Stories from Deli

Java Bode 25-10-1897 Medan, October 1897 To stay true to the promise made at the end of my previous letter, I must begin with a brief mention of the celebration of our young queen’s birthday. Apart from the salutes and a parade, which was canceled due to the wet grass, there were a morning reception…

Java Bode 11-09-1897 Medan, August 1897 So, the new ministry has been formed, and we welcome our former countryman and old Delian, Mr. J. F. Cremer, as the new Minister of Colonies. This is particularly significant for Deli, as much good is expected for our region from a man who has always been deeply involved…

Java Bode 03-07-1897 Medan, June 24, 1897 I have kept you waiting for quite some time for any news from me, which can fairly be attributed to the fact that there was little or nothing to report. However, upon reviewing my list, I find that quite a few points have gradually accumulated that may interest…

Java Bode 17-03-1897 Medan, March 1897. The poewasa is over, and all the locals have returned to work, at least as far as they engage in it. The locals of Medan and its surroundings could this time express their “glory to God” in a brand-new mosque, which was recently completed at the place where the…

Java Bode 25-02-1897 Medan, February 1897. It has been quite a while since I last wrote, but to write, one first needs material, and that has been lacking. Everything here is going along so calmly in its usual way that one who doesn’t know better might think that’s how it should be and continue on…

Java Bode 30-10-1896 Medan, October 1896. Anyone who has not visited Medan for several years and now takes a walk in and around the town will be surprised by the expansion, especially when they reach Polonia. The houses that were under construction, which I mentioned in a previous letter, are now nearly all completed or…

Java Bode 21-07-1869 Medan, July 1896. Whether it is in response to what I wrote in my previous letter or not, I am not certain, but I was pleased to see that the Deli Courant of the 11th of this month also addressed the so-called patent tax as it is applied here and concluded in…

Java Bode 26-05-1896 Medan, May 1896 With telegrams and letters about Aceh affairs capturing so much attention, it’s difficult to write a correspondence from here that would be significant enough to hold your readers’ interest. Nevertheless, I will attempt to provide an overview of recent events here, beginning with the news that the prices for…

Java Bode 15-11-1895 Medan, November 9 It’s been nothing but rain and more rain here in Deli lately; there’s hardly a day or night that goes by without heavy downpours, and the excessive water is gradually becoming a nuisance on some plantations. However, it’s not yet so bad as to cause significant delays in ongoing…

Java Bode 23-10-1895 Medan, October 15, 1895 On the 12th of this month, the long-awaited moment finally arrived for the European residents of Medan to attend the palace of His Highness the Sultan of Deli for an enjoyable evening event hosted by His Highness and the resident. Most of the approximately 300 invited guests attended;…