The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-09-04
While Travelling In War;
Swept Europe This Summer
But EmGfgGS Safely From An
Unusual Experience

spy, taken to court to await trial and
released only through the intervention
of the American consul, is the exper-
fence of Mr.. Theodore Ringwalt of
North Main street, recently underwent,
while bottled up" in Munich, Ger
many, in company with Mr.. Curtis
Kinney, formerly of Mt. Vernon, but
now of New York City.
These two have been abroad this
summer and had spent considerable
time, both on the continent and in
England. They arrived in Munich by
August and stopped there for while
to determine what further travelling
should be done, before returning to the
United States. Two routes were un-
der consideration: trip through Spain
or the Rhine journey, so famous for
it's beautiful scenery
The first day the couple spent in
Munich was Saturday. The follow
ing Monday war was declared. Both
held letters of credit and succeeded,
of the United States embassy, in OBJ
tanning $3.50 apiece in American mon
ey. Prices were not so high as is gen.
orally thought, states Mr.. Ringwalt,
room and board being obtainable for
the consideration of $1.50 a day in
very satisfactory places.
Mr.. Ringwalt, while in London, had
purchased a rain-coat which he had
occasion to wear frequently. Like 9TH
er English clothes, the name of the
maker, together with his shop address,
was displayed prominently near the
top of the inside of the garment, colors
in profusion being worked into the
embroidered design. 1t was this that
led to Mr.. Ringwalt's arrest.
The event occurred in the business
district of Munich. Mr.. Ringwalt had
started out for a stroll, unaccompan-
led by Mr.. Kinney, and, the day being
warm, had allowed his rain-coat to
hang back over his shoulders. A win
dow display caught his eyes and he
stopped to examine it. The word
London" stood out in glaring letters
on the back of the coat.
Suddenly, Mr.. Ringwalt was startled
to feel hand descend on his shout
ders. A gruff voice ordered him to
come along. Bewildered, he inquired
the meaning of the untoward action.
A German, who wore the garb of po-
liceman, finally made 1t clear to him
that he was suspected of being Brit
ish spy. The incriminating evidence of
the coat was against him.
Mr.. Ringwalt sincerely protested his
him and to the official In charge at the
police court His mere word carried
no weight and the prospect of impris-
onment loomed up large before his
eyes.
Still maintaining that he was a citi-
en- of the United States and still hav-
ears, Mr.. Ringwalt, well-nigh desper
ate, demanded that the American con
sui be called in to vouch for his identi
ty. The Germans considered this
more or less of bluff, but finally con
sented and summoned that parsonage
1t was an easy matter to establish his
nationality, when this gentleman ap
peared, and Mr. Ringwalt was released
from custody with profuse apologies
on the part of the laundering Germans
1t is usless to add that the rain-coa
trademark which had been the cause
of all the trouble, was carefully hid
den during the remainder of Mr.. Ring
waits stay abroad.
Profiting by this experience, the tive
secured passports which were general
ly recognized on the continent and il