Bairstow

 

Fred Bairstow Dies at Waukegan

Fred Bairstow, one of Waukegan’s prominent and prosperous business men who has conducted a coal and marble business on Genesee street for many years died at his home at 7 o’clock on Friday evening of consumption.

The end came at his home on Mill Street, one of the oldest yet most picturesque and home-like places in the city. His immediate family was present, and an interesting thing in connection with his passing away the fact that. Some weeks before, he had completed all his business arrangements, that is finishing up all his affairs that he might be prepared for the Final Call which he realized was not far off. In few cases in the city have men of affairs like Mr. Bairstow arranged all details of their business previous to death as he has done. Every little detail was thought out by him many weeks ago and everything was done as he wished and directed. Hence, when he closed his eyes he had the realization that his affairs were left just as he wished them to be.

Thursday Sept 5, 1912, the Antioch News, p 1

On September 1, 1926, Walter H Nibbelink, Waukegan’s assistant building commissioner, condemned two buildings on Market Street due to their un-safe condition of dis-repair. These buildings were to be removed by their owners by September 15, or the city would demolish them and offer the scrap wood to anyone interested.

One of those buildings was the two story flat building located at 603 Market, on the east side of the street just south of South avenue  known as the “second red flats.” “Included among the building defects, according to Nibbelink are bulging walls, cracked foundation, ceiling joists torn away, a cracked chimney, probably about to collapse, and a sagging roof.” (1)

There were eight apartments in the building, but only three were thought to be occupied. No names were listed for the people living in this dangerous building, or what they may have paid in rent. No occupants were listed for this address in the 1925 city directory published the year previous. In the first few years of the century, a grocery store had been conducted there. William M Brown was listed as living at 603 as recently as 1922.

In 1926, the year that it was condemned, the owner of 603 was George H Bairstow, son of Fred Bairstow, well-known monument maker and coal dealer of Waukegan. George was the eldest son of Fred, born in 1877. George had 2 brother, John and Fred Jr and a sister Ruth. The prosperous family lived on Ash.

George had entered local politics while Fred Jr continued the family business after the death of Fred Sr. in 1912. By 1918 George had been elected to the Lake County board of supervisors as Supervisor of Waukegan Township as well as “Poormaster” for the town. He also served on the road and bridge committee on the board.

Bairstow was praised in a news account for his “kindness of heart”  in April of 1918 for taking into his home a little girl ” from a poor family on the south side,” who had been in his home since the previous Christmas. “He and his wife have become attached to the little thing and while he has not legally adopted it, it appears evident that the supervisor and poormaster will keep the girl as long as her parents are willing to leave her with them. In view of the high cost of living, this kindness on the part of the supervisor cannot go unnoticed.” The parents of the child are not quoted in the article, but it does not appear that the Bairstows kept the child “indefinitely,” as planned. (2)

It seems that Bairstow’s kindness was not universally applied. He leapt from his car after a small traffic accident downtown  one evening and without warning gave the driver of the other car a “stunning blow” to the jaw,  which “knocked out two teeth, broke off one and loosened six others.” A second blow caused a bleeding cut to the man’s ear. Bairstow insisted that the man head immediately to the police station, even squeezing his way into the other man’s car when the other tried to drive his wife home first, as she had been slightly injured in the accident also. Bairstow did not relent until he discovered the identity of the other driver was John S Heath, a prominent local businessman. Heath filed suit against Bairstow for $10,000 damages, though the outcome of that effort is uncertain. (3)

As poormaster, he sided with Judge Person’s proposal for the creation in Lake County of “a detention home for dependents, delinquents, or truant children.” The Humane Society “and other women in the city” vehemently opposed the proposal, and advocated instead for an orphanage. Miss Himmelreich of the Humane Society already maintained her home as a detention home for delinquent children.(4)

Bairstow was not, however, in support of the proposal by Supervisor Eichler of Highland Park  to publish the names of all the recipients of public aid as “the only way to stop a $60,000 a year “leak” in the county’s expenses.” Eichler’s ally in the proposal, Supervisor Vercoe went so far as to declare “there probably are many persons receiving such aid who are not in need of it and if such a list were published they would not think of accepting it.” (5) Bairstrow assured the board that the list of recipients and the amounts they received were available from him and the county clerk, and would save the “deserving poor” from public embarrassment and humiliation.”

Several years later, in 1927, after loosing re-election, Bairstow became embroiled in a protracted scandal when an audit revealed shortages in town funds during his tenure.  As part of a larger county scandal, four indictments were handed down in July of 1927:

“Bill number one indicted county treasurer Roy Bracher on a charge of embezzlement. Number two named Roy Bracher, Ira Pearsall, Harold Martin, Caleb Busick and Clark C Nye on a charge of conspiring to embezzle $100,000 from the county treasury in 1922. The third named Bracher, Pearsall and Martin for conspiracy in the alleged taking of $33,000 as interest on county deposits and the fourth named George Bairstow with withholding $60,000 in township funds.” (6) All the men proclaimed their innocence. (Bracher’s friends testified that Bracher had deposited the errant funds in a bank in Eureka, Kansas,  “in good faith without any intention of defrauding the county,” though that claim did not seem to be believed.) The case against Bairstow dragged on into 1928; he retuned some funds, contested other amounts, and ran for the state legislature, it appears unsuccessfully.

George Bairstow died in 1947 at the age of 72.

His son Jack E, a lawyer who had helped defend his father in his time of tribulation, was state representative from 1953 until his death a month before President Kennedy’s assassination. (7,8) Jack had switched parties from his father and grandfather, serving as a Democrat.

Notes

(1)   Buildings condemned here today Waukegan Daily News, Thurs Sept 2, 1926, p1

(2)    Has three of his own yet he has room for 4^th Libertyville Independent, April 4, 1918, p9

(3)   Bairstow made defendant in $10,000 suit Thursday February 1, 1923, p 1The Antioch News

 

(4)    Want Orphanage, not anxious for a detention home Libertyville Independent June 27m 1918, p2

 

(5) Publish names of county’s poor in future Libertyville Independent, October 5, 1922, p9

(6) Grand Jury names six in Lake county fund shortage July 28, 1927, The Antioch News, p1

(7) 'Illinois Blue Book 1963-1964,' Biographical Sketch of Jack E. Bairstow, pg. 266

(8) 'Rep. Bairstow of Waukegan Dies At Age 61,' Chicago Tribune, October 29, 1963, Section 2, page 7

 

Appendix

(1)   Buildings condemned here today

Market street flats are included in new list of those to be destroyed under building ordinance

The buildings department campaign to have buildings in Waukegan which are in an unsafe condition or which are over 50 per cent destroyed torn down continues unabated, three more buildings being condemned today by Walter H Nibbelink, assistant building commissioner. The three places must be removed by Sept 15 or the city will tear them down, Nibbelink says.

The principle building condemned today is a two story flat building at 603 Market street known in that district as a second “Red Flats.” There are eight flats in the building but only three are occupied, it is said.

Supervisor George Bairstow is said to be the building owner and upon his return from the convention at Geneva he will be served with a notice to remove his building.

Walls bulging

Included among the building defects, according to Nibbelink are bulging walls, cracked foundation, ceiling joists torn away, a cracked chimney, probably about to collapse, and a sagging roof.

B Janowitz (?) of Waukegan was notified today to remove a building at 211 Market street. The building is a two story frame structure and at the present time is unoccupied. A hamburger (?) and restaurant was formerly located in the place. Nibbelink says walls are bad, the ceiling weak and the floors and roof are in dangerous condition….

…Nibbelink announced today that lumber from buildings torn down by the city will be given away. He requests that anyone wanting lumber and willing to haul it away notify him this week.

(1)   Buildings condemned here today Waukegan Daily News, Thurs Sept 2, 1926, p1

 

(2)   Has three of his own yet he has room for 4^th

Supervisor George Bairstow shows kindness for unfortunate little foreigner

Anybody who limits the kindness of heart of Supervisor George Bairstow, poor master of Waukegan township, as merely to know the fact that Mr. Bairstow, despite the presence in his home of three of his own children, has taken in another little child and plans at the present time to keep it indefinitely.

This child comes from a poor family on the south side and Mr. Bauirstow has had it since Christmas time. He and his wife have become attached to the little thing and while he has not legally adopted it, it appears evident that the supervisor and poormaster will keep the girl as long as her parents are willing to leave her with them. In view of the high cost of living, this kindness on the part of the supervisor cannot go unnoticed among those of the community who have elected Mr. Bairstow to office repeatedly because it shows the keen interest in his line of work as supervisor and poormaster

(2)   Has three of his own yet he has room for 4^th Libertyville Independent, April 4, 1918, p9

 

(3)   Bairstow made defendant in $10,000 suit

George Bairstow, candidate for re-election as supervisor of Waukegan township, was made defendant in a suit for $10,000 personal damages filed in the circuit court by John S Heath of JS Heath mfg co of Waukegan.

Following an unavoidable collision at Grand avenue and Copunty street Wednesday evening, Bairstow sailed into Mr Heath, a man of 55 years of age and weighing less than 150 pounds, knocked out two teeth, broke off one and loosened six others, as well as cutting his right ear.

According to witnesses, Mr Heath, who was returning home from his office in the terminal, was driving north on county street. His wife was with him. As he approached Garnd avenue, the car ahead acted as though it was going to stop at the armory. Mr Heath turned out into the car tracks to pass just at that moment, Mr Bairstow came swinging out of Grand avenue, south onto Copunty street, also going into the car tracks. The bumpers of the two cars hit, and the pavement being ley, the cars swung around in such a manner that the rear ends collided.

Mr Heath drew to the curb. He got out and went back to where Mr. Bairstow had parked. As he approached he remarked: “If our bumpers had not hit, we could have got by all right.”

Without any warning whatever, according to witnesses, Bairstow drew back and struck Mr Heath a stunning blow to the mouth, causing the damage to his teeth. A second blow landed on Mr Heath’;s right ear, causing blood to flow and render him amost unconscious.

“You’re going down to the police station with me,” Bairstow said. But, although badly beaten, Mr. Heath replied that he would go to the police station after he had taken his wife home. The latter had been injured in the collision, being thrown forward in such a manner that she hurt her right eye and wrenched her knee.

“No you’re not,” Bairstow continued as he tried to dominate Heath in going at once to the station. After the latter had got into his own car, Barirstow jumped on the running board and crowded himself into a seat regardless of the fact that he was now in the company of a lady.

“Drive to the police station,” Bairstow commanded, but once again Mr. Heath declared that he was going to drive his wife home first.

“Well, who the hell are you anyway?” Bairstow asked.

“I’ll tell you who I am,” Mrs. Heath spoke up and she revealed her identity. Whereupon Bairstow realized he had pulled the prize mistake of his career.

“Beg Pardon,” he said as he climbed out of the car. “Guess I made a mistake.”

And with that Mr. Heath drove on and escorted his wife home, after which he reported the collision end of the affair to the police.

(3)Bairstow made defendant in $10,000 suit Thursday February 1, 1923, p 1The Antioch News

 

(4)   Want Orphanage, not anxious for a detention home

Officers of humane society declare they now are taking care of truants

Explain society’s views

Mrs Morris and Mrs Hutchinson declare efforts have been misunderstood

In connection with the movement launched at the board of supervisors last week by which the county court is to be asked to include in the November ballot the question as to whether the county shall be permitted to erect and maintain a detention home for dependents, delinquents, or truant children and to levy a tax of not more than one mill on each dollar valuation to pay the cost thereof, it develops there is a diversion of opinion and that the ideas in promoting the institution have been somewhat at variance.

Officers of the Humane Society called on the daily Sun and explained that the understanding of the Humane society and other women in the city has been that the movement was for the purpose of providing “orphanage” for Lake county children rather than “a home for dependent, delinquent or truant children.”

A home for dependent children erected in the nature of a detention home is meant merely to provide for children’s temporary care. Under no circumstances can children be sent there as they can be sent to an orphanage. It is a acerwhere the women declare there is a misapprehension of the desires and intentions in that the real need is more for an orphanage now then for a detention home.

However, it is a detention home which judge Persons has been urging for a long time, and which poormaster Bairstow and others connected with the county court have urged the necessity of. The women  of the Humane Society, however, point out the fact that the Humane Society has been maintaining a detention home at the home of Miss Himmelreich on the north side and they claim that that institution for a long time will take care of the delinquent children for the time they are supposed to be cared for in such an institution.

Need of orphanage keen

The women urged the necessity of having a real orphanage provided for Lake county children and declare that the efforts they have spent so far have been along this line rather than along the line of providing for a detention home. They insist that the time is coming when there are going to be a lot more orphans in Lake county who must be cared for and who cannot be taken into the lake Bluff orphanage. The orphanage is crowded and has been crowded for such a time and in some cases.

The women are very pronounced in their desire to have an orphanage provided rather than a detention home and were not backward about saying that they would not continue their efforts to encourage the public to vote for the plan as outlined now for a detention home.

(3) Want Orphanage, not anxious for a detention home Libertyville Independent June 27m 1918, p2

 

(5)   Publish names of county’s poor in future

Supervisors vote to do this in effort to stop $60,000 a year “leak”

Caused much discussion

Members of the board of supervisors were starled Tuesday afternoon when supervisor Eichler of highland Park made a motion to have the names of all those receiving aid from the county bublished. The motion brought a storm of disapproval from many memebers who regarded such a list as a great huimiation tio the deriving poor of this county.

Supervisors Eichler and Vercoe declared that it is the only waay to stop a $60,000 a yuear “leak” in the county’s expenses, and the latter declared there probably are many persons receiving such aid who are not in need of it and if such a list were published they would not think of accepting it. They declared that the time has come when something must be done to stop the leak. Supervisor Eicher said that it is no disgrace to be poor and that if he were a bankrupt he would not object to having it published. It is a business proposition, he said.

Supervisors Obee, Samson, Crapo and a number of others declared that such action would be a source of humiliation to children of deserving poor who go to school. Supervisor Bairstow declared that he has a list of all those who receive aid through him as poormaster of Waukegan and that if anyone wants to see this list at any time to ascertain whether it contains any not deserving they can do so. He declared there also is a list in the hands of the county clerk. He said he is not in favor of publication of such a list in the newspapers.

The discussion brought up the fact that there is a law making publication necessary. Supervisor Eger stated that the practice was discontinued a number of years ago by the supervisors on the ground that it was humiliating to the deserving poor.

The supervisors after lengthy discussion voted that hereafter the list was to be published.

(5) Publish names of county’s poor in future Libertyville Independent, October 5, 1922, p9

 

(6)Grand Jury names six in Lake county fund shortage

Bracher and associates are indicted—Bairstow also held

Four true bills were returned by the grand jury of Lake county yesterday indicting five in connection with the shortage of funds in the treasurer’s office and one in connection with a shortage in the funds of Waukegan township. Bill number one indicted county treasurer Roy Bracher on a charge of embezzlement. Number two named Roy Baracher, Ira Pearsall, Harold Martin, Caleb Busick and Clark C Nye on a charge of conspiring to embezzle $100,000 from the county treasury in 1922. The third named Bracher, Pearsall and Martin for conspiracy in the alleged taking of $33,000 as interest on county deposits and the fourth named George Bairstow with withholding $60,000 in township funds.

The action of the grand jury had been expected from the first. After the returning of the indictments, col Smith gave the following statement:

“The indictments voted by the grand jury will be prosecuted without reference to payment. They will be prosecuted vigorously and with force, fairly, impartially and without malice. Cases will be set for trial on the second Monday (Oct 10) of October,” he wrote.

Bracher to repay money

Meanwhile Roy Bracher, county superintendent has handed in his resignation as treasurer to take effect when the board of county commissioners desire, and has raised through advances of his friends the sum of money to cover his shortages as treasurer. Friends of the treasurer take the stand that Bracher deposited the money in the bank at Eureka Kansas in good faith without any intention of defrauding the county and that he only civilly liable for the amount of the deficit.

The case is to be heard in the October term of the court and it is probable that attorneys representing each of the defendants in the county shortage will file pleas of not guilty and ask for a separate trial, which would materially help the defense.

All of the men arraigned are released on bond with the exception of Nye who is not in Waukegan and for whom a writ has been ordered by the court.

Bracher’s resignation will be accepted, according to statements of members of the board of supervisors, and it seems certain at present that JB Morse, deputy county clerk will be appointed to succeed Bracher until the election next spring.

(6) Grand Jury names six in Lake county fund shortage July 28, 1927, The Antioch News, p1

 

(7,8) Jack E. Bairstow (February 7, 1902 – October 28, 1963) was an American lawyer and politician.

Born in Waukegan, Illinois, Bairstow received his law degree from University of Illinois College of Law in 1925 and then practiced law in Waukegan. He was the corporate counsel for the City of Waukegan and city attorney for Highland, Illinois. He was a Democrat. He served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1953 until his death in 1963. He died in Waukegan, Illinois of circulatory problems.[1] [2]

Notes

(6) 'Illinois Blue Book 1963-1964,' Biographical Sketch of Jack E. Bairstow, pg. 266

(7) 'Rep. Bairstow of Waukegan Dies At Age 61,' Chicago Tribune, October 29, 1963, Section 2, page 7