Johnstown's Racist Past

In September 1923, about 2,000 African American and Mexican residents fled Johnstown, Pennsylvania. They left in a hurry, fearing they would be jailed. Or worse.

In short, following a shootout between one criminal and the cops, the racist mayor of Johnstown, Joseph Cauffiel, seized his powers as both mayor and town magistrate to order the expulsion of black and Hispanic residents.

The face of racism.

Under pressure from the Governor of the Commonwealth, Cauffiel later claimed his order was only a suggestion. But by then, it was too late.

Cauffiel's move may have been a ploy to secure the Klan vote in an upcoming election. In the next primary for mayor, running as a Republican, Cauffiel came in fourth. But back in those days, the Klan didn't vote Republican and somehow, Cauffiel stayed on the ballot and won.