Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 October 1891 — JOSEPH BALES’ CRIME. [ARTICLE]

JOSEPH BALES’ CRIME.

Ho Foully Stubs a Fellow-Laborer to Uu Heart. A desporate murder which was perpetrated at the docks of the Western Transit Company, Chicago, was followed by a succession of ovonts rivaling in sensational features tho most lawloss sections of the far Wost A young Irish dock laborer namod Cornelius Sullivan was stabbed and instantly Killed by a colored youth namod Jo ph ltales, and this deed was followed by two determined efforts at lynching, which, through a mero chance of circumstances, wore in both i uses unsuccessful. A crowd of ’longshoremen and laborers had gathered to receive their wages which are paid daily. Ot.hors were also on tho spot looking for work. Ono of thoso named Sandy Smith was about to enter the tiltico to cash his time check when ho was accosted by a white dock laborer turned Richard Taylor. A dispute ensued and Joseph llalcs stepped forward to interfere in the quarrel a i also did Cornelius Sullivan Tho latter ask d Halos why ho wanted to interfere and Halos dr. w a knife and in an instant drove it into Sullivan’s chest, piercing tho heart and causing instant death. To make sure of his victim Hales withdrew tho knife and again buried tho blade in | the fallen man’s neck. Aitor stabbing 1 Sullivan Halos retreated a few paces and waved tho knife with the air of | a desperado. The dead man’s friends i had gatherod around tho body, and | finding life was extinct a shout of mingled rage and revenge was raised. ! It was taken up by the ovor-increas- , ing crowd ol strong dock-men, and a ’ unanimous cry of “Lynch him,” “llaug | him," warned Ba'os of ills insecurity, i Ho started off at a rapid run, which served only to increase tho fury of the crowd, and Immediate pursuit was bogun. One of tho foremost pursuers, William McUuinnoss, drew a revolver and trlod to bring down tho colored youth. Ono bullet took effect and Halos was soon t > stagger and grasp his arm where tho bul.othad lodged. Anothor shot wont wide and struck James Donovan, who had joined tho crowd. Justus tho crowd closed in on Hales a citizen namod Geo go Valentino, who I occupied a buggy, observed tho condition of affairs. Calling upon T. C. Kano, and also to tho man .McUuinnoss, ho sci cd Halos and lifted him into tho vehicle. With his pistol at Hales' head McUuinnoss guarded tho murderer, while \ alontino drove speodlly to tho Chicago Avenue Station. The fact of Halos' escaping from Its wrath saorned to excite the crowd still further. A cry was raised that Kandy Smith, who originated tho trouble, was an onlooker, and before tho luckless man could utter a word of remonstrance ho was sot upon by a dozen men. A cry of ‘String him up” was raised and reechoed by many throats, and In a second a rope was procured. Trembling with the sudden fear of death, with his clothes torn to shreds, and blood trickling down his face, .th ■ wretched man ploadod piteously for mercy. The blood of tho mob wus at fever heat, however, and a noose was quickly made and passed with no gcntlo hands over Ills head. Ho was hurried onder a beam, and the crowd closed In for the death. In an instant ho would have swung aloft had not tho crowd been rough y parted, and a police officer, eoatless and hatloss. stood beside the terr.fied man. It was Ofticor I’. Reynolds, who lives In an adjacent house, lie had been awakened from a sound sleep aft'r a long night of duty, l eaping out of bed, ha slipped on a pair of trousers, and, snatching up a brace of revolvers, rushed to the scene of tho Intended hanging. Reaching Smith, he cried: “Stop; f arrest this man,” and with a revolver in each hand ho Interposed himself between the crowd and Smith. The crowd was so taken by surprise that for several seconds not a move was made. After tho mob was deprived of its second victim it returned to tho Western Transit Company’s premises, and here a crowd of sullen, vengeful men stood in groups ali day.