Immigrator Max Remulus

Moving to America

Jan 21, 1862

I, Max Remulus, lost my land because I didn't have enough money and not enough food to make a living in Ireland. I saw a flyer about America though, and decided to travel there by ferry.

Arriving

Feb 26, 1862

Finally arrived to America and saw the Statue of Liberty, which made me feel better to know that there is freedom in the United States of America. In Ellis Island there were many immigrants that were lined up and being examined. There were dormitories, dining halls, and a large great hall.

The City

Mar 1, 1862

This was the first time I have been in a city in America, and it was really large and full of people bustling up and down the streets. In Ireland, I have never been in a city because there weren't a lot of people in the place where I lived in. I realized that I had to get a job here to earn money so I can hopefully make a temporary living in the city.

Apartment

Mar 3, 1862

I finally earned enough money to rent a room in a cheap apartment for temporary living. It was nice to have privacy by myself instead of living in a house with other people who didn't really like me.

Life so Far

Mar 20, 1862

The life was simple in the city so far, go to work early in the morning, eat lunch, get back to working, receive payment, go back home and then finally get to relax. It was boring for me because I would rather be on the farm and grow crops and hopefully sell lumber from a nearby forest to earn a lot of money.

A new friend

Apr 1, 1862

I met a person who also worked in the lumber mill named Tony Smith, and even though he was American, he was very friendly towards me. My spirits lifted a little because it was nice to know someone who I can call a friend.

Discovering Where to get free land

Apr 9, 1862

When I was reading the newspaper, I saw a large advertisement that was about free land in Oklahoma that was called the Homestead Act, and I was joyed because I could finally move to Oklahoma and start a life there on a farm.

Packing Up

Apr 30, 1862

I am on a train that is going to Oklahoma, and I was very excited the whole way through. Tony and I spent most of our time writing in our journals and talking to each other. We took many trains through the states from New York to Oklahoma. There were many plains and fields that we passed by, I hope to live in a plain just as large.

Reaching the Settlement/Camp

May 19, 1862

We have finally already reach the camp. There were many tents and wooden buildings all over the camp. I got settled in a tent and got ready for the big race tomorrow. I was very nervous throughout the whole night.

Getting the plot of land

May 20, 1862

It was during the morning when I got on my horse that I recently bought with my hard earned money and got ready at the start line for the race to get land. When the pistol fired, I hurriedly raced to grab the stake for my land. There was mass chaos everywhere, but I managed to get it. Tony got the stake right next to my plot of land. I finally did it, I claimed my dream land, and now I can live on my own with no worries of a greedy landlord or almost barely any food.