Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1922-08-28
1000 White ROBBED
FIGURES Seen IN
SECLUDED FIELD
Ku Kulx Klanism has invaded La Sale
County.
Saturday night, following in the wake of a
forecast made a few
weeks back by the Free
Trader. Journal t h a t

Trader Journal t h a t
kIan activities were making them
selves evident in Ottawa and certain
spots not far from here, there
was naturalization. which en-
braced initiation of 200 novlces, all
of whom were from ottawa, La Sale,
Peru and some from the localities
surrounding these cities.
The settings for this naturalization
was field four miles northwest of
Peru, at what is known Spring
Creek, an isolated portion of the
Harry Murray farm at what the main
ginks thought would be far enough
away from prying eyes and caves
droppers to insure no interruption of
the degree work.
1000 Spooks In Evidence.
A thousand white robed figures
hovered about the scene of the initia-
tion while lights from 1875 automo-
biles, formed into large circle.
played upon the arena in which were
assembled the novitiates about to re-
ceive the Klansmen's oath and obli-
CATION The oaths were administer
ed before the proverbial flaming
cross placed upon high altar in
the center of the field. f
The work, it is said. was done by
a Chicago team of fifteen high Of
ficials and began between and 10!
o'clock and was not concluded until
2 o'clock Sunday morning.
Another Meeting Planned.
From the same sources that gave
the Free Trader-Journal its first. tip.
on a movement to organize Klan in
the county II was made known that
within the next few weeks, at point
not distant from this city, there will
be another gathering at which a still
larger class will be inducted into the
mysteries of Kleagelisms and Goblin
isms.
AS with all the lKlans activities ut
most secrecy guards every move
ment. 1t rs said that even the men,
bers knew nothing of where Satur-
day nights naturalization was to be
held until they arrived on the scene,
to which they had been directed by
the mystic signs known only to those
donning the spook-like garb of the
Klansman. These signs were placed
along roads within a radius of 100,
miles of the initiation and the result
was that the gathering embraced
klansmen from nearly every city in
this section of the state.
After the naturalization the meet
ing dispersed and some still wearing
their white robes started out over
the home trails only to be seen by
RAISING travellers, who reported their
discovery to police of La Sale and
nf hn snb tcp N
Ottawa and took early trains out of
here for the east. Others, it is
claimed. secured Sunday lodgings at
Starved Rock and La Sale.
"Ghosts" Seen on Road.
Some interesting stories of the
Klan doings are being recounted to-
day by Peru and La Sale people. A
armer youth carried the first word
into Peru that the ku kluxers were
in the vicinity. He said he had been
attracted to the Murray farm by
bright light which reached heaven
ward over the pasture. Going nearer
the light centered into flaming
cross around which he said were
countless numbers of automobiles.
He got closeup of a ghost and fell
prone to the ground. Fearing his end
was near he wggled along the
ground and finally wormed his way
into a corn field, where, from a. safe
roint of vantage, he witnessed what
he could of the ceremonies in breath
less astonishment.
When the guards" who were post
ed out around the roads and in ad-
joining fields gave him the opportun-
ity to duck he said he raced thru the
field and crept into bed. His eyes
almost popped from his head as he
told the story to the Peru police.
A Peru man returning from Prince
ton about 1 o'clock said he was ac-
costed in the middle of dreary and
lonesome spot by two of the spooks.
They commanded him to stop.
Asked if he stopped he replied
you're d-d right | stopped"
He then related how they asked
him his name and his business and
then ordered him to beat it.
did you bet it" the cop interject-
ed
"You just bet your life beat it
and | beat it as fast as | could. MY
! heart stopped beating when those
two white things got onto the run
ming board of my car and began ask
ing questions. | was scared stiff and
when they told me to beat it was so
grateful for the chance to get out l
tcould have kissed the two of en-
4 third man who rushed abruptly
! into the midst of group of guards
said he never turned his car around
so fast in his life. When he saw the
/ snooks in the road he cramped the
wheels. swung her back and scooted
away as fast as his gas would let
4 him.