From: Emmental, Bessarabia
25 November 1930
Esteemed Staats Anzeiger:
The winter seed came up well over here and developed very nicely after several rain showers.
The hogs have been done in around here, and now everyone has enough meat and sausages. Hogs are really cheap this year; therefore no one is without pork in our village. Everyone has enough to eat, but is short on money since the farmer almost has to give away his products.
Wheat sells for 35 to 40 Lei (22 to 24 cents) per Pud, (16.4 kilograms/36 American pounds).
Previously a horse would sell for 15,000 Lei (about $90), but now is worth only 8,000 Lei ($48). A cow, for which one used to pay 10,000 Lei ($60), nowadays brings in only 4,000 Lei ($24). Dry goods, footgear, and items needed for maintaining a household and a farm are currently very expensive.
In my previous report, I mentioned the construction of a new railroad between Kischinev and the station Cangur. The project is finished to the point that a train can run on it. It will probably take one more month to complete the big bridge across the Potna River. By 1 January, everything will be finished and the newly built railroad will be handed over for traffic. Now, if we want to travel to Kischinev, we no longer have to go via Bender. As such, the journey lasts only one hour.
As mentioned in my previous correspondence, I no longer live on my father’s farm. Since October, I live in my own home, which I bought from PhillipVolk for 34,000 Lei (about $225). I sold him an empty lot at the end of the village, where he built a sod house for himself. Phillip had in mind to immigrate to America.
He had to give up his plan since he did not have enough money for the passage.
We had wine this year ………. information missing at this point………..my horse and farm implements and work as a shoemaker. I have lots of work right now.
My former neighbors, Joseph and Klara Müller, now in Canada, will also say that Adam cannot be moved from this corner of the world. Your parents and siblings are all healthy and well off. They also butchered five to six hogs.
Especially well off is your brother-in-law Alexander Nagel. David rebuilt the place. Ewald Müller was elected mayor. Magnus Seifert is still the organist.
Employed at the COOP store are Alexander Nagel, Joseph Müller and Aloisius Deichert. The latter is the accountant for the merger. Kaspar Seifert is the shepherd in charge.
What I have heard is that my friend Rochus Paul does not like it too well in Canada. If you could be here by New Year’s, you would have the opportunity to join the Co-op again, because Alexander Nagel wants to resign.
The following individuals were married this fall:
Valentin Ritz, son of Klaudius Ritz, and Faustina Kopp, daughter of Johannes Kopp;
Johannes Plotzki and Katharina Gross, daughter of Kaspar Gross;
Joseph Gross, son of Kaspar Gross, and Elisabetha Baumann, stepdaughter of Alexander;
Kaspar Löb and Agnes Kuss;
Thomas Kopp, son of Georg Kopp, and Anastasia Deichert;
Georg Nagel, son of Wendelin Nagel, and a daughter of Dillmann from Balmas;
Georg Gedak and Emilia Miller;
Pius Bleile married a girl from Larga.
My wife and I went to only one wedding celebration, namely our neighbors.
On doctor’s orders I am not allowed to drink either liquor or wine.
Our mother, Elisabetha Seifert died in July at age 72. In October, our father
Anton Seifert died at age 75. Our dad was sick for only eight days. (*Editor: We convey to you our heart felt condolences.) This serves as a notice to our Uncle Franz.
A notification for Phillip Bauer that his landlord Rochus also died in November.
Among the sick is Sophia Moldenhauer. Other than that the health of the community is satisfactory.
In closing, I greet all friends and readers and wish everyone, in particular the editor, Mr. Brandt and his assistant E.J. Hand [Haag], lots of luck in the New Year.
Adam Seifert