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Clarence Darrow Admirers Hold Their Latest Memorial

Clarence Darrow
Portrait of American lawyer and Civil Rights activist Clarence Darrow (1857-1938) seated at a desk, circa 1920s. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- About two dozen people gathered Friday at a bridge in Jackson Park named for famed Chicago attorney Clarence Darrow – as admirers have done for decades since his death in 1938. 

Darrow died on March 13 of that year, and his ashes were scattered at the lagoon. A tradition began of laying flowers at the spot to celebrate the labor-rights advocate and death-penalty opponent. Darrow defended 1920s-era thrill-killers Leopold and Loeb and convinced a court to spare them from execution.


Nina Helstein recalls first going to the ceremony several years ago with her late father, president of a labor union.

"In those days there were a lot of people," Helstein said.

She said the ideals Darrow stands for should be celebrated today.