Continued from Feb. 1st.
You could call this the planned riot.
A huge crowd gathered, and Mayor Levi Boone (related to Daniel Boone), ordered police to clear them out of the courthouse area and nine were arrested. An armed gang from the North Side German community (probably Cub fans) decided to rescue the prisoners.
Mayor Boone held them off, partly by keeping the Clark Street drawbridge raised until he was able to assemble 200 police. He then had the bridge lowered and the mob surged forward. Shooting began and militia joined in with the mayor. The riot ended in a matter of minutes.
However, even losing this fight, the action mobilized Chicago's immigrant vote. In the March 1856, a heavy German and Irish voter turnout defeated the Nativists and the $50 liquor license immediately restored.
Chicago ever after has had a new political makeup and elections are no longer ignored. Hey, there's quite a one going on right now. Of course, in Chicago, it's the Democratic primary which is the big election. Whoever wins that will be the next mayor. Republicans or any other party has no chance.
Giving New Credence to Beer Wars. --DaCoot
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