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Above: The corner of Madison and State Streets where driver Robert Campion was hailed by the cab bandits. Below: Campion's route from Madison Street to the Alexandria Hotel took him across the State Street Bridge.
Source:
Top: "Corner of State and Madison Streets, Chicago. The busiest corner in the world situated as it is, in the very heart of the retail business district. Mandel Bros. to the left, Carson, Pirie, Scott to the right and Boston Store on the N.W. corner," Souvenir of Chicago in Colors (Chicago: V.O. Hammon Pub. Co., 1908) p. [61]. Digital version on Internet Archive, www.archive.org/details/souvenirofchicag00chic. Bottom: "State Street Bascule Bridge Lifted for Steamship Soo City. This style of bridge, at first a great innovation and curiosity in the city, is coming more and more into general use. Steamship Soo City of the Indiana Transportation Line, runs from Chicago to Michigan City, Indiana," same source, p. [38].
The Cab-Hold-Up Affair / 5
The Hold-Up / 1
The trio parted from the girls shortly before 1 a.m. and hailed a cab at the corner of State and Madison Streets.
The cab driver was Robert Campion. As he described it,
I did not ask any questions and got on the seat. I drove to the hotel and as I drew up to the curb the men jumped out and drew revolvers. Then they ordered me to get down, saying they would shoot me if I did not hurry.
The street was dark, but to be sure that they would not be discovered they placed their revolvers in their pockets, but kept their hands on them. They marched me to a basement entry in the alley and then told me to put up my hands.
They took my money and watch and when I tried to protest they beat me up. Before leaving with my cab they warned me not to shout for help or they would "get" me.
I was hailed by three men, apparently young and well-dressed, at about 1 o’clock.... “We’re just coming from a dance, drive us up to the Alexandria hotel,” one of them said.