George Engel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Engel
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| Born | April 15, 1836 Kassel, Electorate of Hesse
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| Died | November 11, 1887 (aged 51) Cook County Jail, Chicago, Illinois, United States
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| Cause of death | Execution by hanging |
| Occupation | Toy store owner |
| Criminal status | Executed |
| Conviction(s) | Conspiracy to commit murder |
| Criminal penalty | Death |
George Engel (born April 15, 1836 – died November 11, 1887) was an important worker's rights activist. He was involved in the historic Haymarket event in Chicago. George Engel was one of several activists who faced serious consequences after this event. Others included Albert Parsons, August Spies, and Adolph Fischer.
Contents
Early Life and New Beginnings
George Engel was born into a poor family in Germany. He had three brothers and sisters. His father passed away when George was only one year old. When he was 12, his mother also died, leaving him an orphan.
He lived with a foster family for a short time. But by age 14, he had to find work. He began training to be a shoemaker. However, he could not afford the fees to continue.
George then traveled to Frankfurt. There, he found work as a painter's helper. He moved around Germany for work. In 1868, he started his own business. He also got married that same year. Life in Germany was tough, so he decided to move to the United States. This had been a dream of his since he was a boy.
He left Germany in 1872. He first arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in January 1873. There, he worked in a sugar factory. In 1874, he moved to Chicago, Illinois. Two years later, in 1876, he opened his own toy shop.
Becoming an Activist
While working in a factory, George Engel learned about socialism. A coworker invited him to a meeting of the International Workingmen's Association (IWA). He soon joined this group.
In 1878, there was a crackdown on socialist groups. The IWA had to break up. But George Engel helped create a new group. It was called the Socialistic Labor Party of North America. Later, in 1882, he joined another new group. This was the International Working People's Association.
The Haymarket Event
On May 3, 1886, George Engel heard about a sad event at the McCormick Plant. Later that day, he went to a meeting at Grief's Hall. Prosecutors later called this meeting the "Monday Night Conspiracy." They used it to try and prove there was a plan behind the bombing at Haymarket.
A witness said that Engel had planned to attack police stations. They claimed he wanted to use dynamite or shoot officers if trouble started. But Engel said the meeting was only to help striking workers. He stated it was about giving aid if police or Pinkerton agents attacked them.
The next night, May 4, the bombing happened. George Engel was not at Haymarket Square. He was at home playing cards. Still, he was arrested the next day. He was accused of being part of a plan related to the bombings. At 50 years old, he was the oldest person on trial. He was found guilty and sentenced to death.
In 1887, George Engel learned that two others, Samuel Fielden and Michael Schwab, had written to the governor. They asked for mercy. Engel then wrote his own letter to Illinois Governor Richard James Oglesby. He asked the governor not to show him mercy. He believed he was innocent. He wrote that he would rather die than accept a lesser sentence.
His Passing
George Engel passed away on November 11, 1887. Three other people also died that day. His last words were "Hurrah for anarchy!"
George Engel was buried in the Waldheim Cemetery. This cemetery is now called Forest Home Cemetery in Forest Park, Illinois. Since 1893, his burial spot has been marked by the Haymarket Martyrs Monument.
See also
In Spanish: George Engel para niños
- Dyer Lum
