From: Krasna, Bessarabia
14 December 1929
Esteemed Staats-Anzeiger!
Now that the beautiful feast of Christmas knocks on the door, I want to especially wish my old friend the editor, Mr. Brandt and his assistants, Mr. E. J. Haag, and Mr.Gustav Mauser, as well as all friends and acquaintances a blessed Christmas. I wish all of them much luck and God’s rich blessings in the New Year; furthermore, that the Staats-Anzeiger doubles the number in circulation. For the editor, Mr.Brandt, please be advised that I received the nice calendar for 1930. For that I convey to him my sincerest thanks. May the dear Lord repay you a hundredfold!
In regard to the weather, I can report that we still have nice fall weather. Since 12 October, we had steady soaking rain. Our winter seeds have developed very nicely. It is an absolute pleasure to observe the splendidly growing winter seeds in the fields. As a result of the abundant rainfall, the water level in our wells has risen by five to six inches. The farmers, who until now had no opportunity to plough their fields, are eagerly doing so now. Others are busy digging up vines, which were frozen last winter, and are replacing them with young plants. During the night from 12 to 13 December, we had the first frost to record with two degrees Celsius below zero (28 degrees Fahrenheit). During the day the weather is nice and warm. If this year’s winter does not bring us the severe cold weather as in the previous year, then perhaps we may hope for a good winter wheat harvest.
The following are the current grain prices: Winter wheat, which we have to buy ourselves, costs 120 to 140 lei; summer wheat 80 to 110 lei; barley costs 42 lei; Welsh corn 40 lei. For butter one pays 35 lei per pound, for ten eggs 24 lei, and for a kilo (2.2 pounds) of beef 25 lei.
Several friends in America would like to know if the colony Krasna has grown over the last years. That is self-evident. On the west side of the village, toward the forest, a new street has formed with new and nice homes on both sides. The houses were mostly built with brick and with tile roofs.
No new special events have occurred since I sent in my last report.
Recently our night watchman, R. M., complained to the mayor that during one night around two o’clock he was attacked and thoroughly beaten. The ruffians, who were very drunk, got away unidentified. It is really pitiful that the poor night watchman has to spend the whole night in pitch-black darkness on the street without a weapon. The only thing he has for his defense is a cane.
My friend E. J. Haag, assistant editor of the Staats-Anzeiger is informed that his brother, Gottlieb, who injured a leg when the gable of the stable collapsed, has fully recovered and is back to work. By the way, the report about the accident was greatly exaggerated. His father-in-law, Peter Volk, with whom I meet almost daily, told me that Gottlieb’s heel was only bruised a little. So, everything is all right.
It was also reported in the Staats-Anzeiger that on 11 October, fire had broken out twice in Krasna. That, however, was fire without smoke. Two fellows allowed themselves a joke with flashlights, with which they illuminated a haystack, then called out ‘fire’ and hurried away.
On one beautiful day I went to the steam mill to pass some time. Arriving there I met Mr. J. Spl. who was in a lively conversation with W. F., a resident from Paris (a village in Bessarabia). “Well Mr. F., have you heard anything of news lately?” asked Mr. Spl. the man from Paris. “Nope, and what do you know, old Spl.?” “So, Mr. F., you really haven’t heard anything yet? Night before last there was a hurricane-like wind in the colony. Yes, it was so powerful, that it lifted the local steam mill with everything in it into the air, and then carried it up onto the Alt-Elft Hill.
But regardless, the mill kept on grinding and the workers inside never noticed anything about the flight, because outside, there was a terrible dust storm. When the storm subsided, the people in Katzbach suddenly noticed that the steam mill had disappeared. That’s when the mayor ordered the town crier (Büttel) to ring his bell and to call out that each resident who owned a horse to ride out and look for the missing steam mill. Finally, after a long search, they found the mill on the Alt-Elft Hill.” Whereupon the man from Paris said, “Dear Lord, what force such a storm has. It is only good fortune that the mill did not collapse, or else all the people inside would have perished.” Supposedly, with automobiles they dragged the mill back to Katzbach. I had a hearty laugh about this story and left. And the man from Paris drove home with this news. Just as it happened with the mill in Katzbach, it happened with the fire in Krasna!
Health conditions among the people leave a lot to be desired. There are many sick people in the village. Georg Schreiber’s wife was taken to the hospital in Sarata today, where she had to undergo surgery, because of a growth in her belly. Hopefully, she will come home soon in good health.
Since my previous report the following persons have died:
On 20 November, Rosalia Schulkowsky nee Engel died, leaving behind her spouse Heinrich Schulkowsky.
On 30 November, Paulina Deichert nee Becker died, 34 years old, daughter of Ignatz Becker. She left behind her husband Alexander Deichert.
Peace to their ashes!
Anton Gedak