The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1901-04-04
George Frederick Meincke, Pris-
oner in the County Jail, Led
a Queer Life.
AN AMERICAN SPY IN LUzON
Escaped From American Prison Only to be
TO Death--A Remarkable Record.


Company c, 9th Regiment U. S. A..
who is serving a term in the county
Jail as punishment for breaking into
the home of George A. Yule, is taking
great deal of interest in the manner
in which the United States will dis
pose of Aguinaldo. This interest is
being taken on account of the fact
that Meincke was at one time saved
from death by the leader of the Fill
pinos. Meincke has had checkered
career, and while he is now filing a
prison cell, during the last few years
he has rendered great dea1,of worthy
service for his country and he has now
sent letter to Washington asking
that he be restored to his original
place as a soldier under Capt. Walker.
Meinckes has been in the county jail
for the last thirty days, but during
this time he has not forgotten his du-
ties as a soldier and every morning he
can be.heard drilling in the corr idors
of the Jail for several hours. He is
perfect in discipline and every action
of the day is governed by the schedule
of the soldier. About the rude cell are
hung in conspicuous places his letters
from generals and captains and in a
place of honor is hung his one dis
grace-a paper telling how he was dis
honorab1y discharged from the army
for sleeping at his post.
Meincke entered the army as vol
unteer from Minnesota, but when his
regiment was mustered out he returned
as a regular and served with honor
until he was found drunk at his post
and sentenced to a years imprison
ment at prison in the island of Panay
and dishonorable discharge from the
army. Meincke went to prison, but he
went determined to remove the blot
from his character and secure, if pos
sible, restoration to his place in the
9th regiment. He went to prison on
January 9Th, 1900, and twenty days
later he managed to make his escape
under the most daring circumstances.
He escaped from Panay in a canoe,
and hurried in TO one of the other
provinces, where he acted the part of a
spy for the American army. When he
weeks he was taken prisoner by band
of Filipinos and was charged with be-
ing a~ spy. He was dragged through
the country for many miles by the
captors, and was finally sentenced to be
decapitated as an American spy. At
the time set for his decapitation, when
the officers had gathered round, he was
suddenly reprieved by orders from
Aguinaldo and he was ordered to be
taken before the leaders of the insur-
gents. On the way to the rendezvous
the party was .overtaken by number
of American soldiers and Meincke was
recaptured. He told his story to the
American officers and Jas result of it
many of the leaders Of the insurrec-
ton in the island were captured.
Steps were at.once taken to have him
restored to his rights as a soldier on
account of the services he had rem
dered. He was given free pardon,
but before his restoration came he was
taken i'll and was sent to America on a
sick leave. Since he arrived in this
country his case has not been taken up,
and he is still on the dishonora bly, dis
charged list.
Meincke was arrested in Kenosha on
a trivial charge.and is serving thirty
days sentence in the county Jail. He
will be released tomorrow and will go
to Washington at once to seek new
place in the army.