Roy Davis: Difference between revisions

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:''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.''<ref>William Branham, Taking Sides With Jesus - June 1, 1962</ref>
:''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.''<ref>William Branham, Taking Sides With Jesus - June 1, 1962</ref>


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/>
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>William Branham, April 7, 1957, Then Came Jesus</ref> Branham and Davis maintained a lifelong relationship, and Branham continued to support Davis after he became national leader of the KKK.<ref name = pwh/>


==Roy Davis' Pentecostal Baptist Church==
==Roy Davis' Pentecostal Baptist Church==
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After leaving prison in November 1942, Davis and fellow KKK member, former [[Congressman 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.
After leaving prison in November 1942, Davis and fellow KKK member, former [[Congressman 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>
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>William Branham, April 7, 1957, Then Came Jesus</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>
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>