World War I 100 Years Ago: Aug. 22-29

From The Indianapolis News, Tuesday, August 25, 1914: Emma Pfeiffer Bruner, Butler College Prof. Henry Lane Bruner’s wife, arrived safely from Germany where she was visiting family.  Her difficult and strenuous return journey began in Baden. When the war signal came on August 1, all foreigners left without delay to avoid being held at the border. Without a through train to Antwerp, Mrs. Bruner traveled short distances, and at each change of trains she competed with soldiers who had priority seating. The crowded cars were suffocating because the windows were ordered closed. She sailed on the Marquette, its cargo of German iron having been removed made the steamship light and unsteady. All passengers were seasick. Four separate British patrols stopped and searched the ship and there were constant warnings of mines. “I’m so glad to get home,” she said.