The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1918-11-21
GERMANS MIGHTY
GLAD WAR Over
Interesting Story of Americans
Advance Toward the Hun
Fr0ntier-FeW leu.
tons Seen.
BY Associated Press.

With the American Army. Northeast
OF Verdun. Sunday, Nov. 1.-Two 10
inch cannon which were turned over to
the Americans at S%pincourt on Satur-
day were guns used by the Germans TO
shell the Verdun region. Forty two
guns OF various caiibers were turned
over. The 16-inch guns were taken
apart by the Germans into three sec
tons. each section being drawn by q
tractor.
The Americans were expected at
Spincourt at 10 O'Clock, but did not
arrive Until 2 o'clock In the afternoon,
because OF roads which had been shat
tered by shell fire. Lieut.. Emmett
Gruner. OF st. Louis, represented the
first army, with Lieut.. Robert Nicolson,
OF Salisbury, ". c.. going as military
expert to zee that the guns were all in
good condition. The lieutenants were
accompanied by an infantry sergeant
and four priyates. Lieutenant Gruner,
the sergeant and n private went
ahead in an automobile carrying r.
white flag. Lieutenant Nicolson and
the other privates followed.
A Lone German.
Upon reaching the outskirts of Spin
court they were met by IL lone German
lieutenant. who spoke English. He con-
Quoted the Americans to the village
hotel. where biliets had been provided.
After saying he was glad to see them,
and expressing his relief that his re-
sponsibility was past, the German said:
II ain damn glad the war Is over"
AS the Americans entered S%pincourt
the rear guards Of German divisions
which had held the place were just
Withdrawing. the Germans rejoicing as
they marched away. A few artillery
men were pottering around the big
guns as If they dreaded leaving their
pets behind. All the annon were cam
ouflaged and some had m One
eight-inch, gun was named Martha"
and had q prominent place on the front
line.
The German lieutenant escorted the
Americans to the hotel and endeavored
TO make them comfortable. Lieuten-
ant Nicholson and the German began
checking the guns and continued the
cork until dark. Then the German en-
tertained the two ~lieutenants at dinner
The German continued wearing his
side arms until after dinner. the Amer!-
ans also wearing theirs.
He Felt Nervous.
After dinner the German said hat he
thought hat he did not need arms, but
remarked that he had felt nervou dur
ing IN afternoon after the German in
fantry had reiterated. as he was uncer-
tain as to what the Americans might
do. All three took off their side arms
and spend the night at the hotel. The
German slept on the first floor and the
Americans directly above. They had
breakfast together and finished check
ing the guns, after which Lieutenant
Gruner gave the German a receipt for
them.
Hopes to Forget.
Just before noon the German ordered
the hotel to serve chocolate and began
packing up his effects. He told the
Americans that $500 machine guns
awaited them in Longuyon. Two order
lies brought UP his horse and tucking
the receipt into an inside pocket, the
enemy officer mounted, saying good
bye. Then he added:
81 hope my troubles are over foI
awhile. / hope to forget all about guns
and war and. battlefelds forever"
He rode away. his orderlies following
him In a horse drawn cart.