Source of information: Lois Lefler Harris (sister)

Paul lefler left home at the age of 13 yrs. Restless type of child. Becoming bored with home life he decided he would run away so at 13 he went to the home of a cousin who lived in Salisbury,NC. His father on learning where he was went after him. He bought him some new clothes, took him to a carnival in Salisbury, NC. as an outing and then returned home with him.

He settled down until at the age of 17 years he ran off and joined the U.S. Army stationed in Virginia. He later deserted the Army but deciding that was not the right thing to do , he turned himself in, had a trial and was court martialed for running away. He was gone a year before turning himself in, and on being asked why he went AWOL from the Army his reply was that he had an opportunity to go to South America so he just decided he would go. Spent one year in South America.

After the trial he was sent to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Here his position was attending to the needs of the high officials stationed there. He was of a good personality and got along well with everyone.whatever the officials wanted or needed Paul Lefler did.

One night the high ranking officers threw a huge party at the camp. Paul's commander got very drunk. Paul removed all the liquor, glasses etc. from the party room and hid them. the next morning the Commander sent for Paul and demanded of him what had happened the night before. Paul informed the Commander that they were about to be invaded in the midst of the party and that he had cleaned up the room and removed all the evidence. It was through this incident that Paul was placed up for an Honorable discharge and did not have to serve the rest of his sentence..

Paul then married but the marriage didnt last, because Paul was a wonderlust and would leave and be gone for quite a while. Paul traveled all over the world. He would get a job on a boat or ship and work his way all around the world.. He became an accomplished chef aboard ship. He did not linger in one port long. When he would think about it he would let his family know his wherabouts.

On one occasion he arrived in port in England. He called his brother in NC and told him to let his mother know that he was in England and due to a bad accident had both legs cut off.This was not true but the family did not know it for along time.

From just a small boy it is told that when his mother would call him to get up and go to school, sometimes his bed would be empty. Paul would have gotten up and wondered off but he would always return.