‘Terrible’ Tommy O’Connor escapes from Cook County Jail

abdulmanannet77@gmail.comDecember 11, 2025

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‘Terrible’ Tommy O’Connor escapes from Cook County Jail

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Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Dec. 11, according to Tribune archives.

Is an important event missing on this date? Send us an email.

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

High temperature: 61 degrees (1949)
Low temperature: Minus 5 degrees (1972)
Precipitation: 1.73 inches (1949)
Snowfall: 9.5 inches (2000)

A group of assistant state's attorneys gathers for their first and last look at the county jail gallows as the county prepares to destroy the contraption on June 17, 1977. The gallows ended up being sold at auction. The gallows were saved just in case "Terrible" Tommy O'Connor, who escaped before his execution in 1921, was never apprehended. (Historical Chicago Tribune photo) — A group of assistant state’s attorneys gather for their first and last look at the county jail gallows as the county prepares to destroy the contraption on June 17, 1977. The gallows ended up being sold at auction. The gallows were saved in case “Terrible” Tommy O’Connor, who had escaped before his execution in 1921, was apprehended. (Historic Chicago Tribune photo)

1921: Three days before his hanging, the “terrible” Tommy O’Connor and two other prisoners escaped from prison in Chicago and were never seen again.

Henrietta Bradberry's invention shows in detail how to house and deploy a torpedo underwater while preventing liquid from entering the mechanism. (US Patent Office) — Henrietta Bradberry’s invention shows in detail how to house and deploy a torpedo underwater while preventing liquid from entering the mechanism. (US Patent Office)

[1945:[1945 : Henrietta Bradberry was awarded her second US patent – for a means of unloading torpedoes.

While her husband William was at work, the Kentucky native brainstormed ideas for useful appliances in their Chicago home on Champlain Avenue. His two patents could not be more different in purpose and design.

Vintage Chicago Tribune: Inventions and Innovations of Black Chicagoans

Bradberry received his first patent on May 25, 1943, for a collapsible rack – intended to hold sheets and pajamas – that could attach to a bed frame.

Coach George Halas of the Chicago Bears congratulates quarterback Johnny Lujack for setting the National League passing record of 468 yards on December 11, 1949, in their victory over the Chicago Cardinals, 52–12, at Wrigley Field. Editor's Note: This historic print has a hand painted background and graphics added to the print. (Illustration from the Chicago Tribune) — Coach George Halas of the Chicago Bears congratulates quarterback Johnny Lujack for setting the National League passing record of 468 yards on December 11, 1949, in their victory over the Chicago Cardinals, 52–12, at Wrigley Field. Editor’s Note: This historic print has a hand painted background and graphics added to the print. (Illustration from the Chicago Tribune)

1949: Quarterback Johnny Lujack threw six touchdown passes and set a record with 468 air yards in a single game as the Chicago Bears defeated the Chicago Cardinals 52-21 at Wrigley Field.

The NFL’s oldest rivalry continued at Soldier Field. A look back at the teams that started it all in 1920.

1965: “I just got angry. They shouldn’t have thrown me out.”

That’s the reason given by Robert Lee Lassiter, 24, after dousing a West Side tavern with gasoline and using a borrowed match to set it on fire. The fire killed 13 patrons of the Seeley Club, 2026 Madison St., Chicago, and injured 22 others.

Lassiter’s confession, however, was suppressed after a judge ruled that the power company worker had been deprived of his right to an attorney.

He was convicted in March 1967 and sentenced to up to 150 years for each of the 13 deaths.

Five men plunged to their deaths at the State of Illinois Center construction site on December 11, 1981, when the metal basket they were in gave way. (Chicago Tribune)

1981: Five iron workers plunged 100 feet to their deaths at the State of Illinois Center construction site when a platform they were riding on nearly eight stories above the ground broke free from a mobile crane and toppled the crew into the excavation site. Phillip Rios was the only survivor.

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Bob Murray shoots a bead over Edmonton's Glen Anderson during the first period of a game on December 11, 1985, at Chicago Stadium in Chicago. The Oilers dominated the Hawks 12-9. (Ed Wagner Jr./Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Bob Murray shoots a bead over Edmonton’s Glen Anderson during the first period of a game on December 11, 1985, at Chicago Stadium in Chicago. The Oilers dominated the Hawks 12-9. (Ed Wagner Jr./Chicago Tribune)

1985: The Edmonton Oilers defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 12-9 at Chicago Stadium. The 21 goals scored tied for the highest scoring game in NHL history, but the 62 points allowed broke the old record of 53 set by Quebec and Washington in 1981. The Hawks had 46 shots on goal and the Oilers 44.

Chicago Cubs general manager Jim Hendry introduces Japanese baseball player Kosuke Fukudome December 19, 2007, at Wrigley Field in Chicago. (Phil Velasquez/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Cubs general manager Jim Hendry introduces outfielder Kosuke Fukudome December 19, 2007, at Wrigley Field in Chicago. (Phil Velasquez/Chicago Tribune)

2007:The Chicago Cubs have signed Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome to a four-year contract. It was presented to fans here eight days later.

In 2008, he made the All-Star Game, the cover of Sports Illustrated and hit a game-tying home run in the ninth inning on Opening Day at Wrigley Field.

Fukudome was traded to Cleveland in 2011, then signed a two-year contract with the Chicago White Sox in 2012.

“Proud and honored”: Kosuke Fukudome, the first Japanese player for the Chicago Cubs, reunites with the team in Tokyo

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abdulmanannet77@gmail.comDecember 11, 2025

0 1 3 minutes read