River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-08-30
A Hero of the Chicago Riots.

\ late Chicago paper has the following ::
During the recent riots there were many
instances of individual bravery WHICH al
most rise to the dignity of heroism. A
good many who shared In suppressing
the revolt distinguished themselves by
their personal achievements. The police
of the Twelfth street station spoke in the
highest praise of the conduct of George
Emerson during one of the fights at the
viaduct.
1t will be remembered that the first
serious outbreak occurred at and in the
vicinity of the Halsted street viaduct on
last Wednesday evening. When violence
and bloodshed seemed imminent, word
was dispatched to the Twelfth street sta
ton, and Lieutenant Callaghan with
eighteen men fastened forward to quell
and disperse the rioters. An omnibus of
the West Twelfth street line. driven by
Emerson, was taken to convey the Off
GERS as rapidly as possible to the scene of
the disturbance, Emerson bravely offering
his services and promising to drive
wherever they might wish to go. He
drove down Halsted street TO within one
block of the viaduct, when he turned
east to Union street. Thence he drsve,
undaunted by the gathering mob before
him, directly upon the tracks. The We
hicle was observed, and as soon as it was
seen to contain police officers it became
the object of fierce attack. Stones IN
showers were hurled against it. The
horses were struck and became almost
unmanageable. The roof of the stage
was broken in, tue sides were battered as
if they had been the work Of volleys of
musketry.
The officers, 50 hot was the assault,
were obliged to abandon the omnibus
with all speed, and endeavor to make
stand against their assailants upon the
ground. Then the bloodshed and vio-
lence alre ldy chronicled began in earn
est. Emerson might easily have driven
away out of the reach of danger, but he
heroically remained at his post, telling
the officers that he would wait to convey
them back to the station.
He had escaped injury thus far. though
the stones and missiles had fallen thick
around him. While the policemen were
battling with the mob he occupied his
seat, with reins in hand, endeavoring to
quiet his frightened horses. The police
at first drove the mob to the southern
part of the track and out upon Fifteenth
street Emerson now seemed secured
against danger, as he was out of the range
of bullets and stones. The mob rallied,
however, after being driven across the
track. and turned and drove the police
men before them back over the track they
had Just travelled. Emerson saw the rab
BILE would be upon him again in an in
slant but he remained firm at his post.
The police were forced past him and
north on Union street. He found him
selfin the very center of the angry mob.
They turned upon and stoned him until
he fell headlong and insensible to the
ground. Then some miscreant fired
bullet through one of his arms. Others
cut the lines and traces and stoning the
horses started them into q runaway. Mr..
Emerson, bleeding and unconscious, lay
where he fell for some time, the rioters
having proceeded on their chase after the
police He was discovered by an ex-
pressman when quiet was restored with
his hands grasping the piece of the reins
He was conveyed to his home, where for
some time it was not thought that he
would survive his injuries. He recoy-
cred slowly, however, and on yesterday
was able to leave his bed.