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

nnonite churches pursuant to such a high command. St. Petersburg, December 31, 1854. The Minister of Crown Lands, Adjutant General, Count P. Kisselev Director, E. Hahn” §261 580 THE STATE The Chortitza Volost administration (as well as the other colonists) possesses an identical document prepared by order of Tsar Alexander II and dated November 26, 1885. §261(2) We do not want to leave unmentioned that the commander of the Tarutin rifle regiment, Major-General Volkov, had a monument built in honor of the Molotschna Mennonites. It stands on the corner of the old secondary school in the Neu-Halbstadt settlement to this day. The inscription reads: “For the zeal shown on March 30 and 31, 1854, in crossing [at risk of life across the swollen Molotschna River] and for excellent hospitality.” Not only the mild oil of mercy and genuine submissiveness are evident in the “Podvod” story but also many a piece of daring and resolute self-assertion. Several former participants who are now well on in years tell us of these incidents. The following is one of many anecdotes: A party of carriage drivers (“Podvoders”) from the Mennonites of Molotschna, after carrying out a variety of errands over and above the call of duty at the whim of several section leaders, was asked by a military officer of the Cossacks to make yet another unauthorized haul of some sort of freight. Feed for the horses and food for the drivers had completely run out by now. As "escorts” the officer placed several of his own Cossacks beside the column of Mennonite carriages. The leader of this fleet asks the “boys”: "What do they think— how do they feel?” “Sir (‘Ohmke’), it can’t go on like this.” “I feel the same way,” says the leader. Then he directs them to form a neat semi-circle, each wagon facing the road, each rein pulled taut, and each driver sitting alert with both feet braced. “And when I say, ‘Boys, now!’— then prove that you know how to drive.” "Yes, Sir!” "What's the matter?” asks one of the supervising Cossacks. “We’re arranging ourselves more conveniently so that we can start at the very first signal.” (Splendid fellows, the Germans.) “All set?” asks the leader. “Yes Sir!” “Boys, now!” “Yes Sir!” The whole company thunders away and before the Cossacks can clearly see what is happening those "splendid German fellows” have disappeared in a cloud of dust and the Cossack steeds are unable to catch up with the Mennonite fanners’ nags. Thus they came home in a cheerful mood— until it was time to haul on another “Podvod.” Many a person participated in up to fifteen such expeditions. Even in the realm of romance some interesting chapters were written during this time of the “Podvod.” A former “Podvod” driver, now seventy-five years old, a most noble and pious Mennonite from Sagradovka, relates: A colonist from Prischib, newlywed, stands near "Sievemu” (on the west side) beside his wagon which has a broken wheel Preamble