IN SEARCH FOR A NEW BREWERY
T his is taken from Percy Richard Auty dairy Dated 1891.
On Friday, 15th . May 1891, Percy left Burton On Trent at 8.50 a.m. He was sailing from Liverpool to the United States of America. Via Canada, for St. Paul in the United States.
Pa, Joss (William) his brother, Ted Anderson, Mr. Slater, saw Percy off. Percy sailed at 4 o’clock on the Oregon.
On Saturday May 22nd. 1891 as they entered Canadian waters, they saw hills covered with white snow. It is so cold that everyone goes about with their grey coats on. Percy arrived in dock at Quebec 7 p.m. on the 25th. May 1891. When he landed, Percy changed a sovereign and got $4.08. On Tuesday 26th. May, Percy arrived at Montreal. 5.30 p.m. The temperature was 78 f. On Monday 1st. June 1891, Percy booked his fare to St. Paul $29.50. He left Montreal 8.45 p.m. On a train, he travelled Canadian Pacific Railway to Windsor then Detroit. Left Detroit at 9.40 p.m. On 2nd.June for Chicago, went to see them putting up the World fair which was 3 miles out of Town. On 4th . of June 1891, he arrived at St. Paul at 7.30 a.m.
Percy says “I haven’t had my boots or clothes off since Monday, when I put them on. So feel very much like a sweep” (P.S. He had his clothes on four days, can you imagine?). Percy had travelled 4124 miles from Liverpool St. Paul Minnesota United States. Percy called on a man named Bergarman , but they only brewed lager beer only.
On 15th. of July 1891,Percy has his first experience in a buggy. They are not comfortable but they are very light and you can go a good pace. They drove 12 miles out into the country to see a house out on a farm. Percy says “ My first glimpse of American Farming. The crops looked very healthy and the scenery simply beautiful, an amazing and very wild. 19th. July, I went on my first fishing trip in America.” Percy stayed in St Paul from 5th June to 25th of July. On July 25th, he left St. Paul on a second-class train to Grand Horks. 8 a.m. Sunday morning, had breakfast for 45 cents. The country was mostly farmland; Percy says, “As I was travelling second class, I have to put up with a few annoyances. For instance there is a woman with five squalling kids, which is anything but pleasant.
26th. July 1891 had a fair night sleep, considering that I slept on the boards”. Reached Gretna Manitoba, the boundary station at 11.30 a.m. Percy says, “ The Union Jack was hoisted on our arrival. All baggage was tied around with rope and under Bond. Arrived at Winnipeg (Canada) 2 p.m. and changed cars. Had my first dinner in the dinning car at 6 p.m. for 75 cents = 3/- (to-day’s price 15 pence). 27th July 1891, have just got to the Mounted Police Station. Over 1000 police are station over the North West to keep the Indians in order. As I am in a Colonist car, it is rather amusing to see every body doing their morning toilets. Some women their hair with the most elaborate skill, Mother feeding their babies. It is a lovely morning, bright and clear. The land is perfectly flat and reminds you of being on the sea with nothing for the eye to see, but the horizon”. At Maple Creek, Indians were waiting the train with Buffalo horns for sale.
28th. July 1891 Percy continues; - “ had a fair night. It was my second night on the train. Got up at 5 a.m. and found myself in the midst of the Rockies, lovely morning. We are now in the very mist mountain scenery, being close to the Mount Mc Donald, over 2 miles high. We pressed through 50 artificial tunnels made to hold back the snow off the railway. I never saw such a sight before. It is worth all the trouble of the journey to go though the various passes. The waterfalls is beautiful. 3 p.m. Selkirk, I am taking a view of the Glaciers. A lovely little spot. Stopping here for a half an hour for lunch. Three pieces of bread and butter, plus a cup of tea for which was 25 cents. 6 p.m. find us at Ravel Station where we leave the observation car behind. We are ¾ of an hour late. 6 p.m. a buffer car is put on at Griffin Lake. I had my supper than smoked my pipe till 10 p.m., then retired.
29th. July 1891 Percy goes on to say: - “ I got up at 4.45 a.m., had a good night rest. Just getting use to the motion of the car . It was my last day on board. At 5.15 a.m. the Observation Car was put on. Another lovely day and the scenery is wild. We are passing over a bridge of the Rockies about 150 ft. above the river. Some of the passes we went through are awful. Have at the junction of the Frazer and Thompson Rivers from here to Zale, the scenery is considered to be the finest. Above here, main parts of the railway, looks if it would slip into the rivers. The stones rambling down as we go by. We arrived at Vancouver at 1.50 p.m.
Percy then says: - “I am dirty as a sweep. I have not had my clothes off since Saturday morning. At first sight of the place, I do not like it. Thing were too new. I am at the Orient Hotel, overlooking the town. I am paying $1.50 a day.
30th. July. Percy continues: - “ After breakfast, I went to look for work in a brewery, but no go. On my way back, I called at a sugar refinery and asked for a job. Luck favoured me and I was told to start at 7 p.m. with the night shift. This is the first time I have done work since I left England. The rate of pay was 20 cents per hour. I have work the whole 12 hours with out, even a break for a meal. This I think is rather rough, but anything is better than being idle. There are some breweries here. I have been to them all. I have walk nearly 2 miles to my works at night and in the morning.”
31st July “ I have change my quarters and got into a Boarding Hotel. I am paying $7.50 per week, but mean to cut this down.”
9th. August 1891 “ I have now been one whole week at work, Sunday included. In fact I have not had time to explore the town. The hours of work were from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. , so it takes me all my time to get my meals , go to sleep and be ready for work again.
18th August. Climate very relaxing, was knocked up and had to loose 1 ½ days work. I was so bad! I could hardly walk about.”
25th August “ Left Vancouver by the 2.20 p.m. train for St. Paul, arriving Sunday morning. Stayed two days in Vancouver as the trains did not connect. I put up at the Manor House, it was close to the station.”
30th August 1891 Percy continue to say: - “- I arrived at St. Paul at 7.40 p.m. I was glad to find myself once more in a flourishing town. I had my breakfast and spent the night with Mr. Briggs.
2nd September I went to work in a hardware store, being the first job I struck. This is the first bit of work I did in St. Paul’s. I got back to my old quarters. Everyone in the house gave me a hearty welcome.”
Time has now passed and it is now 24th December 1891. Percy continues: - “ Christmas Eve and here I am in America. St. Paul, my first Christmas away from home. I was at work all day in my old place. In the evening I helped decorated the Christmas Tree . I got through about 9 p.m. and then went with Mr. Briggs to hear music. After this, I went home and retired about 11.30 p.m.”
25th December 1891 “ I got up at 8 a.m. the weather was warm and wet. I walked around the town with Mr. Briggs, intending to go to church, but it was to late. Played one or two games of draughts before dinner. As I wasn’t invited out Mr. Bartlett to dinner, it seemed a little more like home, to be with a private family. The dinner was excellent and we all enjoyed it. After talking all afternoon. I took leave of them at 5.30 p.m. It was one awful night, regular blizzard storm. I was glad to get home.
After supper, a lot of fun playing different games, dancing and ended up playing cards. Our invited friend did not turn up due to the storm. I received a nice silk handkerchief from Miss Dassel, a nice little body. To end my Christmas in Yankee Land and not such a bad one after all. I retired to my couch about 12.30 a.m., tired and well satisfied with my day’s pleasure.”
1st. January 1892 New Year’s Day
“I watched the old year out and the new one in, and I may say that I never heard such a din at 12 a.m.
at night, in all my life. Whistle and Bulls were blowing, bells were changing, and Pistols and cracker were being discharged. A stranger might think the end of the World had come. I turned in about 1.30 a.m. got up New Years Day at 8 a.m. I had a good breakfast ,then went skating. It cost 15 cents to go on the Rink. The ice was like glass, so I had a splendid time. The temperature was 10 above zero Fahrenheit and you had to skate with your coat collar up.”
5th January “ I left St Paul at 8 a.m. to go to Hutchinson, to see if I could arrange for a partnership in the brewery. The place is about 70 miles from St. Paul. A nice little village, about 1000 population. I was very pleased with the looks of the place and farm. The proprietor of the brewery and I had a long walk. Left for St. Paul at 2.45 p.m. arriving at 6.30 p.m”.
10th January, “ I left St Paul at 7.30 p.m. Sunday night for Lyons (Iowa), the home of my friend Mr Briggs. We travelled all night. It was bitterly cold, a snowstorm blowing and the tempeture about 10 below zero. We arrived at Hulton at 5 a.m. on Monday morning. Here we were, met by one of the family with a buggy. It was awfully cold. We had to dive about 3 miles. The roads were in a bad state and I was not use to buggy riding. I thought we were over several time. How ever we manage to get home safely.”
Sunday 20th. February 1892 “ in evening, went to consult the leading Ale Seller, to get his opinion in regard to the Sharbuin, an Ale Brewery. From him, I accidentally heard of a building that had once been a brewery, but was now closed up. Sunday afternoon, went up and found the building about 2 miles out of town. It was just the right size, so decided to see the owner.”
“Monday afternoon being a half holiday, (Washington Birthday) but not recognized by all the people, I called and saw the proprietor to hassle. After a lot of talking, he promised to put the building in good shape if I would start a brewery. Arranged to go Tuesday with him to a Carpenter Shop to see how much it would cost to put in repair.
Tuesday afternoon, I met Mr. Haas as arranged. He drove me out in his buggy and we picked up the carpenter on the way. On arriving at the building, we at once to proceed to examine it. The estimate at first sight was $300.00 (my estimate $500.) As Mr. Carpenter had reckoned up, he could not let us know before 4 o’clock Wednesday afternoon. So I managed to meet Mr. Haas at 7.30 p.m. Wednesday evening 24th. February. As arranged, I met Mr. Haas. He had now the proper figures, which were $460.00 to put the building is good order. After a long talk, he agreed to rent it to me for £30.00 per month for a year, with a privilege of 3. That was if I arranged to take it. As I could not let him know one way or the other, till I heard from my governor. We agreed to let the matter stand over for three weeks.
26th. February Friday, I took the afternoon off work to go around to find out how much it would cost me to fit up a small brewery. I had a very busy afternoon calling on a Copper Smith, cooper boilermakers and Malt Mills. I got my figures from them and found on totalling it up, it was just double as much as what I calculated on. But that was their opinion, not mine. All night I felt awfully done up, so I retired early.
7th March 1892 Monday Saturday night, I quite my job after working in the hardware trade for six months. Today, I have nothing particular to do. , So being a lovely day, took the opportunity of walking out in the fresh air.
9th. March Wednesday. . This is an awful morning . This is one of the worst blizzard storms that I have ever seen. I went in to the Municipal Courts to hear the cases tried. The temperature is 10o above zero. Snowfall was about 30 inches since yesterday.
24th. March 1892 I am very busy in having covered nearly the whole area in my travels. I called on the boilermaker, the Hops and Malt maker three times. I called on the Copper Smith and the coopers. I went to look at a 4 h. p engine and boiler, which I saw advertised. After writing my figures down on paper, I came to the conclusion that under the circumstances, it would be unwise to start, although the people I should have to deal with, give me every enconray amends and would give me two or three months credit, for the goods I purchased from them. I also called on the boiler inspector to enquire about a licence for an engineer.
27th. March, A lovely morning, as arranged with Mr. Briggs to look at a brewery. We found it. A first rate place. In fact the very thing. Good cellars and splendid clean water. The old name for the brewery, turned out to be “The Crystal Brewery”. We spent about two hours with the proprietor, on trying to make terms with him to rent the place. When he told us he had a mortgage on the building for $600.66 and another on the machinery for $500.00. On hearing this, we could do nothing further. This was my last attempt to find a place to start in and so make up my mind to leave St. Paul.
Tuesday 29th, March, 1892. I left St. Paul at 7.30 p.m. on the Burlington. I took a sleeper to Chicago. I arrived there at 9.a.m.. As I have a chorus (time) in Chicago, I took the opportunity to look all through the grounds of the World Fair Exhibition. It was a miserable wet day; in fact, it rained in torrents in Detroit. I left Chicago at 3.10 p.m. on the New York Central. I had dinner in the dinning car for $1.00. We arrived at Niagara Falls at 6.30 p.m. I didn’t go to sleep, as I had to sit up right all night. Not at all a pleasant position. At 7.15 a.m., I could not get any breakfast s the people are hardly awake. I took a stroll into the grounds and at the time stated, am viewing the falls from the New York Reservation. For a certain distance on both sides, the Canadian and United States Government reserve the land, so there is no charge. I had my breakfast, then I walked around “goat Island” (about 2 miles), and did the Three Sisters Islands and in fact seen nearly all there was to see. I took a car to the rapids and saw where Blondim crossed on a light rope. Also saw where Captain Webb enhances to swim the rapids. I crossed the river into the Canadian side and walk three miles to the falls. It is on this side that the best view is obtained. I shall never forget the sight, neither the wetting I got from the mist that arises from the water 100 ft. below the Cliffs. After 2.pm., I was taken very sick with at touch of inflammation in the stomach. I ordered dinner, but could not eat it. The train left at 5.30 p.m. and I was awfully bad. I vomited and hardly keep still. I saw scenery between Niagara and Buffalo. I though I would have to stop the night in Buffalo, but I took a sleeping berth and tumbled into it as soon as possible.
10th. April 1892 I arrived at the Grand Central Station at 7.15 a.m.. I got my breakfast, after this I looked around for a room and finally landed on 34th St. near to Broadway. After having to agree to pay$3.00 per week for a room. I fetched my baggage up by express. Price 60 cents. The cabby wanted $1.50. I was not having any. The first day, I did nothing as I was very weak and could hardly get around. The heat was unbearable. On Sunday it was 68 in the shade.
Expenses on the way from St. Paul to New York
Railway Tickets $10.00 Sleeping Berth 2.00
Hansons in Chicago .50
Breakfast & Dinner 1.60
Extras
Railway Ticket to Chicago to New York $20.00
Expenses to Niagara Falls
Breakfast & Dinner .80
Extras
Sleeping Berth Buffalo to New York 2.50
Boxes of Cigars 1.50
______
Total $39.50
Expenses in New York
April 1st. 1892 Rooms $3.00 April 5 th. Meals $1.37
Breakfast, Dinner & Tea 1.15 6th. “ 1.51
Expenses 60 7th “ 1.92 Extras .47 8th “ 1.12
______9th “ 1.20
$5.22 10th “ 1.05
April 2nd. 1892 11th. “
Meals $1.10 April 12th Room $3.00
Cab 1.50
Extras .20 Porter .85
Extras 1.96
April 3rd. Meals & Extras .90
4th Meals .97 1.96
Expenses for 12 Days in New York, April 1st. to the 12th. is $25.89
On Friday evening, April 15th, I went on board the “City of Berlin”, as we set sail back to England at 7 a.m. in the morning. I got up about 5.30 a.m. and waited till the boat sailed from dock. It was a very cold and raw morning, with a fresh wind blowing. However, the sun came out, the sea was quite clam and everything went along smoothly. Our passenger list is small and we are made up of all sorts and conditions. On the list is some of the Mafulson Opera Company. They seem very formal and the ladies are very fetching. The first day on the sea was very calm. The 2nd. and 3rd. days, things were a little livelier and these days were the roughest we experienced. May of the Ladies were very ill and a few of the gentlemen. The reminder of the voyage, passed off without mordent.