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 15
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83
In June, 1843, the Chicago Express was conducted by William W. Brackett. In May, 1843, the City Council ordered that there should be no further burials in the old cemetery. At this time the mayor was authorized to borrow $5,000. Much concern regard- ing the attitude of Wisconsin and Milwaukee toward Chicago and ,Illinois was manifested here. Wisconsin saw the growing importance of Chicago and realized that the growth of this city and Illinois would be largely at her expense. Before 1843 she had tried to separate the northern part of Illinois and attach the same to her- self, but had failed. She had endeavored to secure a canal from Green Bay to the Mississippi, but had likewise failed. She now, in 1843, saw with jealous eyes the coming railways, and hence the future commerce of the great West surely and rapidly centering in Chicago, greatly to its own growth and prosperity, but again all her efforts to thwart the inevitable were abortive. She endeavored to secure emigrants by tales of Illinois debts and hard lines. The Express here said on July 1, 1843: "What is still better, these emigrants perfectly understood the motives and designs of the Wis- consin rumors in their damning fabrications with regard to our state debt, etc. The despicable trick now being fully exposed, emi- grants are pouring into the northern part of the state as of yore. We are much gratified ourselves at this, as in addition to other matter, we predicted it before the opening of navigation. Accord- ing to an accurate calculation, we have made, over a thousand emigrants must have arrived at this place during the present week. Nearly every sail vessel brings more or less, in addition to those brought by steamboat and by land."-(Express, July 1, 1843.)
The act of January 21, 1843, provided that so much of the act of 1837, incorporating Chicago as included within the city limits the west half of Section 20, Township 39 north, Range 14 east, should be repealed. Under the act of February 8. 1843, the Com- mon Council of Chicago were authorized to lay out and make Madison street eighty feet wide by taking portions off from the south side of the lots on the north side of the street and by paying the owners for the same.
In May, 1843, a committee of the City Council reported that many wharfing privileges had never been leased; steps to secure a revenue therefrom were taken. Mark Skinner was secretary of the school inspectors in June, 1843. At this time John Wentworth continued to be editor and proprietor of the Chicago Democrat;
.
.
166
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
its motto was "Our Country and Its Settlers." The remaining canal lots sold in October, 1843, brought unusually high prices, showing how the public regarded real estate here. Rush Medical College began to be a power here in October, 1843. On November 6 wheat was 58 to 60 cents, and corn 371/2 cents. Chicago, like all other cities of this period, was forced to remain more or less inact- ive during five or six months of each year, owing to the lack of railways to transport products and supplies during the long winters. It was a condition that forced the whole country to hibernate for a considerable portion of the year, until railways came to remove the restriction and nearly double commercial life. The inspector of this port in 1843 was E. Johnson. From February 25, 1843, to February 14, 1844, there was received from licenses, $1,208; city tax, $7,651.21; cemetery, .$195; dog tax, $27; fines, $118. Among the items of expense were lumber, $86.34; Clark street bridge, $932.36; South branch bridge, $605.13; Elections, $58.50; Council room rent, $85; safe clerk, $80; fire department, $1,460.03; city officers, $1,198.74; printing, $343.17. At this time the liabili- ties of the city were: Orders not canceled, $536.50; orders issued from 1837 to 1840, and probably destroyed, $427.47 ; thus scrip in circulation, $109:03; interest on Clark street bonds, $122.22. The immediate liabilities were: Due Strachan and Scott, $5,000; bonds for Clark street bridge, $3,000; bonds for barrier on the lake shore, $917.62; bonds for city market, $200; total liabilities, $9,367.88. The resources were : Cash in treasury, $1,398.91; due from auc- tioneers, $325; due from cemetery, $431.11 ; due from late munici- pal court, $400; due from A. Clybourn, for market, $66.66; due from J. Curtiss, late city clerk, $92.33; personal tax uncollected, $128.99; from school fund, $33.55; from judgments, $114.
"The City Cemetery .- No act passed by the present council re- flects so much honor upon each of its members separately. as the respect it has shown in its deliberations in regard to the burial of the dead. How the mayor of our city in 1842 could look on and see the coffins of our citizens lying exposed on the top of the ground and their bones bleaching on the lake shore and make no effort in regard to the matter is a mystery."-(Democrat, Feb- ruary 28, 1844.) "Improvement .- Our city has never improved faster than during the present season." The Democrat of August 21, 1844, noted the following improvements: A block of six brick stores, three stories high, built by Page & Updike, at Lake and State; two brick stores, by Peacock & Thatcher, at Lake and Franklin; two brick stores by F. G. Blanchard near Lake and Franklin; three stores on Lake between State and Wabash; a large warehouse, by Wadsworth, between Clark and LaSalle on Lake; a large warehouse by R. C. Bristol opposite Sauganash hotel; a warehouse at the corner of South Water and State; a Universalist Church on Washington, an Episcopal Church on
167
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Madison; improvements on the Catholic Church at Wabash and Madison. Private houses have been and are still going up almost without number."-(Democrat, August 21, 1844.)
In the fall of 1844, the city was engaged in planking Lake and other streets. The News was started here in December, 1844, by Z. Eastman, editor and publisher of the Western Citizen, the lead- ing Abolition newspaper of the West. "It commends itself to the patronage of all Liberty party men," said the Democrat of Decem- ber 1, 1844. Engine company No. 3 was organized by the Coun- cil in December, 1844. "City Orders .- It is said by one who knows that there is no money in the city treasury, although there have been fourteen thousand dollars collected by the city collector ; consequently city orders are hawked about at 10 cents below par. Where is the money ?"-(Democrat, December 11, 1844.)
The opening of the new building of Rush Medical College in December, 1844, was an important event. Of Doctor Brainard, who delivered the opening address, the Democrat said: "He may almost be said to be the founder of the institution." At this time there were about forty students. On January 6, 1845, a general meeting of the citizens was held to consider the question of postage reform. Col. R. J. Hamilton, Charles H. Larrabee and Dr. C. V. Dyer were appointed committee on resolution, one of which was, "That it is imperatively demanded of the representatives of the people assembled, so to modify and reduce the present rates of post- age, as to operate more equally upon all classes and be less burden- some upon the industry of the country." The meeting recom- mended the abolishment of the franking privilege and a schedule of postage rates on all mail matter. J. H. Collins was chairman of the meeting and M. D. Ogden, secretary. Owners of city lots were required to build sidewalks adjoining their property. The Masons and Odd Fellows were growing rapidly here and becoming a factor in politics and social life. The Norris directory in 1844 showed the following population: White males, 5,730; white females, 4,378; colored persons, 143; transitory persons, 584; total, 10,835. There were 972 Irish, 531 Norwegians, 1,053 Germans, and other foreigners, 683. There were 43 lawyers, 28 physicians, 17 clergy- men, 36 printers, 18 hotels and about 300 dealers in the various sorts of merchandise.
The act of March 1, 1845, incorporated the Lake Michigan Hy- draulic Company, the incorporators being Thomas Dyer, William B. Ogden, William E. Ives, Walter L. Newberry, Henry Smith, Mahlon D. Ogden, John H. Kinzie and John B. Turner. The object was to supply only the North Side with the water of Lake Michigan, and the company was authorized to construct the neces- sary works on the North Side. This act was not to take effect if the other Chicago Hydraulic Company then in Chicago should within six months commence the necessary works to supply the
168
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
North Side with water. The act of March 3, 1845, provided that Block 15, in the Original Town of Chicago, should be appropriated for public use, the same as Block 14 has been under the act of July 21, 1837. The commissioner or trustees were directed forthwith to exchange Block 14 for Block 7, as had been provided. The act of March 3, 1845, provided "That a strip of land sixty feet in width from the east side of Section 9, Township 39 north, Range 14 east, commencing at the southeast corner of said section, thence sixty feet west, thence north parallel with the north and south line of said section, to the south bank of the Chicago river, be and the same is hereby declared a public highway and a part of State street in the City of Chicago."
In January, 1845, street names were ordered put on street cor- ners. An outer harbor to be built was strongly talked of in Jan- uary, 1845. The great Morse telegraph for Chicago was consid- ered at this period. Prior to January, 1845, government appropria- tions to the amount of over $222,000 had been made for Chicago harbor.
"Many of our citizens believe that so far as the business and growth of Chicago are concerned, the completion of the canal would be detrimental. They reason in this wise: The vast and rich country around this city is now compelled to bring its produce here in teams and can find no other place of sale, and the transporta- tion of staple articles to the interior is now so expensive that they can always be afforded here cheaper than at any other place in the interior, and therefore the produce thus brought here is exchanged for merchandise and the exchange and trade secured to this city. Whereas, they say, if the canal were finished, at all places on the canal and Illinois river the wheat and other produce would be sold, salt and other staple articles received in exchange, with the differ- ence of canal transportation only, which would be so slight as to prevent a resort to our city for these exchanges. One thing is certain: That amidst all the revulsions and the depressions of business, Chicago, without the canal, has steadily progressed in business, population and wealth, whilst many other places have gained nothing, to say the least."-(Journal, July 21, 1845.) "The ice has accumulated in the north pier nearly 'mountain high.' The frail appearing lighthouse (constructed of pine scantling on the principle of the cast iron edifices) on the extreme end, though banked up nearly half its height with the frozen spray, stands per- fectly erect and defies old winter's blasts. To those of our citizens who admire magnificent winter scenes, we say wrap yourselves warm and take a walk down the south pier when the tempest rages and witness one."-(Journal, February 6, 1845.)
A large meeting of joy and congratulation was held in March. 1845, when the news was received that the Legislature had passed the revenue law, which provided for the completion of the canal.
169
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
F. C. Sherman, Norman B. Judd and Isaac N. Arnold were mem- bers of the Legislature from this county. The meeting passed this resolution : "That we hail the passage of a revenue bill as a meas- ure by which our state will resume her position among the fore- most of the Union for integrity, honor and justice." A canal meet- ing was held in Lockport in March, 1845-the first in several years; constructive work was about to be renewed. "Although our young and thriving city has increased in wealth and population with great rapidity since we date its birth, it has not been without its reverses. When in the memorable times of '36 speculation and the wild hazard of sudden gain flitted over the land, it swept in its desolating course over us with peculiar force as over a devoted city of the plain. When reverses came upon our business men, it was almost a uni- versal crash and ruin followed-few of the old settlers-those who had borne the heat and burden of the day-were enabled to regain themselves-before a second wave in the tide of emigration suc- ceded the first and when a third and fourth came it found the thrifty mart of Northern Illinois the great commercial city of a bankrupt state."-(Journal, March 27, 1845.)
The Custom House was established here in 1846. Before that Chicago was in the Detroit collection district. Milwaukee was attached to Chicago, but was separated in 1850. "Our Streets .--- Under the direction of Mr. Dean, our street commissioner, Clark street is assuming a better appearance, and our sidewalks in differ- ent parts of the city are being made passable. The uniform grade, where uniformity is possible, is being established, which will ren- der walking, especially after dark, an undertaking less dangerous to life and limb."-(Journal, April 11, 1845.)
"In the formation of the bars in Chicago harbor the point at which they commenced has in every instance in which it has been observed, been about 1,500 feet south of the piers, and in a direc- tion at right angles to them; they have then traveled up to the piers. Until the direction of the north pier was changed (1839) the direction of the bars was due south nearly. After 1839 the north pier being changed to the north, the direction of the bar formed (still at right angles to it and its new direction) was south- east, but it commenced as the others had done, to the south, and traveled up to the north pier in 1843. An inspection of the map will show that since the circular form was given to the north pier the course of the deposits was changed entirely. There is no indi- cation of the commencement of a bar to the south, but the new formation appears to have begun on the north side and at the end of the north pier and to follow the curved form of that pier. It has not yet reached a point to affect the entrance and probably will not during the present season."-(Report on the Chicago Harbor, January, 1846.)
The following statement shows the relative amount of sales after
-
170
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
the land office was opened in Chicago on May 28, 1835, down to April, 1846:
1835 .370,043.38 acres
1841 138,583.16 acres
1836.
.202,315.96 acres
1842. 194,556.11 acres
1837.
15,697.87 acres
1843 .229,459.70 acres
1838.
87,891.43 acres
1844 .230,769.63 acres
1839
160,635.70 acres
1845. 220,525.08 acres
1840.
142,158.00 acres
This land district embraced the counties of McHenry, Lake, Boone, DeKalb, Kane, Du Page, Cook, Will, Kendall, LaSalle and Grundy.
"For the benefit of the Illinois delegation who voted against our harbors and all others interested we would state that the Constitu- tion as they understand it is now safe. All our materials have been sold at about one-fifth of their original cost, no more work will be done, and our harbor will be destroyed as fast as the wind, the sand and other causes can do their work. In a few years the wound which General Jackson inflicted on the American Constitu- tion, by signing a bill for the Chicago harbor, will be healed and things will be as they used to be when the people had no harbors."- (Democrat, September 25, 1846.) "The first store built on Lake street of this city was erected twelve years ago, by Thomas Church, Esq. It was a wooden building and known as the 'land office store,' the register's office being kept in the upper (second) story. The lot on which it stood has a large brick store on it now and is occu- pied by Messrs. Neef and Church. Let people look up and down Lake street now and count its hundreds of mercantile establish- ments-let them do this remembering that only twelve years ago the first store was erected, and then make themselves believe that this is not a great city-a great state-a great country-if they can."-(Democrat, September 30, 1846.)
The city tax in 1846 was 21/2 mills for city purposes and 1 mill for school purposes; total city, $11,306.75; school, $4,519.05; total, $15,825.80. "The jail is certainly an ornament to the city. Resembling a number of woodsheds and corncribs most crazily clus- tered in a huge whitewashed pound with a haystack sometimes lift- ing its majestic dome over all like an oriental mosque, it has an air highly rural and delightful."-(Journal, August 6, 1847.) In May, 1846, city scrip was quoted at 10 per cent discount; canal scrip, 20 per cent discount; county orders, 10 per cent discount.
In the spring of 1846 the undersigned ship owners and masters of vessels navigating the lakes memorialized Congress not to con- stitute the harbor of Chicago a port of entry and submitted the fol- lowing facts: That the home carrying trade warranted the request, "being unrivalled in the history of commerce in its annual increase," a's shown by the imports and exports for the past six or seven years; that the opening of this port probably "would have the direct
171
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
effect to admit British bottoms to all the benefits of the carrying trade now exclusively enjoyed by our own citizens and foreign shipping to a full competition with American bottoms detrimental to American commerce and interests; that the British, having the exclusive navigation of the St. Lawrence, would likely be able to control effectually the carrying of all the products of this and neighboring states seeking a foreign market"; that "in consideration of the above views entertained by your petitioners they deem it a duty to themselves and to the general interests of the commercial portion of our citizens navigating the inland waters of the United States to request that the bill making Chicago a 'port of entry' may not be allowed to pass the Senate of the United States."
N. C. Walton.
James Robertson. John M. Turner.
T. L. Parker.
Artemas Lamb. H. L. Winslow.
A. Walker.
Jeremy Hixon. G. H. Monteath.
Charles Harding.
David McIntosh.
J. M. Underwood.
R. C. Bristol.
H. R. Payson. George F. Foster.
"If it be correct that British vessels have an equal advantage with our own by making Chicago a port of entry, I am opposed to the measure .- Charles Walker."
"The Central Michigan Railroad Company are going ahead this fall and winter and are determined to complete the road by the opening of navigation in the spring. If so it will bring about a great revolution in traveling to the East. It is rumored that the company wish to run around the foot of the lake and come directly here."-(Weekly Democrat, October 6, 1846.)
Table of the exports of Chicago from the opening to the close of navigation in 1846:
Wheat
1,459,594 bushels
Oats
52,113 bushels
Corn
11,947 bushels
Hemp
4,517 pounds
Tobacco
28,287 pounds
Wool
281,222 pounds
Bacon and ham.
238,216 pounds
Dried beef .
11,000 pounds
Beef and pork.
31,224 barrels
Lard and tallow
1,835 barrels
Butter
3,905 pounds 810 boxes
Candles
Raw furs
37,514 pounds
Brooms
896 dozen
Flour
28,045 barrels
Tongues
100 barrels
Oil
3,600 gallons 130 tons
Hay
3,560 pounds
Ginseng
6,800 pounds
Lead
10,895 pounds
Cranberries Fish
529 barrels 352 barrels
Hides and leather value.
$24.685
Furniture value
$ 9,000
Beeswax
172
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Table prepared by A. W. Magill, Esq., showing the imports of goods and merchandise received at Chicago, October 1, 1845, to October 1, 1846, not including importations landed here and in- tended for other places. Leading articles :
Dry goods
$ 767,305
Groceries
424,657
Hardware
320,850
Crockery
22,193
Drugs and medicines. 75,077
Boots and shoes.
94,930
Hats, caps, etc.
31,715
Books and stationery
57,507
Stoves and hollowware
82,862
/ Furs and furring goods
33,200
Grand total
$2,027,150
Independent of the above were the following :
Salt
13,308 bbls.
Salt
3,346 sacks
Whisky
1,065 bbls.
Coal
2,150 tons
Shipping list of Chicago, 1846:
No. of Vessels.
Arrivals.
Depar- tures.
Tonnage.
Steamboats.
19
352
358
14,351
Propellers.
17
111
109
5,170
Brigs.
36
94
94
8,781
Schooners
120
837
835
16,443
192
1,394
1,396
44,745
On October 20, 1846, the magnetic telegraph was exhibited at the Mechanics institute. A combination to keep down the price of wheat was formed here in 1845. Those connected with the move- ment agreed that on a certain day the price should be 6 to 8 cents lower than the fact, and gave as a reason "freights are higher," "money is scarce," etc., and cited the Board of Trade as authority. One merchant proved traitor to his fellow conspirators, paid 2 or 3 cents more than the price agreed upon, and thus bought all there was in the market. At this date wheat was 50 to 56 cents a bushel. In January, 1847, "vapor of sulphuric ether" was administered here by Doctors Kennicot and Brainard. There were splendid snowdrifts and excellent sleighing here in January and February, 1847. In 1847 the City hotel became the Sherman house.
It was in April or May, 1847, that John Wentworth began the construction of "Jackson Hall," which later became well known as headquarters of the Democrat and of Democracy. A small paper-the Porcupine-sold for $105, the Visitor getting the type.
173
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
In May, 1847, a brig and a schooner were forced to remain outside of the harbor, owing to the bar at the entrance. Three new bridges were being built in May, 1847-at Randolph, Madison and Wells streets. At this time the City Council removed their offices from the corner of Dearborn and Randolph to Robbins' exchange build- ing. The old Chicago Temperance house, established here in 1842, was renovated in May, 1847; it stood on LaSalle street. The Mechanics' Institute was five years old in 1847; its first big fair was held this year and was pronounced a success. "Our city has assumed unwonted life and animation. Our streets are full of car- riages; our river is full of vessels and our walks are loaded with goods, wares and merchandise of every variety."-(Democrat, May 13, 1847.) Chloroform was introduced into Rush Medical Col- lege in January, 1847. In June, 1847, Chicago had but one mili- tary company, but the fire companies were several and a credit.
The River and Harbor convention assembled here on July 5, 1847. One of its leading objects was to force the government, through public opinion, to the policy of assisting in the construction of cer- tain public improvements such as rivers and harbors. Chicago had thus been assisted under Jackson, but Van Buren had taken a differ- ent view and Tyler and Polk had vetoed river and harbor bills, leaving Chicago and other Western cities to improve their own harbors. The convention surpassed in size and influence the wild- est dreams of its promoters. A week before the opening day the crowds began to arrive and soon all hotels and nearly all residences were filled to overflowing. The occasion was deemed so important that nearly one hundred editors from all parts of the Union were in attendance, among whom were Horace Greeley and Schuyler Colfax. Chicago made special and herculean efforts to clean up and otherwise to get in presentable condition. An immense tent was erected on the public square and there the proceedings were held. As the delegations arrived they were met by the authorities with an escort of militia and fire companies and conducted to the public square. At Rathbun's hotel, New York, on September 28, 1846, the plan had originated, and on that occasion the following committee had been appointed to carry the movement into effect : James L. Barton, of Buffalo; John W. Allen, of Cleveland; Augustus S. Porter, of Detroit; William Duane Wilson, of Mil- waukee; Byron Kilbourn, of Milwaukee; William B. Ogden, of Chicago; S. Lisle Smith, of Chicago, and A. B. Chambers, of St. Louis. James L. Barton was temporary chairman and Edward Bates, of Missouri, permanent chairman. Among the great men present were Thomas Corwin, Thurlow Weed, Abraham Lincoln, Solon Robinson, David Dudley Field, N. B. Judd, H. J. Redfield, Andrew Stewart, J. C. Wright, John C. Spencer, T. Butler King, H. C. Blackburn and William M. Hall. There were read to the convention letters from Silas Wright, Thomas H. Benton, Henry
174
HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Clay, Martin Van Buren, Lewis Cass, Thomas H. Curtiss, Joseph Grennell, Bradford R. Wood, Alpheus Felch, George P. Barker, Washington Hunt, Daniel Webster and Morgan Bates. The man who really was the cause of the convention was William M. Hall, of Buffalo, who had traveled through the West and had seen the results of a lack of suitable harbor improvements. He it was who called the meeting at Rathbun's hotel in New York, on which occa- sion he advocated a national railroad to the Pacific ocean. William B. Ogden, S. Lisle Smith and George W. Dole were the Chicago committee on arrangements. The committee on resolutions at the convention consisted of thirty-three of the most prominent men assembled. It was found that many who favored ocean harbor improvements were opposed to lake harbor improvements, even though the latter needed improvement worse than the former. It thus came to pass in the end that all came to favor lake harbor improvements. Efforts by several to give the convention a political caste were promptly defeated. President Polk had vetoed the River and Harbor bill on August 3, 1846, and had said: "It would seem the dictate of wisdom under such circumstances to husband our means and not waste them on comparatively unimportant objects. Some of the objects of the appropriation con- tained in this bill are local in their character and within the limits of a single state; and though in the language of the bill they are called harbors, they are not connected with foreign commerce nor are they places of refuge or of shelter for our navy or commercial marine on the ocean or lake shores."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.