New Ulm review., 1921-02-02
WAR PRISONER
FOR SIX YEARS
JOSEPH HELGERT TELLS OF
TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE
IN SIBERIA.
ALSO WRITES OF SUFFERING
IN VIENNA IN LETTER TO
HIS BROTHER.

HIS BROTHER.
Lorenz Helgert of Springfield is IN
receipt of an interesting letter from
his brother, Joseph Helgert, OF Vienna
Austria, in which the latter relates ms
terrible experiences during the World
war and also tells of the heart-rendlng
conditions at present prevailing IN the
Austrian capital.
Prisoner in Siberia.
Joseph is a postoffice employe IN
Vienna and Immediately following the
inception of the World war was called
to the colors, subsequently being
ordered to the Galacian front On
December Is, 1914, he, with 70 OF MS
comrades, was taken prisoner by the
Russians and the little band OF AUS
triansoldiers was transported to
Siberia.
Excrutiating Privations.
The extreme cold OF that desolate
country caused them to sufiler ex-
cruciating privations, as they were not
fortunate enough to have, erabe able
to secure warm clothing. From May,
1918, to July, 1920, the prisoners were
kept at Kansk, and as the provisions IN
allowed them there were OF an ex-
ceedingly bad quality, they were forced
to work hard to earn funds with which
to purchase additional sustenance.
Joseph worked successfully as cabinet
maker, carpenter, trench digger, WOOD
chopper and later in a grain elevator
finally landing job as meat-cutter.
Five Prisoners Escape.
Their comrades having succumbed
to disease, and there being no prospects
of securing their release by an exchange
of prisoners of war, Joseph and tour
of his comrades made their escape,
July IT, ..S2O. They again suffered
indescfibatse priVations and nardsnlps
as a result of hunger and cold, and
were obliged to camp out in the open
most of the time. When their supply
of money and eatables became ex-
hausted, they would work few days
again to replenish their depleted larder
and empty purses, Whereupon the
Journey was continued. The five men
Travelled from Omsk, through Siberia,
over the Ural mountains and through
Russia to St. Petersburg, where they
took passage for Finland and flom
there returned home via Berlin and
Prague, arriving in their native village
of Althuetten, October %, 1920. Great
was the rejoicing of the entire in
habitance, who turned out to celebrate
the prisoners safe arrival home. Joseph
was especially fortunate in finding both
his parents still alive, not having seen
them for seven long years. On De-
cember Z, 1920, he resumed his Official
duties in the postoffice at Vienna.
Conditions in Vienna.
The returned soldier and prisoner
of wal writes of present-day conditions
in Vienna in the following manner:
Things look very sad in Vienna at
present. There is no comparison with
the Vienna of pre-war times. Special
permits are still necessary to secure
eatables and tobacco. The rations
are very meager and meat is known in
name only. 1t is simply terrible.
600 Crowns Rent for Room.
81 was compelled to look around a
long time before l secured place tc
live Zone room), for which must pay
900 crowns rental month. We have
no fuel with which to heat the home
but I am already used to that, having
had similar experiences in Siberia. Il
does not bother me if the room II
which I am staying is not heated.
Clothing Prices High.
n Cali of my clothing, with the ex
ception Of coat and a pair OF trousers
was worn out, so that had to purchas'
q new suit, new shoes, a new hat AM
new underclothing. And the price
charged here! What was not abl
to purchase, / will have to buy peace
meal-socks, collars, suspenders, hand
kerchiefs-everything, from the small
lest article up. This is very tediou
matter. The living problem is &
serious one here. There is no chanc
to satisfy ones hunger.
Dinner Costs 40 of5O Crowns.
can ordinary dinner costs from a 4
to SO crowns (the pre-wal value OF
crown was 20.3 cents). For brea ktas
drink tea and for supper | tpurchas
cold eatables and take them to m
room"
In closing his letter, Joseph request
loan of $1O0 from his relative in tn
country, which he promises to repa
them as soon as conditions in Vlenn
have improved.
Reuben Lund of Lafayette was
h,Icirocc oo11op boro loct T1incdau a.a