August Spies' Auto-Biography; His Speech in Court, and General Notes (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1887 edition. Excerpt: ... A few minutes later a dark and threatening cloud moved up from the north. The people fearing that it would rain--or at least two-thirds of them--left the meeting. "Stay"--said Fielden--"just a minute longer, I will conclude presently." There were now not more than 200 persons remaining; one minute later 200 policemen formed into line at the intersection of itandolph St. and marched upon the little crowd in double quick step Eaising his cane in an authoritative way, captain Ward--directing his words to Fielden (I was standing just behind Fielden in the wagon) said: "In the name of the people of the state of Illinois, I command this meeting to disperse." "Captain, this is a peaceable meeting " retorted Mr. Fielden, while the captain turned around to his men and gave a command which I understood to be--"charge upon them " At this juncture I was drawn from the wagon by my brother and several others, and I had just reached the ground when a terrific detonation occurred. "What is that?" asked my brother. "A canon, I believe," was my reply. In an instant the fusilade of the police began; everybody was running. All this was as unexpected as if suddenly a cloud had burst. I lost my brother in the throng, and was carried away towards the north. People fell, struck by the bullets, right and left. As I crossed the alley north of Crane's factory, a lot of officers ran into the alley, some of them exclaiming that they were hurt. They had evidently been shot by their own comrades, and sought protection in the alley. I was in a parallel line with them, and the bullets whistled around my head like a swarm of bees. I fell once or twice over others who had "dropped," but otherwise escaped unhurt into Zepf's Saloon, at the corner of Lake St. Here I heard for the...