David Owens - coming to America*

*David and Mary had saved as much money as they could. The flu in Wales was killing people daily. They dreamed of a better life in America. One day the collectors came by to force the miners into giving them money after payday. David gave them some of his money, however the collector was not please with the amount he paid him. He demanded more and David and Mary told him they didn't have any more. (It was a common practice to store your money in the fireplace behind a brick.) That night the collector came back after all were asleep. David was awoken by the collector and he confronted him. The collector picked up the fire poker and swung at David hitting him in the face around his eye. David caught the poker on the next swing and started chasing the collector into the night. David did not know if he had killed the man or not so he left with his family that night. He took them to his mother-in-laws home. He then took a ship to the USA. The captain of the ship hid David from the law. When they arrived in America, a local doctor fixed David's eye. The auathority in Wales was looking for David and wanted him sent back to Wales. The United States refused and gave him asylum. David's family joined him 4 years later.