Visit to Hillsdale, 1881

KOHORST, KECKEVOET, FRENKING, BENGFORT

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 7/22/2009 at 20:49:17

I translated the following article from Der Carroll Demokrat, a German-language newspaper published in Carroll, Iowa, between 1874 and 1923. Any information in brackets or notes at the end are my own explanations. The article was originally published on Friday, 2 December 1881. It reads as follows:

We had not been there in a long while, so last Saturday and Sunday we once again paid a visit to Hillsdale [Roselle]. Admittedly, the visit had a sad aspect because on the way we encountered the body the only child of John Kennebeck, who resides here, being conducted to burial. Understandably, we did not find the “Hill Dale” in its rich, green, springtime glory, nor did we did pass by rich, summer-like grain fields, but the blue, cloudless heaven spread over us into the unending distance. As the little village came into our view, we were not able to discern that there had been any significant change, and yet nevertheless there had been an increase in commerce, population and also, as could be expected, in good ideas. Commerce had increased due to the newly constructed and fully furnished store of Mr. L. Keckevoet of Carroll. This business is liberally frequented by the public, which is no wonder because the friendly and courteous service of Mr. Frenking and his better half left nothing to be desired. The store building is large and spacious and filled with all sorts of goods, which are in great demand. But the best thing is that the other businesses in town are not suffering due to this new firm, because at Postmaster Kohorst’s as well as at Bengfort’s, the buyers were very numerous and all the employees had plenty to do in taking care of their waiting customers. The proximity of Halbur Station appears to have done no damage to the commerce in Hillsdale.