Category Archives: Law enforcement

George Richardson (1908 race riot)

Posted on October 12, 2013 by editor

George Richardson was a black man who was falsely accused of sexually assaulting Mabel Hallam, the white wife of a streetcar conductor, on Aug. 13, 1908. The allegation, reported in sensational fashion by local newspapers, helped instigate the Springfield race … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Law enforcement, Race riot of 1908 | Leave a comment

Sangamon County Jail, 1914 (Springfield Survey photo)

Posted on October 9, 2013 by editor

The Springfield Survey was a massive study of local schools, prisons, and other institutions undertaken in 1914 by the Russell Sage Foundation with the help of hundreds of local volunteers. Topics covered included schools, care of “mental defectives, the insane … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Law enforcement, Springfield Survey | Tagged | Leave a comment

City jail ‘bullpen,’ 1914 (Springfield Survey photo)

Posted on October 7, 2013 by editor

The Springfield Survey was a massive study of local schools, prisons, and other institutions undertaken in 1914 by the Russell Sage Foundation with the help of hundreds of local volunteers. Topics covered included schools, care of “mental defectives, the insane … Continue reading →

Posted in Law enforcement, Social services, Springfield Survey | Leave a comment

Weaver extortion and shootout, 1930

Posted on October 5, 2013 by editor

Springfield’s police superintendent narrowly missed being shot to death while on a stakeout related to an extortion attempt aimed at a prominent businesswoman in 1930. Police superintendent T.P. Sullivan and a special police officer were patrolling near the home of … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Law enforcement, Prominent figures | Tagged | 1 Comment

Springfield Survey, 1914

Posted on October 4, 2013 by editor

The Springfield Survey of 1914 was a massive study of local schools, prisons, and other institutions, and it’s still well-known in the fields of sociology and social work. But, partly because it was so ambitious, nothing similar was ever attempted … Continue reading →

Posted in African Americans, Children, Education, Law enforcement, Local government, Medicine, Parks, Photos and photosets, Public health, Resources, Schools and school districts, Social services, Springfield, Springfield Survey | Tagged | 4 Comments

Police Officer Porter Williams, 1916 (photo)

Posted on October 3, 2013 by editor

Porter Williams held the rank of detective sergeant in the Springfield Police Department when he was shot to death during rioting by coal miners on Sept. 25, 1932. Williams’ killer was never identified. The Springfield Police Department now sponsors the … Continue reading →

Posted in Coal mines and mining, Law enforcement, Photos and photosets, Springfield | Tagged | Leave a comment