Sheriff Albert McKorckle

On this spot: Sheriff Albert McCorkle shot

On Saturday, Oct. 9, 1880, Sheriff Albert McCorkle was shot while responding to a riot that began at Hardebeck’s Saloon, at 201 S. Harrison St., on the southwest corner of Harrison and Broadway streets. The riot began when brothers Ed and Gib Kennedy made political remarks which angered some of the saloon’s patrons. McCorkle took the two boys out of the bar as the situation escalated. After leaving Ed Kennedy with someone to escort him home, he began heading north on Broadway Street. The crowd, however, crossed Harrison Street and went after the boy. McCorkle turned back to the boy. The boy, who had panicked during the event, fired his pistol, striking McCorkle. The sheriff was taken to the Flaitz building, on the northeast corner, at 118 S. Harrison St., and later to his home, where he died the next morning.