Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2014 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Celebrated Criminal Cases of America Thomas Samuel Duke, Captain of Police, San Francisco Pub. James H. Barry Co., San Francisco, CA - 1910 [395] THE HAYMARKET RIOT IN CHICAGO, IN WHICH EIGHT POLICE OFFICERS WERE KILLED AND SIXTY-EIGHT WOUNDED. THE TRAGIC SUI- CIDE OF THE BOMBMAKER AND EXECUTION OF FOUR OF THE CONSPIRATORS. (From Captain Schaack's History of the Case.) The first symptoms of an anarchistic movement in the United States appeared in 1878, at which time the leaders openly advocated the destruction of all forms of society, re- ligion and government. On Thanksgiving Day, 1884, they paraded in Chicago, and for the first time in America, exhibited the black flag. At this time, A. R. PARSONS, the editor of a sheet called the "Alarm," SAMUEL FIELDEN, OSCAR NEEBE and AUGUST SPIES, the editor of the "Arbeitzer Zeitung," were the recognized leaders in Chicago. SPIES hated the police because Officer TAMILLO had found it necessary to kill his brother, a young tough, who was raising a disturbance at a picnic. While PARSONS was cautious as to the manner in which he expressed himself in the "Alarm," he threw caution to the winds while addressing a mob, when he believed none of the authorities were present. On the evening of January 12, 1885, a secret meeting was held at Mueller's Hall, at Sedgwick street and North avenue, during which Officer H. HOFFMAN was present in disguise. PARSONS opened the meeting, but before addressing the as- sembly, he asked his brethern to scrutinize those present and if they saw any enemy in the hall, to strangle him and throw him out the window. After becoming satisfied that he was addressing none but anarchists, he discussed the merits of a new invention which he exhibited and stated that they were for the purpose of burn- ing buildings. He called them "little darlings," and informed his hearers [396] that instructions to their use would be cheefully given at 107 Fifth avenue, where the office of their leading paper, the "Alarm," was located. On February 16, 1886, differences arose between the Mc- Cormick Harvester Co. and their employees, and the anarchists, through one LOUIS LINGG, endeavored in every conceivable manner to convince the employees that the only way they could accomplish their object would be by the use of violence. On March 2, 1886, PARSONS, SPIES and MICHAEL SCHWAB, an as- sitant editor under SPIES, called a mass meeting, and their incendiary speeches caused E. E. SANDERSON, representing the strikers, to denounce the proceeding as being injurious to their cause. On May 3, the anarchists made an attack upon McCorkmick's place for the purpose of bringing about a conflict between the police and the strikers, believing that it would then be easier to persuade the latter to become anarchists. After a terrific battle, the police repulsed the mob. Editor SPIES also tried to persuade the strikers to commit acts of violence, but not meeting with success, he, PARSONS, FEILDEN, NEEBE, GEORGE ENGEL, who conducted the paper called the "Anarchist," and an employee of his named ADOLPH FISCHER, arranged for a secret conference at Greif's Hall, No. 54 West Lake street, on the evening following the day of this battle. One GOTTFIED WALLER presided at this meeting and he subsequently informed the authorities of all that transpired on that occasion. At this meeting it was decided that the German word "Ruhe," meaning "peace," would be the signal to sum- mon their brethern to action. On the next day, May 4, 1886, the signal word "Ruhe" appeared in the anarchist's papers, and a circular was printed which read as follows: "ATTENTION! "Great Mass Meeting to-night at 7:30 o'clock at the Hay- market, Randolph street, between Desplaines and Halsted. "Good speakers will be present to denounce the latest atrocious act of the police, the shooting of our fellow workmen yesterday afternoon." [397] "Haymarket square" is a continuation of Randolph street. It is paved and about two hundred feet wide for a distance of two blocks. It was given this name by reason of the fact that in years gone by farmers congregated at this point to sell their hay, etc. Anticipating trouble, one hundred and seventy-six police officers were assigned to this place under command of In- spector JOHN BONFIELD, Capt. WM. WARD and Lieut. (later Chief) G. W. HUBBARD, but they were instructed not to inter- fere unless inflammatory language was used or some unlawful act committed. At 8 p.m. a crowd of 3000 people had assembled. SPIES mounted a wagon and urged workingmen to arm themselves for defense if they wished to cope with the "Gov- ernment hirelings." PARSONS then made a speech, during which Mayor HAR- RISON mingled with the crowd of listeners, and after referring to PARSONS' speech as harmless he left the scene. FIELDEN then took the stand (or wagon) and he began by advising his followers to "Kill the law, exterminate the capi- talists, and do it to-night." As the crowd was becoming excited, Inspector BONFIELD decided that the time for action had arrived. He marched his men up to the gathering and as FIELDEN saw them approaching, he cried: "Here come the bloodhounds. You do your duty and I'll do mine." Captain WARD then ordered the gathering to disperse. At this moment FIELDEN jumped from the wagon and when he reached the sidewalk he cried out so all could hear him: "We are 'peaceable.'" The word "Ruhe" (peace) was to be the signal for action and the instant FIELDEN made this remark, a bomb, lighted and hissing like a skyrocket, was hurled in the midst of the police. The explosion, which immediately followed, could be heard for blocks. This was instantly followed by hundreds of pistol shots, both from the police and anarchists. [398] Officers and rioters were falling in all directions, but by a magnificent display of bravery, the officers remaining on their feet rallied, and in the face of heavy fire, they swept all before them. The dead and dying were then conveyed to the Desplaines Street station. As the anarchists who escaped un- injured returned and removed many of the bodies of their fallen comrades and escorted the wounded to their homes, the total number of those killed or wounded during the riot was never learned, but the following officers were killed: M. J. DEGAN, M. SHEEHAN, GEORGE MULLER, JOHN BARRETT, THOMAS REDDEN, TIMOTHY FLAVIN, NELS HANSEN and TIMOTHY SULLIVAN. In addition to this, sixty-eight officers were wounded, many becoming cripples for life. As it was evident that the throwing of this bomb was not the work of one crank, but the result of a deep-laid conspiracy, the officers bent their energies to apprehend and procure legal evidence against the chief conspirators. As the office of the "Arbeitzer Zeitung" was the head- quarters of the leaders of the organization, a raid was made on the place on the following morning and manuscript was found which subsequently proved valuable to the authorities. Among others arrested at this place was ADOLPH FISCHER. When arrested, this man had a revolver and a dagger made out of a file in his possession. An examination showed that the dagger had been dipped in a deadly poison. AUGUST SPIES, CHRIS. SPIES, MICHAEL SCHWAB, OSCAR NEEBE and SAMUEL FIELDEN were arrested on May 5. RUDOLPH SCHNAUBELT, who was a close friend of those already arrested, was taken into custody on May 6, but unfortunately was re- leased almost immediately afterward. (The seriousness of this mistake on the part of the officials will appear later.) A search was made for PARSONS but he escaped, although he subsequently surrendered under the most sensational cir- cumstances. As there seemed to be considerable dissension in the de- tective office, little progress was made toward making a case against the prisoners until Capt. M. SCHAACK informed Chief [399] EBERSOLD that he had valuable information, and asked for and obtained permission to handle the case. The captain then detailed six of his best detectives, noted for their bravery, ability and integrity, to assist him. (Among them was HERMANN F. SCHUETTLER, now assistant superintendent of police, who has acquired a national reputation because of the great ability he displayed in handling the Cronin, Luetgert, Car Barn, and numerous other famous murder cases, and who is now justly regarded as one of the most capable and con- scientious police officials in America.) A few days afterward, the officers located a bomb factory at 442 Sedgwick street, the residence of an anarchist named WM. SELIGER, a carpenter by trade. He was placed under arrest and subsequently admitted that LOUIS LINGG lived there and made the bombs. On May 12, JOHN THIELEN, a carpenter, residing at 509 North Halsted street, was arrested, and after a severe cross- examination, admitted that he assisted LINGG and SELIGER to make twenty-two bombs on Sunday, May 2. He claimed that LINGG volunteered to make bombs for anybody who would throw them, and on the evening of the riot, LINGG, according to THIELEN'S confession, carried a satchelful of bombs to 58 Clybourn avenue, and told the anarchists there assembled to help themselves. THIELEN also stated that he attended the meeting on May 3, when GEORGE ENGEL instructed those present as to the plans for the following evening. It was presumed that the circular would cause the police to hold a large reserve force of officers at the different sta- tions in the suburbs, and details of anarchists armed with bombs, were instructed to remain near the different stations, until they saw an illumination near the Haymarket, to be caused by burning a building immediately after the bomb was thrown. They were then to blow up the stations. As the reserve forces at several of these stations consisted of from fifty to one hundred and twenty men, it can be imagined what would have happened if this plan had not miscarried. [400] The anarchists had so much faith in their bombs that they figured there would be no officers left at the Haymarket after they finished their work, and that they would have ample opportunity to start a conflagration. But when the brave officers rallied and charged them, they scattered in all directions and their desire to illuminate the heavens was im- mediately overcome by a greater desire to save their heads from the officers' batons. Mrs. SELIGER, at whose home the bombs were made, stated that she had an idea of the fiendish work LINGG had on hand, and she got down on her knees and begged her husband to accompany him that night and to prevent him from committing any depredation. SELIGER promised his wife that he would do her bidding and then kissed her good-by. LINGG was with the gang detailed to destroy one of the police stations, and SELIGER remained by his side constantly. LINGG requested him to keep his cigar lighted so that he could ignite his fuse at a second's notice. Suddenly the patrol wagon loaded with officers dashed out of the station, en route to the Haymarket. LINGG asked for the lighted cigar, but the light had gone out and SELIGER pre- tended to be searching his pockets for matches until the patrol wagon had passed. LINGG became furious when he saw the wagon load of officers disappear down the street. On May 14, Detective SCHUETTLER traced LINGG to the home of GUSTAVE KLEIN, at 80 Ambrose street. LINGG was as ferocious as a tiger, as cunning as a fox and as strong as a lion. Mr. SCHUETTLER, who is a man of magnificent physique, and noted for his bravery, burst in the door, whereupon LINGG sprang at him and fought like a demon. He attempted to shoot the officer but was finally overpowered and taken to jail. Among LINGG'S effects was a letter from his mother, informing him that he was her illegitimate son. On May 18, ERNST HUBNER, a carpenter, residing at 11 Mohawk street, was arrested, and he subsequently confessed that he assisted LINGG to make bombs on May 4. [401] HUBNER also substantiated the statement made by THIELEN regarding the instructions given by ENGEL on May 3. On May 19, ENGEL, who then conducted a toy store at 286 Milwaukee avenue, was arrested, but he denied all the accusa- tions made against him. On May 20, GOTTFIED WALLER, who acted as chairman of the meeting on May 3, was arrested and on May 24 he was brought before ENGEL and corroborated the statements previ- ously made by HUBNER and THIELEN regarding ENGEL'S instruc- tions. On May 20, OTTO LEHMAN, a carpenter, was arrested, and he admitted that he attended the meeting on May 3 and heard LINGG and SCHWAB advise those present to arm themselves and seek revenge on the police on the following evening. He also stated that FISCHER agreed to have the circulars printed announcing the Haymarket meeting. A great number of well-known anarchists were then ar- rested and in nearly every instance they told the police all they knew to save themselves. A young man named CHAS. BROWN called upon Captain SCHAACK and stated that he was in sympathy with some of the teachings of the anarchists, but that he was bitterly opposed to violence. As he attended the meetings, he was well posted and volunteered to assist the authorities. His offer was promptly accepted, but in the latter part of July, 1887, he suddenly disappeared. Captain SCHAACK claimed that a young woman, who was in sympathy with the anarchists, entered into a conspiracy with them to drown the informer. It was agreed that she would ask BROWN to take her boat riding in Cedar Lake, just over the State line in Indiana. It was arranged that she should tip the boat over and that a party of anarchists, which would be close at hand in a boat, would rescue her but let the informer sink. BROWN consented to take the ride, but when the woman tipped the boat over the rescuing party was too far away, and they both drowned. On August 3, Coroner VAN DE WALKER of Lake County, Ind., [402] informed the Chicago authorities that he had recovered both bodies. The identity of the anarchists who followed this couple in another boat was never learned by the authorities. The Haymarket case was presented to the Grand Jury, and on May 28 fifteen indictments were returned for murder, conspiracy and riot against SPIES, PARSONS, FISCHER, ENGEL, LINGG, FIELDEN, SCHWAB, NEEBE and SCHNAUBELT. Evidence was produced which proved that the latter, who had been taken into custody and released, was the man who threw the bomb at the Haymarket. After being liberated SCHNAUBELT disappeared, and it was claimed that he subsequently died in Germany, but THEODORE KYTKA, who was employed as a handwriting expert in the Haymarket case, and who knew SCHNAUBELT well, informed the author that he saw the fugitive in Arizona in 1899, but before he could locate an officer SCHNAUBELT disappeared. His sister resided in San Rafael, Cal., until recently and she stated that her brother died from consumption in Arizona in 1901. PARSONS, who had been working as a carpenter and painter in Wisconsin after he fled from Chicago, received in- formation that the police had no evidence against the con- spirators, so he decided to create a sensation. On June 21, he returned to Chicago, and while Judge GARY was considering a motion for separate trials, PARSONS suddenly appeared in the courtroom and took a seat among the defendants. At the trial, the original manuscript of the circular calling for the Haymarket meeting was introduced and proven to be in SPIES' handwriting. A grocer named M. M. THOMPSON, who conducted a store at 108 South Desplaines street, testified that just before the bomb was thrown he heard SPIES say: "Is one enough?" The latter then disappeared but returned presently and secretly handed something to SCHNAUBELT, who placed it in his pocket and then sat on the wagon from which the speakers addressed the gathering. HARRY GILMER, a painter, residing at 50 North Ann street, [403] testified that he saw SCHNAUBELT throw the bomb and that SPIES lighted it. The particles of the shell of the bomb removed from bodies of the officers were found to be similar to the shells of the bombs made by LINGG, which were about the size of a baseball. On August 19, 1886, the case was submitted to the jurors, and on the following day they returned a verdict of guilty against the defendants, SPIES, SCHWAB, FIELDEN, PARSONS, FISCHER, ENGEL and LINGG, and fixed the penalty at death. NEEBE'S punishment was fixed at imprisonment in the peni- tentiary for fifteen years. A motion for a new trial was entered on the grounds that some of the jurors were prejudiced and on the further grounds of newly discovered evidence. The motion was de- nied on October 7. Before passing sentence, the court asked the defendants if they had anything to say, whereupon all of the defendants made long speeches in which they expressed their contempt for the law. LINGG was the most viscious in his expressions, and among other things said: "Perhaps you think 'you'll throw no more bombs,' but let me assure you that I die happy on the gallows, so confident am I that the thousands to whom I have spoken will remember my words; and when you shall have hanged us, then mark my words, they will do the bomb throwing." The cases were then appealed to the State Supreme Court and on September 14, 1887, Justice BENJAMIN MAGRUDER handed down a decision, in which all of his associates con- curred, sustaining the findings of the lower court. The con- demned men's followers then engaged Gen. BEN BUTLER as attorney, and on October 27, 1887, the case was brought before the United States Supreme Court, the contention being that the Illinois Jury law was in contravention of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. This court refused to interfere. Appeals were then made to Governor OGLESBY for execu- tive clemency, especially in the cases of SCHWAB and FIELDEN. [404] It was claimed that the former was not present at the meeting and that there was no proof that he knew that violence would be resorted to. Regarding FIELDEN, it was argued that he became intoxicated with the applause of his audience, and did not realize the effect his words had on his hearers. On November 6, while the Governor had these appeals under consideration, the authorities decided to search Cook County jail. A starch box was lying on the floor and one of the deputies, named O. E. HOGAN, put the box on a platform for the moment and shortly afterward kicked it off and it fell on the floor and broke. It was then discovered that it contained a false bottom, similar to that found in LINGG'S trunk, and four dynamite bombs were concealed there. These instruments of destruction were made out of pieces of 3/8 - inch gaspipe and were about six inches long. On November 10, at 8:45 a.m., a loud explosion was heard in LINGG'S cell. The officials found that the desperate man had gained possession of a dynamite bomb, which he placed in his mouth and lighted it with a candle which was flickering in a corner of his cell. Although most of his face had been blown away he lived until 2:45 p.m. that day. It is the general opinion that LINGG'S sweetheart smuggled the bomb into his cell. On the day of LINGG'S suicide, Governor OGLESBY com- muted the sentence of FIELDEN and SCHWAB to life im- prisonment. On November 11, SPIES, PARSONS, FISCHER and ENGEL were hanged. They remained defiant to the last. During the trial of these anarchists, a beautiful young woman named Miss NINA VAN ZANDT made the acquaintance of SPIES, and finally she publicly announced that she loved the anarchist. The woman attended each session of court, and when she became conscious of the notoriety she had achieved, she concluded that it was a good opportunity, not only to exhibit herself but her extensive wardrobe. She expressed a desire to marry SPIES, and the prisoner, [405] believing that he might gain sympathy if he could point to this beautiful woman as his wife, consented to have the cere- mony performed, but the authorities objected. It was then decided that a proxy marriage should be performed between the young woman and CHRIS. SPIES, the brother of the prisoner. A justice was found who performed the ceremony on January 29, 1887, but the marriage was gen- erally regarded as illegal. When SPIES' body was taken to his home, Miss VAN ZANDT, dressed in deep mourning, was there to receive it. The funeral services were set for Sunday, November 13, and the anarchists intended to carry a red flag at the head of their procession, but the permit was denied. The coffins of ENGEL and LINGG were draped with red flags. A Civil War veteran, named HOWELL TROGDEN, preceded the procession, carrying an American flag, greatly to the cha- grin of the anarchists, none of whom dared to interfere with him. In December, 1888, the citizens of Chicago contributed $10,000.00, which was used to erect a monument where the brave efficers (sic) fell at the Haymarket. On top of the pedestal was the figure of a police officer in full uniform with his right hand uplifted. This monument was subsequently removed to another part of the city. On June 26, 1893, FIELDEN, NEEBE and SCHWAB were pardoned by Governor ALTGELD. ===========================================================================