"ONE COUNTRY, ONE LANGUAGE, ONE SCHOOL & ONE FLAG"

25,000 KLANMEN PARADE DOWN PENNSYLVANIA AVE. AS 100,000 WITNESSES WATCH

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On August 8, 1925, the Invisible Empire became visible to 100,000 witnesses as an estimated 25,000 mystic Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, "in all their colorful regalia," marched down Pennsylvania Avenue "in...their greatest national demonstration and public show of strength."

To top it off, the marchers were unmasked.

After four hours of marching from the foot of the United States Capitol Building to the Washington Monument, the Klansmen joined together  to pledge allegiance to the principles of...

"one country, one language, one school and one flag."

On a positive note, the Star reports the parade as "one of the most orderly...of its size ever held" in the Nation's Capital.

JFK+50 NOTE

The KKK parade in Washington, D.C. was held on Saturday, August 8, 1925 but reported in The Sunday Star August 9, 1925.

SOURCE

"Klan Lifts Mystery Veil In Spectacular Parade By Robed Army of 25,000," The Sunday Star, Washington, D.C., August 9, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

KKK Parade

Washington, D.C.

September 13 1926

Library of Congress Photo

"STEPHENSON CHARGED WITH MURDER OF WOMAN, 28 YEARS OLD"

KKK GRAND DRAGON ARRESTED ON FIRST DEGREE MURDER CHARGE

Indianapolis, Indiana (JFK+50) On April 20, 1925, Associated Press reports a former grand dragon of the Ku Klux Klan, D.C. Stephenson*, was arrested today on the charge of first-degree murder.

An indictment was handed down last Saturday by the Marion County grand jury charging Mr. Stephenson with the murder of Miss Madge Oberholtzer, 28 years old, of Indianapolis.

Two other men were also taken into custody and indicted along with Stephenson in the crime.

Bail will not be allowed the three men.

JFK+50 NOTE

After release from prison, DCS lived in Jonesborough, Tennessee & was hospitalized with the VA in Johnson City.  This is rather disconcerting because my daughter got her undergraduate degree at ETSU in Johnson City & served as Miss Historic Jonesborough in 2011.

*David Curtis "Steve" Stephenson (1891-1966) was born in Houston, Texas & became grand dragon of the Indiana KKK.  DCS was tried & convicted for the abduction, rape & murder of a state education official in 1925.  The case brought the end of a 2nd wave of KKK activities in the 192os.

SOURCE

"Stephenson Arrested On Charge Of Murder," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., April 20, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

David C. Stephenson Gravemarker

USVA Mt Home National Cemetery

Johnson City, TN

by Bee Cliff River Slob (2012)

"HAS WITHIN OWN BODY SEEDS OF DEATH"

LA FOLLETTE ANNOUNCES OPPOSITION TO KLAN

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On August 8,  1924, third party independent candidate for POTUS, Senator Robert M. 'Bob' La Follette announced his opposition to the Ku Klux Klan.

Senator La Follette said...

"I hold that every citizen is entitled to the full exercise of his constitutional rights."

In his view, the KKK "has within its own body the seeds of death."

SOURCE

"LaFollette Berates Klan," by H.K. Reynolds, The Washington Times, August 8, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Robert M. La Follette's 1st Radio Campaign Speech

September 1 1924

Library of Congress

"PROLONGED DEMONSTRATION FOLLOWS UNDERWOOD'S STAND"

DEMOCRATS BEGIN CONVENTION IN CHAOS OVER KLAN ISSUE

New York City (JFK+50) On June 25, 1924, Associated Press reports the National Democratic Convention meeting here in New York City "began its grapple with...two great issues, the nomination of a presidential candidate and determination of the party's attitude toward the Ku Klux Klan."

The hall was "thrown into chaos by a prolonged demonstration" following Senator Oscar W. Underwood*'s stand against the Klan.

*Oscar W. Underwood (1862-1929) was born in Louisville, Kentucky & educated at the University of Virginia.  OWU served in the US House of Representatives (D-Alabama) 1895-1915 & US Senate 1915-1927.

SOURCE

"Klan Issue Throws Convention Into Chaos; Nominations Open; McADoo's Position Is Weakened," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., June 25, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Senator Oscar W. Underwood

D-Alabama

Bain News Service

Library of Congress

"SWEEPING DRIVE AGAINST BOOTLEGGERS, GAMBLERS...."

SECRET INVASION OF KLAN RESULTS IN A FILLED TO CAPACITY COUNTY JAIL

Mt. Clemens*, Michigan (JFK+50) On January 14, 1924, the Associated Press reports "the Macomb County jail today was filled to capacity as the result of a sweeping drive against alleged bootleggers, gamblers and keepers of disorderly houses following...a secret invasion of the county by agents of the Ku Klux Klan."

City and state police reportedly were bringing prisoners to the jail while the Klansmen gathered at the First Presbyterian Church, holding ceremonies including the burning of a cross.

*Mt. Clemens is the seat of government of Macomb County, Michigan.  The discovery of mineral waters in the 1870s made the city famous as a health spa.  The city had 23 major hotels at one time.  MC was also once known as "The Rose Capital of the United States."

SOURCES

"Mount Clemens, Brief History of Mount Clemens, www.mountclemens.gov/

"Raids Laid To Klan Fill County's Jail," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., January 14, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Large Letter Postcard

Steve Shook Collection

www.flickr.com/

"UNSAFE FOR ANY MAN TO LIVE IN OKLAHOMA"

OKLAHOMA GOVERNOR TO MOBILIZE MORE GUARD UNITS AGAINST KLAN

Oklahoma City (JFK+50) On September 23, 1923, The Evening Star reports additional units of the Oklahoma National Guard will be mobilized soon by Governor J.C. Walton* in response to Ku Klux Klan infiltration into the state.

The Star quotes the Governor as saying the "invisible empire" is financed with money coming from their headquarters in Atlanta and "subsidized (by) several Oklahoma (news) papers."

Gov. Walton is requesting $100,000 from the state legislature to enforce martial law in "several other counties."

The Governor said...

"If I am whipped in this fight, it will be an unsafe state for any man to live in who is anti-klansman."

*John "Jack" Calloway Walton (1881-1949) was born in Indianapolis, Indiana & grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska.  JCW served in the Spanish-American War & as mayor of Oklahoma City 1919-1923.  He served the shortest term of any governor of Oklahoma (10 months, 1923) & was the 1st governor of the state to be removed from office.

SOURCES

"Grip of Military To Be Extended By Governor Wallace," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., September 23, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

"John C. Walton," City Clerk, www.okc.gov/

 

 

 

Jack Walton

Oklahoma Department of Libraries

"CHARGED WITH UNDUE FAMILIARITY WITH WIVES"

VIOLIN TEACHER INCURS DISPLEASURE OF KKK

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On May 19, 1923, Richard Paul Otello, a violin teacher in Hyattsville, Maryland arrived here in the Nation's Capital just ahead of a visit from members of the Ku Klux Klan*.

The Washington Times reports Mr. Otello came to Washington seeking the protection of Federal authorities.  He received a letter written on official KKK stationery May 10th indicating "he had incurred the displeasure of" the Invisible Empire.  Since the envelope bore a Washington, D.C. postmark, Mr. Otello hoped the Feds would investigate.

The letter charged Otello with "undue familiarity with the wives of residents of Hyattsville."

*Ku Klux Klan, a.k.a. KKK, Invisible Empire was founded in 1864 in Pulaski, TN, a white supremacist terrorist organization targeting African Americans.  The "1st Klan" ended in 1872 but a "2nd Klan" emerged in 1915 sporting as many as 6 million members.

SOURCE

"Teacher Is Warned By Klan," The Washington Times, May 19, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Ku Klux Number

Judge Magazine

August 16 1924

 

"WASHINGTON, D.C. KLAVERN THE MOST DISTINGUISHED"

LOCAL KLEAGLE SAYS 14 U.S. SENATORS & HIGH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE KKK MEMBERS

Springfield, Massachusetts (JFK+50) On October 28, 1922, it was announced by local Kleagle* C.V. Lewis that fourteen United States Senators and high government officials are members of the KKK.**

Mr. Lewis states these men "help to make the Washington Klavern*** the most distinguished in the country."

The New York Tribune reports membership in the "Invisible Empire" has tripled since its founding.

*Kleagle is an officer of the KKK whose main role is to recruit new members.

**The Ku Klux Klan is the oldest & most infamous of American hate groups.  Traditionally targeting African-Americans, the group also targets Jews, immigrants & members of the LGBTQ community. 

***klavern is a local branch of the KKK &/or a meeting place of the Klan.

SOURCES

"Ku Klux Klan," SPLC, Southern Poverty Law Center, www.splcenter,org/

"14 of U.S. Officials Declared Klan Members," The New York Tribune, October 29, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

King Kleagle

www.flickr.com

"WHITE ROBES, HOODS, MASKS & LARGE ILLUMINATED CROSS"

KKK ANNOUNCES 'INVASION OF NEW ENGLAND' EXTENDS TO EVERY STATE

Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) On October 4, 1922, the announcement was made at the first public assembly of the Ku Klux Klan here in Boston that the organization's "invasion of New England has been extended to every state."

The Evening Star reports Dr. William Mahoney of Augusta, Georgia, a 32nd degree mason and Baptist preacher, was a speaker at the event which was attended by virtually 100% non-residents of Boston.

Dr. Mahoney, known as the supreme lecturer of the KKK, discussed the aims and principles of the organization.

The Star writes...

"The meeting was marked by the usual Klan features of white robes, hoods and masks, and a large illuminated cross."

SOURCES

"Klan In New England," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., October 4, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

"The Ku Klux Klan Holds Meeting In North Cambridge, Tuesday Night," The Cambridge Chronicle, October 7, 1922, Cambridge Public Library, www.cambridge.diconsulting.com/

 

 

KKK Exhibit

National Civil Rights Museum

Memphis, Tennessee

Photo by Adam Jones (2012)

www.flickr.com/

"3000 PROSPECTS MARCHED TO THE FLAMING CROSS"

50,000 KLANSMEN HOLD INITIATION RALLY IN PLAINFIELD

Chicago, Illinois (JFK+50) On June 3, 1922, the Ku Klux Klan* held an initiation rally at Fraser's Woods.  The rally, attended by about 50,000 Klansmen, was held in the pasture of a 70 acre farm in Plainfield**.

8000 automobiles bearing license plates from Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa "streamed into town."

Ceremonies began at Midnight with the lighting of a cross.  Bugles sounded and 3000 prospective KKK members "marched to the flaming cross."

The initiation ceremonies continued until dawn.

Michael Lambert writes that the Klan gathering was a result of the convergence of "evolving moral ideologies, establishment of a local Catholic parish, and development of the Lincoln Highway..."

*Ku Klux Klan (KKK) American white supremacist group. First Klan (1865-1872-post Civil War, Reconstruction), Second Klan (1915-1944; peak year 1925, 3 to 6 million members, pro-Prohibition, pro-compulsory public education, opposed Jews & Catholics).

**Plainfield, Illinois is a village located in Will & Kendall Counties. 

SOURCES

"Lambert:  The REAL Story about Plainfield's Ku Klux Klan History," by Michael Lambert, Community Corner, May 2, 2012, www.patch.com/

 "The Night The Klan Gathered in Plainfield," by Ken O'Brien, The Chicago Tribune, June 25, 1995, www.chicagotribune.com/

 

 

KKK Rally Near Chicago

1920s

Underwood & Underwood Photo

Library of Congress

"WARNING! UNDESIRABLES...WE ARE AFTER YOU!"

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM KKK

Columbus, Georgia (JFK+50) On Christmas evening, December 25, 1920, "white-robed figures paraded some of the streets" here in Columbus "scattering warning circulars to the loafers and undesirable class of citizens."

The circulars read...

"Warning! Undesirables, both white and black, we are after you.  We know you--take warning--this loafing, thieving and prowling around has to stop. Ku Klux*."

*Ku Klux Klan (KKK) originated in Tennessee during Reconstruction, experienced a re-birth in 1915 which peaked in 1924-25, and exists today in small numbers.  KKK is a white supremacist hate group which has historically targeted African-Americans.

JFK+50 Note:

This information was reported in a front page column of The Evening Star of Washington, D.C. on December 26, 1920. 

SOURCE

"Terror-Stricken Negroes Flee As Ku Klux Prowls," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., December 26, 1920, Chronicling America, The Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

KKK Parade

Northern Virginia (1922)

National Photo Company Collection

Library of Congress Image