Source: Dakota Rundschau, 15 Februar 1929 · 📰

From: Krasna, Bessarabia
19 December 1928

Dear Editor:

Snow began falling December 16/17 and is at 1½ inches. It is medium cold here. The weather was very nice until December 16. We had rain before the snow. We won’t have to complain about the lack of moisture. Our farmers have been rejuvenated.

I have made a trip to Akkermann and met Eduard Schuler, a friend from Tarutino, at the Arzis stop. We traveled together to Akkermann and had a nice talk also mentioning the Dakota Rundschau. Especially popular are the reports from South Russia written by correspondents Kurz and Frank. The educational articles were also lauded, and the fact that the Rundschau has lots of information. Time flew and we soon reached our destination where we had to go our separate ways.

While I was gone, I missed some excitement in the village. At 3:00AM someone knocked on the door of Anton Speicher. He went to investigate. He noticed his barn door was open and woke his son to investigate. They approached the barn together and shouted in German, “Who is there?” There was no answer. They repeated the question in Russian and received the answer (in Russian), “Why are you asking?” They went in the door and the Russian walked out. Neighbors came to help when they could not hold the culprit until the law could be informed and Officer Schef arrived on the scene. It took time to arrest the hoodlum as pieces of wood and food items came flying from the threshing platform. The policeman Schef finally fired two warning shots through the brick roof above the platform. Michael Ternes bravely climbed onto the platform. He received several blows to his hands as he was climbing. His left hand is still sore. Determined, he reached the platform and apprehended the criminal in the dark. The malefactor turned out to be an escaped criminal lunatic. He was arrested and taken back to the asylum.

In closing, I send greetings to all readers here and there, the editor and staff.

Joseph M. Braun