Political history of Chicago (covering the period from 1837 to 1887) Local politics from the city's birth; Chicago's mayors, aldermen and other officials; county and federal officers; the fire and police departments; the Haymarket horror; miscellaneous, Part 1

Author: Ahern, M. L
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago : Donohue & Henneberry, printers and binders
Number of Pages: 416


USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Political history of Chicago (covering the period from 1837 to 1887) Local politics from the city's birth; Chicago's mayors, aldermen and other officials; county and federal officers; the fire and police departments; the Haymarket horror; miscellaneous > Part 1


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28


POLITICAL HISTORY


CHICAGO.


1837-1887.


Is


THE UNIVERSITY


OF ILLINOIS


LIBRARY


977.31 Ah30


ILLINOIS HISTORICAL SURVEY


٠١٩٩٠٠


1


PALMER HOUSE.


KS


JÖ,


-


THE


POLITICAL HISTORY


OF CHICAGO.


BY M. L. AHERN. .


1


First Edition.


(COVERING THE PERIOD FROM 1837 TO 1887.)


LOCAL POLITICS, FROM THE CITY'S BIRTH; CHICAGO'S MAYORS, ALDER- MEN AND OTHER OFFICIALS; COUNTY AND FEDERAL OFFICERS; THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS; THE HAY- MARKET HORROR; MISCELLANEOUS.


CHICAGO: DONOHUE & HENNEBERRY, PRINTERS AND BINDERS. 1886.


977.31 Ahåp


-


112 351


COPYRIGHT. 1886. BY MICHAEL LOFTUS AHERN.


ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.


-


3'3 ZI.N 81


CONTENTS.


The Peoples' Party PAGE.


33


A Memorable Event. 38


The New Election Law 41


The Roll of Honor. 47


A Lively Fall Campaign 69


The Socialistic Party 82


CHICAGO'S MAYORS.


William B. Ogden. 87


Buckner S. Morris.


88


Benjamin W. Raymond. 89


Alexander Lloyd. 89


Francis C. Sherman


90


Augustus Garrett ..


90


John C. Chapin.


91


James Curtiss


91


James H. Woodworth.


91


Walter S. Gurnee.


91


Charles M. Gray


92


Isaac L. Milliken.


92


Levi D. Boone.


92


Thomas Dyer.


93


John Wentworth.


93


John C. Haines 93


Julian Rumsey 94


John B. Rice. 94


Roswell B. Mason.


94


Joseph Medill. 95


Lester L. Bond. 96


98


Monroe Heath. 99


Carter H. Harrison.


99


5


220675


:


HISTORICAL


Harvey D. Colvin


6


CONTENTS.


CHICAGO'S COUNCILS.


Chicago's Councils. 102


Arthur Dixon


118


William P. Whelan. 119


James T. Appleton.


119


George Mueller.


120


Charles W. Drew


120


David H. Gile.


120


Oscar D. Wetherell.


120


Thomas C. Clarke.


121


Henry F. Sheridan


121


Charles Hillock.


122


Charles F. L. Doerner


122


Edward F. Cullerton


122


Joseph M. Webber


123


Redmond F. Sheridan


124


Lawrence A. Yore


125


William F. Mahoney


125


J. R. Wheeler


126


Stephen P. Revere


126


Henry M. Deal.


127


Samuel Simons.


127


Samuel Kerr


127


Walter S. Hull.


127


J. L. Campbell.


128


John W. Lyke.


128


James A. Landon


129


Frank Schack.


129


D. W. Ryan


129 129


Joseph H. Ernst.


130


Henry Severin. 130


John H. Colvin. 130


John A. Linn. 131


131


Thomas J. Carney


Jacob Tiedeman 132


William R. Manierre 132


CITY OFFICIALS.


T. T. Gurney. 133


DeWitt C. Cregier 133


William Eisfeldt.


James H. Hildreth 121


CONTENTS. 7


William M. Devine. 134


Hempstead Washburne. 135


Francis A. Hoffman, Jr. 136


William J. Onahan. 136 C. Herman Plautz. 137


Charles Gastfield. 137


Alexander Kirkland


137


William Edgar


138


D. O. Wilkie.


139


John Agnew


139


Oscar C. De Wolf.


140


Brock L. McVickar


140


Herman Lieb


141


Jolın W. Lyons.


142


E. E. Gilbert


143 145


Charles E. Felton


146


John McCarthy


147


John M. Brown.


148


George A. Meech.


149


George Kersten


149


Justice White.


150


Orlin P. Ingersoll


150


Daniel Scully


150


Peter Foote.


151


Charles Arnd.


152


David J. Lyon


152


John K. Prindiville. 154


C. W. Woodman 154


John C. Barker


155


Hardin B. Brayton. 155


D. Harry Hammer.


156


Louis Kistler


157


W. H. Gleason


158


S. B. Chase


158


Frank Drake 159


John A. Bell. 160


Denis J. Swenie. 161


William Mushamn 162


John Redell. 162


John H. Green. 163


John Comiskey


8


CONTENTS.


Frederick J. Gabriel. 163


Joseph C. Pazen. 164


Edward W Murphy 164


M. W. Conway 165


John Campion 166


Leo Meyers. 167


Richard Fitzgerald 167


Peter Schnur. 168


Charles S. Petrie. 168


Maurice W. Shay 169


Joel A. Kinney


170


Frederick N. Shippy 170


John P. Barrett. 171


David M. Hyland 172


John Fitzpatrick. 172


William Carroll.


173


Frank J. Lewis.


173


James P. Crowley


173 173


Jacob F. Mehren


Frederick W. Gund. 174


Organization of the Fire Department


174


The Pompier Corps 186


Fire Alarm Service 188


Volunteer Service. 188


Paid Fire Department 190


Benner's Fire Escape. 193


THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.


The Police Department. 194


Frederick Ebersold 194


John Bonfield. 195


William Buckley. 195


Simon O'Donnell. 196


William Ward. 197


A. W. Hathaway 197


Michael Shaack. 198


John D. Shea. 199


Joseph Kipley 199


George W. Hubbard. 200


Edward Laughlin 201


Madison Beadell. 201


9


CONTENTS.


John Rehm 202


Edward J. Steele.


202


James P. Stanton. 203 John Byrne. 203


Richard A. Shephard.


204


Jolın Croak.


205


Victor Schumacher 205


Wheeler Bartram.


206


John E. Fitzpatrick. 206


Elisha E. Lloyd 207


Michael Bischoff 207


John Baus.


207


August Blettner 208


Francis Penzen 208


Anson Backus. 208


208


George Sanford.


209


Frank G. Beaubien.


209


Sylvester Kennedy 210


Anthon Odin Oyen. 210


Charles M. Day


212


Alexis C. Burdick


212


John E. Mahoney.


213


Dexter Codman.


213


Michael Brennan.


214


Joseph B. Shepard


214


R. H. Figg.


214


Samuel A. Ellis.


215


Michael J. Granger


215


John Egan.


216


John Reed.


216


Edward Cosgrove.


217


Jolın Stift.


217


Michael Gallagher


218


William H. Carman


218


Dennis Simmons.


218


W. S. Halloran 219


Dennis Kay 219


Reinhold Meyer 219


John O'Donnell 220


Francis O'Neill.


220


Daniel Hogan.


10


CONTENTS.


John J. Kelly. 221


Tierney and Thorpe. 221


Roster of the Police Department. 222


Police Telephone and Signal System. 233


The Haymarket Horror-The Official Report. 239


THL COUNTY BOARD.


George C. Klehm 255


John E. Van Pelt. 256


James J. McCarthy. 257


Daniel J. Wren 257


Peter Fortune. 258


Henry Hemmelgarn 258


Frank Niesen. 259


R. S. McClaughrey. 260


M. R. Leyden. 260


John Hannigan. 261


Thomas F. Bailey 262


David McCarthy 262


James C. Strain. 262


William J. McGarigle 263


The County Hospital.


264


John F. Doherty. 267


Edward McDonald 269


267


Harry A. Varnell.


James O'Brien 269


Nicholas Eckhardt.


270


Conrad Folz 270


T. J. Bluthardt. 271


FEDERAL OFFICERS.


Federal Officers 273


Ransom W. Dunham. 273


Frank Lawler 273


James H. Ward.


274


George E. Adams.


275


Lambert Tree. 275


James T. Healy. 276


F. H. Marsh. 277


Rensselaer Stone. 278


A. F. Seeberger. 278


Philip A. Hoyne. 279


CONTENTS. 11


E. B. Sherman. 279


Marian A. Mulligan. 280


J. J. Crowley. 281


S. Corning Judd. 282


C. S. Squiers


282


Henry F. Donovan 283


POSTOFFICE.


Clerks in the Postoffice


284


J. Howard Jones 290


P. R. Forrest 291


Theodore F Swain. 291


Patrick M. Clowry 292


Michael W. Ryan 293


William Kirby.


293


Emil Hoechster


294


P. C. T. Breen.


294


COUNTY OFFICIALS.


William C. Seipp 296


Thomas Brenan 297


Seth F. Hanchett. 297


Canute R. Matson 298


W. K. McAllister 299


John J. Rogers 299


Lorin C. Collins 300


Richard Prendergast. 300


Joshua C. Knickerbocker 300


Rollin S. Williamson 301


Elliott Anthony 301


Joseph E. Gary 301


M. F. Tuley. 302


Julius Grinnell 302


John J. Healey . 303


Patrick McGrath.


304


Thomas W. Sennott.


304


Henry Best.


305


John Stephens.


305


Christopher Mamer


306


M. L. Coffeen.


307


Henry C. Stewart. 307


James J. Healey. 307


Wiley S. Scribner 308


12


CONTENTS.


James Stroud. 310


Fred C. Kile. 311


Frank B. Lane. 311


Charles Bradley 311


Daniel D. Healey


312


Delos E. Hall.


312


James H. Burke. 313


John Brennan.


313


Theodore E. Stacy 314


Henry L. Hertz. 315


George Rockafeller. 315


Neil Graves. 316


Jethro M. Getman. 317


Henry F. Stephens


317


SCHOOLS.


George Howland. 319


Shepherd Johnson 319


James Doolittle, Jr. 319


School Teachers. 349


Albert G. Lane.


354


County School Teachers.


354


MISCELLANEOUS.


Charles B. Farwell. 370


Frederick S. Winston 370


Joseph Stockton. 372


Michael Ryan ... 372


Michael McInurney 373


Austin J. Doyle. 374


Thomas A. Cantwell. 374


M. C. McDonald. 375


Luther Laflin Mills. 376


Julius Jonas 377


Henry T. Jones


377


P. J. Sexton. 378


Charles Kern. 379


John J. Curran 379


John M. Smyth 380


P. McCarthy 381


Timothy Ryan 381


John G. Neumeister 381


13


CONTENTS.


William Best. 382


Joseph Sokup 282


Henry Huesman. 383 P. B. O'Hare. 384


Joseph Dixon. 384


George Miller. 385


Henry Schroeder 386


Samuel Stritch 387


James E. Stewart 387


Michael Wasserman 388


James McHale. 388


E. A. Filkins. 389


Anton Imhof. 389


John Riordan 389


S. D. Foss. 390


Edward P. Barrett. 390


Gen. James Shields.


391


To 397 inclusive.


..


PREFACE.


In the preparation of the recollections contained in this book, the compiler acknowledges the services of several Chicago journalists, most especially those of Harry Jones, of the Chicago Tribune.


MICHAEL LOFTUS AHERN.


CHICAGO, 1886.


SHERMAN HOUSE.


16


INTRODUCTORY.


In the memorable fall of 1884, when the two great polit- ical parties of the United States nominated their stand- ard bearers, Chicago was declared a political center. The scenes witnessed in the Exposition Building where the brain and wealth, representing sixty millions of people commingled, constitute the brightest page in the history of modern politics. Within the radius of a mile the dele- gates were domiciled. The bulk of the Democratic forces were registered at the Palmer House ; a great majority of the Republicans held forth at the Grand Pacific. The Tremont House, the Sherman, the Briggs and McCoy's Hotel were patronized as well.


In view of the foregoing, as well as from other consid- erations, the writer deemed it quite appropriate to place on record the "Political History of Chicago." Nobody should suppose that because the fire and police depart- ments are spoken of in this book that they are politi- cal institutions. The writer, admiring both depart- ments, simply took his opportunity, and endeavored to commemorate their value in public estimation.


1


17


TREHINT


TREMONT HOUSE.


19


.


LIRRASY


UNI VIV


. .


THE FALL ELECTION OF 1886.


The election in the fall of 1886 was a surprise to many people, by reason of the vote polled by the United Labor ticket, which broke loose entirely from the two great par- ties. Mr. Stauber, the candidate for County Treasurer on that ticket, polled over 25,000 votes. The organization, encouraged beyond measure, established campaign head- quarters at once for the spring campaign, determined to place a ticket in the field for mayor and other city officers. The returns from the fall election, they claim, insured the election of at least seven aldermen, In the second con- gressional district their candidate, Capt. Gleason, made it decidedly warm for Congressmen Lawler, on the Democratic ticket. They gained materially in the Senate and House. The Republican candidate for Treasurer, George R. Davis, was elected over Michael Schweisthal, Democrat, and Frank Stauber, United Labor candidate. Canute R. Mat- son, the Republican candidate for Sheriff, was elected over Mattocks, Democrat, Butler, United Labor, Dunphy, In- dependent, and Loomis, Prohibition. Wulff, Republican candidate for County Clerk, was elected over McInerney, Democrat, Rastell, United Labor, and Haggard, Prohibi- tion. Gilbert, Republican candidate for Clerk of the Criminal Court, was elected over James Doyle, Democrat, Tompkins, Prohibition, Dvorah, United Labor, and White, Labor League. Thomas Seunott, Republican candidate for Probate Clerk, was elected over Kleckner, Democrat, Worrel, Prohibition, and Ehman, United Labor. Lane, Republican candidate for Superintendent of Schools, was


21


1 1


22


THE FALL ELECTION OF 1886.


elected over Parker, Democrat, Wilkie, Prohibition, and Bevans, United Labor. Anthony, Hawes, Altgeld and Jamieson were elected Superior Court Judges. The two former were Republicans and the two latter Democrats. Judge Knickerbocker, Republican, who was placed on all the tickets, was elected Judge of the Probate Court. Judge Prendergast, Democrat, was elected Judge of the County Court.


Sketches of the candidates in the field are found else- where.


The towns of Hyde Park, Lake View, Jefferson and Cicero adopted the new election law.


CHICAGO'S FIRST ORGANIZATION.


On August 10, 1833, Chicago was made a town. On January 23, 1837, in the Saloon Building Hall, on the southeast corner of Lake and Clark streets, was held the first meeting to secure a city charter. In this building Stephen A. Douglas made his first speech. On March 4, 1837, the Act incorporating the city was passed. The part taken in the premises by Gen. Shields justifies the sketch of that man published at the end of this book. The first city officers were elected on the first Tuesday in May following, the total vote cast being 709. In May, 1837, the city council leased rooms in the Saloon Building Hall, but after five years removed to Mrs. Nancy Chapman's building, near the jail at the corner of LaSalle and Randolph streets. J. Y. Scammon and others improved the square surrounding it. In January, 1848, the city erected the market building on State street. This was the first municipal structure. It was afterward known as South Market Hall. It was two stories in height. On November 13, 1848, it was for the first time occupied. In 1851 the county and city laid the corner stone, and in 1853 completed the edifice at a cost of $111,000, which stood up to the fire of 1871. It was three stories high and had three domes and a cupola. The Court of Common Pleas first occupied the building. After the great fire the municipal authorities occupied for some years a two-story brick building on the southeast corner of LaSalle and Adams streets, known far and near as the Rookery. When the structure was torn down one of the most magnificent


23


24


CHICAGO'S FIRST ORGANIZATION.


buildings in the United States was reared on the spot and christened the Rookery Building. The present quarters of the city and county government are in the area, bounded by LaSalle and Clark streets, and Washington and Randolph streets.


The politics of Chicago, from its birth in 1837 up to 1853, were quite common-place.


BRIGGS HOUSE


BRIGGS HOUSE.


25


-


WHEN DOUGLAS WAS MOBBED.


--


On January 30, 1854, Douglas delivered his great speech in the United States Senate in favor of the Kansas- Nebraska bill, repudiating past compromises, and showing the compromises of 1850, including the detested fugitive- slave law, to have been a subterfuge of the slave power to gain a better hold. When he came to Chicago to explain his position he found that the anti-slavery sentiment could not be checked. On the Know-Nothing question Douglas maintained a magnificent position. He it was who op- posed proscription by the native party, and threw the Democratic hosts against it. Before such a question arose Chicago was a Democratic stronghold, as between Whigs and Democrats, at least. "If the town-pump had been nominated for Mayor in those days on the Democratic ticket it would have been elected," aptly remarks an old settler; "a Democratic nomination, in fact, was an elec- tion." In 1854 the Whigs went down, to be succeeded by Fusionists, who melted into the Republican party. Douglas, of all the Democrats, had the courage to tackle Know-Nothingism. What he had said about the Nebraska question made the Free-Soil element inimical to them. When Mr. Douglas reached Chicago from Washington on August 25 he found himself branded as a public enemy by the Know-Nothing and Free-Soil combination, and de- nounced from Protestant pulpits as an anti-Christ.


On the evening of September 1, 1854, Douglas spoke at North Market hall, the site of the present Criminal Court building. The excitement was intense; the fame of the


27


28


WHEN DOUGLAS WAS MOBBED.


" Little Giant," and the report that 500 armed Irishmen would be present to silence the Know-Nothing element attracting an immense assemblage. During the afternoon of that day the flags of shipping owned by Fusionists had hung at half-mast, and the bells of the numerous churches tolled as if to predict a great calamity. Mayor Milliken presided. Mr. Douglas had not spoken long when he was hissed. When he said he was bound to be heard he was vilified most outrageously. Against the howling mob Douglas defiantly maintained his ground. James A. Shee- han, a biographer of Douglas, referring to the occasion remarks : " The motive, the great ruling reason for refus- ing him the privilege of being heard was, that as he had in 1850 carried the judgment of the people captive into an indorsement of the fugitive slave law, so if allowed to speak in 1854 he would at least rally all Democrats to his support by defense of the Nebraska bill. The combined fanatics of Chicago feared the power and effect of his argument in the presence and hearing of the people. They therefore resolved that he should not be heard."


Having failed to make himself heard, the "Little Giant" retired under a shower of rotten apples. A gallant little body guard accompanied Mr. Douglas to his carriage; among them were Daniel O'Hara, Frank C. Sherman, Hart L. Stewart, Tom Mackin, Dan McElroy, Elisha Tracy, Col. Dick Hamilton, Elihu Granger and Cornelius and William Price. The mob followed the little party as far as Clark street bridge, but when the Douglas party had crossed the structure, the bridge-tender, by turning the bridge, cut off the pursuit and the Senator reached the Tremont house in safety.


About six weeks after this disgraceful event Mr Doug- lass accepted an invitation to a public dinner to be held November 9, at the Tremont. In the presence of 200 gen- tlemen or more, he substantially uttered that which a fan-


29


WHEN DOUGLAS WAS MOBBED.


atical crowd had intercepted. It is safe to say that when Douglas was mobbed Chicago was the leading city in the West in the movement resulting in making a free state of Kansas.


S


MS CÔNG


M. COYS


M'COY'S HOTEL.


30


"THE LAGER BEER RIOT."


It was hardly a month after Mayor Boone's induction into office, on the Know-Nothing ticket, in 1855, that many saloon-keepers were arrested for selling liquor without a license or for violating the Sunday ordinance. It was agreed, by the City Attorney and the attorney for the saloons, to try a test ease to represent the whole. On April 21 the case was called before Squire Henry L. Rucker, about 10 o'clock a. m. A few moments later the Court House was surrounded by a great mob, which had come from the North Side, with fifes, drums, and howls. A riot seemed inevitable. Mayor Boone, however, ordered Police Captain Nichols to clear the streets and disperse the mob, and such was done without any serious results. This was in the fore- noon, it will be remembered. The North Side saloon men now proceeded in a movement to rescue men who were arrested for resisting the officers, and Boone swore into serviee 150 extra policemen.


.. About three o'eloek p. m., the North Side mob started out to cross the Clark street bridge, in the direction of the Court House. The swinging of the bridge intercepted the bulk of the procession, however. At this juncture, that part of the procession which was left on the North Side beeame frantic and wanted to kill the bridge-tender. The latter said he was aeting under orders from the Mayor. His honor finally ordered the bridge elosed and the mob rushed aeross to confront a solid phalanx of policemen. The leaders shrieked "Piek out the stars! Shoot the police !" A brisk firing followed, to the great diseomfiture of the rioters. Only one man was known to be killed, but


31


32


" THE LAGER BEER RIOT."


several mysterious funerals on the North Side occurred about that time. The law, as to burial permits, was not as it is now. A rioter blew off the left arm of Police Officer Hunt, who is now doing special duty in the comp- troller's office. He received a gift of $3,000 from the City Council, on which he is still drawing interest.


THE PEOPLE'S PARTY.


The issuance of an order by Mayor Medill, who was elected on the fire-proof ticket after the great conflagration of "71, caused the political combination known as The People's Party, which, in the fall of 1873, swept every- thing before it in county and city. The enforcement of the Sunday liquor ordinance injured the feelings of the Germans especially, who had transplanted from the Father- land the custom of enjoying Sunday in gardens, presided over by Gambrinus. Agitators construed the ordinance as a blow at personal liberty.


A meeting held in Thielman's Theater, on Clybourn ave- nue, on the evening of May 14, 1873, inaugurated the cam- paign. A. Hottinger opened the meeting, and denounced . in strong language the temperance notions that fitted through the brain of the existing administration. The Germans, he said, would find relief at the polls in Novem- ber. Adolph Schoeninger and Frick were elected presi- dent and secretary. The former said they meant to or- ganize, regardless of party politics, to uphold the constitu- tional right of the citizen. The Germans intended to show the Know-Nothing element that they were neither drunk- ards, serfs, nor fools. The assistance of tlic German press was solicited, as the German people were most interested. Mr. Knoblesdorf said that the Germans were acting simply in the defensivc. He predicted that they, and other na- tionalitics who were progressive or frec in their ideas, would rebuke puritanical methods at the polls. Messrs. Knoblesdorf, Karls, Schmehl, Lengacher, and Lindon,


3


33


34


THE POLITICAL IIISTORY OF CHICAGO.


were appointed a committee on resolutions. A. C. Hes- ing, of the Staats Zeitung, responding to uproarious calls, advocated a movement by Republicans and Democrats which would preserve the constitutional liberties of the people. The Germans were proud of their record. They were not drunkards because they loved convivial beer. Their patriotism and love of American institutions had been demonstrated on many a battle field. Know-Nothing- ism would be put down now as it had been before. The cases of Colfax, Brooks, and Ames were cited to show that native Americans furnished more rascals than did foreign- ers. Mr. Hesing said he would vote for any man, Repub- lican, Liberal, or Democrat, who would exert himself to keep the personal rights of citizens inviolate. H. B. (Buf- falo) Miller renounced the Republican party. Resolutions in sympathy with the foregoing sentiments, and arranging a line of battle, were unanimously adopted. A great Ger- man mass meeting followed on the evening of May 20, at Aurora Turner Hall, on Milwaukee avenue. Ex-Alder- man John Buehler, the banker, was chairman, and Mr. Pfurstenberg was secretary. A. C. Hesing was the first speaker. He said that the movement for personal liberty had not only spread like wild-fire throughout the city, but had evoked the grandest encomiums from the press of the United States. The German who went to church Sunday morning and to a lager-beer garden in the afternoon, had an opinion; and under the Constitution of the United States, that opinion must be respected. He concluded his remarks by suggesting that an address be issued to the public, expressing their views and declaring by the Al- mighty that they would not cease until their aims had been attained. Francis A. Hoffman, Jr., who is now corpora- tion counsel, was the next speaker. He stated that many nationalities settled in the United States before the Consti- tution was adopted - French, Dutch and English among


35


THE PEOPLE'S PARTY.


them. A vast immigration ensued. The Germans who came, to a great extent, preserved their customs. This was not a question of beer, it was a question of personal rights. Emil Dietzsch said that on this occasion Germans and Irish as they were, they were yet Americans. Herman Lieb and others also spoke in the same veill.


On the evening of May 29, an agitation committee was appointed by the agents of the "New Departure " in pol- itics, in Bismarck Hall in the Teutonia building, as fol- lows : Frank Schweinfurth, William Floth, Clovis Tegt- meyer, C. Niehoff, Dr. Matthei, Max Eberhardt, Emil Muhlke, R. Thieme, F. A. Hoffman, J. Schiellinger, R. Michaelis, G. R. Korn, William Schwartz, B. Eisendrath, Carl Dahenten, Philip Stein, H. Schondlin, W. Schaffer, Carl Bluhm, R. Freiburg, A. C. Hesing, R. Christiensen, J. C. Meyer, Peter Hand, A. Erbe, L. Schwuchow, Frank Lengi and the editors of the various German papers. This committee on the morning of June 25, reported reso- lutions in favor of the personal liberty of the citizen, which were adopted unanimously, and it was agreed that a mass meeting should be held.


On the evening of July 17, seventeen members of the committee of seventy met at the Builders' Exchange on La Salle street and declared the fight to be one, on their part for law and order.


On the afternoon of August 31, the meeting was hield in Greenebaum's Bank, at which the following were pres- ent: B. G. Caulfield, W. J. Onahan, A. C. Hesing, Gen- eral Lieb, Justice Boyden, Peter Hand, Ed. O'Neill, R. Kenney, J. Bonfield, J. H. McAvoy, M. Evans, John Corcoran, Arno Voss, Ed. Phillips, A. Schoenninger, Jacob Rehm, P. M. Cleary, T. Brennan and Geo. Von Hollen. Arno Voss was president and W. J. Onahan was secretary. Daniel O'Hara said he was proud he was a Democrat. He was in favor of law and order, but did


1


36


THE POLITICAL HISTORY OF CHICAGO.


not countenance illiberality. He did not wish to see saloon doors wide open on Sunday, but it would not do to shut them up altogether.


B. G. Caulfield, A. C. Hesing, Michael Keeley and Hermann Lieb followed.


On the evening of September 3, the German American central committee met at Bismarck Hall. Mr. Schoeninger and Mr. Hesing stated the committee appointed in Greene- baum's bank building consisted of Americans, Irishmen, and other nationalities wlio desired to fraternize with the Germans. On the evening of September 5, A. C. Hcsing addressed the German-American Club. On motion of Mr. Keeley it was arranged by the coalition to draft a platform. On the evening of September 26, Mr. Hesing presented a call to the people which was unanimously adopted. It invited everybody who loved freedom to come to Kingsbury Hall on the evening of October 4 for consultation. It was a great demonstration. H. B. Miller occupied the chair and made a spirited charge on bigotry. With the ballot they would defeat Know-Nothingism. The People's Party Platform was then adopted.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.