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 17
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
Prairies (Baptist), weekly, Luther Stern; University of St. Mary of the Lake, Rev. J. A. Kinsella, president.
Rush Medical College, W. B. Ogden, president ; Grant Goodrich, secretary ; Mark Skinner, treasurer. The main building was erected in 1844 on Dearborn street in the Ninth ward.
Schools .- Districts Nos. 1 and 2, A. W. Ingalls, principal, 600 pupils; district No. 3, M. Ballard, principal, 300 pupils; district No. 4, A. G. Wilder, principal, 500 pupils.
Hotels .- Sherman, American Temperance, Chicago Temper- ance, Franklin Coffee, Franklin Home, New York, Mansion, United States, Sauganash.
A circulating library of about 1,600 volumes was conducted in 1847 by A. H. and C. Burley. "Mr. Speed's Telegraph .- The posts of this telegraph company were being put up through Clark street on Wednesday and Thursday. They cross Captain O'Reilly's line on Randolph."-(Democrat, November 13, 1847.) A plank road from Chicago to Des Plaines was talked of in November, 1847. The New census of Chicago, November, 1847, showed the follow- ing result : Males under 10 years, 2,593 ; males between 10 and 21, 1,203 ; males of other ages, 5,188; females under 10, 2,430; females between 10 and 21, 1,604; females of other ages, 3,814; total, 16,- 832.
In November, 1847, the propeller "Phoenix" was burned be- tween Cheboygan and Manitowoc and 250 lives, mostly of Hol- land emigrants, were lost. The November market showed large numbers of deer and bear. On November 26 a diploma was granted P. L. Updike for having served ten years on the fire de- partment as a member of Engine company No. 1. Rush Medical College had in November 140 students-double the number it had a year before. Many wood stoves were exchanged for coal stoves at this time. "Our city has never been backward in any of the benevolent enterprises of the day. It has given liberally to the poor Scotch and Irish, besides donating large sums yearly to mis- sionary, tract and other enterprises. Tea, donation and dancing parties are also prominent among the many ways and means for raising funds to provide for their several objects. But we have often remarked that in the winter, when such things are generally in full blast, the poor are the last to get a turn at the public crib. They must be satisfied with the skimmed milk, while the more favored are rioting on the delicious cream. Suppose we change this order of proceeding." -- (Democrat, December 10, 1847.)
The Galena & Chicago Railway company found considerable dif- ficulty in getting the right of way form Chicago to Fox river in the fall of 1847. The new hose cart cost $450, which was raised by subscription; it was bought second-hand in Philadelphia and originally cost $1,700. The cheap postage system inaugurated late in 1847 was a great boon and advantage to business men. It
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
was Jackson Hall against the field. The Democrat scooped the Journal and all others and published the President's message first in December, 1847. It ran a private express by Gray & But- ler's fast nags, and brought the message from Mattville, Michigan (130 miles), in nine hours-thirty-six hours ahead of the mail. This was considered great enterprise. The Democrat had done the same act in 1846. The Democrat of December 21, 1847, said of the Peace Convention held here at the Tabernacle Baptist church : "It has been called by a few foreigners (not citizens) and Aboli- tionists ,who under the pretext of being the friends of peace have taken this course to give vent to their hostility to the Government. Chicago has done nobly in raising troops for the war, and it is really too bad that she should be disgraced with such a meet- ing."-(Democrat, December, 1847.) There were many poor peo- ple in town and they were given much help. Numerous applica- tions for work and other relief were made to the county board and the county commissioners. Very severe cold prevailed. On the street wood sold at $6 or a trifle less per cord; coal at $6 per ton. It was decided that coal was cheaper than wood. Many thought that when the canal opened coal would drive out wood and were using coal in open-hearth fire-places.
A new market in State street, not to cost over $10,000, was pro- jected in December, 1847; A. Peck's bid to build it was accepted. "Resolved, That the City of Chicago will undertake to erect build- ings sufficient for the accommodation of the city and county upon the public square, provided the county will convey to the city its title to said square."-(Resolution introduced by Alderman Gran- ger, December 22, 1847.) "Telegraph .- We understand the tele- graph between this city and Milwaukee is up and in working or- der so far as the wires are concerned. All that is waiting are the - batteries and registers."-(Democrat, January 4, 1848.)
It was noted in January, 1848, that large numbers of Norwe- gians were settling in this city and county. About a block on Lake and Water streets was burned at this time; two hotels were de- stroyed-New York and Columbian houses. On Saturday, Jan- uary 15, 1848, the first telegraph message between Milwaukee and Chicago was sent. "The telegraph worked well and appears to be perfectly under control of the operator. This is Messrs. Speed and Cornell's line," said the Democrat of January 17. The contract for a plank road from Chicago to Des Plaines was let to A. J. Doug- lass, of Chicago, in January. The first telegraph charges to Mil- waukee were 25 cents for ten words; 2 cents for each additional word, and 2 cents for delivery. The first telegraph message be- tween Chicago and Michigan City was sent on January 28. In January, 1848, the Council granted the citizens permission to build a bridge at State street without cost to the city-private subscrip- tion. The plank road was described to extend from the Milwau-
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
kee road between Dickinson's and Robert's on the Sand Ridge to Smith's tavern on Union Ridge, and thence to the Des Plaines river near Brook's tavern, and thence to the house of F. W. Page at Elk Grove. "A gentleman coming into town yesterday morning on the road from Wheeling to this city (the route of the proposed plank road) met within seven miles of the city 120 teams. And this number does not give a correct idea of the amount of travel on that road, as it was too early in the morning to meet the largest number; and the roads not being first rate, other days would show a great increase. Indeed we have seen ten times as many teams in the streets as there were yesterday. There can be no question that stock in the Northwest Plank road will pay large dividends."- (Democrat, February 10, 1848.) "Plank the Streets .- That little bit of planking on Lake street is a standing monument to the want of public spirit in the property holders of Chicago. It proves the entire sufficiency of planking to obviate the mud, which renders our streets, without exception, worse than those of any other city. A great deal has thus been done to drive trade from this city. The effort may yet be successful."-(Democrat, February 22, 1848.)
The pumps of the canal water works were started on February 10, 1848, to fill the summit level of the canal-one engine of 170 horsepower. A percussion match factory was established here by N. Woolsey & Co. Theodotus Doty, on the Naperville road, was postmaster in Lyons township in 1848. In the spring Randolph street from the South branch to State street was planked and a special assessment of $6,500 was levied to cover costs. At this time Chicago and Cincinnati were connected by telegraph- O'Reilly's line. It was argued in 1848 that St. Louis, in order to countercheck Chicago, must build a railway from Cincinnati to St. Louis. An assessment of $3,273 on the property benefited was levied for the construction of the aqueduct on Madison street from the South branch to the east side of State street.
About April 1, 1848, water was ready to be let in on the sum- mit level and the Ottawa level of the canal. In 1846-47 Beards- town, Illinois, packed 35,000 hogs, while Chicago packed but 20,- 000. Pekin packed 15,000; Naples, 15.000; Peoria, 10,000, and Merodosia 15,000. Early in April, 1848, Lockport launched the first boat on the canal-named "General Fry," for a former trus- tee. It ran from Lockport to Joliet, at both of which places meet- ings were held and speeches delivered to celebrate the event. The completion of the canal and the early completion of the Galena & Chicago Railway immensely stimulated building and business here. "Yesterday afternoon the city was completely deserted." Every- body had gone to Lockport to see the "General Fry" locked through the canal. The boat was decorated and crowded with ladies and gentlemen. The propeller "A. Rossiter" took her in tow and at 7:30, April 10, 1848, she was afloat on Lake Michigan. The boat
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
was cheered all along the river as it passed down. The event was observed here with a public meeting and with speeches by John Wentworth and Charles Walker. The completion of the canal was succeeded by great activity in building on the South branch. The first loaded boat through from Peru to Chicago arrived April 24, 1848, with 100 barrels of molasses and 49 hogsheads of sugar ; the name of the boat was "General Thornton." Twenty-three teams (sixty-nine horses) were put on the canal on April 22, 1848. About May 1, stone from Joliet began to arrive by canal and a little later coal made its appearance via the same route. The pas- senger fare by canalboat from Chicago to Peru was $4; on one trip a boat carried 100 persons, receiving therefor $400; the fare was deemed too high.
The city had water carts long before 1848, the exact date is unknown. The cabin fare from Buffalo to Chicago in 1847 was $10; in 1848 it was raised to $14; there was a combination to put up prices. Capt. R. Hugunin, in April, 1848, was superintendent of construction of the plank road from Chicago to Des Plaines. In 1848 for the first time grocers began to deliver goods to the houses of customers. In May several hundred men were at work grading the Galena railway a short distance west of Chicago. The Staats Zeitung (State Gazette) made its first appearance about April 30, with Doctor Helmuth as editor. Col. John C. Fremont and lady were at the Sherman house in April. It came to be the practice here in 1848 to charge emigrants for landing their effects upon the wharves; a body of them formally protested against this exaction. The Democrat had had an Adams press, but in May, 1848, received a Taylor cylinder power press, which could run off in one hour the entire edition of any paper in the city. "The Canal Trade .- The trade on the canal increases beyond all prece- dent. We notice the first shipment of lumber to St. Louis-125,- 000 feet, by Horace Norton & Co .; also a ton of salaratus by the same firm. Several contracts embracing 25,000 and 30,000 bushels of corn, oats, etc., have been made to come forward next month. The want of boats is sensibly felt, as the trade has already exceeded the capacity of those running."-(Democrat, May 13, 1848.) The tele- graph did not a little to facilitate business operations; the O'Reilly lines connected Chicago with St. Louis via Milwaukce and Galena. A big grant of land by Congress to the Illinois Central railway caused Chicago to rejoice in May, 1848; Senators Breese and Douglas were given due credit for their exertions. "Nuisances .- The slaughter houses on the South branch and the distillery and pig stye and slaughter houses on the lake shore are complained of, and justly, as nuisances. They are at times almost intolerable, and the stench from them must tend to breed disease, especially in a crowded city."-Democrat, May 22, 1848. )
In May, 1848, a combination to hold wheat at 80 cents was
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
broken and the price was forced to 85 cents. O'Reilly's telegraph was extended to Springfield in May or June, 1848; at this time Chicago was connected by wire with New York on the east, Galena on the west, Milwaukee on the north and with St. Louis and New Orleans on the south. "Canal .- Notwithstanding the increase of boats on the canal, there is said to be freight enough at Peru at this moment to keep the whole fleet engaged for a month if not another ton should accumulate. The Peru Beacon says there is no probability of the produce there being cleared out as boat after boat from below crowd the landing with produce for Chi- cago, and a hundred wagons at a time crowd the streets loaded with wheat to be shipped on the canal."-(Democrat, July 7, 1848.)
The first brick warehouse on Market street was built in 1848 by R. C. Bristol; it was 70 by 75 and four stories. Canal boats were built in the city away from the river and afterward moved to the water as houses were moved. In June the city borrowed of George Smith, E. D. Taylor, Augustus Garrett, Walter S. Gurnee and Charles V. Dyer $11,070 for five years at 6 per cent, with which to build the new State street market. In June the steamer "Queen City" ran from Chicago to Buffalo, including stops, in two days and twenty hours-the quickest trip on record to date; the "American" made the trip in two days and twenty- two hours. The Des Plaines (Northwestern) plank road was an- nounced finished on September 7, 1848. At this date the rails on the Galena railway were laid from Chicago to a point a few miles westward. Immense quantities of wheat began to arrive by wagon and canal in September, 1848. Hundreds of farmers' wagons thus loaded came from long distances south and west; the price ran up to $1 per bushel on September 11.
"There is now a smart chance of a man's making his 'lasting fortune,' by trying his luck on a cargo of Illinois wheat and pocket- ing a cool thousand with very little trouble if he only watches the telegraph close enough to get half an hour ahead of his contem- poraries in the field."-(Democrat, September 12, 1848.) "A lucky dog who happened to receive a slip by telegraph last week and who had long been watching his turn of the wheat, started for the docks, like a fresh hound from the leash, seeking among the holders of Illinois wheat whom he might make a meal of. He soon came across his man and immediately struck a bargain for a cargo at 80 cents per bushel, the seller chuckling over his trade. In less than fifteen minutes, however, the market rose to 85 cents, and the fortunate possessor of the news by the last flash pocketed the cool five hundred and like a bloated spider retired again to the citadel of his fortress to weave fresh meshes with which to en- tangle another unwary fly. And thus are fortunes made in the Garden City of the West."-(Democrat, September 12, 1848.)
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The Niles Register, August 6, 1814, said: "By the Illinois river it is probable that Buffalo, in New York, may be united with New Orleans by inland navigation through Lakes Erie, Huron and Michigan, and down that river to the Mississippi. What a route! How stupendous the idea! How dwindles the importance of the artificial canals of Europe compared to this water communication. If it should ever take place (and it is said the opening may be easily made) the territory (of Illinois) will become the seat of an immense commerce and a market for the commodities of all regions."
"How strange to us appear some of the expressions of this paragraph. Then all west of Ohio was an unbroken wilderness, inhabited only by savages with here and there a fort or trading post and a few small French settlements along the Mississippi. Little did the writer think that in only thirty-four years 'his stu- pendous idea' would become a commonplace reality, and that in less than forty years a city of more than sixty thousand people would be reposing in quiet dignity at the northern terminus of that canal. What an 'immense commerce' that city has engaged the past year."-(Democrat, 1848.)
In 1848 a railroad had reached New Buffalo in Michigan, sixty miles from Chicago; for six years Chicago was not interested in it; but was interested in all the western roads, because the western roads would bring the produce and the boats would take it East. This was the old view held by Chicagoans. Many merchants really opposed the western roads, thinking they would distribute the trade along the route instead of concentrating it at Chicago as a deposit. "They soon learned differently. No attempt to can- vass for money was made for roads eastward. Chicago let others build the roads and rested on her position. But the East fought for a monopoly of the way to Chicago-wanted the trade-Buffalo, New York, Baltimore, Philadelphia. The Michigan Central and the Michigan Southern were rivals, each trying for Chicago trade
and connection. The Northern Indiana route reached Chicago February 20, 1852, and the Michigan Central a few weeks later. The effect was immediate and prodigious. First, in 1847, strap iron was used on the Galena road, and by 1850 forty-two miles to Elgin had been completed. This was the only road that Chi- cago started partly at her own expense-but it was taken up by the Northwestern railway 1864. From 1848 to 1852 the canal stood alone for Chicago of all the proposed western transits. The city had a population of 20,023 in 1848 and 131/2 square miles of territory. An immense business in coal, stone, wheat, pork, corn, lumber, etc., was done. But the railways at once greatly sur- passed the canal and swept the growth and commerce of the city on with unprecedented and wonderful strides.
In September, 1848, it was noticed that canal boats carried large
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
cargoes both ways for almost the first time generally. The Chi- cago Horticultural society gave a creditable exhibition in the courthouse in September. In 1848 about sixty-five acres north of the cemetery were purchased by the city for $2,425; this is now a part of Lincoln park. The unsold canal lands and lots in Cook county were estimated to be worth at this time about $1,041,295. The sale of forfeited canal lots at this time brought high prices. At this time the city relied on the country adjacent for its beef; droves of cattle were driven here from two hundred miles dis- tant; one man in McLean county sold one thousand head in one drove to Wadsworth, Dyer & Co., packers, in September. At this date Marsh & Sherry and Slocum & Clapp were also packers.
In 1846 there were used nineteen steamboats, thirty-six brigs, seventeen propellers, one hundred and twenty schooners-tonnage 44,450. Arrivals and departures, 3,779; corn exported, 1846, 11,- 947 bushels ; corn exported, 1847, 67,315 bushels.
EXPORTS.
Wheat.
Flour.
Beef and Pork.
Wool.
1842
587,207
2,920
16,209
1,500
1843
628,966
10,876
21,795
22,952
1844
891,894
6,329
14,838
96,636
1845
956,850
13,752
13,266
216,610
1846.
1,459,590
23,045
31,269
281,225
1847
1,674,304
42,538
48,958
411,488
By September 30, 1848, the rails had been laid on the Galena railway westward two and a half miles, starting from Kinzie street. In 1848 for the first time on an extensive scale there were many hold-ups and numerous cases of stealing on a large scale. Cattle were stolen from the prairie adjacent and driven to the yards and hurriedly slaughtered before the owners could re- cover them. In October, Abraham Lincoln, Congressman, and family passed through Chicago on their way from Washington to Springfield. The Northwestern plank road extended from Mil- waukee avenue at the city line to Sand Ridge at Dickinson's, thence to Shrigley's at Dutchman's Point, thence through Wheel- ing to the county line. A plank road was planned at this time to extend from the city limits at the end of State street (Twenty- second street) a distance of twelve miles to Rexford's at Blue Island; the estimated cost was $1,800 per mile. In October every packing firm in the city was working overtime to take care of the cattle arriving in droves of several hundred each. About four hundred were being killed daily. On October 8, the brig "Buf- falo" arrived with the first locomotive for the Galena railway and one hundred tons of railway iron; between four and five miles of track were graded at this time and about 1,500 feet of track were being laid daily. "The forwarding merchants in this city have
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
had more merchandise pass through their hands this past week than they have ever had in the same space of time since the set- tlement of the place."-(Democrat, October 10, 1848.)
Two new fire engines arrived from Boston in October, they cost about $750 and were bought by Mr. Gale. On October 9, teams and canal brought in 19,500 bushels of wheat. The work of widening the river was begun on North Water street on October 11. The dirt was dumped in hollows, vacant lots, streets, roads, etc. Wheat fell to 50 cents per bushel on that date-a great dis- appointment to the farmers. During 1848 the West Side im- proved faster than any portion of the city. The great lumber yards began to arise there. The canal, the Galena railway and the plank road in addition made that division attractive. This was the year when many iron mills were established, because the canal brought coal-flour-mill and saw-mill machinery, founderies, threshing machines, boilers, plows, elevators, freight cars, engines, stoves, castings, wagons, agricultural implements, ship ironwork and paper mills. The iron came largely from Scotland through the St. Lawrence river. The new market on State street had the largest hall in the city-on the second floor; it could be made smaller by double doors. Every road leading to Chicago for a hundred miles was lined with long trains of prairie schooners loaded with produce of every kind. The new fire engine com- pany No. 5, was organized in October, 1848. The canal tolls at Chicago from May 9, 1848, to October 14, 1848, were $40,527.27. On October 24 the locomotive and two cars were put on the track of the Galena railway-they were the first. The next day they ran out as far as the track had been laid-five miles; this was the first trip of a locomotive and train from Chicago. On October 24, the annual firemen's parade took place; they were escorted by the Hussars, Flying Artillery, Montgomery Guards and Jaegers. At the close the five engines had a trial of skill. In 1848 the canal did not fully meet expectations, because St. Louis proved as good a market as Chicago for the products of the Illinois valley. Grain could go down to St. Louis cheaper than come here, and in St. Louis the cash was at once realized, while by the Chicago route the cash was obtained mainly at Buffalo. Later the winters tied up commerce at Chicago, while at St. Louis the river was open most of the time.
"Owing to the energy and enterprise of Thomas Dyer, Esq., and his partners in the beef packing business, Chicago has become famous for its fine beef, even in the metropolis of the beef-eating English nation. If any one is anxious to know how this desirable celebrity has been acquired he has only to visit the extensive slaughtering, carving and packing establishment on the South branch, where eighty or more stalwart men are employed." -- (Democrat, October 31, 1848.) "On a Strike .- The Jack Tars
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
are all on a strike. They do not admire the weather at this season and have demanded higher wages to remunerate them for the hard- ships and dangers they are compelled to endure. Whole crews of the poor fellows have been confined in the jail this summer for refus- ing to return to Buffalo on the same vessel on which they had started from that port, thus putting themselves in the power of the law, which gives the captain right of legal process to compel them to fulfill their engagements."-(Democrat, November 2, 1848.) "It is wonderful to see with what rapidity the city is ex- tending itself south and west. Factory after factory, dwelling after dwelling, attest the growth of the Garden City in those quar- ters, while in the city and in other directions the increase is also great."-(Democrat, November 4, 1848.)
The new State street market was ready for use on October 30, and had numerous stalls. It was said: "Now housekeepers will not have to chase around town to get what they want." On Sep- tember 1 the census showed a population of 20,023 for the city. The Second ward-Monroe to Harrison and Lake to the river- was the largest, having 2,904, and the Fifth (Bridgeport) the smallest, with 299. There were 228 colored residents. The old market on State street was removed to Market street, the center of the canal trade, where there was a dense population. The ar- rival here in November, 1848, of the steamer "Empire State" was considered an important event. It was much the largest vessel on the lakes-310 feet long, 60 feet wide, 37 feet beam, 15 feet hold and registered 1,800 tons. The engine cylinder was 76 inches in diameter and the piston had a stroke of 12 feet. Captain Hazard was commander. The passenger capacity was 2,000. Crowds in- spected the vessel. Whenever a vessel was wrecked the papers would say: "Another result of Polk's veto of the harbor bill." Early in November 800 sheep in one flock were driven here for slaughter. "Chicago beats the world for house moving," said the Democrat. On November 13, the City Council met for the first time in their hall in the new State street market. The Mechanics' Fair was held in November. "A week today the election took place, and the rush for office is beyond all precedent. There is scarcely a grocery in town where the barkeeper has not got a petition for some man to have some of the offices in the city. There is one place where a barkeeper has already told that he got a sixpence a name for every name that signed a petition that he had for a cer- tain man to be postmaster. Men have already come to this city from fifty miles distance to make arrangements to get a petty post- office."-(Democrat, November 14, 1848.)
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