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 18
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At about 10:15 o'clock p. m., we were ordered by you to fall in. In taking our position in line we were the 5th company, the first four companies marching division front, we marching company front. Myself and Sergeant · Fitz-
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TIIE POLITICAL HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
patrick were side by side, the Sergeant on my right and both of us in front and center of our command. We pro- cecded North on Desplaines street to about ninety feet North of Randolph street, and when in the act of halting, a bomb was thrown from the east side of Desplaines street alighting in the center of the second division, about five feet from and directly in front of myself and Sergeant Fitz- patrick. The bomb exploded instantly and mowed down about one-half of the second division and six men of the left wing of our command. The concussion made by the explosion, staggered and rendered me wholly deaf for a few moments. The remainder of the second division was forced back by the havoc made by the explosion, together with our own injured, temporarily deranging our line. Sergeant Fitzpatrick reorganized the right wing of our command and commenced firing upon the crowd on the east sidewalk, I taking the remainder of the left wing and emptying our revolvers into the crowd as they rushed south on the west side of Desplaines street. The firing con- tinued until the order came from you, through Sergeant Fitzpatrick, to cease firing, fearing that we might injure each other in the darkness. We proceeded at once to re- organize the company, reload aud ascertain how many of our command was missing, and found ninc men short, seven of whom were injured and the other two were assist- ing in caring for the wounded. By your order we proceed- ed to the southwest corner of Desplaines and Randolph and stood guard until relieved and ordered to the station. A portion of our command was detailed to assist in gather- ing up the wounded officers, as every few minutes, word would be received that an injured officer was at such a number or place.
Directly after the bomb exploded it was followed by a volley of pistol shots from both the east and west side- walks. Our men returned the fire as soon as possible. I
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THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
also saw many persons lying on the walks, in door-ways and alleys after the firing ceased, but when we had cared for our own men and begun gathering up the dead and wounded of the encmy, many had disappeared in some manner and others drawn into adjacent buildings. The entire proceedings were sudden, vicious and soon over, no one knows better than yourself.
I would state in conclusion, that the conduct of the men was admirable, and that at the command, "cease firing and fall in," the command immediately reorganized on the very ground that they halted on at the beginning of the engagement. Respectfully,
GEORGE W. HUBBARD, Lieutenant of Police. JOHN E. FITZPATRICK, Sergeant of Police.
DESPLAINES STREET STATION.
MAY 5, 1886.
WILLIAM WARD, EsQ., CAPTAIN COMMANDING THIRD PRECINCT :
Sir :- I respectfully report to you that on the 4th inst. there was an anarchist meeting held on Desplaines street, between Lake and Randolph strects. About 10:15 o'clock p. m., on the above mentioned date, Inspector Bonfield and Captain Ward called seven companies of men together.
At the command, "fall in," from Inspector Bonfield, we formed on Waldo place, and marched into Desplaines to about ninety feet north of Randolph street, to within a few feet of the speaker's stand, a flat truck wagon. I could distinctly hear you give the order for the speaker and crowd to disperse, " in the name of the state and as peace- able citizens." The speaker then paused for a moment, and the next instant a bombshell was thrown into our midst, wounding nineteen of my men out of a company of twenty-six. I was momentarily stunned, but soon recov- ered myself, and ordered what men I had left to charge on the crowd. We fired several shots each, and then used our
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THE POLITICAL HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
clubs to good advantage. Both sides of the street were covered with wounded men, but most of the crowd was north on Desplaines street. After the shooting was over, Sergeant R. Moore, Officers Wessler, Foley, Meaney, Asping, R. Walsh and myself went to assist the wounded. During the struggle I saw Inspector Bonfield, Captain Ward, Lieutenant Hubbard, Sergeants Moore and Fitzpat- rick several times.
The following shows the names of the officers in my company, also the names of the wounded:
Lieutenant James Bowler; Sergeant, Richard J. Moore; Patrolmen George Miller, John J. Barrett and Michael Sheehan died from injuries received; John Reid, bullet wounds in both legs below knees; Lawrence J. Murphy, half of the left foot blown off by shell, two shell wounds in the right leg, one in the right hip, two bullet wounds in the right leg, also one in the left side of neck; John E. Doyle, two bullet wounds in the right leg below the knee, three shell wounds in the left leg below the knee; Arthur Conolly, two shell wounds in the right leg, bul- let wound in the right arm ; Nicholas J. Shannon, bullet wound in the back, seventeen shell wounds in the lower part of both legs; Adam S. Barber, bullet wound in right heel, shell wounds in the lower and back part of both legs; James Conway, shell wounds through the lower part of the right leg; Thomas McEnery, ten shell wounds in both legs; Patrick Hartford, two shell wounds in the left leg, bullet wound through the right heel, three toes of left foot shot off; Louis Johnson, shell wound in the lower part of the left leg; Frank P. Tyrell, two shell wounds in the fleshy part of the left thigh; August C. Keller, shell wound above the left hip, bullet wound in left side; James Brady, four shell wounds in the lower part of both legs; John H. King, shell wound in the right jaw and two bullet wounds in the right leg; Peter Foley,
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THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
John Wesler, Thomas Meaney, Robert J. Walsh, Hugo Asping, Edward Griffin, William L. Sanderson, not injured. Respectfully yours, JAMES BOWLER, Lieutenant of Police.
WEST LAKE STREET STATION.
CHICAGO, Ill., May 17, 1886. WILLIAM WARD, ESQ., CAPTAIN COMMANDING THIRD PRECINCT:
Sir,-I beg leave to make the following report of the part taken by myself and company in the Haymarket riot on the evening of the 4th inst.
I formed my company on Waldo place about 10:15 o'clock, p. m., and marched east into Desplaines street, then north on that strcet by company front to about ninety feet north of Randolph street and came to a halt, and in about six or eight seconds I saw the bomb just before it struck the ground. I noticed a fuse about an inch long attached to the shell, which exploded a few seconds later. It fell directly in front and near the center of my company and about four feet to my left. I think it was thrown from the east side of the street. Shooting began immediately after the shell exploded, and continued from three to five minutes. I turned to look after my men, and found they were scattered, and the most of them injured. I ordered them to fire, and proceeded to do so myself, and continued to do so until exhausted by the loss of blood from my wounds. I was then taken to the Desplaines street station, and soon afterward to the county hospital. My company consisted of eighteen men and myself. The balance of my men were detailed in other companies.
Respectfully yours,
JAMES P. STANTON,
Lieutenant of Police.
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THE POLITICAL HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
WEST LAKE STREET STATION.
CHICAGO, Ill., May 17, 1886. WILLIAM WARD, EsQ., CAPTAIN COMMANDING THIRD PRECINCT:
Sir,-The following is a report showing the names of the officers of this station who were detailed in the Des- plaines Street district, May 4, 1886, also to what compa- nies they were assigned, those who were wounded and the nature of the wounds received in the Haymarket riot on the evening of that day:
Lieutenant James P. Stanton, two wounds in calf of right leg, one in right thigh, one in right hip, one in right side, one in right forearm, wounded by pieces of shell, pistol wound in right arm, severe, but doing well; Patrol- man Charles H. Coffey, not injured; Patrolmen, Alexan- der Jameson, severe pistol shot in left thigh, also in left wrist; Timothy O'Sullivan, severe pistol shot wound in right thigh; Thomas Halley, slightly injured by being trampled on; Jacob Hanson, right leg crushed by shell, amputated above the knee, two pistol shot wounds in left hip, left ankle fractured by shell, very dangerous; Michael Horan, dangerous pistol shot wound in right thigh, four inches above the knee, also severe pistol shot wound in right forearm; Peter Butterly, severe wound in each leg below the knees, by shell, severe pistol shot wound in right forearm; William Kelly, not injured; Joseph Norman, severe shell wound in left hand, also in right heel; Thomas Hennessey, severe shell wound in left thigh, also several slight wounds in both legs below the knees, caused by fragments of shell; William Burns, slight shell wound in right instep; Charles H. Fink, two dangerous pistol shot wounds in each thigh and severe shell wound in left ankle; Mathias J. Degan, killed by shell wounds in abdomen and legs; Bernard J. Murphy, dangerous shell wound on right side of head, large wound through left thigh; Thomas
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THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Brophy, severe shell wound in left hand; John McWeiney, not injured; Charles J. Whitney, dangerous shell wound in chest; Thomas Redden, left leg crushed by shell; also wounds in both arms and face, died at the county hospital May 17, 1886.
In Lieutenant Beard's company, Patrolmen, James Plunkett, slightly injured by being trampled upon; Pat- rick Prior, Dennis F. Tierney, John Hartnett, Jr., Charles E. Allen, Patrick Cunningham, not injured.
In Lieutenant Penzen's company-Sergeant Edmund Roche, not injured; Patrolmen, James B. Short, George Lynch, Michael Moran, not injured; John S. Kelly, de- tailed on wagon, not injured.
Respectfully yours, EDMUND ROCHE, Acting Lieutenant of Police.
WEST CHICAGO AVENUE STATION.
CHICAGO, Ill., May 12, 1886. JOHN BONFIELD, ESQ., INSPECTOR OF POLICE:
Sir,-Obedient to orders received at 7:30 o'clock p. m. May 4 from Frederick Ebersold, General Superintendent of Police, for fifty police officers to report at Desplaines street station, Captain A. W. Hathaway detailed myself and twenty-five men, and in pursuance of said order I re- ported the command and myself to Inspector John Bonfield at Desplaines street station at about 7:45 o'clock, p. m.
The entire force present was informed that an unlawful meeting was about to be held on Desplaines street near Randolph street, with orders to prohibit the same and if not complied with, to disperse said meeting. About 10:15 o'clock, p. m., on the evening mentioned above, Inspector Bonfield gave the command to fall in, myself and command being placed on the right of the column. Starting from Waldo place we marched into Desplaines street, double com-
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THE POLITICAL HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
pany front was formed, the left of the first company being commanded by Lieutenant Martin Quinn. The order, "for- ward," brought us to within about six feet of an improvised stand, a flat truck wagon, where several speakers were pres- ent and a man named Fielding was then speaking to the as- sembly. The command, halt, was given; and at this mo- ment, the speaker, pointing to our advancing force, re- marked, "There are the blood-hounds coming; do your duty and I will do mine." Captain William Ward of the third precinct, then stepped forward to the speaker's stand and addressing the speaker as also the entire assembly, said, " I as an officer of the law in the name of the people of the State of Illinois, do hereby command you to disperse, " at the same time calling upon law abiding citizens to assist him in so doing. As Captain Ward had finished his last sen- tence, a shell was thrown into the ranks in the rear of Lieutenant Martin Quinn's company there exploding. At the same time a volley of shots was fired into our ranks from the crowd. The command at once returned the fire and being assisted by the entire force on the scene were successful in dispersing the mob.
As to the conduct of the officers during the struggle I would state that they all acted prompt, and with precision and courage, with one exception. Officer Charles Dom- browski, a new member of the force, deserted his command and fled to a friend's house on Halsted street. Said officer was subsequently discharged from the force by order of Frederick Ebersold, General Superintendent of Police.
The following is a list of the officers in my command during the struggle, Officers C. W. Gainoio, Henry Wei- neke, Edward Ruel, Herman Krueger, Edward Barrett, Charles Dombrowski, Patrick McNulty.
Respectfully yours, E. J. STEELE,
Lieutenant of Police.
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THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
DESPLAINES STREET STATION ..
CHICAGO, Ills., May 14, 1886. WILLIAM WARD, ESQ., CAPTAIN COMMANDING THIRD PRECINCT:
Sir,-On Tuesday evening, May 4, at about 10:15 o'clock, p. m., we were ordered to fall in line on Waldo place. The command was given by the left flank, march- ing company front. We got instructions to halt on the north crossing of Desplaines and Randolph streets. I saw something thrown from the sidewalk near Crane Bros. alley, which looked like a fire cracker, but instantly an explosion occurred, at the same time shooting commenced in front of the police force, I being in command of the second last company. Thrce of my men got slightly hurt, and Officers Patrick McLaughlin and Patrick Nash were detailed to assist the wounded officers to Desplaines Street Station and their homes.
The following named officers were in mny command: Sergeant, Edmund Roche; Patrolmen, P. H. Keefe, Andrew O'Day, bruised on right knee, Michael O'Donnell, John D. Hartford, Jeremiah Grogan, John J. Daly, Gustav A. Walters, Patrick Connors, John Plunkett, . Thomas Kindlan, Matthew Wilson, Patrick Nash, bruised in left breast, Robert Bennett, Matthew Connolly, Patrick Mc- Laughlin, bruised in right breast, Edward Gasquoinc, Michael Walsh, Charles C. Fish, Edwin J. Cullon, George Lynch, William Sanderson, Henry F. Smith, bullet wound in right shoulder, Daniel Daley.
Respectfully, FRANCIS PENZEN, Lieutenant of Police.
DESPLAINES STREET STATION.
CHICAGO, May 24, 1886.
JOHN BONFIELD, ESQ., SECRETARY AND INSPECTOR OF POLICE:
Sir, -- I respectfully report to you that on the 4th inst
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THE POLITICAL HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
it was reported and advertised that an anarchist meeting was to be held that evening on Haymarket square. Lien- tenant Hubbard, Sergeant Fitzpatrick and twenty-six patrolmen from the Central detail, Lieutenants Steele and Quinn and fifty men from the fourth precinct and Lieuten- ants Bowler, Penzen, Stanton and Beard with one hundred men were held on reserve at this station. At about 10 o'clock p. m., policemen in citizens' dress reported that a large crowd had assembled on Desplaines just north of Randolph street, and speeches of an incendiary nature were being made. Inspector Bonfield ordered them back to the meet- ing to note further what was said, and a few minutes later the same officers reported that the speakers advised the people to "attack the capitalists," "throttle the law," "stab the law," and other such language. Inspector Bon- field then gave the order to get the men into line, which was done by forming them on Waldo place in the following order, viz .: Lieutenant E. J. Steele with twenty-five men, Lieutenant M. Quinn with twenty-five men, Lieu- tenant James Bowler and Sergeant R. J. Moore with twenty-five men, Lieutenant James P. Stanton with eigh- teen men, Lieutenant Geo. W. Hubbard and Sergeant J. E. Fitzpatrick with twenty-six men. We then moved east to Desplaines street, then north on Desplaines street by left flank, two companies front. Lieutenants Steele and Quinn in advance, followed by Lieutenants Bowler and Stanton in same order, with Lieutenant Hubbard next. Lieutenants Beard and Penzen were ordered to wheel to the right and to the left on Randolph street and halt any attack on our rear from that street. We marched to about ninety feet north of Randolph street to where the meeting was held. I saw a man, whom I afterward identified as Fielding, standing on a truck wagon at the corner of what is known as Cranes' alley. I raised my baton, and in a lond voice, ordered them to disperse as peaceable citizens.
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THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
I also called upon three persons in the crowd to assist in dispersing the mob. Fielding got down from the wagon, saying at the time, "We are peaceable." As he uttered the last word, I heard a terrible explosion behind where I was standing, followed almost instantly by an irregular volley of pistol shots in our front and from the side-walk on the east side of the street, which was immediately fol- lowed by regular and well-directed volleys from the police and which was kept up for several minutes. I then ordered the injured men brought to the station, and sent for sur- geons to attend to their injuries. After receiving the neces- sary attention most of the injured officers were removed to the County hospital and I highly appreciate the manner in which they were received by Warden McGarigle, who did all in his power to make them comfortable as possible.
Respectfully,
WILLIAM WARD, Captain third prect.
WEST MADISON STREET STATION.
CHICAGO, May 10, 1886. WILLIAM WARD, ESQ., CAPTAIN COMMANDING THIRD PRECINCT:
Sir,- By instructions received, I respectfully report to you that at about 10:15 o'clock p. m. on the night of May 4, 1886, the order to "fall in," was given by Inspector Bon- field, which was immediately done, my company being commanded by myself and Sergeant John Post. In taking our position in line we were the seventh company, the first four companies marching division front and the two pre- ceding companies and myself and command marching company front.
My instructions were to guard the entrance from the Haymarket and Randolplı and Desplaines street, and keep any crowd from coming on the advance commands from that quarter. The command being given, the commands marched north on Desplaines street, and when my com-
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THE POLITICAL HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
pany had reached a point a little north of the center of Randolph street, I saw a string of fire, something like a fire cracker, cut a half circle through the air, which was immediately followed by a deafening explosion, which caused a momentary confusion. Firing immediately com- menced, and noticing a crowd firing from an alley-way on the east side of Desplaines street, and also from behind boxes and barrels into us, I ordered my men to fire upon and disperse them, which they did. After emptying our revolvers we again formed and cleared the east side of Desplaines street and also at the corners. After this was done I ordered Officers Dennis Dunne, John Brown and others to assist in caring for the wounded. Myself and command remained at the northeast corner of Randolph and Desplaines streets until orders were received to report to the station. Following are the names of the men in my command, also nature of wounds of the injured :
Lieutenant J. P. Beard, Sergeant John Post, Patrol- men P. McMahon, Michael Keeley, George Kenan, Jacob J. Barcal, Richard Ellsworth, William I. Niff, Dennis T. Turney, Peter Cunningham, Joseph J. Fallon, Dennis Dunne, Daniel Pembroke, Michael Horan, Michael Con- olley, John Brown, Hugh McNeil, Nicholas H. Stahl, Patrick Prior, Charles E. Allen, Daniel Cramer, neck grazed by a bullet; Martin Cullen, collar bone broken ; Frank Murphy, three ribs broken, ankle badly bruised ; Timothy Daly, Peter J. Burns, John Hartnett, Jr.
Respectfully, J. P. BEARD, Lieutenant of Police.
The following parties were found guilty of complicity in the shocking affair, and sentenced to die December 3 : August Spies, Michael Schwab, Samuel Fielden, Albert R. Parsons, Adolph Fischer, George Engel and Louis Lingg. Oscar Neebe received fifteen years.
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THE COUNTY BOARD.
GEORGE C. KLEHM.
Commissioner Klehm, Chairman of the County Board, was born at Duedelshiem, Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, July 29, 1839. His father dying before the future Com- missioner was a year old, Henry, his brother, emigrated to the United States in 1846, and located in the town of Seneca, near Buffalo, N. Y. The mother, now seventy- nine years old, with John and George, followed in 1851. The old lady resides with the Commissioner today. When but twelve years of age George and John, who was five years his senior, made their living by chopping wood at thirty-one cents per cord. George then farmed for a while, up to 1853, when he apprenticed himself to the brick-laying and plastering trade. In 1855 he came to Cook county and settled with his mother and brother John on the premises of Thomas Edwards, in the town of Jeffer- son, where he worked at his trade, as well as in Chicago during the summer and went to school during the winter months. In 1860 he qualified as a teacher, and taught in Jefferson, Northfield and Niles, pursuing his trade in the meantime, in the summer. It is superfluous to state that the Commissioner made more money by laying brick than he did by cultivating the minds of future statesmen. In 1864 he married Eliza Harms, and opened a store in the town of Niles, in which business 'he continued until 1880, when he retired to seek a more congenial vocation. His wife dying in 1878 left seven children, whom he trans- ferred to the custody of Eliza Ruesch, whom he married
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THE POLITICAL HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
in 1881. The Commissioner's political career commenced in 1860, when he was elected Town Clerk at Jefferson. Removing to Niles he has held a public office ever since, being the Treasurer of the township ever since 1874. In 1876 he was elected by the People's Party to the House of Representatives from the Seventh District, but hav- ing been a Republican all his lifetime he went back to his old love in 1878, and has been active in the party ever since.
In 1881 he was elected Commissioner of Cook County by the Republicans of the second district, composed of Lake View, Niles, Evanston, New Trier, Jefferson, North- field and Norwood Park. He has a comfortable home in the village of Niles Centre, and has hosts of friends.
JOHN E. VAN PELT.
Commissioner Van Pelt recognized by his admirers as the Napoleon of the County Board, was born in Burling- ton, N. J., July 23, 1836. In Jerseyville, Ill., whither his family removed, he attended school and engaged in the grain and lumber business with success. A Democrat always, Mr. Van Pelt from the outset manifested a deep interest in the success of his party. In 1862 he was elected Treasurer of Jersey county, and held the position four years. In 1873 he was elected Mayor of Jerseyville, on the citizens ticket. In 1874 he entered the grain and commission business in Chicago. He is serving his first term on the County Board, and is Chairman of the Com- mittee on Public Service and on Public Charities. He has been a strenuous worker. Mr. Van Pelt secured much distinction by taking the power out of the hands of the Republican Chairman of the Board and securing the lion's share for the Democratic party on the several committees. In 1882 he was elected Chairman of the Cook County cen- tral committee, and was succeeded by Alderman Colvin.
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THE COUNTY BOARD.
JAMES J. M'CARTHY.
James J. McCarthy, one of the most useful and pop- ular members of the County Board, was born in Spring- field, Mass., May 3, 1847. In 1853 he came with his par- ents to Chicago. He received his education at the public schools, and his first employment was with Tobey & Booth, at the stock yards. In 1863 he accepted a situa- tion from Nelson Morris, the packer, and was given the management of his employer's business in Chicago. In 1869 Mr. Morris sent him to forward his interests at Buf- faly, N. Y. In 1871 he returned to Chicago, remained with Mr. Morris until he formed a co-partnership in the live stock business with M. E. Gregor. He was elected Cook County Commissioner in 1884 by a large majority .
DANIEL J. WREN.
The good-natured County Commissioner was born in Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland, in 1856, but as he has re- sided in Chicago since he was nine years of age, he almost regards the Garden City as his birth-place. He received his education at the old Dearborn school, where a mam- moth business block now stands on Madison street near Dearborn, and his home at that time was a humble little cottage where McVickers Theater now stands. His first business was teaming, and many a thousand brick has his team carted for Henry T. Jones, the brick manufacturer. Subsequently he engaged in the livery business, and finally drifted into the real estate and building business. Being a shrewd business man Mr. Wren's efforts were a financial success, and he soon gained a comfortable fortune. He was married to Miss Katie Connelly, a Chicago girl. The Commissioner is regarded by the press in the County Board as a reformer.
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