USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Chicago, the Garden city. Its magnificent parks, boulevards and cemeteries. Together with other descriptive views and sketches > Part 2
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No Commissioner las at any time received any compensation for his ser- vices, nor have they derived any advantage, pecuniary or otherwise, from their connection with the Park Commission, except the pleasure realized from the public appreciation of their labors.
The southern portion of the park was formerly used by the city as a bury- ing ground, and it became necessary of course to disinter the remains of those slumbering there and to remove them to Graceland and Rosehill Cemeteries.
Not one of our parks, with the exception perhaps of the much smaller Union Park, over on the West Side, is so near to the business centre of the city as Lincoln Park, to which fact it is chiefly duc that it receives the lion's share of strangers coming to the city. The parks in other cities being less cen- trally located, and not so convenient of access, are frequented largely by the wealthier classes, the visitors in carriages far outnumbering those on foot. Lincoln Park, bordered on three sides by a dense population and convenient of approach, is the daily resort of all classes of the community, the poor as well as the rich enjoying the pleasure it affords; the pedestrians far outnumbering those who ride. Without any of the advantages of diversified surface, fertility of soil, or natural shade possessed by l'arks elsewhere to aid in beautifying and improving the tract which the law has appropriated for the Park, there has been a constant struggle to reduce the soil (if such the sundy surface may be termed) to subjection, that the waste places might bloom. But it possesses also a number of attractive features, as yet lacking in the other parks of this city. To begin with, there is a very interesting and instructive zoological collection, then we have numerous monuments reared to statesmen, soldiers, men of letters, ete .; we can boast of an electric fountain of great splendour, a gift of Mr. Charles T. Yerkes, the President of the North and West Side Street Railway Companies, and last but not least, the refreshing, cool breezes, wafted over the shady walks and drives from the glittering waters of Lake Michigan.
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The "Mall" in Lincoln Park.
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But the most excellent feature, calling forth the admiration of the throngs of visitors promenading through the park during the summer time, is the gor- geous array of beautiful flowers extending north from the Schiller statue to the new palm house. Mr. Charles Stromback, the efficient and popular chief gardener of the park, is untiring in his efforts to please the public by showy and artistically arranged outdoor floral decorations. During the winter season he and his able staff of gardeners busy themselves with making ample provi- sions for the necessities of spring, when nature awakens to new life and ac- tivity. And then, when the tulips, hyacinths and other flowery messengers of spring have ceased to bloom, Mr. Stromback forthwith begins with the distri- bution of summer flowers, which he arranges along the magnificent expanse of lawns south of the palm house and elsewhere with praiseworthy skill and taste, whereupon he leaves it to kind mother earth and the sun's genial rays to carry his work to completion, to give the flowers further growth and enchanting beauty.
Here are to be seen the most lovely children of flora planted in long ser- pentine beds or in the shape of gaudy rugs and carpets. Of such carpet beds there are several that deserve elose scrutiny on the part of the interested saun- derer, as they are indeed to be classed among the best creations of artistic flori- culture. The finest specimens may be found at both ends of the Bates foun . tain. Flowers in bewildering variety, velvety lawns, catalpa-trees, mighty vases and foliage plants, all combine to make the prospect one of rare beauty. Here it is where Mr. Stromback has used his skill to the best effect, and here it is where will be found many of the old favorites-pansies, geraniums, col- lodium, verbenas, heliotrope, pinks, single chrysanthemum, linum grandi- florum, gilliflowers, gladiolus, roses, larkspur, cock's-comb, daisies, balsam, petunia's, etc. Following the winding path we come to the aforesaid Bates fountain which forms the centre of this floral exhibition. It was presented to the people of Chicago by the lamented philanthropist, Eli Bates, and may be described as follows: In a circular basin, walled with granite, sportive boys- half fish, half human-are frolicking. Graceful swans join in the sport and shower water over the laughing youngsters and their finny prizes. In the cen- ter rises a clump of bullrushes with their slender, graceful leaves. The design is harmonious-it is the work of Augustus St. Gaudens-and of merit. South of the fountain, at the southern boundary of the flower garden, stands the fam- ous figure of Germany's great poet, Friedrich Schiller. This fine monument was donated to the park and the people by the German-American citizens of Chicago through one of their leading associations-the Swabian Society. The statue is a noble work and well exemplifies the greatness of the German thinker and writer.
The unveiling of this monument took place on Saturday, May 15, 1886. Originally the ninth day of May, the anniversary of Schiller's death, had been decided upon as the date for the unveiling ceremonies, but the excitement pre- vailing at that time among all classes of our population, in consequence of the anarchistic bomb throwing at the Haymarket, made a postponement impera- tively necessary. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather on May 15, the Germans of Chicago and vicinity turned out in great masses to do honor to the occasion and to participate in the dedicatory exercises in Lincoln Park, where the large throng, sheltered under an extensive black roof of open umbrellas, patiently listened to the able speeches and the soul-inspiring songs of the united German singing societies. The oration of the day was delivered by Mr. Wilhelm Rapp, Editor in chief of the Illinois Staats Zeitung: the other speakers were Carter HI. Harrison, then Mayor of Chicago, and Mr. Julius Rosenthal, Chairman of the Monument Committee.
The Swabinn Society started the movement that led to the erection of this monument in the month of November, 1880, and nearly four years later, on September 1, 1884, a committee of German Citizens was appointed for the pur- pose of collecting the funds needed to complete the sum that was necessary to pay for the monument and to carry to a successful termination the noble work begum by the Swabian Society. On January 1, 1884, there were on hand already $3.022 for this purpose, and it did not take the committee a very
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long time to bring the enterprise to a highly satisfactory issue. The Com- mittee consisted of the following well known Germans: Franz Amberg, August Bauer, Franz Demmler, Hermann De Vry, Emil Dietzsch, Edward S. Dreyer, Joseph Frank, Carl Haerting. C. E. Heiss, Phil. Henne, A. C. Hlesing, Arnold Holinger, Louis Huck, Theodor Karls, Francis Lackner, Andrew C. Leicht. T. J. Lefens, Leopold Mayer, Fridolin Madlener, C. C. Möller, Louis Nettelhorst, Georg Prüssing, Julius Rosenthal. Harry Rubens, Dr. Rudolph Seiffert, Max Stern, Gustav Stieglitz, Jos. Schöninger, Frank Wenter, Geo. A. Weiss and Ludwig Wolff.
The corner stone of the foundation was laid on Nov. 11, 1885, and six months later the statue formed one of the grandest and most interesting sights in Lincoln Park. It was cast by Wm. Pelargus, of Stuttgart, Germany, and is an exact copy of the Schiller statue in Marbach, which was cast from a bust modelled from life by the celebrated sculptor Dannecker. The chief excel- lence of the Schiller statue in Lincoln Park is found in its wonderful artistic simplicity. It is 10 feet high and must be seen to be appreciated. The unveil- ing ceremonies were very impressive, notwithstanding the rain and were wit- nessed by over 10,000 people, among which were. no less than sixty different German societies and lodges. After the exercises in the open air and rain had been concluded, a banquet took place in the Refectory, where more speeches were delivered and where the celebrated German Gemuethlichkeit reigned supreme.
North of the palm house stands the colossal figure of Linnaeus, which was presented to the park by the countrymen of the great botanist and was unveiled May 23, 1891. The first actual step was taken when the Linnean Monument Association was organized and incorporated. An executive committee of 45 persons was appointed at the same time. This committee issued a call to the Swedes of America asking for contributions, but as the responses were few and far between, it soon became apparent that the Swedish residents of Chi- cago had either to abandon the project or perform the task themselves unaided by outsiders. The greater part of the funds expended has consequently been raised in this city, partly by liberal subscriptions and partly through picnics and other public entertainments, in which the secular Swedish societies have shown much interest by making considerable contributions in the way of patron- age. The first president of the monument association was Mr. J. A. Enander, who was succeeded by Mr. Robert Lindblom, to whose pluck and push a good deal of the early success must be ascribed. The monument is a very credit- able work of art. The model was made by C. J. Dufverman in Stockholm, where, too, the statue was cast by Otto Meyer and Co. The cost of the whole, as it now stands on a pedestal of granite shipped from Maine is $15,000. But there are to be added four figures representing as many different sciences, viz .: botany, medicine, chemistry and zoology, in all of which Linne had extensive knowledge. When thus finished there will have been expended about $22,000. These allegorical figures will, it is expected, be ready and put in their proper places within a very short time. The statue is 39 feet high from the base to the apex. The height of the figure is 14} feet. When complete, the monu- ment will be an exact counterpart of the Linne monument erected in Stock- holm some years ago.
Those of the Directors of the Monument Association, who deserve special mention for liberality in cash contributions and untiring efforts during the four years that elapsed since the work was commenced are-Robert Lindblom, And- rew Chaiser, P. S. Peterson, L. G. Hallberg, C. O. Carlson, F. A. Lindstrand, A. E. Johnson, Nils Anderson, August Jernberg, Victor Rylander, Lawrence Hesselroth, O. F. Vidman, Chas. Eklund, Alexander J. Johnson and many others.
The unveiling ceremonies were preceded by a large procession. The pre- sentation speech was delivered by Mr. Robert Lindblom and the speech of ac- ceptance by the President of the Lincoln Park Board. Mayor Washburne fol- lowed with a few remarks and then gave way to Mr. C. F. Peterson, who re- cited a poem written for the occasion. The orator of the day was Mr. John A. Enander, who spoke in Swedish. After the conclusion of the dedication
SCHILLER
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IVES
Schiller Statue in Lincoln Park,
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ceremonies the vast throng adjourned to Thielemann's summer resort just out- side the northern boundaries of the Park, where the celebration of the day was continued. Among those who spoke there were Robert Lindblom, C. F. Peterson, Rev. H. Lindskog and Dr. Frithjof Larson. As Secretary of the Monument Association, Mr. Lawrence Hesselroth has rendered valuable ser- vices, and so has Mr. Louis Widestrand in the capacity of Financial Secretary. Others who have displayed much enthusiasm and sacrificed time and money in the enterprise are L. F. Hussander, Richard Lindgren, Nils Anderson, Gus- tave Svenson, Chas. Stromback, head gardener of Lincoln Park, P. A. Sunde- lius, S. A. Freeman, and many more.
At the southern end of the park the statue of the great and good Abraham Lincoln is the dominant attraction. The surroundings of this monumental work seem to have been arranged with no other object than to embrace its beau- ties. It faces North Avenue and is approached by a winding drive which circles from both the Clark Street and the Lake Shore Drive entrances. A concourse is placed before it where carriages can assemble, while the occupants view the figure of the great emancipator at their leisure. Augustus St. Gaudens was the sculptor. The cost of this great work was about $40,000. The late Eli Bates presented it to the park, and the expense was borne by his estate.
Among the other monuments which adorn this lovely park, the equestrian statue of General Grant attracts the most attention. The demonstration attend- ing the formal dedication of this monument October 7, 1891, was a very im- posing affair and the exercises throughout were of a character thoroughly in keeping with the dignity of the occasion. The parade and the naval display off Lincoln Park were witnessed by many thousands of people, and the oratory, which was heard by comparatively few of the great multitudes that were out for the day, was of a character to. command attention and respect. Judge Gresham's tribute to the old commander was comprehensive, appreciative and in entire good taste, while the other speakers performed the duties assigned to them in a manner that left nothing to be desired.
The monument to Grant was designed for the soldiers of the army whose tattered flags fluttered about the pedestal on that memorable day. The face that looked over the troubled flood of Lake Michigan as the descending sun broke from the clouds and painted the dancing waters, was not the face of Grant in his later and weaker hours. But it was the face the veterans had seen years ago when trudging over the dusty roads of Tennessee and Virginia, when they turned to cheer the iron man who was to lead them to victory. He sat then as the bronze sits now, firmly astride his horse, plain almost to a point of affectation in his dress-the army coat that covered his sturdy frame as threadbare as theirs, the worn slouched hat a rebuke to the frippery of the staff. His face in the statue is the face of that day-a firm and dogged face; the eyes intent under the gathered brow as if watching the smoke of the skir- mish lines, the lips compressed, the firmness of the jaw showing through the rough beard.
Something of affectation for Grant, who sprang from the good soil of nor- thern Illinois; something of pride in the fact that Chicago was first of the great towns of America to unveil a fit monument to the hero, and something of the popular love of holiday parades and bands, combined to choke the streets along the lake with the greatest crowd in memory. It was not only Chicago- although more than half the town turned out to block the line of march and surge across the meadows of Lincoln Park-but from early morning crowded trains drew to the city the population of the suburbs for hundreds of miles. They were the preliminary shower that was afterwards lost in the downpour when the floodgates of the city were loosened.
More than two hundred thousand people lined Michigan Avenue and the cross streets from Park Row to the river to see the great pageant, unquestion- ably the popular feature of the Grant Memorial Day. Neither rain nor mud deferred the vast crowd from standing for fully four hours wedged in the jam such as only Chicago and the much abused and yet famous lake front van pro- (luce. Along the east side of the regatta course in Lincoln Park, for nearly half a mile, and in the meadow that lies about the monument, 500,000 people
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had gathered. On the banks of the boat course they sat in tiers as about an amphitheatre, making a foreground of changing line-as the mass of faces turned in the sunlight-for the fleet bobbing at anchor in the surge. The roughness of the day prevented a great naval display, but the revenue cutters and steamers, flaming with the colors at their yards, and rising, falling and swinging with the swell, were impressive. It is not given to the widow of every soldier or statesman, however great he may have been, to witness hun- dreds of thousands assembled to do homage to the memory of a loved husband. It was a wondrous sight that met the gaze of Mrs. Grant as she drove out from the residence of Potter Palmer to take her place in the fourth division of the procession as the most distinguished of the goodly array of distinguished guests. Dressed in black and wearing glasses, Mrs. Grant looked highly pleased at the warm reception she received from the assembled thousands. Drawn by two handsome roans and with the coachman and footman in livery, Potter Palmer's carriage took up its position on the right of the leading four carriages of the division. Alongside Mrs. Grant was seated the popular Presi- dent of the Board of Lady Managers of the World's Fair, Mrs. Potter Palmer, looking radiant and pleased at the reception given her honored guest. In the carriage also were Ulysses Grant and Potter Palmer. All along the route Mrs. Grant was warmly cheered and she responded by bowing and smiling.
Mr. Edward S. Dreyer, the well-known German-American banker, Ex-Presi- dent of the Real Estate Board of Chicago, and at that time also Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Grant Monument Association, had the high honor conferred upon him to preside over this gigantic meeting. He opened the ceremonies with a neat little speech, and then introduced Rev. Bishop New- man, who invoked divine blessing on the day's undertaking and the people assembled. The principal oration was delivered by Judge Gresham, while shorter speeches were made by Mr. Edward S. Taylor, the popular Secretary of the Board of Lincoln Park Commissioners and Mayor Washburne.
As the last speaker stepped from the stand Chairman Dreyer declared that the exercises were over. But he raised his hand as the people began to move away and introduced Louis F. Rebisso, the sculptor, who threw all the strength of his genius into the statue which now stands for aye in Lincoln Park. The old soldiers cheered heartily for the man who had moulded the form of their loved general. Cries for a speech from the sculptor made those turn back who were going away. But Mr. Rebisso shook his head and declined to speak.
Two hours after the death of General U. S. Grant, July 23, 1885, Potter Palmer had subscribed $5,000 to a monument fund, and before the evening of the fourth day after the General's death nearly $42,000 had been raised. This was the remarkable beginning of one of the most spontaneous and popu- lar memorials ever offered by a people. While New York rode up the Hudson drive to a vacant knoll where Grant's monument was to have overlooked the great river bend, the people of Chicago were gathered around the largest and finest bronze statue of the kind ever cast in America, commemorating with un- covered heads the life of that greatest of soldier statesmen.
At no time in the history of the statue association was there the slightest difficulty in securin gsubscriptions. A committee of citizens were selected to receive moneys in various ways and from the different classes, industries and societies of the city. This committee was as follows:
Henry Towner, Jacob Grommes, S. B. Raymond,
J. D. Harvey. T. J. Lefens, M. Selz,
Norman Williams, II. W. Fuller, Joseph Charles,
George II. Rozet,
C. Henrotin,
Edward Rose,
Thomas F. Cunningham, George Schmidt, John Grosse,
C. B. Farwell, Robert Lindblom,
Charles Kern,
J. T. McAuley,
E. F. Cragin,
Charles H. Wacker,
W. T. Johnson,
S. N. Jewett,
J. B. Sullivan,
Louis Wampold, P. E. Stanley,
M. Schweisthal.
Henry Wieland, P. P. Heywood,
Another committee was created as a board of trustees and to oversee the
CARL -LINNE
The Linne Monument in Lincoln Park.
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designing and erecting of the memorial. This committee or board was chosen as follows:
E S. Dreyer, J. McGregor Adams, Samuel M. Nickerson,
William E. Strong, Norman Williams, Joseph Stockton.
Potter Palmer,
Edward S. Taylor,
When the fund was complete it amounted to about $65,000. Many differ- ent memorials were advocated before the committee, and it was only after long discussion that the present base and statue were decided upon. General Scho- field wished a simple figure of Grant, supporting his desire by the homely and noble sentiment, that Grant needed no compliment. Mr. Rebisso, the sculptor, made first a drawing and then a model before his design for a figure was accepted. Had not Mr. Rebisso been ill for nearly a year and the first casting by M. M. Mossman, of Chicopee, Mass., been defective, the work would have been finished long before.
The statue combines grace and grandeur. It has force and solidity. The pedestal and base of Hallowell granite are majestic. This foundation was de- signed by F. M. Whitehouse of Chicago. Mr. Rebisso modeled the general sitting finely and easily in the saddle, holding the reins in the left hand and grasping a field glass in the right. The right hand is lowered to the thigh and the pose of the body suggests a careful survey of the field. The purpose is to convey Grant's concentration of mind; his confidence in fortune, his officers and men, and his own self reliance. It is 18 feet and 3 inches from the bottom of the plinth to the crown of the slouch hat. The location of the statue was chosen out of regard for popular sentiment. The larger subscribers preferred to have it stand in the northern section, but when they discovered that the people preferred it to stand on the lake shore near the southern end, the larger subscribers at once submitted.
Then there was erected a few years ago a life-size statue to the explorer, Robert La Salle. It was donated by Hon. Lambert Tree and was designed by De La Laing, a noted Belgian Sculptor. And on a hill located between the lower park lake and the Lake Shore Drive is the celebrated Ryerson monu ment, an Indian group in bronze. The figures are those of an Indian, with his wife, child and dog, on the alert, as if watching the approach of a stranger, not yet declared a foe, but still too remote to give assurauce of friendly design. The pedestal which supports this group is in complete harmony with the bronze. Panels descriptive of various phases of Indian life are attached to the square support on which the group rests. The whole effect is realistic in the extreme. On the pedestal is the following inscription:
TO TIIE OTTAWA NATION OF INDIANS, MY EARLY FRIENDS, PRESENTED BY MARTIN RYERSON.
Samuel Johnston, a well-known Chicagoan, who died a few years ago, left instructions to his executors to expend $10,000 for a statue of Shakespeare to be placed in the park.
East of the imposing palm house, on a hill, are located the greenhouses. Here the work of propagating the hundreds of thousands of bedding plants that are to decorate the park in the summer months goes on "while nights are dark and snows are white." Here are designed the plans for ornamental beds. The greenhouse is of course under the supervision of Mr. C. Stromback. His work is important, surely. lle has able competitors in the various parks of the other divisions of the city, and to see to it that Lincoln Park does not lag behind in the race for floral excellence, keeps his brain and his hands busy. All the buildings are connected and under one roof-if the conventional affair of iron and glass that covers a conservatory can be properly designated as such. The propagating houses describe themselves in their name. Here are found countless foliage plants in little pots, duplicated from one another, as they out- grow their limits, and constantly increasing in number. The household favor-
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ites are here-all of them, as well as the varieties peculiar for their oddity as well as beauty.
Besides all this wealth and beauty of flowers, which must be seen to be appreciated, Lincoln Park has to offer another rare attraction upon its floral domain, namely, two lily ponds. These are situated in the eastern portion of the park, north of the waterworks, and they form, in a decidedly prominent degree, an object of genuine and unstinted admiration. This feature is a wel- come novelty and deserves the highest praise.
Excepting in New York, no attempt has been made in public parks of this country outside of Chicago to display with fullness the strange beauty of the gorgeous specimens of lilies, that make the rivers and pools of the tropics their home. Everyone has heard of the Victoria Regia, or Amazon lily, the leaves of which are six feet in diameter, with blossoms fourteen inches wide. But not everyone has seen a specimen of this giant lily.
The lily basins have been constructed after the most approved plans. Warmth, shelter from high winds, and sunshine are necessary to ensure suc- cess. These requisites have been found in the little valley in which the pools are located. A bird's-eye view of the two pools, when stocked and with their plants in bloom, will furnish a pleasure to which the western sense is unused.
There are numerous specimens of the genus Nymphaea represented, the most celebrated of which unquestionably is the Victoria Regia. This great lily, if properly protected, can be grown and flowered in the open air. When first open, the flowers are pure white and produce an odor of rare fragrance, which can best be compared to the flavor of the pineapple. After the first night the flowers change to a pink tint, lose their fragrance, and after living through another day they slowly sink into the water, there to ripen their seed. A new variety of the Victoria Regia, of which a specimen will doubtless be obtained, is crimson flowered. This plant is more robust than the white flowered Victoria, and the young leaves are of a dark bronze color. The flow- ers of this new variety are white on the day of opening, but change to a dark crimson color later.
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