The Lumbee vs. The Klan — The Battle of Hayes PondThe Lumbee, descendants of the Cheraw tribe,

The Lumbee vs. The Klan — The Battle of Hayes PondThe Lumbee, descendants of the Cheraw tribe, are a tribe of Native Americans who have been living in Robeson County, North Carolina for generations.  They are known perhaps as one of the most prosperous of all tribes in the United States.  But in the 50’s the Ku Klux Klan were very aggravated with their existence.Klan leader and radio evangelist James “Catfish” Cole decided it was his holy mission to put the Lumbee in their place.  He called them mongrels and demonized them for intermarrying with whites in the area.  Within the next couple of weeks several cross burnings and acts of vandalism were conducted against Lumbee families.  Soon after fliers were distributed advertising a large klan rally to further drive fear into the Lumbee tribe.  Police warned Cole not to enter Robeson County. They knew the Lumbee were not so easily intimidated.Cole and his Klansmen met at met a Hayes Pond.  The rally began with a sermon and the singing of hymns.  Little did they notice 500 armed and angry Lumbee hiding in the surrounding forest.  When Cole stood on the podium to speak, shots rang out disabling the lights and sound system.   Then when all was dark and quiet the Lumbee burst forth from their hiding places, shouting traditional war whoops and firing their guns into the air.  The Klansmen were so stunned by the surprise attack that they immediately scattered.  Catfish Cole himself abandoned his wife and hid in a swamp full of reeds.  Cole’s wife tried to escape in an automobile but crashed into a ditch.  Many other Klansmen were found by police hiding in the swamps or lost in the woods. After their triumphant victory the Lumbee gathered the abandoned Klan talismen.  Among the spoils of war were an unburned cross, a large KKK banner, robes, flags, and other miscellaneous regalia.  They paraded their loot in triumph through the local town of Pembroke.  Then they piled all their Klan regelia in an open pit and burned it.  For the rest of the night the victors of Hayes Pond danced and partied.  Fun was had by all.Except Catfish Cole and his men, he served a two year sentence for inciting a riot.  Klan activites would cease in Robeson County. -- source link

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