Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-01-20
AT HIS OLD HOME.

AT HIS OLD HOME.
Simon Moeller Tells Something Of Life In
Germany-Primitive Wheat Threshing-
hog Killing me-Christmas-Erro
Notions About the United states-Spe-
cimens of German LAVA Wedding
There Is to Be.
Correspondence Of the Yorkville Enquirer.
OBERwUsTEN, Germany, December
19, 1S99.-No matter how much had
liked to write. hitherto it has been i'm
possible. Of that which l wrote last
/ have very little remembrance, and if
anything should be repeated, l beg the
indulgence of the kind readers. rcd
Nearly two weeks have been at my
early home. Things look yet nearly
as they did eight years ago. Houses
and trees stand yet on the same places
where I left them. Only the appear
ance of the people has changed. Many
of the old friends and neighbors I did
not know any more. .... -,
For some weeks we have had severe
cold and some snow. Fifteen degrees,
Reaumer, has been the highest record
this year. Killing hogs is at present
very popular occupation. We have
killed one of 400 pounds and intend to
kill one more a little heavier.
The threshing is just about done.
This is largely done by hand. Of
course, many people have machines
and there are also travelling machines;
but all those who raise only small
crops OF grain like it better 10 thresh
by hand. The threshing is done with
clubs which are fastened to five foot
long sticks. The threshers all beat
together, and whenever they intend to
close they all come down at once,
Six men thresh about Is bushels day.
The government has not bothered
me yet. We have at present po-
liceman who does not trouble anybody
if he can help it; but if I should hap
pen to run up with him, then he will
have to report about my arrival. 10
fine of $50 marks l was sentenced
for my withdrawal from military duty.
As soon as the circuit officer hears OF
my return, this amount shall be de-
manded of me but in vain.
Christmas draws near. Tomorrow
l went TO go to town to see if 1 can
meet Santa Claus. They say he wilE
make his call some of these days.
This year we will have three days for
Christmas the Sunday before and as
the custom is, the day after. On all
these days religious services take place
in. every church. On the first day
there is service at 6 o'clock, a. M:
For this occasion large decorated
fir tree is placed on each side of the
altar, and the whole tabernacle is
lighted by candles. If did not know
that Christmas belongs to; the past
whenever these line are published, I
would send congratulations. How.
ever, happy New Year 1 wish for
all.
When the people of this country
hear that in the northern states of the
Union it is 30 extremely cold, and yet
there are no stables for the domestic
animals, they do not understand how
enlightened people who enter into war
with other nations for humanity sake,
can witness such suffering before their
eyes, when millions of feet of timber
are rotting because it is not used. On
such occasions I often hear the express
sion, "Germany above all above
everything in the world."* But Amer:
erica is unique there is not such an
other country.
When I write again, may report
some interesting news. What that
may be I leave to the kind reader to
infer.
I have not seen any game yet.
Hunting here is monopolized by people
who are able to pay for the privilege,
and if others shoot they are liable to
Imprisonment. In this neighborhood
not long ago there was prize shoot
ing. One of the participants who had
drunk too much, pointed gun, sup
posed to be unloaded, at partner,
and killed him. The man was SEN
fenced to two months imprisonment,
to support the widow and children,
and to prepare the children for any
profession the widow might choose.
Another man shot rabbit in his gar
den and was sent to Jail for four
months.
Hail to the United States, the great
est government on earth.
SIMON MoELLER.
sOf course the reader will understand
that the Germans are badly misinformed