USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Directory of Chicago, 1844 > Part 2
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HISTORICAL SKETCH.
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Capt. Heald and lady; who were sent by him to St. Joseph, and thence to Mackinaw, whence they made their escape. The remain- der of the prisoners were retained, but, it is said, were treated with great kindness, and most of them surrendered to the British, at Detroit, in the following spring. The day following the action, the Indians burnt down the Fort, and dispersed. Such are the leading particulars of this unfortunate action, collected, principally. from an eye-witness of the whole. Capt. Heald has been subjected to much blame, a portion of which was undoubtedly merited. His management of the Indians was injudicious throughout, and the destruction of the stores, to say the least, imprudent. The evacua- tion, under existing circumstances, was remonstrated against, by Mr. Kinzie and Capt. Wells, both of whom, from long intercourse with . the Indians, had become familiar with their character, and were enabled to anticipate and foretell the result which ensued. Capt. Wells had been bred an Indian warrior. and was a brave and skilful soldier. He unfortunately fell early in the action, and was found with his face blackencd, after the manner of the Savages, when they meet with disappointment.
The Fort was rebuilt in 1817, when it took the name of Fort Dearborn. It was occupied, except at short intervals, by a Gar- nson, until 1837, when, the Indians having generally left the coun- try, it was finally evacuated, and has never since been re-occupied as a military post. It remains in much the same condition as in '37, except the pallisadcs, which were removed, the past spring, and their place supplied by a handsome fence. It has since been occu- . pied by officers and agents in charge of the public works, and their families. Fort Dearborn being almost the only memento of the past, in the midst of so many creations of the day-the necessity of any alteration in its appearance is to be regretted.
Until 1832, and even so late as 1833, little or nothing was done towards making a commencement of the City-it probably not en- tering into the imagination of any one, previous to that tinie, that a town of any importance was to be here at all, at least, not for many years. In 1832, its appearance and condition was much the same as in 1823, when Major Long, who visited the place that year, de- scribes it " as presenting no cheering prospects, and containing but few huts, inhabited by a miserable race of men, scarcely equal to the Indians, from whom they were descended-and their log or bark houses as low. filthy, and disgusting, displaying not the least trace of comfort, and as a place of business, affording no inducements to the settler-the whole amount of trade on the Lake, not exceeding the cargos of five or six schooners, even at the time when the Gar- rison received its supplies from Mackinaw." This picture, though perhaps too highly colored, presents, in the main, a correct view of Chicago, in 1832, In 1230, there had been a sale of Canal lots, the best bringing only fifty or one hundred dollars. many of which have sinve become the most valuable in the City. Up to about that time, the present most business, and densely populated part of the City, was fenced, and used by the Garrison. for some purpose of hus- bandry, or pasturage. So late as '35 or 'G. the fires usual on the prairies in the fall, overran the third and fourth wards. There were only some five or six houses, built mostly of logs, and a population of less than one hundred.
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DESCRIPTION AND
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Orie of these honses, formerly the property of the Fur Company, was, until a short time past, occupied by Col. Beaubien. About 80 rods to the south of that, stood a house, once occupied by Colonel Owings, but since washed away-by the Lake. . A house, known as "Cobweb Castle," on block No. 1, was formerly the abode of Dr. Alexander Wolcott.
The dwelling of Mr. John Kinzie stood East of the Lake House. A log building at the corner of Dearborn and South Water Streets, and the once celebrated tavern of Mr. Mark Beaubien, on the site of the Sauganash. generally known as the Eagle, together with a building on block 14, and a cabin, occupied by. Robinson, the In- dian Chief at Wolf Point, constituted all the buildings, except the Fort, to be found here in 1832. Sometime this year, however, Robert A. Kinzie built a store at Wolf Point, the first frame build- ing in Chicago. In 1834, several brick buildings were erected.
`The commerce of the place, up to this period, was equally insig- nificant. In fact, there was none, unless- the traffic of the Fur Com- pany, can be dignified with that name. Vessels occasionally ven- tured here, but so seldom, that the arrival of a schooner was an event of no little moment, and created a sensation throughout the . community. The year 1832, may then be regarded as the period from which to date the commencement of the City. Many causes, the Indian war among thein; conspired, about this time, to bring Chicago into gcueral notice. What was called the " Western Fever," had begun to rage generally, throughout the country .__ Thousands were flocking from the East, to seek homes in the West. The first premonitious of the speculating mania, had manifested themselves. Eligible sites for' towns and cities, were sought out, and eagerly appropriated. The superior advantages of Chicago, in this period of general enquiry, when enterprise was universally aroused, anu incited by the hope of sudden wealth, could not long escape publie attention.
The attention of Congress had been called to the importance and necessity of a harbor, and an appropriation was confidently relied upon at the next session. Gen. Scott, who explored the country during the Indian war, took a lively interest in this work. and ad- dressed a letter in relation to it, which was subsequently laid be- fore Congress. The construction of the Illinois and Michigan Caual, had also been finally resolved upon by the State legislature. Active measures were being taken to survey the different routes. and to estimate the cost of the various plans proposed. Hence the comincacement. and completion of this important work at no distant day, might confidently be relied upou. 'The resources of the State, too, were beginning to be more generally known. and better ap- preciated. The most alluring reports of the character of the soil -its productiveness-the facilities for making farms on our prairies -together with the salubrity of the climate. were circulated far and wide. The mnost strenuous exertions were made. and with the most signal success. to promote emigration. Enterprise. stimulated by interest, aod the hope of gain, was aroused. calling forth and cou- centrating upon this one object, all the resources and capabilities of the age. Capital was enlisted. and credit and unlimited confidence invoked to its aid. Money, owing to excessive bank, and even pri- vate issues, was abundant, and loans to any amount werteeffected
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with the greatest case. The West suddenly became the centre of men's thoughts aod wishes, and Chicago, as the most important point in the West, the goal to which all directed their aspirtions.
Such are some of the prominent causes which may be said, at the period referred to, to have given the first impulse to the City. That it grew and prospered as it did, under their operation, will excite no surprise-the result could not well have been otherwise. Its progress, accordingly, until about '37 has no parallel-it was rapid in the extreme. Buildings went up as if by magic-stores were opened by the hundred, and speedily filled with merchandize; people of every calling and pursuit in life, laborers, mechanics, and professional men, influenced by a common purpose-the hope of success in their several spheres of action-came together here, and entered at once with a zeal and activity into the schemes of improve- `ment projected. The sale of Canal lots in 1830 has been already mentioned. In 1833, a great Indian payment was held bere, near
. the present site of the Lake House. In the latter part of this year,
the work on the harbor was commenced-aod duriog the same year, the preseot Light-house was erected, the old one having fallen down. In 1835, the population of the place was said to amount to 5,500, a computation which probably included transitory persons, a great many of whom were here at the tinie. The actual popula- tipo, however, that year, could oot have beeo much less than 3000. In 1836, another sale of Canal lots took place, which was attended with much excitetnent, and occasioned a large collection of people from distant quarters. 'The prices were extravagantly high. In 1836, a branch of the State Bank was located here. On the 4th of July, 1831, the ceremony of breaking the first ground on the Canal, took place at Canal Port, in presence of a large coocourse of spec- tators. During the winter of '36-7, the act to incorporate the City, passed the State Legislature; and in April succeeding, the first elec- tion under the Charter was held, which resulted in the choice of WV. B. OGDEN to the office of Mayor. The growth of commerce, thus far, kept pace with everything else. The community were. depcodent, during the first few years, entirely upon supplies from abroad: this. together with the great influx of emigration, aod the travel which began to set in this direction, gave employment to a considerable amount of shipping, and Steamboats and Schooners began to ply regularly between this port and Buffalo.
During this brief but exciting period. the community fortunately found time to devote some attention to things of greater importance than the accumulation of this world's goods. Before or during 1836, as many as six Churches had been organized, and suitable buildings provided for their accommodation. These Churches, together with such as have since been established, have always received a liberal support, and are now in a flourishing condition. Neither was the subject of education wholly neglected. The school section. which fortunately lay contigunus to the City, aod was pro- portionably valuable. was disposed of in 1834, and the avails applied in the support of Common Schools. Means for the diffusion of general intelligence were also provided.
In 1834, Jolin Calhoun commenced the publication of the Chi- cago Democrat; and:in the following year. Thos. O. Davis esta- blished the Chicago American, both of which papers still exist : the
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DESCRIPTION AND
latter under the name of the Chicago Express, being published daily. These papers, together with the Prairie Farmer, Agricultu- ral; the Western Citizen, Abolition: the North-Western Baptist, Baptist ; and the Better Covenaut, Universalist, which have since been started, are ably conducted, and have an extensive circulation.
The year 1837, is especially memorable in the annals of Chicago, as the period of protested notes. It was during. this year, that the consequences of speculation, which had hitherto operated most favorably for the West, were experienced to a most ruinous extent. Chicago was intimately connected with speculation, through all its progress. It was in its incipient stages, at the period of the com- mencement of the City ; but a disposition and tendency to it was apparent even then. It raged with great violence during $35-6, and a portion of '37, at which time it gave color and direction to most business transactions.
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The history of this singular delusion is teplete with instructive incidents. It seems unaccountable to the more sober judgment of these times, how men, under any circumstances, could have been led so far astray-how prudence, foresight, and sagacity could, to such an extent, have lost their dominion and control over the human mind. But so it was. The rapid and unprecedented rise in the value of real estate, pod the certainty of that rise, exerted a mnost seductive iufinence ; very few were found able to resist the tempta- tion ; all classes of people ultimately abandoning the usual avoca- tions of society, devoted themselves exclusively to speculation, aod hazarded their all upon this sea of chance. This wild spirit found its way ultimately into the halls of legislation, and controlled the conduct and policy of states, as it had done that of individuals. It was under the influence of this spirit that those stupendous schemes of internal improvement originated in many of the new states, which have entailed upon subsequent times the evils of debt -taxatiou-and in some cases, national disgrace and dishonor .- Speculation led, in short, to the perpetration, on all hands, of acts of folly and absurdity, seldom before heard of. The sources of wealth being regarded as inexhaustible, naturally created extrava- gant ideas of prosperity, and afforded to all the apparent means of indulging in every species of expenditure. It would be useless to follow speculation through its stages, as one act of absurdity suc- ceeded another in rapid succession .- Are not these times and their consequences written in effaccless characters upon the memory of every reader ?
But the day of wraith and retribution was at hand. Confidence and credit, too long abused. refuserl any longer to lend their aid. The unfortunate victims of the delusion were suddenly awakened from their dream of wealth to the certainty of almost universal bank- ruptcy and ruin. Thousands suddenly called upon to investigate the condition of their affairs, which, in the excitement of the mo- ment, no one thought it necessary to artenn to, found themselves involved to the extent of thousands and hundreds of-thonsands of dollars, and their real estate, from which alone the means of pay- ment could come. depreciated in value, in. fact unsaleable at any price. Thousands, from affluence, werereduced-without warning or preparation-to poverty ; some struggled for a time with their destiny, but the evil day came at last ; and scarcely one, ultimately,
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
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survived the catastrophe. The comparatively small humber of those who did finally escape the ordeal, it has been observed were indebted more to chance and good luck than to any unusual eodow- ment of prudence and sagacity. The ablest business men of the age-those in whose judgment and capacity in ordinary tinics we should unhesitatingly repose the most implicit confidence, ventured as far and hazarded as much as any in this dangerous game.
To Chicago, in an especial degree, was the stroke which was thus inflicted upon the business interests of the country injurious and calamitous. It was to her a scason of mourning and desolation. Many of her most business and enterprising citizens were insolvent- all, to a greater or less extent, embarrassed in their circumstances. She had gone on hitherto in astate of uninterrupted prosperity-no- thing had thus far occurred to check the progress of improvement. Could that state of prosperity have continued, Chicago would. hy this time, have ranked among the proudest cities of the land. But ca- lamity came suddenly and unexpectedly ; and, for a time, she quailed under its effects.
But she was not, and could not be entirely prostrated. Her position was too favorable, and her redeeming powers too abundant to permit her very long to be serionsly affected by any calamity, however great. She had, in comninon with the west, gained much by speculation. . What had been accomplished could not be un- done. Her works of improvement survived-her population was left to her, and more than all her great and inexhaustible natural re- sources remained to bear her on to the consummation of her high destiny. Her citizens returned to their habits of industry and eco- nomy, from which the force of evil example had seduced them. Her business men, taught a severe lesson by the past, bent all their energies, and called into requisition all their experience to build up their injured credit, and to restore their business to a safe and per- manent foundation. 'The consequences began gradually to develop themselves. But little was gained during '38-9; but in '40, things assumed a more favorable aspect, and since that time the iocrease of husiness and population has been most rapid. . This will be more fully illustrated by a reference to the census of different peri- ods, and to the tabular statements of the amount, value and charac- ter of the export and import trade nf the place during cach year, contained in another part of this volume.
It is with feelings of pride and satisfaction that the friends of Chicago can refer to the experience of the past six years. as furnish- ing an enduring monument to th. industry, enterprise and persever- ance of her people, and as establishing, beyond controversy, the ex- istence and permanency of her sources of prosperity. If, with an impoverished community, at a period of general prostration nf the business interests of the country. under the pressure of heavy mu- nicipal and enor nous State liabilities. with resources comparatively undeveloped, and the works of public improvement unfinished. Chicago has accomplished so much, what may nor reasonably be expected when these and all obstacles are removed from her way ?
A glance at her gengraphical position will convince the most sceptical that Chicago is but the micleus about which is destined to grow np, at no remote period, one of the most important commer- cial tow s in the West. Situated on the waters of the only great
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DESCRIPTION AND
. Lake exclusively within the United States-being the termina- tion, on the one hand, of the navigation of the Lakes, and on the other, of the Illinois and Michigan Canal-affording great natu- ral facilities for a harbor, by means of Chicago River and its branches -the excelling site for a capacious ship basin in the very heart of the town, at the junction of said branches-having dependent upon it a region of country vast in extent, and of extraordinary fertility. it must always be the dividing point between two great sections of the Union, where the productions of each must meet and pay tri- bute. It is susceptible of the easiest demonstration that the route by the Lakes, the Canal and the Western Rivers, when once the channels of communication are completed, will, for cheapness, safety aud expedition, possess advantages superior to every other. Among the advantages of this ronte, the climate, so favorably adapted to the preservation of produce, deserves especial notice.
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The commercial interests, then, of the East, and especially of the great valley of the West, will be intim aly, connected with Chica- go, as a place of transhipment and deposit-and the value and amount of the trade in produce, in lumber, salt, aod in every des- cription of merchandize which will centre here, is beyond our pre- sent powers of computation, and can only be measured by the future wants and capabilities of the country.
Those important works-the harbor and canal-upon which so many interests depend, justly demand the most serious conside- ration; and it is highly gratifying to allnde to their present most flattering prospects. It is now reduced almost to a certainty, that Chicago, after the expenditure of so much solicitude, and a large amount of money, is speedily to be furnished with a safe, cominodi- ous and permanent harbor. Under the supervision of our present able superintendent, the work is prosecuted with a degree of vigor that must be crowned with success.
The principal difficulty encountered during the progress of the harbor has been occasioned by the deposition of sand aod the for- mation of bars at its month. The plans heretofore adopted to sur- mount this difficulty have failed upon trial, and are now abandoned. Two plans have been proposed the present season, which have at- tracted considerable attention. One of these, suggested by Captain McLellan, the present superintendent, recommends the construc- tion of a pier north of the present ones, at a distance from them greater than the length of the present bar, and is based upon the supposition that the sand would form a bar around its head, and not reach the entrance of the harbor. The other plan, which has been adopted, and is now being carried into effect, proposes the extension of the north pier, in the form of a circle, a distance of 990 feet, which will bring it into the live of the original direction of that pier. A good channel for vessels of every class will then exist from the head of the south pier, around the bar, that pier being extended no farther into the Lake. If this plan succeed, Chicago will be fur- nished with a harbor, not inferior to any on the Lakes.
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. a We have the most flattering assurance that the work upon our other and notless important branch of public improvement-the Illi- nois and Michigan Canal-will be resumed the coming season, uo- der the operation of the late law of the Legislature. The history of this great work, which was contemplated from therfest settle-
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ment of the State, and has been the subject of legislation for more than twenty years, presents a remarkable instance of the obstacles which frequently oppose the accomplishment of the greatest under- takinge 'The first survey of the canal was made in 1823. In 1825 a bill was passed to incorporate the Illinois and Michigan Canal Company : but no stock being taken under the charter. it was re- pealed at the next special session. In 1827, act of March 2, Con- gress appropriated each alternate section of tand within five miles of the prepared line. Jn 1829, a board of commissioners was orga- nized, with power to determine upon the route, and to discharge other duties connected with the work. Chicago, Ottawa, and other towus on the line were laid out by the board, and sales of lots effected. The work was commenced in the year 1836, aod was sus- pended in 1842. The law under which this work was contracted, provides tiiat the canal shall be 60 feet wide at the surface, 40 fcet at the base, and six feet deep; that it shall commence at Chicago. on canal land, and terminate at the mouth of the Little Vermillion River, makiog a distance of 954 miles. It was to be constructed upon the deep cut principle, and to be fed from the waters of Lake Michigan. By a recent survey, a method has been discovered by which it is believed that a sufficient supply of water can be pro- . cured from Fox River for a canal upon the shallow cut plan. The sum of about $5,000,000 has thus far been expended upon the work. To complete it i;pon the plan contemplated by the late law, about $1,600,000 more has been estimated to be necessary. If that law gocs into effect, as present appearances seem clearly to indicate, the canal will he finished in about three years. We shall then have the greatest continuity of inland water communication in- the world -- extending from the Atlantic Ocean by the . Erie Canal, along the chain of Lakes, through our canal, the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, to the Gulf of Mexico. This will be a glorious consumina- tion for Illinois, and for cvery interest connected with her. The vast resources connected with the canal itself, the resources which vit will develope throughout the State. will enable her in a short time to discharge all her debts-to establish her credit -- and to re- deem her reputation. Already lins the prospect of the completion of this work effected a revolution in public sentiment, and has caused emigration to set strongly in this direction. The reports which have been circulated in regard to the circumstances and pros- pects of the State have heen discovered, upon examination, to be founded in falsehood and misrepresentation. The public are now sa- tisfied that the climate is as healthy and salubrious as any portion of the West -- that the soil is infinitely superior-that our taxes, cven uo- der the effect of that severe ordeal through which we have passed, uniformly, have been less than any of the adjoining States and Ter- ritories-indl that the prospects of the value of real estate, the high price of produce, and the Gieilities of a convenicor market, will ren- der it the most desirable State in the Union. We may trust that the day is not far distant wheo Illinois will assume her proper posi- tion ainoog the States of the Union-wheo her friends will be on- abled to hurt back the imputations which have been east upon her character -- when she can no longer, with a shadow of truth or jnstico. be stigmatized as the land of speculators and repudiation! Until theo, sie must calinly bide her time. 2*
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DESCRIPTION AND
. In conclusion of our subject, it may be proper to refer more pair- ticularly to some important considerations and facts connected with the present condition of Chicago, hitherto only incidentally alluded to.
. The city, for some time past, has been considerably embarrassed with debt, in consequence of the necessity which has existed of borrowing money. to carry on its works of improvement. The ex- isting liabilities of the city amount to $8977.55, viz. : bonds' to Strachan & Scott, $5000 ; bonds for Clark Strect Bridge, $3000; bonds for barrier to the Lake, and interest, $977.55. The increas- ing revenues derived from taxation and other sources will soon afford the means to extinguish these liabilities entirely. The tax of the present year, at the rate of assessment of this year, amounts to $7852.45 ; the school tax, at half a mill per cent .. to $685.24. A large amount of city property, which heretofore has bees unpro- ductive, will, the next year, become taxable, particularly the canal lands and the reservation. 'The amount of the tax for the coming year, unless a reduction should take place, may safely be estimated at $12,000. In addition to this, there is now in the treasury, nnappropriated, - $1854, -and the current expenses. paid. The management of the fiscal affairs of the city, by our present common council, is entitled to the highest praise. The finan- cial ability of the innyor has been recently tested in the ma- nagement of a negotiation at New York, by which a reduction of three per cent. has been effected upon the interest of the largest debt of the city, and may be regarded as equivalent to a new ioan. The credit of the city is now established upon a permanent foundation, and cannot be easily shaken. City scrip for some time has been at par. . Our common schools are worthy of especial notice. They are sustained in part by the school fund, and in part by taxation. The fund originally amounted to about $39,000 ; but nearly one half of this amount has been lost by injudicious loans. These schools are justly the pride of the city, and the interest which is manifested in them is an evidence of the importance which the community at- taches to education. We have also a medical college chartered by the Legislature in 1837, and several schools sustained by private munificence. Independent of these, we have several other institu- tious, which are exerting a beneficial influenec. Among them, the Mechanics' Institute and the Young Men's Association are. prominent in importance. These institutions, while sustained as they have heen hitherto, will be both useful and ornamental to the city. Both of them have libraries, containing, in the aggregate, about 2500 volumes. The Mechanics' Institute has a department in the Prairie Farmer. devoted exclusively 10 the interests of the mechanical arts-the Young Men's Association a reading room, where .most of the publications of the day are regularly received, and accessible to the public. There is, in addition to these libraries, a circulating library, containing about 1300 volumes. We have other socicties designed to meet the intellectual wants of the com- munity, among which may be mentioned the Chicago Lyceum- the oldest literary society in the place. Our theatre-a very pretty one-has been in operation the past season, and met with some encouragement ; but it innst be confessed that, at present the pros- pects of the drama are not flattering.
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