Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-08
RETURNS FROM AN
EVEN7FUL VISIT
r. L. CURRAN MAKES TRIP
THROUGH BATTLE SCARED
EUROPEAN COUNTRIES.
SCENE is IMPRESSIVE
Places Made Prominent by Present
War Visited on Bicycle; Left
With Ship Load of
Horses,

Thomas L. Curran, 127 West Fourth
street, returned Friday morning from
Europe and relates many interesting
incidents OF his trip to the scene of the
great European war. Mr.. Curran was
a member of troop G, Fifteenth caval-
ry, during the Philippine war and lat
er enlisted when the uprising occurred
in Cuba and his enthusiasm over mill
tary tactics led him to take the trip
to Europe this year so he could see
the operations Of the armies in war
time.
1t is almost impossible for for
eigner to get within the lines unless
he is enlisted in the service SO Mr..
Curran Joined the crew of the Rae
burn which sailed from New Orleans
in September with consignment Of
horses for the allies army The trip
across the ocean was a perilous one
and grave dangers were encountered
during the time spent on the sea.
Blown Of Course.
When the ship left New Orleans it
took the northern course by the way
of Montreal and then switched to the
southern course to avoid the enemy's
ships. On the third day out the craft
was swept from its course for about
sixty miles by strong gale which
proved to be lucky thing as the
Rummley, boat used for transporting
horses and which was following in the
wake of the Raeburn, was sunk by the
enemy.
The ship locked at Bordeaux,
France, where Mr.. Curran received
his passports which allowed him to
enter the lines Of the army. from
here he visited Paris which he states
is in desofate condition on account
of the war. Very few shops are open
in Paris and at night all lights are
extinguished so as to defend the city
against the enemy's attack by air
craft. The city which is noted for it's
gaiety is at last gloomy and silent,
the theaters have closed and nothing
disturbs the deafness Of the night
save the huge spotlights that sweep
the sky for the approach of German
areoplane.
Taken for Spies.
The officers in Paris are very strict
as to passports and at one time Mr..
Curran was in bad way to explain
his presence in the city. He and q
friend named James Quellar, young
adventurer from South America, were
standing on corner at night when
they were challenged by two army Of
ficers for their passports. Mr.. Curran
was carrying his wallet in his coat
pocket while his friends purse was
in his hip pocket. AS Mr. Quellar
reached for his pocket book the officer
became alarmed, thinking he was
drawing gun, and seized them. 1t
was several minutes before a satisfac-
tory explanation could be made to the
officers who apologized and went their
way.
From Paris the pair went to
Amiens where they obtained bicycles
and rode toward Ypres which is with
in ten miles Of the present fighting
They then went to Calais passing over
their last stand before retreating from
the gates of Paris. The fields are
torn and strewn with broken pieces
of military equipment and the little
raised places which stretch for many
miles show where the fallen soldiers
had been buried. On this bicycle
trip the progress was slow on account
OF the many soldiers using the road
going to the front and by the bring
ing of the wounded home.
Londe Disappointment
London was, next visited and proved
a disappointment to the two adven-
turers as they expected to see the
country preparing for the war but in
stead the people did not even seem
to know the struggle was on. In Ire
land the people are not thinking how
the struggle will end but are offering
up prayers that the fight will be end
Al IA