Lot 684
KLANSMAN IS BANISHED FOR DEFRAUDING FELLOW KLANSMEN
Fascinating, extensive archive of documents and correspondence chronicling an internal investigation by the Altoona, Pennsylvania chapter of the Ku Klux Klan into one of their members, John L. Henderson, resulting in his banishment from the Klan. The collection opens with a retained copy of an unsigned typed letter from John F. Marshall, a "Kleagle" (recruiter) of the Altoona Klan, 1p. 4to., Altoona, May 6, 1924, to "King Kleagle" of Pennsylvania Sam D. Rich, in part: "...Kindly outlaw the National traveling card for one John L. Henderson, number 1067, a member of the Altoona Klan. This man at this date is wanted by the officers of the law for defrauding a board bill... A letter of banishment will be forwarded to your office in the near future, covering this man..." Affixed to this letter are Henderson's Klan registration card, listing his address, height, weight religion and address, as well as four 8vo. pages of notes in Marshall's hand, giving the names of several people who have had recent contact with Henderson, and two photos of Henderson, one a family photo and the other a newspaper clipping showing Henderson observing the seizure of bootleg liquor by police in Philadelphia. The plot thickens with a T.L.S. from New York City Imperial Representative Wilson D. Bush, 1p. 4to., New York City, July 22, 1924, to Marshall. In part: "...One John L. Henderson... has been in this city for some two months, and is obtaining money from Klansmen under false pretenses. His methods have prevented us catching up with him thus far, as he gives fictitious addresses and never appears in the same place twice..."Bush requests Henderson's address in Altoona and standing with the Klan there, and concludes: "... He is a sharper and should not be allowed to remain on the roster of your Klan..." Marshall's response to Bush is recorded in a retained copy unsigned typed letter, 2pp. 4to., Altoona, July 24, 1924, forwarding a copy of his May 6 letter to Sam D. Rich, requesting Henderson's banishment as well as the information contained on Henderson's registration card and a photograph of him (not present). Marshall concludes: "...Would also advise you to wire the writer immediately if you locate this man Henderson, as a warrant has been issued for his arrest..." Marshall also forwards a copy of Bush's letter to Rich in a retained copy unsigned typed letter, 1p. 4to., Altoona, July 24, 1924, and adds, in part: "...I hereby recommend that John L. Henderson be banished from the Invisible Empire, due to the fact, that he has committed a breach of Klannishness and has proven himself a man not worthy of the title of Klansman..."The next item in the archive is a typed document, 1p. 4to., Philadelphia, Aug. 5, 1924, an unsigned "Official Communication" addressed to "All Field Men", in part: "... Some time in May 1924, one John L. Henderson... called upon Kleagle Barrett of Passaic County, Realm of New Jersey... He stated that he had been in New York for some time, his occupation was mason but under the working conditions in New York... his mason's card from Pennsylvania was not recognized in New York City and, being broke, he could not take out a card in the plasterer's union... the Executive Board voted him a loan of $40.00 and took his personal note for thirty days to cover same. He has not been seen or heard of since... On June 26, 1924 this man called at the Mercer County, New Jersey headquarters... and stated that he had been in the Lilly riot [an act of resistance against the Klan by that Pennsylvania town] and was told to leave that part of the country and sever all connections with the organization there until the affair had been cleared up. He also gave them the storey of the union condition as above... The Mercer County men extended him only $10.00. It seems that this man is an Imposter and may be preying upon various organizations throughout our territory... Would recommend that his activities be bulletined to the various Field men under your respective jurisdictions for their protection..." The notice goes on to give a physical description of Henderson and list his Altoona address and Klan affiliation. Likely as a result of this notice, Marshall receives inquiries from Dr. A.H. Ownes in Port Richmond and Gerald S. Reick of Poughkeepsie, each 1p. 4to. and dated Aug. 13 and Aug. 30, respectively, requesting Henderson's address. A retained copy of Marshall's response to Ownes is affixed to his letter, advising him to contact Mr. Freeman, "King Kleagle" of New Jersey and Delaware, and adds: "... During a recent conversation with Mr. Freeman, I understood him to say that he had locked up one John L. Henderson, during the past week..." This imprisonment was apparently short-lived, however, as Marshall next receives a T.L.S. from D.W. Andrews, "District Kleagle" of Duchess County, New York, 1p. 4to., Poughkeepsie, Sep. 4, 1924, in part: "... One of your citizens, John Le Roy Henderson by name, is visiting Klansmen in this State and obtaining money from them by representing himself as a fugitive from justice on account of the recent Lilly disturbances and playing on their sympathies... It is the sentiment of the Klansmen here that when credentials are issued to individuals, the Klan issuing such credentials is responsible for wrongful acts perpetrated on Klansmen by virtue of such credentials. I would appreciate it if you would read this letter at the next Klonclave of your Klan, with a view to having your Klan take appropriate action, not only with respect to having Henderson banished from the Invisible Empire, and apprehended, but also obtaining reimbursement for our local Klansmen who have trusted to your credentials to their loss..." In a retained copy unsigned typed letter, 1p. 4to., Altoona, Sep 8, 1924, Marshall forwards Andrews' letter to Rich and reiterates his request for Henderson to be banished from the Klan. Rich finally responds to this plea with a T.L.S., 1p. 4to., Pittsburgh, Sep. 16, 1924, in full: "You are hereby authorized to banish from Altoona organization, John L. Henderson, for conduct unbecoming a Klansman." Rich follows up with a slightly longer T.L.S., 1p. 4to., dated Sep. 20, in part: "Replying to your letter of Sept. 8, banishment papers have been sent you for John L. Henderson, and mention of this will be made in our next general letter..." The archive concludes with one final A.L.S. from a defrauded Klansman, one Charles Van Sickle, 3pp. 8vo., Port Jervis, [n.d], in which he relates that Henderson approached him "About 3 mos. ago..." with the same story of being a fugitive due to the Lilly riots and his attempts to obtain a New York union card. Van Sickle agrees to loan him $25, after which Henderson again disappears. A retained copy unsigned typed letter records Marshall's response, in part: "...I beg to advise you that John L. Henderson was banished from the Invisible Empire, during the month of July, 1924, on account of being a fugitive from justice... As to the story told by Henderson, concerning the Lilly affair, I beg to advise you that this story is false, as Henderson was a fugitive from justice at the time the Lilly affair took place, due to the fact that he had defrauded a board bill. Would also state that we are having this man's home keep under supervision and if it is possible that we ever apprehend him, I will advise the several Klansmen of the State of New York, who like yourself were also betrayed by Henderson, so that you can take part in the prosecution..." All of the above is housed within Marshall's original file folder, with notations on the cover indicating that Henderson's banishment papers were received on Sep. 16, 1924, although these are unfortunately not present. Henderson's eventual fate is unknown. The archive shows some paper clip marks, toning, and chips to the edges overall, else very good.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer
Shipping
Shipments are sent via USPS Priority, USPS International Priority, DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option, signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.
Alexander Historical Auctions LLC
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 28% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $99 | $10 |
| $100 | $499 | $20 |
| $500 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 + | $10,000 |