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Hutterites inAlcatraz—As told by Dora MaendelIn 1874 when a delegation ofHutterite ministers from Russiainquired about immigrating tothe United States. They were permitted an audiencewith the president. They told him they were ofGerman-Austrian background, God-fearing, hardworking,law-abiding farmers who practicedChristian Community of goods—an asset to anycountry, asking only to be permitted to quietly livetheir faith of peaceable, brotherly love.As such, President Grant responded, DakotaTerritory was exquisitely suited to their needs andthe government would be delighted to have themsettle there. They explained that their religion alsoincluded unequivocal opposition to swearing anoath, as well as any form of violence. Could hegrant them official exemption from militaryservice?It was his turn to explain. He might be president ofthe United States, he said, but it was not in hispower to grant anyone exemption from militaryservice— that was a matter for Congress —a verylengthy process. History suggested, however, thatwhen a country was engaged in war, it took aboutfifty years before it became involved in another,and since the US had just concluded a very bloodycivil war nine years earlier, they could be reasonablyconfident that there would be several decadesof peace. On that basis they were welcome tosettle in his country.As it turned out, the president was almost right,and the Hutterites spent the next forty years, establishinga number of colonies. Then World War Ihappened.Overnight they became enemy aliens, regarded withsuspicion by their neighbours because of their firmrefusal to participate in the war effort; and theiruse of the German language lent credence to therumours that they secretly supported Germany. Inone instance, colony livestock was stolen and soldand the money given to various organizationsinvolved in supporting the war effort. The RedCross returned its share of the money, when theyheard that it had been illegally obtained.In 1917, Congress passed a Conscription Act: Allmen between the ages of 21 and 31 were toregister. With no Conscientious Objector Programin place, different groups responded to the call forconscription in different ways. The Hutterites wereadvised that when the letters of conscriptionarrived, the young men in question should comply,that is, go to the designated military camp andappeal to the commander there for permission todo domestic kinds work.When four young men from the Rockport Colonyreceived their letters in the spring of 1917, thebrotherhood agreed that they should go: Michael,Joseph and David Hofer and Jacob Wipf, theirbrother-in-law.Joseph’s wife wept when he told her. “It’s frightening,”he agreed, but we have to trust God,” hetried to comfort her. “Remember yesterday’ssermon about how God always finds a way to lookafter those who walk in His ways.”“I wish my faith were stronger.”“David is one of the examples mentioned—fleeingfor his life from King Saul. “I’ll be alone with thechildren—not knowing when you’ll be back.Another example is Die Kinder Israel in the desertanother—think of the many miraculous ways theyexperienced God’s goodness and protection.”“I had a terrible dream last night, a nightmare.”she says sadly. “Gophers were eating your toes!”“You know we can’t always rely on dreams.Probably, it has something to do with the prairiedogs we saw when we walked by the garden yesterdayevening.”“Yes. I know you’re right, but it’s such beautifulspring weather. And you’re leaving for an out-ofstatemilitary camp—Fort Lewis, Washington! Ican’t help worrying!”Next day, the whole community gathers for a tearful,heartrending farewell. Then the four are drivento Mitchell, South Dakota where they board thetroop train. It’s noisy and crowded. Soon, theothers notice them and start taunting. “Hey, youblack-bearded idiot!” someone says to David. “Youknow beards aren’t allowed in the military!”“We’re Hutterites.” Jacob tries to answer calmly.“In our communities, married men wear beards.It’s a biblical sign of simplicity.”“Simplicity, my foot! You’re just cowards!”45