On October 11, 1924, the Ku Klux Klan held a giant demonstration or rally at Packer’s Island Park in the Schuylkill River near Sunbury, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. The event drew participants from communities south as far as Harrisburg including many from the Lykens Valley area. It also was supported by the Pennsylvania State Police, who assisted in directing traffic and protecting the Klan participants.
Today’s post presents articles that appeared in the Sunbury Daily Item which reported on the event.
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From the Sunbury Daily Item, October 7, 1924:
TERRIFIC BLAST CAUSE OF FLURRY IN SISTER TOWN
Fear That Disastrous Explosion Occurred Common In Sunbury and Northumberland Following Explosion at 9:35 P.M.
A blast that shook both Sunbury and Northumberland rattling windows and dishes and leading to the belief that a disastrous explosion had occurred, caused no end of excitement for a half hour in both towns last night. The shock was timed at 9:25 o’clock and was so pronounced in both towns that it was believed close at hand. People ran into the streets and industrial plants in various neighborhoods were soon the scenes of large gatherings in the belief that a boiler explosion had occurred. Firemen ran to their halls to await an alarm in some instances and at Northumberland many people rushed to the classification yards, believed that a locomotive had blown up.
The blast, it later was learned, was a discharge of dynamite touched off on Blue Hill, opposite Sunbury. A fiery cross later appeared on the crest of the hill, opposite River Park and was visible over a wide area on this side of the river.
It was learned today that the display was for the purpose of announcing an assembly and parade to be held here on Saturday next, October 11 [1924], by the Ku Klux Klan. It was also announced that baptism of infants by Klan ministers will be a feature of the ceremonial, which will be held at Island Park.
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From the Sunbury Daily Item, October 10 and 11, 1924:
NOTICE – Plenty of police protection will be afforded all who attend the big demonstration Saturday on Packer’s Island under the auspices of the Sunbury Branch of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. Men, women and children are invited to witness this spectacular affair. A detail of State Police will assist in directing traffic. Signed Klaveliers.
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From the Sunbury Daily Item, October 11, 1924 (image at top of post):
EXPECT 15,000 AT KLAN AFFAIR
Between fifteen and twenty thousand people are expected to participate in and witness the huge Ku Klux Klan parade and demonstration scheduled to take place at Island Park tonight. Much interest has been aroused by posters announcing the event, placed in conspicuous places from one end of the city to the other.
Dr. Flemming, famed in Washington circles, sent word to local Klan headquarters from Harrisburg today that he would be present tonight to speak. His address will be given at 8 o’clock.
7:30 is the time set for the beginning of the program, one of the most interesting parts of which will be the baptism of infants under the rites of the Klan order and by Klan ministers.
People from Sunbury, Northumberland, Selinsgrove, Lewisburg, Milton, Shamokin, Mount Carmel, and all parts of the county will be present, it is expected.
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From the Sunbury Daily Item, October 13, 1924:
KLANSMEN HOLD OPEN AIR MEET AT ISLAND PARK
Demonstration Saturday Evening Declared to Have Been Biggest In History of Northumberland County Branch – Receive Class
Thousands of people from Sunbury and vicinity flocked to Packer’s Island Saturday night to witness the biggest the biggest demonstration ever staged by the Northumberland County branch of the Ku Klux Klan. The demonstration was a success in every respect. Ceremonies and rites of the order were performed publicly and without an outward sign of disorder.
In view of the fact that a demonstration was held at Milton recently, the affair Saturday night was not only attended by interested persons, but by a class of candidates which was inducted with impressive initiation ceremonies.
Klansmen began gathering on the site of the old Packer Race Track at the north end of the island before 7 o’clock. An hour later the booming of a mortar salute announced the start of things. By that time there were masses of people there, most of whom remained until the cessation of activities. The surrounding fields were crowded with automobiles.
Gaskins’ Band rendered several patriotic airs before the start of the literary program. Ladies of the order assembled separately to hear an address by a national representative while the male faction, listened to a message delivered by Dr. Flemming, another national representative.
The induction of candidates furnished a thrilling sight to the spectators. When the band struck up “Onward Christian Soldiers,” the candidates, marching three abreast, filed past Dr. Flemming, who was then speaking loudly in order that his words might reach the outermost edges of the crowd.
Most of the Klansmen appeared in civil clothes, only the mounted guards and militarists of the order being robed in the official regalia. Even the candidates were unhooded as were the ministers who conducted the religious exercises.
Upon the conclusion of ritualistic exercises a fascinating fire works display was given. It included the burning of three K’s in red fire; the burning of a 100% sign in red fire; and an immense cross in red fire. Besides this, the solemnity and mystery of it all furnished a thrill to the crowds.
Those who purchased tickets were entitles to of anything that was served, including sandwiches of all kinds, hot wieners, ice cream, cake and coffee.
Owing to the lateness of the hour, the parade which was scheduled to furnish the grand climax, was called off and at 10:30 o’clock the demonstration ended.
It was said that the call inducted last night was the biggest in the history of the local order, the candidates marching three abreast in a line nearly two blocks long. This was considered excellent in view of the fact that a recent demonstration at Milton secured a large class.
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Finally, from the “Herndon Notes” column of the Sunbury Daily Item, October 17, 1924:
HERNDON NOTES OF SHORT METER
Quite a number from town [Herndon] attended the Ku Klux Klan meeting at Island Park Saturday evening.
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The last item shown (above) was typical of what local communities submitted to the newspapers indicating the goings-on involving their residents. Sometimes, the papers reported those who attended along with their names while at other times the events were reported as “attended the demonstration” or “attended the festivities,” the latter being more difficult to find when using digital search engines. Typically, in searching for items to use on this blog, the keyword “Klan” is used, which limits the results.
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Article from Newspapers.com.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.