The Minnesota fiery cross. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1924-19??, 1924-02-29
10000 KLANSMEN
PARADE STREETS ,
OF OKLAHOMA CITY
washington Birthday Cele-
bration One of Greatest
Held in South

lather OF their country in this city.
when knights and Ladies of the KIN
AUX Alan swept down upon the cap
ltol city and participated in the
greatest open air demonstration of
the new year.
Despite the inclement weather re-
ported from all parts of Oklahoma
and drizzling rain in the CITY pro-
per which threatened for a time to
be the harbinger of a snow storm.
klansmen and their families brayed
the elements and at nightfali, Off
Gals OF the organization, by a check
OF records, reported more than %, 900
citizens of the Invisible Empire
were in the city.
by special train, by automobiles in
spite of muddy roads, they came by
the thousands.
Washington's triumphant entry in
to Yorktown at the head of the Con-
tinental armies and it's effect on the
enemy might be likened to the tri-
umphant entry of these Klansmen i'm
Oklahoma City to celebrate his natal
day.
Accepting the challenge of news
papers and other opposing elements
these klansmen came in full regalia,
but with faces uncovered that all
VINO chose might gaze upon them
and make the most of it.
No previous announcement of the
klan's intention to unmask was made
by Grand Dragon, N. c. Jewett. The
Khan chief wanted to surprise those
opposed to the order He did.
Curious throngs lined the streets
from dawn until shortly before mid
night when the festivities were
brought to a close at the conclusion
Of the greatest parade in the history
of the order.
They won't dare show their
faces" newspapers had said.
But klansmen did dare-more than
10000 of them.
The robed Knights began their
peaceable invasion of the city at
dawn when vanguard of Southern
Oklahomans, accompanied by their
band, arrived shortly after five
o'clock a. m.
Strains of "Hail, Hail, the Gangs
All Here" gave residents of the city
their first intimation that the Klux-
ers had begun to arrive
BY noon delegations registered at
headquarters had increased to the
tune of 10000. At dusk the number
swelled to 10000, that number being
only those who had registered off
cially.
No attempt was made to tally the
thousands who came by automobile
or interurban car. Neither was a
check kept upon members of Okla
homa City Khan No. l who were not
registered.
Promptly at nine o'clock a. m. the
Klorero was called to order. The
Klavern of Oklahoma City Khan,
where headquarters were established
was filled to overlooking during the
entire day by delegates and Klans-
man.
With the exception of one hour
when the meeting was adjourned for
lunch, Khan leaders from Imperial
and state headquarters thrilled those
present with inspiring addresses up
on the progress made nationally by
the organization and by outlining
plans for the future.
The meeting was adjourned at five
o'clock. Between that time and nine
o'clock when the procession of TO-
900 robed Klansmen began their
procession through the heart of the
city unmasked members of the order
still attired in full regalia took in
the sights" dined or visited theaters
where special performances had been
arranged for.
Klansmen from Texas, Arkansas,
Kansas, Missouri and other surround
ing states were present in the pro-
cession. Klansmen from 274 Okla
homa organizations were in line.
Grand Dragon N. c. Jewett, attir-
ed in official regalia, mounted, and
accompanied by members of his staff,
reviewed the marchers from a point
in the heart of the city.
Oklahoma Klansmen saIuted and
cheered their chief as they passed.
While the members wended their
way through the city's street, an
aviator, with his airplane decorated
with an electric lighted fiery cross
lowered overhead illuminating the
heavens with an unusual pyrotehnic
display.
Bursting bombs dropped by the
birdman which followed a shower of
silver stars brought forth cheers from
the marching hordes which resounded
through the city.
Even the curious populace-those
not members of the organization
joined with Klansmen in cheering
the aviator and otherwise letting it
be known that they were in SYM
pathy with the organization and the
things for which it stands.
Sixteen special trains brought Wis
iting Klansmen to the city. The train
from Kay county, Oklahoma, was in
charge Of a train, crew, which from
engineer to brakeman, was attired in
robes of the order.
Visitors and Oklahoma Klansmen
voted the celebration one of the best
of it's kind ever held by the organi-
cation. The parade was the greatest
ever held in the United States, all
declared.
Thus did Oklahoma, on the birth
day celebration of Americas first
great American give the lie to news
paper allegations that the Khan is
not vital factor in America today.
Thus did they answer a miserable
wretch who several months ago
while drunk with the power of Office
staged the most violent persecu-
tion of native born Americans since
a L.. .tx.xy f1..oIxI