Kunzes of Alsace

 

Special thanks to Sister Mary Hugh Copenhaver for preserving and transcribing this wonderful story.

             The region of Alsace has been a volatile one for centuries, frequently changing between French and Germany hands.  This accounts for the confusing records regarding the birth place of Webers and Kunzes.  Family stories such as the one below reflect the history of the region.  Sister Mary Hugh Copenhaver, great-grandchild of Joseph Kunz, has a recording of her mother (Alice Kunz Copenhaver) and her two aunts (Agnes Wylie and Helen Kunz) sharing family stories, and transcribed part of the contents.¹  Agnes Wylie told this story about Joseph Kunz's father: 

 

            "When Papa's grandfather was a boy of 16, there came a decree that all boys 16 and over had to register for war.  This young boy had already lost his Father and two brothers in the War of Aggression, and he knew that if he had to go to war, his Mother and sister would starve because he was the only one to make a living on their little farm.  Before he left, his Mother gave him a few coins that she had.  He didn't want to take them, naturally, but she insisted.


            "The boy left and went to town to register.  And he, [wasted the whole of his money].  And Papa said that in that day and age only the wealthy could afford a private room in a hotel -- others had to sleep on  couches in a large room.  So this young boy got himself a room for the night -- thinking it would be his last 'fling in the world.'


            "He couldn't sleep and was walking up and down in his room -- so terribly upset, worrying about his Mother and sister.  During the night there came a knock on his door.  He opened it and there stood an officer who said, 'I have a room next door and I heard you walking.  I'm worried and can't sleep either.'  Then he asked, 'What is your trouble, young man?'  And the boy told him that he had already lost his Father and two brothers, and about the situation at home.  The officer took a pad and wrote something on it and said, 'You go home and if they stop you at the gate, show them this.  And if you ever get called again, you still show them this note.'


            "You may be sure that the next morning the young boy got out as quickly as he could.  And when he got home he looked at the note and it was signed by Napoleon."

 

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