Monday, May 28, 2012

"Killing Lincoln" and the Chicago Connection

I have just finished reading “Killing Lincoln” by Bill O’Reilly. If you like history and especially the Civil War you will enjoy the book. There is a Chicago connection not mentioned in the book and it begins with the birth of James H. McVicker on February 14, 1822, in New York City.  His father died in the same year and his mother was left with three small children. According to the New York Times both parents were of Scottish heritage. As soon as James was old enough he began working to support the family.  As a young adult, he drifted from place to place and in St. Louis became a journeyman printer.

At the age of twenty he realized that his lack of education was a great hindrance and so he began the process of educating himself. In 1840, he found a job as an actor in New Orleans and in the next few years he traveled the country as an actor and also married. His wife, Harriett G. Runnion, (her maiden name may have been Myers) had been married before and had two children, a boy named Horace and a girl named Mary Francis. In 1848, Mr. and Mrs. McVicker came to Chicago where he found acceptance as an actor.

George Wood, who operated a theater in St. Louis, encouraged McVicker to build a theater in Chicago and he would advance most of the money. Mr. Wood failed to fulfill his part of the bargain but others did and a building was constructed at a cost of $85,000. Among his backers were Potter Palmer, Marshall Field I and W. W. Kimball. The theater seated 2,500 people and was the “most commodious playhouse in the West.”

Edwin Booth first appeared at McVicker’s Theatre, May 31, 1858. About the same time, or perhaps a little later, Mary Francis McVicker began to take children’s parts at her father’s theater. She was then twelve years old and soon became a Chicago favorite. She traveled to other cities along the east coast and was popular there as well. All of this interfered with her education, so her father stopped her acting career. When she was eighteen, Mary was allowed to play Juliet to Edwin Booth’s Romeo. She was a success.

John Wilkes Booth, who in 3 years would shoot President Abraham Lincoln, also appeared in “Richard III” at McVicker’s (1862).

Mary Francis and Edwin Booth fell in love and were married by her grandfather, Rev. B. F. Myers. It was the second marriage for Edwin Booth. Later, Mary appears to have developed severe mental and emotional problems which complicated their marriage. She had gone to Europe with her husband but her health was failing so her father brought her back to America. She died at his home, 13 West Fifty-third street, New York City, and her remains were brought back to Chicago for burial. The funeral was held in St. Paul’s Universalist Church and burial was at Rosehill. Her father never fully recovered from the loss of his daughter and there was a “subsequent misunderstanding with Mr. Booth” which added to his sorrow. I have read that Mary Booth refused to be buried in the family plot in Baltimore because of John Wilkes Booth and chose rather to be buried at Rosehill.

Unlike his brother, Edwin Booth supported the North during the war and had voted for Abraham Lincoln. James McVicker was an ardent supporter of Lincoln. When the President was assassinated, 100 prominent citizens of Chicago were appointed to accompany his body to Springfield for burial. McVicker was one of the 100 chosen. He was an active member of the Illinois Saint Andrew Society while living in Chicago.

James H. McVicker died March 10, 1896 and the funeral service was held at the residence, 1842 Michigan avenue. The Rev. H. W. Thomas, pastor of the People’s Church, which worshiped on Sundays in McVicker’s Theater, conducted the service. (McVicker was also a great admirer of Prof. Swing and attended his Central Church for several years. ) Burial was at Rosehill. His estate was valued at more than $850,000.

Mrs. McVicker appears to have died in Pasadena, California on August 25, 1904 at the age of 81. She is also buried at Rosehill. There were several attempts to break her will, estimated at $350,000, which also included a statement “that no other burial shall be made in the McVicker lot after that of the testatrix.” I assume this was her attempt to keep any members of the Booth family from being buried in their family plot.

John Wilkes Booth was first buried in the Old Penitentiary on the Washington Arsenal grounds in what is now Ft. Lesley J. McNair. “A grave was dug beneath the prison floor, and the remains, wrapped in an army blanket were lowered in a gun box into the hole and covered by a stone slab.” In 1869, the body was given to the family and buried in the Booth family plot in Green Mount Cemetery in Baltimore. His grave is unmarked.

McVicker Theater survived until 1984 and was the oldest in Chicago and the third oldest in the nation. It was located at 25 W. Madison St. and was owned by Citicorp Savings of Illinois. The building had been declared unsafe. According to the Tribune, “the property had been purchased for $7 million in 1979 from the Chicago Board of Education, which had owned the land almost from Chicago’s inception.”

Wayne Rethford, President Emeritus
Scottish American History Club
630-629-4516

June 2, 2012 - Next meeting of the History Club. Our speaker is David Simpson. He has been collecting Scottish coins for 30 years. He is a graduate of Aberdeen University and has researched Scottish coins in the British Museum, the Ashmolean Museum and Aberdeen University. He is a member of the Chicago Coin Club, the Hillside Coin Club and the American Numismatic Association.

The Scottish American Museum opens at 9:00 a.m. - Meeting starts at 10 and ends at noon.

The History Club does not meet in July or August and there are no pies for the June meeting, just scones and coffee. The scones are pretty good, however, so come and enjoy the presentation.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Rush Recollections

My wife has just returned from being a patient at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Being at Rush always brings back memories, mostly centered around Dr. Andrew Thomson. Several times I met Dr. Thomson at his office in the Professional Building and we would go to the cafeteria for lunch. He always had great stories to tell about his family and I have always been sorry I didn’t have a recorder. He took great pride in his family history and heritage. Dr. Thomson was president of the medical staff at Rush from 1983 through 1985 and was elected to the board of trustees in 1988.

Once on a Spring day, we walked across the Loop in Chicago.  We had attended a board meeting at the Tower Club and then walked to the University Club on Michigan Ave for another meeting. At the University Club, we took those beautiful stairs to the mezzanine level and found a quiet place to talk. I don’t remember the conversation but it finally turned to the capital campaign of the Saint Andrew Society and I asked if he could help facilitate a gift. He said he could and it became an amazing moment that I will not soon forget.

Many organizations and individuals owe much to Dr. Thompson and his generosity. The Night Ministry in Chicago was especially important to him and he talked about it often. I hope we never forget his kindness and concern for everyone. In 1994, Dr. Thomson was honored by The National Society of Fundraising Executives. Several members of the St. Andrew’s Society, wearing kilts, attended the event at the Westin Hotel on Michigan Avenue. He was also our Distinguished Citizen in 1993 and served on our Board of Governors.

My last visit with Dr. Thomson occurred at the Scottish Home when the new building was being constructed. It was probably late 1997 or early 1998. We toured the nearly completed building and then he wanted to see the unfinished lower level. The only way down was using a very long ladder. We walked through the lower level in semi-darkness and finally up the ladder again. I know it was difficult for him but he never said a word. We had lunch in Riverside at the Chew-Chew and he had a hamburger and french fries. We talked about his worsening physical condition and the inevitable approach of death. He was full of faith and unafraid. I never saw him again.

During her most recent stay at Rush, Mary was in the Kellogg Pavilion, finished in 1956.  Walking along the street it appears that the old Presbyterian hospital is connected to the Kellogg building but you cannot tell how the old hospital is being used. There is nothing on the outside of the building not even a cornerstone, only the words “Presbyterian Hospital” above what must have been the main entrance. Attached to the Presbyterian hospital building is the Jones addition.

Daniel Jones left a large estate when he died in 1887. His executors decided to build an addition to the Presbyterian Hospital and name it after Mr. Jones. The hospital was given $150,000 to construct the building which was to be 5 stories high. At the time, this new building was used for hospital patients and there still remains a sign saying “emergency entrance.” It is also difficult to tell how the Jones building is used at the present time. I have yet to determine who Daniel Jones was or how he made his fortune.

The name Jones can indicate a Scottish heritage and we once had a rather large family as member of the Society named Jones. In fact, the mother was a resident of the Scottish Home and one of the sons was very involved as a volunteer at the Highland Games. I know he is dead but have lost track of the other family members. I seem to remember they were in the plumbing business.

Driving east on the Eisenhower expressway, one can hardly miss the new East Tower recently completed. This14-level patient care tower houses acute and critical care patients. I was told that Rush is investing a billion dollars in what they are calling the Rush Transformation which includes the new East Tower and renovation of their older buildings.

The first endowed chair at any private hospital in the country occurred at Rush. It was established as a memorial to Jean Schweppe Amour by Trustee A. Watson Amour III and other members of the Amour family. The Jean Schweppe Amour Chair of Neurology was established in 1963.

The Dr. Andrew and Peg Thomson Chair of Internal Medicine was established in 1993. “Established to honor Trustee and Rush physician Andrew Thomson, M.D., and his wife, Peg, a member of the Woman’s Board, on the occasion of Dr. Thomson’s retirement from active medical practice.”

Looking at the hospital donor list, the Scottish people of Chicago have been very generous with their money and time in making Rush one of the top hospitals in the nation.

Wayne Rethford, President Emeritus

630-629-4516

June 2, 2012 - Next meeting of the History Club. Our speaker is David Simpson. He has been collecting Scottish coins for 30 years. He is a graduate of Aberdeen University and has researched Scottish coins in the British Museum, the Ashmolean Museum and Aberdeen University. He is a member of the Chicago Coin Club, the Hillside Coin Club and the American Numismatic Association.

The Scottish American Museum opens at 9:00 a.m. - Meeting starts at 10 and ends at noon.

The History Club does not meet in July or August and there are no pies for the June meeting just scones and coffee. The scones are pretty good, however, so come and enjoy the presentation.


Sunday, May 13, 2012

Too bad, too bad - poor Craig, how will my children feel


WILLIAM CRAIG - PART II

In 1900, William Craig joined the secret service and was transferred to Birmingham, Alabama and then to Pittsburgh and later to department headquarters in Washington, D.C. After the assassination of William McKinley, the Secret Service had been given the job of protecting the President of the United States. William Craig was now given this assignment. President Theodore Roosevelt was not sure he liked the idea but Craig with his Scottish accent became his shadow. In time they became close friends. He was often called “Big Bill” and was especially loved by the President’s children.

On September 4, 1902, the President was traveling between Pittsfield and Lenox, Massachusetts. He is riding in an open landau drawn by four magnificent bay horses with five other carriages following. It’s a beautiful day and large crowds lined the road as the President and his entourage moved quickly along a macadam turnpike. William Craig and the driver, David J. Pratt were sitting high up on the carriage.

Suddenly, a trolley car appears going in the same direction and traveling perhaps 25-30 miles per hour. It becomes a dangerous situation. William Craig, turns slightly and raises his arm in a signal to the trolley driver to stop. It is too late and the trolley hits the rear wheel on the left side and ploughs through to the front wheel of the big, open carriage. One horse is so badly injured that it had to be destroyed. The other three ran for another 30 to 40 yards pulling the overturned carriage along. The President and his other guests were thrown clear of the wreckage. David Pratt, the driver, was critically injured.

William Craig, as he turned to look back at the oncoming trolley, straightened in his seat, held his long arm over the President and uttered “O, My God.” He was thrown directly into the path of the trolley and all eight wheels passed over his body. The President, bleeding from his swollen face and blackened eye, dropped to one knee by Craig’s mangled body. “Too bad, too bad - Poor Craig, how will my children feel.” He would later call William Craig a “faithful friend.”

His brother brought the body back to Chicago and the funeral was held in the chapel of the Boylston Brothers, 4227 Cottage Grove ave. A simple service was conducted by the Reverend William W. Wilson of St. Mark’s Episcopal church. The President sent a large floral piece. The Secret Service office, located in the Rand McNally Building was closed for the day. Burial was in Oakwoods Cemetery. His mother, overcome by grief, was unable to attend. The man whose grave faced a concrete wall with barbed wire along the top would be forgotten.

In 2002, the Secret Service was celebrating 100 years of service and someone must have asked who was the first agent to die in the line of duty. A search of the records showed that it was a Scotsman, William Craig, buried in an obscure part of Oakwoods Cemetery.  This giant of a man, a hero in a long-forgotten war, was again remembered as a hero.

On September 3, 2002, the Secret Service paid tribute with a memorial service. Pipers played, dignitaries marched and a new marker detailing his life was installed. Brian L. Stafford, Director of the Secret Service said: “The tradition of excellence that each of our employees strive for today is built on a long history of commitment and selfless acts. William Craig is an important part of that history.”

Some members of the Secret Service have not fared well lately and the image has been tarnished somewhat but there are many serving who, like William Craig, stand ready to give their lives in the defense of their country and its President. We salute them today.

Wayne Rethford, President
Scottish American History Club
630-629-4516


June 2, 2012 - Next meeting of the History Club. Our speaker is David Simpson. David has been collecting Scottish coins for 30 years. He is a graduate of Aberdeen University and has researched Scottish coins in the British Museum, the Ashmolean Museum and Aberdeen University. He is a member of the Chicago Coin Club, the Hillside Coin Club and the American Numismatic Association.

The Scottish American Museum opens at 9:00 a.m. - Meeting starts at 10 and ends at noon.

The History Club does not meet in July or August and there are no pies for the June meeting just scones and coffee. The scones are pretty good, however, so come and enjoy the presentation.




Tuesday, May 8, 2012

William Craig, Part I

There is so much to tell about William Craig that it will take two blogs to tell his story. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, November 1855. He was fair haired with blue eyes and stood 6 foot four inches and weighted 260 pounds at the time of his death. He was affectingly known as “Big Bill” and was always a favorite with children.

When he was 18, William Craig joined the British army and remained in the army for 12 years. Because of his “magnificent physique and carriage, together with his aptitude” he won a position in the “Royal Horse Guards Blue.” Every man in this regiment was hand picked for this position and trained for two years in drills, practice at arms and horsemanship. This was Queen Victoria’s personal escort and each man was arrayed in a gorgeous uniform. This unit may still be in existence. Perhaps someone can tell me. Maybe we saw them in the recent royal wedding?

William Craig became interested in fencing and soon was good enough too win a tournament that determined who was the best swordsman in the cavalry units. Two years in a row he won the title and was soon made the teacher of fencing, physical exercise and boxing. He would later find this knowledge and ability useful in Chicago, Illinois.

In 1884, Khartoum was surrounded by enemy forces and a relief army was organized in London. Among those chosen to relieve General Gordon were men from the cavalry units. Forty men were chosen, among them was William Craig. They were gone three years crossing the African desert with much suffering. There was a terrible battle at Ahu Klea Wells. The British army fought in what was called the “hollow square” which was always moving forward. Inside the square was the commander, the reserves and the horses and camels. Their square was attacked by 8,000 rebels who believed that they were protected by divine power and that bullets or bayonets would never harm them. As the square moved forward the camels refused to move and in time one portion of the rear wall was broken. As Colonel Barnaby fought to close the breach he was speared to death within ten feet of William Craig. Queen Victoria had two medals struck for the survivors and William Craig was awarded both for bravery. Only five of the 40 returned.

Shortly thereafter he resigned from the army and later came to Chicago arriving in 1893. (I wonder if he came to see the Columbian Exposition?) His mother and sister were already in Chicago and he must have decided to remain and live with them at 4334 Calumet avenue. Two brothers and a sister lived somewhere in Massachusetts.

His first position in Chicago was with the Amour Institute where he served as the athletic director and became well known in athletic circles. Some time later, he moved to the Princeton-Yale school on Drexel Blvd. where he served in the same position. At both schools, he often gave exhibitions as a swordsman and a boxer.

Some of his feats as a swordsman were quite amazing. For instance a lead bar was suspended in the air by a “loop of tissue paper hung over the keen edge of a razor” and one stroke of a heavy sword “severs in twain the lead bar without the strips of paper on the razors being cut or torn in the least.” The sword had a blade of steel, four feet long and three inches wide, weighing nearly five pounds. The same trick was done with a slight twist in which the bar was supported by a glass of water at each end. “The bar is cut without breaking the glasses or spilling the water.”

A person would be invited to hold an apple in the palm of their hand and William Craig would split the apple with no injury to the hand. He also performed this feat with an apple on the back of the neck. At the time, he was considered the best swordsman in America. He also taught fencing and several Chicago women were involved in his classes.

There is little information about his life in Chicago except that he was active in athletic circles. It might be possible that he would have attended the Scottish games sponsored by the Caledonian Club. There is no present evidence of involvement with the St. Andrew’s Society.

On September 22, 1900, he was appointed to the secret service and assigned to Birmingham, Alabama where he stopped a gang of counterfeiters. He was later transferred to Washington, D.C. where he made his greatest sacrifice in protecting the President of the United States.

Wayne Rethford, President
Scottish American History Club
wrethford@comcast.net
630-629-4516

June 2, 2012 - Next meeting of the History Club. Our speaker is David Simpson. David has been collecting Scottish coins for 30 years. He is a graduate of Aberdeen University and has researched Scottish coins in the British Museum, the Ashmolean Museum and Aberdeen University. He is a member of the Chicago Coin Club, the Hillside Coin Club and the American Numismatic Association.

The History Club does not meet in July or August and there are no pies for the June meeting just scones and coffee. The scones are pretty good, however, so come and enjoy the presentation.