The Klu Klux Klan recruits in El Paso
             In the summer of 1921, the KKK showed up in El Paso. Considering the local conditions at the time, it was questionable whether the KKK would have any degree of success in El Paso. El Paso's racial tensions and the problems posed by the city's border location was important in laying the groundwork for the Ku Klux Klan. El Paso presented the KKK with an opportunity for playing on racial fears. The Texas Klan was occupied with issues concerning law, order, and social morality. There was no community in Texas more concerned with these issues than El Paso. The city was perfect for the growth of the KKK.
             It's not for sure when the Klan first came to the El Paso area, but as early as May, 1921, there was a Klan recruiter in El Paso. Kellogg ( the recruiter ) set up his headquarters in the Sheldon Hotel. There he had a lot of strange meetings and received a lot of phone calls. In the New York World's expose of the Ku Klux Klan, Kellogg was listed as the "King eagle" for the "realm" of New Mexico. Nobody really knows if Kellogg had recruited members in El Paso. .
             Certain El Pasoans were ready to fight with the Ku Klux Klan in 1921. One of the enemies of the Klan was Black, editor of the El Paso Times. He called its members "anarchists and public enemies" who "seize the purpose of the state." The highest ranking law officials shared the Times' attitude toward the Klan. Police Chief Peyton J. Edward promised to do all that was within his power to put down the activities of the Ku Klux Klan or any other secret order. County Sheriff Seth B. Orndorff was also quick to take a stand against the KKK.
             In September, it was announced by the Herald (a magazine in El Paso) that "a
             Klan has been organized in El Paso." All of the city council members received a membership offer, but only council member one decided to join. On September 15, it was rumored that the El Paso Klan ...