10a: Reporting on Your Field Research

1. How widespread would you the Klan's influence was? More specifically, how did the Klan influence religion, politics, and business affairs in Denver?

The KKK was very big in Denver in the '20s. There were all kinds of Klansmen who were politicians or authority figures, and many big businessmen, too. As far as religion goes, their biggest role was intimidating Catholics, you know, and keeping them in the shadows.

2. Despite the Klan's stigma of being a radical racist group, it had many goals to reform and clean up criminal activity in Denver. To what extent do you think the Klan actually had a positive impact on Denver?

The Klan vowed to clean up crime, and it seriously tried to do that -- it didn't go about it in the most lawful way, but it made an effort. I think the fact that Klan was out there and willing to police the city deterred a fair amount of criminals.

3. Can you describe any specific instances of Klan violence, corruption, or bigotry?

I remember a few businessmen getting roughed up for refusing to join the Klan, and the same for a policeman. That's about all I recall, though.

4. Can you describe any specific instances of Klan benevolence or altruism?

A police officer was gunned down -- by some bootleggers, I think -- and some Klansmen showed up and his funeral and said his wife and children would never have to worry about not being able to pay their bills. From then on, I think the Klan took monthly donations to support this family.

5. How difficult was it for you and your family to go about your daily affairs being non-Klanmembers? Did you ever feel threatened?

No, my family never had much interaction with the Klan. It affected everyone indirectly, see, but I'm not sure I ever even met a Klansman. That's me, though. I know plenty of others who spent a lot of time looking over their shoulder.

6. Were you or anyone you know ever pressured or threatened into joining the Klan?

Like I said, I wasn't, and neither was my family. Some guys I worked with were pushed into it, and you always heard stories about this type of thing. The Klan had its hand just about everywhere, so it was hard to miss. I guess I stayed under the radar some how.

7. Were you ever tempted or at least intrigued by the idea of joining the Klan?

I wasn't. Kids at school would talk about it. . . how it was the cool thing to do. I just never went for it. I was raised differently than to hate. And I didn't like their tactics -- beatings and threats and all that crap. It wasn't for me. I joined the Marines instead.

8. How common was it for ordinary people to lead the double life of buisnessman by day and Klansman by night? That is, what was the likelihood of finding Klansmen in your or any other average neighborhood?

Very common. A guy in a suit during the day could very well be a guy in a robe by night. That's the thing, you never knew who was or wasn't a member. I mean, of course there were some who announced it proudly, but there were many who went about their daily lives, and then completely changed when the cross started burning. I think you could find members in most neighborhoods.

9. Many people were very fearful of standing up to the Klan. How much open resistance to the Klan was there? To your knowledge, was it common for people to oppose the organization but be too scared to act against it?

For a long time, there was very little. A few newspapers, some priests, that was about it. People were scared for the families, their business. . . it just wasn't smart to resist. The ones who did, boy, they were brave. Some of 'em nearly lost their lives for it, but they didn't stop.

10. What would you say is the Klan's most enduring legacy from its reign over Colorado politics?

They didn't get a lot done in politics. Don't get me wrong, they did a lot, but as far as legislation and that stuff goes, most of their stuff flopped. I think the most enduring legacy on Colorado was just the shear size of the organization, and the way it scared so many people into giving it so much power.