Ku Klux Klan in Oregon

[1] The Klan succeeded in electing its members in local and state governments, which allowed it to pass legislation that furthered its agenda.

[3] The growth of the Democrat supported pro-slavery movement in the southwest quarter of the Oregon Territory was greatly influenced by the California Gold Rush.

[6] When Oregon was admitted into the Union in 1859, its constitution contained an exclusion law prohibiting Blacks from living in the state, owning property, or entering into contracts.

[8] With similar views of racism, white supremacy and anti-Catholic, anti-Semitic, and anti-immigrant stances, it was easy for the Klan to move into Oregon.

During the same time, other members of the Klan were at work searching for new recruits across the state to add to their numbers and organize local chapters and klaverns.

In tandem with a religious revival in the area, they appealed to residents' concern for keeping foreign influences out as well as their desires for patriotism and morality.

There were already over 80 members when a local newspaper wrote about the Klan arriving in town, and shortly thereafter the group would be formally organized under Exalted Cyclops Frederick S. Dunn, who was employed at the University of Oregon as department head of Latin studies.

3 quickly became involved in local politics, voicing not only moral stances against alcohol and prostitution, but anti-Catholic views as well, that resulted, directly and indirectly, in the ouster of several teachers and local leaders, which also coincided with the sudden resignation of Mayor Charles O. Peterson, Chief of Police Chris Christensen, and City Attorney Orla H. Foster.

However, efforts to include the University of Oregon in their sphere of influence did not succeed, due to opposition from students, graduates, and faculty and administration, though this did not mean that there was no Klan presence on campus.

The Klan was able to keep speakers and activities contrary to their values to a minimum; several members had business ties to campus life, a few were alumni, a few more faculty and students.

[1] In March 1924, the Klan joined forces with the local post of the American Legion (which at the time was led by Klansman George Love) to oppose Peter Vasillevich Verigin announcing that he would send around 10,000 of his Doukhobor followers from British Columbia to settle in the Willamette Valley.

While no Klansmen were directly involved with local political occupations, becoming allies with the KKK was essential for any politician to succeed and get re-elected.

Members of the KKK in Portland came from a variety of backgrounds including doctors, lawyers, businessmen, clerks, and many other professions.

Having moved the bridge location to profit by selling their land, three Multnomah County commissioners were recalled as a result of the scandal, and a new engineering company assumed control of the project.

The KKK had backed the commissioners and enabled their system of kickbacks and grafts; the ensuing "rotten bridge scandal" removed much of their clout even by 1924.

Eventually, Pierce was elected to the Oregon State Senate, placing him at the forefront of these social and political reforms.