The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-10
81 HERO FIGHTS
VACCINATION ON
RETURN HERE
Amos SeyertsOn. Who
Fought With Grant, Balks
at Regulations.
SHOWS OLD UNIFORM
Finally Persuaded to Bare
Arm When Appeal to Pa
tri0tism Is Made.
RECALLS HIS SERVICE
Spent Fifteen Years in Nor
way, but Kept Citizenship
in United States.
SHOWS OLD UNIFORM
RECALLS HIS SERVICE

He stood a little apart from the I'M
immigrants on the steamship Bergens-
fjord. which arrived from Norway yes
serday. They seemed bit subdued by
the brass buttons and official badges
that herded them from deck to deck and
lined them UP sor medical inspection.
But old Amos Severtson, past 81 but
still a. mighty man. stood alone-his
wide shoulders stiffiy thrown back,
his weather beaten face ruddier than
usual. his big fists clenched. his barrel
Of chest expanding to bursting and
his tuft of white chin whisl1ers jutting
OCT IN horizontal defiance.
a doctor ana a harbor official stood
before the old chap. They seemed rather
helpless besides, the old Viking seemed
20 be at bay, and q whale OF a fellow he
n, 81 or not.
But it cant be helped. the doctor
said, "and it's really no disgrace. It's
regulations. you know. and we just can't
ret regulations aside for one man. Be-
sides, If you will not let us vaccinate
you here on the ship wen have to take
you TO Ellis Island. where they'll hold
you until you do submit
Old Amos Severtson's shoulders
frightened little more and the chin
whisker tip-tilted further toward the
blue sky above the harbor.
II shall do as you say" was the old
mans reply, and his voice rumbled from
that cavernous chest like a growl or
distant thunder. 1T shall 90 to this
Ellis Island. 1 have no desire to trans
eress the law. Take me"
shows Civil War Tunic.
His dignity was inspiring. Official
dom quailed before II. His legs stiff
but long OF stride and his arms swing
ang at his sides in soldierly precision.
old Amos followed his captors to the
tug and thence to Ellis Island. There.
reinforced by other doctors and other
officials. his captors again sought to in
duce him to bare his huge arm to the
virus.
"S.rs." he runibled. II am compelled
20 remind you that am a citizen Of
this .beloved county-these United
States
Old Amos paused revereniiallv for
moment. The officials watched him re-
epectfully and expectantly. They looked
for him TO salute the flag that flew
from the mast above the adrninstra-
zion building but he went On. Ills
words were slow and his manner tre-
nendous.
1T would have you understand that
there IS no man with greater right to
come to this country. be he vaccinated
or not. See here
And he unbuttoned his fur coat. dis
playing a threadbare blue tunic with
brass buttons that had been shined and
shined until the decorations thereon had
lost shape
when General Grant handed back
the sword of his splendid foeman. Rob-
ert f. Lee. at Appomattox,' resumed old
Amos. "he wore this blue and these but
tons He was simple, great man.
General Grant. Under that man
fought that this beloved country might
live-at Sharpesburg and the Seven
DAYS fight near Richmond. I carry
one minnie ball yet. And ! am denied
entrance 70 my own country because,
forsooth- do not care to be ysccinated.
shows Pension Checks.
IT am dependen. upon no man FOR my
livelihood. Two OF my sons are we'll
known farmers near 1nwood. Lyon
county. Iowa, where they raise much
wheat. Besides. see this"
And he produced United States PEN
sion checks worth $4,000.
ssTor fifteen years have lived in Nor
way" he resumed. II took my wife
there because she was dying and wished
to sleep in her fatherland l did not
wish TO convert these checks into the de-
preciated kroner OF Norway. And now
I am 10 be prevented from returning TO
the land In which and for which I shed
my biood--the blood OF one OF her citi-
Eens."
There seems to be some mistake OF
may be- began one OF the officials.
seeking 20 assuage the old mans grow
ing sorrow.
"Oh. no." interrupted old Amos with
q tolerant smile softening his great.
strong face. there Is no mistake The
Doctors wish 10 vaccinate me. know
that they seek to do II 20 safeguard the
health Of the nation. II is right that
they should do so. reckon. And maybe
am wrong. The good OF my country liz
involved, you say? Well, the country
stands IN no danger from me, Amos
Severtson."
lie stepped back a pace. drew himself
I'D 10 his full. splendid height. and to-
ward the nearest doctor thrust forth an
arm 80 mighty as the apar OF n shin