I need to identify the subject an archival Klan photograph that appeared on page 155 of William Loren Katz's book "The Invisible Empire: The Ku Klux Klan Impact on History" (Washington, D.C.: Open Hand Publishing, 1986; ISBN 0940880148). The picture shows a group of mostly girls (I'm guessing they range in age from 10-15) standing in a field, evidently being led in weapons training by a man (there is an additional male onlooker in the picture). The girls' T-shirts have Klan designs on them. I'm most interested in ascertaining the identity of the girl who is holding the gun (she is maybe 11 or 12 years old), but I would welcome *any* additional information about any of the others pictured, or the context (especially: where/ when was it taken?). I contacted the book's author years ago to see if he knew; he had no idea, as the shots were all stock photos from some archive somewhere. The photo credit note states
"Stern/Black Star"; I have since ascertained that Stern is a German language magazine and, I think, Black Star is an affiliated archive (??? not sure on that last point). However, efforts to contact this magazine and the archive have gone nowhere; I don't know German.
The bottom line is, I am about 85% sure I know who this person is -- namely, a woman named Amy Lynn Sales (DOB 3/21/1970). If I had age progression technology at my finger tips, I could compare the picture found in the book with her most recent mug shot from Amy's *adult* criminal career, which may be found here. ... but I know even extremely resourceful radical librarians don't actually possess superpowers or FBI record access, so I'm not requesting this, of course! I'd just like *any* information that can be found regarding this specific photograph. (Please note that I've been doing informal research on hate groups for years now, and have seen countless archival Klan pictures including those featuring girls, and I have never, outside of this particular instance, been convinced I knew anyone in those pictures (and when I first saw this picture, the nauseating feeling of recognition was so instant and undeniable, I felt as if my feet had been nailed to the floor right there in the library).
As you might expect, there is a long story about the context in which I knew this individual, but that's neither here nor there. I need to prove, as conclusively as possible, that the girl holding that gun either is, or is not, Amy Lynn Sales (primarily of Iowa City, IA, but also, at one point, of Olympia, WA, which is where I knew her). If it is her, that has particular implications for a book I'm at work on; if it is definitely *not* her, that has totally different implications, but either way, I need to know, as definitively as possible, one way or the other.
Hi,
I do not believe there is any information about this photograph, other than what is in the book or known to the publisher. I would suggest contacting the publisher, and perhaps the author or editor, for more information.
You might also get in contact with Polk County law enforcement, and ask them for a copy of the mugshot. You also say you know this person. Have you tried asking her if it is her in the photograph?
Good luck.