From: Porto Felis, Brazil
7 March 1931

Esteemed Staats Anzeiger!

For two months we have not had any rain. Presently, we harvest corn and rice. We constantly read in the newspaper of complaints about bad prices for grain. We have no arguments with business people in this matter. They do not accept our products such as corn, rice, beans, tobacco and lard, because they cannot make enough money to cover transportation cost. Consequently, we new settlers in the jungle will have very little economic progress.

We worked at a construction site of a country road, which is being built here. We were paid eight Milreis per day. This work had to be stopped due to a water shortage. As a result of the long lasting drought all springs are dried up.

On 24 February, a songfest took place in Porto Felis. Ten choral clubs were involved. About 500 men participated in the songfest. The singers from Porto Felis won first price. Never in my whole life have I heard such beautiful singing, which even made one forget about eating and smoking.

The wedding celebration, which I mentioned in my previous report, took place a few days ago. Regina Weber married Joseph Hager, a fellow from Germany. The wedding was celebrated in a nice and decent manner. Music was played and songs were sung. Dancing was not allowed because of Lent. Rudolf Hager, a friend of the groom, participated at the wedding celebration also. He sang really nice songs and told many jokes. With these funny tales one had to laugh so hard that one had to hold one’s belly. Rudolf is planning on running a business here.

As I found out from the editorship’s mailbox, Joseph Paul in Emmental, Bessarabia, also became a reader of the Staats Anzeiger. (Editor: Correct) Hopefully, Joseph, whom I kindly greet, will often let himself be heard in the Staats Anzeiger. Please, Joseph, do greet our friends and write how they are doing. We are all still healthy and lively. What is the matter with Anna Moldenhauer in Canada that she has not given a sign of life for such a long time? We greet her kindly.

As soon as the Staats Anzeiger arrives here, we read the reports from Emmental, Krasna, and Canada first. We thank Mr. Isidor Leinz from Krasna, Bessarabia, very much for his highly interesting reports from the old homeland. Continue to write eagerly. We love to read your reports.

Johannes Ruscheinski says hello to Hyronimus Nagel in Emmental, Bessarabia, and asks to please write him a long letter again.

In closing, we greet our parents, siblings, and brothers-in-law in Emmental We ask them also to please write us again sometime.

Anselmus and Martha Wagner