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Page 12A Wednesday, December 27,1978 ATHENS NEWS COURIERKlan founded as social club(Cointinued from Page)night’s initiation was concluded, the sentinel related the story of the frightened black and his post-haste departurefrom the premises.It occurred to several members almost simultaneously that it would be worth a trial to see if the other blacks in the community would be as scared as the young man was on his first sight of a robed member.In one of the best sections of Pulaski there was a housetemporarily occupied by a number of blacks, including some young girls.The nights were made intolerable for the white residents of the neighborhood. It did no good to complain to the Federal occupying forces of the disorder that occurred, for the native whites were merely laughed at by the military.The new club or Klan decided to hold a demonstration outside the house occupied by the boisterious blacks, and thus garbed their horses as well as themselves in white robes. Riding in twos, the Klansmen rode up to the front gate of the blacks' house and politely asked for a drink of water, never alluding to any of their misdeeds. No threat nor admonition was given.The black brought a dipper of water in response to the request, but was then asked to bring the bucket, which the robed rider drank down without hesitation, explaining that he hadn t had a drink since Shiloh, a battle that occurred more than a hundred miles away and several years before. The horsemen then rode silently away, getting rid of theirs andthe horses robes, almost instantly vanishing.Boisterous revelry ceased in that yeard and in that housewhere the blacks lived became as quiet as a graveyard. Nolonger did unruly young blacks frequent their formergathering place; indeed, they moved away to another location.Word of the occurrence at Pulaski spread rapidly. Members of the Pulaski Klan were asked to come to other states and instruct residents on organizing similar groups, and citizens of other Southern states came to Pulaski to learn of the new force by which disenfranchised native whites might regain control of their land.Reputedly, the first Den or Klavern of the Ku Klux Klan organized outside Pulaski was at nearby Athens, its membership made up mostly of Confederate veterans. Ultimately, the Ku Klux Klan spread all over the South, and in most cases violence was avoided in the original organization. Iater in the 1920s and in the present-day Klan no such claim can be made for the Ku Klux Klan.The Klan also adopted other names in other parts of the South following the War Between the States, but it was in Pulaski that it was originally founded and did much good toward restoring the rights of the South.The original Klan was ordered disbanded by former Gen. Nathan B. Forrest who had been made Wizard of the Saddle by its membership.(Contirthe filibustt changes will I many people Non-contro\ which control city or coun quickly throui to McDonald, more quickly o ly one local Besides th changes, MclLt. Governor, presides over strict on filibu senator speak stay on the sulinvolked if it’sbe used in filibusters,” P New rules aLt. Governc toward makir ficient body, other problem state legislatu even have of capital, and or representative of home rule f jet to be ado McDonald and rules are a stlt; toward a more Legislature.
Newspaper Details
Athens News Courier
Athens, Alabama, US
Wed, Dec 27, 1978
Page 12
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 29 Jan 2019
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