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HINSDALE, Ill. (CBS) ― Less than two days after Cook County lost its first African-American county board president, John H. Stroger Sr., it has also lost Chicago's second African-American mayor, Eugene Sawyer.

Sawyer died at Hinsdale Hospital at 11 p.m. Saturday; he had suffered a series of recent strokes, the most recent in November, and he was hospitalized Friday with heart problems, his brother, John Sawyer said. Sawyer was 73.

Coincidentally, both Sawyer and Stroger were born and raised in the Deep South -- Sawyer in Alabama, Stroger in Arkansas -- and both died just days before the nation marks Martin Luther King Day on Monday.

Sawyer was born in Greensboro, Alabama, on September 9, 1934. He was alderman of Chicago's 6th ward from 1971 until 1988 and in 1987, following the sudden death of Chicago Mayor Harold Washington, the City Council elected him to serve as acting mayor.

Sawyer was sworn in as acting mayor at 4 a.m. on Dec. 2, 1987, after a contentious fight on the City Council floor.

CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery remembers that on the day he took the oath of office, his knees were literally buckling.

"I guess I might be a little bit soft-spoken, somewhat less than he was, but I'm just as committed as he was. I care about this city as he did."

Those were Eugene Sawyer's words a few moments after being sworn in as mayor, following the stormiest night City Hall's ever seen.

Not only was Sawyer becoming the successor to the city's first African-American mayor, he was bucking a clear majority of sentiment in the African-American community, most of which supported fellow Ald. Timothy Evans (4th).

For the seven days following Washington's death from a heart attack, whispered rumors of would-be successors filled newspaper columns and television screens. Washington supporters huddled and mapped their strategy for holding onto the power of the mayor's office, while his adversaries plotted one last time to grab it for themselves.

Finally, it all culminated in one of the wildest City Council meetings ever held in Chicago.

The day after the mayor died, Thanksgiving Day 1987, a tearful mayor's chief of staff Ernest Barefield announced the mayor's memorial services, while Ald. David Orr (49th), now Cook County Clerk, agreed to serve until an acting mayor was selected by the aldermen. As Harold Washington's vice-mayor, Orr presided over that tempestuous Council meeting. He opposed Sawyer that night, but always liked him personally.

The public memorial services for the mayor followed on Friday, Nov. 27.

By Saturday, Nov. 28, battle lines were being lain within City Council chambers. Those who had supported Washington wanted Evans to take over as acting mayor, while other aldermen wanted Sawyer. Both aldermen were African-American, but Evans' backers argued that those who were pushing Sawyer represented the Democratic machine and the 29 aldermen who had fought Mayor Washington in the Council Wars.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson was one of Evans' backers. "There's a spark in Tim Evans that has mass appeal," Jackson said at the time.

Some aldermen saw this as an attempt at kingmaking.

"I don't think the people of Chicago should have their next mayor picked at O'Hare Field, or at Operation PUSH, or at a bungalow or anywhere else," said Ald. Edward Burke (14th).

On Nov. 30, a power struggle was in full swing in City Council chambers, nearly all through the night. Thousands of demonstrators gathered outside City Hall, shouting the late mayor's name and chanting, "Down with Sawyer!" The demonstrators swelled to the point where police shut down LaSalle Street outside City Hall.

Inside City Council chambers, the two factions went through hours of political maneuvering and parliamentary stonewalling. Unlike the Council Wars, the divisions did not break down along racial lines. Members of the mayor's own coalition were in many instances fighting amongst themselves.

Ald. Dorothy Tillman (3rd) said backing Sawyer was tantamount to backing the 29 aldermen who had fought Washington in the Council Wars.

"Those of you who have joined forces with the 29, don't do it! Don't do it!" Tillman said. "The community gotta be clear. While Sawyer's doin' the ceremonial stuff, actin' mayor, Burke and all those Uncle Toms are here running city government."

But Ald. William Henry (24th) said Sawyer was the person who would bring the city together.

"We don't need any rhetoric! We need a man that's going to come to work. We need a person that can go across the city. We need somebody that can bring us together," Henry said. "Gene Sawyer is that man."

And Ald. Richard Mell (33rd) addressed his fellow aldermen standing on his desk.

Finally, Sawyer won, receiving 29 votes to Evans' 19. You can read a transcript of Sawyer's acceptance speech here. 

Many said Sawyer was the perfect man to succeed Washington. While he didn't possess Washington's charisma or rhertorical ability, his tenure as mayor did not see the same political division made infamous during the Council Wars under Washington.

Sawyer also maintained many of the reforms that Washington brought about before his death. The man Sawyer defeated is now Chief Judge of the Cook County Circuit Court. He recalled that, as mayor, Sawyer enacted several items on the Washington Agenda, including ethics reforms and gay rights legislation. 

"I think he had an interest in keeping government open and transparent, which I think flowed from the Washington years," Evans said.

On Sunday, the Rev. Jesse Jackson said, "After Harold Washington's sudden death, (Sawyer's) temperament was a bridge over troubled waters and for that we are in his debt. He was met with opposition from both sides: those that were for Harold and against him; but he served without rancor- that time must be cherished. Though his term as mayor was short he was the small link that saved the big chain. He gave new meaning to the term 'caretaker.' His service in the Chicago City Council and as mayor was outstanding; he deserves our praise."

Jackson on one side, Ald. Dick Mell on the other, both praised Sawyer Sunday and his calm, steady demeanor. As so did Mayor Richard Daley.

"Mayor Eugene Sawyer was not only a dedicated public servant, but an honorable man, whose peaceful nature and desire to unify served this city well," said Daley.

Current Mayor Richard Daley defeated Sawyer in the Democratic primary in 1989, and went on to win the mayoral election. After his defeat, Sawyer left public life and became involved in several business ventures; among other things, he sold jet fuel and other forms of energy. 
 
One thing he never did in public was to lash out at any of those on both sides of the "Color Line" who had attacked him, in some cases ridiculing and reviling him. Sawyer never sought to get back at his critics once he became mayor, his brother said.

"His major concern was to be a healer, to ensure the city continued to function," John Sawyer said Sunday. "He didn't want to contribute to any strife -- be it racial or economic."

Illinois Congressman Danny Davis has fond memories of Sawyer, too.

"Gene Sawyer was one of the most gentlemanly elected officials that I've ever known. Often time you don't get to be an elected official by being gentlemanly. But Gene Sawyer was soft-spoken he was always one willing to listen to reason," he said. 

Among Eugene Sawyer's proudest accomplishments was helping to ensure minorities had a fair chance to bid on city contracts, his brother said.

The Chicago Cubs fan was also proud that the installation of lighting at Wrigley Field, allowing for night games at the famed baseball park, happened during his term, his brother said.

"He was proud of Chicago. He loved Chicago," John Sawyer said. 
 
Sawyer is survived by his wife, and by three children and four grandchildren.

CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

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