Latimer County News-Democrat (Wilburton, Okla.), Vol. 24, No. 36, Ed. 1 Friday, May 26, 1922 Page: 1 of 8
eight pages : ill. ; page 20 x 13 in. Digitized from 35 mm. microfilm.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
CUMiutktfW
r- r ?
- u “T
S ‘
ii
V
f '
J'
raHCoumsfiww
4 ALL HOME MINT— SUPREME IN LATIMER COUNTY
CONTINUOUS PUBLICATION Of THE WILBURTQN NEWS AND THE LATIMER COUNTY pawnniAT
CARLTON WEAVER FaUbfer
wilburton Latimer county Oklahoma miday mat m ikl
VOLUME XXIV
NUMBER M
R-
1
- t
: 1
1
Eior Wednesday Night
Document For Publication Given Carlton Weaver at Lone
ly Spot in Road South of Wilburton More Than 400
- Strong in County- Warning to Evil Doers ' '
They are here The Ku Klux Klan -
Four hundred of them in Latimer
county “ 1
Carlton Weaver editor of the News-
Democrat was - kidnaped by eight
klantmen Wednesday evening from
the Hibb'ard old corner Main and Cen-
' tral and taken to a lonely spot south
of town where he was given a docu-
ment for publication
- The writer received an anonymous
phone call in the evening when the
1 party calling asked if he wanted' a
good story for this week s’paper We
answered in the affirmative He ad-
vised us to be on the Hibbard corner
- at eight-thirty p m We asked who
it was speaking but the reply was
"Never mind that" We asked if the
matter was the straight goods and
the voice assured us thpt he was not
kidding -Naturally
our speculation as to
what was up covered a wide range of
imagination We thought of the Ku
Klux for we have read not a few times
of kiansmen kidnapping editors to
witness a' whipping party' or to be
given matter for publication It had
been rumored and whispered about
town for some time that the Klan
was here Fact is it was generally
talked that there were two young men
waited upon Saturday night last by
members -of the Mail" '
At ten minutes before the appointed
eight-thirty the editor eased over to-
ward the Hibbard corner and was at-
tracted and absorbed by the street
speaker and crowd on the Charney
corner and it occured that the party
calling on the phone wished him to
take notice of the meeting for the
speaker was bitter in his attacks on
churches and other creditable and
respectable organizations We looked
at our watch and it was one minute
until eight-thirty We again center-
ed our at tention on the street meet-
ing but irt another instant we were at-
tracted by the rapid approach of two
open cars from the east and in them
we beheld refced and masked men
We wondered and thought fast Was
'‘ this the story? Were we called to
view the passing of the kiansmen
But they were bringing their cars to
a halt Like two or three hundred
others we stared in awe and amaze-
ment The cars came to a stand still
just opposite and -only a few yards
from where we stood Some of them
got out Don’t know how many Two
of them rushed up caught the writer
by the arms and rushed him to the
rear seat of the front car Involun-
tarily we held back for an instant but
the firm grip and determined move-
ments of our escorts indicated in no
uncertain way that they meant busi-
ness and that they wanted Weaver
Seated between two of the mysterious
vtsitors each of them gripping an
arm the robed driver at the wheel
stood on the gas and followed closely
by the rear car we were on our way
Like a -boy who whistles to keep up
his courage the editor wanted to talk
to keep up his' But not an answer
’ did he get - “What’s up fellows?
No answer "Where are we going?
“Nice night?” Not a word in return
"Where-are - you from?” Silence
Since there is dignity in silence we
decided to be dignified to not anoth-
er word was spoken -
The driver turned south at Convict
Hill A mile south thence a mile
east In a dark and lonesome place
in the road the cart came to a halt
and the' writer wat aisisted out The
eight men most of them good sized
gathered around Thit thought "Sur-
rounded by ghosts and a long ways
from home” Another thought -“If
fhey have mean intentions how I need
a friend” Our courage increased and
with a heroic effort to laugh we gave
them this: “Where is your wet rope
or what do you use?”
- The -silence was broken For the
first time we heard the voice of a
masked and elaborately robed klans-
man He spoke thus “Weaver you
need have no fear Wilburton and
Latimer county has a strong Klan of
the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan-We
are men who believe in law and or-
der We are' men with families with
sons and daughters We believe in
God in the church in the law and in
' — — we T I - — L A
our great country We do not be-
lieve in taking the law into our own
hands except when the officers and
the coprts fail and when it must be
t done to protect the home womanhood
' S
and national integrity You nor any
other good man will ever have cause
to fear harm from this organization
We have been in the county for some
time but we have been silent because
we Were growing and it is in our
strength that we come now to advise
through your pubication the people
of Latimer 'county that we are on the
job more than four hundred of us to
practice and execute the principles
for which our organization stands
Take this document and this light and
read aloud to us its contents:"
Here the editor was handed an in-
strument prepared on a printed letter
head form showing the number and
location of the Klan represented and
containing the official seal of the or-
der and with the aid of a flash light
furnished by the kiansmen we read
aloud the following: -
"WILBURTON" f
- Invisible Empire
KNIGHTS OF THE KU KLUX
KLAN -
Realm ef Oklahoma
Klaa No ST
Wilburton Oklahoma
May 25 1922
Editor of the News-Democrat
Wilbur top Latimer County Okla
Dear Sir:
This it a request that you through
the News-Democrat let the people of
-this city and county know that We are
here what we stand for and what we
do not stand for Please publish this
in this week’s issue of your paper
We believe in upholding law and
order
W t stand for the protection of pure
womanhood
We believe in the tenents of the
Christian religion
We believe in separation of church
and state
We believe in White Supremacy
We believe in limitation of foreign
immigration
We believe in closer relationship of
purq Americanism
We believe in the upholding of the
constitution of these United States
We believe in Freedom of speech
free press
We believe in THE MUCH NEED-
ED LOCAL REFORMS
We will oppose the candidate for
office whose record or past conduct
is shady or questionable If you are
crooked you need not announce for
office
We believe we-are in the right and
for the right
We are with the good citizens of
this community and county) and will
lend them our assistance in every way
possible '
WE ARE HERE MORE THAN 409
STRONG:
Bootleggers booze haulers booze
makers booze drinkers prostitutes
gamblers thieves hangers-on pan-
dereri wife beaters wife deserters
home wreckers child betrayers long
TONGUE MALICIOUS GOSSIPS
both male and female and all viola-
tors of moral civil and criminal law
take warning
Law violation must cease wives be
true to your husbands husbands be
true to your wives Joy riders -be
careful where you go and what you
do We demand that you be 100 per
cent Americans if you are not — we
will assist you to other climates
DO NOT TAKE this at an idle
threat fbr you never know when the
watchful eye or the attentive ear of
the KLAN is at work we are here
today and forever You know not
whence we come or whether we go
DO NOT EVER FOLLOW
DONE BY ORDER OF THE CY-
CLOPS the year r that crime must
cease
INVISIBLE EMPIRE KNIGHTS
OF THE KU KLUX KLAN Wilbur-
ton Division KLAN NO 87 REALM
OF OKLAHOMA - - -(OFFICIAL
SEAL)
When we had finished reading the
instrument the spokesman continued:
“We would take it-as a favor if you
would give this document space on
the front page of your paper this
week Tell in addition what you have
seen and heard this night Tell the
officers of the law that we are not
usurping -their jobs Tell them that
f 1a — — a —I M ad am aa — i st a m etm
four hundred and more of us are
watching them That we will give
them every support in the execu-
tion of the oath that they - took
to enforce the law Tell them that
they are not exempt from the exactions
of the - Klan Advise the people
through your paper that no man
should ever try to follow us We
need no guides we need no tralers
Will you publish what' we have given
you will you write about what you
have teen and heard?" "Yes” was
the reply "We are much obliged"
came the response “Let's go”
The writer was escorted to hit teat
in the front car and the eight robed
men continued their journey east Art
riving at the Goat Hilt school house
the cars turned north and entered the
city near the court house' The writ-
er was instructed to get onto the run-
ning board and to dismount when the
cars turned east This we did and
we stood in the big road and saw the
tail lights of the two flivvers making
thirty miles an hour towards Lutie
We beat it up town to let our friends
know that things had not turned out
so badly after all that we did not
get that something which has not
been administered since H H Weav-
er played Ku Klux to his son of fif-
teen years about twenty-five years
ago ------ - -
At to what happened in town af-
ter we were picked 'up we cannot
teU - They say the street preacher
ceased to attract and that no tittle
concern was felt and expressed for
the safety of the writer Some thought
the bootleggers had me others that
Quinton and McCurtain Postal High-
way advocates were waiting on me
and some perhaps thought and were
glad that the Ku Klux had me for ill
treatment " '
Just take it from this editor that
what he has written is true -
A E GAMMAGE TO THE VOTERS
OF LATIMER COUNTY
- g
In announcing my candidacy 'for
Sheriff of Latimer county I feel that
I am qualified to enforce the laws
and duties of this office Having
bean reared on the farm and made
farming a business for thirty-two
years I have had experience in the
courts ofTeitas and acquired a reas-
onable knowledge of law pertaining
to the office of sheriff
I have several reasons for aspiring
to this office One of the main rea-
sons is I want to have the privilege
of making Latimer county a better
DUaforevvone tTito’’ I sufctlvl?
t
believe in law enforcement without
prejudice or partiality to any class
My hands are untied so far as spec
ial favors are concerned I have not
made promises to any one that would
influence me from doing my full duty
as an 'officer of Latimer county
If elected I will select the very best
men that can be found at deputjes
and assistants in fulfilling the duties
of the office If elected I-will do my
whole duty and in case I fail to make
good as promised to the voters and
tax payers of the county I will resign
the duties of this office and ask the
commissioners to appoint a sheriff
who will make good provided I fail?
Your vote and influence will be ap-
preciated A E GAMMAGE
Subject to Democratic Primary
August 1st
MALONE FOR RE-ELECTION
The News-Democrat is authorized
to annonuce the candidacy of E L
(Ab) Malone for the office of County
Clerk succeeding himself subject to
thg action of the Democratic Prim-
ary Aug 1st His name appears in
the regular political column of the
News-Democrat
MIKE
RILEY SERIOUSLY
JURED
1N-
Mike Riley well known Wilburton
citizen and the Rock Island section
boss hare fell from his motoiB rail
car Monday morning and sustained
serious injuries including five frac-
tures of his right limb just above the
ankle He was also injured slightly
on his chin and right arm
It seemr from reports gathered
that he put hit foot on the break but
it slipped off and he fell off the car
and hit right limb was caught by one
of the wheels The accident occured
a short while before the west bound
passenger came and two local sur-
geons dressed his wounds while the
train was held to carry him to the
railroad hospital at Shawnee
Word from Shawnee Tuesday af-
ternoon was to the effect that he was
doing nicely and it is thought that he
will not have to suffer the amputation
of the right foot however there is
thought o be danger of this having
to be necessary - -
E GRADY STEPHENS FOR COUN-
TY SUPERINTENDENT
E Grady Stephen of'Red Oak au-
thorizes the News-Democrat to an-
nounce his candidacy for the office
of County Superintendent of Public
Instruction subject to the action of
the Democratic Primary Aug 1st
and we invite your attention- to his
name in the regular announcement
column of thit issue'' Mr Stepheiu
has a statement concerning hit cap-
has a statement concerning nit cap-
didacy in another column of this pep--
MEMORIAL DAY :
R0GUII AT CEME-
TEfiY TUESDAY A M
Every American by birth or adop-
tion is invited and urged to attend the
Memorial Day service at the City
Cemetery Tuesday morning May 30
at ten o'clock
The American Legion and the Lions
have arranged for a program for the
occasion and the feature of the cere-
mony will be the formal decorating
of soldiers’ graves by ex-service men
in uniform
Business will be suspended Tuesday
morning and every person who has
hot forgotten the noble and splendid
service rendered by those who gave
their all for the honor of the Ameri-
can flag and American principles re
invited to take part in thit service of
tribute and honor - - ’
Tha Program 1
Invocation Rev T R Gathright
Depositing of wreaths
Song — Quartette
Introduction of Memorial Day Speaker
H E McConville
Memorial Day Address —
Judge E F Letter
Silent -tribute to the heroic dead '
(30 seconds)
Star Spangled Banner
Taps -
All members of the American Le-
gion and ex-service men and all Lions
and anyone else desiring to do so are
requested to assemble at the Ameri-
can Legion Hall on West Main street
at not later than 9:15 for the purpose
pf marching
body
I
to the cemetery in a
OUR SUBSCRIPTION
FAMILY
This paper is going into about
2500 homes in Latimer county
this week More - than- fifteen
hundred of those who get a copy
do not take the News-Democrat
We take this method in inviting 4
JliWrW' hS'fta Ft SmUh'FrT
Invest $150 for a year's trials Jay morning May 19th Death came
think have bn
che4teif we win return yoh your
monev That’S fair This is elec-
money That’S fair
tion year and there is going to
be lots of interesting reading
Come on and get yourself on our
subscription list "
Carlton Weaver Editor
¥
LIONS IN GOOD MEETING
The third weekly luncheon of the
Lions Club was held in the Baptist
church Tuesday at noon In the ab-
sence of President Ira C Haycock
L' G Hysmith vice president stas
in charge of the business session and
Ike Baer directed the social feature
Supt H M Fowler was presented
and he spoke for ten minutes on the
progress and prospects of the Wil-
burton school
Carlton Weaver reported for the
committee on Memorial Day exercis-
es aud announced the plans for that
day -
L G Hysmith got so excited while
he was making a speech that he
knocked the alarm clock off the
table
W Jd Plummer and Rev H -A
Tucker were guests
Ira C Haycock was elected dele-
gate to the national convention of
Lions which is to meet in Hot Springs
next June and W N Green was elect-
ed alternate
CHEAP RATES TO RICHMOND
REUNION
General H F Bramlett of the U
G V organization has received infor-
mation that the veterans of the Civil
war and members of their families ac-
companying them will receive a one
cent per mile rate to the Richmond
reunion which convenes on June 10
Others that is those who are affili-
ated with U C V auxiliary organiza-
tions will be given a rate of one fare
for the round trip The approximate
cost of the trip to the veterans will be
$2500 for others $4489
The Rock Island agent here expects
information relating to these raes at
an early date ' '
LESTER HOME AFTER RUST-
TERM
Judge E F Lester arrived home
Saturday from Idabell where he held
a three weeks term of district court
During his court session he tried sev-
enteen criminal cases eight of which
were murder trials Of these three
of the defendants received life sen-
tences '
FIFTY-FOUR TO NOTHING
The election Tuesday for an extra
levy for school purposes was real
quiet and unexciting There were
fifty-four votes cast and all of them
were for the levy -
E GRADY STEPHEN FOR COUN-
TY SUPERINTENDENT
"I take thit method of announcing
to the voters of Latimer county that
I am a candidate for the nomination
to the office of County Superintend-
ent of Public Instruction subject to
the action of the Democratic primary
August 1 1922 - -
For the information of ’those who
are not acquainted with me will say
that I was born and reared in what
is now Latimer county in and near
the town of- Red Oak My education
has been obtained in the public schools
of this county and in the Southeast
ern State Teachers College at Durant
Oklahoma I will attend the Durant
Normal again this year Have for the
past seven years taught in the rural
schools of this and LeFtore counties
three years of which have been spent
in teaching at Denman about three
miles southeast of Red Oak and
haye a contract to teach there the
coming school year I believe that1
1 am thoroughly acquainted with the
needs of the rural schools - It seems
to me that the rural schools should
command the greater part of - the
county superintendent’s attention and
to give the most effective service in
this office one must be thoroughly
acquainted with the problems of these
schools The school at Denman un-
der my supervision hat received fav-
orable comment as a model rural
senool by some of the leading educa-
tors -of this county and also 'the state
This fact I point to with much pride
because I have endeavored to place
my life in my work just as my ambi-
tion is to place myself into the work
of the county superintendent's office
with a view to standardizing and mak-
ing more efficient the work of all the
schools of the county
I will appreciate it very much if
you will investigate my qualifications
and give me your support in my can-
didacy for this office and if elected
I pledge you that I shall give my en-
tire' time and personal attention to
the duties of the office
Respectfully yours
E GRADY STEPHENS
unexpectedly as it was thought that
he was on the road to recovery only
a short while before his condition be-
came serious Thursday The remains
were accompanied to Wilburton by
B B Bronson of Ft Smith and a
former resident of this city the body
arriving here Friday evening
Funeral services were held Sunday
afternoon at two o’clock at the Meth-
odist church in the presence of a
large number d f sympathetic friends
Rev J M Hively the deceased’s pas-
tor officiating Interment was made
at the city cemetery
Harry J Adams was horn August
16 1869' at Cambois Colliery ‘North-
umberland county England He re-
sided in Wilburton twenty years and
as engaged in coal mining He serv
ed one term as court clerk of Lati-
mer county and was well known
throughout the county He was a
member of the Methodist church and
wat considered a man of good qual-
ities He leaves besides his wife one
daughter Miss Jessie! Two brothers
B and J G Adams residing at Ar-
cadia Okla were here for the funeral
The many trends of the 4ereaved
family deeply sympathize with them
in this time of-their greatest sorrow
A E GAMMAGE FOR SHERIFF
A E Gammage authorized the
News-Democrat to announce his can-
didacy for the office of Sheriff of
Latimer county subject to the ac-
tion of the Democratic Primary Aug
1st and hit name appears in the reg-
ular announcement Column of this
issue A statement by Mr Gam-
mage addressed to the voters alto ap-
pears in this issue of the News-Democrat
NATIONAL RED CROSS APPEALS
FOR FUNDS FOR FLOOD
VICTIMS
The National Red Cross has issued
a nation-wide appeal for funds to aid
the thousands of flood victims in the
Mississippi Missouri and Illinois riv-
er valleys Large numbers have been
made homeless and are now destitute
and represent worthy objects of char-
ity '
Those desiring to contribute to their
relief may leave subscriptions with
Mist Helen Clarke executive secre
tary at the Red Cross rooms
J AH WESTON FOR REPRESEN
TATIVE
J H Weston authorizes tue News-
Democrat to announce hit candidacy
for the office of State Representative
from Latimer county subject to the
action of the Democratic Primary His
name appears in the regular an-
nouncement column of the Newt-
Democrat Mr Weston requests us
to state that he will issue a statement
in the interest of his claims at an
early date -- - j ‘
S W H EOYCE
PASSES TO ten
7 GOOD REWARD
t 't
One of Wilburton's ‘ noble women
has passed to her reward Mrs Cath-
erine Royce wife of W H Royce "
passed away at her home Tuesday
7 23rb at 2:45 a m Mrs Royce
id suffered much during the past
seven- months Last October while
visiting her daughter in McAlester
she was stricken with paralysis and'
'°r weeks was confined to a bed of
suffering She improved however eud
was able to sit up and the family had
great hopes of a return of good
health but on May 12th she was "
again stricken and from that time un- '
til the death angel came little hope
was held out for her recovery On
Saturday she revived and knew each
member of the family and spoke to
them words of cheer and encourage-
ment concerning her condition she
expressing a belief that the would get
well - -
Funeral services were held Thurs-
day afternoon at two o’clock at the
resbyterian church Rev H A Tuck
er officiating The business houses
C!0n n attendance and
the floral tributes spoke in eloquent
terms of the high esteem in which this
great mother was held Interment
was made at the City Cemetery
H F Royce a brother of W H 1
Royce arrived Thursday from Peart-
ville III to be with the- bereaved
family in this time of their great sor-
row i i
Mrs Royce was born in Ireland
April 24th 1853 She with her par-
ents came to New York when she
was a baby of one year and a few
months later moved to the state of
Illinois where she grew to woman-
hood On March 8th 1874 she was
married to W H Royce and in 1894
the family moved to Coalgate Okla
where they resided until 1898 when
they came to Wilburton During their
— — — — mwu will MICH
tetidenqe here they have had a big
part in Wilburton’s life The father J'
and the stalwart sens and splendid'
daughters have maintained a big place ‘
in the community’s life and the moth'
er wat always a mother to Wilbur- 1
tonr Everybody loved her for there
was nowhere a nobler character than
she She wat frail in body but stout
in soul and spirit She (ovd’d her ‘
friends and neighbors and it was nev-
er unusual for neighbors to see her
at work among her flowers when they ’
arose from their sleep in the early
morn She never complained and the
could smile through pain and suffer-
ing There was never a more loyal '
wife or a more devoted mother She
was a member of the Presbyterian
church and she was always loyal to
Mrs Royce is survives! by a hus-
band and seven children at follows:
Henry W John William George
W Mrs P S Coleman Mrs R B
Mitchell and Mrs T W McLaugh-
lin All fof these reside in Wilbur-
wn e?cept J°hn at Henryetta and
Mrs McLaughlin at McAlester All
were present when the mother’s spirit
was taken to that good place where J
sorrow pain and disappointement are
not known
The writer joins the people ofWil-
burtpn in expressing to the bereaved
a keen sorrow and a profound sympa-
thy The spirit of thit good mother
is gone but her life and character in-
spires us to higher living and bpekont
us to come to that place where ties
are never broken
SACRED HEART SCHOOL CLOSES
SUCCESSFUL TERM
The Sacred Heart School in the
West End closed a successful school
year with appropriate closing exer-
cises Wednesday evening The build-
ing was filled to overflowing and a
splendid program was enjoyed
There were three high school grad-
uates as follows :
Miss Alice McGuire valedictorian
Ul“ Loretta Ramshaw Salutatorian
and Edward Thomas Howard The
latter delivered an oration on the
class motto “Prepare for Better -things”
The program was rendered by the
entire student body and it was great-
ly enjoyed There were twelve mem-
bers of the Eighth Grade graduating
class
CITY BONDS APPROVED
Mayor E M Cooper and L P Bo
bo were in Oklahoma City the first of
the week investigating the delay in
the approval of ' the municpal bonds
recently voted and sold for improve-
ments in Wilburton They found that
the bonds were ready to be approved
ten days ago but the parties having
purchased said bonds had neglected
to sign the proper form necessary be-
fore the attorney general -could-attach
his signature This however
was done Tuesday and the bonds were
formally approved The engineers V
V Long & Co advise -that bids will
be called for as soon at plans and
specifications are completed This
matter we are advised will be rushed
to a conclusion at quickly ps possible
h i
v
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Weaver, Carlton. Latimer County News-Democrat (Wilburton, Okla.), Vol. 24, No. 36, Ed. 1 Friday, May 26, 1922, newspaper, May 26, 1922; Wilburton, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc1755083/m1/1/: accessed July 18, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.