Habsburgs in 1457. It is one of the oldest universities in Germany, and has a long legacy in the humanities, and the social and natural sciences. Around Frederick’s time it admitted around 3000 students.

[N14] Duels were consentual fights between two people, who fought with matching deadly weapons. Rules of engagement were typically predetermined by the parties before the match to ensure that there was fair sport. Duels usually ensued over offended honor or over the impass of some law. The goal of the duel was not so much to kill the opponent as to gain satisfaction, or to restore one’s honor by demonstrating a willingness to risk one’s life for it. Duels were often illegal, though in most societies

where dueling was socially accepted, participants in a fair duel were not prosecuted, or if they were, were not convicted. Only gentlemen were considered to have honor, and therefore qualified to duel. These students at the universities at Freiburg were probably the sons of gentlemen. By 1906, legalized dueling was extinct through nearly the whole world, so this would have been interesting for Frederick to witness.

Frederick Kohlhepp - Mission Journal Entries - April 1906 (1 of 2)

1 April 1906 - Sunday

Sunday 1st April Bro. [Peter] Ketterer came and visited me and we went up [to] town togeather and listened to the Military band play, and then we went to Bro. Ketterers home and held [a] meeting there. Bro. [John] Mack also came. A good spirit prevailed[.] we had good time together[.]

[p. 41]

2 April 1906 - Monday

Monday 2nd April went tracting[. The] Weather [is] very pleasant, took a walk in [the] afternoon to the south end of the city[.] there are many vinyards around Freiburg.

3 April 1906 - Tuesday

Tues. the 3rd tracted in [the] forenoon. Received photographs of the whole family from home.[N1] Had time of rejoicing over them[. I] Am anxious to receive some money from home, as I have only seven marks left in cash.

4 April 1906 - Wednesday

Wednesday 4th April Visited [the] Ketterers. Did not go tracting as I did not feel well.

5 April 1906 - Thursday

April 5th Went tracting in [the] fornoon, also in [the] afternoon. The weather is getting pleasant here now.

6 April 1906 - Friday

April 6th Went tracting[. The] weather [was] pleasant all day. I preached to the Landlord + his wife untill half past eleven at night. They were

[p. 42]

verry much astonished at hearing the Gospel. It reminded me of Croeso [Robinson Crusoe], on his Island when he imagined he was alone on the Island, and then suddenly see’s the footprints in the sand.[N2] Like the Gospel that has been taken from this earth, and then suddenly reappears.

7 April 1906 - Saturday

Sat. 7th April Studied + read.

8 April 1906 - Sunday

Sun. 8th In [the] forenoon Herre Gierend + I went up on the Schloßberg for a walk[.][N] the weather was beautifull. We[nt] spent a pleasant hour viewing the old ruin[.] There is a fine view over the city from this hill. In the afternoon I went out to Bro. [Peter] Ketterers in Zaerninger [Zähringen] and held a meeting[.] Bro. [John] Mack also came out.

9 April 1906 - Monday

Mon. April 9th Went tracting. [p. 43]

10 April 1906 - Tuesday

April 10th Visited Bro. [Peter] Ketterer [and] held [a] Bible Class in his house.

11 April 1906 - Wednesday

11th Went tracting in Gundelfingen[.] Wrote to Zürich to Pres. [Serge F.] Ballif to send me some No. 1 tracts with Friede Sein[sp?].[N4] Money is nearly all gone. I have just got 4.00 Marks left. It is pretty hard living on bread + water. My land lady is bringing me a cup of barley coffee.[N5] So the Lord is blessing me anyway.

12 April 1906 - Thursday

April 12 Thur. Went Tracting, had several good Gospel conversations. Have had a slight head ache the past day or two. Received [a] card from Pres. [Jacob] Mauss [in] Biel[,] Schweiz that there would be a Priesthood Meeting held in Biel on the 14th of April. I cannot atend as I have not got money to take

me there. The Catarre [catarrh]

[p. 44]

has not quite left me yet.[N6] I still have a slight cough.

13 April 1906 - Friday

13th April 1906 Fri. Bro. [John] Mack called for me in the morning + we visited the Soldiers quarters in company with Bro. [John] Macks Brother in law. It was very interesting. They have fine horses here in Germany, We visited the kitchen[,] sleeping apartments[,] stables[,] the grounds where they train

the young horses and they keep bloodhounds to use in war time. I went to Zaeringer [Zähringen] and had dinner with Ketterers. Bro. [John] Mack met with us there at 1 O’clock and we went up on a hill called the Rosskoph [Roßkopf] We claimbed the big Steel tower [Roßkopfturm] from which a good view can be had at Freiburg and the surrounding country.[N7] We

[p. 45]

also visited a place called St. Otilia [St. Ottilien]. The good Catholics make penance tours to this place to receive abl[s]olutions for their sins. There is quite a story connected the place, of a young princess, who once had to flee to this place for safety. a deer came and fed her, She hid in a cave in the rocks, a Chapel is built over the cave.[N8] I saw it but it looked to me as though it was artificial. after the princess died they made her a Saint.

14 April 1906 - Saturday

April 14th 1906 Visited the Cemetary, am out of No 1 Tracts. I sent to Zürich for more but they have not come yet. I sat down to rest awhile

[p. 46]

in a Park. I had not been sitting long, when a young man came along on a bicicle and came + sat

down side of me to rest. We got into conversation togeather I soon noticed that he was a foreigner by his accent. I asked him if he was an American, he said yes. I told him I was too. Then off course we spoke English togeather He told me that he was a Proffesor of languages. He was making a tour down the Rhine, on his way back to America. I told him I was a missionary of the Gospel. He asked what I believed in. Then I preached the Gospel to him and gave him one of my

[p. 47]

tracts. He was from Chicago - He thought what I preached to him was good + promised to read the tract.

15 April 1906 - Sunday

Sun. 15th Rainy, went out to Zaeringen [Zähringen] to Bro. [Peter] Ketterers[.] spent the day with them and held [a] meeting.

16 April 1906 - Monday

Mon. 16th April 1906. Visited Exposition of the young men who are learning trades. There were the works of all trades to be seen. Bro. [Peter] Ketterer + his daughter Bertha + son Peter + I went togeather. We afterwards took a walk out in the country, to look for a suitable place to baptize in. I went home with Bro. [Peter] Ketterer and had supper with them.

NOTES:

[N1] These photos have not been located.

[N2] Defoe’s Crusoe describes the experience Frederick mentions as thus: “It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen on the sand. I stood like one thunderstruck, or as if I had seen an apparition. I listened, I looked round me, but I could hear nothing, nor see anything; I went up to a rising ground to look farther; I went up the shore and down the shore, but it was all one; I could see no other impression but that one. I went to it again to see if there were any more, and to observe if it might not be my fancy; but there was no room for that, for there was exactly the print of a foot - toes, heel, and every part of a foot. How it came thither I knew not, nor could I in the least imagine; but after innumerable fluttering thoughts, like a man perfectly confused and out of myself, I came home to my fortification, not feeling, as we say, the ground I went on, but terrified to the last degree, looking behind me at every two or three steps, mistaking every bush and tree, and fancying every stump at a distance to be a man. Nor is it possible to describe how many various shapes my affrighted imagination represented things to me in, how many wild ideas were found every moment in my fancy, and what strange, unaccountable whimsies came into my thoughts by the way.”

[N3] A Schloßberg is a castle hill. It is directly to the east of Freiburg’s Old Town and belongs to the Black Forest. Fortified structures had been built on the Schlossberg since the 11th century. They were constantly destroyed over the course of battles by fires, catapults, cannons, etc. through the 1700's. Remains of some of them are still visible today, and would be among the ruins Frederick was referring to.

[N4] The first tract or “traktat nr. I” was “Der Abfall vom ursprunglichen Evangelium und dessen Wiederherstellung (The original apostasy of the Church and its restoration).” It was a sixteen-page booklet, and originally published in the German in 1900.

[N5] Barley coffee was not true coffee, but rather an imitation non-caffeinated beverage. No coffee beans are used, but rather it is just an infusion of ground roasted barley.

[N6]  Catarrh is a build-up of mucus in an airway or cavity of the body. It usually affects the back of the nose, the throat or the sinuses (air-filled cavities in the bones of the face).

[N7] At the summit of the Roßkopf is the Roßkopf tower (Roßkopfturm or Friedrichsturm), a 115 ft high observation tower of steel frame structure which was built in 1889 and offers a panoramic view of Freiburg, the Kaiserstuhl mountain range and the surrounding mountains.

[N8] The information Frederick provides regarding St. Odilia is fairly unique. Although her legends tend to vary, they generally contain the following trends: Odilia is the daughter of the Frankish Lord Adalrich, and was born blind. Her disability offended her father and he wished to kill her. Her mother interceded and caused the daughter to be given to a peasant. At age 12, she converted to Christianity and was baptized. The baptism not only cleansed Odilia’s sins, but miraculously healed her blindness too. Once healed, her brother convinced her to return to her family without her father’s permission. Adalrich, upset by his son’s decision, struck and killed him. He chased Odilia away from home. However, soon he repented and admitted her back into the family. Eventually, the time came when

her father felt Odilia should be married. Yet Odilia did not wish to become married. She fled away. The German tale has Odilia’s father pursue her to Freiburg. There a cave miraculously opened, she jumped into it, and it closed behind her. Her father saw the miracle and recognized he should repent from his behavior. The cave then opened up and his father accepted her. The cave’s opening remained. Odilia was permitted to turn her father’s castle into a convent. A chapel was later built at the place where

the cave opened. Frederick’s comment about Odilia being fed by a deer I cannot substantiate. However, there are a plethora of legends about Odilia, who became the patron saint of ear, eye, and head diseases.

Photos: Fred (20's - 30's)

There are 2 photos of Fred I scanned about a decade ago, which I wish I had done in higher resolution. The first photo was especially scanned badly, far too subdued.

I've cleaned up scuffs and adjusted the contrast some. Fred looks younger to me in the top one, a little pudgier, the mustache thinner, the hair less tightly combed. The photo was taken from Partridge, 2832 Washington St, in Boston, Massachusetts. The second older Fred comes from Fox & Simmons, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Frederick Kohlhepp - Missionary Letters - March 3, 1906

A letter Fred sent on his mission on March 3, 1906 is informative. It gives details of how money was earned back home through renting property (ranch), and references a renter (St. Clair) back in American Falls, Idaho. Fred is concerned in letting his daughter know the joy he has in her daughter. He notes some of the success he had with the Kaufman's (Rufolf and Rosa) in Thun, and his prophetic fear of being moved to another region in the mission. We see the depth of sacrifice many missionaries had to make on their missions. This does not sound like current missionaries, but rather ones from his (or stories from his missionary company's) past, since it mentions them being "well off again now." Fred also seems to have deepened his appreciation of the restored gospel.


March 3, 1906

My Dear Ella,

Your letter of the 15th was received with much joy. I was pleased to hear that you got a renter for the ranch.[N1] I hope he will take good care of things. If St. Clair takes the reservoir field this summer, perhaps your renter can get the irrigation to tend to like I have when doing for watter.[N2] I was surprised to hear from you that Marie [Elizabeth Nash] did not get my letter with the thanks for that dollar. I answered right away. Perhaps I have made a mistake in the address I have forgotten wheather it is 955 or 595 W. Center I wish you would write and let me know which is right.[N3] I have just written to her again, thanking her again for the dollar. If she does not get the letter, you will have to thank her for me. When I wrote the first letter I sent two pretty cards with it. I am sorry that she did not get it. If she does not get the last letter you must congratulate her for me and kiss it for me, and I hope and pray that it will be blessed with long life and happiness, and that it will grow up to become a loving dutiful daughter.

Dear Ella, we are having interesting times here in the Oberlands. Three of my friends here in this Branch have ap[p]lied for baptisms lately, and there [will] be some more ready soon. I am waiting to baptize them all at the same time.[N4] They are shifting the missionaries around from one place to another a great deal since I have been here, I dont know what their object is. I would not be much surprised to find myself in Germany or some other part of the Schweiz some of these day’s.[N5] I was in hopes I m[ight] stay a year or so in this place, it is the cheapest place in the mission. I may stay, off course I can’t tell. The first thing an Elder knows he gets a letter from Zürich to go at once to such and such a place and labor. You know we are supposed to be minute men, ready to go when called.[N6]

But we must not worry about it. Missionaries have come here who have had to sell even their wagons horses farming machinery and every thing they had to keep them on their missions, and they have returned home, and are well off again now. The Lord has blessed them, and he will bless me if I do my duty. I realize the great importance of this great Gospel work, more since I have been out here than ever before. Give my love to Frederick, I hope he did well in school this winter. Give my love to all the rest of the children, and kiss Viva for Papa. hoping to hear from you soon. I remain Your loveing husband and father,

Fred. J. Kohlhepp.

Regards from Bro. Kunz.

He says the young Swise is a swell young man.


NOTES:

[N1] Presumably, the ranch they had on Warm Creek.

[N2] They also owned property in American Falls.

[N3] According to his daughter, this was actually 955 W. Center, based on another letter from Marie.

[N4] The three he mentions who have applied for baptism must be the Kaufmans, who did so in his 2 March 1906 journal entry. As for the others whom he believe will do so soon, that is unknown. However, since he wished to baptize them together, he may be referring to other members of the Kaufman family. If so, they were all baptized on 11 March 1906.

[N5] And such it was, when Fred received news to go to Freiburg, Germany, on March 20, two and a half week after writing this letter.

[N6] Frederick’s use of the term “minute men” reflects his Massachusetts upbringing. The term was used by his home state to refer to their militia who claimed to be ready for battle in a minute’s notice.

LDS Christian Church Records -- Thun 1905-1906 (Fred's Presence in Them)

I managed to review the LDS church records for Thun, looking for evidence of work Fred did out there. I also knew that it would provide full names of the people Fred worked with, when he often mentioned them by just their last names. The children's blessings in particular would give the parents' names. Now, this is not any exact science as they could have siblings, or reference a grandparent v. their children, but it gives a sense of whom it might be.

For instance, in October 4, 1905, a Brother and Sister Faber are mentioned. This could be Marianna Wyss Faber and Gustav Faber. Margretha Roth Andregg and Peter Andregg could be the Andregg's mentioned in the journal.

More helpful are the names of who gave the blessings or priesthood ordinances, as these tend to correlate with the missionaries, and where the last name matches one Fred mentioned, it is most assuredly the full name of the person mentioned in the record. For instance, we get the first names of these elders:

David Hirschi
Fredrick O. Haueter

We can see on November 16, 1905, Fred gave a children's blessing to one of the Reuser children -- Idah Emma. This event is not recounted in his November journal, reminding one again (like the letters) how much is not captured in the few lines of a journal for a day.

Besides giving a children's blessing, we see that on January 21, 1906, Fred ordained Johann Lugenbuhl to the office of a priest. It notes that this member eventually emigrated to the US (Zion).

Finally, as noted in his journal, Fred did confirm Rudolf Kaufman after his baptism at the hands of John M. Kunz. Conrad Weber, in return, confirmed Rosa Kaufman following her baptism.

I'll provide other church records where they fit and I am able to access them.

Frederick Kohlhepp - Mission Journal Entries - March 1906 (3 of 3)

26 March 1906 - Monday

Monday morning 26th of Mar. Still feeling pretty sick. Left for Basel on 9.30 train. Met Bro. Harry Sheph[e]rd and Herbert Flamm in Basel. I stayed over night with them and left for Freiburg on

[p. 39]

10.30 Fast train

27 March 1906 - Tuesday

Mar, 27th arrived in Freiburg 11.30 a.m. I left my trunk in the depot and started out to find Peter Ketterer I trampled[sp?] all the afternoon and found 4 different Ketterers but could not find the one I wanted. I am tired and disgusted I’m going to sleep now in a Wirtshaft, and will try once more tomorrow.[N6]

28 March 1906 - Wednesday

Mar. 28th Went out again this morning but searched in vain, could not find my man. Went and rented a room for a month.

29 March 1906 - Thursday

Thursday Mar. 29th wrote letters wrote one home. Am getting sort of worried, my money is running low. Have had the blues today quite bad. I guess from being alone. My cold is

[p. 40]

quite bad yet too.

30 March 1906 - Friday

Mar. 30th Commenced my labors in Freiburg. Went tracting in fornoon. My cold is not better yet.

31 March 1906 - Saturday

Sat. Mar. 31st Made out my monthly report and sent into Biel. Also sent cards to Bro’s Kunz + Sheph[e]rd. Received letter from Pres. [Jacob] Mause stating that he would give Bro. Ketterer my address, and he would come and see me. Weather still gloomy stormy and cold. My cold is not better yet.

NOTES:

[N6] The word “wirtshaft” that Frederick employs here is confusing. The name correlates most with “Wirtschaft,” which stands for “economy,” but has nothing to do with a place to stay the night. Most likely he meant to write “wirtshaus,” which means hotel or inn.

Frederick Kohlhepp - Mission Journal Entries - March 1906 (2 of 3)

11 March 1906 - Sunday

Sunday 11 Went to Wimmis after Sunday School and held meeting Bro. Lugenbühl[,] Seever + Sister Seever went with me. We had a fine meeting

[p. 36]

in Wimmis. In evening returned to Dürrenast. Kaufmans came with us. We baptized them after evening meeting. Bro. John M. Kunz baptized them and Bro. Conrad Weber and I Confirmed them on the waters edge.[N3]

12 March 1906 - Monday

Mon. 12th 1906 Went to Wattenwill on buisness; Held Bible Class in evening at Sister Ba[“]ller’s 

13 March 1906 - Tuesday

Returned to Dürrenast Tues. morning. Visited Frau Wolfi on way home. Bro. J. M. Kunz left in afternoon for Solotheren [Solothurn], to preside over that Branch. In the evening Bro. Würsti arrived from Solothurn to take Bro. Kunz’s place in Dürrenast.

14 March 1906 - Wednesday

Wed. 14th Went Trackting in a Village called Hilterfingen.

15 March 1906 - Thursday

Thur. 15th Mar. Bro. Conrad Weber + Wursten and I went to Faulensee

[p. 37]

and visited friend Emil Bishoph rained and was cold + Monday Went to Wimmis

[p. 38]

same day + held Bible Class.

16 March 1906 - Friday

Sat. [Friday] 16 Visited Lügenbuhls in evening.

17 March 1906 - Saturday

Sat. 17th I went to Wattenwill on buisness, about Sister Nussbaums emigration, It was a warm sunshiny day.

18 March 1906 - Sunday

Sun Mar. 18 Held Sunday School & Meetings in Dürrenast.

19 March 1906 - Monday

19th Mar. Stormy stayed at home and wrote letters.[N4]

20 March 1906 - Tuesday

20th Mar. 1906 Tracting in Snow Storm. Received letter from Pres. Mauss to turn the Thun Branch over to Bro. Conrad Weber, and for me to go to Freiberg, Germany.[N5]

21 March 1906 - Wednesday

21st Mar. Went trackting in a little village east of Thun called Schwendi [Heiligenschwendi].

22 March 1906 - Thursday

22nd Mar. Went to Wimmis and held Bible Class.

23 March 1906 - Friday

Returned back to Dürrenast next day. Has been cold and showing all day, I am sick have a very bad cold in my head and on my lungs.

24 March 1906 - Saturday

Saturday 23rd [24th] Sick in bed all day.

25 March 1906 - Sunday

Sunday 25th Mar. Went to Wattenwill and Held meeting Bro. Wursten went with me, bid farewell to the Saints and friends there. Returned home same day and held meeting in the evening Bro. Wursten and I being the speakers. I gave them my fare well address.

NOTES:

[N3] The Church's records for the Thun Branch corroborate this. The baptisms were for Rudolf and Rosa Kaufman. Fred confirmed Rudolf, while Conrad Weber confirmed Rosa.

[N4] None of these letters have been located.

[N5] This letter has not been located.

Frederick Kohlhepp - Mission Journal Entries - March 1906 (1 of 3)

1 March 1906 - Thursday

Thur. 1st March Bro. [John M.] Kunz and I went to Wimmis

[p. 33]

and held Bible Class.

2 March 1906 - Friday

Fri. morning 2nd Mar. Kaufman’s applied for baptism. Returned to Dürrenast. Wrote letter home in afternoon.[N1] Went to Thun in the evening.

3 March 1906 - Saturday

Sat. 3 Visited Reusers, and went to Thun to diner.

4 March 1906 - Sunday

Sun. 4th Bro. Andregg and I went to Fruitigen [Frutigen] and held meeting We had splendid time. It was a beautiful day The sun shone bright. We walked It is about Five [hours] walks from Dürrenast[.][N2] We watched a snowslide come tearing down the mountain with a roar. We held meeting in a friend[']s house by the name of [Anna] Schluchter a good Spirit prevailed. Sister [Anna] Schluc[h]ter is seventy six years old and has born twenty four children. She gets about and does her house work yet. They fed us and invited us to

[p. 34]

come again and hold meetings and also to start a Bible Class there, which we will do if possible.

5 March 1906 - Monday

Mar. 5th 1906 Bro. [John M.] Kunz and I went to Thun, and from there commenced a trip into the Oberlands[.] we distributed tracts by the way, Walked to Interlacken [Interlaken] the first day stayed over night at Fabers. 

6 March 1906 - Tuesday

Next day we walked to Brienze [Brienz] and from there took the train to Meiringen then walked to Unterstock and visited Von Almen’s next day returned to Meiringing [Meiringen] had din[n]er with Frau Steiner took train from there Brienze [Brienz], and from there took ship, on Brienzer See to Interlacken [Interlaken] from there took train to Sherzligen[.] A[r]rived home Wed evening 

7 March 1906 - Wednesday

7 Mar. found Pres. J[acob] Mauss + Conrad

[p. 35]

Weber in Lokal waiting for me. Bro. [Conrad] Weber has come to labor with me in this Branch

8 March 1906 - Thursday

Thur 8th Pres. [Jacob] Mauss Bro. [Conrad] Weber, [John M.] Kunz + I went to Thun had our pictures taken[.] Took a boat and rowed on the Lake. Had a fine boat ride for an hour, Then walked to Wimmis and held Bible Class.

9 March 1906 - Friday

Friday morning Pres. [Jacob] Mauss + I went visited Müllers and then returned to Dürrenast, Weather rainy. Cleared up in afternoon Pres. [Jacob] Maus Bro. [Conrad] Weber & [John M.] Kunz + I went to Thun and had dinner and then Pres. [Jacob] Maus left for Biel.

10 March 1906 - Saturday

Sat 10th Mar. Tended to Local buisness.

NOTES:

[N1] This letter is in my possession. Once posted, I'll provide the link.

[N2] The route to Frutigen is approximately around 14 miles away from Dürrenast.

Ernestine Kohlhepp - October 22 1905 Letter (Eda's Passing, First Letter to Fred)

Fred noted in his journal how he learned about the death of his sister, Eda Kohlhepp Epple, from a letter from his wife, Ella on October 28th. He wrote his father and sister on the 30th, no doubt asking why they had not told him about it, so that he would need to hear about it from his wife Ella instead. Tinnie (Ernestine) wrote back explaining that she had. She questioned if Fred got her letter. The wonders of the post office that a letter from Boston took longer to get to him than a letter that Ella wrote from American Falls, given that Ella had to first be notified by a letter from Tinnie herself.

The letter transferred from New York on October 22nd, and didn't get to Thun until November 2nd. We have that letter:

Jamaica Plain
October 22nd 1905

Dear Fred,

We got your letter from Liverpool, Eng, all right, and were very glad to hear from you, and glad that you had a good voyage. It was beautiful weather here all the while that you were in the water, and I was in hopes you had the same on the ocean.

Well now you have crossed the continent

[p.2]
also the ocean. That is what I hope to do some day. Your discription of Liverpool was very interesting. is it anything like the size of Boston? You said its streets looked like ours. How did you like London and Paris? I think you can write us an intensely interesting letter from there. I mean now.

I have still something to tell you, it is not pleasant news. Just two weeks after the day we saw Eda she was buried.

[p. 3]
She died on Monday morning the week following the one we saw her. Aren't you glad you saw her once more, and did you think she would go so soon? Father feels pretty much broke up over it. Of course coming so soon after mother's death, makes it hard for him.

I hope you will keep in good health and continue and have success in the good work. You didn't lose any time in preaching your first meeting, The evening of the same day you landed.

[p. 4]
Write again when you have an opportunity, as we will always be glad to hear from you.

With love from father and myself. I am your affectionate sister

Ernestine

P.S. I wrote to inform Ella of the death in our family

Frederick Kohlhepp - Mission Journal Entries - February 1906

1 February 1906 – Thursday

Feb. 1st 1906 Sent the Deed with letter home, Gave the Lawyer a trac[t] to read.[N1] Feb. 1st Went to

[p. 30]
Wimmis and held Bible Class.

2 February 1906 – Friday

Feb. 2nd Visited family Wittur’s in Wimmis.

3 February 1906 – Saturday

Sat. 3rd Visited Iringers + Winterbergers.

4 February 1906 – Sunday

Sun. 4th Attended Sunday School and two meetings in Dürrenast.

5 February 1906 – Monday

Mon. 5th Went to Steffisburg a vill[ag]e, about a half hour walk north of Thun on buisness to see a Lawyer, about getting a new house to live in. Bro. [John M.] Kunz and I went togeather the roads were icy + slippery.

6 February 1906 – Tuesday

Tue. 6th I had to go to Steffisburg again. Visited with Sawers in evening.

7 February 1906 – Wednesday

Wed. 7th Stayed at home did not feel well.

8 February 1906 – Thursday

Thur. 8th Tracted along the road to Spietz [Spiez] and held Bible Class in Wimmis Thursday evening.[N2]

9 February 1906 – Friday

Returned home Fri. 9th

10 February 1906 – Saturday

Sat. 10th Paid rent on Lokal. Frau Feller gave me a german Calender

11 February 1906 – Sunday

Sun. 11 Went to Wattenw[i]l after [a meeting in Thun] and held [a] meeting. Bro. [Johann] Bäller died Friday after noon will be burried

[p.31]
tomorrow at 3 O’clock. Returned to Dürrenast and held Bible Class in evening. Bro. Lugenbühl went with me to Wattenw[i]l

12 February 1906 – Monday

Mon. 12th Bro. J. M. Kunz + I went to Wattenw[i]l and held funeral services over the remains of Bro. Johann Bäller, held Bible Class in evening Returned home next day to Dürrenast

13 February 1906 – Tuesday

13th Feb. Received letter Minerva.[N3]

14 February 1906 – Wednesday

14th Went trackting in afternoon, and visited Thomanns in evening.

15 February 1906 – Thursday

Thur. 15th Went to Wimmis + held Bible Class.

16 February 1906 – Friday

Friday 16th returned home to Dürrenast

17 February 1906 – Saturday

Sat. 17 Received letter from home with deed to have signed by Notary Public.[N4] Went same day to Langnau [im Emmental] to preach on following Sunday.

18 February 1906 – Sunday

Sun. 18th 1906 Preached in Langnau [im Emmental]. Visited among the Saints + Friends while there had an enjoyable

[p. 32]
time many of the Saints are going to emigrate in the Spring. Found some folks in Langnau [im Emmental] by the name of Abbe, My grandmother's name.[N5] Visited Mon. + Tue.

21 February 1906 – Wednesday

Returned home to Dürrenast Weds. 21st 1906

22 February 1906 – Thursday

Thur. 22nd Tracted on the way to Wimmis held Bible Class at [the] Kaufmans.

23 February 1906 – Friday

Returned to Dürrenast Fri. 23rd

24 February 1906 – Saturday

Sat. 24th Feb Stormed all day stayed at home and studied + read.

25 February 1906 – Sunday

Sun. 25th Attended Sunday School in Dür. and Afternoon meeting in Wimmis. Returned and held meeting in Dürrenast in evening.

26 February 1906 – Monday

26th + 27th made out Monthly Reports for Branch.

28 February 1906 – Wednesday

28th Feb. Wrote letters + went to Thun.

NOTES:

[N1] This letter has not been located. A notary public is an officer who can administer oaths and statutory declarations, witness and authenticate documents and perform certain other acts varying from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Generally speaking, a notary public in the United States of America has powers that are far more limited than the role of a civil law notary in the rest of the world. For the purposes of authentication, most countries require commercial or personal documents which originate from or are signed in another country to be notarized before they can be used or officially recorded or before they can have any legal effect.

[N2] The road he most likely tracted down was Thunstrasse St.

[N3] Minerva sent him a birthday postcard on 6 February 1906 that reached him right on time for his birthday on the 13th.

[N4] No copy of this letter exists.

[N5] This would have been his father's mother, Anna Maria Abbe.

Postcard to Ella Kohlhepp - October 9 1905

A postcard Fred wrote to Ella and his family in October 1905:

Durenast by Thun Oct 9th 05

Ella + children,

No letter has come from you yet. I hope you have received my letters. Examin[e] this card closely + you will find the house marked, where I spent one night with a friend. When you write let me know how you are progressing with the work on the house. I wish you were hear with me to enjoy the sights with me I am making many friends the people are friendly + loveing. Does Viva look for me yet and cry papa. I am getting along well my health is splended. I have been traveling about considerable. When you write again you can address Durenast bei Thun, Mt. Bern, Switzlerland

NOTE: The marked home looks to be in the bottom right of the picture -- see the black circular mark.

Frederick Kohlhepp - Missionary Journal Entries - January 1906

1 January 1906 -- Monday

Monday Jan 1st 1906 Visited with Bro. Lugenbühl. In the evening visited Bro. Andregg, we spent a pleasant evening togeather.

2 January 1906 -- Tuesday

Tues. Jan. 2nd 1906 Held Bible Class on Wattenw[i]l.

3 January 1906 - Wednesday

Jan 3rd returned home + wrote letters[N1]

4 January 1906 -- Thursday

Jan. 4th 1906 Wrote letters to Anna [Kramer Schneidt], Amelia [Kohlhepp Piquet], and Ernestine [Clara Kohlhepp] and Minerva [Kohlhepp Teichert].[N2] Went to Wimmis and held Bible Class.

5 January 1906 -- Friday

Jan 5th Returned from Wimmis. Wrote letter home.[N3]

6 January 1906 -- Saturday

Jan 6th 1906 Wrote letters.[N4] visited with Sawers

7 January 1906 -- Sunday

Sunday 7th held Sunday School + 2 meetings visited with Bro. Andregg.

8 January 1906 -- Monday

Mon. 8th Went to Thun in buisness + visited Sawers

9 January 1906 -- Tuesday

9th Tues. Held Bible Class in Wattenw[i]l.

10 January 1906 -- Wednesday

Wed. 10th 1906 Held Bible Class in Dürrenast.

11 January 1906 -- Thursday

Thur. Held Bible Class in Wimmis

12 January 1906 -- Friday

Returned home Friday. Studied and wrote letters.[N5]

13 January 1906 -- Saturday

Saterday  studied + visited

[p. 27]
with the Sawers family in evening.

14 January 1906 -- Sunday

Sunday 14th Went to Wattenwil and held Sacrament Meeting, an old man raised disturbance. He claimed that the women should have their heads covered in meeting[N6], In the evening held Bible Class in Dürrenast.

15 January 1906 -- Monday

Mon 15th Jan Bro. Hrieter[, John M.] Kunz + I went to Thun and got our pictures taken.[N7]

16 January 1906 -- Tuesday

Tues. 16th Studied and visited Frau Wolfli had supper there.

17 January 1906 -- Wednesday

Wed. Visited Sawer family.

18 January 1906 -- Thursday

Thur. Went to Wattenwill got the Zender childrens Trunk to the station + held Bible class in evening

19 January 1906 -- Friday

Frid. Returned to Dürrenast visited Sister Nussbaum + Lugenbühl on way home. Visited Winterbergers in evening.

21 January 1906 -- Sunday

Sun. 21st Meetings in Dürrenast

22 January 1906 -- Monday

Went to Gold[i]will Mon. 22nd Jan 1906 to visit some friends there could not find them. Gold[i]wil lies east from Thun on the mountain

[p. 28]
side. The road goes up through a beautiful forest, The road was covered with snow and it was packed hard, and many children and young men + ladies were coasting from Goldiwill to Thun as the road is quite steep all the way. In evening visited Bro. Ihrmzer.

24 January 1906 -- Wednesday

24th 1906 Bro. [John M.] Kunz + I went up to Wengen from Interlacken visited Von Allmens. The show is deep and it is very cold. We stayed a few hours with the family + their returned to Interlacken. Sister. V. Almen gave me $2.25 for a Song book, to send to her.

25 January 1906 -- Thursday

25th Returned from Interlacken went same day to Wattenwil + held Bible Class. Friday returned home Wattenwill. Borrowed from Jill for fr. 12.60 Paid.[N8]

26 January 1906 -- Friday

Fri. 26th Jan. Went to Thun and got picture.[N9] Visited friends in evening.

27 January 1906 -- Saturday

Sat. 27th Spent day [p. 29] writing letters.[N10]

28 January 1906 -- Sunday

Sun. 28th Jan. Went to Wattenwil and held meeting, Bro. Lugenbühl went along. Zehnder children left home that morning for America. I returned to Dürrenast and held meeting in evening -  The weather has moderated with heavy fog.

29 January 1906 -- Monday

Mon. Jan. 29th Made out monthly reports.

30 January 1906 -- Tuesday

The 30th Surprised my companion by coming home from Thun with my beard shaved off. Have been somewhat under the weather lately with the Influenza. Visited Iringers in the evening.

31 January 1906 -- Wednesday

The 31st Jan. Went trackting in a village south of Thun. Visited two families of Saints in the evening. Received letter from h[o]me, Containing deed for the Riverside property for me to sign before a Notary Public.

[N1] These letters have not been located.

[N2] These letters have not been located. Fred likely wrote in response to the letter he would have received from Tinnie around this time. 

[N3] This letter have not been located.

[N4] These letters have not been located.

[N5] These letters have not been located.

[N6] No doubt referring to Christian tradition of female head covering. This is referenced in 1 Corinthians 11:2-16. Those who have a strict interpretation of the Bible, believing it to be a timeless moral and social code, typically think Paul’s admonition for women to cover their heads is in force today. Others believe Paul’s direction is correct in its historical context, as a means of directing the customs of his time period. A woman’s hair in ancient times was often a symbol of sexuality. If the
hair was let down, it communicated that the female was more sexually pervasive. Compare with the scandalous approach of a woman to Jesus in Luke 7:36-50. The letting down of the woman’s hair in the face of the Pharisee offends him. As a woman’s hair has ceased to share this symbolism today, Paul’s direction is no longer necessary.

[N7] These pictures have not been located.

[N8] Frederick often used his journal to keep track of money borrowed from church members, fellow elders, or kind German and Swiss residents.

[N9] This picture has not been located.

[N10] These letters have not been located.

Letter from Sister Ernestine Kohlhepp - December 19 1905

Several years before my grandmother, Laurie Teichert Eastwood, passed away, I had the fortune of visiting her home in San Bernardino, California. She pulled out her genealogy paperwork on the Kohlhepp's, and let me scan all of her work. I wish I had done some higher quality copies, but there was so much material, I am simply glad that I caught what I could. I've been unearthing multiple hard drives where some of this material was stored, and publishing it here into the cloud. Much valuable material comes from family letters. This first one comes from Fred's mission in December 1905, while Fred was serving in Thun.

Jamaica Plan
Dec 19th 1905

Dear Fred,

Your letter of the 4th was received with much pleasure. we also received one that you had written on Oct. 30th.
We are glad you are well, and enjoying your labour. also the wonderful scenery of the Schweitz.
Thun must look quaint with the overhanging roofs as you mentioned.
You didnot say whether
[p.2]
you had got a letter from me or not. I wrote to you in care of "Balliff" [Serge F. Ballif] if I remember correctly. I told you all about Eda's [Eda Henrietta Kohlhepp] death. But you said in your letter that you had heard it from Ella [Mary Ella Hickman]. I wrote it to you, before I wrote to her - didn't you get that letter?
Mr. Epple [Henry Epple] + Louis [Louis Epple] are living in the city in furnished rooms for the winter, and Eda [Louise Epple] has gone down to Florida. She was quite used up after her mother's death.
[p.3]
Was quite surprised to hear that there is also consumption there. I believe there is hardly a spot in the world free from it.
Father is well, altho' he often says this will be his last winter[.] he appears to be feeling all right. and I am very well. I have to thank you for your kind remembrance of Mr. Peavey.
I am glad you wrote it. P. V. It was a puzzle for Anna [Kramer], + she hasn't guessed it yet! We are having the real winter weather now, but not as
[p.4]
severe as last winter.
Well, Christmas is coming, I am afraid you won't get this till after Xmas, but I am surely in time to wish you a "Happy New Year" which I hope will be a self-satisfying one to you in regard to the work which you will accomplish.
Father and I both wish you the best of health + happiness.
Your loving sister

Ernestine [Clara Kohlhepp]
P.S. Oscar [Neuman] sends his love to his uncle Fred.

Observations:

- We can tell from the content of Tinnie's response that Fred described a lot of the surrounding beauties of Thun -- both in terms of its architectural quaintness and natural beauty with the lake and mountains.
- We see a "missing" letter from Tinnie from earlier where she mentioned Eda's death. It's not really missing, it just arrived late.
- We're seeing how many members of Eda's family handled the aftermath of Eda's passing.
- While responding about Eda's passing, Fred no doubt mentioned how consumption was already an ailment he'd seen in Switzerland. This month, Fred dealt with the death and burial of a Bro. Weber, who passed from consumption (see journal entries for December 8, 14 - 17 1905).
- We see that Fred's family is cordial in regards to his missionary efforts, even if they are not open to it themselves.
- We see some of Tinnie's playful behavior as relates to her eldest half-sister, Anna Kramer.
- It isn't clear when Fred received this letter from his journals.

Frederick Kohlhepp - Missionary Journal Entries - December 1905

1 December 1905 – Friday

Fri. Returned from Wimmis.

2 December 1905 – Saturday

Sat. 2nd Dec. Studied + went to Thun + Visited an ancient castle near Thun. It was very interesting. It is now used for a church. It was built in 1601.[N1]

3 December 1905 – Sunday

Sunday 3rd First day held meeting at Wimmis. Fraulein Toman of Thun was there, and we walked home togeather.

4 December 1905 – Monday

Monday 4th wrote letters home, Went to Thun in evening.[N2]

5 December 1905 – Tuesday

Tue. 5th Held Bible Class in Wimmis.

6 December 1905 – Wednesday

Wed. 6th Held Bible Class in Du[“]rrenast

7 December 1905 – Thursday

Thur. 7th Held Bible Class in Wimmis.

8 December 1905 – Friday

Friday morning visited Bro. Weber who is afflicted with consumption – administered to him, returned home to Durrenast same day.[N3]

9 December 1905 – Saturday

Saturday 9th Wrote letters[.] visited Bro. Luegenbihl stayed over night[N4]

[p. 21]
10 December 1905 – Sunday

came home Sunday 10th and held Sunday school + afternoon + evening meetings in Du[“]rrenast[.]

11 December 1905 – Monday

Monday studied and visited With [Lewers or Tewers or Sewers]

12 December 1905 – Tuesday

Tuesday went to Wattenw[i]l and held Bible class. Returned to Du[“]rrenast Land Yager [landjaeger] stoped us on the way and inquired about our buisness.[N5]

13 December 1905 – Wednesday

Pres. Mauss arrived in the evening Dec. 13th.

14 December 1905 – Thursday

Dec. 14th Held Bible Class in Wimmis. Went same night went to sit up with Bro. Weber who was very low with consumption, he passed away from this life quietly at […] 5 minutes past two.

15 December 1905 – Friday

Fri. 15th Dec. Bro. [John] Spr[i]nger + I washed and layed him out before going back to Thun.[N6]

16 December 1905 – Saturday

Sat. 16th studied.

17 December 1905 – Sunday

Sun. 17 Bro. [John] Spr[i]nger + I went to Wimmis to atend Bro. Weber funeral The Minister of the town said that any sexts could preach their funeral

[p. 22]
sermons in their meeting house but the Mormon’s. So I preached a short sermon in front of the house before going to the cemet[e]ry. There the Minister read the sermon and prayer at the grave after which we all went up to the old stone church, and the minister preached again, his Text was upon the Lords supper from 22 Chapt St. Luke.  Held afternoon Meeting at Roufmans house. After meeting returned to Du[“]rrenast and held evening meeting there.

18 December 1905 – Monday

Mon. 18 Went to Thun on buisness wrote letters,[N7]

19 December 1905 – Tuesday

Tues. 19th studied

20 December 1905 – Wednesday

Wed. 20 Studied + went to Thun on buisness.

21 December 1905 – Thursday

Thur. 21st Held Bible Class in Wimmis.

22 December 1905 – Friday

Friday 22nd We worked at home getting things ready for Christmas

23 December 1905 – Saturday

Sat. 23rd Dec. Went to

[p. 23]
Bern to attend Priesthood Meeting + Conference.  I atten three meetings Sat.  In the forenoon the Elders gave in their reports. We met in the Local hall. President Serge F. Ballif and Jacob Mausse were present. There were twenty two Elders present. I met Bro. Harry Shephard who came over from Utah in the same ship with me, we were so pleased to meet we pretty near fell into each others arms. We had a fine time. The meeting was continued in the after noon. In the evening we met again and had a swill time togeather with Song’s, speeches + recitations.

24 December 1905 – Sunday

Sunday we met in the Hotel DuPont. In Conference. The were three meetings held in the forenoon from ten untill two

[p. 24]
in the afternoon from two untill four. And in the evening from six o’clock untill half past seven. Every Elder had an opportunity to speak. There were some young Elders who just come over, and could not speak german, Pres. [Jacob] Mause had to interpret for them. We had a swell time. Sunday 24th Returned home to Thun on the nine twenty train from Bern.

25 December 1905 – Monday

Dec. 25th We had Christmas doings here in Du[“]rrenast. We had a Christmas tree and a little Theater play in which the children took part.. Presents were also given out. Three oranges a piece and a lebkunchen.[N8]

26 December 1905 – Tuesday

Dec. 26th Went to Wartenw[i]l and held Bible Class. Bro. Gurtsch came

[p. 25]
with me from Bern to visit friends around here.

27 December 1905 – Wednesday

Wed. 27th Received word for me to take charge of Branch. Bro. [John] Springer to go to Solothurn.

28 December 1905 – Thursday

Thur. 28th Went to Wimmis and held Bible Class.

29 December 1905 – Friday

Fri. 29th worked on Branch books, and took sulpher back for the itch and visited with winterbergers.[N9]

30 December 1905 – Saturday

Sat. 31 [30] Bro. John Sprenger left for Solothurn to labor there.

31 December 1905 – Sunday

Sun. 31st Held Meeting at Wattenwyl, In the evening Bro. Kunz Gu[“]rtsch + I went and visited with Familia Tomans. At half past eleven we all went to Thun to see the old year out and the New in. There was sing, and band playing. The streets were crowded there were some dressed like clowns. The whole town was out on the streets.

[p. 26]

NOTES:

[N1] It isn't clear which castle Fred is referring to. The castle in Thun itself, Thun Castle, was built in the 12th century C.E. Oberhofen Castle to the east was built in the 13th century. My suspicion is that he is referring to the Spiez Castle to the south. While built in 993, a "New Castle" was built in the 17th century, with the old castle also receiving extensive expansion in 1600. The "New Castle" did end up being repurposed as a church for a period of time.

[N2] Missing letters.

[N3] This is the first mention of consumption of his mission. Compare this with my notes on consumption in this post (note 3) and this post (note 5).

[N4] Missing letters.

[N5] A term for a mounted country police person. Also, a common name for a kind of sausage today, but definitely not what Fred was referring to. Mormon missionaries were often arrested, banished, and/or imprisoned for encouraging immigration (by encouraging them to gather to Zion), and had
to be careful.

[N6] Speculation here as to Fred contracting consumption from this person. On the flipside, Fred as I noted in other posts met other consumptives too (think of his sister Eda who had died from it, and he'd visited just prior to leaving for Switzerland). Many had. Fred wrote his sister Tinnie (Ernestine) about those suffering from consumption in Switzerland, as evident from the letter where she noted surprise in hearing that consumption was impacting people out there as it was in the United States.

[N7] Missing letters.

[N8] A lebkunchen is a German ginger snap cookie eaten during the holidays.

[N9] Just as it is now, sulfur is used for various skin treatments: today sulfur cream, lotion, ointment, and bar soap are used to treat acne. Sulfur ointment is used to treat seborrheic dermatitis and scabies.

Frederick Kohlhepp - Missisionary Journal Entries - November 1905

1 November 1905 – Wednesday

Wed. 1st Nov. Distributed tract around Du[“]renast and held bible class in the evening in Du[“]renast. [p. 17]

2 November 1905 – Thursday

Thursday Nov. 2nd 1905 Rainy. Held Bible class in Wimmis.

3 November 1905 – Friday

Nov. 3rd Wrote letters and studied.[N1]

4 November 1905 – Saturday

Nov. 4th Studied all day went to Thun in the evening.

5 November 1905 – Sunday

Nov. 5th Held Meeting in Wattinw[i]l. Bro. John Springer held meeting in Wimmis. In the evening we held a meeting in Durenast.

6 November 1905 – Monday

Nov. 6. We went to Wattenw[i]l on business.

7 November 1905 – Tuesday

7th Held Bible Class in Wattenw[i]l.

8 November 1905 – Wednesday

Nov. 8th Bro. [John] Springer and I tracted between Wattenw[i]l and went from there to Thun. It was market day in Thun, and the streets were crowded with people from the country towns. The wares of all kinds are put right on the streets for sale horses cow’s clothes shows in fact everything a person needs.

9 November 1905 – Thursday

9th Went to Wimmis + held Bible Class. [p. 18]

10 November 1905 – Friday

10th Friday came home from Wimmis. Tracted on the way home in a little village west of Dü[r]renast. Reutigen.[N1] The people would not accept our tracts we could only get two persons to take a tract.

11 November 1905 – Saturday

Sat. 11th Nov. Moved into new Local house.

12 November 1905 – Sunday

Sun 12th Nov. held Sunday School, Sacrament + Evening meetings in Dü[r]renast. Also held Priesthood meeting after Sacrament meeting.

13 November 1905 – Monday

13th Wrote letter home[N3], Visited Bro. Andregg in evening we had a very enjoyable time togeather.

14 November 1905 – Tuesday

14th Held Bible Class a Wattenw[i]l.

15 November 1905 – Wednesday

15th Reutrned home Wattenw[i]l, received letter from home.[N4] Wrote to Bro. [John] Schwendeman in Bern to meet me at the Depot.[N4]

18 November 1905 – Saturday

Sat. 18th Arived in Bern all O.K. Met Bro. [John] Schwendiman in the Depot. He left for Arrenan on Sat.[N5] at 12.45 P.M. I remained [p. 19] in Bern and remained untill Monday evening.

19 November 1905 – Sunday

Held afternoon and evening meetings had good meetings and felt a good Spirit.  I made some good friends while there..

20 November 1905 – Monday

Left for Thu[n] at 5.30 P.M Monday 20th

21 November 1905 – Tuesday

Tuesday 21st Held Bible Class at Wattensessf [Wattenwil].

22 November 1905 – Wednesday

Wednesday held Bible class at Du[“]renast

23 November 1905 – Thursday

Thur. at Wimmis. Administered same day to Bro. Weber.

24 November 1905 – Friday

Next day Frid. 24 Went to Re[u]tigen a village between Wimmis + Du[“]renast to administer to an old sister named Kernen who was sick.

25 November 1905 – Saturday

Sat. 25th Stayed at home and studied.

26 November 1905 – Sunday

Sunday 26th. Attended Sunday School and afternoon + evening meetings in Du[“]rrenast. In the evening Bro. Kunze arrived from Meiringen where he had been sent to labor. He found the Saints there divided and scattered.

27 November 1905 – Monday

Monday We went to [p. 20] Thun on buisness.

29 November 1905 – Wednesday

Wednesday helped Bro. [John] Spr[i]nger make out monthly report[.] 29th held Bible Class in evening at Du[“]rrenast.

30 November 1905 – Thursday

Thur. 30th Held Bible Class at Wimmis.

NOTES:

[N1] Missing letter.

[N2] Reutigen is more directly south than west of Durrenast.

[N3] Missing letter.

[N4] John Schwendiman of Sugar City, Utah. A picture of this Elder is amongst Fred's mission papers. I've included both front and back.

According to the church's data, Schwendiman served 3 different missions. The one to the Swiss-German mission was his first.

[N5] Missing letter.

[N6] Arrenan is not a real city. Need to research.

Frederick Kohlhepp - Missionary Journals Entries - October 1905 (3 of 3)

10 October 1905 – Tuesday

Sept. [Oct] 10th Went back to Du[“]renast.

11 October 1905 – Wednesday

Sept [OCT] 11th Wrote letter home in forenoon in afternoon[N10] Bro. [John] Springer and I went tracting, had Gospel conversation with a lady bei Dürenast. Held Bible

[p. 14]
Class in evening.

12 October 1905 - Thursday

Oct. 12 President Maus [Mans] came to visit us and he turned the books of the Durenast Branch of[f] to Bro. John Springer, who will now be the presiding Elder of the Thun Branch. On the Evening we went to [Wimmis] to hold Bible Class stayed overnight at Bro. Millers.[N11]

13 October 1905 – Friday

13th Oct. Bro. [John] Springer and I went to a tow[n] called Wimmis and distributed trac[t]s and held some Gospel conversations with some of the people in the town. In the evening we went to Thun to make some purchases[.]

14 October 1905 - Saturday

next day 14th.

15 October 1905 – Sunday

Sunday 15th held Sunday School and Sacrament meeting in Du[“]renast.

16 October 1905 - Monday

Monday 16th Went to Thun on buisness. Bro. Hirschi left for Liverpool on his journey home.

17 October 1905 - Tuesday

17th. Went to Metlin to hold Bible Class.[N

[p. 15]
18 October 1905 – Wednesday

18th. Tracted on way back from Metlin to Durenast.

19 October 1905 – Thursday

19th Oct. Bro. [John] Springer and I went to Wimmis and held a Bible Class.

20 October 1905 – Friday

20th Went back to Durenast snowed all the forenoon in afternoon we went to Thun and bought us a Petroleum heating stove.[N13]

21 October 1905 – Saturday

21st. Cloud and stormy stayed at home and studied.

22 October 1905 – Sunday

22nd. Oct. Bro. [John] Springer went to Waternvil [Wattenwil] and I went to Wimmis and held Sacrament meetings came home same evening and held meeting in Du[“]renast. I got lost, took the wrong road coming home, and came late to meeting.

23 October 1905 – Monday

23rd Oct. Monday study in forenoon went to Thun on buisness.

24 October 1905 – Tuesday

24th. Bro. [John] Springer and I went to Wattenurgl [Wattenwil] and held Bible Class.

25 October 1905 – Wednesday

25th. Held Bible Class at Du[“]renast.

[p. 16]
26 October 1905 - Thursday

26th held Bible Class at Wimmis. Visited three Saints[.]

27 October 1905 - Friday

Friday distributed tracts.

28 October 1905 – Saturday

Oct 28th 1905. Saturday went to Thun on buisness, Received letter from home Oct. 28th 1905.[N14]

29 October 1905 – Sunday

Sunday Oct. 29th Held Meetings in Durenast.

30 October 1905 – Monday

Oct. 30th  Prest. Jacob Mause [Mans] who was visiting with us left for Langn[au] his head quarters, We spent the day studying, I broke one of my teeth in biteing a piece of bread and had to go to Thun next day Oct. 31st and get it pulled out.[N15] Wrote letter home, also one to father [Johann Friedrich] + Ernestine [Clara Kohlhepp].[N16] The letter I received from home Oct. 28 contained the sad news of my sister Eda’s death. Oct. 29th Studied the Scriptures + went to Thun.

NOTES:

[N10] I unfortunately lack this letter. It would have been great to get some of Fred's early impressions mentioned to his family since he is so brief in his journal entries without much description or feeling.

It could be that this letter is simply this postcard he sent, and started writing 2 nights before. It has a note across the front.

[N11] South of Thun, near Faulensee. 1891 map:

[N12] Metlin is not a real city. I'll need to study surrounding geography to figure out what this likely was.

[N13] I can just imagine these 2 Americans getting adjusted to the realities of an approaching Swiss Winter.

[N14] Missing letter. We get some of its contents from the October 30th entry, which notes that it contained news of his sister Eda's death.

[N15] This mission is going to be very physically demanding on Fred; we have these health incidents, but for a man in his mid-40's traversing in the cold mountains.

[N16] No knowledge of contents of this letter. Likely a communication to his family regarding Eda's death and his condolences.

Frederick Kohlhepp - Missionary Journals Entries - October 1905 (2 of 3)

[p. 12]
5 October 1905 - Thursday

Left Steigwille [Gsteigwiler] and commenced our mountain climb to Wingern [Wengen], a village high up on the side of the Alps close to the Yung Frau [Jungfrau].[N7] We passed the Stoub bach [Staubbach] where the water falls hundreds of feet in the air into dust.[N8] We visited a friend in same place, a sister of Sister Gortch named Von Allman.

6 October 1905 - Friday

Visited Friend Anna Schluchter. From there we went to Lauterbrun[n]en where we visited a friend named Hansel Graf[.] Bro. Hirshi is all his these farewell before taking his departure for America. The weather is still stormy. Snowing this morning. Went by the Buentzer [Brienzer] See to Brientz [Brienz], from there took train to Mürringen [Meiringen].[N9] Visited a family by the name of Steiner. From

[p. 13]
there we went to Unterstock[,] a little village high up in the mountains. It is a steep climb over rocks where it was dangerous to climb. Bro. Hirshi is preaching to the friend 11 P.M. We have been so late every night[.] so late I am wore out.

7 October 1905 - Saturday

Left Unterstock for Bern to attend Con[ference]- Priesthood meeting

8 October 1905 - Sunday

[At] Mettlen by Walternvel [Wattenwil we] held [a] Sacrement Meeting at Bro. Berlers. Held evening Meeting at Dür[r]enast.

9 October 1905 - Monday

Sept. [Oct] 9th. Went to Engestein [Enggistein] bei Biglen to visit sister Gross. Her daughter was prepering to go to America with Bro. Hirshi. Stayed over night there.[N10]

NOTES:

[N7]: A little further south from Interlaken. 1891 Map:

Wengen is even further south:

[N8] Fred was not exaggerating here. He was in the valley of 72 waterfalls, many of which did plummet a hundred feet or more.

[N9] These were on the east side of Brienzer See. 1891 map:

[N10] This is likely the place Fred mentioned in this postcard, where he pinpoints where he stayed the night in the photo.

Frederick Kohlhepp - Missionary Journals Entries - October 1905 (1 of 3)

1 October 1905 - Sunday

Arived in Paris [at] 8 A.M. Left Paris for Zürich [at] 8-45 a.m. We were delighted [p. 9] with the trip through France the scenery was grand, The scenery of both England + France is more charming then anything I ever expected to see on this earth.[N1]  In our Journey through France, we saw only about twelve children. It seemed good to me when we reached Switzerland to see children playing about.

2 October 1905 - Monday

We are staying at the Weisse Kruetz [White Cross] Hotel in Zürich.  I am writing this by candle light. Zürich is a beautiful city with many modern improvements. It is a very clean city. It still has a quite appearance. On ariveing we took trolley car to the Conference house on Hoeshgasse No 68.[N2] The brethren received me kindly. Slept that night in a German bed, between feathersticks

[p. 10]
Bro. Richard Bridge My Traveling companion can speak but a very few words in german, but he is a young man and will soon learn,  Bro. Flamm + [his] wife were also of our company, They have come to visit their son, who is hear on a mission, and they are also to seek up genealogies.  I have just been called by Bro. [Serge F.] Ballif to go at once to Thun to take up a labor there. Left Zürich [at] 2-55 P.M. Oct. 2nd [and] arrived in Thun [at] 8-15 P.M. Took cab for Dürrenast bei Thun[N3] Thalacker St. [Talackerstrasse] Met Bro. [John] Springer there.[N4] Bro. Hirshi had gone to another place I will meet him to day.

3 October 1905 - Tuesday

Walked 2 ½ hours to a village called Foulenssee [Faulensee; N5] where I met Bro. Hirshi, he was visiting with a friend named Herrn Emile Bishof.  Bro. Hirshi is making [p. 11] a farewell tour through the Thun branch, + Meiringen branch. I am to take charge of the Branch in place of Bro. Hirshi.  I will make the tour with him to become a[c]quainted with the people. I can not understand the dialect yet.[N6]

4 October 1905 - Wednesday

It is still cloudy, it has been raining and storming ever since I arrived in Europe. Left Foulensse [Faulensee at] 11 A.M. [and] Arived at Interlacken [Interlaken] at 1:30 P.M.[N7] [In] Untersee [Unterseen] Visited friend Von Bergen, Visited Matten [Matten bei Interlaken] same day[.] Visited with Sister Faber. Bro Faber was away to work in the cabinet factory.  We went to Steighwiller [Gsteigwiler] same day. Visted with a friend widow Hoesler.  Also visited friend Fraulein Durtche in same place. I Got a view of the Yung-Frau [Jungfrau] from Interlacken [Interlaken].

NOTES:

[N1] Curious as to why this was so charming for Frederick. He'd grown up in the Eden of America, Jamaica Plains. What is the natural beauty that was so astounding to him, or was it rather the towns, the layout, the architecture, etc.? Scenery can be more than just nature.

[N2] Location of this in 1896 Zurich:

1911 Zurich:

[N3]: Durrenast was a town just south of Thun. 1890 map:

[N4] John Springer (1879 - 1973) was born in Switzerland and set part only a month before Frederick. John's family had moved to Utah; he received the call in SLC. They worked together quite frequently while Fred served in Durrenast/Thun.

[N5]: Although October, I bet it was still a brisk 2.5 hour walk from Durrenast down to Faulensee. On the south side of the Thuner See, a little further east. 1891 map:

[N6]: This must have humbled Fred some, to see that his advantage in better understanding of German did not mean that he'd be able to understand people immediately.

[N7]: Interlaken is a city, as the name suggests, that is "between the lakes" of the Thuner See and the Brienzer See. It's a nice town, at least in 2008 when my wife and I visited.

You can see Matten just south of Interlaken, which Fred also visited. A postcard of Fred's that he sent his family also gives a somewhat easier map of the region in less granular detail: