The control that the KKK exerted in every realm of Texas politics and policing made it seemingly impossible to punish the violent actions that defined their activity in the early twentieth century. Indictments, let alone convictions, were rare, which is why Dan Moody's courageous prosecution of the KKK in Williamson County was covered so widely in statewide press during the trials. When the prosecution lead to the first-ever convictions and sentencings of KKK members in the United States, it didn't just make the news. It made history.

This landmark case is commemorated throughout Williamson County and the City of Taylor. Keep reading to learn more about this surprisingly little-known but pivotal moment in state and national history, or scroll to the bottom to add related historical sites to your travel itinerary.

On May 7th, 1923, the first of several court proceedings commenced as each participant in the brutal beating of Burleson stood trial. Initially, securing testimonies proved challenging as community members were either frightened, or in some cases, hesitant to implicate fellow Klansmen. Even so, Moody was able to convince an equally courageous jury after just seven days of arguments to convict the ring leader of the gang, Murray Jackson, creating a ripple effect that would lead to the convictions of Jackson's accomplices. The seeming invincibility that had always protected Klan was now gone. The next domino to fall was the testimony of a high-ranking figure in the Klan hierarchy, known as the Cyclops, against his fellow Klansmen, leading to even more convictions. Eventually, the trials that took place between May 1923 and 1924, resulted in five convictions: four assault convictions for the Klansmen who beat Burleson on Easter Sunday 1923, and one perjury conviction for the preacher who delivered the first threat to Burleson ahead of the beating.

It was the first time the Ku Klux Klan was successfully prosecuted for their crimes in the United States, and so began the decline of Klan activity in Travis and Williamson County. Dan Moody's prosecutorial victories ultimately resulted in the downfall of one of the most menacing and violent organizations of the 1920s in the United States.

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Dan Moody's upbringing was rooted in a familial culture that emphasized the importance of education. Surrounded by a large family, dinner discussions often revolved around law cases as his uncles were practicing lawyers. Inspired by these conversations, Moody pursued his education at the University of Texas Law School, although he never graduated, he took the State Bar and passed. Moody went to serve in the National Guard, and during the First World War. Later in his career, Moody's dedication caught the attention of Governor Neff, who handpicked him to fill the role of District Attorney after the previous incumbent failed to prosecute the Klansmen effectively. Moody’s new appointment put him into the spotlight and into the midst of a critical legal battle against the Klan's influence and violence. Today, Moody's legacy lives on in Taylor, Texas, where his family home has been lovingly preserved and transformed into a museum. There, visitors have the opportunity to explore the rich history and accomplishments of this influential figure, offering a glimpse into the life and times of one of Texas' most esteemed legal minds. To this day, Moody still holds the title of the youngest Attorney General and Governor of Texas.

Learn more about Dan Moody here.