Page 82 - Poat_to_Poot_Engels

Some newspapers argued against emigration, emphasizing the dangers
of economic instability, thieves, diseases, harsh weather, poor housing,
Indian wars, and wild animals. A common belief was that the religious
freedom in America had created a country of loose mouths, godless
people, and sinners. The Dutch government repeated these warnings,
and hoped to reduce the flow of people out of the Netherlands.

In August 1887 the Poot family was ready to leave Oude Leije. On the
morning of their departure, a rig with two horses was waiting at the
intersection of their street and Langedyk, the main highway. Crowds of
people were waiting to see them go, and most of them were crying.
People swarmed about making their final good-byes, offering prayers,
and asking questions about America. The Poots couldn't leave, because
the crowds were blocking the team of horses. Finally, they persuaded the
people to stand aside and the Poots were on their way. They traveled a
few miles southeast to Leeuwarden, the provincial capital. Here was a
grand looking rail station with wide streets, open spaces, and a long
sprawling building of brick and glass. They boarded a coal-fired steam
locomotive that took them 140 miles to The Hague, the seat of national
government. The Station-Plaza here was even larger than in Leeuwarden,
but there were no open fields about. Instead, three and four story
buildings crowded around the station, and dozens of carriages for hire
lined up in front as hundreds of people poured in and out of the station.
The entire population of Oude Leije could have stood here and would
have been hardly noticed amidst the crowds.

The family stayed at The Hague for two weeks. This was Fredrika Vink's
birthplace, and the children were all able to visit with her brother and
sisters for the first and last time. Since they were only a few miles from
Delft where the Poot relatives lived, they probably visited with Jan Poot's
brothers and sisters too.

Finally, in early September, they boarded a ship and set sail for America.
The speed and quality of Trans-Atlantic voyages varied enormously,
depending on the quality of the ship and class of travel.

The finest passenger ships could cross the ocean in two weeks. Large
commercial vessels might require a month or two depending upon their
speed and the number of ports visited. A first class passage in the late
1800's cost $100, more or less. Although expensive, there were
significant benefits in first class. The ship provided a spacious cabin,
toilet facilities, free access to the ship's decks, recreation, and fresh air.
The ship provided meals with dining tables and waiters. The initial meals
were luxurious, but usually declined in quality as the crossing progressed
and the provisions deteriorated.

The "steerage class" was terrible at its best, and could be inhumane and
deadly at its worst. Since it might cost only $15, many immigrants had

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