"Ken McCutchan is a life-long resident of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, descended from pioneer families that entered the area in the early 1800s. He is veteran of WWII, having served with Army Corps of Engineers in both North Africa and Europe. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Composition and Modern Language from the University of Evansville, a certificate in French Language and Culture from the Sorbonne in Paris, and an Honorary Doctor of Letters Degree from the University of Southern Indiana. His other books include: The Adventures of Isaac Knight, From then Til Now, Saundersville, An English Settlement, At The Bend in the River, and Dearest Lizzie. Mr. McCutchan's books may be purchased at Willard Library in Evansville, IN.

No Symapthy for "Bill Kaiser"   

by Kenneth P. McCutchan

On the site of the present Bethlehem United Church of Christ in Oak Hill Road there once stood a little red brick chapel known as the Hookerville German Methodist Church.

The congregation was made up almost entirely of German farmers from the neighborhood whose families had come to America in the mid-1800s. Many of the old folks still spoke the German language, with little knowledge of English, so the services were held in German.

By 1906 the membership had dwindled until the time came for the building to be sold to and Evangelical congregation.

Then came World War I when a hysterical wave a anti-German sentiment swept the country.

Anyone who spoke in German was suspected in being in sympathy with “Kaiser Bill”. This was very hard on the poor old folks who couldn’t speak English.

The teaching of German in the public schools was discontinued, and publication of The Demokrat, Evansville’s leading German newspaper, was abruptly suspended.

Young and old threw themselves wholeheartedly into the war effort and no one wanted to risk being called a ‘slacker’. The famous slogan, “Food Will Win the War,” was posted everywhere.

Not only were wheatless and meatless days observed, but there were also lightless nights and coal-free Mondays.

A giant Liberty Loan Drive was begun and volunteers went from house to house selling the bonds.

When the solicitors called on the Rev. George Sieveking of the Hookerville Evangelical Church, he refused to buy a bond.

This was immediately reported to the authorities. Since the preacher was found to have never taken citizenship in the United States, he was promptly arrested as pro-German and sent to an interment camp.

This was a great embarrassment to the congregation who immediately, to show their loyalty, planned a giant patriotic rally and flag raising on the church lawn.

So one Sunday afternoon in the autumn of 1917 a great crowd there ro hear rousing speeches and sing patriotic songs and pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States.

A new pastor was hired and German was never spoken there again.

Five years after the was the little chapel was torn down and a new church built on the site.