I'm reading this book called the "Freedom Riders" about the individuals who rode segregated buses in the Summer of 1961 as a form on non-violent protest. But there's one passage that keeps staying with me.
Page 16, chapter 1:
In 1910, with former Ku Klux Klansman Edward White of Louisiana serving as chief justice, the Court ruled in Chiles vs. Chesapeake and Ohio Railway that the state segregation laws could be applied to interstate passengers."
Now, I've googled pretty extensively and found no mention of Edward White being a former Klansman. Is there just no information on this? This book is full of citations to court cases and newspapers, but no citation is given to the statement in question. Can anyone with some historical knowledge shed some light on this?
I found at least three mentions of it in passing, but no further information. Does seem like he is recognized as having been a Klansman.