. . . April 6th. Today father and I signed on as passengers on the sailing ship Argonaught leaving for Quebec, America on the 19th of this month.

April 19th. We sailed from Christiania today and are now on our way.

Wednesday, April 28th. In the middle of the North Sea. Today we had a terrible storm so that we barely escaped shipwreck. The captain and crew said it was one of the worst storms they had ever seen. It is now calm and almost everyone on board is seasick. As for myself, I feel quite well.

June 1st. Today we saw the American Coast for the first time, but are still a long way from our destination. [I] am very tired of the trip but do not expect to arrive in Quebec for another 14 days. The last while it has been very cold, and we have been sailing far to the north among icebergs.

Quebec, Canada June 19th. We arrived here hungry, yet happy, this evening and hope in the morning that we will be permitted to go on shore so that we can get something to eat. Today as we sailed down the ford we saw the prettiest scenery we had ever seen in our lives. Both sides of the ford were just beautiful. However, in comparison, this is not a pretty city.

[June] 20th. Today we were in the city and picked up some letters and wrote some letters.

June 24th. Today in the forenoon we are traveling west by train to Milwaukee. We are out of money and we have pawned our clothes in order to pay for the trip.

June 26th Point Sarma. [We] have now traveled through the most important part of Canada--very pretty cities and places. [p.41]

Milwaukee 2 o'clock in the morning [June] 29th. [We] arrived at the pier a short while ago on board the steamship "Montgomery." A terrible thing just happened. A girl from Christiania fell into the water and almost drowned before she was rescued. For the past few days we have been all over town looking for work but could not find any. There are 4 of us together, which makes it difficult since such a large group never works out well; but since none of my companions can speak English, it is necessary for them to stay with me. We have now decided to travel south to Chicago in the hope we can find work on the way. After walking a couple of days we are very tired, and it is difficult to get something to eat. We have to make our way by begging as we don't have any money. Or more correct, I must, as the other can't speak [English]. One of my comrades, N. Jensen, had to leave us and made arrangements for lodging on conditions. We 3 remaining are continuing on to Chicago.

July 5th, 6 miles from Chicago. There is a big celebration in the city. Last night the city of Chicago looked like a flaming sea of illumination. 10 a.m., Chicago. Arrived here hungry. Have been down to the post office and picked up the mail. [We] are staying at Sister M. Olsen's house and have been treated very well. [We] shall stay here for a couple of days. There is no work to be found. [As we] go to the west, [we] will try to find work from farmers. [We] came to a city by the name of Bloomingdale 27 miles from Chicago. All 3 of us have worked here until today.

August 1st. We are now on our way to meet the emigrants and go with them to Omaha and, if possible, to Salt Lake. We met the emigrants on the way to Chicago and consequently arrived too late. We became quite discouraged for them we didn't have any other thing to look forward to than to go back to those hungry farmers again. But things turned out all right, for me met Brother Aadnesen from Christiania, who offered to lend us money so that we could travel by express train in order to reach the emigrants in Omaha.

Monday morning at 11 a.m. August 2nd. We left as planned and met the emigrants in Omaha. [p.43]

August 3rd. We also received permission to accompany them on up to Ogden. We departed from Omaha the same afternoon at 5:30 and arrived in Ogden Saturday morning at 12:30. We then went and visited J. Jsacksson [POSSIBLY, Jackson] and were treated to preaching and a midday meal. Sunday morning we went up to Milton in Weber Valley where my brother Ole was staying and had a joyous reunion . . . . [p.45]

BIB: Olsen, John August, Diary of John August Olsen, trans. and ed. by Andrew C. Iverson (privately printed, 1978) pp. 41,43,45. (CHL)
(source abbreviations)