From: Karamurat, Rumania
8 September 1924
Worthy Editor Mr. Brandt!
Since no one reading the Staats-Anzeiger in our corner of the world will correspond, I feel obligated after a longer silence to report the latest occurrences from here.
The most important report to make known from here is that this year again we have had a bad harvest, even worse than last year. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the farmers everywhere have a solemn expression. The poor cattle will be suffering the most because of a fodder shortage. Many are forced to sell their cattle at a ridiculously low price. I too had to sell one of my horses. Most likely I will be forced to also sell the remaining one, or for a better term, “give it away”, because as much as horses used to cost, that’s how much cheaper they are now.
All summer long, we had no rain, but really hot days instead. Then on 2 September, the locks of heaven opened and a terrible hard rain came down, which was followed by a severe thunderstorm. That lasted from 5 until 10 o’clock at night and caused much damage and misery. Especially the little towns of Metschedia and Murfatlar suffered greatly under this catastrophe. The railroad embankment between Metschedia and Karol was washed away by the onrushing flood, thereby interrupting the railroad traffic. Supposedly, the villages Sufilar and Nafartschea were also severely hit by the cloudburst-like rains. The floods did not only wash away houses, but claimed human lives as well. To escape drowning, residents had to climb into trees and desperately hang onto branches. The floods reached a height of 4 meters (about 13 ½ feet) and caused enormous destruction.
Here in Karamurat the bad weather also claimed a human life. The 12-year old son of Mr. Joseph Ruscheinsky was hit and killed by lightening. Mr. and Mrs. Ruscheinsky were not home at the time. Because of the extremely bad weather they did not make it home until late that night. What a cruel horror awaited them when they found out about the accident. The funeral of the deceased took place on 4 September. The priest E. Kreis conducted the services. Most sincere condolences were offered the bereaved family.
Currently, the people are busy making wine and distilled hard liquor. The vintage this year was not as good as last year’s, yet there is enough to keep the dry throat moist. Especially potent this year will be the “Baeren-Schnaps” (Bear-Liquor) and it will serve as the right medicine for many an upset stomach.
I send a greeting to Mr. Melchior Brueckner and his wife Simpferosa in Strasburg, North Dakota. Mrs. Brueckner is my cousin and they too should write sometime.
Mr. Peter Rifel and his wife visited here from Canada this summer. At the beginning of August, Mr. and Mrs. Rifel departed for their return trip. They also took Timotheus Haag along to Canada. He is Mrs. Rifel’s father. His brother-in-law Stolanus Arnold intends to follow them. Unfortunately, he couldn’t go with them because he was not able to obtain a passport as yet. Hopefully, he soon will succeed in this matter.
In closing, I greet all the readers of the paper, but especially Mr. Brandt the editor, as well as my cousin C. J. Haag, assistant to the editor of the Staats-Anzeiger.
Respectfully,
Vitus Paul