Over the course of Barcal’s career as a Chicago policeman, the Chicago newspapers mentioned him a number of times:

May 4 to 5, 1886 – Francis Barcal and his brother, Jacob, both Chicago police officers were in action during the Haymarket riots.  Jacob Barcal, was a patrolmen of the Desplaines Street Station, under the command of Lieutenant Beard.  They, and other groups of police, were tasked with guarding the passage from Haymarket Square, Randolph and Desplaines Streets. They experienced an explosion and gunfire, with several injuries. (16) Lieutenant Francis Barkal, of the Twelfth Street Station, led a patrol of officers through the streets during the course of the day to disperse the large crowds, mostly without major incidents. (17)

July 3, 1886 – “A Police Officer’s Reward. Lieutenant Francis P. Barcal, of the Second Police Precinct, was last night made the recipient of a valuable gold star with a fine diamond set in the center as a testimonial from the residents of the precinct of their appreciation of his meritorious services during the late riots. The presentation was made at No. 76 West Taylor Street in an appropriate speech by Mr. Joseph F. Kohout, and Lieutenant Barcal, who had no previous knowledge of the Intentions of his friends, responded in happy terms” (18)

August 30, 1890 – Lieutenant Barcal, on Larrabee Street, at one o’clock in the morning, saw two men running.  He called for them to halt, but one drew a revolver and shot Barcal in the leg.  His wound was attended to by Dr. Miller and Barcal went home to 41 Keenon Street. (19)

July 6, 1891 – Lieutenant F.P. Barcal was shot while on street patrol.  He intervened in a burglary at Halberg’s saloon.  Other officers, later, caught the suspects. The articles ends with; “He has the reputation of being one of the bravest and best officers." (20)

August 30, 1893 - Paid out her money to lift a charm - Katie Denihan Tells of an Experience with a Fortune-Teller. Katie Denihan, a domestic employed at No. 382 Ontario Btreet, called on Lieut. Barcal of the East Chicago Avenue Station last night and told him of a $27.50 experience she had had with a fortune-teller. She said that she came from Philadelphia several months ago, where she left a sweetheart named George. Three weeks ago a strange woman called at her house and surprised her by saying that George was unfaithful to her. She told Katie that he was under a " spell " cast by a young woman with blonde hair. Katie instantly recalled a former rival w ho had blonde hair, and she invited the woman in to tell her more. The woman told Katie so much ancient history, or Katie thought she did, that she became convinced that her love affair was in a bad way. The woman said that for 30 she would remove the ' charm.' Katie thought the price cheap enough, but unfortunately had but $10. She gave the woman the $10. The next day the woman called again and said the " charm " refused to be lifted tor so little money, Katie borrowed $5 and gave it to the woman for her lover's release. But this did not do the work and Katie continued to give the woman money until she had given up $27.50. Then the woman left to come no more. Several other servant girls in the neighborhood also employed the woman to remove various " charms " which failed to move. Lieut. Barcal gave Katie some good advice and promised to look for her $27.50. (21)

March 12, 1895 – Four geese were placed in a cell at the Maxwell Street Police Station.  Two police officers had rounded them up the evening before, citing that two boys had left the geese and they were causing problems for the Chicago and Alton Railway.  Two court justices holding session at the station were being interrupted in their proceedings in the station from the constant noise made by the geese.  Captain Barcal eventually rounded them up and took the geese to the city pound.  “Attorney Epstein offered to furnish bonds for the good behavior of the geese, if released in his custody, but Captain Barcal would not accept it, having heard that roast goose is one of Epstein’s favorite dishes.” (22)

June 25, 1895 - Claims the house is haunted -  Fritz Flohr Tells of Midnight Horrors in a La Salle Avenue Structure. Ghosts, goblins, processions of headless bodies, and illusion tricks by phantom forms have not caused Fritz Flohr's hair to turn gray in a single night, because it is already gray, but he has hunted up a new boarding place and no longer lives at No. 219 La Salle avenue. Yesterday morning Fritz came into the East Chicago Avenue Police Station and asked Lieut. Barcal for police protection, saying that his room was haunted and that every night at 12 apparitions made their appearance, as if acting a Greek tragedy or rehearsing a long-forgotten crime. Two weeks ago Mr. Flohr rented a room on the third floor at No. 219 La Salle avenue and all went well until a few nights ago, when he says, he was awakened at midnight. Numberless headless bodies danced, as if in a dress rehearsal for some ghostly ballet. They appeared and disappeared with startling suddenness. The next night at 12, Fritz says, he was awakened by the quilts and pillows being pulled off his bed. They were replaced by him only to be pulled off again. That night he camped on the front doorstep until daylight. The third night was too much for him, and with weak Knees and trembling voice he determined to seek protection from the police. (23)

February 10, 1897 – Captain Barcal, with help from a citizen, was able to direct his police officers to apprehend members of the “Pickles” Gang.  The gang members were responsible for a number of robberies of saloonkeepers within Barcal’s district. (24)

April 4, 1904 – The Chicago Tribune announced Captain Barcal of the West Chicago Avenue Police District, has undertaken three crusades to enforce open and closing hours for saloonkeepers, to arrest spitters, and halt dealers who sell cigarettes without licenses.  A number of arrests and fines have been recorded. (25)

September 3, 1907 – Captain Barcal, of the Chicago Avenue Station, received a request for help from a music professor.  The professor’s wife had accumulated ten cats, and with that a large monthly milk bill.  He claimed alienation of attention, and the crowded conditions caused by the cats filling the rooms. Captain Barcal did not appear to have a good solution to this request. (26)

(Image Captain Barcal - Amerikan Kalendar, August Geringer Publisher, Chicago, 1925, article by A.E. Benes, Pages 292 to 294.)

January 17, 1908 – While Captain Barcal, East Chicago Avenue Station, is getting closer to retirement, he still made the headlines.  A letter came to the police station warning the Captain that his work against a gang of Italian blackmailers had earned him a death threat. (27)

Census records available for Francis and Caroline “Carrie” Barcal and family list with each record, children, at first single, then married or divorced, living at home.  The 1910 census lists Barcal as an Ex Captain of Chicago Police.  In July of 1914 his wife, Caroline, died.  A. E. Benes, in an article describing the life of Francis Barcal, remarked that retirement and then the death of his wife, wore on the retired captain. In 1920, he was living with one of his children.  Francis Barcal died on June 25, 1923, and is buried in Chicago’s Bohemian National Cemetery, with his parents, wife and several children.