By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Ellis Police Chief Avery Smith posted on Facebook on Sunday that a sign marking the historical Ellis Trail in Ellis had been vandalized.
The sign is one of several in the area that mark the Ellis Trail, which honors the 35-mile route that early Nicodemus settlers walked to reach their settlement.
About 380 black settlers, most recently freed slaves, arrived from Kentucky at Ellis by rail in fall 1877.
The sign was dedicated in 2021.
Nicodemus is the only all-black settlement west of the Mississippi River remaining. It is home to a National Historic Site.
Smith said in his post, "The Ellis Police Department is seeking assistance from our community members to identify the person(s) responsible for damaging the Nicodemus sign at Memorial Park."
The timeframe for the damage to have occurred is unknown, but it is believed to be recent and deliberate, the post said.
You can message the police department anonymously by visiting the city’s website at https://ellis.ks.us/local/police-department/ and scrolling to the bottom of the page.
You can also message the police department on its Facebook page with any information. You can also submit tips by calling Ellis County Communications at 785-625-1011 and requesting to speak with an Ellis Police Department officer.
After about 90 comments on Facebook, Smith added, "We have ZERO indication that this was hate-related or targeted at a specific group of individuals, because we have not identified any suspects yet.
"Without interviewing a suspect, we cannot directly determine whether a bias motivated the damage. The damage appears to be DELIBERATE in nature, meaning that someone damaged the sign on purpose and not accidentally."
He added, "If there is a hate bias involved, the investigation will be appropriately conducted and referred to the appropriate charging authority. We strongly condemn hate speech and hate crimes, but also recognize and honor that free speech is a tenet of a free society.
"The Ellis Police Department remains steadfast in its commitment to Constitutional policing and respecting the rights of all Community Members that we have the honor of serving. Political scapegoating, on ANY side of the political spectrum, is not the answer to solving this case. You cannot have a community without UNITY."
Smith said Tuesday afternoon there were still no leads on the case.