Letter Dated 13 August 1879, Parisville, Michigan

Lieber August,

My heart breaks when I think of dear Papa. He worked tirelessly to send me to America so you all could follow. Now he will never see this New World himself. It makes no sense.

But Father Gratza assures us that God has a plan, that life is a mystery. And this must be true, for I write you now with glad news:

I have had a baby! Little Agnes looks like you and drools the way you used to! I wish you were here to be her godfather. William intends to make her a fiddle when she is older. He says we will have two musicians in the family. While a duo with Agnes will be wonderful, a trio with you would be better still. If only we could play together! And if only Papa could see his first grandchild — and an American grandchild at that! He would be so proud.

Deine Schwester, 
Berta 

Letter Dated 27 February 1879, Kniewon-Samosten, Prussia

Liebe Berta,

Terrible news: Papa is dead. He was out logging when a runaway sledge knocked him unconscious. Lumbermen carried him home. We sent for the doctor, but he could do nothing. Papa never awoke. We buried him yesterday.

Mama is beside herself. I remind her, “Where fear is the greatest, God’s help is the nearest,” but she takes no comfort in these words. To think that we will never see him again! Sister, what will we do without Papa?

Dein Bruder, 
August 

Letter Dated 16 December 1878, Parisville, Michigan

Lieber August,

The third star approaches, the Holy Night draws near. As we divide our Christmas wafer, we think of you; and the wish we make is to be reunited soon. Next year, God willing, we will play carols together again. But this year, you and your sweet strings are sorely missed.

Happy Christmas!

Deine Schwester, 
Berta 

Letter Dated 30 October 1878, Kniewon-Samosten, Prussia

Liebe Berta,

You will not believe what happened!

Chancellor Bismarck closed our church! To think that you now have two churches there while we have none! Father Brill says Bismarck will force us all to become Protestant! What’s more, the chancellor has forbidden us to speak Polish or Kashubian. We must speak only German! Sister, you cannot imagine the awful changes we face since you left.

The storks have begun their migration south, warning us of the grim winter ahead. Already cold rains have started.

I truly miss you!

Dein Bruder, 
August