The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1914-09-15
PARIS, KENTUCKY, TUESDAY SEPTEMBER l5 1914
RETURNED PARTISAN
Tells OF Unusual Experiences in Eu-
ropean Capitals During En- :.
forced Stay.

forced Stay.
After experiencing the unusual
sensation of being maroone in a for
eign country, not very remote from
the zone of fighting Germans. Rus
sian, French, British and other bellig=
erents of war-ridden Europe, Mr.. and
Mrs. James Thompson and son, Mr..
James Thompson, Jr., arrived safely
and thankfully at their beautiful
country home on the Lexington pike,
last Thursday night.
Mr.. Thompson told in a most in
teresting manner of the trials, troub-
les and varied experiences OF his
party in the old world. He said:
What General Sherman said about
war is true, every word of it,, and al
though we passed through the cOun-
tries at war, and witnessed many
thilling and horrifying spectacles, to
say nothing of dangerous situations,
we would not give anything for our
experiences. We were in Venice
when war was declared, and as every
train available was needed to trans
port the troops we were forced to re-
main there for three weeks.
ga great many Americans were in
Venice, and mass meetings were held
at the Grand Hotel to devise means
for us to get out of the country.
After wait of 81 days we were able
to leave Venice and proceeded to
Geneva, from which point we secured
train passage to Paris We were
forced to show our passports at
every turn, as the French were great
ly worried lest German spies would
get into their country and secure val
liable information as to movements
of their troops. On our way to Paris
our train was sidetracked many
times to allow troop trains the right
of way. Trainload. after trainload of
soldiers passed up, and the real hor-
rors of war were brought very forci-
bly, to our minds. Following each
troop train we're many cars on which
were loaded ambulances followed by
cars piled high with lime. Every
train that we saw carried carload
of lime. We talked with many of
the French soldiers along the route,
and all seemed to be in high spirits,
and particularly were they friendly
when told that we were Americans.
"At one stop my son was very anx-
ious to get a snap shot of some of
the French soldiers who were resting
along the way, and had his camera
poised ready to snap when an officer
standing by CHANGED to glance in his
direction A heavy cane which he
was carrying was hurled at the CAM
era, and only the fact that my son
had it strapped to him saved it from
total ruin. The officers was greatly
peeved at our attempt to photo his
men, and it took considerable argu-
ment on our part before we were al
lowed to pass on. r. S-e
Found Paris Deserted.
Arriving in Paris we found the big
city totally deserted, save for women
and men whose age prevented them
from being pressed into service.
'At the Continental Hotel out of
300 employees only 10 remained, the
other 290 having been called to arms
The old taxi driver who drove us
around the city had two sons who
were in the army, and only the fact
that he was too old to shoulder arms
saved him from being called upon.
Everywhere throughout France is a
scene of activity. Every engine is
under steam and ready for immedi-
ate use. From Paris we went to
Bologne, and crossing over from the
latter place to FolkstOne, England,
we were. never out of sight of a cruis-
err. England has her SeabOard for
titled splendidly. Fifty-eight train
loads of Russian soldiers were land
ed at Aberdeen, Scotland, having
been brought in around the North
Cape. From here they were trans
ported to Dover and then shipped
across the channel into France.
Many more of the Russians will be
sent into France in this manner.
"The English people seem to be
scared to death, and they had great
difficulty in securing volunteers after
their first 100000 had been recruited
So hard pressed were they that they
lifted the age limit and permitted
all to enlist who so desired. Taxis
and many other vehicles are seen
upon the streets bearing signs read
ing Flight for, the King" From the
trouble experienced in getting -volun-
teers for army service it seems as
though the people over there are not
very much enthused with the idea OF
fighting for the King. Our ship, like
all Others. was in constant danger OF
hostile vessels, and two days out we
were stopped by French cruiser
After assuring them who we were
we proceeded, but always with all
port holes covered and no light OF
any. kind showing There were 200
passengers on the ship, the normal
capacity being about 1900. Many