The Gambler King of Clark Street: Michael C. McDonald and the Rise of Chicago's Democratic Machine

Title Page, Copyright, Dedication

BVS5O[PZS`9W\U ]T1ZO`YAb`SSb C_Y^W[b9$CY:edWbZWdZj^[H_i[e\ 9^_YW]eÉi:[ceYhWj_YCWY^_d[  Richard C. Lindberg Southern Illinois University Press Carbondale Copyright © 2009 by Richard C. Lindberg All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America 12 11 10 09 4 3 2 1 Publication of this book has been underwritten by the Elmer H. Johnson and Carol Holmes Johnson Series in Criminology fund. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Lindberg, Richard, 1953– The gambler king of Clark Street : Michael C. McDonald and the rise of Chicago’s Democratic machine / Richard C. Lindberg p. cm. — (The Elmer H. Johnson and Carol Holmes Johnson series in criminology) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN-13: 978-0-8093-2893-2 (alk. paper) ISBN-10: 0-8093-2893-3 (alk. paper) 1. McDonald, Michael C. (Michael Cassius), 1839–1907. 2. Chicago (Ill.)—Biography. 3. Politicians—Illinois— Chicago—Biography. 4. Democratic Party (Chicago, Ill.)—History—19th century. 5. Businessmen—Illinois —Chicago—Biography. 6. Gamblers—Illinois—Chicago —Biography. 7. Irish American criminals—Illinois —Chicago—Biography. 8. Chicago (Ill.)—Politics and government—19th century. 9. Political culture—Illinois— Chicago—History—19th century. 10. Political corruption —Illinois—Chicago—History—19th century. I. Title. F548.45.M45L56 2009 977.3'041092—dc22 [B] 2008037830 Printed on recycled paper. The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI Z39.48-1992. ∞ For the late Paul Newey, who saw corruption and tried to do something about it If Gabriel himself came to Chicago he would lose his character before he had been here six weeks. —Evangelist Dwight Lyman Moody, speaking to his Chicago Avenue Church congregation, April 5, 1889 There will be gambling in Chicago when we are all dead! —Captain Luke Colleran, Chicago Police Department, March 12, 1898, following a raid on an illegal poker game held across the street from City Hall From all they say Chicago is in a terrible situation, being completely in the hands of gamblers and crooks. You may have heard the name of our gaming overlord, Mike McDonald. His fame, I am sorry to say, is widespread. [They] say he is a most influential man in politics here at this time. At Clark and Monroe Streets he owns a faro bank where all sorts of terrible things go on. —Letter from Martha Freeman Esmond to her friend Julia Boyd in New York, July 17, 1874 ...