San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-02-22
CHICAGO'S FIRST RIOT.
RESISTANCE TO A LICENSE ORDI-
NANCE RESULTS IN sLOODSHEO.
One Killed and Several wounded-Unu-
sual Use of Fire Department-Fight-
ing the Mob-Medais for Heroes of the
Occasion.

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 riot.n 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 a well preserved man of 50 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 to enforce the law blood
would flow. Mayor Boone was determined
the law should have fair trial. In this he
had the active support of Alderman W. L..
Church. chairman of the police commi tee,
as well as of a majority of the city council
A half dozen saloon men were arrested for
keeping open their places without paving 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
police force then numbered sixteen night and
six day men. c. p. Bradley, a 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 MOB.
Hot headed fellows addressed them The
imprisonment was denounced rs 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 or
pontoons, one at Clark, the other at Ran
dolph street The city had a battery Of two
pieces commanded by r. K. Swift These
cannon were planted near the Jail and COW
cred the two bridges. The bridges were
swung on the corners 30 that the people
could only cross them on foot and in single
file. This was done to prevent mobs from form
ing on the North or West Side and sweeping
down on the Jail. These precautions were
believed to be ample against any attack.
The people seemed ripe for riot The fire
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 the time the entire population
poured out and came streaming through the
streets toward us The fire engine came
laundering down under fun speed The
driver as he neared the line OF the Mont
gOmery Guards, yelled, Clear the way and
lashed his horses into a terrific gait. The
guards came at once to the position of a
squad Of infantry receiving a cavalry charge
dropping on one knee and presenting an
unbroken line of glistening boyonets. The
powerful horses, under the lash, Ealloped on.
The crowd of people recoiled Nearing the
lines the horses plunged vainly Tho nervy
driver, with taut lines, by voice and hash
urged them onward Coolly knelt the
guards Nearer rushed the Infatuated horses.
They reared, they swerved. The gathered
force of the huge machine rolled them on.
Bayonet tips pierced their breasts They
fell The guards encircled the fireaen. Every
man of them was at once arrested and jailed
A detail of guards drove the 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
Gas the dav advanced a mob seemed to
spring from the ground. Though every point
of approach was guarded, thousands Of angry
people soon swarmed around u.s. They cursed
the guards as clerk soldiers They howled
at the police officers: we want your stars.
Our badges were big brass stars surmounted
by yellow eagle Clubs began being thrown
and an occasional brickbat whistled past us.
Let's strip their stars some one yelled, and
the wild mob came rushing on. We dubbed
them. They fell back, then REINFORCED by
men maddened by drink came bowling at us
again under a perfect shower OF stones
Several officers had been hit. We charged
with our clubs and cracked several
heads. From the mob shot wa.
fired. Officer Hunt fell at my side Quickly
came the ringing order fret A volley
flashed from our revolvers Several rioter.
fell. The crowd ran. One rioter was in
stantly killed and several were wounded
Officer Hunt lost his right arm. The deatt
OF the rioter and the wounding of man,
others seemed TO appease the passions Of tn,
multitude. The mobs were then readily
swept from the streets, and the beer riot wa
ended
Officer Hunt who is now employed il
the city comptroller's Office, is the only one
beside myself, of the twelve police officer.
participating in the fight, still living in Chi
cago. We are both very proud of elegant
gold medals presented US by the citizens at a
great public meeting held at the Sherman
house shortly after the riot. Thesa souvenirs
bear our names and the words: Presented by
the citizens of Chicago for gallant services as
police officers in the riot of April 81, 1855 ."