The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-08-03
CHICAGO MODS.
An Account of the Rioting on 2Gth OF
July-Fierce Encounters Between the Po
lice and the Mobs.

in the vicinity of the Halsted street via
duct Large crowds of men hocked to
the tracks thereabout, and cut down
few telegraph poles. Sergts. Butler and
Traynor, of the Madison street station,
with about thirty of their men, were sent
out from the West Twelfth street sta
ton, and advanced upon the mob south
on Halsted street. BY this time there
were about 5000 or 1000 rioters in the
vicinity OF the viaduct and on the tracks.
They pelted passing wagons with stones,
and evidently intended to interrupt traf-
fic and have row. The policemen went
in with rush, and as usual the crowd
scattered before them for the time be-
ing They drove the foremost back
across the viaduct, a few steps Mt time,
in the midst OF shower of sticks, stones,
and bullets, using their billies
with very good effect Hereabout
they found themselves upon a sudden
facing a crowd that must have numbered
at least 5000, for it crowded Halsted
street several blocks south, and had
disheartening appearance of solidity.
The men found it impossible to drive
them far. Those in front, in an irregu-
lar, scattering sort OF way, stood their
ground, and made every demonstration
of perfect willingness for collision.
The most annoyance, however, was ex-
perienced from the boys-mere children
who threw stones with deplorable vigor
and accuracy. The officers soon tired OF
this, and drawing their revolvers they
fired. The boys made precipitate re-
treat, but the men stood firm. 1t be-
came evident that dynamic measures
must be resorted to. The officers had
but sixteen rounds each, and these they
very soon discharged into the mob, with
what effect could not be learned, for, al
though men were seen to drop every
minute, the mob dragged or carried them
away upon the instant. When almost the
last round had been fired, Sergt. Butler
gave orders to fire rapidly and retreat.
The officers had gotten about block
away from the viaduct, going toward
Twelfth street, when they were met by
squad under Sergt. Ryan, of the Twelfth
street station, coming up on run. Fall
ing behind these, Buffers men wheeled,
and the combined force fell with fury
upon the foremost, shooting and cudgel-
ing without mercy. The mob did not
seem to have observed the arrivals 1t
seemed to think the same old squad had
turned. The briskness of the fire it
must have been that undeceived it, for
as more rioters fell it began slowly to
fall back. One of the leaders, shouting
and encouraging the mob, stood ground
in the space that was quickly cleared be-
fore the officers, and fired revolver.
He fell with bullet through the base of
his uncultivated brain, and lay like a log
upon the pavement. This occurrence,
f,,n eiul,+ of ayaruhoJx- hoJ a Int IVY
effect. The mob broke and ran, pur-
sued by the officers, away south on Hal
sted, scattering as they ran, until only
the boldest of them were left, pushing
down straight ON for Bridgeport. This
was evidently deliberate move, for they
kept at safe distance ahead, and ran
with sort of community of purpose.
Their object became clear when they got
to the bridge near Archer avenue, for
after the officers had beaten them across
it another gang appeared and turned it,
cutting off retreat The situation had a
very desperate look. There was no way
of getting over. The roughs who turned
the bridge jumped it and joined the
crowd.
The man is usually found when the
occasion comes. In this case the man
was boy-a brave little fellow, only 8
years of age, named James O'Niel The
rioters had left him unnoticed on the
bridge. He sprung to the bar, pushed
it, and, unmindful of the storm of mis-
siles, threats, and pistol-balls that
broke upon him, slowly swung the
bridge into position. The policemen
who were rescued by the little ones
pluck cheered and patted him, and
threw in collection of nickel each for
his benefit. 1t was here that a young
fellow named Castleman, baker, about
30 years of age, was shot in the act of
firing pistol ut the police. Three of
the barrels of his weapon were found
empty when he was picked up. The ball
struck the back of his head, and left him
not dead but unconscious He was taken
to the West Twelfth street station, where
he lay until o'clock, at which hour he
died.
This gallant charge of Butler and
Traynor's men, with the aid that was
rendered them by squad from the
North Side, under command of Lieut..
Bishop, and the squad that came up
from the Twelfth street station, broke
the back bone Of the instruction there
for the day.
At 1870 the mob, swelled to thous.
and men, took up their march down Hal.
sted street and kept up continual yell.
ing and shouting along the line. Al
every corner their ranks were increased
from stragglers, and before arriving al
Archer avenue there must have been nc
less than 1900 men, as hard lot OF
bruisers as could be possibly gathered
together in this city. The boys were
scarce, and every man at the head OF the
line brandished his formidable club ant
threatened dire things to the police i
they attempted to resist them. The ap
proach of this mob had been heralded K
the police authorities, and a squad o
men was sent on to meet and drive then
back. On striking the corner of HalsteC
street and Archer avenue they were re
inforced by the mob which had helt
possession of the vicinity in the morn
ing, and the latter gathered new strength
and new spirit. A part of tn,
"bull- whackers and rioters got owe
tbe bridge when they were con