Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-11-16
"They Kicked and Beat Me-" He
Says; "They We're Anxious for
Me to Die, but Felt That |
Was Suffering for All Jews"
Pathetic Scene as Former Pris-
oner, Guarded by Soldiers,
Comes Home to His Wife and
Children-Death Threats Made
By w. ORION TEWSON,
staff Correspondent Sunday Amer
Special Cable to The American.


Special Cable TO The American
KIEIF. Nov. 16.--At $50 O'Clock
in the morning a big numbering Rus
sian prison van pulled up outside
small one story frame house situated
IN lonely road two miles out OF
Kieff Two soldiers, sitting beside
he driver jumped down and I'M
ioelSed the door OF the wagon A
half dozen other soldiers Ciambered
out, followed by middle aged man
Of medium height whose STOPPING
shoulders and p, d appearance be
tokened poor health.
Smiling the morning air, which had
nip Of the t,ssian winter in it,
the man turn in the direction cf
the house. In which the two Tiny
windows we're brilliantly lighted nv
oil lamps and numerous candles.
At the windows were several lit lie
faces with noses pressed hard
against the panes The owners o.
those faces were the five Bells chill
dten. and the man outside was Men.
del Bells, their father, home ageH
after two and a half years' expert
Tence OF the horrors of Russian
prison
Troops Guard The HOUSE.
The children eXcitedly rushed TO
3he door, where Mrs Bells had pre-
f'eded them; but before the husband
band wife could meet Bells was sur
rounded by squad Of reporters. who
la6 kept an ll-night vigil in sntlci-
patton OF his release. Fortunately,
soldiers came to the mans rescue,
and the reunited family passed into
The house The last view of them
Showed the husband and wife sup
porting each other, with the chit
dren clinging around the father, while
sill wept tears OF joy
Later in the day The SUNDAY
americans correspondent called on
BELLS in his home and had a talk
with the man OF whom the whole
world has been talking.
The house is surrounded by sol
dlers partly on account OF threats of
the Black Hundred to KIN Bells and
partly because he is not altogether
clear of danger vet as the prosecutor
has fourteen days in which to appeal
from the verdict, in which case BELTS
would be rearrested; but The Ameri-
ean Is able to say on excellent an
thority that no such appeal win be
taken.
Beaten and Kicked in Prison.
Three tidy rooms were packed
With friends and relatives who came
10 offer their concentrations. BELLS
looked much the same as he did N
he dock, except that he had trimmed
his beard and wore different clothing
He was In a highly nervous state and
was suffering from exhaustion.
Despite the JOY OF being free and
his home coming, his face bore the
unmistakable seal OF sadness as
result OF his suffering.
My two and half years Of dread
ful life in prison left me very weak"
ne said. but now that | am free
and can get some good food. | feel
sure | will soon be well again.
II do not like 10 speak about my
life In prison | was treated most
sbominably. They used TO kick and
beat me and were anxious for me 30
die.
Suffered for the Jews"
Il am wondering nov how ! stood
il all, but there was one thought
which helped me: l knew my suffer
ings were the sufferngs OF the Jews
and this made II easier to bear.
knew l had to live in order to prove
my innocence.
Il am very weak and feel l am
not the same man | was"
Bells said that while the verdict
was being given he was in daze and
didn't realize until some time after
that he had been acquitted.
As TO his future plans he Is uude-
,ided, except that he viii leave Rus
sia at the earliest possible moment.
in view OF the threats OF revenge
made against him.
Il must get we'll first" he added.
sitting on the same bench for "a
days under such strain. to say
nothing Of two and "A half years m
prison, has made me very weak"
An air OF tranquility pervades tho
city owing TO the determined action
Of the Government in providing
s2ainst disturbances