13 Facts About Elmer Washburn

Elmer Washburn was the 3rd Chief of the United States Secret Service from 1874 through 1876.

Elmer Washburn served as a vision superintendent for the Illinois Central Railroad.

Elmer Washburn made attempts to reform the city's police force, but this was met with resistance in the department, which weakened Elmer Washburn's practical authority.

The ordinance allowed the money to be deposited with the officer in charge of the police station they had been taken to, despite this being a practice that Elmer Washburn had earlier attempted to stop.

Elmer Washburn only agreed to sign the ordinance after the City Council agreed to add an amendment that policemen would have to pay for these items if they did not return them in good condition.

Owners of gambling establishments that had been raided by Elmer Washburn sued him for the return of gambling implements such as faro tables.

The courts ultimately sided with the gambling establishments, finding that, while Elmer Washburn had the authority to restrict gambling and to arrest people for practicing it, he did not have the authority to seize property without due process.

Elmer Washburn created another dispute within the department when he made an attempt to require officers to work uninterrupted twelve-hour patrols.

The City Council backed Medill and Elmer Washburn, and upheld Medill's appointment of new commissioners to replace Klokke and Reno.

Elmer Washburn helped thwart the attempted theft of Abraham Lincoln's corpse.

Elmer Washburn played a role in prosecution of Whiskey Ring members.

Elmer Washburn got involved in the Union Stock Yards, heading the Chicago Live Stock Exchange and serving as president of the Union Stock Yards National Bank.

In March 1884, Elmer Washburn lobbied the US Congress against the bill which created the Bureau of Animal Industry, and helped to weaken the agency's ultimate authority.