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The Klan in Chaffee

There is documented evidence that the Klan (KKK) had at least a small presence in the Chaffee community in the late 1920's and early 1930's.

From ... The Chaffee Signal May 28, 1931   

MEETING OF KLAN

HELD HERE SATURDAY

A konklave of the Ku Klux Klan was held in the F.W. Dunn field here near Highway 55 last Saturday night, with about 200 people in attendance.  An excursion on the Frisco Sunnyland brought a delegation from St. Louis.

Rev. R.C. Garner, an organizer, spoke of the necessity of reorganizing the Klan here.  The Kleagle of Missouri and the Kleagle of the women's organization were also present.  The Klansmen were white robes without masks, and paraded before the assembly.

The meeting was orderly and legal in all but one reported respect.  It was reported that a torch cross was lighted on the church grounds of the Catholic Church here.  This met the disapproval of a majority of the citizens and many of the Klansmen.  It was recognized that the trespassing of private property and especially the starting a fire thereon was a reprehensible act.

The ladies of the Christian Church had a stand and sold sandwiches and soft drinks.

The delegation from St. Louis returned there in their special car on 806 Sunday morning.

   

Note: In paragraph 1 the Signal used the word "konklave", did they misspell "conclave" or did the Klan make a practice of referring to their gatherings using the K purposely.

In paragraph 2, the Signal provides a lot of noteworthy information.  Note that a "Rev." was an organizer of this event in Chaffee.  The "Kleagle" was the official publication or newsletter of the Klan and apparently this meeting at Chaffee did merit the attention of that publication.  And note that the Klansmen did not feel the need to disguise their identities in Chaffee as they paraded before the assemble without wearing a mask.

In paragraph 3, the Signal does document the torching of a cross on the church grounds of the St. Ambrose Catholic Church.  It is unclear if the "torching" occurred later that same night or later in the week (Although we will discover later, the torching occurred on May 23, 1931.  This event is also referenced in the Garito version of the St. Ambrose Church history. (See Garito Version)

In paragraph 4, we note that a church organization participated in this historic event.

And in paragraph 5, we see that the "konklave" stays overnight in Chaffee and returns by Frisco passenger train #806 to St. Louis on Sunday morning "in their special car". 

 
     

 

In that same Chaffee Signal of May 28, 1931 .......... another article, in the form of an "Editorial" is printed .........

From ... The Chaffee Signal May 28, 1931   

Even Klan Sympathizers were Astonished

The meeting of the Ku Klux Klan here last Saturday night was marked by one reported act which did not meet public approval.  Some person is reported to have erected a torch in the shape of a cross on the Catholic Church grounds and set fire to it.

Even Klan sympathizers were astonished at this illegal act.  Private property is guaranteed freedom from trespassers under the constitution.  Every religious organization is entitled to worship according to creed.  No church or society is allowed by law to enter upon the property of another who differs in creed and stage a demonstration or build a fire.  The majority of the Protestant people in Chaffee were shocked a this deed and felt less friendly toward the Klan after this occurrence.

In the midst of our depression there is no need for a revival of this secret organization, which is largely founded upon bigotry and prejudice.  There has been more unity among our people lately than at any time within the past ten years and it is deplorable to see an attempt to revive the old time differences which formerly prevailed to our disadvantage.

 

The Signal has attempted to arouse the community against the Klan with the Editorial in the May 28th paper.  That very same night, May 28th, the American Legion Post had their regular meeting and guess what was on the agenda.

From Page 1 ... The Chaffee Signal June 4, 1931     

LEGION CONDEMNS

BURNING OF CROSS

ON CHURCH GROUNDS

At its regular meeting last Thursday night, the Aubuchon-Alsobrook Post of the American Legion adopted a resolution condemning the unlawful act of Klansmen or their sympathizers for entering the church grounds here and burning a cross thereon.

The following resolution was adopted after debate unanimously and was given to the Signal for publication:

Resolved by the Aubuchon-Alsobrook Post, American Legion

RESOLVED:

THAT We condemn the forcible entry upon the premises of the Catholic Church lots here and the building of a fire there by certain persons on May 23rd, 1931.

THAT We are opposed to secret threats of any one class of people against any other class.

THAT We will stoutly uphold the laws of the State and Nation which guarantee freedom to worship according to individual belief..

THAT Should such conclave be held in Chaffee at a future date this Post will furnish volunteers, who, if legally deputized, will defend the property of any church or any citizen from trespass, seizure or other infraction.

Regularly passed by the Post May 28th, 1931

W.O. Finney,

E.M. Munger,

T.M. Stokely,

Committee.

Attest: C.J. Rosenquist, Adjutant.

Chaffee Historical Society
P.O. Box 185
Chaffee, Missouri  65740