Map shows two intersections where the KKK was stopped, searched and turned back.

East Federal Street and Vienna Avenue.

Robbins and Linden Avenues.

Cars were searched and weapons confiscated and Klan robes torn up.

Klan marchers were prevented from proceeding to encampment on North Road.

The GE Plant was located at the corner of East Federal and North Main Streets. The B&O and Erie railroad tracks are visible in the bottom right of the view.

This view of Robbins Avenue, Linden Avenue and Erie Street shows Mt. Carmel Church and the Erie Railroad station which were two essential positions that were used to effectively prevent Klan members from assembling for the downtown parade on Main Street either by auto or a special passenger train car.

In 1924 there was no underpass but rather
an incline and crossing gates that marked a strategic position for the Irish and Italian defenders on North Main Street.

Map shows the main entrances for the anti-Klan forces to stop the Klanners preparing to parade in downtown Niles.

Knights of Flaming Circle Mobilize Forces.

By 8:00 a.m. on November 1st, the Knights of the Flaming Circle mobilize forces to go to the different areas of the city.

X marks the intersection of East Federal Street and Main Street. A large group of anti-Klan men were staged in the empty lot across from the GE plant. The railroad tracks provided a 'choke point' which caused cars traveling North Main Street toward Niles to slow down due to the hill the tracks were built.

Y indicates the Old Iron Bridge that crossed the Mahoning River which provided access to Niles from the south along Route 46.

Z marks the area where Erie trains would stop and drop off passengers.

There were also stopping points at Mt. Carmel Church on Robbins Avenue and Vienna Avenue at East Federal Street.

Many members were called in to help from Pittsburgh, Cleveland , and Steubenville. They searched the KKK’s vehicles, disarmed them and forced them out of the city.

By noon, the Flaming Circle were at the intersection of Federal Street and Main street. The Klan’s vantage point was one mile from the location of the Klan on Niles Warren Road.

The main confrontation between the two forces took place in the afternoon at the Railroad crossing and G.E. Plant at the intersection of East Federal Street and North Main Street. PO1.526

Several times Klan vehicles attempted to cross the intersection and proceed to the downtown area where the parade was scedules to take place.

Armed Klan members approached this area with guns firing only to be turned back with anti-Klan forces returning fire with pistols and rifles.

In 1924 the Erie and B&O railroad crossing was an inclined roadway which aided the anti-klan forces in preventing the Klan autos from proceeding to the downtown area.

The two new underpasses were built in 1953.

Women of the Klan served coffee, sandwiches and pie to the thousands of Klansmen who gathered in a field on the outskirts of Niles.

The Knights of the Flaming Circle also had outsiders join their cause.

The women on the Italian side carried guns in their aprons to the East End so the men could be armed.

Sunday Morning Nov 2, 1924
Cleveland Plain Dealer
By Ralph J. Donaldson

12 are hurt in day of hot clashes between Ku Klux and Enemies.
Klansmen and Knights of flaming Circle exchange bullets repeatedly until arrival of militia brings peace; 1,300 soldiers patrol city, which is under martial law; proposed KKK parade is called off; several of those wounded not expected to live, but reports of lynchings prove to be unfounded.

The injunction suit brought by Attorney Nate Kaufman to restrain Police Chief Powell from sending Youngstown police to Niles was dismissed by Common Pleas Judges Gessner and Lyon, who said they had no authority to issue such an order.

Powell, however says he does not intend to send men to Niles.

Badge presented to Chief Keogan Powell of Youngstown, Ohio in recognition of his excellent services as the head of the local police department. May 6, 1924.

First Clash Before noon.
About 11 am the first clash between armed forces broke out near the field where the Klan foes had mobilized. Colonel Conelly, Captain Voorsanger and Sheriff Thomas went to the scene and found groups of men ready to open fire on each other.

After considerable difficulty, they succeeded in dispersing the forces, but one look at the expressions on the faces of men in the groups was enough for Conelly. He put in a call for the Governor’s office immediately and the (preparation for the) mobilization of troops followed.

Colonel Conelly then took off his civilian clothes and donned his uniform. Martial law was declared. Would the troops arrive before a pitched battle took place?

Shortly afternoon, an automobile sped past the stronghold of the Flaming Circle, the occupants of the car firing repeatedly into the crowd. Three men fell wounded. The next automobile that passed was stopped by the infuriated Circlers and found to be full of rifles and revolvers. These were seized and passed around.

Sheriff Thomas pleading for a truce and the firing begins a few minutes later.

The railroad police had orders to protect only railroad property.

Skirmishes that started last night and resulted in shooting of one youth were resumed this morning. Groups of anti-Klan factions patrolled the roads leading into Niles. Every automobile was stopped and searched. If any Klan robes or other regalia were found in the car, they were confiscated and the car was turned back.

Fights broke out in a number of places but no blood was shed. The Flaming Circle, however, was able to prevent Klansmen from entering the town in automobiles. Klan robes were strung up on telephone poles for miles outside the city.

Sheriff John E. Thomas was in charge of the situation, Mayor Harvey E. Kistler, having disappeared. Acting as advisors and observers, were Colonel Conelly and Captain William S. Voorsanger of Cleveland. Captain Voorsanger is commander of the Service Company of the 145th infantry.

Sheriff Thomas had been able to get only a few men to serve as special deputies. His force and the local police, in charge of Chief L.J. Rounds, were kept busy every minute but couldn’t attempt to cover the city adequately.

On Dangerous Territory.

Shortly before the troops arrived, Sheriff Thomas, escorted by Captain Voorsanger, went to the Klan encampment where the sheriff read Governor Donahey’s proclamation of martial law and Captain Voorsanger announced the Colonel Conelly would not permit the Klan to parade.

Captain Voorsanger estimated the number at the Konklave at 30,000 including women. A barbecue had been prepared and the assembled Klansmen presented a picturesque sight. Nearly all were robed and some were masked.
Some of the robes were bright red, but the majority were white with decorations of various colors and designs. The Klansmen had come from all parts of Ohio and from Pennsylvania, Indiana and West Virginia. One of the largest delegations came from Toledo, O.

Crowd Boos Sheriff
When sheriff Thomas addressed the crowd, he was hooted and jeered. When Captain Voorsanger mentioned Colonel Conelly’s name, a great cry went up. “you’ve got the wrong idea,” the captain shouted, “he’s eligible”. This brought a laugh that put the crowd in a better humor.

As the two were leaving, some men stepped up to Captain Voorsanger and said they would like to see sheriff Thomas alone in a tent. The sheriff went with them while Voorsanger chatted with officials of the organization. Finally he became alarmed at sheriff Thomas’ long absence.

“I’ve never seen such a demonstration in all my life,” said Captain Voorsanger afterward. “One of the men told me they were going to get the sheriff’s resignation and then kill him because they blamed him for the trouble they had with their parade”.
Captain Voorsanger told the men they were crazy. He pointed out that although they were armed, troops with machine guns were on their way.

He told the men to produce the sheriff at once unless they wanted to involve the hooded order in a massacre.
There was such a crowd around the tent, however, that the more sober minded Klansmen told Captain Voorsanger he had better back his car up to the door as someone was likely to take a pot shot at the sheriff as he came out. He did so as he came out and the sheriff ‘escaped’ unhurt.

The Klansmen had lined up in columns of four and were preparing to march when the troops arrived. According to witnesses, one leader in a red robe stepped out and called for forty armed men. “And no yellow bellies, either,’ he said. Then another leader stepped out.
“As grand Cyclops of Trumbull County, I take charge of this situation,” he announced. Then an argument started between the two leaders which was ended by the arrival of troops.

It was said that Colonel Watkins told Sheriff Thomas, “that he had rescued him (Watkins) from an unruly mob at the Niles jail the previous night and now it was his turn to provide a safe exit from the Klan encampment to sheriff Thomas”.

Part of the crowd of anti-klan sympathizers ready to prevent the klansmen from entering the city. This crowd, near the city limits(intersection of Federal and Main Streets) was dispersed by troops

Men on railroad tracks watching the fighting occuring in adjoining fields.

Niles Riot Halted by Troops.
On Dangerous Territory
From then on it was as much as a man’s life was worth to go anywhere near the Circler’s entrenchments unless he was known to the leaders or wore a pink ribbon passed out to friends of the organization.

Firing took place intermittently. Automobiles were constantly being stopped. Several fires started about town and yes a constant uproar from the sirens of the fire apparatus, the gongs of ambulances, and the roar of police motorcycles.

About two automobiles passed the place where the largest force of Klan foes had gathered. A man fired an automatic rifle into the crowd. No one was hit, but Klan foes chased the automobile into the center of town. Dozens of men brandishing every known variety of shooting arm sprang up suddenly and closed in on the car, a dilapidated Ford. The automobile was stopped in the heart of the town in front of the Allison Hotel. Two men were dragged out, searched and taken back to the Flaming Circle stronghold. One was shot down and the other beaten into insensibility.

Spectators who saw the vengeance wrecked on the pair were positive both had been killed and the report that two men had been lynched spread rapidly. Neither was dead, however.

One of the men wounded in the clash of the Ku Klux Klansmen and Knights of the Flaming Circle is shown being placed in the Niles Police ambulance.

Niles, O., Nov. 1-Under drastic military rule, Niles is comparatively quiet tonight after eighteen hours of rioting and bitter skirmishes between the Ku Klux Klan and foes of the hooded order in which at least twelve persons were wounded.

The streets are patrolled by approximately 1,300 national guardsmen, practically the entire strength of the 145th infantry, from Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Berea, Warren and Youngstown. They have taken charge of the civil government under qualified martial law.

The Knights of the Flaming Circle, sworn foes of the Klan, set out to prevent the Klan from parading through Niles. Preliminary skirmishes, which were gradually leading up to a pitched battle with both factions armed to the teeth, were halted just in time to prevent further bloodshed by the arrival of the troops. Of the dozen or more persons wounded or seriously beaten, six were taken to the Warren city hospital and two are not expected to live.

The Klan held no parade, although 30,000 members of the order, including a number of women, had gathered at an encampment one mile north of the city.

Opposing the Klansmen were about 500 members of the Flaming Circle who gathered in a field on Main Street near the outskirts of the city. This was a highly strategic position, for the Klansmen could not have entered the city without passing the stronghold of their enemies.

Both Sides Well Armed.
According to military authorities, over 200 Klansmen were armed with rifles and hundreds of others carried revolvers and clubs. Members of the Flaming Circle, authorities said, were plentifully supplied with revolvers, knives, clubs and stones.

The city was quiet this morning until about 11 this morning. Then for four hours there was no semblance of order.
Armed men ran through the streets looking for trouble and, as a rule, found it.

Colonel Connely, in temporary command of the troops, tonight issued a proclamation to the citizens of Niles, calling on them to observe the military regulations and warnings that all orders will be enforced without regard to race, class or creed.

Colonel Connely also issued orders preventing any visitors from coming into Niles. Automobiles are being turned back or detoured around the city and no persons without legitimate business in the city is permitted to leave trains passing through Niles.

Meanwhile, Mayor Kistler had appeared at City Hall. He promised Colonel Conelly he would try to persuade the Klansmen to abandon their parade, and was taken to the scene of the Klan encampment in a military automobile.

Later, members of the Flaming Circle swooped sown on twenty-five men wearing white ribbons marked ‘Police’. These badges, military sources say, were given out by Mayor Kistler to Klansmen he appointed as deputies to preserve order.

The procession of special police was surrounded and their guns and blackjacks taken away from them. Members of the Flaming Circle called the local police and the twenty-five were marched to the City Hall and placed under arrest.

Youngstown Telegraph
November 1, 1924
Order Troops to Niles As 7 Men Are Shot
Bulletin
Major Connely declared martial law at 2:45 pm in Niles

Columbus, November 1-Immediately upon receipt of the report that four men had been shot at Niles, Governor Donnehey at 1:16 pm ordered a regiment of National Guard mobilized at their armories.
The troops will be held at their respective armories pending orders to go to Niles.
The troops mobilized are: 112th Engineers, Cleveland; all units of the 145th Infantry at Cleveland, Berea, Canton, Akron, Warren and Youngstown; 135th Field Artillery, three batteries at Canton and one at Youngstown; two troops of Calvary, one at Akron and one at Barberton.
The units mobilized total approximately 1,100 men.

Col. L.S. Connelly, ranking officer of the Ohio National Guard in the Niles area, at 2:18 pm was informed of a proclamation issuing from Governor Donnehey that partial martial law is to be ordered in Niles.

Shortly before the troops arrived, Sheriff Thomas, escorted by Captain Voorsanger, went to the Klan encampment where the sheriff read Governor Donahey’s proclamation of martial law and Captain Voorsanger announced the Colonel Conelly would not permit the Klan to parade.

Captain Voorsanger estimated the number at the Konklave at 30,000 including women.

Machine guns were ready as Youngstown
Company entered Niles.

Soldiers Are Cheered
Meanwhile the Flaming Circle crowd had reached such proportions that the North Main street, near Federal Street, on the Niles-Warren road was choked.

At 3pm a brown military lorry packed with helmeted dough-boys drove into sight. The crowd melted away to make way for the lorry and a great cheer went up as the soldiers were recognized.

For the Flaming Circle, the arrival of the military meant victory, for they knew the troops would prevent the Klan from parading. Nevertheless, they took care to conceal their weapons, but the lorry did not stop.

It drew up in front of the city hall, relieving apprehensions of the non-combatants in the business section of the town who feared the only safe place would be a cyclone cellar if the Klan parade ever got started.

A cordon was thrown about the city hall and guards with fixed bayonets were assigned to their posts. The company had come from Warren. Most of them in a few minutes were detailed to patrol various roads.

Youngstown Machine Gun Company entering Niles. When Governor Donaheynordered out the militia, guardsmen took command of Cleveland, Akron, Warren and Youngstown busses and rushed to Niles at top speed.

At 3:30 there was another shout as two busses packed with a machine gun company from Youngstown drove up to city hall.

Original newspaper photograph of the machine gun busses entering Niles.

Machine Guns Are Ready.
On the radiator and roof of each bus were machine guns set up for action with firing squads clustered around, the men clinging on to the gun mountings for support as the busses lurched through the streets.

Since then fresh troops have arrived every half-hour until now practically the entire strength of the 145th Infantry is here.

In the city hall is a pile of about sixty revolvers, blackjacks, and knives most of them taken from alleged Klansmen. About 100 persons were arrested. Tonight they were released and warned to keep out of Niles.

The Klansmen were bundled in motor lorries in batches of about twenty-five and driven to the Klan encampment. Troops were stationed around the Klan encampment to see that the hooded knights dispersed. No attempt was made to take weapons away from the Klansmen who were not arrested because early in the evening there were not enough troops here to do the job, Colonel Conelly said.

As yet, the troops have not attempted to arrest any of those responsible for today’s disorders, and the probabilities are that no such attempt will be made in view of the high feeling here. Colonel Conelly believes the first thing for the troops to do is restore the city to quiet as soon as possible.

Martial law is being administered with every consideration for the residents, however. There are no clashes between civilians and soldiers as there were at Lorain while it is understood that a curfew law will be enforced at 9 tonight. Persons having legitimate business will not be molested, Colonel Conelly said.

Orders have been issued to shoot to kill, however, if any such disturbances as occurred last night take place tonight. Little trouble is anticipated, as all factions are considerably relieved and comforted by the presence of the troops.

Erie railroad station where the special train was prevented from unloading the klansmen.

Shortly after the military forces assumed control, a train containing fourteen coaches loaded with Klansmen and their wives arrived. The train was said to have come from Kent. It was sent back, no one permitted to get off.

Klan Train Stopped.
Steel Valley Klan Book William D. Jenkins Pg 137
The anti–Klan members were forewarned about the special train loaded with 1,200 Klansmen when Catherine Ritter who worked in the train station heard about this train and informed the priest at St. Stephens Church.

The priest passed on the information to the Flaming Circle leaders who then summoned a crowd of anti–Klansmen to prevent any Klan members from leaving the train.

Carmen DeChristofaro, who later would become Mayor of Niles, a six–foot 200-pound giant who played football for the Jennings Athletic Club, gathered at least fifty Knights of the Flaming Circle around the Erie Depot. They were armed with guns, knives, clubs and bricks.

As the train pulled into the station, the head of the Klansmen, former army captain Jack Curley of Massilon, used to conditions of battle, made an instantaneous decision “It’s no place for us . We go right back.” The train was sent back, no one was permitted to get off. The Circlers had outmaneuvered the retreating Klan members.

There were rumors that the Erie Railroad bridge over Mosquito Creek had been rigged with dynamite. This was done to prevent the special train with klansmen from arriving at the Erie Railroad grade crossing at the GE plant and outflanking the Flaming Circle crowd.

Since the train was stopped at the Erie station, no dynamite was used on the bridge.

Youngstown Telegraph
November 1, 1924
Order Troops to Niles As 7 Men Are Shot
Bulletin

Major Connely declared martial law at 2:45 pm in Niles

Columbus, November 1-Immediately upon receipt of the report that four men had been shot at Niles, Governor Donnehey at 1:16 pm ordered a regiment of National Guard mobilized at their armories.

Colonel L.S. Connelly of Cleveland and General Benson W. Hough of the 135th Regiment, O.N.G. Columbus, were in charge of troops now enforcing military law at Niles. General Hough is United States District Attorney at Cincinnati.

The troops will be held at their respective armories pending orders to go to Niles.

The troops mobilized are: 112th Engineers, Cleveland; all units of the 145th Infantry at Cleveland, Berea, Canton, Akron, Warren and Youngstown; 135th Field Artillery, three batteries at Canton and one at Youngstown; two troops of Calvary, one at Akron and one at Barberton.

The units mobilized total approximately 1,100 men.

Col. L.S. Connelly, ranking officer of the Ohio National Guard in the Niles area, at 2:18 pm was informed of a proclamation issuing from Governor Donnehey that partial martial law is to be ordered in Niles.

Ohio National Guard protecting the perimeter of the William McKinley Memorial grounds after martial law had been declared.

GE baseball field on East Federal Street across from gas station which served as a temporary medical clinic for the anti-klansmen who had been injured.

Youngstown Telegraph November 1, 1924
Under drastic military rule, Niles is comparatively quiet tonight after eighteen hours of rioting and bitter skirmishes between the Ku Klux Klan and foes of the hooded order in which at least twelve persons were wounded.

The streets are patrolled by approximately 1,300 National Guardsmen, practically the entire strength of the 145th Infantry, from Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Berea, Warren and Youngstown. They have taken charge of the civil government under qualified martial law.

Colonel Connely, in temporary command of the troops, tonight issued a proclamation to the citizens of Niles, calling on them to observe the military regulations and warnings that all orders will be enforced without regard to race, class or creed.

Colonel Connely also issued orders preventing any visitors from coming into Niles. Automobiles are being turned back or detoured around the city and no persons without legitimate business in the city

Meanwhile, Mayor Kistler had appeared at City Hall. He promised Colonel Connelly he would try to persuade the Klansmen to abandon their parade, and was taken to the scene of the Klan encampment in a military automobile.

Observations of the November 1, 1924 Riot
Tuesday November 4, 1924 Election Day results after the riot: Governor Donahey is re-elected and Sheriff John E. Thomas is defeated
Cleveland Plain Dealer December 6, 1924
Trumbull County Grand Jury presents the 104 secret indictments after examining 257 witnesses. 79 cases were members of the anti-Klan forces and 35 belonged to the KKK. The Jury also recommended the removal from office of Mayor Harvey Kistler and Police Chief L.J. Rounds with the reorganization of the Niles Police Department. They also commended John E. Thomas, Trumbull County Sheriff, for doing everything in his power to prevent the riot. They condemned the State Police Organization for its function during the outbreak and declared its approval of Governor Donahey’s action in sending troops.

Not only did the Klan never march in Niles, they never marched anywhere in the Mahoning Valley again. The Klan’s local and regional power waned.

“Take it off, we know you”.
A 1923 break–in at the Klan’s Youngstown headquarters led to the theft of a record book, and a pamphlet “Is Your Neighbor a Kluxer?”was published , ultimately identifying its membership. “Nobody knows better than the Ku Klux Klan that it could not exist if the names of its members were known.” Quote taken from the pamphlet printed by The Tolerance Company.

Warren Tribune April 10, 1925
All members of the Ku Klux Klan who had been deputized at the Konklave off North Road and Deforest by Mayor Harvey Kistler were found guilty of carrying concealed weapons. Trumbull County Judge Thomas stated that the big question was whether the appointees were selected to keep the peace or simply give the men a pretext for carrying concealed weapons

Links to Oral History Interviews:

Browse Interviews

Frank McDermott

Nicola Criscione

Youngstown State University
Oral History Program
Ku Klux Klan Project
Personal Experience
O.H. 311

Nicola Criscione
interviewed by William Jenkins

May 8, 1984
Excerpts from interview

C: What we saw was a lot of cars tipped over. Well, first of all there was a lot of Klansmen, not a lot of them, a few of the cars had Klansmen in them with sheets and hoods over their heads, and some of them had shotguns.

J: Some of the Klansmen had shotguns?
C: Some of the Klansmen had shotguns. Some of them, the ones on foot, had side arms, like pistols, but they didn't get a chance to use them.

J: So there were some Klansmen also who were walking to this parade, or this attempted parade?
C: They got hit so sudden that they didn't get a chance to use any of them.

J: What would happen to a car with a Klansman who was coming into Niles over Robbins Avenue?
C: Well, he would just tip the car over

J: Do you know why the Klan was trying to march in Niles?
C: Well, the reason I think the Klan was trying to march in Niles, they had mostly everyplace but Niles. They had Girard, and they had Youngstown, quite a few Klans­men, and they had Canfield and North Lima; they had mostly all the farmers around.

Niles was the place that they had the most trouble in, and I suppose they were trying to break that up in there so that they could parade, you know. They would get their permits and then they would have the police protect them. Like us, we would have to be on the run all the time.

C: In terms of the Klan becoming a big thing locally, obviously it elected the mayor that it endorsed. It elected six out of seven councilmen and people in other cities as well.

It had judges and had prosectuing attorneys

J: Why do you think it became so big here? People often think of the Klan as a southern organization. How come it became so big, particularly when there were so many immigrants around here at the time?

C: You know when you went for a job, if you were Italian or a foreigner or something, if you weren't a Welshman or something like that, you were a laborer. When I started on the railroad the labor paid ten cents an hour. You worked ten and twelve hours a day. That was way back in 1916, 1917, 1918, and 1919.

C: The reason the Klan broke up is because they stole that roster, the Klan roster. Somebody put some sheets out.
They didn't put the book out, they put some sheets out with the people's names and how much they donated to the Klan. They had this guy donated five dollars, this guy donated ten dollars, this guy donated twenty-five dollars, and it was even one or two businessmen from Briar Hill that donated to the Klan. They went out of business in a hurry.

Actual copy of booklet that published names of Klan members that was circulated in Trumbull and Mahoning Counties.

"There is just one thing a member of the Ku Klux Klan dreads—the bright white light of publicity." Quote from publication above.

Booklet that introduced the Klan public story.

Page from "The Truth About the Niles Riot, November 1, 1924" where the Klan published their viewpoint of the events of the riot.

“Sheriff admits his inability to cope with the situation–Streets paraded by armed hoodlums, who shot and beat up American citizens.”

There are thirty-one pages in this booklet defending the Klan's activities and placing the blame on the "foreigners" for the riot.

Part 1:
“They Shall Not Pass”

Coming —Part 3: The Aftermath.

Partial or qualified martial law is enforced.

Coming —Part 4: Results of the Conflict.

Investigation and judgments.