Fiery Cross, Volume 2, Number 45, Indianapolis, Marion County, 7 September 1923 — Page 1
Y-CRO INDIANA STATE EDITION H INDIANA STATE EDITION "THERE IS NO FAILURE EXCEPT FAILURE TO SERVE THE PURPOSE' VOLUME II, NUMBER 45 INDIANAPOLIS, IND., FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1923 PRICE FIVE CENTS eplly rand
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FJLEE
n tt r n
iy
Klansmen Preparing for Friday
Czar Ig
mores stolen sedan
ALIEN RIOTS
AMBQY
EAR
AS FOREIGN
IN PERTH
REBELLION BORN REIGN
JOHN MULLIN MAKES TRIP TO PROSECUTOR
Foreigners, Composing Eighty Per Cent of Population, Beat and Mob Americans Police Are Charged With Turning Klansmen Loose in Mob Men Lined Up and Beaten.
POLICE DEPARTMENT CRUMBLES FDER GUIDANCE OF ALLEGED CHIEF
VALPO TRANSACTION NOW BEING HELD UP BY LEGAL TANGLE
TO ENJOY DAY AT STATE FAIR AS PLANNED
Clause in Original Charter May Balk Plans of Klan to Aid University
Aliens Follow Lead Set by Al Smith When He Defied Constitution and Signed Liquor Bill Men Wearing Masonic and Other Lodge Buttons Singled Out by I Mob Lodgemen Keeping Pins Hidden Is Bunker Hill of Twentieth Century.
(Hullctln) PERI tiy IKOY, . Jn Sept. 4.- J The Iriul yi the three men arrested i ixre Aw'vJe "le aiiti-iiiericau riots
iii lt I dursdiiy, and two of lumi lire tilletred Klansmen, were continued until September IS, in court this niornintr.
Secret Tribunal Relic oi Dark Asres
Force Used to Vent Spleen on "Outsiders"
Doubtful That Matter Can Be Legally Consummated, Which Means Abandonment oi Plans
APPRECIATION IS SHOWN STATE BOARD BY CALLING OFF OF SCHEDULED ADDRESSES
Original Story Distorted by Foes Instructions Received by Klansmen
(By Wingfoot) The unfitness of alleged Chief of Police Rikhoff, as head of the police department is again thrown in the face of the public in the incident of the Mullin "mystery car." There is no mystery attached to this car so far as Czar Rikhoff is concerned. He
knows that John Mullin. inspector the university reads in effect that no
The Invisible Empire, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, may not be legally able to take control of Valparaiso University. Plans were about completed for the transaction which would have made this famous old school an institution national in scope and influence, when a legal snag was struck. It may be eliminated and the plans carried to completion, but the prospect is a gloomy one at present, attorneys claim.
A clause in the original charter of
1(0 KLUX (LAN OFFICIAL ANSWERS M'CRAY MOTE Declares Governor Can Not Be Unmindful That Organization Is Greatest Friend Organized Labor Has in America Today-
Asks Chief Executive to Produce Evidence of the Klan Instigating Trouble ia Coal Fields.
Fiery Cross Is Authorized to Pay Governor Sum of One Thousand Dollars for Each Case Wherein Klansmen Are Shown as Starting Trouble McCray's Antagonism Is Cited Listened to Unscrupu lous Politicians?
IF YOU ARE NOT SO
HUNGRY RIGHT NOW YOU WILL RE LATER
(By Stall Correspondent) PERTH AMP.OY, X. J.. Sept. 4. . Tlie riots which started here on last j Thursday nifUit and continued j through the night as the aliens i mobbed and beat Klansmen after j ftoirning a hall in which the Americans were peacefully meeting, present the Hunker Hill of the twentieth j century. I The outrages can hardly be called ; riots -the whole affair bordered on j rebellion. Eighty per cent of the ! population of Perth Am boy is foreign-born, and the foreigners, while possibly influenced by the Catholic fight on the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. in reality staged an anti-American and an ami-Protestant series of murderous riots. Despite the fact that the mayor of the city is a Protestant and a Mason, practically no aid. if any at all, was given the imprisoned Klansmen by the police, it is charged by witnesses to the outrages. Little attention is
Then You Can Eat and Drink at the Liberty Hall Refreshment Booth at the Fair
After the Gnawing Sensation Gained While Watching the Gold Fish lou Can Aid the Kiddies
(By Maiie) There area few things I have missed in my life, but I haven't missed a state fair since, well, since I first started attending them, and that was a long time ago; I think it was the fall that "flappers" wore discreetly long skirts, slick pompadours, with a "dip," and "kangaroo" belts, so you know how long ago it was. I don't remember much about
paid to the prohibition laws and ( tnat first children's day except that
11 . r - if I li ri vi sit t'l emi it nutro v I
Hons, if that were ' nossible. as the i a liUle tot named Maizit holding
night wore on and drinking was indiilped in by some members of the
Uiobbeis. Aliens Hold Italaacc of Power Tiie meeting was legally held by
perm1
by the
an ice cream cone in each hand when suddenly the clouds rained torrents and both cones were promptly aad miraculously transformed into a slimy, sticky, pink liquid. Since that
tragic day, state fairs have come and
tin Klansmen, a
mayor having been issued, anu was gone, and 1 have enjoyed them, every held in the Odd Fellows hall. The j one. I am always impatient with riots started at about ten o'clock and those blase individuals who say, "Oh, were the result of creating or per- no, I never go to the state fair, it's mining the balance of power, politi-Ja bore, just the same thing every ally, economically, socially and re- ! year." I have never found it so; ligiously, to fall into the hands of j there is always something new and aliens. The result is that a steady different. This year, for instance, undermining of all things Ameri- j there is the Liberty Hall refreshcan has taken place. ment tent.
The act of Al Smith, governor of
of detectives, and virtually chief of
the Indianapolis Police Department, has driven a stolen automobile for almost two years. He knows that JohnMullin was called before the prosecuting attorney because of it. Czar Rikhoff knows that the car was driven with a Ki ense plate for a touring ci.r while iht otovn car
was a sedan. He Knows that this was done because of the loose methods in his department. In the face of all this Czar Rikhoff, alleged chief of police of this city,
says nothing. No investigation, no attempt to clean out his department is made by him. Possibly there is a reason why he doesn't wish to "start something." The less talk there is
the better Czar Rikhoff likes it. Why Does Czar Keep Quiet I The question now arises: "Why does Czar Rikhoff keep quiet on the stolen car?" It is possible that he will have much opportunity .to discuss it, however. In the meantime, the Czar continues his crusade against certain members of the police department because he doesn't like their religion.
In all the history of Indianapolis never has such a condition existed in the police department as exists now. Czar Rikhoff and his jewels, Mike Glenn, John Mullin, "Doggie" Brooks, together with other misfits in his department, constitute a tribunal that
would have done justice to one of those bodies that during the Spanish inquisition vented its spite, hatred and venom on its victims without trial or evidence.
One week ago "Silk Sock" Charley O'Donnell resigned his position on the detective department and John "Greenlawn" Mullin refused to give a reason to the public. The resignation followed an "escapade" at a downtown store at which it is alleged O'Donnell was caught shop
lifting. There was no prosecution. O'Donnell evidently belonged to the "Czar's family." This past week we have the spectacle of John Mullin, head of the detective department and to all in(Continued on Page 8)
fraternal, benevolent or eleemosynary order or any religious body shall take over the control of the university at any future date under any consideration. The Knights of the Ku Klux Klan are distinctly a benevolent and eleemosynary order, then constitution vtates. There is the difficulty.
V..,. V,.,L 1,. uivno.l nn nnli. . . ' 1 u" nirtie
' "..'.. ' "... -is- - fajr
iiroiiiiiiuon tun passed uy me iew
York Assembly, and which was charM terized by the late President Hardine as secession from the Union, looms as a huge ball of red fire before the eyes of these aliens. These aliens following the lead by Smith, are making rebellion a fact and not a theory. Al Smith, in signing the bill mentioned above, slapped in the face, figuratively speaking, the ConMittition of the United States. These jiliens are now taking further steps j.ml attempting by rioting, fighting &nd forming mol i, to stifle and beat Americans, and t; take into their own hands the strangling of the Constitution on which our government is founded. Lodge Muttons Hidden
the whole state will popularize
it; it's just another boost for the Liberty Hall Community House, for the finance committee will conduct a refreshment tent at the fair this
week, the proceeds of which will be added to the rapidly growing fund. We are hoping that every publicspirited citizen, every man and
woman wno loves children will visit that booth. The Darling Little Gold Fish After you get through looking at the cows and chickens, the darling little goldfish, with the trailing wedding veils, the unbelievably monstrous hogs (that's a harsh word, but we hesitated to venture "swine"), and after you have marveled nt the Tiiggest pumpkin, we
CASE OF RIRTCHRAUB SET FOR TRIAL SOON
AVHl Not Break Faith Officials of the Klan will under no consideration break the faith of the honored founders of this famous Indiana university, it was stated here Tuesday, Just when it appeared as though
the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan would have a national college at which the truest ideals of American national life would be promulgated, this snag was struck. Attorneys for the Klan and for the trustees of the school are working together in an effort to find a way out of the difficulty. If it is possible in any legal way to get around the clause in the charter, the representatives of the Klan will do so. Otherwise, the school will have
to pass to other hands. It was hoped to have the transaction completed by last Tuesday but the board of trustees were unable to meet until September 5. At that time the matter will be gone into detail in an effort to iron out the
difficulties. School Goes On These details are in no way interfering with the work of the school. Courses are continuing as usual and arrangements are being made for the 1923-24 football team. Dr. H. M. Evans, president, is continuing with his work. Should the legal difficulty be overcome, Valparaiso will become one of the outstanding schools of the country. Its work would be national in
scope, it would in no sense be
limited to Indiana. A board of five trustees, Indiana Klansmen, would control affairs, while Klansmen from other states would have a place on the executive body. No announcement made by the Klan, than the hope to purchase the university, has attracted more widespread and favorable comment. It would be a new era in American collegiate life, if the plans are completed.
(By Eyewitness) Klansmen from every part of Indiana are prepared to come to Indianapolis on Sept. 7th, the day chosen by the Klan to attend the state fair. Despite the distorting and twisting
of the story appearing in The Fiery Cross last week in regard to next Friday, the Klansmen of Indiana will come to the state fair as planned. Inasmuch as the state board of agriculture has shown consideration of the Klan, that organization will show its appreciation of this fact. The speakings scheduled for the fair on that day have been called off. This will not interfere, however, with the 'Klansmen's attendance at
the fair as originally planned. All formal activities have been called off but all Klansmen are under Instruc
tions which were forwarded to them by the usual channels and the day will see hundreds of thousands of Klansmen and their families in Indianapolis and at the state fair. Instructions Given While there will be no demonstrations of any kind at the fair grounds, Klansmen have, as stated above, received instructions for the day. Unfortunately, immediately after
rthe story appeared in last week's
Fiery Cross, it was distorted to suit the minds of those who would block the organization at every step if It were possible. Absolutely ho mention was made in The Fiery Cross of
Klansmen appearing in regalia at
the fair grounds or on the streets of Indianapolis. No statement was made that the state board of agriculture had designated Friday as Klan day at the fair. In spite of this fact enemies immediately got busy distorting the story as carried by this paper. The Fiery Cross is a newspaper carrying news and does not speak officially for the Klan. The foes of the Klan, however, are quick to distort any story, where it is possible,
to embarrass officials of the organization. It is believed that it would be hard to find a person in Indianapolis who believes that the daily newspapers of this city speak officially for the city administration. If such were the case it would indeed be puzzling why a certain man at the head of a most important department in this city still remained at its head.
Grand Dragon Gives Timely Advice to Governor
It strikes me that you could better serve the people of Indiana by observing that .high ideal of public duty which would forbid a man from using his office for the purpose of fostering his own personal fortune or for the purpose of aiding his own financial interests. I offer this as a bit of friendly advice and sincerely hope that you will call in some sane counsel and confer with them in matters vital to the affairs of the state of Indiana before you let the high office of Governor in any way be an aid to a prejudiced campaign for the spreading of malice and Jealousy intended to involve the best people of Indi. ana namely, the native bom, white, Protestant, gentile population of our state in a difficulty which might lead to violence between these honorable citizens and the scattering few Bolshevists who may lire in the mining sections and who may have by some miscarriage of justice slipped into the ranks of the coal miners' union. '
BIBLE IS ORDERED
IN COLUMBIA CITY
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Man Arrested at Star City Appeals Case to Circuit Court Following Conviction
Klan to Show Appreciation
In appreciation of the consideration shown the Klan by the members of the state board of agriculture, the
Klan, as stated above, will not en (Continued on Page 7)
LARGE CROWD AT
DUGGER MEETING
Persona driving into Perth Amboy know for we have been there, a
fire Mopped, as Rett their name, religion and their city of residence and If he proves an American all through, bis car will be" upset and himself beaten. This is the condition in Perth Amboy today as Masons, Odd FellowB, Knights of Pythias carry their lodge buttons In their pockets or leave them at home. Sixty thousand Masons in the state of New Jersey have taken their pins (Continued on Page 8)
gnawing sensation will cause that
determination not to "eat one of those hot dogs" to waver. Just at that psychological moment you'll doubtless hear the well-known megaphone cry "If you're not hungry now you soon will be," and that's your cue; remember the Liberty Hall refreshment stand. It's the second
stand on the broad cement walk that leads from the Coliseum to the exit (Continued on Page 8)
STAR CITY, Ind., Sept. 1. The
case of Gus Kirtcbbaub, who was found guilty in the court of Justice of Peace for disturbing a public meeting, profanity, and provoke, will be brought to trial early this month in the circuit court to which he appealed. Kirtchbaub, it is alleged, did not like the idea of an American meeting being held in the vicinity of Denham, Indiana, last month and proceeded to make himself extremely obnoxious by using the same
means of disturbance generally used by the ignorant opponents of peaceful gatherings. His actions became
so offensive and his language so indecent, it is alleged, that the above charges were made against him by the speaker and two ladies that were running an ice cream stand close by the speakers' stand.
HARRISON COUNTY IS COMING TO FRONT
AMSTERDAM, Ind., Sept. 1. Before one of the largest crowds in the history of this town, a speaker on
last Tuesday night delivered an ad
dress in which he dwelt on the prin
ciples of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. His speech was interrupted repeatedly by loud and enthusiastic applause. Much favorable comment has been heard here following the meeting. The meeting held at Amsterdam was but one of a series of meetings which are being held in this county and from all appearances the county
stands a good chance of becoming one of the very leading counties in
the state. Harrison county has been very quiet in marshaling its Protes
tant forces into the Klan but excel
lent work has been done.. The fact that all speakers receive the most
enthusiastic reception speaks for it
self as to just what the residents of
the county think of the Klan,
Women of Ku Klux Klan Stage
Big Parade and Initiate a Large Class of Candidates
DUGGER, Ind., Aug. 31. The larg
est -crowd Dugger has ever seen
gathered here last Friday evening to attend the ceremonies of the Women
of the Ku Klux Klan, which included
a parade through the town, initiation
of a large class and many oilier fea
tures..
Women in full regalia helped di
rect the heavy traffic that poured in
town in a continual stream for some
time.
The parade, which was spectacular to a degree, was headed by mounted
women who were followed by the
Excelsior. Klan band which livened
things up considerably wherever
they were. Following this", came
long line or women in run regalia. Cheer upon cheer came from the crowds along the line of march as the women made their way along the route. The ceremonies were held at the baseball park where a large number of candidates were initiated into the order. Sandwiches and coffee were served on the grounds.
Must Be Read Each Day Klan
Annual Picnic Is Held Harvest Machines Left Idle
Bootleggers Growing Scarce in Whit'
ley County as Klan trains Strength
(Special to The Fiery Cross)
COLUMBIA CITY, Ind., Sept. 3.
Following a recent resolution passed
by the school board of Columbia
City, the Bible will be read in the public schools each day. Township trustees throughout the county are
also passing resolutions to the same
effect and Whitley county will be one
of those counties in Indiana where
the school children will hear the scripture read each day.
The action of the Columbia City
school board followed resolutions passed by the Whitley County Ministerial Association some time ago. At
that time the association went on
record as favoring the reading of at least ten verses of the scripture each
day. The resolution contained the
clause that the verses should be read by the teachers without comment.
HUNDREDS ATTEND PICNIC
COLUMBIA CITY, Ind., Sept 3.
Hundreds of persons attended the
first annual picnic given by the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan here
last week and were liberal in their applause when a well-known speaker gave an address on Americanism and
the Klan.
In the evening, while a large fiery
cross threw its glow over the crowd,
a large class of candidates were
naturalized in the initiation ceremonies of the order.
While these ceremonies were going on another cross blazed upon a hill some distance away and the women
of the Ku Klux Klan held an initia
tion ceremony in which many daughters of America were taken Into the
fold.
Although the threshing season was
on, many machines snut aown ior
the day.
Owing to the activities of the Klan
here, bootleggers are -beginning to
grow scarce. The sheriff of Whitley
county is now having the long-de
sired co-operation of the citizens Of
the community and with the rapid increase of Klan membership his
duties are growing easier.
A copy of a letter to Governor Warren T. McCray, written by the Grand Dragon of Indiana, Knights' of the Ku Klux Klan, was received in the office of The Fiery Cross today. The letter is in answer to a letter written Milton Blrod. editor of The Fiery Cross, and which was forwarded to the Grand Dragon. The letter from Governor McCray was 14 regard to alleged trouble in the min, ing districts of Indiana. Columbus, Ohio, Sept. 3, 1923. Honorable Warren T. McCray, Governor of Indiana, Indianapolis, Indiana. Your Excellency:
Your communication addressed to)
Mr. Milton Elrod under date of Au gust 23d and mailed by you on tha
29th and received and acknowledged, by him under date of August 30th, reached this office yesterday and I
am taking advantage of this my first opportunity to reply. It H noted ia the first paragraph of your letter you state, "There is considerable trouble brewing In the mining camps .
between the members of the organ
ization you represent and those who are not connected with it."
This announcement from voti
bejaes as & great surprise after ft
fashion, but when the recent survey in the mining district of Indiana ia considered and the reports- coming back from that section of the state
are carefully surveyed and when at the same time the facts concerning
your statement some two months ago
are contemplated, wherein you said: "The Ku Klux Klan may be in the height of its glory now, but sooner or later it will be involved in lawless activities in this state," then the element of surprise is eliminated and we wonder whether or not this- is a part of the plans contemplated by you at that time for the purpose of precipitating trouble between the better element of the population In the state of Indiana and whatever small undesirable element there may be in the ranks of the coal miners' union. Considering further the recent developments in connection with your political activities and that of ex-Governor Goodrich in the prolonged and subtle fight which both of. you have initiated against the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, we
naturally conclude that this ia your first aggressive step to effect
some unpleasant relation between, the staunch, high-grade Protestant American citizens who are members of both the United Mine Workers of America and of the Knights of the Ku
Klux Klan and the foreign agitators, who always involve the better class
of labor In difficulties. You can not
be unmindful of the fact that tha Knights of the Kit Klux Klan is the
greatest friend that organized labor has in America today and you can not be wholly unaware of the enormous good the Knights of the Ku
Klux Klan have done organized labor
in the past eighteen months throughout the state of Indiana and in the nation. I therefore call upon you to
produce whatever evidence you may
have in your possession indicating
that the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan have been the Instigators ot any difficulty which you anticipate ia the coal fields of Indiana. Mail this
evidence to the Grand Dragon,
Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, P. O,
Box 39, Indianapolis, Ind.
Manipulating Personal Affairs Assuming that you have been so
busy manipulating your personal
financial affairs In the past six
months that you have not had an opportunity to observe what is going on in the state of Indiana and further assuming that your recent care
fully guarded, but effective antagonism trt tha TTniirtita nf tha ITii Win
Klan has been the product more of your imagination than ot any material evidence that you may have in your-possession to Justify any such antagonism, I take great pleasure in informing you that the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan is not now nor never has been an organization which in any way instiagted or encouraged any lawless activity, befcause each Klansman is bound by solemn oath to uphold, aid and assist (Continued on Page 7)