Planting Dreams by Linda K. Hubalek

Author:Linda K. Hubalek
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: historical fiction, kansas history, Swedish immigrant stories, homesteading, pioneer and frontier
Publisher: Butterfield Books Inc.
Published: 2017-05-23T00:00:00+00:00

Look for the Steeple

“AT LEAST WE HAVE A roof over our heads, and I have a job through the winter.” Samuel is trying to convince himself that even though things didn’t work out as we had hoped, we will not starve. A week of worry preceded our finding this place, though.

Our dreams had built up so big during our journey that we expected to walk off the train, pick our land practically from the train platform, pay cash for all we needed, and set up housekeeping by nightfall. Of course, we didn’t expect it to be that easy, but America was the place where all our dreams were to come true.

Reality set it quickly. Two carloads of bewildered people unloaded at Galesburg. Now what? Where do fifty other people and we find a place to live—starting with tonight’s lodging? Can we find a hotel with a cheap rate, or are we allowed to sleep at the depot until we find a room?

Everyone is hungry. Traveling costs have whittled at the savings that was supposed to last much longer. How many more meals before we are out of money?

Immediate employment is needed to continue feeding the family but look at all these men standing on the platform in the same dire situation. All the farmers on this train are going to be vying for a piece of farmland in this area. And how many trainloads of immigrants came before us this spring looking for the same thing? Panic overtakes me. Now that we are here, what do we do?

The depot agent is patient, considering he is asked these same questions daily. “Talk to Pastor Dahlsten at the First Lutheran Church. He’ll help you find a place to stay tonight and a meal to fill your stomachs,” he says as he points up the street. “Follow north on Prairie Street several blocks, then go right on Waters Street until you see the white wooden building. The church is good about giving you a hand.”

“But, sir, we want to go to Andover.”

“Well, that’s twenty-five miles on north. Tomorrow morning you come back here and ride to Lynn Center, then you’re on your own. Check with their livery to see if you can hire a wagon to get to Andover.”

We were not at our final destination after all. We wander with the crowd to the church mentioned, looking for food and advice. We’ve now among fellow Swedes, but we’re just the latest throng of immigrants that have arrived. Will they help us or resent us for moving in on their town and their charity?

“Go due west. It’s only about three miles. Keep looking for a high church steeple in the distance. That’s what the locals call the ‘Cathedral on the Prairie.’ It’s the new Lutheran church being built in the middle of Andover. Call on Pastor Swenson when you get there. He’ll show you over to the Immigrant House.”

We’re closer, but still not there.

It was a short train ride. It took longer to load our baggage in Galesburg and unload it at Lynn Center than to ride there.

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