Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-03-28
KING kLEACLE MAINE
kLAN GUARDED WHEN
TOLD TO QUIT STATE

FOTtidnu, MarCn ZI-F. Eugene
Farnsworth, King Kleagle of the Ku
Klux Khan of Maine, is under guard
at the Hotel Graymore on Preble
street so that no unwelcome visitor
may penetrate to the secluded room
where he lies recovering from a Sc
we're though not serious illness.
Neither the King Kleagle nor Mrs.
Farnsworth is receiving telephone
messages and all queries addressed
to them either in person or over the
telephone are referred to Ernest But
Ter, a stalwart Klansman. who de-
scribes himself as lone of Mr.. Farms
worth's confidants."
The situation which brought about
these unprecedented precautions to
protect Mr.. Farnsworth from attack
first came to light when a telephoned
request to police headquarters at $50
yesterday morning that an officer be
sent to Mr.. FarnSworth'S suite. In
spector Edward T. Silver responded
to the call, and was told that at 4
o'clock of the same morning Mr..
Farnsworth had received telephone
message purporting to come from
DR.. w. H. Witham, kleagle of With
am klavern, the local organization of
the Ku kluX Khan, in which he was
warned to get out of town in "a
hours, and stay out. After consulta-
ton with his lieutenantS he decided
to notify the police.
Inspector Silver reported the mat
ter to police headquarters. Support
ers of Mr.. Farnsworth claim that the
matter was told to the police depart
ment in utmost confidence, and that
that confidence was violated. They
say they are through with the po-
lice" and that a strong Khan guard
is now watching over Mr.. Farms
worth.
Mr.. Butler refused to make any
comment with respect to the Situa-
ton at the Graymore, but simply
said that a statement would prob
ably be issued tomorrow in Mr..
Farnsworths behalf, and that it
would possibly contain u refutation
Of some implied reflections against
Mr.. Farnsworth.
DIR. w. II. Witham, kleagle of
Witham Klavern. who is purported
to have been responsible for the
threatening telephone call which
brought about Mr.. Farnsworths APP
plication to the police department
for protection, was sought this
morning to confirm or deny the
statement that he Lad called the king
kleagle. At the first call DIR. With
am was out, but Mrs. Witham,
speaking for him, said DIR. Witham
positively did not call Mr.. Farms
worth and knew nothing of the au-
thorship of the call. She expressed
her opinion that it was a frame up"
to discredit the Khan.
Later DIR. Witham was located at
his home on Pleasant avenue, and
he was equally emphatic in his de-
malls. He said that he did not tele-
phone, and had no knowledge of
any telephone call. He denied that
there was any friction between him
and Mr.. Farnsworth. In fact he
said that when Mr.. Farnsworth had
his last attack of his malady he (Dr.
Witham) was summoned, but that
he was busy on a case he could not
leave, so another physician subs
tituted for him. He said that he
had frequently treated Mr.. Farms
worth through malarial attacks such
as that through which is at pres
emit suffering.
DR.. Witham not only said that he
was on good terms with Mr.. Farms
worth, but added that he talked with
MT. taTUSWOTln several times yes
terday and would call at the Gray
more to see him today. because of
solicitude as to his health.
DIR. Williams statement that he
was not responsible for the tele-
phone call to Mr.. Farnsworth was
repeated to Mr.. Farnsworth's lieu
tenant. Mr.. Butler, and brought from
him the statement, speedily retracted,
that We have no doubt as to the
authenticity of the call" When he
was pressed to further comment he
took refuge in his previous pro-
nouncement that nothing would
be said to the newspapers until a
formal statement was given out to-
morrow.
Questioned as to whether DR.. Wit
ham would be admitted to Mr..
Farnsworth's apartment in event he
called, Mr.. Butler said. Il should say
not" He added the he was relying
upon his own judgement. but was
morally certain that that would be
the action taken. He refused to
give any reason why the doctor
should not be allowed to call upon
the Khan leader.
Inspector Edward T. Silver, who
was sent to Mr.. Farnsworth's room
to confer with him about the tele-
phoned warning, says that Mr..
Farnsworth told him that he rec
ognized DIR. Williams voice.