Today in Chicago History: Siwash — the beer-guzzling duck and former Marine mascot — dies at Lincoln Park Zoo
Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on May 23, according to the Tribune's archives.
Is an important event missing from this date? Email us.
Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)
High temperature: 92 degrees (1977)
Low temperature: 37 degrees (1917)
Precipitation: 1.23 inches (1995)
Snowfall: Trace (1889)
1926: Chicago Cubs center fielder Lewis 'Hack' Wilson hit the 'longest home run ever knocked' at Wrigley Field (to that point anyway) in the fifth inning of a 14-8 win against the Boston Braves. The ball hit the center field scoreboard.
Later that day, however, Wilson was arrested 'in an alleged disorderly flat at 803 Sheridan Road,' that was alleged to be a speakeasy. He was charged with disorderly conduct, but the case was dismissed.
1954: Siwash, the duck mascot of the U.S. Marines' 2nd Division during World War II, died in Lincoln Park Zoo. The death was attributed to a liver ailment, which veterans said had nothing to do with Siwash's fondness for beer.
The female duck was brought to Chicago by former Marine Francis J. Fagan — who had won it in a tavern raffle in New Zealand — and used her to help with recruitment duties for the Korean War. Broadcaster Jack Brickhouse in 1967 recalled attending a 1944 celebration for Siwash at The Drake. 'So there she was, perched on a baby high-chair, being feted by half the bigwigs in Chicago. And, do you know, that darned duck quacked and drank beer and quacked, all thru lunch.'
Siwash had been expected at a Marine reunion in San Diego, so the duck was preserved quickly so it could posthumously attend the event. Afterward, it was donated to the National Museum of the Marine Corps at Quantico, Virginia.
Unfortunately, the duck's condition 'deteriorated rapidly (perhaps due to the hasty taxidermy job),' the museum told the Tribune, and is no longer part of its collection.
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