The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-02-23

But Streeter was before and after
them, claiming that the state never
had the title to give In this 20 mile
strip surveyed by Wall. Then Streeter
sold and gave away enough lots to in
terest capitalists and workers, and
shortly organized the Independent Dis
trict OF Lake Michigan. That rs now
we come to have one more sovereign
body than most of us know about, and
a civil war that has upset the peace
of at least half dozen millionaire
land owners. For the filled lands OF the
Does trio are already worth at
least $25, 0o0. 600.
1t was on May 5, 1892 that war was
declared by the District against Chica-
go. 1t was a quiet day to begin with,
but along toward noon sounds of war
were heard growing loud in the dis
lance. Over Rush street bridge in
martial array came an army OF forty
men, Streeter at their head, with ban
ner and drum, marching to seize their
country. Streeter's red whiskers wag-
ged, and his shiny silk hat nodded to
acquaintances along the way-for he
Is Gap" to half Chicago-and the sun
light glinted from enormous nickel plat
ed stars on the bosoms of the army
They were self-constituted United
States marshais" for the "Deestric' !"
and the bosoms behind the stars were
filled with war sentiment. They went
up Rush street to Ontario and out on
to the filing, stuck a Flagstaff i'm the
ground, pasted a sign on a shanty to
serve as court house, George We'll
lington Streeter. Clerk" labelled an
other shanty Capitol" and so COM
pleted the occupation.
Now, D. gosh, let them feilers come"
said Streeter. wen show 'edn now,
b-gosh. We got tn United States on
our side, an they amt a-going to buck
UP agin tn govamint. This amt llli-ly
here, an them fellers amt got no
rights in this Deestric'. If any army
of cops comes over here III arrest 'em,
b-gosh."
Crowds of north side citizens gather
ed to watch the Gap" who sat undis-
turbed under the shadow of grow
ing war cloud. He was thronged in
cane bottom rocking chair, on mound
before the court house, while small boys
and reporters fiocked about him. Cap s
forty men fingered their stars and re-
volvers, ordered the small boys about,
talked of what they would do to the
police, and one by one crawled under
a barbwire fence and faded away
Not until the next morning could
the police complete their preparations
for the first battle. In the north sac
headquarters, on Chicago avenue, IN
EDecIOT Max SaNhCAC0 NV
bluecoats, and along toward noon these
advanced to the attack. They moved
in wagons and on foot, with Make
at their head. AS on the day before,
Cap" sat peacefully in his rocking
chair before the court houSe-unat-
tended now save for the spectators,
while a lake breeze toyed with his IA
NOUS red whiskers. Cap was readins
a newspaper, and when he heard--ol
q he Cd
bluecoats that, led by Make" stole
softly through hole in the fence and
tnassed before him, he made no sign
But the <crowd was visibly nervous,
the bluecoats even more SO, ana
Make" most of all.
Suddenly stepping three PAGES tor-
ward the inspector threw up his right
hand. All Chicago recognized the
gesture, and shuddered. Make" had
taken the "fIaymarket" attitude. copy
ing as faithfully as his portly figure
would allow the graceful bronze o"1cer
who guards the scene OF the anarchist
riots. When a Chicago police officer
strikes that attitude the citizens know
there is something doing SO they
awaited the next move in breathless ST.
lence. Each OF the 200 bluecoats ner-
vously fingered his pistol.
At this instant, in voice meant 10
he thunderous, Make" repeated the
words craven at the foot of the statue;
an der name of der beebles of llii-
nois, commands be8ce.
There was no response from cap"
who still read his paper.
an der name OF der beebles or iii
nos, I command you to disperse.
"EYold on thar" came from Streeter.
.J CANT disperse. They amt but one
o. me. I'd do it If I could, Max, but
/ CANT"
True enough, the army had aban-
doned ITS leader, and he had not even
chIb for a weapon The bluecoats
looked relieved and drew nearer.
well, you got 10 go oud mid here,
sasd the inspector, relaxing his atti-
tude.
81 won't go except by force" said
the captain. and so he was borne In
his chair to patrol wagon and then
to the station and booked for refusal
TO dispense when so ordered. Next day,
when the Justice read the charge, he
let Cap" go, as It was manifestly i'm
possible for him to nave obeyed the
order.
Independent District of Lake Michi-
gan by the forces OF Illinois resulted IN
the temporary overthrow Of the young
republic and a victory for the state.
Rut IL would not be according to the
spirit of the American people to give
in after a single defeat, and Cap Is
of long generations American. In the
months that followed he gradually or
ganized an army, giving building lots
to soldiers who agreed to hight Tor
their homes, and interesting more cap
italists. He made his headquarters, on
the parlor floor of a leading downtown
hosiery. and apparently was well pro-
vfded with funds--a novel situation for
the weather beaten squatter. Maria re-
yelled in new bonnets OF gorgeous con-
struction, and their affairs were pros
porous. incidentally cap reused up
as tie commander chief of his forces
one Niuiarn II. Niles, ex-cowboy, ex-
merit rifle and pistol shot and soldier Of
fortune. who was also constituted JUS
tice OF the peace. in the "Deestrict."
Gen. Niles planned well and secretly.
In the still hours Of a May night In
1900 he embarked an army OF sixteen
men, a case of Springfield and VIM
chester rifles. cartridges and provisions,
on the navy OF the DiStrict-an old
fishing sloop, and transported them
TO the shore OF the disputed land. There
they landed. and when daylight came
they had constructed two forts. sunk
below the ground, with ramparts and
roofs. and with a slit in each for firing
through, commanding Superior street,
and. in fact the whole district. The
forts were backed by the lake and
were protected by what appeared to
be a Calling gun. but which was aft
erward found to be only a fence post
on wheels. At dawn the Stars and
stripes were hOlsted from a pole. Sem
tries patrolled every approach,
A.