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.