1948: Our fight for the little guy began on Day 1

Chicago Sun-Times hits the streets Feb. 2, 1948

Maybe you've seen the movie -- "Call Northside 777."

It's a classic newspaper movie, starring Jimmy Stewart, based on a classic newspaper investigation -- the true story of how two reporters proved the innocence of a man convicted of murder.

The innocent man was Joe Majczek, convicted of killing a cop in 1932. The reporters were James McGuire and John J. McPhaul, who in 1944 proved Majczek had been railroaded.

The newspaper they worked for was the Chicago Times -- one half of what soon would be the Sun-Times -- a tough tabloid that stuck up for the little guy.

How fitting it was, then, that when the very first edition of the new Chicago Sun-Times hit the streets on Feb. 2, 1948 -- 60 years ago Saturday -- a banner headline revealed the latest twist in the Majczek saga: "Majczek tells $5,000 'gift' to Ill. legislator."

Joe Majczek again needed a champion. And the Sun-Times, like the Times, came to his aid.

The Sun-Times had learned that a state legislator was shaking Majczek down for a $5,000 "gift," threatening to kill a bill that would give Majczek $24,000 for his wrongful conviction.

That Sun-Times story triggered a grand jury investigation.

And Majczek got his money. Every dime.