Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 21, 1917)
TIIE SUNDAY OREGOXIAy, rORIXAXD, OCTOBER 21, 1917. rAMER CAN'S DASH FOR LIBERTY WINS German Oppressors Are Out witted by Nervy New Eng . land Yankee. THRILLING STORY IS TOLD f Connecticut Man Taken Frisoner in One of Moewe's- Raids Tells ot 4 Tough Experiences in Teuton Prisons. ; (Continued From First Page.)' 4 Smith planned his escape for Saturday I morning, October 6. It was his second attempt. The first had brought him ' 18 days in a dark cell on bread! and water, with no bed, after he had been at i large for one day In the country north -' west of Lubeck. , Was Working on DocKs. Along with several hundred other pris- oners of war of many nationalities, he had been employed since early in May on the Lubeck docks, loading ships Z bound for Sweden, with cargoes of fer- tilizer, coke, salt, a little coal, and, once K In a while, steel shavings. One of these vessels was the German, ship Undine, v. which Smith had been, helping load with fertilizer for about a week. With this f vessel in mind he figured out his plan. - "It cpmes Friday night a week ago J- and, I go sick. See?" Smith said today, v 'That means I had to report myself sick that night, and, then when the doctor would come in the morning at 8 he i would look me over. In. this way I " wouldn't be marched out to the docks at 6 in. the morning: with the other prls- oners. :-' Hides in Held Week. "They are always marched out in " bunches of 12, and my plan was to slip Into one of these bunches after it was j counted, so I would reach the docks, but wouldn't be among the counted It s worked fine. I reached- the dock, our guard not knowing he had IS prisoners instead of 12, because he had. counted them before I stepped in. "iio I go to the Undine, which the j launch I Joined was loading-. As soon as 1 got aboard the Undine, I went down into the hold and hid myself in, the fer- t, tilizer. I found some matting and cov ered myself and laid there from Satur day morning: to Friday morning of the i next week. It was dark, but I had a pocket lamp, that lasted quite a while. "I had some crackers, but as I could - not bring any water with me the crack ' ers were no good to me, because my . mouth and throat got so dry I could not swallow them. I tried to eat them, but they were like sand in my mouth and would not go down. "Sometimes I'd sleep a while I don't know how long and then I'd wake up with a nervous chill I'd wake up with a Jump. All the time I was afraid and ' my tongue was getting: bigger and big . ger. it felt a foot thick." Almeat Ready to Give TTp. "What did you think about all those T, days and nights?" I asked. . - . For the first time in his recital the 5, rood-natured grin on Smith's massive face vanished in a look of horror, and lie answered slowly: "Mr. Bennett, you could think about nothing except everything you ever . cione in your life. But the worst part - was my tongue getting bigger. It was like my tongue was crowding my brains ou,t. 1 was on the verge of going above two or three times, but then I thought of that 18 days on bread and water in the dark I'd got before, and X stuck It out. ... "When Thursday nicht came I could tell by . the sounds they were starting to unload, but 1 wairt-d. Aiune in the night I crawled to the hatchway, which was only covered with tarpaulins, and looking out I could see they were guarding the deck, so I waited and figured out what I'd do in the ninrnms when -they began to unload again. 4lves Jiwedeii a Surprise. "I figured I'd stand on the hatchway ladder and .iu.t as they pulled off the ' tarpaulin I'd make a rush. It worked Jut. that way. Iuckily for me, the pranfrplink was right opposite the hatchway so I could make it in about two .lumps, because the Swedes that pulled the tarpaulin pf were o sur? prised. "They- stood looking" when I Jumped out on them. They were the fellows that made the motion fer me and the policeman to 0 along. I guess they understood." Smith's most thrilling experiences" were his involuntary participation in five of the Moewe's battles. It was late in February when the raider over hauled the Pacific Steam Navigation 'ompany's steamer Ksmeraldas bound from Newport News to Liverpool with .a cargo of &50 horses. Smith cad shipped on it as a muleteer. (ermans Son Aboard. "'"We'd had had weather and been out of our course." said Smith. "Then rame the 12th day and Willi it our first good weather. "It was about 2 o'clock in the morn ing and we were asleep when a feller woke me up and says, 'They've got us,' and there was the Moewe lying astern. Pretty soon our ship swarmed witli Germans seemed like there were a thousand of them. "Three of them carried bombs in their arms. After they took us off they put the bombs in the hold and blew UP the Ksmeraldas. I'nts I p Sharp Fight. "This Moewe looked like a tramp steamer, but it could travel, believe me. It had eight guns forward under a fold ing deck, and when it fought they raised the shipsides. They lowered them after battle and then it looked harmless. It had two guns amidships and one aft. "When they took us aboard the Moewe its prisoners were two Japs, six negroes, the rest English, all told about 350. We numbered 116. After they got us they cruised around 14 days longer and got four more boats. "One was the Otackee. and it. with only one gun. put up a h of a fight. Out of the nine shots it made eight hits. When the Otackee's gunner came aboard the commanding officer of the Moewe shook his hand and said. 'I con gratulate you on your marksmanship. If you had had another gun. you'd have given us a pretty good time.' Fifteen Killed in Fight. "The gunner says: 'I'd have given you a damn good time as it was if my ammunition hadn't run out.' Besides, they killed his ammunition feeder after the second shot, and then he had to load and fire alone. , His name was "Worth, He never talked unless you asked him a question. Then he'd an swer. We called him Silent Worth. Fifteen coolies and Germans . were allWd in that battle. rhis Moewe was an old refrigerator boat with a cork filling in the sides, and when Worth was putting his sock dolagers the cork filling fell Into the compartment we huddled in. After every battle the Geruina got their schnapps. 'ijoinetimea they, were pretty well sloughed up. An American, doctor from our boat used to help the German doc tors patch up the wounded. He was from Virginia. He lost his practice through rum. Once he helped the Ger mans cut off a leg. Ivlel Harbor Crowded. "We got good treatment on the Moewe. They fed us twice a day. One day one of the crew came down and said: 'Well, your country's In it now." He did not seem to care. "When the Moewe came in they land ed us at Kiel on March 21. Kiel harbor was full of warcraft. battleships and hydroplanes, and it was a pretty sight to watch the hydroplanes darting down to the water like gulls. We lay in Kiel for four days and then nearly two weeks in a town called Durmen. Finally we reached the big prison camp near Brandenburg on April 4. We were in. that dump until early in May." I know that Brandenburg prison camp, having visited It on one of the bleakest days of last Winter and hence was interested to hear how Smith found it. To questions he replied in his un resentful way: "Well, they pushed us and shoved us a good deal and called us swine and some other things, but the rest was German and we could not tell what it meant.- Then they'd have about 13 roll calls a day and get us out in that slush and check and recheck us." Bread and Turnip. Soup. "How about the food?" "We got one chunk of bread daily and turnip soup. That turnip soup was good water spoiled. There was much sickness. ' What made us sorest was being shoved. One guard was awful on the shove. One day ' a Canuck says'. 'I don't care if I get killed, I'm going to get that guy.' Then he hit the guard a wallop that sent him 15 feet, and then Jumped on him. Then all the guards jumped on the Canuck and beat and knocked out two teeth. I heard they gave the Canuck a year in some rotten jail for that wallop. A German Day's Work, "They took us to work on the Lubeck docks in May. We had to get up at 4 in the morning and be at work by . Before going to work we got tea or coffee and a piece of bread. We stopped at 8 for what they called breakfast, but there was nothing. We laid around for half an hour and then went back to work until noon, when came food and rest until 1:30. We worked then till 3:30, when we were given another half hour rest, after which we went back to work until li." "But how could you -work; ou that food ?" "You had to whether you could or not. If you told them you could not, they said you had to. England helped out a lot every week, sending every prisoner a package with veal loaf, corned beef, biscuit, tea, sugar, con densed milk, tobacco and soap. The Germans were honest about the pack ages. Once in a while a can of tobbeco would be missing, but we. got most everything they sent. Paid a Mark R Day. "They paid us a mark a day for our work, but lately the pay was only in canteen money, paper slips good only at the canteen. The canteen woman was a grafter. Outside the canteen a soldier could buy tobacco for us at 90 pfennings, but the girl inside charged a mark and a half, and the soldiers would buy apples and pears for us for 50 pfennings a pound, while she charged 75. "The biggest part of the tonnage In Lubeck was Swedish ships, bringing in iron ore, pulp and wood, going back with what I have told you of. Lots of sardine tins went to Norway, and cargo after cargo of barbed wire and iron rods went out by way of Danzis to the Germant front in Russia." lake a Whipped People. V"On the -whole, do the Germans seem to you like a whipped people?" "Yes, sir; they do. They have no food and they have no men at Lubeck. Women were working on the docks handling iron ore and oarrying bags of coal. Our guards could Hpeak a little Knglish and they used to say, 'The Kaiser's no damn good. King George no damn good. Krieg (war) no gu.d. No good for you: no good for us. All money krieg. . Deutschland is kaput. Wir hat nichts y.u essen. Too many gegen.' A lot of them thought the war would be over by Christmas." Translating some of the pigeon Ger man Smith picked up, the word "Kaput" is German slang for "busted." When Smith made his first attempt to escape from Lubeck. he heard that Denmark lay to the northwest, so he headed in that direction as near as he could figure. When he was sent to jail, he got total darknes. and one piece of bread an inch and a half thick dally, and had to sleep on a board. But every fifth day they would give him soup and daylight. . Proved Self Real American. After Smith took off his prison uni form In Stockholm and shaved and washed, a few of lis chipped in with some money and clothes, and Smith be gan to look really respectable. It was a treat to see him. Too much cannot be said for the way our Consulate treated him. 1 had been watchins; this Consulate for five months, and it seems to me it is setting a fine example for every American Consulate. Legation and Embassy in Europe for patience, generosity, solici tude and. genuine tenderness to the af flicted and bewildered. Vice-Consul Iteilly went down to the station to get Smith when he arrived from Morrkoep ing, because he said. "1 thought he'd proved himself a good American, and deserved welcome." The Consulate is sending Smith home. 90TH BIRTHDAY OBSERVED Mrs. Caldwell, of I'oncalla, Came to Oregon In 1818. B.OSEBURG. Or.. Oct. 20. (Special.) Mrs. Sarah Anne McKlnney Caldwell, of "i'oncalla. celebrated her 90th birth day anniversary Wednesday. She was born in Booneville. Mo., in 1S27. In the Spring of 1S48 she, with her parents, two brothers and a sister. Joined a wagon train bound for Oregon. The sister died on the way of moun tain fever. Many times the train was halted by roaming bands of Indians and forced to pay toll. After many mishaps the train of 40 wagons arrived at Oregon City on September 25, 1S4S. On February 14, 1S49, Miss McKinney was married to Alexander Caldwell, w i o had but recently returned from the Cay use war. They first made their home in Oregon City, and later moved to Amity, Or. Stephen. M.. of Eugene, and. M. Delia Caldwell, of Yoncalla, are the only sur viving children. Mrs. Caldwell has five grandchildren. She is one of the best types of the early pioneer, being at the present time In the best of health and assisting in the household duties. ELKS AID OREGON OUTFIT Grand Lodge. Gives $60,000 to Equip Hospital for University Unit.; OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, Wash ington, Oct. 20. The Grand Lodge of Elks today advised Senator Chamber lain that it had allotted $60,000 to equip a Red Cross hospital unit for the Uni versity of Oregon, this amount being all that is required. Local contributions will not be required or this unit. The $20,000 subscribed locally will be set apart to -equip nurses and -furnishing articles not included in regular hospital, unit specifications, i MOMENT FOR SELF- DENIAL HAS GOME Sugar Famine Reported in East, While West Is Scant ily Supplied. RIGID ECONOMY IS URGED Much of Country's Available Supply Sent to France, Where Scarcity of Sweets Is Most Acutely FelU CHICAGO, Oct. 20. Formal -warning was issued here this afternoon on in structions from the office of Food Ad ministrator Hoover that a sugar fam ine is upon the country and that the moment of America's first self-denial in the matter of food has arrived. Announcement that this "condition is serious enough in the West and Middle West, but in the East it has developed into a famine" was made by Henry H. Rolapp, president of the United States Sugar Manufacturers' Association and treasurer of the sugar distributing committee of the food administration, on receipt of a telegram from George Kolapp, chief of the sugar division of the food administration at Washington. The telegram requests that the situa tion by made clear to all citizens of the United States and that the need for rigid economy for several weeks be explained. France Pleads for Sugar. On receipt of the telegram Mr. Rolapp issued a statement in which he said that a few weeks ago it was hoped that the situation might be tided over until receipt of the Cuban crop. At this juncture, however, came a cry from France, where they had been existing on the moat meager supply, and for pa triotic reasons the food administration diverted to the greater need of an ally the product from our own shores, de spite the great need here. The loss fell on the Atlantic states principally. The sacrifice was cheerfully made and hope was transferred to the beet sugar crop. Here came disappointment, too, for adverse weather held back the crop three or fov.r weeks and brought about the present, critical situation. The statement adds: "Acting upon the splendid spirit of patriotism, the food administration sugar distributing committee, under au thority from Washington, has ordered every producing factory in the United States immediately to divert sugar shipments to the Far Eastern states, keeping for the West and Middle WeBt only the scantiest minimum which will prevent distress in the West, as that which now confronts the East. Close Economy Urged. "It will take some little time to have the sugar rolled to the Aalantlc from the California and Rocky Mountain states, but in the meantime all luxu ries, including candy making, must be limited to the extreme. Jobbers and retailers must be made guardians for a very much reduced household consump tion; and the producers and railroads must use extraordinary efforts to tide this first experience in food shortage which has overtaken the American pub lic. "All this involves effort and sacrifice from everybody, but when once con vinced of its necessity, the American public may be always be relied upon to manifest its utmost willingness for sacrifice." Mr. Rolapp roughly estimated that for every five pounds of sugar needed there is but, one pound in the country. He estimated the present supply at about 100,000 tons. FIRE DRILLS NEEDED state: Fmt; marshal, directs ArrEAL TO (CROOL BOARDS, Majority of Fires Are Caased From Ueatinir Plants, Oily Rasrs ana Rubbish, Says Official. SAT-EM". Or.. Oct. JO. (Special.) State Fire Marshal Wells has issued the following appeal to School Boards and school districts to protect the lives of the children placed under their care; "livery year brings its toll of lives of children in the schools and other institutions as the result of fires. In many cases the loss of life and the injuries are caused by panle rather than by fires themselves. Fires often occur from defective heating apparatus and from storing rubbish and oily rags under the stairs. Regular inspections should be made by the janitor and the principals, of the schools at least once a week. Stairways are always fire traps, and a false step made by one of the children means a pile of frantic little ones endeavoring to escape and reach a place of safety. "The only way to save these little folks from panic, injury or death in case of fire, is to make their escape from the building as convenient as possible. To quiet their fear when an alarm is given the teachers should remember that the little ones look to them for safe guidance out of the building. The teachers should feel their responsibility and see that fire drills are often held, for one little life is worth many times the value of all the schoolhouses in the United States. "I heartily appeal to every school in Oregon to hold weekly fire drills, so when a fire occurs both the children and the teachers will leave the building with as little excitement as possible, and this can only be had through proper training." WOMAN FILLS . 1500 JARS Gaston Reports Successes of Food Conservation Movement, GASTOX, Or.. Oct. 20. (Special.) Never has there been more done in the line of canning and preserving of fruit and vegetables, the making of pickles, catsup and relishes, drying of corn, ap ples and prunes and the bottling of fruit juices than this year. There is little fruit or vegetables go ing to waate here as compared- to former years, when great quantities were left on the ground to rot or were fed to the hogs. One thrifty woman with a large fam ily, of grown-ups, has over 500 jars of preserves put away, and has also dried a large quantity of fruit. With few exceptions every family has enough dried beans for their own use stored away, though the bean crop was about half what it would have been with the usual amount of Summer rains. Portland Students Honored. OREGON AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. Corvallis. Oct. 20. (Soeclal.l Several i Portland, students have recently, been Store Closed Saturday Evenings at 8 O'Clock $18.50 to $22.50 Tapestry and Leatherette Overstuffed Rockers You needn't bring your check, book. Pick the Rocker you like and Pay-the-Edwards-Way. $1.50 Cash, 50c Week Whoever heard of a home with too many Rockers? In most homes there are not enough to go round when the after-dinner scramble begins ! Everybody knows it's usually a plain case of "first come, first served." Here is a splendid "Extra" for the living-room or library. All are sturdily and rigidly built on Colonial lines. Deep, inviting spring seat, shaped back and big roll arms. Perfectly balanced on heavy oak rockers. Take your choice of two patterns in tapestry. Leather ette is in a rich brown color and of good quality, too ! TV A month from now you'll begin selecting Christmas presents why not start now with one of these beautiful Rockers? SPECIAL PRICES ON SUPERFINE HEATERS ALL OF THIS WEEK! Don't sit around saying "Boo" "Boo" about these crimpy evenings the sea son is Just starting. The heater pictured be low is built of heavy-gauge blue steel with cast top, bottom and inner lining. A Big Bnngalow Heater $12.45 125 Cash, 50c Wk Edwards' Panama is a wonder. Tou need not worry about knots and blocks. The large feed door will care for them. Its mica front door swings wide open, fiving that desired, effect without urning extra fuel. Vest It's a Heater and Fireplace Complete. $19.85 $2.00 Cash, 75c Week This one actually burns the smoke. Duplex Grates for wood and coal (just like a ranee), a patent draft that forces heat and smoke back onto the fire instead of up the chimney. By all means see this heat er, whether you Intend buying one or not. The special price is $28.95 $3 Cash, $1 Week & ss1' asssB?sessaa"BfiBan. A time-saver A labor-saver wonderful kitchen help. A tUlfSt Equipped with every labor-saving, time-saving, fuel-saving and sanitary feature known to Range Science. Different sizes and different styles now on display. Call at any time; we'll gladly explain, the advantages of a "Monarch." If you decide to buy, your old stove may be applied as part pay balance easy. NO! Edwards' UNOLA Is Not $100 tM :'c''; fj' : V.JiJlfi' fM' S-iM &Mw. m III The Price Is Only The Terms Are $6 Cash, $1 Week A7o Interest M u i e without ton color is like a painting without perspective like food without salt. Doesn't it seem to you as though an instrument that measures up to the following ia worthy of your consideration ? Height, 45 inches. Width, 18i inches. Depth, 20 inches. Universal Tone Arm. All-wood Tone Cham ber. Tone Modifier. Speed Regulator. 12-inch Turn Table. 2-spring Motor. "Moss Rose" Hand -Decorated Ivory Enamel Bedroom Suite A tMIIIIHUHlllUlt Yon could pay more, but . you'd never get more in rest, comfort and satisfaction! . Pretty swell, isn't it? With its delicate spray of "moss roses," and mind you, the price for five pieces as pictured is only. $7J50 Cash. $150 Week Is-the-Way-You-May-Pay A salesman was told the following, just a few days ago, by a lady who was "shopping" too late: "We paid over f 100 for a decorated suite that doesn't begin to be as nice as this one." , Be careful; don't let this same thing Straight to Edwards." happen to you. "Go Vi.pliir - ..;ff.,, r r-. .J, siv- ' ' Have You Bought That Liberty Bond? If Not, Do It This Week Without Fail! Out -of -Town Folks! YOU YOU YOU YOU YOU -are Justified In demanding merchandise of assured qual ity. -are "guaranteed absolute sat isfaction' when trading with Edwards. -are privileged to take advan tage of all advertised SPE CIALS. -are privileged to take advan tage of Edwards-Easy-to-Pay-Way-too. -will not be charged one cent extra for safe packing and drayage to freight depot. Your Credit Is Good as Gold! Select one single piece or a house full. It's easy to pay the Edwards way. $ 50.00 Worth $ 5.00 Cash, 91.00 a "Week 75.00 Worth $ 7.50 Cash, $1.50 a Week 9 lOO.OO Worth UO.OO Cash, $2.00 a Week $150.00 Worth $15.00 Cash, $2.50 a Week ril?Ir. WTfrQAliSS Now -Is -the -Time ! YflTT- will realise the real value of VI J Edwards' Exchange Depart ment. YflTT will be surprised at the liberal A allowance made for old furni ture. . VATt will need at least one new piece during this house-clean- '. lng time. VrTT can give a Rocker, Rug. Bed, J Dresser, etc., for what you wait YfTT can buy refinlshed used fur- " U niture here for about the cost of new. 'ZZZZZZJust Two Blocks North of Washington elected to prominent offices in the col lege. Miss Ruth Kelly was elected vice piesident of the senior class and Miss Marjorie Rood was made secretary of the freshman class. Among those who were successful in tryouts for the Mask and Dagger Society are Miss Stel la Marie Cross and George Alstadt. The Mask and Dagger takes only a few new members each year through a rigid tryout system. PLAINS CROSED THRICE Mrs. 3Iartha Pearson, Who Died at Bandon, Pioneer of 1852. m BANDON, Or., Oct. iO. (Special.) Mrs. Martha Cerilda Pearson, who died recently at this place, was born in Indiana October 7, 1S12. With her parents she crossed the plains to Ore gon in 1S.12. locating near Milwaukie. later at Wren and inally at Philo- math. She was married June 9. 1S67. to Henry H, Pearson and moved to Claquato. Wash., later to Cedar Mill, Or., then- to Coppel. Wash. In 1875 she again crossed the plains by -wagon and in 1877 returned by the same conveyance. In 178 she moved to Grangeville, Idaho, where she re sided until 1893, when, she returned to Oregon, settling near Marion, where she lived until 1909. when she moved to Bandon. Her husbad died, In 1916. She leaves a sister, a brother, two sons, a grandson, and a granddaughter. Snake River Wagon Road Urged. LEWISTON. Idaho, Oct.' 20. (Special.) The Commercial Club here has just received a communication from J. N. Jellison. of Caldwell, Idaho, advocating the construction of a wagon road along the Snake River from Lewiston to Wel ser. Mr. Jellison. estimates the cost of such a highway to be less than, J1600 a mile, or ti 65,000 for the whole road. Santiscptic for a Perfect CompleiloBv Pmarri, beaut! den. softens, whitens, prerenti Idpifly clear. kla ot mil ernjKWma. Wll Uke its cltaaU. bealUiy odor. 60c All druggita "-Adv. Assets $12,200,000.00 DORCHESTER, NEBR., May 7, 1917. Jlr. V. C. tvilaon. Pres., Hankers Life 1mm. Ce. . Uaoola, jebv, DEAR SIR: I wish to express my thanks to you for the very prompt and satisfactory settlement I am receiving on my policy taken out in your com pany fifteen years ago today. At the time I took this policy, my friends and neighbors all said I had fooled my money away. Now for the benefit of my relatives and friends I will give the exact settlement. I paid the company S40.05 for fifteen years, making a cost to me of 600.?. Today I am receiving from your General Agent, B. I Stephenson. J804.4S. That gives me a net profit of more than $200. Not having any Bona I have taken out a polloy on each of my two daughters. I hope many of the young people will do as I have done and get the same bene, tits. Thanking you again, I am Respectfully yours, VACIAV VBBSKT. : FIFTEEN-PAYMENT LIFE POLICY Matured in the - OLD LINE BANKERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY of Lincoln, Nebraska Name of insured - ...Vaclav Vrbsky Residence Dorchester, Nebraska Amount of policy $1000.00 Total premiums paid Co....$ 600.75 SETTLEMENT Total cash paid Mr. Vrbsky .. .$804.43 And 15 Years Insurance for Nothing. We wish to contract with new men. Join? us and let us make you some money. Write Home Office, Lincoln, Neb., for particulars. Dept. R- r-