El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-06-03
FRENCH TOWNS
ARE SAVED BY
HEROIC WOMEN
Become Mayors When Hus-
bands Go to the Front
to Fight.
PREVENT ENEMY
FROM DESTROYING
RY IA RACoNTErsE-

~ Ah4S, FRANCE June 81 was pres
ent the other day at a reception
- given by Madame Poinoare. wife
OF the French president, to women who
have become famous for their heroism
in war.
The best known among the women
present was Nine. Macherez. the heroic
woman mayor Of Scissors
had a talk with Nine Fiouemont
who became the woman mayor OF Tais-
sy, in the department OF the Marne,
when all the men OF the town went TO
the front and who, while the Germans
held the town in their grip for ten
days. managed TO keep them from COM
hitting any excuses
Refuses German Demands.
The Germans arrived at Taissy on
September A. she said. "and during
the first week 7 had no trouble with
them at all On the I1th. at in the
morning, two German officers came to
me and demanded stabling and feed FOR
400 German horses. It was absolutely
impossible to fulfill their demand and
when ! said so hey became grossly in
sulting- kept a cool head and at last
managed 10 bring them to their senses.
at least far enough TO realize that
threats Of violence made no impression.
and they withdrew
The next morning the French troops
returned and the Germans left Taissy in
a hurry, but for a whole week our Door
little town was the target OF a violent
bombardment. A few Of the people left
with most Of the children. but the ma
Jority Of the women and all the old
men remained with me and we had our
IA
shelters as our cellars could provide
Once only did feel as IL my strength
was about 10 give way, when I re-
ceiyed the news that my husband had
fallen on the field Of honor and that
my children were fatherless. but the
other women were splendid and as they
insisted I have stuck TO my task"
Young Teacher Inspires People
At Bouylgnereuxs in Aisne, IL was
Mademoiselle CherOn. young teacher.
who took upon herself the task OF
main tanning order when the Germans
began to lombard the town in August
1919. The people at first lost their
heads, but she gave them new courage
by her splendid example.
" men the Germans entered the town
they found this beautiful young woman
IN the mayors office She listened TO
their threats, submitted to their insults
and refused their demands with such
flrmness that the officer in command
was impressed and the town was saved
from DESTRUCTION Some weeks later O..
French troops drove the Germans out ,
and from that day AIademoiselle CherOn b
has been at the head Of an organiza- 4
tons Of women Identifying and burying J
fallen French soldiers
Nun Saves City.
At characterization il was q nun ,
who became the savior of the city The &
red book has told with dry and terrible &
elOquence OF the horrors which took d
place here. They would have been many
times worse but for the energy and
courage of sister Rosnet. who was in .
charge Of the hospital When the Ger
mans came she got from the officer in 3
command the promise that they would &
spare the town in return for the way in /
which the sisters had taken care Of the
German wounded soldiers. The promise
was not kept for the next day the Ger
man soldiers began to set fire to the
places
Without a moments hesitation sister
Rosnet went TO the officer in command
and said:
q am sorry to see that the promise
Of a German officer has not the same
value as that Of a Frenchr'
The officer ordered his men 10 put
Out the fires Immediately
The number of French towns which .
have been saved by their women runs
into many scores and many more are
still in charge of their native towns Z
within the zone held by the Germans