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- (Re: following stored from Freeport papers ... my father said Fred TerHark Sr lived in Florence Township, not Rock City. Fred's son, Jake TerHark, was just about to enter the army when the war ended. However, Tom TerHark lived in Rock City. His son, Fred TerHark served in the U.S. Army.))
from Freeport Bulletin, June 12, 1918, on microfilm at Freeport Library:
DENIAL MADE OF REPORTED DISLOYALTY FRED TERHARK, SR. CALLED BEFORE DISTRICT BOARD YESTERDAY
Denial was made before the members of the District Exemption Board yesterday afternoon by Fred TerHark, Sr., a farmer living near Rock City, concerning an alleged seditious remark made by him when his son, Fred Jr., was recently placed in class I. TerHark was reported to have said, "I hope the United States will get h___ licked out of it."
TerHark said such a remark had never been made by him and he was at a loss to know how such a story could be circulated. Robert J. Steward, a member of the Council of National Defense, was called before the board, and further denial was made. Further investigation is in the hands of Mr. Stewart. TerHark's son had been exempted 90 days because his father was ill with pneumonia. At the end of that time the son was placed in class I.
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from Freeport Journal Standard, June 12, 1918, on microfilm at Freeport Library:
ROCK RUN FARMER DENISE KNOCKING U.S. REPORTED TO HAVE SAID HE HOPED AMERICA WOULD "GET ___ KNOCKED OUT OF HER"
"I hope the United States gets hell licked out of it." The above remark is accredited to a well-known and prosperous farmer of Rock Run Township, Stephenson County, and the remark was the subject of a thorough investigation by the Fourth District Board at its special session here yesterday. The man who is alleged made the statement, with his son, was present and they both denied that such a remark was made. The names of several prominent Rock Run Township farmers were mentioned, it being alleged that the men heard the remark.
The accused was strong in his denial of the charge made against him, stating that he was a Hollander; that he was a resident of this country for the past 27 years and that the United States was "very, very good" to him and that he "made money here." He stated that if he was called upon to fight he would go and that he had no objection to his son going if he was permitted to remain with him until the crops were harvested. The case was finally turned over to the Council of National Defense for further action.
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from Freeport Bulletin, 6/15/1918, on microfilm at Freeport Library:
DID NOT SAY TO H___ WITH U.S. GOVERNMENT THOMAS TERHARK PATRIOTIC CITIZEN, 100 PERCENT LOYAL HAS BOUGHT LIBERTY BONDS AND AIDED IN OTHER WAR ACTIVITIES
"One hundred percent loyal and a patriotic American."
The foregoing briefly summarizes the result of the investigation of a remark alleged to have been made by Thomas TerHark of Rock Run Township when it was declared he had expressed the sentiment, "I hope the U.S. government gets the hell knocked out of it." Report of the alleged statement was made to federal authorities. Investigation was made yesterday with many of the neighbors being interrogated and at its close it was stated that there was no basis to the rumor that Mr. TerHark had made the remark.
Aids all War activities
Investigation was conducted by Ralph Ravenscroft, the federal department of justice, who was accompanied to the TerHark home by Robert J. Stewart of Freeport, a member of the council of national defense. Not only was denial made by TerHark that he had expressed such a thought but investigation among many neighbors who were supposed to be in possession of the fact disclosed that none had heard Mr. TerHark say anything of the kind or any remark which could have been construed as such. Instead of Mr. TerHark's being possessed of the thought that the United States ought to be whipped it was shown that he and his family are doing all that is possible for the United States and its allies. Mr. TerHark has taken his quota of liberty bonds and has subscribed to the war chest fund. He has aided in the Red Cross movement and the women members of his household have encouraged him in all of these activities.
Mr. TerHark's alleged remark is said to have been uttered when his son, Fred, was placed in class I.
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1863 - 1949 (86 jaar)
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