Unlawfully and knowingly a certain obscene and indecent postal card did deposit, and did cause to be deposited for mailing and delivery to Reverend H.B. Vennum, at Industry, Clay County, Kansas, on the back of which said postal card was written the words: “Rev. H.B. Vennum, Industry, Clay Co. Kans.”
. . . Which said obscene and indecent postal card was by the said J.B. Wise knowingly deposited and caused to be deposited in the post office of the United States at Clay Centre, Kansas, within said First Division of the District of Kansas, to be conveyed by mail, and by the use of said post office and its officers to said Reverend H.B. Vennum, at Industry, Clay County Kansas, and upon which said obscene and indecent card are the following obscene and indecent words writing and figures towith:
J. B. Wise Obscenity Case 1894
J. B. Wise of Kansas was arrested, imprisoned, convicted, and fined $50 for quoting graphic language from a Bible verse on the back of a postcard.
National Archives, Records of U.S. Courts of Appeals
