Statement by Governor Luther H. Hodges, January 30, 1958

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR’S OFFICE RALEIGH Luther H. Hodges governor January 30, 1958 STATEMENT BY GOVERNOR LUTHER H. HODGES The recent incident in Maxton involving citizens of Robeson County and a small group of outsiders claiming to be members of the Ku Klux Klan is of serious concern to the thoughtful citizens of North Carolina who are determined as I am that we shall maintain law and order. It is of concern because we know that several people could easily have been killed or seriously injured on that occasion. It is of concern because such an incident is an assault on peace and good order, and a slur on the name of our State, It is of concern because of the possible stimulus to other and more serious future incidents. In the last few days there have been intimations and threats to the effect that the Klan will at some future date assemble an armed gathering in Robeson County or at other places and put on a big show of force to further intimidate the people of this State, There have been threats that bands of armed men from out of the State will come into North Carolina, I want my position to be clearly understood. The responsibility for the Maxton incident rests squarely on the irres¬ ponsible and misguided men who call themselves leaders of the Ku Klux Klan,