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: