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MATHIES GENEALOGY

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REMEMBERANCES OUT OF RUSSIA

FROM JOHANN J MATHIES, VINELAND, ONTARIO, 1965

[Johann - brother of A. J. Mathies]

[Interviewed by Annie Krause]

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[1919]

Margaret and I then drove to our dear uncle Abr. Martens at Kleefeld. Our mother's sister (born Baerg), and Brother Jacob drove stepmother, sisters and brother David's two boys John and George back to Schoenbrunn where they stayed for the winter. We stayed in Kleefeld the whole winter into March 1919 at A. Martens in a nearby house. We had free lodging and meals. Have much thanks owing our dear, dear uncle and aunt. They also had a bible school in this same house. A. Martens both died in Canada. In the spring, we went back to Schoenbrunn and found that many had been murdered.

In Brazel [Brazol Colony, also known as Schoenfeld Colony, South Russia], I immediately reported to the Kommisar, but was ordered to come before a hearing. My life was on the line. The "Wollost" was filled with people and [rodgardisten?]. Many had already lost their lives. I was taken by three rotgardisten through a door and shoved into an empty room with two windows. And they stood guard in front of the door through which we had come. I thought my hour had come. On both sides open swords and before me a revolver. I got a hit on the head with the revolver. I took them together and shoved them against the door which sprang open, ran to the headman the Batko (named father) in his cossack uniform and yelled: "Dear friend help me." I was taken away and put behind lock and key. I could write a lot about this, but it isn't necessary.

My dear God did not let me die. I was released. My brother Abram had to sign that I would not disappear. He was given a [partisaner?]. He wore the weapon, and had a wife and child. Soon, he got a visitor. Our dear neighbour Kornelius Enns [died in Vineland] knew about such things. He came and advised me to leave Schoenbrunn, my life was at stake. I answered "Then they will shoot my brother, and that I don't want."

Then if a band came and wanted to talk with me, I would disappear. The Front was always changing and you never knew who was at the rudder. One day the partisan was again with me, and he wasn't sure of his life either. I warned him that the guns we heard were not fired by his friends. So he asked me what he should do. My brother Jacob was still home, and I promised him that he would drive him away with his wife and child if he willed it. So brother Jake drove him 8 werst to a Russian village.

Our area was now settled with some Austrians and Germans. Some German officers also came to Schoenbrunns wishing to bring some Russians to a hearing. The Russians had been mailed orders to report. In our neighbourhood,  I. Thiessen was the Kommisor and when he was in need, had to flee; came home and reported to the German officer in the school. One Philipp, because he had been on the run so much had taken what he needed as he went. So also by us; the horses and my fur. So  he came to me and begged me to say a good word for him. I felt sorry for him (and I hadn't told anybody yet) and promised to help. My father-in-law Koop, teacher at Schoenbrunn, was also very beloved by the Russians as was Korn. Enns who was involved in this case. I spoke for Philipp, asking they leave him alone, since he hadn't killed anybody. He had taken because he was in need. So they didn't do anything to him which resulted in my safety later on.

Our younger brother Jacob at 21 was once again taken into the war and we never saw him again. The last trace of him was in the Krim. Her was supposed to have had typhus in Jevpatoria. In thinking back it gives you a strange feeling. It brings us back to our Heavenly Father who makes no mistakes. During these troubled times many a soul has been awakened to the hills from whence cometh our help, Jesus Christ.

In the autumn of 1919, after the harvest, most of the Schoenfelder fled, as did we, since Makhno's band were everywhere daily. We voted to go north d. h. Memrick. We drove on a heavy wagon with four horses. The driver, a German, was to return. There were nine of us. Our dear daughter Annie, Abr. Thiessens, cousin with wife, Dav. Baergs and their brother John and sister Mary Thiessen. As we were descending a hill, a front wheel broke and we all fell out, but luckily I was holding little Annie, and she wasn't hurt. We went on to Ebental to my wife's relatives Abr. Friesens and stayed the winter.