From: Constanza, Dobrudscha
17 May 1928
Valued Staats-Anzeiger!
The fruits of the field recovered well as a result of the wet weather. Everything has grown fairly nice, except the things that were totally frozen. Also, the partially frozen winter wheat will provide us with an average crop. The great shortage of fodder should soon be overcome. For that it is high time, because hay and straw are sold for fantasy prices on the local market.
In the winter I bought a load of millet grass for 2,200 lei; today the same amount costs 6,800 to 7,000 lei. I bought a load of straw for 920 lei. A day before yesterday, I had to pay 1,730 lei for a load. The saying that with such prices “The cows have already eaten each other,” becomes clear to everyone. Only he who produces his own fodder can barely get by. Hopefully there will be more feed this year than last year.
The newly created trade with prairie dog furs does not make a profit either. Recently a farmer told me, “I took over several traps from our Transylvania Bank with the requirement to deliver forty pelts for each trap. Trapping the little fellows and skinning them is not as easy as I thought it would be. The pelts also have to be stretched over a board for drying. For that one needs a lot of little nails. When I have delivered my forty pelts per trap, then I will net one Lei for each pelt. It is possible that the bank will make a profit, but not I.”
Our biggest national holiday was celebrated in Constanza this year on 10 May with a big extravagance. It was a colorful scene for the spectators. The parade consisted of all military branches, the Boy Scouts in various costumes, the students from different schools, and female students in Romanian national costumes, and finally, the consulates of foreign powers in their dress uniforms. The crowd filling the streets got its money’s worth.
In Bukarest, one could also see something new. The young King, for the first time in the capacity as Ruler of the Land, presided over the Military Review. Standing next to his mother, Princess Helena and his grandmother, the Queen Marie, he saluted the passing troops, while his reign stood a little lower in front of him. Here in the city they want to erect a memorial for the deceased King Carol, in memory of his great merits for the State.
Yet another big change is planned. The whole recreational beach on the Sand Dune between the Black Sea and the Southwater Lake is supposed to be relocated to the little village Mamaia, about 10 kilometers from Constanza. For this purpose a railroad will be constructed from Constanza following over the Sand Dune to Mamaia. Should this plan become reality, then the residents of Mamaia will do a splendid business in the future, as will Cogealia located 4 kilometers from Mamaia. The latter then should have a good market for its dairy products, eggs, and poultry.
Lately, embezzlement has gotten out of hand, even in the military. The government decided to take stronger actions against these unfaithful custodians of the State, which every citizen certainly will accept with applause.
On 14 May, the demotion of the Finance Officer, Hannibal Cosma, of the 21st Infantry Regiment, took place at the military installation Malmaison. He was sentenced to 5 years forced labor for embezzling two million Leis from the regimental funds. A guard had surprised him at night just as he wanted to take money from the safe again. The military authorities from Bukarest ordered the demotion to be held open to the general public, in order to give a deterrent example. All military organizations had sent delegations. All finance officers and cashiers were ordered to also be present. The military Judge Advocate General in a lengthy speech pointed out Cosma’s reprehensible and immoral act. Then the sentencing was read, whereupon a noncommissioned officer tore off the braids and ribbons from the convict’s shoulder boards and cap; his saber was also broken in half. Then he was led around in a circle in front of those present.
In the last reported news about the death of old Michael Ternes from Karamurat, I inform you with the following additional details: Michael Ternes was born in Krasna on 5 November 1854; his parents were Hyronimus and Theresia Ternes nee Kuss. His first marriage took place in Krasna in the year 1875. The following year he moved to the (at that time still Turkish) Dobrudscha. In his first marriage, he had three sons and three daughters; in the second marriage he had one daughter; and in the third marriage, which took place in 1897, he had one son and two daughters. So all together, ten children who are all married. One of his sons, Joseph Ternes, at age 42 preceded him in death by 9 months. He, Michael, lived to see 38 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. On 22 December 1923, he became a widower for the last time. His illness and cause of death was a bladder stone problem. He died this year on 2 May 1928. He had received the last rites. He was 73 years, 5 months, and 28 days old.
After the deceased August Rösner, Michael Ternes was the second biggest German landowner in the Dobrudscha: He owned 1,000 hectars (2,500 acres) land, of which the State took away 217 hectars under the so-called Agriculture Reform Act. The remaining land went to his heirs. His business reached all German communities in the Dobrudscha, regardless of denominations. He was a helper to many Germans in need; be it that he loaned out seed or money at minimal interest, or that he proceeded with planting for his share of half the profit.
On occasion, during a visit at that time by King Carol I, the King was told about Michael Ternes’ many-sided activities, whereupon the King awarded him the medal “Corona Romania” (“Crown of Romania”). In the accompanying citation Michael Ternes is called a “Knight of the Order of the Romanian Crown”. This is the only decoration of its’ kind ever to be bestowed upon a German in the Dobrudscha.
With the deceased, a true “Swabian Farmer” has left us, who with his relentless work, simplicity, and his economizing ways were a role model not only for his family, but also for all local Germans.
Georg Ternes, the oldest son of the deceased, sends a friendly hello to Mr. Kundus Schnell in Ambrose, North Dakota. He wants Mr. Schnell to know that he sent him the paper, Der Landbote (The Land Courier). He also still receives the Herold.
As a sign of the times, one has to take note, that along with the increasing hardship, the insatiability of men on one side, as well as the reluctance to work on the other side, increases daily. If one has anything to do with a merchant, a trader, or anyone who has something to sell, then one has to be prepared for all kinds of unpleasant surprises. On the other hand, one does not want to work anymore.
For example: A family moved from a village into a city and there had to work hard, but did not know any different. But a two to three yearlong stay in the city had sufficed for a simple country girl to turn into a conceited city dame who shunned any work.
A young man will take her for his wife. But the happiness of the young marriage soon falls apart, because the newly married woman does not want to work, but only live in pleasure. With that, the “dear” wife in the end becomes too expensive; there are accusations, disputes, and the end of the song is, “Separation.” These are the sad facts of our current time.
With the best greetings to the editor of this paper and all readers and friends.
I remain,
Johann Straub