I clip this brief summary of his life from the Chicago
"Record-Herald."

Born on the West Side, August 19, 1858.
Started life as a newsboy.
"Crowned" as Alderman of the First Ward in 1897.
Reëlected biennially ever since.
Owner in fief of various privileges in the First Ward.
Lord of the Workingmen's Exchange:
Overlord of floaters, voters, and other liege subjects.

The Workingmen's Exchange, referred to above, is
one of two saloons operated by the Alderman, on South
Clark Street, and it is a show place for those who wish
to look upon the darker side of things. It is a very
large saloon, having one of the longest bars I ever saw;
also one of the busiest. Hardly anything but beer is
served there; beer in schooners little smaller than a
man's head. These are known locally as "babies," and,
by a curious custom, the man who removes his fingers
from his glass forfeits it to any one who takes it up.
Nor are takers lacking.

"I'll tell you a funny thing about this place," said my
friend the veteran police reporter, who was somewhat
apologetically doing the honors. (Police reporters are
always apologetic when they show you over a town that
has been "cleaned up.")

"What?" I asked.

"No one has ever been killed in here," he said.

I had to admit that it was a funny thing. After
looking at the faces lined up at the bar I should

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