By Brock Barkley
Raleigh, July 4—A heavy downpour tonight kept Raleigh Ku Klux in their tents, and their scheduled parade, in celebration of the fourth of July, failed to come to pass. The Ku Klux had the permission of Mayor Eldridge to stage a spectacular exhibition of their parading qualities, and the stat capital’s observance of the glorious fourth, was expected to end with the procession of hundreds of robed “Protectors of Liberty” on the streets.
Old man Bad Weather interfered, however, and the Ku Klux evidently thought the country would be safe without their appearance in Raleigh streets in other than bathing suits, and the order specified white robes for parading purposes.
The Ku Klux had intended making their first public appearance tonight, and the procession of hundreds of masked men had been duly advertised. The mayor’s permission had been obtained, and everything had been put in readiness, when old Jupiter Pluvius stepped in and refused to yield the door. To the Ku Klux let American Legion do the honors for the fourth. The ex-service men had a big time this afternoon before the rain started, with a barbecue at the state fair rounds, followed by a barbecue and a dance at the auditorium tonight.
The town was stirred up quite a bit over the advertised appearance of the mysterious robed men, but when the rain came the town decided to remain at home and only a handful were on the streets to watch the marchers, in the event they should decide to brave the inclement weather.
From the front page of The Wilmington Morning Star, Wednesday morning, July 5, 1922
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