Saturday, I once again chaired the writer's critique group, an activity I enjoy but which leaves me exhausted. Unless you're an introvert, it's difficult to explain how draining social activity can be, especially if you're running the show. Fortunately, it's a well-disciplined group of talented writers. I count myself lucky to be able to spend time with them.
The same Saturdays always (or nearly always) include a general meeting of a local writer's group. Their guest speaker yesterday was Charlotte Halsema Ottinger, who has written the definitive biography of Madge Oberholtzer, a young Hoosier woman who kneecapped the 1920s Ku Klux Klan. I'd like to tell you she was a crusading reformer, but she wasn't. She was a victim of the brutal D. C. Stephenson, political power-broker, Klan leader, murderer and rapist. Abducted and abused by Stephenson, Ms. Oberholtzer attempted suicide and died a slow and agonizing death -- but not before supplying testimony that led to her attacker's arrest, conviction and imprisonment.
Indiana's Governor at the time, the Klan-endorsed Edward L. Jackson, refused to grant clemency and in retaliation, Stephenson spilled all he knew, releasing previously-secret lists of paid-off officials and prompting extensive investigations by the Indianapolis Times that resulted in charges against the then-Mayor of Indianapolis, the Chairman of the Marion County Republican Party and others. It was the beginning of the end of the second incarnation of the KKK in the United States.
Authoritarians are often brutes, hiding behind a facade of old-fashioned respectability. Stephenson, who liked to boast "I am the law in Indiana," had promoted the Klan as stalwart defenders of sobriety and the purity of American womanhood while drinking and womanizing with abandon in private. It is a pattern that has repeated itself throughout history, and appears to be repeating yet again.
You can find the book Madge at the link above or via Amazon, who are also selling a digital version for substantially less.
Update
2 months ago
1 comment:
I'm originally from Lake Co, Fl- the place where notorious segregationist Willis McCall tyrannized as sheriff from 1944 until 1972. And like your example, he's a guy who openly preached morality while living the opposite in private- getting all handsy with my grandmother while my grandfather was at war for instance.
There's a couple of good and interesting books about this human sack of manure: "Devil in the Grove" and "Beneath a Ruthless Sun" by Gilbert King. I've actually talked to a few people in the area, and they not only confirm those events, but a few others not published.
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