People's Pilot, Volume 3, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 September 1893 — ATTACKED A STORE. [ARTICLE]

ATTACKED A STORE.

An Unrnljr Mob In Chicago Marche* an the Big Establishment of Siegel, Cooper A Co., bnt Is Boated at the Doors by Police. Chicago, Aug. 29.— Chicago witnessed on Monday the nearest approach to the looting o * one of its great department stores, that of Siegel, Cooper & Co., that has ever taken place in the history of the city. The store was saved from being raided by the presence, the active and efficient work done by Chief of Detectives John Shea and Assistant Chief of Police Joseph Kipley. The movement on State street was one of those extraordinary things which unorganized mobs sometimes do. It had no leaders and seemingly had no purpose except a wild desire for action on the part of the men who had been standing quietly for hours listening to speeches in almost every modern language.

The trouble began from the moment when Assistant Chief Kipley notified the leaders of the mass-meeting that no more street parades would be tolerated. Angry howls greeted this announcement from the stand. Several speakers advocated parading the streets despite the police orders. Some one called out, “Where’s the black flag?” “Black flag! black flag!” reechoed the crowd, but it was not forthcoming. It had been in the crowd at the statue during the afternoon but was not unfurled. The crowd filled the street from curb to curb. Fruit stands were run over but not plundered. Light vehicles were jerked about in a spirit of viciousness. The crowd was swiftly becoming a mob. It was nearing the danger line. A short distance south of Van Buren the mob was startled and thrilled by a voice in clear, loud tones: “Siegel <& Cooper,” “Siegel & Cooper,” “On to Siegel & Cooper’s!” The mob had its cue. Men’s faces whitened, their hands instinctively clinched, and on the double-quick they started for the great main entrance to Siegel & Cooper’s. A roar of mingled voices filled the street. It grew in v oieme. It sounded like a storm. The mob had reached the sidewalk immediately fronting the entrance. Then the police sprang in. The detectives, who were almost without exception veterans who have fought through many a street fight, went in on that crowd and through it very swiftly. They used only their hands and chiefly pulled the men about, but in those cases where resistance was made the hand was doubled and put into action. Inside the store a panic was about to ensue. The great mob was seen rolling rapidly to the entrance. Clerks’ faces blanched. Customers eagerly hurried to escape down aisles to the north and south exits. It was bargain day and the great store was jammed with women, young and old, on tlieir shopping trips. They could not hurry out. Harrison street station was telephoned for help. Before the crowd on the outside had time to do any mischief Assistant Superintendent Kipley and Inspector Shea swooped down at the head of thirty or forty officers in plain clothes. In less than five minutos the mob was flying in all directions, pursued by the officers, who kicked and thumped the surprised beligerents with remarkable zest and vigor.. Several thousand spectators were attracted to the scene and State street for blocks was black with people. Inspector Shea kept his officers busy moving the crowds, and after half an hour’s turmoil the excitement died out and business went on as usual. No arrests were made;, the- police acting so promptly that neither tlite ringleaders nor their followers had: time to do any actual harm, even' if they were so inclined.