The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-08-22
A Hero of the Chicago Riots.

A late Chicago paper has the follow
ing: During the recent riots there were
many instances of individual bravery
which almost rise to the dignity Of hero
ism. A good many who shared in sup
pressing the revolt distinguished them
selves by their personal achievements.
The police of the Twelfth street station
spoke in the highest praise of the con-
duct of George Emerson during n Of
the fights at the viaduct.
It will be remembered that the first
serious outbreak occurred at and in the
vicinity of the Halsted street viaduct on
last Wednesday evening. When vio-
lence and bloodshed seemed imminent,
word was dispatched to the Twelfth
street station, and Lieutenant Callaghan
with eighteen men fastened forward to
quell and dispense the rioters. An omni-
bus of the West Twelfth street line, dry
en- by Emerson, was taken to convey
the officers as rapidly as possible to the
scene of the disturbance, Emerson brave
~ 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 drove,
undaunted by the gathering mob before
him, directly upon the tracks. The
vehicle was observed, and as soon as it
was seen to contain police officers it be-
came the object of q 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, the sides we're battered
as if they had been the work of volleys
of musketry. The officers, SO hot was the
assault, were obliged to abandon the
omnibus with all speed, and endeavor to
make a stand against their assailants
upon the ground. Then the bloodshed
and violence already chronicled began
in earnest. 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
that the rabble would be upon him again
in an instant, but he renamed firm at
his post. The police we're forced past
him and north on Union street. He
found himself in 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 a bullet through n Of
his arms. Others cut the lines and traces
and stoning the horses started them into
a runaway. MI. Emerson, bleeding and
unconscious, lay where lie fell for some
time, the rioters having proceeded on
their chase after the police. He was
discovered by an expressman when quiet
was restored with his hands grasping the
pieces of the reins. he was conveyed to
him home, where for some time it was
not thought that he would survive his
injuries. He recovered slowly, however,
and on yesterday was able to leave his
bed.