Diary of Olga Johnson, Akron, Ohio

1913 visit to Sweden

Transcribed by Karen Seibert (2000):

"I have kept Olga's spelling and use of words as she wrote them.
I hope you enjoy this diary as much as I do.
I think it is a very dear and personal look at one of our family.
        Karen"

ViviAnn Lundeberg published the diary on the web in January 2001 as part of her Family website.

Olga Johnson was Karens father's aunt, and a cousin of ViviAnn's mother, Olga Isberg. Karen's greatgrandmother Botilda was an older sister of ViviAnn's grandmother Karin (see chart below).

[Some notes by Karen are added to the text = /K - and some notes by ViviAnn = /V]

Inside Cover:
Property of Olga S. Johnson
1881 Roswell Street
Akron, Ohio

WW bought it for me [This refers to her future husband, Wallace Willaman. /K]

Tuesday June 17, 1913
Left Akron 12:05. Left Cleveland 3:30. Wallace and I went to the May Co. and then to _____ [Olga left this blank /K] Got something to drink. Martin had terrible time figuring out how he was going to get up on upper berth. Got up alright. Went to bed about 12:00.
[Martin refers to Martin Pehrson who married Hanna Olson, one of the sisters. I do not know the background on Martin. He was born in 1863 and died in Ohio in 1934. Hanna died in Ohio in 1910, so this trip was taken after her death. /K]

June 18
Got up about 4 o'clock.
Saw Hudson River... beautiful. Arrived in N.Y. at 8 o'clock. Mr. Ragnarson met us. [I do not know who this is. /K] Went to Waldorf Astoria & had a drink of ____. [Olga left this blank /K] Rode under ground & over head & on the surface. Had dinner at Swede Restaurant.
Went to Ragnarsons for supper. Went to Coney Island last night. Great place.

Left to right: Clara, Ted, Hildur, Anne, Martin, Oscar (taken before the ship sailed)

June 19 sailed 293 miles
Oscar Second sailed from Hoboken, N.J. at 2:25.
Had lunch - coffee & cake soon as we sailed. Anna [Martin's daughter] fell down stairs the first thing. Supper at 6 o'clock...beefsteak & onions.
Have got the fattest lady on the boat for a partner. Oh no, the "daintiest"...get it.
Rented two steamer chairs.
Have not got acquainted with any of the Danes on the boat yet. Went to bed at 10 o'clock. Not seasick.

June 20th Raining hard - 344 miles
Up at 8:30.
Breakfast at 9 o'clock
Bouillon at 11 o'clock
Dinner at 12 o'clock
Coffee at 3 o'clock
Supper at 6 o'clock
Played cards in the afternoon & evening. Got beat 3 games. Did not feed any fishes. Have not read letters yet.
Had glass of Danish beer. Went to bed 11:50.
Got acquainted with Oscar Henrikson from Cleveland. Danish.

June 21 raining again...ocean real rough
Seasick but not standing over the railing.
Ate no breakfast. Ate no dinner. Ate no supper.
Sailed 340 miles

June 22 rained again
Fed the fishes toady. You bet. Did not eat anything. Sat on deck all day long. 352 miles. Never combed my hair nor put my shoes on.
Jacob [Do not know who this is] said I'd spoil my eyes sleeping with them open.

June 23rd 385 miles
Got up about 10 o'clock. Feeling better. Did not eat much. Saw another boat about 9:20 P.M. Anna & I danced. Saw a great number of fish.

June 24th 373 miles
Sun is shining bright, ocean is calm & beautiful.
Lady in Anna's berth said I belonged on first class. She said I did not want to get acquainted with people in 2nd class.
Ate dinner today. No supper or breakfast. Had a ball [I think she is referring to a dance] on deck for 1st & 2nd class passengers. Had a good time dancing with an old man from 1st cabin. Decorated the boat with all kinds of flags.

June 25th 370 miles
Worse than winter here. Very Cold. Played cards in smoking room until dinner. Anna & I beat Martin & Mr. Henrickson one game.
Ate breakfast & Dinner & also supper today. Had tea in the evening.

June 26th 370 miles
Did not get up until 10 o'clock. Sand "Down By the Old Mill stream" at the concert. Played about 6 dozen games of cards.

June 27th 370 miles
Raining. Got up at 11 o'clock. Nothing exciting.

June 28th
Weather fine. Had big dinner. Saw shores of Scotland. Table all decorated with flags and we had candy, nuts, cakes, etc.

June 29th
Sunday. Weather just fine. Let pilot on boat this morning. Took a salt water bath this morning.
"I am thinking of you both because today is Sunday. I'll think of you tomorrow because it is the day after Sunday. When we return to America and tell our friends (who sit in mute awe) the story of our perilous journey across the deep mall. Your presence shall be greatly remembered.
Oscar Henrikson"
[The above message was written by Oscar. /K]
Came into Christiansand [I think this is supposed to be Kristiansand, Norway /K] at noon time. Most beautiful place I ever saw.
Another boat came out to get passengers. Big green hills.
Numbers and numbers of yachts. Girls and fellows here dress just the same as we do.
Mailed W a letter home.

June 30th
Sent W. a card home. Got to Christiania at 2 AM. This was some great day. Got up before 5 - had coffee at 6 - took a walk around the town of Christiania & then took a street car ride to Hollenkolm [Holmenkollen /V]. A big mountain car took us up about half way & then we had to walk up to the top where there was a beautiful hotel & we had coffee and a ham sandwich & it was the best I tasted on the whole trip. Most beautiful scenery - so many pine trees.
Got back at 1:30 & the boat left at 2.
An American training vessel was in the bay & the band played Star Spangled Banner.

July 1st
Landed in Copenhagen at about 9 o'clock.
Took Ferry over to Malmö and our trunks and suitcases went on another boat.
Had coffee at Mr. Olson's [Who would this be? /K] house & also supper. Went to Isbergs in the afternoon. Went to Park in evening and had punch and then big supper.
Talk about your good Swedish food!
Sent W. a postal home.

July 2nd
Had breakfast at Isberg's. Rice and potatoes & 6 dozen other things.
Coffee at Ohlsons [This is a change in spelling, but probably the same people
as on July 1st? /K] about 12 o'clock.
Left Malmö for Borrby at 12:15. Arrived in Borrby at 3:30.
Martin's 2 old maid sisters met us. Had coffee & then supper.

July 3rd
Had coffee in bed at Pehrson's [This is Martin's family /K] at Borrby.
Went to Sanby [This is what the spelling looks like to me. The entire diary
is written in pencil. /K - Probably Sandby /V] in afternoon in a carriage. Had coffee soon as we got here. Supper and then coffee at 9 o'clock. Slept there all night.
Weighed 54 kilo

July 4th
Had coffee in bed. Thinking of Great Holiday in America. We had some day of it too - loading hay.
Anna & her two aunts [These would be Martin's two sisters, I think /K] & I walked all the way to Borrby in the afternoon.
Wrote W. a letter home. Slept in Borrby all night.

July 5th
Went to Bröntevik [Probably Brantevik, small fishing village /V] about 11 o'clock. Slept there all night. Not feeling anything extra.
This is a very pretty place where we are staying - beautiful yard.
Their son, Pehr, came home from Hessleholm. [Who is Pehr? /K] All fishermen & sea captains live here.

July 6th
Raining Sunday.
In Brontevik today - feeling bum.
Wrote W. a letter

July 7th
Better. Rode to Cimrisham. [Again, Olga's spelling /K Now: Simrishamn, coastal townlet /V]] Had a glass of beer with Martin. We had the best cakes here I ever tasted. Had cakes at Hotel Svea and also at a cafe in Brontevik.
Played ball after we got home.
At cafes here in Sweden they only serve coffee...nothing stronger.

July 8th
Took about a dozen walks around the place. Played ball in the field back of house.
In Brontevik they hoist the Swedish flag every time any one has a birthday and then they have a coffee party.

July 9th
Martin, Anna, & myself walked all the way to Cimrisham. Had some more good cakes.
Washed our hair in about a cup of water. Used some Swedish perfumed shampoo.
In Brontevik.

July 10th
Went to Skillinge today in a buggy. Had coffee & then dinner & then coffee again & then supper again. Another fishing place.
People were very busy here looking through doors and windows at us poor Americans - We did not like to wear our hats & that's what interested them mostly, I think.

July 11th
In Skillinge.
Wrote letter home and to W.
Went rowing. Caught big eel and saw how they catch salmon. Catch eels in basket, catch salmon with big net.
Invited to Beata Nilson's house for coffee in afternoon. [This is a new name. Did Kjerstina marry a man named Jöns Nilsson? /K - Yes. /V]

July 12th
In Skillenge.
Got up at 6 o'clock. Went sailing in the morning. Caught one torch [Spelling should be torsk. /V] - codfish. Had coffee in the woods. Went with Beata Nilsson. [Note Olga's change in spelling of Nilsson. /K]. Skillenge, Sweden. Drove back to Borrby in evening.

July 13th
In Borrby.
Went to church at 10 o'clock. Böne Sunday [What is this? /K - Bönsöndagen - translates Prayer Sunday, now 5^th Sunday after Easter] All men sit on one side & women on the other. Had all candles for lights. Choir sang song - same tune as Stand Up , Stand Up for Jesus. Rev. Nordström.
Drove to Sandby after church for dinner & stayed there all night. First had Smörgasbord - then bouillon - then meat & potatoes - then lemon pudding.

July 14th
In Sandby.
Walked about 10 English miles to Light House. Walked up 116 steps to the top. Also saw life boat and all its paraphernalia.
Were so tired when we got home, could hardly see.
Slept here all night.

July 15th
Drove to Borrby in morning. Done a great big washing - about a dozen handkerchiefs and two or three more important things. Had to boil clothes in a little pan like we cook potatoes in.
Invited next door to Pehr Benson's for coffee & dinner.
Dinner menu:
Bread & butter course 1st....bread & butter, 2 kinds meatballs, Salmon, lobster, eel, fried herring, sausage, 2 kinds boiled ham, hard boiled eggs, cheese, sardines
Second Course....Fried chicken, potatoes, pickled cucumbers, spiced plums, lignonberries, bread & butter
Third course(birthday)...Wine, cake & strawberries, cookies, red raspberry sauce, cake with filling & fancy decorations
Fourth course...coffee

July 16th
In Borrby.
Walked to Pehr Sasirson's [I think Olga spelled words as she heard them because this does not look very Swedish to me! /K] in afternoon. Then had supper.
Bread & butter course
Chicken & vegetables
Strawberries & red raspberries

July 17th
Rode on freight train from Borrby to Särrnäs. Had about 16 coal cars & one passenger car. When we got tired of riding in this car will go & sit on a lump of coal.
Stayed over in Sjöbo for 4 hours. Met one of Martin's old friends & he took us to one of the hotels. Had coffee & punch.
Arrived at Skogstorpet about 7 o'clock.

July 18th
Real beautiful place.
Go down to creek every morning and wash. Had big dinner & then went bathing.
Played ball with Marta [Märta Isberg /V] & Axel.
Wrote two letters - one home and one to Wallace.

Skogstorpet in 1910

Axel Isberg and Olga Isberg sitting in the main room in Skogstorpet, 1911.

   Märta Isberg (year not known)

July 19th
Nearly got drowned last night. Rained real hard & it came in through the straw roof on us. Sewed a little before dinner & after dinner went bathing - quite chilly, but Anna & I kept warm trying to swim.

July 20th
Went to Övedskloster on train at 9:15. Took flowers for Grandmother's grave...had red roses. [Someone sent me pictures on the computer of Sissa's grave marker. It and that of her husband are leaning against the wall. Have you seen them in the church cemetery? /K]
Went to church - 10 o'clock. Surely had some pews to sit in. Had funeral of little child before church started.
Saw Per Smeds place. Mrs. Isberg said I should be sure & tell Mamma that I saw it. [What do you think this means? /K - Don't know. Smed means (black)smith. /V]
Johan Nielson drove Martin, Axel, Marta, & me to Rövinge. [Revinge /V] Saw many Swedish soldiers. Had coffee at Ola Smith's house.
Saw Switzer Hydden this morning.
[The following is written in Swedish by Axel - translation /K]
"In dear memory I keep the bright, happy summerdays at the time when you together with us visited the old beloved places where your father and your mother lived their youth and where you according to hereditary rules will find precious. It is a memory for life both for you and for me. When you again is sitting in the family circle you may then for the eye of your soul again invoke the sight of your native place and all those who have you in their mind. To be Swedish is an honour. Bigger than anything else. Forget never that you are a Swedish woman; may you always in your heart remain Swedish; this word I give you on your journey to the grand country in the West. My thoughts will forever follow you.
Skogstorpet July 20, 1913
Your cousin, Axel"

July 21st
Went bathing. Nothing very exciting

July22nd
Rained so hard you could not go bathing. Martin had his teeth fixed in Sjöbo.

July 23rd
Went to Lund. Saw Dom's Khyrkan. [No idea what this means] Had dinner at Hotel. Paid 1 Kr 25 öre [or äre] for bread when we could have got whole dinner for 1.50.
Walked all the way from Stånby [Stångby] to Lackalöngo. [Not sure of this spelling /K] About 2 hours walk in the hot sun.

July 24th
Anna & I were at Lackalönga. Slept there all night. Had 2 rams and 2 pigs.
Anna got a nice spot on her coat. Don't know just where it came from, above or below.

July 25th
Went to Tröllenas. [Trollenäs /V] Meet Papa's sister, Elna. Had coffee and dinner there. Her husband works on big farm. Saw church and graveyard.

July 26th
Went to Lund with Papa's sister and her husband. Met Papa's brother, Nils.
Went to their home for coffee. Have five small children.
Went from Lackalöngo 3:2 [Not sure what this means, unless it is supposed to
be the time they left /K]
Had big birthday party at Isberg's. Danced, sang, had big dinner & coffee twice. Went to bed 1 o'clock. [I think this would have been a birthday party for Paul Gunnar Isberg who was born, according to my records, on July 25, 1854. He died on April 7, 1938. /K - My grandfather /V]

   Gunnar Isberg

July 27th
Got up at 9. Wrote letter to W.
Morbor [Is this a Swedish word? /K - Morbror, means mother's brother, uncle /V] Johan drove us to Harlösa. Went to Malmö at 5:39. Went to see Mr. & Mrs. Olson. Had saft. [= juice /V] and coffee.
Left Malmö 10:12 on fast train for Stockholm. Had fine berth.

July 28th
Saw place of Olympic games.
Got to Stockholm 8:49.
Went to Park Hotel where we made our headquarters. Only 2.50 per day.
Had breakfast at Hotel and then Herr Palmers came to Hotel with big 9 passenger car and we drove all around Stockholm.
Had lunch at a cafe then went through Biological museum and Historical museum.
Then went to Skansen where we had a big 5 course dinner. Saw all around this place...many animals of all kinds.
Then took a street car to big Bjern Salon [Bern's Salonger - or Saloons /V]. Only drank 3 bottles of punch and 3 of soda water. Swedes here surely drink & smoke cigarettes.
Martin inquired about a hole in the ground. Palmers said it was a beginning of an underground subway.
Got back to hotel 12 or 12:30.

July 29th
Had two dandy beds to sleep in. Been good place for honeymoon.
Got up 9 o'clock. Had breakfast at Hotel. Cost 1.50 - Ham & eggs.
Anna and I went shopping for half hour.
Palmers came to Hotel again at 12 o'clock with another big 9 passenger car.
Drove to place where we got on boat and went to a place called fjardeholn [Fjäderholmarna, small islands with restaurants /V] for breakfast. Beautiful scenery. Saw the Prince's summer homes etc. Walked all around King's Palace.
Went to picture show in evening. Had to pay 10 öre for program.

July 30th
Got up at 9 o'clock and after eating breakfast at hotel and settling our bill there Anna & I went to boat which left at 10 o'clock for Gothenburg [Olga's spelling /K - Correct in English: in Swedish = Göteborg /V].
Don't expect to wake up tomorrow walking very erect after sleeping in this 2nd cabin salong [Lounge /V]. Plan for 6 ladies in a room big enough for two...[HereOlga has drawn a little picture of how the ladies had to lie down on the benches! /K]
Had dinner on boat at 2 o'clock. Only 2.50. Also had coffee which we substituted for supper.

July 31st
Woke up about 6:30 and after watching the other ladies dress - got up - Allowed to get off the boat and walk along the canal while boat went through locks.
Froze all night long.

Aug 1st
Kolosalt [Olga's spelling /K]
We slept real good last night for a change which accounts for the fact that we did not get up until 11 o'clock.
Got off and saw Tröllhättan. Beautiful place.
Arrived in Göteborg at 6 o'clock. Axel & Annie [Annie = Anna? /V] met us. Went out to Ebba's place of business & went bathing in salt water. [Axel's sister Ebba, 21, was probably summer swimming instructor /V]
Slept in Göteborg at Långedrag all night.

Aug 2nd
Ebba & Axel & Anna & I went to Slottskogen and walked around until 11 o'clock. [My brother Janne found some photos from this walk. /V - But we don't really know who is who, except for Axel:]:

Then went back with Ebba to Långedrag - took another salt water bath.
Left Göteborg 3:33 for Hässleholm. Anna got hit in the head with a piece of fine tissue paper flying through the window. Had to change trains in Arstorp and wait there just 2 hours - Had supper there. Left at 10:12 for Hässleholm. Got there 11:25. Enfrid and Mr. Walfred Lundberg met us at the depot. Had room at Hotel all ready for us.
[Not sure of the spelling of the first name...looks like a "W" /K]

Aug 3rd
In Hössleholm. We were to be up & ready at 10 o'clock but did not get up until 9:45 and of course we did not get ready until 10:30. Ernfrid [Olga spells his name different ways! Who is he? /K - Don't know /V] knocked at our door about a dozen times, but we just let him knock. Had breakfast at a cafe. Dinner at Ernfrid's boss's home. Drove to a lake in afternoon - Finje sjön [Again, not sure of spelling /K - Finnja /V] Left Hössleholm at 6 o'clock for Tipperöd. Had to change trains in Ortofta.
Got to Tipperöd at 9:31 after a very delightful trip home on the train with an intoxicated conductor. Had fried potatoes when we go to Isbergs...and strawberries.

Aug 4th
Did not get up until 10 o'clock and after breakfast we wrote letters and cards.
In the afternoon we all went to Moster Tjarsters [Kerstin or Kjerstin, called Titti - Moster = Mothers's Sister = Aunt /V] and had supper and coffee and then we danced. Had a very good time. Last dance 25 minutes. Axel played his accordion.

   Sisters Titti and Karin

Aug 5th
Sun shining bright. Got up at 9 o'clock and after breakfast went down to the creek and washed handkerchiefs and my silk waist-
Went to Moster Tjörstes for dinner. Had chicken soup and pancakes. Had coffee out in the grass. Went back to Skogstorpet at 4:30 and then iron our clothes.

Aug 6th
Moster Karin & Anna & I went to Malmö on 6:55 train. Uncle Gunnar met us on train station before we got to Malmö.
Shopped until 1 o'clock after which we got on a boat and went to some pavilion for dinner. Came back to Malmö about 3 o'clock & had coffee at Continental Cafe.
Left for Borrby at 4:15 and arrived there at 8 o'clock.

Aug 7th
In Borrby.
Did not sleep very good on account of hives or bed bugs or something I had that itched just terrible. Could sleep in morning of course which accounts for the fact we did not get up until 10:30.
Two ladies here had visitors in P.M. for coffee & also for supper. 14 in all.
Circus Jacobi in town in evening. Did not go because of the visitors being here.

Aug 8th
Anna is my doctor. Puts Lazarol on the very itchy parts. Slept a little better.
Have not washed my hair now for over a month. So dirty can hardly comb it.
Drove to another cousin of Martin's in afternoon at Salarp. Old man there got drunk...Nils Håkarson [or Håkasson /K]. Family there was in mourning. Everything in house was black & white.

Aug 9th
Still itchy. No better.
Got up 9:30 and we washed our dirty clothes - after which we washed our hair. Used my Goodhair Soap this time.
Wrote W a letter.
Invited to neighbors for coffee and supper.
Played cards. Martin & Mr. Färde & Anna & I played Prefy [Priffe /V]

Aug 10
Weighed 61 kilos
Martin & his 2 sisters went to church while Anna & I stayed at home & washed dishes, etc.
Buggy came for us at noon time and we drove to Sandby. Had coffee then dinner then coffee again.
Drove to Kyblo Strog [I wonder what that is? /V] in evening. Danced only Polka with Elesin, Anna, & Ida.
Drove back at 10 o'clock along the Baltic Sea and nearly lost our way.
Slept in Sandby all night.

Aug 11th
Walked all the way to Borrby. Borrby people had company.
Had a very good dinner.
Anna & I went to Jacobi Circus. Some very good stunts. Last act was very funny. Lasted about 2 hours.

Aug 12
Nothing important in the forenoon.
Brantevik people (Jeppo [I am not sure about the last three letters of this name /K], & wife), Skillinge people (Nils Anderson & wife), American people (Martin, Anna, Olga), and Borrby people (Hanna & Eljina [Not sure about this last name either /K])... 9 in all... went to Martin Nilson's house for coffee after dinner. Only drank three cups. Stayed there for about an hour then Anna, Martin, & I went to Nils Erics house in Sandby. Had some coffee again & then supper...coffee again & then punch.
Stayed there until 11:30 then walked to Sandby #4. [What do you think this means? /K - Don't know /V]

Aug 13
Anna & Martin were busy looking through chest in forenoon.
Were invited to Gunnesons in afternoon for coffee & supper.
Rained very hard and Anna & I had our white dresses on. Could hardly breathe in mine, it was so tight for me.

Aug 14th
Any wonder I am getting so fat? Weighed 62 1/2 kilos in Skillinge.
Got up at 6:30 and after drinking coffee we started on our trip around Skåne.
First we drove up to Skillinge. Coffee & then breakfast. Chicken and many other good things.
9:30 we got there. Left 11:30. Next we drove to Brontevik and got there 12:30. Coffee first thing, after which us 4 girls drove to Cimresham to buy some liquor, etc. Came back to Brontevik about 4:30 then had dinner. Chicken again and berry soup. Coffee again.
Drove back to Borrby about 8 o'clock and then to Sandby 9:30.

Aug 15th
Getting ready for our trip homeward.
Left Sandby about 1:30 and stopped and said good-bye to Stohlner's two brothers & sister.
Packed our trunks after we got to Borrby.
In evening were invited to Champagne party at Borrby Hotel. First champagne I ever saw or tasted. Did not get at all drunk.

August 16
This is the day we left Borrby. Had coffee in bed as usual about 8 o'clock and then we got up and after getting all dressed ready to start, we said goodby to neighbors. Got wine in two places.
Left Borrby 10:43. Arrived Malmö 2:30. Axel met us at train and after buying our tickets (86 örn) [?? /K] from Malmö to Liverpool we went down to station to meet Ernfrid & then we all went to Isberg's. Only stayed there a few minutes then went to restaurant for supper. After that we went down to Ohlson's & said good-bye to Axel. Anna & I came back again and sat & talked until nearly 12 o'clock. Had a very good time helping Axel make beds etc.
Mail carriers in Copenhagen wear bright red coats. In Lubeck dark blue suits with red bands around hats.

August 17th
Got up 6 o'clock. Axel shined our shoes and made breakfast.
Sailed on boat from Malmö at 8:25. Mr. & Mrs. Olson went along with us.
Had dinner at hotel. Pork Chops & potatoes.
Went through very interesting museum...all kind of statues. Had coffee at Bristol Hotel.
Sailed on Svonen [?] to Lubeck at 4 o'clock.

August 18th
Landed in Lubeck at 6 o'clock.
Very pretty and busy place. Had lunch at station - ham & bread & coffee. At 12 o'clock we were in St. Marie Church and as the clock struck 12, apostles came out.
Left Lubeck at 1:28 on very good train for Hamburg - 2nd class. Arrived Hamburg 4 o'clock. Headquarter at Streit Hotel. Paid 18 marks for us 3.
Took boat ride.

August 19th
Got up at 8:30 after sleeping very good. Had breakfast at Hotel - coffee & bread & egg.
Saw Court House.
Left Hamburg at 2:58 on another very good train - 2nd class.
Had supper on train. Arrived in Flushing (?) at 12:30 and immediately took boat for Folkstone. Did not sleep good on boat because it was too cold. Had to get up 4:30. Boat landed at 5:30 and we got on train at Folkstone which left for London at 6:00.

August 20th
Greatest place ever saw. Took taxi to City House Hotel on City Road. German Hotel and very good.
First we took Omnibus #43 and rode to London Bridge and there we got off and walked across. Came back and went in a monument and walked up 311 steps to the top where we got a most excellent view of London. Next went to Old London Tower. Saw soldiers practice - museum - King's jewelry.
Next took Omnibus #11 to Westminister Abbey. Beautiful place full of
statues. Saw where all the kings were buried..
Came back to hotel for supper and after eating, we took a little walk but were so tired we came back and went to bed about 9:30.
August 21st
Slept very good last night on cot which had been placed in our room on account of no double rooms being vacant. After breakfast we took Omnibus #52 to King's Palace. Were repairing same. Saw many soldiers come from palace - were changing guards - played scotch bag pipes.
Walked back to Hyde Park where we went in to sit down and rest. But it cost us 2 pence to sit on a chair. Then we took a taxi and rode around the city and after having dinner we took Omnibus #52 again down to Pickadilly Circus - the main streets for business.
After supper went to Lyceum Theatre. Played "The Beggar Girl's Marriage." Very good and a very pretty theatre.
Came back to hotel at 12 o'clock.

August 22nd
Had breakfast at hotel and then left on the 10:30 train for Liverpool. Got there 2:20. Registered at Stotts Hotel. Went to Cunard Office to see about our baggage and tickets. Everything OK. Went down to Stage Landing and saw Empress of Britain leave for Quebec. Very large boat. Also saw Lucitania laying in Mercie River.
Raining very hard and we got very wet.
Came back to hotel for supper and after that we took a walk down to the post office and mailed some cards.
Had very interesting conversation between ourselves (Martin, Anna, & myself) about how young people should act.

August 23rd
This is the day we start for good old USA.
Slept good last night at the Stotts Temperance Hotel & did not get up until 9:30. Had breakfast and then we took another walk. Then came back to hotel and had a little lunch.
Took taxi down to Stage Landing and got on Lucitania a little after 3. Sailed from Liverpool 5:00.
Lucitania is a very large & fine boat. Just my luck however to have a small baby in same room.

August 24th
Sunday. We have certainly gotten on a fast boat. She is trying to make a record trip - terrible vibration.
Went to church this morning in 1st class saloon at 10:30. Went down to dinner at 12:30 but did not stay long nor eat very much. Very glad because what little I did eat came up very soon. Oh, this sea sickness is terrible.
Stayed on deck until about 10 o'clock.

August 25th
Not able to get up very early - Made about a half dozen very heroic attempts & finally succeeded at about 10 o'clock to come up on deck.
Lady's husband brought us in some lemon squash, but as soon as I came up on deck I had to climb up over the railing and give it all up to the dark blue waters of the Atlantic. Nearly all on board were sick.

August 28th
Received our landing tickets. Feeling very much better. Got up in time for breakfast at 7:30. Terribly warm down in our room.
Also ate lunch and dinner and it all tasted very good and did not come up again.
Had concert in Dining Saloon - Very good indeed. Was asked to help take up a collection, which I very gladly did. Had two fine comedians that sang and spoke just dandy.

August 27th
Received blanks for custom house. Feeling fine today. Although I did not sleep very much last night. Girl in our room jumped down from her berth about 2 o'clock and we had to call in the doctor. Baby cried a good bit of the night.
Forgot to mention above that girl cut her foot.
Had sports on second cabin today. Laughed and nearly fell overboard. Had tug-of-war but sorry to say that 1st class won.
Second cabin passengers nearly all school teachers & priests.

August 28th
Nothing unusual for me these days to get up at 6 o'clock. For some reason or other I don't like to stay in my room. Too hot I think. Couldn't be any warmer in a bake oven.
Weather has been just fine on the whole trip.
Had to pack up trunk today as we expect to land tomorrow forenoon.

   The Lusitania arriving in New York

August 29th
Up again at 6 o'clock.
Was examined today by doctor to see if we were all well. Had to stay in quarantine for about half an hour. Put yellow flag on boats. Nearly got crushed to death when getting off - they could not wait.
Passed Custom House very nicely. Martin had to pay 7.50 duty on his linen & bedding.
Took pity on the Erie Railroad so bought tickets from man on dock. Never again for such a stunt. Had to take ferry over to Jersey side & wait about an hour before they would fix up our tickets.

[This is the last entry in the diary. /Karen Steibert]