I remember Pop telling us that he and three or four Ukrainian youths decided to see some of America before settling down. They started by going west as far as Altoona, Penna. There they found work in laying track for the Pennsylvania Railroad on the stretch known as the Horseshoe bend. After completing this stretch they decided to walk south. They did any kind of work for money or food, sleeping in the open space or in barns, haystacks and even graveyards because they felt that to be a safe place. They had heard that locals living there were afraid to walk through graveyards at night, so that is where they would rest or camp. They went as far south as North Carolina when they decided to return to New York and find permanent work. One of the young men later came to be his brother-in-law by marrying Mom’s younger sister Olga. His name was Ilko Horodisky who came from a village not far from Szvenohorod.
When they came back, Pop heard that a local sugar refinery was hiring men so he decided he would work there. He could not speak English yet, and a so-called friend decided to play a trick by telling Pop that when the hiring clerk asked if he was looking for work that he should answer “No”. He did this for almost a week, so each time he was turned away. After seeing Pop in line for several days, the clerk decided that Pop could not understand what he was saying, so the next time he saw him in the queue the guy just pulled him out of line and he put him to work. He worked in the sugar mill until he and mother were married.
Editors note: There are very few pictures of Harry Zdepski from before they moved to Baptistown. This is a general appeal to readers for any photos they wish to see to included to send them to me.
Leave a Reply