Jackson County journal. (Sylva, N.C.) 19??-19??, 1918-12-27

. and War Savings stamps.
5000 . . oooooooo
~~~~~~~~0~-~O~.~-~~~-~~
Cross supplies. From the food boxes
sent him from Berne he was able to
build himself up physically so that
he was able to live on the raw po-
tatoes, carrots and turnips which he
dug out of the fields while making
his way toward the frontier.
The next day Puryear spent in the
forest porting over his map until he
had memorized every detail Of it. Just
before day broke he met two men 60
ing to work. He avoided them, but
later was unable to avoid lone civil
ian who passed him, but who said
nothing.
The next night Puryear took up his
long journey toward Waldshut, 65 kilO-
meters away.
The third day it rained heavily all
day and Puryear picked out small
barn and climbed through window
and thence went up to the loft. The
owner or the barn and his hired
hands moved farm machinery about
in the stable below, but did not come
upstairs. That night the rain lessened
and Puryear continued his journey.
In the darkness he took the wrong
road, a mountain road which finally
ended in a trail and then ceased alto
gether. For three hours he stumbled
oh rtoir %on IN cln
snow. tearing his hands and face on
| brambles and making but little prog
ress in the brush and cutover timber.
Finally he struck another road which
he followed until daylight. With the
dawn he again took refuge in the
woods.
All that day he spent porting over
his maps, endeavoring to locate him
self. By nightfall, however, he had
decided upon his course. That night
he struck tributary of the Rhine and
followed it to where it crossed the
main road leading to Waldshut. When
he struck the main road Puryear
found sign reading: "Waldshut
Thirty Kilometers.'' On the night of
Wednesday, October 8, Puryear got
within few miles of WalLshut. In
order to be sure of his directions he
climbed to the top of a mountain
nearby from which he could see trib.
utaries entering the Rhine. Puryea>
also was supplied with view of VALID
shut which he carefully compared with
the town below.
Puryear planned to cross the Rhine
at the point where the current strikes
the north shore and then rebounds to
The south bank. He figured upon be
iIg carried by the current across to
the Swiss shore. For six hours he
carefully watched the shore for the
appearance of sentries, but no one
having passed the spot he had chosen
he decided to make the attempt to
swim across.
Cold Plunge in Rhine
, He crawled to the river edge, took
off all his clothes except his shirts
and underwear and trousers and dip
ped into the icy stream. The StrOns
current Immediately swept him down
stream at a terrific rate. Dangerous
; whirlpools and currents abound in this
: vicinity
After. half an hours alternate swim
ming and floating the icy water bega1
to affect the young aviator.
II thought it was about all Over
! with me-" said Puryear. II became
!. dizzy and fought hard to be able tt
distinguish the shore l had left from
the Swiss side. About thirty feet from
the bank my hand in swimming
touched rock, but before I could pull
myself up the strong curren
wrenched me back into the deep waite
again.
Il was fast becoming weaker an,
weaker. The banks were rocky an
steep and I could not get hand hol
anywhere. I feared that I would b
lost at the last moment. Finally
grasped projecting rock and hung O.
to it until 1 recovered my strength i
part. Then I climbed up and out Q
the water and fell down exhausted
For several minutes l lay there wea
and trembling with the cold and fea1
II had been carried far belo,
Waldshut. Along the shore ran
railroad and I knocked at the frs
crossing keepers cabin. The latte
when he learned that was an Amer
can, greeted me warmly, took off m
wet clothes, chafed my trembling leg
and gave me a stiff glass of brand
Then, as it was time for breakfast, tt
crossing keeper routed his children OF
of bed and the two kids and myself al
hot milk and bread from the san
bowl.
Later I was taken to a milita1
post where the Swiss officers kind
gave fhe dry clothing. At Zuri(
Swiss officers paid my hotel bills ar
gave me a civilians outfit from hes
to foot. l cannot thank the Swiss a
thorities and civilians too much f
their kindnesses to me. At Rheinft