Ku Klux Klan Visits Marion

 

Ku Klux Klan Visits Marion

Crittenden Press, April 18, 1924.

Wednesday evening, when a large audience had gathered to hear the closing sermon of Dr. Chesterfield Turner, of Frankfort, who has been conducting a series of revival meetings at the First Baptist Church, about 25 Knights of the Ku Klux Klan entered the church, dressed in the regulation regalia of that organization.

At the beginning of the song service preceding the preaching the Klansmen entered the door, marched up the aisle in double file and formed themselves into a line before the alter bowing for a moment in silent prayer.

When they arose from their knees, Dr. Turner addressing the visitors said; "Knights of the Invisible Empire, we welcome you." The leader then handed the minister an envelope containing a donation of $34 and a note stating that it was given as a good will offering in appreciation of the great good Dr. Turner had done during his stay in Marion.

The minister replied he would accept the offering in the same spirit it was given. The Klansmen then marched in a body from the church and the services of the evening proceeded as usual.

The evening service closed the revival meetings at this church and Dr. Turner left Thursday morning for his home. Much good was done and large crowds attended the services both afternoon and night services.

Klan Orator Here Last Friday Night

April 25, 1925

Large crowd greet Dr. E. H. Lougher at the Court House Friday.

A big audience assembled at the court house Friday evening to hear the address of Dr. E. H. Lougher, a Klan orator of acknowledged ability, on Americanism and the principles of the Ku Klux Klan organization.

Every seat in the house was occupied and even standing room taken. The audience listened with close attention to what the speaker had to say in regard to the Klan, and even those who are not in sympathy with this organization afterward expressed themselves as having heard nothing to kick about.

The meeting was opened by a prayer and the singing of America. Dr. Lougher spoke for an hour and thirty minutes, explaining the principles of the organization and the membership of the organization.

The first part of his address was taken up by him in explanation of his former work. He told the audience that his organization stood for America for Americans, restricted immigration, for law enforcement and the Bible in public schools. He explained that the membership of the organization was composed of native born Americans that had accepted the Christian religion.

The K. K. K. was called a secret organization, he said, but there was nothing secret about it except its membership.

Tolu Bank History

 Let's follow along with the Crittenden Press items and learn of Tolu's new bank. The old bank building is only a brick decayed shell today, but so important in it's day.

Happenings at Tolu in October 1903 - A new bank for the town of Tolu.

Mr. P. M. Whitt, of Owenton, Ky., was here working in the interest of a bank at this place, and succeeded Monday in organizing with the following stockholders: P.M. Whitt, Forest Harris, Wm. Barnett, E. R. Dowell, P. B. Croft, L. A. Weldon, Mrs. A. S. Bennett, S. S. Sullenger, W. D. Sullenger, Dr. I. H. Clement and J. B. Perry. The new bank will have a capital stock of $15,000.

P. B. Croft was chosen president; J. Bethel Perry, vice-president; E. F. Smith of Owenton Ky. cashier. Tolu is in a rich agricultural section and a bank there is need and should pay.

January 21, 1904. The new bank has been named the Farmers and Merchants Bank.

Until the new bank building can be built they will conduct business from Harris and Co.'s store house. They will be ready for business at noon Tuesday, Jan. 18^th.

February 4, 1904, John W. Weldon of Croften, Ky. was here examining the plans and specification of the new bank building. Mr. Weldon will be in charge of construction.

March 17, 1904, one of the stockholders, W. E. Dowell, went to Henderson this week to purchase and bring back the first load of brick for the erection of the new bank building.

March 31,1904 another load of brick has arrived at our landing, which makes 1,000 bricks shipped here from Henderson for the erection of the new bank. Work on the building will begin at once by the contractor, J. W. Weldon.

April 14, 1904 Ground was broke last week for the new bank. Supplies are beginning to arrive at the landing. Fifty lbs. of lime was shipped to this place to be used in building the bank. A. C. Melton has charge of the brickwork, while J. W. Weldon was in charge of doing the carpenter work.

The impressive iron front for the bank has arrived at our landing and will be ready to sit in its proper place in the building as soon as the brickwork is finished.

July 1, 1904, the furniture was put in the bank building today and the key turned over to the big Cashier E. F. Smith, who can be found during banking hours in his new quarters near the post office.

July 28, 1904, The Farmers and Merchants Bank have moved into their new building and are now fully equipped to attend to all portions of the banking business. They have the finest bank building in the county and the bank furniture is simply grand. Everything would be a credit to a large city.

The cashier, Edward F. Smith, will take pleasure in showing you everything of interest and especially the fine screen door, burglar proof safe, etc.

All are welcome and for those who wish to start a savings account no amount is too small to be accepted.

The Board of Directors are the very best businessmen in this part of the country. They are: P. B. Croft, J. B. Perry, L. A. Weldon, S. S. Sullenger, W. D. Sullenger, T. F. Harris, E. F. Smith, W. E. Dowell and I. H. Clement.

Our community is proud of the bank and will give it a liberal support.

(This bank mysteriously burned on the night of August 2, 1923. Things were never the same after this event.)