The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-05-26
READY FOR WAR.
Capt. George Streeter at the
Head of 20 Men.
Lands ON a Section of Chicago
With Arms.
TWO A p FIRE GUNS
Are Planted ON Hastily Erected
Entertainments.
FOrtlfies With Barb Wire and
HOSTS American Flag.
Police Are Paralyzed With
AstOnishment.
TWO RAPID FIRE GUNS

Chicago, May 26.-With an armed
body of twenty men, two rapid fire guns
and some barbed wire for making en-
tanglements, Capt. George Streeter to-
day took possession of 1S6 acres of land
here. After hosting the United States
flag his men threw up two intrench-
ments and planted in each one of the
rapid fire guns.
shortly before noon blood was shed
before Captain Streeter's stronghold.
Pickets thrown out by the occupants of
the trenches discovered a party ap-
preaching from the direction of Lincoln
Park. consisting of Park Superintend-
ent Redieski and Secretary Erby, rein
forced by a policeman. Calls OF halt"
failed to stop the park officials who
We're bent upon finding out who was
'encroaching upon their ground"
a vOlley from the pickets' rifles quick
~ put to flight the Investigating party,
however, and one of the bullets struck
"a 14-year-old boy, Reuben Manley, in
The right knee, INJECTING a severe
wound.
The park officials fled to a patrol box
and turned in a 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 Off
Ger in saw the display OF
force, eating guns being pointed his
way over the entertainments he ordered
q retreat.
The police Immediately returned to
the Chicago VENUE stations, where ar
Iangements were made to arm them
with rifles, in an endeaVOr
to capture the Staeeter forces.
Forty policemen were armed with
rifles and ordered to remain at.the Chi
cago venue station by Chief of Police
kipleyi pending a decision on the part
Of the city law department as to the
legality Of an attack on the Streeter
forces Up to O'Clock the corporation
counse had not reached an opinion on
the matter, but was expected to do SO
momentarily
In the shooting which greeted the
park officials on their attempt to enter
Streeter's alleged domain a bullet
pierced Secretary ErbiuS' carriage
horse and the animal died an hour
. later. Measures were being taken by
the police department to meet what
they expected to be the greatest battle
between the police and opposing forces
since the Haymarket riot. In every
section of the city patrOlmen were
called from their beats wherever prac-
ticable and placed upon reserve in the
police stations.
An extremely fine point Of law is in
volved in the case. Streeter has issued
a declaration OF independence, setting
forth his alleged lights to the property,
and served a copy upon the United
States marshal of the district. The po-
lice felt that they We're amply able to
wipe out Streeter's forces and were bent
upon doing 50 because of the fact that
the men were apparently bearing arms
in defiance of the statutes Of Illinois.
Chief Ripley was in favor of immedi-
ately descending upon the Streeterites
and placing them under arrest, regard
less Of consequences. Before the plan
could be put into operation. however,
the city authorities decided to take no
rash step and lay the whole matter
before the corporation counsel for his
Interpretation of the law.
Gharf1a~ nFFg4~ as-r--r- 49,
Mayor and Corporation Counsel Walker
decided that, in view Of the decision by
the supreme court of the United States
that the land claimed by Streeter is
territory Of the state Of Illinois, the city
police forces could not legally pre-
cipitate a battle with Streeter's
forces, which at that hour We're
increased by an additional 6ftv men
armed with rifles. Mr.. Walker express
ed the opinion that the matter could
only be settled by the state authorities
who control the park police, a large
number Of whom are stationed in Lin
coin park. Streeter, it is said. will par
ley with the park police but viii not
agree to abide by their wishes and evac-
uate his fort. In the case of a collision
between the park police and Streeter's
men the city authorities viii then lend
their aid and not until then. 1t was
reported that Governor Tanner who is
In the city was asked to call o the
state troops to arrest Captain Streeter
$1,000 ~ +AAAAN ~
seen. however, said that he had not
even heard of the matter.
Acting Mayor Walkers ruling in re-
gard TO the jurisdiction OF the city DO
lice seems rather peculiar to me- he
said. The city authorities have never
heretofore allowed a technical question
of jurisdiction to interfere with the
crossing of b~oulevards to oueU riots
and put down disturbances. They did
not in 1898, at least. When. however tbe
city and county authorities report to me
that they are powerless in the matter.
] may take some action"
Captain Streeter claims to own the
land, which were the title clear would
be worth between thirty and fifty mill
lions of dollars.
I 1888 Captain Streeter and his wife
were stranded on a little sandbar a few
yards from the shore at the foot of
Superior street. The spot was not down
on the maps and the doughty navigator
laid claim to the land, and declared his
right, being the whole population. to
elect himself to all the offices which he.
in framing a constitution. deemed the
territory in need of. AS the years
passed the dumping Of all sorts of
refuse and the earth washed up by the
lake formed a large tract and CAPTAIN
StFeeter became a man of Importance.
With his Importance and the increased
value of the land his troubles began.
The tract became connected with the
shore, and owners of adjoining prop
erty resented the presence of Captain
Streetcr and the retainers he had gath
cred about him. They CARED the mat
ter into court. The supreme court OF
the United States decided that the land
was within the jurisdiction of the state
of Illinois. Streeter thereupOn offered
the district to the federal government.
A year ago he organized under the
name District of Lake Michigan, a ter
81 TAaALz LH--N