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History > Famine 1921-1924 > Letters > May 17, 1923

Headline: ​From Nebraska and Russia

Hastings, 15 April

Dear Welt-Post:

We received another letter from our brother George in Norka. I am enclosing it and will also report a bit on what is happening here. I had previously sent a letter to the Tribune, which I also read, but up to now have not seen it in the paper. Because we are now also readers of the Welt-Post I thought to try my luck with you.

My brother George wanted a heavy jacket and some eyeglasses which are already on their way. I expect to receive another letter from Russia soon.

A near tragedy occurred here recently at the Henry Millers. His children were playing in the yard and had gathered a pile of papers and started a fire in order to burn them. They began joyfully jumping over the blaze when little Maria's dress caught on fire. Her mother grabbed the 7 year old Maria and held her under the well pump, pumping water over her to smother the fire, without a doubt, saving her life.

Greetings to all the readers,

Heinrich Kaiser

Summary of the Russian letter:

​George Kaiser in Norka, brother of Mr. Heinrich Kaiser above, in Hastings, Nebraska, writes on 10 February that he received a letter dated January 20, 1923. He (George) had to pay 3 million Ruble for postage for this letter to America, which for him was a lot of money. All the gifts that were sent to him, he received and sends his thanks. He asks for further help, especially with clothing. The tremendous inflation that they had nightmares about and had long predicted, has broken out all over Russia and the old horse who has earned his oats will not be getting any, but those who are "fat" (well-to-do) will "float." The general assistance sent from America remains in the villages and the poor on the outskirts of the villages are not receiving any (doubtless, an exaggeration---editor). The letter writer wants to have 50 Pud of food and 5 Pud of clothing sent to him, with which he can buy a horse because he only has 2 and needs another. Further, he writes about a brotherhood conference which was held in Norka that was very large. Among others, Jacob Volz attended the conference. Then he closes with the words: "If one remains as industrious as an ant, everything will work itself out," and closes with:

"Your now 56 year old brother, Georg Kaiser"

Sources

Die Welt-Post, May 17, 1923, page 5.

​This translation provided courtesy of Hugh Lichtenwald.
Last updated March 6, 2016
Copyright © 2002-2025 Steven H. Schreiber
  • Home
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    • Notable Norkans
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  • Community
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    • Entertainment
    • Agriculture
    • Climate
    • Homesites
    • Geographical Description
    • Government
    • Social Structure
    • Health
    • Education
    • A Land of Ethnic Diversity
    • Cottage Industries >
      • Sarpinka
      • Mills
    • Language
    • Population
    • Military Service
    • Crime and Punishment
  • History
    • Timeline
    • Origins of the Colonists
    • Catherine's Manifesto 1763
    • Why go to Russia?
    • Recruitment 1766
    • Planning 1764-1766
    • Marriages Prior To Emigration 1766
    • Voyage to Russia 1766 >
      • Ship Transport 1766
    • Journey 1766-1767
    • Founding of Norka 1767
    • Early Years 1767-1769
    • Norka 1769
    • Pallas Report 1773
    • Pugachev Raid 1774
    • Norka 1775
    • Norka 1798
    • Norka 1811
    • Napoleons Soldiers
    • Norka 1834
    • Daughter Colonies 1850s >
      • Neu-Norka
      • Oberdorf
      • Brunnental
      • Rosenfeld (am Jeruslan)
      • Neu Hussenbach (Gaschon)
    • Privileges Lost 1871-1874
    • Immigration 1875-1924 >
      • To the United States >
        • Colorado
        • Ft Collins Colorado
        • Globeville Colorado
        • Mason City, Iowa
        • Culbertson, Nebraska
        • Lincoln, Nebraska
        • Sutton, Nebraska
        • Burlington, Oklahoma
        • Weatherford, Oklahoma
        • Canby, Oregon
        • Portland, Oregon
      • To Canada >
        • Duffield, Alberta
        • Ponoka, Alberta
        • Spruce Grove, Alberta
        • Stony Plain, Alberta
        • Vegreville, Alberta
        • Arcola, Saskatchewan
      • To Germany
      • To South America
    • Famine 1891-1892
    • Norka 1898
    • War & Turnoil 1904-1906
    • World War 1914-1918
    • Revolution & War 1917-1922
    • Soviet Rule 1918-1941
    • Famine 1921-1924
    • Famine 1932-1933
    • The Great Terror 1936-1938
    • Deportation 1941
    • Repression 1941-1956
    • Cultural Loss 1957-2006
    • A Culture in Peril
    • Recent Times
  • Traditions
    • Food and Drink
    • Clothing
    • Holidays >
      • New Year
      • Fastnacht
      • Lent
      • Easter
      • Ascension Day
      • Pentecost
      • Founder's Day
      • Harvest Festival
      • Jahrmarkt
      • Christmas
      • Anniversaries & Birthdays
    • Crafts
    • Games
    • Folk Medicine
    • Superstitions
    • Nicknames
    • Folk Music
    • Church Music
    • Funerals and Burials
  • Religion
    • Planning and History >
      • Norka Reformed Church 1767-1864
      • 1909 Norka Parish Report
    • Pastors >
      • Johann Heinrich Fuchs
      • Johann Georg Herwig
      • Johann Baptist Cattaneo
      • Lukas Cattaneo
      • Emanuel Grunauer
      • Friedrich Börner
      • Christian Gottlieb Hegele
      • Christoph H Bonwetsch
      • Gottlieb N Bonwetsch
      • Wilhelm Staerkel
      • Woldemar Sibbul
      • David Weigum
      • Friedrich Alexander Wacker
      • Emil Pfeiffer
    • Church Practices >
      • Baptism
      • Confirmation
      • Weddings
      • Communion
      • Prayers
      • Parochial Certificates
    • Church Buildings
    • Church Organs
    • Bell Tower
    • Brethren Movement
  • Resources
    • Family Research
    • Research Resources >
      • Arrival Records 1766
      • Descendant Charts
      • German EWZ Records
      • Soviet Gulag Records
    • Maps
    • Glossary
    • Bibliography
    • Periodicals >
      • Die Welt-Post Letters
      • Sonntagsblatt der Omaha Tribune
    • Related Links