From: Emmental, Bessarabia
15 May 1911
I came across a copy of the Staats-Anzeiger by accident at the post office in Emmental. I read the entire paper, although it was not mine. I have to admit how pleasantly surprised I was with the interesting content and the variety as well as the many different correspondents from all over. I enjoyed the reports from all over the globe. For my taste, the Staats-Anzeiger is the best of its kind.
Back in January, I wrote to my sons-in-law, Ignatz Gross in Stebbins, Morton County, North Dakota and to Eduard Richter in Dogtooth, Morton County, North Dakota. I received no answer from either one or no Staats-Anzeiger, either.
A short while back, I then wrote to my nephew, Lorenz Fenrich in Happyland, Saskatchewan, Canada, since he once offered in a letter that he would do me such a favor. So he can do this for me by subscribing to the Staats-Anzeiger for a year. So, now I do not know which of these relatives will order my subscription. I do not know if they are already readers of this publication. (*Publisher: Not yet, unfortunately.)
Occasionally, there is news to report from Emmental and surroundings here in South Russia. I would be glad to write about such events, if the publisher would like this. (*Publisher: Most assuredly, we would love it!)
The weather is not exactly ideal. From seeding until now, mid-May, we had no measurable rainfall. If we do not get moisture soon, we can declare a failed harvest this year. If the harvest goes well, many villagers will be leaving for Canada come fall. The eight families who left for Canada on 28 March will already know what the new home can offer them.
I have a brother-in-law in South Dakota, a Jakob Marthaller. Perhaps the publisher could send me his correct mailing address. (*Publisher: Sorry, we don't know which mailing station he belongs to. We would have to dig through a whole lot of lists to find him. We are willing to do this as a last resort, but are sure that a reader out there will come forth with it.)
Greetings to my sons-in-law Ignatz Gross, Eduard Richter and their families, to brother Jakob Dirk and family, my nephew Lorenz Dirk and wife, Peter Januscheitis and wife, Lorenz, Joseph and Johannes Fenrich and their wives and children, as well as all the readers of this publication.
Romuald Dirk