Preservings $20 Issue No. 26, 2006 - Home at Plett Foundation

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three automobiles. By night time we had gone as far as Conatlan, where we spent the night. The next morning we travelled north, coming to a big valley with lots of plain level land. We drove alongside a lake, and the further north we travelled, the better the land was. Now and then we saw a river, some with good water. Close to the lake, there was lots of grass and the soil was lighter. Overall there was good grass, big gardens with fruit trees, lots of horses, cattle, mules, donkeys, sheep and goats. We were always heartily welcomed while we viewed the land. We thought this was good enough for us, and Mr. Bronof wanted to buy it for us. Actually, Mr. Bronof thought of asking the ranchers, whether thy would like to sell. However, we decided not to buy just yet, and wanted to look at more land first. We thought of our congregation at home and wondered what they would say about our visit with the President and about the rules regarding the freedom in our schools. When we travelled back, we saw more good land, just as suitable as what we had seen yesterday. March 4, 1921. We awoke in good health, having stayed overnight in Conatlan and saw ranches and good land, mentioned earlier, southeast of town. We saw a big field of winter wheat, just as good as the best wheat back home. We also saw gardens with many kinds of fruit, except bananas. One of the ranches we saw had 75,000 acres, and 73,690 was with good irrigation. From here we travelled to another ranch. They also had good land which lay on the west side of the railroad. We went back again to Durango, arriving at 5:00 p.m. We had left our luggage with the hotel owner and all was in good order. We had a restful night and once again the next day we all went to see more land. The first land we looked at was at Poonos. From there we walked two miles to a ranch, and from there we rode on a wagon and two horses. Our driver only had small mules, who could only go three-quarters of a mile on a very sandy road. It seemed impossible to continue. We agreed to go back. Back at the ranch, we had dinner and then went back to town. At the ranch we saw very good soil, trees, grass and a big fruit garden. This ranch has approximately 65,000 acres, and the owner told us the ranch had started in 1731, and had many people living on it. Out on the field we saw many teams of horses and mules plowing with a share plow. I went over to one team and asked the man whether I could try my hand at plowing. He stepped aside, and I tried my best to hold the plow, but I couldn’t plow the way the Mexican could. The wells were ten feet deep and all the land was under irrigation. We arrived back in the city but had to wait for the train. We sat down in the post office, which was only a little mud brick house, with no window. The only light that came in, came through the door. It was warm in this house. I told myself if I ever moved to Mexico, I would live in a wooden house, because I did not like the smell of the one we were in. Arriving back in Durango, we went back to where we had stayed earlier. In the evening, we went to the city governor and told him that we had seen good land in the province of Durango. We told him how we had talked to the Mexican President about our freedom of living, schools, Waisanamt, etc., and that these freedoms had been granted to us. He explained that these freedoms would also be upheld here, but the Waisanamt (orphan organization) they would leave up to us, except they requested the names of the leaders, just in case someone else showed up and claimed to be a leader. We thanked them again wholeheartedly for welcoming us, and Mr. Julius Loewen again extended our appreciation. The governor would have liked to talk to us some more, but he had no more time. He also mentioned that he was sorry that we were seeing the remains of a rebellion in the country. Train cars had been burned, and here and there were huge piles of debris. Before we left Durango, we received our papers of freedom, sent by Mr. Bronof. One set of papers for each: for Manitoba, Swift Current, and our congregation at home. On March 6 at 9:00 o’clock in the morning, we left the city of Durango in good health. Uncle John Wiebe accompanied us to El Paso. We arrived in Torreon at 7:30 in the evening three and a half hours late due to delays. We had to wait in that city until two o’clock at night, before we could board the train that came from Mexico City. Travelling very slowly, with many delays, we finally arrived at noon in El Paso on March 8, after 24 hours. We let someone take us to the border, but were unable to cross because our passports had not been stamped by the American Consul in that city. We had to wait quite a while before he came to his office. When he finally arrived it took him quite some time to decide what he wanted to do. But there was another, in a similar position, who seemed to come to our aid. The problem seemed to be the state, or that particular part, did not want to let Mennonites in. But we only wanted to travel through. He asked if we had travel cards. Yes, we said, and showed them to him. Then it was different. He charged $10.00 from each of us, completed our papers and let us go. So we came to the border and could cross shortly. They examined our baggage thoroughly and took some out. I had bought two canes of sugarcane to take home, but they would not let me do so. These were minor hindrances and we could cross the border safely. We left El Paso at 10 minutes to 9 o’clock in the evening. Some letters from home reached us in El Paso, and were eagerly read with longing and yearning. There was one letter, though, we were sorry to receive and gave us no joy. We had to see that once again the enemy in our congregation was not at rest, and some time later took the opportunity to, unforgettably, make a tear in our members. Yes, we were now sitting in a different train than in Mexico. Even though they had given us good transportation overall, and we had gotten used to the Mexican ways among the people; it is, nevertheless, completely different over the borders in the States. Man feels as though in Canada. We travelled even farther north on the Rock Island Railway. At Santeroca there was some snow, but the trees were green. The trees are called evergreen. By noon the snow was gone, and the winter wheat was a nice green. It looked like the land was light soil. By evening, we were in Kansas. All of a sudden, a father with his daughter came into our car; a Mr. Heinrich Reimer. They were on their way to see a doctor, for the daughter, in another city. They were of the Kleine Gemeinde, as they were called. This meeting was so sudden - a meeting of such old fashioned Mennonites. Also, their speech was very much like ours. They were very sorry they had not known when we would be returning, or they would have invited us to stop over in Meade. They were very interested to know how we had made out in Mexico and with what results. The loving God knows how to preserve His own; even in the United States. On the 10 th at 7:15, we arrived in the big world city of Kansas City. It rained all the way from Kansas City to St. Paul; much water and green fields. In Des Moines, also a large city, we had to wait several hours. We ate supper. On the 11 th we all got up, healthy and arrived at 7:00 in the morning, with an overcast sky. The river was not yet frozen. With the street rail “Street Car”, we drove to Minneapolis. It took about 30 minutes. These two great cities are side by side with no space in between. Then we ate our noon meal. In the evening only three of us travelled on; Mr. David Rempel, Benjamin Goertzen, and myself. The others left from St. Paul to Gretna, Manitoba. In Emerson it was quite cold. With God’s help, we arrived in Winnipeg at 8:30 in the morning. It was quite cold. Mr. David Rempel left at 3:45 in the afternoon for his home; and we had to wait until 10 o’clock in the evening. The next day, the 13 th of March, at 2:45 in the afternoon, we arrived in Saskatoon. From there we went, by train, to Warman. It was Sunday and Mr. Isbrandt Friesen met me at the station and took me home. At home, they were all healthy. The Lord be thanked many times. And so, we had made this important and significant journey. Even though we sometimes had to wait for long periods of time, we really had nothing to complain about; always being in quite good health, “except at the beginning, the likeable director”, and good news from home always arrived. Our loving families were in good health and this always gave me new strength and courage so that we were not so unduly weary. Great homesickness we all had to endure, especially in the evening when we were so alone and thought over our day. We were so far from home, surrounded by a strange people, that oftentimes watched us in astonishment when we were working together, but they did us no harm. It is something special that we experienced. 44 - Preservings No. 26, 2006
Tribute to Aeltester Herman J. Bueckert, Prespatou, B. C. Jacob G. Guenter, Warman, Saskatchewan. Herman (1911-2001) was the son of Sarah and John Bueckert of Schoenwiese; a village established in 1899 on land bought from the Canadian Pacific Railroad. It was located on NW quarter section 19 Township 40 Range 4 West of 3, between Hague and Osler, in central Saskatchewan. Since the English school district wasn’t established at the time when Herman was of school age, he attended the private German School that was built on village property reserved for it when the village was formed. The school plot provided enough room for the schoolhouse, an attached teacherage, and a playground. Provisions were made to pasture a cow, if the teacher had one. Herman’s ninety-one-year old sister Justina recalled that there were about 41 students at one time and the number increased to about 50 when the Christmas season approached. His teachers from 1917-1921 were Johann Klassen and Peter Unruh. 1 Classes in the village school were conducted five days a week for six months of the year. Depending on harvest conditions, they began in November and ended in March. The school hours were similar to those in the English schools; namely, from 9-12 in the morning and from 1-4 in the afternoon with a fifteen-minute break between each period of classes. The three subjects taught were reading, writing and arithmetic. The beginner started school by learning to read the Fibel (Primer) and advanced to New Testament reading and more mathematics. At the age of ten the pupil, if doing well, was promoted to Bible reading. The Catechism was studied thoroughly and the student was expected to memorize all questions and answers by the time he or she finished school. The Schulten (village overseers) closely controlled what the students learned. 2 Herman was a conscientious student, learned rapidly, and wished to continue his education. When the Gruenthal School District was formed, Herman was asked by his father to attend night school to acquire some English. He attended four months, driving the approximate two miles by horse and sled. Herman was accompanied by friends Isaac Bueckert who sat on a big box on the sled, and Cornelius Dyck, who crawled in the box and hitched a ride as well. Dyck had recently immigrated to Canada from Russia, and was anxious to pick up the English language. The tuition fee was one dollar per month. Since Herman was excellent in the German language, he learned very quickly and did well in reading and arithmetic, which helped him considerably Elder Herman Buckert, Prespetu, B.C. Minister in the Old Colony Church Frying Roll-Kuchen, July, 1969. in his farming career and in his ministry. 3 Aeltester Herman J. Bueckert was a master of many trades. He was a good carpenter, machinist, preacher and farmer. He left home at a young age, working for farmers at Hepburn and Dalmeny area during the summer months. 4 Herman and Helena Harms exchanged marriage vows on June 13, 1937. They lived for a time with Aron and Helena Guenter, her parents, in the Steele district southeast of Hepburn, before settling on their own farm east of Neuanlage. Later in the 1940s they moved a mile north of Chortitz, farming at that location until 1961. Scarcity of land prompted another move. They with their family of six settled at Prespatou, approximately 60 miles north of Fort St. John, B. C. With opportunities coming their way, the family members obtained land of their own, and with hard work and usually sufficient rain, the vegetation was good over the years. Since they lived a distance from town, it was fortunate that all were good carpenters and mechanically minded. 5 Bueckert’s shop, which included various tools, was his pride and joy. Conceivably, his motto was “why buy it if I can manufacture it”. He built his own power-take-off snow blower from scratch to prepare himself for the harsh winters. He worked many hours on it to get it to perfection. Known for his neatness, Aeltester Bueckert was routinely contacted to build a coffin for members of his church. He never charged the underprivileged for his work. Herman was a lonely man after his wife Helena passed away on December 16, 1984. Helena had given Herman a lot of support, realizing that his profession of Aeltester needed more support than someone in some other position. She was a wonderful asset to him. Parishioners sometimes don’t know the magnitude of a pastor’s role, and perhaps none understands it better than the pastor’s wife, who inevitably shares the burden. But Herman’s life didn’t stop there. He was very self-sufficient. He could cook, sew, patch his own clothes, and bake bread, cookies and buns. He had an ample supply of food ready if company arrived. After many years of service Rev. Herman Bueckert retired in 1990 and lived in the Prespatou Lodge near his place of worship. Johan Fehr replaced him as Aeltester in 1992 and later, in 1995, his son John Bueckert became Aeltester. Rev. Bueckert provided sound and stable leadership during difficult times and left a legacy of spiritual faithfulness. He was warmhearted and a good coworker to many, often enjoying fellowship in a kind humorous way with both young and old. The life work of Aeltester Herman Bueckert, Prespatou, B.C. Elected as Church minister June 15, 1950. Ordained as minister Aug. 24, 1950 by Aeltester Jacob J. Froese, Old Colony Aeltester, Manitoba. Elected as Aeltester July 8,1969 and ordained July 13, 1969 by Aeltester Abram Loewen. Sermons preached: as minister – 669; as Aeltester – 647. Total 1316. Last sermon preached Jan. 1992. Text: Matt. 2: 13-23. Engagement sermons (Verlobungreden): as minister – 17; as Aeltester – 23. Total 40. Officiated at weddings: as minister – 13; as Aeltester – 37. Total 50. Officiated at funerals: as minister – 16; as Aeltester – 26. Total 42. Baptismal sermons: 43. Baptized 230 members Communions held: 104. Passed the communion bread to 10, 211 members. Conducted six brotherhood meetings. Conducted the vote for 2 Aeltesten and 1 minister. Ordained 7 ministers and 2 Deacons. Officiated at 1 Church dedication. 6 Endnotes 1 Justina Bueckert, Dalmeny Spruce Manor Home. Interview by J. G. Guenter Warman, Sask. March 16, 2001. 2 Helena (Guenter) Friesen, Saskatoon, Sask. Interview – March 17, 2001. 3 Optic – Justina Bueckert. 4 John J. Bueckert, Hague, Sask. Interview by J. G. Guenter, March 16, 2001. 5 J. G. Guenter, Men of Steele, 1981, 157-158. 6 Prespatou Old Colony Church – Prespatou, B. C. Preservings No. 26, 2006 - 45
Page 1 and 2: ~ A Journal of the D. F. Plett Hist
Page 3 and 4: D.F. Plett Foundation Names Executi
Page 5 and 6: Interior of the church in Witmarsum
Page 7 and 8: An engraving of Menno Simons by Pie
Page 9 and 10: this first wave of persecution. Som
Page 11 and 12: The Frisian-Flemish Division Causes
Page 13 and 14: practice actually prevailed, such a
Page 15 and 16: Inter-church conversations with the
Page 17 and 18: concerning the Points of the Christ
Page 19 and 20: to their children, for all inherita
Page 21 and 22: Hamburg (after 1641 the Danish mona
Page 23 and 24: Dutch-Flemish Words in Mennonite Lo
Page 25 and 26: Henkel und Deckel. goblet, mug with
Page 27 and 28: According to definition, any means
Page 29 and 30: The history of Mennonites in Amster
Page 31 and 32: Rembrandt van Rijn 1606-1956 . Van
Page 33 and 34: Wife of Cornelis Claesz Anslo. Deta
Page 35 and 36: Some Rembrandts In America John F.
Page 37 and 38: Biographies Aeltester Johann Loeppk
Page 39 and 40: Old Colony delegates to Mexico in t
Page 41 and 42: Old Colony Mennonites departing to
Page 43: give heed first to the son, then th
Page 47 and 48: mass emigration. In 1872 Jansen pub
Page 49 and 50: me no de ole tit.’. . So this col
Page 51 and 52: was involved in confession before t
Page 53 and 54: Hamm Family Journals Translated by
Page 55 and 56: that was for a small one. Sugar is
Page 57 and 58: etter return until the parents agai
Page 59 and 60: The Wiebe Family. Grandmother came
Page 61 and 62: The Von Stauffenbergs and the Klass
Page 63 and 64: the rapid Allied advance. In total,
Page 65 and 66: Throughout his life, Mr. Froese’s
Page 67 and 68: time. Meanwhile, the Old Colony chu
Page 69 and 70: They also considered the US. Land a
Page 71 and 72: for those older teens who wanted to
Page 73 and 74: such a group, why we should raise o
Page 75 and 76: Teaching Staff of Barnaul School fo
Page 77 and 78: collectives continue to this day an
Page 79 and 80: were also assembling to travel at t
Page 81 and 82: different areas have such varied we
Page 83 and 84: Preservings No. 26, 2006 - 83
Page 85 and 86: Another Look at the Creation-Evolut
Page 87 and 88: Hutterite Life Hutterite Christmas
Page 89 and 90: Graduation Address At The Oak River
Page 91 and 92: Our Christmas Wonder by Linda Maend
Page 93 and 94: Mennonitische Forschungsstelle Gary
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For the 3,000 dead in the fall of t
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Material Culture Passing on the Com
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or Paraguay and again for safety in
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questions that deserve consideratio
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sadness. The first sadness is that
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sive collection of data. Trafford P
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“The Singel Mennonite Church, Ams
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