{"product_id":"the-failed-joke-of-the-veiled-prophet-how-a-fake-illinois-klansman-became-the-grim-symbol-of-st-louiss-happiest-civic-celebration-hardcover","title":"The Failed Joke of the Veiled Prophet: How a Fake Illinois Klansman Became the Grim Symbol of St. Louis's Happiest Civic Celebration - Hardcover","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eGeorge Garrigues\u003c\/b\u003e (Author), \u003cb\u003eLisa Gale Garrigues\u003c\/b\u003e (Editor)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA WHITE SHEETED THUG\u003c\/strong\u003e in a pointed hat, with pistol and shotguns at the ready. Was he a symbol of privilege and power?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOf class and racial control?\u003cem\u003e If so, why was he surrounded by a bug, a lion, and a lady with a cup of hot chocolate?\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe year was 1878.\u003c\/strong\u003e In St. Louis, Missouri, tens of thousands of spectators cheered the downtown arrival of a mysterious \u003cem\u003e\"Sublime Hime-uk-amuk of the Veiled Prophets.\"\u003c\/em\u003e Decorated floats and cowled men with burning torches moved through the streets and stopped streetcars in their tracks. Some on the floats appeared to be guilty of affectionate embraces even as myriads gaped. Yet most of the \"women\" were upward-striving men in costume. So were the gods, goddesses, nymphs, and satyrs.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThat first Veiled Prophet Parade was a grand success.\u003c\/strong\u003e As was the formal, jewel-encrusted dance afterward, which must have degenerated into a vigorous skipping match once the creaky old folks sat down and left the floor to the youngsters. Throngs were captivated for decades by this annual Parade and its resplendent dance featuring \u003cem\u003ea teenage Queen of Love and Beauty - such as sitcom actress \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eEllie Kemper, \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e who later apologized for having been one.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYet in the background for the past score of years has brooded \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ea mysterious, hooded man \u003c\/strong\u003ewhose image is as sinister as a Confederate general on his metal horse.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe refuses to die. Who was he?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cem\u003eAfter 143 years, we now have the answer.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 134\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.44 x 9 x 6 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e February 01, 2022\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51783377256736,"sku":"9780999014226","price":25.33,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/9764\/5344\/files\/cd1d6de51f4ca73745b1359c5c5ef0cc.webp?v=1780585765","url":"https:\/\/ebocreations.com\/products\/the-failed-joke-of-the-veiled-prophet-how-a-fake-illinois-klansman-became-the-grim-symbol-of-st-louiss-happiest-civic-celebration-hardcover","provider":"The E-Book Oasis LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}