Dick,
It is, indeed, unfortunate that the KKK ever existed, and it is my
opinion that many people who belonged to the KKK were, perhaps, naive in
understanding the ideals of the group, at least initially. Because I'm
naturally curious, I think it is interesting to know who might have been
involved. Perhaps someone, either now or later, might also be curious
if their ancestor belonged to the organization.
Genealogy research uncovers all kinds of information including a few
skeltons in the closet. KKK membership would qualify as one of those
skeltons and does not necessarily reflect on the interest or quality of
those descended from the members.
Randi Richardson
The information
On Sat, 17 Dec 2011 12:25:10 -0800, Dick Carr wrote:
Nancee, Randi and all others:
Unless there is some sort of genealogical significance to information
regarding such a despotic organization as the KKK, would someone
please tell me why it is appearing on my genealogical pages.
The information noted below pertaining to the 1925 officers of the Ku
Klux Klan in Owen County, Indiana, was extracted from a document titled
KU KLUX KLAN OFFICERS, IDIANA RECORDS, 1925, compiled by Paul Brockman
in 1994. It is available at the Indiana Historical Society under call
number SC2419.
Brockman noted that the Klan met monthly at an unspecified location.
The county population at the time was 13,000 and the Klan membership was
not noted.
Because each office of the Klan was identified with a unique name
starting with the letter “K,” and because those names do not fit any
known positions of management, the office name was excluded herein.
However, the names of the individuals are in order of their appearance
in the document and a level of importance is suggested by their
hierarchy.
Theodore E. Slinkard
C. J. Hickman
Alex Fulk
Ernest Summerlot
Perry Keyes
Mark Johnson
Russell R. Coffey
John Baugh, Jr.
John H. Hummel
Mr. I. P. Hilburg
John R. Shouse
Ray L. Burns
Morton Mugg