Letter from Gus Sarachek to Senator Harry S. Truman Regarding Josef Glasgall
1/18/1939
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Gus Sarachek of Kansas City, MO, sent this letter to Senator Harry Truman in January 1939. He asked Senator Truman for help getting 24-year-old Josef Glasgall of Vienna, Austria, out of Dachau Concentration Camp. Sarachek enclosed a letter from Glasgall's sister, Berta Klein. Klein described that her brother Josef had "been taken innocently, from the street...at the last great pogrom in Vienna" on November 9, 1938.
Germany had taken over Austria in March 1938. During the violent anti-Jewish pogrom of November 9-10, 1938, known as Kristallnacht ("Crystal Night") or "Night of Broken Glass," Nazis destroyed more than 8,000 Jewish shops across Germany and its recently incorporated territories. Countless synagogues were demolished or burned. Individual Jews were attacked, many severely beaten, and more than 90 killed while others committed suicide. In the aftermath, some 26,000 prominent Jews were sent off to concentration camps only to be told they would be released if they emigrated. The wave of terror was intended to force the remaining half million Jews from Germany into exile.
In his letter to Senator Truman, Sarachek explained that Glasgall had the necessary visa already approved by the American Consul in Vienna. He asked the senator to communicate with the American Consul in Vienna to allow Glasgall to leave Dachau and emigrate to the United States.
A letter in response from Victor R. Messall, Truman's secretary, explains that Truman was out of town on a trip, but that they had written to the American Consul General. Included is Messall's letter to Leland Morris, the American Consul General, explaining that Sarachek is Glasgall's sponsor and asking for assistance in getting this young man released.
In late March, Truman wrote to Sarachek with a response from the consul, who said that Glasgall's place on the German quota waiting list was so low that a spot would not become available for many months.
Another letter in April conveyed the unfortunate news that Josef Glasgall died in Dachau Concentration Camp before he could be released.
Germany had taken over Austria in March 1938. During the violent anti-Jewish pogrom of November 9-10, 1938, known as Kristallnacht ("Crystal Night") or "Night of Broken Glass," Nazis destroyed more than 8,000 Jewish shops across Germany and its recently incorporated territories. Countless synagogues were demolished or burned. Individual Jews were attacked, many severely beaten, and more than 90 killed while others committed suicide. In the aftermath, some 26,000 prominent Jews were sent off to concentration camps only to be told they would be released if they emigrated. The wave of terror was intended to force the remaining half million Jews from Germany into exile.
In his letter to Senator Truman, Sarachek explained that Glasgall had the necessary visa already approved by the American Consul in Vienna. He asked the senator to communicate with the American Consul in Vienna to allow Glasgall to leave Dachau and emigrate to the United States.
A letter in response from Victor R. Messall, Truman's secretary, explains that Truman was out of town on a trip, but that they had written to the American Consul General. Included is Messall's letter to Leland Morris, the American Consul General, explaining that Sarachek is Glasgall's sponsor and asking for assistance in getting this young man released.
In late March, Truman wrote to Sarachek with a response from the consul, who said that Glasgall's place on the German quota waiting list was so low that a spot would not become available for many months.
Another letter in April conveyed the unfortunate news that Josef Glasgall died in Dachau Concentration Camp before he could be released.
This primary source comes from the Collection HST-SVP: Harry S. Truman Papers as U.S. Senator and Vice President.
National Archives Identifier: 205741952
Full Citation: Letter from Gus Sarachek to Senator Harry S. Truman, with a Reply from Victor R. Messall, with Attachments; 1/18/1939; Immigration Cases: Glasgall, Josef; Correspondence Files, 1934 - 1945; Collection HST-SVP: Harry S. Truman Papers as U.S. Senator and Vice President; Harry S. Truman Library, Independence, MO. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/letter-sarachek-truman, May 12, 2025]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
