| The Lady Elgin
The year was 1860. Politics had deprived militia groups, such as the Irish Union Guards, the German Black Jaegers, and the German Green Jaegers of equipment. Members of these groups, as well as other leaders and members of the community decided to take a day-trip to Chicago to hear a speech by Lincoln’s election foe, Stephen Douglas, and combine business with pleasure by also using the excursion as a fundraiser to buy new firearms, and other needed items.
The boat chosen for the trip was the Lady Elgin. She was popular for her luxurious accommodations and fast speed. They left Milwaukee early in the morning on the 7th of September and arrived in Chicago by dawn. During the morning, the unit went on Parade before large crowds that lined the streets and then toured the city. In the evening they attended a dinner dance then listened to Douglas’ speech.
By this time it was 11:00 PM. It had been a long day. Despite their exhaustion and the Captains’ misgivings about the weather, the decision was made to head back to Milwaukee. About 2:30 AM the Lady Elgin was about 7 miles off Winnetka, IL when she was struck by the schooner Augusta.
The Lady Elgin was by all accounts overloaded and began to break up rather quickly. There were a total of about 500 people on board. No exact passenger list exists but it is believed that about 380 died. Some accounts say fewer were on board and only 225 were lost.
At any rate, we know that most of those that died were from Milwaukee and that most of those were from the Irish Community in the third ward. The tragedy of the Lady Elgin still ranks as the second greatest loss of life on the Great lakes.
Among those lost were Fire Chief T. H. Eviston, deputy fire marshal John Horan, Register of Deeds Samuel Waegli, harbormaster Martin Doerly, School Commissioner James Rice, and City Councillor Frank McCormick; along with a large number of Militiamen and their families. In many cases both husband and wife were lost and an estimated 1,000 orphans were left.
Many of those lost are interred in their family lots at Calvary Cemetery. Bishop Henni presided at the memorial service at the Cathedral and a procession to Calvary Cemetery, which was viewed by over 10,000 mourners.
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