History of Chicago. From the earliest period to the present time, Part 42

Author: Andreas, Alfred Theodore
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas
Number of Pages: 1340

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April 3, Miller & Co. started the first tri-weekly express between Chicago and the East.

April 21, hogs were first prohibited from running at large in the streets of Chicago by ordinance of the city. Prior to that time the too numerous presence of this animal had been frequently animadverted upon in the columns of the Press, as having become an unmitigated nuisance.

October 11, a communication appeared in the Weekly Democrat, from Buffalo, severely condemning the practice of Chicago merchants of mixing the various grades of wheat shipped.

November 22, 1843, the first session of Rush Medi- cal College was commenced .*

1844 .- During this year the era of good times was again fairly established. The roads leading to the city were improved. A great interest was awakened in schools, t which resulted in the building of the Dearborn- street school - house, and in the inauguration of the present magnificent school system of the city. Over six hundred new buildings were erected during the year, and the population largely increased. The presidential election,{ which occurred November 5, passed off with little excitement. The total vote was 2,426; estimating the ratio of voters as one to five, the resident popula- tion of the city at that time was 12,130.] The weather during the summer and fall was notably tempestuous.

August 9, a tornado accompanied with heavy wind and rain and terrific lightning, passed over the city and swept over the lake. The bank building and the resi- dence of E. H. Hadduck were both struck by lightning during the storm. The schooner "Daniel Whitney" was also lost on Lake Michigan, all on board perished. Another severe wind-storm is mentioned in the Demo- cratic Journal of November 7, as having occurred on November 4, which demolished one of the walls of the First Baptist church, then being erected, the wall falling upon and crushing a dwelling house near by.

September 10, a meeting was held at the Council room for the purpose of electing delegates to attend a meeting at Elgin in the interest of building a macadam- ized or plank road from the Fox and Rock rivers to Chicago. It was there resolved " that the commercial prosperity of Chicago mamiy depends upon the improvement of the roads leading from it to the heart of the rich agricultural regions by which it is surrounded." It was also stated at this meeting and at the Elgin con- vention that the roads leading from Chicago in all directions-and especially towards Elgin-were in such a condition as to be almost impassable in some parts of the year. This was the first movement for the improve- ment of roads or facilities of inland transportation.

The interest of the citizens of Chicago in education and schools was evinced in choosing. September 16, a large delegation to attend an educational convention to be held at l'eoria on the 9th of October. Among those chosen, and who were the early friends of the Chicago

.See Medical History in this volume.

+ Ser History of Schools.

See Political History.

& Colbert's History. p. 18, gives the estimated population for 1844 at 8 mn. At what time in the year the estimate was made or on what basis is not men- tinned.

154

HISTORY OF CHICAGO.

schools, were: William H. Brown, William Jones, Richard J. Hamilton and S. W. Wright, since deceased; and Mark Skinner, Isaac N. Arnold, and J. Y. Scam- mon, still living.

1845 .- The citizens showed great interest in the reviving of the State credit, with a view to the comple- tion of the Illinois & Michigan canal .* They also made efforts to further improve the harbor, and, late in the year, the subject of railroads began to seriously agitate the public mind.

February 12, in pursuance to a call signed by five hundred of the leading merchants and citizens, a large meeting was held on the public square, at which resolu- tions were passed urging the Legislature to enact such a revenue law as would revive the credit of the State and secure the completion of the Illinois & Michigan Canal; also endorsing the recommendation of Governor Ford to the Legislature to restore the State tax to its former rate of thirty cents on $100. Work was fully recommenced on the canal the following September.

February 21, the Governor approved an act estab- lishing a court for Cook County.

August 5, the Common Council passed an ordinance authorizing a loan to construct a break-water on the lake shore.t

November 26, the first issue appeared of the " Chicago Volksfreund." This was the first newspaper published in Chicago in a foreign language.

December 5, an enthusiastic railroad meeting was held at the court-house. Delegatcs were appointed to attend the conventions to be held at Rockford, to be held January 7, 1846, to devise means for prosecuting to completion the Galena & Chicago Union Railroads Full statistics of the trade and business of Chicago were presented to the convention by the delegates.

1846 .- Recruiting for the Mexican War, which the President declared as existing, May 13, added to the excitement of a very busy year, which was nevertheless quite barren of events of more than transient interest or importance.

The most important commercial event was the crea- tion by the Government of a new Collection District, of which Chicago was declared the port of entry. Pend- ing the passage of the act, fifteen of the leading ship- pers and merchants of Chicago signed a meniorial to the United States Senate, requesting that body not to pass the bill which had already passed the House of Representatives, and expressing their fears that, should the bill pass, British bottoms would on the upper lakes be thereby admitted to all the benefits of the carrying trade hitherto exclusively enjoyed by citizens of the United States. Notwithstanding the memorial, Chicago was made a port of entry July 13.1

1846 .- March 19, the German element first asserted itself as a factor in municipal affairs in a card, signed by thirty-four German citizens, which appeared in the Daily Democrat, in which they denounced the action of the Council in refusing to appoint Charles Bumgarten Street Commissioner ; the place of his nativity being alleged by them as the sole cause of his rejection.

March 20, the Commor Council first inaugurated the system of levying special taxes for street improve- ments, by the adoption of the report of Manierre, in which he had advocated the plan and asserted the right of the city to levy such special assessments for the planking or other improvement of streets.

May I, the Daily Democrat gave an account of the suicide of Count Londogi, committed at the Lake House.

May 27, there was great public rejoicing over the news of General Taylor's victory on the Rio Grande. During the succeeding two days fifty men enlisted .*

October 28, two runaway slaves were arrested and taken before Justice Kercheval. While there the room became filled with excited negroes, who hustled the fugitives down the stairs and out of sight of Deputy Sheriffs Rhines and Daily forever.

November 13, measures were taken preparatory to the great River and Harbor Convention,t held in Chi- cago during the following year. At a large meeting of citizens, three committees were appointed : one, to pre- pare an address, and a call for the convention ; another, to act as a committee of correspondence ; and the third, consisting of one hundred members, to act as a committee of arrangements.

1847 .- Throughout the year there was great war excitement, recruiting went on constantly, several full companies leaving for the seat of war during the spring and summer.}

April 3, a large .concourse of citizens gathered to celebrate the victory of Buena Vista. Richard L. Wilson lost an arm by the premature discharge of a cannon.

Famine prevailed in Ireland and Scotland.

February 25, the Scotch of Chicago published an appeal "in behalf of 200,000 of their starving country- men." March 4, a subscription was started for the re- lief of the starving Irish. In four days $2,600 in money was raised, besides considerable donations in corn, pork, flour, and other articles of food.

June 23, the Daily Democrat announced that the County Commissioners and Common Council, acting conjointly, were improving the roads leading from the city for a distance of ten miles out.

July 5, the great event of the year was inaugurated by the opening of the great River and Harbor Conven- tion. It was one of the most important events in the early history of Chicago. Delegates from all parts of the country were present, and the city was crowded as never before.S

1848 .- During the year occurred the first presiden- tial campaign in which the Chicago Democrats had been divided. It was most earnestly carried on by the two opposing factions, which evinced more bitterness toward each other than toward their common enemy, the Whigs. The discussion of the free-soil question, on which the party had divided, constituted the leading excitement of the year. |

April 1, a mass convention of the citizens was held, "of all those favoring the ' Wilmot proviso.'" July 4, the free-soil Van Buren Democrats held an immense meeting, at which they commenced their campaign, which was thereafter carried on without cessation until the day of election, and with a skill and ability seldom, if ever, surpassed in the political annals of the city.

The election which occurred November 7, resulted in a plurality vote for Van Buren, the free-soil Dem- ocratic candidate. The vote stood : Cass, 1,016 ; Van Buren, 1,543 ; Taylor, 1,283. Total, 3,842. The total vote of 1844 in the city was 2,426. The increase in the voting population as thus shown had been sixty per cent in four years.

. See History of Canal.

+ Sre Harhor and Marine.

: Sie History of the Press.

S Are History of Railroads

I See History of Commerce.

* See Military History.

t See Harbor and Marine.

I See Military History.

$ See Harbor and Muirinc.

See Political History.

155

ANNALS OF CHICAGO-1837-1857.

Several local historic events worthy of remembrance transpired during the year.

January 15, the first message by electric telegraph was received over the line then completed from Mil- waukee to Chicago.

The existing State law limiting the rate of interest to six per cent was in disfavor in Chicago. January 17, a meeting was held by the merchants of the city, at which it was resolved : "'It is contrary to honor, reason, and the laws of trade to suppose that Illinois can enjoy the use of sufficient capital to transact her business and develop her resources at six per cent interest, while New York, Indiana, Wisconsin, and a number of other States offer, by their interest and col- lection laws, from seven to twelve per cent."

Februry 2; the Democrat stated : "The lake is lower at present than it has ever been in the memory of the oldest inhabitant. Some of the vessels at the dock, laid up for the winter, and consequently without load- ing, are fast aground."

March 4, a specific election was held to vote on the various clauses of the new State constitution, which were to be submitted to the people. The vote on the several propositions was as follows : For the adoption of the constitution, 324 majority ; against the clause "prohibiting negroes coming into the State, or masters bringing them into Illinois for the purpose of freeing them," there was a majority of 886; for a two-mill tax, to be used for the payment of the State debt, 328 majority.

April 10, the first boat locked through the canal-the " General Frye"-was floating, at 7:30 P. M. in Lake Michigan.

June 27, the Democrat made the following announce- ment : "Chicago is at length in direct communication with the Atlantic Ocean. We noticed in the river yesterday a large and powerful English propeller, the ' Ireland,' loaded direct from Montreal to this port. This opens a new trade for this city, as goods can now be shipped from Chicago to Liverpool without trans- shipment."

October 25, "The locomotive, with the tender and two cars, took its first start, and run out a distance of about five miles upon the road-the Galena & Chicago Union road. A number of gentlemen rode upon the cars." This announcement appeared in the Democrat of October 26.

December 4, the brig " McBride" arrived with the first direct importation of salt from Turk's Island.

1849 .- Early in the year the California fever broke out with great violence in Chicago. The daily papers stated that during the winter and early spring months little else was talked of. Book stores advertised guide- books ; wagon-makers doubled their force of workmen and turned their efforts exclusively to the manufacture of emigrant wagons ; the price of revolvers " went up fifty per cent;" there was not in March a pair of new Mack- inaw blankets for sale in the city, and all kinds of salt provisions were reported as having become " lamentably scarce." The first two parties were fitted out 'one of American, the other German and started overland for California March 29. The exodus thus begun continued throughout the year, carrying off many of the early citizens, whose names thereafter did not appear in the annals of Chicago.

March 12, a most disastrous flood occurred .* The Democrat said : " Never before has Chicago been visited by so great a calamity as has been witnessed this day. About 9 o'clock this morning a compact dam of

. See Harleer and Marine.

ice, raised two or three feet above the surface of water, nearly opposite Gage & Haines' steam mill on the South Branch, suddenly gave way, sweeping down in the rapid current every vessel lying below that point. The damage to shipping alone is over $So,000."

. July 21, serious conflagrations occurred, burning over in part the ground swept by the great fire of 1839. Twenty buildings were destroyed including the Tremont House, which had been burned ten years before and rebuilt.

. In the winter of 1849, the cholera, which had been prevalent on the upper Mississippi the year before, made its appearance in Chicago. May 21, the scourge had become so general that daily reports of the deaths from cholera were published in the papers. The high- est number occurring in a single day was August 1, when thirty deaths were reported.

1850 .- During the year there was continued an increasing anti-slavery excitement, mainly centered in intense opposition to the fugitive slave law, which, during its discussion in Congress prior to its passage, was the absorbing theme. A convention was held by those who opposed it as early as February 21, and from then to the time of its passage, September 18, little else was talked of.

October 11, a convention of colored citizens resolved to remain and defend themselves rather that to flee .*

The most important local events to Chicago were the completion and opening of the first section of the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad to Elgin, and the lighting of the city with gas. The opening of the railroad to Elgin was celebrated February I by a grand excursion over the line to that town.t

The early history of the gas company and the light- ing of the city by that method is as follows : An act was approved February 12, 1849, authorizing the forma- tion of the Chicago Gas Light & Coke Company, with H. L. Stewart, W. S. Bennett, F. C. Sherman, P. L. Updike and P. Page as incorporators. Under their charter, the company was given the exclusive right to supply the city with gas for ten years. In October the work was begun of laying the mains, erecting works and getting the whole system into operation. The con- tract for this was let to George F. Lee, of Philadelphia, and the work was completed in August, 1850. The city was lighted with gas for the first time Wednesday afternoon, September 4. From the Gem of the Prairie, bearing date the 7th of that month, the following interesting account is taken:

" Wednesday marked an era in Chicago. At about 2 o'clock p. M. the gas pipes were filled, and the hum- ming noise made by the escaping gas, at the tops of the lamp-posts indicated that everything was all right. Shortly afterward the fire ' as applied and brilliant torches flamed on both sides of Lake Street as far as the eye could sce, and wherever the posts were set. The lanterns not having been affixed to the posts, the bright, gaseous flame eddied and flickered in the wind, some- times apparently disappearing, but anon shooting up as brightly as ever. The burners in Reed & Co.'s and in Keen's were lighted about the same time, presenting a

steady golden flame. We believe these establishments had the honor of first lighting up with gas; others will not be much behind them. In the evening the lamps were again lighted, and for the first time in the history of Chicago; several of the streets were illuminated in regular city style. Hereafter she will not " hide her light under a bushel."

* Sre Political History.

t See History of Railroads.

156

HISTORY OF CHICAGO

Of the initial illumination the Journal also said : "Some of the stores on Lake Street, particularly those devoted to California ware, made a brilliant appearance, and the gas lent an additional glory to refined gold. But the City Hall with its thirty-six burners, is the brightest of all, night being transformed into mimic day."

The first gas works were situated on the south side of Monroe Street near Market. The officers of the company were H. T. Dickey, president ; Jerome Beech- er, secretary ; James K. Burtis, treasurer; and Thomas Dyer, William Blair, J. Keen, George F. Lee, Mark Skinner, George Smith and E. B. Williams, directors. The cost of lighting the city was fixed, under the con- tract, at $15 a post ; but on the 13th of September, at a meeting of the Common Council, it was ordered that 110 street lamps be lighted until the citizens should sub- scribe one-half the cost, or $7.50 for each, lamp erected on the streets. The business increased each year, and by 1855 there were nearly seventy-eight miles of service pipe laid ; nearly two thousand consumers, and a total consumption of nearly forty-one million cubic feet of gas.

1851 .- No outside questions disturbed the serenity of the city. It was an "off year" in politics, business was fairly prosperous, and the annals show nothing of more than passing interest. Several new railroads, intended to have their termini in the city, were negoti- ating for right of way and depot grounds. There was considerable conflict between the rival roads. The Michigan Southern Railroad, by prior rights granted in its charter, was claiming the exclusive use of a railway route around the head of Lake Michigan, and that through its franchises only could other roads gain an eastern outlet from Chicago. The citizens of Chicago took strong ground against the claim. January 24th, at a mass meeting, they resolved unanimously "that they would aid the city authorities in all efforts to grant admission to the city to any and all railroads seeking to obtain an entrance."

The question of making Chicago the distinct and separate terminus of the various roads then being built, instead of feeders to one grand trunk road entering the city was deemed important, and was a topic of serious discussion.

June 20th, the Michigan Central Railroad an- nounced their decision to build a through road over an independent route to Chicago, and to ignore the claims of the Michigan Southern that all other Eastern lines should avail themselves of their charter, making con- nections at the Indiana State line, and running thence to Chicago over their road. About this time Senator Douglas published an opinion which, with the opposition to the claims set up on the part of the citizens of Chicago, ended all controversy. It was that neither the Illinois Central nor the Rock Island Railroad could, if they would, under the terms of their charters, make a connection at the Indiana State line as a terminus, hut that both roads must have a terminus in Chicago.

The supplying of the city with water was this year undertaken by the city itself. February 15, the Chicago City Hydraulic Company was incorporated, and during the year much preliminary work was done on this newly undertaken public work, which was not however com- pleted until two years later .*

During May, 1851, the question of "high or low license " for the sale of spirituous liquor first began to agitate the Chicago mind, and became a disturbing ele-

ment in the councils of the city fathers. The high license Aldermen insisted strenuously on raising the license tax to one hundred dollars per year ; those favoring iow license strove as vigorously to retain the old rate of fifty dollars. The two sides were about equally balanced numerically, and the rate decided upon was established at one hundred dollars and re-established at fifty dollars several times. It was finally settled on the low license basis of fifty dollars per year.

June 3rd 4th and 5th, there was great excitement throughout the city, occasioned by the arrest of Moses Johnson, as a fugitive slave of Crawford E. Smith, of Missouri. Johnson was finally discharged.

August 23, two large warehouses were destroyed by fire. They were those of E. H. Hadduck and H. Norton.

September 12, the corner-stone of the new court- house and city hall was laid with appropriate cere- monies.

The equinoctical storm of the year occurred Septem- ber 22 and 23. The waves of the lake ran higher than had ever before been known. Many feet of the break- water were washed out and the waves bore fragments of it into Michigan Avenue-so said the Gem of the Prairie of September 27.

The question as to the route whereby the Illinois Central Railroad should enter Chicago, and at where it should connect with the Galena & Chicago Union, was the exciting theme of discussion among citizens and officials during the closing months of the year. The papers abounded in long letters and editorials on the subject. The route now in use, along the lake shore was finally adopted in January, 1852.

1852 .- The annals of the year show few events of more than minor importance. The temperance ele- ment for the first time attempted a show of strength at the polls. A full temperance ticket was nominated February 6, to be voted at the coming municipal election.

January 21, the " Old Settlers " had a big ball at the Tremont House. It was under the following management : Honorary Managers-E. H. Haddock, George Smith, Thomas Dyer, C. Beers, Walter S. Gur- nee, E. S. Wadsworth, Thomas Richmond, Thomas B. Turner, H. T. Dickey, Eli B. Williams, George W. Meeker, James H. Collins, Isaac Cook, Thomas Hoyne, John Wentworth, John Frink, E. S. Kimberly, R. L. Wilson, George Steel, J. Young Scammon, W. B. Ogden, John P. Chapin, George W. Snow, John H. Kinzie, Silas A. Cobb, F. C. Sherman, Mark Skinner, H. H. Magee, I. N. Arnold, J. C. Walters, D. Brainard, James Carney, B. S. Morris, John W. Eldridge, L. C. Kercheval, S. F. Gale, George W. Dole. Floor Managers-Philip Maxwell, J. P. White, P. Von Schneidam, E. I. Tink- ham, T. W. Wadsworth, Charles T. Richmond James R. Hugunin, U. P. Harris, E. L. Harris, E. L. Sher- man, Charles L. Wilson, Edward Sherman.

February 20, the first through train from the east, via the Michigan Southern Railroad, entered Chicago, and was greeted with a salvo of artillery.

February 24, David Kennison, the last survivor of the "Boston Tea Party," died in Chicago at the extraor- dinary age of one hundred and sixteen years.

April 23, the first great loan of Chicago was effected through Duncan, Sherman & Co. The amount was $250,000, and was applied to the development of the city system of water works.

May 21, the first construction train ran into Chicago over the Michigan Central Railroad.

The presidential campaign of the year was a quiet

* See History of Water Works

---------..

. ....

157

ANNALS OF CHICAGO-1837-1857.

. one. At the election, which occurred November , the total number of votes polled was 5,014; Pierce, 2,835; Scott, 1,765; Hale, 424 .*

Throughout the year a war raged among the banks, and at the close of the year was at its height.t

1853 .- The events of the year were mostly of local significance only. The bank was continued, and cul- minated in the disappearance of "illegal banking" during the year. Seth Payne's spiritual bank went out of sight; the other banks which had not before respect- ed the statutes of Illinois were forced to legally organize, go into liquidation, or otherwise close up business .; The minor annals of the city, as gleaned from the newspapers, were as below stated:

February 7, the new court house was first occupied. April 23, the Scandinavians of Chicago gave a great ovation to their eminent and talented countryman, Ole Bull.

April 25 occurred the first great railroad accident near Chicago. A train on the. Michigan Southern col- lided with a train on the Michigan Central, at their crossing (at Grand Junction). Eighteen persons were killed outright, and forty of the wounded were brought to Chicago. On the 27th resolutions were passed at a meeting of the citizens, condemning the accident as owing to carelessness, and demanding that thereafter every train should come to a full stop before crossing any other railroad. This was the first time that this very essential safeguard, now universally adopted, was ever suggested.

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History of Chicago. From the earliest period to the present time, Part 42

Author: Andreas, Alfred Theodore Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas Number of Pages: 1340

Author: Andreas, Alfred Theodore
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas
Number of Pages: 1340