---

Wed. Aug 1st 1894

This was a great day for the Rheinsberg people. The soldiers from Berlin, a regemint [sic] marched here from station 15 mi to spend two weeks. The music was good but the marching was ugly they threw their legs as though they were trying to go through the earth. A great friend of Uncles [sic] came here took tea. We walked partly home with him. They think nothing of walking five miles here but the roads are like streets. We went through a small portion of the Kings garden. Frederick the great [sic] once lived here, but his brother Prince Heinrich owned the garden & laid it all out. It is grand beyond words. Must be over a thousand acres large, has a lovely lake. There is just in front of palace across the lake a [sic] obelisk in memory of Heinrich. Most of the buildings here & monuments are of brick, stuccoed. We were tired after our walk so slept well.

1894
Thursday Aug 2nd

After breakfast about nine oclock, we walked out in park again. You can walk there every day it seems & see something new, so many roads therein. We went around lake to monument. Then went in another direction and came to a rotunda onced [sic] used by King for drinking tea etc in the evening. Then to another curious rock room in hill side with large entrance, where it is said he ate when it was warm, his lunch. Water was in [sic] from a pond. Then went to market-place, drank beer & heard soldiers play.

At half past two father had ordered a carriage and we drove, {aunt uncle, Helene father & myself} for hours. Went out one of these grand roads for miles, had to pay toll, then on to a little village, where we stopped and had a cup coffee and sandwitches [sic]. The owner of the gasthoff must have been a rich man. He showed us around his garden. He lived on a lovely stream and made fishing a business. It was wonderful to see his fish-house. Here in Europe you can only sell living fish. He had five immense boxes made of cement and brick with pipes leading water in & out. Numbers of lovely fish in box ready for sale. After this we hitched again {our driver did} and we drove for miles through lovely forest all owned by the King. We drove near a lake left horses on road, took beer & lunch up to top of a lovely hill where you could see water & lovely forest for miles. After this we drove home, reached there about half-past eight, but is [sic] was not yet dark. After eating supper & chatting awhile we retired, slept better as aunt had given us other cover.

Friday Aug 3rd 94

We took a long walk in park, then returned to market-place to hear music. Drank beer, and listened to all talk German.

Saturday Aug 4th 1894

Just after breakfast we started out to see what was to be seen in this place. A very rich man from Berlin has a magnificent summer home here. We went into the lovely garden with its fountain, and white tables & benches every where [sic]. We were then invited into the house by the manager {the owner was away}. The white marble steps the stature [sic] of King Wm. II in centre of Hall made of bronze and surrounded by palms and flowers, the grand oil panelen [sic] pictures of "fall" summer" "winter" on walls, the floors inlaid with different woods, the two lovely hot-houses filled with plants up to top in rustic vases, the diningroom , billiard room and three parlors were all grand. After this we returned home rested ate and then went out again to see if we could appoint a time to hear two young ladies play on harps. Sunday was appointed. We returned ate supper spent evening talking.

Letter Home:

(On letterhead stationary, with a picture of ‘Der Obelisk', in Park Rheinsberg)

Rheinsberg, den Aug 4th 1894

My dear Minnie;
As dear Uncle Krebs had been out and bought me some paper, I will use a sheet at once & write to you. I imagine you are enjoying yourself with Genie, Cousin Mollie & all your dear friends. I was so glad to hear from your letter that you were so well. My darling Little Hunter must have felt strange staying from home. I am seening [sic] so many beautiful things that I can talk for days. It is dreadful that I cant speak German. I understand more than I can speak. You cant speak as easily as you think. Aunt Henretta, Helena and Uncle all talk to me but I cant reply often. They are so kind there is nothing left undone, beautiful fresh flowers every morning at my place, roses just like ours. Rheinsberg is a queer old-time place, all the dwellings two stories high, built of brick, even brick shingles. The windows here open like doors - all double, for keeping out cold. Rheinsberg is a historical spot. It is where Frederick the Great had his summer home. It is well preserved and the park and Forests and lakes are too grand for description. Over a thousand acres, laid out in lovely roads Natural Theatres, seats every-where. It is all owned by the present King of course, but it is enjoyed by the public. Every-one enjoys walking in this park. The houses here are built out to the edge of pavement no porches, and as you walk along on rock pavements you will see ladies & gentlemen sitting at the door around a table drinking beer, coffee, or wine and eating. Ladies have their work. Yesterday evening we all went to market-place to hear the band play for officers. There were tables under large trees in this market-place where all could sit around and drink & eat. Every-body drank talked and listened to music. I had a nice letter from Aunt Mollie and Ada yesterday which I enjoyed so much am glad Bro Billy is better. We expect to leave here next Wed. for Hinterpomen. (Spelled today, Hinterpommern, this is the part of Pomerania east of the Oder-Neisse Rivers, now part of NW Poland following WWII.) Aunt will go with us. We will then see Mr. Peters. Then go the Switzerland, then to Paris. Just how we well arrange our trips we dont know. Helene will go to Rotterdam with us & see us off. She is so nice just a year younger than myself, not pretty but so nice & good. If I could only talk to her more. We sail on 15th Sep as I have mentioned before. The weather here is cooler & damper than with us. You have to be careful all time not to take cold. I wont have any use for my silks at all, am sorry I have them to lug around & ruin. Now with much love to each one there and at home I am your devoted

Sister. {write to Lulie often send him my letter too} Aunt, Father & each one send love

(On top of second page, upside down: Father did enjoy your letter.)

1894
Sunday 5th Aug.

I shall never forget this day. We went to church at ten oclock in morning. No nice Sunday school for the Little children. Very few people attend church. Not more than a hundred --- how (?). After twelve oclock the day was one of frolic. The soldiers had theatricals in the Natural Theatre in the Kings park. At least three thousand people turned out. They came from country & every-where. We walked to park and saw the people returning. The music was beautiful, but so strange for Sunday. I thank God I dont live in a place where Sunday is so little regarded. You could hear music and dancing all night.

1894
Monday 6th Aug.

This morning Uncles school opened at seven oclock and the streets were alive with the music of the wooden sole [sic] shoes as the little children gathered in forom [sic] every-direction. There are 400 children & seven teachers.

1894
Tuesday Aug 7th

In morning we went to park & heard music. At Two our carriage came and we went out to spend evening with uncle's friend. Herr Korkhritz.

It was a pleasant day as they were very kind & treated us so nicely. We had coffee as soon as we entered the house. Then we took a long drive in some lovely woods owned by King. The horses were bawlky [sic] so I didn't enjoy the ride. We returned to our friends home where supper was waiting. Ate & went home.

Wed. Aug. 8th 1984

We rose early as this was our day for leaving Rheinsbergs [sic]. At half past eight we were ready. Now came good-byes. Aunt came with us and cousin Helene would join us, but my dear old uncle I might never see again, and as he and I were the greatest friends it was hard to say good-bye. After driving only a few blocks we got out and went into burying ground to see grandmothers grave. Then we started on our journey and after a delightful drive of about two & one half hours we reached Mentz. It was now eleven oclock so we had to wait 2 hrs. for train to Stettin. This time we tried 3rd class ticket and found it very good. The scenery along road was lovely as usual with cultivation. Even the railroad banks had potatoes on them. We arrived in Stettin between four & five. There were many carriages standing so we took one, but just as we were seated we were asked if we had a mark or number so we had to get one {a brass piece with a no. on it obtained from a man in Military costume at door} then we took the carriage bearing same number, and told the driver to take us to a good hotel. It was called the Muller Hotel and was very good, as near the centre of city. The first thing we did was to change our clothes & wash. Then we ate dinner, then took a carriage and called on Mrs. Victor's brother, as he wasn't in we drove around for a [sic] hour, then called. This time we found him. He was very glad to see us and treated us nicely. His family were [sic] away, except one little boy Fritz, whom he called in, nine years old. He was going to school. We retired early as we were tired.

1894
Thursday Aug 9th

At eight oclock we ordered a carriage or started out to see Stettin, after first having a nice breakfast in our room. This is a great military city, so much space is given for drilling grounds and houses for military use. You cant imagine the arrangements without seeing; block after block is for this use. The flour mills are larger than ours, the cement works are enormous. The dock is filled with many ships & barges. The public schools are lovely buildings & so large, red brick with green trimmings. We drove into one of the largest cemeterys [sic]. The monuments dont compare with those in Richmonds Hollywood. In another cemetery we found a stone that father remembered seeing 50 yrs. (ago). We went in just to find it as he wanted to see how it compared now with his eyes of 50 yrs ago. It was a life size, likeness of a girl 21 yrs old, reclining, just as when she died. It was black with age but yet beautiful. Was of marble. After driving to a garten [sic] and drink beer we returned to Hotel, ate dinner and got ready to go to Treptow at half-past five. It was a long journey, we had to change cars twice. Reached Treptow at half past nine and to our delight found Mr. Peters waiting for us. It did seem nice to see some one from America and one whom you knew so well. We went to a hotel very near depot. Mr. Peters went for his wife. Soon returned with a good-looking but not pretty womon [sic]. We chatted awhile – then retired as we were very tired.

Friday Aug. 10th

Mr. Peters was here early and wished us to take breakfast with him, but we had ordered it so would not. After this we went to his store & home and spent a delightful day. Went to park in evening and drank beer. It was a good long walk, but the way was so smoothe [sic] that it dont tire you as pavements

Saturday
Aug. 11th 1894

It was raining when we woke, but it made no difference as we had no plans. At nine we ordered breakfast & while eating Mr. Peters came in. After breakfast we went to his home again, only had time to eat dinner and get to depot to take train at 1.17 (p.m.) oclock for Colberg. It took only 55 mi (minutes) to reach here and Mr. Peters told us of a hotel 1½ squares from depot. We found it easily got rooms and after putting our bundles down took a carriage & went in search of father's cousin Fritz Otto. He is a nice old gentleman and after riding around with us became quite talkative. We drove all around and saw so many people, as this a summer resort. We went into a lovely house on a hill where we could look out on the "Baltic Sea". The house was of glass all around that you could slide open. Here we had a fine dinner or lunch. We saw old fortifications where the soldiers were placed on hills surrounded by water, to defend the city against the French. After driving our cousin home we returned to hotel and soon retired.

Sunday Aug 12th 1894

At eight oclock we had our breakfast and got ready for church commenced at 10 oclock. Our dear old Cousin came for us. He looked so nice and when I came down he threw his arms around me & kissed me. It was raining, but we had cloaks & rubbers so off we went. Fifteen minutes walk brought us to church. It was a very old one, over 600 years. There were so many crucifix around, a very large one over main alter, another smaller under with a candle on either side. The ceilings were covered with paintings of bible scenes. Many people were present and the sermon was a good one. Colberger Dome was the name of church.

It was raining when we came out so we hurried home. After sitting a few hours we ate dinner and at three oclock our dear old cousin came for us to spend the evening. We walked to his home as it was now clear. There we had coffee and showed our pictures. Then we took a carriage and drove to another cousins home, father's mother's sisters child. It rained very hard so we drove to our hotel. Here we found Mr. Peters waiting, come on three train from Treptow. We had several hours together and he made arrangements to meet us at Kosline. Left at nine oclock again for Treptow.

1894
Monday Aug. 13th

It was not a beautiful bright day, but we started out about nine on foot as we couldn't drive into parks and by Baltic shore. Our dear old cousin and his Little grandson, Gustave, were with us. We went through a lovely park then came out on other side to Baltic shore, where there are bath-houses. Here it was lovely, flowers and shrubry [sic] along walks and people hurrying along with turkish towels under the arm. It was amusing to see them stand & watch for a wave, then turn back to it & .....(?). After walking three hours we went to a Restaurant & had dinner. It was a fine one. All kinds cold meat, Italian salad, bread, butter, & beer. Old Cousin Fritz did show that he enjoyed it. Now we were tired so we took a carriage and drove to Cemetery as Cousin wished us to see his wifes grave, she died in Jan. 1894. It was lovely to see his reverence for his wife. He kept his hat off and seemed to pray all time. Now we returned to hotel, rested and got ready to leave for Corlin at half past three. When we reached depot there stood dear old Cousin, his daughter & her children. It was indeed touching to see his grief at parting. He knew father better as a young-man that any-one else and had always loved him. They brought me a lovely bouquet with forget-me-nots in it.

Tuesday Aug 14th 1894

Another night at a new place "Corlin". The Schwarzen Adler Hotel. We only stopped here in search of grandfather's grave. Here it was that grandfather & mother lived in 1876 when Uncle Louis first came in search of them from America. This morning about 9 oclock we started out for cemetery. Reached it after about 20 mi (minutes) walk, and as it was small we soon found grand-fathers grave. It had a cross at head with these words on it {Here rests the ...(?)... Christian Ludwig Jahnke Born March 11th 1804 died Apr. 17 1880 on other side a verse from Phil. 1 Ch. 21 verse.}

Letter Home:
Belgard
Tuesday 8 oclock P.M.
Aug 13th [sic] 1894 (dated incorrectly, should be 14th)

My dear Franz & all

The last letter was written from Colberg, where we had a good time, saw so much, as it is a summer resort. We walked for three hours Monday morning with our old Cousin Fritz Otto, we couldn't ride as we wanted to go through the park and to bathing houses. It was grand to see the Baltic, so many people come here, there were 7000 here at this time. Sunday morning at ten oclock Cousin came to go with us to church. He looked splendid, and we started to church. In twenty minutes walk through a lovely park we were in what is called the "Dome Church". It is very old, over six hundred years. The roof is covered with copper, green now, the church is built of bricks. The inside is composed of arches and domes and immense square pillars, covered on all sides with paintings from bible scenes. The ceilings are painted too in bible scenes – the whole life of Christ can be traced in these paintings. The main alter at which the preacher first stands has a bible on it with two immense candles on either side, and a small crucifix over the bible. Above this is suspended and immense crucifix and two women standing under. The whole church is filled with such decorations and is said to contain all that it had in it when Luther revolutionized things in the religious world. The sermon we heard was grand and I understood it all. I cant speak German so well but can begin to understand a great deal. Sunday evening our Cousin came for us to go home with him to Coffee. Mr. Peters had said he would come on three train, but we left just before, so that we could hurry back. They had cake & coffee ready. We looked at pictures and chatted. They told of another cousin who lived in same city, so father got a carriage and we all went together {cousin his daughter & her husband too}. It rained very hard but didn't interfere as our carriage was closed. We found this cousin too. He was younger than father, he remembered Uncle Louis well as he saw him when here last. After this we drove to hotel and found Mr. Peters. He had been here for four hours, had only two & one half more before his train. We enjoyed chatting, then had supper together, when it was time to leave. It did seem as though we must be in America at Bon Air, just as when he lived with us. He will see us again in Koslin. Monday morning after our walk we took a carriage and went to Cemetery as Cousin was so anxious for father to see his wife's grave. She died in Jan. 1894. This cousin is father's mother's brother's child and his wife was Grandfather Jahnkes brothers child, so they are both our cousins. When we came to her grave {though it was raining hard} he took his hat off and for several minutes stood in prayer. After this we went to hotel to get ready to leave for Corlin. When we reached depot he & his daughter with three children were waiting to see us off, had a lovely bouquet for me put up by florist. If ever you saw an old man weep he did. I felt thankful that Grand father and mother were both gone so as to be spared this parting, for if he took it so hard what would they have done. He hugged & kissed me over & over and cried aloud, and shook. He had such a good time with us he said, father did treat him nicely, rode every-where and ate all that was nice. Eating & dining cost not quite half as much here as in America. First time we drove here with Cousin I mean, we kept the carriage five hours and it cost 9 mark. Mark = 24 cts. It took only about twenty minutes after the car started for Colberg to reach Colin [sic]. Monday night we spent her in "Schwarzer Adler Hotel" the same one Uncle Louis was in when he first visited his parents. It was here his father came and found him in morning, before he had been to see them. This morning we started out in search of grandfathers grave. The Village Cemetary [sic] is not large and in centre [sic] of village so we had no trouble as Aunt knew the spot. It had a large iron cross guilded [sic] on edge, at head with name, date, etc on

Christian Ludwig Jahnke
Born March 11th 1804
Died April 17 1880
Verse Phil. 1ch. 21st

After seeing this and calling on some of Aunts friends we went to hotel as dinner hour was one oclock. After this we rested until four, when it was time to leave for Belgard. It took only 15 minutes to get here (This letter is continued below)

Wed Aug 15th 1894

At half past three Tuesday we took train for Belgard and 15 or 20 minutes were there. We took a carriage for Ottoiv's (?) Hotel and found it a nice one facing the "market place". We intended leaving Belgard after spending one night, but father found some old people who knew his father well and remembered his leaving for America. They were so interested in him that he just couldn't leave at 2 oclock as he intended, but spent another night. It was nice to see even the old barber remembered him and came in to see him. Father had lived in this place just before coming to America.

1894
Thursday Aug 16th

At half past nine oclock we left Belgard for Coslin. In 25 mi (minutes) we reached the place and took a carriage for Schuhmachers Hotel, father went out at once in search of Mr. Peters Father. Soon returned and took us with him as they expected us to dinner. He is a nice old gentleman. His wife is an invalid. His children 4 boys & 3 girls are raised so nicely. 2 little grand-children are lovely. Mr. Carl Peters came on his bycycle [sic] at half past eight, from Treptow 25 miles. I was glad to see him as he spoke English. We were eating supper when he came in & it did remind me of our home. They were so glad to see him.