Nine Generations

Nathan Getzels was arrested in Piotrków for revolutionary activities. He wrote a memoir in Yiddish of his experiences which can be seen on the family web site; the translator is unknown:

PIUTROKOV!!!

THE ARREST IN 1904

It was in the year 1904. You could feel in the air the coming of a revolutionary storm. All over Poland strikes and demonstrations were occurring, especially in the great industrial states. Together with the strikes, there were many arrests.

It happened when Motel Birenbaum (Shnitzer), a member of the Bund, was ready to enter the military. He decided to run away to London. The organization made him a get-away party. We came together in the family quarters on the Bugay.

In the middle of the party, there was a knock on the door. The chief-of-police entered, as well as the commissary of police and the police. They asked us what were we doing here? We stated that a friend of ours will be entering the military, and we wanted to say our good-byes. We also wanted to encourage him to serve the King well.

Our answer caused confusion among the police, and they didn’t know what to do with us. At the conclusion they wrote down our names and went away.

It happened at the time when the organization sent Dovid (Bayntshik) Braytberg to Łódź, in order to transport literature. He traveled with the pass of Noson Getseles (the writer of this article), and they arrested him.

When the police became aware that he was one of those whose name was on the list from the farewell gathering, they then arrested all who were on the list. Among those who were arrested were David Leyb (“Tslap”) Leber, Avraham Kadish, Beyrish Blekher, Avraham Stelmakh, Dovidtshe Vaysberg, Bunim der Shnayder, and another few people.

Itshe Blekher, a member of the Bund, was found out to be an informer. He was the one who informed about the farewell party.

How was life in jail?

Most of the time we sat alone in a jail cell. The political prisoners were given certain privileges. They wore their own clothing. They received books to read (only Russian books; they did not have Yiddish books). On the walls, until 10 PM, were lamps. Every day they took a walk for 15 minutes.

It pained us greatly, wanting to know the news of the outside world. In jail the news was spread (shared) in a lively manner. We spoke through the walls, each bang representing a different letter.

We communicated using finger movements. We wrote messages on all objects that accepted the writing. For example, the tin container that held the lamp. The lamps were exchanged every day. When a new lamp was brought in, we searched for any writings. Writing was found on the kettle that contained hot water.

Writing was found on shirts that were brought from the outside. Notes were placed in pieces of bread and the bread was thrown out the window. They made cups with double covers, thereby smuggling in literature. In this way I received a complete journal in a cup of food.

News traveled from hand to hand (and not from mouth to mouth). They watched and searched the people. If anything were found they would exact punishment. Those arrested sought out ways not to be caught with the literature.

When Russia was at war with Japan and Port Arthur was captured by the Japanese, the revolutionaries were in a happy mood.

Since I was sitting facing Bikovske Street, they transmitted to me the news by speaking loudly on the street. I wanted to transmit the news to my friends. Therefore, one evening when it was quiet, I yelled out that Port Arthur had fallen. The guard, at that moment, was at my door and heard my yell. For it I was punished with two days of painful incarceration.

They took me for an interrogation. The policeman Pulkovnik greeted me in a friendly manner. He asked me to sit down and wanted to know how my barrel was found in the possession of Dovid Breyberg (“Baynyshik”). He tells me that Dovid already told him that you were the one who gave him the barrel.

My answer did not satisfy him. “You will need to satisfy me with answers before I will see you again.”

We were sitting in 1905, when the constitution was proclaimed. We were hardly able to come together to discuss what is to be done, when we proceeded to demonstrate with red flags and sang revolutionary songs.

We went to the governor, and on Kaliske Street, we were encircled from both sides by the military. They lifted up a student, and he spoke to the governor. They ordered all political prisoners to be freed.

The governor came out and begged for calm. He promised to telegraph Petersburg.

From there we were imprisoned. In prison we performed dramatic acts. We crept up the walls to the grates. We kissed and were joyous. In jail we delivered fiery speeches.

In the meantime, there arrived the telegram. It stated that you should release all political activists. We all demonstrated again and held gatherings. Among the arrested were excellent speakers.

By the Novaks, at the new station, was prepared a meal for those who were arrested. In such a way, for several days, we celebrated with joy the release of the prisoners.