From: Krasna, Bessarabia
30 March 1931
Esteemed Staats-Anzeiger!
I am actually not a correspondent with the Staats-Anzeiger, but I still would like to jot down a few lines on paper and hope that the editor, Mr.Brandt, will publish them in the newspaper. The term of my subscription to the Staats-Anzeiger has expired. (Editor: Until now it was paid by the deceased Michael Volk in Raleigh, N.D., but unfortunately, has not been renewed so far.) I would be very grateful to have the newspaper subscription paid for another year. Then I would also let myself be heard through this paper.
Anton A. Söhn in Fox Valley, Saskatchewan, Canada writes in the Staats-Anzeiger, “You in Krasna don’t have to worry about us, because we have enough to live on.” Yes, that I believe all right but whether Mr. Söhn also has enough to eat, that is another question. Life without food is not worth much. Mr. Söhn then continues to write that he could buy bread for a whole year. Well, someone also wanted to crawl into the bottle, but did not succeed.
Mr. Söhn also writes that in October he harvested 385 bushels of wheat, but now had to buy bread, which unfortunately, I do not understand.
Now, Anton, do not make us in Krasna look so bad, or else we will send you a Rumanian policeman to beat up on you. But no offense, you rich Americans with a lot of life but nothing to eat!
Although we already have 30 March, no one as yet could work in the field. It is raining or snowing almost every day. The wells are already so full that the water runs over the top. If it does not stop raining, we will soon have to flee from this corner.
Since 20 January, seven men and five women have died in the village. Namely: Jakob Koch, Klemenz Ehly, Johannes Haberich, Ferdinand Wingenbach, Konrad Volk, Michael Mandernacht, Anton Haag, Katharina Volk Sr., Theresia Gross Sr., Ottilia Furch nee Erker, Anna Leinz, and Rosalia Ternes. Mr. Leinz probably has already written about the death of Johannes Haberich. (Editor: Indeed!)
In closing, I greet E.J. Haag, assistant editor of the Staats-Anzeiger, also the other friends in America, Canada, and Brazil.
Lazerus Volk,
Son of Gabriel Volk