The most spectacular and one of the things that has attracted more people to Smithfield during the Eastern Carolina Exposition was the monster Ku Klux Klan parade pulled off in the prosperous little city of Smithfield Wednesday at 7 o’clock p.m.
Promptly at 7 o’clock more than 1,000 klansmen assembled at the Thornton and Lassiter warehouse and robed themselves for the parade. At 8 o’clock the procession moved off. As they started to march two of the robed klansmen proceeded about a block ahead of the parade and lighted up the entire route with a path of red fire. This was accomplished by placing a mass of red fuses among the route just ahead of the klansmen. This made a beautiful scene lighting up the entire path of the parade. The procession was led by mounted policemen and five mounted klansmen on robed horses. The Ku Klux Klan band followed the mounted klansmen in the parade. The robes being purple, gold and white. Immediately after the Klan Band came a beautiful red mounted cross, being attached to the front of an automobile loaded with klansmen. Raleigh klansmen participating in the parade carried a beautiful silk banner. At intervals along the line of march were prominent signs reading “100 Per Cent American Here Forever.”
One of the most beautiful things connected with this parade was the “Little Red School House.” This was carried on a truck and was beautifully lighted, and robed klansmen could be seen in the school house as pupils.
After winding around through several streets, the klansmen marched back to the big warehouse where they enjoyed a fine barbecue that had been prepared by Johnston county klansmen. It is needless to say that this barbecue was one of the best ever served in Eastern Carolina.
One of the striking features of this occasion was the enormous crowd that poured into Smithfield to see this, the first Ku Klux parade ever staged in Johnston county. It was estimated that more than 20,000 people were present to see the enrobed klansmen as they marched. It is said by many that more people attended this parade than had ever been in Smithfield on any occasion.
Everything connected with the klan parade and barbecue moved off in perfect order and time. A large amount of the credit for this magnificent demonstration is attributable to the efforts of Klansmen Capers Whtie of Raleigh. It is needless to say among klansmen that when Capers White assumes the duties of preparing and directing a klan demonstration that it is bound to be a success. Grand Klailiff C.C. McIlwaine of the Realm of North Carolina was very instrumental in assisting the Johnston county Klansmen in their efforts to make the demonstration a success. Mr. McIlwaine is one of the most active klansmen in the State and is favorably known and loved by all klansmen from the mountains to the sea.
Another feature of this occasion was the presence of women members of the organization. On almost every klan occasion now will be found several hundred women members of the organization.
It was generally known throughout Johnston county that the klan would parade on Wednesday night and hundreds of people in the county that had never witnessed the Ku Klux in their robes took advantage to this occasion to come to Smithfield. This accounts for the largest crowd that has attended the Eastern Carolina Exposition or probably will attend during this time. Every spectator was apparently a silent and interested onlooker.
From the front page of the Carolina Jeffersonian, Raleigh, N.C., April 17, 1925
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073001/1925-04-17/ed-1/seq-1/#words=April+7%2C+1925