Ku Klux Klan, Parke County, Indiana document
Collection — Folder: S2543
Identifier: S2543
Scope and Contents
The collection consists of one document, "Confidential Orders and Instructions to Klan Officers" notice in Parke County, Indiana, dated October 1, 1928, instructing Klan officers of Parke County, Indiana to support and advance the political program and slates promoted by the KKK.
Dates
- 1928/10/01
Creator
- Ku Klux Klan (1915-) (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Historical Note
"The first Ku Klux Klan (KKK) emerged after the Civil War as an underground organization led by former Confederates aimed at opposing Reconstruction and suppressing African Americans with intimidation and violence. The next iteration of the Klan that re-emerged in the 1910s invoked imagery of the first Klan to frighten its enemies, mainly Catholics and immigrants but also Jews and African Americans. By the 1920s, this second Klan was a nationwide, mainstream organization composed of everyday white Protestants born in the United States. The Klan wrapped its nationalist, xenophobic, white supremacist message in patriotic language and symbolism.
"Indiana Grand Dragon, David Curtis “D. C.” Stephenson, was influential in politics and grew wealthy by exploiting his influence. The Klan’s power peaked in 1924 with the election of a sympathetic candidate, Edward Jackson, as governor of Indiana. The Klan’s popularity diminished following the conviction of Stephenson for the rape and murder of Madge Oberholtzer in 1925. However, the organization disbanded in large part because they achieved their nativist goals with the passage of the 1924 immigration act.
"The organization was revived again during the Civil Rights era in the 1960s. The Klan grew increasingly violent toward African Americans and was responsible for bombings, shootings and harassment of anyone who supported Civil Rights. By the 1970s, much of the Klan’s membership dissipated as support waned and infighting caused members to join similar ideological groups elsewhere."
Excerpt from: "Ku Klux Klan in Indiana" digital collection, ISL Digital Collections, Indiana State Library. https://indianamemory.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16066coll69.
"Indiana Grand Dragon, David Curtis “D. C.” Stephenson, was influential in politics and grew wealthy by exploiting his influence. The Klan’s power peaked in 1924 with the election of a sympathetic candidate, Edward Jackson, as governor of Indiana. The Klan’s popularity diminished following the conviction of Stephenson for the rape and murder of Madge Oberholtzer in 1925. However, the organization disbanded in large part because they achieved their nativist goals with the passage of the 1924 immigration act.
"The organization was revived again during the Civil Rights era in the 1960s. The Klan grew increasingly violent toward African Americans and was responsible for bombings, shootings and harassment of anyone who supported Civil Rights. By the 1970s, much of the Klan’s membership dissipated as support waned and infighting caused members to join similar ideological groups elsewhere."
Excerpt from: "Ku Klux Klan in Indiana" digital collection, ISL Digital Collections, Indiana State Library. https://indianamemory.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16066coll69.
Extent
0.01 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation from Randall W. Jehs on 1971/04/16.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2012/11 by Brent Abercrombie. Finding aid created in 2012/11 by Brent Abercrombie. EAD finding aid revised 2025/10/27 by Brittany Kropf.
Creator
- Ku Klux Klan (1915-) (Organization)
- Title
- Ku Klux Klan, Parke County, Indiana document
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
