Hallo List: The following article is translated to the best of my ability. --------------------- Page 3, Die Welt-Post, Thursday, March 20, 1924 Letters from Russia Brunnenthal, January 5, 1924 To: Friedrich Mehlinger Marion, Kansas God's grace be with you dear brother and family: You are greeted by my wife and 4 children. My family members are all well but I caught a fever and the shivers last summer and cannot get rid of them. With this condition work is especially difficult, especially since I do not have any working livestock on the homestead. The died last winter. We received a letter from you yesterday which brought us great joy because we had already written often to you and received no replies. Our brothers and sisters are still alive and doing tolerably well. Johannes and Georg Shauermann, their wives and children are also still alive. Jacob Groth starved to death in 1921. "Vetter" (cousin/uncle/elder) Heinrich, aunt Mahla and Jacob are no longer alive. Jacob Dietz is also dead. Dear brother, you want that I should write you everything that is new. Now, the times are no longer as you knew them. We live now in the twilight of world history. If we live according to God's word, especially the prophetic ones, we see that everything is being fulfilled and that the end is near. We thank you in advance for wanting to send us money. If it is possible, send me a small pocket Bible. I have often thought of you because we have taken your children into our hearts, as you well know. Things with Katrinlies are well, she has her bread. Heinrich married the daughter of Conrad Steinmetz. "Vetter" (cousin/uncle/elder) Johannes received $30 from his son Johannes and immediately bought a cow, for which he paid 224 Billion Rubel. On the morning of January 6, we are having a large conference here. 436 people from other localities have traveled here. Because of my fever I can take but little part in it. But my motto is: "Nearer My God to Thee, Nearer to Thee." Read John 12 from verse 35 on. Johannes and Georg Schauermann send you greetings, we are going to prayer meeting, as well as Georg Stroh, Heinrich Miller and Wilhelm Loebsack and others. Write us something about brother-in-law Schauermann and his wife Amalia and about the Dietz family because we have had no news of them. With affectionate greetings I remain your brother who loves you, Jacob Mehlinger and family Dear brother-in-law and sister-in-law Mehlinger: I, your sister-in-law Katharina will also write a little something and with brief words describe our emergency. We are so happy to again hear something from you. You wrote that you wanted to send us some clothing but to date we have not received anything. When I wash, the children have to go naked until their things are washed and dried and then they are able to dress again. Ach! This is such poverty as to make one want to stop living in this world! When the times were still good we had no children, now, when they are bad and there is a shortage of everything, we have 4 children and cannot dress them. Our children range in age from 2 to 11 years. Will you take pity on us? I come to you with my greetings and await a quick response and assistance. In closing, your sister-in-law, Katharina Mehlinger Marion, Kansas, February 7 The above letters were received from my relatives in Brunnental, Russia and are self explanatory. From them you can rightly see how great the clothing shortage is among our people. After reading such letters, whoever has a heart that did not melt, it was because it was made of stone. We here are all still well and wish the same to all the readers. What is wrong with Elias Hergert? One hears nothing more from him. We Brunnentalers happily read your letters, why are you not writing anymore? With my greetings to all readers, I remain, your fellow reader, Friedrich Mehlinger ---------------------- Hugh Lichtenwald, from the farm in Monetta, SC VC, Wiesenmueller