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Hist. Mss. 1-910
Wayne L. Fisher
Clippings on Amish, 1882, 1937-1993 (Bulk, 1948-74)
2 Boxes (Long Gray)

Scope and Content

Wayne L. Fisher is a reformation historian who started collecting newspaper articles on the Amish culture and faith in the 1950s. Fisher particularly focused on the Amish conflicts with the legal system. He also became acquainted with Melvin Gingerich, of the Historical Committee of the Mennonite Church, during the 1960s, and sent clippings on the Amish to the Archives. These are in the Clipping File, Hist. Mss. 3-1. A comparison of this clipping file with Fisher's collection would provide one with a more complete set. As a member of the National Committee for Amish Religious Freedom, Fisher also furnished information to attorneys in preparation for cases regarding Amish society and beliefs.

Fisher wrote a book about his extensive research entitled The Amish in Court. It was published in by Vantage Press, Inc., New York, New York, 1996, 200 pages. It includes a general introduction to the Amish, and a chapter on their views on education. The next four chapters cover the school cases in Ohio, Iowa, Pennsylvania and Michigan, and then there is one chapter on Social Security, and one on the Hochstetler case in Indiana. In the last chapter, Fisher reflects on the Amish as an unchanging people in a changing world. The book includes endnotes, a bibliography of books and magazine articles, and a detailed index.

This collection includes original newspaper clippings as well as copies. While most come from newspapers, some are from magazines. Also included are the court cases themselves, as well as some booklets on the Amish.

Administrative Information

These papers were deposited into the Archives by Wayne L. Fisher, Houston, Texas, in 1996. Updated by Dennis Stoesz August 22, 1996.

Inventory Listing

Box 1 (Long Gray)

These files have been organized both by state and by topic. Includes some references to Mennonites and Old Order Mennonites as well.

1/1 Amish in Court, by Wayne L. Fisher, 1996

1/2 Arkansas, 1966

1/3 Buggy Accidents, 1954-91

1/4 Canada - Ontario, 1966

1/5 Central America, 1970-71

1/6 Delaware, 1966

1/7 Education - General, 1972-73

1/8 Education - Amish, 1967 Conference

    Materials on the University of Chicago Conference on Amish Education, March             28-29, 1967

1/9 Indiana, 1882, 1937-59

1/10 Iowa, 1963-67

1/11 Kansas, 1966-68

1/12 Kentucky, 1967

1/13 Maryland, 1965-67

1/14 Michigan, 1955-66

1/15 Military Resistance, 1953-54

1/16 Minnesota, 1988-89

1/17 Missouri, 1967

1/18 National Committee for Amish Religious Liberty, 1967

Box 2 (Long Gray)

2/1 Ohio, 1958-93

2/2 Ohio - State vs. Glick, 1958-65

2/3 Ohio - State vs. Hershberger, et. al., 1957-59

2/4 Pennsylvania, 1937-92

2/5 Social Security, 1953-67

2/6 Social Security - Valentine Y. Byler, 1958-65

2/7 Texas, 1990-92

    Includes Mennonite Relief Sale, Houston, Texas, 1990-91

2/8 Virginia - Old Order Mennonites, 1970

2/9 Wisconsin, 1968-74

Name and Subject Tracings

Amish
Fisher, Wayne L.
Old Order Mennonites


February 13, 2004 / Posted on web by Rebecca Allen
December 9, 2003 / Updated by Helen Hostetler

File: "HM1-910.doc"

Mennonite Church USA Archives-Goshen, 1700 S Main St., Goshen, Indiana 46526

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