The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1900-05-28
HE DEFIES POLICE
Chlc3yO Man Seizes a Tract
Of Park Land Claiming a
Title Thereto.
Has Two Gatling Guns and a
Force Of Half a Hundred
Armed Men.
Park Board Authorities Seeking
an Interview Fired on and
Put to Flight.

CHICAGO, May 2S.-With an armed
body Of 20 men, two rapid fire guns and
some barbed wire for entanglements
Captain George Streeter took possession
OF lS6 acres Of land here. After hoist
ing the United States flag his men
threw up two intrenchments and
planted in each one Of the rapid fire
guns.
Shortly before noon blood was spilled
before Captain Streeter's stronghold.
Pickets thrown out by the occupants of
the trenches discovered a party ap.
preaching from the direction of Lin
coin park, consisting Of Park Superin-
tendent Redieski and Secretary Erby,
reinforced by policeman. Calls of
halt failed to stop the park officials,
who were bent upon finding out who
was encroaching upon their ground. A
volley from the pickets' rifles
Quickly Put to Flight
the investigating party, however, and
one Of the bullets struck a l4.year.old
boy-Reuben Manley-in the right
knee, lnfiicting severe wound
The park officials fed to patrol box
and turned in riot call A force of 20
or 30 policemen, armed with revolvers
and clubs, hurried to the scene from the
Chicago Avenue station. When the
officer in command saw the display of
force, Gatling guns being pointed his
way over the intrenchments, he ordered
a retreat. The police Immediately re.
turned to the Chicago Avenue station
where 20 policemen We're armed with
rifles and ordered to remain, pending a
decision on the part of the city law de-
partment as TO the legality Of All attack
on the Streeter forces. In the shooting
which
Greeted the Park Officials
on their attempt TO enter Streeter's al.
legged domain bullet pierced SeCre.
tary Erby's carriage horse and the ami
NAL died an hour later.
Captain Streeter claims to own the
land which, We're the title clear, would
be worth between $50, 900 and $50, 600.
An extremely fine point Of law is in.
volved in the case. Captain Streeter
has issued declaration Of independ.
ence" setting forth his alleged rights
TO the property and has served copy
upon the United States marshal of the
district Chief kipley was i'll favor OF
placing Captain Streeter and his asso-
ciates under arrest regardless of conse.
auences. Before this plan could be put
into operation, however. the city au.
thorities decided to take no rash step
and TO lay the whole matter before the
CORPORATION counsel for his
Interpretation of the Law.
shortly after l o'clock Corporation
Counsel Walker decided that in view Of
the decision by the supreme court OF
the United States that the land claimed
by Streetcr is territory Of the State OF
Illinois, the city forces could not legally
precipitate battle with Streeter's 5
forces. which at that hour were in.
creased by an additional so men armed
with rifles. Mr.. Walker expressed the
opinion that the matter could only be
settled by the state authorities. which
control the park police, large number
of whom are stationed in Lincoln park.
In case Of a collision between the park
police and Streeter's men the city au.
thorities will then lend their aid and
not untill then.