Wichita eagle., 1889-01-11
CHICAGO'S FIRST RIOT.
RESISTANCE 10 A LICENSE ORDi-
NANCE RESULTS IN BlOODSHED.


One Killed and Several Wounded Unu-
ing the Afob-Medals for Heroes of the
Occasion.
The story Of the first riot in Chicago, bring
ing about conflict between the police and
people,.is interesting. It was known as the
''lager beer riot" W. II. Prince, of sos
Webster avenue, who for twenty-seven years
did duty as an officer on the police force, was
a participant in those stirring scenes. Mr..
Prince is well preserved man of 60 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 committee,
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 a
wooden building standing on the present
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 Ut
Il. e. 4 farr
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 as tyrannical.
People were urged to mob the police tear
down the jail and iberate 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 battery of two
pieces, commanded by r K. Swift. These
cannon were planted near tire Jail and COW
cred the two bridges. The bridges were
swung on the corners SO 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 n 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 u.s. The fire engine came
laundering down under full 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
lnbroken line of glistening bayonets. The
powerful horses, under the lash, galloped on.
The crowd Of people recoiled. Nearing the
lines the horses plunged vainly. The nervy
driver, with taut lines, by voice and Lash
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
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
''As the dav advanced a mob seemed to
spring from the ground. Though every point
of approach was guarded, thousa nds 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 surinounted
by yellow eagle Clubs began being thrown
end an occasional brickbat whistled past u.s.
Let's strip their stars some one yelled. and
the wild mob came rushing on. We dubbed
them. They fell back, then reinforced nv
men maddened by drink came bowling ct 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 was
fred. Officer Hunt fell at my side. Quickly
came the ringing order 'frer A volev
flashed from our revolvers. Several rioters
fell The crowd ran One rioter was in
stantly killed and several were wounded
Officer Hunt lost his right arm. The death
OF the rioter and the wounding of many
others seemed TO appesse the passions CT the
multitude. The mohs were then readily
swept from the Streets and the beer riot was
ended
Officer Hunt, who is now employed in
the city conlptroller's Office, is the only one,
beside myself, Of the twelve police officers
participating in the fight. still living in Chi
caSo. We are both very proud of elegan,
gold medals presented Us by the citizens NJ n
great public meeting held az the Sherman
house shortly after the riot. These souvenirs
bear our names end the words: Presented by
the citizens OF Chicago for gallant services as
police officers in the riot OF April q, 1855"
Chicago Herald
Wanted to Grow Up.