The Chicago Tribune: Monday, February 14, 1910, quoting Judge Julian W. Mack of Chicago speaking before the immigration commission.
"In the last two years," said the judge, "we have failed to trace more then 1,000 girls who left Ellis Island destined for Chicago. We absolutely don't know what became of them."
I imagined my grandmother's sadness at leaving home and family for a new life in America. I imagined her long trip to Gothenburg, boarding a ship for Hull, the hours long train ride across England, boarding a ship for the cross Atlantic journey. I imagined her excitement, fright, homesickness, seasickness? I imagined Grandma being a sheltered, naive farm girl from a good supportive family now thrust into American life, not knowing the language or culture of her new countrymen. But I did not imagine this evil although I am now sure it did happen to others.
Wow,
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