What kinds of Documents were Preserved?

Specific to the case of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite farmer who was applying for a passport to look after business and family interests in Mexico in 1919, the following documents are found at Footnote.com.

·         10 Jan 1919 passport application from Peter J. Epp, Major County, Oklahoma to permit him to travel to Oaxaca, Mexico, indicating he “declare and affirm “ (solemnly swear was struck out) that he was born in South Russia on or about the 13th day of February 1865 and immigrated to the United States on board an unspecified ship from “Glasgow, England or Scotland” about May 1876 and lived 42 years in the United States, the last ten years in Homestead, Oklahoma, was naturalized as a US citizen in Marion County, Kansas at the District Court on 26 March 1892, that his occupation was farming, affirming that he would return to the US within six months of using the passport, that he needed it to look after timber land that he owned in Mexico, and that he intended to exist through the Port of Laredo, Texas by rail on or about 13 February 1919.  It was signed as affirmed.

·         10 Jan 1919 affidavit by G. H. McDonald, Hardware Dealer, Fairview Oklahoma as to Peter J Epp’s identity described him as 53 years old, 5’ 4” talk, having a broad forehead, hazel eyes, broad nose, medium mouth, medium chin, dark brown and grey hair, medium complexion and an oval face with beard and mustache.

·         5 Apr 1919 letter from the “Acting Chief” to J.F. Findlay, Oklahoma City, OK, requesting that Findlay “have a thorough investigation made to ascertain the advisability of granting” Peter J. Epp, Homestead, Oklahoma a passport.

·         5 Apr 1919 letter from the “Acting Chief” to R.W. Flourney, Division Chief of Passport Control, Department of State, returning the passport application.

·         Photograph of Peter J. Epp

·         Note from Department of State Division of Passport Control, Washington, DC indicating that the passport application was referred to the Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice “for its consideration”.

·         14 Mar 1919 letter from Peter J. Epp, Fairview Abstract Company, Fairview, Oklahoma to Secretary of State, Washington, DC is a cover letter for the passport application ”to go to Oaxaca Mexico for business purposes”, offering to limit his travel to Mexico City only.  It was accompanied by a $1.00 fee.

·         18-20 Apr 1919 report by FBI Agent M.K. Blount regarding Peter J. Epp’s passport request for Mexico

Visit tomorrow to read the transcription of the FBI investigative report by Blount

In Kinship and for the MHSA,

Judii