One of the main reasons for the decline is surely to be found in the good years. Then farm crops brought very high prices. Everything was sold at high prices. Also the raising of live-stock was very profitable. Resulting from all this, in all classes, according to ability, luxury was enjoyed to the full, since the general standard of living was raised and the land purchased and rented at unheard-of prices. So when the change came and land did not produce so plentifully, the prices went down and consequently the labor and trades suffered, although there was not an immediate foregoing of luxuries and the satisfaction of the needs developed during time of prosperity, and when rent and interest had to be paid in full.

One also often heard about friends who unexpectedly, even without bidding their friends farewell, had escaped to America and later had arranged to have their families come.

I also came into contact with Miedema. For two years I had been a contractor and had made a living. But in the fall of 1880 and in the spring of 1881, it was impossible for me te become the lowest bidder for public work projects, although I often placed a bid and then did my best. Therefore, and also because since my youth I had had the desire to see something of America, the thought also arose within me. I was still single, only 24 years old, had enough money in my possession for the trip, and thought that with the frequent speculative-bids that it was very well possible to lose more money than a little trip to America would cost. My parents, however, would not allow their son to leave. They thought that I would someday be the lowest bidder and then I would forget about it.

Under these conditions I met Miedema at the home of J. M. Jansma (Jelle Meinderts Jansma, red.), south of Ferwerd. He strongly urged me to accompany him, gave us some information about America which very effectively aroused my interest. At that time I had a contract and estimate for a new parsonage for the Reformed Church at Midlum at home. After I had completed my figures, I sent the bid on March 18 by mail and told my parents that I thought that would now become my job, since I had the previous year built a similar house and that I had made an extra low offer. The following day a surprise awaited me. My father informed me that if this bid was unsuccessful they would give me permission to go to America, but if things turned out well, I must come back the following winter. Well, I was sorry I did not know this a day sooner, as my bid was low enough so that would put an end to my ideas. Now it would be one or the other: work or go to America. After a few days I received on a postcard the information that another bidder, who was 180 guilders, had been awarded the parsonage contract.

So I had the approval of my parents to go to America, and that same day told Miedema, who also functioned as agent of the steamship line, to sign me up for a down payment of 10 guilders to leave Rotterdam for America on May 7 on the S. S. Caland. During the remaining days the girl with whom I had kept company for some time and I decided that when I returned we would be wed, an additional reason to return if all was well at the appointed time.

So the time for our departure arrived. Many from our town and neighboring places would leave on this boat under the leadership of Miedema. Bidding farewell, packing and talking about America was the order of the day. Many experienced a feverish excitement. I was on the whole very calm. For me the worst part was to see my parents very emotional sometimes. So the month of May arrived and when on Thursday, May 5 the sun shone through the window and we had had some breakfast, we shook hands silently (because it was impossible to speak) with father, mother, and sisters - the final reminder that I was leaving home.