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 8, 1925:
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KLAN GIVES CITY DEMONSTRATION OF ITS AMERICANISM
White Robed Hosts Models of Deportment on Streets and in Parade
THOUSANDS IN MARCH
Harrisburg opened its arms to the Ku Klux Klan yesterday and found it had clasped a great organization in its bosom.
It found the Klan far different from the masked night raiding organization it had been so often pictured. Instead the city learned the Klan is composed of Americans of both sexes from all walks of life who demonstrated their love and respect for their country by conducting themselves with model deportment both on the streets and in the parade which moved for hours over downtown streets.
The demonstration ranks with the most orderly ever held in this city. Not a single untoward incident marring the perfect record.
Spectacular Sight
All through the day automobiles and trucks gathered from all points in the compass. People walked, rode, and came in by every imaginable means of conveyance. Every color of the rainbow could be seen flitting toward the streets between Front and Second, below Reily, to get into the formation and make ready to move into position at 3 o’clock.
From 1 until 3 o’clock leaders of divisions were busy marshaling their followers. Confusion was rampant. Ar 3 confusion melted away and order come out of chaos. Each division moved away at its appointed time and in perfect order. The parade made its way up Front Street and then really struck its stride.
The parade crossed Hamilton to Second, to Briggs, to Third, to Market, to the Square, and from there across the Market Street Bridge to Island Park. Along the route the crowds were lined from curbing to building cheering as their favorites passed or some new color or formation caught their eye.
Women in Pretty Uniforms
Women in varicolored uniforms competed with the men. Their formations were just as unique and regular as their brothers.
Many of the uniforms were far from being the plain white that most of the uninitiated associate with the Klan. Officers were resplendent in green, red and other colors.
Sam Rich at Head
Sam D. Rich, Grand Dragon of Pennsylvania, led the column, his green robe making him a striking figure among the less conspicuous uniforms. Behind him were the staff in colors of red and white.
Montgomery a Favorite
Probably the most picturesque of the marchers were the women and especially the tri-K organization from Montgomery County with their white uniforms faced in black and colonial hats. Their unit was led by Klavaliers from the same county. These boys entertained along the route with military formations and trick marching.
Washington, D. C. repayed some of their debt to Pennsylvania when they sent 500 men who formed a massed flag formation. Each man carried an American flag and marched in a massed body. Part of the time they formed a cross as they passed by the cheering crowd.
Nearby States Send Groups
Other states competed in the size of their turnout with the cities and counties of Pennsylvania. Practically every city had a representation and many bodies marched as a massed delegation from their counties. Delaware sent an extremely large number of men considering the distance they had to travel.
Militant Airs and Hymns
Bands livened the way for Klansmen feet and at least twenty made the distance seem a great deal shorter than it would otherwise have been. Women with a kitchenette band brought humor into the ranks. Militant airs as well as hymns and the customary marches were played by the bands.
Central Pennsylvania in whose honor the meeting was arranged indicated their appreciation by the turnout.
Williamstown with their junior girls in blue hoods, escorted by Klavaliers passed passed in bold array. Lykens, Lancaster, Reading Bellefonte, Mifflin, Lewistown, were there in force.
Perry County Klan No. 27, of Marysville, brought their own band to lead the gathering. Lebanon was represented by several hundred persons. Delegated from DuBois. Williamsport, Berks County, Bethlehem and Beaver County were well represented.
Johnstown and Cambria County Klans were accompanied by the Johnstown kitchenette band. Delaware, Chester, and York drew cheers along the line of march.
Weary feet finally brought the Klans to Island Park, where food awaited them. A massed body of 30,000 men and women attended the meeting.
Sam D. Rich introduced the principal speaker of the evening, Dr. W. F. Chase, of Atlanta. His subject was the four cornerstones of the Klan, “Public Schools, Law and Order, Home, and Church.”
Following him, Sam D. Rich spoke on the future of the Klan pointing out that from now on secrecy would be maintained in every branch of the order.
Next Parade in Gettysburg
Special stress was layed on the Gettysburg meeting September 20 [1925], when Klansmen from the entire state will gather to honor the dead. imperial Wizard, Dr. Hiram Wesley Evans will be present.
The Lodge of Sorrow is to be in charge of New Kensington Degree Team. The meeting at Gettysburg is not confined to those from Pennsylvania but is designated as a meeting place.
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News articles from Newspapers.com.
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