Walter, before he became infamous

 Liberty Express, 1915

WALTER F. BOSSERT

Choice of Many Republicans for District Chairman

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Walter F. Bossert, a well-known local attorney and leading Republican Party worker, was the unanimous choice as candidate for the chairman of the Republican committee of the Sixth District, in a meeting of district and precinct committeemen, held here on Tuesday afternoon.

The Richmond Item in speaking of Mr. Bossert, says that "He represents no faction but from expressions from all persons here at the Republican rally at Liberty, he has the support of all wings of the party. He is a young man and has progressive ideas."

He was a candidate for Joint Senator from Wayne and Union counties in 1914 and made a good race. The Wayne County sentiment, which it is said here would decide this choice, is in support of Mr. Bossert, according to expressions of Wayne County men here Tuesday.

Notes: Bossert was from Brookville and is more known as the man who replaced D.C. Stephenson as Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan after Stephenson was convicted of murder in 1925. Bossert served in that capacity until late 1926 when he was ousted by national KKK Wizard Hiram Evans.

So it was clear he did indeed represent "factions" after all, none of them particularly progressive.

Bossert obtained a law degree from Indiana University in 1907. He practiced law in Brookville for two years and was appointed deputy prosecutor for Franklin, Union, and Fayette counties when they constituted a judicial district. He then practiced law in Terre Haute for two years before resettling to Liberty in 1912. 

Bossert unsuccessfully ran for the party's nomination for U.S. senator at the 1938 state convention. He tried again in 1940, but his name was not placed in nomination at that year's convention.