From: Raleigh, Grant County, ND
3 February 1927

Worthy Editor Mr. Brandt!

Today we have the nicest spring weather. The rays of the sun turn snow to water. That is good. The soil was really dry in fall and now it gets the needed moisture.

On 26 January, my brother’s barn and the adjacent chicken coop burned to the ground. All his chickens died in the flames. It was 10:30 p. m. and I was ready to go to bed. That is when my wife noticed the fire through the window. She immediately made me aware of it. My brother lives only ¾ of a mile from me. I saddled my horse and rode over in a hurry. Just when I arrived at the scene of the fire, the gasoline tank with 50 gallons of gasoline exploded with a thunderous roar. This tank was situated next to the barn. With the explosion, the fire shot 30 to 40 feet up into the air and endangered other buildings. My brother had been sound asleep. I roused him. With great difficulty and extremely hard work we succeeded in saving the other buildings. There were many farm implements stored in the barn and the loss caused by the fire was huge. The origin of the fire is unknown. One suspects arson.

With happy hearts, we read the report by our Uncle Anton Gedak from Krasna. It pertained to the culinary art of Uncle Johannes and it is a funny story. Well Uncle Johannes, you had a bad cooking experience. Here in America the women cook the Sunday meal on Saturday, so all the men have to do on that day is eat the meal.

Yes, Mr. Gedak, when I was one of your students we quite often received a spanking. Most likely we had it coming.

My father Peter Loeb and father-in-law Rochus Ternes greet you sincerely and ask you to report more from the old homeland.

I greet all friends here and over there.

Lorenz Loeb