BLACK LEGION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 26 May 1936, Page 3

BLACK LEGION

RITUAL MURDER CHARGE STRANGE ORGANISATION EXPOSED (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) DETROIT, 23rd May. The police to-day exposed a strange organisation known as the “Black Legion,” the leaders of which were charged with practising ritual murder, on 13th May. The body of Charles Poole, a young worxer on a Federal relief project, was found shot near a suburban road. According to the police some members of the “Black Legion” admitted he was killed because of his ill-treatment of his wife while she was an expectant mother. The organisation apparently follows the principles of the Klu Klux Klan in attempting to enforce morality through vigilante tactics. To-day Poole’s widow denied allegations that he had beaten her.

ALMOST INCREDIBLE DETAILS DETROIT, 23rd May. The investigation of the “Black Legion” revealed almost incredible details of its methods of operation and the extent of its activities. Prosecution officials announced that at least sixteen members of the hooded organisation will be indicted for the murder of Poole, who it now appears was assissinated because he was a Catholic and because he had learned the organisation’s ritual. Since the publicity in connection with the Poole case scores of persons have reported to the police that they have been threatened with death or otherwise intimidated. It is now believed that any number of murders may have been committed by the legion. Furthermore, the police believe the legion is a direct offshoot of the Klu Klux Klan, which terrorised parts of the nation a. decade ago. The regalia and ritual closely resemble that of the Klansmen. The police believe that there are at least 10,000 legion members in Detroit, and perhaps thousands more in other parts of the State and nation. Like the Klu Klux Klan, the programme of the organisation is directed against Catholics, Jews and Negroes, and appears to pursue this policy even more vigorously than did the Klu Klux Klan.