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 II > Part 47
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HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY
a dead body paid better than a living one. The last one included the charge that the doctors, having in view the sale of the bodies, did not take proper pains for the recovery of the patients. An investigation was followed by the report that the charges were unfounded. The newspapers said the report was whitewashed.
At this date the financial affairs of the county were in sore straits. There was no money in the treasury nor revenue in existence, and debts were rapidly accumulating. The following resolution was adopted : "Resolved, That the finance committee be instructed to report at the earliest moment to this board some plan of action whereby the liabilities of Cook county may be met and the claims of our creditors liquidated. Resolved, further, That a full statement of all our liabilities be also presented in proper form."
The committee on public buildings reported in December, 1869, that work on the new east wing of the county building was progress- ing in a satisfactory manner. The stone work was all in place, the brick work was almost finished, and the plastering was nearly com- pleted. The roof was finished and the cells were nearly so.
For the fiscal year ending December 7, 1869, there was on hand at the beginning, $68,829.53. The total receipts during the year, including that sum, were $640,017.75. The whole of this, less $33,- 153.28, was paid out. The board passed a resolution calling upon the Canal company to rebuild the Lane bridge and dam across the Calumet feeder.
The finance committee, to whom was referred the resolutions to ascertain the indebtedness of the county and to provide means for liquidating same, reported: "First, That they have no means to ascertain the amount of such indebtedness. Second, They are unable to borrow any money for the payment of such indebtedness by the issue of Cook county orders." The question of issuing bonds was submitted to the Law institute and such issue was found to be legal and practicable. Financiers of this city stated that they were willing to loan the county money providing the board would pledge the repayment of the same as soon as the taxes of 1869 were collected. At this date the authorities stated that the exact bonded debt of Cook county was $2,915,000. The floating debt, including its probable increase by the county building, did not exceed $200,000. As the taxable property of the county in 1869 was valued at $94,445,243, it was deemed not difficult to secure the necessary loan.
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On December 15, 1869, it was reported that the artesian well on the poor farm had reached a depth of 690 feet. The top of the pipe was two feet above the surface, and water at this date was flowing out and was reported very clear and pure. The different strata pene- trated were as follows: Earth, 102 feet ; white lime rock, 201 feet; shell rock, 205 feet; gray lime rock, 132 feet, and very hard sand- stone, 50 feet. In passing through the strata of earth at the top, three bowlders were struck, one being eighty-seven feet below the
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surface. At this date the County Board was paying a wolf bounty of $5 per scalp.
The board at the December session passed the following resolu- tion : "Resolved, That the Board of Supervisors of Cook county respectfully ask the Constitutional convention to insert a clause in the Constitution, authorizing the Legislature to divide the counties in certain cases." This meaningless resolution was adopted as a sub- stitute for resolutions previously introduced in detail concerning the inequality of representation on the Board of Supervisors of Cook county. For many years the objection that the Board of Super- visors did not properly represent the different sections of the county had been broached and discussed. The outside towns contained a minority of the population, but had a majority of the County Board. The city, with a greater population, was dissatisfied with its minority. For years this had proved a source of conflict between the city of Chicago and the towns outside. The original resolution proposed to organize the city and county of Chicago with the county seat at the city of Chicago, and further proposed that the towns of Lamont, Palos, Worth, Orland, Bremen, Rich and Bloom should be attached to the county of Will, and that the towns of Proviso, Leyden, Niles, Maine, Elk Grove and New Trier should be attached to the county of Du Page. The County of Chicago, it was proposed, should consist of the towns of North Chicago, South Chicago, West Chicago, Hyde Park, Calumet, Thornton, Lake, Cicero, Jefferson, Lake View and Evanston. This was too radical à change for the supervisors, and accordingly the substitute resolution above given was adopted.
The annual report of the Cook county warden showed that the whole number of patients admitted during the year was 1,105; dis- charged, 950; died, 167, and born, 103. There were treated at the dispensary : Medical, 1,404; surgical, 500; eye and ear, 152.
Late in 1869 and early in 1870 there was much complaint concern- ing the supplies which were furnished the poorhouse and the county hospital. The board ordered an investigation. It was found neces- sary at this time to have the sick poor taken care of by private insti- tutions, as the county hospital could not contain all who applied for admission. A motion to investigate the action of supervisors and committees and all county offices was carried by a narrow margin. A motion to table the resolution was lost by a vote of 32 to 18. This action was called out by the charge that the committee on poorhouse and paupers had taken improper action concerning contracts for awards of supplies to the poorhouse, and the further charge that in- sufficient attention had been given to sick paupers in the hospital. It was resolved at this time that no committee of the board should have the power to contract with any person for work or material in excess of $2,500, and that all expenditures exceeding that amount should be duly advertised before becoming legal. The following resolution was also adopted: "Resolved, That no committee of this
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board shall hereafter be authorized to let any contract requiring the payment on the part of the county of any sum of money, nor audit or pay any bills for extra work done or to be done on or by virtue of any building, improvement or contract, without first having pre- sented same to this board for approval, and it shall require a vote of the members present to confirm the same."
The board received a petition from fifteen bankers of the South division, stating that their stock was taxed at par value, while other moneyed interests and real estate were assessed at one-third of their value. They prayed that the assessment might be equalized. In March, 1870, the roof of the east wing of the courthouse having fal- len and greatly damaged the building, a special committee of seven was appointed to investigate the causes of the accident, and their duty was made to include an investigation of materials, workmanship, per- manency and safety of all other public buildings erected or in process of erection in Cook county.
In March, 1870, a special committee of five, appointed for the purpose of investigation, reported that they had found one or more members of the County Board guilty of having received a tract of land as a bribe for certain action relative to the Cook County Normal school. The following whereas and resolution was presented to the board and duly considered: "WHEREAS, The special committee of five appointed by this board to examine into and investigate certain charges, report that they found J. J. Kearney, a member of this board, did receive a lot of land, and from the preponderance of testi- mony it was for his influence in securing the location of the Cook County Normal school at Englewood while he was a member of the previous Board of Supervisors ; therefore, be it Resolved as the sense of this board, That the said J. J. Kearney, supervisor of the Ninth ward and member of this board, be requested to resign as the pre- siding officer and as a member of this board." On motion, Mr. Kearney, by a vote of 42 to 8, was requested to resign his position as presiding officer of the board. A motion, asking him to resign as a member of the board, was postponed by a vote of 29 to 21.
An investigation by the special committee appointed showed that the whole structure of the courthouse was unsafe; that the east wing rested upon an unsquare and insufficient foundation ; that the walls were settling, spreading and cracking, and that it was dangerous to occupy the whole or any part of the building, and unwise to proceed to build the east wing in its present condition. A committee of five was appointed to make a searching investigation and to recommend what should be done in the premises.
The committee on finance reported in December as to the amount of orders necessary to be issued to pay the present indebtedness of the county. A total of $62,000 worth of orders had recently been issued, and the present known and estimated indebtedness due was $159,497. The board passed a resolution instructing the treasurer
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of the county to pay 10 per cent interest on county orders issued on or after December 1, 1870, until redeemed. The board also, by res- olution, instructed the treasurer to pay interest at 10 per cent on all county orders issued previously or to be issued in the future, to cover the present floating indebtedness of the county. At this date the board took action to prevent body-snatching from the county poor- house cemetery. Albert G. Lane, county superintendent, was author- ized to employ an assistant at $600 per year. In December, 1870, the Normal school building at Englewood had cost a total to date of $148,493. The committee on hospital reported that the hospital building was owned by the city of Chicago, and that indifferent ar- rangements existed between the city and the county as to the occu- pancy of the institution. In consideration that the city might occupy the Reform school grounds, the county was permitted to use the hos- pital owned by the city.
In his annual report concerning the county hospital, George Rey- nolds, warden, reported that the condition of the hospital, from a sanitary point, was considerably improved during the year. The sewerage system was extended and enlarged, thus preventing clog- ging up under the building. He reported the sanitary conditions sat- isfactory. There were admitted during the year to the hospital 1,438 patients. The total number discharged was 1,281. During the year 140 patients died.
On March 22, 1870, Supervisor Kearney tendered his resignation as chairman of the board, and the same was promptly accepted. Supervisor Bluthardt was then elected chairman. Mr. Kearney was guilty of open, barefaced dishonesty in connection with the letting of contracts, etc.
The special committee appointed to investigate the condition of county finances and to suggest some method of relief reported that in their opinion a further issue of county orders with 10 per cent coupons payable semi-annually in the city of New York, and becom- ing due on July 1, 1871, was the only means that would afford imme- diate relief and meet the pressing demands upon the county treasury. The committee further reported that in all probability such bonds would sell at par or at not worse than one-half of 1 per cent discount. Therefore the committee recommended the further issue of such 10 per cent orders to an amount not exceeding $200,000, the same to be offered for sale at par. A few days later the committee reported that they had borrowed the $200,000 above mentioned, and that the funds were then in the treasury of the county. The committee was obliged to pay 2 per cent commission for having the loan negotiated. They reported that $40,000 of the orders were sold at par and $16,000 at 99 cents on the dollar. The committee further reported that on March 1, 1870, the balance in the county treasury amounted to $63,253.19, and that the interest on Cook county war bonds and other county bonds falling due in April, 1870, amounted to $106,250
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and must be met. Therefore the committee requested the county treasurer to forward to New York sufficient funds to meet this interest.
The east wing of the courthouse having collapsed, a special com- mittee of nine was appointed to investigate the circumstances attend- ing the catastrophe. They reported that during their investigation facts and circumstances that reflected on the character of one mem- ber of the county committee on public buildings were revealed, "therefore bringing scandal and disgrace on the good name of this honorable board." The committee further stated that "in view of the responsibility resting on them, and to the end that this board may be purged of the shame and disgrace now resting upon it, they would recommend that J. J. Kearney, supervisor from the Ninth ward, be expelled from this board and his name be erased from the roll." The report and recommendation were concurred in by a vote of 42 to 4. The board also ordered "that the special committee be requested to report to the grand jury at the recorder's court the names of all persons who have been known to give or offer bribes to any of the supervisors of this board, and also to furnish all the evidence in their possession to said grand jury." The following amendment to the above order was passed: "That this resolution shall be so amended as to include all who have received offices in the gift of the board for and in consideration of votes to be given in said board." One or more of the members who had voted against the resolution which expelled Supervisor Kearney later changed their votes in favor of the resolution. The investigation of the committee of nine showed that bad meat, poor flour, miserable bread and wood of inferior qual- ity were fraudulently delivered to the poorhouse under the sanction of Mr. Kearney and others.
At this time the appointment and duties of official visitors to the poorhouse were changed and improved. It was resolved by the board to make no changes in the tax levy so far as the complaining banks were concerned.
On March 8, 1870, the committee on finance, after a thorough in- vestigation, reported the financial condition of the county to be as follows: Total resources for the fiscal year 1869-70, $711,680. Of this amount $198,400 was realized net from the sale of $200,000 10 per cent county orders, and $40,008 net from the sale of $44,000 7 per cent county bonds. The county tax levy for 1869-70 amounted to $519,200. It was shown that during the previous year the ac- counts were overdrawn to the amount of $11,300. The interest to be paid by the county from May, 1870, to the close of the fiscal year amounted to $227,250. On March 8, 1870, the outstanding orders unpaid amounted to $28,006. Besides there was a balance on con- tracts against the county amounting to $143,357.71. The statement of the committee showed that on March 8, 1870, here was really a deficit of $171,183.71. There was spent a total of $600,286.77 on
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the east wing of the courthouse, east half of the old courthouse, Normal school, insane asylum, county poorhouse road, artesian well, etc. This condition of affairs called for immediate remedial action on the part of the County Board.
In April, 1870, the board authorized the building committee to adopt plans for a new roof on the east wing of the courthouse, and to proceed to complete the repairs in full on both the old and the new buildings. The committee on education reported that up to date the cost of the Normal school building complete amounted to $108,- 150.84, and that the land owned by the institution was worth $50,- 000, making the Normal school property worth in round numbers $158,000. Englewood had paid $25,000 to securue the Normal school. The report of the committee showed that while the property had cost Cook county but $83,000, it was worth in round numbers $158,000. The committee recommended that inasmuch as the school was sustained by all the people of the county it should be non-sec- tarian in character and management.
On March 1, 1870, there were 540 inmates at the poorhouse. The county agent, C. J. Pusheck, reported on March 6, 1870, that steps to provide more and better accommodations at the county hospital for the sick would have to be taken. He said that the hospital was consantly overfilled. He reported that during the past winter he had relieved 2,812 families, with an average of five persons to a family, making the total number of persons cared for about 14,060.
At the meeting of the new Board of Supervisors on December 5, 1870, George W. Waite was elected chairman. The committee on poorhouse and paupers reported that the warden and the matron of the poorhouse should be required to serve as warden and matron of the insane asylum. Two sets of officers were unnecessary. The committee reported that the new insane asylum was complete and perfect in its appointments and a credit to Chicago and Cook county. The committee recommended that but one physician and surgeon be appointed for the insane asylum and the poorhouse. In 1871 the Charity Dispensary of North Chicago and the Brainard Free Dis- pensary of West Chicago, each for $500, furnished medical attend- ance and medicine to the county poorhouse.
The Board, upon investigating the collapse of the east wing of the courthouse and upon learning of the scandal there shown to exist, declined to pay many of the claims of contractors. Several were rejected and often the objectors brought suit. The most of the de- mands were compromised. The committee on judiciary at this date, after an investigation, concluded that under the new constitution the old Recorder's court, which was a city court, was merged in the Criminal court of Cook county, and therefore all fees due the State's attorney of the Seventh judicial district, formerly paid by the city of Chicago and county of Cook, should now be paid by the county alone. Accordingly the board authorized the county treasurer to pay such
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fees. An addition to the county hospital was ordered built. The con- tract accepted fixed the total cost at $5,453. By December 15, 1870, the new structure was ready for occupancy. The new building accom_ modated sixty patients. The cost during the progress of erection was increased by extra allowances to $7,750. The lower story was intended for the eye ward, the second story for fever patients, and the third story for lying-in patients. The records show that the hospital was the property of the city of Chicago, but was being partly used by the county.
The committee on finance in December, 1870, reported that the annual statement of the county treasurer showed that there was no money in the treasury with which to pay orders; that the amount of orders issued and not registered with the treasurer for payment amounted to $90,685.25 ; and that additional orders, it was estimated, to the amount of from $30,000 to $50,000 had been authorized for issue on this date. To meet these orders, other maturing engage- ments and the estimated current expenses there was levied in Sep- tember, 1870, a county tax of $1,398,000. The amount necessary for current expenses was estimated at $530,400. The balance of the levy was required to pay interest on the bonds and to retire other indebtedness of the county. The total bonded debt at this date amounted to $2,905,000. The committee reported that the finances of the county were in good condition and that the completion of the public buildings and other emergency improvements had temporarily absorbed the revenue and that the distress was only temporary. The committee recommended that at present no further issue of coupon orders should be made.
On Monday, December 4, 1871, for the first time the Board of Commissioners of Cook county assembled in Chicago. Samuel Ash- ton was elected temporary chairman. Messrs. Crawford, White and Skelly were appointed a committee on credentials. The following commissioners were reported entitled to seats as members of the board : Messrs. Stearns, Jones, and Wahl from South Chicago; Messrs. Harrison, Harris, Lonergan and Talcott from West Chi- cago; Messrs. Ashton. Herting and Roelle from North Chicago; Mr. White from Lake View, New Trier, Northfield, and Niles ; John W. Pahlman from Wheeling, Palatine, Barrington, Hanover, Schaumberg, Elk Grove and Maine; Mr. Crawford from Leyden, Cicero, Proviso, Riverside, Lyons and Lake; Mr. Hitchcock from Hyde Park, Worth, Columbia, Thornton; Mr. Skelly from Bloom, Rich, Bremen, Orland, Palos, and Lemont. Julius White was elected permanent chairman. The commissioners cast lots for the one, two and three year terms with the following result: For one year, Messrs. Crawford, Jones, Skelly, Stearns and White. For two years, Messrs. Herting, Lonergan, Pahlman, Talcott and Wahl : for three years, Messrs. Ashton, Harris, Harrison, Hitchcock and Roelle. Considerable time was spent in forming committees, adopting rules
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of conduct, appointing subordinates, etc. The standing committees were as follows: Judiciary, Finance, Education, City Relations, Pub- lic Buildings, Equalization of Taxes, Poorhouse and Paupers, Hos- pital, Miscellaneous Claims, Jail, Jail Accounts, Roads and Bridges, Licenses, Town and Town Accounts.
A special committee was appointed to confer with the Board of Public Works of Chicago to ascertain whether accommodations for the courts and Cook county offices upon the reservoir lot could be obtained. A committee reported, after investigation, that the county would be furnished with temporary rooms as desired. The board passed a series of resolutions, asking the National government to re- fund to Cook county the sum of $2,500,000 which had been paid as bounty to soldiers during the Civil War. This request was made in consideration of the immense losses sustained by the county during the recent great fire. Later this singular action was reconsidered. It was resolved by the board that no member thereof should have any contract, direct or indirect, or any interest whatsoever, in any material, goods, wares, merchandise, stationery or supplies that Cook county might require during his term of office. The committee on finance reported the advisability of making a temporary loan of $500,000 and of issuing county bonds for that amount, the proceeds to be used to construct county buildings, etc.
The county debt due and maturing between January 1, 1872, and January 1, 1873, amounted to $765,500. The total indebtedness of the county at this date was $3,450,000. It was concluded to issue orders on the treasury to the amount of $500,000 to cover indebted- ness, the same to be payable in not less than eighteen months nor more than three years from January 1, 1872, and to bear interest at 7 per cent annually. The board resolved that no action should be taken at this time to erect public buildings on the old courthouse square.
The board inquired into the condition of the various departments of the county government, in order to ascertain the duties of the various heads of departments, how they were paid, what system of bookkeeping and accounts generally were in vogue, etc. The board passed resolutions establishing a branch to be known as the Depart- ment of Public Charities, and to include the county insane asylum, poorhouse and farm, county hospital, county physician, county agent's office and the Cook county jail, so far as the county had ju- risdiction over the same. The Medical Board at the county hospital. was excluded from this department. The physician of the insane asy- lum and poorhouse was appointed head of the department.
The board passed a resolution requesting Congress to remove the duty on a large list of building materials in order to assist tempora- rily the citizens of Chicago to replace their homes destroyed by the great fire. The board resolved that all requisitions for supplies re- quired for the county institutions should be made in writing upon
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certain blank forms furnished and consecutively numbered. In con- sideration of the necessity of constructing a new courthouse at an early date, the County Board prepared a bill to be submitted to the Legislature for its adoption, providing for the issue of county bonds necessary to pay the costs. At this date a committee of the County Board conferred with a like committee of Chicago concerning the construction of a jail and criminal court room either on the public square or on some other suitable lot. The North Market hall lot was duly considered.
The county treasurer's annual report, made December 4, 1871, showed that the balance on hand on December 31, 1870, was $31,- 868, and that the total receipts of the year including the amount on hand at the beginning was $1,983,706. The total expenses reached the same amount, less $26,360. Among the items received were the following: Tax levy of 1870, $1,345,544; temporary loan, $200,000; sale of county coupon orders, $400,000. There was re- ceived during the year to the credit of the bond fund account, includ- ing a small amount on hand at the beginning, a total of $190,581.
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