The Ku Klux Klan had gradually been diminishing in influence going into the twentieth century. Blacks were still second class citizens, at best in much of America. But around 1915 the Klan experienced a renewal, thanks in major part to a native Kentuckian and film maker, David Wark Griffith, also known as D. W. Griffith.
In 1915, a landmark commercial film was released. Birth of a Nation was a black and white, silent film about three hours long which began at the start of the Civil War and ended during reconstruction. The more interesting half, for me, was the depiction of post war activities heavily influenced by carpetbaggers.
On one hand, blacks were not shown in a good light. They were more or less shown as near-savages who posed danger to white folks. It seemed to require the Klan to save the day each time, coming to the scene in robes and at full speed on horseback. In scenes where only lesser-character blacks where shown, actual black people were used. In scenes were both races were shown, blacks were played by white actors in makeup. The makeup did not create an Al Jolsen-type caricature, but simply showed white actors with very dark skin.
On the other hand, Griffith took shots at the perceived hypocrisy of white carpetbaggers and Union sympathizers. In one scene a white man is shaking hands and smiling with a black man. The black man tells the white man he has fallen in love with a white woman and wants to marry her. The white man continues his smiling and hand shaking. The black man then says, “It’s your daughter.” The white man then reacts as if he’s having a myocardial infarction, similar to the way Redd Foxx often feigned a heart attack on his TV show, Sanford and Son.
Griffith’s film caused quite a stir in America. The movie was banned in some cities and blacks rioted. But the positive images of the Klan launched it into a new era of respectability. Eastern Kentucky was no exception. This ad ran in the Pike County News in July, 1924. It was not a unique event.
The July 25, 1924 edition of the Pike County News carried this article about the July 19 event:
"KU KLUX DAY BRINGS RECORD CROWD TO TOWN"
"Saturday was Ku Klux day in Pikeville and many of our citizens had their first sight of the robed members of the order. Seemingly all roads led to the city for people began to arrive early by all manner of vehicles, also horseback, muleback and footback, while hundreds came in on special trains from various sections of the Sandy valley. Right after noon the old town was about as crowded as the oldest inhabitant ever saw.
"At 3 p.m. a large crowd gathered at the court house to hear Dr. E. H. Lougher, a national Klan speaker, who dwelt at length on the purposes of the order.
"At night the Klansmen and Klanswomen, several hundred in number, formed a parade at the school house. Led by several on horseback, the robed figures with folded arms marched over the principal streets. Music on the march was furnished by Pikeville band, also Prestonsburg's famous band, much to the delight of the crowds on the streets in line of march.
"The march ended at place of beginning then the Klansmen proceeded to the top of Smith hill where a number of new members were inducted into the order. A brilliant display of Klan fireworks was set off which was indeed beautiful and much enjoyed by our citizenship.
"The only untoward circumstance of the day was when hooded Klansmen stationed themselves at several business houses and diverted trade or patronage away. TThis action was infortunate and has been severly condemned by leading Klansmen"
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