Carter Harrison, Sr.

Originally from Kentucky, Carter Harrison came to Chicago because he saw it as a land of opportunity. As mayor, he believed that Chicagoans' two major desires were to make money and to spend it. During his administrations, Chicago's vice districts blossomed and special maps were printed to enable tourists to find their way from brothel to brothel. One Chicago saloon-keeper of the time's name entered the English language Mickey Finn. The night of the Haymarket Riot, Harrison walked unmolested through the crowd of anarchists and advised the police to leave the demonstrators alone. The riot was sparked by a policeman who disobeyed Harrison's directive. Harrison was re-elected in time for the World Columbian Exposition in 1893. His desire was to show the world the true Chicago and he appointed 1st Ward Alderman "Bathhouse" John Coughlin to sit on the reception committee. On October 28, 1893, three days before the close of the Exposition, Harrison was murdered in his home by Patrick Eugene Prendergast, a disgruntled office seeker. Prendergast was hanged on July 13, 1894. Harrison was Chicago's first five-time elected mayor. Eventually his son, Carter Harrison, Jr. would be elected mayor.