When Tragedy Strikes - Chicago PD and the Chicago River
A vehicle hangs suspended near the Chicago River, dripping water while a gathering crowd watches. The scene, depicted as our May calendar photo, is a gripping one. Onlookers peer over shoulders, leaning just-so to catch a glimpse as the automobile dangles by a pulley-system. Zoom out, and you’ll notice gawkers balanced on a roof edge, filling up a spiral staircase in the background, and lining the Boulevard Link Bridge (known today as the DuSable Bridge or Michigan Avenue Bridge) in the distance.
Caption from back of image: May 3, 1923. Photo shows Chicago firemen and police removing from the Chicago River, near the Boulevard Link Bridge, an automobile which plunged into the river in the night. It is believed that the machine was stolen and was run into the river by the thieves after they had finished with it. Photo credits: N.E.A. |
Comparison Image: A modern day view of the DuSable or Michigan Avenue Bridge.
Were they quiet, anxiously waiting to see if anyone remained behind the wheel? Or did they each have their own opinion, shouting to be heard over the stranger next to them? Either way, the mood seems somber. Anxious.
After all, it wasn’t the river’s first incident.
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The Sinking of the S.S. Eastland
On July 24th, 1915, over 800 passengers and crew members lost their lives in a disturbing accident aboard the SS Eastland. According to an article published by the United States Coast Guard, passengers quickly filled up the ship as it sat docked in the Chicago River, awaiting its departure.
The Titanic disaster wasn’t far from mind during the ship’s construction. Due to the Seaman’s Act, passenger-bearing ships required lifeboats. Yet what was intended to be a lifesaving measure only sealed their fate. Under strain from the influx of passengers and the weight of the lifeboats, the ship listed once, then twice–then sank to the bottom, taking countless souls with it.
The Chicago PD leapt into action. The Eastland Disaster Historical Society carefully documented the tragedy, including the department’s heroic actions. Among family members and onlookers desperate to save anyone they could, the Department worked tirelessly. Officers dragged passengers from the water, hurried them onto rowboats, and tried to regulate a frantic and terrified crowd. Dr. Thomas A. Carter, Chief Police Ambulance Surgeon, attempted to revive the wounded and drowning.
A Mystery on the Water
Locals called it “Houseboat City.” An idyllic name, perhaps. But the boat the two detectives boarded looked anything but.
When the Chicago Police was called upon the Genevive to investigate its contents, what they found was quite unexpected. Ron Grossman, contributor to The Chicago Tribune revisited the story: “a strange assortment of loot found in the place, ranging from search lights to brass knuckles, automatic pistols and blackjacks.”
Edna Barhite occupied the boat in the 1920s, along with her son. While she didn’t admit to any criminal activity, suspicions had long swirled around her residency. After all, “there had been reports of strange automobiles pulling up to Barhite’s anchorage in the dark of night.” Whether her abode served as a drop-off point for weapons or a secret stash, the department knew they couldn’t exactly ignore the odd collection.
Despite pushback from Barhite, and with help from U.S. marshals, her boat ended up being towed further downriver (an attempt to bring back some normalcy to the area). What happened to Barhite and her mysterious shack is unknown–though we’re curious if the move halted any questionable behavior.
Floor It!
When passersby walked past the Chicago River one day in 1922, seeing a car high-tailing it over the Michigan Avenue bridge was probably the last thing they expected.
And the Chicago Police Department wasn’t far behind. Despite the drawbridge opening wider by the moment, their sights were on one person: notorious gangster Vincent Drucci.
Fearless. High-tempered. “The Schemer.” Those labels followed Drucci around Chicago’s streets as he drifted from petty theft to outright assault. He quickly rose through the mobster ranks in the North Side Gang–an opposing group to Al Capone’s vicious South Side Gang.
Maybe it wasn’t such a shock that he would be running from the police one day. His latest crime? Cracking a safe. And instead of showing up in court, he was whipping his vehicle down Michigan Avenue. One problem: ships were crossing the river, and the bridge was rising to permit them entry.
Well, a problem for anyone but Vincent Drucci. History Is Now magazine describes the scene: “Not one to be thwarted by something as trivial as a gap in a bridge, Drucci put the car in gear, pressed the gas, broke through the barrier, and successfully jumped the bridge. Unfortunately, the two police officers did the same and Drucci encountered a traffic jam.”
Though Drucci’s chase was short-lived, we’re sure the image of Chicago PD vehicles sailing over the gap was something onlookers didn’t soon forget.
Dialing into History
From tragedies, to mysteries, to high-speed chases, it’s clear that the Chicago River has seen plenty of historic tales.
Do you have any information on:
- The accident featured in our May calendar image?
- The Eastland disaster?
- Dr. Thomas A. Carter?
- Officer William Ryan?
- Traffic Patrolman Walter P. Brooks?
- Officer Patrick Lally?
- Edna Barhite, Chicago’s Houseboat City occupant, or any others? Her son?
- Notorious Gangster Vincent Drucci?
Send details and photos to pon@ponetwork.com. Together, let’s dig deeper into history!
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