Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-02
alabama Veteran
Talks of Ku-Klux
Only Secret Order That Ncuer
Had a Traitor, Says Col.
Robinson, of Birmingham.

Colonel J. Mat, Robinson. OF Birm-
ingham. Ala, is here. He enjoys the
distinction of having organized the
ku-klux Khan in Alabama, and delig h IS
in giving his friends the insid. history
of that strange. weird organization.
Not so long ago. In the birmingham
News, Colonel Robinson had an article
telling many interesting details of the
ku- klux. Such was the demand for
the paper that Colonel Robinson was
able to get only one copy. That copy
he prizes and clings to tcnaciously. II
is n full-pagc layout. with photos and
a decidedly readable story OF the clan
Colonel Robinson fought four years
in the War between the states. and
he says that with all his war experience
with its trials. dangers and vicissitudcs.
he takes more pride in tho part he
took as organizer and leader of the Eu-
Eiux Khan than in what he was able to
do I'm the regular service. The objects OF
the ku-Klux, he said. he held rs tho
most worthy and beneficicnt.
mo one" he says, ever hcarl oe n
genuine Ku-Kiux doing n mean Or dis
honorable act though some outragcs
were committed in their name by some
VINO never belonged to the order.
The mission Of the clan. Colonel Rob
inson insists. was 10 do good and pro-
tee, the weak and oppressed.
Ills story Of how he came to take UP
the work oforcaniZing his State is in
tcresting some time in The LITTER
part Of 1857 or the first part Or iSSH.
ne says. II was standing on the corner
east of the Courthouse Square In hunts
willie, Ala. and stranger approached
tnt, hi In coi "a
was from Pulaski. Tenn, that he had
n letter and message co. me and that
II was of n secret character. I Invited
him 10 my office. After we got inside
the Office he asked IL we would be
Interrupted or our conversation over
walls were thick. there was A double
floor and the floor was caTpetad The
door was then locked. ! was asked II
had ever heard Of tho ku-klux Khan:
if SO. what ! thought OF It. l replied
had heard somcthin gabout It. but
settled opinion. He asked if I would
ike 20 join. ] replied not unless knew
mere about it.
The result OF the interview was thai
Colonel Robinson undertook the or
Eanization OF the Ku-klux in Hunts
vile. and later Nc was charged with
the task OF organizing the whole State.
This duty having been entrusted TO him
by General Nathan Bedford Forrest.
who was the supreme authority IN the
-KluX Khan.
The necessity for the Ku-Klux Y. Ian,
says Colonel Robinson, was imperative
The ignorant negro. led by vicious
scalawags and carpet baEgers. had be
come insulting and overbcaring. and the
T"oplc were IN state OF great unrest
and excitement, not knowing at what
time n collision would result between
tie oppressed and :he oppressors. The
ku-kluX quickly became II body Of
'rcll-drilled and wcll-oflicercd men, wEo
we're willing 10 risk their lives again
and again in the defense OF their homes
and loved ones.
The clan adopted n ehostly garb,
and moved about in such silence and
mystery that they were regarded with
awe and thought by the superstitious
TO be ghosts or spirits.
III was the only secret order that
ever existed that never had a traitor"