Fined $25 for Teaching German

The case of the State of Iowa vs. Rev. August Bartels of Maxfield township, a friendly suit brought to test the vitality of the law which forbids the teaching of the German language in Iowa, has been watched with a great deal of interest by the people of the whole state.

In the justice court, Rev. Bartels was fined $25, an appeal to the district court was taken. The case on appeal was tried before Judge Edwards several weeks ago and last week he sustained the verdict of the justice court. The case will now go to the state supreme court, and regardless of the verdict there the state or defendant will appeal to the United States Supreme Court, for the purpose of having the matter definitely settled. The following special [statement] sent out from Waverly under the date of March 5, covers the case up to this time.

The Rev. August Bartels will have to pay a fine of $25 for teaching German to children in the German Lutheran parochial school of Maxfield township. That is, he will unless the Iowa supreme court or the United States supreme court sets aside the law prohibiting it. Judge Edwards of the district court has sustained the law, but Rev. Bartels says that the Iowa synod of the German Lutheran church will back him in appealing to the highest court.

Rev. Bartels was fined in Justice Kingsley’ court and he appealed to the district court. The case was tried before Judge Edwards in January. The judge took it under advisement and handed down his decision today.

Tripoli Leader 11 Mar 1920
Contributed by Karlyn Armstrong
April 2009