E.H. Hennis joins the conversation on truth and reconciliation
Former Ku Klux Klan leader and police informant E.H. Hennis has e-mailed me with a message regarding the truth-and-reconciliation process. With his permission, I'm publishing his e-mail verbatim.
I, E. H Hennis, am an 84 year old disabled Veteran. The FBI asked me to join the Klan which was very strong in the Groometown area. My job was to monitor extremist groups under what was known as comtempro intelligence. I became Exalted Cyclop of the local Klavern #7.
The taxpayers, through the FBI, made the payments on my new Cadillac, paid mileage and upkeep and even paid for repairs when it was shot up and bent up in Richmond, Virginia. My territory was inside of an imaginary line, i.e., Richmond, Virginia, Montgomery, Alabama and Atlanta, Georgia.
The 1979 shooting came well within the scope of my assignment. While the FBI paid me well, I did much work for Captain Bill Jackson of the police department at no charge.
Eddie (Yank) Dawson and I spent much time together before and after the shooting. I probably have much knowledge of what actually happened that people may think that Eddie took to his grave.
I have somewhat overcome a little from a bad stroke that left me so I couldn't even whisper. I am very much crippled but can now talk. I do not drive. However, if someone will furnish me transportation, I will be glad to speak at one of the T & R meetings and maybe set some records straight about what actually happened at the shooting. I haven't read the report but can talk without notes. I will respect anyone's difference of opinion.
If you care to make it some kind of “Bring it on” program, I will answer any questions and I am sure you will hear something different from anything you have previously heard.
You may call me @ 854-8467. Please understand that I suffer from a hearing loss so you must talk really loud when you call for me to understand.
Truth Detector,
E. H. Hennis
UPDATE (3/17/07): Apparently, the blog hasn't been accepting comments for some time, even refusing to let people leave them in moderation. I've changed the appropriate settings, so you should be OK now. If you try to comment and run into a problem, please e-mail me.
Comments (7)
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I have been monitoring this blog since the day you placed it on line. It will not take a comment as I know several individuals that have tried. I am now sending you this message just to see If you are receiving comments properly. Once I see that you are, I will make my comments and everyone needs to hear them.
Posted on March 26, 2007 5:10 PM
It is my opinion that you are using the same theory as Herman Goering of the German Air Force during World War II when he stated, "If you tell a lie often enough, people will begin to believe it". I am referring to your efforts to get people to believe that the Klan attacked the Communist when it was the other way around which caused the shooting to start and resulted in five deaths and many injuries.
Posted on March 26, 2007 5:24 PM
While we have many Assisted Living Homes for the elderly in Greensboro, we are not able to get Dr. Kevorkin to assist in dying. We do have our own man who has a proven track record, Nelson Johnson, who can get you killed just as he did the five in the 79 confrontation.
Posted on March 28, 2007 5:23 PM
It is my opinion that Carolyn Allen, who spent so much time on the T & R, would have been more fitting and proper to have joined Wally Harrelson and organized some gay marches for Greensboro
Posted on March 28, 2007 5:29 PM
Ms. Lewis:
I'm receiving your comments now. By all means please point to any place anywhere in this blog posts or its comments where you think I am lying.
As to your comparison of me with Hermann Goering, for the record, I'm nowhere near as fat. Also for the record, the propaganda minister (i.e., professional liar) in the Nazi cabal was Goebbels, not Goering. And just to make things even more fun, it was Adolf Hitler himself who first spoke of the "Big Lie" propaganda technique, about which he wrote in his book "Mein Kampf," although the phrase later became more closely associated with Goebbels.
Moral of the story: If you're going to compare me to a Nazi, at least pick the right one.
Now, then, to the question of who attacked whom first: The Truth and Reconciliation report stated that some of the demonstrators began beating on Klan members' cars. It also makes clear, however, that the Klansmen and Nazis had an unhindered escape route and that rather than using it, they pulled firearms out of the trunk and began shooting. I have no independent knowledge to the contrary and so have never claimed to the contrary. If you think I have, by all means please show where.
Thanks.
Posted on March 29, 2007 2:13 PM
Hi Lex,
What we have here is a break in communication. First, let me say I was totally shocked that you took my comments to be aimed in your direction. I thought this Blog was because of Mr. Hennis wanting to help out in any areas that were gray with the truth about the T & R. I thought I was writing in reference to the past information that had been printed either by paper, letters or the book from Carolyn Allen only about the Truth and Reconciliation.
As far as calling you a liar, I don't know what you would be lying about. I only read Mr. Hennis' email. I don't know you so I certainly wouldn't call you a liar. Please accept my deepest apologies that you have misunderstood my comments.
Secondly, as far as me comparing you to a Nazi, I don't know your beliefs or nationality and would never insult you like that. Please accept my deepest apologies that you have misundestood my comments. Yes, I know it was Adolf Hitler and yes you are making this fun.
Now to get down to business: When you say (excuse me, a person says) "DEATH TO THE KLAN" , that is an invitation for the Klan members to show they are not cowards.
When the Communist hit the hoods of the cars with sticks and carried small guns, that in itself was an act of violence. "VIOLENCE BEGETS VIOLENCE" The Klan opened their trunks, took out their weapons and the HEAD ON COLLISION HAPPENED. The Klan only acted in self defense.
Yes, they had escape routes, but, why would you run and not stay and show what you are made of.
I hope I have cleared up any misunderstanding.
Posted on March 29, 2007 6:33 PM
Ms. Lewis, thanks for commenting. It appears we certainly did have a mix-up, and I apologize for that.
Your other points appear to be either matters of opinion or matters on which a court, for good or ill, already has ruled.
Thanks again for commenting.
Posted on March 29, 2007 6:42 PM