George Dunlap, Illinois, Vermont, murderer
George Dunlap son of Charles and Jemina may have murdered my uncle Thomas James Maher. I checked on the George Dunlaps in Vermont and he is the most likely.
Thomas James Maher b. December 22, 1864 Coolderry, Ireland lived in Roscrea, Tipperrary, Ireland. d. May 10, 1894 Bridewell, House of Corrections, Chicago, Illinois
demise.
Bea says, "He had a horse and the horse pooped on the street. He was put into jail, House of Corrections, for not picking the horse droppings fast enough. While he was in the House of Corrections, he died of a fractured skull. His cell mate, George Dunlap, was insane and hit him over the head with a wash tub that was used as a toilet." ( According to Beatrice O'Connor-Martin-Boesen.).
His name was Thomas Maher, he died in the House of Corrections May 10, 1894. He was 47 years old and was employed as a Fireman. He was not buried until August so here must have been an investigation and an inquest. His body must have been evidence, so there ends the mystery of Great Uncle Tom who was buried 3 months after his death.
George Dunlap was indicted September 14, 1910 and was sentenced to hang. His sentence was never carried out because he died of syphilis while waiting for appeals in Prison. George Dunlap lived in Evanston, Illinois. George was married to Amanda Russell, a black laundress, she was 16 years older than George. George was awaiting his fate at Elgin, records show that he died in 1910. He was a Teemster.
Chicago May 12, 1894
Maher, a prisoner in the Bridewell, was murdered in his cell by
his cellmate George Dunlap, who became suddenly insane.
Maher's head was beaten to a pulp on the stone floor before
assistance could reach him. A. terriffic struggle took place
between the guards and the madmand could be overpowered.
Bismark Daily Tribune
May 12, 1894
Thomas James Maher, who was sent to the House of Corrections
on a $5.00 fine for disorderly conduct last Wednesday was murdered
in a shocking manner in his cell, which also contained the murderer
George Dunlap, a Whiskey prisoner from Evanston, Illinois, who
became suddenly insane from his excesses. The two prisoners were
confined in the same cell because of the crowded conditions at the
Bridewell. Maher's head was beaten to a shapless mass by a
bucket. John Farley, a watchman, was felled by the maniac and
would have been killed had two guards not arrived.
May 12, 1894
Daily Advocate, Newark, Ohio
George Dunlap b. 1854 Vermont d. Elgin Hospital, ( Elgin is an Insane Asylum ) m. June 18, 1878 Chicago, Cook County, Illinois to Amanda Russell. She was born 1842 in Tenessee and was 72 in 1910. I do not find either in the 1920 cencus. In the 1910 cencus Amanda lists as Black, Widowed and not working. She listed her occuation as Laundress. George is listed as a Teemster, that makes sense as my family said there was an argument and Thomas was in prison. I do have Thomas's death certificate.
There is nothing in the Chicago papers, I do not understand that, but out of State press picked the story up and I just found it.
Any information would be so helpful, and if this is your relative it just gives you a little more info. Any family stories that sound familar? This does match what my Aunt's have talked about since I was a little kid.