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Catholics and Education: The Oregon School Case

Margaret Meyers, "The Ku Klux Klan in LeGrande, Oregon, 1918-1924"

Sister Margaret Meyers was a child in Oregon and remembers the Ku Klux Klan presence in her town from 1918 to 1924. She later became a member of The Society of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, the group of teaching nuns in whose name the suit that led to the overturn of The Compulsory Education Law by the Supreme Court was filed. In this essay Sr. Margaret described her memories of Klan activities, including how her family was affected by them.

Title: Margaret Meyers, "The Ku Klux Klan in LeGrande, Oregon, 1918-1924"

Contributor: Courtesy of the Oregon Historical Society

Date: 1918-1924

Questions:

  • How visible was the Ku Klux Klan in LaGrande, Oregon? How threatening were its actions against Catholics?
  • What actions did the Klan take against the members of Sister Margaret Meyers' family?
  • How does this document differ from the others in this collection? What new insights may one gather from using a source such as this one? What things should be taken into consideration when using this document?
  • Do you think Sr. Margaret's experiences, as described in this document, may have affected her choice to become a Sister of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary? Explain your answer.