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It Wasn't Long Ago that Easter in Fort Worth Celebrated the Lord and the Klan

It was Holy Week 1922, 100 years ago:

▪ Palm Sunday, April 9: “Klan Refuses to Disband” — “DALLAS — ‘We will stay forever.’ This is the answer of the Ku Klux Klan to Mayor Sawnie Aldredge’s suggestion that they disband, made at the conclusion of a meeting attended by 5,000 Klansmen in the coliseum of the Texas State Fair here Saturday night. ... The Klan wishes to work for better citizenship and 100 percent Americanism.”

▪ Palm Sunday, April 9: “Henry Announces Stand on K.K.K.” — “Robert L. (Bob) Henry, candidate for the United States Senate, speaking in the auditorium of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce ... replied ‘I am proud to say that I am in favor of the Ku Klux Klan.’ Cheers which lasted several minutes greeted this remark.

“Henry declared: ‘The Ku Klux believes in white supremacy. ... Foreign immigration has reached a stage when real red-blooded Americans should rise up.’ ”

▪ Monday, April 10: “Pastor Praises Ku Klux Klan” — “Rev. W.H. Knight was cheered by the largest crowd ever gathered at the Birdville Baptist Church Sunday night as he discussed the Ku Klux Klan, stating there is a need. ... Four Klansmen entered the church at the beginning of the service and gave the pastor, Rev. C.E. Matthews, a bouquet ...

“ ... In reply to the greetings, the pastor said, “I am, both as a citizen and a minister of the Gospel, a friend of the Klan and I stand for everything it stands for.’ ”

▪ Monday, April 10: “Jury Calls Klan Speaker” — “J.E. Camp of Atlanta, Ga., ... mentioned [Fort Worth] as a Texas city with a strong Klan, declaring that the organization numbered more than 6,000 ... it included judges, business and profession men, county officials, and ‘every preacher in town, save one.’ ”

▪ Wednesday, April 12: “Klan Defended by Electra Preacher” — “CLEBURNE — ‘The Ku Klux Klan is a power for righteousness.’ ” This was the statement of Rev. R.B. Curry of Electra, preaching at the Anglin Street Methodist Church. ... He asserted that immorality is running riot all over the country.”

Read entire article at Fort Worth Star-Telegram