Lincoln Park in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Lazerus Averbuch

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 18, 2024

1. Lazerus Averbuch Marker

Inscription. In memory of Lazarus Averbuch who emigrated from Russia in 1908 and died here shortly thereafter.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Immigration • Law Enforcement • Notable Events • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is March 2, 1908.

Location. 41° 55.263′ N, 87° 38.393′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Lincoln Park. It is on Hudson Street north of Dickens Avenue, on the right when traveling north. The marker is to the right of the front entrance to the private residence. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2131 North Hudson Street, Chicago IL, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this

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marker: Policeman Bellinger's Cottage (within shouting distance of this marker); Lawrence S. Adler (within shouting distance of this marker); Mid-North (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Mid-North (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mid-North District (about 700 feet away); R.J. Grunts (approx. 0.2 miles away); Centennial Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Centennial Building (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Regarding Lazerus Averbuch. Lazarus Averbuch—his first name was actually probably either Harry or Jeremiah—was killed here in the foyer of the home of Police Chief George Shippy on the morning of March 2, 1908. The death of Averbuch, a recent Jewish immigrant from Russia, became a proxy for the era when distrust of both anarchists and Eastern European immigrants had a strong grip on Chicago.

Averbuch was a few weeks shy of his 19th birthday when he boarded a bus from his home on the west side of Chicago and headed to Chief Shippy's home in Lincoln Park, for reasons that remain unknown. After knocking

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 18, 2024

2. Lazerus Averbuch Marker

at the door at 8 a.m. and being turned away by the maid, he returned at 9 a.m. and was allowed into the home. Almost immediately, gunfire broke out, and ultimately, Averbuch was killed, Chief Shippy's son Harry and his driver James Foley were wounded, and Chief Shippy was possibly wounded by a knife under his right arm.

The story gripped Chicago for weeks, and Averbuch's body was paraded in front of photographers. Although Shippy claimed that he believed Averbuch to be an assassin, Averbuch's sister Olga fiercely denied this. Eventually Olga Averbuch—like her brother a survivor of the Kishinev Pogrom in what is today Moldova—was able to enlist a powerful supporter: Jane Addams, the activist, social worker and ally of immigrants. Addams got the help of lawyer Harold Ickes—who would later become a famous supporter of FDR's New Deal—who investigated the death and uncovered details that put into question the story that had been told by Chief Shippy. Ultimately, an official investigation into Averbuch's death, led by allies of Shippy, declared Averbuch's death to be justified.

Also see . . .
1. The Lost Boy. Chicago magazine

Lazerus Averbuch image. Click for full size.

Chicago Daily News Collection, Chicago History Museum, March 2, 1908

3. Lazerus Averbuch

Caption from the Chicago History Museum: "View of Captain Michael P. Evans of the Chicago Police holding up the dead body of Lazarus Averbuch (also known as Jeremy Averbuch or Harry Averbuch), Chicago, Illinois, March 2, 1908. Averbuch, an alleged anarchist and recent immigrant, was shot and killed at Police Chief George M. Shippy's house in an incident some people believed began as an attempt to assassinate Shippy."

looks at the story of Lazarus Averbuch, his death at the hands of Police Chief Shippy in 1908, and the continued resonance of his story into the 21st century. (Submitted on November 18, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. The Averbuch Incident: A Century in Chicago's Violence. The Jane Addams Papers Project looks at the "Averbuch Incident" and Addams' involvement in trying to exonerate Lazarus Averbuch. (Submitted on November 18, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 318 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 18, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.