Klan Appears At
Halstead Church
To Strains of Organ,
Robed Figures March Down Aisle
To the strains of
the introductory organ number of the Easter cantata at the Methodist Church in
Halstead, Sunday evening, 16 masked Klansmen appeared in the doorway and
marched down the aisle to the alter, where they left a contribution.
When the leader
unmasked, members recognized Lyle Norton of Norton. Mr. Norton made a short talk in behalf of the
Klan, according to a report from members of the congregation, very much like
the one he made when a group of Klan members appeared at a Church in Hesston,
several weeks ago. He asserted that the
Klan was not anti-Catholic, anti-Jewish, or anti-anything. The Klan, he said, had been watching the work
of the Halstead Methodist Church, and was well pleased with it. The contribution, he explained, was for the
benefit of the young people's work of the Church. Another man of the Klan, whom Mr. Norton
stated had occupied the Halstead pulpit at one time, was called upon to lead in
prayer.
With the exit of the
strange procession, the cantata which was a union Church program, was continued
without further interruption, it was stated.
The Evening Kansan-Republican, Newton,
Kansas. Monday, April 2, 1923. Page 7.
