Showing 27 results

Transcript of Christophel's court martial proceedings for his refusal to rake and sow grass seed at Camp Zachary Tayler, Ky.  Christophel, a Mennonite conscientious objector, refused to do this work because it "was of a military nature."  He was sentenced to ten years hard labor at Fort Leavenworth.

Also included in this small set of papers are a biographical sketch written by Russell Kraybill (1984) and a collection of memories of Christophel provided by his family, friends, and students.

A transcribed, typewritten copy of a diary kept by Ammon Sala, a Mennonite conscientious objector who was conscripted for military service in World War I. Sala left for Camp Lee on October 4, 1917 and was not released until December 1918. Sala's diary entries are very brief, describing one or two daily activities.

The diary was transcribed by Mark Moyer. The original diary remains in the possession of Helen Lenda.

Photocopies of diaries documenting Ebersole's experiences as a conscientious objector during World War I.  Also includes scattered correspondence and a list of conscientious objectors at Camp Meade (Maryland).

98 case files on microfilm containing the transcripts of courts-martial of 131 conscientious objectors during World War I. The records originate from the National Archives' Record Group 153 (United States. Army, Office of the Judge Advocate General).  The name index to the microfilm in this finding aid is arranged alphabetically, as are the case files on microfilm.  Researchers should note that these case files contain two courts-martial in which multiple conscientious objectors were tried together.

Transcript of Elmer Leichty's court martial for refusing to accept work orders at Camp Zachary Taylor, Kentucky, during World War I.

A photocopy of the proceedings of a General Court Martial at Camp Dodge, Iowa in World War I.  The defendant, George S. Miller, was a Mennonite conscientious objector.  This is an incomplete copy that does not contain the judgment.  Testimony, however, is present.

Research files of a Mennonite historian who taught at Illinois State University.  These records are divided into two series:

(1) World War I Research, 1916-1989

(2) Dutch Mennonite Research, 1989-1995

A set of research materials assembled by Gordon Oyer to write an article on the history Civilian Public Service in Illinois, including CPS Camp #115, Subunit #30.  CPS volunteers at this camp were "guinea pigs" for medical experiments studying the physiological effects of heat and tropical conditions.  Camp #115 was a cooperative agency administered the Mennonites, Brethren, and Friends under the direction of the Office of Scientific Research and Development.  Subunit #30 was administered by Mennonite Central Committee.

Materials in this collection include the diaries of two CPS volunteer participants in these experiments:  Duane Hougham (Methodist) and George Nachtigall (Mennonite Brethren).  Nachtigall's diary is a photocopy of the original.  Also included are letters with CPS volunteers stationed in Illinois, clippings, and a copy of Oyer's article.

Papers of a Harold Wik, a Mennonite service worker who volunteered with Civilian Public Service, Mennonite Central Committee and missionary to China and Malaya (West Malaysia), and his son Philip Wik.  Documents include correspondence, photographs, two Wik family histories, and a Wik family anthology.  The family histories and anthologies integrate historical family documents or photocopies thereof into the text.

Papers pertaining to a Mennonite conscientious objector's experiences during World War I.  Includes correspondence, empemera pertaining to conscientious objection, a transcript of Sommers's court martial proceedings, a parole pass, photographs, and other miscellaneous items.  Also includes a brief two page biography of Sommers written by Myron Sommers in 1992.

This small set of papers focuses primarily on Weirich's Civilian Public Service (CPS) work building flood control structures in Iowa and serving as a smoke jumper. Materials include an album of photographs and documents, collected articles on smoke jumpers, and newsletters and ephemera from Camp 18 (Denison, Iowa) and Camp 103 (Missoula, Montana). Also included are 26 photographs of First Mennonite Church (Middlebury, Indiana) in the 1950s and 1960s. Subjects include members of the church's baseball team circa 1950.

These papers of an (old) Mennonite Church evangelist and pastor to religious conscientious objectors at Fort Leavenworth during World War I are divided into five series:

(1) Correspondence, 1900-1941

(2) Materials on Conscientious Objectors at Fort Leavenworth, 1918-1919

(3) Subject Files,circa 1900-1941

(4) Sermons and Articles, undated

(5) Miscellaneous Materials, circa 1900-1991

A printed letter sent to J. N. Mast of Fairview, Michigan, expressing anti-Mennonite and and anti-German sentiment during World War I.  The letter was written by W. F. McNeely, Chairman of the American Defense Society of Oscoda County.

Personal papers of an (old) Mennonite conscientious objector and founder of the Mennonite Young People's Conference who went on to teach history on the faculty of Goshen College and Western Reserve University. Materials are divided into five series:

(1) Correspondence

(2) Conscientious Objection and Young People's Conference Materials

(3) Autobiographical and Family Materials

(4) Class Notes and Academic Career Information

(5) Miscellaneous Materials and Photographs

The collection consists of a translation of Hutterite Jacob S. Waldner's World War I diary documenting his experience as a Conscientious Objector.