Exalted Cyclops

The man who would become the Exalted Cyclops of the local Ku Klux Klan probably wouldn't be who most people would expect. Political parties, ideologies, and terminology like "progressive" all meant something very different back then. Like today, there were different factions and disagreements complicating that too. From the 1918 "History of Champaign County" on John J. Reynolds:

Pictures of the J.J. Reynolds grocery store are available in the Urbana Free Library's digital collection here, including this one showing a younger Jay (his familiar name) Reynolds in 1907:

J.J. Reynolds owned the Zenith Amusement Company that would purchase the Illinois Theater in 1923 and make it the Klan's official headquarters. From the 11/8/1923 Mahomet Sucker State newspaper:

The theater and the Reynolds family itself publicly celebrated and dedicated both the new headquarters and a wedding of his daughter Helen Reynolds with a two day event including the then national leader of the Ku Klux Klan, Imperial Wizard Hiram Evans. From the 11/15, 11/20, 11/24/1923 Urbana Daily Courier:

  

From the bride's wedding book, as discovered by David Early in his research on the local Klan: "The ceremony was performed in the new home of Zenith Klan No. 56 Realm of Illinois KKK. The Klavern was arranged with three monster K's in rear, a large cross on either side, lighted, and the altar duly prepared in center and a semi-circle of Klansman and Klanswomen in full regalia as a background for the wedding. The contracting parties, in full regalia, stood in front of the altar, facing the east. The curtain raised at 8:25 and Rev. McMahon offered a beautiful opening prayer, then joined the ranks of Klansmen two paces to rear of Groom; O.K. Doney then bound Helen (Reynolds) and Harry (Lee) together by a beautiful Klan ceremony prayer. Prayer: McMahon. Bride & Groom introduced to Klansmen & Klanswomen, & received sign of greeting; introduced to throng of 1500 - hearty cheer of greeting...."

The marriage would last nearly five years, until Hellen Lee died of pneumonia in late 1928. Harry Lee would go on to remarry with the child of his first marriage residing with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Reynolds. From the Courier 10/26/1928 and 1/7/1930:

 

By this time, however, the Illinois Theater had burned down. From the 4/4/1927 News-Gazette:

J.J. Reynolds was described as helping go through the burnt out rubble in the Daily Illini on 4/6/1927. The Klan itself moved its offices to the Burres Building at 315 West Main street according the News-Gazette on 4/5/1927:

 

By this point in time the number of gatherings and other Klan events appeared to be dwindling. The last of the annual Klan Christmas events for local children was held at the Illinois Theater the previous December according to the News-Gazette on 12/15/1926:

 

The Christmas events had become a pretty big to-do over the previous few years, with Ray Dvorak, the famous assistant band director of the University (who wrote parts of the Three in One and is credited with the idea for the Chief Illiniwek halftime performance) even did the music for the 1925 event. Coverage of the Christmas events in the 12/24/1923 Courier, the 12/23/1924 and 12/21/1925 News-Gazette:

 

J.J. Reynolds would go on to become a local Justice of the Peace with an office at 121 S. Broadway in Urbana next to the police court. He quickly got the reputation as being the "Marryin' Judge" and had a large role in marrying local couples over the next several years. From the 12/2/1931 Courier:

He'd also be remembered as "Urbana's Santa" as he continued to play the role long after the Klan as a member of the Urbana Association of Commerce. From the News-Gazette coverage of his funeral 7/28/1935 with a picture of him dressed as Santa Clause:

No mention of his years as the public face and leader of the local Ku Klux Klan as the Exalted Cyclops of Zenith Klan No. 56 of the Realm of Illinois. The Courier and Daily Illini also highlighted his role as prominent citizen, local sports hero, and of course the Mayor, States Attorney and other prominent organizations and law enforcement honoring him at his funeral. From the Courier 7/27, 7/31, and the DI on 7/28/1935:

 

There is, of course, a lot more information on J.J. Reynolds and his role in the local Klan, the community, and regional / national Klan activities. This introduction, however, is a start to understanding the local Klan over its rise and fall in Champaign County during the 1920s.