The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-27
SoUATTERS' RIOT IN CHICAGO.
INVASION BY "THE DISTRICT OBJ
LAKE MICHIGAN"

streeter and His Little Force Built
Fortthcations on Land Near Linz
coin Park, Claimed by Him, and
Dehed the Police-An Armed Force
of Forty Men Was Sent Against
Them and They Surrendered 90 the
Police.
Chicago, May 26.--Chicago was invaded
at O'Clock this morning by the army OF
hostile state, numbering thirteen men,
"the District of Lake Michigan" Ths
invasion ended In a farce comedy, but
came near to being finished In deadly earn
est. The casualties include one boy shot
in the leg and one horse killed. Five Of
the invaders were arrested and the bal=
ance were allowed to escape.
The trouble was precipitated by Capt.
George w. Streeter, a squatter. who has
from, time to time, created much trouble
and litigation by his efforts to seize land
along the shore of Lake Michigan. The
land which he has for some time claimed
to be the District of Lake Michigan"
consists of made land on the shore Of
Lincoln Park, part OF II including one OF
the main park boulevards. The courts
have decided against the squatter again
and again, but he has been persistent in
his efforts to grab the property.
Streeter organized the force which made
the descent upon Lincoln Park to-day
but was not with them in person. Tho
boat containing the troops" led by will
liam Niles. arrived off Lincoln Park soon
after midnight. and Without difficulty
they made a landing at the foot of SUI
perior street and formally took possess
sion OF 1856 acres OF land claimed by Capt.
Streeter and his subjects as the independ-
ent territory, the District OF Lake Michi-
gan.
The landing was conducted quietly, but
was not unobserved. Police officer James
O'Mally was on guard and hastened to
send report of the matter to the East
Chicago Avenue station, which, in turn.
transmitted the information to Inspector
Heidelmeyer. II was decided to take no
action against the invaders until after
consultation with the city law depart-
ment.
BuiIt Fortincations.
Immediately on landing a line of forth
1cations was marked out A line of plank
was laid along the western edge OF the
claimed territory, and a barbed wire was
stretched about a foot above 1t. Two
forts, each about twelve feet square, and
formed of an embankment of dirt and pill
ing about FIVE feet high were hastily
thrown UP, on either side of Superior
street SentInels were detailed 10 patrol
O picket line just inside the barbed wire.
Inspector Heidelmeyer had reported the
invasion to Chief of Police Kipley, and the
latter, was deep in consultation with the
| city law department trying 10 determine
the exact legality of any attempt of the
police to evict the squatters Meanwhile,
although riot call after riot call had been
sent in, The police remained inactive and
Niles and his men remained in possession
Park officials then took hand In the
game. Capt Baer of the park police at
tempted to enter the squatters' territory
but was fired upon by Niles.
1t Is supposed that Niles did not mean
TO wound the captain for he appeared TO
aim only at the horse. The horse fell dead
and one of the shots, having sped beyond,
wounded Reuben Manly, IA years OF age.
who was one OF the crowd of curious on
lockers. The ball struck his right knees
inilicting serious wound.
End of the Campaign.
The conference in the Office of Acting
Mayor Walker, was long and the legal as
poets of the case were carefully gone over.
lt was determined that the sduatters
should be driven out at any cost and Chief
OF Police Ripley was instructed at once
to mobolize forces and use such meas
ures as might be necessary.
AS soon as the conference had conclud-
ed Chief OF Police Ripley began TO use
the telephone. The fire tug Illinois was de-
tailed to carry forty men with rifles down
the river to approach the district from
the lake. Reserve forces were ordered to
rendezvous. Orders were Issued to bring
up the police battery consisting of one
Gatling gun and two smoothbores.
At o'clock 800 policemen gathered at
the East Chicago avenue police station.
The impending conflict ended in q
nasco about 315 o'clock When Niles
and his four men, all that was left of his
army. heard that they were to be ousted-
they send word to Capt. Baer request
Ing a parley. Upon his appearance the
five men surrendered and were escorted
60 the East Chicago Avenue police sta
tlon. On the way there the police at
tempted to dlsarm the members OF the
army and the effort of the squatters
TO retain their rifles created some COM
motion
Streeter caused TO be circulated by the
men who took possession Of the land a
grandlloquent proclamation written after
the style Of the Declaration OF Independ-
ence, in which ne stated at great length
that the land did not belong 90 the state
Of Illinois, nor anybody else, and was
the property Of whosoever settled upon
It. He is now threatening legal procedure
against everybody.
-1--p~s--
COOGAN's DIG CONTRIBUTION.