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:

Frederick Kohlhepp - Missionary Journal Entries - September 1905 (2 of 2)

22 September 1905 - Friday

Weather was fair.

[p. 3]

Spent the day reading + walking about the deck, also wrote [a] letter home.[N12]

23 September 1905 - Saturday

[It is] Wet and foggy. Bro Fife + Jorgenson are somewhat sea sick. I am feeling well so far, I have taken a bath on board ship which has done me good. I feel that the Lord is with me on this journey.  British Art Galery Walker R. [in] Liverpool.[N13] Off [the] banks of New Foundland [at] noon [on] the 23rd [of] Sep. with rain and fog.

24 September 1905 - Sunday

Sunday still foggy. [There are] Baptist Missionaries bound for India + other points of the eastern lands to preach to the heathens, [they] held meetings at 10-30 a.m + 7 p.m[.] I attended.[N14] 9 P.M. still foggy. [The] fog horn [is] blowing every few minutes. The sea has been calm so far. retired for bed. [at] 9 P.M.

[p. 4]

25 September 1905 - Monday

[Ship coordinates are] Longitude [-]38.42 Lattitude 48.21[.][N15] The weather has been pleasant all day with [a] breeze from [the] N.E. We sighted some porpoise this afternoon not far from the ship.[N16] My appetite is good aboard ship and I am feeling well, but I feel anxious to arive at my field of labor. Sighted steamer bound for Liverpool, about noon, was loaded heavy, and sailing slow. We past it in a few hours.  I have a birth [berth] to myself about amidship. Spent the day reading some + walking the deck. It is very monotinous on a ship. Our company are all feeling well now. Three more missionaries bound for Switzerland + Germany came aboard at Boston.[:] Bro’s. Flamm, [Harry] Shepherd, + [Richard K.] Bridg[e]. [It’s] 9 P.M. [and I’m] going to bed.

[p. 5]

26 September 1905 - Tuesday

Cloudy + somewhat cold, Have not been on deck much today.  Spent the day mostly in the Laibrary + in my birth [berth] and chatting with the brethren. [A] Man died on board last night. unknown.[N17]

Names of our party.  Where bound.[N18]

Bro. Flamm + Wife Germany

“ Baker + “ England

“ Webster “

“ Pike “

“ Kohlhepp Germany

“ Fife Scotland

“ Chris. Mortensen Denmark

“ Frank Mortensen “

“ Jorgensen “

“ Brown England

“ Midgely “

“ Shepherd Germany

“ Bridg[e] “

“ Reeves England

[p.6]

“ Hardy England

“ Anderson England

“ Hoagland Sweeden

“ Hatch England

“ Rich England

Sister Boyer “

27 September 1905 - Wednesday

The man who died aboard [on Monday night] was consigned to the waves last night at midnight. Gulls were sighted near ship [in] the morning, A bird called mother Carey’s chicken fell on the deck last night.[N19] Sea quite rough this morning. [Ship coordinates are] Lat. 50-13 Lon. [-]19-27[.][N20]

68 Hoechgasse

Zürich

Switzerland

Co/ S. F. Ballif [Serge F. Ballif]

Bought stamps, and mailed two letters on board.

[p. 7]

28 September 1905 - Thursday

Rough sea in the morning and windy. Came in sight of the cost of Ireland about noon. We had a good view of the shore [and] passed some sailing vessels, Also passed [the] Steam Ship Majestic bound from Liverpool to New York, [at] about 3 P.M.[N21] Arived at Queenstown [at] 6 P.M. [A] Small Steamer came alongside + took on passengers + baggage. Also the mail, bound for Queenstown. I have been a little sea sick today. Passed [the] Fastnet light house [at] 3 P.M. [and] Daunts Rock at 6 P.M.[N22]

29 September 1905 - Friday

Arived in Liverpool [at] 12.30 P.M. We were met by Elders at the wharf and were conducted to a hotel where we had diner, after

[p. 8]

dinner we went to the conference house at #1 Holly Road Where we received instruction in regards to our missions, Bro. Heber J. Grant gave us some splendid countsil and instruction.[N23]  I leave for London at 12.30 P.M. tomorrow, from there we go to Paris, from there to Zürich.

30 September 1905 - Saturday

[Left] Liverpool, for Zürich[,] Switzerland, After parting with our friends at the Iles hotel on Norton Road, We went from Central Station, at 12-50 P.M. [and] arrived [in] London [at] 5-50 P.M. Left London by Victoria Station, for New Haven at 9-10 P.M. Left New Haven [at] 10-50 P.M. Leeft On the Steam Ship [to] Paris for Dieppe[,] France.

NOTES:

N12: See 22 September 1905 letter.

N13: The Walker is the major art gallery of Liverpool, which houses one of the largest art collections in England, outside of London, causing some to refer to it as "the National Gallery of the North". Designed by local architects Cornelius Sherlock and H.H. Vale it opened in 1877.  The Walker Art Gallery is located on William Brown Street (the only street in the UK to consist of nothing other than Museums, Galleries and Libraries) in a neo-Classical building. It seems likely Fred was making note of a nice place to visit in his journal; when he arrives in Liverpool, in the September 29-30 entries, there's no sense that he actually made it to the gallery.

N14: Notice how Fred was completely comfortable hearing the claims of other Christian faiths.

N15: These coordinates on a map are:

N16: Harbor porpoise likely.

N17: It is unclear from Frederick’s journal whether the man who passed away was unknown, or if this referred to the cause of his death. I presume the latter. It's quite likely he wouldn't have known the person.

N18: *Future research note* -- Try to resolve this folks to their full names as much as possible

N19: Mother Carey's Chicken. Fred's constant notice of the local fauna is an interesting aspect of his character. You don't see this attention to wildlife in say the journal of Richard K. Bridge.

N20: These coordinates on a map are:

N21: The SS Majestic was a steamship built in 1890 for and operated by the White Star Line until 1914, when it was sold for scrap metal.  It could carry nearly 1500 passengers.

N22: Fastnet Lighthouse:

Daunt's Rock:

N23: In 1901, Elder Heber J. Grant (LDS Apostle) was sent to Japan to open the church's Japanese Mission. He served as mission president until 1903, when he returned home but was almost immediately sent to preside over the British and other European missions of the church. He returned from the British mission in 1906. It's impressive that before getting into his individual mission, Fred and the other missionaries got to hear from the apostle presiding over all European missions.

Richard K. Bridge Journal 2: 25-29 September 1905

I continue on the side-by-side comparison of Richard K. Bridge's and Frederick Kohlhepp's missionary journals regarding the journey they made to Liverpool and Zurich together.

UPDATE: Scans are now uploaded for your viewing pleasure. Feel free to help me transcribe difficult words I could not make out.

25 September 1905 (Monday)
Richard K. Bridge's Journal	Frederick J. Kohlhepp's Journal
I got up after breakfast[,] so I went with out. I went on deck and saw the smoke of a boat about 20 miles away[.] next I went to the library[.] I stayed there till dinner time[.] then after dinner I slept a little[.] [p.6] studied some German[.] at 530 PM we had tea[.] nothing to note, the sea is calm[.] went to bed about ten thirty PM.	[Ship coordinates are] Longitude [-]38.42 Lattitude 48.21[.] The weather has been pleasant all day with [a] breeze from [the] N.E. We sighted some porpoise [or dolphins] this afternoon not far from the ship. My appetite is good aboard ship and I am feeling well, but I feel anxious to arive at my field of labor. Sighted steamer bound for Liverpool, about noon, was loaded heavy, and sailing slow. We past it in a few hours. I have a birth [berth] to myself about amidship. Spent the day reading some + walking the deck. It is very monotinous on a ship. Our company are all feeling well now. Three more missionaries bound for Switzerland + Germany came aboard at Boston.[:] Bro’s. [Herbert] Flamm, [Harry] Shepherd, + [Richard] Bridg[e]. [It’s] 9 P.M. [and I’m] going to bed. [p. 5]
26 September 1905 (Tuesday)
[The next two entries are largely covered by a meal menu for 24 September 1905, making large parts of the text elligible]. I got up this morning [. . . had breakfast]. went to the library [. . .] I've gone through the [. . .] as usual. I'm getting [. . .] the sea especially[.] morning see the sun rise. [. . .] see it go down[.] nothing [. . .] an old gentleman died [. . .] I can[']t learn his [. . .] if they are going to [. . .] sea. It is just two [. . .] morning service[.] I left [. . .] about half past [min? . . .] bed.	Cloudy + somewhat cold, Have not been on deck much today. Spent the day mostly in the Laibrary + in my birth [berth] and chatting with the brethren. [A] Man died on board last night. unknown. Names of our party. Where bound. Bro. Flamm + Wife Germany “ Baker + “ England “ Webster “ “ Pike “ “ Kohlhepp Germany “ Fife Scotland “ Chris. Mortensen Denmark “ Frank Mortensen “ “ Jorgensen “ “ Brown England “ Midgely “ “ [Harry] Shepherd Germany “ [Richard] Bridge “ “ Reeves England [p.6] “ Hardy England “ Anderson England “ Hoagland Sweeden “ Hatch England “ Rich England Sister Boyer “
27 September 1905 (Wednesday)
I woke at 6-15 [. . .] [no??]time as usual[.] [. . .] the dead man last night at midnight[.] I've been sea sick all day[.] I went to bed early[.]	The man who died aboard [on Monday night] was consigned to the waves last night at midnight. Gulls were sighted near ship [in] the morning, A bird called mother Carey’s chicken fell on the deck last night. [The] Sea [is] quite rough this morning. [Ship coordinates are] Lat. 50-13 Lon. [-]19-27[.] 68 Hoechgasse [Höschgasse] Zürich Switzerland Co/ S. F. Ballif [Serge F. Ballif] Bought stamps, and mailed two letters on board. [p. 7]
28 September 1905 (Thursday)
I got up late[.] I didn't feel very good till we sighted land[.] it looked like a small black rock sticking out of the water[.] this was about eleven o[']clock. We passed several boats[.] some going to America, we passed Fastnet light house about three o[']clock[.] [p. 7] nothing of importance till we passed Daunts Rock at five thirty[.] this is considered the eastern Atlantic sea board[.] About six o[']clock we met the ferry boat Island[.] they took the people to Queenstown[.] I went to bed about ten thirty[.]	Rough sea in the morning and windy. Came in sight of the coast of Ireland about noon. We had a good view of the shore [and] passed some sailing vessels, Also passed [the] Steam Ship Majestic bound from Liverpool to New York, [at] about 3 P.M. Arived at Queenstown [at] 6 P.M. [A] Small Steamer came alongside + took on passengers + baggage. Also the mail, bound for Queenstown. I have been a little sea sick today. Passed [the] Fastnet light house [at] 3 P.M. [and] Daunts Rock at 6 P.M.
29 September 1905 (Friday)
This morning I got up about seven o[']clock[.] we had breakfast at eight o[']clock[.] at eleven we got off the beat[.] went to the custom house about twelve noon[.] took the car for Norton St[.] We arrived at the Hotel Iles #34[.] at half past twelve we had dinner[.] got up to #10 Holley road about two[.] we received our instructions from Apostle [Heber J.] Grant[.] I got my transpor[t]ation[.] fixed up[,] got back to the Hotel at six o[']clock[.] we had supper about seven o[']clock[.] we all went out and helf a street meeting[.] we sang "O[,] my Father." the elders prayed + talked and distributed trac[t]s. we went back to the hotel[.] I went to my room[.] finished to day[.] journal we have two candles[.] I think Liverpool is as old as the hills[.] every thing looks a hundred years behind the times[.] the street cars single track [p. 8] and double deck[.] you pay a penny for a ride[.] they give you a ticket that [is] in your hand till you get of[f.] then walk at the side of the horses[.] then is one [horse?] in front of the other. I'm going to bed now[.]	Arived in Liverpool [at] 12.30 P.M. We were met by Elders at the wharf and were conducted to a hotel where we had diner, after [p. 8] dinner we went to the conference house at #1 Holly Road Where we received instruction in regards to our missions, Bro. Heber J. Grant gave us some splendid countsil and instruction. I leave for London at 12.30 P.M. tomorrow, from there we go to Paris, from there to Zürich.

Richard K. Bridge Journal 1: 19-24 September 1905

In this entry, I will be recording passages from the journal of Richard K. Bridge, the missionary who travelled with Fred across the Atlantic together to the Swiss-Geman mission. I located his 1905-1908 journal in the Church History Library in Salt Lake City, where it is labelled as Church Archives MS 17402. Unfortunately, I was only able to access a microfilm of the manuscript, where some of the pictures are placed over the tops of the text, making some parts of pages illegible. I will try to place these entries and their dates side-by-side with Fred's missionary journal, of which a copy was in the possession of my mother. I have transcribed this journal and will eventually get to making it available.

But on to Richard's journal. In the entries when they refer to people or places I will try to add in brackets the full names of the people, or the real names of the places. They often spelled the names of the people phonetically and not gramatically, and so one can get confusd if they are not aware of the proper spellings. I have also placed in punctuation in the brackets. Words that I cannot make out I will place in bracket with question marks corresponding to the number of letters in the word. Hopefully, when I post the scans some of you will be able to help me read them! When a page number ends in the original document, I also place the page number in brackets (i.e., [p. 3]).

UPDATE: Scans I have now placed below; feel free to help me with the words I could not make out. Thanks!

I will not comment or make questions about these journal entries until I get through posting them all. They will only go up to 2 October 1905, when the two elders part ways.

19 September 1905 (Tuesday)
Richard K. Bridge's Journal	Frederick J. Kohlhepp's Journal
We arrived at Fall River at 6 AM[.] we took the the N. Y. N. H. H. R. R. [New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad] at 6[:]40 arriving at Boston at 8 AM[.] went to #84 State St and arranged for my berth on the Arabic [II] sailing for Livepool on the 21st. from there I went to the Haymarket Hotel just south of the North Station[.] nothing else to note so I went to bed about 10.30 PM.	Father [Johann Friedrich Kohlhepp] gave some history of his people in German[y.] Father’s cousin, Urban [Kohlhepp], [lives] in Salsungen [Bad Salzungen], in a village called Laimebach [Leimbach], Fathers mothers folks also live in Laimebach [Leimbach]. I went to visit Eda [Kohlhepp] on the 19th found her looking very bad. In Oct, she will go to Los Angeles Cal, for her health.
20 September 1905 (Wednesday)
I got up about seven o clock[,] wrote letters till 10.30 AM[,] went down to Wyman's for breakfast[.] came back to the hotel[.] met some fellows all went over to the White Star Pier in Charlestown[,] checked my trunk then Ed [Elder] Rich and myself went over to the navy yard[.] we went on board the Frig[a]te Constitution[,] the boat has played a great part in the naval history of the United States[.] she cost over $3000.00. [p. 3] We next visited several boats that were out of com[m]ission[.] some were in dry dock[,] some weren[']t[.] The boat Detroit was undergoing an overhauling[.] we then walked down through the residence part of the yard[.] nothing to note except some of the sailors were playing rugby[.] In front of the barracks are several modern cannons[,] some very old ones[.] a large eagle made of tin[.] they also have a [w?ele?] telepgraph station[.] then just as we were about to go we saw four guards[.] they had about twenty sailors cleaning up the grounds[.] they wore plain gray sails[.] the fellows were serving time on the [chain gang?]. I then went to the hotel[,] wrote some letters[,] had dinner[,] then I went down Washington Ave. I got home about 930 PM[,] went to bed[.]	On the 20th Anna [Conhepa] and I went to visit the Ship Arabic [Arabic II], which sails from Charlestown harbor on the 21st Sept. I visited the Art Museum with our company.
21 September 1905 (Thursday)
I got up about seven o['] clock[.] did some writing[.] I had breakfast about 9 o[']clock[.] we all took a stroll over to [the] Bunker hill monument[.] when we were coming back we got lost[.] found our way by taking a street car to town[.] [p. 4] At noon I went up to the office of the White Star Line[.] got some mail[.] I went back to the State House[.] from there to lunch[.] we took an elevator and subway [???][.] from there we got our cases[.] went down to the dock[.] I went on board at 2.30 PM and we set sail at 230 PM. we had the [???] [?????] out into the atlantic[.] we saw boats of every kind coming + going[.] On the coast is a large Port belonging to the U. S. walked around on board till supper time[.] I had supper[.] went to bed about 11 o[']clock[.]	Fathe[r] made me a present of 10 Dollars, + Anna [Anna Kramer Schneidt?] of two dollars. Left Charlestown [at] 3:30 P.M. [I am staying in] Birth [berth] No. 130.
22 September 1905 (Friday)
I got up about 730 AM[.] washed + had breakfast[.] then went on deck[.] the sun shown[.] it was warm the sea was calm[.] it did justice to the good things of the [c???tt] thri[??] this day I went to bed at 9.30 PM.	Weather was fair. [p. 3] Spent the day reading + walking about the deck, also wrote [a] letter home.
23 September 1905 (Saturday)
I got up at 6.10 AM[.] got washed[.] walked the deck till breakfast[.] I finished reading the book If I were King about 11 o[']clock[.] we studied German till 1230 when we had dinner. the weather has been fog[gy] for the last 18 hours[.] it has rained all day this after- [p. 5] noon. we studied some more German at 5.30[.] we had tea[.] went up on deck for about an hour[.] well it has been another day that I've been able to sit up and take a little [munshunt?] thrice.	[It is] Wet and foggy. Bro Fife + Jorgenson are somewhat sea sick. I am feeling well so far, I have taken a bath on board ship which has done me good. I feel that the Lord is with me on this journey. British Art Gal[l]ery Walker R. [in] Liverpool. Off [the] banks of New Foundland [at] noon [on] the 23rd [of] Sep. with rain and fog.
24 September 1905 (Sunday)
I got up eight o[']clock[.] had breakfast at 1030 AM[.] we had Babptist [sic.] service[.] this only lasted about an hour[.] I again went on deck and walked till dinner time which is at 1230 PM. then I went up on the top deck[.] did some reading[.] went to sleep till tea time 530 PM[.] at about 7 PM we had a nother babtist [sic.] service [.] the first time they passed the plate--they got 12/7[.] I thought the sermons they preached were very poor[.] I then went to the library where we stayed till 11 PM [when] they turn out the lights[.] then I went to bed[.]	Sunday still foggy. [There are] Baptist Missionaries bound for India + other points of the eastern lands to preach to the heathens [on board], [they] held meetings at 10-30 a.m + 7 p.m[. which ] I attended. 9 P.M. still foggy. [The] fog horn [is] blowing every few minutes. The sea has been calm so far. retired for bed. [at] 9 P.M. [p. 4]

Arrival in Liverpool on way to Swiss-German Mission

The October 4, 1905 issue of the Millennial Star (Vol. 67, no. 40, p. 634) notes when Fred and other LDS missionaries arrived in Liverpool via the S. S. Arabic. It was actually the Arabic II. The notice is interesting in that it notes the full names of those who accompanied Fred on his journey (as well as their city of residence), and also the names of some of his future mission friends. See the notice attached below. It could be helpful in tracking down the descendants of missionaries he served with.



EDIT [1/15/19]: This was reprinted in the Deseret Evening News on October 28, 1905, on page 26.