PENINSULA BELGIAN AMERICAN CLUB FEBRUARY 28, 2009 NEWSLETTER FONTAINE FAMILY Namur, Belgium “LETTER BACK HOME” Overlooking Namur om the Citadel Green Bay 24 december 1855

Dear friend,[1]

Once again I take my pencil to write you, and hope to get an answer this time. It's the fourth time since April 7th, the last day I received a letter from you. I have also written a letter to Mulders, an employee at "Grote Barrier"[2], but I didn't get an answer either from him. Why, only God knows and I have to accept it according His will. Don't think I doubt if it's your fault. No, dear judge, because the deliverance of letters in America is very hard. I have heard that many people here are having the same problems. It doesn't goes like in The town of Namur began as during the early Middle Ages when Belgium. We don't an important trading settlement the Merovingians built a castle or have mailmen. If in Celtic times, straddling east-west citadel on the rocky spur overlooking you expect a letter, and north-south trade routes across the town at the confluence of the two you have to go to the Ardennes. The Romans, too, rivers. The town developed somewhat the post office the established a presence after Julius unevenly, as the counts of Namur Caesar defeated the cal Aduatuci could only build on the north bank of tribe. Namur came to prominence Continued on page 2 Continued on Page 3 by Rick Fontaine holding the first meetings in his home. Henry farmed his entire life in America. The “Letter Back Home” was sent to me by Henry This will help clarify some of the things he talks Naus of the Overplelt/Lindel Belgium Historical Society and about in the letter. He also states that he will go back when was translated by him. he has enough money but never did, probably due to his new Henry Fontaine was with the Flying Brigade and traveled wife and family. In addition to all birth records and marriage all over Belgium but the family is from Etalle. His wife records, I do have documents from Belgium on the auction at Elizabeth died on the way over in 1854 and a brother Juste Henry Fontaines home selling all the furniture, land and settled in Louisiana. Henry remarried to Josephine Coppens belongings not taken with them. That is all in French or and he formed the Town of Humboldt near Green Bay, WI, Belgian. I also have the address of the original home, and ship manifests for Henry and Juste.

PAGE 1 PENINSULA BELGIAN AMERICAN CLUB FEBRUARY 28, 2009

NAMUR, WISCONSIN Officers

President - -James Lampereur Tel. (920) 866-2189 Email [email protected]

Vice President - -Al Alexander Tel. (920) 825-1328 Email [email protected]

Secretary - - Barb Chisholm Tel. (920) 743-5969 Email [email protected]

Near “Chaudoir’s Dock” Photos by Kim Davis Treasurer / Newsletter Editor Kim Potier Davis Mob/Home: (920) 559-1117 Email [email protected] NAMUR, BELGIUM France invaded the region again Trustees - - Bertha Villers, in 1794, during the French Randy Bouche, Barb Goral the Meuse - the south bank was Revolutionary Wars, and again Lardinois owned by the bishops of Liège and annexed Namur, imposing a repressive developed more slowly into the town regime. After the defeat of Napoleon Chaplain - - Fr. Sam Jadin of Jambes (now effectively a suburb of in 1815, the Congress of Vienna Namur). In 1262, Namur fell into the incorporated what is now Belgium hands of the Count of Flanders, and into the United Kingdom of the THANK YOU for your was purchased by Duke Philip the Netherlands. Belgium broke away DONATIONS! Good of Burgundy in 1421. from the Netherlands in 1830 After Namur became part of following the Belgian Revolution, and - Anonymous Donor thru M. the Spanish Netherlands in the Namur continued to be a major Defnet Research 1640s, its citadel was considerably garrison town under the new strengthened. The King Louis XIV government. The citadel was rebuilt - Christian Mothers thru of France invaded in 1692, capturing yet again in 1887. Chisholm Talk the town and annexing it to France. Namur was a major target of - Kim Potier Davis His renowned military engineer the German invasion of Belgium in - Mabel DeBaker Vauban rebuilt the citadel. French 1914, which sought to use the Meuse ( In Memory of Alden control was short-lived, as William III valley as a route into France. Despite DeBaker, John & Lillian of Orange-Nassau captured Namur being billed as virtually impregnable, Derenne) only three years later in 1695 during the citadel fell after only three days' - Dale Ferron the War of the Grand Alliance. fighting and the town was occupied - Janice Jandrin Under the Barrier Treaty of 1709, by the Germans for the rest of the - Al & Bernie Moore the Dutch gained the right to garrison war. Namur fared little better in (In Memory of Al & Lillian Namur, although the subsequent World War II; it was in the front lines Moore/Harvey & Palmy Treaty of Utrecht of 1713 gave control of both the Battle of the Ardennes in Jeanquart) of the formerly Spanish Netherlands 1940 and the Battle of the Bulge in - LaVerne Paque Domach to the Austrian House of Habsburg. 1944. The town suffered heavy Thus, although the Austrians ruled damage in both wars. (In Memory of All My the town, the citadel was controlled Namur continued to host the Belgian Ancestors) by the Dutch. It was rebuilt again Belgian Army's paratroopers until - Joan Uhyrek under their tenure. their departure in 1977. TOTAL $210.00

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LETTER BACK HOME price of 10 shilling an acre. That's believe me, because we are separated to approximately 6.65 (Belgium) franks. I far from each other and letters are too rare to write you nonsense. I hope to letter is addressed to, and ask if there is bought 160 acres, 1000 square meters (?) or about four kilometers around. The soil convince you once I'm so lucky we can see a letter for you. There is a post office in brings in every day more and more. I each other again. I shot many animals I every town, but you know that in America could have sold it with 100% profit, but don't know the name of. When I show you there is very much of distance between the that's not enough for me. I hope to get their fur, you will be surprised to know towns. Every month, the newspapers publish within two years to get 400% for it. that such animals exist. the names of them who didn't collect their And when I can sell at the price I There are many snakes in summer, letters, but one of twenty doesn't read the like, so I can buy me a farm in Belgium, I but not in winter. I don't know where they papers. And often people who have read won't hesitate to cross the ocean and stay in winter, or it must be they live their names in the paper, goes to the post cover the 3000 miles that separates us. underground then. They aren't dangerous. office, but then their letter isn't there Wisconsin, Brown County, lies about I'm so used of them so I won't make a anymore. The postmaster tells them that 1700 miles from New-York. It's the most step so I wouldn't step on them. Pigs hunt someone picked it up. Crooks goes at hunt healthy state of the United States. Last for snakes. A snake of 6, 7 or 8 foot is a for those letters, hope to find some money summer I travelled trough the states good breakfast for the pigs. in it. It's easy because anyone can ask for a Ohio, Michigan and Illinois, but it's to hot The soil is laboured with oxen. letter under a specific name as he pays the in those states and there the Cholera People can harvest wheat, rye, corn, fee. never seems to stop to destroy lives, potatoes, etc. As in the good countries of However, although I'm sad since that especially at the border of the Mississippi Europe, everything is expensive, fatal day my beloved en sweet wife Elisabeth in Saint-Louis, New-Orleans, Cincinnati, compared to the value of the money in gave her soul to God and for whom I still Chicago and Detroit. The seasons in Belgium. Potatoes these days costs 6 pray every day although I'm convinced that Wisconsin are similarly as the one in shilling 6 pence/ bushel, approximately 25 she's in heaven, because she was a good Belgium, but the heat and the cold are kilos for $4.35. But a dollar has only the Christian and she has hoped until the last bigger and especially there is snow for value of 2 (Belgian) franks, but it's notated breath. And those who have hope and about four months. The soil is good and it for 5.33 franks a dollar. believe in Jesus Christ, shall, according to brings in much. People can harvest The United States are big, I don't the gospel of Saint-Paul[3] be saved and everything they could in Belgium. The know the measures. Every state has his receive the Eternal Life. However it's, my food is good, good bread, much meat, Governor, elected every four years by the dear judge, in every way a great disaster to mostly pigs-meat, and I don't like that. I people. And the 21 states together have a lose my dear and tender wife. My love for do like to eat wild animals, which there is President, also elected by the people. But her hasn't left my heart for a minute. I even plenty of here. The liquor is bad here, but every state has his own laws, written by believe my love has increased since she's no it's better in the other states.[4] the representatives of the people. All longer with me. Sometimes I believe she Hunting isn't as pleasant as in officials, as public as governmental, are isn't dead and still alive, but unfortunately, Belgium, while the forest are to huge and elected and renewed every year by the after such considerations I feel myself people can get lost in them easily. Men people and every man, older than 21 has betrayed. But still, I love to speak to her like should always carry a loaded gun as they active and passive voting-rights. she was still with me. But after those leave their farms. And it's very dangerous Mostly Germans, Dutchmen, Irish, moments I fall into days of sadness. I hope to hunt bears alone. They are very difficult Canadian and Belgians live in Wisconsin. this will stop and hope that God will call me to kill. A few weeks ago, I met two But I live about 4 to 5 miles from them. once to unite me with the one that fulfilled Indians, Indians lives only from hunting The Indians lives separated. my heart, my soul, my everything. and farming, who had shot a bear. The Green Bay lies between Fox-River I thank God my three daughters are bear had already 8 bullets in his body and and Devils-river at the point of the Lake growing up in good health. The two eldest still he attacked one of their dogs. A bear Michigan. By that lake, people can travel will have to leave me next Easter to go to can weigh approximately 800 pound. trough all the United States with school in the city. I had placed them all There are no lions here, only in Mexico steamships. The most important industry three of them, but I couldn't live without there are many. In summer, but not in in Wisconsin is the trade of wood in all them around me. Afterwards I placed Mina winter, there are buffalos here. I don't like kinds, wheat and pigs, that are plenty of in Green Bay with some friends, so she their meat; I much more prefer the meat and cheap. They are sold at 3.5 cent a could go to school there. But she wasn't of deer's that lives here in great numbers. pound. happy there alone, and one day she came, On my own property I have shot 7 of I don't know yet where my brother is. accompanied of a coachman, back to me. them in two months. One of them I believe he's dead or has returned to us However, they have to leave me in the weighed 200 pounds. There are also many (Belgium or Luxemburg). I tried many spring to go to school. Only the youngest, little wild animals such as raccoons, hare's times by all possible ways to get some Francisca, I will keep with me. and pheasants. information about him, but it's impossible By working day and night I succeeded I noticed in your last letter some to find him. It's not like in Belgium here. to pay the ground I bought from the State doubt about the things I wrote about on credit. People can buy from the State white hare's and skunks. I ask you to Continued on Page 4 until 320 acres on credit for a year at the

PAGE 3 PENINSULA BELGIAN AMERICAN CLUB FEBRUARY 28, 2009

LETTER BACK HOME We have three Catholic priests here; Then my heart is so filled with memories I French, a German and a Flemish priest. can't write no more. But I hope I can tell That last one is father Dams from Diest. it to you personally very soon. Until then, When someone dies, they bury him There are almost 2360 Belgians arrived in I'm going to sleep now and dream that according his religion and that's it. No Brown county this year. I'm still in Lindel in the companion of my registers like in Belgium. People don't need If you know a young man, willing to dear Elisabeth and you. It's now 11 o'clock an identification card to travel trough the come to America, you can tell him that he in the evening and tomorrow I'll go to the states. Everything here is free, and all there can come to me (to work). I'll give him city to mass and then I'll post this letter. I is is an oath. The only thing they registries is 600 franks a year including meals. But have to get up early to do the trip of 8 the naturalization as American. And after first a demand a written agreement, that miles. Tomorrow it's Christmas. the oath, man gets a little paper that has to be confirmed here under oath. It Goodbye my friend, I embrace you confirms that oath and that tells the has to be someone I can fully trust. It's with all my heart and soul. possessor where to go to when he has to do not necessary he can read or write, but he military service. have to be willing to work. I want to keep Your devoted friend. So, I think my brother is dead, while I him until August or September 1857, while don't get news of him, and I can't find him. I I'm planning to return to Europe about know he knows I wrote my last letter to him I'm sure that only few people have that time. But he can't come only on this pity on me and that others are pleased from Green Bay and got his last letter from letter. I want to know him before him there. But now, after 16 months, I over my misfortune. I could mention everything and want to see written names, but it's better to say nothing. haven't heard of him. I'll have to write home confirmed how I see the agreement. to find out. Without telling, I expect in the mean If you know the address of employee while some news from you. Read this I would have travelled back to Europe Mulders, please be so kind to write him perhaps, if I didn't had fear not to have any letter to my brother in law and sister if and ask him if he hasn't got a letter from you see each other. meanings of living there, where I found the me. Tell him he can come here and will be place to have the best off all women. To able to make a good living, if he wants to what, my dear friend, does richness leads come in service with me. I will take him when it is not accompanied with happiness. on the same conditions as the young man ------After deep consideration and many prayers I I spoke of here before. And even if I leave [1] The letter was send to Karel Clercx, judge, told myself: "You are going to spend the rest America, I'll make sure that whoever will who lived in an estate caed "Hobos" in Lindel, of your days where she's born and there you come, can have a job where he can earn at Overpelt. shall pray daily for the soul of her, you least 600 franks a year, and even more. deeply loved, and your children will walk And at my place he can earn more money, [2] Grote Barrier was the custom station at there where their poor mother walked when if he's a good worker, and when he knows the ontier between The Netherlands and she was carrying them into her womb" And the job properly I'll raise his wage with Belgium in Lommel. Henri Fontaine was a I won't give up those feelings. 200 franks a year. But no one may leave custom officer until 1845-1846. Although he So, my dear friend, let's hope, its Gods Belgium before he has got a message from was a member of the "flying Brigade" at will, we'll see each other some day back me. Lindel-Overpelt., he had of course much again. At that time we can tell each other Greetings to the family and my contact with the custom station at Grote our adventures and tragedies of life. And friends in Lindel. My best regards to my Barrier. then, you'll feel sorry for me. brothers and sisters in law, to Mr's. By the way, you told me to believe that Moons, Laenen, Poelmans, Missotten, Van [3] Strange that he mentions the Gospel of Josephine Coppens will be my wife some Lindt, Corthouts, Maes, doctor Van Lindt, Saint-Paul, because there is no such gospel. day. I seriously thought about it, my dear Wolfs and to widower .. (Unreadable), Probably he refers to the Letters of St.-Paul. friend, but there is a problem. She would Poorters and especially to F. Clercx[5] have to give up her religion. She is evangelic. Tell the last one I would love to give a [4] He probably mentioned this, because judge I would do it for the children, not for dollar for a litre of his "jenever". Further Clercx had a distiery of "jenever", some kind myself, because no one in the world can feel my regards to all who ask for me, to Mr's. of gin. the love I felt for my beloved Elisabeth, L. Clercx, and Mr. Van Loo and his although she dead. But Josephine Coppens people. To butcher Vandenweg etc. [5] These names are a of them the most famous has taken care for my children for over a etc.etc. & everyone who has still a debt to citizens of the viage. Mayor, secretary, notary, year. Because when I had to do that, I me for delivered bread. I'll give it to them. doctor, etc. F. Clercx is the brother of Karel couldn't do the things necessary for our So let them pray a Holy Father and a Hail Clercx, the addressee of the letter. He was, living. Mary for the soul of my beloved Elisabeth. together with Karel, a manufacturer of In the first year I harvested for about Amen "Jenever". 1000 franks potatoes. And they are almost My best hunting friend and judge, I sold. In the middle of the wood I have build don't know what to write anymore. a house. O my dear friend, what should I be Sometimes I think I'll write a big letter, by Rick Fontaine happy when Elisabeth would be with us but when I write, I don't go anymore. [email protected] here. But it was the will of God.

PAGE 4 PENINSULA BELGIAN AMERICAN CLUB FEBRUARY 28, 2009

SNOWMOBILING IN NORTHEAST WISCONSIN The State of Wisconsin has an extensive snowmobile Door County alone has 250 miles of public and trail system that links every corner of the state. Four state privately maintained snowmobile trails throughout the snowmobile corridors span the area providing unlimited Peninsula. The trails from Door County will take you into choices to access bordering counties. Kewaunee and Brown county, and beyond. Other outdoor activities throughout the area are cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, and ice fishing. Our local Belgian community can be enjoyed Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall!

Door County snowmobile podcast is available for viewing at http://www.doorcounty.com/outdoor/ winter.aspx

Photos were taken in Brussels, Wisconsin by Kim Potier Davis

TRAVELING BACK 100 YEARS - - DOOR COUNTY ADVOCATE FEBRUARY 29, 1909

The monthly horse sale held on the premises of “Joseph ALBERTS” last Saturday afternoon was unusually well-attended. These periodical sales are a source of considerable interest as well as pleasure to a large number of people living in the country, many of whom would rather attend one of these affairs than do most anything else, unless it is an invitation to “take something” at a neighborhood bar.

PAGE 5 PENINSULA BELGIAN AMERICAN CLUB FEBRUARY 28, 2009

BELGIAN also of mutual influence that the needlepoint lace is generally traced to various types of lace reached maturity. Venice. Appliqué on tulle is a Since these earlier times, many hybrid form of lace created from styles and techniques of lace making patterns made with bobbins or with a have been developed, almost all of needle, which is then assembled by them in the Belgian provinces. Today, hand and applied to tulle. two main techniques are practiced in the Flemish provinces of Belgium. Modern Lace: The first, a , is still The term modern may be manufactured in the region of Aalst. deceptive, for some types of lace were It is called Renaissance or Brussels created in the middle of the 19th lace because it is mostly sold in century. Brussels. The second type, the The production of modern lace , is a specialty of made use of ‘mechanization’ at one Bruges, located in the west of stage or another. Generally the Belgium. This is a very expensive type process was only partially mechanized of lace to make and is therefore no (e.g. , Princess lace), but in longer manufactured for commercial some cases it might be fully purposes. mechanized (so-called mechanical Lacemaking is an industry which lace). nowadays employs lace workers, aged Although tape lace and between fifty and ninety years of age. Princess lace are not entirely Top: Do not expect to find lace factories in handmade, they are undoubtedly part Bottom: Princess Lace Brussels or Bruges, they do not exist. of the craft tradition. Their There are four different techniques of production involves hand assembly or The origin of lace is difficult to lacemaking, two of which are no completion with needlework, or locate in both time and place. Some longer practiced today and therefore application on tulle. authors assume that the come under the heading of antique Contemporary Lace: manufacturing of lace started during . There are important differences Ancient Rome, based o the discovery between embroidery and lace: the Since the 1960s lacemaking has of small bone cylinders in the shape of latter is worked on the basis of a become a veritable art form. Drawing bobbins. paper pattern, on a net (tulle), or on a on original techniques of lace production as well as on other During the fifteenth century, combination of both. technical and artistic competencies, Charles the Fifth decreed that lace Lace can be divided into three contemporary artists have developed making was to be taught in the categories, according to the original creations – sometimes schools and convents of the Belgian techniques used: monumental in scope – in two or even provinces. It was designed to replace Handmade Lace: three dimensions! embroidery. Unlike embroidery, lace It is important to distinguish could be unsewn from one material to between two kinds of handmade lace: Listed below is a summary of the be replaced on another. bobbin lace and needlepoint lace. most famous Belgian laces: The art of lacemaking flourished The combination of these two in the Southern Low Countries techniques gave rise to a third 1. ROSALINE and DUCHESSE between the sixteenth and the technique: appliqué on tulle. and BRUGES LACES of nineteenth centuries. During this Bobbin lace is worked on a cushion, Brussels (Bobbin Lace with cut period, a certain rivalry developed using pins, bobbins, thread and a threads) among the important lacemaking pattern. Needlepoint lace is a. Pearled Rosaline - fine Brussels towns such as Brussels, Bruges, produced with needle and thread lace, characterized by little Binche and the surrounding regions. alone, so there is no need for either a round floral motifs, the “pearl It was in this era of competition but cushion or bobbins! The pattern is roses” held in one’s hands. The origin of Continued on Page 7

PAGE 6 PENINSULA BELGIAN AMERICAN CLUB FEBRUARY 28, 2009

BELGIAN LACE

b. Brussels Duchess Lace - fine a. Other renowned examples: WELCOME NEW bobbin flower and leaf. Malines, Valenciennes, MEMBERS c. Brugges Lace - slightly thicker Flanders, Point de Paris, chantilly (black lace). These are thread. • Janet Defnet no longer made. Mukwonago, WI 2. The ROSEPOINT LACE 4. APPLIQUE on TULLE (bobbin, (Needlepoint Lace is made with a • Wayne Destree single thread and needle.) needlepoint, or muslin) a. Rose Point - most delicate a. Application lace is mixed with Green Bay, WI a mesh background. b. Point de Rose • Charla Everard c. Venice 5. PRINCESS LACE DePere, WI d. Alencon 6. RENAISSANCE (or • Jason Legois 3. TORCHON, CLUNY, LILLES BRUSSELS) LACE New Berlin, WI and FAIRY POINT, BINCHE (needlepoint lace) (new name point de Fee) a. • Kathryn Strauss LACES (Continuous Thread requires more bobbins) b. Ribbon Lace Sullivan, WI c. Tape Lace

PENINSULA BELGIAN AMERICAN CLUB MEMBERSHIP FORM 1255 N 12TH PL The PBAC is a non-profit organization that depends upon STURGEON BAY, WI 54235 your support - - THANK YOU!

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MEMBERSHIP RATE: $15 PER PERSON (DUE MAY 31ST EACH YEAR) PAYABLE TO: “PBAC” MAIL TO: PENINSULA BELGIAN AMERICAN CLUB, 1255 N 12TH PL, STURGEON BAY, WI 54235 (INCLUDE SELF ADDRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE FOR MEMBERSHIP CARD)

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PAGE 7 PENINSULA BELGIAN AMERICAN CLUB FEBRUARY 28, 2009 Belgians Arrive July 9th Events will be planned for Calendar them while they ’re here April 16, 2009 (7:30m) including a PBAC Meeting Welcome Lunch, Schoolhouse - - Namur, Wisconsin and Farewell Dinner. April 27, 2009 (10-Noon) Speaker - - Barb Chisholm (Belgian Ancestry) On July Members from the Learning in Retirement at NWTC 20th, the Belgians will be Email: [email protected] Phone: 920-746-4947 Wallonie Wisconsin Society traveling by motor coach to http://www.nwtc.edu/LIR/Default.htm in Belgium will be arriving in visit sites in Milwaukee and Green Bay, Wisconsin on the Chicago. PBAC members are July 9-20, 2009 evening of July 9th. The welcome to join them. Wallonie Wisconsin Society arrives in WI names, and number of Detailed tour information people traveling with the will be provided at a later July 11-12, 2009 group is not known at this date. Belgian Days - - Brussels, WI time. Their members have On July 24th, the until March 25th to make July 20-24, 2009 their down payment. Belgians will depart from the airport in Chicago and Visit Milwaukee and Chicago with the Wallonie return home to Belgium. WI Society

Kim Potier Davis Peninsula Belgian American Club 1255 N 12th Pl Sturgeon Bay WI 54235 USA