Borgmann's father, a construction worker by profession, was called upon by his previous boss Gottlieb Keimler in Baltimore. The strong growing town knew how to appreciate German specialized workers. 6 months later Peter Borgmann sent for his family. On the steamboat "Weser" Wilhelm Borgmann made the trip over the big waters. On crammed space with primitive hygienic accommodations, many Germans for who the homeland had become too small, made the journey towards new hopes. The trip lasted 15 days with black bread, on Sunday a piece of white bread, that was their only food. And America was not a Champagne, and the dollars were not laying in the streets. The young Borgmann came to a stonemason to learn. In addition to the daily hard work came the change and adjusting to the new surroundings and the learning of the English language. But the young German mastered it. With diligence and saving he brought it to a sum which was enough to build his own stonemasonry. The business developed upward and today Borgmann can call himself a wealthy businessman. Enjoyment in the work and enterprising brought the success. That is the same as it is in Germany. Borgmann is proud of Baltimore, of which he is a citizen with all rights. In the last 50 years the city's population almost tripled. Skyscrapers are where business houses once used to be. Almost 1/4 of the populations is of German nationality. So Borgmann found enough German friends and the contact with them didn't let him forget the language of his homeland. The biggest event in Bormgan's life was the huge fire in 1904 to which a big part of Baltimore, the business quarter, fell victim. The big fire raged for 3 days until a shift of winds put an end to it. That's how Borgmann's business was saved from destruction. The world war didn't not bring any feeling affects for Borgmann. He was American and about the troubles of the homeland he only found out through the newspapers. After the war there was an enormous economic upswing but which was followed by a back fall in the newer times. Today there is a huge number of unemployed in Baltimore, which rely on the charity of the city. But Borgmann traveled to his homeland. This time the trip was of course different from the one 50 years ago. On the "Bremen" the returning Borgmann was treated better than at home. Now he was coming back to Kutenhausen. But there a lot had changed. Splendid streets and a city hall gave the village a new face. There were still the farmhouses, his father's house, where he slept as a boy.
And the people were still the same from the same honest, upright caliber, and still spoke the same old, familiar language. The homeland excepted the son with open arms and gave him the happiness to discover it again. A quiet glow is on the old American's face. As simple as his clothes are, is his demeanor. He didn't come to the homeland to brag about his success, he came more like a humiliator, a searcher, who wanted nothing but peace and love.
But there is still one thing he wants to tell his country man "Write", he pleads with the reporter, "that there is more drunks in America now then before. The alcohol prohibition is the women's fault, and the men are afraid of them. The women in America have absolutely way too many rights. Latest in 10 years the prohibition will be finished. And write, that the Americans can't land at a better place than Germany. The traveling Americans always believe that they are not gonna be treated right in Germany, that's why they travel to France most of the time. I found out myself how well you are accepted in Germany." On the 1st of October Borgmann will return to Baltimore, again on the "Bremen". He would love to stay here, but his family is waiting for him there. Next year he will come again to Germany for sure, the homeland won't let go of him.
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