Roy Elonzo Davis

{{Short description|American Ku Klux Klan member (1890–1966)}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| image               = File:Roy Elonzo Davis (1890-1966) in the Wise County Messenger of Decatur, Texas on June 29, 1917 (cropped).jpg
| order               = 8th
| title               = [[Imperial Wizard]] of the <br>[[Knights of the Ku Klux Klan]]
| term_start          = 1959
| term_end            = 1964
| appointed           = 
| predecessor         = [[Eldon Edwards]]
| successor           = [[Robert Shelton (Ku Klux Klan)|Robert Shelton]]
| birth_date          = April 24, 1890
| birth_place         = [[Omaha, Texas]], U.S.
| death_date          = August 12, 1966 (aged 76)
| interment           = 
| death_place         = [[Dallas, Texas]], U.S.
| spouse              = Emma Sabina Dowdy (m. 1911)<br>Elva Cotta Gravley (m. 1917)<br>Allie Lee Garrison (m. 1930)
| children            = 4
}}

'''Roy Elonzo Davis''' (April 24, 1890 – August 12, 1966) was an American preacher, white supremacist, and [[Confidence trick|con artist]] who co-founded the second iteration of the [[Ku Klux Klan]] in 1915. Davis was Second Degree (second in command) of the KKK under [[William Joseph Simmons|William J. Simmons]] and later became National [[Imperial Wizard]] (leader) of the Original Knights of the [[Ku Klux Klan]]. He worked closely with Simmons, and was a co-author of the 1921 KKK constitution, bylaws and rituals. Davis spent decades as a KKK recruiter, at one point being named "Royal Ambassador" and an "Official Spokesperson" of the KKK by Simmons. Davis and Simmons were both expelled from the KKK in 1923 by [[Hiram Wesley Evans]], who had ousted Simmons as leader. Simmons started the Knights of the Flaming Sword branch of the KKK and with Davis's help retained the loyalty of many KKK members. Davis was later reappointed second in command of the national KKK organization by Imperial Wizard [[Eldon Edwards]], a position he held until being elected national leader by 1959.<ref>{{cite news|title=Imperial Wizard Says KKK's Membership Very Small in Texas|date=February 11, 1961|publisher=Dallas Morning News}}</ref>

Davis used religious meetings and revivals as a tool for KKK recruitment and was a [[Itinerant preacher|traveling evangelist]] and pastor, founding churches in Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Indiana, and Kentucky. He baptized and ordained [[William Branham]] as a minister in 1929, who served as an elder in his church and participated in Davis's revival meetings. Davis was arrested and jailed at least 17 times between 1916 and 1961 on charges of fraud, grand theft, petty theft, forgery, illegal firearms possession, trafficking a minor, [[cross burning]], and [[Defamation|libel]]. Davis was convicted at least twice and served prison terms during 1917–1918 and 1940–1942. Based in Dallas during the 1950s and 1960s, Davis was also investigated in connection to the 1963 [[Kennedy assassination|assassination]] of [[John F. Kennedy]].

==Early life==
Davis was born on April 24, 1890, in [[Omaha, Texas|Omaha]], [[Texas]], as one of eleven children to Joshua Savington Davis and Mary Elizabeth McCoy.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Collins |first=John A. |title=Stone Mountain to Dallas: The Untold Story of Roy Elonza Davis |publisher=Dark Mystery Publications |year=2016 |location=Jeffersonville, Indiana}}</ref> In 1906, Davis was living in [[El Paso, Texas]], where he was employed as a clerk at the [[Southwest Railroad]].<ref>{{cite news|title=About Railroad People|date= June 14, 1909|publisher=El Paso Herald}}</ref> By 1912, at age twenty-two, Davis was traveling regularly and preaching as a Christian minister connected to the [[Baptist Missionary Association of America|Baptist Missionary Association]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Convention Schedule|publisher=The Weekly Herald of Weatherford Texas|date=October 21, 1915}}</ref>

Throughout his adult life, Davis was regularly involved in criminal activity and various money making schemes. In 1912, he began traveling to multiple states and selling "Electro Galvanic Rings" which claimed could cure [[rheumatism]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Afflicted People Take Notice|date=May 8, 1912|publisher=The Montgomery Times}}</ref> Later that year he was arrested and charged based on complaints filed against him. Davis was indicted by a grand jury and held for trial. The judge set his bond, permitting him to leave jail.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Courts|date=September 11, 1912|publisher=El Paso Herald}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Justices' Courts|date=September 19, 1912|publisher=El Paso Herald}}</ref>

Davis was a nearly lifelong member of the KKK. Davis told newspaper reporters that he had been a KKK member since 1915. Davis was reported to be among the founding members of the William J. Simmons revival of the Ku Klux Klan. Davis also told newspaper reporters that he was a coauthor of the KKK's constitution, bylaws and rituals which were first published in 1921.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ku Klux Klan Active In Shreveport Area|publisher=The Times of Shreveport|date=February 10, 1961}}</ref>

Davis continued to committ fraud across the [[Southern United States|American South]]. In 1916, he went on a forgery crime spree with his brothers who seem to have operated with him as a gang. Davis presented himself as a minister at a bank asking them to cash a fraudulent cashier's check created by his brother who presented himself as a business owner making a donation to Davis's ministry. Davis's swindle involved multiple banks, including Continental State Bank, First State Bank, and Toyah Valley State Bank in west Texas during 1916. Davis was pursued by local law enforcement for his crimes causing him to flee the state. He abandoned his wife Emma and their three children in Texas and fled to Georgia where he took the alias of Lon Davis and married another woman, Elva Gravley.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite news|title=Sheriff Mann Goes To Tipton|date=March 10, 1916|publisher=Wise County Messenger}}</ref><ref name="rdms" /><ref>{{cite news|title=Bank Duped By Young 'Minister'|date=March 18, 1916|publisher=Wise County Messenger}}</ref> Davis was apprehended in Georgia during May 1917 after being turned in by a woman who recognized him and was upset that he had abandoned his Texas family and remarried illegally.<ref>{{cite news|title=Young Lady Knew Davis As A Preacher in Texas|date=May 26, 1917|publisher=Wise County Messenger}}</ref> Davis was returned to Texas where he was convicted on swindling and forgery charges and given a two-year jail sentence on June 29, 1917.<ref name="rdms">{{cite news|title=Rev. Davis, Singer and Masher, Goes to Prison|publisher=Wise County Messenger|date=June 29, 1917}}</ref>

By January 1919, Davis was released from prison, returned to [[Acworth, Georgia]], and had resumed preaching as a Missionary Baptist minister under the name Lon Davis.<ref>{{cite news|title=Minister Debating Church Differences|publisher=Columbus Ledger|date=January 15, 1919}}</ref> Davis posed as a [[Christian missionary]] bound for [[Egypt]] to gain the trust of the community and was later offered the pastorship of the Acworth Baptist Church during the summer of 1920.<ref>{{cite news|title=Christian Church|publisher=The Liberal Democrat|date=August 14, 1919}}</ref> In 1921 Davis started publishing ''The Progress'' newsletter from the church. The newsletter focused on exposing what Davis believed were secret subversive activities of the [[Catholic Church]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Listen!|publisher=Marietta Journal|date=April 14, 1921}}</ref> Davis also began holding [[Ku Klux Klan]] meetings at the church. Although unknown to his church, Davis had been appointed by [[Imperial Wizard]] [[William Joseph Simmons]] as an official spokesperson for the KKK and charged with organizing new chapters of the KKK. Members of his church became upset about some of the material Davis published in ''The Progress'' and began investigating his past. They soon discovered his criminal record in Texas, and discovered he had abandoned his wife and children. At a meeting on July 14, 1921, he was removed as pastor. A newspaper article covering the event contained information suggesting that Davis had been involved organizing KKK groups at Baptist churches in multiple other cities in South Carolina and Georgia.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pastor Is Ousted|publisher=The Atlanta Constitution|date=July 15, 1921}}</ref>

Davis ran into legal problems again in 1921. He purchased the printing press for ''The Progress'' newsletter using a fraudulent check, swindling the seller out of $1,000.<ref>{{cite news|title=Davis' Record in Texas Aired By Ku Klux Klan|publisher=Wise County Messenger|date=August 26, 1921}}</ref> After being exposed in Georgia, Davis left the state, leaving by train with his wife and their five-year-old daughter. They traveled to Oklahoma where Davis continued holding revival meetings in Baptist churches and conducting KKK recruiting.<ref>{{cite news|title=Revival Meetings|publisher=McCurtain Gazette|date=August 3, 1921}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Great Revival At Shults being Held By Rev, Davis|publisher=McCurtain Gazette|date=August 27, 1921}}</ref>

==Ku Klux Klan==

In 1922, Davis returned to Georgia where he began to speak openly supporting the Ku Klux Klan. He held rallies and meetings to recruit members in Georgia, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and South Carolina.<ref>{{cite news|title=The K.K.K Lecture Held Last Night|publisher=The Hutchinson News|date=May 30, 1922}}</ref> Newspapers articles at the time reported Davis to be a "high Klan official". The newspapers also began recording and reporting on his speeches in which he explained the principles of the KKK to include "white supremacy" and "protection of pure womanhood". Davis bragged about his recruitment efforts and the reach of the KKK, stating that he had been involved in recruitment across the southern and midwestern United States. He reported 92,000 KKK members in Oklahoma and Texas. Davis also boasted that governors, [[congressmen]], and [[United States Senator]]s had joined the KKK in recent years. Davis was quoted as saying "whether you approve or disapprove, the Klan is here to stay so you better watch your step."<ref>{{cite news|title=Ku Klux Klan Lecture|publisher=The Osceola Times|date=July 14, 1922}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Popular Bluff Has Organized Klan|publisher=Jonesboro Daily Tribune|date=July 22, 1922}}</ref>

The early 1920s were a high point for the [[Ku Klux Klan#Second Klan|second KKK]] organization. Klan recruitment was a lucrative enterprise. Recruiters got to keep a larger percentage of the membership dues paid by members. Davis was particularly effective at recruiting. During the period he traveled and held multiple rallies with Imperial Wizard William Simmons.<ref name = "nsj">{{cite news|title=Denied Use of Auditorium|publisher=Nebraska State Journal|date=January 12, 1923}}</ref> Davis faced legal trouble again in September 1922 when complaints were filed against him in connection to a burglary case in [[Waco, Texas]]. He was accused of stealing firearms from the [[United States Marshall]]s.<ref>{{cite news|title=Two Burglary Complaints Are Filed in Case of Lon Davis|newspaper=Waco News Tribune|date=September 15, 1922}}</ref> Davis was also named in connection to a 1923 criminal investigation in Louisiana.<ref name = "nsj"/>

The KKK started a newspaper in 1923 titled ''The Brick Bat'' and Davis was named editor. The paper was published weekly and sold subscriptions to KKK members. The paper focused on what Davis described as "true Americanism" and exposition "of the principles of Ku Klux Klan".<ref>{{cite news|title=Exponents of Principles of Klan Starts Paper|publisher=The Fourth Estate|date=February 17, 1923}}</ref> The paper was a lightning rod and stirred tensions. Their articles publicly degraded and attacked KKK opponents, calling for boycotts of unsupportive businesses. In May 1923, Davis instigated physical violence when two business owners he targeted in his publication were involved in an altercation with KKK members.<ref>{{cite news|title=Freed After Alleged Attack on Reported Klan Leader|publisher=The Town Talk|date=May 28, 1923}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Alleged Assailants of Klansmen Freed|publisher=Columbus Enquirer Sun|date=May 29, 1923}}</ref> Despite the violence, Davis continued to publish his attacks against Klan opponents. One of ''The Brick Bat'''s targets filed charges against Davis and he was subsequently arrested in Georgia and charged with criminal libel on June 24, 1923. Davis paid bond and returned to Klan recruiting the same day.<ref>{{cite news|title=Criminal Libel Charge to Face Brickbat Editor|publisher=The Atlanta Constitution|date=June 25, 1923}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Editor of Brick Bat Is Accused Of Libel|publisher=Macon Daily Telegraph|date=June 27, 1923}}</ref>

Somehow Davis had managed to keep his dual identities secret from many people. He had been employed as president of Georgia Farmer's Union until July 1923 when his fellow board members discovered his activities and had him investigated. They discovered he had abandoned his wife and children in Texas, had been involved in criminal activities across the United States, had remarried illegally, been dismissed as a minister from multiple churches, and was involved in the KKK. They board of the Georgia Farmers Union called a special meeting to show the results of their investigation and publicly expose Davis, but Davis failed to appear and returned to Texas.<ref>{{cite news|title=Farm Union Head Ousted By Board|publisher=The Houston Post|date=July 1, 1923}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Anti-Catholic Editor Removed From Office|publisher=The Bulletin of the Catholic Laymens Association of Georiga|date=July 14, 1923}}</ref> Upon being exposed, Davis and one of his brothers were subsequently caught by vigilantes in Texas and beat with wet rope. Davis's brother was hospitalized with severe injuries.<ref>{{cite news|title=Flog Lon Davis|publisher=Macon Daily Telegraph|date=August 18, 1923}}</ref>

About the same time, [[Hiram W. Evans]] ousted William Simmons as Imperial Wizard of the KKK and took over leadership of the organization. Evans expelled Davis from the KKK and may have been behind his outing to the Georgia Farm Board and his beating in Texas.<ref>{{cite news|date=June 7, 1923|publisher=Bartow Tribune|author=<!--Not stated-->|page=1}}</ref> By 1924, Davis and Simmons regrouped and began an effort to form a new klan organization, Knights of the Flaming Sword, where Simmons resumed his role as Imperial Wizard. Davis, as a high ranking Klan leader, played a key role in encouraging members to abandoned Evans and remain loyal to Simmons in their new order.<ref>{{cite news|title=Klan Is Tottering|date=February 29, 1924|publisher=Tipton Daily Tribune}}</ref> Traveling across the south, Davis successfully retained the loyalty of at least 60,000 Klan recruits and had secured over $150,000 ($2.3 million in 2021 dollars)<ref>{{cite news|title=Klan Is Renounced By 4,000 at Chattanooga|publisher=The Tennessean|date=October 4, 1924}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Simmons Order Growing Rapidly|publisher=Arkansas Gazette|date=October 6, 1924}}</ref> Davis's efforts during this period earned him the accolades of Simmons who appointed Davis as "Royal Ambassador" in honor of his activities.<ref name="fsta"/><ref name = rpd>{{cite news|title=Proclamation issued by the Royal Ambassador|publisher=Chattanooga Daily Times|date=January 19, 1925|author=Davis, Roy E|page=1|url=https://william-branham.org/site/research/topics/knights_of_the_flaming_sword#_b2db330d-752b-4383-9ce6-698fa62feccf_ftn14}}</ref>

==Pentecostal preacher==

In 1924, Davis moved to Tennessee to oversee a new chapter of the Knights of the Flaming Sword. At the same time Davis was working with Simmons to establish the Knights of the Flaming Sword, Davis also began efforts to formally establish the Pentecostal Baptist Church of God where he served as general overseer.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fraternity Attacked As Money Making Order|publisher=Lead Daily Call|date=January 23, 1925}}</ref> After a financial scandal over misuse of funds led to the collapse of the Knights of the Flaming Sword, Davis began to refocus on building up the new denomination.<ref name="fsta">{{cite news|title=Flaming Sword Turns Against Col. Simmons|publisher=Muncie Post Democrat|date=May 29, 1925}}</ref> He resumed traveling and holding revivals in Oklahoma and Tennessee in August 1925.<ref>{{cite news|title=Notice To The Patrons of 4-D School House|publisher=The Perry Journal|date=July 31, 1925}}</ref> Davis continued holding revival though 1926 and 1927.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nazarenes Will Open Old Time Revival|publisher=The Perry Journal|date=April 21, 1927}}</ref> Davis travelled to California to hold revivals in 1927. Davis had begun to adopt Pentecostal beliefs. A newspaper article detailing Davis's criminal history reported that he had been excommunicated as a Missionary Baptist and had his minister's license revoked following an incident with baptists in Florida before 1927.<ref>{{cite news|date=February 18, 1927|publisher=The Nugget|title=Bad Record For Preacher|page=1}}</ref>

Davis began working with [[Caleb Ridley]], Imperial Kludd (national chaplain) of the KKK, and Rev. Fred B Johnson, [[William Joseph Simmons]] chief of staff, to build a new denomination.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pentecostal Baptist Church Rally Planned|date= July 6, 1929|publisher=The Tennessean|author=<!--Not stated-->}}</ref> Davis planted a First Pentecostal Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee where he served as founding pastor in 1928.<ref>{{cite news|title=An Explanation|publisher=The Tennessean|author=Roy Davis|date=September 2, 1928}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Dr. R. E. Davis Arrested|date=August 29, 1924|publisher=Lead Daily Call}}</ref> He soon ran into issues when most of the other churches in the area refused to cooperate with his revival meetings.<ref>{{cite news|title=Davis Revival In North Nashville Not Union Affair|publisher=The Tennessean|date=September 9, 1928}}</ref> Davis challenged other church leaders to a debate and tensions boiled over after Davis made threats against the other ministers. One minister reported Davis's threatenings to police and filed charges against him. Davis was arrested and jailed, but was released on bond pending trial in April 1929.<ref>{{cite news|title=Arrested, Pastor Takes Out Warrant|publisher=The Tennessean|date=April 20, 1929}}</ref>

To escape his impending trial, Davis fled to [[Louisville, Kentucky]]. His brothers and some church followers also moved and planted a new church for the First Pentecostal Baptist Church of God on Jefferson Street. In Louisville, Davis gained publicity after he penned an article in ''[[The Courier Journal]]'' voicing opposition to [[prohibition]].<ref>{{cite news|title=A Preacher On Prohibition|author=Roy Davis|publisher=The Courier Journal|date=February 5, 1930}}</ref> Davis ran into legal troubles in Kentucky during March 1930 after he defrauded multiple people by soliciting donations to a fake charity.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mission Preacher Accused of Fraud|publisher=The Courier Journal|date=March 20, 1930}}</ref> After being jailed and released on bail, Davis moved again, this time to [[Jeffersonville, Indiana]], where he moved his First Pentecostal Baptist Church and the national headquarters of the denomination.<ref name = "mms"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Davis Is Released In Police Court|publisher=The Courier Journal|date=March 22, 1930}}</ref> He began in Jeffersonville by holding healing meetings at a tent revival and published advertisements in local newspapers. His revivals were supported by Ralph Rader's Pentecostal Church in Jeffersonville. Rader was brother of prominent evangelist [[Paul Rader (evangelist)|Paul Rader]]. The revival meetings were very successful and lasted for two weeks.<ref>{{cite news|title=Divine Healing Night|publisher=Jeffersonville Evening News|page=3|date=September 24, 1930}}</ref>

While the revivals were still being held in Jeffersonville during September 1930, when he was 40, Davis was reported to police for living with a 17-year-old girl, Allie Lee Garrison, whom he had brought over state lines from her home in [[Chattanooga, Tennessee]]. He was accused of living with her "for immoral purposes"<ref name = "pwlinc"/> Davis seemed to have abandoned his second family and took up a relationship with Garrison. Law enforcement arrived mid-service to arrest Davis in front of his congregation. Davis was transferred to federal custody in Louisville where he was charged in federal court and indicted by a [[grand jury]] for violating laws prohibiting the trafficking of minors under the [[Mann Act]]. Davis fought the charges and claimed he was the foster father of the teenaged girl. He claimed to have been living with her for six years. Over sixty of his followers, mostly women, accompanied him to court to plead on his behalf.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=The Courier Journal|title=Pastor Held In Mann Act Case|date=October 12, 1930}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Evangelistic Singer Jailed In Kentucky|publisher=The Greenville News|date=October 13, 1930}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Davis Indicted By Grand Jury|publisher=The Courier Journal|date=October 14, 1930}}</ref> Davis successfully convinced the court to drop charges against him, but he was jailed ten days and members of his church were fined for their antics during the trial.<ref name = "pwlinc">{{cite news|publisher=The Greenville News|date=November 1, 1930|title=Preacher Wins, Loses In Court}}</ref> Davis subsequently married Garrison on a trip to [[Mexico]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Minister, Wife, Seek Damages|publisher=The San Bernardino County Sun|date=February 18, 1945}}</ref>

After being released from jail, Davis resumed pastoring his church in Indiana and traveling and holding revivals in other states including Ohio, Texas, Arkansas, Michigan, and Tennessee.<ref>{{cite news|title=EMHOUSE|date=February 13, 1931|publisher=Corsicana Weekly}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=3 Davis Brothers Plan A Pentecostal Revival|publisher=Jeffersonville Evening News|date=April 17, 1931}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=All-Day Meeting Held|publisher=The Evening Republican|date=June 9, 1931}}</ref> Davis maintained a pastorship at multiple other churches he had planted and he visited regularly.<ref>{{cite news|title=Methodist Protestant|publisher=Corsicana Daily|date=June 20, 1931}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Real Estate Transfers|publisher=The Courier Journal|date=January 21, 1932}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Christian Endeavor Has a Guest Speaker|publisher=The Courier News|date=July 14, 1932}}</ref> In Jeffersonville, Davis continued to make news by publicly opposing prohibition. His support for alcohol proved popular in the community and attracted many people to his church.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jeff minister Plans Attack on Prohibition|publisher=Jeffersonville Evening News|date=December 17, 1930}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Large Crowd At Pentecostal Church Revival|publisher=Jeffersonville Evening News|date=December 26, 1930}}</ref> Davis was not happy with the press coverage that the local newspaper ''Jeffersonville Evening News'' gave his church. Davis was writing up articles after each service and taking it to the paper pressing them to publish his articles. After repeated refusals, Davis started a new publication called ''The Banner of Truth'' to publicize his services and aid recruitment.<ref>{{cite news|title=Church Publicity Policy Explained|publisher=Jeffersonville Evening News|date=April 18, 1931}}</ref>

In March 1930, Davis was charged with federal [[racketeering]] for the criminal activities at his Jeffersonville church, but was able to evade prosecution. Davis confessed to authorities that his Baptist minister's license had been revoked.<ref>{{cite news|date=March 20, 1930|publisher=Indianapolis Times March|title=Arrest Pastor As Rackateer|author=United Press}}</ref> Davis continued to run into legal problems related to his illegal activities. He was arrested again in 1931 after again soliciting donations and loans under false pretenses.<ref>{{cite news|title=Writ Issued For Evangelist|publisher=The Courier Journal|date=September 9, 1931}}</ref> Davis was extradited from Indiana to Kentucky a second time to face the charges.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pastor Gives Up In Fraud Case|publisher=The Courier Journal|date= September 15, 1931}}</ref> Davis privately paid his accusers who dropped the charges.<ref>{{cite news|title=Charge Dismissed|publisher=The Courier Journal|date=December 29, 1931}}</ref>

In 1932 Davis continued to travel regularly between the churches he had planted in Texas, Arkansas, and Tennessee holding revival meetings and conducting KKK recruitment.<ref>{{cite news|title=CE Has An Outdoor Meeting|publisher=The Courier News|date=July 15, 1932}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|publisher=Kingsport Times|date=October 30, 1932|title=Davis Delivers Sermon}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Eastern Star|publisher=Kingsport Times|date=November 6, 1932}}</ref> Davis appointed associates to serve as leaders in the churches while he was away. In the Jeffersonville First Pentecostal Baptist Church, Hope Brumback was made worship leader, and [[William Branham]] and George De'Ark were made ministering elders. He appointed his brothers Dan and W.J. as leaders of other groups.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sunday Service in Local Churches|publisher=Jeffersonville Evening News|date=February 4, 1933}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=First Pentecostal Baptist|publisher=Jeffersonville Evening News|date=February 18, 1933}}</ref> Davis began a radio broadcast in October 1933.<ref>{{cite news|title=First Pentecostal Baptist|publisher=Jeffersonville Evening News|date=October 20, 1933}}</ref>

===William Branham===
[[File:William Branham c. 1930.png|right|thumb|upright|William Branham c. 1930]]
[[William Branham]] joined Davis's church in 1929 where he was baptized and ordained by Davis as a minister and began to serve as an elder the same year.{{sfn|Weaver|2000|pp=26, 33}} In his sermons, Branham indicated that [[Christian Identity]] Theology was being taught by elders in Roy Davis's church.

{{blockquote
|text=The first time I ever met anyone in my life, after I had been converted…I was…met Brother George DeArk and them down there. And I was walked, and the Lord led me to a little place. And they was discussing where the colored man came from. And they were trying to say that the colored man…That Cain married an animal like an ape, and through there come forth the colored race. Now, that's wrong! Absolutely, that's wrong! And don't never stand for that. Cause there was no colored or white, or any other different, it's just one race of people unto the flood. Then after the flood and the tower of Babel, when they began to scatter out, that's when they taken their colors and so forth. They're all come from the same tree. That's exactly right. Adam and Eve was the father and mother, earthly, of every living creature of human beings that's ever been on the earth. That's right.

|author= William Branham, 7-1006 – Questions And Answers On Hebrews #3 – October 6, 1957
}}

Branham indicated in his sermons that he traveled with Davis and participated in his revival meetings. Branham was key member of Davis's inner circle and was involved in both his religious and criminal activities.<ref name = pwh>{{cite book|title=Preacher Behind the White Hoods|author=Collins, John|date=May 2020|publisher=Dark Mystery Publications|isbn=978-1735160900}}</ref> Branham participated in revival meetings in Nashville with Davis and [[Caleb Ridley]].  Branham reported that in one meeting held in [[Memphis, Tennessee]], that Davis drank sulfuric acid to make people "believe that God's real".<ref>{{cite book|title=Lord Show Us The Father And It Sufficeth Us|date=September 7, 1953|publisher=Voice of God Recordings|pages=79–82|author=Branham, William}}</ref>  Davis and the First Pentecostal Baptist Church financed Branham's first tent campaign meetings in June 1933 in Jeffersonville.<ref>{{cite news|title=Church Services|publisher=Jeffersonville Evening News|date=May 6, 1933}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Church Services|publisher=Jeffersonville Evening News|date=May 27, 1933}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Fourteen Converted|publisher=The Courier Journal|date=June 2, 1933}}</ref> Between March and April 1934, the First Pentecostal Baptist Church in Jeffersonville was destroyed by a fire. After being denied a permit to rebuild, Davis moved from Jeffersonville and Branham became pastor of Davis's congregation. Branham moved the group to a new building and renamed the church the Billie Branham Pentecostal Tabernacle, later changing the name to the Branham Tabernacle.

Commenting on the event, Branham stated

{{blockquote
|text=I remember when Brother Roy Davis, down there, and his church burnt down. That bunch of people was just like scattered sheep without a shepherd, had no place to go. And Mr. Hibstenberg was Chief of Police then, and he called me down there. He said to me, "We're here to help you." Said, "I'm Catholic, myself, but," said, "them people," said, "they don't probably have the clothes." It was during the time of the depression. Said, "They go to other churches and they feel out of place, and they're good people. I know many of them." He said, "Billy, if you want to start a church," he said, "I want you to know that we're behind you in anything we can do to help you." And I thanked him for it. We had a tag day. First, we prayed and asked the Lord. And people come to me and wanted to build a church, so could have a place to go. And we decided [on] this place.
|author= William Branham, Taking Sides With Jesus – June 1, 1962
}}

Branham would later become a world famous Pentecostal evangelist in the international [[healing revival]]s of the 1940s and 1950s.{{sfn|Weaver|2000|pp=26, 33}} Davis was proud of Branham and referred to Branham as [[Saint Timothy]] to his [[Saint Paul]].<ref name = "voh"/> Branham similarly spoke highly of Davis who would later participate in some Branham Campaign meetings.<ref name ="tjc"/> Branham and Davis maintained a lifelong relationship, and Branham continued to support Davis after he became national leader of the KKK.<ref name = pwh/>

==Imperial Wizard==
Following the destruction of his church building in Jeffersonville, Davis began to refocus his efforts elsewhere. He transferred the national headquarters of the Pentecostal Baptist Church of God to Memphis, Tennessee later in 1934.<ref name = "mms">{{cite news|url=https://william-branham.org/site/resource?key=71fac3c0-72fe-4a73-ac2e-0314c0f12630&parent=roy_e._davis|title=May Move Church Seat|publisher=The Commercial Appeal|date=May 15, 1934|page=2}}</ref> He continued to successfully plant churches and conduct KKK recruitment. In 1936 Davis held meetings nationally, with publicized revivals in New Mexico and Florida.<ref>{{cite news|title=Church Notice|publisher=Clovis News Journal|date=December 5, 1936}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| publisher=The Pampa Daily News|title=Local News|date=December 31, 1936}}</ref> In 1937 Davis held publicized revival meetings in New York City, while he continued to spend much time at his church in Kingsport, Texas.<ref>{{cite news|work=The New York Times|title=Church Revival In Bossier City Will Last Through Week|date=April 23, 1937}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Religious Observation Week Observed|publisher=Kingsport Times|date=October 2, 1938}}</ref>

[[File:William_David_Upshaw,_3qtr_length.jpg|thumb|Congressman [[William Upshaw]]]]

Davis continued to be involved in criminal activities throughout the 1930s and 1940s. He was connected to a scheme in 1938 soliciting money for a fake charity in Indiana and Kentucky in which his brother Dan Davis and four women from his church were arrested in [[Newport, Kentucky]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Minister Arrested|date=October 11, 1938|publisher=The Cincinnati Enquirer}}</ref> In 1939 law enforcement from Arkansas attempted to extradite Davis related to charges of theft of an automobile and a murder in Arkansas. Davis was already out on bond due to charges in Indiana at the time. Davis was located by law enforcement in Kentucky who extradited him to Arkansas. Davis plead with Kentucky authorities claiming he would be lynched by enemies if he was extradited. In Arkansas Davis spent some time in prison.<ref>{{cite news|title=Extradition|publisher=The Cincinnati Enquirer|date=January 14, 1939}}</ref>

After leaving prison in November 1942, Davis and fellow KKK member, former [[Congressman]] [[William Upshaw]], began working together in California.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=The San Bernardino County Sun|date=February 20, 1944|title=Orphanage Benefactor Questioned}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Orphange School At Upload Slated To Open Sept. 15|publisher=The San Bernardino County Sub|date=August 8, 1943}}</ref> They set up an organization to collect money to open an orphanage. Davis was accused to stealing money from the charity in 1944 when they failed to use the collections for their stated purpose. He was arrested on three charges of grand theft, petty theft, illegal possession of firearms, and impersonating an [[FBI]] agent.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=The San Bernardino County|title=Accused Pastor Demands Writ|date=April 27, 1944}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Minister Charged|publisher=Nevada State Journal|date=March 15, 1944}}</ref> The charges were dropped after Davis had his associates returned funds to several donors.<ref>{{cite news|title=Two Counts Are Dropped After Court Hearing|date=May 6, 1944|publisher=The San Bernardino County}}</ref> Escaping charges yet again, Davis returned to holding revival meetings and KKK recruiting.

By 1950, Davis was part of the executive committee of [[Fort Worth]] [[Chamber of Commerce]] in Texas. Davis also remained active as a revivalist during the 1950s. He was working with multiple churches to hold revivals, including the Pentecostal [[Assemblies of God]]. Davis reported that he had a large tent he traveled with to preach from. The William Branham Campaign team published an article publicizing Davis and his revivals in ''Voice of Healing'' in October 1950.<ref name = "voh">{{cite book|title=Wm Branham's First Pastor|date=October 1950|publisher=Voice Of Healing|page=14}}</ref> Davis was also present and participated in Branham Campaign events during the 1950s and was publicly endorsed by Branham. Davis continued to visit Branham campaign meetings, and be endorsed by Branham multiple times through the early 1960s.<ref name = "tjc">{{cite book|title=Then Came Jesus|date=April 7, 1957|author=Branham, William}}</ref>

Davis became president of the Oak Cliff White Citizens Council in Dallas Texas during the 1950s which he used as a platform to oppose [[racial integration]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Pro, Con Put Before Board Meetings|date=June 26, 1958|publisher=Dallas Morning News}}</ref> In 1958, Davis was known by law authorities to be Imperial Wizard of the Knights of the Flaming Sword in Texas, a position he had been holding for some time. Internal friction in the Klan led to issues between Davis and others KKK organizations.<ref name = "kkkmvs"/> According to police investigation, during 1958 Davis had angered other klan members "over handling of Klan funds."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=123128|title=Record Number 124-90123-10054" JFX Assassination|publisher=[[Mary Ferrell Foundation]]|date=March 5, 1962|author=FBI}}</ref> Opponents burned a cross in Davis's yard prompting Davis to call the police. During questioning by police, Davis said he had been a KKK member for 45 years.  He told the authorities that he was second in command of the national KKK organization at the time.<ref name = "kkkmvs">{{cite news|title=KKK's Membership Very Small In Texas| publisher=Dallas Morning News| date=February 11, 1961|page=5}}</ref>

Later in 1958 Davis was offered formal leadership of the Texas branch of the KKK headed by Imperial Wizard [[Eldon Edwards]], which Davis accepted becoming KKK Grand Dragon of Texas. As official leader in Texas, Davis continued to champion efforts to halt integration of schools and support continued [[Racial segregation|segregation]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Minister May Take Over Klan|publisher=Corsicana Daily|date=March 28, 1958}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Retired Preacher Claims Bid To Top Dallas Klan Post|publisher=Corsicana Daily|date=March 28, 1958}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Pro, Con Put Before Board Meet|publisher=Dallas Morning News|date=June 26, 1958}}</ref> Davis was successful in rallying support to halt integration of the Dallas schools that year.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dallas Schools Will Remain Segregated|publisher=Dallas Morning News|date=June 26, 1958}}</ref>

By 1959 Davis had been elected leader of the national KKK organization and was reporting himself as National Imperial Wizard of the Original Knights of the Ku Klux Klan and conducting rallies in multiple states. He conducted a public KKK recruitment campaign in Arkansas during May.<ref name = "kkkmvs"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Klan Groups Are Banished, Leader Says|publisher=Arkansas Gazette|date=May 29, 1959}}</ref> Later that year Davis attended another large rally in Florida where he removed his mask and identified himself again national leader of the KKK.<ref>{{cite news|title=Klansmen Call For Members To Fight Right Issue With Ballots|publisher=The Cincinnati Enquirer|date=August 24, 1959}}</ref> Davis was involved in organizing a national KKK convention in Jacksonville, Florida in 1960.<ref>{{cite news|title=Klan Pledges Ballot Fight|publisher=The Odessa American|date=August 24, 1959}}</ref> Davis continued to be involved in fraud cases and was named in a case involving a fraudulent check in July 1960.<ref>{{cite news|title=Odessan Jailed In Check Case|publisher=The Odessa American|date=July 7, 1960}}</ref> Davis endorsed [[Richard Nixon]] for [[President of the United States]] in the election of 1960.<ref>{{cite news|title=Letters From Readers|publisher=Dallas Morning News|date=October 10, 1960}}</ref>

[[File:Overton_Brooks.jpg|thumb|Congressman [[Overton Brooks]] was targeted by the KKK with a cross burning.]]

In 1961, Davis continued holding KKK rallies. The KKK adopted the motto "Yesterday, Today and Forever" in KKK promotional material.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ku Klux Klan Stickers Put On Windows|publisher=The Times of Shreveport|date=January 20, 1961}}</ref> Pictures of Davis in the local newspaper showed him demonstrating a Klan salute in full KKK costume. He reported 1000 new members as a result of his campaign in Louisiana.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ku Klux Klan Active In Shreveport|publisher=The Times of Shreveport|date=February 10, 1961}}</ref> A cross was burnt in the front yard of Congressman [[Overton Brooks]] during a Davis led KKK rally in [[Shreveport, Louisiana]], in February 1961.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cross Burning|publisher=The Times of Shreveport|date=February 9, 1961}}</ref> Davis was questioned by authorities and denied being involved in the cross burning. Shreveport Mayor [[Clyde Fant]] declared that local authorities would not tolerate KKK activity and called Davis "unamerican" for intimidating a Congressman.<ref>{{cite news|title=Won't Tolerate KKK Mayor Fant Declares|publisher=The Times of Shreveport|date=February 10, 1961}}</ref> Federal authorities launched an investigation following the [[cross burning]].<ref>{{cite news|title=US Attorney Studies Cross Burning Here|publisher=The Times of Shreveport|date=February 11, 1961}}</ref> Davis was arrested, fingerprinted, and warned by authorities that he was not welcome in Louisiana. Davis claimed that he revoked the charter of the KKK unit in Shreveport for conducting the cross burning without his permission.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dallas Resident Questioned Over KKK Activities|date=April 7, 1961|publisher=Dallas Morning News}}</ref> Video footage of Davis was recorded leading anti-communist protests at the [[Burl Ives]] concert on December 30, 1961.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwk8GaAv7gk|publisher=youtube|author=Southern Methodist University|date=December 30, 1961|title=Burl Ives And Protestors At The Dallas Theater Center}}</ref>

Davis continued to be deeply involved in KKK activities following his runs-ins with police, and came under deep scrutiny again following the assassination of President [[John F. Kennedy]] in Dallas in November 1963. Davis had been living in Dallas for several years and was running his faction of the KKK from there. Davis was named in an investigation by the [[United States Secret Service]] as being suspected of authoring a pamphlet entitled ''J.F.K Wanted For Treason'' shortly before the assassination.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://catalog.archives.gov/id/609411|title=File Number Co-2-34030: Assassination of President Kennedy|date=December 6, 1963|publisher=United States [[National Archives]]|access-date=July 26, 2021|archive-date=July 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726181034/https://catalog.archives.gov/id/609411|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Davis continued to travel and preach as an evangelist and conduct KKK recruitment in the later years of his life. He died in Dallas on August 12, 1966, aged 76. He was buried in Dallas's Restland Memorial Park.

==Congressional investigation==
Congress launched an investigation of the KKK beginning in January 1966. According to John. D. Swenson's testimony to Congress, Davis was instrumental in reestablishing the KKK after it was disbanded in the post-war years. Davis had used a clause in the secret oath of 1915 KKK to reactivate the organization. Their investigation concluded that Davis had been Imperial Wizard since before 1960 and his group and leadership position had grown following a splintering of Eldon Edward's KKK in the late 1950s. They found that from his base in Dallas, Davis reactivated the KKK organization in multiple southern states.<ref name = c12>{{cite book|title=Activities of Ku Klux Klan Organizations of the United States; Parts 1–5|author=Committee on Un-American Activities|publisher=United States Congress|date=1967|page=12}}</ref> Swenson confirmed Davis played a major role in KKK organizations since at least the early 1920s.<ref>{{cite book|title=Activities of Ku Klux Klan Organizations of the United States; Parts 1–5|author=Committee on Un-American Activities|publisher=United States Congress|date=January 1966|pages=2334–2336}}</ref> He reestablished the KKK in Louisiana in 1960 and appointed John D. Swenson as Grand Dragon of the state and as Imperial Kleage (national organizer), who led the state group from Bossier City. The KKK had a strong presence in Shreveport. By 1963, Davis had also recreated the KKK in Mississippi and Arkansas. Swenson told Congressional investigators that Davis resigned and appointed him as leader and that all records related to the KKK were destroyed in March 1964, shortly after a subpoena for the records had been issued by Congress.<ref name = c48>{{cite book|title=Activities of Ku Klux Klan Organizations of the United States; Parts 1–5|author=Committee on Un-American Activities|publisher=United States Congress|date=January 1966|page=48}}</ref>

Following Davis's departure in 1964, the Original Knights suffered a three-way split in their organization. Swenson was removed as leader of the Original Knights for misuse of klan funds and was replaced by Murray H. Martin. Most of the Original Knights in Louisiana followed Houston P. Morris. The members in Mississippi broke away and formed the [[White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan]] led by [[Samuel Bowers]], who Davis had appointed Grand Dragon of Mississippi in 1961. According to an FBI report published in May 1965, the KKK was divided into 14 different organizations at the time with a total membership of approximately 9,000.<ref name = "noag">{{cite news|title=No Assistance Given In Case|date=May 18, 1965|publisher=Lake Charles American Press}}</ref> The FBI reported that the Original Knights was the largest faction and had about 1,500 members. [[Robert Shelton (Ku Klux Klan)|Robert Shelton]] of Alabama was leading a faction of 400–600 members.<ref name = "noag"/> In 1966, Congressional investigators found that by the end of 1965 most members of Original Knights organization had joined Shelton's United Klans and the Original Knights of the KKK disbanded. Shelton's United Klan continued to absorb members from the competing factions and remained the largest Klan group unto the 1970s, peaking with an estimated 30,000 members and another 250,000 non-member supporters during the late 1960s.<ref name = c49>{{cite book|title=Activities of Ku Klux Klan Organizations of the United States; Parts 1–5|author=Committee on Un-American Activities|publisher=United States Congress|date=January 1966|page=49}}</ref><ref name="UKA-Obit">{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/20/us/robert-shelton-73-leader-of-big-klan-faction.html | title=Robert Shelton, 73, Leader of Big Klan Faction  | work=[[The New York Times]] |date= March 20, 2003 | access-date = 2007-09-18}}</ref>

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
* {{cite book
 | last = Weaver
 | first = C. Douglas
 | author-link = Doug Weaver (author)
 | title = The Healer-Prophet: William Marrion Branham (A study of the Prophetic in American Pentecostalism)
 | publisher = Mercer University Press
 | year = 2000
 | isbn = 978-0-865-54710-0
 | url = https://archive.org/details/healerprophetwil00weav
 }}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book|title=Stone Mountain to Dallas: The Untold Story of Roy Elonza Davis|author=Collins, John A|publisher=Independent Publishing Platform|isbn=978-1533587435|year=2016}}
*[https://william-branham.org/site/research/people/roy_e._davis Roy E. Davis at William Branham Historical Research ]

==External links==
*[https://william-branham.org/site/people/roy_e._davis Roy E. Davis]

{{s-start}}
{{succession box |
 before= [[Eldon Edwards]] |
 years= 1959–1964|
 title= [[Imperial Wizard]] of the [[Ku Klux Klan]] |
 after= [[Robert Shelton (Ku Klux Klan)|Robert Shelton]]
}}
{{end}}

{{Grand Wizards of the Ku Klux Klan}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Davis, Roy Elonzo}}
[[Category:1890 births]]
[[Category:1966 deaths]]
[[Category:Leaders of the Ku Klux Klan]]
[[Category:20th-century American criminals]]
[[Category:American fraudsters]]
[[Category:American anti-communists]]
[[Category:American prisoners and detainees]]
[[Category:Ku Klux Klan in Indiana]]
[[Category:American Ku Klux Klan members convicted of crimes]]
[[Category:People convicted of forgery]]
[[Category:Prisoners and detainees of Arkansas]]
[[Category:Prisoners and detainees of Texas]]
[[Category:Critics of the Catholic Church]]