To have met wife face to face without recognition on either side was the experience of Philip Katzen, shoemaker of East Trade Street. Katzen had not seen his wife and two children for 12 years until a day or so ago.
The story had its roots in a small town near Riga, Russia, 12 years ago. At that time Katzen struggled against the hardships of the world there in Russia to support his young wife and two small children. It was hard to get along, and soon he saw that he was fighting a losing battle.
And so he decided to come to America. Not having money enough to bring his small family, he left his wife and children in Russia with the promise that he would send for them as soon as he could save money enough to do so. Then he caught the boat.
ARRIVES IN CHARLOTTE
Eventually he arrived in Charlotte. Here he engaged in what work he could pick up, saving every penny possible. Day in and day out he raked and scraped in vain for money enough to send for his family. With all his might and main he fought with fate.
And persistence won. Not against fate, however. At last, Katzen accumulated the necessary cash for the transportation of his wife and children. Just as he was on the point of sending for them, the great war broke out—and his hopes were dashed to the ground.
In vain he endeavored to get in touch with his wife, but for some reason every letter he wrote was returned, undelivered. He received letters frequently from his wife, but not one of his own ever reached her. A long exasperating year of the conflict slipped past without signs of cessation. Then another tedious year went by. And another. Not once did he get a letter to his wife. Katzen’s life was fast beginning to look black to him. His hopes and ambition began to gradually die.
Finally the war came to an end. Surely he would hear that his letters would be delivered now, he thought. But such was not the case. One by one they were returned.
STOOD BY AMERICA
By this time Katzen had saved up money enough to buy himself a home and a store. He bought Liberty bonds during the war to the limit of his purse and stood behind America to the utmost in her victorious struggle against the Germans.
Suddenly a thought struck him. Perhaps the country which he had adopted and helped might be of assistance to him. Accordingly, he went to see D.B. Paul, Charlotte attorney, and explained his predicament. Mr. Paul immediately got in touch with officials in Washington, and in a few months the way was paved for the transportation of Katzen’s wife and children. As Katzen had become a citizen of the United States, he was allowed to send for his wife. The proper papers for her extradition were taken out, and at last word came that she was on her way.
It was at the Southern station Sunday night at 8:45 o’clock that the train bringing his small and hungry family arrived in Charlotte. The scene which followed brought tears to the eyes of many. From the train stepped a woman bent with trials and tribulations. A boy and a girl helped her from the platform. They, too, were lean and bent as if from famine. Katzen glanced at then and then past them. Not a sign of his wife could he see. All the passengers who were to get off at Charlotte had descended and still no sign of her.
SPAKE FAMILIAR TONGUE
Suddenly he overheard the woman speak to the boy at her side in Russian. What was that name she called him? That must be his wife!
So it was. With tears in his eyes and compassion in his tone he took her in his arms. She had not even recognized him until this moment. The boy and girl clapped their hands in glee as they rushed to the father whom they had almost forgotten.
“I have got the home ready,” exclaimed Katzen. “It won’t be long before you will look like a different woman here. From now on we will think no more of Russia, that land of desolation. We will all live the rest of our lives right here in Charlotte where the sun always shines upon happiness.”
From The Charlotte News, Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 21, 1921. The newspaper headline spelled his first name Phillip and the story spelled it Philip. I don’t know which is correct.
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