Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1900-05-26
Capt. Steeter Takes Forclhle
Possession of 1856 Acres
of Lake Front.
PREsBYTERIANs' LAST DAY
Captain to be Court MartlaIed
for Killing a FiIIplno-Duel
Fought to the Death.
COTTNFIRM OWES $4,000, 900

Chicago, May 26-With twenty
armed men. two rapid fire guns and
some barbed wire for making entangle-
ments, Captain George Steeter today
took possession of 1876 acres of the
lake front at the foot Of Superior
street, hoisted a United States flag
and threw up two trenches. Shortly
before noon pickets discovered a par
ty approaching, consisting Of Park
Superintendent Redieski, Secretary
Erby, and a policeman. A volley from
the pickets' rifles quickly put to flight
the investigating party. One bullet
struck fourteen year old boy, Ru-
ben Manley in the right knee. The
park officials turned in a riot call
Thirty policemen armed with revol-
vers and clubs, hurried to the scene,
When the officer in command saw the
display of force he ordered a retreat.
Arrangements are being made to
.arm the police with Winchester rifles
and endeavor to capture the Streeter
forces.
The land that Streeter claims is
worth $S0,00O,O0O Years ago he took
possession of sand bar off the shore,
THE accretions to which finally con-
nected it to the main land. The su-
preme court Of the United States de.
Cided that the land was within the
jurisdiction of the state of Illinois.
He was elected year ago by the po-
lice.
Forty policemen were armed with
rides and ordered to remain at the
Chicago avenue station by Chief of
Police Ripley. pending the decision
of the city law Department. as to the
legality of the attack on the streeter
forces.
Acting Mayor and Corporation Coun-
sci Walker decided that in view of
the decision of the supreme court of
the United States, the land claimed
by Streeter is territory of the state
of Illinois, and the police forces could
not legally precipitate a battle with
:Streeter's forces. Mr. Walker ex-
pressed the opinion that the matter
could only be settled by the state
authorities who control the park po-
lice.
Chicago, Ills, May 26-At 2:3O this
afternoon 300 police officers of the
city, headed by Chief Kipley, every
man bearing repeating rife march
ed to the foot of Superior street
Sheriff McGerstadt went with tht
chief of police. It was planned tha
in case of Streeters refusal to surrend
er the sheriff should immediatel,
swear in the 300 police officers as dep
uty sheriffs and arrest the occupant
of the fort regardless of cost.
Chicago, May 26-At S:15 o'clocl
"Brigadier General Niles and fou
of his men, perceiving an overwhelm
Ing force of police approaching. climt
ed over the emplacements of thei
improvised fort and offered to surrent
er to the park police, providing the
were protected. The surrender. wa
accepted and. the park policeme
started on foot toward the polio
station, followed by an immens
crowd. This crowd pushed and jos
led Niles, who suddenly whirled roun
and tried to bayonet one of his pc
,secutors. A rough and tumble figf
ensued. Niles rifle was wrenche
from his hands and clubs were freel
ltised on the erstwhile "Brigadier Gel
ceral's" head. He was knocked dow
sand was about to draw a revolvt
when he was manacled and dragged 0
lby the officers.
The four men were also roughl
handled in the melee. The remand,
OF the Streeter force, seeing the IA
of their leader, deserted their gur
and escaped in the throng. The p
lice at once took charge of the 70
with its entire complement of arm
and ammunition Captain Street
was not found in the fort.