From: Krasna, Bessarabia
30 March 1931

Esteemed Staats-Anzeiger!

Unfortunately, I have to begin today’s report with a very sad message. Namely, the son of the deceased Michael Haberich, Johannes Haberich, a young man, living under the best conditions by today’s standards, committed suicide with a shotgun. He was wounded so badly; he died two and half-hours after suffering great pain. He still had enough grace and time to regret his objectionable deed, to reconcile with the church and to prepare himself for his near end. May the Lord be a graceful judge to him. Peace to his soul and rest to his ashes!

The deceased was 33 years old. He left behind a deeply saddened wife, Katharina nee Hein, daughter of the deceased Maximilian Hein, and four underage children of whom the oldest is 10 years and the youngest is one year old.

Last Sunday, on the urging of his wife, the now dead Johannes attended mass. His oldest son served as an altar boy. Arriving back home he supposedly kissed the boy and reminded him to always behave himself well. The next day the incident happened. Several symptoms indicated that he walked around with suicidal thoughts for some time. The reason for this reprehensible deed no one knows.

If you think about the great tendency to live by a young and healthy man like Johannes was, then you have to wonder how it can be possible that he could come to such a decision. But one also recognizes the psychological state of such a man, and it becomes clear how confused, grim, and despaired the mental state in such a moment must be, provided that the person is of sound mind at the time. Life, however, brings many a man into a situation, which he cannot master. Still, he will endure as long as he has a religious hold, and almost never, if he is lacking such. This is the reason for today’s many suicides.

In line with that, how big is the crime on human kind, when so many, unfortunately including older German men, and apparently to the liking of their surroundings, are virtually obsessed to rob mankind of its faith in God and revenge. I will assume that it really became so clear in such a mature mind, enabling him to overcome all “how’s” and “what’s” while keeping a tranquil conscience.

But one should not neglect to consider that through such rash anti religious agitation, confusion is created in the minds of millions, only making them unhappy. The mentally sane, lays out his psychological state and does not accept any teaching. In comparison, the incompetent lets himself be confused easily without being able to cope with what one wants to teach him. This is how a class of people evolves, which is totally useless for any serious matter. They are only capable of doing that which is unworthy to human kind – and that, because of someone else’s guilt. However, enough about that.

Throughout March, the weather has made fools of us farmers. One day it is nice, the field is drying out and we go to work, and the next day it is raining or snowing again. Because of the ice we had in December, the early winter seed was lost. To the contrary, the seed put in later has developed nicely.

Isidor Leinz