Constable James Constable James QuinnQuinn

Chicago’s Forgotten Hero Chicago’s Forgotten Hero

18531853

A Timeless TruthA Timeless Truth

►““That's what it is if you are That's what it is if you are investigating vicious criminals. They investigating vicious criminals. They don't play by the rules so one of the don't play by the rules so one of the things they will do is make false things they will do is make false allegations against police officers," allegations against police officers," Cline said.Cline said.

►--- Phil Cline, Sept. 25, 2003--- Phil Cline, Sept. 25, 2003

Constable James Quinn Constable James Quinn

►This case can be examined in two This case can be examined in two ways: ways:

From a Legal viewpoint:From a Legal viewpoint:

From a Factual standpoint:From a Factual standpoint:

Legal Rulings by Police Dept.Legal Rulings by Police Dept.

► Dec. 12, 1853, the Committee on Police, with Dec. 12, 1853, the Committee on Police, with power to act, determined, “A member of the power to act, determined, “A member of the Police of the city has been lately killed in the Police of the city has been lately killed in the discharge of his duty.” & orders “the Mayor and discharge of his duty.” & orders “the Mayor and City Marshal to descend on the Houses of ill-City Marshal to descend on the Houses of ill-Fame on the Sands to vindicate the honor of Fame on the Sands to vindicate the honor of the Police.”the Police.”

► March 6, 1854, the Committee on the Judiciary, March 6, 1854, the Committee on the Judiciary, with power to act, concurs, “James Quinn was with power to act, concurs, “James Quinn was deprived of life in the honest & faithful deprived of life in the honest & faithful discharge of his duty as an Officer of the City” discharge of his duty as an Officer of the City” and authorizes a $50.00 payment to the widow.and authorizes a $50.00 payment to the widow.

Legal OpinionLegal Opinion

►Every attorney who has reviewed this Every attorney who has reviewed this case has reached the following legal case has reached the following legal conclusion:conclusion: The decisions of the 1853 Committee on The decisions of the 1853 Committee on

Police and the 1854 Committee on the Police and the 1854 Committee on the Judiciary, must stand today as a matter of Judiciary, must stand today as a matter of law absent the presentation of law absent the presentation of substantialsubstantial new evidence to justify overturning them. new evidence to justify overturning them. Both bodies found Quinn “was killed while Both bodies found Quinn “was killed while in the discharge of his duty.” in the discharge of his duty.”

Died a Hero yet never Died a Hero yet never honoredhonored

► The Administration of the Police Department The Administration of the Police Department TWICE determined Constable Quinn “was TWICE determined Constable Quinn “was killed in the discharge of his duty.”killed in the discharge of his duty.”

► His line of duty death was therefore His line of duty death was therefore recognized; just never honored.recognized; just never honored.

► As an As an electedelected Roman Catholic of foreign birth, Roman Catholic of foreign birth, Quinn was hated by the Know Nothings. Quinn was hated by the Know Nothings.

► It was his ELECTION to public office that made It was his ELECTION to public office that made him the enemy to the all Protestant, all native him the enemy to the all Protestant, all native born, Know Nothings, a secret society who born, Know Nothings, a secret society who held the political power in Chicago in 1854. held the political power in Chicago in 1854.

FACTSFACTS

► 1851 Ordinance establishes Police 1851 Ordinance establishes Police Department.Department.

► The Sands described.The Sands described.► Quinn elected to the Office of Constable.Quinn elected to the Office of Constable.► Police Rules of 1853 issued.Police Rules of 1853 issued.► Quinn is killed in discharge of his duty.Quinn is killed in discharge of his duty.► Rees arrested, indicted, tried, convicted, Rees arrested, indicted, tried, convicted,

sentenced, incarcerated.sentenced, incarcerated.► City compensates widow with public funds.City compensates widow with public funds.► Historical corroboration of Quinn’s line of Historical corroboration of Quinn’s line of

duty death. duty death.

1851 Ordinance to Regulate the 1851 Ordinance to Regulate the PolicePolice

► Established the Mayor, Alderman, Police Established the Mayor, Alderman, Police Justices, Constables & Watchmen to Justices, Constables & Watchmen to constitute the Police of the City of Chicago.constitute the Police of the City of Chicago.

► Mission of Department was to enforce all Mission of Department was to enforce all City Ordinances relative to preserving the City Ordinances relative to preserving the peace and good order.peace and good order.

► ““Constables shall report for duty as Constables shall report for duty as Policemen at such time as the Marshal Policemen at such time as the Marshal demands.”demands.”

The SandsThe Sands

►Located on the shores of Lake Michigan Located on the shores of Lake Michigan just north of the Chicago river. just north of the Chicago river.

►Home of crooked gamblers, thieves, Home of crooked gamblers, thieves, pimps & the most degraded prostitutes.pimps & the most degraded prostitutes.

►Notorious hideout & hangout for Notorious hideout & hangout for criminals that housed a beehive of criminals that housed a beehive of brothels.brothels.

►““Police dared not venture into this Police dared not venture into this criminal stronghold.”criminal stronghold.”

1853 Charter Election 1853 Charter Election

► 160 Irish Americans voted as a block 160 Irish Americans voted as a block electingelecting James James Quinn, a Roman Catholic, of foreign birth, to the Quinn, a Roman Catholic, of foreign birth, to the Office of Constable in the Ninth Ward. This Office of Constable in the Ninth Ward. This infuriated the “Know Nothings” whose platform infuriated the “Know Nothings” whose platform called for keeping Catholics & the foreign born, called for keeping Catholics & the foreign born, from from electedelected office. office.

► Quinn defeated Horatio N. Pease, the Know Nothing Quinn defeated Horatio N. Pease, the Know Nothing candidate, by 22 votes. candidate, by 22 votes.

► Chicago Police Captain Luther Nichols, Quinn’s Chicago Police Captain Luther Nichols, Quinn’s direct supervisor, was a strident member of the direct supervisor, was a strident member of the Know Nothings.Know Nothings.

Constable Quinn killed in the Constable Quinn killed in the Discharge of his DutyDischarge of his Duty

►Friday Dec. 2Friday Dec. 2ndnd after having arrested a after having arrested a thief on a warrant, Quinn is assaulted thief on a warrant, Quinn is assaulted and seriously injured by Rees. During and seriously injured by Rees. During the attack the prisoner escaped.the attack the prisoner escaped.

► Saturday Dec. 3Saturday Dec. 3rdrd , while searching for , while searching for the same thief who escaped him the the same thief who escaped him the night before, Quinn is again assaulted night before, Quinn is again assaulted by Rees and is further injured. by Rees and is further injured.

Constable Quinn killed in the Constable Quinn killed in the Discharge of his DutyDischarge of his Duty

► Saturday Dec. 3Saturday Dec. 3rdrd Quinn, just after the second Quinn, just after the second attack and in accordance with Section 1 of the attack and in accordance with Section 1 of the Police Rules of 1853 requiring him to be “prepared Police Rules of 1853 requiring him to be “prepared to act on a moment’s notice.” removed himself to act on a moment’s notice.” removed himself from scene telling Rees, “I’ll see you another day”from scene telling Rees, “I’ll see you another day”

► Sunday Dec. 4Sunday Dec. 4thth Quinn reports for duty, returns to Quinn reports for duty, returns to the Sands, and causes Rees and the thief who had the Sands, and causes Rees and the thief who had escaped him to both be arrested. escaped him to both be arrested.

► Monday Dec. 5Monday Dec. 5thth, Quinn died of injuries., Quinn died of injuries.

The AftermathThe Aftermath

► Dec. 5Dec. 5thth Autopsy determines Quinn died from Autopsy determines Quinn died from the “kicks & sundry blows” delivered by REES the “kicks & sundry blows” delivered by REES on both Friday & Saturday nights.on both Friday & Saturday nights.

► Dec. 8Dec. 8thth REES charged in a ONE Count REES charged in a ONE Count Indictment of voluntary manslaughter Indictment of voluntary manslaughter stemming from the Friday night Dec. 2stemming from the Friday night Dec. 2ndnd attack ONLY. attack ONLY.

► Dec. 12Dec. 12thth Committee on Police finds Quinn Committee on Police finds Quinn “killed in the discharge of his duty” and “killed in the discharge of his duty” and Orders the Mayor & City Marshal to descend Orders the Mayor & City Marshal to descend on the Sand to “rout out the houses of ill fame on the Sand to “rout out the houses of ill fame & to vindicate the honor of the Police.”& to vindicate the honor of the Police.”

The TrialThe Trial

► Quinn’s Captain, Luther Nichols, a defense Quinn’s Captain, Luther Nichols, a defense witness at trial, never accused Quinn of any witness at trial, never accused Quinn of any wrongdoing of any kind. wrongdoing of any kind.

► Per Rules 19 & 38, Nichols was required to Per Rules 19 & 38, Nichols was required to report all allegations of wrongdoing by his report all allegations of wrongdoing by his subordinatessubordinates

► Not only was the Captain duty bound to Not only was the Captain duty bound to report, but as a Know Nothing, he would have report, but as a Know Nothing, he would have cherished the opportunity to report Quinn for cherished the opportunity to report Quinn for misconduct IF he could have done so.misconduct IF he could have done so.

Captain Luther NicholsCaptain Luther Nichols

►Captain Nichols, Quinn’s boss, was a Captain Nichols, Quinn’s boss, was a strident member of the Know strident member of the Know Nothings… a political party comprised Nothings… a political party comprised ofof Native born AmericansNative born Americans ProtestantsProtestants

►Know Nothings were sworn to keep Roman Know Nothings were sworn to keep Roman Catholics and the foreign born from being Catholics and the foreign born from being electedelected to Public Office. to Public Office.

►Quinn, a Roman Catholic and Irishman was Quinn, a Roman Catholic and Irishman was electedelected to office. to office.

The ConvictionThe Conviction

►Feb 3, 1854, REES was convicted of Feb 3, 1854, REES was convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter by a trial jury; Voluntary Manslaughter by a trial jury; sentenced to five years in prison.sentenced to five years in prison.

►Feb. 14Feb. 14thth REES delivered to penitentiary in REES delivered to penitentiary in Alton, Illinois.Alton, Illinois.

►Oct. 1855 false rumors circulate that Know Oct. 1855 false rumors circulate that Know Nothing party obtained a Pardon for REES.Nothing party obtained a Pardon for REES.

Widow Quinn is Widow Quinn is CompensatedCompensated

► Feb 27, 1854, widow Margaret Quinn files petition Feb 27, 1854, widow Margaret Quinn files petition with Mayor & Aldermen in Common Council.with Mayor & Aldermen in Common Council.

► States her husband, “under no ordinary States her husband, “under no ordinary circumstances died in the honest and faithful circumstances died in the honest and faithful discharge of his duty as an officer of this city” discharge of his duty as an officer of this city”

► Seeks compensation “to relieve the destitution Seeks compensation “to relieve the destitution which has fallen on her family in consequence of his which has fallen on her family in consequence of his death.”death.”

► March 6, 1854, Committee on Judiciary March 6, 1854, Committee on Judiciary concursconcurs with with Petition & recommends the payment of $50.00. Petition & recommends the payment of $50.00.

► Note: The $50.00 paid to the widow came from city Note: The $50.00 paid to the widow came from city funds; not private donations. The police benevolent funds; not private donations. The police benevolent mutual aid fund wasn’t founded until 1868. mutual aid fund wasn’t founded until 1868.

Petitions to Pardon REES Petitions to Pardon REES

►By 12/1856, A substantial number of Know By 12/1856, A substantial number of Know Nothings & saloon owners filed a petition Nothings & saloon owners filed a petition seeking Executive Clemency for REES.seeking Executive Clemency for REES.

►The judge, prosecutor & six jurors also The judge, prosecutor & six jurors also filed petitions seeking a Pardon for REES.filed petitions seeking a Pardon for REES.

►NONENONE of the petitions say anything of the petitions say anything derogatory about Quinn’s actions.derogatory about Quinn’s actions.

►NONENONE claim he was drinking or involved in claim he was drinking or involved in a “personal matter” or “off duty” when a “personal matter” or “off duty” when killed.killed.

Petitions in support of Pardon Petitions in support of Pardon

► Common sense tells us that petitioners would Common sense tells us that petitioners would include all mitigating circumstances & advance include all mitigating circumstances & advance their strongest arguments in the affidavits their strongest arguments in the affidavits seeking Executive Clemency for Rees.seeking Executive Clemency for Rees.

► The fact that NOT one petitioner claimed Quinn The fact that NOT one petitioner claimed Quinn was drinking or involved in anything other than was drinking or involved in anything other than official duties, speaks volumes as to the veracity official duties, speaks volumes as to the veracity of allegations made at trial. of allegations made at trial.

► Had there been any truth to any allegation that Had there been any truth to any allegation that Quinn was “somewhat intoxicated,” it surely Quinn was “somewhat intoxicated,” it surely would have been included in the Pardon would have been included in the Pardon petitions.petitions.

Historical CorroborationHistorical Corroboration

► In 1868, fifteen years after he killed In 1868, fifteen years after he killed Constable Quinn, Rees was shot to Constable Quinn, Rees was shot to death.death.

►Chicago Police in 1868 were “exuberant” Chicago Police in 1868 were “exuberant” and “gratified” that Rees was killed. and “gratified” that Rees was killed.

►1868 articles document Quinn, armed 1868 articles document Quinn, armed with an arrest warrant, was searching with an arrest warrant, was searching for a “thief” when assaulted by Rees.for a “thief” when assaulted by Rees.

Chicago Tribune Chicago Tribune ► Nov. 26, 1868 byline was “Nov. 26, 1868 byline was “RETRIBUTIONRETRIBUTION””

► ““Killing of Bill Reese the Notorious Murderer!”Killing of Bill Reese the Notorious Murderer!”

► ““Chicago has perhaps never been cursed by a more thorough Chicago has perhaps never been cursed by a more thorough villain of the rough caste, or a more incorrigible bruiser than villain of the rough caste, or a more incorrigible bruiser than Bill Reese. His character has always been the worst Bill Reese. His character has always been the worst imaginable. Known among his class as a murderer and as a imaginable. Known among his class as a murderer and as a desperate rowdy always ready for a fight and never desperate rowdy always ready for a fight and never vanquished until killed, he stood as a “frowning bull among vanquished until killed, he stood as a “frowning bull among the lesser cattle of the pen.” He established a house of the lesser cattle of the pen.” He established a house of prostitution on the Sands in the vicinity of the North Pier. His prostitution on the Sands in the vicinity of the North Pier. His den soon became the rendezvous for the hardest characters den soon became the rendezvous for the hardest characters which the city afforded. which the city afforded. There he murdered Constable There he murdered Constable Quinn, by kicking him in the abdomen, for which crime Quinn, by kicking him in the abdomen, for which crime he was sentenced to a term in the state penitentiary.”he was sentenced to a term in the state penitentiary.”

Chicago RepublicanChicago Republican

► Nov. 26, 1868 byline: “The End of a Rascal”Nov. 26, 1868 byline: “The End of a Rascal”► ““Police and many of the citizens of Police and many of the citizens of

Chicago wereChicago were much gratified”…at the much gratified”…at the death of Rees.death of Rees.

► Rees was sent to the penitentiary, in Alton, for Rees was sent to the penitentiary, in Alton, for having killed Constable Quinn. having killed Constable Quinn. That officer, it That officer, it will be remembered by many, went to will be remembered by many, went to search for a thiefsearch for a thief who he believed was who he believed was harbored in one of the numerous sinks of vice. harbored in one of the numerous sinks of vice. Reese resisted him and in a struggle which Reese resisted him and in a struggle which ensued, kicked the Constable so severely as to ensued, kicked the Constable so severely as to cause that official’s death.”cause that official’s death.”

Chicago Evening JournalChicago Evening Journal

►Nov. 25, 1868 byline: “Another Nov. 25, 1868 byline: “Another Landshark Gone”Landshark Gone”

►““The The police are exuberantpolice are exuberant over the over the cause of their fellow mortal’s cause of their fellow mortal’s despondency, and hint that the despondency, and hint that the occurrence falling so close to occurrence falling so close to Thanksgiving Day is a remarkable Thanksgiving Day is a remarkable coincidence, and should be taken coincidence, and should be taken advantage of by all law-loving citizens.” advantage of by all law-loving citizens.”