Donnybrook, September 27, 1914

Dear mother, Mina, and brothers-in-law,

I can't wait any longer to write how we are doing. So far we are all by good health, Hedwig is also doing better. She can sleep again and gained 4 pounds in 3 weeks.

Dear friends, we have an idea how you are doing, because the war is bringing a lot of sorrow and pain to Germany. The heart shivers when you read about that. But there is also a lot of help from everywhere, may God help that there is peace soon. The latest news say that the Lord gave the Germans numerous victories, has heard the prayers of his children and I believe like thousands of people here in America ... that Germany will win over his enemies, because in Germany there was so much christianity ... and the Allmighty himself is ruling the world and the war. Many here in the US were certain that Germany would quickly be destroyed, like many were in 1870, when the French were certain to reach Berlin within 4 weeks. Yes, they came to Germany, but not as the victors, but as prisoners of war, even Napoleon. I often remember that time. I was only 11 years old and father [i.e. Friedrich Feldner] was 14. We always tell the children about that. No, Germany can't decline, just think about the cruelties that the British did to the many women and Boer children. Also the persecution of the Jews in Russia cried to God. I was always homesick for Germany, and now I think of you all day and night. When we wake up in the night we feel sorry for you. I think we can not even imagine the misery, and we are so happy to be here in America with our children. We also feel sorry for the dear old mother that she has to go through that. You should have come with us to America, there you would have had a better live ....

Dear Mina, how are you, are you still healthy, I think, Wilhelm also had to go [to the military?!]. Please write us who else had to go. Please write all [by name]. Write as soon as possible, we can hardly wait.

Give this letter to Rubys, we got their letter and the postcard. Thanks for both. Best regards to them and they shall write back. We finished threshing today, we had a good harvest this year and get a good price. Wheat is 95 cent to 1 Dollar, it even was 109 cents. I could add much more details but it must be enough now. We all want to ask for the Lord's peace. Greeting to you all.

Luise and Friedrich Feldner

We would have written earlier but we had heard that letters don't go through.