davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-13

and no new goods are being put in stock. One
reason for this is that it is impossible to get
the goods, and another is that there is no
money with which to purchase them even if
they could be had"
In describing the sufferings of his country
men and the ruin that war has brought to the
tiny nation which thus far has borne almost the
full brunt of the conflict Mr.. Seydel OCCASION
ally betrayed a note of sadness. But during
part of the interview there was a twinkle in his
eyes, and once in while he laughed heartily
in telling some humorous phase of the war.
For there is funny SIDE even to the greatest
war in history. II try to force myself to re-
member what little brightness there was" he
added. "Its impossible to forget the other
side OF it.
THE GERMAN SOUP DISPENSED BY
THE TRAVELLING KITCHENS.
AT the time the German troops occupied
Brussels I had an opportunity to observe the
workings of their commissary department" he
continued. "One of the big travelling kitchens
was stationed in front Of my country home, and
it was an interesting sight to see the men
served with soup. That is all they were given
in the way of cooked food. Each man carries
weeks supply of bread in his knapsack. The
soup is almost meal by itself, because it con-
tans meat beans and other vegetables. The
officers eat the same fare the men do while
they are on the march.
THE only damage done to my property was
the trampling of some flower beds in the gar
den, where the soldiers sought shade. No one
attempted to enter the house unbdden until
after the regular troops had passed. The one
exception was an army aviator, who demanded
that we let him sleep indoors. Rather than
have any trouble we complied. The only in
convenience he caused US was in borrowing
some OF our good bread and repaying it with
a loaf of the bran variety that is furnished the
soldiers. 1t was so coarse and heavy that none
of US could eat it."
Revertng to the scenes he had witnessed in
the ruined towns of Louvan and Dinant,
where he stopped en- route to Antwerp, Mr..
Seydel said II can't describe the terrible
havoc wrought by the big German guns. In
Louvan the destruction was almost complete
Wherever a shell had found its mark there was
a wrecked building.
THE HOPE OF THE OLD WOMAN WHO
PREPARED HIS MEAL.
After walking around the place for almost
an hour finally induced an old woman to pre-
pare me some food l expected to pay an ex-
orbitant price for the meal but she would ac-
cept only what it was actually worth I hope
that some one will do as much for my son, who
is fighting in the Kings army she said tear
fully.
AT Louvain. Dinant and other places heard
all sorts of grewsome stories. Some believed
and others l did not even though the persons
/ talked with said the experiences were their
own. One man told me his wife was shot dead
in his arms while he carrying her from
their burning home. II that is true it must
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-13
LITERALLY SHOT TO PIECES

have been an accident, for / cannot believ'
the Germans guilty of such atrocities. l at
tributed this and similar stories to temporarily
deranged mentalities.
There have undoubtedly been thousands of
innocent persons killed because they were sus-
pected of firing at the German soldiers. They
were accused of what you Americans would
call 'sniping.' 1t is probable some OF this was
DONE but l can understand how natural it
would be for a man who saw his home being
destroyed to grab up gun from the street and
shoot at the person he thought was responsible
for it, There were hundreds OF guns in the
streets for days after. the towns were captured,
but for private citizen to have one in his pos
session meant certain death.
NO ARMED OPPOSITION AMONG BEL
CLAN CIVILIANS.
Il know positively, however that there was
no armed opposition by organized civilians in
any of the devastated cities. The only resist
ance came from the regular troops. have
talked with prominent Belgans in most of the
important cities and they all tell me the same
story"
In Antwerp, where Mr.. Seydel spent several
hours before going to Rotterdam, whence he
sailed for New York, he found that the homes
of several of his friends had been destroyed by
fire during the bombardment Many of these
houses might have been saved had it not beer
for the panic that prevailed when the shells
began to drop in the city" he said. Most OF
the citizens took refuge in their cellars and re-
fused TO come out for any reason.
"One of my friends whose house escaped de-
st-uction saw a shell strike the home of
neighbor. The damage caused by the explosion
was trhng but in few minutes smoke began
to come from an upstairs window. My friend
sent servant to notify the family in the cellar
but they were too frightened to go upstairs.
The fire burned slowly and the servant was
sent a second time to warn the owners that
they might still save the house if they made
haste Still they paid no heed, and it was not
until the flames actually drove them out that
they would leave the cellar. That is only one
instance of how other homes might have been
saved if the occupants had not been too fright
ened to extinguish the flames.
THE LOSS OF THE PETROLEUM TANKS
AT ANTWERP.
One of the biggest losses to Belgium, and
likewise to the Germans, the blowing up
of the great petroleum tanks in Antwerp. This
was done by our own army before the troops
gave up the forts, and was to prevent the enemy
from making use of the oil. While this I'M
doubtedly hampered the Germans, il also cut
off the supply of petroleum for all Of Belgium,
because the entire nation depended on Ant
werp for oil.
when / reached Rotterdam found the city
packed with refugees. / was surprised at the
large numbers of Americans there awaiting
an opportunity to return home. Some of them
told me they had been trying to get back ever
since the war started and had only then sue
ceeded in reaching Rotterdam. l was unable
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-13
BOMBARDING OF OSTEND USELESS
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY.

According to Mr.. Seydel, the Belgians blame
the British for bombarding Ostend, after the
occupation of the famous watering place by
the Germans. IL was a useless destruction Of
property, they declare with little prospects of
injuring the Kaiser's troops.
"one of my sons had store on the principal
street along the waterfront in Ostend," said
Mr.. Seydel. "and it was wrecked by British
shell. fred in an effort to destroy hotel where
it was reported number Of German officers
were Stopping Luckily, my son had packed
his stock, preparatory to moving it to Brussels.
and, accompanied by his wife and children, had
just left the door when the bomb struck the
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-13
Bv GEORGE w. STEARNS.

BY GEORGE w STEARNS.
~ EATED in the cheerful living room OF
"a his sons comfortable home in Jersey
~ City, a casual visitor would never sus-
pect that Charles H. Seydel was Bel
gian refugee and that he had just come
from the very centre Of the little kingdom
that has been battered and desd1ated by Ger
man guns, until now its future existence as a
nation is doubtful. Rather would he be taken
for one Of our own prosperous Fifth av mer-
chants.
Yet he has witnessed suffering and destruc-
ton, of which we have been given only an
inkling in the meagre reports that the British
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-13
7AOeW6H INND9 5zFFE EIsn Ee0 00EE0 % 00rVr
3ELGTAN MERCHANT SAW HIS

place sShells fell all around them on their way
to the railroad station and one dropped less
than FIVE yards in front of them, but failed to
explode. One of the little girls saw the big
steel cylinder spinning around and called out:
ooh, papa, see the big top"
Her father did not stop to play with the
top however.
Flour for bread is Belgum's greatest need
in the line of food" said Mr.. Seydel. There
is practically none to be had, while cake is
comparatively plentiful at the pastry shops.
The reason for this is that most of the -four
used in making cake comes from Holland and
is bought exclusively for that purpose. The
only bread Belgians can obtain is made from
a mixture in which bran is the chief ingredient
When left Brussels food was so scarce that
the authorities limited each family to FIVE
pounds Of this bran -four and two pounds of
salt fortnight.
THE PROMISED FLOUR SHIPMENTS
FROM THE UNITED STATES.
while wel-to-do residents of Brussels are
not yet suffering any hardships because Of food
shortage, 1t is only a question OF time until
they will Every one is looking forward to
the arrival of the promised flour shipments
from the United States. When left there
were notices posted all over the city saying
that supply was on the way.
The Germans are urging all Begians to re-
turn to their homes and resume their regular
occupations. That sounds all right, but under
present conditions it is impossible, because
there is nothing left to work with. There isn't
enough coal and petroleum in the whole coun-
try to operate the factories, even if it were pos
sible to procure materials. No freight trains
are running, and there no horses trucks or
vehicles OF any kind left to transport goods
after they are manufactured. The armies have
Communicated all such things. Practically the
only means OF delivery is by hand. Any person
found riding bicycle is liable to arrest To
make matters still worse, there is no money
with which to pay for labor, because the banks
are forced to limit Withdrawals to 10 per cent
There is no market for goods, even if they
could be manufactured.
Railroad service is supposed to have been
resumed, but only passenger trains are running,
and those are limited to one day in three
drections-north, west and east. NV eight
hour journey covering the thirty miles from
Brussels TO Antwerp is a sample OF the service.
THE GAYETY OF BRUSSELS. WHICH
DECEIVES NO ONE.
I'm their efforts to induce citizens to take I'D
their former occupations and amusements the
German officers have had their wives Join them
so that to an outsider Brussels at night resern-
blcs Berlin in gayety and social life Rut !, 10
all on the surface. In the homes OF at least
one-third the population there is absolute
need OF food. Compared with other cities in
Belgium Brussels is in excellent condition, be-
cause no damage was done to property at the
time the troops occupied the city. Most of the
big retail stores are open for business, but they
are being run with minimum force OF clerks
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-13

and German censors, in London and Berlin,
have permitted to sift through.
Last July Mr.. Seydel was an importer of
corduroys and velvets, with headquarters at
Brussels. A few weeks later his once large
. business had been shot TO pieces" In his
case, shot to pieces" is not slang phrase, but
a statement OF fact, which could not we'll be
expressed in any other words Dozens OF his
customers and personal friends had been
killed; his dye works, at Antwerp, were de-
sroyed by fire in the bombardment, and his
money in the banks tied up 50 that he was per-
rnitted to'drsw only small percentage OF his
capital.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-13
DEsoLATED BELGIUM A LAND OF
ITfTNCEp
HUNGER.

What was the use OF my staying there7" he
asked. FOOD is too scarce in Belgium TO sup
ply even the needs OF those who are compelled
10 remain. When left Brussels, on November
II, nearly 100000 OF the 100000 inhabitants
were absolutely dependent on the municipal
authorities for their daily food supply.
Il had no difficulty in obtaining a passport,
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-13

but If | were a young man, mt for military
service. the authorities would not have per-
mitted me to go. The trip from Brussels to
Antwerp was extremely tedious and took eight
hours, instead of thirty-hve minutes, which is
the usual running time for fast trains. The
roundabout route was necessary because all
the bridges on the main line of railroad had
been blown up.
AT Dinant one OF the places I stopped at en-
route to Antwerp, learned that FIVE OF my in
innate friends and several customers had been
shot by the Germans. With 800 others, in
Guiding many of the wealthiest men in the
town, they were lined up in the public square
and riddled by machine guns, because it was
charged that they had fired at the soldiers.
THE city engineer of Oinant was one OF
those lined up for execution, but just before
the order to fire was given he shouted that
he was a German. An investigation proved
that he had been born in Germany, and his
life was spared. Before the others were killed
he succeeded in saving seventeen of his friends.
DESTRUCTION WROUGHT BY GERMAN
SIEGE GUNS AT LOUVAIN.
AT Louvain," Mr. Seydel continued "our
train stopped for some time and had an OPP
portunity to observe the destruction that had
been wrought by the big German siege guns.
The university, library and 100 houses were
destroyed, but only the roof of the cathedral
was burned. On some of the houses that were
left standing l saw placards announcing that
such buildings were not to be harmed. This
was by order OF the German commander. The
inference was that other houses, which were
not so placarded, could be destroyed.
For weeks before and after the Germans
occupied Brussels we could hear the continuous
roar Of their big guns" said Mr. Seydel Il
was at my country home, some distance from
the city, when the troops began to pour in, and
for three whole weeks there was an unbroken
line of men marching past my place The
weather was hot and at noon the officers sought
the shade in our garden. They did not modest
my property and treated us all courteously. A
soldier, who had been overcome by the heat,
was brought into the yard, and after reviving
him the army doctor asked for a bottle of
wine. 1t was given him and he offered to pay
for it, but, of course, we refused to accept it
for such trihing service.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-19

who will continue the business and
will make every effort to merit a lib
erai patronage
Mrs. Herman Parkman gave a mis-
cellaneous pre-nuptial shower at her
home on South Maple street, Saturday
afternoon in honor of Miss Gladys
Wood
Miss Ruth Billings OF Keithsburg
came Thursday to visit Mr.. and Mrs.
John Hogan and other friends.
Mrs. nellie weese who has been Wis
iting her sister, Mrs. Frank Burton and
family. returned to her home in Table
Grove, Friday.
The home talent concert given at
the Methodist church Thursday eve
ming under the auspices of the Boy
Scouts of American Troop 1 OF Aledo
was one of the most thoroughly en-
joyed treats OF the season. This was
the first appeal for support that the
Boy Scouts of Troop 1 have made to
the public and was quite literally pat
ronized. A delightful program was
given consisting OF vocal selections by
the high school glee club the col
lege girls trio and the symphony quar-
tet. Violin solos by Miss Mabelle
Letherman, piano solos by Miss Jessie
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-19
PRIZES AWARDED IN
CARD WIRING EVENT

{. A Faust, author of penmanship
methods, and inventor Of special pens,
has been conducting a sign writing
contest among the students Of Browns
Business colleges in Moline, Rock Is
and, Davenport and the Manual arts
school, The board Of education re-
Gently adopted his method OF teaching
penmsnship in the Rock Island county
sehcols, and he mas been busiIy en-,
gagged for several weeks, teaching the
teachers the new system.
In the lettering contest a silver
medal was awarded the first prize
winner, the second prize an instruction
BOOK and the third prize a set OF spe-
cal pens. Three newspaper men act
"a as judges and the following return
20 as winners: first, Hannah Quaint
.aee' Rock Island; second, Claire
senaeve. Rock Island. third, Amos
Aundquist. Moline.
nose receiving the title OF the best
Aen writer in their respective schools
-ere as follows: Browns. Davenport,
E.sle Wendt; Browns, Rock Island,
nsie Quaintance; Browns Moline.
amos Lundauist. and Manual arts,
H'ck Island, J. +. Kohl
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-19
ATTEMPT Is MADE
TO BREAK STORY
OF SILAS BENDER
Advance Testimony to Show
star Witness Has Hard Time
to Tell Truth.
MERCHANTS ON THE STAND
p.eIare Defendants Reputation For
Truth and Veraeity is Good
Trial Nears End.

attorneys for Sam Fryer, second
hand dealer. charged with acting as a
seuce for thieves, today introduced a
,un,ber OF character witnesses in be-
half Of the defendant. Men who are
., business in the same block with Mr.
RIVER were called to the stand to ties.
,ifv as TO his reputation for truth and
veracity, and they all declared It to be
good
The defense then by a number OF
witnesses, notably Police Magistrate
G 4. Smith, attempted TO show that
snas Bender, who is the star witness
FOR the prosecution, has long been
suoxn as a thief and all around bad"
bow and especially that he has a PEN
chant for falsehoods.
Would you believe Bender under
GATH" asked Attorney Kenworthy OF
Judge Smith.
NO" was the ringing response OF
the witness.
". II. Williams. second hand dealer.
vas one OF those who declared that
Fryer had a good reputation in the
community in which he resided. When
he had finished mis- testimony States
Attorney Thompson asked but one
question:
You are In the same business as
Mr. Fryer, aren't you?" he inquired.
Yes" was the reply.
That's all" returned the prosecu-
Tor.
Recall Bender.
Just before the adjournment at the
noon hour Bender was placed on the
stand to refute some of the statements
Of Fryer. The defendant claims that
he did not purchase any goods from
Bender after he found out what kind
Of a boy he was" He denied that he
ever bought goods that he knew were
stolen and stated he never had made
any agreement with Bender and his
pals 10 pull" off thefts.
II IS expected that the trial OF the
case will not be completed until to-
MORROW.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-19

Stein, with readings by Homer Per-
rim and Miss Lois Vertrees. The ap-
probation of the audience was evil
denced by the hearty applause.
Mrs. Frederick Bauer went to OF
tawa Thursday where she was called
because of the death of her sister.
Mrs. B. Knoedler.
Mr.. and Mrs. F. NJ. Curry of Keiths-
burg went to Rock Island Friday to
visit relatives.
Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Brewer Of Sand
witch, were guests at the home of Miss
Ida Hutchison this week.
Earl Cortland was a Davenport Wis
itor Thursday.
Mrs. Louise Foote Babcock passed
away at her home in Aledo March 5,
aged 90 years 10 months and 3 days.
She was born in Salina, Iowa, April
80. 1884, and when five years old
moved with her parents to Mercer
county, ILL.,, where she grew to woman
hood. On Nov. 1, 1907, she was mar
ried to Fred Babcock, and to them
one child was born, Paul Wallace,
now three years old. When but a
child she transferred her membership
to the Presbyterian church of Perry
ton. Mrs. Babcock is survived by her
husband son, her father, d. C. Foote
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-19

! word of the death OF Walter Lloyd.
which occurred at his home in Long
Beach. Calf, Tuesday afternoon. He
will be buried in Lincoln, Neb. Mr..
Lloyd was for many years a resident
of Mercer county and has many rela-
tives and friends here.
They fifth number of the Aledo lee
ture course was given at the Aledo
opera house Friday evening. March 10.
This was concert by the Information
al operate company composed of Mrs.
Tekla Farm Mckinney, soprano, late
prima donna soloist with Nine. Schu-
mann Heink in Loves Lottery; Miss
Rose Heindenrich, contralto; Mr.. ].
Allen Grub, tenor; Mr.. Burt p. Nc
Kinney, bass; Miss Margaret Day,
pianist. This entertainment proved
to be a rare treat in the musical line.
Each member of the company was an
artist in the truest sense of the word.
The program consisted of solos, duets
and quartets from Straus, Verdi,
Handel and other composers. The
piano solo. Military Polonaise,"
(Opus So, Chopin, by Miss Day was
especially enjoyed. As closing num-
Der they gave in costume the second
act of Flotow's opera. Martha" The
solo part where Mrs. Mckinney sang
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-19

and six brothers and sisters who have
the sympathy of large circle of
friends. Funeral services were con-
Quoted at the Presbyterian church in
this city by her pastor, J. Thompson
Baker of Hamlet, after which her re-
mains were inferred in the Aledo Gem.
etery.
A women's mass meeting was held
in the opera house Saturday afternoon
under the management of the civil
service department of the Columbian
club with Mrs. NJ F. Mathews chair
man. About one hundred interested
women were In attendance. Mrs.
Statta Holloway McClung of Mon
mouth, state instructor of the Four
teenth congressional district of Illi-
nois, was present and gave an earnest
and instructive address ON the neces-
sity and manner OF voting. Attorney
o. E. Carlstrom then addressed the
meeting and answered all questions
asked him with regard to the coming
primary caucus and election. He was
kept pretty busy for a while answer
ing all the questions a hundred wom-
en- could ask him. His kindness and
instruction were very greatly appre-
ciated by all the women present
Relatives in this city have received
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-19

'"The Last Rose of Summer" was ex-
ceptionally fine. The concert was
greatly appreciated by the music low
ing people of Aledo, who hope they
may have the pleasure of hearing this
excellent company again.
Mr.. and Mrs. W. II. Schreitling went
to Alexis Thursday to spend the day
with their daughter, Mrs. H. C. Hickey.
Mrs. Emma Gore of New Boston,
was guest at the home of her sister.
Mrs. G. H. Moore this week.
Mrs L. E. Farr entertained the EN-
broidery club at her home on South
Maple street, Thursday afternoon.
Mrs.. A. G. Bridgford went to Wood
hull Friday to visit her sisters, the
Misses Taylor.
Mr.. and Mrs. F. L. Bauer of Shenan-
doah, Iowa and Walter H. Bauer of
Marengo, Iowa, who have been visiting
their mother, Mrs. F. Bauer, returned
to their homes Thursday.
A china shower in honor of Miss
Gladys Wood was given by Mrs. o. c.
Calhoun and Mrs. r. E. Calhoun at
the home of the former Tuesday aft
ernoon. Thirty ladies were present
and spent very pleasant afternoon.
Miss Wood received many dainty
pieces of china.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-19

Charles NJ. Bryan, head of the city
legal department OF Memphis. Tenn,
will speak at the Illinois theatre to-
morrow evening under the auspices
of the Municipal League of Rock Isl.
and County. His subject will be
"Prohibition-The Only Doctrine
That Learns Nothing from Exper-
fence" Mr.. Bryan is a profound stu.
dent OF economics and a deep think
er. In his address he will deal at
length on local conditions in Rock
Island, Moline and East Moline. Mr..
Bryan has some very interesting sta
tistics and is finished speaker,
whose impressive sincerity is grasp
ed by everyone. He will talk for an
hour and half
The Metropolitan quartet-Messrs.
Curry. Nelson, Sexton and Freeman
will sing. The doors will open at 1880
p. IN. and the program viii start
promptly at 7:45.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-19
BREWERY WORKERS
DISCUSS CAMPAIGN

Brewery Workers local No. 364 held
Al important meeting last evening in
Industrial hall. Talks were made by
J. C. Scannell of the International
Boot & Shoe workers, concerning the
boot and shoe union label, while J.
c. Kinsley OF the tri-city street car men
and J. T. Gully, business agent for the
eigarmakers, discussed the local op-
ton issue.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-19
Shingles Catch Fire

he hremen responded to a call at
:, o'clock this morning TO the home
hl2lmer Ramsten. S21 Forty-fourth
eet The shingles had been set
are oy chimney sparks. but the blaze
as extinguished without much loss
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-19
CITY CHAT
GAdverfinementa,

Buy hume Of Reidy Bros.
For express. call william Trefz.
Trey Towel Supply company
:, noependent Express & Storage.
r L ss1.