Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 295, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 December 1918 — Page 3

YANK AVIATOR MAKES MIRACULOUS ESCAPE FROM GERMAN PRISON CAMP

I** 1 ** *** * * A - Swiss Give Them Kindly Welcome.

’ 7i. - . Americans in the German prison camp at Villingen, Germany, made a desperate and concerted attempt to escape on the night of Sunday, October 6. So far three men have crossed the border. The first is Lieutenant Aviator George Wright Puryear of Memphis. Tenn. Puryear swam across the Rhine to Swiss soil early in the morning of October 11. Two days later Harold Willis of Boston, a former Lafayette escadrille flyer who was captured at Verdun August, 1917, and Naval Lieutenant Edouard Isaacs of Portsmouth, Va., escaped Into Switzerland. Only a few days previously, on October 9, the first American soldier to escape from a German prison camp into Switzerland arrived at Red Cross headquarters in Berne. He was Frank Sovicki of Shenandoah, Pa., a PolishAmerican who enlisted a few days after America declared war. Puryear was the first American officer to escape from Germany. On June 26, whilfe patrolling near Ville Neuve sur Fere, about four kilometers southwest of Fere en Tardenois. Puryear engaged an enemy machine in combat. The fight, carried him unawares into the German.- lines. Puryear shot down his adversary, mortally wounding the observer of the German machine. Seeing one of his adversaries was badly wounded, and believing himself in allied territory, Puryear descended, intending to re? move one or both of the aviators as prisoners to an American hospital. Such descents in allied territory to aid a badly wounded adversary have been a part of the knightly code of the alr. ( Captured by Germans. Upon landing and before he could burn his machine Puryear was captured by German troops, who were In hiding. The German pilot of the machine whom he had descended to carry to a hospital Insisted that he be shot' at once for “shooting at a wounded man" —the observer of the German plane. After his capture Puryear, was taken to a hospital which was also an Intelligence examining post. He was kept there for three hours. From the hospital Puryear was taken to a castle, where he was again examined by an Intelligence officer. <• Next day he was marched, again alone, ten kilometers behind the lines to another intelligence post, where he was once more examined. On the following day, with fifteen captured Americans of the Twenty-sixth division and about 200 French soldiers, he was taken* to Laon. n At each stop intelligence officers examined him. On August 2 Lieutenant Puryear was taken to Rastatt prison camp. On August 5 he escaped with Andre Conreau, a French aviator. August 6 and 7 they spent in the woods. At 5 a. m. on the'morning of August 8, however, they ran plump into a German sentinel. They were taken under guard to Kehl, where they were given a good meal. Two guards accompanied them back to Restart, where Puryear was imprisoned five days. Later, when he was transferred to Villingen, Puryear served nine more of the fourteen-day sentence Imposed on him for trying to escape. > Makes Break for Liberty. On August 13 Puryear was transferred to Karlsruhe, the concentration camp for all prisoners, where he staged until August 19. . He was then taken to Landshut on a closely guarded train, together with a number of Royal Flying corps aviators. At Karlsruhe the British and American aviators were separated. The Ameri-

“BROADWAY QUARTET” IN FRANCE

These Yanks, who used to* live in and around a well-known Dorth Atlantic port, put on a Broadway musical show back of the lines in France for the entertainment of their comrades.

cans were placed in a camp which had been used as a quarantine camp and where they were vaccinated against typhus, cholera and smallpox. Puryear was kept at Landshut from August 21 to September 14. During his stay he applied for-a transfer to Villingen, where, a number of American pilots were confined. He was removed there on September 15. After nine days in jail at Villingen Puryear was released. Six days later, on the night of Sunday, October 6, Puryear made his second and successful attempt to escape. Puryear had planned ttf escape with one other companion. Aviator Willis, however, asked him to postpone h|s attempt for several days, as a dozen Americans had been planning to escape for some time-and it was feared that if Puryear failed the general breakout might be nipped in the bud. Puryear and his companion agreed and preparations were made for the escape. Ladders were made ready, windows and bars cut out, and one American made it possible to shortcircuit the string of powerful electric lights which surrounded ,thp prison camp and which burned all night to prevent escapes. The jail, delivery was planned for Sunday night, and the Americans-agreed to break out at severhl places, so as to keep the guards busy.'- . At 10:30 Sunday night the guards turned out the lights in the prison camp. This was the signal for all the men to make their final preparations. At 10:45 the lights outside the prison catop were short-circuited by one of the Americans. From three sides of the barracks the American aviators and prisoners made their dash for liberty. Fired on by Guards. Immediately the German guards blew their whistles and cocked their guns. Surrounding the barracks was a low barbed wire fence, and beyond that a deep ditch with barbed wire entanglements in it. Still further was a ten-foot fence with, hooks facing InWard along the top. Outside this fence were the guards with rifles awaiting. Puryear,” Isaacs, Willis and their companions had to run this gantlet, after getting through the barred . windows of the barracks. The penalty of being caught in the wire was death. Only a few days before in the general breakout a Russian had been caught in the wire and Instantly killed. Puryear climbed over all obstacles and put his ladder up against the fence. As he leaped over the fence firing began. His companion had his foot on the lower round of the ladder as Puryear went over. Once outside the barracks Puryear found himself between two guards. Both shouted at him to halt. Strictly according to orders they shouted three times to him to stop.. Six shots were fired in all point blank at Puryear. The guards, however, were old men and their aim was bad. At the time rtley fired one guard was 20 feet off and the other 50 feet away. Just as the second volley was fired at him Puryear stumbled and feJJ. In a ditch. He believes he would’have been wounded or killed by these shots if he had not fallen. ;<■ As bad been previously arranged, Puryear waited at a prearranged point for his companion. When the latter did not arrive after 15 minutes’ waiting, Puryear went alone. While he waited Puryear heard the guards fire several score rounds. He had now re-, covered his strength and made good progress. That night he went 15 kilometers. 7 ’’•--J Puryear carefully guarded his Red

J- ■rmuij-iT 1. PUPTIPT TOW ’ WTtWRUIWT.AWfte- tint.

“LO, THE POOR INDIAN,” RICH AND PATRIOTIC

“Lo, the Poor Indian” Is no more poor. Instead he is patriotic. The five civilized tribes subscribed for $2,600,000 In fourth Liberty bonds, Gabe Parker, superintendent of the tribes, announced. The .five tribes—Choctaws, Chickasaws, Seminoles, Cherokees and Creeks —have now invested some $9,523,670 in Liberty bonds and War Savings stamps.

Cross supplies. From the food boxes sent him from Berne he was eble to build himself up physically 'M that he was able to live on the raw potatoes, carrots and turnips which he dug out of the fields while taking his way toward the frontier. The next day Puryear spent in the forest poring over his map until he •had memorized every, detail of it. Just before day broke he met two men going to work. He avoided them, but later was unable to avoid a lone civil ian who passed him, but who said nothing. . / ' - The next night Puryear took up his long journey toward Waldshut, 65 kilo* meters away. The third day it rained heavily all day and Puryear picked out a small barn and climbed through a window and thence went up to the loft. The owner or the. barn and his hired hands moved farm machinery about in the stable below, but did not "come, upstairs. . That night the rain lessened and Puryear continued his jourqey. In the darkness he took the wrong road, a mountain toad which finally ended in a trail and then ceased altogether. For three hours he stumbled about on a mountain toft In sleet and snow, tearing his hands and face, on brambles and making but little progress In the brush and cutover timber. Finally he struck another-road which he followed until daylight. With the dawn he again took refuge In .the woods. ■ ,

‘ All that day he spefit pOring over his maps, endeavoring to locate himself. By nightfall, however* he had decided upon his course. That night he struck a tributary of the Rhine and followed It to where it crossed the main road leading to Waldshut. When he struck the main road Puryear found a sign -reading: “Waldshut Thirty Kilometers.” On the night of Wednesday, October 9, Puryear got within a few miles of Waldshut. In order to be sure of his directions he climbed to the top of a mountain nearby from which he could see trib* utaries entering- the Rhine.* Puryeat also was supplied with a view of Waldshut which he carefully compared with the town below. Puryear planned to cross the Rhine at the point where the current strikes the north shore and then rebounds to the south bank. He figured upon be irg carried by the current across to the Swiss shore. Fat six hours he carefully watched the shore for the appearance of sentries, but no one having passed the spot he had chosen he decided to make the attempt tc swim across.

Cold Plunge In Rhine. He crawled to the river edge, took off all his clothes except his shirts and underwear and trousers and dipped into the icy stream. The strong current Immediately swept him downstream at a terrific rate. Dangerous whirlpools and currents abound in this vicinity. - * * After half an hour’s alternate swimming and floating the icy water began to affect the. young aviator. ( . “I thought it was about all over' with me,” said Puryear. “I became dizzy and fought hard to be able to distinguish the shore I had left from the Swiss side. About thirty feet from the bank my hand in swimming touched rock, but before I could pull myself up the strong, current wrenched me back Into the deep water . again. “I was fast becoming weaker and weaker. The banks were rocky and jSteep and I could not get a hand hold anywhere. I feared that I would be lost at the last moment. Finally 1 grasped a projecting rock and hung on to >it until I recovered my strength in part. Then I climbed up and out ot the water and fell down exhausted, . For several minutes I lay there weak : and. trembling with the cold and fear.

“I had been carried far beloW Waldshut. Along the shore ran fl railroad and I knocked at the first crossing keeper’s 1 cabin. The latter when he learned that I was an American, greeted- me warmly, took off my wet clothes, chafed my trembling legs and gave me a stiff glass of brandy. Then, as it was time for breakfast, the crossing keeper routed his children out of bed and the two kids and myself atfl hot milk and bread from the same bowL > “Later I was taken to a milltaiy post where the Swiss officers kindly gave the dry clothing. At Zurich Swiss officer* paid my hotel bills and gave me a civilian’s outfit from head' to foot. I cannot thank the Swiss au thorities and civilians too much fat their kindnesses to me. At Rheinfrtder the Swiss frontier officer exam ined me and then telephoned to tin American embassy at Beioe.”

SOLDIERS’ HEARTS WERE MADE GLAD WITH LARGE SHIPMENT OF SPORTING EQUIPMENT

Aviators Inspecting Shipment of Athletic Goods Just-Before Armistice Was Signed.

The photograph shows aviators at a flying school In France examining a shipment of sporting goods that arrived just previous to the signing of the armistice with Germany. The equipment was sent by the National Aeronautic committee, working In association with the war department commission of training camp activities. The shipment included outfits for baseball, football, soccer, basketball, track athletics, indoor baseball, medicine balls, boxing gloves and the like. Phonographs and various kinds of musical instruments were also included.

NATIONAL BODY IS PLANNED

Combination of Trap Shooting Organizations Is Within Possibilities— Similar to A. A. U. A combination of several of the trap-shooting organizations is under way, and it appears probable that a national association will soon exist for the benefit of the sport and amateur and professional shooters. The old Interstate Trap-shooting association, through its development department, Is being reorganized along new and broader lines, and the American Amateur Trap-shooters’ association being combined with it. • ” ■ , £ The plans for the new association are in many ways similar to the A. A. U._ w and the United States Golf association. They provide for the membership of all amateur shooters, who will control the sport through representatives from the state associations. In addition to these memberships, provisions are made for supporting memberships by all interested organizations. It is proposed that the new association shall compile the averages of all shooters and arrange for their handicapping and classification. It will also arrange for and provide trophies, award medals* determine rules and regulations for the sport for the determination of state and national champions.’

LESLIE NUNAMAKER IN NAVY

Yankee Catcher, Who Was Rejected by Army on Account of Defect, Join* Aviation Service. Leslie Nunamaker of the Yankees, who was rejected for army service because he had a bad knee, determined he might be of some use at that and

Catcher Leslie Nunamaker.

m Joined the navy aviation service. He reports that the knee doesn’t bother him a bit, no matter how high or far he sails.

HONOR FOR VIVIAN NICKALLS

Former Coach at University of Pennsylvania Has Been Awarded / Italian Croce de Geurra. Major Vivian Nickalls of the British army, former-crew coach at the University of Pennsylvania, has been

Coach Vivian Nickalls.

awarded the Italian Croce de Geurra, for conspicuous bravery on the Italian front. This Information was contained In a letter from the major’s daughter to a friend in this country. Major Nickells, not«l oarsman at Oxford, England, came)o this country eight years ago atrTOach of the Detroit Boat club./Two years later he was called to the University of Pennsylvania as the successor of Ellis Ward.

SOLDIERS TAKE TO FOOTBALL

Irttercolleglate Game Make* Hit With . Army Boys In Porto Rico, Despite Heat and Band. Football, not soccer, but the man-to-man intercollegiate type, has been started in Porto Rico and the soldiers are taking to it like ducks to water, despite heat and sandy playing field that elsewhere would be considered too heavy for fast team work. The First battalion of the Three Hundred and Seventy-fourth regiment started the football craze lata in September by challenging the rest of the regiment Neither side scored, but two broken noses were reported among the casualties. This was the first blood drawn by the warriors and it added such zest to the life of the camp that the Three Hundred and Seventy-Third regiment has taken dp the game. As a result of the interest in the football games the athletic director has : added the sport to the regular program of “play day” events for the troops. This is probably the first appearance of football in the tropics.

These Players Escape.

Two well-known ball players who came safely through rather severe attacks of Influenza at Camp Pike, Ark., were Ray Schmandt, former Brooklyn second baseman, and Harolc Ruel; former New York Yankee catch er. Both are now recovered.

RICKENBACHER IS A CAPTAIN OF FLIERS

Ex-Racing Driver Honored tor Great Work on Battle Front Turned Down at Start Because at Lack of College Education, Me Finally Landed as Sergeant in Army Signal Corps. It goes without saying that the many friends of Eddie Rlckenbacher, exracing driver, are delighted that this American ace of aces was made * captain in the aviation corps just before the end of hostilities for his great work on the battle front. His promotion makes it meet to recall the efforts made by Rick to get into the flying work. He came back from England about the time this country entered the war. He had been working in the Sunbeam factory/ there. Rick was filled with the idea that racing drivers, with their knowledge of internal-combustion engines and their proved courage in speed work, would make ideal airmen. He telegraphed about the country, getting pledges from the racing drivers to enter the government service, and corralled a whole squad. This cost him a great deal of money, which he spent willingly. Then the whole thing was turned down, because the racing drivers did not qualify as college men. Undaunted, Rick got into the army as a sergeant in the signal corps. When he first went abroad he drove a car for General Pershing. Later his ambition whs realized, and he was

Capt Eddie Rickenbacher.

commissioned a lieutenant in the aviation corps. He has a record of 24 enemy airplanes officially and a lot more -unofficially. It is worth while noting that another ex-racing driver, Caleb 8. Bragg it was. who recently made/It wonderful record from Dayton and then to New York. V ■ .. , L-r-

DRIVE WAS JUST LIKE GOING TO FIRST BASE

The Bayonet, the publication issued by the soldier boys at Camp Lee, takes the following view of the first American drive, describing It entirely in baseball: “The first American drive was like going to first base. Didn’t have to hit the dirt; just went into the bag standing up. The delivery was too fast for the Huns, and there was promiscuous use of the bean ball. Although it was like trying out new pitchers, they showed promise and are backed up by a number of veterans to take up the work if any wavering symptoms should show. Only the top of the batting order was used, and there will be some slugging before the game gets much older. From the way the batteries are going it looks as if the Hun side will be retired on strikes.”

M'GRAW SEES GREAT REVIVAL

Future of Baseball Is Exceedingly Bright, According to Manager of New York Giants. The future of baseball Is bright, especially now that the war has ended, according to John J.. McGraw, manager of the New York Giantfl. “Baseball will receive a great bo >m,” said McGraw. “The game will <ome back all of a sudden and the into rest win be greater than ever. Our soldiers, when they return, will be the most ardent supporters of baseball, and many of them will find engagements with major and minor league clubs. The magnates have until February or March to arrive at a conclusion. Baseball isn't dead. It’s merely resting. You can’t kill IL’’

Ump Hildebrand Is Farming.

George Hildebrand, one of the American league umpires who took part in the recent world series, is now farming on his ranch in California.

Billy Kelly Does Fine.

Billy Kelly, the great race horse, has this season won twelve out of fourteen races, carrying as high as 135