Ch 5 Shelton v. KKK - Ep. 2 - So.Congress Baptist Church Mayhem and PaPa's Memorial

Our Westlake

Emmett Shelton (1905-2000) tells of the Shelton family's further conflict with the KKK in So. Austin. Emmett's father, John E., was Director of Sunday School but was kicked out of So. Austin Baptist Church for being an anti-prohibitionist.
Brother Edgar was singing at the Baptist Church when robed KKK Members marched in with a donation. Someone shut off the lights, Edgar grabbed the mask and conflict ensued. Edgar was arrested and Buck Simpson helped in the defense.
Emmett tells details of a phone operator foiling a KKK death threat against a judge. In San Marcos, KKK was a family affair but not all agreed. In Bellville a KKK parade led to a number of deaths. Memories of a bumper sticker slogan -- Ma, Barry, and Dan - to Hell with the Klu Klux Klan, and a very private Thank You.
Emmett tells a moving recount of his fearless father John E. Shelton's funeral in 1928 - Not in the Church - but instead on a flatbed in the front yard of their house in So. Austin with a eulogy by a Judge and about 300 citizens mourning on both sides.
Music: Ole Rugged Flag by Johnny Cash

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Stories told by Emmett Shelton / compiled and submitted by Cynthia Shelton.