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 14
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"Notwithstanding the decline in the price of wheat, our business continues to be of the most cheering nature. Our merchants sell al- most entirely for cash and at fair profits. Business was never upon so good a footing in this place as it has been for two or three months past. It has been insinuated that much of the trade of Chicago during the past season has been mere speculation. Equally such then has been the business of Buffalo or Boston or any other city of the Union. We venture to say that a thousand dollars would cover all the losses sustained by our citizens during the past season. It is difficult to conceive of any operations- partaking so little of the nature of mere speculation as our own. Substantial bags of wheat are hoisted into our storehouses or placed in the holds of our vessels, and good money is received in return. If this be specu- lation it is such as the shade of the great economist, Benjamin Franklin, itself would indubitably approve. It is perhaps sufficient to say that merchants from different sections of the country are con- stantly moving into and establishing themselves in our city."- (American, October 23, 1841.)
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Perpetual motion was claimed to be invented here in 1841 by Jonathan Bolthead; he showed his machine and it seemed to do what was claimed. On August 16, 2,503 bushels of wheat were received at Chicago storehouses. As a matter of fact the wheat trade of 1841 revived Chicago from the lethargy and despondency suffered at that time. In August the average price paid was about 871/2 cents. On August 30, the price jumped to $1. Teams poured in from 200 miles distance. They came in groups in order to assist one another through mud holes. Sometimes over a score stood in line waiting their turns to unload. On September 3 the price was $1.03. Herds of cattle began to appear here in September for the slaughter. At this time the roads were excellent. On September 8 wheat fell to 95 cents. Work on the harbor had been suspended so long that a sand bar began to form across the entrance and ves- sels found it difficult to pass. On September 11 wheat jumped to $1.10 and 11,000 bushels were bought at an average price of $1.05. The American said: "On the whole it was a week of unusual ex- citement." The Clark street bridge was a godsend at this time; a constant stream of vehicles and pedestrians poured across it all day and far into the night; 131 vehicles crossed in one hour by count. On September 24, upon the arrival of the "Great Western" from Buffalo with news of a big drop in prices wheat fell from 92 cents to 75 cents, but recovered to 85 cents. "Our harbor is now a forest of masts-we counted yesterday forty vessels lying at our wharves; of this number two were steamboats, four brigs, twenty- nine schooners and five sloops."-(American, October 4, 1841.)
It was learned that Billy Caldwell, the Indian chief who cut an important figure here before 1835, died at Council Bluffs on Sep- tember 28, 1841. He was called Sauganash, which was the Pot- tawatomie term for whitemen. On October 23, wheat was 621/2 to 65 cents. The Hydraulic Company offered to furnish the city with water if the latter would remit their water tax; the offer was considered.
"Chicago Fire Guard .- This is a corps which should receive every encouragement from the city authorities and all possible aid from our citizens. It is a most praiseworthy institution. Those gentlemen who were instrumental in its establishment are entitled to the thanks of the community. We fearlessly hazard the asser- tion that in a place that has but few engines, a body of this char- acter is quite as useful as firemen themselves." -- ( American, No- vember 20, 1841.) "Our Harbor .- As the session of Congress ap- proaches it behooves us to take some steps with regard to an appropriation for our harbor. If none be needed at present for the extension of the piers, it is absolutely necessary that some provision be made for dredging the bar, which is already a formidable ob- struction and may become by another season a serious impediment to our commerce."-(American, November 26, 1841.) "That noble
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avenue-Lake street-with South Water street and the cross streets, are thronged continually with sleighs and sleds loaded with pork and thronged to such a degree that a stranger might well suppose we were· holding a fair. We do not embellish when we say that some of our streets are so crowded with teams that it is difficult to pass through them. On these streets, as far as the eye can reach, is a dense mass of teams, men and pork. The wheat business did much for us, but the pork will certainly enable us to save our bacon. we are literally going the whole hog."-( American, December 31, 1841.)
In November, 1841, the Council bought the hydrant already in use and ordered the purchase of five more." The city at this time contracted with the Hydraulic Company for water to be supplied through hydrants in case of fire. The temperance question was an important one here in 1841 ; it was one of the great waves of reform that swept the country in early years. Lecturers thundered from rostrum and pulpit; societies were formed, and hundreds signed the pledge. In January, 1842, the Washingtonians took possession of the city; the Washington Temperance Society, the Chicago Tem- perance Society and the Juvenile Temperance Society were formed. Alcohol was tried for murder in the Methodist Church and con- victed; prosecutors-Goodrich, Manierre, Hamilton, Strode, H. Brown and Ogden; defense-Freer, Huntington, Collins, Butter- field, Phelps and W. H. Brown. Notwithstanding the large num- bers of hogs received here in November, buyers advertised for more, and also for corn. Preemption claimants above the northern Indian boundary line were permitted to come forward in January, 1842, and prove their claims. The newspapers sharply criticised the condition of the city cemetery, saying it was situated on the "sandy and bleak lake shore," was neither fenced nor improved and had no trees nor shrubbery. The citizens held a meeting to devise measures for the improvement of the cemetery. Gale's book store was an early landmark.
The fire department at this time had engine No. 1; engine No. 2; hook and ladder squad; bag and basket squad, and the bucket squad No. 1. The city receipts for the year 1841 were $9,367.63, and actual expenses $4,842.89. The South branch bridge cost $362.84; the Clark street bridge, $667.11; the State street ferry, $28, and the fire department, $177.63. The total city liabilities were $12,233.40, and the resources, $5,323.39. The Mechanic's Institute, organized February 17, 1842, made annual exhibits for many years and did much for the arts and trades. Charles M. Gray was president, David M. Bradley, secretary, and S. J. Sher- wood, treasurer. The first vessel arrival in 1842 was the schooner "Drift," from the Calumet, on March 7. The Council in March, 1842, recommended that the school inspectors select four lots to be set aside until school houses could be built upon them. G. A. O.
Aferry Bosch
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Beaumont was first commissioner for Cook county under the new general bankrupt law. The big wheat trade of 1841 forced buyers here to build large warehouses during the winter of 1841-42. H. Norton erected one on the reservation 100 by 40 feet, and four stories high on the river front and three on the rear; this was regarded as a large structure. The American thus spoke of it:
"It is seen to great advantage from its commanding position and is truly a splendid building, being one of the very best upon the lakes, and constructed in the most substantial manner. The work . in this warehouse will be performed by horses. The wheat, instead of being shipped from it by the usual slow and tardy process, will, after being raised to the upper story by means of elevators not unlike the revolving buckets of the dredging machines, glide thence into the hold of the vessel in double-quick time."-( American, March 18, 1842.)
In his inaugural address B. F. Raymond, mayor, said that "dur- ing the past years the receipts had exceeded the expenditures by about $3,000; that the actual liabilities during the year of the city were $12,233 ; that owing to the hard financial times rigid economy must be exercised; that the amount of city orders then in circula- tion did not exceed the amount of resources in the treasury; that it was not advisable to consider changing the Clark street bridge to Dearborn street; that inquiry should be made as to the wisdom of forming another hook and ladder company, as there was then but one, with two engine companies; that the Hydraulic Company would be ready in May or June to supply water in case of fires; that the desecration of the Sabbath should be discontinued; that upwards of four hundred scholars had received instruction at the free public schools; that while there was on hand $2,500 of the school fund, yet the interest would probably not be sufficient to meet the expenses of the coming year and a small tax might be necessary ; that the greatest want then was "convenient and com- fortable schoolhouses;" that the citizens were to be congratulated "upon the decided and marked improvement in the morals and peace of the city within the past two months, and that this improve- ment you will all recognize and acknowledge at once as produced by the Washingtonian Temperance Society."
The farm known as Cottage Grove situated three and a half miles south of Chicago was advertised for lease in March, 1842. At this time there were about 100,000 bushels of wheat in the warehouses. The city water rates in March, 1842, were as fol- lows: Family of five persons per year, $10; office, store or shop, $6; family of six to nine, $12; family of ten to sixteen, $18; tavern, hotel or public house, $50 to $200; livery stable, $40 to $100; public baths, $50 to $150. The water was to be conveyed from the main pipes to the residences. The steamer "Chesapeake" ar- rived from the lower lakes on March 27, 1842-the earliest arrival
Vol. I-10.
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thus far. It was advertised that a daily and weekly paper, to be called the Quid Nunc, would be started here at this time by William Ellis, Robert Fergus and David D. Griswold. On April 8, 1842, the American said: "We counted yesterday twenty-one vessels lying at our wharves. The larger portion of them were of good size. This, for the season of the year, was altogether an unusual spectacle. It will be found difficult, however, to obtain cargoes, and freights in consequence are low."
The winter of 1841-42 was famous for the moral advancement made here. Three or four temperance societies were conducted; lectures before the Young Men's Association and the Lyceum were delivered, and concerts and socials improved the taste and manners of the people. The music in the schools, public baths, improved streets, city water, better health-all added to the advancement. The American said: "It is a source of high enjoyment to make the contrast between former winters and the one just past." On April 19, all citizens were requested to turn out with shovels and hoes and inclose the public square with fence and a double row of trees.
"The Public Square .- The fence around the public square on Clark street stands like a good many politicians we wot of, but half whitewashed, notwithstanding the ardor with which the work was commenced. We hope that faithful public servant, Henry Brown, Esq., will not remit his exertions until he has fully carried out his original designs with regard to this matter. To that gentleman belongs the credit of a great public improvement by far too long neglected."-(American, May 5, 1842.)
In May, 1842, J. Y. Scammon and William H. Davis petitioned the City Council to permit them to cultivate the vacant ground on the public square, and their prayer was granted. At this time the Council viewed and surveyed a road extending up the North branch-presumably Milwaukee avenue. The Council met in Mrs. Chapman's rooms at this date. The act of February 10, 1837, granted a tract of land to Chicago for burial purposes, providing the city should have the right to purchase for such purpose the east half, southeast quarter, Section 33, Township 40 north, Range 14 east. In May, 1842, it was resolved "to pay the state what said tract should be valued at whenever the canal lands in the vicin- ity of Chicago should be offered for sale." After May 5, 1842, no person could run a ferry on the Chicago river or its branches without a license. At this time there was much excitement here over exhibitions of animal magnetism, since called hypnotism; it is amusing to read the press comments. On May 16, the citizens held a public meeting to raise funds with which to dredge the harbor. At that date the "Great Western" and the "Wisconsin" could not, did not dare, come in, and so were anchored outside. Vessels entering the river adopted the custom of backing in to
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avoid having to turn when coming out; they had rudders at the bows. The American, May 24, said: "Much to the gratification of our citizens, the works of the Chicago Hydraulic Company are at last in successful operation." "Our Port .- The time has arrived, beyond all question, when Chicago should be made a port of entry. We trust that our representative in Congress, the Hon. John T. Stuart, in particular, will give especial attention to this matter. Our commerce is so rapidly increasing, and is even now so great that there is nothing to excuse the slightest delay. The third port in rank on the lakes should hardly be overlooked. In addition to the very considerable number of arrivals and clearances at and from this port daily during the season of navigation, it must be borne in mind that vessels of the largest class are owned by our citizens and that our flourishing business renders it certain that the number owned by them must increase every year."-( American, May 25, 1842.)
"Chicago Harbor .- The channel at the entrance of our harbor has been so plainly marked out by buoys located by Mr. N. Scran- ton, that mariners who carefully observe them cannot fail to avoid the bar."-( American, June 7, 1842.) "The commencement and completion of the Hydraulic works was regarded by many as a hazardous experiment. It is a great public improvement and has already proved to be of decided utility. We notice that the water as drawn from the faucets is decidedly pure and transparent. The whole outlay of the company has been about $24,000. A large two- story brick building has been erected, with a pier running into the lake. The steam engine is twenty-five horsepower. The working barrel of the pump is fourteen inches in diameter and forty-four inch stroke, double action. The suction pipe-the pipe by which the water is drawn from the lake-is also fourteen inches in diameter . and 320 feet in length. The pump raises upwards of twenty-five barrels of water per minute, thirty-five feet above the level of the lake. There are two reservoirs, each of the capacity of 1,250 bar- rels, only one of which is complete. A space of about fifty minutes is required to fill a reservoir-equivalent, of course, to raising 1,250 barrels in fifty minutes. The reservoir is of sufficient elevation to throw the water into the second story of any building in the city. About two miles in length of pipe are now laid down. The ma- chinist who made the system successful is Ira Miltimore."-(Amer- ican, June, 1842.)
"The dredging machine is now actively in operation between the piers under the direction of Captain Leavenworth, and it can- not be long before we shall have a good and safe channel in that part of our harbor. It is due to our public spirited citizens to say that the expense of this vital improvement is solely defrayed by them. Congress contributed nothing toward it."-( American, June 25, 1842.) "Wool .- This may be considered the first season
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in which wool of Illinois growth has been brought to this market. A trifling quantity was exported from Chicago last year. In this season up to the present time four or five thousand pounds have been received, and we perceive that the quantity brought in by our farmers is gradually increasing. A woolen factory has recently been erected at the village of St. Charles, on Fox river. B. W. Raymond & Co., of this city, pay precisely the same prices for wool that are paid at the East. The prices are as follows: Native quarter blood, 18 to 20 cents ; half to three-quarters blood, 23 to 28 cents; full blood, 30 to 32 cents; three-quarters to full blood Sax- ony, 33 to 38 cents."-(American, June 27, 1842.) "Travelers .- Our city is now thronged with travelers both from the East and South, more especially, however, from the latter. Summer has
come at last. Chicago itself is a place where the traveler may pleasantly sojourn if he be so inclined. We have good hotels, fine vehicles, fine baths, good churches, well filled stores, amusements, incident, pretty women, intelligence, choice spirits-in a word, all the appurtenances of a great city-in fact, we are New York in miniature."-(American, June 28, 1842.)
"All interested in the prosperity of Chicago will not soon forget that while President, Mr. Van Buren ordered the sale of the pile- driver and other machines and utensils employed in the construc- tion of the piers, thus declaring in the most unequivocal terms, that he was opposed to the construction of an artificial harbor at this place. Those machines, as it is well known, were sold for a mere song. Mr. Van Buren gave further evidence of his regard for the interests of the West by ordering other like disgraceful proceedings at other points on the lakes. The people of the West remembered these things in the Tippecanoe campaign."-( Amer- ican, July 19, 1842.)
Sauganash hotel was at East Water and Lake streets; United States hotel at Wolf Point, near the Randolph street bridge; City hotel, corner Clark and Randolph. The steamer "Great Western," Captain Walker's band on board, advertised a two-hour excursion at 50 cents, to raise funds for the improvement of the harbor. Great complaint concerning the condition of the harbor was made in June, 1842; two vessels were lying outside stranded. Flying before heavy winds from the north, vessels had to make Chicago harbor or be dashed on the shore. On June 10, 1842, wheat was 92 to 98 cents. The steamer "Huron" plied regularly between St. Joseph and Chicago in June, 1842-fare, $3. To go to Detroit --- first by boat to St. Joseph, thence by stage to Jackson, thence by rail to Detroit-fare, $12. The big first-class steamers here in June, 1842, were: "Chesapeake," Captain Howe; "Madison," Captain Fagden; "Wisconsin," Captain Randall; "Great Western," Captain Walker; "Bunker Hill," Captain Nickerson; "Missouri," Captain Wilkins; "Illinois," Captain Allen; "De Witt Clinton,"
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Captain Squiers. All were combined freight and passenger boats of from 550 to 800 tons burden, and all made Buffalo. Ex-Presi- dent Van Buren was fittingly received here in June, 1842. In his welcoming speech Mayor Raymond referred to the fact that Con- gress had neglected to provide for the completion of the harbor; Mr. Van Buren had nothing to say in answer. The first issue of the Quid Nunc, a neutral newspaper edited by D. S. Griswold, ap- peared July 4, 1842. N. Scranton, August, 1841, after an expense of $300, began to run his ferry across the Chicago river; he stated in July, 1842, that thus far it had not made expenses and that he would be compelled to cease operating it if his license were not reduced to $100 per year and he be permitted to charge one cent toll for each person except ladies. He built a pleasure boat called "Commodore Blake." In July, 1842, Alexander Stuart sold the American to Buckner S. Morris; W. W. Brackett remained its editor. "Wheat .- About 200,000 bushels of wheat have been ex- ported from this city since the opening of navigation of the present season. They have been accompanied by large quantities of oats, corn, hides and flour and a considerable quantity of wool."-(Amer- ican, July 23, 1842.) The Michigan Central was built from De- troit to Ypsilanti in 1842; by 1847 it had reached Kalamazoo and the track was laid with strap iron. In 1847 it was completed to New Buffalo, and in 1852 reached Chicago.
"Sales of the Chicago Land Office .-- About 115,000 acres of land were sold at our land office in May and June last. Those lands were all within comparatively a few miles of Chicago. Of this large amount not one acre was purchased by a speculator. The whole of it was entered by farmers with the exception of perhaps a few tracts bought by individuals living in the city, but never- theless to be devoted to farming purposes. Eight or ten years only have passed since these tracts were portions of an absolute wilderness, the abode of the red men and cheerless in all but its luxuriant vegetation to the white. How marked the contrast now." (American, August 5, 1842.) "Wheat .- Our streets have been pretty well filled with wheat wagons today. Large arrivals are anticipated, notwithstanding the low prices. The receipts this morning were about 4,000 bushels. A large number of vessels are lying in port waiting for cargoes and business generally is some- what more animated than it has yet been this season."- ( Amer- ican, August 15, 1842.) "Our wheat trade is again under way. Prairie schooners from all parts of the country are bringing in their rich freights; clouds of dust herald their approach from afar and in all directions. Many of the Hoosier teams are provided with bells suspended from an arch or otherwise after the manner of Russia. Trains of from thirteen to twenty wagons are now familiar spectacles. We noticed sixty-two wagons with their white tops yesterday afternoon in one encampment. We understand that
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a train of eighty wagons loaded with wheat and apples is on its way to this city."-( American, August 22, 1842.)
"Wheat .- Though the price of wheat is lower than it has been we are doing an excellent business in this line. More wheat is being brought to this market than there ever has been before. Seven thousand and thirty-eight bushels were received into our warehouses on yesterday, and our daily receipts cannot be very far from this amount. This quantity is no doubt the largest ever brought into the city in one day."-(American, September 6, 1842.)
In 1842 nine steamboats of the largest class plied between Buf- falo and Chicago. There were eight common schools, six or seven private schools and eight organized churches here. A new wooden hydrant on Clark street, in August, 1842, was considered better than the old brick one. At this date plank sidewalks were being built in all parts of the city; often the authorities put them down and assessed the cost to the owners. Late in August wheat was only 60 to 65 cents. The market was full of apples and peaches. Prof. Morse's new and wonderful telegraph attracted attention here in August ; its vast importance was recognized and commented upon. From August 28 to September 2 the wheat receipts fell off vastly-the price was not attractive-62 cents. A turnpike was to be constructed from Chicago to Berry's Point and the Sand Ridge toward the Des Plaines river. By September 19 wheat had fallen to 50 cents-receipts, from 5,000 to 7,000 bushels daily. In the American of September 29, 1842, is an account of the duel between Abraham Lincoln and James Shields. W. W. Brackett withdrew as editor of the American October 8, 1842; B. S. Morris, owner, announced that if he could not sell the paper within two weeks he would discontinue it; not succeeding, it was stopped.
"Chicago to Detroit .- Through in thirty-nine hours (running time) by the Central Railroad Mail Line, being thirty-six hours quicker than by the lake route. The steamboat will leave Chicago daily (Sunday excepted) at 8 o'clock A. M., arriving at St. Joseph, sixty miles, at 4 P. M. same day; leave St. Joseph at 5 P. M., in coaches, arrive at Jackson at 7 P. M. next day; leave Jackson on railroad cars at 8 A. M. and arrive at Detroit, eighty miles, at 2 P. M. On arriving at St. Joseph from Detroit passengers go on board a steamboat, which brings them to Chicago, thus avoiding any delay at St. Joseph. This route was established at great ex- pense in 1842 and its success warrants the proprietors in extending the facilities for 1843." "This sounds strange to those of our readers who are accustomed to step into luxurious coaches in Chicago at night and awake in Detroit in the morning."-( An- nual Review of Chicago, January, 1856.)
Under the act of March 4, 1843, it was provided that the act to open a new street in Chicago should not be construed to affect the
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rights of the state or of the canal fund to the strip of land lying south of North Water street and the Chicago river, commonly known as the wharfing privileges, nor prevent the state or the city from excavating its banks, nor in any way affect the title of the state or canal fund to the land or lots lying south of said street and between it and the river.
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