State of Oklahoma Under Martial Law in Fight Against Ku Klux Klan, Sept. 16, 1923

State of Oklahoma Under Martial Law. . . Governor Walton Climaxes Fight against Ku Klux Klan by Martial Law. . . Rebellion in Effect. . . Troops Will be Placed at Points in State Where Needed—Matter Left to Discretion Adjutant General

Oklahoma City, Okla, Sept. 15—Martial law for the entire state of Oklahoma was proclaimed at midnight tonight by Governor J.C. Walton.

Calling the full force of the approximately 6,000 troops in the Oklahoma national guard to his command, the governor climaxed his spectacular fight against the Ku Klux Klan by declaring that any persons who aid the organization in carrying out its “purposes” are enemies of the sovereign state of Oklahoma, and shall be delt with by the military forces.

Due to the existence of a “self styled invisible empire,” Governor Walton declared a state of insurrection and rebellion is in effect against the constitution and authorities of Oklahoma, and that a general state of “public alarm and fear and jeopardy of life, peace and personal safety” has resulted. Activities of the organization are centered in Oklahoma City and extend to every county in the state, the governor charged.

The proclamation invokes absolute martial law in Oklahoma county (Oklahoma City) and Creek county, the latter adjoining Tulsa county, where military rule has been in effect since August 14.

Troops will be placed at points in the state where they are needed the proclamation says, this matter being left to the discretion of the governor and adjutant general.. . .

Accepting the recent challenge of the grand dragon of the Oklahoma realm of the Ku Klux Klan that “Governor Walton never could break the power of the Klan in Oklahoma,” the executive declared:

“The power of this criminal organization must be destroyed and it is necessary to proclaim martial law throughout the state.”

Tulsa, Okla., Sept. 15—Calling the Ku Klux Klan “the worst blight ever known in American history,” H.O. McClure, president of the Chamber of Commerce, tonight issued a statement calling upon klansmen to disband.

McClure’s statement followed failure of the board of directors f the chamber of commerce to support his report to them that he had told local klan officials that their organization should shoulder responsibility for conditions that brought on martial law in Tulsa county.

From the front page of the Durham Morning Herald, Sunday, Sept. 16, 1923