Frank & Brunnental Village Newsletter Published 4 times a year: Feb 1, May 1, Aug 1, and Nov 1 4 quarterly issues Send inquiries w/ SASE to: Sherrie (Gettman) Stahl, Editor 4189 NW Spoon Pl Portland OR 97229 This newsletter may be freely distributed for nonprofit purposes. SGS - 11-14-94 THE VILLAGE FRANK/BRUNNENTAL NEWSLETTER----Summer '94 Issue Volume 23--No. 3 Dear Readers: As an editor I wonder occasionally....and only occasionally....whether I will KEEP FINDING stories of interest for you. And it never ceases to amaze me what arrives in my mail!! It makes me realize how much history is sitting out there in drawers, tucked away in scrapbooks, sitting in boxes in the attic. So, for those of you who went DIGGING, I want to thank you!! A big thanks to Martha (Krening) Schafer for sending me the Welt Post articles about Frank & Brunnental. And to Jacob Schauerman in Texas for sending me his family stories (for our next issue). And a BIG THANKS to Marie (Trupp) Krieger from Portland, OR. for her translation of the Welt Post articles, which bring us this month,the fascinating stories of Conrad Kissler from Frank and his adventures during the Russo-Japanese War---1901-1905 (see pages 10-13). Marie is a dear friend and a real asset to AHSGR. She has given countless hours of her time to help preserve our history, and we love her!! And finally I would like to thank Terrie Schmidt-Crosby who has offered to "translate" for us (see the article on page 22). It is people like Terrie who make the newsletter such a success!! Sherrie Stahl, Editor-- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In This Issue: Editor's Corner News, Addresses ...................................................p. 1 1994 Village Night Pictures, Lincoln, NE.............................................p.2 Oldest Person From Frank Living Today in the U.S.???.................................p.3 Queries--Can You Help Us?...........................................................p. 4 Relatives Visit U.S.--- Seeking Medical Help........................................p. 5 Obituaries......................................................................p.4 & 23 Bernhardt Family Story...........................................................p. 6 -9 My Life As A Soldier in Russo-Japanese War (1901-1905)...........................p.10-13 Escape From Brunnental 1921/22...................................................p.14-21 Brunnental History.................................................................p. 22 Genealogy Tips For Research / Translations/ ......................................p. 23 Cemeteries of Larimer County, Colorado.............................................p. 24 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming Issues: ---Life in Kazakhstan, By Dr. William Wiest ---Family Histories (various, as space permits) ---History of Brunnental 1918-1941--by Jakob Mohrland ---Hartung Journey to Brunnental--Summer 1994 ---Naturalizations of Brunnentalers--Multnomah Cty, OR ---Germans From Russia in Portland, OR ---Life in Brunnental & Homesteading in and around Lingle, Wyoming (conversations of Regina Seligh & Marie Herrmann done in 1978) ---Update on Brunnental Poem---Who we've found!! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ADDRESSES Newsletter Subscriptions $6 Frank/Brunnental Newsletter: Sherrie Stahl, Editor 4189 NW Spoon Place Portland OR 97229 sherriestahl@comcast.net Frank Data Bank Contact Doris Evans EVANSDFE@aol.com Brunnental Data Bank Sherrie (Gettman) Stahl 4189 NW Spoon Place Portland OR 97229 sherriestahl@comcast.net Website: http://www.brunnental.us/brunnental/index.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are You Moving??? If you are planning to move, please send me your new address before you move.. Because we use "bulk mail" processing, we ask that the US Postal Service to contact us when the newsletter cannot be delivered to the proper address. Each "undelivered newsletter" is returned to me, at an additional cost of 35 cents, and then I must send it out again at an additional cost of 75 cents. Please help me save postage and time!!!! Old Newsletters Still Available I get letters from the readers wondering if they can still purchase old newsletters (so many of our stories are continued from issue to issue). THE ANSWER IS YES!!! I have "masters" for all the newsletters back to 1992 when I became editor.....and would be glad to copy them as needed. The cost is $3.00 per issue, a little more than the regular subscription price; but this is due to additional postage required when we can't take advantage of the "bulk mail rates", as we do on a regular newsletter mailing. Please specify issue : Fall '92; Winter '92/93; Spring '93: Summer '93; Fall '93; Winter '93/94; Spring '94, Summer '94:. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1994 Ancestral Village Night---Lincoln, Nebraska! (Picture) From left to right: Marie (Trupp) Krieger, Sharon (Felker) Kluge, and Arlene (Lebsack) Rolfs. (Picture) From left to right, Sherrie (Gettman) Stahl, Marie (Gettman) Bauer & her husband John Bauer. We are looking over the Goettmann chart from Dr. Pleve, and Marie has found herself on the chart...she was born in Frank, Russia in 1906 and came to the US at two months of age. (Picture) Above---Marie (Trupp) Krieger from Portland, Oregon. (Picture) Bernice (Heimbigner) Elledge & Doris (Eckhardt) Evans from WA Villagers looking at Franker family charts posted on the wall. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oldest Person From Frank Living Today in the U.S.? By Sherrie (Gettman) Stahl I continue to receive family stories from the readers, and this one sparked my interest. I wondered if this might be "the oldest person from Frank living today in the US?" If you disagree, send me your story!!! Edna (Mohrlang) Macht writes: Dear Sherrie: I am sending a write up about my mother and father with pictures. My father Jacob Mohrlang, was born in Walter Russia; and my mother, Mary Bott, was born in Frank, Russia. She is one of the last "Germans Born in Russia" that are still around, and she has lived a full life. Here is her story: Mary Katherine Bott Mary Katherine Bott, daughter of Conrad and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Bott, was born on June 30, 1896. The youngest of nine children, six daughters and three sons. Mary's mother died when Mary was a tiny baby. Her father died when she was 9 years old. He had been a shoemaker in Frank. Mary went to school in Frank, Russia. At the age of eleven she came to America with her brother and his family, along with three of her sisters. They sailed from Bremen, Germany on the "S.S. Hanover" on April 25, 1907. She arrived in Galveston, Texas on May 20th, 1907. There they boarded the train for Loveland, Colorado. In Loveland, they worked in the beet fields, picked cherries, rasberries and did whatever work they could find. At the age of fifteen, Mary was confirmed in the German Congregational Church in Loveland by Pastor Johannes Helzer. In the Spring of 1915, Mary went to Fort Collins, Colorado to find work, and got a job doing house work for the Judge Graham family. Mary met Jacob Mohrlang in Fort Collins and they got married on July 19, 1915. Jacob and Mary were blessed with 8 children. They farmed in the Hillrose and Brush, Colorado areas until their retirement. Mary was naturalized as a U. S. citizen on December 12, 1945 and took the oath of allegance on June 12, 1946 in Fort Morgan, Colorado. Jacob Mohrlang passed away June 5, 1960 in Brush, Colorado; and of Mary Bott's original family of five sisters and two brothers, Mary is the sole survivor. The Mohrlangs had eight children, or which 6 are still living. Mary is very independent, living alone in her own apartment and does all her own housework. She attends the Immanual Congregational Church. She has 24 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren. Submitted by Edna (Mohrlang) Macht, (daughter) (Picture) Mary Katherine(Bott) Mohrlang--taken November, 1984 (age 88) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Queries---Can You Help Us With Our Research??? Send in your queries -- we want to help find your missing relatives! Include all information that you might have that would be helpful in solving your puzzle -- include names, birth and death dates, and places where they lived & include a picture, if available. HORST---Mrs. Irma Horst of Germany writes: My great-grandfather, Adam Horst born abt 1866, Frank, Russia married Anna Maria ??---looking for the following 2 families: 1) Heinrich Horst, b. Mar 20, 1855 in Frank m. Maria Dorothea Gutmann born April 2, 1856 in Frank. Emigrated in 1899 to the U.S. and lived in Lincoln, NE. (they had 10 children) 2) Andreas Horst born Dec 2 1861 in Frank m. Maria Klein in 1883 and emigrated to U.S. in 1892. They had 2 sons and 3 daughters. I believe that both Henry and Andreas were related and could be brothers to my great-grandfather, Adam Horst. If you have any information on this family, please write to: Irma Horst Hallesche Allee 15 76139 Karlsruhe Germany (or call--tel# 0721-678532) HELZER--Mrs. Emma Hoelzer of Germany writes: I was born in Brunnental in 1925 and was deported to Kazahkstan in 1941. I had a brother, Arthur Helzer became a soldier in the Red Army in 1941 and he was sent to the front....never to be heard from again. My father was Friedrich Helzer b 1885 in Brunnental and my mother was Emma Deredt born 1901 in Baku. My grandparents were Heinrich Helzer & ?? also b. in Brunnental, year unknown. If you have any information on this Helzer (Hoelzer) family, please write to: Emma Hoelzer Spielberger str 3 72227 Egenhausen Germany ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Village of Walter--Original Settlers I have purchased the original settlement list for the village of Walter. Many of the people who later settled Brunnental were from the village of Walter, and many of the Frankers married people from Walter because they were located close-by. The original list of settlers includes names, ages, and the villages in Germany where each family originated. The original listing is in Russian, and came with an English transliteration. Wilhelm Klein, from Berlin, Germany also spent many hours going over the original and the transliteration, and has further translated many questionable names and villages in Germany. (Thanks Wilhelm!!!) If you are looking for information on any of the Walter original settlers, please contact us. We will be offering a copy of the original document in Russian and the transliteration, and the translation plus a map showing the village in Germany for $10 for any name you are interested in. We are hoping to raise money to both pay for the original $100 spent on the list and to gather more documents such as this for our readers. Write to: Sherrie Stahl 4189 NW Spoon Place Portland OR 97229 sherriestahl@comcast.net ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fallen Leaves--Jacob 'Jake' Groskopf Gering, NE GERING--- A funeral for Jacob "Jake" Groskopf, 85, of 1420 Seventh St., who died May 7, 1994, at the Scottsbluff hospital, will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Emmanuel Congregational Church in Scottsbluff with the Rev. Larry Scovil officiating. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Park in Scottsbluff. A memorial has been established to the family. Friends may call at Jolliffe Funeral Home today from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and at the funeral. He was born to George and Katie (Gettman) Groskopf on Oct. 2, 1908, at Loma, Colorado. The family later moved to the Valley, where he grew up and attended school. He married Edna Hartung April 21, 1934, in Gering, and they farmed in the Mitchell area and south of Gering from 1934 through 1954. He then worked for Barttles Implement Co., Peterson's Bean and Potato Co. and Kelly Bean Co. until a work-related accident caused his retirement in 1971. He was a member of the Emmanuel Congregational Church and Eagles Aerie No. 2998 at Gering and Gering American Legion Post No. 36. Survivors include his son William Groskopf of Mitchell; daughters Eldora Roberts of Portland, OR., Ruth Ross of Scottsbluff, Patricia Harpole of Mitchell, Judith Darnall of Arlington, Texas, and JoAnn Holcomb of Gering, NE.; brother Bill Groskopf of Gering; sisters Frieda Heiter of Portland and Esther Carter of Vancouver, WA.; 14 grandchildren; and 11 great- grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, two grandsons, four brothers, one sister and his parents. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Relatives Visit U.S.--- Seeking Medical Help You might remember that in our Winter 93/94 issue (page 13), we ran an article about Mrs. Becker's 4 sisters who had stayed behind in Russia. We had just heard from a son and grandson of one of Mrs. Becker's sisters, who had married a Steinmetz & lived in Omsk, Siberia. We would like to report that a total of $1100 was sent to Wilhelm Steinmetz and his son, Anatoli, to help them with their expenses in leaving Russia and going to Germany. Most of this was collected from private donations within the BECKER FAMILY. The Steinmetz family were to have left on June 15th, and we are waiting to hear from them once they reach Germany and are settled. Not too long after that, there was contact from another sister's family from Russia. As most readers are aware, Maria (Lebsack) Becker's colorful recollections of her life in Brunnental were printed in several earlier editions of the Frank / Brunnental Village Newsletter, and they gave our readers a detailed description of the daily lives of the Volga Germans prior to the Russian Revolution. Maria and her husband, Alex Becker, emigrated to the U.S. in 1912, leaving her sisters behind. (Erika Aliabyvaia is Maria's sister Emma's daughter.) The following is a letter written to us by Alexis (Becker) Chandler, Mrs. Becker's granddaughter, who lives in Seattle, Washington....... Dear Friends: Last summer our family received word that one of our relatives in Russia was in desperate need of medical assistance. My grandmother's niece, Erica Aliabyvaia, wrote to say that her 7 year old grandchild, Anastasiya, had been born with club feet. Though the condition has been treated from birth, the doctors in Russia could not correct the problem. For the last few years Erika had been trying to find us to see if there was any help available here in the US. In July of '93, Erika finally contacted me and the family immediately went to work trying to find the appropriate medical care. We contacted Shriner's Crippled Children's Hospital in Portland and were notified that they would be willing to evaluate Stasiya's condition and operate free of charge if examining physicians felt the condition could be corrected. The family arrived in the US on June 14th and our family is providing room and board and transportation expenses while Erika and Stasiya are here in the US. After the initial examination on June 22, we were told that Shriner's Medical Board would be able to accept Stasiya for treatment, but the operation would not be performed prior to September because of a backlog of cases. A minimum of 3 months recuperation time is required therefore, at the minimum, Erika and Stasiya will be here until December of '94. As is the case with most Russians, Erika's family will not be able to help with expenses because of limited finances. Knowing how much my grandmother's sisters and brothers meant to her, the family feels that we must do whatever we can to help her grand niece! [(Picture)--Anastasiya Arkipova - New Years Eve 1993.] Needless to say, our family would welcome financial assistance from anyone who would like to contribute to Stasiya's "American medical miracle". Round-trip airfair for the two has run around $1,700---even after the 20% charitable discount that Scandinavian Airlines gave us. Donations can be mailed to my father at the following address: Anastasiya Arkipova Fund C/O Emil A. Becker (he has since passed away) 5481 SE Roethe Road Portland, OR 97267-5055 Phone: (503) 654-8030 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Conrad & Anna Margaret (Oldt) Bernhardt From Frank, Russia The following family history was written by Dave & Carol Bernhardt and their Aunt Freda Kembel. The total book contains 90 pages and took over 3 years to complete. It is full of pictures and family group charts and contains some interesting information about the area where the Bernhardts settled----Montana. This is the second & final installment of the story. Part 2 ----One day one of the sailors told Conrad that the giant iceberg that was hit by the ill- fated Titanic a short time before, was in view in the distance. He gave Conrad the binoculars and he got to see the floating iceberg that had smashed the Titanic on April 15, 1912. The trip across the Atlantic took two to three weeks. They landed at Baltimore, Maryland, and a short time later their son Jake was born. About this time Conrad was having some kind of problem with his eyes so the government officials made him check and re-check his eyes with a doctor to be sure he was not bringing an eye disease into the country. Finally, after 2 or 3 weeks they gave him the approval to leave Baltimore. They boarded a train and went across country to Billings, Montana, where Jacob and Elizabeth Zeiler met them at the depot. This was on July 4, 1912. Unaccustomed to fireworks, their first encounter of firecrackers that day brought a scare until they were reassured that it was just a celebration, not an outbreak of war. They stayed with the Zeilers for some time to get established in the new setting. Quite a few people in the Billings area spoke German and gradually they began to learn English. Conrad's first work was doing field work in the sugar beets for a man named Birken who lived on a farm south of the Shiloh Road. That fall Conrad helped harvest beets for Birken and another man named Jack Holly. The children started school at the Canyon Creek School. It was here that the children walked across a field through a neighbor's yard named Mrs. Story. She was a kind lady who give them apples in the fall on their way home and walked out to visit with them. If they was unbuttoned, she would button them and even ran in the house for a needle and thread to sew on a button one morning. She had a boy named Willard that shared his toys with the Bernhardt kids, but he was a coward when it came to chickens. If they came after him, he would run until he was out of breath. There were several other stories associated with their stay at the Birken place. Freda told on Adolph that about the age of 5, he was quite a story-teller. A man came to visit and asked Adolph how old he was. He said 5 years old, that he was married and had six kids and they all looked like him. Then he asked the man for money to go to the store to buy some brustos (bib overalls) like the big men wore! Raising a big family on a farm brought some close calls. Once Sam was choking on a piece of meat and having a hard time breathing. His big sister Marie reached down and pulled it out of his throat and color returned to his face. At another time the boys were playing near a drain ditch. Sam thought he could walk on the surface of the foam. He stepped in and rose sputtering and fuming. His brother Adolph pulled him out quickly as he accepted his new-found limitations. At a later time, Jake and Sam caught a big trout in this ditch and brought it home to Mon to cook, taking turns dragging it in the dusty country road. Out of loyalty to her proud sons, Anna cleaned and scraped off the scales and cooked the fish for supper. The next two years Conrad worked beets for John Weber who farmed near the present location of the Ramada Inn. Webers provided living quarters for the family and so much money per acre they worked. By this time, some of the children were old enough to work in the fields too. In the fall they would start school in the regular session, then drop out for four to six weeks to do field work with the sugar beets and return in about November. One year Conrad rented land from his brother-in-law Jacob Zeiler and raised regular farm crops, but then he moved back to the Birken place and farmed for him again. It was at the Weber place that Freda almost drowned. The children were playing near a ditch at a point just before the water swirls around and goes into a culvert. As Freda fell into the ditch, the dog saw her and began howling loudly. Marie looked over and saw Freda's hand poking out of the water. Aunt Mary Bernhardt was nearby and reached down and pulled her out. By then, she wasn't breathing at all. The family worked on her until she finally came to life. They put her to bed and she slept all day and all night. About this time, around 1918, a flu epidemic hit the country. People with it had high fevers, dizziness, and were extremely sick. Quite a number of people died or were left with retardation as an after effect. When it hit the Bernhardt family, Conrad was the first to become ill with this flu. One by one everyone in the family got sick except for little six year old Jake. He bravely took the responsibility of helping all the others, waiting on them, doing the necessary chores on the farm until someone was well enough to help. About the same year as the flu epidemic, Conrad rented from a man named Cooney Gable and put in crops for him. This was in a location west of the present day H and H Lumber Company. This year the children went to the Elysian School. It was at the Gable farm where Loveen was born. After Gable decided the price on the crops looked too good to pass by, he took his farm back again and the Bernhardts moved over to Judge Goss's place and rented it. At that same time a man named McKitrick wanted to buy the Goss farm so Conrad went back to the Birken place for another year and then decided to move to Laurel. They rented the Harry L. Richardson place south of Laurel for about nine years. The children now attended the Allendale School. It had a huge school bell that was a real privilege to get to ring. It was so heavy it could lift a small child off his feet. The boys liked to make paper airplanes, sail them up to the bell tower. At recess, they would throw rocks at the bell to get it to ring. Conrad and Anna expected their children to handle many responsibilities at home. Since Marie was the older sister in the family, she was her mother's best helper. At an early age, she could do some cooking, cleaning, darning, patching knees in pants, ironing, washing clothes, and changing diapers for the little ones in the family. She was the second mom to her younger brothers and sisters. Gradually, the other girls learned to do the household chores and helped Marie and Anna in the home and garden. Often the foods were dried or stored in much the same way as in the old country. Barrels were purchased at the grocery store after having been used to hold vinegar or such. Barrels were first soaked in water until the wood swelled enough to make the barrel water-tight. They were filled with water until the time for doing the preserving. Just before the food was put down into the barrel, it was scrubbed with a brisk brush, soapy water, then rinsed well, and boiling water poured in to sterilize. To make the sauerkraut, the cabbage was shredded with a large cutter called a whooval in German, then stuffed into the barrel until it was about half full. A handful of salt was added, then it was stomped down by someone with scrubbed feet or new boots until it formed its own juices. It was tasted for saltiness with more salt added if needed. Another barrel of kraut was prepared the same way if a lot of cabbage was grown that year. A heavy round wooden stomper with a handle on top was also used to mash down the cabbage. A clean white cloth was laid over the cabbage, then the top board of the barrel, and a heavy rock placed on top to weight down the cabbage. It took about two weeks for the sauerkraut to be ready to eat. Dill pickles were made in a barrel in much the same manner as the sauerkraut. Dill and horseradish leaves were placed in the bottom of the barrel, then the freshly washed cucumbers, more dill and horseradish leaves, salt, vinegar, and alum. A brine was boiled and poured over the cucumber mixture with a white cloth and board on top. From time to time, more pickings of cucumbers and spices were added to the barrel into the fall of the year. Apples were also stored in barrels with apple leaves and a hot spicy liquid poured over them. They, too, were covered with a white cloth, then the lid of the barrel over it. The apples stayed quite firm this way. In the winter time when the snow was flying, Anna would go to the apple barrel in the cellar and bring back a large bowl of apples for the family for their evening snack. Watermelons were placed whole in barrels in the fall of the year with apple leaves and a brine of salt water and spices covering them. The watermelons were usually small, about 6 to 8 inches in diameter, a pale green color with a thin peeling on them. They were weighted down carefully because if they were allowed to float above the brine, they would get hollow or spoil. Some foods were processed by drying them. Anna would lay a canvas out on the roof of the house and spread out sliced apples in the sun until they dried thoroughly. Sometimes she put a cheese cloth over them. Later they were packed in cracker boxes for storage. She would use them to make a Saturday night supper, mixed with other fruits such as raisins to make "sweet soup". In the winter time, some meats such as smoked hams and sausages were strung on a clothes line in the cold granary or smokehouse in the cold months. Anna was a remarkable seamstress. She made most of the children's clothes throughout the years. Often the younger brothers and sisters had hand-me-downs or clothes that were revamped from an older child. Several of the children remember that she was very clever at cutting out smaller size patterns from the parent's clothes such as the pairs of overalls made for the smaller boys out of their Dad's old overalls. The boys did a lot of work on the farm too. They hoed beets, chopped wood, worked in the garden, fed the chickens, milked the cows, did irrigating, mended fences, and general field work. Some summers, the boys sold milk to a number of families in the neighboring area. Sometimes they hauled it in a spring wagon and later in the car. Once Sam cracked his shoulder bone when he fell from behind the buggy and hit a large boulder on one of these deliveries. One Sunday morning when the boys were told to deliver the milk, they didn't want to get up. This made their dad angry and he said he would go. At this time they were using the car to deliver the milk, but Conrad had never learned to drive. He got into the car and took off. He hit a telephone pole and caught the car in the telephone wires and dragged them in circles hollering Whoa! and yelling. Finally, one of the boys jumped in and shut off the engine. Needless to say, the boys got up the next morning to make the milk delivery. Milking the cows was not always an easy task. Usually the Bernhardts had about 8 cows and the boys took turns milking them. Occasionally problems would occur. One night Sam and Adolph were doing the milking and Sam had tried to milk the last of the cows, but she wouldn't cooperate and kept kicking him. He didn't realize that she had a cut teat so he continued to try to milk her, but she kicked him to the ground. Conrad saw this happen and scolded Sam and said he would milk that cow! When he sat down to milk her, she also knocked him off the stool. The boys stood back and grinned as their dad grabbed a board to give the cow a whack. The boys learned to make their own toys out of makeshift materials. When they lived near the city dump, they gathered bike frames and wheels and put together some dandy bicycles and buggies. They would pull them up onto the top of the root cellar and coast down at full speed. Freda told on Adolph that he made a buggy and wanted to see how high chickens could fly so he fed the chickens at the base of the root cellar, then went coasting down through the middle of them lickedy-split with feathers flying everywhere. The children's free time was often occupied in games, games of all kinds, at home, at school recess, in the summer evenings, in the snows of winter. Some of these were: Pump, pump pull-away, Annie (Andy) I over, King's hill, Kick the Ball, London Bridge, Hide and Seek, Steal Sticks, Follow the Leader, Blind Man's Bluff, Simon Says, Drop the Handkerchief, Leap Frog, Mother May I?, Clap ball (using a sponge ball), Wood tag, tag with King's X, races of all kinds, Hopscotch (using a piece of glass or rock in the dirt), catch a ball, baseball, basketball, football with various revisions according to who was in charge. In winter, snowball games and snowball fights with snow forts were made and always Fox and Geese until the fresh snow was too trodden to distinguish the boundaries. Marbles for the boys and jacks for the girls were played in the dirt. When the teacher held an indoor recess, they played Hide the Thimble, Button, button, who's got the button?, Eraser relays, Charades or What am I?, I See Something, Cat and Mouse or Tik Tak Toe, Pass it on or Gossip. The games played at home, especially in the long summer evenings, filled the void of living in the country. Having a large family was a great advantage for the interaction of many of the games played. On the Richardson place, one of the finest play things the kids developed was a giant swing. It was suspended between two trees with a heavy rope tied to either end of each tree. The bridge plank as 16-20 feet long and nailed to the ropes at each end. It could hold several children at once and gave delight to the kids on many a summer day. In the early 1920's Conrad decided he needed a car to take his family to town, to church, etc. He bought a white Essex. They used this car for a number of years. Cooney and Jake had gone to National Automotive School in California so when the Essex needed an overhaul, these boys undertook the job. Later, as the family size grew, Conrad decided he needed two cars to carry everyone. He bought two Model T Fords. What a thrill for the older boys when they got to drive the new cars. While the Bernhardts lived at the Richardson place, Esther came down with rheumatic fever. Following that, the doctor diagnosed that she had leakage of the heart. For several years after that, she was required to limit all her physical activities such as running, over exerting, or going through any stress. Finally, at about age 16, she was able to join her family and classmates in regular activities. In about 1929 Conrad and Anna bought their first home. This was the Tim Reardon place south of Laurel, just south of where the Roundhouse was located. They lived and farmed there for about 12 years. It was a large old wooden framed house with a screened-in porch that went half- way around the house. The family saw many children grow up in this special place of good memories. Sometimes in the fall of the year, the Bernhardts hired some extra helpers to work the sugar beet harvest. Often these were German people who needed additional income. In the evenings after the farm work was done, the Bernhardts and the farm workers sat around in the porch and sang church songs before everyone turned in for the evening. Conrad expected good behavior from his children. He was usually stern and strict and accepted no funny business from the kids. On one occasion the Bernhardts had company visiting for the evening. The two sets of parents were talking in the living room while the children played in the kitchen area. Sam, Esther, Freda, Loveen, and Harold were having a great time laughing and running about. Conrad came through the swinging door from the living room and scolded them loudly and went back to his company. Again the kids became noisy. He marched through the swinging door, lined up all five children and spanked everyone of them. At first, each one cried as he took his licking, then one by one, they began to laugh. This time their dad really scolded them. Of all the animals the Bernhardts ever had on their farm was a pony named Jinny. When they had lived on the Birken place, a farmer named Dick Denton who lived north of them, owned Jinny. She was a buckskin with a U. S. Army brand on her. The kids had seen her at the Denton place and wanted to have her. Conrad mentioned it to Mr. Denton, but said he really didn't have the money to buy her. Denton replied, "I'll tell you what, if you and the kids will come and help me harvest my potatoes this fall, I'll give her to you." The deal was made and Jinny belonged to the Bernhardts. She proved to be loyal and gentle. She could be trusted with the youngest of the clan. Several times, when the saddle slipped off her and the rider would start to slide under her belly, Jinny stopped short and let the rider get off before he could be harmed. During the depression times, the summer brought a lot of hobos to the farm since it was located near the railroad tracks. Sometimes, these destitute men would come up to the house and ask for something to eat. The children quickly learned to watch for them coming down the lane, make a sandwich quickly, run out and give it to them before they got to the house and then run back to the security of the house in a big hurry. Often the hobos would put a tin can on a certain fence post and within an hour or so, another hobo showed up for his handout. Usually, Conrad asked these men to split some wood in exchange for their meal. One man broke the axe handle on purpose so that he didn't have to cut any more wood. On one occasion, a humorous incident came about from one of these encounters with hobos. Two men had come to the house and eaten and had been invited to visit and entertain the older family members. The little ones were watching and laughing and talking in German about the hobos. Later, as the hobos left, they said Good-by in German. They had understood all that was said! In the early 1920's some of the older Bernhardt boys herded cows for a farmer that lived near the railroad siding on Central Avenue between Laurel and Billings. They got acquainted with a friendly man that had bought World War I planes and stored them in that area. He wore khaki- colored pants and leather boots. His name was Charles Lindbergh. This was several years before his famous flight with the "Spirit of St. Louis". A number of times, Lindbergh gave plane rides to these young lads, the highlight of their year. On two different occasions, fire tried to ravage the Bernhardt's house. One time, Anna was working in the garden and she happened to look up at the house and saw smoke coming off the roof of the house. She called Freda to climb up the silver maple tree that extended over the roof of the house. Anna ran over to the cistern near the kitchen door and filled a bucket with water, handed it to Freda who in turn poured it onto the roof. They did this repeatedly while the younger children ran to the field to get Conrad. Gradually, they got the fire put out with only a little roof damage near the chimney where it started. Another fire started when Adolph was filling a kerosene lamp. Somehow, as he poured the kerosene out of the spout of the can, it ignited in the kitchen area near the sink, trailed flames downwards to the carpet and started burning across the floor to the living room. Conrad grabbed the can, ran through the house, out through the screen doors, and threw it outside onto the ground. It melted the handle off the can. He ran back into the house and began beating out the fire with a small rug. He got the fire out without much household damages but sustained some serious burn on his hands. Another incident that created fear, even though unmerited, was the time that Marie and Freda were walking home in the dark and Freda almost disappeared out of sight. She had fallen into a hole left by the gas company as they were digging a deep trench to lay out new gas lines. She called up to Marie to get her out, she smelled a bad smell! Big sister climbed down and pulled her out of the trench before the supposed gas fumes overcame her. The girls ran for home, relieved that all was fine. On the lighter side, a couple stories of Halloween pranks that the Bernhardt kids told about were these: One year on Halloween night at the Allendale School a number of boys tipped over the girls' outhouse and dragged it half-way up the hill to the school. The next day all the boys at school, whether guilty or not, had to move the latrine back to its original position and fill in fresh dirt around it. Oh, how the innocent ones resented that. On another Halloween the Bernhardt kids and their neighbor's kids carried out a trick on the neighbor's dad who was always so fussy about keeping his car so clean and spotless. Most children didn't like him because he was so unfriendly to everyone and very intolerant of all youngsters. The boys put an old wagon jack under this man's car to raise it up, but it wouldn't budge. Then they realized it was under the gas tank, so they put it in a new place, raised it up a little, and dug a hole in the ground under the wheels, and filled it with water. The children moved back to watch. Later, they could hardly wait to see him get into his car to leave the house. He climbed in his usual, "Everyone in. Doors all closed. We will now commence." He started the engine, roared up the motor, spun the tires, and mud splashed sky high, totally covering the car from end to end! The boys had quite the experiences with cars. Loveen remembers how the old Model T Ford (1917 model) was started with a fence staple, rather than a key. The boys would push it to get it started. Little Jake was behind the wheel, driving the car around the field with the other boys cheering and shouting. The bumpy ground was shaking the car up and down as they went. Uncle Jake shouted to them, "Shut it off!". Little Jake looked down at the dashboard and called out, "I can't. I lost the staple!" The highlight of every summer in the later years on the farm was when Conrad took the children to the Midland Empire Fair in Billings. Early in the morning, he would announce this surprise to the delight of all. The chores were done quickly that morning. They packed a lunch, took blankets for the bleachers, extra items for the small children, and headed down to the fairgrounds. The entire family spent the day walking through the cow barns, seeing all the latest in farm equipment, seeing the displays of fresh produce, fancy new gadgets for sale, and sometimes going on a carnival ride or two. Conrad seemed to enjoy the reaction of pleasure for his children as much or more than his own enjoyment of the day. Church was an important part of the Bernhardt's life. As in the old country, the Sabbath was respected. Rarely did Conrad do any farm work on Sunday, only irrigating or milking that was necessary. The first church that they attended and helped build was the Congregational (now called Pilgrim Congregational). They got acquainted with quite a large number of German people there with similar backgrounds or who spoke German as they did. Even though their church in Russia was Lutheran, there was no German Lutheran church in the area. Later when Conrad and Anna and their children moved to Laurel, they attended the Laurel Congregational Church. For a time, they went to the Lutheran Church in Laurel, but often drove down to Billings on Sundays for church. Later, when they moved to Billings, they chose to buy a house on South 35th St., only a short distance from the Pilgrim Congregational Church. All of Conrad and Anna's children attended Confirmation classes and most of them had a special picture taken on the occasion of their Confirmation. The late 1930's were difficult years for the Bernhardts. The Great Depression affected their financial status on the farm, and in 1939 they lost their oldest child, Conrad Jr. (Cooney). By now, they were going into their sixties in age, and had become grandparents for the children of several of their older kids. In February, 1941, their son, Adolph, left for the military service and in March, 1942, Loveen went off to serve also. This same year Conrad and Anna made the decision to sell the farm to Jake, Conrad's half-brother who had been raised with their children, and move to Billings. They bought two houses at 407 South 35th and for several years Conrad worked for the Pierce Packing Company. They enjoyed their retirement years in gardening, visiting with friends, and had a soft place in their hearts for their grandchildren. (Their oldest grandchild, Betty Sitzman Kraft, gave an insight into their lives at this period of time as she recalls her past:) "Sundays at Grandpa and Grandma's house were fun-filled days. Home-made chicken noodle soup! Grandma could slice noodles faster than anyone. We used Aunt Esther's bed for a trampoline and always hid in her closet, when we thought we might get caught. My uncles were always playing the accordion - Sam on the banjo, and Adolph on the violin. When Uncle Sam wasn't playing banjo, he was walking on his hands. Uncle Loveen locked me up with the chickens, but Aunt Freda was always very kind. Grandma's pantry was the most fascinating room in the house - bananas, nuts, bread and sometimes, candy. It was a dark and mysterious room. We would all check it out and then send the little sister, Lillian, in to ask for the bananas usually. There was a dining room table that was as long as the room was wide and many people could eat there all at one time (the farm house in Laurel)" Some of the other grandchildren have given descriptions of Grandpa Conrad when they came to visit him. He liked to give each of them a nickel or dime out of his well-worn coin purse. He made a long, drawn-out scene of reaching down into the very depths of the purse, taking forever to find the long-awaited coin. All the while, he would look up from time to time, trying to hide a smile until his nose would turn white. Somehow the children could sense his disguise of sternness for his beloved grandchildren. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My Life As A Soldier By Conrad Jacob Kissler, Hillrose, Colorado--1932 (Originally printed in the Die Welt Post in 1932) German articles submitted by Martha (Krening) Schafer Translated to English by Marie (Trupp) Krieger (Thanks!!) Hillrose, Colorado -- February 1, 1932 -- As a reader of this newspaper, I would like to tell my friends a few experiences of my life while a soldier. I came from Frank, in the Volga-Republic, where I was born on May 4, 1880. My father was known as Kasper's Jacob and I was known as "Johann Georg" at home, but my name is Conrad Jacob Kissler. In October 1901, an unwished notice arrived in the Frank - Wolost, that the casting of lots for military service for the year 1902 would be in Kabirnir, a Russian Wolost, located 18 werst from Frank. All men who had passed their 21st year should report there, on October 10th. In earlier years, the Germans along with the Russians, drew lots; but in this year, the Russians didn't want to do it, because many young German people, who should wear the Tsar's dress, had been allowed to leave to a foreign country. Earlier, it often happened that a German youth, on account of the lot, drew a high number, releasing him from service, and a Russian had to replace him; or a Russian had to fill the gap left by one who left the area. On that account, a dispute ensued. Therefore, there was to be no more releasing anyone. The Germans had to furnish 1000 men -- even if they had to draw from the second classification. This was difficult for the Germans. The releases were divided into 3 classifications. In the first classification were families with only one son; second classification - 2 sons, the oldest of these two was put in the 2nd classification, while the younger one was landed in the 3rd classification. All those in the 3rd classification were called first into the service. We Germans were 210 men from 3 villages - Frank, Kolb, and Walter as well as Franker Chutor and Walter Chutor. After our names were called, we all had to go to the government office where a job was offered and we stood side by side like cigarettes; each had to draw a number and hand it to an officer sitting at a table. The officer unrolled the paper and called the number in a very loud voice. (mine was 175) which was written down by a writer (secretary?). After the drawing, they continued with a doctor's examination where one was weighed and checked; and if you had a good bill of health and belonged to the 3rd classification, then came the important word from the principal officer -- the word was "accepted", one also belonged to the service. All had to then follow the order and in 3 weeks had to report to the Army leader in the West Town. We drove home again where we were met with tears. Here one discovered a son had to leave --another place, the father -- and the weeping and sobbing was heard everywhere. * * * Hillrose, Colorado -- March 17th, 1932 -- There were 27 men who were released. I can't remember all of their names but I'll name a few: Heinrich Benzel, Conrad Wagner, John Klein, and Johannes Rothe. Within the two or three weeks we still had to await orders, our things were put in order and packed. The future soldiers savored the time as "free time" away from work, they were invited by friends for one more "good" mealtime -- that was one way the friends could show their love. Perhaps it was the last time that they could be together. That's how time passed. Pastor Roos announced that on November 14th a public service in the prayer house would be held for the soldiers. We all attended and heard a very good sermon; then we sang the song from the Volga Songbook #563:"Keep Us Lord", and #490:"In All My Deeds, I'll Let You Redeemer, Counsel". Pastor Roos spoke about the following words: "Be subject to the authorities".----Then he gave us his blessings, with the wish that we would all return to our homes again in good health. Many of the church members said, "It is being buried alive"....and wept loudly. The 16th of November was the day of farewell. At nine o'clock in the morning began the train of mourning, the wives with one or two children hung onto their men folks (soldiers), the mothers unto their sons. Sisters, brothers, friends, comrades, some also their sweethearts who promised, "I'll remain single until you return". There was no end to the weeping. I, myself, was married to Kath. Elis. Heimbichner and had a daughter Pauline. As we had then gone half a mile from the village, a halt was made and the last kiss had to depart us from our loved ones. After a 2 hour drive, we were in Walter; there we experienced the same picture, then Russians, and our train became longer all the time. After 1 1/2 days, we reached Atkarsk (located N of Frank). One saw soldiers everywhere. We announced ourselves to our Superiors and they sent us with some less Superiors to the kitchen so that we would know immediately where our new mother would be cooking the food. There lay loaves of bread which weighed 20 pounds. After two days divisions occurred, via calling of names into groups of 20 men--16 Russians and 4 Germans, Georg Kanzler from Kolb, Jacob Gies of Walter Chutor, Jacob Streck and I from Frank. They told us we had to go to Manchuria and to the town of Port Arthur. The name of this town was unbeknown to all of us. After asking questions from this or that one, we learned cleaned, etc. Then we were inspected -- whether our that it was very, very far in the east and was in China. We hadn't gotten over our first hurt yet, here was a new one facing us. Our orders were to pack our small belongings, go to the station and board the prepared train. It was not a passenger train, but a boxcar (freight wagon) with 4 small windows and double beds made of boards nailed together. * * * Hillrose, Colorado -- March 19th, 1932 -- Everything was missing in the wagons--there was no drinking water--we had to take a kettle with us. Our illumination came from a tallow candle and here we were, 36 men stuck together. The Russians are usually happy people especially when they have "Firewater". There are always 2 or 3 men among them who can play the accordion. The rest begin the singing and so the train moves hurriedly over hill and vale past many Russian villages. After 2 days we reached Charkow, a town where we were to remain 2 months. After we had tied our knapsacks to our backs, we marched through the town to our new quarters. Then we were filed into 122 Tambavski Pechot, Polk--I came into File 7 and my German comrades in 9 to 10. We were examined and received uniforms. The next morning floors were washed, windows done, stove and boots polished, copper wear polished and dishes clothes were in their proper order and the bed was made properly. After all that, breakfast was served -- a piece of black bread and tea. Then at 11:00 AM we had to march. Each one of us received 16 to 18 solotnik meat and at 12 noon, cabbage soup with kascha. We could rest until 2:00 PM and then had to march again until 5:00 PM--then our supper of millet soup and by 9:00 PM, everyone had gone to bed. The bread had so much strength, we received heartburn from it. On January 28th, my oldest brother Jacob, left home to visit me for 2 days. During this time, I was called to Rottnoi (government office) because I was able to write the Russian language very well, and I was exempt from washing floors. Shortly before our trip to Port Arthur, all of us were issued new uniforms. We didn't see much of Charkow--it rained or snowed almost all the time, and our boots were dirty. On January 31st we were finished with travels. The officers wished us look during our farewells; and told us within 40 to 45 days, we would be sailing (swimming) on the ocean. The train station in Charkow is quite nice. The train was ready and after a signal, it began to move and took us over wonderful places until we reached Odessa on the Black Sea on February 3rd. We marched to our meeting place--a barracks where possibly hundreds of young soldiers were gathered waiting for us who were all to go to Port Arthur. * * * Hillrose, Colorado -- March 21st, 1932 -- We did not have to remain without wages. No, every 2 months was payday. Altogether, each one received 45 kopeks for the full sum for 61 work days, about 21 1/2 cents in USA money. Like all soldiers in the whole world, we enjoyed smoking our cigarettes. With this money we had to purchase tobacco, paper, boot blacking, soap, thread, postage stamps, etc. With our wages of 45 kopecks, we naturally couldn't get rich. "Schto bolsche nado". We stayed in Odessa until Feb 10, 1902 because not all of the soldiers had come together yet. We were allowed, with leadership, to go around town. Traffic, buildings, streets, lights--yes, everything overshadowed the town, Kharkov. The seaport of Odessa handles much commerce sent all over the world. Most of the goods are forwarded via ship transport. The days passed by quickly. After another thorough checkup, in order to be sure that no ill person would be on the trip, we were all commanded to the ship that lay in the harbor on February 10, 1902. The large steam boat "Woronesch" lowered its bridges so we were able to board it. On the deck we were assigned to our cabins by the seamen. We found everything in good order, "die Trumane" as the Russian says, have iron beds. The number of our German comrades has grown to 25 since March. There were KAISER from Old Balzer, STIER from Schilling, WORSTER from Old Balzer, JACOBI from Doenhof and others among them. Most of us had never seen a ship or the ocean. For that reason, everything seemed wonderfully strange and accepted. The ship's machines were started, the anchor rolled up and on the shore stood thousands who shouted "Farewell", and the ship slowly settles itself after a last signal sending a shock through one's body, and the ship moves. The people on the shore wave cloths and with a yell, we leave the harbor of Odessa and drive into the "Black Sea". With the heavenly weather, it was a wonderful sight and the ship glides slowly over the water to Constantinople. The sun sank deeper, the evening bell rings and each of the 10 men receive a dish, one of them sent to the kitchen and the others receive the same. As the chairs and tables were set up, we all went to the deck. Our first meal consisted of noodles, oh, oh, was that a treat. With such beautiful weather, such a nice ship and such good food, one can sing: "Matuschke bo Volga". We did everything to stuff our middles (stomachs). After the meal we remained for a time on the deck in order to observe how the ship split the water with its bow. Deep quietness and dark night enveloped us. We lie down for our night's rest. But about 11:00 PM, the ocean waves move a great deal and become stronger. Here and there a soldier rises because the air was getting colder on the deck. The herds would rather remain in their cabins rather than be carried on deck. The weather blew in earnest--the storm became scary. In the morning, the sailors called the herd to remove the pliable pastry and clean up the mess. When the call came for breakfast, no one wanted to eat anything. The swells rose to the size of a house over the deck, as though they wanted to destroy the ship. We had to put up with this weather for 3 days and many thought it was the end of his service. Then as time goes on, things get quieter, and we sail along. One can live again and many dishes return to the kitchen. Laughter and talk about the storm had its variations. Later, as I check through letters, I learn that my wife had presented me today, February 15th, a son baptized with the name Karl. We are coming nearer the mountains and Dardanelles. At the beginning one sees cannons on the mountains, as though they want to greet us with a "Good Morning". We sail through the Dardanelles, which are bordered by mountains on both sides, and see before us the main state of Turkey, Constantinople -- they are like a bird spreading two wings. No one was allowed to disembark as the ship halts. The Turks supply our ship with the necessary coal and come on small boats to bring tobacco, figs, wine, etc. to offer for sale. With a stroke, we lower a small basket with the money and then we receive the good they showed us. Here one sees wonderful trees and shrubs. The town has many towers which are seen by a half moon. The Turks are large people of a strong nature. The women wear scarves over their faces (not now anymore). After reloading, we leave the harbor shortly before midnight. Our ship hurries through the Dardanelles to the middle sea. Nice weather takes us to Smyrna and on the right side near Crete. Days and nights go by -- here and there we see flying birds and observe other things which move about in the ocean. To the left, the town of Cypress -- to the right, Port Said, Alexandria and Cairo. * * * Hillrose, Colorado -- April 14th, 1932 to May 12th, 1932 -- The Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea are linked by a canal into which we are entering. It is the Suez Canal -- this linkage shortens the traffic to the east. The canal stretches itself through a large sand area and is completely lined with cement, wide enough for ferry boats to pass by. The trip is slow and we enter the Red Sea--to the left lies Arabia and to the right Africa. In nice weather, the sun is very hot, so that canvas is stretched across the deck under which drops of water fall. They five us lightweight white uniforms. We pass the states of Mecca and Aden and find ourselves in the Arabian Sea--to the right the Indian Ocean which gives us large swells. In the Suez Canal, we pass Mt. Sinai. Suddenly the fire bell rings --it is a false alarm to warn us to be careful with smoking. We are allowed to smoke on the deck. After that, the island of Ceylon, on which the town of Columbo is situated. We pass the border of the Bay of Bengal and steer in the large waterway of Malacca--to the right lies the island of Sumatra, to the left Malay States, where we stop at the town of Singapore, because our stock was reaching an end. (Continued Next Issue) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Escape From Brunnental in 1921 Several accounts have been written about the escapes from Brunnental during the early 1920's. These have appeared in several issues of the AHSGR Journal (Spring '82, Summer '82 and Fall '82). In these articles, the author, Adam Giesinger, gives us an excellent account of the history leading up to this exodus and tells us what was going on in the Volga colonies at this time. I would like to use direct quotes from his articles to give you a little history about that time period. Then we will bring to you personal accounts from 2 different families, describing what it was like during that era in Brunnental and personal memories of their escapes from Russia and life when they arrived in the U.S. But first, a little history according to Adam Giesinger: "During the years 1918-1920 the Bolshevik (Communist) regime, which had seized power in Russia in November 1917, was locked in a desperate struggle with the so-called "White" armies, led by former generals of the old regime. To feed its soldiers and its working class supporters in the cities, the "Red" government resorted to ruthless requisitioning of grain and livestock from the peasants, depriving them of nearly all reserves of food. When a crop failure hit the Volga region in 1920, there were immediate food shortages and soon widespread famine. The Volga farmers, both German and Russian, blamed the Red regime and its local collaborators, and in the spring of 1921 rose in armed insurrection against them. By this time all German villages had some Communists among their own people, mainly such as had been poor before the revolution and now saw hopes of bettering themselves. Won over by Red propaganda, they collaborated with the regime against their better-off-brothers, which led to bitter feuding within the villages and eventually to unbelievable cruelties on both sides." Then in another story Adam Geisinger goes on to say: "An important factor in causing the flight of many German familes was a traveling revolutionary tribunal which visited their villages in the early summer of 1921. The purpose of this special court was to mete out punishment to those suspected of having participated in or sympathized with the uprising against Communist rule in the Volga region during March and April 1921." "The uprising was a reaction against the violent requistioning of grain and livestock in the preceding months, which left many families destitute and facing death by starvation. Both German colonists and their Russian neighbors rose up against the oppressors, the Communist officials and their local stooges, and killed many of them....eventually the Red Guard were sent in to suppress the insurrection." "When peace had been restored in this fashion, a travelling revolutionary court visited all villages to punish suspected participants in the uprising. The following article appeared in Mitteilungblatt der Deutschen Arbeiterkommune zu Katharinenstadt (Newssheet of the German Labor Commune at Katharinenestadt). It was brought out of Russia by an individual and was published in the semimonthly Heimkehr in Germany. It read as follows:" "To liquidate banditry, by decision of the Travelling Session of the Battlefied Revolutionary Tribunal, the following persons from the village of Brunnental, dangerous elements, active participants in the insurrection, leaders of bands and known enemies of the Soviet government-- The following were shot: 1. Wilhelm Wacker, son of Heinrich, age 28 2. Friedrich Kuester, son of Konrad, 47 3. Konrad Gruenwald, son of Heinrich, 43 4. Konrad Gruenwald, son of Georg, 61 5. Alexander Schaefer, son of Karl, 32 6. Heinrich Koch, son of Heinrich, 62 7. Wilhelm Schauermann, son of Georg, 32 8. Johannes Bier, son of Philipp, 48 The following were shot continued.... 9. Johann Hartung, son of Heinrich, 35 10. Heinrich Hartung, son of Johann, 35 11. Konrad Oehlenberger, son of Jakob, 40 12. Georg Schauermann, osn of Johann, 40 13. Heinrich Wiederspahn, son of Adam, 23 14. Heinrich Stroh, son of Heinrich, 40 15. Heinrich Hardt, son of Heinrich, 37 Condemned to 5 years' imprisonment were: 1. Johann Becker, son of Jakob 2. Georg Seibel, son of Georg 3. Jakob Weber, son of Jakob 4. Jakob Gruenwald, son of Heinrich 5. Leonhard Seibel, son of Leonhard 6. Daniel Stroh, son of Friedrich Condemned to death by shooting, conditionally: 1. Johann Seibel, son of Nikolaus 2. Karl Klein, son of Heinrich 3. Konrad Becker, son of Konrad 4. Benjamin Kuester, son of Benjamin** 5. Georg Wittenberger, son of Friedrich 6. Jakob Mueeller, son of Johann 7. Wilhelm Schmidt, son of Georg Condemned to 5 years' imprisonment conditionally: 1. Jakob Borger, son of Helferich 2. Jakob Loebsack, son of Heinrich 3. Alexander Schauermann, son of Heinrich... Adam Giesinger also tells us about one group of Brunnentalers that left in 1921. He writes in the Fall 1982 AHSGR Journal (p. 21 - 26): "The many thousands of Volga Germans who fled from their homes in 1921, left mainly because they were afraid of dying of starvation, but also because they were unhappy about the bitter atmosphere that existed within their villages." "On the Wiesenseite was the Protestant village of Brunnental. Many of its people also fled from their homes in 1921. One of the Brunnental refugees of that period, now living in Calgary, has written a brief story of his life. His family left Brunnental in the late fall of 1921 and travelled by wagon to the nearest railroad town, Krasny Kut. Here, 42 persons, presumably all from Brunnental, boarded a small freeight car, in which they lived for six weeks on the road to Minsk. Other groups from their village came in a similar way. At Minsk they found shelter in a large partially destroyed building; and by working or begging for food, most of them managed to survive a hard winter. In most families some family members died. The rest were saved by the German Red Cross and brought to Germany in December 1922. Brunnental refugees who arrived at Frankfurt on 9 December 1922 were 68 persons, numbers 57 to 124 incl. on the list." [listing not included] Now that you have a better idea of what was going on in Brunnental at this time in history, let me now bring to you a story that first appeared in the Sun Country Review, Sunday, June 30, 1991 in northern Wyoming. This story was written by Terri Tidwell, staff writer, and tells us the story of the KISTERs and the STEINMETZs who left Brunnental in 1921. I have also received accounts from both the Kister & Steinmetz/Weber families giving the exact same accounts of their escape from Brunnental: OUT OF REVOLUTION TO THE `LAND OF OPPORTUNITY' It had to be better than what they had. America was the land of opportunity, and Ben Kister had an eye for opportunity. The year was 1921 and times were horrible in the Soviet Union. According to history books and an oral history by Ben Kister, his forefathers "had come to Russia from Germany on the invitation of Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia. The Germans coming into Russia, settled along the Volga River, on both sides, in colonies. They became known as the Volga Germans. They were there for about 150 years." "Then, during the Russian Revolution in 1918 and on, Stalin completely annihilated these colonies, either killing the inhabitants or sending them to Siberia to work out their living in the cold wilderness". Ben Kister was born in Brunnental, Russia, in 1896. His father died when he was 3 years old. Three years later, his mother remarried, to Jacob Kindsfather. Ben stayed with his paternal grandparents and his maternal uncles after his mother and Kindsfather were married. The newly married couple went voluntarily to Siberia and the new colonies. Ben's mother died of blood poisoning there after having a son, Ben's half-brother, Jake Kindsfather. Jacob married again and came to America in about 1905. Ben went on his own at age 17 and began working for Conrad Steinmetz. There, he met his future wife, Anna Maria Steinmetz, the boss' daughter. In 1914, Ben was called into World War I for three years. On November 18, 1918, he married Anna Maria Steinmetz. Two months later, he was called into the army again -- this time to fight in the Russian Revolution. For two and one-half years he fought for the Whites (Byelorussians). He was captured by the Reds (the revolutionaries) and lined up with a group of other prisoners in front of an open pit. Across the pit was the firing squad. The guns of the firing squad erupted. When the smoke cleared, only Ben Kister was left standing. His intended bullet had misfired. Ben was told, "We only shoot at a man once. Go free!" (see page 14, column 3, for Benjamin Kister's name ** (Kuester)....he is listed to be shot, conditionally). (Picture)---Benjamin Kister as a soldier in the Czar's Honor Guard. Soldier had to be atleast 6 feet tall to serve in the Honor Guard. Kister was first drafted in 1914 to serve 3 years, and then again in 1919. A BOLD DECISION Feeling that God's hand had saved and was guiding his life, he was determined to make things better for his wife and young son, Victor. He was not going to return to the army. According to information gaathered by Jeannette (Scheuerman) Hunter from Maria Steinmetz, Anna Maria's sister, the following incidents contributed to the exodus of the Kister family from their home country. *The Russians came to Brunnental one night and shot 25 men. These men were buried in one common grave. [detailed story will appear in the next issue of this newsletter] *A cousin to the Steinmetz family was thought to be a traitor because he ran away when the Russian soldiers came to the village. They caught him and shot him on the school steps. They made everyone in the village watch. The bullet marks and blood could be seen for a long time as a reminder. *There was a mentally retarded man in their village who was so afraid of the Russians that when the soldiers came to the village, he ran and hid in the church steeple. The soldiers forced him down, tortured him and finally dismembered him, again forcing the villagers to watch. *Ben's brother-in-law, Jake Steinmetz, left the army without leave to come home when his wife was due to have a baby. The Russians came to find him, but Jake was in hiding. They threatened to take his wife, but she was due to deliver, so they were going to take his mother instead. Maria stood between her mother and the soldiers and asked if they would take her instead of the mother. For 12 days, Maria was held captive. Each day the soldiers held a knife to her throat and asked her where her brother was. If she told she would be killed, so she denied any knowledge of his whereabouts. She was released after Jake returned secretly to the army. According to Victor Kister, Maria Steinmetz was chosen by her mother to come to America with her older sister. Anna Maria had wanted to take her youngest sister, a 14 year-old. But Grandma Steinmetz said, "I will let Maria go -- she's 21 and you do need someone to go with you into this strange land". (Ironically, several years later, the sister left behind, starved to death with her husband and two children. The only Steinmetz brother was shot and killed for refusing to join the Communist party or deny his God. His wife and five children were sent to outer Siberia to fend for themselves. They survived. Victor said, "Am I ever glad Dad had the courage to leave Russia. Their fate could have been ours".) OUT OF THE FIRE: Ben Kister arranged a train trip on a stock car out of Russia [According to a letter written by Anna Maria Kister in 1922, she explained that they left on September 4th, 1921 along with 6 other families from Brunnental by renting a boxcar for 3 million rubles to take them to Smolenska.] While aboard the stock car, a man who knew that Ben Kister was AWOL from the army, threatened to turn Kister in at the end of the ride. The rest of the occupants told him that if he did say anything, they would kill him. The man stayed quiet and the Kister family, Ben, Anna Maria, Victor and Maria (later Mrs. Joseph Weber) made it to the Russian border. Not everyone did. Disease was rampant and many died. In order to protect the health of the rest of the passengers, the bodies were thrown off the train. Maria said, "God took us out of Russia like a child out of a fire". Minsk was the border town. Trying to get across the border into Poland, they found their Russian rubles were worthless. Ben worked on the railroad, digging up the ground for the railroad ties for six weeks to earn the money necessary to buy Polish papers. Anna Maria had given birth to another son, Emil, but he died after six weeks They arrived in Poland in November 1921 and posed as Polish prisoners so they could get to East Prussia (Germany). With the crowded and miserable living conditions, life was no better than in Russia. Lice infested all the clothes. And in the large unheated barn-like structure, they were fed along with the other 1,000 gathered there. They cooked their food in a big can with a chimney in the middle of it. They heated water for tea in the chimney. Still people were dying. According to Maria Steinmetz, "Every day, they'd bring 4 or 5 people out of the building....there were so many sick people at this place". [According to a letter from Anna Maria (Steinmetz) Kister, they stayed there 2 months] "The Polish talked to us in their language, but I couldn't understand them because I only spoke Russian and German." Ben said in a recorded interview. "There was a delegation from the German consulate and then we had to confess that we wanted to go to Germany. From then on, they took are of us." The German Red Cross provided the trip to Germany. They arrived in Frankfurt on November 18, 1921. [According to letters written by Anna Maria (Steinmetz) Kister, they arrived in Germany on November 10th, 1921, broke, with only light blanket and pillows, as all other items brought with them had been sold or stolen.] (Picture)---Family Portrait: Circa 1921, from left are Benjamin Kister, Maria Steinmetz, Victor Kister and Anna Maria (Steinmetz) Kister. These four survived the trip into Germany, and with the addition of Frieda Kister, arrived in America in 1925. Maria moved to Nebraska and later married Joseph Weber, whom she had known in Brunnental. COMING TO AMERICA: The family stayed at a concentration camp for almost 4 months, until March 27, 1922, when the family went to work on an estate -- Landsgrit Kirusheim -- near Rotflies, Germany. Daughter Frieda was born there. Maria worked as a maid and Ben worked in the fields, then they moved to a bigger estate owned by Herr Von Damm. According to Maria, "They worked with horses in the field. They raised rye and potatoes for the farmer. The men would mow the grain down by hand with a cythe and the women would tie the grain together in bundles." Anna Maria was very sick at this time, and Victor said, "Maria Steinmetz was like a second mother to me". For nearly four years, they waited for a visa to America, eking out an existence best they could. In their last two years in Germany, the family managed to acquire one cow, one hog and five or six chickens. During this time, the family was writing letters to relatives in America. First, to Lena Hoffman of Loveland, Colorado, a cousin of Anna Maria's. When no help was forthcoming from that source, Ben wrote to his step-father, a man with whom he had never lived. "My step-father and my step-brother, Jacob and Jake Jr. were living here in Worland, Wyoming, and they sent me the ticket", Ben said. "Then I owed it to them to repay it. There were five of us -- me, my wife and two small children, and my wife's sister, Maria.", said Ben in an oral interview in 1963. (Picture---Taken in Germany in 1922 -- Left to right, Maria Steinmetz, Frau Volgennand, Ilsa Dams. This was when Maria worked on a farm in Germany. The woman on the right worked with her. The woman in the middle was who they worked for.) They arrived at Ellis Island Nov. 9, 1925, finally arriving in Casper Wyoming in the early morning of Nov. 18, 1925. Victor Kister recalls his mother's first reaction to the Big Horn Basin. "First, all that barren stretch from Casper, then when entering the Wind River Canyon she said, `This has to be the gateway to hell'. She wanted to move to Colorado or Idaho where she had relatives, but we were so indebted to Mr. Kindsfather that we couldn't leave." "By the time we paid him off, we had found solace and refuge in the German church that had just been started (Zion Lutheran), plus the community saw we were honest, hardworking people. They accepted us and treated us fairly, " Victor said. In the 1963 oral interview, Ben recalled his first impression of Worland. (Picture---- The Kister family stands in front of the studio house in Basin for a photo taken in 1929. (Anna Maria (Steinmetz) Kister, Benjamin Kister, and Frieda and Victor Kister.) "There were about 1,000 living here at the time. Streets were muddy ruts. My first impression was, `If only I had the money to leave.' But we were too badly in debt to leave. We stayed on and have been here ever since. I think this is a good place to work and prosper. Worland is one of the cleanest and friendliest towns in Wyoming." AT LAST, FREE TO PROSPER: At first, times weren't a whole lot better, even in America. "The first winter, I fed lambs for Gus Klein for $65 a month. After seven months, we moved across the (Big Horn) on one of Alex Healy's unimproved farms. I worked at any job available -- stacking hay (and) digging ditches by hand and then laying the tile in them along with John Bihr. My wife and small children hoed beans. In the fall, we worked beets for Henry Leikam. After a lot of hard work and sweat, we paid off our debt in 2 1/2 years," Ben said in the oral interview. Not only were they in a strange land, but they also had a language barrier to overcome. In the oral interview, Ben continued, "I remember what a difficult time I had in working all day and then trying to study a little English at night. John Bihr helped me some with this." He became proficient in English, becoming fluent in three languages -- German, Russian and English. Victor recalled being present at a wrestling match between his father and John Wessell. "My Dad, Ben, was a strong, musculat man of six feet. Dad was quite adept in jitsu, karate and wrestling. See why I behaved, always? One time Mr. John Wessell, a big, burly blacksmith here challenged Dad to a round of wrestling. John Wessell thought he was the strong man in town", Victor began. "After a few spars, John was laying on the floor pleading for mercy. He was a big German man and liked Dad, but now respected him. Dad did a lot of this in the army and just for exercise in youth. Yet Dad was a calm gentle, moral person. Very knowledgeable and interested in a broad scope of things." In 1934, Ben was able to purchase the farm he had been renting since 1932, the farm owned by Bill Pulliam north of town. "We worked hard at farming and feeding livestock and have made a living ever since," Ben said. "Two more parcels of land, 40 acres each, of alkali and sage brush were purchased from the county and added to the north of the farm. These two 40s were hard to manage for several years, but with constantly working the soil and using good farming practices, it has improved from very poor yields to a commendable income." In this same interview, Ben said, "Church and school were the recreation for the kids; Victor played some in church ballgames. I had too much work to do to let himplay in the teams at school. There was leveling, plowing and lots of work." Victor became a partner in 1942, a year after his marriage to Millie Lehman, and the father and son bought another 75 acres from the Wallace estate. In 1943, one year after his marriage to Frieda Kister, Leo Scheuerman became the third partner. Four years later, the Mileski place was added to the growing Kister holdings. "In 1948, I sold out to Victor and Leo, and let them take over, being content with just the rent," said Ben in the 1963 interview. "I have always lived on the original farm and still do". "Through all these years, Zion Lutheran Church has been my church home [this is the church located on 15th Street and Circle Road] and I have served many different capacities of the church, " he said. "My family and I attended church every Sunday. Above all, my belief in God and in His power, has seen me through the difficult years of the revolution in Russia and these years in this great country of America." Ben Kister died in 1974, three months after the death of his wife, Anna Maria. According to Victor, his father died of "a left aneurism of his heart -- actually a broken heart...They had gone through so much together and she worked so hard side by side in the fields and at home that he just didn't want to go on by himself -- he longed to be with her in eternity." THE END - - - - - - - - - - Now I would like to bring you the story of the WEBER family who also left Russia in 1921. This account was given to me by Elizabeth (Weber) Merritt, who lives in Riverton, Wyoming. Her mother is the Maria Steinmetz, who accompanied the KISTER family out of Brunnental in the preceding newspaper article. Maria Steinmetz was to later marry Joseph Weber in the U.S. Elizabeth tells us that most of the information came from tape recordings done in 1979-82 with her mother and from personal conversations with her mother written down in 1979. Other recollections come from stories her father and other relatives told over the years. As you read the following account, you will hear the story as told through the eyes of yet another Brunnentaler who escaped to freedom. "On September 4th, 1921 Maria Steinmetz [my mother], Benjamin Kister & Anna Maria (Steinmetz) Kister [my mother's sister], and their son Victor Kistor, with many other families, including my father's [Joseph Weber's family ], left Brunnental Russia for the last time, on a wagon. They traveled to Holzel and then by rail to Smolensk in red boxcars. The village of Brunnental was close to a "salt-sea" so they took salt with them to barter or sell as they had no salt to the west." "The train engineers would only take them so far before they would side track them. They had small army buckets with them, which held about 2 quarts, and they would bribe their way across country by giving the engineer a bucket full of salt. This was a welcome bribe." "It took about 3 weeks to arrive in Smolensk. There they became carpenters and worked on building small shacks. For their pay, they bought their way to Minsk (close to the Polish border). There they worked on the railroad by digging out ground for the new railroad ties. They were paid for their work with hard dark rye bread and a few cents. In Minsk they bought Polish papers and crossed into Poland as "Polacks". My father [Joseph Weber] said, "We had to change our Russian lies into Polish lies". They traveled into Poland on passenger trains and finally arrived there in November of 1921." "The Polish people they traveled with into Poland, were full of lice. (This was no ones fault....it was just a fact of life). So everyone got lice. When mother [Maria Steinmetz] arrived in Poland, she went into the forest and stripped naked and shook her clothes in hopes of getting rid of the lice. It didn't work." "Mother said she remembered a woman that had on a felt coat, and on every fiber of that coat there were lice. This woman had a daughter about 5 and her eyebrows were scabs `alive with lice'. Many people got very sick with typhus fever, and many died during this time." "Here they stayed in an unheated barn-like structure with about 1000 people. Mother said it was so poorly built that the cold wind blew in one end and out the other. They stayed there about 10 days to two weeks. Their diet was lima beans and hasha. They cooked their food in a big can with a chimney in the middle of it. They slept on boards that were on top of the others- ---like bunk beds, and the lice would fall from one to the other like "rain". So they always tried to stay on top. Everyday they would carry 4 to 5 people out of the building that had died. The Red Cross took care of them here and they did not have to pay for their food." "They then went to Warsaw to the German Consul and told them they were German and would like to go to Germany. The Red Cross then provided them with food and their trip to Frankfurt on the Oder." "In Germany, they stayed in an old concentration camp under the Red Cross's care through the winter. Their food consisted of bread and marmalade (hog-fat lard). Now according to Elizabeth, her father's story of escape was a little bit different.....this is how he told his story: "According to my father, Joseph Weber, he and Mr. Hergert (who later lived in Portland, OR) walked to the town of Seelman which was about 30 miles from Brunnental, to find out how they might get out of Russia. There was no railroad in Seelman, so they then walked 30 miles north of Brunnental to another town. There was a railroad there and a man that would sell them box cars (red cattle cars). So they went back to Brunnental and sold clothes (which were very good clothes) to raise enough money for 3 box cars. The reason they walked was because the Bolsheviks had taken their horses and left them their skinny starving, half-dead horses. When the Bolsheviks took the horses, they cut their tails and the Germans could no longer claim them." "They collected gunnysacks full of bundles of money (which was not worth much at that time). My father said , "about 1 million dollars or rubles---no difference". "There were about 30 families that fled with my father's group. My father's entire family went together. It took them about 6 weeks to get to Poland. My Dad's father, Jacob Weber, was a pretty good carpenter. They had falsified papers to carry with them, but they also had their "true" papers to take with them, and they needed a good hiding place for these." To be able to crawl in and out of these boxcars, they needed a ladder, so Jacob Weber drilled a hole in the side of the ladder and hollowed out the inside. He then hid their "true papers" in the hollowed out space and put a wooden plug back into the hole and rubbed it with dirt, so it would not be noticed. And they managed to keep their papers safe for the whole journey. Ironically one of my Dad's favorite songs was 'Jacob's Ladder'." Elizabeth goes on to say, "We loved to hear their stories, but you could tell they were always afraid to talk about it. Terror such as they lived, never goes away." "Daddy (Joseph Weber) was very good in languages, and spoke Russian fluently. Also some Turkish. When my Dad and Uncle Ben Kister got together at family gatherings, they would speak Russian to each other, much to the delight of us children. I remember always begging Dad to say the months of the year in Russian because it was so funny. He also would demonstrate how he had to March as a soldier and he loved to do it." "Now there is also another story I remember my father telling many times------The Russian soldiers came to the village of Brunnental early one morning while everyone was still asleep. They came to get man for the army or kill those that had deserted. My father's mother rushed to wake up my father and had a very hard time waking him, as she was trying to be quiet and yet she was terrified. (He was always hard to wake up). He hurridly got dressed and got up on the roof working his way to the barn. He was spotted and shot at. He said he could feel the wind from the bullets. He managed to get into the barn and hid under a big pile of straw. The soldiers went in the barn and poken into the straw with their bayonettes (guns), but with God on his side, he was missed with the poking. After he was sure they were gone, he crawled out of the straw and over to a "covered trough". They kept their barns very clean and the trough was built for the animals urine to run to the outside of the barn. He took the board off the top of this trough and laid inside and pulled the board back on top. He spent 3 days in this because the soldiers stayed and terrorized his mother and family, asking where Joseph was. His sister did manage to sneak food to him during this time. He was terrified the whole while." After both the Steinmetz and Weber families made it to the U.S., Maria Steinmetz went to McCook, Nebraska to marry Joseph Weber on December 26, 1926. The End---- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brunnental / Seelmann District, Founded 1855 The following article was written by Alexander Weber. born 10 Dec 1919 and Anna Mueller, nee Weber born 7 Nov 1889, Brunnental, Volga----it was written in February of 1955 in Germany where they lived. At this time I would also like to thank one of our volunteer translators and subscribers to the newsletter, Terrie Schmidt-Crosby, for the fine job she did on translation. Brunnental / Seelman District, Founded 1855 / Meadow Side ========================================= Gouv. Samara, Saratov Province People from the hilly side, from Frank, Walter, Norka, Kolb, Anton, Kukus, Dinkel and other villages, moved during the summer and dug 3 wells. Very little land was provided. For several years, people moved back to the hilly side during the winter. Until more and more people were seeking land on the meadow side. And so the village named Brunnental was founded. The new brick school house was built in 1902. On the top floor was the prayer room; below were 5 classrooms for the 8 school grades. The church, 75 m. tall, must have been built before 1890. The village layout remained [sketch unavailable] as shown until 1920/21. Then the Bolsheviks began to wreak havoc. Fences and farmsteads here and there had to be demolished. The owners (were) carried off or shot. Land holdings had already been seized in 1918 and made state property. But not all of the land was cultivated because all grain and livestock had been taken away. Three Desjatines apiece were distributed only among the male population. In April of 1921, fighting between the Reds and Whites reached as far as Brunnental and Mohr on the meadow side. There was no planting that spring. So until the spring of 1922 there was much hunger and many died. The dead were collected each week, and on Sundays 30-40 people were placed in a common grave. During this time, some families (the wealthier ones) got themselves ready and fled to Germany. Through them, the rest of the world found out what was happening on the Volga. America send aid and set up kitchens in the villages and also sent seed for planting. The Bolsheviks kept coming by night and shot pastors, men and women and sent thousands from all of the colonies to Siberia. Those who remained alive began to work, however, in order to stay alive. Teaching was resumed in the school, primarily in the German language. Only religious instruction was prohibited. But often the children did not know whether there would be anything to eat at home. The people never again felt safe. The "purges" went on and on. In 1928/30, there was another large-scale forced migration. Then collective agriculture was established, where all people had to work and make themselves available [to the collective]. That's how it was in 1941 when I was called to go to war. By A. W. & A. Mueller, nee Weber born 7 Nov. 1889, Brunnental [handwritten entry] Alexander Weber, born 10 Dec. 1919 in Brunnental, Volga --------- Note: The tower of the church was torn down and the church itself was used as a movie theater and dance hall. After I had already decided to print this article, I received a letter from the daughter of Anna (Mueller) Weber, who lives in Otis, Kansas. This is what she has to say: July 8,'94 Dear Sherrie, Thank you very much for your letter from July 1. How surprised I was to receive a copy of the account of Brunnental made by my dear mother [Anna Mueller] and cousin Alex Weber. It is typed by my sister, Elisabeth. I recognize her handwriting in the sentence in the left hand margin of the original. I never knew anything about it, and I am very grateful that you send it to me. With warmest regards, Ruth (Mueller) Bergann---Otis, KS [Picture---Anna (Weber) Mueller born 7 Nov 1889 Brunnental] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fallen Leaves Milton C. Gettmann Newberg, OR THE OREGONIAN -- Thursday, April 28, 1994 Milton C. Gettmann-- No public service will be held. Mr. Gettmann died of causes related to age, April 24, 1994, in a Newberg care center. He was 88. He was born October 7, 1905, in Portland. His family moved to Newberg when Mr. Gettmann was a small child. He was a farmer. He is survived by his brothers, Chancey of Newberg, Royal of Urbana, Ill; sisters, Laurene Falxa of Buffalo, NY, and Doris Allen of King City, OR; and many nieces and nephews. Private interment Fernwood Pioneer Cemetery. Remembrances: Newberg Community Hospital. Arrangements: Attrell's Funeral Chapels. [Note: Milton C. Gettmann was the son of Casper & Amanda (Werth) Gettmann----Casper Gettmann was born in 1877 in Brunnental, Russia, and was the son of Casper Gettmann born 1855 in Frank, Russia] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Genealogy Tips For Research & Ukraine Archive Research--- (from GRHS-Puget Sound Chapter) June 1994 Newsletter George Maser has reported about a local Seattle, WA firm, MIR Corporation USA and MIR Company LTD Ukraine, which is currently offering research services. There are 4 types of searches available: 1) A general search for available information, if any exists. Cost $125, time 2-3 months. 2) Church/Birth/Death/Village Name, etc. records for names that you supply. Cost $40 per name; time 2-4 months. 3) A thorough sweep of general records as far back as possible and provide family tree. Cost $175, time 3-6 months. 4) All available records plus an attempt to locate your most immediate relatives. Cost $220, time 3-6 months. These all provide general information about what has been found and what is available. If after you have received this information you would like copies of any specific record, they can be purchased at $30 per record. Currently only photograph copies are available. For more information write: MIR Corporation USA 85 South Washington St., Ste. 210 Seattle, WA 98104 (800) 424-7289 (206) 624-7289 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wyoming Naturalizations If you are trying to find naturalization papers on your ancestors and they settled in the state of Wyoming, here are some tips from Elizabeth (Weber) Merritt on how to go about obtaining them: To get copies of "Letter of Intent" and "Natualization Papers" in Wyoming, write to United States Department of Justice Immigration and Naturalization Service 4730 Paris Street Denver, CO 80239 You must request the proper forms from them. This can also be done by calling them at 1-303-371- 3041. I started my request in October of 1993 and did not receive the papers until February of 1994, so it is a long process, but well worth the wait. You must have the correct information for them, name, date of naturalization, county where naturalized, etc. If you have all of the information, there is no charge. If they have to search for the records, there is a charge, and they can quote that to you. Also, the person whom you are requesting information about must give permission, or you must supply a copy of the death certificate, if they are less than 100 years old. BY Elizabeth (Weber) Merritt. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Translations If you have papers or other documents in a foreign language which you cannot read, contact the Foreign Exchange Student Coordinator in your community to ask assistance from a student native to that country. The high school business office should have the coordinator's name and telephone number for your area. If you still cannot get help, please send your letter or document to me along with an SASE (Self Addressed Stamped Envelope) and I will do my best to get it translated for you. In the past month, I have received letters from several subscribers to the newsletter who have volunteered to do translating. I want to THANK each and every one of them for the service they are performing for us!! When the stories or letters are printed, they will each get recognized for their valuable contribution!! And for all of you readers out there-----who have been sitting on those German letters & documents-----send them in and let us see if we can help you!!! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cemeteries in Larimer County, Colorado (the following list of graves [source unknown] is partial----only some surnames are listed (why?...I don't know) the list will be continued next issue....names Walker, & Walter/Walters) Name Mon Vet. Grave Lot Sec Date Died Yrs Mo Day Wagner, Nellie Esther 79 88 L 12/16/1919 23 01 04 Wagner, Roy E. X 3 75 10 03/25/1970 70 05 07 Wagner, Ruth D 113 K 11/10/1984 81 00 28 Wagoner, Opal 59 N 10/02/1963 56 08 18 Wagoner, Roy T. X X 60 N 09/17/1976 70 00 11 Wagoner, Samuel Chalmers X 2 7 G 04/20/1948 79 06 27 Walker, Alice 1 21 D 05/19/1920 50 03 06 Walker, Benjamin Andrew X 14 37 9 03/19/1968 00 01 Walker, Bertha May 3 C L 06/05/1950 73 11 29 Walker, Ella C. X 4 213 D 02/14/1962 83 10 14 Walker, Elmore (Alfred) X 10 81 10 04/12/1971 64 04 17 Walker, Francis Porter X 5 97 G 10/21/1906 11 11 20 Walker, Franklin Wirth Pfc X X 2 42 1 03/04/1949 21 03 10 Walker, George D. X X 5 415 11 07/06/1967 53 11 07 Walker, George S. X 6 119 E 08/17/1971 63 03 26 Walker, Grace T. 7 32 9 03/23/1980 98 10 18 Walker, Grace Wetzel X 6 40 F 01/02/1959 77 01 21 Walker, Harry 6 10 1 12/31/1959 76 07 07 Walker, Harry E. 5 151 K 03/26/1960 78 01 10 Walker, Harvey 217 15 K 08/22/1929 78 03 20 Walker, Helen A. X 49 7 05/19/1960 91 06 20 Walker, Henry 138 73 L 09/18/1924 73 10 22 Walker, Henry B. X 3 63 E /1900 65 Walker, Henry McGruder X 1 63 E 03/28/1903 00 05 08 Walker, Howard E 41 K 09/22/1937 71 08 05 Walker, James Emmett X 2 98 G 02/04/1929 72 02 01 Walker, James W. 4 C L 10/21/1950 82 10 13 Walker, Jay D 129 K 06/29/1936 52 06 24 Walker, John R. Andrew X 3 95 G 12/11/1950 84 11 29 Walker, John W. X 4 40 F 07/31/1941 65 10 29 Walker, Judd S. 5 107 F 03/22/1935 60 03 03 Walker, Martha J. 3 151 K 12/19/1904 58 00 Walker, Mary Elizabeth X 4 98 G 07/24/1944 87 02 20 Walker, Mary M. 3 25 D 02/07/1918 78 09 02 Walker, Mattie Isabel X 5 10 1 07/18/1946 76 07 21 Walker, Milton X 2 213 D 07/11/1936 67 05 11 Walker, Opal 1 35 G 01/16/1918 34 00 Walker, Reynold 2 21 D 11/05/1924 16 07 17 Walker, Richard E. 13 S 12/17/1896 65 05 27 Walker, Robert E. 4 151 K 03/26/1935 76 07 03 Walker, Robert Ellsworth X X 4 190 11 09/27/1969 48 04 28 Walker, Robert P. X 2 58 D 09/11/1928 58 10 Walker, Robert V. 10 151 K 06/08/1972 77 11 23 Walker, Ruth 417 41 L 02/20/1931 08 15 Walker, S. A. 2 177 K 09/07/1903 00 Walker, Sada E. X 4 119 E 07/28/1971 91 01 23 Walker, Sarah Jane X 2 213 D 02/27/1925 83 03 09 Walker, Stanley X 1 32 9 11/23/1943 67 09 01 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This newsletter was 24 pages in length in its original format.