1. Yellow Journalism The Dangers of the Press

2. “Black Beast First Sticks Up Couple!” Omaha – The most daring attack on a white woman ever perpetrated in Omaha occurred one block south of Bancroft Street near Scenic Ave. in Gibson (Omaha neighborhood) last night. The Omaha Bee, 1918 What are the “underlying” feelings that this headline would make you feel or believe about the people described? Is there some bias in this story? If so, where?

3. Yellow Journalism “The printing of news or information from the viewpoint of the Editor rather than from giving a objective viewpoint.” The information reported is usually biased (one sided) and inaccurate. The tone in which the story is written is made to “rile” the reader’s emotions By reporting the news in this way, it does not allow the reader to determine what is in fact true and what is not.

4. Yellow Journalism – The Omaha Bee Owned and operated by Edward Rosewater In direct competition w/ the World-Herald Openly criticized the city govt, especially the Police Embellished stories about attacks by Minority men on White women Directly involved w/ fueling the 1919 riot

5. Edward Rosewater

6. Racial Tensions Rise in Omaha 1908-09 Numerous strikes occur due to how workers are treated by the Meatpacking companies Workers are replaced by Greek men brought in from elsewhere, “Scabs” White workers are angry Racial incidents happen all over the city

7. Greek Riot of 1909 It is a hot, humid summer night in August 1909 Omaha Policeman, Ed Lowery is called to a disturbance in South Omaha Lowery is shot and killed while trying arrest a drunk Greek “scab” The public is outraged and begin to go after every Greek that they can find literally chasing them out of town

8. Political Machines on the Rise Operates to serve the lower class – the “Untouchables” It uses the lower class to get its work done and gives them a voice Controls crime in the lower income areas of town Guides “Black Market” dealings behind closed doors of legitimate businesses Enter Tom Dennison…..

9. Tom Dennison Billy Nesselhouse “Cowboy” Jim Dahlman Edward Rosewater Frank Johnson Harry Buford Joe Potash The Omaha Machine

10. Tom Dennison “The Old Man” or “Gray Wolf” Born and raised in Iowa Went to Denver and became a gambler 1893 came to Omaha due to its reputation and set up shop 1893-1900 – organized the gambling scene, 1904 became the “Political Boss” Obtained power by “buying” the mayor He got “bums” and “low lifes” to go out and vote for “his” candidate a couple of times

11. Thomas Dennison

12. Billy Nesselhouse Dennison’s # 2 Man A famous horse jockey who now fixes horse races Oversaw the collection of protection money from businesses along with Joe Potash He made the $ “drops” and passed out the “cuts” Billionaire Warren Buffett lives in his house today

13. “Cowboy” Jim Dalhman A Texas rancher who shot a man and had to skip town He and Tom Dennison become friends, wants to run for Mayor A town Mayor controls the hiring of all Policemen Dennison backs him and he becomes Mayor of Omaha Dahlman is very loyal to Dennison and never takes a penny more than he was given Dahlman hires only the cops that Dennison tells him to

14. Cowboy Jim Dahlman

15. Edward Rosewater Owner and Operator of the Omaha Bee Newspaper Acted as the voice of Dennison Printed only items that the “Machine” supported When Rosewater dies, Frank Johnson takes over

16. Edward Rosewater

17. Frank Johnson Ran and operated “Omaha Printing”(still in business today) Served as Dennison’s link to “legitimate” businesses If a “clean” business owner got ripped off, they saw Johnson and he got their goods back Johnson was key in tying Dennison into legal deals for Dennison’s help, the rich owed him favors

18. Harry Buford A brave black Omaha Police Lieutenant Dennison used Buford to oversee control over the Black neighborhoods He was Dennison’s driver Dennison gave him the recognition that was owed to him Dennison had Thomas Kimball design and build him a home on 16 th and Lake Streets

19. Harry Buford

20. Harry Buford’s Home

21. Joe Potash An Omaha police officer known for his brutality He controlled the crime aspect of Dennison’s org. He was the “enforcer” or “muscle”. He collected debts owed to Dennison in the 3 rd ward His “Calling Card” was an ice pick through the eye

22. Tom Dennison and the Ethnic Neighborhoods Dennison encouraged new immigrants to support him by Dennison giving them jobs and opportunities He gives them jobs and in return, they vote as he says to…a couple of times This practice kept the “machine” going on and on…..

23. The Downfall of Dennison’s Machine In 1932, the Volstead Act was repealed, alcohol was now legal – Dennison’s “Cash Cow” dried up Progressives were closing in on him Tom Dennison arranges a hit on a very well liked Omaha Business man – Harry Lapidus