OC Pioneers Who Were Klan Members: Morris W. Martenet, Jr., Anaheim Councilmember, Owner of Martenet Hardware

By Gustavo Arellano Mon., Oct. 17 2011 at 5:00 PM

Categories: Gunkist Memories, The Hilarious Haters

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Last year, Martenet Hardware in Anaheim closed after a century of serving the city. We went there as far back as I could remember for our construction needs, never completely forsaking it for Home Depot or even when a Lowe's opened up nearby. By then, the Martenet family no longer owned it, having sold it in 1979.

So I have to wonder out loud how Morris W. Martenet, Jr., the longtime owner of the store, must've felt during his store's later years, when most of the clientele was wabs like us. See, Martenet was one of the few Kluckers not driven out of town after the Klan's embarrassing defeat in 1925 after the Klouncil was recalled--but that's only because Martenet sold his hooded brothers out.

Everyone--including OC's orange-crate historians--assume the Ku Klux Klan disappeared from the Orange County scene after the famous recall of four Anaheim councilmembers who also were Kluckers, but this series has disproven that myth--and then some. Hell, the Klan didn't even disappear from Anaheim's government until the 1940s, after Martenet was voted out of office for reasons I've yet to determine, after having served on the Anaheim council since 1930.

So how did a KKK member like Martenet get elected just five years after his group of hilarious haters got collectively booted from Anaheim politics? Easy: Martenet went to the anti-Klan faction in Anaheim and promised to join their ranks in fighting the Klan (without renouncing his own KKK membership) under a "harmony ticket." A boycott of Klan-owned business was devastating Martenet Hardware (started by Morris' father, Morris, in 1910), and he saw that being an open racist just wouldn't work anymore. Martenet's strategy worked, and he showed fellow Klansman that as long as they voted with anti-Kluckers, that all would be fine in Anaheim--unless you were Mexican, black, Asian, or Jewish, of course.

Martenet's strategy worked: his hardware store was saved, he became a respected member of the community, and historians can no longer say Anaheim leaders bravely drove out the Klan from town. Let's see our orange-crate historians write THAT.

Tune in every Monday around 5 p.m. for the latest entry exposing Orange County city fathers who were Klan members!

Previous entries:

William F. Espolt, Jr., La Habra Banker/Citrus Grower
Perry Woodward, Deputy County Assessor, Failed Supervisorial Candidate
George Annin, Fullerton Police Officer, Councilmember
Harry E. Becker, Mayor of Brea
Francis Allen Kidder, Santa Ana Father and Son
Leslie C. Rogers, Santa Ana City Marshal
Earl Sechrist and Burton Young, Brea and Yorba Linda Ministers
Rollin Marsden and Roy Davis, Fullerton Councilmembers
William French, Fullerton's First Deputy Police Officer
Rudolph Kroener, Co-Owner of Former Gas Station that's Now Orange's Filling Station
William E. Fanning, Brea Schools Pioneer, Namesake of Fanning Elementary
Jesse L. Hunter, San Juan Capistrano Innkeeper, Owner of Mexican Restaurant
John A. Leuzinger, Brea Mayor, Founder of Brea Electric
Newton E. Wray, SanTana Rancher, Failed City Council Candidate
Samuel F. Hilgenfeld, Buena Park Minister, Founder of Anaheim's Hilgenfeld Mortuary
Elmer E. Heidt, OC's First Scout Executive for Orange County Boy Scouts Council
James W. Newell, Fullerton-area Miner/Mason
Garland C. Ross, Santa Ana dentist, batted against Walter Johnson
Ferris F. Kelley, San Juan Capistrano Postmaster
Clyde Fairbairn, Longtime Olive resident/nice guy
Charles McClure, Brea's first police chief
John F. Pieper, Tustin feed-store owner, councilmember
William Starbuck, Fullerton school trustee, druggist
Hoyt Corbit, Yorba Linda pioneer, fan of Richard Nixon
Lucien Proud, La Habra mayor/school trustee
Albert Hetebrink, Fullerton rancher
Henry W. Head, Orange County godfather
Dr. Roy S. Horton and Marshall Keeler, Santa Ana Unified trustees
Sam Jernigan and Jesse Elliott, Orange County sheriffs
Herman Hiltscher, Fullerton bureacrat

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What good does it do reporting on a racist Latino in a Spanish language "voice of the imaginary land" medium? Cool now the racist Latinos that read that pandering canon of coolaid know they have a carnal in their midst. How about writing an article in OCWeekly on how the majority of Latino Immigration advocates are racially motivated, and hate Europeans despite the fact that they likely have Spanish blood, speak Spanish, and practice Catholicism......fucken morons!
Hey... Much respect to you younginoc!
"Two-faced bitch"? HA! And I've reported on racist Latinos as well—and if you don't believe me, look up my work on La Voz de Aztlán. But why bother a pendejo like you with facts?
You're obviously a two faced bitch, hanging with the "pinche gabachos" as you would say candidly, while keeping you're fingers crossed behind your back in favor of La Raza and concocting angles of slander against people of lesser skin pigment; how ignorant. It's too obvious, if you held an unbiased criticism of all races, you'd be too busy reporting on La Raza to research connections far faded. Live in the now~ la raza is the new KKK.
You know, in a way, I have an honest and grudging respect for you. At least you shoot straight, with a dose of humor injected into it. The only type of people I have a problem with are racists (even from my own race) and bullies. If you are not one of them what would I do? Nothing. Probably welcome you and offer a free workout. No contact with anyone, just work up a little sweat. BTW, mid-thirties? You could get that six back. Anyhow, I am out of here and through posting on this thread. You and yours have a good day 909Jeff.
Nor am I impressed by you. It probably did get a little out of hand. BTW, I am 54 years young but can outwork and outhustle those half my age. It ain't easy, but I work hard at it. In my honest opinion, I think most people of ALL RACES are good or at least decent. The two types I cannot stand though are racists and bullies, even if the racist is one of my people (American of Mexican descent). When I was growing up, Santa Ana, believe it or not, was practically lily white. Plus I happened to go to one of the two elementary schools where the blacks went. And we always had Samoan neighbors. As a result I am glad I grew up with friends of ALL races. I may be deeply into the arts, but I do not dress like a lot of them. I prefer a simple baseball jersey, some cargo shorts and no-show socks with some Skechers. To be honest, I would rather avoid confrontation of any kind with any person...period. With the exception being sicko racists and punk assed bullies. Both of them tend to prey on the weak and disadvantaged, and that I do not like.
Resenting white people? Shit, I work for some, and employ some, and get drunk with them all? REAL resenting there haha.
Junior... I was just having fun baiting a meat head. El Patchito that was kinda my point. But I was 21 once too so I don't totally fault him.
...because that would necessitate Gus practicing some intellectual honesty. He'd much rather indulge his underlying resentment of white people under the guise of "exposing" racism or double standards. "Oh look, a dirty diaper in the road of a white neighborhood! See how filthy and dirty white people truly are?!" It also allows him to indulge is adolescence under the guise of investigative journalism.
I don't terribly mind Mexicans being here, but can we please deport all people who are really into MMA? The ridiculously immature bordering on pathological need to prove your manhood by threatening to beat everyone up, the inked up arms and calves, the absurdly jacked up pickup truck with Outlaw Offroad window stickers that has never seen dirt, the entire wardrobe by Tapout, the pitbulls with spiked collars, the wife beater T-shirts...the endless stupid posturing in places like this. A little 411 for ya....I'm not really impressed by you.
Will you 2 children PLEASE STOP IT ??? thanks ......
Okay just out of curiosity lets say I did show up... What would you do? other than bask in the glory of my mid thirties one pack! (it used to be 6 about 15 years ago)
Good, then hopefully I can look forward to meeting you. We are right near the 909 area code.
It took a little longer than I expected but you didn't fail to deliver... Thank you for giving me what I wanted!
Here's a little 4-1-1 for you 909Jeff. I am 5-10 and 200 pounds, born and raised in Santa Ana to a middle class family. Was fighting on the streets way before I channeled it into the ring and later to the mats. Busted my ass legitimately to get where I am today, and still work my ass off, but for myself not for someone else. Now as for the studio I co-own, it is on the Brea/Fullerton borderline near Imperial Hwy. & Palm, right near the Jack in the Box. If you're in that area you will easily see it. Now, you are more than welcome to play the part of the "paper bag" so to speak. Come on in and ask for "younginoc." I really do playfully use that nickname kidding around. It means forever young and from the O.C. Anyhow, feel free to come down and be my "paper bag." We'll just get you to sign a liability waiver absolving us of any responsibility should you have an "accident" in our studio and then.................well, you know the drill. If I'm not out on the floor when you come in, I'll probably be in the back office doing paperwork or working online. Look forward to seeing you.
So, younginoc.... People often times leave comments on these message boards purposely to illicit a response. It makes you feel like people are paying attention to you. I am guilty of it, on many occasions (which is why Gustavo called me Armenian Genocide Denier for about 4 months). Now I cant speak for Mitch nor will I try to defend him as I think he can do well enough on his own... But look back at your posts and see how quickly you resorted to name calling and then break out the fight card. Now in my experience the person who yells the loudest and is the quickest to fight is usually the "Coward" and the "Wuss", to steal your words. Please allow me to indulge you as I interpret what I got from your posts... You're either a trust fund baby or the son of an OC businessman who didn't have a lot of time for you growing up... You rebelled and didn't go to college as evidenced by the blatant fallacies in your argument, so daddy flipped you a little coin to go partners on a Gracie-Barra franchise. You also probably run blog on Jiu Jitsu where you probably sell knock off Tapout gear, so I guess that counts as an "Internet Venture". You're probably 5'7" 175 lbs and wear size smedium affliction shirts and a flat billed trucker hat. And at the end of the day probably couldn't fight your way out of a wet paper bag, but you put up a good front. So, just a bit of advice for the future. Take a deep breath, think about what you're going to say before you say it. Formulate a rational response, and remember its just a message board for the weekly...
Hey White Trash, for your information, I co-own the studio along with operating a few internet ventures, so I am happily self-employed. Sorry about your being a wage slave. By the way, make sure you get to work on time. As for sweating with other men, that wouldn't be a problem. My stand-up skills would have you asleep before you hit the canvas. Racist white pieces of shit like you are a disease to society. Oh, and make sure you smile and say hello to your Hispanic co-workers. You know, the ones you are actually scared of. P.S. - Once again, make sure you get to work on time. And I think I am done responding to your bitch ass. You've obviously proven yourself to be a coward and a wuss. So long "Michelle Young"
Oops, went to bed--you see I have to work today, in part to support the 'free lunches' given out kids in barrios throughout the state. Maybe even yours, since you are 'training' on a 'schoolday'. But let's examine your 'reto', you want me to meet you on your 'turf', and engage in a fighting technique you have been training at for however long. Sounds to me like you are a 'typical Mexican' with an overdeveloped sense of macho, a tendency towards violence, and an under appreciation for technology or the great outdoors. 'Grappling' with sweaty men isn't quite my thing, though - but you go ahead and enjoy!
Sounds to me like you don't have the balls for mano-a-mano. If you're too much of a wuss to stop by my studio, just say so. Sounds like you're more into hiding behind a weapon. Go into any of the barrios in OC and try your hand if that is your thing. See how far you get. Anyhow, if you're not willing to come by my studio, then just let it be known that you're a typical white trash racist wuss. Anyhow, I'm off to sleep, have some hard training tomorrow.
Maybe your up for meeting me in the Cleveland National forest, 'young', where man, nature, and technology can all come together. Let me know.
Callate la boca puto face! Why don't you do an article about La MeCha or how the mexiKKKan culture has been revised with a strong skew towards crime as a primary and preferable way to survive! A self-perpetuating culture where the victims become the next generation teachers. Viva La Ratas~ por vida!
Maybe you're up to meeting me at the MMA studio where I work out at. Just let me know and we can make it happen. And I'll let you know my real name. So, what's up Michelle? Oh, and by the way, any "disagreements" that arise in the studio? They're all legit, it's called signing liability waivers.
Floral Park in the house! Miguel Pulido--is that you?
Yeah, I kind of get the impression our man Gus here suffers from a deficit of objectivity, even-handedness, honesty and a desire to present the unvarnished truth - you know, character traits that a good journalist OUGHT to have. At least he's fully engrossed himself in "research" that actually has him reading. Before, his research consisted trolling around white neighborhoods taking pictures of soiled diapers. You ever get the impression that Gus's infatuation with finding any and all fault with white people and labeling them as racists is a drawn out exercise in projection?
Hey, at least I'm not hiding behind a pseudon...uh, fake name.
Oh Gawd~ here goes this racist "Gustavo Arellano" and his racist agenda to put every race under a microscope with the exception of La Raza! I think Gustavo is a Real mexiKKKan!!
THIS IS ONE BORING ARTICLE, GUS!! CAN YOU WRITE ABOUT HOW SANTA ANA (STABA ANA) AND ANACRIME ARE DOING TO IMPROVE THE COMMUNITY WITH ALL THE RACES GETTING TOGETHER AND WORKING TOGETHER?? HIJOLES, QUE RACISTA ERES, COMPA.
The Klan is still around in OC, LOL, but deep undercover or hiding behind keyboards like "mitch young." Mitchie girl, you probably soil your panties every time you are around Hispanics.
mitch young, racist bitch.
Keep up your usual inane comments, and I'll start referring to you by your full name, homophobe!
GA - Did they put you in charge of boring blog articles there at the Weekly?
Thanks, I try.
exposing what?? something from the 40s, 50s, or whatever? dude, byrd was in the senate for how long? nobody gives a s***t about this or who had slaves, or whatever. we actually have current, important things to worry about.
Once again, capitalism saves the day.
is he racist? yeah...but at least he's got his grammar squared away
well-healed -->well-heeled
Well, I gotta admit I had no idea where the store was located -- but since just about anywhere in Anaheim without 'Hills' following it is pretty crappy, I went with the odds. A picture of the 'old store' on the web looks pretty nice. You'd better get some quinceañera stores to move in -- if they haven't already-- or it might be taken over by your nemesis, well healed urbanites.
More bullshit from someone who knows nothing of what he speaks of. That's actually a nice part of Anaheim, pendejo!
So I have to wonder out loud how Morris W. Martenet, Jr., the longtime owner of the store, must've felt during his store's later years, when most of the clientele was wabs like us" Sounds like he sold out while the getting was fairly good. And notice how the place closed -- it's hard to have nice things in the barrio.