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“They Shall Not Pass” 100 Years Ago… Part I
Throughout 1924 there were parades by the Klu Klux Klan that led to many disturbances between the KKK and the Knights of the Flaming Circle (a militant organization founded in 1923 to fight the anti-Catholic Ku Klux Klan due to Klan activities of intimidation and a riot in Steubenville, Ohio in August of 1923). The name referred to the Circle tactic of burning tires to counter Klan cross burnings. These Niles disturbances resulted in the riot of November 1, 1924 where armed men on both sides confronted each other in three areas of Niles.

The KKK had seen a resurgence around 1915. Unlike the Southern Klan this group supported conservative Protestant ideals amid the influx of immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe, many who were Catholic. The lifestyle of the immigrants was in conflict with white Protestants who did not play cards, gamble, drink wine or beer or whiskey. Klan members came from all walks of life and economic status. They became deeply rooted in government at the local and state level.

This is the story of Italian immigrants who came to Niles to work in the factories and mills such as the Niles Fire Brick Company. Joining them were Irish Catholics who were also considered to be “foreigners” by many Protestants.

The Klan purported to be on a moral crusade to clean up bootleggers and gambling. The Italian and Irish Catholics saw them as a threat to their Catholic religion and way of life.

The images to the left illustrates the typical Italian family with multiple generations, husband and wives, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters and children living in one house.

This photograph of a few neighborhood Italian immigrants features some of the East End Italians who during the June 21, 1924 confrontation assumed leadership of Italian opposition to Klan.

Italian Newspaper.

The publication of an Italian language newspaper, Il Cittadina Italo-Americano, allowed the Italian immigrants to follow the local events.

The Italian population felt politically disadvantaged since the Mayor, Police Chief and officers, even the School Board were comprised of white protestants. This would be the year the different Catholic and immigrant factions would unite and become a political force in Niles.

In the center of the newspaper is an article about the Klan denouncing the ‘un American way of life’ foreigners follow.

Old Firebrick #2 Plant, 1905

1914- James Sandfry's Chocolate Shop. It was located at 57 Furnace(State) Street opposite the old Post Office. Valsi Dry Cleaners was the last occupant of the building. Mr. Sandfry was a lifelong resident of Niles and lived on West Park Avenue until his death in 1974 at the age of 85. PO1.231

Peddler's wagon from Cicero's Store - 1915.

L to R: Pete Granada, Mariona Granada
and Nick Perna. The automobile is a 1915
one door Ford sedan. The door was in the middle of the passenger side of the car. PO1.246

Earlier Parades.

The year 1924 was not the first time the Klan had marched in Niles.

L: The back of this 1922 photograph describes the KKK parade that passed by the Warner Opera House(later the Warner Theatre) on State Street as written by Rose Ciminero.

R: The photograph features Rose Ciminero from the front of the postcard dated 1922.

Rose Ciminero

Disturbances of 1924.

Throughout 1924 there were parades by the Klan that led to many disturbances between the KKK and Knights of the Flaming Circle culminating in the November 1 Riot where armed men on both sides confronted each other in three areas of Niles.

Armed Ohio militia troops were positioned at the McKinley Memorial to maintain the peace after the two factions, the KKK and Knights of the Flaming Circle, confronted each other at the intersection of East Federal and Main Streets around 11:30 - 2:30 pm on Saturday, November 1st, 1924.

Political Resurgence of the Klan.

The resurrection of the Klan as a political force was re ignited in 1915 with the film, Birth of a Nation by D.W. Griffiths, spreading throughout several states including Ohio. Seen mostly as a backlash against 'foreigners' and Catholics, who had a different lifestyle and were seen as competition for jobs, many Protestants joined to form a formidable voting block to elect local, state and national politicians favorable to their beliefs.

The image at the left shows the Klan marching in front of the U.S. Capitol in 1925 with faces visible. Locally, Klan meetings at Idora Park often numbered more than 10,000 participants.

Niles Elects Klan-Supported Candidate
Cleveland Plain Dealer November 3, 1923.

Mayor Charles Crow was defeated in November 1924 by Harvey Kistler, who had the political support of the KKK. Kistler took office on January 1, 1924.

Charles Crow was well-respected and was running for his fifth term as mayor. He lost by 462 votes out of 5,506 total votes cast.

Leonard 'Link' Rounds remained as chief of police, he was appointed Chief in 1902.

The local school board members, bank presidents, firemen and police men were all typically white protestants who set policy and enforced the laws.

The local school board members, bank presidents, firemen and policemen were all typically white protestants who set policy and enforced the laws. The lifestyle of the Italian immigrants was in conflict with those white Protestants who did not gamble or drink alcohol.

Niles Police Force.

Early 1915 photograph of the Niles Police Department. Seated left to right - Officer Williams, Chief Link Rounds, Mayor F.E. Bryan (1914-1916), unknown, Officer Fitzpatrick. Standing left to right: Officer Wilhelm Ludwig Neiss, Officer Charles Mullet, unknown, Officer Lally. Officer Charles Berline, unknown, unknown and Officer Charles Nicholas.

"At this time, police were known as 'Dickies', hence Wilhelm Ludwig Neiss was known as Dickie Neiss."

In the photo the circular wading pool was the site of the Central School building.

Yellow arrow indicates marchers path on State Street while red arrow shows the point of confrontation between the two groups. PO1.881

First Klan Parade in Niles: May 9, 1924.

3000 Klansmen from the Youngstown – Warren area and Sharon, PA and 200 automobiles moved along the parade route on Main and State Street. Several cars blocked the way. Klan members were met with objects thrown at people and cars.

The Klan ignited a cross at Central High School. Observers knocked it down. As Klansmen try to retrieve it, they are pelted with stones and bricks. Shots are fired.

The Italian protestors burnt a tire in front of Central School which provided clouds of thick smoke and an acrid smell to the Klan marchers.

The First Organized Confrontation.

The Klan actions are now viewed as an attack on the Italian way of life.

Several Flaming Circle members had warrants issued for their arrests due to their participation in the melee. The warrants were dismissed and no charges were filed, however Patrick Fusco, a Niles lawyer, filed a fifty thousand dollar lawsuit against Mayor Kistler and Chief Rounds for defamation of character.

Mayor Grants Permit for June 21 Parade
Klan leaders decide to hold another Konklave near DeForest Street off North Road on June 21, expecting 50,000 Klan members.
Mayor Harvey Kistler grants a permit for the KKK to parade in Niles on June 19th. He believed that the Klan had a constitutional right to have a parade. On June 10th a delegation of citizens opposed to the parade asked Kistler to have them parade unmasked or cancel the parade. Kistler refused to revoke the parade permit. The proposed parade moves the battleground into the streets.

The Klan parades usually had robed men, women and children march along cars decorated with the American flag and KKK insignias.

Both sides were upset with Kistler’s handling of the permit and the parade, so much so that both sides wanted the mayor to be removed.

PO1.1920

Events Begin on June 19, 2024

Thursday: A bomb is thrown at a burning cross erected across from the McKinley Memorial.
Friday: A crowd (150 anti–Klan supporters) tear down ‘Welcome Klan’ banner that hung across Main Street.
Saturday: An estimated 10,000 Klan marchers were attacked by roving crowds that threw stones, bricks, pipes at cars. Flags are torn from cars (the Italian men tore the flags from Klan cars not to disrespect the flag but because they believed the Klan's use of the American flag was opposite what the flag stood for). It was rumored that a train load of members of the Knights of the Flaming Circle was coming from Steubenville.

Klan members began to leave. The Exalted Grand Dragon, Clyde Osborne, cancels the parade at 3:30 pm. Disorder continued until midnight.
Police Lt. Gilbert was the only policeman who tries to help the marchers.
Mayor Kistler must call Sheriff Thomas for help to restore order.

Brea Naples and Anthony Sherro were taken to Klan field off the North Road area near DeForest Avenue where they were forced to kiss American flag. Brea Naples was associated with Jennings Hall while Sherro was Tony Nigro’s bodyguard. Tony was a major bootlegger. Jim Jennings, Dude Murphy, Attorney Patrick Fusco were among 18 men arrested on charges of desecrating the flag, discharging guns,destroying property; all warrants were withdrawn.

East Side Athletic Club Meeting. June 19, 1924

Confrontation marks the point where certain East End Italians noted for their bootlegging and gambling activities assumed leadership of Italian opposition to Klan. Though it was to their self- interest to oppose the Klan’s moral crusade, they also viewed the Klan action as an attack on the Italian way of life.

Attorney Patrick Fusco held meeting of the Knights of the Flaming Circle at the East Side Athletic Club. They welcomed 400 new members with the idea to raise money to help oust the Mayor and Police Chief. They termed this ‘The Niles' Civil War’.

The poster for the Knights of the Flaming Circle is one that was distributed the week before the November 1, 1924 confrontation. It advised that women and children should avoid joining in the parade that was to be held at the same time, 2:30 PM on Saturday, as the Klan march.
SO1.641

SO1.640

Central Figures in Klan Crisis:

Harvey C. Kistler, Mayor of Niles.

J.L. Round, Niles Police Chief.

J.E. Thomas, Sheriff of Trumbull County.

A.B. Hart, Cyclops of Trumbull County Klan.

W.H. Kline, Manager of Klan.

Antler Hotel located at intersection of East Park Avenue and North Main Street.

Saturday, July 19th, 1924.
Lt. Charles Gilbert, who had defended the Klan when they had marched in the June 21, 1924 parade, approached three men working on a car in front of the Antler Hotel on Main Street. The men attacked Officer Gilbert with a broken glass bottle.

Events of June 23rd, 1924.

On June 23rd the Klan burned a cross on James Kaley’s farm in Mineral Ridge. He calls a Niles friend and 50 cars are on the way. Meanwhile 15 carloads of armed men travel from Warren about to meet in field on Ohltown Road. Sheriff Thomas with 5 deputies arrive and after 45 minutes convinces them to disperse.

Rummell’s Pool hall was located on South Main Street between West State Street and Water Street.

Rummell's Sporting Goods Store.

On August 3rd the Klan held a meeting in Mineral Ridge. A cross was burned in front of the Catholic church in Niles. Knights of the Flaming Circle retaliate by burning tires in front of Klan members homes. Sheriff Thomas breaks up possible confrontations.

The mayor bans all cross and tire burnings. If caught they will go to jail.

Knights of the Flaming Circle report that Klan members are carrying guns to Joseph Rummell’s pool hall.

Six Klan members are arrested.

Kistler hires 24 hour special police.

Mayor Orders Ban on All Demonstrations.

Mayor Kistler bans all cross and tire burnings. If caught they will go to jail. Cirlclers report that Klan members are carrying guns to Joseph Rummell’s pool hall. Six Klan members are arrested. Kistler hires 24 hour special police.

Gun Parade Near Rummell's Pool Hall.

On August 4th, in an obvious attempt to intimidate the Knights of the Flaming Circle, Kenneth Freer, a 26-year old Warren resident, walked out of Rummell’s Poolroom with an Army Issue rifle in his hands. A fixed bayonet was attached to the weapon and Freer wore an ammunition belt complete with several rounds of steel-jacketed shells.

As the evening wore on, Freer grew bolder and walked further up Main Street, greatly agitating the pedestrians who saw him. Shortly before 11:30 PM, members of the FC barged into the police station and reported Freer’s actions to Lt. Gilbert. Based on rumors they heard of a large cache of weapons the Klan was storing at Rummell’s, the angry men demanded not only the arrest of Freer, but a police search of the poolroom.

Gilbert responded to their complaints by starting off for Rummell’s poolroom with three other police officers. By the time the policemen had reached the billiard hall, a large crowd of Knights of the Flaming Circle sympathizers had gathered behind them. They entered to conduct a weapons check and found Freer and several other men. A group of Knights of the Flaming Circle charged through door and a free-for-all erupted. The officers finally regained control and found several guns.

By now the crowd outside was a howling mob, locking the door they called for help and desk sergeant called for replacements from the Sheriff. Sheriff John E. Thomas arrived shortly after midnight with three other officers. The crowd dispersed and the officers returned to the station.

As the prisoners were being booked six cars of Klansmen drove down Main Street slowly, the men inside armed with shotguns and rifles. The Sheriff escorted car back to Warren to avoid any bloodshed.

Newspaper article on the left appeared in the August 7, 1924 edition of the Warren Tribune Chronicle.

August 11, 1924:Calm Before the Storm.

Klansmen and Foes Sign Truce in Niles.

On August 3rd, the Klan held a meeting in Mineral Ridge. A cross was burned in front of the Catholic church in Niles. Knights of the Flaming Circle retaliate by burning tires in front of Klan members homes. Sheriff Thomas break up possible confrontations.

On August 9th, Sheriff Thomas arranges an agreement where there would be no Klan parades for thirty days.

Monday September 8th, 1924.

Rummell Sporting Goods Store is broken into and thieves take 20 shotguns, 1600 cartridges for rifles and revolvers valued at $1400.

Mayor Prohibits Parade by Foes of Klan.

Cleveland Plain Dealer October 27, 1924:

Joseph and James Jennings were organizing a Flaming Circle parade for the same day as the KKK. They were denied a permit. They passed out flyers encouraging women and children not to attend the parade.

The Klan considered this warning to be a declaration of war.

It was termed the ‘Niles Civil War’.

Governor orders probe.
Youngstown Vindicator October 29, 1924

Wednesday, October 29th, 1924.

Kistler’s home is bombed after denying parade permit to Knights of Flaming Circle.

City of Youngstown refuses to supply police protection to Niles. Clyde Osborne, Law Director of Youngstown, was the Grand Dragon of the KKK in Ohio.

Chief Round telegraphs Governor Donahey about bombing in hopes of securing additional forces for Saturday’s parade.

Clyde Osbourne issues orders that forbade Klan from wearing masks or carrying firearms.

Finally Osbourne directed that, “No man shall resent remarks or take any action against any denomination, except in self-defense”.

October 30 Meeting.

On October 30th a meeting was held at the McKinley Memorial. Sheriff Thomas announces it and invites all to attend no matter what race, political view, or religion. Hope was for peace.

He appealed to the clergy of all faiths to cooperate. 500 citizens attend the meeting . Two committees present how they would resolve the conflict.

The first committee asked Kistler to revoke Klan's permit to parade.

The second committee asked citizens to cooperate with Sheriff Thomas and maintain order at the parade.

The decision was to have Kistler stop the parade.

Frank McDermott says Mayor should protect the city.

Kistler doesn’t respond to the citizens…sides with the Klan.

Governor Donahey Telegram to Mayor Kistler.
October 30, 1924.

Sending of state troops in mere anticipation of local trouble is without precedent in Ohio I stand on my letter to you under date of October 27 and will hold you to strict accountability.

Tuesday, November 4, 1924 would be the general election day in Ohio.

October 31, 1924.

Colonel Watkins of Klan heads to Niles to post bond for three Klan members arrested for concealed weapons. He was recognized by several of the 100+ gathered in front of police station.

After posting their bond, he left in a sidecar of motorcycle and headed for Girard. It is estimated that 12 cars followed in pursuit. He was cut off and raced back to police station. Sheriff Thomas provided an armed escort for Colonel Watkins to the Niles City Limits.

Arrow marks Rummel’s Pool Hall located on South Main Street.

The old Iron Bridge that spanned the Mahoning River and the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks are shown in the distance.

Frank McDermott Shooting.

During the early hours of November first, Frank McDermott, Dude Murphy and Leo Jennings noticed a crowd had formed in front of Rummel’s Pool Hall. Upon approaching, they began shooting at a car that was pulling up in front of the hall.

Frank McDermott was shot twice by Klansman when he leaped onto the running board of the fleeing car; once in the shoulder and the second bullet grazed his scalp. He was stunned by the gunfire and lost his grip and fell to the pavement.

The crowd continued to shoot at the fleeing car. Brothers, Rex and Willard Dunn were in the car. Niles police arrested both of them.

Rex Dunn was charged with intent to kill.

The Niles Klan Riot.

By: Steve Papalas
Chapter Three

PG 67

Throughout the downtown vicinity, gangs of men walked the streets. They stopped and searched many individuals including William Brown of Holford Street, who received a serious gash on his head in one of the several fights that broke out that night.

At 3 am, a group of at least a dozen men who had gathered in the City Restaurant poured out the door onto Main Street and transformed themselves into an unruly mob. The intensity of excited mob increased dramatically as the men watched a group of alleged Klansmen who had gathered in front of Rummell’s poolroom. The billiard hall, which was later removed to make way for the Viaduct, was located less than a block from the City Restaurant. Rumors were circulating that Rummell’s was being used by the Ku Klux Klan as a storehouse for weapons that were to be used during the Klan festivities scheduled to begin in only a few hours. Thus, the mob in front of the restaurant worked itself up to fever pitch as the suspected Klansmen walked back and forth between their cars and Rummell’s Poolroom.

Suddenly someone in the mob shouted “get ‘em” and the angry men charged down the hill toward the billiard room. Most of those who had gathered at the poolroom ran inside. Two of them, Rex and Willard Dunn, however climbed into an automobile and attempted to drive away.

As the car pulled away from the curb, a young man in the charging mob, Frank McDermott, jumped onto the running board, leaving behind his friends, who shouted insults and fired shots at the two brothers in the car.
Rex Dunn, the passenger inside the fleeing auto, returned fire with one gunshot before focusing his attention on the unwanted guest perched on the running board. As McDermott wielded a billy club, Dunn took aim and fired at the intruder, striking him once in the shoulder. In great pain, McDermott ducked below the window, clinging with all his might to the running board as the automobile continued to accelerate. Just as the car approached the railroad tracks at the bottom of the hill, Dunn reached out of the window and fired another shot at his victim.

The blinding muzzle flash stunned McDermott, and he felt his grip on the running board loosen. The second shot had grazed his head, causing him to lose consciousness. McDermott rolled off the running board, just short of the tracks, tumbling along the pavement, as his friends behind him continued to fire shots at the fleeing auto. The mob quickly gathered up their injured comrade and carried him to a doctor’s home for medical attention.

View of the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks at the bottom of South Main Street hill where Frank McDermott rolled free of the running board after being shot by Rex Dunn.

Thus ended one of the first acts of violence on the eve of the most unfortunate event in Niles’ history – the Ku Klux Klan Riot of November 1, 1924.

PO1.1461

Map showing possible locations of the restaurant and pool hall where Frank McDermott was before he ran to the car at Rummell's Sport Shop.

Frank E. McDermott was born on Butler Street to John L. and Mary McDermott on May 12, 1905. Frank’s father was an Ohio State Senator for several years and one of the most respected people of Niles as well.

His account of the problems between the Ku Klux Klan and the Catholic community in Niles during the early 1920s was exceptional. It should be noted that Frank’s father, John, played a leading role in attempting to bring peace during the Fall of 1924. Ironically, Frank later took a part in an attack on a group of Klansmen on the eve of the Niles’ riot on November 1, 1924. In the episode that followed, he was shot twice by a Klansman when he leapt onto the running board of the man’s fleeing car.

Pappalas: What do you remember about the Ku Klux Klan?
McDermott: We were away working up in Erie, PA. and got word that they were going to parade so we shut the job down and came down to Niles. That’s when I got shot, that night. The night before the parade.

P: How did that happen?
M: We thought they were hauling in ammunition for the next day. We didn’t see any guns until I jumped on the car and Rex Dunn shot me. I happened to make their car first.

P: Let’s go through this slowly so I can get some details. Where were they keeping the ammunition?
M: The Dunn brothers were part of this gang supposedly taking ammunition into the Rummell’s Pool Room to use the next day.

P: And you were with some people who went there to try and stop it?
M: We saw only one car in front of Rummell’s. They had just pulled up. I got to their car, but nobody else was with me. They were at the top of the hill (on South Main Street).

P: Why?
M: I don’t know whether I was faster getting there or what. But they were shooting at the car. They knew I was there.

P: Your own buddies were shooting at the car? And you were already on the running board?
M: Yes. Then when I rolled off at the foot of the hill, that’s where I was shot at that point. After he shot me the second time, then I rolled off.

P: At what point did you get shot the first time? Was it as soon as you jumped onto the running board?
M: Yes they shot me in the left shoulder.

P: And then what happened? You laid against the running board?
M: No, I sat down and hung on. Then when I seen that he shot me the second time right through the scalp.

P: On the right side of your head?
M: Yes, It just went in through my scalp and came out at the bottom of my ear, right down there. That’s when I left it and I got all cut up.

P: How fast was the car moving:
M: I don’t know. I knew it was time to leave it! I got all skinned up and hit the curb.

P: What time was this? Close to midnight?
M: I'm guessing, because we drove down from Erie, John and I and Joe Jennings. Then we were in the City Restaurant when we heard about them hauling ammunition. That’s when we went down there.

P: You came from Erie and went to the restaurant?
M: Well, we went to Scriven’s Pool Hall first, that was further up Main Street. Then we went down to the City Restaurant.

P: Then what happened?
M: That’s when I jumped on the car.

P: You walked down towards Rummell’s from the City Restaurant?
M: I didn’t’ walk. We ran! But I happened to be the only one that made it to the car.

P: And you jumped on the running board? And did you have anything in your hand?
M: Yes, my blackjack.

P: Did you hit any of the guys?
M: Well, it wasn’t my fault if I didn’t.

P: Years later, after the riot, did you ever have-this is a small town in Niles here- did you ever have the opportunity to accidently meet any of the Dunn brothers?
M: We were paving some streets in Niles. I forget which one it was. I was down on the south side. I had a dump truck. I spotted Rex and I stopped and leathered him.

P: What do you mean you leathered him?
M: I knocked him on his back. And he stayed there, so I got in the truck and went. You wouldn’t call it much trouble.

P: What was your reaction with the others when, as you grew older and so forth, you met people who were on the other side during the riot. Wasn’t it difficult to live in the same town, growing up with people who you knew [were part of the Klan]?
M: No! We ignored them. I don’t know. That and I kicked the hell out of a lot of them that we met.

Colonel Watkins Appears
That word of the arrest of three men was flashed to Youngstown was indicated by the appearance of Colonel Watkins and four klan secret service officers from the city. They went to the police station and sought to arrange bail for the men.
When word spread throughout the town that Watkins was at the jail, a crowd of several hundred gathered in front of the place. There were cries: “Let Watkins appear”.

Nearly an hour later, a motorcycle with a side car pulled up to the jail, with a Youngstown auto racer driving it. Watkins, surrounded by police officers, was ushered from the station and got into the side car. Then the motorcycle started off toward Youngstown at great speed. Anti-klansmen in autos gave chase.

The motorcycle was forced to dodge into a side street, turn and start back to Niles. As it reached the main street pursued by a half-dozen autos, crowds of pedestrians joined in the chase. Watkins was rushed back to the police station and a call sent to Warren for Sheriff Thomas. The crowd maintained its position outside the jail. There were cries of, “Lynch Watkins!”. “He’s afraid to come out!”.

Sheriff Thomas Answers
With the arrival of Sheriff Thomas and six deputies, Watkins was escorted from the jailhouse to the sheriff’s car. Two motorcycles acted as an escort, and Thomas headed toward Youngstown. Thomas escorted Watkins almost to Girard, and then the trip to Youngstown was resumed in the motorcycle and side car. Several autos appeared just outside of Girard and the chase was resumed, but the motorcycle reached the Youngstown police station ahead of them.

Klan Robe.

The Klan used an 1884 law that permitted farmers to act as 'police' to prevent the theft of their hay and wheat shocks in the open fields on their farms.

The Klan march on Saturday, November 1st, required the marchers to not have their faces covered by their hoods.

Klan Marchers.

The Klan featured the American flag in all of their events, even draping it across vehicles when they paraded.

Origin of the burning cross: 1915 a group of Klansmen led by William J. Simmons, burned a cross on top of Stone Mountain, Georgia inaugurating the revival of the KKK.

Many Christians considered it a sacrilege to burn a cross, but Klan members say, “they are not destroying it, but lighting it to symbolize their faith”.

“America for the Americans” was the rallying cry of the Klan against different ethnic backgrounds, different religions, and different races.

Front of Klan Application.

Back of Klan Application.

R): Close-up of Klan emblem worn on robe.

Coming—Part 2: The Conflict.

Klan prevented from marching in Niles.

Coming —Part 3: The Aftermath.

Partial or qualified martial law is enforced.

Coming —Part 4: Results of the Conflict.

Investigation and judgments.