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BIRTH: Certified birth certificate from Pontypridd Registration District dated 20 Oct 1948 (used as proof for Evan's Social Security) indicates Evan John Richards' birth in the sub-district of Ystradyfodwg, Glamorgan County, Wales on 25 Nov 1887 in Treorky. Father was Thomas Richards (coal miner) and mother was Ellen Davies Richards.
IMMIGRATION: The passenger manifest of the S.S. Philadelphia, arriving from Southhampton, England on 1 May 1910 at the Port of New York, lists the following information about Evan John Richards: His final destination was Burrton, Kansas, where his brother, Rowland Richards, was living. He was listed as age...
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BIRTH: Certified birth certificate from Pontypridd Registration District dated 20 Oct 1948 (used as proof for Evan's Social Security) indicates Evan John Richards' birth in the sub-district of Ystradyfodwg, Glamorgan County, Wales on 25 Nov 1887 in Treorky. Father was Thomas Richards (coal miner) and mother was Ellen Davies Richards.
IMMIGRATION: The passenger manifest of the S.S. Philadelphia, arriving from Southhampton, England on 1 May 1910 at the Port of New York, lists the following information about Evan John Richards: His final destination was Burrton, Kansas, where his brother, Rowland Richards, was living. He was listed as age 24 (really 22), a miner by profession, having come from Treorchy, Wales. He was 5'6 1/2" tall, having a light complexion with light hair and blue eyes. He was travelling with his mother, 2 sisters and a brother. The family declared $2000 upon entry into the U.S. and travelled in second class cabins.
WHY THE RICHARDS IMMIGRATED TO BURRTON, KANSAS: The above manifest above indicates that the Richards family was joining Rowland Richards (oldest son of Eleanor Richards and half-brother of Evan and his other siblings). Rowland was lured to Burrton following the 1891 visit to Treorchy by Richard Jones who extolled the virtues of the wide-open spaces of Kansas surrounding Burrton.
THE IMMIGRATION OF THE RICHARDS FAMILY TO AMERICA: The following is the narrative of the log kept by Eleanor (Nellie) Richards (1885-1938) which chronicles the journey of the Richards family from Wales to America in 1910. The family consisted of the mother Eleanor (1848-1932), daughters Lizzie (Elizabeth) (1880-1934) and Nellie, and sons William (1882-1956) and Evan (1887-1951). Thomas, the father, had died in Treorchy in 1908. The family was joining the eldest son of the family, Rowland, who had immigrated to America in 1894. The log was provided by Margaret Kiddoo Hollis (1913-1990), daughter of Eleanor.
A SHORT ACCOUNT OF MY VOYAGE FROM TREORCHY TO BURRTON, KANSAS In order to be faithful to my promise, I endeavor to write you a brief account of my voyage from Treorchy to Burrton, Kansas, USA. As you know, we started five of us, mother, sister, two brothers and me, on the 22nd of April, 1910. Took the train from Treorchy Station at quarter to eight A.M. There were a crowd of friends and acquaintances come to see us off, and all wishing us a "bon voyage". Well, after parting was over, which was a much harder task than I had imagined, we went into the train, we five, my Aunt Catherine and cousin Lizzie, Rachel Ann, my sister's friend, and cousins Evan (Davies) and John Rowland (Davies), who were with us as far as Cardiff. The train started, and we had to part, and bid goodbye to the dear old place. When we came to Tonypandy, there were cousin Mary Jane, and her husband Johnny, Willie, Edwin, John George and cousin Agnes from Penygraig. After wishing goodbye once more, the train started once more and we had to leave them there on the platform. Now we had our way clear to go to Cardiff where we had an hour to wait. After partaking of tea, we went to another station... from there to train to Southhampton. My cousins brought us some books, which were very nice and welcomed, as we couldn't think of buying books just then. Well, in a short time the train came bouncing in. How quick that hour went, and now for the second time, we felt the pangs of parting. That over, we were on our way again. The train stopped but a few times until we came to Bristol. Here we were met by my Aunt Margaret, mother's sister, who came to us with a most beautiful bouquet of hothouse flowers, and some nice sweets. Another parting and we were on our way again. The express took us safe to Southhampton, where a man in a livery came to meet us with "Alliance Hotel" on his cap and coat sleeve. He saw our luggage was allright, then escorted us to the hotel where we were to stay for the night. After tea, my brothers and me went for a walk to see the town; it was terribly cold, mother and sister stayed in. Went to bed about 9:30. Slept soundly all night. Saturday Got up rather early, after breakfast went around town to see the shops. Then went back to the hotel for our handbags. We went down to the docks to see the ship. The landlord of the hotel accompanied us, and after seeing that our luggage was allright, he wished us "bon voyage" and went his way. Now we had to go in front of the doctor to be examined. We passed allright. I think he pulled my eyes inside out before he passed me. Then we went along the entrance way to the ship. The stewardess came at once to show us to our cabin, such lovely little rooms all painted white and beds spotlessly white...electric light with us day and night. After looking to our toilet we went on deck to see them rising anchor. First the captain came shouting, "All visitors ashore". That meant that all people that came to see others off must go off the ship. There was a crowd of them, it was a pityfull sight; some mother sending her only son, or a woman sending her husband, sisters sending brothers, the scene was heartrending. It made me glad to think that there was none there belonging to me. After they rose anchor, the ship was going out, and the crowd was waving and throwing kisses, the ship going faster and faster, and the crowd running to the end of the platform. And there they were, until we could see them but a speck in the distance. In a few minutes the dinner gong rang and we had to go into the dining room - a beautiful long room elaborately furnished - to have our dinner. Everything was in fine style - menu cards on the table, serviettes (napkins)...new clean ones every meal. I chose some roast turkey and cranberry sauce, fig pudding and ice cream. That was my first meal on board. That over, we went to the waiting room to write and pass from Cherbourg. Well, suppertime came, we made a hearty meal again, then Will and me went strolling on the deck. In a short time I told Will, "Well, there's giddy I feel" and he said, "and I feel somewhat giddy too". We looked exactly as if we were drunk. The ship was going lovely, we couldn't say that she was moving, and yet we couldn't walk without catching in something. So I told my brother that I was going down to take a rest to see if I'd become better, as he didn't feel sick. Sunday Got up quite early and started to dress. When I was half through, I felt sick all at once. Oh, I thought I should die...it was awful. Then my sister laughing at me made me worse. Mother then got up to help me and she went exactly the same... then sister got up and followed our example at once. There we were, not one of us could help the other. We wanted water to drink as it was close by, but not one of us was able to lift a hand to reach it. Oh, it was awful! I told mother to ring, as she was the closest to the button, but she couldn't. There we were for a couple of hours like that. One of us at last groped to the button and pressed it. The stewardess came at once, so we asked for tea. "Tea is not very good for you now, but I'll fetch it for you. If you do throw it up, it will do you no harm." So we had it as soon as it came in, but not one of us could touch it. The sight and smell of it made it worse, indeed it made me think of that PC (post cibum - latin for after meals) I had often laughed at, "Everything coming up, nothing going in". We were like that all day. There was not a lady on deck...they were all too sick, so we didn't get up at all. I was like that, partly dressed, had laced up my boots and only had to dress up my hair until Monday afternoon. Travelled 334 miles. Monday Got up in the afternoon a little. Mother and me went up to the library. It was a very nice room, plenty of red plush couches to lie on. Mother was much better. I was not. As soon as I went up, the smell of the food sent me flying back to my bunk. Travelled 439 miles. Tuesday A little better...been on deck a little this morning. They could all go about but me. I wanted to lie quiet in my deck chair all the time. The breakfast gong rang. Mother asked if I wanted any. I said no. I didn't feel as if I wanted any, so mother went in. Finally, I made up my mind to go, as a cup a tea would do me good. They were surprised to see me. I had only just sipped my tea before I had to go down to my bunk. Mother brought me a cup of beef tea. That was the best thing I had to agree. Went on deck a little this afternoon. The sea looks beautifully calm. Not able to go in to dinner. Passed time in the library the whole of the afternoon. Went in just to taste supper and went to bed early. Travelled 465 miles. Wednesday Got up early. A beautifully calm morning...the sea looks lovely...saw a yacht at a distance...think I'll go to breakfast this morning. I ate a hearty meal...liver and smoked bacon, tea, oranges, etc. Went parading on deck until dinner-time. Another hearty meal of tomato soup, roast beef and potatoes, and ice cream. One of the finest afternoons we've had...it was glorious to sit on the deck in the sun, watching the fishes jumping against the boat. Can see a steamer quite plain. The salute flag has been up twice today. After supper, went to play some deck quoits (ring toss) and skipping. Concert in dining room at seven, clear tables at quarter passed eight for late supper...biscuits and cheese, concert on deck, and dancing which lasted until eleven...then to bed. Travelled 465 miles. Thursday Beautiful calm morning, but rather cold wind. They say we'll see land sometime tomorrow. Dinnertime came - today we had breast of chicken, prunes and rice, apples and bananas. We get plenty of fruit here every meal. Beef tea and crackers for lunch at eleven; the sea is beginning to get rougher. Towards teatime, I ventured in to tea, but had to go and glad to reach my bunk. The ship is rocking awful, it makes us all sick...can't leave my bunk again tonight. Travelled 483 miles. Friday We had a frightfully stormy night; could hardly stand without catching in something. After the breakfast gong rang, we put ourselves ready to go in. Didn't feel much like eating breakfast today... felt rather sick, but managed to sit at the table. After looking along and seeing all kinds of nice things and the people starting to eat, I felt something come over me and had to go out. I went on deck, for I was very sick again. After obeying to my feelings, I thought I would like to go back. Went through my first course, porridge, could do no more, so went straight down to my bunk. And here we are again, Mother, Sister and me as sick as we can be. The stewardess came in at eleven to see if we wanted beef tea. We all took it and felt better, though not good enough to go about. I ventured in to dinner, made better than I thought...boiled chicken and bacon, ice cream. Reading a magazine all the afternoon, it is very cold on deck. Went in just to taste tea. Had a most enjoyable farewell concert at half past seven which lasted until ten. Went into supper...biscuits and cheese...to bed at quarter past eleven. Travelled 450 miles...total distance from Cherbourg is 3136 miles. Saturday (30 April 1910) A very cold morning...shall be landing sometime today. The trunks have been brought up on deck ready for the customs officer to search. Everybody is anxious to see land as we had a rather rough voyage. We can see nice green lawns in the distance as we are nearing our destination. They look so nice after seeing nothing but sea for a week. Here we are at last coming to New York. The sun is so warm and scorching. Everybody is taking off their coats, as it is too warm to keep them on...seems strange after only this morning being so chilly. Here the boat is stopping, they are putting anchor down at quarter to five. We have to go before a doctor again...much more particular than the first one. Then an inspector who wanted to know where we were going and what we were going to do, and how much money we had...then passed allright to the customs house. They are not so particular as we had thought, had to open every trunk and let them see into every handbag...they stamped everything. It was scorching hot and the job of carting back the trunks was killing. Mr. Morgan of the Morgan Hotel of New York, a Welshman, was there to meet us and helped us with the baggage. Then we followed him to the hotel where we were to stay until Monday morning. Sunday Slept soundly all night and partook of a hearty breakfast. Then made ourselves ready to go to church. We found the most beautiful church in New York (Grace Church). It was a fine place...the choir was singing lovely and that what struck me most was to see so many in a morning service. After the meeting ended and the people were coming out, there were rows and rows of autos and taxicabs waiting for the gentry. We made our way back to the hotel to have dinner. This part of New York, Broadway, don't look a bit like Sunday to me. The shops are open, even the barbers. We can see them working from outside and stalls out on the street are selling fruit and post cards. After dinner, we made our way to the park, about four miles ride by car. This is a beautiful sight...miles and miles of fresh green lawn and lilac trees, plenty of seats to sit, little tame squirrels running about so pretty, and little lambs, and a large menagerie with wild animals and fish. And fashionable people riding in their autos. Never saw so many coloured people in my life. We returned to tea. We intended going to a Welsh church this evening, but we were all too tired. We stayed in singing hymns. We were jolly company...lots of Welsh people came in by the afternoon boat. We went to bed very tired. Monday Got up early, went for a walk in the city. Bought food that would be necessary for the journey. Spent the day seeing wonderful sights. After an early supper, we took a car to some little dock. Wished Mr. Morgan goodbye, boarded a vessel crossing a ferry. This boat goes so smooth we could hardly say that she is moving. It is lovely on this one, not one of us is sick now. Tuesday In the train today again, but oh so different to our old trains. This is a fast express...she is going fine...it's a sight to see open country, farmhouses here and there, raining heavily here. First American rain we have had. Here we are close to Niagara Falls. Been down to lunch in Buffalo Station. Could see the falls...a wonderful sight...had only ten minutes to wait to see it. Travelled 60 miles an hour since yesterday...slept pretty good considering. Arrived at Chicago at five minutes to nine, taking lunch at a restaurant, leaving at eleven...too late to see much sights in this city. Wednesday (4 May 1910) In another train today, a beautiful fine morning, the country is looking fine. This train is about a mile long...can walk from one end to the other if we like. Arrived at Kansas City Station at 5 minutes to seven. Now another train at half past eleven starting for Burrton. Conductor tells us that this train does not stop there, but he had to for us to get down. Arrived at four o'clock on Thursday morning. Nobody to meet us had been there. Welcomed by Mary, his (Rowland's) wife, and Eleanor, my little niece. I'm sure we'll get to be the greatest of friends. Affectionately Yours, Nellie
DEATH/OBITUARIES: Kansas certificate of death contains the following info: Evan died at Bethel Deaconess Hospital in Newton, KS on 19 Apr 1951. His residence at the time of his death was 107 S.E. 5th St. in Newton. His birth date was listed as 25 Nov 1887, having been born in Treorchy, Wales to Thomas Richards and Eleanor Davies. His occupation was listed as a baggage man for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad. His Social Security Number was listed as 79-18-4583. Cause of death is listed as Uremia (10 days) due to Pyelitis due to kidney stones (10 years) as determined by an autopsy. Death occurred at 5:24 PM. Burial was at Burrton Cemetery on 24 Apr 1951. Evan's two obituaries from the Newton Kansan newspaper of April 1951 are as follows: Evan John Richards, who has been a citizen of Newton since coming here from Burrton 19 years ago, and is well known as a baggageman to at the Santa Fe passenger station, died Thursday evening at 5:24 at the Bethel Deaconess Hospital. He had been a patient at the hospital since April 9. The home is 107 Southeast Fifth Street. Mr. Richards was born in Treorchy, South Wales, Nov 25, 1887, and was past 63 years old. He came to this county as a young man. He was married at Island Grove, Fla., to Miss Viola E. Baker, Oct. 10 1915. He was a member of the Baptist church here, and of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen. He is survived by his wife, a son Lt. Thomas D. Richards, with the U.S. Army in Germany, who but recently was commissioned, a daughter Mrs. John W. (Gwen) Phillips, Route 5, Newton, two grandchildren, J Wilson Richards in Germany and Marcia Louise Phillips, Route 5, Newton, and two brothers, Rowland and William Richards of Newton. Mr. Richards is being cared for at the Moody's Funeral Home, and the time and place of funeral services will be announced by Mr. Moody as soon as word has been received from the son Thomas, in Germany. Evan John Richards was born in Treorchy, South Wales on Nov. 25, 1887 to Thomas and Eleanor Richards. As a child he became a member of the Calvinistic Methodist Church in Wales. He came to America in 1910 with his mother, two sisters and one brother. They first located at Burrton, Kansas. He was married Oct. 29 (actually 10), 1915 to Viola Baker, daughter of David Baker, at Island Grove, Florida. Three children were born to this union. Ida Eleanor, who proceeded him in death, Thomas D. who is with the American Forces in Germany, Mrs. John (Gwen) Phillips who resides in the vicinity of Newton. The family resides at present in Newton where Mr. Richards has been a baggage man for the Santa Fe for the past 13 years. The following relatives remain to mourn his loss: his wife Viola, his son Tom, and daughter Gwen; two grandchildren J Wilson Richards and Marcia Louise Phillips; two brothers, Rowland and William Richards both of Newton; also four nieces. He joined the First Baptist Church soon after he returned from Florida. He died in the faith on April 19, 1951 at the Bethel Deaconess Hospital at the age of 63 years, four months and 24 days. Funeral services were conducted at the First Baptist Church with the Rev. R. R. Mixon officiating. A ladies's trio of Dorrine Pierce, Elvira Thorp and Jeannie Shirk sang "The Old Rugged Cross" and "It Is Well With My Soul". They were accompanied by Mrs. Ruth Klassen at the organ. The casket bearers were Vernon Zook, H.W. Whipple, McCulley Asklock, L.D. Blickenstaff, Elmer Unruh and Walter Myers. Interment was made in the family lot in the Burrton cemetery by Rex M. Moody of the Moody's Funeral home. NOTE: Bio info provided by Contributor: J Richards (49481774) |