Source: Dakota Rundschau, 28 August 1931 · 📰

From: Emmental, Bessarabia
25 July 1931

HONOR WHERE HONOR IS DUE

When it became known in the village of Emmental last January that my family and I had fled across the Dnjestr and were located in Bendery, the people collected food and money for us without having to be asked to do so.

After I was let go, my family and I went to Emmental where I could teach religious studies. I was made welcome. People came from all over to welcome us and to get news of Soviet Russia. Unfortunately, I could not get work during the winter months, but the family needed to eat.

The generosity of the neighbors, Hieronymus Nagel and wife Barbara nee Frisson, Alex Nagel and wife Nora nee Gross, Wendelin Nagel and wife Elisabeth nee Tillmann, Rochus Nagel and wife Eva nee Gross, the widow Anna Marie Kopp nee Schwab, widow Genoveva Reis nee Gross, who fled from Selz, near Odessa, with husband and children in 1925. Her husband has died here since. To all these wonderful people and the community of Emmental, a heartfelt thank you.

Harvest is in full swing here. It is a medium one. Strong heat followed the last rain and much of the grain burned up, but corn and potato harvest are still looking very good.

The building of a new church was begun here today. Folks are grumpy because of the situation that forced many into debt and their inability to pay the taxes.

Joseph Braun

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From: Krasna, Bessarabia
28 July 1931

Dear Editor Brendel:

People have been harvesting since July 18. It is hard work as the last rainfall made the grass grow enough to plug up the mowers.

Horses died on three farms on July 9. The veterinarian assumes they suffered from the Siberian plague. He sent bone samples to Kischinev for further testing.

The corn is beautiful especially on the north side. It stands 4 Archin tall and sprouted nice cobs. Even old men agree they have never seen such corn.

Yesterday, when the widow of Gottfried Moldenhauer, Barbara nee Kuhn, left the cooperative with her children, the oldest girl was run over by a young horse. She was taken to see a doctor in Tarutino. There is no report of fractures, but the girl lost much blood. I was an eyewitness to the incident. Unfortunately, the widow is already very poor.

Christof Bunikofsky died on July 23 at the age of 76. He leaves behind his wife and several children. A son, Gabriel, is in Selfridge, ND - this message to him. May the Lord grant him eternal peace.

We are in quite a fix here as grain prices are so low. Money is very scarce and there are many people out of work in the villages. They cannot even earn money during the harvest. Fortunately, the highway project can sustain them with soup and salt. Some go to the fields to glean the fields.

Greetings to Kasper Marte from his mother, siblings and myself. We enjoy his reports which make the round here.

Greetings to the editor and staff, and all readers here and there.

Joseph Braun