From: Emmental, Bessarabia
19 January 1922

Worthy Staats-Anzeiger!

Recently I received a letter from Germany. The letter was from a refugee by the name of Bernhardt Wagner from Selz, South Russia. He had read my report in the Staats-Anzeiger in which I had written that Joseph Reis had come to us. He then wrote to his brother-in-law Joseph and me that Joseph should write to him about his homeland. The brother is still confined, but I told him everything I knew.

I have also forwarded it to the German newspaper of Bessarabia. Through the Staats-Anzeiger I want to inform him not to go back to his homeland. His mother-in-law was hit by an artillery shell and killed. He would like to come to Bessarabia and asks my thoughts on that. Well, that would be all right if he were here in Bessarabia. Here everyone still has bread to eat if one is willing to work, especially a craftsman. I am supposed to find a good friend of his. This friend is unknown to me, but I will try everything to fulfill his wish.

Last year, Mr. Peter Thauberger had asked me for information about his brother, the priest Johannes. I was able to make him happy by giving him information through the newspaper. But every individual who is looking for information should keep in mind that it is not an inexpensive matter to consistently perform as a reporter. A letter now costs 3 lei and if it is mailed registered, it costs twice as much, which is 6 lei.

Today again I received an edition of the Staats-Anzeiger, namely #52 addressed to David Dirk. I do not know why the censorship bureau doesn’t let every edition of American newspapers pass. They do not contain any political text that we are not supposed to read.

I read in the above mentioned edition from Joseph Hittel in Canada that the health conditions among them leaves a lot to be desired. My brother Joseph also had written to me that his wife and all their children were sick. Among us there are also many people sick with scarlet fever. My wife too has been down in bed for 2 days. I hope that she soon will get well.

Otherwise, there is not much new to report from here. We have very little snow this winter. Instead it rains some now and then. That would be sufficient moisture if the ground were not frozen. This way however all the water runs off into the valley.

Further, I want to report that Joseph Miller has begun his journey to the New World on the 16th of this month. Should he be fortunate enough to arrive over there and get to read these lines then I sincerely greet him. I also want to tell him that we had a nice farewell party in the evening of his departure day right after he had left by train.

Alexander Miller had invited us upon our return trip home. There we finished off the last liquor and then hurled ourselves into the wine. We ate and drank late into the night, singing our songs and often reminiscing about the emigrant.

As we have heard there are supposed to be some individuals from Canada coming here to visit. Up until now no one has shown up and we believe that nobody will come anymore.

I have written several times that Wendelin, son of Simon Kopp is being asked to show a sign of life. Anyone knowing his whereabouts should bring this to his attention. His brother here in Emmental would like to write him but lost his address during the war. His brother is also hoping for a small inheritance since the parents have died. The brother is very poor and is in need of help.

In closing, I greet my old mother and my brother Joseph.

Respectfully,
Zachaeus Kopp