Cook County, Illinois - The whole text, 1884 (part 23 of 61)

'The foregoing summarization completes the account of various subjects not topically treated elsewhere. 'The growth of these various systems or departments was coeval with that of the city, and as the settlement of inhabitants became denser, so new schools, enginehouses and police stations were established. Each department increased and multiplied, and the syllabus of the destruction caused by the great fire of 1871, which is given hereafter, will convey some idea of the amount of the city's possessions that ascended in smoke upon that memorable day.

The Conjuration. - On the night of October 7, 1871, a fire broke out near Lull & Holmes's planing mill, near the corner of Clinton and Yan Buren streets, and rapidly spread northward to the corner of Monroe and Canal streets, where it was checked and finally subdued. On the night of October 8, 1871, a fire broke out near the corner of De Koven and Jefferson streets, which spread before the wind until two-thirds of Chicago were laid in ashes. 'The old tale of Mrs. O'Lcary's cow is pretty generally discredited, but that the fire sprang from a trilling conflagration at the inauguration is also true.

-- Dtar Sir / In compliance with your request as tn the origin and condition nf the great Chicago fire. I would state, that being the fmt officer at the lire, that 1 received an alarm from the man in waich-tower of engine company No. 6. one minute in advance of the alarm given by the watchman in city hall lower. On my arrival at the bre, which wa» la the alky bounded by JcfTermn, Clinton, Taylor and De Koven streets 1 discovered three or more barns and sheds on fire.

" I connected to the nearest fire plug, located on the corner of fefferson and De Koven streets and weni to woilc. As lo which barn (he fire originated in, I could not say.

" As to the fire not being checked in its northward progress, I would state in explanation, tnat previous to the great fire of 1871, watchmen were stationed in the city hall lower lo keep a lonk out for fires | and if a fite was discovered by either ol the men, he called the operator on duty in ihe fire alarm office, located on the third floor below the watch-tower, and instructed him what box 10 strike.

"On the evening of October 8, 1871, the watchman on duly in Ihe city hall lower discovered the fire, and ordrred the operator to strike a box located one mile southwest from the fire, which he should have located one mile northeast, and which would have brought the 6rst alarm engine* instead of the second, which responded to the alarm given by watchman, the first alarm engines remaining at their respective houses. In conclusion, I would stale that the above are facts.

The fire was fanned into the fiercest ftiry by the strong wind blowing at the time, which carried huge masses of burning material far in advance of the lire, which emted new fires in the path of the mighty and irresistible conflagration. James \V. Slicahan ami George P. Upton thus describe the appearance of the fire and its inconceivable rapidity of progress: " About one o'clock a cloud of black smoke rose in the smithwest, which, colored by the lit rid glare of the flames, presented a remarkable picture. I>ue west another column of smoke and lire rose, while the north was lighted with the flying cinders and destructive brands. In ten minutes more the whole horizon to the west, as far as could be seen from the windows, was a fire-cloud with flames leaping up along the whole line, just showing their heads and subsiding from view like tongues of -snakes. Five minutes more wrought a change. I'eal after peal was sounded from the court-house bell. The fire was on LaSalle Street, had swept north, and the Chamber of Commerce began to belch forth smoke and flame from windows and ventilators. The east wing of the Court House was alight: then the west wing; the tower was blazing on the south side, and at two o'clock the whole building was in a sheet of flame."* * * "The scene presented when the fire was at its height in the South Division, is well nigh indescribable. The huge stone ami brick structures melted before the fierceness of the flames as a snowflakc melts and disappears in water - and almost as quickly. Six-story buildings would take tire and disappear forever from sight in five minutes by the watch. In nearly every street the flames would enter at the rears of buildings, ami appear simultaneously at the fronts, For an instant the windows would redden, then great billows of fire would belch out, and meeting each other, shoot up into the air a vivid, quivering column of flame, and after poising it-, self in awful majesty, hurl itself bodily Several hundred feet and kindle new buildings." Hon. William 15. Og. den also said, in describing the fire: " How it could lie that buildings, men or anything could not encounter and withstand the torrent of fire without utter destruction is explained by the fact that the fire was accompanied by the fiercest tornado of wind ever known to blow here, and it acted like a perfect blow-pipe, driving the brilliant blaze hundreds of feet with so perfect a combustion that it consumed the smoke, and its heat wasso great that fire-proof (so-called buildings sunk before it almost as readily as wood. Nothing hut earth could withstand it." The devastated tract was embraced within the following limits:

" On the West Side: Commencing at the corner o( DeKoven and Jefferson streets, thence north along Jefferson Street to near the corner of Harrison Street, thence north-easterly to near the corner of Clinton and Van Rurcn streets, thence cast to Canal Street, thence north to Adams Street, thence east to the river, thence southerly along the river to Taylor Street, thence west tn the corner of Taylor and Clinton Streets, thence south to DcKoven Street, thence west to Jefferson Street.

On the South Side: Commencing at Taylor Street and the Chicago River, thence east to Sherman Street, thence north to Harrison Street, thence east to Wabash Avenue, thence north to Congress Street, thence ci>t to the lake, thence northerly along the lake shore to the mouth of the Chicagc River, thence westerly and thence southerly along said river to Taylor Street and the river bank. Within this district an elevator near the mouth of the river, the Lind Block between Market, Randolph and Lake streets, and a Methodist church at the corner of Harrison Street and Wabash Avenue, escaped destruction. This church was subsequently used for the post-office of the city.

On the North Side: Commencing near the mouth of the Chicago River, thence westerly along the river to Market Street, thence north to Michigan Street, thence west to the river, thence northwesterly alonj said river to near Division Street, thence northeast crly to near the corner of Division and Wesson streets, thence west to the corner of Division Street and Hawthorn Avenue, thence easterly to Clybourn Avenue, thence easterly to Orchard Street, thence northeasterly to Vine Street, thence north to Center Street, thence east to Hurlbut Street, thence north to Beldcn Avenue, thence not theasterly to Franklin Street, thence south on Franklin Street, by Lincoln Park to Clark Mreet. thence southerly to Wisconsin Street, thence cast to the lake, thence southerly along the lake shore to the place of beginning. The resilience of Malilon 1). Ogden, a frame building occupying the center of the block bounded by State, Whitney, Dearborn and Oak stree'.s, »as left untouched hv the lire.

The area over which the fire spread is as follows - In the West Division one hundred and iimi-ty-ioir acres; in the South Division, four hundred and sixty acres, and in the North Division, one thousand, * hundred and seventy acres, making a total or 1 thousand, one hundred and twenty-four acres twerseu. The number of people rendered homeless and the m ruber of houses destroyed, arc thus given statistician Elias Colbert: Houses destroyed. tWU \v» vision. 13.300; South Division. 3/15°: ttcsl 500. Persons made homeless, North Division, 74-4j°. South Division. 27,800; West Division, 2,250.

Proclamation. Wherrat. In the providence lof God. 10 whose will we humbly submit, a terrible calamity has stW* ?^ which demands of as our best efforts for the preservauon and the relief of suffering : . f rhicJ*i>

Bfitintvm, That the faith and credit of ihe 5,ly ?;,f Jfje are hereby pledged for the necessary expenses tor '»c Jc' ial suffering/ Public order will be preserved. The pol c* now being appointed will be responsible for Ihe main of the peace and the protection of property. All officers and men ol the Fire Department and Health Department will act a* special pol crmen without further notice. The Mayor and Comptroller will cjivc voucher* for all supplies furnished by the different relief committees. The headquarters of the City Government will be at the Congregational church, corner of West Washington and Ann streets. All persons are warned against any act tending to endanger properly. Persons caught in any depredation will be immediately arrested. With the help of God. order and peace and private property will be preserved. The City Government and the committee of alliens plrrlge themselves to the community to protect them, and prepare the way for a restoration of public and private welfare. It is believed the lire has spent its force, and all will soon be well.

On October 11, 1871, the city was declared to be under martial law; and a company of the Fifth Infantry, from Fort Leavenworth, was divided into squads and placed on guard over the principal buildings. Special volunteer companies were organized and placed on duty, and special policemen and patrolmen were on duty day and night. In their excess of caution many made smokers extinguish their cigars and pipes in the unbumed districts. The admirable manner in which law and order was observed amid the chaotic confusion and confiasratiophohia of the citizens, anil despite the presence of scoundrels who came to prey upon the prostrate city, is deserving of the highest eulogium. The manner in which the magnificent charity of the world was manifested toward (. hicago, makes any citizen who was here at that epoch speak of it in a quiet, low tone of voice - the remembrance is so dear to him and was so touchtngly and earnestly displayed. One instance w ill evidence how the need of Chicago was felt elsewhere. A distributing depot for the supplies receive*! was at Tobey's packing-house, near Sixteenth-street bridge, and was under charge of (ieneral Hardee, United States Army. At that depot, amid tons of edibles and clothing, were received a pair of little woolen baby-shoes accompanied by a letter in a little child's writing, stating that she was poor and being able to sent! nothing more valuable, hail knitted and sent those shoes for some little burned-out baby. The shoes and note stood in General Hardee's office for a long time and spoke most eloquently to every one that saw them.

Personal Effects General Summary

The county's loss was in the court-house and the records; the former is estimated at $1,000,000; an estimate of the value of the latter cannot be given. The three abstract firms offered their indices and letter-press copies to the county for $1,150,000, and it is thought that the county would have economized for the people by purchasing them. I he loss of the original records has never been remedied by the shifts of officials in purchasing partial copies of records.

There was a salvage upon this loss of some four million dollars in foundations ant! in bricks that were available for re-building, thus reducing the actual loss to §192,000,000. The assessed value of the land in the city, determined just before the fire, was $176,931,900, which was about six-tenths of its actual cash value, and the real value would therefore be §294,836,000. On this there was, says Mr. Colbert, an average depreciation of thirty per cent since the fire, and this gives a presumptive loss of $88,000,000 on the selling value of the real estate. Hut the total loss is not yet complete, as the

-Allhouuh ttit- labte is compiled from official mrcil the last item 1* utterly Inadequate In its estimated value of the record., etc., destroyed,, interruption to business and manufacturing must be computed. This can be estimated, in round numbers at an average ol six weeks, and the receipts of the city were diminished during the period of recuperation some 850,000,000 worth of goods, which interrupted business to the amount of §1 25,000.000 worth of trading at wholesale and retail, and the moderate estimate of eight per cent profit would make an additional loss of $10 000 000 which makes the following as the exhibit of loss to the city of Chicago by the lire:

I he property, real and personal, in Chicago the day before the fire, can be estimated at $620,000,000 and taking the above table as a fair estimate of

This example is typical of the procedure of Chicm merchants and tnhabitants. They wasted no t,K umngs, but rolled up their actual shirt-sleeve cir business credits and started in afresh- and the Places that knew them prior to the fire hardlfknew a^am.becuuse they were in so much handsome?, e s. Ihe confidence of her people in the future < f Chicago was exhibited in the elegant and costly h ock the K,Kfhnf 7reerccted..*"l "thoSSyl e the facts justified their aspirations that buildings recently erected have dwarfed the must aspiring of th£ built wuhin a year or two after the fire; and the Chamber of Commerce now . February, 1S84), in course of construction is estimated to cost about $,.500000 hea.res, halls, churches, edifices of every description were rebuilt with an access of beauty, sire ami costliness aIltj so general was the architectural rehabilitation Of Chicago that the dosing words of the address of Mayor Joseph Medill at the opening of the Chamber of °C,<>l,Cr- 9' '*72< have l*cn completely ustificd; they were: "It was a fearful punishment', but, in time, will prove a public good. The city mil grow faster m population and commerce, and bcCOOK more safe, solid and beautiful than ever was imagined before that event. It has drawn the world closer to us in friendship and acquaintance, and has brought jnto bo Id relief the nobler traits of humanity. The magnitude of the affliction shocked all nations, but the suddenness of the recovery and the swiftness of the resurrection of the consumed citv have filled miration and praise of the people of Chicago."

Annals Of Chicago

The history of Chicago since the time of its incorporation as a city flBjjl has, as appears in the subsequent |>ages of this volume, been more elaborately treated under topical beads than before; It seems, nevertheless, appropriate, in the face of some possible repetitions, to continue, as supplemental to the continuous history which precedes, a semi-historic account, up to the close of the period treated in this volume, which shall mention the leading events in chronological order, as well as such minor occurrences, as, Itciug irrelevant to the topics treated, might otherwise have escaped history altogether. It is believed that the few repetitions involved may be more than counterbalanced in the mind of the reader by the aid it may render in generalizing what follows, iiSj7. May 2, Chicago became a city, and held its first municipal election.* Hani times was at the time the general topic of conversation anil the burden of the newspaper editorials, and the city was obliged to start on its infantile career by the discouraging step of running in debt. June 1 the Council ordered the issue of $5,000 in city scrip, in denominations of §1, $2 anil The city, thus early driven by necessity, did what most governments have, under stress of circumstances, done before and since - made its first issue of paper money, which bore interest at the rate of one per cent per month, and was receivable for taxes.

An account of a justifiable homicide in Chicago, which it quoted from its e\< hange, the Chicago iH-mocrat, appeared in the Milwaukee Sentinel, August 1, 1837. It read as follows :

"On the night of the 7th of June, considerable damage was done to the working utensils and property about the canal, in consequence of a reduction of wages from $26 to §22. l-'rom appearances, about dark, on the contract of Mr. Dodson, a repetition of injuries of live night before was feared. Consequently, the overseers made preparation for the protection of the prop, erty. About the time of Mr. Dodson's reliring for the night, frequent whistling was heard. Soon after - some say about 10 o'clock - a heavy pounding was heard upon the pumps with a heavy sledge for the purpose of destroying them, as it afterward appeared. A young brother of Mr. Dodson's. with commendable fortitude, went to the works and demanded of an Irishman, 'Why he was there?" His reply was. 'I will let you know,' and sprang at young I Mlson with the sledge he was using. Instantly a whistle was given by another who lay secreted near by, which was returned by a vast number. Mr. 1 Unison immediately took his one recourse, and with a musket ball shoi dead the assailant. The loss of this man has, we understand, restored quiet along the whole line." "At the bjst term of the Municipal Court, the grand jnrv refused to find any indictment against Mr. Dodson. We have delayed speaking of this event until after Mr. Dodson had his trial."

among the Whigs. He was escorted through and about the city by an immense cavalcade of citizens. Old settlers still tell of his triumphant entry, anil of his speech of masterly eloquence and power, delivered from the Waubansia stone, within the garrison yard, anil tif a ball given in his honor at the Lake House, (leorge T. Curtis, in his life of Webster, Vol 1, p. 564, gives July 1 as the date of Webster's leaving the town. Chicago was the western terminus of his tour. From thence he p turned, via Michigan City, to Toledo.

December, very late in the month, the post-office at Chicago was made a distributing office. The announcement api>eared in the Milwaukee Sentinel, Januarv ;, |X}8.*

1838. The year opened gloomily enough, and there was throughout but little to brighten the prospect except in the eves of the most sanguine and hopeful, of which class Chicago happily had at that time as she has alwavs had. more than her full quota. Hard tunes still held' its unrelenting grip npon the country, and especially upon this far-off western town, where the reaction 'of the 'speculative craze which had centered there was as extreme as had been the prevailing excitement of former times. Solomon Wills, in a manuscript letter now on file in the collections of the tincijO Historical Society, wrote, under date of May «P3»j -' The times here' are rather growing worse better. There is little money in circulation and tlu which is good is scarce enough. Of course there ' » no property selling, unless by the Sheriff, anil then it gw for little." Drought and a serious epidemic m the isu added to the disheartening annals of the year.

During the summer months, from June to Sep K « ber, the work on the canal, the most considerable SfflMW Of revenue to the paralyzed town, was ^arly sus|K^cu for a time bv a most mysterious disease which I > oU out among the laborers.! It was in .ts symptom*^!" cientlv like the Asiatic cholera to give to ) an added dread of it. It seized its Victims suddei Mjr, and carried them off. if it did not abate, in «* hours. Many of the .lead were brought ron. they died to the vicinity of Chicago, and Of^T lay along the road near Bridgeport, ^^^,32 so' fearful were the inhabitants that the infection m>g< be conveyed to the city. . .,1, ih.i:

A draught set in in July.and »^JJ*SSl month until November, no ram fell. I »t Straw up. the springs gave only brackish and impnri _ and from the low lands and partially dried t0 and bogs a fever-brccding miasma floated ui pollute the air. A malarious fever broke out, which, in its ravages, brought the great grief of death's bereavement to many a sorrowing household in Chicago.

In seasons of irremediable and continuous suffering, when hope grows weaker day by day, waiting for the longed-for rest that does not come, the only great recuperative and antidotal remedy for besetting sorrows vouchsafed to man, asserts itself in his innate and irrepressible desire for recreation. So it has always happened that the healthy mind or the healthy-minded community, though traveling hand in hand with sorrow, has longingly looked askance to discover some diversion by the wayside. To all men, and in all times, pious or sacrilegious, Christian or heathen, wise or foolish, this desire has come as a specific for the ills they were forced to bear - the pious to their mosques, cathedrals, or silent altars of prayer ; the foolish to their cups; and the wise to whatever gives most harmlessly surcease from present sorrow.

So it happened that Chicago successfully established her first permanent theater during this trying, sickly and generally unprospcrous year. Messrs. Ishcrwood & MeKenzie, who had had a successful opening season in 1837, at a hall in the old Sauganash Hotel, determined to establish a permanent theater in the town. Accordingly, during the spring months they fitted up as a theater the upper story of the wooden building on the west side of Dearborn Street, between Lake and South Water streets, which had been built in 1834 by John Bates, and during the intervening years occupied by him and other auctioneers as a place of business. Asa resort (the most noted in Chicago , it was christened " the Rialto," by Dr. Kgan.and became a theater in May. The first season, despite the gloomy times, was fairly successful. October 18, the citizens gave to Mr. Alexander McKenzie a most substantial benefit, which showed not only the high appreciation in which he was held as a citizen, but proved a financial success as well. It was the most notable society event of the year.*

During 1839 the business depression continued, and was increased by the general collapse of the Michigan banks.f which at that time had a large circulation in the city. In March, ail Michigan money became uncurrent. The Chicago Democrat, as quoted in the Milwaukee Sentinel, March 12, said :

"All Michigan money is uncurrent, and the rumor that the Michigan State Bank has suspended payment has been confirmed. The Detroit Post represents the Michigan State Bank as perfectly solvent, but compelled by a constant demand for specie to take advantage of that clause in its charter which allows suspensions for thirty days. Tor the good of this community, which holds a large portion of its bills, we hope that the Post is correct."

April it, it was announced in the Daily American that the canal commissioners had decided to issue from $150,000 to §200,000 in scrip; on the 9th of May, the same paper announced that the scrip (termed in the article " canal money ") was in general circulation.

April 5, a religious revival, which continued to increase in interest during the spring months, was first noticed in the newspapers. At that date twenty-nine persons, some of whom had not before been noted for their piety, joined the Presbyterian Church. The fruits of the revival brought large accessions to the other Protestant churches of the city. Rev. Isaac Taylor Hinton publicly baptized by immersion many converts. The work of the revival was general.*

During the spring the conflict between the vessel interests and the citizens, as to the obstructions to navigation caused by the bridges culminated. f In the Daily American of April iS, the editor sought to pour oil on the troubled waters as follows :

" We hope that our captains and sailors who have occasion to sail their vessels above the ferry crossing will be as careful as circumstances will allow, to avoid cutting or breaking the ropes. The rope of the State Street ferry was cut the other day by an axe. Our vessel owners demanded the taking 'down of the bridge, and it has been done. The citizens have been compelled to resort to a ferry for the absolute wants of the city, and with as much reference as possible to the accommodation of vessels. Let there be mutual forbearance on this vexed subject, and all will go smooth enough and fast enough on this highway of the country."

June 20, James H. Collins having, at the public sale, bid off a part of the homestead of J. B. Beaubien.f the friends of the Colonel held an indignation meeting at the Saloon Building, at which resolutions were passed denouncing Collins and requesting Judge Burchard. the Government agent in charge of the sale, to cancel the sale and again offer the lots, thereby giving Beaubien's friends an opportunity to bid against Collins, in his behalf. The request was not granted.

October 27, the most disastrous fire occurred that had ever visited Chicago. It commenced on Lake Street, near Dearborn. The Tremont House and seventeen other buildings were burned, and one blown up to arrest the progress of the conflagration. The total loss was estimated at from $60,000 to §75,000. Many of the leading merchants were burned out. The statement of individual losses and insurance, which appeared in the Daily American, throws some light on the magnitude of the stocks carried by the " merchant princes " of Chicago in those early days. It was as follows :

'*S. W. Goss, dry goods and groceries, carried an insurance of §5,000 on his stock ; llddy & Co., hardware, no insurance, loss between §2,000 and §3. coo ; Ayers & 1 1 i IT. dry goods and groceries, no insurance, loss §6,000 ; David Hatch, hardware, stock valued at §S,ooo to §9,000, insured for §8,000 ; O. H. Thomson, principally dry goods, insurance, $800. The Messrs. Couch lost on the contents of the Tremont House $3,000 to §4,000. The highest insurance on any building destroyed was $2,800 ; the lowest, $850."

November 30, occurred the first incipient duel. In a recent issue of the Democrat had appeared the following editorial : " It is an indisputable fact that every one of these persons who have been filching money unjustly in the shape of Indian claims are opposed to the administration, and use such illgottcn gains to injure it in every possible manner. It is due to the people that* all

Indian treaties for the last ten years should be overhauled in the most thorough manner, and the thousand knaveries practiced by men thereby made nabobs, fully exposed to the public gaze." Captain afterward* General) David Hunter, believing that the above was intended as a reflection upon him. came into theoltice of the Democrat, and then and there demanded satisfaction of John Wentworth, the editor, and laying two pistols upon the table, offered him his choice of weapons. Mr. Wentworth, as would any good and discreet citizen, peremptorily declined to tight a duel, but made the amouit h«n>>ntb!e by the publication of a letter in a subsequent issue, disclaiming any reference to Captain Hunter in the article which had raised the chivalrous officer's ire. The Captain soon after published a card in which he stated that 1'ie pistols were not loaded, and the affair thus ended without the spilling of gore. The pistols afterward came into the possession of Mr. Wentworth. who frequently, in his subsequent editorial career, alluded to them, when indulging in early reminiscences.

the following January, small-pox prevailed in a mild form in the city. It placed a quite serious embargo on country trade, as farmers feared to visit the town. The Hoard of Health publicly requested the vaccination of all persons hitherto unvaccinated.ar.d ordered all physicians, under penally of a heavy fine, to make immediate returns of all patients suffering from the disease.

1S40. - The people had become used to hard times, and had adjusted themselves quite comfortably to their conditions at the opening of the new year, which will be remembered as a year of most hilarious political excitement, pending the presidential campaign, which resulted in the total defeat of the Democratic party, and the election of General Harrison as President, by an overwhelming popular vote. The Whigs of Chicago, although in a minority, made the campaign most enthusiastically noisy and lively.

January to, the new Market House at the corner of Lake and State streets was completed. The cost of the building was stated to be $1,500. The stalls were rented for three years at a gross aggregate rental of $J,4<>o.

February to. the City Council changed the method of voting, ordering that at the next election and thereafter the votes should be given on a written or printed ballot, instead of, as heretofore viva vo(t. At the municipal election held in the following March the first ballots were handed to the judges at a city election.

May 1, John .Stone was indicted for the murder of Mrs. Lucretia Thompson.* He was tried, convicted, and on Friday, July 10, hung until he was dead ; the place of execution being some three miles south of the court-house, near the lake shore, between what was then the terminus of State Street, and the Cottage Grove Cattle Yards. This was the first public execution in Chicago. The following account of it appeared in the American of July 17:

"The execution took place about a quarter after three. The prisoner ascended the scaffold, dresacd in a white loose gown, and with a while rap upon hit head, as is usual in such case*, lie evinced much firmness upon the gallows, under the circumstances, and in the presence of the spectator* (among whom we regretted to see women enjoying the sight) he persisted to the last in the cerium o( his innocence - which declaration was publicly made in his l>ehalf by the Sheriff, together with hi* acknowledgment, as requested, of the satisfactory manner in which he was treated In iht jail. He stated that lie was never in the house of Mrs. Thompson, and did not see her nn the day she was murdered, lie also stated that he believed two individuals were engaged in the murder, but on being asked if he knew them, he replied, in sub.

siancc, that it he did he would swing before their blood ihoek] be upon him. The Kev. Mr. Halfam, Isaac R. Gavin, Shenff. ai>j Messrs. Ilavisand l.owe, deputies, attended the prisoner on the scaffold. The Sheriff seemed particularly affected, den unto ten* After the beautiful, solemn and impressive services U the F.pii. copal Church fur such occasions hail lieen performed by Mr. llallam. and the appropriate admonitions beslowed. Ihe deah warrant was read by Mr. Ixmt, the knot adjusted, the cap pu.kil over the face of the prisoner, and he was swung imo another wrrld. After he was hung until he was " dead, dead.* a wagon containag a coffin received his body, which was delivered 10 lirs. Bocncird l»vcr. pursuant to the order of the court, for dissection. It is simpiised that he died from strangulatiun and that his neck was M broken in the fall, which was about four feel. * - - Mis aged parents, also brothers and sisters, resided at the East. He Vacl wu,h his parents until he was twenty-one. Whiles irail-carria if Canada he was convicted, onder the name of John Standi*, of t>eing an accomplice in the robbery and murder of a (loveniBCM officer, lie was retained as State's evidence, ran away ioio iht Stale of New York, was convicted of stealing horses and wpn, ami was sent to the Auburn State 1'rivMi. under the name of J<*» Pan. He left Auburn about two years ago, and has been in this part of the countrv at«ut a vear, obtaining a Jiielibood as a »ocd. chopper. He was bom in 'Ireland, had been twenty-one tears in this country, ami called himself in his thirty.fourth year."

May 25, the Whig delegation from Cook Cuunty to the Tippecanoe convention, to be held at Springfield, left the citv. It made a most formidable procession. It was headed with a big schooner on wheels, drawn by oxen. The history of the journey and return have appeared in print so often as to have become trite.

July 17, the spirit of Know-nothingism was quite prematurely evinced bv the publication in the Itoily Democrat of a petition to the United States Senate, and House of Representatives, praying Cong-ess to deprive all foreigners not already enfranchised 01 the right of suffrage in the United States. It was signed by two hundred and fifty residents of Cook County. » majority of whom lived in Chicago. In politics the petitioners were about equally divided, but as a record, it proved a stumbling block in the way of SUCCBS W manv a political aspirant who stood in " foreign vote cf Chicago, for years after, if his name was to be found among the signers to ihe

November 3 was the day of the Prcs,de.nt'f e' ' tion. Great excitement prevailed, and much at the polling places. Many arrests were nwdt-g« being of prominent citi/.ens-.or creating disturbance

February- .9. the .first organized ntee tjg Young Men's Association was held. 11 « . zation was in answer to an appeal whteh in the newspapers a short time previous, in *n , statement was made: "There ts no place.d UgJJ resort where a leisure hour can be passed in go* an rational amusement." t telrl.

Stay .4. day of national fast.ng and , ra>u ^ pointed by President Tyler in comm«nora on decease of President Harrison In the propriate religious services were he u; ,n " ,he George A. O Heattmont delivered an eulogy deceased at the Presbyterian Church. Gown*

Annals Of Chicago-1837-1857

1842. - The year was uneventful, Business had, however, begun to improve, and the city again showed an increase in population. Building was again carried on with something of the old time vigor. The Federal bankrupt law went into operation in March, and a commissioner was appointed for Chicago during that month. From the opening of the court to September 1 upward of forty Chicago merchants availed themselves of the law, thus wiping out all old scores preparatory to beginning anew. The temperance excitement which had begun the year before continued throughout the year.

May 24, the works of the Chicago Hydraulic Company were in successful operation. The Daily American in making the announcement said : " Pure water is now flowing in abundance through our streets."

June 29, the progress and success of the Washingtonian Temperance movement was chronicled in the Daily American in the publication of a report to the Common Council, in which it was stated that "from the present tone of feeling, the profit arising from the sale of spirituous liquors is so much curtailed that those engaged in the trade are hardly able to meet their current expenses."

July 3, Martin Van Hurcn, the fust ex -President who had ever visited Chicago, was given a public reception. The Mayor, B. W. Raymond, delivered the welcoming speech, to which the distinguished guest replied at length.

October 19, the first considerable movement in favor of the mother country was made by the Irish citizens of Chicago by the organization of an association for promoting the repeal of the union between England and Ireland. The officers were : President, William B. Egan; Vice-President, L. C. Kerchival; Recording Secretary, C. McDonall; Corresponding Secretary, H. L. Rucker ; Treasurer, James Carney ; Repeal Wardens. John McHale, Michael O'Brien, R. R Seely, Patrick Ballingall, George Brady, John Jackson, II. Cunningham. C. II. Chapman, Maurice Prcndeville and Hugh Young.

1S43. - The year, like the two preceding, was uneventful. The spring was late, farmers not being able to sow until April 21, and quite insignificant events were sufficient to create excitement.

January 1, there was a public debate between John C. Bennett and a Mormon preacher named Anderson at '-Chapman's Building." The question debated was: " Are the Mormon revelations to be accepted as truth ?" The building was crowded, and for weeks after the question was one of excited discussion in the community and through the columns of the newspapers.

February witnessed perhaps the lowest price in Chicago for wheat and corn at which it ever sold in the Chicago market freely: white winter wheat, thirty-eight cents per bushel; corn, eighteen cents per bushel. A reaction set in before the opening of navigation, at which time prices had advanced to fifty-sis cents per bushel for wheat, and thirty-eight cents per bushel for corn

Fcbruarv at the public land sale 600,000 acres were offered, of which only 70,000 acres were sold, bringing $86,215.36. The failure of the sale was attributed to the scarcity of money, specie being then demanded by the Government as payment.

that occasion in full uniform; also of a mass in honor of the Saint at the Catholic church, and ot the orderly conduct of those in the procession.

March 30, snow fell to a considerable depth. The Democrat of the 31st said: "Judging from appearances, we shall be fortunate if navigation opens by the 1st fif May. Immense quantities of snow have fallen throughout all portions of the West, and in most parts of the Kast."

April si, hogs were first prohibited from running at large in the streets of Chicago by ordinance of the city. Prior to that time the too numerous presence of this animal had been frequently animadverted upon in the columns of the Press, as having become an unmitigated

October it, a communication appeared in the Weekly Democrat, from Buffalo, severely condemning the practice of Chicago merchants of mixing the various grades of wheat shipped.

1S44. - During this year the era of good times was again fairly established. The roads leading to the city were improved. A great interest was awakened in schools, f which resulted in the buildingof the Dearbornstreet school - house, and in the inauguration of the present magnificent school system of the city. Over six hundred new buildings were erected during the year, and the population largely increased. The presidential election,! which occurred November 5, passed off with little excitement. The total vote was 2.426; estimating the ratio of voters as one to five, the resident population of the city at that time was 12, 130. J The weather during the summer and fall was notably tempestuous.

August 9, a tornado accompanied with heavy wind and rain and terrific lightning, passed over the city and swept over the lake. The bank building and the residence of E. II. Hadduck were both struck by lightning during the storm. The schooner " Daniel W hitney" was also lost on Lake Michigan, all on board perished. Another severe wind-storm is mentioned in the L. cratic Journal of November 7, as having occurred on \. v-emHi t w"c. ;i ilcniolixhed one 1 l" tl e walk of the First Baptist church, then being erected, the wall falling upon and crushing a dwelling house near by.

September 10, a meeting was held at the Council room for the purpose of electing delegates to attend a meeting at Elgin in the interest of building a macadamized or plank road from the Fox and Rock rivers to Chicago. It was there resolved " that the commercial prosperity of Chicago mainly depends upon the improvement of the roads leading from it to the heart of the rich agricultural regions by which it is surrounded." It was also stated at this meeting and at the Elgin convention that the roads leading from Chicago in all directions - -and especially towards Elgin - were in such a condition as to be almost impassable in some parts of the year. This was the first movement for the improvement of roads or facilities of inland transportation.

The interest of the citizens of Chicago in education and schools was evinced in choosing, September 16, a large delegation to attend an educational convention to be 'held at Peoria on the 9th of Octoher. Among those chosen, and who were the early friends of the Chicago schools, were: William H. Brown, William Jones Richard I. Hamilton and S. W. Wright, since deceased! and Mark Skinner, Isaac N. Arnold, and J. V. Scammon, still hvmg, *

1845. - The citizens showed great interest in the reviving of the State credit, with a view to the completion of the Illinois & Michigan canal.* They also made efforts to further improve the harbor, and, late in

imSCd "\Tg thc LeSisla»«« »0 enact such a revenue law as would revive the credit of the State and secure the completion of the Illinois & MfchiSn t r? 5 «nd°wi"8the recommendation of Governor Ford to the Legislature to restore the State tax to its former rate of thirty cents on S-oo. Work was u

May 27, there was great public reioicine owr rt,. news of General Taylor's victory on h Rio C nnl During the succeeding two days fifty men enltaed*

October 28, two runaway slaves were wtsrt and taken before Justice Kcrcheval. While thre the room became filled with excited negroes, £ X£ the fugitives down the stairs and out of sight of IW Sheriffs Rhinea and Daily forever. W November 13, measures were taken preparatory to the great River and Harbor Convention, held in ( hi cago during the following year. At a large meeting of citizens, three committees were appointed : one, to prepare an address, and a call for the convention ; another to act as a committee of correspondence; and the third, consisting of one hundred members, to act as a committee of arrangements.

' 847 - Throughout the vear there was great uar excitement, recruiting went on constantly, several full companies leaving for the seat of war during the spring

April 3, a large concourse of citizens gathered to celebrate the victory of ISuena Vista. Richard L " ilson lost an arm by the premature discharge of a cannon.

Famine prevailed in Ireland and Scotland. February 25, the Scotch of Chicago published an appeal "in behalf of 200,000 of their starving countrymen March 4, a subscription was started for the relief of the starving Irish. In four days §2,600 in money was raised, besides considerable donations in com, pork, flour, and other articles of food.

June 23, the Daily Democrat announced that the County Commissioners and Common Council, acting conjointly, were improving the roads leading from the city for a distance of ten miles out.

July 5, the great event of the year was inaugurated by the opening of the great River and Harbor Convention. It was one of the most important events in the early history of Chicago. Delegates from all parts of the country were present, and the city was crowded as never before. §

1848. - During the vear occurred the first presidential campaign in which thc Chicago Democrats had been divided. It was most earnestly carried on bv thc two opposing factions, which evinced more bitterness toward each other than toward their common enemy, the Whigs. The discussion of thc free-soil question, on which the party had divided, constituted the leading excitement of the year. |

April 1, a mass convention of thc citizens was held, "of all those favoring the ' Wilmot proviso.' " July 4. thc free-soil Van Burcn Democrats held an immense meeting, at which they commenced their campaign, which was thereafter carried on without cessation until the day of election, and with a skill and ability seldom, if ever, surpassed in the political annals of the city.

The election which occurred November 7, resulted in a plurality vote for Van Buren, thc free-soil Democratic candidate The vote stood: Cass, 1,016 ; Van Buren, 1,543 ! Taylor, 1,283. Total, 3.84s. The total vote of ,844 in thc city was 2,4*6. The mctenc in the voting population as thus shown had been sixty per cent in four years. ,

The existing State law limiting the rate of interest to six per cent was in disfavor in Chicago. January 17. a meeting was held by the merchants of the city, at which it was resolved : " It is contrary to honor, reason, and the laws of trade to suppose that Illinois can enjoy the use of sufficient capital to transact her business and develop her resources at six per cent interest, while New York, Indiana, Wisconsin, and a nuinl>er of other States offer, by their interest and collection laws, from seven to twelve per cent."

Fcbrury 2, the Democrat stated : " The lake is lower at present than it has ever been in the memory of the oldest inhabitant. Some of the vessels at the dock, laid up for the winter, and consequently without loading, are fast aground."

March 4, a specific election was held to vote on the various clauses of the new State constitution, which were to be submitted to the people. The vote on the several propositions was as follows : For the adoption of the constitution, 314 majority; against the clause "prohibiting negroes coming into' the State, or masters bringing them into Illinois for the purpose of freeing them," there was a majority of 886 ; for a two-mill tax, to be used for the payment of the State debt, 328 majority.

June 27, the Democrat made the following announcement : "Chicago is at length in direct communication with the Atlantic Ocean. We noticed in the river yesterday a large and powerful English propeller, the ' Ireland,' loaded direct from Montreal to this port. This opens a new trade for this city, as goods can now be shipped from Chicago to Liverpool without transshipment."

October 25, "The locomotive, with the tender and two cars, took its first start, and run out a distance of about five miles upon the road - the Galena & Chicago Union road. A number of gentlemen rode upon the cars." This announcement appeared in the Democrat of October 26.

1849. - Early in the year the California fever broke out with great violence in Chicago. The daily papers stated that during the winter and early spring months little else was talked of. Book stores advertised guidebooks ; wagon-makers doubled their force of workmen and turned their efforts exclusively to the manufacture of emigrant wagons ; the price of revolvers "went up fifty per cent;" there was not in March a pair of new Mackinaw blankets for sale in the city, and all kinds of salt provisions were reported as having become " lamentably scarce." The first two parlies were fitted out (one of American, the other German) and started overland for California March 29. The exodus thus begun continued throughout the year, carrying off many of the early citizens, whose names thereafter did not appear in the annals of Chicago.

March 12, a most disastrous flood occurred.* The Democrat said : " Never before has Chicago been visited by so great a calamity as has been witnessed this day. About 9 o'clock this morning a compact dam of ice, raised two or three feet above the surface of water, nearly opposite Gage & Haines' steam mill on the South Branch, suddenly gave way, sweeping down in the rapid current every vessel lying below that point. The damage to shipping alone is over §So,ooo."

July 21, serious conflagrations occurred, burning over in part the ground swept by the great tire of 1839. Twenty buildings were destroyed including the Tremont House, which had been burned ten years before and rebuilt.

In the winter of 1849, the cholera, which had been prevalent on the upper Mississippi the year before, made its appearance in Chicago. May 21, the scourge had become so general that daily reports of the deaths from cholera were published in the papers. The highest number occurring in a single day was August 1, when thirty deaths were reported.

1850. - During the year there was continued an increasing anti-slavery excitement, mainly centered in intense opposition to the fugitive slave law, which, during its discussion in Congress prior to its passage, was the absorbing theme. A convention was held by those who opposed it as early as February 21, and from then to the time of its passage, September 1S, little else was talked of.

The most important local events to Chicago were the completion and opening of the first section of the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad to Elgin, and the lighting of the city with gas. The opening of the railroad to Elgin was celebrated February 1 by a grand excursion over the line to that town.f

The early history of the gas company and the lighting of the city by that method is as follows : An act was approved February 12, 1849, authorizing the formation of the Chicago Gas Light & Coke Company, with H. L. Stewart, W. S. Bennett, F. C. Sherman, P. L. Updike and 1'. Page as incorporators. Under their charier, the company was given the exclusive right to supply the city with gas for ten years. In October the work was begun of laying the mains, erecting works and getting the whole system into operation. The contract for this was let to George F. Lee, of Philadelphia, and the work was completed in August, 1850. The citv was lighted with gas for the first time Wednesday afternoon, September 4- From the Gem of the Prairie, bearing date the 7th of that month, the following interesting account is taken:

" Wednesday marked an era in Chicago. At about 2 o'clock r. M, the gas pipes were filled, and the humming noise made by the escaping gas, at the tops of the lamp-posts indicated that everything was all right. Shortly afterward the fire was applied and brilliant torches flamed on both sides of Lake Street as far as the eye could see, and wherever the posts were set. The lanterns not having been affixed to the posts, the bright, gaseous flame eddied and flickered in the wind, sometimes apparently disappearing, but anon shooting up as brightly as ever. The burners in Reed & Co.'s and in Keen's were lighted about the same time, presenting a steadv golden flame. We believe these establishments had the honor of first lighting up with gas; others will not be much behind them. In the evening the lamps were again lighted, and for the first time in the history of Chicago; several of the streets were illuminated in regular city style. Hereafter she will not " hide her light under a bushel."

Of the initial illumination the Journal also said : 'Some of the stores on Lake Street, particularly those devoted to California ware, made a brilliant appearance and the gas lent an additional glory to refined gold! lint the City Hall with it-; thirty-six burners, is the brightest of all, night being transformed into mimic ciay .

The first gas works were situated on the south side of Monroe Street near Market. The officers of the company were H. T. Dickey, president; Jerome needier- secretary; James K. liurtis, treasurer; and Thomas I yer, ttiiham Jilair, J. Keen, George F. l.ee Mark Skinner, George Smith and K. B. W illiams, directors he <:nst °f 'gluing the city was fixed, under the contract at liS a post j but on the 13th of September, at a Oi the ( ommotl Counnl.it was ordered that no street lamps be lighted until the citizens should subscribe one-half the cost, or $7.50 for each, lamp erected on the streets. The business'increased each year and by 1855 there were nearly seventy-eight miles of service pipe laid ; nearly two thousand consumers, and a total consumption of nearly forty-one million cubic feet of gas, more h^f i>Cr0US' alUlthe a,,nals show »«»tag of more than passing interest. Several new railroads ""tended to have their termini in the city were nS *ingforr,ghtofTOyaiid depot grounds TnerSrSS considerable conflict between the rival roads Trte Michigan Southern Railroad, by prior rights granted in o,.,. 'Lr- T.<!arin« 1,16 S X of! rail a - route around the head of Lake Michigan and that ^franchises only could other roads ganfn eastern outlet from Chicago. The citizens of ChicaLo took strong ground against the claim. January m£S license tax to one hundred dollars per year- favoring low License strove as vigorously to retain the old rate of fifty dollars. The two sides were equally balanced numerically, and the rate decided npm was established at one hundred dollars and re-established at fifty dollars several times. It was finally settled un the low license basis of fifty dollars per year

June 3rd 4th and 5th, there was great excitement throughout the city, occasioned by the arrest of Mosts Johnson, as a fugitive slave of Crawford K. Smith, of Missouri. Johnson was finally discharged.

The etjuinocifcal storm of the year occurred September si anil 23. The waves of the lake ran higher trun had ever before been known. Many feet of the breakwater were washed out and the waves bore fragment* of it into Michigan Avenue-so said the Gem of the Prairie 0f September 27.

The question as to the route whereby the Illinois Central Railroad should enter Chicago, and at where it should connect with the Galena & Chicago Union, was the exciting theme of discussion among citizens and officials during the closing months of the year. The papers abounded in long letters and editorials on the subject. The route now in use, along the lake shore was finally adopted in January, 1852.

'852. - The annals of the' year show few events of more than minor importance.' The temperance element for the first time attempted a show of strength at the polls. A full temperance ticket was nominated February 6, to be voted at the coming municipal election.

February 20, the first through train from the east, via the Michigan Southern Railroad, entered Chicago, and was greeted with a salvo of artillery'-

February 24, David Kennison, the last survivor of the "Boston lea Party," died in Chicago at the extraordinary age of one hundred and sixteen years.

April 23, the first great loan of Chicago was effected through Duncan, Sherman & Co. The amount was $250,000, and was applied to the development of the city system of water works.

1853. - The events of the year were mostly of local significance only. The bank was continued, and culminated in the disappearance of "illegal banking" during the year. Seth Payne's spiritual bank went out of sight; the other banks which had not before respected the statutes of Illinois were forced to legally organize, go into liquidation, or otherwise close up business.^ The minor annals of the city, as gleaned from the newspapers, were as below stated:

April 25 occurred the first great railroad accident near Chicago. A train on the Michigan Southern collided with a train on the Michigan Central, at their crossing (at Grand Junction 1. Kighteen persons were killed outright, and forty of the wounded were brought to Chicago. On the 27th resolutions were passed at a meeting of the citizens, condemning the accident as owing to carelessness, and demanding that thereafter every train should come to a full stop before crossing any other railroad. This was the first time that this very essential safeguard, now universally adopted, was ever suggested.

July 22. a meeting was held at which the feasibility of connecting the North and South sides by a tunnel under the river was for the first time proposed, discussed, and recommended.

In August the first strike of laborers occurred. Their demand was for a reduction of two hours on the day's labor on each Saturday without reduction of pay. The strike lasted two weeks, during which time work was greatly interfered with, and work generally suspended, their demands were not complied with.

August 25, subscriptions began to be received for the relief of yellow fever sufferers at New Orleans. Over $4,000 was collected in one week.

December 20, an indignation meeting was held to denounce the action of the citizens of Erie, Penn., who had torn up the tracks in that town, as was alleged, to prevent the establishment of a uniform gauge between the Atlantic and Chicago.

1854. - This was a most turbulent year of excitement. In politics the anti-Nebraska broil was at its height. The financial troubles culminated in the suspension or winding-up of several banks.

March 8 and 9. a marine convention was held at the rooms of the Chicago Board of Trade. There were present delegates from the Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade of Oswego, Buffalo, Detroit and Milwaukee. At this meeting the date at which navigation should be declared closed and marine should cease was agreed to be November 30, in each year. A committee was appointed at this meeting to memorialize Congress in favor of the improvement of the St. Clair flats, and

May 17. a "Sabbath Convention " was held in the city, attended by delegates from nearly every Western State. The work of the convention culminated in the passage of resolutions asking additional legislation to enforce the observance of the Christian Sabbath.

May 18, the corner stone of the first Masonic Temple was laid, "on Dearborn Street, between Washington and Randolph streets." There was a very large Masonic demonstration on the occasion. Addresses were delivered by Dr. J. V. Z. Bianey and Dr. W. B. Derrick.

June 5, the Rock Island Railroad was completed to Chicago. The occasion was celebrated by an excursion over the road. 'The train bore over one thousand invited guests, including many distinguished men of the country. This marks the first railroad connection between the lakes and the Mississippi River.

From June 1 to September 1, the cholera raged so malignantly as to seriously interfere with business The deaths from the disease during the year were reported at 1,424-*

September 1, Stephen A. Douglas attempted to speak in defense of the recently enacted Kansas- Nebraska bill. He was prevented by a howling mob, but retired from the scene of disorder undismayed, after vainly essaying to be heard for three hours, f

September 10, an ineffectual attempt was made to arrest a fugitive slave, named 'Turner, by three persons from Missouri. He escaped, but was fired at by his pursuers. They were arrested, tried for assault with deadly weapons before a Justice, and acquitted for want of evidence.

September 19, George W. Green, a banker, was arrested for the murder of his wife by poison. He was arrested on the complaint of his brother-in-law, F. H. Revel 1, tried December 19, and subsequently, having been convicted, and awaiting the decisions of the Supreme Court on appeal, committed suicide in jail by poisoning himself, February 18, 1855.

1855. - The history of the year only records occurrences of purely local' interest. January 25 a most violent snow-storm set in, which, lacking the modern appliances of railroads, caused a complete embargo of railroad traffic until the 7th of February. 'The great fall of snow stopped the receiving of supplies from the country, and wood, coal not being as yet in use, became so scarce that the Common Council saw fit to take the furnishing of fuel to suffering citizens in charge. On February 15, the city offered wood for sale, "at cost," to families in quantity of not more than one cord at one time to anv single family.

The municipal election of March resulted in the total rout of lM)th the known political parties, and the election of the Know-nothing ticket. The new admistration, as do all new administrations, started in for radical reform. The enforcement of the Sunday law, which had before been a dead letter, was attempted, and a most strenuous crusade inaugurated against the saloons. J Mayor Boone issued a proclamation ordering the saloons closed on Sunday. March iS, they were generally closed in compliance with the proclamation and the city ordi-

March id, the Common Council increased the license for selling liquor to §.500 per annum - no license even at that high rate, to run longer than to July 1. '

;l< da-v appointed for the trial of those arrested for violation of the Sabbatarian law and for notation of other temperance ordinances, occurred a serious not, winch resulted in the death of one or more of the rioters, and the wounding of several policemen Titers were subdued and peace restored^ the liberal donations were made to aid the free State settle May 31, was held on Court Square one of memorable and important political meetings ew Wd .n hecity.* At this meeting overg ^poowafs £n*

,u ;V-uh'S ('me ,he fact had been clcar|v demonstrated that Chicago was destined to become an immense citv - the commercial emporium of the great Xonhwst I he natura evel of the grade of the streets was decided to be too low for the permanence of the citv or its efficient drainage. Accordingly the level had been subhshed several feet above that of the old streets as at first laid out. This virtually involved the necessuvof raising the structures of the entire citv to the established eve! and the filling up of manv streets to the established grade. May 26, many land owners opposed to the high grade established oh Lake Street, applied to Judge Catotl for an injunction, which he refused to grant. The right of the citv to change or establish the grade was thus established, and thenceforth the labor of raising the whole builded city began. The work wis completed before !S58.f

The local annals of the city were as follows : In May, steam tugs first began to plv up and down the river and to tow vessels into the harbor. June 24 the Masonic Temple was dedicated. August 13, a most destructive fire occurred bv which the freight depots of the Michigan Southern and Rock Island railroads were destroyed, together with some twenty freight cars, a large quantity of disembarked freight, and several factories and dwellings adjacent. I he loss was estimated at §150,000.

August 25, the schooner " Dean Richmond," from Chicago, left Quebec for a voyage across the Atlantic Ocean with the first cargo of grain from that far western point.

.... September 19, a most lamentable accident occurred. I he I-ake House ferry boat, overloaded with passengers, capsized, and twelve to fifteen laborers were drowned. The verdict of the coroner's jury was that the victims came to their death from the " imprudence of the people, in rushing in too great numbers upon an unseaworthy boat and taking it from the control of the man m charge of the fern-." The crowd was made up of laborers living on the North Side, hastening to their work on the other side of the river.

December 2, a severe storm occurred. The schooner ''Charles Howard " was driven ashore ofT Lake View. The crew was rescued by a volunteer company in the yawl boat of the " Mohawk," manned by Captain Graw, N. K. Fairbanks, Isaac Walker and Captain Moore.

1857. - This year witnessed a pause in the progress of the city, the curtailment of business, and a general breaking up in common with every other commercial community in the country. Several banks suspended, and a score of the leading merchants of the city failed. The specific historic events as chronicled in the newspapers of the day, were as follows :

February 8, there was a big freshet and there were general apprehensions of another flood like that of 1849. The river overflowed its banks, and many parts of the city were submerged.

March 3, at the polls there was much disorder. At the precinct on the corner of Sedgwick and Division streets, Charles Seifurth was killed, and at another precinct George Armour was badly wounded.

At the April term of the Recorder's court, four negroes who had been indicted for stealing poultry, entered through their counsel, the apparently legal and logical demurrer, that under the Dred Scott decision they were not individuals, were merely chattels having no rights which white men were bound to respect, and that they were consequently not amenable to the law. The demurrer was overruled and the colored chicken stealers were obliged to submit to the penalty for their derelictions prescribed for white men.

April 20, in a moral spasm a mob tore down nine buildings, and burned six others, thereby breaking up, what were termed in the papers the " Dens on the Sands."

November 16, Walker, Bronson & Co., one of the heaviest produce firms in the city, suspended. The announcement of their failure in the paper was accompanied with the statement that " for one hundred and eighty days previous to their failure their sales had averaged $100,000 per day."

In November, soon after the failure of Walke., Bronson & Co., the business demoralization became general, and the year closed with no business life and only the unconquerable hope peculiar to Chicago left. As the first year of Chicago's municipal life saw her bowed down by the financial disasters of 1837, so the close of 1857 saw her again bowing to a financial storm which, sweeping the whole country, left not a shred of speculative wealth behind.

In addition to the financial and business troubles, to crown the disasters of the year there occurred a most disastrous fire on October 19. It broke out on October 19 in the large brick store 109 and 11 1 South Water Street. Property was destroyed on South Water and Lake streets valued at $5°°.°°°- Thirteen persons lost their lives in the conflagration.

The end of the first two decades of Chicago's city life showed the most marvelous advance ever shown in the development of a community or the aggregation of a resident population ever known in the history of the world. In twenty years the city grew in population from an over estimate of 4,000 inhabitants to not less than 90.000.

At the close of the year 1857 Chicago was the largest city in the Northwest and the acknowledged metropolis of an area of country larger than that of the whole original thirteen States.

As closing the annals of Chicago to 1S58, the following table, showing the increase in population, is an index of its growth in other departments:

There may be some discrepancies in the above table discovered by captious critics, but. leaving out all estimates of population, and considering only the statements based on actual enumeration, it is quite certain that Chicago increased in population from 4,000 in 1837 to nearly 90,000 in 1857. The Federal census of i860 gave the city a population of 109,263.

The Press Of Chicago

The first newspaper published in Chicago was the Chicago Democrat, by John Calhoun, from the building at the ctirncr of Clark and South Water streets, on November 26, 1833. This paper was retained by Mr. Calhoun until November iG, 1836, when John Wentworth took editorial charge and purchased the same a short time subsequently ; he retained the paper for twenty-five years, ultimately disposing of it to the Tribune. Mr. Wentworth issued the Chicago Morning Democrat on February 24, 1840; the first daily Democratic newspaper in the Northwest.

The second newspaper was the Chicago American, published by T. O. Davis on June S. 1835, and by him sold to William Stuart & Co.. in the fall of 1837. 'William Stuart on April 9, 1839, issued the Chicago Daily American, the first dailv newspaper published in the city, and which was the precursor of the Chicago Express - first published by William W. Brackett on October 24, 1842, and the Chicago Daily Journal, first published on April 22, 1844, by an editorial committee consisting of William II. Brown, George W. Meeker, Jonathan Young Scammon, S. Lisle Smith and Grant Goodrich, which committee appointed Richard L. Wilson and J. Wellington Norris its editors, they also being its publishers. About 1856 Andrew Shuman became editorially associated with the Journal, and is now its editor, having been associated with the paper twenty-seven years.

The Field Piece, a campaign paper, was issued from the office of the Journal about June 10, 1848, as a Whig organ, and was continued during the campaign.

The Hard Cider Press was issued June 6, 1S40, and discontinued October 24 of the same year. It was issued by William Stuart from the Daily American office, and was a weekly campaign paper in the advocacy of Harrison and Tyler.

Union Agriculturist and Western Prairie Farmer was inaugurated in January, 1841, by the Union Agricultural Society. John S. Wright was the first editor. This paper is the lineal ancestor of the present Prairie Fanner.

The Northwestern Baptist was a semi-monthly, and was first issued on September 15, 1S42. This was the first religious publication in the city of Chicago.

On December 14, 1S42, The Chicago Republican was issued by A. R. Niblo, from Harmon & Loomis's buildings, corner of Clark and South Water streets, late the American office. This paper was published to create a Tyler boom and is supposed to have lived about a year.

The B tter Covenant was first issued in Chicago on April 6, 1843, by Rev. Seth Barnes. This paper subsequently became the New Covenant and then the Star and Covenant, and is now published as the L'niversalist.

The Illinois Medical and Surgical Journal, the first Diedical journal issued in Chicago, was commenced in April, 1844. in the interests of the faculty of Rush Medical College.

The Chicago Yolksfreund was the first German paper published in the city. It was commenced in December, 1S45, by Robert B. Hoelfgen, as a weekly paper.

The Illinois Staats Zeitung was established in April, 1848, by Ri.bcrt Bcrnhard Hoeffgen, with whom George Schneider became associated in 1S51. Anthony C. Hesing subsequently took charge of the paper, and it is to-day the most influential German newspaper in the West.

The Western Herald was started on April I, 1S46, and was the primary Congregational newspaper ; its name was changed on April 7, 1853, to the Congregational Herald.

The Chicago Tribune was initiated on Thursday, Julv 10, 1847, by Joseph K. C Forrest, James J. Kelly and John E. Wheeler; this was the germ from which the present Tribune sprang.

August io, 1847, by Rev. Luther Stone in the interest of the Baptist denomination, and was the first weekly Haptist newspaper published in Chicago. The paper was afterward merged in the Christian Times, which was succeeded by the Standard.

The American Odd Fellow, the first organ of secret societies published in Chicago, was published in 1S4S, by Rev. William Rounseville and J. L. Knos.

The Northwestern Journal of Homeopathia was a monthly journal, published in October, 1848, and was the first homeopathic journal in Chicago. George

The Chicago Daily Express and Commercial Register, an independent daily penny piper was started June 11, 1851, by J. Q, A. Wood and W. J. Patterson.

The Daily Democratic Tress was first issued on September 16. 1852, by John Locke Seripps and William Bross. This paper afterward consolidated with the Tribune.

The Northwestern Christian Advocate was first issued on January 5, 1853, with James V. Watson, editor, in the interest of the Methodist fraternity. Its present editor is Rev. Arthur Edwards, and its influence is simply incalculable.

The Chicago Courant, an independent daily, was issued November t6, 1853, with William Duane Wilson as editor. It subsequently was issued as Young America, and then as the Chicago Times, by Cook, Cameron & Sheahan, with James W. Shcahan as editor. It is unnecessary to enlarge upon the present Chicago Times, nor to discuss its wide-spread power and influence. Its present proprietor is Wilbur F. Storey.

The Maine-Law Alliance, a temperance weekly, was published in the spring of 1874. by Hiram W. Jewell, with Revs. B. E. Hale and F. Yates and Dr. Charles Jewell, editors.

The Atlantis saw the light in 1854, under the auspices of Christian EsseUen, and the Associated Tress dispatches were furnished the Chicago dailies in November, 1854. .

Subsequent to the vear 1854, papers increased and multiplied in the city, and it is utterly beyond the scope of this rtstimt to give an extended list of them. Inc papers of the present time would occupy pages in their syllabus, but the prominent secular dailies are the I nbune. Times, Inter-Ocean, Journal, News and Herald; and the religious papers are the Northwestern Christian Advocate. Advance, Standard and Interior. It is hard to justly discriminate as to the relative importance ol newspapers, but this brief list exhibits typical journalistic successes in various branches of politics ano theology.

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Town Of Evanston

Eaiu.y Bmtlers of the Township. - Until Cook County was organized into townships in 1850, the territory now comprising Evanston was included in the "Gross Point" District, a tract of country which was of somewhat uncertain dimensions, but which was supposed to exist for the convenience of the voters. In ISoO, when the township of RidgeviHc was organized, it included the present towns of Evanston and Lake View. Thus it. continued until the township of Evanston was formed in 1857, when the Wilmottc Reservation was added to the latter. In 1859 this territory was disconnected from the township of Evanston and' added to New Trier. It is this trai t of country (known as the town of Evanston, since township organization was abolished under the constitution of 1870) that is to be spoken of hereafter, in matters touching lirst settlements and genera] carlv history.

In the year 1830 Phillip Rogers settled on the northern part of Sections 31 and 32, and must be accounted the pioneer of the town of Evanston. Ilia laud is now a portion of Rogers Park. After erecting a log nonse ho commenced burning charcoal, which he brought to Chicago with an ox-team. He married in 1841, and his wife, Mrs. Mary Rogers, still resides on the old homestead, with her son -in daw, P. II. Tonhy. In August, 1830, Abraham Hathaway built a log house at Evanston, situated on the present pirk, near the Presbyterian church, and soon thereafter con. verted it into a tavern. It is said that its reputation was not of the most savory character. .lames Carrol settled upon the northwest quarter of Section 30, but Edward H. Mulford had already claimed that tract by pre-emption, and in 1838, when he came to assume possession, he was obliged to drive off the squatter" at the muzzle of a pistol. In the year 1837 Samuel Rohrer arrived with considerable live-stock, and lirst settled at Rose Hill, on the premises tiow occupied by Mr. Weber; but he soon concluded to move further north, and, in uceordance'with a superstition which ho held, he set lire to his shanty before he left it, that he might have "good luck" thereafter. When he arrived in the neighborhood of Olencoe, which was then called by the Germans "Ewige Quid" (Everlasting Punishment), ami saw the lake on one side, the "skokey " (swamp) on the other, and bluffs and gullies before him, he turned back to permanently locate at Evanston - on the southeast quarter of Section 25, now occupied by John Muno. Here Mr. Rohrer lived until in 1847, when he bought a part of the school section of Niles. In 1838 Edward II Mulford, who had ejected James Carroll from his claim, built a lavoni, and old settlers who ure now living assert that his charges were exceedingly high, although his accommodations were good." AMNit this time James and John Carney settled on the southwest quarter of Section 18, which now * inoludes the most valuable residence portion of the village of Evanafcon. In 1839 Otis Munn settlod in the neighborhood of Mr. Merrill's residence, and John Zender located on the southeast quarter of Section 31, a little south of Rogers' Park. Paul and George Pratt settled on the northwest quarter of Section 18, and built their house where Briennan's blacksmith shop stands in Evanston. Pctor Sell mitt located himself we*t. of Rogers Park, on the northwest quarter of Section 31. Edward Murphy, supervisor for a number of years, bought a claim of Moses Trader, and settled on it. O. A. Grain came to South Evanston in 1840, and in 1842 his brother Charles arrived, purchased a farm and learned the coojwr's trade of William Poster, working at it for twelve years. George W. Huntoon.a Constable from Chicago, settled near the center of Section 19. whore South Evanston now stands, in 1841. Jacob Phillips bought fifty acres west of Rogers Park during the next year, and still resides there. In 1843 John O'Lcary'and Edward Davlin made their home on the northeast quarter of Section 30. ! the site of Calvary Cemetery ljcing a portion of the land which they then purchased. From 1844 to 1847 David Hood, John ISeck, Peter Bletsch, Henry Fortmaun, Joseph Klein, John Tillman, Henry Reinberg, Michael Breit, Peter Rinn, Frank Schniitt. and Peter Muno settled along the so-called " rid^e " between Rose Hill and Evanston. In fact until the village of Evanston was platted and the site drained by the Drainage Commissioners, the settlements in the present town were generally confined to the territory along the ridge.

Township Oruanizatiox. - The town of Ridgevillo (or " Ridgevill," as it is called in the old records,) was one of the first to be organized under the act of 1849, which went into effect in April, 1850. The first election was held on the second of that mouth, the Moderator, Ebenezer Bennet, "making proclamation in aloud voice," at the door of George need's house, that the polls were open, ready for the reception of votes. Up to the time of closing the polls (0 o'clock !-. m.) ninety-three votes were cast, Edward Murphy being ejected Supervisor; S. S. Billings, Town Clerk ; Peter Smith and E II. Mulford, Justices of the Peace; Phillip Rogers, Assessor ; Jacob Smith. Collector; Otis Munn, Ovcrscerof the Poor,and David Wood, Charles Miller and Martin Young, Commissioners of Highways; Andrew Faber and Jacob Smith. Constables.

Having lieen appointed a committee for this purpose, the Moderator and Clerk divided tho township into four districts. Messrs. Pratt, George W. Huntoon. Isaac Burroughs, Edward Murphy and Jacob Smith were appointed a committee on "animals running at large," and rejsirted that to the best of their judgment all cattle and horses should be shut up during the months of December, January and February, and hogs and geese during the entire year, tho law to take effect on and after May 1. It was decided by the township legislators, also, to establish two pounds, one in each ond of tho township W. B. II n u toon. Jacob Hartman, John Moore and Abram Snyder were elected Overseers of Highways in the

Soon after the assembling of the township Solons in their brst meeting, a special one was held, ut which Clerk Killings " proclaimed that the sum of $175 was necessary to defray the expenses of tho town." Kut the Board, by a vote of six to two, refuscd,to raise the amount. At- the next moeting held on Slav 25 the ,m,°re fort",lilt*> being resolved to raise *^00 to defray general expenses and for the survey of the Ridge road.'" In July and August Joseph" E Ihoiupson, Deputy County .Surveyor, bv order of the Highway Commissioners, surveyed not only this road but a nuiuber of other minor highways iu the t<.wi>.'

In April, 1851, the new township organization act went into effect Although it repealed the one parsed in 1849 and authorized any county at any general election to adopt township organization, it retained ho provisions of the previous act. Under the new law fcdward Murphy was elected Supervisor of the township and Samuel 8. Billings, (Jerk The ,ut furt er I)rovid d for tl lection^ ^tsesToV, Col lector, one Overseerof the Poor.threeCommissioncrs o Highway., two Constables, two Justices of ti c n,r;ii h:l?a,'V0;'Cr^rS °f "ig'-^vsas there are ruarv, 1862. L Chfford, who was appointed in hi, place, continued to servo until November 18G4 E Haskins was elected Supervisor iu Noveralwr 186' and was succeeded by E. S. Taylor, who sen'ed for three years. L. A. Clifford acted as Clerk until 1873, ur,> , hitcU VM l'Wu to tho Position. Georm W. Reynolds acted as Supervisor from November, 1866 to November, 1870, and Eli A. Gage from 1870 to 1874 inclusive.

At the annual election in April, 1874, A. J. Grorei was elected Supervisor, and J. R. Fitch, Clerk. From that date until the present time Mr Fitch lias served as Town Clerk. The Supervisors have been J. C. Humphrey, elected in 1876, removed from term in November of that year, and James Currey appointed in his place: George W. Huutoon, Jr., 1877, and Max Hahn, tho present incumbents, elected in April, 1878.

The present town officers are as followa : Supervisor, Max Hahn; Assessor, John A. Pearsons; Collector, Joseph M. Lyons; Clerk, J. R. Fitch; Highway Commissioners, Samuel Reed, Domiuick Schreiber, John C. Murphy; Justices of the Peace, James Currey, J. A. Hoismgton, (jeorgo Kearney, W. L McGarry, John C. Murphy : Constables, George W. Franklin, William Carney, B. F. Berry and Ed. Murphy.

building of the Chicago & Milwaukee Railroad through the county, in the summer ami fall of 1854, caused a rapid settlement of the country along its line. The road reached Evanston iu September nf that year, and was opened to Waukegan January 1, 1855. The survey of the road brought to the site of Evanston one of 'its earliest and best known citizen*, George Kearney. The young man accompanied his brother, who was contractor for the construction of the road, and he decided to settle here. This was in April, 1854, and he accordingly located upon the land where ho now lives, north of Emerson Street and west of Ridge. The house which he built in 1855 is still his home.

At the time of Mr. Kearney's arrival, which was just previous to the platting of the town, there were living within the present limits of the village of Evanston a number of farmers who are still residents. Paul Pratt and family were settled upon a piece of land which would be "on the corner of Leon Street and Ridge Avenuo, it being now occupied by M. MerriU. Eli Gaflleld resided then as now in a locality north of Foster Street and east of Ridge Avenue. Mrs. EIi»- both Pratt, siBtcr of Mr Gafticld, built a new frame house that year upon land which lies south of Emerson Street and west of Ridge Avenue. John Carney, brother of James, and father of the village police officers, owned and lived upon his land west of Ridge Avenue and north of Dempster Street South of Mr. Carney lived, and still lives, Charles and Oero A Crain.

The* house now occupied by S. V. Kline, west of Ridge Avenue and south of Lincoln Avenue, was then the residence of William Foster, who was both farmer and coojier. Mr. Foster is still living in the immediate vicinity. South of Mr. Foster's place, on the west side of Ridge Avenue, lived David Burroughs ana family. Next south, on the west side of the Ridge, was Mrs. Jellerson, widow of O. Jellersou, and then Paul Pratt Shortly afterwards Mr. Kearneys house was built south of Mr. Pratt's,

Dr. John H. Foster, of Chicago, who had owned a large tract of land north of Dotnpster Street and east of Sherman Avenue, hail sold it to the trustees of the Northwestern University, and, as the only s|M>t fairly above " swamp level," it had recently been laid out into lots by Rev. Philo Judson, agent of that institution, and also a well-known preacher. In the spring of 1854 upon all tliis tract of noarly three hundred and eighty acres there was only one little house situated upon the present campus grounds of the University. South of the Dr. toster purchase was the farm owned by Abrain Snyder, the father of Mrs. George H. Monticth and Mrs.S. II. Densmore. 8. S. Billings resided on the corner of Hidge aud Central avenues, being one of the old settlors who has deserted Evanston, as have also Isaac and U.W. Burroughs, Andrew Robinson, John Spence and a few othors, who combed the Evanston of 1854. 'In that vcar D. W. Burroughs kept the post-office in the house" where Alonzo now lives, and brought the mail once a week, on horseback, from Chicago. The next year the railroad brought so many new coinors that mail service was increased to twice a week.

The first public school had been maintained for several years, being located in :i log budding, corner of the present Ridge Avenue and Grecnloaf Street. Henry Clark, a farmer who had located on the north half of the northwest quarter of Section 19, in February, 1841, had sold it to the town of Ridgeville for a buryiug-ground and a site for a school-house and church. Hen in July, 1854, the first quarterly conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church for Evanston was held. The land upon which the school-house and church stood is now platted in Pitncr's addition.

Except the land lying along the ridge and the University grounds, the present village site, in 1854, was low, wet, swampy ground. But under the act passed in 1852, the drainage commissioners were at work during 1S54-55 to reclaim the land. They dug one ditch from the ridge east to the lake, along what would now be Milburn Street, and they dug another running from near Winnctku, northeast and southwest to a slough which emptied into the North Branch of the Chicago River. By these means the low lands of the village site were made habitable, although it was not for many years afterward - until the town commenced to raise aud grade her streets - that it was considered fairly " out of the wet."

Among the pioneer merchants who flourished about this time were Charles Wilson, who kept a tavern and general store on Ridge Avonue, north of Noyes Street (Section 7); and Philo Judson, whose building was situated upon the silo of W. C. Garwood's drug store. The upper part of the structure was used by the Methodist Episcopal Church for religious services.

Original Tows Plat - The origin of the town of Evanston is traced to the successful efforts of those who founded the Northwestern University. In the summer of 1853 a committee appointed from that institution to select an appropriate university and village site, ti.xed upon the land then owned by Dr. John H. Foster, of Chicago. It was beautifully located, along the lake shore, and comprised what is now the principal portion of the University grounds and a large part of the corporate territory of the village. During the fall and winter of 1853 Rev. Philo Judson platted the purchase, comprising three hundred and seventy-nine acres. Early the next year the two hundred aud forty acres King west of Sherman Avenue and north of Dempster Street were bought of James Carney by Andrew J. Brown, and. in connection with the University purchase, laid out into lot* aud blocks. The whole was recorded as one plat, with scvmiuor purchases, in July, 1854. The Billings and Snyder farms were afterwards bought by the trustees of the Northwestern University and added to the original town, which now included, substantially, the territory bounded by Dempster Street on the south; and a line which would be the continuation of Florence Street to Church, east to Maple Street, north to Emerson, east to Sherman, north to the northern limits of the University grounds aud cast to the lako.

The Northwestern University

The purpose of the founders of tho Northwestern University, declared at their first mcetiug held May 31, 1850, 'in the office of Grant Goodrich, was to establish an institution devoted to the interests of Christian learning, and under the patronage ami government of the Methodist Episcopal Church. There wore present at that meeting Rev. Z. Hall, pastor of the Indianastreet chapel, who o|>cncd the proceedings with prayer ; Rev. Richard Haney, pastor of Clark-street church, Rev. It. H. Blanchurd, of the Canal-street church, Dr. John Evans, Grunt Goodrich, Orriiigton Lunt, Andrew J. Brown, J. K. Botsford and Henry W. Clark. Dr. Evans and Messrs. Goodrich aud Brown were appointed a committee to procure a charter for tho Northwestern University. The charter was obtained, and was approved by Governor French, January 28, 1851. Bv its provisions Richard Haney, Philo Judson, S. P.Keyesand A. E. Phelps, for tlie Rock River conference"; Henry Summers, Elihu Springer, David Brooks, and Elmore Yocum for the Wisconsiu conference ; H. W. Reed, 1. I. Stewart, D. N. Smith, a d George 11. Teas for the Iowa conference, and such persons jis shall be appointed, by these conferences, to succeed them ; such meml»crs as should be appointed by the Michigan, the North Indiana, and tho Illinois annual conferences : Grant Goodrich) Andrew J. Brown John Evans, Orrington Lunt, J. K Botsford, Joseph Kcttlcstrings, George F. Foster, Eli Reynolds, John M. Arnold, Absolom "Funk, E. B. Kingsley, of Chicago, and such persons, citizens of Chicago or vicinity, as should be appointed by tho Board of Trustees hereby constituted to succeed them - wore incorporated as the "Trustees of tho Northwestern University," whose term of office was four years, and who were "endowed with the usual powers. The annual conferences were authorized to appoint two visitors from each conference to attend the examination of students, and enjoy all the privileges of the trustees, except the right to vote. June 14, 1851, the trustees organized and resolved to open a pre|>aratory, or high school, in Chicago, and for this purpose they bought of P. F. W. Peck, the southwest quarter of the block upon which the Grand Pacific Hotel now stands, for HH.fiOO. a few of the members becoming jiersonally resiK.nsible for the sumo. This property is still owned bv the University. In September, 1852, the first financial report of the University shows the receipt* up to that time to have been $1,193.01 ; expenditures $1,183.08, leaving a balance of $9.93 in the treasury. Rev. P. Judson was appointed agent of the University October 1, 1852, and the institution commonced its career of financial success and educational life. Rev. Dr. Clark T. Hinman was elected the first president of the faculty June 23, 1853. In tho moantime the trustees had decided to establish a school of a higher grade than that first proposed, and concluded that it was best to buy a site near the eitv, where thev could locate the University proper and sell lots to endow the same 1 his decision was also strengthened bv the inspiration infused into the enterprise bv the President elect, who was a man of broad mind ami" culture. The trustees therefore visited several places along the lake shore, and finding it dillicult to agree upon any locality as a proper village and University site, had nearly given up the project and were about to make final arrangements to ],x.;lte wnnt js now th(J .

Jefferson, when by a fortunate circumstance the "present beautiful grounds at Kvanston were selected Ornngton Cunt who, from the first, ha<l been very much m favor of a lake-shore site, was not satisfied to yield Sifft*'^.,' hf his scarch rewarded by what most des.ral.le locality. He induced the committee to accompany bin, to the spot, which they immediately d unan.mous y fixed upon as, ahove all others, the

*1,000 cash and note ftjr mm pilvab,0 . te veai-s.and secured by the indorsement o a r tun of the trustees. At that time there was no railroad, but surveys were being made. The transfer

one and English literature; Henry S. W \ II professor of matriematics; lfcv. VV. D wl Upr of Creek ; Daniel Bonbright, li ft Ca in, .-a led mto service in 1858. Ci.erarv, S and ecloc ,c courses, of four years each, were e«£ "died. -I he " H.uman Literary Society - £ during the year, and took charge of the library of £ lamented Dr. Hinman. the meantime Vlml wooden structure had been completed and occupid * he UmversUy The building is still stauding.LJ been removed from its original site, and, with an I

The officers of the board of trustees for 1S56 weny John Lwms, M D.. president; Orant Goodrich. vice^ presKlent; Key. p. JudeoB, secretary and financial Was: Ornngton Lunt, treasurer. In 185" Boded Jvciinicott Commenced the collection of the sniendd museum, now located in the fourth story of University Hall, and, as t he curator, his name was added to the faculty. The specimens in each department were labeled under the auspices of the 8mL« ttition, and the museum at once assiime.l its place in the front rank of such institutions in the Hist J. \ . Z. Blaney, M. D., professor of natural scieiiLCj, was also added to the faculty. The first freshman c'ais organized in November, is£>5, consisting of ten young men. Of these, live graduated in 185!) ; being Thomas E. Annis. Samuel U Eastman, Winchester E. Cliffonl. Henry M. Kidder and Elhanon J. Searle. At this time (1851,) the number of students entered in all four classes of the I 'diversity was about thirty, aud its net assets, consisting of real estate in Evam<t«t) and Chicago, buildings and furnishings, real estaro tracts bills receivable, etc.. amounted to I319.868.2T. Up to that time it had received and disbursed #185.048. to in money. The University felt itwlf iu a safe condition to establish itself in a permanent awl substantial structure and cast aside, as outgrown, tlx* modest wooden building which it then occupied. Accord in >rly the board of trustees issued a c rcalar fur die year 1858-5!), announcing to the public their future financial policy. The following extract is germane to the subjeot:

"The board determining it most important to preserve a sufficient endowment for the future wants of the institution have determined that no part of die property now held shall be appropriated to any other pur|iose excepting so much of $50,000 as may remain after the payment of present indebtedness, and as may be needed to defray the expenses of the institution for two years, and that remainder ought to lie Mti to the purpose of making permanent buildings for the institution, provided A sufficiency of money cannot be otherwise secured in due time

"For the better sceureriieut of this object the Ixard has adopted it as a permanent policy, that one-fourth of all the lands now held by tho University in the town plat of Evanston and all held in Chicago shall be reserved from sale to be leased, and the remainder only be sold, that it rnav be converted into productive real estate to be a part of the permanent fund