TheWill

The Will

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Jewish Consumptives’ Relief Society

In 1903 a group of Jewish working class immigrants in the West Colfax neighborhood banded together for form the Jewish Consumptives’ Relief Society to treat pa-tients in all stages of the disease in a more Jewish environment and managed to raise $1.10 between them to launch the institution. They were joined by several prominent local Jewish east European physicians, most notably Dr. Charles Spivak, who served as the executive secretary of the JCRS from 1904 until his death in 1927, and Dr. Philip Hillkowitz, who served as president of the JCRS from 1904 until his death in 1948. Dr. Hillkow-itz’s father, Rabbi Elias Hillkowitz was regarded as the “dean” of the west side Orthodox Jewish rabbis in the early years of the twentieth century. The JCRS opened its doors in September of 1904 with seven patients housed in white wooden tent-cottages to maximize their exposure to fresh air. Animated by traditional Jewish imperatives of Tzedakah its motto taken from the Talmud, “He Who Saves One Life Saves the World,” personified its philosophy. Over the next fifty years the JCRS provided all of its services free of charge and 10,000 patients would pass through its doors before it changed its mis-sion to cancer treatment. It was formally non-sectarian, but for its first decades the majority of patients at the institution were east European Jews. The JCRS sana-torium served as a beacon of hope to thousands of vic-tims of tuberculosis from throughout the United States.

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November 18, 1918.

Mr. Leo Bach,667 E 164th Street,New York, N. Y.

Dear Friend:

Alexander Bach – here I wish to say after his name Alexander, the word “The Great,” fits in most admira-bly. He was the greatest young man that I have ever come across. He had extraordinary abilities both of heart and mind and if it had not been for this sudden attack of pneumonia which carried him off, Bach would have risen undoubtedly in spite of the many handicaps to a very high position in life. In fact, our Sanatorium. Well, what is the use now of saying all these things. Bach is no longer among the living. We have laid him to rest yesterday af-ternoon at Mt. Nebo Cemetery. There were present delega-tions of some forty patients and speeches were made over his grave by Dr. Duboff, Acting Superintendent, Messrs. Baum and Bear, representing the patients and employees and by me, representing the patients and employees and by me, representing the board of Trustees. I have not had yet the opportunity to examine his books and accounts in the bank so I cannot say anything as yet about how much money he had. Will write to you as soon as my bookkeeper will go thru his accounts. I herewith en-close a copy of his will.

Yours sincerely,Secretary

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November 24/1918

Dr. C.D. SpivakPOB 537Denver,Cololorado

My Dearest Friend:

You can imagine, how hard it struck me to find out about the death of our beloved Alex, I still cannot bear a thought of his death, it is unbearably painful that fate has taken him from us, it is just so unfair and invokes feelings of helplessness. It dramatically hurts me to think of his mother’s death as well, after two surgeries and a huge struggle for life he she has passed on due to breast cancer, leaving our beloved Alex at a tender age of 2, the image of Alex’s father stands in front of me, just as if he was alive, he has been taken from us due to his weak heart, he died in the middle of the street from a heart attack. And

now Alex’s death, in the mid-dle of the most flourishing period of his life. God, where is your justice? Who hasstrength and power to endure such heavy blows of fate?!

“E mortis aut bene aut nihil” states the Latin aphorism. But however it does not ap-ply to our deceased Alex. His abili-ties, his radiating soul and his warm heart that is what made his charac-ter. He will be missed, rest in peace our beloved Alex, his radiating soul will surely be not forgotten, and will forever live on in my heart. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, my dear friend for being there for Alex, I know you well respected him as an individual.

Yours sincerely L. Bach

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November 25, 1918.

Miss Sophie Weinberg,236 Salem Street,Bridgeport, Conn.

Dear Friend:

It is my painful duty to inform you of the death of your beloved friend, Alexander Bach which occurred on Friday, November 15th. It was the wish of Alexander Bach I write you and send you a copy of his will.

Yours sincerely,Secretary.

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Bridgeport, Conn.December 20, 1918

Dr. C. D. Spivak,The JCRS,Denver, Colo.

My dear Dr. Spivak:-

I am just about recovering from the shock of Alexander’s death. He was more than

my friend – he was my brother. Please, therefore, do not think me remiss for not acknowledging receipt of your letter sooner.

Thanking you for your kindness in writing me, I am

Very sincerely,Sophia Drinmburg

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December 5, 1918.

Dr. W. S. Duboff, Acting SuptSanatorium JCRSEdgewater, Colo.

Dear Doctor:

I was told that the late Alexander Bach used to de-posit money belonging to the Co-operative Store in his own bank to his own name. Will you be kind enough and give me an account of the amount of money which estate of Alexan-der Bach owes to the Co-operative Store of the Patient’s Mutual Aid Society, in order that I may file the same in the probate Court.

Yours Sincerely,Secretary.

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Dec. 6, 1918

Dr. C.D. Spivak,Secretary JCRSDenver, Colo.

Dear Doctor,

The late Alexander Bach owed nothing to the Coop-erative Store, but owes $15.25 on checks, which he had deposited on the Cooperative Store account. We did not use store money to pay these checks in balancing out the store account and these checks are still to be paid. There are (1) a balance of $5.25 due to Mr. I. Daniels, (2) and $10.00 due Miss Nettie Fauer, patients of the Sanatorium. I am also sending you a Fifty Dollar Third Liberty Bond and book containing five War Saving Stamps, also belonging of the late Alexander Bach.

Sincerely yours,Mr. Duboff M.D.

Acting Superintendent

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December 19, 1918.

Mr. Henry Cohen, Attorney JCRS,625 Symes Bldg.,Denver, Colo.

Dear Friend:

As per our conversation on the telephone, I herewith enclose a check for $15.00, to pay docket fees for filing the will of the late Alexander.


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Office of the SuperintendentEdgewater, Colorado

Dec. 31, 1918


Dear Doctor, The following debts are still outstanding against the estate of the late Alexander Bach: - Isaac Daniels $5.25 Nettie Fauer $10.00 Mr. Daniels and Miss Fauer are patients in this in-stitution and are in need of the money.

Very truly yours,Mr. Duboff M.D.


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November 25, 1918.

Mr. Leo Bach,667 E 164th StNew York, N. Y.

Dear Friend: We herewith beg to enclose a clipping of the Denver Jewish News, which will be of interest to you.


Alexander Bach(1891-1918)

Alexander Bach, for seven years associated in various capacities with the Sanatorium of The Jewish Consump-tives’ Relief Society; died at the institution on Nov. 15th 1918, of bronco pneumonia. His last years were a glorious demonstration of fortitude. Undismayed by his illness, and worse still, by his loss of hearing, he pitted his wonderful mind against the assaults of his relentless fate. His versatility, after joining the ranks of the great white army, was simply marvelous. He became a pharmacist, a chemist, a mathematician, a labo-ratory worker, an electrician, a mechanic, a bookkeeper, an editor and a poet of ability. Any individual could not fill his unique position in the sanatorium, and his death is a decided loss of the institution. Interment was at the Mount Nebo cemetery. In request to Bach’s own wishes the services were simple. A number of patients and employees witnessed the lowering of the plain pine box, and Dr. Duboff and Spivak spoke a few words. It is planned to collect Alexander Bach’s contributions to the Tale of the Tents and have them published in booklet form to preserve the memory of his bright, courageous and optimistic mind.

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December 14/1918

Dr. C.D. SpivakPOB 537Denver, Colorado

Dear Friend,

Please excuse me for not responding to your previous let-ter. For my wife Zhana and my

daughter are both sick, and I have been having trouble with work. The thing is, I used to work for the U.S. gov-ernment in the inspection division, but with the end of war, so ends my job towards the 1st of January 1919.

Yours sincerely L. Bach

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Office of the SuperintendentEdgewater, Colorado

Dec. 31, 1918


Dear Doctor, The following debts are still outstanding against the estate of the late Alexander Bach: - Isaac Daniels $5.25 Nettie Fauer $10.00 Mr. Daniels and Miss Fauer are patients in this in-stitution and are in need of the money.

Very truly yours,Mr. Duboff M.D.


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August 25, 1919.

Mr. Sol Wolf,B. M. H. Cemetery Assn1315 17th Street,Denver, Colo.

Dear Friend:

Enclosed please find my check for $30.00 in payment for one grave for Alexander Bach. I regret very much that I have overlooked this bill until this morning this matter was brought to my attention.


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September 2, 1919.

State Treasurer,State Capitol,Denver, Colo.

Dear Sir:

Enclosed please find check for $27.25 in payment of inheritance tax of the estate of Alexander Bach as per enclosed schedule, which you will kindly receipt or send your usual form of receipt covering such payment.

Yours truly,Secretary.

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September 4, 1919.

Denver Jewish News,1328 Lawrance StreetDenver, Colo.

Continued:-

I herewith beg to enclose check for $6.25, for ad-vertising, account of Alexander Bach Estate.


P. S. Please receipt enclosed bill and return in the stamped addressed envelope herewith enclosed.

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September 5, 1919.

Mr. Sol Wolf, SuptB. M. H. Cemetery Assn.,1213 17 th Street,

Denver Friend:

Will you be kind enough and return to us the re-ceipted bill for $30.00 for the grave of the late Alexan-der Bach in the enclosed stamped envelope, as we need same for our records. Thanking you in advance, I remain


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September 9, 1919.

County CourtDenver, Colo.,C.D. Spivak206 Metropolitan B.

In the matter of the Estate of Alexander Bach, of which you are executor, no inventory has been filed. Un-less an inventory is filed within five days from this date, a citation will issue for you to appear in court to show cause why such an inventory has not been filed.

Very respectfully yours,Ira C. Rothgerber,

Judge of the County Court

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September 10, 1919.

Mr. F. Myers,625 Symes Building,Denver, Colo.

Dear Friend:

I herewith enclose notice received from the County Court in re Alexander Bach Estate. Kindly attend it.

Yours sincerely, Secretary.

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November 29, 1919

Dr. C. D. Spivak,206 Metropolitan Bldg.,Denver, Colorado

Dear Doctor:-

Will you please give me a list of all the moneys re-ceived by you and all expended by all in the Bach case, by return mail so I can make out the report and file it.

Faithfully yours,Henry Cohen

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December 19, 1919.

Mr. L. Bach,667 E 164th Street,New York, N. Y.

Dear Friend:

In reply to your letter of the 14th inst. will say that there is a great deal of red tape connected with the will. The Will of the late Alexander Bach will have to be probated in court and it seems that after all the bills for his funeral expenses and monument will be paid, there will probably be left about $700.00. This money will have to be kept for one year after the expiration of the year, you will receive the money full. I know very well how much this money would have helped you at the represent time, but it is absolutely impossible to do anything before the will is probated in court and my executorships is affirmed.


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November 14/1920


Dear old Friend,

Thanks to the industrial crisis, I have been left without work, opportunities for a new working position are very vague, and that scares me. I would greatly appreciate if you could send out the money, and other belongings that have been left over to me by Alex. The completion of that request would aid me and

make my life easier. With great respect, yours

L.Bach

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281 Golden Hill Street,Bridgeport, Conn.,

March 5th, 1920

Dr. C. D. Spivak, Secretary.The Jewish Consumptives’ Relief Society,Denver, Colo.

My dear Dr. Spivak:-

I am enclosing a letter which I have just written to Mr. Frank C. Myers and which is self explanatory. Is there anything you can tell me in this connection? Would also appreciate very much if you could advise whether, among the effects of the late Alexander Bach, there were some photographs of me. If so, would it be pos-sible for you to forward these to me? Would gladly pay the postage on the same.Thanking you in advance for your courtesy in the above matters, I remain

Very truly yours,Sophie Weinberg

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281 Golden Hill Street,Bridgeport, Conn.,

March 5th, 1920

Frank C, Myers, Esq.,Attorney at Law,625 Symes Building,Denver Colo.

Dear Sir:-On January 11th 1919, you sent me a copy of will left by Alex-ander Bach, Deceased, in which I was mentioned as one of the legetes, and requested me to sign a waiver of publication. The waiver was signed and returned by me and you, subsequently, advised me that the Estate would be set-tled about one year after

the Will was admitted for probate. The time is up and I write to inquire when I may receive the share left to me. Would appreciate hearing back.

My address has been changed from 236 Salem Street, Bridgeport, to the

above. Thanking you in advance for the favor of a reply, I am

Very truly yours,Sophie Weinberg

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December 20, 1920

Mr. Nat Baum,Sanatorium JCRSEdgewater, Colo.

Dear Friend:

As a matter of record I wish to state that it seems to have been the consensus of the opinion of all those who did Alexander Bach a last adieu that we publish a memo-rial volume which would contain all his Writings. The Bach estate has been settled and the court granted me the sum of $54.00 for my services as executor. I would like to use this money for the publication. Will you and Mr. Gold-forgel and others constitute yourselves as a committee to go over his writings and collect them together so that we may get a bid from the printer. I would also like very much that you Dr. Marshak and others write up some charac-teristic trait of the late Bach so that we may embody it in a biographical sketch.


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December 20, 1920.

Miss Sophie Weinberg,281 Golden Hill Street,Bridgeport, Conn.

Dear Friend:

We would like to obtain a few data about your friend, the late Alexander Bach, for a biographical sketch. There is a Committee here which will publish some of his poems in a small memorial volume. We want to know the date of his birth, where he was born, the name of his father and mother, was he the first child, how many other brothers and sisters did he have, where did he receive his education, when did his father come to the United States and any other interesting data about him.


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December 20, 1920.

Mr. L. Bach667 E. 164th St.,New York, N.Y.

Dear Friend:

We would like to obtain a few data about your neph-ew, the late Alexander Bach, for a biographical sketch. There is a Committee here which will publish his poems in a small memorial volume. We want to know the date of his birth, where he was born, the name of his father and mother, was he the first child, how many other brother and sisters did he have, where did he receive his education, when did his father come to the United States and any other interesting data about him which you may possess.


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January 6/1921


Dear Friend,

I have received your letter from Dec. 20th 1920; unfortunately I have not

had the time to complete your re-quest in regards of Alex’s biography. For I have just endured a difficult surgery for peritonitis and have recently gotten back home from the hospital, also currently I am going through a difficult recovery after the sickness, therefore I am not able to write. I feel a glooming weakness, my hands are trembling, and there-fore it is highly difficult to write. As soon as I fully recover, I will gladly share all my knowledge of Alex’s life. It is highly unpleasant for me to disturb you, but I am currently in a difficult financial situation, but it must be done. I have been un-employed before the sickness struck me, after it did me in it was clear that I had to go in debt up to my ears. It appears to be that the only source for paying off my debt is the sum of money that has been left over by Alex. But the sum has not been sent to me yet, even thought you have for-warded the check to your lawyer back on the 20th of December. So I am ask-ing you to hurry up your lawyer with the processing of the check, so I can get a hold of the money and sustain my living for some time.

Please, do not keep me waiting.

Yours Sincerely L. Bach

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January 17, 1921

Mr. Frank C. Myers,Attorney JCRS,625 Symes Building.Denver, Colo.

Dear Friend:

I have just received a letter from Mr. Leon Bach, which is a pitiful letter, in which he tells me that he underwent an operation, etc., etc. I wrote to him on De-cember 20th and told him that I have issued a check for the amount due him and he cannot understand why the check did not reach him and he cannot understand why the check did not reach him yet. If it is possible to examine this matter, to send him a check, please do so. I know from other sources that, he really underwent an operation, he wasn’t working before operation the operation and doesn’t work even now. So possibly he needed money.

Yours sincerely.Secretary.

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January 19, 1921.

In re-A.Bach:

Check for $75.00 given to Mr. J. M. Green for monu-ment erected on Alexander Bach’s grave. (check given by Dr. C. D. Spivak)

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January 18, 1921.

Mr. Leon Bach,667 E. 164th St.,New York, N.Y.

Dear Friend:

Yours of the 6th duly received. I am sorry to hear that you had so much trouble both in health and in fi-nances. I was really wondering when I went over my checks that the bank returned for the month of December and did not find there the check that I have issued to your name. I have communicated with the attorney and hope he will be able to send you the money. You know there is always a lot of red tape connected with an estate.


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January 20/1921


Dear Friend:

To complete your request, I am at-taching a brief copy of Alex’s biography, as I myself know it, up until his staying in the Sanatori-um. As for the rest I assume that you have a better understanding of life at the Sanatorium, and that portion of the biography would not be a challenge to complete. I would also like to request that you send me two copies of his poems, after they are published; one copy for me, and the other is for Mrs. Shostak. Our beloved Alexander Bach was born in Borispol, Russia in Au-gust 22nd 1891. His father Mihail and mother Secilia (Maiden name Drob-inskaya). When the boy turned two, his mother got breast cancer, and than had surgery at Kisvich due to her condition, after the sur-gery her condition got better. But shortly after she said that she could feel the cancer

spreading out again afterwards she endured surgery once again and was bed-bound and in summer 1894 she passed on with unbearable pain. After the death of his mother, who at the time of death was 28 years old, he was left with his father and grandmother. In 1896 his father and grandmother immigrated to America. The grand-mother and Alex moved in with a relative, while his father got a job in a factory due to an acquaintance with the manager who was also a distant relative of his, our beloved Mr. Shostak.

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Being so lively and brat-like, Alex’s aunt – Mrs. D could not stand him. And shortly after she just could not stand him, so therefore she gave him away to an orphanage. But after people at the orphanage found out that she was a rather successful lady, they could not see any other solution, but to send him back to Mrs. D. But none-the less the aunt would not agree to take him back in to her house. His father’s circumstance in regards of Alex’s housing posi-tion was terrible, in other words, unavoidable… But “May the Heaven shine

upon the kind souls”, as the Old Rus-sian aphorism states. Evidently, this aphorism is not merely a line of words, but exists in real life, just like solid fact. Alex’s father, beaten down by his condition and his son’s circumstance went to Mr. & Mrs. Shostak for a piece of advice, and after hearing the terrible news about Alex, Mrs. Shostak was a woman of kind heart and with a radiating soul, so she agreed to take in Alex into their house and give him all her love, just like his mother would. In the end everything worked out with the housing, and I must say that justice took upon Alex’s life and gave him a new home, and as for Mrs. Shostak, God bless her heart, for she has done a noble gesture towards my

beloved nephew. She loved him with all her heart and got so closely knit with him, to an extent that she did not make any difference between Alex and her own son, who was of the same age as Alex at the time. Towards his pranks and brat-like behavior she paid no attention, but did not pun-ish him as a loving mother would. All that love and forgiveness is what shaped that boy’s character, for when the boy got older he tremen-dously simmered down and treated Mrs. Shostak with love and respect.

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He called Mrs. Shostak aunt Becky and in every single one of his words you could sense love and gratefulness towards such a kind woman. In 1897 Alex started school at Pine Brook’s NY public school, where he studied for 3 years, after-wards Mr. & Mrs. Shostak moved to Boonton, NY, Alex went to college in order to achieve higher education, from which he graduated in 1905. After completing all the schooling Alex moved in with his father in New York, where his father was working at the time. In order not to be a bother to his father, in regards of his finan-cial situation, Alex decided to get a job at a local Pharmacy as a Junior Clerk.

Due to his carelessness, in 1908 Alex became sick. At first we thought it was not that severe, but later on his father became quite concerned with his health and took him to a range of

doctors for further examination and diagno-sis. After further examination by the doctors his diagnosis was broncho pnemonia. Due to the recommenda-tions of the doctors, Alex has been sent to JCRS in Colorado, afterwards you are well aware of his life story.

As a summation of his character I can honestly state that ever since Alex has been a little child, he showed traits of curiosity and big potential in intellectual activity.

With great respect, yoursL.Bach

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March 5, 1921.

Mr. Leon Bach,667 E. 164th St.,New York, N. Y.

Dear Friend:

Thank you very much for yours of the 20th and for the biographical sketch of the late Alexander Bach. Have that you want that two copies of the biographical sketch be sent to you whom print.


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September 2, 1921.

Mr. Leo Bach,667 E. 164th St.,New York, N. Y.

Dear Friend:

In accordance with the will of the late Alexan-der Bach, his silver watch, album and other trinkets were willed to you. If you will be kind enough and sign the enclosed receipt and return in the enclosed enveloped, we will immediately forward to you the above.


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March 17, 1921.

Mr. L. Bach,667 E. 164th St.,New York, N. Y.

Dear Friend:

Pardon me for not having replied to yours of the 25th. I was very busy and so was Mr. Myers, the lawyer, and I could not make an appointment with him to go over your letter with him for explanation. As soon as I return from the east, where I am going next Sunday, I will take up this letter with Mr. Myers and will write to you.


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September 20, 1921.

Mr. Leo Bach,667 E. 164th StNew York, N. Y.

Dear Friends:

We are sending you under separate cover silver watch, album and other trinkets, bequeathed to you by your late nephew, Mr. Alexander Bach.


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January 4, 1922.

Mr. F. C. Myers,Attorney JCRS625 Symes BldgDenver, Colo.

Dear Friend:

Permit me to remind you of the first page of a let-ter from L. Bach of New York City, which I gave to you about ten days ago, and which you were kind enough to promise to look over and return with your comment. I am anxious to have this matter closed. The letter of Mr. Bach bears the date February 25. 1921.

Yours sincerely,Secretary

Colophon:Typefaces: Typewriter (regular, bold);Paper: Transparent Paper For Inkjet Printer;

Designer: Daniyil Onufrishyn ©2011

All documents Courtesy of:JCRS Collection, Beck Archives Special Collections, Penrose Library and Center for Judaic Studies, University of Denver, 2008Patient Name: Alexander BachFolder Number: 4612

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