Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-11-29

london, Noy. 29.-Lieutenant
Patrick O'Brien OF M0mence, Ill.,
south Of Chicago, the first Ameri-
can member OF the British flying
rGrps to escape from Germany, has
arr;ed in London.
O'Brien eluded his capt0rs by
inmping from the window of
speeding train.
He then became a fugitive for
y days and, as his goal was in
sight, narrowly escaped electrOcu-'
tiOn.
After rg.egraphing his aged mother,
Mrs. Margaret O'Brien, at Momence,
10 expect 10 see him soon, Lieutenant
OBrlen called on American Ambassa-
dor Page to seek advice regarding his
desire to be transferred to the Ameri-
can fying corps.
Last night O'Brien was dined by a
roup OF admiring flyers, who, like a
score OF friends along the front, had
believed he had been killed when he
vas reported missing on Aug. II, last.
ORre;,. who is a Surrey young man
G27, was flying in the American AVA
lion squadron at San Diego, Cal. when
be went 90 Victoria, B. c., and obtain
ed commission in the Canadian
mny
Captured In August.
Coins t1 France the next year he
distinguished himself by his great
daring ever the German lines. On lie
morning of Aug. IT. enemy gumers
forced l.m % descend, but fortunately
be auded behind his own lines.
Late alternoon of the next day saw
him 20 ap again over the German
lines fighting the eaemy. There were
20 German machines to six British in
The encounter. OBrien's machine aloac
engaging four eremy craft and &C
counting Tor one before O'Brien was
shot through the upper lip. He fell
with his damaged machine from a
height Of 5000 feet O'Brien says Ec
cannot yplain why he was not killed
When Le reFained consciousness he
was In @ German hospital.
Later he lieutenant spent three
weeks % a prison camp at Courtrai
before ue was started for the interior
OF Germany. There were three other
prisoners under a strong guard in hi'
tompar ulut when O'Brien, as ruse
had the window opened by complain
Ing Of the smoke.
Leaps From Train.
The train was now co miles insid'
Germany and travelling at 30 miles at
lour but OBrien decided to take '
desperate chance. Ne jumped iron
The ,raia SHINING the whole side o
DIS face reopening the wound in hi.
lip and losing consciousness. 1t wa
about ryIr O'Clock in the morning an,
he Ozark shielded him. When he re
covered he was lying in a field.
Then for 70 days lie was fugitive
uayellug only at night. He trudge'
through 9elds and swan rivers an,
canals u Germany, Luxembourg ant
Belgium before he reached the Dutcl
frontier. AT the tine Of his fight h
mad a piece OF sausage on which h
sCbsisted for several days. after whicl
MS sole sUstenance consisted of tur
nlps end other vegetables found i
fields.
Obrieu did nots know the Germal
language but he used little Frenc
VI kindly Belgian who was so happ
70 meet an American in British uni
iorm tHat she sheltered him for sew
eFal days The Belgian then CAV
MN oil clothes to cover his uniforf
and directed him 70 the nearest rout
70 the frontier. OBrien swan tn
ilVeF Mouse near Namur and the mex
Jay wa challenger by German sen
Eles WAC decided he was peasant.
Bridge Over Wires.
blt his narrow escape was re
sFeVed Tor his last day as fugitiy
When he could see Dutch territory. I
qfcunyent the charged wires, O'Brie
gulit a bridge in q nearby wood an
~rew ii across the wires. But
broke under his weight and 0'Brie
received a shock which he says he ca
Niu itcl. When he recovered he du
Silh mis- bare hands tunnel undt
Tue wire and. although it was slo
Nogress, after several hours he ha
aole big enough to crawl through.
Even then O'Brien was not sure !
was II Dutch territory, so he concea
y himself in a hay barn until Ii
neNt uorning. When daylight cam
me irSt thing he saw was peopl
making wooden shoes He then wall
"a cut into the open and hurried
We nearest British consul, who a.
lcR
News at Old Home.
Momence, H., Nov. ga lacon
eaoiegram escaped from Germa
prison; letter follows" prepared tn
sSl'y for the further stirring news =
way OF the daring escape OF Fig
Lieutenant Patrick o'Brien.
a.. the message quoted was signt
RAJ, aud was addressed to his mot
y, Mrs. Margaret O'Brien. II WI
..o'warded to Cowley, Wyo.. where 81
IS visiting. by another son. John.