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 THE 
 
 Great Revolution, 
 
 A HISTORY OP THB 
 
 ICise anTj ^roflress of tt)e people's lartp 
 
 IN THB CITY OP 
 
 Chicago and County of Cook, 
 
 SKETCHES OF THE ELECT IN OFFICE. 
 
 iY M. L. AHERN. 
 
 \ 
 
 CHICAGO : 
 
 Lakeside Publishing and Printing Company. 
 1874.
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by 
 
 M. L. AHERN, 
 
 In the oflice of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
 
 TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 Jacob Lengacher, 
 Thomas Cannon, 
 David Murphy, 
 Michael Brand, - 
 Thomas Lynch, 
 John T. Corcoran, 
 Julius Jonas, 
 
 PAGE 
 242 
 
 244 
 
 245 
 246 
 247 
 249 
 
 PART III. 
 
 COUNTY OFFICERS. 
 
 H. B. Miller, County Treasurer, 
 Hermann Lieb, County Clerk, 
 M. R. M. Wallace, Judge County Court, 
 James Stewart, Recorder, - . . 
 
 Austin J. Doyle, Clerk Criminal Court, 
 John Stephens, Coroner, 
 
 253 
 
 255 
 257 
 258 
 
 259 
 260 9 
 
 MISCELLA NEOUS. 
 
 P. O'Brien, Supervisor, 
 
 Miles Kehoe, City Weigher, 
 
 Julius Rodbertus, Assistant Assessor, 
 
 263 
 264 
 265 

 
 COMMON COUNCIL STANDING 
 COMMITTEES. 
 
 The following is the disposition of standing committees 
 in the Common Council for 1873-4, as appointed, under the 
 Mayor's bill, by Mayor Colvin :* 
 
 Finance. — McGrath, Spalding, Lynch, Schaffner, Heath. 
 
 Railroads. — Lengacher, Richardson, McGrath, Stout, 
 Woodman. 
 
 Judiciary, — Richardson, Cannon, White, Cullerton, 
 Campbell. 
 
 Fire and Water. — Corcoran, Mahr, Foley, Woodman. 
 Stone. 
 
 Schools. — Moore, Reidy, Eckhardt, Lynch, Cleveland. 
 
 Streets and Alleys, S. D. — Schmitz, Stone, Coey 
 Foley, Spalding, Dixon. 
 
 Streets and Alleys, W. D. — McClory, Hildreth, Ke- 
 hoe, Woodman, Miner, O'Brien, Campbell, Cleveland, Eck- 
 hardt. 
 
 Streets and Alleys, N. D. — Lynch, Cannon, Corcoran, 
 Lengacher, Stout. 
 
 Wharves and Public Grounds. — Cannon, Schmitz, 
 Moore, Jonas, Bailey of the Ninth. 
 
 * Under this bill, Mayor Colvin presided over the Council. At the expiration of 
 the measure, Aid. Dixon succeeded to the position.
 
 14 COMMON COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEES. 
 
 Wharfing Privileges. — Kehoe, Cleveland, O'Brien, 
 Warren, Clark. 
 
 Local Assessments. — Fitzgerald, Moore, Reidy, Hil- 
 dreth. Murphy. 
 
 Bridewell. — White, Heath, Bailey of the Ninth, Spal- 
 ding, Jonas. 
 
 Licenses. — Brandt, Bailey of the Ninth, Mahr, Reidy, 
 Corcoran. 
 
 Police. — Schaffner, Richardson, Murphy, Cullerton, 
 Mahr. 
 
 Gaslights. — Cullerton, Jonas, Pickering, Schaffner, 
 Miner. 
 
 Harbor and Bridges. — Hildreth, Coey, Sidwell, Len- 
 gacher, Bailey of the Ninth. 
 
 Printing. — Foley, Fitzgerald, McGrath, Murphy, Bailey 
 of the Eighth. 
 
 Markets. — Stout, O'Brien, Warren, Quirk, Sidwell. 
 
 Public Buildings. — Bailey of the Eighth, Schmitz, Coey, 
 Heath, Brandt. 
 
 County Relations. — Pickering, Hildreth, Dixon, Brand, 
 Bailey of the Ninth.
 
 PART I. 
 
 History of the People's Party.
 
 THE PEOPLE'S PARTY. 
 
 The People's Party was built after a very peculiar fashion. 
 The plans and specifications of the doughty structure 
 were prepared by a party of religious adventurers, known 
 as "The Committee of Seventy" — an organization of gen- 
 tlemen constructed in the interest of temperance, immedi- 
 ately after the passage of the State Liquor Law. Mr. 
 Joseph Medill filled the important duties of contractor; 
 and Mr. Elmer Washburn — whose acquaintance with dur- 
 able stone work was never questioned — acted as sub-con- 
 tractor. Before the building was completed, it is true 
 Mr. Medill departed for Europe; and when it was com- 
 pleted, it is a well-known fact that Mr. Washburn sud- 
 denly and mysteriously disappeared; leaving behind 
 Messrs. A. C. Hesing, Daniel O'Hara, H. D. Colvin, and 
 others — who were merely assistants — to enjoy the fruits 
 of their labor. These facts to the contrary notwith- 
 standing, the People's Party is an edifice nobody need 
 feel ashamed of. 
 
 Messrs. Hesing, O'Hara and Company have decided 
 that the structure will be far more substantial than 
 its predecessor No pains will be spared to make it
 
 l8 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 what it should be. Among other improvements, it is 
 said, Mr. O'Hara has brought into requisition an in- 
 genious device — for these days — whereby the People's 
 money will be perfectly secure, and can be counted at any 
 moment without extraordinary public excitement. 
 
 Two errors by the Medillian administration, it. may be 
 •said, are chiefly responsible for what is known as the Peo- 
 ple's Party. This organization, it will be allowed, to-day 
 .holds the balance of power in the great city of Chicago. 
 How those two errors occurred is best known to the ad- 
 .ministration during whose reign they were committed. 
 
 One error was the importation from Joliet, 111., of a Super- 
 intendent of Police for Chicago. The other error was the 
 attempt to enforce an oppressive liquor ordinance, sug- 
 gested by a party of men calling themselves " The Com- 
 mittee of Seventy." There was another error, about which 
 the daily press has spoken considerably. The Tribune^ of 
 December 15, 1873, referring thereto, said: 
 
 " The disclosures published elsewhere regarding the defal- 
 cation of the City Treasurer, Mr. David A. Gage, amply 
 justify all the charges brought against him by his opponents 
 in the recent city election. They also justify a change in 
 the city government. Having supported Mr. Gage in good 
 faith, and having disbelieved the charges preferred against 
 him until a few days ago, when we learned the real facts 
 from one of the bondsmen, we are now free to acknowledge 
 that the People's Party were right from the beginning, so far 
 as they made their demand that the city money be counted.
 
 THE PEOPLES PARTY. 19 
 
 Mr. Gage is a defaulter. A manful acceptance of all the 
 consequences of his acts is the best way out of his present 
 difficulties. We believe that he has suflficient property to 
 pay everything he owes to the city in time. Certainly that, 
 added to the security of his official bond, is sufficient. 
 Meanwhile, he has placed the City Government in grave 
 embarrassments." * * * * 
 
 For the benefit of the reader, it may be stated that the 
 Chicago Tribune was an Opposition paper, and the David 
 A. Gage, of whom it speaks, City Treasurer, under the Me- 
 dillian administration. Full particulars regarding Mr. Gage's 
 misfortune will be found, hereafter, under the head, "Count- 
 ing the Money." 
 
 As regards Error No. i : The gentleman imported from 
 Joliet was known as Elmer Washburn. At whose instance 
 the Mayor, acting under the Mayor's Bill (passed for the 
 benefit of cities exceeding 10,000 inhabitants), came to be 
 convinced that there was not a solitary man in Chicago, fit 
 to be the Superintendent of Police of the city in which he 
 lived ; that in fact he must needs go to Joliet after him, is 
 beyond ordinary comprehension. Certain it is that Mr. 
 Washburn, when he made that trip from Joliet to Chicago, 
 was an ill-fated passenger. From the moment he made his 
 first appearance in the habiliments of his office, it was pain- 
 fully evident that Mr. Washburn, while apparently a very 
 fine gentleman, had mistaken his vocation. He did not 
 seem to comprehend the duty of Superintendent of Police 
 from the outset, in but very rare instances. Whether he 
 was acting under impulse or instruction, his orders touch-
 
 20 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 ing police duty form the strangest record this generation 
 has ever witnessed in this particular line. His order for 
 twelve hours successive service by the patrolmen, among 
 other fatal mistakes, made him very unpopular among his 
 men ; and his disposition of the force regarding the detec- 
 tion of liquor-sellers on Sunday, while unwary travelers were 
 -being sand-bagged with impunity, made him the target of 
 most extensive abuse. At the approach of the fall elect- 
 ions, the following, in regard to Mr. Washburn, appeared in 
 a leading journal : 
 
 " The leaders of the Republican party in this city have 
 just awakened to the fact — long ago apparent to the blind- 
 est — that the association of moral ideas is not as strong as 
 it formeily was in this city. They look profound astonish- 
 ment when they get on that subject, and remark, ' We have 
 
 been losing votes,' and vainly inquire 'Where is the leak.' ' 
 ***** 
 
 At last, they think they have found it. It is Superintendent 
 Washburn." * * * * 
 
 The Times, of Wednesday, October 22, 1873, under the 
 head of " How He Does It," contained the following : 
 
 " If anybody anywhere knows of anything that has not 
 been done — outside of his duty — by a Chicago police- 
 man, and will kindly inform Mr. Washburn what that par- 
 ticular thing is, he will detail some of his force to do it at 
 once. In this category of things done should be included 
 everything except the suppression of crime. This, however, 
 is a department of effort in which our excellent chief has 
 no ambition. What he is evidently attempting to do, and
 
 THE PEOPLES PARTY. 21 
 
 which he has attained a most astonishing success in doing, 
 is doing every possible thing except his duty. So marked 
 is this line of action on the part of our chief, that it leads 
 the Times to make a suggestion which, it believes, will be 
 greatly to the benefit of the city, by enabling Chicago to 
 avail itself of the services of a very excellent man. This 
 suggestion is that, in order to have our police business thor- 
 oughly attended to, Mr. Washburn should be made comp- 
 troller of the currency, or elected as a Trustee in Hyde 
 Park. Once in either of these positions, or any similar 
 one, Mr. Washburn would at once give his whole attention 
 to the police work of Chicago, from the idiosyncracy in his 
 nature to do with great vigor that which he is not expected 
 to do, and which is entirely outside of his official position. 
 It is true that as such Comptroller, he would pay no atten- 
 tion to the currency, or, if a Trustee of Hyde Park, he would 
 not have the slightest interest in the doings of that domin- 
 ion. As a Trustee of Hyde Park, he would esteem it his 
 especial duty to put down houses of ill-fame, and bunko- 
 players, just as now ; while Chief of the Chicago police, he 
 feels it to be his duty to regulate affairs over in the State of 
 Indiana. As Comptroller of the currency, he would at once 
 institute measures against the ten thousand' and odd crimi- 
 nals of Chicago, just as now; while Superintendent of our 
 police, he employs himself as a boss-tailor by inventing a 
 new roll for the lappel of a coat, or adds an inch to its tails. 
 It is quite certain that it is only by some such ruse as this 
 that the public will ever succeed in getting Mr. Washburn to 
 attend to properly policing the Garden City. Meanwhile,
 
 22 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 until something is accomplished, as above suggested, the 
 people will watch with interest the vagaries of the erratic 
 Superintendent. When he has arranged affairs in Indiana 
 to suit his ideas, he will probably look into things in Iowa 
 and Kansas. We may also venture to hint to him that the 
 currency act needs tinkering, and which being altogether 
 out of his line, he will be proportionately anxious to take 
 hold of it. This attended to, the spots on' the sun might be 
 looked into, and then he might apply himself to discovering 
 a wash that would take the stripes out of a zebra. Of 
 course, there is no reason why the stripes should be taken 
 out of a zebra, which assurance, it is certain, will awaken 
 all Mr. Washburn's ambition to take them out at once. 
 Meanwhile, the thieves, bunko-players, and the rest of the 
 guild, will have to have their own way until such a time as 
 Mr. Washburn's successor shall be appointed." 
 
 The following touching farewell notice, given to the mys- 
 teriously disappearing Superintendent by a leading journal, 
 will convey an idea of the popularity of his regime : 
 
 " Elmer Washburn will leave Chicago in about the same 
 manner that he came, with this exception : Many regretted 
 his coming, and but few will sigh at his departure. Those 
 who have entertained the idea that he contemplated resist- 
 ing the power of the Mayor's bill, or that he would remain 
 in Chicago after his head was chopped off, would undoubtedly 
 be convinced of their error should they visit his late res- 
 idence. No. 97 Twenty -Second street. The card, " For 
 Rent," is on the door, and not a sign of Elmer, or any mem- 
 ber of his household, can be perceived by the closest scru-
 
 THE PEOPLES PARTY. 23 
 
 tiny. In a somewhat mysterious manner, his goods and 
 chattels were carted to the Twenty - Second street depot, 
 where they were deposited in a freight car, of either the 
 Illinois or Michigan Central Railroad, and are, before this 
 time, far away. As a master-stroke of economy, the Super- 
 intendent detailed one of the patrolmen from the Second 
 Precinct station, to assist in the removal of his goods. On 
 yesterday, rag-pickers were poking about the yard. No. 97 ; 
 but they found nothing. Our Superintendent is a careful 
 man, and permits nothing to go to waste. Where he will go 
 when he delivers up his star of authority, no mortal knows, 
 but there is a good army whose prayers, could they be of 
 avail, would certainly place one or two oceans between 
 Elmer and Chicago." 
 
 As regards error No. 2 : In the fog succeeding the Great 
 Fire, the organization known as a Committee of Seventy 
 sprung into an active existence. Contemporaneously, a 
 Committee of Safety was working energetically, whose 
 creation was suggested as a matter of vigilance regard- 
 ing the frequent commission of crime in those days. 
 Those Committees should not be confounded. Among 
 the members of said organization of Seventy were, on 
 the outset, and for some time in fact, several very worthy 
 gentlemen. It was a prominent attraction for a time. It 
 then retired from the public gaze. After an interval, how- 
 ever, what was left of it besought the Mayor to enforce the 
 liquor ordinance, the most objectionable features of which 
 come under the head of " Misdemeanors," in the records of 
 the Common Council. To the prayer of the petitioners,
 
 24 
 
 THE GREAT REVOLUTION 
 
 Mayor Medill finally acceded, and issued an order for the 
 enforcement of the Sunday ordinance. The measure' of 
 Germ an- American indignation, at this juncture, was full to 
 over-flowing. A committee of this element of our popula- 
 tion, appointed by a mass-meeting, called upon his Honor, 
 the Mayor, and assured him that the law was too strin- 
 gent ; but without avail. 
 
 The opposition, while quite universal among the deal- 
 ers — who considered the order most oppressive — was most 
 spirited from this quarter, as the custom among the German 
 people had become sacred to sit beneath the umbrage of 
 some spreading arbor, of a Sunday, and sip in harmony the 
 flowing nectar. It was a custom those people had trans- 
 planted from the Fatherland. 
 
 The movement was denounced by the German- Ameri- 
 can element everywhere, as a blow aimed directly at 
 their liberties guaranteed by the Constitution of the coun- 
 try and the State ; in fact, they regarded it as an effort 
 to enthrone detested Know - Nothingism in the midst of 
 American citizens of foreign nativity. Indignation meet- 
 ings followed in quick succession throughout the entire 
 city. The commingling of the religious element with poli- 
 tics was particularly nauseating, inasmuch as it even fore- 
 shadowed to them the possible loss of freedom of con- 
 science. 
 
 The first shot fired was heard in the Seventeenth Ward. 
 At this meetmg, an invitation to co-operate was extended to 
 all liberal elements of all parties and nationalities prone to 
 combat an attempt to destroy personal liberty. A great
 
 THE PEOPLE S PARTY. 25 
 
 German mass-meeting followed at Aurora Turner Hall, on 
 Milwaukee Avenue. Mr. A. C. Hesing, on this occasion, 
 instructed his hearers that they must assure their fellow 
 citizens that they were for good order every day, as they 
 were. 
 
 From this point forward, the Liberal movement steadily 
 advanced. At the meetings in the several wards, delegates 
 were appointed upon whom the Union could implicitly rely. 
 Those gentlemen met in Bismarck Hall, and appointed an 
 Agitation Committee. This Committee prepared an Address, 
 from which the following extracts are selected : "A govern- 
 ment that rests on material force alone, and adopts coercive 
 measures to compel the people to follow a certain line of 
 conduct, must always be a tyranny, whatever form it as- 
 sumes." "The question * * * * is that concerning the 
 renewed attempts to enforce certain laws which, for some 
 time, had been obsolete ; and to lend assistance to their 
 sanctioning power by additional legislation, and which, for 
 the sake of brevity, is familiarly styled the Temperance and 
 Sunday Laws." 
 
 To the Address were appended resolutions pressing a 
 thorough reform of the Civil Service ; advocating economy ; 
 urging the establishment of more schools, with competent 
 teachers, as a preventative of crime ; denouncing arrests 
 where a summons would answer ; placing police duty in its 
 proper channel ; recognizing the right of the citizen to pass 
 the Sunday in his own way, provided he did not interfere 
 with the choice of any other person; recommending tem- 
 perance in all things, and a reasonable regulation of the
 
 26 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 liquor business, such as the appointment of inspectors, and 
 the fining of dealers in impure stuffs ; and demanding that 
 drunkards be held strictly accountable as well for their acts 
 committed while drunk, as for committing the act of getting 
 drunk. 
 
 The principles embodied in the foregoing mainly consti- 
 tuted the platform adopted at the great mass-meeting in 
 Kingsbury Hall. Cemented by those principles, the great 
 legion of foreign-born Americans, with a very fair sprinkling 
 of native-born Americans, marched to an overwhelming 
 triumph, under the banner of the People's Party, November 
 
 4, 1873- 
 
 The enforcement of the obnoxious Sunday ordinance 
 came within the province of the Board of Police and Fire 
 Commissioners ; as also did the manner in which Superin- 
 tendent of Police Washburn would enforce said ordinance. 
 
 Particulars concerning the same have been carefully taken 
 from the proceedings of the Board ; all of which have been 
 classified under the head, '' Medill — Washburn — Sheri- 
 dan," as those three gentlemen represented the two sides to 
 this matter— in fact, it may be added, the two sides to 
 various other matters. So many changes have taken place 
 in the Board that the writer deemed fit to go as far back as 
 the inauguration of the Fire-proof Ticket. Incidents illus- 
 trative of Mr. Washburn's conduct, otherwise, are contained 
 therein.
 
 MEDILL — WASHBURN — SHERIDAN. 
 
 Mancel Talcott and Jacob Rehm joined Mr. Sheridan as 
 Police Commissioners with the success of the Fire-proof 
 Ticket. Talcott's entry was imposing. His brow was fur- 
 rowed with great thoughts apparently, and his lips were set 
 expressive of marvelous intention. The advance of Rehm 
 was much less pretentious. He walked into the Board room 
 like any ordinary individual, and took his seat beside Mr. 
 Sheridan without the least suggestion of importance. Mr. 
 Talcott was elected President of the Board at once. For 
 some time, all was harmony. The Board of Police, con- 
 trolling the two great arms of the city government,— the 
 Police and Fire Departments,— became immediately the 
 cynosure of the public eye. The necessity of a good Fire 
 Department was uppermost in the pubHc mind as a natural 
 result of the experience of the great fire. The skeleton of 
 perished life and property rose up before all citizens alike, 
 and pointed to a future when the grim ordeal of October 9, 
 1871, might easily be repeated. It was the necessity of the 
 hour, in accordance with the platform of the Fire-proof Party, 
 that the Board should enforce with rigor every ordinance
 
 28 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 enacted by the Council for protection against fire. This the 
 Board scrupulously did. 
 
 In the spring of 1872, Mr. Rehm resigning, the Mayor 
 appointed in his place Ernest F. C. Klokke. The Board 
 was now composed of Messrs. Talcott, Sheridan and Klokke. 
 About this juncture, the President of the Board, inflated, it 
 would appear, by complimentary notices from the Press, fell 
 into the error of supposing that Talcott constituted the 
 Board of Police, and that his colleagues were merely spec- 
 tators, as it were. He would fain be Dictator. Such action 
 on the part of Mr. Talcott necessarily fastened upon him 
 the eye of the Press. Hence he derived great titles : 
 "Grand Sachem," " Papa Talcott," "Mr. Oldtalcott," and 
 so-forth. His reign subsequently was one series of strange 
 movements. When he withdrew from the Board, however, 
 he brought with him the warmest personal friendship of his 
 colleagues. 
 
 Upon the inauguration of Mr. Klokke, the first matter of 
 importance that arose was the removal by the Mayor of 
 Superintendent of Police Kennedy. This occurred on 
 July 29, 1872. On August 13, 1872, Elmer Washburn suc- 
 ceeded. Mr. Washburn was not a resident of Chicago ; 
 knew nothing of its ways, wicked or otherwise, it appears; 
 could not point out the haunts of her evil-doers ; indeed, 
 his only qualification to rule a police force was the result of 
 his experience in Joliet State Penitentiary, attending to 
 convicts. The moment Mr. Kennedy was removed, specu- 
 lation became rife as to his successor. It was presumed 
 that Mr. Medill, with his great good sense, would select, if
 
 MEDILL WASHBURN SHERIDAN. 29 
 
 not an officer from the police force, at least a man conver- 
 sant with Chicago criminal life, and the way in which to 
 deal therewith. Mr. Medill pursued exactly the different 
 course, however, and proceeded to Joliet State Prison to 
 find a man competent to act as Superintendent of Police of 
 the great city of Chicago. This may be set down as the 
 first grave mistake of the Medillian administration. The 
 act, it cannot be disputed, caused general mortification 
 among Mr. Medill's warmest friends. What policy actu- 
 ated the Mayor in his action it is impossible to conceive. 
 It was certainly a most discouraging affair to the police 
 force thus made hopeless of deserved promotion ; and the 
 marvel is that it did not totally demoralize them. The con- 
 sequence hereof would be terrible, at the time, when crimi- 
 nals were flocking in by scores from all parts of the country, 
 and murders were being ^attempted and committed in al- 
 most every district of the city. 
 
 The necessities of the hour at this particular period of 
 Chicago's history could not be overlooked. It appeared 
 evident to our best citizens that all must act to protect 
 themselves and their homes from concerted outrage at the 
 hands of cut-throats. 
 
 A meeting was held on September 12, 1872, in the Cham- 
 ber of Commerce, on Market street. The purpose of the 
 convention was the repression of crime which, with the 
 resurrection of the city, had assumed gigantic proportions. 
 Henry Greenebaum presided. Three committees were 
 appointed for the three divisions, and comprised twenty- 
 five leading citizens. On September 30th, another meeting
 
 3° 
 
 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 was held, called by the Committee of Seventy, then existing 
 for some time, in the interest of temperance. Police Com- 
 missioner Talcott was present, and stated that nine-tenths 
 of the crime was induced by drunkenness, and advocated 
 the enforcement of the law closing saloons on the Sabbath. 
 To reach this result, a Committee of Fifteen was sent to 
 Mayor Medill. 
 
 This gentleman told the committee that the movement 
 was rather impracticable; the law could not be enforced. 
 The Mayor's address on this occasion was substantially as 
 follows : 
 
 "After referring to the demand that the saloons be closed 
 on Sunday, His Honor inquired if this meant that therein 
 all drinking should be prevented, or that to outward appear- 
 ances no liquor must be consumed therein. The demand 
 clearly stated was this : that the Mayor is commanded to 
 prevent the masses of the people of Chicago from drinking 
 liquor on Sunday in places licensed to supply them on the 
 other six days of the week. Could this be done with the 
 insignificant police force.? It appeared to be thought that the 
 saloons had been recently opened on that day, when, in fact, 
 they had never ceased to furnish liquor on any Sunday since 
 the incorporation of the city, more than thirty years ago. 
 Efforts had been made by preceding Mayors to prevent the 
 practice; but the most that was ever accomplished — and 
 that for a short time only — was to force the keepers to pull 
 down their blinds and shut their front doors while the drink- 
 ing went on. The hotels closed their bars, and the waiters 
 supplied the guests at their rooms. To this extent he thought
 
 MEt)ILL WASHBURN SHERIDAN. 31 
 
 the Sunday ordinance could be enforced, but it was ques- 
 tionable if any less liquor would be consumed. He was will- 
 ing to issue an order to the police to close the saloons on 
 Sunday, but could not give any assurance that drinking 
 would be stopped. In no city like Chicago, with a mixed 
 population, had the attempt ever succeeded. His Honor 
 proceeded into a careful consideration of the matter to 
 prove the strength of his position. He asked the Committee 
 how could the police prove that liquor was being drunk on 
 the premises, with the street door locked and the windows 
 shaded .'' Should they be orded to break in the doors and 
 smash the windows on suspicion } Or should they put on 
 citizen's clothes, slip around through the alley to the kitchen, 
 and sneak in, call for liquor, and drink it 1 Or was it 
 expected that he himself should do it } It could not be done 
 in Chic3,go. Again, while the ordinance forbade the saloon 
 keepers to sell liquor on Sunday, it did not forbid the citi- 
 zen to buy from him on Sunday and drink. There was no 
 penalty for purchasing and imbibing, and it was hard to con- 
 vince the dealers that it was wrong to sell on the first day of 
 the week, when it was legal for anybody to purchase and 
 drink it on that day. His Honor very sensibly remarked 
 that to stop liquor drinking would require the aid of one 
 teetotaler policeman to be stationed in every saloon, billiard 
 hall, house of ill-fame and tavern* in Chicago — say 3,000 in 
 all. The tax-fighters made it hard work to support 450 
 policemen ; and most of the force sympathized with the 
 saloons, and he had no power to discharge them. He had 
 repeatedly made known to members of the Temperance
 
 -.r, THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 Organization that he would revoke any saloon keeper's license 
 who was convicted before a magistrate of selling on Sunday. 
 Any citizen knowing it to be done had thclegal right to com- 
 plain before any Justice of the Peace in Chicago, and make 
 proof and have the keeper fined. His Honor closed his 
 address by saying to the Committee that if their meeting 
 supposed that drinking ought be freely indulged on six days 
 of the week, and could be suppressed on the recurring 
 seventh, they had studied human nature to little purpose, and 
 had their first lessons yet to learn." 
 
 On October 8, the committee published a reply, accus- 
 ing the executive department of the city with cowardice. 
 From the reply the following extract is taken : " All the 
 facts go to show that whenever an honest endeavor has been 
 put forth to enforce the Sunday liquor law, it has been suc- 
 cessful. The difficulty lies in this, that the liquor interest in 
 our city is active and united, and exerts a controlling influ- 
 ence in the nominating caucuses and conventions. The re- 
 sult is, we have executive officers chosen by their votes who 
 have not the conscience nor the moral courage to do right, 
 and rather violate their oaths of office than to offend the vot- 
 ing power of the saloons, to which they owe their elections." 
 
 The report was signed by C. H. Fowler, Abbott E. Kit- 
 tridge and Philip Meyers, " by order of the Citizens' Com- 
 mittee." 
 
 On October lo, Mayor Medill, in a conversation, claimed 
 that the reply of the Committee was very unfair, and referred 
 to the fact that they were quick at seeing the mote in other 
 people's eyes; they should cast the beam out of their own.
 
 MEDILL WASHBURN SHERIDAN. 33 
 
 The Wasliingtonian and Father Matthews' Associations 
 never resorted to the constabulary, to prevent men, by ani- 
 mal process, from drinking, but appealed to the mind and 
 conscience ; and their success was wonderful. 
 
 On the same day, the Committee had an interview with 
 the Police Commissioners. Talcott favored prohibition. 
 Klokke objected to extreme measures, as unadvisable; con- 
 sidering the enforcement of the ordinance impracticable. 
 Sheridan was not present. 
 
 On the same day, Mayor Medill, having evidently weak- 
 ened, sent the following communication to the Board of 
 Police : 
 
 Board of Police Commissioners. 
 
 Gentlemen : I was waited upon last week by a committee 
 of clergy and laity, who presented some resolutions adopted 
 by a public meeting, asking that the saloons be closed on 
 Sunday, and the ordinance on that subject be enforced. In 
 the general conversation that followed, I expressed a perfect 
 willingness to undertake to do whatever was practicable in 
 the premises, but also some doubts whether with the small 
 police force at comma^nd, liquor-drinking on the first day of 
 the week could be effectually prevented in the city. I asked 
 for the active support and assistance of those whom they 
 represented in making complaints before the magistrates, 
 in helping to procure evidence against those who violate 
 the ordinance. But the proposition was coldly received and 
 cynically disposed of. I was unable to procure any promise 
 of efficient aid, whether moral, religious, legal, or physical ; 
 3
 
 34 
 
 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 their business seemed to be censure, but not to encourage, 
 or support the authorities. I observe in the partial report 
 of the interview by their sub-committee, that they waited on 
 your Board and obtained more encouragement as to the 
 practicability of enforcing the ordinance. They say (extract 
 from newspaper) : "On the contrary, the Commissioners and 
 Superintendent of Police upon whom the Committee also 
 called the same day, declared themselves ready to enforce 
 such an order when issued by the Mayor, and they antici- 
 pated no serious trouble in doing so." 
 
 I am happy to learn that you anticipate no difficulty in 
 stopping liquor.-drinking in the saloons on Sunday, if an 
 order is issued by the Mayor to that effect. 
 
 I therefore and hereby issue said order, and ask your 
 Board to enforce Section 4, of Chapter 25, of the City Or- 
 dinances, and all other ordinances relating thereto. 
 
 Joseph Medill, Mayor. 
 
 It may be well to state that no official information was 
 given to His Honor as to the attitude of the Board. 
 
 On October 25, there was issued, by the Cornmittee of 
 Seventy, an "Address to the People," in which the closing 
 of saloons Sundays was advocated. On October 26, the 
 Mayor received a committee of Germans, who went away 
 satisfied with his position. On October 28, a portion of the 
 Committee of Twenty-Five met, and committed itself to the 
 Sunday law ; whereupon Mr. Greenebaum resigned his posi- 
 tion. Mr. Hesing also abandoned the organization. 
 
 The best epitaph that could be written on the tombstone of
 
 MEDILL — WASHBURN SHERIDAN. 35 
 
 the Committee of Seventy is contained in the following con- 
 clusion of the Tf-ibime's article : " The Committee of Sev- 
 enty SOON ABSORBED THE SMALLER ORGANIZATIONS. It PUT 
 A TICKET IN THE FIELD LAST YEAR, BUT ITS FIRST VENTURE IN 
 POLITICS WAS NOT ENCOURAGING. DURING THE WINTER IT 
 WAS dormant; but some THREE MONTHS SINCE, IT SMELT 
 THE BATTLE AFAR OFF, AND CAME OUT OF ITS WINTER'S 
 QUARTERS. Jt PROCEEDED TO ORGANIZE THE RECENT CAM- 
 PAIGN, IN WHICH IT MET WITH A CRUSHING REVERSE. 
 
 Hereafter,. IT will be remembered in the history of 
 
 LOCAL POLITICS FOR GOOD INTENTIONS, FOR MISERABLE 
 inefficiency as a POLITICAL ORGANIZATION, AND FOR ITS 
 FAILURE TO EXECUTE THE DESIGN FOR WHICH IT WAS 
 ORGANIZED." 
 
 The fact was, that the Committee of Seventy made a mis- 
 take in going into the political business, and never showed 
 a more illustrious example than when, in the Grand Pacific, 
 they constructed that " Law and Order Ticket." 
 
 So much for the Committee of Seventy. 
 
 On December 2d, 1872, Mr. Talcott resigning, C. A. Reno 
 was appointed to the Presidency of the Police Board. The 
 Board was now, Reno, Sheridan and Klokke. On the in- 
 auguration of Mr. Reno, it became apparent that the Super- 
 intendent of Police was arrogating too much, having issued 
 various orders without its approval. It was resolved, there- 
 fore, that all orders should be submitted before issued. 
 
 On January 25, 1873, as an evidence of discontent among 
 the police, the Board received a communication from the 
 force, asking to be relieved from the order issued by the
 
 ^6 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 Superintendent, compelling them to travel their beats for 
 twelve successive hours. The order impressed the Board 
 at once as tyrannical in the extreme. They accordingly 
 ordered the Superintendent to conform with the established 
 practice of patrol duty. 
 
 Now war was declared. The Superintendent failing to 
 comply, it was evident he was acting under the advice of the 
 Law Department concerning the power conferred by the 
 Mayor's bill, and the Board of Police seized the opportunity 
 to test the question whether they had any power at all. On 
 January 28, 1873, accordingly, the Secretary of the Board 
 was directed to present charges against the Superintendent 
 of Police for neglect of duty, incompetency, disobedience of 
 orders, in the violation of the rules and regulations, by en- 
 forcing unauthorized orders, and annulling the orders of the 
 Board. Then Dr. Ward was appointed Acting Superin- 
 tendent. So here was the spectacle of two Police Superin- 
 tendents at one and the same time, issuing orders of a con- 
 tradictory nature to the Police Department. 
 
 The second volley in the battle of disputed rights was 
 fired from the Mayor's office January 26, 1873. It was a 
 communication from Mayor Medill to the Police Commis- 
 sioners, notifying said Board of the removal of Police Com- 
 missioners Reno and Klokke. The Board concurred in 
 refusing to recognize the authority of the Mayor in said 
 removal. They also instructed the Acting Superintendent 
 to recognize no other authority than the Board which was 
 elected by the people, and a majority of whom were com- 
 missioned by the Governor.
 
 MEDILL WASHBURN SHERIDAN. 37 
 
 From this date up to February 24, 1873, no business was 
 transacted in the Board rooms. 
 
 On this day, Garble Mason and Levi P. Wright, having 
 been appointed by the Mayor, presented certificates. PoHce 
 Commissioner Sheridan thereupon arose in the crowded 
 rooms of the Police Board, and, with unruffled precision, 
 read the following protest : 
 
 " The Council having confirmed the Mayor's nominees for 
 Police Commissioners, and the Mayor and Comptroller hav- 
 ing refused to adjust the claims of persons furnishing sup- 
 plies to the Police and Fire Departments, as well as the 
 claims of the members of said departments, until such time 
 as some other person more acceptable than Mr. Reno, act- 
 ing as President of the Board, certifies to the correctness of 
 said claims, it becomes necessary that something be done to 
 relieve from embarrassment all those having just claims 
 against the city. There is no doubt in my mind that the 
 Mayor and Comptroller will recognize Messrs. Mason and 
 Wright as the authorized Commissioners, and that, conse- 
 quently, the business of the departments may be carried on 
 by them, whatever be the merits of their claims as contest- 
 ants for the position of Police Commissioners. / am Police 
 Commissioner^ and cannot, if I would, neglect the duties of 
 my office with impunity. / must act, and it becomes my 
 duty to act effectively ; and, in order to do so, I am con- 
 strained by the action of the Mayor and Comptroller to act 
 with Messrs. .Mason and Wright, but I do so only to advance 
 the interests of the city, and maintain the discipline and effi- 
 ciency of the Police and Fire Departments, and not because
 
 ^8 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 I have any doubt as to the legality of the claims of Reno 
 and Klokke ; and consequently I will have to serve under 
 protest until this conflict of authority shall be determined 
 by due process of law. I protest, because I am fully satis- 
 fied that Commissioners Reno and Klokke, having been 
 elected by the voters of Cook county to the office of Police 
 Commissioners, and having qualified under that election, 
 were in the lawful exercise of the functions of their office, 
 when the Board suspended from duty Superintendent Wash- 
 burn for inefficiency, neglect of duty, insubordination, and 
 conduct unbecoming a police officer, and that, consequently 
 they were guilty of no offence for which they could be justly 
 or lawfully removed from office ; and because I am also sat- 
 isfied that the power claimed and attempted to be exercised 
 by the Mayor, under and by virtue of the act known as the 
 ' Mayor's Bill,' is contrary to the genius of our republican in- 
 stitutions and the spirit of our Constitution, and, also, that 
 even if the power exists, the arbitrary, unjust, and unneces- 
 sary exercise of it would not be sustained or even tolerated 
 by the Courts." 
 
 The first matter of importance coming before the new 
 Board was the dismissal of the charges against Washburn, 
 February 26, 1873. On April 7, business commenced with 
 the removal by the Mayor of Sergeants Douglas, Macauley, 
 Rehm, and Bischoff". Their offence consisted in obedience 
 of orders issued by the Board of Police. 
 
 Then followed, on April 28,1873, Order No. 20, as follows:
 
 medill washburn sheridan. 39 
 
 Office of the Police Department, ) 
 Chicago, April 28, 1873. f 
 
 General Order No. 20. 
 
 1. The commanding officers of districts and precincts 
 will require their men to enter frequently on Sunday all 
 places or rooms on their respective beats where they have 
 any good reason to suspect that intoxicating drinks are sold, 
 or that cards or other games of chance are being played, for 
 the purpose of obtaining evidence, if any exist, of the vio- 
 lation of the provisions of Section 3, Chapter 28, of the Re- 
 vised Ordinances, of 1873. And complaint shall be entered 
 in accordance with the provisions of Section 2, General- 
 Order No. 6, 1873. 
 
 2. In all cases where violations of the provisions of Sec- 
 tion 3, Chapter 28, of the Revised Ordinances of 1873 shall 
 occur, and it shall be difficult to determine whom to sum- 
 mon, the officer will demand that the license be shown and 
 enter complaint against the licensee. If no license is pro- 
 duced, the officer will demand the name and residence of 
 the party or parties who are tending the bar, if the same 
 are unknown to him, and enter complaint against hmi or 
 them. If such party or parties fail or refuse to give their 
 name or residence, the officer will arrest such party or par- 
 ties at once, take him or them to the lockup, and enter 
 complaint for the same offense. 
 
 3. In no case named in this order shall doors, windows, 
 or fastenings be broken or forced to gain admission. 
 
 Elmer Washburn, 
 
 General Superintendent.
 
 40 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 The foregoing was the production, it is supposed, of Mayor 
 Medill, Washburn, and the Law Department. This order 
 Mr. Sheridan opposed in his might. Finding it impossible 
 to convince the Mayor of its unwisdom, the Commissioner 
 entered the following protest : " I protest because I regard 
 the order as unnecessary, odious, and oppressive; because the 
 members of the police force are not vested under the char- 
 ter with the power or authority to lawfully comply with the 
 order, and if they do comply with it, they will have to do so 
 at their own peril ; because it is to my mind clearly uncon- 
 stitutional, Section 6, Article 2, of the Constitution being as 
 follows: 'The right of the people to be secure in their per- 
 sons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable 
 searches and seizures shall not be violated.' " 
 
 To this iron-clad remonstrance, Messrs. Mason and 
 Wright,onMay 9, 1873, after.formidable preparation, replied 
 as follows : 
 
 " Resolved, That the protest entered by one of the Com- 
 missioners of this Board in the record of the proceedings of 
 the 28th day of April, 1873, was so entered without being 
 first presented to the Board, and that we disapprove of the 
 language used in said protest, as incendiary in character, 
 as tending to incite the force to disobey the orders of the 
 Board, and unreflecting citizens to resist the police in the 
 discharge of their duties. // is therefore ordered that here- 
 after NO PROTEST shall be entered of record, unless the 
 same be first submitted in writing to and permitted by a 
 majority vote of this Board."
 
 MEDILL WASHBURN — SHERIDAN. 4I 
 
 Mr. Sheridan's protest appeared in the public journals 
 first; industrious reporters having adroitly secured it. 
 
 Following fast upon the foregoing resolution came the 
 following broadside from Mr. Sheridan: 
 
 " I protest against the resolution passed by the Board on 
 Friday, because it conveys the idea that my protest, entered 
 against general order No. 20, was surreptitiously placed on 
 record; whereas, the truth is, the objections therein set 
 forth to said order were frequently and urgently pressed by 
 me, to dissuade both Messrs. Mason and Wright from ap- 
 proving the order; failing in which, I told them I could 
 not be a party to what I believed to be an unlawful pro- 
 ceeding, and I should protest against it. To which they 
 replied, ' All right ; do so. We would rather you should do 
 so than not.' Next morning, I wrote the protest and handed 
 it to the Secretary. It is, therefore, a willful misstatement of 
 the facts in the case, a malignant perversion of my language, a 
 deliberate attempt to gag the free expression of opinion, 
 and is itself the expression of cringing servility to the will 
 of the master." 
 
 On May 13, an order was passed requiring the arrest of 
 parties selling, giving away, or in any manner dealing m 
 any vinous, spirituous, or fermented liquors. Sheridan 
 voted in the negative. On May 15, he entered his protest 
 against the order, as unnecessary, injurious, and a dangerous 
 exercise of power. On July 12, Capt. Hickey, convinced 
 that his head was doomed under the Washburn regime, re- 
 signed the police force. 
 
 July 18, furnished an event that cannot be passed over.
 
 42 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 Mr. Sheridan, learning of misconduct on the part of a 
 police officer, took his star away from him. The officer 
 complaining to Washburn, had it restored by the Superin- 
 tendent. Hereupon, Sheridan summoned the chief into his 
 presence on the day referred to. The conversation upon 
 the subject was pretty bitter, the Commissioner feeling that 
 he was insulted by a subordinate, and the Chief not recog- 
 nizing superiority. The result of the meeting was that Mr. 
 Washburn siezed an inkstand to hurl at the Commissioner's 
 head. Quick second thought, however, held the Superin- 
 tendent's arm, and he nervously replaced the missile on the 
 desk. 
 
 On July 2 1, the Commissioner preferred charges against 
 the Superintendent, including the specification "ungentle- 
 manly conduct, and conduct unbecoming a police officer." 
 On July 2 2, the police officer, who had his star restored, was 
 discharged by the Board, under the evidence. 
 
 On July 22, a communication was received by the Board 
 from the Council, requesting an investigation of the facts 
 connected with the charges preferred by the Milwaukee 
 press against Washburn. A store had, it appears, been 
 robbed in Milwaukee, and the thieves were tracked to 
 Chicago, and arrested by Chicago officers. The Milwaukee 
 press charged that Washburn refused to give up the property 
 recovered, unless a reward was forthcoming for the officers 
 who caused the arrest. This charge was denied by Mr. 
 Washburn, and the Common Council subsequently acquitted 
 the chief. 
 
 The next matter the public journals were called upon
 
 MEDILL WASHBURN SHERIDAN. 43 
 
 to chronicle, was a communication from the Mayor, set- 
 ting forth his desire that the Board make a full statement 
 of the facts in the case between Sheridan and Washburn, 
 and submit in writing. Hereupon, Messrs. Mason and 
 Wright reported the opinion that it would not be for the 
 best interests of the service to spread on the record ; that 
 they believed they had found upon investigation that the 
 provocation given by Mr. Sheridan was so great as to great- 
 ly palliate the disrespectful language, if not to justify it. 
 
 Up to July 28, 1873, there now seemed to be a lull in 
 matters between the members of the Board, the Mayor, the 
 Police force, and the world at large. On this day, however, 
 Mr. Sheridan succeeded in introducing the following reso- 
 lution, which was passed : 
 
 ^''Be it ordered. That the practice of sending police officers 
 in citizen's clothes to saloons, for the purpose of inducing 
 the keepers thereof to sell intoxicating drinks to such offi- 
 cers, in violation of law, with the view of prosecuting said 
 saloon keepers, be at once discontinued." 
 
 On July 29, 1873, Commissioner Mason, having voted for 
 one measure introduced by Mr. Sheridan, resigned. 
 
 He was succeeded by Reuben Cleveland. The advent of 
 this gentleman was signalized by a message from the Mayor, 
 touching the charges preferred by Commissioner Sheridan 
 against Superintendent of Police Washburn. The commu- 
 nication set forth that his Honor, the Mayor, considered 
 the occurrence as a first offense on both (.?) sides, and as 
 a case not calling for extreme measures. 
 
 On August 4, nevertheless, Superintendent of Police,
 
 44 
 
 THR GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 Washburn, apologized to Mr. Sheridan on the ground that 
 few men could be milder under equal provocation. Mr. 
 Sheridan did not apologize, as another man ;;«^///, under the 
 Mayor's decision. 
 
 In the foregoing brief recital are contained the leading ele- 
 ments in the grand cause for a change in municipal affairs. 
 While the Press, eager to promote universal harmony, no 
 doubt, generally favored the Medillian administration, yet 
 the people watched their interests keenly, and as certain 
 events in this history plainly indicate, subserved them by 
 the movement of November, 1873. The power of that 
 movement is recognized everywhere as having asserted itself 
 against the sentiments of every American newspaper in the 
 city of Chicago.
 
 COUNTING THE MONEY. 
 
 For several weeks previous to the election, whispers were 
 gradually spreading throughout the city, the burden of 
 which was that, if it only could be inspected, the City Treas- 
 ury was in a very wretched condition ; and that the fact was 
 due to the reckless speculations of the City Treasurer, David 
 A. Gage. This gentleman, being a candidate for re-election, 
 and being considered the heaviest card on the " Law and 
 Order" ticket, it is not at all marvelous that the speakers of 
 the People's Party gave the rumor as thorough ventilation as 
 possible throughout the several wards. 
 
 To assist the circulation of said rumors, the Staats Zeitung 
 caused to be published in English a great number of circu- 
 lars, whence the following extracts are taken : 
 
 , " It has been publicly charged and not denied that Gage 
 has deposited the public moneys with banks upon express 
 agreements, that such banks extend him credit to the amount 
 of a certain proportion of such deposits. The name of a 
 bank could be given, which held a note of Gage's for $40,- 
 000, and to which he offered $60,000 city deposits on condi- 
 tion of an extension being granted to him. There is scarcely
 
 4.6 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 a doubt that the dealings oi private citizen D. A. Gage with 
 the banks have been based upon the city funds deposited 
 with them by City Treasurer D. A. Gage. And it is next to a 
 certainty that if D. A. Gage should cease to have control 
 over the city deposits, the bank credit extended to him on 
 that account would vanish. 
 
 "Thus it will be readily understood why D. A. Gage can 
 afford to shoulder all the expenses of the campaign of his 
 party, and offer to pay the expenses of the People s Party, if 
 they should nominate him for City Treasurer and Dan 
 O'Hara for County Treasurer. It is, with him, a matter of 
 life or death. But the weakest minded man must be able to 
 see that, if a candidate spends $25,000 in order to obtain an 
 office with a salary of only $4,000, there must be considera- 
 bly more in that office than the salary. 
 
 " As to the means employed, apart from a direct expendi- 
 ture of money to buy up votes, the following affidavit of Mr. 
 A. C. Hesing tells the tale: 
 
 "A. C. Hesing, being duly sworn, deposeth as follows: 
 "That on or about Wednesday, the 15th of October, he 
 was invited to see a prominent lawyer in H. H. Honore's 
 block ; that he went and saw that lawyer, and that there and 
 then the proposition was made to him to use his influence to 
 secure the nomination of David A. Gage by the People's 
 Party for the office of City Treasurer, and of Daniel O'Hara 
 for County Treasurer, in consideration of which said David 
 A. Gage would give to the deponent, A. C. Hesing, the con- 
 trol, for two years, of one-fifth part of the city deposits j that 
 said proposition was instantly rejected by said deponent ;
 
 COUNTING THE MONEY. 47 
 
 that, on the Saturday following, the same prominent lawyer 
 met the deponent, A. C. Hesing, in the sample room of Her- 
 mann Fink, in the S/aaJs Zeitufig building, in company with 
 two other gentlemen, and engaged with them in conversation 
 upon a certain article published in the Staats Zeitung under 
 the heading, "A few simple questions." That in the course 
 of such conversation said lawyer remarked that that article 
 need not necessarily prevent the Staats Zeitung from yet sup- 
 porting D. A. Gage; that, after the two gentlemen and said 
 lawyer had left the place, said lawyer returned in a short 
 time, and stated to this deponent that another newspaper 
 had to be ''''seen'" first, and that, therefore, if this deponent 
 was willing to make arrangements for the support of D. A. 
 Gage, the consideration would have to be reduced from one- 
 half to one-sixth part of the city deposits ; that this deponent 
 again refused the offer. That on Sunday afternoon, when this 
 deponent was stepping into his buggy in front of Greene- 
 baum's bank building, the said lawyer hailed him, and, again 
 commencing to speak about the offer theretofore made by 
 him, remarked that all the papers had been " seen ; " that from 
 and after Monday no line would be written in any of the 
 English dailies against David A. Gage, and that this depo- 
 nent was foolish not to have accepted the propositions made 
 to him. That then this deponent replied that it was of no 
 use to say any more to him, since he was determined to work 
 with heart and soul for the good cause of the People's Party 
 and for the defeat of a damnably corrupt treasury ring. 
 
 " Further deponent sayeth not. Anthony C. Hesing. 
 
 "Sworn to before me this ist day of November, 1873. 
 
 Julius Rosenthal, Notary Fublic.'"'
 
 48 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 The Opposition observing the immense loss their cause 
 was suffering by reason of the insinuations as to the integrity 
 of the alleged best man on their ticket, Mr. David A. Gage 
 was induced, on October 20, to issue the following: 
 
 TO HIS HONOR, THE MAYOR, AMD COMMON COUNCIL. 
 
 Gentlemen : As there have been various speeches made 
 and rumors afloat detrimental to me as a public officer, I 
 most respectfully ask that your body, through a proper com- 
 mittee, would examine my accounts as City Treasurer, and 
 make an official report of the same. Most respectfully, 
 
 David A. Gage, Treasurer. 
 
 The members of the Finance Committee were L. L. Bond, 
 Chairman; Mahlon D. Ogden, J. W. McGenniss, J. H. Mc- 
 Avoy, and Geo. Sherwood. At the investigation of the Com- 
 mittee, the two last named gentlemen were not present. 
 
 In obedience to Mr. Gage's request, an official report was 
 made of the Finance Committee, as follows : 
 
 Chicago, III., Oct. 31, 1873. 
 l. l. bond, esq., chairman finance committee. 
 
 Sir : In the matter of the communication of D. A. Gage, 
 Treasurer, referred to our committee, you are authorized to 
 report that we find the Treasurer's accounts correct, and the 
 cash in hand, so that the city funds are entirely safe, and 
 the special funds in the condition required by law. 
 
 Mahlon D. Ogden. 
 J. W. McGenniss. 
 
 This report the Opposition used with tremendous ostenta- 
 tion, and with considerable success. While there were many
 
 COUNTING THE MONEY. 49 
 
 who regarded the report with grave misapprehensions, — 
 owing to the absence of figures which, it is pretty well es- 
 tablished, never lie, — yet, the instrument was a most advan- 
 tageous missile to hurl at the heads of the People's Party. 
 In their speeches through the city, the Opposition intro- 
 duced the report at every possible opportunity, as illustra- 
 tive of the base uses to which the People's party had come 
 at last, in order to achieve the success of their ticket. 
 
 Had the " Law and Order " ticket been victorious, there 
 is hardly any room to doubt but that the People's party were 
 capable of some very mean business. In that event, David 
 A.Gage would be our present City Treasurer. Victory perch- 
 ing upon the banners of the People's party, however, the 
 great public obtained admission into the inmost recesses of 
 the treasury, and through the fingers of Daniel O'Hara, had 
 the satisfaction of seeing the money counted. 
 
 The first reliable intelligence of Mr. Gage's misfortune — 
 Mayor Colvin having just taken his seat — came, it would 
 appear, through Mr. John A. Rice, one of Mr. Gage's bonds- 
 men. On the morning of December 15, this gentleman ap- 
 proached the Mayor elect, and informed him that David A. 
 Gage was $350,000 (three hundred and fifty thousand dol- 
 lars ) short ! and that, in order to make good this amount, 
 Mr. Gage would turn over everything he had. Anxiety 
 being wild upon the topic from the first moment the rumor 
 gained circulation, the daily journals next morning, as might 
 be expected, threw forth columns concerning the startling 
 defalcation. For days afterward, the defalcation was the 
 most prominent subject on everybody's tongue. The 
 4
 
 5° 
 
 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 exposure shocked the entire community, and perfectly 
 dumbfounded those who had voted for the ticket which, for 
 its success, depended ahnost solely upon the sterling integ- 
 rity of David A. Gage. 
 
 The first thought, when the terrible indignation of the 
 public had given place to reflection, was, in what manner the 
 gigantic loss could be repaired. Now the public eye was 
 turned upon Mr. Gage's bondsmen. But the bondsmen, it 
 was said, claimed they were not altogether responsible, from 
 the fact that shortly after the Medillian administration went 
 into power, it was discovered that Mr. Gage was then short 
 to the extent of some $200,000, and that the city officials, 
 or some of them, knew it. The bondsmen, it seems, claimed 
 that they should not be held for any deficiency previous to 
 their bond being filed. 
 
 Whether the bondsmen presumed too much, nevertheless, 
 was susceptible of a test. The legal advisers of the city, 
 accordingly, filed a praecipe in a plea of debt on December 
 .24, placed damages at $1,000,000, and made the following 
 bondsmen of Mr. Gage parties defendant : David A. Gage, 
 William F. Tucker, Albert Crosby, John B. Sherman, James 
 H. McVicker, Nathaniel P. Wilder, John A. Rice, and 
 George W. Gage. 
 
 On December 26, Treasurer O'Hara, pursuant to instruc- 
 tions, wrote the following demand upon the Ex- City Treas- 
 urer : 
 
 "David A. Gage, Esq., 
 
 Sir: — Agreeably to the instructions of the law advisers 
 of the city, and as your successor in office, I am requested
 
 COUNTING THE MONEY. 5 I 
 
 to demand of you the deficit of money belonging to the City 
 Treasury, amounting to $507,703.58. 
 
 I am very respectfully your obedient servant, 
 
 Daniel O'Hara, City Treasurer.'" 
 
 In the meantime conferences were being held by the bonds- 
 men of Mr. Gage, and his friends. At these meetings various 
 propositions were agitated. The result was that, on Decem- 
 ber 30, a formal conveyance of a trust deed of Mr. Gage's 
 property was made to Mr. George Taylor. This action 
 served in a measure to allay public excitement, which had 
 waxed the more intense under the pressure of the bank 
 panic, and the condition of the vast army of unemployed 
 in the city. 
 
 But there was another matter in connection with the sit- 
 uation of Mr. Gage. It was charged against him that he 
 was guilty of perjury. The following oath, required to be 
 taken by the City Treasurer, formed the basis of the accu- 
 sation : 
 
 " I, D. A. Gage, City Treasurer, being duly sworn upon 
 oath, say that the foregoing statement, so far ks I know, or 
 have reason to believe, is a fair, accurate and full statement 
 of the matters to which it relates, and of all moneys in my 
 hands which I, or any one for me, has received since my last 
 official account was rendered ; and that I have not directly 
 or indirectly used, loaned, invested or converted to my own 
 use, or suffered any one to use, loan, invest or convert to his 
 or their own use, any of the public moneys receivable or 
 received by me or subject to my warrant or control, and
 
 52 
 
 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 that I have rendered true and full account thereof in my 
 said foregoing statement, and further saith not. 
 
 D. A. Gage. 
 Sworn, etc., Frank Barrett, 
 
 Notary Public ." 
 
 It having been known that if Mr. Gage had committed 
 perjury at all he had committed it repeatedly — for it was 
 required that the oath should be taken every month — it evi- 
 dently became the duty of the State's Attorney to step in. 
 He did so. 
 
 On January 2, 1874, State's Attorney Charles H. Reed 
 sent the following to the City Treasurer : 
 
 " Daniel O'Hara, Esq., City Treasurer. 
 
 My Dear Friend j — It is reported that David A. Gage, 
 the late City Treasurer, has failed to pay over to you, as his 
 successor, large sums of money belonging to the city of Chi- 
 cago. In view of proceedings being about to be instituted 
 against him for such failure to pay over to you said sums of 
 money, I hereby request you to forthwith make a formal 
 written demand on said Gage to pay over to you said sums 
 of money. I desire this to be done by you under and by 
 virtue of Section 16, page 179, of the Statutes of Illinois, 
 Gross' Ed., 1871. Please make the demand in such a man- 
 ner as that you can testify thereto under oath. The demand 
 should be made by you officially and in person. 
 
 Respectfully yours, Charles H. Reed." 
 
 In compliance with instructions Mr. O'Hara visited Mr. 
 Gage, and Mr. Gage did not turn over as requested.
 
 COUNTING THE MONEY. 53 
 
 State's Attorney Reed forthwith proceeded to the work of 
 empaneling a Grand Jury. That body was in existence on 
 January 6. 
 
 On January 7 the said Grand Jury indicted David A. 
 Gage for failing to pay over the money entrusted to him, 
 and also for false swearing. 
 
 On January 8, Mr. Gage was arraigned in the Criminal 
 Court, and his bail was fixed at $100,000 on the former 
 charge, and $10,000 on the latter. 
 
 Subsequently the indictment for false swearing was quashed 
 on technical grounds; and that for failing, etc., was sustained. 
 On this indictment Mr. Gage has obtained a chance of venue 
 to Lake county. The State's Attorney, moreover, succeeded 
 in having the following additional indictment returned, 
 which is still pending : 
 
 Of the February term of the Criminal Court of Cook 
 County, in said county and State, in the year of our Lord 
 1874 
 
 The Grand Jurors, chosen, selected, and sworn, in and for 
 the county of Cook, in the State of Illinois, in the name and 
 by the authority of the People of the State of Illinois, upon 
 their oaths present that David A. Gage, late of the county 
 of Cook, on the 6th day of December, in the year of our 
 Lord 1873, in said county of Cook, in the State of Illinois 
 aforesaid, was the Treasurer of the city of Chicago, in said 
 county and State, and that he, the said Gage, had been and 
 was the Treasurer of said city for and during the period of 
 one year and more immediately before and prior to the said 
 6th day of December ; and, that he, the said Gage, as such
 
 54 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 Treasurer, during the period aforesaid was required by law, 
 at the end of each and every month to render to the Comp- 
 troller of said city an account under the oath of him, the 
 said Gage, as such Treasurer, showing the state of the treas- 
 ury of said city at the date of each of said accounts, and 
 the balance of money in said treasury at the date of each of 
 said accounts, and a fair, accurate, and full statement of all 
 moneys in the hands of him, the said Gage, as such Treas- 
 urer, at the date of each of said accounts ; and that he, the 
 said Gage, as such Treasurer, was, during the period afore- 
 said, at the end of each and every month, and oftener if re- 
 quired, required by law to attach said oath to each of said 
 accounts, and to render, present, and deliver said accounts 
 and oaths thereto attached to the said Comptroller; and 
 that he, the said Gage, as such Treasurer, was required by 
 law to render to said Comptroller at the end of the month 
 of November, in the year last aforesaid, an account under 
 the oath of him, the said Gage, attached to said account, 
 showing the state of the treasury of said city at the date of 
 such account, and the balance of moneys in said treasury at 
 the date of such last-mentioned account, and a fair, accurate, 
 and full statement of all moneys in the hands of him, the 
 said Gage, as such Treasurer, at the date of the said last 
 mentioned account ; and that he, the said Gage, by his own 
 fault and neglect, failed to render to said Comptroller the 
 account last aforesaid at the end of the month of November 
 last aforesaid. 
 
 And that the said Gage, as such Treasurer, was required 
 by law to render the said last named account afterwards, to-
 
 COUNTING THE MONEY. 55 
 
 wit, on the 6th day of December last aforesaid ; and that he, 
 the said Gage, as such Treasurer, was required by law on 
 the said 6th day of December last aforesaid, to render to 
 the said Comptroller an account under the oath of him, the 
 said Gage, showing the state of the treasury of said city on 
 the ist day of December in the year last aforesaid, and the 
 balance of moneys in said treasury on the said ist day of 
 December aforesaid, and a fair, accurate, and full statement 
 of all moneys in the hands of him, the said Gage, as such 
 Treasurer, on the said ist day of December last aforesaid; 
 
 And that the said Gage, as such Treasurer, did, on the 
 said 6th day of December, render, present, and deliver to 
 one Augustus H. Burley, he, the said Burley, being then and 
 there the Comptroller of said city, an account showing the 
 state of the treasury of said city on the ist day of Decem- 
 ber aforesaid, and the balance of moneys in said treasury 
 on the said ist day of December, and a statement of all 
 moneys in the hands of him, said Gage, as such Treasurer, 
 on the said ist day of December; 
 
 And that he, the said Gage, as such Treasurer, in order 
 to render the said last named account under his oath, and 
 in order to verify the same by his oath as he was by law 
 required to do as aforesaid, did on the said 6th day of De- 
 cember last aforesaid, come and appear in his own proper 
 person, in said city of Chicago, and county of Cook, before 
 one Francis M. Barrett, he, the said Barrett, being then and 
 there a Notary Public in said city and county, and then and 
 there, in due form of law, sworn by and before him, the said 
 Barrett, as such Notary Public, and did then and there take
 
 ^6 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 his oath before said Barrett as such Notary Public, he, the 
 said Barrett, as such Notary Public, then and there having' 
 full and competent power and authority to administer said 
 oath to him, said Gage, as such Treasurer in that behalf: 
 and that he, the said David A. Gage, as such Treasurer, 
 being so sworn as aforesaid, upon his oath as aforesaid, did 
 then and there, to-wit, on the day and year last aforesaid, in 
 the city and county aforesaid, before him, the said Barrett, 
 as such Notary Public, falsely, willfully, unlawfully, and cor- 
 ruptly say, depose, swear, and make oath and affidavit, partly 
 written and partly printed, among other things, in substance 
 and to the effect following, that is to say : that there was on 
 the said ist day of December in the year last aforesaid, so 
 far as he, said Gage, knew or had reason to believe, a bal- 
 ance of money in the treasury of said city in the sum of and 
 to the amount of |i,i 18,110.49, and that he, the said Gage, 
 on the first day of December, in the year last aforesaid, so 
 far as he, said Gage knew or had reason to believe had in 
 his hands as such Treasurer, moneys in the sum, and to the 
 amount last aforesaid, which said last named account and 
 said oath and affidavit, said Gage, as such Treasurer, rend- 
 ered, delivered and presented to said Burley, as such Comp- 
 troller, the said oath and affidavit being then and there 
 attached to said account, the said 6th day of December last 
 aforesaid, as by said account, oath and affidavit now on file 
 in the proper office of the Comptroller of said city more 
 fully and at large appears. Whereas, in truth and in fact, 
 as he, the said Gage, as such Treasurer, then and there, to- 
 wit, on the said 6th day of December aforesaid, in the city
 
 COUNTING THE MONEY. 57 
 
 and county aforesaid, well knew that there was not, and 
 had good reason to believe that there was not, on the said 
 ist day of December aforesaid, a balance of moneys in said 
 treasury in the sum and to the amount of $1,118,110.49 5 
 and whereas, in truth and in fact, he, the said Gage, on said 
 6th day of December, as said Treasurer, well knew that 
 there was not, and had good reason to believe there was not, 
 in his hands as such Treasurer moneys in the sum and to 
 the amount last aforesaid. 
 
 And so the Grand Jury aforesaid, upon their oaths and 
 affirmations aforesaid, d-o present and say that he, the said 
 David A. Gage, as such Treasurer, well knew and had 
 reason to believe, that the said oath and affidavit were will- 
 fully and corruptly false in manner and form aforesaid, and 
 that he, the said David A. Gage, did commit willful and 
 corrupt perjury in manner and form aforesaid, contrary to 
 the statute, and against the peace and dignity of the people 
 of the State of Illinois. 
 
 Charles H. Reed, State's Attorney. 
 
 Indorsed : A true bill, 
 
 R. R. Clark, Foreman of the Grand Jury. 
 
 Filed Feb. 10, 1874. Austin J. Doyle, Clerk. ■ 
 
 The civil and criminal actions are still pending. The 
 financial status of Mr. Gage, as to the City Treasury, may 
 be thus stated . 
 
 The deficit in the City Treasury, at the expiration of Mr. 
 Gage's term, amounted to S507>7°3-S8- Of this, in the banks 
 were $147,500, leaving what might be called Gage's personal 
 indebtedness $360,203.58.
 
 c;8 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 In the report given as the work of the Finance Committee, 
 it is observed that the signature of Alderman Sherwood, one 
 of the Committee, is not visible. In justice to Mr. Sherwood, 
 the following is published, being a copy of an interview 
 between that gentleman and a Tribune reporter : 
 
 " Alderman Sherwood, a member of the Committee, had 
 been called to Minnesota by the death of a sister. On his 
 return, after the election, he was asked to sign the report, but 
 declined because he was not satisfied that all was right. He 
 went into the Trevasurer"s office, and was shown that the 
 balance corresponded with the amount called for by the 
 Comptroller's books. Mr. Sherwood then asked where the 
 money was, and was given a list of the banks in whicli it was 
 said to be deposited, as follows : * 
 
 Commercial $ -20.SS3.34 
 
 Union Stock Yards 60.000.00 
 
 Third National i33'7So.53 
 
 Union National 204,113.70 
 
 Fourth National 50,000.00 
 
 Manufacturers' National 15,000.00 
 
 Badger's Bank 7,500.00 
 
 Second National - - 1 15,000.00 
 
 Mechanics' 38,500.00 
 
 Cook County 101.113. 79 
 
 Hibernian - 1 0,000.00 
 
 Bank of Chicago 5,000.00 
 
 State Savings Institution - 122,125.08 
 
 November Balance, $1,083,016.44 
 
 * Mr. Sherwood obtained the foregoing statements some days before 
 election ; but, being called suddenly away, did not have an opportunity 
 to analyze them before his return from Minnesota.
 
 COUNTING THE MONEY. 59 
 
 " Mr. Sherwood asked to see the bank books, to compare 
 them with the balances above given. The clerk replied that 
 Mr. Gage had taken the bank books away, and that they 
 had not been written up for several months. He (the clerk) 
 had entered the balances as Mr. Gage gave them to him, 
 and, to the best of his knowledge, the accounts were all 
 straight. The stubs on the check - book showed that there 
 were but two "live" banks,— that is, banks on which checks 
 were drawn,— the others being accounts that had not been 
 disturbed from the time of the fire until the panic. The 
 September balance sheet showed that the Second National 
 had $100,000 and the Mechanics $35,000, while the Novem- 
 ber balance showed an increase of $15,000 deposited in the 
 former, and of $3,500 in the latter. With the exception of 
 the two banks that were being constantly checked upon, 
 these were the only changes that had been made in the 
 accounts of other banks since the fire. Such is the report 
 which Mr, Sherwood received from the clerk. 
 
 " Mr. Sherwood insisted that the bank books should be 
 exhibited fully written up. Soon after, Mr. Sherwood re- 
 ceived a note from Mr. Gage requesting him to call at the 
 Pacific Hotel, as he desired to see him. The result was an 
 interview, during which Mr. Gage acknowledged he was 
 short, and appealed to Mr. Sherwood to give him ten days, 
 and he would come out all right ; that if he (Sherwood) had 
 not discovered the real facts, nothing would ever be known 
 about them. Mr. Gage felt keenly the situation in which he 
 was placed. He appealed to Mr. Sherwood's generosity, and 
 his appeal prevailed. Mr. Sherwood did not insist upon
 
 6o THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 examining the bank books, though he now thinks he should 
 have done so. He says he pitied Mr. Gage. He told Mr. Gage 
 it was due to him that he should know the worst, that he 
 understood that Mr. Gage had confessed to Mr. Bond and 
 Mr. Burley, since the election, that the deficit amounted to 
 $250,000. Mr. Gage replied that he was short $300,000. 
 
 " The interview closed, Mr. Sherwood retiring with the 
 expectation and belief that Mr. Gage would make up the 
 deficiency before his successor demanded a settlement. 
 This explains why the report of the Finance Committee was 
 never sent to the Council." 
 
 While pursuing his investigations, Mr. Sherwood procured 
 from the Treasurer's office a statement which is interesting, 
 as it shows the amount in the hands of the Treasurer each 
 month from October, 187 1, to October, 1873, inclusive: 
 
 Oct. 17, 1871 $ 645,727.98 
 
 Dec. 1,1871 458,463.86 
 
 Jan. 2, 1872 516,666.60 
 
 Feb. I, 1872 690,295,66 
 
 March i, 1872 699,359.38 
 
 April I, 1872 821,522.19 
 
 May I, 1872 _ 898,594.66 
 
 June I, 1872 .- 861,925.00 
 
 July I, 1872 1,082,993.74 
 
 August I, 1872 1,275,952.56 
 
 Sept. 2, 1872 1,256,584.21 
 
 Oct. I, 1872.- 1,164,933.40 
 
 Nov. 1,1872 1,077,975,35 
 
 Dec. 2, 1872 1,175,048.99 
 
 Jan. 2, 1873 1,110,109.12
 
 COUNTING THE MONEY. 6l 
 
 Feb. 1,1873... --- S 958.901-51 
 
 March i, 1873 984,326.62 
 
 April I, 1873 889,559.53 
 
 May I, 1873... 1,087,051.45 
 
 June 2, 1873 1,016,998.99 
 
 July I, 1873 999,588.48 
 
 Aug. I, 1873 1,288,588.39 
 
 Sept. I, 1873 1,444,909.57 
 
 Oct. I, 1873 1,425,461.56 
 
 There were several good causes, in Mr. Sherwood's opin- 
 ion, why he should not sign the report — if report it was. 
 As regarded the water fund especially, all the information 
 he could secure from officials could not explain to his satis- 
 faction the remarkable shrinkage. All seemed to agree that 
 this fund was over a million dollars before the fire. This 
 fund was sacred under the charter, and Mr. Sherwood could 
 not but be convinced that it was drawn from when the 
 amount in the hands of the Treasurer on Oct. 17, 1871, was 
 found to be $645,727.98. 
 
 Had this special water fund been put into bonds, bear- 
 ing interest, instead of placing the currency in the hands 
 of the Treasurer for speculation, it is certain that the city 
 would draw the interest, and the principle would have been 
 something over a million, instead of $645,727.98, as reported 
 on Oct. 17, 1871. 
 
 In his investigation, Mr. Sherwood ascertained that not 
 one of the special appropriation accounts had been bal- 
 anced since the fire. Then, too, what purported to be the 
 report of the Finance Committee was singularly irregular,
 
 62 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 as it was addressed to the chairman, L. L. Bond, instead of 
 being signed, as is the custom, by the chairman, who is a 
 member of the committee making the report. 
 
 If Mr. Sherwood had signed the report, it was the general 
 impression that the white-washing process as regards the 
 city Treasury would have been complete. 
 
 In the defense of Mr. David A. Gage, the able services of 
 Hon. Leonard Svvett have been secured. In an interview 
 between this learned gentleman and the writer of this work, 
 the following defense by Mr. Gage was ascertained : 
 
 "The defense lies in the fact that Mr. Gage used and 
 loaned the City's funds by authority of the City of Chicago. 
 The charter of 1863 provided that the City Treasurer keep 
 the funds in a place designated by the city ; and a penalty of 
 imprisonment in the penitentiary was. met if the Treasurer 
 converted, used or loaned such moneys in any manner what- 
 soever, notwithstanding the specifications of a place, the 
 city never did furnish a place ; and the city's safe being so 
 insecure as to require a special guard over night, the habit 
 arose, from necessity, to keep the money in the city banks. 
 Each bank, desiring as much of the money as possible, com- 
 petition arose, and between the years 1863 and 1869, interest 
 was paid on balances, which was kept as a perquisite of 
 office by the City Treasurer. As the banks were always 
 considered good, — the fact of loaning being notorious — 
 the city came to desire the interest. Consequently, in the 
 winter of 1869, a law was passed providing that the City 
 Council might, by ordinance, direct the City Treasurer where 
 to place such public money at such a rate of interest, and
 
 COUNTING THE MONEY. 63 
 
 with such security as were prescribed by ordinance. Mr. 
 Gage was the first Treasurer elected after the passage of this 
 law, and his first official act consisted of a written commun- 
 ication to the Council in which he asked it to act under this 
 law, and supervise the loaning of the city money. With 
 this communication Mr. Gage sent in his official bond in the 
 sum of $400,000, which was the amount required of his pre- 
 decessors. The Council, after mature deliberation, deter- 
 mined that if they should direct where the money should be 
 placed, and, if placed as directed, should be lost, the City 
 must lose it. They therefore determined to exact a bond 
 from Mr. Gage of $2,500,000, with most approved security; 
 and this indemnified the city in a larger sum than any money 
 in Mr. Gage's hands, and to permit him to do what he 
 pleased with the money. As Mr. Gage assumed, by this 
 arrangement, personal risk of losing, the City paid him 
 $10,000 per annum for his risk. After two years Mr. Gage 
 accounted with the city, having made more than $100,000 
 by loans. Mr. Gage asked the Council for a relief of res- 
 ponsibility, and to direct where to place the funds. The 
 Council declined, telling him to do as he pleased — still 
 paying him $10,000. And now, having invested and loaned 
 in good faith, Mr. Gage denies criminal liability. It is not 
 the case of a public officer using the public funds and 
 becoming a defaulter, but simply a civil liability upon a loan 
 by authority of the Council. At the end of Mr. Gage's 
 term, every dollar had been loaned — aggregating about 
 $1,000,000. It was during the great panic of '73, Mr. Gage 
 collected about $500,000, and paid over about $150,000 in
 
 .64 THE GREAT REVOLUTION 
 
 the city suspended banks, and about $350,000 in other loans. 
 In this situation Mr. Gage, although his liability to do so was 
 very doubtful, assumed payment of deficiencies, and put 
 nearly $600,000 as assets into the hands of a trustee to cover 
 any deficiency ultimately found in the settlement of his 
 accounts."
 
 • HOW IT WAS DONE. 
 
 The great meeting in the Seventeenth Ward was recog- 
 nized as the inauguration of the local political campaign. 
 It was held in Thielman's Theatre, on Clybourne avenue, 
 on the evening of May 14. 
 
 The meeting was called to order by ]\Ir. A. Hottinger, who 
 denounced the way in which the municipal government was 
 conducted under the Medillian administration. He said 
 he believed so-called temperance notions, with which the 
 heads of the local rulers seemed tu be full, could be era- 
 dicated as well as slavery had been. He could see nothing 
 but tyranny in the then city government. The Germans 
 would obey the law, or what was called the law, but would 
 seek their redress with other liberal people at the polls in 
 November. 
 
 Messrs. Adolphe Schoeninger and Frick. were elected 
 President and Secretary. 
 
 The former said the object of the meeting was to organize 
 a movement, regardless of party politics, whereby the liberties 
 of the people could be secured and retained. It ajipeared 
 to be the aim of the city government to abridge the consti- 
 tutional riLihts of citizens and make them subservient to its
 
 66 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 will. Under its Know-Nothing displeasure the Germans had 
 come more than any other people; but they were determined 
 to assert their manhood, and show the so-called temperance 
 people that they were neither drunkards, serfs nor fools. 
 It was hoped that the German papers could conscientiously 
 unite in its support, and that other people would join in the 
 movement. 
 
 Mr. Knoblesdorf said that the Germans had been driven 
 to organize for self -protection by the narrow-minded men 
 who were at the head of municipal affairs, and who were en- 
 deavoring to force their own sectarian and Know - Nothing 
 opinions down the public throat. The Germans were deter- 
 mined to stand the oppression no longer. They were about 
 to organize for the preservation of their rights and privileges, 
 gauranteed them by the constitution of the country and the 
 state. He believed the result of the November election in 
 Chicago would be a stern rebuke to the Know-Nothing and 
 so-called temperance element. It would show them that the 
 Germans and people of other nationalities were not Puritani- 
 cal, but progressive and free in their ideas, and jealous of 
 their political rights. 
 
 Messrs. Knoblesdorf, Karls, Schmehl, Lengacher and Lin- 
 don were appointed a committee on resolutions. 
 
 Mr. A. C. Hesing, having been loudly called for, spoke 
 in favor of any movement which would free the people from 
 the thralldom of narrow views and national prejudices, by 
 which the municipal rulers seemed to be swayed. If such 
 a movement could be organized by Republicans and Demo- 
 crats anxious to preserve the constitutional liberties of the
 
 HOW IT WAS DONE. 67 
 
 people, so much the better. The record of the Germans 
 could be pointed to with pride. They were not drunkards 
 because they loved convivial beer. They had shown their 
 patriotism and love of American institutions on many a 
 blood-stained field. But it seemed, from present appear- 
 ances, that all their present sacrifices only entitled them to 
 be trodden under foot in civil life. Their moral record was 
 clearly shown by the national statistics of crime. Know- 
 nothingism was striving to get the upper hand again in this 
 city, but it would be put down as it was before. Native 
 Americans had produced more public men at whom the fin- 
 ger of scorn could be pointed, than foreigners. The speaker 
 instanced the cases of Colfax, Brooks, and Ames. Mr. 
 Hesing concluded by stating that he would vote for any 
 man, be he Republican, Liberal, or Democrat, who would 
 exert himself to keep the personal rights of citizens invio- 
 late. 
 
 Mr. H. B. Miller followed by a renunciation of the Re- 
 publican party. 
 
 The Committee on Resolutions then returned resolutions 
 expressive of the sentiment of the meeting. The following 
 is a copy of the resolutions: 
 
 Resolved, That the present meeting of German citizens, 
 without distinction of party, declares it to be the duty of 
 every liberal-minded citizen to seek in the impending elec- 
 tion to work for the future, and not to fight over the past. 
 
 Resolved, That we invite all the liberal elements of all 
 nationalities and all parties to co-operate with us. 
 
 Resolved, That, in the contest which has been forced upon
 
 68 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 US, not merely the oppressive temperance laws are concerned, 
 but the principle of freedom of conscience, and freedom to 
 conduct business of all kinds. 
 
 Resolved, That we invite the citizens of all the wards to 
 organize at once, and that the united organizations unite in 
 a central body as quickly as possible. 
 
 Resolved, That we are of the opinion that not only all 
 liberal-minded citizens, but also the German newspapers, 
 should take a part in this contest ; and we, therefore, request 
 them to unite with us in the approaching election, and that 
 we reject with indignation every attempt to make capital 
 out of this common cause. 
 
 To carry out these principles, the following measures were 
 agreed to : 
 
 That the representatives of the German press pledge 
 themselves to support effectually the efforts of the liberal- 
 minded citizens, and refrain from all personal attacks upon 
 them. 
 
 That, at all future elections, we will give our votes to only 
 those men who can give us satisfactory written guarantees 
 that they will act for the preservation of the personal free- 
 dom and rights guaranteed by the constitution of the 
 United States, and that they are in favor of the putting 
 down of the unconstitutional and hostile-to-freedom Tem- 
 perance and Sunday laws, and of the maintainance and 
 freedom of trade. 
 
 That a committee be appointed in each ward to see to the 
 naturalization of all who are entitled to become citizens. 
 
 That the citizens of all the wards are invited to elect exe-
 
 HOW IT WAS DONE. 69 
 
 cutive committees, and that they unite to form a central 
 committee. 
 
 Then came the great German mass meeting, on the even- 
 ing of May 20, at Aurora Turner Hall, on Milwaukee 
 avenue. 
 
 Ex-Alderman John Buehler was elected Chairman, and 
 Mr. Pfurstenberg acted as Secretary. 
 
 The first speaker was Mr. A. C. Hesing. He said that he 
 was greatly pleased that the movement begun on the North 
 Side had spread like wnldfire into the rest of the city. His 
 exchanges showed that the movement here met with applause 
 everywhere. They must forget the past, and think only how 
 to succeed in the future. The Germans must assure their 
 fellow-citizens that they were for good order every day, and 
 that they would support only good candidates for every 
 position, and turn out every man from the Council w^ho had 
 anything to do with rings or with pushing on these domicil- 
 iary visits of police, etc. The German who went to church 
 Sunday morning and to a lager beer garden in the afternoon 
 had a right to have his opinion respected. They should be 
 careful to nominate men who would not betray them. The 
 ward committees would form a central one. which would 
 issue an address to the public, stating their views, and de- 
 claring by the Almighty they would not cease till their 
 objects were attained. 
 
 Francis A. Hoffman, Jr., followed. The speaker said that 
 the United States was settled by many nationalities, even 
 before the Constitution was adopted. French, Dutch and 
 English had come here. Afterwards an immense immigra-
 
 7° 
 
 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 tion ensued. So many Germans had come that they pre- 
 served their own customs and manners, to a great extent. 
 Then the Know-Nothing movement arose, and those who 
 belonged to it denied their connection, as Henry Wilson had 
 done. They must in this movement join all hand in hand, 
 irrespective of anything but thtir rights. It was said that 
 the Supreme Court would sustain the Sunday and temper- 
 ance laws. That was so ; but the Federal Supreme Court 
 had not decided anything of the kind. Slavery was consti- 
 tutional, and yet it had been put to death. This was not a 
 question of beer, it was one of personal rights. Why, 
 instead of fighting the Germans and their rights, did not the 
 Puritans reprove their Ben. Butlers.^ The Germans had 
 fought bravely for American Union. Never would such a 
 people be conquered in the present contest. They must 
 sink Republican and Democrat, Catholic and Protestant, 
 Free Trader and Protectionist, and go in single-hearted to 
 their contest for freedom and the right, and the good old 
 customs of the mother land which they had transplanted to 
 these American shores. 
 
 Mr. Emil Dietzsch followed. He said that Germans and 
 Irish, they were all Americans. For years the Germans had 
 stood by the Republican party; now the temperance people 
 were demanding their pound of flesh. 
 
 General Herman Lieb and others closed the meeting with 
 remarks. 
 
 Meetings in the various wards followed fast and numerous, 
 awakening a perfect storm of feeling. 
 
 At a meeting of the Chicago Turngemeinde, held in the
 
 HOW IT WAS DONE. 7 1 
 
 North Side Turner Hall, May 21, the following resolutions 
 were adopted : 
 
 ** Whereas, That element of the nation which is inimical 
 to the foreign-born citizens has got control in Chicago, as 
 well as all over the country; of the legislative branches 
 of government, and through them infringes upon the per- 
 sonal liberty of individuals, prostitutes the basis of a Repub- 
 lican form of government, and attempts to force upon the 
 free and independent citizen the straight-jacket of Puritan- 
 ical views ; and 
 
 "Whereas, The Turngemeinde of Chicago is in duty 
 bound to take up unanimously the side of reformatory, lib- 
 eral and Democratic ideas in the political and social life ; 
 therefore, 
 
 ''''Resolved, That we hail with joy the union of all liberal- 
 minded citizens of Chicago, and that we promise to assist 
 with all our might in the battle against the attempts of the 
 Puritans against personal rights and the freedom of trade. 
 
 " Resolved, That it advise its members to forget all party 
 differences of the past, and to elect only such men as those 
 whose past life is a guaranty of their coincidence with our 
 views, and that they will honestly fulfill the promises given 
 to us. 
 
 " Resolved, That, as the joint action of all liberal organ- 
 izations and societies, without distinction of party or nation- 
 ality, will give this movement sure victory, the Turnge- 
 meinde invites all societies to delegate five members each, 
 for mutual consultation and united action.
 
 72 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 " Resolved, That it is advisable to secure to the movement 
 general confidence, to request societies to elect only such 
 delegates as are honored in their walks of life, and whom 
 nobody can reproach with studying any special interests. 
 
 "Resolved, That the Turngemeinde absolutely denies the 
 insinuation that in the coming election the German element 
 intends to force itself to the front: far from it; we think we 
 are able to promise the hearty support and warm apprecia- 
 tion of Germans to all those liberal-minded men, of all na- 
 tionalities, who will fight with us against falsehood and 
 hypocrisy. 
 
 " Resolved, That the Turngemeinde offers its hall and 
 building, free of charge, for mass-meetings, committee- 
 meetings, and all purposes that will help the cause. 
 
 " Resolved, That these resolutions be published in the 
 German and English dailies, and the Scandinavian and 
 Bohemian weeklies." 
 
 At this juncture, the movement had attained such formi- 
 dable proportions that the Chicago Tribime, on May 24, 
 published the following head-lines, in very bold type, pre- 
 ceding reports of meetings : " The Germans ; They are 
 Rapidly I^rifting Away from the Republican Party." 
 
 Again, in the same journal of May 29, the following head- 
 lines appeared in bold type : " It is Spreading ; The New 
 Departure of the German Americans." Eight enthu- 
 siastic liberal meetings had been held the evening previous. 
 
 At those meetings, in conformity with the programme of 
 *' the New Departure," delegates were appointed to meet and 
 select an Agitation Committee.
 
 HOW IT WAS DONE. 73 
 
 On the evening of May 29th, these delegates met in 
 Bismarck Hall, in the Teutonia Building, and appointed the 
 following Agitation Committee : Frank Schweinfiirth, Will- 
 iam Floth, Clovis Tegtmeyer, C. Niehoff, Dr. Matthei, Max 
 Eberhardt, Emil Muhlke, R. Thieme, F. A. Hoffman, J. 
 Schiellinger, R. Michaelis, G. R. Korn, William Schwarz, B. 
 Eisendrath, Carl Dahinten, Philip Stein, H. Schandlin, W. 
 Schaeffer, Carl Bluhm, R. Freiberg, A. C. Hesing, R. Chris- 
 tiansen, J. C. Meyer, Peter Hand, A. Erbe, L. Schwuchow, 
 F. Sengi, and the editors of the various German papers. 
 
 This Agitation Committee went to work at once with 
 great earnestness. The result of their labors was the fol- 
 lowing Address and resolutions. Said Address and resolu- 
 tions were presented, on the evening of June 25, to the 
 Central Committee, in Bismarck Hall, and were adopted 
 unanimously : 
 
 " If it is in times of great political excitement that every 
 citizen is called upon to discharge his duties in upholding 
 and supporting the rights of his fellow-men, the integrity of 
 the nation, or the public welfare and prosperity, it is also at 
 such times that, from passion and self-interest, men will 
 lose sight of the goodness of the cause in which they have 
 enlisted, that they will endeavor to corrupt the true instincts 
 of the people, in order to make them subservient to their 
 own personal ends, to their desire of private gain and self- 
 aggrandizement. The great conflict that was carried on 
 between two large and powerful sections of this country, 
 which resulted in the final triumph of the principle advocat- 
 ing the right of freedom from involuntary servitude and
 
 74 
 
 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 bondage among men, has also fired the passion and encour- 
 aged the love of power and personal gain among our people. 
 We have seen the scandalous transactions of men in high 
 office, we have witnessed the attempt of defrauding the pub- 
 lic treasury. Instead of the personal rights of the citizen 
 being respected, and the principles of our fundamental laws 
 being carried out, men seek to control those rights, and use 
 the instrument of government as a means of oppression. 
 Men seem to forget that the first condition of liberty is the 
 establishment of some higher principle than compulsion and 
 fear. A government that rests on material force alone, and 
 adopts coercive measures to compel the people to follow a 
 certain line of conduct, must always be a tyranny, whatever 
 form it assumes. 
 
 " The question that seems most deeply to interest the people 
 at the present moment, not only in this community, but in 
 all parts of the country, is that concerning the renewed at- 
 tempt to enforce certain laws which, for some time, had been 
 obsolete, and to lend assistance to their sanctioning power 
 by additional legislation, and which, for the sake of brevity, 
 we familiarly style the Temperance and Sunday laws. 
 
 "That these laws are obnoxious to a large and respectable 
 portion of our people, is not so much owing to the fact that 
 they are intended to wage war against the legitimate customs 
 and habits of a large class of our population, but to the 
 well-founded apprehension that they are calculated to aim a 
 deadly blow against the fundamental rights of American 
 citizenship — the right to be protected in the pursuit of hap- 
 piness, the acquisition of private property, and the exercise
 
 HOW IT WAS DONE. 75 
 
 of personal liberty. It is the candid opinion of those who 
 undertake to oppose those laws that, although they pretend 
 to be mere police regulations, for the preservation of the 
 public peace, they are dictated by the spirit of religious sec- 
 tarianism, which is bent upon subjecting the powers of gov- 
 ernment and the private conduct of its citizens to a system 
 of religious belief to which a number of our citizens, who 
 by no means form a minority, can, from private convictions, 
 never conform. 
 
 " We claim that these rules, by which our own civil conduct 
 is to be regulated, tend toward the establishment of a State 
 religion, and violate, if enforced, without qualification, the 
 fundamental rights reserved to the people by our organic 
 laws. 
 
 " We hold that moral principles, which are to shape the 
 conduct of our people, cannot effectually be taught in the 
 form of positive law in the halls of legislation, but in the 
 schools, whether public or private, whether denominational 
 or otherwise, and in the sacred confines of our private homes. 
 We hold that in those countries where public instruction is 
 encouraged, and where all essential facilities are freely given, 
 the commission of crime is far less frequent, immoral prac- 
 tices but few in number, and the tone of public morality the 
 most healthy. We are of opinion that, in order to preserve 
 and maintain the virtue of the people, we have to raise the 
 moral standard of our youth, we have to educate the rising 
 generation up to that standard of public and private virtue 
 which has been the pride of those days, in which the fathers 
 of this country reared this noble fabric of government, whose
 
 76 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 object is to secure the greatest happiness to the greatest 
 number of its citizens. 
 
 " In submitting the subjoined resolutions, adopted by a 
 central committee, regularly chosen, we disclaim any inten- 
 tion of disobeying the laws as long as they exist; we shall 
 use all legal means to alter tnem, and will be guided in our 
 political conduct hereafter by the platform which we submit. 
 We further disclaim all tendencies towards German Nativism, 
 as sometimes charged against us. A common language and 
 views common to citizens of German descent have neces- 
 sarily caused us to act in harmony in this case, but speaking 
 also the English language, and in the proud consciousness of 
 being American citizens, always true to our adopted country, 
 we call on citizens of all nationalities, whether born here or 
 in another country, to join us in this movement which, we 
 believe, is a combat for right and liberty. 
 
 " Resolved, That the civil service of the general, state, and 
 local government has become a mere instrument of partisan 
 tyranny, and personal ambition, and an object of selfish 
 greed. It is a scandal and reproach upon free institutions, 
 and breeds demoralization dangerous to the perpetuity of 
 Republican government. We therefore regard a thorough 
 reform of the civil service as one of the most pressing 
 necessities of the hour ; that honesty, capacity and fidelity 
 constitute the only valid claims to public employment ; that 
 the offices cease to be a matter of arbitrary favoritism and 
 patronage ; and that public stations shall become again posts 
 of honor. 
 
 ^''Resolved, That in the present state of the public finances.
 
 HOW IT WAS DONE. 
 
 77 
 
 it is imperatively necessary that our city and county affairs 
 be managed in the most economical manner, and that the 
 public monies be husbanded as carefully and frugally as 
 possible. 
 
 " Resolved, That education of the youth is the most effective 
 agency for the suppression and prevention of crime, and 
 that the establishment of a sufficient number of well-located 
 schools, and the engagement of a large number of competent 
 teachers is one of the greatest demands of this city, and 
 ought at once to be attended to. 
 
 " Resolved, That we regard it as an outrage and in conflict 
 with the spirit of the times and our institutions, that a man 
 should, except in cases of breach of the peace, be arrested, 
 in cases where his offence, if any, is punished by law with a 
 fine only. In such cases a mere summons answers every 
 just and lawful purpose. All laws and ordinances in conflict 
 with this resolution ought to be modified in accordance 
 therewith. 
 
 ''''Resolved, That the police power of the state, county, 
 or city should under no circumstances be wielded in the 
 interest of only infractions of society for the single purpose 
 of enforcing their individual views and convictions upon 
 another portion of the community, or in the interest of their 
 individual religious views, or in the interest of exclusive 
 modes in which happiness should be pursued and life enjoyed. 
 Recognizing existing institutions, we assent to the demand that 
 during Sunday all business and amusements should be under 
 such restrictions as will in no manner inl»erfere with or dis- 
 turb the devotion or worship of any class of society, at the
 
 jS THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 same time denying the right of any portion of the community 
 to determine how their neighbors shall pass their Sunday, 
 meaning hereby to concede just what is demanded in return 
 — that all shall be left free to spend their Sunday as they 
 may see fit, provided, only, that they do not commit a breach 
 of the peace, or interfere with any other person exercising 
 exactly the same right of choice, this right of choice, under 
 the above limitations, being, as we believe, a sacred right 
 guaranteed by the institutions of our country. 
 
 " Resolved, That the cause of Temperance is deserving of 
 aid and assistance by all good men ; intemperance in all 
 things whatsoever ought to be combated with all suitable 
 means. For this reason, we are in favor of encouraging the 
 planting and growing of vineyards in this country, and en- 
 couraging the brewing of good beer, ales, etc. ; and we also 
 jecommend the repeal or reduction of duties upon the im- 
 port of vinous and malt liquors. There ought also to be 
 appointed by the proper authorities inspectors of all the 
 beverages sold publicly, and those found impure and deteri- 
 orated ought to be condemned, and the dealers therein 
 fined. 
 
 '"'' Resolved, That we recommend the passage of an ordinance 
 prohibiting the granting of licenses for keeping saloons, 
 pawn-broker shops, fruit stands, auction stores, hacks, etc., 
 to persons of bad repute. 
 
 ^''Resolved, That we consider it a cardinal principle that a 
 person should be held liable for his own wrong only; and 
 for that reason we consider as unjustifiable the statutory 
 enactment making the owner or landlord of premises respon-
 
 HOW IT WAS DONE. 79 
 
 sible for the neglect or misdemeanor of his tenant. And for 
 the same reason we demand that drunkards be held 
 strictly accountable as well for their acts committed Avhile 
 drunk as for committing the act of getting drunk. 
 
 " Resolved^ That we recommend the principles and views 
 above set forth to the candid consideration of any good cit- 
 izen, and we herewith invite all to join us in our efforts to 
 re-establish and maintain our fundamental rights and liber- 
 ties as citizens of this glorious Republic, and to oppose 
 every candidate for office who is not in sympathy with the 
 spirit of the foregoing resolutions." 
 
 At the same meeting it was agreed, on suggestion of Mr. 
 A. C. Hesing, to hold a mass meeting. 
 
 On the evening of July 17, seventeen members of the 
 Committee of Seventy met in the Builders' Exchange, on 
 LaSalle street. The meeting here decided the fight to be a 
 square stand-up one on the " Law and Order " side. 
 
 Sunday afternoon, August 31, 1873, several gentlemen met 
 in Greenebaum's bank. Present, among others, B. G. Caul- 
 field, W. J. Onahan, A. C. Hesing, General Leib, Justice 
 Boyden, Peter Hunt, Ed. O'Neil, R. Kenney, J. Bonfield, J. 
 H. McAvoy, M. Evans, John Corcoran, Arno Voss, Ed. 
 Phillips, A. Schoenninger, Jacob Rehm, P. M. Cleary, T. Bren- 
 nan, George von HoUen. 
 
 Arno Voss presided. W. J. Onahan acted as Secretary. 
 
 Mr. O'Hara said it made him feel proud that he had been 
 a Democrat from childhood ; he had lived a Democrat and 
 hoped to die a Democrat. There was in the present admin-
 
 8o THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 istration a dangerous tendency to despotism, and a display 
 of Puritanism which was simply intolerant. While he fav- 
 ored a proper observance of law, he could not but deprecate 
 extreme measures. Crime nor lawlessness did he favor, but 
 he thought the best interests of society could be consulted 
 by adopting such a course as would harmonize all classes of 
 our people. He did not care to see the doors of saloons 
 thrown wide open on Sundays. This would offend a certain 
 class, and be very illiberal. To compromise, why not cause 
 saloon proprietors to keep closed doors and drawn curtains, 
 place the establishments under police surveillance, and sup- 
 press disorderly conduct.? The main question to insure 
 success was the selection of good men for city officers. 
 
 Mr. B. G. Caulfield followed. He said Mayor Medill was 
 elected irrespective of politics, but had sold out to the Law 
 and Order men. In his administration only a moiety of our 
 population had been regarded. Washburn was nothing but 
 an importation, and had displayed a stubborn and ill-governed 
 disposition. The Police Department had become a tool in 
 his hands to enforce Puritanical ideas. 
 
 Mr. A. C. Hesing denounced the city government briskly. 
 As an evidence of the manner in which Washburn was con- 
 ducting police affairs he instanced the case of Dennis Sim- 
 mons, one of the best officers on the force, who was dis- 
 charged on a most frivolous charge. 
 
 Messrs. Michael Keeley and Lieb also addressed the 
 meeting. 
 
 On the evening of Sept. 3, the German-American Central 
 Committee met at Bismarck Hall.
 
 HOW IT WAS DONE. 8l 
 
 Mr. A. SchcBnninger called the meeting to order. He re- 
 ferred to the meeting in Greenebaum's building, where a 
 committee was appointed to confer with the Committee of 
 Agitation. 
 
 Mr. A. C. Hesing said that the committee, appointed by 
 the meeting at Greenebaum's bank, consisted of Americans^ 
 Irishmen, and members of all nationalities excepting Ger- 
 mans. It was intended hereby that a coalition should be 
 formed. 
 
 On the evening of Sept. 5, a meeting was held in Greene- 
 baum's building. Col. Arno Voss called the meeting to 
 order, and stated it was a continuation of the meeting of 
 the Sunday previous. 
 
 Alderman McAvoy, Chairman of the Committee appoint- 
 ed to act in connection with the German organization for 
 the purpose of calling a mass-meeting, reported the names 
 for said committee. It was accepted. 
 
 A committee of five was appointed to see that all nation- 
 alities were represented in committees. 
 
 Pending the Committee's report, Mr. A. C. Hesing, having 
 been called upon, gave the history of the organization 
 known as the German-American club. This body, he said, 
 it was intended, should meet another body constructed by 
 this meeting, to exchange suggestions for a platform. This 
 platform, he hoped, would speak in favor of law and order, 
 of which he was in favor as much as Alderman Woodard,' 
 or any other man. 
 
 Alderman McGrath returned with additional names for
 
 82 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 the Committee of Conference, adding also several for the 
 county. 
 
 Mr. Keeley moved that the joint committees be instructed 
 to draw up a platform, representing the wishes of the people, 
 and report the same to a mass-meeting. The motion pre- 
 vailed. 
 
 On Saturday evening, Sept. 6, the coalition met in Bis- 
 mark Hall, and received the platform of the preceding 
 June. 
 
 On the evening of Sept. 12, the platform of Sept. 26, 
 1873, was adopted. 
 
 The following amendment was adopted, offered by Mr. 
 Rosenthal : 
 
 Resolved, That there ought also to be appointed, by the 
 proper authorities, inspectors of all beverages sold publicly, 
 and those found impure and deteriorated ought to be con- 
 demned, and dealers therein fined. 
 
 The following letter was read, from Henry Greenebaum, 
 -Esq.: 
 
 You will please excuse me from taking any active part 
 in the deliberations of your committee. While I have 
 no inclination to figure in politics, — my business duties ab- 
 sorbing my time fully, — candor prompts me to say that I 
 am in sympathy with your movement, and I am of the 
 opinion that a municipal ticket, to be composed of gentle- 
 men possessing honesty and integrity, as tvell as broad and prac- 
 tical views, will be overwhelmingly sustained at the polls. 
 Respectfully, Henry Greenebaum.
 
 HOW IT WAS DONE. 83 " 
 
 Mr. Rosenthal presented a resolution which was adopted, 
 making the election of judges independent of party issues. 
 
 On the evening of Friday, Sept. 26, 1873, a meeting of the 
 joint committee was held in Bismarck Hall. 
 
 Mr. Hesing presented the following call which was unan- 
 imously adopted : 
 
 TO OUR FELLOW CITIZENS. 
 
 " In view of our approaching municipal election and the 
 important issues for the welfare of our city involved there- 
 in, we call on all those who look calmly and without preju- 
 dice upon the political situation, to unite with us in order to' 
 secure a good and economical government for the next mu- 
 nicipal term. We call upon those who are in favor of an 
 honest city and county administration ; who are opposed to 
 intemperance, and endeavor to advance' public morals by 
 moral suasion, and not by prohibitory laws ; who are in 
 favor of a quiet Sunday by protecting religious services 
 without resort to a stringent general law; who are opposed 
 to the granting of licenses to people of bad repute ; who 
 are in favor of reforming our police so that the force may 
 be the protectors of life and property, and not the tools of 
 intolerance and bigoted fanaticism ; who are in favor of law 
 and order, but are opposed to every faction and every can- 
 didate who misapply the term for the purposes of intol- 
 erance and tyranny, — we invite all citizens of all national- 
 ities to whatever political party they may have formerly 
 belonged, who adopt the above views, to meet in mass-meet- 
 ing at Kingsbury Hall, on Saturday, October 4, at eight
 
 84 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 o'clock p. m., for consultation and joint action in regard 
 to the approaching election." 
 
 Now came the great and enthusiastic meeting at Kings- 
 bury Hall, Saturday evening. It was an immense demon- 
 stration. Clark street was black with the masses. 
 
 Among the many transparencies carried by the multitude 
 were observed the following : 
 
 " Who owes the city over ^2,000,000 in taxes .' The Law 
 and Order Party." 
 
 " Equal rights for cottages and palaces." 
 
 " Down with an aristocracy of stock swindlers and grain 
 gamblers." 
 
 "If Puritans rule, the country is gone." 
 
 " Our capital consists of muscle and strength." 
 
 " Protection against crime and a sledge - hammer police 
 force." 
 
 " Who resists the payment of taxes ? The leaders of the 
 Law and Order Party." 
 
 "The People's choice is the best." 
 
 " Fifteen hundred majority for the Fifteenth Ward." 
 
 "Let the light shine on our actions, Sundays not ex- 
 cepted." 
 
 " Law and order is our motto, but not by force." 
 
 " The People's Party is too glorious not to be this time 
 victorious." 
 
 " We favor temperance and toleration in all things." 
 
 "The People will reform our politics." 
 
 " The Mayor's bill will prove a failure." 
 
 "Our Party is the strongest."
 
 HOW IT WAS DONE. 85 
 
 "The People will reform our Police Department." 
 
 "We are tax-payers, not tax-fighters." 
 
 "Send Washburn home to Joliet." 
 
 "We will vote for the support of law and order." 
 
 "Old Barnacles, take back seats." 
 
 " Equal rights to all. Down with fanatics." 
 
 " The people have arisen in their might. When the peo- 
 ple rise fanaticism trembles." 
 
 " The great power for good is by moral suasion, and not 
 by prohibition." 
 
 " The duty of the police is to arrest criminals and not 
 innocent men." 
 
 "The Nineteenth Ward good for i,ooo majority." 
 
 "No more gilt-edged candidates." 
 
 " We claim our constitutional rights.' 
 
 " Good-by, Joe ; do n't you wish you had joined the Peo- 
 ple's Party .'' " 
 
 H. B. Miller, Esq., occupied the chair. The gentleman 
 referred to the time after the great fire when all, sharing 
 in a common loss, laid aside poUtical sentiments to elect a 
 worthy administration. Soon after the installation of the 
 new officers, a handful of bigoted and fanatical men com- 
 menced to plot to undermine the privileges of a weakened 
 people; to undermine privileges they had been accorded 
 from time immemorial. Against the earnest pleadings and 
 protests of our best citizens, the ear of the Executive was 
 opened to them. A superintendent of police had been im- 
 ported from Joliet, who knew nothing of us, and under his rule 
 the police force, being subjected to a system of mean espion-
 
 86 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 age and other humilities, became demoraHzed. It was now 
 proposed to place in the field men of honesty, who would 
 pay attention to the vital interests of the city. The weapon 
 to be used was the ballot box. 
 
 Mr. B. G. Caulfield followed in an energetic speech. . 
 The following is a brief synopsis : 
 
 " It is probable that during the preparations made for the 
 election there will be various meetings held with the view of 
 bringing out our best citizens. I am glad to attend the 
 inaugural meeting of the campaign — a meeting of the free 
 American citizens of Chicago — that is a meeting irrespective 
 of all feeling of nationality. I have been requested to be 
 here to - night as a private citizen to express my views 
 upon the matters in question. I represent no party, I rep- 
 resent no nationality. I favor the election of men un- 
 pledged to party, whose character and ability will recom- 
 mend them. There being no political question before us, I 
 feel as a private individual that I can express only my own 
 sentiments, for which you are in no wise responsible. We 
 have come to consult, and all that any speaker can do is to 
 present his own views. I shall simply lay down the principles 
 which I think should govern the campaign. For what I say 
 I am responsible, and I shall exact from the men for whom 
 I vote the opinions I express. In the first place I shall 
 oppose combinations of any nationalities made for the pur- 
 pose of obtaining control of the city government, and of 
 any coalition of citizens for the purpose of making prescrip- 
 tive laws. I believe that our first duty is to our Creator, and 
 that every man should keep the Sabbath holy ; but I do not
 
 HOW IT WAS DONE. 87 
 
 see that this is inconsistent with the proper enjoyment of 
 the day. I would recommend that the meeting appoint a 
 committee, to co-operate with any other citizens' movement, 
 with a view to obtain the very best men for city officers. 
 Now, these are my private views, but I believe they enter 
 into the feelings of the campaign. If they are not adopted 
 by this meeting they will still remain my views. 
 
 " We must co-operate with all men who have the good of 
 the city at heart, by putting into the field a ticket for which 
 they need never be ashamed. Let us take no man from whom 
 it would be necessary to exact a pledge, no man who is not fit 
 to be trusted to the utmost with the city's management and 
 money. Let us look around at the financial position of ihe 
 city and country, and ask if it is a time to bicker about pal- 
 try police regulations. All other questions must sink into 
 insignificance beside the question of bread — the question that 
 will come home to the workingmen this winter — and that 
 must be looked after, [Applause.] It may be well for Chicago 
 to let her voice be heard in the councils of the nation, warn- 
 ing the people. The cotton and wheat crops alone cannot 
 be bought by the present amount of circulating medium. 
 We want more money. We do not say that the money is 
 not good, but that we have not enough of it, and we must 
 call upon the government to supply the want. It is true it 
 has been said much of our money is wrapped up in bogus 
 railway operations; but, surrounded as we are, we know not 
 where succor is to come from. We must tell the men who 
 hoard up their greenbacks that they are bringing ruin upon 
 us. I would like to return to specie payment, but we can- 
 not do it yet. We must have more money first.
 
 88 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 " Thqre is another question. How are we to pay our taxes, 
 now a hundred per cent, higher than ever before, while we 
 are fifty per cent, less able to pay them than a year ago ? 
 Some of the poor have judgments against their property 
 for taxes, and it will be sold. Now, what do you think of 
 men who will prate about what we should drink on Sunday, 
 with such a state of things staring them in the face ? I 
 want to see the Sabbath respected, but I want no bigotry in 
 our Sunday laws. I want every drunken man arrested. 
 The proper way to protect Sunday from violation is to pun- 
 ish those who violate it. I know nothing inconsistent with 
 the law of God in listening to music on Sunday or any 
 other day. We have music in our churches to elevate our 
 hearts, and why cannot we have it in our parks and on 
 our prairies ? I am not in favor of wholesale liquor selling 
 on Sunday, but I want it done under proper regulations. 
 
 " I mi^ht talk longer, but there are other speakers here, 
 and they will entertain you better than I can ; and all I 
 have to say is, indulge in fraternal charity ; abolish all dis- 
 cord and bickerings, and let us unite for a single purpose — 
 that of producing a good government for the rich and 
 poor." 
 
 The Chairman then read the following letter from Gov- 
 ernor Palmer : 
 
 Springfield, III., Oct. 3, 1873. 
 
 Gentlemen : Your note inclosing a copy of a series of 
 resolutions adopted by a meeting in Chicago, and in which 
 you invite me to be present at a mass-meeting, to be held on 
 to-morrow evening, favorable to the principles recited in the
 
 HOW IT WAS DONE. 89 
 
 resolutions, is before me. I have withheld my answer until 
 now, with the hope that I might be able to accept your invi- 
 tation, but I find that it will be'impossible. 
 
 It affords me great pleasure to express my full concur- 
 rence in what I understand to be the leading ideas of the 
 resolutions : that every person should be free to preserve his 
 own happiness, subject only to such restrictions as will 
 afford protection to the equal rights of all others ; that ques- 
 tions like that of the mode of the observance of the Sab- 
 bath are beyond the rightful domain of legislation ; and that 
 every person should be permitted, without legal hindrance, 
 to decide for himself on that, as on all other days, how he 
 shall employ his time, only that he shall not in any sense 
 invade the liberties of others. 
 
 In my judgment the highest earthly authority upon all 
 questions of personal morals is each individual citizen, who 
 has the right, subject to the limitations before mentioned, to 
 decide for himself the extent and nature of his own moral 
 duties. But it is due to my own estimate of the character 
 of the American people that I should say that I do not be- 
 lieve that there is any serious difference among them as to 
 the theory of personal rights, upon which our institutions rest, 
 but the real controversy is as to the practical application of 
 these theories to the government of the great cities, and to 
 the regulation of the conduct and the intercourse of their 
 inhabitants. I have no faith in the ministry of the police 
 officer as an agency for the promotion of morals. Under 
 our system of municipal government the authority of its 
 local magistracy and of its police is practically absolute, and 
 the helpless and feeble are often outraged, and thousands 
 are made criminals by being first treated as outlaws. My 
 best wishes are with every movement which is designed to 
 vindicate the rights of every man who is honest and orderly, 
 and regardful of the rights of others, to do on all days that
 
 90 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 which seemeth good in his own eyes, without challenge from 
 any earthly authority whatever. 
 
 I am, very respectfully, John M. Palmer. 
 
 General Hermann Lieb, the Hon. A. C. Hesing, the Hon. 
 Casper Butz, Committee. 
 
 Several speeches followed. 
 
 Then, amid unbounded enthusiasm, the platform of the 
 party was adopted as follows : 
 
 ''''Resolved, That, in the present state of the public finances, 
 it is imperatively necessary that our city and county affairs 
 be managed in the most economical manner, and the public 
 monies be husbanded as carefully and frugally as possible, 
 in order that our increased municipal taxation be reduced to 
 a just and discriminating government, and the expenditures 
 be made, not for the benefit of any particular class, but for 
 the benefit of the entire community. 
 
 ''''Resolved, That the education of the youth of our country 
 is one of the most effective agencies for the suppression and 
 prevention of crime ; that this object is much better attained 
 by the instruction of our children in the schools than to 
 attempt to enforce morality by legislation. 
 
 ''''Resolved, That the cause of temperance is deserving of 
 the aid and assistance of every good man. Intemperance 
 in all things whatever ought to be combated with all suitable 
 means. But we hold that the desirable object of temperance 
 can only be accomplished by elevating the moral standard 
 of the people through enlightened education, and not by 
 sumptuary laws or special legislation. 
 
 " Resolved, That we recognize the pursuit of happiness as
 
 HOW IT WAS DONE. 91 
 
 one of the inalienable rights of the citizen, and every one 
 should be left free to exercise his right without let or hin- 
 drance, except under such restrictions as are imposed by 
 constitutional law ; and while we believe that on Sunday all 
 business and amusements should be restricted as in no mea- 
 sure to interfere with or disturb the devotion or worship of 
 any class of citizens, yet we firmly deny the right of any one 
 or any class of individuals to prescribe how or in what man- 
 ner Sunday or any day shall be enjoyed by a free people in 
 a free Republic. 
 
 ''^jResohed, That we are in favor of the passage of an ordi- 
 nance prohibiting the granting of licenses to persons of bad 
 repute, for any purpose or purposes whatsoever.. 
 
 ''''Resolved, That there ought also to be appointed by the 
 proper authorities inspectors of all beverages sold publicly, 
 and those found impure and deteriorated ought to be con- 
 demned, and dealers therein fined. 
 
 ^''Resolved, That we look with deep regret and apprehen- 
 sion upon the demoralized condition of our Police Depart- 
 ment. Instead of serving as a department for the protection 
 of life and property of the people, it has been used as an 
 instrument of oppression in the hands of a class of preju- 
 diced and narrow-minded men, and that we deprecate that 
 the legitimate duties of the police force have been prosti- 
 tuted to gratify the intolerant spirit of a minority faction. 
 
 ''■Resolved, That the frequent arbitrary arrest of our citi- 
 zens, in cases where fines only are imposed for breach of city 
 ordinances, is a gross outrage and a violation of constitu- 
 tional rights, and should not be tolerated by a free and 
 enlightened people.
 
 92 THE GREAT R^EVOLUTION. 
 
 ^^Resolved, That we consider it a cardinal principle that a 
 person should be held liable for his own wrong only; and 
 for that reason we consider as unjustifiable the statutory- 
 enactment making the owner or landlord of premises which 
 have been rented for lawful pursuits responsible for the ne- 
 glect or misdemeanor of his tenants, and for the same reason 
 we demand that drunkards be held strictly accountable for 
 their acts committed while drunk. 
 
 ^^ Resolved, That the principles we represent in our plat- 
 form and resolutions are conducive to law and order ; and 
 while we appeal to the sympathy and support of the com- 
 munity at large, regardless of all party affiliations, to endorse 
 them, and the action that we have deemed proper to take in 
 this municipal contest in opposition to a spirit of intoler- 
 ance, we pledge ourselves that we shall abide by law and 
 order, and denounce any faction that arrogates to itself that 
 name ; and to this end we shall oppose every candidate for 
 office who is not in sympathy with the foregoing resolutions." 
 
 Mr. J. K. C. Forrest offered the following as an additional 
 declaration of principles : 
 
 " In view of the present demoralized condition of the 
 trade, commerce and industry of the country, the meeting 
 held in the financial and commercial center of the great 
 Northwest resolves : 
 
 "i. That the President be respectfully requested to 
 immediately convene 'Congress in extra session, for the pur- 
 pose of considering the advisability of issuing a sufficient 
 amount of legal tender currency, based upon the deposit of 
 national securities, and at such high rates of interest as
 
 HOW IT WAS DONE. 93 
 
 will attract it again to the Treasury upon the restoration of 
 private and. corporate credit. The great want at the present 
 time is currency. It is absurd to ask the people to deposit 
 money in banks which do not pay it out on demand. At 
 the same time such deposit of money merely tends to intens- 
 ify the existing stringency ; it simply enables the banks to 
 save themselves at the expense and to the vital injury of the 
 manufacturing and mercantile community. The legitimate 
 and truly commercial mode of calling out currency from its 
 hiding places is to make it for the interest of holders to 
 part with it. 
 
 " 2. Congress should be respectfully asked to repeal the 
 existing national bankrupt act. A person with $10,000 of 
 property other than money can now be compelled to sacri- 
 fice it for a debt of $150. At the same time such sacrifice, 
 if general, will depreciate the real and personal property of 
 the country from fifty to seventy-five per cent. This would 
 necessarily entail ruin upon hundreds of thousands of our 
 citizens. 
 
 " 3. Congress should replace the notes of national banks 
 which have gone into liquidation with legal-tender money. 
 This would save interest and prevent stringency of currency. 
 
 " 4. The city of Chicago should promptly issue a suf- 
 ficient amount of scrip to keep the mechanics and laborers 
 now engaged in municipal improvements in full work. 
 
 "5. The advertised sale of city lots on which are the 
 houses of our citizens, and on which tax payments have not 
 yet* been made, should be postponed until the city scrip to 
 be issued has, to some considerable extent, filled the vacuum 
 caused by the withdrawal of money from circulation.
 
 94 
 
 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 " With this declaration of principles we submit the cause of 
 the People's Party to our citizens of all religions and nation- 
 alities." 
 
 When considerable routine business had been done, vehe- 
 ment cries brought forth Mr. A. C. Hesing, who spoke as 
 follows : 
 
 " Fellow Citizens : I shall entertain you only for a few 
 minutes, and I will say that I never intended to say a word 
 here to-night. But, as I have been called upon several times, 
 I come forward to give you my sentiments in regard to this 
 present movement. We are here to-night for the purpose of 
 organizing a party which shall bring us law and order in 
 this city ; which shall respect life and property, and give us a 
 chance, give the poor a chance — you, the laboring classes 
 of this community, at least the right to enjoy yourselves 
 according to the dictation of your consciences. [Applause.] 
 Now, gentlemen, I recollect the time in this city, and in 
 other places, when the people — when these very same news- 
 papers — were very glad to hear occasionally from your hum- 
 ble servant who is now before you. I recollect the time — 
 and it is not very long since — when the gentleman whom I 
 now see here to-night before me, who said to-day : "Who 
 would have anything to do with that crowd that would 
 assemble at Kingsbury hall to-night.?" — when he begged 
 me to come to the Thirteenth ward and give him a speech 
 to help elect General Grant and the Republican ticket. I 
 recollect the time when this same abused man who stands 
 here before you, when a boy, at the age of nineteen, opened 
 his mouth and lifted his voice for the liberty of an oppressed
 
 HOW IT WAS DONE. 95 
 
 • 
 
 race in this country. And to-day I stand here to obtain lib- 
 erty for the oppressed who are here before me. I recollect 
 the time when these newspapers called upon Mr. Hesing to 
 organize war clubs to fill our regiments — to induce men to 
 leave their families — to induce them to take up their mus- 
 kets and go to the war, and fight the battles for these nabobs 
 who now try to oppress us. Where would that glorious ban- 
 ner be which floats over us in this hall if it had not been for 
 you who rescued it from the hands of those robbers ? [Ap- 
 plause.] They say that " the foreigners want to dictate to 
 us." These same men were not yet born when I went on 
 the stump to speak for this great nation, and for American 
 liberty, and liberty for all. [Applause.] It is more than a 
 third of a century since I landed in Baltimore — it is thirty- 
 four years ago that I set my foot on this soil, and to-day I 
 am yet called a foreigner by this villainous press of the city 
 of Chicago. [Unusual applause.] I claim to be an Amer- 
 ican citizen as much as anyone. And if I were in the City 
 Council I would not go there to put my books that I printed 
 into the public schools, as some men who now pray for law 
 and order do. I have been in these Republican conven- 
 tions, but I have always opened my mouth in defence of 
 right and justice as against corruption. . There is not a man 
 in this city who can say to my face that I have ever sup- 
 ported a corrupt man for office — that I have ever raised my 
 voice for a corrupt man for any position. When my native 
 American friends had not the courage to put a corrupt aspi- 
 rant aside, they would generally call upon me and say: 
 " You have the courage, Hesing, step forward and put him
 
 96 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 off; " and I generally stepped forward and put him off the 
 ticket. [Applause.] In 1869, when those same reformers 
 thought that the Germans were getting too much influence, 
 they tried to put them down, and what was the result ? That 
 law and order Council of 1869, were indicted. [Cries of 
 " Good ! " and great applause.] Now, gentlemen, I have as 
 much interest in the city of Chicago as any other man. I 
 have lived here since 1854. I have my business here, which 
 I have to take care of. 
 
 " Gentlemen, these men who have built their churches, not 
 with their own money, but with the money of the poor, pray 
 that they alone may have liberty. They think no one else 
 is entitled to liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I say 
 that God knows he bestowed freedom and the rights of the 
 pursuit of happiness upon every one. 
 
 " I tell you now, once for all, that I shall not support any 
 man who can be charged with corruption, or has any of these 
 steals sticking to his fingers. [Applause.] I want an hon- 
 est administration. I want a just administration. I want 
 an administration that will give us law and order not only 
 on Sunday, but on every day in the week. I am in favor of 
 respecting those who attend church, and I believe that 
 others should be. I think their worship should not be 
 interrupted by any parades on the streets, with music and 
 banners, on Sunday. That is the platform on which I stand, 
 and on which I always stood. I am in favor of nominating 
 a man for the Mayoralty like S. S. Hayes, for instance. A 
 man like Thomas Hoyne — a manlike Rountree, if he wants 
 it — representative men, like a hundred others I could name ;
 
 HOW IT WAS DONE. 97 
 
 but I am not in favor of men who call conventions to have 
 God Almighty represented in the Constitution of this coun- 
 try. I believe that God Almighty is represented in the 
 hearts of those humble men who stand here before me. I 
 believe He has very little to do with men like Colfax or Pat- 
 terson ; I am not in favor of a party of men who will sup- 
 port such men for office. 
 
 " I tell you, gentlemen, this is not the first time that the 
 humble classes, the hard-working mechanics and artisans, 
 have had to take the reins in their own hands ; and when 
 the Chicago Jour?ial says to-night that '.the bummers will 
 meet in Kingsbury hall,' I say it insults the 20,000 ballots 
 here represented. [Applause.] They say we can 't win ; 
 the ' Law and Order' men must win. I think we are the 
 Law and Order party; and I say it myself, like Mr. Caul- 
 field, that if anyone gets drunk on Sunday, or on any other 
 day, he should be arrested and punished, but I cannot ad- 
 mire or agree with the man who goes to church on Sunday, 
 and prays, and goes the next day on the Board of Trade, 
 and swindles his colleagues there out of so many bushels of 
 grain. [Applause.] I say when a man keeps a disorderly 
 house he should be shut up ; but I say, too, that a man 
 should not be sent twice to shut up a small saloon, while no 
 one interferes with a dance-house on Clark street. I believe 
 in dealing justice to every man alike. Let us to-night de- 
 termine that we will have an orderly city, with no sympathy 
 with criminals, and justice to all. I want the law to take its 
 course in every instance; crime punished according to the 
 law, and no pardons. I want every law executed, not only 
 7
 
 98 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 that against Sunday beer selling. The administration of 
 this city government has been a curse to us for two years, 
 and I believe we can elect a man like our old Mayors, who 
 will execute the laws as they should be. Be united, and we 
 can elect anything. Let them scold us, call us bummers, 
 tax-eaters, tax-fighters, and all the names they please. I say 
 that no man in this house ever fought a tax in his life. You 
 can name no German in this city that ever refused to pay a 
 tax. It is these men who preach the gospel, and pray at 
 their meetings, and cry ' Law and Order ' at the corners of 
 the streets, Avho jump their taxes, and cheat the city out of 
 what they owe it. They are not able to pay their taxes, 
 although they have caused them, and they never will be. 
 
 " I have worked hard in this cause, notwithstanding the 
 ' Law and Order ' people have said it would be a fizzle, and 
 said that the people had no confidence in Hesing or O'Hara, 
 or Herr Von Hara and O'Hesing, as the papers put it. We 
 have fired the first cannon to-night, and its echoes will ring 
 throughout the campaign. We have filled two halls, and 
 5,000 people have stood at the door unable to get in. Does 
 this look like a fizzle .'' Does this look as if the people had 
 no confidence in Hesing and O'Hara .'' Search the poor 
 man's heart and show him how he is oppressed, how his 
 comforts and luxuries are stolen from him, and he will fight 
 his oppressors. The ' Law and Order ' people are your 
 oppressors. They give you no cheap concerts and lectures 
 to educate you ; they will not even let you go to the Expo- 
 sition on the day when you can dress up and appear like 
 them, but they go there whenever they please and make you
 
 HOW IT WAS DONE. 99 
 
 and their clerks do their work. They go there and look at 
 the machinery and furniture and fabrics you have made at 
 wages of a dollar and a half a day. I ask Dr. Kittredge or 
 Dr. Fowler, who preach morality and try to crowd their 
 words down our throats, to lay their hands on their hearts 
 and answer if it is right for them to rob the poor of their 
 privileges. I ask them what harm there is if, after you have 
 been working hard in a dirty, dusty shop all the week, you 
 go to Lincoln Park on Sunday with your wives and babies to 
 breathe a little of the fresh air the Lord they pray to has 
 made .-* I ask them what harm it would be for you to hear 
 music there as they hear it in their churches ? I ask them 
 what harm there is if, when you return, you take a glass of 
 lager or wine to refresh you .'' You are a pack of slaves if 
 you suffer laws that prohibit this, and if I have to vote alone 
 on the 5 th of November I shall cast my vote to relieve you 
 of this oppression they have cast upon you." 
 
 The nominating convention met at 205 East Randolph 
 street, on October 24. 
 
 Mr. Greenebaum presided; Mr. T. M. Halpine served as 
 Secretary; and Mr. J. J. Crowley assisted. 
 
 Mr. Greenebaum said : — 
 
 " Gentlemen, Delegates : A narrow-minded, uncatholic 
 religious spirit, originating with over-zealous and irresponsi- 
 ble persons, has forced an issue of proscription and intoler- 
 ance upon the community which unfortunately, or fortunately, 
 perhaps, divides the sovereign voters at the approaching mu- 
 nicipal election. An immense mass meeting of the people,
 
 lOO THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 without distinction of party, religion or nationality, have 
 delegated you gentlemen to nominate candidates for the 
 various offices to be filled at the approaching election, solely 
 upon their personal fitness, their honesty, and ability to serve 
 public interest. It is necessary for me to urge upon you to 
 discharge faithfully the high trust imposed upon you. You 
 will enter upon the work before you as the selected repre- 
 sentatives of the great People's Party. In a spirit of har- 
 mony and rectitude you will make all personal preferences 
 subservient to the general good, and nominate a ticket that 
 will be overwhelmingly sustained at the polls, and avert the 
 impending danger of placing the control of the city in the 
 hands of speculative office-seekers and bankrupts." 
 
 Mr. A. C. Hesing offered the following resolutions, which 
 were adopted : 
 
 " That this convention emphatically endorse the platform 
 of principles adopted by the people's mass meeting at Kings- 
 bury Hall, October 4, believing that platform to be a true 
 expression of the fundamental doctrines underlying the 
 structure of a free government, and a legitimate protest 
 against all efforts to make sectarianism and class legislation 
 prevalent in our public affairs. 
 
 " That as long as our people, discarding the sub-treasury 
 system, expect that the temporary balances in our city and 
 county treasuries shall draw interest, and so long as it is 
 thereby admitted that such public moneys may be made use 
 of by the banks with whom they are deposited, for all those 
 purposes which they may consider as legitimate ; the risk 
 incurred thereby on behalf of the tax-payers, and the temp-
 
 HOW IT WAS DONE. lOI 
 
 tation which treasurers may be led into, are so obvious that 
 the public interests require a strict adherence to the one-term 
 principle in regard to the office of custodian of such public 
 moneys. 
 
 " That this convention recommend to the Mayor to be 
 elected the appointment of S. S. Hayes as City Comptroller, 
 since it would be difficult to find, among our citizens, one 
 who, by his wide financial experience, his thorough business 
 capacity, and the sterling integrity of his character, is so 
 well fitted for an office which, in view of the present finan- 
 cial embarrassment, is one of the most important and res- 
 ponsible in our municipal administration." 
 
 Mr. F. H. Winston offered the following, which was 
 adopted unanimously : 
 
 " Resolved. That the representatives of the people of the 
 city of Chicago and of the county of Cook, here assembled, 
 do declare as one of our cardinal principles, for the main- 
 tenance of which we pledge ourselves and the candidates for 
 whom we propose to cast our suffrages, that we favor and 
 shall demand and insist upon the most rigid economy, as 
 well as scrupulous honesty, in the expenditure of the pub- 
 lic money of the city and county, to the end that the present 
 oppressive and almost unbearable burden of taxation may be 
 lightened, and not increased ; and that we demand that all 
 extravagant schemes for public buildings to be erected for 
 the purpose of glorifying architects and enriching contrac- 
 tors shall be at least postponed until demanded by the neces- 
 sities of the public or to give our laborers necessary employ- 
 ment; and that we pledge our candidates to cheerfully
 
 I02 THE GREAT REVOLUTION 
 
 accept the accommodations now provided for the trans- 
 action of public business of the offices to which we propose 
 to elect them." 
 
 A. C. Hesing asked permission to introduce the following 
 from the Democratic Central Committee : 
 
 " We the undersigned, members of the Liberal and Dem- 
 ocratic Central and Executive Committees of Cook County, 
 hereby certify that we have not authorized any person for us 
 to pledge the support of the party, as a party, to what is 
 known as the " Grand Pacific Hotel " nominations, or to 
 any other nominations, made or to be made; and believing 
 it inexpedient to make any nominations as a party at this 
 time, we leave to all persons the privilege of supporting such 
 candidates in this local election as their judgment and con- 
 sciences may dictate. 
 
 "And we may say that we beheld with surprise the announce- 
 ment in the papers that parts of our committee had partici- 
 pated in, and indorsed, the said Grand Pacific Hotel nomi- 
 nations ; and we further say that neither of the three named 
 persons who pretended to represent the party at the Grand 
 Pacific Hotel are members of the Liberal and Pemocratic 
 Central Committee of Cook county, and consequently have 
 no authority to pledge the party to any nominations except 
 
 as private individuals. " Ch. Koehler. 
 
 " Jacob D. Felthausen, 
 " Robert Kenney, 
 " Edward Kehoe, 
 " Albert Michelson, 
 
 " Democratic'Central Committee of Cook County." 
 
 "Chicago, Oct. 24. 1873."
 
 HOW IT WAS DONE. 103 
 
 The communication was accepted and placed on the 
 records of the convention. 
 
 The following nominations were then made : 
 
 For Mayor, H. D. Colvin. 
 
 For City Treasurer, Daniel O'Hara. 
 
 For City Collector, George von Hollen. 
 
 For City Assessor, Charles Dennehy, 
 
 For Superior Court Judge, S. M. Moore. 
 
 For County Court Judge, M. R. M. Wallace. 
 
 For County Clerk, Hermann Leib. 
 
 For Clerk Criminal Court, Austin J. Doyle. 
 
 For County Treasurer, H. B. Miller. 
 
 Then followed the nominations of George D. Plant, 
 County Superintendent of Schools; Christian Busse, John 
 Herting, William P. Burdick, Thomas Lonergan, and A. B. 
 Johnson, County Commissioners. 
 
 Mr. Mark Sheridan, having been called upon, named as 
 Commissioner, C. A. Reno, for the West Side. This gentle- 
 man was nominated. 
 
 On Monday, October 28, Egbert Jamieson was selected 
 for City Attorney; and Martin Scully, for Police Clerk. 
 
 The disposition of the other offices followed.
 
 HOW THE OPPOSITION WORKED. 
 
 When it had definitely been ascertained what the People's 
 Party was, and what policy it would pursue, the cry of the 
 Opposition was, " Anything to beat the Hesing-O'Hara com- 
 bination." To effect this, one of the strangest fusions was 
 formed that has ever been recorded. 
 
 On Saturday, Oct. i8th, 1873, in the Grand Pacific, the 
 fusionists, after great confusion, met and nominated the fol- 
 lowing gentlemen : 
 
 For Mayor, L. L. Bond, 
 
 For City Treasurer, David A. Gage. 
 
 For City Collector, A. L. Morrison. 
 
 For City Assessor, W. H. P. Gray. 
 
 For City Attorney, I. N. Stiles. 
 
 For Police Court Clerk, K. R. Matson. 
 
 For Judge of Superior Court, Wm. H. Porter. 
 
 For Judge of County Court, M. R. M. Wallace. 
 
 For County Clerk, J. W. Brockway. 
 
 For Clerk of Criminal Court, W. K. Sullivan, 
 
 For County Treasurer, Phillip Wadsworth. 
 
 For Superintendent of Schools, A. G. Lane. 
 
 For County Commissioners, Messrs. S. Olin, A, J, 
 Galloway, Wm. M. Laughlin, W. B. Bateham, S. 
 W. Kingsley. 
 
 For Police Commissioner, Reuben Cleveland.
 
 HOW THE OPPOSITION AVORKED. 105 
 
 On October 23, at Kingsbury Hall, the Committee of 
 Seventy indorsed the Grand Pacific nominations.* 
 
 Prior to the nomination of Bond for Mayor, the following 
 letter and reply were read : 
 
 Chicago, Oct. 22, 1873. 
 Hon. L. L. Bond: 
 
 Dear Sir : You have been requested by a respectable 
 body of citizens to become a candidate for the office of 
 Mayor at the approaching municipal election. The repre- 
 sentatives of Law and Order will have a convention to- 
 morrow for the nomination of candidates to be supported 
 by them at that election. The office of Mayor is the most 
 important one to be filled. We wish the best man, regard- 
 less of nationality, creed, or party, for the place — one who 
 is in accord with our principles. They demand that there 
 shall be honesty and strict economy in the management of 
 our finances, to the end that all expenditures be limited to 
 the actual needs of the people, and that taxation be light- 
 ened as much as possible. 
 
 We demand that the laws shall be enforced for the protec- 
 tion of life and property. We claim that the protection of 
 every member of society, regardless of age, sex or condi- 
 tion, in person, property and freedom, is the supreme object 
 and duty of government. 
 
 We claim that every person has a right, so far as human 
 law is concerned, to his own opinions, and to act upon them 
 as he shall deem best, and to engage in any lawful traffic, 
 and to all the guaranties which the law affords for its con- 
 duct and management. 
 
 But upon the question of what kinds and modes of traffic 
 
 * Here it may be stated that an error heretofore ascribed the construc- 
 tion of the Grand Pacific Ticket to the Committee.
 
 Io6 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 are injurious to the citizen, as promoters of disorder, igno- 
 rance, pauperism and crime, and consequent unnecessary 
 taxation, the aggregate will of the people is supreme, and 
 must be obeyed ; and to be specific on this point, we insist 
 that the saloons shall be closed on Sundays; that the 
 licenses of those who violate the law shall be revoked ; that 
 the keepers of these establishments be required to give 
 bonds, as required by law, with good security, for the pro- 
 tection and indemnity of those who suffer from violation of 
 the law ; and that the law be enforced by a faithful and effi- 
 cient police, to the end that crime may be diminished, and 
 public order maintained. 
 
 We respectfully ask if the principles we have announced 
 meet with your approval. If they do, we pledge to you 
 such a support as, we believe, will secure your nomination 
 and triumphant election, with a result which will give to our 
 city a character and attitude she is entitled to possess and 
 to occupy before the world. By order of Committee, 
 
 S. B. GOOKINS. 
 MAYOR bond's REPLY. 
 
 Mayor's Office, Chicago, Oct. 22, 1873. 
 
 The Hon. S. B. Gookins. 
 
 Dear Sir : Your letter of to-day is at hand, and in reply 
 I have to say that if the people assign to me the duties 
 appertaining to the office of Mayor, I shall earnestly en- 
 deavor to have all the financial interests of the city honestly 
 and economically administered, and to that end will do all 
 the Mayor can do. 
 
 With regard to the other points, I have to say that no 
 executive officer can stand in any other position than that 
 contained in the oath of office — " that he will faithfully and 
 impartially execute all of the laws to the extent of his 
 ability," and in the discharge of his duties protect all citi-
 
 HOW THE OPPOSITION WORKED. 107 
 
 zens in their personal and property rights, and in the prose- 
 cution of all lawful business enterprises, regardless of the 
 condition of such persons. 
 
 As this is the effect of the oath, and the position of an 
 executive officer, it is apparent that I cannot make an 
 exception of the Sunday law, and this necessarily includes 
 the exercise of all lawful means for its enforcement. 
 
 It is my purpose to devote my whole energies, if elected, 
 to secure such a government as will promote the safety, 
 honor and welfare of the whole people, and to maintain the 
 good name and credit of our city. No man can do more 
 than Hiis, and no honorable man can do less. 
 
 Lester L. Bond. 
 
 The reading occasioned loud and prolonged applause. 
 
 On October 29 Mr. Joseph P. Clarkson was nominated 
 for Judge of the Superior Court, vice Judge Porter, who died 
 a short time subsequent to his nomination.
 
 THE OFFICIAL RETURNS. 
 
 The People's ticket made a clean sweep. In the County 
 it elected a Judge of the Superior Court ; a Judge of the 
 County Court ; a Clerk of the County Court ; a Clerk of 
 the Criminal Court; a County Treasurer; a Superintend- 
 ent of Schools ; five County Commissioners ; a member 
 of the Board of Equalization, and a Police Commissioner. 
 
 The following are the official returns in totals of votes 
 given in the County of Cook and State of Illinois, at an 
 election held in said County on Tuesday, the 4th day of 
 November, A.D. 1873. The candidates in italics were 
 elected : 
 
 Judge of Superior Court. — S. M. Moore. 32,019 votes. 
 Joseph P. Clarkson, 21,167. 
 
 Judge of County Court. — M. jR. M. Wallace, 53,417. 
 Placed on both tickets. 
 
 Clerk of County Court, — Hermann Lieb, 31,156. James 
 W. Brockway, 22,046. 
 
 Clerk of Criminal Court. — Austin Doyle, 33,031, W, K, 
 Sullivan, 20,163. 
 
 County Treasurer. — H. B. Miller, 31,941. Philip Wads- 
 worth, 21,106.
 
 THE OFFICIAL RETURNS. IO9 
 
 Superintendent of Schools. — George D. Plant, 31,248. 
 A. G. Lane, 21,839. 
 
 County Commissioners. — Christian Busse, 30,837/ A. B. 
 Johnson, 31,846/ Thomas Loner gan, 31,976; Wm. B. 
 Burdick, 31,629; John IIerti?ig, 31,784 E. A. Lynn, 
 20,999; S. W. Kingsley, 21,782; W. B. Bateham, 21,340 ; 
 Wm. M. Laughlin, 21,557; A.J. Galloway, 21,626. 
 
 Members of State Board of Equalization. — S. S. 
 Gardner, 10,673. R- P- Derrickson, 9,173. 
 
 Police Commissioners. — Chas. A. Reno, 27,148. R. Cleve- 
 land, 18,729. 
 
 Messrs. Thomas Cannon and Max Eberhardt were elected 
 as County Justices ; but the Governor refused to commission 
 on the ground of the non-existence of any such ofifice. 
 
 In the City. — The ticket carried the Mayor, the City 
 Treasurer, the City Attorney, the City Collector, the City 
 Assessor, the Clerk of the Police Court, and the great ma- 
 jority among the Aldermen. 
 
 The following are the official returns : 
 
 Mayor. — H. D. Colvin, 28,791. L. L. Bond, 18,540. 
 
 City Treasurer. — Daniel O'Hara, 28,761. D. A. Gage, 
 18,629. 
 
 City Attorney. — Egbert Jamieson, 28,586. Thomas J. 
 Turner, 18,636. 
 
 City Collector. — George Von Hollen, 28,590. A. L, Mor- 
 rison, 18,560. 
 
 City Assessor. — Chas. Dennehy, 28,570. Wm. B. H. Gray, 
 18,705. 
 
 Clerk of Police Court, — Martin Scully, 27,544. K. R. 
 Matson, 19,240,
 
 no THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 As to the Aldermen, the following are the official returns : 
 
 First Ward. — Foley, 501. Lyons, 478. 
 
 Second Ward. — Dixon, 666. Reid, 285. 
 
 Third Ward. — Fitzgerald, 1,700. McGenniss, 984; Thomas, 
 
 348. 
 Fourth Ward. — Spalding, 1,735. McArthur, 688. 
 Fifth Ward. — Stone, 1,805. James, 938. 
 Sixth Ward. — Reidy, 2,212. Tracy, 984; Conley, 149. 
 Seventh Ward. — CulUrton, 2,204. Millard, 299. 
 Eighth Ward. — Hildreth, i,6?>']. Fleming, 848 ; McDon- 
 ald, 695. 
 Ninth Ward. — Bailey, 1,547. Powell, 1,422; Clark, 510; 
 
 Ryan, 338. 
 Tenth Ward. — Woodman, 1,384. Greenebaum, 672 ; 
 
 Eaton, 206. 
 Eleventh Ward. — White, 1,136. Walsh, 809; Ferguson, 
 
 89. 
 Twelfth Ward. — Heath, 1,543. Courtney, 585. 
 Thirteenth Ward. — Campbell, 1,233. Sherwood, 853; 
 
 White, 292. 
 Fourteenth Ward. — Cleveland, 1,127. Turtle, 877. 
 Fifteenth Ward. — McGrath, 2,874. Casselman, 454; 
 
 Brown, 235. 
 Sixteenth Ward. — Stout, 2,162. Hawkinson, 460. 
 Seventeenth Ward. — Lengacher, 2,454. Pfolstrom, 211. 
 Eighteenth Ward. — Murphy , \ ,oo-] . Handly, 606 ; Bean, 
 
 455 ; Barrett, 96. 
 Nineteenth Ward. — Lynch, 540. Greeley, 198. 
 Twentieth Ward. — Jonas, 837. Harvey, 494; Kehoe, 
 
 283.
 
 THE SUNDAY QUESTION. 
 
 Notwithstanding the fact that the platform adopted at 
 Kingsbury Hall clearly foreshadowed the attitude of the 
 Mayor and Aldermen elected on the People's ticket, the 
 Great Defeated yet awaited, in suspense, any opportunity that 
 might arise to cause the total suppression of the sale of 
 liquor on the Sabbath. 
 
 Accordingly, when the temperance fever that had sud- 
 denly visited the "praying women " of Ohio reached Chi- 
 cago, the advocates of the idea that principally caused their 
 discomfiture and total rout at the polls in November, 1873, 
 favored an organization of " praying women " in Chicago. 
 
 Throughout Ohio and other states the bands of "praying 
 women," among other resorts adopted, visited places where 
 liquor was sold, and besought the proprietors to close their 
 institutions. To attempt any such thing in Chicago was 
 utter folly; a few venturesome ladies demonstrated the fact 
 in a very brief time. 
 
 A strong organization was, nevertheless, subsequently 
 formed, with the object of causing the closing of saloons on 
 Sunday. To attain this end, it was deemed best to present 
 a petition to the Council, as numerously signed as possible. 
 Armed with this, it was quite absurdly hoped that the
 
 112 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 " praying women " might move to accede to their request a 
 Council in which the People's Party was represented by a 
 majority of about twenty-five to fifteen. 
 
 On Friday, March 13, the first movement of importance 
 was inaugurated, in the Methodist Church block. On this 
 occasion it was resolved, by the votes of about six hundred 
 ladies, to approach the Common Council, assembled in ses- 
 sion, and entreat them to pass an ordinance in conformity 
 with their wishes. Several clergymen santioned the proceed- 
 ings with their presence. On the Sunday following, and 
 preceding the day upon which the visit was to be made, sev- 
 eral meetings were held in sympathy with the Sunday saloon 
 closing idea ; among others, a meeting in the First Baptist 
 church. Several ministers' meetings followed. 
 
 The ladies, thus strengthened in their crusade, met in the 
 Methodist Church block, and appointed a committee to pre- 
 sent their petition to the Council. At the session, Rev. 
 Arthur Mitchell presented a resolution, adopted at the min- 
 isters' meeting, in earnest support of the ladies. 
 
 The resolution was received with enthusiasm. 
 
 The ladies forming the delegation to the Council now set 
 out upon their mission. Reaching the Council Chamber, 
 they found a miscellaneous gathering of men and boys 
 attracted by the novel demonstration. There was certainly 
 a rough element in the crowd — partaking considerably of 
 the nature of such assemblages as have been noted wherever 
 in the country the " praying women " have been at work. 
 Whatever of insult that element was guilty of can hardly 
 reflect discredit upon the Board of Aldermen.
 
 THE SUNDAY QUESTION, 113 
 
 After the transaction of some routine business, the peti- 
 tion of the ladies was presented to the CounciL 
 
 Considerable discussion followed. Finally, Aid. Culler- 
 ton moved the passage of the engrossed ordinance, as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 An Ordinance amending section one (i), chapter fifty (50), 
 and section three (3), chapter twenty-eight (28), of the 
 revised ordinances. 
 Be it ordained by the Common Council of the City of Chicago : 
 Section i. The Mayor is hereby authorized to grant li- 
 censes for the sale of spirituous, vinous, and fermented 
 liquors to any person who shall apply to him in writing, 
 upon said person furnishing sufficient evidence to satisfy 
 him that he or she is a person of good character, and upon 
 such person executing to the city of Chicago a bond, with 
 at least two sureties, to be approved by the Mayor, in the 
 penal sum of five hundred dollars ($500), conditioned that 
 the licensed party shall faithfully observe and keep all ordi- 
 nances now in force, or hereafter to be passed, during the 
 period of such license, and that he will keep closed all doors 
 opening out upon any street from the bar, or room where 
 such liquors are sold, on Sunday, and that all windows 
 opening upon any street from such bar, or room where such 
 liquors are sold, shall be provided with blinds, shutters, or 
 curtains, on Sundays, so as to obstruct the view from such 
 streets into such rooms, and paying for the use of the city 
 fifty- two dollars ($52) and no other fees. On compliance 
 with these requirements a license shall be issued to the ap- 
 plicant, under the corporate seal, signed by the Mayor, and 
 countersigned by the Clerk, which shall authorize the per- 
 son or persons therein named to sell, barter, give away, or 
 deliver wines and other liquors, whether vinous, or ardent, 
 or fermented, in quantities less than one gallon, in the place
 
 1 14 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 designated in the application ; provided, all licenses issued in 
 pursuance hereof shall expire on the istday of July in each 
 year. 
 
 Sec. 2. If any person shall keep a common, ill-governed, 
 or disorderly house, or suffer any person to play any game 
 of chance on his or her premises for money, or any other 
 valuable things, any such person, on conviction, shall be 
 fined in a sum of not less than five dollars ($5) nor more 
 than one hundred dollars ($100). 
 
 Sec. 3. Section three (3), chapter twenty-eight (28), and 
 section one (i), of chapter fifty (50), of the revised ordi- 
 nances of the city of Chicago, are hereby repealed. 
 
 Sec. 4. This ordinance shall be in force from and after its 
 passage. 
 
 The motion of Aid. Cullerton prevailed by the following 
 vote : 
 
 Ayes — Richardson, Foley, Fitzgerald, Schmitz, Reidy, 
 McClowry, Cullerton, M . B. Bailey, Hildreth, O'Brien, T. F. 
 Bailey, White, Eckhardt, Mahr, Stout, Schaffner, Lengacher, 
 Cannon, Murphy, Brand, Lynch, and Corcoran. — 22. 
 
 Noes — Warren, Dixon, Coey, Sidwell, Pickering, Stone, 
 Clark, Woodman, Miner, Heath, Moore, Campbell, Quirk, 
 and Cleveland. — 14. 
 
 The absent Aldermen were Spalding, Kehoe, McGrath, 
 and Jonas. 
 
 The attitude of the Council on this question may be stated 
 as 25 to 15, recording Spalding in the negative, and Mc- 
 Grath, Kehoe, and Jonas in the affirmative. 
 
 The ladies now besought Mayor Colvin to exercise his 
 veto 'privilege. This his Honor refused to do, pledged as 
 he was to execute the wishes of The People who elected him. 
 
 Aid. Dixon was elected President of the Council on the 
 same evening.
 
 GAGE NOT GUILTY OF PERJURY. 
 
 The last indictment for false swearing against David A. 
 Gage, Ex- City Treasurer, which appears in full under the 
 head " Counting the Money." was quashed by Judge Moore 
 March 26, 1874. But one indictment remains at the present 
 writing, being that for failing to pay over. In reference to 
 this indictment, Mr. Gage obtained a change of venue to 
 Lake County. That he will ever be tried thereunder is 
 quite doubtful, however, as the prospects that the city will, 
 in a short time, recover every cent due it, are very promis- 
 ing. In the event of full satisfaction of the debt, a quite 
 general impression exists that to further prosecute would be 
 to persecute. While anticipating so early a settlement of 
 the whole matter, Mr. Gage's counsel yet believe they have 
 a sufficient defense under the indictment for failing to pay 
 over. The main points in said defense are published here- 
 tofore, having been elicited in an interview with Hon. 
 Leonard Swett, Mr. Gage's counsel. 
 
 The Court (Judge Moore), in his opinion quashing the last 
 indictment for false swearing, referred to the affidavit made 
 by Mr. Gage and published heretofore. This affidavit con- 
 formed substantially to the provision made by the 35th sec-
 
 Il6 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 tion of chapter 5 of the city charter. But by an amendrtrent it 
 was provided that the word " unlawfully " should be inserted 
 before the word " use " whenever the same occurred. By 
 section 34 it was provided that the treasurer may be directed 
 or authorized by ordinance or resolution of the Common 
 Council to loan, on deposit, the funds of the city, in the 
 banks thereof. Hence the word " unlawfully " was very 
 necessary, preceding the word "use." Inasmuch as said 
 word " unlawfully " was omitted by Mr. Gage, his affidavit 
 did not comply with the statute, and was therefore a volun- 
 tary affidavit. There was also concerned a question as to 
 the time of making the affidavit. 
 
 The Court concluded as follows : 
 
 "Because the affidavit was not authorized by law; or, 
 rather, because it did not conform to the law, and was there- 
 fore unauthorized ; and secondly, because it does not appear 
 that the affidavit was made at or about the end of the month, 
 and because it does not appear that the report and affidavit 
 were required by the Comptroller when made, on the 6th of 
 December, 1873, the indictment must be quashed." 
 
 The report of a portion of the Finance Committee, published elsewhere in reference 
 to the Gage matter was not " official." Messrs. McGennis and Ogden signed the 
 report after a comparison of the books of the Comptroller, Collector and Treasurer ; 
 presuming the cash to be safe on the showing. If those gentlemen had visited the 
 banks, they might have been snubbed, as Aid. Bateham of the old Committee had 
 been. Upon his visit, it appears he was informed that if Mr. Gage desired to know 
 how much money he had there, Mr. Gage could ascertain. Again, in calm considera- 
 tion, there were very few men at that time who had not the strongest confidence in Mr. 
 Gage.
 
 PART II. 
 
 City Officers
 
 HARVEY D. COLVIN. II9 
 
 HARVEY D. COLVIN, 
 
 Harvey D. Colvin, Mayor of the city of Chicago, was 
 born in Herkimer, Herkimer county, New York, Dec. i8, 
 1814. Up to his election on the People's ticket, by a ma- 
 jority of 10,251, Mr. Colvin devoted the greatest energies of 
 an uniformly active life to the building up of the United 
 States Express Company in the West. Of this most flour- 
 ishing institution Mr. Colvin was the General Agent in Chi- 
 cago, when called upon to stand at the head of the People's 
 ticket — a selection made only after the most mature delib- 
 eration of the leaders. 
 
 Mr. Colvin's business life commenced in Little Falls, N. 
 Y., where he was engaged for seventeen years in the manu- 
 ufacture of boots and shoes. He subsequently became con- 
 nected with the American Express Company in the same 
 locality. Removing thence, he organized, in 1854, the Uni- 
 ted States Express Company in Chicago, with a capital of 
 about $500,000. The growth of the company under his 
 direction, in those twenty years, has been so marvellous that 
 the amount of capital now invested is $6,000,000. 
 
 Among the positions of public trust held by Mr. Colvin, 
 while in Little Falls, were the Overseership of the Poor, the 
 County Superintendency of the Poor, and a Town Supervi- 
 sorship. 
 
 Mayor Colvin assumed the duties of his present office on 
 the first day of December, 1873. His Honor's inaugural Ad- 
 dress was read before thirty-nine aldermen, as follows : Rich- 
 ardson, Foley, Warren, Dixon, Coey, Fitzgerald, Sidwell,
 
 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 Spalding, Pickering, Stone, Schmitz, Reidy, McClory, 
 Cullerton, M. B. Bailey, Hildreth, O'Brien, T. F. Bailey, 
 Clark, Woodman, White, Miner, Heath, Moore, Campbell, 
 Quirk, Cleveland, Eckhardt, McGrath, Mahr, Stout, Schaff- 
 ner, Lengacher, Cannon, Murphy, Brandt, Lynch, Corcoran, 
 and Jonas. Alderman Kehoe \/as absent. 
 
 The following extracts are culled from the Address as in- 
 dicative of the attitude of His Honor upon the several 
 important questions referred to : 
 
 " During the last municipal administration the attention 
 of our community has, to a great extent, been diverted from 
 all questions referring to an economical management of the 
 city finances, or even to the protection of life and property, 
 by efforts as fruitless as they were frantic, to enforce certain 
 ordinances in regard to the observation of the first day of the 
 week. It is a well known fact that those ordinances, how much 
 soever they may have been in consonance with the public 
 opinion of a comparatively small and homogeneous popula- 
 tion at the time of their enactment, have ceased to be so, since 
 Chicago has, by the harmonious cooperation of citizens be- 
 longing to different nationalities, grown from a village to the 
 rank of one of the greatest cities of the world. For a series of 
 years it has been the practice of our municipal administration 
 to treat those ordinances as 'obsolete,' and to refrain from 
 enforcing them. It is not intended to denounce that practice, 
 but merely to state that, within the past year, it has become 
 distasteful to a large portion of the community. In our late 
 election the issue has been fairly and squarely made whether 
 the existing ordinances shall be retained and enforced, or, 
 upon the other hand, either repealed or so modified as to be 
 in consonance with the present state of public opinion in 
 our community. A majority of our people, so overwhelming 
 that it would be preposterous to designate their decision as 
 a snap judgment, or to cavil at its meaning, has decided
 
 HARVEY D. COLVIN. 
 
 the question in favor of the latter aUernative. It behooves 
 all good citizens who believe the principles of our republi- 
 can form of government to accept that popular decision, to 
 which, following the advice of my predecessor in office, they 
 have appealed. There is no reason to fear that those who 
 conscientiously believe the existing ordinance upon the sub- 
 ject to be dictated by a spirit of religious intolerance incom- 
 patible with the spirit of our age, will, on their own part, 
 defy the spirit of mutual toleration. If the Common Coun- 
 cil, in its wisdom, and having undoubtedly full power upon 
 the subject, should determine either to repeal or modify the 
 Sunday prohibitions and Sunday clauses in the license law, 
 or to fully secure the religious exercises of a portion of our 
 citizens 'from all disturbance, without interfering with the 
 harmless enjoyments of other citizens, it will do more than 
 its duty toward the majority of the people of this city. 
 
 " Our police system should be conducted upon the prin- 
 ciple of the prevention rather than the punishment of crime. 
 Nor should the city seek to obtain revenue by means of any 
 of the prevalent forms of vice. When it does, it becomes 
 pai'ticeps crwimis in the iniquity it professes to punish or 
 suppress. My nature revolts against this barbarous and 
 brutal practice, not pursued for the purpose of extirpating 
 vice, but with the object of adding a few paltry dollars to 
 the public revenue. It shall never receive my sanction. All 
 that can usefully be accomplished in this direction is the 
 mitigation of the more glaring and demoralizing effects of 
 that which in all ages and among all races has existed as an 
 evil that may be mitigated, or, perhaps, regulated, but which 
 has never yet been exterminated. 
 
 " Police officers should be made to understand and feel 
 that laws are enacted as much to protect the unfortunate as 
 to punish the wicked. In no case should a person be inhu- 
 manly treated simply because he has been arrested for some 
 p etty offense or misdemeanor.
 
 122 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 " I am decidedly opposed to the practice of police officers 
 receiving money, in the shape of rewards for services ren- 
 dered, from any corporation or individual. Let them look 
 to the city alone for remuneration. Such practice will, 
 sooner or later, end in the force becoming merely the instru- 
 ments of great corporations or wealthy individuals." 
 
 His Honor, having comprehensively referred to the con- 
 dition of the city's finances, which was not very promising, 
 suggested rigid economy as the only resort in the conclusion 
 of his address, He said : — 
 
 " In conclusion, gentlemen, I would add that, in view of 
 the prostrated condition of our city treasury, our fellow- 
 citizens loudly call upon you for economical legislation. At 
 the same time they look to me for a prompt interposition of 
 my veto to any measure of \vasteful, excessive, or corrupt 
 expenditure. I hope and trust that neither will fail in the 
 duties of our respective provinces. In the event that we 
 do not, we shall acquit ourselves to our own and the public 
 satisfaction, and receive the regard due to good and faithful 
 servants."
 
 DANIEL O HARA. 123 
 
 DANIEL O'HARA. 
 
 Daniel O'Hara, City Treasurer of Chicago, filled a van- 
 guard position on the People's ticket, having assumed the 
 undertaking of opposing David A. Gage in a contest for the 
 custodianship of the city's money. Successive terms as 
 City Treasurer had made Mr. Gage's name the synonym of 
 the loftiest character of official integrity ; and the fact that he 
 had paid into the city's exchequer the interest on city deposits 
 — which" his predecessors pocketed — seemed to make his 
 re-election a foregone conclusion. This last contest, too, as 
 subsequent developments proved, was the battle of David A. 
 Gage's life. In its result was staked everything that concerned 
 his future welfare, and the standing forever afterwards of 
 his connections both public and private. A situation like 
 this shrank from very few availibilities that could tend in 
 the remotest manner to secure success. Against all of these 
 resources, gathered together at suggestion, the People's 
 Party was intrepid enough to present Daniel O'Hara, backed 
 by a simple record for honesty and capability in the discharge 
 of his official duties. 
 
 Daniel O'Hara is of Irish descent, as the name indicates, 
 and carries as much of life's sunlight over to the shady side 
 of fifty, as any of his most genial fellow-countrymen. It is 
 his nature to look at the bright side of the picture ; and his 
 chief glory is to observe everybody else doing likewise. 
 This cheerful disposition, maintained under all circum- 
 stances, has, during the quarter of a century Mr. O'Hara
 
 124 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 has dwelt among us, contributed materially to his uniform 
 success in public life. 
 
 There are a great many people whose comfort is much 
 heightened by the conviction that others are suffering; 
 while some people are trudging through a merciless rain- 
 storm, that they are snugly esconced in a pair of blankets. 
 A thought like this to a man of Mr. O'Hara's generous im- 
 pulses, is a source of absolute pain. In a commercial point 
 of view, this peculiarity of disposition very rarely enriches 
 the possessor. Yet it has appeared, through the vagaries of 
 circumstances, that Mr. O'Hara's good deeds have been 
 remembered by at least a portion of the world ; for to their 
 influence is accredited a goodly proportion of his own pros- 
 perity. 
 
 The early life of Mr. O'Hara was devoted to journalism, 
 a field for which he was peculiarly adapted. Twenty years 
 ago, he served as official reporter for the Chicago Tribune, 
 and on two occasions he exhibited an ambition to see, prop- 
 erly represented, the interests of the Western Catholics 
 through the Detroit Vindicator and Western Tablet, both of 
 which journals he founded, only to witness their failure, after 
 he had severed his connection with them. In 1855, aban- 
 doning journalism, he entered the Recorder's office, and 
 was soon created chief clerk. 
 
 In 1859, the Legislature created a new court, built upon 
 the then Court of Common Pleas, and christened it the 
 Superior Court. Provision having been made under the new 
 dispensation for additional judges and clerks, Mr. O'Hara, 
 then chief clerk in the Recorder's office, was placed in the 
 field by the Democratic Convention as a candidate for the 
 clerkship. In the race, he was defeated by a trifling majority. 
 He ran so far ahead of his ticket, however, that he sprung 
 at once into the vanguard of his party, universally recog- 
 nized as one of the strongest lions of the fold. This was 
 Mr. O'Hara's first appearance in the political arena.
 
 DANIEL O HARA. I 25 
 
 In 1863, under the new charter, Mr. O'Hara was a candi- 
 date for the clerkship of the Recorder's Court, on the ticket 
 led by Hon. F^rancis C. Sherman, one of the old field-horses 
 of the Democratic party, and one of Chicago's most illus- 
 trious pioneers. The Republican party, at the previous 
 election, elected its ticket by a majority of 4,600. But such 
 was the standing of the men placed on the Democratic ticket, 
 that the party made a clean sweep by a trifling majority. 
 Hon. Evert Van Buren was elected Judge of the Recorder's 
 Court on the same occasion. 
 
 In the spring of 1868, the Democratic Convention nom- 
 inated Hon. W. K. McAllister for the Judgeship of the 
 Recorder's Court, and Mr. O'Hara for the Clerkship. 
 This was a very fierce fight; — judge and clerk being both 
 staunch Democrats — and resulted in a magnificent victory. 
 
 In 1871, under the new constitution, the Recorder's 
 Court became the Criminal Court. The jurisdiction of the 
 Court was now extended to the county ; and the judicature was 
 so altered as to require the Judges of the Superior and Cir- 
 cuit Courts to sit therein in rotation. With this change, Hon. 
 W. K. McAllister became a candidate for the Supreme Bench 
 of the State, and was overwhelmingly elected Associate 
 Justice, which distinguished office he yet fills, to the honor 
 of the great State of Illinois and the satisfaction of the 
 people at large. 
 
 Mr. O'Hara's term as Clerk of the Criminal Court expired 
 in the fall of 1873, when the People's Party placed him 
 in the field ^as a candidate for the City Treasurership of 
 Chicago. 
 
 Throughout his career, Mr. O'Hara has been a stout Dem- 
 ocrat, and will always revere the principles inculcated by 
 Senator Douglas, whom he has esteemed as his political 
 Gamaliel.
 
 126 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 JESSE O. NORTON. 
 
 The People's Party increased to a very considerable ex- 
 tent the confidence of the public, by the selection of Jesse 
 O. Norton for the responsible office of Corporation Counsel. 
 The adaptability of Judge Norton for the thorough discharge 
 of the manifold duties of the position was universally recog- 
 nized at once by Press, Bench and Bar. The local press 
 was singularly united in his favor as Corporation Counsel, 
 and a portion of the outside press took early occasion to 
 extol the appointment. The following extract in reference 
 thereto is taken from a leading journal in Joliet (where 
 Judge Norton passed many of his days) : 
 
 " The numerous friends of Hon. J. O. Norton, in this 
 Congressional district, were pleased to learn of his appoint- 
 ment as Corporation Counsel of Chicago, with an annual 
 salary of six thousand dollars. 
 
 " We regard Mr. Norton as not only one of the ablest, but 
 one of the purest public men of the times. For nearly a 
 quarter of a century he was a resident of this city and filled 
 numerous public offices, including that of County Judge, 
 member of the Constitutional Convention, Judge of Circuit 
 Court, member of Congress from this district three terms, 
 and U. S. Attorney, in all of which positions it was never 
 charged that he neglected a single duty or made use of a 
 cent that he was not justly entitled to. His soul is 
 unstained by Credit Mobilierism or official peculation. He 
 is a man of fine ability, and his decisions while on the bench 
 were characterized for their legal knowledge and adherence 
 to correct principles." 
 
 Throughout his entire career, Mr. Norton has uniformly
 
 JESSE O. NORTON. 
 
 commanded the unqualified confidence of those who have 
 known him — confidence not alone in his ability as a jurist, 
 but confidence in his sterling integrity. Very few men can 
 point to more flattering testimonials in this behalf. Among 
 his invaluable memories, the movement in 1862 to place him 
 as one of the judges in the Court of Claims, is recalled dis- 
 tinguishedly. On this occasion letters of the strongest char- 
 acter, in his favor, were written to the President by such men 
 as Schuyler Colfax, John Covode, O. H. Browning, Lyman 
 Trumbull, Roscoe Conklin, Thaddeus Stevens, R. E. Fenton, 
 and Erastus Corning. While the matter was pending, how- 
 ever, Mr. Norton withdrew from the field, having been re- 
 elected to a seat in Congress. 
 
 During his residence in Joliet, the admirers of our subject 
 first introduced him into the arena of politics — a thoroughly 
 unwilling candidate for the public honors vouchsafed to him 
 at the time, it may be said. Filled with a laudable ambition 
 to go to Congress before his brother graduates of Williams 
 College, in Massachusetts, it is true Mr. Norton stepped into 
 the ranks of the legal profession, bent upon becoming a 
 Congressman. This was his only political desire. Having 
 once gratified it, he placed his whole soul in the practice of 
 the profession he loves so sincerely. 
 
 Jesse O. Norton was born in Bennington, Vermont, and 
 is about fifty-seven years of age. Having graduated quite 
 early in life, in Williams College, Massachusetts, with high 
 honors, he came West and settled in Joliet, Illinois. Here 
 he was admitted to the Bar, and practiced for a period ex- 
 ceeding twenty years. 
 
 In 1847, he was elected a member of the Constitutional 
 Convention. While so serving, perhaps his most prominent 
 attitude was taken on the question in reference to the 
 exclusion of negroes from the State. He took a bold stand 
 against the exclusion idea; contending that it was entirely
 
 128 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 unconstitutional. The arguments on which he based his 
 position were conceded, on all hands, to be unanswerable. 
 
 In 1850, he was elected to the Legislature. In the delib- 
 erations of that body he took a most prominent part. His 
 principal efforts were chronicled in the question of the rail- 
 road system of those days. 
 
 In 1852, he was elected to Congress, and in 1854, he was 
 re-elected. During his first year he achieved a magnificent 
 record; due principally to his telling speech against the 
 Nebraska Bill. Senator Douglas paid him an eloquent com- 
 pliment upon this occasion. He also assisted materially in 
 that movement which gave about $2,000,000 worth of swamp 
 lands to the State; and favored the appropriation of 1^5,000,- 
 .000 for the deepening of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, a 
 measure which was lost in the Senate. 
 
 In 1857, he was elected Judge of the Circuit Court, and 
 served up to the summer of 1861. He subsequently de- 
 clined re-election. 
 
 In 1862, he was re-elected to Congress. 
 
 In 1866, Mr. Norton came to Chicago. In this year, he 
 was appointed U. S. Attorney, and held the office up to the 
 spring of 1869. While United States Attorney, the records 
 showed more convictions and a greater amount of monies 
 collected than in any other State, except New York.
 
 S. S. HAYES. 129 
 
 SAMUEL S. HAYES. 
 
 Samuel Snowden Hayes, the Comptroller of the City of 
 Chicago, was born Dec. 25, 1820, in Nashville, Tennessee, 
 where his father. Dr. R. P. Hayes, settled soon after his re- 
 tirement from the Surgeonship of a New York regiment, 
 engaged in the last conflict between the United States and 
 Great Britain. Having acquired all the educational advan- 
 tages a solicitous father could procure for his son, Mr. Hayes 
 began active life as a store boy in a drug store ; was soon 
 made a prescription clerk, and rose so rapidly subsequently, 
 as, in a brief interval, to decline the entire charge of, and a 
 partnership in, a drug store in Indiana. In August, 1838, 
 he went into the drug business on his own account in Shaw- 
 neetown, Illinois. The occupation proving incongenial, 
 however, he abandoned it soon after for the legal profession. 
 In the practice of law — he was admitted to the bar in 1842 
 — Mr. Hayes remained up to 1852, when, having caused the 
 wilds of Mount Vernon and Carmi, Illinois, to ring with the 
 music of his forensic efforts, he removed to Chicago. This 
 was a sensible project. 
 
 Very early in life Mr. Hayes gave good promise of success 
 in the political arena. The first demonstration, perhaps, 
 was in 1843, when he took the stump in favor of the Demo- 
 cratic Party. In 1845, at the Memphis Convention, called 
 for the promotion of Western and Southern interests, his 
 speech for the coalition of parties elicited a high compli- 
 ment from John C. Calhoun, whose expressions he con- 
 9
 
 130 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 demned; in 1846 he was sent to the Legislature; in 1847 
 he was selected a delegate to a Convention for the Revision 
 of the Constitution ; and in 1848 he was constantly on the 
 stump in Southern Illinois. 
 
 On his removal to Chicago, Mr. Hayes was employed by 
 the City as Counsellor and City Solicitor. Senator Douglas, 
 however, soon brought him from his seclusion, by proposing 
 the repeal of the Missouri Compromise. This measure he 
 opposed vehemently. His action brought forward Senator 
 Douglas in 1855, when that statesman paid particular atten- 
 tion to Mr. Hayes and others. This fact to the contrary, 
 notwithstanding, in obedience to the Democratic principle, 
 no better supporter of Douglas, it is said, was afterwards 
 found than Mr. Hayes. From this period up to and during 
 the war of the Rebellion, the voice of our present Comptrol- 
 ler was always heard plainly in open convention. 
 
 The position assumed by Mr. Hayes when appointed 
 Comptroller of Chicago, in 1862, was in the interest of econ- 
 omy and regularity so emphatically that the Council, on his 
 withdrawal in 1865, gave him an unanimous vote of com- 
 mendation. Shortly after, he was appointed one of the 
 three members of the United States Revenue Commission. 
 Messrs. Wells and Colwell were taken from the Republican 
 Party, and Mr. Hayes from the Democratic. The financial 
 report of Mr. Hayes, in this connection, elicited an editorial 
 from the London Times. His reply ended as follows: "As 
 far as the liabilities of the United States are concerned, they 
 seem to me quite within our means of payment, without 
 impoverishing our people, and without wronging our cred- 
 itors."
 
 EGBERT JAMIESON. 13I 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF EGBERT JAMIESON.^ 
 
 " Credc qitod habes, et kabes." 
 
 It may not be unnecessary to inform the reader that the 
 following autobiography had its origin in a conversation 
 between the author and the publisher, who did him the 
 honor of calling several times upon him. 
 
 It appeared to me a favorable opportunity to undertake 
 the task, and enriching myself with all the necessary material. 
 I accordingly took advantage of it. I regret, however, that 
 the very general curiosity of the public, with regard to the 
 particulars of my history, could not have been satisfied at 
 an earlier date — say on yesterday,— but its importance 
 required rather a more detailed consideration than at that 
 time I had any leisure to bestow upon it. Besides, the 
 original memoirs in Spanish, prepared soon after my return 
 from Europe, early last spring, were destroyed in the great 
 fire of October, 187 1, and hence it has been with no little 
 difficulty that a correct recital of facts and occurrences has 
 been prepared. 
 
 To begin, then. I had two parents — one of each kind 
 — both "poor, but honest," and I have good reason to 
 believe, and do most solemnly assert, that I was not ushered 
 into this life on the European Plan. Consequently, my cra- 
 dle was not surrounded by those prejudices and ideas of 
 
 *Note -The city attorney having repeatedly declined to be interviewed, wrote his 
 autobiography, at the requesi of the author of this work. It would not be fair to leave 
 the gentleman out. — The Author.
 
 132 
 
 THK GREAT REVOLUTIONS'. 
 
 superiority with which pride and flattery always seek to 
 intoxicate the minds of the privileged classes. 
 
 It is a most extraordinary circumstance that the earliest 
 ancestor our family has any record of, superintended, with 
 the assistance of the princes of the line of the Pharoahs, 
 the building of those wonderful structures, the Pyramids. 
 Having completed this job, he next turned his attention to 
 life insurance, but in this he met with little or no success, 
 (the family cheek having then not sufficiently developed 
 itself,) and we next hear of him as a sutler in the army of 
 Cambyses Second, King of Persia, in his raid against the 
 Egyptians. During this campaign he was shot by his com- 
 mander, there being at that time a great surplus of warriors, 
 and the railroad facilities for transporting them greatly 
 obstructed. This painful incident took place some five 
 hundred years before Christ, and none of the descendants 
 have felt like doing much since. 
 
 Coming down a trifle later, say about the fifteenth cen- 
 tury, our family tree blossoms profusely with celebrated 
 musicians, with an occasional literary bud. It is related of 
 Claudin Gaimeisen, (an Italian, in the direct line), that in 
 1475, while playing an engagement in a horse car in Jersey 
 City, he caused a very spirited air to be sung, accompanying 
 himself with the accordion, which so animated a gentleman 
 who was present, that he clapped his hands on the person of 
 my ancestor, — a struggle ensued — and my deceased relative 
 was buried from the hospital on the next day. 
 
 Claudin left surviving him a widow of the name of 
 Jinkins, and two adopted children. William Henry, the 
 elder of the children, is said to have been a delicate youth, 
 and excessively fond of books; but the supply in general 
 literature was somewhat limited at home, being confined to 
 " Hovle's Games," and the "Life of James Buchanan." He 
 was accordingly sent at an early age to a Female Seminary,
 
 EGBERT JAMIESON. 1 33 
 
 where he graduated with distinguished honors. He was the 
 author of numerous poems and tales ; his chief production 
 being "Betsey and I Are Out," — a passionate story of 
 Italian incident, which was marked by such grandeur of 
 thought and eloquence of expression, that it attracted for it 
 great attention in " going the rounds of the press." In ath- 
 letic sports he was a great enthusiast, and is said to have 
 had few superiors. But at last, " vaulting ambition o'er- 
 leaped itself," and in a hotly contested game of " freeze 
 out," he took a severe cold, and shortly after expired in 
 great agony. 
 
 For the next four hundred years the family history is too 
 barren of incident to write about. It wants variety — it 
 wants activity — it wants interest. If you do n't believe it, 
 some one more interested in the matter than I am had better 
 undertake the search. 
 
 In conclusion, it is but proper that the reader should be 
 informed that my principal object in thus far divulging the 
 important historical events which are here communicated to 
 my fellow citizens, was to supply in some measure, the 
 immense chasm which the absence of these memoirs may 
 leave in the annals of our country. In so doing, I have to 
 acknowledge my obligations to Captain Hickey, and Detec- 
 tives Ellis and Dixon, for many valuable suggestions, but for 
 reasons which I do not choose here to divulge, I have not 
 availed myself of them, notwithstanding their absence may, 
 to some extent, render the plan of my work incomplete.
 
 134 
 
 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 JOSEPH K. C. FORREST. 
 
 The City Clerk, Mr. Forrest, was born in the city of Cork, 
 Ireland, November 26, 1820, and was baptized in St. Ann's 
 Shandon Church — " Bells of Shandon." His father, who 
 resided in the city of Cork and vicinity for fifty years, 
 was for thirty years director of one of the largest mercan- 
 tile firms there — Cummins Brothers & Co. He acquired 
 here a business education, and aside from his occupation 
 in this particular branch of industry, farmed over six hun- 
 dred acres of land, and conducted a large planing mill and 
 tanyard. He was, as well, a freeman and burgess of the 
 city. Mr. Forrest's uncle, Phillip Ryder, was for thirty 
 years Comptroller of Customs for the port of Cork. His 
 first cousin, Mr. P. R. Tivy, is married to a sister of Sir 
 Thomas Lyons, formerly Mayor and Member of Parliament 
 for Cork. His oldest brother, John L. Forrest, married a 
 daughter of James Lane, Esq., formerly Mayor of the city 
 of Cork. The subject of this sketch was a schoolmate of 
 the late John Francis Maguire, Mayor and Member of Par- 
 liament for Cork. 
 
 Mr. Forrest came to Chicago July, 1840, and was intro- 
 duced into society by Hon. J. Young Scammon, who con- 
 tinues to be his friend. After a short time, Mr. Forrest 
 became associate editor of the Journal, with Riebel L. 
 Wilson, Esq. He then became editor of the Gem of the 
 Prairie, a weekly paper whicli was merged into the Tri- 
 bune. \Vi fact, it was at the urgent solicitation of Mr. For-
 
 JOSEPH K. C. FORREST. 135 
 
 rest, who was one of its founders, that this journal was so 
 christened. The prospectus, however, was written by Mr. 
 Wheeler, under the old heading Mr. Forrest subsequently 
 sold his interest. In 1846-7, he went as associate editor 
 upon Hon. John Wentvvorth's paper, the old Democrat, 
 accepting the very large salary, at that time, of $1,000. 
 While acting as editor, Mr. Forrest was elected Clerk of 
 the Recorder's Court, vanquishing Hon. Philip A. Hoyne 
 by over nine hundred votes. Hon. Daniel O'Hara, at 
 present City Treasurer, was his successor in the office. 
 
 Mr. Forrest has written a great deal on Finance for the 
 Press. He is at present engaged in a philosophical work on 
 " The Nature of Life and Government," in which he com- 
 bats the Darwinian theory, and the competitive theory of 
 enlightened self-interest as set forth by Mill, Lecky, and 
 other modern writers. He contends that the "body of 
 thought " which has governed the civilized world from the 
 time of Bacon to the present, and on which our great legal 
 principles are founded, is in process of consummation; 
 also, that the era, and the reign of force, and the power of 
 great governments to control the social as they have hereto- 
 fore the political state, is gradually asserting itself. In fact, 
 he contends that the age of intellect, the power of man's 
 intellect to control man, as held by Buckle and others, is 
 fast fading away. He assumes that, ere long, the material- 
 istic races of the world, such as the Anglo-Saxons and the 
 Germans especially, will put the Church and the Latin 
 races which are its chief support under the feet of the 
 practical, or the State ; that, as it was when Christ came 
 first, the Romans were the masters of the world, so, when 
 He comes the second time, the Germans, who are the mod- 
 ern counterparts of the ancient Romans, will be the rulers 
 of the modern world.
 
 Police and Fire Commissioners,
 
 POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSIONERS. I39 
 
 MARK SHERIDAN. 
 
 The Presidency of the Board of Police and Fire Com- 
 missioners has come unto Mr. Sheridan through a combina- 
 tion of circumstances never equaled in political history. 
 During his term he has observed the vanishing coat tails of 
 no less than five presidents : Brown, Talcott,^Reno, Mason, 
 and Cleveland. Brown resigned immediately after the great 
 fire; Talcott threw up the sponge in a fit of horrible despe- 
 ration — and 'he wrote his own death warrant ; Reno was 
 removed by the Medill administration, for daring to main- 
 tain the dignity of his position — and The People subse- 
 quently restored him; Mason failed to "make a spoon, but 
 spoiled a horn," to use his own words; and Cleveland was 
 ousted by the great political revolution. Througliout the 
 same period, Mr. Sheridan was fighting Mayor Medill, the 
 Press, the entire Law Department, and Superintendent of Po- 
 lice Washburn ; narrowly escaping, by the way, an untimely 
 end from an inkstand in the hands of the mild and slim Po- 
 lice Superintendent. During this unpleasantness, indeed, it 
 was broadly hinted that the assassination of the Commissioner 
 was meditated by somebody. The idea sprung from the fact 
 that at one of the sessions of the Board of Police the desk 
 of the Secretary, Dr. Ward, was changed so as to completely 
 imprison Mr. Sheridan, in the event of open war. Mr, Sher- 
 idan also saw the removal of Police Superintendents Ken- 
 nedy and Washburn, Deputy Superintendent Sherman, Cap- 
 tains French, Fox and Lull; the resignation and reinstate-
 
 140 
 
 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 ment of Captain Hickey ; and the removal of Fire Marshals 
 Williams, Schank and Walters. What he did not see of the 
 events that foreran and justified the remarkable political 
 revolution, would occupy a very small space indeed in this 
 batch of memoirs. 
 
 Police Commissioner Mark Sheridan was born in the 
 city of Waterford, Ireland, in 1826. At the age of fif- 
 teen, his father prosecuting; a flourishing brewing traffic, 
 Mark entered the establishment as clerk and disburser. 
 This was his first idea of the business world ; and the cir- 
 cumstances under which that idea was acquired were quite 
 arduous, the illness of his father placing the entire manage- 
 ment of his extensive affairs on Mark's shoulders. He was 
 so engaged up to the revolutionary epoch in Irish history, 
 which numbered among its prominent spirits the names of 
 Smith, O'Brien, John Mitchell, and Thomas Francis Mea- 
 gher. At the first breath, Mr. Sheridan threw his whole 
 soul into the movement, and might have easily had a hempen 
 necklace if he did not escape to America under the protec- 
 tion of the flag of Norway. This prominent event in his life 
 occurred in 1848. 
 
 In this year he arrived in New York. Thence he pro- 
 ceeded to Philadelphia; thence to Baltimore. In those 
 localities, Mr. Sheridan, after repeated efforts, failed in find- 
 ing reliable employment. He accordingly went to Missouri. 
 Here he built bridges. In Cincinnati he was more fortunate^ 
 obtaining a railroad clerkship. In 1856 he came to Chicago, 
 and was identified, up to 1861, with packing interests. This 
 comprises the business record of the Commissioner. 
 
 Mr. Sheridan's political life has been a continuous series 
 of successes, this being his sixth election. He was first 
 elected overseer of highways. Re-elected, he declined the 
 unprofitable |,honor. Shortly afterward he was elected to 
 represent the fifth ward in the Common Council. His posi-
 
 POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSIONERS. 141 
 
 tion was very clearly defined as an alderman, on all subjects. 
 Perhaps his attitude on the matter of assessment is one of 
 his most noteworthy recollections. He held that the assess- 
 ment of those days was decidedly inequitable, and clearly 
 demonstrated it. He was re-elected Alderman for the third 
 time, and had served about eighteen months of his last term, 
 when elected Police Commissioner. On the organization of 
 the new Board, under the new administration, he was elected 
 its President. As President of the Board, Mr. Sheridan 
 commands the strongest confidence of his colleagues, and 
 of the great public.
 
 142 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 E. F. C KLOKKE 
 
 The history of this gentleman is a part and parcel of the 
 antecedents of that great movement which swept chronic 
 office holders completely out of existence. He was cheated 
 badly out of his honors; only for a short time, however. 
 
 Police Commissioner E. F. C. Klokke was born in Hol- 
 land in 1834. Up to the age of sixteen, his time was de- 
 voted to the securing of a mercantile education. In 1850, 
 he came to New York, where he served his time at the hat 
 trade. 
 
 In 1857, Mr. Klokke came to Chicago. He found it up- 
 hill work at this time, being the occasion, as old residents 
 will remember, of a financial crisis. From the year of his 
 arrival up to 1S61, he filled position of bookkeeper and sales- 
 man alternately. 
 
 In this year Mr. Klokke entered the military service. At 
 the first tap of the drum he had his name enrolled in the Ells- 
 worth Zouaves, and when the call for 300,000 troops was 
 made, he was one of the very first to march to the front, to- 
 the tune, "We are coming, Father Abraham." At this junc- 
 ture he entered the Twenty-Fourth Illinois, joining the fam- 
 ous organization known as the Hecker Jaegers. He entered 
 the service as a Lieutenant. Thence he was detached to 
 the Signal Corps, and, as signal officer, served under Gen. 
 Thomas, until 1864. His conduct for gallantry while thus 
 engaged caused his promotion to a majorship. 
 
 On his return from the field, Mr. Klokke immediately re- 
 sumed business and devoted his entire attention thereto up
 
 POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSIONERS. 1 45 
 
 to July, 1 87 1, when, upon the earnest solicitation of Mayor 
 Medill, he accepted the position of Police Commissioner. 
 At the fall election of same year he was elected by a majority 
 of about 15,000. 
 
 In January, 1873, the difficulty arising between the Board 
 of Police and the Superintendent of Police, touching the de- 
 moralizing twelve o'clock order — disapproved by the unan- 
 imous action of the Board — caused the removal of Mr. 
 Klokke, and also Mr. Reno, from office, at the hands of 
 Mayor Medill. Comment on Mr. Medill's action is ren- 
 dered unnecessary by the fact that both of these gentlemen 
 are returned to their old positions by the people. 
 
 The prominence of Mr. Klokke in the grand programme 
 which culminated in the overwhelming triumph of the 
 People's movement gained his nomination to the position 
 of Police Commissioner, at the hands of Mayor Colvin.
 
 144 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 C. A. RENO. 
 
 Police Commissioner Reno was elected on the People's 
 ticket to the position he now holds. He has paid but very 
 little attention to politics. In 1859, however, he represented 
 the Sixth Ward in the Common Council. He was born in 
 Pennsylvania in 181 8, November 17th. Up to 1845, in 
 company with his father, Mr. Reno prosecuted a flourishing 
 iron trade. Removing to Chicago in this year, he was the 
 first man to devote himself exclusively to the sale of Briar 
 Hill and Erie coal. The sales averaged, in these days, 
 probably one hundred tons per day. As early as 17 15, the 
 Renos came over from France, to mine a lead-bank in St. 
 Louis, and secured an extensive land grant. About 4,000 
 acres are yet left in Randolph County. 
 
 Mayor Medill nominated Mr. Reno, and the Council con- 
 firmed him. When the Board of Police, however, thought 
 fit to suspend Mr. Washburn for conduct unbecoming an 
 officer, Mayor Medill removed Mr. Reno in company with 
 Mr. Klokke. What the people thought of it was shown at 
 the election. Both Mr. Reno and Mr. Klokke are still 
 Police Commissioners.
 
 POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSIONERS. 1 45 
 
 JAMES AVARS, Jr. 
 
 Mr. Ayars, having been almost unanimously nominated by 
 the Board of Underwriters, was appointed Fire Commis- 
 sioner by the Council, Nov. lo, 1873. The Commissioner 
 was born in New Jersey in 1836, and at the age of 16 pro- 
 ceeded to New York. Here he was engaged for four years 
 in the wholesale grocery trade. About this time he received 
 an appointment to West Point. He did not accept it, how- 
 ever, but went to Covington, Kentucky, where his parents 
 resided. Here, in 1858, he was admitted to the Bar; by 
 Judge Moore, at present sitting in the Superior Court of 
 Cook county. In 1862, he \va.s elected County Clerk of Ken- 
 ton county, Kentucky, and while serving was elected City 
 Treasurer of Covington, for two terms, by a very large vote. 
 In 1867, he came to Chicago, and entered the grain and in- 
 surance business, representing the " Phoenix " Insurance 
 Company of Hartford, as local agent. On July i, 1869, he 
 was appointed Special Deputy of Customs. On Dec. i, 1872, 
 he resigned and returned to his insurance agency. He is 
 not a People's ticket man. In deference to friendship for 
 Mr. Philip Wadsworth, he accepted a position on the Exec- 
 utive Committee of the Citizen's Union ticket. 
 
 During the war, the Commissioner was a Captain of a bat- 
 tery attached to the 41st Kentucky Volunteers, and witness- 
 ed considerable guerilla warfare.
 
 146 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 DR. WARD. 
 
 The Secretary of the Board of Police and Fire Commis- 
 sioners, Dr. Ward, — this is the name by which he is best 
 known, — was born at Pittsfield, Mass., December 9, 1823, 
 and graduated in medicine at the Berkshire Medical college 
 in 1845. In 1847, he removed to Chicago, and in January, 
 1855, he permanently settled here. He was a deputy in the 
 office of the Clerk of the County Court of Cook county, for 
 nine years — eight years in charge of the Probate depart- 
 ment ; was principal clerk in the County Treasurer's office 
 for two years, and has been Secretary of the Board for seven 
 years. His usefulness here is a matter well recognized by 
 all with whom he has been brought in contact.
 
 Police Superintendent and 
 
 Captains.
 
 POLICE KORCE. 1 49 
 
 JACOB REHM. 
 
 The Superintendent of the pretty thoroughly reconstruct- 
 ed poHce force of the city of Chicago is Jacob Rehm ; this 
 being the third time he has been called upon to assume so 
 responsible a position. 
 
 Mr. Rehm was born near Strasbourg, in the province of 
 Alsace, in 1828, and is of German descent. The place of 
 his birth is a French possession, yet its inhabitants speak 
 the German tongue. In his native place, Mr. Rehm remain- 
 ed at school up to the age of 12. In 1840, the family 
 removed to Chicago. Here the subject of this sketch has 
 lived ever since, excepting a brief stay in Dupage county. 
 
 In early life, Mr. Rehm pursued a miscellaneous career ; 
 as in fact did a great many people who entered Chicago at 
 so undeveloped a period. His first experience in police life 
 occurred in 185 1. In this year he joined the force as a pa- 
 trolman — in the days of James L. Howe, who was City 
 Marshal. As patrolman, Mr. Rehm served on the force up 
 to 1855, when he accepted a Street Commissionership in the 
 North Division. One year's service — the term for which 
 he was elected — was succeeded by an appointment as Fore- 
 man of Street Improvement under the Superintendent of 
 Public Works. His experience here, with the recollection of 
 his police service, may be said to have thoroughly initiated 
 him into public life, as upon his retirement he was appointed 
 City Marshal, or Chief of Police. Two years after, how- 
 ever, he left the force and entered the service of Lill & Di-
 
 15° 
 
 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 versy, brewers. In the spring of 1861, on the organization of 
 the police force after the Metropolitan system, police life 
 assumed a resistless attraction, and Mr. Rehm accepted the 
 Deputy Superintendency under the new law. 
 
 Resigning, he once more entered the service of Lill & Di- 
 versy. The old love was strong, nevertheless. Accordingly 
 Mr. Rehm went back to the force again, assuming the posi- 
 tion of Superintendent. While acting as such, in 1863, he 
 was elected County Treasurer. In 1866, he, once more, was 
 appointed Superintendent of PoHce. The office he filled up 
 to 1869, in which year he resigned, to be succeeded by ex- 
 Superintendent Kennedy. This comprised Superintendent 
 Rehm's police experience up to his present appointment. 
 The experiences of a Chief of Police during his successive 
 terms of office would form volumes of criminal history. The 
 sudden growth of a great city invariably multiplies the 
 agents of crime, and no city observed a better illustration of 
 the fact. 
 
 After the appointment of Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Rehm accept- 
 ed a position in the United States Revenue office in this city. 
 He then entered the malt business on his own account, which 
 has proven very successful. His establishment still stands 
 in the vicinity of Clybourne Avenue Bridge.
 
 POLICE FORCE. 151 
 
 WILLIAM BUCKLEY. 
 
 The Captain of the First District of Police was born in 
 Ballyhone, parish of Afhane, county of Waterford, Ireland, 
 June 9, 1832, and is therefore about 41 years of age. In 
 1848 — at the age of 16 — having spent his early life at 
 school, he emigrated and came to New York, where he went 
 to work on the farm of Col. George D. Coles, of Glencoe, 
 Queen's county, at a salary of $10 per month. In 1856, 
 having spent a short time on a farm in Warren county, Ohio, 
 the Captain came to Chicago. He now was placed in charge 
 of the coal business of Col. R. J. Hamilton, and subse- 
 quently engaged in the same business for Law & Strother. 
 A little experience as a car-driver and conductor followed. 
 He then joined the police force in 1865. Pfomotion rap- 
 idly followed. As Roundsman, Station-Keeper, and Ser- 
 geant, Mr. Buckley's conduct won for him early, on the 
 resignation of Capt. Hickey, the position of Captain, which 
 he obtained July 14, 1873, receiving the unanimous confirm- 
 ation of the Council. Among other experiences, Capt. 
 Buckley narrowly escaped assassination at the hands of the 
 supposed murderers of McKeaver, killed in the race between 
 "Butler" and " Cooley," on the turf; Avas dragged under 
 a private carriage by a contumacious driver at the time of 
 the Sanitary Fair in Chicago ; and received a severe pum- 
 meling at the hands of roughs while returning from St. 
 John's Church with his wife, March 10, 187 1. He tells with 
 gusto a great many experiences with soldiers, returning 
 from the war of the rebellion.
 
 152 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 M. C. HICKEY. 
 
 Capt. Michael C. Hickey, of the Second District, was 
 born near the city of Limerick, Ireland, April 18, 1826. 
 The close proximity of the Captain's birthplace to that city, 
 so deservedly famed for the beauty of her daughters, afforded 
 him excellent opportunities to revel repeatedly in love's 
 young and festive dream. His susceptibilities were not 
 inclined that way, however. The path that lay before him 
 he perceived was one he should construct with his own 
 head and his own hands. At the age of 18 he accordingly 
 bid adieu to the environs of fair Limerick, and crossed the 
 broad ocean to toil. 
 
 Arriving in Boston, Massachusetts, the Captain appren- 
 ticed himself to the plumbing and gas-fitting trades. Four 
 years of a stay here satisfied him that he might do better. 
 He therefore, in 1848, came to Chicago. Up to 1853 he 
 directed his energies to meat interests, acquiring all conve- 
 nient acquaintances in the meantime. In this year he was 
 elected Constable of the Fourth Ward ; performing, at the 
 same time, police duty. In 1855 he was elected County 
 Constable. Immediately afterward he was elected Justice 
 of the Peace, and acted as such up to 1858. It now came 
 to pass that in an effort to be re-elected, he was defeated. 
 From 1858 up to 1 861, he consequently built sewers under 
 the firm name of Farrell & Hickey, and did extraordinarily 
 well for that period. 
 
 In 1 86 1 he joined the police force as a patrolman. Two
 
 POLICE FORCE. 153 
 
 months had hardly elapsed before he was created a Ser- 
 geant. The position in those days was not an enviable one, 
 the incumbent being required to take care of his men during 
 all the hours of the night, and at an era in Chicago's his- 
 tory when crime stalked terrorless in broad daylight. The 
 beat allotted to Capt. Hickey out-deviled any in Chicago, 
 embracing the region of which such filthy purlieus as Gris- 
 wold street formed the unattractive center. In this vicinity 
 in 1862 he was shot by burglars, and it was only after five 
 months of the best surgical treatment that his life was saved. 
 He had just recovered when he narrowly escaped being 
 crushed to death l)etvveen two cars on State street. 
 
 On January i, 1866, he was appointed Captain. As such 
 it is said he has been instrumental in sending about 500 evil- 
 doers to the Penitentiary — among them the six masked 
 ruffians interested in the Jefferson-Snell robbery ; and Cor- 
 bett, Flemming, and Kennedy, the perpetrators of the 
 Cicero murder, to the gallows.
 
 154 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 FREDERICK GUND. 
 
 Capt. Gund was born in Planckstadt, Baden, Germany, 
 December i, 1823. At the age of 17 he was sent to a mili- 
 tary school at Mannheim, according to the commendable 
 custom in vogue in Germany. After six years, impressed 
 with the attractiveness of a republican form of government, 
 he came to America and engaged in tobacco manufacture. 
 In 1847 he came to Chicago. In 1854 he joined the police 
 force, and was appointed a Lieutenant under Dyer. In 
 1863 he was appointed Captain of the North Side. In 1865 
 he was elected a Police Commissioner. At the expiration 
 of his term he was appointed Captain. 
 
 The duties devolving upon Capt. Gund lie among the 
 Germans mainly ; and the best endorsement is their entire 
 confidence in the Captain.
 
 Fire Marshals.
 
 FIRE MARSHALS. 157 
 
 MATTHIAS BENNER. 
 
 The Chief Fire Marshal is Matthias Benner. He was 
 born in Lauffeldt, Germany, and came to America in 1848, 
 settling Avithin nine miles of Port Washington, Wisconsin. 
 In May 5, 1851, he came to Chicago, his family taking up 
 an economical abode on State street, near Harrison. The 
 chief, upon his arrival, entered a cigar shop, and subse- 
 quently engaged in the trunk business, where he remained 
 for nine months. In the meantime, there were very few 
 large fires by night he did not attend, ringing No. 7's bell 
 when anything "showed up." In these . expeditions he 
 served on Hook and Ladder No. i. 
 
 He was not a regular member of the fire department 
 until arrived at the age of eighteen. He was duly elected 
 about October 10, 1856. He remained a member up to 
 April 5, 1859. He then joined the Enterprise No. 2. 
 He then went for. six months to St. Louis. In March, 
 i860, however, throughthe misrepresentation of a poli- 
 tician, it is stated, Mr. Benner was removed from the 
 force. Subsequently, he was invited back by Chief U. P. 
 Harris, but declined. He eventually accepted a posit- 
 ion on Hook and Ladder No. i. In a short time, he 
 was transferred to the foremanship of the Island Queen, 
 which he held up to April i, 1861. Afterwards, Mr. 
 Benner, at the request of Mr. Harris, took charge of 
 the Long John. But at his own request, he was made a 
 private, to attend a night school. The school shortly 
 failing, he, at the request of the Board of Police, was
 
 1^8 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 assigned to the charge of Enterprise No. 2. This pos- 
 ition he held until May 4, 1868. He was now appointed 
 by the Commissioners Third Assistant. He filled the 
 position up to March, 1871. Then he was appointed First 
 Assistant, which he filled up to the time he was appointed 
 Chief, vice Williams, removed. 
 
 The record of the Chief is truly an eventful one; and it 
 is certain nobody was more surprised than himself when he 
 was appointed Chief Fire Marshal. 
 
 Mr. Benner, in November and December, made an ex- 
 tensive inspection tour for the purpose of improving his 
 department. Among other places, he visited Pittsburgh, 
 Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Brooklyn 
 and Boston; also, the Amoskeag Works, and the Seneca 
 Falls establishment. The result of his visits will probably 
 be a great improvement in the Fire Department; satis- 
 factory to himself, and advantageous to the public.
 
 FIRE MARSHALS. 159 
 
 DENIS J. SWENIE. 
 
 The First Assistant Fire Marshal was born in the city of 
 Glasgow, Scotland, in the year 1834, where he remained until 
 he arrived at the age of fourteen. In 1848 he came to Chi- 
 cago and engaged in the harness trade. This engrossed his 
 attention up to the year of 1859. In the meantime Mr. 
 Swenie was a member of the volunteer fire department, 
 running " wid der masheen " more for sport than anything 
 else. In 1849 he entered the service as a hose boy on No. 
 3, stationed at that time on the corner of Wells and Kinzie 
 streets. He subsequently joined the regular engine corps. 
 In 1852 Mr. Swenie went on the "Red Jacket," and took 
 the position of Assistant Foreman. In 1854 the company 
 was disbanded. Mr. Swenie then returned to No. 3. It 
 was now that his services became appreciated. In 1856 he 
 was appointed First Assistent Engineer. In 1858 he was 
 appointed Chief Engineer, organizing the paid steam fire 
 department. 
 
 In those days the position of Mr. Swenie was anything 
 but enviable. The volunteer department considered the or- 
 ganization of a paid department as a slur upon their honor, 
 and fought with a desperation worthy of a better cause. All 
 those squabbles, memorable in the annals of our fire history, 
 Mr. Sweenie successfully mastered. 
 
 In 1 86 1 Mr. Swenie took command of the Liberty, sta- 
 tioned on North Dearborn street. In 1867 the same com- 
 pany accompanied him to the command of the Gund. He
 
 l6o THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 was captain of this company when appointed First Assistant 
 Fire Marshal, October i, 1873. 
 
 In all the great fires of his days the First Assistant Fire 
 Marshal participated; among others, the great fire of 1857. 
 On this occasion, Mr. Swenie took charge of the diggers, 
 and recovered eighteen bodies out of twenty-three supposed 
 to have been lost. His traveling in pursuit of interesting 
 information to further the interests of the Fire Depart- 
 ment is extensive; and there are a great many who rank 
 Mr. Swenie to-day among the foremost firemen of the 
 country, from the extent of his experience. 
 
 In the great fire, Marshal Swenie, taking charge of affairs 
 on the North Side, saved, it is said, five entire blocks in the 
 vicinity of Kinzie street bridge. The engines in action at * 
 the time were Nos. 11, 5, and 16.
 
 FIRE MARSHALS. l6l 
 
 CHARLES S. PETRIE. 
 
 The Second Assistant is Charles S. Petrie. He was born 
 in Chicago, Sept. 25, 1840, and studied at the Kinzie Public 
 School. His educational course was further extended by 
 a term at St. Joseph's Catholic School in this city, and aft- 
 erwards at South Bend. At the age of 13, or thereabouts, 
 he went to work at Fuller's old light - house. Here he was 
 employed for about three years. He then went into McCor- 
 mick's manufacturing establishment, and then into Wright's 
 machine shop. In the meantime, he served in the Volunteer 
 Fire Department. He now went South, and served as As- 
 sistant Engineer on the Mississippi. At the breaking out of 
 the war he returned to Chicago, and joined the Steam Fire 
 Department, serving as stoker on Engine 3. In 1866, he 
 went upon the " Rice " as stoker. Thence he was promoted 
 to the engineership. He was then appointed Engineer on 
 No. 3, the " James." 
 
 In 1872, he was promoted to the position of Third Assist- 
 ant, and in the same year to the Second Assistantship. It 
 is in the mechanical department Mr. Petrie's energies are 
 most felt.
 
 l62 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 WILLIAM MUSHAM. 
 
 This gentleman is Third Assistant Fire Marshal. He was 
 born in the city of Chicago, Feb. 9, 1839. In February, 
 1855, he joined the Volunteer Fire Department — at the 
 early age of 16. Meantime, he pursued his avocation as a 
 carpenter. About 1861, Mr. Musham joined the Paid Fire 
 Department, which, at that time, was about fully organized. 
 The first engine our subject went upon was the " Little Gi- 
 ant," located on the corner of Washington and Dearborn 
 streets. He served here as a pipeman. He was then trans- 
 ferred to the " Atlantic," corner of State and Michigan 
 streets. Having served here for a time, he was transferred 
 to the " Giant," but after a short time, resigned and went to 
 Philadelphia, v/here he served on the Volunteer Department, 
 on the engine "Fairmount." Returning to Chicago, he 
 went upon the "T. B. Brown," on West Lake street. Here 
 he served as assistant foreman up to 1868. He now went 
 as Foreman upon the " Giant," located at this time upon 
 Maxwell street. After the great fire, March i, 1872, Mr. 
 Musham was appointed Third Assistant Fire Marshal. 
 
 The experience of Mr. Musham on our Fire Department 
 is quite varied ; among other adventures, suffering severe 
 injuries by the falling of a wall at a fire, corner of LaSalle 
 and Water streets, in 1865, where two firemen were killed.
 
 FIRE MARSHALS. 163 
 
 MAURICE W. SHAY. 
 
 The Fourth x\ssistant Fire Marshal is Maurice W. Shay. 
 He was born in Nova Scotia, in 1832, and, as early as 1838, 
 came to Eastport, Maine, remembering the great fire in that 
 city in 1839, which destroyed three-quarters of a mile of 
 property, including many wharves and much shipping. In 
 1840 he went to Charlestown, Massachusetts. In that city, 
 in 1847, he ran with the " \\'arren " engine company, and 
 with that company went to Boston and participated in 'the 
 Haverill street fire, which destroyed three squares. In 1849 
 he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and in 1850 joined "Phoenix " 
 engine company. In 1852, he was a member of the Eagle 
 Fire Department in Pittsburgh. In 1855 he was elected 
 Assistant Foreman of the company. In 1856 he was elect- 
 ed Assistant Engineer of the Cleveland Fire Department, 
 He participated in the New England fire in that city. 
 
 Mr. Shay then came to Chicago. Here his old love accom- 
 panied him. In 1857 he joined the Liberty Hose Company, 
 No. 6, as a pipeman. In 1S58 he was appointed Assistant 
 Foreman. In 1861 he joined the Paid Fire Department as 
 a truckman on Hook and Ladder No. i. In 1862 he was 
 transferred to engine 6, the " Little Giant." In 1864 he was 
 appointed Foreman of engine comi)any No. 9, the " Sher- 
 man." In 1867 he accepted the foremanship of No. 13, 
 the "Titsworth." Here he stayed until detailed Assistant 
 Fire Marshal, in October, 1873. In all the great fires of 
 his days Mr. Shay participated, with high honors.
 
 1,64 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 LEO MEYERS. 
 
 The Fifth Assistant Marshal is Leo Meyers, aged about 
 thirty-nine, of French extraction ; was born on the North 
 Side, and is distinguished by the reputation of being the 
 Chesterfield of the Fire Department. He is very popular. 
 Mr. Meyers joined the Volunteer Fire Department probably 
 at the age of fourteen, and, up to the organization of the 
 Fire Department, followed iron moulding, being for some 
 time foreman in Letz' foundry. He first served as a torch 
 boy on No. 3, the "Niagara;" became Foreman of the 
 "Island Queen;" held the same position on the "U. P. 
 Harris;" was at one time Assistant Engineer under U. P. 
 Harris ; and also served as Foreman of the " Tempest Hose" 
 and of the "Babcock." On October 5, 1873, he was ap- 
 pointed Marshal under Chief Benner.
 
 HYDROGEN GAS MACHINE. 1 65 
 
 J. J. WADE, 
 
 95 South Desplaines street, a prominent phmiber and gas 
 fitter, has gotten up a Hydrogen Gas Machine, which is ben- 
 eficial to the public in the fitting up of buildings where 
 tanks are in u^e, as there is no fire connected with it, and 
 the lead is put together without the use of solder, therefore 
 saving from thirty to forty per cent, in labor and material. 
 This machine is indispensable in the fitting up of chemical, 
 vinegar, distilling, and other works where acids are in use. 
 The value of the instrument is enhanced by the fact that 
 it lessens the liability to fire in large public buildings. Mr. 
 Wade has been connected with the plumbing and gas fitting 
 interests of Chicago for over sixteen years, and has accom- 
 plished the work on our most prominent public structures.
 
 Board of Public Works.
 
 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS. 1 69 
 
 REDMOND PRINDIVILLE. 
 
 Mr. Prindiville was born in the southern part of Ireland, 
 in 1826, of parents of the purest description of Norman 
 about them. His father and uncle took degrees in 
 Trinity. At a very early age, Redmond was borne to 
 the State of New York, whence he was removed to Michi- 
 gan for a time, to suit the convenience of the family, most 
 probably. At nine, he entered Chicago. From this time 
 up to 1849, it might be said that Redmond divided his 
 days between sailing and attending school; holding a cap- 
 taincy at 17, and until he was 23. He now connected him- 
 self with the Galena Railroad; and in various positions he 
 remained in the service of this corporation up to 1855, when 
 he resigned. Since, Mr. Prindiville has identified himself 
 extensively with river interests, owning, at the present, con- 
 siderable shipping. He was appointed to the Board in 
 December, 1869. He served in the Council from i860 to 
 '62, from the then Eighth Ward.
 
 170 THE GREAT KEVOLU'ITON. 
 
 WILLIAM II. CARTER. 
 
 Commissioner Carter was born in Lancaster, Worcester 
 county, Massachusetts, in 1821. He is, accordingly, 53 
 years of age. When about eight years old, Mr. Carter went 
 to Franklin county, and worked there diligently on a farm 
 for some time. He went to school there, and subsequently 
 to the Academy at East Hampton, Massachusetts. He 
 thence went to Springfield, in the same State, and engaged 
 in building. He was at this time but 20. He went now to 
 Northampton, and built there, among other structures, the 
 House of Correction. 
 
 In the Fall of 1853, Mr. Carter came to Chicago, and 
 pursued building up to the time of his election to the Coun- 
 cil, where he served in 1855 and 1856. In 1857, he served 
 on the Board of Education. In February, 1868, he was 
 elected a member of the Board of Public Works. 
 
 He retired with the success of the People's Party ; giving 
 place to Louis Wahl.
 
 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS. 171 
 
 J. K. THOMPSON. 
 
 Mr. Thompson was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1816, and 
 followed building up to 1857. In July, 1855, he came to 
 Chicago. In March, 1857, Mr. Thompson was given the 
 full control of bridges and public buildings. In i86i,when 
 the Board was organized, he was appointed Superintendent 
 of Streets and Public Buildings, a position he has filled 
 with great ability. He is the parent of the present style of 
 bridges. 
 
 In his peculiar sphere Commissioner Thompson, it is 
 said, stands without an equal. It has been intimated that a 
 desideratum, municipally, would be an Inspector of Public 
 Buildings. If such an office were made, it would, most 
 probably, be tendered to Mr. Thompson.
 
 172 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 LOUIS WAHL. 
 
 Louis Wahl, over whose selection as a member of the 
 Board of Public Works so much of a stir was made in the 
 Common Council, was born at Pirmassens, in Rhenish Bava- 
 ria, in 1830. He is of pure German extraction, and his con- 
 nections, wherever found, rank very high in society. His 
 father was attached to the Bavarian Crown in the capacity 
 of tax collector, and his uncles at one time represented five 
 million francs in Paris, France. One of those relatives is at 
 present Superintendent of the Road from Paris to the Med- 
 iterranean. He was probably the only prominent German 
 who, during the unpleasantness between France and Prussia, 
 was not hustled out of Paris. 
 
 In 1847, the Wahl family, removing to America, Mr. Louis 
 Wahl's father entered the glue business in Milwaukee, and 
 achieved an independent fortune. The business, like many 
 other foreigners upon their arrival on these shores, he picked 
 up accidentally, and established. His success may be judged 
 from the fact that he left, as an inheritance to his sons, the 
 magnificent sum of $200,000. Besides this, he established 
 the facilities for a glue house in Chicago for them. In 1850 
 Louis Wahl, in company with his brother Christian, took a 
 portion of the fortune left them and made the trip to Cali- 
 fornia; and it might be said passed through the Golden 
 Gate to amass a fortune in Chicago. 
 
 They came to this city in 1854. The first place they con- 
 structed their glue works (their father's success having urged 
 them to stick to glue) was on the North Branch. In 1856
 
 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS. 
 
 173 
 
 they removed to their present location, situated on Broad 
 street near Thirty-first. At the outset they sent out 50,000 
 pounds of glue annually. Their present production is 
 3,000,000 pounds; the amount of capital invested is $600,- 
 000, and their business is probably the largest in the world. 
 
 The political position of Louis Wahl has been on the Re- 
 publican side ; though he cast his first vote for Pierce in 
 1852. He never cared much for office, on account of the 
 immense requirements of his business. Among the posi- 
 tions of trust he held, however, was a position in the State 
 Legislature, and a Commissionership of Bridewell. A great 
 effort was also made to run him for Mayor in last fall's elec- 
 tion, on the Citizen's Union ticket. 
 
 His election to the Board of Public Works was bitterly 
 opposed, on account of his presumed connection with an 
 effort to once bribe the Aldermen in reference to the Ford 
 contract. It is stated, nevertheless, that Mr. Wahl knew 
 nothing of the attempt ; handing over to a certain party a 
 certain sum of money, with no knowledge whatever of its 
 disposition. This money reached certain Aldermen, it ap- 
 pears, subsequently. The probable presumption of Mr. 
 Wahl was that it was merely a present to an editor for the 
 influence of his newspaper.
 
 Board of Health.
 
 BOARD OK HKALIH. 177 
 
 DR. HAHN. 
 
 Dr. Hahn, the President of the Board of Health, was 
 born in the east. He graduated in Jefferson Medical Col- 
 lege, and for a time was connected, as a resident physician, 
 in Blockley College, of Philadelphia. He subsequently 
 removed to Chicago. 
 
 The Doctor's experience, as spoken of in Chicago, is 
 ranked among that of the highest in the profession. 
 
 Among other political positions he has held that of an 
 alderman.
 
 lyS THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 CHARLES E. MOORE. 
 
 Charles E. Moore was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1825. 
 In 1837 he went to Albany, N. Y., where he remained until 
 1848. Here he learned the trade of masonry. While here 
 he was a member of the Emmett Guards, and offered his 
 services in the Mexican war, with that organization. They 
 were not called out, however. 
 
 In 1848, Mr. Moore came to Chicago and worked at his 
 trade. In i860 he made the trip to Pike's Peak. Returning 
 in 1 86 1, he entered the army, and for three years and three 
 months served as Major of the 23d, which, in company with 
 Col. Mulligan and others, he helped in organizing. 
 
 Among the positions of public trust he has filled were the 
 Aldermanship of the Seventh AVard and Police Judgeship. 
 Resigning the latter, he was subsequently chosen to the 
 Board of Health.
 
 BOARD OF HEALTH. 
 
 179 
 
 GEORGE SGHLCETZER. 
 
 'I'his gentleman was born in Kusel, Rhenish Bavaria, and 
 is 52 years of age. His early life was spent in a very class- 
 ical atmosphere ; which the observer of the Doctor's habits 
 and predilections to-day may easily surmise. His father 
 was the chief medical officer in the Bavarian army, at one 
 time, and participated therewith in the Russian campaign. 
 
 Educated in Munich, Dr. Schloetzer practiced medicine 
 in the locality of that name as well as in Prague and Brus- 
 sels, and very considerably throughout all Germany. He 
 came to Chicago fifteen years ago, and has devoted himself 
 to his practice ever since. He entered the Board of Health 
 in 1869; was the City Physician at one time; and is at 
 present connected with the Protestant Diaconese Hospital.
 
 l8o THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 BEN. C MILLER. 
 
 Dr. Miller was born in Putnam county, Indiana, and hav- 
 ing received an academical education at Battle Ground, Indi- 
 ana, joined the army at 17 — Company K, loth Indiana 
 Cavalry ; rising from the ranks to a First Lieutenantcy, in 
 the Army of the Cumberland. In 1865 Ben. studied medi- 
 cine in his father's office, and soon graduated at Rush Med- 
 ical College. He then entered Cook County Hospital, and 
 in 1869 was appointed County Physician. 
 
 Dr. Miller was appointed Superintendent of Public Char- 
 ities for Cook county in 1872. In this position he effected 
 incalculable good, especially in the matter of hospitals. A 
 comparison of the expenditures of his year and of the year 
 previous shows a reduction in his favor of over $100,000. 
 He was subsequently selected to his present office — the 
 Health Superintendency. Here he has perfected the pres- 
 ent admirable vaccination regulations.
 
 BOARD OF HEALTH. l8l 
 
 JOSEPH McDERMOTT. 
 
 Joseph McDermott was born in Durrow, King's county, 
 Ireland, in 1827. When arrived at the age of twenty, he 
 came to this country, and settled in New York, in the liquor 
 traffic. x\fter a successful experience there, he came to 
 Chicago, and resumed the same business. He is engaged 
 therein at present. 
 
 Politically, Mr. McDermott is a Democrat. He never 
 sought office much, and his selection to the Board of Health 
 probably surprised him somewhat. 
 
 Mr. Moses Hook. — This gentleman has also just been 
 elected to the Board of Health.
 
 Police Justices. and Clerk.
 
 POLICE JUSTICES AND CLERK. 1 85 
 
 DANIEL SCULLY. 
 
 The name of Daniel Scully is a household word in a very 
 large region. There never was a more efficient Justice 
 elected in the city of Chicago. 
 
 Mr. Scully was born in the city of New York, March 28, 
 1839. When the boy was two years old, his parents removed 
 to McHenry county. Here the old folks placed him in 
 charge of the farm. Agricultural pursuits were not sympa- 
 thetic with the disposition of the Judge. He looked for 
 better things. 
 
 In those days it was habitual with men of remarkable pro- 
 clivities to get all the information they could. With this 
 end in view, the Judge, in the year i860, devoted himself to 
 teaching school. The more he taught, the more he became 
 convinced that he needed to learn something himself. His 
 education he considered simply fortuitous. So it was. Ac- 
 cordingly, in the fall of i860. Mr. Scully went to St. Mary's 
 of the Lake. Here he graduated, after two years, in the 
 scientific and commercial departments. His conduct here 
 elicited a very complimentary notice from Dr. McMuUen, 
 the principal of the institution. 
 
 In 1863 and 1864 Judge Scully studied law in the Chicago 
 Law School, under the control of Judge Booth, at present 
 of the Circuit Court. Wlien graduated, he received a hand- 
 some compliment from the principal, being the only one out 
 of a class of thirty-four who had not been in a law office. 
 
 A promiscuous line of life followed his honors. The edu- 
 cational seemed to have the mastery, however. Having
 
 l86 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 graduated in law, Mr. Scully made a tour of Iowa and Min- 
 nesota ; but failing to discover any favorable locality where- 
 in to throw out his shingle, he came to Chicago. He now 
 entered the office of Willard &: Quinn, and devoted himself 
 rigidly to study. The result was a success that promises to 
 be permanent. 
 
 The Judge has been appointed Police Justice three times 
 by an overwhelming vote. Among other honors, he has 
 served Hartland, in McHenry county, as Town Supervisor.
 
 POLICE JUSTCES AND CLERK. 187 
 
 H. A. KAUFMANN. 
 
 The Justice of the North Division Police Court is Henry 
 Aaron Kaufmann, a gentleman whose admirers north of the 
 river, it is said, are very numerous. His progress so far in 
 public life, it is certain, is only the result of an industrious 
 attention to the minutest details of the various stations in 
 life allotted to him. 
 
 Mr. Kaufmann was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, in 1821. 
 Early in life, conceiving an idea that a young and rising 
 region possessed availabilities not discoverable elsewhere, 
 Mr. Kaufmann came to America, and, after prospecting 
 somewhat, settled in Chicago. 
 
 His first introduction to public life, it may be said, was 
 while employed by the city as a police patrolman and detec- 
 tive. Thus engaged, Mr. Kaufmann enjoyed ample oppor- 
 tunities for forming friendships — acquisitions he succeeded 
 admirably in securing. 
 
 Being moderately ambitious, Mr. Kaufmann, subsequent to 
 his retirement from the police force, was elected a Town 
 Supervisor. The next prominent office of public trust await- 
 ing him was the Police Justiceship of the North Division.
 
 l88 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 MARTIN SCULLY. 
 
 The Clerk of the South Side Police Court is Martin 
 Scully. He was born in the county of Tipperary, Ireland, 
 in 1835. In 1 85 1 he emigrated to America, and learned the 
 moulding business. This avocation he pursued up to his 
 election. When the war broke out Mr. Scully entered the 
 23d Illinois regiment, under Mulligan, and was very soon 
 appointed Sergeant of Company K. When the siege of Lex- 
 ington took place. Sergeant Scully succeeded in showing an 
 extraordinary hand, turning out 1,600 weight of shot from a 
 rebel foundry.at the time of the bombardment. He was here 
 captured, but was subsequently exchanged, among the Camp 
 Jackson prisoners. In 1861 he was mustered out at St. Louis. 
 Returning to Chicago, in company with Capt. Shanley he 
 raised a company and took 100 men to the famous Sixty- 
 Ninth, the Irish regiment. Promotion soon followed, serving 
 at the battle of Fair Oaks as Second Lieutenant. After the 
 battle of Antietam he was appointed Captain. At Fair Oaks 
 Mr. Scully was wounded. He was present also at the seven 
 days fidit under Gen. McClellan. The history of Capt. Scully 
 can be learned at a glance when it is told that himself and 
 two others were the sole survivors of Company D, of the 
 Sixty-Ninth. When the Fenian excitement broke out, Capt. 
 Scully went to Ireland, and was arrested in the city of Cork. 
 Returning in 1869, he was elected Clerk of the North Side 
 Police Court. In 1873 he was elected Chief Clerk on the 
 People's ticket. Aside from his political history, Mr. Scully 
 has always taken an active part in the interests of the work- 
 ins; men.
 
 COLLFXTORS AND ASSESSORS.
 
 COLLECTORS AND ASSESSORS. Ipl 
 
 GEORGE VON HOLLEN. 
 
 This gentleman is the City Collector. He was born in 
 the village of Drifthsethe, in Hanover, Germany, March 2, 
 1834, and, up to the age of fifteen, devoted himself to farm- 
 ing. At this age he left Fatherland, arriving in New York 
 in 1849. Here he gave his services to a grocer, and subse- 
 quently to a butcher. In 1854, he came to Chicago. Here 
 he resumed the business prosecuted in the east. Being a 
 first-class Republican, Mr. Von Hollen soon became thor- 
 oughly identified with politics. From 1863 to 1865, he rep- 
 resented the Eleventh Ward in the Common Council. At 
 the expiration of his term, he entered the Post-ofifice and 
 acted as foreman of foreign and general delivery. In 1869, 
 he was a candidate for City Collector on the Republican 
 ticket, but was defeated. In September, 1870, he was ap- 
 pointed a member of the Board of Health, This position 
 he resigned in 187 1, when elected on the Fire-proof ticket to 
 the position of City Collector. His majority wa< over 0,000. 
 In 1873, espousing the People's ticket, he was re-elected by 
 a majority of over 10,000. 
 
 The experience of Mr. Von Hollen during th.e war, 
 for his adopted country, was not very pleasant. Among 
 other tribulations, he was captured by Morgan's guerillas 
 while administering to the wounded and sick boys of the 
 Twenty-Fourth Illinois, after the battle of Perryville, Ken- 
 tucky. In this engagement, his brother, Bernhard, was 
 killed. 
 
 In 1868, Mr. Von Hollen was elected President of the
 
 192 
 
 'J'HE GREA'l REVOIA TION. 
 
 North Side 'I'urner Society, of which he is a distinguished 
 member. 
 
 It is very rarely found that the dry duties of a City Col- 
 lector correspond with the divine affinities of the poet. Mr. 
 Von Hollen, nevertheless, has written some of the very 
 finest kind of German and English verses, about one hun- 
 dred of which have graced the coiums of the Staats Zejtung.
 
 COLLECTORS AND ASSESSORS. 193 
 
 COL. P. M. CLEARY. 
 
 The gentleman whose familiar name is observed at the 
 top of this page is Collector for the South Town of Chicago. 
 He was elected to his position April i, 1S73, by a majority 
 of about 1,100. 
 
 He was born in Nanagh, county of Tipperary, Ireland, 
 April 6, 1826, and arrived on these shores as long as 32 
 years ago. Five years of life in New York sufficed for an 
 eager spirit like the Colonel's. The clattering wheel and 
 the vulgar jostle were fresh variety when contrasted with 
 the every-day life of his native town of Nanagh. But the 
 combination grew monotonous, at length. Col. Cleary re- 
 solved to see the world. He accordingly selected Chicago 
 as the starting-point. He had an uncle in this city, in the 
 drug business ; and this in itself was as great an induce- 
 ment as a man of his push needed, to try his fortune in a 
 strange city. 
 
 Here, fortune seemed to smile upon him at the outset. 
 He found here a host of friends just like himself — genial, 
 broad-hearted, and energetic. What go-aheadativeness he 
 did not bring with him he procured with the least possible 
 trouble. He entered real estate speculation when he had 
 secured a good footing, and to this industry he still devotes 
 the efforts of his matured business talent. Occasionally, the 
 Colonel takes a trip to Europe, and, when he returns, dwells 
 with ecstacy upon the many scenes he has observed there. 
 
 The Colonel's acquaintances tell stories of his adventures 
 13
 
 194 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 during the war, that have beguiled the hours beside many a 
 pleasant fireside. Those narratives it is not the province 
 of the writer to rehearse, however. 
 
 .Since his election to his present position, Col. Cleary has 
 achieved a reputation as Collector that has elicited the 
 unqualified approbation of the Press, having successfully 
 moved upon the banks which manifested so sturdy a desire 
 to resist payment.
 
 COLLECTORS AND ASSESSORS. T95 
 
 LAURENCE O'BRIEN. 
 
 This gentlemen is the Collector of the West-Town of 
 Chicago, and was elected April i, 1873, on the Citizens' 
 ticket, by a majority of 323. By-the-way, it was rather a 
 coincidence that the three town collectors elected that day 
 were all Irishmen — Cleary, O'Brien, and Murphy. 
 
 Mr. O'Brien was born in the town of Newport, in Tip- 
 perary, Ireland, about the year 1836. At the age of 17, our 
 subject, with an eye to sport of the good old Irish style, left 
 his native town and took a stroll through Leinster, Kildare, 
 and other places of historic note in Ireland. Among other 
 spots visited, Mr. O'Brien paid his respects to the Curragh, 
 the Heath of Marlborough, the Castle of Lord Nace, late 
 Governor of India, and the beautiful strawberry beds of 
 Dublin. 
 
 Mr. O'Brien served four years in the Irish constabulary, 
 but was forced to leave on account of his nationalistic 
 principles. In Ireland, our subject followed baking, which 
 trade he there acquired. Since his advent to America, lie 
 has devoted himself mainly to the liquor traffic.
 
 1^6 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 JOHN MURPHY 
 
 This gentleman is Collector for the north town of Chicago, 
 and was elected on the Workingman's ticket. He was born 
 in the borough of Ross, County Wexford, Ireland, in 1841, 
 and left at the age of fifteen years, coming directly to Chi- 
 cago, where he worked, up to the fall of 1S60, as a machinist. 
 He then went to Pike's Peak, where he flourished ; a great 
 many, having been driven thither by the well remembered 
 gold fever, returning disheartened. Mr. Murphy now 
 returned to Chicago, intending to return to Pike's Peak with 
 a set of machinery. The war of the Rebellion waxing 
 warmly, however, at the time, he concluded to fight for his 
 adopted country. Raising a company of three months 
 troops, he was elected Second Lieutenant in the 67th Illinois, 
 of which Mr. Hough was Colonel, and was detached to guard 
 the prisoners at Camp Douglas. Thence he was detached 
 to raise a company for the 90th Illinois. Raising Company 
 G, he was elected its Captain, and in the following Novem- 
 ber proceeded to the field. Assigned to Gen. Denver's 
 division, the Captain was ordered to LaGrange, Tennessee, 
 to protect the Memphis and Charleston road. He went 
 thence to Coldwater, Mississippi, where an engagement was 
 had, wherein Gen. Van Dorn met his first repulse ; to La- 
 fayette, Tennessee ; to Vicksburg, where he was present 
 during the seige ; to the battle of Mission Ridge, where his 
 canteen was shot off him; to Knoxville, Tennessee, through 
 a barren country, to meet Longstreet, who withdrew at the
 
 COLLECTORS AND ASSESSORS. I97 
 
 sight of the blue; to Chattanooga; and then to Atlanta with 
 Sherman. Then came the battle of Dallas, where the com- 
 pany, with Company H, under command of Captain Murphy, 
 were' placed on the extreme right, with orders to fall back in 
 case the Rebels charged. A charge was made, and the skir- 
 mish line to the left wavered. Yet the two companies under 
 Murphy held the line in constant skirmish from nine o'clock 
 in the evening until ten o'clock in the morning. The 
 Rebels, supposing from the scattering'fire kept up that all of 
 the boys were there, fell back. 
 
 The Captain's company also participated when McPher- 
 son was killed, and lost in the engagement their knapsacks, 
 cherished photographs, etc. Subsequently, when, the lines 
 clashing, a hand-to-hand fight ensued, the 48th Illinois were 
 knocked out of position, Murphy cried out to the 90th him- 
 self, and the result was a most desperate charge ; plunging 
 through the broken columns of the 48th, killing or capturing 
 every man of the enemy, and appropriating six stands of 
 colors. All through this campaign the gallantry of Captain 
 Murphy was well recognized, and when mustered out in 
 June, 1865, he was loaded down with honors.
 
 198 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 CHARLES DEXXEHY. 
 
 Charles Dennehy took a prominent part in the organ- 
 ization of the People's Party. His counsels and influence 
 went a good ways to form a rational and conservative 
 platform. Mr. Dennehy, it is understood, was one of 
 the number who called the first meeting and laid the 
 foundation for the new party. The difficulties to be en- 
 countered were, to harmonize conflicting elements and 
 reconcile men who, for years past, had been bitter political 
 opponents. It was apparent to him, as to others, that the 
 only sure road to success was to unite the liberal American, 
 Irish, and German people on one common platform, regard- 
 less of former political affiliations. 
 
 Mr. Dennehy being known as a thorough representa- 
 tive Irishman, combined with his personal popularity 
 with all classes of citizens, the People's Party unani- 
 mously placed his name on their ticket for the important 
 position of City Assessor. As an evidence of the high es- 
 teem in which he is held by his fellow citizens, he ran very 
 strongly upon his ticket. It is needless to say that no better 
 selection could have been made for the discharge of the im- 
 portant duties of the office to which he has been elected. 
 
 Mr. Dennehy possessing the adventurous spirit of his race, 
 emigrated from County Kerry, Ireland, in the 17th year of 
 his age, to this country. He has lived in Chicago for the 
 past twenty years, and by his honesty, industry, and business 
 tact has acquired a liberal fortune. He is now a member of
 
 COLLECTORS AND ASSESSORS. 199 
 
 the well-known firm of Weadly, Dennehy & Cleary, a relia- 
 ble and leading wholesale liquor house. During the past 
 four years, he has filled the office of North Town Assessor, 
 to the perfect satisfaction of all. His knowledge of real 
 estate and his unblemished character pre-eminently qualify 
 him for the very responsible position to which he has been 
 so handsomely elected by the people.
 
 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 EDWARD PHILLIPS. 
 
 Mr. Phillips, Assessor of the South Town of Chicago, was 
 born in the County of Cavan, Ireland, in 1837. In 1840, he 
 left his native place, and went to Schenectady, New York. 
 After a stay of five years there, he went to the city of New 
 York. The Phillips family had not been settled comfort- 
 ably in the metropolis more than four years, it seems, when 
 a westward yearning brought them inevitably to Chicago. 
 The boy declined to come as yet, however. He desired a 
 little more experience in life in the great city. Five years 
 more of it induced him to pack up also, and come west. 
 
 No sooner had he arrived than his adventurous spirit 
 enlisted him in the ranks of Fire Company No. 6, where 
 he ran with Ex-Fire Marshal Williams, Capt. Connors, and 
 others. Tiring of Chicago, a trip to Memphis in '59 fol- 
 lowed. Then, in 1861, he returned to Chicago. In the 
 same year, he became connected with the Chicago City 
 Railway Company, and, during his service there, invented 
 the improved one-horse cars. He was elected to his position 
 in 1873, on an Independent ticket. 
 
 Throughout his varied experiences, Mr. Phillips can sub- 
 stantiate the appreciation of his friends by several substan- 
 tial testimonials.
 
 COLLECTORS AND ASSESSORS. 
 
 ALBERT PATCH. 
 
 This gentleman is the Assessor of the North Town of 
 Chicago. He has been elected three times, the last by the 
 votes of not only Republicans but of Democrats. In' fact, 
 if it were not for the votes of his Democratic friends, it is 
 the general opinion he would not be elected. 
 
 The Assessor was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 
 1827, and thence went at the age of 19, to Haverill, Mass., 
 where he engaged in the business of polishing pianos and 
 other furniture, for the space of five years, in which he was 
 an eminent success. Hence he went to Lawrence, Mass., 
 and engaged in an unsuccessful dry goods business. He 
 then came to Chicago, and resumed his former occupation. 
 In 1856, he went to St. Louis, where he stayed for about 
 four years. Now he returned to Chicago, and continued in 
 the polishing business, which, becoming dull — to use his 
 own words — he engaged in the butter business, and slipped 
 up on it. He then went into the real estate business, in 
 which he is at present engaged.
 
 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 A. L. AMBERG. 
 
 The Assessor for the West Town of Chicago is Adam L. 
 Amberg. This gentleman was born in New Jersey, May 22, 
 1841, but recollects very few experiences connected with 
 his native place, from the fact that he left there when one 
 year old to come (in company with his parents) to Chicago. 
 The public life of Mr. Amberg is not a very extensive one. 
 It was not before 1869 that he aspired to public emolu- 
 ment. In this year, he was appointed Clerk of the West 
 Side Police Court, on the Citizens" ticket. He was subse- 
 quently re-appointed on the Fire-proof ticket. His conduct 
 during both terms was such as to commend him to the peo- 
 ple's suffrages for the position of West Town Assessor, to 
 which he was elected in April, 1S73.
 
 Common Council.
 
 COMMON COUNCIL. 205 
 
 WILLIAM H. RICHARDSON. 
 
 For a gentleman of 34, Mr. Richardson, one of the Al- 
 dermen, representing the First Ward, has seen experience in 
 juristic matters not often witnessed. It is probably a fact 
 that there is no lawyer who prosecutes a more extensive 
 criminal business of a respectable character in the county 
 than he. The matter is quite inevitable from the fact that, 
 almost ever since he has begun practice, he has been asso- 
 ciated with such men as Judge Knox, Carlos Haven, and 
 Charles H. Reed. With the last-named, the Alderman, for 
 a number of years, was in partnership. About the year 
 1870, Mr. Reed assuming the robes of the State's Attorney, 
 the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Richardson has con- 
 ducted practice alone ever since. 
 
 The Alderman was born near Buffalo, in 1840. In 1857, 
 he went to Andover, Massachusetts, where he proceeded 
 through a preparatory curriculum. About the year 1S61, he 
 came to Chicago, and read law, first with Judge Knox, and 
 subsequently with other prominent lawyers. In 1872, he was 
 elected Alderman of the First Ward on the " Law and Or- 
 der " ticket. He vanquished a strong man when he worst- 
 ed Mr. Philip Conley.
 
 2o6 THE GREAT REVOLL 1 ION. 
 
 THOMAS FOLEY. 
 
 Certainly, Mr. Foley, the billiard king, is a self-made man ; 
 having spent just three months in school; and since then he 
 has been struggling against difficulties which to another man 
 would seem insurmountable. 
 
 Mr. Foley was born in Cashel, county of Tipperary, Ire- 
 land, August 1 6, 1842. In the fall of '49 he went to New 
 York. Here he stayed for about five years. At the early 
 age of twelve he came to Chicago, and became employed 
 brushing billiard tables in the old Tremont House. In i860 
 he went to the Briggs House, and took charge of the bar. 
 Here he remained until 1865, when, importuned, he went to 
 Milwaukee and took charge of billiardistic matters in the 
 well known Newhall House. Tiring of this, he came back 
 to Chicago and engaged in business for himself, at the cor- 
 der of Dearborn and Monroe streets. Thence he removed 
 to his old, good-natured stand opposite the Post-office,, 
 where others had failed repeatedly. Mr. Foley's friends 
 delight in calling attention to the fact, as an evidence of his 
 sterling popularity. In this locality Mr. Foley stayed up to 
 the fire. To recount the scenes witnessed there among the 
 greatest billiard artists in the world, would be nonsense. 
 Everybody has heard of " Tom. Foley." Poor John McDevitt 
 had just left there the night of the great fire, before he was 
 burned, and never found. 
 
 The fire wrought strange wonders with '' Tom." Bracing 
 himself up, nevertheless, Mr. Foley went over to the West
 
 COMMON COUNCIL. 207 
 
 Side, and leased for $1,500 — he did not have a cent, to the 
 contrary, notwithstanding — a basement under the Barnes 
 House ; and, at the same time, started a jilace on Wabash 
 avenue, near Twenty-Second street. Subsequently he leased 
 his present place, fitted it up at the expense of $35,000, and 
 made the grandest billiard palace in the world. 
 
 He was elected Alderman of the First Ward on the Peo- 
 ple's ticket, and congratulates himself on the fact that he is 
 a first-class Irishman, and looks after one-fifth of the taxes 
 of the entire city.
 
 2o8 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 FRANCIS WHITAKER WARREN. 
 
 This gentleman represents the Second Ward, being elected 
 in 1872, on the Republican ticket. He was placed in his 
 position by a handsome majority. 
 
 He was born in the county of Sligo, Ireland, November 
 26, 1839, where he stayed until the age of twelve. Leaving 
 his native place at this age, he proceeded to Boston, Mass., 
 where he stayed five years, employed in the grocery trade. 
 He then removed to Chicago, where he learned marble-cut- 
 ting. He subsequently entered the livery business, in which 
 he is at present engaged, doing a successful business. 
 
 In the Council, Alderman Warren acts on the Markets 
 and Wharfing Privileges Committee. He is a " Law and 
 Order" man, strictly speaking.
 
 COMMON COUNCIL. 209 
 
 ARTHUR DIXON. 
 
 Alderman Dixon was elected to represent the Second 
 Ward, in 1867, by a majority of 250; and in 1869, by a ma- 
 jority of 700. 
 
 He was born in Fermanaugh county, Ireland, in 1838, 
 and when fifteen, came to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and 
 sandwiched an occasional tap on the farm. In i860 he 
 came to Chicago, and was engaged as a porter in a grocery 
 store. He shortly after engaged in teaming, and prosecutes 
 the same to-day on an extensive scale, giving all the time 
 and attention demanded. He exactly knows the require- 
 ments, having handled the lines on every vehicle known to 
 invention, from a dray up. 
 
 Politically, Alderman Dixon is considerable of a success. 
 In 1869 he was elected to a position in the National Execu- 
 tive Committee, by the Irish Republican Convention, of which 
 he is now Treasurer. In 1870 he was elected to the Gen- 
 eral Assembly. Here Alderman Dixon gained distinction 
 by his efforts in the one mill tax matter on special assess- 
 ments, and in the alleged Springfield clique question. He 
 is also a member of the Republican Executive Committee, 
 and a member of the Irish Literary Society. 
 
 14
 
 nil' i.Ki' A I ki' \«>i,ii rioN. 
 
 DAVID C()I<:V. 
 
 l^ylectcd from the Tliird \\'ard, on the Republican ticket, 
 first in 1870 — 500 majority. The Alderman is about forty- 
 six years of age. He was born of Scotch- Irish i)arcnls (( )hl 
 School Presbyterian), near Uelfast, Ireland, and, having 
 attended a semi-theological seminary, look a sudden idea antl 
 a life jiartner, and left the romantic heath of his father, to 
 grow wealthy in America, before he was twenty one. 1 le was 
 all the time bent ujjon coming to Chicago, but went to New 
 Vork first, that he might, by contrast, better in after days 
 admire the inevitable growth of the westei;n prairies. Here 
 he pursued carpentry for a matter of six years, when he came 
 to Chicago (in 1S52). 
 
 Resuming his trade, he drifted graihially intt)the building 
 business on his own account, to suffer in the '57 crisis, 'i'lie 
 number of structures he has erected since, iiitiniale (hat his 
 disaster was not permanent. 
 
 The Alderman is fervent on retrcnt hincnl. for a cpiiel 
 man he created considerable excitement by (hanging Ids vole 
 when the appropriation for Union I'ark canu- up. lie 
 changed his vote at i \:4S, ''• M-, 'ind caused the defeat of the 
 entire appropriation bill.
 
 ( OMMilN t OL'NCII. 
 
 WILLIAM l'I'rZ(;i':RALI). 
 
 Aid. i''it/.^(,T;il(l \v;is elected on ihc I'eoplc's ticket in 
 t.S73 to represent the 'I'hird Ward — a district said to con- 
 tain the largest number of colored residents in the city. 
 Mis majority over the other two candidates in the field was 
 about 480. 
 
 'I"he Alderman was l)orn in Coachford, (Jounty of (lork, 
 Ireland, a little west of the City of Cork, in 1.S42. In J<S5o, 
 he c.ime to Skaneateles, New V'ork, where he stayed until 
 [858. in this year, he went to Seneca Falls, N. Y., and 
 ac(|iiire(l a knowledge of the tin trade. Having traveled 
 through nearly all of the Western States, he finally came to 
 Chicago, and in 1865 made it his permanent home. It was 
 not long befoie the alderman, realizing the vast promise of 
 trade, estal>lished himself in the Iiardwarc business at 589 
 State Street, where lie is still located. He also started a 
 flourishing branch store at 107 Jilue Island Avenue. The 
 fruits of his business enterprise are visible in several sub- 
 stantial buildings, among them the l<"iflh Avenue Hotel — a 
 structure 92 X4i, and containinij; 78 rooms. 
 
 i'he Alderman is and alvvays has been a Democrat. Pub- 
 lic emolument seems to be an ac.piisition he never coveted 
 much. In f.n t, hr h;id been offered an aldermanship twice, 
 and refused tlie office. He stands u]Hm the Committee on 
 Printing, and is Chairman of the Committee on Local As- 
 sessments.
 
 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 JESSE SPALDING. 
 
 This gentleman represents the Fourth Ward. He was 
 elected in 1873, on the Republican ticket. This is about 
 the only political position he has filled, not devoting much 
 attention to public honors. 
 
 Mr. Spalding was born in Pennsylvania, and is about 45 
 years of age. He is a member of the Menominee River 
 Lumber Company, and is a very extensive owner of Michi- 
 gan pine lands. His colleague is George H. Sidwell.
 
 COMMON COUNCIL. 21 3 
 
 A. H. PICKERING. 
 
 Aquila Herford Pickering was elected to represent the 
 Fifth Ward on an Independent Ticket, by a majority of 
 about 1,400. Ex- Alderman Peter Daggy was one of his two 
 opponents. The xMdernian was born on a farm on Short 
 Creek, Harrison county, Ohio, near Cadiz, the county-seat, 
 in 1820. At the age of 14, he was placed at school, and re- 
 mained under careful tuition until arrived at the age of 21. 
 In 1841, he went to Salem, Henry county, Iowa, and in that 
 locality pursued a thriving mercantile business, under the 
 name and style of " Pickering's Emporium." Here he re- 
 mained until 1863. In this year he came to Chicago, and 
 engaged in general commission business, and the salt trade. 
 The latter he abandoned in 187 1, and gave his exclusive at- 
 tention to grain. In this trade he has been, and is to-day, 
 one of the very heaviest operators in the market. 
 
 In the Council, Alderman Pickering was the first to move 
 for a new franchise for the Gas Company, but was defeated. 
 One of his best movements was the introduction of an ordi- 
 nance for the prevention of cruelty to animals. He was 
 also the originator of the idea of putting iron-pipes into 
 lofty buildings for the use of the Fire Department; although 
 the credit was given to ex-Mayor Medill. His mind is at 
 present filled with the propriety of selling the Lake front at 
 a fair valuation.
 
 214 
 
 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 RICHARD B. STONE. 
 
 This gentleman represents, in the Common Council, the 
 Fifth Ward. He was elected in November, 1871, on the 
 Fire-Proof ticket, by a majority of 397. He was elected 
 in 1873 on the Citizen's Union ticket, by a majority of 867; 
 the whole number of votes given to his opponent, only ap- 
 proximating 938. 
 
 The Alderman was born in Oxford, Worcester county, 
 Massachusetts, in 1829. At the age of six, he went to 
 Bridgewater, in Plymouth county, Massachusetts. He then 
 went as an apprentice to the carpenter trade, and attached 
 himself to the business until 185 1. He subsequently went 
 to Western New York, and bought an interest in a sash fac- 
 tory and lumber business. In 1855, losing his health, he 
 went to a water-cure in the east. On April 19, 1856, he 
 came to Chicago. Here he entered the lumber business, and 
 is still engaged in it. 
 
 During his first term in the Council he served with dis- 
 tinction on the Committees on Bridewell, Streets and Alleys, 
 and Printing. During his second term, he served on the 
 Bridewell, Streets and Alleys, and County Relations Com- 
 mittees. He was a strict supporter of the measures advoca- 
 ted by the " T.aw and Order " men.
 
 COMMON lOUNCll.. 215 
 
 ALDERMAN SCHMITZ. 
 
 This gentleman represents the Sixth Ward, having been 
 re-elected, in 1872, on the Republican ticket. In his elec- 
 tion, on each occasion, almost the stoutest support he has 
 received has come from the Democrats. He is forty-five 
 years of age. 
 
 He was born in the province of the Rhine, Prussia, and 
 served in carpentry up to 1850. At this time, as provided 
 by the enactments of his country, he joined the army. He 
 had only served two years, when his services bore him into 
 the Sergeantcy. In 1855 the Alderman came to Chicago ; 
 and in 1857 commenced business as a builder, in which he 
 is now engaged. During his second term in the Council, 
 Alderman Schmitz followed up the record of his previous 
 term, by looking devotedly after the matter of sewerage and 
 water service. Among other projects, he rigidly conserved 
 the people's interest against railroad intrusion; was an 
 ardent abater of slaughter-house nuisances ; and fought hard 
 for the banishment of Healy Slough.
 
 2l6 IHK GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 PHILLIP REIDY. 
 
 This gentleman represents the Sixth Ward, elected on the 
 People's ticket by a very large majority; three other candi- 
 dates being in the field. The confidence Mr. Reidy has 
 won among his constituents he secured only after a long 
 career of untiring industry in their midst. 
 
 The Alderman was born in Tralee, county of Kerry, Ire- 
 land, in 1831, and, at the age of twenty-two, proceeded to 
 New York. In February, 1854, he came to Chicago, and 
 adopted blacksmithing, locating at the canal locks, in Bridge- 
 port, in 1856. In this business he is still engaged; having 
 accumulated therein considerable of a competence. 
 
 In the Council Mr. Reidy favors the least possible display 
 in the sale of liquors on Sunday. He serves on the Com- 
 mittee on Schools, Licenses, and Local Assessments. He is 
 also the President of St. Vincent's Society, of St. Bridget's 
 church; and of the Hibernian Iknevolent Society; mani- 
 festing much interest in church organization.
 
 COMMON COUNCIL. 
 
 217 
 
 PATRICK McCLORV 
 
 This gentleman was elected from the Seventh Ward, on 
 the Republican ticket, in 1872, by a large majority. The 
 influence of the Personal Liberty League conspicuously 
 manifested itself on the occasion. 
 
 Alderman McClory was born in the county of Down, Ire- 
 land, in 1831. At the age of eighteen, the Alderman, exhi- 
 biting an unmistakable inclination to see everything worth 
 seeing throughout the world, by an expressed wish to go to 
 ;^ew Zealand, his father attempted to place him on the con- 
 stabulary force. He was too young, however. At the age 
 of nineteen his predilection to travel finally culminated in a 
 trip to Glasgow, in Scotland. He remained here about two 
 years, employed at the trade of boiler making in a large 
 ship building establishment. He then returned to Ireland, 
 but did not stay longer than about a year, when he set out 
 for Liverpool with a one-pound note. Here he obtained 
 employment in Baring & Bros.' warehouse. Finding mat- 
 ters in this part of the world distasteful, he finally came to 
 America, working his passage for $12.50, and arriving in New 
 York, with one shilling and sixpence. He soon procured 
 a position, as all competent workmen do ; firstly in the Nov- 
 elty Iron Works ; then with the great Manhattan Gas Com- 
 pany; and afterward assisted at the construction of the 
 Metropolitan Gas Works. For three years subsequently he 
 acted as foreman of the gas works in Troy, New York. Re- 
 moving to Chicago, the Alderman connected himself with 
 the People's Gas Light and Coke Company, where he is at 
 the present writing.
 
 2l8 IHE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 E. F. CULi^ERTON. 
 
 This gentleman represents the Seventh Ward in the Coun- 
 cil. He was born in Chicago, in 1842, and devoted his 
 early life to a rigid public school education. At the age of 
 19 he struck out for himself, and built, in a very short time, 
 a rushing boarding-house and livery-stable business. 
 
 In 187 1, he was elected by a very large majority to repre- 
 sent the Seventh Ward. In 1872 he was elected to the Leg- 
 islature. Here he distinguished himself in opposition to the 
 West Side Park Commissioners' taxation scheme. In the 
 Council he occupies a high position on gas and police 
 matters. He was re-elected on the People's ticket. 
 
 The record of Alderman Cullerton in the Common Council 
 is a very satisfactory one to his constituents. No vital ques- 
 tion, as well in a general sense, escapes his closest attention. 
 
 The alderman rarely speaks. When he does, his speech is 
 the result of the most thorough conviction.
 
 COMMON COUKCIl.. 2 K) 
 
 M. B. BAILEY. 
 
 This gentleman represents the Eighth Ward. He was 
 elected in 1870 on the Republican ticket, though an old 
 Democrat, and in 1872 on the People's ticket. His first 
 term in the Council was noted by his herculean efforts to 
 promote the sewerage facilities of his ward, securing the 
 same when no appropriation had been made. A prominent 
 feature of his second term was his minority report on the 
 Tilly plan for a new Court House. He also distinguished 
 himself by his efforts for the Canal and Twelfth street via- 
 ducts. The Alderman was born in Limerick — near the 
 boundaries — Ireland, in 1837, the year in which Chicago 
 was incorporated. About the age of 16 he came to Chicago 
 and acquired the mason and plastering art. In 1855 he 
 went into business for himself, taking every contract he 
 could get. In the latter part of 1856, setting forth from 
 Lawrence, Kansas, he went to the Rocky Mountains, and 
 after six months came back to St. Joseph, Missouri, where 
 he built several large structures. 
 
 He then came to Chicago, where many a foot of land bears 
 the weight of his work. Among many other structures, he 
 has built the new County Jail, the Second National Bank, 
 the Empire Block, the Washington School, Father Waldron's 
 School, Schoellkopf 's, on Randolph street, and Cohn Broth- 
 er's Building. The Alderman's ambition is building.
 
 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 JAMES H. HILDRETH. 
 
 This is the second term of Alderman James Henry Hil- 
 dreth, in the Common Council, having been elected first in 
 1869 to represent the Seventh Ward, and in 1873, on the 
 People's ticket, to represent the Eighth. The districts are 
 almost identical, the numbers of the Wards being changed 
 by the Legislature. 
 
 Mr. Hildreth was born in Chester county, Massachusetts, 
 July 8, 1840, and is of American descent. At about the age 
 of 19, having spent a short time farming in Will county, he 
 came to Chicago, procuring, upon his arrival, a conductor- 
 ship from the North Side City Railway Company. This 
 position he subsequently abandoned for an appointment as 
 Grain Inspector under the Board of Trade. In 1862, upon 
 the organization of the Board of Trade Battery, our subject 
 enlisted and proceeded to the front. In all of the principal 
 battles fought by this deservedly famous organization, Mr. 
 Hildreth took a prominent part; remembering the stirring 
 incidents of no less than 34 battles, and the capture of the 
 head and front of the Southern Confederacy, Jefferson 
 Davis. The army life of the Alderman is replete in a 
 continuous series of thrilling adventures which well illus- 
 trate the daring spirit of the man. On one occasion, in the 
 vicinity of Covington, Georgia, a few horses of the division 
 giving very good promise of dropping under their riders, 
 Hildreth was dispatched, as he always was on such occa- 
 sions, to look about for substitutes. He had not gone far
 
 COMMON COUNCIL 22 1 
 
 before he met with the most brilliant success. It was so 
 encouraging, in fact, as to keep him so long absent that his 
 companions gave him up for dead. While ruminating over 
 his untimely demise, the boys were suddenly aroused by the 
 appearance of a batch of horses and mules, numbering in 
 all 27, and commanded by negroes. Four horsemen bring- 
 ing up the rear comprised Corporal Hildreth, a Rebel 
 lieutenant -colonel, and two privates. The animals were 
 bagged while hotly pursued into apparent safety, by the 
 negroes; the officer was surprised from the shadow of a 
 tree; and the two privates were captured when half way 
 through a fence, having just bidden an affectionate fare- 
 well to their sweethearts. In recognition of his extraor- 
 dinary service on this occasion, he was presented with a 
 magnificent testimonial. On his return from the war, Mr. 
 Hildreth received his old position on the Board of Trade. 
 
 The trying scenes of the Great Fire counted no bolder 
 hero than Hildreth. As very often happens, however, the 
 glory of his achievements was appropriated to the credit of 
 somebody else. When the water supply had ceased, bring- 
 ing panic into the hearts of the bravest, Hildreth, with the 
 suddenness of thought, hurried to the powder magazines on 
 South Water street, near State, and, bursting the doors open, 
 gathered up all of the kegs of powder and fuse he could 
 find, and, through showers of sparks and clouds of suffocat- 
 ing smoke, proceeded to the work of blowing-up. The first 
 building that trembled was the Union National Bank ; then 
 Smith & Nixon's. In his experience in these structures, 
 Mr. Hildreth learned that he did not succeed as well as he 
 might. The subsequent efforts of the Alderman proved 
 more successful, the following buildings tumbling above 
 the powder with tremendous beauty : at the northwest and 
 southwest corners of Washington street and Wabash avenue; 
 at the corner of State and Harrison, where the fire was
 
 222 THR GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 checked; and about six buildings on the north side of Con- 
 gress street, near Wabash avenue. Yet, tlie wires flashed in 
 all directions the news of the perilous ])owder performance 
 entirely credited to Gen. Phil. Sheridan. This mistake, 
 however, might arise from the fact that Police Commisioner 
 Sheridan took a prominent i)art in the ])roceeding, and that 
 Gen. Sheridan was present in the burning city.
 
 (.DMMON COINCIL. 
 
 JAMES o'brip:n. 
 
 This gentleman was elected by a very large majority to 
 represent the Ninth Ward in the Common Council. Votes 
 to the number of 1,025 ••'' ^'^^^ ward is something to be 
 Ijroud of. 
 
 The Alderman was born in the county of Wex- 
 ford, Ireland, July 25, 1842. His early life was not replete 
 in anything very extraordinary. Before his advent in 
 Chicago, in fact, nothing occurred, it may be said, to mar the 
 harmony of a very ordinary life. Railroad enterprise had 
 fascinations for him, and commencing at car coupling, he, 
 in a brief time, was appointed assistant yard-master in the 
 em])loy of the Michigan Southern. Relinquishing this busi- 
 ness after a time, he entered the retail liciuor business, in 
 which he is now engaged. 
 
 In the Council Alderman O'Brien's position is a peculiar, 
 but doughty one. He has convictions, and insists always upon 
 vindicating them. It is true, he generally stands in the 
 minority; but his status is, to say the least, very manly. He 
 stood against the confirmation of Commissioners Wright and 
 Mason, as a matter of law ; and in the slate made by Mayor 
 Colvin, was the first .Mderman to exercise the spirit of his 
 independence.
 
 224 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 THOMAS F. BAILEY. 
 
 Thomas Francis Bailey was elected from the Ninth Ward 
 in 1873, on the People's ticket, by a majority of about 470. 
 One of his opponents was Ex-Alderman Powell, whose 
 strength in the ward was very great. 
 
 Alderman Bailey was born in Lough Gur, Limerick, 
 in 1842. He is, therefore, 32 years of age. He remained 
 in his native place perhaps until arrived at the age of 11. 
 He then went to Bradford county, Pennsylvania, and worked 
 on a farm. In 1856, having reconsidered an intention to 
 settle in Michrgan, he came to Chicago, and entered general 
 merchandise, serving in Shufeldt's distillery as general fore- 
 man up to Jan. I, 1874. 
 
 The election of Alderman Bailey from so peculiar a ward as 
 the Ninth, it is said, even surprised himself only less than it 
 did Ex-Alderman Powell.
 
 COMMON COUNCIL. 225 
 
 DAVID W. CLARK, Jr. 
 
 This gentleman is Alderman of the Tenth Ward, having 
 defeated C. C. P. Holden, Esq., in 1872, on the straight Re- 
 publican ticket. He had not the remotest idea of achieving 
 the victory, as it was generally supposed Mr. Holden could 
 not be beaten in a ward he had represented so long. 
 
 Mr. Clark was born in Boston, Massachusetts, May 6, 1840. 
 In 1853, he left there and proceeded to New York, where he 
 stayed one year. He then came to Chicago and entered the 
 job printing business, in which he is now engaged. He was 
 Supervisor in 187 1, representing the Tenth Ward, and through 
 his exertions principally, it is claimed, the abstract matter 
 was referred to the incoming Board, whereby the county, it 
 is estimated, was saved $1,250,000. 
 
 In the earlier life of our subject he figured well in the 
 Volunteer Fire Department, receiving a medal in 1859, on 
 Company 2 of the Fire Brigade, for not missing an alarm or 
 fire during the year. In the same year he was elected First 
 Lieutenant of the Company. He also served in Barker's 
 Dragoons during the war. This company formed Gen. Mc- 
 Clellan's body guard through West Virginia. Mr. Clark was 
 Secretary of W. B. Warren Lodge of the Masonic order, and 
 in 1868 received a magnificent gold watch and chain for mer- 
 itorious services. 
 
 15
 
 226 THE GREAT REVOLUTION 
 
 C. L. WOODMAN. 
 
 Charles Leonard Woodman represents the Tenth Ward in 
 the Common Council, elected in 1873 on the " Law and 
 Order " ticket, by about 700 majority. This is the Alder- 
 man's fourth term in the Common Council. He represented, 
 under the administration of Mayor Sherman, the Eighth 
 Ward; represented the Sixteenth Ward on Sherman's sec- 
 ond term, and was elected from the Twentieth Ward after 
 the Great Fire. In this connection it may be interesting to 
 state that, when chosen to represent the Twentieth Ward, 
 there was scarcely a house there to relieve the monotony of 
 a prairie waste. The old residents were compelled to travel 
 from their scattered habitations throughout the city to be 
 represented in a ward they did not live in. The contests in 
 the Council Alderman Woodman remembers with pleasure, 
 concern the improvement of the mouth of the river, the 
 construction of the great Lake Tunnel, and the deepening 
 of the Chicago River. All of these he successfully favored 
 against active opposition. He was also most conspicuous 
 on the Railroad Committee. 
 
 Mr. Woodman was born in Barrington, Stafford County, 
 N. H., July 7, 1829. At the age of thirteen, he removed to 
 Great Falls, and, excepting six months at school, devoted 
 himself to the bakery business, in company with his brother. 
 In those days no machinery being at hand, it occupied the 
 time of four men and a boy to turn one barrel of flour into 
 crackers. Now, one man can work five barrels per day.
 
 COMMON COUNCIL. 227 
 
 At the age of twenty, Mr. Woodman built an oven in Great 
 Falls, and went into business for himself. After the lapse 
 of five years, he came to Chicago. Immediately upon ar- 
 rival, he secured a position at fifteen dollars per week, com- 
 petent workmen receiving at the time from six to eight 
 dollars. His position was the superintendency of a bakery 
 at the corner of Dearborn and Illinois streets. He soon 
 bought this establishment out, and did well enough to start 
 a more extensive business on the South Side. Forming a 
 copartnership with Joseph M. Dake, — now dead, — he es- 
 tablished himself on Dearborn street, near the Post-office, 
 where his shingle was visible at the time of the Fire. It 
 was here he conceived the " aerated bread " idea, which was 
 so popular for a time. About five years ago, in company 
 with Edward Olcott, he built a bakery on Kinzie street. Both 
 of his establishments, as well as his residence, were burned in 
 the great Fire, entailing a loss of abput $75,000. The loss 
 did not aff'ect the spirit of the Alderman much, however. 
 Within thirty days after the fire, he was baking one hundred 
 barrels a day in his temporary structure, on the corner of 
 Adams and Canal streets. The extent of his business since 
 can be judged from the following, taken from his ledger : 
 For 1873, upwards of 30,000 barrels of flour made into 
 bread and crackers — production, 1,500,000 loaves of bread, 
 and 75,000 barrels of crackers. Sales, over $125,000 more 
 than previous year.
 
 228 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 PATRICK KEHOE. 
 
 Patrick Kehoe was elected to represent the Eleventh 
 Ward, in 1872, on the People's ticket, by a most favorable 
 majority. 
 
 Mr. Kehoe was born in Carlow County, in the town of 
 Clonegall, Ireland, in 1834. In 1854, he came to Chicago, 
 and established a flourishing grocery business in the vicinity 
 of his present locality, corner of Carroll and Halsted streets. 
 It was in an era in Chicago's history when a little foresight 
 would work tremendous marvels for a man. That commod- 
 ity forming one of our subject's capabilities, he succeeded 
 in building himself up remarkably fast. 
 
 Mr. Kehoe has not figured very prominently in politics, 
 devoting most scrupulous attention to trade.
 
 COMMON COUNCIL. 229 
 
 GEORGE E. WHITE. 
 
 This gentleman represents the Eleventh Ward. He was 
 elected in 1873, on the People's ticket, and is the youngest 
 man in the Council, and one of the shrewdest. He was born 
 in Millbury, Massachusetts, in 1848, and left there at the age 
 of 13, to graduate in North Wilberham College, About 15 
 he entered the army. 
 
 In the battles for the Union, Alderman White took a promi- 
 nent part, figuring in no less than 17 battles. Among other 
 reminiscences, he was present at Lee's surrender. He fought 
 under Meade, Burnside, and Wilcox, and was three times 
 wounded. At the beginning of the war, he went out under 
 Col. Bartlett, now Brevet Major General, a bosom friend, 
 and a magnificent officer. 
 
 At the end of the war. Alderman White settled in Chicago, 
 working for Messrs. White & EUson at a salary of $50 per 
 month. He then went into business for himself, when the 
 firm name was Burchard, White & Co. Burchard was now 
 bought out, and the firm name was White & Haffner. Mr. 
 White now bought out Haffner, and ran the lumber business 
 himself; in which he is now engaged. 
 
 The extent of the Alderman's business may be learned 
 from the fact that his pay-roll per week amounts to $2,000. 
 His acquaintances say he is worth $75)0°°-
 
 230 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 AMOS F. MINER. 
 
 Amos F. Miner was elected to represent the Twelfth Ward 
 in the Common Council, in 1872, on the Republican ticket, 
 by a majority of about 386 ; two other candidates being in 
 the field. 
 
 The Alderman was born in Grafton county, New Hamp- 
 shire, in 1826. At the age of eight he left his native place 
 and went to Rensselaer county, New York, where he went to 
 work on a farm ; devoting his leisure hours to the acquisi- 
 tion of an education. He then became a school teacher. 
 But the birch and rule did not develop sufficient muscle to 
 wield, very healthily, the hammer of life. Accordingly the 
 Alderman learned the carpenter's and joiner's trade. Hav- 
 ing acquired a thorough knowledge of the business, he pro- 
 ceeded to Westchester county, where he remained three or 
 four years. He then removed to Desplaines, Cook county, 
 Illinois, where he remained for about ten years. In both of 
 these places he was- quite busily engaged in building enter- 
 prises. He has been since, and is now, engaged in building. 
 
 Ten years ago Mr. Miner was admitted to the Bar, but 
 did not enter practice. He has interested himself in public 
 affairs for some time ; yet he does not care to figure much 
 politically, it seems. Among other positions of public trust 
 he served as Assistant Examiner of Schools in the North- 
 west, under Greenleaf, and as a Justice of the Peace for five 
 years. He came to Chicago in 1866.
 
 COMMON COUNCIL. 
 
 231 
 
 MONROE HEATH. 
 
 Monroe Heath, Alderman of the Twelfth Ward, was re- 
 elected in the fall of 1873, on the " Law and Order " ticket, 
 by about 986 majority. Only seventeen votes stood against 
 him on his first election on the Fire-Proof ticket. 
 
 Mr. Heath was born in Springfield, Sullivan county. New 
 Hampshire, in 1828. His ancestors, on the maternal side, 
 it is pretty clearly established, came over in the Mayflower; 
 and the very fair presumption is that his progenitors were of 
 English descent. 
 
 His mother dying when our subject was but four years 
 old, and his father when he was but eight, circumstances 
 required the placing of the boy in the custody of his 
 grandmother. The old lady took care of him up to 
 the age of about seventeen. He now went to Boston, 
 and acquired a knowledge of general merchandise. Hence- 
 forward, up to his arrival in Chicago, his mercantile career 
 was relieved by considerable traveling; experience in the 
 Mexican war, and atrip to Pike's Peak, contributing enliven- 
 ing reminiscences. 
 
 In the early part of 1851 Mr. Heath came to Chicago, 
 when he immediately engaged in the painting business. The 
 first locality he selected was upon the North Side, in the 
 vicinity of Wells street bridge. During the first year he 
 employed but four or five men. In the second year the 
 force was increased to about forty. He then removed to the 
 South Side, and, in company with Mr. Henry Milligan, with
 
 232 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 whom he associated in 1855, has since succeeded in building 
 up the magnificent proportions of business they now enjoy, 
 on East Randolph ^treet, near LaSalle. To go into detail 
 regarding the immense progress made by the firm, of Heath 
 & Milligan since its organization, would be superfluous. 
 The entire business community built up in Chicago recog- 
 nize Messrs. Heath & Milligan as standing' at the very head 
 and front of the most successful in their particular line of 
 business. 
 
 Their success they have achieved, too, under quite dis- 
 couraging circumstances. The firm was burned out twice, 
 and lost heavily. They rebuilt immediately after the first 
 occasion, and after the second. The latter occasion hap- 
 pened to be that of the great fire, an event distinctly remem- 
 bered, it is presumed. The present establishment they 
 entered about ninety days after the great disaster.
 
 COMMON COUNCIL. 
 
 '■3S 
 
 AVERY MOORE. 
 
 This gentleman represents the Thirteenth Ward in the 
 Common Council, elected on the Republican ticket, in 1872. 
 He was elected first in 1865, from the old Seventh Ward, 
 being, it is said, the first Republican ever elected in that 
 district. 
 
 Mr. Moore was born in Belmont county, Ohio, in 1830. 
 Here he remained up to the age of 25, devoting his days to 
 school and a mercantile career. He now removed to War- 
 saw, Hancock county, Illinois, where he taught school and 
 pursued real estate principally. In 1863 — after having 
 constructed a commendable war record — Mr. Moore came 
 to Chicago. In 1864, he entered the employ of the Chica- 
 go, Burlington, & Quincy Railroad. He subsequently left 
 this institution and established himself in the storage busi- 
 ness, corner of Rush and Kinzie streets. 
 
 Mr. Moore's first political experience was in Ohio, where 
 he represented Belmont county in convention. Among 
 other positions of trust, Mr. Moore has served honorably in 
 the Board of Education.
 
 234 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 J. L. CAMPBELL. 
 
 Alderman Campbell was first elected in 1869, from the 
 Thirteenth Ward, on the straight Republican ticket, by a 
 majority of 262. 
 
 He was born in Livingston county, New York, and came 
 to Illinois at the age of 19, settling in Elgin. After a stay 
 of six years in the milk (and water) region, Alderman Camp- 
 bell went to Northern Iowa, and studied in the Iowa Uni- 
 versity, in Lafayette. Since that time his progress in his 
 (legal) profession has been very rapid. The political promi- 
 nence of Alderman Campbell was first made manifest in 
 Idaho, when the question was first agitated of organizing a 
 territory east of the mountains. He went to Washington at 
 this time, and stayed thereuntil the territory known as Mon- 
 tana had been an accomplished fact. He is responsible 
 for the events that conspired to effect it. The fact was duly 
 appreciated by the denizens of that locality. Alderman 
 Campbell having been invited to represent the people of that 
 region in Congress immediately. Having accepted the mer- 
 ited honor, he was on his way thither, when a horde of Indi- 
 ans between Fort Kearney and Denver intercepted his 
 approach. The event checked the political aspirations of 
 the Alderman, but not much. Subsequent history stands as 
 evidence of the fact.
 
 COMMON COUNCIL. 235 
 
 BARTHOLOMEW QUIRK. 
 
 The Alderman, representing the Fourteenth Ward, was 
 elected on the Republican ticket, in 1872. He was born in 
 Castle Gregory, County of Kerry, Ireland, in 1834. In 1841 
 he went to Albany, New York ; thence to Buffalo ; and, in 
 1844, came to Chicago. 
 
 He spent about four years in school, firstly in the old Plant- 
 er's House, and afterwards at the Old Dearborn. He now 
 went to printing. His employer failing to pay, the Alderman 
 failed to make pi, etc., and went to carpentry. He remained 
 in the business to become a successful builder of residences. 
 The Alderman was for three years and three months in the 
 army, serving in the Twenty-Third Illinois. In the princi- 
 ple battles shared by that regiment, Mr. Quirk participated. 
 He accompanied Mulligan, Sheridan and Cook through all 
 of the engagements, mostly in Western Virginia; witnessed 
 "Sheridan's ride," and was within fifty feet of Colonel Mul- 
 ligan when killed.
 
 236 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 SILAS E. CLEVELAND. 
 
 This gentleman represents the Fourteenth Ward, and has 
 been elected twice : in 187 1, on the Fire-Proof ticket; and 
 in 1873, on the " Law and Order" ticket. He was born in 
 Clinton county, New York, in 1839. In 1849 the family- 
 removed to Chicago, and placed the Alderman at school ; 
 first at .Hathaway 's old school, then at Washington school, 
 and also at Mount Morris College, Ogle county, Illinois. He 
 then went to work in the carpenter shop of his father, 
 spending a short time with Olmstead & Nickerson, archi- 
 tects. He was soon placed in the carpenter shop, in charge 
 of the planing department. In 1861 he accompanied his 
 father, a captain in the Eighth Illinois cavalry, to the front; 
 and witnessed, among other battles, the fight in front of 
 Richmond, and the battles of Bull Run, Malvern Hill, and 
 Williamsburg. In 1862 he filled several building contracts 
 with the Pittsburg & Ft. Wayne Road. He also served 
 three years as a mail agent on the Northwestern Road. 
 Since then he has been engaged in prosperous business 
 enterprises. 
 
 In the Council the Alderman favors strongly the princi- 
 ple of the " Law and Order " party, and advocated fervently 
 the closing of the saloons on Sunday.
 
 COMMON COUNCIL. 
 
 -'37 
 
 NICHOLAS ECKHARDT. 
 
 Mr. Eckhardt is Alderman of the Fifteenth Ward, and 
 was elected in 1872 on an Independent ticket, by a majority 
 of 156, two otlier candidates being in the field. 
 
 He was born in 1832 in Germany, and left his native 
 country at the age of 17. He then came almost directly to 
 Chicago. Here he learned the carpentry trade, and re- 
 lieved the monotony of his avocation by running, like so 
 many citizens, in the Fire Department. He was on the 
 regular Fire Department for eight years, serving as pipe- 
 man on the "Queen," and subsequently on the "Brown." 
 He is at present engaged in the liquor trade.
 
 238 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 J. J. McGRATH. 
 
 Alderman McGrath represents the Fifteenth Ward in the 
 Common Council. 
 
 Born in Ireland, he came, when quite young, to America, 
 and settled with an uncle in New York City, where he re- 
 ceived a liberal education. He then learned cooperage, 
 transacting the same for several years, and finally became 
 interested in the Chicago Distilling Company. He was 
 shortly appointed superintendent over some eighty men, 
 then employed in the business of cooperage. He subse- 
 quently purchased the institution, and now employs about 
 fifty operatives. 
 
 He visited Canada, and the Southern States, returned to 
 his native land in 1S67, glanced at the principal cities of 
 the Old World, and dropped in to view the marvels of in- 
 dustry in the Paris E.xposition. It was on this trip Alder- 
 man McGrath acquired the extensive knowledge he has so 
 often displayed in sewerage, water supplies, and kindred 
 subjects of municipal importance. When the sewer bill of 
 Corporation Counsel Tuley was pending before the body, 
 the report submitted on the question by Alderman McGrath, 
 Chairman of the Sewer Committee, will be recalled as a 
 document of a most exhaustive nature.
 
 COMMON COUNCIL. 239 
 
 PETER MAHR. 
 
 Alderman Peter Mahr was elected to represent the Six- 
 teenth Ward, on the Republican ticket, in 1872. He was 
 born in Nassau, Germany, June 11, 1835, and lived under 
 the paternal roof up to the age of 15. While the old people 
 were doing very well in Fatherland, they thought, neverthe- 
 less, that their heir might grow more useful to himself in 
 America. With this intention, the family removed to this 
 country and settled down to agricultural pursuits in Wis- 
 consin. Their stay was but short. The golden grain was 
 very pretty, indeed, in the eyes of Peter, but the suggestions 
 it afforded were more practical than poetic. The result of 
 his education was that he became a brewer. He pursued 
 this avocation in Wisconsin until he thought it would pay 
 better in Illinois. 
 
 He accordingly came to Chicago, and gave his 
 services to Lill & Diversy for many years. He then 
 went into business for himself. He was elected a Ward 
 Supervisor for two years, and a Town Supervisor for about 
 the same period.
 
 240 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 THOMAS W. STOUT. 
 
 Alderman Thomas W. Stout was elected to represent the 
 Sixteenth Ward in 1871 on the Star Chamber, and in 1873 
 on the People's ticket. He was born in Pennsylvania, Sept. 
 15, 1836. The early education of the Alderman assisted his 
 fondness for a mercantile life materially. In several fields 
 of industry his work has made a very perceptible impress ; 
 securing, as he did, a position in the employ of the North- 
 western Railway Company, that gave him ample opportuni- 
 ties. He held a position on this road for no less than 22 
 years. 
 
 In the Council he was a strenuous advocate of clos- 
 ing saloons on Sundays up to i p. m. ; conspicuously 
 figuring on the Committee of Nine. He was a strong oppo- 
 ser of gas monopoly; having advocated a measure which he 
 claims would save the city the sum of $200,000 annually.
 
 COMMON COUNCIL. 24I 
 
 LOUIS SCHAFFNER. 
 
 Alderman Schaffner, better known as Col. Schaffner, rep- 
 resents the Seventeentli Ward. 
 
 He was born in Alsace, France, and is now 46 years of 
 age. At the age of nine, Col. Schaffner removed to the 
 city of New York, and engaged in the dry goods business, 
 where he remained until the outbreak of the Rebellion, when 
 he organized, Jan. 8, 1861, Company A, of the Seventh New 
 York Volunteers (Steuben). Elected Captain, the Colonel 
 assumed, very modestly, however, the rank of Adjutant, con- 
 fiding in future merit for a soldier's promotion, and winning 
 it bravely. Col. Schaffner participated in the fight at Big 
 Bethel, at Ball's Bluff, and Port Hudson, and many other 
 engagements, and suffered, during his service through the 
 entire war, two severe sunstrokes, and but a slight wound in 
 the knee, which he received when Lieutenant Grebel was 
 killed beside him. Promoted to the Lieutenant Colonelcy in 
 a short time after the commencement of the struggle, he 
 subsequently declined two offers of a brevet Brigadier-Gen- 
 eralship. He had also charge of the prisoners at Rock 
 Island and Camp Douglas. In the dawn of peace he en- 
 tered the grocery business, and left it for the office of Assist- 
 ant Assessor of Internal Revenue. 
 
 In 1868, Col. Schaff'ner, always a staunch Republican, 
 handled the North Side Tanners so well that every ward in 
 the Division went Republican at the Presidential election. 
 In 1869, he was defeated, but in 1870, he was elected to a 
 seat in the Council by a handsome majority. 
 16
 
 242 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 JACOB LENGACHER. 
 
 This gentleman was elected to represent the Seventeenth 
 Ward in the Common Council. First time in 187 1, on the 
 Union People's ticket; the second time in 1873, on the Peo- 
 ple's ticket. 
 
 He was born in Berne, Switzerland, in 1833. One year 
 and a half at school in Berne, and up to 1858, in the city of 
 Deintigen, completed his educational course. He now came 
 to Laporte, Indiana. He here entered into a contract for 
 clearing land five miles or so distant from the city of .Laporte. 
 He subsequently entered the brewing business. In August, 
 1 86 1, with some fourteen friends, the Alderman proceeded 
 to Indianapolis, and offered his services to Gen. Willich, 
 commander of the32d Indiana. Promotion soon succeeded. 
 Corporalship, sergeantcy, lieutenantships, and captaincy fol- 
 lowed. After the battle of Shiloh, he was compelled to 
 take an orderly sergeantship. When the Captain of Com- 
 pany D was killed, the Alderman, who belonged to Company 
 I, was appointed to his position. 
 
 Coming to Chicago, he entered the Collector's office. 
 Business growing dull, however, he went, at suggestion, into 
 the insurance business, in which he is now engaged. He 
 represents eight different companies.
 
 COMMON COUNCIL. 243 
 
 THOMAS CANNON. 
 
 This gentleman represents the Ef^hteenth Ward in the 
 Common Council. He was born in the townland of Cloon- 
 coe, County Leitrim, Ireland, May 15, 182S, and came to 
 this country in 1851, coming directly to Chicago. Up-hill 
 work encountered the Alderman at once. He succeeded in 
 obtaining employment, however, very soon, as a laborer, 
 from Avhich he rose to a position as forwarding freight agent 
 for the old Galena Railroad. After six years of dilligent 
 service here, Mr. Cannon was removed to make place for the 
 pet of certain politicians. The Alderman had accumulated 
 considerable money in the meantime, and this he invested 
 in real estate. He had hardly done so, however, when the 
 financial crash of '58 and '59 swept it away. Then followed 
 a checkered career. Firstly he speculated on the Board of 
 Trade; had bad luck, after seven years, and went to team- 
 ing; was then engaged as a Sidewalk Inspector, under the 
 Board of Public Works ; then as an United States Mail 
 Agent. He now procured a position in the Custom House, 
 whence he was discharged, with twenty others, for want of 
 employment. But the Alderman had made friends. Gov- 
 ernor Beveridge was one of them. At the demise of Owen 
 Dougherty, Mr. Cannon was appointed by his Excellency to 
 fill the vacancy as a Justice of the Peace, which position he 
 now holds. His successful race for Alderman was his third : 
 in the first heat being beaten by five hundred and seventy- 
 four majority ; in the second, by twenty-seven ; and being 
 successful in the last by a majority of five hundred and 
 sixty-four. The Alderman prides himself upon having 
 built the first house on the North Side after the great fire.
 
 244 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 DAVID MURPHY. 
 
 This gentleman represents the Eighteenth Ward in the 
 Common Council, and was elected in 1873, on the People's 
 ticket. He was born in the county of Wexford, Ireland; 
 and, leaving there twenty years ago, came directly to Chi- 
 cago. 
 
 The experience of the Alderman in a business point of 
 view — for he was never much in politics — deserves more 
 than a passing notice. On his arrival in Chicago he went 
 into partnership with his brother, Collector Murphy, in the 
 grocery business, and has been ever since invariably success- 
 ful. 
 
 In politics, Mr. Murphy, as before intimated, did but little. 
 However, having been pressed upon by his friends, he 
 accepted a candidacy, and won the Aldermanship of the 
 Eighteenth Ward, by a majority of four hundred and one, 
 three other candidates being in the field. He ran against 
 Ex-Alderman Carney before, but was defeated. 
 
 In the Council Mr. Murphy is quite conservative ; cater- 
 ing to the senses of no other representative, but closely 
 watching the interests of his ward. His constituents ap- 
 preciate the fact.
 
 COMMON COUNCIL. 245 
 
 MICHAEL BRAND. 
 
 Elected to represent the Nineteenth Ward in the Common 
 Council, Mr. Brand took his seat as the result of the fall 
 election, in 1873. 
 
 The gentleman established a brewing business at 30 Cedar 
 street, he may well feel proud of, years ago, and in establish- 
 ing the same has carefully eschewed politics.
 
 246 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 THOMAS LYNCH. 
 
 The colleague of Alderman Brand is Thomas Lynch, 
 elected by a handsome majority to represent the district in 
 which he lives. 
 
 The utmost confidence is reposed by his constituents in 
 Alderman Lynch, and the prospects are that he will not 
 betray it.
 
 COMMON COUNCIL. 247 
 
 JOHN T.CORCORAN. 
 
 Mr. Corcoran was elected to represent the Twentieth 
 Ward, in 1872, on the Greeley ticket, by a majority of about 
 900 ; two other candidates being in the field. One received 
 98 votes; the other 180. The Alderman was born in 
 Killarney, and is 37 years of age. When but five weeks 
 old, he was removed by his parents to the city of Ottawa, 
 Ontario. Here the family stayed for about eight years. They 
 now came to Chicago. In those days there were not so 
 many hotels in Chicago as now. They were not so ornate, 
 besides, what there were of them. The old St. Louis, how- 
 ever, was about as respectable as any of them. This edifice 
 Mr. Corcoran 's father purchased, and succeeded in estab- 
 lishing in a very brief time. The hotel stood on East Wash- 
 ington street, near Franklin, and was subsequently burned. 
 The father dying in 1854, a rather flourishing grocery business 
 and the care of six young children devolved upon the Alder- 
 man. He did not prosecute the business very long, as he 
 saw something more lucrative in hotel life. He accordingly 
 secured the old Continental, a building with 35 rooms. 
 Here he laid the foundation of his subsequent success. This 
 was about eleven years ago. Foreseeing even then the possi- 
 bilities of trade, Mr. Corcoran advanced in close pro.\imity 
 to railroad travel, and purchased the Hatch House, located 
 on the southeast corner of Fifth avenue and Kinzie street. 
 From the outset the career, of the house was brilliant; 
 although street improvement took off considerable of the
 
 240 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 profit, the building of the Fifth avenue viaduct and the 
 consequent elevation of the street costing the Alderman 
 ^22,400. The building had 118 rooms for guests at the time 
 of the great fire. It was insured for $35,000, and of this 
 the Alderman recovered perhaps 18^ percent. The present 
 building cost $17,000. 
 
 In the Council xA-lderman Corcoran, during the past year, 
 has stood in the minority. He was bitterly opposed to the 
 Mayor's bill as being tyrannical, and has the best hopes for 
 the entire success of the People's party.
 
 COMMON COUNCIL. 249 
 
 JULIUS JONAS. 
 
 Julius Jonas is the colleague of Alderman J. T. Cor- 
 coran, in the administration of the affairs of the Twentieth 
 Ward. He was elected to his position in 1873. 
 
 It is the impression of the residents of the Twentieth 
 Ward that Alderman Jonas will fulfill the requirements of 
 his office with entire satisfaction. 
 
 Mr. Jonas was born in Pleshen, Prussia, and is 37 years 
 of age. At the age of 14, he came to New York. After a 
 stay here of about five years he went to Quincy, Illinois. 
 He then came to Chicago, and opened the hide business, 
 over 231 S. Water street, and subsequently removed to 183 
 Michigan street. His annual business here, added to that 
 of several branches, approximates $800,000. 
 
 Mr. Jonas has not paid much attention to politics; giving 
 deep attention to his business. As a result, he has succeeded 
 in building up a remarkable business.
 
 PART III. 
 
 County Officers
 
 COUNTY OFFICERS. 253 
 
 H. B. MILLER. 
 
 H. B. Miller is the County Treasurer, elected by the 
 People's Party in the Fall of 1873 by a very large majority. 
 When placed on the ticket, the opposition sought very hard 
 to prove that he was not an American. Indeed, a large 
 number of voters believed he was not, from his connec- 
 tion with the interests of our German residents* A sketch 
 of his history, however, will show that, if ever a man could 
 be Americanized, Mr. Miller enjoys that sweet boon with a 
 vengeance. 
 
 H. B. Miller was born in 1819, in the Lebanon Valley, in 
 Pennsylvania, where his great grandfather settled about the 
 year 1720. Both of his grandfathers were born in America, 
 and fought under Washington's banner in the struggle for 
 national independence. 
 
 At the age of 14, he entered a printing office, learned 
 the trade, and pursued it for four years, or thereabouts. In 
 1839, fast acquiring a taste for journalism, Mr. Miller 
 founded, in Niles, Michigan, an English paper, the Rfpub- 
 lican, and edited it till 1844. In this year he founded the 
 Telegraph, at Kalamazoo. Both of these journals — the 
 latter advocating the principles of Henry Clay — he edited 
 with much ability; and recognition of their political inllu- 
 ence was not slow in making itself apparent. 
 
 In 1845, he removed to Buffalo. In this city he followed 
 up his journalistic aspirations, and founded a German pa- 
 per, the Telegraph, which is still in existence. Subsequently,
 
 254 
 
 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 President Taylor appointed him Chief Inspector of the 
 Lighthouses on the Lakes. 
 
 Severing his connection with the Press, Mr. Miller, after 
 a time, became a contractor of Public Works. While so 
 engaged, by order of the British-American Telegraph Com- 
 pany he constructed a telegraph line from Quebec to Mon- 
 treal. Subsequently, he built a mile of the enlargement of 
 the Erie Canal, and a dock and landing on the Niagara 
 River for the Buffalo and Lake Huron Railroad, which 
 cost about $1,500,000. In 1858, Buffalo elected him a mem- 
 ber of the State Legislature, and the next year re-elected 
 him. 
 
 Removing to Chicago, Mr. Miller at once became identi- 
 fied with her largest business interests. His record thus 
 engaged brought him gradually to the political surface, and 
 it was not long before he figured prominently before the 
 people. He always took an active interest in public ques- 
 tions, and was rarely guilty of misconstruing their im- 
 port. It has invariably been his method to transact public 
 afi'airs conservatively, on the same basis, in fact, as his private 
 business. This trait in his character, doubtlessly, led to his 
 election to the important position of County Treasurer. 
 Among other positions of political preferment, he has served 
 honorably as member of the County Commissioners, and 
 acted at the time of his recent election as President of that 
 body. He was also, in 1868, a member of the State Legis- 
 lature.
 
 COUNTY OFFICERS. 255 
 
 HERMANN LIEB. 
 
 The People's ticket, in the fall of 1873, elected Hermanrr 
 Lieb Cook County Clerk, by a very handsome majority. 
 
 Mr. Lieb was born in the canton of Turgau, Switzerland, in 
 1826, and is of Swiss descent on the paternal side. His 
 mother was a Dane. When 19 he left his native place and 
 went to Paris, in France, where he entered a mercantile life 
 in company with his brother. So engaged he remained up to 
 the revolution of 1S4S. He now entered the Garde Mobile, 
 with which in February and June of 1848 he participated in 
 all of the battles fought during that period in the streets of 
 Paris. 
 
 In 1 85 1 Mr. Lieb came to America. A tour through New- 
 York, Boston, and Cincinnati preceded his arrival in Illinois, 
 in 1856. In this year he settled in Decatur, where he 
 remained until the beginning of the war of the Rebellion. 
 On this event he enlisted in the Eigth Illinois Infantry^ 
 under General Oglesby. With this regiment he participated 
 in the battles of Fort McHenry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, and 
 the siege of Corinth. He was not long in the service — 
 only three months — when he received a Captaincy in Com- 
 pany B. He now accompanied Logan's Division to Vicks- 
 burg, where he was placed in charge of the skirmishers. In 
 fact, in the engagements immediately succeeding he i)cr- 
 formed the same hazardous service. When " The Bend "- 
 was attacked he received a ]nunk\\ wound in the left leg. 
 This procured for him a leave of absence. Reuun-^
 
 256 
 
 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 ing to duty after about a month, Mr. Lieb, under orders 
 from General Grant, raised a colored regiment of 
 heavy artillery, which gained the reputation of being one 
 of the best drilled regiments in the service. Among other 
 recognitions for meritorious service, he was appointed In- 
 spector General of the Department of the Mississippi, and 
 was breveted a Brigadier General. 
 
 Having been mustered out, Mr. Lieb went to Springfield 
 and founded the Illinois Post, a German Republican paper. 
 After two years he came to Chicago, and in company with 
 Mr. Brentano, started the Abend Zeitung, which took an 
 active part in the polical movement of 1869. A trip to 
 Memphis followed, with a view to establishing a German 
 colony. This movement was a failure, however, owing to 
 the condition of the country. Returning thence, Mr. 
 Lieb established the German American. Subsequently he 
 founded The Union, a German paper with Democratic sym- 
 pathies.
 
 COUNTY OFFICKRS. 257 
 
 M. R. M. WALLACE. 
 
 Martin R. M. Wallace, the popular Judge of the Cook 
 County Court, was born in Urbana, Champaign county, 
 Ohio, September 29, 1829, and is consecpiently in the vicinity 
 of forty-four years of age. 
 
 In 1834 his father, John Wallace, removed to Jllinois, and 
 settled his family in LaSalle county. In 1839, entering Ogle 
 county, Judge Wallace was placed at school, and, on his 
 removal to Mount Morris, resumed his studies there. At 
 this seat of the well known Rock River Seminary he pur- 
 sued his academical course. In 1852 Judge Wallace left 
 home, and went to Ottawa. Here he entered the law office 
 of Dickey & Wallace, and remained up to 1856. In this 
 year he came to Chicago, and entered the office of Dent iit 
 Black. He also practiced with Major ^\'hitney and Colonel 
 Reading, of Morris. 
 
 In 1S61 Judge Wallace assisted in raising the Fourth Illi- 
 nois cavalry, and proceeded to the front as a Major. Hav- 
 ing participated, among other engagements, in the battles of 
 Shiloh, Pittsburg Landing, and the movements around 
 Vicksburg, he was mustered out, with the rank of Colonel, 
 in 1864. From this date up to the assumption of his duties 
 as Judge of the County Court, December 6, 1869, he exer- 
 cised the charge of the United States Assessor's office for 
 the First District of Illinois. In 1873 he was placed on both 
 of the tickets, the "Law and Order." and the "People's," 
 and was re-elected by a tremendous number of votes. Judge 
 of the Cook County Court. 
 17
 
 i258 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 JAMES STEWART. 
 
 The Recorder of Cook County is James Stewart, a gen- 
 tleman whose career through life has preeminently been a 
 popular one; affiliating with a class of elements young and 
 vigorous, which rarely fail to advance the interests of their 
 champions. 
 
 Mr. Stewart was born in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, 
 June 24, 1842, and is accordingly thirty-one years of age. 
 Arriving in Chicago at the early age of five years, our sub- 
 ject grew up surrounded by the best influences possible for 
 local success. Educated in the public and High schools, he 
 apprenticed himself to the plumbing business quite early in 
 life, and learned the trade. He followed it up to about the 
 breaking out of the war, when he joined the Nineteenth Illi- 
 nois infantry, where he served three years and four months, 
 and where he formed several boon companionships. Mr. 
 Stewart took the Recorder's office, December 21, 1S72. 
 From the age of thirteen the Recorder has adopted the 
 motto that "God helps him who helps himself," and has 
 accordingly done so.
 
 COUNTY OFFICERS. 
 
 *» 
 
 AUSTIN J. DOYLE. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is Austin J. Doyle, who was 
 elected Clerk of the Criminal Court in 1873, on the People's 
 ticket, by the largest majority given, about 13,000. 
 
 Mr. Doyle was the youngest man on the ticket. He was 
 born in Chicago, September 18, 1849, ^"d is, consequently, 
 but twenty-four years of age. His active life, it might be 
 said, was spent amid the duties of the Court the people 
 called upon him to manage. Retiring from school, the first 
 he knew of the world he learned in the dry-goods house of 
 W. M. Ross & Co., where he carried parcels, and was after- 
 wards collector. He then, in 1865, procured a position as 
 clerk in the Recorder's Court, under Hon. Daniel O'Hara, 
 Clerk, and now City Treasurer of Chicago. In 1S68, Mr. 
 Doyle was appointed first deputy, vice Charles S. I.oding who 
 ran against Mr. O'Hara, and was defeated. In 1870, under the 
 new constitution the Recorder's Court was made the Crim- 
 inal Court of Cook county, Hon. Daniel O'Hara being still 
 the Clerk, with Mr. Doyle, his principal deputy. This 
 position our subject filled when called upon by the popular 
 vote to the very important office he now holds. The secret 
 of Mr. Doyle's success, it may well be said, has been his 
 close attention to business, and his invariable urbanity to 
 everybody. 
 
 A man who has prosecuted the duties devolving upon Mr. 
 Doyle, necessarily knows volumes of criminal history. Such 
 knowledge necessarily goes a good distance to make an ad- 
 mirable character reader. This qualification is universally 
 conceded to the subject of this sketch.
 
 26o THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 JOHN STEPHENS. 
 
 The Coroner of Cook county is John Stephens, who has 
 been twice elected by the very largest majorities on his 
 ticket — the first time by about 7,661, and the second time 
 by about 14,000. 
 
 Mr. Stephens was born in Albany, N. Y., in 1839, and is 
 of German descent. The family removing to Chicago as 
 early as 1844, or thereabouts, the future Coroner was neces- 
 sarily placed in a most advantageous situation to grow up 
 with Chicago enterprise and serve in time as one of its 
 prominent exponents. Having spent the rudimental ex- 
 perience of life in the public school and in one of the com- 
 mercial colleges, Mr. Stephens became employed in the 
 furniture store of Thomas Manahan, of No. 205 Lake street; 
 devoting, like many of his companions, considerable atten- 
 tion to an observation of life as enacted upon the stage. 
 An occasional glimpse in this direction after a time induced 
 him to become an actor himself, in the capacity of property- 
 man, for which his furniture experience peculiarly fitted 
 him. When the war broke out, however, sham battles, in 
 which the vanquished dropped before blank cartridges, lost 
 all charms for Mr. Stephens, and he accordingly entered the 
 19th Illinois. With this regiment he participated in many 
 hard - fought battles, including about 24 minor engage- 
 ments. He was always in the front, and was wounded several 
 times. At the battle of Chickamauga, he had his left foot 
 carried away by two grape-shots, and was made a prisoner 
 for fifteen days. While he was created a sergeant, Mr. 
 Stephens yet commanded Company K, at Stone River, 
 and for some time subsequently. When elected Coroner, he 
 was engaged in the Registry Department of the Post-office 
 in Chicago.
 
 Miscellaneous.
 
 MISCELLANEOUS. 26^ 
 
 PATRICK O'BRIEN. 
 
 This gentleman was elected Supervisor for the South Town 
 of Chicago, April i, 1873, by a majority of over 1,000 — the 
 result of some very active work in the cause of the people. 
 
 Mr. O'Brien was born about thirty miles west of the city 
 of Cork, Ireland, January i, 1830. In 1847 he left his native 
 place, and went to Boston, Massachusetts. Up to 1856 he 
 devoted himself to hotel life throughout various portions of 
 Connecticut and Massachusetts. In this year he came to 
 Chicago, and became identified with the Tremont House, 
 where he remained up to i860. At this period of his days 
 Mr. O'Brien grew weary of the rush and crush of life in a 
 hotel, and became a street car conductor. After four years 
 of service, he put his accumulations into the liquor busi- 
 ness, in which he is at present engaged. 
 
 Supervisor O'Brien has figured in the political arena in 
 state, county and city, conspicuously for some time. The 
 most gratifying movement in which he ever was engaged was 
 when, in June, 1872, in company with Messrs. Michael 
 Kelley and McAvoy, he assisted in organizing the Personal 
 Liberty League for the purpose of opposing the obnoxious 
 clause in the State Liquor Law. To this movement he gave 
 all the support he could muster: a fact which is well recog- 
 nized by the liquor interest everywhere.
 
 264 THE GREAT REVOLUTION. 
 
 MILES KEHOE. 
 
 The City Weigher was born in Carlow county, Ireland, 
 August 15, 1845, and arrived in Chicago in 1848, where he 
 was educated in the public schools. Retired from school, 
 Mr. Kehoe pursued general work wherever he could get it, 
 improving himself in his leisure hours as best he could. The 
 result was that, in 1872 he was elected to the Senate — the 
 youngest member that ever sat there. 4 While there, among 
 other bills he introduced the following: The Firemen's Pen- 
 sion Bill; a Bill to Regulate the Election of County Commis- 
 sioners ; and a Bill to Repeal the "Mayor's Bill." He also 
 strenuously opposed the Park Bill, whose defeat saved the West 
 Division the sum of about $700,000. His opposition, espe- 
 cially, to the movement to abolish the Board of Police — being 
 the only man in the Cook county delegation to defend the 
 Board — secured him a great deal of popularity. 
 
 During the People's movement, Mr. Kehoe made no less 
 than 38 speeches. He was one of the first to uphold the 
 rights of liquor dealers, under the auspices of the Personal 
 Liberty League.
 
 MISCELLANEOUS. 265 
 
 JULIUS RODBERTUS. 
 
 Mr. Rodbertus took a quite active part in the movements, 
 preceding the success of the People's Party. He was born 
 in Mecklenburg - Schwerin, Prussia, Sept. 4, 1843. At the 
 age of 13 he left his native place and came directly to Chi- 
 cago. After a time devoted to various occupations — spend- 
 ing his leisure hours at school — Mr. Rodbertus, in 1859, 
 entered the machine shop of N. S. Bouton,and here learned 
 his trade. He subsequently worked in the shops of the Illi- 
 nois Central, Galena, and Rock Island Railroads, and in 
 Fuller &L Ford's. Finding this employment unremunerative, 
 he afterwards traveled for the Worki7igmans Advocate for 
 two years. While in Bouton's, Mr. Rodbertus joined Com- 
 pany C, of the 19th Illinois, but did not serve therein more 
 than two months ; by reason of a severe attack of typhoid 
 fever. When the call was issued for 100 days' troops, he 
 enlisted in Com[)any A, of the 134th Illinois, and served 
 until mustered out. 
 
 Politically, Mr. Rodbertus' record dates back to the vicin- 
 ity of 1863, about which time he was placed on the Third 
 Ward Republican ticket. In 1870, he was elected State and 
 County Assessor for the South Town of Chicago, by a ma- 
 jority of about 25,000. At present he is Assistant Assessor 
 to Edward Phillij^s, and is also employed in the office of the 
 Collector of South Town. His forte lies in the assessment 
 and collection of taxes.
 
 W. J. ONAHAN, 
 
 Real Estate 
 
 DEALER. 
 
 OFFICE, 112 AND 114 DEARBOl^N STREET. 
 
 The experience of Mr. Oiiahan as City Col- 
 lector emutently justifies Iiis kiwwledo^c of the 
 value of Real Estate generally.
 
 RAGOR'S 
 
 Omnibus Line. 
 
 OFFICE ON WEST TWELFTH ST, 
 
 Near Turner Hall. 
 
 T/iis is one oj the best lines in the city. It 
 has been C07ist7'2icted after a fashion to meet the 
 needs of the traveling public, and deserves success. 
 
 •I
 
 Evans & Hockey. 
 
 No. 205 East Randolph Street, 
 
 IMMEDIATELY UNDER THE 
 
 Headouarters of the Peoi'i.e's Partn 
 
 One of the mosl extensive \Vhole>ale Firms in 
 
 Wines, Liquors & Cigars 
 
 IN THE CITY
 
 Coi.kman's Fire Department Heater.
 
 FOLEY'S 
 
 Ball & Cue 
 
 PALACE, 
 
 No. 87 South Clark Strkkt 
 
 AX EXCELLENT ASSORTMENT OE 
 
 Wines, Liquors and Cigars 
 
 ALWAYS ON HAND. 
 
 M?'. Fo/rvs cstablisJnucnt challenges eovi pe- 
 tition the world over.
 
 JOSEPH HOGAN, 
 
 Plumber & Qasfitter, 
 
 WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DEALER IN 
 
 GAS FIXTURES, 
 
 GLOBES, SHADES, 
 
 Wrought Iron Pipe and Fittings. 
 
 Extended experience in the Jiitini^ up of prominent struc- 
 tures, public and private, has qualified Mr. Hoga?i for the 
 performance of the more advanced necessities of the business. 
 
 SATISFACTION INVARIABLY GUARANTEED. 
 
 132 West Madison Street, CHICAGO.
 
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