From: Krasna, Bessarabia
5 February 1928
Dear Editor:
First, I would like to send greetings to you and your readership. Until a short while ago I was not aware of the existence of your publication. I happened upon your 7th edition at the home of Daniel Ternes, who has received this paper for over a year on a regular basis. He told me that he has read much new material that he could not have found anywhere else. Your paper is widely received in the Bessarabian region where it is distributed in all the villages.
I was especially interested in the article by Mr. Anton Goldade from Selz, as I myself come from Strassburg in Kutschurgan County, where I left many friends and relatives behind. I arrived in Bessarabia many years ago as an orphan. I have not had any contact with my old homeland for eleven years. Therefore, I have no idea who among my relatives is alive and who is not. I am cut off from them and never hear from anyone. So I am taking these steps, heart in hand. As your publication reaches Soviet Russia, I would like to ask Mr. Goldade through these means whether he knows the whereabouts of my sister, Magdalena Bertsch nee Braun and my friends Nikolaus and Elisabetha Derzapf.
(*Editor: Dear Friend! We can tell you that we have news, only a few months old, that your friends are alive and well. Your sister, who had been adopted by the Derzapfs, has married Bertsch and all are well, although poor. We will pass on your greetings. Your friends and sister should be glad to hear from you. Please write us often about the news of Krasna.)
I will not mention my other friends at this time, but wait for the time being to hear from my sister and brother-in-law. I am sure that there is probably nothing left of my wealth back in Strassburg. (*Editor: Usually, after the Reds get through with it, there will be very little left.)
I sit here in Krasna; I don't own a house or land, which makes earning a living difficult. But God is still alive and well, and in His good time, He will remember me. You all know the situation in Russia right now. One would rather be dead than alive, hearing of all the misery among our poor fellow countrymen.
Here in Rumania, it has not gotten quite as bad, although we have our complaints as well. In comparison with Russia, we are one thousand percent better off. My friends in America are better off than all of us, but lately they are silent. I have written many letters, but received very few answers.
Finally, I received a note from my Uncle Theres in Ipswitch [Ipswich], South Dakota. My other uncle, Franz Braun, who is supposed to be there as well, has not written. Another uncle from the area of Zeeland, Andreas Mattern, is also silent.
I received money from America on July 1, 1927, but have no idea who the kindly sender was. Please write to me in person or send news through this paper.
Dear Editor Wanner, let me thank you in advance for so kindly including these lines in your paper. I remain hopeful to hear soon from my friends and relatives.
Greetings to all fellow countrymen and readers of this publication.
Joseph Braun