Chicago Surrender

Chicago Surrender

Murder nourished last week in Chicago, in one of the most remarkable obstructions of justice ever reported.

On Dec. 6, 1930, six men with a machine-gun held up the State Bank of Clearing, 111., made off with $60,000 in cash. Last April officials of the bank identified as the gang's leader one Daniel McGeoghegan, once condemned to death or murder, a hoodlum and beer runner on the Chicago Crime Commission's list of public enemies.

At the trial one man hung the jury. Last week Assistant State's Attorney Walker Butler asked Judge John Prystalski to quash the case against Gangster McGeoghegan. Judge Prystalski later said he "nearly fell off the bench" with surprise.

"If your reasons are not secret," said the Court to the prosecutor, "I would like to know them."

"Lambert Bere and John Camphouse, officials of the bank, who identified McGeoghegan at his first trial, asked me to do it," replied Attorney Butler. "They have been under guard in a Loop hotel since April 29 and their families and the bank need them."

"I don't believe the State's Attorney should stand here and confess he is not big enough to keep these men protected." observed the Court. "I think Mr. Bere is big enough to take care of himself."

"Not when he is faced with a machine-gun, your honor," ominously replied the Assistant State's Attorney.

The Court then signed the nolle prosse order. Gangster McGeoghegan, grinning widely, walked from the room free.

Vaguely Chicago had realized that it was a longstanding practice among the local banditti to terrorize witnesses used against them by prosecutors. But citizens were aghast at this public admission of and surrender to the fact. A few days later Gangster McGeoghegan, born in Chicago's criminal spawning grounds "Back of the Yards," was reindicted. Witness Bere, promised a police escort, told a grand jury that he would again appear for the prosecution. Next job was up to Chicago's detectives : find Daniel McGeoghegan.

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