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.

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 - 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: