The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-08-21
IN the War Districts Of Europe
as Shown by Letter from
Miss Ayers.

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Miss Gertrude, a daughter OF Mr..
and Mrs. William Ayres. Of Jackson
vile: Fla. cousins Of Mrs. Roscoe G.
Brown. Of this city. wrote the follow
ing letter a few days ago while abroad
describing conditions and experiences
in the war zone of Europe:
ut had rained SO much in Brussels
that Mrs. Inglis suggested that we 60
to Paris Friday. a day earlier than we
had; planned. So we made our plans
accordingly. The troops in Brussels
had been filing past the hotel all the
time going to the frontier, and while
war had not been oficially declared
they were getting ready.
We were in Antwerp wehen the first
war declaration of Austria came out
less than a week ago today. The ho-
tel people In Brussels were glad to
get rid Of US because the confusion
there was so great and provisions
we're rising in price.
We reached Paris about Friday
noon and had quite time finding a.
porter for our baggage and then had
difficulty getting a bus to take us to
the hotel. There were no hotel cabs
at the station. For e while 1t was
doubtful 3if they would take us ct the
st. James Albany. But because Of
Mr.. Violet they did ami we got nice
court rooms. Right after lunch we
started for the banks to get money
on the advice Of the hote' man.
Could Not Get Money.
They would not accept Belgian
money nor would they change it. We
went first to the Credit Lyonoise, sup
posedly large bank, but they would
not cash A. B. A. checks, Cunard
checks, letters Of credit or change any
money. Then we walked down to
Thomas Cook & Sons' Office and stood
in line and waited there with the
same results. Marguerite got ten
dollars in gold and silver at the
American Express company on her
check. She was the only one who
had American Express company
checks. Mrs. Inglis also got little
money there. At Cooks we met Miss
Cole.
I'VE wandered around watching the
crowds. At the Sank of France there
had been a man from Cooks in line
since . o'clock trying to get money.
The line stretched for blocks all day.
We went to the consul's Office and
saw the vice consul, who was very
nice to us. He advised us to remain
in Paris over Sunday anyway, as
everyone thought money would
loosen up by that time. He told us
to register at police headquarters in
case anything should happen. The
American Express company gave us
| the same advice. Mrs. Inglis got
quite a little money there and from
the Cunard people.
Mrs. Inglis, Miss Cole and sister
went to the police court to register
and decided that we had betterslaaye
Paris that night. y
Shops Are Deserted.
Several of US went to the shops to
see the styles. It was terrible all
over. The clerks were weeping and
in every store many Of the men had
been called to the army. The troops
had all been ordered be in readiness
at any minute, and while we were in
one store the floor walker said he was
just waiting to be summoned. In a
few minutes an officer came in and
spoke to man, showing him his
book with the list Of men he had
come for.
ut was almost impossible to get a
cab or taxi that day. All the men
and horses and carriages, were being