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 57
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On August 16 after a season of sharp contests the Atlantic base- ball club by a score of 18 to 16 defeated the Excelsior club, and by so doing won the championship of the West.
In 1859 little Mary McVicker was a charming player at her father's theater. A Chicago lawyer (Mr. Wilson) wrote specially for her a sparkling drama in which she appeared as Gianetta, the heroine of the performance. The newspapers spoke of her acting as of unusual merit.
In August, 1859, as high as $10,000 was advertised for a ten- mile race to be run in alternate mile heats at the Brighton race course and at Garden City race course. Two of the best horses in the contest were Honest John and Louisa Uttley.
In September, 1859, Phelan and Tiemann gave a splendid exhibi- tion of billiard playing to a large audience in this city.
In September, 1859, at the National fair held here the racing was an important feature and the best trotting and running horses of the country appeared in the contests, which were greatly enjoyed by many Chicago people. Among the horses were Gray Eddy, Black Hawk Maid, Tippo, Sultan, Gypsy Queen, Billy, Fox, Belle of Chicago, Ike Cook, Wabash Chief, Reindeer, Dick, and Ten- broeke. Nearly all of these horses were owned in this city. At the fair, among other amusements, were pigeon-shooting contests, band drills, military drills, racing, and balloon ascensions. The fair was held at Brighton, which is now the Union Stock Yards. At the
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Garden City race course while the fair was in progress Flora Tem- ple and Princess trotted a match race. The best time was 2:31. The newspapers declared that the race was a fake and not trotted on its merits. Flora Temple was winner in the above time, but the newspapers declared she had been held in by her driver. During the races at the fair the best time made by the trotting horses was as follows : Belle of Saratoga, 2:2812; Ike Cook, 2:33; Dick Ten- broeke, 2:41; Black Weasel, 2:44; and Magna Charta, 2:46.
In 1859 Mr. Healy, the artist, painted a portrait of President Buchanan for the national collection at Washington. On Septem- ber 18, 1859, there was played at McVicker's theater a billiard match between Michael Phelan, of New York, and Philip Tiemann, of Cincinnati. Phelan won by 120 points in a game of 500 points. In September, 1859, James Forbes conducted an oil painting studio at Washington and Dearborn streets. He had some beautiful speci- mens of art in his collection.
In October, 1859, James Anderson, the famous American tragedian, appeared here in a series of entertainments. His delin- eation of the character of Macbeth was pronounced of superior excellence. He appeared also in Damon and Pythias. The Press and Tribune of October 4, 1859, said: "We hesitate not to say that Mr. Anderson is the best tragedian on the American stage- much the superior to Edwin Forrest." In October, 1859, the Chi- cago Academy of Natural Sciences and the Chicago Academy of Medical Science were in existence. A young sculptor of Chicago named John Rodgers made at this time in plaster a group entitled "The Slave Mart," which received the highest commendation from Chicago critics. In November, 1859, James E. Murdock appeared in repertoire here. Among the plays were "Money," "Wild Oats," "Laugh When You Can," "Richelieu," "The Gamester," "Pizarro," "Hamlet," "Robbers," etc. His entertainments were given at Mc- Vicker's.
In November, 1859, Professor Jacobs, a celebrated ventriloquist and magician, entertained the Chicago people. In December, 1859, Balfe's celebrated opera, "Bohemian Girl," was rendered here by a distinguished English opera troupe, which also rendered "La Somnambula" and "A Daughter of the Regiment," etc. In De- cember, 1859, Blondin, the famous tight-rope walker, appeared at Metropolitan hall. Late in 1859 and early in 1860 Mary Mc- Vicker and Mr. Squires gave interesting concerts not only in Chicago but in other cities. The singing of the little girl received the approval of local critics. In January, 1860, Prof. Evan Ed- wards, of Lemont, wrote excellent poetry, several of his best pro- ductions appearing in the county newspapers. In January, 1860, at McVicker's theater, Miss Kimberly appeared in "The Octoroon, or Life in the South." The play was not well received here, owing per- haps to the prejudice against the colored people. In the winter of
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1859-60 Benjamin F. Taylor, of the Journal, lectured here and throughout the West on literary subjects.
In February, 1860, Melville W. Fuller (1909 chief justice of the United States) read his poem, "Borrowed Light," before the Young Men's association. At the same time Rev. T. W. Hig- ginson lectured; the two gentlemen thus gave a joint entertain- ment. Judge Fuller, at a commencement of Bowdoin college, read his poem, "Flora McFlimsy at Church," a part being as follows :
To no religion are her feelings true; She goes to church because her neighbors do; Her only wish her friends and beaux to meet; With gilded prayer-book and a cushioned seat. Of prayer or praise does she but little reck,
And reads the hymns, for tho' she never sings, An open book will best display her rings. To save her soul in vain the priest aspires
To rouse a dread of everlasting fires ;
No matter what the force he puts upon it,
She smiles at him-and thinks about her bonnet.
In February, 1860, Miss Jane Coombs rendered several interest- ing dramatic entertainments here. She appeared as the Countess in the drama "Love."
In the spring of 1860 Thomas B. Bryan, a gentleman of excellent culture and probably the most public spirited citizen of the city, purchased the entire picture gallery of Healy, the artist, and placed the same in his new hall on Dearborn street. The pictures cost a total of about $15,000 and among them were the following: "Webster's Reply to Hayne," "Franklin at the French Court," a portrait of all the Presidents, also of Clay, Webster, Calhoun, Fremont, Douglas, Everett, Story and others. The bust of Mr. Lincoln, prepared by Leonard W. Volk, was finished in May, 1860. Mr. Volk also made a bust of Douglas, I. N. Arnold, Rev. Doctor Patterson and Dr. Rodgers.
In 1860 Edward Wright was president of the Prairie Cricket club. His players distinguished themselves by defeating the clubs of Detroit, Cincinnati, Cleveland and St. Louis.
In April, 1860, the Excelsior and Niagara baseball clubs played a match game at Bull's Head on the West side; the score was as follows: Excelsior, 44; Niagara, 3.
In July, 1860, Wood's minstrels gave an interesting entertain- ment at Kingsley hall. On July 24 the Douglas and Lincoln base- ball clubs played a match game at West Lake and Ann streets. The score was as follows: Douglas, 16; Lincoln, 14. Another game was played between the Ossawatomie Juniors and the Wide Awake Seniors, the score being 62 to 12 in favor of the former. On August 20 a match game of baseball was played by the Atlan- tic and Excelsior second nines, with the following result: Atlan- tics, 9; Excelsiors, 17. F. S. Bostock, of the Excelsior club, um-
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pired this game. On August 25, 1860, the first nines of the Atlantic and the Excelsior baseball clubs played a match game, with the following result :
Atlantics Excelsiors
2
1
0
4 4
4 1
0 0
4
0
3 1 2-23 1-12
The newspapers said that this game was witnessed by a much larger crowd than ever before had attended a match game in this city. The Atlantics had been the champions of the previous year and the Excelsiors made desperate efforts in 1860 to defeat them. The game was played on the grounds of the Prairie Cricket club near Bull's Head. Over 1,000 people paid an admission fee to see the contest. The newspapers spoke as if 1,000 paid admissions were an unusual occurrence in baseball annals. Many ladies witnessed the game.
Mr. Bryan, with the Healy gallery, rendered Bryan hall one of the most beautiful and attractive centers of the city. The hall itself was decorated and finished with exquisite taste. The stage was 78 by 76 feet. The stage of Metropolitan hall was only 77 by 60 feet.
In September, 1860, the great prize fight between Heenan and Morrissey at Long Point, Canada, attracted the attention of Chi- cago sporting men.
In 1860 the newspapers commented favorably upon the beautiful acting of Mary McVicker in the character of Gianetta in the play of the same name. This drama was written by S. M. Wilson, attorney. She also appeared in "Youthful Brigand," "Hamlet," as Little Pickle in "A Spoiled Child," and as Desdifina in "Bombastes Furioso."
In May, 1860, Hurley and Campbell's minstrels gave an interest- ing performance at Kingsbury hall. The great fight between Heenan and Sayers in England in April, 1860, possessed great in- terest for the sporting fraternity here. In the spring of 1860 Van Amberg & Co.'s famous menagerie and circus opened under an immense tent on Washington street opposite the courthouse.
The Metropolitan gymnasium in the Kingsbury block was an attractive resort for athletes in the summer of 1860. The gym- nasium was conducted by John C. Babcock and William B. Curtiss. They gave instruction in athletics of various kinds. They had hori- zontal bars, rings, tight ropes, heavy weights, Indian clubs, and a track for running and jumping. In May, 1860, the Osceola and Junior Excelsior baseball clubs played several games at May and West Lake streets. In June, 1860, a new and beautiful ode by B. F. Taylor was read to a select audience in one of the halls. Late in June, 1860, the Niagara and Junior Athletic baseball clubs played at May and West Lake streets. The score was as follows: Niagaras, 27; Junior Athletics, 19.
Vol. I-34.
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On June 19 and 20, 1860, the famous musical company of M. Strakosch again appeared here in a series of brilliant entertain- ments. Among the performers were Adelina Patti, Madame Stra- kosch, who was an elder sister of Adelina Patti, Sig. Brigude, Sig. Ferri and Sig. Junca. The general admission was $1; reserved seats, $2. They rendered in magnificent style "Il Trovatore," "Lucretia," "Martha," "La Favorita" and "Il Barbier di Siriglia." Patti was invited to sing in the Roman Catholic cathedral and ac- cepted the invitation. Her appearance on Sunday morning in the cathedral was an event of great importance not only to music lovers but to church-goers. The Press and Tribune said: "No singing ever affected us like the singing of Adelina Patti in the Roman Catholic cathedral in Chicago on one Sunday morning in the leafy month of June." That paper further said: "Patti in Chicago .- The enthusiasm that a week or more since was manifested in ad- vance in the direction of reserved seats culminated, but not to wane, when the matchless little prima donna, Patti, answered all expecta- tions and more than met every anticipation in one of the most bril- liant triumphs ever won before a Chicago audience."
In June, 1860, the big trot between Flora Temple and Patchen was watched by Chicago sporting men. In 1860, when the Repub- lican National convention assembled in the historic wigwam, Tom Hyer, the famous prize fighter, was in the city and attended the convention one or more times. In June, 1860, two men named Hawkins and Royal, sailors from one of the lake vessels, fought a prize fight near the cemetery. After the fight had progressed about fifteen rounds it was broken up by a raid from the police.
On June 23 a match foot-race occurred in the Metropolitan gym- nasium in the Kingsbury block. The prize was a championship belt. The distance was one-quarter of a mile and was covered in 1 minute 41/2 seconds by J. Van Inwagen. There were seven contestants. About this time, also, a wild pigeon shooting match occurred just outside the city limits. J. Farnsworth secured 44 birds out of 50, and G. T. Abbey 41 out of 50. The shooting occurred at Stagg's trap, wherever that may have been.
Among those who lectured before the Young Men's association during the winter of 1859-60 were the following: George Vanden- hoff, Prof. E. T. Youmans, Dr. J. G. Holland, Ralph W. Emerson, Rev. T. Starr King, Bayard Taylor, James Russell Lowell, Henry Ward Beecher, E. H. Chapin, Mortimer Thompson, Prof. L. Agas- siz, Oliver W. Holmes, Wendell Phillips, George W. Curtis and Rev. Charles Wadsworth.
In September, 1860, at the Cottage Grove park, the two horses Ethan Allen and Prairie Boy trotted for a purse of $500. The fol- lowing day Dracow, of New York, and Prairie Boy trotted for a purse of $300, three best in five. Dracow won, his best time being 2:35.
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In September, 1860, Miss Jane Coombs appeared at McVicker's theater in "School for Scandal" and "Evadne." The Osceola and Niagara baseball clubs played several match games which were attended by large audiences. In October an important game was played on Sangamon street, between Jackson and Van Buren, by the Niagara and Ossawatomie clubs, the score being Niagara 28, Ossawatomie 11.
In November, 1860, D. W. Waller appeared here in a series of interesting presentations. His Othello and Macbeth were highly praised. Mrs. Emma Waller assumed the part of Iago.
In November John C. Heenan, the prize fighter, came to Chicago. He advertised to give a boxing exhibition and the hall did not hold one-half of those who gathered to see the performance. The first bout was between Price and Perkins; the second between Carroll and Ryan, of Chicago; the third between McBride and O'Regan, both of Chicago; the fourth between Perkins and Thompson, of Chicago, and the fifth between Pell, of Cottage Grove, and Powers, of Chicago. During the performance Mons. Gregorie, a strong man, gave an exhibition of lifting great weights. The closing performance was a boxing bout of six rounds between Mr. Heenan and Aaron Jones. It was noticed that when Heenan came on the stage he had a black eye. The admission at this enter- tainment was 50 cents. It took place in Bryan hall.
In November, 1860, the first exhibition of the work of Chicago artists was opened at Hessler's gallery. The principal works were those of Volk, the sculptor, and Healy, the painter. It was a cred- itable exhibit and was praised highly by newspaper critics of that date. About this time it was announced that. George F. Root, a famous musical composer who had been residing in New York, was soon to make his permanent home in Chicago. Lovers of music in Chicago welcomed the announcement and predicted that Chicago would become a congenial field for the display of Mr. Root's talent.
In November, 1860, Julian S. Rumsey was president of the Ogden Skating club. During the winters for several years previous skating was a popular pastime in which many Chicagoans partici- pated. There were several extremely graceful and skillful skaters here.
Several years before this date George P. A. Healy, the Chicago artist, had been commissioned by Congress to paint portraits of all the Presidents of the United States. He completed his task about this time, and his works are in existence yet and may be seen at Washington, D. C.
In December, 1860, a Mr. Berger visited Chicago on a tour throughout the West giving exhibitions of fancy billiard playing. The newspapers spoke very highly of his remarkable skill. In December, 1860, the Chicago Art Union gave one of the best ex-
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hibits ever shown to Chicago people. Among those who con- tributed masterpieces were C. H. McCormick, J. H. Kinzie, W. F. Gurnee, I. N. Arnold and Dr. Caldwell. About 300 oil apintings were shown, besides many pieces of sculpture and other forms of art. This exhibit was the largest and best ever given here up to this date.
In January, 1861, many fine oil paintings were exhibited at Union Gallery No. 2. Among the finest were "Mary at the Feet of the Savior," "A Roman Landscape," "A Spanish Pastoral," "The Siege of Yorktown," "View on the Hudson," "Scene in the Catskills," "The Prodigal Son," and "The Binding of Samson by the Philistines." In January, 1861, Dr. J. G. Holland and Rev. Dr. Tiffany, of Chicago, lectured before the Young Men's associa- tion. At this time also Professor Youmans delivered several lec- tures here on branches of geology. Henry Ward Beecher said of Professor Youmans that he surpassed all the men he had ever heard in popularizing science.
In January, 1861, an important convention of gymnasts and athletes was held at Bryan hall. Representatives were here from all parts of the country. Among the most distinguished was Doctor Winship, of Massachusetts. Prizes to the amount of $1,000 were given. Dr. Winship lifted four kegs of nails weighing 1,000 pounds. He also lifted in harness on his shoulders 1,517 pounds. He shouldered a barrel of flour weighing 229 pounds and slowly lowered it to the floor. At this meeting also William Thompson, of Chicago, lifted in harness 2,106 pounds and by so doing received a prize of $200, and Mr. Curtis swung the 100-pound dumb-bells. Thompson also toyed with a dumb-bell weighing 165 pounds.
In February, 1861, the Chicago Curling club was in existence and gave a series of public exhibitions on the North side.
In February, 1861, Mr. Sothern appeared here in an entertain- ment that attracted the attention of theater-goers and received large patronage. His appearance as "Lord Dundreary," it was declared, could not be surpassed.
In March, 1861, the Chicago Art Union offered prizes for the best specimens of artistic work, but owing to the hard times inci- dental to the war withdrew the offer a little later.
In 1861 the famous old trotting horse Moscow was owned in this city. At one time he was the fastest trotter in the United States. In 1852 he had beaten Lady Suffolk in the time of 2:21 on the famous Long Island course. In 1861 he was about 26 years old and was owned by W. W. Eggleston. Formerly he had been owned by Robert B. Mills.
In March, 1861, Grace Greenwood lectured here on the subject of "The Heroic in Common Life." Her lecture was greatly en- joyed. From 1857 to 1861 G. G. Thomas, 96 Adams street, manu- factured billiard balls.
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In April, 1861, James E. Murdock appeared at McVicker's theater in "Hamlet," "The Elder Brother," etc. Soon after the war commenced George F. Root, musical composer, began to publish war songs, many of which became very popular as time passed. In April Miss Dresser lectured here on "Brigham Young and the Mormon Church." She described the inside workings of polygamy in Utah.
In July, 1861, Jerry Donavan and John McGlade, prize fighters, trained secretly in this city and finally fought a match at Ains- worth, the present South Chicago. McGlade lost in the twelfth round after a desperate fight. The men were so exhausted at the conclusion of the contest that they fell down by the force of their own blows. McGlade was counted out after he had fallen under these circumstances. The decision was disputed because it was claimed he had not been defeated by his opponent in a direct act.
In July, 1861, Chicago as well as the whole United States marveled at the large and beautiful comet seen every evening in the northwestern heavens. Many superstitious people thought in the early stages of the war that the comet was sent to destroy the earth as a punishment for slavery and the struggle between brothers on this continent.
Sporting men this year anxiously heard the details of the great fight in England between Mace and Hurst. The former, although much the smaller, won the fight.
·In August, 1861, E. A. Sothern again appeared here at Mc- Vicker's theater. His most popular play during this season was "The Angel at Midnight." Scores were turned away from the theater every night.
In August, 1861, a trot took place at the Brighton race course between Twilight Raven and Captain Buford, famous horses of that day. The race was one mile heats, two best in three, for a purse of $200. The best time was about 2:30. In 1858 the Mendels- sohn Musical society was organized in this city. It was not strong and prominent, however, and did not make much of a showing until 1861, at which date it received a large increase in membership and likewise received funds which enabled it to renew its power and influnce.
In October, 1861, the monument to Stephen A. Douglas was designed here. The committee having the work in charge con- sisted of John M. Wilson, George W. Volk, S. M. Fuller, H. G. Miller, W. C. Goudy, J. W. Sheahan and J. M. Rountree. Mr. Volk designed the monument. In October, 1861, Mr. Chanfrau appeared in repertoire at McVicker's theater. Among his presenta- tions were the plays "Phelim O'Flanigan," "O'Flanigan and the Fairies," "Timothy Toodles," etc.
Late in 1861 there were brought here from the old Dusseldorf gallery of New York many valuable paintings which were collected
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into a gallery in Kingsbury block. There they were on exhibition and from time to time were sold at public auction. As there were many masterpieces among the collection, Chicagoans were enabled to secure rare art treasures at a comparatively low price.
In November, 1861, the Philharmonic society gave several splen- did entertainments at Bryan hall, and devoted a portion of the proceeds to the support of soldiers' families. The entertainments were patronized by Chicago music lovers.
In December, 1861, the famous prize fighter Bendigo was put in training at Cottage Grove preparatory to a fight with McGlade, who also trained near this city. The fight occurred about January 1, 1862, at Wright's Station and was won by Bendigo.
In December, 1861, Mr. Collins, always a favorite here, enter- tained the public at McVicker's theater. He appeared in "Teddy the Tiler," "The Boys of the Irish Brigade," "The Glory of Ameri- ca," "How to Pay the Rent," etc. Gen. Tom Thumb was at Wood's museum about this time. Late in 1861 Italian grand opera was ren- dered here in Bryan hall. Among the performances were "Lu- cretia Borgia," "Barber of Seville," "Lucia di Lammermoor," "Don Paskale," "Il Trovatore," etc. Among the performers were Sig. Brignoli, tenor; Marcusi, baritone; Susini, basso; and Mallen Hauer, violoncellist.
It was at this time that J. S. Rarey gave his marvelous exhibit of horse training at North's amphitheater. His method of handling vicious horses was a revelation to the horsemen of this city. He formed a class and gave instruction along the lines which had made him so successful as a trainer of wild horses. In January, 1862, Heller, the magician, appeared at Bryan hall in an interesting enter- tainment. In February, 1862, Professor Anderson appeared here in the character of Rob Roy.
During 1862 there were numerous dog and cock fights, not only at Camp Douglas, but throughout Chicago. There was a city ordinance against such an exhibition, but sporting men managed to evade the law. Every Sunday fights of that kind occurred either in the city or in the suburbs. One dog fight lasted one and one-half hours and was bloody and brutal in the extreme.
In January, 1862, John Wilkes Booth, the third son of the elder Booth, appeared here in "Richard the III," "Romeo and Juliet," "The Apostate," "Hamlet," etc. The newspapers spoke very highly of his performances, notwithstanding his youth.
In January, 1862, a saloon at the corner of Canal and Randolph streets was raided by the police, who arrested eleven prize fighters, among whom were Jerry Donovan and James Burns, who had pre- viously been the seconds of Bendigo in a fight the latter had south of the city. Bendigo himself was present and was also arrested. All were fined the next day. Donovan and Bendigo gave bail for a future hearing. A little later the police raided a so-called boxing
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exhibit on Archer road, near Bridgeport, and arrested twenty-six performers. The prize fighter John McGlade was one of those ar- rested. He had previously fought Bendigo near this city. Free- man, the keeper of the house on Archer road, was fined $10 and all the others, including McGlade, $3 each.
In January, 1862, Professor Winship, of Massachusetts, appeared here in feats of strength. Chicago at this time had a strong man- William Thompson-who lifted publicly in conjunction with Mr. Winship. Mr. Thompson raised with one hand a dumb-bell weigh- ing 162 pounds. He lifted 2,000 pounds by means of harness.
In March, 1862, Christy's burlesque opera house at the corner of Randolph and La Salle streets was one of the principal resorts for lovers of the comic. Miss Julia Daly, comic actress, appeared at McVicker's theater in March, 1862. At this time Hermann, the wizard, who it was said surpassed all other magicians of the "black art," gave a week's entertainment to Chicagoans.
In the spring of 1862 Wendell Phillips, who had just come from Cincinnati where he had been pelted by his audience with rotten eggs, lectured here on "The Lost Arts," "The War," etc. His hot words did not meet the same fate they encountered in Cincinnati.
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