#chicago1913

[chicagocentury-blog]

Chicago--July 18, 1913

A grand jury indicts four men for tampering with ballots in November elections. The actions of three of the men were shown to support State’s Attorney Hoyne. All four have gone into hiding across the lake. It isn’t known how the men were tipped off but it’s believed they will come back to Chicago once the terms of their bail are set.

Also in the news

A farmer outside Oak Forest discovers the body of an unknown woman hanging from the cross bar of a fence post just off the county highway. She was hanging from a strip of cloth torn from her white dress and is thought to have been there st least two days.

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Chicago--July 16, 1913

The "Millionaire Kid" Gabriel Rosenthal, the young thief and con man known for leaving extravagant tips, pleads guilty to passing bad checks at two Chicago hotels. 

The judge asks the Kid what led to him committing forgery and the Kid says he needed to pay of gambling debts.

"There are at least twelve police officers in this court who heard your statement," says the judge, "and they are liable to drop dead with heart failure. Why, young man, don't you know the police say there is no gambling in Chicago?"

The kid is sentenced to 60 days in the bridewell (city jail).

Also in the news

John Carrol is arrested on two charges of selling liquor at his soft drink store at the 900 block of W Madison. He lost his liquor license two months ago.

Police arrest Hamilton Stanford and fine him $5 for pretending to be a swimming instructor and convincing two girls to swim with him at Lincoln Beach. Edgar Phillips of New Castle, Penn. invites women to his Chicago hotel room by placing classified ads claiming he is seeking a woman to fill a position as a stenographer -- police say the letter gives no basis for an arrest.

[chicagocentury-blog]

Chicago--July 14, 1913

Police shut down illegal gambling around the city after a Tribune reporter is arrested for attack with a deadly weapon outside a Maxwell Street gambling joint. Max Annenberg was part of a group of Tribune reporters investigating gambling on the west side when a photographer used a flash bulb and they were attacked by a mob. A fight broke out and Annenberg alone was charged.

Maxwell Street ward boss Morrie Abrahams is said to have warned gambling houses to close their doors prior to police raids. Captain James Staren has been unable to stop gambling in the west side — frequently arresting gamblers, seeing them freed on bonds paid by political allies, and re-arresting them within the hour.

[chicagocentury-blog]

Geneva, Ill--July 12, 1913

In the Chicago suburb of Geneva, a ballot measure to add kindergarten to the public schools fails by a margin of almost 2-1 This is the first opportunity for the women of Geneva to vote following the suffrage being signed into law in Illinois last month. Votes in favor of kindergarten were almost entirely from women; votes against were almost entirely from men. Of the 600 women eligible to vote in Geneva, only 180 turned out. Earlier in the day a spurious “report was spread" that women were required to wear new gowns to the voting booth otherwise they would be turned away.

Also in the news

The Tribune reports that Chaffee Grant and U.S. Grant IV—grandsons of the former President—have found their way to safety after being stranded for three days in the California desert between the towns of Mecca and Brawley. The brothers’ car failed west of Mecca, 75 miles from help, and they spent hours trying to repair their motor until they ran out of drinking water. At that point, they drank their radiator water and attempted to walk to Brawley. They got lost in the hills and wandered in circles. The next day they tried again but got lost in a dust storm. On the third day, Chaffee was unable to go on so his younger brother U.S. searched for help without him. U.S. finds an old Indian, Plute Jake, and they return together to save Chaffee. Both brothers are crazy from heat and dehydrations. U.S. believes that it is too late to save Chaffee and wants to shoot him and put him out of his misery. Plute Jake stops him. The two walk miles to a hut where they find a burro, which they use to drag the car and Chaffee to Brawley.

[chicagocentury-blog]

Chicago--July 11, 1913

The “Millionaire Kid" — the thief renown for leaving generous tips for waiters and bell boys — strikes again. Gabriel Rosenthal tries to pass a fake check at 4172 Calumet Ave. He signs the check George Swift and claims to be the son of former Mayor Swift.

Rosenthal is actually the son of the late Boston wool merchant Jacob Rosenthal. The Tribune reports, “The escapdes of his son drove the father to commit suicide about two years ago." Gabriel inherited $50,000 from his father’s estate but won’t receive it until he’s 30 — another five years.

Gabriel married last March after convincing Miss Clair McCain and her mother that he was a member of New York Stock Exchange worth half a million dollars. They separated shortly after the wedding.

(It’s thoroughly unclear whether Gabriel Rosenthal is the same “Millionaire Kid" who aided a series of purse thefts last month. Either the Tribune learned quite a few more details about the Kid in the last month — or the nickname is being overused.)

Also in the news

Glenn Martin — the last contestant to depart Chicago in the world’s first aero boat race — is flying at an altitude of 700 feet when the air valve on his carburetor drops off and his aircraft begins to fall. Martin glides down to Lake Harbor, saving himself and his passenger. He currently holds third place.

[chicagocentury-blog]

Chicago--July 10, 1913

The Chicago Canal and Dock Company agrees not to fight the city's acquisition of their land -- between Illinois and Indiana Streets and from Peshtigo Court to the lake -- and accepts payment of $300,000. The City plans to extend the street and build a pier as part of the Burnham Plan.

The pier will open in 1916 and feature picnic areas, dance halls, and playgrounds. It will go on to become Chicago's most popular tourist attraction.

Also in the news

Rev. Felix Lazewski, the priest at the Polish Independent Catholic Church, is shot in the stomach and mouth by a parishioner. Lazewski interfered in a fight between Stanley Barnat and his mother today, which led to Lazewski and Stanley wrestling on the ground and eventually the shooting. Lazewski has been living in the Barnats' house. Stanley claims "the gun was first drawn by the Priest."

[chicagocentury-blog]

Chicago--July 9, 1913

The Chicago Board of Education adds sex hygiene to high school curriculum under the official name “personal purity." Boys and girls will be separated during the lectures and students whose parents object will not be required to attend.

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Chicago--July 7, 1913

"Mike the Pike" Heller, old boss of the west side levee, asks a Chicago saloon  to send every available “disorderly woman" to Gary, Ind. for the “grand opening" of the red light district. One carful of women is spotted arriving at 5:30 but two hours later the red lights are turned off one by one. The cause of the cancellation is unknown. The Tribune writes that Gary residents believe it is a temporary delay and “rumor has it something is going to smash for the closings."

Also in the news

12-year-old Frank Perry of 258 W 76th St dies after biting into the sack found inside a golf ball and. It is believed to have contained carbon tetrachloride.

Mayor Harrison requests the funds to hire Chicago’s first ten policewomen. They will patrol dance halls, beaches, parks, and playgrounds.