USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Discovery and conquests of the Northwest, with the history of Chicago, Vol. II > Part 12
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THE CHICAGO RIVER AND ITS BRIDGES.
The entire southern extremity of Lake Michigan is one continuous waste of drifting sands. At no place are to be found rugged shores where deep rivers empty the surplus floods of extensive water sheds, but, on the contrary, the water shed of the western shore of the southern portion of the lake is a narrow belt along its immediate margin. Except the Calumet, the Chicago river is its principal channel, and, small and insignifi- cant as this stream is, it has a history, a mission and a destiny never equaled by any other small stream, ex- cept, perhaps, the river Thames, on whose bank the largest city in the world has been built. Fortunately the economic forces of nature gave a depth to the Chi- cago river sufficient to float large vessels, thus making it available for the commercial wants of a great city; and the peculiar features of this stream, with its two branches uniting into one from opposite directions, have imparted to it the substantial uses of an artificial canal, traversing the business portions of a large city, for the purpose of facilitating the trans-shipment of the cereals of the northwest, as well as the other heavy materials of our commerce. So marked is the convenience of this natural channel for this purpose, that perhaps it is not too much to say that had an artificial canal been built for the purposes for which the river is used, it could hardly have been planned to suit the convenience of trade better than nature has fashioned it for us; and here it should not be forgotten that, owing to the dimin- utive water shed of the river, a uniform height of sur-
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The Chicago River and Its Bridges.
face is secured, with scarce two feet variation between high and low water, which condition greatly facilitates the transfer of grain, and perfects facilities for the ele- vator system for which Chicago is famous.
As the city began to grow along the banks of this stream, something besides the birchbark canoe or the dugout was required for crossing it, especially as vehicles drawn by horses were coming into use; and, in 1832, Mark Beaubien, who was not fond of hard work, but was willing to sit at the receipt of custom in a ferry boat, and wait the long hours of the day to secure the fees of the occasional traveler across the river, established a ferry at the fork. The main land- ing was on the South Side, from which passengers could be ferried over to either the North or West Side.
It was stipulated that residents of Cook county should be passed free, and consequently Mr. Beaubien's fees came from strangers who were passing through the place or had taken up a temporary residence there. His ferry boat consisted of a scow which he purchased of Mr. Samuel Miller for $65, and he gave bonds in the sum of $200 for the faithful performance of his duties, James Kinzie signing as his voucher. But any hopes of a permanent income from this ferry were soon frustrated; for the same year it was established (1832) a bridge was built across the north branch on Water street, and one across the south branch between Randolph and Lake streets, at which place it stood till 1840. The latter cost $486.20, the whole of which was raised by subscription, the Pottawattomies contribut- ing $200 toward it, which proved them to be pioneers in Chicago thrift and improvement. The first bridge across the main river was built at Dearborn street, the precise date of which cannot be ascertained, but it was probably in 1833. It was a bone of contention between the north and south divisions, on what ground has not come within the knowledge of the writer; but it is certain that as a compromise the council board of the
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The Chicago River and Its Bridges.
town caused it to be removed in 1835, and established it on Clark street, which official act, probably growing out of some ambitious private interests of property holders in the early days, has made Clark, instead of Dearborn street, a great thoroughfare filled with stores for miles in extent. In 1847 Wells street bridge was built by private subscription, Walter L. Newberry being the principal contributor. The Randolph and Madison street bridges were built the same year, whether by private subscription or with the city funds is not known, as those early records of the city were destroyed in the great fire. The three last were float- ing bridges, swinging from a pivot on one shore by means of a leverage attached to a capstan, around which coiled the rope that drew the bridge open for vessels to pass, and closed after them. These clumsy contrivances, however, were only to remain a few years. First the Clark street and next the Randolph street floats gave way to the late pivoted style of bridges, whirling from a pier in the center of the river, and in 1857 the Madison street float also was substi- tuted for an iron bridge on the late plan, the first of its kind built of this material introduced into Chicago.
The next improvement was to locate the bridges so that tugs, barges and canal boats could pass under them, which requisition was forthwith adopted except in some cases of bridges for horse car and railroad tracks. There are now (1900) sixty bridges for pedes- trians' use, sixteen for steam railroad tracks and three for elevated road service.
THE CHICAGO RELIEF AND AID SOCIETY.
BY E. B. MCCAGG.
The Chicago Relief and Aid Society was incorpor- ated February 16, 1857, its objects, as declared in its charter, being to provide a permanent, efficient and practical mode of administering and distributing the private charities of the city of Chicago; to examine and establish the necessary means for obtaining full and reliable information of the condition and needs of the poor of the city; and to put into practical and effi- cient operation the best system of relieving and pre- venting want and pauperism therein. It is required by its charter to make a report once a year to the city council of its doings, with a statement of its receipts and expenses, verified under oath, and also to report such information as it may have acquired concerning the condition and wants of the poor of the city. It is managed by a board of directors, selected from promi- nent business and professional men of the city, who give it personal attention, and attempt, in a philo- sophical manner, to so administer charity as not to in- jure, or to do the least injury possible to, the recipient and to society. Understanding well that pauperism is dangerous to touch, and cannot be left alone, they are endeavoring to deal with it in a prudent, rational and discerning manner, and to discourage all indiscriminate giving without investigation.
It has been their effort, not to take the place of that kindly sympathy which leads us to help our suffer- ing neighbor whose wants are assuredly known, nor
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The Chicago Relief and Aid Society.
the considerate and delicate solicitude of religious or other benevolent fraternities for those immediately within their own jurisdiction and charge, but outside of these to aid the general public in this branch of its duties with system, and by an organization so com- plete that if the whole community would work through it, that portion of the charitable work of the city within its province would be done with method, and none duplicated. The society is supported wholly by voluntary contributions, and administers its charity in the way which in each case seems most advisable.
It owns the building in which its offices and rooms are established, and has been in successful operation for over twenty years.
The whole theory of its management is that char- ity is not a matter of feeling, but judgment; as was tersely stated by a writer in one of our magazines not long since, that, "each case must be examined, put on trial and disposed of on its merits " ; that general in- formation must be had, from time to time, of the num- ber of unemployed persons in the city, and of the de- mand for labor, and particular information of the char- acter and antecedents of each applicant, and of the reasons why aid is needed ; that a discrimination must be made between those who are helpless from misfor- tune and those whose misery arises from their own de- fault, and that to aid the willingly idle man or woman, or any one who can help himself, is in the highest de- gree hurtful to the person aided and to society at large. Its more immediate duty has been to extend aid to that class of worthy and industrious poor who, by reason of sickness, accident, loss of employment or of property have fallen temporarily behind, and to res- cue them from the danger of permanent pauperism by timely assistance; to extend a helping hand to widows with dependent children, to aged and infirm people partly able to help themselves, and to single women when work suddenly ceases, and above all, to so do its
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The Chicago Relief and Aid Society.
work that the public may at all times have at its doors an efficient agent to distribute its charities, and, as far as may be, to prevent the injurious and wasteful re- sults of indiscriminate giving.
It employs paid and experienced visitors, under the immediate direction of a qualified and able super- intendent ; it makes careful inquiry into and keeps a record of each case, discriminating in favor of those in whom habits of temperance and industry give promise of benefit from the aid furnished, not embracing in the sphere of its operations such as are the proper subjects for the poorhouse or the action of the county officers ; and so accurate is this record, and so method- ical the manner in which it is kept, that actual expe- rience proves that, for some years past, out of every hundred applications the superintendent has been able to give the antecedents of at least seventy-five of the applicants. It is a record of the meritorious poor of the city, and of a very large number of those whose ap- plications should be denied. It has now on this record the names of over 50,000 persons, and the special facts affecting each case.
Its value as an organization was tested by the wide- spread destitution and want caused by the great fire of 1871. Possessing the confidence of the public, the city authorities turned over to it, for management and dis- tribution, the contributions of money and property so freely sent at that time to aid the suffering people of this city, and it speedily brought order, method and di- rect and perfect supervision to the enormous burden thus thrown upon it. Economy was sought in every way. After the first few days, in which relief was necessarily indiscriminate, systematic and reasonably assured efforts were made to defeat imposition; to search out and aid needy sufferers; to withhold encour- agement to idleness and to guard against extravagant or injudicious distribution. Besides the distribution of the articles of property that came under its control, it
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The Chicago Relief and Aid Society.
has disbursed of this fund over $5,000,000 in money, and the magnitude of its operations is evidenced by a summary of its work, or part of it, for the first eighteen months after the fire. In this period it aided 39,242 families, numbering 156,968 persons, and it distributed during the same period 50,000 tons of coal, 16,449 bed- steads, 28,961 mattresses, 77,645 blankets, 10,855 com- fortables, 15,429 stoves, 77,000 pairs of shoes, 137,994 pieces of men's clothing, 165,000 pieces of women's clothing, and 107,000 pieces of children's clothing, and fuel, food and furniture in proportion. Carpenters, masons, tinners, book binders, locksmiths, tailors, shoemakers and workmen in almost every branch of mechanical industry were supplied with tools; ma- chinery of various kinds was furnished; surgeons, den- tists and engineers were provided with instruments of their respective callings; sewing women were aided in obtaining sewing machines, 2,353 of these being paid for in full, and 2,065 in part, by the society; 9,000 houses were built and furnished, and over $600,000 was distributed among the various charitable institutions, that had been either burned or seriously crippled-the resources of their patrons having been cut off; and money was granted in various amounts to aid appli- cants in the re-establishment of such business or me- chanical employment as seemed to afford a sufficiently assured prospect of yielding a support to them and their families. Some waste was, in the beginning, inevitable. The task was immense-not only the aged, the sick, the infirm, children and women, but men, weary, hun- gry, houseless, cold and in despair, were suddenly thrown upon the hands of the society. The city was speedily districted, registration was resorted to at the outset, a complete staff was organized, visitors were employed, inspectors were appointed, relief stations were established, a full report was required daily from each district, and the several superintendents met the executive committee daily to make or hear suggestions,
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The Chicago Relief and Aid Society.
to answer criticisms, to report progress and suggest improvements, if possible, in the working machinery. A general inspector made frequent examinations, and a committee of complaints was always ready to hear complaints and, if well founded, to apply the remedy. The endeavor was to reduce to the smallest possible percentage injudicious or unnecessary relief, and to ex- tend aid to all who were justly entitled to it.
For the fiscal year of 1878 it expended $45,620, and aided a small fraction over 1,600 families, containing in the aggregate over 13,700 men, women and children. Of these families 1,045, or about two-thirds, received aid only once, 310 twice, 150 three times, so that but a few over 100 were aided more than three times; and for the fiscal year of 1879 it expended $35,193.48, and aided a somewhat larger number of families, containing 18,584 persons. Of these families 1,003 received aid but once, 365 twice, and 160 three times.
This, however, shows but a small part of its work. It cares for the sick, buries the dead, aids needy per- sons seeking employment to obtain it, and carefully and fully investigates, in the course of each year, hundreds of applications for aid which it refuses, because exami- nation proves them unworthy.
It grew out of the belief on the part of a number of gentlemen of the city who had given time, thought and active aid to outdoor relief, through voluntary and only quasi definite organizations, that the means adopted were inefficient and for many reasons unsat- isfactory; and an experience of twenty and more years has fully justified the conclusion they reached that this kind of charity should be administered as a merchant does his business, with system, under proper checks and balances, and by keeping a record of each applica- tion for aid and of the facts developed by the examina- tion made into the condition, character and circum- stances of the applicants.
The article by Mr. McCagg gives a very correct and
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comprehensive statement of the purpose and work of the Chicago Relief and Aid Society.
It still continues to work in the same manner and upon the same lines, adopting all necessary measures to keep up with the increasing population and the best les- sons of experience, as developed in forty years of prac- tical relief work.
It expends about $35,000 per annum. It operates a wood yard, where temporary employment is given to an average of 3,800 single men per annum, who are thereby enabled to earn meals and lodgings while they look for a better job.
It also furnishes a limited amount of work, usually one week at a time, for men with families, paying in cash every night. These men usually earn from sev- enty-five cents to $1.50 per day.
It owns 214 beds in the various hospitals, also rights in perpetuity for a number of women and children in the Home for the Friendless. It also owns twenty-two rooms in the Old People's Home. It furnishes free information concerning applicants to all who wish to consult its records. It carefully investigates every case and seeks to do the best in its power for all appli- cants without regard to nationality or religion. It is the only society in Chicago for the administration of general relief. It is in hearty sympathy with all soci- eties, and cheerfully co-operates with them and often supplements their efforts to improve the poor.
It employs no solicitors, depending upon the annual contributions of those who appreciate its work.
It earnestly requests all citizens to refrain from giv- ing anything to beggars and strangers, and to refer all applicants to this society, where they will be properly treated and the result reported to the reference.
It has an endowment sufficient to cover all running expenses, so that every dollar contributed goes directly to the relief of worthy poor.
C. G. TRUSDELL, General Superintendent.
THE CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The first authentic record of any organization in Chicago for protection from fire is a notice, the original of which is still in existence, from the secretary, J. J. Gillupy, of the Washington Volunteer Fire Co., to one of its members for a called meeting, and dated January 8, 1833.
In August of that year Chicago was incorporated as a town, and in November Benj. Jones was appointed fire warden. In September, 1834, an ordinance was adopted by the town board of trustees, by which the town was divided into four wards, and fire wardens for each appointed as follows: First ward, Wm. Worthing- ton; second ward, Ed. E. Hunter; third ward, Samuel Resique; fourth ward, James Kinzie. These wardens were charged with the duty of enforcing the fire ordi- nance previously passed, and of directing in their respective wards the operations of the men who re- sponded to the alarm of fire. On October 7, 1835, an appropriation for the purchase of some primitive fire apparatus was made, at which time Hiram Hugunin, the president of the town board of trustees, was elected chief of the embryonic fire department. On the same date (October 7, 1835) the Pioneer Hook and Ladder Co. was organized by the principal citizens.
On November 4 following, the town board adopted a lengthy ordinance creating a fire department, with chief engineer, two assistants, four fire wardens (in addition to town trustees, who were ex-officio fire wardens) and "such fire engine men, hose men, hook-
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The Chicago Fire Department.
and ladder men, and ax and saw men as may from time to time be appointed by the board of trustees." Stringent rules governing the companies which were organized, or might organize, were adopted, and the refusal of any citizen to obey the orders of the chief or his assistants or any of the fire wardens in case of fire, was punishable with a fine of $5.
On December 12, 1835, the first engine company, called "The Fire King," was organized. The first officers were S. G. Trowbridge, foreman; Alvin Cal- houn, assistant foreman; A. D. Hamilton, secretary;
CHICAGO'S FIRST FIRE ENGINE.
H. G. Loomis, treasurer, and Ira Kimberly, steward. About this time Chicago's first fire engine was pur- chased, $894.38 having previously been appropriated for the purpose, payable in two annual installments. Soon after an engine house was built, located in the public square on La Salle street. In February, 1836, Hiram Hugunin, who had acted as chief engineer for about six months, resigned, and Geo. W. Snow was appointed to the position, which he held for one year, and was succeeded by John M. Turner, foreman of Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1. On December 11, 1837, the second engine company was organized as the Tradesmans', but soon afterward changed to Metamora, No. 2. For convenience, we append, in tabular form, the record of
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The Chicago Fire Department.
the organization of the various companies composing the fire department until the present paid system dis- placed the old volunteer organization:
ENGINE COMPANIES.
NAME.
WHEN ORGANIZED. FIRST FOREMAN,
Fire King
.December 12, 1835
S. G. Trowbridge.
Metamora
.December 11, 1837.
Niagara
. November, 1844
Geo. F. Foster.
Red Jacket
November, 1846
F. T. Sherman.
Excelsior
A. S. Sherman.
Garden City
August, 1849.
Chas. Morton.
Lawrence.
.September, 1850 Matthew Conley.
Waubansia
.December, 1851 Frank Hathaway.
New England.
February, 1854.
W. B. Bateham.
Washington.
.January, 1855.
John Shanks.
Wide Awake
January, 1856
Geo. Ross.
Neptune.
February, 1856
H. Beebe.
Red Rover
January, 1857.
T. E. Courtney.
Torrent.
. March, 1857.
John M. Lambin.
Northern Liberty .December, 1858 Conrad Folz.
HOSE COMPANIES.
Philadelphia.
January, 1845 J. B. Johnson.
Hope ...
. October, 1850.
S. O. Eames.
Lone Star.
.December, 1851 L. Meyer.
La Fayette
.September, 1855
M. W. Powell.
Liberty.
. December, 1856
Jno. B. Dickey.
Lady Washington.
January, 1856. John R. Clark.
HOOK AND LADDER COMPANIES.
Pioneer October 7, 1835
Rescue.
November, 1855
L. Warwick.
Empire
March, 1857.
A. Reary.
The following is a correct list of the various chiefs of the volunteer fire department, together with their terms of service: Hiram Hugunin, 1835, six months; George W. Snow, 1836, one year; Jno. M. Turner, 1837, one year; Alexander Lloyd, 1838, one year; Calvin Cal- houn, 1839, one year; Luther Nichols, 1840, one year; A. S. Sherman, 1841-2, two years; Stephen F. Gale, 1843-6, three years; C. E. Peck, 1847-8, two years; Ashley Gilbert, 1849, one year; C. P. Bradley, 1850-1, two years; U. P. Harris, 1852-3, two years; Jas. M. Donnelly, 1854, one year; Silas McBride, 1855-7, three years; Dennis J. Swenie, 1858, one year.
Very soon after the great Water and Lake street fires in October, 1857, the question of having steam fire engines and a paid department began to be agitated, and in February, 1858, the first steamer was purchased,
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The Chicago Fire Department.
and named "The Long John." In December of the same year a full company was commissioned by the city authorities to be regularly paid for their services. Gradually additions were made under the paid system, several of the companies reorganizing under the new order of things, but not until the latter part of 1859 were the last of the volunteer organizations disbanded, and the change made complete.
Various improvements were introduced into the department, new companies organized and equipped, the fire alarm telegraph introduced (in 1865), and the department rendered very efficient under the succes- sive management of Chief Engineers D. J. Swenie, U. P. Harris and Robert A. Williams, down to 1870-1, at which time the department consisted of seventeen en- gine companies of nine men each, three hook and lad- der companies, six hose companies and one hose eleva- tor, the available working force being upwards of 200 men. Of the great fire of 1871, we need not speak here, as it is treated elsewhere in these pages. Among the results of the fire, however, as affecting the fire department, were a more careful organization and stricter discipline of the force, an increased water sup- ply and the extension of the fire limits in 1872, within which the erection of frame buildings was forbidden. This ordinance was amended in 1874, making the fire limits, with the above restrictions as to character of buildings, co-extensive with the limits of the city.
The chiefs of the paid department have been: D. J. Swenie, 1859; U. P. Harris, 1859-68; R. A. Williams, 1868-73; M. Benner, 1873-79, succeeded by the present incumbent, D. J. Swenie, 1879-99.
In 1875 the board of fire commissioners was abol- ished and the fire department placed under the direct control of a fire marshal, responsible to the mayor and common council of the city.
During the succeeding ten years from 1879 to 1889 the uniformed force of the department had increased
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The Chicago Fire Department.
to 638 men, forming forty-four engine companies, four- teen truck companies and one chemical company. The annexation of 1889 added twelve engine companies, seventeen hook and ladder companies, five hose com- panies and one chemical company.
On September 1, 1885, the iron tug "Alpha" was chartered and fitted up as a fire boat, and assigned to duty in the lumber district. The following year this tug was replaced by the purchase of another, which was christened the "Chicago," better adapted to the work contemplated, and a new boat, the "Geyser," was built by the department, specially adapted for fire duty, which was located at the foot of La Salle street.
In 1890 the " Yosemite" was added to the fleet and the " Chicago " was transferred to South Chicago.
In 1898 a fourth boat, the "Illinois," constructed of steel, was built and placed in service.
The statistics of the department on the first day of September, 1899, were as follows : Engine companies, including one double company and four fire boats, 86 ; hook and ladder companies, 27, and hose companies, 1, with a total force of 1,126 men. The value of depart- ment property was : Buildings, $684,300 ; land, $361,- 575; apparatus, $933,510; total, $1,979,385. The annual expense of operating the department is $1,500,000.
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