USA > Illinois > Cook County > History of Cook County, Illinois : being a general survey of Cook County history, including a condensed history of Chicago and special account of districts outside the city limits : from the earliest settlement to the present time, volume I > Part 10
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The census of November, 1835, showed that Chicago had a population of 3,279. There were here 44 dry goods, hardware and grocery stores; 2 of books, 4 druggists, 2 silversmiths and jewelers, 2 tin and copper factories, 2 printing offices-Democrat and American; 1 steam saw-mill, 2 breweries, 1 iron foundry, 4
116
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
storage and forwarding houses, 8 taverns, 1 lottery office, 1 bank, 5 churches, 7 schools, 22 lawyers, 14 physicians, a lyceum and reading-room. During 1835 nine brick buildings were erected, among which was a tavern three stories high, and a county clerk's office. The foundations of two churches (Episcopal and Baptist) were laid, but could not be completed for want of material, which ran short. The Democrat said on December 9: "It is well known that the reason why a greater number of brick buildings were not erected the last season was owing to the want of materials of a proper quality." In 1835 Congress was petitioned to build a harbor at Calumet. The lot at the corner of South Water and Dearborn streets, called "Dole's Corner," was sold in December, 1835, for $25,000. In the preceding March it had been sold for $9,000. For Hogan's block $100,000 was offered and refused in December, 1835. As late as December 30, the prairies around Chicago were still burning. A young Men's Temperance Society was organized December 19, with Thomas Wright president. On December 30, flour was $12 a barrel; salt, $7.50; corn, $1.25; wheat, $1 to $1.25. In December, 1835, the residents of Joliet petitioned for a division of Cook county-wanted a new one, to be called Will.
At the close of 1835 the piers forming the artificial harbor had been extended nearly 500 feet, enclosing a channel 200 feet wide, varying from three to seven feet deep. "In their present incom- plete state (the piers) great protection has been afforded to the increasing commerce of the place, and as many as five schooners have at one time discharged their cargoes under their shelter. Since the opening of navigation to the 30th of September, upwards of two hundred vessels have arrived at this port."-(Democrat, January 13, 1836.) "From a circular published in the Alton Spectator, we learn that the number of wagons to the upper Wabash from Chicago, freighted with dry goods and groceries, during the past year (1835) amounts to 2,000."-(Democrat, December 30, 1835.) 'A lot fronting one hundred feet on Dearborn street, about fifty-five feet deep next the corner of Water street, was sold a few days since for $11,000."-(American, October 17, 1835.) "Five hundred barrels of flour were received here this week by the way of the lakes by Newberry & Dole, every one of which was sold to the citizens before it was removed from the wharf for $9 per barrel. It is a fact creditable to the proprietors that they re- fused $9.50 per barrel by the quantity, laudably preferring to afford it to those who wished it for domestic purposes at $9, than by put- ting $2.50 more into their pockets and subjecting the citizens to the necessity of paying $10."-(American, November 14, 1835.)
The bridges were unwieldy-were mostly floats sliding to one side to admit vessels. On Lake and Randolph streets were consid- erable grading and macadamizing. The water works consisted of a hogshead on wheels, with a faucet for buckets and a price to the
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
driver. In 1836 the exports were $1,000; imports, $325,203 ; they were little in 1835, and nothing before 1835. The Legislature granted Chicago the right to borrow $50,000, but the branch of the state bank here refused to loan. William B. Ogden, for the town, tried elsewhere, but could not raise the cash.
"The amount of business transacted by the merchants of Chi- cago this season is among the multiplying evidence of our pros- perity. There are those who call Chicago a fiction and her realities ideals. It is estimated by good judges that the amount of capital invested in goods purchased at the East during the present season and sold here, and still selling, is $600,000. There are forty dry goods merchants and druggists, many of whom have been trading upon a capital of $20,000, and some $30,000. Add to this $200,000 as the amount of produce and other articles not before included passing through their hands and we have a sum total of $800,000." -(American, November 28, 1835.) "Masons and bricklayers will be wanted in any number next season in Chicago. Brickmakers, in particular, as the present scarcity of brick is a great obstacle to builders. Three brick churches and many large brick stores are to be built next summer."-( American, November 28, 1835.) "The number of arrivals of vessels and steamboats in Chicago from the opening of navigation this season to the 26th of November is 235. Last season, as near as we can recollect, it was 176. The vessels this year have doubled the burden of last year. And our store- houses show that the amount of tonnage received this season ex- ceeds by more than five times the amount of last year."-(Ameri- can, December 5, 1835.)
"A fire or two more is necessary for the benefit of Chicago. Nothing is done toward preparing for the protection of the town. The engines ordered by the corporation, of course, cannot be here till next year, and no efforts are made, as we understand, to fit and man the one already in town, for use in a sudden emergency. Why is not the fire company in preparation and training for ser- vice? What has become of the hook and ladder company ?" --- (American, December 12, 1835.)
"Our citizens look forward with considerable anxiety to the action of Congress upon their petition to obtain a grant of the site of Fort Dearborn. It becomes them to keep an eye upon this matter, as the present claimant has sold to a large number of indi- viduals here and elsewhere, who will not remain inactive while there remains the least hope of success. Judging from the past policy of the Government as regards reservations, its freedom from debt, the importance of Chicago, and the real injury she has sus- tained by the withholding from market the canal lands and the reservation itself, we have but little doubt of our corporation ob- taining it. The value of the reservation can be of but little con- sideration with the Government, while it would be of the utmost
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
importance to Chicago. By the way, what has become of the memorial to Congress?"-(Democrat, December 9, 1835.)
"Colonel Beaubien, the claimant and occupant of the 'land,' was emphatically the 'pioneer' of this youthful city, which has sprung up as if by the act of the necromancer to its present unparalleled prosperity. No collateral considerations of public convenience or common weal should be suffered to meddle with the intrinsic merits of his title. And surely the accidental value and importance of the land which is acknowledged to be owing to the enterprise of our citizens should not be urged as an objection against the strong claim of an individual who was enduring the privations and gloom of that wilderness when it commenced its transit into the present Chicago. Appeals to public interest and public power are always formidable and often hazard, if not forever bar, the most valid rights of individuals; and private prosperity is thus often sacrificed on the rapacious altar of public aggrandisement. As the claim of Colonel Beaubien is contested, the strict and uncompromising prin- ciples of law should prevail and shut out all extraneous consid- erations."-(Correspondent in Chicago Democrat, December 16, 1835.)
The following points were discussed in a reply in the Chicago American to the claims of Colonel Beaubien to the Fort Dearborn Reservation : That the citizens had no controversy with Colonel Beaubien ; that his claim was a question between him and the Gov- ernment; that the evidence in the case was sufficient to satisfy any- one that his claim would not be allowed; that the tract as early as 1824 had been reserved by the Government for military purposes; that several attempts had been made before by Colonel Beaubien to claim the tract, both at Palestine and later at Danville, but the claim had been rejected; that Colonel Beaubien, by counsel, had applied to the district court of the United States for the district of Illinois for a writ of mandamus, requiring the land officers at Dan- ville to show good and sufficient cause why his preemption claims should not be granted; that the refusal of the land officers had been sustained by the court; that the notoriety of the fact that this portion was a reservation was the occasion of not giving ex- press instructions to the officers at Chicago when this land district was detached from Danville; that this was not a controversy where public good was brought to overpower private interest, because the Government owned the land and Colonel Beaubien did not, nor had the right of preemption, though he occupied the land, as the tract was a reservation; that therefore the citizens did not ask for the grant in preference to Colonel Beaubien, but asked it from the Government, whose property it was in fact; that in addition the citizens desired the grant as a public good.
By act of January 16, 1836, the Galena & Chicago Union Rail- road Company was incorporated. William Bennett, Thomas
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Drummond, J. C. Goodhue, Peter Semple, J. M. Turner, F. D. Taylor and J. B. Thomas, Jr., were appointed commissioners to receive stock subscriptions. The Chicago Marine and Fire Insur- ance Company was incorporated in 1836.
"We regret to learn that it is probable that the county of Cook is likely to be divided; we say regret because we think it is too soon to divide the county and because we are afraid that it will diminish our political influence in the state. We are told that the new county is to be named Wills."-(Democrat, January 20, 1836.)
"On Wednesday last our citizens received the joyful news that the bill providing for the construction of the Illinois and Michi- gan Canal became a law by a vote of 18 to 7 in the Senate, and 38 to 16 in the House. The town was immediately illuminated and guns were fired at intervals during the evening. On Thurs- day at twelve o'clock fifty-six guns were fired in honor of the senators and representatives who had voted for the final passage of the bill. At three o'clock a large number of our citizens with- out distinction to party sat down to a dinner prepared at the Tremont House, where appropriate and patriotic toasts were drank in honor of the joyful event. In the evening a second illumination took place, more brilliant than the first. The whole was closed with a ball at the Sauganash Hotel on Friday evening. We will not attempt to describe the joy that pervaded all classes of our citizens upon receipt of the intelligence that the question was finally disposed of to the satisfaction of all. The canal which had excited public attention for fifteen years was to be commenced and the system of internal improvements in Illinois had received a new impulse which was to render her a great and powerful state. The cares, labors, anxieties and disappointments of the past were forgotten in the joyful anticipations of the future and the utmost hopes and expectations of the prosperity of Chicago were to be realized. And well might our citizens rejoice. To this event they have looked forward with anxiety, as upon it depended the prosperity of their town."-(Democrat, January 20, 1836.)
The Democrat denounced the act approved January 15, 1836, concerning the wharfing privileges at Chicago. "It will be seen from a slight inspection of this law that it aims a deadly blow at the most valuable and important commercial portions of the Original Town of Chicago, while at the same time it basely and wantonly attempts to assail the property and vested rights of the lessees of the wharfing privileges by declaring that all buildings that may be erected between the south line of South Water street and the north line of North Water street shall be considered pub- lic nuisances and liable to be abated. The act professes to give the trustees the power to lease wharfing privileges, while the
1
120
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
proviso declares they shall lease no privilege opposite to the lots owned by individuals or by the state, thus leaving nothing to be leased, or nothing for this power to act or operate upon. The object and design of this law cannot be mistaken. They are too palpable to require comment. This is the second time that this charter has been altered in less than one year without the knowl- edge or consent of the citizens of this town. We know full well that what has been done was caused by the application and management of some four or five of our citizens who have had the hardihood to intermeddle in the private affairs and with the private property of their fellow citizens and to attempt to pros- trate the corporate powers of the town it is feared for unjustifiable and unworthy purposes. It is proper that these gentlemen should be known and their conduct and motives duly understood and duly appreciated. The act which was procured last year and under which the present trustees had leased wharfing privileges was drawn up by John H. Kinzie; and the clause conferring the power to lease was inserted, if not by him, at least with his knowledge and consent. Gurdon S. Hubbard was also privy to it. These gentlemen were then members of the board of trustees and this clause was inserted in order to obviate all doubts which before had existence in reference to the right to lease."-(Demo- crat, February 24, 1836.)
By the act of January 18, 1836, the Chicago Hydraulic Com- pany was incorporated with James B. Campbell, Gholson Kerche- val, Robert A. Kinzie, Richard J. Hamilton, Henry G. Hubbard, David Hunter, Peter Cohen, Ed. W. Casey, Gurdon S. Hubbard, G. W. Dole, John H. Kinzie, William Forsythe and Solomon Wills as corporators. They were authorized to take the necessary steps to supply Chicago with Lake Michigan water-build fountains, reservoirs, lay pipes, conduits, use the streets, etc.
The act of 1835 empowered the trustees to lease the wharfing privileges of the town without restricting the duration. The trustees under the charter prepared to widen the river to 200 feet and to lay off wharfing lots on each side of the river, leaving South Water street and North Water street eighty feet wide. Leases were granted for 999 years. "The present trustees, whose conduct has been so severely censured by certain individuals inter- ested in Kinzie's addition, merely put in operation the machine which had previously been provided for use. It worked well; and had the inventors been permitted by the people of the town to use it to subserve their own purposes, probably no alteration would have been deemed necessary. When, however, they dis- covered that leases were to be given for long periods, by which the lessees would be placed in a condition to compete in some measure with the proprietors in Kinzie's addition by erecting wharves and storehouses on the water, the alarm was sounded.
48
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Original Town of Chicago, 1830.
80 Acres
0.
123
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
The trustees were charged with usurpation, with leasing property which did not belong to the town, with squandering property which had been given to the town, with leasing property which belonged to individuals-which belonged to the state-to the canal fund-to the public at large. And yet these contradictory charges related to the same property. A bill was filed, an injunc- tion served upon the board, and finally the law to lease was repealed under the pretence of amending the charter. Can any unpreju- diced mind mistake these last maneuvers? If no leases could be given, or those only of five years duration, permanent improve- ments would not be made on the lands lying between the river and the north and south lines of South and North Water streets. Business men would thus be forced to seek places where these difficulties did not exist; they would at present be compelled to purchase or lease in Kinzie's addition or go up the Branches above the original town. It has, however, been suggested by way of defense that the health and beauty of the town would be injured by the erection of lines of warehouses along the river. But are not warehouses to be built adjacent to the river on the addition and on the reservation opposite, as also up both Branches? And is not this common in all commercial towns? . The plan adopted by the board contemplated the dredging of the shallow parts near the banks to the depth of ten feet."-(Democrat, March 2, 1836.)
On February 13, 1836, the trustees of Chicago gave notice of the dangerous condition of the bridges' over the Chicago river- would not be responsible for injuries or accidents. A meeting on Des Plaines river at the office of H. Kennicott was held February 27, 1836, to consider building a plank road to Chicago on the county road recently laid out. Richard Steele was chairman and S. M. Salisbury secretary. A committee of seven to circulate a subscription list for the funds necessary was appointed and R. J. Hamilton, J. Filkins, A. I. Walls, E. Haddock, Mark Noble, Jr., and Rufus Scales were appointed to attend the matter. It was "Resolved, That whatever sum of money may be raised by said subscription shall be appropriated for improving said road; and if the sum raised shall not be sufficient to effect the completion of the whole route it shall be laid out in improving the worst places." Chicago was expected to assist.
"Real Estate .- Several large sales in town property have been made during the last two weeks, one of which amounted to $96,- 700, one-fourth of which was paid down. It was predicted last year by many that the prices of Chicago property were higher than they could be sustained, notwithstanding which real estate has been steadily advancing and has been sought after with avidity. The sale of canal lots in June offers the greatest inducements to capitalists for the investment of their money."-(Democrat, April Vol. I-8.
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
27, 1836.) "The canal commissioners have already commenced making the tow-path upon the east side of the South branch. It is truly gratifying to know that this work has commenced. We learn that several individuals have associated themselves together for the purpose of starting a canal packet boat on the river, as soon as the tow-path shall be completed, which it is expected . will be about the 15th or 20th of June."-(Democrat, May 4, 1836.) "Prosperity of Chicago .- The spirit of enterprise is working wonders . in this town. The cutting out and leveling of new streets-the active preparations for extensive building-the spade, the plow and the scraper, daily employed by scores of industrious hands, in making the rough places smooth and the crooked places straight-the piles of lumber lying at intervals waiting for their turn to be moulded into the 'habitations of man,' and all the well- directed attacks upon the remaining features of the wilderness- are signs cheeringly full of the present energy and future great- ness of this young queen of the West."-( American, April 30, 1836.) "Charge Specific .- The mail arrived at the postoffice on last Thursday evening at half past six o'clock and was not opened for delivery until half past eight o'clock on Friday morning, being fourteen hours from the time of its arrival until it was ready for delivery."-(Democrat, May 11, 1836.) "Launch .- The sloop 'Clarisa' was launched on Thursday last (May 12, 1836). As this was the first vessel that was ever built in our harbor, a large num- ber of spectators were present to witness the event."-(Democrat, May 18, 1836.)
"The stores of our merchants, just before the opening of spring navigation, have heretofore generally presented a beggarly account of empty shelves, but we must remark that the amount of stock brought into this town has not been very extensive in comparison with the demand. The growth of Chicago has so wonderfully exceeded the most sanguine expectations that the scale of calcula- tions for the wants of the inhabitants has proved imperfect and contracted. The average cost of transportation from New York is $1.50 per cwt. and the time varies from eighteen to twenty days. The brig 'Indiana' arrived here on the 23rd of May last, bringing goods in seventeen days and a half, including time lost in transshipments, etc. The sales are generally cash, and the payment of debts contracted with our merchants, for the most part, is prompt and certain. Stores and business stands are in great demand. Many goods are sold at wholesale. Nearly all the mercantile establishments of any importance make extensive sales to the traders of the interior and especially from the Wabash, and many country branches are carried on and supplied by Chicago merchants."-(American, July 9, 1836.) "The most prominent nuisance is a pond on Lake street, corner of La Salle, in the very heart of the city, and inhabited by FROGS. It smells strong now.
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Cannot the hole be filled up? If any of the trustees are fond of frog music, they can enjoy a most delicious treat by taking a seat on the doorsteps of this office at the hour of sunset."-(American, July 9, 1836. )
The trustees offered $25 in January, 1836, for the best plans of a drawbridge to be built across the South branch at Randolph. Regular stages ran between Chicago and Detroit. Hiram Pear- sons and Richard J. Hamilton, proprietors, offered 100 lots in Canalport for sale at public auction at Garrett's auction room in January, 1836. Canalport was at the head of navigation of the South branch and at the point where the canal touched the river. The Chicago Athenaeum was organized February, 1836, with R. J. Hamilton president and John H. Kinzie secretary. At this time the citizens held a public meeting and requested the trustees to build a bridge across the river at Randolph street. Work on the canal was advertised to commence in the spring of 1836, greatly to the delight of all Chicago. Sections were then to be let to contractors. David Carver advertised that he would saw lumber to order, and would run a weekly vessel between Chicago and Grand river, Michigan. The Chicago Marine and Fire Insur- ance Company was founded in February, 1836; also the Galena & Chicago Railway. In March, 1836, Captain Tolcott reported that the southernmost point of Lake Michigan was 41 degrees, 37 minutes, 7 seconds north latitude. Claim jumpers gave the preemptioners much trouble at this time.
In April, 1836, the trustees resolved to build two bridges, one at Randolph street and one at Kinzie street. Early in 1836 the canal commissioners laid out fractional Section 15 (south of Madi- son and east of State) into lots and streets, to correspond with others on the school section and the Original Town. Everybody liked Michigan avenue and gave Mr. Archer credit for its design. Sealed proposals for the construction of sections of the canal were called for in April, 1836. The license for a turnpike from Ran- dolph street to Laughton's Ford, on the Des Plaines, was granted in June, 1836. The American announced in March, 1836, a semi- weekly edition soon to be issued, Thomas O. Davis, editor. In May, 1836, John Calhoun offered for sale a one-half interest in the Chicago Democrat. At this time John H. Kinzie lived on the North branch, five miles from Chicago. W. L. May, in Congress, called attention to the fact in the spring of 1836 that during 1835 eight or ten vessels laden with merchandise and produce had been lost on Lake Michigan owing to the lack of suitable harbors. At Chicago he said the sand bar at the mouth of the river was a seri- ous obstacle; a dredging machine costing $12,000 would have to be bought.
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