2017 Summer Newsletter

Vern Kesser Story - US Army Prisoner #15876

I n August 1918 Verne Kessler was formally drafted into the U S Army. He was married with no children and was working as a farmer and laborer in Pratt County in the small community of Sawyer, Kansas. He was a member of the Sandcreek District of the Church of the Brethren(Old German Baptist known as “Dunkards”.) He regis tered for the military as was required of all young men. Upon his exam by the Pratt County Draft Board members, he was de termined to be eligible for service. He was asked to report to FT. Riley Kansas at Junction City. He being a “C O”, conscientious ob jector, could not in his heart fight or train for military purposes. He was segregated from other inductees and placed in a barrack with others of similar beliefs---other Brethren, Amish, Menno nites, Quakers. These were historically recognized as being op posed to all forms of warfare. Most “C O”s were looked upon with great contempt, more so than criminals. But he knew his rights under the Constitution and knew the President’s order for the draft to meet the needs of the military. Many “C O”s were de ferred to serve on farms, hospitals or in other non-combat rolls, but that took time to arrange. While waiting they were asked to submit to Army rules. Upon being given an order to drill and put on a uniform, he refused. He was cursed and then ordered to clean the company toilets---he did not refuse that task. He was considered an abnormality and placed in a tent colony. He was assigned KP duty while waiting for interrogation to determine his

Vern Kesslor- 18 Years About 1910

sincerity and the possibility of a farm furlough. His military officers made efforts to encourage his acceptance of military service and promised better treatment if he served. When not doing KP, Verne helped clean up the camp grounds, which he accepted. On September 27, 1918, he was ordered to clean up the parade grounds, which was acceptable to him but was told he would also put on a uniform and do parade exercises. He said he could not do that. He was placed in the guard house. The commanders determined since he and others like him refused their orders, they would face a military court martial. The guard house became his temporary home. The guard house was infested with bed bugs, lacked adequate heat and food was limited. One “C O”, John Wolfe, another Brethren died while confined. In December Verne was taken for mili tary trial at Camp Funston, there he was found guilty of disobeying a lawful order. In the trial he said “he did not willfully disobey the order, but obeyed the will of my Father, which art in Heaven”., He said he would do all that was expected of him to do in his duties in sanitary work or yard work but could not wear a uniform or take training. The commander said “ you will do whatever you are told to do.” Verne said he did not feel guilty for in his eyes he committed no crime, “my conscience is clear toward God”. He was convicted, the penalty would be 25 years of hard labor. He was sent to Fort Leavenworth Kansas to the military prison. On December 30 he began life as a convicted prisoner serving with other criminals who had broken military rules or laws. While in Leavenworth he did KP duty, worked at the dairy farms and prison yards or other duties assigned. He did not reject the work and much preferred that to being alone in his cell. In June of 1919, with the War over, he was granted clemency and was released to go home to Sawyer and rejoin his wife and family. His ordeal had passed.

The information was obtained from his personal accounts he wrote in later life.

He was my great Uncle. Larry Lybarger.

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