Tulare-Fresno County CA Archives Biographies.....(Regher Or Regehr) Wittenberg, Elizabeth March 6, 1866 - March 8, 1954 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Khrystal Isherwood kisherwood8@yahoo.com October 20, 2008, 3:15 pm Author: Elizabeth (Regher) Wittenberg:Translated from German by Helena Wittenberg Dueck From the diary of Elizabeth Regher Wittenberg (second wife of Kornelius Wittenberg) translated from German by Lena Wittenberg Dueck The 1st of August 1912, we left Terek, after having lived there for ten years and six months. We drove to Kasavyurt and on August 2nd we took the train to Federovka and took three wagons and drove to Altonau to our dear parents and brothers and sisters to see them once more and say goodbye. August 14th we continued to Militopel, accompanied by our brothers and sisters and our dear mother, to the train (with 5 wagons). I just about forgot when we were in Altonau, we visited the cemetery where my real mother is buried. Oh, what emotions filled me. I cannot describe them. She was taken from me when I was two years old and I cannot really remember her. Though the older one gets and when one has passed through many trials and one thinks of ones real mother, she still is the one closer to you, even if she has passed on many years ago. I still have my eighty year father to whom I had to say goodbye. He Cannot see too well anymore which makes me feel sad. Oh, how hard it is to part and how often I had to do it and now it is for the last time, because we are going to America. Two children I have to leave behind which makes my heart very sad, especially my daughter Elisabeth who lives in Starvripolschen with three little children. It was so difficult to part because she has no friends there, but I think if it is the will of the Lord she will come some day. The 14th of August we drove to Militopel to the train, accompanied by the dear brothers and sisters and Mama with five wagons. Then we a1l went into town and bought a few things for our trip. We ate lunch together, a very good lunch which I will remember often. Oh, again the last time together with the brothers and sisters. We stayed together for a little while, then we hitched up the horses and went to the train station. We unloaded everything and then we had to say goodbye. Oh, if you don’t know what it means to part from loved ones you don't know our emotions. Five times I have said goodbye and now it is the last time. This means never to see each other again. First it always was till we see you again, but now it is we will not see you again because our trip goes to America. Parting hurts, but there will be a time when we will all meet again and will not have to part anymore. But only for those who are prepared to meet their God. Terrible it will be for those who will be then parted from their loved ones and friends for eternity. At 7:00 p.m., we left the colony and arrived at night at Guvereverako and had to change trains. We had to wait though until seven in the morning, then a train came with which we only had to change once to get to the border. So we left at 7:00 a.m. on August l5th on a train which only stopped at the towns and passed them every other station. After about a 1/2 hour, we crossed the Deniper. This is a very large river, somewhat bigger than the “Zulak” (Russian spelling). Close thereby was on the other side of the river is a big city, “Ekamepuhocialba”. We then went on to Warachau, (Warsaw) Poland and arrived there August 16, 5:00 p.m., and again we changed trains. We arrived at one end of town and left the train and drove through town by wagon to another train station. We drove through town in a glass carriage. A very wide river flows through the town which is spanned by a big bridge. The latter has sidewalks, one wide way for wagons and automobiles and a wider one for electric street cars. On the bridge we passed six soldiers each with a big black horse. Their tails were only as long as a hand and braided, but the horses were so big and fat that it was hard to believe. The city, Warschau is very big and beautiful with many four story houses and very often also five, six or seven stories. At 7:00 p.m. we left Warschau. We arrived at the border during the night at the town of “Auancondpoba”. There we had to stay a day as our things had not arrived there yet. This was only a little town. August 17th our things arrived and August 18 we leave in the old style. The German trains go until Warschau and in that city there are no more Russians, just Poles and Germans. It is more than half German already and half Russian. From Auancondpoba we already had a German train. We traveled 4th class, in 3rd class we could not take any luggage, It all went very nicely though in 4th class, even though it was somewhat crowded. This is how we left Russia, my homeland and dear place of my birth, behind. We did not even realize when we passed over the border. When we stopped at the first station, everyone was German. This was new instead of always Russian and now suddenly everything is German. Right away we saw a policeman. He is equal to our “gandarem” but he looks somewhat different with a different uniform and iron cap. We traveled on to Thoren, the first station in Germany. Here we had to change trains and put our things through customs. But everything went well. Then we went on to the next station and we personally were checked, but they let us travel on without delay. Now we have to figure by the new calendar date and so we left Thoren on the evening of August 31st. 1 In Germany there are not such run down villages as in Russia. There are only beautiful big German villages and also farms. When one looks at the farms one was filled with joy. Each farmer has his farm all fenced in. The whole farm is divided into parts. On one part is clover, on another is vegetables, on another is wheat and so on. Each part is fenced. Also there would be several black and white cows and several horses, both grazing together peacefully in the clover. In Germany there is fertile land and it is also being worked well. We traveled on undisturbed to Berlin and arrived there on September 1st. In Berlin we stopped at three stations. First we stopped at one station far a few minutes and so went on to the second and third. At the third station we left the train and went on to the fourth. In Berlin the trains travel on three elevations, firstly underground, secondly on the ground and thirdly above ground. There are high bridges on which trains travel. It is amazing what the people build and very wonderful. In Russia one does not see anything like what one sees in Germany. After an hour we had to leave Berlin again. The next day there was to be a big show with forty airplanes flying over the city and also the president of the United States was to be there. Papa did not want to stay so we went on. The rest of the way from Berlin to Bremen was not too good. It was very crowded and many Jews with little children. They dirtied their pants and it smelled dreadful and was hard to take. Thank God we arrived safely at Bremen at 5:00 p.m. on September 2nd. We had to see a doctor because of Cornelius’ eyes and had to stay two weeks in Bremen. It was not “trochoma” sickness though. September 3rd we went for a walk outside the city. We walked through a big forest. The walks had been covered over with white sand. There were many hunters castles in the forest and a big corral made of iron wire which was divided in smaller parts and housed deer and sheep. They were very tame. Also little rivers flowed through the forest which were crossed by beautiful bridges and walks. The forest was more wonderful than the city. We also saw squirrels in the forest. On September 4th we first went to the chapels in the morning and then the museums. There we saw all kinds of stuffed things and everything looked so lifelike. We saw a snakeskin, seven feet long and as thick as a man. We also saw fishes of all kinds and a skeleton of a whale which was at least twenty feet long. There were also animals of all kinds: hyena, lions, tigers, wild pigs, 1eopards, crocodiles, bears, buffalo, monkeys, giraffe, hippopotamus, sea lions, birds of all kinds, foxes, wolves, elephants, reindeer, and a silver lion which had short gray hair somewhat like a lion only smaller. I cannot describe it too exactly, one has to see it for oneself. On the 5th of' September we again went to a museum. The 6th it rained all day. The 7th we went to another museum It was so different than those before (I think she is referring to a movie). The building was two stories and the top of it was all crowded below it was crowded over three thousand people. It went on all through the night until morning, always new pictures, no repeats. September 8th was a Sunday. In the morning we went to the Salvation Army. On the 9th and l0th it rained again all day. The 11th and 12th we went into town and on the 13th, Cornelius had to go to the doctor again. It was going to be decided if we could go on or not. He had caught a cold in his eyes and he had to stay on. David stayed with him and the rest of us went by train on the l4th to the harbor at 11:00 a.m. We arrived there at 12:30 p.m. and boarded the ship Brandenburg right away. At 5:00 p.m. it left the harbor. After having been aboard for half an hour we had something to eat: first soup, then meat and potatoes, bread, butter and coffee. After two hours we again ate soup, fried fish, bread, potatoes, lamb roast, salad apricots. raspberry, plums, juice and tea. So there were two meals. The children are looking out of' the windows and we can still see land, but who knows what will be tomorrow. (she was miserably seasick the entire trip) Friday, September 20th I was better and I could get up. I dressed the children and' mended some things. Also was able to eat a little, thanks to the Lord. At six o’clock we left. the boat through the custom gate. We first went to the doctor. He was very good. He said we were alright and sent us on again, thanks to our Lord. We went on and all our things were checked but only very 1ightly and we didn't have to pay any customs, again thanks to the Lord. We closed everything again and I was very weak and tired. After we had packed everything again we went with a pastor who received us very warmly. They gave us supper, wurst, broth and coffee. They then showed us to the 3rd floor, first seventeen steps to the second floor, then sixteen steps to the third floor. I slept very well which helped heal my body tremendously. The morning of September 21st we were up early and heard the rooster crow. It seemed like home because when we left Altonau we had not heard the rooster crow yet, which is usually accustomed to in every day life. We got up and dressed and heard the ducks quack. “Oh“, said Gerta (Margaret) “my ducks are also here”. So we rejoiced in God’s nature and praised Him for all his guidance. Oh how wonderful is God! This was our first night in America. The bell rang and we went down for breakfast. First we had fried eggs and wurst, then coffee. After breakfast we walked outside. It was still cold in the house. We went to town and bought bread and apples for our further travels. The trains travel very hard here. I was still so tired from the boat trip that I could hardly stand it. Thus we traveled from Saturday eight o’clock until Sunday night, September 22nd and arrived that night in Kordil, Georgia. We got out and called Hubert, but no Hubert had passed by. A Negro came and helped us across the street to a hotel, but no one could speak German and we did not know what to do and we were so hungry. I could only eat dry bread and apples. They brought us to the upper floor and we went to bed but sleep refused to come because we would have rather been with Hubert for the night. Monday morning, September 23rd we got up, washed ourselves and combed our hair and went downstairs. Then again we had trouble. No one spoke German and we no English. Then a man came and went to town with my husband. Finally we had help. Then my husband came and took us there. He was a baker and we bought bread and apples and ate. The woman gave me a cup of boiled milk, then she took me to the upper floor and put me to bed and I slept a little. We had traveled one station too far. We had passed Penia, Georgia. The train only stops there if there are passengers and because we could not speak English we could not tell the conductor to stop there for us. At 2: p.m. the train returned we went back to Penia. There were the Klassens and Mrs. Klein at the station to greet us. Oh how happy we were to see Germans and hear our own language Oh praised be the Lord! They gave us dinner and then we went to the Klassens--they too had come from Terek. I cannot tell of' the joy and how happy they were. For the night we went to Klein's, that is Hubert's daughter. Tuesday, September 24th, we were invited to Klassens for lunch and dinner. For lunch we had chicken soup that was a real Mennonite meal. It was good. For dinner we had butter, bread, rolls, molasses cake and different kinds of fruit from the forest. Everyone was eating heartily and it tasted very good! This was different from what we have had for the last few week. The ship’s food was good but not German food and I didn't like it too well. Wednesday, September' 25th our things arrived from Kordill. First I unpacked our beds and sunned them. Thursday, the 26th, I washed". Friday the 27th, I dried the wash. Saturday, the 28th, I straightened things out and ironed and baked a cake on the American stove, which I was somewhat puzzled. with at times. Sunday, the 29th, our first Sunday in America, we were invited to Penners. They too are from Terek and we had lunch there. Roast. chicken and coffee. This is the custom here. In the morning we went to the English church. There my husband gave a talk. There were three German families the two Goertzen boys that sat by us and also some English people. Hubert's son translated the speech back into English and the English liked that. We sang many songs and Hubert’s daughter played the organ. In the evening they held Bible hour at our house. There were 23 persons present. At Penner’s house we had Sunday School. Monday, September 30th the children went with the Klassen children to pick cotton. I am all alone at home. I straightened up and will try for the first time to bake bread on the American stove this afternoon. My husband went to Kordil. Tuesday, October 1st, I straightened the room, then Mrs. Klein sent some cottage cheese and I fixed it for dinner because the children were gone during the day. They always have to take food with them. Sometimes I make vereniki. Mrs. Davis gave me a gallon of sugar cane syrup from which I baked a cake and this is how we get by. Mrs. Klein gave us a glass of jelly and a glass of preserved grapes which tastes something like loganberry sauce. Mrs. Penner gave me a bucket of milk. My whole housekeeping consists of potatoes, flour, a little grease drippings and borrowed dishes. We don’t want to buy anything here because we want to go on. We are just waiting for our sons to arrive here. The train is by our front door and I just have to step out and I am at the train. Wednesday I get up early to make a fire so as to start the breakfast cooking and then comes the girls. We eat breakfast and the wagon comes for the children. I then straighten out the beds, sweep and make vereniki. The cooking plates are so small. I have to get used to them first, then I fried meat for lunch. Everything on one stove, you cook on top and bake below, but I still prefer the Russian type stove. Afternoon I straightened out the baskets because the children came home late. The children then went to bed and we go to the Klassens for Bible hour, The people here are very hungry for the word of God. They long for it. I didn’t want to go because I was so tired, but I am glad I went. I feel so sorry for the Germans, they are so alone here. We are not staying here because just cotton grows here and standing bent all day to pick it and the pay is small. The grass here is not good, the grass was better on the Terek. There is hay there too and the cows are fatter and give more milk. Here the cows are thin and don’t give much Milk. Thursday, October 10, the children went cotton picking. Lena and I have straightened up. Lena is washing cups and I am kneading bulka (bread) . Just now the train comes and I ran out, but the boys are not on it. We are waiting for them longingly and I would like to go on so that I can set, up permanent housekeeping. 3 Friday, the 11th, my husband and the children go to Kordil and look at wild animals. I was home by myself, and waiting for the mail. I received two letters, one from our sons David and Cornelius. They are still in Bremen. One letter from Jacob Regehr from Terek and a picture postcard, from our Nickolai from Russia. our dear homeland. I sat and read and cried. Oh, if only the doctor would let the boys come, it is so hard. As I sat there crying, Mrs. Klein came and took me for lunch to her house. If I stay here alone I will only keep on crying. I stayed with her till evening. My husband and the children returned home late and we talked a long time about all the things they had seen, elephants, polar bears, huge snakes, monkeys, giraffes, hyena, crocodiles, and many more animals and shows with them. These were my experiences in Penia. Two months we were there. On Nov. 2nd we left Penia and went to Hillsboro, Kansas, to Johan Warkentin’s home. They had come here thirty eight years ago to America from Russia. We made good friends with them and also Abram Schmitt. We stayed one week with Abram Schmitt and they went with us to Aunt Dietrick Thiessens, who is my aunt, my mother’s sister. 'Then we moved to Hillsboro, rented two rooms and lived there three months. Then our son Cornelius came from Baltimore from the hospital because of his eyes. Now we went on to California and I will tell about our trip to California. On February 5th we are on our way. The train has stopped and started as one can see by the handwriting because the title I wrote while traveling. The train is riding very rough and sways like a boat. Myself, Greta (Margaret), and Lena are feeling sick again already. We are going through colorful mountains and many beautiful gardens. It is very romantic. The mountains are terribly high on both sides which makes it quite dark in the train car. One side, a huge mountain and the other the river. February 6th, I stopped writing yesterday because we passed such terrifying mountains and trails that I had to look at them. It is frightening, such high mountains. If one looked up to the top, one had to bend ones head all the way back. It was frightening the way one piece lay on the other as if it would fall any moment. Yesterday from four o’clock until today at two o’clock we only traveled through high mountains. I felt dizzy all the time. From one side all of a sudden a rushing river then a small pass and again high mountains and then a tunnel. It was so dark one could not see ones hand in front of ones eyes. We went through a tunnel two times today, each five minutes and it was ghostly. Still mountains on each side but there seems to be end. We are in Colorado at the time, beautiful land and gardens simply romantic so that it is fun to travel. All of a sudden though a huge mountain is at the side of the train and I was frightened. We are trave1ing on an excursion train and cannot change. It is like a long wagon with benches on each side for two people and a walk in the middle. On one end is a washroom and toilet for the men and on the other end there is the same for the women. We also have towels, soap, beds and even blankets. We can sleep at night in a bed better than in Russia. At night we traveled over a very high mountain. On one side is a deep canyon and we couldn't see too well. We will send cards so you can see how we traveled. I stayed up long and didn't want to go to sleep because I couldn't think of myself sleeping and going over such a high mountain, but it didn't help to be frightened. One could not get off anyway and I thought of' my mother-in-1aw and the time when we were so frightened, but that was nothing compared to this. It is such a dangerous way. If God wouldn’t be our protection what then? We are just stopping by a beautiful station, passed many farms, simply wonderful and makes one feel happy to be in America. But I will not praise America before I will have my own home. Now we are passing by very big factories and cities. The train travels very fast and the mountains are far in the distance. About noon, we went over a very high mountain, two locomotives in front and one behind. It was very slow. Everywhere one sees people building and tents up. Now we are in the city of Salt Lake, a very big city, wagons are being unhitched and new ones hitched on and off again. We are closer to California. Now we are on level ground, many water holes like Terek. We cannot see the mountains any more and it is just about evening. We are 1,000 feet above the sea level. We are passing some huge water pipes, probably for irrigation. The pipes are running parallel with the tracks, there is a faucet, probably for irrigation as well. That is what it looks like to me. Now we are by a big water. In the water is a hill of rock. This water is salty, and no animal can live in it, no fish. It is called Salt Lake. We are traveling on a dam made of rocks and water on both sides of us. It is tremendous all the things one gets to see. This lake is forty miles wide and eighty miles long, very deep in the middle. No one drown in it, because it is so salty. Again we are close to the mountains, it seems like Terek. This is truly America. In the middle of the prairie, the train stops and the dining car stands ready. A meal and a waiter are there. He brings us water for coffee and waits on us very well. At night he gets our beds ready. He speaks a little high German. He then sits with the boys and teaches them English and they have to teach him German and Russian. Then I said to him something and he repeated it right away. It is late and the electric lights are on and the day has ended. We passed by poor soil, even worse then Terek. In the distance you see the mountains. Again we’re coming to a big water and we are very close to the mountains again. We know where we will travel this night. The watch says seven and we have some goodnight songs. Tomorrow I will write some more. We are traveling through the night and through mountains and my, so many tunnels. Now goodnight, we are going to bed. Before we fall asleep, we are going through a tunnel. February 7th, Good morning, today is your birthday Papa and many greetings from America and I am traveling. Will continue now about our trip. As I looked out of the window in the morning, we were in the mountains. We are now in Portola. I got up and went to wash up and comb my hair. I had to stop writing because we went thorough a tunnel and it was very dark. I also combed the girls hair. Then we wanted to eat breakfast and suddenly we were in a tunnel again. The electric lights went on and we ate for about five minutes and had passed through, the tunnel. Just now we are traveling over a very dangerous spot and the train goes very slowly. Now we are going over a very high bridge, a dreadfully deep canyon below. The mountains are covered with pine trees and it looks wonderful and the sun is smiling on nature. On top of the mountains are houses. I am just thinking of you brothers. It would be a joyful trip for you. One settlement next to the other. The mountains covered with pine trees, thus we travel over a bridge and, again between mountains that it becomes very dark. The train keeps moving on. Then I feel sad again, time flies and we have to hurry on the way. Much snow in the mountains and very big trees that several men cannot reach around them. Oh how wonderful it will be by the crystal sea where never more our eyes shall break and we will see the Savior in the wonderful light of heaven. Come brethren, come and we will hurry to meet Him in the home up above! Oh don’t you see the beautiful place in heaven in Eternal Peace! Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/tulare/photos/bios/regheror1001gbs.jpg File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/tulare/bios/regheror1001gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cafiles/ File size: 25.2 Kb