Fraternity-Testvériség, 1986 (64. évfolyam, 1-3. szám)
1986-07-01 / 3. szám
FRATERNITY Page 7 like animals. They were each given a salami and a loaf of bread and each penned area was assigned a certain state that you were going to. We waited two days for our train to Ohio and fare was $10.00. — Mother was in charge of all papers and I never saw them after arrival. — Most of the people I was in contact with were as poor as we were. Supper most nights was dry bread, cabbage soup, green beans and sausage. $15.00 per month rent and lice were free of charge. Much discrimination against immigrants and got only the hardest dirtiest jobs, but with hard work you could move on to better things. — Once a month we would get a dollar saved up and go to a bar on the west side of Cleveland. One could get 10 glasses of beer for $1.00 and eat as much food as one wished from the bar. We really stuffed ourselves once a month.” Mr. Andrew Rigo The following is an excerpt of his daughter’s (Ethel M. Carney) letter: “My dad was 10 years old when he came to the States. He educated himself by going to night- school to learn to read and write in English. Also he learned to play the violin and we youngsters were taught many Hungarian songs as Dad played the violin.... He was Sec. Treas. for Br. #8 of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America for many, many years. The people that were elderly and couldn’t come to the house to pay their dues, he would walk or go by bus or trolly to collect. I can remember he helped many people in informing them how to slowly repay the loan to the Federation that was given them during the depression of the 30’s. And I recall many had been grateful and thanked him. He talked about his trip across the ocean, the storms, sicknesses and upon reaching America and seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time, and then at Ellis Island, the tests and checkups. There were many memories when he was growing up in Hungary, his trip to America, his hardships for survival and experiences. He told us always to be proud of our heritage. Dad passed away to his eternal home on December 11, 1977 at the age of 81.” Mr. William Sontra of Rowayton, CT. “I was born in Tornyos Nemeti in 1911. At the early age of 11, I came through the gates of Ellis Island on the S/S “Rotterdam” with my grandmother to join my parents Mr. & Mrs. Steven Sontra on So. Norwalk, Connecticut. I recall Ellis Island as a very cold looking place and the main building being full of wire cages.” Mr. Charles Simon of Morrisville, PA. “I was born in 1900 in Beregujfalu, Beregmegye. In 1911 I sailed from Fiume, Italy, on S/S “Carpathia” to join my father in Morrisville, PA. Ellis Island reminded me of a big hospital. My brother Albert had chickenpox and the whole family had to spend 30 days on Ellis Island. Our family of six (my mother, father, sister, brothers Andrew and Albert and myself) had hard times until I was old enough to go to work at the age of 16. All have died. I am the only member left. I have sons and nephews.” Mr. Steve Zoltai of Naples, FL, was born in 1922 and left his hometown in Curtuiuseni Er-Kortve- lyes, Transylvania (Rumania today) in 1940 at the age of 18 via Genoa, Italy, on the S/S “Manhattan” to join his grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Steve Toth, in Youngstown, Ohio. His memories are so many and so beautiful that he would like to write a book. Mrs. Rose Berescki Buda of Keasbey, NJ, was born in Szaniszlio, Szatmarmegye, in 1894. At the age of 18 she immigrated to America. Her sponsor in the US was Mrs. Matko whom she joined after a 21-day journey on the S/S “Evaline”(?). Rose was 90 in May, and although there are many “faded” memories, she still recalls a nice community life with mostly Hungarian folks. Mr. Waiter Z. Hethy of Holbrook, NY, celebrated his 9th birthday on the ship that brought him to Ellis Island from Hungary in November of 1907. Mrs. Jean Kohut of Milltown, NJ, was born in Hungary in 1912 and was 10 years old when she sailed from Sherbourg, France, on the S/S “Be- rengaria” in December 1922 to join her grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. R. Sinley, in Highland Park, NJ. Mrs. Rose Saloky Mako of Alpha, NJ, came to this country in 1913 when she was almost 15 years old. She spoke no English. She arrived to New York and took a train to Easton, PA. For seven years she worked in the silk mills, then she and her husband owned and ran a restaurant, gas station, nightclub. After her husband’s death she I
