The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-05-27

Chicago, May 26.-Chicago was in
vaded at 1 o'clock this morning by the
army of a hostile state numbering thir-
teen men-the District of Lake Mich
igan." The invasion ended in a farce
comedy, but came near to being I'm
ished in deadly earnest.
The casualties include one boy shot
in the leg and one horse killed.
Five of the invaders were arrested
and the balance. were allowed to es-
cape.
The trouble was precipitated by Cap
tain George w. Streeter, a squatter,
who has from time to time created
much trouble and litigation by his Ell
forts 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 short near Lincoln
park, part Of it including one Of the
main park boulevardS. The courts nave
decided against the squatter again and
again, but he has been persistent in his
efforts to grab the property. He claims
that made land along the nois shore
does not belong TO the state Of Illinois.
but is instead public domain, free TO
whoever settles upon it.
Transport Brings the Troops.
Streeter organized the force which
made the descent upon Lincoln park
today, but was not with them in per-
SON The transport containing the
troops arrived off Lincoln park soon
after midnight Without difficulty the
army made a landing at the foot Of
=
session of 1856 acres of land claimed by
Captain Streeter and his subjects as the
Independent territory, the District Of
Lake Michigan.
Rapid fire guns, it is alleged, were
on the transport decks, ready to cover,
if necessary, the landing of the troops,
but the shores were soon protected and
without opposition the men made their
way through the surf, rallied around
their leader "CommandaDt' William
Niles, and hoisted an American flag in
the center of the invaded district.
officer Spreads the Claim.
Police officer James O'AIaney was on
guard at the shore and FASTENED to
send a report of the invasion to the
East Chicago avenue station, which in
turn transmitted the Information to IN
spector HeideImeer. It was decided to
take no action against the invaders un-
til after consultation with the city law
department. AS far as legal advice was
concerned the invaders had I'll the bet
ter of it.
The "commandant" is the legal au-
thority of the district government,
holding, besides his military title, that
of general justice of the supreme court.
TJn4ar his orders the transport which
is known only as "Bickleburg's sail
boat" hove to and dropped anchor.
Then, it is alleged, there were landed
seventy-fve Springfield rifles, with 1.200
rounds of ammunition and two gatling
guns.
Fortifcations Are Built.
Immediately on landing a line of for
tificatiOnes was marked out. A line of
plank was laid along the western edge
of the claimed territory and a barbed
wire fence was stretched about a foot
above it. Two forts, each about twelve
feet square and forming an embank-
ment of dirt and piling about five feet
high were hastily thrown up, in either
side of Superior street.
Sentinels were detailed to patrol a
picket line Just inside the barbed Wire.
The "commandant" gave orders to his
men that no one should be allowed to
cross this line.
Although riot calls were turned in
and Chief of Police KiDley was per
sonalIy notified. the city law depart
ment was consulted before any action
was taken by the police.
Charles E. Erby, secretary of the Lin
coin park board. was the first official
to attenapt to force the line, but the
determined and threatening attitude OF
the invaders compelled him to with
draw.
Boy and Horse Shot.
A short time after Paul Rediesko
Lincoln park superintendent, came hur-
rying up in his buggy. but, facing the
situation, he withdrew At this june
ture CAPTAIN Barney Baer of the park
police dashed UP in his buggy and at
tempted to force his way across the
line. AS his horse would have crossed
the boundary" General Niles ran for
ward and fired four shots from a gun
1t is supposed that he did not mean tC
wound the captain. for he appeared tC
aim only ct the horse. The horse Eel
dead. One Of the shots, having sped
beyond. wounded Reuben Manley, L
years of age, who was one Of the CROWD
of curious lookers-on. The ball strucH