From: Krasna, Bessarabia
16 August 1920

Worthy Editorship!

Two weeks have passed since my last correspondence. Between 5 August and 15 August most farmers in Krasna had finished threshing. The harvest yielded the following, winter wheat 30 to 60, barley 60 to 100 and oats 80 to 130 bushels (*Editor: probably means pud (1 pud = 36 lbs.) per dessjatin. (Note: 1 dessjatin = 2.5 acres.) Up to now the Welsh corn has grown well; it should have some rain though. The soil is very dry. Soon the vintage will start.

We receive the newspaper very inconsistently. During 2 to 3 weeks we receive two and sometimes three editions. One can hardly endure it anymore, but cannot change it.

I thank Rochus Ternes from Raleigh, North Dakota for the news from my brother-in-law Adam Söhn. Your father Michael receives the Staats-Anzeiger and is very happy about it.

Now I have to report a sad accident, or better a violent robbery, which took place on 31 July. Simon Engel and Oswald Wagner from Krasna had bought textiles for 10,771 rubles to make a profit in selling it at retail. They were driving along the nearby Dnjester River at about 9 o’clock in the morning not far from the colony Roskejezi. Suddenly robbers ambushed them on the road. They escaped into the Blawna, which consisted of reeds and shrubberies. The robbers captured the driver and the merchandise. Simon and Oswald made it into the shrubberies, although several bullets whistled past their ears. They remained unharmed and stayed hidden until 8 o’clock in the evening. Then they took refuge in the village Roskejezi. After 3 days and with empty hands they arrived home at their loved ones. The whereabouts of the driver and the merchandise remained unknown. Simon Engel arrived home and became ill due to fright. He had to stay in bed for 8 days. This is to inform Mr. Engel’s brother in America.

Anna, the wife of Wendelin Hinz died in the middle of July. Besides her grieving husband she left behind 5 children. Peace be upon her ashes. This should serve as a notification for Rudolf Harabura in Elardee, Sask., Canada. Rudolf, Wendelin Hinz asks you to please pay the Staats-Anzeiger for him for 1 year as a present. Your mother did receive the receipt for 676 lei, but not yet the money.

My old neighbor Reimund Koch in Sask., Canada demands to know if his old parents are still living. Yes indeed, and they are in good health. Your father Simon would like for you to have the Staats-Anzeiger come to him as a present for 1 year.

Perhaps you could write me some information about brother-in-law Timotheus and sister-in-law Johanna Söhn, including their address. I have not heard anything from them for 7 years.

Rem. [Remigius] Paul in Fox Valley, Sask., Canada is informed that Martin Weber, wife and children are healthy. Since spring his oldest son serves in the military. Martin asks of you to please provide him with the Staats-Anzeiger for 1 year. This newspaper is the most desired by everyone here, because it brings us so much news.

I would have much to report yet, but I have to close because the pen is defective. I have to buy a new one – it costs 1 ruble!

I am greeting all readers of the paper and also the editorship.

With high respect,
Anton Gedak

From: Krasna, Bessarabia
21 August 1920

Honored Editorship!

I am trying to imagine how the Staats-Anzeiger is overburdened with material, and all of it wants to find a place in the columns of the paper. What an enormous job it is to fulfill everyone’s wishes. Be it as it may, once in awhile I too have to direct a few words to the well-liked newspaper. (*Editor: We ask you to do so often, because the demand for reports is very large among the readers.) There are so many of our loved ones over there who are all waiting for news from the old homeland. Of course, I had close relationships with many of them; hence much more of it has remained in memory. All people from Krasna over there are valued and dear to me. Therefore, without discrimination, I am sending a sincere greeting from my family and me to all of them!

Since the day you left us many things certainly have changed in Krasna. Many a roof, which at that time was new and spread its wings neatly and proudly over the upright walls, has been torn up by storms. The rafters are gaping into the surrounding area, searching in vain for help, because one cannot get reed or tile! Also a lot of bushy hair, which at that time grew on the heads of boys and girls, could not withstand the storm of time and fate. That which was once a well grown-over spot has turned bald and gray. There is no remedy for that or for the rheumatic joints of the once proud boys and girls, who by now have turned into old men and women! But nonetheless, Krasna remains the same old Krasna – with its special traditions and peculiarities. Of course now as before and everywhere joy and sorrow, peace and conflict constantly are trading places.

Our everyday life however is improving from day to day. Some are refusing it, some are taking it on. Some things are given to us, and with time we get used to the things we are missing. If the dear Lord spares us from misery, then we soon should be well off. Especially in view of the lamenting and sobbing, which we hear as they drift across the Dnjestr River through the shrubs of the Blawna.

Rumor has it that robbery and pillaging, arson and murder still take place over there like before. Supposedly through beatings, people were forced to perform threshing tasks. In the evening however, all grain was gone and not one penny had been paid for it.

We have finished threshing. Wheat on average yielded up to 30 pud (pud = 36 lbs.), barley and oats up to 80 pud per dessjatin (2.5acres). Corn had grown very nicely, but it suffered a lot under the unusual heat. In July we often had over 40 degrees Reaumur (122 degrees Fahrenheit.) The same holds true for the grapes. However there should be enough of them, since many vines were planted. Therefore the visiting godfathers have nothing to worry about. The young chickens also have grown well by feeding them barley that was soaked. We will have watermelons until Christmas. The weather is too dry for plowing. Therefore we have little to do and must be patient.

Should time and chance be opportune, then come and see if Bessarabia, which has always been badmouthed, isn’t still as it always has been the best spot on earth. Should one of you noble Americans come over, then we will be on guard and not cut the mamalige [mámlik] (a corn pudding) with a string.

Once again I greet all friends and acquaintances, as well as the honored editorship and the readers.

Isidor Leinz