The David Stephenson Case and the Ku Klux Klan Retreat in 1924

Abstract

With the beginning of 1920s, the Ku Klux Klan organization reached its maximum expansion in the United States of America. That organization was founded by Joseph Simons in 1915 in the hope that it will have the same effect as the first Ku Klux Klan organization that spread during the reconstruction period between 1866 and 1877.

Indiana was the largest and most powerful stronghold of the new organization, and David D. C. Stephenson is primarily responsible of it in that state, but that position completely collapsed with his accusation of killing Madge Oberholtzer with whom he had an emotional relationship. This led to his public trial, which made the case spread throughout the United States of America, after which the reputation of the organization and position in the state collapsed, and a new era began of community elements fighting and trying to overcome the organization.