The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-21
"HIAhi DINkO or CHICAGO,
Pecul'srities of the NEWLY Elected Alder
man 4. ON Bathhouse Johns Ward.

The newly elected Alderman from the
First ward in Chicago is Michael kenna.
but he is known all over the city as
'iiinky Dink." He got that name years
ago when he was selling newspapers and
shining shoes on the streets. II will stay
with him until he dies. Notwithstanding
his triumph nj the polls last Tuesday.
While some of his admiring constituents
may address him as Alderman kenna.
and the etiquette OF the Council chamber
may forbid familiarity. he will continue
through life as "Hinky Dink" or "tiink."
or III Dnk." or "Dinky" Kenna, the
little man from the First ward.
There are several stories as 10 how nc
/ came by his own peculiar name. Proba-
bly, the most correct explanation. and GER
tainly the one entitled TO the most ere
dence. is furnished by "Hinky Dink" him.
self. He says that the name was given
to him years ago when. with lot OF other
newsboys and Sinners" he used to go
swimming I'm the lake at the foot OF Van
Buren, street. He doesn't remember who
the boy was that named him so effectively
nor why he was thus distinguished.
Most of the boys / ran with I'm those
days had nicknames." said the First ward
Statesman, and mine came TO me before
! realized what they were calling me.
We were in swimming every warm day.
and / can only remember that it was
during those days that somebody started
calling me 'Hlnky Dink.' | don't know
why. one OF the boys was called 'Keelover'
on account OF his peculiar style ofdivng.
I've read all kinds Of stories about how
l was nicknamed. but they were all
wrong"
Politics is a game that "Hinky Dink-
oh no,
have higher regulations in that line. He
has been playing at IL ever since he was
boy. and he thinks there IL no better
fun. He is a fighter before whom some
Of the shrewdest Republicans and Dem
ocrats in the city have gone down He Is
conceded by friend and foe alike TO have
genius for organization. and the fact
that he was elected by plurality OF
over 300 proves something. even I'm the
First ward. Tom McNally aided i'm giving
him his start i'm politics, something like
twenty years ago. He wasn't old enough
to vote when he became prominent in bis
ward. He has been a delegate 10 every
Democratic city convention for ten years.
and has been a member OF the Central
Committee for the past five years. Now
he is an Alderman. When Alderman
Kenna takes his seat in the council cham
disappoint many Of those present on that
momentous occasion. His reputation as
a leader in the rough-and-tumble politics
Of his ward has served to create some very
strange Impressions among the citizens
Of Chicago concerning his personal ap-
pearance.
The real "Hinky Dink" IS nothing what
ever Ike the imaginary. A more inonen-
sve personality can scarcely be found IN
Chicago. He is as modest and retiring
as country parson. He will attract the
least attention Of any member Of the city
Council by his appearance He isn't big
enough TO half til an Alderman's chair
and could hide behind the desk which the
city has waiting for him. lie really stands
a chance OF being overlooked by Mayor
Harrison some night. The First ward boss
is 81 years old and has gray mixed with
the blond hairs that cover his head. he
stands feet inches. not high enough
TO reach the shoulders Of his worthy col
league and friend. Bath House" Cough
lin. When he is fieshy he is as heavy as
10 pounds. He parts his hair almost IN
the middle and wears a little blond mus
tache that effeciually conceals short
upper lip. His clothes are always quict
and I'm good taste. and he IS rarely guilty
Of wearing a collar that is not as near
spOiless as the laundry can make H. one
fairly good diamond stud adorns his neck
scarf and this. with a plain gold ring.
constitutes his stock OF jewelry. When
he gets out with the Cook County March
ing Club he puts on n silk hat that Is
almost a load for him to carry.
When "Hinky" struck out for himself
he took possession Of the southeast corner
Of Madison and Dearborn streets and sold