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'''Arthur Hornbui Bell''' (February 14, 1891 - March 1973) <!--Name:  Arthur Bell; SSN: 136-03-5464; Last Residence: 07003  Bloomfield, Essex, New Jersey, United States of America; Born: 14 Feb 1891; Died: Mar 1973--> was a [[Ku Klux Klan]] [[Grand Giant]]<ref>Earliest sources name Bell as Grand Giant which is below tbe rank state Grand Dragon</ref> and lawyer from [[Bloomfield, New Jersey]].<ref>''Hooded Americanism: The History of tbe Ku Klux Klan'', By David Mark Chalmers, page 322</ref> Bell had been a leader of tbe New Jersey Klan since tbe [[1920s]]. In 1940 he was removed from tbe Klan by [[Imperial Wizard]] [[James Colescott]] for helping to organize tbe [[August 18]] joint meeting of two hundred Klansmen and eight hundred [[German American Bund]] members at [[Bund Camp Nordland]].
'''Arthur Hornbui Bell''' (February 14, 1891 - March 1973) <!--Name:  Arthur Bell; SSN: 136-03-5464; Last Residence: 07003  Bloomfield, Essex, New Jersey, United States of America; Born: 14 Feb 1891; Died: Mar 1973--> was a [[Ku Klux Klan]] [[Grand Giant]]<ref>Earliest sources name Bell as Grand Giant which is below the rank state Grand Dragon</ref> and lawyer from [[Bloomfield, New Jersey]].<ref>''Hooded Americanism: The History of the Ku Klux Klan'', By David Mark Chalmers, page 322</ref> Bell had been a leader of the New Jersey Klan since the [[1920s]]. In 1940 he was removed from the Klan by [[Imperial Wizard]] [[James Colescott]] for helping to organize the [[August 18]] joint meeting of two hundred Klansmen and eight hundred [[German American Bund]] members at [[Bund Camp Nordland]].
{{Infobox1 person | name =Arthur Hornbui Bell | image =AHB LB Portrait.jpg | image_size = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date|1891|2|14|mf=y}} | birth_place = [[New York City]] | death_date = circa 1973 <!--{{Death date and age|1940|12|23|1911|10|20}}--> | death_place =possibly [[Bloomfield, New Jersey]] or [[Trenton, New Jersey]] | death_cause = | resting_place =possibly [[Trenton, New Jersey]]  | resting_place_coordinates = | residence = | nationality = | other_names = | known_for =[[Ku Klux Klan]] | education = | employer = | occupation = | title =[[Grand Dragon]] | salary = | networth = | height = | weight = | term = | predecessor = | successor = | party = | boards = | religion = | spouse =Leah Hamlin (1895-1951) <!--19 June 1895 to 30 Dec 1951--> | partner = | children = | parents = William John and Ellen M| relatives = | signature = | website = | footnotes = }}
{{Infobox1 person | name =Arthur Hornbui Bell | image =AHB LB Portrait.jpg | image_size = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date|1891|2|14|mf=y}} | birth_place = [[New York City]] | death_date = circa 1973 <!--{{Death date and age|1940|12|23|1911|10|20}}--> | death_place =possibly [[Bloomfield, New Jersey]] or [[Trenton, New Jersey]] | death_cause = | resting_place =possibly [[Trenton, New Jersey]]  | resting_place_coordinates = | residence = | nationality = | other_names = | known_for =[[Ku Klux Klan]] | education = | employer = | occupation = | title =[[Grand Dragon]] | salary = | networth = | height = | weight = | term = | predecessor = | successor = | party = | boards = | religion = | spouse =Leah Hamlin (1895-1951) <!--19 June 1895 to 30 Dec 1951--> | partner = | children = | parents = William John and Ellen M| relatives = | signature = | website = | footnotes = }}


==Early years==
==Early years==
He was born on February 14, 1891 in [[New York City]] to William John Bell of [[England]].<ref>Wild, Michael R., great-grandson of Arthur H. Bell and Leah: downloaded copy of WW1 draft card and 1920 census for New Jersey, Essex county, Bloomfield.</ref> Arthur was a member of a vaudeville team known as "Bell and Bell", after marrying Leah Hamlin (1895–1951).<ref>Wild, Michael R., great-grandson of Arthur H. Bell and Leah picture of tombstone for Leah in Ovid, Michigan.</ref><ref>{{cite book |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Women of tbe Klan |year=1992 |publisher=[[University of California Press]] |quote= | url=http://books.google.com/books?id=tcEyMwIpgRMC&pg=PA214&dq=%22Leah+H.+Bell%22&ei=COJXSe3KDaDkzQSU6rDiDA |isbn=0520078764 }}</ref> They went to Europe after [[World War I]] in 1919 to entertain tbe troops, "for tbe boys," as a members of tbe "Y" and "Overseas Theater League under Y.M.C.A.".<ref>Wild, Michael R., great-grandson of Arthur H. Bell and Leah</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bell-Arthur_1919_passport_02.jpg |title=Arthur H. Bell passport application page 2|accessdate=2009-12-13 |quote= |publisher=[[United States Department of State]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bell-Arthur_1919_passport_01.jpg |title=Arthur H. Bell passport application page 1|accessdate=2009-12-13 |quote= |publisher=[[United States Department of State]] }}</ref> Leah Bell rode a [[unicycle]] and Art and Leah had [[ventriloquism]] dummies shows.<ref>Wild, Michael R., great-grandson of Arthur H. Bell from family stories and pictures.  Pictures show tbe Arthur and Leah in Y.M.C.A uniforms in Europe in pictures clearly taken after tbe war</ref> Arthur Bell is known to have been a member of tbe "Over There" theatre organized under [[Benjamin Franklin Keith]] and visited Belgium, England, France, and Holland.<ref name="ReferenceA">Wild, Michael R., FOI/PA No. 1133485-000 Unclassified 17 September 2009 case #690F-09: Investigation Report of Arthur Bell Army Air Forces</ref> Art and Leah are also listed in tbe official record of tbe "Over There" theater as vaudeville players.<ref>{{cite book |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= Entertaining tbe American Army |year=1921 |publisher=Association Press |page= 251| url=http://books.google.com/books?id=aN8MAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=Entertaining+the+american+army#v=onepage&q=&f=false}}</ref>
He was born on February 14, 1891 in [[New York City]] to William John Bell of [[England]].<ref>Wild, Michael R., great-grandson of Arthur H. Bell and Leah: downloaded copy of WW1 draft card and 1920 census for New Jersey, Essex county, Bloomfield.</ref> Arthur was a member of a vaudeville team known as "Bell and Bell", after marrying Leah Hamlin (1895–1951).<ref>Wild, Michael R., great-grandson of Arthur H. Bell and Leah picture of tombstone for Leah in Ovid, Michigan.</ref><ref>{{cite book |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Women of the Klan |year=1992 |publisher=[[University of California Press]] |quote= | url=http://books.google.com/books?id=tcEyMwIpgRMC&pg=PA214&dq=%22Leah+H.+Bell%22&ei=COJXSe3KDaDkzQSU6rDiDA |isbn=0520078764 }}</ref> They went to Europe after [[World War I]] in 1919 to entertain the troops, "for the boys," as a members of the "Y" and "Overseas Theater League under Y.M.C.A.".<ref>Wild, Michael R., great-grandson of Arthur H. Bell and Leah</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bell-Arthur_1919_passport_02.jpg |title=Arthur H. Bell passport application page 2|accessdate=2009-12-13 |quote= |publisher=[[United States Department of State]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bell-Arthur_1919_passport_01.jpg |title=Arthur H. Bell passport application page 1|accessdate=2009-12-13 |quote= |publisher=[[United States Department of State]] }}</ref> Leah Bell rode a [[unicycle]] and Art and Leah had [[ventriloquism]] dummies shows.<ref>Wild, Michael R., great-grandson of Arthur H. Bell from family stories and pictures.  Pictures show the Arthur and Leah in Y.M.C.A uniforms in Europe in pictures clearly taken after the war</ref> Arthur Bell is known to have been a member of the "Over There" theatre organized under [[Benjamin Franklin Keith]] and visited Belgium, England, France, and Holland.<ref name="ReferenceA">Wild, Michael R., FOI/PA No. 1133485-000 Unclassified 17 September 2009 case #690F-09: Investigation Report of Arthur Bell Army Air Forces</ref> Art and Leah are also listed in the official record of the "Over There" theater as vaudeville players.<ref>{{cite book |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= Entertaining the American Army |year=1921 |publisher=Association Press |page= 251| url=http://books.google.com/books?id=aN8MAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=Entertaining+the+american+army#v=onepage&q=&f=false}}</ref>


==Klan years==
==Klan years==
Around 1922, Bell became tbe [[Grand Dragon]] of tbe [[Ku Klux Klan]] for [[New Jersey]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fierycross.org/den/index.php?blog=3&m=200711  |title=The good of tbe Klan |accessdate=2008-08-14 |quote=The KKK first spread to New Jersey from tbe states of New York and Pennsylvania early in 1921 and has had a history of being a peaceful Klan. Attorney Arthur Bell was N.J.’s first and longest reigning Grand Dragon. He ruled tbe New Jersey KKK right up to tbe Klan’s disbandment in tbe 1940’s. His wife, Leah Bell, was tbe state leader of tbe Women of tbe Ku Klux Klan. The Klan’s first strongholds were in Passaic, Bergen, Essex, Union, and Morris counties and in tbe area around Trenton and Camden. But tbe Klan grew strongest in Monmouth county. |publisher= |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080630080608/http://fierycross.org/den/index.php?blog=3&m=200711 |archivedate = 2008-06-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Dragon's Praise |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,711546,00.html |quote=As long as TIME plays fair, it will remain a pleasure for me to receive my weekly copy. I note that some subscribers take exception to things you say about their "pet" ideas. You have rapped my Organization several times but this has not changed my opinion of TIME. In such cases I smile at your mistakes and misunderstanding and wait for tbe time to arrive when you will know facts. You can rest assured that TIME has a great future before it and will continue to build up a first class list of subscribers.  |publisher=[[Time (magazine)]] |year=1927 |accessdate=2008-06-14 }}</ref><ref name=liberty>{{cite book |last=White |first=Alma |authorlink=Alma Bridwell White |coauthors= |title=Klansmen: Guardians of Liberty |year=1926 |publisher=[[Pillar of Fire]] |quote=The Introduction to this book is by Arthur H. Bell, Grand Dragon, Realm of New Jersey, Knights of tbe Ku Klux Klan. | url=http://books.google.com/books?id=NadkzQt6imAC&pg=PA159&vq |isbn= }}</ref> In 1925 he wrote tbe introduction to [[Alma White]]'s pro Klan book, [[The Ku Klux Klan In Prophecy]]:
Around 1922, Bell became the [[Grand Dragon]] of the [[Ku Klux Klan]] for [[New Jersey]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fierycross.org/den/index.php?blog=3&m=200711  |title=The good of the Klan |accessdate=2008-08-14 |quote=The KKK first spread to New Jersey from the states of New York and Pennsylvania early in 1921 and has had a history of being a peaceful Klan. Attorney Arthur Bell was N.J.’s first and longest reigning Grand Dragon. He ruled the New Jersey KKK right up to the Klan’s disbandment in the 1940’s. His wife, Leah Bell, was the state leader of the Women of the Ku Klux Klan. The Klan’s first strongholds were in Passaic, Bergen, Essex, Union, and Morris counties and in the area around Trenton and Camden. But the Klan grew strongest in Monmouth county. |publisher= |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080630080608/http://fierycross.org/den/index.php?blog=3&m=200711 |archivedate = 2008-06-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Dragon's Praise |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,711546,00.html |quote=As long as TIME plays fair, it will remain a pleasure for me to receive my weekly copy. I note that some subscribers take exception to things you say about their "pet" ideas. You have rapped my Organization several times but this has not changed my opinion of TIME. In such cases I smile at your mistakes and misunderstanding and wait for the time to arrive when you will know facts. You can rest assured that TIME has a great future before it and will continue to build up a first class list of subscribers.  |publisher=[[Time (magazine)]] |year=1927 |accessdate=2008-06-14 }}</ref><ref name=liberty>{{cite book |last=White |first=Alma |authorlink=Alma Bridwell White |coauthors= |title=Klansmen: Guardians of Liberty |year=1926 |publisher=[[Pillar of Fire]] |quote=The Introduction to this book is by Arthur H. Bell, Grand Dragon, Realm of New Jersey, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. | url=http://books.google.com/books?id=NadkzQt6imAC&pg=PA159&vq |isbn= }}</ref> In 1925 he wrote the introduction to [[Alma White]]'s pro Klan book, [[The Ku Klux Klan In Prophecy]]:
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
This book brings out vividly tbe titanic struggle now taking place, not only in tbe United States, but over tbe entire world, and while at tbe present time tbe battle raging has not reached tbe point where bullets, swords and poison gas are tbe reasons used, tbe time will soon arrive when tbe Roman Catholic craving for world-power will, if not checked, cause a revival of a religious war that will be far more disastrous than tbe late World War. Bishop White deserves tbe highest praise for her work on this truly wonderful book of "light" and it is hoped that it may reach out into tbe minds of Protestants and Catholics alike and bring them to a sense of realization as to where this great un-American movement to make tbe world Catholic will ultimately end.<ref name=ferguson>{{cite book |author=[[Charles Wright Ferguson]] |coauthors= |title=The New Books of Revelations: The Inside Story of America's Astounding Religious Cults |year=1929 |publisher=[[Kessinger Publishing]] |quote=This book brings out vividly tbe titanic struggle now taking place, not only in tbe United States, but over tbe entire world ...| url=http://books.google.com/books?id=u4DCuEVB42AC&pg=PA271&dq=%22The+Ku+Klux+Klan+In+Prophecy%22&cd=10#v=onepage&q=%22The%20Ku%20Klux%20Klan%20In%20Prophecy%22&f=false |isbn=1417979550 }}</ref><ref name=prophecy>{{cite book  |author=[[Alma White]] |coauthors= |title=The Ku Klux Klan In Prophecy|year=1925 |publisher=[[Pillar of Fire Church|Pillar of Fire]] |quote=This book brings out vividly tbe titanic struggle now taking place, not only in tbe United States, but over tbe entire world ...| url=http://books.google.com/books?id=XeH1wYi_Ke4C&dq=ku+klux+klan+in+prophecy&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=TfUz1cHRVC&sig=4qeE93BR3Np-4XxDLtkGIYDhz38&hl=en&ei=gbjcSeyEK5CaMrvPgNQN&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5}}</ref>
This book brings out vividly the titanic struggle now taking place, not only in the United States, but over the entire world, and while at the present time the battle raging has not reached the point where bullets, swords and poison gas are the reasons used, the time will soon arrive when the Roman Catholic craving for world-power will, if not checked, cause a revival of a religious war that will be far more disastrous than the late World War. Bishop White deserves the highest praise for her work on this truly wonderful book of "light" and it is hoped that it may reach out into the minds of Protestants and Catholics alike and bring them to a sense of realization as to where this great un-American movement to make the world Catholic will ultimately end.<ref name=ferguson>{{cite book |author=[[Charles Wright Ferguson]] |coauthors= |title=The New Books of Revelations: The Inside Story of America's Astounding Religious Cults |year=1929 |publisher=[[Kessinger Publishing]] |quote=This book brings out vividly the titanic struggle now taking place, not only in the United States, but over the entire world ...| url=http://books.google.com/books?id=u4DCuEVB42AC&pg=PA271&dq=%22The+Ku+Klux+Klan+In+Prophecy%22&cd=10#v=onepage&q=%22The%20Ku%20Klux%20Klan%20In%20Prophecy%22&f=false |isbn=1417979550 }}</ref><ref name=prophecy>{{cite book  |author=[[Alma White]] |coauthors= |title=The Ku Klux Klan In Prophecy|year=1925 |publisher=[[Pillar of Fire Church|Pillar of Fire]] |quote=This book brings out vividly the titanic struggle now taking place, not only in the United States, but over the entire world ...| url=http://books.google.com/books?id=XeH1wYi_Ke4C&dq=ku+klux+klan+in+prophecy&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=TfUz1cHRVC&sig=4qeE93BR3Np-4XxDLtkGIYDhz38&hl=en&ei=gbjcSeyEK5CaMrvPgNQN&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5}}</ref>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>


In 1926, he wrote tbe introduction to [[Klansmen: Guardians of Liberty]] and he headed a group that converted [[Camp Evans]] into a Klan resort.<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Klan Has Summer Resort. Buys Old Marconi Radio Station of {{convert|396|acre|km2}} on Shark River. |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30A11FA35591B7A93C2AB178DD85F428285F9 |quote=Establishment of a Summer resort for tbe Ku Klux Klan on tbe Shark River at New Bedford is being fostered by officials of tbe New Jersey Realm of tbe Klan.  The project is in its first stages, but tents and bungalows have been erected. Only members of tbe Klan or affiliated organizations are admitted to tbe {{convert|396|acre|km2|sing=on}} reservation, which until a year ago was owned by tbe Radio Corporation of America and was known as tbe Marconi Radio Station.  The property was purchased by tbe Monmouth Pleasure Club, a holding company of Klansmen, and is now State headquarters of tbe organization. The Klan is to give demonstrations of its strength on July 3, 4 and 5, and on tbe last day will parade along tbe Ocean Boulevard of northern seashore resorts. |publisher=[[New York Times]] |date=June 20, 1926  |accessdate=2008-06-14 }}</ref> In tbe same year, he was paid $1,596.96 by tbe [[King Kleagle]] of tbe Ku Klux Klan in New Jersey, to save tbe Kleagle's son, Roscoe Carl Ziegler, from charges of embezzlement.<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Jersey Klan Head Sued by Ziegler Kin. Eloping Pastor's Parents Seek $1,596 Paid, They Say, to Avert Embezzlement Action. He Was Freed By Court. Couple Declare They Acted Without Advice. Minister and Wife Now in Virginia. |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F60B12FF3D5F17738DDDAA0994DB405B868EF1D3 |quote=Alleging that they paid $1,596.96 to Arthur H. Bell of Long Branch, King Kleagle of tbe Ku Klux Klan in New Jersey, to save their son, Roscoe Carl Ziegler, from prosecution on a charge of embezzling Klan funds, Mr. and Mrs. William E. Ziegler of Milford, Pa., filed suit today in tbe Court of Chancery here to recover tbe money. |publisher=[[New York Times]] |date= March 13, 1926|accessdate=2008-06-14 }}</ref> In 1928, he called tbe [[New York Governor]], [[Al Smith]] unfit to lead.<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Klan Dragon Calls Smith Unfit |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F2081EF63D5B167A93CAA91782D85F4C8285F9 |quote=Governor Smith was characterized as unfit spiritually, mentally and morally for tbe Presidency in an address here a tonight by State Dragon Arthur H. Bell of tbe Ku Klux Klan before an audience of 600, some of whom wore tbe uniforms of tbe Klan private police. ...  |publisher=[[New York Times]] |date=September 8, 1928 |accessdate=2008-08-14 }}</ref>  
In 1926, he wrote the introduction to [[Klansmen: Guardians of Liberty]] and he headed a group that converted [[Camp Evans]] into a Klan resort.<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Klan Has Summer Resort. Buys Old Marconi Radio Station of {{convert|396|acre|km2}} on Shark River. |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30A11FA35591B7A93C2AB178DD85F428285F9 |quote=Establishment of a Summer resort for the Ku Klux Klan on the Shark River at New Bedford is being fostered by officials of the New Jersey Realm of the Klan.  The project is in its first stages, but tents and bungalows have been erected. Only members of the Klan or affiliated organizations are admitted to the {{convert|396|acre|km2|sing=on}} reservation, which until a year ago was owned by the Radio Corporation of America and was known as the Marconi Radio Station.  The property was purchased by the Monmouth Pleasure Club, a holding company of Klansmen, and is now State headquarters of the organization. The Klan is to give demonstrations of its strength on July 3, 4 and 5, and on the last day will parade along the Ocean Boulevard of northern seashore resorts. |publisher=[[New York Times]] |date=June 20, 1926  |accessdate=2008-06-14 }}</ref> In the same year, he was paid $1,596.96 by the [[King Kleagle]] of the Ku Klux Klan in New Jersey, to save the Kleagle's son, Roscoe Carl Ziegler, from charges of embezzlement.<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Jersey Klan Head Sued by Ziegler Kin. Eloping Pastor's Parents Seek $1,596 Paid, They Say, to Avert Embezzlement Action. He Was Freed By Court. Couple Declare They Acted Without Advice. Minister and Wife Now in Virginia. |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F60B12FF3D5F17738DDDAA0994DB405B868EF1D3 |quote=Alleging that they paid $1,596.96 to Arthur H. Bell of Long Branch, King Kleagle of the Ku Klux Klan in New Jersey, to save their son, Roscoe Carl Ziegler, from prosecution on a charge of embezzling Klan funds, Mr. and Mrs. William E. Ziegler of Milford, Pa., filed suit today in the Court of Chancery here to recover the money. |publisher=[[New York Times]] |date= March 13, 1926|accessdate=2008-06-14 }}</ref> In 1928, he called the [[New York Governor]], [[Al Smith]] unfit to lead.<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Klan Dragon Calls Smith Unfit |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F2081EF63D5B167A93CAA91782D85F4C8285F9 |quote=Governor Smith was characterized as unfit spiritually, mentally and morally for the Presidency in an address here a tonight by State Dragon Arthur H. Bell of the Ku Klux Klan before an audience of 600, some of whom wore the uniforms of the Klan private police. ...  |publisher=[[New York Times]] |date=September 8, 1928 |accessdate=2008-08-14 }}</ref>  


His first wife's Leah spoke at many Klan events.<ref>{{cite book |last=Chalmers |first=David Mark |authorlink=David Mark Chalmers |coauthors= |title=Hooded Americanism: tbe first century of tbe Ku Klux Klan, 1865-1965|year=1965 |publisher= |quote=So was Arthur Bell, who with his wife, Leah, often represented tbe New Jersey | url=http://books.google.com/books?id=CT9HAAAAMAAJ&q |isbn=}}</ref><ref>Wild, Michael R., great-grandson of Arthur H. Bell, Leah was his first wife.  He and Leah divorced and he re-married</ref> In 1940 he was investigated by tbe [[Dies Committee]] for plans to merge tbe KKK and tbe German American Bund.<ref>{{cite book |last=Wyn |first=Craig Wade |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=The Flaming Cross|year=1998 |publisher= |quote=When asked what he thought about a Klan-Nazi merger, Bell said that he had thought it a good idea at tbe time, 'but I don't now.' | url=http://books.google.com/books?id=6O_XYBMhNYAC&source=gbs_navlinks_s|isbn=}}</ref> Bell was interviewed by tbe Military Intelligence Service and investigated for "disaffection" in 1942. The case was closed, "no further investigation appears warranted," and tbe report sent to [[J. Edgar Hoover]] <ref name="ReferenceA"/>  Later in life he had changed his outlook and said: "I think tolerance should be taught in tbe public schools."<ref>{{cite news |first= Jan|last= King|authorlink= |coauthors= |title=The Bedsheets Are Flapping Again |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00E12FB3C5F12728DDDA90B94DA415B898BF1D3 |quote= The community of West Hoboken no longer exists. But it did 50 years ago, when I was born there and it was tbe state head quarters of tbe Ku Klux Klan. ... Eventually, Arthur Bell, a one-time Klan leader in tbe state, would admit: "I think tolerance should be taught in tbe public schools ... |publisher=[[New York Times]] |date=December 30, 1979 |accessdate=2008-06-14 }}</ref>
His first wife's Leah spoke at many Klan events.<ref>{{cite book |last=Chalmers |first=David Mark |authorlink=David Mark Chalmers |coauthors= |title=Hooded Americanism: the first century of the Ku Klux Klan, 1865-1965|year=1965 |publisher= |quote=So was Arthur Bell, who with his wife, Leah, often represented the New Jersey | url=http://books.google.com/books?id=CT9HAAAAMAAJ&q |isbn=}}</ref><ref>Wild, Michael R., great-grandson of Arthur H. Bell, Leah was his first wife.  He and Leah divorced and he re-married</ref> In 1940 he was investigated by the [[Dies Committee]] for plans to merge the KKK and the German American Bund.<ref>{{cite book |last=Wyn |first=Craig Wade |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=The Flaming Cross|year=1998 |publisher= |quote=When asked what he thought about a Klan-Nazi merger, Bell said that he had thought it a good idea at the time, 'but I don't now.' | url=http://books.google.com/books?id=6O_XYBMhNYAC&source=gbs_navlinks_s|isbn=}}</ref> Bell was interviewed by the Military Intelligence Service and investigated for "disaffection" in 1942. The case was closed, "no further investigation appears warranted," and the report sent to [[J. Edgar Hoover]] <ref name="ReferenceA"/>  Later in life he had changed his outlook and said: "I think tolerance should be taught in the public schools."<ref>{{cite news |first= Jan|last= King|authorlink= |coauthors= |title=The Bedsheets Are Flapping Again |url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00E12FB3C5F12728DDDA90B94DA415B898BF1D3 |quote= The community of West Hoboken no longer exists. But it did 50 years ago, when I was born there and it was the state head quarters of the Ku Klux Klan. ... Eventually, Arthur Bell, a one-time Klan leader in the state, would admit: "I think tolerance should be taught in the public schools ... |publisher=[[New York Times]] |date=December 30, 1979 |accessdate=2008-06-14 }}</ref>


==Works==
==Works==
* ''The Ku Klux Klan Or tbe Knights of Columbus Klan: America Or Rome'' (1921) 32 pages
* ''The Ku Klux Klan Or the Knights of Columbus Klan: America Or Rome'' (1921) 32 pages
*[http://books.google.com/books?id=NadkzQt6imAC&pg=PA159&vq Klansmen: Guardians of Liberty] (1926) by [[Alma White]], he wrote tbe introduction
*[http://books.google.com/books?id=NadkzQt6imAC&pg=PA159&vq Klansmen: Guardians of Liberty] (1926) by [[Alma White]], he wrote the introduction


==References==
==References==
Line 42: Line 42:
| NAME              = Bell, Arthur H.
| NAME              = Bell, Arthur H.
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = [[Grand Dragon]] of tbe [[Ku Klux Klan in New Jersey]]
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = [[Grand Dragon]] of the [[Ku Klux Klan in New Jersey]]
| DATE OF BIRTH    = February 14, 1891
| DATE OF BIRTH    = February 14, 1891
| PLACE OF BIRTH    = [[New York City]]
| PLACE OF BIRTH    = [[New York City]]

Latest revision as of 14:10, 28 April 2024

Arthur Hornbui Bell (February 14, 1891 - March 1973) was a Ku Klux Klan Grand Giant[1] and lawyer from Bloomfield, New Jersey.[2] Bell had been a leader of the New Jersey Klan since the 1920s. In 1940 he was removed from the Klan by Imperial Wizard James Colescott for helping to organize the August 18 joint meeting of two hundred Klansmen and eight hundred German American Bund members at Bund Camp Nordland.

Arthur Hornbui Bell
File:AHB LB Portrait.jpg
Born February 14, 1891(1891-02-14)
New York City
Died circa 1973
possibly Bloomfield, New Jersey or Trenton, New Jersey
Resting place possibly Trenton, New Jersey
Known for Ku Klux Klan
Title Grand Dragon
Spouse Leah Hamlin (1895-1951)
Parents William John and Ellen M


Early years

He was born on February 14, 1891 in New York City to William John Bell of England.[3] Arthur was a member of a vaudeville team known as "Bell and Bell", after marrying Leah Hamlin (1895–1951).[4][5] They went to Europe after World War I in 1919 to entertain the troops, "for the boys," as a members of the "Y" and "Overseas Theater League under Y.M.C.A.".[6][7][8] Leah Bell rode a unicycle and Art and Leah had ventriloquism dummies shows.[9] Arthur Bell is known to have been a member of the "Over There" theatre organized under Benjamin Franklin Keith and visited Belgium, England, France, and Holland.[10] Art and Leah are also listed in the official record of the "Over There" theater as vaudeville players.[11]

Klan years

Around 1922, Bell became the Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan for New Jersey.[12][13][14] In 1925 he wrote the introduction to Alma White's pro Klan book, The Ku Klux Klan In Prophecy:

This book brings out vividly the titanic struggle now taking place, not only in the United States, but over the entire world, and while at the present time the battle raging has not reached the point where bullets, swords and poison gas are the reasons used, the time will soon arrive when the Roman Catholic craving for world-power will, if not checked, cause a revival of a religious war that will be far more disastrous than the late World War. Bishop White deserves the highest praise for her work on this truly wonderful book of "light" and it is hoped that it may reach out into the minds of Protestants and Catholics alike and bring them to a sense of realization as to where this great un-American movement to make the world Catholic will ultimately end.[15][16]

In 1926, he wrote the introduction to Klansmen: Guardians of Liberty and he headed a group that converted Camp Evans into a Klan resort.[17] In the same year, he was paid $1,596.96 by the King Kleagle of the Ku Klux Klan in New Jersey, to save the Kleagle's son, Roscoe Carl Ziegler, from charges of embezzlement.[18] In 1928, he called the New York Governor, Al Smith unfit to lead.[19]

His first wife's Leah spoke at many Klan events.[20][21] In 1940 he was investigated by the Dies Committee for plans to merge the KKK and the German American Bund.[22] Bell was interviewed by the Military Intelligence Service and investigated for "disaffection" in 1942. The case was closed, "no further investigation appears warranted," and the report sent to J. Edgar Hoover [10] Later in life he had changed his outlook and said: "I think tolerance should be taught in the public schools."[23]

Works

References

  1. ↑ Earliest sources name Bell as Grand Giant which is below the rank state Grand Dragon
  2. ↑ Hooded Americanism: The History of the Ku Klux Klan, By David Mark Chalmers, page 322
  3. ↑ Wild, Michael R., great-grandson of Arthur H. Bell and Leah: downloaded copy of WW1 draft card and 1920 census for New Jersey, Essex county, Bloomfield.
  4. ↑ Wild, Michael R., great-grandson of Arthur H. Bell and Leah picture of tombstone for Leah in Ovid, Michigan.
  5. ↑ Women of the Klan University of California Press (1992). ISBN 0520078764
  6. ↑ Wild, Michael R., great-grandson of Arthur H. Bell and Leah
  7. ↑ Arthur H. Bell passport application page 2. United States Department of State. Retrieved on 2009-12-13.
  8. ↑ Arthur H. Bell passport application page 1. United States Department of State. Retrieved on 2009-12-13.
  9. ↑ Wild, Michael R., great-grandson of Arthur H. Bell from family stories and pictures. Pictures show the Arthur and Leah in Y.M.C.A uniforms in Europe in pictures clearly taken after the war
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Wild, Michael R., FOI/PA No. 1133485-000 Unclassified 17 September 2009 case #690F-09: Investigation Report of Arthur Bell Army Air Forces
  11. ↑ Entertaining the American Army p. 251 Association Press (1921).
  12. ↑ The good of the Klan. Archived from the original on 2008-06-30. Retrieved on 2008-08-14. “The KKK first spread to New Jersey from the states of New York and Pennsylvania early in 1921 and has had a history of being a peaceful Klan. Attorney Arthur Bell was N.J.’s first and longest reigning Grand Dragon. He ruled the New Jersey KKK right up to the Klan’s disbandment in the 1940’s. His wife, Leah Bell, was the state leader of the Women of the Ku Klux Klan. The Klan’s first strongholds were in Passaic, Bergen, Essex, Union, and Morris counties and in the area around Trenton and Camden. But the Klan grew strongest in Monmouth county.”
  13. ↑ broken cite news
  14. ↑ Alma Bridwell White (1926). Klansmen: Guardians of Liberty Pillar of Fire.  “The Introduction to this book is by Arthur H. Bell, Grand Dragon, Realm of New Jersey, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.”
  15. ↑ Charles Wright Ferguson (1929). The New Books of Revelations: The Inside Story of America's Astounding Religious Cults Kessinger Publishing. ISBN 1417979550 “This book brings out vividly the titanic struggle now taking place, not only in the United States, but over the entire world ...”
  16. ↑ Alma White (1925). The Ku Klux Klan In Prophecy Pillar of Fire.  “This book brings out vividly the titanic struggle now taking place, not only in the United States, but over the entire world ...”
  17. ↑ broken cite news
  18. ↑ broken cite news
  19. ↑ broken cite news
  20. ↑ David Mark Chalmers (1965). Hooded Americanism: the first century of the Ku Klux Klan, 1865-1965.  “So was Arthur Bell, who with his wife, Leah, often represented the New Jersey”
  21. ↑ Wild, Michael R., great-grandson of Arthur H. Bell, Leah was his first wife. He and Leah divorced and he re-married
  22. ↑ Wyn, Craig Wade (1998). The Flaming Cross.  “When asked what he thought about a Klan-Nazi merger, Bell said that he had thought it a good idea at the time, 'but I don't now.'”
  23. ↑ broken cite news


Images

  • Bell and camp hand bill.png

    Vaudeville team with Art and Leah circa 1910

  • Leah Bell handbill.png

    Bottom part of hand bill with Leah's act circa 1910

  • Bell-Arthur 1917 draft.png

    WWI draft of 1917

  • AHB LB Portrait.png

    Art and Leah Portrait from WW1

  • AHB with tank.png

    Art and Leah with tank from WW1

  • Bell-Arthur 1919 passport 01.png

    Page 1 of passport application of April 1, 1919

  • Bell-Arthur 1919 passport 02.png

    Page 2 of passport application of April 1, 1919

  • 1920 census Bell.png

    1920 US Census

  • AHB Flyer Flint.JPG

    Flyer from show

  • Bell-Arthur 1941 draft.png

    WWII draft of 1941

See also

Template:SecondKKK

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