Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 June 1886 — A HELLISH PLOT. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A HELLISH PLOT.

Story of the Anarchists’ Conspiracy to Blow Up the Entire City of Chicago. Evidence of Their Guilt Secured, and Wholesale Convictions Are Expected to Be Had. [Chicago telegram.] The indictments against the anarchists were laid before the Grand Jury on Wednesday and approved by an almost unanimous vote. The five German members of the jury did not hesitate to vote for the indictments. On the contrai'v, they were especially urgent in their desire to go on record agamst the destructionists, and to support all the charges which the State’s Attorney thought wise to lodge against the prisoners. The indictment! were read by Mr. Grinnell and voted upon separately. There were twenty-three in all. A. R. Parsons was not included in the indictments. It has been hinted for some time that the polioe know where Parsons is, and expect to use him.

August Spies was indicted for murder, conspiracy, and inciting to riot. These three charges were also voted against Samuel Fielden, Rudolph Schnauble, Adolph Fischer, and Louis Lingg. Schnauble is the only one in this lot who is not in custody. Michael Schwab is under indictment for murder and conspiracy, while Anton Hirschberger, John Apel, and George Engel are indicted for conspiracy and riot. There are two informers. Who they are is not known, but they both belonged to the “Armed Party" of the anarchists, and both became approvers on the advice of their female relatives to save their own necks 'lhe State's Attorney is confident that he can connect the actors in the Haymarket tragedy. If he does not convict Spies, Fielden, Schwab, Schnauble, Lingg, and Fischer of murder and hang them, he will send them, he says, to the penitentiary fora term for conspiracy, the punishment for which is three years. So far as can be learned from the testimony of Captain Schaack and others before the jury, the story of the conspiracy savors of dime-novel literature, and makes one of the most thrilling

chapters in the history of Chicago. It originated in the diseased brains of the rabid members of the anarchist groups, and it was they who carried it out to such a successful end, from their point of view. In working up the story Captain Schifack has a rightful claim to his reputation as an officer of recognized ability, and while he was compelled to go over ground that had been trodden oh to some extent by others, he has unraveled the mystery, and though he has not found the bomb-throwers, he has wound the coils around Spies and his followers so that they can not possibly escape. To begin with, in their desire to overthrow the pretent government institutions and place themselves in oontrol, the anarchists of Chicago resolved to exist in two’ forms—armed and for agitation. Both branches were oomposed largely of the same members, the only difference being thatthe armed anarchists were the extremists who favored bloodshed on the slightest provocation. These armed outlaws met in secret places, away from the meeting-place of the agitators, so-called,

and while they drilled with Winchesters, revolvers, and other deadly weapons, their followers were busily engaged In manufacturing dynamite and making bombs. Among these armed anarchists were the men William Lechtner and Gustaf Lehman, who have "Bquealed,” and are now under arrest. Their story is that Lingg, Beligen (who told where the former was hiding), and George Er gle, of Milwaukee avenue, have for a long time been engaged in making bombs. These bombs were removed by Lingg and his colaborers to the meeting-places of the armed wing of the anarchists, and were disposed of temporarily as was deemed prudent. It was generally understood that an attack was to be made on the police at the earliest opportunity when any of the anarchist meetings was Interfered with. When Spies had indulged In his inflammatory remarks, causing the McCormibk riots, he went to the Arbeiter Zeitwng office and wrote the “Revenge I" circular whioh was set up by Fischer and Hirschberger, and printed by a well-known firm. These circulars were distrib-

nted, by command of Spies, by the then mysterious man on horseback, who is now known to the police, and who is wanted About the same time he indited the circular Spies expressed a desire to have the armed anarchists meet on that (Monday) night at the usual jflace—in a basement on West Lake street. Accordingly this meeting was held and either Lechtner or Lehman, the “informer," was the doorkeeper on that occasion. The intention of Spies to hold a mass meeting on the next night --the fatal May 4 —in the Havinarket, was made known, together with the annonncement that the time for action had arrive i. Lingg, Fischer, Engel, and the others there expressed their belief that the police would attempt to break up the meeting, and it was resolved that, to prevent this, hombß should be used. A signal was agreed on as to when the bombs should he thrown into the ranks of the policemen, and in order to further carry out their diabolical designs details were made of squads of anarchists who would almost simultaneously attack some of the north, northwest, and southwest police stations. All the anarchists detailed were to be armed with the bombs, a number of which were in the basement at the tune, having been brought there, it is supposed, by Lingg and Engel. It was decided not only to use bombs in the northwestern section of the city, but in the southwestern, in the lumber region, and in outlying districts of the North Division as well. Men were detailed to work against the police stations at a given signal. It was also understood at this meeting that the gathering to protest against the action of the police at the McCormick works should not be held in the Haymarket Square proper, but on Desplalnes street, near the Crane works, where there was less light, and where the gas-lamps could be easily tampered with. At the meeting three bomb-distributing points were determined on. One was on the North Side, off Clyboum avenue, one on the Southwest Side in the vicinity of the lumber region, and one on Milwaukee avenue. That there might be no scarcity of explosives Lingg and some of his confederates brought some to the place of meeting, and told the members of the armed party present that they could help themselves.

Some availed themselves of the opportunity. To provo these details the doorkeeper of the meeting will he placed on the stand when the trial comes off, and also one informer. The evidenoe on this point is complete as far as Lingg apd Fischer are concerned. An effort was made to obtain from Capt. Schaack such information as he possessed with referonce to the officers of the anarchist party. He refusal to divulge this, but said he had evidence to prove that August Spies was the life and soul of the party here. The evidence against this person is strong. It will be proved—and the testimony before the jury was to tho effect—that the “revenge" circular was in August Spies’ handwriting. It will also be proved that a cipher signal for meeting for act on, tho meaning of which was explained at the Lake street basement meeting, and which was printed in the editorial page of the Arbeitcr Zeitung the 4th of May is also in Spies' handwriting. This password or signal meant in English “We are peaceable.” When that was uttered at the Desplaines street meeting the “work" was to commence. There is some doubt as to who gave the signal, but it was given, and Spies understood its significance. So did Fischer and Hirschberger, who assisted Fischer to “sot up" the signal, and Flelden, who made the speech preceding the bomb-throwing. It has been also in evidence befare the Grand Jury that Engel assisted Lingg in the manufacture of the bombs, that he knew what they wore intended for, and that he even manufactured independently of Lingg, a crucible having been found at his house. The evidence against Parsons and Schnable. not yet indicted, hut certain to be, is also quite full. When the police were attacked in the Haymarket the fact was to be made known as quickly as possible to squads of anarchists at the various rendezvous, and by their assaulting the police stations in the vicinity it was hoped to prevent the entire reserve force of officers from concentrating. Having arranged these matters satisfactorily, the conspirators were informed that the Arbeiter Zeitung would publish a certain paragraph, the words of which, when uttered by Spies or some other leader, would be a signal for the assault on the officers in the Haymarket. The paragraph, it is said, was published in the Arbeiter Zeitung, and the Haymarket meeting was held in strict accordance with the prearranged plans, Spies, Fielden, Schwab, Fischer, Lingg, Engel, Lechtner, Lehman, Hirschberger, Parsons, Schnauble, and the other leading anarchists being present. To further carry out their infamous designs the lights in the vicinity were turned out, and when Capt. Ward ordered the mob to disperse the signal was given, and the bomb was thrown with the effect already known. All this information has been gleaned, and the names of several persons not yet arrested are npw in possession of the officers, who are untiring in their efforts to discover the bombthrower. The confessions of Lechtner and Lehman are convincing, and although Capt. Schaack is unwilling to make any further disclosures at present, his subordinates say there will be more startling revelations made when the cases come to trial, For a long time past it has been a rule of the anarchist groups that each member should contribute weekly thirty cents toward the purchase of rkfleß and revolvers. These, it appears, they bought in lots and at wholesale rates, and whenever the weekly assessments or contributions of a member amounted to a little more than the cost of a rifle or a revolver, he became the owner of one of the repeaters. A portion of the regular dues of members, and the proceeds of parties and picnics, were devoted to the purchase of additional arms, the manufacture of explosives, and the strengthening and advancement of the organization. Next week the Arbeiter Zeitung will be printed at No. 274 West Twelfth street, where the new press is at present. The owner of the building is E. H. Ellers, and he signed the lease for a year. It is believed that the Grand Jury will indiet about twenty more persons. One of the grand jurors asked Capt. Schaack how he accounted for the comparative failure of the anarchist plot. He said the fellows were nearly all arrant cowards. Some of the persons detailed to give the signals failed to act. Others detailed for work did not call for their bombs at the depot. He said that the only thing that keeps most of them now from turning informers is the fear that they may he murdered and the hesitancy of the police authorities to accept their testimony. Their cowardice alone prevented the massacre of the polioe force and the probable pillage of the city. The socialists and anarchists are making strenuous efforts to raise a large sum of money for the defense of the indicted men, and it is reported that they are succeeding. About SI,OOO has been already subscribed, and at least $5,000 is expected by the committoe. One of the men interested in the work states that there will be plenty of money. The best possible legal talent will be secured. Mrs. A. R. Parsons has written to Gen. B. F. Butler, to enlist his sympathies for the imprisoned men. He has not been heard fiom. A few days ago a member of the defense committee asked Gen. I. N. Btiles to undertake the defense. Gen. Btiles declined. Upon the refusal of Gen. Btiles to accept a retainer the committee set to work to secure Col. Robert G. Ingersoll, and one of the committee says he has the utmost confidence that Ingersoll will accept.

AUGUST SPIES.

SAMUEL FIELDEN.

MICHAEL SCHWAB.