Bio

David Curtiss “Steve” Stephenson was born on August 21, 1891, in Houston, Texas. He was the son of a traveling salesman. His family later moved to Maysville, Oklahoma, where Stephenson worked as a printer’s apprentice. During his youth, he became active in the Socialist Party. He attended school until the end of the eighth grade, then left to support his family.

When he turned twenty, Stephenson joined the Texas National Guard. During World War I, he served in France as a Second Lieutenant in the 36th Infantry Regiment. In his free time, he focused on reading psychology books and took public speaking courses. These activities helped him develop his skills and eventually become a captivating speaker.

In 1920, Stephenson moved to Evansville, Indiana. He took on a job as a salesman and joined the Democratic Party. That year, he unsuccessfully ran for a Democratic Congressional nomination. In November 1922, he supported Hiram Wesley Evans in his effort to become the Imperial Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan. When Evans succeeded, Stephenson became the Grand Dragon of Indiana and 22 other northern states.

As Grand Dragon, Stephenson helped increase Klan membership significantly. Indiana alone had nearly 300,000 members, which was about one-third of all the white males in the state at that time. His influence grew, allowing him to acquire considerable wealth and political power. At the height of his leadership, he became known for his oratory skills, which helped boost the Klan’s popularity.

In addition to his role in the Klan, Stephenson was involved in the state's Republican Party. He supported Republican Ed Jackson during Jackson's successful run for governor in 1924. His success in politics made him a notable figure in Indiana, where he became known for his ambitious nature and commanding presence.

Murder Story

David Curtiss "Steve" Stephenson was a powerful leader in the Ku Klux Klan and became involved in a high-profile murder case. On March 27, 1925, he abducted Madge Augustine Oberholtzer, a 28-year-old woman who had worked on a literacy program. After tricking her into coming to his home, he forced her to drink alcohol until she was incapacitated. Once she was unconscious, he took her on his private train to Chicago.

During this trip, he repeatedly assaulted her and inflicted serious injuries. Afterward, Madge attempted to harm herself by taking mercuric chloride, a toxic substance, which led to her severe illness. Rather than seeking medical help immediately, Stephenson waited nearly 24 hours before sending her home. When she arrived at her parents’ house, it was too late for medical assistance, and Madge passed away ten days later from her injuries and mercury poisoning.

Following her death, Stephenson was charged with kidnapping, rape, and second-degree murder. Despite his lawyers claiming she had taken her own life, medical evidence showed that her injuries were severe and would have contributed to her death. The jury found him guilty, and on November 25, 1925, he was sentenced to life in prison.

His conviction sparked a scandal that significantly weakened the Ku Klux Klan in Indiana, as many people in the organization distanced themselves from him. Stephenson later attempted to get pardoned, but his efforts were ignored. He was paroled on March 23, 1950, but soon violated his parole by going missing. He was recaptured later that year and faced additional prison time.

Stephenson was paroled again in 1956, with the condition that he leave Indiana. He faced legal troubles later in life, including an arrest related to a sexual assault claim, but charges were dropped. He died on June 28, 1966, in Tennessee.