THE FRANK / BRUNNENTAL VILLAGE NEWSLETTER Volume 24 Number 1 -- Winter 1994/1995 ------------------------ Published 4 times a year -- Cost $6.00 (4 issues--24 pages each) Contact: Sherrie Stahl, Editor 1011 NW Glisan #302 Portland, OR 97209-3215 E-mail: pafstahl@aol.com --------------------------- EDITOR'S CORNER: Dear Readers, I want to thank everyone for getting their subscription money in so quickly. I appreciate everyone's patience and cooperation in helping me get the "renewal date" changed to January 1st. Hopefully this will simplify the subscription process for all of us! I also want to let you know that Dr. William Wiest's "continuing" story about his trip to Kazakhstan was published in the AHSGR Journal, Winter '94 issue - a must to read!!! I want to also let you all know that we have found "family" in Argentina, South America!!! This has been an exciting month for me, and I have learned some interesting information about the Entre Rios area of Argentina. I hope to bring you that story in the next newsletter, along with maps and pictures. I also want to thank Joanne Krieger from Portland, Oregon for information and pictures that she has shared with me about Frankfurt on the Oder, Germany, where many people who escaped from Russia in the 1920's spent some time. If anyone is interested in translating some of this material that is in German, please let me know! And lastly, please please please watch your local newspapers for obituaries of Frankers or Brunnentalers, and send them along! Sherrie Stahl, Editor ------------------------ The Frank & Brunnental Village Newsletter 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 -------------------------- IN THIS ISSUE: Editor's Corner , News, Addresses...................................p.1 Thanks To Those Who Helped !!........................................p.2 Travel To Russia - 1995 - with Dr. William Wiest....................p.2 Computer Corner A German/Russian Library on the Internet..........p.3 Queries Can You Help Us In Our Search?..........................p. 4 & 5 Obituaries .....................................................p.5 & 24 Original Settlement Paper of Frank................................p. 6-7 1849 Marriage Records of Frank......................................p. 7 1798 Frank Census................................................p.8 & 9 My Life As A Soldier in Russo-Japanese War (1901-1905)...........p.10-12 Trip to Brunnental - Summer 1994 (by Ken Hartung)...............p.13-15 The History of Brunnental 1918-1941 (by Jakob Mohrland).........p.16-22 Naturalizations of Brunnentalers Multnomah County, Oregon.......p. 23-24 ------------------------ UPCOMING ISSUES: Families in Argentina, South America Who We've Found! The Hartungs Escape from Russia by Jacob Hartung The Story of My Life, By Alex Gutmann Canada Die Welt Post Articles about Brunnental Germans From Russia in Portland, OR Update on Brunnental Poem Who we've found!! We need your family stories or information about the village of FRANK also pictures!! Without your continued help, the section of the newsletter concerning the village of Frank, will dwindle. Look through your drawers and see if you can add to our "treasure chest"!!! ----------------------------- WE NEED YOUR FAMILY STORIES! Please take some time in the next few months to jot down some historical information about your family and send it to us!!! We'd love to hear about some of the early German-Russian families from Frank or Brunnental, when they left Russia & where they settled and why they settled there, what they did for a living, where they attended church anything that might be of interest to others who read the newsletter. Please also remember to send photos I will "scan" them and return them to you the same day that I receive them. Please take the time to share your history with all of us! We'd love to hear about YOUR FAMILY!!!! -------------------------- SOUTH AMERICA? In the next issue we will bring to you a story about some families we've found in the Entre Rios area of Argentina, South America. We will also be giving you information about the various settlements in Argentina, and give you some ideas on how to go about contacting family who might live there. If you are looking for family in South America, or know of any Frankers or Brunnentalers who may have emigrated to South America, I would love to hear about it. Please write and share your story!!! ------------------------------------- THANKS TO THOSE WHO HELPED: For those of you who have been following the story of little Anastasiya Arkipova, the niece of Mrs. Maria (Lebsack) Becker, we would like to report that Anastasiya received the needed "medical treatment" in the United States, and she has returned to her home in Krasnador, Russia. She and her grandmother arrived here in the U.S. on June 13th, 1994. She stayed at the homes of her relatives in Seattle & Portland, as she was undergoing treatment at Shriner's Hospital, here in Portland. After her operation, which consisted of corrective surgery for club feet, she was able to return to her native Russia on October 9th, 1994 and resume normal life, equipped with a pair of darling new tennis shoes with battery operated blinking lights...a little bit of America to take home! [Picture of family--L to R: Bert Becker, Rosalia (Becker) Card, Erika Aliabyvia, Anastasiya Arkipova, and Emil A. Becker] The Becker family would like to THANK all of those people below who made this effort such a success: 1. John and Marie (Becker) Hill 2. Rosalia (Becker) Card 3. Bert and Mary Lou Becker 4. Jerry and Carolyn (Card) Camp 5. Dale and Alexis (Becker) Chandler 6. Harlen and Caren (Hill) Springer 7. Regina Seligh 8. Hilda Swindle 9. Margaret Becker 10. Bob and Holly Card 11. Chris and Susie (Becker) Sumpter 12. Jim and Tari Card 13. Don and Jeannie (Becker) Verkest 14. Phil and Merle Becker 15. Emil A. Becker 16. Allen and Sharon (Becker) Coursey 17. Arlene (Lebsack) Rolfs 18. Bill Becker 19. Sam Eggiman 20. Bob and Norita (Adler) Mason ----------------------- TRAVEL TO RUSSIA IN 1995: This summer you will again have the opportunity to travel to Russia and see where your ancestors lived. On July 10-Aug 1, 1995, Dr. William M. Wiest will be leading yet another trip to Russia, with special emphasis on Saratov and the Volga villages. In 1993 they had an exciting trip to both Frank and Brunnental and to Kazakhstan you may have seen the recently published article in the Winter 1994 issue of the Journal of the AHSGR (American Historical Society of Germans From Russia). The tour this summer will go to St. Petersburg, Moscow, Volgograd and the Saratov area, where they will spend a week visiting various villages of interest. For those interested, this may be your chance to spend an "overnight stay" in your ancestral village; and for those wishing, there will be opportunities for consultation with Professor Pleve, as well as visits to the Archives in Engels. After Saratov, they will sail up the Volga River as far as Kazan (stopping along the way at Samara and possibly other places), and take a coach to Nizhni Novgorod, to Palekh (one of the centers of miniature painting art work), and to Vladimir and Suzdal. The trip deliberately avoids using the Russian airline, Aeroflot. They will instead travel entirely by rail, coach (bus), and Volga River cruise boat. The tour is set for a July 10th departure with return on August 1, 1995. Anyone interested in obtaining more information is welcome to call Bill Wiest at (503) 771-4321, or Pam Davis at Willamette International Travel, (800) 821-0401. ------------------------ COMPUTER CORNER -- GERMAN/RUSSIAN LIBRARY ON THE INTERNET As some of you noticed in our last newsletter, we gave you information on using your computer to access the INTENET. Already I have heard from some of you via E-Mail. For those of you who have a computer, but haven't connected to the internet we want to encourage you to look for a "commercial carrier" and join those of us who are already connected you will be amazed at the amount of material that is surfacing and the contacts that you can make with other Germans From Russia, all over the world. Many of you are already collecting your family data using PAF (Personal Ancestral File) or Roots III, two very helpful software packages. These can help you organize your family history material. Whatever program you use, you already realize the benefits of a computer. It not only gives you a place to store your information, but helps you organize your information, giving you the capability to print out various formats of your family information, so that you can share with others. Only through sharing can we make more connections and gather more information about our families!! And so it is with a great deal of excitement that I am announcing that the Brunnental Data Bank is now on the INTERNET. What this means, is that anyone, with a computer that is connected to the internet, can now view and download information from the Brunnental Data Bank. Remember, you must have a computer, a modem, and a connection to the internet in order to access the new German/Russian Library. This internet connection can be through your place of business, through a school or university, or through a "commercial carrier" such as America OnLine, CompuServe, and others located all around the country. If you need help in finding a connection to the Internet, please write to me for additional info (and please enclose an SASE). Let me tell you a little bit about the German/Russian Library and then I will explain how you would access it. Currently, the GR Library is located at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA. It is headed up by Dr. Roger Ehrich, professor at Virginia Tech, and a German/Russian genealogist. The Library was started by a group called "Odessa", made up of German/Russian genealogists and computer enthusiasts from across the US. I am now part of this group and we are working on adding information to this "online" German/Russian library. The library itself is called PIXEL and was setup as a "model" so others could understand how to collect and store genealogical and historical data about the Germans From Russia on the INTENET. If you want to access the PIXEL Library at Virginia Tech and view the different types of genealogical information about the Germans From Russia, you have 3 different "information retrieval" options: 1) FTP (File Transfer Protecol) 2) Gopher 3) WWW (World Wide Web) I'm going to have Roger explain a little about each of these methods and tell you how you would go about using them 1) FTP is one of the oldest methods for moving files from one computer to another over the Internet. Basically, your computer logs on to a remote computer and executes your commands to move files back and forth. In the dark ages of computing, FTP commands were all textual. Today, most FTP interfaces are graphical, and the movement of files is accomplished by simply dragging file icons from one window to another. However, FTP is not particularly good about letting you see what is in these files until after they are transferred. To FTP files from Pixel, you execute an FTP program and ask it to log anonymously onto pixel.cs.vt.edu, which is pixel's address. When a username is requested, you say "anonymous", and when a password is requested, you give your email address. Then you will be in a directory on pixel named "pub". You change to the directory named "ftp", and when you look around you will see all the directories of the German/Russian genealogical library. 2) A gopher is a program that is specially designed to help you find, view, and download text files on a remote computer. Most gopher programs have a graphical user interface that allows you to traverse menus and select files for viewing, just by double clicking on items of interest. However, when you click on an item in a gopher menu, you might be reading the next menu from a machine in Australia...it's all transparent and incredibly fast. If you have a gopher program, to surf into pixel, use the address, pixel.cs.vt.edu. You will see a menu with several entries, one of which is German/Russian Genealogy. Click on that, and you're in the main menu of the library. Watch out, though, some of the data files are pretty large. We have adopted the convention of putting a + sign in front of any item with more than 64,000 characters, so you can get some idea how long it will take to get the document. 3) If you really want to surf in style, forget about FTP and gopher and get onto the World Wide Web with a browser like Mosaic or Netscape. Netscape 1.0 costs $39, and with it you can FTP, gopher, send mail, read newsgroups, and, oh yes, do multimedia surfing. Web documents can be just about anything...pictures, text files, programs, sound clips, forms, and especially hyperlinked documents. A hyperlinked document is like a page from a book with pictures, except that some of the words or pictures are highlighted. When you click on a highlighted object, a new document is retrieved in a few seconds from someplace else in the world. To surf into pixel, use the address (which surfers call a URL) http://pixel.cs.vt.edu/library/odessa.html. Long, hey, what's a few extra characters? If you want to visit pixel again, you can store the address as a bookmark with a single mouse click. The first page starts you off with an easy introduction to the library and gives hyperlinks to just about anything you want to know about the Internet, the WWW, and other genealogical sites. It could easily take you an entire evening to check out all of this information. However, if you insist on the good stuff, click on the blue information sign, and you're in dataland. Should you find an article, GEDCOM, or data file of interest, just pull down the FILE menu and ask your browser to save it for you. Next time we'll talk about finding things in these files with a retrieval system. Meanwhile, get yourself a good book on networking and join us! By the way, pixel has a directory full of great programs. If you have any of the three networking programs above, you can download any of this software. Some of it, like Netscape, is shareware, which means you can take it for a drive but need to buy it if you decide to keep it. For Netscape, it's no contest. You'll never be able to live without it. Roger W. Ehrich CS Department, Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA 24061-0106 (703) 231-5420 ---------------------------------------- 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. I have mentioned several times in the earlier issues of the Village Newsletter, that we have been getting queries from people in Germany looking for their relatives. These inquiries came about because of an advertisement we put in the 6/94 issue of Volk Auf Dem Weg, a German Newspaper that is read widely by Volga Germans living in Germany or just arriving in Germany. Here are more queries: LOOS /WIEDERSPAN /MELCHER /BORGENS August Loos of Paderborn, Germany writes: I have read in the Volk Auf Dem Weg your advertisement. I want to tell you I was born 9 May 1914 in Brunnental, Russia. My childhood slipped by till 1930. After my study in Balzer, Engels and Saratov, I became a physician. After the eviction of all Germans in August of 1941 I went to Kazakhstan. Here is what I know about my family: ----------- My grandparents: (father's side) August Loos b1870 married Anna Maria Melcher b1870 both in Brunnental. My grandparents: (mother's side) Adam Wiederspan b ? in Brunnental married *Magdalena Borgens b ? in Frank. My father and mother: August Loos b. 1893 married Amalia Wiederspan b. 1893 both in Brunnental. *Magdalena Borgens had some brothers in the USA or CANADA. They helped us in the hunger years of 1921. But the connection was broken by "Stalin-fear". We have no addresses now. Can you help?? My father, August Loos b. 1893 in Brunnental, also had a brother, Jakob Loos b. 1894/95 in Brunnental, who also emigrated to America in 1908 or 1909. There he married. This is a picture of Jacob and his wife (name unknown). He had red hair!! [Picture---Jakob Loos b. 1894/95 & His Wife (name unknown)] My grandfather, Adam Wiederspan b. 1872 in Brunnental, also had a brother, Georg Wiederspan, and a sister Katrinalis (Katherine Elizabeth) Becker Bauer geb Wiederspan. She was married twice, first to a Becker, then to a Bauer. Below is a picture of Georg Wiederspan and his wife, 2 daughters and son, taken in 1933. [Picture of George Wiederspan Family - 1933] If anyone has information about this family, please contact Sherrie Stahl, 1011 NW Glisan #302, Portland, OR 97209-3215 or call 1-503-224-8875. August Loos also writes to tell us that his neighbors in Brunnental were Friedrich Stroh, and Johann Georg Becker with his 2 sons, Konrad Becker and Johann Georg Becker (Jr.). He also remembers the Schauermann brothers, the youngest was the schoolmaster (forgot his name), and the oldest was Jakob Schauermann. In 1929 Jakob Schauermann was arrested as a "Kulak" and he never returned. Note: (See Jakob Mohrland's continuing story (on pages 16-22) entitled "The History of Brunnental - 1918-1941" for information about what happened in 1929 when the "kulaks" were arrested and sent away.) ------------------------------------------------- WAGNER/WACKER/SACKINGER--Looking for information on the family of Heinrich Wagner who married Katharina Wacker, both born in Frank about 1870/80, and later sent to Siberia. Also looking for information on Jacob Sackinger family from Frank, Russia, both are grandparents of Irma Wagner who now lives in Pforzheim, Germany. Irma wrote in her letter: My grandfather, Heinrich Wagner was arrested in 1937...and we have never heard from him since. In 1943 my grandmother, Katharina Wacker, starved in Siberia My father, Friedrich Wagner was born 1902 in Frank, Russia and died in 1980 in Kazahkstan. My mother Katharina Sackinger born 1905 in Frank, died 1982. I was born in 1925 in Frank and have been living in Germany since 1988. I have 2 daughters, Nina and Valentina. In conversations between parents and grandparents, I heard that relatives had emigrated to America. I believe that my grandmother's brother, ??? Wacker, emigrated to America in 1921. There was written communication in the beginning and in 1935 they sent dollars to us. We could exchange these dollars for coupons, so we could buy food. In 1937, my grandfather, Heinrich Wagner was arrested, searched and all valuable things were taken. All the letters and written papers and envelopes with addresses were confiscated, so we do not know who they were. I would like to try and contact family in America. Can you help me??? Irma also went on to tell us about the Wagner Family as she knows it she remembers that her grandfather had 2 brothers and one sister (see below): ____?____Wagner (Irma's great grandfather) 1) Heinrich Wagner m. Katharina Wacker a) Friedrich Wagner, b 1902 Frank d 1980 1) Irma Wagner, b. 1925 Frank b) Heinrich Wagner b. Frank c) Karl Wagner b. Frank d) Lea Wagner b. 1915 Frank m. John Klein e) Katharina Wagner b. 1918 d. after 1941 f) Frieda Wagner b. 1921 Frank 2) Jakob Wagner 3) Johannes Wagner 4) A sister married to a Frick If you can help Irma find any of her family in America, please write to Sherrie (Gettman) Stahl, 4189 NW Spoon Place, Portland OR 97229 sherriestahl@comcast.net ----------------------------- FALLEN LEAVES: George H. Steinmetz -Torrington, WY From the Casper Star-Tribune Friday, October 21, 1994 Services for George H. Steinmetz, 79, will be conducted at 2pm Saturday at First Wyoming United Presbyterian Church by the Rev. Carl Christensen. Burial will be at the Valley View Cemetery. Mr. Steinmetz died October 19, 1994 in Casper. He was born December 30, 1914, the son of George and Mary (Steinmetz) Steinmetz at Portland, Oregon, where he received his early education. The family moved to Yoder in 1927, and he attended several schools in Goshen County. He then worked in the Torrington area as a farmhand. On November 13, 1937, he married Eva Lepp in Torrington. Mr. Steinmetz was employed by the Holly Sugar Corporation as a night watchman from 1955 until his retirement in 1980. He enjoyed fishing and raising a commercial garden. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Gerald and Kenneth of Torrington; five daughters, Kathleen Williamson of Boulder, Colo., Judy Weis, Linda Reichert and Patty Schlagel, all of Torrington, and Mary Lou Miller of Gig Harbor, Wash.; and three sisters Gertrude Dillmann of Wapato, Wash., Pauline Hissung of Hazelton, Idaho, and Helen Becker of Wheatland, Wyoming. Also surviving are his brother, August Steinmetz of Fort Laramie, two stepbrothers, Alex and Leroy Becker of Torrington; two stepsisters, Minnie Strohman of Riverton and Irene Hehr of Cheyenne; 15 grandchildren and 5 great- grandchildren. Preceding his in death were his parents; a brother, Jake; and four sisters, Esther Smith, Mary Schiedeman, Ann Reiber and Dorothy Way. Friends may call at the Colyer Funeral Home on Friday from 9am - 7pm or Saturday from 9am to noon. --------------------------------------- FALLEN LEAVES: Dorothy Marie (Dietz) Mathewson--San Fernando, California Memory Folder Funeral Monday, August 29, 1994 Dorothy Marie Dietz Mathewson, was born on November 10, 1935 in Pierce, Colorado, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Heinrich J. Dietz. Her father, Henry J. Dietz, came to the US at the age of 9 from Brunnental, Russia. Dorothy (Dietz) Mathewson was baptized on January 5, 1936 at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Greeley, Colorado. She graduated from L.I.F.E. Bible College on June 15, 1961, and was licensed from the International Church of Foursquare Gospel in 1961. She married Leonard Joe Mathewson on January 28, 1961. She served at San Fernando Foursquare Church since 1961. She was currently an Adult Sunday School teacher and assistant minister. She was also currently a special education teacher's assistant with the Los Angeles Unifed School District. Dorothy is survived by her husband, Leonard Joe Mathewson, and her children, Henry Leonard, Charles Alan and Timothy Ed; and her grandchildren, Patricia Marie, Sarah Lynette, Henry Leonard Jr., Christopher Nathan, Charles Alan Jr., and Carra Ambyr. She is also survived by her mother, Molly (Kissler) Dietz; her brothers, Eric Dietz and Willie Dietz; and her sisters, Margie Gomer (and family), Helen Dietz, and Henrietta Dietz; and a sister-in-law, Diane Dietz and her sons. She passed away on August 24, 1994 in San Fernando, California. Funeral Services were held on Monday, August 29, 1994 at 11am at the First Foursquare Church in San Fernando, CA. Officiates were Pastor Alvado Mora, Rev. Ruth Lamar, and Pastor Terry Neven. Interment will be at Glen Haven Memorial Park, San Fernando, CA. Noble Chapel Funeral Directors were in charge. ------------------------------------------------- FALLEN LEAVES: CHRISTINE ECKHARDT --NO SERVICES At her request no services were held for Christine Eckhardt, 98. Christina (Andreas) Eckhardt was born January 18, 1896 in Fresno, CA and died June 20, 1994 in Bakersfield. Her parents, David Andreas and Maria Christina (Roth) Andreas had emigrated from the German colonies of Warenburg and Straub respectively along the Volga River in Russia. They arrived in Fresno on December 29, 1891. Eleven children were born of this marriage, Michael, Christine, Elizabeth, Kathryn, George, John, Jennie, John David, George Frederich, Henry and Florence. They were all raised on various ranches and vineyards located near Fresno, Sanger and Del Rey, CA. Family customs dictated that the older children, whether male or female, worked in the fields and vineyards; work first and then schooling. Christine did however manage to graduate from the 8th grade at Bethel School in Del Rey. During this time she had to learn to speak English as only German was spoken in the home. She in turn, taught her parents to speak , read and write the English language. On August 30, 1919 she married David Eckhardt in the Salem Church near Sanger. Shortly thereafter they moved to Earlimart, CA where they planted a vineyard on the 80 acre ranch owned by her father. Three years later they returned to the Fresno area living near Pinedale. Her husband found work with the Sugar Pine Lumber Co.; he worked in the railroad shops there in Pinedale. Two children were born of their marriage; Bernice and Ralph. In 1936, Christine, and her husband and two children moved to Bakersfield, CA. He worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad until his death in 1947. Several years later, Christine returned to Fresno to accept a job in the Veteran's Hospital as housekeeper and later as a seamstress. She retired from this position in January 1966. During this time she also helped care for her aging parents and invalid sister in their home. Prior to all this she worked for many years in the summertime in packing sheds and canneries from Fresno to the Coachella Valley. Undoubtedly all this hard physical work contributed greatly to her endurance and longevity. Christine is survived by her daughter Bernice Thurber and husband Karl; sister, Jennie Kinzel of Atwater, CA; and daughter-in-law, Maxine Eckhardt of 29 Palms, CA. She was preceded in death by her husband David Eckhardt and son Ralph Eckhardt and grandson Dr. James Thurber. Surviving, in addition, are her grandchildren, Lou Jean Thomason, Susan Bittner, Carol Nunnelly and their respective spouses and Wes and David Eckhardt; 14 great grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews; and cousins. She belong to the Grandmothers Club and was also a life member of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. Christine, affectionately known as "Gram", cared deeply about her family, she toiled endlessly to provide opportunities and encouraged all to `get a good education". She has left all with a fine legacy. She lived during a great period in history; from the horse and buggy to the moon and beyond; reaped the benefits of the great advances in the fields of science, medicine, commerce and electronics. These were exciting times. From Gibran in his book, "The Prophet" this is for you, Gram: "Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones. And when you have finished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is Awake." GREENLAWN MORTUARY Funeral Directors. --------------------------------------------- ORIGINAL SETTLEMENT PAPERS OF FRANK by Sherrie (Gettman) Stahl First, let me apologize for announcing in the Spring '94 issue that I was going to publish this article and then "forgetting" to do it....but here it is, better late than never. As most of you are aware, Frank was formed in September of 1767, and there was an "Original Settlement List" showing each of the families, their names and ages, their religion, and where they originated from, in Germany. ( see page 7 for the original document!) When I received my chart for my family surname of Goettmann, there were other families also listed on the same page. I would like to share that information with the readers, and encourage others to do the same: This will include the surnames of: Goettmann, Schaefer, Hofferbert, Heimbuchner, Weber, Schorl, Mueller, and Becker. I would also like to thank Wilhelm Klein from Berlin, Germany for his help with translations!!! Family #96: Male #145 Johannes Schaefer Age 24 (Lutheran, from Roman Empire of Erbach, District from the village of Elz, Germany) Female #127 Elisabetha Age 36 (wife) Family #97: Male #146 Heinrich Goettmann Age 20 single (Lutheran, from Erbach District, Nieder Kinzig, Germany) Family #98: Male #147 Johannes Hofferbert Age 44 Lutheran, Roman Empire Erbach District from the village of Sambach, Germany Female #128 Margaretha Age 44 (wife) Male #148 Johann Nikolaus Age 18 (son) Female #129 Maria Magdalena Age 13-(daughter) Female #130 Maria Barbara Age 9 (daughter) Family #99: Male #149-Johannes Leonhart Hofferbert-Age 24, Lutheran, Roman Empire Erbach District from the village of Gelnhaar, Germany. Female #131 Katherina Age 28 (wife) Family #100: Male #150-Johannes Michel Heimbiegner-Age 26. Lutheran, Erbach District from the village of ... (illegible) Female #132 Anna Maria Age 28 (wife) Female #133 Levisa Age 10 (daughter) Female #134 Maria Elisabetha Age 7 (daughter) Female #135 Regina Age 1 (daughter) Family #101: Male #151: Jacob Heinrich Weber Age 21 Reformation Law, Roman Empire from the village of Obersickte, Germany (northern) Female #136 Maria Elisabetha Age 20 (wife) Family #102: Male #152 Johannes Schorl (Schorn?)--Age 28, Lutheran, Roman Empire Erbach District from the village of Zell, Germany. Female #137 Katherina Elisabetha Age 24 (wife) Family #103: Male #153 Johannes Ludwig Mueller Age 20, Lutheran, Roman Empire from the village of Pieper, Germany. Female #138 Anna Regina Age 21 (wife) ------------------------------------ Church-Book Records of Frank--Marriage Records, Frank Village, 1849: I would like to thank Doris Evans and Barbara Clausen for the following records: 1) 16 Jan 1849 The colonist's son Martin Loebsack, single, age 21, son of the deceased Lutheran Frank colonist Georg Loebsack with Maria Dorothea, single, age 16, daughter of the deceased Lutheran Frank colonist Conrad. Public notice was placed January 17th, 24th and 31st, 1849. They were married February 4th, 1849 by Pastor Wuerthner in the schoolhouse. Witnesses Heinrich Guenther and Conrad Eckhardt, colonists. 2) 16 Jan 1849 The colonist's son Caspar Kissler, single, age 21, son of the deceased Lutheran Frank colonist Conrad Kissler with Catharina Margaretha, single, age 17, daughter of the still living Lutheran Frank Colonist Georg Wacker. Public notice was not placed. Both have the promise resolved in German. Witnesses: Heinrich Guenther and Conrad Eckhardt, colonists. 3) 16 Jan 1849 The colonist's son Conrad Eckhardt, single, age 22, son of the still living Lutheran Frank colonist Conrad Eckhardt with Anna Maria, single, age 18, daughter of the still living Lutheran Frank colonist Heinrich Guenther. Public notice was placed January 17th, 24th & 31st of 1849. They were married February 4th, 1849 in the schoolhouse by Pastor Wuerthner. Witnesses of the marriage were Georg Wacker and Heinrich Strasheim, colonists. 4) 16 Jan 1849 The colonist's son Nicolaus Mueller, widowed, age 22, son of the deceased Lutheran Frank colonist Johannes Mueller with Catharina Margaretha, single, age 20, daughter of the deceased Lutheran Gretschinnaja Luka [village of WALTER] colonist, Johannes Rupp. Public notice was placed January 17th, 24th & 31st, 1849. They were married February 2nd in the schoolhouse by Pastor Wuerthner. Witnesses of the marriage Jacob Eckhardt and Christian ??? (illegible). ------------------------------------------------------- 1798 FRANK CENSUS - BY SHERRIE STAHL As many of you know, the 1798 Frank Census is #98 on the list of censuses which are being translate by AHSGR....which means it may be some time before they are completed. In the meantime, we are collecting bits and pieces of this census from those who have received them along with their completed family trees from Dr. Pleve at Saratov State University. I want to thank Doris (Eckhardt) Evans, Barbara Clausen, and Marie (Greenwald) Bandey for sharing these!! And, once again, I want to thank Wilhelm Klein, Berlin, Germany for his translations!! Family #57: Johann Henrich Schaub, age 22 Elisabetha Margaretha, age 21 (wife) Family #58: Jakob Eckardt, age 55 Anna Margaritha Zitzmann, age 48 (wife) 1) Johann Georg Eckhardt, age 28 (son of Jakob) Anna Margaritha Wacker, age 30 (wife of Johann Georg) Johann Konrad Eckhardt, age 3 (son of Johann Georg) Anna Margaritha Eckhardt, age 1/4 (daughter of Johann Georg) 2) Johannes Eckhardt, age 14 (son of Jakob) 3) Barbara Eckhardt, age 16 (daughter of Jakob) Family #59: Johann Paul Wacker, age 57 Anna Margarita Kissler, age 56 (wife) 1) Johann Kasper Wacker, age 24 (son of Johann Paul) Maria Barbara Hoberger, age 18 (wife of Johann Kasper) Johann Heinrich, age 1/2 (son of Johann Kasper) 2) Johann Henrich Wacker, age 20 (son of Johann Paul) 3) Johann Paul Wacker, age 17 (son of Johann Paul) 4) Johannes Wacker, age 16 (son of Johann Paul) Family #60: Johann Ludwig Bastromi, age 58 Henrietta Lang, age 58 (wife) 1) Bernard Bastromi, age 24 (son of Johann Ludwig) Elisabetha Weitzel, age 22 (wife of Bernard) Valentin Bastromi, age 1 week (son of Bernard) 2) Valentin Bastromi, age 17 (son of Johann Ludwig) 3) Gertruda Bastromi, age 31 (daughter of Johann Ludwig) Family #61: Andreas Bastromi, age 28 Margaritha Iket??, age 20 (wife) 1) Johann Georg Bastromi, age 1/4 year (son of Andreas) 2) Katherina Elisabetha Bastromi, age 3 (daughter of Andreas) Family #62: Widow Anna Margaritha Willmann, age 64 1) Johann Adam Baumann, age 42, son of her deceased husband Heinrich Baumann Family #67: Kaspar Gruenwald, age 51 Eva Dorothea Ilm, age 51 (wife) 1) Johann Kaspar Gruenwald, age 23, (son of Kaspar) Eva Anna Martha Schneider, age 24 2) August Gruenwald, age 14, (son of Kaspar) 3) Anna Dorothea Gruenwald, age 17, (daughter of Kaspar) Family #68: Johann Valentin Kammerzell, age 44 Eva Elisabetha Kuhn, age 43 (wife) 1)Nikolaus Kammerzell, age 17 (son of Johann Valentin) 2) Michael Kammerzell, age 14 (son of Johann Valentin) 3) Jakob Kammerzell, age 11 (son of Johann Valentin) 4) Johannes Kammerzell, age 5 (son of Johann Valentin) 5) Johann Heinrich Kammerzell, age 3 (son of Johann Valentin) 6) Katherina Kammerzell, age 19 (daughter of Johann Valentin) 7) E??a Elisabetha Kammerzell, age 1 (daughter of Johann Valentin) Family #69: Schaub, age 25 Eva Anna Maria Schickendanz, age 22 (wife) 1) Johann Heinrich, age 3 (her son) -------------------------------------------- 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 Remember we read in the last newsletter from the author: "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." So the story continues from the Summer '94 & the Fall '94 Issues..... * * * Hillrose, Colorado May 26th, 1932 continued: On December 23rd at 6:00 AM, we experienced a small earthquake...first we heard a noise as if the wind blew hard, then the shaking of the earth and the windows rattled. The entire jolt went under the earth and sea as quickly as the blink of an eyelid. An entire year passed by until we could leave Japan. A day before Christmas, the happy news arrived that 10 houses were to get ready to return home from number 1 to 10. I was in house number 7. The next morning our names were read. While one of our soldiers played "crazy", the door opened and we walked out. Our legs barely touched the ground in great joy. The weight which depressed us always, was lifted and we were persons again who participated in the entire world. Our big worries were over. Some of our brothers departed this life and had to remain in Japan. * * * Hillrose, Colorado June 9th, 1932 Now that we have spent a year as prisoners, I have to say, that we were treated quite well by the Japanese. Our foreign overseer (supervisor) was a Frenchman whose name was "Charman". Above all, as much as we know, we were between 70,000 to 80,000 prisoners. My three comrades from home (KANZLER, GIES and STRECK) were in the town "Nakoja" [Nagoya, Japan]. (I must return to my thoughts on Port Arthur....On August 2, 1904, we received a telegram from a small ship in town from Czar Nikolaus, that a son was born on July 31st to Czarina Alexsandra Feodorowna. He was to be the next one to the throne and was baptized Alessi "Nikol". With this news, he was also thinking of us in Port Arthur. For our difficult service, he would give us a year for every month we serve from May 1st to the end of the siege.) Now back to Japan. After our release at 6:00 o'clock, the morning of December 25th, we were led to the next railroad station and placed in quite nice passenger cars; then we headed for the town Yokkaichi [Japan]. On this trip we could feel like being on the streets. "Nikasha", a second class small wagon coach was pulled by a Japanese. One could, for very little money, make a trip through the town. The coolies (workers) have very few clothes on their bodies and soles with a band between the two big toes, which holds it to the feet. Each one has a large straw hat on his head. The women wear about the same kinds of shoes. With the clothes and the hair on their heads, they are very proud. The hair is arranged very nice on the heads and since all of them have black hair, it appears as if the use of oil keeps it shiny. They carry the small children on their backs for whom they have made a sack. Their farm work is cultivation of rice, onions, carrots and of that type. Here very little fruit is raised. Many of the houses have paper windows. The stores or booths present a very pretty picture with their inscriptions (signs) and the innumerable paper lanterns and banners. In the harbor we boarded the big Russian ship, "Vladimir". Now that we were on board, we left the town and could say "Kairu" nadj house and yell to the Japanese "Samara" good-bye. On Christmas Day and on December 26th, the weather was beautiful. Now that we had to leave Yokohama [Japan] to the Pacific Ocean on the Japanese Sea, we arrived at Makodate [Nakhodka, Russia?], to Vladivostok [Russia]. On the 27th, 28th and 29th, we had a huge storm, with snow and it was very cold and the harbor froze over and we had to anchor in the ocean overnight. On New Year's morning, the ice breaker was sent to meet us and broke up the 5 foot thick ice, so that we could slowly enter the harbor. After leaving the ship, we encountered a train all boxcars connected together. All of us found our places and in the very fresh air, we left Vladivostok. We arrived in Charbin [Harbin, China] on January 4th. It was very cold. Here we had to spend 10 days, on account of the dearth of things, with only one train here. Here, everything was brought into its proper order and we were issued fur overcoats and felt boots and our wages. Orders were called, "Board the train". This town was divided into two parts the old and the new town with a mixed up population. We were all very happy to make the return trip via train, even though we were in a modern boxcar. In Charbin [Harbin], we each received 15 ruble. When we were still in Japan, we sent the Czar and family, especially the one we sponsored, the young future ruler, a telegram which read, "Christos Woskres", Christ has risen and much luck and blessings. An answer followed, "Woistino Woskres", He has truly risen and he wishes to see us soon in our home country. And with that, we reached our goal and tossed money. Each one received 25 ruble as a gift. Ten ruble of it was paid in Japan and the other 15 ruble when we arrived in Charbin. That was very good since we needed it very much, because of wanting to appear as "discharged servicemen" upon reaching home, not "prisoners of war". One could at least purchase decent clothes before going home. The distance from Vladivostok to Charbin is 730 werst. (A werst has 500 threads [strings] and one string had 7 feet.) On another train you can go to Port Arthur this is 25 stations or 927 wersts. From Charbin to the Manchuria Station is 876 werst. This is the China East train. Between Charbin [Harbin] and Port Arthur are 37 stations. Between Charbin and Manchuria there are 31 stations. We left Charbin [Harbin] on January 15th with the goal to "Chita" [Russia] and "Berkai Udinsk". Our train (Eschakon) had the number 505. Before us lay the sea "Baykal" [actually Lake Baykal]. Apparently it hadn't been possible to build a bridge across the sea. We drove close to the right side of the water....on the left side were very high mountains surrounded by boulders. In the middle is the place where two trains are able to pass each other if the opportunity to do so is necessary. We arrive in "Irkutsk" [Siberia]. As our train comes to a halt, I'm reminded of the station "Siret", where a friend from Frank, Johannes KISSLER lives. I was told it is 212 west to there. From the station Manchuria to Irkutsk it is 1183 werst with 39 stations. The train carries the name "Sabaikalsk.,Schelefnoi Doroga". Finally I see the station "Tiret". I asked a Russian by the name of "Nikiforov" if a man by the name of KISSLER, lived there. The answer was "yes in the village which lies 1 werst in the distance from the rail yard". We two, the other soldier and I, looked at each other....now what do I do? No time to spare. If we want to visit him we have no time to spare. This is what we did we requested our comrades take our baggage under their care and to watch our small riches. After the train left, we went to the village. We met a boy in order to get some information. After talks back and forth, the Russian man told us that Ivan Kissler was his neighbor. We prepared ourselves with candy and entered his yard. As we knocked on the door, a woman's voice inside answered "Sachoti" come in! We entered. Before us sat a small woman on a stool peeling potatoes. We greeted the woman in Russian, "Svrastvitja". She thanked us and allowed the knife to drop on the peelings and asked in Russian, "Who are you, what are you looking for?" She could see very well that we were two soldiers (Junior officers). We asked, "Is Ivan Andrew at home?" She answered, "Yes I will go immediately and call him." As she stood up, she remained standing in the same spot and trained her eyes upon us. The German language flew out of her mouth, "Who are you?" * * * Hillrose, Colorado June 16th, 1932 We answered her by saying we didn't understand the German language. She looked at me with this question. "Aren't you Casper's Johann Georg?" I had to say, "Yes". Her friends from Frank, that were at their house, the "Kawaka Hannes" and his wife they had the nickname "Barekelge". We sat down while she hurried and called him. The door was opened and in came Johannes KISSLER wearing a beard exactly like a Russian. We greeted each other and then began the questions and answers. After a well prepared and good supper, we remained awake until after midnight - 1:00 AM. While tears flowed, we sang this song, "I Always Think of Home". When we retired, he insisted the three of us were to sleep in one bed. We stayed until the next afternoon - 3:00 PM. Then he hitched his horse to the sled and we had our good-byes, but first the tears. His children just didn't want to let go of us. But it had to be. When we arrived at the train yard, we had to wait almost another hour for the train. The reception did not want to end. He purchased 2 tickets for us for the next 2 or 3 towns. We had planned to catch our train on its way, because it was a service (soldier's) train. which we intended to board. The train arrived and we said good-bye. Johannes wept. Now we are on the Siberian railroad. The distance from Irkutsk to Chelyabinsk is 3048 werst long and has 99 stations. We couldn't catch our train. The first big town was Krasnoyarsk. After 7 days of riding we caught up with our comrades and all was well. Here is Tomsk and the Kirgisen steppes (grasslands). Siberia is a very cold land with many steppes and forest. There live many wild animals because it isn't habitable. It is a scary area. From Chelyabinsk to Sysran it is 1057 werst with 54 stations in-between. We came to Omsk. Here is the Sahara-Slatowstov railroad. From Sysran to Moscow it is 904 werst, with 24 stations in-between. We traveled from Sysran not to Moscow, but to Samara. There we had to cross the wonderful bridge which crosses the river "Volga". On this trip I met only 3 people from Frank, 2 with the names UHRICH and one name AMEND. As we then arrived in Samara, we reached the end of our trip where all soldiers had to travel together. Each received his wages. Now we could travel in chairs to West Atkarsk. The joy (happiness) was great as we arrived. Here became the discharge. Here we changed clothes, cleaned ourselves, allowed ourselves haircuts so that within a short time we resembled soldiers. All was now in order. We purchased passage to Lisoguri, which wasn't far from Atkarsk [Russian name for Walter] which lay in the distance. Here was the end of our railroad ride. We hired two sleds with 2 Russians who were to take us to Frank. We had breakfast at their houses. The horses were ready. We three sat on the sled and with a "Sviistock" (whistle), we were off. As we were in the Adalkere forest, we met several sled loaded with oats. They were people from Frank Jacob Hofferbersch and Goettmann. At the summit near "Gnesowka", we met a dust storm and it began to get dark. Since we had contracted with the Russians to get home during the night, we became afraid that we might have to stay somewhere for the night. The horses were good. The Russians said, "Sevodna Notgh mi budem f Krestova". As we reached the village of Gnesovka, we had to feed our horses and give them a rest period. It was 11:00 PM (nighttime). We allowed them to give us the tea machine (Samovar) and refreshed ourselves with something I do not wish to divulge. I had raised an entire family to their feet when I knocked on a window in order to ask where the soldier lived who was in Port Arthur; then came the Russian Matchka (wife) with the entire family out of the house, thinking I was their son for whom they had been waiting day after day. Naturally one had to laugh. Since it was still 6 werst to Frank, the heart beat always more and faster. The Russians said, "Teber mi-skoro dojedem". Now we will be there soon. And certainly at one o'clock at night we were there (home)!! Jacob Uhrich (of Spreuer) and I drove past my father's house where the light was still burning brightly. We went without any delay to Uhrich's house. The weather was still stormy. I walked to the window, knocked, requested in Russian, "who's home?" Uhrich's mothers and wife, with the children, lived alone. The old mother said to his wife, "We want to let the people in", so they say "Voschaluista - I request of you". The door opened and the elderly mother stepped forward. I, as a soldier, stood before her. She called out, "O dear God Jacob, is that you?" I answered in Russian. Since it was cold, I called Jacob from his hiding place. We walked into the house with our driver. Kisses, tears of joy suppressed all sleep. She looked at me and said, "For God's sake, you are still alive, we were of the opinion that you were dead a long time (already) ago." The mother, in complete happiness, wished to cook sausage in order to show us her happiness and love. I thanked her, took my driver and we went back to my house. The house was dark now. I walked into the house without announcing myself. I wanted to light a lamp, but was unable to find a match. My elderly father came out of the other room with a lantern towards me. He was scared and stood still, looking at me. I said, "Do not be afraid". These words brought everyone to his feet my wife, my mother ,brothers, sisters, and my two children. This hour one could compare well with a dream, for the joy was so great. I had kept my driver with me. He said, "I have never seen anything like that in my lifetime." A recall glory and honor for all!! Some die in time; praise will come from everyone, well until in the hereafter. Love and praise for all the lame who now must go through life like that. Without legs, without arms and no one to support them. The dear Lord protected and saved me, so that I was able to return healthy and lucky on February 15th, to my son's birthday; and on Shrove Tuesday, the courage to step into my father's house which I left in 1901. I must say that my three comrades, KANZLER, GIES and STRECK were already at home by the time I reached home. For that reason all my dear ones and those who are able to read my report, don't let ;this sadden you that you weren't able to see it all; because there is still much I can't write. For that reason is all of this, as far as I know, absolutely true. THE END By Conrad Kissler --------------------------------------- VISITING BRUNNENTAL -- BY KEN HARTUNG, VULCAN, ALBERTA, CANADA Yes, this is another description of a trip to Brunnental. I must admit that you, as readers, have already enjoyed 2 such stories about trips to Brunnental....but this one, as you will see is a little different. This one is written by a "farmer" of the land in Canada.....someone who looks at the land and village of Brunnental in a different light. I hope you will enjoy, as I did, this glimpse into the agricultural aspects of our dear village and some of the great photos. Sherrie Stahl, Editor ---- My Trip To Brunnental By Ken Hartung If you were to visit a travel agent with the purpose of planning a trip and seeking a lovely place in the world to visit, Brunnental would never be one of the offered attractions. For me if I could visit one place on this earth, the overwhelming choice was to visit Brunnental. But, how do I go? How do I get there? How do I overcome the language barrier? I needed connection and I had none. Where do I start? A very timely letter from Sherrie Stahl on March 10, 1993 and a phone call to John Klein in Lincoln, Nebraska that evening, gave me answers to my questions. I was given about 24 hours to make a decision. So, with much encouragement from my wife, Debbie, on March 11, 1993 I was booked to visit the Volga region in Russia. My cousin, Ferdinand Hartung from Vulcan, and my Uncle, Samuel Sherman from Calgary, became part of the tour and visited Brunnental with me. My father George Hartung, was born and raised in Brunnental. He was the youngest of 8 children. His parents, Johannes and Helene (Borgens) Hartung were also born in Brunnental, but their parents were from Frank and Walter. My father was born into a Christian family and daily Bible reading and prayer were an essential part of the family. Their relationship with the Lord was vital for the family's survival during the Bolshevik Revolution. In the winter of 1921-22, starvation had reached epidemic proportions and people were dying faster than they could be buried. So early in 1922, my grandfather and grandmother, John and Helen (Borgens) Hartung, took their family with several other families and in a railroad freight car, headed west. They had no plans. During this time thousands of people were heading west. Why west? They did not know. Nearly six weeks later, they arrived in Minsk and lived for a time in a Displaced Persons (DP) camp. There was more food in that area, but typhus was rampant amongst the refugees in the city, and thousands succumbed to the disease. Whole families disappeared. many that had escaped starvation in the winter fell victim to this disease in the spring and summer. After nine weeks in Minsk they migrated to Hatzum in northern Germany, into another DP camp where they resided until coming to Canada. My family feels the Lord miraculously preserved and sustained them. My grandfather came to Canada in 1923 and my grandmother and family came in 1925. They came from Europe straight to Champion, Alberta, Canada, where the whole family was united again all 10 of them. My father was very open and spoke to us often of his experiences as a child in Brunnental, Russia. I grew up thinking this was the most horrible place on earth; why in the world would I want to visit this area? After my father passed away in 1982, I began thinking about where he came from and all the stories he shared with me. I am also the first generation to be born in Canada and I somehow felt a close connection to the Volga area. An unexplained deep desire to see, feel, and experience this county seemed to grip me. My dream finally came true on June 23, 1994 when we left Saratov at 9:30 AM for the village of Brunnental. We crossed the Volga River into Engels on the east side. The Volga River is 1.8 miles wide where we crossed. It's a magnificent river. The trip to Brunnental is about 90 miles southeast of Saratov and pavement most of the way. I was amazed how flat the terrain was east of the Volga River. We saw enormous state farms with grain fields covering 500 to 1000 acres in size. The agricultural potential seemed enormous. As we drove east we crossed over a little river and I thought this river must go through Brunnental. There was a little village on the north side of the road. We proceeded to the main entrance on the east side of town and the driver of our taxi asked a workman on the road, where Krivojar was located. He pointed to the ground this was it. I was numb. (see top of page 14 for view of Brunnental as you enter on the east side of town). We began driving through town heading west. I was in awe as I saw old homes that seemed so run down. The yards were probably 100 x 200 foot lots with some kind of shelter in the backyard for maybe a cow and calf or some goats or ducks and geese. The window frames on the homes were the only things painted which we saw. Some of the homes had a brick exterior. We continued west until we saw a huge open area about the size of one city block surrounded by a pagewire fence. On the north side of this large open area, we saw the school; the old German school that I recognized from an old picture I had of it. The large open area I realized was where the large Lutheran Church was once located but was destroyed in 1941. We parked the taxi behind the school building. I stood and looked at this building for several minutes and I marveled at the ornate masonry and elaborate brickwork on this structure. There seemed to be such a dichotomy in the craftsmanship of this magnificent building compared to the rest of the town that seemed so run down. The picture I have of the school taken in 1907 shows a cross made of brick above the main school entrance and a cross on the center gable on the roof. The cross has now been replaced by a painted mural of Carl Lenin and below him is a school teacher and two students. On the gable above the mural, a star has replaced the cross; and below the mural above the main entrance reads, "Good Welcome" in Russian. I suppose this symbolizes that Marxist-Leninist Communism was to replace Christianity and usher in a new prosperous and peaceful society. This turned out to be a nightmare. Today Lenin statues are removed all over Russia and replaced with "nothing". We were met by a man and woman who were very friendly and helpful and it turned out that they were teachers in the school. They offered to take us for a tour of the building. This was just what I was looking for. As we entered the front entrance into the school I was surprised to see a mural of Mickey Mouse painted over a doorway inside the school. Mickey made it to Brunnental before I did. A comment we made as we entered the main entrance was how badly the door sills had been eroded after a century of people walking over them. School was closed for the summer months and extensive plastering, sanding and painting job was being done in the classrooms. We were taken to the stairway and to the second floor and visited the area where my family attended church in the winter time. This was a very special time for me to tour these classrooms. The railing on the stairway was made of beautiful ornate iron. Some of the railing was missing but what was there was very artistic. The next building we visited was the brick structure just to the east of the school. This was the home of the Lutheran Pastor, prior to the revolution. Today it serves as a school for young children. Here we met the rest of the teachers and spent an hour visiting with them. They gave us a tour of the small school. School was still going for the young children up to five years of age. It was nap time during our visit and a room was darkened while children were lying on cots having a rest. I assumed the building served as a day care center for young children of working parents living in Brunnental. Outside in the school yard it didn't take long for some inquisitive children to check on who we were and what we were doing around the school. We had some candy, gum and pens that we gave them. The news spread quickly and children came from out of the woodwork for some candy. Before we left the school, we gave the teachers a children's Bible story book in Russian and a Russian Bible. They seemed delighted to be receiving this material. I'm sure no Bible has been in this school since the early forties perhaps since the revolution. There were 5 Russian teachers and one German teacher (girl on right) in the school in Brunnental. There seemed to be a good relationship between the teachers and between the languages. This was not the case in other villages we visited. We then visited the church site. The teachers told us that where the original church stood, no tree grows. Our interpreter seemed surprised as he translated this statement to us but where the church stood, no tree grows! There is a small concrete marker that I felt served as a memorial to where the church was located. Today the children use this area as a playground. Then we went to look for the Hartung family home. I had with me a map of Brunnental recently completed by Sherrie Stahl that was an extremely valuable tool for me. Brunnental today is very close to this map and if anyone is interested in how this village is laid out, get a copy of this map. It's very well done. The home that we felt could be the home is #108 on the map. The home today is covered with a brick exterior that confused us at the time. Is this the home, or isn't it?? Later in the tour in other villages we saw homes that were redone with new brick exteriors. We stood around like "greenhorns" wondering if we should bother the owners and ask if we could visit inside. At the time, we weren't sure if this was the original home so we decided not to bother. This was a decision I later regretted. I have two aunts living in Calgary who are now in their 90's. My one aunt studied the picture for some time and she said, "My dad built that door in the gable of the house and we used to store things in the attic of that home." I never noticed the door until she pointed it out. The home my grandfather built east of Champion that I grew up in, has similar characteristics of the home in Brunnental. So now I feel we may have located the HARTUNG home. --- PICTURES AVAILABLE IN ORIGINAL NEWSLETTER: The Hartung House in Brunnental - #108 on Map Teachers in Brunnental Old Churchyard Which Serves As A Playground This is the view of Brunnental as you enter town from the east side....notice the large lake off to the right The Original Preacher's House - northside of School (continued in the next newsletter...) ------------------------------ THE HISTORY OF BRUNNENTAL 1918 - 1941 -- BY JAKOB MOHRLAND As you well remember from our last issue, Jakob Mohrland, was sharing his "History of Brunnental" with us recounting his life in the village of Brunnental, from the years 1918-1941. It is with deep sadness that I tell you of the passing of Jakob Mohrland he died on November 19, 1994 in the town of Ellhofen, Germany.[picture of Jakob Mohrland] As I read and reread the wonderful History of Brunnental by Jakob Mohrland, I realize what a special man he was. We are indeed blessed that he took the time and energy to share his memories of Brunnental with all of us. Sherrie Stahl, Editor ------------------ (continued from last issue) Once more about the church in Brunnental it was prevalent at the time to say that there was an unwritten statute that every resident attend church on Sundays and holidays. Moreover, it was also noticed that each one conduct himself morally; alas! If the Pastor Grasmuck heard any impropriety that did not come up to expectations. This he brought up in the church during his sermon with out naming names, a reprimand, clumsily done, with good success. These methods have stood the test. Until 1920 there were no policemen, also no judges. All disputes of concern to the village, were settled by the village magistrate or the village administrator (director). My parents told me that up until 1917 or about the time of the Revolution, that small offenses were dealt with quickly and simply, although sometimes hurtful. When, for example, someone had stolen something, the deed was settled without a judge and without a lawyer and closed. The concerned person was sentenced by the village magistrate. He then had to walk the length of the streets in the entire village up and down, and yell loudly, "I have stolen, I won't do it again", etc. If one had spread a lie about a citizen of the village, he received the following sentence: He also had to walk through all the streets and call out, "Mouth, you said too much--Mouth, you lied". That was a simple and a cheap and effective punishment. The guilty had to say whether he accepted the punishment or not. When not, there was another possibility which was not unknown. Five or ten whip lashes would be prescribed. These lashes would be delivered this way: The condemned person had to lie on his stomach across a chair and receive the promised lashes from a whip which was about .5 meters long and as thick as a finger. It was said that the lashes were very effective, and everything taken care of without a policeman or the village director. The church members and the oldest members had at the end of 20 years, very little influence on the citizens. The orderliness and authority of the congregation was obliged to relax their rules. The church and school were separated. The children didn't have to study any religion. The children were in 1926 already with little pleasure (zum teil), many already had joined the pioneers and later joined the Komsomols who were the communistic youth association. The religious influence over the children by the parents became less all the time. After the years of 1928/29, the old established orderliness, had no more period of validity, so the old people remarked, "Yes, Yes, a Pastor in earlier times was able to keep more orderliness in the village than 5 policemen today." For that reason, I will not report anything more about the church and religion. About that, I will return again. Family Relations, Size of the Families and Orderliness: In the early days, the Brunnental Farmers and the families who had a trade, had many children, 7 or 8 was the rule, and often 10 to 12 children or more. Thereby, it so happened that up to 3 generations lived in one house. Living together in such a large family group was possible, when one person was in charge and that was the grandfather or the great-grandfather--whoever was the oldest. The eldest made the decisions and that was adhered to in most families, even though it sometimes meant differences of opinion; but without the order of precedence, the large families would have fallen apart. During that time, the conditioning factor was such, that the children were something wanted by God ,at all times. On the other side, there was not yet social insurance from which the older people could live on. So it was important for all of the family to be used for farm labor. So a large family, with many children, was mighty profitable. So people questioned each other--why then did the sons remain with the parents or grandparents so long, especially when there were 3, 4 or 5 sons? When 1 or 2 of the sons received "separation" and acquired land from the father, there were always other sons at home, with children, who didn't get land. None of this was simple, because there wasn't always enough land or property to be divided amongst the sons. Each time the existing land was divided, a family would get less. In this case the land didn't increase in size, but the families who wanted more land did increase. Even though only the male children received land when it was divided, the acreage per head became less and less. Sometimes one could lease land from people who for some reason or another, couldn't work the land. Also, there was "so called" free land on the borders of Brunnental. This land belonged to the government, and one called it "crown land" This land was newly sold at auction always for a year, and it was good land. This crown land was auctioned by the large farmers of Brunnental in large areas of more than 100 hectare (a hectare is a French metric measure of area and equals 10,000 square meters). There the farmers built a large building for wheat or corn. For example, on this land were the large farmers-- brothers Konrad and Wilhelm Loebsack. (The Manuel Loebsacks, or sons of Emanuel Loebsack)-- Friedrich and Heinrich Stroh--the Seibel family--the Becker family-- and other families. These families had private homesteads on this land, where they had animals and people living there during the winter months. Because they lived so far out, the long travels to the village were dispenses with and they kept enough feed at the homesteads, too. Friedrich Stroh was the richest farmer in Brunnental, at the homesteads. He had as many as 15 - 20 camels which he worked the land with and did the harvest. In the fall, he hauled a great deal of grains to Krasny-Kut or Seelmann with these camels. At these homesteads which were 20 - 25 kilometers from Brunnental, the families had more land and animals than did the people who lived in the village of Brunnental; and during the time of the Revolution and gang warfare, these homestead farmers were able to save animals and property, which were later used during the starvation period of 1921 -1924, making it easier for the people getting food supplies. They also helped other people, too. An example of this would be the farmer Frederick Stroh, known as Stroh's little Fred (he was a small man). He was the largest and richest farmer in the village. During the worst time of the hunger episode, he had saved some of his camels at his farmstead, and then he butchered the camels and distributed the meat to hungry people. Also other farmers from the farmsteads, who had saved their possessions, assisted people of the village during the hunger period. All of the Volga Germans had experienced earlier starvation and were prepared to help. Again, the proverb proved the fact, as it is noted, "When the rich have nothing, the poor haven't had anything for a long time already". The Brunnental School And My Schooldays: First, my schooldays I entered the first class in the Brunnental School in 1925. The Brunnental village congregation had built a two-story brick school building in 1902. (see picture of the Brunnental School). In the lower floor at this time, was a school of 4 classes with 4 classrooms, 1 teacher's room, with much illustrative material for instruction. There was only one large room for gymnastics or drill and play-time which was used only when it was too cold in the yard in the winter-time. There was also all kinds of furniture and reserve school benches. The first floor was built for use in the winter time as a church with an altar and everything which belonged with it. The rooms was very large and completely supplied with church benches. In this church room, the prayer meetings were also held. Now, I also wish to say that our beautiful village church in Brunnental had no heating system and for that reason, church services were only held in the church during the summer months or during the warmest months in the year. But more about that later. When the new schoolhouse was built in 1902, a large house for the schoolmaster had been built also. The Brunnental schoolmaster, Wilhelm Gruenwald lived in this house. I take it from that, that the schoolmaster Gruenwald was the first schoolmaster in the new school in 1902. During this period, after 1902, religion was still studied. At that time, Schoolmaster Gruenwald was also at one time very tuned-in to Christian work. He distinguished himself by being fully conversant in that branch of study. He was perhaps the only schoolmaster who was active from the first day in the new school in 1902 until the destruction of the Brunnental School in 1941. When I entered school in 1925, there was no religion taught in the school. By that time, there were more men teachers and also women teachers. I shall name some: Instructor Gruenwald, Instructor Schuetz (the woman teacher), Instructor Borgens and others. The school teachers were almost all Brunnental citizens. Because of that, nothing changed at first. In 1926, a seven class middle school was established, although it was deficient. It was decided that the 7 classrooms would be built in the space which had previously housed the "winter church". The space which had been set aside for the winter church was not important to the government because the church had nothing to say anymore and the government felt that the people should be contented that they could have services at all. The cost for remodeling the first floor space of the school was undertaken by the government, but they wouldn't help in upgrading the "heating system" for the summer church building, so that the Brunnentalers would once again have a church they could use in the wintertime. The Brunnental congregation and the citizens had to assume the cost of the heater installation themselves. And the citizens had to be responsible for the fuel costs. The state had no money for the church. The citizens had to be responsible for any expenses. As I have said already, we learned much in school. The relationship between the instructor and the children was good. The children had respect for the instructor. While bodily punishment wasn't allowed anymore, the teachers didn't quite accept that so precisely and off and on one could get his ears pulled quite hard, or as the occasion demanded---quite vigorously. The parents agreed when the teacher lengthened the children's ears. The children obeyed, nothing more or else. If I had ever made a complaint about the teach, to my parents, I would have received a hard following blow. I am convinced that today, every teacher can only dream of such a policy by the parents. I was a good scholar until the 5th class, and was promoted each year. Only the teacher, alone, had the option to promote a student. There were not yet others who helped make that decision with the teacher. After my 3rd and 4th grade years, time changed. A new school ruling appeared and the teachers didn't trust themselves anymore with punishment. Unknown teachers entered the schools now, and above all, younger ones. Now the school became more political and each teacher had to watch the other ones. I will report more about the school at a later time. The Doctor's Care in Brunnental: There was good care for all ill people in Brunnental, in my time. Brunnental had a beautiful large hospital building, built of brick. In addition to it, there were 3 houses for doctors and their staff. The hospital stood on a tract of arable land of about 3 hectare. On the south oand east side it had a fence, and to the west and north, it was surrounded by a fruit garden or orchard. The land itself was planted with trees and schrubs. (see the village plan or map). When the hospital was built, it is unknown to me. I rather believe it was built about 1910 or 1912. Since I was in Brunnental the last time (about 1940), the hospital and other buildings neat it were still in good shape. For that reason, I've decided that those buildings couldn't have been more than 30 years old in 1940. The hospital, as I've said before, was well planned. The main entrance was on the east side. To the right of the entrance was the doctor's room, and to the left was the waiting room. Behind the waiting room was the hospital's pharmacy. This pharmacy was just for the hospital, not for selling to the public. Brunnentalitself, had no pharmacy. The closest pharmacy was in Seelmann. In the back rooms were the sick rooms. A room for births was available. To be practical, they put everything together. The children were wrapped in a bundle at home by the midwife, and only in an emergency did they go to the actual hospital. Mrs. Gruenwald was our active doctor. This woman doctor was well-beloved in Brunnental and in the three neighboring villages of Streckerau, Marienberg and Hussenbach. Her husband, David Gruenwald, was a teacher, and he also was from Brunnental. I knew this woman doctor from the time I was a small child. I am not sure how long she was active in Brunnental. I do know that she and her husband were taken away in 1938 because at that time, two young doctors came to the hospital in Brunnental. During the years of 1921-1924 and from 1930 -1934, the citizens of Brunnental were quite healthy people. Indeed, the malaria kept people busy up into the 1930's. I myself, was sick with malaria until 1935. The best medicine against malaria was quinine (ammoniated quinine). This helped for quite a period of time. There were different remedies for malaria. The doctors were duly qualified to handle all illnesses at that time. In cases of serious illness, one had to go to Seelmann or to a special hospital. I had contracted a bad case of eye disease in 1935, and was taken to Warenburg. There I was taken to an eye clinic. Within a 12 day period I was okay. The Fire Defense In Brunnental: For fire protection, I can say the following: In Brunnental, at that time, there were no actual jobs called "fireman", as we hear about today. It was really each citizen's job to be a fireman. When a fire broke out anywhere in the village, be it day or night, each citizen was obligated to rush to the place of the fire, equipped with every possible type of extinguisher, including chemical extinguishers. There was no tap water, and not each farmer had a well on his homestead in Brunnental. All farmers, who didn't have a well, had to bring their water for their domestic animals. And for the household, with a water wagon, they brought water from a public well. In the animal stalls stood large stands (barrels) which were filled according to the demand. At the homestead, stood the water wagon with a water barrel filled with water, from which the housewife got the water for the kitchen and house. There was always much water set aside for possible fire because all the houses and farm buildings were built of wood, and the sheds and outer buildings were usually filled with hay. People were well aware of the fire danger, and were prepared. Because of this reason, each farmer was his own fireman. I also have to say that in the winter time, the water was brought by water sleds and the containers had to be emptied immediately in the cold weather. The farmers had to have additional containers ready for the drinking water. It was necessary to prepare for all of this in the winter time to keep water available and ready for the possibility of a fire. I, myself, outlived some small fires, but they were always through quick work, that they were extinguished. It was this way: when a fire started, the bells rang. For that, certain people had been prepared to do that work. When these people weren't on the job, others did it. As soon as a fire alarm was given, all citizens were obliged to drop everything and leave everything lie where one dropped it and hitch the horses to the water wagon and rush to the fire. Within a short time, the farmers came with water extinguishers to the scene of the fire. Through these quick responses of togetherness of all citizens, it was always possible to control large losses. I also want to mention that Brunnental had a fire-engine hall (large shop) with 2 fire engines, which with 6-8 men, also with muscular strength, set in motion. In this hall stood 2 water wagons ready, filled with water containers as well as a pot-hook (poker) and water buckets. Once a fire broke out during my time in Brunnental; the fire could not be quenched. It was like this December of 1924, and it had been a bitterly cold night of about minus 30 degrees. The alarm sounded at midnight. There was burning in the lower village at the western exit where several two story wood firemills stood, off by themselves. Because of the terrible cold weather, the water supply wasn't of the best. The backwater (static water) which was only 50- 60 meters from the mills, was frozen with an ice coverage of 20 centimeters. Briefly said, before the unloading to get the water running and also because of the severe cold, the mill could not be saved. This mill was never rebuilt. Brunnental had a second firemill which was still in full operation in 1941. The fire danger was particularly great during the summer and during the harvest season. The Life Of The Brunnental Farmers, After the Grouping Of The Land: It is generally known that after the 1917 Revolution, the farm land became the property of the Soviet State. The State placed the farmers' land at someone's disposal and management and divided it according to the size of the family. The first distribution of the land and the group division was good according to what my parents had told me in 1918. The total land available in Brunnental was divided into 8 groups. My parents were in the 8th group, which were about 10 kilometers in distance from the village. In the 8th group, also known as a piece of land, there were about 25 farmer families. In order to avoid traveling long distances to and from the "piece of land" each day, the farmers built temporary accommodations for their families and domestic animals. The farmers traveled to these "temporary accommodations" in the springtime, shortly before "sowing time" with the necessary animals and equipment needed. The tilling of the soil and the planting of the seed-corn had to be done early as it was very important, in that climate, to plant the seed as quickly as possible while there was still enough moisture in the ground so that the seed would germinate via the winter's moisture and grow well. During the sowing, only the men went to the land. The women and children remained in the farmyard in the village. The children were still attending school. The women and children came to the farm land only when the cutting of hay began, because all hands were needed in the hay harvest. Most of the elderly remained in the village. The hay didn't grow in the field....it grew in the deep trenches which were very wide and deep on the pieces of land. The hay was cut with scythes. The hay land would be measured and each farm group received a portion. When the hay was dry, it was immediately taken home before the grain harvest and placed in the hay loft. How I Spent My Summers: (My years when I was a youth of 7, 8, and 9 in the years of 1924 - 1926) Out on the land were many children who were my age. I can say, it was for us children, big freedom, those glorious summer days from June 1st to September 1st. Everything was green. There were many different plants and all kinds of flowers. One could bathe in the dam as often as one wanted to, during the day, and soak up sun's heat. There were so many birds who sang the beautiful melodious songs high up in the sky. There was a special beautiful bird it was the hoopoe [any of several Old World non passerine birds having a slender decurved bill]. We said to this bird, "Wut, Wut". It had yellow on black plumage and such a beautiful head with a somewhat pulled-down bill and a magnificent red comb. He, most likely, sat out on roofs in the mornings and with a beautiful melody, called out his "Wut, Wut". There was always something new for us children to discover. We changed by playing ball or we reciprocated testing our strength. Shortly before Pentecost, we picked pails filled with tulips on the Steppe, and brought them home and placed them in the deep cellar for the celebration of Pentecost (Pentecostfest). It was always a big celebration. House and courtyard were thoroughly cleaned and everything dressed up splendidly (decorated beautifully). In July, one would begin to approach the harvests. At this time my parents cut everything with the scythe. At first all scythes were whetted on a stone (sharpened). One had to consider that everything had to be ship-shape just right before they began the harvest. The harvest was hard work for the farmers in those days. In these times, it was hot and dry, often for weeks. It seldom rained. I had to help even when I was 7, 8 and 9. I had to prepare for everything that there was always fresh drinking water at hand there were different tasks for me. The horses needed a drink of water from time to time, etc. Some farmers already had reaping machines and binders. I believe these machines were called "Cormick". Other farmers had the suction type, winch machine and horse rake. Each time, right after the reaping, the dry grain was taken immediately to the orchard and set in rows. These rows were about 5 meters wide and about 5 meters high and the length was about 10-15 meters. This orchard was a large area where all farmer groups had a certain place where they could set their grains. The rows had to be set with a certain clearance. This was done because of fire danger; and they also had to leave space to drive through with the wagon, and also for the setting up of the threshing machine. One had to strive to complete the threshing quickly. The threshing on the land groups, was done as follows: A farmer had a threshing machine with a Goebel horse mechanism. The horse mechanism was power- driven by means of 8 horses. The farmers prepared the framework or the horses. The work was done in two shifts or better said, Day and Night! Another farmer had a threshing machine with a neft motor. What this motor is called, I don't remember at the present time. At that time there were more of this kind of "neft motor". It was a one cylinder motor with 2 swinging wheels of about 1 meter in diameter. I believe that this motor had about 8 horsepower. Of the two remaining farmers, one had a threshing machine and the other had a Fordson tractor. With the combination of these three, Group 8's threshing work was done energetically. The farmers agreed among themselves, when and whose turn was scheduled next. All the farmers mutually agreed to assist each other at threshing time. Everyone who could lick a spoon had to help, whether young or old. Naturally, the farmers who didn't own a threshing machine were required to pay rent for the use of one. More About Fire Protection: At the time of many good harvests, a group on one place had a large fire, which could have been a terrible disaster for other groups. Therefore it was necessary to make preparations before each harvest, by making special rules and procedures. It was agreed that no smoking was allowed in the orchards. Water barrels, equipped with water buckets, were an utmost necessity. The exhaust pipes of the neft-motors and the tractors were guarded with water barrels in a convoy. Everyone had the responsibility to be especially alert to any beginning of a fire. During the three years while I was in Group 8, we did not experience any fires in the orchards. But the farmers were also very careful. During threshing, the farmers immediately cleaned their grain with the cleaning machine (almost every farmer owned such a cleaning machine), and they hauled the grain to their house and into the granary. Also the straw and chaff was also taken quickly as possible, to the house before the beginning of winter. When the domestic animals were put into the barn, then the feed had to be under roof and shelter, also. One could say the group work was finished, once the harvest was completed, the winter seed was in the ground, and the tilling was done; unless, of course, the winter rye still had to be planted in the fall. Once this group work was done, everything was cleared away, and the shelters were locked up and returned to the courtyard in the village. I also want to say that there were 2 families in Group 8 a Klippert family and a Koch family who still had holiday houses and barns. In these houses, people remained in the winter time and animals were confined to the barns. With that I shall end my report on Group 8 from 1924-1926, when I was 7 to 9 years of age. The People In The Trades In Brunnental: In Brunnental there were not only farmers, but also there were many families who followed trades. without these tradesman, the Brunnental farmers would not have reachedsuch a large fortune. I also want to mention that about 80% of the trades people also farmed. Before I count all the different vocations, I will name 1 or 2 by name. Accordingly, I will also refer to the fact why so many tradesmen were necessary in one village. Brunnental didn't have any industry, the agricultural council and the commodities council could have reestablished one. Everything had to be made by hand. At that time, Brunnental did not have a river to produce electricity not for lights or for machines run by electricity. Everything had to be done by muscular strength. In order to supply the demands of the agricul- tural council and the orders needed for house and courtyards, it called for many tradesmen. I will explain two examples why so many tradesmen were necessary. A wagon builder for horses, had to make 4 wheels for one farm wagon, all by hand, as it has already been said, without a river, without a single mechanical machine or circular saw. My Uncle John Rehm was cartwright (coach builder). At the time of 1926, he had 2 sons who were 14 and 18 years of age. I was 8 years old at the time and spent much time at my Uncle's workplace, and it can be said that overall, with my nose into everything, I learned much. One day he turned on a lathe, and the boys began to make the start of a hub for a wheel. The lathe was operated by both boys, using their feet to drive it. I also assisted with my feet in its operation, as much as I could. This lathe had a large heavy swinging wheel over a crankshaft and jack, and ran with the feet on the board. My Uncle stilted the hubs, while the boys and I almost sweat blood with out feet on the board. I can say that by the time the 4 hubs were stilted, the day was over. That was but the beginning of the process. Now in each hub, one had to bore large crown holes exactly in the middle of the hub, by hand. Then in each hub, 12 holes were spaced and under a small corner a support was placed, favorably inclined toward the front, all by hand. Then for 4 wheels, 48 spokes were made, all the same, each exactly like the other all by hand then also 24 felloes (felly-the-rims of a spoked wheel) also by hand. Then now the 4 wheels would be ready, except to assemble them, but then the other pieces of the wagon also had to be completed all by hand. After all of that, I am convinced that today there is no one in the position to estimate how much time the wagon builder needs until the wagon is finished. I believe from 10 - 12 hours per day, it would have taken at the most 4 weeks. According to today's time, with modern machinery, it would possible take 20 hours. Another example: A sheet metal worker, or better said, a plumber, who puts together a water pail or cooking oven by hand, needs much time for that. With modern machinery it is possible to do it in a minute. I hope that with these two examples that I have made it clear to everyone why at that time it was necessary to have so many tradesman or people who made things with their hands. Now I will list some trades and tradesmen whose names I can still remember: Tradesman: 1) Carpenter (cabinet maker) (Shreiner) Friedrich Mehlinger family Jakob Rehn family Jakob Klippert family 2) Shoemaker (cobbler) (Schuster) Andreas Hartung family Heinrich Klein family Steinmetz family 3) Tailor (Schneider) Seibert family Heinrich Klein family 4) Plumber (Klempner) Ferdinand Meier family Lochmann family 5) Felt Boot and Hats (Walker) Becker family Walter family 6) Tanner of Hides (Gerber) The names of these tradesmen I do not remember. 7) Blacksmith (Schmiede) Hohnstein family Johannes Meier family Aschenbrenner family 8) Millers (Das Muehlen-Handwerk) Here I count the mill-owners in Brunnental: 1. Fein family -- 2 windmills 2. Johannes Hoelzer family -- 1 windmill 3. Spiegel family -- 1 windmill 4. Alexander Hardt family -- 1 firemill (a firemill is a mill driven by an engine....ran on neft oil) Remember, a firemill was burned in 1924. The firemill of Alexander Hardt was still in full operation in 1941. All windmills were torn down after the expropriation in 1929 until 1932. The wood was used in the collective domestic economy. The Nourishment Of The Brunnental Farmers: I will first report of the time of 1925 until 1929. In this period, the Brunnental citizens were enjoying good times again, even very good times. The big starvation period of 1921-1924, which they had overcome, was a great detriment for the people and property. But again, everything improved and looked good for the future. The farming had developed quite well again, thanks to the immense help from abroad. The farmers had again been able to purchase goods and spend money, and they had the opportunity to be able to borrow money from the government so they could purchase horses and machinery again. Each farmer endeavored to improve his situation again, as quickly as possible. The progress was also possible because the farmers were allowed freedom to work in the past 5 years (1925-1929). The proceeds from these crops increased from year to year and in the years 1927, 1928, and 1929 they were good to very-good. The farmers had hope again. Much building was done and everyone worked. The farmers had much good grain again and were able to sell it for high prices. In a few words, the Brunnental citizens became wealthy again during those 5 years andhad their barns filled with domestic animals. They had purchased expensive German machinery with which to work the soil, such as threshing machines, steam engines, plows and other implements and tools. When I talk about nourishment now, I mean the time from 1925-1929. The Brunnental farmers were at that time up to 90% self-supporting. Without exception, they depended very little on others for support. They raised almost everything themselves. To begin with.....let's look at the food. Wheat and rye was brought to the mill to be ground, customarily about 8 sacks of flour were done at a time. A sack was 4 pood (1 pood = 16.38 kilograms) (4 pood = 36.11 lbs). Of these 8 sacks, usually half were of white flour and the other half rye flour. The farmer had, back at him home, a 2 section flour chest, where white flour was kept in one section and rye flour kept in the other. The farmer's wife normally baked once per week one oven white bread and one oven rye bread, according to the size of the family. Meat supplies were such that in the fall, when it was frosty already, 1 or 2 pigs were butchered. The pigs should be mostly large and very fat and weigh not less than 150 kilograms. A good slaughter pig should have hand and thumb-high fat. Then also a beef (cow or ox) was slaughtered. With that the meat and lard was supplied. Also, accordingly, a supply of sheep and poultry was butchered. With the milk and butter supply it was so! The farmers usually kept only so many cows just for their own supply. The milk was separated by a separator. The farmer's wife put the cream into a stone crock during the week and on Sunday, butter was churned. The farmer's wife clarified the butter, which the household couldn't use right away, and saved it in a stone crock for the winter months for seasoning the vegetables. Often times, fresh butter was sold at the market. When milk was surplus at times, one could sell it in the dairy. Vegetables in Brunnental were raised for the family's own use. For cultivation of vegetables, land was given to the citizens as common shares on both sides of the dam's backwater ditches. On this vegetable land, the farmers raised white cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, peas and beans and other vegetables. The vegetables which couldn't be used in the summertime were preserved or canned for winter use. Much sauerkraut and cucumbers (pickles) were preserved for the winter. Also watermelons and apples were preserved in brine and eaten with pleasure. Fruit growing in Brunnental was of no importance. Fruit was traded for grain by orchardists from other areas. I want to mention that the peasant women (farmer's wives) enjoyed making many dried apple slices from apples. These apple slices were prepared the following way: The apple was cut into 4 quarters (4 pieces) and the core was removed and the slices placed on a baking tin. These baking tins with the apple pieces were then placed in the sun to dry. If necessary, they might also be placed in a warm oven to dry. These dried apple slices kept very well and could be kept at the most for 2 years. Cherries, gooseberries, and red currants were also canned to be used in the winter months, and one would call it stewed or preserved fruit. It tasted very good. All of the preserved vegetables and fruits were welcome vitamins during the long winter months. I must also add that every fall, sugar-beet syrup was cooked and many times, not such a small amount. Also watermelon juice was cooked and called syrup. This watermelon syrup tasted especially good, and it was golden yellow like honey. The cooking of the watermelon juice must be understood because one needed special containers. I can only say that the nourishment of the farmers of Brunnental from 1925- 1929 was simple, natural, and by all means healthy. During these years, the children, as well as the grown-ups, were healthy. The natural living was a good example. As I said before, the farmers were 90% self-supporting. Additional provisions which had to be purchased included sugar, salt, tea, spices, soap and lotions and other small items. The Clothing of the Brunnental Farmers: The clothing of the Brunnental farm families was simple, but modest. When one thinks of the clothes, one need to remember the climate. It is known, that the climate in the Volga republic is different than in the West. In the winter time, it is very cold most of the times around minus 15 up to minus 35 degrees with lots of snow and snow storms. By comparison, the summers are dry and warm, even hot from about + 20 degrees to +40 degrees. According to the manufacture of the clothing for the Brunnental farm families, the women had the western style. First, I want to mention, that in the years 1925-1929, there were no manufactured (ready made) clothing available for purchase. As I have reported earlier, the farmers were able to purchase fabric for the entire family, after the harvest, as money trickled into the house. Overcoats, suits, and the large pieces of clothing were left for the tailors to make. All other clothing for the family, be it shirts, pants, dresses, blouses, underwear, children's clothing, bedding and quilts were made by the farmer's wives and daughters themselves. The regulations at that time were so, that a farmer's daughter of marriageable age, could do the family sewing herself. With few exceptions, the girls were capable of doing. it. When one or the other wasn't of that caliber, when she was married, she had to learn it very quickly. Normally, a sewing machine happened to be in the house of the better equipped farm families. That was a big advantage for the young wife. Where there was no sewing machine, the women had to sew by hand. I know it appears unbelievable for today's times, but I assure everyone that things were like that at that time in Brunnental. For example, my mother came from a rich farm house. She married in 1910, receivied a rich dowry, also a Singer sewing machine. This sewing machine was taken by the bandits in 1921, during the Revolution. My father was not in a position to purchase a new machine during the big hunger and starvation period from 1921-1924. As the economic situation improved, and things became better for the new farmers of Brunnental, my mother received a sewing machine again in 1926. I truly remember that my mother sewed everything by hand, whether pants or shirts for my father and us children, in those years when she did not have a sewing machine. She had a paper pattern for all the clothing. With it she cut out the clothing and sewed it by hand. Not only my mother was capable of doing that, it was so common that all the women were able to sew for their families. What I have discussed so far tells more about the clothing for the warmer time of year. But the clothing for the cold and the very cold season of the year, was very much more important. Also it took much more energy and skill for the wives and daughters to make this winter clothing. There was much preparations that were needed for the spinning and knitting of the wool clothing. The farmers had to raise sheep for the wool. The sheep were also a great source of nourishment. The meat was enjoyed during the summer season and especially when field work and harvest work was being done. Since this field work was done during the hot season, it was impractical to butcher a cow or any large animal since there would be no way to preserve such a large quanity of meat, such as we do today in tin or glass jars. One could only keep fresh meat in a deep cellar for 8 days during the summer. For that reason, one butchered large animals in the fall when frost was in evidence. One could then hang the meat in the granary on a hook until it was frozen hard as a bone. Then it was sawed into portions as needed and laid into the meat-packing case. The housewife brought it to the kitchen as it was needed during the winter months. But with sheep, since they were smaller, the meat could be used during the summer months, and eaten quickly. Now, back to the sheep or better said, back to the wool of the sheep. First, the wool had to be prepared for spinning. The work was mainly done by the wives and daughters. First, the sheep were shorn in the spring by hand with so-called sheep shears. Then the wool had to be washed. The dry wool was first placed in a sack and stored until fall, after the end of the field work. In the fall, the wool was brought forth and prepared for the spinners. (Continued in the next newsletter) ----------------------------------- NATURALIZATIONS OF BRUNNENTALERS, MULTNOMAH COUNTY, OREGON: (continued from last issue:) Hergert, Anna Margaretha: 4929 N.E. 6th, Portland, OR Born: 24 Oct 1887 Brunnenthal, Russia From: Libau to Quebec to Seattle, 30 Nov. 1907 Husband: Adam, born 24 Oct 1881 Brunnenthal Married: 26 Feb 1906, Brunnenthal Children: Henry b 6 Dec 1906 Brunnenthal Nat'l 18 Jan 1940 Reel 1536022 14213, page 178 Hergert, Henry: 826 East 27th Street, Portland, OR Age 20, Millworker Born : 10 Oct 1904 Brunnenthal, Russia From: Liverpool on S.S. Southwark to Quebec to Port Huron 7 Jan 1907 Wife: Viola Rebecca b 2 Nov 1903 Portland, OR Married: 17 May 1924 Portland, OR Nat'l 16 Nov 1939, Reel 1535073 Hergert, Henry Adam: 5635 N.E. 13th, Portland, OR Age 30, Body and Fender work Born: 6 Dec 1905 Brunnenthal, Russia From: Ship? to Quebec to Seattle, WA 24 Nov 1907 Wife: Aurelia, b 29 Nov 1907 Samara, Russia (came through Boston 29 Nov 1907) Married: 25 Dec 1924 Portland, OR Children: Virgil b 5 July 1923, Kenneth b 22 Jan 1927, Lucille b. 24 May 1929, Stephan b 28 March 1935 Portland Intent 4 June 1936 Nat'l 19 Jan 1939 Reel 1536020 18090 page 64 Hergert, Henry Elias: Bull Run, OR Age 43, Farmer Born: 3 Jan 1876 Brunnenthal, Russia From: Liverpool on SS Beaverline 21 July 1902 to Quebec to Chicago 3 Aug 1902 Wife: Anna b 6 Sep 1876 Brunnenthal, Russia Children: Henry b 26 Oct 1902 Walla Walla; Theodore b 27 Jan 1904, Minnie b 28 Dec 1906, John b 1 Sep 1908, Frieda b 1 Dec 1910, George b 22 Feb 1912, Ida b 3 Aug 1915 all in Portland, OR; Lillie b 3 Apr 1919, Rheinhold b 10 Feb 1921 Bull Run, OR. Intent filed 20 March 1919 Reel 1535069 page 266 Nat'l 20 Sep 1923 Reel 1535362 1666 page 163 Hergert, John: 835 E. 13th N, Portland, OR Age 42, Shoemaker Born: 10 Nov 1871 Brunnenthal, Russia From: Liverpool 18 Oct 1906 on S.S. Southwark to Quebec to Chicago 16 Nov 1906 Wife: Mary Katherine, b. 19 Nov 1864, Gnadenfeld, Russia Children: John b 20 Oct 1897 Balabanofeld, Russia, Alexander b 12 April 1903 Hoffnungsthal, Russia; Henry b 10 Oct 1904 Brunnenthal, Russia Intent filed 16 Nov 1906, denied 22 July 1922 Reel 1535358 8180 page 238. Nat'l Reel 1535071 (age 51 living at 1025 Vernon, Portland, OR) Hoff, George Jr.: 153 E. Columbia Blvd., Age 27 Born: 28 Dec 1903 Brunnenthal, Russia From: Bremen on S.S. Grosser Kurfurst to NY 20 Oct 1908 Wife: Molly b. Ritzville, WA Reel 1535073 Hergert, John Jr.: 875 East 13th North, Portland, OR Age 30, Finisher Born: 20 Oct 1897, Brunnenthal, Russia From: Liverpool on S.S. Southwark to Quebec to Chicago 16 Nov 1906 to Sumas, WA Wife: Kate, b 27 March 1897, Russia Children: Eleanor b 23 June 1917, Robert b 10 Jan 1919, Delores b 9 May 1930, all in Portland, OR. Reel 1535075 Intent 4 Feb 1928 (living at 1025 Vernon Ave, age 23, Stock Clerk) Nat'l 16 March 1933 Reel 1535685 #120 Hoff, Jacob: 5102 NE 19th, Portland, OR Born: 18 Apr 1906 Brunnenthal, Russia From: Bremen on SS Grosser Kurfurst to NY 20 Oct 1908 Wife: Effie b. 25 July 1905 Manzonola, CO Married: 2 Dec 1937 Kelso, WA Nat'l 19 Dec 1940 Reel 1536024 15240 page 70 Meisner, Leo Gordon: 4117 N. Haight, Portland, OR Born: 1 Oct 1899 Brunnenthal, Russia From: Ship? Vancouver, BC to Blaine, WA 7 Apr 1920 Wife: Lydia b 30 Aug 1899 Saratov, Russia Married: 17 Aug 1935 Portland, OR Intent: 16 April 1920 Reel 1535069 page 405 Nat'l 17 Dec 1936 Reel 1535689 15369 page 225. Meisner, Lydia: 4048 N. Haight, Portland, OR, Housewife Born: 30 Aug 1899 Saratov, Russia From: Libau on SS Ivernia to Boston 26 Oct 1911 Married: 17 Aug 1935 Portland, OR Children: Edward b 24 Nov 1919 in Nebraska Intent 1 Feb 1932 Nat'l 1937 Reel 1536016 page 43 Melcher, George: 4540 N.E. 15th Ave., Portland, OR Age: 58, Furniture Worker Born: 31 Dec 1879 in Brunnenthal, Russia From: Libau on SS Korea to NY on 17 Aug 1907 Wife: Mary Catherine b 28 July 1880 in Brunnenthal, Russia Children: Mary b 14 Nov 1899, Catherine b 8 Aug 1901, Henry b 11 Mar 1906, all 3 in Russia; Alex b 31 Dec 1907, Harry b 11 Dec 1909, Irene b 2 Jan 1913, all 3 in Portland, OR Intent filed 17 Mar 1938 Nat'l 20 Mar 1941 Reel 1536025 19701 page 131 Melcher, George: 3937 N.E. 6th Ave., Portland, OR Age 59, Not employed Born: 29 Dec 1873 in Brunnenthal, Russia From: Bremen on SS Maya to NY on 23 Dec 1898 Wife: Mary b 23 Dec 1872 in Brunnenthal, Russia Children: John b 20 July 1895, Emma b 12 Mar 1898 both in Russia, Edith b 6 Aug 1901 WA, Lillian b 18 Mar 1903, b 31 Jul 1907, Mary b 26 Oct 1909, Benjamin b 30 Jun 1911, all in Portland, OR Intent filed 14 Dec 1933 Reel 1535090 Nat'l 19 Jan 1939 Reel 1536020 15292 page 27 Melcher, Henry: 966 E 15th, Portland, OR Age: 19, Laborer Born: 11 Mar 1906, Brunnenthal, Russia From: Libau on SS Corea to NY on 12 Aug 1907 Intent 4 Jan 1926 Reel 1535074 Nat'l Reel 1535596 page 147 Melcher, Henry: 826 E. 7th N., Portland, OR Age: 42, Carpenter Born: 31 Mar 1879 in Brunnenthal, Russia From: Libau on SS Maija to NY 1 Jan 1899 (on Nat'l he says Bremen left 18 Dec 1898) Widower Children: Viola b 2 Nov 1903, Harry b 27 Jun 1905, Esther b 15 Jul 1907 all in Portland, OR Intent 21 Sep 1921 Reel 1535070 Nat'l 21 Jan 1926 Denied Melcher, John: 4616 NE Alberta, Portland, OR Age: 38, Laborer Born: 20 Jul 1895 in Brunnenthal, Russia From: Bremen on SS Maija to NY 23 Sep 1898 Wife: Lillian b 31 Mar 1907 Drummond, Idaho Married: 18 Oct 1924 Portland, OR Children: John b 18 Feb 1926, John b. 30 Dec 1932 Portland Intent Reel 1535090 Nat'l 18 Sep 1936 Reel 1536015 15275 page 113 Melcher, Kathryn Margaret: 966 E. 15th N., Portland Age: 22, Supervisor Pacific Tel & Tel Born: 8 Aug 1901 in Brunnenthal, Russia From: Libau on S.S. Korea to NY 12 Aug 1907 Intent filed 1 Feb 1924 Nat'l 21 March 1928 Melcher, Pauline: 4643 NE Mason, Portland, OR Born: 6 Aug 1890 in Ritzville, WA Husband: Philip b 5 Mar 1888 in Russia Married: 22 Sep 1908 Ritzville, WA Children: Marie b 10 May 1912, Irma b 7 Jun 1917 Portland, Raymond 11 May 1920 Odessa, WA., Dorothy b 7 Apr 1925 Portland. Nat'l 21 Sep 1939 Reel 1536022 13913 page 128 Melcher, Philip: 4643 NE Mason, Portland, OR Age: 45, Unemployed Born: 5 Mar 1888 Brunnenthal, Russia From: Bremen on SS Maija to NY 23 Dec 1898 Wife: Pauline b 6 Aug 1890 Ritzville, WA Married: 22 Sep 1908 Ritzville, WA Children: Marie b 10 Aug 1912, Irma 7 June 1917 Portland, Raymond b 11 May 1920 Ritzville, WA., Dorothy b 7 Apr 1926 Portland, OR. Intent Reel 1535090 Nat'l 1937 Reel 1536017 page 202 Miller, Amalia: 606 NE Skidmore, Portland, OR Born: 26 Apr 1888 in Brunnenthal, Russia From: Libau on SS Estonia to NY on 26 Oct 1907 Widow: (Fred b 12 Apr 1884 Brunnental, Russia) Married: 22 Jan 1906 Brunnenthal, Russia Children: Samuel b 28 Sep 1908, Frederick b 2 Oct 1910, Alexander b. 23 Jan 1912, William b 15 July 1914, Edward b 17 Mar 1918, Theodore b 19 Oct 1926 all in Portland. Nat'l 20 June 1940 Reel 1536023 14616 page 146 Miller, Fred: 834 E 14th., Portland, OR Age: 33, Carpenter Born: 12 Apr 1884 in Brunnenthal, Russia From: Libau 7 Oct 1907 on SS Estonia to NY 26 Oct 1907 Wife: Amalie b 26 Apr 1888 Brunnental, Russia Children: Samuel b. 28 Sep 1908, Fred b 2 Oct 1910, Alexander b 23 Jan 1912, William b 15 July 1914, Edward b 17 Mar 1918 all in Portland, OR Intent 8 Apr 1918 Nat'l 19 Mar 1925 --------------------------- THE END