26 July 1923

Die Welt-Post, Thursday, 26 July 1923

Page 5, "From Wiesenmueller, Russia"

Wiesenmueller
20 June  
To: Gustav Beshorner Lincoln, Nebraska

Much esteemed Mr. Beshorner:
      First of all, receive my deepest thanks for your extremely interesting and dear letter of the 8th of May. As we read it we felt the presence of our dear children in America. It was very kind of you to undertake the long trip to Kansas City and especially kind of you to take the extra time to visit my son and his family there; an absolute proof of your German soul. Several letters, including one from my son, have come to us reporting of your visit to Kansas City. My son writes: 

"We could not keep back the tears when we heard this dear, beloved man describe what he had seen with his own eyes. It shook us deeply, but as we left the church we also felt a certain joy that we had contributed something to the alleviation of this emergency; this visit will remain unforgettable for us. In spite of the news, there was also much joy in finally receiving accurate information concerning our heritage." 

They trust you completely and they thank you very gratefully  for the picture of their brother Jacob's gravestone. They were deeply moved by it and said: "Oh, we could only shake the hand of this good man in personal gratitude."
      Also, warmest thanks from me, Mr. Beshorner, for through your obliging intervention the book has finally arrived at Mr. Volz's and hopefully I will soon receive it. I have not yet succeeded in preparing the Zimmerman children for the trip to their uncle in America. The youngest girl has sick eyes and thus for her the trip is not possible.
      My wife and daughter send you their best greetings. With affectionate greetings from me, I am most respectfully yours, 

                                         Alexander Doell, Schoolmaster

Page 5, "Letters from Russia"

Frank
12 May  
To: Jacob Grosskopf Casper, Wyoming

Dear children so far away:
      With great joy we take up the pen to share with you that yesterday we received the clothing that you sent to us through the A.R.A. There was 41 arschin of black trouser material, yellow cotton shirt material, 5 arschin of black satin, white material with blue and red stripes and also some knitted material for "Gofte."(informal jacket or outer garment, sweater).
      Today we received your letter with the small card and also news from Saratov about the arrival of a food packet from you. We thank you for everything, you dear children Jacob and Lisse. Great is your love for you to have done so much for us; the dear Lord will richly reward you. I came straight from the orchard when the things arrived and thus was doubly pleased because the orchard is in full bloom and everything looks promising. There are pears, cherries, plums, thick sloes. If there is no frost we will have plenty of fruit.
      The crops in the fields also look good but we sowed only a little, namely as follows: 10 faden of wheat; 15 faden of barley; 5 faden of sunflowers; 5 faden of flax and 30 faden of rye. That was our total sowing. If the fruit turns out I would share the joy with you and especially the children but you are too far away from us. Thus I can do nothing more than pray that the dear Lord protects you and keeps you well. May God's blessings be upon you, Jacob my dear son-in-law. I want to especially thank you because you not only promised but kept your word. It is true, as Lisse once wrote, that she had a good husband. May you remain together and happy for as long as you live. Shipments through the A.R.A. will now stop. We hope things will be better from now on.
      Only one thing is lacking, the _______, (?? left blank by either the writer or the newspaper.----translator), but I hope to die soon, then things will be as in Psalm 126. In the New Testament it is written: "We know however,  that all things work together for the good of those who love God," and that is my comfort in this life. Do not hesitate to write; we will also. Recently I sent a letter with Katrina's portrait, but many letters are going lost.
      With affectionate greetings, I remain your father and grandfather,

                                            Jacob Wacker

Page 5, "Letters from Russia"

Frank
June 13, 1923
To: Heinrich Sitzmann Loveland, Colorado

"Was Gott tut, das is wohl getan,
Es bleibt gerecht Sein Wille;
Will ich Ihnen halten stille."

Peace be with you dear children Heinrich and Annalise and your children:
      I, your mother and grandmother, bring you the painfully sad news that your father is no longer among the living. He died on the 25th of May and on the 27th of May his body was laid into the womb of the earth. His pilgrimage here on earth lasted 67 years and 9 days. In the courtyard of the farmstead we sang song 514 together, whose first verse reads as follows:

"Befiehl dem Herren deine Wege
Und mach dich allen Sorgen los!
Vertrau dich dessen Vaterpflege,
Dem nichts zu wichtig, schwer und gross, 
Das er zu seines Namens Preis Recht herrlich auszufuehren weiss."

      The theme of the funeral sermon by the Pastor in church was Luke 2, 29-30. "Now let thy servant depart in peace." Three old men were buried at the same time. Eight days have now passed since the funeral. Father suffered from a weak heart and had difficulty breathing. For 6 long weeks he was deathly ill. In the last days in his mind he was often with you in America and many times called out to you by name as if he was looking for comfort or perhaps as if looking to bless you with a wave of his hands. Finally after this painful battle he went to his rest. 
      Dear children and grandchildren: Now I, your elderly mother, have become a widow. But I comfort myself with the words: Alone, but yet not totally alone in my isolation. My life is in God's hand and without His will no hair will fall from my head. --- In the house with me now live Annliese and Barbara and their husbands and children. During father's lifetime there were no inheritance papers drawn up.
      Lately it has been very stifling, otherwise the weather is good. We do not know yet how we will send you letters, in case they all come in a single envelope, do not be annoyed, because postage is so very high. 
 You are affectionately greeted by Mariakatrina, Annliese and Barbara and their husbands and children. We received an answer to the letter we sent to you through Pastor Wagner and we wrote to you again but have not yet received an answer to that letter.
      In closing be greeted a thousand times by your mother and grandmother who loves you,
        
                                      Anna Margareta Sitzmann