Headline: From Russia
Norka, November 14, 1923
To: Jacob J. Stroh
Lincoln, Nebraska
I inform you that I and my family are in good health. As things presently stand here, we could complain about everything. If America had not pitied us, everyone would have starved to death during the famine years. We owe our lives to you dear brothers and sisters in America and can only offer our thanks. God will repay you in the after-life for what you have done for us and are doing still.
The harvest was not one of the best. It produced about 20 Pud per Desyatin. Vegetables turned out well, which was a piece of good luck, but now everything that one needs to buy is terribly expensive. It is quickly becoming impossible to live in Russia because of inflation. If it would have been possible, half of Russia would have already immigrated to America during the last three years. But it was not possible and everyone has to stay where they are. The weather is wet and warm and the livestock go out to pasture every day.
My thoughts and greetings go out to all my friends in America, particularly Wilhelm Deines in Norfolk, Nebr., and Georg Deines in Minatare, Nebr.
Shall I write you Americans about prices here in Russia? Now, pay attention: a Pud of wheat costs 400 million Ruble; rye 300 million; a Pud of wheat flour costs a billion 500 million Ruble; a Pud of beef, 2 billion Ruble; a horse from 50 to 100 billion; a pair of oxen from 120 to 150 billion Ruble. Many people are already going naked. A shirt costs 2 and a pair of trousers 2 to 3 billion; a pair of boots 3 to 4 billion Ruble. And that's the way prices are for everything. God knows what's going to happen.
I ask every friend in America to help each of their relatives and friends in Russia with money if they can.
I would like to go to America again and I ask Mr. Stroh to write to me how I might best accomplish this.
Greetings to all our people over there, especially to those who know me. I remain, your friend,
Jacob Deines
Number 294 in Norka
Lincoln, Nebraska
I inform you that I and my family are in good health. As things presently stand here, we could complain about everything. If America had not pitied us, everyone would have starved to death during the famine years. We owe our lives to you dear brothers and sisters in America and can only offer our thanks. God will repay you in the after-life for what you have done for us and are doing still.
The harvest was not one of the best. It produced about 20 Pud per Desyatin. Vegetables turned out well, which was a piece of good luck, but now everything that one needs to buy is terribly expensive. It is quickly becoming impossible to live in Russia because of inflation. If it would have been possible, half of Russia would have already immigrated to America during the last three years. But it was not possible and everyone has to stay where they are. The weather is wet and warm and the livestock go out to pasture every day.
My thoughts and greetings go out to all my friends in America, particularly Wilhelm Deines in Norfolk, Nebr., and Georg Deines in Minatare, Nebr.
Shall I write you Americans about prices here in Russia? Now, pay attention: a Pud of wheat costs 400 million Ruble; rye 300 million; a Pud of wheat flour costs a billion 500 million Ruble; a Pud of beef, 2 billion Ruble; a horse from 50 to 100 billion; a pair of oxen from 120 to 150 billion Ruble. Many people are already going naked. A shirt costs 2 and a pair of trousers 2 to 3 billion; a pair of boots 3 to 4 billion Ruble. And that's the way prices are for everything. God knows what's going to happen.
I ask every friend in America to help each of their relatives and friends in Russia with money if they can.
I would like to go to America again and I ask Mr. Stroh to write to me how I might best accomplish this.
Greetings to all our people over there, especially to those who know me. I remain, your friend,
Jacob Deines
Number 294 in Norka
Sources
Die Welt-Post, February 28, 1924, page 3.
This translation provided courtesy of Hugh Lichtenwald.
This translation provided courtesy of Hugh Lichtenwald.
Last updated March 6, 2016.