From: Stebbins, Morton County, ND
3 January 1912

There is little work right now, which leaves more time to correspond! So I will let you hear from me once again. Important news is rare, since people do not travel far in this horrible cold and snowfall. So news doesn't travel, either.

There was a dance at Pius Trefflers [Tressler/Dressler] on St. Stephen’s Day. We had a happy time, although there was not a lot of the good stuff to drink. Without something to whet the whistle, dancing is only half the fun. One of the lads asked for everyone to wait another day, Johannes Day, and we would have a few drinks.

Next morning, at 9:00AM, we arrived at Christian Braun's. We wanted to catch a bit more shuteye, so we asked Cousin Christian to drive to the “Maistub” tavern and he took off.

Meanwhile, we slept there until 3:00PM and finally hitched the horses to go to the dance. It was a dry affair, as well. So Johannes Treffler [Tressler/Dressler] decided to get help. Half an hour later, he came back with the good stuff. There were only five boys and three girls at this dance, so we had a good time until the wee morning hours of 3:00AM.

There will be a dance at D. [Dionysius] Bongofski's on January 14 and that will be a big affair!

Greetings to all readers. This is my first posting for the Staats-Anzeiger.

Karl Riehl

From: Shields, Morton County, ND
10 January 1912

Since there is now time for writing, I will let you hear from me again.

Winter began here in November; also we had a bit of melting later on. It turned horribly cold and even the potatoes in the cellars froze at most places. In our area, and probably all over the state, we did not get to finish our threshing, as winter came early. Many of the threshing machines are snowed in, and even if they weren’t, it would be too cold to thresh.

Due to the strong cold, many are afflicted with travel or wanderlust. There is now talk of selling out at about $3,000 for 160 acres of land.

The strong cold causes much trouble and one of the chores is the hauling of coal. On the more pleasant days, folks drive to the coal dig and get a few days' worth of coal. It is a repetitious affair and nasty business in the cold. (*Publisher: True, but folks should not complain about a free fuel source. It would be worse if they had to pay per pound and still travel for miles.) Even the strongest cold will have to end sometime, so there is a consolation.

Greetings to all,
Korbinian Kahl