http://www.cooganresearchgroup.com/crg/index.htm 28 March 2009 COOGAN story _______________________________________________________________________ (appearing in "Chicago Tribune", 27 MAR 1916, PAGE ?): SHOT DEAD IN STREET; LABOR TROUBLE SUSPECTED. Hugh Coogan, Film Operator, Found by Police After Neighbors Witness Fatal Fight. Hugh Coogan of 4811 Bishop street was shot and killed by three men last night under circumstances which mystify the police. The shooting took place in Justine street, between Fiftieth and Fiftyfirst streets. Neighbors saw three men struggling with a fourth and summoned the police. When the police arrived they found the body of a man which was later identified as that of Coogan. From the appearance of the clothing it is not believed that robbery was the purpose of the men, who were seen to flee. The police have been unable to discover a motive, but believe labor troubles may explain the crime. Coogan is said to have been a member of the motion picture operators' union. _______________________________________________________________________ (appearing in "Shop Review", 1916, PAGE 167): ANOTHER UNION MURDER The latest murder charged by the police to Chicago union warfare is that of "Ham" Hugh Coogan, on March 26. "Spike" O'Donnell was arrested shortly after the shooting for the crime. "The murder is the result of labor trouble," said Capt. Caughlin. "Both Coogan and O'Donnell worked as sluggers for Motion Picture Operators' Union No. 10, which is affiliated with the A. F. of L.; its rival, No. 57, is connected with the Electrical Workers' Union. "I am satisfied," said Lieut. Mooney, "that the murder was a result of a sluggers' quarrel. Nearly every week there is a fight between rival sluggers for these to unions." _______________________________________________________________________ (appearing in the Homicide Database of Northwestern University): CASE NUMBER - 3245 Coogan, Hugh - Age 25 - Shot in back of head by 1 of 3 men to whom he had just spoken, in front of 5026 So. Justine St. 4/5/16 Mike Thibeau - Elmer Johnson - Edw. O'Donnell held to G. J. by the Coroner. 20 Pct. April 1916 No Bill on Thibeau & Johnson. 5/5/16 Johnson Nolle Prossed - McDonald. 5/11/16 O'Donnell & Thibeau acquitted - Judge McDonald. Date of Offense - March 26, 1916 / Date of Death - March 26, 1916 Immediate - death occurred at the crime scene (5026 S. Justine St.) Type of Death - manslaughter (unintentional killing, other) Related to Prohibition ? - YES VICTIM: Coogan, Hugh, 25 years, male, white, English-Anglo DEFENDANT: Thibeau, Mike, male, white, other-European relationship between victim and defendant unknown POLICE - 20th Precinct Number of Defendants - 3 Corruption Alleged ? - NO LEGAL Coroner's Decision - September 5, 1916 Defendant held to Grand Jury Trial Judge - McDonald Grand Jury Decision - April 15, 1916 Outcome - indictment for felony murder Date of Sentence - May 11, 1916 Corruption Alleged ? - NO http://homicide.northwestern.edu/database/3187/?page= _______________________________________________________________________