Boarding the Ship

"Friday, May 1, was a church holiday (Bededag), so the streets were crowded with people who were enjoying their one-day vacation. All the way to the harbor, the streets were filled with pleasure-seeking people. About three or four o'clock in the afternoon we were on our way through this throng with our children and suitcases. Here again our traveling companions proved to be real friends. They hired a coach, the most elegant one I had ever seen, and escorted us to port. That was quite an adventure for "mountain folks." They carried our baggage and the smaller children on ship for us, where they left us in a chaos of people, children, boxes, and knapsacks. We were all put into one room. 

Oh! What noise and excitement. I got the children near me, and we sat on one place watching in bewilderment until we were finally shown to our berths. There were berths along the whole length of the ship, but we had to furnish our own bedclothes. When we got our assigned places, it was safest to put our belongings in them and sit there. If we ventured away, someone else would perhaps claim it all before we got back. At last we were all aboard the ship that was to carry us across the uncertain waters of the North Sea. This time, however, the voyage was not as rough as it could have been. I saw very little of the fjord when we left Oslo because I was on deck very little the first evening. The next morning we stopped at Christiansand for more passengers."

Excerpt from Sigrid's account of her journey to America, written in 1919.

All Aboard for Oslo

"From here we were to travel by train--a new experience for some of us, at least. We got our tickets and our luggage checked, and then "all aboard" for the capitol city. Arriving there we took a taxi to a hotel, traveling in style (som Storfolk). There we stayed until May 1, when our ship sailed.

This gave us two days in Oslo, and we tried to do a little sight seeing, such as the King's Palace, the Fort, etc., all from a distance, of course. Our friends, as we called them, the traveling men on our journey, wanted to show us their side of city life. so they took us to a very nice restaurant and treated us."

Excerpt from Sigrid's account of her journey to America, written in 1919.

Sleeping in the Servant's Quarters

"The drivers were acquainted with the servants at the hotel and intended to ask them to house the wayfarers. With a few words of praise and perhaps a "drink or so" they hoped this could be accomplished. But to our dismay (or perhaps good fortune) the servants had gone to a dance. During this time we sat in the wagons with our sleeping children. Finally they found one who could unlock a door for us which revealed a room with a couple of empty beds. This room was given to us two women and children.

We entered this strange cold room, tired and discouraged, after a long hard day and half a night in a wagon, over rough, muddy, uneven roads. We put the children on the bed without undressing them. We, too, stretched out across the bed without removing our garments. Where the rest of the party got lodging we did not know. We had slept a little while when we were awakened by loud singing and talking. It was those returning from the party in a not too sober condition!

What would happen now when they found their room occupied by strangers? But there our drivers were again, talking to them, asking their pardon for the intrusion, explaining the situation to them, and I imagine gave them a tip or so, because we were not disturbed for the remainder of the night."

Excerpt from Sigrid's account of her journey to America, written in 1919.

Ferry Crossing at Noresund

"In the afternoon we descended the slope, which brought us to Noresund in the evening. Here we crossed the Sound by ferry. As the wagons were driven out on the ferry with us in the wagons, I'll admit we were a little scared, and so were the horses. In fact, the horses were unhitched and the drivers held them that way. Reaching the opposite side we discovered there was no convenient place to stay for the night. So the horses were again hitched to the wagon, and we continued on our way expecting to reach Vikersund later that night and from there continue by train to Oslo the following day."

Excerpt from Sigrid's account of her journey to America, written in 1919.

Steep Mountains and Narrow Valleys

"I wish I could take you with me so you could see for yourself the winding road down through the narrow valley. We arrived at Gulsvik late that night. There were the shores of the inland sea "Kroderen." In the summer, steamships could be seen here, but now, even the last of April, found the sea covered with ice. Not strong enough to drive across though, which meant we had to detour up a mountain slope about four miles (a day's journey).

Ringnes Aasen was a long steep forest covered trail, with very few, if any, dwellers. The day was warm and windy, which melted the snow leaving the trail just one mush. (Snegraut, the Hallings said.) The tired horses trudged through this all day with their heavy load.

At noon we had reached the top of the mountain. Here was a moss covered hut where two old people lived. We rested here, got out our lunch baskets and bought coffee from old Guri Saettra. Ole Berg, being tired, laid down on the not too inviting bed. The rest of us questioned this act but said nothing. When he got out again the others discovered a "bug" on his back, which brought on a hunt and more laughter."

Excerpt from Sigrid's account of her journey to America, written in 1919.

Horse Power

"One horse was 'no good.' When we came to a hill, and there were many of them, the men would get out and walk, which was the custom in Norway anyway when hauling loads with only one horse. And often times they would lend a hand by pushing on the load."

Excerpt from Sigrid's account of her journey to America, written in 1919.

Next stop: Nesbyen

"At noon the next day we arrived in Nesbyen. Naturally we could not afford a hotel, so we called on the well-known violin player (spilleman) Tor Brattestad, to hear his violin. Unfortunately for us, he was not at home. So we rested our tired horses, got out our lunch basket amd hot coffee from Mrs. Brattestad, and then continued our journey down the barren mountain slopes. April was too early for signs of spring up in the mountains."

Excerpt from Sigrid's account of her journey to America, written in 1919.

On the Road: Nedrebraaten

"Our party consisted of a young couple and their one child, a friend of ours who was to help me with the children and baggage, the three children, Anna, Michael, and Lars, the latter aged one and a half years, and myself. My father's hired man went with us to Nedrebraaten where Birgit Nedrebraaten (Tosten's sister) lived. Here was another sad farewell with many good wishes for our safe journey. Our first night was spent in "Danielpladsen i Herra." There was no hotel, so there were no feather beds or soft pillows. Here three more men had joined our party. They were collectors going out to interview their customers."

Excerpt from Sigrid's account of her journey to America, written in 1919.

Sigrid's Journey to America Begins

In 1919, Sigrid wrote an account of her journey from Norway to America. Her daughter, Selma Lillehaugen Moe, translated this account and Tosten's autobiography during the winter of 1945-1946.

We're going to quote from Sigrid in the next series of posts.

"On the 26th of April, 1885, our three children (Anna, Mikkel, and Lars) and I left my dear native land Gjeldaker, Al, Hallingdal and began the long journey to America, where my husband had already been for one year.

Many dear memories are linked to that dear home and those whom I left behind that day. My father, who already was past middle age, grieved our departure very deeply. So much so, in fact, that the next day he contracted pneumonia. His prayers for our welfare and safe voyage went with me and my family throughout my whole life's journey. Because he was a man of prayer, and I being his only daughter and only child by his first marriage, I can understand now what it meant for parents to be left alone and see their children venture out into this world filled with trials and temptations.

The farewell with Father, Mother, and friends I omit. Only those of our Norwegian descent who have had this actual experience can fully appreciate and understand what such a farewell really means. Therefore only in my own memory will this scene be reviewed and relived. "

$1.00 in My Pocket

Tosten had $1.00 when he started in Minnesota. The first summer he earned $55 working for two elderly neighbors, cutting hay with a scythe. When winter came, he went to Wisconsin to work at a logging camp.

While he was gone, his brother Lars arranged tickets for Sigrid, Anna, Michael, and baby Lars to come to America. Companies were competing against each other, lowering the price for passage. They bought five tickets -- two adults and three children -- for $65. The extra ticket was for a young man who had worked for them in Norway. Tosten was glad to buy him a ticket, as he could help Sigrid and the children during the trip. They arrived at Lars' house on May 26, 1885.

Reunion with brother Lars

"When I got there, I found that Lars had moved six miles farther on, but the family that lived there now were Danes so I could talk to them. I stayed there that night and the next morning their hired man, who also was Norwegian and who was going out to herd cattle, said if I would go with him until six o'clock, he would take me to Lars' that evening. This I did gladly, because he had a horse and buggy, so we sat in that all day. He was a lively fellow, and he knew Lars real well, so he was all for having some fun with him. He made sure that any of my baggage with my name on was well hidden.

When we got there Lars was outside. They started to talk.

'So you have a stranger with you, too, this evening, and I believe he is a newcomer.'

'Ja, that is right, and he wants to stay here overnight.'

Lars thought that would be possible, but he had to know what part of Norway he was from.

'Well, he is a Halling.'

Lars was that too. What part of Hallingdal?

'Leveld.'

Lars came a couple of steps nearer the buggy, and then I got down and said I thought it was about time to shake hands.

'Is it Tosten then?'

'Yes, that is who it is.'

Here the conversation ended. Lars was too surprised for words."

Excerpt from Tosten's autobiography, written in 1917.

Sailing to America

Tosten made his way to the United States.

"I left home June 15, 1884 and by boat from Oslo on June 21, which happened to be my birthday. We sailed via Hamburg and Bremen, which happened to be the cheapest route. I wrote home from these places and from New York, where we docked July fourth. On July 8, I arrived at Dexter, Minnesota, which was my destination. My brother Lars lived ten miles from there, and I caught a ride with the mail man."

Excerpt from Tosten's autobiography, written in 1917