History of Chicago. From the earliest period to the present time, Part 48

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

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The meeting was held and a delegation selected as follows : District No. 1-Ebenezer Peck, William Stuart, .E. W. Casey ; District No. 2-J. Dean Caton, J. W. Chadwick, William Forsythe ; District No. 3-J. H. Kin- zie, W. L. Newberry, T. W. Smith. The result of the union conference was the appointment of a committee, consisting of two members of the Board and one citizen from each of the divisions of the city, to draft a charter. That committee comprised Messrs. Peck, Caton, and Smith, for the people, and Messrs. Peter Bolles and

Leta Bolles

William B. Ogden for the Board. A charter was pre- pared and submitted to the people for approval, at a meeting held in the Saloon Building. A large majority of those in attendance voted for adoption of the docu- ment without amendment ; but that vote was speedily reconsidered, and an animated discussion of the sixty- second section ensued, relative to the assumption of in- debtedness by the proposed city authorities. Some of the more sanguine residents were so imbued with the progressive tendencies of the times that they favored the unlimited extension of power in that direction. A more prudent counsel prevailed, however, and the capacity of the corporation to incur debt was limited to $100,000 per year. With this alteration in the original draft, the people endorsed the proposition to change the corporate character of Chicago. Mr. Stuart, secretary of the public meeting, observes that "in the opinion of the chairman, nearly four-fifths of the citizens assembled favored the charter."

CREATION OF THE CITY.

On the 4th of March, 1837, the charter was passed and approved by the Legislature, and Chicago became a city. The corporate limits were defined in Section 1 as follows :

" That the districtof country in the county of Cook, in the State aforesaid, known as the east half of the southeast quarter of -ce- tion thirty three in township forty, and fractional section thirty-four in the same township, the cast fourth part of sections six, seven. eighteen and nineteen in the same township; also fractional section three, section four, section five, section eight, section nine and fractional section ten, except the southwest fractional quarter of section ten, occupied as a military post until the same shall be private property; fractional section fifteen, section sixteen, section seventeen, section twenty, section twenty-one and fractional section

THE SECOND COURT HOUSE. Before the third story was added.

Taken from a Daguerreotype July 4th, 1855, by HESLER, showing Montgomery and Emmet Guards being addressed by HON. JOHN WENTWORTH, M.C.

CREATION OF THE CITY.

177

twenty-two, in township thirty-nine north, range number fourteen east of the third principal meridian in the State aforesaid.

"SECTION 3. The said city shall be divided into six wards, as follows : . All that part of the city which lies south of the Chicago River and east of the center of Clark Street, following the center of Clark Street to the south line of section sixteen, thence following the said south line of section sixteen to the center of State Street, and a line parallel with the center of said street to the southern boundary of said city, shall be denominated the First Ward of said city ; all that part of the said city which lies south of said Chicago River, west of the First Ward and east of the South Branch of said Chicago River, shall be denominated the Second Ward of said city ; all that part of the said city lying west of the aforesaid South Branch of the Chicago River, south of the center of Randolph Street, and by a line parallel with the center of said Randolph Street, to the western boundary of said city, shall be denominated the Third Ward ; all that part of said city which lies north of the said Third Ward, and west of the said Chicago River, and to the North and South branches thereof, shall be denominated the Fourth Ward of said

Conner, A. Jackson Cox, J. G. Dawley, Charles V. Dyer, Thomas Ely, Charles M. Gray, Joseph H. Gray. David P. Foot, Jared Fordham, C. C. Franklin, John Hackett, Eri B. Ilulbert, Henry King, John Knight, David Lake. George Lamb, sworn, Albert G. Leary, W. Mcclintock, Alexander McDommerly, John Melray, Ephriam Morrison, Orsemus Morrison, Luther Nicols, Peter Pruyne, John Robson, John Sammons, J. Shadeller, James Sin- clair, Barney Smith, John Smith, S. F. Spaciding, Augustin D. Taylor. Edmund D. Taylor, Peter L. Updike, 1I. C. Walker, Anson Weed, Slater West, Eli B. Williams, William Worthington, William Jones, W. West, 1I. L. Patterson, S. Ward, Edward L. Thrall, H. J. Walker. Ambrose Burnham, E. Gale, J. K. Palmer. H. Burk, L. Morse, William Montgomery, Alexander N. Fuller- ton, J. Scott, James MI. Strode, David S. Smith, Alanson Follans- bee, WV. Winters, B. H. Kent, Chester Tupper, M. Shonts, Daniel Miller, James H. Collins, John Kelly, Joseph Adams, Daniel MIc- Kinzie, Ebenezer Peck, J. Wentworth, sworn, E. H. Mulford, Daniel Brainard, W. Andrews, Enoch Plummer, J. C. Goodhue. H. Herrington, Robinson Tripp, Ira Couch, John Wright, C. W,

THE FIRST COURT-HOUSE.

city ; all that part of said city which lies north of the Chicago River and east of the North Branch thereof, and west of the center of Clark Street, to the center of Chicago Avenue, and lying south of the center of Chicago Avenue, to the center of Franklin Street, and lying west of Franklin Street, and a line parallel with the center thereof to the northern boundary of said city, shall be denominated the Fifth Ward ; and all that part of said city lying north of the Chicago River, and east of the Fifth Ward, shall be denominated the Sixth Ward."

FIRST CITY ELECTION .- At a meeting held by the Board on March 31 it was resolved to hold an election for city officers on the first Tuesday of May, the polling places being designated as follows : First Ward, Eagle Hotel ; Second Ward, Lincoln's Coffee House ; Third Ward, house of Charles Taylor ; Fourth Ward, Chicago Hotel Cox's ; Fifth Ward, Canal Office ; Sixth Ward, Franklin House. The Board also appointed three in- spectors for each polling place. Accordingly the elec- tion took place upon the day named May 2, and the following gentlemen cast their ballots :*

FIRST WARD .- For William B. Osden : Sidney \bell. Isaac N. Arnold, Bennett Bailey, II. Bailey, sworn, Patrick Ballingall, Madore B. Beaubien, Samuel C. Bennett, Nathan H. Bolles, John Calhoun, Henry B. Clarke. J. 11. Coffin, Peter Cohen, F. G.

* Fergus's Hist. Series, Directory uf 1839. Corrected from polling-list of 1837. and by old settlers.

Spafford, Francis C. Sherman, John Boyd, Hiram B. Smith, MI. O'Connor, J. F. Brown, A. J. Luce, David Carver, J. M. Smith, L. F. Lewis, John R. Livingston, B. F. Monroe, John Patterson, Colon Ware.

For John H. Kinzie: L. C. P. Freer, T. O. Davis, Alvin Calhoun, Hiram Mallory, J. Young Scammon, Joseph L. Hanson. John F. Spalding, Oliver H. Thompson, Levi D. Boone, C. B. Ware, Joseph Meeker, J. B. Wetherell, George W. Snow, James H. Rees, H. Markoe, William Bond, Robert Truman, James Spence, Ileman Bond, P. Balcom. J. Sharp, W. Finney, Thomas A. Clark, Knyal A. Stewart, Isaac J). Ilarmon, Jabez K. Botsford. Parker MI. Cole, Tyler K. Blodgett, Curtis Ilavens, Elijah K. Hubbard. Ezekiel Morrison, David Gelland, James A. Smith, Lorin Graves, David Hatch, Cyrenus Beers, Simeon Loveland, Seth Paine, Samuel C. Dennis, Erastus Bowen, W. K. Marchal, John I .. Wilson, Thomas Wright, M. Ayres, F. A. Harding. Thomas T. Durant, Edward Casey, George W. Merrill, John W. HIooker, Charles C. Smith, Giles Spring, 1 .. B. Goodsell, William Stuart, H. Terrill, Charles Adams, J. Gardner, Alva V. Frasier, Edward H. Haddock, Frederick .\. Howe, A. Nobles, E. S. Hop- kins. Charles MeClure. S. Willis Graunis, Dexter Graves, Edward Colvin,

SECOND WARD .- For William B. Orden : Solomon Lincoln. Henry Khines, Samuel J. Lowe, Thomas Marr, Russell Wheeler, Peter Bolles. C. Mcwhorter, S. S. Bradley, Daniel B. Heartt, Charles P'. Hogan. l'. Iliggins, J. C. Hibson, W. Devere. J. Spencer, Michael Glen, Silas W. Sherman. Richard Murphy, F. C. Bold, Inhn Larry, J. Outhet. J. O'Konke, T. Watkins, I. McCor- mick. J. J. Kinnon, McKelley, John Sarlney, John Campton,

---

178

HISTORY OF CHICAGO.

Michael Fitzsimmons, M. Castigen, Samuel Carpenter, P. Groover, John Perian, Godford Stevens, II. McCarley, MI. Fisher, B. Mig- log, Hiram Hugunin, Samuel Wayman, Benjamin Briggs, Joseph Peacock, P. McConnel, F. C. Tupper, J. Norris, James A. Merrie, H. Mitchell, A. Coop, George E. Horehart, M. Croushong, E. Lelley, J. Lane, T. C. Sampson, William Alamart, D. Denney, H. Brown, A. H. Beard. A. Grusgutt, James O'Brien, Daniel Levin- ney, H. Duffey, J. Beach, Eli S. Prescott, J. Walker, Joho C. Rue, Charles H. Chapman, Moses Dutton, Valentine A. Boyer, P. J. Kimball, J. Sweeney, D. Conley, D. Crawley, R. Halney, John Lang, Alexander Loyd, E. E. Hunter, Michael Frarey, James Caroey, Thomas Farlin, Augustus H. Burley, A. Brigg, S. J. Graves, MeDalald, John Sennet, John Dunlap, Louis Malzacher, Stephen N. Edgel, William Wiggins, John Mitchell, Dennis S. Dewey, A. Tholser. T. Bailey, Edmund Gill, Martin Stidel, Samuel J. Grannis, V. McIntire, W. M. Hartley, C. Longwood, J. Dailey, O. Brian, Peter Casey. A. Berg, John Ashman, B. Peck. T. Lacey, George Bryan, P. Whitmore, Robert Garner, Joseph Shields, R. Jones, Clement Stose, J. Funk, A. Panakaske, Ed- ward Manierre, William Hague, John H. Butler, J. M. Ham- mond, M. Nigle, Alonzo Huntington, Edward Dimmock, William Jinkins, Isaac R. Gavin, A. Bailey, P. J. Duncan, T. Fox, J. McCord, J. Sullivan, A. Duckman, J. Gluwater, O. Sheppheard, F. Goodman, D. Harsem, C. Culshaw, John W. Eldredge, William B. French, Simon Cooley, John Ryan, Michael Buck, T. O. Maley, Francis G. Blanchard, John K. Boyer, John Knight, J. Dicksoo, James Lenon, John Archdale, M. Sandusky, Robert Hart, John Dillon, J. P. Johnston, P. Donahue, John Rice, Peter Shaddle, L. F. Monroe, Jacob Gramos, J. J. Jones, Peter Dolsey, John Wood- house, Jacob Milemin, C. Benedick, Joseph Winship, John Shrig- ley, -. O. Mahan, Thomas Wolfinger, S. B. Dane, E. F. Brown, N. Winslow, John Gormonly, George Dolton, J. Minney, Michael Lantry, S. Hurley, John Murphey, P. Kelley, John Black, Will- iam B. Noble, Thomas Ghan, C. De Wier, H. Bird, J. C. Gauck, P. Rogers.

For John H. Kinzie: John M. Turner, Star Foot, L. T. Howard, Abraham Gale, L. Butler, George Patterson, Silas B. Cobb, S. C. George, Joseph N. Balestier, William Truman, J. F. T. Libb, John Jay Stuart, Smith J. Sherwood, W. Haskins, Philo Carpenter. H. L. Roberts, Arthur G. Burley, H. Zalle, P. S. Smith, John Pomeroy, F. D. Marshall, Thomas Hamilton, L. Johnston, C. Walter, O. Sprague, Tuthill King, J. MeLabban, George W. Dole, R. Price, James Rockwell, Joho P. Cook, John Dolesey, Francis Walker, Jeremiah Price, M. Smith, J. Briggs, E. S. Hobbie, C. Murphy, John Casey, P. F. W. Peck, George Law. A. S. Bates, T. Jenkins, R. Drummond, E. Simmons, James O. Humphrey, Abram F. Clarke, H. H. Magie, A. Hatcb, P. J. . Monroe, W. H. Clarke, T. C. Tucker, T. S. Hide, John P. Cha- pin, James White, John Deim, MI. Dunning, A. D. Higgins, Thomas Brock, Benjamin W. Raymond.

THIRD WARD .- For William B. Ogden : Samuel Southerden, Oliver Lozier, Hamilton Barnes, Thomas James, George U. Gun, Henry Walton, John B. Weir, John Bates, Jr., William H. Bar- ber, Charles Taylor, Morris O. Jones, George Varden. S. E. Downer, William Mitchell, John Welch, George Davis, George Brown, Patrick Welch, John Mahan, Solomon Taylor, Lewis P. Deckart. L. C. Hugunin, Mitchell Ferryark, George Chacksfield, John B. Miller, John Rudiman, Joseph Wilderman, Joseph Calef, Peter Sawnett.

For John H. Kinsie : J. S. P. Lord, Ashbel Steele, Thomas Cook, Thomas Bishop, David Bradley, Charles A. Lawber, John Gage, James Crawford, Henry Burke.

FOURTH WARD .- For William B. Ogden: A. M. Talley, J. W. Chadwick, Patrick Lane, E. F. Wellington, George Frost, John B. Brodain, Seth P. Warder, George White, Homer Stratton, A. Chapron, John Welmaher, Christian Astah, Thomas Oak, Stephen Harrel, James Jenkins, William Carneyhaw, Kohert Mar- shall, Charles Cleaver, George M. Davis, Isaac Haight, Samuel M. Brooks, William Ford, Samuel Akin, James Wakeman, Edward Perkins, J. W. Titus, James Mathews, A. S. Sherman, John C. Hugunin, P. E. Cassady, Alexander Logan, James M. Whitney, Henry Taylor, Francis H. Taylor, Asahel Pierce. Francis l'eyton, Joel D. Howe, William Saltonstall, Amos Allen, Seth Johnson, Philip Will, Alford Allen, Lucien Peyton, .N. Christian, George Hays, Frederick A. Howe, James Laframbois, R. W. IIyde, George Atterbury.

For John H. Kinsic: Edward Perkins, William Forsythe. Francis Chapron, Marshall Cornair, Antoine Loupean, John Ludby, Daniel Elston, Edward Parsons, James Kinzie, David Cox.

FIFTH WARD .- For William B. Ogden : John Dunchen, John Coats, John Wilson, Joseph Kent, Bryan Curley, John Hart. John Lenay, J. W. Donnell, A. Gartley, B. Cain, J. Eddy, J. MeCue. J. Malaughlin, B. Adouy, P. Grodavent, P. Scott, M. Spelman, T. Midery, William Fowls, P. Conlen. P. Finney, P. Morphy, Il.

Galloughent, T. Weed, T. McHale, B. Ward, T. Gormoniley, A. Sullivan, M. Burk, P. Ackles, T. Farrell, E. Gibbins. T. Mc- Namare, P. Monaghen, T. Riden, M. O. Midloy, T. Brown, Henry Cunningham, E. B. Talcott, M. Baumgarten, G. l'eyton, S. Dougan, J. Seymour, J. Mallady, T. Hughes, T. Carrali, W. Bell, D. Moore, H. Frye, J. Breadman, J. D. Oddman, II. ITar- mer, J. Connolley, J. King, L. Frey, N. Thomason, P. Bartlett, T. McGee.

For John H. Kinsie: T. Wilson, Bemsley Huntoon.

SIXTH WARD. For William B. Ogden: James West, Will- iam Lill, P. Campbell, John Censure, E. Flosser, J. Zoliski, I .. Barber, E. T. Ward, J. Kennedy, Robert Shepherd, J. M. Baxley, J. S. Wheeler, J. Godlin, J. Tracey, J. Mills, A. Hall, W. Burns, Thomas Cody, J. Miller, Pattieson Nickalls, E. N. Churchill, B. F. Hall, J. N. Hayes, Morgan Shapley, S. Gifford, William V. Smith, D. Drummond, V. B. Keith, D. Bucknell, A. Hoofmin, H. A. Pardee, F. Carroll, John Turner, G. Pardee, F. Freman. J. Tornee, C. Conner, William B. Egan, William Harmon, N. I. Brown, P. Hadley, E. S. Kimberly, Cholson Kercheval, S. D. Pierce, E. Cammock, E. Suil. S. Jackson, L. Hunt, W. Sabine, Hiram Pearsous, John Allen, J. L. Campbell, W. Boyden, D. Ryan, J. S. Olin, S. Sexton, W. Koas, J. Whorton, W. Arms- strong, J. Vanderbogert, P. Kelsey, J. Ferisu, Ralph Peck, J. Mannerlin, H. O. Stone, Thomas Carroll, P. Baumgarten, C. S. Tibbles, M. Vanderbogert, Francis Kesler, J. T. Betts, T. Sulli- van, D. Callinn.

For John H. Kinsie: Luke Wood, John N. Bronson, Charles Pettit, J. T. Callis, L. G. Osborne, James L. Howe, F. Haugh- ton, J. Stofer, Abijah S. Sperry, Isaac Legg, L. L. Cheeney, J. Grant, M. Clinton, B. D. Wheeler, Alonzo C. Wood, W. B. Plumb, Robert A. Kinzie, B. Emerson, Christopher H. Berkin- bile, Grant Goodrich, Walter L. Newberry, J. T. Hinsdale, Lewis C. Kercheval, Josiah E. McClure, John B. F. Russell, T. Green- wood, Gurdon S. Hubbard, J. Crawford, M. Miller, S. Northrup, P. Cable, Buckner S. Morris, A. Overhart, I. Forcht, A. Spoor, George Legg, T. Barnum, N. R. Norton, S. Akers, W. Sterns. S. Smith, T. Shepherd, W. A. Thompson, Charles Harding, Thomas Wilson, A. Cole, H. Warren, S. M. Greenwood, Henry G. Hubbard, J. Nesbit, C. Ford, A. Hubbard, D. Credeo, E. C. Brackett, J. Schrider, J. Magger, G. Wills, J. L. Chandler, A. C. Hamilton, J. Soother, W. Anderson, J. Brown, J. Lampman, G. Frost, P. Butler, W. Halpin, C. F. How, W. Carrivan, E. Farr, F. German.

TOTAL VOTES IN CHICAGO IN 1837 BY WARDS:

First Ward. .170

Second Ward. .238

Third Ward. .138

Fourth Ward 59

Fifth Ward. 60

Sixth Ward. 144

Total. 709

TOTAL VOTES IN CHICAGO IN 1837 BY DIVISIONS : South Side .408

West Side. 97

North Side. 204

Total 709

The ticket elected was as follows : Mayor-William B. Ogden; Aldermen-J. C. Goodhue, Francis C. Sher- man, First Ward; John S. C. Hogan, Peter Bolles. Second Ward; J. D. Caton, Third Ward; A. Pierce. Francis H. Taylor, Fourth Ward; B. Ward, Fifth Ward; S. Jackson, Hiram Pearsons, Sixth Ward.

THE MUNICIPALITY .- By the charter of March 4. 1837, under which Chicago was first organized as a city, the elective officers were a mayor, board of aldermen, one clerk, one treasurer and six assessors. The annual election was fixed for the first Tuesday in March. The royalty of power was fixed in a common council, who were authorized to appoint constables, street commi -- sioners, the city surveyor, organized fire companies, a board of health and an educational department. In fact all the departments were but tools in their hands and were expected to obey their orders. The Municipal Court, established by the charter of 1837, was abolished by the act of February 15, 1839, and the actions then pending transferred to the Circuit Court of Cash County. Among other amendments to the charter. .. p-

179

CREATION OF THE CITY.

proved February 27, 1841, was that which created the office of city marshal and made it elective. By the act approved February 16, 1847, the city was divided into nine wards and the aldermen therefrom into two classes, so that one alderman should be elected annually from each ward, and hold his office two years. The of- fices of attorney, treasurer, collector, and surveyor were made elective. One street commissioner and one as- sesssor from the First, Second, Third, and Fourth wards, and a commissioner and an assessor from the Fifth and Sixth, and two other like officers from the remaining wards were provided for.

The Legislature passed an act on February 14, 1851, reducing the charter into smaller compass and creating a board of health. . It also authorized the Council to es- tablish a house of refuge and correction for juvenile of- fenders. The Chicago City Hydraulic Company was incorporated, and a board of water commissioners cre- ated by an act of February 15, 1851. An annual elec- tion was appointed for the first Tuesday of April, 1854. An act amendatory of the act of February 14, 1851, was approved February 28, 1854, which provided that a city marshal should be elected biennially, and also author- ized the Council to elect a superintendent of special as- sessments. The office of superintendent of schools was created by ordinance of June 23, 1854. In June, 1854, the city adopted a new seal-two circles, under which were the words " City of Chicago, incorporated March 4, 1837." Within the inner circle is a shield em- blazoned with a sheaf of grain. Over the shield an in- fant reposes on a sea shell ; at the left is an Indian, with a bow and arrow; on the right a ship in full sail; beneath a scroll inscribed, " Urbs in Horte."

The Board of Sewerage Commissioners was incor- porated by legislative enactment February 14, 1855. By an act of February 14, 1857, rules were laid down for the government of the Reform School, and taxation authorized for its maintenance. The revision of the charter was approved February 18, 1857. By its pro- visions the appointive power was taken from the Coun- cil and conferred upon the Mayor. The change was made necessary as there was a general dissatisfaction over the appointments made by the Council, and it was thought, also, that by this plan, responsibility would be fixed. A treasury department, which had heretofore been merged in the Council, was established, with the City Comptroller at its head. A police court was created, consisting of the justices of the peace already provided for. The Board of Education was made to consist of fifteen School Inspectors, divided into three classes, in- stead of seven members appointed annually by the Coun- cil.

In the foregoing the more important changes in the municipal government have been noticed. For those in detail the reader is referred to the histories of the sev- eral departments which follow.

CHANGES IN CORPORATE LIMITS .- By the charter of March 4, 1837, Chicago was divided into six wards, and its limits fixed as follows : " That district of country in the county of Cook, known as the east half of Section 33, in Township 40, and fractional Section 34, in the same township, the east quarter of Sections 6, 7, 8, 9, and fractional Section 10, excepting the southwest frac- tional quarter of Section 10, occupied as a military post, until the same shall have become private property, frac- tional Section 15, Sections 16, 17, 20, 21, and fractional Section 22, in Township 39 north, Range 14 east, of the third principal meridian." These limits include the territory hounded on the south by Twenty-second Street, on the west by Wood Street, north by North Avenue.

and east by the lake, except a fraction of Section 10, as noted above ; also the ground on the lake shore lying east of Clark Street, extending one-half mile north of North Avenue, since occupied as the old City Cemetery. The city covered about ten square miles of territory. By the act of March 3, 1843, the southeast quarter and the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter, southwest quarter and northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 5, Township 39, Range 14 east, and the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 8, Township 39, Range 14 east, of the third principal meridian, were stricken out of the corporate limits of the city.

February 16, 1847, the city was divided into nine wards and the corporate limits established as follows : " All that part of Township 39 north, Range 14 east of the third principal meridian, which lies north of the north line of Sections 27, 28, 29, and 30 of said town- ship, and the east half of Section 33, in Township 40 north, Range 14, and fractional Section 34, in said Town- ship 40." By this act the limits were extended to West- ern Avenue, taking in all east of Sedgwick Street, be- tween North. Avenue and Fullerton Avenue. About three and a half miles were added to the area. The First, Second, Third and Fourth wards were made to extend from the river to the limits of the city, and the Seventh, Eighth and Ninth from the river north to the extent of the city. February 12, 1853, the city limits were extended north to Fullerton Avenue, south to Thirty-first Street, and from the lake to Halsted Street. This excepted the tract lying west of the North Branch and north of North Avenue (Holstein), and the tract lying west of Halsted and south of the South Branch (Bridgeport). By the above act the city was divided into three divisions, called North, South and West. The territory annexed was added to the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and Seventh wards. The corporate limits of Chicago were extended to Lake Michigan, and one mile from shore by the act of February 28, 1854. February 15, 1857, the city was divided into ten wards, the additional one being taken from the West Division.

THE FIRST CENSUS of the city, taken. after its in- corporation, was that of July 1, 1837. It is as follows :

WARDS.

Under 5 Years of Age.

Over 5, under 21 Years.

21 and over.

Persons of Color.

Male.

Fem.

Male.

Fem.

Male.

Fem.

Male.

Fem.

First.

109

135

444

218

Second

120

148

630

262

Third.

Fourth

IOI

Fifth

135

Sixth

IOI

420

207

244

269 244

381

450/1,800

845 1,800

Totals

513

831

2,645

Males and females, 21 and over . 2,645

Males and females over 5 and under 21 years 831

Males and females under 5 years of age 513

Total white.

.3,989

Total black

Total

+4,066

Sailors belonging to vessels owned here 104

Grand Total. · 4, 170

Town census of IS35 . 3.265

38 1

The census shows that there were: Four warehouses; 398

180

HISTORY OF CHICAGO.

dwellings : 29 dry goods stores ; 5 hardware stores ; 3 drug stores ; 19 grocery and provision stores ; 10 taverns ; 26 groceries ; 17 law- yers' offices ; 5 churches.

THE SALOON BUILDING HALL .- Before referring to those early corporate homes, styled by courtesy "City halls" in former days, a description of a noted edifice is given, because it was used as the first city hall. The structure stood on the southeast corner of Lake and Clark streets, and was erected in 1836 by Captain J. B. F. Russell and G. W. Doan. At that time it was not only the finest hall in Chicago, but was not eclipsed by anything of the kind in the West. In this hall on Monday evening, January 23, 1837, the meeting of a few of the leading citizens of the town was held, for the purpose of preliminary action in procuring a city charter. It was also devoted to public entertain- ments of various kinds, political and religious meetings, concerts, traveling shows, etc. The name of this hall would,

THE SALOON BUILDING.

to the casual reader, appear to connect it with a house of no very good repute; but such an impression would he erroneous. The word "saloon " as applied to this edifice had a very different meaning from what it now has. Its use was synonymous with the French salon, which means literally a grand and spacious hall. Hon. John Wentworth says, in his reminiscences, that when first completed it was the largest and most beautiful hall west of Buffalo. "Here it was," says Mr. Went- worth, "that Stephen A. Douglas made his first speech in Chicago. It was in this hall that the first joint polit- ical discussion was ever had in northern Illinois, in 1838, between Mr. Douglas and his competitor for Con- gress, John T. Stuart." It was at this meeting that one of the citizens, in a speech, became so enthusiastic over the future which, with prophetic vision, he saw in store for the young and growing city, that he made the startling prediction that the child was already born who would live to see Chicago with a population of fifty thousand souls. At once the speaker was greeted with sarcastic, yet good-natured, calls of "Town Lots;" an implication that the orator was interested in Chicago real estate. The first Swedenborgian society organized in Chicago, by J. Y. Scammon, held its meetings in this hall, and in 1839 the congregation of the First Unita- rian Church, worshiped there, with the Rev. Joseph Harrington as pastor .* The Chicago Lyceum q. v. , the first literary and debating society of the city, also met there for a number of years. It was also used, in addition to all these purposes, as a court-room, Judge Drummond holding court in it for a number of years.

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History of Chicago. From the earliest period to the present time, Part 48

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