The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-29
John Holmes, Born in Topeka,
Just Human Being.
Cannot Prove to Uncle Sam
That lie Was Born.
WITHOUT A COUNTRY.
Appeals to Mayor Green to Make
Him a Citizen.
Holmes May Lead Life Of Mer-
maid Alter All.

Tossing in one of the rough unpro-
tected harbors of the Atlantic, cruising
I'D and down the ragged coast with
constant views of his native country
and struggling with all his young man
hood to set his foot on shore as c1tl-
zen, John Holmes born in Topeka, is
q modern example of Edward Everett
Hale's "A Man Without a Country
Because he cannot find in this city,
a record of his birth, or the na.-.~ OF
the attending physician-in fact no
proof that he was born in the United
States-John Holmes is tossing ABOUT
On a shin in the Atlantic, hungry Tor
1oothoid in his own country and recog-
milton as a man of American birth.
If there is a physician in Topeka who
can loon through his old wornout rec
ords and ind that On December 80, 1888,
q. son was born to Mr.. and Mrs. DAVID
WATSON Holmes, Eighth avenue and Bu-
chanan streets, Topeka, he VIII make
one young man the happiest person on
Garth He will give the United States
one more patriotic citizen and thus &C
oomplish an act for his country.
John Holmes has led a story book
life He has written to Mayor William
Green telling OF his efforts to become
an American and through this source
the story has taken on nub!ic interest
and expectation. Mayor Green IS max
ing every effort possible to declare
Holmes a citizen and through the news
PAPER stories he hopes to accomplish
the discovery.
1t seems that John Holmes took to
sea when a boy. He left Kansas ana
Topeka while young and went east;
His parents were both Scotch and loved
the Water-the hey followed suit. About
che year ago young Holmes Just grow
ing into manhood. decided that the
United States was the greatest nat1on
on earth after all. He had Travelled
with everything from steamship liners
to merchantmen and had touched every
shore of Importance on the Slope' But
he wanted America.
1t was at this time that he returned
to New York on vessel one DAY anu
decided to quit the salt" and play IN
the pebbles He packed up his clothes
and started ashore. But the Uncle sam
government interviewed
What right had John Holmes on
shore? Why, he was an American An
American where born? In topeka,
Kan. of course Where are your birth
rights? Birth rights? let's see-none
Whatever on hand. If you are an alien,
where is your necessary coin? No
money.
Then came the answer-John Holmes
could not prove that he was an Amerl-
can because he had no records to show
that he was born in this country. He
could not prove that he was born in
any country. He could not land as al
alien because he did not have any
money-arl alien must have money be-
cause Uncle Sam will not take foreign
paupers Therefore it was evident that
John Holmes was a human being in
the eyes of the inspectors but with this
exception he was a zero. He had no
country and he must remain on the
water-the ocean should be his home.
Now John Holmes is tired of the sea.
He is not a mermaid and he wishes to
spend his days on shore. But without
some proof from Topeka he must re-
main either a shipman or foreigner.
If Topeka can find some one who
knew Mr.. David WATSON Holmes who
was a horseshoer at Eighth and Blu
chanan streets or who knew Mrs. D. W.
Holmes (both Scotch) they will create
one John Holmes who is without a
country. In his last letter just received
by Mayor Green, John Holmes states
that he was baptized in this city by
the pastor of the Presbyterian church
Meanwhile there is a man and There
is a country. Both are worthy of the
other. But they can't get together. All
this on account of the failure of the
doctors of Topeka in reporting to the
city board of health their birth records.
1t is a state and city law but it is not
obeyed.
And who knows but what in a few
years there will be several men without
countries-just because the physicians
in this city disregard their birth re-
ports.