Governor Small Visits Klan Headquarters

From the coverage in the 1/25/1924 St. Joseph Record

Almost exactly two months after the Imperial Wizard Hiram Evans and Illinois Grand Dragon Charles G. Palmer publicly dedicated the new local headquarters of Champaign-Urbana's Zenith Klan No. 56 of the Realm of Illinois, the sitting Governor of Illinois used it for a political rally in his re-election campaign. From the 1/20/1924 Daily Illini announcing the visit and a 1/18/1924 Courier advertisement for the event:

The content of the governor's public speech was almost entirely dedicated to supporting "hard roads" and related funding, a popular local issue given the nightmare of dirt roads and Central Illinois weather around Champaign County. From the local news coverage, one might be inclined to believe that the venue was an oversight. After all, the governor and his entourage also stayed at the very recently opened Urbana-Lincoln Hotel that the Imperial Wizard had stayed at as well.

The event, however, was planned well in advance, advertised well in advance, and included a planned parade from the hotel to the Klan headquarters led by the local National Guard Troop E of the 106 Cavalry. The meeting was opened by and facilitated by Roy R. Cline, described as the "Republican leader in Champaign county and strong Small supporter." Cline was also the Champaign County States Attorney and a dues paying Klan member: member number 180. From the 1/22/1924 Daily Illini:

Also speaking at the event was former Champaign County Treasurer and then Champaign's House representative to the Illinois General Assembly, Republican James A. Reeves. Reeves was local Klan member number 2031. From the Twin Cities Review coverage on 1/25/1924:

The Courier noted that, in spite of the appearances of civility and enthusiasm, there was a factional rift within the Illinois Republican Party at this time heading into the primaries. From a 1/22/1924 editorial:

The Illinois Klan would later very publicly go on to endorse Governor Small and Small would go on to win the 1924 gubernatorial election. Infamous Klan raider S. Glenn Young would also pop up in the Illinois Klan's strong support for Small and his Republican faction, noting his own newfound support for the Republican Party. From the 10/24/1924 Chicago Tribune:

The politics of the second Klan movement in the Northern and Midwestern States can often challenge some of the modern assumptions and stereotypes of the Klan, its party affiliations, and complicated history throughout the United States beyond the American South. As noted in earlier posts, the politics generally of the "Progressive Era" often defy modern political categories and labels.

Both Governor Len Small and Klan raider S. Glenn Young would eventually be known as some of the most corrupt public figures in Illinois history.

For more information on the local Klan, its headquarters, and leadership:

• Brief overview at the Local Klavern page.

• The process of the Illinois Theater becoming the local Klan headquarters.

• Links to the history of the second Klan in Champaign-Urbana.