Journey to Wallachia

Joseph Kuhr and Johannes Stahl both exiled Brethren, had found rich soil in Wallachia, and returned, despite their exile, to share this information with the rest of the brethren. They decided to leave the country for Wallachia.

The Brethren were denied passports need to leave the country. There was another way to leave, but it would mean crossing a difficult and heavily guarded border to the east. In secret, they hired guides to lead them out of the country. On October 3, 1767 sixty-seven people (16 old Hutterites and 51 Carinthians) made their way out of the country. In seven days they reached the Carpathian Mountains, where they had to wait for the arrival of their guides to lead them over.

Budda: Hutterites built huts similar to this one upon their arrival in Wallachia. Holes 3-4 feed deep were dug the size of the house. Poles were erected and covered with earth and straw. This style of hut was built by Ukrainian settlers when they settled on the Canadian prairies. (Photo by Anne Shwaluk, Oakburn, Manitoba)

The journey over the mountain was extremely difficult. At times they had to crawl on hands and feet, and many learned "how to sleep while walking". In the end they, they crossed the border safely. They sent two men back to tell those in prisons

where they were, and others were sent to Bucharest (today in Romania) to search for a better place to live.

After finding suitable land they built earthen huts (buddas) similar to the once in which the others around them lived.

They were soon were able to support themselves by setting up industries such as spinning, weaving, and pottery making.

The Hutterites had spent about year in their new homes when war between Russia and the Turks broke out. Ownership over that particular area where the Hutterites had relocated to on was under dispute, with both sides claiming it. So once again Hutterites were robbed, plundered, burned, whipped, and tortured by the armies. This time, however, the difficulty was not due to their faith, but more for their money and belongings.