From: Krasna, Bessarabia
8 December 1929
Dear Editor Brendel:
During the night of December 7, thieves were trying to break into our community store through the building’s roof. The access from there was locked tight and the thieves could not get into the store. It is possible that the night watchman discouraged them in their criminal effort. Farmer Remigius Wagner had the same problem on the following night. Although no arrests were made, there are some people under suspicion.
Rosalia Schulkowsky, wife of Heinrich, died of a sudden heart attack on September 24. Mrs. Paulina Deichert, wife of Alexander and daughter of Ignatz Becker, died November 30. The eleven-year-old son of Valentin Ternes, Basilius, died also. May they rest in the Lord’s peace.
Belatedly, I would like to wish Mr. Brendel a blessed Christmas and a very happy birthday, which is in December, isn’t it? (*Editor - Yes, December 27, 1929. I am 54.)
Greetings also to my uncle Andreas Mathern in Zeeland, North Dakota and to my siblings Theres and Braun in Ipswich, South Dakota. May they be so kind to either write personal letters or send greetings via this publication. I would also like to ask my comrade Basilius Harsche in Fox Valley, Sask. to send in a travel report to the Rundschau since it would be of great interest to us. I would also like to ask Mr. Magnus Steinke in Krupp, Sask. to let us hear from him. Best regards from the old homeland.
Mr. J. Ritz here receives the Rundschau on a regular basis and has paid his subscription in advance. He is very satisfied with the material and especially enjoys his order of the songbook. He also sends greetings to all his friends in America. I am enclosing a card to you, Mr. Brendel. (*Editor - Received with thanks, J.B.)
Krasna is making progress just like the rest of the world. The village now has two radios, one for the school and the other for Mr. Johannes B. Herrschaft, who purchased his for 12,000 Lei. The school radio had to be taken back however, because something was wrong with it. I shall take Mr. Herrschaft up on his invitation and go there to listen to the machine. I would be very interesting to hear something about Bismarck. I have my doubts however, that that will happen anytime soon.
My best to the editor and staff as well as the fellow readers out there.
Correspondent,
Joseph M. Braun
Now the other side of the street:
This brings us to the Totengasse. (To be continued)
From: Solen, North Dakota
14 January 1930
Dear Editor:
Solen has a large German population and almost every household subscribes to the Rundschau. Unfortunately, there are very few reporters among the large readership here. All want to read, but no one wants to write. Therefore, let me file this report about our life here since it is cold now, and one has the time for it.
Everyone is reasonably healthy and I don’t know of anyone who is seriously ill. My mother is bedridden from severe rheumatism. On January 5, my brother-in-law, Konrad Becker visited all his relatives here. He is a businessman in Bismarck and came here in hopes of combining business with pleasure. But he couldn’t get around much because of the snow and returned home.
Other visitors on another occasion were Adam Geiger and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Froehlich, my in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. Georg Becker, brother-in-law Franz Kuntz and wife, Mrs. John Kuntz, Mrs. John Schmidt and Mr. and Mrs. Jakob Heinert. It was an amusing large company and song was not lacking at the gathering.
We dusted off Brendel’s book of folk songs which is a given in almost every home here. Adam and Jakob started off and we others chimed in. Such song is worth more than diamonds and pearls. It was wonderful! We made a journey back to our youth in our minds, and we parted joyfully although reluctantly.
I want to take this time to send greetings to my godfather, John Geiger and family and send best wishes for a New Year to them in Bridger, Montana. At the same time, I am wondering why John doesn’t write to the Rundschau anymore. He is an avid reader of it and even wrote reports in the past. What is going on?
Our businessman in Solen, Erasmus Braxmeier, is leaving this month to visit his brothers, Daniel and Raphael in California for an undisclosed period.
My best farmer’s greetings to my Canadian friends and all the dear readers.
Michael Stolz