James Cahill, comments and selected references

The only mentions of Cahill as a pipemaker are from Patrick Touhey and Francis O'Neill. Cahill was active in O'Neill's network of Irish music friends and musical informants. In September 1900 he organized a "house session" with fiddler James Kerwin. A 1902 newspaper story about Chief of Police O'Neill describes Cahill as "one of the best pipers in town." Cahill was treasurer of the Irish Music Club of Chicago, 1906-08.

There were at least two other James Cahills listed as "police" or "detective" in city directories 1884-1907. The James Cahill who died in 1908 is the only one listed as "sergt. police." This is the pipemaker. Cahill never married and lived with his sister Margaret for most of his life.

As policeman, he participated in the Haymarket Riot, May 4, 1886, when a bomb was thrown at police as they dispersed a labor demonstration. Cahill had a long career, working many years at the Cottage Grove Avenue Station. He would have reached the mandatory retirement age of 62 in 1909 but the civil service retiring board recommended he serve another year. He died of throat and neck cancer before 1909 began.

Nick Whitmer April 2020, additions June 2024
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Two Till-Tappers Caught.
"While riding on a Cottage Grove avenue cable-train in the neighborhood of Twenty-fifth street yesterday noon Officer James Cahill of the central detail saw two colored men running along the street, pursued by an excited Chinaman. Cahill gave chase to the colored men and overtook one, who leveled a revolver at the officer, but was placed under arrest before he could shoot. The other colored man was captured by Officer Tom Trehorn. The Chinaman, Sam Who Kee, a laundryman at No. 2562 Cottage Grove avenue, said the men had robbed his cash drawer of $2.35. ... The prisoners, who appeared to be about 20 years old, gave their names as Frank Williams and John Atwater."
Chicago [IL] Tribune Sep. 13, 1887 p. 3 column 5
Newspapers.com
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"At a house session" From Nicholsen, Michael D. "Identity, Nationalism, and Irish Traditional Music in Chicago, 1867-1900" New Hibernia Review vol. 13 no. 4 Winter 2009 pp. 114-15
Cited as quoting: John Ennis, "An Evening of Irish Music," Citizen, 29 September 1900, p. 5
From JSTOR
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"Rumor Strikes Chief O'Neill ... Missing Three Hours" Chicago [IL] Daily Tribune 21 Feb. 21, 1902 p. 1 column 5
Chicago IL Tribune 1902 - 1319.pdf
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