Source: Dakota Rundschau, 1 May 1931 · 📰

From: Krasna, Bessarabia
30 March 1931

Dear Editor Brendel:

Although the weather was very nice on St. Joseph’s Day, March 19, a few of our young men had an ugly night and spent it behind lock and key. They took away the shotgun from the watchman and loaded it with corn. The weapon was confiscated from Mathias Soehn, son of Anton Soehn, who was arrested along with Johannes Furch.

On the other side of the village, another party was up to no good and was also arrested. The hired hand of Joseph Dirk, who is not a Krasna man, raped his six-year-old daughter and was taken to jail in Akkermann.

The horrible events now taking place in Krasna are very regrettable, but can be attributed to poor education. Like father like son, like mother like daughter. The more decent folks in town have to make it a point to bring back virtues and good standards. The youths have to be provided with the opportunity to find other things to do other than breaking into wine cellars or brawling in the streets. (*Editor: Maybe a larger library would be an answer with lectures and a stock of many good books. The benefit would soon become evident.)

A meeting of members of the bank and cooperative store was held on March 21. It was ordered that the store would have to show a profit of 84,000 Lei, whereas the dairy showed a loss of 12,500 Lei. People grumbled about the losses but were pacified by the store’s net profits. Respizius Krams and Lazarus Volk were elected as overseers. A president will be elected on April 1 with a monthly salary of 600 Lei. I, Joseph Braun, was re-elected as general manager with a commission of 2½% of gross sales and 5,000 Lei at the end of the year bonus if the year is profitable. 30 people were nominated as cashiers to man the tills one day a week

Another violent event happened March 23 when Johannes Habrich went to his room and shot himself. I had just talked to the man that morning as he was cleaning grain for seeding. After the shot, his wife had the doctor and the pastor called at once. Before he died, he told the pastor and all present that it was his fault alone. He was 33 years old. He will be buried today. This message to Anton Soehn in Fox Valley, Saskatchewan who used to be his neighbor.

Klemens Ihli died March 25 at the age of 58. He leaves a wife and four children behind, one is married. May they rest in peace!

We had snow on March 27 and a frost last night so we farmers stayed home. Planting is late this year.

Greetings to the editor and all readers.

Joseph Braun