, 1891-11-13
REARING THE RED FLAG.
The Chicago Anarchists Again
Claiming Attention.
Secret Meeting Of the Reds
Raided by the Police.
Disposition to Fight Soon
Beaten Out of Them.
Police Arrest Anarchists.

CHICAGO, Nov. IA mass meeting
of the most radical clement was an
nounced to be held this evening IN Grelf's
hall in West Lake street, the place cele-
brated In the annals of Spies and Par
sons followers. The decision Unexpectedly
displayed by the authorities last night in
compelling the anarchist gathering In
West Twelfth street to hoist the stars and
stripes bad the disconcerting effect, and at
the last moment tonight it was decided to
make the gathering secret aud to admit
only a few of the most trusted spirits.
Accordingly, Master OF Ceremonies
Thomas Greif, proprietor of a big saloon
under the hall, announced that his
place upstairs had been previously
engaged. thus Diminishing the general
rabble while those who could be depended
upon went upstairs.
There were gathered many of those
who we're leaders before the Haymarket
massacre. Speeches were made in Eng
lish aud German and the enthusiasm was
great. The American flag was not there
Ii was thought the police had been com
pletely hoodwinked. In this, however,
the reds were at fault. A detective had
been for several DAYS c~ultivatlng the ac-
uuaintance OF tine orators He was ad
united to the meeting and before long got
word out to Inspector Lewis that Infiam-
matory speeches were being made and a
number were displaying arms add boast
ing thew would use them in case the
police interfered.
In the saloon below two hundred men
were gathered and speeches were beng
made scarcely less %incendiary than those
above. 1t was evident hat trouble might
occur at any moment. Suddenly, at a
signal given by the detective in the meet
ing, the police made a raid. Fifty men
in plain clothes guarded the rear OF the
building and allowed no person to leave.
Inspector Lewis and Captain Mahoney,
the head of one hundred uniformed off,
GERS, marched to the front door, taking
the meeting completely by surprise. Pro-
prietor Grief saw the blue coats and at
tempted to shut the doors In their faces.
His effort was futile, however. as one
blow from a club shattered the glass and
a vigorous kick burst the door in, and a
double line of officers poured into the
room.
Men, who a m before had peer
Boosting of their intention to hurl de-
fance into the teeth of the Chicago police,
made a rush for the rear doors. but at the
sight Of guns there displayed halted, and
with one or two exceptions, showed every
symptom of cowardlce.
Throw up your hands" shouted In
spector Lewis. At the command 400
hands went INTO the air and the officers
commenced a search for weapons. Those
found to possess revolvers or other arms
we're placed under arrest, while the others
we're hustled into the street One little
fellow who wore a flaming red necktle
backed against the wall and drawing
| from his pocket a wicked looking revolver
snapped it In the face Of a policeman.
Fortunately the cartridge missed fire
and before the would-be murderer could
again press the trigger. a blow from a
club knocked the u from his hand.
In the meantime a squad of police
under Lieut.. Wheeler started to ascend
the stairs. They met resistance from
Grief and from an unknown man, who
drew from his pocket a long revolver,
declaring he would shoot the first officer
who put his foot on the stairs.
These men were quickly o~verpowered
and twenty-five policemen rushed up and
broke into the secret meeting. A num-
Der of men were arrested there. A large
amount OF inflammatory literature was
captured and a number OF red flags torn
from the walls and DESTROYED. Within
the secret portals the only real resistance
encountered by the police came from three
unknown men who, In the rush, escaped.
They jumped behind the bar as the of
fcers entered and began throwing bottles
and glasses. A number of officers were
struck, but not seriously hurt.
Among the prisoners found armed we're
several persons well known to the police,
who were prominent in the ranks of an
archists five and six years ago, when the
red flag was so often seen on the streets
of Chicago. Inspector lie Wis announced
that he will demand tomorrow a revoking
of Greif7s license.
Most of the prisoners were released on
bail, Thomas Greif going on the bonds of
the majority OF them.