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 11
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At a meeting of the mechanics of Chicago on May 14, when H. Volk was chairman, it was resolved, "That ten hours be con-
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
sidered sufficient for a day's work;" "That we pledge ourselves to abide by the foregoing resolution." About forty mechanics signed this agreement. In May, 1836, W. B. Archer, acting commis- sioner on the canal, called for forty laborers at $20 per month. They were asked to report to Major Hackleton at his camp near Saganaskee Swamp, twenty miles from Chicago.
A public sale of lots in Calumet was again advertised for June 11, 1836, by E. K. Hubbard, George W. Dole and Lewis Benton- 200 hundred at auction. A survey of that region had been ordered by Congress and was in progress at this time. Roads had been built, streets laid out. Thornton, Athens and Manchester villages had recently sprung into life in that part of the county. , It was declared that canals there were bound to be built-one from Kan- kakee river to the "Calamic" and another from Des Plaines river to the same. It was noted that in that region were Grand Calumet river and Stony, Thorn, Hawk, Deep and Salt creeks. In June, 1836, the canal commissioners offered for sale 571 lots valued at $1,464,900. The Democrat expressed the opinion that this valua- tion was much too high. The amount realized was $1,619,848, with fully $200,000 worth remaining unsold. The land thus offered for sale embraced every alternate section of a tract twenty miles wide and about nine miles long, with the canal in the cen- ter. The sales in Chicago amounted to $386,500. The sale was considered the correct test of the value of Chicago property --- prices being higher than the high valuation of the commissioners. The school commissioner offered at public auction a number of school lots before the canal lots were put on the market, hoping thus to get a better price. The old Steamboat Hotel was renamed American by W. McCorriston. Up to 1836 Chicago en masse had not yet formally celebrated the Fourth of July.
In the spring of 1836 a post route from Chicago to Galena via Elgin was put in operation. In April, 1836, flour was $10 to $12; pork $20 to $22; fresh beef 10 cents per pound; ham 121/2 cents; eggs 37 cents a dozen ; potatoes $1.25 a bushel. On June 8, 1836, Joel Manning, secretary of the canal commissioners, called for 10,000 laborers for the canal; at the same time he offered for sale all the unsold canal lots in Chicago; also the town lots on fractional Section 15-the sale to take place June 20, one-fourth down and the balance in three annual installments at 6 per cent. He said: "Section 15 is a dry ridge commencing near the harbor (at Madison street) and extending south one mile along the shore of Lake Michigan." At a ladies' fair held in the Lake House late in June, 1836, over $2,000 was realized for the construction of a new church. The prosperity of Chicago at all times kindled the envy of every Western city of importance. It was declared in the summer of 1836 that prices of lots were so high that rents would not pay a satisfactory per cent to the owner. The news-
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
papers here refuted this assertion. It was shown that a store and lot on Lake street that sold for $8,000 had rented for $1,000. Other similar instances were cited.
In May, 1836, a mass meeting was held and a committee of fifteen appointed, to prepare a plan for celebrating the commence- ment of work on the canal. R. J. Hamilton was chairman and Giles Spring secretary. The committee were as follows: George W. Dole, W. B. Ogden, Ashbel Steele, F. C. Sherman, Francis Peyton, J. B. F. Russell, R. J. Hamilton, L. T. Jamison, Hiram Hugunin, J. B. Campbell, J. E. McClure, Gholson Kercheval, J. H. Kinzie, Giles Spring and N. J. Brown. At eleven a. m. on July 4, 1836, the steamboat "Chicago," loaded with people, left the bridge at Dearborn street and moved up the river, followed by the schooners "Sea Serpent" and "Llewellyn" and other lighter craft, drawn by horses. It was a beautiful day and music added to the attractiveness and joy .. Upon the arrival at Canalport the large assemblage first listened to the reading of the Declaration of Independence by Judge Smith and then to a suitable address by Dr. W. B. Egan, orator of the day. This ceremony occurred at Canalport. The crowd then marched to where the excavation had been commenced and there Colonel Archer, acting commis- sioner, delivered a short address and then broke ground amid the cheers of the spectators. Short speeches by Judges Smith and Brown of the Supreme Court were then delivered. G. S. Hubbard also spoke. The American of July 9 said: "Colonel Hubbard in an impressive manner contrasted the condition of this place and the northern part of Illinois, eighteen years ago, when he first ascended the Chicago river in a canoe." After a sumptuous dinner served to all by a special committee, the assem- blage returned to their homes. The American said: "The steam- boat Chicago, on her way down, was assailed by a small corps of Irishmen, who, stationing themselves at the stone quarry on the banks of the river, showered full vollies of stones amid the thick crowd of ladies and gentlemen on the upper deck. The order , was immediately given to land. Some fifty passengers leaped ashore, some with bludgeons and to some furor arma ministrat. The assailants were soon led, covered with blood and wounds, captive to the boat, where they were safely lodged in the hold and brought into town."
In July, 1836, the sum of $120,000 was subscribed in one day by a few citizens of Chicago, to be used in building the steamboat "Illinois," the construction to be by Captain Case of Buffalo. Early in August, James M. Strode became register of the land office here. During July and August the authorities effected large improvements in grading, sidewalks, filling, etc. The canal lots which were forfeited were resold September 5, and brought less than the appraisement. The times were dull. Late
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
in August, 1836, $61,000 was paid here in amnities to Indians. In the fall of 1836 it was noted that citizens at their own expense put down sidewalks in front of their own residences.
A city charter began to be talked about as early as August, 1836, and began urgently to be demanded in September. The Northern Baptist association was held here on September 21. About this time, day after day, the sky was black with countless wild pigeons and the roar of their wings was incessant. They were shot by everybody, but it made no difference in the number or the ranks. The people sang :
"When I can shoot my riffe clear, At pigeons in the skies, I'll bid farewell to every fear, And live on good pot-pies."
"Everything in and about Chicago presents an appearance of bustle and business never before witnessed on the shores of Lake Michigan. Our harbor is filled with shipping, an average of from twenty to thirty being discharged here every day for two or three weeks past. Occasionally we have had two or three of the largest steamboats from the lower lakes lying at the pier together. The only limit to the building and improvement of every kind is the supply of labor and materials. Everything connected with labor and materials bears an exorbitant price, and the most important building materials cannot be procured at any price. Fifteen minutes' walk in our streets or a single look at our harbor and wharves and into our stores would be sufficient to remove the doubts of the most skeptical as to the present business and future growth and prosperity of Chicago."-(Democrat, June 29, 1836. ) "The citizens of the town of Chicago remained idle observers of that day (Fourth of July) on which half a century since our fore- fathers staked their lives, their honor and their fortunes for the purchase of liberty."-(Democrat, July 6, 1836.) "The whole number of lots to be offered is 571, which are valued by the com- missioners at $1,464,900. We think the valuation in general much too high and are strong in the belief that a considerable portion will remain unsold for this cause." Reference was made to a sale of lots by the canal commissioners. "The amount of sales of the lands by the board of canal commissioners, lying in the Original Town and on fractional Section 15 adjoining, aggregates the sum of $1,619,848. There still remain unsold, as estimated, lots to the amount of $200,000, making, with the interest that will accrue, nearly $2,000,000 which will be realized by the sale of the lots in the town of Chicago alone towards completing the Illinois and Michigan canal. With these prospects, who will longer doubt of the utility of at once commencing a ship canal?"-( Democrat, July 13, 1836.)
A traveling circus here in September was crowded to suf-
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
focation afternoon and evening. During a terrible gale Octo- ber 3, 1836, vessels in and off Chicago harbor suffered an estimated loss of from $150,000 to $200,000. All vessels at the pier were more or less damaged. The schooner "Van Buren" was wrecked and ruined; the "Harrison" was seriously damaged; the "Celeste" was dashed ashore and greatly damaged; the "Erie" the same; the barque "Detroit" was badly damaged; the schooner "Sea Ser- pent" was totally wrecked; the sloop "Clarisa" was damaged, etc. "For the above pithy epitome of losses we may thank the Twenty- third Congress of the United States. Instead of appropriating funds for the completion of the harbor, at an early stage of the session, they frittered away their time in fruitless discussions, and at the very last moment of the session voted us about one-half the amount asked for and required. For many weeks, by good work- ing weather, affairs remained in statu quo, and now when our harbor ought to be accessible, and as safe as any in the country, our merchants are made to sustain tremendous losses on account of the inactivity of our servants in Congress. The case admits of no apology-of no palliation. It is the result of gross and unpardonable negligence."-(American, October 8, 1836.)
"Court House .- The citizens of this place feel severely the want of a proper place for holding court. Hitherto we have been in- debted to the courtesy of the trustees of our churches for the accommodations of the circuit court. . . We are happy to learn that it is in contemplation to apply to the next Legislature for an appropriation toward accomplishing the object in question in a manner worth the splendid prospects of our growing town. In con- nection with this subject we would suggest that a lot fronting on the public square should be purchased for the purpose. The system now adopted of placing the public buildings on the ground set apart for the square appears very narrow and in bad taste. The Record office, the jail, the alms house and the engine house already dis- figure this ground, and a few more public buildings would com- pletely shut it out from view. We trust, therefore, that the new building may be an ornament, not an eye sore." -- (American, Octo- ber 15, 1836.)
In October, 1836, three newspapers were conducted here- Democrat, American and Commercial Advertiser. The Illinois Packet Boat company was in operation here in October, 1836. In November the Chicago Lyceum resumed its debates. In Novem- ber, it having been proposed to form a new county with the Naper settlement as a nucleus, the newspapers and citizens vigorously opposed any further division of Cook county. Late in 1836 Lyman Gage erected a steam flouring mill on the South branch about one hundred rods above the Randolph street bridge.
"Mr. Editor: Would it not be desirable for the trustees of this flourishing place to construct foot bridges at the intersection of the
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
principal streets, or declaring their design to leave them as they now are, give some of our enterprising citizens an opportunity of applying for licenses to establish ferries at the different routes of intersection ?"-(Jotham in Chicago American, November 12, 1836.) "In 1836 the most notable structures erected were Steele's block of four-story brick stores on Lake street; Harmon & Loomis' block of four-story brick stores on Water street; the Episcopal brick church; some ten or twenty fine two to four story brick stores in various parts of the town; about twenty large two and three story wooden stores; a steam flouring mill with two run of stone; from 100 to 150 dwellings of all descriptions, from the humble wooden cottage to the splendid brick mansion;" the streets were thoroughly turnpiked .- (American, December 10, 1836.) "In 1833 there were but four arrivals from the lower lakes-two brigs and two schooners, say 700 tons. In 1835 there were about 250 arrivals, nearly all of which were schooners, averaging about ninety tons each, or 22,500 tons in all. In 1836 the first arrival was on the 18th of April. From that time to the first of December (226 days) 456 vessels ( forty-nine steamboats, ten ships and barges, twenty-six brigs, 363 schooners and eight sloops) arrived, aggre- gating 57,550 tons. Is there any other town within the borders of our Union which can boast of as large an increase in commerce? We challenge!"-(American, December 10, 1836.)
The canal road extending from Chicago to Joliet cost $40,500. From State street to the Summit the distance was thirteen miles; to the Desplaines-Saganaskee Swamp, twenty-three miles; to Lockport, thirty-two miles; to Joliet, thirty-six and a quarter miles. Late in 1836 the troops were finally withdrawn from Fort Dearborn.
"That the size of the harbor must be increased there can be no doubt. Two ways present themselves to effect this object: One by a breakwater in the lake, thus forming an external harbor; the other that of enlarging the river by excavation."-(Writer in Chicago American, December 10, 1836.) "I went to Chicago a few days since and purchased two barrels of mess pork at the highest price and had them shipped to this place. One of them I sold without opening, the other was sold out by the pound. When the latter barrel was about two-thirds gone, the clerk sold out of it six tails and declared that there were nine left in the barrel. A few days afterwards one of my customers proposed buying the pork for the sake of getting the barrel. I took him into the back store and showed him the barrel. He picked out from one side fifteen tails and said it was enough-he was satisfied. There hav- ing been considerable talk and excitement made about it, we finally concluded to take an inquest over the tails of the deceased, and the next day the neighbors were called in and upon careful exam- ination there were found to be thirty-nine tails left, making in all
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forty-five tails in one barrel of mess pork. Among those there were a great variety, some short and some long, some spindling and some stubbed, many that reached clear round the sides of the barrel, some that would make good whistles, and a few that appeared to have been drove in."-(Ichabod in Milwaukee Adver- tiser, December, 1836.) "New subscribers to Chicago papers are increasing so rapidly that the proprietors have been compelled to borrow paper to satisfy the demand."-(American, February 25, 1837.)
In January, 1837, the steamboat "Illinois" was being built at Newberry's shipyards, Detroit. On January 21, an urgent call was made upon the citizens for a draft of the proposed city char- ter, and they made haste to comply so as to accomplish that object before the Legislature adjourned. Late in 1836 the canal commis- sioners reported that the canal would cost-Summit division, $5,871,325; Middle division, $1,510,957; Western division, $1,- 272,055; total, $8,654,337. The Illinois Central Railway was up for consideration in January, 1837. In January, 1837, an alms- house or poorhouse stood on the public square. In 1837 the appropriation for Chicago harbor was $40,000; for Calumet har- bor $20,000. In February, 1837, the Legislature authorized the formation of a cemetery association here. In March the citizens subscribed $36,000 toward a steamboat to ply between St. Joseph and Chicago. The organization of Rush Medical College in March, 1837, was an important event. In the spring of 1837, William B. Egan was asked to run for Mayor of the new city, but declined. John Wentworth, for many years afterward the most powerful factor in local politics, became the owner of the Democrat in 1837.
"Illinois and Michigan Canal .- Contracts to the amount of about $1,000,000 were made by the commissioners on Saturday last and at about $60,000 less than the estimated prices. Laborers to almost any number can now find employment in the different sec- tions of the line and receive high prices. Several thousand are wanted immediately."-( American, May 27, 1837.)
The Cook county congressional vote in 1838 was: Democrat, 1,324; Whig, 1,032. By act of July 21, 1837, special provision for the sale of canal lands was made. The canal commissioners were authorized to enlarge the natural basin at the confluence of the North and South branches of the Chicago river, and Block 7 of the canal lots in the city of Chicago was reserved from sale for the purpose of exchanging the same for Block 14, which would be removed in the proposed enlargement. Block 14 was appropriated for the uses of the basin. Both blocks were to be appraised and the exchange was to be made if the owners of Block 14 were willing.
On October 26, 1836, the first steps to obtain a city charter were taken. The town before had been divided into three districts.
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
The president of the meeting invited people to select the following three representatives of each district to consider the question : First district, Ebenezer Peck, William Stuart, E. W. Casey; Sec- ond district, J. D. Caton, Mr. Chadwick, W. Forsythe, Third dis- trict, John H. Kinzie, W. L. Newberry, T. W. Smith. These delegates and the board of trustees met November 25, in the trustees' room opposite the Mansion house, and resolved "That it is expedient for the citizens of Chicago to petition the Legislature for a city charter." A commission of five, two members of the board and one from each district, was appointed to prepare a city charter. E. B. Williams, president of the meeting, appointed for District 1, Ebenezer Peck; District 2, J. D. Caton; District 3, T. W. Smith, and also Bolles and Ogden of the board. The com- mittee met December 9, and Ebenezer Peck, Esq., presented the draft for a city charter. It was adopted with some changes and 500 copies were ordered printed. This charter was duly presented to the Legislature and passed by that body on March 4, 1837.
The first election of city officers was held on the first Tuesday of May, 1837, and resulted as follows: Mayor, William B. Ogden; aldermen, First ward, J. C. Goodhue; Second ward, J. S. C. Hogan; Third ward, J. D. Caton; Fourth ward, A. Pierce; Fifth ward, B. Ward; Sixth ward, S. Jackson. John Shrigley was elected high constable at the first meeting of the Council, and Norman B. Judd city attorney. The total vote for Mayor was 703, as follows."-(Democrat, November 30, 1851.)
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PRECINCTS.
W. B. Ogden. 102
65
Second ward
182
61
Third ward. .
21
14
Fourth ward
34
19
Fifth ward
58
2
Sixth ward.
73
72
Totals
470
233
MAYORS OF CHICAGO, 1837-1854.
1837, William B. Ogden.
1846, John P. Chapin.
1838, Buckner S. Morris.
1847, James Curtiss.
1839, Benjamin W. Raymond.
1848, James H. Woodworth.
1840, A. Lloyd.
1849, James H. Woodworth.
1841, Francis C. Sherman.
1850, James Curtiss.
1842, Benjamin W. Raymond.
1851, Walter S. Gurnee.
1843, Augustus Garrett
1852, Walter S. Gurnee.
1844, A. S. Sherman.
1853, C. M. Gray.
1845, Augustus Garrett.
1854, Isaac L. Milliken.
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J. H. Kinzie.
First ward ..
In 1821 fractional Section 10 contained 165.36 acres, and frac- tional Section 15 contained 159.45 acres, both of Township 39 north, Range 14 east, and they were surveyed and platted. On September 30, 1824, the Secretary of War requested the commis- sioner of the general land office to reserve the land occupied by Fort Dearborn. On October 1, the general land office notified the
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Secretary of War that it had directed that a portion of fractional Section 10, Township 39 north, Range 14 east, containing 57.50 acres and "within which Fort Dearborn is situated be reserved from sale for military purposes." On June 6, 1837, the above reservation was surveyed into streets, blocks and lots by Asa F. Bradley, city and county surveyor, under the directions of Mathew Burchard, agent and attorney for the Secretary of War.
The whole of fractional Section 15, Township 39, Range 14, was selected for the Illinois and Michigan canal under the act of March 2, 1827. On February 4, 1837, the surveyor general desig- nated the sandbar as an addition to fractional Sections 10 and 15. This sandbar contained 37.78 acres and was entered by Mark Noble, Sr., and Mark Noble, Jr., on May 31, 1836, but the entries were cancelled and the money refunded. The land belonged to fractional sections 10 and 15. In front of section 10 were 26.17 acres, and in front of Section 15 were 11.61 acres. The survey of the bar was unwarranted .- (House Reports, Forty-fourth Con- gress, first session, Vol. III.)
Fort Dearborn reservation was bounded east by the lake and south by Madison street. A small piece of ground between Madi- son and Randolph, east of Blocks 12 and 15, was called public ground. Michigan avenue, ninety feet wide, was extended through Fort Dearborn addition. In 1839 the public land east of Michigan avenue was nearly eight hundred feet long, fifty feet wide at Ran- dolph and about one hundred feet wide at Madison. In 1852 the land was only 221/2 feet wide at Randolph and nil at Madison. The Illinois Central railway was to occupy a strip 300 feet wide built on piles in front of Sections 10 and 15, providing they would build a breakwater. The inner line of the right of way was located four hundred feet east of the west line of Michigan avenue. The government had no title to the bed of the lake nor to the bed of the river.
On May 2, 1838, the following petition was addressed to Con- gress by the officials of Chicago: "The petition of the Mayor, Al- dermen and citizens of the City of Chicago, in the State of Illinois, respectfully showeth, that the military reservation upon which Fort Dearborn is situated at the mouth of Chicago river being the south fraction of Section 10, Township 39 north, Range 14 east, con- taining about fifty-four acres, has become useless for a military post. Your petitioners further show that the said military reserva- tion adjoins the city of Chicago and its value above the minimum price of government land has been principally occasioned by the enterprise and expenditures of our citizens in building up and improving the city of Chicago. Your petitioners further show that, so far as they are informed. it has been the practice of the general government to grant military sites, which have become useless in the Western states, to the cities or towns within which
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
they are located. Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that an act may be passed granting the said reservation to the corporation of the City of Chicago, or that the said corporation may be allowed to enter the same at the minimum price of public land, and your petitioners will ever pray, etc."
W. B. Ogden, mayor of Chicago.
Ira Corwin,
George Raymond,
Jeremiah Briggs,
Francis Walker,
J. C. Goodhue,
Samuel Greer,
Nichols Wheeler,
Asahel Pierce,
William Briggs,
William H. Stow,
Peter Bolles,
William Wade,
Daniel Breulley,
John S. C. Hogan,
Henry C. West,
Silas Ayers,
John Dean Caton, Samuel Jackson,
John Harrison,
John Ruddiman,
F. C. Sherman,
Thomas Cook, Lemuel Brown,
James Curtis,
Hirman Pearsons, Aldermen.
Jacob Norris,
Julius Wadsworth,
J. M. Coffin,
Joseph L. Hanson,
J. R. Botsford,
Joseph Robbins,
Thomas Whitlock,
Erastus Bowen,
H. G. Loomis,
Leonard Kimball,
John L. Huntington,
C. L. Harmon,
Guild & Durant,
John F. Brown,
H. Loomis,
Oliver Morse,
E. B. Hulbert,
T. G. Wright,
P. F. W. Peck,
J. E. McClure, E. Dunning,
J. Dixon,
Thomas Brook,
W. H. Brown,
B. F. Knapp,
Eli S. Prescott,
Walter Kimball,
E. Doolittle,
D. Bradley,
Henry B. Clarke,
Bynum King,
David Hunter,
E. L. Harmon,
B. A. Berry,
Denison Horton,
Francis Howe,
Henry Clark,
Nathaniel Snell,
C. H. Chapman,
William B. Dodge,
William Otis Snell,
P. MacFarlane,
A. F. Clark,
John M. Smith,
John Shrigley, Robert Jones,
A. E. Fuller,
Peter Jones,
Thomas Reed,
J. Gray,
Edward Fogarty,
John Bates, Jr.,
Stephen F. Gales,
John Baxter,
William B. Noble,
George Blair,
William McCarty,
Robert Heartt,
James McClennan, Jr.,
George Vardon,
John Norton,
George W. Merrill,
H. D. Wing,
Luther Nichols,
E. Reynolds,
J. W. Hooker,'
James M. Smith, Frederick Fisher,
J. M. Ford, E. Higgins,
F. Moseley,
George Ott,
Edward Simmons,
E. D. Ely,
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