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 Visions of white males in white hooded robes
including some prominent citizens; burning crosses, ropes, and the
undertaker were among thoughts popping into the minds of those
attending a Logan County Genealogical & Historical Society recent
presentation by Bill Thomas of Atlanta.
The most heinous of these visions were dispelled by Thomas as he
stated by 1920 the Klan had entered its second of three iterations
and was peddling a mixture of protestant religion, law and order,
The Constitution and Americanism, “A toxic cocktail that America
seemed to be buying.”
Thomas said the KKK, “Began as, as is today, a racist organization,”
but in the ‘20’s the increase in membership could be traced to
sweeping changes as it expanded to become anti-catholic,
anti-Jewish, and 100 per cent American—anti-immigrant. And they were
upholders of the moral way, as long as you were a white protestant.
He said the KKK and Women’s Christian Temperance Union worked hand
in hand. Thomas told those attending he has, “Seen nothing on any
attacks on black people in Logan County.”
He stated sweeping changes occurring between 1910 and 1930 included
World War I, an increase in Eastern European immigration,
Prohibition which brought about illegal liquor, speakeasies, and
Flappers, and the automobile, “All ailments for which the Klan
seemed to be offering a cure.”
The Klan established itself throughout the county with newspaper
accounts showing major activities in Lincoln, Atlanta, Lawndale, and
Beason.
The Logan County Chapter #152 had its own metal seal to mark
official documents. The seal was found under the kitchen sink in an
Atlanta home and has since been restored and donated to the Atlanta
museum. The handmade white robes of a man, woman, and child were
found in another Atlanta home and are also housed at the museum.
How prevalent was the KKK in Logan County? Thomas said on Nov. 11,
1921 at the Atlanta School Homecoming the Atlanta Grade School Class
of Adelle McClure wore uniform KKK costumes in the parade. A class
photo of the costumed children is also at the Museum.
In 1923 the Ku Klux Klan held a big meeting on the principles and
purposes of the KKK at the Atlanta Fairgrounds with 4,000 people in
attendance. Invitations had been sent by an “intimate friend,” to
those attending. A national KKK speaker carried a Bible, flag, and
U. S. Constitution, telling the crowd, “These are my politics,”
standing for 100 percent Americanism.
To ensure attendance and keep attendees from leaving, the Klan put
up special radio speakers and broadcast live the results of a major
Dempsey fight.
In 1924 the KKK held a picnic and barbecue in Lincoln at the end of
Wyatt Avenue. There were national Klan speakers. The event included
the initiation of four members and a monster parade.
In 1925 the Ku Klux Klan met at the Atlanta Fairgrounds with
French’s Military Band of Lincoln providing music throughout the
evening.
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Thomas said The Lincoln Women’s Drill Team dressed in white robes
and hoods performed at a KKK gathering.
He mentioned other Klan meetings were held at Murphy Hall in
Atlanta, and at Lawndale and Beason.
Several Atlanta businesses alerted the public they
were affiliated with the Ku Klux Klan with clever advertising. For
instance, the Dean Judy Cafe, known as the Wysteria, advertised Komfy
Kool electric fans with the slogan Kome Keep
Kool. And the Atlanta Fair book in the mid 1920’s listed Kleines
Kommunity Klowns as an attraction.
In a somewhat surprising display of support, one Sunday during
Worship 14 Klansmen in full regalia walked into the Atlanta
Christian Church and presented the pastor with $105 to be
distributed among the three protestant churches in town. A spokesman
for the Klan said they were, “Supporting the good work of the
church.”
In a similar report, the sum of $100 was given in the name of the Ku
Klux Klan during a Revival at the Eminence Christian Church.
Thomas said late in the 1920’s the Klan began to weaken as a couple
of its national leaders became involved in scandals, one involving
underage women.
He informed there are members of the Ku Klux Klan in existence
today, but the most recent occurrence brought to his attention in
Logan County occurred a few years ago when KKK recruiting flyers
were placed in plastic bags with rocks and tossed to the doorsteps
of a number of homes in the Atlanta area.
[Diane Osborn with photos by JoAnn
Marlin]
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