From: Krasna, Bessarabia
12 October 1931
Dear Staats-Anzeiger!
Summary translation: (In the majority of this newspaper article, Severin Becker writes about the problems that existed in Krasna at the time pertaining to the management of the community pasture land.
The current village administration consisted of the mayor Alexius Riehl, and Philipp Materi who was the president of the cattle grazing company. He is also the chairman of the committee that manages the livestock pastures. The committee consists of six men. The chairman Mr. Materi and his assistants Korbinian G. Leintz and Peter Leinz, son of Philipp, the treasurer is Anton M. Soehn and the bookkeeper is Albert Jassmann, who is originally from Paris. With the exception of the bookkeeper all officials are uneducated men.
It was noted that funds were misappropriated and not accounted for. The teacher Eduard M. Ruscheinsky performed an audit and determined that 18,000 leis were missing. Of that total, 5,000 leis had been receipted by the treasurer Anton M. Soehn, and the rest by the bookkeeper Mr. Jassmann. According to Mr. Ruscheinsky another 100,000 leis remain unaccounted for. Because the books of record are all smeared and illegible, it could not be determined who the guilty party or thieves could be.
A new committee had to be formed. Michael Koch was elected president. For his assistants Valerian Furch and others whose names I don’t remember were chosen. However, Michael Koch refused to accept the office because of the total mess that existed. A conference was assembled, which got out of control without achieving the desired results. So necessary action was postponed indefinitely. We will see what the near future will bring.)
After a long search, I finally found a report written by an individual from Krasna in America, namely by my old comrade and neighbor Anton A. Soehn from Canada. I thank him very much. As soon as I have more time, I shall answer his letter. Just write more often in the Staats-Anzeiger, because we love to read your reports here. Also the other people from Krasna living in America, Canada and Brazil should write in the newspaper. They probably like to read reports more than write them.
Georg Schreiber died suddenly and unexpectedly on 17 September at the age of 54 years. He had a stroke. He was healthy when he drove to this farm in the “Schaak” one morning; however, the following day he had to be brought home paralyzed, where soon thereafter he died. The deceased left his second wife and several siblings. His siblings will inherit the estate because both marriages were childless. This serves to inform Ignatz Ihli and wife in Canada, and Joseph Ternes and wife in Brazil.
On 10 October, Rophina Bachmeier nee Hein, wife of Peter F. Bachmeier died at the age of 39 years old. She died in childbed as a result of a severe cold. She left her husband and 5 children. The oldest is 18 years and the youngest 5 days old.
Gottfried Pohl departed this life on 11 October. He had reached the eighties of his life. May the dear Lord grant them eternal peace!
In closing, I greet all readers and the dear editorship.
Severin Becker