The Dickinson press., 1889-01-26
CIIlCAGO'S FIRST RIOT.
RESISTANCE TO A LICENSE oRpl-
NAN cE RESULTS IN BLooDsHEp,

One Killed and Several Woundcd-Upu.
sual Use of Fire OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
ing tho Mob-NIetals 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 tho
'lager beer riot" w. II. Prince, of 500
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 well preserved man of GO years.
"'Twas in 1865. At the spring election the
people had voted to advance the liquor IL
cense to $500. Threats were heard that if an
attempt was made to enforce the law blood
would flow. Mayor Boone was determined
the law should have fair trial. In this he
had tho active support Of Alderman w. L.
Church, chairman of the police committee,
as well as of n majority of tho city council
A half dozen saloon men were arrested for
keeping open their places without paying tho
required license. They were locked up in
the county Jail. That structure was then n
wooden building standing on the present
site of the court house and city hall The
police force then numbered sixteen night and
six day men. G. p. Bradley, courageous,
cool healed man, was captain of police. AS
soon as tho saloon keepers were locked up
threats of rescue were made by their friends.
The entire police force was put OH reserve
duty. Twelve men under Capt Bradley
guarded tho Jail day and night. The first
night thousands of people crowded about UT
lines, but aside from angry words and II few
G fN, iii a,1r
suited. Tho people next day grew wilder.
PREPARING TO FIGHT A MOB
Hot headed fellows addressed them. The
Imprisonment was denounced MS tyrannical.
People were urged to mob the police, tear
down tho Jail and liberato their friends.
Early that morning, by order of Mayor
Boone VIC were re-enforced by tho Chicago
Lish, Guards and the Montgomery Guards,
small uniformed and armed militia bodies.
Chicago had then those floating bridges or
pontoons, one at Clark, the other at RAN
dolph street. The city had battery of two
pieces, commanded by r. K Swift. These
cannon wero planted near THO fail and GOV.
cred the two bridges The bridges we're
swung on the corners, so that tho people
could only cross them on foot and in single
filo. This was done to prevent mots from form.
ing on the North or West Side and sweeping
down on tho Jail. These precautions we're
believed to he ample against any attack,
The people seemed ripe for riot Tho fro
department. was in sympathy with them.
The first assault came from an unexpected
quarter.
Suddenly there rang out an alarm of fire
at the Jail. In accord with the provincial
habits of tn" timn the entire population
poured out and came streaming through tho
streets toward us. The fire engine came
laundering down under full speed The
driver, ms lle nearcd the line of the Mont
gonery Guards, yellcs, Clear tho way and
lashcd his horses into II terrific gait. Tho
guards cane at once to the position of a
squad of infantry receiving n cavalry charge
dropping on ono knee and presenting an
unbroken limo of glistening bayonets. The
powerful horses, under the lash, galloped on.
Tho crowd of people rccoiled. Nearing tho
lines the horses plunged vainly. The ncrvy
driver, with taut lines, by voice and lash
urged them onward Coolly knclt tho
guards. Nearer rushed tho infuriated horses.
They reared, they swcrved. The gathered
force of the huge machine rolled them on.
Bayonct tips pierced their breasts They
fell. The guards cncircled tho firemen Every
vi lllcIIl WIS III Onto 1.lIlpU,
detail of guards drove tho engine back to
its quarters. The fire department was dis.
banded by order of Mayor Boone and an i'm
provised force was on duty two hours later.
CRACKING HEADS
'As the day advanced n mob seemed to
spring from tho ground. Though every point
of appronch was guarded, thousands of angry
people soon swnrned around u.s. They cursed
the guards as clerk soldiers They howlcd
at the police cfliccrs: 'We want your stars
Our badges were big brass stars surmountcd
by a yellow eagle. Clubs began being thrown
and an occasional brckbat whistled past us.
Let's strip their stars, some one yelled, and
Tho wild mob came rushing on. We dubbed
Them They fell back, then rc-cnforced by
men maddcncd by drinE came bowling at us
again under perfect shower of stones.
Several officers had been hit. We charged
with our clubs and cracked several
heads. From the mob shot was
fired Officer Hunt fell at my side. Quickly
came the ringing order 'nrep A vollcy
flashed from our revolvers. Several rioters
fell. Tho crowd ran. One rioter was in
stantly killed and several were wounded
Officer Hunt lost his right arm Tho death
OF the rioter and the wounding of many
"llelS aeeiileu 10 appcase the passions of tho
multitude. Tho mobs were then readily
swept from the streets, and tho beer riot was
ndcd.
Officer Hunt, who is now employed in
the city comptroller's office, is the only one
beside myself, of tho twelve police officers
participating in the fight, still living in Chi.
r'So. We are both very proud of elegant
gold medals presented us by the citizens ut a
great public meeting held at the Sherman
house shortly after the riot. These souvenirs
bear our names and the words: Presented by
the citizens of Chicago for gallant services as
police officers in tho riot of April 81, 1862"
Chicago Herald.