The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1915-09-09
From Trans .CaaCasia
Miss Laura Johnson received the
following letter from Russia:

Dear Laura: How wish l conld
begin with the time 'honored your
welcome letter just received" but
there's no use complaining,
I can't remember whether I've
written you since we so suddenly left
our camp. After the first shock and
disappointment was over we wrote a
few letters, trusting mother to write
the rest Of you. A very short time
after l wrote you that felt secure, we
found it necessary TO leave Kwarzchans.
The ladies left in the morning by car
rage and wagon, carrying as little
baggage as possible, and the men were
warned Of danger the same afternoon.
There we're no horses or vehicles left
for them, so they walked out, aud
iourneyed more than 80 Of the 46
miles into Batum. OF course baggage
was out Of the question, my husbands S
baggage consisting Of his shaving out
fit, an umbrella, and tiny American
flag, given US by Mrs, KAUFMAN when
we sailed from New York. Our cook
thoughtully carried with him enough
food for a number OF men, for the way
was long and enroute they passed
women and children, also refugees,
crying for food, Fortunately in my
grips I had brought things for Sewall.
We remained in Batum one night to
care Ior his poor sick feet, then jour
neYed on TO Tiflis, where we spent six
weeks. On January LIST We came here,
and may remain all summer, though
we aren't sure. Our camp and sur
rounding territory is again in Russian
hands, and our manager visited Kwarz-
chana just as soon as he was permitted
to 90. He found the smelter in good
condition, bnt the houses had been
looted and the things the Turks didn't
take they ruined. 1t wasn't the reg
ular Turkish army, but the Turks who
have lived here for years. They have
been treated with every kindness, had
nice little farms and homes, and Russia
has treated them as children. OI
course they have been driven out oI
the land, and have lost their homes,
and all, but they deserve that or worse.
We have lost about $4,000 worth OIL
property, and everyone else lost much.
1t is heart-breaking 10 think Of the
things which we can never replace
but what's the use Of crying7 I'm
glad we escaped.
Work has again begun in construc
ton, but think it will be very long
before the plant is completed, tol
there are many drawbacks. The labor
ers are a little afraid to work there
then during these times it is difficult
to transport supplies and material, Sc
altogether it may be fall before they
can make copper.
We like Kedabeg quite well, but i
isn't home and we're anxious to return
to Kwarzchana. The man with whom
we live is leaving in a few days and VI
will have his large house quite alone
We will dismiss a servant or two 81
that I can have something TO do. Tht
cook is good-has been in this ismil.
for IS years. Pm anxious 10 lear
some Of his recipes, hut he is horribl'
secretive with them. The food is goot
in this country, though quite diferen
from our American cooking. Tn
soups are very fine, especially tn
famous "borsch." 1t is a meal il
itself. We don't try to live the Amer
ican way, as it would be rather diff
cult. We follow local customs an
find them interesting.
We've enjoyed few outings
places Of interest near here. TIL
country is fnll OF old ruins castles
fortresses and churches. Near her
is an old chapel 500 years old. 1t
Armenish, and about one DAYS rid
from here, at the Gortcha lake, is a
Armenish chapel said to be loo
. years old. We hope 10 visit Gortcf
this summer. There is much Of il
l terest there, and should the wealth
be clear we will have a view Of M