THE 1901 FORT WAYNE, INDIANA CITY ELECTION: A POLITICAL DIALOGUE OF ETHNIC TENSION Nancy Eileen Brown Submitted to the faculty of the University Graduate School in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in the Department of History, Indiana University May 2013 Accepted by the Faculty of Indiana University, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts. ____________________________ Marianne S. Wokeck Ph.D., Chair ____________________________ Elizabeth Brand Monroe Ph.D., J.D. Master’s Thesis Committee ____________________________ Michael David Snodgrass Ph.D. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This thesis represents the culmination of my journey back to school that began with a summer class as a non-degree student. Dr. Kevin Cramer’s captivating lectures and Dr. Danielle Kostroun’s engaging class discussions persuaded me to extend my path. Once committed to the journey, several people guided me along the way. Conversations with Dr. Elizabeth Brand Monroe filled with encouragement and witticism lightened the stress of “school.” With her support, I walked the scenic path to learn more about teaching and the profession of history. Her diligent attention to my “well-travelled” thesis improved the final version. Thesis committee member Dr. Michael Snodgrass’ comments and questions helped me recognize where my thesis had gone astray. My weekly meetings with thesis chair Dr. Marianne Wokeck broadened the road. Our discussions on educational theory, historical methodology and technology as well as my thesis kept the experience from becoming a tunnel of solitary research and writing. Dr. Wokeck’s intellectual curiosity demonstrates the type of excitement about learning that drew me back to school and I hope to pass along to my future students someday. Along the way, I meet many interesting people, both peers and faculty members. As Dr. Rebecca Shrum’s research assistant and mentee, I caught a glimpse of the trail beyond the horizon of the Master’s program. My husband and children walked along my side. Without their love and support, the journey would not have begun and certainly not have been completed. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................. vi LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................... vii INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 1 Primary Source: Newspapers .......................................................................................... 6 Methodology ................................................................................................................... 8 CHAPTER ONE: History of German Americans in Indiana and Fort Wayne ................. 12 American Perceptions of Germany and German Americans ........................................ 25 CHAPTER TWO: Election Voices ................................................................................... 29 The Fort Wayne Newspapers ........................................................................................ 31 History ....................................................................................................................... 31 Evidence of Partisanship ........................................................................................... 35 The Candidates: Biography and Ethnicity .................................................................... 38 German Language Papers .............................................................................................. 48 CHAPTER THREE: Campaign Dialogue ........................................................................ 54 Germany on the Editorial Page ..................................................................................... 54 Patriotism and Citizenship ............................................................................................ 57 Local Campaign Issues .................................................................................................. 63 Home Rule ................................................................................................................. 64 The Ring/Machine ......................................................................................................... 73 Name Calling ................................................................................................................. 80 Summary ....................................................................................................................... 88 CHAPTER FOUR: Germany in Fort Wayne Newspapers ............................................... 91 iv Germany in China ......................................................................................................... 94 Germany in China: Negative Articles ....................................................................... 97 Germany in China: Apologist Articles .................................................................... 103 Germany in China: Neutral Articles ........................................................................ 105 Germany in China: Positive Articles ....................................................................... 108 Germany in China: Different Views ........................................................................ 109 Germany in China: Summary .................................................................................. 112 Kaiser Wilhelm ........................................................................................................... 114 Kaiser: Negative Articles......................................................................................... 116 Kaiser: Different Negative Views ........................................................................... 120 Kaiser: Neutral Articles ........................................................................................... 121 Kaiser: Different Views and Positive Articles ........................................................ 121 Kaiser: Apologist Articles ....................................................................................... 122 Kaiser: Summary ..................................................................................................... 123 Summary ..................................................................................................................... 124 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................... 126 BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................................................................................... 133 CURRICULUM VITAE v LIST OF TABLES Table 1. 1870 Census Population Comparison ................................................................. 21 Table 2. 1900 Census Population Comparison ................................................................. 23 Table 3. Germany: Tone Rating Count by Newspaper ..................................................... 93 Table 4. Germany in China: Tone Rating Count by Newspaper ...................................... 94 Table 5. Kaiser: Tone Rating Count by Newspaper ....................................................... 114 vi LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Map of Indiana .................................................................................................. 12 Figure 2. The Editors ........................................................................................................ 31 Figure 3. The 1901 Candidates for Mayor ........................................................................ 38 Figure 4. Republican Charles S. Bash .............................................................................. 46 Figure 5. Germany: Tone Rating Percentages .................................................................. 93 Figure 6. Germany in China: Tone Rating Percentages ................................................... 95 Figure 7. Map of Legation Quarters ................................................................................. 96 Figure 8. "Too Many Fingers in the Pie" ........................................................................ 101 Figure 9. "The Collectors" .............................................................................................. 103 Figure 10. Kaiser: Tone Rating Percentages................................................................... 115 Figure 11. Talk of German Regency ............................................................................... 117 vii INTRODUCTION On June 15, 1901, the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana, prepared for the arrival of over three thousand visitors from across Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Kentucky coming to participate in the biennial District Turnfest or “bezirks.” The decorating committee lined the streets with red, gold and black bunting to represent the Turner colors and merchants attached oak boughs to their doors to symbolize Germany’s emblem. Police Lieutenant Henry Lapp, one of Fort Wayne’s oldest Turners, led the opening parade through the city followed by Shober’s First Regiment Band and the teams of Turners wearing their gray uniforms and bearing torches. The reception after the parade included performances by Shober’s Band and a combined choir of Fort Wayne’s singing societies, Concordia, Gruetli, Eintracht and Vorwaerts. The next day, an estimated 13,000 people, “the local