KU KLUX KLAN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19200, 17 June 1924, Page 7

KU KLUX KLAN

THE LILLY MURDERS. KLANSMEH ON TRIAL. AMAZING SCENES IN PRISON. Pr.asa Association—By Telegraph—Copyii# NEW YORK, Juno 15. (Received June 16, at 7.20 p.m.) A telegram from -Lully in Pennsylvania says that the trial successively of 1/ klansnien who are charged with tlie murder ot three persons as a result of tno Ku txlux Klau riots in April last, Has already resulted in one acquittal, but further riots and trouble were foreshadowed when tho Klau sent letters threatening death to the prosecuting attorney (Mr Weimer) if bo brought another klausmaii to trial, ihc acquitted klausman has not been released, since ho must be tried three times, and tno prosecutor is determined to secure a conviction. Mr Weimer stresses too fact that 15 townspeople also face murder trials as a result of their part in tho disastrous wariu.ro, and ‘he is determined to secure impartial justice. The State authorities have turned a loeul hotel into an arsenal, and troopers, cavalry, machine-guns, and much .ammunition are available to prevent trouble. Religious fervour has seized tho klan, and revival services arc being hold in the gaol, where those who are imprisoned rang hymns and professed conversion. — A. and N.Z. Cable. A renewal of the Ku Klux Klan antiracial campaign evidenced itself in April last with disastrous results in the town of Lilly, in Pennsylvania, the inhabitants of which arc chiefly Roman Catholics. Tho Klan has been attempting to erect its flaming crosses there, but each time tho townsfolk drove them away. iho Klau members, however, in increasing numbers, descended on the town, killing two of the inhabitants, fatally wounding two and seriously injuring 10 others, but successfully planting the burning crosses in the principal streets. .Slate troopers, who received tho alarm, descended upon the Klan orgy and arrested 2h of the klansmen, who were charged with riot and murder. The townspeople attempted to stop 400 marching klansmen who gathered from the neighbouring towns, by turning a fire-hose on them, but the klansmen, upon tho leaders’ orders, fired their revolvers. Tho townspeople returned tho lire desultorily. Several children who gathered to watch the combat were among tho wounded.