E. L. Nugent Letter to John Franklin Hardesty - June 24, 1929

Transcript

NUGENT & O'HARA INVESTMENT BUILDING WASHINGTON June 24, 1929 Captain John F. Hardesty, 1020 Missouri Building St. Louis, Missouri. Dear Sir: A claim has been made by Edouard V. M. Izac (Isaacs) against Germany on account of the cruel and unusual treatment received by him as a Prisoner of War. It is thought that you will recall his being brought into the camp at Villingen in a battered condition as the result of the treatment received at the hands of German guards subsequent to his attempted escape and surrender upon recapture. In these claims for compensation resulting from cruel and unusual treatment as a Prisoner of War, It is almost fatal to a claim not to have corroborative evidence, and for that reason, I hope that you will make every effort to recall so much of the facts as still remain in your memory. Lieutenant Izac claims that after he surrendered he was hit over the head with a gun and was forced to double time at the point of the bayonet to the camp at Villingen. The low blood pressure and general condition from which he also suffered when he returned he claims is due to the treatment received. He was discharged on account of traumatic flat feet which he asserts were the result of being forced to double time when his arches were in a weakened condition and which he did only as the result of the bayonet pressure. Do you recall his being brought in as a prisoner prior to his solitary confinement? Do you recall his release from two weeks solitary confinement and the condition in which he was at either of these times? If so, will you please set forth in your own language the facts which you recall with respect to his condition and any contemporary statements made by him which would tend to support the charges which he made upon his return and which he persists in now. I will appreciate any assistance which you feel you can give us in the matter, as will Lieutenant Izac. Very truly yours, E. F. Nugent