Esteemed Readers!

1 sent you a letter on 27 October 1917 with various pieces of news, but after a certain time. The said letter came back again. I preserved it until today and I have determined that it contained much that was interesting for the reader.

Therefore, I will write at this time:

Finally. it has become possible for me to be able to communicate something from here, although under the present circumstances I am literally overwhelmed with work.

Our health situation is satisfactory, for in every aspect, physically and spiritually, things are going well with us. We had a rich harvest and the granaries are filled with grain, as has never yet been the case, and in addition, there is still a very high price for the wheat. For a pud of wheat (old Russian measure of weight = 16.38 kg. (Russian)) in Nikolaieff one pays from 5 Rubels and 80 Kopek to 6 Rubels for the Pud and even for barley, 1 Rubel 35 Kopek. There were never such good times as now, for all of the people have enough and have become rich. There was a shortage of workers, however, the weather was especially favorable and every farmer was able to bring in his harvest on time and get it safely under cover. Thus. God be thanked, there has been no privation.

Some deaths have occurred. On 19 January 1917 Johann Schneider, age 64 years, died; Johann Maas died in September (Note: No year stated.) in his 92nd year of life and Michael Schatz died in October (Note: No day or year stated.) at the advanced age of 96 years and Stephan Staiger departed from this life after a lifespan of 84 years. Those are all of the people, who had had a full life and became tired (i.e.. died.) But, how many fell on the battlefield in the bloom of their years, those who have marched out from among us and now will no longer return to their dear homeland. The majority of our young people were on the Caucasus Front against the Turks and, those who did not meet a ball (rifle bullet) there, were snatched by the pestilence, for our people could not tolerate the climate there and they fell victim to the fever. In Sary-Kamysch the hearses, which conveyed corpses from the hospital to the cemetery, were full and so they were also buried together in one grave. How difficult it would have been to lie sick, far from one's loved ones, and to know that one must die and that no loving hand would close his eyes. Everything around him was foreign, while others, who a short time ago had been living, were packed up into a wood-oven and hastily disposed of, as refuse, and never will his dear ones see his last resting place and decorate it with flowers. The state will forsake ...(Note: The last line. column 1, page 2 is too dark to read.) But. his life was necessary for us. We had to fight and struggle for us. Here, stands a poor little mother, who cannot find enough tears, for her darling is no more. A father has lost his mainstay; a wife, the provider; the little children. a loving father. Wringing their hands, they cry to God, "Why, Heavenly Father? Why our darling?" Their fate was difficult in the present; their future is dark. Such thoughts and similar ones come to one in view of such cases. It becomes a grief to the heart. when one sees this one and that one return, but where is he for whom the tear-fllled eyes keep a watch?

From Johannestal, the following remained in the Caucasus (i.e., lost their lives there): Christian Roth from Michael; Adolf Sailer from Gottlieb; Jakob Zimmermann from Christian, married; Christian Will from Johann, married; Andreas DeLzer from Christian, married: David Kurz from David, married; Christian Schneider from Johann, married; Gustav and Wilhelm Zimmermann from Gottlieb, unmarried; Daniel Roth from Karl, fell on the German Front; Gottlieb Kurz from Adam, fell near Lemberg and is buried there, according to the official report; Martin Schempp from Martin, Chutor Sredui; Friedrich Heinle from David; August Sailer from Matheis; Gottlieb Heinle from Gottlieb; Johann Mehrer from Peter. missing and presumed dead; Christian Zimmermann from Christian, Neusaszer; Gottlieb Hörsch from Jakob; August Staiger from Heinrich; Gottlieb Roth from Gottlieb, And several other cases. which are still not entirely clear.

Jakob Schorzmann told me today that he had received the money from America and divided it as instructed. It was received with the best of thanks. Jakob Zimmermann. $34. 199 Rubel; Barbara Zimmermann, $3. 10 Rubel 50 Kopek; Christina Staiger, $3, 10 Rubel 50 Kopek. She is dead. Also, that which was earlier sent to Karl Lutz was received long ago and divided. May God bless you in Grace.

Christian Maier

Esteemed Friend Gustav!

I received your lovely letter of 23 April of this year on 4 July and it made me very happy. They could not entirely obstruct it. Often, often have we spoken of you. also in Glückstal and Bergdorf, where I made a visit at Easter. In Bergdorf I also visited your friend Friedrich Fauth, who sends his greetings to you. Everything is going well with him. I was also with Bernhard Kränzler at my brother-in-law Joseph Werre's home. Comrade (Genosse) Kränzler is still quite lively and can tell a lot of tales about you. Things are going well with us to the present, if only the dear God will grant us a blessed harvest.

Now I must make the sad announcement to you and all of the dear friends and relatives that my dearly loved wife, Katharina Maier born Werre from Glückstal gently fell asleep in the Lord(i.e.. died) on 17 December 1920 (Note: Date as in record.) She reached the age of 45 years, 8 months and 10 days. The funeral text was Isaiah 60:20. My dear, unforgettable wife became ill on 20 January 1920 (Note: Date as in record.) at the departure of the volunteers. We were robbed (beraubt) and my dear wife was very frightened by it. She received a chill, because of it and was ill for almost a year. That was very, very difficult. If something happens, everything, happens at the same time. The two youngest children preceded their mother in death two years before, both in one grave. We buried the two from 1 July to 7 July. It was also difficult for us. the parents, but we bore it together. They were only branches, but when a part of the trunk Is taken, that is something else. (Note: The allusion here is to a family tree.) But, wear not such as have no hope. rather we are comforted in the hope of a reunion Above in the Light.

Gottlieb Delzer, former teacher, died on 4 May 1920, at the age of 37 years, 11 months and 22 days. My brother-in-law David Werre died on 9 March i920. Also. my dear father. Jacob Maier, from Bergdorf died in the year 1919 at the advanced age of 88 years. And when I accompanied my children to Glückstal, I received the news that my stepmother (stiefmutter) had died. I came back later for the burial.

In Johannestal the following people have died: Michael Roth from Johann; Christian Schatz,son of Christian; Johannes Zimmermann, son of Johannes; Jakob Schatz, son of Valentin; Christian Hörsch, together with his wife, born Hilz; Jakob Krausz; Gottlieb Heinle. son of F.; This list includes the son-in-law of Karl Hilz, as well as both daughters: Karollna Schorzmann, born Schmidt; Jakob Schneider from Johann; Christina Delzer, born Eissinger, the wife of Gottlieb next to the schoolhouse; the old Gottlieb also is tired and at the age of 76 years can scarcely still remain alone. Philipp Zimmermann from Stefan; Elisabeth Schatz, Born Holzwarth; Christina Staiger, born Meidinger; Adam Sayler, young Chutor Sredni; Christina Heinle, born Wiese, the wife of Wilhelm; Christian, the brother-in-law of Karl Hilz in America. Also Elisabeth Zimmermann, born Schorzmann, age 22 years old, from Adam. The teacher Friedrich Grosz has also died in Alexanderfeld; also his brother Georg Grosz in Clückstal. Johann Nehlich and several more, which I am not able to cite, for the names have escaped me.

The crops are better in Tiraspoler Kreis ("county") than in Odessa, but concerning this I want to say at once that Johannestal now belongs to Wosnesensker Kreis ("county".) The crops in Brachland were especially good this year.

I want to relate about my trip that I found everything well in Glückstal, Neudorf, and Bergdorf. I also spoke with David Deyle, brother-in-law of Joseph Stäbler. I have a letter at hand from Joseph in which he sent me the picture of his stable on 30 December 1915. As a remembrance David wants to greet his siblings warmly, also Emanuel. Both are in good health as are their families. The brothers would be happy to know what their brother-in-law and sisters are doing. I would also very much like to speak to the old Joseph.

Johannes Holzwarth, former clerk (Schreiber) in Glückstal, now lives in Hoffnungstal. Christian Fritz is also still in Rohrbach. Things are going well with him. He has a beautiful fruit orchard with various fruits. Gottfried Harsch from Hoffnungstal ls my neighbor. He lives in the house af Stephan Staiger. Three brothers. who are sons of Gottfried Harsch, live in Johannestal.

Otherwise, there is nothing more to report especially. I would very much like to know, who among my friends over there (i.e. in America) are stlll living. One here, another there, departs into the Eternal Homeland.

Jakob Scheuffele, my former neighbor, has also died. I learned about this when I was in Bergdorf. He was born on 15 March 1867. I can prove this from the school. My brothers-in-law, Gottlieb and Johannes Laitenberger, have also died.

Please, greet my brother-in-law and sister, Jakob and Karolina Beil together with the children and tell them that the siblings here are all well.

Additional greetings to all of the friends and acquaintances.

Christian Maier.

From the Eureka Rundschau, 15 Sept. 1921, page 2

Translated June 2000 by Ann Allen.