ARMS AND EXPLOSIVES PHOTOGRAPH No. 4 Weapons pictured above were taken from the home of Sterling "Bubba" Gillis, another member of the United Klans of America, arrested Oct. 5, 1964, in connection with bombings in the McComb, Miss., area. through such failure to record sales or through the use of aliases were documented. From Lee's records of sale covering 521 firearms and a considerable quantity of ammunition, the committee was able to document numerous sales to klansmen in both Louisiana and Mississippi. These klansmen were affiliated with the Original Knights (La.), United Klans of America (La. and Miss.) and the White Knights (Miss.). From available records, it was established that 237 sales of firearms and/or ammunition were made in 18 cities in Louisiana, while 113 sales were made in 18 cities in Mississippi. A total of 117 other sales failed to list city of purchaser, while no records existed on the sale of 148 firearms. Lee was arrested and convicted for violating the Federal Firearms Act and was serving time at the Federal penal institution in Texarkana, Tex., at the time of committee hearings. In North Carolina, two klansmen, one an imperial officer of the United Klans of America, were determined to be holders of Federal firearms licenses. The records of sales produced by one, who testified he was no longer a member, reflected only a few sales to known klansmen. Records of the imperial officer, Robert Hudgins, were not obtained, and he invoked constitutional privileges in refusing to answer questions on sales to known klansmen. 98-436 0-68- -8 Homemade pipe bombs-capped and fused and ready for detonation-as well as hand grenades were seized in connection with the arrest of Emery Allen Lee on Oct. 5, 1964, for participation in the McComb, Miss., bombings [Emery Lee Exhibit No. 1-Feb. 3, 1966]. Courses in Firearms and Demolition Devices Not only did klans provide secured sources for purchases of firearms at cheap prices, but all major klans also provided courses of instruction in uses of rifles, shotguns and hand-guns. In addition, klans gave instruction in the method of manufacture and use of detonating devices of various descriptions and components. The fact that in October, 1961, the present Imperial Wizard Robert M. Shelton and Georgia Grand Dragon Calvin Craig of the United Klans of America attended such a course of instruction for Georgia klansmen and others, creates strong evidence of their condoning the use of explosives by the klan. Likewise, official approval of the raising of funds for klansmen arrested for acts of violence strongly indicates their condoning violence. The committee documented aid of this type with respect to the klansmen involved in the murders of Lt. Col. Penn (Ga.) and Viola Liuzzo (Ala.) and in the bombings in McComb, Miss. All of the klansmen were affiliated with the United Klans of America. A letter which the grand dragon for Georgia sent to Georgia klansmen, soliciting defense funds for the McComb, Miss., bombers, demonstrated that the klan was well aware of the implications which would ARMS AND EXPLOSIVES PHOTOGRAPH No. 6 The weapons and ammunition photographed above, with the exception of two pistols, were taken from the home of Myron Wayne "Jack" Seale when he was arrested in Natchez, Miss., Oct. 23, 1964, in connection with an assault on two civil rights workers [Myron Seale Exhibit No. 4-Feb. 3, 1966]. be drawn from its defense of members accused of resort to violence. The letter also illustrated the United Klans' policy of refusing to acknowledge klan membership by such defendants. The Georgia grand dragon wrote: Due to the arrest of several white Mississippians who have been charged in connection with the recent bombings in McComb, Miss. The Grand Dragon of Miss. advises me that it is nessesary [sic] to go to the assistance of these men who have been implicated by the press that they are Klansmen. However the only thing they had concering [sic] the Klan was a complimentary card of some sort. As you know we do not condone nor advocate such acts of violence, but we beleive [sic] these men are victims of circusmstances [sic]. Miss. needs your help send your donations to E. L. MCDANIEL, ARMS AND EXPLOSIVES PHOTOGRAPH No. 7 The rifles and pistols pictured above, as well as hundreds of rounds of ammunition, were taken from two autos used by members of the United Klans in carrying out an intimidating cross-burning in Griffin, Ga., Apr. 24, 1964. Also pictured are the charred remains of the cross and a sign taken from one of the autos referring to a Spalding Co. klavern of the United Klans [Leo Blackwell Exhibit No. 1-Nov. 2, 1965]. At the October 1961 demonstration, held near Macon, Ga., klan officials and klansmen were instructed in the manufacture and use of a booby trap, how to rig various types of fuse caps to dynamite, how to prepare a short duration time bomb with cigarette and matches controlling the elapsed time, how to start an intense fire with powdered sugar, potassium chlorate and sulphuric acid, and how to destroy an automobile with a jar full of gasoline and a firecracker. Following these demonstrations, those present engaged in practicing the use of revolver and rifle. In October 1964 on the farm of Exalted Cyclops Robert L. Bing in Henry Co., Ga., United Klansmen were again instructed in the use of explosives. Many demonstrations of October 1961 were repeated, although the instructors, as well as the students, were different klansmen. At this time, however, those present were also instructed in the use of Molotov cocktails, how to disassemble and assemble an M-1 rifle and given instruction in planning and executing guerrilla warfare techniques of capturing a radio station and power plant. The committee obtained a memorandum signed by the grand dragon of the Georgia Realm of the United Klans, dated January 17, 1965. The first sentence read: "We will start judo, karate, and rifle and pistol firing training on Monday, January 25, 1965, at the Henry County #60 Klavern." Individual klan leaders are known to be proficient in the manufacture and detonation of explosive devices. The present United Klans of America grand dragon for Virginia, while an official of the organization in North Carolina, demonstrated an incendiary device for a group of klansmen. Although this device contained the same ingredients as a device demonstrated in Georgia in 1961, the method of assembly differed. Committee investigation established that in Mississippi, White Knights klansmen were instructed in the art of judo. White Knights leaders emphasized arson because of the difficulty of tracking down the perpetrators. Consequently, most demonstrations were on the manufacture and use of Molotov cocktails and/or incendiary devices. White Knights also specialized in the use of ammonia which they would spray from plastic squeeze bottles. Dynamite is an easily accessible item in rural areas of the United States. Oil and gas exploration in Southern States, as well as off-shore, makes blasting powder readily available. This easy access presents many opportunities to klansmen bent on violent acts as a means of enforcing their policies. Members of the United Florida Ku Klux Klan in December, 1963, burglarized the dynamite shacks of a Jacksonville construction company, stealing 13 cases of 60% nitro-dynamite and large quantities of electric blasting caps and fuses. Part of this dynamite was used in the Godfrey bombing. Members of the National Knights in Georgia, transferred to Ohio a quantity of dynamite from their Georgia cache. It was transported to Ohio by National Knights members from that Northern State. The number of bombings in Mississippi, in which both White Knights and United Klansmen were involved, established possession of large quantities of dynamite and blasting powder by these klans. Members and officers of the White Knights were urged to possess sufficient arms and ammunition "to accomplish any assigned mission." At a meeting in October 1964, Julius Harper, then grand dragon of the White Knights, directed his klansmen having explosives to bury them for the present time for possible later use. This date coincides with the arrest of United Klans members for a series of bombings in the McComb area.1 10 BOMBINGS AND ARSON The McComb, Miss., Bombers From April to October 1964, more than 25 bombings and/or acts of arsons took place in the vicinity of McComb, Miss. While the methods of carrying out these violent acts showed a remarkable degree of similarity, the committee was unable to establish each act as the responsibility of a klan or its members. Committee investigation, together with sworn testimony, however, definitely established klan involvement in the majority of the crimes. 8 The Godfrey bombing is discussed further on p. 117 of this chapter. As grand dragon, Harper was second in command of the White Knights organization. 10Discussed in more detail in the next section of this chapter. |