THE MENNONITE BROTHERHOOD IN RUSSIA (1789 - 1910), P. M. Friesen, 1911

d those who are of similar persuasion keep stressing that the colonists (and Mennonites), nevertheless, did not shed their blood for the fatherland but only gave up a very small part of their possessions which themselves were acquired in Russia— that a good number of Mennonites (as well as other colonists, no doubt) also gave their lives in loving service of the fatherland. Many were infected and died (some at home, others on the way) as a consequence of the military epidemics (dysentery, etc.). Just recently (beginning of August, 1910) we had the pleasure of Preamble 579 seeing documented the highest recognition of one of these sacrifices by Tsar Alexander II, in the form of a gold watch, suitably engraved. In Ekaterinoslav, W.W. Penner, the former secondary school teacher at Chortitza, now owns this imperial gift. He received it at the age of two "as the son bearing the same name” as Wilhelm Penner who died during the “wagon maneuver.” (Podvoden: according to the Mennonite dialect, meaning “carriage”.) Wilhelm Penner was supervisor and director of a group of Mennonites from Chortitza and died in the Crimea after being infected by typhoid fever which was prevalent in the military camp. Mr. W. Penner, the owner of the golden watch, was in a position to assert that two such “imperial watches” had been granted in the Chortitza colony and four in Molotschna. b) The imperial justice and kindness of two Russian monarchs have paid tribute to the Mennonites in a further manner. They have indelibly testified for all time to the patriotic love and thank-offerings of the Mennonites (as well as other colonists) during that time of difficulty in Russia as substantiated by Mr. Kamensky and Mr. Alabin. Consequently the Mennonites of the Molotschna Colony (only a Molotschna Mennonite District at that time) are in possession of the following document 4 of which the original copy is kept in the administrative office of the Halbstadt Volost. “With the Consent of His Majesty, the Sovereign Nicholas I, Emperor and Sole Ruler of All Russia "From the reports, occasioned by the current state of war, presented to His Imperial Majesty by the Molotschna Mennonite churches, the Lord and Emperor has learned that the former have proven their devotion by providing the crown with large sums of money and the army with large amounts of goods, by providing the means to transport military equipment, as well as through their friendly readiness to care for wounded soldiers, whom they offered to support and supply with all the necessary medical supplies entirely at their own expense. In consideration of a zeal so worthy of emulation demonstrated by the Molotschna Mennonite churches, the Emperor has commanded the Minister of Crown Lands to reward the same by granting them a document in His Majesty’s name which will forever serve as a proof of their praiseworthy actions. “This document has been presented to the Molotschna Me