Life of Albert Parsons

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF GEORGE ENGEL. WRITTEN IN COOK COUNTY JAIL IN THE SUMMER OF 1886 WHILE AWAITING THE EXECUTION OF THE DEATH SENTENCE.

I was born the 15th of April 1836, in the city of Casel, Germany, at that time the capital of Kurhessen. My father, Conrad Engel, a mason and bricklayer, died when I was eighteen months old. and left my mother, a very poor widow, with four little children. When I was twelve years old my mother died and left me to the mercies of the cruel world. Two of my brothers were taken to an orphan asylum, I and another child were given to two poor families that took care of us for 20 thalers ($15) a year. I already knew what hunger meant; then I learned what starvation was. When I was fourteen the city quit paying for my sustenance and I was told that it was time for me to learn a trade. And so it was. In Germany a common school education is compulsory and every child must go to school twelve months in the year, excepting the usual vacations, from the age of seven to fourteen. At fourteen the boy begins to learn a trade and goes to the Sunday school. There he is further educated in reading writing, arithmetic, drawing, etc. Nobody caring for me, I went around and at last found a shoemaker who was willing to teach me the mysteries of shoemaking in four years if somebody would furnish me with clothing and washing during that time. Nobody was inclined to do me that favor, and having been apprenticed for two weeks, the shoemaker turned me into the street. For some time I searched in vain for a master, and then gave it up. In Germany to a great extent, even to this day. an apprentice must pay to his master a certain sum for learning a trade, so it is difficult for a poor boy to get apprenticed at al1. I had lost all hope when I heard that certain of my schoolmates had emigrated to America. I heard a good deal of the United States, which left on my mind the impression that there was a better chance for me in that country. But before I could leave I must earn some money. and I therefore went to Frankfort-on-th- Main to try my luck after having failed in Cassel. As I had no money I traveled on foot. Tired and footsore after several days, I reached Frankfort. and wandered in the streets of the city during the day, not knowing what to do. Night came and hunger and cold drove me into a saloon. I asked the saloonkeeper for something to eat, saying I would work for it. He arose and angrily told me to get out. A citizen in the room pitied me, for I was only fourteen, and offered to learn the trade of painting, if I was willing to go with him. Very thankful and glad, I said yes. I went with him after