The San Antonio Light (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 43, No. 286, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 1, 1923 Page: 3 of 24
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WALTON DENIES EVANS’
STATEMENT THAT HE IS
A “KLANSMAN AT LARGE”
Suspended Governor Charges That Emperor Sim-
j moni in “Polite Attempt at Bribery” Conferred
Unsolicited Life Membership Upon Him
Which He Refused to Accept
Oklahoma City Okla. Nov. I.—
William Joseph Simmons emperor of
the Ku Klux Ician conferred a life
membership in the klan upon Gov.
J. C. Walton “in just recognition of
your constant loyalty” according to
a letter to Walton dated September
10 1923 Governor Walton declared
in a statement issued today. The gov-
ernor said he requested the certificate
eM membership be not mailed him as
r he was not in sympathy with klan
idea la.
Governor Walton reiterated that he
had never applied for membership in
the Ku Klux Klan and denied the
statement of Imperial Wizard Evans
at Atlanta that he is a “klansman at
large.”
“I would rather be right and work
In a ditch than to be the highest of-
ficial of the invisible empire and
dwell in the palace of the king” the
governor declared.
The governor said the life member-
ship offer which was to be gratis
■was “an utter surprise” to him.
He quoted two letters one purport-
ing to be that of Emperor Simmons
and the other his reply to the mem-
bership offer. The answer was dated
October 17. •
Emperor Simmons' letter was writ-
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$lBO
Mahogany oak or walnut
Victrola No. 260
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Mahogany or walnut
Victrola No. 220
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Electric $240
Mahogany ot walnut
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Look under the lid andon the labels for these Victor trade
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THURSDAY.
WANT WALTON TO LECTURE
Oklahoma City Okla. Nov. I.—
•Governor J. C. Walton displayed
on his way to the court chamber
a letter from a Boston theatrical
agency offering him $3OOO weekly
for a lecture tour through New
England of six weeks or longer.
ten Governor Walton said “after
members of the klan were complained
against and arrests made. The of-
fer was chatacterized as “a polite at-
tempt of bribery.”
The executive's statement follows
in part:
“I have been many times impor-
tuned to join the klan. The rulers
that control this super-goternment
ascertaining that they could jiot in-
duce me by persuasion then attempt-
ed by threats even to the eittent of
taking my life to force me to desist
my efforts against their lawlessness.
Jewett (N. C. Jewett grand dragon
of the klan in Oklahoma) also has as-
serted publicly and gave it wide cir-
culation that the head officers of the
klan declined my membership.
“My attention has been called to
excerpts published in the press from
the testimony of the Imperial Wiz-
ard Evans to the effect that I hold a
membership at large in the klan. This
also is false.”
Declines to Accept
“After my piorfamation convening
the legislature my attention was
called by some of my office force to
a communication from the head office
of the 'emperor' at Atlanta To my
utter surprise it was an offer to
confer upon me a free life membership.
As soon ns I could find time I an-
swered this communication declin-
ing to accept the same as any fav-
ors.”
The purported letter from Em-
peror Simmons to Governor Walton
was addressed to “My Faithful Klans-
man.”
It follows:
“In just recognition of your con-
stant Ipyalty unwavering devotion
and splendid service to the Knights
of the Ku Klux Klan
“I by authority preferred by em-
peror of the invisible empire have
conferred upon you the lofty honor
of life membership in the K-uno and
same dates from August 1 1923.
“Your certificate will be duly en-
grossed and forwarded to you at an
early date. This letter will be your
authority in claiming and proclaim-
ing the fact of your life membership.
“Let him who serves best be hon-
ored most.
“Faithfully yours in the sacred uu-
failinp bond.
"William Joseph Simmons
“Emperor Invisible Empire."
Walton Tells of Answer.
Walton's answer addressed to Mr.
William Joseph. Simmons emperor
the Invisible Empire follows:
“ 'My Dear Sir:
“ 'Answering your communication
of September 10. which was recently
called to my attention wherein you
state that you had conferred upon
me a life membership ..ill say that
I am nt a loss to know just what ser
vice you refer to unless it be my ef-
Out tomorrow
New Victor liecords
November 2 1923
Red Seal Concert and Operatic
(Sonata in B Minor—Finale iCkopi.) Mum u> Olga Samarott' 5419 $2.00
(Nocturne (Gri^) hmm. Olga Samaron>
Melodies of indescribable beauty pervade Chopin’s B Minor
Sonata throughout* Grieg’s Nocturne is one of the most poetic
and imaginative fantasies of the lonely Northern composer.
(Fau»t—Waite from Kermesse Scene 1 Stokowski and I 944
(Mignon—Gavotte iTbea>~' I Philadelphia Orch.»
Stokowski calls the Faust waltz the “lightest and gayest
waltz in the world" and the gavotte “probably the daintiest
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(The World is Waiting for the Sunrise Reinaid Werrenrathggj j .50
(Rose in the Bud (Bsirow-Fonto) Reinaid Werrenrath)
To hear a frankly popular song interpreted by a great artist is
an experience to both the musician and the layman. Here are
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Light Vocal Selections
(When Clouds Hare Vanished and Skies are
Blue Elliott Shaw 19152 .75
Why Don’t My Dreams Come True? Henry Burr
Simple yet emotional songs of common life—of common as^t-
rations and understandings. Both are in waltz time. “When
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f Complainin’ (It’s Human Nature to Complain) Eddie Hunter^. 0154 .75
(I Got ' Eddie Hunter) 1
The first Victor record by this singer of negro comedy songs.
Both songs are characteristic and sung in half-spoken style.
Humorous Monologue
fin a Shoe Store Marie Cagll 45 370 1.00
l The Symphony Concert Mane Ch bill
Thia clever and dainty comedienne has found two new
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Dance Records
(I Love You—Fox Trot Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra I
\ "Irik lew Jima") (I^lol •<*
iThe Life of a Ro^-Fox Trot Dornberger and His Orch. J
Clear melodious fox trots. “1 Love You” has the wonderful
Whiteman siroothness and finish. “The Life of a Rose” has
high sweet harmonies almost like a women’s choir.
Cut Yourself a Piece of Cake—Fox Trot
Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra jgj 55 75
Oh You Little Sun-Uv-Er-Gun—Fox Trot
Benson Orchestra of Chicago
“Cut Yourself a Piece of Cake” which you have heard as a
song is.now given in dance form. “Sun-Uv-Er-Gun” is an
excellent companion with a startling bit of piano work.
1 Just a Girl that Men Forget-Waltz The Troubadours!
Steal a Little Kiss While Dancing—Waltz 19156 .75
Green-Arden Orchestra
Two waltz numbers. “Just a Girl that Men Forget” you
already know in song form. “Steal a Little Kiss While
Dancing" has saxophone and xylophone effects in fine contrast
THE SAN ANTONIO LIGHT.
forts in uncovering the various char-
acter and grades of crime—including
misdemeanors and felonies—commit-
ted by the members of tlrt* Ku Klux
Klan and as disclosed from the tes-
timony. many of which crimes were
authorized by the high officers of
your organization in this state.
“ 'Believing as I do thnt your or-
ganization and its purposes and es-
pecially its practices are wholly un
American and inimicable to both the
spirit and letter of the federal as
well as the constitution of the states
and a menace to good government 1
must respectfully decline to accent
your offer of a free life membership
in the Ku Klux Klan organization.
To accept a membership of any char-
acter in your organization would be
inconsistent with the dictates of my
conscience my public utterances and
acts as governor of this state in an
effort to destroy the vicious and un-
lawful pfactices of the organization
authorized by or acquiesce! in by its
various officers as fully disclosed from
the testimony taken in investigations
recently made by members.
. “ 'Thus so long as your organiza-
tion permits its members to parade
under n mask refuse to disclose their
identity and to engage in unlawful
practices or teach racial and religious
hatred under no circumstances could
I accept a membership certificate or
in any other manner lend my influ-
ence either by word or act to'further
the continuance of this organization
along the lines of its operations here-
tofore.
“ T therefore respectfully request
that you do not mail to me the cer-
tificate of membership as suggested.
. “Yours verv truly
•'J. C. WALTON
“ 'Governor.’
Says letter Was Bribe Offer.
“This letter was written after sev-
eral members of the klau were com-
plained against and arrests made. It
does not require a philosopher to un-
derstand the purpose intended by the
emperor in httempting to confer a
free membership upon me. It was a
polite attempt of bribery.
“Evans swears that I am a ‘mem-
ber at large’ and then he swears that
if I am a member I should be re-
moved through the front door. He is
■reckless in his testimony to say the
least. Evans also swears that large
sums of money were sent to Oklahoma.
He could not name the amount nor
the purpose for which it was used.
It is well known that no money can
be withdrawal or used by the subordu
nnte officers of this organization
without the signature of the imperial
wizard. His (Evans) lapse of mem-
ory at this jMirticular time no doubt
is very convenient and beneficial.
• • • • The people of Oklahoma
should petition the imperial wizard
at Atlanta to file a detailed state-
ment under oath showing the amount
and the manner in which this money
was used.
“Is there a fair minded man who
is not a klansmanwho does not believe
that Speaker W. D. Mcßee and other
leaders in the House have taken or-
ders from Atlanta and from Jewett
the grand dragon of Oklahoma? If
this is not true why do they not
come out in the open and tell the
people the reason for paying frequent
visits to confer with the high klan
officials and also explain the purpose
of the visit of high klan officials from
outside the state at this time.
Says Dictation Attempted.
“It is the first time in the history
of the American republic that the
law-makiug body has been dictated to
by the head of the super-government
residing outside the state. It is the
klan conspiring with special interests
to defeat the purposes nnd interest
of the farmer and the laboring classes.
“The most painful wound to my
pride and feelings that the Invisible
Empire has inflicted on me is the in-
sulting falsehood to which the imperial
wizard swears that I have applied in
vnin for membership in that organi-
zation.
“The Invisible Empire as I have
often said is now and has been since
some time in August embarked upon
a desperate conspiracy and campaign
to destroy my good name remove me
from the high office to which I have
been elevated by the suffrage of the
people and injure me in everything
that an honorable man holds dear in
this world. It has not hesitated to
threaten even my life.
“No falsehood is too low. too de-
graded. too cowardly or too contempti-
ble for the uses of that conspiracy;
but the one which overwhelm* me
with a feeling of shamemnd dishonorr
is the lie of the imperial wizard that
I tried ill vain to become a member
of the klan.
“I would rather be right and work
in the ditch than to be the highest of-
ficial of the Invisible Empire and
dwell in the palaie of the king.”
FLORESVILLE FAIR
OPENS WEDNESDAY
IN SPITE OF RAIN
Large Attendance Includ-
ing Many San Anton-
ians Is Reported.
Floresville Tcx„ Nov L—The an-
nual Wilson county fair opened here
Wednesday with a Jarre attendance
despite heavy*rainfall during tha day.
There were motorists for many neigh-
boring towns nnd cities. The visitors
included many San Antonians.
Unusually* good exhibits are at the
fair. There arc many new exhibits
that are better than preceding years.
The women’s departments are filled
with exhibits. The children’s depart-
ments are also large.
The animals make a good showing
‘this year with many fine livestock en-
tered. The poultry is another large
selection of the fair.
Judging of the entries began Thurs-
day. Many awards were made.
SHE GETS TEN YEARS
Jury Foreman Saya Jurors Influenced
by Record of Slain Man.
Kansas City. Nov. I.—Margaret Al-
lister 21 who shot and killed Paul
Murdock former prizefighter and aa-
loon keeper here last summon was
found guilty by a jury in circuit court
last night on a chlhge of second de-
grat murder. She was sentenced to
serve ten years in the state peniten-
tiary. .
The state asked for the death pen-
aity. *
Miss Allister admitted the shooting
but testified that she fired in self-
defence. She said she loved Murdock
and feared that he intended to return
to his wife from whom he had been
separated.
Til* foreman of the jury asserted
that the jurvmen had been influenced
by Murdock’s record. Testimony indi-
cated. he said that Murdock had dom-
inated the defendant.
Miss Allister heard the verdict and
sentence without apparent emotion.
SOVIET PEACE PARADE
Trotsky Sav* Reds Will IHglit tor
What They Have Achieved.
Moscow. Nov. I.—Thn soviet war
minister l/con Trotsky has issued an
order to the army and navy declar-
ing that the achievements of the rev-
olution have been endangered by the
Euro' t van situation.
Therefore the order says on No-
vember 7 there will be a grand pa-
•ade. which will show that the peace-
fully minded soviet forces are firmly
decid?<l to defend effectually what
they have achieved and demonstrate
their anient sympathies with . the
workers of the whole world.
BIG OIL PROPOSITION
Representative of U. S. Interests In
Russia Rushing Home.
Moscow. Nov. I.—Henry Mason
Day. president of the International
Barnsdall Corporation has left for
Paris and New York with a proposal
from the Russians that his company
take over the development of big oil
areas near the Baku and Grosny
fields.
The proposal according to Mr. Day.
wns submitted after more than a
month of negotiations nnd fnr ex-
ceeds in magnitude the present Barns-
dall contract signed about n year
ago. '
''The negotiations have reach’d the
stage wherO it is accessary for me to
return to America and confer with my
principals" he said last night before
having.
The territories under consideration
are large undeveloped areas near the
Baku nnd Grosny fields consisting of n
grant many thousand acres in which
I tliem has been tremendous interest
shown by all the large oil interests
NO MORE NO LESS
A SEPARATE DfiESS SHOP ON THE FIRST FLOOR.
—in this popular First Floor Dress
Shop you will find such attractive
FROCKS
Dresses to meet a myriad
needs! — cloth frocks the
school girl business woman
or the shopper will rejoice
in wearing. Frocks of soft
crepes with tucks or draper-
ies to lend feminine charm
while preserving the slim
silhouette. •
The cloth frocks show the
pleated knee-ruffles the coat
dress style and the “tube”
silhouette with a side clos-
ing. Leather braiding em-
broidery or bright metal but-
tons trim these tailored
frocks. :
As you would expect in
this First Floor Dress Shop
every garment is well made
generous in cut and worth
more than is asked for it!
Sizes for the fourteen-
year-old girl—or the woman
who wears a 46 with the in?
termediate sizes. Any dress
at .-.’.1
.(Street Floor)
Caul Wifi on
Dry Goods Co. Incorporated^
A Huge Success in Spite of the Weather
WAGNER’S—RexaII
ONE
" ■ CENT
Phone OAT T 5 9
SALE I
Such a money-saving event as this rises above the weather. Hun-
dreds are taking advantage of this sale in which A PENNY TAKES .
THE PLACE OF A DOLLAR.
Wonderful values—things you actually want and need are here
for your choosing. You pay the regular price for one article AND
ONE PENNY for the second article.
Circulars may be had in the stores. Hundreds of items not listed
bn the circulars are included in the sale.
Don’t delay—Come today—tomorrow and Saturday.
The Rest of Today—Tomorrow and Saturday!
H. L. WAGNER DRUG CO.
Hou.ton Two Progressive Stores
Avenue C St ' Mary’. St.
Little Want Ads —Big Resuks
of Cloth and Silk!
NOVEMBER 1 1923.
NO MOKE
S|L^
11
NO LESS/
3
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The San Antonio Light (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 43, No. 286, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 1, 1923, newspaper, November 1, 1923; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1628936/m1/3/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .