The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1921-03-03
ENEMY" VISITS
KIN in KENOSHA
Man Who Escaped from
German Army Relates
His Experiences.
SOUTH AMERICA HAVEN

Kenoshs had an enemy" visitor
Sunday whose identity is withheld for
obvious reasons but who will be known
as John Doe for the purposes of this
story. John Doe told Kenosha rela-
tives a most thrilling story of his par
ticipation in the world war, He was
a native of Germany and was induct-
ed into the army during the first
months Of the war.
He fought without mishap until the
last year of the war when the hard
ships became unbearable. He declar-
ed that sawdust and ground bones of
horses were principal items in sol
diers' fare. Soon even these rations
were cut to such minimum that it
was impossible for the fighters to re-
spond. Hundreds of men deserted,
fleeing from the trenches to whatever
fate might await. The greater percent
were captured and put to death.
Has Plan of Escape.
John Doe was one of the men who
preferred an unknown future to the
horrors Of trench warfare He fled,
was captured and sentened to be shot.
During the period before execution his
brain refused to focus on his problem
and he resigned himself to his fate.
The morning of execution arrived and
John Doe stood, blindfolded, before
the firing squad. Suddenly, like.
flash, plan for escape presented it.
self. He laughed and capered like a
maniac and the moment of execution
was stayed.
From the prison Doe was taken to
a military hospital for treatment of
his malady. Apparently he was hope
lessfy insane and the attendants did
not watch him as closely as they
might otherwise have guarded man
under sentence of DEATH He watched
his chance and at an opportune mo-
ment managed to secure doctors uni
form and make his way from the pris-
on.
He is a man of culture and an ac-
complished linguist, and with the aid
of sufficient funds he made his way
TO South America. It might be thought
that his troubles were now at an end
but misfortune followed and he be-
came critically i'll with malaria fever.
He had written to Kenosha relatives
upon his arrival in South America but
when months passed and no further
word arrived it was feared that his
efforts to escape had been in vain. Up
on convalescence, more letters arrived
but it was a one-sided correspondence
as the fear of re-capture made it i'm
possible for his residence to be known
even to relatives.
Has Fine Position.
Sunday was the first time that his
Kenosha relatives had seen him in
years and they were shocked at the
change in his. appearance. Only TWEEN
ty-fve years of age he appeared to be
at least fifty, The terrors experienced
marking his entire body. But he has
"come back" in the new world and has
the greatest admiration for his adopt
ed country. He holds very response
bic position which permits him to tray
al extensively in the United States
and abroad and he comes into contact
with many of the most prominent bust
ness men.
He was able to remain in Kenosha
for just few hours, enroute on an
important business trip, but he prom
Used to return in the summer for an
extended visit with his relatives. In
the meantime he will make a trip to
Paris where he plans to meet rela-
tives from home, as he cannot set foot
into Germany, but must remain for
ever "a man without his country"