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Immigrating
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The Promised Land
A potato disease has struck Ireland so I plan to move away from my family to America, the “Promised Land”. The boat ride is bumpy and is leaving many immigrants hanging over the boat rail. We are heading for Ellis Island, New York where we will either turn back, or get the privilege to live in America. I have taken nothing but myself and a bit of money for the journey. -
Welcome to America
Since I am traveling alone, I have to wait longer in Ellis Island. Also, because the questioners don’t know Irish, I am misunderstood a lot. When I arrive, I pass through with ease. I tell them my brother is awaiting my arrival, and so he is. I feel sorry for the Chinese immigrants who wait for many hours only to be thrown on a ship back to their home country. My brother takes me to his home and farm and on the way; he buys me a bag and a few articles of clothing out of pity, for I have nothing. -
Rumors and riches
In the years that pass, I did nothing but settle in with my brother and follow everything he instructs. I have not left New York yet but I have heard many stories from miners of the Gold Rush that has begun in California. They say there is so much gold that they are finding it as frequently as plain rocks. I do not believe their stories but I do believe that there is a lot of gold since the miners that return are very rich and prosperous. Perhaps the west is a good place to settle. -
Life in New York
I work as a waitress for low wages because no one wants an immigrant worker from Ireland. I get 2$ for ten hours of working. White American citizens get twice my pay. I may not look Irish, but my name, Bevin Murphy, gives me away. So, I am discriminated against with low pay. The money goes to food and helping to pay my brother’s bills. I have applied to become a naturalized citizen of America. I had to wait 14 years for this because of the Naturalization Act. I am hoping to go West. -
Naturalized citizen
There is a lot of discrimination in New York because there are so many Americans. They do not like any of the immigrants. I am now a naturalized citizen but I tire of the normal routine where I am disrespected and not paid very much. I have made a decision to run away for the West where discrimination is minimal. I hear that in the West, there is plenty of land that they are giving away. There, I can mine for gold and get rich. -
Heading West
There is a lot of land with gold in the California so that has made me decide to move there to mine. There are many other Irish and Chinese immigrants living there so I won’t be alone. I have secretly hopped onto a train that is heading for California. When I am there, I want to mine for gold. In the train, there are many miners with very long and difficult stories of their journeys. I can agree with many of them. Sadly, during my journey, I am robbed of all my belongings. -
The race for gold
The cause of my moving west is because of the poverty and discrimination in New York. There are many miners in California and we are lined up to race for land. With the help of my very quick horse, I have gotten a piece of large land and I have dug up millions of dollars’ worth of gold. If only my brother could see me now. -
The Walla Walla way
I have moved to Walla Walla, Washington where there are many other Irish immigrants. There is too many people cramped together in California for my liking. I like Washington much better, where other immigrants don't rob me out of greed. When I arrive, they welcome me with open arms and I find a job with logging quickly. My parents decided to move from Ireland to join me but my brother on the other hand, wants nothing more to do with me. I believe one day he'll come around and move west as well.
