In what was probably the biggest Ku Klux Klan demonstration up to this time in the Lykens Valley area, hundreds of hooded members of that order took charge of the funeral of James Spangler, a young miner who was killed in an accident at the colliery. The Lykens Standard, of July 24, 1925, gave a great deal of column space to this funeral, including the above article, another article with the names of funeral attendees, and in the edition of the following week, four photos of the funeral showing the Klan marching in full regalia and in graveside services at the cemetery in Lykens. Also in the July 24, 1925, the Standard advertised a Klan event in Gratz and publicized a special excursion train to the Klan meeting in Washington, D. C.
KLAN ATTENDED SPANGLER FUNERAL
The first public appearance of the K. K. K. with their full paraphernalia occurred in Lykens Sunday afternoon when more than three hundred hooded Knights attended the funeral of their deceased member, Mr. James Spangler, who was killed while at his employment at the colliery.
The organization, including the K. K. K., the Auxiliary and the Junior Klan attended the funeral in a body according to a request made by Mr. Spangler some time ago when he informed his wife that should he died before her, he wanted her to have the K. K. K. have full charge of the funeral.
Solemnly and slowly the long column of white robed Klan headed the funeral cortege to the cemetery where they formed a large circle about the grave. After a short prayer by the Rev. Walter E. Carvin the services were taken charge of by the K. K. K. A brief sermon and a prayer by the officers of the organization was their final act to their deceased brother. Other organizations of which Mr. Spangler was a member and which were represented at the funeral were the K. of G. E. [Knights of the Golden Eagle], L. O. O. M. [Loyal Order of Moose], U. M. W. of A. [United Mine Workers of America], and the I. O. O. F. [Odd Fellows].
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Also from the Lykens Standard, July 24, 1925:
ATTENDED FUNERAL OF JAMES SPANGLER
The following from out of town attended the funeral of Mr. James Spangler who was buried Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Daubert and son Charles Daubert, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Zimmerman and family, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Spangler and family, John Spangler and George Spangler, Harry Beach and John Beach and Mr. Statton, of Llewellyn.
Mr. and Mrs. James Wheelan, Ambler.
Reuben Miller, William Miller, and Alfred Miller, of Philadelphia.
John Hewitt, wife and two sons of Shafferstown.
William Shively, wife and daughter, Kulpmont.
Mr. and Mrs. John Miller, son Ammon Miller and daughter Betty Miller, Shamokin.
Mr. and Mrs. David Edwards and family, Mt. Carmel.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Miller Sr. and family, Donaldson.
Mr. and Mrs. George Miller, Mrs. Rachel Kimmel and children, Mrs. Sara Miller of Keffers.
Mrs. Preston Leah of Tremont.
Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Miller, Mrs. Sylvester Batdorf, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Batdorf, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Berry and family, and Jerry Miller and William George and children, Dayton.
Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Kissinger and family, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Keene and family, Mr. and Mrs. Lehr Straub and son Leon Straub, Marlin Womer, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Rowe and daughter Julia Rowe, Mrs. George Schell and Mrs. George Shomper, Williamstown.
Frank Keene and Mr. and Mrs. Withlock, Harrisburg.
Mrs. Hattie Varnes, Mr. and Mrs. Fortenbaugh and child and Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Fortenbaugh, Marysville.
Florence Travitz, Tower City.
Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Spangler and children, Enola.
Mrs. Leach, Lemoyne.
Flowers presented were as follows: Cross of gladiolas, Klan; Broken Ladder, Liberty Hose Company No. 2, Lykens; spray gladiolas and roses, Family; spray roses from B. Y. P. U. Society of Baptist Church; spray roses, Mr. and Mrs. William Shively of Kulpmont; spray roses and lilies, Stanley and Employees; spray gladiolas, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Spangler; spray; Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Williams; spray asters, Sister Sara Spangler and Brother William Spangler; spray, Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Baddorf; spray gladiolas; Mrs. Frank Keen and Mrs. Elmer Kissinger; spray gladiolas, Mrs. Ed Zimmerman and Mrs. Irvin Daubert; spray, United Mine Workers, spray, L. O. O. Moose.
Previously the photos of the funeral were featured here in four posts.
The story of the mine accident also appeared on this blog:
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News articles from Newspapers.com.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.