Klan moving base to midwestern farm

Chicago Tribune/October 24, 2000
By Tribune News Services

Some Ku Klux Klan groups soon will be holding their national rallies on a northern Indiana farm here, to the dismay of local civil rights organizations.

The farm, just east of South Bend, is owned by Ruth Larsen, sister to Ray Larsen of Mishawaka, the International Imperial Wizard of the National Knights.

"They're making it a home base so that, when I die, it automatically goes to my brother and the Klan so they'll have some place to meet," Ruth Larsen said.

Ruth Larsen, secretary and treasurer of the international group, said the farm will be the site of a Dec. 9 "Christmas party" for members of the National Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.

About 130 people are expected to attend the event, which will feature three large cross burnings. It's expected to draw members from across the country because one of the crosses is 60 feet tall. "Many of them said they haven't seen one that big," Ruth Larsen said.