Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-12-18
CHICAG0'S FIRST RIOT.
RESISTANCE TO A LICENSE ORDi-
NANCE RESULTS IN eLOODSH-7.
Ono Killed and Several Wounded-Unu-
sual Use of Fire Department-Fight-
ing the Mob-Medais for Heroes of the
0ncasiOp

Ono Killed and Several Wounded-Unu-
sual Use of Fire Department-Fight-
ing the Mob-Medals for Heroes of tho
Occasion.
The story of the first riot in Chicago, bring
ing about conflict between the police and
people, is interesting. 1t was known as the
"lager beer riotn W. H Prince, of 506
Webster avenue, who for twenty seven years
did duty as an officer on the police force, was
participant in those stirring scenes Mr..
Prince is a well preserved man of 80 years.
TWAS in 1855 At the spring election the
people had voted TO advance the liquor Ii
cense to $500. Threats were heard that if an
attempt was made 10 enforce the law blood
would flow. Mayor Boone was determined
the law should have a fair trial In this he
had the active support of Alderman W. l..
Church, chairman of the police committee,
as well as of a majority of the city council
A half dozen saloon men were arrested for
keeping open their places without paying the
required license. They were locked up in
the county jail That structure was then
wooden building standing on the present
site of the court house and city hall. The
six day men C. p Bradley, courageous,
cool headed man, was captain of police. As
soon as the saloon keepers were locked up
threats of rescue were made by their friends
| The entire police force was put on reserve
| duty Twelve men under Capt. Bradley
guarded the Jail day and night. The first
night thousands of people crowded about ur
| lines, but aside from angry words and few
arrests for disorderly conduct, no trouble re
suited The people next day grew wilder.
PREPARING To FIGHT A MOB.
| Hot headed fellows addressed them The
imprisonment was denounced as tyrannicaL
People were urged to mob the police, tear
| down the jail and liberate their friends.
Early that morning, by order of Mayor
| Boone we were REINFORCED by the Chicago
Light Guards and the Montgomery Guards
| small uniformed and armed militia bodies.
Chicago had then those floating bridges OF
pontoons, one at Clark, the other az Ran
dolph street. The city had battery of two
pieces, commanded by r. K. Swift Thest
cannon were planted near the Jail and GOV
cred the two bridges. The bridges wer,
swung on the corners so that the people
could only cross them on foot and in singh
, file This was done 10 prevent mohs from form
ing on the North or West Side and sweepin:
down on the jail These precautions wer
believed to be ample against any attack
The people seemed ripe for a riot The fir
department was in sympathy with them
, The first assault came from an unexpecte,
, quarter
Suddenly there rang ont an alarm Of fir
/ at the jail. In accord with the provinces
habits of the time the entire populatio
, poured out and came streaming through th
, streets toward us. The fire engine cam
r laundering down under full speed Tn
driver, as he neared the line of the Mon
. gomery Guards, yelled, Clear the way an
/. lashed his horses into a terrific gait. Tt
guards came at once to the position Of
i squad Of infantry receiving a cavalry chare
| dropping on one knee and presenting Il
a unbroken line of glstening bayonets tt
powerful horses, under the lash, galloped o.
II The crowd Of people recoiled. Nearing II
lines the horses plunged vainly. The nery
Y driver. with taut lines. by voice and la>
le urged them onward. Coolv knelt Il
n, guards Nearer rushed the infuriated horse
is They reared. they sserved. The gather,
IN force of the huge machine rolled them 0
Bayonet tips pierced their breasts, Tn
,e fell The guards encircled the firemen, Eve
"a | man Of them was at once arrested and taile
IN detail Of guards drove the engine back
its quarters. The fire department was
m banded by order of Mayor Boone. and an il
st provised force was on duty two hours lateI