America’s entry into World War I on April 2, 1917, was predicated partially on what was called the Zimmerman Telegram.

This communication, made between Germany and Mexico, proposed a military alliance between the two countries if the United States were to enter the war against Germany. Mexico, according to the telegram, would regain New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona in the deal. This outraged many Americans, and led to many stories of German spies traveling through the southwest to foment sympathy for the German side of the war. In turn, many people who spoke with a German-sounding accent were put under suspicion.

It didn’t take long for this outrage and suspicion to come to Riverside.

On the night of Wednesday, April 11, a John Simon was arrested at the Glenwood Mission Inn on suspicion of being a German spy.

Simon, who was renting two suites at the Inn, was in the company of a woman who was registered as his wife, his wife’s sister, a maid, and a chauffeur. Federal authorities had been tracking Simon up and down the Pacific coast, from one hotel to another. A resident of New York, Simon had been keeping in touch with his attorney in New York. Telegrams sent between the two men had led authorities to believe Simon was up to no good. Both Simon and his wife spoke broken English with a thick German accent.

Authorities believed Simon had papers in his safe in New York that would be of great value to the German government. Simon, who vehemently contested the charges and said repeatedly that he was a loyal American, voluntarily gave authorities the combination to his safe so they could examine the documents in question.

After surrendering the combination, Simon was released from custody. However, that did not happen right away. The federal agent who was to release him was in Hemet tracking down a second suspected German spy.

This person was George Stephens, who had raised suspicion because of his “tramping through Riverside County” with a backpack, a pistol and a shotgun.

Stephens admitted after a while that he was, in fact, a German national, but that he had been here in the U.S. for 11 years. He vehemently denied being a German spy. Despite all the hoopla surrounding his arrest, all that was found on Stephens’ person was several maps, the guns, and about $15 in coins wrapped in a blanket. Stephens was held a little while more because it was thought that he had taken part in a store burglary in Hemet.

Nothing else is mentioned about these two men. It seems as though in the hysteria of the times, they were victims of circumstances. Simon gave the combination to his safe and the documents were examined. Likewise, Stephens was simply backpacking through the area, and the contents of his pack did not indicate he was spying. That didn’t stop them from coming under suspicion, though.

If you have an idea for a future Back in the Day column about a local historic person, place or event, contact Steve Lech and Kim Jarrell Johnson at backinthedaype@gmail.com.