THE LIFE STORY OF JOHN MARTIN SMITH LARSEN

_ ~_ ~~ ~~_ _',·4Father of Julius Iver Larsen

(Written 11-26-1953 North Ogden Weber Utah)

By J. Martin Larsen

Chapter I (More to follow0

After 14 days and nights on a Swedish steamer in which we weathered storm until the hatchy
wave battered down, after a breaker came abound and filled 1 foot of water on the floor of our
bunkroom,

wher one hundred or more male pasinger was bunked 3 bunks high. And when the ship
rolled from side to side slowly the water on the floor would splash from one side to the other and
pots and pans, shoes, handbags that was left standing on the floor, would roll along, the air became
foul and one swede had a bunk over mine and the poor fellow was really sick he was heaving, and
son I, but I got most of what he let go of, Oh it was awful (after 58 years I still recall it).On the trip
over we ran into a snow storm and saw Isebergs in not to far distance, it made me think you ware
aproching a Mountious Coast line, our boat changed its course. Upon reaching New York we ware
let out of the boat and taking to a Hotel in a groofthis was included on our ticket. The groof I was
in was abouth 25 . And I had a traveling bag filled with books and athoug I was a chunky Boy for
14 . The books ware to muts for me I lugged an ran as fast as I could but could not ceap up, at last
one of the pas singers noticed me, and the one in charge came back Y2 block and took my suit case
and we came to the hotel whar we waited 2 days after a swedish young man about 20 years old and
I was put on a coast boat for Norfork Virginie, our trip down the coast was mostly in fog our boat
blasted and other boat did the same, but we got no food this trip took about 2 days or so on it I ate
one meal as I had instuction not to chang my $5.00 gold piece untill came to Utah the 5 cent I had
I spend on the dock for a glass of Good Milk which I had never tasted before. I did drink some of it
but could not get it all down. Now on this trip down the Coast no one could understand us. The
Swedish boy could not understand me nor me him, but somehow we stuck to each other, wentured
into the forward hatch and saw plates and dishes on the table,we sat down, and soone a black negro
came and talked to us, we motion to the plates and made signs of eating, after awhile he brought 2
plates of Combeef and Cabbage, and a Large Dish pan of Soda Crackers and a pitcher of water, was
this Combeef salted well, it burned your throat when you swallowed it, but we ware hungry, and we
did eat, yes all of it, then how we did drink and we ate all of the Soda Crackers, and the Negro gave
us some more. I gave him some danish coins, and when we wendt out of the cabin we filled our pants
pockets, our coat pockets, and filled our hats with the crackers, that was all the food on this boat
when we got to North Folk I got on the train how I can't rember but 0 yes I had a tag on my coat that
got me on my way and their was so many negros their was black people here and thare and
everywhare. And as I opened our window they came selling pies fruit or chicken pies. I don't know,
but one gentleman bought me a pie that held me for some time but after awhile I saw oranges, that

. I knew what it was, also bananas no I never saw them before, and no one gave me a taste, then

grapefruit neither had I tasted them, but I finely ventured and bought 6 of them that brought out my
$5.00 gold piece and I stayed on the train one day going on the next, and the Newsman had my $5.00
and promised me change. I asked for it the best I could but to no avail. I was hungry and had no
money, and I had trown the grapefruit out the window. So I started to cry I was dow low, one Lady
tryed to talk to me, but she soone saw that I spoke a foring Languis. So she hustled amongst the
passongers, and brought different one to talk different Languises, finely one Man said can you
Duitsen spoken this was German and I ,had siydyediliis in School and sake it in 'our Danish way.
Well I made him understand me and he took the fruit wendler by the collar and made him produce
the $5.00wich he changed for me and devided his lunch with me, and bought me some lunch so I
was headed again for a few days. I spent 14 day on the boat and 2 day dow the Coast 5 Days on the
train, I arrived in Ogden one morning early, and as their was no one to meet me I hunted up a police
officer. (My Acion friend on the train descibed an officer to me) and showed him my address so he
escorted me and my baggage to the 25th street Depot Street car and showed the Moterman address
well he showed me a 5cent piece wich I took for fair, I stuck both hands in my pants pockets, and
turned them inside out, so he could see that I had no money. The officer hailed a man whoam was
crossing the street and he stuck his hand in his pocket and pulled out a whole hand full of coin, and
donated the needed fare afterwich I now climed aboard and transferred to the North Washington ave
car, and when it came to 1621 Washington the car stopped and the Conductor took me by the hand
helped me off the car gave me my still heavly book laden Suit cases pointed tothe Blacksmith shop
which doors was closed, but now slid oped and a women said My Brother Martin, and now she took
my load of suit case books and she fried some eggs and bakon a half dozen glasses of Milk six. And
a loaf of bread and I now felt better while I was eating Sister Anna said Quick under this table
Alexander is coming she hid the Book case, and I ducked under the table. He said so you fixed a
breakfast well I am hungry and if that kid-brother of our do come let him find his own way out here
I am through going after him. Anne said you do not have to go no more he came with the street car
as you drove away, and now starts a new chapter in My Life.