
Crime-related Newspaper Stories of Cook County
©unless otherwise noted, all these items
were transcribed by Kim Torp (who has no relation to any of these folks)
1860
The Chicago Democrat of this morning, says: “Officer Charles Walker, on Saturday
night, succeeded in arresting a cattle thief who has been doing an extensive business in that line, and in recovering
twenty-four head of cattle which have been stolen from various persons. This man is named John
Bauer, and he lives about five miles from the city, on Lake street. Officers
Walker and Douglas made the arrest at nine o'clock, Saturday, at Bauer's residence, where twenty-four head of cattle
were found. Persons who have lost cattle will do well to call at John Davlin's, the Four Mile House, where these
cattle have been taken, and identify them. Baur is supposed to have been engaged in this cattle stealing for some
three years past. He has had at one time as many as thirty-five head. Among those recovered Saturday night were
a number of fine milk cows.
[Illinois State Democrat, Wednesday June 6, 1860 - Submitted by Src
#22]
1870
"Much indignation is manifested in Chicago at the commutation of the sentence of David Walsh, the wife murderer, by the Governor. The petition for commutation was signed by the Mayor and 30 out of the 40 alderman of the city." Newton Press, Jasper County, IL, Jan 28, 1870
Illinois, Murder Come To Light
Chicago, May 24, - Patrick Callaghan was arrested here yesterday on the charge of murder in
Winona county, Minn., seven years ago. It is claimed that at the time the murder was committed the accused was
a farmer and his land adjoined that of Warren Youman. Some difficulty arose out of it. Youman was found dead in
his field, his life having been taken with a scythe. Callaghan disappeared, and suspicion fastened upon him. He
will be held here until the Minnesota officers call for him. Philadelphia Inquirer,
5-25-1872 - Submitted by Debbie Lee
1885
Chicago Daily Tribune (Chicago, Illinois), June 21, 1885
CRIMES RECALLED
AN APPLICATION TO BE MADE FOR THE PARDON OF ARTHUR STERN
The murder by Arthur Stern of his wife Ida [born Ida Louisa Maack] Sept. 14, 1881, abounded in curious and extraordinary
details that created no little sensation at the time. Stern was a clerk in a dry-goods store, but his addiction
to liquor ruined every prospect of a quiet life. His wife was the daughter of Herman W. Maack, a grocer and saloonkeeper
at No. 168 Hastings street. She became acquainted with Stern about the beginning of the year in 1880, and seems
to have fallen blindly in love with him. The young man in March fell or jumped into the lake from the breakwater.
Being rescued, no shortly afterwards disappeared for three weeks. His parents advertised for him. He came back,
and in a day or two Ida Maack eloped with and married him, much against her parents' wishes. Matrimony did not
wean him from his evil habits. After five months of dissipation and discord, he took his wife to the theatre one
Tuesday evening and remained with her that night at the Washington Hotel, corner of Canal and Madison streets.
Two days later he turned up alone, and could give no satisfactory account of his wife's disappearance. Arrested
upon suspicion, he denied all knowledge of her fate, and said he left her upon a street-car. By the cunning of
an officer, however, who pretended to have learned the full details of Stern's crime, the murderer was surprised
into an explicit confession, which was afterwards substantiated by ample proof.
After leaving the Washington Hotel Wednesday, Stern and his wife hired a horse and buggy at No. 211 Halsted street
and drove out upon Ogden avenue to the Town of Cicero. It appears that they had often talked of perishing together,
and that, deeply attached to each other, and despairing of an amicable life, they had resolved to put an end to
their existence then and there. With this end in view they had provided themselves with a revolver, which Stern
carried in his pocket. At a solitary spot in the Waldheim road they left the buggy and descended together into
a hidden ditch at the roadside, and lying down upon the leaves, side by side, bade each other a passionate farewell.
Then he shot his wife in the right temple. At the sight of her blood his courage forsook him, he flinched from
his part of the fearful contract, and, leaving her alone in the loathsome hollow, drove furiously home and drowned
the voice of memory and conscience in deluges of fiery drink. Slowly the horrible recollection came back to him,
and he went home to deny and conceal his crime. After the confession had been wrung from him the body of Mrs. Stern
was found in the locality indicated. Stern was afterwards tried and convicted. The case is recalled by an advertisement
by his parents to the effect that Gov. Oglesby is to be petitioned to pardon Stern, who was convicted in 1882 and
has served about three years at Joliet. [source #96]
1887
July 27, 1887
A lively stampede was produced at a Chicago police court a few days since by the discovery that a witness in one
of the cases was suffering from small-pox. He was removed to the pest-house.
Officer HALLORAN, who was murdered in the discharge of his duty in Chicago by Michael LYNCH, an ex-convict, leaves
a wife and four children, who will receive $2,000 from the Policemen's Benevolent Association and $1,000 from the
Foresters.
Albert COOK, who two years ago lived in Chicago, has been arrested at Minneapolis for the murder of his wife and
mother-in-law at Compton, Kane County, this State, October 6, 1885.
Charley MEYERS, a noted Chicago and St. Louis burglar, completed a fifteen-year term at Joliet recently. His brother,
the notorious Harry MEYERS, alias "MULDOON," is still in prison for the Fairbanks robbery, serving a
14 year sentence.
Adam RACKE and his son Henry were arrested by Captain Porter, of the United States secret service, in Chicago,
a few days ago, for passing counterfeit silver. A complete counterfeiter's layout was found at Racke's house in
the town of Lake, and quite a sum of bogus silver coins.
George BUCKINGHAM, alias SMITH, sentenced for 15 years for burglary at Chicago in 1884,
was released a few days since, his sentence having been commuted to a four-year term by the Governor. Buckingham
was sent down with Alexander EWING and James SHEA, alias CONNORS, alias KELLEHER, habitual criminals, who received
20 years each. Ewing recently died at the prison. [The Newton Press, Jasper
Co., IL July 27, 1887, submitted by K. Torp]
1888
Jan. 18, 1888 The Newton Press, Jasper County, IL Newspaper
Mrs. Ida MACAULEY, who killed her husband recently in Chicago, waived preliminary examination and was held for trial.
David BURNSTEIN, who was said to have been murdered by Jack HOBSON, a Negro, in Chicago
is not dead at all. Another sensation spoiled.
January 25, 1888 The Newton Press, Jasper
County, IL Newspaper
The jury in the case of Henry McCABE, at Chicago, charged with the killing of Lawyer
HOWARD, of Valparaiso, Ind. rendered a verdict of guilty, and fixed the penalty at 8 years imprisonment in the
penitentiary. His attorney entered a motion for a new trial.
Louis STEIN was convicted in the Federal Court at Chicago of altering and passing
railroad tickets issued to the Home for Disabled Soldiers. He moved for a new trial.
A move was made a few days ago in the Appellate Court at Chicago, which is intended to send the convicted boodlers
down to Joliet on short order. The State's attorney filed a motion to quash the writ of error in the case of Adam
OCHS vs. the People, and to dismiss the case for want of equity. Wednesday, the 25th was fixed by the court for
hearing the arguments on the motion.
The residence of Henry A. BLAIR, on Michigan Avenue, Chicago, was robbed of diamonds and jewelry of the value of
$2,000 a few evenings since, while the family was at dinner, and from the manner in which the job was done it is
thought that the perpetrators could not have been in the house more than ten minutes. The property was taken from
the bed chamber of Mr. and Mrs. Blair. A number of valuable articles were left untouched, although they were in
sight.
1 Feb. 1888 The Newton Press, Jasper County, IL Newspaper
"Peg-Leg" JONES has entered upon his second term at Joliet for burglary. When arrested he had a kit of burglar's tools and a bottle of whisky concealed in his wooden leg.
James WILEY is said to be dying in Chicago from the effects of the gunshot wound in his hand inflicted by David SCHOLL last Christmas. The assault was the result of a dispute about a dog. Justice C. J. WHITE has placed SCHOLL under $10,000 bond.
James W. SYKES, until recently a well known seed merchant in Chicago, and proprietor of a large warehouse, was placed on trial a few days since before a jury, the charge being the issue of fraudulent receipts. The amount of money said to have been obtained by the crime is $110,000, of which, $90,000 was from the Merchants' Loan and Trust Company and the remainder from the Hide and Leather Bank.
Mike PARKINSON, George PARKINSON, John SHEEHAN and Mike VAN SLACK, pickpockets, caught recently in the vestibule of the Second Baptist Church, Chicago, while attempting to pick pockets, were fined twenty dollars each by Justice LYONS and sent to the Bridewell.
Mrs. Meckie L. RAWSON, wife of the banker, Stephen W. RAWSON, who was shot by his step-son,
has been indicted by the grand jury of Cook County and arrested as an accessory before the fact to an attempt to
commit murder.
15 Feb. 1888 The Newton Press, Jasper County, IL Newspaper
A Chicago woman has been arrested for highway robbery. No proper young man now ventures
to appear on Chicago streets without a chaperone.
The Governor is receiving a great many communications of the subject of a pardon
for Joseph C. MACKIN, the Chicago election crook. They are on both sides of the question, and it would seem that
many of the dissenters are ignorant of the fact that Mackin is undergoing punishment for perjury instead of ballot-box
stuffing.
22 Feb. 1888 The Newton Press, Jasper County, IL Newspaper
The SNELL murder
It is stated by the police that the young man supposed to be the murderer of Millionaire SNELL is named William B. TASCOTT, and that he is the son of J. B. TASCOTT, a house painter, residing at No. 140 Ashland Avenue. Young TASCOTT is clearly implicated in the murder by the discovery in his room at a lodging house on Madison street of fragments of a check stolen from SNELL's safe on the night of the murder. He disappeared the morning after the murder, but is believed to be in hiding in this city. The police are confident they will secure him within a day or two...**the article goes on, but it wasn't copied past this point.
28 March, 1888 "The Newton Press" Jasper County, IL Newspaper
Having divided his time between two wives, neither of whom knew the other's existence, William NEUGRASS, of Chicago, now goes to Joliet eighteen months for bigamy, and will give his undivided attention to prison duties. The old Lothario is himself 53 years old, and his two wives were aged 50 and 52, respectively.
Michael O'SHEA, one of the "Q" strikers, was put under $3,000 bonds at Chicago to answer to a charge of malicious mischief. O'SHEA dropped a huge rock from the Center avenue viaduct on the top of the cab of a Burlington engine passing beneath him. The stone broke through the roof of the cab, but did not injure the engineer or fireman. The stone missed the engineer by but a few inches, and was heavy enough to have instantly killed him.
The verdict in the cases of Mrs. HERMAN, Charles BUSSE and William SIGMUND, at Chicago, will meet with general approval. The woman carried on the nefarious business of a procuress under the cloak of an intelligence office, and the two men were among her patrons. Herself and BUSSE each got five years in the penitentiary, and SIGMUND's term was fixed at four years.
When the police raided a Clark street gambling house in Chicago, a few nights ago, they found the card room deserted, but a suspicious snore directed attention to an adjoining sleeping apartment, and there the officers found four men in bed with their clothes and boots on.
About two years ago a daughter of Peter KESSLER, a Chicago merchant, eloped with "French
Fred", a somewhat noted character. They were married in Canada, but when she found that he already had a wife,
she left him and procured a divorce. He subsequently returned and got a divorce, and now the runaway pair are again
married. In the meantime she has inherited a part of her father's estate, valued at $85,000, and her latest move
is to get possession of it.
4 April 1888 "The Newton Press" Jasper County, IL Newspaper
Judge COLLINS, of Chicago, refuses to hear any more divorce trials on Saturday.
Footpads are growing bold in Chicago. They waylay citizens and strip them of their clothing when nothing of greater
value is to be found.
Patrick DALEY, aged 23, was shot and instantly killed a few days since by H.W. THORMAN, during a drunken quarrel
in Chicago. Thorman is from Minneapolis. 4 April 1888 "The Newton Press"
Jasper County, IL
August KRAKOW shot and instantly killed his wife at Chicago, a few days ago. He then fatally shot himself, dying
in a few hours.
Thomas E. CLARK, the ex-superintendent of telegraph construction on the Chicago, Santa Fe & California railway,
was taken before Justice Smith in Chicago a few days ago. It was charged that Clark had embezzled $5,000 of the
funds of the company by making false vouchers of ...... (rest of article missing)
Saturday, April 14, 1888 - The Peoria Daily Trans.
Jury Disagreed- Chicago, April 13 ---- The jury in the BRUSHINGHAM case, after making
a night of it finally disagreed. The Rev. John P. BRUSHINGHAM, who was defendant, is a Methodist clergyman and
has charge of the Ada Street Church. He was charged by Eva PACKER, a 16 year old girl and a member of his congregation,
as being the father of her child which was born last January. The case has been on trial for over a week before
Judge GRINNELL, and the court room was crowed daily. The jury stood ten for conviction against two for acquittal. [source #22]
April 18, 1888 - The Newton Press [source #6]
J.F. WOLCK, an alleged whisky-trust spy, narrowly escaped lynching in Chicago.
A drunken Chicago teamster named DOOLEY took possession of a Chicago & Northwestern switch engine in the downtown
yards a few days since. Pulling the throttle wide open, he started west on his career as an engineer. At Halsted
street the jolting threw him off, and the engine continued its way until Western avenue was reached, when it collided
with another engine, the crew of which, seeing the danger, jumped and saved their lives. Both engines were completely
wrecked.
Thomas CLARK, the ex-superintendent ? telegraph construction of the Santa Fe Railway Company, was held to the Criminal
Court in Chicago in $8,000 bonds, on a charge of embezzlement. Clark practically waived examination and put in
no evidence in his own behalf. The only witness was George HUNTER, an official in the engineering department. He
testified that for a year past he had honored Clark's drafts for money to be used in telegraph construction. At
the end of the year, when the vouchers were checked up, it was discovered that Clark had drawn $7,700 more than
the bills amounted to.
1890
Chicago Gamblers Indicted - Chicago, January 31 – Ten of the most prominent keepers of gambling houses in Chicago
were indicted today for carrying on that business. Three of them, including George
Hankins and John Condon, are said to have left town suddenly just before the indictments
were returned. A number of other keepers escaped indictment on technicalities. The indictments are the result of
a systematic hunt for evidence by the grand jury. [FEB 1 1890, THE QUINCY DAILY
HERALD - Submitted by Src #83]
West Sentenced.
CHICAGO, February 3. - Judge Grinnel this afternoon overruled a motion for a new trial for James J. West, and imposed
sentence upon the one time president of the Chicago Times company in accordance with the verdict – four years in
the penitentiary and a find of $1,000. [FEB 4 1890 THE QUINCY DAILY HERALD - Submitted by Src #83]
ile Rev. W. T. MELOY, of Chicago, was occupying his pulpit thieves entered his house and stole several hundred
dollars' worth of property. The Ava Advertiser, Ava, Jackson County, Illinois... Friday, October 10, 1890
A Chicago jury decided in the case of Thomas and Mary Grace, that a clergyman was not needed to solemnize a marriage
ceremony. The woman claimed that they entered a contract to live as man and wife, and that GRACE afterward introduced
her as his wife. The man was killed by a Wisconsin Central train last November, and the woman desires to prove
her marriage in order to claim damages from the company. The Ava Advertiser, Ava, Jackson County, Illinois... Friday,
October 31, 1890
Norman WALCOTT, who was slugged, robbed and placed on the railroad track at Chicago, where he was found dead, has
been identified as of Trenton Falls, NY. The Ava Advertiser, Ava, Jackson County, Illinois... Friday, November
7, 1890
Charles PARKER, a Chicago saloonkeeper, sold his place for $2,000, and during the evening was robbed of every cent.
No trace of the robbers has been found. The Ava Advertiser, Ava, Jackson County, Illinois... Friday, November 14,
1890
1893
In a scuffle with Charles DASURBA in a packing house at Chicago, Fritz MEYER was accidentally stabbed to the heart.
Newton Press, July 13 1893. source #6
At different times within the past few years Chicago has had upon her police force a man named Chas. NORDRUM, who
has gained an almost national reputation for brutality. He has been suspended numerous times, and it was during
one of these terms of temporary retirement that he appeared at the head of a band of Pinkertons at Homestead, in
the famous battle July 6, 1892, and distinguished himself by a lack of bravery. He returned to Chicago, and until
he got a position at the Fair grounds and was again suspended for brutally clubbing a prisoner, he did nothing
to attract attention particularly. The other day, however, he broke loose again; he assaulted a man 65 years old,
and pursued him into a police station where Sergeant Bender was in charge. The latter attempted to protect Nordrum's
victim, and was himself assaulted. Here is where Nordrum made the mistake of his life. When Bender got through
with him, the ruffian looked as if he had been in a collision with a cable car. He lost several teeth, suffered
the fracture of three ribs, had both eyes blacked, his scalp peeled open, and was confined to his bed for a week.
Newton Press, July 13 1893. source #6
1894
Professional Poisoners Dr. Meyer and His Wife Murdered Men for Insurance Money
The Idaho Avalanche, (Silver City, ID) Saturday, January 06, 1894; Issue 20; col D
[Submitted by Janice Rice]
"Murder most foul, strange and unnatural," said the ghost of hamlet's father when speaking of his own
death by poison. Truly this is the vilest form of murder, but life insurance men say it is increasing. The latest
case is almost to horrible for that belief, and yet it seems to be proved that Dr. Henry C. F. Meyer and his wife
Mary, recently arrested in Detroit and taden (sic taken) to New York, made murder by poisoning there business,
and the list of their victims include two of his former wives, her alleged husband, and innocent servant girl and
no one knows how many others. The last case and the one most conclusively proved, was the poisoning in New York
of their confederate, Ludwig Brandt.
But Dr. Meyer's story is best told in the order of time. He is a German and he located in Chicago about 1876, graduating
in medicine a year or two later. He was married and his wife died very suddenly. Soon after he married a Mrs. Gelderman,
whose husband a well to do grocer, had also died suddenly. The newly married pair were arrested, but as no poison
was found in the bodies of the dead they could not be held.
At least one detective, however, believed that Dr. Meyer had invented a new and subtle poison and for a long time
kept acquainted with the doctor's doings. He secured employment as the agent for a life insurance company and was
arrested for forging a policy for $2,500 , but the matter was compromised and the prosecution dropped. In the fall
of 1882 a newspaper man who had known Mrs. Gilderman -Meyer during the life of her first husband, saw her on Clarke
street so sick that she could barely stand. He assisted her home, and on the way she intimated to him her life
was in danger. Next day her child, a little daughter of Gilderman was found dead -"drowned in the bathtub"
Dr. Meyer said.
Mrs. Gelderman-Meyer openly declared that the doctor had drowned the child, as it was the heir of its father, and
Meyer had charge of some of the property, but none of it could be proved. That Mrs. Meyer, escaped, however, for
the Doctor ran away with another woman. The next case of note, was in Toledo where Dr .Meyer tried to collect,
$5,000 insurance on the life of another woman who had died suddenly. An inquiry was set on foot, and he and his
supposed wife fled from the city, taking a buggy as for an evening ride and never returning . The report of that
case brought another detective to the scene, who declared that the dead woman was not Dr. Meyer's sister, as he
had alleged, but a poor and unknown girl whom he had picked up in Indianapolis. While in Toledo, he hired one Mary
Neiss as a domestic and persuaded her to represent "Mrs. Weiler" (that was the name he assumed in Toledo)
and take out an insurance of $5,000 in the Equitable. It now appears that while in another city this girl was taken
ill suddenly, became suspicious, refused all medicine from the Dr. and his wife and left them as soon as she was
able. And this is but a small part of which is charged against him, for detectives from other places have been
on his track. It was in January, 1892, that the Meyer gang, for now they had with them two confederates, appeared
in New York and rented apartments in the flats at 316-326 East Thirteenth Street.
Of the confederates the one known as Wimmer has disappeared. The other Ludwig Brandt, a swindler in his native
Germany and had once been in prison in America. The game, as he understood it, was for him to get heavily insured,
then to be taken sick, and in due time a corpse was to be procured and placed in the bed he had occupied, and all
the rest would be easy. But the Meyers had other views. He was their victim, He and Mrs. Meyer were known as Mr.
and Mrs. Gustave H. M Joseph Baum and Dr. Meyer as her uncle. Baum or Brandt took sick and was treated by Dr. S.
B. Minden for dysentery. He had unbounded confidence in his confederates and was not all alarmed when Dr. Minden
told him his condition was dangerous.
It was indeed. He sank rapidly and died in a stupor. Subsequent examination has proved poisoning by antimony. Two
companies in which the victim was insured paid at once but, the Mutual Life started an investigation. Again the
poisoners escaped, and for a year and a half the hunt continued before they were run down. When captured in Detroit,
they were almost in starving condition, though it is alleged that they left New York with at leas $20,000. They
had one child and soon after her arrest, the woman again became a mother. She is quite handsome and does not look
to be over 25 years old.
Elkhart, Ind, July
10.— Francis Weymouth, the photographer who is wanted in Chicago for his connection with the attempted assassination
of Nelson, which has recently created so much of a sensation, was captured here to-day as he stepped from a train
by Officer Shafer of the local force. The Chicago chief of police was notified and Captain Shippey came after the
prisoner. While here Shippey questioned Weymouth very closely and said he is convinced the man has a guilty knowledge
of the affair. He took Weymouth back to Chicago this afternoon. [Indiana State
Journal, 14 Jul 1897 - Submitted by Src #82]
1910
LIFE REBATES ARE ATTACKED IN FOUR SUITS
A secret investigation of alleged insurance premium rebating, involving hundreds of thousands
of dollars annually and directed against practically every mutual like insurance company in Chicago, came to light
yesterday afternoon with the filing of four suits in the Municipal Court by State's Attorney Wayman. The legal
actions are to recover "fines" of from $500 to $1000, assessed under the law for rebating on life insurance
premiums. One suit is directed against the Illinois Life Insurance Company and P. J. Kane, an agent, and three
are directed against the Hartford Life Insurance Company, and H. P. Johnson, manager in Chicago, and L.
P. Hazen, an agent. It is charged that agents of the two companies gave 25 per cent rebates on policies sold by
them [source #1]
ADAM KOCH, "CITIZEN AND TAXPAYER," ASKS COURT TO ENJOIN BOARD
The bill declares that the order of Judge Rinaker entered Sept. 22 was void and beyond his
powers, and that he had no power to determine what territory should be included in the intended forest preserve,
and that he has no power to hold a public hearing for that purpose, and no authority or power to order such question
submitted to the voters of said forest preserve district. It contends that Judge Rinaker in ordering such election
did not proceed according to law. The attorneys of record in the case are McGoorty & Pollock, Ross C.
Hall and Mayer, Meyer, Austrian & Platt. [source #1]
1913
Capt. James Gleason of the Shakespeare avenue police station, Chicago, was appointed chief
of police by Mayor Harrison, succeeding John McWeeny, who resigned a short time ago because of friction in the
department over the handling of the vice problem. Ste. Marie Tribune, Jasper County, IL - November 14, 1913 (src
#6)
Clarence S. Funk of Chicago has issued a statement offering $5000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the men
who instigated the plot to defame him, following his testimony in the Lorimer senatorial investigation. Ste. Marie
Tribune, Jasper County, IL - Friday, Nov. 21, 1913 (src #6)
Cedar Rapids, Ia - L. Grossman, a Chicago diamond merchant, has reported the robbery of $35,000 worth of diamonds
from his Pullman berth between Davenport and Minneapolis, and all special agents of the Rock Island have been ordered
to hunt for them. Ste. Marie Tribune, Jasper County, IL - Friday, Nov. 21, 1913 (src #6)
Chicago - Mrs. Helen Struck, a divorcee, who says she receives alimony of $7000 a year, was arraigned in Judge
Mahoney's court, Chicago, on a charge of operating a confidence game. The case was continued until Dec. 3. Ste.
Marie Tribune, Jasper County, IL - November 28, 1913 (src #6)
Chicago - 4 attendants at the Chicago state hospital for the insane were arrested after the death of Charles Hoenicke,
an insane patient. Ste. Marie Tribune, Jasper County, IL - November 28, 1913 (src #6)
Several women fainted and others became hysterical and fought policemen in the raiding of a Chicago gambling house
conducted by women for women. Slips showing that more than $500 had been bet on horse races in the afternoon were
confiscated. Ste. Marie Tribune, Jasper County, IL - Friday, December 12, 1913 (src #6)
The unidentified patient, an Englishman, who has been at the county hospital in Chicago since Nov. 21, unable to
tell his name or home, leaped from a window of the hospital and fled. Ste. Marie Tribune, Jasper County, IL - Friday,
December 12, 1913 (src #6)
Chicago - A near-tragedy in the life of R. Bruce Watson, Chicago architect and politician, has turned into a romance.
Mr. Watson has married the woman who two years ago shot him twice and chased him through streets with a revolver.
Ste. Marie Tribune, Jasper County, IL - Friday, December 12, 1913 (src #6)
1914
Sees Son killed
Chicago - The first 1914 murder in Chicago occurred at 146 West 37th street. Frank Smith, 23, was shot through
the heart by William Valentine. Valentine escaped and detectives are searching for him. Mrs. Anna Smith said she
saw Valentine draw a revolver and kill her son. [Ste. Marie Tribune, Jasper
County, IL, January 9, 1914]
Springfield - Governor Dunne, acting on the recommendation of the state board of
pardons, commuted the sentence of S. McIntyre, sentenced to life imprisonment in 1906 in Warren for the murder
of Luella Merrill, following an alleged attack. The authorities have since become convinced that the death of the
girl was due to appendicitis. Applications for pardon were denied in the following cases:
James Morin, Cook county, murder; Thomas Flynn, Cook county, murder; Jerry Moulton, Cook county; Philip Mernaugh,
Madison county, and Charles Butler, Jersey county. [The Sainte Marie
Tribune, Jan. 23, 1914]
1930
BANDITS SLAY POLICEMAN IN HOLDUP ATTEMPT
Traffic Policeman Joseph Fitzpatrick, 42 years old,was shot and fatally injured yesterday by five bandits who attempted
to hold him up in front of the Hayes hotel, 6345 University avenue. He died late last night in St. Bernard’s hospital.
Fitzpatrick had just gotten out of his car to visit a sister, who lives in the hotel, when the bandits appeared
and ordered him to “stick ‘em up.” Instead he drew his own gun and fired three shots before he was felled by a
bullet which struck just under his heart.
Fitzpatrick lived with his wife and daughter, Marie Leona, 8 years old, at 907 West Garfield boulevard. He formerly
was assigned to traffic duty at Market and Madison streets for years and lately has been at Monroe and Dearborn
streets where his sunny disposition won him the friendship of hundreds including many notables in financial and
business circles who knew him as “Fitz.”
Woodlawn police investigating the slaying late last night found a brown overcoat with a pistol in the pocket which
had been discarded between buildings at 6401 Woodlawn avenue. The gun is believe to have been used by one of the
killers and has been turned over to ballistics experts.
[There was no date on the newspaper, but this Police Memorial website gives the date of the shooting as Saturday,
October 25,1930.] [source #6]
Ivor Szrkerson, 54 years old, 4348 Ellis avenue, a carpenter, was fined $100 yesterday for trying to dismantle
a news stand he had erected for John Stacher, blind newsboy of 4317 Drexel avenue, at 47th street and Drexel avenue.
Szkerson said Stacher would not pay him a $5 balance. Chicago Tribune, April 16, 1930. [source #6]
NORGAR SEEKS PARDON: Fred Norgar, 36 years old, of 525 Surf street, Chicago, who was recently convicted in the
St. Joseph county court at South Bend of involuntary manslaughter in the killing of an 8 year old girl when she
was struck by his car in Mishawaka, asked the board for a pardon. As his commitment papers had not yet reached
the prison, the board suggested that Norgar appeal to Gov. Harry G. Neslie. Norgar, accompanied by the president
of the O'Connel & Co. municipal bonding house of Chicago, said that they would go to the capital Monday.
"I am intimately acquainted with eleven governors, know Gov. Emmerson of Illinois, and in my business of meeting
state and city executives, can't afford to be an ex-convict," Mr. Norgar told the board members. He said he
had settled with the family of the dead girl for $1,000, which he borrowed from his employer.
PRESENTS RECOMENDATIONS. Norgar had a sheaf of recommendations to present to the board, including one from Father
John Cavanaugh of Notre Dame university, and others from Indiana and Illinois bankers and government officials
in Washington, D.C. He said he had gone to Paris with Newton D. Baker.
"I'm broke," he said. "This accident has cost be (sic) $2000, and now my attorney, Floyd O. Jellison
of South Bend, demands $500 cash before he files a bill of exceptions in my case." Chicago Tribune, April
26, 1930. [source #6]
Chicago Daily Tribune, March 2, 1933, pg. 11
Seize 'Skyscraper Burglar' on Con Game Charge
Melville Reeves, known as the skyscraper burglar, was locked up in the Evanston jail last night on a confidence
game charge. Evanston police arrested him at his home in Glenview on a warrant obtained by Miss Gertrude Kroger
of the Kroger furriers, 701 Main street, Evanston, charging that he had defrauded the house of $62.50. Reeves is
alleged to have put 1 $100 government bond as security for a cleaning bill. Returning the next day, he took the
bond to get it cashed, saying he would return, but he did not keep his word, police said. [source
#96]
February 10, 1935, pg. 2
INDICT ATTORNEY LOUIS W. MACK IN $12,000 FRAUD
Louis William Mack, 2817 Pine Grove avenue, an attorney was indicted yesterday by the Cook county grand jury on
a charge of embezzling $12,000 from the Nurre Companies, Inc., glass manufacturers, 915 Buena avenue. He is to
be arraigned tomorrow before Chief Denis E. Sullivan of the criminal court.
Mack is a member of the Hamilton, University, Harvard and Illini clubs and a graduate of the University of Illinois
and of Harvard university. He has practiced law since 1910, with offices at 228 South La Salle street.
The indictment drafted by Assistant State's Attorney Robert E. Wright, is based on the charge that on last June
8 Mack accepted a check of $12,000 from the Nurre concern and was to purchase, for the company, a first mortgage.
The bill alleges he failed to return either the money or the mortgage. [Submitted
by Source #96]
March 10, 1935
Attorney Mack is Released on Bond in Fraud Charges
Louis William Mack, 47 years old, 2817 Pine Grove avenue, an attorney, who was indicted in the Criminal court on
Feb. 25 on a charge of embezzling $12,000 from the Nurre Co., Inc., mirror manufacturers, 915 Buena avenue, surrendered
at the state's attorney's office yesterday. He was released on bonds of $5,000 which were approved by Judge Cornelius
J. Harrington. It is alleged that Mack failed to account for the money which was given to him to purchase a mortgage.
[Submitted by Source #96]
April 13, 1935
SUPREME COURT DISBARS LAWYER; CLEARS ANOTHER
Attorney, Louis W. Mack of Chicago was disbarred by the Illinois Supreme court yesterday. Mack is under indictment
in the Cook county Criminal court on a charge of embezzling $12,000 from the Nurre Co., Inc., mirror manufacturers,
916 Buena avenue.
The indictment, returned last Feb. 25, alleged that Mack failed to account for the money, which was entrusted to
him for the purchase of a mortgage. Mack, a graduate of the University of Illinois, has practiced law here since
1910. He has offices at 228 North La Salle street. [Note: His father was Louis H. Mack. The family name was originally
Maack.] [Submitted by Source #96]
YAKIMA W(ashington) — The bullet-punctured body of Sgt. l.C. Frank B. Williams, 37, Yakima
Firing Center soldier who was reported missing Oct. 4, was discovered in a Yakima River flume near Union Gap Sunday.
The Chicago soldier had been shot in the head and chest. Williams, Chief Criminal Deputy Harold Guthrie said, was
the soldier sought since Warren W. Schoel, 36, told authorities he had shot and thrown a soldier into the river
Oct. 4 after finding the man with Schoel's wife. Schoel, a Yakima camera salesman, told authorities he had fired
a .22 caliber gun at the soldier, Guthrie said. Dr. Ralph Shirey, Yakima County coroner, said Williams was dead
when he entered the water. The soldier, Shirey said following an autopsy, was slain by .22 caliber bullets. Schoel
is being held at the Yakima County jail. Williams, whose body was found by a duck hunter, was serving temporarily
at the firing center with Battery C. 20th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Bn.. from Vashon Island. His widow lives in Seattle
and a son lives in Chicago.
[Longview Daily News, 22 October 1956 - Transcribed by K. Torp]
Newspaper Stories from Unknown Dates
Union Boss's Wife Shot in Mystery
Shot and severely wounded shortly before midnight last night while walking in front
of 2202 Jackson Blvd., Charles YOUNGBLOOD, business agent of Painters' union, Local No. 147, and his wife, Lorette,
are in the Norwegian American Hospital.
Two policemen are guarding them, with orders to prevent any unauthorized person from seeing or talking to them.
Youngblood insisted to police he had no idea who them or why they were shot. The business agent and his wife had
just left a building at 2222 Jackson Blvd. where they had been inspecting a remodeling job for the owner and their
friend, Mrs. Marie RUDDER, who is out of town.
Herbert DRAIN, 36, of 3344 Ogden Av., and Verne STYCK, 38 of 4917 Altgeld st., linoleum layers, had finished work
there and were waiting in their car to take the Youngbloods home. As the couple approached, Youngblood carrying
a vacuum cleaner, a black sedan containing two men drew ___ to the curb, and one m___ a half dozen shots.
Although Youngblood, who is 48, and lives at 2227 W. Monroe st., declared there was no trouble within the union,
police recalled that he was questioned in connection with the murder, August 8, of James DUNGAN, his friend and
associate, business agent of the Painters Union, Local 191, and has been involved in various union troubles.
Capt. Martin MCCORMICK, of the Warren Av. police, sent Sergt. James FANNING to question Arthur WALLACE, international
secretary and treasurer of the painters; union, at 1446 W. Adams st., headquarters of District Council NO. 14,
but Wallace is in Florida. Other officials of the union were questioned by Capt. McCormick, who said:
"There is no doubt that this shooting resulted from internal troubles in the union. Youngblood is not only
business agent for Local N. 147, but is chairman of the business agents - sixteen of them in Council No. 14. As
such, he is in a 'hot spot'.
"A meeting of the business agents was scheduled for 11 a.m. today at headquarters, and it's possible somebody
was determined to keep him from attending. On the other hand, one official expressed an opinion that outside gangsters
are trying to 'muscle in' to the painters' union."
Dungan was the sixth person whose murders within the past eight years were attributed to painters' union troubles.
Youngblood has a police record that includes a robbery term in Joliet." [source #24]
Blonde, convicted by Jury, Gets Probation
Miss Sylvia DOSTALEK, 23 year old blonde of 629 Onwentsia av., Highland Park, found guilty by a jury a month ago
of reckless driving and driving while intoxicated, was given six months' probation by County Judge Albert C. ISLEY
today. On December 9 Judge Isley had set aside the conviction on the intoxication charge: ruling that the evidence
of a "drunkometer" test was inconclusive. Miss Dostalek was arrested after she crashed into two parked
automobiles in Skokie blvd., near Northbrooke, at 4 a.m. [source #24]
HAS WOMAN TROUBLE --- WITH 3 WOMEN
Trouble with three women -- two of whom love him, while the third emphatically does NOT -- brought about the arrest
today of Frank HEALEY, 25, of 6848 Fullerton av.
Of those who love Healey, one is his wife, Marie, a dozen years his senior. The other is Irene DO BROCK, 17, of
2242 N. Western av., who used to have a job in a factory where Healey was an inspector.
The third woman is Irene's mother, Mrs. Louise Do BROCK, who attacked him twice in the presence of the police,
grabbing his nose with one hand while she clawed his face with the other, drawing abundant blood. Mrs. Do Brock
afterward signed a complaint charging Healey with contributing to Irene's delinquency. Mrs. Do Brook (sic) said:
"This man has been posing as single and making love to my daughter. He took her out New Year's Eve and did
not bring her back. When I telephoned his home I found out for the first time that he had a wife."
While he was facing only one of the women, Irene's mother, he seemed almost calm. To the police he said:
"This is a simple case. I love Irene and intend to marry her. She''ll be of age on February 7. I'll get a
divorce and marry her then. There won't be any trouble about the divorce because my wife and I made an agreement
when we married that she would give me a divorce whenever I wanted one."
But Healey's calm did not last long, for there was a telephone call to the station from his wife, who said: "I'm
coming. Don't let him go till I get there." When she arrived she denied there had been any agreement for a
divorce. Meanwhile Irene was brought in from a hotel where she was registered with Healey as his wife. At sight
of the girl Healey's wife burst into tears and threw her arms around Irene, pleading: "Won't you give me back
my husband? You can't possibly love him as I do." Irene whispered, "I can't - I won't give him up. We're
in love and we're going to be married." rest of story missing..... [source #24] (this is the same date as
the above story - c. 1930?)
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