The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-08-22
REV. A. L. BENZE AND FAMILY
GLAD TO RETURN TO WHEELING

man and his family stepped from the
train the vast crowd broke into
cheers. giving him the chautauqua sa.
lutte and falling over themselves al.
most TO shake the hands OF their
friends.
After the handshaking was over
Rev. Benze. wife ana child were tax.
en- In the automobile OF Mr.. Harry
halbitzer and given an open air spin
and later took dinner with the Kali
oitzer family. Apparently the same
man as when he left his flock about
me last OF May. Rev. Benze did rot
fail 10 let IL be known that he was
very tired and continued feteing was
out OF the question. On every hand
during the evening there was many
reyerent word said and prayer Of
Tered for the safe return of the min
lister and family.
The pastor and his family spent the
night at their home, No. 2i3l Chanline
street Rev. BenLe will deliver a ser.
mon Sunday morning. but will no, de.
nVer any sermon tomorrow evening
Early In the evening he was seen bv
an lntelligencer reporter. to whom he
expressed his great pleasure on getting
back to peaceful America and later
TO his home in Wheeling. Rev. Benze
showed signs OF the recent strain no
has been under. but the JOY of coming
nome seemed TO wipe away. for a time.
all signs OF the hardships he and his
family had endured. lie said TO the
reporter; 1T surely is good to hear
the English language in a peaceful
land"
Glad TO Return.
Rev. Benze also consented TO a short
interview, although he was very tired
ana suffering from the hard journey.
He said:
1T feels good to get back TO old
wheeling, where everything is quiet
ana peaceful We feel that this is
me best place In the world after spend
ing considerable time in war-ridden
Germany and other parts OF Europe.
During the latter part OF our stav
mere the situation became very tense.
and OF course while everyone there "a
trying TO give the American peopIe
the best that is in their power TO give
yet the accommodations are very moor
In most every instance.
We had quite a rough Massage
from Holland on the New Amster-
dam, being taken at various times
Tor a German vessel although we were
sailing under the Holland Gag. Eng
lish and French vessels Continuous
~ took us for a war vessel of the
warning faction. hut were each time
satisfied when they saw our nag.
We landed Monday al New YORK
about twenty-five hundred OF US. ana
mere was quite a demonstration.
Most Of that nuS Der were American
citizens. and others were tourists
from other countries glad TO get TO
a land Of peace.
Peace and Outlet.
The sight on the pier was quite
impressive as We came into New
York harbor and II was a God given
sight 10 see everything peaceful and
quiet. after having endured warIike
conditions for so long. We had quite
a hard time getting out OF Germany
into Holland. Travelling conditions
were very bad. and although we had
nrst and second class passages we
had 10 group together in cattle cars
with no comforts whatever. Thous-
ands did the same thing. however.
and we ceased 20 mind Il in the least.
These conditions kept up for some
time until the American consuls were
empowered and in a position to do
something for Us as did the American
Express company. We were having a
glorious time during the interval OF
our stay. but condition changed so
quickly that our vacation became quite
Warlike toward the last II Is a pleas
ure and treat 10 get back 20 Wheel
ing and our friends and see how
smoothly and peacefully everything il
being done here No dissention or
anything that would Indicate. scarcely.
that there is a death struggle in our
sister countries.
i do not feel like discussing any
thing along the possibilities Of the
war OF the tense conditions as thoy
exist at detail but will be glad to
speak OF them al some future time.
You may say from me to the peopIe
OF my congregation that will deliver
my first sermon Sunday morning az
the usual hour but will not preach
Sunday evening. The greater part Of
the time for few days will be 70 rest
up and TO get acquainted with our
circumstances"