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Article : Grand ' Weltblatt: An Experiment in

Full Citation: Robbins, "Grand Island's Weltblatt: An Experiment in Low German," Nebraska History 71 (1990): 71-75.

URL of : http://www.nebraskahistory.org/publish/publicat/history/full-text/NH1990LowGerman.pdf

Date: 2/19/2014

Article Summary: Weltblatt, was a short-lived low-German literary magazine published by G M Hein of Grand Island, Nebraska. It received international exposure, was published in the late and ceased publication in 1890. This article addresses its short history, with a particular emphasis on Mr Hein's two .

Cataloging Information:

Names: G M Hein, Klaus Groth

Place Names: Grand Island, Nebraska; Kansas City, Missouri; Port Clinton, Ohio; Sandusky, Ohio; Chicago, Illinois; Denver, Colorado; Omaha, Nebraska

Keywords: De Marschbur und sien Knecht (The Rich Farmer and His Farmhand); Lisbeth ;

Photographs / Images: Map showing the areas in which "high German" and "low German" were spoken; the G M Hein family in the late 1890s: daughters Hattie, Minnie and Lillie, son Fritz, Wilhelmina, and G M Hein; masthead of the Weltblatt from 1889 GRAND ISLAND'S WELTBLATT: AN EXPERIMENTIN LOW GERMAN

By Edith Robbins

It might seem startling to find a Ger­ study of the Low-German had This book not only shows the poetic abilities, where wittiness and humor alternate with pro­ man literary magazine in cen­ monopolized his spare time, and he had found emotions, where the Low Gennans in their tral Nebraska during the late 1880s. often written and published his habits and customs are presented in glorious Local historians know little about it. and prose articles. He knew about the colors, but we also discover a complete Low­ Gennan . Yes, Groth was the first who Only once is it mentioned in a failures of others in and brought vitality to our Low-Gennan County history, and not a single copy America who had started such literary after it had been gradually suppressed has been found in Nebraska.! For­ magazines. Nevertheless, he had the since Luther.5 tunately a nearly complete set of the courage to publish a sixteen-page Hein was excited to secure German issues of this magazine exists at the periodical from a small like writers, especially Klaus Groth, as con­ public library in , Germany.2 Grand Island. tributors. "With these gentlemen, who The Low-German Weltblatt was an Our fellow country men on the other side lof the have a good reputation in the Low­ indirect product of a nineteenth cen­ ocean] might be wondering why somebody dares I will risk my time to publish a magazine like this in America. With tury literary movement in north Ger­ the assistance of so many good writers had and money in order to present this many during which a literature in the tried that in Gennany several times .... magazine to the public."6 In Gennany the Low-Gennan language and the Low-German language evolved. High-Gennan language are in opposition . . .. The Weltblatt contained poems and Inspired by a rural unspoiled Since here on this side ofthe ocean all nations are novels which dealt with cultural topics experience, it contrasted sharply with represented it Ithe Low-Gennan dialect] is equal from north Germany and America. to any other language, at least it was never in con­ the more sophisticated urban litera­ flict with High-Gennan. Foolish prejudice - that Each issue included one page with an ture written in High German. perhaps Low-Gennan is not so stylish or elegant introduction to Low- Grand Island merchant G. M. Hein - does not exist here.4 and . The editorreceived was an admirer of this Low-German It was Hein's intention to preserve the letters with and suggestions literary movement. Born in Wind­ mother tongue among Low-German from readers in the and bergen, Holstein, in 1840, he came to speakers in the United States. He Germany, and space in the magazine Grand Island during the 1880s and reasoned thatwithout constantuse, the was reserved for replies to these let­ began working as a department store language would be lost to the north ters. Low-German materials could be manager. The Grand Island German German immigrants. . Yet the title ordered from Germany through the newspaper Der Herold includes Weltblatt [World Paper] suggests that it Weltblatt. Low-German societies, occasional Low-German poems of was written for an international whose aim was to preserve the Low­ Hein's advertising merchandise. In audience. Hein expected that with this German language, existed not only in 1888 Hein gave up his job, which had magazine (which would have con- · Germany but in 1889 in Kansas City, never been very successful, and with tributors not only from the United Missouri; Port Clinton, Ohio; ­ just a few hundred he "bought States but more importantly from dif­ dusky, Ohio; Chicago; Denver; Omaha; , paper and printer's ink and on ferent regions of the north German and Grand Island. In September ofthat January 1, 1889, was sending the Low­ plain), he could sustain the contact be­ at a meeting in Omaha, German Weltblatt out from Grand tween the "Old Country" and the Hein's paper was recognized as the Island, Nebraska, into the four corners "New World." official organ for these organizations in of the world."3 One of the German authors Hein America. With services, contributors, During the previous thirty the secured to write for his publication was and readers on two continents, especially noteworthy. In 1852 the Weltblatt differed from any other Ger­ Holstinian Klaus Groth published a man publication in the United States. Edith Robbins, a native of Germany, is collection of poems entitled Quickborn Although the Weltblatt contained a interested in the literature of immigration [Fountain of Life] and revitalized the wide of poetry and fiction, I and assimilation. Low-German literature. Hein wrote: have chosen to concentrate here on two 71 Nebraska History - Summer 1990

Itis this adjustmentto life, this process of assimilation, that Hein used as the main theme in his stories. In the short De Marschbur und sien Knecht (The Rich Farmer and His Farmhand), he described the insur­ mountable class differences in Ger­ many between the rich farmer and his farmhand.7 Johann, the orphan , is given " and bed" by the rich but miserly farmer, who sees in him nothing but free labor. In spite of growing up under harsh conditions, Johann falls in love with the farmer's daughter, Gret­ jen. Thrown out by the angry farmer and with nothing to hope for in Ger­ many, Johann emigrates to America where, he believes, class differences can be overcome and he can forget the girl. He enlists and serves in the Civil War, "and when the war was over, I got 160 acres as a reward," which over time he develops into a productive farm. 8 Back in Germany the rich farmer has lost his wealth due to unwise finan­ cial speculation and decides to emigrate to America where he can High German receive 160 acres ofland free. The end, as everybody can guess, is a happy one. Low German "By chance" the wagon with the immigrants breaks down in front of Johann's farmhouse, Gretjen recog­ nizes him immediately, and even the old people are by this time happy to see The terms ((high German"and ((low German"reflect not the quality ofthe , but the landscapes in which they evolved. High German is the standard, official form ofthe Johann and hear their mother tongue German language. Low German remains as a dialect in various regions ofnorth Ger­ again. Itis probably they who will never many. Map by Dell Darling from Victor Stevenson's , The Evolution ofWestern learn the , and it is Languages (1983). they who will look back to the country they have , and in their memories the "Old Country" will appear to be novels written by Hein, since they are American did not always come without fault. However, Johann and representative of the work with which easily. Emigration took these people Gretjen see a challenge in the New he tried to bridge the gap betweenLow­ out of a familiar surrounding and World, where it is labor that is in German speakers on both sides of the placed them on strange ground. Some demand .and not land. Through work ocean. immigrants saw wonderful oppor­ and adjustment they will gain the Hein as a realistic writer valued the tunities, and in order to take advantage class status of a landowner, a task they common man: The heroes in his novels of these opportunities, they broke could never have accomplished in were everyday people on the land, the rapidly with the past and adjusted Germany. north German immigrants in rural painlessly. Others, still home-oriented In the novelLisbeth von Bremen Hein America. They were not exceptionally and sometimes disillusioned after their explains life in America in detail to his talented, but they were upright, respect­ settlement, only reluctantly gave in to German readers.9 He defines and dis­ able, and had a practical outlook. The the change; they would, as long as con­ cusses such words as "timber claim," transition from village life in north Ger­ ditions permitted, preserve their "homestead," "prairie fire," "dugout," many to farming on the North heritage. "Conestoga wagon," and foremost 72 Grand Island's Weltblatt

"prohibition." Several issues of the ing in Nebraska. He is opposed to many Father: My daughter is not going to get one of these Yankees, as long as I live . . .. They are only Weltblatt are missing, and consequent­ American customs and rules, prefers to friendly to us when they need us. Even if they ly only part of the novel exists, but the speak and read German, and treasures have not a cent in their pockets they regard them­ main idea is recognizable. Dan, the the "German way." On the other hand selves above us . It is true, he wants to marry our Lisbeth. He knows the Yankee girls are young "Yankee" from Nebraska, and he believes that he, through immigra­ not worth a . They cannot even cook a pot of Lisbeth, the daughter of north German tion and settlement, has gained the soup. Perhaps he has heard that a German housewife can run a household very well, he knows immigrants, want to marry, but their same rights as any American. Lisbeth, our Lisbeth is a good looking girl, she is a gem. parents oppose it. Lisbeth's parents who speaks English fluently and con­ But such a guy should never have her, never. are extensively quoted here, because siders herself American, is caught be­ Mother: Father, Father, don't get so excited. There are some good men among them. And he is the father's reasoning expresses so well tween the heritage and culture of her never drunk, he does not drink. That should be the complexity of the situation. The parents and the culture of this "New worth something. father considers himself a German liv­ World." Father: I think the Yankees got you. Yes, he is

C. M. Hein family, ca. late 1890s: daughters Hattie (back row, left) and Lillie; son Fritz (front row, left); Hein; wife Wilhelmina; daughter Minnie. Courtesy of the Stuhr Museum, Grand Island.

73 Nebraska History - Summer 1990

<5ranb Jslanb, nebr., \5. november \889. ~tft 19.

--- mebigert un verIegt uon 0). IR. -tttu.

The ribbon on the nameplate connects symbolically the old continent and the new under the spreading oak tree, which represents Ger­ man strength and liberty. The three slogans: "Unity Leads to Strength"; "Young Men, Remain United!"; "It Leafs Out, It Blossoms, It Grows [oak tree}. " These slogans, used during the 1848uprising ofSchleswig-Holstein against Denmark, had special for Low­ German speakers from Schleswig-Holstein. Courtesy of the author.

never drunk because he had to promise it to his state legislature in 1881, an association that only barely one could hear an mother .. . . Do you know that the majority of the Yankees are drunkards? When something is for­ was formed, according to Grand Island accent," tries to comfort the worried bidden it becomes interesting. They don't drink businessman Fred Hedde, mother: they guzzle it down. They drink whisky out of A German beer hall is quite different from an beerglasses. These guys can not get a grip on consisting of a number of our best known busi­ ness men, irrespective of party lines, calling American saloon. We Germans to a beerhall to themselves like the Indians; they are on the same themselves "the Sons of Liberty" to "defend the have a good time; we talk and we play and we level with those savages. One should send them drink a glass of beer or wine. In an orderly all to the Indian reservation where everybody is liberty of the people against the encroachment of woman suffrage and temperance legislation." I I beerhall hard liquors is lare] rarely served, and severely punished if he distributes fire . not in beerglasses, only in little glasses, just a sip! That would then be the end to the whole tem­ Hein continued his novel with the - If our American saloons are not what they perance swindle. We Germans and everybody elopement ofthe young couple to a tim­ should be, then let's together help to change else who has seen the world don't need such lec­ that. 12 tures. And you want to give your daughter to a guy ber claim in western Nebraska. Dan's like that? No, Mother, never!lO mother is heartbroken over the sudden Unfortunately some issues of the The condemnation of prohibition in departure ofher son. She imagines that Weltblatt are missing at this pointin the Hein's novel is not surprising. During under the "terrible influence of a Ger­ novel, and it is difficult to follow the the 1880s prohibition had been man girl," he will be continuously further trials ofDan and Lisbeth before strongly opposed by the German voters drunk. Then the from the local the inevitable happy ending. of the Grand Island area, because they Lutheran church visits her. "This pas­ By 1890 Grand Island had grown into saw this regulation as a restraint on tor who was known to rich and poor, to a sizable town, and the unlimited their personal rights. In resistance to and to Germans as a man of opportunities of the frontier had the passage of the Slocum Act by the honour, ... who spoke English so well vanished. Hein - his enthusiasm not­ 74 Grand Island's Weltblatt

withstanding - did not prosper finan­ rarely "lower themselves" to speak .German or among the Low-German speakers in Low-German. They only speak English, but after cially. That the whole endeavor was a the first three words ofEnglish one can recognize the United States. Unfortunately the monetary fiasco did not come to light immediately from which area in [north) Germany magazine did not last long enough to until the last issue of 27, 1890. they come from, because it is only Low-German have this effect. The consequences of that they can speak well. Hein sadly and with some bitterness 3. Then there are those "educated" Germans its failure were not only local, however, wrote in his article "Farewell": who have the inbred antipathy against the Low­ for with the death of the Weltblatt, the German language . . . . They can speak Low­ We had high hopes when we launched the German quite well, but speak only High-German, nation lost its only literary magazine in Weltblatt into the world. The best writers and the "that is more refined." the Low-German language with an best poets had been secured as contributors so 4. Now we come upon the intelligent Low­ international reputation. If, as is often that we could always present original material. Germans. They not only recognize the value of The prominent Low-German speakers and their mother tongue, but at any time they are thought, it is language and literature societies in the entire nation promised us their ready to make sacrifices: These are our sub­ support and the paper was greeted everywhere that carried culture, the national loss scribers and our co-workers. Reluctantly we bid must have been great. with true enthusiasm. There was not a single Ger­ farewell to these worthy people.14 man newspaper in the whole United States which did not show respect and esteem for this high­ At the end Hein was convinced that quality magazine. Finally, we received such favorable criticism from Germany that nobody close to seventy-five percent of the was able to harbor doubts concerning its success. Low-German speaking population in NOTES But [it seems that[ the Low-Germans do not wish America belonged to the first IA. F. Buechler, . . Barr;eds.,HistoryofHall to support such a journal, they seem quite happy County, Nebraska (Lincoln, NE: Western with a newspaper full of advertizing, copied category. Since the Weltblatt was Publishing and Engraving Company, 1920), articles, and other products written by dille­ entirely dependent on subscriptions 402. tantes. America is full of Low-German speakers for income, the outcome of his venture 2Weltblatt, Vol. 1, No. 1 and 4-26, including but most of them can not read their mother January 1, 1889-March 27, 1890. tongue.1J was not surprising. Hein noted: 3Ibid., December 1, 1889, 311. If somebody wants to learn from our experience 4Ibid., January 1, 1889, 5. Hein presented here his explanation he should know that $10,000 are necessary for a 5Ibid.,2. for the failure, emphasizing that dif­ successful outcome . . . . We have tried to save our 6Ibid., 5. ferent levels of education among the mother tongue but with the downfall of the 7Ibid., December 1, 1889, 316. Weltblatt the first cut with the toward its SAn amendment to the Homestead Act of 1862 Low-German immigrants had been the grave is done. 15 allowed honorably discharged Union soldiers of principal . He divided the Low the Civil War to deduct their term of service from Germans into four classes and with this Despite his disappointment over the the five-year residence requirement. Wounded or failure of the the remainder disabled veterans could deduct the entire period laid out a wide spectrum of problems Weltblatt, of Hein's life appears to have been of their enlistment, not to exceed four years. the immigrants were facing in the 9Weltblatt, January 1, 1889, 6. assimilation process, from total accep­ spent in writing and publishing IOIbid.,7. endeavors. After another journalistic lIThe (St. Paul) Phonograph, March 24, 1881, tance of the "American way of life" to 1. failure in Omaha, he went to Salt the retention of their ethnic heritage. 12Weltblatt, March 15, 1889,50-51. City, where he published articles on 13Ibid., March 27, 1890. 1. There are the ones who barely can read and theosophy in English and German.16 14Ibid. write a little High-German. The printed text in 15Ibid. the Weltblatt is "Greek to them." One can not Had Hein's Grand Island Weltblatt 16In February of 1899 the Grand Island Ne­ expect of these types that they will sacrifice $2 been successful in preserving the braska Courier printed Hein's "History of the annually for their mother tongue. Mormons in ," in which he claimed that the 2. We meet these kinds who probably have language, one result would have been Book of Mormon was originally written in Low learned a little bit more, but in this country they the preservation of cultural coherence German.

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