Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-02-10
WILL BRING BACK A GERMAN BRIDE


of new era.
Shortly after Near Year, had, one
morning, just gone to my room to pre-,
pare for a visit to my girl. (About
this subject later). A man came IN at
the front door and 1 heard him ask
father:
"Is Simon homer"
ayes, SIR"
"He must come to the administra'
ton Office"
Under arrest I went to the place
designated and the officer demanded
"You emigrated without PERMISSION
how is that ?"
Iexplained.
cali right" he said, "you 60 at once
to Detmold Capitol of state) to the
military department" Then he made
out the letter must take to Detmold,
reading as follows:
NV name is Simon Moeller, born at
etc., emigrated in 1892, without permls-
sion. Since, I neglected to be natural
ized-."
Pardon" I interrupted, 81 am a
naturalized citizen of the United
States"
"If that is the case" the officer re-
piled, "why did you not say so right
away. That settles the matter"
But anyway I was sent to court.
In April, 1896, the superior court
had sentenced me to fine OF SUI
marks, or six weeks in prison. l con-
tested that this sentence could not be
executed on account of treaty made
in 1878, in effect to preyent the pun.
ishment of such citizens of the United
States in Germany.
The matter was referred to the gov
ernmeut in Detmold and pretty soon
there came telegram saying: "Hold
Simon Moeler; warrant will follow"
Pretty benedictiou that! The straw
is awful scarce in this country must
have been mighty dry year. There
was hardly more than a handful OF
straw in the sack upon which I rested
my head that night. l could feel too
the planks in the bottom of the bed
stead. The bedstead, too, was short
and narrow; but, under the circum
stances, l. rested very we'll. A clear
conscience is good pillow even be-
hind iron curtains.
But next morning, ah did l dream ?
No, however hard it was for me to
realize, the pretty maiden that appear.
ed was the jailer's daughter. She
had not been a stranger previously.
With her own pretty hands she raised
the heavy iron bars and opened the
great iron door. Then sweet was her
voice when she said: "Good morning.
How did you rest?" Coffee and bread
had she brought and much was that
meal enjoyed. An excellent cook, that
child. Such kale (cabbage) as she
brought me for dinner Our Ameri-
can girls cannot cook. But what
young man in York county would not
be willing to serve lifetime in prison
if his meals and his literature were
served. by the object of his highest
admiration
This is a troublesome world of limit
ed pleasures. Again l had TO appear
before those in authority, and when it
is case of authority in the hands of a
German tribunal, then good bye. |
was ordered before the judge and was
told that if the fine was not paid i'm
mediately 1 should work it out. OF
course I paid it. Had 1 not had the
means I would have at once applied
to the United States consulate, and
within three days l would have been
free but that did not suit, for | would
have had to leave the country by the
next ship.
So far as Germany is concerned, this
would not matter. am ready to
leave just any day; but Hiss Helen
Meise, of this place, has talked about
accompanying me on my voyage across
the ocean, etc. She is not ready quite ;
but will be soon. Anyone ought to be
able to understand why would pay
that 300 marks rather than have the
police take me from prison to steam
i ct aU DTGIutu "lOuOQI SiNihS AhS ehS
opportunity to see my people any more
or to tell Helen good bye. 1t does
not suit me to try to make trouble
now; but when I again reach Ameri-
can soil, shall attempt to inquire
whether our government will permit
German officials to arrest American
citizens who are not guilty of crime,
put them behind prison bars and rob
them of their money.
In my case the trouble seems to be
due principally to the fact that the
officials could not read my papers, and
they were unwilling to accept my
translation. 1t did not suit them eth
er to read the papers or accept the
translation, for in that fine of 300
marks there was fee for each one OF
them. AS matter of fact the local
policeman had been aware of my pres
ence all the time; but understanding
the situation and not being disposed to
make unnecessary trouble for me, he
kept his own counsel. Some anony-
nous friend it was who notified the
court.
Mr.. Meise was scared half to death
when suggested the idea of taking
his daughter to America with me.
"No. under no circumstances" be said.