On Labor Day weekend 1925, the Ku Klux Klan of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, held a huge demonstration in Harrisburg, the county seat and capital city of the state. Large crowds arrived to participate and witness as thousands of white-robed Klansmen and Klanswomen paraded in full regalia.
Newspapers covered the event as if it were a normal celebration of the last holiday of the summer.
The news article presented here is from the Harrisburg Telegraph, September 7, 1925:
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KU KLUX KLAN PARADE AND FAIR ATTRACT THRONGS
Thousands of Klansmen Gather in Great Demonstration
CHOICE FARM EXHIBITS
Thousands of Klansmen from all parts of Pennsylvania filled the city to-day, as the great Labor Day demonstrations of the Ku Klux Klan got under way. Starting with a religious service on Island Park last night under the direction of the Rev. H. C. Hartranft, of Hershey, and continuing to-day with a field meed in the Island Park this morning and a big parade this afternoon, the Klan celebration will conclude late to-day with a great naturalization ceremony.
Other events featuring Labor Day in Harrisburg were the amusements of the Dauphin County Fair which opened to-day at the grounds east of Paxtang, a ball game between York and Harrisburg at the West End grounds this morning an unveiling of the war monument at Jednota this afternoon.
Many of the best horses on eastern tacks were scheduled to run at the fair grounds to-day, and interest was high in the schedule of races outlined by the Fair Association. The track was in splendid shape this morning after last night’s slight rain, and fast time was looked for.
Last Summer Holiday
State, county and city offices, banks and stores were closed to-day, as thousands of workers went out of town for the holiday. Motor roads were jammed, and the country club and public golf links and tennis courts were in use all day.
Hundreds went to Altoona for the auto races there.
Hershey Park and Paxtang Park entertained big crowds to-day, the better enjoying the last day of the season. As according to custom, the management will close Paxtang after to-day.
At 1 o’clock this afternoon, the Klan parade was scheduled to form, various units being aligned facing Front Street in the intersection streets from Locust to Reily. Moving at 3 o’clock, the line of march took the hooded hosts north in Front Street to Hamilton, to Second, to Briggs, to Third, to Market and thence to Island Park. Here the Klavaliers were scheduled to put on competitive drills.
Picturesque Street Scenes
Garbed in the habilaments of the Klan, with all the various decorations of the different bodies a part of the major order, thousands of Klanswomen walked about the streets of the city this morning or rode in gaily decorated automobiles, the K. K. K. and cross of the Klan being prominently displayed at every point.
Color schemes of red, black and white predominated with the cross of the Klan stamped on every white robe, over the heart, and the colored hoods, indicative of higher rank lending a clerical aspect to the costume.
Huge motor buses, filled to overflowing with Klansmen and their wives, reached the city from Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New York, and New Jersey. The railroads brought their quota of marchers, who debouched from the station to cover the city. Capitol Hill, the River Park, Market Street and the Square were crowded all day with the hooded host. One Klansman in full regalia took it upon himself to direct traffic at Front and Market Streets, but he was shortly relieved by Captain of Police Franz Page in favor of a city policeman.
The river bridges too, presented colorful pictures as their walks were filled with the uniformed Klansmen, hiking to and from the Island headquarters of the order.
Full Police Force on Duty
Chief of Police Joseph P. Thompson said this morning that the city would be well policed.
“We have turned out all the night men for police duty and regulations on traffic. About half of the day force is necessary to handle traffic on Front Street, and keep the crowds from forming congested areas.”
“There is no disorder of any kind with the Klan affair, and we do not expect any throughout the day.” Officers have been doubled on congested corners and these are being aided by special officer of the Klan who are aiding in the movement of traffic and directed of the strangers who have come into the city.
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