Rise and Progress of Chicago : AN ADDRESS, Delivered before the Centetmary Library Association, At St. Caroline's Court Hotel, March 2, 1876. BY JAMES A. MARSHALL, Esq. CHICAGO: FERGUS PRINTING COMPANY, 244-8 ILLINOIS STREET. 1876. / / Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from CARLI: Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois http://archive.org/details/riseprogressofchOOmars N Rise and Progress of Chicago : AN ADDRESS, Delivered before the Centennary Library Association, At St. Caroline's Court Hotel, March 2, 1876. BY JAMES A. MARSHALL, Esq. CHICAGO: FERGUS PRINTING COMPANY, 244-8 ILLINOIS STREET. 1876. fjL Rise and Progress of Chicago. The moon shines dimly just after the sun has set. To give reminiscences of the early history of Chicago in a form that would be likely to interest you, particularly after having listened to the lofty aspirations and eloquent dis- coursings of a Wentworth, Bross, Balestier, and others who have favored us upon this subject with gems from the well-filled storehouse of their polished and cultivated in- tellects, is a task that I might well shrink from, and be a silent admirer of the rich developments of these faithful biographers, rather than attempt any elaborate description of its early progress myself; but, however much may have been said, there is still room for the further unfolding of its primitive doings and wonderful strides to popularity and greatness. It is not our purpose to trace the present popularity and important advancement of Chicago, from the early explorers of the great North-west, down through past ages, to the probable discovery of a point on Lake Michigan, that was destined to be, in the distant future, the Metropolis of the Universe, that, to our mind, would be too chimerical, and fraught with too much uncertainty to command respectful consideration; but, as near as memory will permit, to "hold the mirror up to nature," and relate some of the more promi- nent features of its progress within the memory of its "old- est inhabitants" now resident among us, many of whom deserve honorable mention; we might also name those who have done much toward enhancing the growth, importance, and prosperity of Chicago; but where all have done so well it would be invidious to particularize, we will, therefore, content ourself by at once giving our personal experience of the early rise and growth of the City of the West. 4 RISE AND PROGRESS Let us, for a moment, remove the veil, and take a re- trospect of the past forty-five years, we will then have disclosed to view a barren waste, the abode of the timid fawn, the deer, the wolf, and tawny Indian, whose bark alone skimmed along these majestic lakes, claiming the ownership of their pure and limpid waters. Now mark the change ! These lofty spires that rise to their graceful and giddy heights ; the busy mill and spacious warehouse: the stately mansion and lowly cot, around whose slender portals the woodbine entwines its caressing tendrils. We might extend the view, and admire the dot tings of civili- zation and culture in the innumerable cottages and pre- tentious farm-houses that nestle among the tall grass and fringe the borders of our rivers and woodlands, but our purpose just now is a review of the early history and doings of Chicago. When we first landed on these shores, our impression was that it might be a place of some importance, were it not so low, and I ventured to record my hastily-conceived views upon the register of the hotel where we remained for a few hours; my entry ran something like this: "April 20, 1832. James A. Marshall, Ogdensburgh, New York; this might be a place of some importance, but the ground is too low." Two or three hours afterward, I chanced to look over the quire of paper dubbed a register, and found added to my remarks, "Solomon 2d." I looked wise for a moment, but felt that my talent had been over-estimated, and have never since undertaken to be wiser than my friend, whom, I afterward learned, honored me with that illustrious appellation. I found the place too small for me to hope to make anything by my profession (a physician), the garrison being supplied with one of the best in the country in the person of Dr. Philip Maxwell, so we shipped at once for Navarino, Green Bay, Wis., where we landed in time to see three soldiers branded and drummed out of camp, also to see the payment of 7000 Indians by Col. Boyd. I remained at Navarino until August 5th, 1834, when I sailed in the Schooner Nancy Dousman, Capt. Saunders, for Chicago. After a very boisterous passage, we arrived on the 15th of the same month, where I have resided, with the exception of one year only, ever since. To undertake the recital of all, or even many of the OF CHICAGO. 5 prominent causes of Chicago's rise and wonderful progress within the past forty-five years, and do justice to the sub- ject, would occupy more time than could be devoted to one lecture, unless it were prolonged to an unreasonable length, and thereby losing much of its intended usefulness; we will, therefore, to relieve our subject from the dull monotony incident to the recital of statistical forms, for the time being, fancy ourselves in an artist's studio, invit- ing him, with canvas, paint, and brush, to create his ideal of a great and marvelous city, of less than half a century's growth, drawing from the resources of his imaginative genius all that could give it eclat and beauty, his subject a low, uninviting marsh, a sluggish stream on one side, a bold, majestic lake in front, an extended prairie behind; with this unseemly background we will watch his progress in filling out the rjicture. On the right, as you face the north, is a group of one -story block houses, surrounded by a high fence; the two-story buildings at the east of the hollow square are the quarters of the commandant and officers; that hip-roofed, square block-house, with a row of small port-holes, is the look-out, where sentinels are placed to watch the approach of hostile Indians, the lower part used as a guard-house — that is Fort Dearborn; the river meandering its way around the east side of the fort, run- ning southward, mingling with the lake at Madison street, east of which is a peninsula connecting the north and south sides of the river (and was the only point, forty-three years ago, of ingress and egress for vessels to and from Lake Michigan, until March, 1833, when the spring freshet, accompanied by a violent storm, forced a direct channel to the lake, which was afterward dredged and piers run out, by direction of the Government, and which now forms the fine harbor for the white-winged messengers that enrich our country by their precious burdens). We will accom- pany our artist a little farther; at the left of the fort, and running west, are a few modest structures, designed, appar- ently, for the double purpose of stores and dwellings, ex- tending west as far as Dearborn street (there the business portion of the village, for a time, rested; south of Lake and east of Dearborn streets, for three or four blocks, was a corn and potato field. The principal forwarding business was done on the north side of the Chicago River for several 6 • RISE AND PROGRESS years, but the personal interest and enterprise of a few gen- tlemen residing on the South Side, who had considerable real estate unoccupied, changed the channel of business by building warehouses on that side of the river, after which it was transacted there ; indeed, the North Side never recovered its former business prestige, but contented itself by build- ing palatial residences, and being considered the place pai' excellence, and the home of the elite of Chicago). We next observe a ferry crossing the river at Dearborn street, con- nected by a rope attached to a windlass at each side of the river, and a scow in the centre, propelled by hand power, placed there for the convenience of the residents of both sides of the river. This rude piece of mechanism remained there until a Mr. Norton erected a draw-bridge, spanning the river at the same place where the old scow had done such good service for so long a time, but whose occupation, like Othello's, was now gone. It was igno- miniously torn from its moorings to make room for the unwieldy structure that supplanted it. From this time onward the city grew rapidly, and from this time may be dated the commencement of its now universal popularity. We will now leave our artist to finish the picture as it may best suit his own ideality, Some new beauty is now developed — some wonderful advancement made in the growth and importance of the painted city; the unfinished streets show marks of improvement, lined with palatial business structures, ponderous warehouses, elegant and elaborate places of worship, halls of justice clothed in Oriental magnificence, school -houses with substantial ex- teriors are brought to view, avenues laid out and lined with costly marble mansions, parks and boulevards gem the environs with rare exotics and elaborately ornamental, varied, and beautiful foliage, the streets are as smooth as parlor floors; nothing is left undone that imaginative genius could invent to make a city that would be the wonder and admiration of the civilized world. The picture com- pleted is heralded beyond the seas, sent broadcast among the cities of the east, and presented to the wealthy, the intellectual, and the enterprising of our own land; they shrug their shoulders knowingly, acknowledging its great beauty and the consummate ideality of the artist, but think that he has devoted too much to the imaginative OF CHICAGO. 7 to assume a reality among the cities of the world, turning from what they supposed the visionary imaginings of a fertile brain and elaborate brush to something more sub- stantial and real. The artist invites their presence to witness the last finishing touch, then with unbounded con- fidence in himself, he traces the name Chicago. The multitude exclaims, "It is no ideal, but a veritable reality, .and now stands the wonder of the universe." Thus we have presented, in a feeble way, but a bird's- eye view of the germ of our present great Metropolis; its early outlook by no means calculated to encourage the enterprising explorer, has been brought to view; and watching with marked interest the unparalleled improve- ment o.n every hand, we are awed into silence, and dare not prophesy its future greatness. As the sturdy farmer scans his field but lately cleared of a cumbrous undergrowth of shrubs and thickets, the ground untilled, the seed un- sown — glowing prospects of a rich harvest are least sug- gesting, but, when with implements of agriculture and deter- mined will, he delves and toils from morn till night, faith spurs him on, and slowly, but surely, the planted seed, the budding stalk, and waving grain, insure a harvest, and recompense is nigh. So to the early settler, Chicago stood desolate and alone, the undergrowth of uncivilized Indian habitation lent an uninviting aspect to the eastern world, and advancement, for the time being, seemed impossible; but the rich soil of natural advantages was unearthed by the foresight of our pioneers, the seed planted, then arose in plenteous harvest, the wonderful products of a new-made vineyard, until now, after a growth of forty years, the City sketched upon the canvas, loses its primitive indentity. and stands before the world a marvel. This picture, however, portrays but the outward part of Chicago's greatness, it is the internal workings that have given it the wonderful celebrity that it now enjoys. Let us, for a moment, glance at some of these causes which have led to and done so much toward its advancement. First, its location, being at the head of lake navigation and the only prominent lake frontage that the State of Illinois has for the receipt and transportation of her vast agricultural .and mineral resources, thereby enjoying some State pride. Again, the immense lumber interests form a large share of 8 RISE AND PROGRESS consideration; from a beginning, within the time indicated at the commencement of these remarks, of 100,000,000 feet, it has now increased to more than 1,500,000,000 feet per annum. The cereal products, too, which here find a market and outlet, have increased from 5000 bushels in the year 1834 to more than 15,000,000 bushels per annum; nor is this all, the pork product advancing from 500 to over 1,500,000 hogs packed every year, aside from those used for home consumption. In our monetary exchange, how wonderful the advance, from $25,000 per week, which at that time indicated marked progress, it now requires more than $20,000,000 to do a week's financial business. The advancement in general business, too, is well calcu- lated to amaze the mere casual observer, from an insignifi- cant sum of a few thousand dollars required to transact our annual business forty-three years ago, the enormous sum of more than $200,000,000 is now necessary to sat- isfy the demands of the thousands who look to Chicago « for their supplies. Out of the fifteen billions of dollars an- nually required to feed and clothe the people of the United States, one hundred and twenty-five millions of that sum is necessary to feed and clothe the citizens of Chicago for the same time. We might go on, ad libitum, enumerating the capacious and unparalleled increase in the innumerable branches of industry that are adding so much to the importance, and expanding the area of our city to its present ponderous proportions; but enough has already been noticed to sat- isfy, without doubt, the most sceptical of its admirers. But perhaps the most wonderful rise in values has taken place in real estate; property that, in 1834, sold for $200 per lot of 50 feet, has been sold within the past year for $2000 per foot, being an advance of $99,800 from the original purchase; this, however, cannot be considered a fair criterion of the general advancement of real estate, nevertheless, the increase has been, upon an average, since the time specified, about four hundred per cent, of its original value; still, it fluctuated more or less until the commencement of the Canal land sales in 1848, since then, real estate has been reckoned according to prices at which it sold at that time, and for a number of years afterward, sales were negotiated upon Canal time, or OF CHICAGO. 9 Canal terms, as it was called — that was, one-fourth cash, balance in one, two, and three years, with interest at six per cent, per annum, payable annually in advance. The wealth of some of our millionaires may, therefore, . be dated from that time, as few could boast of more than their thousands until the Canal sales, which placed an estimated value upon real estate, furnishing a new impetus to all branches of business. To the Canal sales,, then, of 1848 to 1853, when more than $3,000,000 worth of property was sold (all of which I sold at public sale), is due the credit of advancing the pecuniary interests of our fellow-citizens more than any other circumstance since the foundation of the city government. Taking advantage of the low prices at which Canal property sold, they pur- chased, and having the sagacity, some of them, to hold on to their purchases, they increased in value upon their hands, and made them rich. The peculiar location, superior agricultural and internal advantages, railroad facilities, water communication, and enterprise of our citizens combined, is what has given to Chicago its eminence at home and abroad, and not, as some have supposed, the sagacity and enterprise of a few of the more fortunate of our fellow-citi- zens, who, for want of purchasers at the time that they de- sired to sell, were obliged to hold on to their property, there- by becoming wealthy, more by reason of their misfortune — ■ or rather, their good fortune — in being unable to sell. Nevertheless, great credit is due them for their liberality in using their wealth in the erection of elegant structures,, and in otherwise lending their aid in beautifying and adorn- ing our city. Many, however, who took a prominent part in the build- . ing up and advancing the growth and prosperity of our City, have passed away, leaving names not recorded in the activities of life, but graven indelibly upon the memories of their fellow-citizens, and are justly extolled for their upright lives and many virtues. Those of the pioneers who remain to witness the further growth of their favorite and patron city speak gently of the departed, but, with pride in their name and tireless enterprise, point to the vast resources of our wonderful City, and say, "these are their eulogies, it needs no marble column to tell of their greatness, their 10 RISE AND PROGRESS deeds are written in the early annals of famed Chicago." Many of them did not live to witness its sudden destruc- tion and succeeding rapid progress. But, in the dawning years of our City's eminence, was established — the energy, strength, and ground work of the enterprise that bid it rise. The great and unprecedented increase of our population may be, and, perhaps, is, attributable to the widespread in- formation given of its superior advantages, particularly so since the fire of 187 1. A catastrophy that will never be obliterated from the memory of those who witnessed the awful spectacle, a scene of grandeur and sublimity unparalleled in the history of the world's conflagrations, — the accumulated wealth of many years swept away in an hour; the millionnaire of yesterday, to-day walks hand in hand with' poverty; the prospects of a competence in after years silenced forever. Thus we contemplated when viewing the fire of Oct. 9, 187 1. After the great holocaust had given way to smouldering debris, with others, we strolled among the ruins, meeting at almost every step some well-known friend, whose life's earnings had been sacrificed through the carelessness of irresponsi- ble parties. One friend in particular, who had been one of the most unfortunate of the wealthy men of our City. I thus accosted, after offering my sympathy: "Mr. C***, you must be one of the heaviest losers by the fire;" he smiled pleasantly, and answerd, "I have lost heavily, it is true, but I am not discouraged; in ten years, Chi- cago will be a greater City than it ever was, and I shall do my share to make it so;" and he has kept his word. From that time onward, the City was the centre of interest and attraction. Many who came were deeply interested in what they saw, and were conquered by the veritable facts visible before them, and not only remained themselves, but advised their friends to come to this eldorado of the west; the result, as shown, is, that since the time stated, our population has increased a thousand -fold, from 500 inhabitants forty- three years ago, we have now more than 500,000, accord- ing to estimates recently made, and still they come. Our public school -houses — or rather, our school-house — then contained less than 100 pupils; now, more than 40,000 OF CHICAGO. II children congregate and occupy seats provided for them in our commodious and imposingly-built public school edifices, fitting these thousands of immortal minds for use- fulness and honor, preparing them to take part in the great panorama of life. Aside from this formidable array of young ideas that sip knowledge from the public fountain, there are a number of private institutions, colleges, and seminaries, occupied by some thousands of the children whose parents prefer this manner of instruction. Thus, it will be seen, that while we have been engaged, and seem- ingly bound to the all-absorbing influence of gain, the rising generation has not been forgotten, means have been provided for the ample development of their mental facul- ties, intellectual aspirations, and moral culture. All honor is due to our sagacious law makers for these timely safe- guards. May free schools, free speech, and a free press continue to be the law of the land, although . the latter has often been abused by the injudicious management of un- thinking and unprincipled men, nevertheless, it had better be so than to interfere with its freedom. A due and proper regard for moral and religious rights is incumbent upon all good citizens; the free discussion of their favorite dogmas is allowable throughout the length and breadth of our land, and there let it remain — further recognition is dangerous to the peace and well-being of our country, as well as to our individual privileges. It is not to be supposed that these many years of pros- perity and wonderful advancement have been allowed to pass without some intervening incidents, which, at the time, were fraught with more or less amusement and enjoyment. Although time has transformed the ambitious and ever- restless youth into matured manhood, and some into de- clining life, yet, in calling the roll of time backward, we find recorded many laughable, and ludicrous incidents. We will omit several amusing anecdotes for want of time to relate them; there are a few, however, which I think that I shall always remember. Many of our older settlers wilj recollect the old Presbyterian Church, located near the S.- W. corner of Clark and Lake streets. We were in the habit then, as now, of holding Wednesday evening prayer-meet- ings; that most excellent man, Rev. Jeremiah Porter, had left us, in his place was a dashing, eloquent young preacher, 12 RISE AND PROGRESS bran-new from college, but entirely unfitted to occupy the position he was called to fill. After these meetings the pastor would hasten from the speakers desk and offer his services, as a general thing, to one of the prettiest young ladies present. Of course, he was rarely, if ever, refused. Upon the particular evening in question, he approached a young lady of exceeding beauty, proffering his services as chaperon, which were accepted. At the same time, I had the honor of escorting a near relative of the lady alluded to, and for whose domicile we were all bound, the party of the first part taking the lead; the night was extremely dark, and, not having the advantage of street lamps and gas-light, we had to feel our way along; it was just after a very profuse rain, our streets — without sidewalks or any such thing, — were very unpleasant thoroughfares. — We had not proceeded far, when we heard a shriek from the young lady, and an " Oh, dear me ! Where are we going?" from the reverend gentleman. Another shriek, then one more, still louder, en concert, proceeded from out the more than Egyptian-darkness, when the lady at my side exclaimed, in alarm, "Mr. Marshall, what is the matter?" "Oh, nothing more," I replied, "than that Mr. has led Miss into that slough just opposite your house." The fact was, in crossing the street, as they supposed, the night being so very dark, they walked straight into the slough that extended quite across the street and nearly half way down the block; into it they went, until they were nearly up to their waists in mud and water. The more they tried to extricate themselves, the deeper they got into the mire; finally, at the suggestion of the lady whom I was accompanying, I told them to stand perfectly still until I could get a lantern, which I succeeded in doing in a very short time, when I held the light up, so that we could see them and they view themselves, you ought to have seen the. look that girl gave me (in the meantime the lady at my side had her mouth filled with linen cam- bric to keep from screaming right out), then, half laughing and half crying, she paddled her own canoe until she reached terra firma, then rushed for her home, which was not more than fifty feet from them, nor had it been any of the time, although they had been skirmishing in various directions. Meanwhile, the clerical gentleman had drawn OF CHICAGO. 13 himself out, covered with mud. Such a countenance ! — it was a perfect black and tan; he shook himself, bade us good night, and left for his study. It may be of interest to some to know that the slough was located on Clark street, between Lake and South Water streets. Many very amusing incidents occurred, which are worthy of recital, but a few more must suffice. One, I remember, was of a young lady crossing one of our principal streets, the way seemed clear, so she tripped along very gracefully until she had almost reached the opposite side, when the crust, which had formed from the heat of the sun, gave way, and down she began to go — down, down, down, until she had gone about as far down as she could, and was looking pitifully around for help from some source. A gentleman near by, observing her predicament, hastened to her rescue, and extricated the fair lady from her perilous position. You may be sure she was not as tidy when she again touched solid foundation as when she started to cross the street. Thanking the gentleman for his timely and polite assistance, she wended her way to the nearest convenient place, and, taking a forlorn look at herself, proceeded to adjust her toilet. The finale of this little incident was somewhat romantic, it furnished the means of culminating an acquaintance of friendship merely into one of admiration and affection, the result being that, not long after, the parties engaged in a matrimoninl alliance, which was consummated in a remote part of the town, away from the thickly settled portion of the city — on the corner of Michigan avenue and Madison street. Their wedding tour was a drive to Hard Scrabble and back, a suburban retreat containing one log house, and situate about 4^ miles from town — the site now forming the outskirts of Bridgeport. The wedding cortege consisted of two dilapidated carriages and one buggy, all the available stylish turnouts that the city could boast of, except carts, and which, by the way, were the only means of convey- ance for the elite of the town. A buffalo robe was placed in the bottom of the carts, they were backed up, received their precious freight, taken to their destination, and then dumped down like a load of coal. Notwithstanding all these seeming inconveniences, there was more real social enjoyment in our pioneer society than 14 RISE AND PROGRESS can now be found in the elegant and costly receptions given -in palatial mansions of wealth and refinement; there was that absence of over-restraint; the strict forms of eti- quette were not so closely observed; there were no million- naires — no foreign Counts to entertain; no Parisian airs to assume as a pre-requisite to initiation into the best society; invitations were not sent on highly -perfumed Paris billets doux, but by oral representation, thus: "George, if you see James, tell him to invite Benjamin and William, and I will invite Byron and Charles, to a little sociable to-night at Maria's (now everybody knew Maria as well as Mrs. Josiah Allen knew Betsy Bobbitt); you bring Andelucia, and I will see that Agnes, Angeline, Elizabeth, and Rose are there. We shall have a first-rate time. Old George White will be there with his fiddle," etc. Mind you, these are no fictitious nanies, but veritable actors on the social stage at the time, some of whom are now living, and, were they present, would at once recognize the truth of what I am repeating. The George White mentioned was black as the raven wing of the night, and was caterer for all first society people. One of the necessary requisites, how- ever, for attending these social gatherings, was, if the party was a new comer, did he belong to the first society? If yea, that was all that was required of him as a passport to our social circle, otherwise no intercourse was enjoyed until initiated into the first. You will observe, then, that certain requisites were necessary before even the nabobs of the east could enjoy these primitive receptions, unless properly vouched for. An amusing incident of the olden time, although not reflecting favorably upon the morals of some of the mem- bers of our early associates, nevertheless, shows to what abandon a few of our most prominent citizens would submit themselves under a want of proper restraint. Two promi- nent legal gentlemen had left their office, and, passing the old Tremont House, then located on the north-west corner of Lake and Dearborn streets, they heard an unusual noise in the dining-room. With much difficulty they succeeded in gaining admission, and found five or six gentlemen of the highest respectability having, what they were pleased to call, "a high old time." One was rolling and kicking up his heels on the dining table, divested of his coat and OF CHICAGO. 15 vest, and making the welkin ring with his unearthly noise;, another was at the lower end of the room praying; a third was dancing a war dance, with two Indians, around the dining table; a fourth, amusing himself by cutting up capers in imitation of an old-fashioned jig, all on his own respon- sibility; two others were lying fast asleep under the table. Thus they were all employed when these gentlemen gained an admittance. Finding escape by the doorway impossible, they took the next best plan, and jumped out the window. They were fined $5 each for their intrusion, by the parties- having the "gay old time," which they promptly paid. We could give the names of all these parties, but they have passed away, and out of respect to the departed, we will refrain from so doing. We would say, however, that they all became honored members of society, filling City, State, and Federal offices of trust and responsibility with fidelity to the government and honor to themselves. In migrating to a new country, many interesting circum- stances occur, which leave a lasting impression upon the mind, notwithstanding intervening events that would be calculated to occupy the popular attention. I recall just now, among others, the Indian payments, which, I think,. occurred as late as 1835 ( a ^ ew tribes remained later, .but not many). Their manner of giving in the number of each household, in order to receive their annuity, was in keeping with their own originality. Selecting one of the more prominent of their number (generally the chief) to receive their payment, the "modus operandi" was in this wise: for the heads of the family, two large notches were cut at the top of the stick, then smaller notches followed underneath, indicating the number of children in each family. Curi- osity led me to inquire of Col. Boyd, the Indian Agent, if he was not occasionally imposed upon, or did they not sometimes make mistakes. He informed me that he had never detected an instance of fraud or mistake in the count during all the payments he had made. After receiving their payment, which was always in silver half dollars, they would at once repair to their wigwams and pass the money over to their squaws for safe - keeping, who would tie it up in one corner of their blankets, often to be removed by some adroit thief, who would lie in wait until they went to sleep, then cut it from the blanket; thus depriving the 16 RISE AND PROGRESS OF CHICAGO. • ft «nt rrpfltures of ail their worldly wealth, no one K ^m"r theix behalf, or sympathizing wtth ^Tfte^thehplyment, many of them would remain several ,,„ and favor us with a display of some of their pnnci- days, ana iavor shooting pennies, with bow and pal amusements uch as shooting 1 ^ ^ arrow, from a stick placed some uisut road They also performed a variety of dances, some 01 them exceedingly novel, particularly the sick dance. The skk person pLed at the entrance of the wigwam; one 3 Tb ing eaUy dre sed and painted, each one holding This and the S skfn of some animal, generally an otter or , £„ ,t the tan of the gong, and there is no mistaking of our beautiful city, and enter mo social advancement of oui present nigury Society. F 7 RARE Fevgtis' Popular Publications. i ANNALS OF CHICAGO: A Lecture delivered before the Chicago Lyceum, January 21, 1S40, by J OS. N. Balestier. Republished from the original edition of 1840. with an Introduction, written by the author in 1876, and, also, a Review of the Lecture. published in the Chics.go Tribune in 1872. Price. 25 cents. 2 FERGUS' DIRECTORY OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO, 1839; with City and County Officers, Churches, Public Buildings, Hotels, etc., also, list of Sheriffs of Cook County and Mayors of the City since their organization ; together with Poll-List of the First City Election (.Tuesday, May 2d, 1837); and, also, List of Purchasers of Lots in Fort Dearborn Addition, the No. of the Lots, and the Prices Paid (1839). Compiled by Robert Fergus. Price, 50 cents. 3 THE LAST OF THE ILLINOIS, and a Sketch of the Pottawatomies : Read before the Chicago Historical Society, December 13th, 1870 ; also, ORIGIN OF THE PRAIRIES: Read before the Ottawa Academy of Natural Sciences, December 30th, 1869, by Hon. John Dean Caton, LL. D., late Chief- Justice of Illinois. Price, 25 cent>. 4 AN HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE EARLY MOVEMENT IN ILLINOIS FOR THE LEGALIZATION OF SLAVERY: Read at the Annual Meeting of the Chicago Historical Society, December 5, 1864, by Hon. Wm. H. Brown, Ex-President of the Society. Price, 25 cents. 5 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF SOME OF THE EARLY SETTLERS OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO. To be issued in monthly parts. Part I. contains Sketches of Hon. S. Lisle Smith, George Davis, Dr. Philip Maxwell, John J. Brown. Richard L. YVilson, Colonel Lewis C. Kerchival, Uriah P. Harris. Henry B. Clarke, and Sheriff Samuel J. Lowe. Price, 25 cents. 6 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF SOME OF THE F.ARLY SETTLERS OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO. To be issued in monthly parts. Part II. will contain Sketches of W. H. Brown, Esq., B. W. Raymond, Esq., J. Y. Scammon, Esq., Chas. Walker, Esq., Thomas Church, Esq. Price. 25 cents. 7 EARLY CHICAGO: A LECTURE DELIVERED in the Sunday Course, at McCormick's Iial.l, May 7th, 1876. By Hon. John Wentworth. Steel engraving of author. Price 35 cent.- S EARLY CHICAGO: A LECTURE DELIVERED in the Sunday Course, at McCormick's Hall, April nth, 1875, w ' tn additional matter, never before published. By Hon. John Went- worth. Price, 35 cents. 9 PRESENT .AND FUTURE PROSPECTS OF CHICAGO: An Address delivered before 1 lie Chicago Lyceum, Jan. 20, 1846. By Henry Brown, Esq., Author of "History of Illinois.' RISE AND PROGRESS OF CHICAGO: An Address delivered before the Centennial Library Association, March 21, 1876. By Jas. A. Marshall, Esq. CHICAGO IN 1836. "STRANGE EARLY DAYS." By Har- riet Martineau, author of "Society in America," etc. Price, 25 cts. Sent on receipt of Price, by the Publishers. FERGUS PRINTING CO., 244-8 Illinois Street, - Chicago.