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My Birth
Ireland farmers in the 1800'sI was born into a poor family along the Eastern Coast of Ireland. We farmed dirty potatos and it was hard work. It was very frustrating that we never got to keep much of our profits. I did not have many friends and was picked on. The sea smells salty. My parents plan to immigrate to the New World, but they fear that I'm too young. We want to leave because of the government and hope to gain money in America. I'm writing this autobiography so that my descendents can know what it was like for me. -
My arrival at Ellis Island
Ellis IslandAfter I became 19 years old I set off on my own for America. My parents forbade me from leaving but I did it anyaway. I loved Lady Liberty. It felt like a good omen. I only hoped I didn't get drafted into the military like some others. The cities smell like smoke and horse droppings. It definitely doesn't look like the streets paved with gold that I was promised. The immigration lines were hard to get through but the examination was quick and painless. -
Helping On the Continental Railroad
The Transcontinental RailroadI've been in America for a year now and was set up with a job by a man who was at the docks. The people there seemed to be a bit gruff but I liked it there. The work was hard and dangerous but a week's pay there is more than a month's pay back in Ireland. I hear rumors of the railroad going over mountains but I don't see how that's possible. The combination of smoke, liqour, and sweat almost overwhelmed me at times, but I wasn't willing to give up my oppurtunities just because I wanted to vomit. -
Almost Killed on the Railroad
Dangers of the railroadI figured out the hostile man's name. John. He and I were hammering down the bolts and he swung at my gut. He said it was an accident but I could see his smirk. I feared for my life and wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. Others had mentioned killing me by "accidentally" dropping a box on my head. I'd met another Irish man who worked there. Jack was his name. There's no way I was leaving without him. I would kill John myself, but I keep imagining the heavy steel hammers on my skull. -
Abandoning the Continental Railroad
Finish of Continental RailroadThe continental railroad has finally been finished. I haven't made much money from this journey. Jack died in the October of 1860. I've held strong through alot of racism and just can't take it anymore. I'm abandoning my post and moving South to Texas. The journey will be long and hard I am leaving tomorrow morning. For a better life and more oppurtunities,again. -
Becoming a Cowboy
CowboysI have been living in Houston, Texas for a couple weeks. The other day while in a saloon I ran into a couple of men who called themselves cowboys. They take cattle and herd them North onto the railroad and get a nice pay for it. They had some Blacks and Mexicans with them. I figured they weren't preudiced and so joined them and got my own horse. I'm ready for another shot in this world. Perhaps I'll meet a nice woman in my travels and we can settle down.
