Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-09-21
CHICAGO LETTER.
Special Correspondence Ledger.

CHICAGO, September II, 1882.
Chicago law was satisfied last Fri.
day when James Tracey was hanged
for the murder of Police, Officer Hueb
ner. This was the third hanging in a
few years. The condemned died pro-
testing his innocence of the murder.
Last February Tracey and one Rock
were engaged, it was charged. in a
burglary. They we're detected and
warned off by a shot from a pistol.
The pistols alarm drew several officers
TO the scene, who pursued the depre
dators. Huebner was some distance
in the lead, and succeeded in captur
ing the smaller of the culprits. The
larger one then rallied to the rescue
of his comrade in crime and shot two
balls into the officer, who died in few
minutes after receiving the wounds,
making this statement Of facts. After
the shooting the murderers disappear.
ed. Afterwards Tracy and Rock we're
for some minor offense, or on general
principles arrested. This led to the
crime of murder being charged against
them. In the trial that followed Rock
was discharged, and Tracey was found
guilty Of the crime. Every effort pos
sible was made by his counsel to arrest
the death penalty, but when the Su-
preme Court refused to interfere, all
hope faded away, and the condemned
prepared himself to meet the demands
Of the law. Tracey WAS a bad eharac-
ter, in every sense of the expression,
but there are a great macy observing
persons in Chicago who believe he did
not kill Mr.. Huebner. The testimony
which convicted him was that Of a
lady who saw him, and his partner
Rock, as she sw0re, through a window
while they were engaged in the pre-
limlnarles Of entering the store
next door. She swore persist.
emily as to Tracey, but was
in doubt as to Rock, or the ''shorter
one. This "positiveness" as to one,
and doubt as to the other, seems 10
cause many to doubt" her statement
entirely. l think that the most CON
elusive point against Tracey was the
testimony Of a fellow prisoner, that he
heard him confess the crime to a
friend, also a prisoner. 1t is the belief
OF many that Tracey did not do the
fatal shooting, and that Rock was moi
connected with the terrible deed, but
that Tracey knew who did the killing.
and died rather than 'squeal' on hi.
pal" Before being hanged, he sale
that Tracey was only an assumed
name, and refused TO give the riRht
one. 1t is a glazing fact that CHICAGO
would not sigh over the hanging q
hundreds OF such persons as Tracey
who now delloralize her society. bar
who, through some unacoountabl,
means, continue to violate aud eyad,
the law.
Mayor Harrison will return
10 chicago to morrow evening from
his delightful tour abroad" aud will
be received with as many honors Al
ever greeted the modest Romanp o
our glorious nation. Civil and mill
tary societies will turn out in larp,
numbers to receive him, aud skyrook
cts and booming cannon will proclaim
the safe return Of the best mavo,
Chicago ever had" Mr.. Harrison 4
a Democrat in politics, but a mayor O
the people, aud for the people; apt
the honors that will be shoWered mo,
him Eo-morrow will come from In,
people at large, irrespective Of party Of
politics.
State street, Chicago. is one of III,
great business thcroughlares, as wei
as the finest residence locations II
the city. The street representative q
the Times considers that section q
the street north Of the Chicago
river q panorama Of fashion