James A. Colescott
James Arnold Colescott (also Colescotte; 11 January 1897 – 12 January 1950) was an American veterinarian who later became Imperial Wizard of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. On June 10, 1939 he succeeded Hiram Evans as the leader of the Klan. Colescott was a Master Mason, Odd Fellow and member of the American Legion.
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Life
James Colescott was born in Terre Haute, Indiana and graduated from the Terre Haute Veterinary College in 1917. Upon graduation he enlisted in the US Army and served 22 months in France during World War I. In 1918, he was commissioned a lieutenant and honorably discharged in 1921. He returned to Terre Haute and began his veterinary practice.[1]
Ku Klux Klan
Colescott joined the Klan in 1922 and later became Grand Dragon of Ohio. In 1936, he moved to Atlanta working at the national offices known as the Imperial Palace located at 3155 Roswell Road.
- A new Imperial Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan Atlanta, Ga. James Arnold Colescotte [i.e. Colescott] ... of Terre Haute, Ind., was elected Imperial Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan here, June 10th [1939], succeeding Dr. Hiram W. Evans of Atlanta, Ga.[2]
In April 1944, the national Klan came to an end when the Internal Revenue Service filed a $685,000 lien against the Klan assets for back taxes dating from the 1920's. Colescott lost his battle with the IRS and retired to Miami, Florida.
Death
He died on 12 January 1950 in Coral Gables, Miami-Dade County, Florida.[3]
References
- ↑ Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, by Colonel Winfield Jones, page 153
- ↑ Library of Congress
- ↑ "Dr. Colescott Dies. Successor of Hiram W. Evans Disbanded Order in 1944. Joined Group in 1920's.". New York Times. January 13, 1950. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F7091FF6355F147B93C1A8178AD85F448585F9. Retrieved 2009-02-11. "Dr. James A. Colescott, former chief of the Ku Klux Klan, died last night in the United States veterans' Hospital at Coral Gables. His age was 53. ..."
