| Hysteria Part 8. Yankee Doodle do or die....The VIOLENT Effects of the Creel Gang |
Robert Prager had moved to the United States from Dresden, Germany and was
working as a miner in Illinois. He applied for membership into the local miners
union, but was denied because of suspicions that he might be a German agent
plotting to blow up the mine in which he worked. After hearing of Prager's request
for union membership, a group of miners decided to kidnap Prager and force him to
parade through the Collinsville, Illinois streets while demanding that he kiss the
American flag and sing the National Anthem. The police had already put him into
protective custody earlier that evening, but the drunken and excited mob found
Prager and forced him back into the streets.
working as a miner in Illinois. He applied for membership into the local miners
union, but was denied because of suspicions that he might be a German agent
plotting to blow up the mine in which he worked. After hearing of Prager's request
for union membership, a group of miners decided to kidnap Prager and force him to
parade through the Collinsville, Illinois streets while demanding that he kiss the
American flag and sing the National Anthem. The police had already put him into
protective custody earlier that evening, but the drunken and excited mob found
Prager and forced him back into the streets.
| " Those inclined to tantalize a community by holding out against the Red Cross, refusing to buy Liberty bonds and declining to sign Loyalty Pledge cards are placing themselves on dangerous ground. Indignation will develop to such an extent that 'due process of law' will not be a feature in the punishment handed out to them." Harvey County Council of Defense, 1918, Kansas. |
| Hate Goes Global |
The concentration camps and human rights violations were not confined to the United States, they
were stretched out globally. Australia, Canada, and Britain all had detention camps for Germans.
Russia, having been thoroughly worked up by the activities of the CPI, found even more atrocious,
homicidal means to deal with their ethnic German farmers. Germans having nothing to do with the
war effort were singled out and persecuted simply for their ethnicity all over the world, their money,
land and businesses stolen on the slimmest pretext. In most of Latin America, pro-war forces were
so successful that their German settlers were turned into lepers, and their properties were stolen.
were stretched out globally. Australia, Canada, and Britain all had detention camps for Germans.
Russia, having been thoroughly worked up by the activities of the CPI, found even more atrocious,
homicidal means to deal with their ethnic German farmers. Germans having nothing to do with the
war effort were singled out and persecuted simply for their ethnicity all over the world, their money,
land and businesses stolen on the slimmest pretext. In most of Latin America, pro-war forces were
so successful that their German settlers were turned into lepers, and their properties were stolen.
By 1918, most major newspapers had begun to subtly endorse "shooting
traitors" and "curing treason and disloyalty by firing squad" From the President
down to various senators, congressmen and most popular public figures, the idea
was casually spread verbally and in print that these "traitors" needed harsh
punishment, and incidents such as the Prager case did not elicit much adverse
reaction or shock. They were instead justified as noble acts of retribution for the
despicable crimes of the "Huns" who were, according to the propagandists,
shooting boyscouts, violating innocent maidens and spearing babies..before they
ate their flesh while gulping beer.
traitors" and "curing treason and disloyalty by firing squad" From the President
down to various senators, congressmen and most popular public figures, the idea
was casually spread verbally and in print that these "traitors" needed harsh
punishment, and incidents such as the Prager case did not elicit much adverse
reaction or shock. They were instead justified as noble acts of retribution for the
despicable crimes of the "Huns" who were, according to the propagandists,
shooting boyscouts, violating innocent maidens and spearing babies..before they
ate their flesh while gulping beer.
When the killers were later tried in court, supporters wearing red, white and blue ribbons gathered
outside of the courthouse, singing patriotic songs while vendors sold food. The killers were all found
innocent of any wrong-doing, and commended for having allowed Prager to write a farewell letter.
outside of the courthouse, singing patriotic songs while vendors sold food. The killers were all found
innocent of any wrong-doing, and commended for having allowed Prager to write a farewell letter.
In a case of attempted murder, an Oklahoma mob took Henry Rheimer from police custody on April
23, 1918, forced him to kiss each star of the flag and then hanged him with an electrical cord. He
was saved when the assistant police chief pleaded with the mob. On March 2, 1918 in Denver,
Colorado, Fritz Seitz was tied to a truck with a sign reading "The Kaiser" and paraded through the
streets of Denver followed by a large mob. When the truck stopped, he was taken from the truck
amid yells of "hang him" and a rope was placed around his neck. He arrived at the hospital in critical
condition, and was subsequently jailed for inciting a riot!
23, 1918, forced him to kiss each star of the flag and then hanged him with an electrical cord. He
was saved when the assistant police chief pleaded with the mob. On March 2, 1918 in Denver,
Colorado, Fritz Seitz was tied to a truck with a sign reading "The Kaiser" and paraded through the
streets of Denver followed by a large mob. When the truck stopped, he was taken from the truck
amid yells of "hang him" and a rope was placed around his neck. He arrived at the hospital in critical
condition, and was subsequently jailed for inciting a riot!
Yellow stripes were painted on the doors of German Methodists in Illinois if they didn't buy Liberty
Bonds. Four men, including a Catholic priest, were tarred and feathered in Christopher, Illinois.
Old German Cemeteries were regularly vandalized. At an old Hessian burial ground in New Jersey,
the remains from the Revolutionary era graves were dug up and thrown in the river.
Bonds. Four men, including a Catholic priest, were tarred and feathered in Christopher, Illinois.
Old German Cemeteries were regularly vandalized. At an old Hessian burial ground in New Jersey,
the remains from the Revolutionary era graves were dug up and thrown in the river.
In Sprague, Washington, church bells rang and whistles blew, calling the citizens together on March
27, 1918. A speaker gathered several hundred people to the home of a German American man, and
he was led by the mob back to the town square where was forced to kneel and kiss the American
flag, then forced to eat a "seditious" book, which turned out to be German poetry, found in his
home. In Havana, Illinois, a group of fifteen armed men entered the home of German-American
Edward Speckman and accused him of making unpatriotic remarks and demanded his loyalty.
27, 1918. A speaker gathered several hundred people to the home of a German American man, and
he was led by the mob back to the town square where was forced to kneel and kiss the American
flag, then forced to eat a "seditious" book, which turned out to be German poetry, found in his
home. In Havana, Illinois, a group of fifteen armed men entered the home of German-American
Edward Speckman and accused him of making unpatriotic remarks and demanded his loyalty.
| Just Hang Them |
| Nothing was Sacred |
In 2006, eighty people mostly of German descent who were convicted of sedition in World War One
received posthumous pardons in Montana. One person had been imprisoned for 34 months simply
for calling it a "rich man's war" and ridiculing food rationing regulations. One, a pacifist who refused
to buy war bonds, spent 28 months in prison. Another spent 7 months in prison for saying the
country would "get a licking" in France. They were imprisoned for an average of 19 months, often
based on casual comments made in taverns. Some were turned by neighbors eying their real estate.
received posthumous pardons in Montana. One person had been imprisoned for 34 months simply
for calling it a "rich man's war" and ridiculing food rationing regulations. One, a pacifist who refused
to buy war bonds, spent 28 months in prison. Another spent 7 months in prison for saying the
country would "get a licking" in France. They were imprisoned for an average of 19 months, often
based on casual comments made in taverns. Some were turned by neighbors eying their real estate.
| The Enemy Within |
| And the Beatings Go On.. |
They marched him just outside of the town, beyond the edge of police jurisdiction. In the early
morning of April 5, 1918, the mob stripped him naked, wrapped him in an American flag, and hung
him from a tree. Over two hundred people witnessed the murder and did nothing to help.
morning of April 5, 1918, the mob stripped him naked, wrapped him in an American flag, and hung
him from a tree. Over two hundred people witnessed the murder and did nothing to help.
It wasn't only Germans that paid dearly.. A headline in a September, 1918 Duluth
(Minnesota) Herald read, "Knights Of Liberty Tar And Feather Slacker." A Finnish
immigrant, Olli Kinkkonen, was dragged from a boarding house and never seen again.
(Minnesota) Herald read, "Knights Of Liberty Tar And Feather Slacker." A Finnish
immigrant, Olli Kinkkonen, was dragged from a boarding house and never seen again.
A group calling itself the "Knights of Liberty" delivered a letter to the paper, taking credit for the abduction in the name of
patriotism, saying it should to serve as "a warning to all slackers". Kinkkonen's body was found two weeks later dangling
from a tree on the outskirts of town, covered with tar and feathers. Duluth authorities declared the death a suicide.
Kinkkonen, a logger and a dock worker, didn't want to fight in the war and was planning to return to Finland. No one
faced charges for Olli Kinkkonen's abduction and death, and he was buried in an unmarked pauper's grave.
patriotism, saying it should to serve as "a warning to all slackers". Kinkkonen's body was found two weeks later dangling
from a tree on the outskirts of town, covered with tar and feathers. Duluth authorities declared the death a suicide.
Kinkkonen, a logger and a dock worker, didn't want to fight in the war and was planning to return to Finland. No one
faced charges for Olli Kinkkonen's abduction and death, and he was buried in an unmarked pauper's grave.
Two days later, 1200 strikers and sympathizers were rounded up by Loyalty League vigilantes and
taken to New Mexico by boxcar where they were dumped in the desert without food or water. And
on August 1, 1917 , an I.W.W. member at Butte, Montana named Frank H. Little was suffering
from a broken leg and couldn't run when he was brutally murdered by gunmen employed by the
copper company. Not only were there no convictions for these gross violations of civil liberties, the
Federal government instead rounded up 150 leaders of the I.W.W., quickly convicting them along
with Eugene Debs of the spurious charges of "Espionage" and "Sedition."
taken to New Mexico by boxcar where they were dumped in the desert without food or water. And
on August 1, 1917 , an I.W.W. member at Butte, Montana named Frank H. Little was suffering
from a broken leg and couldn't run when he was brutally murdered by gunmen employed by the
copper company. Not only were there no convictions for these gross violations of civil liberties, the
Federal government instead rounded up 150 leaders of the I.W.W., quickly convicting them along
with Eugene Debs of the spurious charges of "Espionage" and "Sedition."
German Americans were being intimidated into buying Liberty Bonds, imprisoned for making
disloyal remarks, and forced to participate in flag-kissing ceremonies. Citizens from coast to coast
were tarred and feathered, whipped, flogged and forced from jobs. Homes and schools were
destroyed and membership in German cultural and political organizations plummeted. Many German
Americans stopped speaking German, even in their homes, and changed their names. German aliens
rushed to become citizens. Vigilante groups sprang up nation wide to handle the "German problem".
disloyal remarks, and forced to participate in flag-kissing ceremonies. Citizens from coast to coast
were tarred and feathered, whipped, flogged and forced from jobs. Homes and schools were
destroyed and membership in German cultural and political organizations plummeted. Many German
Americans stopped speaking German, even in their homes, and changed their names. German aliens
rushed to become citizens. Vigilante groups sprang up nation wide to handle the "German problem".
| "Dear Parents- I must this day, the 5th of April, die. Please pray for me, my dear parents." Robert Prager in a letter written to his parents before he was hanged, 1918 |
The secretary of the Rockford, Illinois branch of the IWW and 100 members were arrested for
participating in a march opposing the draft. In Freeport, Illinois, 117 men, including 62 aliens, were
sentenced to a year of hard labor for draft evasion. After IWW offices in Chicago and other cities
were raided in September of 1917, 116 men were indicted. In Staunton, Illinois, the APL tarred and
feathered an Italian immigrant who belonged to the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) and a
lawyer who defended union members.
participating in a march opposing the draft. In Freeport, Illinois, 117 men, including 62 aliens, were
sentenced to a year of hard labor for draft evasion. After IWW offices in Chicago and other cities
were raided in September of 1917, 116 men were indicted. In Staunton, Illinois, the APL tarred and
feathered an Italian immigrant who belonged to the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) and a
lawyer who defended union members.
| "This is a nation - not a polyglot boarding house. There is not room in the country for any 50-50 American, nor can there be but one loyalty - to the Stars and Stripes." Theodore Roosevelt, Iowa, May 27th, 1918 |
Headline of the times. A Wisconsin "German" professor was kidnapped,
tarred and feathered, robbed and left alone on a road. He had come to
America at age 14 from Germany. The article mocks him for not reporting the
crime sooner (he had to walk home naked, which took a while). The mob of
hun-catchers that did it got away.
tarred and feathered, robbed and left alone on a road. He had come to
America at age 14 from Germany. The article mocks him for not reporting the
crime sooner (he had to walk home naked, which took a while). The mob of
hun-catchers that did it got away.
There were other murders. On December 22, 1917 in El Paso, Texas, German-American Charles H.
Feige was shot to death by a soldier as he took photographs near the border. He "appeared to be a
German spy." Joe Kerlicker, an Austrian, was found clubbed to death in Carney, Iowa on February
25, 1918. On March 23, 1918 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a "County Council of Defense" officer shot and
killed "alien enemy" Joseph Sring at a Restaurant after Sring allegedly makes a statement that
seemed unpatriotic. The officer was cleared of all charges, and on March 24, 1918, when Bulgarian
Steven Ivanoff was said to have made disparaging statements about the Sring killing, a police officer
shot him, too, and was later cleared of all charges. On May 2, 1918, in San Jose, California, a
German American tailor was hanged by the "Knights of Liberty" and no trace of him ever found.
Feige was shot to death by a soldier as he took photographs near the border. He "appeared to be a
German spy." Joe Kerlicker, an Austrian, was found clubbed to death in Carney, Iowa on February
25, 1918. On March 23, 1918 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a "County Council of Defense" officer shot and
killed "alien enemy" Joseph Sring at a Restaurant after Sring allegedly makes a statement that
seemed unpatriotic. The officer was cleared of all charges, and on March 24, 1918, when Bulgarian
Steven Ivanoff was said to have made disparaging statements about the Sring killing, a police officer
shot him, too, and was later cleared of all charges. On May 2, 1918, in San Jose, California, a
German American tailor was hanged by the "Knights of Liberty" and no trace of him ever found.
"There is disloyalty active in the United States and it must be crushed," stated President Woodrow Wilson, referring
to German Americans in opposition to the war as he spoke to hundreds of thousands at a "preparedness" rally of held in
Washington, DC on June 14 (Flag Day), 1916. He further stated that this is a form of "treason from a minority who
are trying to levy a species of political blackmail, saying ‘do what we wish in the interest of foreign sentiment, or
we will wreak our vengeance at the polls.’ " Wilson predicted that the American nation "will teach these gentlemen
once and for all that loyalty to this flag is the first test of tolerance in the United States"
to German Americans in opposition to the war as he spoke to hundreds of thousands at a "preparedness" rally of held in
Washington, DC on June 14 (Flag Day), 1916. He further stated that this is a form of "treason from a minority who
are trying to levy a species of political blackmail, saying ‘do what we wish in the interest of foreign sentiment, or
we will wreak our vengeance at the polls.’ " Wilson predicted that the American nation "will teach these gentlemen
once and for all that loyalty to this flag is the first test of tolerance in the United States"
In Illinois, "nightrider" attacks on Mennonite churches left skulls and crossbones painted over the
doors. A Mennonite flour mill in South Dakota was shut down by authorities on rumors that there
were glass chips were in the flour. Even on Armistice Day, November 11, 1918, they were not safe.
In Burton, Kansas, a mob seized John Schrag after ransacking his farmhouse and barns. Schrag had
refused to salute the flag on religious grounds and buy liberty bonds. They dragged him back to town
with a group of "slackers" and made them salute the flag and buy Liberty Bonds. When Schrag
refused, the mob beat him and poured yellow paint on his beard. When the mob tried to hang him, a
townsman drew his gun and saved Schrag. The mob then burned the farmers' buggies and other
property. Schrag was jailed for violating the Espionage Act and he was later found not guilty.
doors. A Mennonite flour mill in South Dakota was shut down by authorities on rumors that there
were glass chips were in the flour. Even on Armistice Day, November 11, 1918, they were not safe.
In Burton, Kansas, a mob seized John Schrag after ransacking his farmhouse and barns. Schrag had
refused to salute the flag on religious grounds and buy liberty bonds. They dragged him back to town
with a group of "slackers" and made them salute the flag and buy Liberty Bonds. When Schrag
refused, the mob beat him and poured yellow paint on his beard. When the mob tried to hang him, a
townsman drew his gun and saved Schrag. The mob then burned the farmers' buggies and other
property. Schrag was jailed for violating the Espionage Act and he was later found not guilty.
A German Lutheran Pastor in Bishop, Texas was whipped for preaching in German. A mob of eight
men busted into a Birmingham, Ohio, minister's office and set his books on fire. Another German
Lutheran pastor was beaten for preaching in German after the Omaha, Nebraska city council had
forbidden it, and a pastor was publicly flogged for negative comments about local war committees.
men busted into a Birmingham, Ohio, minister's office and set his books on fire. Another German
Lutheran pastor was beaten for preaching in German after the Omaha, Nebraska city council had
forbidden it, and a pastor was publicly flogged for negative comments about local war committees.
In one Rhode Island town, a mob driving in sixty separate cars went out to "get some Huns." They
dragged a 66 year old German minister from his home, beat him, kidnapped him, dragged him up the
courthouse steps and threw him in a jail cell with no food or water. When the minister, who suffered
permanent damage from the attack including hearing loss, sued them, the judge reduced the charge
to only three of the men and later the jury acquitted them. Outside, a huge group supported the
perpetrators with picnics and parades. An assault on another German minister of the same type
resulted in the authorities taking no other action than to give the man a safe jail cell to sleep in until
he got out of town. German churches, schools and cemeteries were vandalized.
dragged a 66 year old German minister from his home, beat him, kidnapped him, dragged him up the
courthouse steps and threw him in a jail cell with no food or water. When the minister, who suffered
permanent damage from the attack including hearing loss, sued them, the judge reduced the charge
to only three of the men and later the jury acquitted them. Outside, a huge group supported the
perpetrators with picnics and parades. An assault on another German minister of the same type
resulted in the authorities taking no other action than to give the man a safe jail cell to sleep in until
he got out of town. German churches, schools and cemeteries were vandalized.
In a May 8,1918 Davenport, Iowa, newspapers stated:"Government Marshals begin round-up of
pro-Germans!" and reported that the "county defense council" had visited a half-dozen farmers
suspected of having made anti-American statements. Iowa was hard on Germans. In July, 1917,
Rev. John Reichardt, the minister of a German Reformed Church in Lowden, Iowa, was arrested
and charged with sedition under the new sedition law. Reichardt, in a German serman, had
denounced a Fourth of July speech in Lowden that called Germans monsters and where a German
flag had been tied to a goat that was sent running down Main Street while another German flag was
dragged through the streets tied to a car bumper. Reichardt said that despite the "wrong-headed and
mistaken" actions of the Kaiser, German cultural traditions could still be respected. He was not
forgotten when, at war's end, mobs from surrounding towns celebrating Germany's defeat
converged upon Lowden and made the minister march through town carrying a flag then forced him
to stand on a coffin with the words "Kaiser now ruler of Hell" written on it and kiss the flag while a
band played the Star Spangled Banner. He was then forced to leave town.
pro-Germans!" and reported that the "county defense council" had visited a half-dozen farmers
suspected of having made anti-American statements. Iowa was hard on Germans. In July, 1917,
Rev. John Reichardt, the minister of a German Reformed Church in Lowden, Iowa, was arrested
and charged with sedition under the new sedition law. Reichardt, in a German serman, had
denounced a Fourth of July speech in Lowden that called Germans monsters and where a German
flag had been tied to a goat that was sent running down Main Street while another German flag was
dragged through the streets tied to a car bumper. Reichardt said that despite the "wrong-headed and
mistaken" actions of the Kaiser, German cultural traditions could still be respected. He was not
forgotten when, at war's end, mobs from surrounding towns celebrating Germany's defeat
converged upon Lowden and made the minister march through town carrying a flag then forced him
to stand on a coffin with the words "Kaiser now ruler of Hell" written on it and kiss the flag while a
band played the Star Spangled Banner. He was then forced to leave town.
The "Knights of Liberty"struck again in San Jose, California, and a German American was tarred,
feathered, and chained to a cannon for alleged pro-German sentiments. The Knights of Liberty
reappeared in Tulsa, Oklahoma and tarred and feathered a German-American before giving him 50
lashes and making him promise to leave the city. One German-American woman in Florida received
a flogging and was ordered to leave the state by their local "patriots" and an Indiana woman was
abducted from her home and dragged around the town common in a circus cage because she did not
contribute enough to the Liberty Loan drive. Liberty bonds were an issue in Montana as well, and
alleged pro-Germans (non-purchasers of Liberty Bonds) were rounded up, resulting in a German-
American architect being forced to resign from the state board of architects, a city councilman forced
from his office and another man forced to kiss the flag and declare his allegiance to the USA.
feathered, and chained to a cannon for alleged pro-German sentiments. The Knights of Liberty
reappeared in Tulsa, Oklahoma and tarred and feathered a German-American before giving him 50
lashes and making him promise to leave the city. One German-American woman in Florida received
a flogging and was ordered to leave the state by their local "patriots" and an Indiana woman was
abducted from her home and dragged around the town common in a circus cage because she did not
contribute enough to the Liberty Loan drive. Liberty bonds were an issue in Montana as well, and
alleged pro-Germans (non-purchasers of Liberty Bonds) were rounded up, resulting in a German-
American architect being forced to resign from the state board of architects, a city councilman forced
from his office and another man forced to kiss the flag and declare his allegiance to the USA.
| "Millions of men and women of German birth and native sympathy live amongst us....Should there be any disloyalty it will be dealt with a firm hand of repression." Woodrow Wilson. |
These government sponsored "patriotic" organizations were not relegated strictly to hun-baiting.
Much of the focus was on labor. When the I.W.W (Industrial Workers of the World) led a copper
strike at United Verde Copper Company in Arizona in July of 1917, 200 thugs calling themselves the
"Loyalty League" armed themselves with rifles, axe handles and baseball bats attacked the strikers
without fear of repercussion. They rounded up 75 key strikers, beat them and placed them in
company boxcars, sending them westward to the California border. When many tried to return, they
were arrested and jailed.
Much of the focus was on labor. When the I.W.W (Industrial Workers of the World) led a copper
strike at United Verde Copper Company in Arizona in July of 1917, 200 thugs calling themselves the
"Loyalty League" armed themselves with rifles, axe handles and baseball bats attacked the strikers
without fear of repercussion. They rounded up 75 key strikers, beat them and placed them in
company boxcars, sending them westward to the California border. When many tried to return, they
were arrested and jailed.
Under presidential warrant, a total of 6,300 German-Americans were arrested during the period of
United States military involvement in World War I, of which most were paroled, but 2,300 of them
were interned by military authorities. There were over 2,000 indictments obtained by the Justice
Department under the Espionage Act, but not one person was actually accused of being a spy. We
will never really know how many innocent German Americans were murdered as a result of hysteria.
United States military involvement in World War I, of which most were paroled, but 2,300 of them
were interned by military authorities. There were over 2,000 indictments obtained by the Justice
Department under the Espionage Act, but not one person was actually accused of being a spy. We
will never really know how many innocent German Americans were murdered as a result of hysteria.
| The "American Defense Society" stated that any German American, "unless known by years of association to be absolutely loyal, should be treated as a potential spy." |
They didn't always pay with their lives, at least not right away. Sometimes their broken hearts or
ruined businesses killed them later. The Improved Steam Traction Engine Company in southern
Pennsylvania came out with a new design that, unlike most traction engines, was a twin cylinder
machine with the engines mounted under the boiler on a steel frame making for a tougher, better
balanced engine. It also a unique boiler design, patented by Rev. D. Miller, a Mennonite minister. By
1914, the company had become very successful and purchased the Champion Thresher Company of
Ohio to enhance their engine line. Their success was cut short three years later. Since Rev. Miller's
Mennonite faith did not allow him to contribute to the taking of human life, he balked when faced
with a US Government order to turn his shop over to the production of cannon barrels and other
armaments. The Reverend refused, and so the company was prohibited by the government from
buying "strategic" materials and was forced into bankruptcy, finally done in for good in 1918.
ruined businesses killed them later. The Improved Steam Traction Engine Company in southern
Pennsylvania came out with a new design that, unlike most traction engines, was a twin cylinder
machine with the engines mounted under the boiler on a steel frame making for a tougher, better
balanced engine. It also a unique boiler design, patented by Rev. D. Miller, a Mennonite minister. By
1914, the company had become very successful and purchased the Champion Thresher Company of
Ohio to enhance their engine line. Their success was cut short three years later. Since Rev. Miller's
Mennonite faith did not allow him to contribute to the taking of human life, he balked when faced
with a US Government order to turn his shop over to the production of cannon barrels and other
armaments. The Reverend refused, and so the company was prohibited by the government from
buying "strategic" materials and was forced into bankruptcy, finally done in for good in 1918.
Baptist preacher John August Tubbe was born in Texas and never saw or
visited Germany in his lifetime, nor did he speak German. He had a 50 year
career as a minister, 55 years of marriage and a lifetime of honest work. He
had, as a young man, taken an oath of allegiance to the United States. Yet,
in 1917 he was arrested as an enemy alien and accused of “Spying for the
Fatherland” simply because of his German descent. He was released from a
month and a half in jail only after the authorities were presented with a
petition signed by the leading citizens of his County. Never recovering from
his broken spirit, he died a year later.
visited Germany in his lifetime, nor did he speak German. He had a 50 year
career as a minister, 55 years of marriage and a lifetime of honest work. He
had, as a young man, taken an oath of allegiance to the United States. Yet,
in 1917 he was arrested as an enemy alien and accused of “Spying for the
Fatherland” simply because of his German descent. He was released from a
month and a half in jail only after the authorities were presented with a
petition signed by the leading citizens of his County. Never recovering from
his broken spirit, he died a year later.
In March, 1918, on the same day the Fergus, Montana High School was burned down by a mob
angry because German classes had not be stopped, a real estate broker named Edward Foster who
had reportedly made disloyal statements was accosted by a committee of loyal citizens who judged
him guilty of sedition and made him carry the American flag three city blocks and back to a crowd
who gathered to insure his punishment was carried out. The same mob then rounded up "disloyal"
George Anderson with plans to lynch him because he had refused to buy Liberty Bonds or War
Savings Thrift Stamps on religious and conscientious grounds. However, the daily administrator of
oaths of allegiance convince the crowd he was not worthy of the attention.
angry because German classes had not be stopped, a real estate broker named Edward Foster who
had reportedly made disloyal statements was accosted by a committee of loyal citizens who judged
him guilty of sedition and made him carry the American flag three city blocks and back to a crowd
who gathered to insure his punishment was carried out. The same mob then rounded up "disloyal"
George Anderson with plans to lynch him because he had refused to buy Liberty Bonds or War
Savings Thrift Stamps on religious and conscientious grounds. However, the daily administrator of
oaths of allegiance convince the crowd he was not worthy of the attention.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that a Willard, Ohio German-American couple named Zuelch
“were taken by a crowd of men to the city hall and there before a crowd of 200 persons compelled
to salute the American flag and then kiss it. A flag was given to Zuelch and he was commanded to
display it in front of his cigar store. It was waving there tonight.”
“were taken by a crowd of men to the city hall and there before a crowd of 200 persons compelled
to salute the American flag and then kiss it. A flag was given to Zuelch and he was commanded to
display it in front of his cigar store. It was waving there tonight.”
Also in Wisconsin, as in almost all states, there were numerous other incidents of tarring and
feathering. On April 11, 1918, Adolph Anton was kidnapped from his home by 6 armed men who
bashed in the front door and grabbed him in front of his wife who was holding a baby. They tarred
and feathered him before leaving him in the countryside alone and, of course, naked. All 6 men were
later apprehended and went before a judge where they were discharged.
feathering. On April 11, 1918, Adolph Anton was kidnapped from his home by 6 armed men who
bashed in the front door and grabbed him in front of his wife who was holding a baby. They tarred
and feathered him before leaving him in the countryside alone and, of course, naked. All 6 men were
later apprehended and went before a judge where they were discharged.
| Theodore Roosevelt created the famous buzz word "Hyphenated Americans" in what he called "adherence to the politico-racial hyphen which is the badge and sign of moral treason." The Democratic Party eagerly adopted a platform plank on "Hyphenates" and "Americanism." |
On December 26, 1917, also in Iowa, two Evangelical Lutheran ministers were
brought before the county "council of defense" who tied ropes around their necks
and dragged them a block to the public square. They escaped lynching when one of
the minister's wifes ran screaming into the mob to save him and fainted, causing the
mob to released their prisoners in the confusion.
brought before the county "council of defense" who tied ropes around their necks
and dragged them a block to the public square. They escaped lynching when one of
the minister's wifes ran screaming into the mob to save him and fainted, causing the
mob to released their prisoners in the confusion.
The Mennonites paid dearly. In Kansas in 1918, a mob of 40 men in masks drove to a farm, cut the
phone wires and called out to the farmer to buy Liberty Bonds or be tarred and feathered. When his
son asked if he could substitute for his father, they agreed, and tarred and feathered him. Then, the
mob moved to the pastor's farm and tarred and feathered him, later smearing tar on their church.
phone wires and called out to the farmer to buy Liberty Bonds or be tarred and feathered. When his
son asked if he could substitute for his father, they agreed, and tarred and feathered him. Then, the
mob moved to the pastor's farm and tarred and feathered him, later smearing tar on their church.
| German cultural identity never made a recovery from this systematic "Americanization" |
"No good American can have any feeling except scorn and detestation for those professional German-Americans who
seek to make the American President in effect a viceroy of the German Emperor." said Teddy Roosevelt. "The
German-American and who call themselves such and who have agitated as such during the past year, have shown that
they are not Americans at all, but Germans in America. Their actions have been hostile to the honor and interest of this
country."
seek to make the American President in effect a viceroy of the German Emperor." said Teddy Roosevelt. "The
German-American and who call themselves such and who have agitated as such during the past year, have shown that
they are not Americans at all, but Germans in America. Their actions have been hostile to the honor and interest of this
country."