Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1914-10-28

occupation. On Saturday and Sun
day heroic effort was made to
save the city from the consequences
of fresh German visitation The
fight around Melle on Saturday turned
to the advantage of the defenders, as
did that on Sunday. The combatants
were within 100 yards of one an
others positions Hundreds of wound
ed were lying unaided and uncared for
in the immediate front of the two OPP
posing armies. The Germans rifle
fire during the night had been con-
tinuous. They fired on every one ap-
preaching their lines, and did not dis
criminate between combatants and
noncombatants.
Retreat Decided On.
ut was q critical moment There
was not much time for reflection, and
after a. careful review of the situation
a general retreat was decided upon.
The Germans appeared to be in great
strength, but the defending force was
holding on undismayed by the fury of
the German infantry assaults, sup
ported by heavy artillery.
There were no trains from Client
towards the coast towns, but vehicles
Of every description, from dogcarts
to ramshackle horse wagons, were
requisitioned, and the inhabitants of
Client fled with some show of confu-
sion from the enemy approaching
their gates. By midnight the last
citizen who could scrape together
money to hire vehicle of any kind,
the last soldier, and large proportion
taking the road to Bruges and Os-
tend
THE streets of the city were 81
lent and deserted, and the Hotel de
Poste, which had been used as a resi-
dence by the headquarters staff and
the correspondents, was practically
empty
Red Cross Nurses Brave.
There are IL wounded in the ho-
tel attended by two nurses of the Bel
gian Red Cross society, who bravely
refused to quit their charges, even
when the doctors and stretcher bear
ers abandoned their posts and van
shed from Client. The wounded were
In a feverish state of excitement.
Somehow, the news of the evacuation
reached their ears, and they implored
the nurses to have them transported
elsewhere, for not one Of them rel
ished the idea of falling wounded into
Of
"It was in vain we sought aid from
the city authorities, who were more
or less distracted at the prospect of
a fresh German incursion. They
frankly said they had no aid to give
and no doubt they were right.
Fears for Brother.
Sat 6 a. m. the wounded were still
in the hotel, fretting at the long de-
lay. No vehicle, not even dog cart,
was obtainable, and Germans might
appear at any moment.
"One of the nurses, Mile. Baerde-
maker, whose brother was severely
wounded and was lying in the hotel,
had bravely faced the ordeal OF the
long night vigil, but now she began
to show some signs of the emotion
that was racking her sisterly heart.
"When things looked the blacklist,
Mr.. Van Hee, the American vice-con-
sui. brought his automobile to the ho-
tel door. He was on his way to Brus-
sells. and had called for a friend who
was to accompany him.
"Mr. Van Hee is a big-hearted, SYM
pathetic American, and when he heard
of the plight Of the wounded, his eyes
filed with tears.
Bother Brussels and official mis-
sions,' he said. / will never leave
these poor boys to be taken prls-
oners by the Germans.
HE was as good as his word. In a
few minutes the wounded had been
brought down and the consular car
made several trips to the railway sta
ton. Every man was taken away
from the hotel and placed on board
military train which was in readiness
+ to leave for Ostend.
Saves More Wounded.
Afterwards Mr.. Van Hee TOOK MS
automobile to the military hospital
and carried off six wounded soldiers
whose wounds precluded them from
walking. They had been carried on
stretchers.
"Many of the wounded left behind
in the military hospital who were
able to walk had earlier In the morn
ing made a brave attempt to save
themselves.
some hobbled forth painfully sup
porting tottering limbs with the ald
If improvised clutches. Others were
helped along by the kindly arm OF
lad or a woman who had come lot
ward In answer to the appeal for alo.
II was a walk of over half mile on
. nayed road from the hospital 10 the
railway station.
"One train filed with wounded ola
get away from the city before the
entry of the Germans. but a second
also loaded with brave fellows who