In 1926, the Ku Klux Klan was very active in the Lykens Valley area. Additional news briefs have been located about those activities and are given here in this blog post.
This post is a continuation of the reporting on hate groups that were active in the Lykens Valley area. It was a widely known fact that the Ku Klux Klan had a significant presence in the Lykens Valley and adjacent valleys during the early years of the 20th Century. This iteration of the Klan was strongly white supremacist and was opposed to equal rights for African Americans, Catholics, Jews, and immigrants.
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From the Pine Grove Press Herald, February 18, 1926:
A number of our people attended divine services in St. John’s Church on Sunday evening. Rev. Dollman preached to the members of the K. K. K. in St. John’s Church, Pine Grove, the other Sunday evening.
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From the Pine Grove Press Herald, March 26, 1926:
The remains of the late Hyman Hummel took place from his late home on last Thursday morning and was well attended. A number of people were not able to get seating room in the church. The K. K. K. to the number of nearly 100 attended in robed form and also provided the pallbearers, who were William Schaeffer, George W. Hoffman, James Brensinger, Charles Williams, Adam Heinbach and George Schwalm.
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From the Pine Grove Press Herald, April 16, 1926:
The Ladies Aid of the Manbeck’s Church take this means of thanking the K. K. K. for the donation recently received.
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From the Pine Grove Press Herald, June 4, 1926:
Big parade and demonstration from all parts of the State here on Saturday afternoon, June 5th. Fireworks, music, etc., and don’t miss the sauerkraut supper which will be served by the ladies of the Klan.
At the Klan event on the lower ball park on Saturday, June 5, a sauerkraut supper will be served from 4 to 6 o’clock p.m.. Committee K. K. K.
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From the Pine Grove Press Herald, news of Stanhope, June 11, 1926:
A number of our people witnessed the K. K. K. parade on Saturday evening at Pine Grove.
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From the Pine Grove Press Herald, June 11, 1926:
Mr. Frank Thiel, of Mahanoy City, was in town on Saturday evening to witness the K. K. K. demonstration at the lower park. While here he visited the local fire company house and inspected the new Seagraves fire truck and complimented the citizens of the borough in making such a fine selection of fire fighting apparatus….
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From the Pine Grove Press Herald, July 30, 1926:
Due to the very serious illness of Mrs. William Schucker, of North Tulpehocken St., the proposed K. K. K. demonstration, picnic, band concert and fireworks display, to be held last Wednesday evening on the grounds of the League ball team in the rear of the Schucker home, has been postponed to some later date. Announcement will be made in due form.
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From the Pine Grove Press Herald, August 13, 1926:
On Thursday, August 19, the K. K. K. of this community will give a demonstration in the “League Ball Park,” South Pine Grove. There will be a band concert, fireworks, refreshments, etc. The features begin about 7:30 in the evening. Everybody is invited to come. Should weather conditions be unfavorable the event will take place on the 20th. The committee.
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From the Lykens Standard, September 10, 1926:
The Ladies of the K. K. K. held a weenie and corn roast at the ball park in Wednesday evening. Many guests from out of town attended.
A cross was burned at this place by the K. K. K. at nine o’clock Wednesday evening.
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From the Pine Grove Press Herald, September 17, 1926:
Card of Thanks. — I hereby express my sincere thanks to neighbors, relatives and friends, and especially the K. K. K., who came to my relief and so kindly tendered their helpfulness in my recent bereavement. Morris Knapp.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, news of Waynesville, September 23, 1926:
Mr. and Mrs. George W. Lebo and daughter, Mary Lebo, Mr. and Mrs. Clair Zimmerman and children, Mr. and Mrs. Dewey Lebo, son Reed Lebo, Miss Mary Lebo, Roy Lebo and Darwin Dimpsey attended the band concert by the Junior K. K. K. band at Millersburg.
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News articles from Newspapers.com.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.