I've only recently been reading The Bryan County Democrat, a paper established in 1900 by Robert F. Story and G.W. Archibald. It was published in Durant, but covers news from all over. The following article, from June 8, 1922, supports some earlier posts about the Klan activities in Caddo and other towns in Bryan county.
Big Class Initiated into Klan Near Here;
Blackwell Sees Cross
The Durant Klan was again brought to public interest today by current reports that the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan last night initiated the biggest class taken in since the order was organized here. The initiation is said to have taken place south of Durant in a field bordered by a heavy growth of trees.
Outposts were placed on the edge of the clearing and none but Klansmen were allowed to enter the place where the ceremonies were being held. It was said between fifty and seventy-five candidates were initiated and that between 250 and 300 witnessed the ceremony. The fiery cross, if one was used, could not be seen by those on the outside.
The ceremonies were started at about 9 o’clock and it was said to have been midnight before the meeting broke up. Sixty automobiles, loaded with men, were counted entering the enclosure and at the end of the ceremonies all came out together.
Reports current on the streets today, also estimated the strength of the Durant Klan at various figures between 500 and 1,000 and that meetings are being held regularly when candidates are initiated.
Blackwell, Okla.- June 3, (United Press)- Under a huge fiery cross, forty feet high and twenty feet across, standing on a hilltop, eight miles from here, six hundred men were initiated into the Ku Klux Klan early today. The ceremonies began last night at nine o’clock and continued until an early hour. More than 4,500 persons were present at the initiation, it was said.
Klan Initiates Big Class at Marshall
Marshall, June 3- The largest class that has been initiated since the Ku Klux Klan was organized here was taken in at a mass meeting of the Marshall Klan last night, according to reports current today. The crowd was so large that all could not get into the Odd Fellows hall where the meeting is reported to have been held.
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