History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 97

Author: Andreas, A. T. (Alfred Theodore), 1839-1900
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : A.T. Andreas
Number of Pages: 875

USA > Illinois > Cook County > History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time > Part 97

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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 Harbor 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 $80,000."

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. 1 .. Stewart, W. S. Bennett, F. C. Sherman, P. L. Updike and P. l'age 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 systein 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 r. 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 was applied and brilliant torches flamed on both sides of Lake Street as far as the eye could see, 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 lanips 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."

· See Political History.

+ See History of Railroads.

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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY.

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 no 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 mecting. 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, but 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 low 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 U'nion, 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 clection.

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. uur- 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 'l'ea 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 inte Chicago over the Michigan Central Railroad.

The presidential campaign of the year was a quiet

* See History of Water Works

391

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 l'ayne's spiritual bank went out of siglit; 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 deinanding 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.

July 22, a meeting was held at which the feasibility of connecting the North and South sides by a tunnel under the river was for the first time proposed, dis- cussed, and recommended.

In August the first strike of laborers occurred. Their demand was for a reduction of two hours on the day's labor on each Saturday without reduction of pay. The strike lasted two weeks, during which time work was greatly interfered with, and work generally sus- pended. Their demands were not complied with.

August 9 Knud Iverson was drowned. His death became historic, whether rightfully or not, as a martyr in the cause of truth and honesty.§

August 25, subscriptions began to be received for the relief of yellow fever sufferers at New Orleans. Over $4,000 was collected in one week.

September 5, an attempt was made to assassinate Allan Pinkerton, on Clark Street, near Monroe. He is still (1884) a resident of Chicago.

December 20, an indignation meeting was held to denounce the action of the citizens of Erie, Penn., who had torn up the tracks in that town, as was alleged, to prevent the establishment of a uniform gauge between the Atlantic and Chicago.

1854 .- This was a most turbulent year of excite- ment. In politics the anti-Nebraska broil was at its height. The financial troubles culminated in the sus- pension or winding-up of several banks.

March 8 and 9, a marine convention was held at the rooms of the Chicago Board of Trade. There were present delegates from the Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade of Oswego, Buffalo, Detroit and Mil- waukee. At this meeting the date at which navigation should be declared closed and marine should cease was agreed to be November 30. in each year. A committee was appointed at this meeting to memorialize Congress in favor of the improvement of the St. Clair flats, and

. See Political History.

t See History of Banking.

See Church History, First Norwegian Church.

for national legislation which should make contracts binding between the captains or owners of vessels and their crews.

April 7 occurred a tremendous gale, during which seven vessels were wrecked in the offing of Chicago harbor.

May 17. a "Sabbath Convention " was held in the city, attended by delegates from nearly every Western State. The work of the convention culminated in the passage of resolutions asking additional legislation to enforce the observance of the Christian Sabbath.

May 18, the corner stone of the first Masonic Temple was laid, " on Dearborn Street, between Wash- ington and Randolph streets." There was a very large Masonic demonstration on the occasion. Addresses were delivered by Dr. J. V. Z. Blaney and Dr. W. B. Herrick.

June 5, the Rock Island Railroad was completed to Chicago. The occasion was celebrated by an excursion over the road. The train bore over one thousand invited guests, including many distinguished men of the country. This marks the first railroad connection between the lakes and the Mississippi River.

From June 1 to September 1, the cholera raged so malignantly as to seriously interfere with business The deaths from the disease during the year were reported at 1,424 .*

September 1, Stephen A. Douglas attempted to speak in defense of the recently . enacted Kansas- Nebraska bill. He was prevented by a howling mob, but retired from the scene of disorder undismayed, after vainly essaying to be heard for three hours.t

September 10, an ineffectual attempt was made to arrest a fugitive slave, named Turner, by three persons from Missouri. He escaped, but was fired at by his pursuers. They were arrested, tried for assault with deadly weapons before a Justice, and acquitted for want of evidence.

September 19, George W. Green, a banker, was arrested for the murder of his wife by poison. He was arrested on the complaint of his brother-in-law, F. H. Revell, tried December 19, and subsequently, having been convicted, and awaiting the decisions of the Supreme Court on appeal, committed suicide in jail by poisoning himself, February 18, 1855.

1855 .- The history of the year only records occur- rences of purely local interest. January 25 a most vio- lent snow-storm set in, which, lacking the modern appliances of railroads, caused a complete embargo of railroad traffic until the 7th of February. The great fall of snow stopped the receiving of supplies from the country, and wood, coal not being as yet in use, became so scarce that the Common Council saw fit to take the furnishing of fuel to suffering citizens in charge. On February 15, the city offered wood for sale, "at cost," to families in quantity of not more than one cord at one time to any single family.

The municipal election of March resulted in the total rout of both the known political parties, and the elec- tion of the Know-nothing ticket. The new admistra- tion, as do all new administrations, started in for radical reform. The enforcement of the Sunday law, which had before been a dead letter, was attempted, and a most strenuous crusade inaugurated against the saloons.t Mayor Boone issued a proclamation ordering the saloons closed on Sunday. March 18, they were generally closed in compliance with the proclamation and the city ordi-

* See Sanitary History

+ See Political History.

See Political History.

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nance. Such as violated the law, some twenty saloon- keepers, were arrested on the following day.

March 26, the Common Council increased the license for selling liquor to $300 per annum-no license, even at that high rate, to run longer than to July 1.

April 4, an organization was effected of those opposed to prohibition and high license.

April 21, the day appointed for the trial of those arrested for violation of the Sabbatarian law and for violation of other temperance ordinances, occurred a serious riot, which resulted in the death of one or more of the rioters, and the wounding of several policemen. The rioters were subdued and peace restored under the law .*

April 24, a meeting of citizens was held at which resolutions were passed commending the civil authori- ties for their successful efforts in the interests of law and order during the " late disturbance."

May 30, the railroad to Burlington, Iowa, was opened, and trains took excursionists from Chicago to that town. June 13, a large party of excursionists from Burlington visited Chicago, and were publicly welcomed by the Mayor.

June 4, the vote on prohibition of the liquor traffic, in Chicago was: For prohibition 2,784; against, 4.093. In Cook County the vote was: For prohibition, 3,807; against, 5,182.

September 11, a committee was appointed in every ward of the city to collect donations for the yellow- fever sufferers of Portsmouth and Norfolk, Va. The amount collected and forwarded was over $5,000.

September 18, in the equinoctial storm the brig "Tuscarora" was wrecked off the harbor. The crew were rescued by two life-boats manned by volunteers and commanded by Captain J. A. Napier.

October 9, the State Agricultural Fair was held, for the first time, in Chicago. The grounds were near Blue Island Avenue and Rucker Street, and were bor- dered by the canal. The principal conveyance to the grounds was by canal boats.

October 22, an Old Settlers' Society was organized. On November 3, the by-laws of the society were pub- lished. As finally adopted, persons were eligible to men- bership who resided in Chicago prior to January, 1837. The male children of members, born in Chicago prior to 1837, were also eligible on reaching the age of twenty-one years. Semi-annual meetings were to be held on the third Tuesdays of each November and May, and an annual festival held on the second Tuesday of December. It was also obligatory on members to attend the funerals of fellow-members, and a fund was provided for such as were indigent or distressed. The first officers, as announced in the Democratic Press of November 21, were: President, John H. Kinzie; Vice- President, Colonel R. J. Hamilton; Treasurer, J. Y. Scammon; Secretary, George T. Pearson; committee for annual festival, Gurdon S. Hubbard, John S. Wright, John C. Haines.

December 13, efforts to drive out of circulation the Georgia and Tennessee banks were noted in the papers.t

During December, the date not being known, Flavel Mosely made a public bequest of $1,000, the interest of which was to be devoted to the purchase of school- books for indigent children attending the public schools.

1856 .- The year was one of extreme business activi- ty and political excitement.

January 7, a Kansas aid meeting was held at which * See Political History. + See Article on Banking.

liberal donations were made to aid the free State settlers. May 31, was held on Court Square one of the most memorable and important political meetings ever beld in the city .* At this meeting over $15,000 was subscribed for Kansas. The political excitement culminated in the presidential election which occurred November 4, when the political complexion of the vote of the city was com- pletely revolutionized, the Republicans carrying the city by a good majority. The vote was: Fremont, 6,370; Buchanan, 4.913; Fillmore, 332-total, 11,615. The vote cast was more than double than of four years before.

At this time the fact had been clearly demonstrated that Chicago was destined to become an immense city -the commercial emporium of the great Northwest. The natural level of the grade of the streets was decided to be too low for the permanence of the city or its efficient drainage. Accordingly the level had been estab- lished several feet above that of the old streets as at first laid out. This virtually involved the necessity of raising the structures of the entire city to the established level, and the filling up of many streets to the estab- lished grade. May 26, many land owners opposed to the high grade established on Lake Street, applied to Judge Caton for an injunction, which he refused to grant. The right of the city to change or establish the grade was thus established, and thenceforth the labor of raising the whole builded city began. The work was completed before 1858.+

The local annals of the city were as follows :

In May, steam-tugs first began to ply up and down the river and to tow vessels into the harbor.

Junc 24 the Masonic Temple was dedicated.

August 13, a most destructive fire occurred by which the freight depots of the Michigan Southern and Rock Island railroads were destroyed, together with some twenty freight cars, a large quantity of disembarked freight, and several factories and dwellings adjacent. The loss was estimated at $150,000.

August 25, the schooner " Dean Richmond," from Chicago, left Quebec for a voyage across the Atlantic Ocean with the first cargo of grain from that far western point.

September 19, a most lamentable accident occurred, The Lake House ferry boat, overloaded with passen- gers, capsized, and twelve to fifteen laborers were drowned. The verdict of the coroner's jury was that the victims came to their death from the " imprudence of the people, in rushing in too great numbers upon an unseaworthy boat and taking it from the control of the man in charge of the ferry." The crowd was made up of laborers living on the North Side, hastening to their work on the other side of the river.

October 18, Hough's packing-house, with its con- tents, was destroyed by fire. The loss was over $100,000.

November 21, a tornado passed over the city result- ing in the death of two men and the destruction of prop- erty valued at $50,000.

November 28, the first wooden pavement was laid on Wells Street, between Lake and South Water streets.

December 2, a severe storm occurred. The schooner "Charles Howard " was driven ashore off Lake View. The crew was rescued by a volunteer company in the yawl boat of the " Mohawk," manned by Captain Graw, N. K. Fairbanks, Isaac Walker and Captain Moore.

. See Political History.

+ See Corporate History.

393

ANNALS OF CHICAGO-1837-1857.

1857 .- This year witnessed a pause in the progress of the city, the curtailment of business, and a general breaking up in common with every other commercial community in the country. Several banks suspended, and a score of the leading merchants of the city failed. The specific historic events as chronicled in the news- papers of the day, were as follows :

February 8, there was a big freshet and there were general apprehensions of another flood like that of 1849. The river overflowed its banks, and many parts of the city were submerged.

March 3, at the polls there was much disorder. At the precinct on the corner of Sedgwick and Division streets, Charles Seifurth was killed, and at another pre- cinct George Armour was badly wounded.

April 1, a severe gale occurred in which six vessels were wrecked in the vicinity of Chicago, and fifteen Seamen lost their lives.

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History of Cook County, Illinois From the Earliest Period to the Present Time, Part 97

Author: Andreas, A. T. (Alfred Theodore), 1839-1900 Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago : A.T. Andreas Number of Pages: 875

Author: Andreas, A. T. (Alfred Theodore), 1839-1900
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : A.T. Andreas
Number of Pages: 875