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Klan in Cowley County, Kansas 1877 to 1922
[SHOOTING AT CEDAR VALE: PETERSON SHOOTS BYBEE.]
TRAVELER, MAY 30, 1877.
On Thursday evening of last week occurred a terrible shooting affray at this place.
It was but another scene in the Peterson and Bybee tragedy. For some time there has been a series of quarrels and troubles between parties known as Hell's Benders. At the March term of court, Bybee was acquitted of committing an assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill Peterson. Since then both parties have gone armed and prepared for each other. Peterson has received several letters saying he must leave the county or he would be killed; but having a family to support, he thought best to remain and act on the defense.
During the day Bybee had threatened to kill Peterson, saying he was a Ku Klux from Hell's Bend and would carry it out.
About 7 o'clock p.m., both parties met in front of the law office of Albright & Hill, when words passed about shooting it out, etc. Bybee drew a revolver and fired, grazing the side of Peterson. Almost simultaneously Peterson fired, using a needle gun, the ball striking the upper lip, knocking out several teeth, striking the tongue, and passing out at the right jaw of Bybee.
Peterson immediately went to his house, where he remained until he was arrested a few minutes later by Deputy Sheriff, J. A.
Johnson.
We advise our readers to withhold their verdict till they hear the testimony. Cedar Vale Blade.
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[MORE PERSONALS: TRAVELER, SEPTEMBER 14, 1881.]
W. N. Hubbell has been authorized by the local stock men to offer a reward of one hundred dollars for the apprehension of the party or parties who set the prairie on fire in the Indian Territory about six miles southeast of Caldwell on the night of August 30th, and also on Thursday last. Evidently the fire was started by someone intent on destroying the range in a certain locality; and we can see no reason for such dastardly work, unless it is to keep Territory cattle from water in Bluff creek near the State line. If the fire was set out by anyone holding cattle along the line for the purpose of keeping Territory cattle from encroaching on the range, it shows a low, contemptible, disposition, and one that will land him in the pen before many years, if he does not die with his boots on. A man, or thing that would do such a deed, would steal, and should be branded on the forehead with a curry comb brand. It will not be healthy for anyone caught by the stock men of these parts setting out fire in the Territory. Caldwell Post.
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An execution was issued last month by the U. S. District Court at Fort Smith, Arkansas, against Oklahoma Payne, et al., for the collection of the $1,000 fine assessment against them last winter.
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The color line came promptly to the front last week at the Brettun House in Winfield. Mr. P. H. Andrews (colored) was sent as a delegate from Bolton township to the Convention, and, when with his delegation, he went to the Brettun House for dinner, the proprietor informed him he could not take dinner in the dining room but must go to the kitchen. Considerable feeling was manifested for awhile, but Mr. Andrews, with several friends, retired to seek more hospitable quarters. So far, Messrs. Harter & Black are following the example of Judge Hilton in this questionably exclusive proceeding.
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[MORE PERSONALS: TRAVELER, DECEMBER 7, 1881.]
The "color" question figured prominently in the Caldwell schools recently, the teacher stating that "if he was required to teach niggers, he would quit the school." Upon being informed his resignation would be accepted, he cooled somewhat, and now teaches whatever pupils are sent to him.
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[MORE PERSONALS: TRAVELER, JANUARY 11, 1882.]
Mayor Burress, of Caldwell, has received warning to resign as follows:
Dec. 29th, 1881, Caldwell, Ks.
Case Burress:
We think that you had better take a tumble to yourself, if we let you go on you will imagine that you are a King. Our advice to you would be for you to resign from office. We will give you 24 hours to either remove those last ordinances No. 14, No. 15, No. 16, or resign your office. If within 24 hours, you have not complied with either, we will find some mode to remove you that won't be very satisfactory to your hide.
From the K. K. K. Committee.
The Caldwell Commercial says "Hell would be a cool place alongside of Caldwell for the writer if he was known.
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[MORE PERSONALS: TRAVELER, MARCH 29, 1882.]
We are informed that several parties have been summoned before the Grand Jury of the State in reference to the matter of Mr. P. B. Andrews, a colored delegate to the Republican Nominating Convention, from Bolton township, being refused a seat in the dining room of the Brettun House at Winfield.
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[G. A. R. GIVES K. K. NOTICE - ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT AT WINFIELD.]
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1922 - FRONT PAGE
GIVES K. K. K. ADVICE
Winfield, Kan., May 18.CAdvising the Ku Klux Klan to confine its operations "below the Mason-Dixon line," the Kansas G. A. R. in annual encampment here today adopted resolutions strongly condemning the organization.
Six hundred old soldiers marched in columns of four in a parade just before noon. The principal streets on the line of march were lined with school children waving American flags.
NOTE: BIG STORY IN AVIATOR SECTION RE PETE HILL AT THE G. A. R. MEETING IN WINFIELD.
[KU KLUX KLAN: BLACKWELL. A. C. MEMBERS PARTICIPATE.]
SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 1922 - FRONT PAGE.
BIG CLASS JOINS KU KLUX KLAN
INITIATION IS STAGED ON HILL NEAR BLACKWELL
Secret Rites Performed for 153; 2,000 Ku Kluxers
In Attendance.
Special to the Traveler
Blackwell, Okla., June 3.CStanding on the hill-top near the Smith farm, 4 1-2 miles east of Blackwell, Okla., about 9 o'clock last night, were 2,500 Klansmen in their white hoods and bed sheets to witness the initiation of 153 new members.
Arkansas City, Winfield, Blackwell, Newkirk, Ponca City, Enid, and Kaw City were represented among the hooded figures. The Ku Klux Klaners had erected a 30 foot flaming cross on the crest of the hill and special lighting was furnished by a dynamo on the farm.
The scene was witnessed by people for miles around. Outside the lines patrolled by mounted klansmen were hundreds of automobiles filled with spectators. They were allowed within about a quarter of a mile from the spot where the grand goblin and kleagles of the domain introduced the new members to the mysteries of the organization.
All the robed figures were masked in accordance with the ritual of the Ku Klux Klan. The grand dragon of Oklahoma delivered a lecture.
"No Man's Land" Cleared
The ceremonies went off quietly and so far as known, were held without the knowledge of the officers here. No accident happened to mar the picturesque event. One overbold spectator attempted to cross the lines to get a closer view of the exercises and a mounted Klansman quickly chased him back into the mass of spectators. None was able to enter "No Man's Land," until the initiation had been concluded and the klansmen had departed by automobile and horse as silently as they had stole into the vacant pasture to hold their ceremonial.
It was estimated here today that there are approximately 5,000 klansmen in this domain, including Arkansas City, Newkirk, Blackwell, Winfield, and Ponca City.
Arkansas City is reported to have about 500 members.
[KU KLUX KLAN: ARKANSAS CITY.]
MONDAY, JULY 3, 1922 - FRONT PAGE.
K. K. K. TO STAGE PARTY HERE
PARADE WILL BE HELD HERE FRIDAY NIGHT
Several Hundred Will Be Initiated North of City At 10 P.M.
Announcement was issued today that the Ku Klux Klan will stage a big parade on Summit street at 9:00 o'clock, Friday night, preceding a demonstration north of the city in connection with the initiation of several hundred members.
In the full regalia of the Klan, mounted horsemen will lead the procession. They will be garbed in the usual white hooded costumes.
It will be the first demonstration held in Kansas, local officials of the klan claim. Klansmen will attend from various points in Kansas and Oklahoma, swelling the crowd to several thousand.
The initiation will be conducted probably on the hill north of the city under the supervision of high officials of the order. It is whispered around that the Imperial Wizard Simmons himself may attend. There will at least be Grand Goblins, Kleagles, and other executives in large numbers present.
Fiery Cross to Point Way
A large fiery cross, symbol of the order, will be erected at the point where the ceremonies are to be staged, where it can be plainly seen from the city to point the way for spectators, several thousand of whom are expected to bank the outer circle of the klansmen assembled there. Guards will be thrown around this circle to preserve order. Possession of firearms by any member of the klan has been forbidden.
It is said that Arkansas City has about 500 Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.
Deputy Sheriff Goforth said today that he did not know whether Sheriff Goldsmith would take action to prevent the demonstration or not. The sheriff could not be reached as he was out of his office.
Views of Major McIntosh
Mayor McIntosh said: "I know of no law against it. I have heard nothing of the meeting. I suppose they will ask permission of the mayor and commissioners to parade here. I do not think we would have any right to prevent them, and I think the commissioners would have this opinion about it. I think any society or organization would have a right to parade on the streets of the city provided they did it in a decent manner. It would be foolish to butt into trouble by attempting to prevent it. If a large number of them congregate, they probably would parade in the face of any order to the contrary. I see no reason at this time for taking any steps to prevent them from parading in this city if they wanted to do so."
According to the announcement made by the klan, its membership includes men from every walk of life, business and professional, everyone of whom was vouched f r at the time of his election by several members, to whom he was personally known. Only men of the very highest standing, morally and mentally, are eligible for membership in this organization, and every member must believe in the following: the tenets of the Christian religion; white supremacy; just laws and liberty; closer relationship of pure Americanism; separation of church and state, and law enforcement.
The following is extracted from a folder sent out by the local organization to the general public a few days ago, and its publication requested.
The people of this community may rest assured that the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan are not a menace to any of its interests, that its purposes are beneficient, that it has not sinister aspects and no methods of dealing with problems or persons which would not meet with the approval and command the assistance of any Christian gentleman.
This organization does not assume to enforce the law or to force any sort of code of morals upon this community. It does not usurp any governmental authority, but it is tireless in the assistance of the suppression of vice and crime and violence and in upholding the hands of civil authorities in preserving peace and order.
Its membership in this community is such as to inspire complete confidence in its methods and processes. Only men of clean moral character, the best to be had in every walk of life, are to be found in this order.
The Fiery Cross
The Fiery Cross shines forth to illustrate the Stars and Stripes from Maine to California and from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, one Country, one flag, and one People, and will forever hold sacred the traditions, ideals, and precepts of our forefathers who fought to place Old Glorry where she now stands, at the head of the procession.
The Ku Klux Klan is not trying to run your community, but it is doing its best to assist in the upbuilding of the law and American institutions and helping you to get rid of the evil things that are here.
The Ku Klux Klan owes allegiance to no foreign power civil or ecclesiastical. Its sole allegiance is to the United States of America, its constitution, and laws as they are written. That is one of the chief reasons why they are called 100 percent
Americans.
[KU KLUX KLAN]
WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 1922
ALLEN BARS K. K. K. PARADE HERE
MASKED PARTY IS NOT ALLOWED, SAYS GOVERNOR
Officials Get Orders to Stop Demonstration Friday Night.
In answer to a letter addressed to private box 30, Arkansas City post office by Deputy Sheriff Fred Eaton, notifying the Ku Klux Klan that the governor would consider it menacing to the peace of the community if the Klan staged a parade here, especially during the strike, and that government troops would be ordered out if necessary to stop it, the following was received by him.
"Your letter of today addressed to this, Arkansas City Klan at hand, and in reply will say that the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan believe in the principles of law observance, and upholding the law enforcement officers.
"You can inform the Honorable Governor Henry Allen, that if it is his wish, we will not hold a parade in Arkansas City at this time.CRespectfully yours, Arkansas City, Klan No. 3CKnights of the Ku Klux Klan. By the Exalted Cyclops."
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"They shall not pass."
That seems to be the order issued to the Ku Klux Klan in Arkansas City with reference to their announced parade at 9 o'clock Friday night, followed by a spectacular demonstration north of the city, where it is intended to erect a large fiery cross to mark the scene of the initiation of several hundred candidates from all over Kansas and points in northern Oklahoma.
What Allen Says
The Traveler received the following statement from Governor Allen by telephone today.
"I have directed the attorney general to instruct the sheriff and the county attorney of Cowley county not to allow any demonstration by masked men in Cowley county. I have instructed the mayor of Arkansas City to cooperate with the sheriff and county attorney, insofar as the matter concerns Arkansas City.
"The only purpose of a parade of masked men at this time would be to add to the disorder of the difficulty you are already having in Arkansas City, and the parade will be regarded as an effort of intimidation.
"I notice your newspapers say that the best citizens of Arkansas City are in this organization. If the best citizens of Arkansas City, at an hour like this, disguise themselves and parade the streets of Arkansas City, then I shall be much ashamed of the best citizens of Arkansas City.
Will Stop Demonstration
"I am not a member of the Ku Klux Klan," said Sheriff Goldsmith, "and I will do all in my power to prevent any demonstration being stated in the county, although I do not believe the klan will carry out its proposed program."
At 3:30 o'clock this afternoon, Mayor McIntosh said he had received no word from Gov. Allen in regard to calling off the parade of the K. K. K. Friday night, and he stated that he knew of no law whereby he could stop the parade. Asked if he were a member of the Klan, he said: "I know of no way in which I could become a member as I am not acquainted with any of the local officials or members of the Klan."
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State Probes Klan Here
Major William F. Thompson, representative of the adjutant general's office, was here today to investigate the strike situation and take a survey on the Ku Klux Klan proposed festivities advertised for Friday night.
"I delivered the instructions given to me by the governor to Mayor McIntosh," he said. "They were to the effect that the klan parade and festivities planned for Friday night are not to be allowed by orders of the chief executive of the state. Governor Allen told me that if 'there was a parade of the klansmen, there would be a parde of troops.'
"The mayor told me he had not arranged to prohibit the parade, and spread before me some of the advertising circulars of the order, remarking, 'I don't see anything wrong with their platform. I don't know how to stop them if they decide to march.'
"Sheriff Goldsmith assured me that there would be no klan demonstration if he could prevent it," continued Major Thompson. "The sheriff appears to be a strong man, and I believe he will take any action necessary to obey the orders from the governor."
Troops Called If Necessary
Major Thompson made his report by phone to Adjutant General Martin, who laid the matter before Governor Allen. The major hinted that if the klan attempted to disregard the command of the governor, the local battery, a unit of the national guard, under command of Captain Oliverson, will be ordered to stop the parade in event the local officials are not able to cope with the situation.
The major made an investigation of the private box of the klan at the post office, where mail is received addressed to the "American Club," to ascertain who are members of the organization here. It was his intention to interview some of them, he said, but did not divulge what the trend of his conversation with them would follow.
[KU KLUX KLAN]
THURSDAY, JULY 6, 1922 - FRONT PAGE.
Attorney General Hopkins Coming Here To Probe Ku Klux Klan
Topeka, July 6.CGovernor Allen received a telegram today from Mayor G. R. McIntosh of Arkansas City, informing him that the Ku Klux Klan parade and demonstration scheduled there for Friday night, has been called off. Attorney General Hopkins left today to investigate the Arkansas City situation.
Gov. H. J. Allen turned the job of arresting alleged pickets in the shopmen's strike to Tinkham Veale, county attorney, yesterday, and turned his own attention to the Ku Klux Klan at Arkansas City. The Klan has advertised largely in the Arkansas City newspapers in the past few days that it would stage a parade, masks, and hobgoblins, and imperial gobling and all, Friday night of this week.
The governor has notified the mayor of Arkansas City, the county attorney of Cowley county, and the sheriff, that there is to be no meeting of the Ku Klux Klan in Kansas. Also that he intends to hold the local officials responsible that no meeting is held.
"We'll have no such foolishness in Kansas," the governor declared. "We haven't any place in our Kansas codes for such organizations as the Ku Klux Klan. At best it replaces alleged lack of law with more lawlessness."
Richard J. Hopkins, attorney general, will include Arkansas City in his itinerary this week, at the governor's suggestion. Hopkins left yesterday afternoon for Pittsburg, Arkansas City, and Parsons. Parsons gets attention because the mayor has appointed fifty striking shopment special policemen to protect railroad property and workmen when the Parsons shops are opened.
"More foolishness," Governor Allen said. "The idea of setting striking shopmen to protect workers from other strikers. He can't get away with that."
What with striking coal miners, striking shopmen, and the Ku Klux Klan, Governor Allen is putting in a busy week. So is the attorney general. The governor is keeping Hopkins on the run. Gen. Charles I. Martin, adjutant general of the Kansas National Guard, also is in for a share of the work. Under the governor's orders, General Martin has men at Arkansas City and Parsons, as well as at several other points where trouble might break out.
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[KU KLUX KLAN]
FRIDAY, JULY 7, 1922 - FRONT PAGE.
Topeka, July 7.CFurther reports of contemplated demonstrations by the Ku Klux Klan at Kansas points where industrial controversies exist were received by Governor Allen during the day, it became known this afternoon. It is understood the governor will direct a public warning to the K. K. K. later in the day. It was not made known what places the reports came from.
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Topeka, July 7.CAn investigation of the Ku Klux Klan meeting last night near Liberty, Montgomery County, Kansas, at which 100 candidates are reported to have been initiated, was ordered today by Governor Allen in telephone conversation with the county attorney at Independence.
"I just want to find out what sort of a party it was," said Governor Allen. "I know of no state law prohibiting that sort of foolishness. A man may stick his head in a pillow case and parade around as long as he bothers no one. The reason I forbid such a gathering at Arkansas City was because it would menace a local situation created by the strike."
[KU KLUX KLAN: GOVERNOR BARS MASK WEARING IN STATE.]
SATURDAY, JULY 8, 1922 - FRONT PAGE.
Topeka, July 8.CGov. Allen has issued a proclamation addressed to county attorneys, sheriffs, mayors, and other peace officers, prohibiting the gathering or parading within the sate of bands of men in masks.
The proclamation follows.
"It is the history of industrial strikes that many devices are employed to create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. My attention has been called to the fact that in some of the communities in Kansas at this time bodies of masked men assemble for the purpose of parading and holding so-called ceremonies.
"In Kansas the mask heretofore has been worn exclusively by those who sought to cloak their identity while robbing banks, railroad trains, houses, and individuals upon public highways. The idea of masking is associated in this state inseparable with violence and the inescapable effect of it is to create fear and terror in the mind of the citizen who has no occasion to employ disguise.
"It is my judgment that any society of men wearing either white or black masks is against the peace, safety, and welfare of the public at this particular time. Especially is this menace serious in those communities where industrial quarrels are now going on. The privilege of men to employ disguises gives to those who might become foes to government and to law an opportunity to cloak their identity and to work mischief.
"For the purpose of protecting the peace and welfare of the communities and securing the faithful obedience to law on the part of individuals and organizations, it has been deemed proper to prohibit any further public assembling or parading of men in masks.
"The appearance of masked men in any community constitutes a disturbance of the peace in that neighborhood and is a violation of section 2659 of the general statutes of 1915."
[KU KLUX KLAN: ATTORNEY W. L. CUNNINGHAM]
SATURDAY, JULY 8, 1922
Attorney W. L. Cunningham returned this morning from a professional trip to Topeka. "I went up to see the wheels go round and to talk to the governor on the Ku Klux Klan situation," stated Mr. Cunningham upon his arrival home. He did not give out any definite information.
[KU KLUX KLAN: JOE TAYLOR, FOREMAN AT MOORE REFINERY.]
SATURDAY, JULY 8, 1922
Joe Taylor, of 508 North Sixth Street, pipe fitter's foreman at the Moore Refinery, received a threatening letter yesterday signed K. K. K. The letter is as follows.
Joe Taylor:CWe see you are hiring all new men at the Moore refinery and leaving out the old men that used to work there who have hungry wives and children. Before you hire any more strangers, be sure to get all the old men back or we will get you. Remember we'll get you.CK. K. K.
The letter was written to Mr. Taylor, Yard Foreman, on a plain piece of stationery. It bore the Arkansas City post office mark of having been mailed in June and was addressed to Mr. Taylor at the Moore refinery. The letter was delivered to Mr. Taylor at his street address yesterday, as he does not get his mail at the refinery. The letter called Mr. Taylor yard foreman, when he is the pipe fitters foreman.
The letter was not written by the Ku Klux Klan, as it was indicated by the signing of K. K. K., as this organization has advertised broadcast that any communication from a klan to be official must bear the official klan stationery and seal.
Ninety percent of the present employees are home men. No one has been brought here except officials and a few refinery experts. It is the feeling of the men who work at the plant that the Moore company has been absolutely fair in this respect.
[KU KLUX KLAN: GOVERNOR ALLEN AFTER THEM.]
THURSDAY, JULY 13, 1922
Topeka, July 13.CMore troubles are ahead for the Ku Klux Klan in Kansas. Governor Allen received a copy of an advertisement yesterday in which "citizenship" in the Klan was offered to reputable citizens. In the advertisement it was stated that the Klan is incorporated. Memberships were listed at $10.
Now under the Kansas law, a foreign corporation has to get permission to do business in Kansas. The governor sent for the secretary of state. No record of the Ku Klux Klan ever getting a charter or permit in Kansas. The governor is having the matter investigated, with a view of getting action on the organizers.
The probable legal action, it is understood, will be to institute quo warranto proceedings in the supreme court. Then organizers and officers of the Klan who proceeded to organize or take in new members could be haled before the supreme court for contempt.
The Wichita women's republican federation is opposed to the Ku Klux Klan. It has denounced it as an "organization without room in Kansas."
[KU KLUX KLAN: ANNOUNCE UNMASKED MEETING AT LIBERTY, KANSAS.]
FRIDAY, JULY 14, 1922 - FRONT PAGE.
Topeka, July 14.CAn open Ku Klux Klan meeting will be held at Liberty, near Independence, tonight, the county attorney of Montgomery County notified Governor Allen today. However, no masks are to be worn by those attending and indications today were that the gathering will be lawful in every respect, the attorney said.
[KU KLUX KLAN]
A NEW COLUMN SPRUNG UP IN THE PAPER ABOUT THIS TIME, WHEREIN FIVE PERSONS WERE ASKED A QUESTION ON A SUBJECT OF CURRENT INTEREST. THE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WERE ON THE FRONT PAGE.
SATURDAY, JULY 15, 1922 - FRONT PAGE.
YOU TELL 'EM
TODAY'S QUERY
Do you think the Ku Klux Klan is needed in Arkansas City, and why?
Dr. G. W. Frank C I certainly think something is needed to help law enforcement officers in Arkansas City. There are a great many violators that the police cannot cope with that a private organization can.
Walter Ames, Fifth Avenue Book Store C Evidently they are needed but I do not approve of their methods, or of masked rule.
Mrs. Virginia Hamilton, 107 North C Street C I think our city needs law enforcement and if the Ku Klux will do what they claim, it will be all right.
T. P. Alford, 119 North First Street C If the Ku Klux do only what they claim, good would result, but if they do what others say they do, they are a harmful organization.
Mrs. Bob Harrison, 726 South Summit Street C The Ku Klux is a peaceful organization, seemingly one hundred percent American. In my opinion, they don't hurt any community unless they should resort to mob violence.
OUT OF DATE SEQUENCE...
[KU KLUX KLAN]
FRIDAY, JULY 21, 1922 - FRONT PAGE.
Topeka, July 21.CGovernor Allen today received a warning over the signature K. K. K. advising him to reform in regard to his interpretation of the industrial court law regarding the displaying of posters expressing sympathy for strikers. The letter, which bore a Wichita postmark, read as follows:
"We wish to state to you in the name of the law by the people, and for the people, that the merchants of Wellington, Arkansas City, and all of Kansas will hold up for the strikers and the rights of the good people of this country. We advise you to reform."
[KU KLUX KLAN]
SATURDAY, JULY 22, 1922 - EDITORIAL.
The report is being sent out tht Governor Allen has been sent a warning by the Ku Klux Klan. We are inclined to think that someone is endeavoring to perpetrate a joke on the governor, because it would be a mighty foolish thing for the Klan to attempt to perpetrate one of their stunts upon any high official. The people wouldn't stand for it.
There are a lot of things now being done under the name of the Klan which should not be credited to it. We are more inclined to think that the Klan would lend protection to the governor rather than attempt to chastise him.
[KU KLUX KLAN: J. P. TIGHE BRANDS THEM COWARD AND FRAUD.]
TUESDAY, JULY 25, 1922 - FRONT PAGE.
Editor TravelerCRecently I have received several copies of a printed circular from the Ku Klux Klan, P. O. Box 30, Arkansas City. Since someone is so persistent in sending me this junk and at the same time, skulking behind a post office box, I take this opportunity of expressing my opinion of the Ku Klux Klan. In doing so I am exercising the right of free speech, conferred upon all citizens by the Constitution; and in writing this article, I am referring to the Ku Klux Klan as an organization, not to its members as individuals. I shall sign my name to and accept full responsibility for statements of opinion made.
I have lived in this city twenty-two years, during which time the life and progress of the community has always been marked by the spirit of cooperation, friendship, helpffulness and tolerance.
Now comes the Ku Klux Klan with its fiery cross, masks, shirt-tails, goblins, kleagles, wizards, and terrors, disseminating its venomous religious intolerance, an intolerance of a past age which should be abhorent to any good American of this age. From the propaganda recently distributed throughout this country, it is clearly evident that the mission of the Klan is to plant discord, racial hatred, and religious dissension. While parading its own Christianity, morality, pure Americanism, and patriotism.
As a humble follower of Him who said, "Love thy neighbor as thyself," respecting all sects and creeds as part of the Christian church without being attached to any particular one, and as an American who does not claim his Americanism to be any more pure than that of any other good citizen, I wish to point out some of the shams, sophistry, un-Americanism, and pure bunk of this Klan using their own circular.
The propaganda is designed to appeal to a person below the average mentality. It is conceivable that such an organization should take root among the illiterate mountaineers and cotton pickers of the south, but utterly inconceivable that it should take root in this community. It is my opinion that the record and doctrine of the Ku Klux Klan is incompatible with good citizenship.
To quote the Kluxers' circular, "The fiery cross shines forth to illuminate the Stars and Stripes from Maine to California and from Canada to Mexico." Since the Ku Klux Klan is, in my opinion, a commercial proposition, this kind of flapdoodle is well calculated to make a yokel swallow his Adam's apple, at least twice, and dig up the necessary $10 to become a pure American, but it is evident that the fellow who wrote this stuff was never in the United States army, as any man who ever stepped into the ranks in defense of this country, Jew, Catholic, or Christian Scientist, knows that the Stars and Stripes is never flown at night by the United States government. He knows that the flag must be hauled down and sheathed before dark. Since the Kluxers' fiery cross appears in darkness only, and the Stars and Stripes in daylight only, the flag as an official emblem, is keeping out of bad company.
"Pure Americanism"CHere is where he gulps again. The Ku Klux Klan has pure Americanism for sale; but should I ever feel the need of instruction in Americanism, I shall seek inspiration in the lives of such men as Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt, not from Golden Kleagles and Wizards.
"Protection of Pure Womanhood"CThe word "pure" again. Only a man who thinks Easter Sunday is Billy Sunday's sister, would fall for this. Since when did it become necessary to join the Kluxers and put on a mask to be man enough to defend womanhood?
"White Supremacy"CThis is not worthy of notice. If the white race is not supreme in this country, what race is? Will the payment of $10 to an itinerant Kleagle make the white race any more supreme?
"Separation of Church and State"CA high-sounding phrase to the ears of the ignorant, but almost everyone knows that the matter of separation of church and state was wisely provided for in the Constitution of the United States in the year 1789; therefore, it has been an established fact for 133 years.
"One country, one flag, and one people, and will forever hold sacred the traditions, ideals, and precepts of our forefathers."CFine, but Mr. Kluxer, we just got through fighting for that very thing. Where was the Ku Klux Klan while the fighting was going on? A short time ago our government called upon its citizens under and above a certain age, regardless of creed or race, to prove their patriotism upon the battlefields of France. Where was the Ku Klux Klan then? Are there any Kluxers buried in France? Today we see the bodies of American soldiers returned to our country and being buried under the services or ritual of every church and social organization in the land except under the banner of the Ku Klux Klan. Now that the war is safely over, there are Goblins, Kleagles, Cyclops, and Terrors in masks and shirt-tails ready to save the country. The money that has been wasted on this useless and foolish organization would help out materially on the soldiers' bonus.
"Bar from America the millions of ignorant foreigners"COur government is doing something along this line, but it was advocated long before the Ku Klux Klan originated. Suppose we had started doing this 100 years ago, where would we get our crop of Kluxers now?
"The Ku Klux Klan is not trying to run your country, but is doing its best to assist in upholding the law and American institutions and helping you to get rid of the evil things that are here."CIf this be true, why were several men killed in a Ku Klux Klan raid at Ingelwood, California? If the Klan were not implicated, why were thirty-seven of them indicted by the grand jury of Los Angeles County, California, and why did the Grand Goblin of California leave that state a fugitive from justice?
"The purposes of the Ku Klux Klan are beneficent and has no methods which would not meet the approval of any Christian gentleman."CVery well, then, take off your mask. Since when do Christian gentlemen wear masks? In my mind the idea of masks has always been associated with footpads, burglars, bank robbers, and thugs in general.
"Controlled Press"CIt will require more than a Kluxer circular with no name signed to it to convince me that the American press is controlled by anyone nor do I place any credence in any statements made by or written by "a man of parts," "Mysticus," or "Madame Iteliem." Isn't it strange that this information is always for sale. Some months ago, someone by frequent newspaper attacks goaded National Commander Hanford McNider of the American Legion into striking back after which the gentleman was a man of parts. Several parts.
"Closer relationship of pure Americanism"CWhat is pure Americanism anyway? As for closer relationship, the Kluxers are again too late as Uncle Sam beat them to it when he concentrated AmericansCjust ordinary Americans, into army camps. Inasmuch as the war is over, I presume they have had quite enough of it, the closer relationship was entirely free then. It costs $10 now.
"It is no guess as to the origin of all criticism"CThe Grand Goblin of California was not guessing when he fled the state, leaving a lot of misguided dupes to guess themselves out of jail.
"Cheap Advertising"CI noticed a news item in the Tulsa World recently where the Ku Klux Klan was organized in a small town in Oklahoma, marched to a church forty strong, and presented the minister a donation of $17.50; less than 5 percent of the $400 paid into the Klan.
"Separate Graft from Public Life"CA very interesting subject, but who ever heard of the Ku Klux Klan punishing one of its own votaries. Now, Mr. Kluxer, if you have an effective remedy for this evil, why sell it so cheap? The citizens of almost any large city would be willing to pay a much higher price for the recipe. I suggest you try Chicago for instance and since you have mailed me several dark warnings of the dangers surrounding this community, I shall reciprocate by warning you of the Chicago police. These police are mostly Irish who speak a strange jargon, their conversation runs largely to baseball, they are very rough and uncouth in their work, and spend a large part of their time searching for gentlemen who wear masks. They seem to be obsessed with a strange hallucination that such gentlemen should be sent to the morgue, not an undertaking establishment, just a morgue.
"Just laws, liberty, and law enforcement"CEveryone wants just laws but without interference of the Ku Klux Klan or any other clan. Does not the Constitution of the United States provide all the liberty any good citizen is entitled to or wishes obedience to. Constituted law and constituted authority is liberty. Does past experience teach that mobs masked or unmasked ever respect constituted law? Decidedly not. Wherein lies the difference between a masked foreign born fanatic, who has never read the Constitution of the United States, and a native born masked fanatic who has not nor will not, read it?
In my opinion, any organization which tries a man or woman on hearsay evidence without giving the accused an opportunity of hearing the charge, being confronted by his accusers, and refusing him the right of employing counsel, and then without lawful authority, enforces its judgment upon him, is an unlawful and pernicious organization and an enemy of Constitutional government. If the Ku Klux Klan claims the liberty of trying and punishing citizens without judicial trial, what is to prevent other masked groups from committing other depredations?
"Guarantee Religious freedom, free speech, free press, and free public schools"CSince the first these are already guaranteed by the constitution and have been for 133 years, and all property owners are being taxed for the support of the public schools. Why is it necessary for the Ku Klux Klan to guarantee them? Does not every American stand squarely behind these fundamentals. Inasmuch as this Klan circularized this community with scurrilous Seventeenth Century religious intolerance, I fail to see how it can consistently parade itself as an exemplar of religious freedom.
"Chief aim to make this nation a better place in which to live."CMankind has been in possession of an absolutely infallible rule concerning this for two thousand years. For my part, I fail to find it in the doctrine of the Ku Klux Klan. It is the golden rule, Mr. Kluxer. Did an exponent of the golden rule ever wear a mask?
Is this statment not true?
From time immemorial the mask has ever been the refuge of a coward, the badge of cowardice. Did the founders of this government, men whose courage and sagacity cannot be matched in history, the men who signed the Declaration of Independence and who formed the Constitution, ever wear masks?
Does history record that a single signer of these documents ever deny having signed them? Did an American soldier ever fall in battle in defense of this country with a mask upon his face unless it was a gas mask? There is but one reason why any man or party of men should go about at night masked, and that is to avoid responsibility for his or their acts. Isn't this a reasonable assumption?
The last plea of the Kluxers' circular is that the reader think it over. I have complied with the request and my conclusions are that there is nothing invisible about the Klan, as its membership here seems to be generally known; that the Ku Klux Klan as an organization is a commercialized fraud; that by its record it has proven itself an enemy of constitutional government; that it operates at night masked and is therefore cowardly; that its doctrine is false and repugnant to every sense of right and justice; and that its pretense of pure Americanism is all bunk. For my part I shall prefer just straight out daylight AmericanismCunmasked.
J. P. Tighe, 125 North C Street, Arkansas City, Kansas.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 1922 - FRONT PAGE.
KU KLUX KLAN...
Our friend J. P. Tighe steps out in a torrid letter, unloading himself of considerable to say about the Ku Klux Klan. We side with Joe in his argument. Only he forgot to explain how the idea originated of the Ku Kluxers wearing the pillow slip over their heads, as it was told by the New York World some months ago. One of the high officials in the Klan at Atlanta, Ga., it seems, took such a fancy to his secretary that he neglected his own family to pay attentions to her. The result was a police raid at the home of the secretary, where the official was found in bed. The couple were booked at the police station for immoral conduct. 'Tis said that the man tried to conceal his identity from the cops by covering his face with a pillow slip, but to no avail. Perhaps that's where the idea for wearing the pillow slip originated. Anyhow, the story goes that way.
---
TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1922 - FRONT PAGE.
The following 100 percent Americans were asked for their opinions on the article published by J. P. Tighe a few days ago.
A. H. DentonC"I agree with Mr. Tighe. I think there is no place in this country for the Ku Klux Klan. If our government has to operate in the dark, then better turn the government over to the Ku Kluxers."
H. P. FarrarC"I endorse Mr. Tighe's article. I think the Klan a meanace to the laws of the country, and an illegal proceeding. If we can't get law enforcement without Klan methods, then I think it is time to elect new officials."
A. M. DeanC"I concur in Mr. Tighe's indictment of the Ku Klux Klan. Joe deserves, in my opinion, a vote of thanks for his timely and courageous attack upon the principle of masked government."
W. D. KreamerC"On general principles, I endorse the article of Joe Tighe. I think the Ku Klux Klan stand for some good things; but I object to their methods, and believe they are setting a bad precedent in adopting illegal methods for law enforcement. Americanism should be upheld in the open and not from behind a mask. The Klan methods are un-American and wholly wrong."
W. L. CunninghamC"I have read Mr. Tighe's article with much interest. I admire his courage and frankness. This article can be read with profit by everyone interested in the welfare of the government and survival of free institutions."
C. L. SwartsC"I think Joe Tighe's article is very timely and covers the case fully. Nothing can be more un-American than the methods adopted by the Ku Klux Klan and the fact that the organization has otherwise good citizens makes it all the more dangerous."
Ralph SowdenC"The Joe Tighe article will bear the endorsement of all good American citizens. This government is of the people, by the people, and for the people, and stands for
liberty. Under our government this country affords greater opportunities than any other country on the face of the earth. If the present government agencies do not enforce the law, we have recourse through the ballot.
[KU KLUX KLAN: TRIED TO GET STUBBS ELECTED IN PRIMARY.]
MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 1922 - FRONT PAGE.
Topeka, Aug. 7.CThat the Ku Klux Klan may have played an important part in the primary election last week in at least three counties is causing considerable comment among those taking an interest in politics. The Klan is said to have quite an organization in Wyandotte, Montgomery, and Cowley counties.
In Montgomery county the Klan is said to have published a ticket of its own and circulated it among its members, who were instructed to vote this ticket and line up their families and friends behind it. At the head of the ticket Stubbs was given the preference as being friendly to the Klan.
A glance at the vote in the three counties shows that the Klan was active and fairly efficient. Everyone conversant with political conditions in the three counties were confident that W. Y. Morgan would have large majorities in each. In each of the three counties, his pluralities were cut far below the estimates of everyone.
The Klan ticket was issued Saturday before the primary. State officials who went to their homes to vote and have returned to Topeka assert that the activities of the Klan were very pronounced in the effort to nominate Stubbs and various local candidates.
[KU KLUX KLAN: LETTER FROM A READER TO EDITOR.]
TUESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1922
Editor Traveler:CWill you permit an old lady a little space in your worthy paper to express her knowledge of the doings of the Ku Klux Klan during the Civil war. I am in my eightieth year and I know the Klan was a terror by night to all well meaning and law-abiding people. I endorse every word Mr. Tighe and T. A. McNeal have said concerning the Klan, and if some of our citizens had known what a terror they were, and not law-abiding to the United States government, they surely would not have joined them.
They go about masked at night, doing things in the dark because their deeds are evil. I had hoped that the names of the Ku Klux Klan and the Knights of the Golden Circle had gone out of existence with some other evil things. I could tell a good deal more, but this is enough for the present. I would like to pat Mr. Tighe and T. A. McNeal on the back and say, "hit them again." I am glad there are some right-minded people to see through these things and not afraid to stand up for the truth and the right, and protect the laws of our beloved United States. CNancy J. Biggs.
[EDITORIAL ITEMS: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 1922]
On page 1 the Traveler presents a statement or interview with Mayor McIntosh. We give it space so the people will know just what kind of a mayor they have. He virtually says he will run the police department as he pleases. However, we shall patiently wait and see what the state has to say on the subject. Capt. Smith is still in town and quite active, you know.
Gov. Allen's private secretary, Alf Landon, has resigned to look after his private business.
The Ku Klux Klan will make war on Jack Walton, democratic nominee for governor of Oklahoma.The klan will have speakers in Oklahoma during the campaign to oppose Walton.
Perhaps the mayor's statement that "he didn't give a d__n what the Traveler said" is a roundabout way of telling it to the state.
If reports prove correct, some of the advisors in the mayor's cabinet are liable to get into trouble for advising wrongfully.
[KU KLUX KLAN]
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1922
Winfield, Kans., Sept. 4.CFifteen members of the Ku Klux Klan, wearing their white robes and masks, appeared at a church in Hackney, a few miles from here, last night, and made a donation of $25 to the Rev. R. S. Sargent, who was about to deliver his farewell sermon after a pastorate of four years at the church. Members of the Klan entered the church just as Rev. Sargent was announcing his text. Proceeding to the front of the pulpit, they handed the $25 to the pastor. One of the number then turned to the audience; and in a short speech, told of the object of the Klan and expressed an appreciation of the work of Mr. Sargent. He also called on all young people present to live pure lives. The audience was then requested to stand and after the singing of one stanza of "America," the Klan members left the church.
[KU KLUX KLAN.]
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1922 - FRONT PAGE.
Klan Initiates A Class of Fifty Near Winfield
"Do you want a good news story? We are sending two men for you; these men will be strangers to you, but it is important you go with them. You will have absolute protection." was the message received by a Traveler reporter from an unknown party while a guest at a dinner party at the Country Club last evening.
Shortly following the message the men arrived, stated they were Klansmen from Ponca City, and were instructed by the cyclops of the Arkansas City Ku Klux Klan to call and take the writer to the open air meeting of the Ku Klux Klan near Winfield. These two men were not robed and were unknown to the reporter.
About six miles from Winfield, after turning the corner on the rock road going north into Winfield, a large fiery cross and other lights were plainly visible. After going a few miles nearer, the reporter noticed the roads were jammed with cars and spectators. It was here that the Traveler representative was blindfolded. After slow driving for some distance, the car stopped, and the reporter was led to a gate. He was stopped at the gate, supposedly by a guard. The Klansmen said something about a newspaper man and did some whispering, and we were permitted to pass. After walking some distance the guide again stopped, and the same maneuvers were gone through as at the gate. The blindfold was then removed and it was a startling revelation to the newspaper man, the crowd of robed men who were walking about on the hill and the huge fiery cross that was burning. The top of the hill was electrically lighted with a small light plant, and the escorts claimed the cross was forty feet high and 20 feet wide. It could be seen for a distance of fifteen miles in any direction where the topography of the country would permit.
The reporter was shown how the roads on two sides were lined three and four deep with automobiles and spectators; and it is estimated three thousand watched the meeting from the outside, while a thousand robed men were on the inside. Never at any time was the newspaper man allowed to get away from his escorts nor was he allowed to get within hearing distance of the meeting. Hundreds of guards were walking about the field constantly. Also, many guards were on horseback. The horses were robed with a big white robe with three large K's in red in one corner.
The robes worn by the Klansmen were white, with white capes over the shoulder, with a black and white cross with red background over the heart. They all wore cone-shaped hats with back and front flaps, and a red tassel on top.
The escort claimed that Wichita, Blackwell, Winfield, Arkansas City, Ponca City, Dexter, Cedarvale, Rock, Newkirk, Geuda Springs, and Oxford klans were all represented at the meeting.
About 9:30 o'clock, initiation ceremonies were commenced. The reporter counted about fifty candidates who were being initiated. The klansmen all formed a circle and the candidates stood within, the klansmen marching around them. Then a double circle was formed and the candidates with hands on each other's shoulders marched in the center of the double circle following a klansman with a fiery cross in his hands.
Following this the candidates were taken to four different stations in the circle where they were instructed in the work. Then they all gathered in front of an altar in the center of which was the American flag. On the altar, the escorts stated, was the Holy Bible and a sword, and behind the altar was a burning cross. The initiation ceremonies lasted until 11:30 o'clock. Following this, the escorts stated, a kleagle of Oklahoma was to make an address. However, the reporter was not permitted to hear.
At the conclusion of the above described ceremonies he was escorted to the klansman's car and brought to his home in Arkansas City.
An airplane soared over Arkansas City and Winfield late yesterday afternoon, dropping hand bills announcing the meeting and inviting the public to watch it.
DO YOU RECKON IT WAS A CERTAIN FLYER, WHO WAS LATER
HONORED BY KLAN MEMBERS, AT HIS FUNERAL?
[KU KLUX KLAN ???]
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1922 - FRONT PAGE.
Chester Harris, 28, still worker for the Moore Refining Co., and residing at 315 South D Street, was taken into the country about 8 miles southwest of the city at midnight last night and tarred and feathered by four men, three masked, and a masked 12 year old boy standing by.
"I was ordered to leave town or be hanged, when they got through with me," Harris said. "They charged me with beating my wife and chasing after other women," he continued.
Mrs. Harris voiced her indignation over the incident from a sick bed at the Arkansas City hospital, and denied that Harris had ever beaten her. "He has not always been as good to me as he should, but he never beat me," she declared. "I have been living with my sister and he has been rooming at another house. I had an attorney draw up the papers asking for a divorce from him on the grounds of cruelty, but I am so sick that I don't know what I'll do now," she continued. Mrs. Harris looked like she was seriously ill, and that the man-handling of her husband had been a severe shock to her. Her forehead and face were swathed in ice bags as she talked. The doctor stated that she had a severe form of rheumatism. Her temperatore was 104.
"My wife and I have quarreled a number of times," Harris admitted, "but I have always helped support her with what I could afford from my wages. When I was working in Ponca City, she was working up here, and I gave her all I could afford to then. I have been an employee at the refinery for six years, excluding the time the plant was shut down. I do not drink and chase other women as the maskers charged me.
"They are simply a bunch of cowards to gang up on a man and hide their faces behind masks. I can't understand why they tarred and feathered me, except that I received a letter signed by the Ku Klux Klan last week in which I was warned to straighten up and be a man, and treat my wife right. I showed the letter to my wife and she wrote back to the klan, declaring that she wished they would drop the matter as it would only complicate matters between her and me if the klan interfered, she told me.
"I had dismissed the matter from my mind except that I had obeyed the warning insofar as I knew."
Harris suffered considerable nervousness, but this morning he was perfectly calm and told his story of the abduction and tarring and feathering.
"I work from 4 to 12 p.m. as stillman at the Moore refinery," he said. "I washed up after work last night and got into my Ford car with Robert King, a helper at the refinery, to go home. We heard someone yell 'Stop,' as we drove east on Madison Avenue, but did not stop because I figured I had load enough. A little farther down the road, two men stepped out and commanded us to halt. Both were dressed in overalls and wore caps and white handkerchiefs. One was about 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighed about 190 pounds. The other man was shorter and of a more stocky build. One jumped on the running board beside me and the big man jumped upon the other side and stuck a gun in the face of King and ordered him to 'beat it,' which he did. The two men got in the car with me and we drove to the Arkansas River bridge on Sixth Street, where we were met by two other men and a boy in a Ford touring car.
"I was ordered in that car at the point of a gun and got in the rear seat with the man with the gun. They searched me for arms and then one of the men drove my car. We drove to Summit street, thence to the first crossroads, and turned west to the next crossroads, and thence to the state line, thence west to the railroad track, where we met a Ford car and some people who were fixing the car. I had not been warned against making an outcry, but considered it safer to remain mum with the man next to me holding a gat in my ribs.
"We continued driving west until I think we wre about eight miles from town at a lonely place in the country. They ordered me to dismount from the car and undress.
"What's the idea?" I asked.
"Never mind about the argument, but hurry up," one of the men commanded.
"Then they tore my clothes off of me."
"Anything you wish to say to your God?" one of the men asked me.
"What have I done?" I replied.
Someone answered, "You know what you have done; you struck your wife and knocked her down and you have been chasing other women."
"One of the men then got a small bucket of tar paint, and with a small paint brush, proceeded to paint my naked body. After that they sprinkled me with chicken feathers. Then they ordered me to get into my own car 'and get out of town or I would be hanged.'
"I drove to the refinery and washed off the tar and feathers with gasoline and then called the police, who accompanied me to town. I remember that the unmasked man wore a beard and glasses. I am positive that I can identify at least one, and perhaps two, of the maskers. I am more inclined to believe it was gangsters seeking some revenge than the Ku Klux Klan.
"The deputy county attorney has promised me to issue warrants when I can satisfy him that I am reasonably sure of my identification of one or two of the men who mobbed me.
"I can bring suit against the city under the state mob law, but I have not decided on that action yet.
"I have asked the police to give me protection to my home at nights. I have lived a straighter life in the last few months than in any time before then, and I cannot understand why any mob would attack me when I am working every day and trying to do the best I can by my wife," he concluded.
[KU KLUX KLAN: CHET HARRIS, VICTIM, LEAVES CITY.]
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1922 - FRONT PAGE.
"Well, I am going to leave Arkansas CityCit will be healthier for me to do so," Chester Harris, who was tarred and feathered by a mob 8 miles southwest of the city, Wednesday night, said to Mrs. William Pratt, at whose home, 315 South D Street, he has been rooming, as he left the home with a grip late yesterday. He drove away in his Ford roadster. He left some of his things at the house and said he would send for them when he got located.
Harris seemed to be considerably worried by the action of the masked party that took him from near the Moore refinery at midnight Wednesday as he was leaving his work as a stillman, drove him to a lonely spot in the country, tore off his clothing, and applied tar and feathers to his body. He was charged with being cruel to his wife and not acting like a man, he said the next day. His wife has filed suit for divorce charging extreme cruelty and promising to specify the charges if he makes answer.
"I was ordered to leave the city or be hanged," he said yesterday. This command seemed to disturb him greatly and he kept repeating it over and over. He declared that he told a policeman of the warning and that the officer told him it might be well to obey the masked men.
Harris saw the deputy county attorney yesterday and declared to him that he could identify at least one, and perhaps two, of his assailants. The deputy county attorney promised to issue warrants for arrest if Harris could definitely decide and produce reasonable evidence of his ability to identify one or more of the party. Whether he received any threatening note yesterday is not known. But he made up his mind to suddenly depart from the city, for he told the Traveler Thursday that he was determined to see the affair through, and went to the police station where he asked for protection from the refinery to his home at nights.
None of his friends who were seen today could give any reason for his decision to leave the city. "He told me he was going to leave because he thought it would be healthier for him elsewhere," Mrs. Pratt said. He promised to write us after he settled down somewhere and left part of his things here for us to send to him."
Mrs. Harris is seriously ill at a local hospital with a severe attack of rheumatism, the attending physician said. She refused to say anything further than that Harris had not beaten her, but that he had not always treated her right. She declared she was too ill to decide whether she would press the divorce suit.
Friends insist that they believe Harris was not handled by the Ku Klux Klan, despite receiving a letter from the secret organization to "brace up and treat his wife right." It is their contention that Harris knows who took him out and tarred and feathered him and that he has decided it is best not to make public all the charges that were preferred against him.
Police Chief Dailey said today that none of the members of the force had made the statement to Harris attributed to him, and that he did not believe any of the policemen would have condoned any order given by a mob.
[KU KLUX KLAN]
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1922
"Arkansas City, Kans., Sept. 10, 1922.CTo this church and pastor:CWe see with our thousands of eyes, with our ears we hear, with our minds we think, and we are behind your work and your church. Here is our support. We hope to see you finish your new church in the near future. Keep the good spirit going. We stand for Christian religion, white supremacy, and believe in the full enforcement of the laws.CYours truly, Ku Klux Klan."
This was the wording of a letter left at the Central Christian Church in this city last night, during the services there, and just as the pastor, Rev. G. W. McQuiddy, was starting on the evening sermon, to a large congregation. With the letter was $30 in U. S. money, being in currency and silver.
The letter and money were left at the church by 32 members of the K. K. K., who entered the church at 8:45 that night, robed in the long white costumes, with the white hoods, and the K. K. K. sign on the robes.
The members of the party marched in the north entrance of the church, passed the stage, and went out the south door. The last member of the party dropped the letter and the money on the platform in front of the pastor and the party left the church in a quiet manner. The members of the congregation were very much surprised to see the K. K. K. parade in the church, but there was no unusual demonstration on the part of the people in the church on account of the visit there that night by the Klan. It was reported by persons outside the church at the time, that the members of the K. K. K. party came from the north riding in seven or eight autos, that they halted in front of the church, and after parking their cars in front of the church, marched in as described above. Then they left the church and went north from that place.
The letter left at the church with the money was written on the K. K. K. official stationery. The letter and the money was placed in the hands of W. W. Albee, the treasurer of the new church fund, who has added the amount to the fund for which it was intended.
