Ku Klux Klan Recruitment Expense Records

Collection

Identifier: MSS-4298

No requestable containers

Twentieth century South materials

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Content Description

The collection contains internal Ku Klux Klan expense reports for recruiting and other related documents. Edward Clarke and his company the Southern Publicity Association facilitated the recruitment and propaganda efforts. Recruiters traveled across the US and sent their expense reports to Clarke for reimbursement. These reports show where they were traveling and sometimes provide recruiting numbers. Their expenses usually include food, hotels, trains, cigars, and secretarial services. Some of the documents are on Klan letterhead. The recruiters often identify themselves with Klan titles, such as Grand Goblins and Kleagles. Kleagles were most likely the lower-level recruiters. Grand Goblins held much higher offices, with only one each for the East, West, North, and South.

Some documents in the collection do not mention the Klan specifically, only referring to the Southern Publicity Association.

The collection also includes three unidentified candid photographs, circa 1920. Two of the photos are of a young child. One photograph is of a woman holding an infant. The woman is wearing a robe that is shorter than her dress, and there appears to be a hood hanging down her back. This could be a Klan robe.

Dates

Creation: 1921-1923

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Due to the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access to certain materials may require additional advance notice.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers are responsible for using the materials in conformance with United States copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright claimants in collection materials. Copyright for official University records is held by The University of Alabama. The library claims only physical ownership of many manuscript collections. Anyone wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of literary property rights or copyrights. Please contact Special Collections (archives@ua.edu) with questions regarding specific manuscript collections.

For more information about copyright policy, please visit: https://www.ua.edu/copyright/. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals without the consent of those individuals may have legal implications, for which the University of Alabama assumes no responsibility.

Biographical / Historical

The Ku Klux Klan was in its second iteration in the 1920s. During this time, Edward Young Clarke, a propaganda expert in Atlanta, Georgia, was responsible for recruiting and publicity. He and his business partner Elizabeth Tyler owned and operated the Southern Publicity Association, which facilitated much of this work for the Klan.

Extent

.2 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Ku Klux Klan recruitment expense reports and other materials, created and received by Edward Clarke and the Southern Publicity Association in Atlanta, Georgia

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections acquired these materials in 2020.

Physical Description

Some of the materials have pest and/or water damage. A few particularly fragile materials have been placed in protective sleeves. The contents of one entire folder, Folder 4298.011, were created on acidic paper in the 1920s and are now extremely brittle; use extreme caution when accessing those materials.