Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-04-29
ellis Truth About
Life in Germany
Escaped Prisoner Tells Of Fail
urc Of First Attempt TO Quit
the Huns.
BY PRIVATE =. -. DICKINSON,
ESCAPED Prisoner of Wur From Germany.
(Fron the international News Bureau,
InC.J

BY PRIVATE z. %. DICKINSON,
ESCAPED Prisoner of War From Germany. |
Crrom the international News Bureau.
| Inc.J
The prisoners and German civilians
employed At krugers establishment OBJ
tanned their meals at an adjacent cafe,
which WAS also frcquented by a large
number OF munition workers engaged
n factory In the vicinity. Tho afe
was commodious and rather impos-
ing place. and at meal times il pre-
scented an animated and crowded APP
pcarauce. Tho food served was moor
in quality and mCagcr in quantity, due
70 tho British blockade. but il was
about as good as money could buy in
the kathcrland at that period.
Anderson and l sat together at din
ner, and said very little TO each other
Coming events. il is alleged. cast their
shadows before. and Jimmy looked as
solemn as | did. while we Topped up
tho thin vegetable soup. | had no APP
petite. but l forced myself TO cat, not
Wishing to attract attention in pre-
/ misses where half-famished men con-
sumcd what WIS laid before them with
wolf-iik" rapidity.
Back in the Undergrad asked An
derson how he felt. and whether he was
Sti!l ~ mind to have a try for free
dc!n. He replied that he was confident
We would succeed j.. breaking awty
and that ne was prepared TO risk death
ia the game. We stacked timber until
o'clock, and then. along with Other
DcmbcrS OF the working party and the
German civilians. once more adjourned
~ tho restaurant for coffee.
Work did not require TO be resumed
until 40. The tension vas becoming
uubearabie, and ! noted that my hand
shook as | raised the mug OF coffee to
my lips. Anderson was sitting next TO
me. and l observed that he. too. was
nervous. The psychological moment
Was now near at hand. We had prev
3 lousy arranged to leave the cafe ahead
Of any of our mates. and return TO the
timber yard. This we did in laisurely
manner, but once having got behind a
pile OF lumber. where we were free
from observation. we hurriedIy tore off
tho brown brassards which adorned the
sleeves OF our coats.
. SLIP AWAY uNMOLESTED
FROM LUMDER-YARD
Having. each lit cigar, We then
slipped out Of the yard by side door,
and boldly mingled with munition
wor;,ers who were returning to the
factory The centres were changing
guard. and this fact facilitated our de-
parturc from Krugers. once out on
2 the tiorouEhflrc we walked slowly
along arm in arm. and there was moth
ing about our dress or mcin TO Indicate
That Ne loitcrcd. as il were. at the
gates Of liberty but within range of
lhc guns OF men whose duty IL was to
shoot TO kin.
Three minutes walk from Kruger's
brought us opposite a gang OF French
men who were clearing snow off the
/ main street. They were from Rem
/ balm, and we knew them we'll. They
looked AZ US. but in the semi-g loom.
ana camoutlaged as we knew. they
failed TO recognize us. We gave no
sign. To us the work looked uninvit-
Ing. We puffed hard at our cigars,
and passed on with heads erect.
Ia front of the Central Station We
encountered small group of German
officers. In accordance with the Gus
/ tom of the country, Jimmy and raised
7 oar hats, and | wished them Good
evening" in the Tcuton tongue. "Gutcn
abcnd," they graciously responded, and
Ne continued our march along the road
Of destiny.
Once clear OF Munster we made tracks
across country for q certain caual-a
water way not then in operation. 1t
was our Intention 10 walk along the
banks Of the canal in the direction OF
/ Holland, but this plan had 10 he aban-
/
The ground. Swamps caught US UP 10
the waist on several occasions. and no
sane man cares abotit being buried
alive. So we decided TO go back to
! the main road and trust to luck. The
danger OF detection and capture was
considerable. but there was no reason
7 able alternative.
The weather was intensely cold and
fcw were the Huns we met on the
Journey. our appearance created not
! the slightest suspicion, rnd my gluten
abend" always met with a hearty re-
ply. We were travcrs.uS the main road
/ northwest OF Munster About midnight
. Anderson and | thought we could not
/ do better than lay UP for n rest We
/ were fortunate in discovering shed
in field bordering the road. 1t con
/ tanned one cart, and was minus 4 door
Snow had drifted into the structure
I and we chose the cart for a bed We
/ removed our boots and socks-the
/ latter being wet. After ringing out
| the moisture we placed the socks over
| our shoulders and under the great
! coats. Then we donned dry pair. en-
I joyed a meal Of biscuits and chocolates
ana fell asleep. AT 1870 a. NJ we re-
/ sumed the march i'll order tn get beyond
( Il nciGhborinS town before the break
| OF the day.
/ NOT EVEN POLICEMAN
I IN SIGHT At THIS TOWN
Snow was falling heavily when we
/ reached the town for which we had
/ been making. and the streets were de-
/ serted, not even policeman being in
! sight. There was q light in n bakers
| shop, but we did not stop To buy.
I'm extensive wood lies to the north
| of the town, and We spent the day in
! its shelter.
About in the afternoon we once
; more directed orr foo;Steps i'm tho di
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