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Arriving at Ellis Island
My clothes are disgusting from the long, smelly voyage from Ireland to America. My name is Cathleen O'reilly and I lived in Mullingar, Ireland and decided that I should move to America. All that matters now is the solid land that just came into veiw. Everyone is itching to be able to get off of this ship and on to that beautiful land and finally become a citizen of America. -
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Timespan
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Time Span of Westward Immigration Timeline
This time span was when many immigrants were traveling through Ellis Island and were coming to America for better lives. During this time the Homestead Act was in play and many immigrants were eager to get a peice of land and begin a better life. -
Places to stay
After the voyage I have near to no money and have only brought a few photographs and my grandmother's gold broach which I have no intention of selling. I have been able to rent a room in the back of a hotel. It is a very small room and I have almost no money to buy myself any food. Because of the generous Homestead Act, I plan to head to the west to get my own peice of land and have my own plentiful crops. -
Work
I have aquired a job at a factory that produces textiles. I have the lowest paid job and I spend 14 hours a day at the factory. By now I have saved almost 10 dollars even after I pay my rent and the money I spend on food and new clothes. I feel confident that I can make it to the West successfully and get myself a beautiful peice of land. -
The West
I have arrived in the west and am completely shcoked at what it is like. There were no longer proper places to get a meal or washrooms to do the laudray. On the train I met a young women, dreaming of doing exactly what I am, who I have become friends with. We live in a tent for those who have no other place to stay. We mainly are eating over-rippened fruit and want to be on our way to the land. We try to find work and all we can find is job that pays $.25 a week for doing the wash of a couple. -
Racing for the Land
An older lady that also does the washing has lent me her horse for the day so I can go race for the most gorgeous peice of land. Everyone else gets in line before I thought was necessary so I quickly tack on the edge of the line. Everyone is ready to be off and not a single horse hesitates when the gun is fired. . -
Land in the West
I have now been on my land in the west for about 6 months. I claimed one of the best peices of land and have gotten married. My husbands name is Henry Johnson and has come to the west from Boston because he would like to become a farmer. On my land I have had a house out of sod built and it is warm and cozy during this hard winter. Henry lives with me and we are ready for spring to begin our plentiful crops of wheat, potatoes, and corn. I believe my time in the west will continue to be a success
