Arley Fadness

Topics: American Old West, Crime, Democracy, History, South Dakota

Community: Sioux Falls

Program Types: Speakers Bureau

Strengthening Our Democracy by Remembering History: Shining a Spotlight on the Ku Klux Klan in South Dakota
This PowerPoint presentation exposes the Invisible Empire of the KKK in the Rushmore state in the 1920s and today. Slithering into the state, the KKK reaches nearly all cities and communities. The murder of a Catholic priest in Lead, the recruitment for KKK members at the Homestake Gold Mine and the role of Gutzon Borglum as a white supremist are a few of the highlights. The KKK contrasts with our celebration of Democracy – equality, diversity and freedom for all.

Capturing the Younger Brothers of the Jesse James Gang: The Untold Story of Heroic Teen, Asle Sorbel Doc Sorbel had a secret he kept all his life. This secret from family, neighbors and friends was his daring role in the capture of the Younger Brothers near Madelia, Minnesota in 1876. Though serving time in Stillwater Prison, the Younger Brothers still had friends from the South on the outside. 17-year-old Asle judiciously disappears, eventually reappearing in Webster, SD living and serving as the premier horse doctor – until he spills his secret – just before he dies.