Memories of the Russian Plains
This is an attempt to retell stories that Marianne Fettig Schwartzenberger told her daughter Genevieve, when Genny was a young girl growing up in Napoleon, North Dakota. Marianne related what her life was like as a young girl on the plains a few miles north of Strasburg, Russia. And Aunt Genny retold these stories to her nephew Ed Gravley. Strasburg is about 50 miles southwest of Odessa. Marianne didn't have an education and her story would not sound like what follows, but her basic facts are intact. The account takes place in the late 1880's and early 1890's, before the family immigrated to the United States.
Her parents, Joseph and Barbara Fettig, and their eight children, raised goats, pigs, chickens, and one milk cow, on a small tract of land on the rolling plains of Prychornomors'ka nyzovyna. They also maintained a small vegetable garden, growing beets, potatoes, a wild type of onion, and beans. They lived in a one room sod house (very similar to those built later in North Dakota). Most of the children were born in this sod house, but Marianne was born in a small settlement nearby, called Gudhishiehunz. The house had extensions built along one side that housed the animals, each type of animal was ranked according to their smell. Chickens were close to the house, next the cow, next the goats, and lastly the pigs. These enclosures were 3 sided and had a wooden gate in the front. The house and sheds were protected by a high fence made of piles of brush (similar to tumbleweeds) that the children were responsible for maintaining. The gate was nothing more than additional brush piled up at dusk, then removed in the morning. This afforded some protection from wild dogs and wolfs. In the winter time wolfs could be a serious problem. There were government wolf hunters that kept them in check, but occasionally wolfs would take one of the smaller animals or chickens.
As soon as the children were 4 or 5 years of age they were given tasks, mainly gathering firewood, brush for the fence, and tending to the animals. The cow was hobbled and led out to pasture each day, with Martin, the eldest boy, responsible for caring for it and to bring it back towards dusk. The goats were led out by the girls and they stood watch all day, herding them back before dusk. The pigs were kept penned as they would run off if given the chance. The chickens took care of themselves for the most part. Joseph worked for a nearby family that raised horses, and Barbara spent her days mending clothing and stockings, and tending the garden, as well as keeping an eye on her babies. And of course she cooked.
There were two meals each day, a breakfast of sausage, eggs, bread, and milk. During the day while they tended the animals the children learned to forage for berries and wild grain which they chewed. They had to be careful not to eat the green grains because it would make them sick. After herding the animals back at dusk and replacing the brush gate, they would eat supper. Usually this was a beet soup with wild onions and lard. A slice of dark bread and a cup of milk helped to swallow this fare. Occasionally there would be a noodle and potato dish.
After supper was finished and dishes washed and put away, the kids were washed and put into their nightgowns. If the weather permitted the family stayed outside and they entertained each other with stories and songs. As soon as it grew dark they all went inside to bed. Mother said prayers for the night and Martin and the older girls would climb a ladder to their straw beds in the loft above, while the parents slept in the main bed below, with the babies in cradles beside the bed. These mattresses were simply large sacks with straw and wild grasses stuffed into them. Sometimes the wild grass inclined to stick and poke the occupants, until they wallowed and smoothed out a nest for the night.
Although winters were not as fierce as further north it was still a constant struggle to keep warm. Winter was usually the only time the children wore boots, except to go to church on Sundays. The family got their water from a creek about 1/4 mile away, and the children would have to make treks to the creek about twice a week. During the coldest times they would have to break ice to get to the water. They hauled the water back in large square cans, on a two wheel cart. This cart was also used to haul firewood and brush, and during the summer was a favorite plaything for the children.
Marianne's dearest memories during this time was the semi-annual trip to Strasburg for boots and clothes. She was delighted with the clean cobbled streets and busy shops, and wished the family could live there always. After taking care of the shopping the family would buy cheese, sausages, bread, and tea, for a picnic in the large park near the center of town. The children would play and loved to run barefoot through the neatly trimmed grass. And, usually there would be a treat of hard candy to suck on as the family walked back to their home on the plains.
I have a great deal more respect for my ancestors who lived during these hard times. I guess each generation has their own version of "hard times". There were more stories but I was shortsighted in not tape recording Aunt Genny's retellings of these accounts and unfortunately, she is gone now and all we have left are my weak memories. If any more remembrances occur I will add them to this account.
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