The Haymarket story and Judge Joseph E. Gary /

Abstract

On May 4, 1886 a group of anarchists organized a meeting at Haymarket Square in Chicago, Illinois to protest police shootings of strikers the day before. As Samuel Fielden was concluding his speech, Chicago Police Officers arrived and ordered the anarchists to end the meeting. As Fielden stepped down from the speakers stand a bomb was hurled into the ranks of officers and a riot ensued in which several police officers and civilians were killed. Although the bomb thrower was never identified, eight anarchists were put on trial and found guilty of the murder of Chicago Police Officer Mathias J. Degan. Given their political views it would have been difficult for them to receive a fair trial anywhere in the United States. The media convicted them in print long before the trial began and inflamed the passions and prejudices of the public. Even the American court system was conservative and reflected the views of the press and public. Yet, Judge Joseph E. Gary was especially prejudicial throughout the trial. This study has investigated the objectivity in the trial of the eight anarchists with and emphasis on the role of trial Judge Joseph E. Gary. The question, "What rulings did Judge Joseph E. Gary make during the trial that contributed to the guilty verdicts and harsh sentences passed upon the eight anarchists?", has been answered.