George Thomas, operator of a shoe repair shop, was charged with "desecrating" the American flag for comments made, including allegedly stating "those who were enlisting to fight for the flag would soon be sorry." This was overheard by local "patriotic" citizens and reported to the district attorney.
Shreveport Times 25-Apr-1917, Page 9
For his actions, Thomas was convicted of violating Louisiana Statute 2077 (Act 34 of 1912) regarding desecration of the American flag and sentenced to 10 days in jail. He was reported to have been born in England of German descent, and brought to America as a child.
During his hearing, he stated he did not direct his statements against the flag, but against certain citizens who appear to raise the flag, but do nothing else. It's not possible to determine if he was "backtracking" from his original statements; given that he was facing jail time; or whether his words had been embellished or used out of context by his accusers.
The source of his situation was an argument with grocery store owner Mike Scarpino, who, for his comments, had ordered Thomas out of his store.
Shreveport Times 28-Apr-1917, Page 4
What became of Thomas afterward is not known. His business prospects Oil City were probably over and he moved on. Scarpino's store burned several months later in a fire that destroyed several downtown buildings, and he relocated to Plain Dealing, LA.
Federal authorities arrested Wells Fargo agent C. T. Weimer on the charge of having violated the Espionage Act. During the oilfield strike he had allegedly denounced the:
- United States Government
- Liberty Bond issues
- Conscription Act
It was claimed that he stated, if drafted, "they would have to stand him up against a wall and shoot him." This was reported to Assistant U. S. District Attorney J. H. Jackson in Shreveport, who issued a warrant for his arrest.
Shreveport Times 03-Nov-1917, Page 1
He was placed under $5,000 bond by a federal grand jury and locked up in the Caddo Parish jail. Resolution of his case is not known.
Shreveport Times 04-Nov-1917, Page 7
Speaking to Standard Oil refinery workers in Baton Rouge, union organizer C. A. Hunter claimed he was under constant surveillance as a suspected German spy, or possible Industrial Workers of the World organizer. The I.W.W. (members known colloquially as "wobblies") was socialist-leaning and radical compared to the more conservative American Federation of Labor, with which Hunter's Oil Field Workers of Louisiana was affiliated. Identified residing in Shreveport, he had been reported earlier living in both Oil City and Mooringsport.
Declared draft dodger Clarence Cope did not appear when ordered to report for service by the Crown Point, IN draft board where he was registered.
Lake County (Munster IN) Times 31-Aug-1918, Page 5
Army privates Joe Ponder Mathews and Fred Woods of the 156th Infantry Companies A and G respectively, were captured during an unauthorized visit home and returned to Camp Beauregard.
Shreveport Times 27-Jan-1918, Page 3
It could not be determined if either completed their military service.
Sam Taylor, a suspected navy deserter, was arrested while working in the Pine Island oil field.
One A. Wolf (no first name given), said to be from Oil City, was judged a "dangerous and suspicious character" who "could not give a good account of himself" to Shreveport policemen. Add to that he was packing over $600 cash (nearly $12,000 today) and it was enough for his arrest, under suspicion of violating the Espionage Act. How his case played out is not known.
No comments:
Post a Comment