The war against Germany from a German immigrant’s perspective

September 21, 2014 kleucht Leave a comment

My German immigrant grandfather wrote in his diary some of his thoughts and experiences during the first world war against Germany:

The Emperor’s days are numbered. Almost every day here, boys are leaving to get soldier training. I went to many farewell parties for my friends.

In March, I bought a war bond for $100 which I can redeem in 1928 for an additional four and a quarter percent interest. Big Freedom, Red Cross and many other parades are being held from time to time.

After July 1st all men in store positions, waiters, theater employees and so on must look for a spot in factories and women are taking their places. Five million men were sent to France in order to beat the Emperor. I hope the war will find an end soon.

I believe you feel sorry for me, but do not fear, all Americans treat me well. All German language was exterminated in the schools and even in the churches. The high schools have burned all German books. You can’t believe how everyone hates the Emperor, even I.

If what all the papers write is true, it must be horrible. Prisoners are being treated badly. Arms, ears and noses are cut off and they are being hanged. Belgian and French girls, women and children are murdered, burned alive and buried. The hospitals are bombed. In an American theater, a picture was shown entitled “The Emperor, Beast of Berlin” and a man in the audience was so angry that he shot at the screen in his rage. He made a big hole in the white curtain and said, “If I can’t get him there, I will get him here.” I could relate a thousand things of how hated the Emperor is, but soon they will get him and then it will be the end of the war.

This was a big day. All men from eighteen to forty-five have to register. In Peoria alone, 14,000 men had to go. When they are all deployed, it’s good night Germany. I wished I could go too. I am safe and sound despite the fact that, now, I don’t have much money. All my savings are being used up. Food and clothing are very expensive. I hope the war will be over soon.

You can read my grandfather’s entire journal by clicking below. It’s quite interesting! Of course, I’m biased! 🙂

http://www.leucht.com/history/My_Journey_To_America-Journal_of_Kurt_William_Leucht-1914_to_1920.pdf

Thanks for your interest!
Kurt

Miscellaneous

Neptuna Carnival in Peoria, Summer of 1916

September 13, 2014 kleucht Leave a comment

My grandfather wrote in his diary in the summer of 1916 that he had worked for the Neptuna Carnival in Peoria. My dad’s recent research into this Neptuna Carnival revealed the following article from The Peoria Transcript, Sunday July 2, 1916:

Neptuna Carnival Begins Tonight

The Neptuna Carnival will open tonight with a concert program given by the famous Liberati band of fifty musicians and company of opera singers. This concert will be given from the Island Beautiful in the river directly in front of the grandstand. There are over 10,000 seats in the grandstand. at 25 cents each. The concert will begin at 8:00 and according to the advanced sale of seats will have a really remarkable attendance. The ballet, which is to present a marvelous spectacular ballet on the Island Beautiful on the night of the Fourth in honor of the coming of Neptuna.

The entrance of the Court of Honor, which has been erected on lower Main Street near Adams and on the parking lots of the river front, is a sight of majestic splendor and pure architecture, with its columns gleaming white. It frames a vista with the sparkling blue of the river and the green hills as a background. When the thousands of incandescent monster lights, which have been placed for the illumination, are at last alight, the Court will present a vision of beauty not soon to be forgotten. The river front will present a decidedly festive and carnivalesque appearance with many booths and tents having sprung up during the day.

Ten thousand seats on the riverfront?!?! Wow! Sounds like a great time, doesn’t it? I hope someone has photos of this 1916 spectacle that they can share on the Internet.

You can read my grandfather’s entire journal by clicking below. It’s quite interesting! Of course, I’m biased! 🙂

http://www.leucht.com/history/My_Journey_To_America-Journal_of_Kurt_William_Leucht-1914_to_1920.pdf

Thanks for your interest!
Kurt

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