The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-06-23
GIRLS DIARY SHOWS HOW IRISH.
REVOLT SPREAD REIGN OF Terror
Miss Dora Bng Once New Jersey Resident Surrounded by Bonn
bardment and Street Fighting Describes Her Experience
Feared for Safety Of Mother During the Rebellion,
but Was Unable to Go to Her.

New Brunswick, N. J.-Miss Dora
Bling, once a New Brunswick girl
granddaughter Of Mr.. and Mrs. Daniel
Bling Of this place, was within two
miles of the center Of fighting in Ire
land when the revolt was at its height
Her experiences are set forth in the
following extracts from her diary:
"On Thursday evening previous to
Easter dad and mother set off for Xii.
larney, leaving us alone. We had a
Jolly time on the whole, and on Easter
: Monday, knowing dad would be home
in the evening, we thought we would
wind up one holiday by visit to the
movies. On Monday afternoon, at
about two O'Clock, we set out and
caught tramcar at the foot of the
road. 1t cost twopence to 60 to town,
and we had paid our money when, at
Haddington road, about half way, the
conductor came along and told US to
get out, that the train was going no
farther.
"Out we got and started walking,
wondering whether the lines were bro.
ken or the electric power cut off. We
had not proceeded far when we met a
woman who lived right opposite here.
She was in great state Of excitement.
She said: My dear children, you're
not dreaming Of proceeding farther.
The town Is in an uproar. The Sim
Fem volun\ GERS are out, armed WITH
rifles, machine guns and heaven knows
what. Men are being shot and sew
eral have been killed. We didn't wait
to hear any more, but turned back.
She went with US. She had been in
town and had to walk out again.
When we got to the spot where we
had left the train we were shown a
house at the corner of the road, and
on the roof Of the house was a sniper,
who was shooting all the soldiers that
came along. AS the house is within a
stones throw of one of the biggest
barracks, it WAS bit serious, was It
not? We then thought we were a
great deal too near for the air to be
really healthy, and made tracks for
home.
About six o'clock in the evening
Uncle Jack arrived home. He was
absolutely exhausted. l forgot to tell
you it was scorchingly hot day and
exceedingly dusty. He had left here
by train about half-past one and ar
rived at the Phoenix park about half
past twelve. He was quietly reading
when he heard most fearful roar, and,
inquiring, was told the volunteers
had attacked the magazine in the
park. He thought it was time to quit
and got to the park gates. No trains,
but lots of bullets whizzing around.
well, it would take book and an
experienced writer to tell you how he
got over the barricades, hid up side
streets and lodged bullets. AS q
straight walk 1t is easily six or seven
miles from the Gates home, but If all
his side-trackings, ETC., were included,
1t would take about ten miles. He had
tramped all this amid any amount Of
firing. Talk about limp rags-when
he got home he was, as believe you
say, some rag. We were glad to see
him, I can tell you.
Get News of Rebels.
Before we went to bed news came
that the rebels had command Of the
general post Office, the Westland Row
railway station, the Kingsbridge rail-
way station lat which all trains from
Killarney and the South arrive), had
ripped up tramway and railway wires,
and had intrenched themselves at St..
Stephens green, right in the heart Of
the city. We went to bed in a very
shaky state Of mind. wondering how
mother and dad were faring, and hop
ing they had heard of the trouble soon
enough to prevent their leaving Kill.
larney.
"Tuesday-Awoke to the pip-pip OF
bullets about one-half mile away.
Spent the day in an awful state, listen
ing to shots every few minutes. Neigh
bors exceedingly kind and came to ask
US around if we were afraid. No mails,
no newspapers and no news except ru-
mors Of hair-raising description. At
night, about kalf-past seven, fearful
bombardment by heavy guns, not very
far away. Heard afterward that gun
boat had steamed up the Liffey and
had bombarded Liberty hall, the
headquarters of the volunteers, also
heard that the flag of the Irish Repub-
lie is floating over the post office and
that the rebels had issued a proclama-
ton calling on all loyal Irishmen to
take up arms and fight to rid the coun-
try of alien people-Ireland for the
Irish.
AT half-past eight I went crazy.
Dad had come home. Had left Killar-
ney at half-past two, with no word Of
the trouble, and had left mother there
for few days longer. Train stopped
at Limerick Junction and took pas
sengers on for the night. Next morn
Ing still no trains to Dublin, so my
bright dad, the man from Cooks, took
q train to Waterford, whonce he came
home on q different line and got
through the city in wonderful safety.
He wrote to mother from Limerick
telling her there were rumors of seri-
GUS trouble in Dublin, and that she
must on no account come up until sent
Tor. We went to bed to the sound of
heavy firing. Decided that whom I
am in need Of music to send me to
sleep I will not requisition any artil-