Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society (U.S.)

Abstract Bessie (Mrs. William) Katchen recounts her life in a Russian village and her emigration to America, alone at the age of 14. She settled in Boston, Mass. and worked in poor conditions in a shoe factory. She talks about coming to Denver, Colo. and her life in early Denver. She also discusses the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society where her uncle was a patient. She married William Katchen and after World War I became a citizen so she could bring her mother to the United States. She also talks...

Abstract Topics covered: Father died when he was six; served in WWI for the Russian Army on the front line; 1920 Russian civil war starts, white army killed Jews; leaves for US paying many bribes to get out; comes through Elis Island, goes to Baltimore where uncle was and later to DC; gets TB and comes to Denver for treatment with wife and 18 mo. old child, in Denver diagnosed as asthmatic; worked in produce sales, talks about JCRS jobs; lost only son in World War II; feelings on Jewish community;...