From: Krasna, Bessarabia
28 September 1913
Dear Staats-Anzeiger!
Since my previous scribbling was accepted, I wanted to send a short report from here again.
Everyone should know that slander harms three individuals simultaneously. Namely, the one who is slandered, the one who is told about it and most of all, the one who talks about it.
I apologize to the editorship and the readers for presenting something purely personal in my report.
For over seven years my wife ails severely from rheumatism, a painful suffering by which many people are afflicted. The rheumatism started in her chest. She was treated in hospitals, but everything proved useless. Then a home remedy was tried which actually took care of the rheumatism in the chest, but it spread it to the joints. Then we looked for help in Odessa without success. Then we ordered some highly praised pills from England, as a matter of fact three consecutive times. But they too were useless. Thereafter, we turned to South Hungary for Alpine Herbs. From there we received a letter telling us to find an agent in South Hungary. Of course I don’t know anyone there. I wrote the agency begging them to please send me the herbs or return my money. But I remained without a reply, without the herbs, and without the money. Those gentlemen may have done their duty, but I did not receive anything. That was two years ago as far as I remember. Admittedly, it is not much money, only 4 rubles and 30 kopeks. Yet, one hates to lose it.
I then ordered the “Berendsin No. 2” through the Staats-Anzeiger in Bismarck, North Dakota and I received it promptly and truly. The “Berendsin” appeared to be okay, but it did not cure my wife. Now we are with a different doctor again. If anyone among the readers could help me, I would gladly pay double. The “Berendsin No. 2”, I believe is an excellent medicine. If only one had a big barrel full of this ointment so that one could put the feet into it. However, one bottle will not help much. (*Editor: Of course we have not much to add to the honored correspondent’s explanation about his wife’s suffering from rheumatism. But since he writes that his wife is suffering for over seven years already, he should not be of the opinion that one single application of “Berendsin” will heal such an ongoing affliction. That is nearly impossible. The main thing with a rheumatism sufferer is that they should at least give a remedy a better chance over an extended period of time. Apparently, he has not done so. It is definitely useless to take a new medicine or a different doctor every month or every week, especially when it pertains to a prolonged chronic ailment like his wife has. Even the best medicine could not cure this illness in such a short time.) On the 10 September, we had a good steady rain that lasted until the 11th. All farmers are grateful to God for this because it has been very dry. Nearly all farmers have finished winter seeding, and the winter wheat is already sprouting. The farmers are presently busy with bringing in the Welsh corn.
I ask Emil, the son of Jakob Kopp, to please write articles for the paper. His father Jakob should do the same, since he too is such an avid newspaper reader. Zachäus Kopp, son of Johannes, would like to know what kind of pigeon Noah let fly from the Ark. It was surely a male, because a female would not have kept a leaf in her mouth. – No offense dear male and female readers!
Where is Michael Ternes from the vicinity of Strasburg, North Dakota with his reports? Isn’t he a reader of the paper? If not, then he should become one immediately. (*Editor: Mr. Michael Ternes in Strasburg, N.D. is not a registered reader.) I know that he likes to read reports. I have not received a letter from him in a long time. Although the saying goes that an old love will not rust, but with him it seems to have turned into gristle already.
There is nothing new to report from Krasna. Wilhelm Issert’s factory and residence in Tarutino were totally destroyed by fire. On the 24 September, Gottlieb Scherrile from Tarutino was robbed of 117 rubles in Odessa.
I greet brother-in-law Peter Schäfer and family, Karl Schäfer and family, Thomas Ihli and family, and Phillip Seifert and family. Haven’t you received my letter with the sorrel seeds?
I also greet the editorship and all the readers of the paper.
Respectfully,
Valentin Herrschaft.
From: Karamurat, Dobrudscha
15 October 1913
Today, October 15, a memorial was erected at a cost of 600 franks in front of the church in Karamurat in memory of Peter M. Gedak and Martin F. Bolitzky, who were killed in the war. The memorial was founded and paid for by the 9th Regiment. It was a special day, and thousands of people from all villages were present for the unveiling. Also present was a government representative and the Colonel of the 9th Regiment, in which the deceased served. The crowd gathered around the memorial. A ceremony was held just as if the two soldiers were to be buried here. Mourning hymns were sung. The regimental colonel then dedicated a eulogy for the fallen and emphasized that this memorial was established by the Regiment, in which they served faithfully and died for their country.
Dear readers, it was an uplifting solemnity. It was heartbreaking to hear the wailing and sobbing of the poor parents and the young wife of the fallen. One felt like the earth would have to open up. Grieving and saddened the poor parents and the poor wife had to drag themselves home again. Their children and the spouse they will not see again on this earth, but most likely in eternity.
The following are engaged to be married: Leonhart Wolf and Margaretha Ruscheinsky; Heinrich Fentrich and Kartelis Söhn; Johannes Fentrich and Elisabetha Schnell; Rudolf Nitsche and Eva Götz; Johannes Götz and Martha Nitsche; Johann Hack and Anna Blotzky; Adam Wagner and Pauline Drescher from Malkotsch; and Wendelin Tuchscherer and Philippina Gedak.
A hello to my siblings, brothers and sisters-in-law Ignatz and Agatha Martin, and Michael and Gertruda Müller, to my old Uncle Blasius and wife Josepha Müller, also to Dominik Götz and family.
Greetings also to Valentin and spouse Agnes Ritz in Krasna, South Russia. I would like to know if the cellar is finished or not, so I can visit and have cool wine to drink. I also would like to read something sometime from Peter Leinz in the newspaper.
A greeting to E. Bauer, whose correspondence I like very much, although I do not know him.
Respectfully,
Romanus Bogalofsky.