From: Cogealia, Dobrudscha, Rumania
1 December 1926

Worthy Staats-Anzeiger!

After a drought of several months, it finally rained some today. Probably because of the prolonged drought, an epidemic has broken out among the fowl and caused a great loss. Among the pigs too, a contagious disease has started, of which many of the useful bristly animals have perished. Also the health conditions of the people leave much to be desired, especially among the children a kind of flu is raging, of which many of the babies have died.

On 11 December, the community of Atmagea celebrated the consecration of their renovated church. The renovation took place last summer. In front of the tower through which one has to enter the church, an esplanade was constructed. From the street, nice free and open steps lead up to it. The roof has been redone and the outside of the church was newly whitewashed. A choir loft has been installed inside. The pulpit, which used to be above the altar, has now been set up off to the side and freshly painted. Three German students took care of painting the interior of the church. The students had visited the community last year. The walls were covered with a white oil-based paint. Blue painted stripes divided the white walls into separate sections. Appropriate passages were entered onto these sections. The ceiling has been painted a dark blue with yellow stripes. A wooden cross, painted dark brown, is mounted behind the altar. Above it is the dictum: “Jesus Christ yesterday and today and the same for all eternity.” Above the entrance the following is written: “A solid fortress is our Lord.”

On the day of the consecration, the church was packed to the last seat and the esplanade outside was crowded with people. Visitors from all over the Dobrudscha were present. The parish priest Helmuth Zimmerling conducted the liturgy. The priest Petri from Bucharest delivered the main sermon. The parishioners sang the hymns: “Now All Give Thanks To God” and “Heart To Heart Joined Together.” The church choir also sang some nice hymns.

In the afternoon, the parish members gathered in the community hall with their guests and listened to the speeches of the three clergymen. During that time, the choir also sang spiritual hymns and folk songs.

In the evening, the church bells summoned the guests back once more for an evening mass. Everyone in attendance will remember the beautiful celebration for a long time.

The repairs and remodeling of the church cost 200,000 lei. A friend from Bucharest had donated paint worth 80,000 lei. When we look into the past, it must be emphasized that what the first settlers had in mind despite their miserable situation was to build a church.

Atmagea was founded in 1848 and in the following decade construction of a little church began. However, in 1860 a large group of settlers departed in fear of the “Tscherkessen” that had emigrated from the Caucasus. Slowly the settlers came back together and finally in 1864 the construction was completed.

The church is in possession of a “ferman” from the year 1860 (ferman - kind of document) that had been signed at the beginning of the holy month of “Moharem” in 1277) issued by the sultan Abdul Aziz. The “ferman” was written on very strong parchment. It is 54½ centimeters (21’8”) wide and 77½ centimeters (31 inches) long and is being safeguarded in the church archives.

The following were married in Tariwerde: Christian Littau and Sophie Arndt, daughter of Daniel Arndt from Ciucurova.

In Ciucurova the following people were married: Johann Blumhagen, son of Jakob Blumhagen and Susanna Hintz, daughter of Friedrich Hintz from Atmagea.

The 13-year old Anna Blumhagen, daughter of Ferdinand Blumhagen died in Atmagea.

In Cogealac, Adolf Ponto, son of Joseph Ponto who had passed away in an internment camp, married Maria Ziebart, daughter of Daniel Ziebart. In Cagealia, Jakob Amon, son of Friedrich Amon married Justine Schlenker, daughter of the deceased citizen of Cogealac Christ. [Christian] Schlenker.

I would like to ask Mr. Karl Rosenberg to please send me the addresses of Karl Winkler and Christian Schmied. Mr. Schmied was a dear friend of mine and I have often wondered how a friend in a foreign country could so easily forget the other. Mr.Winkler’s brother-in-law lives here and he would love to send him a letter.

Many thanks to Mr. Michael Nagel in Shields, North Dakota for the poem: “Jesses, sind die Maenner dumm.” (Jesus, are the men dumb) Should you have anymore like that, then please let’s have them.

I am sending a faithful German greeting to the editor and all readers.

Johann Straub

From: Emmental, Bessarabia
2 December 1926

Worthy Staats-Anzeiger!

Up until now we have had continued warm weather along with sufficient moisture, so that our winter wheat is growing well. I do not have any special news at hand today.

Therefore, I will make known the couples that were married this fall. They are: Magnus Maas, son of Rochus Maas married Faustina Huettel, daughter of Bernatus Huettel; Alois Deichert, son of Thaddaeus Deichert married Appolonia Maas, daughter of Rochus Maas; Emil Kopp, son of Philipp married Katharina Deichert, daughter of Thaddaeus Deichert; Zachaeus Wagner, son of Stanislaus married Rosina Mueller, daughter of Karl Mueller; Emil Bauer, son of Johannes married Marianna Kopp, daughter of Thomas Kopp; Emilia Nagel, the daughter of Dominik married a certain Mr. Bullach from Balmas. Unfortunately, I don’t know his name.

Johann Lemke, the son of Adam from Beresina arrived with his car on 14 November to visit me. He is my good comrade from the war. Of course, the joy of our reunion was great. To start, we dropped by at Rochus Nagel’s and from there we went to David Kopp’s house. After we refreshed ourselves a little, we took a drive in the car all the way to the station. Afterwards, we went back to my place where we chatted happily until early in the morning. The rooster had already crowd twice. Then we were given a ride once more through the village and after that we did go to bed.

With this opportunity, I once more express my thanks to my old comrade Johann Lemke for his friendly visit. When he departed I told him that I would report his visit to the Staats-Anzeiger. Perhaps one of his friends in America will be so kind and order the Staats-Anzeiger for Mr. Lemke. Mr. Lemke liked the newspaper very much. He certainly would also send reports from his area to the paper.

Herewith I greet all readers and the editor Mr. Brandt.

Adam Seifert

From: Elardee, Saskatchewan, Canada
13 December 1926

Worthy Staats-Anzeiger!

I have noticed that my subscription to the newspaper has almost expired. Therefore, I will forward the fees for another year, so that my name will not be deleted. (*Editor: $3.50 received. Calendar dispatched. We thank and greet you.)

For over a year I have heard nothing from my parents in Krasna, Bessarabia. Therefore I was very happy when I read a correspondence by Mr. Anton Gedak from Krasna, Bessarabia in which he informed me that my parents and siblings were still alive and well. For this information I thank you very much old neighbor. The friends over here are also in good health.

The harvest here was not the best. The average result was 1 to 12 bushels of wheat per acre. Oats and barley turned out really bad. All summer long the weather was dry. Since a month ago, we have had a half a foot of snow along with bitter cold temperatures.

There is no other news to report from here with the exception of two deaths a month ago. Anton Dirk and Sophia Gross, nee Becker passed into eternity.

Yesterday, 12 December, my old neighbor Marianna Soehn, nee Volk passed away at age 60. She left her deeply grieving husband Anton Soehn. Tomorrow, 14 December, will be her funeral. Peace to her ashes and may the perpetual light shine upon her!

My oldest daughter Marianna recently married Edmund Maas. The marriage took place on 15 November. The groom hails from Emmental and is the son of Karl Maas.

In closing, I greet my parents, siblings and all friends. Especially Mr. Anton Gedak, as well as my brother Joachim Koch near Shields, North Dakota and all the readers.

I wish them all a Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year.

Raimund Koch