Atlanta Daily World

Two Klansmen Indicted For "Inciting Riot"

LUMBERTON. N. C- (INS)
Two Ku Klux Klan leaders involved in a rally which angry Indians turned into a shooting affair, were indicted for "inciting a riot" by a Lumberton grand jury Monday.
The jury, including three Indians, two Negroes and 13 whites, indicted Klan leader the Rev. James W. Cole, of Marion, S. C., and James Garland, of Reidsville. N. C.
Bond was set at $1,000 for Cole, who has retreated to his Marion home, while Garland, arrested at the melee for carrying concealed weapons, is being held under $500 bond on his original charges.
Sheriff Malcolm McLeod said he called Cole at his home and asked him to return to North Carolina to face charges, but said he was told, "I'll be killed if I return to that Indian land."
McLeod said he assured the Klansman he would be provided protection, to which Cole replied, "First I'll have to consult with my lawyer."
The Klan's scheduled "Hate Integration" meeting Saturday, was turned into a bedlam by 1,000 Lumbee Indians infuriated over recent cross burnings in front of the homes of two Indian women. No one was seriously injured.
Meanwhile Cole said he was receiving letters from Klan officials "from all over the South" saying they were "very alarmed" over the KKK routing. He said he would call for another rally this Saturday-but in Burlington, which is outside of Indian territory.
McLeod said he asked for indictments on the grounds that Klaners had circulated letters among themselves which requested that they bring weapons to the controversial meeting.
He said the letters read, "bring arms to the rally and they will make you seem stronger in the eyes of the people."