The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1918-10-09

Rough Going, But SeminoIes
Feed Them and Take Them
to Civilization
(From Arcadia Trench and Camp
On Thursday afternoon, Sept. 10, at
2:15 p. M Post Photographer Lieut..
Smith and Sgt. O'Connel in the photo
ship equipped with c type camera
left this field for Fort Myers to take
few pictures on line of fight. The
weather being perfectly clear they
raised to an altitude of 5000 feet,
they were caught in storm cloud,
causing them to change their course
and lose their way, flying due south
for some time and when the storm
finally cleared up they were we'll ov-
er the cypress woods and at this
point the engine started to give them
a little trouble on account OF the gas
being low. 1t. Smith, knowing his
motor, started to look around for
suitable place to land, so on gliding
down and still at an altitude Of 5000
feet they sighted a railroad track
which he thought would be fine
landing place so started for this point
when the gas gave out and he was
forced to land doing pancake and
striking the water. The ship turned
completely over throwing them both
out and in to foot of water.
1t. Smith was the most fortunate
of the two as he was in no way hurt
with the exception of a shaking up
while Sgt. O'Connel was cut about
the face, right leg and shoulder but
being plucky he soon was able to
help 1t. Smith try to fix the plane
but soon gave this thought up as the
landing gears were badly smashed up
which left the ship helpless as for as
their being able to try and come back
in 1t.
Finding the ship unable to bring
them back they both started to look
for place to camp as it was getting
dark and looked like the storm was
returning. After hunting around for
some time they found a dry place
large enough to protect them from
the storm which by this time was do
ing its best to flood that part of the
country. After spending a most mis-
cradle night they started about day.
break to walk in a northeasternly d.
rection through mud and water I'D to
their knees and seeing no signs of
human existence nor rescue ships,
fought their way on. being constantly
worked on by mosquitoes, bugs and
other swamp animals
After travelling a couple of hours
Sgt. O'Connel was getting very weak
and it was at this point that 1t.
Smith showed what kind of stuff an
American officer was made of for he
partly carried his companion from
there till they reached safety always
with kind word and helping hand
constantly cheering the sergeant up
which kept up his spirit and saved
his life.
Having nothing to eat or drink
they were compelled to drink the
swamp water, drained through their
handkerchiefs, They found few
coco plums which served as their
meals and added little nourishment
to their tired bodies. When evening
drew on they were unable to find
dry land and were forced to sleep in
the water all night, fighting mosqui-
toes which were very thick and hav-
ing no protection except mud which
they plastered all over their bodies.
AS day broke they were again on
their way but very fatigued and dis.
heartened having pains all over them
and every muscle hurting, sick from
the want of something to eat and
drink, as their last meal was then
two days past, but with wonderful
courage and superhuman strength OF
1t. Smith they were able to keep on
the move.
After walking for several hours
they came upon white flag which
was the first sign of civilization they
had seen since leaving Carlstrom
Field on Thursday. Telling Segt
O'Connell to rest LIT, Smith Wen
further and came upon an Indiar
camp. secluded in the swamp. HI
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