KU KLUX KLAN DENIES THREAT TO SEVERIN MIRE

Crowley Signal (After 1923)

Denial that the Klan made any threats against Severin Mire, charged with a crime against a young woman here in 1923, was made today by J.W. McCain, in connection with a statement of Mire, now serving a life sentence in the state prison, that he pleaded guilty only because the Klan threatened his life.

Mire declared in the statement accompanying his request for pardon that he was innocent of the crime, even though he pleaded guilty and asserts that fear of the organization caused him to do so. In connection with a statement from Mr. McCain said:

I wish to state to the public that the allegation of Severin Mire as published in the Times-Picayune, the Daily Signal and other papers in his petition for a pardon, alleging that his confession was made because of threats upon his live by the Ku Klux Klan, and that he is innocent of the crime is untrue as far as the Klan is concerned.

I am in a position to prove that members of the Klan offered the sheriff their assistance in whatever way he could use them in the protection of the said Mire after his arrest and before his confession.

This precaution was taken that nothing would be done that the Klan would have to bear the blame for. (Signed) P.W. McCain.