The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-10-17
Captain" Streeter, of Chi.
cago, Sued for $4,000
by Lawyer.
MADE" LAKE SHORE
BASIS OF THE SUIT
Old Boatman Stranded on Bar,
Which Grows" Into Valu-
able Property.

CHICAGO. Oct. I7.-Unless the unex-
pected should happen and Cap Street
er should raise $4,000 before tomorrow
noon, to satisfy a judgment for that
amount obtained for legal services by
his former attorney, w. G. Anderson,
the Captains" interests or alleged in
terests In the "Deestrict Of Lake Mich
igan"' will be sold 10 the highest bid
der tomorrow noon, under orders Of
the court This would put an end 70
Streeter's squatter career and shatter
his dreams Of wealth which were based
upon his alleged claim 70 a strip Of
made land along the shore Of Lake
Michigan extending Tor several blocks
north and south from the foot OF Chi
cagO avenue.
Captain George Wellington Street
er has been one Of the most noted
characters IN Chicago for more than
knew him and at times the uewspa pers
were fJu Of the accounts OF rhe sen
sational dOinEs. in ''Streeterville" as the
renowned District OF Lake Michigan"
was popularity called.
History Interesting.
Streeter's history is quite interesting
and Of an unusual character. The Cap
tain" is an old man now. somewhere
around the seventies, and Of his early
life comparatively little Of any interest
is on record. II was not until ISIS that
Streeter, then running a small vessel
the ''Reuten," engaged in general
transportation on Lake Michigan. be-
came, in the literal sense Of the word
fixture in Chicago Ills boat was
wrecked or rather ST. anded upon a
sand bar off the foot Of Chicago avenue
and Streeter. having 10 other home.
remained upon his strand ID craft, which
defied all efforts 70 remove II from the
bed Of sand upon which IL had found
a resting place.
In the course Of time the presence Of
the vessel upon the bank caused such
changes in the swlrllng currents along
that part Of the shore, that the waves
or the lake, which in some places greed
lly swallow the gravel and earth banks
along the shore. began TO add more
sand and gravel to the bank surround
ing Streeter's boat. After q while a
connection was formed with the land
and as the years passed the area Of
the aCcrstlOn continued TO increase. The
city and many contractors and private
individuals helped in making land
by filling. I'm the lagoon between the
old shore line and the bank.
Gets Charter for Land.
Streeter. who continued 10 live upon
the gained ground. fully realized the
value OF the made" land and early
in the nineties sought to establish his
right Of ownership 10 the valuable
and steadily growing strip OF shore
land, which adjOined one Of the most
fashionable sections Of the north side
Of the city. From the authorities in
Washington he obtained some kind
of a charter for what he called The
District OF Lake Michigan" and he
became commissioner and in fact the
whole government Of the new ter
At the fremont House. whore
Streeter had been living for a long
time, he established his headquart-
ers and there he sold lots in the dee
strict" 10 a great many people who
had faith in his claims. To IS believed
that some wealthy citizens were
backing Streeter financially. In the
I hope of making a fortune out Of the
big land scheme. Although holding
no position and having no visible
means Of support, Cap StTeeteT
used 20 be flush in those days ana
/ looked quite imposing IN his long
/ black frock coat and his tail silk hat.
when he received his friends at the
/ Old fremont House.
Property Owners Fight.
But the property owners along the
Lake OhoIc Dive Tearing IildL the
building up Of "StreetervilIe" would
depreciate the value of their prop
( erty. began a fight in the courts
/ against StreeteT. and for years thu
/ litigation was carried on with vary
| ing success. Efforts were made by
/ the city to Gust Streeter and his re
/ tanners from the ''deestrict,' but tho
/ Cap" had grit and defended his al
] Lon rnw1 q n rms
! against invasion. On one occasion
/ one Of the attackers was shot and
I killed and Streeter was sent 10 the
/ penitentiary for a year. Attorney w.
/ G. Anderson was instrumental IN
] bringing about StreeteT'S release and
/ for these and other services he claims
$4,000. As Streeter could not pay
. Anderson obtained judgment against
I him, 10 satisfy which tomorrow's sale
/ Is TO be held