The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1899-12-30
M'cLAUGHRY AND A CONVICT.
How the weli-Known Chicago Chief
OF Police Won n Mans
Allegiance.

-
Maj. r. W. McClaughry, who recently
resigned from the wardenship OF the
Joliet penitentiary 10 accept a like po-
sition at Lcavenworth, Kan had enc
champion on the Chicago police force,
who, up 10 his death, a few years Ego,
would fight for him ct any time.
served his sentence Of one year Tor
larceny at Joliet during McClaughry's
first administration as warden. Upon
his release from prison the young man
returned TO Chicago, where he had
many friends who were willing to give
him a helping hand. The offense for
which b. was sent to prison wa done
more in the spirit Of a boyish prank
than any criminal intent, but he was
In the company Of ar ex-copvict at the
time, and but for that fact he might
have escaped with a short Jail sentence.
Soon after his return 10 Chicago he
got a position in a wholesale house, and
he applied himself to the work with
more than ordinary energy. He attend
ed church regularly, something he did
not do before going to prison, and every
act proved him worthy of the confidence
placed in him by his friends.
Time went on, and he made applica-
tion for a position on the police force.
According to the rules Of the depart
ment no mar who has ever been CON
yicted Of a felony can become a police
man, and in order properly to fill out
the application blank he had to perjure
himself. The signers Of his application
were men Of prominence in ward roli
tics, and he had no difficulty In secur-
ing his appointment. He was stationed
at a downtown crossing when Maj. Nc
Claughrey was appointed chief OF police
under Mayor Washburn In 1891.
One day the policeman was recog.
nlzed by an ex-convict. They had
worked together In the same shop In
prison, and the policeman had once
whipped the other fellow for abusing d
crippled convict. The opportunity 70
get even with the bluecoat for the chas.
tlsement given years before presented
itself, and in less than an hour n com
handing officer was told OF the police
mans Imprisonment at Joliet.
Maj. McClaughry sent for the officer
and when the latter entered the chief
Office, ignorant of why he was called
there, Maj. McClaughry instantly rec
ognized him. The officer did not deny
his Identity. He looked his chic
squarely In the face and said:
"Chief, It Is true; / have been a con
Wet in the Joliet penitentiary. l wal
sent there some years ago for a crime
for which the severest punishment
ought not to have been more than 81
days in Jail. ] was the victim OF circum
stances;I still l have never complained
l served II long months for my youth
full folly, and 1t Is unnecessary for m,
to tell you my prison behavior. Friend
induced me to go On the police force
and l have performed my duties faith
fully as an officer Of the law. lam mai
ried and the father Of three children
! II Is for my wife and little ones that
plead. You have the power TO discharg
me from the police force, and perhap
send me back to Joliet for committin.
perjury. | am an e~x-convict; treat m
ms you think you should be treate
, yourself II our positions were reversed.
Tears were in the majors eyes. II