A Glass an Hour

Visual SequencingRocky Mountain College of Art and DesignMartin Mendelsberg

A Glass an Hour©2009 Jamie M. SiebPrinted in Denver, Colorado 2009

Typeface Used : KeplarPaper Used:Wausau Paper Royal Fiber 70lb. whiteXpedex 120lb. white cover Character based off of JCRS patient, Hirsch KrausPatient ID: 3393 , Jewish Consumtives Relief Society

Special Thanks to Dick Robinson:Robinson Dairy History

This ones for Anthony Luke Sposito.Thanks for the memories grandpa.

Jamie M. Sieb

I remember being a little boy sitting on an armchair in front of a cozy fireplace on snowy afternoons and asking our grandfather to tell us stories of the farm. His face would beam and he would drift away to this place.

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He remembered small details like:

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the smell of manure in the morning, how the mud made a specific squishing sound under his boots after a fresh rain shower, and how the workers named their favorite cows.

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Wilma was my girl. I loved that cow no matter how old she was.

His was Wilma, she was one of the older dairy cows on the farm 23 years old to be exact. He always said, Wilma was my girl. I loved that cow no matter how old she was. He had a picture of Wilma on his old roll top desk. I remember sneaking into his office when he took an afternoon nap and playing with all of his curios. He didn’t have many photos but somehow he got a photograph of Wilma, his main lady.

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However, no matter how many stories my grandfather told us there was always one that took, what seemed like, years to get through.

“His name was Hirsch Kraus,”that’s how my grandfather began the story.

That’s how we knew to get comfortable.

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His name was Hirsch Kraus, a muddle-headed man. He was about 5’9”, 42 years of age and a rabbi from Gary, Indiana.

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Joseph came running into the dairy that morning with some intriguing gossip, it was October 26, 1915. A crisp autumn day, the leaves were falling and the air smelt of burning wood and manure. Autumn was my favorite season; we already had a couple snowfalls but nothing to devastating for the farm. The cows seemed a little stressed that day but that month we saw a lot of activity, new cows coming in old ones going out. The sanatorium was almost the same lots of patients leaving, a lot of request coming. As soon as one

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person left, that day the bed was filled. The boys and I were happy to be surrounded by the ladies and not disgruntled patients. I was happy to be with Wilma; she never got upset no matter how much activity was going on around her.

This particular day Thomas one to the patients that helped on the dairy gave all of us wind of a rabbi from Gary, Indiana. Thomas lived down the hall from Mr. Hirsch Kraus. Thomas, a 20 year old, didn’t like Hirsch much. Thomas described him as, a caplaigner, he never was

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happy with what he had. I saw Hirsch as a man that just left his entire life back in another state over 1000 miles away. Thomas told us he had wife and four kids. I thought to myself, what were those kids thinking, “will I see my father again?” “Will he get better?” who knows s what was running through their heads. All I now is this man who just arrived on our land from miles away was an idiot!

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This is always the point where one of us grandchildren would ask the infamous question; the question that would push our grandfather even further into his world of memories.

But why was he anidiot grandfather?

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Well I’ll tell you why. Hirsch Kraus the rabbi from Indiana well he had a request. A request that was so unheard of, a request that would never be filled. We all knew this man was crazy. Who comes to a sanatorium and expects to get healthy but only will do so if you fulfill his request.

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Sitting on the edges of our seats our grandfather knew just how to keep us in the story. He never told us the request. I could tell you the smallest details from the color of Wilma’s eyes, brown of course, to the size boot he wore, 10. But the request I never knew. I once begged him after the story was told to tell me and I wouldn’t ask for anything else from him ever again. Of course that was a lie and he knew it, and this is why I would never find out the request.

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Joseph was filled with information from Mary the head secretary of JCRS. He always got the gossip from Mary. Joseph didn’t have a favorite cow, he had Mary. A crush that would never be, due to the fact she was married. Joseph would talk to her about every thing while all of us boys would talk to the cows about everything. Speaking of cows, Wilma had a cold that evening I slept by her side that night. Her being older I was worried, I couldn’t lose my gal.

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The next day was a particularly cold one. It snowed briefly in the evening. Wilma wasn’t too happy about this; I think she knew when the snow would come. Thomas didn’t work that day. He turned for the worst, we got word that he wouldn’t be joining us for a while. The boys were worried, Wilma comforted me. We already lost 4 workers from this and Thomas was a young hard working boy it would be a hard loss. Thomas died later that night.

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Poor kid he never had a chance.

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This is where my grandfather usually took a break. He called it the milk and cookie intermission, we each got two cookies one glass of milk. While he got four cookies and two glasses of milk. He never spoke about the deaths that happened while he worked on the farm. There were too many and most of them were close friends or family. I always wanted to ask him details but I never wanted to see him go back to that place. He only spoke of the good things, never the bad.

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Okay, where was I?Oh yes.

Wilma!

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Wilma had a particular hard evening the night before and as I said it snowed that day. Wilma hated the snow, I always dreamt that she would some day live on a sunny pasture with other cows and bask in the rays and eat as much grass as she pleased. But I knew, well we all knew our ladies wouldn’t have that glorious life. But for now they could be happy on the modest dairy farm providing for hundreds of patients.

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But as I was saying

Joseph, young and naive Joseph, had gotten back from his lady that evening. He’s the one who delivered the news about Thomas. He’s also the one who passed on the request form Mr. Kraus. We all laughed every time we received another request. That was the 2nd one and we all had a feeling they would keep on coming. Mary told Thomas Mr. Kraus was getting irritable and upset. Mary sent his request to Dr. Spivak but that was confidential and we never found out what Mr. Spivak had said about said request.

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You are probably confused as was I at this point of the story. I usually was staring off into the distance and didn’t mind. I knew my grandfather wouldn’t tell us the request and I knew I still had about an ½ hour of story left.

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It was the next day, quiet a bit warmer. The cows were happier and the farm was bursting with energy. All of the boys couldn’t stop talking about said request. Day 3 1pm we didn’t receive a request yet. Rumors started circulating,

Hirsch was found dead Sam said. While Jeffery told us he ran away.

I had my own ideas of what was going on, but right as I was going to take some milk to the dining hall Joseph came running in.

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Another request? no

News from Mary? yes 17 people died last night a new high for this month. Among those was Josephs nephew Luke he was 19.

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The warmth of the day was lost with the heavy news.

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It seemed to be cloudy when I walked the ½ mile to the dining hall.

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The aroma of tomato sauce and Matzo filled the air and wafted up into my nostrils. Today was stuffed cabbage at the dining hall. I always enjoyed delivering the dairy on this day. My mouth watered and I imagined the warmth of the tomato sauce gliding down the back of my throat. It was a perfect meal on days like this. Even though it was warmer the gloomy feeling that had overwhelmed the staff from such a loss of patients seem to drift away when high spirits drifted around with the conversations and warm smiles of stuffed cabbage.

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My grand father always made us stuffed cabbage on these days. It warmed my stomach and made each of my worries in life float away with every spoonful.

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Later that afternoon the dairy received a letter from Dr. Spivak stating not to honor any request from patients. We already knew this, however it was a good feeling to know Mr. Spivak himself was backing us.

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That night there was big thunderstorm, the cows got spooked and all of the workers were up all night. Part of the wooden fence was blown down and we lost 3 cows including the poor gal Thomas had named, Sheila. We had to quickly recover from that night. I helped rebuild the fence and take care of the cows while others made deliveries.

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Later that day Joseph reported Hirsch had been instructed by a doctor in Chicago to follow certain procedures. And these procedures couldn’t be followed by our facility

Meanwhile Mary sent us another request made by Hirsch Kraus.I finally asked Joseph why these request were being made.

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I talked to Joseph that night and asked if he could introduce me to Mr. Kraus. He said tomorrow he would take me to his room. I wanted to see if I could talk to Hirsch about rethinking this request.

The next morning was a chilly day, the grass had a sparkling blanket of frost and the sun warmed my skin.

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As I walked over to where Hirsch stayed I tried to imagine what he looked like. I had a complete image in my head; dark hair, beard, short, suit coat, and disgruntled. As I walked in I thought to myself this is the man who has been the joke of the dairy. Don’t laugh, don’t judge, and don’t assume anything, I told myself.

He introduced himself

Hello my name is Hirsch Kraus. Pleased to meet you. You are?

Morris. Morris Robinson. I own and work on the dairy farm on the back half of this property

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Hirsch Kraus, was a muddle-headed man, about 5’9”, 42 years of age and a rabbi from Gary, Indiana. I knew so much about this gentleman yet I knew nothing. I felt bad for judging him previously and apologized to him. Stating I knew nothing of him other than he was a patient from Indiana and he had a request. His eyes lit up. I apologized again stating I could not grant such a large request. However I would like to know why such a heroic request was made.

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Before coming here I was told by my doctor in Chicago that in order to get healthy and return to my family I must follow a certain regime and come to Colorado. So I packed my things, had friends, colleges, and family write requests to get me a bed and here I am.

I mustn’t disobey a medical doctor that I have known for years

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I know what i’m asking of you is out of the norm of what other patients have asked but I beg of you please for my wife and kids.

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My eyes were opened.

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Hirsch was a respected rabbi in his community why wouldn’t he want to follow the regime his physician had given him. I would do the very same if I were in his shoes. He’s just trying to get back to his wife and 4 children.

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I know what I’m asking of you is out of the norm of what other patients have asked but I beg of you please for my wife and kids.

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Up until a couple years ago I haven’t heard much more detail of the conversation but this is where and when it all started to make sense.

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I was told to eat a strict diet of 8 eggs a day and a glass of milk every hour.

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I wont eat of drink anything else. No one will be losing food from the meals in the dining hall I wont take more than what I asked for. Why can’t my request be made?”

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I guess Mr. Kraus didn’t read the part of the application that stated all patients upon arriving to JCRS had to follow the diet, medical, and other advice set by the doctors or they wont be able to stay.

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He was upset, irritable, and antsy, understandable for some one who hasn’t eaten anything for 4 days. I said goodbye to Mr. Kraus stateing I would see what I could do for him. I knew I couldn’t do anything but I hoped he would change his mind.

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I never heard the request until I was older.I don’t know why this was such a big secret.

Maybe my grandfather wanted something to hold on to.

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After awhile it wasn’t important what was important was the noise the mud made under his boots after a fresh rainfall and what color Wilma’s eyes were.

The request was always something we tried to figure out.

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The next day Hirsch came to the dairy. He asked for me, which caught me off guard, did I make a mistake meeting this mystery man? He asked me if I had found out anything about his request. Of course I told him no, I said I didn’t have the authority to grant such a request. He thanked me and went on his way. I was baffled, Hirsch Krause had been at the sanatorium for 5 days and he already was defeated.

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Did I make a mistake meeting this mystery man?

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He said Mary had heard Hirsch went straight to Dr. Spivak himself. He was told such a heroic diet wasn’t going to be accommodated for him, and he should follow the recommended diet. Hirsch was out raged and wrote a letter to his family about the matter. He hoped they would respond to Dr. Spivak and somehow get a special diet arranged. However Mary was instructed to hold onto the letters so his family never received his plea.

Later that night Joseph dropped in with the daily news.

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Late that night I heard something rustling in the barn. Thinking it was a coyote I went to check on Wilma. My main gal was fine sleeping like an angel, however Hirsch was in the barn. I didn’t ask any questions, I didn’t have time, Hirsch ran, he ran all the way back to his room. Nothing was missing, nothing was touched, he was in the wrong barn for chickens so he couldn’t steal any eggs and I’m pretty sure he didn’t milk a cow.

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That man must have been starving he hadn’t eaten anything since he had arrived.

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Hirsch went from being a 5’9” average size man to being a 5’9” skin and bones, frail gentleman.

I have never seen anyone get that skinny that fast even working at the sanatorium.

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He was caught running that morning. He acted as if he was a criminal and he couldn’t leave. He was always sneaking around, he tried breaking into the barn 3 more times, and he refused any treatment.

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Joseph said Hirsch got 2 letters from his wife and kids, Mary was instructed not to pass the letters on to him. They were afraid he might get violent if he found out they never sent his letters back home.

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On Hirsch’s 7th day at the sanatorium he stopped Joseph in his path. He yelled and yelled until he was out of breath. It didn’t take much with how frail of a state he was in; he almost passed out mid breath. Infuriated he demanded to know what was going on.

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I know you and that fancy lady have relations, now tell me what she did with.....!

He couldn’t go on.

Joseph told Mary about what had happened. She reported Hirsch and he was warned that if he lashed out again he would be asked to leave.

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That afternoon Wilma got sick, she started drooling and her mouth had a blue discoloration.

I’ve seen it before she had nitrate poisoning.

The closest veterinarian was over an hour away. Wilma wasn’t going to make it and I was sure of it.

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I will always remember Wilma, she was my true gal.

She was in and out of consciousness all night.

She collapsed and went into a coma around 4 am it was a sober moment for me.

As she slipped into the night I wiped my tears and then went to bed.

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The next day Hirsch woke up to his room lit by the warm sun. Light was peeking through the beige curtains. He packed his things and said goodbye to his roommate Isiah.

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Walking out of the building he called home for a short week he looked much different looking than he when he arrived. Now only a weak frail vision of himself weighing 91lbs. He was limping and lost some of his hair.

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He bought a train ticket back to Chicago after being denied entrance into other surrounding sanatoriums. His family did not know that he left one his own. They did not know he never got their letters and they never received his.

Hirsch Kraus was a 42-year-old rabbi from Gary, Indiana. He came to the JCRS and stayed only a week for his treatment of tuberculosis, and then left on his own. I chose Mr. Kraus for his interesting diet request during his short stay at JCRS. This story is completely fictitious but has historic background relating to the Robinson Dairy.

The Jewish Consumptives Relief Society, also known as the JCRS, was a sanatorium that treated people that suffered from tuberculosis. Most patients were Jewish, however the JCRS accepted people from all religious backgrounds. Funded mosty from donations, the JCRS helped many people and has a large contribution to Colorado’s rich history.

Documents and Photography Courtesy of:JCRS Collection, Beck Archives Special Collections, Penrose Library and Center for Judaic Studies, University of Denver, 2008

Photoographs used:

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“rabbi.” Web. 3 Dec 2009. <http://www.newkabbalah.com/images/maxchair.jpg>.

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“Sun Through Trees ... Grass View.” photobucket. Web. 3 Dec 2009. <http://media.photobucket.com/image/frost,%20grass/bionicdaniel/20080430_0723-GrassLevelSunAndTrees.jpg>.

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“cow.” Web. 3 Dec 2009. <http://www.change.org/photos/wordpress_copies/cow.jpg>.

A Glass an Hour

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