Marie, 19th C Swedish Immigrant to Minnesota in America-immigration from Sweden stories &Letters part 11- Conclusion
Empress of Ireland
Empress of Oreland Museum in Rinouski, Canada
Empress of Ireland Memorial
Authors Note
After the Hinckley fire there are no more letters from Marie until 1896, at which time she is working in Duluth. She now signs her name as Mary, possibly an attempt to become more Americanized. The first is in February 1896 to “Brother Hoglund” so it is most likely to Nils. She mentions having been in the West and being engaged. She says she may visit home and then come back to get married. She also mentions a young peoples association and reading in church.
The second letter is also to a brother, possibly the one in Sweden. She complains of no answers to her letters. She also says that she is more at home in America than Sweden and mentions going home in the spring to visit her mother.
She says she can read and write in English as well as Swedish. She seems anxious to hear news of Sweden and maybe a bit homesick despite her protests. I think she has become somewhat more serious since the fire.
Her last letter, printed below is from Montana. She now signs her name as May Haagland, for which I have no explanation.
Some believe that Marie did go visit Sweden and might have died in shipwreck. The ship Empress of Ireland did go down in Quebec about that time. However, I have not found her name on the passenger list.
Marie's last letter
Butte, Montana, April 7th, 1903
Dear Brother,
I got your letter since I seen an advertisement in the papers. I have lived in the country so I couldn't ask for my post. You don't understand how much different it is here. My name also is different in English then in Swedish, you see.
A Hoglund is in Minnesota together with other Swedes. I haven't heard a Swedish word for 6 years. Will you, please, write my address as I write it? It will be much more easy for me to get my letters.
I think it is so unlikely to hear you are married. But you are old enough of course. I hope you have married for love and only love. It would be very nice to see my dear in Sweden once a time. I didn't know how much I loved you until we were separated. You have been so kind against our mother when we all have left her at her fate. I don't know how it would be for her if she hasn’t had you. We, your sister and brothers, are owed you so much we never can pay without anything then our thankless, and I really in my heart wish you all luck and may God bless you.
I can see at the dimensions of your letter that you haven't so much paper to write on. I wish you will write a long letter and tell me all news that has happened. I would like to know something about Mrs. Hagenhjelm. She had a very strange way to show her god fearing. When I'm coming to Sweden I want to show her a little money but at first I have to marry me so I will have them. I have a diamond in my engaged ring. It costs 70 dollars. We are going to marry us in August and perhaps I will go home as soon as possible after that to see you all. I will send you a photo of my fiancée next time and perhaps a little money. You must send your photos next time.
I often have told my fiancée you are painting pictures. He wants me to ask you to paint a picture of a landscape and send as a memory. You will send it by post.
Live well and goodbye,
your sister
May Haagland
Empress of Ireland location
© 2010 Don A. Hoglund