The Chicago Foreign Language Press Survey was published in 1942 by the Chicago Public Library Omnibus Project of the Works Projects Administration of Illinois. The purpose of the project was to translate and classify selected news articles that appeared in the foreign language press from 1855 to 1938. The project consists of 120,000 typewritten pages translated from newspapers of 22 different foreign language communities of Chicago.

Read more about this historic project.

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  • Hejmdal -- January 01, 1876
    [Concerning the Theatre]

    On behalf of the Scandinavian people, I beg to inform you, that the editor of Scandinaven or its aesthetic theatre and literary importer, make fools of the public, the actors, and the playrights. A short time ago there was an announcement regarding A.B.C. Scandinaven made it a farce by saying how deep and clever the author of the A.B.C. was to write such a wonderful book. But before Christmas a stage show was played. It's name was Newlywed, by "Bjornson"; Scandinavian critics stated that he saw the same show at the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen, but that there was no comparison; the Chicago amateurs were far above the Royal theatre. Chicago actors played in a much more refined and delicate style, etc. That is the kind of criticism Scandinaven dares print when it is well-known, too, that the Chicago actors are only amateurs, trying to bring a little joy to their countrymen in Chicago, That is the thanks Scandinaven is giving them, comparing them with star professional actors.

    On behalf of the Scandinavian people, I beg to inform you, that the editor of Scandinaven or its aesthetic theatre and literary importer, make fools of the public, the actors, ...

    Danish
    II B 1 c 1, II B 2 d 2, II B 1 c 1, II B 1 c 1

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  • Hejmdal -- January 01, 1876
    [Scandinaven's Literary and Dramatic Criticism]

    On behalf of the Scandinavian people, I wish to inform you that the editor of Scandinaven, or the reporter who serves as its dramatic and literary critic, makes fools of the public, the actors, and the playwrights. A short time ago there was an announcement regarding A.B.C. Scandinaven made it a farce by saying how deep and clever the author of the A.B.C. was to write such a wonderful book. And before Christmas there was a performance of a play, "Newlywed," by Bjornson. The Scandinaven critic stated that he saw the same play at the Royal Theater in Copenhagen, but that there was no comparison; the Chicago amateurs were far above the Royal Theater. Chicago actors played in a much more refined and delicate style, etc.

    That is the kind of criticism Scandinaven dares print, when it is well known that the Chicago actors are only amateurs, trying to bring a little joy to their countrymen in Chicago. That is the thanks Scandinaven is giving them, comparing them with star professional actors!

    On behalf of the Scandinavian people, I wish to inform you that the editor of Scandinaven, or the reporter who serves as its dramatic and literary critic, makes fools of ...

    Danish
    II B 2 d 1, II B 1 c 1

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  • Illinois Staats-Zeitung -- January 03, 1876
    [Evasion of the Liouor Tax]

    No news has come from the whiskey war. The excitement caused by last Friday's events is beginning to fade. The calm of Mr. Hesing, Rehm, and Miller leads people to believe that these gentlemen will be able to refute all the accusations made against them at the proper time and place. Of course this event gave plenty of writing material for a press eager for scandals. How facts were distorted, can be seen in the ridiculous reports concerning Hesing's arrest.

    We read of how he was sitting at his desk in his private office, how the sheriff read a law paragraph to him, and how Hesing became deathly pale, etc., etc. As a matter of fact, Mr. Hesing was just in the business office, talking with the secretary of the Staats Zeitung, Mr. Pietschand Mr. Raster concerning a business proposition. When the sheriff entered, he motioned Mr. Hesing towards the window and whispered a few words to him. Thereupon Hesing told Raster that he had to go to Hoyne's office and asked him to accompany him. Both then left, followed by the sheriff. At Mr. Hoyne's office Mr. Hesing signed a bond and returned to his office.

    The arrest of Mr. J. Rehm is also mere fiction. He was not arrested at all.

    2

    When he heard at the Staats Zeitung that the same fate was awaiting him, he went at once to Hoyne's office, accompanied by A. Loeb, who served as his bondsman.

    No news has come from the whiskey war. The excitement caused by last Friday's events is beginning to fade. The calm of Mr. Hesing, Rehm, and Miller leads people to ...

    German
    I F 6, II B 2 d 1, II A 2, II E 1, IV

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  • Skandinaven -- January 08, 1876
    [Big Event at Turner Hall]

    The foot-racer tomorrow night at the West Side Turner Hall will without doubt satisfy the public expectations. The success of the earlier appearances show that our two countrymen, "Vikingen" and "Young America", were indeed masters of their trade.

    There will also be an unusual musical entertainment provided by the Exposition Band Orchestra and after the entertainment, there will be social dancing.

    The foot-racer tomorrow night at the West Side Turner Hall will without doubt satisfy the public expectations. The success of the earlier appearances show that our two countrymen, "Vikingen" and ...

    Norwegian
    II B 3, II B 1 c 3

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  • Skandinaven -- January 21, 1876
    [Issue Call to New Pastor]

    The members of, "Our Saviour's Congregation;" have agreed to invite the Rev. Ylvisaker from Minnesota to succeed the Rev. Krohn as their pastor; and so the idea of uniting the two larger congregations of the Norwegian Synod and make the Rev. Mikkelsen their pastor, has been abandoned. According to our information the main reason for abandoning the idea were; that both congregations' financial affairs would become too complicated; that donors might lost interest in a united church; and that the location of the churches and the residences of the members made unification undesirable.

    The members of, "Our Saviour's Congregation;" have agreed to invite the Rev. Ylvisaker from Minnesota to succeed the Rev. Krohn as their pastor; and so the idea of uniting the ...

    Norwegian
    III C

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  • Hejmdal -- January 22, 1876
    [Big Temperance Meeting Held]

    Last week, at 300 Madison Street, a big temperance meeting was held. Every nationality was represented. The main issue was the securing of a prohibition law to prevent the manufacturing and the sale of intoxicating liquors. We owe this duty to our growing generations, and our neighbors in general. We are trying to start a campaign to get people to vote "dry".

    Last week, at 300 Madison Street, a big temperance meeting was held. Every nationality was represented. The main issue was the securing of a prohibition law to prevent the manufacturing ...

    Danish
    I B 1, I B 2

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  • Illinois Staats-Zeitung -- January 25, 1876
    The Harugari Male Chorus of Chicago.

    A meeting of the brothers of this order was held of the evening of January 23rd, with the purpose of the founding of a Song-Society.

    After the President explained the purpose of the meeting, the election of the following officials for the first year took place: President: Philipp Kohler; Vice President: John Siebenaber: Secretary: Louis Gathmann; Secretary of Finances: Ernest Bohm; Treasurer: H. Finke; Recorder: John Gamboni; Conductor: Mr. Ehrhorn.

    The Secretary was requested to notify all the Sister Lodges, of the establishment of this new Society with an extended invitation to its members to join the Society. The Secretary should also request the publisher of the "Deutsche Eiche" (German Oak) to publish this discussion of the Society in his paper, which is also the organ for the Harugari Order. The new song Society will be known under the name of: Harugari Male Chorus of Chicago,

    A meeting of the brothers of this order was held of the evening of January 23rd, with the purpose of the founding of a Song-Society. After the President explained the ...

    German
    II B 1 a

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  • Skandinaven -- January 26, 1876
    University of Chicago

    Dr. Clarke, an Englishman and imminent scientist who last year became professor of geology put up a reward of 200 specimens brought from London, to the student who gave the best and most complete report of his lectures, and also made the highest grade at the examination given at the end of the semester.

    It pleases us to learn that our young countryman James Langeland won this award. This promising young man has on several occations received honorary mention at the University (English Literature and Mathematics). When we stop to realize that he has to spend his evenings from 6 to 10 P.M. working at the Chicago Public Library to pay his way through the University. We have in this young man an example of what hard work can accomplish.

    2

    There are too few of our countrymen attending the university, therefore we are writing the above to encourage others. There are few who under similar circumstances retain their native language, religion and attitudes. Although one's immediate associates may not be one's own countrymen it should not be difficult to retain sufficient connections as not to forget our ancestry and traditions.

    Dr. Clarke, an Englishman and imminent scientist who last year became professor of geology put up a reward of 200 specimens brought from London, to the student who gave the ...

    Norwegian
    I A 1 a

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  • Chicago Tribune -- January 27, 1876
    Whisky Indictment against Hesing, Rehm, Hoyt, Mintz and Others.

    Mr. Hesing's first indictment required $50,000 bail and the latter two, $10,000 each making a total of $70,000 bail. The first indictment charges Hesing as conspiring with Rehm, the second with conspiring with August Newhaus, a storekeeper at the Lake Shore Distillery, and the third is against Hesing, himself as a distiller, the charge being simply that of conspiracy to defraud the Government of the Internal Revenue Tax.

    Mr. A. C. Hesing was visited at his residence last evening by a Tribune reporter, whose mission was to interrogate him in regard to the indictments found against him by the Grand Jury. Mr. Hesing stated that he had necessarily felt much annoyed at what he regarded as causeless persecution on the part of the Government, but he was confident of a triumphant acquittal if an unprejudiced jury could be obtained.

    2

    He had no idea on what the charges against him were based. He had never been inside of a distillery but once, and knew nothing of crooked whisky. He did not see how he could be justly accused of conspiracy; as his influence with the Government had always been exceedingly slight, and very little good it would do for him to conspire. In regard to the trial, Mr. Hesing said that he had engaged Mr. Edmund Juessen as his attorney, and he would enter a plea of not guilty. Mr. Hesing will be on hand this morning to give bail.

    The indictment against Rehm is simply that of conspiracy with Hesing, and the bail was fixed at $50,000.

    Mr. Hesing's first indictment required $50,000 bail and the latter two, $10,000 each making a total of $70,000 bail. The first indictment charges Hesing as conspiring with Rehm, the second ...

    German
    II E 1

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  • Illinois Staats-Zeitung -- January 27, 1876
    Appreciation of America in Germany

    Die Volks Zeitung, ( the people's newspaper) of Berlin disapproved of the attacks upon Americans that have been occasioned by the dynamite outrage. "This is regrettable. In everyday contact with other nations we were unpresumptuous and discreet, but since our war victory, other nations are being looked down upon, reserving the nobility of virtue for itself, trying to pin all the outrages on to non-Germans. This is to be considered as youthful pranks of a politically reborn nation and therefore has to be forgiven."

    The article said further:... "We consider it as good fortune that no suspicion fell on the much discussed Thomas as being a Frenchman! Happily, he is a Protestant; were he a Catholic no doubt that there would be plenty of fanatics who would accuse religion for this atrocious act. Our American guests can gather from this circumstance that there is no suspicion cast against American but a parade of a sickly enthusiasm of self virtue harmful to all the world, meaning in this instance to morally disbelieve in the virtue of others."

    2

    We hope that this will be sufficient to calm our American guests if their feelings were hurt adding, that we have cause to regret that the same custom does not prevail in Germany as is the case in England and America, by which a catastrophe like that in Bremen would have been corrected officially...

    Die Volks Zeitung, ( the people's newspaper) of Berlin disapproved of the attacks upon Americans that have been occasioned by the dynamite outrage. "This is regrettable. In everyday contact with ...

    German
    III H, I C

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