1. Robert Paul Prager was a German immigrant who was lynched in the United States during World War I due to growing anti-German sentiment.
22 Facts About Robert Prager
1. 2.
Robert Prager eventually settled in Collinsville, a hub for mining activity.
3.
Rumors circulated that Robert Prager held socialist beliefs, which were viewed with suspicion at the time.
4.
Robert Paul Prager was born on February 28,1888, in Dresden, Germany.
5.
Robert Prager emigrated to the United States in 1905 at the age of 17.
6.
Robert Prager registered for the draft and attempted to enlist in the US Navy, as aliens were promised citizenship upon successful military service.
7.
Robert Prager displayed an American flag from his window at all times.
8.
When his St Louis landlord objected to the display, Robert Prager reported him to the police.
9.
Robert Prager initially worked as a baker for an Italian named Lorenzo Bruno.
10.
Robert Prager was angered by his rejection from Local 1802 and the loss of his job.
11.
Robert Prager was instructed to remove his shoes; wrapped in the flag and barefoot, he was paraded along Main Street in Collinsville, passing numerous saloons where miners and other working men were drinking.
12.
Siegel argued that if Robert Prager were a German spy, federal investigators might uncover important information.
13.
The mob forced Robert Prager to walk west on Main Street and the St Louis Road, beating and harassing him along the way.
14.
Robert Prager was made to sing patriotic songs and kiss the flag.
15.
Robert Prager found a length of manila rope in one of the cars and announced that Prager should be hanged.
16.
Robert Prager was allowed to write a final note to his parents in Dresden, Germany:.
17.
Robert Prager was hanged in front of a mob of 100 to 200 people, mostly men, at around 12:30 am on April 5,1918.
18.
Robert Prager's death was initially investigated by Madison County Coroner Roy Lowe.
19.
Robert Prager provided a full account to a reporter from the St Louis Post-Dispatch.
20.
Robert Prager had not been charged with any crime when taken into custody.
21.
The judge refused to allow the defense counsel to attempt to demonstrate that Robert Prager had been disloyal.
22.
Robert Prager is buried at Saint Matthew Cemetery in the Bevo Mill neighborhood of St Louis.