The photographs were too clear.

The local officials were too openly critical.

The state government blamed the Klan leadership.

The legal system pursued charges.

The community celebrated.

The Klan could say it had been unfairly attacked, but the dominant national story was that it had gone into Robeson County to intimidate Native people and had been chased away.

That public humiliation had consequences beyond the immediate organization.

Every white supremacist group depends on recruitment.

Recruitment depends on appearing powerful enough to matter.

Hayes Pond made the Klan look weak.