Source: Dakota Rundschau, 25 September 1931 · 📰

From: Krasna, Bessarabia
25 August 1931

Dear Editor Brendel:

After the rain of August 19, the farmers could begin their winter plowing and sow the winter rapeseed. There is plenty of time to get the work done and it has advantages as well. The farmers who plowed their fields last fall saw a drastic increase in corn production this year. The farmers know this, but they are also in agreement that grain prices have to improve or they would all go belly up. 25 Lei/Pud of barley or corn is hardly enough to eke out a living.

Johannes, the 30-year-old son of Peter Folk died of pneumonia on August 16. He leaves behind a wife and two children. – Ignatz Becker died the same day, leaving behind a wife and many children. May the Lord grant them peace!

Message please to Mr. Becker’s brother-in-law, Rochus Ternes in Raleigh, ND. Cousin Rochus may find out in a letter later what he has already seen in the Rundschau. I urge all Krasna folks in America and Canada to subscribe to the Rundschau since it has all the news of importance. Even if people are not happy with me, fine. I do what I do out of conviction which is my best defense.

18-year-old Walter Titel from Silesia (Schlesien), Germany was in Krasna. He is on a walk around the world. He left home 1½ years ago. He walked through Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Austria. From Rumania, he plans on going to Turkey. We wish him Godspeed and a safe journey.

It looks like the entire world is paying attention to our handful of Germans in Bessarabia. On August 23, a German lady arrived from Berlin with her photography equipment to take pictures of us Germans for posterity. The lady was very interested in our customs and traditions such as weddings, baptisms, wine pub, the young, the old, how we pray, how we cuss and more. It is possibly an assignment for a magazine, perhaps even a film, so the Americans can see us walk about in a theater. The woman told us she has been to various nations. She told us about her experiences and opened our eyes to things we were not aware of in our simple, boring lives, which is important to her.

Last time I talked to teacher Eckert from Alt Paris, I pointed out the Rundschau to him. He showed great interest and promised to send in some of his work.

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

Joseph Braun