Zahn, Edward, Papers, 1899-1900 (C3936)

.1 linear foot, photocopies

INTRODUCTION

Papers of Edward Zahn, a resident of Canton, Missouri, and Arenzville, Illinois, who undertook a tour of the United States, and countries of the Pacific region, Asia, North Africa, and Europe in 1899 and 1900. The papers consist of a one volume travel journal, passport, travel schedules, a certificate of initiation from Zahn's Masonic lodge, and miscellaneous items.

DONOR INFORMATION

The Edward Zahn Papers were loaned for copying to the University of Missouri by Edward A. Zahn, a descendant, on November 1, 1990 (Accession No. 4998).

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Edward Zahn resided in Canton, Missouri, and Arenzville, Illinois, around the turn of the twentieth century. In 1899 he undertook a world trip during which he traveled to Germany in search of his paternal grandparents' ancestral town, Schwegenheim, Germany, which is approximately 15 kilometers northeast of Landau, Germany. According to his travel journal, Zahn was deeply religious and during his travels he attended many church services of different Christian denominations. Zahn was also a Mason, belonging to the Morse Lodge, no. 346, in Illinois.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The Edward Zahn, Papers consist of photocopies of a one volume travel journal, passport, travel schedules, a certificate of initiation from Zahn's Masonic lodge, and miscellaneous items.

Zahn's journey lasted from June 1899 to February 1900. Zahn's travels began as he left Canton, Missouri, in mid-June 1899. He traveled across Iowa, through Nebraska and into Wyoming and Montana, where he visited Yellowstone National Park. He then went to Washington State and down into Oregon and Northern California. During this time in the Western United States, he commented continuously about the beauty of the land. Zahn then boarded a ship which took him to Hawaii and from there to New Zealand and Australia. During his ocean voyage, Zahn recounted the loss of a passenger who fell overboard and drowned. After visiting Australia, he again boarded a ship on which he sailed to Ceylon and India. He had difficulty accepting the rituals of Hinduism, such as cremation, and had a strong, unfavorable opinion of Islam.

Zahn continued his travels, arriving in Egypt, and from Egypt entered Europe via Southern France. He went over land to Italy. Zahn was deeply interested in religion, and was very excited to enter the holy city of Rome. He spent a great deal of time in Italy, passing Christmas and the New Year there. Zahn then proceeded to Switzerland and the Franco-German border city of Strasbourg.

He was now near his paternal grandparents' ancestral town which he went to visit. He noted that almost immediately upon his arrival in Strasbourg, he caught sight of a business sign with his family name on it. Zahn then traveled into France, going to Paris and Calais, before crossing the English Channel and arriving in London. He made his way across England and boarded a ship at Liverpool for New York City. After arriving in New York City, Zahn continued on to Washington, D.C., and Chicago. Zahn arrived at his home in Arenzville, Illinois, on February 18, 1900.

During his travels, Zahn offered brief descriptions of the numerous points of interest he saw such as the Taj Mahal in India, the pyramids of Egypt, and the art and architecture of Rome. There are several themes which run throughout Zahn's journal. These include his interest in religion and attendance of many different church services during his trip, and his painstaking effort to keep track of all expenses incurred.

During the early part of his trip, Zahn made use of a bicycle which he had taken along. He was an avid rider, and kept track of all the miles he cycled. While in India, his cycling tool kit was stolen. Zahn crated the cycle and did not use it for the remainder of his tour.

The miscellaneous items are photocopies of Zahn's passport and travel schedules, a certificate of initiation from Zahn's Masonic lodge, a memorandum to Zahn from The Delhi & London Bank, Limited, regarding an advance of money, and a print of a statue of Christopher Columbus in Genoa, Italy.

Zahn uses phonetic spelling in many cases throughout the journal. Some examples of this are "their" being used for both "there" and "they're", and "wich" being used for "which".

INDEX TERMS

These index terms are the subjects, people, places, etc. under which this collection is listed in all available indexes at the Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Columbia. If you are interested in a specific index term, please contact the reference staff.

  • Australia--Description and travel, 1899
  • California--Description and travel, 1899
  • Ceylon--Description and travel, 1899
  • Diaries--Travel, 1899-1900
  • Egypt--Description and travel, 1899
  • England, London--Description and travel, 1900
  • Europe--Description and travel, 1899-1900
  • France, Paris--Description & travel, 1900
  • Freemasons, 1899-1900
  • Germany--Description & travel, 1900
  • Hawaii--Description & travel, 1899
  • Hinduism--Attitudes toward, 1899
  • India, Calcutta--Description & travel, 1899
  • India--Description and travel, 1899
  • Italy, Rome--Description & travel, 1899-1900
  • Italy, Venice--Description & travel, 1900
  • Italy--Description & travel, 1899-1900
  • Maori
  • Montana, Description & travel, 1899
  • New Zealand, Description & travel, 1899
  • Ocean travel, 1899-1900
  • Overland travel, 1899-1900
  • Travel costs, 1899-1900
  • U.S.--Description and travel, 1899-1900
  • Wesley, John (1703-1791)--Attitudes toward, 1899-1900
  • Yellowstone National Park (WY)--Description and travel, 1899