USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Discovery and conquests of the Northwest, with the history of Chicago, Vol. II > Part 37
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The death of the Academy's chief executive officer was indeed a great affliction. He had done more than any one else, with the exception of Robert Kennicott, to build up its scientific interests. It is seldom that a person is honored with three high offices at the same time in such an organization, but Dr. Stimpson was both director of the museum, a trustee for life and secretary of the Academy.
In the administration of its affairs during the few
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years intervening since its organization he raised it, in the magnitude of its collections, to the fifth, and in certain departments, to the first in rank in the United States. He organized a system of exchanges which extended to distant and widely separated regions. He maintained a correspondence with kindred societies at home and abroad. He classified and arranged the materials gath- ered from every quarter of the globe into a harmonious system, of use both to the public and to the student. He was profoundly versed in many branches of natural science, and was one of a few in whom was combined ability as a collector of facts and specimens, with the power accurately to describe and classify what he had gathered. In his social relations he was kind and courteous, and, while ready at all times to impart in- formation, he was not obtrusive in his opinion. He loved science for its own sake, and all his labors were directed to its advancement.
A statement of the direct losses by the fire by no means includes all the misfortunes which the Academy had to bear because of that catastrophe. Shortly be- fore that time friends conspired together in its behalf. They entered into an agreement that they would build for it a new edifice, at a cost of $100,000. This project was fully ripe, even to the drawing of the plans, when the fire prevented its realization. These friends were: Eliphalet W. Blatchford, George C. Walker and Daniel Thompson.
Immediately after the fire the citizens of Chicago were aflame with the ambition to rebuild their city, and to make it more substantial and attractive than ever before. This same zeal was the controlling spirit that animated those who had so wisely guided the affairs of the Academy. They determined to rebuild the museum, and to erect upon the front of the property a handsome and commodious block suitable for business purposes. The funds controlled by the Academy were not sufficient for such a project. Therefore the board of trustees
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borrowed the additional amount required, securing the lender by mortgage upon the whole property. They estimated that the income from the rents would provide a sinking fund by which the original indebtedness would be paid when it became due, besides furnishing in part the means of defraying the current expenses. Looking to the future, they expected that ultimately, after the cost of the building had been met and the mortgage released, there would be an ample and well secured en- dowment, and future prosperity would thus be assured. The plan proved disastrous, as the area of trade did not increase to such an extent as to include these premises, and the long continued financial depression, which be- gan in 1873, followed. The new building was unoccu- pied for a long time, and the income derived from it did not even pay the interest on the mortgage; so, after a term of years, by the processes of law, the whole property was lost.
When the Wabash avenue property passed from the ownership of the Academy, new friends appeared. It still had its collections and books, but its losses had a depressing effect on its members. Hope for the future was not entirely gone, but rested in the minds of only a few. In 1886, when the sale was finally forced, an offer was received from and an arrangement made with the managers of the Interstate Exposition, by which the collections were to have space for exhibition in their building, then situated in the Lake Front park, at the foot of Adams street, where the Art Institute now stands. For the privilege of having this attrac- tion in their building, the managers agreed to furnish an office for the curator, where the business of the Academy could be transacted. They also agreed to pay his salary.
The conditions under which the collections were placed during the next six years could hardly have been worse. They were subjected to grime, smoke and dust; to danger from fire and the untutored handling of a
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thoughtless throng of visitors. Yet this asylum was the only one available, and the kind purpose of the Exposition managers and of their secretary, Mr. John P. Reynolds, should not be forgotten, nor its value in the least deprecated, for they not only freely offered the best at their disposal, but paid annually the many expenses incurred in the care of the collections, which, except for this friendly aid, might have been scattered or destroyed, or at least stored where they would have been inaccessible. The library was packed and stored.
EDMUND ANDREWS.
In the spring of 1892 the Exposition building was torn down, and the trustees were forced to remove and store the collections. That the Academy was kept alive during this period of depression was due to the earnest and effective work of the president, Dr. Ed- mund Andrews, and the secretary, Dr. J. W. Velie. These two were the only active working officers, and Dr. Velie was the only one who devoted his whole time
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and attention to its interests. The actively interested members were few, but these few had perseverance and still retained much of the old time ambition, and they believed in the future success of the Academy. There were reasons why it ought to continue to live. Dr. Velie stood stanchly by it through prosperity and adversity. He gathered for its collections in places near and remote; he spent money from his own income in many instances, in order more perfectly to preserve
J. W. VELIE.
its interests; with his own hand, and without assistance, · he mounted the materials gathered, and fitted them for proper display. For this work he possessed a rare gift, and was eminently successful in pleasing the pub- lic. He arranged the programs for the meetings and kept the museum in the best condition that the means and accommodations at hand would permit, and ulti- mately saved it from total destruction. To Dr. Andrews and Dr. Velie the Academy owes lasting obligations.
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This period of inactivity and depression lasted till the latter part of the year 1891, when the old interest and ambitions were aroused in the minds of many of the members. The cause of this renewed activity, when affairs seemed to have reached their most disas- trous limit, was a proposition made to the board of trustees by the University of Chicago. This offer included the proposal to remove the Academy's head- quarters and its property to the University campus and to unite its fortunes with those of the University. The overtures made by the University were in the fullest degree courteous, kindly in spirit and commendable in promise. The University offered in substance to fur- nish room for the collections and apartments for the meetings and offices. They agreed to pay the curator's salary and the incidental expenses incurred in the care of the property. They gave assurance that the Academy's autonomy should be maintained ; that it should elect its own officers and have full control of its own property, thus preserving its own independent existence.
This plan was favored by some of the most faith- ful patrons of the Academy. They were men who had supported its tottering fortunes during long years of adversity, not merely by their countenance and influ- ence, but by constantly repeated pecuniary help, which aggregated large sums of money. They found in this plan the only hope for the perpetuating of an enter- prise which they had always held dear. Upon the advisability of accepting the proposition of the Univer- sity these friends, really the fathers of the Academy, were agreed. These views were adopted by the board of trustees and referred, before final action, to the ·
members for a decision regarding the acceptance of the offer.
One of those who most strenuously favored the acceptance of this offer was Mr. George C. Walker, a trustee since its organization, and always a champion
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of its work and welfare. Its interests were always foremost in his mind, and to him are due the sincerest thanks of its members, both past and present. The notable financial successes of the Academy throughout its history were largely due to Mr. Walker's efforts.
But the members felt that the movement, though not so intended, would result in the loss to the Acad- emy of its identity, and that gradually the members
GEORGE C. WALKER.
who were affiliated with other institutions would with- draw, while those connected with the university would remain. Thus, after no very long time, it would become merely a department of the university, or be entirely merged therein. They also realized that Chicago was surrounded with a cordon of institu- tions of learning, all efficient, but different in import- ant respects, and to a certain degree antagonistic; and that these institutions were drawing about Chicago a great number of scholars, distinguished in their
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varied scientific specialties, who would enjoy meeting together on common ground in friendly intercourse, should there be established and maintained an arena in some central locality, where all might unite. They also believed that The Chicago Academy of Sciences, because of its history, its traditions and the successes it had achieved, its independence in spite of the misfor- tunes which it had suffered, because of what it was and what it could become, should be so ordered and administered that these elements could meet in its building and unite under its name. They believed that it should stand on neutral ground.
The members also advanced in opposition to the plan the long distance of the university campus from the center of the city. This argument was also advanced as earnestly at the time the Douglas estate offered grounds on Cottage Grove avenue. The mem- bers present at the regular meeting of the Academy, when the proposition was submitted, voted against its acceptance, and the trustees acted in accordance with their expressed wish.
The result of this discussion was most satisfactory, for it awoke the members from their lethargy. All began to seek some more satisfactory solution of the difficulties in which the Academy was involved. At the annual meeting of the year 1892 Dr. Selim H. Peabody was elected president. He had served as secretary during the period from December, 1875, to October, 1878, at which time he became a professor in the State University of Illinois. The meetings were well attended, and other organizations, such as the Chicago Chemical Society and the State Microscopical Society, expressed a desire to transfer their member- ship to the Academy. This union was perfected. A large number of worthy and working scientists applied for enrollment, so that within that year the list of active members was nearly doubled. The members, both new and old, were ready to form themselves into
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groups for the discussion of subjects along special lines. This is an age of specialists, and sections of microscopy, photography, entomology, chemistry, astronomy and physics, ethnology, pathology and geol- ogy were formed, and held regular monthly meetings. In fact, at no time in its history had the Academy shown a more vigorous life. This was the first result of the agitation concerning removal.
In the summer of the year 1892 an offer was re- ceived from the board of commissioners of the west park system to build a home for the Academy in Gar- field park, fronting on Madison street. This very promising offer was considered with favor by the board of trustees, but on consultation with legal authorities it was found that the law governing the actions of this board of commissioners would not enable them to make a contract which would protect the Academy in the ownership of its specimens and be binding on future boards appointed to control the affairs of the park.
About the same time the welcome intelligence was brought to the members that a Chicago family was animated with a generosity so wise and far seeing as to offer the means for building a permanent, secure and beautiful home for the Academy.
Mr. Matthew Laflin, who during a long and suc- cessful business career had been identified with the in- terests of Chicago, and who had grown up with it, seconded and aided by his sons, George H. Laflin and Lycurgus Laflin, had promised to give a generous sum of money toward this most noble purpose, under the fol- lowing conditions:
1. That the building should be fireproof.
2. That it should be erected on an appropriate site in Lincoln park.
3. That the museum should be opened to the pub- lic without charge.
4. That the plans for the building should be ap- proved by the family of the donor.
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5. That the building should be started in the year 1893 and completed in 1894.
The commissioners of Lincoln park indicated a willingness to enter into an agreement with the Acad- emy and Mr. Laflin, by which a plot of ground in the park should be designated for the occupancy of the building. At this point it was called to mind that several years before, the state legislature, at the in- stance of Mr. William C. Goudy, the attorney of and
WILLIAM C. GOUDY.
at this time president of the board of commissioners of Lincoln park, had enacted a law which gave authority to that board by which it might provide for the Acad- emy of Sciences within the territory over which they had control and enter into a perpetual contract. The commissioners also expressed a willingness to con- tribute to the expenses of construction, with the under- standing that they were to have within its walls rooms for their offices in perpetuity.
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MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE ACADEMY'S BUILDING.
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Accordingly contracts were drawn and accepted by the three parties interested. The building was to cost $100,000, of which Mr. Laflin contributed $75,000, and the board of commissioners of Lincoln Park $25- 000. The contract specified that the building should be known as the Matthew Laflin Memorial, and should be occupied chiefly for the purposes of the Academy, a suite of apartments being set aside for the offices of the park authorities. The Academy was to have abso- lute and perpetual control of that part of the building devoted to its uses.
Appreciative recognition should be made here of the wise forethought of Mr. Goudy shown in the adjust- ment of these conditions, in which the interests of both the Academy and of the park were alike conserved. This wise and sagacious friend and counselor did not survive to see the building erected or the condi- tions of the contract fully operative. Mr. Goudy died April 27, 1893.
The site furnished for the building was most desir- able. It was situated on the west side of the park, opposite the opening of Center street. The building was designed by architects Patton & Fisher, upon lines suggested by the officers of the Academy. It was to be 132 feet in length by sixty-one feet in width, with a central portico in front forty feet in width and a projection of eleven feet. The style of architecture was to be Italian renaissance, the material buff Bed- ford limestone surmounted by a roof of red tile. The entrance was to be by a massive flight of stone steps, thirty-six feet in width, leading to a triple arch stone portico. On the first floor were to be the entrance hall, library and offices of the Academy and park commis- sioners. The great museum hall on the second floor was to be 55x128 feet in size, and surrounded on all sides by a gallery.
The corner stone of this edifice was laid October 10, 1893, in the presence of a large audience. Addresses
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were delivered by Mr. Robert A. Waller, president of the park board, Hon. John P. Altgeld, governor of the state of Illinois, Dr. Tarleton A. Bean, of the National museum, and Dr. Selim H. Peabody, president of the Academy.
As soon as progress in the finishing of the build- ing would permit, the collections, which had been stored near by since their enforced removal from the
A STUDY SERIES.
old Exposition building, were transferred to the new basement and there carefully examined, renovated and fitted for exhibition. This work was ably performed by Mr. Frank Collins Baker, the newly elected curator, who, during the years of his service, has placed the specimens in a most creditable form for the use of stu- dents, and for examination by the public.
The building was dedicated and opened to the public on the evening of Wednesday, October 31, 1894.
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The gathering of members and friends was addressed in the new and beautiful assembly hall, by Mr. Luther Laflin Mills, representing the Laflin family; by Dr. Thomas C. Chamberlin, of the University of Chicago;
-
YELLOW BILLED TROPIC BIRD.
by Dr. Sarah Hackett Stevenson, and Dr. Selim H. Peabody, president of the Academy.
The Academy's history may be divided into three distinct and interesting periods. Each period is marked by a series of successes and reverses.
The first period includes the time from the move-
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ment to organize the parent society, "The Chicago Academy of Natural Sciences," 1856, to the date of the destruction of the Academy's property in the great fire, 1871. The second period dates from the fire, and closes with the opening of the Matthew Laflin Memorial build- ing, in 1894.
In the later days of the second period (1892) the Academy inaugurated one of the most important branches of its work. This, the "Natural History Sur- vey of Chicago and Vicinity," is of value both to the student of natural history and to the business man, for, when completed, it will have finished an investigation of both economic and purely scientific features of the area covered.
At the time of organization of the survey three general departments were decided upon: Geology and allied sciences, topography, zoology and botany. It was further decided that the work in the several divis- ions of these departments should be intrusted to men recognized as specialists, and published as bulletins and reports, which should be as nearly monographic as possible. Since the organization of the survey the work has been steadily progressing, and a large amount of data has been collected.
The area covered by the survey was known to be peculiar in two distinct systems of drainage, either of which might, under certain conditions, prevail over the other. As this peculiarity of the drainage is of great scientific interest, it was thought desirable to emphasize this by fixing upon the following boundaries: Begin- ning at the north line of Cook county and Lake Mich- igan, thence westward, coincident with the north line of Cook county to Kane county; thence southward along the east line of Kane and Kendall counties to the southeast corner of Kendall county; thence eastward, coincident with the south line of Cook county to the east line of Lake county, Ind .; thence northward to Lake Michigan.
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The Chicago Academy of Sciences.
These boundaries include an area of about forty- eight or fifty miles square, which, after deducting the approximate area of the lake covered portions, leaves nearly 1,800 square miles of land surface. It comprises all of Cook and Du Page counties, the nine north town- ships of Will county, and a portion of Lake county, Ind.
The importance of this survey will be appreciated when the rapid growth of the city of Chicago is con- sidered. The surface of the area is constantly changing,
PRESIDENT THOMAS C. CHAMBERLIN.
both because of the agency of man and of other forces. The numerous railroads centering here are constantly bringing new things to the soil, which, finding a con- genial climate, finally become a fixed part of our natural history. More important still is the recording of natural features that are being exterminated or effaced, and of which no indication will be left except in printed records. The historians of Chicago and its environments in future generations will have to depend
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on the printed documents of the present for the indig- enous natural features.
The third period has begun, but is not yet closed. Since the Academy entered its new building its work has, with the exception of a few reverses, constantly advanced in value, both to its members and to the public. Its lectures and meetings have been well attended; its publications have increased in number and value, and its museum is open to the public every day in the year.
The following is a summary of the collections of the Academy :
Specimens.
In Mineralogy 5,000
" Paleontology 15,000
" Lower Invertebrates 2,500
" Mollusca 75,000
66 Arthropoda 35,000
" Lower Vertebrates 300
" Ornithology 4,000
" Mammalogy 200
" Ethnology 1,000
138,000
The following are some of the special collections included in the above enumeration :
Species. Specimens.
W. C. Egan collection of local Niagaran fossils - 200 5,000
W. C. Egan collection of paleozoic fossils - 1,200 7,000
John Walton collection of the genus
Cypræa 165 -
500
Andrew Bolter collection of insects - 4,000
10,000
Charles Sonne collection of coleoptera - 2,500 10,000
Frank M. Woodruff collection of local
birds - 170 1,000
Frank C. Baker collection of local mollusks 175 5,000
Howard N. Lyon collection of mollusks - 10,000
William K. Higley collection of local mollusks - -
2,000
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Species. Specimens
J. H. Ferriss and J. H. Handwerk col- lection of local birds 1,000 - Francis S. Dayton collection of local birds 364
Francis S. Dayton collection of local birds' eggs -
625
Charles M. Higginson collection of minerals 500
Charles W. Johnson collection of diptera - 300 600
J. W. Velie collection of Florida fauna. Skeleton of a mammoth.
LEANDER MCCORMICK COLLECTION OF MAMMAL HEADS.
That this the successful third period of the Acade- my's history may never be closed unless it be by some marked and unusual achievement, is the earnest wish of all its members.
The following persons have served in the offices of president, secretary, trustee, director and curator:
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PRESIDENTS.
Professor James V. Z. Blaney 1865-1861
Dr. Franklin Scammon 1862-1864
Dr. Edmund Andrews. 1865
George C. Walker
1866-1868
Dr. Edmund Andrews 1869-1870
John W. Foster 1871-1873
Dr. Hosmer A. Johnson 1874-1875
Eliphalet W. Blatchford 1876-1878
Henry H. Babcock 1878-1881
William Bross 1882
Dr. Edmund Andrews 1883-1891
Dr. Selim H. Peabody 1892-1894
Charles M. Higginson 1895-1896
Dr. Thomas C. Chamberlin 1897-
SECRETARIES.
Major Robert Kennicott. 1857-1864
Dr. William Stimpson 1865-1872
There was no secretary from the death of William Stimpson in 1872 to 1876. Selim H. Peabody 1876-1878
J. W. Velie.
1879-1891
William K. Higley 1892-1894
Frank C. Baker. . . 1895-1897
William K. Higley 1898-
TRUSTEES.
J. Young Scammon
1864-1883
George C. Walker 1864-1898
Horatio G. Loomis 1864-1877
Daniel Thompson
1864-1868
Edmund Aiken .
1864-1867
Ezra B. McCagg . 1864-1883
Eliphalet W. Blatchford . 1864-
William C. Doggett 1864-1876
Robert Kennicott 1864-1866
William Stimpson
1867-1872
Edwin H. Sheldon
1868-1891
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George H. Rumsey 1873
William C. Egan 1882-1897
Henry W. Fuller. 1883
Nathaniel K. Fairbank
1883-1884
Benjamin W. Thomas
1883-1895
Edmund Andrews
1883-1894
Hosmer A. Johnson
1883-1891
Charles M. Higginson
1883-1899
Joseph Frank.
1891-1892
James H. McVicker
1891-1892
Edward E. Ayer
1891-1893
John H. Long
1891-1895
Samuel J. Jones
1891-1899
Charles F. Gunther
1891-
Joseph R. Putnam
1892-
Ira J. Geer 1894-
Selim H. Peabody 1895-1896
Lyman J. Gage
1895-1896
Charles Dickinson
1895-1900
John Wilkinson
1896-
Louis E. Laflin 1896
Charles S. Raddin 1898
Charles E. Affeld
1899-
Ira J. Mason . 1901-
DIRECTORS.
Robert Kennicott
1865-1866
William Stimpson
1866-1872
CURATORS.
Edmund Andrews 1856-1863
John M. Woodworth 1862-1863
Robert Kennicott. 1864
William Stimpson
1865-1872
J. W. Velie (acting) 1873-1876
Selim H. Peabody . 1876-1878
J. W. Velie
1879-1893
Frank C. Baker
1894-
WILLIAM KERR HIGLEY.
MATTHEW LAFLIN.
MATTHEW LAFLIN.
John Kinzie was the father of Chicago in a generic sense. Matthew Laflin is entitled to that distinction in a special sense, because he was the instrument by which so many of her permanent and useful industries have been built. He was born in 1803, in Southwick, Mass., being of Anglo-Scotch-Irish extraction. The genius of the bright New England lad drew its inspi- ration from other sources than Plymouth Rock. Econ- omy of pennies and of time, and a hardening of muscle with use, are omnipresent in that land, that Daniel Webster said was a good place in which to be born. There we find Mr. Laflin's endowment for a business life. His first venture was in the manufacture of powder, to make a market for which Chicago offered an inviting field, when work began on the Illinois and Michigan canal in 1837. It was then he came to this place and found a little mud clad village of 4,000 inhabitants which won his confidence, and here he cast his lot, and here, as well as at St. Louis, Milwaukee and Springfield, he established agencies for the sale of powder from his mills at Saugerties, New York. During the winter of 1838-39 he lived with his family in Old Fort Dearborn, thus associating himself with the mili- tary period of Chicago's history. His first venture of a speculative character was buying real estate, which soon made him a man of great wealth. He built the original Bull's Head hotel, on Ogden avenue and Madi- son street, as a resort for stock men, around which he built barns, sheds and cattle pens. This was the pioneer of the stock yards system, now so prominent a source of wealth in Chicago. In 1851 he established the first om- nibus line, running from Bull's Head to the State street market, then in existence, but abandoned four or five years later. The Bull's Head tavern was torn down
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