Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-11-24
ATROC|OUS GRIMES.
OF GERMANY WILL.
Be TOLD IN BOISE.
Sergeant "Doc" Wells Ad-
vance Man Arrives to
Pave Way for Noted Sol
ier-Lecturer Who Has
Done Bit.

Boise people will hear first hand of
the atrocious crimes Of Germany com
mitted in Belgium from one who was
there and saw them because Sergeant
Doc" Wells. former newspaperman,
who went to France with the FIRST oyer
sea Canadian contingent, was shot and
taken prisoner by the Huns. IL coming
to this city next week, Thursday and
Friday. Arrangements have been made
by George ]. Mackenzie, advance man
for Sergeant Wells. who IL in the city
today. to have him speak at tho Ma
1estic theater. He IL Endorsed by the
Boise Commercial club and the Rotary
club.
Sergeant Wells Is not an orator"
said Mr.. Mackenzie. but he speaks
from the heart. Having seen the
nrdmes Of which We have all heard
committed and having been . German
prisoner he II In 4 position to tell the
people the kind Of enemy we are fight
ing. He 10 speaking under the auspices
Of the Canadian government and has
tho sanction Of the government of the
United States. His addresses have re-
suited In $17s.o0o being collected for
the Red Cross and the enlistment Of no
less than 5000 men. While at Moscow
recently he spoke to the men in the
stockads camp there and made such
m appeal that 30 Of them enlisted"
IMPRESSION MADE.
Sergeant Wells was wounded while
oovering the retreat Of his company on
the battle front Of France and was
wounded In IL places. His left arm had
to be taken of to save his life. This
operation took place in Belgium.
Speaking Of Sergeant Wells lecture,
ono Of his hearers said:
with one sleeve empty, the result
Of a charge that would have daunted
many q man, which he himself led, and
\ certain look in his eyes that comes
only to those who have gone into the
depths Of the hell Of things and come
back, but withal brightness and a
sense Of humor that doesn't belly the
Irish of him, he is a person to make
pne well appreciate what war really Is.
II thrilled with him over the tales
of the brave things his lads have
done in France. I shuddered with him,
when that look came in his eyes that
tells of memories that are too bitter
for telling, yet that cannot be forgot
ten. And laughed with him when he
broke out with one Of the little funny
things that help to make it all endur-
able for the men over there.
For there's all OF that in the
trenches But it's worth all the hell,
he says, to know that you've been
there and done your 'bit'-that you've
really seen life as 1t is, stripped Of til
Its glamor. and beauty off in No
Ion nh d.
comes out alive. and no usually
MANNED.
There's one thing that you brig
backwith back with you from the
trenches" he said. And that is a ce.-
tain knowledge that there is God
You meet Him there, with your nak.i
soul staring death in the face When
you see rough men who don't know
anything Of the sweeter things Of life,
pull of their hats and mutter little
prayers, maybe the first they've said
in years, whom they pass a roadside
crucifix all shot away but the image
you'll realize that there is q powerful
something in religion that you didn't
know was there before"
"But weren't you afraid when you
first went into battle?" / asked him.
How did you seel?'
He smiled q little-a boy-man smile
that told a lot.
Its indescribable,' he said. when
I was a young chap, used to do a bit
Of amateur boxing. When l stepped
into the ring and looked at my oppon-
ent sometimes said to myself, He's
going to give me a licking" and then
/ began to tremble all over. Then I'd
say to myself, Doc, you're a coward.
You're fraid,' and then I'd begin to
see red, and to want to fight. to fight
to win. That was usually all until
came to myself and heard them tell
me I'd won the match"