Lower Volga Village Project
Letter of 12 Feb 1932 from Amalia (Wasemiller) and Konstantine Oblander
Note: The following letter written from Tschu, Kasakstan is
translated by Ella Wasemiller Wadewitz, daughter of Richard and Katherine (Niedens)
Wasemiller. Amalie (1902-1983) is the sister of Richard Wasemiller (1884-1965)
who immigrated to the U. S. in 1912 with his family. They lived in Fresno, California.
Konstantine (1896-1947) is a brother to Alexander Oblander (1893-1978) son of
Mary (Wollert) and Alexander Oblander (1847-1933). Alexander m. Katherine Stoll,
and immigrated in 1912, living in Windsor, Weld County Colorado. Esther Hergenreder
is his daughter.
"First, the Best greetings to you, dear brother-in-law
and sister-in-law and all your children, from us, your sister and brother-in-law
and our 2 children, Eduard and Alexander.
"One child of 8 months with the name Leo has already
died here in Kasakstan, the 8th of July, 1931.
" We came here in the year of 1931 on Easter Sunday.
We had to leave our home March 17th 1931. It is almost one year that we are
in this far away land, and we have already endured so much. We have all been
sick; especially the children. They are sick all the time. This is a very bad
climate.
"Many of the folks from Muehlberg [Shcherbakovka]
have already died. From Muehlberg there are teacher Georg Georgow with family;
Graf and family, and not the old one; and Friedrich Hanschu (Goldhannes.)
"From the lower part of the village (Graben or
dugout), the Laubhans, and from the Kutter, the Blehms with children, the old
folks are still home; Uncle Conrad Wassenmueller with his family; David Wasenmueller
with family. From the Kling: S. Brinkman; the Reisig that had the mill; the
old Reisig is still at home; Johannes Ehrlich and Kristof.
"Those that already died here: David Wasenmueller,
Uncle Konrad Wasenmueller's mother emigrated. The young Konrad, a child. The
2 Reisigs: Georg and Woldemar, Johannes Ehrlich and a single son of the Meiers.
There are 3 people that can't work and about 7 that have died.
"Now my dear brother-in-law and sister-in-law,
we are telling you we have already written you, and we have received no answer.
We received $10 but do not know from whom. Was it from my brother Alexander?
We do not receive letters from him either, and we have written 3 letters to
him. Maybe you do not receive our mail. Other people here received mail and
packages from America with lard and flour. If it is possible, maybe you can
send us some lard and flour and other food products. Whet we need most is lard
or something like it. Not even money will buy this here. We have not had something
like lard for so long, we need something to season our food. Everything is so
bland. Things we get out of the central kitchen are weak and bland. We could
buy potatoes and flour, but one needs a great deal of money.
"I alone am working. Amalie has so much work with
the children, and with making the bread. It is winter now and very cold. Our
living quarters are barracks. For now we are in fairly good health, and we would
be very happy to know that your health is good too. And we hope our letter will
reach you.
"From home we also do not receive leters, but as
we hear from others when mail gets through, things are very weak at home.
"I am sending you my borhter Alexander's address,
and please write to him and tell him to help us. Please write to us, and tell
us how things are with you. Are you still alive? If you can, please help us,
and send us what you can. We hear things are very good in America.
"Your friends Konstantin and Amalie and Children.
"Live well and be happy till we meet again. We
are waiting for an answer soon."
Letter sent to Alexander Oblander, furnished by Esther Hergenreder. January 6, 1935
"I will write to you my beloved Brother.
To start my letter we are all together. Alex and Sister-in-law
and dear children.
Greetings and I kiss you, kiss of love from your beloved
Brother Konstandine, wife Amalia, and two children are also helathy, and this
is what we wish to you with all our heart.
"To you health is the greatest. We have in three
years gone to the forest, and went through many a hardship, hunger where many
people died. Dear Father and Mother worked very hard and died over there.(Siberia)
I have written very often and have told you the same thing.
"I cannot understand this Alex, I write the addresses
from home and never received many letters. Do you receive any of my letters
or are you not alive? Your wife should be alive and your children. I have a
great plea to you. When you receive this letter and write how many are still
alive. I can't think that you have forgotten us. People receive letters from
America and receive a lot of help. Lauban received 3 letters one after the other
from Sister Amalia and $5.00. I am trying to tell you how it is. This year a
little better.
"In spring comes work and we have a piece of land,
potatoes, beets, kraut and other crops, and we live off of this. We have no
pigs so there is no pig lard. January 1st Fritz received 7 rubels but we don't
have any money. Haven't received any money for 4 months. I don't know how we
get through. You can also put a $1.00 in the letter.
"My Brother Alexander & Mollie Blehm please
come to my help. I am pleaing so I could buy something. If we had some money
we could buy some milk. Lot of people receive much help and money. Two families
have a cow and pig which they slaughter. I am very poor. One cow cost $2500
and goose 200 rubels. If you could send me some money Alec I could get it from
Turkey.
"Konstandine & Amalia"