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FormatJournal Article
Author, AnalyticDuerst, Niklaus
Title, AnalyticFirst Letter from New Glarus
Journal TitleSwiss American Historical Society Review
Date of PublicationJune 2005
Volume ID41
Issue ID2
Location in Work68-75, ill.
ISSN0883-4814
AbstractThe following letter comprises the first official report on the emergence of New Glarus. It was written by Judge Niklaus Duerst, and signed by both Duerst and Fridolin Streiff, several days after the group of colonists arrived in Wisconsin. . . . The letter offers intriguing insights into the founding of New Glarus. . . . Particularly, Duerst explains how much more land could have been purchased has prairie land been an acceptable option. He deplores the difficulties the original immigrants had to endure because of unfortunate circumstances and the lack of proper planning. He speculates that the immigrants might have been better served had they waited out the winter in St. Louis, due to cheaper provisions and the opportunity to earn cash, and had put off the arrival at the settlement site until spring, 1846.
NotesThe original letter is archived in the Pulverturm at Schwanden, Canton Glarus. . . .based on the transcription made by Suzanne Peter-Kubli and published in 'Die Welt ist hier weit,' a special printing of the 'Yearbook' of the Historischen Vereins des Kantons Glarus, volume 75, pp. 15-23 (Glarus: Tschudi, 1995). Translation by Peter Etter and Leo Schelbert.
Call NumberMKI Periodicals
MKI TermsSwiss Americans/ 19th century/ Immigrants, Swiss/ Swiss Americans -- Wisconsin/ New Glarus (Wis.)/ Duerst, Niklaus/ German Americans -- Wisconsin/ Emigration and immigration (Germany-US)/ Letters/ Settlements