The Ku Klux Klan in South Dakota

Shown are about sixty hooded and masked members of the Sioux Falls Ku Klux Klan Klavern) flanking the main road leading into Woodlawn Cemetery while acting as an honor guard for the burial of one of their Klansmen. Image owner Lore Tucker

BY WAYNE FANEBUST

Anyone expecting to see a picture of a historical marker in connection with this article will be disappointed, for none was ever dedicated to the ugly presence of the Ku Klux Klan in South Dakota. The Klan, which began in the Southern states, in the aftermath of the Civil War, was a secret society created to air white grievances and prevent ex-slaves from exercising their rights as citizens. The over-weaning purpose of the Klan was to redeem the principals of the Confederacy, including the supremacy of the white race, and restore the old southern plantation culture to a position of political prominence.

The Confederate army had been soundly defeated in the many fields of battle, but some of the survivors were determined to do more than rise from the ashes. Riding out at night in white robes and hoods, and carrying torches, the Klansmen meant to cover up the past and forge a future for white protestant’s only. Taking a que from Jefferson Davis, the former president of the Confederate States of America, the Klan did its best to publicize what became known as the “Lost Cause.”

The movement basically disappeared in the 1880s, perhaps due to the lure of a strong economy, Then, in 1915, the motion picture Birth of a Nation, directed by David W. Griffith, appeared in theaters throughout America. Its theme was overtly racist and anti-immigrant. But in a country that was strongly influenced by the politics of nationalism and nativism, the movie was wildly popular throughout the land. As a result, the Klan enjoyed a nationwide resurgence with chapters popping up across the nation, including South Dakota.

Encouraged by Griffith’s film, demagogues found fertile grounds for their hate speech. Recruits were mainly Protestants from small towns or rural areas, united in their fear and hatred of Catholics, Asians, Jews, people of color, and in general, anyone suspected of being “un-American.” Klan leaders promoted white supremacy while seeking to root out people who were not “loyal,” 100 percent American. The Pope in Rome was one of their principal targets.

The Klan’s goal was to purify America. They wanted to root out shirkers, idlers, alien enemies and all others who were viewed as a threat to the country. And far from being dangerous, they proclaimed that they were good neighbors and that a non-Klansman might sit next to a Klansman in church or at a school board meeting. To attract new recruits, the organization claimed that it was opposed to dope dealers, bootleggers, thieves, adultery, commercialized sex, men of bad business ethics and violators of the Sabbath. Only those folks who were “100% Americans,” according to the Klan’s standards, were considered to be desirable citizens. Everyone else was urged to conform or face the consequences of non-conformity. This meant that many men moved about cautiously, while looking over their shoulders from time to time.

The first Klan chapter in South Dakota was formed in 1921, with the towns of Canton and Beresford chosen as the early sites. By 1922, the Klan could boast of having a membership of about a 1000 South Dakota men, and growth continued at a fast pace. By 1925, every part of the state had its Klaverns that held meetings, conducted rallies and

burned crosses at night. Each unit published a journal of sorts as if they wanted to educate the public. While they passed themselves off as loyal Americans, good citizens and neighbors, the Klansmen regularly intimidated or threatened people suspected of being disloyal or otherwise undesirable. They boasted that their organization could solve any problem “your community might have.” Their Sioux Falls headquarters was at 120 North Main Avenue in the Strand building.

In Sioux Falls, the Klan members frequently gathered together in their clean white sheets and hoods, walking the streets to spread their message of hate and intolerance. As Sioux Falls was overwhelming white, there was less emphasis on race issues. As such the Klan mainly targeted people whose religion they detested. This meant the fiery crosses were burned on the lawns of Catholic homes.

On one occasion, a large group of mystery men in white met at the Woodlawn Cemetery to serve as an honor guard for a fallen Klansman. My father once told me that as a little boy, he witnessed a cross-burning in front of a Catholic woman’s house at East Sioux Falls, six miles east of Sioux Falls. Most likely many other South Dakotans have heard stories about Klan activities.

In the spring of 1924, the Klan held a ceremonial rally at a farm southeast of Sioux Falls, about one-half mile from the Cherry Rock bridge. Other meetings were conducted at a site four miles west of the city on 12th Street, and four miles north of town near the county farm. But apparently it was thought that bigger theatrics were in order.

In its greatest show of force, on September 28, 1924, the defiant Klan conducted a 500 man march through the main streets of Sioux Falls. Marching two abreast and some on horseback, the robed and hooded band of bigots, marched down Main Avenue to 12th Street, and then east to Phillips Avenue, north to 8th Street and west to Minnesota Avenue. At the conclusion of their march, they burned a large, eight-foot cross at the corner of 14th and Phillips, probably at Lyon Park.

In so doing, the Klan leaders defied an order by the Mayor, T. B. McKinnon, and the chief of police, that the march would be officially approved only if the marchers were unmasked. Clearly, the authorities were daring the Klan to reveal the identity of its members. The secretive marchers, of course, remained masked and hooded. And when they concluded their demonstration, they retired to their “Kampground” and initiated new members.

Not long after their downtown Sioux Falls demonstration, it was reported in the ArgusLeader on October 3, that there was a crossburning on the lawn of a house at 1515 South Grange Avenue. It was also reported that masked and robed men in four automobiles stopped at the home and set a large cross ablaze, while firing gunshots. The Klan strenuously denied having any involvement in the violence, claiming that all their robes were under lock and key at the time of the incident.

On May 12, 1927, the Argus-Leader published an article about the purchase of ten acres of land about a half a mile east of the School for the Deaf, by Klan No. 16, Realm of South Dakota. The price of the land was listed as $3000.00 and it was said that the area was “well suited for outside summer meetings.” It was announced that the land purchase was sufficiently large enough to accommodate the expected growth of the Klan, and that summer meetings with speakers would be held on the grounds with everyone welcome.

The Klan was always a frightening presence, and while they were formidable, the flagwaving gang was unable to win over the entire city and state. The sight of burning crosses resulted in the formation of opposition groups. For example, the city refused to allow the Klan to hold a rally in the Coliseum, and a group of businessmen formed a committee to oppose the bigots whose embarrassing antics were bad for commerce.

The evil influence of the Klan diminished greatly in the 1930s, because of the depression that imposed other demands on the people of America. And fortunately, the organization has never been able to resume its former popularity and strength. But the movement simmers beneath the surface. Occasionally, as was the recent case in Charlottesville, Virginia, when a white supremacist organization conducted a torchlight parade complete

Klan members conduct a cross burning in 1921.

Chicago Klan meeting in the 1920’s

Recruiting Poster

with racial and ethnic slurs, Americans are reminded that we need to be vigilant and firm in our condemnation of those who—due to some strange, vacant fascination with the past—would take the country back to the ugly age of intolerance and hate.