The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1920-10-09
Ku Klux KIan Begins Oper-
atiOns in Virginia.
(By a. n. P.l

Richmond. Va, Oct 7.-"Knights OF
the Ku Klux Klan. originated here a
few days ago, met somewhere in
Richmond" for the purpose Of taxi
ing into the order a number of men
who have signed their desire to Join.
The order. an organizer stated will
total in membership here more than
10000, within few weeks. At. the
present time there are more than 200
accredited members. Five men are
IN charge Of the organization work
here, which is said to be going ON
all over the state.
a number of new members were
initiated initiated IN some secret meeting
order follows the customs of the old
Klan formed just after the war be-
tween the States, in that II initiates
new members, under the fiery cross,
This is only one of similar notices
that have been appearing in various
daily newspapers throughout the
South in the states OF Alabama, Geor-
gia, Florida. Tennessee Mississippi.
IT is calculated to fiji the peo-
pie of our group with alarm, 1t has
met with dismal failure. Here in this
community there is being organized:
The Black Knights Of the Ku Klux
Khan OF America with ayowals just
as trong as the mysterious klanites
OF the other side.
The newspapers of Alabama, and
particularly Birmingham, seemed to
have been very anxious to give the
history of the Ku Klux Klan, organi-
zation for the benefit OF its readers,
Here Is the story as given out;
which It Is claimed lis a patriotic,
spiritualistic fraternal order, has been
in the making for the last eighteen
years. the idea perpetuating the prin-
Khan was founded having originated
in the mind of Col. william J. Sim
mons, professor of Southern history
at Lanier University ct Atlanta
Col. Simmons dedicated his life TO
this cause and for fourteen years he
thought. studied and worked to pre-
pare himself for launching this in
stitution. In October, 1915, he mem
among whom were three men who
were bonafide members of the origi-
nal khan of the reconstruction plan
on the night OF October 26 Col;
after he had unfolded his plans all
those present. "a In number signed
petition for a charter. On Thanks
giving night in 1915. the organizers
q the khan assembled on the top OF
Stone Mountain, near Atlanta and
there at midnight, under blazing
fiery cross, they took the oath Of at
leRiance TO the Invisible empire
knights of the Ku Klu Klan. Since
there were still three members Of
the old organization among the group
the state Of Geirgia issued them
charter which gives them all the
rights and privileges Of the old and
defunct order that is they presun1--
ably are licensed again to pillage and
burn and terrorize under cover OF
darkness anyone who incurs their
enmity, with Negroes their object In
particular
The original Klu Klu KIan claims
TO have been the chief instrument in
resortinE to the white people Of the
South control and dominance OF that
section, wrestling It from the so cali
ed scalawags. carpet basgers and the
Negroes. 1t claims as its purpose the
following ideals: ITO inculcate the
sacred principles and noble ideals or
chivalry, the development Of charac-
ter. protection OF the home. and the
chastity of womanhood. Their appli-
cation blank reads "Only native born
white Americans who believe In the
tenets OF the Christian religion and
owe no aliegiace to any foreign gov
ernment. sect. people or persons are
eligible to membership"