Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 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 Arc 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. Tho five German members of the jury did not hesitate to vote for the indictments. On the contrary, they were especially urgent in their desire to go on record against the destnictionists, and to support all the charges which tho State's Attornov thought wise to lodge against the prisoners. The indictments wore read by Mr. Grinnell and voted upon separately. There were twenty-three in all. A. B. Parsons was not included in tho indictments. It has been hinted for some time that the police 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 ohe in this lot who is not in custody. Michael Schwab is under indictment for murder and conspiracy, 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 temaie relatives to save their own necks The 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 for a 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 theywho carriedjt out to such a successful end, from their point of view. In working up the story Captain Schaack 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 on 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 present government institutions and place themselves in control, the anarchists of Chicago resolved to exist in two forms—armed and for agitation. Both branches were composed largely of the same members, the only differencebeingthatthe armed anarchists were tho extremists who favored bloodshed ontheslightest 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 “squealed,'* and are now under arrest. Their story is that Lingg, Seligen (who told where* the former was hiding), and George Etglp, of Milwaukee avenue, have tor 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 bad indulged in his inflammatory remarks, causing the McCormick riots, he went to the Arbeiter Zeitung office and wrote the “Revenge I” circular which was set up by Fischer and Hirschberger, and printed by a well-known firm. These circulars were distributed, 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 (Mauday) night at the usual place —in a basement on West Lake street. Accordingly this meeting was held and either Lechtner or Lehman, the “informer,” was the. doorkeeper on that occXSlan. The intention of Spies to hold a mass meeting on the next night —the fatal May 4— in the Haymarket, was made known, together with the announcement that the time for actiorPhad arrived. Lingg, Fischer, Engel, and the others there expressed their be. lief that the police would attempt to break up the meeting, and it was resolved that, to prevent this, bombs should be used. A signal was agreed on as to when the bombs should be ’ thrown into the ranks of the policemen, and in order to further carry out their diabolical

designs details were mad* 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 time, having been brought there, it is supposed, by Lingg and Engel. It was decided not only to use bombs in tho northwestern section of the city, but in the southwestern, in the lumber region, and in outlying districts of the North,Division as welL Mun were detailed to work against the police stations at a given signa). It was also understood at this meet ng that the gathering to protest against the action of the police at the McCormick works should not be held in the Haymark «t Skruara proper, but an Desplalfies street, near the Crime works, where there was less light, and where the gas-lamps could be easily tampered with. Atthe meeting three bomb-distributing points were determined oh. Ono 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 Idngg and some of his confederates brought some to the place of meeting, and told the inembers of the armed party present that they could help themselves. Some availed themselves of the opportunity. To prove these details the doorkeeper of the meeting will be placed on the stand when the trial conies off, and also one Informer. The evidence on this point is complete as far as Lingg and Fischer are concerned. An effort was made to obtain ffom Capt. Schaack such information as he possessed with reference to the officers of the anarchist party. Hexefuso 1 to, divulge this, bnt said he had evidence to prove that August Spies; was the life and soul of the party here. The evidence agnlnst this person is strong. It will be proved—and the testimony before the- jury was td the effect—that the 'revenge" circular was in August Spies' handwriting. It will also be proved that a cipher simal for meeting for act on, the meaning of which was explained at the Lake street basement meeting, and which was printed in tho editorial page of the Arbeiter Zeitung the 4th of Mav is also in Spies’ handwriting. This password or signal meant in English "We are peaceable.” When that was uttered at the Desplaines street rr.etlng the “work” was to commercj. There -is some doubt ns to who gave the signal, but it was given, and Spies understood its significance. So did Fischer and Hirschberger, who assisted Fischer to “set up’ the signal, and Fielden, who made the speech preceding the bomb-throwing. It has been also in evidence before the Grand Jury that Engel assisted Lingg in the manufacture of the bombs, that he knew what they were 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, but 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 iaaald.waa 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 now 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 rifles 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 repeatenfr 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 advaneement 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 indict about twenty more persons. One of the grand jurors asked Capt. Schaack bow 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 Jceeps most of them now from turning informers is the fear that they may l<e murdered and the hesitancy of the police authorities to accept their testimony. Their cowardice alone prevented the massacre of the police 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 qf 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 committee. 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. B. Parsons has written F. Butler, to enlist his sympathies for tho imprisoned men. He has not been’heard fiom. A few days ago a member of the defense committee asked Gen. I. N. Stiles to undertake the defense. Gen. Stiles declined. Upon the refusal of Gen. Stiles 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. —— ■ ; Strength of the Anarchists. •How strong are the anarchists in point of numbers ?" was asked of Mezeroff, the great Russian Nihilist. "These figures are as nearly correct as it is possible.to get ttamr^==r=r-r-r-r-— — Russia... 7. .10,0001 New York .2,500 Germany..2o,ooo Chicago.s,ooo Austrialo,ooo Milwaukee. 700 Hungary. 5,000 Pittsburgh 250 Bohemia. 5,000 Philadelphia. 250 Switzerlandl2,ooo Cincinnati 200 France 8,000,8 t. Louis 150 England.ls,o2o’Suffalo ioo “This shows a total of 85,000 in Europe and 9,150 in America," resumed Mezeroff, after he had scanned the table he had prepared. “We must add something to this for places not accounted for." he continued, “and we will put down the American anarchist population at 10,000, and'that of Europe at 95,000, Ml told. This is the top figure. The smallnumber in Russia, which is the birth-place of anarchy, may be a surprise, but there the order is entirely overshadowed by nihilism. The fiercest anarchists are the Russian Poles, and the Bobemians and Hungarians, and they are gaining in numbers. Ireland is omitted from the list, because that country does not take kindly to anarchist doctrines. —New York Mail and Express.

AUGUST SPIES.

SAMUEL FIELDEN.

MICHAEL SCHWAB.