If you've EVER paid attention to Chicago politics(or even read this blog), you'll know that this city has had its share of questionable political figures. From Big Bill Thompson openly flaunting his alliance with Capone, to Daley Sr. reminding us that the Police are there to "preserve disorder", even to Daley Jr. submitting his audition tape for Extreme Makeover: Meigs Field Edition, Chicago has had some pretty shifty politicians. It's time to add two more names to the rogue's gallery.
The first name is that of Michael Kenna. In 1868, the 10-year-old Kenna figured he had better things to do than go to school, so he dropped out and did the only sensical thing left, started selling newspapers. Two years later, he had accumulated enough business to borrow $50 from a barkeeper to open his own newsstand. This turned out to be an excellent idea, as Kenna had enough income to repay the loan within a month. Now while he may have been big on business savvy, he was small in stature. So small, in fact, that it was during this time period in which the publisher of the Chicago Tribune gave him his nickname: "Hinky Dink".
By 1897, he had traded the newsstand for the life of a politician, and was elected alderman in that year. While in office, Kenna ran a saloon on Clark Street, where he would even give free meals to the poor. What a nice guy! Actually, not so fast with the praise, as he gave away the meals in exchange for--wait for it--votes(I say it again, does ANY of this surprise you anymore?) In 1923, Kenna stepped aside to let his partner in crime take over as Alderman(more on this in a second), and became First Ward Committeeman. Kenna enjoyed a VERY cushy existence until dying at the age of 89 in 1946. Kenna died a very rich man, and left his heirs an inheritance in excess of $1 Million, as well as another $33,000 to erect a mausoleum. His heirs had other ideas though, and so in perhaps the best memorial to his lifetime of graft, they pocketed ALL of the money, and buried Kenna with an $85 tombstone.
Now as for that partner in crime I mentioned earlier, here we go. John Coughlin was born in 1860, and came up through the bathhouse business, hence his nickname. Coughlin had already had plenty of experience both running and working in bathhouses by the time he became Alderman in 1893. He didn't stumble out of the gates either, being appointed by Mayor Carter Harrison Sr. to organize the entertainment for the World's Fair. (Looking back, Harrison might have been better served with a security detail rather than a kick-ass party planner.) If the name Bathhouse John sounds familiar to you, that's cause it should. Coughlin, along with Hinky Dink, was the man behind the operation of the Levee District.
In addition to the Levee, the two aldermen also threw an annual shindig known as the First Ward Ball. The ball attracted all kinds of filth, scum, and corruption to it's doors. They also invited gangsters, safecrackers, and prostitutes. Mayor Fred Busse eventually put a stop to this tradition in 1909, but in its final years, it got to be so extravagant that it had to be held at the Chicago Coliseum(i.e. the first home of the Auto Show). A bit more on Coughlin's political career: Up until 1923, two aldermen were elected from each ward of the city. However, in that year the rules were changed so that only 1 alderman could serve from each ward. The dynamic duo of Kenna/Coughlin was in danger. To solve this problem, Kenna stepped down and became the 1st Ward Committeeman. Later in his life, a newspaper published an expose on Coughlin. He did contest the report, but only as to the charge that he was born in Waukegan.
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