The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-10-25


all things OF legislative matter regardip &
our schools and churches This commit
tee takes all mtters up thru Mr.. VOillant,
chairman of the state council of defense
and who represents Governor Capper.
Our committee received word from Gov
ernor capper thru MIR. Eoillant that there
is reason of closing ParOchial
schools if the German language is elimi-
mated, Mr.. Capper stating that we will be
projected in conducting our schools.
Just before the August primary Senator
Walter w. Wilson called at my place, say
ing he was a personal representative of
MIR. W. H. Moiyneaux called on the gov
ernor, asking him to send the state guards
to close our Parochial schools, but the
governor refused to do SO. The senator
asked us to appreciate the favors of the
governor and have our people vote for him
your frieEd and he will let Justice rule in
regard to Paroehial schools. If there will
be any laws passed by the legislature next
winter you people ought to see to make n
compromise and then you may keep your
schools. He asked us to all turn out and
vote for Mr.. Capper and also get our lead
State of Kansas, Washington County, S..
!. Rey. J.. G. B. Keller. do solemnly
swear that the above are facts as told to
me- J. G. Is. KELLER.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this
1dt 1so day of October 1915 s prerrEp
.sTats -Es Notary Public :
Term expires January %, 1921.
Molyneaux Affidavit. ---' II
7, w. H Molyneaux, of lawful age ahd a
resident of Sherman. township, county OF
Washington, state OF Kansas, under oatn
deposeS and .gtys 20
That / am Chairman of Sherman council
defence e. that 5s the to e Pa5
there was a movement on foot for large
body of citiz8ns to meet and proceed to the
German church, thee miles southeast of
Palmer, Kansas, for the purpose of de-
manding mat the German school which is
run III connection with the church be closed
as the public sentiment was very. strong
against ii, upon hearing this report con-
suited other members of the local council
of defence and We decided that this was
not the thing to do as it might lead to
serious trouble, we (the council Of de-
fence) decided to go out to the church and
talk to the minister and church board we
as he was not at home told his wife to
have him call the church board together
the following Wednesday afternoon, which
she did. ON Wednesday, afternoon the
council of defence composed of the follow
ing men: A. II. Tegeler, Fred Rogse. Ernest
Elliott, Roy Knox and W. II. Molynea IN
proceeded 10 the residence of the Rev.
Keller, where We met Rev. Keller and his
church board.
In the interview which followed Mr..
Keller asked US what authority we had for
making such q call ana received the answer
i that 1t was for the good of the community
at large ind all concerned upon which Mr..
Keller answered that il they had to they
might give up the German but they would
never give up tie school.
A member Of the church board then pro-
duced a copy of the Kansas mob law and
hanaed same to me and | read it. few
comments We're made on the said law which
L do not remember at this time.
Mr. Henry p Meyer. a member of the
church, then made the statement that tho
reason they (meaning the Germans) could
not send their children to the American
SCHOOLS was because the American teachers
Gid not know enough to teach their (the
Germany children and that the German
children knew more when they started to
school than the american teachers. After
some talk by both the committees Mr.
Keller said that if the council of defence
would do what they could to head off the
citizens meeting that they (the church
Doard) would close the school for the nul
| ance OF the term. The general feeling OF
the minister and all the church members
toWarns af TINS meeting was very bitter
~ About the middle of July, 1918 I was in
6 doPeka. han; and while there called upon
that as long as the aforementioned schOo
was run in English and taught English
t the+e w was no law against it; altho he said
| stopped under present conditions and thai
! It vas the council of defense's duty to give
not close to see that they do and do NOT
Teopen. On August / was told that
| Walter 2; Wilson of Topeka had called on
| told him that 1 had been to Topeka and
| requested Governor Capper to have the
| called upon H. C. OXIDE and he verified the
statement and said that Mr. Wilson weni
from from his place to that of the Rev. j. G. b
| heller l then called upon Mr. Keller the
| next gay and he also verified the statement
| 4: W. fInke was present at my interview
With Mr.. Keller. and he stated that Mr.
| wilson said that it would be best not to
| mention the above story te-any one but the
| election. f
I wrote Governor Copper in regard to
| me story and he disproyed it and stated
| mat the word state guard was not men
| t1oned In our conversation, and also stated
| that there was nothing said in our CONVEX.
satlon that would hurt any loyal Ameri-
can citizen Governor Capper also stated
that he knew nothing of the visit of Walter
T. wilson. On either the 9th or the 18th
of August called upon Mr.. Keller for thu
purpose of learning if he had learned
| more about the Wilson story and in tho
course of our conversation Mr.. Keller made
the following statement. that if any per
/ sons interfered with their schools that ht
! would kill them, after an intermissi"n a
about minute he added, ! would kill
| them in self defense
tSiGned.) w. II. MOLYNEACN
/ Subscribed and sworn to before me thi.
| 14th Gay of October. 1918.
! tSeal) ROY NJ. DEAN
Notary Public