Table Of ContentSTATE LIBRARY OF PENNSYLVANIA
363.973K95ZL92
main,stks
KuKluxKlanin Pennsylvania;
THE KU KLUX KLAN IN PENNSYLVANIA
A Study in
Nativism
BY
EMERSON HUNSBERGER LOUCKS
The Telegraph Press—
New York-Harrisburg, Pa. 1936
Copyright 1936, by
Emerson H. Loucks
rights reserved, including the right to reprodi
this book or portions thereof, in any form
363.973
K95Z
— ^
Printed in the United States ofAmerica
by The Telegraph Press, Harrisburg,Pa.
————
Preface
M' Chapter I Some Beginnings of Nativism 1
:
Nativism as a phase of cultural adjustment—The colonial background
of nativism—Its expression during the early years of the Republic
The Brutus Letters—The Native American Party: its principles and
influence—The Rise of Know-Nothingism—The effect of the slavery
controversy upon nativism—Post Civil War foreign immigration—The
School Policy of the Roman Catholic Church—The founding of the
American Protective Association—Its propaganda and political history.
)^Chapter II The Revival of the Ku Klux Klan 15
:
—XW-hae--Fi->fF>c€fr-ieeqdu—i&^Tthiees-roef-ensattaibvlii^sshmm-e-natmi-o4fbetihe-g-K-ui^«K«l^uGex--Kiln-a4nh&--Iptosstf-o'uWnodrelrd
The role of the Southern Publicity Association in its growth
The spread of Klan violence—Press exposures and governmental in-
vestigations.
Chapter III The Klan Moves Into Pennsylvania ... 25
:
— —
Early organizers Atkins and Rich Provincial organization The use
:
of local men as—Kleagles—Early difficulties—The —northern conspiracy
against Atlanta Progress in eastern P—ennsylvania Freeman's —admin-
istration—Trouble w—ith the "Dutch" Estimated memb—ership Rea-
sons for its growth—Characteristics of Klan literature The strategy
of Klan "lecturers" The ha—ndicaps of its critics—Belief in the Klan
as an instrument of reform Emphasis on personal rather than in-
stitutional reform.
Chapter IV: The Klan Changes Hands: Progress in
Pennsylvania Under the Evans Regime .... 45
The plan to oust Simmons from administrative c—ontrol of the Order
D. C. Stephenson's co—operation and his reward The successful cul-
mination of this efTort The efifect of Evans' contro—l upon the South
The Evans-Ste—phenson regime in Pennsylvania Increa—sed use of
demonstrations The Car—negie, Scottdale —and Lilly riots The local
press and Klan publicity Cross burnings The types of people who
joined the Order.
Chapter V: The Organization of the Klan 62
)/
—
The adop—tion of a written constitut—ion The subdivisions of the
"empire" The "imperial" gov—ernment The organization and powers
of the natio—nal Klonvokation The Kloncilium as a judicial and ad-
visory b—ody The centralization of p—ower in the office of the Imperial
—Wizard The "Realm" organization Provisional and —chartered stages
The cont—rol of the Kloreros by the Grand Dragons—Provincial or-
ganization The organization of the local klantons The Kleagle's
iii
289981
Oath of Loyalty te IraporiaJ- Wizafd Evans—The advantages of secur-
ing charters—The Iceal- an<{ -"sraod" Tribanals^Subadiary organiza-
tions: The Knights KameHia and rCiiights of the Great Forest—The
mihtary order: Klavahers—The mihtary line of communication—
I-inancing the Order—Klectokens—Imperial and realm taxes—Local
dues—An estimate of the total expense of maintenance.
,.\/ Chapter VI : The Klan and Klansmen : Fraternalism 86
Importance of the emphasis on fraternalism—Social and recreational
activities of the Order: their number and characteristics—Klan
charities--The loose methods used—Later committee organization and
control—Character of the recipients of Klan charity—The Abbott and
Lilly iunds—Klan Haven—Fraternalism as a business asset—Klan
boycotts against opposition groups—Klan operated businesses—The
National Service Club—The Empire Mutual Insurance Company-
Local Klan-sponsored business enterprises.
yChapter VII: The Klan and the State: Political
Activities
97
Political potency of minority blocs—Assertion of the right of nativists
to control the nation's culture—The inevitability of political action as
an outgrowth of Klan dogma—The selection of candidates for public
office—Criteria used—Secrecy as a political asset—The negative char-
acter of the Klan's political action—The fear of the unity and political
power of the Catholic Church—The inherent weakness of Protestant-
't^"?~ •''^ opposition to Catholic candidates and office-holders-
PRemlcathiovte—inactivity of the Rich regime-Local Klan support given
Hostility to LaFollette's candidacy—Increased political
activity under Herbert C. Shaw-The anti-Smith campaign—Analysis
of the presidential vote-The Klan's legislative program for Penn-
sMyaltviaonnisa——TBhaseisfluorfryhoosvtielrit"ythteo MtehxeicWaonrlQduesCtoiuornt."and the League of
yChapter VIII The Klan and the Church Religious
: :
Activities of the Order Ug
The prolific use of familiar religious vocabulary and symbolism—The
Klan's early religiosity—The Kansas City Klonvokation—Devotions
at local and state meetings—Klan hymnology—Church visitations—
Lttect of the Klan upon the religious life of its members-Its efTect
upon church membership—Evidence of its devisive efTect upon certain
parishes—Its efTect upon the ministers who became members—Four
cases—Its efTect upon Protestant-Catholic relationships.
X Chapter IX: The Klan and the Schools Educational
:
Activities of the Order
I34
The issues involved in "the school question"—The attitude of the
Catholic Church relative to education—The Klan criticism of Catho-
,trolP^—''I°h^e'^tK'l,a"n'~'a^n''d^ c^o'n^s"o'l^idation°^of schporionlcidpilsetroifct"sd—eImtoscrsautpipcortcono-f
iv
a Federal Department of Public Education-Klan cntena of the
"American" public school—Klan attempts to secure daily Bible read-
ing from an accepted Protestant text-Insistence ui^n the display of
—thEiffAomretrsicaagnainfsltag-cHerotsatiinlitteyxtt-oboCoaktsholaincdtseyamcbhoelrss-Pofauciatliyenoifsmresualntds
"Catholicism"—The education of Klansmen—The National Depart-
ment of Education and Publicity of the Order.
X Chapter X The Women of the Ku Klux Klan 149
:
The charterino- of the women's Order—Subsidies granted by the
—meEnl'esvaOtirodnerof—AMtitsesmpRtosbbitoe aGiblslortbo tehxeisotfifnicge wofomIemnp'esrianlatiCvoismtmasoncdieetire-s
Initial efforts to organize the women in Pennsylvania—Mary I. Good-
win's leadership—The cooperation of the men's Order in recruiting—
The political, religious and educational activities of the women s Order
—The emphasis on charities—Klan Haven Association-The burning
of the Home—Efforts of the men's organization to get control of the
Association—Its reorganization under joint control—Growing interfer-
ence of the men with the women's Order—The ousting of Mrsm. Good-
win—The Detroit Klonvokation—The Cantey-Winter feud Phila-
delphia—The secession movement within the women's Order.
Chapter XI: The Decline of the Ku Klux Klan in
Pennsylvania Dissatisfaction in the Eastern
:
Province
Rapid decline after 1925—The effect of changed conditions—Growing
dissention within the Order—Bad leadership—The disturbing radicals
—Political factionalism—Effect of arbitrary banishments—Hostility to
Winter's leadership in Philadelphia—His persecution of Cantey and
Laubach—The organization of the Super Secret Society—Its activities
—The retaliation of the K. D. of F.—Resultant disorganization.
Chapter XII: The Decline of the Ku Klux Klan in
Pennsylvania: Revolt in Province II 176
The movement to oust Sam Rich—The Westmoreland County Klan's
"Bill of Complaint"—The cooperation of Allegheny and other
counties in the movement—The forced trial of Rich and his subsequent
bTahneischomnetrnotv—eTrhsye otveemrpotrhaeryratGirfaicnadti'oDnraofgoHnesr:beRrotbiCn.sonShaanwd—SHpirsatutn—-
popularity in western Pennsylvania—Ths famous $100,000 damage
suit against the leaders of the dissatisfied Klansmen—The nature of
the evidence submitted—The defeat of the Klan—Its loss of_ prestige
and membership in western Pennsylvania—The metamorphosis of the
Klan into local social clubs.
Critical Essay on Bibliography 200
Index 210
. . . ,
V
PREFACE
The revived Ku Klux Klan and its stormy career is but one
chapter in the history of American nativism. Other eventful
chapters were written by the American Protective Association,
by the Know Nothings and by many lesser organizations. Indeed,
if one digs beneath the peculiar veneer given to nativism by the
cult of national patriotism, it is easy to observe the same funda-
mental forces at work which have everywhere characterized the
difficult process of adjustment between groups of differing cul-
tures. In recent history the nation-state has increasingly become
the center of popular loyalty. Hence protection of the recognized
"national culture" against "alien influences" is felt to be especially
virtuous. In an earlier age Hussites, Albigenses or Moors were
the "aliens." Different times produce different vocabularies.
Nativism to its devotees is the modern orthodoxy.
• :
As the Ku Klux Klan was not the first chapter, so there is
good reason to believe that it will not be the last chapter in the
nativistic phase of cultural* conflict and adjustment. Whenever
circumstances combine to make the process sufficiently painful,
nativists will again rally to engage "aliens" and their sympathizers
in combat. The succession of nativist movements in the United
States has produced little change in principles. Some refinements
in procedure have occurred. The Know Nothings, for instance,
warned by their predecessors of the 1830's and 1840's of the
futility of attempting political action through a separate nativist
party, learned to bore within the existing party structure and
use it effectively. The American Protective Association in the
1890's and the recent Ku Klux Klan both learned the value of
secrecy from the earlier Know Nothings. The next nativist move-
ment could profit much by the experience of the Klan. One
wonders whether the disaster occasioned by poor leadership and
indiscriminate membership will be remembered.
'"Cultural" is used here and throughout this wo—rk in its broad connotation to in-
i.lude economic, political, religious and social factors the mores in general,
vi
Of peculiar value to the historian of national culture are the
periods when nativism becomes militant. It is during these periods
that the population tends to separate into rather well defined
The numbers
classes which differ in their fundamental loyalties.
within these classes can then be measured with some accuracy and
their effectiveness as pressure groups in society can be determmed.
This study was undertaken with the conviction that a detailed
picture of the Ku Klux Klan limited to a relatively small part
of the "Invisible Empire" would prove more valuable than a
more general but necessarily more superficial study. It would,
moreover, serve as a needed check upon the earlier general ac-
counts. The author chose the "Realm" of Pennsylvania as a
field for research primarily because the growth, leadership and
methods of the Klan in Pennsylvania were representative so far
as the northern and eastern Realms were concerned. Moreover,
the movement in Pennsylvania was especially interesting for the
reason that it revealed greater persistence in this state than in
any other state of the Union. While Klan membership never
reached as high a total in Pennsylvania as in some other states—
notably Texas, Ohio, Florida and Michigan—the paying member-
ship in every other state had fallen below that of Pennsylvama
by 1930.
In the preparation of this study, the writer has made every
effort not only to learn the point of view of the leaders of the
movement but also to understand the Klan as the ordinary rank
and file members understood it. Scores of individuals were in-
terviewed including men who were then active members and men
whose membership had lapsed or who had deliberately resigned
from the Order. Their statements were checked and compared
with each other and/with the statements of non-Klansmen and
of anti-Klansmen in their respective communities.
The task of securing accurate data was not without its peculiar
difficulties. By 1930. when this study was begun, most of the
local Klans over the state had been disbanded. Significantly
enough the records of meetings and activities generally kept by
local officials were not available. When the Order was discredited
much of this written material was felt to be dangerously implicat-
ing or at least to be the basis of possible litigation and was
consequently destroyed. Again, where there were warring fac~
tions within local Klans, materials were often destroyed to pre-
vent the opposing faction from securing them and, in some cases,
to thwart the efforts of unpopular state officials who tried to
collect them.
The reluctance of many Klansmen to talk freely of their ex-
perience was due less to conscientious scruples resulting from
their oaths of secrecy than to other reasons. Certainly in many
instances it was eloquent testimony of the fear which still re-
mained in their minds as a result of the threats and recrimination
and litigation that had characterized former days of active mem-
bership. Some refused to discuss the Klan unless a friend was
present as a witness. In the case of one former Realm
official,
a satisfactory interview was secured only after two years of
efJort. In few cases was the first interview satisfactory; re-
peated visits had to be made.
When
interviewing the author always submitted credentials
from the Chairman of his Dissertation Committee, a member of
the Faculty of Political Science of Columbia University, specify-
ing the strictly academic nature of the study. Besides, he usually
had introductions from other Klansmen. Nevertheless, important
mformation was frequently given only upon promise not to re-
veal Its source. In consequence, dozens of persons who have
been very helpful to the writer must remain unacknowledged in
the pages which follow.
The author wishes to express his thanks to Rev. John F.
Strayer whose helpfulness in securing information has been in-
valuable, and to all those Klansmen, ex-KIansmen, ministers,
school officials, newspaper editors and others who were courteous
enough to grant interviews, answer letters of inquiry, or fill in
questionnaires, supplying the data without which the following
pages could not have been written. He is, of course, deeply in-
debted to David Saville Muzzey, Evarts Boutell Greene and John
A. Krout who, as members of his dissertation committee gave
invaluable counsel and suggestions.
Emerson H. Loucks.
State Teachers College,
Shippensburg, Pa.,
September, 1936.
CHAPTER
1
Some Beginnings of Nativism
"Awake Americans, the libe—rties and institutions of
this country are in danger!" The Omaha American
The elements of the struggle which found expression in the re-
cent Ku Klux Klan movement are by no means new phenomena
in history. The confrontation of peoples of differing economic,
religious or political beliefs and practices and the consequent
need of adjustment to each other has always been productive of
stress and strain. When periods made difficult by such adjust-
ment have coincided with periods of general instability, open con-
flict accompanied by violence has not been unusual as is shown
by the history of the Age of Religious Wars, the Age of Napoleon
and of Metternich as well as the more recent Post-war Era.
The organization of the western world into competitive nation-
states which has been so prominent a characteristic of recent times
has given a nationalistic emphasis to cultural conflict and some-
what changed its vocabulary. Nevertheless, the older economic,
racial and religious elements are all involved. Cultural dififer-
ences, instead of being merely strange or repugnant, are dis-
paragingly labeled "foreign" and nativism is the term commonly
used to designate the movement against all such "alien" elements
and influences. It is a term, however, which includes more than
an expressed partiality to the native-born and their culture in
preference to the foreign-born. In reality it signifies a hostility
to divergent cultural elements which differentiate many natives as
On
well as foreigners from the prescribed national standard. the
other hand it is a useful term because the word itself suggests
the fact that loyalty to the nation and the "true" national culture
(self-defined by nativists) has been a major source of the
emotional force and of the prestige which nativism has exploited
and upon which it has fed and grown,
