Yale University Library 39002015454737 !*rTiilltf»K $hub8k» YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY mmm yj 'im m % ou« mm NEW COOK COUNTY POORHOUSE. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY lLLlJN-UlO— BEING A GENERAL SUR VEY OF COOK COUNTY HISTORY, INCLUDING A CONDENSED HISTORY OF CHICAGO AND SPECIAL ACCOUNT OF DISTRICTS OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS; FROM THE EARLIEST SETTLEMENT TO THE PRESENT TIME : : EDITORS: WESTON A. GOODSPEED, LL. B. DANIEL D. HEALY Of all the things that men can do or make here below, by far the most momentous, wonder ful and worthy are the things we call books. — Tendon. IN TWO VOLUMES ILLUSTRATED VOLUME II THE GOODSPEED HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION CHICAGO Copyright by GOODSPEED HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION 1909 HAMMOND PRESS B. CONKEY COMPANY CHICAGO TABLE OF CONTENTS VOLUME II HISTORY CHAPTER page Incidents; East and West Boundary; Canal; Dearborn Park; Memorial Building; River and Harbor Convention ; Historical Society ; Relief Society; Commerce; Wards; Drainage; Railways; Marine Hospital; Stock Yards; Horse Railways; Tunnels; Park Boards; Lake Front; Twelve Labors of Hercules ; Legislative Acts, Etc 33 Miscellany; Canal; Major Long's Report; Captain Graham's Report; Statistics; Commerce; Land Grants; Captain Cram's Report; Fort Dearborn Reservation; the Harbor; Commercial Houses; Sewerage; Hydraulic Company, Etc 66 Early Schools of Cook County ; Teachers ; Statistics 100 Early Banking Operations ; Shinplasters ; Panics ; National Banks ; Clearing House, Etc 131 Courts ; Judges ; Lawyers ; Changes, Etc 199 Country Towns; Schools; Churches; Manufactures; Commerce; Vil lages ; Settlement ; Newspapers ; Sports and Hunting ; Merchan dising; Labor; Homes; Domestic Influences; Incidents; Statistics, Etc , 251 Epidemics; Physicians; the Practice of Medicine; Societies, Etc 365 Common Council of Chicago, 1866-1909 388 County Board, 1868-1909 480 Politics of Cook County, 1866-1909 559 Biography and Reminiscence 693 BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCE PAGE Abbott, Dr. W. C 790 Arnold, Oswald James 756 Babcock, Adolph B 697 Barr, Robert C 773 Becker, John W 707 Beifeld, Joseph 792 Bell, Oscar F 722 Biggio, Frank 775 Birk, Edward J 702 Birk, Jacob 701 Birk, William A 781 Bishop, Fred W 745 Blase, Hans 770 Blum, Meyer 805 Boland, Patrick J 769 Bosch, Henry 759 Boussoulas, Sotirios 715 Brand, Alfred 726 Brand, Armin W 701 Brand, Philip R 700 PAGE Brand, Rudolph 699 Brand, Virgil M 781 Branen, Dr. Frank 741 Brown, Walter Z 762 Buchanan, James Nelson 800 Buchanan, Nelson 801 Buchanan, Ellen Maria (Paine).. 801 Buchanan, Dr. Charles Henry 801 Buchanan, Edward Paine 1 801 Burns, William Henry 799 Byford, Dr. Wm. H 811 Caldwell, Charles Edwin, M. D..784 Carr, George R 801 Condee, Leander Devine 765 Conley, Dr. Thomas J 771 Converse, Clarence Myron 766 Cooley, Lyman E 743 Cooper, Edwin 705 Cooper, James 750 Cooper, John T 697 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE Cooper, Albert H 779 Cooper, Edgar H 779 Cooper, George H 780 Cooper, Abijah O 797 Countiss, Fred D 693 Czaja, Peter 726 Czajkowski, Rev. B 733 Damiani, Dr. Joseph 763 Davis, George Mortimer 764 Davis, Nathan S 808 Decker, Theodore F 709 De Stef ano, Gaetano S 775 Dettmer, Rev. John 706 De Vries, Sietz J 693 Dierssen, Ferdinand W 798 Donat, Joseph L 731 Donlon, Stephen E., M. D 695 Donovan, Col. James 795 Dunphy, John M 749 Dyniewicz, Casimir W 751 Dyniewicz, Wladislaus 750 Earle, Johnson 713 Erkenswick, Rev. Charles A 705 Farnham, Harry J 767 Fenger, Christian 811 Folsom, Richard Sweet 785 Formusa, Vincent 776 Forward, Henry W 724 Fraser, Norman D 795 Furey, Charles La Tour 768 Geocaris, Angelos 713 Gialloreti, Dr. Vincenzo 718 Golombiewski, John 736 Gordon, Rev. Francis, C. R 787 Gormley, Charles F 742 Gottfried, Carl M 698 • Grudzinski, Rev. Louis W 732 Hahn, Frank 808 Hallberg, Lawrence G 754 Harris, Mark G 806 Hart, Harry Stillson 794 Harwood, Frederick H 725 Hastings, Samuel M 767 Hess, Frederick A., M. D 695 Hollander, Albert H 710 Holmes, Dr. Edward M. .* 772 Jaeger, George J 782 Jaeger, Philipp 782 Jarzembowski, Joseph 736 Jenson, William 807 Jerozal, Stanley J .' 734 Johnson, Albert Mussey 763 Kapela; Joseph W 734 Karabasz, Rev. Francis J 728 Keely, Edward S 722 Klein, Albert S 703 Koch, Edward John 786 Koester, George Frederick 760 Kott, John M 777 Kowalewski, Bruno F 727 Krause, Frederick E 771 Lagona, B. J 783 Lambros, Peter S 714 PAGE Laskowski, Charles 735 Lemmon, Thomas A 721 Llewellyn, Joseph C 754 Lovell, Arthur W 742 Lyford, W. H 695 Lyman, David B 783 Madsen, Jens B 741 Marriott, Abraham R 797 Marsh, Philip L 740 Mastroianni, Pasquale 716 Matz, Otto Herman 761 McBurney, Dr. Benjamin A 768 McEUigott, Hon. Thomas G 796 McFell, Judson 707 McHugh, Dr. John A 786 McKay, Robert James 802 Melcher, Frank O 803 Mercola, Arcangelo 752 Milaszewicz, Vincent 730 Miller, Harry Irving 784 Miller, Kempster B 802 Mudge, Henry U 804 Mulvihill, William F 799 Newkirk, Chauncey F 710 Page, Samuel S 796 Paine, James S 800 Palt, Frank J 738 Pease, Fred M 789 Pickard, Wilder A 739 Piechowski, Rt. Rev. John 737 Powell, Norman 778 Randak, Frank 732 Reed, Lawrence Joseph 762 Reichmann, Frank Joseph 757 Rice, Patrick Henry 746 Roach, William F 756 Robinson, Dr. Byron 804 Rodatz, Jacob 698 Romano, Antonio 758 Romanowicz, John 735 Rouse, Harry B 704 Runge, George 748 Rybcinski, John A 727 Sackett, Robert E 723 Sayers, Benjamin F 778 Sankar, Louis Joseph 798 Scharringhausen, Lewis B 747 Schwarz, Edward 805 Schiavone, Michael 774 Scott, Elwin D 748 Senne, William 806 Sheppard, George W 786 Skrypko, Rev. Alexander 731 Slomski, John J 705 Smith, Edwin M., M. D 694 Spalding, Charles F 794 Spalding, Jesse 793 Stamm, J. Charles, M. D 774 Starzynski, Edward 729 Stearns, Dr. William M 790 Steiskal, Frank 712 Stromberg, Alfred 720 Stuchlik, William 718 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE Stuchlik, William A 719 Stuchlik, Edward 719 Szajkowski, Edmund 728 Thompson, George F., M. D 753 Thornton, Everett Austin 753 Tilden, William A 747 Troch, Herman J 770 Tuma, Josef 772 Van Arsdale, Robert L 726 Wachowski, Michael J 731 Walker, George W 740 Waller, Edward C 807 PAGE Walther, Frederick E 780 Ware, Dr. Lyman 717 Wayman, John S 708 Weber, Frank C 755 Weiss, John H 700 Wengierski, Frank 791 Wilder, Dr. Loren 743 Wilkowski, John P 733 Zamorski, Leon 737 Zander, Henry G 723 Zwierzchowski, Rev. John 729 TABLE OF CONTENTS ILLUSTRATIONS NAME PAGE Ap Madoc, W. T 373 Arnold, Victor P 391 Carr, Robert F 247 Carr, George R 247 Chicago Extensions, north 553 Chicago Extensions, south 571 Converse, C. M 103 Day, Edward S 391 De Vries, S. J 157 Donovan, James 211 Fetzer, W. R 391 Fort Dearborn Addition, 1839.... 535 Fulton, H. D 373 Gash, Abram Dale 121 Gordon, Fr. Francis, C. R 229 Harbor of Chicago, 1834 445 Hawley, Henry S 67 Healy, Daniel D 49 Hebel, Oscar 409 Hill, John W 283 Hoffheimer, Zach 391 Hruby, J. O., Jr 373 Keeney, Albert F 427 Kleeman, B. F 373 Lake Front Wearings, 1839 499 Land Accretions, Lake Shore, 1837 517 Lantz, Walter A 373 Lewis, Harry A 427 Loeffler, William 301 Longhi, Emilio 355 Lorimer, William 193 NAME PAGE Lundgren, W. E 391 Luster, Max 175 Marshall, Thomas 391 McLaughlin, J. J 373 McMillen, C. S 337 Michels, Nicholas 391 Miller, A. W 409 Mills, Matthew 373 Moody, Walter D 319 Northrup, John E 391 Olson, O. D 391 Poorhouse, Cook County, new... Frontispiece Poulton, J. J 373 Rhodes, Carey W 139 Rittenhouse, W. A 391 River Mouth, Chicago, 1834 481 Roe, Clifford G 391 Schmidt, Walter E 409 Shanahan, D. E 373 Smejkal, E. J 373 Smith, Claude F 391 Sollitt, Oliver 373 Stromberg, Alfred 85 Sullivan, Jeremiah 391 Ton, C. J 373 Troyer, W. H 373 Wayman, John E. W 391 Weber, W. H 409 White, George H 427 Wilkerson, J. H 427 Wolf, Adam 409 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS MISCELLANEOUS EVENTS THE delegate from Michigan Territory in Congress, Mr. Lyon, in his arguments before the Committee on Judiciary, in 1831, argued in favor of the line passing east and west through the southern extremity of Lake Michigan. He stated that, "It is reported on the best authority that at the time of the admis sion of Illinois, Nathaniel Pope, the delegate from that territory, himself acknowledged that he owed the success of his experiment in claiming north of this line, to the circumstance that no one felt interest enough to look into the matter and oppose him." . . . "Study and ingenuity, stimulated by interest, have within a few years found out that this is not all the boundary it was supposed to be; that it is merely a "descriptive boundary' intended to be a limit for the people on one side and a license for those on the other; or, in other words, that the one or two States that Con gress has authority to form in the Northwest Territory cannot ex tend south of this line, while tbe three States already formed may extend north of it at pleasure." "We are told that the State owns three hundred and forty lots in Chicago, which upon an average are worth not less than $2,000 each, and that they would at any time command this price at public sale. The State also owns Section 15, almost adjoining the town of Chicago, estimated to be worth $200,000, besides many other valuable tracts in the vicinity. Now we would ask why it was that this property, which in Chicago and its vicinity alone would have commanded a million of dollars, was not exposed to public sale at the time of the government land sales last summer, when there were millions of capital seeking investment? Had this course been pursued there would have been no necessity to resort to foreign cap italists for a loan to construct the canal. A million of money, we are warranted in saying, would have been realized immediately. With this a large portion of the canal could have been completed ; and the residue of the lands on each side of the canal could have Vol. II— 3. 33 34 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY then been sold for an amount greatly more than sufficient to have completed the whole work." — (Democrat, November 18, 1835.) At a public meeting held at the Tremont house in September, 1834, Col. R. J. Hamilton presided and Edward W. Casey served as secretary. The following resolution was adopted: "Resolved, That the hospitality of the town of Chicago be respectfully tendered through the president of the Board of Trustees to the Polish exiles now in our town." — (Democrat, September 10, 1834.) "Before the arrival of Messrs. Kinzie, Hubbard, and Hamilton, at Vandalia, with their suite, a canal bill better in all respects than that which has now become a law had passed the House of Repre sentatives, which bill provided that the commissioners should be elected by joint ballot of the two houses. Perceiving this, and presuming that Mr. Hubbard would not be a commissioner if that bill should become a law, these worthy gentlemen then set them selves about defeating the bill then before the Legislature, in order that the Governor might have the appointment of the commission ers, and in this they unfortunately succeeded. It was not by any means a secret at Vandalia that these gentlemen were exceedingly anxious that the first bill should be defeated, and the reason assigned was that it was indispensable that Mr. Hubbard should be a com missioner, and if that result could not be produced, it 'was better the State should do without a canal another year. Dr. Fithian, Mr. Hubbard's brother-in-law, a member of the House, voted against the bill, which provided for the election of the commissioners by the House. It was unquestionably the same powerful influence which obtained the passage of the Chicago hydraulic bill and other ob noxious measures." — (Correspondent in Chicago Democrat, March 16, 1836.) In the original subdivision of a tract of land in the western part of the southwest fractional quarter of Section 10, Township 39, Range 14, as platted and subdivided under authority of the Secre tary of War in 1839, a square or tract of land in subdivision, a part of which is known as Dearborn park, was set aside for park pur poses and so dedicated by the general government. As the circum stances under which the dedication was made ceased to exist, the park could be used for other purposes. The growth and develop ment of business rendered it worthless for the original purposes. Therefore it was enacted that the Soldiers' Home of Chicago, in corporated under the act of February 28, 1869, be authorized and empowered to erect and maintain on the north quarter of a piece of ground now known as Dearborn park in that part of Chicago known as Fort Dearborn addition, and bounded on the north by the south line of Randolph street, on the east by the west line of Michigan avenue, on the south by the north line of Washington street, and on the west by the east line of an alley known as Dear born place, a Soldiers' Memorial Hall building to commemorate the HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 35 virtues, sufferings and sacrifices of the soldiers and sailors of Illi nois in the late Civil war. It was provided that such building when erected should be under the direction and control of the man agers of said Soldiers' Home in Chicago, by all non-political organ izations, by United States soldiers and sailors of the Civil war, without charge; no part should be rented for pecuniary profit ex cept for charitable objects specified; that the main hall should be public for non-political meetings; that the directors of the Chicago Public Library should occupy portions of said memorial building for the storage of maps, charts, books, periodicals, papers, etc., relating to the late Civil war and the military history of the coun try; that after the expiration of fifty years from the completion of said memorial building, the directors of the Soldiers' Home, at their option, might, by a two-thirds vote, turn over, transfer, and con vey to the directors of the Chicago Public Library all right, title and interest in said building and grounds in perpetuity, provided the building should never be deprived of its distinctive character as a Soldiers' Memorial Hall for the use of soldiers and sailors. In 1839 the following joint resolution was passed by the Illinois General Assembly: "Resolved, That the passage of the act of the General Assembly of Indiana, at their late session (of which offi cial information is received), authorizing a connection of the Erie and Michigan canal of Indiana with the Illinois and Michigan canal of Illinois, thereby forming a continuous line of canal navi gation from Lake Erie to the navigable waters of the Mississippi river, is recognized by this General Assembly as another magnani mous manifestation, on the part of Indiana, of her settled disposi tion to identify the best interest of the two States and to promote their common and national weal, and is most cheerfully recipro cated on the part of Illinois." The Legislature of Illinois in January, 1842, addressed a memo rial to Congress praying for the establishment at Chicago of a ma rine hospital, and among other things said : "The growing impor tance of that city cannot have escaped the attention of your honora ble body, in addition to the natural advantages for commerce which have increased within a few years far beyond the calculations of the most sanguine. In addition, on the completion of the canal connecting Lake Michigan with the Mississippi, the increase of commerce must be such as to require the same institutions there as at most other commercial cities of the United States." "Chicago has been filling up with delegates of the People's (River and Harbor) convention for the last ten or fifteen days, but it was not until Saturday that the pressure became burdensome. When we arrived on the 'Oregon' at sunrise yesterday morning, there was scarcely a square inch of room in any public house, save in a few bed rooms long since bespoken. But the citizens had al ready thrown open their dwellings, welcomed strangers in thou- 36 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY sands to their cardial and bounteous hospitality and the steamboats as they came in proffered their spacious accommodations and gen erous fare to their passengers during their stay The grand parade took place this morning, and though the route trav ersed was short, in deference to the -heat of the weather, the spec tacle was truly magnificent. The citizens of Chicago, of course, furnished the most imposing part of it — the music, the military, the ships on wheels, ornamental fire engines, etc. I never witnessed anything so superb, as the appearance of some of the fire companies with their engines drawn by horses tastefully caparisoned. Our New York firemen must try again ; they have certainly been outdone. I think New York had some three hundred delegates on the ground, among them John C. Spencer, J. De Peyster Ogden, Thurlow Weed, James B. Burton, Seth C. Hawley, George W. Patterson, Alain Bronson, John E. Hinmah, etc. From New England the number present is smaller, but still considerable. I notice among them, John A. Rockwall of Connecticut, Elisha H. Allen, now of Boston, etc. From New Jersey there are six or eight ; from Pennsylvania I think fifty to one hundred, among them Andrew Stewart, Senator Johnson of Erie, etc. From Ohio the number may not be much greater, but among them are Tom Corwin, Governor Bibb, ex-Governor Mor row, R. C. Schenck, John C. Wright, etc. From Georgia there are at least two here, and one is Thomas Butler King. There is one from South Carolina. Indiana, Missouri and Iowa are well repre sented, Michigan and Wisconsin have a large regiment each, while northern Illinois is here, of course, en masse. A judicious estimate. makes the number present to-day 20,000 men, of whom 10,000 are here as members of the convention The citizens had provided a spacious and beautiful tent, about 100 feet square. pitched in an open tract near the center of the city, radiating from a tall pole in the center and well provided with seats. It holds about 4,000 persons comfortably. The rest of the gathering were constrained to look in over the heads of those seated A general call was made for Thomas Corwin, of Ohio, which could not be stilled. He was conducted to the stand by John AVentworth. Although coming to the stand reluctantly, Mr. Corwin addressed the convention in his own inimitable manner on the relations and rela tive' character of the Puritans — on the wants and just demands of the West — the absurd folly of considering harbor improvements on salt water constitutional and on fresh water not so ; and the mighty strides of the West to greatness and dominion. The vast assemblage was electrified by his admirable effort In his letter, General Cass was content to say he could not (i. e., would not) come, and gave not the least expression of sympathy with the objects and de sires of this convention. The letter excited much astonishment and was read twice at the urgent call of many delegates. The gen eral expression was not flattering to General Cass. Andrew Stew- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 37 art, of Pennsylvania, made a vigorous and animated speech in favor of internal improvements on comprehensive grounds. It was perhaps a little too plain and thoroughgoing for the weak stomachs of some present, who had but recently begun to profess friendship for internal improvements. It pleased right well a ma jority of the convention, but brought up in opposition David Dud ley Field of our city (New York) who favored us with an able and courteous speech in favor of 'Strict construction' and of such river and harbor improvements only as are consistent therewith. He was sharply interrogated by different members and in reply to their questions denied the right of the Federal government to im prove the navigation of the Illinois river, since that river ran. through a single State only, or of the Hudson river above a port of entry. A portion of the members manifested considerable impa tience during the latter portion of this speech, which is to be re gretted, for Mr. Field was perfectly courteous, not at all tedious, and fairly called out by the speech of Mr. Stewart. For my part I rejoiced that the wrong side of the question was so clearly set forth. In the afternoon, Abraham Lincoln, a tall specimen of an Illinoisan, just elected to Congress from the only Whig district in the State, was called out and spoke brightly and happily in reply to Mr. Field The resolutions having been read and accepted, Mr. Field very fairly objected to the last clause of the fifth resolution, affirming substantially that the 'common understanding' of the Constitution, through a long series of years, 'has become as much a part of that instrument as any one of its most explicit provisions.' This ought to have prevailed, but it did not Thomas Butler King, of Georgia, made a most admirable speech in favor of river and harbor improvements and internal improvements generally. It was really a great speech, thoroughly national in its spirit and looking to the good of all. . On the last day the convention came together thoroughly resolved that no topic should be considered which might mar the harmony and unanimity with which the resolutions of the committee had been received and adopted yesterday; so that suc cessive efforts to get before it the project of a railroad to the Pa cific, the free navigation of the St. Lawrence, etc., were promptly and decidedly thwarted by the undebatable motion to lay on the table Previous to putting the motion for final ad journment, the president of the convention, Edward Bates, of Missouri, returned thanks for the honor done him in a speech which took the convention completely by surprise — so able, so forcible and replete with the soul of eloquence. I will not attempt to give an account of this wonderful speech — no account that can now be given will do it justice. In the course of it he said that when he emigrated in 1812 to the French village of huts called St. Louis, which has now 50,000 inhabitants, he was obliged to hire a guard 38 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY against hostile savages to accompany him across the unbroken wilderness which is now the State of Illinois with a civilized population of 600,000 freemen. His speech was greeted at its close by the whole convention rising and cheering long and fer vently. . . . The convention, upon its adjournment, was instantly reorganized as a committee of the whole (with Horace Greeley as chairman), and Gov. William Bibb, of Ohio, took the stand. He dwelt upon the diffusion of intelligence, the purification of morals, and the amelioration of the social condition of man. He brought sharply and eloquently out that 'vain will be all your canals and railroads, your river and harbor improvements, if the condition of the toiling millions be not timely or therewith sensibly amelio rated — if they shall still be constrained to delve twelve to fourteen hours per day for the bare necessaries of physical life. I hold,' said he, 'that this need not and ought not to continue — that society may be so revised that ten or eight hours' faithful labor daily will secure to every industrious man or family a full supply of the necessaries and comforts of life, so that each may have ample leisure to devote to the cultivation and perfection of his moral, social and intellectual powers.' A. W. Loomis, of Pittsburg; Gen. Lewis Hubbell, of Milwaukee; S. Lisle Smith, of Chicago; Anson Burlingame, of Massachusetts, late of Michigan; E. H. Allen, of Boston, and Horace Greeley, of New York, were called out in succession and each responded briefly. The speech of Mr. Smith, of Chicago, regarded as an oratorical effort, was the best of the many good speeches made here within these three days. It was beautiful, thrilling, brightly poetic — enchaining and enrapturing the audience. I will not attempt to sketch it. Mr. Allen's remarks were very happy in a very different vein — these two affording striking illustrations of Western and Eastern popular speaking, respectively. William M. Hall, of Buffalo, advocated a series of resolutions offered by him concerning the proposed railroad to the Pacific. His resolutions were adopted as the proceedings of the mass meeting and not by the Rivers and Harbor convention. Thus has met, deliberated, harmonized, acted and separated one of the most important and interesting conventions ever held in this or any country. It was truly characterized as a congress of free men, destitute of pay and mileage but in all else inferior to no deliberative body which has assembled within twenty years. Can we doubt that its results will be most beneficent and enduring?" — (From a series of letters written on the ground by Horace Greeley and published in the New York Tribune in July, 1847.) Mr. Greeley showed that the Democrats generally were non committal on the object of the convention, while the Whigs were interested. President Polk had just vetoed the river and harbor bill, so the Democrats had to be cautious. Writing of the letter of General Cass, Mr. Greeley said: "Did mortal man ever before HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 39 see such a letetr from one who is- by position and was by profes sion friendly to the objects of the convention? It was listened to with hardly less astonishment than indignation." Colonel Burton had said of lake harbors that they "harbored nothing but the inter ests of their owners." "Business men will not be slow to draw their conclusions in reference to the prospects of Chicago. No one who has studied her unrivaled commercial position and the richness, beauty and extent of the country by which she is surrounded, can doubt for a moment that Chicago at no distant day is destined to become the great central city of the continent. In the center of one of the most extensive and the most fertile agricultural regions of the globe, surrounded by extensive mines of lead, iron, copper and coal, having a water communication with the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, and holding the key to a coasting trade of 3,000 miles, with more than a dozen railroads branching off for thousands of miles in all directions, every element of pros perity and substantial greatness is within her grasp. She fears no rivals. She has to wait for a few short years the sure develop ment of her 'manifest destiny.' " — (Annual Review of Chicago, 1855.) "It is difficult to decide in what respect it is most worthy of remark, whether in the number and extent of the additional build ings and internal improvements of our city, in the extended reach of her unparalleled system of railways, or in the increase of value of the produce and merchandise that have crowded through her channels and fairly gorged their every capacity. We are forcibly reminded of the figure of a young and beautiful damsel, whose rounding form and budding proportions are fast bursting from the limited and straining vestments which sufficed her girlhood and demanding a costume of more flowing dimensions and costly texture. Our city is changing her apparel by pieces and without much regard to transition, appearances or contrasts. The refit is, however, rapidly assuming a completeness and perfection that promises soon to be unrivaled." — (Annual Review of Chicago, January, 1855.) The Masonic Temple association was incorporated February 14, 1855, the directors being Hiram A. Tucker, Ezra L. Sherman, Buckner S. Morris, Walter S. Gurnee and L. P. Hilliard. The act of February 7. 1857, incorporated the Chicago Histori cal society, the incorporators named being William H. Brown, William B. Ogden, J. Young Scammon, Mason Brayman, Mark Skinner, George Manierre, John H. Kinzie, J. V. Z. Blaney, E. I. Tinkham, J. D. Webster, W. A. Smallwood, V. H. Higgins, N. S. Davis, Charles H. Ray, S. D. Ward, M. D. Ogden, F. Scammon, E. B. McCagg and William Barry. The Chicago Relief and Aid society was incorporated February 40 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 16, 1857, by Edwin C. Lamed, Mark Skinner, Edward I. Tink- ham, Joseph D. Webster, Joseph T. Ryerson, Isaac N. Arnold, Norman B. Judd, John H. Dunham, A. H. Mueller, Samuel S. Greele, B. F. Cooke, N. S. Davis, George W. Dole, George M. Higginson, John H. Kinzie, John Woodbridge, Jr., Erastus S. Williams, Philo Carpenter, George W. Gage, S. S. Hayes, Henry Farnam, William H. Brown and Philip J. Wardner. By act of February 16, 1857, the subdivision for E. K. Hubbard of certain blocks in the school section addition to Chicago was legalized. The subdivision included Blocks 5, 60, 63, 66, 75, 85, 104, 105, 108, 109, 111, 112, 115 of Section 16, Township 39 north, Range 14 east. This subdivision was recorded July 3, 1835. "Year by year, since our connection with the press of this city (since 1848), we have essayed to foretell what might reasonably be expected both as to the growth in population and the increase in business, and year by year have we seen our estimates dwarfed into insignificance by the actual facts. Four years ago we entered into an elaborate argument to the effect that within five years from that time the annual receipts of grain at this place would reach 20,000,000 bushels. Our less hopeful friends were astounded beyond measure at our temerity — 'extravagant' and 'absurd.' 'Why,' said they, 'the quantity could not be stored in the city, the laborers could not be secured to handle it, the money to produce it, nor the ves sels to transport it to an ultimate market.' The five years have not yet elapsed and our figures this morning show the amount re ceived in the fourth year after the prediction to be only a fraction under 25,000,000 bushels, or 25 per cent, over the estimate. The warehouses, the laborers and the. money were here. So in regard to the growth of the lumber business. The fact is the country which is commercially tributary to Chicago and which by a decree of nature must remain so for all time to come, is of such extent, of such unlimited resources, and is withal being so rapidly devel oped under the stimulus of free government, railroads and im proved labor-saving machinery that the history of the world fur nishes no parallel to it; and hence all estimates based upon past experience, respecting the results that are here to be worked out, must necessarily fall far short of the actual fact. That is the reason why the wonderful growth of Chicago has so far outstripped all the predictions of the most sanguine of our citizens. This is the reason why the annual commerce of these northwestern lakes has within a quarter of a century risen from a merely nominal value to far exceed that of the total foreign commerce of the whole Union. It is proper to say that every department of trade has shared in the common impulse. As regards the future, we will no longer venture upon specific predictions and estimates — we do not care to try our hand again. However, we are warranted in say- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 41 ing that the future progress of Chicago will in no respect fall short of its past history." — (Annual Review of Chicago, January, 1857, by William Bross, editor of the Chicago Democratic Press.) Citizens of Chicago took every means to advertise the city in the East and in Europe. The act of February 16, 1857, made sweeping changes in Chi cago municipal affairs. The council was authorized to divide the wards into such precincts as were deemed best; to submit all its acts to appropriate' committees, to secure thereto the signature of the mayor before same should take effect; to make no contract nor incur no expense unless upon an appropriation made by the council ; to prohibit any city officer from having an interest in such a con tract; to create a treasury department consisting of the treasurer, comptroller and collector, whose duties were set forth in detail; to return the assessment roll to the common council, and the full proceedings of collecting the taxes were prescribed; to require the council to designate two or more justices of the peace who1 should be styled the "police court," the sessions of which were to be held daily ; to provide for the election of a police clerk, whose duties were fully set forth ; to provide for the appointment of a prosecuting at torney for the police court if deemed necessary; to require all fees to be paid into the city treasury ; to fix the salary of the mayor at $3,500 per year; to give the council power to levy and collect an nually a school tax not exceeding two mills on the dollar; to meet the expenses of buying grounds, erecting buildings and supporting the schools; to provide for the appointment of fifteen school inspectors who should be styled the "board of education" of the city, five to be appointed annually ; to authorize the city of Chicago to purchase, hold and convey tracts of land outside of the city limits, to be used for cemeteries ; to leave in force all laws and regu lations then in operation and not annulled or abridged by this act; to conduct all actions in the name of the corporation; to re-create the Fifth ward with the following limits: All that part of the city which Iks west of the South branch of the Chicago river and south of a line running east and west along the center of Randolph street and north of the center of Harrison street; to re-create the Tenth ward as follows: All that part of said city which lies west of the South branch of the Chicago river and south of a line in the center of Harrison street; to provide for the election of officers for the new ward; to provide for the appointment by the judge of the Cook County Court of Common Pleas of three freeholders to act as commissioners to lay out a public park in the South division of said city; to fully empower said commissioners to sur vey, lay out and appropriate such a park of not less than 100 nor more than 300 acres; to locate said park south of Twelfth street, west of Michigan avenue, east of Stewart avenue and as nearly central as may be between Lake Michigan and the South branch 42 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY of Chicago river; to provide payment for the land thus appropri ated ; to provide for the payment of the Chicago park stock created by this act; to levy a tax on the South division to meet such ex pense ; and to provide for parks in the other divisions of the city. The act of February 18, 1859, incorporated the "Board of Trade of the City of Chicago," to be composed of the persons at the time constituting said board. The rules, regulations and by-laws of the said existing board of trade were to prevail until others should be adopted. Full provision was made for the admission and expulsion of members, for the adjustment of questions by committees of arbitration, for the appointment of inspectors of weights, measures, flour, grain, provisions, liquors, lumber, etc. The act of February 19, 1859, incorporated the Chicago South Branch Dock company, with William Green, William S. Sampson, Richard J. Arnold, John F. Hance, Roswell B. Mason, Amos G. Throop and Abraham J. Knisely as incorporators. They were authorized to improve the following tracts in Chicago : The north fractional part of Section 29, Township 39 north, Range 14 east, except the east 16.72 acres; and also any other lands which they should own, by laying the same out into lots, streets, squares, lanes, alleys, etc. They were empowered to make seven or any less canals and to connect the same with the South branch in a way not to impede navigation; to erect on said lands such railroads, wharves, workshops, warehouses, stores, etc., as might be found necessary; but in all cases to obey the ordinances of Chicago. The capital was fixed at $650,000. To carry out the object of the corporation the company was authorized to borrow money, but not in excess of $50,000 at a time, and to issue bonds therefor. The act of February 20, 1861, authorized Chicago to make an assessment to pay the damages caused by the building of a bridge at Van Buren street in 1858, and to pay certain claims against the city relative thereto. "Our low, flat position is exceedingly unfavorable to civic com fort or convenience. Our old residents all remember the time when the whole country around us was a swamp scarcely better than the Calumet of today. The work of redeeming it to a passably dry location has only been accomplished by the tedious operations of street filling, contemporaneous elevations of grade and sinking of ditches. Then the large extent of territory in proportion to the population, which our cosmopolitan avarice has secured, gives us a world of work to do. We have over twenty-four square miles of territory embraced within our city limits, scarcely less than a whole section to each thousand men of proper age to earn money and pay taxes for improvement. But we have accomplished wonders. Our principal thoroughfares have all been lifted from the mud, properly drained, supplied with gas and water, the old rotten planks removed, and in their stead the substantial Nicholson laid. Our HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 43 rivers have been bridged and a tunnel has been talked of. We can now almost walk on dry land in the most central portion of the city, while but a few years since the shooting of water fowl from the steps of the Tremont was a common pastime. During the past twelve months, though burdened with the support of the war, we have steadily labored in the improvement of the city, having done more than in former years. "Chicago has just claims to be considered the center of the rail way system of the continent. There is scarcely a respectable railroad in the country that does not seek to effect a connection more or less direct with some one of the great lines which make Chicago an eastern and western terminus. There are those in the city whose residence does not date further back than 1849, who remember that our railroad system, concerning whose extent and magnitude we now felicitate ourselves so grandly, consisted of a single line extending from Chicago to Elgin, whose track was laid with strap iron and whose rolling stock and appointments were of the most inferior and what would now be considered the most worthless character. Mark the change — a score or so of miles then and thousands now. "The map of Illinois with its railway lines now looks like a checker board. With two such powerful interests (railway sys tems and commercial improvement) working each to extend the other and benefit themselves, it is impossible to place a limit to the future greatness of Chicago. This city will increase with every year until she shall fulfill her destiny and become the first inland city on the continent, both in point of population and in the extent of her commercial transactions. Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Min nesota, the northern half of Missouri and the yet undeveloped re gion lying west of the Missouri are the source upon which Chicago must depend for her future growth and prosperity. Already Chi cago is the greatest primary grain market in the world and second to none in respect to her packing interests." — (Annual Reviews, 1862.) The act of February 13, 1863, empowered Chicago to issue new bonds to satisfy and retire old and maturing bonds. The act of February 20, 1861, exempted from inspection at Chicago all fish that had been duly inspected at Milwaukee and Mackinac. The act of February 22, 1861, provided that the Secretary of State should deliver to the Chicago Historical society fifty copies of each and every public document, book, pamphlet, chart and other publications by the State as the same should be issued from year to year, and so far as practicable of such publications issued previously by the State. The act of Congress of June 20, 1864, directed the Secretary of the Treasury to dispose of the marine hospital and grounds in Chi cago by public auction to the highest bidder, and out of the pro- 44 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY ceeds to purchase a new and more eligible site and erect a new hos pital thereon, but the cost of the new was not to exceed the pro ceeds of sale of the old. Accordingly, in September, 1864, the property was sold for $132,000 to J. F. Joy, who paid the money and took a deed for the same. But it was found that the amount thus realized was not sufficient for the purpose. It was then thought that it might be wise to dispense with such a dis tinctive hospital and to provide for the care of marine patients by contract in municipal or private hospitals, thus obviating the ne cessity of erecting a new building. In the meantime, for several .years, Mr. Joy was denied the possession of his purchase. Upon pressure by the House of Representatives, the supervising archi tect, A. B. Mullett, purchased a new site of ten acres for $10,000 — a tract on the lake shore — in 1866-67. Three courses were open: 1. Not to build a hospital; 2. To build one within the amount of the appropriation, but wholly inadequate to the service; 3. To build one adequate to the service regardless of the appropriation. The third was the only reasonable and acceptable alternative. The first building, under the appropriation of August 3, 1848, cost a total of $55,687. The act of February 13, 1865, incorporated the Union Stock Yards and Transit company with the following men named as in corporators: John L. Hancock, Virginius A. Turpin, Roselle M. Hough, Sidney A. Kent, Charles M. Culberton, Lyman Blair, David Kreigh, Martin L. Sykes, Jr., Joseph Sherwin, George W. Cass, James F. Jay John F. Tracy, Timothy B. Black- stone, Joseph H. Moore, John S. Barry, Homer E. Sargent, Burton C. Cook, John B. Drake and William D. Judson. They were authorized to locate, construct, and maintain in convenient proximity to the southerly limits of Chicago and west of Wallace street extended the necessary yards, enclosures, buildings, railway switches for the care and safe keeping of live stock, etc. ; capital stock, $1,000,000. The Chicago Stock Exchange was incorporated February 16, 1865, by J. M. Adsit, A. C. Barger, James Boyd, T. J. Bronson, Lyman Blair, E. E. Braisted, Chauncey T. Bowen, Nathan Co rinth, A. J. Dennison, Asa Dow, A. Echald, J. K. Fisher, N. K. Goodnow, John C. Hilton, B. P. Hutchinson, Ira Holmes, E. H. Haddock, W. F. Coolbaugh, J. D. Jennings, S. A. Kent, Josiah Lombard, T. G. McLawry, Solon McElroy, Hugh McLennan, Ira T. Munn, E. R. McCormick, A. B. Meeker, L. D. Norton, L. A. Ostrom, C. B. Pope, B. W. Phillips, J. O. Rutter, E. D. Richard son, C. A. Rodgers, Isaac Sherwood, T. H. Seymour, William Spaulding, D. C. Scranton, J. J. Ullman, John Watson, E. G. Wolcott, S. S. Williamson, C. H. Walker, C. T. Wheeler, M. S. Yarwood and D. S. Young. The object was a stock exchange in the city of Chicago where all kinds of stocks and bonds could be bought, sold and exchanged. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 45 By January, 1865, the horse railways of Chicago were operated by three distinct corporations — one for each division. The Chi cago City railway had been incorporated February 14, 1859. By April 25 following cars were running to Twelfth street and by June to the city limits. In October a branch was laid on Archer road from State street to Stewart avenue. The company had (January, 1865), 35 cars, 255 horses and mules, and employed 200 men. Samuel M. Nickerson was president of the company. The West Division Railway company owned the West side lines in January, 1865. The Madison street line was" built by the City Railway company, also the Randolph street line — the former running by June, 1859, and the latter by August, 1859. In August, 1863, the City Railway company sold these two lines to the West Division company for $300,000. They soon laid a branch on Blue Island avenue and by December 25, 1863, were running to Twelfth street. In 1864 a branch was laid in Milwaukee avenue. J. R. Jones was president and superintendent in January, 1865. On the North side the City Limits line had been constructed in 1859, the Sedgwick and North avenue lines in 1861, the Clybourn and Larrabee lines in 1859, Chicago avenue line in 1859, and the Graceland line in 1864. Steam was being tried on the Graceland line. J. B. Turner was president in 1865. The act of March 10, 1865, authorized the city of Chicago to borrow upon bond not to exceed $2,000,000 to be used to pay the debt of the city for waterworks; also to borrow not to exceed $1,000,000 to pay the sewerage debt and to increase the works ; also to borrow not to exceed $700,000 with which to buy or lease school grounds for schoolhouses ; also to borrow $1,000,000 to carry into effect certain other improvements authorized by pre vious laws; also for $300,000 for specific purposes of improve ment. In 1866 deepening, the canal was undertaken to relieve the river, under act of Legislature February 16, 1865. This was a sanitary measure. The city was authorized to issue -bonds for what it had cost to finish the work and got a lien on the canal and its works for $2,500,000. Taking up this lien was what the State did to aid Chicago after the fire. The improvement was to cut down the canal to a level 8^4 feet below the level of Lake Michigan, through solid rock mostly for twenty-six miles. On July 16 the current of the river was turned the other way. But the north branch was not benefited, so $200,000 was appropriated July, 1873, to connect the river with the lake north of the city limits. Until Monday, March 25, 1867, Chicago had very bad water; it had grown worse and worse. On March 17, 1864, the work on the tunnel had been begun at Chicago avenue. On July 25, 1865, the great crib was launched and sunk at the other end of the shaft which was dug from both ends. The crib was forty feet high, with 46 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY five sides and was ninety-eight and one-half feet in diameter. The inside was one cylinder nine feet in diameter, sunk sixty-one feet below the surface of the water, and thirty-one feet below the bed of the lake. The crib stood twelve feet above the water. From the shore shaft the crib was distant two points north by east two miles. The clear width of the tunnel was five feet; the clear height five feet two inches ; it was lined with brick masonry ; sloped toward the shore two feet per mile. Under a head of two feet it was designed to deliver 19,000,000 gallons per day; under a head of eight feet, 38,000,000 gallons, and under a head of eighteen feet, 57,- 000,000 gallons. The Washington street river tunnel was begun in 1865. The first contractors were unsuccessful. The contract was then let on July 19, 1867, to others for $328,000 and the work was completed January 1, 1869, at a cost of about $400,000. The act of March 5, 1867, made eight hours a legal day's work where there was no agreement to the contrary. The Chicago , Stage and Baggage company was incorporated March 7, 1867; George M. Pullman being one of the incorporators. The act of January 30, 1867, authorized the Chicago Historical society to increase the number of its resident members to any num ber deemed expedient. The property of the society was exempted from taxation, and the society was empowered to borrow as much as $20,000 on mortgage to complete the building then in progress. The act of February 16, 1867, provided for the establishment of the Washingtonian Home of Chicago; it was amended June 29, 1883, so that not to exceed $20,000 annually was paid to this home from liquor licenses. By act of February 21, 1867, the Fine Arts College of Chicago was incorporated by Hiram T. Merrill, Benjamin F. Downing and their associates. The American Art association was incorporated February 28, 1867, by M. J. Green, George P. A. Healy and others. The act of March 9, 1867, provided for a commissioner of taxes for the city of Chicago; for the division of the city into assessment districts; for changing the dock lines of Chicago river; for the construction of sewers by the council; for increasing the police force; for fixing the salaries of certain city officers; for constitut ing the board of health, with six persons, of whom besides the mayor three should be physicians; for additional powers to the common council; for the protection of persons injured by defective sidewalks; for adding to Lincoln park all land owned by the city in Section 27, Township 40 north, Range 14 east; for enabling said park to acquire "a strip of land not exceeding three hundred feet in width lying between said land and said park." In 1867 the Illinois and Indiana Turnpike company were author ized to occupy Cottage Grove avenue in part. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 47 The act of February 24, 1869, created the "Board of South Park Commissioners" for South Chicago, Hyde Park and Lake. They were directed to secure the following land for park purposes: Commencing at the southwest corner of Fifty-first street and Cot tage Grove avenue; running thence south along the west side of Cottage Grove avenue to the south line of Fifty-ninth street; thence east along the north line of Fifty-ninth street to the east line of Hyde Park avenue; thence north on Hyde Park avenue to Fifty-sixth street ; thence east along the south line of Fifty-sixth street to Lake Michigan; thence southerly along the shore of the Lake to a point due east of the center of Section 24, Township 38 north, Range 14 east; thence west through the center of said Sec tion 24 to Hyde Park avenue; thence north on the east line of Hyde Park avenue to the north line of Sixtieth street so called; thence west on the north line of Sixtieth street to Kankakee avenue; thence north on the east line of Kankakee avenue to Fifty-first street ; thence east to the place of beginning. Also a piece of land commencing at the southeast corner of Kankakee avenue and Fifty- fifth street; running thence west a strip two hundred feet wide adjoining the north line of Fifty-fifth street, along said Fifty-fifth street to the line between ranges 13 and 14 east; thence north, east of and adjoining said line, a strip two hundred feet wide to the Illinois and Michigan canal. Also a parcel of land beginning at the southwest corner of Douglas place and Kankakee avenue ; run ning thence south a strip of land one hundred and thirty-two feet wide along the west side of said Kankakee avenue to a point one hundred and fifty feet south of the south line of Fifty-first street. Also a strip of land commencing at the intersection of Cottage Grove avenue and fifty-first street, running thence east one hun dred feet in width on each side of the center line of Drexel avenue. Also a strip of land extending north from the intersection of Fifty- first street with Drexel avenue one hundred feet in width on each side of the center line of said avenue to the north line of Forty- third street; thence northerly a strip of land two hundred feet in width till it meets or intersects with Elm street in Cleaverville ; thence northerly along said Elm street two hundred feet in width west from the east line of said street to its intersection with Oak- wood avenue. The adjacent lands benefited were to be assessed. The subject was to be voted on in the three towns of South Chi cago, Hyde Park and Lake "For Park" or "Against Park." The act of April 16, 1869, struck out of the park act the words "a piece of land commencing at the southeast corner of Kankakee avenue and Fifty-fifth street, running thence west, a strip two hun dred feet wide, adjoining the north line of Fifty-fifth street," and inserted instead "a piece of land commencing at the northeast cor ner of Kankakee avenue and Fifty-fifth street, running west, a strip two hundred feet wide, south of and adjoining the north line of said Fifty-fifth street." 48 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY The act of February 27, 1869, extended the territorial limits of Chicago so as to embrace the following: That part of Section 30, Township 40 north, Range 14 east, which lies west of the North branch of the Chicago river; Section 25, Township 40 north, Range 13 east, except that part of said section lying east of the center of the North branch of the Chicago river; Sections 26, 35, and 36, Township 40 north, Range 13 east; Sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 25, 26, Township 39 north, Range 13 east; and that part of Sections 35 and 36, Township 39 north, Range 13 east, lying northwest of the center of the Illinois and Michigan canal, were added to the city and constituted a part of the West division. " By this act the outside boundary of the West division was declared to be the outside boundary of the several wards which at that time extended to the present city limits. By this act also the "Board of West Chi cago Park commissioners," to be composed of seven persons, was created. They were given power to buy or alienate land for boule vards, pleasure ways or parks ; could change the building line ; could select three parks of not less than one hundred acres nor more than two hundred acres, the total cost not to exceed $900,000. The main boulevard was to extend from Fullerton avenue near the North branch first west and then south to a point near the Illinois and Michigan canal. Bonds and taxes were ordered. The act of April 19, 1869, excluded from the limits of Chicago, Sections 25, 26, 35 and 36, Township 40 north, Range 13 east, and reattached the same to the town of Jefferson. The boulevard provided for in the act of February 27, 1869, was directed to be located so that it would join the one to be laid out westward from Lincoln park. It was also provided that the most northerly of the three parks arthorized for the West division should not be less than two hundred acres in extent and might be located in whole or in part south of Division street and north of Kinzie street. In February, 1869, a large number of business men of Chicago petitioned Congress to pass such laws that thereafter "all purchases or sales of the loans and bonds of the United States should be made by inviting public competition through ¦ advertising for proposals, and that all sales of gold should be made at public auc tion." This was signed by nearly two hundred of the leading men and business houses of Chicago, but by only seven banks and trust companies. The act of February 8, 1869, fixed the boundaries of Lincoln park as follows : Commencing at the intersection of North avenue with Lake Michigan and running thence west along said North avenue to North Clark street; thence along North Clark to North Franklin ; thence along North Franklin to Fullerton avenue ; thence along Fullerton avenue to the west line of the southeast quarter of Section 28, Township 40 north, Range 14 east; thence along said west line to the northwest corner of said southeast quarter of HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 5J Section 28; thence along the north line of said southeast quarter to Lake Michigan; thence along the shore of Lake Michigan at low water mark as the same now is or hereafter may be to the place of beginning. E. B. McCagg, John B. Turner, Andrew Nel son, Joseph Stockton and Jacob Rehm were constituted the first Board of Commissioners of Lincoln park. The act of March 30, 1869, authorized the Lincoln Park board to acquire by purchase or otherwise the following tract "All of the southwest quarter of Section 28, Township 40 north, Range 14 east, lying east of a line commencing in the east line of said quarter section at a point where it will be intersected by a line five hundred feet long running from the east line' of Green Bay road and a right angle with said road, and running thence in a straight line north westwardly parallel at such point of starting with the east line of said Green Bay road and continuing in a straight line to the north line of said quarter section ; and also all that part of Block 2 in the Canal Trustees' subdivision of Section 33 of said township lying east of the Lake Shore ditch. "The narrow-minded, miserly prejudice, which feared the ex pense of pleasure resorts and claimed no outlay sensible unless it brings immediate practical results in dollars and cents, is fast pass ing away, and Chicago's young, enterprising, intellectual men have decided to have a whole system of public parks, as well as a whole system of schools, churches and other improvements. Until within a few months ago the park systems of Chicago have been uninviting, consisting of a good sized, partly improved tract on the Lake Shore in the North division and several little patches of grass scattered about the city. Now, however, we are to have one grand park, which will be about one-quarter larger than the great Central park, New York, and another one twice as large as that Eastern wonder, three others of from one hundred to two hundred acres each, be sides these already reported." — (Historical Review of Chicago for 1869.) The South Side park and boulevard authorized by act of the Legislature February, 1869, was voted on by the people on March 26, 1869, and sustained by over 3,000 majority. The same act authorized the following parks: Paeks. Acres. South Side park 1,000 West Side parks 600 Riverside park 1,600 Lincoln park 230 Lake park 40 Union park .' 17 Ellis park 3 Washington park 2% Total 3,492y2 Vol. II— 4. 52 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY The act of March 11, 1869, extended the north and south boun daries of the Ninth ward westwardly to the center of Loomis street, which line was made the eastern boundary of the Twelfth ward south of the center of Van Buren street. In 1869 Illinois passed an act granting the Illinois Central Rail way company certain rights on the lake front, and the company sought to take possession of the land, but was enjoined by the United States District Court at Chicago, and this injunction was yet in operation in 1881. The act of March 11, 1869, authorized the Chicago City Rail way company to operate its lines in any of the townships of Cook county outside of Chicago, provided consent so to do was first obtained from the board of trustees. The act of March 10, 1869, permitted the street railway com panies to operate dummy or steam engines. The act of April 19, 1869, incorporated the Chicago Stock Exchange with a capital of $200,000. In 1869 Congress passed an act making Chicago, St. Louis and Cincinnati ports of entry. The act of April 29, 1869, authorized the city to cause the Southwestern Plank road, or Ogden avenue, within the city limits, and any one street connect ing said Southwestern Plank road, or Ogden avenue, with Reuben street, to be widened not exceeding one hundred and fifty feet, and to improve the same. The act of April 17, 1869, established a State road along Archer road. The act of March 10, 1869, provided that thereafter municipal elections in Chicago should be held on the Tuesday next after the first Monday of November of each year; that the officers then chosen should assume the duties of their respective offices on the first Monday of December of the same year; that the mayor, city attorney, treasurer, collector and clerk of the police court should be selected by the people; and that Chicago should be divided into twenty wards as follows: First Ward. — All of the South division south of the center of the Chicago river and north of the center of Monroe street. Second Ward. — All of the South division south of the center of Monroe and north of the center of Harrison. Third Ward. — All of the South division south of the center of Harrison and north of the center of Sixteenth. Fourth Ward. — All of the South division south of the center of Sixteenth and east of the center of Clark and the same projected to the center of Twenty-sixth and north of the center of said Twenty-sixth and the same projected easterly to the lake. Fifth Ward. — All of the South division south of the center of Twenty-sixth and such line projected eastwardly to Lake Michi gan, east of the center of Clark and such line projected southerly to the city limits. Sixth Ward. — All of the South division south of the center of HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 53 Sixteenth and west of the center of Clark projected southerly to the city limits. Seventh Ward. — All of the South division south of the center of Sixteenth. Eighth Ward. — All of the West division north of the center of Sixteenth and south of the center of Twelfth. Ninth Ward. — AH of the West division north of the center of Twelfth, east of the center of Centre avenue and south of the cen ter of Van Buren. Tenth Ward. — All of the West division north of the center of Van Buren, east of the center of Aberdeen and Curtis and south of the center of Randolph. Eleventh Ward. — All of the West division north of the center of Randolph, east of the center of Curtis, and south of the center of Fourth. Twelfth Ward. — All of the West division north of the center of Twelfth, east of the center of Reuben, south of the center of Fourth and west as follows : Commencing at the center of Fourth street, thence south on Curtis and Aberdeen to the center of Van Buren, thence west to the center of Centre, thence south to the center of Twelfth. Thirteenth Ward. — All of the West division north of the center of Twelfth, west of the center of Reuben, and south of the center of Lake. Fourteenth Ward. — All of the West division north of the center of Lake, and south of the center of Reuben. Fifteenth Ward. — All of the West division north of the center of Fourth and Chicago avenue and not included in any of the fore going wards. Sixteenth Ward. — All of the North division north of the center of North avenue. Seventeenth Ward. — All of the North division south of the center of North avenue and north of the center of Division. Eighteenth Ward. — All of the North division south of the cen ter of Division and west of the center of Franklin. Nineteenth Ward. — All of the North division south of the cen ter of Division, east of the center of Franklin and north of the center of Chicago avenue. Twentieth Ward. — All of the North division south of the cen ter of Chicago avenue and east of the center of Franklin. Each ward was to be represented by two aldermen, each holding office for two years, one to be elected annually. On June 19, 1869, it was enacted that, whereas the city of Chi cago had three natural divisions — North, South, and West — each of which would in the future want a park or parks; and whereas the city had already expended a large sum on Lincoln park in the North division ; and whereas the city was about to spend a large 54 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY additional sum on Lincoln park, while a much less sum had been expended on the parks of the South and West divisions; it was therefore enacted that the mayor and comptroller of the city of Chicago should issue bonds bearing not over 7 per cent, to obtain means to purchase and improve a park for each of the three divi sions when the people of each of said divisions should decide to have the same; also to equalize the amount already expended or which might thereafter be expended upon Lincoln park. The act of April 16, 1869, provided that all right and title to so much of fractional Section 15, Township 39 north, Range 14 east, as is situated east of Michigan avenue and north of Park row and south of the south line of Monroe street and west of a line running parallel with and four hundred feet east of the west line of said Michigan avenue, were granted in fee to the city of Chi cago, with full powers to convey the same except ninety feet of the avenue, provided such conveyance should be approved by a vote of not less than three-fourths of the aldermen. The proceeds of the sale were to constitute "the park fund." The right of the Illi nois Central railroad to the strip along the lake front was con firmed ; and the right of the State to the submerged land lying east of the track and breakwater for the distance of one mile between the south line of the south pier extended eastwardly and a line extended eastward from the south line of Lot 21, south of and near the roundhouse and machine shops of said company in the south division of Chicago, were granted in fee to the Illinois Cen tral railroad to be held by them in perpetuity, but gave them no right to obstruct the harbor. The act also provided that the land submerged or otherwise lying north of the south, line of Monroe street and south of the south line of Randolph street and between the east line of Michigan avenue and the track and roadway of the Illinois Central Railroad company, and constituting parts of frac tional Sections 10 and 15, Township 39 north, Range 14 east, should be granted in fee to the Illinois Central, Chicago, Burling ton and Quincy and Michigan Central Railroad companies to be used for a passenger depot, etc. For this land these three com panies were required to pay to Chicago $800,000. It was declared that the grants to the Illinois Central company were upon the ex press condition that it should pay in perpetually to the treasury of Illinois the percentum on the gross receipts stipulated in the charter. "The bed of Lake Michigan does not and never did belong to the United States, and it has no authority to sell or convey it as public land. Lake Michigan has been denominated an inland sea, a pub lic highway, and subject to the same rules of law which apply to the ocean. Owners of land upon its borders own to high water mark and no farther. The soil between high and low water mark and the bed of the lake belongs to the State, subject only to the con trol of the United States in the regulation of commerce and navi- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 55 gation. The boundary of Illinois on the east extends to the middle of Lake Michigan and when the State was admitted to the Union in 1818 on an equal footing with the original States, its jurisdiction over the waters of Lake Michigan and the soil beneath was coex tensive with the boundaries of the State for all purposes except the power to obstruct navigation and to interfere with the regulation of commerce." — (Lyman Trumbull's brief, 1877.) TWELVE LABORS OE HERCULES, 1858-1870 1. Raised street grades and buildings, two to six feet. 2. Paved seventy-five miles of streets with wood. 3. Built eighty-five miles of horse street railways. 4. Straightened the Chicago river channel. 5. Tapped a vast territory with railways. 6. Established sewerage and special assessment systems. 7. Established the Union Stock Yards. 8. Built and regulated a chamber of commerce. 9. Constructed the lake tunnel and secured good water. 10. Turned a canal current through the river. 11. Built tunnels under the river. 12. Raised nearly 27,000 volunteers for the Union Army. Mr. Chesbrough (chief engineer) originated the two great engi neering feats — lake tunnel and deeper canal. The lake tunnel was begun early in 1864 and good water was secured March 25, 1867. Prior to 1870 the greatest amount of water used daily was 30,000,- 000 gallons. The act of March 2, 1872, empowered cities with over 100,000 inhabitants to levy not to exceed one-fifth of one mill annually to establish and maintain a library and reading room. This act was really passed to aid Chicago, which had lost its libraries and because many books had since been donated and buildings were needed. It was declared that an emergency existed. The act of March 7, 1872, defined the duties and powers of the State canal commissioners. They were prohibited from selling the ninety-foot strip along the canal, or any of the canal real estate in Chicago. J. W. Newell built the first brick house erected after the fire at " 205 Illinois street. This two-story brick house is yet standing. STATEMENT PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 30, 1872. Amount due city from State canal $2,955,340.00 Revenue deficit bonds, delivered to city. .$250,000.00 v Illinois Central Railway fund paid city. . 685,265.20 Illinois and Michigan canal revenue, paid city 258,545.79 Proceeds of lVz mill tax 184,496.69 1,378,307.68 Total $1,577,032.32 56 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY An act of October 20, 1872, stated that whereas Chicago had expended $2,500,000 to secure the completion of the Summit divi sion of the Illinois and Michigan canal under the act of February 16, 1865, and supplemental acts, and whereas the city had a vested lien on the canal and its revenues, and whereas the State has been paid its dues from the canal, and whereas the canal trustees had 'delivered the canal to the State, and whereas it was provided that the State, by refunding to Chicago its dues, relieved the canal of this lien, therefore it was enacted that the sum of $2,955,340, with interest thereon until paid, be appropriated to relieve the aforesaid lien; that the same be paid to Chicago upon the execution of a re lease of the lien. A tax of \y2 mills and bonds were provided for to meet in part this outlay. They were to be called "revenue deficit bonds." The appropriation was made upon the proviso "that not less than one-fifth nor to exceed one-third of said sum so appropri ated shall be received by said city and be applied in reconstructing the bridges and the public buildings and structures destroyed by fire, upon the original sites thereof, as already provided by the com mon council; and the remainder thereof to be applied to the pay ment of the interest on the bonded debt of said city and the main tenance of the fire and police departments thereof. It was declared that, by reason of the great fire, an emergency existed and the act should take effect upon its passage. The several companies called into service by the Governor in 1871 to protect property after the Chicago fire, were ordered paid by act of July 1, 1874. In a joint resolution of 1879 the Legislature, after reciting that the postoffice at Chicago had been destroyed by fire three times in eight years, and that great inconvenience had been experienced, memorialized Congress to make an appropriation without delay to complete the postoffice and customhouse. Act of April 13, 1881, reappropriated $4,798 to the Douglas Monument fund; it had lapsed to the State. The act approved Feb. 10, 1887, appropriated $50,000 for a monument to John A. Logan. An act in force March 20, 1883, amended the act of March 7, 1872, to establish and maintain a public library. It authorized the city council to establish such a library and maintain it by levying not to exceed one half a mill on the dollar annually. The law'was declared an emergency to enable Chicago to levy the library tax in the current levy. The lands to be conveyed to Chicago by the bill recommended by the House committee on February 19. 1881, were the streets and grounds dedicated to public use in that part of Chicago known as Fort Dearborn reservation, which originally contained fifty-seven and a half acres. After having been occupied since 1804 as a mil itary site the tract was in 1824, at the request of the Secretary of HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 57 War, formally reserved from sale for military purposes. Fifteen years later (1839) the Secretary of War found that it would no longer be required for military purposes, and pursuant to the statute of 1819, proceeded to subdivide the tract into town lots and to lay out streets and alleys. Matthew Burchard, solicitor of the general land office, was selected by the Secretary of War to subdi vide and sell the land. Without express authority for so doing Mr. Burchard reserved three or four acres adjacent to the lake for a park or public ground and marked the same on the map or plat "Public grounds, forever to remain vacant of buildings." In notes of the survey inscribed on the plat were the words, "The public ground between Randolph and Madison streets and fronting upon Lake Michigan is not to be occupied with buildings of any descrip tion." The Burchard plat was styled "Fort Dearborn Addition to Chicago," and embraced the whole of the southwest fractional quarter of Section 10, Township 39 north, Range 14 east. A tract of an acre or two near the mouth of the river was reserved for lighthouse purposes. The sales of lots in this addition amounted to more than $280,000, which went to the United States treasury. At no time did the government object to the reservation of the three or four acres for a public park or common. The sales made around this reservation were made with the understanding that the tract was to remain open. The survey and disposition of the 57 J^ acres remained acquiesced in for forty years. In 1881 it was main tained that neither the Secretary of War nor his agent had legal authority to dedicate any of the land of the United States to the public for a park or any like uses. The committee held that it would be inequitable to change the condition of things after the lapse of forty years and after property rights had become adjusted along the basis established by Mr. Burchard, beyond the mere naked legal title of the United States in the tract held in trust for the people of Chicago. In 1881 Chicago asked for the title to this tract, with leave to sell same for depot or other uses — that portion east of Michigan avenue and west of the Illinois Central railway. The strip was about 800 feet long and adjoining it on the south was another strip about 400 feet long, for all of which the city expected to receive about $800,000. An objection to the transfer was that the public would be cut off from the lake front to the injury of commerce, but this was answered that the upblic was already cut off from the lake front there by the right of way of the Illinois Cen tral railway, which had been there legally for nearly thirty years. To reach the lake front viaducts must be thrown over the railway tracks. The construction of the proposed depot could not interfere with any of these viaducts. At this time (1881) there were nearly twenty miles of wharf frontage in the city along the Chicago river and branches. The bill proposed released the barren legal- title of the United States to the city of Chicago. As the whole question 58 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY was of greater interest to Chicago than to any other persons or cities, the committee concluded that as Chicago was the equitable owner she could be depended upon to do what was best for her self with the tract. The accretions to the tract were not affected by the proposed bill. In 1852 an accretion which had formed next to the pier at the mouth of the river was sold on October 14 of that year by the Secretary of War to the Illinois Central Railway company for $45,000. The conveyance covered not only the land that had been formed, "but all the accretions made or to be made by the lake or river in front of the same and all other rights and privileges appertaining to the United States as owners of said lands. This conveyance was recognized by Congress in the act of August 1, 1854, for the relief of Jean Baptiste Beaubien. The railway was built in 1852 upon piles driven into the bed of the lake. "Any accretion formed in front of the water lots adjoining the above on the south sold in 1839 would belong to their respective owners. To all those lots the railroad company acquired title." Accretions in front of any grounds dedicated to public use would go with the title to same. But there were no such accretions, al though there were artificial tracts between the railway and the original shore. The railway right of way was 300 feet wide and its western line was 310 feet east of the east line of Michigan ave nue. In 1852 nearly all of the shore between the inner line of the railway and the outer line of the railway and the outer line of Michigan avenue was covered by the waters of the lake. The rail way filled up its right of way with earth. Afterward the city filled the space between the railway and Michigan avenue. The land which the city now proposed to sell was of the uniform width of 310 feet — all or nearly all rescued from the lake at the expense of the city. East of the railway was a breakwater where the water was ten or twelve feet deep. Chicago had spent on this open tract about $160,000. The Valentine scrip under contention could not be located in this tract which by time and usage had been removed from preemption or private claim. The bill proposed was merely a release or quitclaim of the right and title of the United States to the city of Chicago — did not affect any adverse private rights. — (House Reports, Forty-sixth Congress, Third Session, Vol. 1.) In 1881 the Illinois Central Railway company pushed in Con gress a bill to get possession of this land. It was proposed in the bill to grant from the United States to Illinois the title to this land and the latter was then to sell the same to the Illinois Central Rail way company for depot grounds. The act of June 4, 1889, provided that the title of the State to the bed of Lake Michigan on which the driveway connected with Lincoln park was then constructed, or on which any extension should be constructed, and a strip of such submerged land between the east line thereof and a line fifty feet east of the breakwater HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 59 protecting said driveway and any extension of same, was granted to the Lincoln Park commissioners for the benefit of the public. In 1881 the Legislature passed a joint resolution to the effect that, whereas, Chicago had deepened the Illinois and Michigan canal for the purpose of improving the sewerage of the city; and whereas the State had refunded to Chicago such expenditure, viz. : $2,955,340; and whereas such improvement had proved totally inadequate to effect the object intended; and whereas the foulness of the water annually caused the death of many fish in the Illinois and Des Plaines rivers; and whereas the foulness of the canal was transported to and beyond the city of Peoria to the detriment of health and comfort; and whereas it was believed that an epidemic might thus be spread over the State; and whereas great loss to business had thus been caused along the aforesaid rivers; and whereas prior to the deepening of said canal the water necessary for navigating said canal and propelling machinery had been ob tained from the Des Plaines river and the Calumet feeder through Lane's like; and whereas the bed of Des Plaines river at the Sum mit and westward was at low water eight feet above the surface level of the canal and would supply water sufficient for canal and power purposes; and whereas the flooding of the canal from this sourse would so dilute and weaken the sewerage of Chicago through the canal as to relieve it of its foulness, stench and danger — there fore, it was resolved that the canal commissioners be directed to open sluiceways with proper guard-gates from the Des Plaines river to the canal at or near the Summit and at or near Lemont, all in Cook county, and also to construct a dam across the former Calumet feeder so that the water of Lane's lake would flow into the canal, such cost not to exceed $10,000. All of the above was based upon the following provisions : That Chicago should at once cause a flow into the canal from Chicago river sufficient to dilute and purify the waters, the flow to be not less than 60,000 cubic feet per minute, including the ordinary flow into the canal from the river, the same to be accomplished by September 1, 1881, in which case the supply of water would be deemed sufficient ; that the com missioners should take care of the 60,000 cubic feet of water per minute; that this step should not commit the State to a permanent system of drainage for Chicago sewage; that if Chicago should erect pumping works they could be located on canal lands at Bridge port; and that Chicago should not derive any right by this step to control or exercise any authority over any of the locks, gates or dams of said canal. In 1883 the Legislature passed a joint resolution to the effect that, whereas, a suit was then pending in the Circuit court of Cook county entitled "The People of the State of Illinois vs. The Illinois Central railroad, the United States of America, the city of Chicago" to determine the ownership of the "lake front" ; and, 60 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY whereas, the frontage of one mile of this property was originally canal land in which it was believed the said canal had a legal and equitable interest ; therefore, it was resolved that the Canal commis sioners are hereby instructed to employ competent counsel to ap pear in said suit in behalf of said Illinois and Michigan canal and protect its interests involved- in said suit. The act approved June 16, 1887, authorized the commissioners of Lincoln park to allow the erection of suitable buildings therein for a free public library under the will of Walter L. Newberry. The act approved May 25, 1889, provided that the city council should establish and maintain a public library and reading room and should have power to levy annually a tax of not over five mills on the dollar for library purposes. The act of April 1, 1897, appropriate $31,000 to be used in furnishing and caring for the Memorial hall and ante-rooms in the Public Library building in Chicago. The act of March 29, 1901, authorized the John Crerar library to erect and maintain a free public library in Grant park, Chicago, on the following tract of land. "Bounded on the north by the south line of Madison street extended east, on the east by the right of way of the Illinois Central railroad, on the south by the north line of Monroe street extended east, and on the west by the east line of Michigan avenue" providing permission so to do should first have been obtained from property owners. The act of May 12, 1905, recited that the State has been paying $3,500 a year for ten years for the use by the Illinois Naval reserve of the building at 20 Michigan avenue, Chicago, and in addition $780 for annex quarters; that said building was likely to be torn down; that the boathouse of the Illinois Naval reserve erected on piles in the water of the harbor basin east of and adjoining the sea wall near the foot of Randolph street had become impaired by age and storms therefore, it was enacted that the Governor, adjutant general and commander of the Illinois Naval reserve, should be empowered when the money necessary had been raised by private subscription to plan, construct, occupy and control an enlargement and reconstruction of the present boathouse of the Illinois Naval reserve on piles to be driven in the water to be east and south of the present structure within an area not to exceed 200x300 feet. Prior to 1893 there was no suitable harbor for yachts at Chicago. The Chicago Yacht club had been organized to build such a har bor, to promote naval architecture and steamship construction, and to create a volunteer naval academy and free school. The Secre tary of War on September 29, 1892, licensed the Yacht club of Chicago and authorized it to make a breakwater in front of the East End park with the consent of the city of Chicago, and also to use certain submerged reefs in Lake Michigan off Jackson park and build breakwaters there. In view of this the Legislature HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 61 by joint resolution in 1893 granted the same privileges and powers to the Yacht club so far as State property and rights were con cerned. The law of May 11, 1893, provided for the location in Chicago of three employment offices, to be designated and known as Illinois Free Employment offices. This law had a previous existence. The act of June 17, 1893, provided for the enlargement of Lin coln park; the commissioners were empowered to construct and maintain a breakwater to protect the shore line of the park, and to construct and maintain a boulevard or driveway. Another act of the same date authorized the park authorities to purchase, or erect and maintain, edifices to be used as museums of natural history, the arts and sciences, and to charge an admission fee, but to be open free on two days of each week and to school children at all times, such provision being first, submitted to the voters of the park district. On July 27, 1896, the council granted to the South Park commis sioners consent to take, regulate, control and govern all that part of Lake Front park lying south of the north line of Jackson street extended east, and dedicated all that part of said park lying east of the easterly line of the Illinois Central Railroad company's right of way lying north of the north line of Monroe street extended to the east limits of said park at the outer sea wall, to the use of local military companies of the Illinois National Guard, for the purpose of parade grounds and site for an armory ; therefore it was enacted by the Legislature June 11, 1897, that a board of commissioners should be appointed to plan and construct such a parade ground and armory. The sum of $10,000 was appropriated to cover such ex pense. The act was conditioned upon the conveyance by Chicago to the State of the use of said ground for the above purposes in per petuity. By joint resolution of April, 1897, the Legislature gave assent to the United States government to acquire title by purchase or con demnation to all lands necessary for widening the Chicago river and its branches, and jurisdiction over such lands was ceded to the government. By act of June 8, 1897, the act of February 8, 1869, relating to Lincoln park was amended so that the governor should appoint seven commissioners for said park, to hold office for five years without compensation.. The act of April 21, 1899, provided that the following described land under the waters of Lake Michigan be, and hereby is given, granted and conveyed to the city of Chicago, a municipal corpora tion created and subsisting under the laws of Illinois, viz; : "Be ginning at a point in the center line of Thirty-ninth street produced northeasterly 250 feet distant (measured at right angles thereto) from the west side of the wall which is the west boundary of the 62 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY right of way and station grounds of the Illinois Central Railroad company ; thence northerly at an angle of 84 degrees and 30 minutes with the center line of Thirty-ninth street produced northeasterly along the line of the breakwater 185 feet; thence northeasterly parallel with the center line of Thirty-ninth street produced 1,000 feet ; thence southerly at right angles to the last mentioned line 300 feet; thence southwesterly parallel with the center line of Thirty- ninth street produced northeasterly 985 feet to the breakwater; thence northerly along the breakwater to the place of beginning." This tract was conveyed for the purpose of enabling Chicago to build thereon and forever maintain a pumping station. The act of April 24, 1899, provided that the land or lands located in the city of Chicago, extending south of Randolph street, north of Park row and east of Michigan avenue, commonly known and designated as the "Lake Front," shall be, and are hereafter to be called, designated and known as "Grant Park," named in honor of "The Great Silent Soldier of Illinois, U. S. Grant." The act of April 24, 1899, concerning Grant park, was amended by act of May 10, 1901, which conveyed Grant park to the South Park board. The boundaries were the north line of Monroe street produced east to the outer sea wall or harbor line established by the Secretary of War on September 22, 1890; east of said outer wall or harbor line; south of the south line of Lake Park place (formerly known as Park row) produced east to said outer wall or harbor line, and west of the east line of Michigan avenue, includ ing all submerged land lying west of said outer wall or harbor line and between said north and south boundary lines — all to be called, designated and known as "Grant Park" — all conveyed to the South Park board, except that portion north of the north line of Jackson street extended, east from Michigan avenue to the outer sea wall or harbor line, and also except the right of way, easements and grounds of the Illinois Central Railroad company, extending north and south through said Grant park. The act of May 11, 1901, authorized the South Park board of commissioners of the three towns of Lake, Hyde Park and South Town to take, regulate, control and improve a street known as Union avenue in the town of Lake, "from the south line of Forty- second street to the north line of Garfield boulevard, from the north line of Fifty-ninth street to the south line of Garfield boulevard, for a boulevard and driveway leading to the public parks. They were authorized to levy and collect taxes. The act of May 13, 1903, provided for the conveyance to the United States of the following lands to be used as a turning basin for lake vessels in the Chicago river : All that part of Lot 1 shown on the plat of the Canal commissioners' subdivision of that part of the southwest quarter of Section 29, Township 39 north, Range 14 east, lying south of the main canal west of the Chicago river and HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 63 known as Blocks 12 and 13 of the Canal trustees' subdivision of Blocks 10, 1QJ-2, 11, 12 and 13 in the southwest quarter of said Section 29; also Block "A" not previously surveyed or platted in said southwest quarter section and east of the Chicago river as fol lows : Lying north of a line beginning at a point on the southwest erly line of said Lot 1, distant 129.5 feet in a westerly direction from the northwesterly side of Levee street, said point being also at the intersection of said southwesterly line of said Lot 1 with the present (November, 1902) south dock of the Illinois and Michi gan canal, thence in an easterly by southerly direction to the inter section of the easterly side of said Lot 1 with the northerly side of Levee street, containing 41,466 square feet. The Legislature passed a joint resolution in 1903 providing for the submission to the voters of the State the question of so amend ing the constitution as to permit the General Assembly to pass laws providing a scheme or charter for local municipal government, under certain restrictions for the city of Chicago. The amendment thus proposed stipulated that the laws so passed might provide for the consolidation in whole or in part in the muni cipal government the powers then vested in the city, in the board of education, in the townships, parks and other local governments and authorities having jurisdiction within such territory or any part thereof; that the city should assume the debts and liabilities of such local governments ; that the city could become indebted not to exceed five percentum of the full value of taxable property within the city, including the existing indebtedness and the city's propor tionate share of the county and sanitary district's indebtedness; that provision for the levy and collection of taxes should be made; that no such laws should be passed until assented to duly by the voters; that unnecessary offices might be abolished; that territory could be added to or taken from the city limits; that in case of the creation of municipal courts within the city the offices of justices of the peace, police constables and magistrates could be abolished; that they could limit the jurisdiction of justices of the peace within Cook county, but outside of the city limits; that the Legislature could pass all laws requisite to provide for a complete system of local municipal government for Chicago; that no law based upon this proposed amendment affecting Chicago should take effect with out the consent of a majority of the voters of said city at any elec tion, and no local or special law based upon this amendment affect ing Chicago should take effect until assented to by the voters at an election. The laws of 1904 empowered the park boards of any three towns to acquire additional territory to enlarge the parking, to provide for the payment for such territory, to extend parks over public waters, to connect parks by public driveways or boulevards, to consider duly riparian rights and secure same ; to take the title thereto in the 64 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY name of the Board, to receive the title to the tract between the shore line and the inner line of the lake shore driveway; to issue bonds when parks lay in two towns and fronted on the lake ; to permit the location of free public libraries and museums in parks; to levy an additional two mill tax for three towns ; to respect navigation where submerged lands were taken, etc. It was further provided in the acts of this year that the title to Grant park should pass to the South Park commissioners and that the following tract should pass to said commissioners to be used as an addition to Jackson park: All land including the submerged and artificially made land lying within the south boundary line of Jackson park and the south line of Twenty-ninth street as extended one thousand feet into Lake Michigan and a line easterly of and parallel with the shore line of said lake and the shore line of such lake and also the land including all submerged and artificially made land lying within the north line of Ninety-fifth street extended to its intersection with the boundary line of Indiana and Illinois as extended and the shore line of Lake Michigan, all such land being situated in Chicago. The city authorities of Chicago were granted the right to acquire, locate, establish and maintain a street or streets through the tracts known as Groveland park and Woodland park in Chicago, such streets to be used as boulevards only and not to exceed sixty-six feet in width ; they were further granted the right to establish a boulevard through the Douglas monument grounds. The act of May 18, 1905, provided that the mayor of Chicago should hold his office for four years ; that he should have power to release any person imprisoned for violation of any city ordinance and might appoint a pardon board at his option ; that the compen sation of all officers should be fixed by salary ; that the interest on public funds should be paid into the city treasury and not accrue to the interest of the city treasurer nor any other officer; that the controller should at least once a year advertise for bids for the city deposits in national banks; that the city council should have power to fix the amounts and penalties of the bonds of all city officers; that the head of the law department of the city should be the cor poration counsel; that two-thirds of all the council could override the mayor's veto; that the city council should regulate the space over the streets and alleys ; that the city might acquire by purchase or otherwise, municipal beaches and bathing places and maintain and regulate the same; that the city might exercise the right of eminent domain in accordance with the law of the State; that the city council could define and declare nuisances and abate the same and should have power to regulate the location and conduct of hos pitals and infirmaries. The act of May 18, 1905, conferred upon the city of Chicago power and authority to sell surplus electricity and to fix the rates and charges for the supply of gas and electricity for power, heating HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 65 and lighting, furnished by any individual company or corporation to said city of Chicago and the inhabitants thereof; but this power was not to be exercised unless assented to by a majority of the voters, at an election. The laws of 1905 provided that park boards might issue bonds and levy a tax for payment thereof; that additional bonds to the extent of $1,000,000 might be issued ; that additional park tax could be levied and collected; that an additional tax of two and one-half mills could be levied and collected to maintain such parks ; that park commissioners could levy and collect a direct annual tax. The act of May 25, 1907, provided that the commissioners of Lincoln park could issue bonds for improvement purposes to the amount of $1,000,000, providing the voters at the polls should assent. The act of June 5, 1907, reenacted the Chicago charter act. The object was to provide a charter for the city; to consolidate in the government of said city the powers before vested in the local authorities having jurisdiction within the territory of said city; and to enlarge the rights and powers of said city. The act provided fifty wards for the city. INCIDENTS AND STATISTICS THE Illinois and Michigan canal may be said to have had its origin in the Ordinance of 1787, which provided that all "the navigable waters leading into the Mississippi and St. Law rence and the carrying places between the same, shall be com mon highways and forever free" to the citizens. In 1817 Maj. Stephen H. Long, under the direction of the War Department, made a survey and report on the practicability and advantages of connecting the waters of Lake Michigan and the Illinois river as tributaries of the St. Lawrence and the Mississippi. He said, "A canal uniting the waters of the Illinois with those of Lake Michigan may be considered the first in importance of any in this quarter of the country; and at the same time the construction of it would be attended with very little expense compared with the magnitude of the object. The water course which is already opened between the river Des Plaines and Chicago river needs but little more excava tion to render it sufficiently capacious for all the purposes of a canal. It may be supplied with water at all times of the year by constructing a dam of moderate height across the Des Plaines, which would give the water of that river a sufficient elevation to supply a canal extending from one river to the other. It would be necessary, also, to construct locks at the extremities of the canal — that communicating with the Chicago river being calculated to ele vate about six feet and that communicating with the Des Plaines about four feet." Upon the practicability of uniting by canal the waters of the Illinois river and those of Lake Michigan, Maj. Stephen H. Long, of the topographical department, further reported on March 4, 1817, that on the upper Des Plaines river was a large prairie, the hills being but twelve or fourteen feet above the prairie level; that on this flat prairie was a lake about five miles long by from thirty to forty to sixty yards wide, communicating both with the river Des Plaines and the Chicago river by means of a kind of canal which has been made partly by the current of the water and partly by the French and Indians for the purpose of getting their boats across in that direction in time of high waters; that the distance from the river Des Plaines to Chicago river by this water course was about nine miles, throughout the greater part of which there was more or less water, so that the portage was seldom more than three miles 66 <-~—££-^-^*-r-y.«3^. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 69 in the driest season, but in wet seasons boats passed and repassed with facility between the two rivers. "Chicago river is merely an arm of the lake dividing itself into two branches at the distance- of one mile inland from its commence ment with the lake; the north branch extends along the western side of the lake about thirty miles and receives some few tributaries ; the south branch has an extent of only five or six miles and received no supplies except from the small lake of the prairie above described. The river and each of its branches are of variable widths from fif teen to fifty yards, and for two or three miles inland have a suffi cient depth of water to admit vessels of almost any burden. The entrance into Lake Michigan, however, which is thirty yards wide, is obstructed by a sandbar about seventy yards broad, upon the highest part of which the water is usually no more than two feet deep. The difficulty of removing this obstruction would not be great. Piers might be sunk on both sides of the entrance and the sand removed from between them. By this means the river would be rendered a safe and commodious harbor for shipping — a con venience which is seldom to be met with on the shore of Lake Michigan. "A canal uniting the waters of the Illinois with those of Lake Michigan may be considered the first in importance of any in this quarter of the country ; and at the same time the construction of it would be attended with very little expense compared with the mag nitude of the object. The water course which is already opened between the river Des Plaines and Chicago river needs but little more excavation to render it sufficiently capacious for all the pur poses of a canal. It may be supplied with water at all times of the year by constructing a dam of moderate height across the Des Plaines which would give the water of that river a sufficient eleva tion to supply a canal extending from one river to the other. It would be necessary also to construct locks at the extremities of the canal, that communicating with Chicago river being calculated to elevate about six feet and that communicating with the Des Plaines about four feet." In addition to the above the War Department laid before Con gress the following additional matter: "The little river Plein (Des Plaines) coming from the northwest, approaches within ten miles and a quarter of Lake Michigan and then bending to the southwest unites with the Theakiki (Kankakee) at the distance of about fifty miles and forms the river Illinois. The country between the lake and the Plein, at this point of approach, is a prairie (natural meadow) without trees, covered with grass and to the eye a perfect level. From the bank of the Plein standing on the ground the trees are distinctly seen with the naked eye at Fort Dearborn on the shore of the lake ; from Fort Dearborn they are in like manner seen on the banks of the Plein. Standing on any intermediate point between Vol. II— 5. 70 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY the lake and the river the judgment is at a loss to say which side the ground declines, and whether the level of the Plein or the lake is the highest. It was determined, however, from certain data, that the level of the river was two feet or thereabouts above the level of the lake. From this view, it would seem that the cutting of a canal in this place between the Plein and the lake, would be a work of neither skill, difficulty nor expense. Small, however, as the labor would be under this view, it is still diminished upon a close examina- tiop and by finding that an arm of the lake, called Chicago, puts out in the direction of the Plein and that an arm of the Plein, also called Chicago, puts out in the direction of the lake. They approach within two miles of each other, so that in common water there is only dry ground to that extent between them. The character of these two arms is essentially different, that of the lake being about sixty feet wide and from ten to forty feet deep; that of the river being in high water from four to six feet deep and in places a mile wide, and in low water either dry or reduced to a gutter. Between the heads of these two arms is also a gutter which is dry in dry seasons of summer and fall and full of water in the spring and when thus filled with water the boats of six or eight tons, engaged in the Mackinaw and Mississippi trade run through backward and forward so as to make no portage between Mackinaw and the Mis sissippi. This gutter, judging from the appearance of others now forming, was at first a path worn out by the feet of those who car ried things across the portage and afterward deepened by the attri tion of the waters until formed into a little canal. The wind alone gives the water a current in this little canal, and its direction de pends upon the course of the wind. Objects have been seen to float out of it from the same point to the river and to the lake. It is incontestably true that an east wind will drive the water of the lake through this gutter into the Plein and that water from Lake Michigan has been discharged by this outlet into the Mississippi and thence into the Gulf of Mexico. It is equally incontestable that the waters of the Plein have been driven by the same channel into the lake ; these phenomena may now be witnessed at any time when the waters are high and the wind blows hard. It follows, therefore, that to finish the canal begun by nature in this place would require, as we have already said, but little of skill, time, or expense. On opening the canal, however, two difficulties would be experienced : 1. The Plein would be found to be level with the canal; its water would of course be diverted from its natural channel and pass by the canal into the lake. 2. Supposing that evil remedied by a lock to lift vessels into the Plein, yet the latter during half the year does not contain water enough to float a boat and so could not become useful as a national highway. To remedy this defect of water in the Plein, two projects suggest themselves : 1. To sink the bed of the Plein below the level of the canal, and thus increase the depth of the HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 71 Plein, as well by feeding it out of the lake as by collecting its water into a narrower channel. 2. To make the cartal unite with the Plein lower down in its course. A few miles lower would be suffi cient to give the water of the lake a descent into the river, as the Plein has a sensible descent in this place, insomuch that the people of Chicago call it "The Rapids," having no other words to distin guish moving water from that which stands still. Of the Plein, below its point of approach to the lake we would remark that it has hardly the attributes of a river, being in most places without cur rent and without banks, lying as a sheet of water in the prairie, sometimes a mile wide and so shallow that the tall grass appears almost everywhere above its surface. Having said this much of the facility of communication by the' Chicago, we would now remark that several other routes are perfectly practicable: 1. From a point in the lake south of Chicago, to enter the Plein below Mount Juliet, at or near what is called Lake Despage, but which is only a dilata tion of the waters of the Plein. This route would lie over level prairie, through a multitude of small lakes or ponds, which have neither name or place in any map. 2. By a canal leaving the lake near its south end and uniting with the Theakiki just above its con fluence with the Plein. Both of these canals would be fed from the lake ; would require few or no locks ; would go over ground of the same sort; would be fifty or sixty miles long; and would join the waters of the Illinois at points from which it is constantly naviga ble. A third route was spoken of, but not seen by us. It would lie between the Theakiki and the St. Joseph's of the lake. To con clude : The route by the Chicago, as followed by the French since the discovery of the Illinois, presents at one season of the year an uninterrupted water communication for boats of six or eight tons burden between the Mississippi and the Michigan lake; at another season a portage of two miles ; at another a portage of seven miles, from the head of the Plein to the arm of the lake (Chicago river) ; at another a portage of fifty miles from the mouth of the Plein to the lake, over which there is a well beaten wagon road and boats and their loads are hauled by oxen and vehicles kept for that pur pose by the French settlers at the Chicago. — (R. Graham and Jo seph Philips, Kaskaskia, April 4, 1819.) "Taking Major Long's report to be substantially correct, the length of the canal will not exceed seventy miles. The presumption is it will be less. But assuming, that as the whole length, consid ering the almost entirely level face of the country through which it, will pass, it cannot cost more than $500,000. For the purpose of raising this sum the committee are of the opinion that no appro priation of money out of the treasury is necessary. If, as the com mittee beg leave to recommend, a strip of land of the width of two miles on each side of the canal shall be granted to the Legislature of Illinois, it is believed the State would be able to raise a sum suffi- 72 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY cient to complete the work. The quantity of land thus proposed to be granted would amount to seven townships and three quarters of a township, which if sold at the minimum price of the public lands would yield only the sum of $224,000. But owing to the additional value that this work would impart to it, the committee believe the State would under a prudent management be able to raise double that sum. The increased value not only of the immediately adja cent public lands, but of those throughout the major part of the lands both in Illinois and Missouri, would not only reimburse the treasury, but would much more than do it." The committee also called attention to the importance of the project — its practicability, comparative cheapness, that the portage had already for many years been navigated on a small scale; that the water of the lake could be employed for the canal ; its importance from a military standpoint; that the western country could much quicker and cheaper reach the Atlantic coast via the lakes then via New Orleans; that the canal would add immensely to commercial intercommunication and the growth of the West, and that the lands through which the canal would pass were already surveyed and in the market. — (Report of Committee of House of Representatives, March 30, 1826.) Mr. Calhoun, Secretary of War, in January, 1819, recommended to Congress the construction of such a canal as an important ad junct to the military defenses of the country. He said that if a road were built from Detroit to Ohio and a canal be built from Lake Michigan to the Illinois river, all the facilities would be added to carry on military operations in time of war for the defense of the western country. By act of February 15, 1831, the "Board of Canal Commissioners of the Illinois and Michigan canal" was made to consist of three members, one of whom was to be called "superintending commis sioner," whose duty it was to be constantly employed on the canal route. It was also provided that the engineer should "examine the Illinois river from the mouth of Fox river down to the head of steamboat navigation and if in their (the commissioners') opinion the navigation of the Illinois river can be improved by dams or locks or otherwise so as to secure its navigation as far as the mouth of Fox river to the Little Vermillion or foot of the rapids, they shall have power to terminate such canal at the mouth of Fox river. The commissioners were authorized to give away canal lands not exceed ing ten acres for public uses. The lands ceded under this act amounted to 480,000 acres and were held by the State as a trust fund for the canal. By 1845 the greater portion of this land remained unsold. "A small portion con sisting mainly of lots in the City of Chicago and the towns on the line of the projected work" had been sold and the proceeds been ap plied to the work. The step was taken intentionally to reserve as HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 73 much of the land as practicable and to sell the town lots, as it was thought the lots would not increase in value as much as the outside lands would. In fact to open the canal the State used its credit, expecting in the end to be more than reimbursed in the enhance ment of the lands' later. To the observance of this policy "and to the late widespread and ruinous convulsions in the monetary affairs of the country may Illinois attribute her present humiliated and blasted pecuniary condition." The Government had approved of the canal fiscal policy, and in 1845 it was urged that, as the State had suffered so much by pursuing that course, should not the Gov ernment come to her assistance now (1845) with a further grant of a limited quantity of land to enable her to complete the canal work. The State, having used her credit instead of the grant of land, was entitled to this consideration, it was urged. "It was laid out to be one hundred miles in length, sixty feet wide and six feet deep ; to have fifteen locks, each one hundred and ten feet in length and eight een feet in width. It will be navigable for boats carrying from one hundred to one hundred and fifty tons. Full $5,000,000 exclusive of interest, have been expended on it, and $1,600,000 are required to complete it. The State has tried to raise this sum by pledging all of the canal property — lands, lots, water power (of which there is great abundance), with the canal itself and its tolls and profits — for its reimbursement, but has been unsuccessful in the effort. She has now come to a pause and can go no further without help ; and it remains for the Government to decide between resuming the lands already granted upon the ground that the State has failed to fulfill the trust for which they were intended, or abandoning them to the State without an equivalent, or of contributing further means in aid of the work. In this situation of things the Government can hardly fail to adopt the last alternative." It was argued that the lake trade would be amply sufficient to justify and reimburse the enterprise; that in 1817, previous to the navigation of the Mississippi by steam power the whole tonnage of its valley was estimated at 6,500 tons, consisting of thirty barges, and 150 keel boats; that the same waters were navigated in 1845 by about 400 steamers carrying about 90,000 tons valued at $7,000,000; that to this could be added $300,000 for the 4,000 flat boats that annually descended the Mississippi and its tributaries; that in 1819 there was just one steamer on the lakes ; that the first steamboat to navigate Lake Michigan was in 1827; that the first one to reach Chicago was in 1832 during the Black Hawk war; that in 1845, including ships, brigs and craft of all descriptions, it was estimated that 400 vessels navigated the lakes above Niagara falls; that the lake country was growing much faster than the Ohio or Mississippi river country; that the exports of wheat and flour in 1843 from Cleveland, Detroit, Sandusky and Chicago were: Wheat. 1,894,- 992 bushels; flour, 812,903 barrels— all worth about $4,500,000; 74 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY that in 1844 Colonel Albert, chief of the corps of topographical en gineers, had reported that the trade of the whole range of lakes had increased from 1835 to 1841 as follows: Total imports in 1835 $3,269,353 Total exports in 1835 744,951 Aggregate trade $4,014,304 Total imports in 1841 $33,483,441 Total exports in 1841 32,342,581 Aggregate trade $65,826,022 He reported that the trade of Lake Michigan in 1833 "was too inconsiderable to be noticed" and by 1841 had grown to about $1,500,000. "But such has been the influx of settlers within the last few years to the lake region and so decided has become the tendency of the pro ductions of the upper and middle regions of the great valley to seek a market at and through the lakes, that we can no longer withstand the conviction that even within the short period of forty-seven years a town will grow up on the lake border greater than Cincinnati." — (Prof. J. W. Scott, of Ohio, on the Internal Trade of the United States. See 28th Congress, second session, Reports of Commit tees.) He showed that the northern half of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois was growing about twice as fast as the southern half of those States. He exhibited figures carrying out still further this view, and then said : "These facts exhibit the difference in favor of the lake country sufficiently to satisfy the candid inquirer that there must be potent causes in operation to produce such results. The staple exports, wheat and flour, have for years so notoriously found their best markets at the lake towns that every cultivator who reasons at all has cause to know the advantage of having his farm as near as possible to lake navigation. This has, for some years past, brought immigrants to the lake country, from the river region of these States and from Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, which formerly sent their emigrants mostly to the river borders. The river region, too, not being able to compete with its northern neighbor in the production of wheat, and being well adapted to the growth of stock, has of late gone more into this department of hus bandry. These causes are obviously calculated to give a dense pop ulation to the lake country and a comparatively sparse settlement to the river country. "The superior accessibility of the lake country from the great northern hives of emigration — New England and New York — are also deserving of attention. By the Erie canal and the railways that country is within a few hours' ride of Buffalo and the lakes. Euro pean emigration hither, which first was counted by its annual thou sands, then by its tens of thousands, has at length swelled to its HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 75 hundreds of thousands in the ports of New York and Quebec. These are both but appropriate doors to. the lake country. It is clear that the lake portion will be more populous than the river divi sion of the great valley." But it was argued that the benefits of the Illinois and Michigan canal would not be confined to the lake country — would be extended to all the Western territory. An additional donation of lands, it was concluded, should be made as a matter of justice and good faith to Illinois, as a means of military defenses, as an important facility of commerce, and as necessary to bind the States more closely together. It was therefore, recommended that there be granted to Illinois "the further quantity of 500,000 acres to aid in the completion of the said work," the land to be selected within ten miles of the canal if practicable, all to be under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury. At the first session of the 19th Congress, in December, 1825, the Legislature of Illinois memorialized Congress to the following ef fect: "That the construction of a canal uniting the waters of Lake Michigan with the Illinois river would form an important addition to the great connecting links in the chain of internal navigation; that commercial intercourse would be facilitated and increased; that internal commotion, sectional jealousy and foreign invasion and State dissolution would be avoided ; that in consideration of the great benefits soon to follow the State asked for a grant of land to enable it to construct a canal from Lake Michigan to the Illinois river; that at their last session the Legislature passed an act of incorporation upon very liberal terms, authorizing a company to construct the projected canal, but that the remoteness of the country from the residence of the capitalists had prevented them from en gaging in the work ; that at the present session the Legislature had repealed the charter of the canal company; that now the State de pended upon Congress to aid the project; that the cost would prob ably not be less than $600,000 and might amount to $700,000; that they therefore prayed for a grant of the townships of land through which the canal was projected. "General Land Oeeice, March 22, 1830. "Sir : I take the liberty to enclose a diagram exhibiting the sur vey of the public lands lying on Lake Michigan at the mouth of Chicago creek, and would recommend that an act be passed author izing the President to lay off a town at this point. Section 9 has been allotted to the State of Illinois under the act granting to her certain lands for the purpose of making a canal. Should the United States establish a town at the mouth of the creek, the State would probably derive much benefit by extending the lots into Section 9, as Chicago creek affords a good harbor through the whole of this section. It is understood1 that the waters of Lake Michigan may be 76 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY drawn into the Illinois river by a thorough cut of moderate length and not more than seventeen feet deep at the summit ; when this is effected and the bar on the outside of the mouth of Chicago creek is so deepened as to admit into the harbor with facility vessels of the largest class navigating the lakes, Chicago must inevitably be come one of the most important depots and thoroughfares on the lakes. The government is about bringing into market a vast extent of country between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi river, which as to the advantages of local position, fertility of soil, healthfulness of climate and mineral resources, is not perhaps excelled by any other tract of country of equal extent in the United States. The deepening of the inlet of the harbor of Chicago would essentially facilitate the sale of these lands and promote the settlement of the country. George Graham/' Congress, by act of March 2, 1827, granted to Illinois about 300,000 acres, being one-half of all the lands five miles wide on each side of a canal from Lake Michigan to the head of steamboat navigation on the Illinois river (to be taken in alternate sections). Under the provisions of an act of Congress of March 20, 1822, granting the State the right to construct this canal, the State caused an accurate survey to be made and the cost of construction was estimated at $700,000. Late in 1829 the President sent a corps of engineers to resurvey and locate said canal and reestimate the cost. Under these instructions Dr. Howard and his assistants commenced operations at Chicago and progressed toward the Illinois river until interrupted by the weather. During the survey thus far it was ascertained that the summit level of the country dividing the waters of Lake Michigan from those of the Mississippi river was only twelve feet nine inches above the surface of the lake, and that it required only a cut of ten feet on an average for three miles to turn the waters of the lake into the Illinois river; and that after leaving the lake about fourteen miles the remainder of the canal to the Illinois river would require nothing more than an excavation of the common soil to a depth necessary for the passage of boats. It was believed that the estimated cost of $700,000 would be ex ceeded, owing to a bed of limestone rock found just below the sur face on the summit level. The act of March 2, 1827, gave the State full power to sell the land granted without limitation as to time or price, upon condition that upon failure to complete the canal in time the State would re pay the United States for the money received from the sale of the land actually sold. In 1830 the committee of Congress became satisfied that to sell the lands then would result in a great sacrifice and defeat the pri mary object of the grant. They heretofore recommended that the State relinquish to the United States all its right and title to the HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 77 lands of the grant, except the one-sixteenth part, and such parts as may have been sold, and to receive instead scrip which should be receivable at any of the land offices in payment for lands within Illinois, the said scrip to be issued at the rate of $1.25 per acre, to be delivered to the State as follows : $50,000 after the passage of the act of relinquishment; $50,000 more upon receipt of evidence that the former sum had been expended as provided, and so on until the whole sum should be issued. The committee said : "In viewing this canal your committee are deeply impressed with its great national interest, leaving out of view the important fact that it passes exclusively through the lands of the United States which for many miles on both sides have never been offered for sale, they beg to state that it is the shortest and most important link of connection between the great northern lakes and the Mississippi. It is a well-known fact that during a portion of- the year, owing to low water, other communications are difficult and often impracticable, but at this point no such obstruction is found, for the Mississippi and Illinois rivers are at all times navi gable for steamboats, except when obstructed by ice, making an entire and safe communication between the Gulf of Mexico, by way of the lakes to New York and Quebec. In time of war this canal will not only be a great convenience and afford every facility in the defense of the country, but be a certain means of commercial inter course between the northern and southern States; and when your committee are aware how easily the coastwise trade may be inter cepted by any maritime power with whom we may be at war, they cannot forbear to urge the necessity of affording the most efficient aid of the general government for making an internal communica tion which shall insure an uninterrupted intercourse between the several States, who depend so much for comfort, convenience, de fense and subsistence on each other. Sugar, cotton, rice, tobacco and many other commodities of the South would be exchanged for the manufactures and products of the North ; and through this chan nel the States of Illinois, Missouri and other adjacent states and territories will at all times be enabled to transmit their inexhausti ble stores of minerals, together with their agricultural products, poultry, furs, stone, coal, etc., to a market. Coal is found in great abundance on the route of the canal and on the whole extent of the Illinois river. In conclusion, if the United States could be actuated by any such motive as gain in this exchange, the plan proposed by the bill reported is calculated to effect that object, for every fact in the history of lands goes to prove the great improvement in price of all lands through which they pass." The Illinois Legislature of 1823 appointed a Board of Canal Commissioners to survey the route and estimate the cost and report to the next Legislature. These commissioners employed Colonel Post and Colonel Paul of Missouri as engineers. They examined 78 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY five different routes for a portion of the distance and estimated the expense of each route. These estimates varied from $640,000 to $761,000. The estimate of the fifth route was upon the plan to use Lake Michigan water as a feeder and was a fraction short of $690,000. Upon the report of these surveyors the Legislature in January, 1825, passed a bill incorporating the "Illinois and Michi gan Canal company." No stock was sold, and at a special session the next winter the act was repealed. "The embarrassment of the State growing out of the ruinous policy of the State Bank without capital," prevented anything from being done until January, 1829, when an act was passed to organize a Board of Canal Commis sioners with full power to survey, locate, employ, and do the work. Congress had, on March 2, 1827, provided that the State should have every alternate section within five miles of the canal. The commissioners were authorized to see this land, lay out towns, sell the lots and apply the funds. They laid off Chicago and Ottawa. Upon closer examination it was found that the water was probably not sufficient in dry seasons and that the rock would have to be taken out part of the way, and that this rock was so near the surface that it would prevent the water from being taken from Lake Michigan. A subsequent legislature authorized a reexamination with a railroad in view and to learn whether the waters of the Calumet could be used as a feeder. The report showed in favor of a railway. Con gress was willing. Two estimations of canal expenses were sub mitted. The first was to build the canal over the summit ten feet above Lake Michigan and depend on the streams for feeders. The line (95% miles) of this route was estimated at $1,601,965.83. If the divide was cut through the rock and Lake Michigan water used the cost would be $4,086,086.50. The estimated cost of a railroad for ninety-six miles was estimated at $1,052,423.19. During the summer of 1832 Mr. Pugh visited New York to learn of the relative cost of canals and railways, and to ascertain if funds could be ob tained to finance the project. The canal lands were reported at 304,709 acres, about one-fifth timber. The State did not have the means, so the office of canal commissioners was abolished. "During 1833 the project of opening a steamboat navigation from the lake to the navigable part of the Illinois river has been seriously agitated in Pennsylvania and elsewhere. The project as a natural enterprise is practicable, but it is questioned, even if the general government could be induced to take hold of it, whether the im mense cost would justify the undertaking and whether a railway would not on the whole be preferable. The latter could be used the whole year whereas a canal could not be used for more than eight months. The importance of opening a communi cation between Chicago and the foot of the rapids of the Illi nois cannot be placed in too strong a light. It must be done, and whatever must be done, will be done. Already (1834) commerce HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 79 in no small extent is passing along that line. Merchants from St. Louis, from along the Illinois river, from Galena, and from the Wisconsin territory, and especially from the Wabash river as far south as Terre Haute, bring their goods that way." — (J. W. Peck, of Illinois, 1834.) The estimate of the cost of the canal, made June, 1834, by C. Gratiot, chief engineer at Washington, D. C, was as follows : Cut across summit $2,622,421 Embankment below summit 589,961 Lockage 343,100 Masonry, aqueducts, etc 343,100 Contingencies , 390,855 Total $4,289,437 A big meeting here, October 31, 1835, to urge the completion of the canal. Present: E. Peck, Peter Temple, Buckner S. Morris, James Grant, H. B. Clarke, J. H. Collins, R. J. Hamilton, W. Jones, H. Hugunin, and Dr. Goodhue. One resolution was as follows: "That in the opinion of this meeting the subject of the Illinois and Michigan canal, from its importance to the State generally, is wor thy of the most attentive consideration of the Legislature; and that the failure of the loan contemplated' by the last session requires the immediate adoption of more efficient measures, based on the faith and credit of the State, and of such a character as will inspire pub lic confidence and insure the construction of the canal." The meet ing urged the importance of a canal, the advisability of an immedi ate system of internal improvements; the importance of prompt action in order to secure the donations of the Government. It was provided in the act of February 26, 1831, that the canal commissioners might construct a branch canal diverging from the main trunk of the Illinois and Michigan canal through the Sagan- askee swamp and Grassy lake, to intersect the Calumet river at the most practicable point, "whenever they shall be notified that the State of Indiana has commenced the construction of a correspond ing work to connect her system of internal improvements with the Illinois and Michigan canal," This branch was to be part of the Illinois and Michigan canal. The act of Congress of March 3, 1837, appropriated a sum of money for a lighthouse at Chicago harbor. Work on the same was begun soon afterward but languished. The light was completed and lighted for the first time June 29, 1859. The light was situated at the east end of the north pier at the mouth of Chicago river. It served the double purpose of a general lake coast light and of a bea con for entering the Chicago harbor. Its location was 41 degrees, 53 minutes, 24.9 seconds north latitude. The foundation of the iron lighthouse rested upon 146 piles of white oak hewn one foot square and driven from 18 to 22 feet into the soil; at the time of driving the piles, the water there was six to twelve feet deep. The report 80 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY says, "We believe that both the base and the superstructure will be found capable of resisting any force that can ever be brought to act upon them without any disturbance of their stability." Care was re quired by vessels in clearing and doubling the south extremity of Chicago bar in entering the harbor. The Committee on Commerce in Congress in February, 1845, reported favorably on a memorial from the citizens of Chicago rel ative to the establishment of a marine hospital in that city. It was recited that such hospital was designed to be erected on the govern ment reserve leaving abundant room however, for the construction of militaiy fortifications when necessary; that the location was healthful and well adapted for such use; that the reservation con tained valuable water lots which might be sold to defray the expense of erecting the buildings; that the growing commerce of the lakes was one of the most valuable interests of the nation; that the con struction of hospitals for the relief of sick and disabled seamen was necessary; that there was no such hospital nearer to Chicago than Cleveland; that Rush Medical college had offered free medical at tendance for the use of a portion of the hospital buildings, etc. It was recommended that the whole matter be placed at the decision of the Secretary of the Treasury. — (28th Congress, 2nd session.) Thomas J. Cram, captain Topographical Engineers, detailed to report on the harbor at Chicago in 1839-40, set forth the following facts : That the shore generally was of sand, but that clay could be found twenty or more feet down off 1,200 to 2,000 feet from shore; that owing to the shifting sands along shore it was desirable to build parallel piers out to water of twenty-four feet depth; that proper shape and position had not been given to the piers at Chicago prior to the transfer of the work to the topographical bureau; that "on commencing operations this year (1839) a sand bar was found ex tending not only entirely across the entrance of the channel, but to a distance of 450 yards beyond, the total length of the bar estimated from the north pier being 583 yards" ; "that the piers had been car ried out from the commencement without due regard to the direc tion of the prevailing winds which are from the north and north east" ; that the maximum of cost was required for the north pier which must meet the dead shock of the prevailing winds ; that the position of the piers compelled vessels entering the river to do so with wind abeam ; that the width between piers of 200 feet was too narrow by half; that the object in limiting such width to 200 feet had been to give the river greater current to remove deposits at its mouth; that such calculations had been unsound, because the river for six miles, being only an arm of the lake, had no appreciable current except in case of freshets or winds, the total fall being too small to produce a sensible current; that too much extension had been given the south pier and not enough the north pier; that the latter should be made 1,600 feet longer than the former and should HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 81 have greater thickness ; that a number of faults of construction had crept in; that the cost of completing the 405 feet of the north pier and of completing and repairing work that had been commenced and left unfinished prior to the then present year would be $25,564; that this amount would be sufficient for only one or two years at the most ; that the harbor was not then adequate to the demands of the general commerce which existed on Lake Michigan; that com merce would very naturally center more at Chicago than at any other place of deposit and transhipment upon either side of the lake. Among other facts set forth in his report were the following : That in 1833 the building of the city of Chicago was begun ; that it now numbered from 5,000 to 6,000 inhabitants after the lapse of only six years ; that it presented "the lively aspect incident to a thriving commercial town," its position being at the west shore of the lake; the navigable branches of the Chicago river affording "the site for a capacious ship basin in the very heart of the town at the junction of said branches, that being the terminus of the Illinois and Michi gan canal to connect Lake Michigan and the Illinois river and thus complete a water way from New York via lakes and rivers to the Gulf of Mexico; the vast extent of adjacent fertile soil were ad vantages which when collectively or severally considered forcibly impress the mind that the present city of Chicago is but the nucleus about which there will grow up at no remote period one of the most important commercial towns upon the lakes" ; that during the year 1839 eight lake steamers averaging 600 tons each had plied regu larly between Buffalo and Chicago and two of less tonnage had handled the local shore trade, besides there being several ships, brigs and large schooners plying out from Chicago ; that the imports of salt, lumber, iron and goods of less weight during 1839 would be found very large ; that the commercial interest of all the states bor dering upon the lakes was intimately connected with Chicago as a place of transhipment and deposit ; that the agircultural prospects of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Missouri would depend largely upon such a place on the lake ; that the continuity of a never-failing water communication for so many miles under a temperature favorable to the transit of produce gave advantages peculiar to the lake route; that the construction of a permanent harbor at some point near the southern extremity of Lake Michigan was desirable; and that the bottom of the lake near the mouth of Chicago river favored such a construction. He recommended that the north pier be extended 1,200 feet in the form of a curve beyond the point where the work was then about to stop on account of lack of funds, to water of twenty-three feet depth ; to terminate the extremity of the pier with a circular head so built as to serve as the foundation of a lighthouse. He submitted estimates of cost. All his recommendations were based upon the wants of commerce at Chicago at that time. He suggested that the south pier might be extended southward 2,000 82 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY feet and then run westward nearly or quite to the lake shore, thus forming a pier-locked harbor. He also noted that the level of Lake Michigan at Chicago then was two feet above its lowest known stage, and one foot four inches below the highest known stage, and that the water was then falling and was believed to have fallen one foot four inches during the past twelve months. — (Sen ate Documents, 1st Session, 26th Congress, Vol IV.) The stone used in the public works at Chicago was quarried from a limestone formation within a few miles of the place and cost, in 1836, at the piers, $6 per cord of 128 cubic feet. — (Senate Documents, 1st Session, 24th Congress, Vol. III.) The survey and estimate for the improvement of Chicago har bor, in accordance with the resolution of the House on February 11, 1830, carried out by William Howard, civil engineer, was to the effect that the formation of a good harbor there was "so indis pensable to the efficiency of the proposed canal" that an examination was made when the route of the canal was surveyed ; that the town was "destined to become a place of considerable importance;" that it was "now composed, exclusive of Fort Dearborn, of about a dozen homes, scattered about on both sides pf the creek or river of the same name; that it was situated about thirty-five miles from the southern extremity of Lake Michigan and was the point that had been selected for the terminus of the Illinois and Michigan canal ; that it was the only situation for a long extent of the shore of the lake which afforded facilities for the construction of a good harbor ; that there was no other place south of the Manitou islands, except St. Joseph, where vessels could escape the weather; that the navigation of the lake was already of sufficient extent to warrant an exertion to afford protection; that "when we consider the great extent of fertile land lately acquired (from the Indians?) by the government, to which Chicago must form the entrance from the East, it is plain that its importance must in a very few years be many times multiplied, the more especially on account of the facility which the canal, when made, will afford to the ingress of settlers to the- government;" that the river was about fifty yards wide and at least twelve feet deep up for three or four miles except at the mouth, where a sand bar prevented the entrance of craft except small boats and canoes; that "could an entrance be formed through this bar the river would form a most secure and convenient harbor capacious enough for any number of vessels that could ever be expected to use it" ; that during the dry season there was no current in the river, and the sand bar almost wholly shut off the river from the lake ; but that in wet seasons the water forced its way through the bar in different places from year to year; that "a remarkable circumstance connected with the formation of this bar was that these deposits of sand seem to be brought almost entirely from the north ;" that the bar had gradually extended itself to the south ; that HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 83 in the spring of 1829 the fort commandant had opened a small trench through the bar nearly at the spot where the projected moles have been laid down; that the current in a few days enlarged the opening considerably, but was later reduced and its situation was changed; that "the whole sand composing the western shore of the lake appeared to be traveling slowly to the southward and had already accumulated on the south shore forming those large banks which are seen in the neighborhood of the mouths of the Great and Little Calamic (Calumet)"; that the bar could be cut through, thus affording easy access for large vessels to the river; that the plan was to extend two parallel piers or moles from the mouth of the river through the bar and out into the lake far enough to escape any sand accumulations, the sand being confined near the shore; that there was sufficient timber near for use in building the moles ; that limestone could be procured in abundance a few miles up the river, and that the channel once cleared through the bar would doubtless remain clear. DIMENSIONS AND EXTENT, ESTIMATED. Each pier, length 260 yards Each pier, breadth 24 feet Average deptn from top to bottom 21 feet Distance apart 60 feet i MATERIALS. 2,080 logs of timber, 30 feet long, 14 inches diameter at small end, at 80 cents $ 1,664.00 2,180 tie pieces, 20 feet long, 9 inches diameter at 40 cents 872.00 5,180 cubic feet square oak timber, 14x14 for sills, at 8 cents 414.40 2,590 cubic feet square oak timber for posts, at 8 cents .... 207.20 2,710 cubic feet square oak timber 12x12 cap pieces, at 8 cents 216.80 1,800 feet securing ties, 10x10, at 6 cents 108.00 26,200 feet two inch plank at 25 cents 655.00 29,120 cubic yards stone, delivered at pier, 80 cents 23,296.00 Total $27,433.40 WORKMANSHIP. One superintendent 720 days, at $4 $ 2,880.00 One chief carpenter 720 days, at $3 2,160.00 Six carpenters, 24 months each, 164 months, $40 6,560.00 Twenty laborers and found 24 months each, 480 months, at $24 11,520.00 Total -.$23,120.00 IRON WORK, TOOLS, ETC. 12,000 pounds iron work for bolts, etc., at 18 cents $2,160.00 2,800 spikes at 10 cents 280.00 Tools for carpenters and laborers 180.00 Total $2,620.00 84 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY MACHINERY. Two crane scows, at $250 each $ 500.00 Two open scows, at $120 each 240.00 Two skiffs and oars, at $30 each 60.00 Blocks and cordage 320.00 Total $1,120.00 Grand total $54,298.40 Add 10 per cent for contingencies 5,429.84 Total cost of work $59,728.24 The time estimated for workmanship was three seasons of eight months each. Dredging was not included in the estimate, the ex tent of the same not having been ascertained. In 1821 fractional Section 10 contained 165.36 acres, and frac tional Section 15 contained 159.45 acres, both of Township 39 north, Range 14 east, and they were surveyed and platted. On September 30, 1824, the Secretary of War requested the Commis sioner of the General Land Office to reserve the land occupied by Fort Dearborn. On October 1, the General Land Office notified the Secretary of War that it had directed that a portion of fractional Section 10, Township 39 north, Range 14 east, containing 57.50 acres and "within which Fort Dearborn is situated, be reserved from sale for military purposes." On June 6, 1837, the above reservation was surveyed into streets, blocks and lots by Asa F. Bradley, city and county surveyor, under the directions of Mathew Burchard, agent and attorney for the Secretary of War. "The whole of fractional Section 15, Township 39, Range 14, was selected for the Illinois and Michigan canal under the act of March 2, 1827. On February 4, 1837, the Surveyor General des ignated the sand bar as an addition to fractional Sections 10 and 15. This sandbar contained 37.78 acres and was entered by Mark Noble, Sr., and Mark Noble, Jr., on May 31, 1836, but the entries were canceled and the money refunded. The land belonged to fractional Sections 10 and 15. In front of Section 10 were 26.17 acres in front of Section 15 were 11.61 acres. The survey of the bar was unwarranted." — (House Reports, 44th Congress, 1st ses sion, Vol. III.) Fort Dearborn reservation was bounded east by the lake and south by Madison street. A small piece of ground between Madi son and Randolph east of blocks 12 and 15 was called public ground. Michigan avenue ninety feet wide was extended through Fort Dearborn addition. In 1839 the public land east of Michigan avenue was nearly 800 feet long, fifty feet wide at Randolph and about one hundred feet wide at Madison. In 1852 the land was only 22^ feet wide at Randolph and nil at Madison. The Illinois Central railway was to occupy a strip 300 feet wide HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 87 built on piles in front of Sections 10 and 15, providing they would build a breakwater. The inner line of the right of way was located 400 feet east of the west line of Michigan avenue. The Govern ment had no title to the bed of the lake nor to the bed of the river. The land about Chicago was surveyed in 1821. Between Michi gan avenue and the railway track was a narrow strip of water and of low land, both of which the city filled in largely from the fire of 1871. Under a decision of the United States Circuit court (2nd Bissell, p. 174) it was held that the subdivision, platting and re cording of "Fort Dearborn Addition to Chicago," not having been in strict conformity with the law of Illinois, made a common law and not a statutory dedication of the public grounds therein, and that in consequence the fee of the same still remained in the United States, but that no beneficial interest remained in the United States. The law of Illinois required that a subdivision should be made by metes and bounds, that corner stones and stakes should be set, that the width of streets and alleys and the size of all lots and blocks should be noted on the plat and that the surveyor's certificate to the same should be in a prescribed form. When all these re quirements were attended to the fee passed. These requirements having been neglected by the Secretary of War, the fee did not pass to the city, and in 1876 Chicago desired the title in order to exer cise control over the public grounds and a bill was introduced to cure the defects and afford relief. "Chicago having so recently sprung into existence, its commer cial importance, I think, is not properly appreciated even in our own State, much less through the Union. I will give you a few facts in relation to the business of the past season, which is well known to have been one of great depression throughout the coun try. Eight of the largest class of steamboats, ranging from 500 to 800 tons each, have constantly been employed on the route be tween Buffalo and Chicago. The season of navigation continued about seven months. Having had access to the books of one of these boats, I found her gross receipts for six months to be over $69,000 for freight and passengers. There were besides two small steamboats which plied between Chicago and the ports on the east side of Lake Michigan. The number of ships, brigs and schooners trading between Chicago and the ports below, as far down as the lower end of Lake Ontario, I have no means of ascertaining. I can only say the number was very large, as all heavy and bulky articles, such as salt and lumber and many kinds of heavy mer chandise, are brought by these vessels, and the produce of the country is generally shipped by them. It was remarked during the season by the forwarding merchants of Buffalo that more goods were shipped from that port to Chicago alone than to the whole State of Michigan; indeed, nearly all the goods destined for west ern Michigan and northern Indiana were first shipped to Chicago Vol. II— 6. 88 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY by the large steamboats that ply regularly to that port and are then transshipped by the smaller boats to the ports of those States. There being no custom house at Chicago, I cannot give you in detail the amount of her exports and imports; but from these general facts you can form some idea of the amount of commercial business which has grown up from nothing in the short space of seven years." Mr. Newberry, writing this letter from Utica, New York, in 1841, ended by urging the importance of keeping at least one harbor on Lake Michigan open. In January, 1842, the Mayor and aldermen of Chicago peti tioned Congress for the completion of the harbor. It seems that work on the harbor had been suspended in 1839 and had not been resumed by 1842 much to the "regret of all classes" ; that the city was giving evidences of "extraordinary commercial advantages"; that it was an extremely important point of deposit and transship ment for the adjoining states and territories, and that on Decem ber 11, 1841, a committee to report on the business done had been appointed. This committee among other important acts reported on the following facts : That the importance of Chicago harbor to the ad jacent States had been duly and officially reported upon in 1840 by Capt. T. J. Cram, of the topographical corps; that there was no city of equal age in the Union and laboring under similar embar rassments, presenting so unexampled a rise to commercial dis tinction and of so much promise in opening the sources of agri cultural wealth ; that it was only eight years since the first pioneers found here a wilderness ; that the last census gave the county a population of nearly eleven thousand; that the city then (Decem ber, 1841), contained a population of between "five thousand and six thousand; that the import trade was over $1,500,000 annually and the export trade iri 1841 was $348,362; that 150 vessels left and entered Chicago harbor monthly during the navigable seasons ; that owing to lack of records only about two thirds of the import and export trade could be arrived at; that fifty-seven commer cial houses, some large wholesale dealers, had discontinued busi ness since 1838, of whose trade no record could be obtained; that a large quantity of the imports had no connection with any house in Chicago, but had been taken directly into the interior from the vessels. "For these reasons the committee allowed a deduction of one-third from the amount known to be added for what is un known" ; that the subjoined figures were from the merchants then in the city. Making allowance for deficiencies, it was argued that the city's imports from 1836 to 1841 inclusive aggregated $7,473,259; that during 1841 they were nearly $2,000,000. In 1836 the exports of the city amounted to only $1,000 while in 1841 they were $348,362: The total exports for the six years were nearly $700,000, among HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 89 which were 282,000 bushels of wheat employing $282,000 capital; 50,000 barrels of beef, pork and flour ; 18,591 hides ; 50 tons of lead ; 8,750 pounds of butter, 1,300 packs of fur and a proportionate quan tity of flax, corn, beans, ham, etc. ; that it was due to Chicago, in the interest of commerce throughout the West, to grant the prayer of the petition; that Chicago owing to its superior facilities, should have the harbor, rather than any other point on the west coast. It was recited that the harbor then (1841) in existence consisted of two piers (north and south) extending on parallel lines out from the Chipago river into Lake Michigan, with a mean distance of 200 feet between; that work thereon had been suspended since the fall of 1839; that the unfinished state of the work could be seen from the map exhibited; that there still remained unfinished 700 feet in the west end and 405 feet on the east end of the north pier ; also 250 feet on the west end and 380 feet on the east end of the south pier; that owing to the unfinished condition and the stop page of work, great damage had been done; that in 1839 a sand bar had formed across the mouth of the channel so that vessels with greater draught than seven feet could not enter the river; that the balance of the original appropriation had been expended to protect the work already done; that the direction of the piers would have to be changed owing to this sand bar; that the direc tions of extensions had been changed and 405 feet of additional underwork had been done and the bar dredged off to admit the largest class of vessels; that the latter work had suffered most of the delay in work; that relief should not be temporary, but permanent and immediate — certainly before May 1, 1842. It was argued that while the other great lakes had numerous harbors Lake Michigan did not have one of adequate protection; that during 1841 nineteen vessels on Lake Michigan had suffered shipwreck, eight proving a total loss; that as an average of 150 vessels cleared and entered Chicago harbor, the urgency and ex tent of the city's wants were manifest; that from a military point of view alone the harbor should at once be completed. The peti tion was concluded as follows : "Situated at the head of lake navigation on the one hand and at the proposed termination of the Illinois and Michigan canal on the other, Chicago will one day em brace in her growing connections the direct trade of the great Northwest, while to the East she will become as the threshold to the granary where commerce will mutually exchange and dis charge the products of two hemispheres. The fact that she is al ready the center of a large and growing trade and presents at her wharves during the navigable seasons, all the appearance of an Atlantic city, assures us that the day of her commercial pride is not far distant." This report was signed by F. C. Sherman, Mayor. Aldermen — C. Follansbe, First ward; John Doolin, First ward; Peter Page, Second ward ; J. McCord, Second ward ; W. H. Stow, 90 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Third ward ; Wm. Otis Snell, Fourth ward ; G. W. Rogers, Fourth ward; H. L. Rucker, Fifth ward; Samuel Grier, Fifth ward; James L. Howe, Sixth ward; George F. Foster, Sixth ward. At test. — Tho. Hoyne, City Clerk. The leading houses importing were as follows: Walker & Co. and C. Walker & Co. merchandise began with $6,000 imports in 1836, but imported $28,000 worth in 1841 ; Lake Michigan Lum ber company had imported $16,310 worth in 1839; N. Rossiter lumber had imported $12,756 in 1841 ; George W. Snow lumber and merchandise had imported $31,300 worth in 1841, among the items being 2,500,000 feet of lumber; N. C. Walton merchandise $3,000 in 1839; H. Norton merchandise $15,000 in 1838 and $29,000 in 1841; B. F. Napp & Co. merchandise salt and flour about $13,500 in 1836, quit in 1838; Giles Williams & Co. mer chandise and salt began 1839 with $26,000, imported nearly $40,- 000 in 1840, but fell off to $24,000 in 1841 ; Church & Sheldon merchandise began in 1839 with $5,100 imports; Harmon & Loomis (and successors) merchandise $57,891 in 1836, $99,925 in 1838, $33,962, in 1841; S. Lind & Co. lumber, salt and flour $6,964 in 1840; C. McDonnell, merchandise, $1,000 in 1837, $2,000 in 1841; S. Greaves stoves $1,000 in 1841; Goodsell & Campbell merchandise $38,965 in 1836, $1,954 in 1840, quit; C. Follansbe merchandise $4,371 in 1836, $8,000 in 1841; J. B. Eddy stoves $1,000 in 1841 ; Clark & Co. drugs etc. $9,064 in 1836, $3,552 in 1841 ; A. Negus merchandise $6,000 in 1841 ; W. H. Taylor $6,000 in 1836, $5,000 in 1838, quit; Dan Taylor merchandise $5,000 in 1839, $5,000 in 1841 ; B. W. Raymond & Co. merchandise $40,441 in 1836, $39,932 in 1841; T. B. Carter & Co. merchandise $11,579 in 1838, $30,858 in 1841 ; S. Sanger, groceries $10,697 in 1839, $8,655 in 1841; Canal Commissioners hardware $30,000 in 1838; Otis & Co. hardware $28,784 in 1838, $28,183 in 1841; Otis & Eddy hardware $12,462 in 1836, quit; H. Norton merchandise $20,000 in 1838, $26,000 in 1841 ; Contractors' Association mer chandise $12,000 in 1841 ; W. H. Adams & Co. boots and shoes $6,000 in 1837, $12,376 in 1841 ; S. B. Collins boots and shoes $6,000 in 1838, $9,000 in 1841 ; S. J. Sherman merchandise $3,000 in 1836, $3,000 in 1841; R. R. Crosley merchandise $5,000 in 1841 ; Sherman & Pettingill merchandise $3,306 in 1841 ; S. B. Walker merchandise $3,080; Burton clothing $5,428 in 1841; Moseley & McCord merchandise $8,200 in 1836, $13,000 in 1841, Clark, Harris & Co. merchandise $9,419 in 1840, $18,225 in 1841 ; Crawford merchandise $9,550 in 1838, $28,021 in 1840, $6,051 in 1841; Mr. Hervey salt and groceries $11,000 in 1839; Dodge & Tucker merchandise $4,600 in 1837, quit 1840; S. W. Goss mer chandise $17,700 in 1837, quit in 1840; John Finnerty merchan dise $12,000 in 1841 ; John Finnerty & Co. merchandise $4,000 in 1837, $11,000 in 1840, quit or merged; James Smith merchandise HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 91 $5,000 in 1836, quit 1839; Philo Carpenter six departments, gro ceries, hardware, drugs, glass, stone and leather and clothing, began in 1836 by importing about $28,000 worth, quit in 1839; McClure & Fuller merchandise $23,000 in 1841 ; Salisbury & Holden mer chandise $2,500 in 1840; E. S. & J. Wadsworth merchandise and corn sales $18,294 in 1840; S. W. Peck & Co. earthenware and glass $7,000 in 1841 ; A. G. Burley earthenware and glass and corn sales $2,000 in 1839; E. S. Hopkins groceries $7,619 in 1841; Botsford & Beers hardware $8,000 in 1837, $17,000 in 1841; Thomas Church general merchandise $13,817, in 1839, quit or merged; Church & Sheldon merchandise $4,254 in 1840, $13,920 in 1841; Tttthill King, merchandise $15,000 in 1836; Taylor, Bruse & Co. merchandise $50,000 in 1836, quit about 1839; Paine & Norton merchandise $30,000 in 1839, $20,300 in 1841 ; C. Buhl hats and caps $15,000 in 1841 ; Osborn & Strail merchandise $7,067 in 1836, $18,517 in 1839, quit; J. P. Allen & Co. lumber $5,562; Kenzer & Underwood lumber $3,750 in 1836, $6,246 in 1839, quit; J. P. Rind flour $5,000 in 1838; P. T. & Co. merchandise $15,000 in 1839, $14,000 in 1841 ; A. N. Fullerton lumber $1,900 in 1837, $2,400 in 1841 ; H. O. Stone merchandise and hardware $1,900 in 1838, $66,859 in 1841 ; Gurney & Matteson leather $15,000 in 1841 ; A. Follansbe groceries $4,000 in 1836, $6,000 in 1841 ; M. & A. mer chandise $10,000 in 1841 ; D. & Bon merchandise $2,000 in 1838, $8,000 in 1840, $1,000 in 1841; G. A. & Co. merchandise $1,008 in 1836, $2,000 in 1841 ; M. & H. merchandise $10,000 in 1839, $20,000 in 1841; C. merchandise $12,000 in 1839, $15,000 in 1841 ; H. merchandise $15,000 in 1838, $10,000 in 1841 ; S. & A. merchandise $15,000 in 1839, $20,000 in 1841 ; Foster & Robb, ship chandlery, $8,000 in 1839, $2,000 in 1841 ; Hugunin & Pierce ship chandlery $10,000 in 1836, quit, 1838. RECAPITULATION, IMPORTS. 1836 $ 325,203 1837 373,667 1838 579,174 1839 630,981 1840 562,106 1841 564,348 Total $3,035,479 Names of houses not included above, whose imports are not reduced to a money valuation, and rated together.. $4,437,780 Grand total $7,473,259 Among the latter were Newberry & Dole who had imported 9,945 tons of merchanise; W. L. Whiting 1,408 tons merchandise ; Bristol & Porter 35,803 barrels bulk and 1,833 tons merchandise and household goods; Smith & Webster 7,900 barrels bulk and 1,750 tons merchandise; Kenzie & Underwood 6,000 tons mer- 92 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY chandise; New York and Michigan Lumber company 3,000,000 feet of lumber. The exporting houses from 1836 to 1841, inclusive, were the fol lowing: W. W. Saltonstall wheat 7,326 bushels worth $6,165 in 1841 ; Walker & Co. and C. Walker & Co. hides and wheat $1,000 hides 1836, $12,000 hides 1839, quit— also $185,000 wheat 1840; W. L. Whiting wheat 94,548 bushels in 1841, worth $75,362; H. Norton & Co. wheat and pork 24,038 bushels of wheat and 170 barrels of pork in 1841, all worth $24,432; Giles, Williams & Co. wheat, corn, flour, pork, beef, tallow and hams $6,780 in 1839, $33,636 in 1841 (43,695 bushels of wheat, 1,781 barrels of corn, 401 barrels beef, 553 barrels of flour, 141 barrels of pork, 2,718 hams, besides 33 bushels grass seed and 39 bushels beans ; Church & Sheldon white beans \62y2 barrels; Harmon & Loomis lead 8 tons; S. Lind & Co. flour, salt, pork 70 barrels; C. McDonnell merchandise $1,000 in 1839, $1,500 in 1841; B. W. Raymond pork, wheat, beans, flour, wool $3,000 in 1840, $6,000 in 1841; Hiram Norton butter $700 in 1841; S. B. Collins lead $150 in 1840, quit; George W. Merrill wheat 12,212 bushels worth $9,359 in 1841; John Gage flour $2,063 in 1839,. $6,144 in 1841; Craw ford & Harvey wheat, beef and pork — $1,552 wheat in 1840, 18,- 700 bushels wheat in 1841, 1,000 barrels beef and pork in 1841 worth $7,000; Dodge & Tucker pork, lard and hams $5,200 in 1840; Bristol & Porter wheat $10,120 in 1840, 69,493 bushels in 1841 worth $45,000; John Finnerty hides and furs $2,000 in 1840; Paine & Norton pork, beef and lard $10,000 in 1839, $2,000 in 1841 ; H. Buht furs $3,000 in 1841 ; H. O. Stone wheat, flour, pork, flax, and seed beans $2,271 in 1840, $1,044 in 1841 ; Seth T. Otis pork, hams, lard, etc. $500 in 1841 ; Gurney & Matteson hides and furs $9,454 in 1840, $17,500 in 1841 ; Absalom Funk beef and pork $1,000 in 1837, $1,200 in 1841 ; M. &. S. & Co. beef and pork $1,000 in 1841 ; Smith & Webster beef, pork and flour 42,000 bushels of wheat in 1841, total $72,000. RECAPITULATION, EXPORTS. 1836 $ 1,000 1837 11,000 1838 16,000 1839 32,843 1840 228,883 1841 349,368 Total $639,094 To all this were to be added the exports which had no money valuation computed, as follows: Newberry & Dole pork, beef, flour and whisky 6,027 barrels ; W. S. Whiting the same 566 tons ; Newberry & Dole wheat 50,136 bushels, hides 3,235, packs of furs 704, lead and shot 40 tons ; Smith & Webster beef, pork and flour 3,450 barrels; Bristol & Porter beef, pork, lard and flour 17,067 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 93 barrels, merchandise reshipped 244 tons, hides 6,223, packs of furs 421. All of this was put down by the committee as worth $321,252, which sum added to $639,094 gave $960,346 as the total of exports, but only the former amount was set down to Congress. - In addition to this the following firms had quit business and no account could be given of their trade and shipments: Walker & Bros., dry goods and groceries, 1837; Walter Kimball, same, 1837; Kimball & Porter, same, 1837; Jones, King & Co., hard ware, 1837; King, Walker & Co., hardware, 1838; Peter Pruyne & Co., drugs etc., 1838; Joel Walker, dry goods, 1837; Wild, Ma- lony & Co., dry goods, 1837; J. W. C. Coffin, same, 1838; Beaubien & Boyce, same, 1837; T. R. Martin, same, 1836; M. McFarlin, same, 1836; William Hatch, same, 1836; McClure & Co., crockery, 1836; Munroe & Dunning, dry goods, 1837; Mr. Howard, same, 1846; Mr. Bates, same, 1836; Mr. Hogan, same, 1836; Guild & Durand, same, 1837; Jenkins & Reynolds, same, 1837; Vibband & Tripp, same, 1838; Kinzie, Davis & Hide, hardware, same, 1837; Cham bers & Benedict, dry goods, 1836; Chauncey Clark, same, 1836; Mr. Freer, same, 1836; John L. Smith same, 1837; Rufus Mas- ten & Co., same, 1837; Mr. Luce, same, 1837; J. B. Beaubien same, 183,7; Rogers & Marcoe, same, 1837; John L. Wilson, same, 1837 • Thomas Duncan, clothing, 1838; Fayke & Wright, groceries, etc., 1837; Montgomery & Patterson, auctioneers, 1837; J. & J. Handy, dry goods, 1837; Henry King & Co., same, 1837; Walbridge & Jordan, groceries, 1837; J. Rayner, dry goods and groceries, 1838; L. Hunt, hats and furs, 1837;. Cheng & Johnson, groceries, 1837; Mr. Brackett, groceries, 1837; Judge Smith, dry goods, 1838; Wheeler & Peck, groceries, 1838; Mark Beaubien, dry goods, 1837; Noble & Rider, groceries, 1838; Hall & Monroe, same, 1837; Parker & Gray, dry goods, 1838; A. D. Higgins; Heran Pearsons; J. L. Phillips, wholesale dry goods; M. Hatch, hard ware, 1839; Mr. Woodworth, dry goods; Messrs. Caruthers & Co., same, 1837; Mr. Berry, same, 1841 ; James Kinzie & Co., dry goods; Campbell, Wallace & Plumb. Fifty-seven firms had dis continued business from 1836 to 1841. Under the act approved February 14, 1855, the Board of Sew erage Commissioners of the City of Chicago was incorporated. The act provided that three commissioners should be elected by the common council to serve as such board ; that they should have the usual powers of corporations; that the first three elected should hold office for two. three and four years respectively; that one should be elected annually after the second year ; that this board should have power to borrow, if deemed expedient, a sum not to exceed $500,000 upon the credit of Chicago and to issue bonds therefor bearing not over 7 per cent, interest ; that a complete rec ord of all bonds and transactions should be kept; that one of the duties of the board should be to examine and consider all matters 94 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY relative to the thorough, systematic and effectual drainage of Chicago, not only of surface water and filth, but also of the soil on which the city is situated to a depth to secure dryness in cellars and entire freedom from stagnant water; that said board could offer rewards for the best system of drainage and duly advertise same ; that there should be three sewerage districts in Chicago cor responding to the three divisions — North, West and South; that each district should be kept distinct and separate from the others; that the system of each district should be uniform yet complete in itself ; that the plan when adopted should be made public ; that citizens of the common council should be heard in opposition to the plan; that the board should duly consider all such objections and notify the public of any change in plan; that after the plan had been duly adopted they should advertise for proposals to let Out the work on contracts, or do the same under their own imme diate supervision; that as soon as the plan has been adopted the board should have power to issue the bonds aforesaid, the bonds to run for not to exceced twenty-five years; that the drainage board should report the amount for assessment in each district; that they should likewise report to the council such amount as they should find necessary to provide a sinking fund for the retirement of the bonds; that the council should levy a special tax on each district for the amount required; that the board should invest the amount raised for sinking fund in United States or state government stocks, or in bond and mortgage upon unincumbered real estate in Cook county ; that new bonds could be issued for the old in case the latter could not be paid ; that the board could lay out lots and put up necessary buildings, construct reservoirs, lay sewers or drains through alleys and streets and along highways whether within the city limits or not ; that the cost of private drains and sewers should be a special charge upon lots adjacent and benefited; that the board should prescribe the form and location of private drains and sew ers; that all lots needing it should be drained by the board and the cost charged to the owners; that members of the board could be removed by the judge of the Circuit court or the Common Pleas court of Cook county, upon petition of a majority of all the members of the council; that the board should regulate privies, cesspools and employ scavengers ; that they could make such changes in grades of streets, alleys and gutters as would best remove the sewage; that the board could borrow for a short time necessary funds previous to the issue of the first bonds ; that the chief engi neer of the board should reside in Chicago and should give his en tire time to these duties; and that the act should take effect from and after its passage. In an act of February 14, 1859, additional to the act of February 14, 1855, incorporating a Board of Sewerage commissioners for Chicago, it was provided that the board should have power to bor- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 95 row upon bonds an additional sum of $500,000, to be issued and re deemed as previous bonds had been. The act of February 15, 1865, provided that the board of public works be authorized and required to devise, adopt and execute a plan for cleansing the Chicago river and its branches and that if in the judgment of the board the complete drainage of the river could best be effected by constructing a channel from Chicago river and its branches to or near Lockport or by widening or deepening the Illinois and Michigan canal, they were authorized to devise and put in execution a plan for that purpose; that to carry into effect such plan the city should be authorized to borrow an additional sum not exceeding $2,000,000 to be paid for in bonds; that should the work of enlarging and deepening the said canal for a ship or steam boat canal be prosecuted by the United States or the State of Illi nois or the trustees of the Illinois and Michigan canal, the common council was authorized to contribute to such enterprise such part of the aforesaid $2,000,000 as they should deem proper ; and that the common council should have power to authorize the construction of one or more tunnels under the Chicago river. The act of February 16, 1865, provided stringent rules for sani tary and health measures for Chicago. The act of March 7, 1867, provided "that all the powers, privi leges and immunities conferred upon the Cook county drainage commissioners, in the original act creating said commissioners a body politic, be and are hereby revived and extended over the entire county of Cook in the State of Illinois, with power to act in any part of said county. Their powers were likewise extended. The act of February 28, 1867, added Lambert Blum and Michael Gormly to the board of drainage commissioners for Townships 41 and 42 north, Ranges 13 and 14 east, and Sections 1, 2, 11 and 12, Township 40 north, Range 13 east, and added to their drainage dis trict Township 42 north, Range 12 east. The act of June 6, 1887, organized the city of Chicago as a drain age district and the corporate authorities were vested with the powers conferred by the act of June 22, 1885. The corporate au thorities were authorized to construct and maintain a cut-off drain or ditch for the diversion of the flood waters of the Des Plaines river into Lake Michigan at some point north of the city of Chi cago to aid the drainage system of the district. It was provided that if such cut-off should occupy a portion of the North branch of Chicago river, such branch was to be widened and deepened as would be required; that such cut-off could be so constructed as to act as a drain for the surrounding lands ; that no more of the water of the Des Plaines should be thus diverted than the excess above the ordinary water mark in said stream; that suitable dams and sluiceways should be constructed at the point of diversion; that during dry weather no water should be thus diverted; that during 96 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY floods not more than 3,000 cubic feet per minute should be thus di verted; that if desirable a dam could.be constructed across Mud Lake valley, near the west line of Sections 6 and 7, Township 38 north, Range 13 east; that the necessary right of way should be ac quired, etc. It was provided that upon petition of a majority of lot owners on Michigan avenue between Washington street and Park row, it should be- lawful for the common council to' increase the width of Michigan avenue between Washington street and Park row, thirty- six feet upon the east line; that the school lands and school funds of Township 39 north, Range 14 east, should be vested in the city of Chicago; that the act of February 23, 1847, creating the South Chicago school district should be repealed; that there should be established at least one free common school in each school district; that schools for colored children apart from white children should be provided; that it should be unlawful for colored children to attend the white schools; that the board of public works should have charge and superintendence of the water works and the sup ply of pure water from the lake to the inhabitants ; that the board of public works should have power to issue all bonds authorized to be issued by the Chicago City Hydraulic company by act of 1851; that the board of public works should have charge and superintend ence of the sewers, and could issue all bonds authorized to be issued under the law of 1855 creating a board of sewerage commissioners. The act approved May 29, 1889, provided that any contiguous territory within the limits of a county so situated that the mainten ance of a common outlet for drainage was conducive to the public health, the same could be incorporated as a sanitary district. Such district must be petitioned for by 5,000 voters, and then the ques tion must be submitted to the people. It was provided that the board of commissioners of such sanitary district should consist of the county judge and two circuit judges who were to determine the boundaries of the district; that there should be nine trustees elected for each sanitary district to hold office for five years and to be a board of trustees for such district with power to elect a clerk, treas urer, chief engineer and attorney for such municipality and with full power to manage and control the affairs of the district and to establish and construct a drainage system and acquire property and borrow money for this purpose; that they could levy and collect taxes, issue bonds, let contracts, etc. ; that any channel or outlet con structed under this act should be of sufficient size to produce a con tinuous flow through any river or other stream; that any channel thus, constructed which should cause the waters of Lake Michigan to pass into the Des Plaines or Illinois river, should be of sufficient size and capacity to produce and maintain at all times a continuous flow of not less than 300,000 cubic feet of water per minute with a depth of not less than fourteen feet and a current not exceeding HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 97 three miles per hour ; that if any portion of such channel should be cut through any rocky stratum, where such stratum is above a grade sufficient to produce eighteen feet of water from Lake Michi gan such portion of the channel should have double the flowing ca pacity above provided for with a width of not less, than 160 feet at the bottom capable of producing a depth of not less than eighteen feet of water; that if the government should so improve the Des Plaines and Illinois rivers that the same should be capable of re ceiving a flow of 600,000 cubic feet of water per minute and should provide for the payment of the damages to private property by the extra flow above 300,000 cubic feet of water per minute, then such sanitary district should have power to enlarge the chan nel leading into said Des Plaines and Illinois rivers so that it could receive and discharge not less than 600,000 cubic feet of water per minute with a current of not more than three miles per hour ; that in such case the channel should have a depth of not less than eight een feet and a width of not less than 160 feet at the bottom ; that such channel when duly constructed and carrying 300,000 cubic feet of water per minute should be a navigable stream; and that other territory could drain through this channel by obtaining per mit from the drainage board. By act of 1889 the Sanitary district of Chicago was created to dispose of Chicago sewage through the Des Plaines and Illinois rivers by means of a canal dug across the Chicago divide of such capacity as to dilute the sewage beyond offense and to be of such size, depth, etc., as to form navigable waters from Lake Michigan to the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. The State dams at Copp creek and Henry creek were ordered removed and work on the dams at La Grange and Kempsville was stopped. The work was so far advanced that water could be turned on by 1899 and the general government had completed locks and dams at La Grange and at Kempsville, therefore it was Resolved, That it is the policy of Illinois to construct a great waterway between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi river, via Chicago, Des Plaines and Illinois rivers; that the locks and dams at La Grange and Kempsville are detrimental to the sanitary and agricultural welfare of Illinois and should be removed; that the rockbound section of the Des Plaines and Illinois rivers from the end of the Sanitary canal and Chicago to Lockport, thence to the head of the alluvial river at Utica should be developed to a naviga ble depth of not less than fourteen feet, and that the United States be requested to enter upon this work in cooperation with this State. All dams across the Illinois river were demanded removed. The act of June 16, 1893, provided that the Chicago Sanitary district should have the right and power to appoint a police force with power along its right of way and for a distance of one and one- half miles on each side -of the main drainage channel, to act in aid of the regular police force of the city. 98 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY The law of May 14, 1893, provided that the corporate limits of the Sanitary district of Chicago might be extended by the addition of the following territory: Beginning at the intersection of the county line between Cook and Lake counties, with the west shore of Lake Michigan ; thence west along said county line to the northwest corner of Section 3, Township .42 north, Range 12 east, thence south to the southwest corner of Section 33, Township 42_ north, Range 12 east; thence east to the northwest corner of Section 12, Township 41 north, Range 12 east; thence south to the northwest corner of Section 25 in said town and range; thence east to the northeast corner of the west half of the west half of said Section 25 ; thence south to the southwest corner of the west half of the west half of Section 26, of said town and range; thence east to the northeast corner of the west half of Section 1, Township 40 north, Range 12 east; thence south to the southeast corner of the west half of Section 13, of said township and range; thence east to the southeast corner of Section 13, thence east, north, northwest and east along the present boundary line of said Sanitary district of Chicago to the shore of Lake Michigan ; thence northwesterly along the shore of the lake to the place of beginning. Also the following tract : Commencing at the northeast corner of Section 3, Township 37 north, Range 13 east; thence south to the southwest corner of Section 11, Township 36 north, Range 13 east; thence east and south along the boundary lines of Section 14 in said township to the southeast corner of said Section 14 ; thence east to the southeast cor ner of Section 17, Township 36 north, Range 15 east; thence north along the eastern boundary of Illinois to its intersection with the shore of Lake Michigan; thence along the said shore to the south boundary line of the Sanitary district of Chicago; thence west along the south boundary line of same to the place of beginning. This act gave the board of trustees of the Sanitary district power to lay out additional channels and ditches for the surplus water and sewage; to use the Calumet feeder as an assistant; to construct a channel across the Illinois and Michigan canal; to maintain the same degree of sewage dilution required for the main channel of the district ; to construct the proper outlet from Lockport to Joliet ; to furnish for the perpetual use of the canal commissioners at some point to be decided upon a strip of land bordering upon said sani tary channel 800 feet long by 130 feet wide and to fill the same suitable to be occupied as roadways, docks, shops, barns and other buildings under the control of the canal commissioners; to permit all water craft navigating the canal to also navigate any of the sanitary channels ; and to regulate the navigation of these channels under the laws of the United States in force concerning the navi gation of Chicago river. It was further provided that the Sanitary district of Chicago should have no power to levy and collect any special assessments upon any part of said added territory, or to pay HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 99 any part of the cost of work done in said added territory ; that said Sanitary district should have power to construct such dams, water wheels and other works north of the upper basin of the Illinois and Michigan canal as might be necessary to develop and render avail able the power arising from the water passing through its main channel and any auxiliary channels ; that such power should be con verted into electrical energy to be transmitted to the various cities, villages and towns for various uses; that said Sanitary district should have power to levy and" collect each year for three years a tax on the taxable property of said district to be used in meeting the expenditures arising from the construction of said dams, water wheels and other works and from converting said water power into electrical energy; and that all the above should take effect if duly petitioned for and assented to at an election. EARLY SCHOOLS OF COOK- COUNTY WHO was the first school teacher in Chicago always has been a matter of dispute. It has been claimed that Robert A. Forsyth, aged 13 years, taught the children of John Kinzie during the winter of 1810-11. His pupils, it is claimed, were John H. Kinzie, aged 6 years, and some half dozen other children then living here in the fort. The text book used, it is claimed, was Webster's Elementary spelling book, which was brought here from Detroit in a chest of tea. Probably the first real school taught in Chicago was opened in the fall of 1816 by William L. Cox in the log cabin owned by John Kinzie. This building had previously been used as a bakery for the garrison, and stood at the rear of Mr. Kinzie's garden, near the crossing of Pine and Michigan streets. The pupils in attendance were John H. Kinzie, two of his sisters and brother and six or eight children from the fort. The total attendance was about one dozen. Mr. Cox was a soldier, or had been one. No doubt other schools were taught between that date and 1829. It is known that a sergeant from the fort taught a term in 1820. It is stated that this school was taught within the garrison. In 1829 Charles H. Beaubien, a son of John B. Beau bien, taught a small family school near the garrison, and among the pupils were J. B. and Mark Beaubien and probably other chil dren from the garrison. In June, 1830, Stephen Forbes taught a school near Randolph street and Michigan avenue. The building stood on the west bank of the Chicago river near its mouth. At that date the Chicago river turned south and emptied into the lake near the foot of Madison street. This school is reported to have been one of the best ever taught here in early years. There were in attendance about twenty-five scholars ranging in ages from four to twenty years. The teacher was employed by J. B. Beaubien and Lieutenant Hunter. Mrs. Forbes assisted her husband in con ducting the school. The building in which this school was taught was owned by Mr. Beaubien. It had previously been occupied by a sutler of the fort. The building was large and gloomy and con tained five rooms. The walls were covered with a tapestry of white cotton sheeting, for what purpose has never been revealed. The fol lowing year a Mr. Foote taught a term in the same building. In 1833 a school was taught by John Watkins at the corner of North" Water and Wolcott streets, and later the same teacher taught a term in a building on the river bank at North Clark street. 100 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 101 Probably the most important early school in Chicago was the one for small children taught in the fall of 1833 by Miss Eliza Chappel on South Water street near Fort Dearborn. The following year she taught in the Presbyterian church; a little later she was succeeded by Mrs. Ruth Leavenworth. It is said that John S. Wright at his own expense erected a building for the last named teacher. Concerning the school taught by Miss Chappel the Chicago Press of April 22, 1858, said : "The stipend must have been small indeed as the whole product of the sale ctf the school sections in the center of the city was but $38,865, and sold on a credit of one, two and three years. The value of this land now (1858) may be estimated by our readers when we state that the four blocks remaining are at present valued at $700,000 — that which was sold overreaching the sum of $12,000,000." In the fall of 1833 G. T. Sproat opened an English and classical school under the name of the Chicago Academy in the First Baptist church on South Water street near the river forks. In 1834 Henry Van Derbogart also taught a term in the village. He was succeeded by Thomas Wright and the latter by James McClellan. A Miss Warren was an assistant to these male teachers from 1834 to 1836, inclusive. By act of February 15, 1831, the sale of the sixteenth sections throughout the State was provided for, but not until petitioned for by three-fourths of the white male inhabitants of each township over twenty-one years of age, and not at all unless such township should contain at least fifty white inhabitants. It was made the duty of the township trustee to sell the school lands ; none was to be sold for less than $1.25 per acre. The county commissioners were directed to fix the rate of interest at which the school funds should be sold. Five citizens of a township, by uniting and becom ing responsible, could borrow school money, to be used in construct ing a schoolhouse. In 1834 a Miss W. Wythe taught a school for young ladies and gave special instruction in music. In October, 1834, portions of Section 16, Township 35, Range 10, was advertised to be sold at auction by R. J. Hamilton, commissioner of schools. In 1834 and 1835 public meetings were held here and through the whole of Illinois for the purpose of securing a uniform system of common school education. This movement resulted in the State educational convention held at Vandalia in 1834. The outcome of this move ment was the establishment of the present common school system in the State. A large public meeting or convention was held in Chi cago during this period for the purpose of ascertaining the atti tude of Chicago toward the proposed common school system. This educational convention of the citizens of Cook county was held at the Presbyterian church, November 24, 1834, "to take into consideration the subject of common school education and to ap point delegates to attend the State educational convention to be 102 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY held at Vandalia on the 5th of December. J. C. Goodhue was ap pointed chairman of the convention and Thomas Wright secretary. Henry Moore delivered the principal address on "Common School Education." R. Stewart, J. H. Collins, and Dr. J. T. Temple were appointed to prepare resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting. Two of the resolutions were as follows : "Resolved, That we deem a uniform system of common school education as indispensable to the preservation of our nation, and therefore earnestly recommend to our fellow citizens of the State the adoption of such a system. Resolved, That three delegates be appointed to attend the State convention to be held at Vandalia." Col. R. J. Hamilton, Col. J. T. V. Owen, and Dr. J. T. Temple were chosen as such delegates. There were present at the conven tion also Rev. Mr. Truman, Mr. Russell, Dr. Clark, Joseph Naper, Mr. Freeman, Mr. Peck, and many others of the best citizens. A big meeting on the same subject was held a little before this date at Naperville. It was presided over by Joseph Naper, chair man and Nathan Allen, Jr., secretary. Henry Horn addressed the meeting at length on educational subjects. It was resolved to send two delegates to the Cook county educational convention. . By act of January 31. 1835, the commissioner of the school lands of Cook county was authorized to loan to the county of Cook a sum of money not exceeding $12,000 out of the funds of Township 39 north, Range 14 east, of the Third Principal Meridian, in said county, at not less than 10 per cent. The money thus raised was directed to be used in the erection of a courthouse in Chicago; and for the repayment of this loan the said courthouse, the ground on which it would stand, and the revenues of the county were pledged. The method was left discretionary with the county commissioners. The loan was authorized for ten years. The commissioners of Cook county were directed to provide a revenue to pay the interest on this loan and the corporation of Chicago was made liable for one- fourth of the interest due on the debt. The commissioner of school lands was empowered to loan the school funds on first mortgage on real estate of double value of the sum loaned. By act of February 6, 1835, full provision for the election of five or seven persons to be school inspectors of Township 39 north, Range 14 east, in Cook county, was made. The county commis sioners, upon recommendation of such inspectors, were directed to divide the township into school districts. The inspectors were re quired to visit and inquire into the conduct of the schools. It was provided that each school district should elect annually three trus tees, two of their duties being to see that such schools were free and that the teachers were competent. Each school district was given full corporate powers, and two districts could unite to build a common schoolhouse. Another early teacher in 1834 and 1835 was George Davis, who 'Cr*^Z^t-4^ts HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 105 taught over a store on Lake street, and also in the Presbyterian church on Clark street. Mr. Davis lived in Chicago until 1858. In 1835 John Watkins taught a successful school in one of the churches. Late in 1835 the number of schools public and private was in creased to seven with a total attendance of a few over 300. It must be admitted, however, that the public schools did not receive proper attention until the autumn of 1839, and they were not pronounced wholly efficient until 1841. After that date the schools of Chicago would compare with those of any city having the same population. In August, 1835, Hiram Evarts opened a high school for young gentlemen in this city. The term was for eleven weeks and the tuition was as follows : English branches, $5 ; high English, $6 ; ¦Latin and Greek, $8. About the same time Charles Hunt opened here a high school for young ladies. His term also was for eleven weeks and the tuition was as follows : English branches, $6 ; high English, $7; Latin, Greek and French, $8. Late in 1835 the school inspectors of Township 39, Range 14, pursuant to law divided the township into the following school districts : District 1 — all north of Chicago river and east of the North branch ; District 2 — all be tween La Salle and Wells streets and the South branch; District 3 — all east of La Salle and south of Madison streets ; District 4 — all east of La Salle and north of Madison streets. An election of three trustees for each district was ordered, also a public examination of teachers was announced to be held in November, 1835, at the office of Mr. Peck. The school taught here by Miss Frances L. Willard late in 1835 seems to have been unusually efficient and popular. The trustees in charge of her school were J. T. Hinton, J. W. Hallam, J. T. Mitchell, D. Wilcox, Peter Bolles, John Wright and W. H. Brown. In July, 1836, at a public celebration Miss Willard thanked the citi zens of Chicago for their liberal patronage and announced that Miss L. M. Gifford had been employed as her assistant, and further announced that twenty more young ladies could be accommodated at her school. This school was in the Wright building. In November, 1835, there were four regular village schools and two well patronized private schools. In 1836 John Brown taught a successful private school at Dearborn and Wolcott streets. He was succeeded in the same building by Edward Murphy, who, it is said, awed his pupils with an oak stick ten feet long and one inch in diameter. Murphy seems to have been a teacher of unusual capability. This must be said notwithstanding his belief in corpo ral punishment. He continued to teach for several years and about 1838 was paid as high as $800 a year. In 1837 schools began to be taught on the West Side. Among the early teachers there was Horam Baker. About this time on the South Side schools were taught by Samuel Bennett, Sarah Kellogg and C. S. Bailey. The latter also taught on the West Side. Vol. II— 7. 106 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Thus far the best schools of the village were those of a private character. The free school system was just being put into operation and all admitted that the first schools of the system were very crude and in need of improvement. The private schools even at this date were the boast of the citizens and the pride of the teachers. Of course the early citizens of Chicago did not know that the city would grow so rapidly and in a short time become so large. Had they been aware of this fact they would never have consented. to the sale of a large portion of the city school lands for $38,865 when in a few years the same would be worth many millions of dol lars. The children of that date needed education and as the parents and the city were poor the land was sold for what it would bring, and the proceeds were used to educate the first children of the city. Ten years later the school land would scarcely have been sold at any figure. As it is, that early sale has always been considered a sac rifice. Had such a sale not been made it is probable that the pres ent large taxation for school purposes would not be necessary. The act of 1839 transferred the care of the school fund from the County Commissioners' court to the Chicago city council. Upon the formation of the city into school districts there had been ap pointed for the whole city seven inspectors and for each district three trustees. In 1840 W. H. Brown was the school agent. The board of inspectors appointed by the council in 1840 were as fol lows : William Jones, J. Y. Scammon, I. N. Arnold, N. H. Bolles, John Gray, J. H. Scott and Hiram Hugunin. At this date the prin cipal teachers of the four city school districts were A. J. Rumsey, H. B. Perkins, A. D. Sturtevant and A. C. Dunbar. These teach ers were paid a salary of $33.33 each per month. In the annual distribution of school, college and seminary funds to the counties in 1839, Cook county received $1,326.89. It was provided in the act of March 11, 1839, that the school lands and school funds of Township 39 north, Range 14 east, of the Third Principal Meridian, should be vested in the city of Chicago and full power was given the Chicago council to preserve and care for the same; they were not permitted to impair the principal nor divert the interest from the support of the schools. The school commis sioners were directed to turn over to the Chicago council all books, notes, papers, mortgages, etc., belonging to the school fund. Power was given the common council to raise sufficient additional fund, by taxation, to build schoolhouses, establish, support and maintain common and public schools, and provide for the payment of teachers. Taxes for this purpose were to be levied and collected as other taxes. They were also empowered to fix the pay of teachers, pre scribe the text books to be used and the studies to be taught, and generally to govern and manage the schools. It was further pro vided that "the said common council shall annually appoint seven persons for inspectors of common schools and three persons in HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 107 each district to be trustees of common schools in and for said district, whose powers and duties shall be prescribed by said com mon council." By this act Township 39 was exempted from certain provisions of the act of March 4, 1837, concerning the city of Chicago. It was provided in the act of March 2, 1839, that "the survey and plat of the subdivision of Block 30, in the school section addi tion to the town of Chicago in the county of Cook, as made and recorded at the instance of Russell E. Heacock, be vacated and set aside; and that the subdivision of said block, as made and recorded at the instance of Francis G. Blanchard, be and the same is hereby declared to be the legal and proper subdivision of the same." In April, 1839/ Rev. R. I.. Hinton opened a select school for young ladies in this city and called the same the "Chicago Female Seminary." The school was located in the First Baptist church. He advertised to teach English, Latin and French, ancient and modern languages, history, physiology and moral science. About this time Chicago became deeply interested in educational matters. A Mr. Taylor, from the East, lectured here on educational subjects and introduced Town's New Spelling book, which gave the mean ing of all words. This book was considered a valuable acquisition to the school literature of that era. "Mr. Taylor in his lecture last evening paid a justly merited tribute to our worthy fellow citizen, Nathan H. Bolles, for his zealous services and interest in the cause of common school edu cation. This tribute to merit was received by the audience with approbation. To Mr. Bolles more than to any other citizen of Chicago (and we mean not to disparage his useful co-laborers) are our common schools indebted for the attention and improve ment which they have received among us." — (American, June 26, 1839.) In May, 1840, a Miss Bayne opened a school for young ladies in this city. The act of January 31, 1840, made it the duty of the school commissioners to distribute the school funds to the teachers and township treasurers in their respective counties at the county seats by giving four weeks' notice of such distribution. On January 18, 1840, an act provided that a majority instead of two-thirds of the legal voters of a township could secure the incorporation of such township. By act of February 3, 1840, unincorporated townships sending children to school in incorporated townships were required to pay for such attendance. Children residing in different town ships or in different counties from where they attended school were required to pay for such attendance. - Teachers were required to keep schedules or abstracts of the attendance. In November, 1840, the first really good educational facilities 108 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY were provided in Chicago. Teachers were paid $100 per quarter of three months. There was not a good school building, however, until 1843, at which date one opposite McVicker's theater on Madi son street was built. Ira Miltimore, alderman, had demanded it, and it was called "Miltimore's Folly." It was so big that it was not thought it could ever be filled with children, so the mayor in a message to the council recommended that it be used as an insane asylum. It became the famous Dearborn school. One year later another was needed and was built at Clark street and Harmon court. In 1845 the Kinzie school, on Ohio street, near La Salle, was erected, and in 1846 another on West Madison street, near Halsted, later called the Scammon school, was built. In January, 1842, the school section in Elk Grove township was advertised to be sold at public auction by the school commissioner. In February, 1842, the total school fund of Chicago amounted to $42,883.77. About this time the school section in Jefferson town ship was also advertised for sale by the school commissioner. In November, 1841, the school commissioner advertised that the school section in Barrington township would be sold at auction during that month. It was in 1842 that the city school board determined to try the experiment of teaching music in all of the public schools of the city. Accordingly, Mr. N. Gilbert was employed and con tinued throughout the year to give instruction in music in the four city school districts. The experiment, of course, should have been continued. After the lapse of a year or two the teaching of music was renewed at the earnest request of pupils and citizens. The American of August 19, 1841, contained the following notice: "In reference to Chicago, some at least of our citizens have manifested a most praiseworthy and never-to-be-forgotten zeal in this matter of common schools. The names of William H. Brown and William Jones in particular are entitled to lasting and honora ble record." "Resolved, That the school inspectors be and they are hereby authorized to divide the schools and employ female teachers in such of the school districts as they shall see proper, and that they employ a teacher of music for the schools." — (American, April 4, 1842.) In 1842 a general exhibition of all the schools of Chicago was held at the Presbyterian church. At this exhibition the school inspectors reported that music had been taught twice a week throughout the year with excellent results. They announced that both teachers and scholars had been benefited thereby. At this time J. Y. Scammon was secretary of the Board of School Com missioners. The legislative act of 1841 required the school commissioners of Cook county to pay to the school commissioners of Will, DuPage, McHenry and Lake counties their share of the interest from the school, college and seminary fund with the population HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 109 of 1840 as a basis. The citizens of Cook county regarded this act as unfair, owing to the fact that much of the money had been spent in those counties prior to their formation. In May, 1842, a Miss Dodge conducted a select school in Thomp son's brick building on the Fort Dearborn reservation. By the summer of 1842 eight common schools were conducted' in Chicago. At this time there were a total of about 550 scholars. In addition there were six or seven excellent private schools. At the same time there were in the city, lyceums, reading rooms, musical societies, mechanics' institutes, circulating libraries, etc. In 1842 Congress passed an act confirming the sale of Section 16, Township 38, Range 14 (Hyde Park). In October, 1842, J. H. Smith conducted a select and classical school. About the same time Charles W. lilies opened a classical school and advertised to teach French, German, Greek and Hebrew. This school was taught at Hart's residence on Wells street, and the tuition per term was $12. The act of March 3, 1843, provided that the recorder of Cook county be authorized to certify upon the map of the school section recorded in his office in Book A, page 315, that the same was the plat of the school section addition to the city of Chicago, and other wise authorized him to correct any defects in said map. The com mon council was authorized to resurvey said school section and make the same correspond with the map. This law also empowered the council to enforce all rules, ordinances and police regulations by the imposition of fines and imprisonment. The same act provided that "the southeast and northeast quarters of the southwest quar ter, southwest and northwest quarters of the southeast quarter of Section 5, Township 39 north, Range 14 east, and the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 8, Township 39 north, Range 14 east, be stricken out of the corporate limits of the city of Chicago." The act of December 23, 1844, created and established "The University of St. Mary of the Lake," with the following incorpo rators : George A. Hamilton, John Faughman, William Quarter, Walter J. Quarter, Bernard McGorisk, Jeremiah Kinsella, Patrick McMahon, John Ingoldsby and Thomas McDonnell. It was lo cated "in or near the city of Chicago." In 1843 the mayor in his inaugural address stated that the schools of the city were flourishing greatly under the efficient man agement of the board of inspectors and the school agent. He stated that so large had become the number of scholars demanding in struction that it was imperatively necessary to create new school districts and erect new school buildings. He also stated that a high school had been planned during the previous year. He recom mended that such plans should be investigated and also that the system of instruction in the city schools should be thoroughly ex amined with the view of effecting any needed improvements. He 110 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY recommended a one mill tax for school purposes and further recom mended that, if necessary, money should be borrowed temporarily for the benefit of the city schools. "By centering our eye the other day upon the financial report of our city for the present year v/e were astonished to find that the school fund was now receiving $517 yearly income from the leas ing of the school block. This block had been lying perfectly idle till rented under the administration of our present mayor for the above sum." — (Chicago Democrat, February 24, 1844.) In 1845 Mrs. and Miss Whiting conducted a day and boarding school for young ladies and taught English branches, needlework, French, higher mathematics, Latin, German, drawing, flower paint ing and music on the piano. They advertised to furnish board at $2.50 per week. In October, 1845, George F. Wilson opened an English and classical school. In the spring of 1846 the school section of Palos township was offered for sale by George Manierre, school agent. The act of February 27. 1847, incorporated the University of Chicago, to be located in or near the city. The incorporators were Thomas Dyer, Walter L. Newberry, Francis C. Sherman, J. Young Scammon, Alexander M. Stewart, Hugh T. Dickey, R. T. Swift, Benjamin W. Raymond, Charles M. Gray, William B. Ogden, Alonzo Huntington, Peter Page, Buckner S. Morris, the mayor of Chicago and the judge of the Cook County court, the latter two ex-officio. The institution was given all the powers usually con ferred upon schools of the kind— to provide courses of study, grant degrees, etc. By act of February 27, 1847, the St: Francis Xavier Female Academy of Chicago was incorporated, the incorporators being Margaret O'Brien, Catherine McGuire, Mary A. McGuire, Eliza Corbett, Ellen Reilley, Mary Mulhallan and Eva Smith. On February 27, 1847, the Chicago Bethel association was in corporated, designed to be a bethel church and a sailors' home. The incorporators were Grant Goodrich, Orrington Lunt, Charles Walker, Levi D. Boone, Tuthill King, Sylvester Lind, Benjamin W. Raymond and William H. Brown. Schools, 1847. Pupils. Districts 1 and 2, A. W. Ingalls, principal 600 District 3, M. Ballard, principal 300 District 4, A. G. Wilder, principal !500 A sum accrued to the school fund of Illinois in consequence of the state's having the right to tax government land for five years after sale, but about 1846-47 this law was repealed and no more funds were received. Thomas Dyer, receiver here, obtained $9,000 of this fund in January, 1847. The University of St. Mary of the Lake, Rev. J. A. Kinsella, HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 111 president, was incorporated in 1847. Several school lots on the North Side were sold at auction in November, 1847. The Chicago Academy, with George F. Wilson principal, began its winter term in November, 1847. Mrs. C. Wilson was his assistant. The school inspectors in the spring of 1848 were G. W. Meeker, D. Mcllroy, E. S. Kimberly, A. Peck, G. W. Southworth and W. E. Jones. An important and interesting public school examina tion was held January 15, 1848. At this date there was one big school building in each of the three divisions. During the '40s the school sections of Wheeling township, Schaumburg township and other subdivisions of the county were of fered at public sale. Late in the '40s George Manierre was school commissioner of Cook county. He had the most to do with the sale of the school sections throughout the county. In October, 1848, there were nineteen private schools in this city in addition to the public schools. The city at that time contained four regular school districts, but districts Nos.- 1 and 2 were united. In addition there had been established a school at Bridgeport and one near the resi dence of Mr. Jackson. The average attendance in 1848 was as follows: Districts 1 and 2, 605 ; District 3, 363 ; District 4 (N. S.), 398; Jackson's, 75 ; Bridgeport, 43 ; total average attendance, 1,484. At this time the total enrollment was 1,949. In 1848 the people of District 2 urgently demanded a new school- house. The building was crowded to suffocation and even the attic was used and was likewise crowded. "Cook presents a better condition than any county in the State, so far as school funds are concerned; but as regards schoolhouses and teachers there are other counties far ahead of her in these respects." — (Democrat, February 9, 1849.) CITY SCHOOLS, 1849. Scholars Teachers Schools. Enrolled. Employed. Teachers' Pay. 1 474 6 $1,627.75 2 439 4 1,386.43 3 532 5 1,513.59 4 515 5 1,462.13 Totals 1,960 20 $5,989.90 The average attendance was only 1,273. In May, 1849, Miss Beecher, of the National Educational society, visited Chicago in the interest of education generally. The society with which she was connected sent to the West large numbers of trained teachers. Ex-Governor Slade, of Vermont, was the presi dent of that society. He came here in May, 1849, with eleven trained young lady teachers, all of whom were found .positions here or elsewhere in the West. At this time it was claimed that Chicago had more free schools according to population than any 112 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY other city in the world. This claim, however, should be taken with some grains of allowance. "The Public Schools. — There are over 8,000 children in Chicago of suitable age to attend school. Provision is made for only about 2,000 in the free schools."— (Democrat, July 26, 1849.) During August, 1849, a new schoolhouse was in process of erec tion at the corner of Clark and Harrison streets. In February, 1849, the following was the condition of the Cook county schools : Number of school districts, 53 ; number of schools, 91; schools taught by males, 37; schools taught by females, 20; number of scholars, 4,621 ; number of children under twenty years, 10,746; amount of school fund, $48,988; fund raised by ad valorem taxation, $7,500; number of schoolhouses, 41; average wages per month for male teachers, $13; average wages per month for female teachers, $6. In 1849 the school agent reported that during the years 1845 to 1848, $15,048.22 had been lost On bad loans. In the fall of 1850 Catherine Beecher came to Chicago in the interest of trained teachers who desired positions in the West : William H. Brown, school agent, reported as follows: On hand February 21, 1848 $ 694.68 Received during the year 1848-49 10,752.88 Total $11,447.56 Expenses 9,464.29 Balance on hand $1,983.27 The receipts were as follows : Principal $ 2,787.00 Interest 4,192.43 Rents 1,079.21 From city of Chicago 1,000.00 State dividends 1,694.24 Total $10,752.88 In 1850 George Manierre, county commissioner of schools, called a convention of the teachers of Cook county to be held at Chicago on November 27. At this convention twelve towns were repre sented. William Young, of Thornton, served as chairman and Alanson St. Clair and Michael Gormley as secretaries. One of the objects of this convention was to select a uniform series of school- books for the whole county. After a laborious discussion of nine hours the following schoolbooks were selected : Webster's spelling book, Sanders' readers, Colburn's first arithmetics, Day and Thomp son's advanced arithmetics, Bullion's grammar, Mitchell's geogra phy and Willard's history of the United States. During the con vention every subject connected with county education was dis cussed in detail. The convention recommended certain changes in the law concerning the system and the government of schools in HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 113 Cook county. Inasmuch as only twelve towns were represented at this convention, it was not expected that its proceedings would be binding upon the whole county, which had twenty-six towns. The convention appointed the following permanent business committee : George Manierre, William Bross, Alanson St. Clair, George M. Huntoon and M. L. Dunlap. STATISTICS OF THE SCHOOLS OF CHICAGO FROM 1841 TO NOVEMBER 1, 1851. School Tax Paid by City Revenue of School Fund from Other Sources Expendi tures Made by School Agent Number of Children Taught in Public Schools Value of School Fund YSAR Cash and Securities Real Estate TOTAI, 1841 $1,984.89 1,530.21 1,232.71 5,722.08 ^3,090.38 4,455.405,155.58 5,761.83* 6,676. 6r 7,220.24' 12,844.07 $ 947.83 2,317.154,964.915,611.354,901.28 6,440.13 6,118.486,200.706,771.17 5,384.14 $4,284.27 4,575.91 3,621.19 5,113.895,635.874,248.765,790.82 4,896.176,037.97 5,705.93 420531808915 1,051 1,107 1,317 1,517 1,794 1,919 2,017 1842 1843 1844" ¦N 1845 1846 1847 1848 18491850 1851 $55,939.69 57,719.6953,625.76 $113,000.00 124,000.00150.000.00 $ 168,939.69 181,719.69 203,625.76 After 1847 the expenses of the school agent were confined to incidentals and the payment of teachers. After 1847 other expenses such as construction, fuel, janitor, etc., were paid by the common council. "The crowded state of the schools during a large portion of the year, and the large number of children in the streets, whose time is worse than wasted for the want of schools within their reach, would serve to admonish us of the necessity of providing more ample means of public instruction. It is believed to be a duty, as it un doubtedly is the true policy, to provide for the free education of all the children of suitable age in the city. To do this a constant in crease of expenditure will be requisite. At least two schoolhouses should be erected the next season, and there can be little doubt but one or more will need to be added every year thereafter to meet the wants of our rapidly increasing population. To erect these houses, furnish them, and supply them with teachers will require more money each year than the tax of one mill on the dollar now allowed by law will furnish. A considerable portion- of the real estate be longing to the school fund is at present unproductive. It may be well to inquire whether these lands should not be made to yield a revenue by being rented at such prices as would insure their per manent occupancy. A heavier tax under an amended charter may be advisable." — (Democrat, December 7, 1850.) "It is believed that if the teachers were required to occupy a portion of their time on Saturday by holding a teachers' institute, the result would appear in the improved condition of the schools." — (Recommended by the Democrat as an amendment to the city school ordinances. ) 114 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY "There are in the county, twenty-six towns, each having four school officers, making 104, or, including the seven inspectors of schools for the city, 111." — (Democrat, December 11, 1850.) During the years 1850-51 Frank Lumbard was instructor of music in the public schools. The following was the condition of the city schools for the month ending January 24, 1851: South division, District 1, attendance 48Q South division, District 2, .'attendance 439 West division, District 3, attendance 600 North division, District 4, attendance 532 Total 2,051 In February, 1851, George Manierre, school commissioner, ad vertised for sale the school section in the township of Hyde Park. It was located about five miles south of the city and one side fronted on State street. About the same time he also advertised the school section of Township 36, Range 14, Thornton township. He called attention to the fact that a turnpike ran across the western part of the section. In August, 1851, contracts for two new schoolhouses, to be located on the North and West sides, were let to contractors. At this time the school tax here was 15 cents on the $100. The following resolutions were passed by the city council in Oc tober, 1851: "Whereas, The Board of Inspectors of common schools, in com pliance with an ordinance of the common council, did in December last adopt certain resolutions providing for and requiring the estab lishment of a teachers' institute and making it the duty of all the teachers employed in the schools to attend the same for the purpose of their improvement as teachers ; and, "Whereas, The improved condition of the schools and the in creasing degree of success with which the different branches of study are taught sufficiently demonstrate the usefulness of the insti tute and the prosperity as well as necessity of its continuance ; there fore, "Resolved, That it is the duty of all the teachers in the public schools of this city to attend the meetings of the institute with promptness and regularity; and that no reason for non-attendance will hereafter be deemed satisfactory which would not be sufficient excuse for the non-performance of any other portion of their duties as teachers." — (Democrat, October 29, 1851.) "The public schools of this city have never been in better condi tion than at the present time. There are, we learn, nearly 1,900 children in attendance." — (Democrat, December 8, 1851.) * During the month of June, 1852, the attendance at the public schools of the city was as follows : First district. 325 ; second, 265 ; third, 390; fourth, 382; fifth, 115; sixth, 127. For the month of September, 1852, the attendance was reported as follows : First HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 115 district, 285; second, 222; third, 357; fourth, 380; fifth, 96; sixth, 169. In September, 1852, Mr. Waughop, school commissioner, sold the school section in Bremen township for $3,300. The whole amount was immediately loaned at 10 per cent, interest. In Decem ber, 1852, the first Teachers' association of the county was formed. In 1852 Rev. Byrd Parker, pastor of the African Methodist Epis copal church, established a school for colored children in this city. In 1852 Cook county received as its share of the interest on the school, college and seminary fund $2,358.46, and for 1853 $2,- 367.19. In February, 1853, W. H. Brown, who had been school agent of the county for thirteen years, resigned. The Democratic Press of February 9 said: "He deserves and doubtless will receive the thanks of every parent in the community for the faithful discharge of those duties in which they and their children have so deep an interest." In December, 1853, a State convention of teachers was held at Bloomington. Among the Chicagoans in attendance were the fol lowing: H. L. Lewis, W. H. Bigelow, Miss C. S. Smith, Miss Childs, Henry H. Lee, Prof. W. Goodfellow, R. N. Porter, D. C. Ferguson, Miss E. McClure, Miss A. M. Day, Miss J. Graves, F. A. Benham and C. G. Hawthorn. "The common schools of Chicago are the pride and the glory of the city. We have now six large public school edifices, two in each division of the city. From 300 to 700 children are daily gath ered in each." — (Annual Review of Chicago, January, 1854.) In addition, the city had many private schools and seminaries, also an excellent commercial college, conducted by Judge Bell. In January, 1854, so popular had become the Chicago Female Seminary that they raised by subscription, for building purposes, the sum of $30,000. In January, 1854, at a large educational meeting held here, reso lutions favorable to the establishment of a State industrial uni versity and normal school were passed. The meeting also favored the establishment of a State superintendent of public instruction. Early in 1854 the school attendance in Chicago was as follows : First district, 601 ; Second, 607 ; Third, 565 ; Fourth, 606 ; Fifth, 336; Sixth, 516; Seventh, 52; total, 3,283. In March, 1854, Mr. Philbrick refused to accept the appointment of superintendent of city schools, whereupon John C. Dore was nominated for that position. In the spring of 1854 the city school inspectors were as follows : South division, E. C. Larned, F. Mose- ley, J. H. Foster; North division, A. J. Brown, G. W. Mellecker; West division, T. B. Dwyer and S. M. Wilson. In the spring of 1854 M. W. Edwards, of Springfield, became the first State superintendent of public instruction. In December, 1854, the County Teachers' Institute was held in this city. Dr. Gregory lectured to the teachers assembled. 116 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY On December 11, 1854, Alderman Evans, of the committee on schools, presented to the city council a report in favor of the estab lishment of a high school in connection with the free schools of the city. The report was concurred in and immediate steps to com mence such a school were taken. In January, 1855, the Garrett Biblical Institute of Evanston was formally opened, with Rev. Dr. Dempster as principal. His inaugu ral address was on the subject of "The Necessity of a Specific and Thorough Education to Qualify the Christian Ministry for Its Work." Among those present at the opening services were Rev. Dr. Evans, Rev. Burroughs, Rev. P. Judson, Rev. J. V. Watson and others. The interest on the school, college and seminary fund and the amount of school tax fund distributed to Cook county in 1855 was $32,874.13. In January, 1855, the city council passed an ordinance for the establishment of a high school. It was provided that it should be under the control of the Board of Inspectors, and it was further provided that the principal should be paid a salary of $1,500, a male assistant $1,000 and female assistants $600 each. In March, 1855, the city had seven public schools, thirty-five teachers and about 3,000 scholars in attendance. A great improve ment in the conduct of the schools was reported at this date. At this time it was decided that no more school land belonging to the city should be sold, but that all should be rented. It was estimated that the city school land which had been previously sold was worth $6,000,000. For this reason mainly it was resolved to part with no more of the city school land at any price. At a city public school exhibition held in March, 1855, under the management of John A. Dore, city school superintendent, the program embraced select reading, recitations, declamations, speak ing and singing. In March, 1855, the school agent made the fol lowing report of the Chicago schools : Loaned on personal security $ 7,246.81 Loaned on personal mortgage 34,649.68 Total I 41,896.49 Chicago school lands worth 475.000.00 Outside school lands 25,000.00 Total real estate .'$500,000.00 C^h 41,800.00 Wharfing privileges 150,000.00 Entire school fund $691,800.00 At this time two new schools, one at Bull's Head and one on Union street, were opened for the first time. These new school- houses had been ordered built near Union park and at the corner HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 117 of O'Brien and Union streets, to accommodate 150 scholars each. "It affords your committee peculiar pleasure to be able to say that several of our public schools are now equal if not superior to any others to be found in the city," said the Democrat. In about 1855 bids for the new high school building were called for. It was located on Monroe street, west of Division, and by August was well advanced toward completion. In November, 1855, evening schools were started in several of the districts. The high school building was estimated to cost $33,072 and the whole structure completed at about $40,000. Upon the opening of the high school there resulted a vigorous contest as to who should be admitted thereto. It was desired that the scholars in the grammar schools having the best standing should receive the appointment. Four times as many as could be admitted made application. In October, 1856, the high school opened with 113 selected pupils. Charles A. Dupee was principal and J. Moore instructor of the nor mal department. In the spring of 1856 J. C. Dore, superintendent of city schools, resigned and William H. Wells was appointed in his place. In September, 1856, Miss Stevens conducted a high school for young ladies and called the same the Dearborn Female Seminary. In October, 1856, a classic school for boys, to be conducted dur ing evenings, was established by Mr. Bruce. In December, 1856, the State Teachers' association met in this city. Many teachers were in attendance and great interest was manifested. In December, 1856, the Northwestern Female college at Evanston was burned to the ground. In February, 1857, so great had been the growth of the city that two new school buildings were imperatively demanded by the West division. In the spring of 1857 there were in Chicago 17,100 children between the ages of five and fifteen years. However, the attend ance at the public schools of children between those ages was only 8,306, showing that more than half of the children of that age did not attend the public schools. At this date there were fifty-six private schools in Chicago, with a total attendance oi" 3,850, between the ages of five and fifteen years. The whole number enrolled at the private schools was 4,400. In 1851 the school census showed that there were in Chicago 12,111 children of school age. In October, 1853, the school census showed the following number of children of school age in the city : South division, 5,838; West, 6,285; North, 4,930; total, 17,053. Upon the opening of the high school the course was divided into three departments: Classic, English high, and Normal. Of the 326 pupils from the public schools who were assigned for ad mission into the high school, only 141 passed. Late in 1856 the city had nine public schools, each with a grammar and a primary depart ment. By about 1857 the number had increased to ten, with sixty teachers and one musical instructor. 118 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Dearborn Seminary was incorporated by act of February 16, 1857, by E. S. Wilkins and others. By act of January 30, 1857, the University of Chicago was in corporated by Stephen A. Douglas, William B. Ogden, Hiram A. Tucker, Charles A. Walker, Samuel Hoard, James W. Woodworth, Levi D. Boone, E. D. Taylor, John H. Kinzie, Robert H. Clarkson, John C. Burroughs, Mason Brayman, Walter S. Gurnee, James Dunlap, Ichabod Clark, Charles H. Roe, Elijah Gore, Henry S. Weston, Simon C. Miner and Noyes W. Miner. A board of re gents was also appointed. During 1857 two first-class schoolhouses were built and fur nished at a cost of about $28,000 each — to accommodate about 1,200 or 1,300 scholars. One similar house had been built in 1856, so that in 1858 the schoolhouse capacity was about 2,500 greater than two years before in the spring of 1856. In the spring of 1858 it was proposed to erect one new schoolhouse to accommo-- date from 800 to 1,000 additional scholars each — one in the North division or perhaps in the South division. It was proposed also to erect a building outside of the Scammon school to accommodate 400 children. Even with these additional facilities it was estimated that 3,000 children had not attended, 1,000 of whom would have attended had there been room for them. The whole number of different scholars attending the public institutions during 1857-58, including high school, were, in round numbers, 10,786. STATEMENT APRIL, 1858. Amount of real estate belonging to the school fund, within the limits of the city estimated at $900,000 Amount of real estate outside the city 25,000 Money loaned, principal 52,000 Total $977,000 Increase of school fund for a year ending February 1, 1858, was: Interest of $52,000 loaned $6,240 00 Rents 11,648.50 State dividend 18,255.60 Total $36,144.10 Amount paid out for salaries of teachers, school agents and superintendents $36,079.18 Balance left over was 64.92 The whole cost of supporting the schools for 1857-58 was as fol lows: Salary of teachers, school agents, and superintendents ... $36,079 Incidentals, including fuel, repairs, care of buildings, office expenses, etc 9 g22 Rent of schoolhouses, including interest on buildings and lots belonging to the city, estimated 17,000 Total $62,701 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 119 On February 27, 1858, the Board of Education made the follow ing changes in the names of the city schools : Number 1 was changed to Dearborn; Number 2, to Jones; Number 3, to Scam mon ; Number 4, to Kinzie ; Number 5, to Franklin ; Number 6, to Washington; Number 7, to Moseley; Number 8, to Brown; Num ber 9, to Foster; Number 10, to Ogden. As early as 1855 a number of prominent ladies of the city organ ized the Ladies' Industrial School association. The object was to seek the neglected or abandoned children of the city and place them under proper educational instruction. In 1858 this association made the following report : The school on Indiana street was con ducted by Miss McLain, who had collected about 100 ragged, pro fane and wicked children and had furnished them a preliminary education. On the West side on Union street, between Owen and Fourth streets, Miss Martha Lake had opened a similar school in March, 1857, and by 1858 had enrolled 268 scholars. Children not properly clothed were supplied by the Ladies' society. In the South division similar schools had made a corresponding advance. At this date the officers of the Ladies' Industrial School association were: A. S. Farnum, president; Anna R. Bentley, secretary; and E. C. Farnum, treasurer. The following is an extract from their report : "Four years have passed since the organization of this associa tion. During that time, notwithstanding the many discourage ments that have arisen in the pathway of this most cherished enter prise, the ladies have endeavored by patient and persistent effort to make it what it was designed to be, a permanent instrument of usefulness to the neglected children of our city. At our last annual report we had under our care four schools — two in the North division, at 'The Sands' and on Indiana street near the North branch; one in the West division, and one on New street in the South division. These are all now in a flourishing condition, except the one at 'The Sands,' which ceased with the dispersion of that abandoned population during the summer." In October, 1858, the children of school age in this city were as follows: South division, 14,110; North division, 13,780; West division, 18,855 ; total,- 46,745. At this date Luther Haven was president of the Board of Education, and W. H. Wells superin tendent of city schools. In July, 1859, at the third anniversary of the Chicago high school twenty students were graduated from the literary department and four from the normal department. During the '50s an important question concerning the disposal of the public school fund was duly considered here. The Catholics who paid school tax demanded the right to instruct their children in the public schools in the Catholic religion, and when denied this privilege demanded the right to their pro rata share of the public school fund. In the end both demands were denied. 120 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY In April, 1860, the Cook county teachers' institute assembled at Harlem station, on the Galena railway, seven miles from Chicago. The object of the institute was to train Cook county teachers in the best methods of instruction, etc. The institute was duly opened by School Commissioner Eberhart. Among those in attendance were D. S. Wentworth, S. M. Wilson, W. H. Wells, George Sher wood, A. J. Anderson, Benjamin Cutter, O. W. Herrick, W. Wood- ard and others. State Superintendent N. Bateman lectured before the institute. Many interesting exercises were conducted by the teachers in attendance. One very instructive exercise oh "The First Day in School" was conducted by O. W. Herrick, of Harlem * school, and Miss Turner, of Brickton. In July, 1860, the number of pupils in attendance at the high school was 286. In 1859 there had been 245, and in 1858 148. Of the 286 there were in the Classical department 139, in the English department 112, and in the Normal department 35. It was noted at this time that the high-school building would accom modate 360 pupils. Many others desired to attend, but for reasons unknown the school board did not enlarge the facilities so that others could be added to the number in attendance. In July, 1860, George Howland was elected principal of the high school. In June, 1856, the number of teachers in the city public schools was 47; in February, 1861, the number was 135, and in March, 1862, the number was 160. From 1856 to 1862 seven new school- houses had been completed, and two others were in process of erection. On June 1, 1856, there were in attendance at the Chicago public schools 2,785 scholars, and in March, 1862, there were 8,569. In 1861, 172 colored children were enrolled in the city. In March, 1862, the number of children between the ages of five and fifteen years in the city was 27,000. Of these there were enrolled in the public schools 15,159, in private schools 7,750, and not in any school 4,091. At this time the city school fund was as follows: Real estate in the city, $900,000; real estate out of the city, $25,000; money loaned, principal, $52,000; wharfing lot fund, $29,180; total, $1,006,180. The act of February 12, 1861, declared that the tax assessed in 1859 against District 23, Township 39 north, Range 14 east, Cook county, for the constructon of a schoolhouse, was illegal, and the money thus collected was ordered refunded. During the years from 1860 to 1862, inclusive, there was an enormous increase in the number of children in the city requiring an education. The facilities were unequal to the requirements. From all portions of the city came demands for additional school- houses and teachers. The school board,- owing to the hard times during the war, came to the conclusion to meet these requirements by constructing branch schoolhouses connected with the principal school buildings. By 1862 four of these branch houses, each costing HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 123 about $4,000, had been erected. Each had six rooms and a capacity of about 378 scholars each. They were located adjoining the Washington, Kinzie, Franklin and Foster schools. In 1860 Prof. J. F. Eberhart became county commissioner of schools. During the months of October and November he vis ited nearly all of the schools of the county. At this time Palatine was constructing a graded school building. In July, 1861, the question of admitting colored children to the city public schools was thoroughly discussed. It was asked, "If a colored girl should be well qualified to enter the high school and should pass the examination, should she be admitted?" The ques tion was discussed through the newspapers and was taken up by the city council for final settlement. After the subject had been thoroughly debated six of the Board of Education voted in favor of the admission of colored children and three voted against such admission. This vote was taken upon the specific case of a colored girl who desired admission to the normal department of the high school. The members of the board who voted against her admis^ sion were: Hoard, Moseley and Sheahan. In March, 1861, Lind University closed its second year by grad uating twelve scholars. In October, 1861, the Cook county teachers' institute was held at Blue Island and among those in attendance were : J. F. Eberhart, county commissioner of schools, R. Welch, D. B. Fonda, G. E. Dol- ton, Mr. Chase and others. The daily papers in November noted that on the 20th of that month 130 female school teachers from all parts of the county were in the city to draw their monthly pay. In April, 1862, W. L. Newberry donated in trust to the Newberry school, which had been named after him, a $1,000 Chicago city bond. In September, 1862, the Cook county teachers' institute held two sessions, one at Thornton on the Illinois Central railway and the other at Dunton on the Northwestern railway. Many teachers were in attendance at both sessions. < In September, 1862, the new Haven school was opened. Scholars living south of Polk street and Peck court and north of Old street were admitted. The grounds upon which this building rested cost $11,250; the building cost $18,263; complete and furnished the building cost $22,000. Late in 1862 the following branch schools were being conducted : Scammon, Foster, Washington, Franklin, Kinzie, Moseley and Ogden. The following is the average number of children attending all of the public schools of Chicago, including the high school, for the years mentioned: 1850, 1,224; 1851, 1,409; 1852, 1,521; 1853, 1,795; 1854, 1,629; 1855, 2,154; 1856, 3,688; 1857, 4,464; 1858, 5,516. In February, 1859, the number of scholars in private schools, Vol. II— 8. 124 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY according to a careful census, was 4,675. The number of teachers connected with private schools was 119. The aggregate number of children belonging to all the schools of Chicago in February, 1859, was as follows : Public schools, 12,875 ; private schools, 4,675 ; total, 17,548. In 1856 the number of children attending private schools was larger by fifty-nine than those who attended the public schools. It was noted in 1859 that Chicago had spent from 1856 to 1858 inclusive a total of $160,000 for school buildings. The loca tions of the city schools were as follows : Chicago high school, on Monroe between Halsted and Des Plaines, Charles A. Dupee, principal; Dearborn school, Madison street between State and Dearborn, George D. Broomell, principal ; Jones school, corner Clark and Harrison, Willard Woodard, prin cipal ; Scammon school, Madison between Halsted and Union, Dan iel S. Wentworth, principal; Kinzie school, corner Ohio and La Salle, Benjamin D. Slocum, principal; Franklin school, corner Di vision and Sedgwick, Albert G. Lane, principal ; Washington school, corner Owen and Sangamon, Benj. R. Cutter, principal; Moseley school, Michigan and Monterey, Bradford Y. Averell, principal; Brown school, corner Warren and Page, Henry M. Keith, prin cipal ; Foster school, Union near Twelfth, George W. Spofford, prin cipal; Ogden school, Chestnut between Dearborn and Wolcott, George W. Dow, principal; Newberry school, corner Orchard and Willow, Curtis C. Meserve, principal; School No. 12, Reuben and Cornelia, Eugene L. Aiken, principal. Report of Luther Haven, president of the Board of Education, March, 1860: Value of Schools. Buildings. High $ .35,200 Dearborn 5,000 , Jones 6,000 Jones school branch 1,200 Scammon 6,000 Kinzie 5,000 Franklin 6,000 Ogden 23,800 Newberry 23,700 Washington 6,000 Brown 21,500 Foster ; . . 20,200 Foster branch 1,200 Skinner '." . XXX 27^200 Moseley 22,200 Number 12 lf200 Total $211,400 Value of school grounds $124,300 School furniture and fixtures 18,198 In March, 1860, Professor Dupee, principal of the high school, reported adversely to the teaching of German in that institution. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 125 The total school expense of all public schools for the year ending February 1, 1860, was as follows: Salary of principal $ 1,800.00 Lowest of women teachers 250.00 Salary of teachers and superintendents , 49,612.48 Salary of school agents 400.00 Labor, supplies, care of buildings, offices, fuel, repairs, etc., office expenses, printinsr, etc 14,203.66 Rent of school buildings, furniture and lots, etc 19,095.76 Other rents '. 552.34 Total $ 83,834.19 Whole school fund $977,000.00 "The undersigned teachers, residents of the southern portion of Cook county, wishing to promote the cause of popular education, respectfully invite the teachers, school officers and other friends of education, to meet with them in a convention to be held in the public schoolhouse of Blue Island, on Saturday, the 27th day of October, 1860, at 2 o'clock p. m. The following among other propositions will be submitted to the consideration of the convention. "The formation of an association of teachers and others interested in our public schools for mutual improvement. "The holding of a series of educational meetings in different towns with a view to awakening greater interest in our public schools. "To take measures for holding a teachers' institute at such time and place as shall best accommodate the teachers of our vicinity." "Rodney Welch, Julius Briesen and Albert Broome, of Worth; E. W. Jarrett, of Lake; O. F. Rudd, of Bremen; G. F. Codding, of Palos; H. Alexander, of Orland." — (Press and Tribune, October 18, 1860.) The educational movement carried out by Rev. Robert Collyer, minister at large, should be particularly noted. He conducted a free night school and a Sunday school for poor children. From Feb ruary, 1859, to February, 1860, he found homes for 128 boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 14 years. He found situations dur ing the same period for 146 boys and men and 300 girls. The insti tute represented by him was founded in October, 1857, and was organized to meet the needs of the Unitarian church. By act of February 13, 1863, the Chicago University was given power to establish an astronomical observatory. In September, 1863, J. F. Eberhart, school commissioner, reported that he had visited since May 1, 1863, every school in the county to the number of about 200, except about forty. He announced that good progress was being made throughout the county in the cause of education. He stated that teachers and parents showed greater interest in the cause of education than ever before. However, he admitted there were too many schools of a low standard yet in the county. At this date he asked the county board to appropriate $100 to help defray 126 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY the expense of the Teachers' institute to be held a little later in two sessions at Blue Island and Palatine. The following was the number of teachers and pupils enrolled September 7, 1863, when the city schools were opened for the com ing year: Schools. Teachers. Pupils. High 10 320 Dearborn 12 1,166 Jones 12 1,648 Scammon 12 1,137 Kinzie 13 1,273 Franklin 13 1,011 Washington 17 1,552 Moseley 12 1,367 Brown 10 817 Foster 19 1,865 Ogden 12 1,413 Newberry 9 929 No. 12 and branch 4 459 Skinner 21 2,295 Haven 13 269 Total 189 17,521 The Kinzie, Washington and Franklin schools had each an addi tional teacher and therefore could receive more scholars. At this date there was an important mission school at the corner of Fourth avenue and Taylor street. Late in 1863 it was transformed into a colored school with an enrollment of 300 pupils. Previous to this date 123 colored children were taught in the white schools of the city. The greatest number were seventy in the Jones school and the next greatest twenty-five in the Dearborn school. The proposition to establish a colored school in the city met with considerable opposition in the common council. Mr. Wentworth raised the question of constitutionality under the black laws of Illinois. He argued that if colored people could not under the law settle in the State they could not have schools. The question was finally referred to a committee. The committee reported in favor of the establishment of a separate colored school and late in the fall of 1863 it was duly opened. In 1851 there were but four public schools in Chicago: they ac commodated 1,700 pupils. The next schoolhouse built was in 1856 when the Moseley building was erected. In 1857 the Brown and Foster buildings were built; in 1858 the Newberry; in 1859 the Skinner; in 1862 the Haven; and during 1862 five branches were built. In 1857 the high school building was erected. In 1862 the average attendance at the public schools was 8,295. Under the new charter of 1862 two additional school districts were added to the city as follows: Bridgeport with a plain, two- story frame building and three teachers, the principal above and two assistants below; also a school building in South Chicago near HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 127 Camp Douglas. This building had two rooms and two teachers. In addition a small school with one teacher had been opened in Holstein on the west side of the North branch a little above the Forks. In October, 1863, the Board of Education decided to try the experiment of starting two evening schools, one for girls and one for boys, both located in the Dearborn school building on Madison street, opposite McVicker's theater. By November 9, 100 scholars had been enrolled. The experiment of conducting night schools on a somewhat elab orate plan was continued. The results were so excellent that the Board of Education resolved to establish five of such schools dur ing the winter of 1864-5 in connection with the Dearborn, Haven, Foster, Washington and Franklin schools. In 1862 the colored people established a school of their own, but the attendance was limited. During the winter of 1863-4 they again made the attempt and succeeded beyond their expectations. The school was located at 640 West Lake street. A term of six months was taught by a white teacher named Theodore J. Ellmore. In January, 1863, a session of the Teachers' institute was held at Blue Island. The session was both interesting and instructive. Lectures, essays, discussions and practical recitations were the or der of business. A portion of this session was held in the stone schoolhouse at Bachelor's grove beginning February 7, 1863. In August, 1863, the National Teachers' association assembled in this city. Many prominent educators from all parts of the country were in attendance. It was considered one of the most important events in the educational history of the county up to that date. In August, 1863, Rev. Roswell Park, D. D., conducted a special school for boys at Lake View and called his institution Immanuel Hall. "The many educational facilities of the city during the past year have been strained to their utmost capacity. All the public schools have been filled almost to overflowing and in many cases it has been found absolutely necessary to procure other buildings to ac commodate the children," said the board. The total expense of maintaining the city schools for the fiscal year 1863-4 was $95,551. The enrollment was 15,451, average attendance 12.344; per cent. of attendance 90. The names of the schools were High, Dearborn, Jones, Scammon, Kinzie, Franklin, Washington, Moseley, Brown, Epster, Ogden, Newberry, No. Twelve, Skinner, Haven, South Chicago, Bridgeport, Holstein, Colored. There were 167 colored children enrolled. In October, 1864, the Cook county teachers' institute met at Lyons and later at Blue Island. It was conducted by School Com missioner Eberhart and E. A. Angel of the Board of Education. A session was also held at Barrington. The session at the latter 128 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY village was acknowledged to have been the best ever conducted in the county up to that date. On October 5, 1864, when the Board of Education was consid ering the advisability of excluding the colored children from the public schools, the colored citizens held a mass meeting at Quinn chapel and protested against such a procedure. In December, 1864, J. F. Eberhart, county commissioner, re ported as follows to the State superintendent concerning the Cook county schools : Number of school districts in the county, 192 ; number of schools in the county, 199; number of schools in session six months or more, 188 ; number of districts in which no .schools have been reported, 5; whole number of persons under 21 years of age, 84,953; whites between five and twenty -one, 51,462; male scholars in schools, 16,758; female scholars in schools, 15,575; num-' ber of male teachers, 123 ; number of female teachers, 408; number of graded schools in county, 27; number of private schools in the county, 68 ; number of scholars in private schools, 8,958 ; number of school houses, 202 ; school land, unsold acres, 2,890 ; total receipts for all school purposes, $180,054; teachers' wages, $139,252. In November, 1864, the city superintendent made the following report concerning the Chicago schools : Average Schools. Enrollment. Attendance. High 342 312 Dearborn 845 693 Jones 734 599 Scammon 973 796 Kinzie 974 791 Franklin 1,207 1,076 Washington 1,391 1,066 Moseley 841 649 Brown 747 616 Foster 1,804 1,454 Ogden 905 745 Newberry 896 701 No. 12 505 398 Skinner 1,632 1,283 Haven 937 735 South Chicago 102 74 Bridgeport 285 201 Holstein 65 48 Colored 167 107 Total 15,451 12,344 The evening schools in Chicago were as follows: Average schools. Enrollment. Attendance. Dearborn 263 165 Haven 253 146 £ost?r 355 166 Washington 213 135 Franklin 401 191 Total 1,485 803 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 129 The age of scholars at the evening schools ranged from twelve to forty years. The attendance was five or six times greater than 1863-4. In December, 1864, the teachers in the public schools of Chicago contributed at one call $282.48 to the Sanitary commission. Early in 1865 the school board reported that in seventeen rooms in the city schools there was an excess of 910 pupils who could not be properly accommodated. The University of Chicago, on Cottage Grove avenue, just south of Camp Douglas, was nearly completed in 1865. The Astronomical observatory near there was also nearly finished. The big telescope was nearly ready by January, 1866. ATTENDANCE, SEPTEMBER, 1865. Average Schools. Enrollment. Attendance. High 378 355 Dearborn 737 560 Jones 848 692 Scammon 839 692 Kinzie 903 711 Franklin i 1,391 1,321 Washington 1,447 1,143 Moseley 905 739 Brown 871 736 Foster 1,785 1,473 Ogden 864 717 Newberry ., 1,105 873 Wells 524 443 Skinner 1,591 1,268 Haven 1,013 816 Bridgeport 356 268 South Chicago 106 73 Holstein not reported Total 15,663 12,780 The act of April 15, 1865, authorized Rush Medical college to issue and sell bonds to secure means to pay off certain indebtedness, but not to exceed $100,000. The act of February 16, 1865, provided that there should be at least one common school in each district of the county, where free instruction should be given all children over six years of age; that the board of education should admit to the public schools of the city children residing in the adjacent towns of Cook county; that the mayor should no longer be a member of the board of police and of the board of public works. The United States census report for 1850 gives the number of schools in Cook county as sixty-eight, the number of teachers as eighty-eight, and the number of pupils as 3,910. The annual in come was $16,396, comprising taxes $13,676, public funds $1,360, and revenue from other sources $1,360. There was then no college in the county, but there were nine academies, employing sixteen teachers, and furnishing tuition to 477 pupils, their annual income being only $4,000. The statistics of education were, in 1850: At> 130 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY tendance — 2,585 white males, 2,643 white females, 11 free colored males, 18 free colored females. Aggregate 5,257, comprising 3,702 natives and 1,552 foreigners. Adults who could not read or write in Cook county in 1850 were 302 white males, 379 white females, 47 free colored males, 34 free colored females. Aggregate 762, con stituted by 110 natives and 652 foreigners. The first report of the county school commissioners, on fileiin the office of the county superintendent, is for the year ending October 1, 1860, and that furnishes the following compendium : Number of schools, 192; average attendance, 22,965. The expenditures for that year were $178,972.62, and the receipts $174,260.13. For the year ending October 1, 1865, the report gives the attendance as 37,880; the expenditures as $252,379.84, and the receipts as $218,- 594.75. The year ending July 31, 1870, the figures were as fol lows: Public schools, 231; private schools, 145; total, 376; attend ance, 49,988; receipts from all sources, $1,056,714.29; expenditures, $983,770.66, and the value of school property was $4,733,338.06. In the year 1879-80, the public schoolhouses numbered 297, and the private schools 202 ; total, 499. The number of pupils enrolled was 78,971, and the expenditures for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1880, were $1,615,173.65 ; the receipts for the same period $1,853,- 894.06, and the valuation of school property at the end of the fiscal year $3,051,430. EARLY BANKING OPERATIONS ILLINOIS had two early State banks, neither one of which proved satisfactory. A new State bank was chartered during the winter of 1834-5. Under the law passed at this time a branch was established in this city. In 1837, like all other l?anks of the country, it suspended specie payments, but continued doing busi ness until 1841 and was then removed. Later it returned to Chicago as herein described, but after a short period was again permanently closed. Probably several of the early merchants bought and sold exchange before a regular banking establishment was opened here. In June, 1835, E. D. Taylor, receiver of the land office, announced that bills of the Bank of Michigan, Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of Michi gan, all security banks of New York State, the banks of Cleveland, and the banks of Cincinnati would be accepted in payment for land in this district. "Will the bank at Springfield inform us when the branch to be established in this town is to go into operation? There is more business doing in this town than in any other in the State, yet others have their branches while we are deprived of ours." — (Chi cago American, October 24, 1835.) Late in 1835 a branch of the State Bank of Illinois was estab lished in this city. It was not opened, however, until January, 1836. W. H. Brown, the cashier, announced that the bank would open at 9 o'clock and close at 1 o'clock on discount days, which were Tuesdays and Fridays. Those desiring discount were re quired to present their notes on Mondays and Thursdays. The directors of the bank were as follows : John H. Kinzie, G. S. Hub bard, Peter Pruyne, E. K. Hubbard, R. J. Hamilton, Walter Kim ball, H. B. Clarke, G. W. Dole and E. D. Taylor. It was an nounced by the directors on December 5, 1835, that operations, would be begun in about three weeks. During the fall of 1836, this community suffered greatly owing to an influx of counterfeit money in large quantities. In May, 1837, the newspapers here noted that all the Eastern banks were sus pending specie payments. On May 27 the Chicago American said : "Confidence is all that is required to carry us through the gale ; and nothing in times like these tends more to give that than for all to keep cool." In 1838 Strachan & Scott opened a stock and exchange office and 131 132 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY also began to do a limited banking business. Soon after opening their doors they began issuing regularly a bank note list or table giving the latest quotations of bank funds throughout the country. In 1839 bills of the Illinois State bank and its branches, the Missouri State bank, and the Indiana State bank and its branches were at par. Bills of the Bank of Mineral Point, Wis., were 10 per cent. discount; Bank of Dubuque, 10 per cent, discount; Bank of Wis consin, 62y2 per cent, discount; Michigan State bank and branches, 5 per cent, discount; Michigan Farmers' and Merchants' Bank and branches, 5 per cent, discount; exchange on New York, 2 per cent. premium. On August 8, 1839, Illinois stock was quoted at 82 cents on the New York stock exchange. On August 19, 1839, the Branch bank here paid out $96,000 in specie on government drafts for the Indians of Wisconsin. In May, 1839, the special issue of scrip by the canal began to circulate here. They were like ordinary checks and brought six per cent, interest after ninety days. Much was expected of the canal currency. At first it was well received but later passed at a considerable discount. To make matters worse it was counterfeited extensively and gave business men abundant trouble. About a dozen of the counterfeiters were, in the end, ar rested and duly punished. The New York Expressoi June, 1839, said: "Hog Bankers. — It is said that the Chicago Bank (Illinois) lately purchased 5,800 hogs and cleared $42,000 by the speculation." When this statement became known to Mr. Brown, cashier, of the Branch bank, he emphatically denied its truth. However, such a speculation was probably made here, no doubt with money bor rowed from the Branch bank. In October, 1839, the Branch announced that it would exchange its larger notes at par for the bills of all solvent Eastern banks and that persons who wished to enter land would be supplied with bills of the proper denomination in exchange for those usually not received at the land office. This was an accommodation designed to save purchasers of land from the shaving operations of brokers. On April 18, 1840, Murray & Brand had succeeded Strachan & Scott and began doing an extensive banking business in addition to a general brokerage business. They received deposits and sold exchange on New York and Great Britain. In 1843 George Smith & Co. conducted a private bankers' and brokers' office at the corner of La Salle and Washington streets. Their quotations at this time were as follows : Specie, par ; treasury notes, 1 y2 per cent. premium; eastern drafts, \y2 per cent, premium; Illinois bonds, 50 per cent, discount; Bank of Illinois bills, 70 per cent, discount; Wisconsin Marine & Fire Insurance Co., \y2 per cent, discount; Missouri Bank bills, 2 to 3 per cent, discount; New York funds, par to 1 per cent, discount; canal scrip, 80 per cent, discount; county orders, 60 per cent, discount; city scrip, \2y2 per cent, dis count; Indiana bills, 2 to 3 per cent, discount. By February, 1844, the city scrip had risen to par. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 133 The Branch was removed from Chicago to Lockport in July, 1840. This removal was caused by an act of the Legislature re quiring it to resume specie payments on a certain date. Later in 1840 strong efforts to secure its return to Chicago were made. "And what good object has been effected by the destruction of the bank? None whatever; on the contrary a very serious blow has been struck at the prosperity of our city. During its brief existence of four years its line of discount has been rising to half a million dollars. Not only did the bank freely discount good busi ness paper, but it also extended its favors by a very heavy discount of accommodation bills. The very men who have pulled down the bank are many of them largely indebted to it. They have borrowed its funds and have refused to refund them. The records of our courts tell a melancholy story of sums of money loaned by the bank to leading Locofoco politicians and hopelessly lost. . . . The bank furnished our merchants with large amounts of exchange. Before the subtreasury times exchange on the East could always be obtained at from 1 to 2 per cent., and since these blasting days have come on, this bank has always sold exchanges far below the rates charged by brokers. It was a safe depository for money to merchants and all others who had money. It afforded great facili ties for collections, and its certificates of deposit were always good for remittance. Besides all this the bank gave a commercial char acter and standing to our city ; it was the nucleus of money matters ; it was the proof in the eyes of strangers that we were indeed a busi ness community. But now what a spectacle do we present — a com mercial city without a bank! A business community without a single monied institution to represent it. And what will be the result of this measure ? In place of a bank we shall have a board of brokers acting in concert and fleecing the community to the amount of thou sands. We do not blame the brokers. It will be a long time be fore merchants can borrow money again at 6 per cent. William H. Brown, cashier of the bank, is universally respected in this com munity. Messrs. F. Howe, bookkeeper, and E. S. Sherman, teller, of the bank, were without fault or blemish and enjoyed the respect and confidence of the community in an eminent degree." — (Chicago American, July 24, 1840.) The American of December 11, 1840, said: "Chicago Branch Bank. — We are glad to see a petition in circulation in this city for the relocation of this Branch which Mr. Senator Woodworth, in his wisdom and for which the people remember him, succeeded in re moving. It is rather a remarkable fact that the petition is full of the names of the Locofoco party, including their hitherto anti-bank leaders. It is never too late to repent." Under the act of February 27, 1841, it was provided "That so much of an act entitled 'An act in relation to the State Bank of Illinois' approved January 31, 1840, as requires that- the directors 134 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY of the parent bank shall within six months from the passage oi said act, remove from Chicago the branch located at that place and establish the same at such other place as the bank may deem proper, be and the same is hereby repealed and the said bank is hereby authorized to relocate said branch at Chicago." "It is high tirne that the business men of this city should raise a united and indignant voice against the flood of Michigan shin- plasters which have deluged our city for the last few years and whelmed in almost absolute ruin the unsuspecting laborers and farmers of the country. The bills are now for all practical purposes little better than waste paper, the brokers offering them, we believe, at 3 shillings on the dollar. The produce of thecountry earned by the sweat of our hardy yeomanry ; the work of our laborers, the price of their constant toil, have been exchanged for the bastard issues of rotten institutions; and all that now remains of the fruits of their industry is a ragged roll of nearly worthless shinplasters lumbering their drawers and pockets. Since the batch of Michigan wildcats were swarmed into existence by the Locofoco Legislature of 1837 the currency of Michigan has been one of constant speculation and disorder." — (Chicago American, June 21, 1841.) In response to a general demand the Branch was reestablished here in March, 1841. At this date the Whigs of the county in mass meetings demanded a national bank. Brokers in the West dealt extensively in land patents and land claims of all sorts. When President Tyler vetoed the bank bill in 1841 a meeting of the Whigs of Chicago denounced the act in severe terms. This bill was for the purpose of establishing a Fiscal Bank of the United States. On August 7, 1841, drafts on New York were quoted at 10 per cent, premium ; Southwestern bank bills were quoted at from 7 to 9 per cent, premium; specie from 9 to 10 per cent, premium above current funds. At this date bills of the Illinois State bank were quoted at par ; the same of the Bank of Illinois. Bills of the Bank of Michigan were 60 per cent, discount; checks of the Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance company were at par. In November, 1841, Illinois State bonds sold on the stock exchange in New York at less than 40 cents on the $1. At this date Cook county was lit erally flooded with every variety of wild-cat, red dog and State bank rags. In the spring of 1842, canal issues were redeemed at the Branch bank. They were at par with bills of the State Bank of Illinois, but the latter were at 50 and 55 per cent, discount. At this date Murray & Brand conducted an exchange and brokers' office at 127 Lake street. From 1842 to January, 1853, Illinois was without a banking law. During that period all banks in Cook county were private in their character. In January, 1853, a new State banking law was passed and within a year thereafter nine banks in Chicago were organized in addition to the usual banking houses. Late in the '40s Illinois HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 135 State credit had risen immensely and early in the '50s was as good as that of the average State. The bank panic of 1853 and that of 1857 were not serious in Chicago. In 1853 there was some suf fering, but in 1857 little inconvenience was felt. In April, 1842, W. H. Brown, cashier of the Branch bank, offered all the property of the bank for sale at public auction. He found himself unable to continue against the conditions prevailing in this State. "Beyond all question one of the great causes of the present scarcity of specie is the want of a tariff of adequate protection. Let us persist in the blind, senseless and un-American course we are now pursuing and specie will always be scarce, our people poor, and the nation weak." — (American, February 11, 1842.) "Sale of Scrip, etc. — Stanton and Russell, auctioneers, sold this day $2,000 of Illinois and Michigan canal scrip in parcels at from 22 to 24 cents in current funds; $5,000 of State indebtedness in parcels at 20 to 23 cents in current funds; and $500 of certificates of first payments on canal lots at I8J-2 cents in current funds; and $1,500 bills of the State Bank of Illinois at 38J-2 cents in specie." — , (American, July 4, 1842.) In January, 1845, the city newspapers noted that the agency of the Mechanics' and Farmers' bank in this city redeemed its bills in currency or in Eastern exchange at the usual rates of discount. The money of this bank was at par with the ordinary bank bills then in circulation in this city. In October, 1842, Alexander Brand & Co. succeeded Murray & Brand, private brokers and bankers. In the spring of 1846 money was very close in this city. At this date Ohio wild-cat bills were a drug on the market. It was noted that they had driven out the wild-cat bills of Michigan. "Banking. — If banks are proper every person ought to have the privilege of using them to the extent of his credit and his capital. Why should the legislatures say to one man, you may use three, or five, or ten times as much money as your neighbor of equal credit and capital ? If banks are improper, no person ought to be allowed to establish them; and herein consists the selfishness of all bankers, viz. : they are not willing that any one should enjoy the same privi lege that they do. They want the profits all to themselves. They must be allowed to bank and no one else. It is as difficult to get up a fair system of banking as an honest one." — (Chicago Democrat, October 3, 1846.) "The city during the past week has experienced onei of those fluctuations and panics ever attendant upon the paper system. Ow ing to some misunderstanding (or from some other cause unknown) between the agency of the Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance company and the agency of the Farmers and Mechanics Bank of Michigan in this city, the former refused to take the bills of the latter, as also did all the other broker shops in the city. The bills 136 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY of this bank constitute the largest portion of the circulating medium in this part of the country. The agent has paid out what current funds he had on hand, and continues we believe, as usual, to draw on New York at \y2 per cent., and most of the merchants take the money as before. We know nothing of the condition of this con cern, 'for the ways of banks are past finding out.' We have, how ever, a distrust of the whole bank genus. The history of the sys tem, and especially the experience of this community, proves that they are honest only when they can't help it, and when their inter ests demand it, and he who reposes confidence in them leans on a broken staff. From the manner in which the business men talk of the matter, we are inclined to advise people not to sacrifice on the money. But they had better push it as fast as they can advanta geously, and in the future take as little of this and other paper trash as possible. We have heretofore cautioned the public against all of these rag mills. What has been the course and fate of the banks of this country from the National bank down to the wild-cats of Mich igan and the State banks of Illinois will be very likely to occur with the irresponsible agencies of banks in other parts of the country which issue bills here and refuse to pay specie on them. What throws greater distrust on this Michigan concern is that several years ago it suspended payment and lost its credit so that its bills did not pass. We hope the< people will by and by 'learn wisdom from the things they suffer,' and that by their demanding specie in their transactions, they may create a system of currency not subject to the panics and fluctuations of the paper system." — (Chicago Dem ocrat, January 15, 1845.) "The bankers and bogus money makers are very troublesome. It is difficult to tell which is the most criminal. Bogus are un doubtedly the most so in the eyes of the law. But where the bogus makers cheat the community out of a dollar, the bankers do out of a thousand. We can not see, therefore, why banking and counter feiting should not by the law be regarded as equally penal offences." — (Chicago Democrat of February 18, 1846.) "Banks are generally managed by the most mercenary men in the country — men whose god is gold and whose worship of him consists in getting it most unscrupulously and by the sacrifice of conscience and humanity. This has been proved by the universal history of banking. They are honest as long as they can make more money by being so. But when they can make more by pocketing their money and bursting, they do it, leaving the people with worth less rags in their pockets to lament their' folly." — (Chicago Demo-^ erat oi May 1, 1846.) "The pressure is over; the panic is over; money, though not plenty or cheap, is to be had. The banks have commenced discount ing to a fair extent. Only half a dozen small failures have been caused by the pressure in this vast commercial emporium. A bank HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 137 officer said the other day : 'We are pressing down because to-morrow is report day and because other banks haul in we must or we shall be a debtor bank and lost all our specie.' The quarterly reports are great humbugs ; the people know nothing about a bank by its report, nothing at all." — (Chicago Democrat of May 13, 1846.) In January, 1847, Chicago city scrip was 5 per cent, discount; Cook county orders, 10 per cent, discount; auditor's warrants, 10 to 20 per cent, discount ; canal scrip, 72 per cent, discount ; railroad scrip, 65 per cent, discount ; Michigan State scrip, 45 ,per cent, dis count; Indiana State scrip, 10 per cent, discount. In 1847 Mr. Wentworth made a strong effort to defeat the bank plank in the proposed new State constitution. Finding that could not be done he next tried to kill the Constitution itself "as dead as ever General Jackson killed the United States bank." The cry of the Democrats at this time and had been for fifteen years was "Down with the bankers!" Mr. Wentworth was a politician and of the Jacksonian school. He had imbibed his financial principles from Jackson and Van Buren and accordingly could not regard a national bank, or in fact any bank, without indignation. At all times he made war upon the banking systems in vogue and at the same time denounced any attempts to inaugurate a national or a State banking system. In August, 1847, city scrip was 15 per cent, discount; Cook county orders, 30 per cent, discount; auditor's warrants, 25 per cent. discount; canal scrip, 70 per cent discount; railroad scrip, 60 to 85 per cent, discount; specie at par; treasury notes, Y\ of 1 per cent. premium. "Bank or No Bank. — The Whigs have made this the issue and we accept it and mean to beat them upon it ; and we freely turn over to their aid every bank Democrat in the State (if there is such a white blackbird) at the coming election for delegates to the constitutional convention. No man should be elected to that convention who is even mistrusted of being in favor of paper money. And we now say that if the new constitution does not completely annihilate beyond all suspicion of resurrection all prospects of having banks in Illinois, we shall.be compelled to oppose its adoption. 'No banks,' are the words." — (Weekly Chicago Democrat, March 30, 1847.) The Cook county convention to select delegates to the State con vention to adopt a new constitution adopted the following resolu tion : "Resolved, That banking in all its forms and operations has been evil, only evil, and that continually; and that our delegates in the convention are instructed to use their best efforts to prohibit the establishment of such institutions in this State." — (Democrat, April 9, 1847.) "The banking system as it now exists in this country is but little calculated to promote the general interest. However individuals 138 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY have been favored, the public has always suffered from its opera tion. It possesses the worst and most odious features of monopoly and is therefore utterly inconsistent with Republican institutions. I am, therefore, strongly solicitous to see this system prohibited in our State." — (John Bickerstaff in Chicago Democrat oi March 30, 1847.) On August 3, 1847, specie was at par. Treasury notes Va per cent premium Eastern drafts 1 per cent premium Indiana bills 1 per cent discount Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company 1 per cent discount Missouri bills 1 per cent discount New York funds .' . 1 per cent discount Virginia and Pennsylvania funds 2 to 4 percent discount Bank of Illinois bills (Shawneetown) 75 percent discount State Bank of Illinois bills 50 per cent discount New England bills 1 per.cent discount Michigan State bank bills 1 per cent discount Michigan Insurance Company 2 per cent discount Ohio bills 2y2 per cent discount - Kentucky bills 3 per cent discount Canada bills ¦ 4 per cent discount City scrip 15 per cent discount Cook county orders 30 per cent discount Auditor's warrants 25 per cent discount Canal scrip 70 per cent discount Railroad scrip 60 to 65 per cent discount Michigan State scrip 45 per cent discount Indiana State scrip 10 per cent discount Indiana land scrip 40 per cent discount In October, 1848, the property of the old State Bank of Illinois in Chicago was sold by Mr. Mather, the former president of the bank. The property brought $49,575. In December, 1848, the gold excitement in California roused the interest of the financiers of Chicago. During 1849, the cry of "Gold ! Gold " it was said, drove slavery forever from California. The cry was "Every man picks his own gold." During 1849 the bankers of this city in common with those throughout the United States were in a state of trepidation, fearing that gold in prodigious quan tity would take the place of their paper currency. At this date many alleged banks were being established in this city. In the spring of 1849 the Chicago Temperance Saving associa tion was organized in the old bank building at the corner of Water and La Salle streets, with William H. Brown as president. At this date city scrip was at 10 per cent, discount; Cook county orders at 40 per cent, discount ; auditor's warrants, 20 per cent, discount, and canal scrip, 68 per cent, discount. The Democrat of May 18, 1849, said: "To the banking system may be attributed in a greater or less degree the present commer cial distress." The management of city financial affairs early in 1849 was so excellent that by June 8 city scrip was at par with current funds. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 141 In September, 1849, the savings bank of R. K. Swift paid interest on time deposits. He advertised to pay as high as 10 per cent, for 45 days. "We understand the new banks in this city, after giving the directors, of course, the first hand in for discounts, will let the various newspaper editors of the city have their turns. We hope that Grandpapa Dutch will see 'fair play and no gouging' when that good time comes ; it will be a last chance to many of the fra ternity."— (Democrat, April 13, 1849.) The act of February 12, 1849, incorporated the Chicago Savings and Insurance company under Thomas Dyer, James H. Wood- worth, Charles Walker, John P. Chapin, William E. DeWolf, Thomas Richmond, R. C. Bristol, J. C. Walters and B. W. Ray mond. The capital was fixed at $200,000, and the directors were limited to nine. The corporation was given power to make all kinds of insurance against fire. "The news of the defeat of the bank bill threw the speculators, stock jobbers and fancy financiers into hysterics yesterday. Num bers who were prominent for directors to sundry bubble companies are thrown upon the flat of their backs and as usual are cursing the Democracy." — (Democrat, February 10, 1849.) "The persons who are engaged in getting up this bank (the Chicago Marine and Fire Insurance company) are produce specu lators. Their object is to obtain the farmer's produce on trust, charging him from 12 to 15 per cent, for the credit he has ex tended to them. Besides this 12 to 15 per cent, which they will make, they expect to realize also a handsome profit on the produce in the way of legitimate trade. And as they own and control ves sels on the lakes and command freights, they have every means of regulating the market to suit themselves. Besides having the con trol of the money market in Chicago, they can raise or depress the prices of all articles of farmer's produce at their will and pleasure. "—(Democrat, February 19, 1849.) "To the banking system may be attributed in a greater or less extent the present commercial distress. Banks excite speculation unduly. Loaning to a man engaged in a certain line of business, they compel his neighbor in the same trade to borrow in order to compete successfully with him; they thus induce men to enter into liabilities which they would otherwise avoid, while the circle of credit running through all grades and classes at length involves all in a chain of responsibility." — (Democrat, May 8, 1849.) "Gold for the Rich and Rags for the Poor" was the popular slogan of all who opposed banks at this date. "The Advertiser, it would appear, has been constituted the organ par excellence of the new banks which are being started in this city, and which, it is promised, will reduce the rate of interest one-half, attract capital to the State, and perform other sundry Vol. II— 9. 142 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY miracles too numerous to mention. But who ever heard of banks attracting capital to a country, when the fact is they drive real money away and substitute in its stead a spurious currency for which the people must pay an enormous percentage and which is liable to become worthless trash in their hands at any moment? Besides, banks place an unlimited power in the hands of a few persons, who thus hold the purse strings of the whole community and at their will and pleasure will raise or depress the price of every commodity — one day making one man a beggar and the next raising some lucky gambler in stocks and merchandise to comparative affluence. Who are the foremost in getting up these banks of issue contrary to law in this city? For the most part they are speculators in produce or holders of real estate — the classes deeply interested in their establishment. The produce men, by being stockholders and directors, have the power of issuing their own money, upon which they obtain an unlimited credit from the producer, and thus draw profits both ways — from the legitimate traffic and from interest on their promises. The producer thus becomes their slave. They regulate the scale of his profits." — (Democrat, April 12, 1849.) In September, 1849, city scrip was quoted at from par to 5 per cent, discount; Cook county orders were 30 to 35 per cent, dis count; auditor's warrants, 10 to 15 per cent, discount; 160-acre land warrants were quoted at from $132 to $155. At this time the best current funds consisted of the bills of the New England, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Virginia and Missouri banks. The bills of Pennsyl vania banks generally were 1 per cent, discount. "The Evils of Banking." — At no time are we better able to scrutinize the evils of the banking system, discover its defects, scan its numberless means of fraud and piracy, than at a time when some momentary panic has caused a doubt in the public as to its solvency Gold and silver are money — real, tangible, valua ble commodities. Paper promises, however, are not money. The banker issues ad libitum, or he issues to an extent sufficient to raise the value of every article of exchange. He is thus clothed with the power of giving to one man the advantage of the market while he takes it from another. There comes a culminating point. To save itself the bank stops issue." — (Democrat, December 6, 1849.) In 1849 S. Bronson & Co. conducted an exchange office and bank at 60 Clark street. At this time Mr. Swift offered to sell specie at y2 per cent, premium to farmers, laborers, mechanics and tradesmen for Wisconsin funds. George Smith & Co. did a large banking business here in 1849. At the March term of the Cook county court arrangements with the Chicago Marine and Fire Insurance company to redeem county orders at not less than 75 cents on the $1 were made. At this HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 143 time I. H. Burch & Co. conducted the Chicago Savings bank at 125 Lake street. R. K. Swift moved his private bank from Lake street to Clark street in October, 1850. In December, 1850, Can ada money for the first time was at par in this city. The county about this time was flooded with counterfeit bills. A thorough investigation by detectives disclosed the fact that the counterfeits on the bills of the Ohio, New York and Indiana banks were made in a mechanics' saloon near the Lake hotel on the North Side. In 1850-51 Mr. Dyer, of this city, introduced in the Legislature a bill for the establishment of a banking system in this State. "Notice of protest of the city's paper to the amount of upwards of $800 by George Smith & Co. was presented to the council at their last meeting." — (Democrat, October 30, 1850.) "We would remark that there is a kind of banking operation under cover of the projected loan (a loan of $100,000 by the city). The scrip is to be engraved and to be in the form and similitude of bank bills. Now, while we have State laws against banking, our city authorities should be slow to set an example of lawbreaking." — (Democrat, February 15, 1850). Among the bankers doing business in the spring of 1851 were R. K. Swift & Co., George Smith & Co., A. Brant & Co., Chicago Savings bank, I. H. Burch & Co., Chicago Marine and Fire Insur ance company, Tucker, Bronson & Co., and R. C. Bristol. At this date both city scrip and county orders were at 5 per cent, discount. The- panic of September and October, 1851, did not affect Chi cago. Very little trouble was experienced here and the hard times occurred mainly in the East. The newspapers noticed a stringency here, but aside from that no inconvenience was felt. The bankers were slow in making loans, while all business men seemed anxious to borrow money. Late in 1851, when it was found that the new banking law had been adopted, the Democrat said : "The banking law is safe; now bring on your 'two dollars a day and roast beef,' gentlemen." "Business paper ranges from 10 to 24 per cent, per annum, and purchasers are particularly cautious' in buying, even at the greatest shave. These rates are ruinous, but they are freely submitted to." —(New York Herald, September 26, 1851.) "The stringency of the money market East has not affected the market in this city in that degree which many were led to suppose." — (Democrat, October 10, 1851.) "Confidence in skillful and prudent management is one of the best bases of bank credit ; remove it and the best security appears to be of little worth. We consequently anticipate no trouble in Chicago as far as the legitimate business of the country is concerned." — (Democrat, October 10, 1851.) "This panic, it is to be hoped, will at least have a good effect in teaching our own traders one lesson that they will be wise not to 144 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY neglect, and that is, it is not safe to go beyond their means, even when there is no actual danger of a momentary crisis." — (Demo crat, November, 1851.) "Under the influence of the improvement East the money market in this city has been easier and discounts are more readily obtained, although the more stable of our institutions still continue cautious in making advances for speculative purposes either as regard oper ations in produce or other departments of trade. We notice the 'wild-cat' issues still continue to fill up the vacuum caused by the withdrawal of the better descriptions of currency. This may yet lead to serious consequences and we fear it will." — (Democrat, October 17, 1851.) "Happy.— Our people were very happy yesterday in view of the adoption of the general banking law. May their happiness all be honestly realized. May every poor man have money at 6 per cent. without security and without endorsement, and may the note run forever." — (Democrat, November 6, 1851.) VOTE ON THE PROPOSED BANKING LAW. South Chicago. For Bank. Against Bank. Courthouse 927 38 New York House 157 1 Southern Hotel 100 1 West Chicago. Engine House No. 5 321 10 Engine House No. 6 126 10 North Chicago. 8th Ward 376 14 9th Ward 115 5 Towns. Northfield s 33 14 Jefferson 16 11 Palatine 18 H Wheeling 76 5 Lemont 6 10 Thornton 5 12 Maine 23 5 Proviso 2 9 Leyden 26 8 Rich 13 n Elk Grove 11 13 Worth 16 13 Palos 33 5 Bremen 5 iq New Trier 1 32 Bloom 0 17 Barrington 22 3 Schaumberg 10 n Lake \\ 2 Orland 12 8 Ridgeville 7 12 Hanover 23 1 Lyons X..' 33 1 X Total 2,524 289 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 145 "A bank under the general banking law has been organized under the name of the 'Merchants and Mechanics Bank of Chicago,' cap ital $100,000. At a meeting of the stockholders, Dr. L. D. Boone was elected president and Stephen Bronson, Jr., cashier. The fol lowing are the directors : Dr. L. D. Boone, Rice Fay, John Dennis- ton and Benjamin F. Sherman of Chicago and Aylmer Keith of Naperville. It is the intention to commence business as soon as a suitable building can be obtained and the stocks and plates pro cured." — (Democrat, December 18, 1851.) "The days of 'wild cat' and 'yellow dog' are fast coming upon us. Brass in a man's face has become banking capital and he is the greatest financier who can suggest the best method of staving off his promises. All money in circulation ought to have some place in Chicago where it is redeemable in specie at 1 per cent, or in bills that are redeemable at 1 per cent. Now we call upon all these recently established banks to have some place of redemption here — permanent redemption. Who redeems the bills of the Illi nois River bank in our city and will continue so to do? No institu tion was ever started that gained so extensive a circulation in so short a time. They come to us from all quarters. We see it stated that this institution has filed the necessary papers to have a bank. But we see it nowhere stated that it has filed the necessary securi ties." — (Democrat, December 20, 1851.) "Tax the people to get money to put in the banks as banking capital. Chicago borrowed $350,000 at 10 per cent. This money is then deposited in the banks and loaned back to the people at 12 per cent. But the banks pay the city no interest." — (Democrat, January 8, 1852.) "The Bank Law. — After all that was said prior to the passage of the late bank law, not 1 per cent, of securities has yet been filed by men intending to do a banking business and the belief is general that not 1 per cent, will be." — (Democrat, January 28, 1852.) "The desire to get our city deposits for banking capital is over riding all the other questions, and we never saw the like of the present contest, and it will grow hotter and hotter until the election is over. Who shall have the deposits ? This is the entire question. The two candidates for mayor already announced having refused to make any pledge concerning the deposits, the bankers of our city through their private stockholders, confidential attorneys, and money borrowers are bringing out candidates both for mayor and treas urer, and keeping the other offices to trade upon. As high as $1 per man was paid on Saturday for signatures to calls for men who want to run and will not come out unless their friends in the banks will get them a certain number of names to start with. As high as $5 per name can easily be got this week if people will only hold back their names and give free competition among the candidates of the different banks. The banks can well afford to pay high for 14G HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY names if they only get the deposits at last, as some of those applying will not have any capital unless they do get them." — (Democrat, February 2, 1852.) "The contest for the deposits grows stronger and stronger. There are gentlemen in our city who will agree to divide a sum equal to the salary of both the mayor and treasurer between the two orphan asylums in our city if they can but keep the deposits for a single year. And they agree to give good security. There are several embryo candidates for both mayor and treasurer. Calls are out for them. Like candidates who think they have a chance for election, they do not come out openly and announce themselves. But they are waiting to see how many callers they can get first. Yesterday a large number of persons got their street tax paid, and we believe it is now the settled price for signing a call to come out for office that the candidate pays the street tax. People are saying that they can now tell when a man gets discounts by the candidates he supports, there being no other question prevailing than who shall get the deposits." — (Democrat, February 3, 1852.) "Candidates are abandoning the practice of paying men to go about after signers to calls for them to come out for office. This practice did very well for respectable humbug when new. It is now old and is the meanest kind of humbug. Children and fools now understand the whole game. It is to get men pledged on paper so that they cannot back out if a man that would suit them better should come out. ... A respectable banker yesterday publicly stated that if the city deposits and hydraulic deposits were put up to the one who would give* the best security and pay the most therefor, our city would realize $5,000 at least from them next year. The mayor and treasurer are the offices that control the deposits, and we want to know why our city as well as the banks cannot be profited bythem." — (Democrat, February 4, 1852.) "Banking on stocks is going to drive all the specie from the country. It is all hoarded in the banks now; and when stocks are substituted for it in banks, it will leave the country. Banking upon State and corporate debts is but little safer than banking upon individual debts. Take the whole United States, and the specie will not average 10 cents to the dollar." — (Democrat, April 5, 1852.) It was reported in March, 1852, that the Michigan Southern Railway company intended to establish a large bank here. The Democrat of March 22 said : "We are glad of this as the few banks we now have are exerting too much power, and it is very important that more competition be had. This bank will settle the question, 'Who is to have the deposits of the Southern Michigan Railway company ?' which caused no little excitement at our late election. When Chicago has about twelve banks, our bankers will be the most polite and accommodating men in town. They will take no part in our railroad quarrels or our elections. But they will en deavor to be 'all things to all men.' " HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 147 "Banks are now getting as thick as groceries and saloons in our city and at the progress of last year, they will soon outnumber them. And as we are to have them, the more we have the greater will be the competition and the lower the shaves. We will here add that we take the paper of all our city banks who advertise with us at par and then in turn take ours at par." — (Democrat of May 6, 1852.) "Our people have been swindled long enough by an irredeemable currency. The Board of Trade of this city were very anxious to have a general banking law passed and predicted that its passage would drive all irredeemable shinplasters out of circulation. But thus far these worthless rags have increased rather than diminished. Yet it is in the power of the Board of Trade to correct the evil. A few reckless speculators among them oppose this step. At the proper time we intend to hold these men up to the scorn of the com munity. The most of our bankers say they will pay specie the mo ment Mr. Smith will — that they cannot pay specie unless he does, for it is in his power to ruin them. Mr. Smith, who is now here, is willing to make any arrangement that will give him an equal chance with the other bankers If our bankers have no respect for themselves — if they do not value their own notes at par — it is time that they were taught to do' so. We must have a currency which when issued at par must be taken back at par." — ¦ (Adapted from Democrat, May 24, 1852.) "Damn the Shinplasters /—Excuse us, dear reader — we are in bad humor. We cannot see deception substituted for fair dealing so long as open honesty is the only sure road to success. The Mer chants and Mechanics Bank of Chicago has issued a shinplaster exactly like their notes, which are secured as the law requires. The Western papers call it a dangerous counterfeit. 'Tis worse — 'tis a device, a deception, a fraud, and the only way to avoid it is to refuse all notes on the Merchants and Mechanics Bank of Chicago." — (Thompson's Reporter, August, 1852.) "We insert the above not so much to injure this one bank in particular, but because others of our city banks are going into the same operation. This thing ought to be stopped at once and we caution people upon the subject. Under our new banking law the bill holder is secured, but there is no security at all for the depositor. So people who prefer security to no security will hereafter take the legal countersigned bills instead of the illegal certificates of deposit." — (Democrat, September 3, 1852.) "But few understand the extent to which bank bills are now being mutilated for fraudulent purposes in this city. The thing has within the last few weeks been reduced to a science and is likely unless it meets the stern opposition of business men to become a very suc cessful swindle." — (Democrat, September 16, 1852.) Four bills of $5 each were torn in two and then so pasted together that an additional $5 bill was gained. 148 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY "The way some of the shinplasters read is enough to condemn them, admitting that the foundation upon which they are issued is as good as their grammar. Several of the genus read, 'we will pay,' etc., while they are signed by only one person." — (Democrat, De cember 10, 1852.) "Looking to experience and observation as my guides, I found that when a man had real capital to start and capacity and integrity which commanded the confidence of the community (best where best known), it not only aided him but greatly facilitated trade and business among the people to issue his credit in a convenient form for circulation — all based upon his actual capital in hand and the securities which were beyond all question, and loan it to active business men for legitimate commercial purposes. Seeing this, I had engraved in the very best style by the artist a certificate of deposit of the Bank of Chicago (which had been duly organized under the laws of Illinois). When men deemed by one firm to be possessed of integrity, good moral habits and business talents wanted bank facilities, we loaned them these securities on satisfactory terms for three-fourths the amount at 6 per cent, interest and an even exchange for the other one-fourth in current bank notes (such as the certificates of deposit were payable in), with the agreement on their part that as often as one-tenth of the whole was returned to us for redemption, they would give us other current money in ex change therefor, so continuing during the time for which they bor rowed the certificates. No sooner did these certificates make their appearance in market, than they were most' scurrilously attacked by the issuers of shinplasters which laid no claim to security, legality or even shadow of foundation ; which were drawn by men who, for aught we know, were men of straw, upon others just as little known, some accepted and some not, pay at some designated place in this city. The very men who had. thus acted for years, loaning out such trash at 10, 12, and 15 per cent., who even had got the multitude of business men under such obligation for this spawn of theirs at these rates as to make them submit to terms of greatest humility and be thankful for such gracious permission, crippling the com merce of the country as effectually by miserable shinplasters at high rates of interest as they would by leaky ships and high prices on freight, joined with the press, from Thompson's Reporter (who has shown himself and whom I am prepared to show is not entitled to the least weight when he has a supposed interest at stake) down to some of the most venal of those very papers who had spoken in my praise, by a man who now attacks my credit as a banker. They would if possible move heaven and earth, if by so doing they could prevent us from having a credit — which was reduced to circulation form. We met these attacks from Thompson down to the various scribblers who have showed their hand to the Chicago public and we shall continue to meet them without any nearer approach to person- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 149 ality than self-defense demands. I showed that Thompson had Virginia bonds to sell, which cost him 97 y2 cents on the dollar and which by the power of his Reporter he had raised to 100 and 112; and that every $50,000 bank which bought stocks of him was worth $5,000 to $7,000 to him. I showed that this was the real founda tion for his attack upon the Merchants and Mechanics bank, as well as upon our own. I showed that he had had about one circular and had laid himself open to wicked and malicious libel. I also showed that bankers in this city or elsewhere who raised the hue and cry to put us down were acting upon false pretenses and that they were only influenced by a knowledge that competition in banking like competition in anything else would reduce rates. I told the people that this talk about 'care for their safety' by men whose hands were reeking with the blood of bastard 'wild cats' was a pretense — a sham — and that we, organized under the law, had a legal right to make an issue — our capital backed by integrity with capacity to manage our business well. All this we said in self-defense, and now we ask a discerning public to decide." — (Seth Paine in Democrat, Decem ber, 1852.) "Specie Payments. — The time has now come when all the banking institutions of our city should keep up the appearance of honesty. It is to the disgrace of our city that she alone of all the cities in the Union has not a specie basis for her currency. This, however, is not so much the fault of the bankers as of the people. It is expected that bankers will exact always all that the people will tolerate. The bankers will keep on grinding the noses of the people until they learn that it is time to stop. The people are now beginning to complain. They know of no reason why a dollar should be used up in passing through a broker's hands one hundred times. They know of no reason why a man who pays out a bill of $1 should not receive it back as such. The people are becoming very much ex cited upon this subject and we would excite them more if we could. The least a banker loans money for to any of our best citizens is 1 per cent, a month. Now this affords profit enough without using an inferior currency. We have talked with our bankers upon this subject. Each alone is ready for specie payments. But each one is afraid of his rivals. Each is afraid that if he pays specie, some of his rivals will make a run upon him. There is a way to obviate all this. Let there be a common day to all. Let our board of trade take hold of the matter. Our Legislature should take hold of the subject. It is in its power to stop all illegal banking in our city. The Marine bank is paying specie now and several of the other bankers have authorized us to say that they are ready and willing to begin whenever any day shall be generally agreed upon." — (Dem ocrat, May 6, 1852.) Early in 1852, the Merchants and Mechanics bank, at the head of which was Levi D. Boone, president, and Stephen Bronson, Jr., 150 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY cashier, removed from 5 Clark street to 7, Tremont block. Early in May, 1852, Forrest, Brothers & Co. established a new bank here. At this time also Bradley Curtis & Co. began banking operations and in a short time their one-dollar bills were counter feited extensively. The Southwestern Plank Road company did a banking business in 1852 under the name of Commercial Bank of Chicago. The capital of the Chicago Marine bank was $50,000; Merchants & Mechanics, $100,000; Commercial Bank of Chicago-, $52,000; City Bank of Chicago, $50,000; Marine Bank of Chicago, No. 2, $500,000; Bank of North America, $1,000,000. George Smith had been connected with the old Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company bank, but in 1852 began operations independ ently under the new banking law- of the State. He began business as the Bank of North America, Nearly all of the old private bank ers began operations under the new banking law as soon as it came into effect. In August, 1852, there was considerable complaint that the cer tificates of deposit of the Merchants & Mechanics bank were thought by many people to be counterfeits and were refused in business transactions. The bank accordingly announced publicly that the certificates were not counterfeits, but were genuine and good. An drew J. Brown was president of the Marine bank ; Henry L. For rest and Thomas L. Forrest joint cashiers. The Forrest brothers had a private banking business under the name of Forrest, Brothers & Co. The bank of Seth Paine & Co. was in the old post office build ing on Clark street. The newspapers of that date stated that the Chicago bankers refused to redeem their own torn bills. Thomas Burch was president of the Chicago Bank and T. H. Burch cashier. They had a nominal capital of $1,000,000. Mr. Burch had previ ously been in business with W. L. Newberry. Seth Paine was presi dent of the Bank of Chicago and W. T. Miner cashier. In October, 1852, Illinois Internal Improvement 6 per cent, bonds of 1847 were worth in New York 83 cents. Other Illinois Internal Improvement 6 per cent, bonds were worth 55 cents. Chicago 6 per cent, bonds due in 1876, were worth 98^4 cents. Galena & Chicago railway bonds of 1856 were worth $1.18 and its bonds of 1862 were worth 94 cents. , During 1852 the subjects of credit, capital and banking were thoroughly discussed here by the newspapers. It was an important topic and numerous articles from the citizens were published in the papers. At this time there came on what was called "The bank war." It was due to the fact that irregular or illegal banks had a better opportunity to make money than those which were organized under the State bank law and adhered strictly to its provisions. They could issue money, receive deposits and at the same time do a shaving, brokerage business and could carry wild-cat financial mat ters to extremes. On the other hand the prudent regular banks HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 151 were somewhat restricted in their operations and hence lost much of the business which went to the irregular banks. The regular banks accordingly demanded that such a change in the law should be made as would drive the irregular bankers out of business. "Bank of Chicago. — This institution has determined upon issu ing certificates of deposit and issues are now out, which for artistic skill and beauty of finish are not exceeded by any bills we have seen. On the right of the ones is a beautifully executed portrait of Senator Douglas ; on the right of the twos is Washington crossing the Delaware; on the threes a fine portrait of Henry Clay." — (Dem ocrat, 1852.) The Marine Bank of Chicago was organized January 13, 1852, with a capital of $50,000. The Merchants & Mechanics Bank of Chicago was organized December 7, 1851, with a capital of $100,- 000. In 1852 the Farmers' bank at 100 Randolph street was estab lished by Charles Brothers & Co. About the same time F. G. Adams opened a brokerage and exchange office at 44 Clark street. Under the banking law of 1852 money became very abundant and accordingly people experienced better times. Mr. Wentworth and other Jacksonians had predicted all sorts of disasters succeeding the passage of the law. Accordingly his papers of that date contain numerous sarcastic and critical allusions to the State banking law in particular and to every banking law in general. He had not recov ered from his hostility to all banking systems. The prosperity suc ceeding the passage of the State banking law occasioned him great surprise. He still continued to criticize and predicted that before long there would be as much trouble with the new system as there had been before without any system. The prosperity was so great that Illinois stocks, in fact all stocks, increased greatly in value. Money was so abundant that business men engaged in all sorts of speculation. They had no trouble to get money from the banks at reasonable interest and hence there succeeded an era of unusual business prosperity and speculation. Sheldon's Bank Note Detector stated in December, 1852, that there were on Clark street over twenty bankers and banking houses the most of which issued their own bills. In fact several fake banks were started about this time. One of them was called the Fusiliers' Bank of Chicago. Interest at this date was usually 10 per cent. People found it so easy to get money that they speculated— largely in real estate. The people of this city believed that they could do nothing better with their surplus than to put it into Chicago prop erty. The papers of this date declared that real estate speculation was greater here than at any time since 1836. Everybody noted the difference between the condition of financial affairs at this date and what it had been but two or three years before. Late in the forties money was hard to get ; was scarce and much of it was worth less. Under the new law everybody had money; the banks were 152 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY literally overflowing with it, so that business men found no diffi culty in securing all they wanted, such as it was, not only for legiti mate purposes but for speculation as well. People invested exten sively in stocks of all kinds at this date. In fact holders of stocks which a few years before were considered absolutely worthless brought them out, dusted them off and found a ready sale for them at comparatively good prices. There was one complaint at this date — exchange on New York was too high. It was usually about 2 per cent, premium. Business men argued that it should not be over 1 per cent, and that y2 of 1 per cent, was nearer the proper figure. In December, 1852, several so-called banking houses were indicted for issuing shinplasters. The banks organized under the State bank ing law were called security banks; all others were called irregular banks. The latter had no right to issue money, but they managed to do so by evading the law. It was their custom to use every arti fice to depreciate the value of the bills issued by banks organized under the State law. When the price was sufficiently reduced they would purchase all they could get, take them to the bank which had issued them and demand specie in exchange for them. In 1852 Seth Paine began to issue a magazine named the Chris tian Banker. This periodical called out sarcastic comments from the newspapers. The Democratic Press said : "As to the system of wild-cat bank it is established to support, please take notice we look to the Legislature to clap a summary extinguisher upon it among its earliest acts. The prospectus of the magazine is a curiosity and well worth preserving as a souvenir of the times." Upon accepting the presidency of the Bank of Chicago, Ira B. Eddy made the following public announcement: "Its mission is a great one — no less than to assist directly in lifting up and bringing forth to the light the now dormant energies of the mechanics and common people, so-called, to the knowledge of their own power and position of strength. The people have been crushed by the aristoc racy of the money power and with money and a union bank now guided by the spirit of the Almighty in heaven the fiat has now gone forth that time with the wicked shall be no longer. We begin small, very small, but like all beginnings with the people we now with God's blessing start the work." The Democratic Press of January 14, 1853, said : "The Christian Banker. — The second number of this paper appeared yesterday. We have read it with attention. It certainly is a curiosity in its way.. Such a strange mixture of assumed benevolence and ma lignity, sanctity and slander, we have seldom seen. Give it a clear track for it must have its way." Early in 1853 a change came over the financial situation in the West ; money grew scarce. It was seen that speculation and plenty of money was certain to bring about reaction and that moment had arrived. Bankers began to exercise caution; speculators were de- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 153 clined loans; and in a short time banks refused to discount the best paper. There was no excitement, but trouble was in the air. At this time also a strong movement to drive out shinplasters was made. The Legislature was petitioned to pass a law that would prevent all illegal banking in the State. People were tired of wild-cat money. It was a time when all illegal bankers became alarmed lest their business should be taken from them. One of the newspapers said : "The cats are lying low and looking wild." Among the most con spicuous of the illegal institutions was the "Spiritual Bank" of Paine and Eddy. On one occasion when an officer of this bank refused to redeem its bills when presented by its enemies, a crowd gathered to which Mr. Paine made a speech, promising that the bills would be duly honored. A little later Ira B. Eddy of this bank was placed on trial and was found to be insane by a jury. Mr. Paine later met the same fate after several trials. It was a war to the finish be tween the security banks and the wild-cat concerns. One of the newspapers said, "It is the impression here that there is not a hole for the smallest kind of an animal to crawl through and that the days of the cats are numbered." It was charged and generally believed that both Paine and Eddy had been made insane over spir itualism. That was the era when spiritualism in the United States made its first great advancement It seemed to pass in a convulsive wave over the whole country. Slate writing, rapping, etc., were the order of the hour. Seances and public exhibitions generally capped the climax of superstition and folly. Messrs. Paine and Eddy were so influenced by the manifestations that seances were held in the rear room of their bank. Thus the institution was properly dubbed "Spiritual Bank." But Paine and Eddy were not the only wild-cat bankers. There were more than a dozen such establishments here and all prospered in spite of the law. They made no attempt to se cure their issues. It was not necessary, because people accepted their money if issued by an institution back of which there were reputable men or men who were supposed to be reputable. In January, 1853, the legitimate or standard stock security banks numbered about a dozen. The bills of these banks were at par with the best current funds. "Shinplaster banks," as they were called, were conducted by I. H. Burch & Co., Bradley, Curtiss & Co. and a dozen others. It was about this time that the security banks began to throw out of circulation the bills of all banks that were not properly secured. The old bank-war movement was one to obtain better security for bank issues. The Democratic Press of February 26, 1853, said, "The banks have been alarmed ; the public has been excited ; there appears to be an underlayer of spite or ill will towards banks and banking in this city." This statement repre sents the actual condition in Chicago at that date. No doubt Mr. Wentworth was in a measure responsible for this state of public opinion. Eor years he had been one of the leaders of public opinion, 154 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY not only as Congressman, but as the editor of his newspaper here. Thousands of the best citizens had imbibed his financial policies which were founded upon the Jacksonian hostility to the United States bank. Mr. Wentworth scarcely ever had a kind word to say concerning any banking institution. There can be no doubt that in a large measure he was responsible for the hostility shown in this community to all banking enterprises. Credit, the basis of modern business transactions, was daily damaged by his philippics. But Wentworth was not alone in the hostility shown to the banks. Many others here had likewise accepted the banking policy, or rather the no-bank policy, of Jackson and Van Buren. Early in 1853 an effort to establish a bank with an immense capital was undertaken here. It was designed to form an institu tion in which all of the best citizens would own stock. The capital was fixed at $2,000,000 and the bank was to be known as the Metro politan. It did not materialize. The abuse of banks was so sharp at this date that all banks and all bank issues were regarded with suspicion. Sound institutions suffered unjustly from this suspicion. Solvent banks which were thus suspected had their money returned to them for redemption. Brokers were in ecstasies. To them the times were bright and auspicious. There were in circulation here bills worth all degrees of discount and premium. It was the custom of brokers and had been for years to run down the value of good bank issues in order to buy the same at a small figure so that they could secure par from the banks of issue. In April, 1853, the bills of the Merchants and Mechanics bank were at 1 per cent, discount; the same of the banks of I. H. Burch and Bradley, Curtiss & Co. The certificates of deposit of the Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance company, which circulated as money, were thus likewise at 1 per cent, dis count. "Money remains close in the city. The banks are in a safe con dition and are determined to incur no risks by extending the line of their discounts beyond the smallest amount that will accommo date their customers." — (Democratic Press, March 21, 1853.) "There is decidedly a better feeling in Clark street. Advices from the Eastern cities are favorable and it is confidently believed that the crisis is past and we have better times ahead. The people have not generally felt the pressure as yet, and we doubt whether they will. It is the opinion that the closeness was caused in part by the brokers of New York who wished to create a crisis in order to secure higher rates of interest. The rates of interest at the banks are as usual and the brokers are supplying their customers at 10 and 12 per cent. In the streets the rate is 2 per cent, a month and we think something more has been paid during the month." — (Democratic Press, April 5, 1853.) "We note a remarkable degree of carefulness, not only among HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 155 bankers and brokers, but also among those engaged in street opera tions, to guard against a speculative spirit." — (Democratic Press, April 11, 1853.) "All our bankers are doing a good business A fact of great importance to the development of the resources of Illinois is the entire confidence felt by the East in our railroad securities." — (Democratic Press, June 20, 1853.) Outside small bank bills were very bad during the- summer of 1853, so banks here posted up this notice : "On and after the first of August, 1853, no bills under $5, except those of the banks of this State, and no circulation prohibited by law, will be received on deposit or in payment at this office." "Here we have the death knell of all shinplasters and the cer tainty of a legalized currency amply secured in its stead. The public have abundant reason for thankfulness that they have escaped from the reign of such a currency with so little loss. Our general bank ing law was universally condemned by our 'generous confidence' financiers, and it was said that no one could or would do a banking business under it; but we think that experience has shown that all such fears were groundless. In the short space of a few months a large number of banks have come into existence and are doing a successful business." — (Democratic Press, July 23, 1853.) "The law was wise, as it gave all persons full time to get rid of foreign small bills and was intended to drive out all wild-cat issues," said the Democratic Press. "The merchants of this city alone have been shaved by this wild cat currency to an extent of probably not less than $100,000 per annum. If all persons are prohibited from paying small bills of foreign banks, they must use specie or small bills that are convertible into specie here." — (Democratic Press, August 2, 1853.) "The small bill law has gone into operation since our last issue. So far as we can learn there is a general disposition to obey it, and sometimes much vexation, inconvenience and trouble ensue. Our banks we believe, with a single exception perhaps, vote it a nuisance, and if we mistake not it is so regarded by the people generally. We predict its early repeal at the next legislature. The shinplasters have most happily made their exit, we hope never to return. We presume the few stragglers still in the hands of the people will be redeemed. While we rejoice at their departure, we would speak of them with due respect, for they have served a most important purpose in the development of the West. The Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insur ance company name is to appear no more on every other bill you meet. Though it has always been a financial nondescript, there can be no doubt as to the facilities it has afforded to the business com munity of Chicago and the people of the Northwest generally." — (Democratic Press, August 8, 1853.) By the act of August 1, 1853, a supplemental law to the banking 156 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY act was passed, to the effect that no persons could become incorpor ated under said act until they should first have deposited with the State auditor United States or State stocks so that its capital stock would amount to the sum of $50,000. No persons could emit money "other than the bills or notes of banks of this State." "At this season for the last four years money has always been close in this city. The canal sales are to take place next week and will absorb all the spare means in the hands of our citizens. This money of a very large amount is sent forward to New York to pay the canal bondholders. We hope the canal trustees will sell all out at once. The system heretofore pursued of their bidding against buyers is execrable and we have good reason to believe cannot be justified before a judicial tribunal. If they sell all the lands in their hands, as it is thought they are legally bound to do, three years will wipe out all these payments and we shall have no such drains as now to cripple our energies." — (Democratic Press, May 7, 1853.) "The Christian Banker has again made its appearance. Since its long 'nap' many of the spirits have apparently been cast out, as it is far less extravagant than when first issued. Where is the Christian Shoemaker? Will it not listen for one encouraging rap?" — (Demo cratic Press, May 14, 1853.) "Money is close as we expected. The land sales have closed and after a few weeks we may expect easier times. The amount of the sales is nearly $1,000,000. The first payment is $200,000. It was a fact remarked by everyone that a majority of the purchases were made by our citizens. However, the feeling in Clark street is buoy ant." — (Democratic Press, May 14, 1853.) "The small bill law has partially become a dead letter. So far as our information extends nobody pretends to regard it. Even the precaution at first used by the banks to receive them from depositors 'for collection' is no longer taken and the small bills of all good1 banks circulate about as freely as ever. We doubt whether the very executors of the law have not violated it repeatedly. Brokers charge from 2 to 4 per cent, a month; regular rates 10 per cent, per an num." — (Democratic Press, September 12, 1853.) "The money market continues very close. Short produce paper is taken at the banks, but outside operators find it exceedingly diffi cult to obtain accommodations. All speculation paper is virtually rejected, and no money can be had on it except at ruinous rates. Some of the brokers are discounting at 2 per cent, a month, and 3 and 5 per cent, have been offered. The general business of the city is, however, in a healthy condition." — (Democratic Press, Septem ber, 1853.) ¦ ¦• : *!$«| "The money market is tight, very tight. The pressure is, we be lieve, as for some months past, confined mainly to the banks and monied men, as the people have more actual cash in hand than for years previous."— (Democratic Press, October 24, 1853.) ~^z}^£A^ou HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 159 The law of 1853 discriminated against the small bills of banks outside of Illinois. The object was to drive from the State all shin plasters, and time until August 1, 1853 was given, so that no hard ship would result. The shave on the small foreign bills had been enormous. "The merchants of this city alone have been shaved by this wild-cat currency to an extent probably of not less than $100,- 000 per annum. If all persons should be prohibited from paying small bills of foreign banks, they must pay specie or small bills that are convertible into specie here." — (Democratic Press, August 2, 1853.) In the fall of 1853 Chicago business men demanded more bank capital. The city had grown so enormously that notwithstanding the fact that the banks also had increased in numbers there was still felt a serious lack in ready money. It should be noted that at the time the new banking law took effect on August 1, 1853, every newspaper of the city refused thereafter to insert any notices or ad vertisements from the shinplaster banks. In August all the security banks of the city united and sorted out all outside shinplasters and rated them accordingly to what they seemed worth. The Marine bank issued $50,000 in small bills. The Union bank also issued bills of small denomination. The Farmers' bank went into operation in September, 1853. The hard times began to be manifested here by October and No vember, 1853. The stringency became so great that a severe hard ship was entailed upon commercial transactions. The banks were extremely cautious and in some instances refused to grant any dis counts whatever. Men that received favors considered themselves extremely fortunate. The sound banks organized under the State law were called "Illinois Stock Security Banks." Paul B. Ring was president of the Farmers' bank and C. H. Chan cashier. They issued bills of the denominations of $1, $2, and $5. A genuine bank scare or panic was seriously threatened by the last of Septem ber. At this date several counterfeiters were caught in the toils in this city. They had counterfeited bills of Chicago banks and also of several outside institutions. In February, 1854, money was exceedingly scarce. At this time the Merchants and Mechanics bank added $100,000 to its capital. The new Phoenix bank, with L,. Reynolds president and N. C. Coe cashier, began business about this date. Its capital was $50,000. It issued $1, $2, $3 and $5 bills. The Commercial Exchange company, at the corner of Clark and Randolph streets, began business about this time with Henry Moore as president. The banking hours in early times extended from 9 o'clock in the morning till 4 o'clock in the afternoon; but early in the '50s the time was changed to 10 o'clock in the morning till 3 o'clock in the afternoon. The bank ers unitedly desired to go back to the former time, but were opposed by their clerks. In 1854 the following bankers were in operation Vol. II—10. 160 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY here : Commercial Exchange, F. Granger Adams, J. M. Adsit, Ma rine Bank, George Smith & Co., Chicago Exchange Bank, Phoenix Bank, Farmers' Bank, I. H. Burch & Co., R. K. Swift & Co., E. H. Huntington & Co., Merchants and Mechanics bank, Union Bank, Bradley, Curtiss & Co., and others. Notwithstanding that money was exceedingly scarce, business in the spring of 1854 was very brisk. The banks were cautious, but business men managed to secure loans at reasonable rates. The $5 bills of the Phoenix bank were counterfeited quite extensively in 1854. Late in this year there was a sharp panic in financial affairs. The trouble arose over the Indiana free bank bills. Brokers ran them down and then bought them in large quantities for from 50 cents to 75 cents on the $1. Everybody who held them unwittingly sacrificed and the brokers profited thereby. The excitement and panic unjustly extended to the sound Indiana Stock bank, the bills of which were run down by brokers as much as 25 per cent, discount. Within a few months the bills of the Indiana free banks were wholly driven out of this community. In different parts of the country the same conditions prevailed. The panic resulted from the determina tion of security banks to drive out all shinplaster issues. The first serious result of the panic here was the failure of the Merchants and Mechanics bank, which did not open its doors on November 13. The officers claimed it was in good condition and issued a statement that they would resume business in a short time. On November 14 the City and Union banks both failed. At this date there were large runs on both of the banks. The citizens became panic-stricken and sacrificed their bills unreasonably and pandemonium reigned in commercial and banking circles. In order to check the panic so far as possible, a number of Chicago business men publicly announced that they would receive the bills of the Chicago stock banks at par. This announcement was signed by hundreds of the best business men. By November 17 the panic had almost wholly subsided. At this time N. C. Coe & Co. announced that the Phoenix bank would continue business as N. C. Coe & Co. Of course the runs on the banks were due to the fact that the banks themselves were unable on short notice to redeem their bills in coin. Brokers took advantage of this state of affairs to run down such bills to as low a figure as possible in order to buy them and later compel the bankers to re deem them at par. In December, 1854, the Merchants and Me chanics bank resumed business. Dr. Boone, who had been its pres ident, resigned and Hon. James H. Woodworth succeeded him as president. The ' prominence of Mr. Woodworth as Congressman and his known high character as a man seemed to promise excellent conduct for the new concern. "Three years ago there was not a legitimate banking establish ment in the whole State of Illinois. Gold and silver were scarce and most of our currency consisted of small notes on Eastern banks. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 161 Notes of a higher denomination than Is, 2s and 3s seldom found their way to the inland portion of the State. We have now twenty- nine banks, all working under the general banking law of the State, which provides that the proprietors of each banking establishment issuing notes shall deposit with the auditor of the State United States stocks to the amount of their issue." — (Democratic Press, January 14, 1854.) The new State banking law as passed was modeled after that of New York. By January, 1854, the following banks had been organ ized under it : Banks. Bills in Circulation. Exchange bank $ 50,000 Marine bank 215,000 Bank of America 50,000 Chicago bank 150,000 Commercial bank 55,000 Farmers' bank 50,000 Union bank 75,000 Merchants and Mechanics bank 54,700 City bank 60,000 Total $759,700 "There has been a perfect panic during the week in reference to the Indiana free banks. The city and the surrounding country seem to have been flooded with their bills, and as the brokers have pur chased them at from 50 to 75 cents on the dollar and have had all they could do at that, large amounts must have been sacrificed. The trouble with this money seems to be the impossibility of converting it into coin or even into current bills or exchange. The only safe course is to refuse them entirely. Money has been excessively close during the past week. Indeed, it has been almost impossible to borrow on any terms." — (Democratic Press, October 23, 1854.) "Although our merchants have done a large and profitable busi ness, and capital within the last five years has been rapidly accumu lating at this point, the increase has borne no sort of proportion to the rapidly increasing commerce of the city. Our commercial and manufacturing interests have doubled within the last two years. This large increase of business is due mainly to the extension of our railroads in all directions, and the consequent rapid filling up and sudden development of the resources of the country through which they pass. They have brought an amount of business to the city for which the most sanguine were not prepared, and the demands of which very few had the capital to meet. This scarcity of capital is the origin of the deranged state of our currency which every business man now feels most sensibly. For this reason the Indiana free banks have been able to flood the city and the State with their paper issues. It is utterly impossible for our own bankers to meet the wants of our business men." — (Democratic Press, October 25. 1854.) 162 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY November 30, 1854. Banks. Had in Circulation. Merchants and Mechanics bank $ 58,700 Marine bank 158,901 The City bank 50,000 The Chicago bank 125,081 Commercial bank 54,998 The Bank of America 50,000 The Union bank ' 74,993 Exchange bank 49,995 The Phcenix bank 50,000 The Farmers' bank 50,000 The most of the securities deposited by these banks to secure their' circulation were Virginia and Missouri State stocks at par, Illinois new Internal Improvement stock deposited at 50 per cent., Illinois new Internal Improvement certificates, and Illinois and Michigan canal stocks deposited at 50 per cent. In December, 1854, Thomas H. Noble, a teller in the office of George Smith & Co., became defaulter for about $9,000. In De cember, 1854, while money was close, business was prosperous and there was general confidence in the future. The Farmers' bank had failed and the three banks — City, Farmers' and Phoenix — were still closed late in December, 1854. During the winter of 1854-5, as might have been expected, many workmen were thrown out of employment. The city did everything in its power to relieve them in their distress. Extra shifts of workmen were put at various jobs, such as cleaning the streets, etc. Late in December, 1854, the bills of the City, Farmers', Phcenix and Union banks were quoted at 25 per cent, discount. The City bank had been conducted by Bradley, Curtiss & Co. and the Union Bank by Forrest, Brothers & Co. Sev eral small private banks failed here during the fall and winter. In January, 1855, Mark Skinner, receiver, was occupied in winding up the affairs of the City, Union, Phcenix and Farmers' banks. It was claimed that the bank commissioners failed in their duty by not taking immediate posession of those banks as soon as failure was announced. It was pointed out that these banks left to themselves had managed to absorb and conceal what resources they had left, to the injury of their creditors. In the month of January, 1855, there were many business failures throughout the country. The failure of Wadsworth & Sheldon, of New York City, for about $2,500,000 involved the Exchange Bank of Chicago and other busi ness institutions here. In January, 1855, J. H. Kedzie opened a banking house at 24 Clark street. At this time J. C. Barbour was conducting a banking and exchange office at 42 Clark street. He had previously been a cashier in the Marine bank. In March, 1855, E. I. Tinkham opened a banking establishment. He had previously been connected with George Smith & Co. and had been cashier of the Marine bank. Early in 1855 the State auditor was authorized to exchange the security of the suspended banks here (City, Union, HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 163 Farmers' and Phcenix) for their notes at par. About the year 1855 the custom of paying interest on deposits was introduced here gen erally. The Democratic Press argued against the custom, saying, "It is borrowing money when the real function of banking is to loan." , In April, 1855, the bills of the ten security banks here were all at par. J. M. Adsit offered from J4 of 1 per cent, premium for the sus pended bank bills. He did this because the State auditor was then redeeming those bills with gold. J. C. Barbour made the same offer. About this time Morford Brothers began banking here. They were located at Clark and Lake streets. One of the brothers had been connected with the F. Granger Adams banking house for two years. "Business in this city is brisk and the demand for money very active. The banks are supplying their customers on short time for strictly business purposes at the legal rates, viz. : ten per cent." — (Democratic Press, September 18, 1854.) "Just now financial prospects look decidedly squally. The banks of the city have shut down on their best customers and of course it is hardly possible to borrow money on any terms. Collections come in very slowly and some are utterly unable to pay though worth thousands of dollars. How long is this state of things to continue ? Are we to have a financial crisis, or will this squall blow over in a week or two?" — (Democratic Press, October 25, 1854.) "Money is, if possible, closer than ever. We doubt whether there has been a note discounted in Clark street during the past week. Of course money is not to be had." — (Democratic Press, October 30, 1854.) "The banks have again stopped discounting, and of course money is not to be had except in small amounts by 'the people who happen to get in'." — (Democratic Press, November 13, 1854.) Among the banking establishments here in June, 1855, were the following: G. C. Whitney & Sons, Exchange Bank of America, Chicago, Merchants and Mechanics, Commercial, City, Marine, Farmers', Union, Henry and Elias Greenebaum, Gwynne, Day & Co., Morford Brothers, Officer & Brothers. At this time the bills of the Phcenix, City, Farmers', Union and Marine banks were at a slight discount. All the other stock banks were at par. The war against shinplaster issues was continued during 1855 with unabated vigor and intensity. The security banks and the best element among the business men made every effort to drive out the wild-cat issue and in a large measure succeeded. Brokers acting in their own interests aided them in the attempt to depreciate the value of shinplaster currency. The brokers carried the matter so far that a financial panic was threatened and was narrowly averted. At this time the regular rate of interest was 10 per cent., but brokers charged from 2 to 5 per cent, a month. At this time a concerted attack upon Smith's Georgia banks was made by the security banks ; 164 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY but the newspapers spoke well of the institution managed by Mr. Smith, notwithstanding the fact that his issues were shinplasters. It was alleged that Smith's Georgia banks had issued an immense quantity of unsecured bills and that his bank in Chicago had under taken to float them in this community and had largely succeeded. Many declared that in a short time these banks themselves would fail and the money they had issued not being secured would prove worthless. Late in December 109 business men and houses signed a call "to aid in suppressing and driving out of circulation all Geor gia and Tennessee money." This was the culmination of the attack upon the issues of George Smith & Co. Mr. Smith was the owner of the Interior and Atlanta banks of Georgia. H. A. Tucker & Co. of Chicago owned the Merchants Bank of Macon, Ga., I. H. Burch & Co. owned the La Grange Bank of Georgia and the Mer chants and Mechanics Bank of Chicago owned the Cherokee Insur ance company of Dolton, Ga. It was believed that these banks in a short time would fail and that their issues would become worthless, and that as Cook county was flooded with their bills the result here might be disastrous to business calculations. "We have nothing new from our suspended banks. They adopt the 'mum' policy for reasons of course best known to themselves. Their bill holders are becoming impatient." — (Democratic Press, January 1, 1855.) "We have to note a further improvement in most of the Illinois suspended banks. They are now purchased at only 5 per cent, dis count by our principal brokers. This fact shows the excellence of our banking system and speaks volumes in its favor." — (Press, March 26, 1855.) "Business of all kinds is active and consequently the demands upon our bankers are large. Currency is very scarce and probably must continue so for a short time longer What Chica go most needs is capital and men to do the business that is con stantly pouring in upon her like a mighty avalanche." — (Daily Press, April 7, 1855.) The Legislature in February, 1855, passed a law "to allow the auditor to give up the bonds of the suspended banks to the bill hold ers. This will greatly relieve our brokers and business men." — (Daily Press, February 19, 1855.) The business men of Chicago met in the rooms of the Board of Trade January 6, 1855, "to consult upon ways and means to do away with the circulation of illegitimate bank notes, and to secure such new laws and amendments to the present banking law as will secure for this city and State a sound (banking) currency, con vertible into exchange at fair cost, and at the same time afford ample remuneration to the banker and the investment of capital in bank ing." Resolutions to this effect and directed to the Legislature were adopted. Present : B. W. Raymond, J. H. Reed, J. H. Dunham, HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 165 James A. Smith, M. D. Gilman, J. C. Williams, Nelson Tuttle, Aaron Haven, E. Baker, and W. A. Baldwin. Mr. Raymond was elected chairman of the meeting. "With all the run on the banks of George Smith & Co. no man, so far as we have been able to learn, doubts their solvency for a mo ment ; indeed the class of business done by this firm renders it almost impossible to affect their credit in the least. It is known to every one who has any knowledge of their mode of doing business that they never touch any paper which is not above suspicion, hence they make no losses. Men who are not perfectly good, who do not meet their notes promptly, can get no accommodation of them. Hence the bitterness and malignity manifested against them in certain quarters." — (Daily Press, October 6, 1855.) "The tricks to which those who are endeavoring to produce finan cial crisis in the West are ready to resort are sufficiently mean and contemptible. Certain wire pullers were determined to pass at the State fair a series of resolutions which they desired to publish as coming from the farmers of the State, condemning in strong lan guage the issues of George Smith & Co. and the other banks in Georgia which are owned by parties in this city. Accordingly a few got together, passed the resolutions in course, and harangued the crowd on the importance of the Industrial League. As to the At lanta and Interior banks we have never heard any. well-informed business man express the opinion that all the enemies of George Smith & Co. put together had power enough to break them. In deed they don't expect it. They hope simply to cripple them and buy their notes at a heavy discount." — (Daily Press, October 16, 1855.) "Chicago, November 17, 1855. "Sir — The undersigned bankers in Chicago respectfully invite your institution to unite with us in carrying into effect an arrange ment whereby all the banks in this State shall provide for the redemption of their notes in gold at their place of issue, and in Chi cago or St. Louis by a responsible agent, upon the following terms : At St. Louis in specie funds and at Chicago in sight exchange on New York at the usual rate among bankers. The object is to dis criminate between banks of substantial capital and those of issue merely having little or no means beyond the stocks deposited with the auditor of State, and also that a prompt and reliable' redemption may be obtained when desired. Banks'* desiring to participate in this arrangement may signify it to either of the undersigned and by giving continual public notice through their agents in St. Louis or Chicago according to the places they may select. The notes of any bank declining to redeem as aforesaid will not be treated as cur rency after the 30th inst. It is understood that bankers presenting notes for redemption shall receive in return their own notes or those they may be interested in circulating." This was signed by George Smith & Co. ; E. W. Willard, cashier 166 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Bank of America; B. F. Carver, cashier Marine bank and secretary of Chicago Marine and Fire Insurance Company; H. A. Tucker & Co. ; I. H. Burch & Co. by I. H. Burch, cashier Chicago bank ; A. Gilbert, cashier Commercial bank and secretary of Commercial Exchange Company ; Francis A. Hoffman ; Officer & Brother ; Ed ward I. Tinkham & Co. At the time this circular was issued the Press bitterly denounced it as a measure originated by the wild-cats and calculated to injure and cripple the stock-secured banks. "For fifteen years George Smith was the only banker in the city. His currency was the Milwaukee Marine and Eire Insurance com pany's wild-cat bills. The last four or five years he has been the principal and largest banker in the city and has furnished a circu lation in the main for all this city and region. No man has ever lost a dollar by his failure or refusal to redeem the circulation he put forth."— (Daily Press, December 27, 1855.) "We have observed with regret an effort on the part of some of our newspapers and brokers, as well as of people at a distance, to discredit and render useless the currency upon which this city has mainly relied and used in the various transactions of business." — (Daily Press, January 5, 1856.) "The money market for the past week has been quite stringent, and bankers have been discounting to a very small extent. Our mer chants generally are in a very flourishing condition and quite inde pendent of bank assistance. We hear of South Water and Lake street merchants buying up their own paper, and we know of some of them taking funds to New York to buy up all their paper that can be had on advantageous terms and may be bought in that city. This speaks volumes for the responsibility of our Chicago men, and should inspire great confidence in their ability, and no doubt will rather surprise those gentlemen who have been preaching panic, ruin and bankruptcy to the traders of this city. Speculators are very short of funds. Bankers are discounting very sparingly. Brokers are buying first-class business papers at 2 per cent, per month. Currency is in fair supply, with very little Georgia in cir culation. Brokers are not now sorting many of the bills of country banks to draw coin on them, as the abundant supply of gold and exchange prevents it being so profitable as heretofore. We have therefore a large amount of our own State money now in circula tion. The discrediting of Georgia and Tennessee money after the 15th inst. will not alter the money market; bankers' rates are 10 per cent, for thirty days ; brokers' rates are 20 to 24 per cent, payable in sixty to ninetv davs."— (J. K. Swift Johnson & Co. in Daily News, January 3, 1856.) The most noticeable fact connected with the banking interests of the city during the '50s was the enormous increase in the amount of business done. The banking business in reality increased during HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 167 that period at a greater ratio than did the growth in population. The number of active banking institutions quadrupled. Busi ness men were overwhelmed with orders for goods and they in turn so overwhelmed the banks that the latter greatly increased their capital. In 1856 the leading banking establishments were as fol lows : Officer & Brothers ; Wheeler, Bunker & Co. ; Gwynne, Day & Co. ; Brewster, Hay & Co. ; Hoffman & Gelpcke ; R. K. Swift Johnston & Co. ; Wadsworth & Hitz ; Greenebaum Brothers ; E. Aiken; Strong & Wiley; Morford Brothers; T. C. Barbour; E. R. Hinckley & Co. ; Cotes, Dyhrenfurth & Co. ; Davisson, McCalla & Co.; G. C. Whitney & Son; E. I. Tinkham & Co.; I. H. Burch; George Smith & Co., and Gurley & Farlin. During the summer of 1856 money was extremely tight, owing to the condition of affairs in the East as well as to the lack of suffi cient banking capital here to meet business requirements. In Au gust, 1856, the Board of Trade took action to improve the banking law of the State. Thomas Richmond was at the head of this move ment. This course was rendered necessary by the fact that illegiti mate banking was extensively conducted by evasion of the pew banking law and business men were at the mercy of brokers. "We notice that the banking business in this city is increasing in an immense ratio. A great deal of capital is coming in here. We hear of one gentleman from Scotland who has invested half a mil lion of dollars. To give an idea of the immense business in money done in this city we mention that one house — the Marine bank — in this city pays out from $350,000 to $400,000 on checks daily. Tak ing the whole of our banking houses the amount of money turned daily must be very large." — (Daily Democrat, October 14, 1856.) In October, 1856, brokers and owners of stock effected an organ ization to protect their mutual interests with Buckner S. Morris as president and George T. Pearson as secretary and treasurer. In November, 1856, exchange on New York was quoted at \y per cent, premium. Late in the fall of 1856 and early in 1857, financiers here predicted serious trouble in business affairs. "Before this (banking) law was passed, we had none before George Smith & Co., H. T. Tucker & Co., and I. H. Burch & Co., men of unquestionable integrity, commanding an immense capital, and for many years known to the public as shrewd and far-seeing bankers, who established banks in other States, in every respect legal and legitimate institutions, and from the entire confidence which the people had in their financial skill and abundant wealth they secured for their issues a wide circulation. They used the bills of banks located in another State (Georgia), but made themselves personally responsible. These bills were in circulation when our general bank ing law was passed. We regarded the Georgia system as temporary, and one that could in a few years, when our own law was perfected, 168 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY be gradually abandoned. It was regarded by its bitterest enemies as perfectly safe. When the bank war raged two years ago, they were approved by our largest and wisest business men. But as soon as the brokers had time to scan our general banking law, they in augurated an organized and persistent war against our Georgia bankers. Their bills were sent home by hundreds of thousands of dollars, but they were all promptly redeemed in exchange or coin. Months passed on and the Georgia currency was mainly withdrawn and the sharpers and stock jobbers were left in an open field for their schemes of chicanery and plunder. Behold the result ! Those in the secret have now to puff stocks as long as they can possibly bear it, lend them to stool pigeons, have them deposited with the auditor, and get bills issued by the million and put them in circula tion. The game works beautifully, the auditor takes the securities; and the people take the bills. Soon they are quoted at 'current rates,' and everything goes on swimmingly. Suddenly it is discovered that the stock given as security is worthless and then the trouble be gins. It is moreover mysteriously found out that the banks are re deeming bills under $10 one by one in small new silver coin and that each bill must be protested separately. In fact everything is out of joint with the law, and all possible efforts are exhausted to get up a panic. Then the people will have sensible evidence of their schemes. The bills of the People's (stock) Bank of Carmi are now bought at 12 per cent, discount as an example, and the wishes of certain bro kers and quack financiers are that half of the banks of the State shall follow the same lead. Our banking law needs radical amendment." — (Daily Press, January 29, 1857.) The act of January 28, 1857, incorporated the Merchants Savings, Loan and Trust company with a capital of $500,000 and with the following incorporators: William B. Ogden, F. B. Cooley, N. R. Wilder, Henry Farnham, Samuel R. Officer, John Hight, Jr., Eras tus S. Williams, Henry W. Hinsdale, John W. Stanley, John R. Babcock, Charles Hitchcock, D. R. Holt, and R. W. Officer. They were authorized to increase their capital to $2,000,000, to borrow and lend money, to receive deposits and buy and sell exchange, bills, notes, bonds, etc., to hold coin and to accept trusts whether fiduciary or otherwise, and to hold the real estate necessary, etc. The Chicago Savings Institution and Trust company was incor porated on February 14, 1857, by Peter Page, Walter S. Gurnee, Charles Harmon, John P. Chapin, Thomas Heale, Benj. W. Ray mond, Edward K. Rodgers, Amos G. Throop, William H. Brown, Edward I. Tinkham, Thomas Richmond, James Peck, Tuthill King, E. D. Taylor, Philo Carpenter, George W. Dole, Grant Goodrich, and Walter L. Newberry. The new banking law provided that all bonds should be received at 10 per cent, less than their New York value; that when notes were presented for redemption the redemption should be instanter in gold ; HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 169 that notes when payment was refused should be protested in aggre gate; that banks should do business in the place where they were established and could receive 10 per cent, interest; that no bank should be established with less than $50,000 capital paid up. "Since the issue of our circular of March 31 we have passed through one of the closest, if not the closest, week of the season. For ten days past it has been next to impossible to get paper dis counted at the banks. Deposits were down to the lowest point of the year." — (R. K. Swift, Brother & Johnson in Daily Press, April 8, 1857.) Early in 1857 C. M. James and Alfred Hyde endeavored to es tablish a fraudulent bank, but they were soon discovered and com pelled to quit business. Late in January, 1857, exchange on New York was from \y2 to 3 per cent, premium. At this time Tinkham & Co. withdrew much of their issues from circulation. The bills of Illinois banks that had failed were quoted at 10 per cent discount. A. F. Sherman & Co. were doing a banking business in February, 1857. About this time the Legislature considered incorporating a savings institution here with a capital of $2,000,000. Among the incorporators were W. B. Ogden, J. H. Dunham, W. L. Newberry and J. H. Foster. In April, 1857, Forrest Brothers & Co., who had previously failed, resumed banking operations with honor. In May, 1857, J. M. Adsit, Taylor & Kreigh, and Louis J. Hertz were en gaged in banking here. In July, 1857, the Bank of Commerce con ducted by E. R. Hinckley & Co. failed to open its doors. It was claimed they had become involved in an immense corn speculation on the Board of Trade. Several indictments were returned against the various members of that bank. In July, 1857, $500,000 was added to the banking capital of the Marine bank. B. F. Carver was cashier of this institution. In July, 1857, H. A. Smith, of the Chicago Joint Stock company, was indicted for conducting a lot tery and was fined heavily. The failure of E. R. Hinckley & Co. was followed by runs upon many of the other banking establish ments. On August 11, Cotes & Brother, formerly Cotes, Dyhren- furth & Co., closed their doors. Country depositors had with drawn their deposits and the city had .done the same, which act left the institution destitute of sufficient currency to meet the de mands of depositors. In August banks throughout the country began to fail. About the first of September all banking accommo dations were stopped and the banks absolutely refused all discount. Business men here could not understand why this should be so, in view of the good crops and generally of the prosperous condi tion of the country. On September 29 E. I. Tinkham & Co. closed their doors. There followed a drastic run on R. K. Swift, Brother & Johnson, *who were likewise compelled to close on September 30. Later they announced that they would liquidate and not resume operations. On October 12 Wadsworth & Co. closed their doors. 170 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY "The money market is still unsettled and great caution is exer cised by our bankers in all their movements. ... In our own city the money market continues uncomfortably close, but every thing is entirely quiet and the streets are alive with business and bustle." — (Chicago Press, September 9, 1857.) "The past week has been one of great anxiety and caution. At no time in the history of our city has there been so complete a stop page of all bank accommodations. For the past week the banks, with but few exceptions, peremptorily refused all discounts. They have, of course, been further streiigthening themselves against any further contingency." — (Chicago Press, September 14, 1857.) "Our bankers and citizens generally take matters very coolly and seem to be prepared for the worst. Confidence in the wealth and the abundant resources of the Northwest does not waver for a moment. Why should it ? We have the wheat and the corn, the pork and the beef, and, come what will; the dependent East must purchase our surplus of these commodities." — (Chicago Press, September 29, 1857.) "It is with pride that we record the fact that Chicago still stands." — (Chicago Press, October 15, 1857.) "Exchange continues very scarce and the market is variable and unsettled. Some of our leading bankers charge 5 per cent on col lections and some charge 10. The general trade of the city, all things considered, is healthy and active. The question may arise, how our wholesale dealers can stand the rates of exchange. The high rates, the well grounded distrust of most Eastern currency, and the fact that the bills of the Illinois and Wisconsin banks could not be used at seaboard, and that they are taken here at par, added to the still further fact that they were for a time discredited in St. Louis, have given our wholesale dealers an immense trade." — (Chicago Press, October 26, 1857.) A meeting of the merchants was called for January 20, 1858, "For the purpose of taking into consideration the state of our cur rency and exchange market with the view of devising some plan which may prove beneficial to the interests of this city and vicinity, and give us equal facilities with our neighboring cities. The experi ence of the last few months in wild-cat currency and the unprece dented high rates of exchange will suggest the importance of such considerations." — (Signed by Nelson Tuttle, Edwin Hempstead, George M. Wells and John V. Farwell.) "All the banks in Illinois and Wisconsin except the Marine and the Chicago of this city (which to their honor, be it said, have the coin on demand for all their issues) virtually suspended specie pay ments, yet our bankers received at par the bills of all the country banks and thus saved the business of the city from utter stagnation and ruin." — (Annual Review of Chicago, January, 1858.) It 'was noted that nearly all business continued in 1857 about as HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 171 usual. The shipments of wheat were about 100,000 bushels per day. "When coin and exchange became dear, our merchants took currency from their customers, bought wheat with it, and made ex change for themselves. Such an example of Western energy and shrewdness was duly appreciated by the creditors of Chicago dealers upon the seaboard." — (Review of Chicago.) The panic of 1857 was one of money, not of poverty. "The Northwest was entirely solvent — was teeming with wealth in her products. Her farmers had full granaries and storehouses and were ready to sell at a fair price. Partie-s whose interest it was to influence the market published and most industriously circulated reports said to have been 'carefully made up frbm actual observa tion' that there was comparatively no grain in the country, that our surplus was exhausted, that the mighty Northwest had neither money nor produce. These slanders were most eagerly caught up by the journals of the East and extensively published under the head of 'Eastern Distrust of the West.' The effect was instantly felt. Our bankers stood appalled by the drain on them from the East. Large sums of money which had been sent forward for the purpose of moving the crops were at once withdrawn." Early in 1858 the bank note list issued by E. Keach & Co. g'ave a complete valuation of all the bills in circulation in Chicago. This and other similar lists were invaluable to business men and brokers. No transaction was made that did not take into consideration under compulsion the current value of a score of different bills of vital importance to all business where cash was required. By May, 1858, exchange on New York had fallen to about 1 per cent, premium, with gold the same. In May the Bank Note Reporter was issued by E. K. Willard & Young, bankers, at 74 Dearborn street. This also supplied a want that had not been filled by any previous bank list, because it gave a great deal of valuable informa tion concerning business and banking operations in addition to the correct quotations of all current and uncurrent money. In August, 1858, a large meeting of bankers and merchants considered the advisability of throwing out of circulation all Wisconsin bank bills affected by the late free banking law of that State. Six of the Chi cago security banks resolved to discontinue the receipt of such bills. Brokers, however, were not affected and accordingly took no action except to make deeper shaves whenever that money passed through their hands. One of the resolutions passed at this meeting was as follows : "Resolved, That we believe Wisconsin currency to be well secured, and if any of the banks in that State refuse to redeem, we will nevertheless take the money at par, and place it in the hands of some banker who will send it home for redemption." In March, 1859, among the leading bankers and brokers were the following: L. E. Alexander & Co., Ernst Prussing, Granger L72 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Weldon & Co., E. I. Tinkham & Co., Charles H. Ham & Co., Hoff man & Gelpcke, Uldrich & Geudtner, A. C. Hertel, Officer & Broth ers, Aiken & Norton, George Smith, G. C. Whitney & Co., T. C. Barbour, B. W. Phillips, H. A. Tucker & Co., and Morford Brothers. As a matter of fact banks of issue operating strictly under the spirit of the State law found it hard to exist at this time. The security banks had ceased to emit bills, but the irregular banks poured upon the community large quantities of their funds and usu ally adopted the method of circulating the same rapidly at some distant point before the true nature of the institution issuing them could be learned. The only security bank of issue in 1858 was the Marine. At this date currency was very scarce and mostly came from distant points. It should be noted that late in November, 1858, New York exchange sold at par with the best currency. In June, 1859, exchange on New York and gold were both at 2y2 per cent, premium. In August it had risen to 3 per cent, premi um. This was not so much due to the impending panic as it was to the fact that business was extremely prosperous. Business men demanded money and exchange and this requirement forced sky ward the requests upon bankers and brokers for short loans. By the latter part of September, 1859, exchange had fallen to less than 1 per cent, premium. It was said at the time that the demand for ' money in the fall of 1859 was the most urgent ever experienced in this city up to that date. It was further stated that the demand was wholly legitimate and largely sprang from the lack of sufficient banking capital here. More than one business house in October received in one day over $100,000 worth of produce paper besides paying the checks of customers. Naturally during this enormous demand for money bankers and brokers did their utmost to supply the wants of business men. Late in October New York exchange was quoted at y2 per cent, premium. The Press and Tribune of November 15, 1859, had the following notice : "The Illinois and Wisconsin bank notes are not readily con verted into coin or exchange. The banks of those States furnish almost all the currency in circulation west of Indiana. They are opposed on principle to redeeming their issues ; and the brokers of Chicago are in favor of the high rates of exchange, as it enables them to realize two or three times the legal rates of interest. By loaning to their customers for a short time Western currency and making them pay back in New York funds they draw 20 to 30 per cent. interest instead of 10 which the law allows. The banks only redeem at the tail end of a chancery suit, but as their issues are 'stock- secured,' they are considered ultimately good and consequently pass freely. There will be no low rates of exchange in this city while the brokers are herded together to keep it up, and the banks allowed to avoid prompt redemption." HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 173 During the fall of 1860 it became apparent to thoughtful and experienced financiers and business men that the political agitation then convulsing the country might seriously injure business opera tions during the coming winter. It was realized that the bills of the security banks of Illinois were largely based upon the stocks of many of the Southern states. It was seen that should the South adopt ordinances of secession, inaugurate war and withdraw from the Union the value of the stocks held as security by the banks of Illinois would become greatly reduced and in fact might become worthless. Accordingly business men generally looked with misgiv ings upon what the future should bring forth. In October, 1860, exchange on New York jumped to 1)4 per cent, premium. The Tribune and Press about this time said, "More than twenty banks have come into operation under our general banking law within the last few months. The next Legislature should provide some effectual check to this unlimited expansion of the currency." It was the opinion of business men here that the banking law of the State should at once be amended on the following points : To pro vide for the redemption of bills of doubtful security; to prevent banks and brokers from charging excessive exchange rates; that a discrimination against banks which evaded the law should be made ; that banks which failed should be compelled to liquidate and redeem their bills, and that all banks should be required to deposit with the State auditor Illinois or United States stocks. At a busi ness meeting held here concerning the monetary situation the fol lowing was one of the conclusions : "Whereas, In our opinion the present monetary crisis in our State is the direct result of our banking system, which discriminates against the interests of our own citizens in its practical workings by giving to a few irresponsible bankers (in most cases) the inter est upon $15,000,000 of stocks, while the people are compelled to pay for them and submit to the conversion of every dollar of their surplus products into bank bills with no other basis but those stocks till from $5,000,000 in 1857 they have increased to $12,000,000, $3,000,000 of the increase being from this year's surplus crop, and Whereas, From the nature of the evil the commercial interests ofthe State are compelled to bear the burden of its depreciated currency." The last report of the auditor before November 1, 1860, showed that only twenty of the eighty-four banks in the State had any de posits, and those banks receiving deposits were confined to one half- dozen leading cities of the State. The total deposits of these banks about November, 1860, was $832,354. The circulation of the eighty-four banks was $9,610,084. This illustrates to what an ex traordinary degree the State had been flooded with rag money. After the presidential election of November, 1860, exchange began to mount upward and although currency was discounted heavily 174 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY business men continued to borrow and to wjden operations. On November 16 gold and exchange were quoted at from 3 per cent. to 5 per cent, premium to customers and to others from 5 to 6 per cent, premium. The next day exchange mounted from 5 per cent, to 7 per cent, premium selling. On November 19 exchange reached 10 per cent, premium selling, while gold was quoted at from 5 per cent, to 10 per cent, premium. j Late in November, 1860, many bankers were called upon to strengthen their security. This was due to the fact that the securi ties themselves had depreciated and were still depreciating in value. The time to make good was fixed at thirty-five days. About Novem ber 22 many bankers of Virginia suspended, as did also several in Washington, D. C. On November 23 exchange was quoted at 7 per cent, premium selling and gold at 10 per cent, premium selling. At this date stocks were recovering a little. Late in November Mr. Tinkham offered to buy much of the discarded Illinois issues at 80 cents on the $1. About this time other Illinois bank bills were thrown out of circulation here. Late in November the banks of Missouri, except those of St. Louis, suspended specie payments. Small change in Chicago was so scarce that merchants themselves issued small "promises to pay." About December all discarded Illinois issues were quoted at 15 per cent, discount, Geor gia at 10 per cent, discount, the two Carolinas at 5 per cent, dis count, Virginia and Tennessee at 3 per cent, discount, Missouri and Free Indiana at 1 per cent, discount, Iowa at 3 per cent, pre mium, Michigan, Canada and Louisiana at 5 per cent, premium; Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana also at 5 per cent, premium ; New York and New England banks, 5 per cent, premium; gold from 7 to 8 per cent, premium selling, and New York exchange the same. Late in December, 1860, 120 merchants and business houses signed a call for a business meeting to be held at Bryan hall to con sider the state of the money market and "to consult as to what legis lation is necessary in view 'of the financial and general condition of our State.'" Upon the passage of the ordinance of secession by South Carolina in December, 1860, there was not such a financial panic as had been anticipated. However, as time passed and one after another of the Southern states followed the course marked out by South Caro lina, the bills of all banks with Southern security began to depreci ate in value. In fact the bills of banks with Northern security but of doubtful strength also began to decline in value. By about the first of February, 1861, exchange on New York was 6 per cent. premium buying and 7 per cent, selling; New York and New Eng land solvent banks, 6 per cent, premium ; Louisiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana State, Michigan, Canada, New Jersey and Iowa, 5 per cent. premium ; Tennessee, Maryland and Free Indiana, 2 per cent, premi um; Missouri, par; gold, 6 per cent, premium. Uncurrent money HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 177 had fallen immensely. Discredited Illinois bank bills were quoted at 2 per cent, discount ; Virginia, North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, old Tennessee, South Carolina and the stock bank bills of Tennessse were quoted at 5 per cent, discount. So great was the diversity in bank bill quotations at this time that scavenger brokers began a systematic attempt to depreciate the bills of good banks in order to secure the same for redemption at par upon presentation later to the banks themselves. They also bought up such bills and sold the same to laborers and servant girls at 10 per cent, premium. Early in 1861 the State Legislature duly considered the changes asked for in the State banking law by Chicagoans. J. Y. Scammon then represented Cook county in the House and was the leader there in banking reforms. At this time pandemonium reigned in Chi cago business circles owing to the constant fluctuations in currency rates and to the excited condition of the country. In February, 1861, Mack's bank bill became a law. At a meeting of the bankers of Chicago held on February 27, 1861, it was resolved to receive at par the bills of all Illinois banks put in liquidation by the State auditor. The discredited bank bills remained at 20 per cent, discount. By March 27, 1861, New York exchange and gold had fallen to from 3y2 to 5 per cent, premium'. The Chicago bankers had carried inferior Illinois money — issues of rags, as they were termed — until the burden became unbearable, when all were finally thrown out of circulation. At first the issues of thirty-two banks .were thus discarded and later others were added to the issues under the ban. "The wholesale slaughtering of the Illinois banks on Saturday evening produced considerable excitement to-day ; but all things ' considered there was much less than might have been expected. Comparatively few were disposed to sacrifice their money. The bills of these banks have now been, or will be, reduced to what the bonds on which they are based make them worth according to prices ruling in the New York market." — (Tribune, April 2, 1861.) Early in 1861 the banks of Chicago were publicly thanked by a mass meeting of the merchants for throwing out the poor rag money of Illinois banks. In April, 1861, the Merchants' association was incorporated with full banking powers and with a capital of $1,000,- 000. During April all bonds and stocks, with few exceptions, dropped sharply in value. About the middle of April brokers of fered 75 cents on the $1 for bills of rejected banks. Two days later they offered only 70 cents on the $1. On that date there was strong talk that the issues of thirteen more Illinois banks would be thrown out of circulation. At this time exchange on New York was quoted at from 7 to 8 per cent, premium selling and was very unsettled; gold was quoted at from 6 to 10 per cent, premium selling. Immediately after the fall of Fort Sumter all stocks declined Vol. 11—11. 178 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY about 5 per cent., but nearly all immediately recovered to the figure they were before the surrender of that fort. Gold remained high, however; on the 17th it sold as high as 10 per cent, premium; on April 16 exchange also jumped at 10 per cent, premium, gold re maining the same. On April 17 exchange remained at 10 per cent, premium selling, but gold jumped to 12 per cent, premium selling. At this date brokers were offering 50 cents on the $1 for rejected bank bills. No currency was worth over 90 cents on the $1, because gold was at 10 per cent, premium. By April 23 the bankers of Chicago refused to sell exchange on New York except upon such high terms as were ruinous to business men. Exchange was officially quoted at 15 per cent, premium selling, but fluctuated 4 or 5 per cent, above and below that figure. Gold at this time was selling as high as 20 per cent, premium. "The money market is entirely unsettled and almost indescribable. The banks have an abundance of currency. Most of the banks re fuse to sell exchange on any terms. What little was doled out to customers was at 15 per cent, premium. Gold as near as we can give was 15 per cent, buying and 20 per cent, selling." — (Tribune, April 23, 1861.) "The money market for the past week has been entirely unsettled and the most gloomy forebodings were indulged in regard to our entire financial system. It was seriously feared that banks and business would all go to the bottom together." — (Tribune, April 29, 1861.) On April 2 the leading bankers and merchants in mass meeting assembled entered into an agreement to receive the bills of Illinois banks not on the rejected list as currency during the continuance of the war. This act it will be seen rendered it impossible for brokers or others to arbitrarily throw out the bills of good banks. A little later a strong effort to break this agreement was made and suc ceeded. The merchants of Chicago sent a committee to Springfield to urge the passage of a law for the State to guarantee the bills of good State banks. By April 30, 1861, gold had risen to 10 per cent, premium selling and exchange the same. By May 14 the bills of all banks based on Southern stocks had fallen so low that in a few instances they were comparatively worthless. This was due to the decline in the State stocks held as security by those banks. On May 14 Missouri State stocks were quoted at 35 cents on the $1, Tennessee stocks at 45 cents on the $1, and Virginia stocks at 43 cents on the $1, in New York. The previous act of the bankers and merchants was modified on May 14 at a large meeting held for that purpose. It was agreed that all bills should be received for what they were worth in open market; that no bills should be thrown out wholly and that 1 pet* cent, should be added to cover expenses of business transactions. It was argued that what any bills would buy in ex change on New York was a fair basis of their actual worth. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 179 About the middle of May intense excitement followed a sudden and rapid decline in stocks, exchange and gold. On the morning of May 15 New York exchange sold for from 24 to 26 per cent, pre mium and during the afternoon of the same day the figure on the street was placed at 30 per cent, premium selling. It was now real ized that in all probability all Southern securities were worthless. This meant an immense hardship upon bankers and business men throughout the North. As the excitement grew and money con tinued to fall several large meetings of merchants, bankers, railway officials and board of trade operators were held for the purpose of deciding upon some basis of monetary valuation. At one meeting it was resolved as follows : "That the bills of solvent Northern banks should be worth 95 cents on the $1 ; Tennessee, Kentucky and North Carolina issues, 50 cents on the $1 ; bills of the North and South mixed, 75 cents on the $1 ; Missouri and Virginia, 40 cents on the $1." But this schedule had scarcely been adopted ere it was found necessary to change it, owing to the continued, wide and uncertain fluctuations. About this time merchants received good currency at from 70 cents to 80 cents on the $1. All bills and stock ebbed and flowed with every change in the tide of the New York stock and money market. Attempt after attempt to grade bank issues was made, but perhaps the next day the attempt was rendered nu gatory by a vast change in the quotations. It was noted during the latter part of the month of May that the currency question in Chi cago was even more important than that of the war itself. At another large meeting held on May 2 the merchants and busi ness men adopted what became known as the Union list; however, many preferred the railroad list, believing it to be a better gradua tion. One important gradation of currency was attempted by the united railway officials and was as follows: 1. Best currency at par; 2. 90 cents on the $1 ; 3. 80 cents on the $1 ; 4. 70 cents on the $1 ; 5. 60 cents on the $1 ; 6. 50 cents on the $1. Under each one of the six grades were mentioned the issues that were embraced therein. All depreciated currency at this date, and there was none other, was called "stump tail." "The bankers begin to feel that they made a capital blunder in ,not following the market and selling exchange for what it was worth, currency being the standard." — (Tribune, May 16, 1861.) "The action of the railroads, the warehousemen, the agents of the propeller lines, and the merchants in relation to the secession or discredited currency yesterday, is decisive of its fate. It may now be considered as dead, and no efforts of the banks can galvanize it into life. From this day it will cease to pass in any transactions at its nominal value, here or in the country." — (Tribune, May 18, 1861.) On May 23, 1861, the Board of Trade determined upon a bold 180 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY and what was considered at the time a hazardous movement. They determined thereafter that all transactions by their body should be upon a specie basis — that coin should be the par circulating medium and that all stump tail currency, railway list, union list, rejected and discredited, should be buried out of sight and placed where they be longed as compared with gold and silver. The board declared that it was unfair to denominate 80 cents as a dollar. They duly con sidered what should be done with the $6,000,000 par value of stump tail currency circulating throughout the State. This action was extremely important and the only sound step properly to be taken in the dilemma. The relief felt in Chicago was also instan taneous, because business men and bankers saw at once that it fur nished a firm, substantial and reliable basis, upon which to establish all business transactions and supplied the only solution to the chaos existing here. At first several bodies of the citizens opposed the measures of the board of trade ; but ere long all realized the wisdom of the movement and began anew their business calculations with coin as the basis. Immediately the question arose, How should bankers settle with depositors? If a depositor had placed with the bank $1 in currency that was actually worth but 80 cents, how much should he receive for his $1 upon the new gold basis? Immediately thereafter E. K. Willard promptly offered New York exchange at par for gold and silver. He also made no distinction between coin and the best Eastern bills and the best bills of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, Canada, Pittsburg, Philadelphia and New Jersey. Other banking establishments made practically the same offers. Thus light instantly appeared where before all had been doubt and gloom. The Board of Trade, May 23, 1861, resolved that all transactions on Exchange are to be henceforth taken as having been made on a specie basis. Stump tail, long lists, short lists, Union lists, railway lists, preferred and discredited, were all buried out of sight. Eighty cents has ceased to be a dollar. But. there is $6,000,000 of this stuff in the hands of the people. How to get something out of it is the question." — ( Tribune. ) "As to Illinois currency, almost everybody is glad that the agony is over. The people, like one dreading some long, painful operation, feel relieved that they now know the worst and can provide for it. They know there is energy enough in our commercial system to rally. Already the healthy symptoms begin to appear." — (Tribune, May 23, 1861.) Immediately upon the adoption of a railway and union list of graduated currency a number of financial sharks prepared a list and marked all bills 10 per cent, below the gradation furnished by the railway and union meetings. They shrewdly called their gra dation the "merchants list," and endeavored to induce the poorer class of people to part with their currency upon such a basis. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 181 Immediately after the general adoption of the policy of the board of trade notices like the following appeared in the financial journals : "On the board of trade exchange was sold at y2 per cent, premium for Indiana currency and at \y2 per cent, discount for gold. . . . On 'change and in the street, exchange sells at % per cent to 1 per cent, premium for currency and J4 Per cent, to J4 per cent. discount for gold." "Wanted in Chicago. — A bank conducted on a specie basis. The mercantile community requires a bank which shall receive and pay 100 cents every time it shall receive and pay out a dollar. They require a bank which shall have no dealings with futures which may be money or merchandise according to circumstances. They require a bank which will not be conducted on the principle of giving from 1 to 10 per cent, out of each check offered at its counter in payment of Eastern acceptances." — (Chicago Tribune, July 3, 1861.) "This has been about the dullest week financially that Chicago has suffered for many years past. The active available capital of the city is just now largely employed in retiring Illinois currency. The entire business of the city is sadly depressed, more for the want of means to operate than from any other cause. Exchange is nominal at par or y2 per cent, discount for coin and "4 to 2 per cent, for currency, depending upon the quality of the article offered. As to loans and discounts, they are entirely out of fashion." — (Tribune, June 15, 1861.) "We, the undersigned merchants and business men of Chicago, do not believe that the resolves of a self-appointed, so-called finance committee can make a depreciated shinplaster good. Therefore, we hereby pledge ourselves to each other and to the interests of Chicago not to aid, assist, or abet in the fraud of giving to a depre ciated currency a value that it does not possess, and that from this date henceforth we will not receive and circulate Illinois and Wis consin depreciated shinplaster currency at anything more than its real value." — (Signed by over eighty merchants and business men.) "A noticeable feature is the opening of several new banking houses, some of them connected with the leading firms of other cities. The old banks that have not gone absolutely into liquida tion are closing up old accounts as fast as possible preparatory to beginning anew. J. Y. Scammon continues business in place of the Marine bank and the Marine and Fire Insurance company. These institutions, I. H. Burch, and Hoffman & Gelpcke, have gone into liquidation. E. I. Tinkham continues his clearing house. It will take the city a long time to accumulate the banking capital that has been lost in the collapse of our Illinois currency." — (Tribune, July 30, 1861.) On May 28, 1861, E. I. Tinkham & Co. and I. H. Burch & Company made assignments for the benefit of their depositors. About the same time Hoffman & Gelpcke liquidated and issued a 182 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY circular announcing that they intended to close up business and settle with depositors. Nearly all of the brokers at this time bought and sold all varieties of stump tail in circulation here. The example of the board of trade in returning to a specie basis was soon followed by all business interests of the city. Immediately thereafter confidence was restored and business of all kinds boomed regardless of the war. Currency, was in immense demand. Busi ness men could not get half as much as they wanted, but in every transaction as before they were compelled to take into consideration the value of all currency in circulation. In September, 1861, Julius White, United States depositary, placed upon the market here for sale the first of the United States 7-30 treasury notes. Solomon Sturges & Sons subscribed for $100,- 000 worth of the 7-30 loan. The first sales were made on the 18th. Among the first subscribers were Walter L. Newberry, $10,000; Alexander White, $1,000; James Niccoll, $500; Jason McCord, $1,000; William T. Barron, $200. About the middle of October, 1861, Tennessee securities were quoted in New York at 43 cents on $1 ; Missouri, 46 cents; North Carolina, 60 cents; Virginia, 47 cents. At this date Eastern ex change was at from par to "4 Per cent, premium and gold about the same. Exchange on Detroit was also at par. Willard & Keane's quotations were considered authority at this date. Early in the fall of 1860 Illinois banks had issued about $12,- 500,000 of currency based on Southern security. By October, 1861 the amount had been reduced to about $3,500,000. The Merchant's association at a business meeting adopted resolu tions against the proposed bank bill then before the people for con sideration. Prominent at this meeting were John V. Farwell, Judge Scates, Merrill Ladd, H. A. Hurlbut, Mr. Tyrrell, J. V. Clark and C. M. Cady, all of whom addressed the assemblage. Mr. Far- well, as a whole, liked the proposed bill, but objected to the proposed post notes. The resolutions against the bill were voted for almost unanimously by the citizens present. In this county the vote on the bank law. was as 'follows: For the law, 121 ; against the law, 8,744. At this date the State auditor announced that the stocks of forty- five suspended banks had been sold. He further announced that he was busy redeeming the bills of such banks at a published rate of discount. In some instances the rate was as low as 50 cents on the $1 and as high as 66 cents on the $1. The stocks of thirty -one other banks were also being sold for what they would bring. He also announced that those of seventeen other banks would soon be placed on the market. Late in 1861 the banks of New York, Philadelphia and Boston' suspended specie payments. On January 10, 1862, gold was quoted at from 2 to 2y per cent, premium buying and 4 per cent, selling. "The suit of Charles Chandler of. Macomb, against the Marine HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 183 Bank of Chicago settled the rights of depositors in the old banking institutions. After four days' trial here he obtained a judgment of $17,375.83 on a running bank account. The judgment was ren dered against a stump tail balance, no allowance being made for the depreciation of the stuff ; and such have always been the decisions of the courts in similar cases. The law allows no abatement of re sponsibility. When a banker receives any currency as money, the courts hold him responsible to pay money in return." — (Tribune^ November 26, 1861.) "The monopolists cannot brook the presence of any currency intrinsically better than their own. They have almost complete com mand of the field now, and will only yield it after an obstinate and desperate resistance. The manufacturers of 'promises to pay' have made too nice a thing out of the business to voluntarily with draw. Look at the state of the case: The shinplaster fraternity have 200 millions of their notes in constant circulation as money. On this 200 millions which they owe the community they charge and collect $20,000,000 on their own obligations. No other class enjoy such extraordinary special favors. Other people are obliged to pay interest on what they owe, but the bankers receive interest on what they owe and literally wax rich on the interest of their debts. But this imposition is only one of a series. The second is called 'exchange and discount.' When one of the banking fraternity puts one of his 'promises to pay' into circulation, all the others commence shaving the holders of them. The note which was issued as worth 100 cents is quoted and bought at a discount. The shave varies according to circumstances, being higher at one time than another. Sometimes the notes are done at a moderate shave ; on other occasions they are tithed and frequently redeemed on shares, the holder getting but half their face. This miserable state of things breeds and sustains swarms of exchange brokers, who reap fortunes from the evils- attending our currency system. As the whole currency (paper) passes through the hands of brokers and banks at least a score of times per year and a shaving is planed off the holder at every transit, varying from one-quarter per cent, in thickness to 20 per cent., the gross amount of spoliation suffered must be double the interest first charged, or thirty to forty millions in the whole Union. There must be added to this at least ten mil lions to cover the loss by breaking of banks and the suspension of specie payments, all making an immense sum paid as a penalty annu ally by the people for permitting these thousands of debt factories to pollute the currency medium, and convulse the business of the country by panics, contractions, and expansions. The remedy for the cure of this appalling evil is simple and at hand. It consists in substituting the Government demand notes, redeemable in gold at par, for the issues of the thousand banks." — (Tribune, October 12, 1861.) 184 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY "With the sinking out of sight of so many of our old and well established banking houses, our business public for a time were at a loss to know where to do their business. One house after another has opened its doors until now there seems to be scarcely any lack of banking accommodations. Among our old citizens J. Y. Scam mon has taken the place of the Marine bank, and Solomon Sturges & Sons with an immense capital occupy the rooms of George Smith & Co. on Wells street. Among the new houses are Brotherton & Nettleton, from Cincinnati; A. C. Badger & Co., from Louisville, Ky. ; C. B. Blair, who represented the Branch Bank of Indiana at Laporte ; Chapin, Wheeler & Co., who represent the South Bend branch, and Burkham & Sons, who represent the Lawrenceburg branch, and there is an agency here of the Bank of Montreal, E. Willard being the representative." — (Tribune, October 4, 1861.) "In a speech, October 12, 1861, Mr. Wentworth denounced the banking system of the State, said it was charged that the Legislature was bribed to pass the late banking law and stated that he was pre pared to go before any grand jury and give the names of those contributing money to influence legislation." — (Tribune, October 13, 1861.) "For the convenience of subscribers the banking house of Solo mon Sturges & Sons offer to furnish them gold to pay the Govern ment for ordinary currency free of extra charge. This patriotic offer on their part is really equivalent to giving the suscribers y2 to 24 Per cent., as gold is now worth that premium in this city. So liberal and patriotic a policy on the part of Solomon, Sturges & Sons will be properly appreciated by their fellow-citizens. They deserve a general vote of thanks." — -(Tribune, October 16, 1861.) In February, 1862, New York exchange was quoted at J4 of 1 per cent, premium and an abundant supply was obtainable. Gold at this time was 4 per cent, premium above the best paper. The Board of Trade on February 10, 1862, passed the following resolution : "Resolved, That the president of this board be directed to telegraph the honorable, the Senators from this State at Wash ington, that in the opinion of this board the Senate should pass immediately the House bill making treasury notes a legal tender, believing as we do that the great Northwest will sustain the credit of such issues by receiving them cheerfully for all our products." (Tribune, February 11, 1862.) The passage of the treasury note bill in February, 1862, gave great confidence throughout the entire country and particularly at Chicago. It meant that the -Government thereafter would sustain the money of the country. In March demand treasury notes were quoted at y, per cent, premium above the best bank issues, but among bankers and business men thev passed ordinarily at par with the best bank issues. Tn April, 1862, W. F. Coolbaugh opened a banking house and about the same time J. W. Drexel & Co. did the HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 185 same. James Boyd and H. Doolittle were also in the banking busi ness here at this date. About the first of June treasury notes were y2 per cent, premium and gold from 3 to 4 per cent, premium. "Bank rags" were the circulating medium and were in abundance, though very inconvenient. The demand for treasury notes led a little later to a wish to have them established as the par fund or circulating medium instead of the "bank rags." At this date people were warned against wild-cat bills of all descriptions which flooded this community. Canada currency at this date was 2 per cent, pre mium. About the middle of June gold had risen to about 7 per cent. premium. In June, 1862, the majority for the new Constitution in this city was 663 and for the banking articles of the new Constitution the majority was 1,948. By June 24 gold had advanced to 9 per cent. premium. At this date the first issue of treasury notes was quoted at 4 per cent, premium. It was stated that the rise in gold and in old treasury notes was due to the passage by the House of Congress of the bill for an issue of $150,000,000 of new demand treasury notes, of which $50,000,000 was to be in bills of denominations less than $5. It was thought that such an immense issue would depre ciate the currency and consequently in this community the new bills were from the start regarded with some misgivings. The ad vance in the price of gold in July greatly alarmed financiers here. On July 8 gold was quoted at 11 per cent, premium and the next day at 17 per cent, premium over currency. Old treasury notes at this time and silver were quoted all the way from 5 per cent, to 12 per cent, premium. On July 18 gold was quoted at 18 per cent. premium and on the 21st as high as 20 per cent. About this time Congress passed a bill to permit the use of postage stamps as small currency. Late in July the department was paying out daily $2,000 in postage stamps to be used as small currency. The stamps were issued in small packages in order to keep them from becoming soiled and in this condition they passed around in packages of 10 cents, 25 cents, 50 cents and $1. All other fractional currency was for bidden at this period. "Probably at no time in our business history has there been such a scarcity of silver. One may travel a week with a dollar note in his pocket, indulge in cigars and other domestic follies to an un limited extent and at the close of the week find his dollar note still wadded up unbroken in his pocket. At the railroad office if the fare be a dollar note and a fraction, and you are unfortunate enough to have nothing but a five-dollar note, you must pay the note or forego your trip. The grocer bars you from sugar and the market man from your matutinal steak unless you pay him in silver. The dry goods clerk makes change with shinplasters, vulgarly supposed to represent 25 or 50 cents, but which of course can be redeemed only by the same institution by a second purchase. Now we have a 186 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY plan to propose. Take your demand treasury notes and buy up a quantity of 1, 3, 5 and 10-cent postage stamps and pay them out for all fractions of a dollar." — (Tribune, July 14, 1862.) "The brokers are paying 10 per cent, premium for silver change and selling at 12. Many of our dealers are resorting to postage stamps to make change. They put them up in little packages of 10, 20 and 25 cents, and, having marked them, wrap them in bits of paper to keep them clean. This is far better than for the town to become deluged with irresponsible shinplasters." — (Tribune, July 15, 1862.) The whole county loan of $200,000 at 7 per cent., ordered in 1862, was taken by Chicago bankers, as follows : Sturgis & Sons -. $100,000 Merchants Savings Loan and Trust company 25,000 Chapin, Wheeler & Co 25,000 J. Y. Scammon 20,000 Western Marine and Fire Insurance company 10,000 W. F. Coolbaugh & Co 10,000 Drexel & Co 10,000 A. C. Badger & Co 5,000 Total ........' $205,000 "To give the uninitiated some idea of the beauty of shinplasters as we 'see it' here and as a subject to laugh over in the future years, we annex a list of the contributions made by a certain Wabash avenue congregation on Thanksgiving day. The list was taken as the 'collection' came from the plates." — (Tribune, December 8, 1862.) : 1 two-dollar bill $ 2.00 11 one-dollar bills 11.00 9 fifty-cent postal currency 4.50 16 25-cent postal currency 4.00 19 10-cent postal currency 1.90 16 5-cent postal currency 80 1 patent postage stamp 10 2 10-cent postage stamps 20 3 5-cent postage stamps 15 25 3-cent postage stamps 75 12 1-cent postage stamps 12 3 silver dimes 30 5 silver half-dimes 25 2 3-cent pieces 06 9 new coppers 09 4 old coppers 04 4 grain inspection tickets 40 1 Joliet bank ticket 25 4 Walker omnibus tickets 20 35 Chicago railroad tickets , 8.75 1 Chicago railroad ticket 15 2 Chicago railroad tickets with four holes 20 2 Chicago railroad tickets with three holes 30 2 Chicago railroad tickets with two holes 30 1 S. T. X. Bitters ticket 00 Total r $36.81 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 187 Among the leading bankers in July, 1862, were the following: Chapin, Wheeler & Co. ; Solomon Sturgis & Sons, Merchants Loan and Trust company, Burkham & Sons, Western Marine and Fire Insurance company, A. C. Badger & Co., F. G. Adams, Joseph W. Drexel & Co., C. P. Blair, Rutter, Endicott & Whitehouse; Mark & Hertel, J. G. Conrad, J. M. Adsit, Brotherton & Nettleton, Trad ers bank, Bank of Montreal Agency, Wiley Brothers & Co., Ruxton & Co., H. Doolittle, James Boyd, Willard & Kean. In August, 1862, an organized band of counterfeiters put out in this city a large quantity of their paper products before they were discovered and arrested. In August, 1862, treasury notes of the denomination of $2 appeared here for the first time. Late in August, early in September and throughout October the price of gold rapidly advanced. On September 30 it was quoted here at 23 per cent, premium. By October 14 it had reached 32 per cent. premium, by October 15, 37 y2 per cent, premium, but on the 18th of October the price dropped to 27 per cent, premium. Late in Oc tober, 1862, Collector Haven received $5,000 in small United States fractional currency and so great was the demand he was forced to pay it out to different individuals in lots of $5. At this time the demand for fractional currency was enormous. Business houses, street railways and even the Chicago Times issued a sort of shin plaster which circulated as fractional currency and in a measure relieved the distress prevailing here in money matters. The Board of Trade persistently demanded a greater quantity of postal cur rency. There had been received here by December about $40,000 of such currency, but the board at a business meeting demanded of the government $200,000 more at the earliest possible moment. Late in 1862 the newspapers here could not or would not understand the new proposed national banking law. At a business meeting held in December the Board of Trade, the express companies, the tel egraph companies and numerous wholesale and retail merchants agreed that after January 1, 1863, they would take no more small currency except United States postal notes, silver, copper or nickels. At this date the City railway had issued monthly tickets which were in circulation to the amount of about $40,000. Upon the announce ment that on January 1 such tickets would be thrown out of circu lation a small panic arose among holders of the same and they were sacrificed at a considerable loss to holders when they really should have passed at par. For the week ending January 10, 1863, Col lector Haven paid out about $30,000 worth of postal currency, or as they were termed "little greenbacks." At this time nearly all of the old shinplasters which had circulated here so extensively the pre vious summer had disappeared. The little, greenbacks and the ac tion above mentioned of the business men had driven them from this community. In January, 1863, gold was quoted all the way from 40 to 72 per cent premium. 188 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY During the summer of 1862, when gold began to rise, the brokers here began to buy and sell the same like any other commodity and as it continued to rise and fluctuate in value the expectations and hopes of brokers arose and fell correspondingly. The troubles of the Marine bank culminated early in 1863 and many lost heavily thereby. It was claimed that in I860 heavy defal cations had undermined the strength of that institution and later when Mr. Scammon returned from Europe its affairs were patched up temporarily, but as the financial troubles of that date contributed to their distress the bank in the end was unable to recover itself and was compelled to quit business early in 1863 with a debt of over $200,000 hanging over it. The new National banking law passed by Congress in February, 1863, received the favorable opinion of Chicago financiers and busi ness men. Chicago men declared that by reason of the fact that the United States Government was back of the National banking law the currency thus issued could not be otherwise than good, pro viding the Government itself continued to exist. Citizens here re garded the law with confidence and awaited its operations with enthusiasm and hope. Early in 1863 the freaks of the gold market were regarded with much concern here by business men. The stock and gold brokers were in their element. It gave them an opportunity to gamble on futures and to make money from those who could be enticed into the web of their misrepresentations. In May, 1863, it was rumored that the first bank under the na tional law was soon to be established in this city. By May 7 nearly $300,000 in treasury notes had been exchanged for 5-20 bonds at the United States depository by Mr. Haven, the collector. At this time preliminary steps to establish a United States savings bank under the national banking law with a capital of $500,000 were taken here. The stock was offered by Horn, Miller & Lewis, at torneys, and by L. E. Alexander, cashier of the Mechanics Savings bank. On July 20, 1863, a number of business men and capitalists assembled in the rooms of the Mercantile association "to consider the establishment of a National bank with a capital of at least $1,000,000." In the spring of 1863 the First National bank, with a capital of $100,000, was duly authorized to corpmence business. In August, 1863, Lyman J. Gage, cashier of the Merchants' Sav ings Loan and Trust company, was victimized by a woman who managed to secure $3,600 by the transaction. During the summer and fall of 1863 people generally began to realize that the true monetary basis was gold. In February, 1864, the Second National bank and the Third National bank began operations. James H. Bowen was president of the Third National bank, which had a capital of $200,000; Ira Holmes was cashier. This bank was lo cated at 156 Lake street. J. A. Ellis was president of the Second National bank and E. I. Tinkham cashier. This bank was the sue- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 189 cessor of the old private concern of J. A. Ellis & Co. E. Aiken was president of the First National bank and E. E. Braisted cashier. The First National bank at this date had a capitalization of $300,- 000. In May, 1861, George Smith, president, and E. W. Willard, cashier, gave notice that the Bank of America would withdraw its notes from circulation during the next three years. In February, 1864, they gave further notice that the time for withdrawal was limited and for all holding the notes to take advantage of the offer. Early in 1864^ the Fourth National bank was established with a capital of $100,000. On April 5, 1864, a large meeting of bankers and business men, including members of the Board of Trade, was held for the purpose of taking steps to drive completely out of circulation the remaining wild-cat and stump tail issues yet here. It was decided to make greenbacks and national bank notes the basis of all commercial .transactions. At this time, owing to the fact that gold fluctuated so rapidly, all wished to make treasury notes the basis instead of gold. This was deemed so important that the first meeting adjourned before taking action in order to give the subject proper consideration. The Board of Trade passed a resolution on March 10 that five days later they would shut out from circulation on the board all wild-cat issues, but this resolution encountered an immediate remonstrance from business men and bankers. It would work too great a hardship on holders of such bills to summarily throw them out of circulation without giving due notice so that holders could have time in a measure to save themselves from serious loss. Accordingly the Board of Trade re considered their action and postponed such a step until a later date. In April, 1864, prices of all kinds, including that of gold, fluctu ated rapidly and occasioned much excitement in this city. Wheat advanced in a few days about 15 cents per bushel. Stocks of all descriptions advanced about the same ratio. Early in 1864 there was in circulation here yet bills of the banks of New York, New England, Indiana, Iowa, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michi gan and other States. All were to be thrown out of circulation by the rule adopted to make treasury notes and national bank notes the basis of business. However, all other bank notes which were redeemable at par at the home bank were announced to be equal in value to treasury notes. May 16 was the date fixed for throwing out the bills of banks under the old system. It was at this time that working men and clerks demanded to be paid in greenbacks. "Resolved, That on and after the first day of July, 1864, we, the bankers of Chicago, will receive and pay out as par funds, United States notes, national bank notes, and such other notes as are re deemed in legal tender notes in the city of Chicago only. Thereafter for the present solvent New England bank notes and the notes of all other solvent banks whose notes are redeemed at par in New York shall be taken at one- fourth per cent, discount; Ohio, 190 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Indiana, Iowa, and New York State bank notes and such Illinois banks as are not redeemed in Chicago at par, one-half per cent, dis count. Nothing but United States notes, national bank notes and such other notes as are at par in Chicago shall be paid on checks or in settlement of balances between banks and brokers. "Resolved, That on and after Monday, May 9, 1864, the selling rates of exchange on New York shall be one-half per cent, premium for miscellaneous currency." On May 7, 1864, at a meeting of leading bankers of the city, a resolution to fix greenbacks as the basis of financial transactions was at first voted down. A meeting of the merchants treated them the same way. One week later, however, so rapid was the change in business sentiment, influenced largely by the wise course of the Board of Trade, the bankers and business men reversed their previ ous action and agreed that May 16 should be the date when green backs and bank notes should be considered the basis. The Board of Trade in this emergency forced the issue. This fact should be stated greatly to their credit. Brokers did not care for the new order of monetary affairs. They could make more money by specu lation with the various currencies under the old order and there fore did not desire a change. The same is true of banks of that date ; they were not concerned in ordinary business transactions and dreaded to change their method of banking and their basis of finance and accordingly were loath to vote for any change. The Board of Trade was solely responsible for the change. The old Merchants' Savings bank of L. E. Alexander, which had failed in May, 1861, was reorganized in May, 1864, as the Mer chants' National bank, located at 154 Lake street. In May, 1864, Frederick Hertel,of the firm of Marc & Hertel, bankers and brokers, absconded, leaving many creditors. It had been anticipated that much inconvenience and perhaps seri ous loss would result from establishing greenbacks and national bank notes as the basis of monetary operations. On May 16, how ever, when that date arrived, little inconvenience or trouble was experienced. People anticipated the change and had becdme so ac customed to abrupt and unexpected financial upheavals that they were prepared apparently for any emergency ; consequently the day passed without excitement. The rapid rise in gold in 1864 was taken advantage of by speculators who dealt extensively in that commodity. On May 28 gold was quoted here at 90 cents premium ; on June 27 at $1.40 per cent, premium; on July 8 at $1.76 per cent. premium; on July 11 at $1.83 per cent, premium; but after that it declined again very rapidly and by October 14 was at $1.15 per cent. premium. In July gold was at its highest figure and wheat was worth $2 per bushel; corn, $1.34 a bushel; flour, $10 per barrel; whisky, $1.75 per gallon. Despite the new National banking law many of the old bankers HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 191 regarded the same with distrust if not disdain and continued oper ations under the old order of affairs. The result was that the most of them in a short time were driven out of business by the prosperity and patronage enjoyed by the new national banks. In August and September, 1864, at the time gold declined rapidly there were many failures throughout the country and several im portant ones here. Business houses and bankers were compelled to close their doors. All prices fell with gold. The people here, accustomed as they were to remarkable changes in business and financial affairs, nevertheless suffered severely under the immense decline in prices. C. C. Parks & Co., bankers, failed; J. G. Conrad also closed his doors ; the Western Marine and Fire Insurance com pany failed in September. In the latter a Town committee of twelve had just deposited $7,400. This money was raised to pay to substitutes for the army and when it was known that the bank had closed, the depositors took immediate steps to secure either their money or revenge. A large crowd assembled around the bank and Mr. Turtle, one of its officers, endeavored to allay the excite ment by addressing the angry people outside. They gathered around him and finally assaulted and struck him, but a squad of soldiers under Major Williams, of the Veteran Reserve Corps, saved him from the clubs and clutches of the crowd. All further trouble was prevented by a body of soldiers under the command of the pro vost marshal. In March, 1864, the Fifth National bank was authorized to begin business. In December, 1864, the Producers National bank was authorized to begin operations with a capital of $200,000, and with C. H. Doolittle as president. In August, 1864, the Northwestern National bank was also established here. In January, 1865, the First National bank in four days sold $579,250 of the new 10-40 bonds. In January, 1865, the Chicago stock exchange was organized with J. C. Hilton, president; Solon McElroy, secretary; W. W. Goodenow, treasurer. Early in 1865 the Merchants National bank, with a capital of $450,000, opened its doors with C. B. Blair as president and John De Koven as cashier. At this time Cushing, Harden & Co., private bankers, began business. In January, 1865, the Union National bank, with W. F. Coolbaugh as president, be gan operations. It was noted by the newspapers in January, 1865, that the Secretary of the Treasury had drawn on the Chicago banks for nearly $1,000,000 and that the draft was promptly honored. This was regarded as something to brag about. In January, 1865, the Commercial National bank was authorized to begin business. At this date gold had fallen rapidly, being on the 21st at only 97 per cent, premium. Late in January, 1865, the Manufacturers' National bank, with a capital of $235,000, was commissioned to begin business and William H. Brown was president and D. J. Lake cashier of the same. 192 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY From February 1 to February 21, 1865, Jay Cooke's agent in this city, the Second National bank, sold for him nearly $2,000,000 worth of the 7-30 government bonds. In October, 1864, the First National bank had a capital of $600,- 000; the Second, $100,000; the Third, $300,000 and the Fifth, $200,000. The deposits of the First National bank on October 3, 1864, were $481,409; those of the Second were $135,417; those of the Third, $628,872, and those of the Fifth were $50,001. On October 3 the Illinois State Savings institution, located on Washington near Clark, withstood a hard run. At this time the Western Marine company issued a statement and arranged terms of settlement with creditors. By the evening of October 4, 1864, the runs on the various banks had almost wholly subsided but business was at a standstill. All banks having temporarily ceased operations, necessity forced busi ness of all kinds to do likewise in a large measure. Merchants could get no currency. It was noted at the time that while gold was quoted at 90 per cent, premium in New York it went begging here at 80 per cent premium. People did not want gold with which to transact business. By October 5 the panic was almost wholly over and banks and business men were doing business about as usual. The failure of the bank of J. G. Conrad amounted to a loss to creditors of about $212,000. He had dealt extensively in grain and whisky products. In November gold rose and fell with fright ful frequency. In two days it passed from $1.10 premium to $1.40 premium, then fell to $1.29 premium and then jumped to $1.35 premium. A few days later it was down to $1.13 premium and by the first of the year was less than $1 premium. However, as all business here was based upon greenbacks and national bank notes and as gold and silver had become commodities, no serious effect was noted. "This morning the public was again startled by the announcement that the Western Marine and Fire Insurance Company's bank had failed. This caused a tremendous panic among all classes, and many of even our ablest business men were alarmed to a degree beyond conception. The various banking establishments were soon crowded with depositors eagerly desirous of withdrawing their balances. A few of the strongest institutions escaped a severe run till the after noon, but many of them were thoroughly taxed to meet tbe drain. Some banks of good repute were forced early in the day to refuse payment of checks for large amounts till Monday or Tuesday, while others paid their checks in greenbacks as long as they could and then paid in New York exchange. This method of procedure on the part of the banks, is, to say the least, irregular, but it was deemed the most prudent course under the circumstances." — (Tribune, Oc tober 2, 1864.) "The fall in gold is simply a rise in the value of greenbacks. Gold HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 195 remains stationary, but the purchasing power of the legal tender is enhancing. National currency which five weeks ago was worth but 38 cents in coin, is now worth 55 cents. This is due to the splendid victories of Farragut, Sherman, Sheridan, and Grant." — (Tribune, October 3, 1864.) "The money market to-day was again convulsed and panic-strick en. As soon as the banks opened a determined and persistent run on some of them was kept up all forenoon, but toward the afternoon it had evidently spent its force and there was increased confidence. One of the savings banks had a very large crowd of depositors at its door all day. There were no failures. There were no signs of weakness exhibited by any of the banks." — (Tribune, October 4, 1864.) The Board of Trade passed resolutions to accept certified checks of solvent banks for all transactions with the board ; this was done to relieve the bankers. The most important business feature of 1864 was the establish ment of the national banks. "The outset of the year (1864) found us with one national bank organized and that coldly received by its fel low institutions. It found us with a miscellaneous currency which made the sorting process laborious to our bankers and noxious to the community, a mixed and motley mass of Eastern rag issues." — (Tribune, December, 1864.) In. former years, in the best times, exchange on New York had cost 1 to 5 per cent, and in panics 15 to 20 per cent, and worse. Im mediately after the establishment of the National banks exchange on New York was at par. The relief to business of all kinds was enormous. By December, 1864, the following National banks were in existence: First National E. Aiken, president Second National J. A. Ellis, president Third National J. H. Bowen, president Fourth National B. Lombard, president Fifth National Josiah Lombard, president Mechanics National J. Y. Scammon, president Northwestern National B. Sturgis, president Manufacturers National W. H. Brown, president "The year 1864 has been a most prosperous one to all our banking institutions. A brief but boisterous flurry in October, in the sudden fall of gold, brought down three hollow institutions and that was all. The wonder only grew, when the storm was over, that these had lived so long. The other banks stood erect, some of them a little pale, and warned by the lesson given, but the majority went safely through secure in the channels of legitimate business." — (Tribune, December, 1864.) "The banking transactibns of Chicago are all for cash. It stands as the paymaster of the great Northwest and disburses the millions in currency required to move its great food staples, each year, by Vol. II— 12. 196 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY the opening of new channels and the development of new currents of trade. The great Upper Mississippi region no longer follows the flow of the Father of Waters. The new territories, the far West with its new Eldorados, have been added to the pay roll of Chicago. The banking capital of Chicago at the close of this year (1864) has more than doubled in the last twelve months and is three times as large as that of 1862 For the last sixty days the amount handled by our bankers daily is ten millions of dollars. Within the past fortnight one of our leading banking houses in a single day shows transactions reaching two millions and a half of dollars. It must be remembered that this is currency actually han dled — counted, piled and carried away. One million dollars a day goes into the country to the producer. Well may the bankers re joice that the days of rag money are over. Imagine a banking house 'sorting' two millions and a half of 'red dog' a day. . . . The question of establishing a clearing house in the city has been long discussed by our leading bankers and business men and it meets with general favor." — (Tribune, December, 1864.) First National .S. Aiken $1,000,000 Second National J. A. Ellis 100,000 Third National Jas. H. Bowen. . . . 750,000 Fourth National B. Lombard 200,000 Fifth National L. Lombard 503,000 Mechanics National J. Y. Scammon . . . 250,000 Northwestern National C. G. Hammond . . 500,000 Merchants National C. B. Blair 450,000* Union National W. F. Coolbaugh.. 500,000 Commercial National P. R. Westf all .... 200,000 Manufacturers National VV. H. Brown 250,000 Traders National J. A. Rutter 160,000 City National A. P. Reed 250,000 Merchants Loan and Trust Company. . ..S. A. Smith 500,000 Marine National J. Y. Scammon. . . 500,000 State Saving Trust C. A. Haines 100,000 Producers Bank N. Doolittle 200,000 Creamery Bank J. N. Wadsworth. 160,000 Branch Bank of Montreal (An agent) 250,000 $6,820,000 Estimated capital of private banks $2,000,000 Total ., $8,820,000 Among the private bankers were : Solomon Sturgis Sons, J. M. Adsit, Meadowcroft Bros., L. Silverman, L. Meyers & Co., Tyler, Williams & Co., A. C. Badger & Co., Scripps, Preston & Kean, Greenebaum Bros., C. L. Nichoff & Co., Hardin, Cushman & Co. The following is a condensed statement of the seven National banks for the quarter ending December 31, 1864: Discounts $3,244,181.71 Currency and specie on hand 3,095,693 87 Individual deposits 3',08L893!38 Government deposits 1,460,969.43 Circulation l'678|800!00 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 197 The following bids of over $1,000 for the Government loan of $75,000,000 ordered in 1864 were presented by Chicago bankers : W. J. Egan & Co $ 3,600 at 3 per cent premium Henry Thompson 4,000 at 10 per cent premium R. N. Shaw 2,000 at 6 per cent premium Second National bank 25,000 at 6J.-2 percent premium S. Sturgis 10,000 at 3 to 5 per cent premium Hiram Hance 1,800 at 6^4 Per cent premium C. B. Blair 19,000 at 3 to 6yi percent premium D. R. Halt 5,000 at 5J4 per cent premium C. & B. Clark 5,000 at 5 per cent premium W. L. Peck 10,000 at 3 per cent premium C. H. Warner 2,000 at 6]4 to Tyi per cent premium Fourth National bank 12,000 at 2 to 0 percent premium Fifth National bank 20,000 at 5j4 per cent premium W. H. King 20,000 at 3 per cent premium The National banks here January 1, 1865, had a capital of $2,318,- 300. On April 1, 1865, the total was $4,837,420. Cir- Currency Specie Bank. Capital. Discounts. Deposits, culation. on hand, on hand. First National . . . $1,000,000 Second National. 100,000 Third National... 750,000 Fourth National. 186,000 Fifth National... 500,000 Mechanics 250,000 Commercial 200,000 Merchants 450,000 Union 500,000 Northwestern ... 500,000 Manufacturers .. 225,000 City 176,420 $941,308 $1,377,622 $514,800 $ 260,685 $14,800 115,395 354,274 97,500 1,000,848 268,124 1,389,385 290,000 881,225 5,267 182,755 129,989 163,000 59,375 3,632 513,910 364,311 357,950 289,125 214,344 327,410 126,500 104,940 1,521 138,682 82,840 34,000 63,974 442,998 515,761 184,500 211,749 873,509 2,329,683 420,000 1,532,266 349,420 176,674 450,000 160,234 124,332 • 184,610 82,500 132,041 < > c * • 81,125 103,880 35,604 Total $4,837,420 $4,245,907 $7,336,445 $2,718,750 $4,733,067 $25,221 — Tribune, April 5, 1865. The officers of the City National bank early in February, 1865, were A. D. Reed, president, and J. P. Taylor, cashier. In March the capital of the Manufacturers' National bank was increased to $300,000; in February the capital of the Fifth National bank was increased to $500,000 ; in March the Fourth National bank removed to the Lumbard block near the post office. In March Cook county scrip was worth from 86 to 87 cents on the dollar. About this time Cook county 7 per cent, war bonds, payable in fifteen, twenty and 25 years, sold at par. Cook county scrip could be exchanged for Cook county war bonds at par. This fact finally raised the value of the scrip to 97 and 98 cents on the dollar. Notwithstanding the fall of Richmond and close of the war the price of gold con tinued to rise, much to the surprise of everybody. It had been thought that the war alone kept the price up, but it was learned that the quantity of paper currency in circulation and the possibility that it might never be redeemed were the primary causes to keep up the price. About April the Cook county scrip was quoted as low as 83 198 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY cents to 84 cents on the dollar, but after that it rose steadily until it was 98 cents on the dollar. In April the Trader's bank was trans formed into a National bank with a capital of $200,000; J. O. Rutter was president and T. P. Tallman cashier. In June, 1865, Preston, Williard & Kean were the government loan agents with office at 47 Clark street. In September, 1865, the stock of the First National bank sold at $1.25 on the dollar. At the same date stock of the Third National bank sold for $1.03 on the dollar. In September, 1865, Chicago city 7 per cent, bonds were worth 90 cents on the dol lar; old Chamber of Commerce bonds sold at $1.10j^ on the dollar and new Chamber of Commerce bonds sold at par. In January, 1865, a number of bankers assembled to discuss the proposition of establishing a Clearing house. It was agreed that the project should first be tried as an experiment and if successful and satisfactory, would be continued. All of the leading banks participated in this meeting except the Mechanics' National, Solo mon Sturgis & Co., Montreal Bank Agency, and the Traders'. They agreed to join the movement if the experiment proved successful. On March 10, 1865, the Clearing house was formally organized with W. F. Coolbaugh as president ; Joseph Lumbard as vice-presi dent, and A. C. Badger, E. I. Tinkham, E. E. Braisted, Ira Holmes and John De Koven as executive committee. On May 13, 1865, at a meeting of the bankers the subject of issu ing clearing house certificates was discussed. The meeting passed a resolution authorizing bankers of the association to issue such certificates to be used to settle balances between the banks and clear ing house to the extent of 3 per cent, of their capital ; and as security for the redemption of the certificates they were required to deposit with the clearing house committee legal tender or coupon United States notes for like amounts. COURTS AND LAWYERS PROBABLY the first lawyer that ever came here to reside was Charles Jouett, who was sent here as Indian agent in 1805. He was a native of Virginia. He studied law at Charlottesville, Va., and was appointed by Jefferson Indian agent at Detroit in 1802. April 2, 1805, he was appointed com missioner to hold a treaty with the Wyandottes, Ottawas, and other Indians in Northwestern Ohio and what is now Southeastern Mich igan. The same year he was appointed as Indian agent at Chicago, and on October 26, 1805, assumed charge, by direction of the Gov ernment, of the Sacs, Foxes, and Pottawatomies. He was again appointed Indian agent for Chicago by President Madison in 1815, and moved here with his family in that year. The next lawyer that took up his abode here was Russell E. Hea cock. He arrived in Chicago July 4, 1827. Under date of August 5, 1835, he is advertised as an attorney, and his name appears in the Chicago directories as late as 1848. He was one of the four delegates from Cook county to the Constitutional convention of 1847, the others being Francis E. Sherman, Patrick Ballingall, and E. F. Colby. The next lawyer that came here was Richard J. Hamilton. On the organization of Cook county he turned his eyes northward and was elected by the General Assembly as the first probate judge January 29, 1831. His friend, Judge Richard M. Young, appointed him clerk of the Cook County Circuit court, and Governor Reynolds commissioned him a notary public and recorder. According to all accounts he arrived in Chicago in the very early days of April, 1831, and was present at the organization of the county on the 8th of that month. The first lawyers who came here to make a living by their pro fession were Giles Spring and John Dean Caton, who arrived here about June 18,- 1833. If they did not try the first lawsuit, they were engaged in the first prosecution for larceny that ever occurred here. Soon after there came James H. Collins, Justin Butterfield, George Manierre, Alonzo Huntington, Ebenezer Peck, James Grant, E. W. Casey, A. N. Fullerton, Isaac N. Arnold, Henry Moore, Grant Goodrich, Buckner S. Morris, William B. and Mahlon D. Ogden, Mark Skinner, Lisle Smith, N. B. Judd, Thomas Hoyne, William H. Brown, Henry Brown, and George B. Meeker. The names of these lawyers are not in the exact order of time of 199 200 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY arrival, but Spring and Caton came here in 1833, Grant Goodrich, Buckner S. Morris, James H. Collins in 1834, William B. Ogden, George Manierre, Alonzo Huntington, Ebenezer Peck, Jonathan Young Scammon and Justin Butterfield in 1835, Isaac N. Arnold, John Wentworth, Mark Skinner and Henry Brown in 1836, Lisle Smith, Thomas Hoyne, N. B. Judd, George Meeker and Mahlon D. Ogden in 1837, Edward G. Ryan in 1836, Hugh T. Dickey in 1838. Calvin De Wolf came October 31, 1837, John Wentworth October 25, 1836. William H. Brown came here in 1835. In 1834 the number of, lawyers -was eleven and their names were: Rus sell E. Heacock, R. J. Hamilton, Giles Spring, John Deari Caton, E. W. Case)', A. N. Fullerton, James H. Collins, James Grant, Grant Goodrich, Henry Moore, and Buckner S. Morris. Five of these men reached the bench, and all attained distinction. The first meeting of the Chicago bar was held some time in July, 1835, and was called to pay respect to the memory of Chief Justice Marshall, who died July 6, 1835. The members present' were: A. N. Fullerton, E. W. Casey, Grant Goodrich, Buckner S. Morris, Henry Moore, and Royal Stewart. From 1834 to 1840 many young men of education' and family distinction came to Chicago to locate and engage in the practice of the law, but all who thus came did not remain. Among these were Henry Moore, Joseph N. Balestier of Brattleboro, Vt, George An son, Oliver Beaumont, Fisher Ames Harding of Rhode Island, and Fletcher Webster, the son of Daniel Webster. While here in 1837 Webster was at the head of the firm of Webster & Harding. The celebrated Thomas F. Marshall came to Chicago just before the breaking out of the war and engaged in the practice for a short time. Joseph Blackburn also practiced here for a short time in con nection with his brother just before the breaking out of the rebel lion. The career of Judge Caton is not only unique in local history, but is something extraordinary. He arrived in Chicago on the 19th of June, 1833. He was here when Chicago was nothing but a small collection of huts. He prosecuted the first criminal who was ever brought before a court of justice in Chicago and commenced and tried the first civil suit in a court of record in this county and was engaged in the very first jury case ever tried in Will and Kane counties. James H. Collins came to the State in 1833 and took up a claim to some land at Holderman's Grove, in Kendall county. At the solicitation of Judge Caton, who knew him while residing in New York, and who had studied in his office, he abandoned farming and entered into partnership with him in the practice of the law in 1834. This arrangement lasted but a year, when a partnership was formed between himself and Justin Butterfield under the firm name of Butterfield & Collins, which soon took a very high rank, not HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 201 only in the city of Chicago, but throughout the State. They were' both well grounded in their profession, and were men of great determination and perseverance. Collins was a man of iron will. He was one of the earliest and most violent abolitionists in the West. He belonged to that group of men like Dr. Charles V. Dyer, Ichabod Codding, Z. Eastman, L. C. P. Freer, Famsworth, George Manierre, Carlos Haven, H. B. Hurd, Chancellor L. Jenks, and the Lovejoys. He was engaged in the defense of Owen Love joy, the brother of Elijah, who was foully murdered at Alton by a pro-slavery mob in 1837. Grant Goodrich occupies a high rank among the pioneer lawyers of Chicago. He became a partner here of Giles Spring in 1834. No one who engaged in the practice here ever pursued his profes sion with greater diligence and success than he, and no one has a better record for honor and fidelity than he. He was for some time a partner of George Scoville, and in 1854 entered into partner ship with William W. Farwell, who was afterward elected to the circuit bench, and in 1856 Sidney Smith entered the firm, and it became Goodrich, Farwell & Smith. In 1857 he went to Europe and remained there until the spring of 1859. Upon his return he was elected one of the judges of the Superior Court of Chicago, which he held for one term. In 1847 the Constitution of the State of Illinois was revised and a new judicial system adopted for the State, in and by which the judiciary was made elective. A County Court was established in each county with probate jurisdiction, to be held by one judge, who was to be elected by the qualified voters of the county and hold four years. , By an act of the General Assembly, approved November 5, 1849, entitled "An act to establish the Tenth Judicial Circuit, and to fix the times of holding courts in the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Ninth, and Eleventh Judicial circuits, and for other purposes," it was provided in the 1 1th section as follows : "From and after the first Monday in January next, the Circuit Court in and for the county of Cook shall be holden on the first Mondays of May and December in each year, and that there shall be added to the name and title of the 'Cook County Court,' created by an act of the Legislature, approved on the 21st of February, 1845, and referred to in the 21st section of the schedule of the Constitution, the words of 'Common Pleas,' so that the title and name of said court shall henceforward be the 'Cook County Court of Common Pleas,' and the regular terms of said last- named court shall hereafter be held on the first Mondays of Feb ruary and September in each year, instead of at the time heretofore designated by law ; and the said Cook County Court of Common Pleas and' the said Circuit Court of Cook County shall have equal and concurrent jurisdiction in all cases of misdemeanor arising un der the criminal laws of this State and. in all cases of appeals from 202 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY justices of the peace arising or instituted within said county of Cook, any law in any wise to the contrary notwithstanding, and all appeals from justices of the peace within said county of Cook shall be taken and carried to whichever of said courts the term of _ which shall be held next after any such appeal shall have been applied for and taken." By an act of the General Assembly, approved February 6, 1849, it was provided by the 1st section "that on the first Monday of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-nine, and every fourth year thereafter, an election shall be held in Cook county, at which election there shall be chosen one judge of the court created by an act entitled 'An act to establish the Cook County Court,' approved February 21, 1845, also a clerk of said court, and a prosecuting attorney, to perform the duties pro vided for in said act, who shall each hold their respective offices for the term of four years and until their successors shall be elected and qualified." Giles Spring was a phenomenon — a natural born lawyer. His education was quite limited, and he paid little respect to the rules of grammar, yet he could present a point of law to the court and argue the facts of the case to the jury with a clearness and force seldom equaled. In argument he possessed a keenness of analysis, a force of compact, crushing logic which bore down all opposition. He studied law in Ashtabula, in the law office of Benjamin F. Wade and Joshua R. Giddings, and removed to Chicago in 1833, and six teen years after, or in 1849, was elected judge of the Cook County Court of Common Pleas. On the death of Spring, in May, 1851, Mark Skinner was elected judge of the Cook County Court of Com mon Pleas and held the office for two years. He was succeeded by Judge John M. Wilson, one of the most remarkable jurists, in some respects, that ever held a judicial position in the courts of this county. He possessed great grasp of intellect and strong reasoning powers, and was master of the common law and the science of pleading, and was equally at home on the chancery side. He pre sided with great dignity on all trials, ruled with promptness, and disposed, in the course of a year, of an immense amount of business. Mark Skinner spent a year at the New Haven Law School, then entered the office of Judge Ezek Cowen at Saratoga Springs, a cele brated lawyer, and finished his studies under the tutelage of Nich olas Hill at Albany, who was a master of his profession, and who perhaps never had his superior in this or any other country in analyzing a case and making a brief and presenting the law points. Mr. Skinner arrived here in July, 1836. He was soon after ad mitted to the bar and formed a partnership with George Anson Oliver Beaumont, with whom he continued in business until 1844, and in 1847 he formed a partnership with Thomas Hoyne, which continued until he was elected to the bench. Mr. Skinner was not HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 203 only a highly educated man, but one of the best trained men in the profession. He was identified with almost every public enter prise and improvement which was projected during his time. He was city attorney in 1840, school inspector in 1842, United States district attorney in 1844, was a member of the Legislature in 1846, was chairman of the meeting called by the citizens of Chicago in 1846 to make the necessary arrangements for the great River and Harbor convention in 1847. He helped organize the Young Men's association and the Chicago Lyceum, and was a member of the United States Sanitary commission and president of the Chicago Sanitary commission during the war. He was a trustee of the Illinois Charitable Eye and Ear Infirmary and was long connected with the Chicago Relief and Aid society, the Home of the Friend less and the Reform School. Justin Butterfield was without doubt one of the greatest lawyers of his time and belongs to that early group who attained national distinction. He was appointed commissioner of the General Land Office in June, 1849, his rival being Abraham Lincoln. Daniel Webster was a great friend of Butterfield and Butterfield recipro cated the friendship, dressed like him, and imitated to a great ex tent his methods. He took part in many noted trials and many anecdotes are told of his powers and quaint methods. One of the most remarkable cases that he ever engaged in was that of Joe Smith, the great head of the Mormon Church at Nauvoo. Thomas Hoyne was one of the most eminent lawyers that ever practiced at the Chicago bar. He came here in 1839 to meet the early friend and companion of his youth, George Manierre, who had preceded him but a few years. His career is something unique in our history, for, commencing with a clerkship in the Circuit Court clerk's office, he afterward filled the office of city clerk, pro bate judge, United States district attorney, United States marshal and acting mayor of the city of Chicago. Among the most enterprising public-spirited and useful citizens was Jonathan Young Scammon. He came here in 1833 and was appointed reporter of the decisions of the Supreme Court of Illinois in 1839 and issued four volumes, which bear the marks of great care and industry. The first edition of Volume I of his reports was destroyed by fire in December, 1840, while in the hands of the binder, causing a heavy loss of time and money. That Mr. Scam mon labored under many difficulties in preparing his reports for publication is evident by what he says in the preface to Volume I of his series, from which it appears that printed abstracts and briefs were entirely unknown and he had to prowl through the record and briefs of the appellant and then sit by and take notes of the points and authorities of the appellee at the time the case was argued, as no briefs were required to be filed by the appellee. Henry W. Blodgett was one of the early pioneers of Cook 204 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY county, and for many years occupied a seat upon the bench of the United States District and Circuit courts. Henry Moore came to Chicago in 1834 from Concord, Mass., and was admitted to the bar the same year. He was a lawyer of fine abilities, a very attractive and interesting speaker and very soon became prominent. He was for a short time a partner of E. G. Ryan. Henry Brown came here in 1836 and was soon after elected a justice of the peace, and in 1842 became city attorney. He prepared a history of Illinois in 1844. Paul Cornell may be regarded as among the most enterprising men ever connected with the Chicago bar. He studied law in the office' of William A. Richardson at Rushville. He first came to Chicago in 1845, but did not remain permanently. He returned on June 1, 1847. John M. Wilson had recently removed here and had formed a partnership with L. C. P. Freer, and Cornell became a clerk in their office. He was afterward employed in the office of James H. Collins and of Skinner & Hoyne, and on Mr. Hoyne being elected probate judge he acted as clerk. In 1851 he formed a partnership with William T. Barron and they did a large business. In 1856 Barron was elected probate judge, when he became associated with the late Judge John A. Jameison and Perkins Bass, and after that with H. N. Hibbard, the firm being Cornell, Jameison & Hibbard. He always had great faith in the future of Chicago and invested largely in real estate. He purchased the town site of Hyde Park, laid it out into lots and sold many of them and improved the rest. He also laid out Grand Crossing, built a hotel there and established a watch factory. He took a great interest in schools and churches and contributed largely to their support. He was an ardent sup porter of the project for establishing parks in the south division of the city and was for a number of years one of the park commis sioners. Calvin De Wolf arrived in Chicago October 31, 1837, and in 1838 entered the law office of Spring & Goodrich. He was admitted to the bar in May, 1843. He was elected a justice of the peace in 1854, and held the office up to 1879 when he resumed the practice, but did not continue it long. In his early days he was an abolitionist of the most pronounced type and belonged to that well-known school of philosophers and philanthropists of which Dr. Dyer, George Manierre and Owen Lovejoy were types. Harvey B. Hurd belongs to the old regime, although he did not join the Chicago bar until 1846. In 1847 he began the study of law in the office of Calvin De Wolf and was admitted to the bar in 1848. He commenced practice with Carlos Haven, who after ward distinguished himself as State's attorney for the Cook and Lake county circuit. He was one of the founders of the flourish ing city of Evanston and took up his residence there in 1855. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 205 Ezra B. McCagg is one of the links in the remote past of the Chicago bar. He studied law in the office of Monell, Hogeboom & Monell of Hudson, and was admitted to the bar in 1847. In the summer of that year he came to Chicago and formed a,1 partnership with J. Y. Scammon, which continued many years. Samuel W. Fuller became a member of the firm about 4859, which continued until his death. No one at the bar had a more varied experience than Mr. McCagg. No lawyer at the Chicago bar traveled so much as he, and none had such opportunities to make himself well informed and well read as he. Col. James M. Strode was a member of the Chicago bar and prosecuting attorney from about 1844 to 1848, He was identified with the bar of Joe Daviess, Co.ok and McHenry counties. His name is attached to a letter signed by the leading citizens of Chi cago addressed to Alexander McKinzie, dated October 3, 1838, in which they express their high appreciation of Mr. McKinzie's efforts to entertain the people by a series of theatrical performances and trusted that before he left the city he would allow them to testify their regard for him "by appointing an evening for a benefit for himself." Mr. McKinzie replied to this highly complimentary letter on the 11th of October, 1838, which is addressed to H. L. Rucker, J. M. Strode, Buckner S. Morris and others, acknowledg ing the receipt of the communication and naming Thursday evening, the 18th, as the benefit night. The colonel was not only a devotee of the law, but a patron of the drama. William H. Brown was one of the most useful citizens that Chi cago ever had and the bar should be proud of his exemplary char acter. He was one of the most careful and trustworthy lawyers that ever advised a client or tried a case. His business was strictly an office business, and in his later years he did nothing but attend to his own affairs. Edward W. Casey of New Hampshire was the fifth lawyer to take up his abode here, in 1833, and was for a time deputy clerk of Richard J. Hamilton, clerk of the Circuit court. He practiced for some time in partnership with Buckner S. Morris, the firm name being Morris & Casey. He was a strong and vigorous lawyer and able advocate. James Grant, the sixth member of the Chicago bar, was admitted to practice in this State March 26, 1836. In 1836 he represented Arthur Bronson in making sales of some seven thousand acres of land at the terminus of the Illinois and Michigan canal. In 1836 he, formed a partnership with Francis Peyton, which continued until about 1839, when he removed to Davenport, Iowa. A. N. Fullerton of Vermont came here in 1833 and was for a time a partner of Grant Goodrich. He drifted into commercial pursuits. The names of Royal Stewart, William Stuart and Hans Crocker appear on the records as lawyers at a very early period. 206 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY James Curtis came here early, and was a shrewd lawyer and man of ability. He set himself up as the champion of the people and was more inclined to talk politics than practice law. He had many good traits in his character and drew around him many friends and adherents. He was elected mayor of the city in 1847 and again in 1850. He was appointed by Judge Hugh T. Dickey the first clerk of the old Cook County court, now the Superior Court of Cook county. Ebenezer Peck filled for a considerable period a large place in the public affairs of this State. He was born in Portland, Me., but moved to Montreal at a very early age, where he was educated and admitted to the bar. He rose to the position of king's counsel and was elected a member of the Provincial Parliament of Canada East. He came here in 1835 and soon showed his forcible man ner. He was elected to the State Senate in 1838 to fill the unex pired term of Peter Pruyne, deceased. George W. Meeker came to Chicago in 1837, studied with Spring & Goodrich, and was admitted to the bar in 1839, and very soon after formed a partnership with Mr. Manierre. ' He was for a time clerk of the United States court and was for many years United States Court commissioner. He was considered a very fine office lawyer ; was well versed in the statute law of the State and especially the statutes of the United States, and was an authority on all points of practice arising in the Federal courts. In 1854 a system of police magistrates was established for the whole State. At the municipal election in 1855 police justices were voted for under an old act relating to Chicago without any regard to the new act, although there were very many who believed that by the law as it then existed police magistrates alone should be voted for. The consequence was that both police magistrates and police justices were voted for. The police justices received an over whelming vote. W. H. Stickney, Calvin De Wolf, and Nathan Allen received a few votes, having been voted for as police magis trates. A case was taken to the Supreme court, and it was decided that under the circumstances either title would comply with the true intent and meaning of the law, and Mr. Stickney was offered a certificate of election and a commission, but he said that the citizens having so unmistakably indicated their preferences, he would not take advantage of any technicality, and therefore refused the com mission offered to him. Among the early public prosecutors in Cook county was Alonzo Huntington, who came to Chicago as early as 1835 from Vermont, became State's attorney in 1837, and served in that capacity until 1841. He prosecuted John Stone for the murder of Lucretia Thompson, which was tried at the April term of the Circuit Court of Cook county, 1840, before Hon. John Pearson, who presided. Stone was defended by Justin Butterfield and S. Lisle Smith, and HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 207 from beginning to end the trial was attended by many dramatic incidents. Stone was convicted and finally executed. In 1851-2 Daniel McElroy and Patrick Ballingall were the lead ing criminal lawyers, and Mr. McElroy was at that time State's attorney and prosecuted George W. Green for poisoning his wife with strychnine. He was succeeded by Carlos Haven, who proved to be one of the most successful prosecutors the county ever had. Pie was the very embodiment of honesty and integrity, and never insisted upon a conviction when he became convinced that there ought not to be one, but he was the terror of the wicked and they fled before him. Patrick Ballingall was a man of unusual acumen and shrewdness, and, considering the great disadvantages that he labored under in his youth, it is quite wonderful what success he had and what a reputation he established. That he attained distinction is evidenced by the fact that he was more than once elected to the office of State's attorney, and was one of the delegates from this county to the Con stitutional convention in 1847. Daniel McElroy came to Chicago in 1844, and was twice elected State's attorney. Carlos Haven was succeeded by Joseph Knox, Charles H. Reed, Luther Laflin Mills, Julius H. Grinnell, and Joel Longenecker as public prosecutors. George Ingham, who was the assistant prosecutor under Mills, was possessed of the most wonderful gifts, and his earnestness and directness always attracted attention. Charles G. Neely was an as sistant under Longenecker, also achieved a wide reputation while acting on behalf of the State. Joseph Knox was a natural born lawyer and was one of the most effective jury lawyers that ever practiced in the Rock River Valley. He was very direct and at times very dramatic in his pres entation of a case, and was for years engaged in the trial of more cases than any other lawyer of his time. Charles W. Reed was admitted to the bar in 1859, and soon after became a partner of Joseph Knox. He removed with Knox & Drury from Rock Island to Chicago in 1860, and in 1864 was elected State's attorney, and was reelected two successive terms. In the winter of 1882 he was associated in the defense of Charles Guiteau for the murder of Garfield. He was a man of great natural abilities, and was considered a great Greek scholar. He was a most efficient State's attorney. The success of Julius ,H. Grinnell in modern times as State's attorney is something phenomenal. During his term of office he was called upon to prosecute a number of the most remarkable criminal cases that ever had- occurred in this country. He prose cuted with success the anarchist cases and what are known as the boodle cases, which involved a number of the county commissioners 208 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY in Cook county in corrupt practices, and was triumphant in all of them. John Van Arnam, one of the most noted criminal lawyers of the country, came to Chicago from Michigan in 1859, and practiced with distinction. Emory A. Storrs was a great criminal lawyer, but he did not make it a specialty. William O'Brien was another great criminal lawyer. He was a man of great natural abilities and brain power. __ E. G. Asay, for a considerable period antedating the fire, did a large criminal business, and was very successful. Augustus H. Van Buren, his father, Evert Van Buren, A. S. Trude, and Charles M. Hardy all attained celebrity in the management of criminal cases. Leonard Swett was a man who pursued a lofty ideal and was above trickery and chicanery. He was in appearance almost the counterpart of Abraham Lincoln, and was his intimate friend and practiced with him on the circuit long before his removal to Chicago. In addition to the above William S. Forrest, Russell M. Wing, Daniel Donahue, William J. Hynes, Kickham Scanlan, Daniel Munn, and William S. Elliott have all attained distinction in the practice of the criminal law. Mr. Forrest has made criminal juris prudence a specialty, and has studied the subject scientifically, and the same may be said of Mr. Wing and several others. There is no branch of law so much neglected and so illy under stood as that of the criminal law. In cities like Chicago the office of State's attorney has risen to the importance of the home depart ment in England and should be filled by not only a learned and experienced lawyer, but one of the greatest integrity and well versed in public affairs. The administration of the criminal law during the pioneer period was attended with far more certainty than at the present time, and there was far less nonsense and trifling indulged in than character izes the trial of cases of this character in our courts at the present time. If we are to judge of the manner in which criminal cases are disposed of by an examination of the reports of this State, it would appear that all criminal cases are determined by an equation of errors instead of on their merits, and that we have made no progress at all since Judge Lockwood made his celebrated decision in the case of McKinney vs. People (2 Gil., 248) in 1845. The criminal law at the present time is the least studied and the least understood of any branch of the law, and our courts seem to have but one idea about it, and that is to be guided solely by the technical rules of the seventeenth century, to rule everything against . the State and to not only give the defendant the benefit of every doubt, both reasonable and unreasonable, but also every possibility of a doubt. In the pioneer period penitentiaries were not regarded as summer resorts which were to be run on the European plan, but HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 209 a place of penance,, and persons when convicted were sent there to do something besides sit around and calculate their chances of being set at liberty by those who are "in the push" or be pardoned outright by a sympathetic Governor. The District court of the United States for the State of Illinois was established March 3, 1819, and Nathaniel Pope was appointed district judge. He died in 1850, and was succeeded by Thomas Drummond, who continued to fill that office until he was appointed circuit judge in December, 1869. The District court of the United States had and exercised Circuit court jurisdiction, and the district judge held the Circuit court for a long period, although Judge McLean of the United States Supreme court was the judge of this circuit, which was called the Seventh, from 1837 down to the time of his death in 1861. Nathaniel Pope was the first judge to hold a Federal court in Chicago, which was in 1837, over George W. Meeker's store, on Lake street, between Clark and Dearborn. Judge Drummond also held court for a short time in the same place, but very soon after Judge Drummond removed from Galena to Chicago, and perhaps before, the United States courts were held in what was known as the Saloon building, at the southeast corner of Clark and Lake streets. In 1857 the United States courts were removed to the Larmon building, corner of Clark and Washington. Immediately after the fire the courts, with the custom house, were removed to Congress hall, at the corner of Michigan avenue and Congress street, then they were transferred to the Republic Life building, on La Salle street, and later to the Government building, at the corner of Dearborn and Monroe streets. Abraham Lincoln, prior to 1860, tried many cases in the United States District courts. The last case he tried in any of the courts in Cook county was what is known as the "Sand bar" case, which involved title to a large amount of "shore" property on Lake Michi gan, north of the Chicago river. It had been tried three several times previously, and came on for the fourth time before Judge Drummond and a jury in the Larmon block, northeast corner of Clark and Washington streets, on March 19, 1860, two months prior to the great Chicago convention. Lincoln stopped at the Tremont House, and he never was in Chicago but twice afterward. The title of the case was William S. Johnson vs. William Jones and Sylves ter Marsh. The counsel for the plaintiff were Buckner S. Morris, Isaac N. Arnold, and John A. Wills. The counsel for defendant were Abraham Lincoln, Samuel W. Fuller, Van H. Higgins, and John Van Arnam. The trial closed April 4 by a verdict for de fendants. The business directory which was published by J. W. Norris in January, 1846, contains the following list of attorneys, with their place of business: Abell, Sidney, 37 Clark street; Arnold (Isaac 210 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY N.) & Ogden (Mahlon D.), 123 Lake street; Brown, Henry and Andrew J., 126 Lake street; Brown, John, 90y2 Lake street; But terfield, Justin and J., Jr., 70 Lake street; Clarke, Henry W., south west corner Clark and Lake streets; Cowles (Alfred) & Brown (William H.), State Bank building, southwest corner La Salle and South Water streets; Curtis, James, courthouse, southwest corner Randolph and Clark streets; De Wolf, Calvin, 71 Lake street; Dickey, Hugh T., 102 y2 Lake street; Freer, Lemuel Covell Paine, 53 Clark street, opposite City Hotel; Gardiner, Charles, 71 Lake street; Gregg, David L-, U. S. attorney, 65 Lake street; Hamilton (Richard Jones) & Moore (Thomas C), 59 Clark street; Hoyne, Thomas, 51 Clark street, opposite jostoffice; Huntington, Alonzo, 98 Lake street; Leary, Albert Green, 53 Clark street; Lee, David, 103 y2 Lake street; McDougall, James A., 118 Lake street; Mcllroy, Daniel, courthouse basement; Manierre (George) & Meeker (George W.), 100 Lake street; Morris (Buckner S-) & Greenwood . (George W.), 59 Lake street; Phelps, Pallas, Clinton between Mad ison and Washington streets; Scammon (Jonathan Y.) & Judd (Norman B.), 23 Lake street; Skinner, Mark, 92 Lake street; Spring (Giles) & Goodrich (Grant), 124 Lake street; Stuart (Wil liam) & Larrabee ( Charles. R. ) , 59 Clark street; Thomas (Jesse Burgess) & Ballingall (Patrick), 92 Lake street; Tracey, Elisha Winslow, 123 Lake street ; Wright, Walter, 94 Lake street. Chicago became in a very short time the great objective point, and among the "sooners" were such men as Melville W. Fuller, S. K. Dow, Samuel W. Fuller, A. W. Arrington, B. F. Ayer, Cyrus Bent- ley, William C. Goudy, M. F. Tuley, Lambert Tree, Robert Hervey, Richard Merrick, Joseph P. Clarkson, . E. W. Tracey, John Van Arnam, Emory A. Storrs, Wirt Dexter, James M. Walker, Charles Hitchcock, B. F. Gallup, John A. and George W. Thompson, Thomas F. Withrow, John P. Wilson, E. W. Evans, H. T. Helm, Alexander S. Prentiss, B. F. Strother, Sidney Smith, William W. Farewell, James L. High, William K. McAllister, Corydon Beck with, H. G. Miller, Penoyer L. Sherman, William H. King, Ira W. Scott, George Payson, Joseph E. Gary, Henry M. Shepard, Van H. Higgins, John N. Jewett, John M. Douglass, James P. Root, A. M. Pence, D. L. Shorey, John A. Jamieson, Homer N. Hibbard, Robert S. Blackwell, Henry Frink, Henry S. Monroe, and many others. Richard Merrick was for a time a partner with Corydon Beck with. He possessed great oratorical powers and attained great dis tinction. Corydon Beckwith was, without any question, one of the greatest lawyers that ever practiced at the Chicago bar, and he had as worthy compeers such men as William C. Goudy, Wirt Dexter, B. F. Ayer, Henry G. Miller, John A. Jewett, Melville W. Fuller, Emory A. Storrs, Sidney Smith, William K. McAllister, A. W. Arrington, /&?4ality. The city sadly needed an office for the collection of taxes, and nothing had been done to erect a much-needed house of correction to take the place of the antiquated and exasperating Bridewell. The fire-alarm telegraph had given splendid service during the year 1866-67. Although the health department was able and active, its efficiency was enfeebled and crippled by the shameful sanitary conditions of the city, particularly the contaminated drink ing water. The Board of Public Works urgently recommended a large amount for street improvement. This meant an increased revenue, where property owners begged for a decrease. In his annual address on May 4, 1868, Mayor Rice, with much concern and dismay, announced that the total bonded debt of the city was $6,530,682. The amount raised for deepening the canal and guaranteed by the State was $450,000. The water loan amounted to $2,483,000. With these amounts deducted there was left $3,597,682 to be raised by taxation. The construction of a house of correction at this date was imperatively demanded. The project of extending the courthouse to La Salle street was recom mended. It was suggested that the haymarkets should be estab lished away from the line of business streets. Commercial interests of every description were prosperous beyond precedence. The population was increasing immensely, and the municipal depart ments experienced great difficulty in meeting the public require ments of new and expanding environments. Cleanliness and secur ity, purity and decency, faithfulness and economy, had been neg lected in the storm and confusion of rapid and unwieldy growth. Complaints of high and intolerable taxation continued to be made. Nothwithstanding the Various difficulties and despite the criticisms of the citizens and the press, Mayor Rice contended that during the years 1867-68 the city administration, as a whole, had been well and economically .conducted. On November 30, 1868, the mayor called the attention of the Council to the importance, on behalf of the city of Chicago, of securing from the United States and the State of Illinois a settlement as to the ownership of land along the lake front. It was intimated that a conveyance by the government and the State of all claims to the lake front would be acceptable to the city of Chicago. On December 6, 1869, Mayor R. B. Mason in his inaugural 390 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY address startled the community with the statement that the total debt of the city on December 1, 1869, amounted to $10,754,873. The sewerage debt was $3,930,000, the water debt $3,150,000, and the municipal bonded debt $2,960,500. After making proper de ductions, it was found that ${5,184,873 would have to be raised by taxation. People did not realize — could not or would not under stand — that the good water they were using in such abundance, the excellent health they were then enjoying, and the splendid rec ord of Cook county in the bloody Civil War, were the direct and inevitable causes of the existing sewerage, water and municipal bonded debts. What they noticed was that no effort was being made to pay this debt. It was announced that during July, 1870, the canal registered debt of over $400,000 would have to be met by the State. After that event the net income from the canal could be applied to the principal and interest of the expenditures being made by the city in deepening the canal for sanitary purposes. It was estimated that the total expenditure of the Board of Public Works for the fiscal year ending April 1, 1870, would be $1,216,581. Of this amount there had been expended by Decem ber 6, 1869J over $721,000. The total disbursements made by the Board of Public Works during the year ending April 1, 1869, for city purposes, sewerage, river improvements and public works amounted to over $3,000,000. This vast outlay showed how large had grown the varied interests of the municipality. Even with that large amount in hand to spend many improvements had neces sarily to be omitted or curtailed. It was realized that in the near future immense improvements would have to be made, and the city administration boldly and injudiciously recommended increased indebtedness, but not to the extent of an impoverishment of credit. The press called attention to the report of the Board of Public Works, demanding at once, in the interests of public health, im proved sewerage conditions throughout the city. During 1869-70 the police and fire departments, though found fault with, were properly and satisfactorily conducted. Greater economy in the con struction of school buildings was demanded, and the press persist ently declared that it was the duty of the city to provide for the education of all its children. It was advised that a number' of school buildings less expensive in character should be constructed in certain localities. As the school lands would be reappraised, no doubt, in 1870, there would probably be a considerable increase in school revenue. Satisfactory progress was made by the Board of Health. Year by year that department had steadily continued to gain in advan tages over disease, as shown by improved health conditions. A new Bridewell was urgently demanded by everybody. Existing conditions were a reproach and a disgrace. Owing to the large number of females confined there, the appointment of a matron, acting under orders of the Bridewell keeper, was suggested. STATE'S ATTORNEY AND PRINCIPAL ASSISTANTS. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 393 It was recognized that at the recent elections the citizens had ex pressed themselves in favor of strict economy, integrity and ac countability in the management of city affairs. The newspapers which were hostile to the administration depicted in glowing, iri descent and correct colors the undoubted extravagance of the party in power. The debt of the city had been more than doubled since 1866. Extravagance and corruption, it was declared, had crept into the city administration like a thief in the night and stolen immense sums and debauched official purity and honesty. Under this ringing slogan was Mayor Mason elected, He was pledged to economy, retrenchment and reform. Fair compensation was due all officers. It was recommended that the amounts received in fees by the several -offices should be investigated and any excess over reasonable compensation should be devoted to public use. The great increase in the public debt and in public taxation was food for serious reflection. It would not do to impair the good name and credit of the city. The mayor closed his inaugural by stating that, "I firmly hope that our joint labors may prove to be for the best interests of our city and be crowned with the blessing of Al mighty God." On December 5, 1870, Mayor Mason in his annual message stated that the total bonded debt of the city on December 1, 1870, amounted to $13,934,000. From this amount was to be deducted the water debt and the expense of digging the canal, leaving $6,- 611,000 to be paid by taxation. He had not curtailed indebtedness one iota as he had so strenuously and pompously promised. There was in the city treasury at this time a total of $3,236,090. The floating debt had been entirely discharged. These were the re deeming features of his extravagant administration. Of the amount on hand over $393,000 was school building fund. At this date it was reported that work on the Illinois and Michi gan canal, designed to aid in the drainage of Chicago, would be completed early in 1871. It was expected that not only would there be a great improvement in the drainage of the city and county, but that the navigation of nearly one-third of the whole canal would be greatly improved, much to the advantage of commerce. It was stated at this time that should satisfactory improvements then under consideration be made on the Illinois river, the business of the canal would be more than doubled. The mayor said : "There is no public work within my knowledge that can be completed with so small an expense and the advantages of which would be so widely diffused as the Illinois river improvement." The city was . deeply interested in the completion of the lock and dam then being constructed at the head of Peoria lake. The Reform school was considered one of the noblest and most useful charities of the city. Nearly 75 per cent of the inmates had been reformed and made useful members of society. It was real- Vol. 11—23. 394 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY ized tliat if more of the youthful offenders that were sent to the Bridewell should be sent to this institution, the benefits would be far-reaching, permanent and incalculable. There was felt a press ing need of a reform school for girls. The newspapers insisted that such an institution should at once be built. At this date the new Bridewell, which had been commenced under severe pressure from the people, was nearly completed and the Council proceeded to put the same under the proper officers and conditions. From December 1, 1869, to December 1, 1870, 5,082 persons were sent to the existing Bridewell. It was noted that at least three-fourths of that number were committed for intemper ance. It was recommended that certain theater licenses should be increased above $150. At this date approximately 2,300 saloon licenses were in existence. The population of the city was esti mated at 300,000. It was thus shown that there was one saloon for about every twenty-six men in the city. The newspapers rec ommended either an increase in the price of licenses or a decrease in the number of saloons. During the preceding year the city treas urer collected as interest on city deposits the sum of $64,929. It was believed that this was the first time the city ever realized a revenue from this source. The credit of the city was good notwithstanding the high indebtedness, and the administration of public affairs, as a whole, was satisfactory. There was no friction, as all depart-- ments worked harmoniously. In his annual message of December 4, 1871, Mayor Joseph Medill explained how awful had been the recent visitation of fire upon the city. Nearly one-half of the valuation of Chicago prop erty was wiped out by this calamity. There were burned out of house and home 125,000 people. The total destruction of property was estimated at over $100,000,000, but there was no discourage ment. Already by December the city departments were actively at work and the citizens were engaged in rude fashion in rebuilding their homes and reorganizing their business. On December 1, 1871, the total bonded debt of the city was $14,103,000. In addi tion there was a floating debt of about $686,707. There was on hand to the credit of the various funds a total of $1,556,333. The debt was increasing at a frightful rate without adequate return. Soon after the fire the Council appropriated $140,000 with which to repair the waterworks system. Formerly it was customary to place the city funds in banks and to receive no interest thereon. It was often the case that immedi ately thereafter the city would borrow money and pay interest thereon, presumably paying interest thus on its own funds. The people united in condemning the immemorial practice of anticipat ing the revenue from nine to twelve months by borrowing and using the sum for current expenses. The city taxes were collected in the spring and were immediately used at a venture for current HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 395 expenses and accumulated claims; later during the year, when the estimates were made, the city was usually compelled to borrow to meet the requirements of the last half of the year. The loss to the public by the great fire rendered additional taxes imperative to meet damages and new improvements. The State Legislature came to the rescue of the city in this emergency and restored the money the latter had advanced for deepening the Illinois and Michigan canal. This placed the canal in the possession of the city, free of all incumbrances, and enabled the authorities to rebuild its bridges, schoolhouses and other structures, maintain its credit and support its government until the crisis was past. The sum which the State agreed to pay for the city mortgage on the canal was $2,955,340. This amount saved Chicago from serious embarrassment at this critical period. Large sums to pay inter est on the city indebtedness were also required. In July, 1872, there was due from the Illinois Central railway $210,000 in taxes. In the fall of 1872 there was received in taxes $6,750,000; but it was estimated that, notwithstanding all the revenue, there would still be a shortage of nearly $1,000,000, which must be met by addi tional taxation. It was estimated at this time that the municipality lost by fire property to the amount of $1,085,000. The loss to the fire depart ment was estimated at $130,700; the police department, $86,000; the Board of Education, $251,000; Board of Health, $615,100; total, $1,567,800. In addition, 128 miles of sidewalk were de stroyed, the loss being estimated at $941,380. All of this loss covered the city hall, bridges, street pavement, damages to side walks, waterworks, lamp posts, reservoirs to the sewers, water works, furniture, etc., but it did not include the loss of the records — perhaps the most serious, all things considered, during the fire. Everything in the mayor's office was destroyed; the same of the city controller's office. A considerable portion of the records in the city clerk's office was saved; all books and vouchers in the city treasurer's office were destroyed. Many of the assessment books in the tax commissioner's office were burned. Seventeen volumes . of maps and scores of other documents in the map department were destroyed. In the city collector's office the assessment rolls, books, general taxing warrants, etc., were lost. Many records of the Board of Public Works were saved. The records of the boards of police and fire were burned ; the same of the health department, the police courts of the three divisions and the Board of Education. In most cases these records could be replaced by existing memo randa and books kept elsewhere. The greatest damage probably was in the records, rolls and warrants of the city collector's office. Most of these could not be replaced without great trouble and ex pense. It was noted that a considerable class of property holders were 396 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY in the habit of contesting in the courts the payment of all taxes and harassing the city with injunctions and other devices based upon alleged informalities in assessment and judgments, whereby the city was defrauded of a large sum of money justly due it. It was also observed that the Supreme court under the new constitu tion had rendered decisions overruling wholly the previous custom of raising money by special assessment with which to improve the streets. It was the opinion of the corporation counsel at this time that the decision rendered it impossible to continue operations in accordance with previous custom. It seemed probable that such improvements would have to be made thereafter by general taxa tion. It was realized at this date that the lavish expenditures pre viously indulged in by the Board of Public Works, Board of Educa tion and other departments would have to be terminated from sheer force of necessity if nothing else. The mayor said: "The two or three million dollars per year obtained from the sale of bonds and added to the city debt, which is the present practice, is forbid den, in the future by the new constitution, and the two or three million dollars annually obtained from special assessments are pro hibited by the Supreme court. The only remaining source of rev enue, with the exception of rents, licenses and canal lien money, is from direct taxation on property according to valuation. The time has now come for a rigid system of retrenchment in all branches of the municipal government. The 'pay-as-you-go' prin ciple must now be adopted and adhered to." He declared that the best revenue at present was retrenchment, and further said : "The fire fiend came like a thief in the night and caught our municipal government living in excess of its income, with a loose discipline in some departments, inefficiency in others, and extravagance in all. It will be no easy matter to reform the luxurious tastes and ex pensive habits of the past or to enforce in the future close economy upon independent powers, accountable in effect to nobody, and ac customed to the use of all the money they desire." The immediate discharge of numerous officeholders and a reduction of all salaries was recommended. The appointment of a special committee to make a searching investigation into the details of the municipal service, with the object of effecting a reduction of expenses, was advised. The mayor stated that the recent election, if it meant any thing, demanded that such reforms should be carried into effect. As a matter of history it must be admitted that the citizens as a whole had been and were opposed to the policy of increasing the indebtedness under any considerations, though likely to be success ful and favorable. As time passed and the debt continued to swell .to an enormous and alarming extent, and as the anticipated bene ficial results to sanitation and health failed to arrive in the golden showers promised and expected, complaints — forceful, inelegant, sarcastic, bitter and menacing — grew in volume until it came to pass HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 397 that elections were based upon pledges that a wholly different pol icy would be inaugurated and enforced. In particular Mayor Medill was severe concerning extravagance, vice and corruption in the administration of municipal affairs. He said that "honesty seemed to have departed from the majority of those holding places of trust and honor. For several years past good men have wit nessed with growing apprehension the alarming deterioration of integrity in municipal administration, and a feeling of despondency and almost despair comes over them." Attention was called to the combustible character of the city and recommendations for extending the fire alarms, perfecting fire ap paratus and otherwise preventing a reoccurrence of the late terrible calamity were made. As one means 'of preventing fire in the fu ture, the newspapers demanded a better and more reliable supply of water. It was shown that during the recent fire, as soon as the pumping works were destroyed, not a gallon of water could be secured by the department with which to check the progress of the flames. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of houses were destroyed by reason of this fact. Mayor Medill in his annual message of December 2, 1872, re viewed the condition of city affairs for the preceding year. He noted the trials and hardships to which the people were subjected owing to the great fire of October, 1871. Fifteen thousand families had lost their homes and subsisted on the charities of the world, and were huddled in schoolhouses, churches, halls and shanties of every description until they could better themselves. He noted that one of the greatest hardships was in having so many employes cut out of their usual employment and wages. This entailed enormous hardship throughout the whole city, but all had gone to work with confidence and cheerfulness and the result even in one year gave the greatest encouragement. The city government had begun the year immediately after the fire with a depleted treasury, enormous current expenses that had to be met, and a staggering debt, the interest on which alone amounted to a very large sum. During the year the General Assembly, in order to relieve the losers by the fire, ordered rebates of municipal taxes on destroyed property. This greatly reduced the revenue usually expended by the city adminis tration. Money had been borrowed and special funds had been drawn upon to meet necessary expenses. In the absence of records which had been destroyed, city business in a large measure was in a confused and chaotic condition. Enormous funds were necessary to replace bridges, viaducts, schoolhouses, engine houses, police stations, city hall, fire apparatus, sidewalks, lamp posts, furniture, books, etc. The outlook had been staggering, but the citizens with dauntless courage, backed by assistance from all parts of the world, had gone heroically to work and during one year had accomplished wonders. 398 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY The first step taken was to inaugurate a system of rigid retrench ment in every portion of the municipal service. All departments appreciated the necessity of this step and all agreed to cooperate. A greater degree of economy was never attempted, probably, in the history of the city than during the first year after the great fire. Men of prominence throughout the whole city made personal sacri fices, a record of which was not made and was not expected to be made. It was a voluntary self-sacrifice for the public welfare. With all resources taken into consideration, however, the greatest assistance was that furnished by the State in the part payment of the city's mortgage on the canal. Had it not been for that timely act it is doubtful whether the city government would not have suf fered beyond endurance during that memorable year. This sum enabled the city to support its fire and police departments, pay inter est on its debt and thus preserve its credit. Another fortunate revenue was obtained from unrepealed taxes, but even with those the city found it necessary to practice the severest economy. The result was that employes were paid punctually, all departments were kept in good working condition, contractors' estimates were met when due, thousands of old claims in the shape of rebates and bal ances and unsettled accounts of all descriptions were adjusted, and the credit .of the city was maintained without a blemish, be it said to the credit of the splendid men and women who. faced the results of that awful calamity. During the year the city government and the citizens not only repaired the damages occasioned by the great fire, but spread out and grappled with new questions of improve ment and reform. But there were serious faults in the management of public affairs. There was little open official corruption. Defaulters appeared occa sionally like the moon in eclipse, but the shadow soon passed away. The real trouble was the bad habit of meeting current expenses and public improvement by running in debt. There was no excuse to increase the city indebtedness more than $9,000,000 in about five years — 1866-71. This fact was drummed and thundered into the hard heads of the city fathers month after month, year after year, by the public press. All political parties during this reign of extravagance courted public patronage and support on platforms in which all extravagant planks had been replaced with those of economy and retrenchment. After election, so strong was the force of habit upon the sacred precincts of the city hall, the identi cal subservient steps which had plunged the city into the slough of debt were again blindly retraced and followed. This was why Mayor Medill demanded so many changes in the management of city affairs. It was an honest attempt to throw off the bad habit of borrowing and to inaugurate an era when revenues would not only meet current expenses, but rapidly and steadily retire bonded and other fixed indebtedness. But the sage city fathers were still blind HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 399 and continued to travel in a circle, often stumbling and occasionally falling. By the first of September, 1872," the existing bonded debt of the city was $13,5.46,000. The general taxes of 1872 amounted to $4,243,098. In addition the city expected to receive during 1873 $1,100,000 from the State as payment for the canal mortgage. Rents, licenses, etc., yielded an additional $500,000. During 1872 the amount of general taxes received was $2,309,730. There was received from the State during 1872, prior to December, $1,273,- 308. Licenses of all kinds yielded $225,097. Fines brought $117,- 856. Special assessments brought $176,802. These amounts con stituted the bulk of the revenue used in 1872. During the year there were 10,252 applications for rebates of taxes on burnt prop erty. The amount of rebates granted reached the sum of $271,855. . There was paid during the year for improvements on streets, to claimants of land damages, for patent fees on Nicolson pavement and to contracts on water service pipe, private drains, etc., the sum of $269,690. On December 1, 1871, there was $1,556,333 to the credit of the various special funds. The necessities of the adminis tration compelled the city to borrow from this fund during 1872 to the amount of $1,144,152. This amount was replaced late in 1872. The total cash on hand on December 1, 1872, was $1,103,- 270. The Board of Public Works reported at the close of 1872 satis factory progress within its jurisdiction in repairing damages done by the fire. Prior to December 1, 1872, there was spent in rebuild ing burnt bridges and viaducts $382,237; for rebuilding school- houses, including apparatus, $129,509; and for rebuilding engine houses, $84,440. Important improvements in progress at this time were the ex tensions on Dearborn street, Michigan avenue, Franklin street, the widening of State street to Monroe, and Milwaukee avenue. Dur ing the year there was protracted controversy as to the location of the new waterworks. The question was finally settled by the purchase of a block of ground on Ashland avenue near Twenty- second street, in all about three and one-half acres. The purchase price was $63,000. The new tunnel being built under the city from the old waterworks to the new was seven feet in diameter and about four miles in length. This work was being completed in sections as rapidly as possible. During 1872, with the awful lesson before them, the city adopted numerous safeguards against future fires. Small hand extinguishers, rapid runs from engine houses, etc., were the means numerously adopted and put in service. Among other means suggested were the following : The purchase and dis tribution of chemical fire extinguishers, the erection of a bell tower to give alarms of fire, access to the river at the street end for the fire engines, clearing away . obstructions, more fire wardens, an 400 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY increase of the police force in order that outbreaks of fire might be more quickly discovered and signals given. It was noted that the average cost of insurance in the city exceeded the taxes on the same property. During 1872 the health department did excellent work to abate the noxious odors arising from rendering, soap boiling and other similar establishments in the southwestern sections of the city. Many owners of such establishments were indicted and fined for violation of city ordinances. Healy slough was in bad condition until properly drained under orders of the administration. The deepening of the canal from Bridgeport to Lockport assisted great ly to purify the river. During the year the Council granted the right into the city of twelve new railroads on four separate routes, three roads to use the tracks of each route. The companies were required to build and maintain viaducts, approaches, connections, sidewalks and to properly guard crossings and other points of dan ger. Previous councils had neglected these precautions in contract ing with railroad companies. At the close of 1872 there were pending in the courts various suits commenced by the corporation counsel for the collection of municipal taxes and special assess ments. Prior to 1872 the total amount of assessments uncollected aggregated over $543,000. There was due the contractors for work done under the assessment about $253,000. The corporation coun sel expressed the opinion, in accordance with a recent decision of the Supreme court, that the city had no right to levy a special as sessment for street improvements against the railway companies. The city treasurer, D. A. Gage, in the spring of 1873 reported that during the fiscal year ending March 31, 1873, the total receipts were '$9,215,434.90, less $821,322.19, balance on hand. Of the total receipts the city spent all except $889,559.53. This same Mr. Gage a year or so later defaulted to the extent of about $500,- 000. It was presumed that the administration of Mayor Medill, owing to the extraordinary promises of economy and reform made during the campaign, would be a model of wise and sagacious government. The results showed the frailty if not mendacity of human promises made for campaign purposes. The administration .began by bor rowing all it could obtain and ended by begging for more. The habit of borrowing, shinning, sponging — anything to get money — was continued with unabated vigor, deliberation, stupidity and am plitude. The heads of departments knew no better. They had caught the habit years before and had not recovered — could not recover. Not so with Mayor Medill. He had previously, during the campaign which elected him, announced repeatedly his policy of retrenchment by keeping within the limits of the annual revenue. He meant well — intended to do as he agreed — but his other duties prevented his close contact and cooperation with the heads of de- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 401 partments, and accordingly the old degenerate, disastrous but con venient habit was overwhelmingly continued. So the people con tinued to marvel, expostulate, investigate and finally, with groans and curses, submit. In December, 1873, Acting Mayor Bond delivered his annual message to the City Council. Retiring Mayor Medill called par ticular attention to the serious financial condition of the city. He stupidly said that immediately after the great fire the tax levy was reduced to 10 mills, which left the treasury in a depleted condition, and the city was forced to borrow by resorting to the process termed "shinning," which was a very expensive way, he announced, of ob taining money, as it cost for every improvement from 10 to 20 per cent. The constitution prohibited the city from borrowing any money beyond the limit. This forced the city to do one of two things: Either to let the treasuiy department get along the best it could by borrowing temporarily, or to go to the people and ask them for a sufficient sum of money to square accounts and there after not again be caught in the same trap. The Council assumed the responsibility of making a levy to relieve the immense drain of short, high-priced loans and to bring the finances into satisfac tory condition. There were urgent demands for more schoolhouses, the fire department needed help, and the police force required more strength. Accordingly the City Council boldly asked the people for money to meet these necessary expenses. Mayor H. D. Colvin in opening his message to the City Council in March, 1873, first alluded to the recent elections and to the promises which were made during that most exciting campaign. The election was bitter, sharp and decisive, and the officials felt bound strictly to carry out their solemn promises made during the heat of the campaign. It is doubtful if any political canvass ever in the city was conducted with a greater degree of vilification and abuse. Partisans did not hesitate to slander outrageously, all per sons opposing them. Mayor Colvin said : "The animosities and jealousies of religion, nationality and race were seized upon with avidity for the purpose of weaning from us popular support. This mode of conducting a political campaign tended to prejudice the minds of many persons both at home and abroad against the move ment which elected the present officials. In view of these facts every member of the new government had motives of patriotism and personal pride to impel him to the task set before him." Now the immediate resources of the city were $754,707 and the immedi ate liabilities $1,861,704. Nearly the whole of this amount would have to be met before the first of April, 1874. Thus the city was compelled to raise a large amount within a few months to meet cur rent indebtedness. Under the new constitution the bonded debt was limited to 5 per cent of the last assessment for State and county purposes. According to the equalization of taxes the total valua- 402 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY tion was $229,835,938. Five per cent of this amount was $11,- 492,796, but the existing bonded debt was $13,544,000, or more than $2,000,000 in excess of the constitutional limit and therefore no further increase could be made. There was in the treasury about $1,100,000, but this was there to the credit of public funds and if borrowed would have to be replaced. The local appropria tions for the year ending April 1, 1874, were over $6,000,000. One-third of this amount was required to liquidate matured indebt edness. Accordingly it was seen that in order to meet the necessary expenses of the city government unusual financial steps or measures would have to be adopted. During 1873 the public school, police, fire, sewerage and public grounds departments were carefully and prudently managed. Drainage was neglected, water mains were often in bad condition and portions of the city were left without adequate fire protection, but the citizens were prosperous and therefore happy. The police department was reduced to a considerable extent. The mayor in December, 1873, recommended the appointment of a special com mittee on State legislation for Cook county. The tax law needed revision. Many other matters needed attention. There were only two viaducts crossing railway tracks in the city. The press urged that railway companies should be compelled to build additional via ducts immediately. Mayor Colvin, in his annual message of December 7, 1874, said that the city had passed through the recent financial crisis with great difficulty. Being unable to borrow more under the constitu tion, it suffered severely under the recent panic. Nothwithstanding this crisis, the city did not fail during the year to meet its payments and was never obliged to ask for an extension from creditors. On December 1, 1874, the bonded debt amounted to $13,379,000. The total amount to be paid by June 1, 1875, amounted to $3,186,000. The appropriations of June 30, 1874, amounted to $5,572,346.87. Of this amount $3,117,346.87 was paid by December, 1874. This phenomenal administration was absolutely innocent of any intelli gent intention or design to live within the revenue and commence the payment of the city indebtedness. As a whole, though the city was burdened with debt and though expenses were high and the means of acquiring revenue lacking, the administration, aside from incapacity, stupidity and vast unnec essary expenditure, made outwardly a creditable showing. By this time frame buildings of every description destroyed by the great fire were replaced by those of brick and stone. The various de partments showed commendable progress in carrying on operations.^ The laAv department was well managed under Egbert Jamieson." Several cases were pending in the Supreme court of the United States and in the various State courts. Of over $228,000 claimed in suits against the city, but a little over $8,000 was recovered. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 403 The Board of Public Works reported considerable progress dur- in 1874. Its total expenditures for the year ending November 30, 1874, amounted to $3,625,617. On the new tunnel works, in cluding the crib, there was spent over $650,000. Expensive im provements of the sewers were made. The amount spent for cleaning and repairing the streets and improving intersections was considerably reduced but still large. Bridges and viaducts neces sarily cost a large sum. The new smallpox hospital required an expenditure of nearly $13,000; the Fullerton avenue conduit cost nearly $120,000; new police stations cost nearly $14,000 and new engine houses $29,000. The police department during the fiscal year 1874 cost $687,945. Of this sum over $43,000 was spent for buildings. The health department at the close of 1874 reported considerable improvement in sanitary conditions. The death rate per thousand was 20.5. From the date of the great fire up to 1873 smallpox prevailed throughout the city. The health department inaugurated a system of visitations, vaccinations and other remedial and pre ventive measures which slowly but steadily expelled that disease from the city limits. Numerous packing houses were inspected and disin fected. The number of nuisances reported and abated was 21,487. This shows how active and persistent was the health officer, Dr. John Reid. The department gave special attention to the condition of sewers, catch basins, back yards, alleys and to cleanliness gen erally. During the year 1874, 5,523 persons were received by the House of Correction; of these 1,435 were females. The Board of Education managed school affairs during 1874 in a highly efficient and satisfactory manner. At this date John C. Richberg was president of the board. He reported that in some es sential particulars school facilities should be at once improved. It was shown that lessees owed the school fund over $230,000. The press demanded that this amount should be at once collected. A number of lessees had paid no rent for four years. The board demanded in the interests of public education that this situation of affairs should promptly be corrected. Several lessees had each sold their leases for a bonus approximately of $10,000. It was stated that from school property $530,000 could be secured with which to pay the salaries of teachers. After October, 1874, the old postoffice site was leased. The board requested the Council to appoint a competent attorney to enforce all measures necessary to place the school fund in proper and satisfactory condition. The number of children enrolled in the public schools at the close of 1874 was 38,242. The average number attending was 35,975. Of these about 10,000 attended only one-half day at a time, owing to the lack of room and funds. The board reported that were it not for parochial and private schools, thousands of children in the city would be wholly unprovided for. At this date the high school 404 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY had an enrollment of 767, the average attendance being 750. The board published a list of delinquents who had failed to pay the school fund amounts due on leases. About this time the Mechanics' Institute, which had ceased to exist, left to the school fund, under the will of Mr. Peck, about $80,000; For many years the trustees thereof had made no accounting of rents due. As the institute ceased to exist in 1860 or 1861, the delinquency was quite a large amount. The claim of about $30,000 due the school fund, which had been running since 1860, was still due from the old Marine company. That portion of the school fund in the city of Chicago arising from the extension of the city limits on the West side had never been set off to the city nor had there been any claim pre sented therefor. Immediate attention was called to this claim of the school board. Under the Morrison lease, if the petition to perfect the title under the burnt record act were attended to, the city schools would be benefited to the amount of from $300,000 to $500,000. The public library was swept out of existence by the great fire of 1871. On May 1, 1874, the new library was duly opened. Its success was almost unprecedented. The issuance of books to bor rowers rose as high as 2,500 in a single day. By December, 1874, the number of books on the shelves approximated 30,000. In 1874 the Council determined to rebuild the city hall at the earliest practicable moment. It was decided to locate the new build ing on the old site. Generally, the people, owing to the hard times and the depreciation in values, opposed the construction of a new and expensive building at this date. Contractors and grafters were clamorous for a new building. The mayor suggested that there was considerable property along the lake front owned by the city, -which might be sold and a large sum realized therefor. The Council in 1875 failed utterly and ingloriously either to comprehend the financial condition of the city or to manage affairs so as to live within the revenue and commence the payment of the indebtedness. The task seemed beyond the mental or moral capac ity of this blockhead- or dishonest administration. They were inca pable of rising higher than to spend the revenue afforded and plead for more. This was the "anti-taxing period" when property owners fought to a finish every attempt to increase taxation. Thus the stupid city fathers were between the devil property owners and the deep sea people. But they knew enough to squander the funds on hand, borrow all they could secure by hook or crook, and pose as the unappreciated martyrs of a cruel and dominating financial sys tem. In his message of May 18, 1876, Thomas Hoyne, the reputed mayor-elect, reviewed the singular circumstances under which he was presumably elected. Hg complimented the citizens on the quiet, manly self-possession and courage with which they had almost unanimously elected him, conducted their proceedings and HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 405 maintained the authority invested in them by law. He doubted not that for this they would receive the spontaneous and unanimous commendation of the community. He complacently stated at the outset : "You have entered upon the performance of your very honorable and important duties at the most critical and interesting period of our municipal government, both as to the circumstances of your election and to the momentous issues involved. There has been a feeling that no ordinary dangers menaced the prosperity of the city and the happiness of our people. The improvident and reckless expenditure of our city's means, the unnecessary heavy burden of taxation imposed upon the citizens, the creation of new offices and the utter indifference manifested by the late administra tion to all the reasonable complaints of their constituency, had filled the minds of our people with distress and alarm. The city de manded a class of wiser and better men in her councils. Many of you, I know, have reluctantly and at considerable sacrifice to your selves yielded to this demand. Your well-known characters afford the assurance by which the people will follow your advent into the administration of the city." The new mayor demanded an immediate return to frugal ex penditures and administrative purity. Every consideration of value asked for this reform. He further stated : "Your selection has been timely and fortunate, as through you a revolution is ordered under forms of law which the people of other countries reached only by bloodshed, violence, carnage and crime. It has rarely ever happened that in merely local contests the entire body or mass of the people became so directly engaged upon the issues at stake as in the last municipal election of the city. It is certainly true that never before the contest last fall for county treasurer and the last city election has our entire business community— the commercial and industrial classes — all cast aside private engagements to devote themselves to the performance of political duties. Business on election day was suspended at all places of exchange; the Board of Trade adjourned over; the banks and great mercantile houses closed their doors, and the large manufacturing establishments re leased their employes. It seemed as if that day had been set apart by common consent as a day consecrated to municipal devotion be cause of some great impending or apprehended disaster. The con comitant circumstances of all this and equally significant was the monster mass meeting of 30,000 or 40,000 people called without distinction of party and held at the exposition building a week pre vious. According to all rumors it was the largest number of people convened for political deliberation in this city, ahd yet the utmost decorum and unity marked the entire proceedings. The resolutions were unanimously adopted. A candidate for mayor was put in nomination upon a reformed platform. Never, perhaps, since the time of the ancient Greek republics did a whole people seem to be 406 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY present at an assembly, to realize the idea of practical, democratic government, by coming themselves to demand a change of adminis tration in the rulers of the city and to protest agains the evils from which they suffered. The truth is, and the fact may be candidly stated, that during the last decade there has been growing up and increasing in our midst a class of social and political criminals somewhat peculiar to the civilization of large American cities. It doesn't matter as to names, but the class in some cities has been distinguished as 'Plug Uglies,' 'Bowery Boys,' or in Chicago as 'Bean club' or 'Cosmos.' Their dangerous and criminal instincts are the same. To live without industry is the habit of the greatest number, and to fix themselves in some public office is one of their highest ambitions. They are the loudest of partisans upon what ever side or in whatever party they enlist their particular services. These men are too cunning or intelligent to rob or steal the same as ordinary criminals, because punishment would be sure to follow exposure ; but more unscrupulous and equally depraved as the more vulgar criminal, they rob or stuff the ballot boxes of the people in stead of plundering the individual. They find it safer to plunder the body politic. The people of Chicago learned with amazement that at an election held in this city last year, the judges appointed to have custody of the boxes and count the ballots themselves crim inally outraged the ballot boxes of the voters by stuffing them with illegal votes, and that thus the legitimate law of the people on a question so grave as the adoption of the present charter of munici pal government was defeated. In the recent town election of South Chicago, again the criminals or the class referred to, encouraged by immunity from punishment and flushed with the insolence of success and braving public opinion, precipitated at last their own ruin. On that occasion, it would seem from the evidence as if they had deliberately resolved that, however the people made the nomi nation for candidates of their own choice, the ballot box conspira tors would defeat such choice by counting into office their criminal confederates. The fraud was too transparent for investigation and it failed. The situation of the city has been summed up by the late grand jury in language not less graphic than truthful in rela tion to county rule. They say that the system of management em ployed by the county board is rotten. Officialism is degraded by its low character, its depreciated moral tone, its constant association with jobbery, extravagance, bribery and incompetence. The legiti mate fruits of this are the recent Gage and Von Hollen defalca tions — the loss of over one-half million dollars to the public. Our young metropolis has barely escaped the catastrophe which the Tweed ring brought upon New York. Chicago has been drawn to the brink of a chasm into which New York has fallen." The .officiating mayor made the following specific charges against the former administrations: Neglect to retrench or economize in HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 407 the matter of public expenditure ; an increase in the amount of taxes levied; an increase in the number of offices made and in the rates paid as compensation for public service; had sought by illegal means to raise money upon the credit of the people to pay themselves and thereby had increased the public indebtedness of the city nearly $5,000,000 beyond the constitutional limit; had jeopard ized the municipal credit, which was never before impaired, by ille gitimate issues of time-loan certificates placed upon the market of foreign cities against the law and against every remonstrance which could be urged in opposition to so vital and ruinous a policy. The action of the Municipal Reform club which had been ap pointed prior to the election was commended in high terms by the press and the new mayor. Among the resolutions adopted by that club had been the following : "That the practice of the city govern ment in anticipating receipts of revenue by making time loans on certificates has a dangerous tendency ; that the illegitimate character of this indebtedness was of itself calculated to impair the credit of the city, while it opened the door to every species of fraud and ex travagance in city expenditures; and that it had produced a con fusion in the administration of the city finances impossible of extri cation or remedy in the hands of men intrusted with the manage ment." As a matter of fact, a judicial tribunal called upon at this date to pass upon the validity of issuing these certificates to place upon the market, declared them illegal unless drawn upon a specific fund. The wild extravagance of city expenditures had outrun the utmost efforts of the city controller to collect money to defray them. The people now demanded a discontinuance and utter abandonment of the whole service system as soon as possible and of the insane policy of anticipating and spending revenue in advance of its col lection. By curtailing expenditures, paying off current obligations and contracting no new liabilities, the credit of the city could be restored. The city was not insolvent nor in failing condition. It had simply been improvident and must now pay for its folly. The city of Chicago was organized in April, 1875, under the recent general incorporation act, and consequently no election was held in November, 1875, but the persons then in office held over until May, 1876. Under the new law the city was divided into eighteen wards. An order passed by the City Council provided for an election of city officers under the act, but omitted all reference to the office of mayor. Notwithstanding this omission and the apparent absence of any authority, a popular vote for mayor was taken- and Thomas Hoyne received 33,064 votes against 819 scat tering. A canvass of the returns being made to the Council, the vote given for Mr. Hoyne was disregarded. However, the new Council at its first meeting was cited to canvass again the returns, and, having done so, declared Mr. Hoyne duly elected mayor. Mr. 408 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Colvin, the incumbent, declined to yield possession of the office on the ground that he, like other city officers, was entitled to hold over under the law. The matter was referred to the courts and resulted in the virtual failure of each of the contestants to sustain his posi tion. In consequence a special election for mayor was ordered by the Council, and on July 12, 1876, Monroe Heath was duly chosen. The principal fact to be considered was that during a period of great financial depression the city had suffered from a policy of unnecessary and excessive taxation and extravagance. The enor mous shrinkage of values since the war, and particularly since the great fire, had reduced it was falsely claimed, many large estates in this city almost to bankruptcy. This seemed to be shown by the large number of real estate sales due to the nonpayment of taxes. That there were many failures was true, but only because ¦ of the depreciation of values due to a return to specie payments. Outrageous extravagance and not burdensome taxation contributed to the load of worry and work. "During all this time of suffering and distress the taxpayers have been exposed to the most cruel and yiolent taunts by some men in authority who never paid a dollar for taxes into the treasury from which they have received support," said the mayor. A thorough investigation into the exciting situa tion was therefore imperatively demanded as a preliminary to re trenchment, economy and reform. It was thought that if a million dollars could be saved out of the recent extravagant appropriations by the Council, the sum would go far toward liquidating the illegal certificates outstanding and would in addition place in the hands of the departments money sufficient for the pressing needs of the schools, police, fire and other departments. The mayor suggested that it might be judicious to instruct the city treasurer to refuse payment on all obligations until the same had been duly' classified and inspected. It was thought in May, 1876, that the new Council was one of the strongest, ablest and presumably the most honest that had ever taken charge of municipal affairs. The spontaneous movement of the people in popularly selecting, nominating and electing them precluded any idea of their inferiority or lack of hon esty. This was an era of mental and moral upheaval,, of insight and foresight, of civic righteousness and personal purification, of ag gressive virtue and assertive intelligence. But the people were yet weak, blind and hesitating and prone to do wrong as the sparks to fly upward. At this date (May, 1876) the city employed, exclusive of the school service, a total of about 1,316 persons. The aggregate an nual compensation due these employes was about $1,459,000. It was justly believed that this was too high an average. The press assumed that the average compensation should not exceed $600, whereas the existing compensation was nearly double that amount. There were 533 persons upon the pay rolls of the police department. OSCAR HEBEL. W. H. WEBER. WALTER E. SCHMIDT. BOARD OF ASSESSORS, COOK COUNTY. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 411 It was recommended that the pay of the police, which averaged not far from $1,000 each annually, should be reduced to about $600. The same was true, it was declared, of the Department of Public works. It not only had too many employes, but they were paid too much annually. The health department contained forty-seven per sons with a tot^l pay of $62,000. Twenty-eight of the employes were called sanitary policemen and received a total compensation of $18,000 a year. It was declared by the press that this was unneces sary. The mayor courageously recommended the entire abolish ment of the health department with the exception of one competent and faithful superintendent, a medical expert, and a few clerks, and further recommended that the health department be placed under the control of the police department. It was likewise suggested that at least $75,000 could be saved annually by similar retrench ment in the fire department. The mayor announced that in his opinion a large sum could be saved from the fees allowed the police justices. The same retrenchment was suggested for the tax com missioner's office. The custom of the mayor in having not only a special clerk but also four special policemen to dance attendance upon him was condemned by the press as a piece of willful ex travagance. The building inspector's office, with its clerks and twelve deputies, was regarded as largely unnecessary. However, it was admitted that no one could wisely recommend any reduction in the number of persons employed by the Board of Education — 698, with an aggregate annual compensation of $574,312. Educa tion of the children must continue at any cost. In fact, with par donable weakness the board yielded to demands from this depart ment, which would have received no consideration from any other source. In the opinion of the law department of the city of Chicago there* was no constitutional limitation on the power of the Legislature to provide by law that all cities might certify to the county clerk to the amount which they respectively required to be raised by taxa tion for the years 1873 and 1874, and that it thereupon became his duty to estimate the tax due from each person by extending the amounts thus certified against the assessed and equalized valuation of property for the year. The taxes of the years 1873 and 1874 became by the laws of the State a lien upon realty on the first day of May in those years, and the Supreme court had frequently decided that after taxes had become a lien they so remained until paid. However, they became a lien not by virtue of the assessment and levy, but by virtue of the statute, and the assessment and levy were the only means of ascertaining the amount, the payment of which would discharge the lien. Under this view, if such taxes could be collected ultimately, the city would have assets sufficient to meet the requirements of annual expenditure and the liquidation and in debtedness. Vol. 11—24. fe 412 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Mayor Heath in his message of April 30, 1877, called particular attention to the finances of the city. The appropriation for 1875 was $5,123,905; for 1876, $4,045,526; and for 1877, $4,012,002. A great portion of the appropriation for 1876, owing to a change in the financial year, covered a period of only nine months, while that for 1877 covered a full year and included over $300,000 for sewer age. The saving in 1876 over that of 1875 was declared to be $1,111,403. Of the amount outstanding on April 1, 1876, over $290,000 consisted of taxes for the years 1869 and 1870. The tax warrants for those years having been destroyed in the great fire, the balances were largely uncollectible, and during 1876 were practi cally stricken from the books. On the 1st of April, 1876, there were outstanding certificates of indebtedness amounting to $3,484,- 856. By April, 1877, -that amount was reduced to $956,115, but there had been issued during the year $150,000 of the new form of revenue warrants to retire the same amount of old certificates. The total certificates and warrants outstanding on April 1, 1877, were as follows: Old certificates issued prior to April 1, 1876 $ 956,114.89 New revenue warrants on tax levy of 1875 205,392.59 New revenue warrants on tax levy of 1876 2,300,485.52 , New revenue warrants on tax levy of 1877 339,900.00 Total $3,801,893.00 On April 1, 1877, the total bonded debt of the city was $13,- 454,000. Nearly the whole drew 7 per cent interest. The mayor said : "The remarkable growth and confidence in Chicago securi ties during the past year is shown by the fact that the past-due 7 per cent paper issued by the previous administration has lately sold at a premium in New York, while our own bankers and business men have offered us several hundred thousand dollars at 7 per cent, which has been declined for the present. Only nine months ago the finance committee, comptroller and mayor were compelled to beg for funds while offering interest at 8 per cent per annum. The reason for this change is principally due to the fact that the rev enues of the city have been collected thoroughly and the expenses reduced inside of the income." At the close of the fiscal year in April, 1877, the total enrollment of children was 40,835. During the succeeding year it increased to 43,512, showing an increase nearly equivalent to the capacity of four twelve-room buildings. It was estimated that there were not less- than 25,000 children of school age in the city who could not or did not attend school. During 1877 satisfactory progress in public improvements under taken previous to September, 1876, were made under the manage ment and control of the Board of Public Works. On that date the board was summarily abolished and its duties and authorities were HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 413 vested in the mayor. There was inaugurated a general decrease in the number of persons employed by the city and in the salaries paid. The expenses of the department were reduced fully one-half under the strenuous new management. The reductions by dismissals from the water department alone amounted to $30,000, and the total amount of savings by reduced salaries in the whole department was $92,500. The total amount received from water tax collec tions was $833,963, being a considerable increase over that of any previous year. The total expense of operating and maintaining the waterworks was $281,700. It was proved that the revenue to be derived from water tax collections would be sufficient not only to pay all running expenses, salaries and interest on water bonds, but would carry on all necessary water pipe extensions, pay for ma chinery, etc. During the year ending March 31, 1877, the number of patrol men in the police department was reduced from 565 to 482. In efficient men were weeded out and dismissed. The amount given to this department for the fiscal year was $504,984. A few changes in the fire department were made, and as a whole that branch of the city service was efficient and up to date. The health of the city was constantly improving under advanced sanitary conditions and under the exertions of the energetic officers in charge of the de partment. The House of Correction was well and economically conducted under adverse circumstances. The sanitary conditions of the buildings were pronounced good. The prisoners' labor real ized a considerable sum during the year. A separate prison for females was demanded by the press and the mayor. The latter further recommended that the young should be separated from the old and that hardened criminals should not be permitted to mingle with light offenders. In April, 1877, the mayor closed his message by saying : "Our financial condition is now healthy and prosperous. The credit and good name of our city are restored. The expenses of all the de partments have been reduced without impairing the public service in any particular. On the contrary it must be apparent to all who have examined the question that the large reduction in the number of city employes has benefited the service departments and in creased their efficiency." He recommended that the sewerage under contract should be completed without unnecessary delay, and that should the school taxes past due be collected, new buildings to accommodate all children ought to be constructed. The city treasurer reported for the year ending December 31, 1878, that the total receipts were $6,759,212, less $594,285 on hand at the beginning of the year. At the close there was on hand a total of $217,102. The school fund tax collected amounted to $238,785. On April 28, 1879, Mayor Heath in his annual message reviewed 414 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY the condition of the city departments during the past year. He stated that the bonded debt was $13,043,000, and that it had been reduced $414,000 since July 12, 1876. At the latter date the out standing illegal certificates of indebtedness amounted to $3,011,329. By April 28, 1879, all such paper except $249,000 had been paid. On July 12, 1876, the credit funds of the city had been drawn upon to meet deficits to the amount of $1,800,000. These overdrafts to the amount of $900,000 had been paid by April 28, 1879. On July 12, 1876, there were no funds in the treasury with which to pay the salaries of employes and about five months' pay was then past due. Since that date the tax levies of 1873 and 1874 were legalized and judgments against delinquents were secured. The mayor boasted that during his administration a total of good assets and taxes to the amount of $1,230,388 was legalized. By deducting from this total the amount of outstanding certificates and overdrafts on the treasury, there was left a net balance in the treasury from these resources of over $81,388. There was left in the treasury after paying outstanding liabilities on illegal certificates and restoring credit funds overdrawn total net assets of $636,321: There were also other funds to the credit of the city not specified above. Sev eral hundred thousand dollars in floating obligations against the city were paid off during this administration. Many important law suits concerning tax levies, etc., were decided in favor of the city by the Supreme court. In 1784 the surplus in the water depart ment was $91,174 and in 1878 was $359,731, showing an immense increase in revenue from that department. In 1874 street cleaning and repair cost $269,168, and in 1878 $136,002, showing also an immense gain. The same g*ain was shown in the fire, police and health departments. There was a saving of over $200,000 in the management of the police department alone. The expense of con ducting the health department was cut down more than half. ' On the first of January, 1877, about 700 city cases were pending in the court of record, exclusive of quasi criminal and tax and special assessment cases. On January 1, 1878, there were only 446 cases pending and the expenses of the law department were considerably reduced. The cost of lighting the city with gas was also greatly reduced, notwithstanding a great increase in the number of lamps. Though the city had appropriated large sums to liquidate outstand ing claims and to construct the city hall, the amounts required to be raised by taxation in the annual appropriation bills were greatly reduced. The amount levied in 1874 was $5,466,692. The amount required in 1879 was $3,766,450. The management of city affairs by Mayor Heath from 1876 to 1879 was extremely satisfactory to the / citizens of Chicago. The newspapers paid him high compliments. His administration was heralded as the soundest, ablest and most economical the city had ever enjoyed. At the close of his period of service in 1879 the HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 415 council unanimously passed the following resolution: "Resolved, That the thanks of the City Council are due and are hereby tendered to the Hon. Monroe Heath for the able and efficient manner in which he has managed the affairs of the city during his administration." In reply the mayor said, "This resolution is a very flattering one. If I have been enabled in my administration to do anything for the good of the city it has been because I have had the cooperation of the council. If I could I would like to have a resolution passed thanking the council for its hearty support of my administration." On September 3, 1880, the total city indebtedness amounted to $12,752,000. No further indebtedness could be contracted until the valuation of city property should exceed $225,000,000. The emer gency policy of issuing scrip to meet current expenses in antici pation of future collections had cost the city annually for several years about $200,000. The controller reported that for 1880 the appropriations for mu nicipal purposes amounted to $3,063,911 and for 1881 to $3,183,- 400. To the first was added $478,000 of back taxes and savings, and to the latter $550,000 of the same. The revenue for 1882 was as follows: Two per cent upon the assessed valuation of $119,151,- 951; cash from licenses, rents, etc., $350,000; cash from the Gage assets and other savings, about $150,000; total, $2,883,039, less col lection fees, $2,823,464. As this sum was less by $359,936 than the appropriations for the preceding year, some step to supply the deficiency would have to be taken. The controller suggested that this might be met by increasing generally all the city licenses. In creased expenditures in any department were out of the question unless the revenues should be increased. The tax limit might be raised or property owners might be made to pay the cost of remov ing dirt and of building street intersections, thus saving annually an immense sum. He favored taxing the telegraph, telephone and all other companies or individuals enjoying special privileges, and thought this could be done, though an unsuccessful attempt to levy a tax on the capital stock of telegraph companies was made a few ' years before. As saloons occasioned the infractions of law, the control of which cost the city so much, their licenses, it was ar gued, should be increased to cover such cost. Why should not railroads, saloons, lumber yards, vehicles, draft animals, manufac turers of certain articles, etc., pay special revenue to the city for their special protection? Previous to 1875 the municipal authorities were the sole arbiters of valuations and collections under the control of the county offi cials. In 1872 the valuation of real and personal property aggre gated $284,000,000, but by 1880 had been reduced to $117,000,000, though the city had practically doubled in population and wealth. In addition, the Legislature in 1879 limited tax levies to 2 per cent and enacted that the valuation of real estate for 1880 should re- 416 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY main the same for four years,' though the following year a law was passed that real estate valuation could be changed in 1882. The controller in 1881 called attention to the inconsiderable tax paid by large corporations compared with the property owned. All the railroads centering in the city, except the Illinois Central, paid into the treasury in 1880 $73,359.79; at the same time one mercan tile company, including two of its members, paid in $86,647.85. The inequity of this state of affairs was apparent. The receipts of the city for 1881 were $9,697,416.85, less $1,080,775.32 on hand at the beginning of the year. At the end of the year there was on hand $755,479.26. The total bonded debt of the city on De cember 31, 1881, was $12,752,000. During 1881, 17.86 miles of streets were paved with cedar blocks and 6.14 miles with macadam, out of a total of 25.73 paved. All street lamps were either oil or gas. Electric lights had not yet made their appearance generally for city use. Over twenty-five miles of sewers were built. The new city hall was so far com pleted that the roof was put on. Over $95,000 was spent on bridges, viaducts and repairs. The Fullerton avenue conduit works were mainly built.' The Washington and LaSalle street tunnels were paved with wooden blocks. Thirty-four bridges spanning the river and its branches; twenty-two were of iron and wood com bined, eleven wholly of iron, and one of wood. Four had been in operation fourteen years ; three, thirteen years ;. three, twelve years ; four, eleven years; ten, ten years; one, nine years; three, eight years; one, seven years; four, five years, and one, one year. Nine of the bridges were crossed by street railways. A new viaduct at Halsted and Sixteenth streets was built at a cost of $17,685. Harrison street viaduct was built at a cost of $96,419 and Sanga mon street viaduct at a cost of $98,977. The police force in 1881 consisted of 506 men. This department cost the city $577,039 during the year. Mayor Harrison in his message of May 9, 1881, called special attention to the following conditions of city affairs : In 1878 his predecessor issued city scrip to the amount of $2,238,000. This scrip depreciated to such an extent as to entail a loss of from 5 to 10 per cent upon employes and other creditors of the city. It also caused a loss to the city of from $150,000 to $200,000 per annum. During 1879 the city administration was enabled to reduce the out standing scrip to less than $1,500,000 and during 1880 to less than $590,000. It was expected that during 1881 the existing scrip would be entirely retired. During the past twenty-one months every city employe had been paid in cash. The city being unable under the law to borrow a dollar and not having ready money to meet its semi-annual interest, was compelled to hypothecate interest coupons when due and to pay a heavy commission for having them carried until taxes could be collected. These commissions amounted to from $50,000 to $70,000. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 417 After 1879 the city promptly met such interest and paid not one cent in commissions. This administration thus far paid the Hayes- Colvin certificates which, though illegal, had been met in full with interest, the whole amounting to $275,643. The city likewise paid off large sums of water bonds and refunded at a lower rate of in terest a large amount of sewerage and municipal bonds. By so doing it effected a saving in interest of $54,215. During 1879 and 1880 the administration, it was claimed, saved $1,050,000. This amount, added to the taxes of previous years collected and to cash from various sources, enabled the administration to contribute $550,000 to the obligations of 1881 and left on hand $1,500,000 to meet the expenses of 1881-82. Owing to the small amount allowed for a probable deficiency in tax collections it was realized that there would likely be necessary a large increase in the revenues from licenses. It was demanded that assessors should be required to discover and reveal men of large property who habitually evaded a just taxation. By practicing the most rigid economy the city, it was claimed, was freed from scrip and was placed on a cash basis. Existing con ditions to be feared were the numerous cliques and rings deliberately and systematically formed in the various departments for the pur pose of defrauding the city. Favoritism in appointments flourished according to the newspapers, and extravagance and fraudulent prac tices were openly and unanswerably charged. Notwithstanding severe ridicule and criticism, the mayor declared that the police de partment was well managed and that criminals were controlled and crime reduced. But this claim was wholly untrue. He stated that when he assumed the mayoralty two years before, the city was in fested with a gang of bank robbers, the most daring and successful in the whole country. They were silent and inactive here, but used Chicago as a base of operations throughout the West. These gangs had been traced, arrested and punished. He stated that the tele phone police system proved a most valuable adjunct to the police department. The ninety alarm stations enabled the police to outwit and circumvent footpads and other desperate criminals.. The sys tem would soon be connected with business houses and private resi dences. The water supply was usually contaminated, but could not be improved until the cribs should be removed to a greater distance from the lake shore. The city showed a less mortality in 1880 than any large city except St. Louis and San Francisco. The mayor feebly endeavored to excuse public gambling, which showed a con siderable increase. He did not satisfy the public that he had made proper efforts to suppress this evil. The press of that date declared that the administration studiously avoided an investigation of fla grant gambling cases which came to its notice and winked at vice and crimen — the worst in the history of the city. The fact was clear that gambling and therefore vice were deliberately and know- 418 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY ingly permitted by Mayor Harrison. He covertly ordered immunity to these elements, avoided investigation and failed to prosecute cases notoriously apparent, though called repeatedly to his attention. On February 6, 1882, Mayor Harrison stated in his annual mes sage, as if it was a fact about which to boast, that the city during 1881 was not obliged to issue temporary scrip. The negative avoid ance of unnecessary debt was paraded as a positive virtue that mer ited congratulation and praise. The amount received from taxes during 1881 was $4,115,408, and there was in the treasury at the close of the year $755,479. Attention was called by the newspapers to the remarkable prosperity of all manufacturing enterprises of the city during 1881 ; to the system of factory inspection that had been established; to the value of the police telephone service; to the falsely claimed efficiency of the police department ; to the superiority of the fire department; to the superb management of the health department under Doctor De Wolf ; to the control of smallpox by vaccination; to the objectionable proximity of the pesthouse to the house of correction ; to the wise management of the house of cor rection by Superintendent Felton; to the decrease in mortality; to the excellence of the public schools; to the increased collection of water rates — $936,639 for 1881 ; to the mayor's unexampled, cor rupt and inexcusable pardons of offenders ; to the alleged excellent management of the city departments despite the knowledge of thou sands to the contrary; to the adverse reports in circulation con cerning municipal conditions which the mayor declared were "gross ly exaggerated" ; to the fact that public opinion had condemned the administration as one of reckless subserviency to the criminal population, and to the mayor's indirect admission of the truth of the charges by a weak and prevaricating apology. There was shown to exist under his administration an extraordinary reign of crim inal license and its attendant wretchedness and wrong. The mayor made a miserable attempt to explain and condone the disgraceful condition caused by his own policy of granting immunity to wick edness in order to secure its support at the polls. At this date law lessness held the balance of power. However, in matters of detail it was clear that several depart ments had been well conducted. The fire department was particu larly efficient, and the health department, despite serious obstacles and inconveniences, made an excellent showing. The old lake tun nel, which had been completed fifteen years before, was examined and found to be almost as sound as when first put in use. The old tunnel was five feet high ; the new one, seven. The mayor earnestly recommended that the city should at once make provision for public improvements in anticipation of the future wants of the city. No municipality need expect to be made magnificent out of the pro ceeds of immediate taxation. "It should be made grand, but com ing generations should help to bear the expense. We should pay HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 419 every cent needed for present municipal purposes, but should also provide for future Chicago and should ask that future to help us so provide. To this end the Legislature should be asked to make a change in the State constitution to permit us to issue bonds for such permanent improvements." The mayor noted that a great improvement to carry off the sewage and improve the water system of the city would soon have to be made. Every year new school- houses and enlarged facilities in ' every department would have to be provided. In his message of May 5, 1884, Mayor Harrison again egotis tically complimented the city upon the excellent management of his administration. He stated that the finances of the city, being the first consideration, had been judiciously, wisely and economically managed. The growth of the city had been so rapid as to outstrip all calculations of receipts and expenditures. He naively stated that he had experienced great difficulty in checking extravagance, owing to the creation of many new and untried departments, and noted that the assessments had not kept pace with the population. At tention was called to the fact that in 1872 city property was, valued at $284,000,000 and that ten years later when the population had about doubled the valuations were $125,000,000. The mayor argued that bonds of the city should be issued to make improvements needed for public pleasure and benefit. Such bonds could be spread over many years, their payment would scarce ly be felt, and the improvements could be enjoyed by the present generation. He illustrated this point by stating that if the councils had not anticipated the future wants of the city by building much larger water works than were needed, a sufficient supply of good water would be out of the question at this date, owing to the great growth. He recommended that a law to enable the council to issue bonds with which to make such improvements should be secured. There was a large increase in the revenue from saloon and other licenses. The mayor took occasion to criticise severely a partisan press which at all times, he declared, found fault with his administra tion without being able to show how he could remedy matters. The statement was untrue ; almost every newspaper repeatedly told of the improvements that were desired and could be made. The change from low license to high license, he expostulated, worked hardships upon saloon keepers. At the close of 1884 Mr. Harrison congratulated the City Coun cil on the continued prosperity, excellent credit, and high standing of the municipality. Never before in the history of Chicago, had. the municipal government been so fiercely assailed by newspapers and politicians as during the last few months of 1884. He declared that the shafts of malice and invective aimed at him were warded off by his consciousness of right doing and his fidelity to the inter ests of the people. He stated that while the newspapers admitted 420 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY that the departments were admirably conducted, they at the same time denounced his administration in the most abusive and untruth ful terms. The newspapers had truthfully published accounts of lawlessness, mob violence, plunder and riot such as never before transpired here. Despite the fact that the mayor declared Chicago was injured by these malicious attacks upon his administration, truth showed that the financial condition of business and banks was never better. This fact and other evidence were conclusive proof that the city was not injured by the newspaper attacks upon the mayor's administration. The newspapers noticed the filthy condition of the streets. The mayor admitted the condition. He boasted that the department of tenement houses and workshop inspectors had ac complished great good. Although it was publicly stated to the contrary, the mayor asserted that the police department had been ably and satisfactorily managed. The newspapers declared that. the police department and the city administration as a unit were in league with vice and crime. This was a fact, despite the state ment of the mayor to the contrary. At the close of the year 1885 Mayor Harrison in his annual mes sage summed up the progress of events during the past year. He again congratulated the council on the excellent condition of the city's finances and on the great progress made in the character and extent of public improvements. He stated that public requirements had been wisely and economically extended and that therefore Chi cago's financial credit was not surpassed by that of any other city in the country. He further noted that the police, fire and health departments had been managed with consummate ability and effi ciency and would challenge favorable comparison with similar de partments in other cities. The grand jury issued a report at the end of 1885 severely reflecting on the mayor and the police de partment for their failure to manage vice and crime. It was ap parent that the administraton, doubtless for considerations of policy, had permitted gambling, and therefore was responsible for all its accompanying disorders and disgraces. Strange was it that the controller seemed to think it necessary to brag that the city had not been compelled to issue scrip during the past year. He assumed that it was a matter of congratulation, joy and delight that the city had not further been plunged into debt; and stated that by collecting the savings of previous years into a general fund to be used in emergencies his department had secured within its jurisdic tion the necessary means to carry on the affairs of the city. This step, he stated, was made necessary by the system, of tax levies and collections in vogue. The Board of Health reported considerable decrease in deaths from zymotic diseases among children under 5 years of age. The report of the factory inspectors was not alto gether satisfactory. Though considerable improvement was made there were still many faults in the system of inspection and partic- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 421 ularly in the conditions which the department designed to improve. However, substantial progress was made in the right direction. There was a surprisingly large number of buildings into which sewer gas found entrance. The total number of policemen was 1,036. The year 1886 was memorable, owing to the riot and massacre which occurred at Desplaines and Randolph streets on the night of May 4. This was the desperate and bloody culmination of the en croachments of communism and anarchy during the preceding half dozen years. A dynamite bomb was thrown into the ranks of the police and one officer was instantly killed, six fatally wounded, and many injured for life, making in all sixty-seven members of the force who were struck. That this result was occasioned by the lenient and unwise method of the city administration in dealing with the anarchists, there can be no doubt. During his entire ad ministration Mayor Harrison permitted the anarchists to hold their rabid meetings, voice their murderous propaganda, and march un molested through the streets with red banners and redder intent. Little attempt to check their furious designs and operations were made. They thus became emboldened by the leniency shown them and imagined that the slackness of the city authorities betokened a wrong and unjust cause, and accordingly they grew bolder, stronger, more violent and more insane as time progressed, until they openly counseled murder at their meetings in halls and on the public streets. Occasionally they were slightly checked, but this only served to make them more cunning, desperate and daring. The result was the riot on the West side. This act sounded the death knell of an archy in Chicago. After this event the authorities rigidly checked all violent movements having such a tendency. . There was a large public subscription for the benefit of the families of the injured policemen, a portion of which was assigned to the Police Benevolent association and the balance was distributed among the victims and their families by a special committee. The leaders of the anarchists were punished. In his annual message of April 9, 1888, Mayor John A. Roche asked the people to decide whether he had fulfilled his promises to have the affairs of the city conducted in a business like and econom ical manner, to suppress public gambling, and to close disreputable saloons. They did so, but the decision was partly adverse to his promises. The bonded debt of the city on December 31, 1887, was $12,588,500. In addition the city was bound to pay $30,000 for land upon which to swing the Adams street bridge. The total re ceipts during 1887 were $11,980,935.55. This was an increase of more than half a million over those of 1886. The total expendi tures during 1887 were $11,497,988.24. This was an increase of nearly half a million over the previous year, but was accounted for in part, though feebly, by the addition of 113 men to the police force. The question of health was reported satisfactory. Chicago's 422 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY death rate was low compared with other large cities of the country. The revenue from licenses was over $174,000. Improvement in scavenger work was effected. It was decided during the year that the city should own the teams and employ the men to carry on this work. A furnace for the destruction of garbage was put in opera tion and was regarded as fairly successful and satisfactory. The sanitary supervision of homes and the inspection of health con ditions of tenement houses were performed with energy, intelli gence and success. Over 81,000 examinations were made. The result was to enforce cleanliness in localities where it was never before practiced. During the year 1887 the contract for the four-mile tunnel was amended that more money would be available for pressing public let. It was expected to supply seventy-five million gallons every twenty-four hours. An expert engineer was employed and his sug gestions saved the city a large sum. The previous administration had left a debt of over $250,000 for the paving of street intersec tions. This was met by the Roche administration. During 1887 the street railways paved over 91,000 square yards between their tracks. It was believed by many that the revenue law should be so improvement. The amount of money obtained under the existing law was inadequate to meet the wants of this rapidly growing city. The drainage commission was forced to suspend operations on December 1, 1887, owing to lack of funds. The newspapers ex pressed dissatisfaction with the management of affairs by this commission. The recent decision of the United States Circuit court as to the rights of the city on the lake front was encouraging to the municipal government. The council paid special attention to the enforcement of rapid transit by both steam and street railway com panies. The railways were urged to offer encouragement to all legitimate schemes that would increase communication with the sub urbs. New tunnels under the South branch to meet the require ments of street car service for the West side were demanded. Bet ter management for the passage of shipping through the Chicago river was advocated. As over 24,000 vessels arrived and departed from this port during 1887 and as nearly all of them entered the river, the importance of this recommendation was apparent. Nu merous viaducts over the railroad tracks were constructed during the year. The mayor emphatically announced that in accordance with his promises he had almost wholly suppressed public gambling*. He improved matters, but did not accomplish extinguishment. He employed a force of men whose special duty it was to discover and report all such establishments. Many were convicted and impris oned from the evidence thus secured. Numerous disreputable sa loons were likewise investigated and closed. In all cases, it was claimed, applications for saloon licenses from improper characters were refused. To a large extent the mayor revolutionized the po- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 423 lice department, saloon establishments and gambling resorts. Vice of every description was unquestionably checked under his ad ministration. This was such a conspicuous and admirable depart ure from the wicked practices and immunities under the Harrison administration as to demand general recognition and commendation. It was the first time for half a do.zen years that any emphatic bar was placed before the steady and deadly encroachments of vice, immorality and anarchy. During the year of 1887 the fire depart ment rendered satisfactory service. The controller reported at the end of the year 1887 that it would be necessary to spend as estimated about $2,884,000 to secure ex tensions to the water system. New tunnels, engineers, buildings, grounds, mains, cribs and maintenance would have to be supplied. On April 15, 1889, Mayor Roche reported that on January of that year the bonded debt of the city was $12,561,500. There was a small decrease during 1888. The receipts during 1888, including the balance on hand, were $15,261,712. Of this sum $2,262,181 came from licenses, an increase from that source of over $200,000 in two years. The expenditures amounted to $15,874,387. The excess was caused mainly by the construction of the lake and land tunnels and the cost of new pumping stations. There was on hand at the end of 1888, $2,294,926. Up to the close of 1888 only the building department was self-sustaining. It was evident that, owing to constitutional restrictions, the revenue of the muni cipality was insufficient to commence and complete the public im provements demanded by the growth and requirements of the city. As a measure of relief a law exempting the sewer construction from the provisions of the bill fixing a 2 per cent limitation on taxation was passed. As this law would be operative only until about 1891, a large additional revenue thereafter for sewer construction might be possible. During 1888, notwithstanding the epidemic bi diphtheria which swept the whole country, the death rate in Chi cago was the lowest of all the great cities of .the world. Tene ment inspection was rigidly enforced with surprising and excellent results. The experiment of having the city do its own scavenger work proved successful. The cost, though slightly greater than un der the contract system, was sure to be less in the end. The De partment of Public Works reported a considerable saving in vari ous' branches and also reported an improved service. During 1888 several land and water tunnels were constmcted. A contract for a four-mile crib was let and provision for an intermediate shaft was made, all to be completed within two years. Satisfactory prog ress by the drainage commission and in the lake front cases was made during 1888. Two additional street car companies were granted franchises — one on the South side and one on the West side. The experiment of operating the city telephone from a central office was tried and found to be satisfactory. The lighting of the 424 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY river by electricity was a great improvement. The new electric light system was opened on the West side. From 1879 to 1886 eight bridges, of which two were small ones, over the canal, were built at a cost of nearly $427,000. Of this amount the city paid over $320,000 and the railroads the balance. In 1887-88 six bridges, costing nearly $441,000, were built, the city paying over $243,000. From 1879 to 1886, inclusive, nine viaducts were built, three old ones reconstructed and additions and repairs made to others, at a total expense of over $1,300,000. Of this amount the city paid over $582,000. During 1888 ten viaducts were built and two old ones reconstructed at a cost of about $1,190,- 000. Of this amount the railroads paid over $968,000. From the above statistics it will be seen that more was done during 1887 and 1888 than was done previously during seven or eight years. During 1888 there were eliminated from the police force all drunkards, drones and incompetents, and a much greater degree of efficiency was secured. The newspapers of that date noticed the great improvement in the personnel of policemen and in the char acter of work they performed. Prior to the fall of 1887 nowhere in the city was a patrolman on his beat from 4 o'clock a. m. to 6 o'clock a. m. As this was the time when burglars were most active, a change was made in 1888. There was a notable decrease in crime under the new arrangement. At the end of 1888 the police force numbered 1,255. The patrols during 1888 responded to 34,107 alarms and made 23,772 arrests. There was effected by the Roche administration a notable im provement in the moral atmosphere of Chicago. The "wide-open" policy, though still defiant and in many places still in wicked opera tion, received a grievous wound. The policy of the Harrison ad ministration had been to yield measurably to the demands of the vicious and criminal elements in order to secure their patronage. Mayor Roche inaugurated a different policy. While bidding for their votes, he insisted that they must operate under rules of con trol. In a large measure the publicity of public immorality was demanded. The result was a vast moral improvement, particularly in down-town Chicago. When Mayor De Witt C. Cregier assumed the mayoralty chair, he stated on April 15, 1889, in his message to the council, his views of municipal affairs. At the close of 1888 the city had nearly 700 miles of water pipe, ten miles of water tunnels, 500 miles of sewers, 350 miles of paved streets, 1,000 miles of sidewalks, 2,500 street lamps, 98 school buildings, 21 police stations, 49 fire com panies, 76 fire equipments, 36 swing bridges, 33 viaducts, 900 miles of city alarm telegraph wire, a public library containing 44,000 vol umes, a city hall, and other necessary and valuable public build ings. The new drainage bill was pending before the General As sembly. Rapid transit and cheap fares were important considera- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 425 tions affecting not only Chicago but all of the outlying tributary districts. The great mass of the people were laborers working for comparatively small pay. Their time was valuable and their means limited, therefore it was the duty of the city administration to favor them so far as possible in the distribution of favors, so rapid transit was demanded. At this date the river was crowded and the water was shallow. Great difficulty in handling vessels and in turning bridges was ex perienced,, and immediate improvement was imperatively necessary. It was conceded that the swinging bridges, unless their operation should be greatly improved, would in future prove serious obstacles to commercial progress. Other important problems at this date were the educational facilities, city drainage, enlarged sewers, im proved streets, better lights, less vice, etc. In April, 1890, Mayor Cregier in his annual message noted the wonderful growth and improvement of the city. Perhaps the most notable occurrence of the year was the accession of an extensive area of territory within the city limits. On June 28, 1889, the city embraced forty-four square miles of territory containing about 850,- 000 people. The following day the city of Lake View and the towns of Hyde Park, Lake, Jefferson and Cicero, aggregating 128.24 miles of territory and about 220,000 people, were annexed, thus including within the city limits more than 1,000,000 people and 172.18 square miles of territory. "By this extraordinary consolidation these inde pendent corporations, each having a legislative and executive de partment of government, each controlled and operated under more or less different systems and methods of conducting public affairs, were at once merged into one municipality under the authority and control of one city government." The new territory readily accom modated itself to the changed conditions, and the city as a whole progressed exceedingly in up^to-date improvements and modern refinements. The bonded debt of the city was increased as follows by this annexation: Hyde Park, $434,000; Lake, $411,000; Lake View, $200,000. These sums increased the total bonded debt of the city to $13,606,900. The territory of Chicago proper had grown in the past as follows: On February 11, 1835, the original town contained 2.55 square miles; on March 4, 1837, there were added 8.15 square miles; on February 16, 1853, there were added 6.48 square miles; on February 27, 1864, there were added 11.35 square miles; on May 16, 1887, there were added one square mile; in No vember and December, 1887, there were added 7.15 square miles, and on July 29, 1889, there were added 128.24 square miles, making a total of 172.18 square miles. Of this area, 5.14 square miles were water and the balance land. On April 15, 1890, there were added two square miles — the village of Gano, thus giving the city a total of 174.18 square miles on that date. During the year 1889 a considerable decrease in the price of 426 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY gas was secured by the city government. The price previously ranged all the way from. $1.25 to $2 per thousand feet, but at this date the price throughout the city was reduced to $1.25 per thousand cubic feet. During 1889 the controller announced that there was due the city from the street railway companies for the use of the LaSalle street tunnel a total of $57,833. From 1887 to 1889, in clusive, arrangements to ascertain the damages resulting from the construction of viaducts were made and accordingly numerous suits against the city were brought by private parties and corporations interested. A grand total of $1,459,663 in suits was thus, com menced. An important question before the City Council was the disposal of the interest on the public funds. Reform in this matter was demanded. It was believed that the existing system was wrong in practice and an injustice to tax payers. Public officials who loaned the city funds and drew interest thereon were declared to be acting without legal authority, and the public insisted that principal and interest on public money should belong to the people. Mayor Cregier, in 1890, called attention to the importance of se curing greater revenue either by increasing assessments or by re moving the tax limitation. This was a matter that demanded early attention unless the people desired serious trouble in municipal affairs. The great increase in territory and population and the multiplication of departments and expenses demanded a greatly in creased revenue. Another important occurrence of the year 1889 was the passage of the famous Chicago sanitary district law. Extracts from, this act will be found elsewhere in this work. It made provisions for the drainage in this portion of the city. Additional tunnels and the immediate reconstruction of dock lines were now demanded. The vile condition of the upper branches of the Chicago river were duly considered and bemoaned. A considerable improvement in transit and in cheap fares on the city railway was made. Among the assets of the town of Jefferson, which was annexed to Chicago, was a toll road which was kept in operation. The im portance of simplifying or consolidating the various governmental heads then existing under the city government was admitted. So far as possible, it was stated, they should be united under one general head. Notwithstanding that Mayor Cregier during 1889 was vilified and abused unstintedly by partisan antagonists, he still retained the good will of the people generally and his administration in some respects will bear comparison with any up to that date, and in moral ity and progress surpassed any other. He was peculiarly unfortunate in being obliged to suffer from misrepresentation. His motives and objects were constantly disbelieved and his efforts for improvement were ridiculed and misstated with deliberate and studied purpose by partisan enemies. But there is no question that he permitted the GEORGE H. WHITE. ALBERT F. KEENEY. HARRY A. LEWIS. J. H. WILKERSON. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 429 same reign of vice, extravagance and crime suffered under the Harri son administration. The mayor, in April, 1892, recommended the adoption of a law amending the existing method of assessment, taxation and collec tion. Under the existing system the seven townships which main tained a separate existence and withheld annually from the city treasury immense sums collected for the use of the municipality could seriously injure the municipal government. The abolishment of the township system and the centralization of control under one set of officers would effect the needed improvement. The mayor said, "It might be mentioned that with our city and county limits so nearly identical, the abolishment of city and county lines and the union of both under one municipal form of government would result in a great benefit to the community." The mayor deprecated the criticisms of the building department and declared that Louis O'Neill had conducted this department honorably and creditably. The press thought otherwise. It was shown, that 11,805 buildings costing $45,000,000 the largest number in the history of the city, were erected during 1891. It was the opinion that the Pearce street disaster could not be charged to the building department. During 1891-92 the total receipts for the fiscal year were $29,550,560.29 and the total expenditures a little less. At this time it was shown that a centralization of governmental authority would decrease ex penses and increase receipts; that the building department, though criticised, deserved credit for its accomplishments; and that the Department of Public Works accomplished more in the same time than ever before. During 1892 the city won the lake front litigation cases in the United States Supreme court. The health department cleaned the city after a fashion and thus probably prevented an attack of the cholera. The following improvements were noted : That much to prevent grade crossing accidents was accomplished by the elevation of railroad tracks; that the White City was built; that the four- mile tunnel was completed December 7, 1892; that gambling, in cluding the operations of the Garfield Track Racing association, was ended; that building regulations, smoke law, etc., received due at tention; that the bonded debt of the city on December 31, 1892, was $18,476,450, jind in addition $1,560,000 was owed on other obliga tions; that special improvements for the year 1892 amounted to $14,505,701.79, nearly $6,000,000 larger than any previous year; that the collection of water taxes was simplified and improved ; that the Purchasing Bureau was in operation at a great saving to the city ; that city health was greatly improved ; that the prosecuting at torney's office and the special assessment attorney's office were con ducted with great credit; that the House of Correction should be enlarged; that the enrollment in the public schools was 157,743; that many new school buildings were opened in 1892; that a milk Vol. 11—25. 430 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY ordinance much needed was passed; and that free baths, cleaner streets and alleys, removal of garbage, isolated stabling, etc., added to the order and appearance of the city. In April, 1894, Mayor John P. Hopkins said that the three most important questions were finances, franchises and track elevation. The finance committee recommended a general reduction of salaries, but this was deemed unwise. The mayor recommended that the matter of assessments be placed under a bureau ; that heads of de partments or towns be no longer permitted to retain city funds for purposes of gain; that the assessed valuation of city property for 1893 was $245,790,351; that trouble was occasioned by the anti quated and inadequate system of bookkeeping in vogue ;~ that the expert previously appointed discovered the defective water assess ment by which the city had been defrauded annually of thousands of dollars ; that there should be a city paymaster ; that city pay rolls should be published ; that adequate compensation for city franchises was demanded and exacted ; that limited franchises were the policy of the administration ; that the fee offices of oil inspector and boiler inspector should be made salaried offices ; that steps to elevate grade crossings were taken by two large South side railways; that the police court system was remodeled and rearranged; that the ques tion of clean streets was duly considered ; and that city revenues should at once be increased. John P. Hopkins in his annual message at the close of 1894 stated that his administration had been hampered by an insufficiency of revenue, loaded down with enormous obligations contracted dur ing former years, and drained of its resources by a rapidly growing and expensive city government. The drain upon the city was fur ther augmented by unexpected emergencies, such as the labor trou bles, the smallpox epidemic and the absence of a civil service law, all of which rendered it extremely difficult to secure satisfactory help. He complained that political influences wholly antagonistic to each other and to the proper progress of public affairs still further complicated his administration. He pitifully stated that the wonder was not that his administration did not get along any better, but that it managed to get along as well as it did. On the other hand there was great encouragement in the rapid growth of the city and in the celebrated name it secured by having made the World's Fair such a splendid success. While admitting the shortcomings of his administration he disclaimed responsibility and expressed regret at being compelled to turn over to his successor the city in bad financial condition. He stated that this condition was due to three principal causes. 1. To the insufficiency of the city's resources. 2. To the absurd condition by which the city's revenue was expended before its collection. 3. To the decrease in the revenues of the city from sa loon and other licenses due to the depression caused by labor trou bles. The municipal' revenue bore no comparison to the rapid in- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 431 crease in population. The taxing system was wholly wrong in principle and utterly rotten in its administration, producing a shrink age instead of an increase. The fiscal year began on the first day of January, but the bulk of the taxes for that year were not collected for many months afterward. In addition, the city was heavily in debt, which was increasing through judgments, etc. Thus as a whole the financial condition of the city was a matter for serious consideration by all thoughtful citizens. Something to clear the administration of confusion and distress should be done. During the campaign Mr. Hopkins promised that if elected he would inaugurate and establish a system of bookkeepings that would at all times show the true condition of the resources and liabilities of the city. In accordance with this promise he secured an expert ac countant, who made a thorough investigation of the system of ac counts kept in every department. This course resulted in placing the accounts of the city in better condition than they had ever been before. It was provided that each department should check up monthly and start each year with a clean balance sheet. The police court methods of accounting were also thoroughly investigated and put in much better condition. The inspection thus instituted prom ised to check the practice of professional straw-bailing. Having been elected on the agreement that no franchise should be granted to corporations without adequate compensation, the mayor, during 1894, frequently exercised the veto power to prevent any inroads by the traction companies upon the rights of the city. He boasted that during his term of office not a single corporation secured a fran chise without the payment of compensation to the city. This course supplied considerable additional revenue. During 1894 the question of grade crossings engrossed the attention of the city administra tion. The number of accidents previously was the cause of great anxiety on the part of public officials. There was a general reluc tance of the railroads to cooperate, due not to their disregard of hu man life and security, but to the enormous cost of track elevation and to a possible decrease in railroad earnings. Civil service was not observed by the city administration because there was no law requiring its adoption. Public places were filled as a reward for partisan service just as they had been from time immemorial. The police department was not divorced from politics, though such had been the promise of the mayor. It was found impossible to ac complish this reform in the absence of a civil service law. The city administration and the newspapers became clamorous that the next Legislature should duly enact a civil service law. During 1894 serious labor troubles disturbed all business opera tions. Differences which had slowly arisen for twelve years cul minated in the most serious strikes, clashes and riots which ever occurred in the West. The police department was taxed to its utmost. The State troops were called out by the mayor, and force 432 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY was used to prevent serious damage to the city. As it was, a large amount of property was destroyed by mobs, and for a time in July it seemed that the city might be set on fire and sacked. Enormous damage to railway property was done by mobs in spite of the efforts of the police and the militia. The question immediately arose, To what extent is the city liable for the damage thus done ? The great strike of 1894 was inaugurated by the American Rail way Union at Pullman on May 1 1 . The storm center was at Chi cago, but the trouble extended like a tidal wave over the whole country. The railway companies offered determined and effective resistance to the demands of the labor leaders. The great burden of protecting property and preserving order fell upon the police de partment, which was wholly unequal to the herculean task. The city contained over 186 square miles of territory with several thousand miles of railway track to be patrolled and property of every descrip tion at hundreds of points to be guarded and protected. In this emergency three brigades of State troops were called out against great and menacing opposition. Daily rioting in all parts of the afflicted districts occurred. The police department was blamed for every infraction of the law. All things considered, the wonder grows that -there was not wilder disorder and a greater degree of outlawry and destruction of property. Serious trouble in the city proper did not occur until June 27. On that date the General Rail way Merchants' association asked for police protection for their tracks and trains. Partial relief was furnished and no extensive damages resulted until July 4, when a serious clash occurred at Blue Island. The police were charged with deliberately siding with and assisting the strikers. On the night of July 3 United States troops arrived in the city in response to demands from the marshal. The presence of these troops proved a firebrand to the excited pas sions of the working classes. Much violence had already resulted. So great was the hostility to the troops in the disorderly districts that they had to be protected by the police on their way to camp. Trains were prevented from proceeding, train hands were assaulted and immense crowds of strikers and the curious gathered and ob structed the dispatch and progress of business. In this emergency the mayor called on the Governor for five regi ments of State troops. There was an immediate response and the troops arrived. They were placed on duty throughout the city where disorder was greatest and danger most imminent. A seri ous conflict between the troops and the strikers occurred at Forty- ninth and Loomis streets on July 7. It was necessary for the troops to charge the crowds with fixed bayonets and finally to fire several volleys, resulting in the killing of four men and the wounding of about twenty. This act infuriated the strikers. Violent conflicts of a similar nature occurred in all parts of the city. The maddened strikers began firing the cars and other property of the railroads HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 433 and soon hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of property were blazing along the lines. It was impossible to extinguish the flames, owing to the hindrances presented by the strikers. Criminals and the lawless everywhere took advantage of the confusion to ply their desperate occupations. During this violent and revengeful period squads of soldiers here and there were compelled to fire upon the strikers with the result that innocent men, women and children were sometimes shot and either killed or wounded. Thus the trou ble continued for more than two weeks. Gradually the soldiers and the police cleared the tracks of the railways and slowly enforced order. More than 100,000 persons were affected by the strike. The railways lost in property and expenses of various kinds nearly $700,- 000. Employes at Pullman alone lost in wages at least $350,000'. About 100,000 men employed on the twenty-four railroads centering in Chicago lost in wages, it was estimated, about $1,389,000. Dur ing this period twelve persons were shot and killed or fatally wounded. Hundreds were more or less seriously injured. During 1894 numerous paving frauds were practiced upon the city, and investigaton instituted by the Commissioner of Public Works showed that pavements laid during several previous years were short in material and extremely defective in construction. Under the law contractors were required to make good defective work. Accordingly the commissioner demanded that such contrac tors should live up to their agreements. Several made good, but others refused. There thus resulted a deficiency of about $300,000. In a test case under these requirements the city was defeated. Judge Smith held that where one party accepted as satisfactory work done by the other the acceptance was conclusive. During 1894 great ad vance in the construction of sewers, sidewalks, and tunnels was made. The Sixty-eighth street tunnel extension was completed ; the Lake View tunnel was expected to be completed in October, 1895 ; and work on the four-mile crib was finished in December, 1894. The latter had taken nearly five years to construct, but the time and the money for this improvement were well invested. There was noticed an immediate improvement in the city water. The Sev enty-ninth street extension was an important improvement just pro jected. Numerous bridges and viaducts were built and repaired during 1894. Notwithstanding the deficiency in revenue the city progressed at a surprising and satisfactory rate. The following parks were under control of the Department of Public Works dur ing 1894: Jefferson, Irving, Holstein, Congress, Oak, Lakewood, Green Bay, Washington, Shedd's, Douglas Monument Square, Al- dine Square, Bickerdike Square, Gross, Eldred, Ellis and East End. It cost nearly $13,000 to keep them in suitable condition. The controller in March, 1895, called attention to the fact that in 1869 the assessed valuation of Chicago was $266,920,000. In 1894 it was $247,425,442. In other words, the assessed valuation in 434 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 1894 was nearly twenty millions less than it was in 1869 when the city had a population of only about 250,000. Now the population was estimated at 1,567,727. No wonder the city was heavily in debt and did not know which way to turn to secure revenue to pay ordi nary current expenses, to say nothing of retiring the city indebted ness. The accounts showed that the city had purchased and added to its permanent assets since 1871 property valued at $49,000,000. This was nearly three times as much as the total funded debt. How ever, regardless of the indebtedness and the low assessed valuation, the city was in a solvent condition, and there was in the treasury ready money sufficient to meet current expenses. The council dur ing the year publicly questioned the authority of the city to borrow money, which indiscretion caused the banks to refuse loans to the corporation until that question should be settled. The city authori ties thus had great trouble to secure money for current expenses in view of the fact that the collections were not made until long after the assessment was levied. The controller called attention to the necessity of correcting the law in this regard at the earliest possible moment. There was a large increase in judgments against the city, owing to defective sidewalks, insufficient appropriations for gas and an insufficient city law department. The assessed valuation in 1894 was declared to be absurd. The actual value was placed at ten times the amount of the assessment. Property owners expostulated, begged and lied. Great trouble resulted from the acts of the town authorities in withholding from the city taxes long past due. The controller recommended the abolishment of town offices and the con solidation of the town organizations within the city. On January 1, 1894, the funded debt of the city amounted to $18,426,450. The annual interest upon this large amount was nearly $1,000,000. During the year 1894 this debt was considerably decreased, resulting in a reduction of over $84,000 in the annual interest. In June, 1894, there was received from the World's Co lumbian Exposition the sum of $500,000 with which bonds were purchased and retired. The controller called attention to the fact that nearly $3,000,000 in bonds would fall due on July 1, 1895. During 1894 election expenses increased greatly. The total re ceipts during 1894 were $32,263,948. The total expenses were $34,359,300. Mayor George B. Swift, in his annual message to the council in May, 1896, stated that the chief difficulty during the past year was to administer the city government upon an inadequate income. The new civil service law was put into partial operation with excellent results. The dispute between the Illinois Central railway and the city concerning the lake front was finally settled. Many miles of surface railways were elevated. The finances of the city were so deplorably insufficient as to cause the greatest distress and incon venience. While the expenses of the city were vastly increased ow- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 435 ing to the advance in population, the revenues were really reduced, thus entailing hardship on the city authorities in their effort to. con duct public affairs along satisfactory and economical lines. In 1895 the total excess of expenses of all kinds over the actual income for corporate purposes amounted to $564,509; the judgments against the city, wholly unprovided for on January 1, 1896, amounted to $1,155,922. These judgments were entered mainly by confession of the city. Unquestionably a large portion of them could have been defeated had contests instead of confessions been the pro cedure. Nearly every city department showed in a striking way how inadequate were the resources to meet the padded and blown- up expenses of the city under this extravagant administration. The legal contests were partly due to the insufficient income brought about by the inequalities of taxation. Instead of cutting down ex penses and operating within the revenue, the administration multi plied expenses and then called frantically for help. The bonded debt of the city was reduced during 1895 only to the amount of $534,000. On January 1, 1896, the total cash deficiency of all outstanding liabilities other than the bonded debt amounted to $5,597,847. Prior to this date the County court had adjudged the paving of street intersections to be in the nature of a public benefit, and therefore the tax with which to build the same had been levied against the city and not against individual property owners. Under this rule there had accumulated to the credit of the special assess ment bureau about $1,000,000. The total bonded debt of the city on January 1, 1895, was $17,722,950. The debt of the city was limited to 5 per cent of the assessed valuation, and therefore the present era was compelled to bear the whole cost of permanent improvement which posterity should assist in sustaining. It was demanded that the assessment should be in creased or the limitation should be removed, in order that greatly needed public improvements could be advanced. The water works alone yielded an annual revenue of more than $2,000,000 above its operating expenses and this revenue would be further increased when the new tunnel and pumping stations then under way should be completed. The Department of Public Works was well conducted and more than half a million dollars was taken from its expenses by a decrease in the pay rolls, etc. The building department was likewise conducted. It had to meet a deficit and at the end of the year had a small surplus. The health department accomplished great improvement by placing proper safeguards around food sup plies such as milk, ice, meat, etc. The medical staff used the anti toxin treatment for diphtheria with excellent effect. Under the management of the municipal laboratory, which examined im pure milk and cream, there was shown a reduction of from 60 to 65 per cent impure to 8 and 10 per cent impure. It was the opinion of the medical staff of the department that the lives of not 436 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY less than 700 children were saved from October, 1895, to April, 1896, by the use of antitoxin. The police department was not con ducted upon the merit system, and no serious and honest attempt to introduce civil service was made in any department. Complaints concerning the working of the. special assessment system were made daily by the newspapers. Mayor Swift endorsed and partly en forced the policy of requiring due compensation to be paid to the city for the use of street franchises. A fair degree of success was thus far reached. The same was true of track elevation. Several railways had already carried the measure into partial effect and others were thus engaged or had the matter under consideration. The final settlement of the lake front controversy was regarded as a great victory for the city. It settled the ownership in the city to property roughly estimated to be worth $8,000,000. In order to ascertain the correct valuation of downtown prop erty, the administration appointed a commission of gentlemen ac quainted with land values in that portion of the city to investigate and report on the subject. Such an estimate, it was stated, should be made as often as once a year owing to the rapid increase in actual value. It was well known that assessments throughout the city and county were unequal. A similar commission appointed to report on the market value of land in the South division north of Twelfth street stated in April, 1896, that in their opinion the value of land was $337,342,880 and that the value of the improve ments on the same was $101,104,300. The assessed valuation of the same property for the year 1895 was as follows: Land $24,- 726,880, improvements $15,941,840. This commission thus found that the assessment was much less than the usual 5 per cent of the actual valuation. It was admitted at this time that nb assessor could possibly make a just assessment under the existing condi tions. The township system of assessing and collecting taxes was not suitable for the county. For many years hundreds of citizens had earnestly recommended some change in this defective system, but none had been devised and put in operation. Mr. Swift ear nestly urged the people to study and realize more fully the truth of the situation in order to vote intelligently on any reform movement that promised improvement. In April, 1897, Mayor Swift stated that the civil service law had been put into partial effect throughout the city government. This statement was emphatically denied by the newspapers, which declared that civil service was regarded as a joke by the city ad ministration. The civil service act was approved by the governor on March 20, 1895. At the succeeding April election the people of Chicago by popular vote adopted the law and it went into effect on July 1 of that year. During the fiscal year 1896-97 24,500 persons took out applications for entrance to the various branches of classified service, and of these over 7,000 returned their appli- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 437 cations properly filled out and their names were entered on the books of the commission. Of this number over 4,000 were examined and nearly 2,500 successfully passed the required average. It was announced at this date that, notwithstanding rare prudence and judgment had been employed in the expenditures of the city rev enues, and notwithstanding the most rigid economy had been prac ticed in every department, the city fund was still inadequate to meet anything but the simplest necessities. Such parsimony was deemed unwise, and the press advocated such an annual increase as would be proportionate to the increased population. For at least a half dozen years there had been no increase in tax ation for municipal purposes in Chicago. In 1891, immediately after the enlargement of the city by annexation, the assessed valu ation was, in round numbers, $256,000,000. In 1896 the assessed valuation was only $244,000,000. Here was a decrease in the tax revenue of about $240,000, while the city had probably increased from 15 to 25 per cent in population and in necessary expenses. The present financial ills were believed to be due to the existing faulty assessment and revenue systems. Owing to the fact that the city revenues were deemed inadequate, municipal authorities had adopted the policy of running into debt, and continued the practice until now the limit was overreached. The truth was that the city authorities were unwilling, or thought they were unable, to live within the income. During the last few years, not only had the indebtedness not been increased, but it had been actually reduced, notwithstanding the revenues remained stationary while the neces sary expenditures increased. The city in its emergency had adopted the policy of issuing time warrants in anticipation of the collection of taxes. Mayor Swift stated that during his two years of admin istration the bonded debt was reduced $644,000 and the ^floating debt $625,000.. At the same time there was a reduction in the pay rolls of over $1,800,000. Two years before this date the city's warrants and franchises were 15 per cent discount. Now they commanded a small premium. The decrease of 2,600 in the number of deaths this year was announced by the health department to be due to the work of the health bureau. The greater part of the decrease was shown to be among children under 5 years of age. During the year the city erected an isolation hospital. Effective steps to dispose of the city garbage were taken. This step contributed to the healthfulness of the city. The health department particularly investigated the foods required by small children, such as milk, etc. They also successfully treated diphtheria and other contagious diseases under improved methods. The public took great interest in 1896 in the subject of compen sation for special privileges, particularly by the street railway com panies. During the year the pay rolls of the city were purged of 438 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY numerous and unnecessary alleged employes, "whose only excuse for being upon them was that they had rendered valuable services to the political party to which they happened to belong." The sav ing thus effected amounted in twenty-four months to the astonish ing sum of $1,822,391.81. During 1896 the Council appropriated $50,000 for the comple tion of the John Worthy Training school, which was being con ducted as a reformatory institution. It was stated that during the past twenty-four years 24,600 boys ranging in age from 8 to 16 years had been committed to the Bridewell for all classes of of fenses and there had been thrown in contact with depraved crimi nals of the worst character. Of this total number the superin tendent of the institution declared that only 738 boys had ever attended the public schools of the city. It was declared a grievous wrong that boys of a tender age should be thrown in contact with criminals under the pretense of improving them. It was hoped that the John Worthy Training school would effect the complete isola tion of these juvenile offenders from old and hardened criminals. Street car transfers were carried into effect generally through out the city during the previous two years. The lake front im provements were a source of general congratulation. The suburban railway stations on the lake front were placed underground, greatly to the pleasure of the public. Track elevation progressed rapidly and satisfactorily. The mayor recommended that important changes should be made in the city charter. It was his opinion that because the mayor was held responsible for the city adminis^ tration he should possess the power to appoint the city clerk, at torney, treasurer and other officials. Mayor Harrison claimed at the close of 1898 that his adminis tration had restored the confidence he had found wanting two years before when he took the reins of city government. The bonded debt was reduced $96,000. The permanent assets were increased over $4,447,000. There was refunded at 3y2 per cent $290,000 of 7 per cent city bonds. The credit of the city was so strengthened that refunding bonds bearing an exceedingly low rate were sold at a premium. Of these bonds $100,000 were sold so low they cost the municipality in interest only 3.2 per cent, the best price ever obtained for such issues. Unjustified time warrants to the amount of $2,350,000, bearing \y2 per cent interest, were sold. Water certificates to the amount of $2,200,000, bearing 4 per cent, were issued. All these issues bore a lower rate than ever before in the history of the city. The mayor pointed with pride to the business like manner with which the controller's office and all departments of the city administration were managed. During the year more than 6,000 special assessment warrants were investigated and the collection of rebates on them was commenced. Before this date these rebates seemed to be in a state of hopeless confusion. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 439 At the end of the year 1897 Mayor Harrison congratulated the county on the scarcity of vicious legislation passed by them and on the numerous important matters that had received due consider ation, such as track elevation, intercepting sewers, electric light extension, the new building ordinance, the water reform office, and settlement of the garbage question. Six per cent time warrants were retired and 5 per cent warrants substituted. Of the bonded debt $65,000 was retired and cancelled; the old special assessment accounts were taken up anew; a supervision of all appropriations and expenditures was established and maintained; all salaries were approved by the civil service commissioners before payment, and a thorough checking system for the controller's office was adopted. The mayor declared with emphasis that the revenues of the city were insufficient to pay the expenses of the police and fire depart ments alone. No wonder streets and alleys were foul, bridges and other works out of repair and streets no better lighted. The city indebtedness was limited to about $10,000,000, though by a con servative estimate city property was worth at least ten times as much. Any business corporation under the same circumstances would not hesitate to incur an indebtedness of $30,000,000. In spite of this lack of revenue the administration, it was declared, did its best to conduct city affairs in a creditable, satisfactory and efficient manner, and succeeded. The stock yards canal, the west fork of the South branch and south fork of the South branch were stated to be a menace to the health in that locality. The construc tion of the conduit at Thirty-ninth street was intended to purify those branches and its completion was urged. Much to divert the sewage from the lake was done. The early completion of the sani tary canal would still further purify the lake and the river branches. All departments of the city hall were subjected during 1898 to thorough inquiry, particularly as to their bookkeeping methods. Great improvements were introduced. The police justices were allowed fixed salaries and the fees were turned into the city treas ury. The water office, which had been a prolific source of scandals, was thoroughly investigated, inundated and washed. The crude system of accounts and the unsystematic conduct there were en tirely changed and reestablished upon better ahd more modern lines. The water rates were reduced and the revenues increased. Every assessment made back to 1872 was thoroughly examined. During 1898 there was organized a special department to manage the elec tric interests of the city. This was followed by a reduction in ex penses and by better service in the light, fire alarm telegraph and police telephone systems. The City Council appropriated during the year $150,000 for the extension of the electric light system.. The police 'force numbered 2,675. The steel fireboat "Illinois" was pur chased by the city and placed in service at a cost of $70,000. In 1897 the department of supplies was created and put in operation. 440 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY By 1899 there was shown a great improvement in the department of public service. After the 1st of March, 1898, the city collected and removed garbage with its own men and teams. After July, 1898, nearly 40 per cent of the sewage which previously had been turned into the lake was diverted and forced into the Illinois and Michigan canal. Permission from the United States government to erect a pumping station upon submerged land at the foot of Thirty-ninth street was granted. Surveys for straightening the North branch of the river were completed and the project was shown to be practicable. At the close of 1899 the financial condition of the city was unu sually good. Refunding bonds at a low rate of interest were promptly accepted by bankers and capitalists. Chicago water serv ice improvement bonds and time warrants found a ready market. The city administration, though working under the restrictive con stitution of 1870, proved itself superior to restrictive conditions, and by taking advantage of circumstances refused to be circum scribed and continued to expand in all legitimate directions at an astonishing rate. There were constant temptations to depart from the hampered environments of the past and to meet modern re quirements with improved surroundings and amplifications. What would have been considered rank extravagance a dozen years before was now looked upon as an excusable and absolute necessity. In the late '90s there came the general demand for improvement of all the city departments. The citizens determined that municipal management should be simplified, economized, improved and ex tended without delay, complication or corruption. People demand ed cleaner streets, better sidewalks, smoother pavements, less gar bage, better police surveillance, a decrease of immorality, more rig orous inspection of tenements and factories, public baths, more and better hospitals, bascule bridges, small playgrounds, artistic im provement of all waste places, better architecture, deeper and larger tunnels, perfect sanitation, purer water and scores of other modern conveniences, comforts and improvements. This involved a much larger revenue. It was known that, owing to the great increase in population and wealth, the city could stand a much higher taxation — not per capita, but in bulk on the whole property valuation. The early completion of the drainage channel in 1898-99 prom ised a wonderful improvement when the Chicago river should be reversed and its foul current sent toward the Mississippi. It had now come to pass that public attention, as never before, was turned critically and understanding^ upon the management and magni tude of public affairs. In former years people disregarded details and alleged fraudulent practices though they increased vastly the indebtedness and perplexity of the city government. It was at last realized that the most inconsequential department of the city government might become a prolific nest of corruption unless HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 441 properly watched, investigated and managed. A single diseased member might infect and dangerously sicken the entire city organism. Accordingly the newspapers during the '90s are full of critical observations concerning the management of every depart ment of the city and county governments. People at length were willing to furnish sufficient money to conduct the administrations of both city and county along economical, correct and modern lines. During twenty-seven years prior to 1900, the territory of Chicago had become five and one-half times greater, the population four and one-half times greater, but the revenue only two and one-half times greater. In the meantime the artistic and cultivated city demanded better service in every department. An accommodation that gave abundant satisfaction in 1873 was regarded as antiquated, useless and wholly inadequate in 1900. Chicago was no longer satisfied with "good enough," but wanted the best along modem lines to be had for the money. The city was really elevated by the World's Fair to a height and ambition never before attained by any American metropolis. Ideals and aspirations were loftier than ever before. People demanded advanced surroundings in harmony with the prominence and grandeur won by the World's Fair. It was admitted that the average citizen was taxed out of all pro portion to his property, and therefore the demand that corporate wealth should bear its just proportion of taxation arose, expanded and intensified. Wealthy men presumed to be fair and honest were accustomed to depreciate their property when the assessor appeared and to appreciate it at the sight of a purchaser. This was true to such an alarming and shameful extent as to cause an indignant protest from the people through the public press. Millions worth of property owned by individuals, large corporations and other con cerns were skillfully and wrongfully hidden from the assessor. Sev eral of the most prominent citizens of the city — men of acknowledged repute, high standing, unbounded credit and unquestionable wealth — were guilty of the picayunish offense of misrepresenting their property to the assessor. In other words, men who outwardly con sidered their word as good as their bond clandestinely lied to the assessor and deceived him. At the same time it was not asserted even by wealthy men that taxation in this city was unreasonably high. However, much complaint arose whenever it was proposed to increase taxation. In fact, whenever such an event occurred, property owners promptly raised their rents and threw the increased burden upon the poorer classes, who of necessity were forced to oc cupy the property. The old proposition of uniting or consolidating the various inde pendent bodies within the city limits was still seen to be a step to secure greater revenue by saving large sums spent uselessly on a complication of government within government. At the close of 1899 Mayor Harrison said : "Personally I am unalterably opposed 442 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY to any scheme of consolidation depending for its accomplishment upon an addition to Chicago's present territorial limits. This city is today spread over such an extensive and unproductive territory as to render an expansion of its territorial limits absolutely out of the question. Without the extension of a single foot we can weld the present taxing bodies exercising municipal functions with the limits of Chicago into a harmonious whole, by which useless officers may be dispensed with, all the various municipal functions be com bined under individual control, and the responsibility for bad gov ernment be placed where the people may readily see at whose door the fault properly lies. This question of the consolidation of exist ing governments should be considered, not by outside irresponsible bodies, no matter how pure their motives, but by the people's paid servants, the legislative and executive branches of the city govern ment." At this date taxes within the city limits were levied and expended by the following bodies: The city, school board, library board, county, West park, South park, Lincoln park, South town, East town, North town, Lake View, Jefferson, Lake and Hyde Park. Each of these bodies had a full staff of executive and administrative officers, whose usual duty could be performed by one man, probably much more satisfactorily than under the existing complicated and hydra-headed taxing monstrosity. In considering the consolidation of the departments or governing bodies, the merging of the sanitary district with the city water de partment was proposed and involved. This step was advocated not only by the mayor but by the most progressive citizens of the city and county. The purposes of the two bodies were so nearly identical that a consolidation under one head was economical, de sirable and practicable. The appointment of a commission of citi zens to push forward the ship canal scheme was recommended. It meant incalculable benefit to all of Cook county; in fact, to all of northern Illinois drained by such a system. It was argued that the citizens should not rest contented until a fourteen-foot channel was extended from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi. The close con nection between the city and the sanitary district was shown by the demand that the water power developed at Lockport should be the property of the municipality rather than be surrendered for a nomi nal sum to private capitalists. The citizens felt that the drainage channel should be the property of the city and county. On March 5, 1900, under authority of the City Council, the controller pre pared bonds to the amount of $2,500,000 to be used in developing the canal water power, and a test case to settle in the highest court whether the city could legally issue such bonds was instituted. The importance of replacing center pier bridges with those of the bas cule type was clear to the citizens at this date. The deepening of the river and the construction of the proposed ship canal meant the HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 443 lowering of the tunnels and the removal of the center pier bridges. It was evident that these improvements would have to be made at once. The largest lake vessels could not enter the Chicago river, because they could not cross the tunnels nor in some instances could they pass the center pier bridges without great trouble. Should the city, the drainage board, or the traction companies using the tun nels be required to lower them and remove the center piers? was the pertinent question. At this date (spring of 1900) there was a general feeling throughout the city that long-time bonds should be issued with which to make necessary public improvements. It was felt gener ally that coming generations should assist in bearing the burden of public improvements which ought to be commenced, but the tempta tion to extravagance was considered involved, and proper restric tions on public indebtedness were duly demanded by the people and the press. In the spring of 1900 Mayor Harrison recommended that more than $15,000,000 in bonds should be issued for the purpose of building new bridges, police stations and fire engine houses, of de veloping sanitary district water power, of constructing electric- lighting plants, of retiring outstanding judgments and of establish ing small parks and playgrounds. He advised that the bonds should be issued in small amounts from time to time as means were needed to pay the expenses of the suggested improvements. A short time previous to this date the judgments outstanding against the city amounted to $2,324,944. He recommended that these judgments, which were bearing 5.6 per cent interest, should be paid with bonds drawing not to exceed 3% per cent interest. The popular vote of the people recently sanctioned the issuance of these bonds. A notable improvement at this date was the great increase in the number of small parks and playgrounds throughout the city. It was stated that no municipality in the world contained a greater number of these breathing places. The mayor favored the policy of lowering the tunnels at the city's expense. This would render the city independent of the railway companies, which were begging for liberal franchises, and also independent not only of the drainage board but of the government as well. As the amount required was comparatively small, the city should not hesitate to make this change at once at its own expense. Mayor Harrison advocated direct labor under the charge of the city on all municipal improvements. He had previously recom mended this step, but again in 1900 announced himself heartily in its favor. He caused to be published in 1900 a list of the companies and corporations enjoying public property and privileges without paying adequate compensation therefor. It was shown that a great increase in revenue would result by requiring such concerns to pay their just dues. It was argued that there was no better reason why 444 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY private citizens should occupy space under city sidewalks, streets and alleys free of charge than that a railroad company should make use of the public highway free of charge. Investigation showed that such property then in use could be made to pay nearly $500,000 annual revenue into the city treasury. During the year 1900 there was a general awakening of the Chicago tax-paying public to the meagerness of city revenues. A demand that the city be conducted along modem lines, regardless of proper and necessary expense, was publicly manifested. The only taxing bodies that failed to receive any relief were those of the city of Chicago, its subordinate bodies, the Board of Education and the library board. In the spring of 1899 the city made its appropriations and based its estimate of receipts upon the taxation of 1898. In the fall of 1899, acting under the new revenue law, the Board of Assessors and the Board of Review considerably increased the assessed valuation of property within the limits of Cook county. As the city of Chicago had already passed its appropriation bill for that year, it was unable to take advantage of the greater assessment thus made. However, all other taxing bodies within the county took advantage of the circumstances and considerably enlarged their rates. In the spring of 1900 the city government in passing its appropriation bill assumed that the assessed valuation would not be less than it had been in the spring of 1899. Upon this basis the revenues for the year 1900 were estimated at $6,593,751. Later during the year it was announced that the Board of Assessors and the Board of Review contemplated a reduced assessment for Cook county. As this meant a decrease in the city revenues and as such decrease was unexpected, it was seen that unnecessary hardships might be cast upon the city administration. It might compel great retrenchment at an enormous inconvenience. In response to de mand the city authorities immediately reduced the estimates of all departments of the city. When the assessment for the year 1900 was finally announced it was seen that the city revenues for the year, instead of being the above sum contemplated, would be only $5,365,378. The city was thus compelled during the last half of the year to operate at greatly reduced expenditures. Many em ployes were dismissed and legitimate expenses were cut in order to live within the limits, of the revenue. As the city was growing at the rate of about 100,000 a year and as it was steadily increasing in proper expenditures, the importance of increasing suitably the rev enue annually was emphasized through the public press and through the messages and papers of the city government. A municipal lodging house for fhe city was demanded. The police stations were thrown open to sufferers during the severe weather, and it was declared to be a matter of economy as well as humanity that the city should own at least one municipal lodg ing house. It meant the control of worthless and dissolute char- Chicago Harbor as first designed in 1854. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 44? acters and probably their amelioration and final return to de cency and competence. The proposition that the city should own crematories was called to the attention of the public. For years the city had been accustomed to deposit its filth on low lands in clay holes and. to cover the same slightly but not permanently. The rapid expansion of the residence district called for reform in this respect, and finally came the demand that garbage and perishable matter of all descriptions should be reduced to ashes in crematories. Accordingly, during 1900 the city appropriated $100,000 for. the purpose of introducing this innovation. There was established at the House of Correction a garbage incinerating plant, which showed a capacity to dispose of thirty tons of garbage per day. During the year, also, the city made an appropriation for estab lishing a municipal library. Late In the year, everything being in readiness, this institution was thrown open to the public. A bureau of statistics was added to the municipal library a little later. Ex perts to examine the special assessment rebate funds and accounts were appointed. These rebate accounts had long been a disgrace to the city. No satisfactory material had yet been found to meet all the requirements of Chicago street traffic. The most satisfactory product was dressed granite block pavement. Notwithstanding the great cost of this pavement, it was believed to be the cheapest in the end. A wide-tire ordinance was proposed. The wonderful growth of the Department of Public Works dur ing recent years was noted. The department was so gigantic and its branches so numerous and apparently complicated that perhaps more than one head should be appointed to direct its affairs. It was recommended that the department be divided into three or four in dependent sections with suitable heads and branches. Many thought that the water department should be an independent body and should include the functions of pumping stations, construction of new pumping stations, building of new tunnels, extension of water mains, and laying water service pipes. An important problem yet unsettled was that of street railway franchises. Definite action was deferred because it was not yet settled whether the ninety-nine-year franchise of 1865 was legal and therefore operative. It was now learned that the ninety-nine year lease did not rest upon as solid a foundation as the street rail way companies desired the public to believe. Its weaknesses were pointed out and claims under it were declared to be unfounded. Early in May, 1901, the local transportation committee decided to appoint three subcommittees — one to investigate the street car service, one to consider subways, and one to settle the terms of new- franchise grants. The committee practically decided at this time J that the city should assume the initiative concerning the whole sub ject of street railway operations. Up to this date the Council had shown an unaccountable subserviency to the plans of the street car Vol. 11—26. 448 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY companies and a strange submission to the inconveniences of street car operations. This servile policy had prevailed since the Civil War and had blanketed the city with inefficiency since 1883. A change was now demanded and inaugurated. The special assessment nightmare became a bucking bronco in 1901. One victim said that in being made rich by special assess ments as had been promised, he was reduced to abject poverty be cause there were no buyers of his property. The vast increase in value promised did not accompany the alleged improvement made under the special assessment. Thus the procedure amounted to confiscation and was therefore unconstitutional. But there was now displayed a more rational view, less inconsiderate action, and an approaching dawn of common sense in municipal proceedings, rather than a covert partisan intrigue to court public favor in order to secure political advantage, popularity, prestige and power. The city administration of 1901 made no secret of its wish to secure a greater revenue. It was known that an assessable valua tion of $276,000,000 under the 5 per cent limitation meant the curbing of greatly desired municipal operations. It was not ex pected that the high valuation of 1899 would be maintained, but it was hoped that the valuation of 1900 would not be reduced. The just assessment of city corporations, it was known, meant suitable revenue for municipal expenses. In their extremity, threatened with insufficient revenue, the city government concluded to attack the validity of the 5 per cent limitation. In his message of May, 1903, Mayor Harrison stated that the traction question was the most important one then before the city for settlement. The recent passage by the Legislature of the Muel ler bill, granting to municipalities the rights to own, control and operate street car lines, made it possible to include in a franchise to a railway company a municipal ownership clause which would protect the city without injury to the company. This law was passed upon the recommendation of many citizens of Chicago and was a step so far in advance as to attract general attention. The public opinion law, which likewise was recently passed, made it possible to submit proposed ordinances to the people. These laws were adopted in anticipation of the expiration of the railway fran chises during the approaching July. At this date there was a further popular demand for the municipal ownership of public util ities. It was the announced maxim of many at this date that "The streets belong to the people." Accordingly, there was a general demand for the extension of street railway franchises for a limited period in order that the companies might be enabled to put into immediate effect needed reforms in the interest of the people. The street car service was poor, the cable power was out of date, and the people, therefore, demanded that improvements should take place at once and that war between the city authorities and the rail- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 449 way companies should end upon the basis of the policy prescribed in the recent enactments of the Legislature. It was maintained by many that no public franchise in which the municipality was not a partner or did not receive full and adequate compensation should be made. The mistake of 1865 in granting the ninety-nine-year franchises was admitted and terminated at this time. During the past six years the traction question had undergone almost a complete revolution in public opinion. Prior to that time the citizens were satisfied, perhaps, with existing street railway accommodations, small reductions in the fares, and franchises for inadequate compensation. Now they demanded a waiver of the ninety-nine-year act, the reference of extension ordinances to popu lar vote, the enactment of municipal ownership legislation, and a limitation to the periods of franchises. Thus public opinion on this subject completely changed in about half a dozen years. During 1902-03 great improvement in street paving was effected. Poor material was discovered and rejected and the best possible product was obtained and substituted. The charter revision consti tutional amendment, though adopted in garbled form by the Legis lature, and though the union of city and county was prevented, was yet a considerable advance in the direction of consolidation. A cru sade to clean the streets was carried out with excellent results. However, it was admitted that the city could not be kept clean without the cooperation of the people. A deplorable condition in the contractor's department was cor rected. Stone men, sand men, material men and paving contractors formed combinations to defraud property owners and the city. Many of these dishonest practices were unearthed and crushed. Combinations to control all the bids on any contract were success fully formed and carried into effect. Such frauds could be avoided if the city should on its own account complete the improvements in progress. The mayor emphatically endorsed the direct employment system. He therefore recommended the creation of a department of construction as a coordinate branch of the city government. It was declared at this time that during the previous few years nearly all attempts to bribe an alderman were immediately made public by the men approached, whereas in former years such at tempts were muzzled and secreted by aldermen who perhaps later succumbed to the corrupting influences. No longer, it was ostenta tiously claimed, did the City Council regard public property as the legitimate spoils of success at the polls. The public welfare was now regarded as the first consideration rather than as the sole bene fit of a party machine or a hungry horde of spoilsmen and heelers. Vast improvements in every department of the city government were effected. The immense growth of the municipality forced officers to adopt systematic operations everywhere under the ad ministration. The tendency to differentiate was anticipated and 450 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY new departments were instituted as soon as required. Mistakes were made, but were corrected as fast as discovered. There was no comparison, it was claimed, betweai the city administration of this date and that of only half a dozen years before. The importance of reducing as far as possible the danger to the public at electric line intersections and crossings was duly consid ered. There was almost a craze that proper precautions for the public welfare should be taken. The elevation of tracks, construc tion of subways, guards and gates at crossings, and every other con trivance to reduce danger were suggested and introduced. Low- level sewerage and high-pressure water systems were adopted and extended. A pneumatic tube system to keep up with the pro gressive times was demanded. Never before did Chicago as a whole adopt and put in use so many modern and important improve ments and enterprises. The important advance of divorcing to a considerable extent the public schools from politics was made. Scandal under the old order of school affairs was avoided, but it was admitted that numerous faults were yet contained in the public school system of the city. Chicago at this date was and for many years before had been the storm center of labor problems and had suffered grievously under the afflictions. It was conceded that gambling and the accompanying vices had not been checked and controlled to the extent required by public morals and welfare. The difficulty of handling such questions was recognized. During the past six years it had come to be the practice of the city, which could not be said before, to require railroad companies to maintain street crossings in good condition, and where tracks had been elevated to keep the viaducts in good condition. This was more important than realized at first glance, as there were hundreds of such viaducts and crossings in the city. Particular attention was called to the notable success achieved by the corporation counsel office. An immense volume of business, larger and better than ever before in the history of the city, was transacted. The duties and activities of the office were so extended and so improved by the employment of able counsel as to attract general attention by the saving accomplished. Important cases which in former years would have been wholly dropped and al lowed to go by default were fought to a conclusion and in most instances were won by the city. It was shown that under the new order of the corporation counsel's office the department was bene fited ten times over for all outlay due to expenses and attorney hire. The controller's report showed that the debt of the city during 1902 was reduced $2,137,863. At this date the water department com prised eight large pumping stations and two small ones, five intake cribs and about thirty-eight miles of tunnels. Several new bascule bridges were built. In every department of the city administration HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 451 improvement was noted, notwithstanding that faults still existed and dishonesty was occasionally revealed. Particular attention was called to the value of the intercepting sewers, and to the progress made by the Board of Local Improvements. The police and fire departments and the civil service commission rendered satisfactory service. The department of supplies was managed with excellent judgment and economy. In 1903 the traction question was easily the most important. Before this date the traction interests were aggressive, defiant and exacting. They assumed that they were entitled under the law of 1865 to an almost unlimited use of the city streets. Later, finding that some doubts as to the righteousness of their course existed, they practiced every strategy, direct and indirect, to secure What they desired. By means of shrewd tactics they hoped to secure by stealth what was refused them openly. At no time were the citizens willing to grant the demands of the traction companies nor to admit that the ninety-nine-year law was in force and valid. The citizens finally, by means of the "little ballot," demanded a final settlement of the whole question. The people were at last determined to. elim inate from all future consideration, as soon as practicable, the rights claimed by the traction companies under the law of 1865 commonly known as the ninety-nine year act. The companies at once resorted to obstructive tactics, hoping to postpone the inevitable as long as possible. When they saw the end approaching they resorted to the artifice of asking for a long lease. It was stated that one company was willing to surrender its alleged rights under the ninety-nine- year act in consideration of a twenty-year franchise. Another company was ready to forego a definite long-terrn franchise in con sideration of an official acknowledgment of the rightfulness of its ninety-nine-year act claims. However, through the "little ballot" the people determined in favor of immediate municipal ownership of the traction properties. This vote had the effect of bringing the traction companies to their senses. The Council favored the policy that after ten years from, the grant of the franchise the city should have the right, upon payment of fair compensation, to assume con trol of the traction properties. "Public officials and the best public sentiment for several years had been of one mind in demanding a waiver of the ninety-nine-year act rights, if any existed, as essential to any future extension ordinances." Iri 1904 the citizens voted to proceed at once to acquire municipal control of the lines of surface transportation and demanded that in the interim the city should give the company a bare license to occupy the streets. Notwithstanding the citizens thus decided, there was a strong sentiment that the city should not own and operate the railway properties. It was realized that the munici pality, not being experienced, would have great difficulty in doing so. Besides, if it should assume ownership of the property, the 452 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY companies would have to be paid for the same. This meant the issuance of a large amount of bonds. In other words, it meant a vast increase in the indebtedness of the city. These questions were duly considered by the people and the sentiment continued to spread that municipal ownership along the lines at first projected was more or less a delusion and might not be so beneficial to the city as was at first thought. Should the city now issue additional bonds to purchase the railway properties? was the question. It was imperative that the tunnels in the rivers should be lowered soon and that the center-pier bridges should be removed. All of this meant a vast increase in the bonded indebtedness of the city. Among the subjects discussed at the close of 1903 were the fol lowing: That the city should sell to private citizens gas and electric current from the city product; that the city should have the right to regulate gas; that dramshops should be required to close at midnight; that race-horse gambling should be broken up; that the good work of the Municipal Voters' League merited com mendation from the city and the citizens; that the schools should be removed from political influences; and that an increase in mu nicipal revenues to meet the needs of the great city should at once be made. During 1903 the corporation counsel's office was managed with unusual ability and success. Improved system and discipline in the management of all cases were shown. It was considered by the best lawyers connected with the office that the ninety-nine-year act would be held invalid if tested in the upper courts. The pro ceedings of the office during the year 1903 were marked by devo tion and fidelity to the interests of the city. During 1903 the con troller's office, notwithstanding an insufficiency of revenue, was conducted successfully and satisfactorily. Though the needs of the city were constantly growing, the revenue remained about the same year after year. The controller throughout the year practiced strict economy and utilized the revenues on hand to the best possible advantage. The audit bureau of the controller's office was an im portant branch of the department. It meant a complete audit and understanding of all expenses at the time they were made. A record of the city's real estate was revised and perfected. During the year a notable achievement was the successful culmination of the work of adjusting the accounts and rewriting the records of special assessments from 1871 down to date. This work had progressed for nearly three years and covered 4,300,000 individual assessments, aggregating a total of $95,500,000. The work con tained over 200,000 sheets of manuscript and typewritten matter. One of the benefits derived from this work was the recovery by the city of $550,000 of delinquent taxes and the payment of rebates aggregating over $400,000 to property owners. Another improve ment was the adoption of a system of daily checking and supervis- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 453 ing the proceedings of the police courts. These courts were put upon a paying basis, the revenue therefrom in 1903 being over $163,000 and the expenses over $117,000, leaving a net earning of over $46,000. During the year 1904 new bascule bridges were opened at West Division street and at North Western avenue, both designed 'and built by the city of Chicago. The Sanitary Board also constructed a bascule bridge at Loomis street. Contracts for the same type of bridges at Archer avenue and North avenue were let. Twenty permits for the construction of over 3,600 feet of new dock on the Calumet and Chicago rivers and on Lake Michigan were issued. The Sanitary Board in widening the South branch to 200 feet dredged away tracts amounting to over 53,000 cubic yards. The South Park commissioners dredged over 508,000 cubic yards from the outer harbor of Chicago and deposited the same in Grant park. Private dock owners dredged away 458,000 cubic yards of earth. Satisfactory progress in constructing the various intercepting sew ers was made during the year. The" Department of Health made a satisfactory showing. A total of 2,614 fewer deaths than during the previous year was announced. A reduction under 1903 of 1,224 deaths of children under 5 years of age was reported. This result was attributed to the improvement in the milk and other child food supplies. It was noted that for many years there had been a constant improvement in the death rate of the city. Formerly this improvement was attributed to modern sanitary conditions and the activity of the health department. Now it was attributed mainly to the food and water supplies. During the year there were in service 2,316 patrolmen, the smallest number since 1891. Not withstanding the reduction, the department was efficient and its service, as a whole, satisfactory. The department adopted the fin ger-print system of identification. A bureau of records, which be gan operations on January 1, 1905, was established. The House of Correction cared for 11,647 inmates. The average daily popu lation of the institution was 1,723. At the close of 1904 the fire department embraced 100 engine companies, twenty-eight hook and ladder companies, including one water tower, and fifteen chemical engines and one hose company. There were also five fire-boats in service. The Civil Service commission reported steady progress. The department of supplies made, as usual, a creditable report. There were 19,584 orders for materials, supplies and repair work, involving an expenditure of over $707,000. In the building depart ment a new and complete system of records was established. There were eighteen inspectors, and 48,192 inspections were made. The Bureau of Statistics made a point of disseminating informa tion throughout the city concerning every department of the public service. The city treasurer's office received from the several de partments of the city and county deposits aggregating $50,232,- 454 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 007.80, and dispersed on warrants issued by the city controller $47,999,947.04. The important work done by the city sealer should not be overlooked. There were inspected by this department 729,- 963 cases, of which 42,234 were condemned. A new municipal playground at West Chicago avenue, east of Lincoln street, was opened. The area of 200 by 125 feet was taxed to its utmost capacity. There were during the year nine municipal playgrounds in successful operation. The popularity of these breathing places was shown by their crowded condition. Others were in contemplation. Mayor Edward F. Dunne, in his annual message of April 11, 1906, congratulated the City Council on the advance made during the past year in municipal management. He said: "Throughout its governmental branches progress has been achieved along many lines that make for justice and equality in all things to all our citi zens and for the good of the whole public." The rate of gas was reduced 15 cents per thousand feet. Although the water system had cost over $34,000,000, it was being maintained at a less cost than ever before. It was thought necessary to increase the numeri cal strength of the police department. The death rate for 1905 was 13.67 per thousand population, almost the lowest in the history of the city. In the previous year it was 13.62. This was lower than that of any other city of the same population in the world. Statistics proved that the general property tax per capita in Chi cago was less than in any other of the ten largest cities in the United States. The settlement of the ninety-nine-year act case removed a bar rier that for years unnecessarily proved a stumbling block to mu nicipal progress. At the recent election the citizens had decided in favor of municipal ownership of street car lines and for the issu ance of street railway certificates to provide the means for taking over the street railway property. They had approved the ordinance adopted on January 18, 1906, which authorized the city "to con struct, acquire, purchase, own and maintain street railways within its corporate limits and to provide the means therefor." To accom plish this result the city might issue and dispose of interest-bearing certificates to a sum not exceeding $75,000,000. As this was the policy upon which Mr. Dunne was elected mayor of Chicago and as the people had signified their approval of such policy, the mayor announced his intention of putting the same into execution as soon as practicable. The Supreme court of the United States had re cently ruled that franchises had already expired on practically all of the street car lines of the city. The so-called ninety-nine-year act was declared merely a wraith conjured up by the traction com pany to frighten the people. Every bar had been removed so that now all street railway lines and branches could be brought under municipal control. This was an accomplishment that had been HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 455 sought for many years and the mayor congratulated the public on having at last cleared the subject and made the railway subservient to the people's welfare. He suggested that steps for an early re habilitation and modernization of the present street railway system of Chicago should at once be taken. If this could be accomplished by some satisfactory arrangements with the existing street railway companies, it should be done. Otherwise the city should at once take / steps to construct an entirely new and independent system, which should be wholly controlled and owned by the municipality. In the latter case existing companies should then be regarded as trespassers upon the public streets and as such should be removed therefrom. Condemnation proceedings would drive them from the streets. He suggested that the "contract plan" which had been previously outlined in July, 1905, should be put into effect in order to establish at an early date municipal ownership of the entire street railway system of Chicago by construction, by purchase or con demnation. These steps should be taken at once in order to correct the abuses then practiced by the street railways under private own ership. Negotiations with the Chicago Telephone company and other corporations along lines that would benefit the city were com menced, with the expectation of soon reaching satisfactory results. During 1905, at the request of the mayor and many others, the Legislature passed a law enabling the city to fix reasonable charges for gas and electric lights. Under this act the Council passed an ordinance reducing the price of gas to 85 cents instead of to 75 cents, as recommended by the mayor. The city continued to suffer, as it had done almost from its first creation, from a lack of the necessary funds or from a misuse of funds needed to carry on needed improvements. The fire department was too small and weak. It was neither large enough nor elaborate enough fo meet the requirements of modern Chicago. It was not the fault of the department, but the lack of means to fight fires to the best advan tage. The saloon license was increased frorn $500 to $1,000, with the result that additional revenue for the fire and other departments was secured. With this and other revenue the city government was enabled to add to the police force about 1,200 additional patrolmen. The city's financial system was still cumbersome and perplexing. While the appropriations for the current year must be determined by March 31, the assessed valuation upon which such appropria tions were based could not be known until eight months later. This prevented any certainty in estimates. Tax-dodging corpora tions and individuals were on the point of being required to pay a fair taxation upon their actual holdings. It was hoped that the proposed charter convention would adopt such measures as would consolidate the various taxing bodies then in existence in the city. The citizens of Chicago were justly proud of their splendid water 456 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY system. The total revenue from the water department during 1905 was $4,219,562.44. The water bureau was completely reorganized and additions and extensions needed were authorized and com menced. It was recommended that water should be sold by the city to all persons at the same price. Such had not been the practice. A new system of accounts in the water department was put in opera tion, with excellent results. The city acquired by purchase the Aus tin water system. During the past year all records were broken in extending Chicago's municipal electric lighting plant. A total of 1,580 arc lights was added, making an aggregate in the service of 6,687 arc lights. Other great improvements were made in the lighting system. The power to be developed at Lockport, it was declared, should belong to the city and should be utilized at the earliest opportunity. The reduction in typhoid mortality during the last twenty years amounted to more than 90 per cent. Under the commissioner of health the work of sanitary inspection was advanced extensively. Particularly was meat inspection at the stockyards and elsewhere of the greatest benefit. The large amount of meat condemned and destroyed was pointed out to show what Chicago had suffered in the past. The Department of Health at this date conducted ten public baths and otherwise inaugurated a vigorous reign of public cleanliness. Much improvement in gambling was also effected. Though vice and crime were still present, they had been checked and controlled. Chicago in all respects was vastly better than it ever had been before. The police department extended its opera tions to "get-rich-quick" concerns of every description. Scores of such establishments were driven out of existence. A systematic enrollment of criminals and crime took the place of previous un certainty and confusion. The municipal lodging house received 13,000 lodgers, served 26,000 meals, and secured employment for many thousands of indigent people. . Progress in controlling the smoke nuisance was made. The Department of Public Works ac complished excellent work in preventing the drainage water of the city from reaching the lake. The intercepting sewer system divert ed immense quantities of water into the river and the drainage canal. By April all the sewers from Chicago river to Eighty- seventh street, except one at Fifty-sixth street, were connected with the intercepting sewer. The early completion of the sewers as far as Calumet river was announced. Notwithstanding the lack of revenue, the streets were kept comparatively clean. The Bureau of Compensation was placed under the supervision of the Bureau of Streets. It was learned that business establishments in downtown districts were using subsidewalk space for private purposes, without paying anything to the city therefor, and also that many establishments built bay windows over the sidewalks without authority. The HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 457 Bureau of Compensation investigated such practices and during 1905 collected an aggregate of $41,543 in taxes for such infringe ments on public rights and property. The duty of the Bureau of Compensation required it to keep a complete record of all streets and alleys and infringements upon same, whether above the surface or below it. It was shown that many of the city's alleged most prominent and public-spirited men, one a so-called "merchant prince," were not only guilty of thus infringing upon public prop erty, but were highly indignant when such infringements were called to their attention and payment was demanded. During the previous year the Bureau of Bridges, Harbor and Architecture was created as a branch of the Department of Public Works. This department seemed necessary owing to the numerous bridges required and to the important changes constantly being made in the harbor and in the form and convenience of public build ings. A complete lake front survey from the mouth of the river to the northern limits of the city was completed. Everywhere throughout the Department of Public Works was seen simplifica tion, consolidation, improvement and progress. The year 1905 from a building standpoint was the most prosperous in the history of the city. The law department established a new record for ability and efficiency. Notwithstanding the immense numbers of intricate and perplexing legal problems, the department accomplished results un expected, valuable and satisfactory. Two important cases alone — the traction franchise and telephone suits. — would have made this department conspicuous at this time. The settlement of the ninety- nine-year act likewise distinguished the law department. The con troller's office was managed with such excellent system that the results were gratifying in the extreme. The Board of Local Im provements accomplished great reforms in the use of materials and methods of construction. The Civil Service commission was an established and prized department of the municipality. During the entire year improvements which were not deemed possible eight or ten years before were instituted. A better class of public officials was secured, and it must be admitted that in a large measure these results were accomplished through the publicity given to every de partment by clubs, associations and the daily press. The fire de partment rendered throughout the year excellent service. The department consisted of 100 engine companies, twenty-nine hook and ladder companies and other adjuncts. Four fire-boats were on constant duty. Numerous small parks and playgrounds were se lected and opened. " Track elevation progressed to a greater extent than during any previous year. The Department of Weights and Measures conducted a vigorous and successful campaign against short-weight and short-measure dealers in all parts of the city. The House of Correction, including the John Worthy school, 458 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY contained an average population of 1,737. The public schools showed a corresponding advancement. An improved course of study for the elementary schools was tried, and manual training, physical culture, sewing, cooking, etc., received attention. Though the schools were still crowded, the department managed to take all children who applied for admission. Special schools, such as for cripples and other afflicted persons, were established. Particular attention was paid to ventilating and heating the school rooms. The cooperation of the Board of Education and the Department of Health was of great importance to the health of children and con sequently in their educational progress. During the year, under the instruction of the administration, plans and specifications for improvements involving an expenditure of about $8,000,000 were prepared. The improvements contem plated new tunnels, pumping stations, pumping machinery, and boilers. The southwest land tunnel, ten miles in length, the nine- foot water tunnel in Seventy-third street near Western avenue, and the Roseland pumping station were projected. The southwest land tunnel was located under Lake Michigan from the foot of Seventy- third street to the new crib near the Sixty-eighth street crib, and was the largest tunnel for the purpose of conveying water ever projected in America under the bed of a body of water. The cen ter of the tunnel was 120 feet below the level of the lake and was constructed of solid rock. The design was to make this tunnel of sufficient size to supply three pumping stations each with a daily capacity of 100,000,000 gallons. During 1906 there was put in operation a new municipal brass foundry. The plan was to save large sums annually by enabling the city to make its own brass castings, fittings, etc. It was disclosed by the water department that private corporations and individuals were using city water surrep titiously without paying for same. The department equalized the tax rate of water sold through meters. It was shown that thirty- six large corporations were required to pay but 4 cents per thou sand gallons for water, while the great mass of people were charged 10 cents per thousand gallons. Reform was demanded and the department finally fixed 7 cents per thousand gallons as the rate for all consumers. The revenue derived by the city from the sale of water during the year was approximately $4,500,000. It was realized at this date that no city in the world had a larger or better supply of water than the people of Chicago. The appraised valuation of the city's water system was approximately $35,000,000 at this date. Covering the year 1897 the annual message of Mayor Busse in April, 1908, contained many valuable observations and suggestions. The most difficult work during 1907 was a reorganization, coordi nation and development of the various executive departments of the city administration. The object was to promote the greatest HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 459 degree of order, economy and efficiency. However, department heads were given too free a hand to accomplish necessary improve ments. Giving a free hand meant giving greater official liberty and license. But the first result was better service with less red tape, less friction and less lost motion than at any time probably within the history of the city. Still further advanced was the policy to conduct city affairs along buisness lines without special favor. Never before was the city government brought in such close com munion with the citizens in their daily walks and pursuits. Par ticularly was this result shown in contact with the departments of building, health, weights and measures, smoke inspection, boiler inspection, electricity, and the examining boards. The Department of Public Works and the Board of Local Improvements introduced better business methods in order to effect permanent results. Though the city's finances were in an unsatisfactory condition and though a disastrous panic swept the country, the credit of the city was kept above par. Por the first time in several years the city's legal business was wholly handled by the regular force of the law department without the assistance of special attorneys. Many important reforms and advantages were gained by the track elevation department. It was notable that the police and fire departments were raised to a higher degree of efficiency than had been known for several years. , There was better discipline and harmony and less corruption and careless ness. Though the police department was usually first to be blamed and last to be praised, excellent progress along modern paths was made. There was less public immorality and crime and particularly less gambling than for several years last past.. More than ever before were the streets declared to be the property of all the people and more than ever before the police department carried this prin ciple and policy into effect. Continued advancement in instituting throughout the entire city civil service reform was made. The water bureau and the Department of Public Works, which previous to this date were more or less disorganized and inefficient, were investigated and placed on a better platform of economy, honesty and duty than ever before. These departments particularly had been for many years the foci upon which personal and political schemes and ambitions were directed. It was acknowledged that the city was still hampered by the limited borrowing power and the inequitable division of the tax levy. It was desirable, owing to in creased expenditures, to increase also the revenue. It was yet the custom and had been for many years to pay for permanent im provements out of current revenues. This was a temporary expedi ent which should be avoided. Street cleaning, street repairs, re moval of garbage, and the wheel tax authorized by law promised additional revenue for street improvement. The settlement of the traction question and its removal from 460 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY politics were a great advance in peace and prosperity. Upon the settlement of the traction question the companies within a short time expended more than $8,000,000 to better the street car service. The settlement of the disputes enabled them to proceed with these needed improvements. The traction question was settled much to the advantage of the city and quieted public excitement and outcry. It was announced that the two companies — Chicago City Railway company and Chicago Railways company — contemplated spending over $15,000,000 during 1908 on reconstruction and rehabilitation. During the first year under the new traction ordinances the city received from the companies $1,535,719.19. The reconstruction work of the companies was by far the best ever seen in the city and gave abundant satisfaction. There was still to be settled the elevated railway situation. Improved service in the downtown dis tricts was demanded. The subject of subways to relieve the loop district was prominently before the city authorities and the public generally. Its importance and difficulty were recognized. It was admitted that in the near future there must be a vast improvement to relieve the congestion of the loop districts. Two other important matters yet to be settled were the telephone and the Commonwealth-Edison ordinances. The city demanded the absolute and unquestioned right to regulate rates and to require the publicity of accounts. These demands were in accordance with the already established policy of exercising complete control of pub lic service corporations. The harbor commission studied scientific ally and comprehensively wider and wiser questions of harbor improvement. The boulevard link project connecting the North and South systems was advanced in a measurable degree during the year. For the first time the smoke problem was attacked from a rational and scientific rampart. The policy was to suppress the smoke nuisance, not so much by punishing smoke-makers as by compelling them to' avoid the offense and penalizing them, only when they refused to adopt improved methods. During the year a further demand for the substitution of electrical for steam power on railroad terminals was made. Under the direction of the commis-. sioner of health a concerted movement to prevent the further con tamination of Lake Michigan water was made in conjunction with other cities and states having boundaries on the lake. This was a step to secure still better water, and contemplated vast improve ments that would benefit all the future. In recent years the force of all efforts was directed to prevent the further contamination of lake water. In December, 1908, the Hamilt onion contained a review of the city administration by Mayor Busse. The department of Public Works, under John J. Hanberg, showed immense transactions with the least possible error and the best possible results. The policy of this department strictly carried out was that the lowest reasonable HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 461 bidder should get the contract. This policy was being exemplified in the construction of the new city hall. Throughout all the branches of this immense department a system, economy and honesty rarely ever witnessed in this city or county were carried into effect. The immense task of mapping underground Chicago was undertaken and well advanced. Particularly Avas great improvement shown in street cleaning and water saving. The department of Health, under Dr. W. A. Evans, made an astonishing record. Great advance in reporting diseases never before noticed was made. The death rate was still further reduced. Considerations concerning health, diseases and sanitation never before in practice here -were put in operation. A foundation for good health was laid broad and wide for the fu ture. Under George M. Shippy the Police department showed unus ual efficiency, honesty and economy. Numerous reforms and im provements were introduced. Under Fire Marshal Horan the Fire department reached a degree of discipline and effectiveness scarcely ever seen before. Particularly was civil service put into execution. The fire apparatus was standardized and there was better housing for the force. The law department, under Edward J. Brundage, corporation counsel, attained a still higher degree of usefulness. The expense of special attorneys was done away with. Many old cases of verious descriptions which had been pending for many years were settled and wiped off the slate. Numerous test cases to ascer tain the rights, obligations and duties of the city were instituted. The department was still further separated into distinct necessary and important branches. Though apparently complicated, the Legal department is the perfection of system and wise management. Still further were personal injury suits controlled, defended and defeated. The office of city attorney, occupied by John R. Caverly, investigated personal injury cases with astonishing results. It was revealed still further that scores of cases without any merit whatever were begun against the city under the advice of shyster lawyers who expected success from the neglect of the department. This department re quired high legal ability and skill and showed those qualifications under Mr. Caverly. The extent to which fraud suits were thus car ried to judgments in favor of the plaintiffs was never before fully realized until the revelations of this office disclosed them to the pub lic. Under Mr. Caverly every case was fought to a finish and was investigated before suit with the assistance of able detectives. The results shown in 1908 were as follows : More cases disposed of at less cost; less office expense; average of judgments against the city greatly reduced ; the entire department was revolutionized and per fect system established ; great decrease in the number of cases against the city; personal injury fakers exposed and several indicted; steady elimination of fraudulent cases The Board of Local Improvements, under Col. H. S. Dietrich, showed great expansion, economy, honesty and a far better character 462 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY of work done. A wiser system of dealing with contractors was adopted and carried into effect with great saving to the city. The department of Finance under Controller Wilson reflected much credit upon the administration. Everywhere was shown economy, system, greater efficiency, greater celerity and a system of bookkeeping that at all times showed the exact condition of the city funds. For the first time in the history of Chicago, judgments against the city sold at par. The Civil Service commission made still further advancement. During 1908 this department was revolutionized. Perfect system took the place of previous partial disorder. A study was made of character and qualifications. An immense work was done. A vast increase in the number of examinations and inspections compelled greater system, retrenchment and effectiveness. The Board of Edu cation, under President Schneider, managed to accomplish several important reforms. The Building department, under Joseph Dow ney, still further amplified and improved the results of this depart ment. Particularly were methods of escaping from buildings in case of fire made easier and more satisfactory. The department of Smoke Inspection, under Paul P. Bird, showed unusual activity and better results. The department of Weights and Measures, under John Kjellander, city sealer, was active in condemnation proceed ings and in compelling dishonest merchants and dealers to make good. The Track Elevation department, under Walter J. Raymer, made an excellent showing and still further emphasized the impor tance, usefulness and efficiency of this division of the city govern ment. Early in 1909 evidences of graft and irregularity in the adminis tration of city affairs were so manifest and notorious that the press generally, and the civic improvement organizations particularly, de manded investigation. The Municipal Efficiency commission ap pointed early in the year made several important recommendations, but at first had not the means to go to extremes. During the spring the evidences and reports multiplied until there was a general demand for investigation. John E. W. Wayman, state's attorney, in augurated a special system of investigation that began to bear fruit as early as April. His first notable success was the conviction of "Skinny" Madden in May in spite of the most brazen and outrageous attempts to "fix" his jury. This conviction and his announcement that he intended to continue his attack on graft everywhere dis mayed the criminal elements as it overjoyed all lovers of law and order. At once he had such prestige that terror seized the city hall and shook it to its foundation. About June 1 he asked for $25,000 with which to drive crooks from the city, and the appropriation of that amount was demanded by the press and citizens. He stated openly that if given necessary assistance he would clean the entire jury system which, he declared, was rotten to the core. The estab- Missing Page Missing Page HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 465 lishment of the Merri'am commission in June was approved through out the city. The primary object of this step, as stated by Alderman Charles E. Merriam, when he introduced the ordinance, was to in struct and otherwise prepare the citizens of the county so that they could vote understanding^ and effectively on the $16,000,000 con templated bond issue. Immediately the object widened to an investi gation of "city expenditures for all purposes." The Chicago Daily Socialist deserves credit for important discoveries in July concern ing the McGovern contract irregularities; but the grand jury re fused to take action because the charges were not proven. In July Mr. Wayman discovered the existence of extensive gambling graft wherein numerous Chinese bought immunity from corrupt city of ficials. Many indictments followed. About the same time came the open charges that immense sums of money were paid by the West Side levee district as graft and for protection. The grand jury begun a searching investigation. The Tribune of July 22, said : "Charges that graft and protection money is being paid in the levee districts of Chicago at the rate of thousands of dollars a month, yesterday caused the grand jury to begin a sweeping investigation to discover who profits. With more than 105 indictments returned during the day against gamblers, proprietors of disorderly resorts and slot machines operators, it was disclosed by the state's attorney's office that the work of inquiry had only begun. State's Attorney Wayman is directing the investigation. He said, 'I am not trying to indict any specific person, but no one toward whom the evidence points will be immune. I am here to prosecute violations of the law.' " The first blow was struck against Inspector Edward McCann's dis trict on the West Side, from which the worst evidence came and against which the severest charges were made. Finally the Inspector himself was brought to trial and was found guilty of extorting bribes from resort keepers of his district. During the trial, in spite of the evidence against the inspector, a protest against the crusade was made by ministers, merchants, lawyers and others, to the as tonishment and shame of the whole city. Many dive keepers were indicted and during the investigation of the grand jury Judge Scan- Ian publicly stated that unlawful attempts to influence that body were made. Evidences of graft and other crime continued vastly to increase 'from all grafters. It was now seen that the North and South Sides were as vile and corrupt as the West Side. To cap the climax outrageous attempts to corrupt the juries and a villainous counter attack on Wayman were made. In August he caused the arrest of three men charged with conspiracy to do an illegal act in the intimidation of the state's witnesses in the graft inquiry cases. Criminals openly boasted, "We can fix any jury." Wayman said, "This office has been interfered with in every way possible. It has become a common practice for attempts to be made to intimidate the Vol. 11—27. 466 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY state's witnesses. There have been conspiracies galore and I refuse to put up with such practices." In September a physician connected with the Municipal laboratory was discharged for incompetence and neglect of duty by the Civil Service commission. The McCann case was considered the most important in recent years owing to the bitter public array of gamblers, grafters and criminals against law, order and decency. Twelve indict ments were returned against him. During the McCann trial there appeared the extraordinary spectacle of an inspector of police admitting seeing notorious violations of the law without any action being taken by him to arrest the culprits. William P. Clancy, such inspector, showed utter incompetence and shameful neglect of duty. The conviction of McCann vastly encouraged Mr. Wayman and gave great satisfaction to the public. He now determined to investi gate the jury commissioners' office in order to uproot irregularity, illegality and corruption, the existence of which had been fore shadowed. An investigation showed that the frequent miscarriage of justice in recent years was due to unlawful practices in that office. The Cook county bench appointed three judges to hear evidence in the jury commissioners' cases. The Merriam commission unraveled crooked and illegal practices in the card system of jury selection. Among the admissions drawn from the witnesses by State's Attorney Wayman were: That cards drawn for grand jury service were placed in a drawer of Capt. Mason's desk, where many of them re mained as long as five years; that Capt. Mason and several clerks had keys to the desk, and that whenever the roll top was up any one could abstract the cards if he so desired; that any of the clerks in the office could excuse men for grand jury service by writ ing on their cards, "Disqualified for grand jury;" the clerks could also indorse any name by writing on the card, "Good for grand jury service;" that Capt. Mason at one time suspected Clerk Mc Guire of "getting men off from jury service;" that the jury com missioners sometimes signed the jury lists in blank and left them for clerks in the office to fill in; that no grand jury list was kept until October of this year, following Mr. Wayman's charges of irregularities in the jury commissioners' office. The shale rock scandal whereby $45,984 was wrongfully paid out to the McGovern company engrossed attention. A surprising de gree of negligence and guilt was shown in the department of public works. John J. Hanberg, John Erickson, Paul Redieske, R. A. Bonnell and other officials were found to be more or less careless and involved. The Inter-Ocean's private investigation uncovered the iron castings scandal. W. A. Coleman, city business agent, was negligent and irregular. It was shown that against law the T. A. Cummings Foundry company were given contracts for iron cast ings. The Merriam commission was actually overwhelmed with calls to investigate graft and crime. It was revealed that many HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 467 thousands of dollars had been paid out for extras in violation of law. It was also realized that the freak juries of the past must have re sulted from the illegal practices in the jury commissioners' office. Hundreds of names had been placed on the jury lists by politicians, ward healers, bailiffs, clerks, etc. When the Merriam commission needed more funds in the fall of 1909, they were violently opposed with injunction and even with verbal bludgeons in the city council. Opposition to investigation was exhibited by nearly all heads of de- parments. Mayor Busse himself was involved by the testimony of Coleman and Redieske. In November the lumber supply scandal was added to the mess of graft filth that offended the nostrils of the city. The Merriam commission showed in November an immense useless expenditure in the street cleaning and garbage departments of all wards. The wheel tax scandal stirred up the people in No vember. Herculean efforts to secure a new whitewashing trial for Inspector McCann failed at this time. Judge Fake said, "When little gamblers are arrested the police produce the evidence and con victions follow. When big gamblers are arrested conclusive evidence is lacking and convictions are impossible." The inference was that big gamblers bought immunity from the police. The Citizens' asso ciation charged that the McGovern company had illegally absorbed the wheel tax for the years 1907 and 1908 with the knowledge and permission of Messrs. Hanberg, Redieske and Doherty. In Decem ber the Merriam commission widened its investigations to all de partments of the city administration, because graft and corruption were seen to blight and fester everywhere. The report of Welton, the expert, in December threw the burden of the shale rock scandal on Redieske. The Citizens' association, Merriam commission and the Inter-Ocean proved the existence of graft and irregularity even in the mayor's office. The indictment of two prominent men in De cember finished this year of rascality. It was at last realized that the Busse administration was one of the most corrupt ever fastened upon the city. A permanent investigating commission was de manded by many. Mr. Wayman said in September, "I've got enough evidence to send these men to the pentitentiary and I intend to do it. People have wondered about certain grand jury actions in the past and about certain jurors who tried to create a disturbance because we re fused to take up cases in which they were interested. I knew the reason for this all along, but I said nothing because I was waiting to get the evidence." The three men arrested were John J. Holland, N. J. Martin and W. J. Reyburn, charged with "jury fixing." Mr. Wayman further said, "When you stop to consider that within the last three months we have had called into the jury box in Cook county, in the trial of important criminal cases, ex-convicts, men under indictment, saloon bums, and men selected for the particular purpose of having them put on the jury in order to acquit the de- 468 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY fendants; when you stop to consider that the biggest fight in the trial of a criminal case in Cook county is to get a decent jury, you will understand something about the magnitude of the action just taken." An important question early in 1909 was, "Shall the Calumet river flow be reversed?" It was answered iri the affirmative by all who wanted pure drinking water. Electrification of railroad termi nals was demanded by everybody except railway men. In" May a city forester was appointed — Jacob H. Prost. A school for cripples was founded in 1909, mainly by Jesse Spaulding. An attack upon the comic supplements of newspapers and upon five-cent shows was made in order to remove all improper influences upon children. The new charter bills in the legislature created intense interest in Cook county. A consolidation bill was widely and urgently demanded. In May an energetic crusade against flies was inaugurated, because it was announced that they occasioned tuberculosis, diphtheria, scar let fever, typhoid fever and other disorders. Hundreds of Chi- cagoans went to Springfield about the middle of May to plead for the passage of the consolidation bill. Principals of schools were ordered to cease the distribution of political and campaign literature in the public schools ; the Teachers' Federation was the chief offender. Poor scholarship generally in public school pupils occasioned the demand in May that high school students in particular should be given more practical instruction and useful information. "More time for the three R's" was the cry. In 1909 the Young Men's Christian association showed marvelous growth and prosperity. The exhibition of Chicago art work at the Art Institute in May was highly creditable. A vigorous campaign against infant mortality was prosecuted all summer in 1909. The permission of the govern ment in February, 1909, for private persons or corporations to build piers north of the Chicago river mouth roused the entire city when it became known in May. An amendment of the permit was finally secured, largely through the efforts of the Harbor commission. Con certed action to prevent crime and destitution among children was instituted in May, the Juvenile Protective League leading the move ment. Down state legislators said Chicago could have the charter bill desired if she would consent to the limitation of her representa tion in the Legislature. This kindled the anger of everybody here. Steps to secure a new home at the Gage farm on the Desplaines river to take the place of the John Worthy school were taken in May. Chicago sent a powerful lobby to Springfield in May in the interests of the new charter and other bills. The residence district option bill was generally endorsed in this city. In May the city borrowed at three per cent $675,000 on future tax collections — all taken by Chi cago bankers. This deal broke the city credit record. The defeat of the new charter bill late in May occasioned outspoken indignation and anger. Twenty-three Cook county representatives, mostly HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 469 Democrats, voted against the bill; twenty-nine Cook county repre sentatives, mostly Republicans, supported the bill. It was said by the press that "the charter consolidation bill was killed by practical politics." Bank examinations by the government were reorganized in 1909; this step was needed in Chicago. The lace-making plant at Zion City was owned by Marshall Field & Company. The United Societies late in May at their fourth annual convention rejoiced at the defeat of the charter bill and opposed local option. The commis sion plan of city government was studied by Chicagoans in May. Parental delinquency (parents who failed to keep their children in school) was rigidly prosecuted by W. A. Bodine, superintendent of compulsory education. Miss Mary Snow became the first supervisor of domestic science in the public schools at a salary of $3,000 per year. The Peace Congress here in May was an important event. The question of the pasteurization of milk was discussed, fought out and settled in the summer of 1909. It was a signal victory against great obstacles, but was gloriously won by Dr. W. A. Evans, health commissioner. Among the bills passed by the legislature were those for bonds and revenue, referendum, submerged land, asylum reorganization, forest preserves, machinery, jail supplies, and ten-hour day for women. The bond bill permitted the city to issue under certain conditions $16,000,000 in bonds for public improve ment. Under the Jones' referendum bill the question of bond issue was first to be submitted to the voters. The submerged land bill conveyed to various companies at South Chicago 335 acres of sub merged land for $100 per acre. This land is on the lake shore be tween Seventy-ninth and Ninety-second streets. The Tribune oi May 31, said: "The 46th General Assembly has had only one real interest — selfish, practical politics. It was brought together at the public ex pense to legislate in the public interest. It has devoted its real ef forts to practical feuds, to personal animosities, to sectional preju dices. It has not been content even with these elements of disorder, for it has arrayed not only party against party and faction against faction, but house against house. Republicans have fought Republi cans; Democrats have fought Democrats. And the senate has fought the house, and the house the senate to make chaos perfect. * * * Disorder continued to grow worse and months of outra geous wrangling closed with an anticlimax of headlong legislation which was almost as sorry a spectacle as any that went before." An important event of 1909 was the position taken by Prof. George B. Foster of the University of Chicago for freedom in the pulpit and against blind adherence to church creeds. He was vio lently opposed by Rev. Johnston Myers, whose bigotry and intoler ance shocked all fair-minded people in the city. Professor Foster was finally excluded from the Baptist pulpit, but the publicity drove a nail in the coffin of ancient dqgma and superstition festering here. 470 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY A plan to build an island on a reef in the lake about 2,000 feet from shore and about 300 feet wide, to be used for recreation piers was broached in May. The business men throughout the city out side of the "Loop" united in opposition to the construction of a sub way on the general ground that it would injure their business. The merging of four large banking institutions into two giant banks was an important event in 1909. Late in June, 1909, the Chicago banks, state and national, reported deposits to the amount of $798,619,507, of which $401,781,282 was in the national banks. In June, 1909, the secretary of war directed the city authorities to remove the center pier bridges. The retirement of the Dunne members of the school board was hailed as the harbinger of peace in that turbulent body in June. Eight new members of the school board were appointed by the mayor in July. In 1908 a public lands committee of the council, at an expense of $5,000, saved $300,000 to the city. The health department reported better health among children than ever before. . The civil service commission was more efficient this year than ever before. In July Attorney-General Stead rendered the opinion that the law establishing one-third of the total value of property as the assessment basis was valid and in torce. This opinion made it possible to submit to the voters at the next- election the question of issuing $16,000,000 in improvement bonds. John Thorpe, veteran florist, died in July. After long and deliberate consideration by the school authorities Mrs. Ella Flagg Young was chosen superintendent of city schools in July over many contestants. The corner stone of the new city hall was laid July 20 without great ceremony. In July, 1909, Prof. Clyde W. Votaw of the University of Chi cago divinity school voiced the growing and prevailing liberal re ligious sentiments when he said : "Take the Bible out of the Sunday school. It is bad for the pupil when improperly taught and cannot be taught properly by a Sunday school teacher. The Bible does not connect with the twentieth century. We must make Christianity for our own age and not use what was intended for the first century. The Bible should not be studied before the boy reaches his college years. Few people, old or young, understand it. Our students in theological schools don't understand it and Bible scholars are in doubt as to many things found in the book of books. Do we wish our children to think as did the ancient Jews about creation of the earth in six days and other miracles when we have to unlearn them of all this unscientific knowledge later in life? The whole idea of children learning a cate chism also is wrong. They repeat so many words that have been handed clown unmodified, in spite of the fact that doctrine is not static." The legislative Chiperfield committee, appointed to investigate the rights of the people to submerged lands throughout the state, re- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 471 ported the wholesale seizure of such lands by private persons and corporations. The Illinois Central railway occupied large tracts of such lands. The sanitary district held $250,000 of the same at the mouth of the Wilmette channel. Other tracts were thus wrongfully held at Streeterville, by the South Shore Country club, Saddle and Cycle club, along Chicago river on both sides by Corbett & Connery, and at other places along the lake and river shores. Thus reported the Chiperfield committee. In August it was decided to exterminate the public school fraterni ties and sororities. A public cleaning day in August remedied in a large degree the negligence and inefficiency of the street-cleaning department. The University of Chicago dropped one hundred students owing to their low standard of scholarship. A subway to cost approximately $80,000,000 was discussed this year. In Sep tember, 1909, Rev. Edmund M. Dunne, a native of Chicago, was raised to the episcopacy of the Catholic church ; the ceremony was imposing. On September 1, 1869, the National Prohibition party was organized in old Farwell hall, this city, there being present 500 delegates. The anniversary of this event was observed in 1909. On September 1, 1909, the new street numberings came into effect. About 250,000 numbers were changed, some 150,000 remaining as before. In the labor day parade, 1909, there were but 3,171 in line, to 6,239 in 1908. Dr. Evans, health commissioner, reported in Sep tember that out of Chicago's 30,000 eight-gallon cans of milk, 18,000 were pasteurized. Of these 7,000 were from tuberculin- tested cows, and 5,000 cows had not yet complied with the ordinance. The 7,000 cans above came from 30,000 tupberculose-free cows. Bank reform to prevent panics was duly considered in 1909. It was realized that the panic of 1907 was really unnecessary and was con fined to the rich, as the country as a whole was prosperous. People demanded something better from banks in times of panic than the practical suspension of cash payments and the refusal to pay to order the funds of depositors. Mr. Dawes showed that the gain in banking power in the middle west since 1900 was 118.96 per cent. Practical courses of study in the high schools resulted in a large in crease in male attendance. The plan to continue Michigan avenue improvement to the river received public approval. The enormous increase in the price of household necessities caused much complaint and discontent. The various critical works of Prof. George B. Foster, of the Uni versity of Chicago, were important contributions to religious ad vancement this year. His views in the main were endorsed by the best thinkers throughout the country and were welcomed by all ex cept the intolerant, sujjerstitious, unprogressive, bigoted and un reasonable. The 35th annual convention of the American Bankers' association, with 1,000 delegates in attendance, convened here in September. With all their wealth and power they neither suggested 472 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY nor accomplished anything of benefit to the public. They opposed nearly every reform favored by the people and seemed to be actuated solely by private greed and gain while begging for public favor, confidence and subserviency. In Hyde Park and elsewhere through out the city steps to segregate the negro population were taken and met the approval of all persons not cranky, not lukewarm, and not in favor of racial amalgamation. An interesting event in September was the greeting given Presi dent Taft by 165,000 school children, banked along the boulevards. In accordance with the suggestion of President Taft, Chief Justice Olson recommended the appointment of a commission by the Legis lature to study court conditions and remedy all "delays of justice." In September, 1909, a splendid system of night schools was estab lished for students over fourteen years old. Eleven evening high schools and twenty-nine evening elementary schools were thus opened. About this time there was a general advance in the wages paid to teachers. The experiment of having children work and at tend school alternate weeks was tried in September with good re sults. People demanded that school instruction should meet busi ness requirements after school days were over. Studying with win dows open and child wraps on, was tried in the winter of 1909-10. "Down with the Loop!" was the slogan of many in 1909. An immense temperance demonstration with 16,828 marchers was an important event in September. An ordinance making the electri fication of railway terminals mandatory was introduced in "the council in September. The question of the selection of a city librarian was submitted to competitive examination in September, and Henry E. Legler, secretary of the Wisconsin Free Library commis sion, handed in the best papers; his ideas on library extension won him the position. This result blighted the hopes of Dr. B. J. Cigrand and all pretenders. Humane treatment of animals began to be taught in the public schools. Gipsy Smith conducted a memorable and suc cessful revival in September and October ; thousands were converted. The march of his legions through the levee districts was a feature. The united action of the Jews against vice and crime was an impor tant crusade. Prominent lawyers attacked the parole system, because it took from courts and juries the real effects of their verdicts. A revision of the municipal code was begun in September. Better har bor facilities were demanded, or commercial supremacy would be lost. A course on the history of Chicago was proposed for the city schools. The recall of Mr. Crane from his appointment as minister to China and his subsequent course attracted attention in October. "Tag Day," October 19, 1909, netted to the Associated City Charities $50,000; the day was popular with all prosperous classes. A new county hospital to cost $4,000,000 was broached in October. In a test case the city was held liable by the Supreme Court of Illinois for damages to cars resulting from the Debs' strike of 1894. This de- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 473 cision meant that the city would in the aggregate lose about $700,000. In November it was announced that there were 10,620 school children who attended but half the time owing to the crowded condi tion in the rooms ; at the same time it was reported that there were 17,802 vacant seats in the rooms. A redistricting was requested and later carried into effect. Joseph M. Downey, chairman of the com mittee on buildings and grounds of the school board, charged that school buildings, which should cost but $160,000, really had cost $240,000; an investigation was institued. In November, 1909, the union of every civic and commercial organization in the city and suburbs was proposed, and the an nounced object was stated to be "To obtain fair play and honest dealings in all matters of public improvement, sanitation, police con trol, the levying of taxes, special assessments, and the proper ex penditure of public funds." The power of concerted action along these lines was pointed out. John M. Ewen, harbor commissioner, asked for $55,266 to carry on the work of improving conditions for navigation in the city's harbor. It was shown that lake commerce had materially fallen away in a few years owing to poor harbor ac commodations at Chicago. A strong movement against co-education and in favor of segrega tion was exhibited among schoolmen in November, 1909. James E. Armstrong, principal of the Englewood high school, said, "Parents favor segregation in high schools, teachers want it, and boys and girls are overwhelmingly for it. Looking at it from every angle we must admit that co-education is not to be desired." President R. R. McCormick, of the sanitary district, offered to light the whole city with electricity at a saving of $1,000,000 annually. There was a general demand in November that the city should receive at least three per cent instead of two per cent for its deposits in banks ; the average deposits were $12,000,000. In December, 1909, the fair cash value of all city property was placed at $2,499,000,000. On July 1, 1909, the city's outstanding indebtedness was $23,367,000. In December, 1909, it was shown that one of the principal reasons for the high price of necessities was the high charges and profits of retailers. The profit of Chicago butchers was fixed at forty-six per cent by the Department of Agriculture. Librarian Legler's plans were to adapt the public library to the uses of school children ; $500,000 was wanted for branch buildings and other purposes. Dr. Evans, health commissioner, doomed scores of unsanitary under ground bakeries and kitchens. Many were filthy in the extreme. Out of 581 cellar bakeries 371 were ordered to discontinue. In De cember, 1909, Martin Ryerson gave $1,000,000 toward a > physical laboratory for the University of Chicago. The gift was probably induced by the success of Prof. Albert A. Michelson, who had re cently won the Nobel prize for important discoveries in light and optics. 474 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY In December, 1909, the position of minister to China was tendered to William J. Calhoun, attorney of Chicago, and was accepted by him. Governor Deneen called a special session of the legislature for December 24 and submitted twenty-six separate and distinct propo sitions for its consideration, among which were a primary act, a deep waterway act, a commission form of government, a Chicago subway, plan for a Chicago harbor, investigation of express companies, deep waterway legislation, etc. Over one hundred Illinoisans, headed by Governor Deneen, attended the National Rivers and Harbors con gress in Washington in December, 1909. The annual charity ball in December, 1909, netted $29,000. The first charity ball was" held in Crosby's opera house January 1, 1868. Gilmore's band supplied the music. John C. Schaffer established permanent grand opera here in December, 1909. The consolidation of all public utilities of the city, with an enormous capital, was discussed at this time. The city health department was one of the few without scandal in 1909. The American Red Cross stamp sale totaled 479,038 by December 20, 1909. On December 21, 1909, stovaine and strychnine combined were first used here successfully as an anaesthetic in three surgical opera tions by Dr. Thomas Jonnesco, of Bucharest, Roumania ; one of the cases was above the waist line. It was claimed that stovaine had been used here first as an anaesthetic about five years before. Many inexpert physicians here, despite Doctor Jonnesco's success, were afraid of the new substance and decried its use. A traction merger of vast and far-reaching proportions was an nounced late in December, 1909, four street car lines consolidating. Thousands of .business concerns here in December protested against the collection of the corporation tax and demanded the repeal of the law. The total receipts of the Chicago postoffice in 1909 amounted to $16,699,783.68, an increase of $1,678,778.68 over 1908. There entered Chicago port in 1909 a total of 6,011 vessels. Total volumes in the city library, 376,463 ; number of card holders, 100,755 ; there were fourteen branch reading rooms and three circulating centers. The full assessable value of all city property in 1908 was $2,182,- 302,345 ; in 1909 it was $2,284,420,608. The Chicago Association of Commerce, a recent organization, gave great promise of usefulness early in 1909. It made prepara tions to build on an extensive scale and proposed to raise $1,000,000 by popular subscription. They appointed a committee, divided into fifteen sections, for that purpose. The Patton corner in wheat in May boosted the price to $1.35j4 per bushel; this was the highest price in eleven years. Four plans for a subway were examined in June. The West Side was promised a large postoffice at this time. The plan of using leaflets instead of books in the public schools was considered in June. Many unnecessary studies were voted out of the public schools at this time. The year 1909 was famous for the con- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 475 cerfed action against tuberculosis. The "death strip" between street railway tracks was considered at this date with the view of its abo lition. The Cook county board of review reported in June, 1909, that the total value of Chicago real estate was $1,745,359,080, and of personal property $548,333,265. The comparative statement of the city revenue funds for the two years follows : Receipts. 1908. 1907. Corporate purposes $22,670,317 $18,978,568 Sinking fund 1,512,602 1,590,802 Schools 13,553,257 13,490,224 Public library 337,360 340,702 Water 6,355,258 6,231,050 Special assessment account 5,602,593 5,810,050 Grand total $50,031,387 $46,441,396 Expenses Corporate purposes .' . .$23,011,183 $20,756,129 Sinking funds 901,000 784,000 Schools 11,939,095 11,457,396 Public library 291,297 256,677 Water 6,229,320 6,496,658 Special assessment account 5,583,633 5,572,525 Grand total $47,955,528 $45,323,385 The miscellaneous net ordinary city revenues for the years 1908 and 1907, applicable to corporate purposes, were derived from the following sources : 1908. 1907. Licenses (saloon) $6,879,840 $6,929,280 Licenses (other) 706,847 696,411 Municipal courts 473,697 440,768 House of correction 164,693 192,253 Police 94 317 Fire 2,482 2,441 Health 42,492 • 32,746 Inspection 88,537 102,356 Public works 385,977 309,089 Department of buildings 128,325 113,682 Department of electricity 121,632 112,037 Public pounds 4,550 2,441 Real estate and buildings 44,066 57,566 Markets 3,653 4,033 Franchise compensations 894,190 902,015 Insurance tax _ 96,995 98,760 Vehicle tax 431,737 Interest on deposits 138,308 123,482 Miscellaneous sources 95,251 92,189 Total $10,703,364 $10,211,886 Late in May it was shown that while Chicago had 3,809 police patrolmen, only 1,825 actually traveled beats ; too many were on pri vate and unnecessary details. Orders to correct this state of affairs were issued. In May a prisoner who was abused by the police and forced to make confession was acquitted by a jury. In about two years prior to September, 1909, there were thrown here thirty-three bombs and not a single conviction had been secured therefor. The 476 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY city authorities offered a reward of $3,000 for the arrest and con viction of the bomb throwers. In August, 1909, Col. Leroy T. Steward was appointed chief of police. He began at once a system of reform in the police department that met the enthusiastic approval of the whole city. He took the position that the existing law was fully adequate if duly enforced. A little later the crusade against "white slavery" was instituted, headed by Clifford G. Roe, attorney. The slogan was "Protect the girls!" Scores of religious bodies joined the war against "white slavery." Identification cards were demanded at the general delivery postoffice. In a short time Colonel Steward was pronounced the most efficient police chief ever in Chi cago. Every step was needed, drastic and welcomed. It was now seen that police officials were largely responsible for vice and crime. The word "decentizing," as applied to Chicago, was coined by Chief Steward. Wayman and Steward were pronounced the "hope of bet ter Chicago." The Tribune of November 5, 1909, said : "Since Colonel Steward went into office the sins of the police force have been laid bare. It has been guilty of every conceivable thing which a police force should be innocent of. It has been as responsi ble as the New York police for white slave traffic. It has protected the slave dealers for a price. It has returned fugitive slaves to their masters. It has promoted gambling and every other form of vice which offered opportunities for the levying of tribute or blackmail. The efforts of citizens to keep immorality from invading their neighborhoods and displaying itself in public places have been treated with contemptuous indifference or only half concealed opposition by the police force. There can be no regeneration of the police force so long as corrupt men stand between the chief and the rank and file and thwart every effort of his to improve conditions." The Tribune further charged that the guilty police officials were none other than the captains and inspectors. All idlers on the police force were set at work. In a single order in December, 1909, Chief Steward transferred fifty-two sergeants and twenty-three patrolman to active positions. The conviction of Inspector McCann ; the cow ardice and incompetency of Inspector Clancy and the hostility of In spector Wheeler to the Woman's Anti-vice crusade were a few of the evidences to convince the people that the police force was leagued with vice and crime. A notable check to all this was introduced by Chief Steward. In November, 1906, a reduction plant for the treatment of garbage was established at a cost of over $300,000 by the Chicago Reduction company and located at Thirty-ninth and Iron streets on the Chicago river. The present capacity is 500 tons of garbage daily. Grace- land, Montrose and Oakwood cemeteries have crematories. The number of buildings erected in Chicago in 1908 was 10,771, valued at $68,203,920. This is the largest number in any one year except for the period just preceding the World's fair. Total internal HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 477 revenue collected in 1908, $7,815,046.24. The Chicago City Rail way company, which began rehabilitation work June 16, 1907, spent by November 1, 1909, $15,166,234.51, vastly improving the surface car facilities. In 1870 the value of manufactures in Chicago was $92,518,742; in 1908 it was $1,370,337,909. In 1870 the bank clearings were $810,676,036; in 1908 they were $11,853,814,943. In 1870 the national bank deposits were $16,774,514; in 1908 they were $398,955,330, and the state bank deposits were $391,179,195. In 1908 the total gallons of city water pumped per day were 467,772,- 045; the total revenue therefrom was $4,648,299.54; the water pipe mileage was 2,188.9. The registered voters in the fall of 1908 were 411,120. In 1908 there were shipped by lake, 3,504,584 barrels of flour; 10,404,334 bushels of wheat; 23,678,381 bushels of corn, and 4,396,725 bushels of oats. There were received by lake 4,419,083 tons of iron ore; 1,083,763 railroad ties; 2,730,236 packages of green fruit, and 1,309,000 bushels of wheat. The dry goods im ported in 1908 amounted in value to $6,754,592. The total enroll ment in the city public schools in 1909 was as follows : Teachers, 6,296; scholars, 296,427. In 1909 the tax levy in the city was $51,925,937.15 ; the rate being 4.4 per cent on a one-third valuation. The total assessed valuation (one-third real value) of Cook county in 1909 was $897,212,850; that of Chicago was $833,150,897. The city appropriations for 1909 were as follows: Corporate purposes, $22,601,364.21 ; board of education, $17,683,100; public library, $500,000; from water fund, $4,946,067.16. Chicago's wholesale trade in 1909 was estimated at $1,892,949,000, the same for 1908 being $1,685,057,000. Its manufactures for 1908 were estimated at $1,598,147,500 and for 1900 at $1,782,935,000. The number of buildings erected in 1909 was 11,455, valued at $89,633,580. The termination of the annual orgy, called the "First Ward Ball," was a big step in the direction of order and decency; but the dis graceful saturnalia after one o'clock a. m. on New Year's day pre sented a new aspect of drunken revelry by both men and women that likewise had to be considered and terminated. The Young Men's Christian association in 1909 and the early part of 1910 raised by popular subscription an anniversary fund of $1,000,000. The new factory law, safe-guarding the lives and health of employes, went in to effect January 1, 1910. The Merriam commission was construc tive, as well as destructive, and began to suggest remedies and im provements. In January the bravery of four policemen, who at the risk of their lives, brought to bay and killed four highwaymen, re ceived the congratulation of Chief Steward and the admiration and praise of the whole city. Credit for raising over $900,000 for the Harper library of the University of Chicago from 1907 to 1909, in clusive, was given to Dr. Thomas W. Goodspeed, registrar of the University. Plans were laid to house 3,000,000 books. In January, 478 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 1910, B. M. Chiperfield, of the committee to investigate submerged lands said, "The committee is prepared to state that there is not an inch of the shore of Lake Michigan from South Chicago to Waukegan that is worth anything that is not being held by unlawful owners." Early in January, 1910, the South Park commissioners de cided to begin condemnation proceedings to acquire the right to lo cate Field museum and Crerar library in Grant Park. The Chicago Plan commission of the Commercial club, under the leadership of Charles H. Wacker, began with Michigan avenue from Madison to Randolph and Twelfth street from Michigan avenue to Ashland avenue. It was declared by the press early in January, 1910, that the report of B. F. Welton, expert, would "reveal a condition of rot tenness, overpayments and disregard of specifications surpassing any thing which was brought to light" in the shale rock scandal. This statement was made in reference to sewer construction in general and intercepting sewers in particular. In January a competing telephone system was planned. All Chicago was startled early in January by the following statements of Dr. Evans, health commissioner : "Don't let us forget that two or three times a year bread is baked by men who stand knee deep in sewage, that bread is baked there and taken upstairs and sold across the counter to persons who don't know the difference. * * * Basement bakeries are conducive to tuberculosis, rheumatism, asthma and pneumonia. Since we have started this campaign 258 bakeries have gone out of business and 143 new ones have opened up with arrangements that are sanitary and satisfac tory." On January 8 it was announced that the property owners on the East Side of Michigan avenue from Randolph to Lake street were willing to cede a strip fifty feet wide for boulevard purposes and that the owners on the West Side were willing to be taxed $500 a front foot on their holdings to defray costs of such boulevarding. "Michigan avenue a boulevard from Twelfth street to the river!" was the cry. The "Chicago Plan" to make the city beautiful was formally inaugurated on January 8, 1910, at a banquet of the Com mercial club, after about four years of preliminary growth. The mirthful spectacle of a city with dirty face and hands putting on dainty, rich and costly garments set flying the shafts of criticism. ¦ On January 10, 1910, the Merriam commission placed upon Paul Redieske the chief blame for the unwarranted payment of nearly $46,000 in the "shale rock case," and recommended that legal action to recover the amount should be taken. Mr. Redieske resigned Janu ary 14 under fire. John J. Hanberg, John Erickson, Ralph A. Bon- nell and others were likewise blamed. On January 10 the entire is sue of $2,500,000 four per cent sanitary district bonds was awarded to a syndicate for $2,472,675. Steps to defeat the so-called "milk trust" were taken at this time. It was shown that the pro ducer had been paid less than three cents per quart, in some cases less than two cents, while the consumer had paid -seven cents per HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 479 quart. The first bathing beach owned by the public was authorized by the Lincoln Park board on January 12. It was planned to open 2,800 feet — from Diversey boulevard to Fullerton avenue — to the public early in the summer of 1910. The municipal budget for 1910, adopted January 12, appropriated a grand total of $60,150,476.93, the largest in the history 'of the city. THE COUNTY BOARD 1868-1909 ON August 10, 1868, the Board of Supervisors called a special meeting to consider the proposals for the erection of an addition to the courthouse. The following action was taken : "Resolved, That the building committee be dis charged from any further action with regard to building an addition to Cook county courthouse, and that the contract heretofore made with the city of Chicago in reference to the sale of a portion of the interest of Cook county to said city be declared forfeited, the said city having made default in the payment of the amount agreed to be paid in said contract. Resolved, That a special committee of five be appointed, instructed and authorized to commence negotiations at once for the purchase of the interests of the city of Chicago in the Cook county courthouse, and that said committee report their action in the premises to the next regular session of the board." A motion to table these resolutions and a motion to postpone action were both lost. Supervisors Thompson, Kearney, Humphrey, Rex ford and Fitch were appointed the special committee referred to in the resolution. At the September session of the County Board, 1868, a communi cation from the Common Council of Chicago requested the Board of Supervisors to take some action relative to the erection of a suita ble monument to the soldiers of Cook county who lost their lives in the war. The committee on the equalization of taxes considerably increased the assessment throughout the county. The whole amount of assessment lists and rolls for the year 1868 was as follows : Real estate, $50,133,760; personal property, $19,718,900; railroads, $3,167,577.42 ; total amount of real and personal property, $73,020,- 237.42. A communication requesting the board to visit the proposed site of the Normal school in Lake township (Englewood) was con sidered. The principal of the school at this date was D. S. Went worth, whose salary was $2,500 a year. The whole number of stu dents enrolled during 1868 was sixty-six, and the average attendance forty-four. Bids for the permanent location of the Normal school were received from Junction (Englewood) and Comorn, both in the town of Lake, also from Norwood in Jefferson, and from Blue Island. It was contended by the people of Blue Island that the school having already been opened in that village, the location there should be considered permanent. Among the recommendations made by the Committee of Finance 480 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 483 of the County Board in September, 1868, were the following: $175,000 for interest on war bonds; $75,000 for poorhouse, paupers and warden's salary ; $23,000 for hospital expenses, salaries, etc. ; $4,500 per diem for county supervisors; $7,000 for election ex penses; $8,000 for county clerk in lieu of certain fees; $6,500 for county judge; $7,000 for principal of the courthouse bond issue; $20,000 for jurors' fees; $100,000 for courthouse extension; $5,000 for roads and bridges; and $27,000 for prisoners, jail expenses, etc. The total appropriations amounted to $493,200. The levy for county purposes in 1867-8 amounted to $420,000. The board ordered for 1888-9 a levy of 75 cents on each $100 of real and per sonal property in Cook county. The assessment roll of 1868 amounted to over $73,000,000, as above. A special committee on public buildings, to whom was referred the erection of extensions to the courthouse, reported that the com mittee of the two bodies (county and city) had agreed to recom mend the acceptance of the following propositions: 1. That the extensions to the courthouse be commenced and built as soon as prac ticable; 2. That the material used be Lockport (N. Y.) stone; 3. That the east end extension of the courthouse to be built by the county conform in size to the plan of Rose & Chatman, adopted by the city for the west wing of the courthouse ; 4. That the building be constructed according to the plans of Rose & Chatman. The County Board adopted the first proposition above mentioned, but rejected the second. The third and fourth sections were accepted. The board further adopted the following: "Resolved, That the building com mittee be authorized to advertise for bids for building the wing to the courthouse as soon as the city authorities pay us the $25,000 due on their contract with us and report the bids to this board." On December 7, 1868, D. S. Hammond was elected chairman of the board. The committee on Education reported that they had received bids from Norwood, Englewood, Blue Island and from C. V. Dyer individually. It was decided to visit the different loca tions before determining at the March session which should be selected. An appropriation to be used in draining the wet ground along the turnpike leading from the Northwestern plank road to the poorhouse was made by the board. The board, after receiving a favorable report from the Law Institute, legalized the action of the former building committee in letting the contract for the court house extension. Considerable work on the east wing of the court house had already been done. In December a continuance of the work as rapidly as possible was ordered. At this time the bonded indebtedness of the county included Cook county 6 per cent new courthouse bonds, $150,000. The total receipts for the fiscal year ending December 7, 1868, as shown by Thomas O. Osborn, county treasurer; were $463,382.57, and the total disbursements were the same, less $68,829.53. The Vol. 11—28. 484 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY county assessors were instructed to assess all banking institutions in the county to the full amount of their capital stock. The poorhouse committee recommended the erection of an addition to that institu tion for the benefit of the insane. After deliberation, instructions for the erection of such a building, not to cost more than $30,000, were ordered. The board passed a resolution requesting members of the Legislature from Cook county to endeavor to secure the loca tion of the proposed Northern Illinois Insane asylum, as near as possible to Cook county. The committee appointed, to recommend a site for the location of the proposed insane asylum for Northern Illinois reported that they had viewed tracts in the towns of Thorn ton and Hanover, but had come to the conclusion that the location of the institution at Elgin was more desirable, owing to the superior grounds and surroundings offered, and to its proximity to this county. The County Board in 1869 determined to accept the proposition of Englewood for the location of the County Normal school. An examination by competent lawyers of the title to the property at Englewood designed for the Normal school showed the same to be clear and the purchase was ordered immediately. As soon as the purchase was effected the board directed that the building should be erected at the earliest practicable moment. In 1869 Jonathan Burr in his will bequeathed in trust a tract of* Iand for an insane asylum in Northern Illinois. It was recognized that should this asylum be erected at Elgin, Cook county might lose this bequest. The board therefore determined to build an insane asylum exclusively for the use of Cook county. The cost of such a building was estimated at $60,000.- During 1869 the board assisted the city of Chicago to erect a soldiers' monument at Rosehill. Twenty-one designs for such a monument were received. The struc ture cost $10,000. It was decided in September, 1869, to select the Board of Educa tion for the Normal school — six in number — from the three princi pal divisions of the city, as follows: One from South Chicago and one from the country south of the city ; one from West Chicago and one from the country west of the city ; and one from North Chicago and one from the country north of the city. At this date the resi dents at -Englewood in the vicinity of the proposed Normal school were so few that boarding accommodations for the students were almost wholly lacking in the neighborhood. Accordingly the board entered into an agreement with L. W. Beck of Galva for the erection of several boarding houses near the Normal building for the accom modation of the pupils. Lewis W. Beck, not having erected board ing houses at Englewood for the accommodation of pupils of the Normal school, the board appointed a special committee to see if it were advisable to compel him or his bondsmen to complete his con tract as per agreement. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 485 For the fiscal year of 1869-70 the finance committee of the County Board recommended a total appropriation of $506,100. Among the items were the following: Poorhouse, paupers, outdoor relief, salaries, etc., $100,000; interest on war bonds, $175,000; interest on new courthouse bonds, $17,500; public buildings and furniture $30,000; Normal school, $10,000; stationery and printing, $25,000 jail and prisoners, $35,000; hospital expenses and salaries, $30,000 fees, $20,000; election expenses, $9,000; per diem of county super visors, $5,000. The board ordered levied a tax of 55 cents on each $100 of real and personal property in Cook county, according to the assessment roll of 1869, amounting to $94,445,243. This sum was ordered levied for county purposes for the fiscal year 1869-70. The new County Board assembled on December 6, 1869. J. J. Kearney was elected chairman of the board. On motion, standing committees were made to consist of five members instead of seven as formerly. A committee of three to determine the salaries of all offices within the government of the board for the coming year was appointed. A resolution to the effect that supervisors should be pro hibited from occupying any office that would prevent them from dis charging their full duties as supervisors was passed. Communications from the Charity Dispensary and from the North and the West side dispensaries concerning medical care during the ensuing year for the county sick poor, were received. The board resolved that the committee on poorhouse and paupers should have charge of the insane asylum, that the committee on education should have charge of the Normal school building, and that the committee on public buildings should have charge of the courthouse and all other public buildings of the county. The proposition of the Charity Dispensary and the Brainard Free Dispensary to attend the county sick poor for the North division and the West division, respectively, for the sum of $500 each, was accepted on trial for one year. At this time the condition of the county treasury was deplorable. There was no money on hand, and orders for several months were in existence, and there were no funds to pay the same. The con tractors for the Normal school building had not been paid for two months. The committee on education therefore recommended that the remaining $40,000 worth of bonds be issued and sold and the proceeds be used to meet the emergency. Charges of improper management at the Cook county hospital having been made, the hospital committee, upon investigation, re ported that they found the institution conducted in an excellent man ner, and that the number of deaths out of the number of patients was small compared with other similar institutions in the country. The charges against the institution were as follows : The insalubrity of the hospital; unskillful practice of the doctors; allowing students at bedside at time of delivery; the want of a thoroughly educated doctor, well skilled and paid for his services ; the undeniable fact that 486 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY a dead body paid better than a living one. The last one included the charge that the doctors, having in view the sale of the bodies, did not take proper pains for the recovery of the patients. An investigation was followed by the report that the charges were unfounded. The newspapers said the report was whitewashed. At this date the financial affairs of the county were in sore straits. There was no money in the treasury nor revenue in existence, and debts were rapidly accumulating. The following resolution was adopted: "Resolved, That the finance committee be instructed to report at the earliest moment to this board some plan of action whereby the liabilities of Cook county may be met and the claims of our creditors liquidated. Resolved, further, That a full statement of all our liabilities be also presented in proper form." The committee on public buildings reported in December, 1869, that work on the new east wing of the county building was progress ing in a satisfactory manner. The stone work was all in place, the brick work was almost finished, and the plastering was nearly com pleted. The roof was finished and the cells were nearly so. For the fiscal year ending December 7, 1869, there was on hand at the beginning, $68,829.53. The total receipts during the year, including that sum, were $640,017.75. The whole of this, less $33,- 153.28, was paid out. The board passed a resolution calling upon the Canal company to rebuild the Lane bridge and dam across the Calumet feeder. The finance committee, to whom was referred the resolutions to ascertain the indebtedness of the county and to provide means for liquidating same, reported: "First, That they have no means to ascertain the amount of such indebtedness. Second, They are unable to borrow any money for the payment of such indebtedness by the issue of Cook county orders." The question of issuing bonds was submitted to the Law institute and such issue was found to be legal and practicable. Financiers of this city stated that they were willing to loan the county money providing the board would pledge the repayment of the same as soon as the taxes of 1869 were collected. At this date the authorities stated that the exact bonded debt of Cook county was $2,915,000. The floating debt, including its probable increase by the county building, did not exceed $200,000. As the taxable property of the county in 1869 was valued at $94,445,243, it was deemed not difficult to secure the necessary loan. On December 15, 1869, it was reported that the artesian well on the poor farm had reached a depth of 690 feet. The top of the pipe was two feet above the surface, and water at this date was flowing out and was reported very clear and pure. The different- strata pene trated were as follows: Earth, 102 feet; white lime rock, 201 feet; shell rock, 205 feet; gray lime rock, 132 feet, and very hard sand stone, 50 feet. In passing through the strata of earth at the top, three bowlders were struck, one being eighty-seven feet below the HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 487 surface. At this date the County Board was paying a wolf bounty of $5 per scalp. The board at the December session passed the following resolu tion: "Resolved, That the Board of Supervisors of Cook county respectfully ask the Constitutional convention to insert a clause in the Constitution, authorizing the Legislature to divide the counties in certain cases." This meaningless resolution was adopted as a sub stitute for resolutions previously introduced in detail concerning the inequality of representation on the Board of Supervisors of Cook county. For many years the objection that the Board of Super visors did not properly represent the different sections of the county had been broached and discussed. The outside towns contained a minority of the population, but had a majority of the County Board. The city, with a greater population, was dissatisfied with its minority. For years this had proved a source of conflict between the city of Chicago and the towns outside. The original resolution proposed to organize the city and county of Chicago with the county seat at the city of Chicago, and further proposed that the towns of Lamont, Palos, Worth, Orland, Bremen, Rich and Bloom should be attached to the county of Will, and that the towns of Proviso, Leyden, Niles, Maine, Elk Grove and New Trier should be attached to the county of Du Page. The County of Chicago, it was proposed, should consist of the towns of North Chicago, South Chicago, West Chicago, Hyde Park, Calumet, Thornton, Lake, Cicero, Jefferson, Lake View and Evanston. This was too radical a change for the supervisors, and accordingly the substitute resolution above given was adopted. The annual report of the Cook county warden showed that the whole number of patients admitted during the year was 1,105; dis charged, 950; died, 167, and born, 103. There were treated at the dispensary: Medical, 1,404; surgical, 500; eye and ear, 152. Late in 1869 and early in 1870 there was much complaint concern ing the supplies which were furnished the poorhouse and the county hospital. The board ordered an investigation. It was found neces sary at this time to have the sick poor taken care of by private insti tutions, as the county hospital could not contain all who applied for admission. A motion to investigate the action of supervisors and committees and all county offices was carried by a narrow margin. A motion to table the resolution was lost by a vote of 32 to 18. This action was called out by the charge that the committee on poorhouse and paupers had taken improper action concerning contracts for awards of supplies to the poorhouse, and the further charge that in sufficient attention had been given to sick paupers in the hospital. It was resolved at this time that no committee of the board should have the power to contract with any person for work or material in excess of $2,500, and that all expenditures exceeding that amount should be duly advertised before becoming legal. The following resolution was also adopted : "Resolved, That no committee of this 488 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY board shall hereafter be authorized to let any contract requiring the payment on the part of the county of any sum of money, nor audit or pay any bills for extra work done or to be done on or by virtue of any building, improvement or contract, without first having pre sented same to this board for approval, and it shall require a vote of the members present to confirm the same." The board received a petition from fifteen bankers of the South division, stating that their stock was taxed at par value, while other moneyed interests and real estate were assessed at one-third of their value. They prayed that the assessment might be equalized. In March, 1870, the roof of the east wing of the courthouse having fal len and greatly damaged the building, a special committee of seven was appointed to investigate the causes of the accident, and their duty was made to include an investigation of materials, workmanship, per manency and safety of all other public buildings erected or in process of erection in Cook county. In March, 1870, a special committee of five, appointed for the purpose of investigation, reported that they had found one or more members of the County Board guilty of having received a tract of land as a bribe for certain action relative to the Cook County Normal school. The following whereas and resolution was presented to the board and duly considered : "Whereas, The special committee of five appointed by this board to examine into and investigate certain charges, report that they found J. J. Kearney, a member of this board, did receive a lot of land, and from the preponderance of testi mony it was for his influence in securing the location of the Cook County Normal school at Englewood while he was a member of the previous Board of Supervisors ; therefore, be it Resolved as the sense of this board, That the said J. J. Kearney, supervisor of the Ninth ward and member of this board, be requested to resign as the pre siding officer and as a member of this board." On motion, Mr. Kearney, by a vote of 42 to 8, was requested to resign his position as presiding officer of the board. A motion, asking him to resign as a member of the board, was postponed by a vote of 29 to 21. An investigation by the special committee appointed showed that the whole structure of the courthouse was unsafe ; that the east wing rested upon an unsquare and insufficient foundation ; that the walls were settling, spreading and cracking, and that it was dangerous to occupy the whole or any part of the buildihg, and unwise to proceed to Huild the east wing in its present condition. A committee of five was appointed to make a searching investigation and to recommend what should be done in the premises. The committee on finance reported in December as to the amount of orders necessary to be issued to pay the present indebtedness of the county. A total of $62,000 worth of orders had recently been issued, and the present known and estimated indebtedness due was $159,497. The board passed a resolution instructing the treasurer HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 489 of the county to pay 10 per cent interest on county orders issued on or after December 1, 1870, until redeemed. The board also, by res olution, instructed the treasurer to pay interest at 10 per cent on all county orders issued previously or to be issued in the future, to cover the present floating indebtedness of the county. At this date the board took action to prevent body-snatching from the county poor house cemetery. Albert G. Lane, county superintendent, was author ized to employ an assistant at $600 per year. In December, 1870, the Normal school building at Englewood had cost a total to date of $148,493. The committee on hospital reported that the hospital building was owned by the city of Chicago, and that indifferent ar rangements existed between the city and the county as to the occu pancy of the institution. In consideration that the city might occupy the Reform school grounds, the county was permitted to use the hos pital owned by the city. In his annual report concerning the county hospital, George Rey nolds, warden, reported that the condition of the hospital, from a sanitary point, was considerably improved during the year. The sewerage system was extended and enlarged, thus preventing clog ging up under the building. He reported the sanitary conditions sat isfactory. There were admitted during the year to the hospital 1,438 patients. The total number discharged was 1,281. During the year 140 patients died. On March 22, 1870, Supervisor Kearney tendered his resignation as chairman of the board, and the same was promptly accepted. Supervisor Bluthardt was then elected chairman. Mr. Kearney was guilty of open, barefaced dishonesty in connection with the letting of contracts, etc. The special committee appointed to investigate the condition of county finances and to suggest some method of relief reported that in their opinion a further issue of county orders with 10 per cent coupons payable semi-annually. in the city of New York, and becom ing due on July 1, 1871, was the only means that would afford imme diate relief and meet the pressing demands upon the county treasury. The committee further reported that in all probability such bonds would sell at par or at not worse than one-half of 1 per cent discount. Therefore the committee recommended the further issue of such 10 per cent orders to an amount not exceeding $200,000, the same to be offered for sale at par. A few days later the committee reported that they had borrowed the $200,000 above mentioned, and that the funds were then in the treasury of the county. The committee was obliged to pay 2 per cent commission for having the loan negotiated. They reported that $40,000 of the orders were sold at par and $16,000 at 99 cents on the dollar. The committee further reported that on March 1, 1870, the balance in the county treasury amounted. to $63,253.19, and that the interest on Cook county war bonds and other county bonds falling due in April, 1870, amounted to $106,250 490 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY and must be met. Therefore the committee requested the county treasurer to forward to New York sufficient funds to meet this interest. The east wing of the courthouse having collapsed, a special com mittee of nine was appointed to investigate the circumstances attend ing the catastrophe. They reported that during their investigation facts and circumstances that reflected on the character of one mem ber of the county committee on public buildings were revealed, "therefore bringing scandal and disgrace on the good name of this honorable board." The committee further stated that "in view of the responsibility resting on them, and to the end that this board may be purged of the shame and disgrace now resting upon it, they would recommend that J. J. Kearney, supervisor from the Ninth ward, be expelled from this board and his name be erased from the roll." The report and recommendation were concurred in by a vote of 42 to 4. The board also ordered "that the special committee be requested to report to the grand jury at the recorder's court the names of all persons who have been known to give or offer bribes to any of the supervisors of this board, and also to furnish all the evidence in their possession to said grand jury." The following amendment to the above order was passed : "That this resolution shall be so amended as to include all who have received offices in the gift of the board for and in consideration of votes to be given in said board." One or more of the members who had voted against the resolution which expelled Supervisor Kearney later changed their votes in favor of the resolution. The investigation of the committee of nine showed that bad meat, poor flour, miserable bread and wood of inferior qual ity were fraudulently delivered to the poorhouse under the sanction of Mr. Kearney and others. At this time the appointment and duties of official visitors to the poorhouse were changed and improved. It was resolved by the board to make no changes in the tax levy so far as the complaining banks were concerned. On March 8, 1870, the committee on finance, after a thorough in vestigation, reported the financial condition of the county to be as follows: Total resources for the fiscal year 1869-70, $711,680. Of this amount $198,400 was realized net from the sale of $200,000 10 per cent county orders, and $40,008 net from the sale of $44,000 7 per cent county bonds. The county tax levy for 1869-70 amounted to $519,200. It was shown that during the previous year the ac counts were overdrawn to the amount of $1 1,300. The interest to be paid by the county from May, 1870, to the close of the fiscal year amounted to $227,250. On March 8, 1870, the outstanding orders unpaid amounted to $28,006. Besides there was a balance on con tracts against the county amounting to $143,357.71. The statement of the committee showed that on March 8, 1870, here was really a deficit of $171,183.71. There was spent a total of $600,286.77 on HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 491 the east wing of the courthouse, east half of the old courthouse, Normal school, insane asylum, county poorhouse road, artesian well, etc. This condition of affairs called for immediate remedial action on the part of the County Board. In April, 1870, the board authorized the building committee to adopt plans for a new roof on the east wing of the courthouse, and to proceed to complete the repairs in full on both the old and the new buildings. The committee on education reported that up to date the cost of the Normal school building complete amounted to $108,- 150.84, and that the land owned by the institution was worth $50,- 000, making the Normal school property worth in round numbers $158,000. Englewood had paid $25,000 to securue the Normal school. The report of the committee showed that while the property had cost Cook county but $83,000, it was worth in round numbers $158,000. The committee recommended that inasmuch as the school was sustained by all the people of the county it should be non-sec tarian in character and management. On March 1, 1870, there were 540 inmates at the poorhouse. The county agent, C. J. Pusheck, reported on March 6, 1870, that steps to provide more and better accommodations at the county hospital for the sick would have to be taken. He said that the hospital was consantly overfilled. He reported that during the past winter he had relieved 2,812 families, with an average of five persons to a family, making the total number of persons cared for about 14,060. At the meeting of the new Board of Supervisors on December 5, 1870, George W. Waite was elected chairman. The committee on poorhouse and paupers reported that the warden and the matron of the poorhouse should be required to serve as warden and matron of the insane asylum. Two sets of officers were unnecessary. The committee reported that the new insane asylum was complete and perfect in its appointments and a credit to Chicago and Cook county. The committee recommended that but one physician and surgeon be appointed for the insane asylum and the poorhouse. In 1871 the Charity Dispensary of North Chicago and the Brainard Free Dis pensary of West Chicago, each for $500, furnished medical attend ance and medicine to the county poorhouse. The Board, upon investigating the collapse of the east wing of the courthouse and upon learning of the scandal there shown to exist, declined to pay many of the claims of contractors.. Several were rejected and often the objectors brought suit. The most of the de mands were compromised. The committee on judiciary at this date, after an investigation, concluded that under the new constitution the old Recorder's court, which was a city court, was merged in the Criminal court of Cook county, and therefore all fees due the State's attorney of the Seventh judicial district, formerly paid by the city of Chicago and county of Cook, should now be paid by the county alone. Accordingly the board authorized the county treasurer to pay such 492 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY fees. An addition to the county hospital was ordered built. The con tract accepted fixed the total cost at $5,453. By December 15, 1870, the new structure was ready for occupancy. The new building accom. modated sixty patients. The- cost during the progress of erection was increased by extra allowances to $7,750. The lower story was intended for the eye ward, the second story for fever patients, and the third story for lying-in patients. The records show that the hospital was the property of the city of Chicago, but was being partly used by the county. The committee on finance in December, 1870, reported that the annual statement of the county treasurer showed that there was no money in the treasury with which to pay orders; that the amount of orders issued and not registered with the treasurer for payment amounted to $90,685.25 ; and that additional orders, it was estimated, to the amount of from $30,000 to $50,000 had been authorized for issue on this date. To meet these orders, other maturing engage ments and the estimated current expenses there was levied in Sep tember, 1870, a county tax of $1,398,000. The amount necessary for current expenses was estimated at $530,400. The balance of the levy was required to pay interest on the bonds and to retire other indebtedness of the county. The total bonded debt at this date amounted to $2,905,000. The committee reported that the finances of the county were in good condition and that the completion of the public buildings and other emergency improvements had temporarily absorbed the revenue and that the distress was only temporary. The committee recommended that at present no further issue of coupon orders should be made. On Monday, December 4, 1871, for the first time the Board of Commissioners of Cook county assembled in Chicago. Samuel Ash- ton was elected temporary chairman. Messrs. Crawford, White and Skelly were appointed a committee ort credentials. The following commissioners were reported entitled to seats as members of the board : Messrs. Steams, Jones, and Wahl from South Chicago ; Messrs. Harrison, Harris, Lonergan and Talcott from West Chi cago; Messrs. Ashton, Herting and Roelle from North Chicago; Mr. White from Lake View, New Trier, Northfield, and Niles; John W. Pahlman from Wheeling, Palatine, Barrington, Hanover, Schaumberg, Elk Grove and Maine; Mr. Crawford from Leyden, Cicero, Proviso, Riverside, Lyons and Lake; Mr. Hitchcock from Hyde Park, Worth, Columbia, Thornton ; Mr. Skelly from Bloom, Rich, Bremen, Orland, Palos, and Lemont. Julius White was elected permanent chairman. The commissioners cast lots for the one, two and three year terms with the following result: For one year, Messrs. Crawford, Jones, Skelly, Stearns and White. For two years, Messrs. Herting, Lonergan, Pahlman, Talcott and Wahl ; for three years, Messrs. Ashton, Harris, Harrison, Hitchcock and Roelle. Considerable time was spent in forming committees, adopting rules HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 493 of conduct, appointing subordinates, etc. The standing committees were as follows : Judiciary, Finance, Education, City Relations, Pub lic Buildings, Equalization of Taxes, Poorhouse and Paupers, Hos pital, Miscellaneous Claims, Jail, Jail Accounts, Roads and Bridges, Licenses, Town and Town Accounts. A special committee was appointed to confer with the Board of Public Works of Chicago to ascertain whether accommodations for the courts and Cook county offices upon the reservoir lot could be obtained. A committee reported, after investigation, that the county would be furnished with temporary rooms as desired. The board passed a series of resolutions, asking the National government to re fund to Cook county the sum of $2,500,000 which had been paid as bounty to soldiers during the Civil War. This request was made in consideration of the immense losses sustained by the county during the recent great fire. Later this singular action was reconsidered. It was resolved by the board that no member thereof should have any contract, direct or indirect, or any interest whatsoever, in any material, goods, wares, merchandise, stationery or supplies that Cook county might require during his term of office. The committee on finance reported the advisability of making a temporary loan of $500,000 and of issuing county bonds for that amount, the proceeds to be used to construct county buildings, etc. The county debt due and maturing between January 1, 1872, and January 1, 1873, amounted to $765,500. The total indebtedness of the county at this date was $3,450,000. It was concluded to issue orders on the treasury to the amount of $500,000 to cover indebted ness, the same to be payable in not less than eighteen months nor more than three years from January 1, 1872, and to bear interest at 7 per cent annually. The board resolved that no action should be taken at this time to erect public buildings on the old courthouse square. The board inquired into the condition of the various departments of the county government, in order to ascertain the duties of the various heads of departments, how they were paid, what system of bookkeeping and accounts generally were in vogue, etc. The board passed resolutions establishing a branch to be known as the Depart ment of Public Charities, and to include the county insane asylum, poorhouse and farm, county hospital, county physician, county agent's office and the Cook county jail, so far as the county had ju risdiction over the same. The Medical Board at the county hospital was excluded from this department. The physician of the insane asy lum and poorhouse was appointed head of the department. The board passed a resolution requesting Congress to remove the duty on a large list of building materials in order to assist tempora rily the citizens of Chicago to replace their homes destroyed by the great fire. The board resolved that all requisitions for supplies re quired for the county institutions should be made in writing upon 494 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY certain blank forms furnished and consecutively numbered. In con sideration of the necessity of constructing a new courthouse at an early date, the County Board prepared a bill to be submitted to the Legislature for its adoption, providing for the issue of county bonds necessary to pay the costs. At this date a committee of the County Board conferred with a like committee of Chicago concerning the construction of a jail and criminal court room, either on the public square or on some other suitable lot. The North Market hall lot was duly considered. The county treasurer's annual report, made December 4, 1871, showed that the balance on hand on December 31, 1870, was $31,- 868, and that the total receipts of the year including the amount on hand at the beginning was $1,983,706. The total expenses reached the same amount, less $26,360. Among the items received were the following: Tax levy of 1870, $1,345,544; temporary loan, $200,000 ; sale of county coupon orders, $400,000. There was re ceived during the year to the credit of the bond fund account, includ ing a small amount on hand at the beginning, a total of $190,581. The fall election of 1873 was bitterly contested. Men in power fought hard to retain their positions, but there had grown up strong opposition to the manner in which county affairs were conducted. The newspapers pointed out that county business had been and was mismanaged to such an extent that an immense and unnecessary debt had been created, that rank corruption existed and that a change in the officials would probably mean retrenchment and reform. But the men then in place objected to such a procedure. The result was one of the bitterest and most personal campaigns in the history of the county. President Ashton of the County Board said, "Dictation as to the exercise of individual rights and the traducing and slander ing of the official acts and private character of public men had seemed to become an article of merchandise with those who, having no moral or political standing were determined to drag every one down to their own level, hence the result of the recent election has fully demonstrated that the masses will not tolerate dictation from any source, and that the people are' competent to select and fill the various offices within their gift without interference from any quar ter whatsoever. Therefore, we should so manage the affairs of the county that our people will feel assured that their confidence had not been misplaced." At this date rapid progress was being made in the construction of the jail and Criminal Court building. Regular reports concerning its construction were received and numerous bills were audited and allowed. The board determined that the fees collected in the offices of the sheriff, county clerk and recorder were not sufficient to enable them to be self-sustaining. They therefore directed the representa tives of the Legislature from Cook county to urge the passage of a bill increasing such fees. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 495 The application of the county recorder for increased compensation in December, 1873, was reported on adversely by the committee on judiciary. The law already adopted gave the official a salary of $3,000 per annum and no change could be made by the County Board. D. S. Wentworth, principal of the Cook County Normal school, was paid $300 per month salary. The building committee in December, 1873, made an elaborate report in regard to the con struction of the Cook county jail and Criminal Court building. At this date the city hall of Chicago was located on Adams street and was occupied by the County Board. Rooms there were rented for $300 per month. The annual report of the county treasurer in De cember, 1873, showed total receipts of $988,775 during the fiscal year. The expenses amounted to the same sum, less $38,376 on hand at the close of the year. In 1873 the recorder's office was in a building owned by W. F. Storey. In July, 1873, the committee on education was authorized to procure plans and estimates for a board ing house building at Englewood to be used as a dormitory for stu dents attending the Normal school. It was estimated that a suitable building could be constructed for $18,793. The committee at this date spoke highly of the management and usefulness of the Normal school. The attendance was 135. In March, 1874, owing to the complaint made to the County Board concerning the condition of graveled and macademized roads in the county, the board instructed the committee on roads and bridges and the plank road inspectors to examine all toll roads in the county and report their condition at once. After a thorough examinaton the committee made the following report : The Northwestern graveled road was good as far as Niles, and beyond needed widening; the Elston and Wheeling graveled road was in poor condition, but was being repaired when examined ; the Higgins graveled road was good, but needed widening so that two loaded wagons could easily pass each other. The Lake Street and County Line graveled road was rough and in rather poor condition ; Rosehill and Evanston graveled road was in good condition throughout its whole extent, except just south of the toll gate north of the city limits; the Lincoln Avenue and Niles Center graveled road was in good condition except at the extreme south end*. The committee thereupon made certain recom mendations and the report was concurred in by the County Board. In April, 1874, buildings on the Reform school grounds in Hyde Park were sold for $2,500. The board at this date ordered that thereafter the Criminal court should be held in the new Criminal courthouse on the northwest corner of Michigan and Dearborn streets. The joint committee on hospital and public service, appointed in 1874 to purchase a new site for a county hospital, reported having received eleven propositions for the sale of such a tract to the county. After considerable skirmishing, the board passed a resolution to 496 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY accept the Baldwin blocks owned by W. H. W. Cushman. They were numbers 1 and 2 of David Codwise's subdivision of the east seventy-four acres of the west half of the southeast quarter of Sec tion 18, Town 39, Range 14. The price estimated was $145,000. The county attorney was directed to see that the title was sufficient. In June, 1874, the County Board began to consider seriously plans for the construction of a new courthouse and city hall. There was much objection to any such action at this date, owing to the fact that both the city and county were heavily in debt ; but the board realized that it would take many years probably to erect the building, there fore they finally concluded to commence proceedings and to pay for work as the building progressed. The board consulted judges, clerks recorder, treasurer, superintendent of schools and heads of all lead ing departments of the county and city, both in regard to the location of the building and the arrangement of the various halls and rooms. It was determined that the cost of such a building should not in the end exceed $2,500,000. Resolutions postponing action were voted down by the County Board. The consensus of opinion was in favor of erecting the new building on the public square. The preamble of a set of resolutions opposing definite action at that time was as fol lows: "Chicago, in common with the whole country, is suffering from the great financial revulsion and every department of business is more or less seriously affected thereby, and, added to this general de pletion the people of Chicago have, since October, 1871, strained every nerve to rebuild their destroyed homes and places of business, to accomplish which private loans have been made, which in the ag gregate amount to a very large sum and which entail heavy annual charges for interest ; and whereas, the new grade established after the fire has also added heavy burdens in the way of special assessment for filling and paving streets and the general levy for city, county and state purposes has annually increased so that our people are already overloaded as appears by the fact that there remained uncollected on June 1 of the city levy of 1873 $4,132,593.82 and for state and county for 1873 $2,662,638.45, making a total aggregate of $6,795,- 232.27 of taxes of 1873, which have got to be paid not later than August of this year." In view of this condition it was moved that action be postponed, but the motion was lost. On June 22 the board authorized the county treasurer to borrow $100,000 on the credit of the county for a period not exceeding ninety days and at not exceeding 8 per cent. This sum was ordered credited to the sinking fund account — new indebtedness. The board instructed the county attorney to institute the necessary legal pro ceedings to restrain the collection of that portion of the taxes levied for the year 1873 that he should deem unauthorized. The Chicago & Northern Pacific Air Line Railroad company asked for right of way across the county farm, and under certain conditions HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 497 the request was granted in June, 1874. In August, 1874, it having been apparent that a large amount of taxes had been unjustly collect ed by the State for the year 1873, which collection had been declared unconstitutional, the board directed the county collector to refund such tax to every person who had paid the same. It seems that several members of the board were charged with corruption in the purchase of the hospital lot. The newspapers openly charged graft, bribery and dishonesty. Owing to much complaint regarding the payment of taxes throughout the whole county, the board took special pains to secure a just equalization and published long lists of changes from the re ports and recommendations of the assessors. The total valuation after equalization of lands, lots and real estate in the county amounted to $1 18,616,917. The total valuation of personal property was $38,201,172. The railroad assessment amounted to $1,357,084. The total equalized valuation was thus $158,175,173. At this time, as the newspapers continued to charge graft and dishonesty in the board, an investigation by a special committee appointed for that purpose was ordered. In August, 1874, the Cook County Insane asylum having become extremely crowded, the committee on public charities was directed to secure the transfer of persons who could not be accommodated in Cook county to the insane asylum at Elgin. In September a joint committee was appointed to suggest changes at the insane asylum which would meet the requirements of the county. Accordingly after investigation the construction of an addi tional wing to the county insane asylum was decided upon. It is es timated that this wing would cost $100,000. In October, 1874, the county treasury being empty, the board authorized the county treasurer to borrow $100,000 for six months at not to exceed 7 per cent interest and to credit the same to the gen eral fund. At the close of the fiscal year 1874, President Ashton of the County Board congratulated the members on the condition generally of the city and the county. There had been neither money, archives or records, and yet the citizens had emerged from the disaster with credit, and though burdened with debt had maintained the city's good name in view of all the world. He said, "I point you with pride to the grandeur of our buildings, business and credit. Starting with an empty treasury and with the reverses stated, we have carried on the government of the county, been liberal to the oppressed and needy and rebuilt a part of our public buildings. The calls and de mands upon us for charity have been greater than ever known before in the history of the county. We have constructed a splendid Crim inal court and jail; we have provided good quarters for the various courts and officers; have added an addition to the insane asylum and poorhouse, have built a plain and substantial morgue, have 498 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY purchased and paid for, in part, an elegant site for a county hospital; have taken care of more than 6,000 families, averaging about 30,000 persons annually; have been compelled, owing to the change from the fee system to one of fixed salaries, to expend unus ually large sums annually; have been often without revenue and forced to borrow in emergency, and had during all this period of in creased county indebtedness only about $750,000, of which sum at least $680,000 was made necessary by the great fire. Today is pre sented to the world the spectacle of a county containing a population of over 550,000 people having within its limits one of. the greatest commercial cities of its age, destroyed by fire only three years ago and now rebuilt, with an indebtedness of a little over $3,600,000 all told. Such another instance cannot be pointed to in the history of the American republic. And yet in spite of these facts, we have been found fault with by some and charged with corruption in office by others. Standing here today I denounce it as false and cruel and as a libel upon us and our people, and hurl it back in the face of the author and circulator. Mob law should at all times be deprecated, but sooner or later this community will have to meet the issue in order to protect its homes, character, families and common decency." On December 7, 1874, Mr. Burdick, chairman, said, "Our finances are not in as good condition as we could desire, but under the cir cumstances as good as we could expect. The circumstances referred to are as follows: First — The fact that our expenditures for the past year have exceeded the appropriations for the same by a large amount. Second — That our salary system which went into effect a year ago has not proved as satisfactory and economical as anticipat ed. Third— That the change of the law relating to jurors' fees which went into effect the past year added largely to our expendi tures. Fourth — That a much larger amount of our taxes for the year 1873 remains unpaid than in former years. Add these things together, gentlemen, and you will understand why the former board found it necessary to borrow temporarily and leave our treasury low." Mr. Burdick predicted that under economical management the appropriations for the year 1874-5 would be found sufficient. He stated that the levy was 40 cents on the $100 valuation upon a total assessment of over $318,000,000. He recommended that a code of rules should be adopted by the various county institutions in order that harmony, system, perfect operation and management might be realized. It was known that the county was expending for charitable purposes a large sum of money annually. For the year ending De cember 1, 1874, the insane asylum cost over $93,000; poorhouse, over $60,000; county agent's office, over $172,000; county hospital, over $49,000; outdoor relief in outside towns, over $13,000; care of paupers in state institutions, nearly $2,000. Total for charitable pur poses during the year, over $395,000. Owing to the large number of n< I I A Showing Hewly formed the River' Mouth and away South of the Rifcrer Mouth. Captain Cram^ 1839. Land North of the Wearing HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 501 men out of employment, it was realized that the coming year would probably see a larger amount than ever before spent by the County Board for charity. It was therefore determined to economize in every practicable way, particularly with regard to supplies purchased for those institutions. At this date the county was still engaged in erecting a new poor house building and an addition to the insane asylum. In January, 1875, the county treasurer notified the board that the treasury was empty of general fund, and asked what should be done in the emergency. After investigation, the board authorized him to accept a loan of $25,000 from the Hibernian Banking association, and a further loan of $75,000 from the Illinois Loan and Trust company, both at 7 per cent, due June 1, 1875. On December 1, 1874, the total bonded debt of the county was $3,625,000. In addi tion, the county owed the Merchant's National bank $100,000. There was on hand unsold $617,000 worth of fire bonds. On January 8, 1875, the board advertised for all individuals own ing real estate in the county to bring to the recorder's office for filing, free of expense, all original abstracts of lands in the county. By February 24 there were brought in and recorded under this authoriz ation about 4,000 original abstracts, at a total expense to the county of about $20,000. The recorder was ordered to. prepare a set of tract indexes for the convenience of the county abstract office. In February, 1875, the joint committee of the city and county recommended the commencement at once of a city hall and court house, and the prosecution of the same with reasonable speed until completed. They recommended that a cost of $2,500,000 should not be exceeded. It was expected that five years would be required to complete the structure. , At this date Chicago had on hand a building fund of over $600,000 left of the canal funds received from the state, and the county had about the same amount of unsold bonds for pub lic buildings. These two sums would carry on the work, it was con cluded, for the first two years. After that, other arrangements could readily be made. In March, 1875, the board ordered an investigation as to what title papers were in existence concerning property owned by Cook county. The committee found but one abbstract. The board ordered this matter cleared up and the title to all county property rendered certain. In March, 1874, they ordered the removal of seventy-five inmates of the Cook County Insane asylum to the insane asylum at Elgin. At this date the County Court rooms, clerk's office and library rooms rented quarters from the city at the comer of Adams and La Salle streets. In March, 1875, the board ordered hospital buildings erected on the new hospital grounds recently purchased and known as the Bald win lots. In May, 1875, they made arrangements to have inmates of the poorhouse afflicted with eye and ear diseases taken care of by Vol. 11—29. 502 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY the Illinois Eye and Ear infirmary, and at the same time made ar rangements for the removal of feeble-minded children to the State asylum for that class of unfortunates. At this date the $100,000 borrowed in January being about due, and there being no funds with which to pay the same, the committee on finance recommended a renewal of the loan for a period of ninety days. In July, 1875, the committee on finance reported numerous bids for the county fire bonds recently ordered issued. The Corn Ex change National bank bid 103.5 for $25,000 of the bonds, also 103.4 for $20,000. William H. Turner bid 103.38 for $105,000 of the bonds. The committee recommended that these bids be accepted. The lowest bid was 101.75. There was realized from the sale of $150,000 worth of fire bonds as above, a total of $157,286.27. It was recognized that the bids fully established the high credit of Cook county. At this date the County Board proceeded to build a suitable struc ture on the Normal school grounds at Englewood for the accommo dation of the students of the institution. It was estimated that the students' hall thus provided would cost about $20,000. Previous to this date the County Board had purchased of Otto Peltzer and Wil- manns & Thielke a lot of abstract books for $45,000. With what the board had before, the county was now able to furnish complete abstracts of title to real estate throughout its limits. During the fall of 1875 the board considered in detail numerous bids received for the foundation work on the hew courthouse and city hall. The total valuation of Cook county property as equalized and as sessed by the State Board for the year 1875-6 was $229,993,108. The committee on finance in October, 1875, after a thorough investi gation of indebtedness and required revenue, recommended a levy of $1,517,955 for the fiscal year 1875-6. This amounted to 66 cents on each $100. In November, 1875, it was shown that the outstand ing indebtedness of the town of South Chicago from 1862 to 1874, inclusive, amounted to $22,415.56. The County Board ordered a levy in that town to cover such indebtedness. The county agent reported on December 1, 1875, that the number of families then being cared for by the county was 2,824. Owing to the cold weather of the preceding winter, an unusually large amount was spent for outside relief. The agent opposed the project of erecting a house of refuge, because, as stated by him, such an in stitution would constantly be imposed upon by men and women with means, who would conceal the same and seek assistance from the county. He reported that the total number of families cared for during 1875 was 8,374. The total number of persons sent to the Cook County poorhouse during 1875 was 986; the county hospital reported an attendance of 1,008; the county buried 406 persons and treated 1,190. The number of insane persons in charge of the county was 213. The total expenditure of the county agent during 1875 was $170,479.96. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 503 At the end of the fiscal year on December 1, 1875, the county bonded debt amounted to $3,792,000. In addition $200,000 of tem porary loans were obtained, making a total county indebtedness of $3,992,000. There were on hand yet unsold fire bonds to the amount of $450,000. In May, 1876, the Com Exchange National bank bought $10,000 worth of county fire bonds at 106.1; $10,000 at 106.25 ; $10,000 at 106.4 and 10,000 at 105.5 with accrued interest, being an average price of 106.28 and accrued interest. In Septem ber, 1876, the committee on equalization of taxes reported personal property $24,093,671 ; and lands, lots and real estate, $111,451,510. The latter reported by the assessors was $ 1 1 1 ,496,404. As equalized .the total aggregate taxable property in Cook county was $136,756,- 163. The finance committee in October, 1876, reported that the sum necessary to be levied for the fiscal year 1876 amounted to $1,605,885. This amount was arrived at by adding together the old indebtedness created prior to 1870, consisting of $191,905, the new indebtedness created since 1870, amounting to $321,500, and the estimated current expenses of the county and the charitable institu tions, amounting to $1,092,480. By resolution passed on September 11, 1876, Cook county pledged the county delinquent taxes for 1871, 1872, 1873 and 1874, amount ing to $494,926.99, for the payment of whatever indebtedness might be incurred in the erection of the new county courthouse. The same pledge was made concerning the reform school property, which was the south twenty-five acres of the northwest fractional quarter, Sec tion 2, Town 38, Range 14. On November 13, 1876, the committee on finance reported that they had borrowed of the Corn Exchange National bank for seven months $200,000 at 8 per cent per annum, the same being the best offer they could get. At the end of the fiscal year ending December 1, 1876, the chairman of the board, A. B. Johnson, said : "I, as well as you, have been abused on many occasions by the press, but I pre sume the commissioners will be abused as long as the County Board is in existence. The reason why I have been attacked and my mo tives impugned is because I have acted with the majority. I was elected to act with them, and have done so regardless of criticism. I was formerly a Republican and at one time a member of the Board of Supervisors, and chairman of that board. I was supervisor for eight years and was elected on the Republican ticket, but was never abused while a member of that body. I had the honor of being on the most important committees. One was the committee on war fund, and during two years we paid out over $2,500,000. I had other important duties and I believe I performed them to the satis faction of the public, but since my connection with this County Board, especially during the past two years, the daily press of the city has abused me and other commissioners." The reason for the abuse was that the board continually ran in debt and did not make one 504 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY sound and intelligent effort to get out. On the first of December, 1876, the total bonded debt of Cook county amounted to $4,191,500. In addition, there had been issued temporary loans to the amount of $250,000, making the total county indebtedness $4,441,500. In his address of July 4, 1877, at the time of the laying of the corner stone of the new courthouse, President C. C. P. Holden of the County Board stated among other things that in October, 1871, the state passed an act appropriating the sum of $2,955,340 for the relief of Chicago. This amount was the obligation due the county from the canal. With this appropriation was a proviso to the effect that not less than one-fifth of the amount nor more than one-third of the same should be used in the reconstruction of bridges, public buildings and structures destroyed by fire upon the original sites thereof. These provisions were carried out by the city. The old courthouse was converted temporarily into a structure for the sheriff, county treasurer, clerk, board of commissioners, surveyors and a few other officers. Later the people erected a jail and Criminal court building which cost over $518,000, also an insane asylum at Jeffer son costing over $163,000. They also purchased a site for the hos pital at a cost of $145,000, and erected thereon a group of excellent buildings at an expense of about $428,000. An additional story was added to the insane asylum at a cost of $35,000. The students' hall at Englewood cost nearly $27,000. Inasmuch as the revenue would not meet these various improvements the county was obliged to issue bonds, which it did to the amount of $1,500,000. The utter incom petence of this administration to manage county affairs was well recognized by the citizens and the press. There was no system^to pay expenses and meet indebtedness. As early as August 28, 1872, the city and county authorities came to terms and agreed by contract to erect a new courthouse. In July, 1875, J. J. Egan, architect, was employed to superintend the court house, and his salary was fixed at $37,000. After that, work on the building steadily progressed until the foundation was made complete. By July 4, 1877, the county debt consisted of war bonds to the amount of $2,500,000, also $1,500,000 issued for the above pur pose, of which all except $50,000 was still outstanding. The bonded debt since the fire had thus been increased to a total of $1,375,000. The immense revenue was frittered away in useless and padded pay rolls, while the board offered the miserable excuse of having no money to meet the above building expenses and hence issued bonds. In August, 1877, the equalized valuation of rents, lots and real estate in Cook county amounted to $107,620,870; personal property, $21,705,082 ; railroad property, $1,127,563 ; total, $130,453,515. The committee on finance in November. 1877, fixed the county tax for the fiscal year at $1,608,405. At the end of the fiscal year December 1, 1877, Chairman Holden of the County Board summed up what had been accomplished during the preceding year. The in- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 505 sane asylum and the poorhouse had been found in bad condition and overcrowded. Both were put in excellent condition and new build ings were erected. A new engine house at the insane asylum was built. At the beginning of the year the county hospital located at Eighteenth street "reminded one more of a hog pen than it did of a place of shelter for the unfortunate sick of the county." The board of 1875 originated and carried into effect the construction of a group of hospital buildings at Wood and Harrison streets which were a credit to the county. The students' hall at the Normal school was built and the new courthouse was well advanced. By December 1, 1877, the new courthouse had cost a total of $749,227. There had been appropriated for the structure at that date a total of $1,359,927. In December, 1878, Henry C. Senne was elected chairman of the board. He stated that the County Board for two years in succession had submitted the question of issuing bonds to complete the new courthouse to a vote of the people, and the first year such authority was refused and was refused also at the election in 1878. Mr. Senne said that it seemed not out of order to inquire into the probable cause for such refusal. The building was needed and the contracts already entered into, but the agreement could not be complied with by direct taxation and therefore the issue of bonds would have to follow. He stated that the act of February 5, 1872, authorizing the County Board to issue bonds to the amount of $1,500,000 for the purpose of ' building a courthouse had been, in his o'pinion diverted from the pur pose intended. The money was used to build the jail and Criminal Court building, the insane asylum, enlargement of poorhouse, and the erection of the students' hall at Englewood, and a large expenditure on hospital grounds, which he regarded as wholly unnecessary, be cause the county then owned the Reform school grounds, the best in the county for hospital purposes, and when all of the $1,500,000, except about $100,000, had been expended in buildings scattered all over the county it was then found necessary to build a courthouse and the county had no means with' which to do it. He stated that the people were led to believe that the courthouse under the architect's estimate would cost $2,000,000; that the structure could be built with the resources on hand; that on December 26, 1876, the board by a vote of 1 1 to 4 adopted a resolution to issue $1,000,000 in county bonds without submitting the question to the vote of the people. The action was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. But in the meantime considerable expense was incurred which must be bome by the county ; therefore, in view of these facts, it was not surprising that a majority of votes should be found against the issuance of bonds. Had the courthouse been built with the bonds authorized to be issued for that purpose, the charitable and educational institutions might have been built as the taxable ability of the county would have justified, and there would have been probably no necessity to issue bonds. The present board was not responsible for this state of 506 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY affairs, but the facts still existed and must be met. It would require $1,000,000 additional with which to complete the courthouse, and there were a large amount of other claims due and unpaid. To meet these the county had $490,000 back taxes and the Reform school grounds. The people at the recent and previous^ elections, by voting against the bonds, had signified their wish that thereafter the county should adopt the policy of "pay as you go." With this idea in view the county affairs during 1878 and 1879 were conducted. This administration was the first for more than a decade that made a serious, earnest and promising attempt not only to live within the income, but to commence the payment of the indebtedness. Prior to 1870 the county offices were managed under the fee sys tem, but on that date a change was made to the existing salary sys tem. The latter, as it was debauched, did not prove any better than the fee system. It was really turned into a burden. At this date there was not a branch of the county government the fees of which would pay its way except perhaps the treasurer's office. A thorough investigation by hired experts to ascertain how county affairs should be conducted at a less expense for salaries or fees was insti tuted. At the election of November 5, 1878, the question of issuing $750,000 in county bonds was voted upon. It was reported at first that the issue was defeated. In reality there were cast 15,903 votes in favor of the issue and 14,664 against it. The following country towns cast a majority vote against the issue of the bonds: Barring ton, Bloom, Bremen, Calumet, Cicero, Elk Grove, Hanover, Hyde Park, Jefferson, Lake, Lake View, Leyden, Lyons, New Trier, Northfield, Norwood Park, Orland, Palatine, Palos, Proviso, Riv erside, Rich, Schaumberg, Thornton, and Wheeling. The County Board therefore ordered the issue of the bands as aforesaid. The question of the right to issue these bonds was taken into the courts, whereupon it was discovered that the election officers had reversed the vote and had declared that 14,282 ballots were cast in favor of issuing the bonds and 15,549 ballots were cast against the issue. The court found upon investigation that the votes cast in favor of issuing the bonds numbered 15,903 and against the bonds 14,664 and further that the County Board was thus authorized to issue the bonds. On January 20, 1879, pursuant to the vote of the preceding No vember authorizing the board to issue county bonds, the County Board ordered prepared and issued bonds to the amount of $750,000 in denominations of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 each, payable in 1899 and bearing not exceeding 10 per cent interest. The bonds were to be known as courthouse bonds and were to be regis tered. In February, 1879, the board passed resolutions to assess annually thereafter upon the taxable property of the county a sum sufficient to pay the interest on the bonds, and also to provide a sink ing fund that would retire them when due. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 507 The total of taxable property in Cook county returned by the com mittee on equalization in August, 1879, was 119,358,164. A minor ity of the committee made a special report stating that they could not agree with the equalization proposed by the majority. They stated that the majority passed their assessments upon estimates of former years and ignored the actual and increased value of lands assessed on this date. The minority pointed out several instances where they deemed the assessment of the majority unjust. Plowever, the assess ment of the latter was allowed to stand. The rules of the commissioners required the County Board annu ally at its September meeting to make a full and accurate statement of the receipts and expenditures of the preceding year, together with an accurate statement of the finances of the county at the end of the fiscal year. Under this law, in September, 1879, the bonded debt of Cook county was found to be $4,941,500, less a total of $261,216 of bouds unsold and of sinking fund and interest. It was noted that on May 1, 1880, war bonds to the amount of $1,158,500 would be come due, and that therefore some means to pay the same would have to be provided. In September, 1879, the State Board of Equaliza tion fixed the valuation of Cook county assessable property at $146,- 435,495. ~ The people of the county had witnessed with dismay the action of the County Board in steadily running in debt ever since the fire. The bonded debt had been considerably increased and the floating indebtedness amounted to a large additional sum. When, therefore, in 1877 it was proposed to issue bonds with which to construct the new courthouse the authority to issue was voted down by a large majority. This indicated that the people had lost confidence in the ability of the County Board to manage county affairs. It then be came apparent and was so announced by the newspapers that if the board should succeed in reducing expenses by about $200,000 for the year 1878 the people would not refuse to authorize them to issue at least $500,000 worth of courthouse bonds. Strenuous attempts to accomplish that reduction succeeded. The consequence was that at the election of November, 1878, the people voted in favor of the issue of $750,000 of courthouse bonds. From December 1, 1876, to December 1, 1879, the County Board ordered paid more than $2,400,000 worth of obligations. In doing so they accomplished a saving during 1878 and 1879 of about $580,000. Almost every de partment of the county showed a saving in reduced salaries, dis missed employes and lighter expenses. At last, in response to the de mands of the people, the board awakened to the fact that they could not go on forever running in debt and that the time to halt had ar rived. On December 1, 1879, the new County Board elected John W. Stewart chairman for the coming year. In his opening address he said : "The people of Cook county, and especially the taxpayers, 508 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY are justly looking with a jealous eye upon your every vote and act and are only too glad to applaud the good and are swift to condemn the bad. We are their servants and should exercise the same watch fulness and anxious care that we do over our own individual busi ness." He noted the importance of selecting good men for grand and petit jurors and for all subordinate positions under the county government. It was necessary further to practice great economy in purchasing supplies for the various city departments and institutions. In November, 1879, the question of issuing new bonds to be used in retiring $1,158,500 worth of war bonds soon to fall due was sub mitted to a vote of the people of the country a majority of the votes being cast in favor of such issue. Accordingly the board in January, 1880, ordered the bonds issued. They were to 'be known as refund ing bonds. The committee on finance called for bids and Charles Henrotin offered par for the entire issue. This being the best re ceived, he was awarded the sale. In September, 1880, the books^of the county treasurer showed the following conditions of county finances for the fiscal year 1879-80; balance on hand September 9, 1879, $610,526.23 ; total receipts, $2,966,079.76 ; total disbursements, $2,564,477.85, leaving on hand September 1, 1880, $1,012,128.14. It was shown at this time that the revenue from 1871 to 1879 remained about the same notwithstanding the population increased from 349,966 to 607,568. In addition it was shown in September, 1880, that every department had to its credit a considerable balance. This proved how the money was frittered away from 1871 to 1878 inclusive. Waste, waste in all directions and ever the howl for more. The boards during those years were clearly incompetent — in fact were incompetent almost the whole time since the Civil War. The annual report of the county treasurer for the year ending September 1, 1884, showed that there had been received a total of $1,447,934.93 and that all had been spent except $255,979.67. The total bonded debt of the county amounted to $4,941,000. In No vember, 1884, the committee on finance made estimates for the fiscal year 1884-5. The total valuation of Cook county's assessable prop erty as returned by the committee on equalization aggregated $174,- 433,355. A tax of 75 cents on the 100 valuation would realize $1,308,250.16. This tax was recommended by the committee and was adopted by the County Board. At the meeting of the new board on December 1, 1884, Adam Ochs was elected chairman for the coming year. The board was compelled to face the situation of an empty treasury and accordingly began measures to raise the money. For the fiscal year 1884-5 the sum of $1,065,000 was appropriated for county purposes. The amount outstanding to be met was $131,988. To pay this sum the earnings of the various county offices, amounting to about $90,000, could be depended upon. The remainder would have to wait until taxes were collected unless the treasury could be induced to advance HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 509 the money from the sinking funds. It was noted that the increase in the valuation between 1881 and 1884 was $18,133,527, which, at the rate of 75 cents on the $100 valuation, would produce $136,001, and that the increase in expenditures between 1881 and 1884 was $278,189. Hence arose the deficiency in the general fund. It was further shown that the appropriation of $1,065,000 for 1884-5 would have to cover all expenditures ordered by the board, and further that expenditures in 1883-4 amounted to more than that sum. There was, therefore, likely to be a shortage. It was evident that the cause of the present unsatisfactory condition of the general fund was due to the expenditure of money regardless of resources and appropria tions and that the only remedy in future was to confine expenses to the appropriations and moneys received from other sources necessary . to be taken into consideration. It was therefore determined by the board to ask the county treasurer to allow, temporarily, the general fund to be overdrawn to an amount not exceeding $300,000, for the purpose of paying the ordinary running expenses of the county until the taxes should be collected. It was further ordered that each county department should be instructed so to manage its affairs that the expenses would not exceed the appropriations by more than 10 per cent, even though positions would have to be abolished and sal aries reduced. This action was taken by a unanimous vote of the new board. In January, 1885, the board took action relative to the issuance of $100,000 in bonds to be used in constructing a system of buildings for the Cook County Insane asylum. It was noted that large amounts of valuable property in Cook county wholly or partially escaped due taxation, particularly property owned by railroad com panies and comprising nearly 10 per cent of the entire real estate of the city. It was noted also that the capital stock of incorporated companies aggregated as much as the entire present assessment of Cook county, and that the same was almost wholly untaxed. Ele vators, warehouses and their contents, amounting in actual value to 75 per cent of the whole valuation of the county, was assessed at merely a nominal value. All moneys and credits, amounting to millions of dollars, were likewise unassessed, contrary to law. Cen tral property of high value was assessed at a lower rate compara tively than property located elsewhere. All of these facts convinced the board that reform measures on a large scale should be adopted in order not only to meet the revenues due the state and city, but also to carry on the actual current expenses. The board therefore re solved that the joint committee on equalization of taxes and public service should proceed to ascertain what was required to secure the proper valuation on property. It was necessary to pay $958,000 in war bonds, which would become clue and payable May 1, 1885. In order to meet this sum the County Board, in 1883, had raised by tax ation $200,000 and in 1884 258,000 more. It was therefore neces- 510 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY sary in 1885 to raise $500,000 additional. The people of the county in September, 1884, had voted in favor of such bonds. Accordingly in January, 1885, the board ordered them issued. In June, 1885, it was noted that during the two years of 1876 and 1877 a total revenue for all purposes subject to expenditure amounted to $3,238,000, and that the same revenue for 1884-85 amounted to $3,368,000. The increase being only $130,000, was but 4 per cent, whereas the legitimate requirements of the various departments had increased from 25 to 300 per cent. In addition, it was shown that a large portion of the revenue of 1884 and 1885 had been and was being used in the construction of hospital buildings, insane asylum and numerous other prominent improvements, and that during 1876-77 such improvements were not made. It was alleged that the authorities in 1885 were required to accomplish economy and im provement which the authorities of 1876 and 1877 had failed to perform. There should have been no comparison, because the board of 1876-7 was incompetent and perhaps dishonest. The voters of the county at the last election had refused to issue bonds for the pur pose of completing the proposed new insane asylum and other public buildings. It was therefore concluded that no other remedy existed than to practice, so far as the public knew, the most rigid economy, discharge with a flourish unnecessary employes, and mournfully cur tail all expenditures on improvements that did not have to be met immediately. The following improvements were announced as very important at this date : Four additional wings to the insane asylum ; two addi tional wings to the infirmary; repairs and protection to the court house; water mains at the insane asylum; gas works and electric lights at the infirmary ; the same at the insane asylum ; additional pa vilions and barracks at the county hospital ; new roof on the Normal school building and repairs at the students' hall ; repairs on the Crim inal Court building; reservoirs on the infirmary and insane asylum. All these improvements would cost, roughly estimated, a total of $577,000. Many of such improvements were declared necessary when it was not true. It was seen that the levy of 75 cents on the $100 would realize a revenue of about $1,300,000. Of this sum over $650,000 would be required to pay salaries of judges and other county officers, etc., leaving only about $750,000 to be used to pay all other county expenses, including the care of all county institutions. The committee on finance therefore, in this alleged emergency, rec ommended that a conference of the leading citizens of the county to ascertain what was best to be done in the emergency should be held. This action was taken unanimously. On September 1, 1885, William C. Seipp, county treasurer, re ported that during the fiscal year 1884-5 the total receipts from, all sources were $3,213,697.40, and the total disbursements the same, less $369,607.16 on hand. At this date the Cook county bonded debt amounted to $4,483,500. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 511 At the December session of the new board in 1885, George C. Klehm was elected chairman for the coming year. The new presi dent noted that the political complexion of the board was changed from what it had been during the previous three years. He said, "The finances of the county are in such a deplorable condition that we must exercise the most rigid economy in every department to enable us to keep within the limits of the revenue which we are allowed by law to raise for county purposes. The general fund in the county treasury has been exceeded for several months, and $302,- 500.28 in orders on the county treasury are already drawn against the appropriations for the general fund of this fiscal year over and above the amount in the treasury to the, credit of this fund. This is the first organization of a new board for many years in which the general fund shows a deficiency." It was noted that while the population of the county had increased about 35 per cent in eight years and that new courts and departments had been increased greatly, the revenue remained about the same. The demands of charity were doubled during the last five years. All classes, it was stated, should pay a fair and equitable tax. Township and county authorities throughout the surrounding cities purposely sent paupers and insane persons to Chicago, where they were picked up by the police and finally given homes in the Cook county institutions at the expense of the people. Every county chari table institution at this time was crowded with inmates. New wings to these institutions were absolutely necessary. Barracks for con tagious diseases were imperatively demanded. There was no proper place to keep meat, butter or perishable produce at the hospital build ings. Repairs on the courthouse were necessary. There were sev eral important suits pending against the city which, if decided ad versely, would require a considerable sum of money. It was there fore concluded by the board, in view of this condition, that every de partment of the county should keep within the appropriations set apart. "Let this new board go to work with a firm determination to redeem the county from its present embarrassment. Let us con duct the affairs of the county on business principles ; have fair com petition in all contracts; purchase supplies for our institutions from respectable wholesale houses; cut off all extra pay rolls; hold all officers responsible for expenditures in every department; examine every pay roll and discharge every person whose service can be dis pensed with, and conduct the affairs of the county in such a manner as will confer honor and credit on every member of this board," said President Klehm with hypocritical unction. In January, 1886, Julius S. Grinnell, State's attorney, reported having tried and disposed of during the year ending November 30, 1885, a total of 806 cases. Of these, 319 were convictions to the penitentiary and four were death sentences. The attorneys con nected with the department at this time were Mr. Grinnell and three assistants. 512 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY During 1886 the County Board was justly subjected to the sever est criticisms ever passed upon that body. The board emphatically denied extravagance and declared that a lack of revenue was the cause of the trouble. Now there were 600 patients in the finest chari ty hospital building in the world ; 700 inmates in the insane asylum ; 1,200 old and infirm inmates at the infirmary; 6,000 families re ceiving assistance from the county agent; double the number of courts of ten years before; industrial schools for boys and girls costing a large sum ; a Normal school turning out teachers for the West; an immense expense required to care for the paupers and crime which accompanied a population of nearly a million people; immense sums spent for public buildings of every description ; vast increase not only in the number of departments of public affairs but in the work and employes of the various departments. This was the condition of things in 1886, wholly different from what it was twelve years before. It was shown that from 1871 to 1883 the average revenue annually was about $860,000, and that the sum for the years 1883 to 1886 averaged only $795,000. The immense increase in the population and expenses during the past three years without a corre sponding increase in revenue compelled the County Board, it was al leged, to run in debt. It was not a matter of extravagance, but one of necessity. The board announced regretfully that they were com pelled to meet the emergency in the best way possible, and accord ingly issued bonds, borrowed, etc., as any business man would do if pressed for funds in the same fashion. They resented the imputa tions of corruption and dishonesty and asked, "Who is responsible for this misrepresentation of facts ? Simply those persons who are defrauding the public yearly out of millions of dollars of just taxa tion. They raise this cry of extravagance and fraud while they do the robbing. What business man can pay the expenses of a business requiring 100 assistants and cater to the wants of 10,000 people with the same amount of money he could when it required 50 assistants and his patrons only numbered 5,000; Such requirements are not demanded in the business world and are not to be expected in public matters, and when the true state of affairs is understood, will not the honest and honorable citizens of Cook county do us the tardy justice we are entitled to and hurl back into the teeth of those who have deceived them, the base calumnies so long heaped upon this County Board ? The present Board is the most economical in the histoiy of Cook county. This can be proved. Every dollar will be accounted for. Complete and perfect records are on exhibition. No former board ever caused such books to be kept. Every statement made in the books will be verified by an examination of the records on file. This cry of extravagance was raised to cover the shortcomings and robberies of the tax-dodgers. The county revenue has not increased while the inhabitants, necessary pauperism and business requirements have, and it is simply an impossibility to sustain the requirements of HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 513 a million people upon the same money that sustained 450,000. As to our bankruptcy, no county in the world with an equal number of inhabitants has so small an indebtedness as the county of Cook, and with all the efforts of the press and other interested parties to injure her credit, her 4 per cent bonds are worth Ay2 per cent premium today. JNTo county in the world has so much to show for its indebted ness as Cook county. No newspaper has yet told the public that the present County Board paid $460,000 of county bonds last year and reduced the interest $50,000 per year, yet such was the case. What will the honest taxpayers and citizens of Cook county say when they realize these facts as presented to them today? What would these miscreants have us do in order that they may continue their schemes of robbery undisturbed?" But this flourish was neither true nor believed by the people. The writer skilfully concealed the facts and tried to hoodwink the public. It remained for the next board to un cover the corruption and crime. At the December session of the new board in 1886 Commissioner Klehm was reelected president for the coming year. The new board had only about $25,479 in sight to maintain the county government and its institutions until September 1, 1887. The president said, "No County Board in Cook county ever organized with such finan cial embarrassments as will be experienced by the board the coming year. True, there was a time some nine years ago when the county treasurer was not able to pay county orders promptly when they were presented, but that was at the so-called 'tax-fighting period.' War rants on the treasury, notes and judgments left to be paid this year are already issued to the extent of 75 per cent of the entire estimated county revenue." The total revenue for the fiscal year ending September 1, 1887, amounted to $1,501,265. In December, 1886, the obligations already due against this revenue amounted to $1,475,786. In addition there were other obligations amounting to nearly $100,000. Mr. Klehm said, "The County Board is charged with having brought about this state of affairs. Every year without exception since the Board of Commissioners succeeded the Board of Supervisors fifteen years ago its members were made a target for the attacking batteries of the press. The County Board may have been careless and extravagant at times, but the responsibility does not rest on the County Board alone." Among the causes assigned by Mr. Klehm were the fol lowing : The inefficient manner of making assessments ; the county was unfairly required to support certain institutions, the care of which properly belonged to the city of Chicago, and an increase in jury fees by the last Legislature. On March 31, 1887, the grand jury returned indictments against the following county commissioners : George C. Klehm, Chris Geils, R. S. McLaughry, Chris Casselman, R. M. Oliver, Daniel J. Wren, J. J. McCarthy, F. A. McDonald, and against the following ex- 514 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY county commissioners : R. M. Leyden, John Hannigan, Adam Ochs, C. T. Lynn, John E. Van Pelt, Michael Wasserman, Patrick McCar thy ; also against W. J. McGarigle, warden of the hospital ; Harry Varnell, warden of the insane asylum ; Charles L. Frey, warden of the infirmary; and against fourteen contractors and other business men involved in the frauds of the County Board. The charge in most of the indictments was conspiracy, and nearly all of the com missioners and ex-commissioners were likewise indicted for bribery. v In December, 1887, President Aldrich in his final address said, "The work of the board of 1887 is finished. The proceedings of this body for the past three months have been conducted in a manner which cannot be understood by the public. The details of the history of the preceding months are on record in the Criminal courts of this county. As I recall the events of this most eventful year, I am well nigh impressed with the conviction that nearly every month has marked a tragedy, so constant and overwhelming have been the de velopments and punishments of crime." The previous board, thor oughly corrupt, adroitly managed and manipulated, was whitewashed by the presiding officer at the close of the year. The lying statements made by that retiring officer were held up to the severest criticism and ridicule. The new members of 1887, though in the minority in the fight for reform, succeeded in accomplishing revelations of cor ruption which astounded the whole county and country. All reform steps were ridiculed, misrepresented and opposed by the majority of robbers on the County Board. An attempt to revise the rules was promptly defeated. An effort to secure an inventory of county property was likewise tauntingly crushed, and an attempt to appoint a purchasing agent and controller was derided, hooted and voted down. The determined minority then adopted better tactics. From information furnished, mostly by Daniel D. Healy, they secured from the county attorney an opinion that all outstanding warrants were illegal and that all indebtedness incurred prior to the current fiscal year was not payable from the taxes of that year. This opinion enabled them to secure a reference to the finance committee of bills representing the indebtedness of the county. As the finance commit tee was then luckily a reform one, these bills were thoroughly inspect ed. This was the first bad blood shed. While this movement was going on the State's attorney and his able staff accumulated a chain of evidence which was to fasten securely the guilt in this great conspira- _ cy upon the proper culprits. When this fact became known the rag- ' ged and rotten lines of the guilty parties began to weaken. Soon the wardens of the insane asylum and poorhouse were decapitated and these institutions were thoroughly investigated, with the result that extravagant management and graft were shown to exist there. Next the reformers took up the question of extravagant salary lists and succeeded in saving fully $100,000. It required relentless and radical measures to accomplish this reform. Outdoor relief for the summer HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 515 months was abolished. This department had afforded the conspira tors a highly prized and fruitful opportunity for graft, extravagance and theft. The janitor contract stealing was revealed and uprooted. All was now confusion. The thieves in terror were shaking in the shoes bought with the people's money. The coffers of the county had been drained and a million or more of floating indebtedness was the legacy of successors. The mayor said, "Mismanagement was deeply rooted in nearly all departments of the government. Demoralization was everywhere. The empty whereases and resolutions spread all over the record books for years past were all that could be found in explanation of this chaos. The good ideas therein were consigned to easy death among our already overburdened archives. Our county was upon the verge of bankruptcy and radical measures had to be adopted. All bills were closely scrutinized, contractors were summoned before the finance committee and subjected to a searching cross-examination. Developments led to an examination of old bills already audited but not paid. Nearly a million and a half of these old accounts were personally examined by that committee and the result justified our suspicions. An embargo was at once placed upon everything, and thus, though in the minority, we defeated the efforts of the majority in this direction. That we were met with and endured insults, deri sion and rebuffs of these plunderers on every side is a matter of pub lic record. We were decried as reformers, but reformers only in name, and like themselves had our price. If they were to be believed, we were anxious to get into1 the ring. Temptations were held up to some of our number, then threats were made, and when false argu ments and boodle reasoning failed vituperation of the most virulent character was resorted to. A bitter struggle ensued, waged on one side by a determined and dignified minority bent upon regaining the county from the toils of a band of cutthroats who were arrayed on the other. The evidence which was accumulating against the wrong doers soon became so overwhelming that crafty tradesmen began to realize, despite assurances from the old commissioners, that all was not well with them. Supported and stimulated by the gang, they re sisted for a time the searching examination of the finance committee and the county attorney, but by degrees they told the truth and were turned over to the tender care of the latter, to whom one by one they gradually gave way and' reluctantly admitted their guilt and crimi nated their confederates, the members of the once powerful ring in the County Board. That ring had been broken and its members stood at the door of the county jail. The plundering of Cook county had been done mainly in the name of 'public charity' and in the guise of 'needed improvements' and in the interests of 'education.' Com missioners had bad habits and indulged them to their heart's content, always, of course, at the people's expense. Schemes without number and of every nature, schemes to gravel roads and level hills ; schemes 516 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY to despoil and rebuild public buildings; schemes to preserve the stone and brick in the same ; schemes for steam pipe and for covering the same ; large water pipes were found at our county hospital coated with patent steam pipe covering — anything to make business that would pay the usual commissions. Commissioners would grow elo quent in depicting the sufferings of the poor and the hardships of the sick and at the same instant mentally calculate the 'divide' in the schemes they were advocating for the alleviation of this distress. Our famous institutions with their silk-hosed wardens had degener ated into mammoth collection agencies where contractors and mer chants were corrupt, and where the members of this board were seen to congregate to receive their share of the spoils and to indulge in wild midnight orgies." And so Mr. Aldrich continues with col umn after column of revelations and denunciations. It was shown that the previous board had issued bills to the amount of $572,785 more than the bills audited by the board of 1887. Twenty-five per cent was added to bills to meet the demands of graft. The total appropriation for county purposes, $1,432,500; warrants drawn to date against the various funds, $1,272,284; total indebtedness which the new issue of bonds was to provide for, $984,- 352. Mr. Aldrich paid high compliment to the assistance given by the county attorney, his assistants and the clerks of departments. The plot and conspiracy would not have been revealed had it not been for their efforts. The Department of Public Service had accom plished wonders during the past year in ferreting out the work of the conspirators. The committee clerk of the board was praised for the invaluable service he had rendered. "He stood alone at his post and battled for the right in the face of threats of personal injury, and as an official who fully comprehends the duties of his position he is un excelled. The same is tme of the jury clerk and his assistants. The county physician and the county agent likewise rendered great assist ance. The chairman of the finance committee was particularly active in revealing the conspiracy," said the mayor. In 1888 the total debt of the county amounted to $5,483,500, with an annual interest of $294,882. In 1893 the debt was $4,558,500, with annual interest of $190,932. This was such a notable im provement as to attract attehtion. On December 3, 1888, President Senne stated that the liabilities of the county were as follows : Old liabilities amounted to $2,294,- 500; also $250,000 in bonds issued in 1869 paid for the erection of the east wing of the old courthouse destroyed in 1871, which amount would have to be met on May 1, 1889; half of it was levied in 1888 and the other half in 1889; the new indebtedness, consisting of bonds issued by authority of the Legislature in 1872 and known as fire bonds, amounting to $1,439,000. The actual amount of the new indebtedness less sinking fund accumulated was $1,325,783. In addition there was the 5 per cent courthouse bonds issued in 1879 Showing land Accretions at the Mouth of Chicago niver and along Shore. Captain J. Allen, 1837. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 519 to the amount of $750,000; also $1,000,000 in bonds authorized in 1887 to be issued to complete the courthouse. The grand — extra ' grand — total of new indebtedness at this date amounted to $3,077,- 783. It was now contemplated to build a detention hospital to relieve the overcrowded condition of the insane asylum and poorhouse, and to make an improvement in the sewerage system of the grounds sur rounding the institutions at Dunning. The total resources for the fis cal year 1888-89 were $1,621,814. There was considerable perplex ity at this time, owing to the methods adopted to pay expenses from the assessment of another period. The law provided that the appro priations for the expenditures of any year should be made during the first quarter of that year. The tax levy by which to realize the money to cover these appropriations was made on the assessments of that year, but this procedure required a credit system of at least one year on an average and was therefore seriously objectionable. The law also provided that at the close of each fiscal year there be placed to the credit of the general fund all unexpended appropria tions for such year. Orders could not be drawn against the general fund, because a legal tax levy could not be made unless a liability existed at the time of making the tax levy. If the money for the expenditures of 1889, for instance, should be paid directly out of the general fund no liability would exist and no tax levy could be legally made. The money therefore was borrowed from the general fund and from time to time returned to the several funds. This was done as soon as the taxes were collected and received by the treasurer. It was a roundabout way of doing business and was considered dan gerous, but it was the best that could be done under the existing law. On November 30, 1889, President Senne said that the laws under which the board had operated during 1888 and 1889 gave consider able power to the Board of Commissioners. The board had authority to levy taxes and to expend the same ; and the amount to be levied and thus expended was not uncertain and could be ascertained each year in advance, because it was based on the equalized valuation of all the property in the county of the previous year and was divided into two parts : First, a tax levy not to exceed $1 on the $100 valua tion could be made for the payment of principal and interest on the indebtedness of the county created prior to August 8, 1870; second, a tax levy not to exceed 75 cents on each $100 valuation could be made to pay principal and interest of the indebtedness of the county created after August 8, 1870. This rendered certain in advance the amount to be expended each year. It was therefore within the prov ince of the board so to manage financial affairs that a balance would be left over at the end of each fiscal year. From 1873 to 1877 the full levy of 75 cents on the $100 valuation was not levied because the population of the county was small and the assessments were high. On December 1, 1877, the beginning of the fiscal year, there Vol. 11—30. 520 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY was a deficiency consisting of outstanding orders and temporary loans amounting to $548,000. After December 1, 1877, with the single exception of the year 1881, the full amount, 75 cents on the $100 valuation, was levied. The reason why the levy was not made in 1881 was because on the first of December, 1880, there was a bal ance on hand to the credit of the general fund of $583,000 in round numbers, so the levy was unnecessary. The date of the fiscal year of the county did not correspond with the date of the official year of the county. The latter in 1889 and before was the first Monday in December of each year. The former was held to be the first day in December of each year. The former was held to be the first Monday in December up to 1877. From that time until 1887 it was held to be the first Monday in September each year. From the first day of January, 1888, it was made by law to be the first day of Jan uary each year. On the first day of September, 1882, there was a balance to the credit of the general fund of $394,706, and from tliat date until September 1, 1887, there were five tax levies, but each year there was a steady encroachment upon the balance left to the credit of the general fund until on September 1, 1887, the deficiency thus created amounted to about $1,250,000. The board of 1888 author ized the issue of $1,000,000 in bonds with which to meet this defi ciency. It was therefore concluded, owing to the fact that for twenty years this indebtedness would hang over the county and require the outlay of a large sum for interest, that the management of county affairs from September, 1882, to September, 1887 would cost the county taxpayers, in addition to the five tax levies, a total of $2,064,- 706. At this date the insane asylum was overcrowded and the condition would certainly become worse unless an immediate provision for additional room should be made. The number of inmates at the in sane asylum and poorhouse was 2,230, but during the winter months increased to about 2,500. It was suggested at this time that the two institutions should be managed by one head, owing to their prox imity.- It was also suggested at this date that a building for the curable insane should be built. The county was in a condition finan cially now to construct and maintain such an institution. It was shown that whenever proper economy was used in county affairs invariably a balance was on hand at the end of the fiscal year. On December 7, 1891, John M. Green, who had just been elected president, took his seat and delivered his first address to the County Board. He stated that there was urgently needed at this date hos pital facilities for persons suffering from contagious diseases. It had become the opinion of many people that the several county insti tutions at Dunning, particularly the insane asylum, infirmary and county farm, should be placed under one executive head. The board at this time concurred in this view. The county building was too cramped and small and needed enlargement by the construction of HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 521 several additional stories. The Criminal court and jail building were in bad sanitary condition. The county agent's office needed atten tion and improvement. The so-called boodle cases were pending and would have to be prosecuted to a finality. It was believed by the board that in the past heads of departments had been too independent of control and had exceeded their authority to the detriment of the public service. Economy and strict accountability were now required owing to the fact that the appropriations, dollar for dollar, had been made to cover actual conditions, and the amount to be expended was thus definitely known. The county hospital appropriation was ex hausted by about the first of December and that institution would probably require from $15,000 to $20,000 in addition to live out the year. There were deficiencies also in other county institutions, so that it was estimated that every dollar saved from other appropria tions would be required to meet such aggregate deficiency. In May, 1892, there would fall due $1,483,000 in 7 per cent fire bonds. This obligation would have to be met. It was at this date proposed to sub mit to the people at the fall election in 1891 the question of voting this amount of refunding bonds to take the place of the old fire bonds. This proposition was submitted in November, 1891, and the return showed that the people favored the issue. In February, 1892, the committee on public service made the fol lowing recommendations : That the plans for plumbing in the north half of the courthouse should be approved ; that the county morgue on the hospital grounds should be placed in charge of the coroner as general custodian; that the hospital committee, in conjunction with the coroner, should prepare rules governing the morgue ; that for services returned there should be paid $8,000 to the Chicago In dustrial School for Girls, $12,000 to the Illinois Industrial School for Girls, $12,500 to the Illinois Training School for Boys; $12,500 to St. Mary's Training school; that judges from outside of Cook county who might hold court here under the request of Judge Scales should be allowed $10 per day each ; that the superintendent of pub lic service should insure the furniture in the Detention hospital; that the list of petit jurors be approved ; that hereafter no delirium tre mens patients should be received at the county hospital, and only at the Detention hospital when injured. During 1889 the right of the county treasurer to pocket the interest on county moneys deposited in banks was questioned. It was claimed that the county treasurer withheld from the city of Chicago funds long after they were due in order that he might draw interest on the same from banks where it was deposited. An investigation showed that he thus withheld large sums for a short period and had drawn interest to a large amount on the same. At the close of 1891 the total bonded indebtedness of the county amounted to $4,558,500. The appropriations for county purposes in 1892 amounted to $1,902,071. The estimated expenses amounted to 522 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY $1,658,500. The total assessed valuation of the county as shown by the rolls of the various town assessors amounted to $171,811,704 real property, $30,407,189 personal property, and $1,465,000 rail road property. At the end of 1891 there was levied a total tax for 1892 of $2,105,- 530. On December 3, 1892, it was reported that the county institu tions at Dunning had been placed under one management and that great economy and greater efficiency resulted from this arrangement. A county storehouse was built during 1892 at Dunning. The insti tutions were well conducted and the superintendent in charge was complimented for his management of the institutions. It was shown that in 1891 those institutions had cost a total of $244,643 for sup plies, and that in 1892 under the new head they had cost only $207,- 156 for supplies. During the year the hospital was overcrowded and additional wards had been improvised for emergency cases. Many of the wards were supplied with additional beds and cots. The upper wards were converted into a special department for con tagious diseases. In 1891 it required 162,918 to maintain the hos pital, while in 1892 it required only $123,504 for the same purpose. It was reported at this time that the Detention hospital and morgue were model institutions and a credit to the officers in charge and to the county. They filled a long-felt want. The county agent's office was reported to have been well conducted during 1892. It was be lieved that that office had done the most good to the greatest number at less expense than ever before. There was reported a saving in 1892 in this office of about $25,000. During 1892, instead of adding additional stories to the courthouse, it was determined to erect a new Criminal court building on- the North Side. At the end of the year the building was well advanced. During the year the $1,350,000 in 7 per cent war bonds had been refunded at 4 per cent. At this date the office of superintendent of public service was con sidered one of the most important in the county. All supplies were thoroughly inspected under perfect system, with the result that bet ter quality and cheaper prices were secured. Previously contractors by the score took advantage of slack methods to furnish poor supplies and short weights and measures. The system of inspection now in use almost wholly prevented such a condition of affairs. The sher iff's dieting bills and the work of the county treasurer did not prove altogether satisfactory either to the citizens or the County Board. Improvement in those departments was demanded. It was clear to the people that the county treasurer had not only neglected the duties of his office but had deliberately violated the law. It was shown that for months at a time he had retained millions of dollars due to the various municipalities, particularly the city of Chicago. This practice had occasioned serious annoyance and loss. On December 5, 1892, George Edmanson, new president of the County Board, urged upon the commissioners the necessity of paying HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 533 strict attention to their duties as members of the various committees. The business of the County Board had become so diversified and ex tensive that necessity demanded strict classification, careful inspec tion and earnest attention. The vast system of cliaritable institutions owned by the county demanded great watchfulness on the part of the County Board in order that the unfortunate in the care of the county should not be imposed upon. The commissioners were par ticularly charged to use great care in selecting heads of the various departments, because success or failure rested almost wholly in their care. Particular attention was called to the condition of roads throughout the county. There was much complaint, owing to the want of repairs both on the roads and on the bridges. The cost was nothing compared with the benefits derived by good roads to the community. In the winter time particularly they were in extremely bad condition and should receive earnest attention from the County Board. Bicycle riders, automobile drivers and all manner of con veyances demanded good roads. The elevator service in the court house was declared wholly insufficient to meet the wants of the pub lic. The sanitary condition of the jail was objectionable and should be improved. The judges had recently expressed their indignation that such conditions sliould be permitted. The watchmen on duty at the jail complained that the noxious odors threatened to injure their health as well as that of the prisoners. Affairs at the county hospital were declared to be unsatisfactory. It was recommended that the County Board should institute reform measures at once in that institution. Mr. Edmanson did not believe that a physician was necessary to serve as general superintendent at Dunning. It had been previously shown that practicing physicians had neglected their duty as superintendent when placed in charge of these institu tions. It was declared important that a business man should be placed in the office of general superintendent. He should be a man familiar with business affairs of all kinds ; should be honest, energetic and should be able to conduct the institutions strictly on business lines. The cottage system which had been adopted was pronounced successful and its continuance and expansion were recommended. It was declared best for the inmates themselves that the poor at the county house should be required, when able, to do manual work. The Detention hospital properly managed was believed to be a credit to the county. The president recommended that none but union mechanics should be employed upon the various county institutions and that eight hours should constitute a day's labor. In December, 1892, there were pending against the county twenty- four of the boodle litigation cases. The aggregate amount demanded was several hundred thousand dollars, but the State's attorney felt sure that a considerable portion could be defeated in the contest. Many other cases were pending in which the county was interested. The State's attorney's office at this time was well conducted and a 524 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY credit to that officer and to the county. The committee on public service recommended the adoption of the assessment rolls returned by the various town assessors for the year 1893. The total real estate was valued at $76,883,620, personal property at $32,162,272, and railroad property at $2,221,825. The grand total of taxes levied for 1893 was $2,105,530.75. On December 2, 1893, in his closing address, President Edman- son of the County Board said "that our administration of the coun ty's affairs has been a success I do not believe the bitterest partison would seek to deny. That much more might have been done, we our selves admit. This board has had many things to contend against experienced by no other board." He stated that the county hospital, Detention hospital, insane asylum, poorhouse and the county agent's office were taxed to their limits. The World's Fair brought to the city thousands of the unemployed, with the result that all charitable institutions were taxed beyond their capacity. Thousands of desti tute persons were sent home as soon as their residences could be learned. During 1893 the board had less means by $90,000 with which to carry on affairs than the board of the previous year had. In 1892 the county had $400,000 available for building purposes, but in 1893 had only $200,000. A considerable portion of this amount was spent in repairs and alterations at Dunning and on the county hospital. The commissioners apparently showed great per sonal interest in the management of public affairs. During this year large sums were spent for the improvement of poor roads through out the county. The board was criticized severely for the unfinished condition of the Criminal court building, but no change was made, owing in a large measure to the failure of the architect to prepare plans in time. The president of the board stated that in his judg ment the new Criminal court building was a serious mistake and blunder, as the old building was substantial and well constructed. During the preceding year the bonded indebtedness of the county was decreased $925,000. The president predicted that at the present rate of decrease a few years would see the last of that nightmare. As a whole, the county institutions were poorly managed, and the press criticisms were cutting and just. The contagious disease ward was in full operation. The Dunning institutions, under James R. Pyne, satisfied the board as to their management. Janies O'Brien's ad ministration of the office of county agent was pronounced successful. The county physician, Doctor McGrath, and the county attorney, Janies Maher, with his assistant Mr. Donovan, were energetic and able, and their work was well done. Mr. Healy's management of the office of controller was honest, efficient and satisfactory. The total amount of taxes necessary to be raised in 1894 was $2, 1 14,656. The old indebtedness to be met was $75,000. The new indebtedness amounted to $231,600; salaries and election expenses, $776,800; supplies, repairs and advertising, $617,000; miscellaneous HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 525 expenses, $178,775 ; contingent purposes, $35,481 ; building purposes, $200,000. At the close of the fiscal year 1894 President Struckman reviewed what had been accomplished by the County Board. He said that he did not know why the expression "clean and businesslike" should not be applied to the administration of county affairs for the past year. The previous administration had been conducted in such a manner that little resources were left to be drawn upon by the board during 1894. The commissioners were compelled to rely upon their own ingenuity and good management to successfully carry on the affairs of the county. Not only was the board of 1894 confronted with a large number of poor persons' on hand, but was compelled to meet an amount of suffering, misery and starvation almost unprecedented in the history of the county. The various strikes of that memorable year threw upon the board great responsibility and an unusual amount of work to meet the demands of charity. The resources of the county were drained although rigid economy was exercised. In spite of all drawbacks and obstacles, the affairs of the county at the close of 1894 were in excellent condition. About $60,000 that had to be met by the board during 1894 was left over from the pre vious administration. This amount was met from the surplus earn ings of the county treasury. The president recommended the estab lishment of an emergency fund for the payment of such extra bills during any administration. The sewerage system at Dunning was greatly extended and improved. A new laundry costing over $18,- 000 was constructed there. Although the smallpox epidemic had extended somewhat over the city and had increased the labors and care necessary at the institutions, all had been managed ably and suc cessfully. The contagious diseases of the institution at Dunning were placed under the management and control of the Illinois Training School for Nurses. The county agency during the year 1894 had undergone great pressure for relief of every description. At this date it seemed almost impossible to meet the requirements, but the agent, assisted by the County Board, promptly and successfully met every demand. The policy of ascertaining the friends and relatives of outside per sons asking for assistance was followed and a great saving to the county resulted. Although a new courthouse was needed, the board believed the public were not ready yet to stand such expense, and further believed that the present building could be made to answer the purpose for a decade or so yet. The board experienced much trouble also in com pleting the Criminal court room. During the year there was appro priated about $30,000 for roads and bridges throughout the county. The county attorney's office was ably and successfully conducted. Many of the boodle cases were tried and the so-called Holland paint case was settled for much less than was demanded. Numerous other 526 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY cases against the county were defeated or settled for comparatively small sums. The county attorneyls office likewise had given impor tant opinions concerning many questions of importance to the board and to the county. As a whole, every department of the county serv ice was improved' over the condition of the previous years. President Healy stated in 1895 that the revenue of the county for the fiscal year ending September 1, 1887, had been all spent but not collected. The outstanding indebtedness on that date against this revenue amounted to $1,584,020.37. By December, 1894, this sum had been wholly paid, except about $140,000 which was in dispute. He stated that it should be borne in mind that the taxes to cover the appropriations made for any fiscal year were not levied until such year was almost at an end, and that the collection of same was not made in earnest until about three months after the expiration of the year. As the cash resources of the county which came f rofn the earn ings of the various offices were considerably less than the appropria tion for the jury services, salaries, etc., the county was compelled annually to borrow money in anticipation of the tax levy in order to be able to issue warrants in payment of supplies, salaries, etc., against money actually in the treasury. He announced that the true policy of the county should be to attain a position where it could borrow its own money. On December 1, 1894, there was in the county treas ury cash on hand amounting to $1,800,000, accumulated from the various appropriations during the preceding seven years. This ac count enabled the county to pay all maturing indebtedness and to do away with the old system of issuing scrip against the tax levy. The equalization of the taxable property of the county for 1894 amounted to $271,954,169. The revenue from this assessment, together with the revenue from- all other sources, gave the county a total of $3,173,- 788.26 with which to pay all county expenses. During the fall of 1894 the people of the county by a decisive vote decided against the issuing of bonds for the erection of a new court house and jail. The vote was taken to mean that the county should repair and continue to use the existing building. It was suggested that the Probate court office should be removed to the Criminal court building. Much complaint regarding the inefficiency of the county jail had been passed. Mr. Healy stated that in his opinion the pres ent building would answer the purpose of the county, providing there should be an increase in the cell space by the erection of a new wing. On December 2, 1895, President Healy summed up what had been accomplished during the preceding fiscal year. The congested con dition of all offices of the courthouse, owing to the immense increase of business of all descriptions, proved that more room would have to be provided in the near future. It was his opinion that two addi tional stories should be added to the courthouse, but the newspapers and many citizens opposed and combated this view. At this date legal proceedings to ascertain the nature of the title held by Cook HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 527 county to the west half of Block 39, the original town of Chicago, were pending. In the meanwhile additional courtrooms were secured temporarily in the Chicago Opera House building. During 1895 the courthouse was thoroughly overhauled and a new plumbing system throughout was installed. The building was greatly im proved and rendered more suitable for public purposes than it prob ably had ever been before. The whole system of ventilation was changed and electric lights were added. Early in 1895 Mr. Healy advocated that a civil service law be passed and put into effect. Largely through his influence and efforts such a bill was passed and became a law on July 1 of that year. During 1895 the county hospital as never before was taxed to its utmost capacity. Large additional sums to maintain the county in stitutions were necessary and were used. The pavilion for conta gious diseases and the Detention hospital served excellent purposes throughout the year. The consolidation of the Detention hospital with the county hospital not only caused a large saving to the county, but resulted in better and more efficient service. A clinical labora tory for scientific and experimental purposes connected with the county hospital was established. All predicted that it would prove a valuable adjunct to the county charitable institutions, and it did. There was also established during the year a department for the manufacture of drugs and chemicals for the county institution. The management of the county institutions by one head continued to be a cause of success and congratulation. The patients were now, for the first time, under the sole management of an able and efficient corps of physicians. A supervising medical staff was selected at this time. Many changes and improvements in minor matters connected with the county institutions were made throughout the year. The poorhouse, as usual, gave the authorities considerable trouble and annoyance. The plan of separating bad characters from the others was adopted with excellent results. The county farm raised a large amount of produce of all kinds, which assisted materially in support ing the wants of that institution. The county agent necessarily was required not only to be honest but to be able, energetic, attentive and watchful. George F. Olson occupied that important position, and was complimented on his management of the department. One of the most difficult problems before the board was the wise, econom ical and proper expenditure of money appropriated for the care and relief of paupers. During 1895 the county agent's department was required to pay out about $140,000 for the needy poor. The total number of families aided was 1,477. The poorhouse showed a daily average of about 800 men. It was believed that many of these in dividuals could properly be required to perform much-needed work upon the county farm. Mr. lies, county attorney, rendered excellent service during the year. Many important cases against the county were successfully 528 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY litigated or skilfully evaded. It was recommended that the Normal school, which cost the county annually about $36,000, should be turned over to the management of the Chicago Board of Education, with the understanding that they should maintain that institution for the education particularly of teachers for Cook county public schools. It was recommended tliat a portion of -the Normal school property should be sold, as it was believed that nearly $200,000 could be realized from idle property there. A new wing which cost about $100,000 was added to the county jail. An additional outlay of approximately $60,000 would furnish sufficient cells probably to meet immediate demands. The old jail for years had been the cause of just complaint, owing to the insanitary condition of the building. Important improvements on the new Criminal court building were made. On July 1, 1895, the law creating the Cook County Civil Service Commission became operative and three commissioners began their difficult service. During the first five months of its existence to December 1, 1895, 1,500 applications for positions were received and 1,200 applicants were examined. An honest attempt in the teeth of great opposition to put the law into execution was made. During the year the county hospital was attended by nurses from the Illinois Training School for Nurses at a cost of $22,200. It was suggested that the county might find it advantageous to establish its own training school for help at the hospital. That step would insure the retention of trained, true and efficient nurses for many years at a time. As the office of superintendent of public service had the expenditure of nearly three quarters of a million dollars annu ally, the board throughout the year exacted rigid economy and ster ling honesty in the management of its affairs. At the close of the year President Healy challenged any person to make a just criti cism of the manner in which the institution had been conducted. For the year 1895 the equalized valuation of all classes of property in Cook county was $270,745,536. The law permitted the county to levy 75 cents on each $100 of this valuation. This tax supplied a revenue of $2,030,584 for 1896. Other receipts of the county in creased the amount to a total of about $3,183,584. The total borided indebtedness on December 1, 1895, was $4,206,000. It was seen to be necessary that great economy in all departments should be prac ticed to meet the current expenses and to slowly retire the old indebt edness. At that date the question of a tax upon all legacies and in heritances was before the people. The Legislature had recently passed an unsatisfactory law to that effect, and President Healy sug gested that it should be repealed and some practical law be adopted in its place. He suggested that such tax should be applied to the sup port of charitable institutions. Mr. Healy favored the passage of this law because of the conceded fact that the poor man was taxed much higher in proportion than the rich man and that such a tax upon an inheritance would work no hardship upon its recipient. It HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 529 was suggested that the city of Chicago should bear much of this burden now resting upon the county. He advised that, in justice, the care of the sick and maimed poor should be taken by the city and that the insane and dependent children should be cared for by the state. As it was, the county with a limited revenue was called upon to provide a courthouse for all county offices, jail, hospital, insane asylum, poorhouse, morgue, etc., mainly, caused by the city itself. It was suggested that a law providing for payment of certain fees received at the State's attorney's office into the county treasury should be passed. President Healy, on November 30, 1896, congratulated the County Board on the successful and economical management of county af fairs during the preceding year. Although there was some friction from political factions, and from county management, the work of the board as a whole and of the county departments proved satisfac tory to the public and was generally above criticisrri. It must be admitted, however, that the County Board did not throughout the year make due and bounden efforts to put into operation the new civil service law. To a large degree this neglect or failure was the cause of considerable sharp criticism from the newspapers. During the year the Department of Public Service was so ably and success fully managed as to attract general attention. Great economy was exercised and many improvements resulting in great savings were in troduced and carried into effect. It was formerly a custom to let contracts for supplies without publicity and satisfactory competition. This custom was done away with and all contracts were now let after bids had been received according to specifications. In order to pre vent fraud, all supplies when received under contract were rigidly inspected, with the result that ordinarily the best food and other supplies were obtained. Contractors were informed that they must comply with their contracts both as regards quantity and quality. Favoritism in awarding contracts was almost wholly banished from the departments. While it is true that the civil service law in a meas ure was neglected, yet considering the objections generally to. the in troduction of the system, this board should be given credit of hav ing advanced the execution of that law probably as far as practica ble. Any change necessarily encountered such obstacles that com- - pfete reform and alteration in so short a time could not properly be expected. The merit system was installed to a degree not anticipated by place-holders who held their tenure of office under the spoils sys tem. Another important improvement was to require all county officials to purchase their supplies through the Department of Public Service instead, as previously, through their own department. This change served the excellent purpose of placing under a perfect system of in spection all orders for supplies needed by the various county depart ments. Large sums were thus saved, because the service department 530 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY required all persons furnishing the supplies to meet competitive bids on specified goods and to comply with their agreements. Mr. Healy stated in December, 1896, that during the past two years more than $300,000 was saved from the amounts appropriated to the various county departments. Although during 1895-96 a total of $6,103,- 799.77 was appropriated, only $5,720,977.76 was expended, leaving on hand $367,592.24. During the year the building fund was ex hausted, but necessarily so, for imperative improvements. The Nor mal school property was transferred to the Board of Education at a saving to the county annually of about $36,000. The question of a county industrial school for boys and girls was settled during the year. The expense of conducting the institution at Dunning seemed slightly increased over previous years, but in reality was a decrease, owing to the large additional number of persons assisted during the year. It was believed that the institutions were so conducted that the benefits of charity were extended to all worthy cases without justifying, dignifying or encouraging pauperism. Two new features in the county agent's office were introduced through the year. One was the relief of indigent veterans under the Bogardus law and the other was the system of visitation of county physicians. President Healy closed his second year with the following correct statement: "Thus it is that, in dissolving, the County Board of 1895-96 takes with it the plaudits of an admiring public and the eight members of it who today will depart into private life and prosperity take with them the encomiums of all who appreciate a trust fulfilled and a duty well done." On December 6, 1897, President Healy in his opening address said : "So successfully has your honorable body administered during the past twelve months that no matter what may be the difficulties to be surmounted and personal sacrifice demanded in the interests of ' hard, painstaking and for the most part, thankless tasks, I have every confidence in the ability of this board to successfully surmount all obstacles and triumphantly close its career of public usefulness as the most businesslike, economical and progressive set of public officials ever elected to a like capacity by voters of Cook county." Notwith standing that the board was hampered by reduced revenues, bur dened with great public debt and hemmed in by vague and contra dictory laws and regulations, the affairs of the county were success fully managed. Never before had there been such demand for pub lic charity. The county agent, the hospital, the poorhouse and the County Board were besieged by requests for help, the extent of which was not comprehended. The ingenuity of all county officials was taxed to the utmost. With only $110,000 the county agent passed over the severest, most taxing and most distressing winter ever experienced by his department. The people of Chicago them selves partly realized the amount of suffering, and also generously contributed in many ways to its relief. At one period the demands HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 531 for temporary relief were so urgent that more than $80,000 was subscribed by the citizens within one week. Notwithstanding the pressure thus brought to bear, every depart ment except that of the county agent exhibited a marked saving at the end of the fiscal year. Every department instituted reforms and improvements and was in better working condition along more eco nomical, systematic and wiser lines than ever before. A praiseworthy sentiment of integrity, personal responsibility and love of county in stitutions was shown by heads and subordinates of every depart ment. It could be said at the close of the year that the Cook County hospital, jail, insane asylum, and poorhouse were, for the first time in their history, models of their kind. A new and nobler era had dawned upon the conduct of Cook county affairs. During 1896 considerable legislation for the benefit of Cook county was secured. All measures advocated were not passed, but the Legislature showed a disposition to aid the county so far as its wants were clearly, wisely, frankly and urgently made known. Bills in more or less satisfactory forms, regulating fee offices and revenues and reorganizing the jury system,, were passed. Under them there was established a new jury commission with power to audit the pay roll accounts of fee officers. The board and the newspapers during 1896 deserved great credit for securing desired reforms in revenue measures. The existing method of taxation and assessment was en tirely reformed, but in the end did not wholly meet the requirements. In 1896 the equalized valuation of taxable property in Cook county was fixed at $272,920,1 17. This furnished a revenue of $2,046,900. This- amount, together with receipts from other sources, furnished a total revenue for all purposes of $3,246,900. Under the new assess ment system the total valuation was reduced more than $10,000,000, leaving the county assessed a less sum than for a decade before. This necessitated the severest economy in the management of county af fairs. It was seen at the outset that the receipts for 1898 would be less than those of 1897 by nearly $100,000. In 1886 the total lia bilities of the county amounted to $6,154,520.37. In 1897 the total excess showed that from 1886 to 1897 county affairs were success fully managed, and in addition a saving of $4,283,520.37 was effect ed. It was also shown that in 1886 the annual interest paid by the county was $254,882, and in 1897 was reduced to $161,500 annually. President Healy summed up the situation of the county at this time in the following language : "The showing as to liabilities is such as to warrant the statement that if the County Board should take its general fund, which is the amount of bank account saved during the ten years, for the purpose of paying for bonds, there would be but the old indebtedness created prior to the constitution of 1870 out standing on the debit side of the ledger. This is a condition — not a theory — to which I respectfully call the attention of your honorable body and invite the thought and consideration of the public." An 532 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY important fact duly considered was that the system of constantly refunding old bonds had effected an enormous annual saving to the county. During 1897 the various county departments were well and ably conducted. The institutions at Dunning were in excellent condition. The county agent's office was the pride of the County Board. The superintendent of public service accomplished additional improve ments and reforms in every detail of his department. All depart ments of the county showed substantial saving over previous years. Repairs, decorations, insurance, fire-fighting apparatus, improved grounds, surroundings, sanitation, harmony and happiness took the place of the old wretched condition of public doubt, defalcations, ras cality, stupidity and shame. In the fall of 1898 Daniel D. Healy, president of the County Board, favored a constitutional convention that would give Chicago a new charter divorcing the rural towns of Cook county from the city and making the latter coextensive with the county. He did not advocate the extinguishment of the county government, but merely favored the territorial coincidence of city and county, the annulment of all unnecessary offices and expenses, and the separation from the county of such towns as did not like the arrangement. His plan was so revolutionary that it encountered both opposition and suspicion. The main object was to decrease public expense by so arranging the local government as to do away with all but one tax levying power. At this date ( 1898) the county revenues including the parks, schools, city, county, towns and drainage taxes and the revenues from fees and licenses aggregated over $30,000,000 each year, the most of which under the then existing systems was frittered away without adequate return in clean streets and g*ood government. For many years each party had claimed that the election of its nominee meant civic efficiency and honesty, but in the end the elections invariably meant otherwise. The difficulty was with the system and not with the men elected to office. The mayors elected had generally been incorruptible. There had been an honest effort in every department to give clean and satisfactory service. But neither the corrupt nor the honest could change the complicated, cumbersome and objection able lack of system that had been handed down as a stumbling block heritage from the infancy and childhood of the county and city gov ernments. Controller Wetherell, whose honesty was never ques tioned, declared that he was unable to conduct the financial business of the city as prescribed by law. Mr. Healy's plan was to change chaos and complication to system and simplicity in both city and county affairs. He insisted that with an income of $30,000,000 there was no valid reason why .the streets should not be cleaned and lighted, the parks be opened, the police be properly supported, the schools be efficiently conducted, the water supply be rendered ade quate and pure, the drainage canal be completed, the sewerage system HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 533 be rendered perfect, and all institutions be suitably maintained. Enormous expense could be saved by uniting under one centralized head the then existing seventeen taxing bodies of the county. Hon esty was not the only desideratum. City and county needed consol idation of local powers; safeguards upon expenditures; centralized government ; a system that would balance books every night ; a cer tain plan that would stop leaks and waste ; the abolition within the city limits of county and township governments with their clerks, collectors, supervisors and town boards; the establishment of one department of collection ; the parks placed under a department of the city; the schools to constitute another department of the city; the same of the drainage board and county institutions ; the legislative functions of the city government to be placed in the hands of a coun cil composed of two branches like the Legislature ; all assessments to be another department ; the upper branch of the city government to be elected by districts and the lower by wards; the councilmen of both branches to be paid and made to work. The plan proposed by Mr. Healy, though revolutionary, was the most cohesive and feasible ever presented to the public of Cook county. It holds just as good in 1909 as in 1898. The Tribune alleged that Mr. Healy had on hand at that time two great schemes : One to crowd the city out of the city hall building and out of its right to occupy one-half of the public square for the inadequate sum of $1,000,000, and the other as above described. The paper argued that little was to be gained by such a revolution. It believed that taxes would be increased, that decentral ization could be carried too far as well as centralization; that the council, if unfaithful in a few things, would be more unfaithful in the many duties of the proposed system. It declared openly that neither the council nor the County Board had always been honest; that the school management had been criminally lax and extravagant; that the park boards had not been immaculate ; that the Drainage Board had been suspected, and that therefore corruption under the larger power proposed by Mr. Healy would not only not be eradicated, but increased corruption might be expected. The Tribune, however, did not seem to consider duly that the proposed new form of government was patterned after that of the United States and that of the several states with their House, Senate and Executive to severally watch each other. Therein safety and purity reposed. Even upon the hypothe sis that nearly all men are dishonest, the more there are of them in positions of responsibility the greater chance that one honest one will be found to check corruption. It is rare that all of any large body of men are dishonest. The honest ones, by public outcry, can always stir the people to prevent corruption. With two large coordinate bodies to watch each other, and an executive, usually honest, to exer cise the veto power, corruption can be reduced to a minimum. On December 5, 1898, President James C. Irwin of the County Board said : "Although we receive the charge of the County Board 534 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY at a time when its affairs are in a conditio*! of the highest excellence, when its finances are in perfect order and its institutions are in a splendid state of equipment and management, we have at the same time our work cut out for us in disposing of new problems and in continuing the satisfactory course that has marked the past four years of the county history. Our predecessors have been wise, careful, economical, far-seeing, prudent and businesslike." He stated that the County Board was confronted with two horns of a dilemma. First, to continue the policy of supplying the growing demands of the pub lic charities and second to supply the necessary funds to operate prop erly the new departments added to the county budget by recent legisr lative acts. He said, "The county revenues for the next year have been seriously reduced by the failure of the local assessors and the State Board of Equalization to provide sufficient valuation upon which to base the appropriation bills. It will require genuine finan cial talent on your part, as well as the most conservative management on the part of the executive department, in order to prevent the issue of scrip during the coming year." For the fiscal year ending December, 1899, the total valuation upon which the assessment was made was $249,775,351. Under the law this assessment enabled the board to realize a revenue of $1,875,315. All other resources increased the revenue to a working total of $3,085,3 1 5. This sum was $79,248 less than the revenue for the pre ceding year. It was realized that the expenditures of the previous year were augmented by the expenses of the new departments of Boards of Review and Assessors, the Jury Commission, etc., in the face of a less revenue. It was realized that in all probability to be more than self-sustaining could not be expected from the fee offices. The amounts required by the Boards of Assessors and Review and the Jury Commission could not be forecast with accuracy. While the bill was pending at Springfield the estimates of such expenses were fixed at $250,000 a year. However, as it was the first year of the experiment the expense, it was thought, might considerably ex ceed that amount. The original cost of setting up the plants would have to be sustained, and unlooked for expense in getting started would have to be met. It was to be presumed that after 1898-99 the Boards of Review and Assessors would so increase the valuation as to cover these additional expenses, but this step could not be ex pected the first year of the existence of those departments. In the meantime the Board of Commissioners faced the dilemma of meeting a larger expenditure with less revenue. It was thought that appro priations for several of the departments might be reduced, and there fore possibly as high as $100,000 could be gained for emergency ex penses. It was realized that any cut in the amount expended by the hospital service would be neither wise nor practicable. In view of all the cir cumstances it was thought that the total tax levy for 1898 would be The Chicago Harbor late in 1839. Captain Cram. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 537 $1,873,315 against $1,952,563 for 1897. It was believed best that instead of adopting a sweeping reduction in salaries and supplies it would be wiser to adopt rigid business methods of economy and ex penditure. The Legislature was asked to relieve the situation in Cook county by cutting off expenses paid to certain institutions which should be paid by the state, as for instance the industrial schools, dieting persons at the House of Correction, the care of inmates of state institutions, and sums spent on the jury commissions — all ag gregating a total of about $95,900. It was believed that the expenses for the industrial schools, the asylums for children and for the adult insane, etc., were improperly fastened upon Cook county. It was further thought that the city of Chicago should pay the cost of main taining the House of Correction, as it was almost wholly a city insti tution. It was recommended by the president of the board that due attention should be paid to proceedings that would secure necessary changes in the laws affecting the varied interests of Cook county. It was recommended that the present courthouse and county building should be enlarged. This was a matter that had been previously con sidered by the board, but soon it was realized some definite action must be taken. Several persons advocated two stories built on the top of the existing courthouse, and others advocated an entirely new building. Already the county at great expense was renting rooms outside of the county building. The president recommended the ap pointment of a special committee on legislation, whose duty it should be to give impetus and finality to the request of the County Board upon the Legislature. He further recommended that the people should favor a constitutional convention that would give to Cook county reforms so sadly and steadily needed and so unlikely to be ob tained from the Legislature. He also favored the introduction of civil service into the rules of the county hospital. The regulation of the appointment, services and conduct of internes for the hospital were duly considered. A consumptives' hospital was demanded and projected at this date. In December, 1899, the committee on finance reported that in order to meet the current expenses it would be neces sary to raise by taxation the sum of $2,616,100. In addition, there should be levied $75,000 to meet interest on the old indebtedness and $233,900 to be levied fbr payment of principal and interest on the new debt. In his address of December 4, 1899, President James C. Irwin stated that the year 1899, though filled with exacting difficulties, was successfully passed by the County Board. It was rioted that the new law concerning assessments added a considerable sum to the fixed expenses of the county and that had it not been for the ex cellent condition in which the county finances were placed, and had not the administration during 1899 been conducted thoroughly ac cording to business principles, the board might not have so suc cessfully passed all obstacles. In passing the new revenue law the -Vol. 11—31. 538 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Legislature failed to make provision for its maintenance, which burden thereupon fell to the lot of Cook county. The same was tme of the new primary law. Notwithstanding all the obstacles the County Board grumbled not, but paid all obligations and at the end of the year made an excellent business showing. In order to ac complish this, however, the board found it necessary to eliminate the building fund, to reduce greatly the contingent fund, and to curtail to the minimum the ordinary running expenses of the county offices and institutions. The Boards of Assessors and Review cost over $279,000. As there was a decrease of over $100,000 in reve nue over that of the previous year, making a total of over $385,000 . to be met in 1899, and in addition as the receipts fell short about $300,000, it was highly to the credit of the board that all depart ments were carried on successfully, satisfactorily, efficiently and honestly throughout the whole year. However, it was recognized by everybody posted on county affairs that additional revenue was absolutely necessary, owing to the fact that expenditures were greatly increased and that only the strictest economy had enabled the board to weather the gale during the past few years. Various items in 1900 increased the expenditures by about $500,000. At the end of 1899 the total bonded indebtedness, old and new, amounted to $3,766,000. During the year there was paid of the bonded indebtedness nearly $200,000 in principal and interest. The County Board also refunded the $750,000 courthouse bonds at 4 per cent instead of 5 per cent as before. All of the county institu tions were admirably conducted and all kept within the reduced appropriations for salaries and supplies. The county agent accom plished better results than ever before with less revenue. With only $110,000 he relieved a total of 36,138 families, of whom 4,946 were those of grand army veterans under the Bogardus law. The county hospital admitted 20,202 patients, and at the Detention hospital 2,229 cases were disposed of. Of the latter, 1,470 were insane and 659 were dependent children. At Dunning the institutions were likewise excellently conducted. The consumptive's hospital rec ords showed 940 patients admitted and 470 discharged. The num ber admitted to the poorhouse was 2,001. In the insane asylum at that date were 1,396 patients. The average daily population in the three institutions at Dunning was 2,889. "Many new minor im provements such as sidewalks, painting, fences, boilers, flooring, etc., were made at Dunning. Management of the office of county agent, the county hospital and the Department of Public Service could scarcely be improved, according to the statements of Presi dent Irwin. It was recommended that a separate building at the county hospital, to be used as a temporary habitation for children under treatment for juvenile offenses, should be constructed at once. Such children thus far were located either in the children's ward of the county hospital or at the Detention hospital, neither of which HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 539 was a proper place for them. It was stated that at least 100 more beds for persons suffering from contagious diseases should be pro vided. The records showed that there was a notable and alarming increase in the number of insane persons cared for by the county. There was need now for a new morgue and for improvements of the electrical plant at the Dunning buildings. It was thought advisable to have a separate building for epileptic children and adults. The president of the board recommended that the pay of members of labor unions be graduated upon the scale adopted by the union. It was stated by the president of the board in April, 1900, that the reason why the bonds of Cook county were favored by purchasers was because of the system adopted of retiring them at the rate of one-twentieth each year and that the county for the past twelve years had paid cash on all its obligations. The bonded indebtedness at this date was about $3,572,000. Under the law Cook county could issue bonds to the amount of about $17,000,000. In 1900 an important question before the whole county was the consolida tion of city, town and county governments. In December, 1900, President Irwin stated that during the past two years the Dunning institutions and the county hospital were splendidly managed. Although the latter at all times was crowded it performed excellent service and was specially well conducted. The Dunning institutions were in excellent condition. Many improve ments in discipline, economy and management of departments were inaugurated during 1900. The rate per capita cared- for inmates was reduced. The dieting and care of patients in the consumptive and sick ward were improved. It was stated by the president with pride that the institutions were looked upon by every state in the Union as models of their kind. Particularly was the Department of Public Service well, ably, successfully and efficiently managed. Improvements and reforms scarcely deemed possible were inaugu rated and established from time to time as the year progressed. An expenditure system of competitive bids and of examining supplies and accounts was carried into effect, with the result that all favorit ism, graft, fraud and politics were at least for the time absolutely eliminated from the department. The county agent during 1900 accomplished wonders in his difficult duties. Although he had the expenditure of a large sum of money, every dollar was legitimately spent and fully accounted for as a necessity and a benefit. The act of President Irwin of the County Board late in Novem ber, 1900, in vetoing several public coal bills, met the approval of the newspapers and the public. It was shown that such bills had not been introduced by Superintendent Lange at Dunning nor by Su perintendent of Public Service Healy. The importance of .a step of this character was realized when it was announced that the annual coal bill of Cook county was about $225,000. The object of this veto was to prevent the unauthorized acceptance of inferior coal on county contracts. 540 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY President Irwin about this time said that the town system was a cesspool of corruption, and that the object of an appropriation which he had recently vetoed was to support "crews of highwaymen who render no service whatever to the people." The newspapers deplored that the president of the board had not previously exercised his right to veto long before during his term, in order to prevent other and numerous acts of extravagance on the part of the County Board, Many salary grabs and improper contracts, it was alleged, could have been prevented by such powers exercised at an earlier date. Early in December, 1900, the newspapers requested that Presi dent Hanberg of the County Board should refuse to identify himself with the Republican machine by reappointing the former men to the management of charitable institutions and the heads of departments in the county government. It was declared that the management of county affairs, while clean and honorable in most respects, had be come contaminated by the bad influences of partisan spoilsmen and therefore should be purified. Upon such pledges, it was declared, Mr. Hanberg had been elected as president of the County Board. It was therefore right for the public to expect vast improvements in the management of county affairs. In January, 1901, the Citizens' association announced that the City Civil Service commission had shown much greater efficiency during the year than had been shown by the County Civil Service commission. According to the reports the County commission had held but one examination during the year, while the City commission had held 109 examinations. The Citizens' association called attention to the fact that while the county commissioners were drawing each $1,500 per year, they had accomplished nothing in this line of duty. The association threatened to go before the grand jury with the facts in order to secure an improvement in existing conditions. The press thought that the course taken by the Citizens' associa tion in attacking the County Civil Service commission prevented, in all probabilty, a reign of graft in county affairs. The County Civil Service commissioners were accused of jugglery and charged with attempts to defeat the civil service law, and to favor political supporters. There were 449 county positions under civil service ap pointment, and unless the Civil Service commissioners obeyed the law there might result — probably would result — a season of graft that would startle the community. The association publicly declared that the present commissioners were guilty of malfeasance in office. The County Board under Mr. Hanberg had made an honest effort to enforce the civil service rules. It was the determination of the Citizens' association to prevent in the Civil Service department any scandal such as had disgraced the county administration in the pur chase of coal under contract. In January, 1901, the Commercial club of Chicago took initial steps to establish a modern reform school. The committee to report HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 541 on this subject was as follows : William A. Fuller, chairman ; E. G. Keith, J. H. Bradley, E. B. Butler, and C. H. McCormick. This committee made a thorough investigation of various institutions of this character throughout the country and recommended that Cook county should have such a school. The County Board in February, 1901, authorized a total expendi ture during the coming year of $3,402,525. The estimated receipts for the year amounted to the same sum. The salaries of commis sioners were placed at $3,600. This appropriation bill had been deadlocked in committees for about six weeks. It cut 10 per cent from the salaries of all county officials and employes drawing $3,000 a year or more. The salary of the chief clerk of the Board of Re view was cut from $6,000 to $3,600. Two members of the board insisted that the salary of each commissioner should be cut down to $3,000. Two members of the board voluntarily reduced their sal aries to $3,000. One commissioner agreed to accept in full for his year's services, $2,400. The appropriation bill was prepared with the idea of reducing the expenditure $350,000 more than it had been the year past. In 1900 the bill had been $3,693,304. The dieting of jurors and the management of their Jodgings were faulty and criticised. The Board of Civil Service Commissioners, though hampered by prejudice and by open and bitter opposition, managed to effect a considerable advance over the previous year. The industrial schools were recognized as a great benefit to the coun ty. They were materially assisted by the County Board. During the year 1900 the two issues of bonds, one for $750,000 and the other for $1,150,000, were refunded at a low rate of interest, thus saving annually to the county a large sum. As a whole, the county passed through the year in better shape than had been anticipated. Though the revenues were smaller than before and though the expenses were higher, rigid economy, pruning of salaries, curtailment of every unnecessary expense and the inspection of all legitimate outgoes ac complished a most successful administration of county affairs. At the close of 1900 among the important questions were, What pro visions should be made for sustaining the Board of Jury Commis sioners, Civil Service Commissioners, Assessors and Review, and also should there be a constitutional convention, and should town and city governments be consolidated under one head ? In December, 1900, President John J. Hanberg stated with some concern that from outside rumors it was to be inferred that the countv was not in good financial condition. It was certain that the Legislature, perhaps unwittingly, had inflicted upon Cook county the burdens of new revenue and primary laws without providing for the expense arising under them. They had undoubtedly crippled the taxing power and curtailed the income without adding to the re sources or revenue. However, retrenchment and economy properly and justly applied, it was argued, would no doubt carry the county 542 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY successfully through the coming- year. Necessarily large sums would have to be spent to sustain the county institutions. Still greater efficiency under the merit system being persistently put in operation by the Civil Service Commission could and should be obtained. , In October, 1901, the County Board emphasized very strongly its request that the State Board of Equalization should increase the assessed valuation on railroad and capital stock over the assessment of the previous year. At this date they prepared statistics showing that the departments of Jury Commissioners, Civil Service Commis sioners, Boards of Assessors and Review and Primary Law cost the county annually about $400,000. In addition the general election laws were so changed as likewise to double the expense of conduct ing elections. In the near future, also, additional judges and in creased judicial expense would add an additional cost of about $144,000. As the county's income from fee offices had steadily de creased for five years, no relief could be expected from that quarter. It was therefore apparent that the needed revenue must come from an increased assessment or an increased levy. As already there was much complaint concerning the burden of taxation, any new levy, it was reasoned, should be placed upon untaxed railroad property and the capital stock of various corporations. It was the common belief throughout Cook county at this date that neither the railroads nor the corporations referred to were assessed as much as they should be under the law. It was shown that under the restoration of the 5 per cent limit the assessment of railroads and corporations was not increased proportionately with other property throughout the county. Should such a proportionate increase be made, "the total assessment of railroad property would aggregate about $10,- 000,000 more than contemplated, and therefore a sufficient addi tional revenue would be yielded to meet all legitimate county expen ditures. One of the city railways, in 1901, was assessed $7,000,000, and yet its total stock in New York on this date was worth in open market $28,140,000. Why, it was asked, should not this corporate property be listed for assessment at its actual cash value just as the property of individuals was listed ? On January 6, 1902, President Hanberg said that a rigid examinar tion during 1901 proved that for many years the county had been without sufficient means adequately to keep pace with the increased population and consequently with the public service. In addition there had been recently passed several enactments requiring large expenditures by the county without furnishing it the means to meet the same. To add to the annoyance the constitution prevented the county from, increasing the tax rate, thus binding it hand and foot and rendering it practically helpless to meet expenses except through niggardly economy and unwise retrenchment. For instance, the average attendance at Dunning in 1895 was 2,637, while in 1901 it was 3,042. This necessitated a much greater expenditure, and to HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 543 meet the same the board accordingly was compelled to discontinue necessary building operations and former boards had been compelled to check progression along modern ideas of improvement. It was shown that in the face of increased expenditures to the amount of $500,000, the previous board was compelled to abate $443,000 of county taxes. But that was not all. That administration was com pelled to hand over to its successor about $244,000 of back bills, and hand over the county institutions in an impoverished condition so far as revenue was concerned. Therefore the administration in 1901 was compelled not only to meet these back bills, but likewise to provide relief and support for the county institutions. In order to be sure of the ground on which they stood the board made a searching investigation of every department. As a whole the affairs of the county could scarcely be in better condition. With a de creased revenue and an augmented expense, county affairs had been conducted with almost phenomenal excellence, but necessarily a few obligations were forced over to be met by the subsequent adminis tration. During the year 1901 the following was accomplished : The floating debt was reduced from over $244,000 to $156,000; the Civil Service board was reorganized and rendered much more efficient; the county hospital was reorganized and changed in management and system ; the medical department of the hospital was reorganized and improved; supplies for the county institutions were inspected and rendered better than ever before; scientific specifications and contracts in the matter of coal deliveries were investigated and adopted; the soft coal contractors "gentlemen's agreement" was broken up; the county attorney forced the collection of delinquent taxes and in six weeks secured $15,000; a new clinical laboratory and museum was established and equipped at the county hospital ; a new boiler plant was established in the same institution ; a revision of the system of management at Dunning was provided for; the county bonded indebtedness was reduced $212,-500. In addition, every department was investigated and the service thereof still fur ther improved. At the beginning of 1902 the following improvements and reforms seemed necessary: The construction of new buildings^ at Dunning or the improvement and expansion of the old ones ; the insane asy lum at Dunning was packed to its capacity and needed enlargement ; the county should vote $500,000 in bonds with which to construct new buildings and make necessary improvements at Dunning. It was a fact not generally known that the public institutions at Dun ning were on a larger scale than almost any other similar institutions in the country. The state institutions containing Cook county in mates were crowded so far as this county's rights were concerned. It seemed absolutely necessary that new departments for the care of various and numerous diseases should be provided and should be iso- 544 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY lated from each other. It was recomriiended that every building at Dunning should be thoroughly inspected and that every available room and corner should be utilized. President Hanberg recom mended that the board, without waiting for the bond issue to be voted upon soon, should proceed at once to accumulate as large a building fund as possible in order to meet requirements absolutely necessary to be made during the next few years at Dunning. The number of accidental deaths at railways or grade crossings was called to the attention of the board. New elevators in the county buildings were required. Every assistance possible should be afford ed the Civil Service commissioners to comply with the law. It was recommended that the county attorney should proceed at once to collect every dollar of delinquent taxes possible. President Han berg advised that the County Board instead of being elected entirely at one time should be chosen at different times in order that the affairs of any preceding year might be in possession of at least one-. half of each new board. In December, 1901, the total bonded indebtedness of the county amounted to $3,360,000 and the grand total of all county liabilities aggregated $3,516,920.62. The total reduction of county liabilities during 1901 amounted to $299,809.59. The president said, "From the above statement it is obvious that a singular paradox exists in county finances. We are retiring each year $212,500 of bonded indebtedness while there exists a condition in county buildings at Dunning that can only be described as intolerable." The unwisdom of this state of affairs was clearly and ably pointed out. During the year there was appointed a disinterested committee of prominent citizens to investigate thoroughly the condition and management of county institutions. Such investigation revealed numerous weaknesses in the management of the county hospital. The investigation resulted in the appointment of Daniel D. Healy as warden under instruction to thoroughly reorganize the manage ment of that institution. It was immediately thereafter determined to make a similar investigation of the institutions at Dunning. It is probable that never before in the history of the county were such search and investigation of all county institutions and departments instituted and carried to completion. Many faults were revealed and many little improvements were thus accomplished. The office of the county attorney, under E. W. Simms, was conducted in a most successful manner. An investigation showed that during the past ten years $7,000,000 in delinquent taxes was still on the books. Steps to collect as much of this as possible were taken. Important reforms in fee offices and in the public service were also instituted. As a whole, the administrations of 1900 and 1901 were successful and satisfactory. Delinquencies could be traced almost directly to a lack of revenue. However, the board of 1901 instituted numerous reforms in line with the impulse that had been given to reform dur ing eight or ten previous years. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 545 At the close of the fiscal year 1902 excellent progress was shown in every department of the county public service. On December 1, 1902, the following was the condition of the county : Total bonded indebtedness, $3,147,500; floating liabilities, $196,145.56; during two years there was a total reduction of county liabilities of $472,- 994.65 ; never was the county in better condition ; at last the officials were no longer in perplexity and doubt as to the outcome of any year's administration ; although the revenues were still* too small in the face of a rapidly advancing population and all its increased ex penditures, the board at all times felt amply secure and able to suc cessfully carry the county through any year with high credit. President Henry G. Foreman on December 1, 1902, in his address to the new County Board, noted that there was a floating debt of several hundred thousand dollars and in addition about $150,000 due to cover the expenses of the last election. Provision for the payment of this floating and additional -indebtedness must be made. It was therefore necessary to make a considerable reduction in the expenditures of the various departments. There was recommended the appointment of a special attorney to look after the tax levy and do necessary work for the Boards of Review and Assessors and oversee necessary legislation connected with the office of county treasurer and collector. It was determined to make greater progress in clearing the criminal docket in order that expenses might be les sened and the rights of those charged with offenses might be paid proper regard. Improved methods of bookkeeping were recom mended for various departments. Advisory boards in connection with committees of the County Board were deemed advisable. These boards it was thought should consist of broadminded, public spirited citizens who could be induced to devote time enough to the consideration of public affairs to benefit the county. It was recom mended that one of the boards should be called the advisory legal counsel. The County Board, it was suggested, should be the arbiter of all salaries and appointments under its jurisdiction. The board thought that civil service should be expanded to a still greater de gree. About this time it was determined to appoint a committee on legislation whose duty should be to attend each sitting of the Legis lature for the purpose of securing needed laws of interest to Cook county. On December 7, 1903, President Foreman of the County Board stated that the overshadowing problem of the past year was that of finance. The board encountered serious obstacles during the year 1903. This trouble had been anticipated and predicted by preceding boards for several years. A deficit that had grown into a floating debt amounted in December, 1902, to over $500,000. This must be met, but how to do it was the problem. It was resolved to issue bonds to the amount of $1,250,000 to wipe out this indebtedness and to prevent further accumulations of debt during the year 1903 ren- 546 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY dered certain by the lack of revenue. The next step was to increase the revenue by legislative enactment so that they could not again be involved in such distress. It was determined also to put the county abstract department in such condition that an income instead of a loss would result annually. In June, 1903, the people of the county voted upon the bond question and decided in its favor, and accordingly $1,250,000 in 4 per cent bonds was issued and sold in two lots at a premium. This money was promptly used to dis charge the floating debt and to inaugurate a system, so far as prac ticable under the circumstances, of doing business on a cash basis. Four laws were requested of the Legislature, as follows: The 2 per cent bill ; the inheritance tax bill ; the abstract bill and the bill to decrease court costs. The only assistance received from Springfield was the repeal of the law creating additional judges for Cook county. While this cut off expense, it likewise entailed great hardship upon the legal branch of the public service. The Legislature also passed the bill making the county directly responsible for abstracts issued by the recorder and creating a guaranty fund. In November, 1902, the question of issuing $500,000 worth of building bonds was answered affirmatively by the people. This meant the completion of additional cottages for the insane and for tuberculosis patients at Dunning and a separate building at the county hospital for patients suffering from contagious diseases. An other important innovation during 1903 was the appointment of several advisory boards of public-spirited citizens. A commission to establish an outer belt or parkways and preserves was appoint ed and set at work. A thistle commissioner was also appointed. During the year an immense amount of relief work was done, about 6,834 families being relieved. The county hospital and the institu tions at Dunning were subject to close inspection and a number of radical changes found necessary from experience were instituted. The medical department at Dunning was a source of much perplex ity, but was made satisfactory. The Civil Service department made excellent progress during the year. The people of the county and office holders generally came to recognize that the merit system was an inevitable sequence of modern civilization and progress. The county attorney's work showed greater system, better classifi cation and more successful methods generally thart ever before. A considerable sum in delinquent taxes was collected. The depart ments of Controller, Treasurer, Recorder, Coroner, Board of Asses sors, Board of Review, Jury Commissioners and Superintendent of Schools showed progress along improved methods of management. The following progressive steps were advised: No floating debt should be created ; the building improvements at Dunning should be rushed rapidly to completion; the abstract department should be reformed and expanded in accordance with the new law ; all county buildings should be rendered fireproof or be supplied with fire es- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 547 capes; antiquated machinery and plants of all sorts should be sup planted with up to date and improved patterns; the county agent needed larger and better quarters; the pathological department of the county hospital should be made more satisfactory ; and the pres ent efficient system at Dunning should be continued and still greater improvements should be made if possible. In his annual message in January, 1905, President Brundage stated that the income of the county was insufficient to meet neces sary obligations, and that under the circumstances there was little opportunity for improvement or retrenchment. The question before the board was how to obtain relief without assailing the Juul law. A year before this date the County Board faced a deficit, including disputed claims, of about $518,000. Unable to meet this obligation, it frankly went to the county, which sanctioned the issue of $1,250,- 000 in bonds. This sum, together with $500,000 obtained from the building fund, enabled the board to conduct county affairs on a cash basis and to erect new buildings at Dunning and at the county hos pital. However, the amounts thus obtained were insufficient to carry on county affairs, and by January, 1905, there were outstanding un paid bills to the amount of $538,876 and with only $199,845 cash available. The figures thus indicated that more than $700,000 ad ditional over and above the present revenue was required annually to meet the expenses of the county. Not only that, but the running expenses were steadily increasing year by year without a correspond ing increase in the revenue. The new Superior Court judges, the maintenance of the new Children's and Contagious Disease hospitals and the new cottages for the insane asylum required an additional outlay approximately of $60,000 per annum. In 1904 the tax levy amounted to $2,416,483, the county rate being only about 54 cents after being scaled down by operation of the Juul law. In 1905 both the total assessed valuation and the county rate were reduced, show ing a shrinkage in taxation over the previous year of $102,804. Thus it was shown that the county was undergoing an artificial ex istence and depending on the skill and audacity of its officers to suc cessfully conduct its affairs through any one year. Either the skill of the officers, parsimonious retrenchment, or bond issues must be depended upon to tide the county over each year unless some radical changes were adopted. Generally, public opinion and the views of the board were against any change in the 5 per cent limitation sec tion of the revenue law. It seemed necessary that the Board of As sessors must become more diligent in discovering taxable property, or that the fees of the various county officers must be raised. With this' situation to face, the County Board in January, 1905, favored legislation along the following lines : To enable counties to retain a portion of the money derived from taxation upon legacies, etc. •; to reimburse counties for the cost of collecting taxes ; to trans fer the insane hospital at Dunning to the State government ; to place 548 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY the attending staff of physicians and surgeons on a six year term of service; to extend the civil service to all employes of Cook county. President Brundage recommended that all these matters should be energetically pushed by the county committee on legislation. It was noted at this time that the dockets of the Circuit and Supe rior courts were congested with more than 30,000 cases and that some measure of relief should be at once adopted. Special legislation to remedy this condition of affairs was recommended. Owing, how ever, to the financial stringency of the county it was not deemed advisable to secure at this date eight additional judges as was pro posed. This would mean an additional annual expense of about $240,000 which could not be borne by the county without great in convenience. The judges were needed and it was a serious question, owing to the congestion of the dockets, whether these judges should be appointed and in some manner the expenses be covered, or whether they should remain unappointed and the courts be left to their ex isting conditions with dockets two years in arrears. It was thought that the new Municipal courts to be provided for in the new charter would, in a large measure, clear the dockets. One reason for the congestion in the courts was the disapproval of the decisions in justice courts by litigants owing to the iniquitous fee system which put a premium upon litigation. It was at once recommended that. there should be reform in bdth practice and procedure in the county courts. At this date there were twenty-six Circuit and Superior judges. Of this number four sat permanently in the Criminal court and six in the Appellate court. Two were assigned to hear chan cery cases in the Superior court. This left but fourteen judges to face the congestion of 30,000 law cases, with the knowledge that litigation was on the increase in proportion to the growing popula tion. President Brundage, in 1905, noted the following improvements: The superior classification of insane patients ; the care of the physi cally sick insane ; new quarters for working patients ; the completion of the new building for the use of the insane, etc. It was stated that the hospital for the insane was not a prison, but was designed to remedy human defects. Many of such persons could-be so improved as to be made self-supporting. In connection with the asylum should be workshops where brushes, brooms, shoes and other articles could be made by the inmates if able. The infirmary needed a rearrange ment of its service. At this date the Home for the Care of Tuber culosis Patients showed excellent results, as the mortality rate was lower than before and the conditions better. There was needed a ward of the institution down town for the moribund cases. It was recommended that a visitation committee of five representative citi zens should constitute a part of the administrative service at Dun ning. At the county hospital a notable improvement in the attending staff of physicians and surgeons was made. It was recommended, HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 549 owing to the large amount of pathological material at the county hospital and the institutions at Dunning, that the medical staff con nected with them should commence a system of scientific research along lines that would prove a benefit to the inmates there domiciled. The outdoor relief department was making a creditable showing. President Brundage declared, "The Civil Service law must be en forced in letter and spirit." He recommended that all intoxicated employes should be separated from the service. Considerable im provement on the courthouse and Criminal Court building was in progress. The office of the county attorney needed expansion. In his annual message of December, 1905, President Brundage stated that the following large problems engaged the attention of the board during the year 1905 : The new courthouse enterprise; build ings for the Juvenile court and allied service ; simplification of court machinery; improvement of the Civil Service law and its extension to the staffs of the county hospital and to the probation officers of the Juvenile court ; the non-scholastic construction of the county in stitutions' medical staffs ; legislation to increase county revenue to be used in extinguishing floating debts, etc. ; an expansion of charity administration and the improvement of buildings and equipments; and modernized office system for the office of' State's attorney, re corder and coroner. The greatest work undertaken was the begin ning of the new courthouse. This was a gigantic enterprise and re quired able and honest management to prevent graft and scandal. The construction of the building had been advocated for many years and now was absolutely necessary, as the old structure was steadily falling to pieces and was very dangerous. The special committee appointed to examine the condition of the old building and report on the advisability and wisdom of constructing a new one, reported in favor of the new building. The County Board concurred, the question was submitted to the public and authority to issue $5,000,- 000 in bonds for that purpose was carried by a majority of 38,445 votes. The work of planning the new building and securing tempo rary quarters was taken up at once. The citizens previously ap pointed to investigate the subject were continued as advisory mem bers of the Board of Commissioners. The committee of the whole of the board, with Mr. Brundage as chairman, had general charge of all the operations connected with the erection of the new struc ture. In all cases the lowest responsible bid was accepted, though not until approved by the committee of the whole, which embraced the entire board, but by the advisory committee as well. Every means to prevent fraud and graft and to secure an honest and eco nomical management of affairs was adopted by the board. Holabird & Roche were named as the architects and John M. Ewen was en gaged as expert consulting engineer. Under excellent management and surroundings, with every plan and purpose rigidly scrutinized and investigated, the work of the new structure was commenced. 650 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY In the meantime it was necessary to secure temporary quarters for the various county offices. Room in different locations with offices widely separated was secured, but it was the best course that could be pursued and proved no serious hardship. During the year 1905 a new building to serve both as courthouse and detention home was projected and commenced. Great improve ment in the management of the courts was made. A return to the individual calendar system of the Superior court resulted in the more rapid accomplishment of work and in the gradual reduction of accu mulated cases. The same progress was not made in the Circuit court, which refused to change its system. Amendments to the Civil Service law effected many improvements in the details of managing and successfully conducting the various county departments and in stitutions. One effect of the amendment was to give all employes the right of appeal to the Civil Service commission. Full provision for the investigation of all cases deserving the same \vas made. The law also made the appointment of probation officers a county func tion. During 1905 the financial problem still seriously confronted the County Board. Before any relief could be expected it was necessary for the people of the county to understand the true condition of af- airs. The Merchants' club of Chicago did much to explain to the people the necessity of improved revenue laws. A law fixing a min imum of 65 cents below which the county rate could not go was se cured as an amendment to the Juul law. This amendment would supply the county annually thereafter with about $500,000 additional revenue. It was believed that this sum would liquidate the annual deficit, but it did not provide for the liquidation of the floating in debtedness in existence, amounting to nearly $1,000,000. Another law secured was an increase of the fees in the offices of the recorder, county clerk and attorney, the addition amounting annually to about $100,000. An emergency liability requiring a special appropriation of $105,150 was created during the year at the time of the teamsters' strike. During the year the payment of probation officers and the expense of publishing annually a statement of real and personal assessments were placed as additional burdens upon the county. Thus as a whole the year saw considerable improvement in the reve nue receipts to be secured annually thereafter for the expenses of the county. Several very important bills greatly desired by the County Board and by many citizens failed to pass the Legislature. The charity service throughout the county during 1905 was exten sive and was wisely and ably managed. The county hospital service was improved in several very important particulars, especially in the new wards and departments. The county agent, to whom was re cently assigned certain charity services, made a satisfactory report. He furnished outdoor relief to 7,713 persons. The institutions at Dunning were carefully and judiciously managed and the result HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 551 was a most satisfactory advancement at the end of the year. Many improvements were introduced and reforms instituted. During the year fourteen book typewriters were installed in the recorder's office. This system at the close of the year showed a considerable saving. The State's attorney's office, which for some time had needed atten tion, was considerably expanded and improved, placing that official in better position than ever before to conduct promptly and satisfac torily the important affairs of this office. In his annual message of December 3, 1906, President Brundage said it was still his opinion that too much care and attention could scarcely be given to the charity work of the county. During the. pre ceding two years many improvements in the physical conditions and professional services at the county institutions were introduced. In many instances entirely new and up-to-date equipments were estab lished with most excellent results. At this date the County Board - planned the development and improvement of the scientific side of the work at county institutions. It was proposed first to increase the efficiency of the pathological service. An expert pathologist was necessary in order to carry out this important step. There was planned a new morgue and a new pathological laboratory. Wide investigation was made with the result that the plan was found to be not only thoroughly practicable, but up-to-date and highly serv iceable. A permanent X-ray department, to be a branch of the sci entific system proposed, was favored. It was further advocated that non-professional employes should be required to live outside of the hospital. A psycho-pathologist for the institutions at Dunning was also proposed. Modern apparatus for treating the insane was in stalled at the County Insane asylum. Special study of this impor tant subject by experts in the interest of the county was made. Other similar institutions throughout the world were visited and other systems and methods were thoroughly inspected and studied with the result that there was projected in Cook county one of the most important departures for the treatment of unfortunates ever un dertaken in the history of the county. Scores of important details were laboriously, patiently and successfully put in operation. Alco holic patients were duly considered ; new buildings for consumptives were projected and created; a new location for the county infirmary was proposed and urged. It was strongly insisted that the insane hospital should become a state institution. An important improve ment in the conditions surrounding all employes in the county insti tutions was made. During the year a permanent home for the Juvenile court was projected. The building was designed to cost $125,000, to accom modate about 130 children and to contain a court for the trial of Juvenile cases. It was shown that hundreds of families deserted by the husband and father had to be supported necessarily by the coun ty. A workhouse was recommended as a necessity. Amendments 552 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY to the jury laws were suggested. In many instances weeks were consumed in securing juries to try trivial cases. A way of simpli fying the method of selecting jurymen was devised. A still more rigorous enforcement of the Civil Service law in every branch of the county government was urged at this ( date. One of the greatest im provements in all departments of the county service was the intro duction of new, simple, accurate and satisfactory official statements. The abstract books were largely completed and perfected. The amendment to the Juul law fixing the minimum tax rate in the county' at 65 cents proved a great relief in the administration of county af fairs. However, the former deficit of about $1,000,000 was not pro vided for and necessarily had to be taken into account until payment could be made. The expenses of the county increased rapidly be cause people demanded better service. At the same time the Legis lature steadily increased the county's obligations. Thus the same lack of revenue would soon be shown unless at the same time meas ures to secure additional money could be adopted. The Municipal courts entailed upon the county new and additional expense. A re cent decision of the Supreme court lessened the receipts of the Pro bate office. Increased expense in operating the new courthouse had to be met. The publication of the assessment lists and numerous other unforseen expenses added to the burden of the County Board. During the past year many controverted claims were settled by the board and by the State's attorney. Satisfactory progress on the courthouse was made. A system of rigid investigation of all de partments was pursued and carried out. At the close of 1906 Mr. Brundage recommended the following legislation : The compul sory installation of a uniform system of bookkeeping in all county offices and departments ; the adoption of an inexpensive process of selecting jurymen; the extension of merit rules to all county offices; the prompt commitment of all insanity suspects; the transfer of all insane persons to the care of the state; additional revenue of the county for current expenses; and additional legislation to prevent wife desertion. In April, 1907, President Brundage resigned as president and member of the County Board. He briefly reviewed what had been accomplished during his administration. The new courthouse was nearing completion ; the Juvenile court building was practically un der roof; plans for quarters to be occupied by jurors in the Criminal court building were ready ; a new law of the Legislature provided for checking up the accounts of the various fee offices and for the inau guration of a uniform system of bookkeeping in all county depart ments; two consumptive hospitals had recently been built, one on the hospital grounds and one at Dunning ; special apparatus for treating the insane had been installed at the insane hospital, and important improvements on the infirmary were under way. Mr. Brundage recommended an emergency hospital as a branch of the county hos- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 555 pital, to be established within the loop district down town, and fur ther recommended that the offer of the Iroquois Memorial associa tion for a proposed site be accepted. Commissioner Busse, on behalf of the board, expressed the regret of the county commissioners at the resignation of Mr. Brundage and complimented him highly on the progress made and the efficiency shown in county affairs during the entire period of his administration. Immediately thereafter William Busse was elected president of the County Board. On August 5, 1907, President Busse congratulated the commis sioners on the effective work they had done during the past two years. The press and the public generally agreed at this time that in the construction of the new courthouse a new record for speed and honesty was attained. Mr. Busse said, "It is conceded that no public work of like magnitude in this country has been constructed with as great a rapidity, energy and business capacity, and that few private persons or corporations have equaled the record made by this board Not only in construction, but in its plans and architectural details is the present county building a new departure. It is a modern office building adapted to public business. The build ing has been planned and equipped with a view to the convenient transactions of business and the comfort and health of employes and the public. The County Board has demonstrated the proposition that a municipal corporation may successfully carry on a business enterprise on the same lines pursued by a private person or corpora tion. Too much credit can not be given the men who have had con trol of trie work." In his first annual message of December 2, 1907, President Will iam Busse noted that during the past year the board had finished and moved into the new county building ; erected and equipped the Juvenile court and Detention home and organized its executive force ; prepared plans for the improvement of the county hospital service ; made preparation for the care of persons suffering from contagious diseases and acute alcoholism ; devised plans for an emergency, medi cal and ambulance service; made important progress toward the construction of the new county infirmary on the site at Oak Forest ; reorganized the psycho-pathological department at the Dunning in stitutions ; extended the interne service to the Detention hospital ; put in service a new consumptive hospital with a full corps of physicians, nurses and employes and installed a free medical dispensary at the Juvenile Detention home. The financial condition of the county was not satisfactory, but was improving. During 1907 over $300,000 more taxes were received than during 1906, but the receipts from the fee offices and from the various court clerks showed a decrease of about $280,000. An increase for the maintenance of nearly all of the county institutions was noted. Charity particularly showed increased and imperative demand for help. A deficit of $1,500,000 had accumulated and Vol. II— 32. 556 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY would have to be carried over until 1908. The cause of this deficien cy was mainly due to the continued creation of new departments without any provision being made for their support. From. 1903 to 1907, inclusive, the following departments showed greatly increased demands for revenue: Board of Assessors, Board of Review, Ju venile court, Detention home, Jury commissioners, Civil Service commission, Bogardus law, election and primary expenses and judges' salaries. In 1903 these departments required a total of $5 12,850, but in 1907 required $856,860. During the same time the county hospital, the Dunning institutions and the county agent in creased their expenses from $766,113 in 1903 to $931,026 in 1907. In December, 1908, President William Busse noted the progress in county affairs during the past year. Although the year was char acterized by great financial depression, the deficit was no greater than it was the year before. There was a vast increase in the number of persons cared for at the various county institutions. The revenue act of 1898 contemplated a quadrennial assessment of real estate. The amendment of 1905 authorized the existing tribunals to make re valuations in any year. Acting under this amendment the existing body found the value of lands and lots, exclusive of improvements in Cook county, to be nearly $26,000,000 less than that of the pre ceding year. It was suggested therefore that the amendment be re pealed and the valuations be returned under the revenue act of 1898. During 1908 various improvements were undertaken or suggest ed. One was to deaden the street noises which disturbed the court rooms. The new Juvenile home and Juvenile court for their first year were pronounced in satisfactory condition. There were re ceived 2,641 children. A system compelling parents to take care of their children was adopted and put in execution. The Juvenile court dispensary conducted by the Children's Hospital society was a most important and useful appendage of the charitable institutions. Six sessions per week of the Juvenile court were held. Provision for a complete record of all children received in the establishment were made. The evils of wife and family desertion were on the in crease. No doubt fathers and even mothers, believing their children would be cared for by the county, deliberately deserted them with that objct and expectation in view. Steps to compel parents to sus tain their children were taken. The Outdoor Relief department showed great expansion and improvement. More than 12,000 fami lies probably by reason of the panic, applied for and received aid from the county agent in 1908. He assisted many unemployed per sons to secure work. Special care of acute alcoholic patients was taken. Clinical apparatus for pathological work in the various wards of the hospital was needed. Conditions at the morgue were greatly improved. It was stated that the county hospital was richest in pathological material of any in the United States. A well equipped pathological laboratory was required. Work on the consumptive HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 557 hospital was well advanced. The early completion of this institu tion and of the new County Infirmary at' Oak Forest was urgently demanded. The overcrowding of the county charitable' institutions was earnestly considered with a view to improvement. By rear ranging the county hospital and purchasing a strip of land on the Polk street side, space was secured for the new consumptive hospital. Many necessary improvements on the new infirmary grounds at Oak Forest were made. When this institution should be finished it was expected to be the most complete of its kind in the country. The adoption of a plan of administration at the new poorhouse puz zled the County Board. The citizens' or advisory committee, which during the last few years had so greatly assisted the board with ad vice, was asked now to cooperate in devising plans for the proper ad ministration of the infirmary. The fight against the white plague was pushed as far as the means and advantages allowed; Previously the board cared for persons only in advanced stages of the disease. Now it was demanded that early stages as well should receive the attention of the county authorities. In April, 1909, the county voted as follows on the question of a tuberculosis sanitarium tax : For tax, 167,230; against tax, 39,410. It was generally demanded early in 1909 that the feeding of pris oners in the county jail should be taken from the county sheriff and placed in the hands of the superintendent of public service. Later a law to this effect passed the Legislature. In June, 1909, the Cook County Historical society was organized, Jesse Holdom, John M. Ewen and J. Seymour Curry, being the incorporators. The new inheritance law gave to the county in June $185,000. In June and July, 1909, for the first time in the history of Cook county, there was made a comprehensive attempt by the board of assessors to list for taxation the capital stock of Illinois corporations. It was shown by John C. Harding in June that thirteen*big corporations here had evaded assessment to the amount of $1,034,314,870. The total as sessed valuation of real estate in thirty country towns of Cook county as returned by the assessors was $30,801,437. During the fiscal year, 1909, the county completed the Tubercu losis hospital; let contracts for nineteen new infirmary buildings; constructed sewerage, water systems and roadways at the new infirmary plant; made extensive improvements to the criminal court building and the county jail ; installed a new ventilating system in the juvenile court building; made important alterations at the county hospital and the detention hospital; improved the nursing and interne service at the county and detention hospitals ; established a library at the county hospital ; improved the buildings at Dunning and put a new roof on the Consumptive hospital; united the State Free Employment bureau with the County Agent's office; established the Bogardus Relief bureau ; founded two new branches of the County Agent's office; reorganized the medical service at the Juvenile De- 558 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY tention Home and furnished seed potatoes for one hundred gardens of the City Gardens association. During 1909 the admissions to the county and detention hospitals were 32,540. County affairs were in a satisfactory condition at the end of 1909. On January 19, 1910, the County Board passed its annual budget, the estimated income being as follows : Taxes $7,626,309.22 Fee offices 1,682,500.00 Sundry resources 427,037.89 Bonds and interest 66,587.88 New infirmary fund 645,580.15 Total $10,448,015.14 The actual appropriations amounted to $7,086,337.08. Under the Juul law, which reduced the tax rate, the county lost $3,140,244.06 from the estimated revenues, and it was estimated that $221,434 would be lost in collecting the taxes. POLITICS OF, COOK COUNTY 1866-1909 THE election of aldermen in the spring of 1866 was spirited and bitter. The terms "Union Men" and "Copperheads" were used unsparingly — the latter with unnecessary hate and se verity. "Copperheads should not be permitted to hold office under the government they tried to destroy," was the slogan. Old soldiers were in high favor. The Democrats were quiet, and hoped by secretive measures to elect a majority of the council. All voters were required to register. There were sixteen wards, each having two precincts. The Eight-Hour party put a ticket in the field. The Republican Union county convention met on July 19 in the Circuit court rooms and consisted of all "who are in favor of keeping traitors out of the halls of Congress and of assisting and maintaining the right of the people, through their representatives in Congress, to fix and determine the condition in which states lately in rebellion shall be permitted to participate in the government of the United States." "Out with the hereditary officeholders and give the old soldiers a chance," was the cry. In 1865 there had been a few soldiers and a few Copperheads on the Republican ticket. This ticket came near defeat. It was now proposed to nominate old soldiers for nearly all offices. The Democrats nominated Timothy Bradley for sheriff and shrewdly induced old soldiers to run on their tickets. Lyman Trumbull, John A. Logan, Governor Oglesby, S. W. Moul- ton and Schuyler Colfax addressed an immense audience here in August, 1866. The reception to General Logan was a memorable event; his speech attracted the attention of the whole country. In the fall of 1866 many advocated direct voting for candidates instead of delegates at the primaries. There was an attempt to form an old soldiers' independent ticket made, but it resulted finally in a union with the Republicans. Mr. Judd was the candidate selected to defeat Mr. Wentworth for the Congressional nomination. On October 17 Gen. B. F. Butler de livered a powerful union speech here concerning national politics, particularly concerning the impeachment proceedings against Presi dent Johnson. The Republicans nominated Dr. William Wagner for coroner, J. D. Ward for the state senate, and General Beveridge for sheriff. All voters were required to register in October, 1866. At the election the Republicans were victorious with every candidate, mem ber of Congress, sheriff, coroner, senator and seven members of the Legislature. In the first Congressional district Judd received 15,247 and his opponent, General Wallace, 5,667. 559 560 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY The election of April 16, 1867, embraced a mayor, collector, treas urer, attorney, clerk of the police court and one alderman and one constable from each ward. During March, 1867, the Democratic party, led in the main by Connett, Chase and Comiskey, thoroughly organized and held a series of meetings in the wards., It was under stood that the Cook county and city Democracy could expect no suc cess whatever without perfect organization. The election of Demo cratic, aldermen was declared to be imperative because it would herald resistance to the alleged despotism of Congress. The Republican Union city central committee thoroughly organ ized for work late in March, 1867. On April 3, 1867, the Democratic party nominated Francis C. Sherman for mayor. Their platform stated little concerning national politics, but dwelt upon the inefficien cy of the municipal administration of Chicago and asked the people to make a change. The Republican newspapers called this a Copper head convention. Among those who took part were F. C. Sherman, Dr. J. A. Hahn, St. Clair Southerland, M. R. M. Wallace, H. M. Chase, Thomas Holt, J. L. Marsh, J. W. Horton, J. H. Winkelman and Capt. J. W. Connett. John B. Rice was renominated for mayor by the Republicans. The total registration in the sixteen wards of the city in April, 1867, num bered 20,980. The election resulted in a sweeping victory for the Republican ticket. John B. Rice received 11,904 and F. C. Sherman 7,971, the majority being 3,933. A total of 19,875 votes was polled at this election. Two years before Mr. Rice had received for mayor si total of 11,078 votes and Mr. Sherman his Democratic opponent, 5,478. Democratic aldermen were elected in. the Sixth, Eighth, Twelfth and Sixteenth wards. The new council stood twenty-four Republicans to eight Democrats ;-thus the Republicans lost in numeri cal strength in the council. The judicial election in June, 1867, was one of the quietest and uneventful ever held in the city. Out of a total population of about 220,000 there were only 1,068 votes polled. The political campaign in the spring of 1868 did not possess strong partisan features. A few aldermen, the treasurer, recorder and sev eral others were involved in this issue. Here was to be nominated the Republican candidate for the Presidency. In fact, already pre liminaries for the National Republican convention were in progress. The total vote polled was 23,655 against 27,079 at the last Presiden tial election. The Republicans elected ten of the new aldermen and the Democrats seven. The former still had a large working majority in the council. The popularity of Judge McAllister rendered his elec tion over Colonel Smith, the Republican nominee, a foregone conclu sion. The bar voted and worked almost solidly for Judge McAllister. On October 25, 1868, Horatio Seymour, Democratic candidate for the Presidency, delivered a speech of great power in Chicago. An audience of fully 10,000 people listened to him. The speech was de livered on the courthouse square. Frank C. Sherman was chairman HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 561 of the meeting. The sentiments of Mr. Seymour received the warm est commendation of the Democratic press and politicians of this city. It was unquestionably a masterpiece of art, logic and brilliancy. The campaign closed with brilliant processions and meetings by both Democrats and Republicans. All available halls and theaters in the city were used by the various partisans. The election held November 3, 1868, was noted for its excitement and enthusiasm and for the intense, concerted efforts made by each party to secure the success of their tickets. Even on election day there was much sup pressed excitement at the polls. The Republicans did not win all of the old soldiers. Many of them joined the ranks of Democracy; in fact during the campaign it was clearly shown that principles and policies which had controlled public opinion during the war in no way actuated the voters now. New policies and principles had arisen, perhaps as a consequence of the war ; the old soldiers divided on the new propaganda. As a whole, the election was orderly throughout the city and county. On November 6 the Republicans of Cook county celebrated their success by an immense demonstration, probably one of the most mem orable and brilliant ever witnessed in the city. The Democrats looked on with complacency, but did not do much shouting. The total vote for Grant and Colfax in Cook county was 27,527 ; that cast for Seymour and Blair, 19,104. For Governor, Mr. Pal mer received in this county 27,492, and Mr. Eden 19,141. The vote in Chicago was Grant, 22,300; Seymour, 17,029; Palmer, 22,265, and Eden,( 17,064. In June, 1869, an attempt to organize the People's party was inau gurated. Among those connected with the movement were J. M. Reynolds, Charles Bates, G. M. Salomon, Colonel Schaffner, Alder man Carpenter, Justice Summerfield, Dr. Wickersham, Henry M. Smith and Mr. Eddy. The latter was elected chairman. He said, "I am tired of that condition of things where two or three men have ruled this city and county for their own pecuniary benefit for several years past and have declared it their intentions to rule it so long as they live. The people of this city and county are sick and tired of this dynasty. It has ruled with an iron hand and ignorant rod for the last five, six or seven years — a blatherskiting, lick-spittal class of men who will enter into an alliance with any political organization which will afford them offices and emoluments." At the election held in November the Citizen's ticket received the votes of a majority of the Democrats and Republicans of Chicago. The result was an unparalleled triumph for reform. It was a sting ing rebuke to the corrupt ringsters and the incurable primary system which had ruled the city and county for nearly ten years. The elec tion was orderly, but there was much feting, and a great deal of beer and whiskey was consumed. On the evening of election day crowds assembled at headquarters to listen to the returns. The 562 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Citizen's ticket supporters assembled at Farwell hall and were ad dressed by the various candidates amid much enthusiasm. When it became known that the Citizens' ticket had swept the county the supporters of that ticket were overjoyed and prepared an elaborate demonstration. The total vote cast for mayor was 31,259. Mr. Mason of the Citi zens' ticket received 19,878 and George W. Gage, Republican, 11,- 381, Mason's majority being 8,497 votes. About the same majority elected the other candidates of the Citizens' ticket. That party like wise elected a majority of aldermen. The county vote was shown approximately by that cast for county treasurer. Mr. Rexford of the Citizens' ticket received for county treasurer 22,796 and Mr. Ham,' Cook county in October, 1870, was greater than at any time in the history of the city. They were as follows : Three State senators, twenty-two assemblymen, fifty-two town supervisors, twenty alder men, thirty town clerks, thirty county assessors ; thirty tax collectors, one sheriff, one coroner, town constables, highwaymen, city assessors, city collectors, etc. In addition there were numerous deputies, bailv iffs, clerks and fuglemen, all of whom had to be provided for by the Republican, 13,147. The number of officials to be chosen for the various positions in successful party. No wonder this was considered an important elec tion. Both Democrats and Republicans exerted themselves as never before to elect their tickets. The Democrats, owing to recent defec tions from the ranks of the Republicans, believed they had an excel lent chance to win. The Republicans, though disheartened, neverthe less entered the campaign vigorously and thoroughly organized throughout the whole county. The Times called it the "Tax-eater's campaign." It said, "The people of the county behold an army, or rather two armies, one city and one county, of official tax-eaters preying upon their substance, because 90 per cent of them are not needed." Although the new constitution provided for a Board of County commissioners numbering fifteen, it was necessary to elect supervisors under the old order until the constitution should be adopted or put into effect. The Republican party of Cook county declared in October, 1870, that the candidates of its party for the state Legislature must be citi zens "equal in ability and integrity to the Cook county delegation in the Constitutional convention." The reason was that the work to be done by the first Legislature under the new constitution was scarcely less important than the proceedings of the convention itself had been. The Chicago Times declared that Chicago and- Cook county could furnish any number of men equal in ability and integrity to the dele gates to the Constitutional convention. It cited the few following names to prove its statement: Charles Hitchcock, Clinton Briggs, Thomas Hoyne, Samuel W. Fuller, Aaron Haven, Wirt Dexter, M. W. Fuller, Mark Kimball, John B. Calhoun, E. B. McCaggi William HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 563 B. Ogden, Elliot Anthony, Grant Goodrich, Daniel Cameron, George L. Dunlap, S. S. Hayes, Joseph Medill, John Owsley, Richard T. Crane, John C. Haines, Carter H. Harrison, Charles C. Bonney and George A. Ingalls. Among the men mentioned in connection with the Democratic nomination for Congress were : W. F. Coolbaugh, James H. McVickar, David A. Gage, Wirt Dexter, James R. Doo- little, Thomas Hoyne, Samuel W. Fuller, and William B. Ogden. Here certainly was good material if the party could elect one of them. As a whole, both parties presented strong tickets. Men of unusual ability, probity and integrity were placed before the people for their votes. Immediately after the conventions both parties entered upon a spirited campaign, putting more speakers out," probably, than ever before. The local interest was intense. The Times of October 27 said, "When the Citizens' ticket was elected in Chicago in opposition to the Barnacle ring the candidates were pledged openly or implicitly to such reform in the city and county offices as would secure their enorrhous fees to the people to whom they rightfully belonged. This was the main issue of the campaign. The gentlemen who went to the Constitutional convention were elected on this platform and gave the spirit of the purpose a practical embodiment in the instrument which was afterwards so enthusiastically adopted by the people. The Citi zens' ticket, composed of Democrats and Republicans, joined in their agreement to the reform doctrine and appealed commonly to the Peo ple's suffrage on that basis." The Times of November 7 said concerning the November election : "To the inhabitants of Chicago and Cook county it is of peculiar im portance. It is an event that will determine the second stage in the popular revolution against political corruption that was initiated in this county last fall. The decision at the ballot box tomorrow will decide whether the good people of Cook county shall realize the bene fits of your revolution or be remitted to the domination of political scalawags that manipulate the machinery of the party caucus, not to serve the public good, but to put themselves in official situations where they can grow rich at the public cost. The central idea of the citizens' movement last fall was that we want capable and faithful men in office more than we want Democrats or Republicans. The fact that some scalawags were elected to office last fall in spite of the popular effort to purge the public offices from such vermin detracts nothing from the vast amount of good which that movement accom plished. It placed in the Constitutional convention the ablest and best delegation that has ever represented Cook county at the state capital ; it gave to Illinois the best organic law ever framed in Amer ica ; it secured a basis for the most important reforms in our country and municipal organizations; it secured the future reduction in the vast emoluments of the county officeholders ; it established the basis of future economy in our county administration ; it saved $100,000 in one year in a single fee office; it cut off a multitude of gross and 564 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY costly official abuses ; and it established the foundation upon which a host of other gross and costly abuses will be cured. The central idea of the citizens' movement is as valid and as important now as it was then. We want capable and trustworthy men in office more than we want Democrats and Republicans. We want trustworthy men in town offices, city offices, county offices and the Legislature." At the election of November 8, 1870, the regular Republican ticket was chosen generally throughout the county. Mr. Farwell for Con gress defeated Mr. Wentworth by over 5,300 majority. For state treasurer, Mr. Ridgely, Democrat, received 14,232, and Mr. Bates, Republican, 21,264 votes. County Sheriff Kean, Democrat, received 14,970 and Mr. Bradley, Republican, 20,925 votes. That was about the majority for the balance of the ticket throughout the county. The press declared that Republicans or Democrats were not want ed, but that able, conscientious and honest men were desired for mu nicipal offices. There were to be elected in November, 1871, twenty aldermen and the mayor. The upbuilding of the city, it was realized, depended upon the character of the men thus selected. All wards were urged to choose honest arid capable men for all important posi tions. Rice and Mason were candidates for mayor. It was insisted that there should be no change in the officials who had proved faith ful thus far. The Republican central committee conferred with the Democratic central committee with the object of naming a fusion ticket to secure in this fire emergency a 'non-partisan council and administration. Hundreds favored the combination ticket. The meeting adjourned to reassemble after hearing from the Democratic central committee. They spent an entire day in vain effort to agree on a fusion ticket. Accordingly the Republicans nominated their candidates for half of the offices as usual. Governor Palmer, who was here at the time, recommended strongly unity of action. Negotiations for a fusion ticket were continued. The Republicans were ready, but the De mocracy desired further time for deliberation. On October 26 the Democratic central committee, having practically come to terms, nominated the other portion of the fusion ticket. On October 27 this ticket was completed by both parties and seemed satisfactory to the candidates, the people and the political organizations. The Tribune said, "It is the best ticket ever presented to the city and county." Joseph Medill received the nomination for mayor on the fusion ticket. On October 27 the Democratic and Republican cen tral committees met to consider jointly the new ticket. The list of nominees was ready and the ticket as a whole was adopted. The committees issued a joint statement to the voters of the county, stat ing their reasons for thus uniting, and calling upon the people to witness the rectitude of their intentions. Both committees signed this address to the public. However, all members of both parties were not satisfied with the HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 565 fusion ticket. Accordingly a Republican Cook county convention assembled at Rice & Jackson hall and were called to order by Mr. Dalton. The Cook county Democratic convention of malcontents also held a meeting on October 30. J. B. Atwood was chairman. They went through much of the same proceedings that the alleged Republican convention did. They effected a complete organization, and the two malcontent factions finally decided to operate together against the fusion or "fire" ticket. For Congress Mr. Beveridge, Republican, received a total of 17,- 300 votes and Mr. Hayes, Democrat,' 11,883. The majority for the "fireproof" ticket in the city was, in round numbers, 10,000. It was a sweeping victory and presumably meant good government and reform. In the spring of 1872 the cry was, "Anything to beat Grant." On April 25 a large mass meeting assembled at Turner hall and was addressed by Herman Leib, General Stiles and Leonard Swett. The Democracy of Cook county was in a quandary as to the nominee of the Liberal Republicans at Cincinnati. When Mr. Greeley was final ly nominated the Cook County Democracy, though red in the face and considerably confused, made the best of the nomination and pre pared to support the candidates. The renomination of Mr. Oglesby for governor and the nomination of Mr. Beveridge for lieutenant governor of Illinois on May 22, 1872, met the approval of the Re publicans of Cook county. J. Y. Scammon was chairman of the committee on resolutions of the Republican state convention. Hor ace White and D. H. Hammond of Cook county were members of the Liberal party ticket. A. C. Hesing was prominently mentioned in connection with the nomination for lieutenant governor. On September 30, 1872, the Republicans of Chicago were ad dressed by General Hawley of Connecticut at Burlington hall. A large crowd was present and Lumbard's Glee club supplied the cam paign music. He denounced Mr. Greeley in the most scathing terms and declared that he was a renegade Republican who, without prin ciple, had gone over to the Democracy for personal gain. While the contest for Cook county offices in November, 1872, was not extremely important, still both parties prepared to make the nominations and actively to contest the result at the polls. The local offices to be filled were those of state's attorney, sheriff, cir cuit clerk, recorder, county clerk, coroner, six county commission ers, seven state senators and fourteen representatives. During the Presidential campaign of 1872 the Times openly op posed the election of Mr. Greeley to the Presidency. At all times that paper ridiculed and abused the Liberal Republican candidates. It denounced the leading supporters of the Liberal Republican ticket, and particularly did it roast Messrs. McCormick, Harrison, Suth erland and Tuley. That newspaper declared that such men had sold out the Democratic party and hopelessly divided it so that success 566 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY at the polls was impossible. During this campaign Lyman Trum bull supported the Liberal Republican ticket. For governor, Oglesby received in the city 25,510 and the Liberal ticket 16,196 votes. An important factor in local politics during this compaign was the movement known as the Personal Liberty league, supported and instigated by the saloon-keepers of the city. The city of Chicago gave Grant and Wilson 24,054 votes, Greeley and Brown 17,016, Grant's plurality being 8,038. Cook county gave Grant and Wilson a total of 31,318 votes and Greeley 18,836, the total being 50,154, and Grant's majority being 12,482. Oglesby, Republican candidate for governor, received 28,781 and his oppo nent, Coerner, 21,508. The election of April, 1873, was a peculiar one. It was a victory of the Irish population of Chicago over the native Americans and the Germans. In the three towns composing Chicago the Irish carried the elections by substantial majorities. The victory in North Chicago was particularly gratifying to that nativity, because that division was the stronghold of the German element. In the South town and in the West town the results were equally marked by the success of the so-called Irish candidates. This was not the first nor the last time when the question of nativity was the deciding factor. The political campaign in the fall of 1873 was confused, erratic, singular and more or less irregular. The Democratic and Republi can parties appeared in strength, and at the same time were willing to make concessions to the powerful Irish and German elements that had cut so important a figure in several previous contests, and whose influence and support were desired. It was proposed that the Irish and Germans should unite against both the Democratic and Re publican parties. Already by September they had practically formed a coalition and were prepared to nominate a complete ticket. The coalition leaders were called Nationalists and were led by Messrs. Hesing, O'Hara, Lieb and others. Previous to this date the Irish usually had been identified with the Democratic party. When the coalition was formed they desired that the old name, in part at least, should be retained and suggested the "Liberal Democratic Party" as the title of the new organization. On the other hand the German element, which had generally been identified with the Republicans, desired the new name to be the "Liberal Conservative Party." The coalition organization was called by the Times the "Beer and Whisky party," the beer representing the Germans and the whisky the Irish. The coalition party assembled about the middle of Sep tember and nominated a complete ticket and adopted a platform or resolutions expressive of the principles and purposes of the new organization. Generally the resolutions denounced the administra tion of public affairs throughout Cook county and demanded a change in governmental affairs. The resolutions were a strange HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 567 commingling of Irish and German sentiments, aspirations, purposes and maudlin Americanism. Sentiments which were clearly antag onistic were adopted under a platform of alleged principles. . Par ticularly did the coalition party denounce the management of the police department. A. C. Hesing was the holy father and savior of this incongruous movement. About the middle of October all factions became active. The offices to be filled at the November election, 1873, were as follows: Judge Superior court, judge County court, clerk of Criminal court, county treasurer, clerk of County court, several county commis sioners, superintendent- of schools, and in the city, mayor, treasurer, collector, attorney, clerk of the police court and several aldermen. The spoils were worth fighting for, hence as there were no political principles involved, many factions appeared with banners and proc lamations demanding the support of the public. By October 24, 1873, local politics surged, effervesced and boiled. The feeling throughout the city was intense, owing to the sharp rivalry of the various cabals. Numerous conventions representing every shade of evanescent opinion and alleged principle were held, candidates were announced and an active canvass of voices was in startling progress. The greatest interest, of course, centered in the offices of the city government. The so-called Eclectic ticket nominated L. L. Bond for mayor, and the coalition ticket, organized by Hesing and O'Hara, nomi nated H. D. Colvin for mayor. These two tickets were the princi pal ones before the people. The Times of November 1 said, "Chi cago has been the center of many exciting political campaigns, but never of one so desperate as this, at least among professional poli ticians and their dummy retainers. Aside from the issues and stakes involved, this excitement is largely due to the uncertainties that always accompany new formations. Neither has measured the strength of the other. Each side is afraid of the other and both are keeping up their courage. The old parties in existence did not fear innovations and accordingly made a serious mistake. In an evil hour for the regular party lines a mutiny broke out in both camps and for a time there was a beautiful fraternization. By slow degrees political armies were again formed and without regard to previous organization. The leaders were divided, the soldiers were divided, and all of the old discipline went for naught, and now to all intents and purposes both sides are composed of raw recruits. The result will be a guerrilla warfare. The Germans now receive orders from Daniel O'Hara and the Irish obey orders from A. C. Hesing, the German. The same with the other factions of the old parties. All elements are antagonistic, so that the result cannot possibly be foretold." It was noted that on Sunday, November 2, the political excitement was so great that men took their politics to church and discussed measures at the close of the services. 568 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY The final tickets in the field were four : The Eclectic, with L. L. Bond for mayor ; the coalition or Combined Bummer ticket, with H. D. Colvin for mayor ; the Citizens' Union ticket, with L. L. Bond for mayor, but with the balance of the ticket different from that of the Eclectic ticket, and the People's ticket, with H. D. Colvin for mayor, but with different names for the other offices. The registration showed unusual interest for an "off-year" election. One of the speakers called all the tickets "Office Seekers' tickets," and this seemed to express the general opinion of the nominations by the vari ous coalitions and factions. At the election the People's ticket throughout was elected by a majority ranging from five to ten thou sand. This was the success of the Irish and German coalition. The Times of November 5 said "Now that the disgraceful and humiliat ing squabble for the local offices in this city and county is over, it is hoped that the managers on all sides will retire from the public gaze and devote some space of time to meditation upon their own folly and stupidity. There has certainly never been witnessed in Chicago an election contest exhibiting so many phases of gross mismanage ment, eliciting from the various champions so much damnable non sense, or provoking among rational and practical men so much gen uine contempt for men professing devotion to something which they believe, or pretend to believe, to be right." That paper later in No vember said, "The excitement over the result of Tuesday's election was more intense on yesterday than it was during the voting day. The result as announced in the morning papers astonished every body. Victory had been conceded to the People's party early on the previous afternoon, but no one expected that the rout of the other party would be so complete and thorough as the result afterwards showed it to be. On Yesterday morning it was developed that Mr. Colvin's majority was over 10,000 and that Mr. O'Hara's was little more than 100 behind him. The result was received with far greater satisfaction than had been loked for. The fact that a very large American vote was cast for the People's ticket did much toward re lieving the result from the character of triumph of the powerful for eign influence. This fact also did much to develop a general confi dence in the coming administration." The full vote cast for mayor was 47,284, and for city treasurer 47,299. The majority for Colvin was 10,257 and for O'Hara 10,065. In April, 1874, the advisability of organizing a citizens' committee was considered at the Palmer house. The object of the organization as set forth in the preamble was as follows : To secure a more per fect administration of municipal affairs ; to promote the general wel fare and prosperity of the city; to protect citizens against the evil consequences of careless or corrupt legislation ; to effect the prompt enforcement and execution of the laws; to protect and encourage business and commercial interests; to foster and maintain credit; to secure proper ordinances and laws ; to kindle a more extended interest HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 569 in municipal legislation and administration ; to correct existing abuses and prevent their recurrence. These principles, as announced, con tained many repetitions and could easily have been comprehended in about four. It was another fanciful or factional movement along in dependent lines unhampered by party doctrines and restrictions. It was openly charged, and many instances were given to prove the statements, that the police department was in collusion with the gam blers of the city. In the summer of 1874 this fact was taken into politics and cut a considerable figure during the fall campaign. The Citizens' association was active and was supposed to be influ enced solely by the public welfare. It started out to reform politics during the fall campaign of 1874, but like many other reforms it did not accomplish all it undertook. There was now manifested a strong disposition to disregard the new factions and to follow old mandates and policies. The alleged reform movements were not believed to be all that was claimed for them. The Opposition party was considered to embrace all opposed to the existing city administration. Particu larly the Republicans determined to nominate and support their reg ular ticket. Ward meetings held throughout the city showed by the sentiments expressed that Republicanism, after all, was believed by members of that party to be best for city and county management. At this time the communistic element in Chicago was so strong as not only to influence elections, but to dictate policies of the cam paign. . Now for the first time they took an independent stand and threatened violence if their demands were not satisfied. Early in October the Republicans were thoroughly organized. All other factions united under the head of "Opposition." . Meetings of the Opposition party were held throughout the county and a thorough organization was effected. The principle consideration was over the offices of sheriff and coroner. William Onahan was chairman of the county executive committee of the Opposition party. Frank Ag- new was nominated by them for sheriff. J. D. Ward was nominated for Congress by the Republicans and Carter H. Harrison by the Democrats. Timothy W. Bradley was nominated for sheriff by the Republicans. This campaign was much more along old party lines than was that of 1873. Then all was confusion. Now to some extent na tional policies ruled and guided the voters to their old party stan dards. Every faction in the city was thoroughly canvassed and urged to side with the Republican or the Opposition. The Times stated that two-thirds, probably three-fourths, of all the candidates in Chicago for seats in the State Legislature were persons wholly unfit to be trusted in any legislative capacity whatever. It said that, "Most of them are political ignoramuses as well as scavenger politicians — men without culture, experience or even fair informa tion in any branch or subject of public polity." This condition was the result of that volcanic period. The grand total registration was 570 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY announced as 53,966 a few days before the election. The three Re publican candidates for Congress from Cook county were Sidney Smith, Jasper D. Ward and Charles B. Farwell. The Opposition candidates for Congress were Bernard G. Caulfield, Carter H. Har^ rison and John V. LeMoyne. The result of this election was favor able to Democracy, but there were many close contests. The Oppo sition made a better showing than had been expected. In 1875 an important political question was whether the Chicago city charter should be replaced with a new and better one. At this date Hesing, Carl Clings and Alderman Campbell were proposed for the mayoralty. Under the proposed new charter the mayor could appoint the controller, corporation counsel, and commission ers of Public Works, Fire, Police and Health. The Tribune said, "The action of the Common Council in passing a resolution com mendatory of the bill now pending before the Legislature for amending the general incorporation act in its application to Chi cago was to be anticipated. It ought to be the best possible recom mendation which the bill could receive either before the Legislature or when it comes before the people for adoption. The Common Council is the fountain head of all the corruption that has disgraced the city of Chicago for years, and it has been impossible under the present city charter for the people to protect themselves against the ring which has been formed." The fact that the Common Coun cil was habitually chosen under the disreputable ward system of pot house politics caused by the people of Chicago to demand a change. The question of ring rule was taken into politics and controlled party movements during 1875. The Citizens' association at this date did most excellent work. The original bill for the new charter of Chicago was prepared by the Citizens' association. Early in April, 1875, it passed the Legis lature and was signed by the governor. It went into force on July 1 of the same year. The Tribune of April 4 said, "The opposition to the passage of this law has been an extraordinary one. It has been bitter, malicious, defamous and mendacious." There were strange and artful combinations against it. The bill had for its ob ject the reorganization of the city government upon a responsible and honest basis. It was designed to lift the city government out of the rut into which it had been sinking deeper every year. It dis pensed with the various independent executive boards and estab lished one executive and responsible head. At first the Stoats Zeitung, of which Mr. Hesing was chief proprietor, opposed the charter, but later supported it. The Times caustically opposed it and declared it was planned in order to make Mr. Hesing mayor. The Journal and the Inter-Ocean opposed the new charter. The town elections in April, 1875, were denounced in the sever est terms by the newspapers. There was no registration and no check upon illegal voting. Loafers, gamblers, thieves, ward bum- 8-Lake and Hyde Park 1389; 9-cano 1890; 10-Sguth Englewood 1890; 11-Washington Heights and West Roseland 1890; lS-Fermrood 1891; 15-Part of caiuaet 1895. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 573 mers, saloon-keepers and generally the most disreputable class of the city managed these town elections and ruled matters with a rod of iron. The tax-payers of the city paid accordingly by not attend ing ; the gangs were at liberty to fleece them and did not hesitate to do so. In the three towns large salary grabs were successfully car ried into execution by the ring elements and the criminals. Candidates for mayor in the fall of 1875 were in suspense until the Supreme court should decide whether the old charter or the new one was in force. This election of mayor depended upon the de cision of the Supreme court. Accordingly all candidates were in doubt and so were all parties until after the decision was rendered. If the charter of 1872 ruled there would be no necessity of an elec tion. A special election would be necessary under the new charter. The decision finally received postponed the election. The bulk of the city officials, including the aldermen, held over until the spring of 1876. This finality had been anticipated and had been vigorously sought by the city administration under Mayor Colvin. In fact be fore the opinion was rendered by the Supreme court the mayor and his friends in some mysterious manner became aware of what the decision would be and celebrated their victory before it was official ly announced. The new county courthouse became a partisan structure in 1875. The first contract for masonry was given to professional politicians and not to a mason. Two other lower bids from practical and ex perienced contractors were rejected. The foul condition of local politics and city government in the fall of 1875 occasioned the grav est apprehensions. The city was in the hands of a merciless gang that threatened it with the same shameful fate suffered by New York under Tweed. It made no difference whether the new charter was retained or not, the old, wolfish gang was sure to control the city. So outrageous, brazen and barefaced had been the frauds committed at the ballot box and so numerous were the instances of flagrant corruption in the administration of city and county affairs, that the people and the press felt the oppression and questioned whether it would not be better to break summarily the rule of the rascals and place the city again under the control of honesty and decency. The Tribune said, "We are not crying wolf before the wolves are here. They are already busily engaged in devouring the substance of honest taxpayers. It will be easier to throttle them now than a year, two years, ten years hence. Must we suffer as New York did before we clap our rulers in jail and administer our own affairs as she has done?" The principal issue at the election of November, 1875, was the honest, decent and economical administration of city and county affairs. The Supreme court's charter decision rendered unneces sary a city election, but the county ticket and officials were regarded as no less important than those of the city. A ring controlled the Vol. II— 33. 574 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Board of Commissioners and plundered the taxpayers at every op portunity. The construction of the courthouse would give the ring a splendid opportunity to display its cunning and rapacity. Five new county commissioners and a county treasurer were to be elect ed. The opposition convention nominated Judge Gary and Judge McAllister for judgships and A. C. Hesing for county treasurer. The nomination of Judge Gary was nonpartisan and no one of either party objected to Judge McAllister. The Republicans nominated Louis Huck for county treasurer and Gary and McAllister for judges. It was noted at the Republican convention that there was a determination on the part of all who participated to name the best possible men for the positions regardless of factions. There was a remarkable absence of wire pulling, log rolling, trading, partisan ship, etc. Rousing meetings were held in all parts of the county. At no time since 1872 were the Republicans and Democrats so thor oughly awake to the necessities of the hour as at this time. They were determined to defeat the city and county rings. The Jefferson club, a faction of the Democracy, concluded at first to place a ticket in the field. They did not like the opposition party which was managed by Mr. Hesing and was made up mainly of Democrats. The election committee of the County Board refused the demand of the Republicans for the appointment of a Republican inspector in each voting precinct. The Jeffersonian club likewise demanded to be so represented. On October 25 an immense meet ing of the Republicans was held at Central hall, Twenty-second street and Wabash avenue. Gen. John A. Logan delivered a speech on national issues. The Republican candidates were present and likewise addressed the audience. When it came to a finality the Jeffersonians joined the opposition party and did not nominate an independent ticket. Thomas Hoyne was one of the leaders of the Jeffersonians. Late in October a mass meeting of business men de nounced the action of the County Commissioners in refusing to give each of the political parties a proper representation at the polls. Under pressure the board finally granted the request. The election was hotly contested and resulted in the defeat of the opposition ticket. The entire Republican ticket was elected with the exception of two candidates. The Tribune said : "The city and county are at last redeemed from the burden of corruption which has so long weighed them down. This is glory enough for one day. For two years the city, of Chicago has groaned under a government which has been administered largely under the patronage of the professional politicians, and which, putting public opinion at defiance, has catered to the interests of the criminal class. The worst feature of this whole business has been the attempted combi nation of all citizens of foreign birth and the criminal class in open and direct antagonism to the general public. This combination has possession of the city and county governments, and Mr. Hesing, HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 575 placing himself at its head, sought to make the domination perpet ual and himself dictator." The Republicans elected their ticket by about 4,000 majority. The vote in Chicago was the largest ever cast in the city. Huck, Republican, received 25,237; Hesing, Oppo sition, 23,063 ; Keeley, Independent, 7,288 ; total vote cast for county treasurer in Chicago, 55,588. The Opposition was a coalition of the Irish and Germans who were bent on plunder and spoils. The election of city officers in the spring of 1876 was considered important. Both parties decided to control. the City Council. On the other hand the ring which had managed it for years did not propose to permit either of the old parties to. remove them from their scene of plunder and power. Complete town tickets were put out by all parties in April. At town elections in the spring of 1876 there was cast a larger vote than ever before in the history of the county. Desperate attempts to stuff ballot boxes and otherwise per petrate fraud were made at the polls by the bummer element. The election was so. critical and so important that the best citizens of both parties joined hands to defeat the old wolves, rings and gangs. The outrages committed by the ringsters in the First and Second wards of the South ^division roused the people of the city. This was done under the eyes of the mayor and the city marshal. Sev eral of the old gang succeeded in electing themselves to office for another year, to the disgust of honest Democrats and Republicans. They triumphed by reason of themost infamous frauds at the polls. Ballot boxes were stuffed, and honest voters were prevented from casting their ballot. On April 6, 1876, the Republicans nominated Clark Lipe for city treasurer and Caspar Butz for city clerk. The Democratic convention was held at McCormick hall on April 8. M. W. Fuller was chairman. The convention nominated Clin ton Briggs for city treasurer and Hans Haerting for city clerk. It is notable that the Republican and Democratic conventions passed resolutions condemning in the strongest terms ballot box frauds and demanding from the citizens of the county an honest vote. The friends of Harvey D. Colvin made desperate efforts to re elect him mayor, but the Democrats and Republicans alike who were honest determined otherwise. Mr. Colvin pretended to be a Demo crat, but was supported by the worst element of all parties. The Democratic city convention and the Republican city convention re pudiated Mr. Colvin and his hungry and unprincipled crowd. A mass meeting of Democrats and Republicans was called to meet at the Exposition building on April 11, and the newspapers of both parties suggested that Thomas Hoyne should be nominated for mayor on that occasion. Mayor Colvin, however, was resolved to hold over another year. The Tribune said, "The next step to con sider is how the people shall proceed so as to rid the city of Colvin's official presence and at the same time keep within the law. This is one of the questions to be decided by the mass meeting called for 576 HISTORY bF COOK COUNTY Tuesday evening at the Exposition building. There will be 20,000 people at the meeting. There will be but a single sentiment, the time having passed for calling an election for mayor as required by the present charter, and the council ring having insolently re fused to afford a lawful opportunity for the expression of the popu lar will, there seems to be authority provided by the charter for holding the election. The ring judges in some precincts may possi bly refuse to count the votes for mayor." The mass meeting of April 1 1 was declared to have been attended by 40,000 citizens. It was one of the most notable gatherings ever held in Chicago. It was a spontaneous, courageous and effective movement against the outrageous administration of Mayor Colvin and against all ring rule and gang methods and fraudulent practices of every descrip tion. The meeting was called to order by Elliott Anthony. John Wentworth was chosen chairman. He ddelivered a strong speech explaining the object of the meeting and calling upon the citizens to redeem themselves from the rule of the plunderers. The commit tee on resolutions reported a series of the most stirring appeals ever made here in time of peace. The resolutions did not mince terms, but called robbers and plunderers by their right names. Thomas Hoyne, who was previously selected as the nominee for mayor, was called out and delivered a strong speech in favor of reform. Elliott Anthony also addressed the meeting. Thomas A. Moran, Leonard Swett, Arthur Mitchell, Mark Sheridan, Colonel Van Arman, Rob ert Collier, Judge Otis and many others delivered speeches either at this meeting or at one of the many branch gatherings held on this memorable occasion. The Tribune said editorially: "In point of numbers it far exceeded any assemblage ever witnessed in the West. The monstrous hall when the meeting organized contained not less than 25,000 persons. Though there were two stands, one at each end, a large part of the multitude could not hear and retired; still for two hours there was a constant stream of persons entering the hall taking the places of those passing out. It is safe to say that during the evening 40,000 persons, almost without exception voters, attended the meeting." The assemblage demanded the resignation of four objectionable members of the City Board. A committee was appointed to demand of Mayor Colvin his resignation. The meeting designated Thomas Hoyne to be voted for at the Tuesday election for mayor. Another committee was appointed _to demand of the Common Council the appointment of honest election officers. Four men. who it was declared had usurped town offices were re quested to resign. Under pressure the Common Council partially revised the list of election judges. The Democrats and Republicans both nominated Thomas Hoyne for mayor, but kept intact the re mainder of their tickets. Mr. Hoyne was elected mayor by almost a unanimous vote. Clinton Briggs, Democrat, was elected city treas urer, but the other offices of the city were filled by the Republicans. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 577 B. G. Caulfield was elected to Congress by a majority of 4,08; C. H. Harrison by a majority of 8; C. B. Farwell by a majority of 186. The election was a surprise to everybody. Old party lines to a large extent were obliterated. The Republicans in Cook county unquestionably suffered more than they ever had at any previous election. At the November election, 1876, three senators, two representa tives from each of the seven districts, state's attorney, clerk of the Circuit court, recorder, sheriff, coroner, and five county commis sioners were to be chosen. This ticket was sufficiently important to justify great effort by all parties to elect it. In addition the national campaign furnished unusual excitement and the two combined served to spur the partisan enthusiasm of all citizens. In October, 1876, the Democratic county convention named Egbert Jamieson for state's attorney; Charles Kern, sheriff; Dr. Quirk, coroner; John Comiskey, recorder, and Edward Rummel, clerk of the Circuit court, etc. This list of nominees was severely criticised by Repub lican newspapers. Nearly every one had made enemies, was more or less unpopular, and not a few of them had bad records as public officials. The Republican county convention nominated John H. Clough for sheriff; Luther Laflin Mills, state's attorney; Jacob Gross, clerk of the Circuit court ; Emil Dietsch, coroner ; Capt. J. W. Brockway, recorder, and named candidates for other offices. The men, as a whole, nominated by the Republican party were well known, untainted by charges of fraud and presumably honest and incorruptible. The Democrats divided their ticket almost equally between the Irish and the Germans, with two positions given to native Americans. The Republican convention gave the Germans a Congressman, the coroner, and clerk of the Circuit court. The Scandinavians were represented on the ticket, but Americans pre dominated. For many years the citizens of cook county had been dissatisfied with the County Board. It was too often controlled by dishonest men, an immense debt had been created when it was thought wholly unnecessary, and it had vast power over the destiny and property of the whole county. Hence it was rightfully concluded in the fall of 1876 that a great effort to secure honest men for that body should be made. It was conceded that the existing board was ruled by a majority that was corrupt and that sought the position in order to make money through graft, presumably. As the new courthouse was in process of erection, honest men should dominate the County Board, it was argued. The candidates for both parties of the Legis lature were about equal in point of merit and honesty. That the Democrats were in earnest in their efforts to secure good and incorruptible men was shown by their selection of a com mittee of 100 citizens of Chicago, whose duty it was to purify the Democratic nominations for the Legislature and for county com- 578 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY missioners. The Democrats themselves admitted that their Legis lative ticket was inferior if not worse. The Republicans also ad mitted that their Legislative ticket could be improved. Both par ties made concessions to the disreputable element. Thus on the face of the returns both parties trifled with the public welfare by nomi nating inferior men. It was urged that the Republicans likewise should appoint a large committee to purify its ticket and present Chicago with a body of officials fit to be voted for. They did so. On October 21, 1876, an immense meeting of the Republicans at the Exposition building was addressed by Col. Robert G. Ingersoll in his usual eloquent and brilliant style. The Tribune stated that at least 50,000 people were packed in the Exposition building and that this was the second time the building was filled. Frank Lumbard's famous Glee club furnished the music. They sang "Old Shady" and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" with splendid effect. Andrew Shuman introduced Mr. Ingersoll. As the distinguished orator arose to address the vast audience he was greeted with tumultuous applause that lasted for ten minutes. Frequently he attempted to speak, but was interrupted by the applause which burst forth again and again. His speech was audacious, argumentative, logical, picturesque and higly ornate. He held the vast audience entranced for an hour and a half. His speech was published in full in the newspapers and used as a campaign document during the rest of the season. On October 17, 1876, Gen. Benjamin Harrison of Indiana ad dressed a large audience at Farwell hall. His fame had preceded him and one of the most enthusiastic assemblages of the campaign listened to his ringing words. On the platform were John Went worth, Elliot Anthony, James P. Root, and George P. Bogue. In point of logic, patriotism and wisdom this speech was not surpassed in this city during the campaign. It was published in full by the newspapers. The Democratic legislative nominations were given to the Bum mer element as it was then called, to repay them and win their as sistance and cooperation. When the committee of 100 was appoint ed to cleanse this ticket, the action immediately encountered opposi tion from the faction represented by those men. Very little change was made, because any alteration meant the withdrawal of that element from the Democratic ranks. The Democratic nominee for Congress, Mr. Hoxie, was not the mental or moral equal of Mr. Aldrich, the Republican candidate. On October 28, 1876 James G. Blaine addressed on immense au dience at the Exposition building. The audience was not so large as the one which listened to Mr. Ingersoll. It was estimated that 25,000 people were present. He delivered a masterful address two hours in length. During October, 1876, Mr. Hendricks of Indiana, the Vice- Presidential nominee, appeared before an immense Chicago audience. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 579 As many turned out to hear him as went to hear Mr. Blaine. His speech was the best delivered here in the cause of Democracy during the fall. The vote for state's attorney in April, 1876, was as follows: Tuthill (Republican), 27,348; Adams (Democrat),. 23,003. The Greenbackers organized and had a partial ticket in the field, but generally split and usually joined the Democracy for a concession. At the presidential election on November 7, 1876, the Tilden electors received in Cook county a total of 39,302 votes. The Hayes electors received a total of 36,898 votes. The vote for governor was as follows: Steward, Democratic, 38,178; Cullom, Republican, 37,977. For state's attorney Jamieson received 35,914 and Mills 40,124. For sheriff Kern received 40,832 and Clough 35,099. At this election the following townships cast a majority of votes for the Tilden electors: Lake, Lemont, Niles, Norwood Park and Palos. All the other country towns of the county cast a majority of the Hayes electors. The result of the election was nearly a clean sweep, for the Dem ocrats. The Republicans accordingly were shrouded in gloom. At first it was reported that the Republican national ticket was lost. The next papers contained hope, and subsequent issues gradually brightened the situation. Then there was the long wait before the result was finally announced. The Tribune of November 12, 1876, said, "Since Grant's campaign of the Wilderness there has not been experienced here a week of such excitement as that through which we have just passed. The vote in the city was the largest ever polled. When news was received of the loss of New York, Hayes' stock fell flat and the Democrats exulted in their triumph." The Tribune of December 4, 1876, said, "The Board of County Commissioners is no longer worthy to be dignified by that title. It has come to be simply an organized ring for plunder and has grown so bold that it hesitates at no outrage which is regarded as an auxiliary to its mercenary purposes." On April 2, 1877, Abner Taylor, candidate for mayor, withdrew from the race. He said, "The first public act leading to a nomina tion is what is known in modern politics as a primary. These meet ings the business element as a whole do not attend. The worst politicians, the idle and criminal classes, all do so, the leaders of tens, twenties, and fifties bring along and deliver their followers for pay, and thus many of the delegates to the conventions are chosen. In theory, Republican primaries are attended by Republicans and Democratic primaries by Democrats, but as a matter of fact the dan gerous classes double up and attend both primaries and get twice paid. The delegate ticket thus chosen is largely bad and when the conventions are held there are many dangerous and notoriously bad characters thus in conspicuous places. After the nominations are made the better class of voters adhere to their politics in order to maintain a standing and influence with the leaders." 580 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY The city taxes prior to the election of Mayor Heath and the ex- ' isting city government were about $6,000,000 per year. During his term Mayor Heath and his council introduced retrenchment so as to bring down taxes by 1877 to $4,000,000 a year. In other words, Mayor Heath's administration saved taxpayers $2,000,000 annually. Accordingly the Republicans renominated Mayor Heath and also nominated a list of aldermen who were pledged to support his retrenchment policies. The reelection of Mayor Heath was de clared to be much more desirable than the election of Mr. Smith, and it was equally important and desirable that the City Council should be able to act with the mayor. Therefore, Democrats and Republicans were urged to unite and make a clean sweep of the municipal ticket. The Republicans nominated Monroe Heath for mayor; C. R. Larrabee, city treasurer; R. S. Tuthill, city attorney, and Caspar Butz, city clerk. The Democrats nominated for these offices in the order named, Perry H. Smith, Clinton Briggs, William J. Hynes and Rudolph Rhubaum. The Municipal Reform club was active in investigating the character of candidates and in making recommendations to the voters. Aldermen from all the wards were to be elected. Sidney Smith in a speech just before this election said that, "The April election, 1877, is more important to the tax payers of Chicago than was the election for President last fall." The Chicago Times said, "Of the eighteen alderriien nominated by the Democrats there is but one who is a respectable man and fit to be trusted with the responsibility of serving in the council." At the election in April, 1877, the Republicans made a clean sweep of all the municipal offices, electing Mayor Heath by a major ity of about 12,000. The majority in the council was Republican, and in minor offices the Republicans gained considerably. In every precinct of the city, according to newspapers, repeaters were in evi dence. There being no registry, they were unusually bold. The newspapers contained the names of a score of more of men who were caught in the act of repeating. How many more were guilty was problematical, but must have been very large. As a matter of fact the Democrats suffered severely at the spring election, 1877, not only in the aldermanic contests, but also in the town elections. The town meetings in the South, West and North divisions were controlled by business men and taxpayers, with the result that better officers in these towns were elected than probably ever before. The system of retrenchment adopted by the Heath administration re ceived the approval of the people at the ballot box. At this time there was pending in the Legislature the Robinson bill, which pro posed to legislate the present corrupt Board of Cook County Com missioners out of existence and authorize the people to choose an entire new board. It was recommended that this bill should be pushed through the Legislature at once. Eighteen aldermen were elected. It was stated that twenty-nine or thirty aldermen were HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 581 reputable men and might be depended upon to preserve the interests of the city. In June, 1877, the grand jury returned fourteen indictments, among which were those against Periolat, Kimberly, O'Donnell, Sweetzer, Johnson, McCaffrey, Carroll, Carpenter, Forsyth, Hins dale, Mehlick and Walker. They were charged with crimes all the way from conspiracy to perjury. The election of November, 1877, was important because a new Board of Commissioners was to be chosen to take the place of the rascals who had been turned out. Both parties nominated full tick ets, but in no instance was proper care taken to secure the best men ; partisans put through slated tickets with the usual result. The importance of the election was realized when it was known that the board for the coming year would have the expenditure of an im mense sum of money, and that the people would be asked to vote $500,000 nominally for courthouse bonds, but really for extras and other ulterior purposes. It was shown by the grand jury investiga tion that the Board of Commissioners for years had made a corrupt alliance with contracting parties whereby the county was robbed and its poor dependents were deprived of food, clothing and medi cine paid for by the county. The stolen amounts were used by the ring in the County Board. The facts showed that seven hold-over members of the new County Board were members of the old ring, and that they numbered only one short of a majority to rule. As five new commissioners were to be elected it was necessary that all of them should be upright and honest or the same deplorable "and desperate condition of affairs would again be experienced. For the past three years there had been an almost perpetual scandal growing out of the rapacious proceedings of the County Board. Law suits, injunctions, trials, perjury, fraud, indictments, con tracts, claims, salaries, treble the number of officers, excessive taxa tion, immense floating debt, public credit nearly gone, were the topics repeated over and over again by the newspapers and orators until people were sick of the terms and the corruption. Every ne cessity for reform was manifested. The office of county clerk was declared by the press to be a nest of corruption. The election was announced to mean the continuation or the downfall of the county ring. The same reform was now demanded in the county adminis tration that was accomplished eighteen months before in the city government. The newspapers branded the men who stayed away from the polls enemies of the public welfare. There was every indi cation that ballot-box stuffing would be practiced and every trick worked upon the people by the unscrupulous ring to secure a new lease of power. There were to be elected at this date a county treasurer, clerk, judges of the Superior, Circuit and Probate courts, clerk of the Criminal court and five county commissioners. The result of the 582 HISTORY OF COOK \COUNTY election was the complete success of the Republican ticket. This was taken to mean the deathblow of ring rule in the County Board. The county ring received a deathblow. The Greenbackers and thex workingmen were strongly represented during this campaign. There were really four tickets in the field : Republican, Democratic, Green- backer and Communist. The latter made a better showing than was expected. The Republican majority on the various candidates varied from three to nine thousand. The bond issue was defeated. The Tribune said : "Thus after a long season of notorious official plunder and robbery, bad municipal government, city and county were rescued from the hands of public enemies. That it cost this fierce struggle to accomplish the change is another proof of the tenacity with which official robbers hold on to office of which they get possession. It cost two years of desperate struggle to get rid of the Colvin administration. The indifference of so many business men to the power of caucuses strengthened all kinds of corruption in office." The main surprising feature of the local election was that the Communist ticket polled between 6,000 and 7,000 votes in the city. As election day approached it seemed to be forgotten that there was any such ticket in the field. Newspapers paid no attention whatever to it. The campaign committees ignored it. It was gener ally supposed that all the strength of the workingmen's movement had been squelched by the Democrats. The result was due to a union of the Industrials with the Communists on general principles and not in details. The convention was held under the name of the Industrials. Finally this faction cemented with the Communist ticket. The vote of the Communists was confined largely to the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh wards where the Irish and Bohemians resided ; also to the Fourteenth, Fifteenth and Sixteenth wards where the Germans and Scandinavians dwelt. The total vote cast in Cook county at this election was 57,584. On the question of a state house appropriation tax the vote was as follows: For the appropriation, 12,779; against the appropriation, 44,805. In the spring of 1878 many disreputables were named for places in the City Council. Never were more stringent and earnest efforts made to get rid of them than at that election. In all of the down town wards the clans and cohorts of the vicious element marshaled their forces and fought desperately for the success of scheming candidates. They depended to a large extent upon the apathy of honest voters. They hoped that upright men, disgusted with their mud-slinging tactics, would permit elections to go by default, and to some extent their judgment was right. However, there never was a more earnest effort made to weed out bad men than on this occasion. Speakers and newspapers urged in glowing terms that citizens should vote for honest men regardless of party affiliations. But the wolves and rascals of every hue were active and vigorous, particularly in the First and Second wards. They did not hesitate HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 583 to name for the council men of known dishonesty. The same was true of the town tickets. The South side Nationals largely joined the Democrats. There was much trading of candidates. One fac tion, upon consideration of having their candidate supported, prom ised support to the candidate of another faction. Perhaps more than ever before was this practice indulged at this election. As a whole it was an active, vindictive and aggressive campaign, full of disgusting personalities and squabbles and replete with lurid tales of factional differences patched into respectable shape. It should be said to the credit of the newspapers that they advocated the elec tion of the best men regardless of party considerations. The action of Commissioner Senne of the County Board in an endeavor to re duce county expenses was taken into politics and its wisdom was thoroughly discussed. The question of a new issue of city scrip was a political subject at this election. The result of the April election, 1878, was a disappointment to the better element of citizens regardless of party. When the smoke cleared away it was found that scalawag aldermen, disreputable assessors and unscrupulous supervisors were chosen, owing mainly to the apathy and lukewarmness of the voters. The vicious ele ment showed greater energy and deliberation than ever before and succeeded. The Socialist ticket was well supported. That body had drawn largely from the old parties during the last few years until now a comparatively strong showing was made. It was at this time that their candidates adopted more than ever before the tactics of addressing large crowds of working people on the streets. The ringsters did not hesitate to use large sums of money to cor rupt voters and the ballot box. In the South, West and North towns and in Hyde Park prac tically the same conditions prevailed. As a whole, the election was quiet and the vote comparatively small. The contests were almost wholly local because there were no general city offices to be filled. Four tickets were in the field, Republican, Democrat, National and Socialist. There were several independent candidates for alderman and the Nationals and Democrats generally united. In the South town the Republicans elected their ticket with one exception. In the West town the Democrats elected all of their candidates, and in the North town two Republicans were elected and all the others were Democratic. The Socialists were jubilant over their election of one candidate and their further success in nearly electing two more. The Greenbackers elected a few town officers and polled a creditable vote in the South and West divisions. In April, 1878, it was acknowledged that the Communists had a strong organization in Chicago — one that embraced from 7,000 to 8,000 men. They openly advocated a division of property and the overthrow of the competitive system of labor. Their object was to unite the laboring class against the capitalistic class. It was known 584 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY that they were regularly drilled in what they called circles, and fur ther that they were armed. It was recognized that Socialism and Communism were practically the same, so far as that element in Chicago was concerned. Parsons, Schilling and McAuliff were the leading Socialists. Prominent members of that organization admit ted that the movement was a general war against property. In October, 1878, the people were asked to vote bonds to the amount of $750,000 to assist the County Board out of its difficulties. Generally, the newspapers opposed this step. They declared that it meant an indorsement of the outrageous extravagance of the county administration. All parties during October made unusually strong efforts to elect their candidates. The Greenback party was strong, aggressive and enthusiastic. They met, organized and final ly ratified the Democratic nominations with few exceptions. The election of commissioners a year before had not proved all that was hoped. Ring methods still ruled the County Board. It was there fore urged with great persistence and vehemence that the county government should be purged and purified. The city government had been thoroughly overhauled and improved and was at this date fairly creditable. Now it was urged the attention of the citizens should be directed to the complete renovation of the County Board. The newspapers unhesitatingly called the County Board an unscru pulous gang of tax devourers. Cook county was urged to do its duty in selecting clean, able and honest men for the national Legis lature. Members of the Legislature, upon whom would devolve the election of the next United States senator, were held up to public inspection. The office of sheriff was involved in this contest and five new commissioners were to be elected. Both of the old parties were too nearly being dominated by the irresponsible not to say vicious element within their ranks. The parties in strength being nearly equal resorted to various tactics more or less unscrupulous to secure the support of irresponsible and disorganized factions, and doing so were compelled to grant them political favors. It was well known that for years the irresponsible element of both parties had in a large measure dictated the selection of candidates for Congress, the Legislature and the city and county governments. Particularly was Sheriff Kern denounced for his cooperation with irresponsible and vicious elements. His defeat was urged upon the people. He would receive every vote dug from the slums and the pest houses of crime, vagrancy, pauperism, drunkenness and vice. The campaign of October, 1878, was bitter, personal and relent less. The enemies of honest government concerted in a desperate attempt to secure prizes at the polls. Every concession, whether fair or unfair, that would secure the cooperation of the vicious classes was adopted by all party organizations. Partisan newspapers supported with great acclamation and gusto the nominees of their parties regardless of their personal unfitness and bad records. The HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 585 Communists were particularly active, vigilant, insinuating, bold, de ceptive and wide-awake. Every indication showed contemplated repeating and ballot-box stuffing on election day. Accordingly the honest factions of both parties, while winking at their own short comings, denounced in unsparing terms the conduct of other fac tions not in accordance with their views. The Greenbackers made a considerable showing, but in a large measure were absorbed by the other parties, to whom were offered plums of considerable value. The newspapers tore to tatters the ambitions and hopes of irrespon sible candidates and exhibited in lurid colors their dishonest preten sions. The work of political clubs was particularly noteworthy at this time. Every ward had its Democratic, Republican or other club. Sundays, when the laboring element was idle, were devoted near the close of the campaign almost wholly to political purposes. The Socialists on that day gained more than any other party. There was a Temperance ticket. It seems to have been an attempt to divide the strength of the Republican party. The success of the election November, 1878, was generally with the Republican party. They elected the sheriff, coroner, two county commissioners and three congressmen by ample majorities. They likewise made a creditable showing on the state ticket. The citizens voted for the issue of $750,000 worth of bonds despite the recom mendations of Republican leaders and the press. Aldrich, Davis, and Barber, Republicans, were elected to Congress. Hoffman was elected sheriff by about 4,000 majority. The Greenback vote was comparatively small. The Socialists made a better showing, elect ing several of their candidates. The greatest sufferers were the Democrats, although they succeeded in electing several of their fnost prominent candidates. It is probable that never before in the history of Chicago politics did any newspaper here descend to such depths of abuse, misrepresentation, vilification and calumny as did the Times in its attack on John Hoffman, Republican candidate for sheriff. The Tribune was equally severe in its attack upon Mr. Kern, the ruling sheriff. The mistake made by the Democrats at this election, and the principal reason for their overwhelming de feat, was in nominating objectionable men for office. An important political question in April, 1879, was the election of satisfactory town tickets. A desperate fight to secure good al dermen was made in March. All parties and all factions of parties carried on spirited, vindictive and memorable campaigns. In every ward activity in political affairs took the place of nearly all other important events. The Republican newspapers demanded the de feat of Carter H. Harrison for mayor. His record in Congress was thoroughly analyzed and held up for inspection. He was popular with all classes, even with the Republicans, although generally he was denounced by the Republican press. The Democrats enthusi astically supported him, and in the end many Republicans voted for 586 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY him. A. M. Wright was the Republican candidate for mayor. All parties, through their vicious factions, practiced more or less fraud at the polls. Repeating was a common pastime of die disreputables of all parties. The Republican press declared the election of Mr. Harrison to the mayoralty meant that the old Colvin gang of thieves and disreputables would again rule the city government. The Dem ocrats pointed with pride to Mr. Harrison's conduct in Congress and to the administration of city and county affairs here. The election of April, 1879, was a complete Democratic triumph. It was a rebuke to the Republicans for being too partisan and for having named a number of undesirables for office. The entire city government passed under the control of the Democrats. The Dem ocratic majority was approximately 5,000. The Republicans were faulty and unconcerned, while their vigilant and aggressive enemy lost no opportunity to influence every faction to assist them. The heavy Socialistic vote was lost to the Republicans. Particularly did the Democrats gain in the Irish wards. The Republicans won in the South town, but the Democrats won in -the North and West di visions. As a matter of, fact, the popularity of Mr. Harrison occa sioned in a large measure the success of the entire Democratic ticket. Mr. Harrison was elected mayor ; William Seipp, treasurer ; J. S- Grinnell, city attorney; and P. J. Howard, city clerk. Mr. Harrison received 25,401; Mr. Wright, 20,060; and Mr. Schmidt, Socialist, 11,818. The immense Socialist vote astonished every body. The Republicans elected nine aldermen, the Democrats six, and the Socialists five. The day was unusually quiet, but there was considerable trading and wire pulling all day at the polls. The Democrats held a great jubilation over their success when the results were known. The Socialists were elated, because they had been permitted to carry measures without interruption or interference during the campaign. The vote in Lake was the largest ever polled, being 2,665. The Citizens' ticket, as the Democratic ticket was called, was elected by a large majority. It was particularly noted that there was an immense falling off in the vote of the Republican wards and a large increase in the majority of the Democratic wards. The question of how the City Council would be organized became at once important. The Lawler-Tuley coalition was all-powerful, it was thought. The design of this coalition was to control the ap pointment of council committees, but Mr. Harrison had something to say on that question. The advent of Mr. Harrison and his party meant numerous changes, and consequently the clamor for office among the Democrats was widespread and persistent. The election of judges in June was considered an important event. The Democratic candidates for the Circuit bench were Rodgers, McAllister, Moran, Burnam and Tuley, and for the Supreme bench Judge Dickey. The Republicans nominated for judges Williams, Booth, Reed, Rosenthal and Buell. Thomas Dent was nominated HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 587 for judge of the Supreme court. The Democrats elected their ju dicial ticket by a considerable majority. For the Supreme court Dickey's majority over Dent's was 7,884. The Communists voted with the Democrats. The excellence of the Democratic nominees was the occasion of their success. In the fall of 1879 both old parties worked with the object of securing such a victory as would make an impression on the Presi dential campaign of 1880. Carter H. Harrison, assisted by Judge Trumbull, led the hosts of Democracy and in a stirring campaign demanded of the people the success of his party at the polls. Mr. Harrison further won approval of his management of city affairs since last spring. The Republicans were not the least backward in making the fight along national issues. It was realized that it might have an important bearing upon the national election which way Chicago and Cook county went in the November election of 1879. An interesting contest during the campaign was that of Mr. Adolph Moses against Sidney Smith for the Superior court judgeship. So important was the election considered that the banks and the Board of Trade resolved to close on election day. Many merchants per mitted their help to leave long enough to vote. A petition signed by hundreds of merchants to this effect was circulated. Carter H. Harrison was a skilful politician and an adroit campaign manager, probably one of the most able, artful and successful politicians in the history of Chicago and Cook county. One of his tricks to gain support and popularity was to pay off policemen, firemen, etc., in gold coin a few days previous to election day. On this occasion North and West Chicago were called upon to vote on the question of consolidating the three park towns of South, North and West Chicago under one set of officers. At this election the county was required to vote on the question of refunding county bonds to the amount of $1,150,000 bearing 7 per cent with a new issue of 5 per cent bonds. It was recommended by the parties that this measure should be carried. Carter H. Harri son was criticized sharply for his arrogant control of city affairs, for his numerous small mistakes, and for the snubs and insults he had given respectable men in public affairs. He intimated to the police, fire and other departments that they would be expected to vote and work for the Democratic party. Mr. Harrison at this election was the most imposing figure before the people of the city. Both parties, while guilty of questionable methods themselves, took extraordinary means to prevent fraud by the other party. Stuffing ballot boxes, false registration, voting on fictitious names, repeating and swearing in illegal votes were the means practiced by all parties to win success. The result of the election in November, 1879, was a Republican triumph in both city and county. In the city the Republican ma jority was about 4,500. W. T. Johnson was elected county treas urer, Sidney Smith, judge of the Superior court;' J. J. Healy, clerk 588 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY of the Superior court ; Alexander Wolcott, county surveyor. Four Republican county commissioners were elected. The questions of issuing county bonds and of consolidating the park districts were carried by large majorities. The Republican success was no doubt due largely to the general excellence of the nominations. The whole county went to the Republicans by about 10,000 majority. Smith's majority over Moses' for Superior judge was 11,051 and Johnson's majority over Guerin's (Democrat) for county treasurer was 8,970. For county treasurer Altpeter (Socialist candidate) received a total of 4,065 votes in the county and 3,939 in Chicago. This election was exactly the reverse of that held seven months before. It was notable now that the Socialists were materially checked in their development. Their vote for Schmidt, candidate for mayor in April, 1879, was 11,818. This was taken to mean that the Socialist propaganda had spent its force. The Citizen's League did much good service during this campaign in holding up to public gaze the character, record and general fitness of all candidates. They paid particular attention to the suppression of the liquor interests in polit ical affairs. On the other hand the Saloon-Keepers' association was alert, active and influential. At the spring election, 1880, the Socialists made an elaborate ex hibition. The contention was for aldermen. Both Democrats and Republicans conducted vigorous campaigns. A local newspaper said, "The aldermanic scramble has already become, so to speak, red hot. Persons -who were thought to be politically dead years ago have been resurrected and their acts have arisen with them to in struct, alarm and warn the public. The sublimity of human hardi hood has been achieved by at least a few of those whose names are infamously gilded by the corruption of other years." The saloon element during this campaign made herculean efforts to win suc cess. As a matter of fact this election was between the reputables and disreputables. The better class of citizens called for ability and personal integrity, and it must be admitted that the opposing ele ments were nearly equal in point of strength. In spite of themselves the best element of both the old parties in order to win success were forced into disgraceful and dishonorable compromises with the disreputable element. The Times and other newspapers published the names of from fifteen to twenty alleged bad candidates for the City Council. There were five Republicans, eight Democrats, two Socialists and two Independents who were pronounced bad by the leading papers. The disreputables were sorted and labeled like bad eggs or rotten ears of corn. They were classified as "always relia ble," "generally reliable," "mixed" and "bad." This gave the citi zens an opportunity to select the kind of a man they desired for the City Council. There were seven good men who held over and thir teen men to go out in April. In order to hold the balance of power the citizens were called upon urgently to elect twelve good men. It Missing Page Missing Page HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 591 was seen that the Socialists were likely to hold the balance of power during another year. The shameful corruption in the City Coun cils of the past was held up as a frightful warning of what might be the result of neglect to attend the polls and vote. The newspapers appealed to the people to end what they called the "scalawag dynas ty." The Gage defalcation of $500,000 and the Van Hollen steal of a large but unknown amount, were pointed to with a finger of warning. The immense and unnecessary increase in the city debt was called repeatedly and vigorously to the attention of the voters. This was called a scrub race, involving no politics and being through out a scramble for spoils. The result of the election as between the three parties was to give the Republicans a little the advantage. Three alleged bad men were elected, Lawler, Cullerton and Hil- dreth. The Republicans won in the South and West towns and the Democrats in the North town. As a whole, the election was quiet. The twelve men wanted were not elected and the citizens again set tled down to see their clouds and fancies dissipated in the corruption, graft and dishonor that succeeded their trustful anticipations. The fight made for the nomination of General Grant for the Pres idency early in June, 1880, roused the people of Chicago and of the whole country. To begin with, an immense mass meeting, the call for which was signed by hundreds of the most prominent citizens, was called for May 3 1 as a preliminary to that contest. It was ad vertised that Conkling, Carpenter, Woodford and Storrs of Chicago would address the meeting. This was called in the interest of Gen eral Grant. For nearly a week preceding the opening of the nation al convention committees and delegates were here making their pre liminary fight. The Grant forces were admirably organized and thoroughly disciplined. On the other hand there was a powerful feeling against General Grant's renomination. An anti-Grant mass meeting was held May 31, on the White Stocking baseball grounds. About 15,000 people were present. Among the speakers were Shu- man, Moore, Hassaurek, MacVeagh, Dittenhoeffer, Hubbard, Hall and Posey. It was alleged that opposition to a third term was in spired by an Illinois faction in the convention. Blaine, Sherman, Cameron, Edmunds, Windom and Garfield were real or dark-horse candidates before this convention. Hannibal Hamlin was in the city. The convention opened on June 2, in the vast Exposition building, which was crowded to the doors. The hall was appro priately decorated and presented a brilliant scene when the conven tion opened. The hammer wielded by the chairman was made from a log in the home of Abraham Lincoln, and the handle from a tree at the home of George Washington. Robert G. Ingersoll was in the city. The first two days were consumed in preliminary work. The chief supporters of General Grant were Conkling, Cameron and Logan. The latter held the solid Illinois delegation for General Grant. Mr. Conkling claimed to have 300 delegates at the start Vol. 11—34. 592 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY pledged to General Grant. The Blaine leaders were particularly active and confident. Garfield was neutral, but everybody liked him. William E. Chandler managed Mr. Blaine's fight. After twenty- eight consecutive ballots no result was reached. General Grant led the list, but could not gather enough votes to secure the nomination. Blaine received the second largest number and Sherman the third. The first vote for Mr. Garfield came in the thirtieth ballot, when two votes from Pennsylvania were cast for him. On the thirty- fourth he received sixteen from Wisconsin, and on the thirty-fifth, twenty-seven additional ones from Indiana. On the thirty-sixth there was a general flop to Mr. Garfield, who received a total of 399. Mr. Conkling, who had so gallantly supported General Grant, immediately moved to make the nomination of General Garfield unanimous. The nomination of Garfield was followed by applause which shook the building and lasted for many minutes. This great convention was a notable event and still further added to the repu tation of Chicago as a convention city. Chester A. Arthur was nom inated for Vice-President. Nobody had anything to say against the Republican candidates. The compaign, both national and local, in the fall of 1880 was one of the most enthusiastic ever conducted in Cook county. All parties made desperate efforts to win success. Chicago, with a pop ulation of 503,053, was looked upon with interest from all parts of the country. All parties expected the people here would roll up a large majority for its candidates. The primaries of the old parties were conducted with great spirit and unanimity. Many local ques tions of importance were before the people. Among them was econ omy in county government. There were to be nominated four judges of the Superior court, a state's attorney, sheriff, recorder, coroner, clerk of the Circuit court, and five county commissioners — four from the city. The Communists of Chicago in October, 1880, attempted in rev olutionary style to reform the existing system of municipal govern ment. At a large meeting on October 10 they passed resolutions providing for a general overhauling of the city ordinances. Some twenty amendments to existing ordinances were demanded. On October 15 John Sherman of Ohio delivered a memorable speech on national issues in this city. The meeting occurred in McCormick hall, which was packed to the doors. Mr. Sherman was popularly denominated by the Republicans "Old Resumption" and Old Pros perity." At a large Democratic meeting held at McCormick hall on October 23 the principal speakers were Carter H. Harrison and Mr. Breckenridge of Kentucky. A. F. Seeberger was chairman of the meeting. During the campaign of 1880 Mr. Harrison usurped the duties of the Democratic campaign committee and conducted party affairs to suit himself. This was a step that had never before been accom- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 593 plished by any candidate in Chicago. It proved his popularity and power, not only with Democrats and the discontented, but with Re publicans as well. No man ever before dared to pervert the city departments for the use of partisan objects as he did during this compaign. There was much trading by both of the old parties with the Greenbackers. Both exhausted every effort, to gain adherents. Mr. Harrison was denounced as dictator by the Republican press. Even the Democrats, although they supported him, objected to his dominating tactics. As a matter of fact, Mayor Harrison compelled the entire city government to work in behalf of the Democratic party. The police affairs of the city particularly • were under his domination and -control. Many instances of their high-handed pro ceedings were noted in the newspapers. At a large meeting by the Democrats on October 29, 1880, James R. Doolittle, John F. Farns- worth and Lawrence Harmon were the principal speakers. The total registry of the county of October 31, 1880, was 89,330. This large registration proved the remarkable interest taken in the out come. Just previous to the election Mayor Harrison commenced suit against the Tribune for $50,000 damages for alleged libel in charging him with having counseled the tearing down of the polls on election day. There was sharp contention from the judges and constables who were to serve at the polls on election day. Judge Drummond, Judge Rogers and Judge Moran were called upon offi cially to take recognition of the differences. The result of the election on November 2, 1880, was a Republican triumph throughout. It was a solid North against a solid South, The national Legislature was made Republican. The result in Chi cago exceeded the most sanguine expectations and hopes of the Re publicans. There was a majority approximately of 5,000 in the city and 10,000 in the city and county for the Republican ticket. It was taken to mean that the citizens wanted good government in local affairs and desired the success of the Republican party in national affairs. It was also considered by many as a rebuke to the preten sions, ambitions and policies of Carter H. Harrison. To sum up the results, there were a majority of about 10,577 for Garfield, a like majority for the Republican state. ticket, the election of three Re publican Congressmen and of all the Republican candidates for the General Assembly, a Republican Board of County Commissioners, a Republican sheriff, coroner, recorder, circuit clerk, state's attor ney, and four additional justices of the Supreme court. The vic tory was so decisive that the Republicans held a large meeting to celebrate the result. The vote was so large and there was so much scratching done at the polls that it took several days to announce definite results in Cook county. On the night of the election the streets were thronged with excited people and pandemonium reigned until long after midnight. The Greenback ticket received an incon siderable vote, as did also that of the Communist or Socialist. The 594 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY total vote cast in the county was 82,250. The total vote for Gar field was 54,886; for Hancock, 44,309; for Weaver, 1,141; for Cullom, Republican candidate for Governor, 53,930; for Trumbull (Democratic), 44,719; Streeter (Greenbacker), 1,141. In the spring of 1881 Mayor Harrison was called by the Repub lican newspapers "Non-enforcement Harrison," because of the fact that he adopted the policy of promoting official success by refusing to enforce the city ordinances in order to gain the favor and support of the vicious element. Mr. Harrison himself in one of his speeches practically stated that he would not enforce the exacting regulations against the objectionable elements. At this time vice in the extreme flourished throughout the city, and unitedly that element supported and sustained Mr. Harrison in all his measures. This was one of the features in the election in April, 1881. Open gambling was per mitted and the police were in league with vice and crime. He was candidate for reelection at this time and conducted his campaign with his usual skill and ability against all opposition and in the face of fierce criticism and invective. He met all the charges against him with his usual adroitness and effectiveness. His skilful manner of appealing to the saloon and gambling fraternities and his insin uating methods of securing their support regardless of party, con tributed not a little to his success and to his popularity with that class of people. At the Saloon Keepers' convention, held in September, 1880, an organization along political lines had been effected. Mayor Harri son on behalf of the city on this occasion welcomed the delegates to the convention and dextrously praised the object of their organiza tions. The real issue was approval or non-approval of Mr. Harri son's policy of the non-enforcement of ordinances against crime and immorality. It was now that the moral strength of Hyde Park, South Chicago, Calumet, Pullman, Grand Crossing and a dozen other towns and villages were felt by the citizens of Chicago. The Republican executive committee issued a powerful address to the voters of the city, detailing and presenting a vivid picture of the reign of vice and crime under Mayor Harrison's administration. His reelection was declared to be a menace to every home in Chicago and Cook county. The laws, if executed, were sufficient to sup press all vice. For mayor, the Republicans nominated John M. Clark, a business man of high character who had been a member of the Common Council. For mayor, the Socialists named George Schilling, and the Greenbackers, Benjamin Sibley. A faction of the Socialists nominated Tim O'Meara. The town tickets were consid ered important, and the contests were fought out along partisan lines as well as spoils lines. The support of colored voters was fought for. Every ward was thoroughly organized and desperate efforts to defeat Harrison were made by the Republicans. The Democratic central committee conducted an aggressive and resolute campaign. There was much personal abuse, misrepresentation and libel. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 595 In spite of the utmost efforts of the Republicans, Mayor Harri- soan was reelected by a majority of about 7,000. As a matter of fact many Republicans voted for Harrison as they had done in 1879. Apparently, the people wanted public gambling and immorality, judging from the results of this election. The Democrats carried their main tickets in the three towns of the city. The new council was composed of eighteen Republicans, thirteen Democrats, two Independents, and three Socialists. The total vote cast for Mr. Harrison for mayor was 35,723, and for Clark (Republican) was 28,703. It was a fact that with the exception of the Tribune, the Republican press was not enthusiastic over the Republican candi dates. In other words, they damned the Republican ticket with faint support. A remarkable event of the campaign was the number of colored voters who peddled Democratic tickets and shouted for Harrison and the city administration. Likewise the Jews of the city voted almost unitedly for Harrison. The swarms of city office holders, the keepers of saloons, gambling and sporting resorts, to gether with the disaffected from the Republican and other ranks, caused the defeat of the Republicans and the success of the Demo crats. It was late in October, 1881, before the Executive committees of the various parties took up actively the campaign for the November election. The proceedings of the county commissioners were so sat isfactory that little objection was made to the existing board. The tax-eaters and disreputables had been eliminated almost wholly from that body. People were urged not to permit the conditions existing a few years before to again rule the County Board. The present board was declared to be the most economical that had ever adminis tered county affairs. It was solidly Republican, but the better ele ment ruled the weak cases. The Republican central committee issued a strong address to the voters of the county. A complete accounting of Republican management was exhibited, and although faults were shown still to exist, the county government was proved to be better and stronger than ever before. Previous to the election the apathy of the Republicans was such as to cause comment by local newspapers. At the November election, 1881, there were to be selected a judge, criminal court clerk and five county commissioners. Both parties united on Judge Gary for the judgship. The importance of select ing good men for commissioners was the only important feature of this short and uneventful campaign. The election was called the dullest and most spiritless ever held in Cook county. The total city vote was nearly 60,000 below that of November, 1880. Two demo cratic county commissioners were elected. The total city vote was only 24,209. One Democratic commissioner outside of Chicago was also elected. Thus the Democrats won three out of five new county commissioners. 596 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY The newspapers in April, 1882, confessed that all parties had care lessly nominated doubtful or disreputable men and consequently ad vised that voters should exercise their preferences regardless of party affiliations. This condition of affairs brought out an unusually large number of independent candidates. Many came out so late in the campaign that it was difficult to gain in time a knowledge of their past history and character. The newspapers of all parties warned voters to be on their guard because numerous scalawags were endeav oring to capture the prizes. This election involved the choosing of assessors in the several towns — a very important duty at this time. Beware of leaving the voting to the roughs, toughs and vicious ele ment. It was recognized that indifference on the part of reputable voters opened the gate for disreputables. A feature of the campaign which should not be overlooked was the anti-Cullerton demonstration instituted by representatives of all parties. The contests in the vari ous wards were bitter and personal. The election of April, 1882, had little political significance, but the Democrats as a whole were benefited more than any other party. Out of the eighteen wards the Republicans were successful in only five ; the Democrats elected their aldermen from twelve. The irrepressible Cullerton was elected as an Independent from the Sixth ward. The Democrats were jubi lant and held a large and enthusiastic demonstration to celebrate their victory. In the towns the tickets were split. The Democrats easily carried the North town. Although the Republicans in the West town had an excellent ticket it was generally defeated by a small majority. In the South town the two leading parties split on the candidates. The result was to change completely the complexion of the City Council. It was clear that the scalawag and tax-eating elements of both old parties were in the majority. Accordingly the newspapers announced that the people might expect a saturnalia of bribery, fraud and corruption in the administration of city affairs. The Democrats had the council, the mayor/ in fact the whole city machine. The new council consisted of fourteen Republicans, nine teen Democrats, two Socialists and one Independent. The Demo crats had a clear majority over all others. The committees were organized by the Lawler-Hildreth element. Cullerton was in evi dence quietly and influentially. Mr. Lawler announced that it was a Democratic council and that the majority intended to aid the mayor in giving the people good government. In the fall of 1882 the Prohibitionists put an entire ticket in nom ination. There was also put in the field a so-called Anti-Monopoly ticket. There were so many factions that it was humorously sug gested that there should also be a Communist, Anti-Masonic, Wom an's Suffrage, God in the Constitution, and other tickets. It would make the election more diversified, interesting and lurid. The Repub licans denominated the Democratic ticket, "Mike McDonald's ticket." As a matter of fact the vagaries and theories of partisans in a large HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 597 measure ruled this campaign and election. It was a time for con flicting opinions, reforms of every description were in the air, and people generally were not satisfied to plod along after the banner of the old parties, but preferred to wave different flags and herald dif ferent doctrines. Michael C. McDonald and James Burke, next to Mr. Harrison, were probably the leaders of the Democracy at this date. The former endeavored not only to gain complete control of the city government, but of the county government as well. His dictum concerning gambling houses was final. The roughs of the city were subject to his orders and obeyed him implicitly. But Mr. McDonald could have done nothing without the countenance and approbation of Mayor Harrison. The policy of the party at this time was to win success by keeping in line regular party voters and at the same time win all disaffected, vicious and troublesome ele ments with the sop of immunity. It was found necessary to make concessions to gamblers and to the vicious elements in all parts of the city. The city administration did not hesitate to grant such favors and immunities. Mr. McDonald controlled the Democratic machine, organized the primaries, directed the conventions and named the candidates. Mr. McGarigle was the Democratic candidate for sheriff. Both parties made strenuous efforts to win the Irish, Ger man and disaffected votes. Having the city government under their thumbs, it was now de termined to place the county government in the same subservient predicament. Legislative candidates, congressmen, and county com missioners were to be elected, and as a whole this was one of the most important elections held for several years. The campaign showed Mr. Harrison at his best and to the greatest advantage. He was the recognized power not only in the city but in the county. To defeat him it was necessary for the Republicans to work unitedly, continuously and intelligently until the close of the polls. Immense meetings were held by both parties and their leading orators appealed to the people to support their tickets. A notable incident of this campaign was the splendid canvass made by Captain John F. Finerty in the Second congressional district. His oratory was a revelation to the people and was listened to by immense crowds. His opponent was Mr. Sheridan. A mass meeting at Central Music hall was ad dressed by General Logan and E. A. Storrs. General Stiles also spoke there. This meeting was apparently contradictory in politics and the speakers confined themselves mainly to the question of good government by the selection of honest men. It was a question be tween orderly people and the criminal classes. The Tribune declared * that Mayor Harrison was the tool of Mike McDonald and that the latter was the real boss and dictator of city and county Democracy. On the other hand Mayor Harrison and Mike McDonald and their supporters on the stump and through the press announced their de termination to conduct city and county governments along honest 598 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY lines and to permit no Republican disreputables to interfere with decent and orderly government. But the menacing feature of this campaign was the fact that the Democratic ticket had the support of the vicious classes and unquestionably yielded important concessions and immunities to gain their support. This did not mean that the Republicans were free from blame. No question they themselves would have secured such following could they have done so. It was stated in the newspapers of October 3 1 that within less than ten years Charles B. Farwell, a Republican, Marshall Field, then a Democrat, and scores of other wealthy men of both parties were com pelled to raise $1,500,000 to rescue the city of Chicago from bank ruptcy. After the reign of Colvin's gang it required that sum to put the city government under Mayor Heath in proper financial order. This fact was emphasized during the campaign of October, 1882. It was now declared that an infamous cabal was in possession, not only of the city government but probably of the Democratic and the Republican organizations as well, with the design of corrupting municipal politics and government as they had been under the Col vin administration. During the campaign Mayor Harrison appeared in numerous public speeches in all parts of the city and his course was declared to be undignified and improper. He addressed audiences in saloons and in front of bar-rooms. It was well known that Mr. McDonald was a gambler and saloon supporter. The Citizens' asso ciation did its best to influence voters to support good men regardless of party. It was powerless to overturn or circumvent the cunning, ability and success of the gang leaders. The newspapers denominat ed Mike McDonald as the Boss Tweed of Chicago. The Times, usually independent, supported Mr. McGarigle, the ticket of the Democrats and the principles of Mike McDonald gen erally during this campaign. The Tribune, on November 6, said, "If the people of Cook county are not confronted with a most threat ening and dangerous emergency no local political situation ever pre sented one. The Republican who fails to see clearly that the interest of the county and the interest of his party are absolutely identical must be politically blind. In brief the question is, Shall the govern ment of Cook county be controlled by reputable citizens or shall it be handed over to the tender mercies of the disreputable classes? In the fate of the county ticket is bound up also that of the Congres sional and Legislative tickets. It is not improbable that the complex ion of the State Legislature may be determined by the Cook county election." The Tribune, on November 7, election day, said, "The local campaign ends just where it began — upon the single issue whether or not Mike McDonald shall be the Boss Tweed of Chicago and Cook county." In Cook county the Republicans elected five new Republican sen ators. It was Mayor'Harrison's plan to carry a majority of the Cook county delegation in order to control the Legislature and elect him HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 599 United States Senator. The election defeated his plans. John F. Finerty was elected to Congress. The Democratic machine did everything in its power to defeat him, but failed. The election of the Republican candidate for sheriff was considered the defeat of the McDonald-Harrison organization. As a matter of fact the news papers scared the people of the county, and even Democrats voted against the gang machine, fearing they would go to extremes in their enthusiasm and ambition. The Republicans rejoiced greatly at the defeat of McGarigle. It meant a body blow to the city hall gang by the people of the county. McGarigle was defeated by about 4,000 majority. The Democrats had counted on his election by from 6,000 to 8,000 majority. This election in a large measure defeated Mayor Harrison's ambition and hope for future state and national promi nence and power. However, he was yet the boss of the city govern ment and the City Democracy. The State Legislature was Repub lican, and hence Mayor Harrison had no hope for the senatorship. This was one of the first and most notable victories of the Chicago suburbs against the ring-rule of the city government. In the spring of 1883 a mayor and eighteen aldermen were to be elected. As the city was controlled by a gang of ringsters and graft ers, this election was regarded as highly important. Reform was insistently demanded by the better element of all factions and parties. The Republicans declared that the existing city government was the creature and shadow of Mayor Harrison. Even Harrison himself publicly admitted that the majority of the council at this time was more or less corrupt. He claimed that he could not help it. He was a candidate for reelection. The Republicans nominated Eugene Cary for the mayoralty. This campaign was one of reform, spontaneous ly instituted by all parties that desired improvement in the city ad ministration. The reform candidates were called the Citizens' Union ticket. At an immense meeting held by its supporters at Battery D hall, Mr. Cary declared that the existing city government was a mere party machine. Mr. Harrison a few days before had said that if reelected he would run the city government in the interests of the Democratic party, which elected him, and that Democratic success was of the greatest importance, owing to the near approach of the national campaign. In reply, Mr. Cary said, "The city of Chicago was not organized to be the machine of any party. The people of the city of Chicago are not taxed to support a political machine, and if I am elected mayor the city's government shall not be made the machine of any party." Harrison was denounced in the severest terms during the campaign. He was called dictator and demagogue, and was declared to be aware of the open gambling and vice ram pant throughout the city. The people were called to rally against his administration and reelection. Rousing meetings were held by the Citizens' ticket supporters in all parts of the city. Eugene Cary was their candidate for mayor; Denis O'Connor, city treasurer; Emil 600 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Dietzsch, city clerk ; B. F. Richolson, city attorney. The Democratic ticket was Carter H. Harrison for mayor; John N. Dunphy, treas urer; J. G. Neumeister, city clerk; and J. S. Grinnell, city attorney. The Union League club was so interested in the result and so deter mined to have a fair election that it offered $300 reward for the apprehension and conviction of any person voting illegally. On Sunday, April, 1, every minister in the city denounced the Harrison administration, declared it the friend of vice and crime and begged the people to end its existence. It was declared by them that Mr. Harrison had released from the Bridewell in one year over 600 per sons convicted of all sorts of crimes. The following Monday Mr. Harrison in vigorous terms paid his regards to the preachers who had noticed him so caustically on Sunday. But the efforts of the Fusionists and of the ministers were unavailing. Mr. Harrison was reelected by a majority of about 10,000. The entire Democratic ticket was chosen. An analysis of the election showed that in all probability the Stock Yards, pork-packing and street railway inter ests were the chief causes of the success of the Democratic ticket. A remarkable feature of this memorable campaign was the speech deliverd by Mr. Harrison on the night after the election. He abused in his characteristic style all who had opposed him. The Democrats held a rousing ratification meeting. In the new council were sixteen Republicans and twenty Democrats. No doubt the question of high or low license cut an important figure in this campaign. The recent success of the Democracy throughout the county be tokened their possible success in Cook county in November, 1883. The Democratic machine was extremely arrogant, independent, art ful, able and strong. Four candidates for the County Board were to be chosen from the city and one from the outside districts. The Republican county convention was held November 1. John M. Smyth, chairman of the county central committee, called the con vention to order. Joseph Medill, who was present, was called upon for a speech and complied, describing the condition of city and coun ty politics. He said among other things, "What is involved in this election is the control of the government of Cook county and the administration of its large affairs. If you elect your five commission ers you will retain that control and with its retention you will be sure next year at the presidential election of having honest and capable men for judges and clerks throughout this county." The Republi cans nominated a full ticket for the vacant offices. The Democratic convention, which was held the same day, did likewise. Michael Mc Donald and Joseph Mackin were conspicuous at the latter. The Citi zens' League was active during this campaign. Captain Rumsey was president of the latter. It was a notorious fact that in April, 1883, gross, numerous and palpable frauds were perpetrated throughout the city, not alone by the Democrats, but by the Republicans, though this was particularly HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 601 true of the Democrats, who were determined to retain their power regardless of measures or consequences. Particularly in the Ninth ward were the frauds numerous and flagrant. The election of No vember, 1883, resulted in the selection of four Democratic county commissioners and a Democratic Superior court judge by about 3,000 majority. This was a serious damper to Republican hopes and prospects. It was seen now that the polling places in Cook county at the pres idential election in 1884 would be controlled by Mike McDonald, Mayor Harrison, Joseph Mackin and their supporters. Henry M. Shepard, Democrat, was elected over John A. Jamieson, Republican, judge of the Superior court, by about 3,400 majority. The Demo crats likewise elected Commissioners Leyden, Van Pelt, Hannigan and Niesen within the city limits, but the Republicans elected Lynn in the district consisting of Hyde Park, Calumet, Worth and Thorn ton. In March, 1884, an investigation showed that the registry lists had been doctored. Each party charged the fraud to the other. Mr. Harrison had been so roundly abused for his administration, or mal administration, of city affairs that in sheer desperation during this election he declared he would terminate and close every gambling hole in Chicago. Immediately his friends, Joe Mackin and Mike McDonald, became his enemies. It was thus a contest between the mayor on one side and these distinguished, or extinguished, gentle men on the other. Mr. McDonald himself conducted a gambling house which he called a store. There were many set-tos between the parties and before long was a straight-out fight between the two machines. The interest in this election was concerned in the selec tion of aldermen who would rule in the interests of the party. Eighteen aldermen were to be chosen. The town elections were also important. The newspapers and associations, as soon as the candi dates were announced, investigated their characters and standings and forecast their probable behavior in the City Council if elected. The result of the election generally showed little change in the polit ical complexion or moral character of the city government. There were surprises and unlooked for changes, but practically the council remained as before, in control of the same old gang. Cullerton, Hildreth, Lawler and Colvin, known as the "big four," were there in unbroken and undismayed unanimity. The coming council con tained twenty Democrats and fifteen Republicans and there was one vacancy caused by death. The ring ticket swept the North town. In the West town the Democrats elected their tickets. In the South town the Republicans won with one or two exceptions. In Lake the Citizens' ticket was elected. The taxpayers' ticket won in Hyde Park. It is probable that had not the differences arisen between Harrison on one side and McDonald and Mackin on the other, the Democrats would have made a much better showing. 602 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY The Republican leaders were grossly ignorant, careless and in competent at this time. The Tribune said, "We imagine that if the taxpayers of Chicago and the members of the Republican party can endure the ills which must inevitably flow from the domination of the elements which have lately controlled the Republican party, the active workers in the party can also submit to the infliction. There will be no purification of the city government until the men whose pockets are directly affected by rascality shall realize the wrongs that are being committed against them and shall rise in some citi zens' movement as earnest and well directed as that of ten years ago. Certainly the municipal administration is now sunk in a slough of corruption and vice such as it has never before wallowed in." The success of the old aldermanic gang was expected. Perhaps that was why the Republicans were so apathetic and unconcerned. A desperate effort to defeat Cullerton in the Sixth ward resulted in failure. The majority in the City Council were known to be reck less and corrupt. They did not care how much the taxpayers were plundered nor to what extent blackmail and dishonesty extended. They were mostly ignorant ward heelers without a single aspiration higher than the saloon or the brothel. The Democrats inaugurated their national campaign at an im mense harmony banquet held by the Iroquois club about the middle of April. Among the speakers were J. Sterling Morton, George H. Pendleton, Governor Glick of Kansas, Carter H. Harrison and others. These men voiced the policies of the Democracy for the coming campaign. This was a year in which Cook county was prominent in the state conventions of both parties. The Republicans nominated Richard J. Oglesby for governor, John C. Smith of Cook county was nominated for lieutenant governor; Hon, Burton C. Cook of Chicago was appointed delegate at large to the national convention and instructed to vote for General Logan, the favorite son of Illinois, as long as he should remain in the field. Thus Cook county people were represented on the state Republican ticket. The Republican natiorial convention was held in Chicago. Prep arations for that important event began to be made in April. The people had not forgotten how well the convention of 1889 advertised the city. At this time Carter H. Harrison was a prominent candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor. Theodore Roosevelt was a delegate at large to this convention. The leading Republican candidates for President were Blaine, Arthur, Edmunds, Logan, Sherman and Hawley. On May 14 the combined Anti-monopolists, Women's Suffragists, Bourbon State Rights Democrats, Green backers, Prohibitionists, Trades Unionists, Knights of Labor, Eight- Hour Law men and miscellaneous other factions assembled at Her- shey hall in this city and nominated for President Benjamin F. Butler. The national Republican convention was held in the Exposi tion building on the lake front. Everybody believed that Mr. Blaine HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 603 would receive the nomination. He came with a strong delegation and many supporters. Edmunds, Hawley, Sherman and Harrison were here to secure the nomination if possible. The supporters of Blaine favored the nomination of Logan for Vice-President. Sun day was conceded to be a Blaine day. He seemed to have it all his own way. John B. Henderson was elected temporary chairman of the convention. Many prominent Republicans throughout the coun try were present and addressed the public in the various halls and in the convention chamber during the preliminary proceedings. On June 6 the convention nominated Mr. Blaine for President and Gen eral "Logan for Vice-President. This had been anticipated and caused no surprise. The Democrats nominated Grover Cleveland for the Presidency at an exciting convention in this city. The appearance here of Mr. Cleveland during the campaign was a notable political event. The demonstration was immense and brilliant. In October, 1884, the Citizens' association took steps to perfect the enrollment of voters and to prevent fraud and false registration. The Republicans and the Democrats prepared early for a vigorous campaign on national, state and local issues. The full strength of each party was called into play during the campaign. As the County Board was under control of the same machine as the City Council and as the leader of the latter was dominated and controlled by the McDonald-Mackin gang, the citizens had no great difficulty in seeing what might be the result. The Republican committee recommended a list of judges, but the partisan County Board refused to appoint one of them. Carter H. Harrison was the Democratic candidate for governor of Illinois. It was at his instigation that the Republicans were excluded from representation among the election judges of Cook county. The various conventions met in October and nomi nated candidates for Appellate court clerk, recorder, Circuit court clerk, Superior court clerk, coroner, state's attoney, surveyor and several county commissioners. This campaign was one of the most brilliant and enthusiastic ever held in the county. The Democrats were particularly confident and aggressive. They thoroughly or ganized and resorted to all tactics necessary to win victory. The Republicans were little behind them in efforts to achieve success. The location of numerous voting places in saloons was denounced vigorously by the best newspapers of the city. This led to a change in the location in most cases. The first registration was 29,226 — not one-half of what was expected. So much pressure was brought to bear upon the Democratic machine that finally Harrison, McDon ald and Van Pelt, with other leaders of that party, promised to place a Republican judge in every precinct. Mr. Blaine arrived in Chicago October 25 and delivered a speech to an immense audience. One of the most brilliant processions that ever passed through Chicago streets greeted his visit. The scene in front of the Grand Pacific hotel where he stopped was brilliant in the extreme. Over 50,000 604 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY people and a procession 20,000 strong, accompanied with banners, fireworks and torches made the locality of the Grand Pacific a scene of splendor rarely surpassed. His reception was one of the most notable in the history of Chicago. The Tribune said, "The proces sion was not only the largest that has ever turned out in the history of the city, but one of the greatest popular uprisings that has ever been known in this country. The sight in front of the Grand Pacific was one to be remembered for a lifetime." The last registration day was October 28. The newspapers frantically appealed to voters to attend and register their names. The importance of the local ticket was not lost sight of in the enthusiasm with which the national ticket was received. Republicans and Democrats alike took great interest in the city nominations and fought vigorously to win suc cess. The Temperance party had a ticket in the field. Mr. Butler's chances were thought to be fair. The Mugwumps were in evidence and numerous other factions and cabals appeared before the public for their countenance and support. The Democrats were particu larly active in trading in such a way as to secure the election of Car ter H. Harrison for governor and the selection of a strong Demo cratic representation in the next Legislature. On Saturday, Novem ber 1, the Republicans made another large demonstration and pa rade. For county officers Democrats and Republicans nominated candidates for state's attorney, coroner, recorder, Superior court clerk, clerk to the county surveyor, five county commissioners and three candidates for the state senate. The total registration was about 113,000. Many of the Democratic candidates for the Legislature pledged the Saloon-Keepers' league to vote for the repeal of the Harper law should they be elected to the Legislature. Many of the Republican candidates did likewise. The first announcement of the result of the election was unfavora ble to Blaine and occasioned great depression in the Republican ranks and intense joy to the Chicago Democrats. The national contest was still undecided in the newspapers of Thursday morning. On the whole, Chicago did better than the rest of the country. It gave Blaine a majority of about 2,000. The whole county gave him ap proximately 7,000. This result was attained notwithstanding the cunning system practiced by the Democratic clerks and judges. It was alleged that the Van Pelt-McDonald machine cheated the Re publicans out of fully 2,000 votes in the county. The Republicans were aroused to indignation at the announcement that in New York attempts to cheat Blaine out of the nomination were being patched up. The vote for Garfield in 1880 was 54,886; Hancock, 44,309. Cook c6unty in 1884 gave Mr. Oglesby for governor, 65,362 ; Har rison, 65,070. Harper, 302; Hobbs, 769. It gave Blaine 69,251; Cleveland, 60,633; Butler, 812, and St. John, 996. Chicago gave Blaine 51,420; Cleveland, 48,530; Butler, 542; St. John, 484. In the spring of 1885 the city hall gang made a determined effort HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 605 not only to retain and increase its power, but also to extend its influence and domination to the town tickets which were intrusted with the assessment and collection of taxes. The city hall people contributed means and efforts in the three principal towns and did everything in their power to win those subdivisions to their control. The Republicans were not behind them in similar efforts. Probably- the fiercest fight at this election was over the officers of the three towns. Each of the two leading parties denounced the other in acrimonious terms and charged it with all variety of fraud, misrep resentation and corruption. In a large measure the charges of both were correct. Many people at this time demanded a change in the city govern ment. Harrison had controlled city affairs" for six years. As the Democrats in the fall of 1884 had demanded a change in the national government, so now, declared the Republicans, there should be a change in the city government. It was thought necessary to count the money, examine the books, inject new blood into the arteries of municipal management, and the Republicans accordingly went into this fight determined and confident. On the other hand the Demo crats, confident of having, as a whole, ruled well, again demanded the support of the people. The Tribune said, "The people of Chi cago have had enough — too much — of Harrison. They have had top much of Mike McDonald. They are tired of the scandals which have disgraced the city hall during the last two years. They de mand a change of administration; a new broom is needed; higher ideas of responsibility to public opinion must be established in the Mayor's office and the council chaniber; Harrison and the gang must go." The newspapers of both parties insisted that voters should dis regard partisan considerations and select honest men regardless of party affiliations. There was such a strong feeling against Mr. Plar- rison and the city administration and in favor of a change that the Democrats themselves became alarmed and apparently lost nerve in the exciting closing scenes of the campaign. Among the Harri son speakers were Lawler, Hildreth, Wasserman, McGurren, Van Pelt, McDonald, Winston, Rehm, Kerwin, Weeks, Mackin and others. The Democrats concentrated all their strength to secure the reelection of Mayor Harrison. They slashed tickets to the utmost to accomplish this result. The Police and Fire departments, shovel brigade and all the supernumerary gangs under control of the ad ministration contributed to this supreme object. The saloons assist ed the cause to the utmost. The clubs and associations as well as the newspapers critically examined every phase of the local situation, studied every possible chance for fraud and gave widespread and continuous publicity to every step of the campaign. The committee on public safety offered a reward of $100 for information that would lead to the conviction of any person guilty of illegal voting, fraud ulent registration, repeating, or any violation of the election law. 606 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY They issued circulars or dodgers and spread them broadcast over the city to this effect. Particularly did they direct their attention to the cheap lodging houses of the down town wards. The registry lists were scrutinized and investigated with a thoroughness never before seen here. Both parties levied heavy campaign contributions upon their supporters and members. The Republican and the Democratic campaign committees never worked with greater determination and desperation. Strong organizations of fighters in every ward were perfected and set at work. Both old parties made strong efforts to secure the united support of the Irish, Germans, Scandinavians, na tive Americans and every other faction in the city. In a speech addressed to the Scandinavians Judge Sidney Smith said, "I have been in Chicago for twenty-nine years and have witnessed many campaigns, both national and local, but have never in my life seen such earnestness, determination and enthusiasm as at present. A ring has ruled Chicago for six years and now asks for a continuance of power. When General Grant was proposed for a third term the people said 'No.' Washington set the example of two terms, yet the ring proposes to have a fourth. If they are allowed to succeed this year, God save Chicago. The people will never get rid of them. The ring call themselves the Democratic party ; that is a misnomer. The great majority of the Democrats of Chicago are decent, honest and law-abiding citizens, but they have no more to say in the Demo cratic organization than have the Republicans. The same frauds are now likely to be repeated, with which the ring has controlled the city for six years. The title of the present mayor is tainted with fraud. Harrison can not deceive the people this spring. His time has come. The rousing meetings all over the city indicate unmistak ably that the people are awake and ready to act." The campaign committees, committee on public safety and the various political clubs thoroughly investigated the registration lists and arrested nu merous scoundrels for false registration, etc. People at this time had great confidence in the Committee on Pub lic Safety. It was a non-partisan body composed of leading Democrats, Republicans and others and was established for the pur pose of securing purity at elections and honest men for local gov ernment. It particularly desired to prevent fraud at the polls and to punish persons guilty of that serious offense. This committee was thought necessary owing to the disgraceful conditions permitted un der the Harrison administration. Its weakness was shown by the ring that ruled Chicago in spite of its utmost efforts. An important feature of the campaign were the open letters signed by leading citizens and addressed to the voters beseeching them to improve the city administration. The Republican ticket was as follows: For mayor, Sidney Smith; treasurer, John F. Finerty; city clerk, C. Herman Plautz ; city attorney, Hempstead Washburne, and eighteen aldermen. Missing Page Missing Page HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 609 The election gave Mr. Harrison a majority of 375 votes. In the spring of 1883 his majority was 10,223 and in the fall of 1884 4,655. The vote now was so close that the Republicans prepared to contest the election. These results show how close was the contest and how, narrowly the city government which had ruled for six years with a rod of iron came to being totally extinguished. The Republicans swept the West town by a majority of from 1,500 to 1,700 and the South town by a majority of from 137 to 1,785. The Democrats elected their North town ticket by a majority ranging from 255 to 1,628. The election was followed by serious charges of ballot-box stuffing. The committee on public safety prepared to make a thor ough examination. It was stated in the newspapers that $25,000 was promptly subscribed to enable the committee to make a thorough investigation of the charges of ballot-box stuffing. The official can vass of votes announced about the first of June, 1885, gave Harri son a majority of 375 over Smith; Devine, a majority of 1,541 over Finerty; Plautz, a majority of 190 over Neumeister, and Wash- burne a majority of 1,986 over Ellert. On the first of June the citizens voted nearly two to one against the issue of $1,000,000 in county bonds. In October, 1885, the Republicans nominated Garnett and Magruder candidates for the bench. The judicial election resulted in favor of the Democrats. At this election was submitted to the people the question of a new city election law. Generally the Republicans favored the law. Both parties demanded the election of honest commissioners at the approaching November election, 1885. That was the all-important object of this election. Serious fault with the County Board was found. Its proceedings were characterized by the newspapers as fraudulent and dishonest. Both of the old party county committees prepared to conduct the campaign vigorously late in October, 1885. Reform was demanded by both parties and it was a matter of doubt which was strongest in such demand. The discovery/' of frauds in previous elections and the extravagance and corruption of the city and county administrations appealed to the better element of all parties and occasioned a general demand for improvement and re form. The Democratic managers themselves determined to retire four of their county commissioners — Ochs, Wasserman, McCarthy and Leach. In their place four better men it was believed were nom inated. There were also to be chosen at this election' a Supreme court judge. The Democratic county convention refused to indorse the proposed new election law. The gang particularly were venom ous concerning the law. It meant too great an interference with their methods of conducting elections. The Republican county con vention, before this date, by unanimous vote had declared belief in the election of Judge Smith to the mayoralty of Chicago. The Dem ocratic convention had paid no attention to the resolutions of the Republican convention, nor did it assert in counter resolutions opin- Vol. 11—35. 610 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY ion in the lawful election of Mr. Harrison. At this date eight mem bers of the County Board were Democrats and the remainder Repub licans. Accordingly both parties made strenuous efforts — the Demo crats to keep control and the Republicans to win it. Both parties nominated good men as a whole. This was demanded by the citi zens in terms that could not be misunderstood. The Republicans made the strongest fight in their history to sustain the new election law. They urged by circulars, speakers and through the press the importance of alterations in the old methods. The result of the election of November 3, 1885, was the adoption of the new city election law by an overwhelming majority. Unques tionably thousands of Democrats of the better class voted for the law and no doubt many ringsters among the Republicans voted against it. It really was a question of the ring against the honest people, and the latter won. Before this election the County Board consisted of eight Democrats and seven Republicans. The Republicans now won a majority of the county commissioners, and therefore had a majority of that body. Thus, as a whole, the election was a Repub lican success because they won the election law, elected Judge Gar- nett, and reversed the majority on the County Board. The total vote for the city election law was 32,129 and the total against it, 14,628. Hynes, Democratic candidate for judge, was defeated. The town of Lake at this election adopted the new elec tion law. The Englewood Citizens' association contributed largely to this result. The important consideration in the spring of 1886 was the elec tions in the three towns. Strong candidates were nominated by both the old parties. It was believed that the nominees were better men than had been named for many years. The aldermanic nominations for the city of Chicago were not so good. Both parties named ob jectionable men. Accordingly it was a question with honest voters how to scratch the tickets in order to accomplish the best results. As usual, every artifice known to modern politics was adopted by the partisans to achieve success. Under the new election law many im provements had been made. Polling places were removed from the doggeries. Honest clerks and judges composed of representatives of both parties were appointed. New hours were chosen so that the voting could be done in daylight. Effective provisions to prevent stealing or tampering with ballot boxes were taken. This rendered it certain that with proper vigilance and care from the best citizens, regardless of party, the result would be the selection of honest men for the new City Council. The newspapers of all parties pleaded with the citizens to cleanse the city government at this election. The complete registration as announced on election morning, April 6, was 81,602. The new election law, it was announced, had been drawn up by skillful Republican and Democratic lawyers and had received the sanction of the Supreme court. This made the HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 611 law absolutely operative, so that all good citizens were now asked to act under its provisions and elect the right men. -Rarely ever was a stronger appeal made to the citizens by the press and leaders of all parties than at this election. The demand was for purity in the government of Chicago. The result in the South, West and North towns was the election by the Republicans of ten out of twelve candidates for office. In Hyde Park the Citizens' Independent ticket was successful over the regular Republican ticket. In Lake the anti-administration ticket was successful. The old Second and Ninth wards, so long controlled by the gang, were swept by the Republicans. Twelve Republican, five Democratic, and one Independent aldermen were elected. It was hoped, though not certain, that this meant an improvement in the City Council. The new council consisted of twenty-five Repub licans, ten Democrats and one Independent. The better class of Democrats were as pleased over the results as were the better class of Republicans. All believed it to be a victory for honest city gov ernment, purity in politics and the control or suppression of vice. Over two-thirds of the successful candidates were Republicans. . The new election law was tested and vindicated. It was by far the best and cleanest election ever held in the city. This was true de spite the fact that there was every inducement for the gang to resort to any device to win success. It was noted particularly how the new law expedited the election. Everything was conducted like clock work and there was no confusion or crowding in line at the polls. In October, 1886, the undoubted, manifest and colossal stealing by the County Board ring was admitted and deplored. The news papers denounced the county ring in the most open and scathing terms. The city ring, they declared, never was worse than the ex isting county boodlers' ring. This was the strongest feature of the fall campaign of 1886 — to get rid of the gang or ring on the County Board. The newspapers and associations repeatedly named the ras cals, pointed out their criminal doings, and demanded a change. The Union Labor people nominated a ticket and prepared to contest for the various offices. The Socialists were likewise active and were supposed to be strong at the polls. Carter H. Harrison accepted the Democratic nomination for Congress and accordingly was named for that position. He deemed it unwise to run again for mayor. The "Reds," as the anarchists were called, had for the last year or two exercised considerable power in the county. The Haymarket riot put an end to their preposterous operations and sent several of them to the gallows. This was the period when the cry against capitalism was strongest. The working classes, the discontented everywhere, were arrayed against the capitalistic class and the fac tory lords, as they were termed. Working people were called "wage slaves," and generally socialism, communism, etc., were merged into anarchy. The dissatisfied elements were in considerable power and 612 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY accordingly the old parties sought their support, even to the extent of making dangerous and humiliating concessions to them. It was argued by the ablest lawyers in October, 1886, that the General Assembly had full power to oust the entire County Board and to provide for the election of their successors whenever it should be deemed proper to do so. The election of upright county commis sioners at the coming November election was deemed all important. Again as before, the citizens were appealed to by every influential element to purge the County Board as the City Council had more than once in the past been clarified. At this election the new election law was voted for or against in Hyde Park, Lake View, Cicero and Jefferson. The United Labor ticket was strong. The laboring classes, discontented with the old party treatment, united and named a good ticket. An effort to drag religion into politics was made. The Democratic and Republican press denounced this attempt to blend religion with the dirty politics of Chicago and Cook county. They resolutely opposed this attempt to make religion a test of local or national politics. At this election state candidates, state senators and a full county ticket were voted for. The Republicans nominated Canute R. Matson for sheriff; George R. Davis, treasurer; Henry Wulff, county clerk, and Albert G. Lane superintendent of schools. There were also to be elected five county commissioners and four congressmen. The election showed a clean sweep on the county ticket by the Republicans. They also elected the five county commissioners and two of the Superior court judges. The United Labor party showed unexpected strength. They elected Gleason to Congress in the Sec ond district, but the Republicans elected Dunham, Mason and Adams elsewhere. Judge Prendergast and two other judicial candidates of the Democracy who had the indorsement of the Labor party were elected. The Knights of Labor and Trades Unionists in large num bers supported the Republican ticket, in the towns particularly. One of the pleasing features of the election to the Republicans was the complete success of their Legislative ticket. The McDonald-Harri son-Weeks coterie cut an important figure during the campaign, but their efforts resulted in failure. It was charged that the Socialistic ideas and teachings of Karl Marx were largely responsible for the growth here of the Socialistic movement. Their vote was largely German, Polish, Bohemian and Irish. The Socialists at this time were stronger than they had been for seven years when they ran Dr. Schmidt for Mayor and polled a total vote of about 11,500. A total of about 16,000, of which probably not 1,000 were Americans or Americanized foreigners, was polled in the city now by the Labor party. In the fall of 1885 the Democrats had elected four members of the County Board. Three of them betrayed the men who elected them, leaving the board under the control of Van Pelt and his boodle ringsters.. In the fall of 1886 the Democratic nominees for county HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 613 commissioners were good men, but the party was feared by the citizens. It was believed that Democrats elected would be influenced by the old Democratic ringsters there on the board. This probably led to the election of the entire Republican commissioners' ticket in November, 1886. It was a movement to reform that board regard less of partisan considerations. The leading man elected was J. Prank Aldrich, from the Hyde Park district, who became president of the new Board. Van Pelt, Lynn, Neisen, Leyden and Hannigan were voted out of the County Board. The new election law was adopted by the towns of Lake View, Cicero, Jefferson and Hyde Park. On March 31, 1887, the grand jury returned indictments against the following county commissioners: George C. Klehm, Chris. Geils, R. S. McCloughrey, Chris. Cassleman, R. M. Oliver, Daniel J. Wren, J. J. McCarthy, F. A. McDonald, and against the following ex-county commissioners: M. R. Leyden, John Hannigan, Adam Ochs, C. J. Lynn, John E. Van Pelt, Michael Wasserman, Patrick McCarthy, and also against W. J. McGarigle, warden of the county hospital; Harry Varnell, warden of the insane asylum; Charles L. Frey, warden of the infirmary ; and against fourteen contractors and other business men involved in the frauds of the County Board. The charge in most of the indictments was conspiracy, and nearly all of the commissioners and ex-commissioners were likewise indicted for bribery. In the spring campaign of 1887 the Democratic committee of fifty was an important feature. Carter H. Harrison had been defeated for Congress in the fall of 1886. This disappointed his ambition and hope and kindled his wrath. In March 1887, he was brought forward again as candidate for the mayoralty, but at the last mo ment, seeing defeat probably inevitable, owing to the sentiment against him and to the movement for reform, he refused to head the Democratic ticket. The committee of fifty tendered the nomination to him, but he declined to accept. At this time Mr. Harrison was in favor of the election of the Socialist candidate, Mr. Nelson, to the mayoralty. It was claimed he took this position out of revenge and wounded pride. The Social ists, believing they had a fair chance of success, did everything in their power to prevent the Democrats from nominating a separate ticket and to induce them to support Nelson for the mayoralty. Un doubtedly the object of Mr. Harrison, Mr. Rubens and nearly all other Democrat leaders was to throw the Democratic vote to the Socialist ticket, and in order to do so to fail to nominate an inde pendent ticket. John A. Roche was the Republican candidate for mayor. It was clear that his election would result unless the oppo sition should unite on some strong man. The Socialist ticket was so strong that Harrison realized the Republican ticket was likely to win in case the Democrats nominated an independent ticket. Ac- 614 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY cordingly, he advocated throwing the entire Democratic vote to the Socialist ticket and thus to defeat the Republicans in the contest. Jonathan P. Taylor, who was a candidate for the mayoralty before the Democratic organization, was rejected by Harry Rubens, mainly at the instigation of Mr. Harrison. It thus came to pass that the real issue of this campaign was between the destructive theories of Socialism on one hand and the American ideas of law, liberty and security on the other. Mr. Nelson represented the former and Mr. Roche the latter. "Now choose your candidate," said the press. The peculiar conditions of this campaign were almost unparal leled. The Democrats, by refusing to take any action, Jeft their members to vote either the Socialist ticket, the Republican ticket, or to remain away from the polls. The Republicans, in this emergency, were wise enough to believe that the leading Democrats throughout the city would rather vote for Roche, a Republican, than for Nelson, a Socialist. It was upon this basis that they conducted the cam paign. During the fall Stephen A. Douglas said, "Carter H. Harri son has been for eight years the head of the Democratic party in Chicago, has been mayor, chief of police, city clerk and everything else, and has got mad because he can't hold all the offices any longer, and so he is going to turn over his party to the Socialists and then, like Sampson, pull the temple down about him and let them all go to hell together. I am not against Mr. Nelson because he is a molder. I am against him. because he is either a knave or an ass. He is going to run this city without police. How can he do it? Why, since the Garden of Eden was closed for repairs there has never been a time when policemen were not needed." On the same occasion Judge Sidney Smith said, "This is a peculiar campaign. I never witnessed anything like it. I firmly believe there is only one ticket running. Why, it is like a man kicking at an empty bag. The Democratic organization of this city has wholly collapsed. The processes which brought this about are natural enough. The Demo cratic party has been led to destruction by the most egotistical and most unreliable man of whom I have ever had any knowledge. He has utterly ruined the Democratic party and now wants to hand it over to the party of anarchy and confiscation. He can't do it. The majority of the legal voters of the Democratic party are good, law- abiding citizens. They disagree with us politically, but in all ques tions of law and order they will stand shoulder to shoulder with the Republicans or any other party which upholds the institutions of the country. Mr. Harrison secured the nomination for mayor, and then discovering the feeling of the people he crawled back into his hole and tried to pull the hole in after him. The gopher, you know, throws up dirt all around the hole when he is in hiding. Mr. Harri son is throwing dirt around the hole and on everybody and it won't stay. The proper thing to do is to vote the whole Republican ticket from top to bottom, whether Republican or Democrat." HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 615 The gravity of the situation was not lost sight of. People realized after the bomb-throwing at Haymarket square that the disorderly elements were bent on rule or ruin. Anarchy, though down flat, was fighting here under its red flag and its redder purpose. Mr. Harrison made no concealment of his intention to support the So cialist ticket. It is doubtful if any man ever deserved and received greater denunciation and scarification than did Mr. Harrison during the fall of 1886 and the spring of 1887. Scores of Democrats de nounced him and openly stated their intention of voting for the Re publican candidate for mayor. The newspapers published long lists of such Democrats. It was called to the attention of the citizens that the platform of the Socialists, drafted by Thomas Morgan of Hyde Park and adopted by the late convention, announced the fol lowing doctrines: That all unoccupied lots should be taxed to the full limit; that the municipal government should become the owner of and operate all street railway lines, gas works and mains, electric light plants and telephone lines ; that all railroads should enter the city by one common trunk line. The remarkable fact about this sub ject is that at a later date Republicans and Democrats alike advo cated almost every point then supported by the Socialists. Even un occupied lands, particularly of corporations, are now taxed ; and the railroads have a few common depots or stations. The result of the April election, 1887, was a triumph for the com bined Republican and Democratic tickets. John A. -Roche was elect ed mayor; R. S. Tuthill, Circuit court judge; C. H. Plautz, city treasurer ; Hempstead Washburne, city attorney ; and D. W. Nicker- son, city clerk. Roche's majority over Robert Nelson, the Socialist candidate for mayor, was 27,858. Thirteen Republican, four Dem ocratic and one Socialist aldermen were elected. The Republicans also elected their town tickets. There was a general vote for the annexation of Lake View, Hyde Park, Jefferson and Lake. The combined Republican and Democratic ticket was called "Law and Order," and the Socialist ticket was called the "United Labor." The result of the aldermanic contest was to give to Mayor Roche an excellent working and honest council. "Cook county presents a spectacle unique and unprecedented. For the first time in the history of civilization the public affairs of a million people are in the hands of jail birds who refuse to reform or resign. The County Board and the chief administrators appointed by that body are under indictment, and were it not for the right of bail they would today be behind prison bars. We have hoped for relief from the board itself. Seven of the fifteen have steadily pulled together for reform and one of the other eight has not been indicted. The indicted boodlers and crooks now feel that they are masters of the situation, and so they are unless the General Assem bly comes to the rescue of the plundered people. The thing to do is to ask the Legislature to provide that at the June election an entire 616 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY new board throughout shall be elected. This can be done with but lit tle expense at the same time the six judges are to be elected. As it now stands the indicted crooks have the drawing of the petit jury to sit upon their own trials. Will the Thirty-fifth General Assembly allow such a mockery of justice?" said the Tribune of April 6. Mayor Roche's majority was 27,348. He received a total of 51,266 and Mr. Nelson 23,918. The Prohibition ticket received nearly 400 votes. The jury commission bill before the Legislature in May and June, 1887, was wanted by 90 per cent of the people of Cook county irre spective of party. It was opposed only by the boodlers, by the vi cious and criminal classes, by those unfaithful to their public trusts, by shyster lawyers and others concerned in jury-fixing and bribery. The result of the June election was the triumph of good government and honest political methods over the combined efforts of dema gogy, disorder, anarchy and political corruption. The Socialist vote declined heavily. Under the new law the county elected an entirely new County Board throughout -of fifteen members. The Republicans nominated fifteen — ten from the city and five from the county, and nominated Henry C. Senne for president of the board. It was declared by the Tribune that this commissioners' ticket was not surpassed by any since the new constitution of 1870- was pro mulgated. The newspapers congratulated the citizens of the county on the strong tickets for commissioners put up by the Republicans and the Democrats. On November 8, 1887, the citizens were called upon to vote con cerning the annexation of several suburbs to Chicago. The people generally favored the annexation. Many within those sections of the county were opposed to it, fearing the influence of city politics and dreading to lose their own political town identities. The majority in Hyde Park for annexation, as shown by the election of Novem ber 8, 1887. was 721; Central Park, in Cicero, 543; Brighton, in Cicero 703; Lake, against annexation, 1,207; Jefferson, in favor of annexation, 408, and Lake View, against annexation, 1,066. The November election, 1887, was an overwhelming victory for the Republicans. The entire Republican commissioners' ticket was elected. The jury commission law was carried by a small majority. The South, West and North towns voted in favor of the admission of the petitioned territory — Lake View, Lake, Hyde Park and Jef ferson by substantial majorities. Cicero, Hyde Park, Central Park, Crawford and Section 25 of Jefferson were included in the petition for annexation. The additions were to be attached to the three di visions of the city where they were located. Hyde Park included Oakland, Forestville, Grand boulevard, Wabash avenue, Hyde Park Center, South Chicago and Irondale, also parts of the Stockyards and Englewood districts. This annexation of Hyde Park extended the boundaries of Chicago to the Indiana state line for the first time. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 617 The people voted by an immense majority to issue1 $1,000,000 in county bonds required to pay off the old county indebtedness. In the spring of 1888 both Democrats and Republicans grew care less and permitted the nomination of undesirable candidates for al dermen. There were several independent candidates. For the town offices special Citizens' tickets were nominated and were composed of Republicans and Democrats who desired the best government pos sible. The United Labor party put a ticket in the field. In Hyde Park there was a Citizens' ticket; also in Jefferson and South Chi cago. The United People's ticket in Lake was headed by Elmer Washburn. There were to be elected in April, 1888, thirty out of forty-eight aldermen. The importance of this election was urged upon the people by the press. The party machines were somewhat lukewarm and the danger of such apathy was pointed out. There was a consolidation or a division of parties in order to secure good men. In the Twenty-second ward, for instance, the Democrats and Republicans of the better classes were so disgusted with the party candidates for aldermen that they resolved to support the Radical Labor candidate. At the election of April, 1888, every town officer was elected by the Republicans. They also swept the city. The Radical Labor party cast a still lighter vote than before. Of the aldermanic candidates the Republicans elected nineteen and the Democrats eleven. This gave the new council thirty-two Republi cans, fifteen Democrats and one Socialist. The total vote in the city approximated 54,200. The Republicans cast nearly 30,000 and the Radical Labor party 3,600. In Hyde Park a split ticket was elected. In Lake there was a sharp, close contest. The United Peo ple's ticket was elected by majorities ranging from 150 to 700. In Evanston, Jefferson, and Cicero the Republicans or People's and Citizens' parties won victories. In Lake View the Republican ticket was largely elected. Early in June, 1888, preparations for the Republican national convention at the Auditorium were in progress. The opening day was June 19. For four years the country had been in the hands of the Democracy and it was now demanded that the Republican should be returned to power. An interesting incident of the convention was the introduction to the audience of John C. Fremont, the first Republican candidate for President. Fred Douglas, the colored man, made an impressive speech during the opening ceremony. The leading candidates for the Presidency were Gresham, Harrison and Sherman. Other names were mentioned but these three were the favorites. Mr. Estee was elected permanent chairman of the con vention. On the first ballot Mr. Sherman led in the number of votes. On the fourth ballot General Harrison jumped from less than 100 to 217 votes. On the eleventh he had 278, and on the eighteenth 544, which nominated him. Levi P. Morton was nominated for Vice- President. As a whole the nominations suited Illinois Republicans. 618 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Both parties in October, 1888, prepared for a vigorous campaign. The first registration day was October 9. The Labor convention, which was held here on October 6, voted solidly against any fusion with the Democrats or other partisans. At this meeting the Union, Unity, Industrial Reform and Radical Labor parties united. They nominated an independent ticket. Early in October Melville W. Fuller took the oath of office as Chief Justice of the United States under the appointment of President Cleveland. The total registra tion of the old city, excluding the towns just added, was on the first day 89,804, and in the city, including the towns just admitted, which were Hyde Park, Lake, Lake View, Jefferson and Cicero, a total of 114,675. Throughout the city clubs, committees and organizations carried on a stirring campaign, both on local and national issues. The death of John Wentworth in October, 1888, occasioned great regret. An immense Republican meeting held here October 17 was addressed by John M. Thurston and others. The registration for Chicago and its recently annexed towns aggregated a total of 172,- 138. The registration of the city of Chicago was 133,937. This registration met the highest expectations of all parties. Mr. Blaine appeared here on Saturday, October 20, and was greeted by an im mense audience at Battery D. His reception and his speech were one of the most notable events in the history of this city. Mr. Fifer, Republican candidate for governor, and General Palmer, Democratic candidate, addressed Chicago audiences in October. The speeches delivered by General Palmer greatly pleased the Democracy. The result in Chicago was mortifying to the Republicans. They had promised 10,000 majority to the Harrison national ticket. Two years before the Labor candidate for state treasurer received 25,000 votes in Cook county, the Democratic candidate 26,000, and the Republican candidate 43,000. The coalition of the Democrats and the Fusionists now caused a great change. Cook county gave Gen eral Harrison a majority of only 497. The county more than offset the Cleveland majority in the city, and thus gave the county to the Republicans. Owing to the Socialists' influence, there was a major ity of more than 4,500 against Joseph W. Fifer for governor. The Republican candidates for county commissioners were defeated. The delegation from this county to the next General Assembly was Republican by more than two to one. The Democrats did not get a single state senator. Of the forty members of the General Assem bly from Cook county, twenty-six were Republicans, thirteen Demo crats and one Labor man. The representation in Congress remained practically unchanged. It was conceded that the fusion of the Dem ocrats and the Laborites in Chicago was the cause of the practical defeat of the Republicans, The spring campaign of 1889 was one of the most spirited ever conducted in the city. Both parties were thoroughly united and de termined to succeed. Germans, Irish, Swedes and other nationali- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 619 ties were industriously sought and urged to vote either the Repub lican or the Democratic ticket. The Central Labor Union was influ ential during the campaign. The Democrats nominated Dewitt Cre gier for mayor. The Republicans renominated Mr. Roche for mayor. A few days before the election it was known that the result would be close, although it was believed generally that the Republi can ticket would win by a small majority. The Republicans them selves thought they would have about 10,000 majority. The Re publicans claimed that the fight was really in favor of law and order as against the gang rule which had ended in the Haymarket massa cre and the conviction of the boodlers. The Democrats claimed that the Republican administration was weak and inefficient and that the reforms promised had not been carried out. There was more enthu siasm shown among business men than ever known before. Many local questions figured in this campaign. Rapid transit, prohibiton, Sunday closing and high license were the deciding subjects in this campaign. The result was that the Democrats not only received their full party vote but also received the large floating vote opposed to any restriction as regards Sunday closing or the sale of liquor. Mike McDonald had charge of the Democratic campaign. The league between Mr. Cregier and the gamblers was well understood by every one familiar with the situation. This campaign was really an attempt of the disorderly and saloon elements to gain control and resume the power, liberty and immunity they had previously held under Mr. Harrison. Mayor Roche was detested by the vicious elements, owing to his rigid enforcement of the ordinance against gambling and immorality. No stone was left unturned by either party to secure the support of any and every race, faction or religion that could be influenced in the city. In this respect the campaign was notable. It was acknowledged just before election day that no campaign had ever been more thoroughly or enthusiastically con ducted. The skill of Mike McDonald as an organizer and campaign manager was abundantly shown during this campaign. Probably at no time in the history of the city were the Democrats so united, determined and confident as during this campaign. Every intrigue or scheme likely to win votes was adopted regardless of its charac ter or consequences otherwise. The result of the election was the success of the whole Democratic ticket. The combination of the rank and file of the Democrats with the laboring people and the gambling element was sufficient to win success. Evidently the people did not want a rigid enforcement of the law such as Mayor Roche carried into effect. The South town elected Republican officers, but the West and North towns were car ried by the Democrats. In Hyde Park the Republicans were defeated and the candidates of the Citizens' party were elected. In Cicero the entire Republican ticket was elected. The People's ticket succeeded in Jefferson. In Lake View and Lake the Republicans were suc cessful. 620 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY One factor which contributed to the Republicans' defeat was con ceded to be the weakness of their aldermanic ticket. The most of the nominees for that important position were men of small caliber, named by one-sided caucuses and unsupported by the mass of think ing and intelligent Republicans. The party was rent by intrigues in almost every ward. Local jealousies and other considerations named the weak men. No honest man could find fault with the Roche ad ministration. It was just, fair, clean, honest and able. It suppressed ¦ vice more than had been done before for a decade, but in doing so encountered the hatred of the elements that were compelled to obey the law. Cregier's plurality was 12,058. The city clerk, Amberg, Republican, was elected by a majority of 133. The new council had twenty-five Republicans and twenty-three Democrats. The new aldermen elected were thirteen Democrats and thirteen Republicans. For governor, Fifer received 58,107 and Palmer 65,912 votes. In the fall of 1889 the new primary law was put into effect and was pronounced successful. The law took from the committeemeh their previous autocratic power. The most important object of this election was the selection of fifteen candidates for county commis sioners, ten from the city and five from the county. There were also to be elected a recorder of deeds, judge of the Circuit court, and judge of the Superior court. The fight was good men against incompetents. Michael C. McDonald conducted the Democratic campaign. His ability, skill and experience were necessary to Dem ocratic success. The boodle claims figured in the contest. It meant a great deal whether honest men or dishonest men were elected county commissioners, because upon them would rest the decision of whether to fight or not to fight such claims. Mr. McDonald made a strong fight to secure the election of his candidates for the County Board. A strong attack upon President Senne of that body was made by his opponents. Nearly all charges were denied and shown to be false. The Republicans and Democrats divided the victory at the November election. The Republicans elected their recorder, Circuit judge and five of the county commissioners. The Democrats elected their candidate for Superior judge, president of the County Board, and ten of the county commissioners. The importance of the April election, 1890, was duly recognized. Both parties organized and conducted spirited campaigns. It was thought by many that the City Council was a more important body to Chicago than was the State Legislature or Congress. All real ized that the city fathers had immense power over fortunes and hap piness. The problems at this time were clean streets; smoke nui sance; good drinking water; separation of police department from the vicious and gambling elements; the proper handling of city funds; absence of boodling; preparing the city for the World's Fair; control of gambling and vice ; extension of city improvements ; good schools ; control of the city by men of such honesty and good charac- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 621 ter as would create a good impression during the World's Fair. The elections in the towns were not lost sight of. Town officials were usually extravagant and were paid high salaries. Accordingly there usually were vigorous fights for those positions. Personal interests and considerations ruled this election. There was a multiplicity of candidates. In most wards there were three — Republican, Demo crat and Independent. The Democrats swept completely the three town tickets. The Republicans won in Hyde Park and Lake View and only partly in Lake. This was the first time for many years that all three old towns were controlled wholly by the Democrats. The Democrats had thirty-four members of the new council and there fore held a slight majority in that body. The total registration at the April election, 1890, was 149,441. The campaign in the fall of 1890 was one of the most enthusiastic and bitterly contested ever conducted in the city. The Democrats held their convention on the last of September. It was one of the most turbulent, disorderly and riotous ever held in the city. The contending factions fought to a finish before the ticket was finally selected. Numerous fist fights on the floor of the convention hall occurred. As a whole the nominations were those of strong, able and presumably honest men. During the campaign General Palmer, Senator Cullom and other prominent men assisted their friends in this county with speeches and influence. The campaign committees were particularly active in seeing that no portion of the county was neglected and in making every attempt to secure factional votes. The Civil Service Reform league issued an interesting campaign document to which very little attention was paid. The Republican papers roasted Mr. Lawler, Democratic candidate for sheriff, and declared him to be a demagogue and friend of the gamblers and plug- uglies. The Citizens' committee of one hundred, representing the British American Council, the Patriotic Order of Sons of America and other organizations named a full ticket at this election. Both old parties during the last week of the campaign held parades and ratification meetings throughout the city, and particularly in the down town districts. There was much trading done. The Demo crats strained every nerve to secure legislative members. There was nominated at this time what was called an Independent ticket for county commissioners. It was issued in the interests of a non partisan board based upon a business platform. A number of the most prominent men in the city were connected with this movement. It was conceded that this contest was not one for political advantage, but was in the interest of good and honest government. The result in many instances was so close that it required the official count to settle who had the majority. The Republicans secured six of the ten city members on the County Board, including the president. That number, with the five county members, gave the Republicans the majority on the County Board. As a whole, it was a Repub- 622 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY lican victory. James H. Gilbert, Republican, defeated Mr. Lawler, Democrat, for the office of sheriff. Hull, Republican candidate for county treasurer, was defeated by Kern, Democratic candidate. The new delegation in Congress was three Democrats and one Republi can. Wolfe, Republican candidate for county clerk, defeated Haert- ing, Democrat, by a substantial majority. Lane, Republican can didate for superintendent of schools, defeated Mrs. Mulligan, Dem ocrat, by a large majority. Frank Scales was elected County judge over the Republican candidate, Mahert; Kettelle defeated Ball for Superior judge; Brentano defeated Garnett for Superior judge. For state treasurer, Cook county gave Amberg 72,291, Wilson 77,- 904 and Link 920. Wilson was a Democrat and Amberg a Repub lican. In the spring of 1891 Mr. Harrison desired the nomination for mayor, but was unable to induce the Democratic convention to think likewise. They nominated Dewitt C. Cregier for that office. This so incensed Mr. Harrison that he prepared to oppose savagely the election of Mr. Cregier. He secured the nomination for mayor on the Personal Rights League ticket on March 16, and immediately began a bitter denunciation of the management of city affairs by Mayor Cregier. He pronounced the administration of the latter the most shameful and corrupt in the history of the city. He charged the mayor with having 500 men on the pay roll in one ward, 700 in another, and about 1,000 in another — all for election purposes, and demanded to know out of what fund these men were paid. The Cregier faction succeeded in capturing the support of the Trade and Labor party. Among the questions before the people during this campaign were the Sunday closing ordinance, the union labor question and the movement against gambling. Frank Lawler, the right-hand man of Mr. Harrison, stumped the city against the Cregier and Republican tickets. The Republicans nominated Hempstead JWashburne for mayor and in their platform demanded the following : No increase of indebtedness ; every dollar to be accounted for ; public inspection of accounts; publication of the city pay roll; day labor system in place of contract system ; eight-hour day ; no one but citizens on the city pay roll; suppression of public gambling, and divorcement of the police from politics, etc. The city hall (or Cregier) faction of the Democracy during this campaign practiced the most objection able methods in order to secure the success of their ticket. They colonized voters at lodging houses, padded the registration lists and in some instances on election day stuffed the ballot boxes. The old gang were determined to win. The business men of both par ties united against the Cregier ticket and administration. An im mense mass meeting of non-partisan business men was held at Cen tral Music hall on March 21. Mr. Washburne addressed the audi ence. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 623 The Democrats in their platform supported the following princi ples : The eight-hour law ; the streets are the property of the peo ple; legislation for the masses; the city to do its own work and not through contractors; the enforcement of the factory and tenement laws ; the city treasurer to be paid a fixed salary ; the interest on de posits to belong to the city treasury. The Republicans made the most of the attacks of Harrison and Lawler upon the Cregier ad ministration. The Socialist-Labor party nominated Thomas Mor gan for mayor and the Citizens' committee and the Prohibition party nominated Elmer Washburne. Thus there were five mayoralty tickets in the field. The Democratic State Central committee de cided that Cregier was the regular Democratic nominee. This fur ther complicated this unique, abusive, rascally and thrilling cam paign. The speeches of Stephen A. Douglas and John Finerty in support of the Republican ticket were witty, sarcastic and brilliant. In every ward there were sharp, personal contests. All parties paid particular attention to the question of non-partisanship of the police force. A remarkable fact connected with this campaign was that although Cregier and his supporters in their speeches and documents stated substantially the facts, they were not believed, but were ridi culed, condemned and finally ignored. The Republicans declared at this time that the County Board, under Mr. Edmanson, had been guilty of graft, corruption and scandal almost every day in the year. Among the policies -advocated by the Citizens' party candidates, headed by Elmer Washburne, were the closing of saloons, the non- opening of parks to the public, and the stoppage of street cars on the Lord's day. The platform was called a Sabatarian one. The news papers referred pointedly and sarcastically to "Cregier and his family trust." Thus savagely the factions approached election day. Hemp stead Washburne received for mayor 46,857, Cregier 46,421, Harri son 42,170, and Elmer Washburn 23,596. For the City Council the Republicans elected fifteen members, the Cregier Democrats sixteen and the Harrison Democrats three. Charges of cheating, fraud, false registration, colonization, and stuffing ballot boxes, were as numerous after the election as before. The elections in the various towns were vigorously contested. The North, South and West towns and Lake, with slight exceptions, went Democratic. Hyde Park, Like View, Cicero, Jefferson and Calumet, with a few exceptions, were carried by the Republicans. On September 26, 1891, the Democrats named Jonas Hutchinson for Superior judge; Charles E. Babcock, superintendent of schools; L. E. Cooley and W. S. Bogle, drainage trustees; John S. Cooper, president of the County Board, and fifteen county commissioners. The factions of the Democratic party united in this convention. The Harrison wing and the Cregier wing held separate caucuses and even sat apart in the convention, but finally united on the above ticket. The preparation of the platform was left to the campaign 624 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY committee. The Republican county convention was held on October 1. The ticket was as follows: Theodore Brentano, Superior court judge; Orville T. Bright, county superintendent; William Bolden- weck and B. A. Eckhart, drainage trustees; J. M. Green, president of the County Board, and fifteen commissioners. The Republican newspapers boasted that their ticket was the strongest and best that had been nominated for several years. It was a cut-and-dried slate ticket. A special committee of seven selected these candidates in advance of the convention. The People's Trade and Labor party nominated Michael Healy and C. G. Dixon for drainage trustees- Robert Nelson, president of the County Board; Homer Bevans, county superintendent. The Prohibitionists organized and put a full ticket in the field. Early in October the campaign committees on all parties began active work. The new Australian ballot was to be used and the newspapers contained full descriptions as to how it should be voted. The registration lists were purged, lodging houses were inspected everywhere throughout the city, and efforts to secure a pure and untrammeled vote were made. On the other hand the ringsters and wolves were as busy as ever. There was graft on the County Board and graft in the City Council. Boodlers seemed to be everywhere. The Republican newspapers singled out Mr. Cooley as the object of their attacks. Adolph Kraus, Frank Wenter, Aus tin Sexton and Thomas Gahan were among the leaders who prepared the Democratic platform. During this campaign city and county consolidation was considered. Mr. Cooley's deep canal plan was thoroughly discussed. It received unlimited abuse from the Repub lican newspapers. They declared that if his plan were put in opera tion it would mean enormous taxation. At the election in November the Republicans were successful. A Republican Board of County Commissioners was chosen. Boldenweck, Cooley and Eckhart were elected drainage trustees. On the balance of the ticket the Repub licans swept the county with majorities running from 7,000 to 14,- 000. In March, 1892, voters were urged to study the character of al dermanic and town candidates. The leading newspapers said there was ten times more aldermanic corruption than at any time since 1.871-72. One paper said, "In 1871 aldermen were paid for getting places for policemen, for allowing bay-windows to be constructed in violation of the ordinances, and for permitting a railroad to lay down a switch track. Today they sell franchises to gas and com pressed air companies. They sell rights of way to trunk lines and force elevated and street railroads to pay tribute to them. There should be investigations, indictments and convictions." That paper urged the grand jury to make an immediate and thorough investi gation. It was declared that the boodlers and bribe takers of 1871-2 were bunglers, and that it took some time for aldermen to learn how to conceal their crimes. The council of 1876 was overwhelmingly HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 625 honest. Almost every man was absolutely incorruptible in official duty. People, then determined on reform, deliberately selected good men. Why then in 1892 should not the present council be selected from the ranks of well known and honest citizens regardless of party? In twenty-eight of the thirty-four wards of the city there were from three to five candidates for each aldermanic vacancy. In each of the other six there were two candidates. This gave the citi zens plenty of material, such as it was, from which to choose. Everybody liked the Australian ballot. It became popular from the start. The existing council was Democratic and was likely to re main so, but there was no reason why it should not be honest as well as Democratic. The city authorities at this time made vigorous and praiseworthy war on poolrooms and bucket shops. That was one item to the credit of the city administration. About the middle of March, 1892, the Grand Jury returned in dictments against the following aldermen : Cremier, W. J. O'Brien, Jackson, Dorman, Gosselin, D. R. O'Brien and Gorman. These men protested their innocence. They were charged with bribery in the granting of franchises. It was argued at this time that both givers and takers of bribes should be punished. Why let a wealthy cor poration be free to tempt aldermanic candidates? As high as five hundred new citizens were turned out of the naturalization mill in two days about the middle of March. AH parties, whether they ob tained honest men or not, were doing their utmost to achieve suc cess. The Democratic newspapers demanded to know why Repub lican aldermanic boodlers had not been indicted as well as Demo cratic aldermanic boodlers. Thus far indictments had been returned against the latter only. They insisted that the state's attorney, for partisan purposes, was proceeding against Democrats only, and de manded the whole truth regardless of fear or favor. The news papers and the federations demanded day after day that the regis try lists should be thoroughly purged of all fraudulent names. At this time as never before did both parties covertly attempt coloniza tion plans in different portions of the city. In the Eighteenth and Twenty-fourth wards, where the registration was unusually heavy, such schemes were revealed. That they existed in the down town wards all admitted. The free silver discussion cut an important figure. The laboring people appeared upon the scene with a full ticket. Street cleaning by special assessment was considered. When the grand jury finished its labors about the first of April indictments had been found against nine aldermen and one member of the Board of Education. The newspapers, as usual just previous to the day of election, published lists of men whose selection as alder men they thought most wise. These lists were regarded with sus picion. The newspapers themselves were partisan and therefore made the support of party nominees the first consideration. The town and the aldermanic contests were fought from a partisan stand- Vol. 11—36. 626 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY point, though each party made honest efforts to secure good men. The result of the election was more satisfactory to honest citizens than had been anticipated. Several of the most pernicious members of the council were retired to private life. The success of getting good men of both parties for aldermen was particularly noted and gratifying. Of the thirty-four aldermen whose terms expired, only nine were reelected. Thus about twenty-five of the old aldermen were -retired from office. It was thought that the twenty-five new men could do no worse for the city than had the twenty-five who went out. Twenty of the thirty-four were Republicans, two Inde pendent Democrats and eleven straight-out Democrats. In the West town the Republicans swept the field. The Democrats carried the North town and there were split results in the South town. The Republicans carried Hyde Park and Lake View. There were mixed results in Jefferson and Lake The vote to annex the town of Cicero showed in the city a large majority in its favor. At this elec tion the total number of names on the revised registry lists was 208,- 021, but the total number of votes polled was only 133,257. Early in October, 1892, the newspapers declared that the frauds committed during the spring election of 1891 were gross in the ex treme and should not be permitted again in this city. There were four full tickets and one partial ticket in the field in the fall of 1892, namely, Republican, Democratic, Prohibition, People's, and People's Trade and Labor. John P. Altgeld was the Democratic candidate for governor and Joseph W. Fifer the Republican candidate. There were to be elected state officers and judges, and in Cook county were to be chosen senators and representatives, several judges of the Supreme and Circuit courts, state's attorney, recorder, coroner, county surveyor, drainage trustees, several clerks of the courts and a full quota of county commissioners. A sariiple Australian ballot was published in the newspapers. At this time Chicago was enjoy ing the greatest building boom in its history owing to the World's Fair. The dedication of the World's Fair buildings in October was an important event, although unconnected with politics. On October 23, Senator Sherman of Ohio delivered a powerful speech on na tional affairs in Central Music hall. There was considerable excite ment in October, owing to unlawful instructions sent to the election clerks. These instructions were finally withdrawn. The campaign for the governorship was one of the most exciting in the history of the state. In this city particularly were state issues, national issues and county issues thoroughly discussed and torn to tatters. Mr. Altgeld brought into politics the question of native born Americans and foreigners and succeeded in creating much interest and sharp discussion concerning the character and nationality of men chosen to office. The free silver problem and the labor situation were fully explained during this campaign. The total registration in the city by October 28 was about 270,000. This HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 627 list it was admitted would have been considerably larger had it not been for the new law requiring a longer residence in precincts. Both parties in October continued strong and vigorous cam paigns, particularly in behalf of the national and state tickets. Per haps never before was there shown such a strong disposition to dis regard the importance of local politics as at this time. The news papers themselves dwelt almost wholly on national issues and neg lected local interests in a large measure. Six judges of the Superior court and two judges of the Circuit court were to be chosen. It had been the custom for many years, in order to remove the judgeships from politics, for the two old parties to divide the candidates for those important positions. At this election both parties departed from procedure and nominated full partisan tickets for county judge ships. Governor Fifer was here early in November and delivered a series of speeches throughout the city and county. During' this election there was a strong demand for speakers, stronger in fact than the supply. People demanded arguments and facts and accordingly immense quantities of printed campaign mat ter were distributed. Governor Fifer and Governor Altgeld made aggressive campaigns. Eifer's visit to Chicago the week before election greatly improved his chances. He particularly addressed German audiences. He stated that if reelected he would secure the repeal of the Edwards law and the passage of the compulsory educa tion law. During the campaign the Republican newspapers unspar ingly lampooned Judge Altgeld. He was called a disgrace to him self and to his party. Altgeld ignored the charges brought against him and continued his effective work with the people whom he thought most inclined to support him. Both parties struggled hard to secure the Legislature with the expectation of redistricting the state. Both had strong tickets in the field. At this election Mr. Lori- mer was candidate for clerk of the Superior court. He was fiercely attacked by the Democratic press and speakers. The compulsory education law was discussed and torn to pieces during this campaign. Its objectionable features were laid to the responsibility of Governor Fifer. As a matter of fact it transpired that the Woman's club of Chicago was the first to agitate a compulsory school, and that John P. Altgeld, as attorney for the club, probably assisted in the prepa ration of that law. During the last few days of the campaign hun dreds of inflammatory pamphlets were circulated by the anarchists among the followers of that class of people. It was presumed that anarchy was dead in Chicago, but this act proved that it only slum bered. The result of the election was a surprise to Chicago and Cook county. The election of Mr. Cleveland was wholly unexpected even by the Democrats themselves. The state of Illinois was swept by the Democrats. The whole state ticket and nearly the whole county 628 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY ticket were elected by that party. The Republicans were not dis heartened by this defeat. They felt that Governor Fifer had con ducted a strong and brilliant campaign. He had been fiercely and venomously attacked, but his administration was not shown corrupt nor inefficient. Mr. Altgeld's phenomenal campaign attracted the attention of the whole country. He did not touch a single topic which he did not misrepresent. Cleveland's majority over Harri son was 31,748; Altgeld's majority over Fifer was 30,389. This was one of the most notable victories of Democracy ever won in Cook county. The party swept almost the entire county. The Re publicans elected but one Congressman. The feature of the spring campaign, 1893, was the candidacy of Mr. Harrison for the mayoralty. It was his ambition to be the World's Fair mayor, and accordingly, to secure the prize, he made the most desperate effort of his life. Many Republicans liked Mr. Harrison. They admired his methods, and all admitted that his personal reputation and character were above reproach. Thus Mr. Harrison made a strong bid for votes of this class of Republi cans. The Democratic city convention adopted a platform devoted mainly to a description of what they desired in the management of city affairs. They took the position against the granting of any franchises without full compensation to the city. It was shown that Mr. Harrison during his former mayoralty haM given away several valuable franchises without due compensation. But this was true of other former mayors. Now the party took a different- tack. The platform declared that the police force should be non-partisan, that the special assessment system should not be abused, that loss of life at grade crossings should cease, and ended by saying, "the larg est measure of personal liberty consistent with the common good" was necessary to the city. This was understood to mean conces sions to vice. The party announced that owing to the great honor conferred upon Chicago by its selection as the place for the Colum bian Exposition, the city should respond by furnishing a superior administration and by exhibiting to the world the high character of Chicago men and the magnitude of local business enterprises. It was noted at this time that the presidential campaign of 1892 had been one of the most dignified ever conducted in Cook county. It was further noted that the spring campaign of 1893 was the re verse. Mr. Harrison had many bitter enemies who did not hesitate to attack him with all the venom which real or supposed injuries could summon. As a matter of fact many leading Republicans who usually would not think of supporting a Democrat for any ordinary position, quietly favored the election of Mr. Harrison as World's Fair mayor. Voters did not lose sight of the importance of electing good aldermen on this occasion; and the newspapers, clubs and associations made numerous appeals and all made thorough exposi tion of the character and qualifications of men nominated for im portant positions. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 629 Unquestionably Mr. Harrison was the leader of the Democracy of Chicago at this time. In almost every ward, although he had bitter opponents, he succeeded in routing them and winning nearly all the contests. He fought particularly hard to secure a Democratic city council, knowing how vital the character of that body was to his own administration. The power of Mr. Harrison was shown by the fact that the Republicans were on the defensive. They even went so far as to beg Mr. Harrison to see that honorable Democrats were elected to the City Couricil. It was declared by the Tribune early in March, 1893, that one-tenth of the convention which nominated Mr. Harrison for Mayor had been in the penitentiary, the bridewell, or the jail. Washington Hesing opposed Mr. Harrison. He stated that if he could have secured forty more delegates in the convention he would have had a majority and that those forty were offered to him for from $500 to $20,000 a head. Popular opinion selected Lyman J. Gage as the Republican can didate for mayor. He was regarded by many as an ideal man for the World's Fair mayor. There was also a strong demand that Samuel W. Allerton should become the Republican nominee for the mayoralty. He was liked by business men throughout the city. The importance of the town offices was kept in view. Both parties made vigorous fights to secure these prizes. The Republicans held their convention on March 15, and duly nominated Samuel W. Allerton for mayor. They left to the city central committee the selection of acceptable Democrats to fill the positions of treasurer and attorney. Thus the ticket was really non-partisan, being made up of Republi cans and of all Democrats who would not support Mr. Harrison. Mr. Allerton was nominated by acclamation. The discussion of candidates which had continued for two weeks culminated in the de mand for his nomination. Both parties nominated full spring tick ets, but the Democrats were particularly unfortunate in naming for aldermen many men of inferior character and qualifications. Both paties in their platform demanded reform in the city administration. Whether both meant it or not was another question. The Republi cans nominated Bernard J. Neibling for city treasurer and James C. McShane for city attorney, both Democrats. There were four tickets in the field, the Citizens' non-partisan, composed of Republi- sans and anti-Harrison Democrats ; the Harrison ticket, the United Citizens' or' Cregier ticket, and the Socialist-Labor ticket. There were several aldermanic candidates of excellent character and sev eral independents. On March 21 the Republicans held an immense ratification meet ing at the Auditorium to celebrate the candidacy of Mr. Allerton. Many of the best speakers of the city were present. Mr. Harrison conducted one of the ablest, most aggressive campaigns in the history of the city. Although his administrative record was considered bad he managed by adroitness, skillful evasion and artful presenta- 630 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY tion of what he had actually accomplished to satisfy a great many Republicans. The newspapers particularly vilified, criticised and bespattered him without mercy. If everything concerning him could be believed he was no more fit to be mayor than any criminal. Peo ple did not believe this, however, because all knew Mr. Harrison to be personally a man of high character and knew that while he might shield vice, he would still give a fair administration of muni cipal affairs. His attitude on all city affairs, particularly franchises and immunities extended to vice, was thoroughly examined and held up for public inspection. It was well understood that Mr. Cregier's candidacy was due to his wish to be revenged on Mr. Harrison for having run independently two years before. A volume could be employed in recounting the charges, countercharges, abuses, vilifi cations, intrigues, misrepresentations and falsehoods in this nauseat ing and memorable campaign. It was a time when friends turned against friends, when revenge, spite and hatred cut a great figure. Mayor Harrison was in a large measure responsible for this villain ous and mendacious campaign. The result was an easy victory for Mr. Harrison. The Harrison disaffection manifested throughout the campaign shrank to an in considerable vote on election day. The few Democrats who did not vote for Mr. Harrison were replaced by Republicans who did. The candidacy of Mr. Cregier turned out what it was known to be — a farcical, frantic, spiteful attempt to divert as many votes as possible from Mr. Harrison. The Socialist-Labor ticket was probably run with the same object in view. Mr. Harrison received a total of 113,929, Allerton 92,761, Cregier 3,019 and Erenpries 914. The Democrats elected their city attorney, treasurer and clerk. Rogers Park and West Ridge were annexed to Chicago by this election. This gave the city two additional square miles of territory and about 3,500 population. The Republicans elected a majority of their aldermanic candidates. The new council was composed of about twenty Republicans, twelve Democrats and three Independent Democrats. The Democrats elected their entire West town ticket by a large majority. They also carried the South town and partly the North town. This was a great victory for the Democrats, and they gave one of their most enthusiastic celebrations to voice their ecstasy over the results. In September, 1893, the Tribune said, "The present County Board has been as reckless and extravagant as any that has controlled since the Van Pelt-Klehm combination of boodlers. It has obstruct ed good work begun by the last excellent board and has outrun the appropriations. It has existed in an atmosphere of suspicion and jobbery. The majority of the present board should be got rid of this fall. Capable, honest and experienced men should be elected from the city districts that the county affairs may be honestly ad ministered. The Edmanson-O'Connell administration of county affairs should be ended as soon as possible." HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 631 A scheme for redistricting the city was considered by the election committee of the council in September, 1893. It was admitted by all authorities that the present representation on the City Board was unfair and disproportionate. It was said that the Twelfth ward, with 14,000 voters, had but two aldermen, while the First and Sev enteenth wards, with an aggregate effective vote of only about 7,000, had four aldermen. The same disproportion was true of other wards. A change was desirable. In September, 1893, a certain newspaper stated that for the last three or four years the character of the Cook county judiciary had steadily deteriorated. That paper declared that small bore lawyers, political pettifoggers and wire pullers had been swept into office be fore their true character and qualities were known. Several were without character or conscience and had never written a brief and were without legal ability or legal knowledge. As nine judges were to be elected this fall the newspapers generally insisted that a com bination of gamblers, groggery keepers, demagogues and anarchists which had lately been formed should not be permitted to name judges or to defeat good men intended by honest citizens for the bench. Both parties, not being able to agree, decided to nominate full party judicial tickets. The best members of both of the old parties argued publicly the importance of nominating honest and capable men for county commissioners on an anti-salary grabbing and economical platform. Mr. Hesing had fought Mr. Harrison's efforts to secure the mayoralty nomination, but the latter was successful. Disagreeable personalities were resorted to by both men during the campaign. Mr. Hesing did everything in his power to prevent the election of Mr. Harrison. Now, in October, 1893, when Mr. Hesing desired to be postmaster Mr. Harrison opposed his appointment, probably owing to the bitter remembrances of the former mayoralty cam paign. The Bar association, anxious to secure good judges rather than partisans, selected in September eight persons, four of each of the old parties most conspicuous for judges, to be voted for at the coming election for their legal ability. One of these men was Judge Gary, whom all were willing to see elected. At their county convention the Democrats renominated the ten serving Democratic city commissioners and the five county Repub lican ones. The following day the Republicans nominated their judicial and commissioners' tickets. Judge Gary was renominated by acclamation, the entire delegation or convention rising and cheer ing his name when it was presented. George Struckman was named for president of the County Board. Governor Altgeld opposed the reelection of Judge Gary, owing to his attitude in ruling against the anarchists during their trial. 632 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY But the Democratic party of Cook county endorsed Judge Gary in spite of the attitude of the governor. Mayor Harrison favored the reelection of Judge Gary. There was a concerted fight made against the reelection of Judge Gary by the Socialists and anarchists headed by Messrs. Schilling, Morgan, Neebe arid others. On the other hand upright citizens of all parties made a determined fight for his return to the bench. The Gary ratification meeting was one of the most notable and complimentary ever held in Chicago. Judge Gary in his speech said that it was the first time for thirty years he had appeared before a political gathering. On four different occa sions he had been the non-partisan nominee for reelection. On this occasion he made no partisan appeal, but stated simply that he was a candidate for reelection. However, the attitude of Governor Altgeld against the reelection of Judge-Gary rendered it necessary, so it was thought by his supporters, that a fight of unusual strenuosity should be made in his behalf. Governor Altgeld himself appeared here late in October to speak against Judge Gary, and generally to oppose the Republican ticket. The assassination of Carter H. Harrison, the mayor, on October 28, 1893, shocked the city, the county and the whole country. He had been so conspicuous here for many years, and particularly was so well liked by men of all parties, that his sudden and violent death occasioned profound and sincere sorrow throughout the county. This was regarded generally as one of the resultants of the anarchistic movement. Mr. Harrison himself had been largely instrumental in permitting it to reach a strong standard of power. At this time there were thirty-eight Republican aldermen in the City Council and thirty Democrats. The vacancy caused by the death of Mayor Harrison was filled temporarily by the City Council. On November 2 thirty- five of the thirty-eight Republican aldermen met in caucus and nom inated Alderman George B. Swift to fill the vacancy. On November 3 the thirty Democrats of the City Council met in caucus and agreed to support Alderman John McGillen for mayor. The latter- was chairman of the Democratic county campaign committee. On No vember 4 the council struggled over the appointment of a new mayor. The Tribune said, "The council chamber has been the scene of many riotous and disorderly proceedings, but the scene enacted yesterday by the Democrats who sought to sieze the mayor alty was the most disgraceful ever witnessed and the most scan dalous in the history of Chicago. There was no regard for law, order or civic decency. The Democratic minority of thirty tried to usurp the functions of the majority of thirty-eight. Every step in the Democratic program was taken in defiance of every rule of parliamentary law. The most disgraceful feature of the proceed ings was the bribery of(three or four weak-kneed Republican alder men to assist the minority in the schemes of usurpation and possibly plunder." Mr. Swift was elected mayor by a majority of the City HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 633 Council. Of the sixty-eight aldermen, thirty-four were for Swift, thirty-three for McGillen and one blank. On November 6, in order to remove all doubt as to the legal election of Mr. Swift as mayor of Chicago, a new ballot was taken in the City Council with the following result : Mr. Swift 62 and Mr. McGillen 5. There was one blank vote. The death of Mayor Harrison necessitated the election of a new mayor. The Republicans in December, 1893, named George B. Swift for that position. The Democrats nominated John P. Hop kins. With but two weeks in which to conduct the campaign both parties inaugurated vigorous work throughout the city. Mr. Swift had served as mayor by appointment for about three weeks and dur ing that time had revealed several stuffed pay rolls. The Republi cans made the most of this discovery. There were about 281,000 registration voters. During the two weeks the campaign was one of the hottest ever conducted in the city. The vituperation, abuse and malignity displayed were rarely ever equaled here. Old repulsive scores of long standing were settled. The election resulted in a victory for Mr. Hopkins by about 1,290 plurality. Two other can didates were Britzius and Wakeley, put forward by the minority parties. The election of Mr. Hopkins was a great triumph for the city hall people and for Democracy. Three Republicans and one Democrat were elected to the Supe rior court judgeship. There were also elected two Republicans to fill vacancies on that bench. Three Republican Circuit court judges were chosen and one Republican Circuit court judge was elected to fill a vacancy. The entire Republican County commissioner ticket' was elected. Judge Gary was reelected by a majority of over 5,000. A heavy majority for the annexation of Norwood Park to the city was given. The vote on the museum project showed a heavy ma jority iri its favor. In the spring of 1894 the press of the city declared that for sev eral years the Board of Aldermen had been the worst, if possible, in the history of the city. Papers said that a majority of the alder men were at all times open to bribery for franchises of every de scription. Their business was to rob both great and small, collect thousands of dollars for a gas ordinance, hundreds for the laying of a switch track, and less amounts for smaller favors. Many were professional plunderers and graduates of rum holes and slums. They went into the City Council for no other purpose than graft and dishonesty generally, so said the newspapers. The election of thirty-four new aldermen in April was declared to be very impor tant and all good citizens were urged to register and vote. The cry from the press, the rostrum, the clubs, and the associations was for municipal purity and the permanent retirement of the boodlers. Both parties accordingly made earnest efforts to secure the nomina tion of good men, but in spite of their exertions several objection- 634 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY able candidates were named by each. This could not be avoided if party success was to be the result. It was a partisan necessity, so it was declared, to make concessions to objectionable elements in order to secure their patronage. This has ever been the bane of politics. Partisans, in order to achieve success, must concede im munity to vice. Both Republicans and Democrats about the middle of March, 1894, nominated full aldermanic tickets of thirty- four numbers. As a whole, the selections were good. Under the new ballot law there were several Independent candidates by petition. Of the twenty- nine aldermen nominated by the Democrats, nine were liquor sellers. As it was the experience of Chicago that such men made the worst aldermen, this fact was dwelt upon by the newspapers during this campaign. Many local questions were involved, such as track ele vation, the saloons, free silver, the labor question, gambling, nickel in the slot machines, clean streets, honest registration, cheap gas, prize fighting, overhead wires, a new courthouse, electric lighting and encroachments on sidewalk space. Both parties particularly desired the election of their candidates for assessor in the various towns within the city limits, and accordingly made a spirited cam paign to secure that prize. The contests in the various wards were sharp in the extreme. Politics gave way in a large measure to pulls, graft and personal considerations. The newspapers declared that it was a dangerous election, owing to the desperate raid at tempted by political ringsters upon the taxpayers. At the April election, 1894, the Republicans were generally successful. Their majority in the council was increased by three. The Republicans elected twenty-two out of the thirty-four candidates for aldermen, and also elected the town tickets in five of the seven towns consti tuting the city. The Republicans elected their entire ticket in the North town by a majority ranging from 2,000 to 6,000. They car ried Hyde Park, Lake View and Jefferson by substantial majorities. The Democratic ticket won in Lake and the West town. The Re publicans carried Cicero and Evanston. The election of April, 1894, was considered highly favorable to the Republicans. In the De cember preceding, the Democrats had elected Mayor Hopkins by a majority of nearly 1,300. Now the results were so much the other way as to give great encouragement to the Republicans. The violent labor agitations and strikes during 1894 rendered the political campaign in the fall of that year extremely interesting and exciting. The attitude of Mr. MacVeagh in regard to the Debs boycott was commented upon with great severity in September. He denounced Cleveland in supporting the United States courts when the latter asked relief in that emergency. He declared that the na tional government had taken an important part in local affairs which should have been left to local governments. However, neither Governor Altgeld nor Mayor Hopkins, both Democrats, were able HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 635 to enforce law and order during the strike. The attitude of Gov ernor Altgeld in support of the strikers was an important considera tion at this time. All of these questions rendered the campaign a memorable and exciting one. It was a period when there was much gush, hypocrisy and misrepresentation to secure the support of the laboring people. Mr. MacVeagh continued in a series of strong speeches from the standpoint of the strikers. William E. Mason said that Mr. MacVeagh reminded him of "the Colossus of Rhodes, not so much on account of his greatness as his ability to straddle the silver question," and that Mr. MacVeagh called "industrial controversies one between law and order on the one side and vio lence, arson and murder on the other." Senator Cullom, in a logi cal speech, delivered September 12, answered Mr. MacVeagh's arguments against Republican rule. The fall campaign of 1894 was considered important, because the complexion of the General Assembly, which was to decide the United States senatorship, was to be determined. At this election also was to be decided the ques tion whether Republicans or Democrats should rule the County Board. The congressional campaign was bitterly contested. The Trade and Labor party of Chicago took the position that the state militia had been diverted from its original purposes as guardian of the peace of the commonwealth and been used to do the duty of private corporations. This attitude opened up the whole subject of the merits and demerits of the strike during the preceding summer. The Civic Federation made unusual efforts to obliterate public gambling in the city. It was shown to be the partisan policy to grant immunity to the gambling interests, and further to favor vice and crime as an adjunct of gambling and liquor selling. At this date the iniquities of the old justice system were revealed and shown to be little better than an accompaniment of vice, and there fore a serious blot on the integrity of judges, the justices and their courts. It was openly and repeatedly asked by the Civic Federation and by the citizens whether the people were willing to sumbit to the domination of gamblers, boodlers and criminals. Mayor Hopkins, in answer to the Civic Federation, declared that there was no gam bling in Chicago. In a second speech he amended this declaration by declaring that "gambling could not be suppressed in Chicago." Committees of the Civic Federation pointed out numerous instances where open gambling and vice ruled and flourished. The committee found 109 places -where there were open gambling, and of these thirty were within a stone's throw of the city hall. Accordingly the better element of both parties denounced Hopkins and his ad ministration in the severest terms. The Civic Federation ascer tained that there were in the city nearly 2,000 professional gamblers who made their living by fleecing the unwary sheep who fell into their clutches. This was one of the chief objects of this campaign — the suppression of public gambling. Never before had the citi- 636 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY zens, particularly in the suburbs, taken so much interest in this question. Mass meetings to influence voters to suppress this dan gerous vice were held in every ward. The worst feature was that the justices and the disreputable dens were the allies of the gamblers during this compaign. It was decided by the County Board in Oc tober to submit to the vote of the people of the county the question of issuing $4,000,000 in county bonds with which to erect a new courthouse and jail. The election of November, 1894, embraced a judge of the County court, judge of the Probate court, county treasurer, sheriff, county clerk, clerk of Probate court, clerk of Criminal court, county super intendent of schools, president of the County Board, and fifteen county commissioners. The Republicans, Democrats, People's party, Populist party, Prohibitionists and Independent American citizens nominated more or less complete tickets. All parties con ducted a vigorous campaign. A Republican Legislature would be called upon to elect a United States senator in the place of Mr. MacVeagh. Judge Trumbull was the champion of the Populists and Socialists during this campaign. He favored all the sophistries and inconsistencies during this memorable period of misrepresenta tion, misinformation and demagogism. Owing to the fact that the gambling element was vigorously attacked during this campaign they raised an immense corruption fund, hoping thus to win success. Money was used unsparingly throughout the county. Every effort known to intrigue, artifice and chicanery was practiced by them. They shuffled their cards well and in the end turned up many a knave. Among other subjects discussed were income tax, single tax and no tax. The first day's registration about the middle of October was unusually heavy. The total was over 234,000. At the close of the second day's registration the unrevised list showed a total of over 300,000 and a total female registration of over 23,- 000. The appearance of Thomas B. Reed, speaker of the House of Representatives, in Chicago in October, 1894, was an important political event. At the First Regiment armory he discussed with great power the political issues of the day. About October 31, 1894, John P. Hopkins swore out a warrant for the arrest of John R. Tanner, chairman of the Republican State Central committee, charging him with criminal libel. This action stirred up a tempest. Mr. Hopkins had charge of the Democratic county campaign. The Populists put a full ticket for Congress in the field. The Republican candidates for Congress were Aldrich, Lorimer, Belknap, Woodman, White, Cooke, and Foss, and the Democratic candidates were Dembufsky, Hannahan, McGann, Ryan, Noonan, Goldzier and Lange. Outwardly both parties thoroughly investigated the registration lists and lodging houses, and exhausted every known plan to prevent a dishonest election. Notwithstanding that this was a county election and that the mayoralty campaign HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 637 would not take place until the coming spring, the Republicans now attacked with great persistency and fury the administration of Mr. Hopkins as mayor and generally the acts of the city hall gang. Early in November Mr. Altgeld delivered a speech on the West side that attracted general attention. He openly favored license to anarchy, and even sanctioned rioting in some cases. He denounced Mr. Cleveland for interfering in the strike of the preceding summer. He also sustained Debs in his course during the strikes. He de clared that the Republicans were responsible for the large number of workingmen out of employment. One of the features of this campaign was a non-partisan appeal for a pure ballot, signed by many leading Republicans, Democrats and others. The various political clubs and associations were very active. Tariff reform, free trade and protection were considered. The newspapers spoke of this campaign as one of the "most tricky" ever held in the city. Party managers used every artifice known to modern political warfare. The result of the election in November was the success of the Republican ticket. Every candidate of that party was elected and a solid delegation was sent to Congress. The three parties most in evidence during the campaign and at the elec tion were the Republican, Democrat and People's. The Republicans elected all members of the County Board, with Daniel D. Healy as president. The Republican majority in the county varied from 25,000 to nearly 50,000. For state treasurer, Wulff, Republican, received 152,729; Claggett, Democrat, 101,031; Randolph, People's party, 34,025. The proposition to issue $4,000,000 in county bonds for a new courthouse was lost by a majority of nearly 25,000. The proposed constitutional amendment was carried by over 35,000 ma jority. In the spring of 1895, previous to the election, the council passed two boodle ordinances — the Cosmopolitan Electric and the Ogden Gas. The passage of these two ordinances kindled the wrath of the best citizens of both parties and of the press generally throughout the city. The newspapers begged the mayor to veto the ordinances. The Civic Federation called an immense indignation meeting at' Central Music hall at 3 o'clock p. m., March 3, 1895. Lyman J. Gage presided. An overflow meeting was held at the Second Regi ment armory. The speakers at these meetings used the severest language ever heard on Chicago rostrums. The Republican and Democratic councilmen who had voted for the above boodle ordi nances were denounced with such terms as scoundrels, hyenas, para sites, thieves, sand-baggers, blood-suckers, vultures, boodlers, wolves, vampires and a dozen others. Instead of vetoing the bills, Mayor Hopkins promptly signed the Ogden Gas ordinance and a little later the Cosmopolitan Electric ordinance, with a few amend ments. This act thoroughly roused the anger and indignation of the city. All the best citizens prepared to defeat the schemes of the 638 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY boodlers. The Democrats nominated by acclamation Frank Wenter for mayor; the Republicans nominated George B. Swift. The cam paign was personal, bitter, abusive and active. Swift and Wenter stumped the entire city. Many demanded a civil service law. "Hon est aldermen" was the cry. Bryan's free silver advocacy attracted attention. "Coin" Harvey's financial school doctrines were studied and criticised. The merits and demerits of the Humphrey bill which licensed gambling were discussed and compared. It was declared that for years the council had gone from bad to worse until now it was absolutely unbearable. Appeals for the selection of good men came from rostrum, pulpit, committees, clubs and the press. The result was the election of Mr. Swift by an immense majority. The entire Republican ticket swept the field. Everything, including the towns, went Republican. If an occasional Democrat crept in he was overlooked in the landslide. Mr. Swift's plurality was more than 41,000. In 1885 Harrison's plurality was 375 ; in 1887 Roche's plurality was 27,406; in 1889 Cregier's plurality was 12,012; in 1891 Wash- burne's plurality was 379, in 1893 Harrison's plurality was 21,089, in 1893 Hopkins' plurality was 1,290 and now in 1895 Swift's plu rality was 41,121. The citizens were overjoyed at the prospect of an improved if not a perfect council. Civil service, which had been voted upon, was adopted by a majority of 45,000. The new council consisted of fifty , Republicans and eighteen Democrats. There was a clear majority of honest men of both parties. In the old council the majority were bad, regardless of party affiliations. The new civil service law was duly considered during the fall campaign of 1895. The application of civil service to the employes at the poorhouse, county hospital and insane asylum was suggested first by Daniel D. Healy, more in the nature of a joke than with any serious intention in view. Mr. Healy appointed the commissioners and presumed their duties would be carried out at Dunning and the county hospital only. But John S. Miller, corporation counsel, expressed the opinion that the law was applicable to all departments of the city and county. No matter what the intentions of the legis lature were, the bill spoke for itself- and unquestionably was applica ble to both city and county. Alderman Madden introduced in the council a resolution against putting the civil service law into effect in the city departments. The reason why Mr. Healy applied civil service to the county institutions was to prevent abuses of power and authority. One or two patients at the insane asylum had been killed by brutal attendants and Mr. Healy's object was to prevent the recurrence of such barbarity. In September, 1895, there were sharp factional fights in party ranks to secure control of the nominations. Particularly was there a bitter fight made to secure control of the Republican County Cen tral committee. The city faction opposed the county faction. The HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 639 primaries were held early in October under the new Crawford law. This law prevented the casting of any votes except by members of the party holding the primary. The county faction finally secured control of the convention. At this date the advisory board of the county commissioners was strongly in evidence. An important fact during this campaign was the unquestioned honesty of the Drain age board which had spent nearly $19,000,000 without graft or corruption. The tariff question and the free coinage of silver prob lem were discussed in detail. The Democrats boldly claimed that existing prosperity was due to the Democratic national administra tion. The Republicans pointed to the discontent existing and to Re publican success in the fall of 1894 and the spring of 1895. The ownership of the land occupied by the city hall was called in ques tion at this time. City finances were in bad condition and the sub ject was taken into politics. There was an immense floating debt and the current revenue was insufficient for its liquidation. All parties urged the selection of honest and able drainage trustees and the adoption of the Torrens law. Large meetings were held by the two leading parties in all parts of the city. The Republicans put in the field such speakers as Mason, Roche, Mann, O'Donnell, Schoonmaker, Boldenweck, Eckhart, Lorimer and others, and the Democrats such as Wenter, Trude, Smyth, Kiolbassa, Sabath, De- vine, Morrison, Jones, etc. Lorimer was chairman of the Republi can Central committee. The registration iri November, 1895, was about 46,000 less than that of April, 1895. Honest drainage trus tees was the principal issue. The result was the success of the Re publicans. Mr. Lorimer was given credit for the victory. Eckhart, Carter, Braden, Mallett and Boldenweck, Republicans, and Wenter, Smyth, Kelley and Jones, Democrats, were elected drainage trus tees. This gave the Republicans a majority in that body. The total registration at this election was 309,068, of whom about 25,- 000 were women. Cicero voted against incorporation. The Tor rens land title system was carried by an immense majority. Judge Ball, Republican, was elected over Judge Morrison, Democrat, by about 35,000 plurality. In the spring of 1896 the silver question confronted all parties. On March 17 the Municipal Voter's League held a large mass meet ing at Central Music hall. Municipal reform was the topic of dis cussion. The character of aldermanic candidates, it was declared, . must be improved. Members of the City Council who had recently voted for the General Electric ordinance were not wanted for re election. Thirty-six aldermen were to be elected in April, of whom two were to fill vacancies. One of the speakers at the Central Music hall mass meeting said, "There was a clerk on the North side once, who earned $1,500 a year salary. He was elected alderman. After four years' service in the council he began to build great blocks of stone-front houses. 640 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY He has his Florida plantation and has made his trip to Europe. Now he is trying to break into the council again and he has $10,000 to pay for his nomination." It must be acknowledged that this de scription practically fitted hundreds of men who had served in past years in the City Council. Many frauds were practiced in the regis tration of March, 1896. The Civic Federation and the Municipal Voters' League sent agents to watch the registration. On the first day over 61,000 names were placed on the books. As there was to be no mayoralty election in April, 1896, the entire attention of the citizens and voters was called to the charcter of the aldermen to be selected. Henry Hertz was prominently mentioned in connection with the nomination for state treasurer. John R. Tanner was a strong candidate for the governorship. McKinley was mentioned in connection with the nomination for the Presidency. The Trib une severely opposed him, principally owing to his protection doc trines. Civil service on the police force was discussed. The rear fight of this campaign was made in the wards. There were sharp contests in every section of the city to secure honest men. In nu merous wards the boodlers were out in strong force with money and intrigue in order to divert the voters from the path of rectitude. As a whole, the two old parties nominated excellent men for the coun cil. The newspapers and the different clubs and federations rec ommended their particular tickets for election. The towns of South, West and North Chicago, Hyde Park, Lake, Lake View and Jef ferson nominated town tickets. The newspapers particularly con demned the following men and advised the citizens to vote against them : Martin, Rohde, Ryan, O'Connor, Mahoney, Powers, Col vin, Ackerman and Howell. Owing to the vigorous system of in vestigation and purging there was a smaller percentage of bogus names on the lists than ever before. The Civic Federation offered a reward of $100 for the arrest and conviction of any person vot ing illegally or of any election judge, clerk or challenger who should violate the law. The Republicans elected their entire tickets in all of the towns within the city limits. The result of the aldermanic election was as follows : Holdover Republicans, 27 ; holdover Democrats, 5 ; Re publicans elected, 22; Democrats elected, 14; total Republicans in the new council, 49; total Democrats, 19. There were many sur prises at this election. The energy, determination and hard work of the honest citizens secured an unusually strong and honest council. The previous council contained fully two-thirds of corrupt members. There were some wards that always elected bad men. Honesty in those wards was not expected. The Republican majorities at this election were not quite as heavy as they were one year before. It was noted that this election was one of the quietest, most orderly and most lawful that had been conducted here for many years. The Republicans carried the city by about 27,000 majority. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 641 Mr. Altgeld was a prominent candidate for the gubernatorial nomination in 1896. The Democracy of Cook county, like that throughout the country, was divided into the Free Silver wing and the Gold wing. Every effort to carry the Democratic national con vention at Chicago for free silver was made by the advocates of that measure. The cry was "16 to 1." The struggle for free sil ver was begun in this city several weeks before the opening day. It was known that the Silverites would have a two-thirds majority in the convention. It was therefore anticipated what position that body would assume. The Gold Democrats on July 4 held an immense meeting at the Auditorium. It was their last united attempt to pre vent the adoption of a free silver plank by the convention. The Populist-Democratic delegation, at the instigation of Mr. Altgeld, supported Mr. Bland. It was announced at the commencement of the convention that if a free silver plank should be adopted the Gold men probably would bolt the ticket, hold a separate convention, and nominate independent candidates. The opening proceedings were characterized by desperate fighting between the Free Silver and Gold factions. The silverites won in the contest for temporary chairmanship. It was now clear that the Free Silverites were nu merically so strong that they were independent and would concede nothing to the Gold wing. It was not until the second day of the convention that Mr. Bryan appeared as a candidate in the character of a dark horse. The great convention was brilliant in the extreme during the nominating speeches. The great orators of Democracy were here and the contests over free silver brought out the latest brilliancy of the distinguished speakers. The nomination of Mr. Bryan was made by Delegate Lewis of Georgia. Quietly he led up by degrees and finally named and nominated that gentlemen. In stantly the entire convention went wild. The delegates began marching around with banners, up and down the aisles of the great hall, paying no attention to the raps of the chairman for order. One state after another, particularly from the South, joined the movement and continued the pandemonium for a long time. Dur ing this demonstration the convention came very close to nominat ing the distinguished Nebraskan by acclamation. Mr. Bryan de livered a speech of unusual eloquence and power and the convention at its conclusion again went wild. The delegations arose and, with their standards advanced, stood around the Nebraska delegation. Three-fourths of the delegates stood upon their chairs, swinging their handkerchiefs, hats, umbrellas, coats and canes. The next day Mr. Bryan received the nomination on the fifth ballot. Illinois started the stampede for Mr. Bryan. The nomination was no sooner made than the Gold Democrats inaugurated a bolt against the nom inees of the convention. The Gold wing of the Democracy in Sep tember, 1896, held a convention and nominated an Independent ticket. They nominated John M. Palmer of Chicago for President and Simon B. Buckner of Kentucky for Vice President. Vol. 11—37. 642 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Both parties in Cook county, in fact all parties, prepared for a vigorous and stirring campaign, not only on local but on national issues. During September the lawful number of voters petitioned the County Board to submit the question of abolishing township government to a vote of the people at the November election. Mr. Altgeld was nominated by the Democracy for governor of Illinois. In few elections were national questions so thoroughly analyzed, discussed arid considered as during the campaign of 1896. The silver question particularly was made a matter of public education. Populism, the labor question and the rights and privi leges of strikers and employes were discussed as never before. In all of these questions Cook county, and particularly Chicago, was vitally interested, and the inhabitants generally studied the, subjects in detail. A notable speech was delivered by Governor Altgeld at Central Music hall on September. 19. He addressed his remarks particularly to the arguments made here by Carl Schurz a short time before. His speech was dignified and lacked the usual rabid anarchist sentiments. He dwelt particularly upon the "crime of 73." The Republican newspapers called Governor Altgeld- the Popocratic candidate for governor. The Republicans nominated John R. Tan ner, who, as well as Mr. Altgeld, stumped the state. On October 9, 1896, the "sound money" representatives held one of the largest demonstrations ever assembled in Chicago. It was stated that 68,307 persons, by actual count, marched through the heart of the city. The procession was witnessed by 750,000. The Free Silver people also held immense meetings and conducted a pro cession almost as large. These were pronounced the most dazzling pageants in the history of Chicago. It was at this time that the expression "government by injunction" was used as a party slogan. The parade of railroad men on October 24, in the interests of sound money to sustain the candidacy of Mr. McKinley, was a memorable event of this remarkable campaign. Fifteen thousand railroad em ployes were in line. The press throughout the campaign in issue after issue denounced Mr. Altgeld personally, politically and other wise. The first day's registration in October, 18967 surpassed all expec tations. The total was 293,182 and exceeded the registration of 1894 by 47,402. There was a total of 347,574 in 1894. The total registration was announced on October 21 as 383,515. This num ber included Cicero. This was over 52,000 more than the New York city registration. There were in the field the following national tickets : Republi can, McKinley and Hobart; Democratic, Bryan and Sewall; Pro hibition, Levering and Johnson ; People's, Bryan and Watson ; Gold Democrats, Palmer and Buckner; Socialistic Labor, Matchett and Maguire; National, Bentley and Southgate; Middle of the Road Democrats, Bryan and Watson. These parties all put out more or HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 643 less complete tickets in Cook county. There were to be elected a state's attorney, coroner, clerk of Circuit court, clerk of Superior court, recorder, surveyor, and eleven members of the County Board. The county was also required to vote upon issuing $600,000 in bonds to be used in erecting an additional story or stories to the old courthouse. Late in October Mr. Bryan appeared in Chicago in a series of brilliant speeches. At the November election, 1896, Chicago polled 46,055 more votes for President than did New York. In Cook county the Re publicans elected two state senators and twenty-seven House mem bers. The Democrats elected one senator and eighteen members of the House. The candidates for the Presidency received the fol lowing vote in Chicago and Cicero: McKinley, 204,734; Bryan, 145,740; Levering (Prohibitionist) 1,906; Palmer (Gold Demo crat), 2,385; Matchett (Socialist Labor), 712; Bentley (National), 141 ; Bryan and Watson ( M. R. ) , 2 10. In the whole of Cook county McKinley received 221,823 ; Bryan, 151,911 ; Palmer, 2,600; Bryan and Watson, 236. The plurality of Governor Tanner in Cook county was 41,682. The Constitutional amendment was carried, but the bond issue was lost. The Republicans swept the entire county ticket. The pluralities ranged from 43,000 to 56,000. Deneen, for state's attorney, defeated Kern by a plurality of over 56,000. The County Board was solidly Republican. The Republicans and Gold Democrats ratified the election and celebrated their joy by an immense meeting at the Auditorium on November 6. In March, 1897, Alfred S. Trude contested with Carter H. Har rison before the Democratic convention for the mayoralty nomina tion. Mayoralty candidates, if elected, were asked to pledge them selves to close the saloons on Sunday. This demand was made de spite the fact that the mayor had no such power. Civil service re form and clean streets were thoroughly discussed. The bill for im proving the special assessment system was before the Legislature. The question of granting a franchise to the Cook County Subway and Terminal company was criticised by the people and discussed by the newspapers. A. S. Trude finally withdrew from the mayor alty race. He did not believe in free silver, which was announced to be a vital issue of the approaching municipal election. His withdrawal was occasioned by the attitude of Governor Altgeld on that question. The previous year Mr. Trude supported both Bryan and Altgeld, who represented free silver. This year he refused to run on a ticket having that subject as its fundamental plank. It was announced that "16 to 1" would rule this election. At the Dem ocratic convention, held on March 11, Mr. Altgeld dictated the plat form and in a large measure named the candidates. The platform made the free silver question the paramount issue. The platform further supported an economical administration of city affairs and the merit system. At this convention the Democrats nominated 644 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Carter H. Harrison for mayor. Mr. Trude nominated Mr. Harri son. The Chronicle opposed the nomination and election of Mr. Harrison, It assailed his former administration with great vio lence. About the middle of March it said, "The alleged Democratic machinery in Chicago is controlled by crooks, dead-beats, bunko steerers, confidence men, and grafters who look upon the city hall as a place for easy money if control of the municipality is delegated to them. It cast about for a candidate who would possess three indispensable qualities — first, money ; second, popularity, and third, pliancy. They hit upon Carter H. Harrison, and, the more easily to compel his nomination in what they would call a Democratic convention, they assembled Populists who declared for every ism under the sun not-. Democratic, and placed him in the field. Mr. Harrison's election would be a popular calamity. It would de stroy merit system of public employment. It would place Mr. Deuce Ace at the head of the police machinery. It would establish in the city hall a close corporation of plundering contractors. It would deplete the treasury and would make Chicago among all cities of the Union a hissing and by-word." Judge Nathaniel C. Sears was nominated for mayor by the Re publicans. Washington Hesing and John M. Harlan were candi dates for mayor. All questions concerning the city administration were thoroughly discussed during this vigorous campaign. The newspapers declared that the election of Mr. Harrison meant the same condition of affairs that existed under the elder Harrison's administration. The hard money Democrats were not satisfied with the free silver Democratic platform. They therefore determined to nominate their own candidates for mayor. In one of his speeches Mr. Harrison said, "Judge Sears stands for a puritanical govern ment of this municipality, while we Democrats believe in liberty of individual action. This is a fight between the people and the puri tanical classes." Harrison openly promised the wide open policy if elected. This gave him an immense following from the floating and disreputable elements. He took the position that personal lib erty demanded that saloon keepers should be permitted to keep open all night. The People's party South town convention indorsed the entire Democratic ticket. The South town Republicans in a mass meeting indorsed the entire Republican ticket. John M. Harlan was a candidate of the Citizens' Independent ticket. Washington Hesing was an Independent candidate for the mayoralty. The address of the Municipal Voter's League to the citizens of Chicago was an important document. It analyzed the local situa tion and did not hesitate to condemn as well as commend. At this time the so-called Humphrey bills were before the Legis lature and were discussed by the Chicago people. One of the bills extended the franchise of street railroads for fifty years — the city to receive 3 per cent of the gross profits. The other bill provided HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 645 for taking out of the hands of the city the regulation of its common carriers and turn them over to a state commission to be appointed by the governor. These bills cut an important figure in this elec tion. They were thoroughly discussed. The issues of this campaign were as follows: The rigid enforcement of the civil service law; suitable compensation for public franchises ; the honest and econom ical administration of public trusts. The cry of the Democracy during this campaign was "Down with the civil service law." The repeal of that law was favored by the vicious element en masse throughout the city. Of the four candidates for mayor, two (Sears and Harrison) were regular nominees and the other two (John M. Harlan and Washington Hesing) posed as reformers. It was im possible for either of the latter to be elected. It was claimed that their candidacy was purely political and not in the interests of re form. They were induced to run for no other purpose than to dam age the two old party regular tickets. At this election thirty-four aldermen, or half of the whole coun cil, were to be chosen. All parties nominated a full list of candidates and vigorously fought for success. The Municipal Voter's League did excellent service in pointing out a number of bad men who had been proposed as candidates. The Tribune pronounced Mr. Harlan a demagogue and declared that he was insincere. Although many questions were discussed during this campaign, including gold basis, free coinage of silver and high tariff, after all the real question was a clean, honest city government, which was of interest to all citi zens regardless of politics. The question was, "What candidate for mayor and what alderman would be most likely to give the city such administration?" The result of this contest was that almost the entire Democratic vote was cast for Mr. Harrison, while the Re publican vote was nearly equally split between Judge Sears and Mr. Harlan. The latter thus was responsible for the defeat of the Re publican candidate. Mr. Harlan was announced as a candidate for mayor before the Republican convention. He made this announce ment expecting to capture the nomination. Failing to do so he de termined so to split the party vote that the Republican candidates would be defeated. This he accomplished. The three old towns were carried by the Democrats. The council was also Democratic. It was throughout a victory for Democracy. The new council con sisted of fifteen hold-over Democrats, sixteen hold-over Republicans and three hold-over Independents. The Democrats elected were 25 ; Republicans elected, 2 ; Independents elected, 3, and Democratic majority, 16. Mr. Harrison received 141,882, Harlan 66,448, Sears, 58,450 and Hesing 15,349. This was a remarkable success for young Mr. Harrison. No mayor ever before received so great a plurality. As a matter of fact many Republicans voted for Mr. Harrison. According to his friends, the real reason why Mr. Harlan ran 646 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY independently for mayor was because he was opposed to the machine of the Republican party. This machine was managed by Lorimer, Pease, Hertz, Dr. Jamieson, et al. The spring election of 1898 was important — the -right alder men were to be elected. The street railway franchise enigma was on the tapis. Should the city be robbed of its streets? was the question. The Chicago Federation of Labor resolved in March, 1898, to support for the Council only such candidates as would vote for municipal ownership of street railways. The primaries of March, 1898, were held under the new law. The Municipal Voters' League was prominently engaged on this contest — the object being to elect aldermen who would protect the city from street franchise grabbers. In June, 1897, eleven senators and thirty-one representatives from Cook county had voted for the Allen Law — voted in favor of grant ing fifty year franchises to traction companies. This law deprived the city annually of at least three million dollars of revenue to be derived from the use of over six hundred miles of streets by the traction companies. The law made the office of alderman more im portant than ever by investing it with greater power to dispose of franchises. It thus came to pass that individuals, bosses, parties, traction companies and "prominent citizens out of jobs" engaged in a desperate struggle to elect aldermen fitted for their various pur poses. It was an auspicious time for wolves to break into the City Council and they prepared to do so with howls of delight. Prior to the voting day the election commissioners issued nearly one hundred thousand suspect notices in an effort to prevent illegal voting. The new Council elected in April, 1898, stood as follows: Demo crats, 40; Republicans, 22; Independents, 6. At this election the Democrats secured 17 aldermen, the Republicans 16 and the Inde pendents 2. Thus the battle was drawn. The traction companies seemed at least within sight of the fifty year franchise. The people saw a possibility of franchise without compensation. As a whole the Democrats made greater gains than the Republicans. The traction companies however, did not have strength enough to secure the pas-_ sage of a franchise ordinance over the mayor's veto. There the safety of the public rested. During this campaign it became known that the traction compa nies were willing to pay 3 per cent of their earnings to the city for the use of the streets. After the election their willingness had in creased, but the people demanded greater compensation. Next the public demanded the retirement of those members of the Legislature who had voted in favor of the Allen law. This demand was made, even though they had voted for that law in good faith. The fate of these men must be settled at the primaries, was the statement or fiat. The Republicans opened the fall campaign in 1898, at a banquet HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 647 given by the Hamilton club. Speeches were made by Messrs. Cul- lom, Mason, Turner, Kavanagh, Bidwell and Depew and the topic of expansion was considered by each speaker. The following men of Cook county who voted for the Allen law were renominated for the Legislature; the press of the city generally demanded their de feat: Republicans — John Humphrey, J. J. Morrison, E. J. Dwyer, William Thiemann, J. P. Cavanagh, P. J. Meany and A. Glade; Democrats — P. F. Gilligan, John C. Sterchie, W. Carmody, D. V. McDonaugh, J. H. Farrell and B. M. Mitchell. A very large regis tration in the fall of 1898, despite bad weather, showed that unus ual interest in the coming election was taken. However, it was less by 50,000 than in 1896 when McKinley carried Chicago and Cicero by about 58,000 majority. The State campaign of 1898 involved the questions of sound money, national expansion, Tanner's administration, Allen law, etc. The attack on Governor Tanner was violent and unjust in the extreme, despite the fact that his administration was disliked by everybody except his subordinate office holders. The free silver ites distributed cards on the streets conveying the information that "the paramount issue in the Cook county campaign in the fall of 1898 is the free and unlimited coinage of silver at the ratio of 16 to 1." The campaign in the fall of 1898 was remarkable for the abuse bestowed upon the Civil Servicelaw. The merit system was derided by every ward boss and every wolf hungry for mutton. The riff raff cared nothing for free silver, territorial expansion, Allen law, free trade, or economic reforms. Like wolves after a moose they were yelping at the heels of partisan spoils. What significance to them had the terms Democrat, Republican, Populist, etc., unless ac companied by "rewards." All parties, when necessary to gain their ends at the polls, did not hesitate to adopt unblushing methods of campaign work. The result of the election of November, 1898, in Cook county might have been expected. Neither party, as a matter of fact, had any high stake at issue. The scarecrow of the Allen law, the buga boo of territorial expansion and the hellabaloo of mud slinging at trivialities were about equalized by the superficial efforts of party leaders aided by a sensational press. The Republicans carried the county by a few thousand votes, but did not do so on the high and mighty grounds of civic probity and virtue. The Democrats had even less to brag about, and the third, fourth and ragtag and bob tail parties, as usual, urged impracticable results from impossible causes, and as usual succeeded merely in making a miserable show ing. The vaunted and self-heralded perfection claimed for each party before election became a closed incident until resurrected for convenience and profit at a subsequent election. Republicans, Dem ocrats, Populists, Socialists and Prohibitionists were in one red burial blent. As a whole, while the Democrats succeeded here and 648 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY there, the Republicans swept the county by small majorities or plu ralities. The small Republican majorities throughout Cook county and particularly throughout Chicago were due to Governor Tanner's act in preventing a strong plank against the Allen law to be intro duced into the state platform. Chicago of all places in the state was the most interested in the repeal of the Allen law. When it became known that the Republican state platform straddled the Allen law and that the Democratic state platform came out strong against it, thousands of votes in this city became lost to the Repub lican party. The great loss would have extended into a pronounced defeat had not the Democrats made as great a mistake in advocat ing the 16 to 1 heresy and in raising the silly cry of imperialism and non-expansion. After the election, even more than before, the course of Governor Tanner became a political issue. A bitter feeling against him continued to foment and sour in the ranks of the Repub licans. The latter, however, rejoiced at their general success in the county, state, and nation. Despite Tanner they had carried Cook county by a majority of nearly 20,000. Mr. Altgeld said, "one more such a Republican victory will destroy that party." It required thirteen days in November, 1898, for the Canvassing Board to complete the work of counting the ballots cast on Novem ber 8. The result showed much scratching of tickets. A fair esti mate of the county vote was that for county treasurer as follows: Raymond, (R.), 146,014; Gahan, (D), 131,515; Myer, (People's), 2,649; Spencer, (Prohibitionist), 1,316; Williams, (Socialist- Labor), 2,725. For the general banking law, 42,756; against it, 14,589. For twenty-year courthouse bonds,44,880 ; against them, 18,933. For twenty-year refunding gold bonds, 41,613 ; against them, 20,340. For the annexation of Austin, 46,585 ; against it, 18,064. Of the seven congressional districts in the county, the Re publicans carried four and the Democrats three. The mayoralty campaign in the spring of 1899 was opened by the Republicans at the Hamilton club on March 11, on which occa sion their candidates addressed the public. The speakers denounced the attitude of the Harrison administration toward the Civil Service system, but found no fault with its course concerning the Allen law. Therefore the Republicans prepared to expose the inner workings of the administration as to the Civil Service law. With a united Republicanism against a divided Democracy it was thought that the Republicans could win. But Harrison's attitude on the traction question had endeared him to many honest Republicans who saw little good in the Civil Service law. Stay-at-home Republicans were appealed to and ward workers were spurred to greater en deavors. The principal planks in the Altgeld platform were municipal ownership of public utilities and advocacy of the monetary plank of HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 649 the Chicago platform which declared for silver at a ratio of 16 to 1. No doubt his candidacy was partly due to the fact that scant cour tesy had been paid to his ideas or demands by the Harrison admin istration. But his candidacy was not based upon any vital problems which his election should settle. Municipal ownership was new and experimental. The monetary doctrines of the Democracy had been roundly discredited. His candidacy was expected to rock the Har rison administration like an earthquake, deflect from its support thousands of Socialists and their kindred spirits, and perhaps be fore election force a compromise to the advantage and glory of Mr. Altgeld himself. The anarchistic teachings of Debs, Darrow and others of that class were placed in strong colors before the peo ple in 1898. A strong appeal for honest men for aldermen was made by all parties in the spring of 1899. The apathy of good men was criti cised and condemned. The primary election in March showed a lukewarmness that might result later in a revelry of boodlers. After much travail the Republicans put in nomination Zina R. Carter for mayor; advocated on paper the merit system; demanded the rigid enforcement of the Civil Service law ; favored not to exceed twenty year franchises to traction companies ; insisted on full compensation therefor and for lower fares; and demanded a better administration of city affairs. Real and apparent faults of the Harrison adminis tration gave the Republicans considerable advantage; besides the Democracy was split by the candidacy of John P. Altgeld for mayor on a platform of his own promulgation. Notwithstanding the fact that the Harrison administration had largely disregarded the Civil Service law, the platform of the Democracy, in March, 1899, endorsed that law and the merit sys tem and Harrison was renominated for mayor. But while the plat form was thus invested with dignity and attractiveness Mr. Harri son refused to commit himself in favor of Civil Service and thus won to his ranks many Republicans who opposed that law. There were as many spoilsmen among the Republicans as among the Dem ocrats. Despite the high and sounding phrases and promises of the platforms the real question among professional politicians and men of easy conscience out of a job was, how much is there in it for me? Accordingly many men disregarded the clap-trap of party pledges and learned by the shortest cut what perquisites they were to get for their votes and support. The platforms and other party pledges were the umbrella to turn off the hail of public censure and indigna tion from the contentment with spoils underneath. By his maneu vers Mr. Harrison managed to obtain the support of more Repub licans than there were Democrats who left him to support Mr. Alt geld. Mr. Carter, the Republican candidate, though a good man, was unable, as was his party, to inject into the campaign the hot blood of a vital and paramount reason why he should be elected. 650 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY The contest resulted in the reelection of Carter H. Harrison for mayor. He received 149,158 votes; Carter — 107,225; Altgeld — 45,938. In the contest were tickets or partial tickets of the Repub lican, Democratic, Municipal Ownership, Prohibition, Socialist- Labor, Social Democratic and Independent parties. The vote for mayor in 1897 had been — Harrison — 148,596; Sears — 58,533; Harlan — 60,637; Hesing — 14,780. A Democratic council was also elected. Mayor Harrison's reelection was due mainly to his opposition to the Allen law and to street franchise grabbing generally. The Re publicans were not so undivorceably wedded to Civil Service that they are unwilling to see him reelected. Late in the campaign he had partially promised to carry out Civil Service regulations. He promised just enough to get their votes without binding himself ir revocably to carry out Civil Service. The large vote he received was construed as a rebuke to the vampire forces represented by Mr. Yerkes. Mr. Harrison received the support of the wide-open policy people also. His course had been so liberal that all people of easy and pliable civic purity flocked to his standard. The lukewarm goody-goody campaign conducted by the Republicans was doomed from the start. Mr. Carter was killed by kindness — was burnt as a sacrifice on the altar of superficial platitudes of his newspaper and other supporters — was damned from the start with faint praise. Mr. Altgeld said, after the election "it was evident all along the Republican machine did not care to have Mr. Carter elected and it made practically no effort to elect him." It turned out that many Republicans feared that Mr. Carter, if elected, would become the tool of the machine of Republicanism. Bosses would own him, it was thought by many. Already the machine had become odious. Messrs. Lorimer and Hertz were regarded with dread. Even before 1899, while the power of Mr. Lorimer over the Re publican party in Illinois was admitted it was recognized even among the members of that party that his dictatorship was extremely objectionable principally because he had carried his authority to ex treme measures. Enemies among his own party had disputed his right to be political autocrat of Cook county or the state. Already the party suffered through his connection with it as dictator. In 1896, Chicago gave McKinley a plurality of 56,000 votes. In the spring of 1897, when Judge Sears ran for the Republicans as can didate for mayor it was found that owing to the feeling against Mr. Lorimer the Republican candidate received but 59,542 votes while the Democratic candidate received 148,880 votes. It is true that the Independent candidate received 69,730 votes, but the fact was for cibly presented that owing to Lorimer' s objectionable dictatorship the Republicans themselves knifed their own candidate in order to stab Lorimer in the back. The pathway of the political boss was not altogether strewn with roses. Again in 1898, Mr. Carter, the Re- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 651 publican candidate for the mayoralty, though an unexceptionable man, was badly defeated by Mr. Harrison, the Democratic candidate, owing, it was admitted, to the fact that Mr. Lorimer dominated the candidate and the campaign. Thus even stronger than before the sentiment against political bossism had become so strong as to threaten the overthrow of any party that attempted to carry such a system to extremes. The opposition made the most of Mr. Lori- mer's control of the Republican party machinery. The silliest and most extravagant statements concerning his dictation were spread throughout this portion of the state. The Republicans began to see the writing on the wall. If they kept Lorimer in his exalted position it might mean the destruction of the party. Therefore in the minds of clear-headed and independent Republicans it became an impor tant question whether or not Mr. Lorimer' s dictatorship should not be summarily ended. It thus came to pass that a strong faction of the Republican party determined to make the attempt to overthrow Lorimer and it was deemed a matter of wisdom to attack him first in his own district. The result of the November election, 1899, contained a number of surprises. One was the defeat of William Lorimer by a majority of over 2,000. He had been denominated boss of the Tenth ward ; boss of Cook county; boss of Illinois and other high standing and euphonious titles, but now his glory had departed. He was shame fully beaten by a man comparatively unknown and his retirement was regarded by his enemies with joy and by his friends with dis may and sorrow. His defeat was construed as a rebuke to his as sumed dictatorship and a blow to the coterie of men who had fought so valiently for his reelection. His defeat the Democrats alleged was to be expected in a district which normally had a decided Dem ocratic majority. It was realized that his commanding position thus shorn of his- influence and presence might mean important changes not only in the political status of Cook county but throughout the state as well. It also meant that the appointees of Lorimer would be dropped by the machine from public service and their places be filled by men who were subservient to the new order of affairs. His rise in the political world was meteoric ; his fall was like that of a burned out, disfigured rocket stick. His czar-like tactics, his imperious and dictatorial management of the machine, his unscrupulous success in gaining power were now nothing but a memory. People did not realize that a man with the ability, sagacity and power of making friends such as Lorimer was, might become rehabilitated and might again mount the dizzy heights of political fame and popularity. The Republican national ticket was carried in Cook county by a plurality of 17,567. Samuel Alschuler, the Democratic candidate for governor, carried the county, by a plurality of 7,573. Charles S. Deneen, the Republican candidate for state's attorney, carried the county by a plurality of 26,013. Fred W. Upham, Republican 652 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY candidate for Board of Review, carried the county by a plurality of 26,699. The bond issue of $500,000 was lost by a majority of 122,- 412. These results and others equally as good all along the line sat isfied the Republicans. The poor showing of Mr. Yates had been anticipated. He lacked the strength, ability and magnetism of his opponent and this fact was shown when the returns of the election came in. Mr. Altgeld, from whose prophetic lips ever was heard the cry of fraud, announced immediately after the election that the success of the Republican party "means a triumph of bitterness and corruption." It was realized and due apology was made therefor that Mr. Altgeld's nature was one of bitterness, malice and vituper ation. His imagination was redundant if not absolutely under mined. His reforms were therefore considered with due respect to his infirmity. Immediately after the November election the in justice of the late gerrymander was duly considered by the Repub licans but denied by the Democrats. The Republicans claimed that Republican wards and towns had been lumped together with over whelming confusion rendering it possible for the Democrats to carry the remainder of the county with great ease and certainty. The local newspapers demanded reform in this regard. In the spring of 1900 Judge Hanecy and his supporters disclaimed any connection with the Republican machine conducted and domi nated by Lorimer, Tanner, Jameson, et. al. This declaration, though reiterated throughout the campaign by Hanecy and his immediate followers, was not believed in view of the fact that so far as the public could see the whole Hanecy coterie were cheek by jowl with Lorimer and his lieutenants. The Republicans had learned an ex pensive lesson from the Tanner gubernatorial fiasco. It soon came to be believed by many voters in Cook county that the nomination of Hanecy for governor meant that the Tanner fetters would again be riveted around the wrists of the Republican party in this state. In the view of the Republican masses in this county, Hanecy's nom ination would represent the self-glorification and aggrandizement of the bosses of a Republican faction and not the promotion of party principles or the public welfare. The "Machine" gave Hanecy solid and enthusiastic support. His defeat was therefore demanded by the Republican masses. It was claimed that Hanecy did not rep resent Republican principles, because he opposed the Civil service law and favored the spoils system. Under the head of "The Mis-government of the Modern City" Mayor Harrison stated in July, 1899, in the columns of the Saturday Evening Post that "after more than two years' management of the affairs of the most rapidly growing municipality in this country, I fear for the character of future municipal government if education of the masses does not progress more rapidly than it has." In his judgment the primary cause of corruption was in the indifference of the voters. History — discriminating, analytical, comprehensive his- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 653 tory — must take issue with him and with all other superficial think ers. The real cause of corruption is that quality of modern civil ization which under the guise of competition permits one man to misrepresent his business and take unfair advantage of his fellows. Mayor Harrison was not a student of economic causes and condi tions. His views were those of the average ward boss who has gone no deeper into moral philosophy than to adopt the sophistry that the sharpest man has a right to get the better of his neighbors. The higher qualities of what is fair between man and man were un dreamed of in his philosophy. What but corruption in varying de grees could be expected of men who from childhood had been taught as clerks to lie concerning the goods they sold, their business attain ments, and their fitness for responsibility? The real cause of cor ruption was and is due to the fact that a large proportion of men will not hesitate to take the money of others if no penalty be attached thereto or if they be not found out, just as many men today will vio late every law in the statutes if such law should be repealed. Pre ventive measures, not corrective ones, were needed. Arrange govern mental affairs so that society will be protected against the municipal thief just as certainly and efficaciously as against a murderer. When that is done and not till then, will municipal stealing be as rare as murder. Trust no man absolutely, because, in spite of all platitudes, a considerable percentage of the so-called best men will prove un trustworthy. Compel them to give monetary bonds and security and punish them with stripes if guilty of malfeasance. Judge O. N. Carter's candidacy for the gubernatorial nomination, it was declared, embraced the following changes and reforms : Both parties to hold their primaries on the same day and at the same place ; non-partisan judges to be in control of the voting booths ; independ ence of any party machine ; every voter should be free to vote for the man of his choice. The principal plank of his platform of principals was the one against party bosses. Opposed to him was Judge Hanecy and the Lorimer battalions. Judge Hanecy declared that though he was supported by the machine he had become a can didate before that body thought of supporting him. This campaign was primarily against the bosses. The latter looked with equanim ity upon their enemies and alleged detractors and announced that no party could be conducted without leaders and that any other leaders than themselves would likewise be called bosses and be mis represented and abused. But the answer was returned that leaders merely carried out the wishes of their constituents, while bosses carried out their own designs regardless of their constituents. Judge Carter adopted similar tactics to those selected by Judge Hanecy. He secured a large endorsement to begin with. Over 200 prominent citizens were his backers. He announced his platform publicly and it is to be presumed that his policies were endorsed by his backers. It must be admitted that this method of going before 654 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY the public with a powerful endorsement of prominent men had great weight with the voters, who paid but little attention to the qualifica tions of candidates and to the policies which they supported. The result of the Municipal election in April, 1900, showed that the two old parties had about maintained their former strength. Six teen new Republican candidates were elected and 16 new Democrats were elected. There were 23 Republican hold-overs, 1 1 Democratic hold-overs, and 3 Independents. The new City Council had 27 Democrats, 39 Republicans and 4 Independents. This gave the Republicans a majority of 8 in the Council. As a whole the pub licity which the newspapers, clubs and leagues gave to the election, caused a large vote in the interests of pure politics. A singular, if unimportant, feature of this election was the immense vote polled in favor of issuing refunding bonds. It was not so much the size of the vote cast in favor of the issue as it was in the fact that voters took the pains to vote for the issue at all. The election was quiet and uneventful. An important fact connected with the spring election of 1900 was that many objectionable persons were permanently retired to private life. Several boodlers with records of the worst character had en deavored to break into the City Council but were defeated by the efforts of the press and the Leagues. The Republicans were more successful than the Democrats in placing reliable men in official positions. In the North town and West town the Democrats elect ed their tickets, and in the South town and Lake View, Lake, Hyde Park and Jefferson the Republicans carried off the honors. The result in the South town was taken to indicate that the people were tired of the policies of the town officials and desired a change. At the November election, 1900, there was to be chosen a new County Board, five judges, a State's attorney, a recorder, two court clerks, two members of the Board of Review, a coroner and a Coun ty surveyor. Aside from the national features of the campaign the Cook county interests, therefore, were of sufficient importance to demand the support of the citizens. The newspapers were singular ly fair at this juncture. Democratic and Republican papers alike insisted, degardless of party considerations, that the best man should by all means be chosen for these responsible positions. Not only should the men be of proved, reliable and upright character, but so far as possible, they also should be men of experience, breadth and sagacity — men who had the welfare of the public at heart and had proved themselves the friend of public welfare in official positions or otherwise. In more than one instance, newspapers of one party denounced the nominee of their own party machine and openly and earnestly advocated the election of the candidate of the opposing party. The papers regretfully admitted that their own party had nominated candidates who were utterly unfit to hold responsible official positions. Naturally, where the conditions were equal the HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 655 newspapers and the public supported the nominees of their own party, but it should be noticed to the credit of all concerned that at this election almost as never before, there was a stern, determined disregard of party if necessary to secure election of honest and capa ble men. At the November election, 1900, Lorimer, who had been elected to Congress three successive times, felt no anxiety lest he should not be reelected the fourth time. The outlook was encourag ing for Republicans. They had the best of the argument on the Na tional policies and Mr. Lorimer expected to be continued in power, if not through his own just deserts, at least by the flood of the ex pected Republican landslide. Accordingly he faced the election with confidence. It was considered that he had the advantage of his Dem ocratic opponent. John J. Feeley had thus far not especially distin guished himself above the average useful and intelligent citizen. It was not to be expected, therefore, that his prominence or the hostility to Mr. Lorimer would result otherwise than in the reelection of the latter *and in the retirement of the former. The importance of not permitting the National campaign to overshadow political questions of a local character was called to the attention of the people in October. The candidates. for the Board of Reviews and the Board of Assessors were particularly held up for public inspection and criticism. The Revenue Law Campaign committee issued a report calling particular attention to the neces sity of honest and efficient men for members of these two boards. This committee had been appointed by a largely attended meeting of the citizens of Cook county at the Sherman House in October, 1898. The object of the appointment was to secure an honest, non-parti san campaign in order that the best man possible, regardless of party affiliations, could be placed in official positions of great mo ment and responsibility. One object of the committee was to in vestigate thoroughly the character and standing of every candidate for office. This committee openly declared that several of the candi dates for these responsible positions were wholly unworthy of public confidence. They called attention to the fact that the danger existed of overlooking the importance of selecting the proper men for these positions during the excitement incident to the national campaign. The committee, therefore, recommended the following candidates: Fred W. Upham, Republican, for member of Beard of Review, Peter Kiolbassa, August W. Miller and Charles E. Randall, candi dates for members of the Board of Assessors. During the fall of 1900 the national campaign and the local cam paign were probably the most elaborately and systematically con ducted of any ever witnessed in Cook county. The campaign just before election was brilliant in the extreme. Every phase of the great questions before the people was discussed in detail and held up to the light of public investigation and comment. Congressmen Lorimer, who headed the Republican committee arid Robert E. 656 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Burke, the Democratic leader, were particularly active and particu larly bold in methods and in claims that would bring victory. There was not a ward in the city that did not witness numerous meetings where the subjects at issue were thoroughly discussed. The total vote cast in the city of Chicago in November, 1900, for presidential electors was 372,451. That number exceeded by 1900 the vote of governor. About the middle of February, 1901, all parties began to be active in Cook county over the spring campaign. Clubs were organized in every ward and the party machine was put in working condition ready for the primaries. The Republican county committee and the Municipal Voters' League were particularly active during the bal ance of February. All candidates for office were asked to appear and make statements concerning themselves. The new ward boun daries and conditions were duly considered by both parties. Steps to centralize or unite on a single candidate for mayor were taken before the primaries, but without result. Mr. Lorimer had for some time been directing his attention to the congressional apportionment plans. The contests of the Democrats at the primaries in the spring of 1901 were without important features or excitement. The party had united on the candidacy of Mr. Harrison for mayor. His re- nomination was demanded by the party and had no opposition. However, there was a contest over the delegates to the aldermanic conventions. Judge Hanecy, as the candidate of the Republicans, announced that, if elected, his administration would support the civil service law ; would curtail and control crime and immorality ; would sustain the policy of demanding reasonable compensation for public franchises ; would inaugurate new systems of keeping books in city departments; would improve the special assessment departments; would conduct a defense in all personal damage suits; would elim inate from all payrolls all unnecessary employes; would clean out the city hall thoroughly, literally and morally; would conduct the city administration along business lines and would institute reforms in all municipal departments. Mayor Harrison's policy as an nounced was in many respects similar. He announced that he would endeavor to enforce the municipal ownership of public utilities; would grant limited franchises upon the payment of reasonable com pensation; would create reforms in street-car service; would carry out the existing policy of compelling railways to elevate their tracks; would enforce civil service law ; would favor increasing the valuation of city property in order that greater revenue could be secured; would advocate the removal of the tunnels under the Chicago river and the substitution of bascule bridges and would carry out all re forms which had been adopted and enforced by his previous admin istration. Early in March, 1901, Judge Hanecy opened the spring campaign HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 657 by a strong speech before the Marquette club. He stated, among other things, "The present campaign is not only between individuals, it is a campaign between responsibility and good citizenship and corruption, robbery, shame and vice. If elected mayor of Chicago, I pledge you that I shall clean out that pest-hole of corruption which now exists in the city hall. The present administration has prosti tuted therein all that is held high and sacred by a good community. I will not call the city officials Democrats. This is not a contest between the Democrats and Republicans. It is a con test between the good citizens and taxpayers and the city hall gang who has been preying upon the public. They have hesitated at nothing. They have debauched the city schools; have stolen from the special assessment fund; have levied blackmail on every vice; have increased the expenses of the city schools more than $3,000,000 in the last three years without benefits, and they have increased the cost of the administration of the city over $7,000,000 in the last four years." About the middle of February, 1901, it was alleged that a large public demand required that John M. Harlan should become the Re publican candidate for mayor. The petition, signed by about 70,000 names, it was alleged,' was handed to him requesting him thus to nounce himself as a candidate. It is doubtful whether any such peti tion were honestly and fairly prepared independent of Mr. Harlan's wishes and cooperation. It is much more probable that he, himself, - was the instigator of such petition as had been circulated, either for the purpose of forcing himself upon his party as the sole candidate or of an attempt to so divide the party as to make defeat inevitable unless he should be chosen as the sole candidate. With much cere mony and acclaim the long petition was heralded and the name of Harlan, no doubt with his cooperation, was duly announced for the mayoralty nomination. It was apparently a trick resorted to by Mr. Harlan to secure the coveted prize or to defeat his party out of re venge, in case he were not known as the sole party's choice. As an illustration of the vote cast at the November election, 1900, and the April election, 1901, it was shown that the Hyde Park wards polled in November, 29,935 votes for Mr. McKinley and 16,000 votes for Mr. Bryan. At the April, 1901, election the same wards cast 18,637 votes for Mr. Hanecy and 15,135 votes for Mr. Harrison. There was thus a falling off of about 37 per cent in the Republican vote and of 5 per cent in the Democratic vote, or a total falling off of 12,000 votes in the Hyde Park region alone. It was somewhat difficult to account for this falling off. Several newspapers declared that it was due to the fact that Mr. Hanecy had been nominated by the machine and was not the candidate ad vocated by the Republican masses. It was stated that if the Repub licans had named a man acceptable to the party as a whole, the full vote would have come out. The voters had stayed at home either Vol. 11—38. 658 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY from apathy generally or because they disliked the Republican can didate. Politics in March and April, 1902, involved many important problems concerning city and county government. Among these were the assessed valuation of property, improvements on the in stitutions at Dunning ; the taxation of corporate property ; the duties of the Boards of Review and Assessors, and the harmonious pro ceedings of the various taxing and municipal bodies. Early in March the Municipal Voters' League began stringent preliminary investigation concerning the character of aldermanic candidates. The newspapers published lists of such men. The League from time to time made announcements of their findings. The newspapers declared if political parties would do their duty there would be no necessity for a Municipal Voters' League to in vestigate candidates and reveal their shortcomings. It was declared that so long as town governments existed in Chicago they would . need watching. To teach them economy was impossible and to re form them was to abolish them. The Citizens' association an nounced that on the South town payrolls were 137 men receiving $3,415 a week. In April, 1902, there were to be chosen half the entire membership of the City Council. This large number was sufficient to warrant careful and protracted investigation. Particularly were the lodg ing houses inspected. It was declared that there were in Chicago between 10,000 to 15,000 vagrants, the most of whom were known to the managers of the Municipal Lodging house. It was necessary to see that these men, if not qualified, were not permitted to vote. The Municipal Voters' League, the State Board of Health, the Union League club, the Hamilton club, the Marquette club, the Iroquois club and other organizations became active early in March. The newspapers deplored the light registration about the middle of March. While it exceeded that of March, 1901, by about 14,000, it was still far from being what it should be. Only about 90,000 names were registered the first day. This was at least 60,000 short of what was expected. The death of Mr. Altgeld about the middle of March, 1902, was deplored by his many political and other friends in this city and county. In spite of every precaution party factions succeeded in nominating unfit and undesirable candidates for aldermen. This rendered the work of the Municipal Voters' League doubly difficult. The newspapers during the campaign continually dwelt upon the advisability and wisdom of abolishing the town offices. About the middle of March the names of all al dermanic candidates were published in the newspapers. On Sun day, March 30, 1902, the newspapers published their recommenda tions. Thirty-five new aldermen to serve for two years were to be chosen. The Municipal Voters' League published an independent list which received the greatest consideration of the citizens. The HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 659 press, leagues and associations made strong appeals for the voters to wipe out the nests of corruption in the town offices. At the election held in April few undesirable candidates were elected to the council. The publicity advocated and pursued accomplished its intended ob ject. The new council contained twenty hold-over Republicans, thirteen hold-over Democrats arid one hold-over Independent. The Republicans elected fourteen members and the Democrats seven teen. The new council contained thirty-nine Republicans, thirty Democrats and one Independent. The various referendum propo sitions were carried by large majorities. There was also cast a large majority for the abolishment of township governments. The Municipal Voters' League declared that the new council contained fifty-three members who could be depended upon to vote and act for the best interest of the city. A total of 204,379 votes were cast. The feature of this election was the sweeping victory accomplished by the Municipal Voters' League. Of the thirty-six men elected, twenty-eight were indorsed by the League. Only eight men whom it condemned were successful. Chicago polled a majority of nearly 100,000 votes in favor of municipal ownership. The referendum concerning the direct nomination of candidates at the primaries carried by over 100,000 majority. The first day's registration in October, 1902, amounted to 175,- 379 as against 287,262 for the same day in 1900. This was such a notable decrease as to cause surprise and comment. The total registration in October, 1902, for the two days was 339,338. It was not so heavy as expected, and was considered to favor the Re publicans. The total registration in 1900 was 401,392. A strong fight on congressmen was made. As a whole the congressional del egation of Cook county elected was able, active and satisfactory. It was difficult, it was thought, to effect much improvement in the members. Particularly were Messrs. Mann, Boutell and Foss ad mired for their sterling qualities. Messrs. Lorimer and Madden were also well known and had many friends. The Legislative Voters' League in October, 1902, thoroughly investigated the character and merit of the candidates named by Cook county for the next General Assembly. People generally had the utmost confidence in the character of the League. It was be lieved they had no other object than the utmost good of the commu- - nity. Even the newspapers expressed thorough trust in that organ ization. The registry list as reported on November 1, 1902, was 337,073. At the November election, 1902, the principal contests in Chicago were in the senatorial districts. The Legislative Voters' League reported on the candidates for the various offices just preceding the day of election. They made recommendations for state senators and representatives and did not hesitate to condemn a large list of unde sirable men. 660 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY At the November election, 1902, the voters of the South side were asked to vote upon the question of issuing $1,000,000 of bonds to be devoted to new parks and playgrounds. At this election ten congressmen and many members of the Illinois House were chosen for Cook county. The county ticket embraced a sheriff, treasurer, president and members of the County Board, county clerk, clerks of the Probate, Criminal and Appellate courts and County and Pro bate judges and two judges of the Superior court. There were sev eral state offices to be filled also. The campaign during October was vigorous and relentless and was carried to the extreme limit of misrepresentation and slander by both parties. The various clubs, leagues and associations made strenuous efforts to reveal the exact character of candidates for office. The result of the election was mixed. The Democrats elected the sheriff and the Republicans the county treasurer. As a whole the results favored the Democracy. It was admitted that many inferior men were candidates, and there was a great deal of ticket scratching. The self-styled Independents who fought Messrs. Lorimer and Madden and found no fault with the bad elements of the Republican ticket helped to elect several in ferior men. The total vote cast in the city was 265,091, in the country 19,699 and in the county was 284,790. The Republicans elected the county clerk, clerk of the Probate court, clerk of the Criminal court, clerk of the Appellate court, members of the Boards of Review and Assessors, superintendent of schools, judge of the Superior court, judge of the Probate court, judge of the County court and president of the County Board. Thomas E. Barrett, can didate for sheriff, was the only Democrat elected. The result was a great surprise to everybody. In fact the first returns were to the effect that everything had gone Democratic. It turned out that not only was almost the entire Republican ticket elected but three of the candidates, Foreman, Olsen, and Cahill, ran ahead of Han berg. Fred Busse, Republican candidate for state treasurer, had a large lead over the other candidates voted for. Six Republicans were elected to the County Board from the city district and five from the county — a total of eleven, or one more than a working ma jority. The delegation to Congress from Chicago was six Republi cans and four Democrats. The three bond propositions were carried by large majorities. One was for county bonds and the others for park bonds. A large majority was cast in favor of state and local referendum. In February, 1903, mayoralty candidates began their campaigns. John M. Harlan was early in the race. Graeme Stewart was also a candidate as early as the latter part of February. At this time the_ Federation of Country Towns supported the Campbell bill, which provided for a division of Cook county into two or more counties. The Humphrey bill proposed a, consolidation of all the different municipal bodies within the corporate limits of Chicago HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 661 under one government. At a meeting of the Federation on Febru ary 28, 1903, it was decided to support the first named bill. Senator Humphrey had opposed this action. He declared that 95 per cent of the people of Evanston, Oak Park and other thickly settled com munities of the county bordering on Chicago opposed the Campbell bill. It was the ambition, he said, of a number of wealthy men in the out-towns to create new counties for their own advancement and glorification. The Tribune of March 8, 1903, said, "The most exciting contest over a mayoralty nomination that Chicago has ever witnessed came to a close yesterday when the Republican city convention put Graeme Stewart instead of John M. Harlan at the head of the ticket." The contest in the convention was extremely sharp and determined. The final vote stood 602 for Mr. Stewart and 338 for Mr. Harlan. Mr. Stewart had already promised, if pominated, to give the people a strictly business and honest administration. Mr. Harlan had many friends and strong support, but his ambition, independence, egotism and unwillingness to fall in line with his party in the past had caused many Republicans to dislike him and accordingly, in this convention, they defeated him. The convention nominated Alderman Smulski for city attorney, Fred C. Bender for city clerk and Thomas Shaugh- nessy for city treasurer. The Republican convention nominated a full list of aldermen, among whom were several objectionable men. As a whole their ticket was unusually sound. The Republican plat form asked for a specific waiver of rights under the ninety-nine- year law as a condition of renewing franchises; the enactment of municipal ownership legislation ; no grant of franchises to be longer than twenty years ; the city to have power of control and supervision ¦ to insure good service ; the compensation of the city to be based upon the gross receipts and to be either cash, lower fares or other forms satisfactory to the people. The platform pointedly demanded the immediate settlement of the traction question. The Democratic city convention, held on March 16, renominated Mayor Harrison. There was no contest for the position. His sup porters said his popularity and administration were satisfactory and that he should receive the support of all good citizens. The Demo crats nominated Ernest Hummel for city treasurer, John E. Owens, city attorney, and John J. Boehm, city clerk. While the tickets of the two old parties were as a whole fair there were undoubtedly among the nominees men of questionable honesty and character. Immediately both- parties began an active campaign. The admin istrations of Mayor Harrison were subjected to an extremely caus tic, rigid and critical investigation. The Juul law, which limited taxation to 5 per cent, and the question of consolidation were dis cussed. Mr. Stewart had the support of Mr. Lorimer, .who con trolled the Republican machine. On this account a number of Re publicans opposed the election of Mr. Stewart. It was thought by 662 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY many that the anti-Lorimer sentiment, espoused by Mr. Harlan and others, had reached the acute stage of a distinct mania. Right- thinking Republicans and Democrats knew the worth of Mr. Lori mer, appreciated his distinguished services and believed that no party could succeed unless it had just such a leader. If Mr. Lorimer should be dethroned another leader less able, less adroit and less successful might be called to lead the host of Republicanism. There was a decided sentiment expressed at this time in favor at least of Mr. Lorimer if not of the machine. Late in March, 1903, the Chicago charter amendment failed to pass the House of the State Legislature. This blasted the hopes Of many. Both Mayor Harrison and Mr. Stewart continued pro tracted and vigorous campaigns. An immense mass meeting of all parties on March 29 demanded the enactment of a decent state civil service law and denounced the alleged humbug measure that had just been passed by the House. The result of the election of April 7, 1903, was the reelection of Mayor Harrison. This was his third reelection. The result, it was believed, was a majority of good men for the City Council. Many gray wolves were beaten. The non-partisan organization of the City Board was probably effected. This meant satisfactory action on the important question of street railway franchises. Previous' to the election aldermanic candidates had been asked to sign an agreement to vote for a non-partisan organization of the new coun cil. Carter H. Harrison received 146,323 votes, Graeme Stewart 138,485, Thomas Haines, Prohibitionist, 2,480; Charles L. Breckon, Socialist, 11,207; Daniel L. Cruice, Independent Labor, 9,989; Henry Sale, Socialist Labor, 1,062; total vote 309,546; Harrison's plurality 7,838. The Democrats elected the city treasurer and the Republicans, the city clerk and city attorney. The council was au thorized by the election to issue $4,000,000 in bonds with which to refund the floating debt. The proposition carried by about 90,000 majority. Generally throughout the county towns the Republicans won. Here and there the Democrats crawled through. Again the Municipal Voters' League triumphed. Only four men condemned by the League were elected to the council. The Tribune oi October 23, 1901, said, "Chicagoans have no political questions to disturb them this fall. Thanks to thoughtful legislation they have no primaries, no conventions and no mass meet ings to hinder their enjoyment of these pleasant October days. There are no election predictions and campaign exposures to occupy their minds. There are no candidates with records to be praised or censured." Early in March, 1904, candidates for aldermanic nominations and their friends began action. The threadbare story that it was the duty of citizens to select honest candidates was enthusiastically pa raded once more. In a large measure the Municipal Voters' League HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 663 had taken from the citizens their burdensome duty of looking into the character and qualifications of candidates. People relied upon the League to make this investigation. Often corrupt men obtained the party nominations and support, therefore it depended on non partisan action to defeat such undesirables and elect suitable rep resentatives. Early in March the Republican candidates for governor were Yates, Lowden, Sherman, Warner, Deneen and Hamlin. Al ready they had begun work throughout the state. Contests for aldermanic nomination were early instituted in many of the Chicago wards. At this time the Citizens' Anti-Crime committee took up and considered many matters connected with the city admin istration, particularly the charges against State's Attorney Deneen. The committee reported that in Mr. Deneen's case they found some things to criticize and many things to commend. All party tickets contained objectionable men. Evidently both parties were under the dictation of factions, personal interests and bosses. In the conventions there was desperate fighting by factions to secure the nomination of their respective candidates. Some of these contests were violent, sensational and disgraceful. In more than one instance revenge, political conspiracy and financial consid erations controlled the action of delegates. The midnight closing question was discussed during the campaign. Investigation showed that the police force were in contact and collusion with vice throughout the city. The investigation startled Chicago. A movement to secure city cleanliness consisted of a central body and soon had twenty-five subordinate associations. It was called the "white wing movement." At this election, 1904, cit izens of the county were asked to vote on the Mueller law which en abled them to acquire, construct, own and operate street railroads. During this campaign the question of segregating, abolishing or licensing vice was thoroughly discussed. Many women of the city joined in petitions protesting against any recognition of the social evil. During the campaign the Municipal Ownership Central com mittee recommended a list of aldermen to be voted for at the coming election. In April, 1904, the voters of South Chicago, Hyde Park and Lake were required to vote on the questions of authorizing the park commissioners to permit the construction of the John Crerar library in Grant park and on an annual tax of one-half a mill to maintain the Field Columbian museum in that park. On April 2, the Municipal Voters' League announced publicly the list which they recommended the citizens to vote in the alder manic contest. The recommendations included twenty Republicans, thirteen Democrats, three Independents, three Prohibitionists and one Socialist. There were some objections even to this list, but it was the best the League' could do, owing to the objectionable nature and character of the men nominated. The newspapers and the League published in detail brief records of every candidate. 664 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY As a whole the election of April, 1904, was satisfactory to good citizens. Eighteen Republicans, sixteen Democrats and one Inde pendent were elected. Eighteen Republicans, thirteen Democrats, one Independent and one Socialist held over. The new council contained thirty-one Democratic aldermen, thirty-six Republicans, two independents and one Socialist. The Mueller law was indorsed by an immense majority, as was also immediate municipal ownership, election of the school board by direct vote, for the Field museum tax in the South wards, for the Crerar library site in the South wards and for the county license proposition. Out of a total regis try of 359,993 there were cast 330,771 votes. The result of the al dermanic contest was satisfactory to the Municipal Voters' league. It was another triumph fcV that organization. Of the hold-over aldermen indorsed by the league, twenty-seven out of twenty-nine were elected. Of the new aldermen indorsed by the league, five out of eight were elected. A notable circumstance connected with this election was the power and significance of the "little ballot." The contest for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in April and May, 1904, was one of the bitterest in the history of Illinois. The candidates did everything in their power to win success. The bitterest and falsest personalities were studiously uttered by almost every candidate. Here there was a pleasant fight between Deneen and Lowden. Early in October, 1904, immediate municipal ownership was rejected in the council by a vote of thirty-six to thirty-one. One of the interesting features of the fall campaign, 1904, was the stump made of the entire state by the candidates for the governorship. Par ticularly was this campaign interesting to Chicago and Cook county, owing 'to the candidacy of Mr. Deneen. The first day's registration in October was spiritless, feeble, desgraceful and discouraging. It fell 30,000 behind the first day's registration in 1896. It was argued that while the important question in 1896 was honest money, just as important a question now was before the county: — the new city char ter. Newspapers, speakers, leagues and committees prepared to bring out on the second day's registration a satisfactory number of delin quents. The Marquette club and the Hamilton club were particularly active during October. On October 13 Senator Fairbanks of Indiana spoke at the Marquette Club's "harvest home" in the First Regiment armory. Speaker Cannon was also present and addressed the audi ence. On October 13 the Legislative Voters' League issued its pre liminary recommendation for legislative candidates. It expressed the opinion that in a majority of cases nominations by Republicans and Democrats as such were not satisfactory. The League therefore rec ommended independent action by the voters. There were fifty-seven legislative positions to be filled and the senatorial convention present ed sixty candidates — thirty-three Republicans and twenty-seven Democrats. The League charged an inter-party conspiracy to foist upon the voters unworthy and unfit men. The county judicial ticket HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 665 at this time was an important one. There were twelve candidates for judges, six Republicans and six Democrats, and six only were to be elected. Many feared the proposed new charter would increase taxation, but the press presented facts to show otherwise. It was suggested, owing to the splendid work done by the Municipal Vot ers' League, that it should institute the same reforms for the County Board and the Drainage Board as it had effected for the City Coun cil. All were Legislative bodies having high power and all should be in the hands of the best men possible. As a new County Board was to be elected in November there was a general demand that the League should investigate the candidates the same as it had investi gated those for the City Council during the last spring. Publicity was declared to be the power to purify. the County Board as well as the City Board. The Bar association favored four Republicans out of the six judges to be elected. The winners were Chytraus, Free man, Holdom, Chetlain, Stein and Rogers. During October the newspapers particularly held up to public gaze the character and accomplishments of the three principal can didates for the Presidency — Roosevelt, Parker and Watson. The total registry at the close of the second day reached 403,811 as against 380,245 in 1896 and 405,077 in 1900. In addition, 412 women registered. It was the heaviest second day's registration ever shown in Chicago. The Republican organization was given credit for this large registration! The Citizens' association was doing important work. The people were called upon to vote on the following "little bal lot" : An amendment to the Constitution providing that the Legis lature could grant Chicago a new scheme of self-government; an extension of the Torrens land title system ; the adoption of the vot ing machine; to issue $500,000 Cook county refunding bonds; to amend the primary election law so that a voter could vote directly for his candidate instead of having a delegate to vote for him at a convention ; to enable voters to veto undesirable action of their law making bodies; to enable voters to adopt such system of assessing and levying taxes as they might desire. There was demanded dur ing this campaign that members of the Chicago Board of Education now being appointed by the mayor should be elected by popular vote. This matter was discussed during the campaign. The newspapers demanded that voters should scrutinize the financial and moral standing of all candidates, whether for city, county, state or nation al tickets. Three trustees of the State University and several state officers were to be chosen ; a large number of senators and represen tatives; fifteen new county commissioners, ten within the city and five within the county outside of the city ; state's attorney, coroner, assessor, recorder, members of the Board of Review, clerks of the Circuit and Superior courts, surveyor, six judges and the national ticket. 666 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY On November 1, the Legislative Voters' League indorsed fifty- two candidates for the State Legislature and condemned twenty. Several others were found doubtful. The League urged voters to depose bosses who were in the habit of disfranchising voters. At this time there were nineteen legislative districts in Cook county. The League recommended to the consideration of voters the Inde pendent and Prohibition candidates whom it favored. The action of the League was a blow at machine politics. By voting for Pro hibitionists and Independents voters, it was urged, could rebuke and break up the vicious combination of party bosses which had main tained a political monopoly in Cook county for a generation. Eight Chicago candidates of the League on other tickets than the regular Prohibition were indorsed by the Anti-Saloon League, owing to the position they had taken on the local option bill. The campaign ended with a whirlwind finish. All speakers and candidates were in the field actively at work until the night before the election. This was a trying campaign for voters, owing to the great variety of tickets, numerous candidates and conflicting prin ciples involved. It was impossible for any voter to know from his own experience the qualifications and character of candidates. He therefore followed the advice of the Munipical or the Legislative Voters' League. It was admitted that the Republican county con vention in the fall of 1904 was dominated by the new Deneen-Busse- Reddick combination which had checkmated Mr. Lorimer and that the Democratic county convention was ruled by Mayor Harrison, now a candidate for Congress. It thus was a question to voters whether they should vote their party tickets under these bosses or act independently. At the November election, 1904, the Republicans swept Chicago and Cook county. The largest plurality in the history of Chicago was given to Roosevelt and Deneen. The majority in favor of the charter was over 81,000. People were surprised to learn that Cook county polled more than 46,000 votes for Mr. Debs, the Socialistic candidate for governor. Ten Republican congressmen were elected in Cook county. The Cook county district sent to the Legislature thirty-four Republican representatives and twenty-three Demo cratic representatives. Again as in other recent elections the Muni cipal Voters' League and the Legislative Voters' League candi dates were mainly successful. The total vote in Cook county at the November election, 1904, was 400,923. Four years before the total vote in the county was 392,326. Cook county gave Roosevelt 229,848; Parker, 103,762; Swallow (Prohibitionist), 5,290; Debs (Socialist), 47,743; Corregan (Socialistic Labor), 2,660; Watson (People's), 3,323; Holcomb (Continental), 319. Roosevelt's plurality was 126,086, Deneen's plurality over Stringer was 130,488. The total vote in Chicago was 371,513. The Tor rens extension system, the voting-machine proposition, the bond HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 667 issue, the primary law, the veto law, and the charter amendment were carried by large majorities. It was admitted that Roose velt's popularity in all probability added immensely to the over whelming Republican majorities. The tenth annual report of the Municipal Voters' league, made the last of March, 1905, recommended thirty-one aldermanic can didates for the City Council. Ten candidates were declared to be unworthy of support under any circumstances. In four wards no recommendations were made. Of those who were recommended twenty were Republicans, six Democrats, four Independents and one Prohibitionist. Of those denounced three were Republicans and seven Democrats. The ones denounced as "altogether unfit" be longed to the old wolf gang of the Council. The mayoralty campaign closed practically on April 1, 1905. On that date in the evening at the Auditorium the Republicans held an immense meeting to which John M. Harlan addressed his closing remarks. On the platform sat the "New Chicago Committee" con sisting of 200 representative Republican citizens. The Republican organization was represented by James Reddick and Fred A. Busse. Frank O. Lowden and Congressman Boutell were present and ad dressed the audience. Mr. Lowden declared that for eight years the city had made not the slightest progress toward municipal gov ernment. It was stated at this meeting that the citizens of the city recently to the number of nearly 120,000 had voted in favor of mu nicipal ownership. As the entire electorate of the city was only about 420,000 a large portion therefore had demanded municipal ownership. Both parties at this time sounded the slogan of "munic ipal ownership." During the campaign partisans disputed as to which party first sounded that battle cry. The Democrats shrewdly incorporated the word "immediate," in the campaign slogan and throughout the campaign called for "immediate municipal ownership." Their meetings were of great enthusiasm, determination and intensity. A feature of the campaign were the speeches delivered in favor of the Democratic candidates by Murray F. Tuley who was nearly four score years of age. He urged with his usual adroitness the election of Judge Dunne to the mayoralty and pictured his high character, inflexible integrity and commanding ability. He took occasion to criticise the purposes and political principles of John M. Harlan. The truth is the Republi cans as a whole did not favor municipal ownership. It was a popu lar fad adopted in to to by the Democrats in order to catch popular sentiment and support. The Republicans not to be outdone were also compelled in a measure to advocate its adoption. As a matter of fact the Republicans were in favor of a franchise policy and the Democrats presumably of municipal ownership. It has since trans pired that the franchise policy has been adopted and the municipal ownership heresy has been consigned to the tomb of the Capulets. 668 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY As a matter of fact neither Harlan nor Dunne if elected could settle the traction question. That power rested with the City Coun cil, therefore non-partisanship in that body was desirable and the election of honest aldermen all important. Scarcely ever was there a time in the history of the city when aldermanic gray wolves were more dangerous than at this period. The immense questions pend ing and to be settled during the next two or three years rendered it of the utmost importance to secure non-partisan, incorruptible al dermen. Immediate municipal ownership was seen by all intelli gent thinkers to be impracticable and utterly out of the question, ow ing to the enormous cost which would be entailed upon the city by such a step. At the best, gradual municipal ownership was the only solution along that line. To buy the street railways of the city would mean the practical suicide of the civic organization. The confusion and injustice certain to result from immediate municipal ownership was held up in powerful colors by newspapers particularly and speak ers generally. It might take one year or twenty years to settle the question of municipal ownership. The tentative ordinance and meth od proposed to commute all existing ordinances to a single term and then give the city the right before the expiration of that term to assume control of the roads by paying the actual physical value. In case of municipal ownership it was shown that the new subways should likewise be owned and operated by the city. This meant an immense additional outlay. While the campaign generally was in a large measure non-par tisan and dealt in public policies the contests in the various wards were decidedly partisan in character. There prudential policies were not considered and accordingly voters were appealed to along partisan lines. These contests were of course at the instigation of the party machines. At this election citizens were called upon to vote for or against an issue of $5,000,000 in county bonds with which to build a new courthouse. The two principal tickets were as follows: Republicans, John M. Harlan, mayor; John F. Smulski, city attorney; N. E. Greene- baum, city treasurer ; Francis P. Brady, city clerk. The Democratic ticket was as follows : Edward F. Dunne, mayor ; W. B. Moak, city attorney; F. W. Blocki, city treasurer; Adrian C. Anson, city clerk. On Monday full lists of recommendations were published by the newspapers and the leagues. During this campaign the Socialists were active and determined. A division in their ranks caused the formation of two factions enti tled the Dominants and the Sub-dominants. The Socialists were particularly in their element during this campaign owing to the prominence given their pet heresy of "municipal ownership." Pub lic ownership as a matter of fact was only a manifestation of Social ism. With confidence all parties approached election day. The result HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 669 was a Democratic victory. Dunne, Blocki and Anson all Democrats were elected. John F. Smulski was the only successful Republican on the city ticket. The new Council consisted of thirty-seven Re publicans, thirty-two Democrats and one Independent. Of these seventy aldermen, twenty-five holdovers were indorsed by the Mu nicipal Voters' League. Twenty-one newly elected candidates were indorsed, nine holdovers were not indorsed and seven newly elected were condemned. Thus in the new City Council were twenty-three aldermen not indorsed by the League and one neither indorsed nor condemned. The result of the election in the Council was to leave that body politically about the same as it was before. There would presumably be a check placed upon Mayor Dunne's policy of imme diate municipal ownership. The unpopularity of Mr. Harlan even with the Republicans was shown by the fact that he ran behind his ticket. The Prohibition vote did not amount to much, but the Socialist vote was the highest ever shown at a purely city election. During the preceding fall 45,000 votes were polled for Debs the Socialist candidate for President. Ordinarily the Socialist vote was from 10,000 to 12,000. Now, however, in April, 1905, it was over 23,000. This result no doubt was occasioned by the impulse given to municipal ownership of public Utilities. Immediately after the election Mayor Dunne upon being interrogated stated that he expected municipal ownership would be accomplished within two years. Alas ! the futility of human hopes ! The vote for the $5,000.- 000 bond issue showed a majority in its favor of about 35,000. For South park bonds of $2,500,000 the majority was over 14,000. There was also an immense majority against any franchise to the city railways. The total vote was about 310,000. The vote for Mayor Dunne was 163,189 and for Mr. Harlan 138,671 as reported the next day after election. Mr. Stewart, the Prohibition candi date for mayor, received a total of 3,297 and Mr. Collins, Socialist, received 23,034. During the fall campaign, 1905, the question of immediate muni cipal ownership was prominently before the people. Mayor Dunne declared his intentions of putting it in execution. Lines in the trac tion fight were sharply drawn. The City Council faced the refer endum issue. The settlement of the Ninety-nine year franchise problem was pending in October. Mayor Dunne's contract plan for municipal ownership was defeated in the City Council. The papers pronounced the meeting of the Council when that measure was de feated as the most sensational known in the history of the city, ex cept when the two contesting parties fought over the election of the mayor to fill the unexpired term caused by the death of the elder Harrison. The mayor's object was to procure from the Council an order to the committee on local transportation instructing it to stop consideration of the franchise extension ordinances of the Chi cago City and Union Traction companies and at once report the 670 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY contract plan ordinance to the Council for its debate and determina tion. Twenty-two voted in favor of the mayor's plan and forty- one against it. The second plan of Mayor Dunne was for the city to acquire all lines covering the entire street car systems of the municipality to be paid for in Mueller law certificates. This was known as the city plan as against the contract plan previously de feated in the City Council. At the bar primaries about the middle of October, 1905, the four sitting judges Kavanagh, Gary, McEwen and Ball, all Republicans, were given preference over their opponents. This was taken to mean that the Republican candidates were considered superior to their Democratic opponents. The bar was presumed to be non-par tisan. On October 16, the mayor's city plan was defeated by a vote of thirty-seven to twenty-seven. It amounted to a rejection of mu nicipal ownership. There were to be voted on in November judi cial and sanitary tickets, four important questions on the little ballot, bonds for parks and other important measures. About the middle of October the fight on the judicial and drainage tickets was begun in earnest by all parties. Meetings were held in all wards through out the city. In October, 1905, the sanitary trustees made a report which showed that the drainage canal had cost to date $48,227,073. President Carter of the Board announced that every cent had been honestly spent and fully accounted for. One of the strongest issues of the campaign in October was the character of drainage trustees and of judges. An investigation of every step recently taken by the drainage board was one of the results of this campaign. The im portance of having sound, honest and able men for drainage trustees was realized and acted upon. There were to be submitted at the November election, 1905, two measures relating to the parks, one provided for the issue of $2,000,000 of bonds for improvements of parks in the West district and the other for an issue of $1,000,000 in bonds for the purchase of small parks and play grounds in the same district. It was noted during the October campaign, 1905, that although Mayor Dunne had been in office about seven months he had failed utterly to fulfill any of the vital promises he had made during his campaign. The Council turned against him and turned him down in every proposition looking to municipal ownership which he had submitted to its jurisdiction. As a matter of fact his promises had been altogether too extravagant and far in advance of public opinion and judgment. This was realized by the Council with the result that his theories, recommendations and pet policies were defeated as fast as presented. The value of Chicago manufactures in 1895 was $788,400,000; in 1905 it was $1,576,800,000; in 1895 the volume of the wholesale trade was $1,168,600,000; in 1905 it was $2,137,200,000. At this election the question of a four year term for the mayor was voted HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 671 on. The talk of an $8,000,000 loop or link between the North and South side park systems was discussed at this date. The question of a Municipal court was voted on in November, 1905. Many per sons interested fought the new project. Constables, justices and their assistants unitedly opposed the new measure. The newspapers urged voters to vote in favor of the proposed Municipal courts. The question of a forest preserve district was considered and voted on at the November election. Strange to say there were many opponents of this measure which provided for an outer belt or park encircling the entire city. One object was to take advantage of all natural forests within the limits of the district. By placing the district un der the forest law it would be preserved for the future. A new taxing body called a forest commission consisting of six members with power to levy taxes, issue bonds and create pleasure drives and boulevards was proposed. As the forest preserve district was planned to lie outside oi the city limits it could not be merged with- the park boards. Nine trustees of the sanitary district, four judges of the superior court, one judge of the Circuit court to fill a vacancy and one judge of the Superior court to fill a vacancy were elected in November, 1905. Both of the old parties nominated as a whole excellent men for these important positions. The revised registration was about 360,000. It was estimated that of these about 225,000 would be polled. In the Republican ranks at this time were two distinct fac tions (Deneen and Lorimer) more or less opposed to each other. As a whole the campaign was listless with violent outbreaks on special occasions in certain sections. The newspapers and leagues as usual made their recommendations as to the proper men to be voted for. Split tickets were predicted and were realized. On November 7, 1905, the Republicans carried the election. Both parties were apa thetic and the Republicans managed to elect all their candidates on the judicial and the sanitary tickets. On the little ballot the forest preserve carried in the county by over 28,000 majority. The four year mayoralty term was carried by approximately 55,000 majority. The Municipal court won by about 78,000 majority. The Gas Reg ulation act was carried by over 100,000 majority. Both of the West park bond issues were carried by substantial margins. The election was close and the Republicans did not have much to boast of. The forest preserve proposition did not receive a majority of all the votes in the proposed district. It was left to the Supreme court to decide whether the act carried. The vote was — For the charter proposition 102,360, against it 43,851; for the Municipal court 99,092, against it 18,335 ; for the gas rates 127,656 against them 21,099. Early in March, 1906, it was stated that the Democrats had eight candidates for the shrievalty. They named that number for most of the other offices to be filled this spring. There were to be 672 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY elected a sheriff, county clerk, clerk of Criminal court, clerk of' Municipal court, sanitary trustees, president of County Board, chief bailiff of Municipal court, full list of county commissioners, judge of Probate court, clerk of Probate court, etc. This campaign was of sufficient importance to warrant active efforts on the part of all par ties to elect their candidates. The determined effort on the part of the good citizens of Chicago had effected the passage of the 1,000 saloon license. This was cited as an example of the power of pub lic opinion. City Attorney John F. Smulski publicly expressed the opinion early in March, 1906, that in case the city should adopt municipal ownership of traction lines there would result a vast increase in per sonal injury litigation. He pointed out that against the street rail ways of Chicago every year there were filed about 10,000 cases. These would be filed against the city were the latter to adopt the policy of municipal ownership. During 1905, in round numbers, 700 of such suits were filed against the city. This opinion may have contributed to the growing belief that municipal ownership was unwise. It was at this time that the Supreme court denied that the ninety-nine year act granted the street car companies rights in any streets for that length of time. This left the railway companies but the shadow of a right to any street. The total registration an nounced about the middle of March, 1906, was 409,855. The ques tion of traction consolidation was discussed during this campaign. It was favored by Mayor Dunne because he believed it would, if carried out, fulfill his promises to the public during the campaign which elected him. It was declared that the worst grafter was the man who did not vote. This aphorism was so true and new that it attracted general attention and was called to the attention of voters throughout the city and county. The pure food question was dis cussed during his campaign. A further demand for an election ini tiative was demanded. It was believed such a measure would im prove the new primary law. The principal issues during the cam paign of 1906 were as follows: Shall the city operate the street railways? Shall the ordinance making provision for the issue of street railway certificates not to exceed $75,000,000 be approved? The result of the election in April, 1906, was the election of fif teen Republicans and twenty-one Democrats to the City Council, giving that body for the new year thirty-four Republicans and thirty-six Democrats. Of the aldermen, twenty-eight favored mu nicipal ownership, thirty-two were against it and ten were doubtful. Thirty-seven were in favor of the $1,000 license for saloons, thirty were against it and three were doubtful. The vote for the Mueller certificates was as follows: For their issue, 110,008; against their issue, 106,669. It was left to the discretion of the council to deter mine how many certificates, if any, should be used and sold. The result of the election was the defeat of the plans of Mayor Dunne. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 673 Out of 261,575 votes cast the Socialists polled 27,716. On April 5 the Supreme court of the state handed down an opinion declaring the new Illinois primary law unconstitutional. Within six hours thereafter Governor Deneen called an extra session of the Legisla ture to frame a new primary act that should be constitutional. The Democrats and Republicans held their primaries late in April or early in May, and nominated full tickets for the various vacan cies in judgeships. It was noted that the Democratic judicial con ventions were distinctly anti-Dunne, and the newspapers declared it indicated that Mayor Dunne could not secure a renomination. Early in October both parties began preparations for an active campaign. They decided to hold meetings once a week in each ward during the campaign. At the same time all made preparations to secure a full registration. During October meetings of Chicago's charter convention were resumed the first time for eight months. The November election was one of great importance to the county and city. A County Judge, Probate judge, and twenty-eight judges of the new Municipal court were to be elected. Both the old parties had full tickets in the field and generally the nominees were ex cellent men. In 1902 the first day's registration was 175,612 names ; in 1904, 262,675 ; in 1906, 206,612. The latter was considered a large number for an off year. The state campaign interested the people of Cook county at this time. The newspapers, leagues, and political associations during the fall of 1906 declared that voters should not adhere to party nominations for municipal judgships. All were asked to scrutinize the names of candidates and then to vote regardless of party for the best men. There should be no par tisanship in the administration of the duties of the Municipal courts. This had been the policy here from time immemorial. Both parties occasionally departed from this time-honored and wise custom, but generally in Cook county the rule had been and was to nominate and vote for the best men for judges regardless of partisan consid erations. So far as possible it had been the custom to remove judi cial contests from the domain of politics. Democrats, Republicans and others had held mass meetings, had decided on certain candi dates and then had elected them. Occasionally, where there was dispute and private considerations involved, this time honored cus tom had been departed from, but usually with the result of elect ing judges men who not only could not but did not conceal their par tisanship while on the bench. Now, therefore, the papers generally and the public entirely asked to have a non-partisan Municipal bench. At the bar primaries held on October 19, 1906, fifteen Republicans, four Democrats and eleven Independence League candidates were indorsed. Presumably politics was disregarded. Candidates were named for the six-year, the four-year and the two-year terms. The Australian ballot sheet used in November, 1906, was two feet long by more than one foot and a half wide and contained a total of 577 Vol. 11—39. 674 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY names. It was presumed this ticket would prove a Chinese puzzle to voters. There were 154 county candidates, 137 Municipal court candidates, 199 legislative candidates, 27 state candidates, 42 con gressional candidates and 18 sanitary candidates. All parties con ducted most vigorous and brilliant campaigns. Many personalities marred the contest, and the character, qualifications and antecedents of candidates were investigated with great care and revealed to the public. The state campaign was particularly active. Governor De neen stumped the state with great effect. The Federation of Labor recommended candidates about the middle of October. The Inde-' pendence League did likewise. It was noted during this campaign that there was a vast difference between the methods of conducting election campaigns now and what they were thirty, forty or fifty years earlier. Never before was the character, qualifications and bi ography of candidates so held up to public inspection as at this time. A dozen different organizations riddled the pretensions, ambitions, purposes and character of each candidate and reported their findings and made their recommendations to the public. There had been evolved a wonderful system of securing thorough, fit and competent men for public office. Formerly bad men with a little patience and secrecy could easily secure a nomination and an election, but now investigation and publicity revealed their true characters to the public in advance. Formerly voters adhered closely to party nominations, having no other criterion by which to judge of a can didate's merits. Now there was much independent voting. It was far more difficult for a candidate to secure a nomination and elec tion than ever before in the history of county or city. The death of Judge Joseph E. Gary on October 31, 1906, was earnestly mourned by the entire bar and many of the citizens of Cook county. He had sat continuously on the bench since 1863 and no whisper of incompetency or dishonesty concerning his official acts or otherwise was ever heard. More than any other judge he had been the non-partisan nominee in almost every campaign in which he was induced to enter for reelection. The Municipal Vot ers' League recommended a non-partisan judicial ticket late in Oc tober — five Republicans, four Democrats and five Independents for the six-year term; six Republicans, three Democrats and three In dependents for the four-year term; and seven Republicans, two Democrats and three Independents for the two-year term. It was believed that the Independence League candidates represented that faction of all parties founded and sustained by Mr. Hearst. There were other lists recommended, but probably none better than the above. Candidates for sheriff, treasurer, County judge, county clerk, Probate judge, member Board of Review, president of Coun ty Board, clerk of Circuit court and others w_ere voted for at the November election, 1906. There were four tickets in the field — Re publicans, Democrats, Independence League and Socialist. This HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 675 campaign was dignified compared with those ordinarily conducted in Cook county. There was less personal abuse, vilification and slander. There was sharp fighting for Municipal judges, but these fights were conducted with decomm and dignity. The result of the election of November, 1906, was the success of the Republican ticket by a large plurality. In fact the Republicans made a clean sweep of the Cook county offices. It was called a landslide. The plurality varied from 40,000 to 50,000. There were many surprises at this election. Perhaps the greatest was that the Republicans elected every candidate. Certain candidates made record runs and secured record votes. This was one of the most interesting, one of the pleasantest and at the same time one of the most exciting and mo mentous political contests ever held in Cook county. Rarely was greater interest ever shown. The personnel of candidates cut a greater figure than almost any other consideration; still as a whole voters adhered to party lines because there was no object in doing otherwise, owing to the fact that with scarcely an exception good men had been nominated. It is doubtful if Cook county and Chi cago ever had a cleaner and more satisfactory election than this. The draft for the new city charter was fully complete on March 1, 1907, after fifteen months' steady work thereon. The convention voted as follows on the draft: Thirty-two for and eight against. This charter was sent to the Legislature immediately. In April, 1907, the" Republicans selected Judges Smith and McSurely for candidates for the .Superior court bench and the Democrats selected Judges Witty and Dever. During this campaign the Republican voters informally nominated Fred A. Busse for mayor in advance of the city convention. He therefore was the deliberate choice of the Republican party. The Democrats renominated Mr. Dunne. Both parties prepared for and conducted an active, vigorous and enthusiastic campaign. The comparative merits of the men were held up to public gaze. The Republicans favored the immediate settlement of the traction question on the basis of the pending coun cil ordinance. The Democrats opposed the ordinance. The Repub licans declared for a businesslike, constructive and common sense city administration. The Democrats advocated the same and point ed with pride to the administration of Mayor Dunne thus far. The Democratic platform called for municipal ownership of all public utilities. The Republicans ridiculed the pretensions of the Demo cratic city administration and denounced it in unsparing terms. The police department was particularly declared to be inefficient and cor rupt. They declared that Mayor Dunne "had utterly failed to carry out the promises made during the campaign which elected him, and that municipal ownership was more of a dream than it had ever been before Mayor Dunne took his seat." During the campaign every Republican speaker and every Republican paper dwelt upon the condemnation proceedings that would be instituted as soon as 676 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Mayor Dunne should reassume the reigns of government. After two years partisans pointed out that not only had he done nothing to accomplish municipal ownership, but a large portion of his party had come to regard that movement as a myth to be dreamed about but never realized. The lakes to the gulf waterway plan was before the people prominently at this time. The basis of Mr. Busse's speeches during March, 1907, was to this effect : "We need less talk and more action in the city's business. We need more everyday common sense and less theory. We need business methods and re sults." These remarks met the approval of the Republicans of Chi cago. They declared that the administration of Mayor Dunne was one of broken promises, shattered ideals and decadent hopes. The total number of names on the unrevised registry in March, 1907, was 418,305. The total city list as revised was 392,923. Perhaps the principal issue in the spring of 1907 was the traction ordinance. The Republicans favored it and the Democrats opposed it. Large registry showed that the Chicago people were taking much interest in this election probably owing to their -desire to see the traction question settled. The principal charge against Mayor Dunne was the inertness of his administration. The School Board particularly was rent with dissensions and rendered largely inefficient. There was shown an unusual absence of order, system and business capa city. During the last two weeks just before election the campaign was exciting, enthusiastic and determined. Messrs. Busse and Dunne thoroughly canvassed the city. All parties prepared full lists of candidates for aldermen. There were sharp fights in the various wards. The Independence League made its nominations about the 19th of the month. It is doubtful if any candidate for mayor ever received severer criticism than, did Mayor Dunne at this time. It was shown in numerous instances that he had utterly failed to carry out his political arid ante-election promises. Many of the ablest Democratic and Republican speakers of the city assisted the candidates for mayor during this spirited and critical campaign. After revision by the City Council the annual appropriation bill as passed on March 21, 1907, amounted to $49,756,316. At the bar primary early in 1907 the two Republican candidates for judge of the Superior court — Smith and McSurely — were named by large majorities. Governor Deneen appeared in Chicago in several speeches in favor of Busse. Near the close of the campaign Mayor Dunne's speeches were exceedingly keen, critical, sarcastic, evasive, eloquent and brilliant. He ridiculed and denounced the pretensions of the Republicans in vigorous English. One of the best speeches of the campaign was delivered by Edward J. Brundage at the Great Nor thern theater on March 28. He completely refuted the charges made against Mr. Busse. It was declared that Mayor Dunne was the tool of Mr. Hearst, was the weather vane which pointed any way the Hearst wind blew. This more than any campaign of re- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 677 cent years can properly be termed a campaign of vilification and slander. Both of the old parties and also the Independence League were gtiilty of inexcusable misrepresentation and distortion of truth. They made little pretense of stating facts concerning their opponents, but with studied depravity sought out every real or fan cied objection in the career of opposing candidates. Particularly did the Republicans outrageously misrepresent the personal charac ter and public intentions and performances of Mayor Dunne. It was declared that the campaign methods used at this time were brought from New York. At this time the question of annexation of Morgan Park to the city was voted upon. The Citizens' Non-Partisan Traction Set tlement association was one of the results of the struggle and dis pute over the traction problem. It apparently sprang up in the night like Jonas' gourd and kept on growing. At the last Repub lican meeting of the compaign held at the Auditorium on April 1, there were present Governor Deneen, William E. MasoX John M. Harlan, Henry S. Boutell, Emil C. Wetten, and many others. These men all delivered short, pithy and brilliant speeches in be half of the candidacy of Mr. Busse. This election meant more than appeared on the surface. It was really a test of what the people wanted done concerning the traction question. The reelection of Mayor Dunne meant in all probability municipal ownership carried out during the next dozen years to almost every branch of the pub lic service. His defeat and the election of Mr. Busse meant at least the temporary postponement of municipal ownership and probably meant its final and absolute abandonment. It also decided whether the people wanted an immediate settlement or still further delay of the traction question. As a matter of fact the Democrats themselves were more or less disappointed with the two years' administration by Mayor Dunne and with his failure to carry out in a substantial man ner the principal promises made by him during his campaign. They accordingly were not as enthusiastic as they were under ordinary cir cumstances. The Republican newspapers vigorously, continuously and almost frantically called for the people to rescue the city from what they denominated the maladministration of Mayor Dunne. His reelection meant still further continuance for another four years of his insincere and hollow administration. The result of the election was the success of Fred A. Busse as the first four-year mayor of Chicago. The traction ordinances were approved by a majority of more than 33,000. The Tribune said, "The rebuke of radicalism. Chicago the most radical city in the world, the hotbed of isms, has repudiated carpet-bag government, puppet government, petticoat government and pipe-dream govern ment. It has rejected Hearst with his imported and native mud slingers and slanderers, Dunne the mechanical doll; Post, the sin gle tax, with anarchy on the side; Haley, De Bey, and the whole 678 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY crew of female politicians and other long-haired freaks. Chicago is a radical city and has made a radical change. The voters of the city have voiced their protests against the debauchery of the public schools, the prostitution of the police department and the wrecking of the fire department. They have set the definite seal of their dis approval on immediate municipal ownership of the Dunne variety. Chicago has successfully repealed the invasion of the Hooligans, the yellow kids and the rest of the motley array that came to bury Chi cago under their volleys of filth. There never had been such a cam paign before. There will never be such a campaign again. No candidate ever will be so foolish as to surrender his platform, pro gram and his honor into the keeping of William Randolph Hearst. Mayor Dunne is a harmless person in himself, but he is a pendulum and when joined to the mechanism of the Hearst wheels the com bination is capable of mischief. It then becomes an infernal ma chine." The Independence League nominated fifteen candidates in the thirty-five aldermanic wards of the city. In one ward it had two nominees. The aggregate vote for the League candidates in these wards was 7,126, while in the same wards the vote of all other parties was 125,738. Thus the "Hearst league ticket," as it was called, received an inconsiderable portion of the total vote polled. At this election many voting machines were used throughout the city. The Republicans elected twenty-one of the thirty-six new aldermen, but the council was Democratic by a majority of two, owing to the fact that twenty-one of the hold-over aldermen were Democrats and thirteen Republicans. The Democrats elected the city treasurer, J. E. Traeger, and the Republicans elected the city clerk, J. R. McCabe. Smith and McSurely, Republicans, were elected to the Superior bench, Mr. Novak, Republican, was elected by a large plurality to fill a vacancy on the Sanitary Board. The majority in -favor of direct primaries was over 33,000. The ma jority for the South park bonds was over 27,000, for the North park bonds over 8,000 and for the Morgan Park annexation over 92,000. In 1901 Harrison, Democrat, received a plurality of 28,343 over Hanecy, Republican, for mayor. In 1903 Harrison, Democrat, re ceived a plurality of 7,679 over Stewart, Republican. In April, 1905, Dunne, Democrat, received a plurality of 24;518 over Har lan, Republican, and in April, 1907, Busse, Republican, received a plurality of 13,016 over Dunne, Democrat. The total vote cast for mayor was nearly 336,000 out of a total registration of 392,923. This was an unusually heavy vote for the registration. Two years before it had been 323,000 out of a total of 417,000. On October 2, 1907, the Supreme court rendered a decision annul ling the primary law of 1906. This placed the elections under the law of 1898. It was resolved immediately thereafter to commence pressure at once to secure a new and better primary law. Direct primaries were demanded generally by the newspapers, the leagues and the federations late in 1908. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 679 The Municipal Voters' League in March, 1908, stated that the coming primary would be the last under the existing system. The new primary law would go into effect on the succeeding July 1. Thereafter nominations would be made by the direct vote of the people. The League made its recommendations concerning candi dates in the various wards. Notwithstanding the near approach of the new primary law voters still accepted the candidates presented by the organization heads. The boss still picked the candidate and the voter was expected to accept. The hopelessness of fighting the partisan heads enabled ward leaders to force people to accept the candidates selected by the organization. More than ever it thus became a war against party bosses and more than ever was the im portance of the primary law realized. In the. primary contests in almost every ward there were sharp, bitter and personal contests with varying and sometimes grotesque and questionable results. As a whole good men were selected. The mayors' conference and the Aldrich bill were duly considered by the citizens. On March 5 the Democrats in their ward conventions nominated twenty-four candidates for the City Council. Voters were asked at this election to authorize the issuance of $2,000,000 of county bonds to provide a new infirmary and consumptive hospital. The Republicans held their aldermanic primaries on March 6. The consolidation of the City Railway and the Chicago Railways companies was strongly urged during this campaign. The Commonwealth-Edison ordi nance and the electrification of railway terminals were subjects dis cussed. The executive committee of the Democratic organization condemned the budget voted by the City Council. The committee declared that the aldermen displayed "utter disregard of the right of the taxpayers." They therefore asked voters to elect aldermen who would conduct a more economical administration. This action was ridiculed by the Republican newspapers and speakers. The election commissioners barred the Sunday closing question from the ballots. Their decision was resisted by the United Societies and others. Independent candidates were prominent features of this campaign. The newspapers published full lists of candidates of all parties, with critical comments as to their qualifications." Already contests for the gubernatorial nomination were commenced by the citizens of this city. Mr. Yates disputed Mr. Deneen's right to be renominated. Much interest in the registration was manifested. It was conceded that a heavy registration meant that the people really wished to participate directly in the nomination of candidates. A light registration indicated that the people were not interested in the new primary law. About this time Congressman Mann intro- -duced a joint resolution authorizing a survey by the Secretary of War of the rivers and harbors of Chicago and vicinity. The object of this bill was commended by the public press. On March 18, the total unrevised registration was 426,521. This was heavier than 680 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY had been expected. The public generally approved the opinion ex pressed by Municipal Chief Justice Olson to the effect that Munici pal judges should not be politically active — should not serve as managers, committees, delegates, officials, speakers, for party ad vantages during campaigns or otherwise. He expressed the opin ion that such work was incompatible with the duties of a municipal or other judicial officer. Judge Cleland's parole procedure was sharply criticised at this time. During this campaign to an extent never before seen here were aldermanic candidates if elected asked to pledge themselves as to their attitude toward various proposed reforms. It was the object of the people to ascertain as near as possible what the men who were elected to that responsible position were likely to do. The Municipal Voters' League stated that the council needed an accretion of ability, more efficient, aggressive members and a general raising of the level of practical competency and a larger nucleus of high class, straight business men as leaders. The gray wolves several years before had nearly all been ejected from the council. Voters were urged not to become apathetic now, but to be on their guard because the wolves were again approaching the fold hungrier than ever. By March 23, 48,888 names had been removed front the registry rolls. There were thus left 381,406 available for the aldermanic elections. Late in March Judge Walker decided that the Sunday closing question should be submitted to the voters at the approaching April election. Graft of an extensive, continuous and wicked charac ter was disclosed in the water office late in March and thencefor ward became a feature of the campaign. It was charged that for several years graft had likewise existed in paving contracts through out the city. Late in March the Chicago Law and Order League endeavored to unite the voters throughout the city and county re gardless of parties in the interest of good government. This non partisan attitude of the League was criticised by the newspapers. Already the coming presidential campaign was making itself felt in Cook county. On March 28, the United Societies made public its report on the various aldermanic candidates. Thirty-nine were indorsed, seven condemned and a few wards were passed over with out any recommendations. In March, 1908, the Business Men's Association of Chicago Heights proposed the creation of a new county to be composed of certain towns of Cook and Will counties, all containing a population of about 50,000, with the village of Chi cago Heights as the county seat. In the spring of 1908 the news papers published lists of aldermen who it was alleged failed to report to the assessors the correct value of their personal property. The lists contained the names of many men of comparative wealth who paid an insignificant tax. The Democrats charged the Republicans with levying, collecting and spending too high a tax both in city and county governments. Early in April and just before election HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 681 the newspapers and leagues published details, criticisms and state ments concerning the aldermanic candidates. The report and list of the Municipal Voters' league had greater weight than those of any other prepared or published. The Prohibition party, owing to the fact that the saloon question was to be voted on, was extremely active late in March and early in April. They made preparation to poll the largest vote ever given their nominees in Chicago. Regardless of the fact that the local option people had failed to perfect their petition and the United Societies might fail to get their question on the ballot, the alder manic campaign was made a test of strength between the saloon and anti-saloon elements. Chicago in a measure was exempted from the liquor fight which was conducted with such vigor and de termination throughout the rest of the state. Never before in the history of Chicago did so many organizations investigate so thor oughly the character of aldermanic candidates. The Law and Order League and Temperance organization was promoted to oppose the United Societies, which was favorable to the liquor interest. The latter favored the open saloon on Sunday. There were several bitter independent aldermanic contests. At the election in April the city was swept by the Republicans. The majorities on the council ticket were larger than they had been for thirty years. Thirty-five'aldermen were elected, of whom twenty- four were Republicans. The new aldermen elected were : Repub licans, twenty-three; Democrats, eleven, and Independent Repub licans 1. The new council contained forty-three Republicans, twenty-six Democrats and one Independent Republican. There were 254,964 votes polled. The Republicans received 107,646, the Democrats 92,128, the Socialists 16,715, the Independence League 14,908, Prohibitionists 9,938, and scattering 13,630. As before in . previous elections the Municipal Voters' League candidates were largely voted for and elected. The majority in favor of the issue of bonds for the new infirmary was over 100,000. This election completely overturned the political balance in the City Council. The new council was strongly Republican. It was taken to mean the approval of the city administration of Mayor Busse. In the spring of 1908 local option was one of the issues in thirteen Cook county village elections, and in all except two the liquor in terests were victorious. In Barrington and Morgan Park the anti- saloon adherents won. The villages thus voting were as follows: Barrington, Bellwood, Blue Island, Des Plaines, Gary, Gross Point, Forest Park (Harlem), Lyons, Melrose Park, Morgan Park, Spring Forest, Summit and Riverdale. At the primary election in August, 1908, the Legislative Voters' League made many important recommendations concerning can didates, but for the first time its advice was in a large measure dis regarded. It planned to retire several objectionable members of the 682 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Legislature and partly succeeded. The usefulness of the league was generally acknowledged. However, at this election it perhaps was too exacting, extra officious and indiscreet. It prescribed a standard of political excellence not likely to be reached by any candidate. But the league went further than the personnel of the Legislature. It unwisely made other recommendations upon which there could be an honest difference of opinion. It did not seem to think that if a man was honest and could be trusted, much could be left to his judgment without his being bound down by iron-clad promises in advance of election. At the primary election in August, 1908, Deneen, Republican candidate for governor, received in Chicago 70,380 votes and Yates 65,551. Deneen received in the whole county 80,490 votes and Yates 72,429. For state's attorney, John J. Healy received in the county 64,266 and J. E. W. Wayman 65,205. At the Democratic primary for state's attorney, Jacob J. Kern received a plurality over Messrs. Dever, Hoyne and McKinley. Immediately after the Au gust primary, 1908, evidence of extensive frauds was produced. Men of considerable prominence and officeholders were implicated. The result of the direct primary election in August, 1908, proved that the people desired such a law. It was pronounced satisfactory by many, though defective in some important respects. This had been anticipated and steps were taken at once to correct the defects. Its merits and demerits were thoroughly discussed. The results were compared with those under the old law. All admitted there was much improvement. However, many citizens were opposed to the law. It was regarded with suspicion by many who proceeded to criticise its operations. The chief objections to the measure were as follows : The great expense which made it impossible for a poor man to run for office ; the advantage given certain candidates whose names were printed first on the ballot ; the unwieldiness of the new county sanitary committee prevented independent voting; expenses of committee meetings ; judges of the elections could easily be cor rupt; Democrats vote Republican ticket and vice versa; inability of the voters to express their preferences suitably, owing to the great number of candidates; it operated against candidates, forbidding them from having challengers at the polling places. Probably the principal objection was that it shut out poor men from becoming candidates. Such men as Brundage, Hanberg, Busse and others found objections with the law. Plowever, it was believed that with amendments it could be made satisfactory. Late in July, in this city at Orchestra hall, the new Independence party held its first national convention and placed its first ticket in the field — Hisgen and Graves. Mr. Hisgen was nominated on the third ballot and' Mr. Graves by acclamation. Mr. Hearst's name was placed in nomination, but without his consent. This party named McCaskrin for governor and otherwise named a full ticket. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 683 An annoying feature of the fall campaign of 1908 was the bitter fight made by Messrs. Lorimer, Yates, Small and others against the reelection of Mr. Deneen to the governorship. There was no doubt that Mr. Deneen's administration had been an excellent one and that little, if any, fault could properly be found with it. The Lorimer- Yates coalition resorted to the most unwarranted and objectionable statements concerning mismanagement, particularly of state insti tutions, during his administration. The most outrageous misrep resentations and distortions were made with a degree of bitterness, malice and revenge rarely ever witnessed in this state. The coali tion was a powerful one, as shown by the fact that Mr. Deneen at the election received a greatly reduced vote. That he did not de serve this treatment was the view of all right-thinking people re gardless of party affiliations. An important event in October, 1908, was the convention of the Lakes-to-the-Gulf Waterway association. The meeting was held at the Coliseum and was largely attended and enthusiastic. More than 5,000 enthusiastic friends of the project were present. There were here men from all parts of the Mississippi valley interested in the project. Many able, instructive and eloquent speeches concern ing the benefits certain to result from the completion of such a waterway were eagerly listened to and enthusiastically applauded by the great convention. Messrs Taft and Bryan were both present at the immense banquet given at the Auditorium. The Anti-Saloon League early in October published its recom mendations as to candidates to be voted for at the approaching election. The League particularly desired to elect its candidates to the Legislature. The local option law was before the people and the character and standing of legislators were regarded as very im portant. This League, after a secret conference, decided that neither of the old party candidates nor those of the Independence party were satisfactory to their interests. They therefore named a full ticket of their own. The United Societies took similar action in their own interests. In several instances they indorsed the can didates of the Republicans and Democrats. In naming candidates they paid little attention to party affiliations, but based their actions upon what candidates would do for their cause. There was considerable complaint throughout the country gener ally in October, 1908, of the apathy shown concerning the approach ing election. Such was not the case, however, in Chicago. The -registration figures were unusually high and showed that the citi zens were interested in the outcome. While Chicago was a city of political surprises it was thought, however, that a large registra tion was more favorable to the Republicans than to the Democrats. The Citizens' association asked all the candidates for state's at torney whether, if elected, they would prohibit gambling at race tracks in Cook county. All the candidates answered in the affirma- 684 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY tive. During October many interesting speeches were delivered throughout Cook county by Messrs. Deneen, Stevenson, Yates and their assistants. Late in October Senator Beveridge of Indiana delivered here one of the most powerful and logical addresses ever heard in Chicago: He discussed the national issues before an im mense crowd at Orchestra hall under the auspices of the Taft and Sherman Business Men's club. The last few days of the national campaign showed Chicago at its best. In all parts of the city meetings of the various partisans were held, eloquent addresses delivered and voters urged to support par tisan principles and candidates. Every newspaper, association, league and club selected its particular ticket which voters were in vited to support. There were presidential, state, and county, tickets; Municipal court, Senate, and House candidates, and many special candidates and tickets. It was estimated just previous to election that probably 90 per cent of the registration would be polled. It was in reality a whirlwind finish by all parties with all principles. Mr. Deneen particularly was extremely active during the last few days of the campaign. Mr. Wayman conducted a vigorous and able campaign. A feature was the canvass of William Street, the Prohibition candidate for state's attorney. He attacked vigorously both Wayman and Kern, candidates of the two old parties for the same office. It was predicted that Mr. Deneen would run behind his ticket. His enemies had conducted a vigorous, relentless and effective campaign. The Democrats had the greatest confidence in carrying Cook county for Bryan. They likewise hoped that Steven son would be elected governor. They believed that the division in the Republican ranks and the hostility to Deneen would throw many votes to Mr. Stevenson with the result of his success. Just previous to election Democratic sporting men bet that Cook county would be carried by Stevenson. During the campaign the Republican speak ers and press denounced as an outrage upon honesty and decency the candidacy of Mr. Kern for state's attorney. His record, it was declared, was so bad that the Democratic party should never have nominated him, and in doing so insulted the sense of right and jus tice of all people. Personalities vindictive, revengeful, untruthful and continuous, ran like a sewer through this whole campaign. Mr. Deneen's statement of what had been accomplished during his ad ministration was straightforward, comprehensive and accurate. Had it not been for his vigorous campaign and his elaborate expla nation of his administration he would probably have been defeated at the subsequent election. Never before had there been created so many alleged issues and political fictions as during this campaign. Never before had a campaign been conducted so entirely upon false pretenses and with such unparalleled mendacity as this against Gov ernor Deneen. Luckily for the Republicans, voters overthrew the plans of his enemies and enough remained friendly to return him HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 685 to Springfield. There is no doubt that had he been defeated the state would have fallen into the hands of the worst local and parti san elements. In this city and county the principal issue was to place honest and capable men in office. Important laws were needed, therefore the Senate and House should be composed of the best material obtain able. The Municipal court judges, occupying as they did positions of great importance, should be able, conscientious and practical jurists. It was necessary and highly important also to keep up the standard of the sanitary board. The state's attorney, member of the Board of Review and president of the County Board were also highly important officers, and the merits of the candidates were fully and elaborately announced. It was an important election carried forward with great energy, sagacity, acrimony, artifice and bril liancy by the ablest politicians of the city, county and state. With a registration of 411,120 it was realized that an immense vote would be polled.- Having this in view the leaders of the parties from the start thoroughly informed the public of the character and fitness of all candidates. The result of the November election, 1908, was as follows: Total for Taft, 230,400; Bryan, 152,990; Chafin, Prohi bitionist, 5,965; Debs, Socialist, 18,842; Watson, People's, 73; Gil- house, Socialist Labor, 649; Hisgen, Independence, 5,994; Turney, U. C, 178. For Governor Deneen, 192,937; Stevenson, 192,871. The Republican majority on the Cook county principal offices varied from 23,741 to 80,580. The Republican candidates for Municipal court judges won by large majorities. All the Republican candi dates for county commissioners were elected. Large majorities were polled for the "little ballot," which embraced a constitutional amendment, a banking law, and an issue of bonds. The vote for the bonds meant the early construction of the deep waterway to the gulf. The steps to be taken were : First, the passage of the deep water way bill by the Illinois General Assembly; second, the appointment of a commission to have charge of the actual construction work; third, prohibition of the Federal government for such improvements as were outside of Illinois. The amendment to the general banking law mentioned above provided: First that a director must be the owner of ten shares of the capital stock of his bank ; second, that the power of officers and directors to borrow and the amount borrowed should be limited ; third, that the auditor should have the same power to close the bank that the controller of the currency has with national banks. Immediately after the election of November, 1908, investigation showed that numerous election frauds had been practiced through out the county. The grand jury investigated arid by the 21st of November returned indictments against twenty-three men, several of whom were officials and prominent men. In all, forty-six true bills were returned. The most of the charges were violations of the 686 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY primary law, principally aiding and abetting illegal voting. Numer ous judges of election were thus indicted. William G. Hermann, chief deputy clerk of the Municipal court, and Republican state cen tral committeeman from the Eighth Congressional district and a West side boss, was among those indicted. In January, 1909, the Municipal Voters' League called attention to the fact that thirty-five aldermen were to be elected in the com ing April. The importance of this election was duly weighed and noted. It began an analysis of the character and performances of the existing council, named those who were believed fit to be re elected and condemned others and advised their permanent retire ment from the city board. The league urged the elevation of the aldermanic average of integrity and efficiency. Many important questions would have to be considered and acted upon during the coming year. Excellent aldermen therefore should be elected. Al ready the names of new candidates were proposed and investigated. As usual, some wards were certain to elect bad men, but the impor tance of keeping them in the minority was realized and acted upon. The experience of the past had shown how to evade the defects in the new primary law. It was therefore believed that the primaries during 1909 would be much more honest, clean and satisfactory. The people generally had demanded direct primaries and were anxious now to perfect the law, continue its use and secure from it the great est possible benefit. The Illinois Equal Suffrage association previous to the election sent letters to the Republican and Democratic candidates for Con gress and the State Legislature asking for an expression of their attitude on the question of extending suffrage to women. From the replies they selected a list of candidates for whom they recom mended citizens to vote. Early in January, 1909, the Iroquois club, Hamilton club, Union League club, Marquette club, Legislative Voters' League, Munici pal Voters' League, Citizens' association, Chicago Law and Order League, City club, Jewish Civic League and the organizations of the Republican, Democratic, Socialist and Prohibition parties as sembled in -Judge Rinaker's courtroom for the purpose of suggest ing measures that would secure honesty and accuracy in future elections in Chicago. During the meeting it was disclosed that or dinarily the very important positions of judges and clerks of election were held by irresponsibles and nonentities appointed for political reasons by precinct captains. It was determined to make an effort to secure in the future for such important positions men of well known responsibility and character. It was ascertained during this meeting that many judges were not familiar with the rules as to how split tickets in many cases should be counted. It was stated during the meeting that in 1908 thirty-four election officials were charged with alleged violations of the law and in nearly every instance the mistakes HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 687 proved to be the result of ignorance. It was therefore pointed out that the elections held in Chicago were reasonably honest and not as fraudulent as many thought. The minor parties at this meeting in sisted that they should be represented on the election boards. This meeting was important, as it led to investigations along important paths which had been neglected. The Municipal Voters' League made its final report concerning sixty-two candidates for aldermanic nominations a week or two be fore the primary election. All the candidates were catalogued, classified, tabulated and criticised. In twenty-four wards the league commended thirty-three candidates in both of the old parties and seven were reported not qualified, eleven were found objectionable for various reasons and eleven others were condemned. The league had little to say concerning the candidates for other offices. The important contests were in the Seventh, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Fourteenth, Twenty-fourth, Twenty-sixth, Twenty-sev enth, Thirty-third and Thirty-fifth wards. Under the new primary law the voters themselves could have settled the contests. In several of the wards the primary election was considered more important than the general election. Many citizens during 1908 and the first part of 1909 advocated the measure known as the "recall." It pro posed to give the citizens the right to annul the election of any offi cial who was deemed undesirable by retiring him to private life. An important event in March, 1909, was the completion of the work of the charter convention. When the last provision was in serted and the long work of the convention was ended, it possibly meant a great deal to the future of Chicago. It remained with the Legislature to determine whether the measures so long struggled over should become law. About the middle of February, 1909, all parties began prepara- - tions for the municipal aldermanic primary elections to be held on February 23. All candidates were announced and all began an active canvass. The Board of Election commissioners issued speci men ballots. There were to be chosen a city treasurer, city clerk and a full list of aldermen. At the primary election the party ma chines were victorious. The slate candidates for clerk and regulars in council nominations swept the city. This was one of the first times when voters in any considerable number ignored the recom mendations of the Municipal Voters' League. The Republicans generally were triumphant. The total vote cast was 95,045. De ducting the Socialist and Prohibition vote there was 93,959 for the Republicans and Democrats. There were bitter fights in many wards. The liquor interests singled out for defeat men who had supported the $1,000 saloon license ordinance in the council, but their efforts failed signally. In nearly every instance where the liquor forces endeavored to defeat aldermen, the latter apparently scored an easy victory. The Prohibition and Socialist vote was so small as scarcely to be worth counting. 688 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Late in March, 1909, Chicago's Eleven Charter bill was intro duced in the Legislature. Embraced in this bill were the following propositions: For the consolidation of powers then vested in the local authorities of this city to provide for revenue and to increase the bonding and other powers ; to enable the City Council to adopt a method of recall; for the regulation of public utilities; for an amendment to the law governing municipal elections ; for the refer ence of public policy questions to the voters ; to require publication of campaign expenses and to provide a corrupt practices act ; for the amendment of the city civil service law ; to amend the acts govern ing the Board of Education and to reduce its membership to fifteen ; to confer the right of municipal suffrage on women ; to change the date at which justices and officials of the Municipal courts should be elected ; to provide for the regulation of Sunday observance. A feature of the spring campaign, 1909, was the attack made upon the Municipal Voters' League by aldermen who it was alleged had been unjustly criticised by that organization. However, little was presented by them to show that the league had done otherwise than to work for the best interests of the people. Late in March, 1909, owing to the importance of the coming aldermanic elections the newspapers, clubs, associations and leagues warned all voters to beware of the gray wolves who were ravenous to break into the City Council. This warning caused one of the most vigorous and searching investigations as to the character and qualifications of candidates ever instituted in this city. An attack by the gray wolves upon the Municipal Voters' League proved to the voters throughout the city not only that undesirables were en deavoring to capture and sack the City Council, but that in all prob ability the attack was made as a counter to ward suspicion from such attempts. The aldermen by a vote of 40 to 19 refused to adopt Al derman Mclnerney's resolution to divorce the council from the Municipal Voters' League. This was the first blow in the council against the gray wolf pack. The newspapers argued that the majority for a non-partisan or ganization of the council was too small. It was observed that the city was entering upon a great constructive period. Events of im mense importance to future Chicago were before the people. It was thought that public interest should not be compelled to depend upon a margin so narrow. The gray wolves and their new recruits in the City Council were classed as "the gang." The caustic report of the Municipal Voters' League was published in full in the news papers and otherwise. Reports on every ward and on every candi date were made. There can be no doubt, however, that men who were recommended by the Municipal Voters' League and the news papers should have been condemned, or at least should not have been recommended, as for instance the candidates for aldermen from the Third ward. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 689 The league warned voters that another and a covert line-up of gray wolves menaced Chicago. To meet and countercheck the wolfish pack the league made full examinations and recommenda tions. Several were urged for election ; in other cases no preference was expressed. Several were called totally unfit and others were classed as undesirables. The report condemned the nineteen alder men who precipitated the Mclnerney rebellion. The league was fighting for honest men and for a non-partisan organization of the council. The leaders of the gray wolf gang were named as follows : Kenna, Powers, Brennan, Kunz, Cullerton and Mclnerney. To the list of the gray wolf gang the league added names of men who had favored several objectionable ordinances recently proposed in the City Council. Late in March, 1909, the United Societies announced their can didates for the City Council. The Societies gave unqualified in dorsement to seventeen aldermanic candidates and marked twenty- four as acceptable. In seven wards the Societies did not discrimi nate between Republican and Democratic nominees. In eight wards they did not make any recommendations. This report was made by the Liberty League of the United Societies. In March, 1909, many thought that as the Municipal League had succeeded in reducing the gray wolf gang to a small minority in the council, its purpose had been accomplished and it might be permitted to retire on honors and laurels well won. Others argued that this should not be permitted, because at all times the wolves were pre pared to leap into the council and the perpetuation of the league was necessary to prevent such a calamity. Its work was declared to be continuous and everlasting just as eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. This was a question not of theory but of fact which faced all citizens desiring an economical, honest and satisfactory adminis tration of city affairs. The result of the election of April, 1909, was the complete defeat of the gray wolf pack. The control of the City Council was placed in the hands of the respectable element of that "body. Each of the old parties elected eighteen aldermen in the new council. There were thirty-nine Republicans and twenty-nine Democrats, one Inde pendent, and one vacancy. The total vote for city treasurer was 242,865. Powell, Republican candidate for treasurer, was elected. Connery, Democratic candidate for city clerk, was successful. There were four tickets in the field, Republican, Democratic, Prohibition and Socialist. As a whole, the election was close. None of the majorities or pluralities reached 8,000 and very few exceeded 5,000. As a whole, voters and the leagues were satisfied with the person nel of the new city Legislature. The Municipal Voters' League was largely instrumental in securing this good and happy result. Only five candidates marked as undesirables by the league were sent back to the council. The'big six of the alleged gray wolf tribe (Kenna, Vol. II— 40. 690 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Cullerton, Kunz, Brennan, Powers and Mclnerney) were success ful. The league at this election thoroughly classified the candidates under the heads of "desirable," "unfit," "undesirable," etc. The Liberty League of the United Societies upon the Sunday closing issue had a list of candidates either indorsed or marked acceptable. Thirteen of the candidates thus indorsed were elected and twelve acceptable candidates were successful. Large majorities were polled in favor of the annexation of Evanston and Cicero. The Republican ticket was successful in Cicero township, the Citizens' ticket won at Winnetka and also at Oak Park. A non-partisan ticket won at Proviso. Berwyn voted against the saloon. The Re publicans carried Calumet. Evanston cast a large majority against annexation ; so did Cicero. The proposition to levy a tax of $200,- 000 with which to build a consumptive hospital was carried by an immense majority of about four to one. New Trier township voted out the saloon. In April, 1909, the Republicans at the primaries elected all of their candidates for Circuit judges by a comparatively large ma jority. The judges elected were Carpenter, Gibbons, Pinckney, Smith, Baldwin, Tuthill, Ailing, Holland, Price, Scanlan, Olson, Schmidt, Tinsman and Petit. The fourteen Democrats receiving the highest votes, were Kersten, Honore, Walker, Clifford, Baker, Windes, Brown, Mack, McGoorty, Adams, Burke, Arthur, Morrill, and Murray. All of the sitting Circuit judges (nine Democrats and five Republicans) were renominated. Judge Brentano was nomi nated for Superior court judge without opposition by the Republi cans. William Brown was the unanimous choice of the Democrats for the same position. _. The total vote cast in city and county at this election was under 70,000. The highest vote on the Republican ticket, 52,308, was given to Judge Brentano, running alone. Judge Carpenter received the highest vote on the Democratic ticket, 45,392. The Socialist vote was less than 1,000. Several candidates who were favored by the Chicago Bar association were defeated. The most important congressional act, so far as Chicago is con cerned, passed in recent years was the waterways bill which became a law early in 1909. Incorporated in the bill was the Lorimer prop osition which authorized the government to acquire full ownership of all property, lands and water rights north of the St. Mary's Falls ship canal, lying between such canal and the international boundary, and authorizing the appointment of a national waterways commission consisting of five members of the Senate and seven members of the House, the commission to investigate all questions and to recommend to Congress such action as it might deem advisa ble. No provision for new improvements was made, but a large number of surveys was authorized for the purpose of serving as a basis of future considerations and appropriations. Among the sur veys authorized were the following: Harbor and river at or near HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 691 Chicago, including Chicago harbor, Chicago river, Calumet harbor, Grand Calumet and Little Calumet rivers, Lake Calumet and neces sary connections with Calumet river, and Lake Michigan shore from the mouth of the Chicago river to the city of Gary, Ind., for the pur pose of reporting a plan for a complete, systematic and comprehen sive improvement of harbor facilities for Chicago and adjacent terri tory. The bill also contemplated important improvements of the South branch of the Chicago river. • The contest for the United States senate, with Hopkins opposed by Lorimer and Deneen, was one of the most remarkable and spec tacular in the history of the state. After a long contest Lorimer was elected on the ninety-fifth joint ballot with 108 votes, fifty-five Re publicans and fifty-three Democrats voting for him. In the senate he received thirteen Republican and six Democratic votes, and in the house forty-two Republican and forty-seven Democratic votes. Really, from January to May, the Legislature was deadlocked on the question of who should succeed Hopkins as senator. Lorimer could never have succeeded without Democratic votes. How did he get them? Probably the most charitable view is that he was thus re warded for his advocacy of the deep-waterway project. Many Re publicans regarded his course as a gross betrayal of party principles. It was generally conceded that he was a better politician than Re publican. The judicial election in the summer of 1909 was important. Ef forts to keep this election out of politics failed. The Republican can didates were introduced to the public at a "smoker" on the North Side in May. The Chicago bar primary endorsed seven Republicans and seven Democrats for circuit judges and one for the superior bench. The Chicago Federation of Labor endorsed fifteen judges of mixed politics in May. The United societies recommended a Re publican for superior judge and a Democrat and six Republicans for circuit judges. Both Democratic and Republican parties nominated partisan judicial tickets. Newspapers arid civic organizations sub mitted their choice to the public. Powerful appeals to vote for the best judges regardless of parties were made by press, pulpit and purity organizations. Politicians uttered just as strong sentiments in regard to party unity and integrity. The judges did not take the stump, but tons of campaign literature were sent out. The result of the election was to send in eight Republicans and six Democrats to the circuit bench in place of nine Democrats and five Republicans who had held the position. Republican and Democratic party or ganizations professed to be shocked at the result. Independent vot ing decided the contest. Brentano, against whom serious charges had been made, was elected to the superior court. Eleven of the circuit judges elected were recommended by the United societies. Only seven of the bar primary candidates were elected. The South Park patronage passed to the Republicans. The Socialists polled 692 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 9,328 votes for their highest man. The total vote in the county was 170,177. The registration of April, 1909, was 404,938. The supreme court decision that declared unconstitutional the new primary law occasioned much interest. It was thought the old- law of 1908 amended in 1901, or perhaps the law of 1885, would rule elections until a new law was enacted. A readjustment of fighting machinery was necessary. There arose a steady and agonizing cry for a new direct primary law, but the enemies of the same "shouted defiance. Good lawyers thought the primary law of 1885 might be in force. In August, 1909, Carl L. Barnes was announced as a candidate for congress to take the place of Mr. Lorimer in the Sixth district. He began an active and trenchant campaign as an independent. William J. Moxley was nominated by the Republicans and Frank S. Ryan by the Democrats. This was one of the bitterest campaigns in the history of the county. Nearly all the newspapers favored Barnes, but Moxley was backed by the power and prestige of Lori mer and the money of the "machine." Mr. Moxley was elected by a large plurality. His success could not have been accomplished without Democratic votes. These were secured through the influ ence of Lorimer who, in this case, as in his candidacy for the United States senate, held out the allurement of deep water-way promotion. Biography and Reminiscence FRED Downer Countiss, an active and successful business man of Chicago, was born in this city, June 26, 1872, and is a son of Robert and Louise (Eakin) Countiss. He was educated at the public schools here, and began his business career as messenger in the Merchants' National bank. He was ambitious, in dustrious and honest, and soon had won a good reputation. In 1892 he accepted a position as bookkeeper with the National Bank of the Republic, and a little later, so well had he acquitted himself, he was advanced to the position of teller in the same institution. In May, 1896, desiring to better his prospects and feeling qualified for broader business operations, he entered the employ of S. B. Chapin & Com pany, bankers and brokers, dealers in stocks, grain, provisions, cotton, coffee, etc. Recognizing his good qualities and efforts, that business house, in July, 1898, admitted him to a partnership and thus he has remained associated until the present time. He is now recognized as one of the best and broadest men in the commercial life of this city. He is a member of the Board of Trade and of the Stock Exchange and has greatly aided both organizations. On June 11, 1909, his prominence and popularity led to his election to the ¦ important position of president of the Stock Exchange for a term of one year. He is a Presbyterian and a member of the Chicago, Union League, Mid-Day, Calumet and Bankers' clubs. His office is in the Rookery building and his residence at 2922 Michigan avenue. Sietz J. DeVries, one of the well-known and substantial business men of Chicago, was born October 29, 1853, at Howerzil, Province of Groningen, Holland, and is a son of Jacob and Minnie (Bultheus) DeVries. The father was a farmer by occupation and because of his death in 1862, Sietz J. was compelled to help support the family as a day laborer on the farm in the summers though attending local schools in the winters. Thinking better opportunities for making a livelihood existed in America, the family emigrated to the United States, and in the year 1867 located in Chicago. Here the mother died in 1893. Sietz J. DeVries received but limited educational advantages in youth, such as he had having been secured at the village schools of his nativity. For two years after his arrival in Chicago he worked on a farm, and the succeeding four years was employed in the country by a hay buyer and shipper. When 20 years of age he be- 693 Vol. 11—41. 694 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY gan his career in the lumber business as an employe of S. R. Howell & Company, with whom he continued for a period of eighteen years. During this service he thoroughly mastered all the details pertaining to the business, serving in the different capacities of teamster, tally man, assistant shipping clerk and the last twelve years as shipping clerk. Succeeding this he was employed as general superintendent for the Rittenhouse-Embree company for eight years, in which ca pacity he further equipped himself in the knowledge of the lumbering business. The fall of 1898, feeling the need of relaxation from busi ness cares, he took a vacation of one year traveling through Europe and visiting his old boyhood home in Holland. Returning to Chicago he organized the firm of S. J. DeVries & Company in the spring of 1900, the junior member of the firm being W. C. Beutel. In 1903, after the death of Mr. Beutel, who was one of the victims of the Iroquois theatre fire, Mr. DeVries bought his interest in the busi ness and incorporated the present S. J. DeVries & Company, with the following officers : S. J. DeVries, president ; J. S. DeVries, vice- president; Peter DeVries, secretary and treasurer. Mr. DeVries is a fitting example to America's younger generation of what can be accomplished under adverse conditions^ His early life was one of hardship and self denial. He came to America with out money or influence and with an imperfect knowledge of the language and customs of the country. Fortunately he was im pressed with the importance of the two most necessary qualifications for success — honesty and industry. Possessed of natural ability for commercial pursuits, he has won financial success, and what is prized even more highly, an honored name among his fellow business men. The firm of which he is the head sells all kinds of lumber for build ing purposes and are jobbers in sash, doors, blinds, building and roofiing paper and at present employs an average of fifty hands. Mr. DeVries is treasurer of the Englewood Hospital association, treas urer of the Holland St. Nicholas society and is a member of the Dutch Reformed church. On April 13, 1876, he married Grietze Groeneveld, and to them three children have been born, all being in business with their father. Their names are Jacob S., Peter and David. The business location of Mr. DeVries is at 842 Forty- seventh Place and the family residence at 6058 South Green street. Edwin Maurice Smith, M. D., was born at Cascade, Wis., July 30, 1861, and is a son of Simeon L. and Elizabeth (Tyffe) Smith. The father was a farmer by occupation and was successful and use ful as a citizen and man. Edwin M. was educated in the country schools, the high school at Plymouth, Wis., and the Northwestern Medical school, graduating from the latter in 1886 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Prom 1886 to 1888 he served as interne in the Cook County hospital, but during the latter year began a general practice in this city and is thus engaged at the present time. He now ranks among the HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 695 leading, most reliable and most successful physicians of Chicago. He is now physician to the House of the Good Shepherd, surgeon to the Polyclinic hospital and was formerly teacher of anatomy in Northwestern university. He is, a member of the American Medical society, Chicago Medical society and the Chicago Orthopedic asso ciation. He is also a member of the National Union, Royal Arcanum and Foresters. On June 14, 1899, he married Clara Schuyler of Davenport, Iowa, and they have the following children : Edwin, Elizabeth and Clarice. They reside at new No. 861 LaSalle avenue, and the Doctor's office is at new No. 428 W. Division street. Stephen Edward Donlon, M. D., was born in Fitchburg, Mass., July 24, 1864, and is a son of Patrick and Mary (Collonan) Donlon. The father, a machinist and farmer, died in 1902, but the mother is still living. Stephen E. was educated in the country and high schools of Clayton county, la., and Dixon, 111. Having made up his mind to study medicine, he entered Rush Medical college and in 1895 was graduated therefrom with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. For the next two years he served as interne in the Cook County hospital, but since then has been engaged in the general practice of his pro fession. At present he is instructor in surgery in Rush Medical college and attending gynecologist in St. Anthony hospital. He is very active and unusually successful. He is a member of the Chi cago Medical society and the Knights of Columbus, and his busi ness location is at 3048 W. Twelfth street. On June 16, 1908, he married Mary V. Power and they reside at 3819 Wilcox avenue. Frederick Andrew Hess, M. D., was born at Bergen, Norway, May 22, 1851, and is a son of John C. and Anna Jensina (Oarchon) Hess. He was educated in private schools and the academy in Ber gen, and in 1863 graduated from the latter institution and started for America. He arrived in Chicago in 1863, and worked at various occupations until 1869, when he entered Rush Medical college, and on February 18, 1873, graduated therefrom with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Since that year he has pursued a general prac tice and until 1877 was a visiting physician for the county. From 1897 to 1899 he was attending physician to the Norwegian Tabitha hospital. In 1899 he received Jhe honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy from Montezuma university, Bessemer, Ala. He is a member of the American Medical association, Chicago Medical society, Scandinavian Medical society, American Association for the Advancement of Sciences and the National Geographical society. He is a Republican and a Methodist. His office is located at 526 W. (new number) Division street and his residence at 1433 Belle- plaine avenue. January 2, 1883, he married in Chicago, Emma E. Campbell and to them two children were born, Frederick A., Jr., and Anna Jensina. Will Hartwell Lyford was born at Waterville, Me, September 696 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 15, 1858, and is a son of Oliver S. and Lovinia A. Lyford. He was educated in the grammar schools, the Cleveland High school and Colby College, Waterville, Me, and he began business for him self soon after finishing his education. His studies in engineering led to his appointment as assistant engineer for the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad company in 1879. The following year he accepted a position as stenographer for the general superintendent and occupied the same until 1882, when he was advanced to the office of chief clerk to the general manager, serving as such until 1883. In the latter year he became claim agent, but having studied law and being admitted to the Illinois bar in 1884, he was appointed to the position of assistant general solicitor of the road. He served as such until 1887, and was then made attorney in charge of the law department, continuing until 1889, when he became general solicitor. Ever since March 15, 1892, he has served to the satis faction of the same company as general counsel. His rise has been steady and merited, though not without obstacles and battles. He is a director of the Belt Railway company and the Chicago' & West ern Indiana company. He is a member of the law firm of Calhoun, Lyford & Sheehan, one of the strongest in the city. He is a Republi can and a member of the Union League, Chicago, University, Chi cago Athletic, South Shore Country and Chicago Golf clubs. He has offices in the Rookery building. On April 28, 1886, he married at Nebraska City, Neb., Mary L. MacComas and to them two children — Gertrude and Calhoun — have been born. Samuel Shope Page, an ex- judge and eminent lawyer of this city, was born in Metamora, 111., Woodford county, on January 27, 1851, and is a son of Thaddeus and Cordillia E. Page, the. former a native of New Hampshire and the latter of Mississippi. The father's occupa tion was farming, but he also conducted a general store and dealt in grain. The grand parents settled in Metamora, Woodford county, about 1835, the place then being known as Black Partridge, after the famous Indian chief probably. The father was of English and Scotch-Irish descent and the mother of Irish and German descent. Samuel S. encountered so many obstacles in his youth in the way of securing an education that he received none beyond that furnished by the graded schools of Metamora. In youth he formed high ideals largely through the noble lives and lofty precepts of his uncles, John W. and Adino Page. While yet a school boy his mind was turned in the direction of the legal profession by the oratory of such men as Robert G. Ingersoll, W. W. O'Brien and Adlai Steven son, whose eloquence and consummate management of court cases of which he was a spectator, inspired him with the ambition for a fine legal career. At the age of 18 years he began teaching country school, but a year later began the study of law in a country law office. Having finished his studies and passed the required examina tion, he was admitted to the bar and at once began the practice, HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 697 About 1871 he served as deputy superintendent of schools of Wood ford county. In 1874 he became president of the board of trustees of Metamora and two years later was elected state's attorney of Woodford county. In 1885 he became circuit judge and as such served with distinction. In 1893 he was special counsel of the World's Columbian Exposition, and the following year was made president of the Illinois Charitable Eye and Ear infirmary. About 1897 he became attorney for the Chicago City Railway company. In later years he has been the attorney of various manufacturing and mercantile concerns. His ability and standing as a lawyer are high and above reproach. He is a member of the Union League, Chicago Athletic and South Shore Country clubs. He was formerly a member of Peoria Commandery, is an Odd Fellow, Knight of Pythias and a member of the United Workmen. He is identified with no political party or church, but is the earnest friend and con stant advocate of good citizenship generally. George Walter Sheppard, president of the wholesale grocery firm of Sheppard-Strassheim company, is a native of the city of Chicago, born September 1, 1872, a son of George J. and Deborah F. (Webb) Sheppard. After attending the public schools in boyhood he began the active business of life in 1886 as errand boy in the grocery es tablishment of Charles H. Slack. Following this he was employed by Sprague, Warner & Company, J. B. Inderrieden & Brother, Weber & Stayart and Louis W. Stayart company, serving as sec retary and treasurer of the latter. Succeeding this he organized the wholesale grocery firm of Sheppard-Strassheim company, of which he has been the president since its inception and which, by conservative, hard workj has become one of the successful, well- known business houses of the city. Mr. Sheppard resides in Oak Park and his business establishment is at 670 W. Randolph street. He is a Republican in politics, a member of the National Union and a Knight Templar Mason. Adolph Borie Babcock was born in Washington, D. C, August 10, 1876, and is a son of General Orville E. and Annie (Campbell) Babcock, the father being a distinguished member of the United States Army. Adolph B. was educated in the Hotchkiss school at Lakeville, Ct, and at the Sheffield Scientific school of Yale university, from which latter he was graduated in 1899 with the degree of Bachelor of Phil osophy. Since 1900 he has been engaged in business in Chicago. He was first a stock broker but is now with the firm of Babcockr Rushton & Company, bankers and brokers. Their business is large and their commercial influence widely exercised and felt. Mr. Babcock is a member of the Chicago, University, Onwentsia, Saddle and Cycle, and Saddle and Sirloin clubs. His office is in the Rookery building and his residence at 150 Lincoln Park boulevard. John T, Cooper, a member of one of the oldest and most dis- 698 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY tinguished families of Cook county, is a resident of Orland township, where the family has resided since pioneer times. He is a native of England and was born in Lincolnshire, November 15, 1846, and is the son of Thomas and Eleanor (Hewson) Cooper. When in his fourth year he came with his parents to the United States and settled in Orland township and there he has resided ever since. He was educated in the district schools of the township and has always fol lowed the occupation of farming. On January 19, 1869, he married in this township Sarah J. Sayers, who was born in Will county, January 23, 1848. After his marriage he located on the farm where he now resides and engaged in farming and stock raising. In 1873 he bought eighty acres, but at the present time owns 160 acres — all well improved. He and wife are the parents of the following chil dren : Albert H., a merchant of Alpine, born November 1, 1869; Flora E., born October 6, 1873, now the wife of Thomas Beagley; Hattie E., born November 29, 1878, now the wife of Joseph Creer; Frank G., born March 21, 1882, unmarried; Alice L., born July 2-, 1884, unmarried; Howard G., born October 24, 1892, unmarried; John T. Jr., born March 14, 1895, also unmarried. Mr. Cooper and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a Republican in politics and has held numerous local offices — such as school director and highway commissioner. No citizen of Cook county stands higher in the estimation of his fellow men than does Mr. Cooper. Jacob Rodatz, a prominent and successful contractor and builder of Chicago, was educated in Germany and came to the United States in 1871, locating in this city immediately after his arrival. He learned the brick mason's trade and for a time worked in the office of E. Burling and later with the firm of Burling & Adler, under whom he studied architecture. Subsequently he superintended the construction of Central Music hall, and still later was in the employ of the Chicago & Western Indiana Railway company. In 1883 he became associated with John F. Barney and thus continued until 1893 when he established an independent business and began opera tions on his own account and has thus continued ever since with signal success. He is regarded as one of the most reliable builders in the city. He is a member of the Masonic order, and the various builders' and kindred associations. On June 25, 1882, he married Talitha Howard, of Kingston, Canada, and they have the following children : Marie M., Jacob H. (deceased) and Louise T. Mr. Rodatz was bom at Grabow, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany, October 30, 1854, and is a son of Charles and Mary (Hermes) Rodatz. Carl M. Gottfried, secretary and general superintendent of the Gottfried Brewing company, is a native of Cook county and the son of Matheus Gottfried, deceased, a pioneer, and the founder of the above company. The father was born at Hofheim, Nassau, Ger- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 699 many, December 11, 1822, and in early life learned the brewing busi ness at Frankfurt, Hanau, and other cities of that country. On April 17, 1857, he married Maria Gundrum, a native of Alsfeld, Hessen Darmstadt, who was born June 9, 1839. Soon after marriage they came to the United States and located in Chicago the same year — 1857. He was first an employe of the Seipp & Lehmann Brewing company, at $16 per month. By 1859 he had became fore man with a salary of $50 per month. The next year he entered into partnership with Peter Schoenhofen and bought a small brewery at Twelfth and Jefferson streets, and their business was so prosperous that in 1862 they were compelled to erect a larger building on the present site of the Schoenhofen Brewery. In 1867 Mr. Gottfried sold his interest and with his family went to Europe, but returned in 1870 and bought the Saladin Brewery at Archer and Stewart avenues. This he conducted until 1882 under the name of M. Gott fried, but at that date incorporated as the Gottfried Brewing com pany. It was then one of the largest in Chicago. In 1892 he re tired from business, spending most of his time at his country home, Elkhart Lake, Wis., where he died November 3, 1902. Mr. Gott fried was ingenious and invented among other things a pitching machine which came into general use. His widow still survives and resides in the city. They were the parents of eight children as fol lows: Adolph (deceased), Febronia, Ida, Marguerite E., Matilda, Carl M., Frederick (deceased) and Maude. Carl M. was educated in the public schools of Chicago and in the Chicago Manual Training school. In 1886 he went to Europe and attended the world renowned schools of Frankfurt, Wiesbaden and Munich. Also at Copenhagen he spent some time studying the brewing business. In 1889 he returned and engaged in the brew ing business with his father, becoming a member of the Gottfried Brewing company. First he was superintendent, later secretary and now is secretary and general superintendent. He is a member of the Gerniania club, Chicago Athletic club, and is one of the foremost business men of the city. On September 2, 1897, he married Hed- wig Brand, daughter of Rudolph and Clara (Uhlich) Brand, and they have had three children as follows: C. Manfred, Helen and Rudolf B. Rudolph Brand, president of the United States Brewing company, was born near Mainz, Hessen Darmstadt, Germany, April 10, 1851, and is a son of Philip R. and Elizabeth (Cristmann) Brand. He was educated in his native land and was graduated from the Real Schule of Darmstadt in 1866. He then learned the brewers' trade and in 1868 came to America' and located in Chicago in September of that year. He became an employe of the Busch & Brand Brewery company and remained with the same until 1874, first , acting as foreman and finally manager. In 1874 he bought a brewery at Blue Island and began an independent business, but four later 700 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY sold out and bought an interest in the M. Brand Brewing company, successors to the Busch & Brand Brewing company, and was made vice-president and general manager. Under the merger of 1891 Mr. Brand was elected treasurer of the five combined organizations, known as the United States Brewing company. In 1894 he was elected to the presidency of the company. The five concerns thus united were as follows : M. Brand Brewing company ; Bartholomae & Roessing; Bartholomae & Laecht; and K. G. Schmidt, of Chicago, and Valentine Blatz, of Milwaukee. The new organization has an immense capital, vast trade and employs over one thousand men. Mr. Brand is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, the Germania club and of other benevolent and social organizations. He has been prominent and useful in public affairs. From 1881 to 1883 he was treasurer of Chicago and from 1884 to 1887 a member of the Board of Education. For several years he was president of the National Organization of Brewers. In May, 1875, he married at Blue Island, Clara Uhlich, and they have three children — Hedwig, the wife of C. M. Gottfried ; Philip R. of the Globe Brewing Company, and Alfred, with the Brand Brewing company. Philip R. Brand, secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Globe Brewing company, was born in Blue Island, this county, October 21, 1877, and is a son of Rudolph and Clara (Uhlich) Brand. He received his education in the Chicago public schools, in Lake Side academy, from which he graduated in 1896, and in Yale college, from which he also graduated in 1899 with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy, having taken the scientific course. Soon after his graduation from Yale he went to Europe and pursued a course of study in the beet sugar industry, continuing for one year when he returned to Chicago. A little later he accepted the position of assistant superintendent in a beet sugar factory at Rochester, Mich., but in the fall of 1900 returned to Chicago and became an ap prentice with the Bartholomae & Roessing Brewing company in order to learn the brewing industry. In June, 1901, he became assistant manager of the United States Brewing company (Brand branch). In March, 1904, Philip R. and Virgil M. Brand bought the Carl Corper Brewery and in May of that year became incor porated under the name of Globe Brewing company, with Virgil M. as president and Philip R. as secretary, treasurer and general man ager. The business now is very large. Mr. Brand is a member of the Chicago Athletic club, Adelphia club and the Chi Phi, a college fraternity. On. May 15, 1902, he married Maude Gottfried, a na tive of this county and a daughter of Matheus and Maria Gottfried. John H. Weiss, president of the Gottfried Brewing company, is a son of George and Margaret (Orb) Weiss, natives of Germany. He was born at Frankenthal. Rheinpfalz province, on January 26, 1856, and was educated in his native city, graduating finally from a commercial college there. After serving one year as Einjaehrig HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 701 Freiwilliger in the Fifth Jaeger Battalion, he became secretary of a lumber company and later for several years engaged in the malt business. In 1880 he came to Chicago, arriving July 4. For two years he "was bookkeeper with Grommes & Uhlrich, importers, but then with his brother engaged in the malt business. In 1884 he became treasurer of the Gottfried Brewing company. In 1892, when Mr. Gottfried retired, Mr. Weiss became president and treas urer, in which capacity he has officiated ever since. On October 9, 1884, he married Marguerite E. Gottfried, daughter of Matheus and Maria Gottfried and to this union two children have been born : Norman Matheus, born November 4, 1888, and John Herbert, Jr., born February 6, 1890. Mr. Weiss is a member of the Germania club, Chicago Athletic club, Board of Trade and several other organizations. Armin W. Brand, secretary and treasurer of the Brand Brewing company, president of the United States Vanadium company and president of the Vanadium Alloys company of New York, is prob ably the founder of the vanadium interests in this country. He is a native of Chicago, his birth occurring September 2, 1877, and is the son of Michael and Philippina (Darmstaetter) Brand, both of whom were born in Germany at Odernheim. He was educated in the public schools of Chicago, University school of Chicago, Yale college and the University of Michigan. In March, 1898, he en listed in Company G, Thirty-second Michigan Volunteer Infantry, for the Spanish-American war and served with credit until the close. He then returned to Chicago and for about three years was engaged in the real estate business. In 1902 he founded the vanadium in dustry in this city and the same year went to New York and es tablished a house of the same business there. In addition to his connection with the companies above mentioned he is president of the Brandsville Fruit Farm company, his father having been the founder of Brandsville, near which town the farm is located, and is also associated with The Brand Brewing company, of Chicago, and Brand Brothers company, wholesale liquor dealers of Chicago. He is a director of the First National bank of West Plains, Mo., and a member of the Chicago Athletic club and the Phi Delta Phi fraternity. On October 10, 1905, he married Frieda Grommes, a native of Chicago and a daughter of John B. and Bertha (Lehrkind) Grommes, and to them one child has been born, Jane P. Jacob Birk, one of the pioneers and highly respected citizens of Cook county, was born at Trossingen, Wurtemburg, Germany, September 21, 1835, and is a son of Andrew and Ursala (Pfister) Birk. He was educated in the fatherland, and upon leaving school at the age of about 14 years, began learning the saddlery trade, jn which he served an apprenticeship. In 1853 he came to the United States, landing in New York City on May 1, having been thirty- five days crossing the Atlantic in the sailing vessel "Samuel Fox." 702 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Soon after his arrival there he secured employment at his trade and continued thus employed for about five months. He then went to Bridgeport, Ct., and there worked at his trade for a year. On November 11, 1854, he arrived in Chicago and secured em ployment at his trade with Louis Schifbauer at $22 per month. Five months later he accepted a similar position with Savage & Jennings, working at pieceTWork and making better wages, By 1857 he had managed to save sufficient to warrant the establishment of an in dependent business of his own, which he accordingly did at 31 South Market street. There he remained until 1868, building up a profit able and substantial trade and becoming one of the city's most enter prising business men and prominent citizens. In 1868 he bought the Wheeling house on West Lake street and conducted the same with success until 1882, when he entered into partnership with Frederick and Charles H. Wacker and organized the Wacker & Birk Brewing company with plant located at Indiana and Desplaines streets. In 1888 he sold his interest in this brewing company and three years later purchased the Korpen & Nockin brewery at 1315-25 Webster avenue, and incorporated the same with the following officers : William A. Birk, president ; Edwin J. Birk, secretary and treasurer. The subject of this review, Jacob Birk, retired from active business at this time, leaving the large brewery to be managed and operated by his sons. He has resided at his present fine home at 455 Wellington avenue since 1893. He is a member of the Ger man Lutheran church, the Masonic order, the Orpheus Singing society and the Germania club. The family is one of eminent re spectability and is well and favorably known to a large circle of acquaintances. On December 24, 1859, Mr. Birk married Magdalena Welflin, a native of Alsace-Lorraine, Germany, born May 9, 1842, who came to Chicago with her parents in 1854. To Mr. Birk and wife twelve children were born, eight of whom are living, as fol lows: William A., president of Birk Brothers Brewing company; Bertha, wife of Albert S. Klein ; Amelia, unmarried and at home with her parents; Edward J., secretary and treasurer of Birk Brothers Brewing company; Carrie, wife of Hans Horner; Minnie, wife of George J. Jaeger; Frank J., manager of the bottling depart ment of Birk Brothers Brewing company ; Walter O., secretary of E. J. Birk Brothers, brewers of Weiss beer, at 74 Perry street. Edward J. Birk, one of the most enterprising of the younger busi ness men of Chicago and a charming companion whom it is a pleasure to meet, is a son of Jacob and Magdalena (Welflin) Birk, and was born in this city April 2, 1867. He was educated in the public schools, at St. Ignatius college and Bryant & Stratton's Busi ness college. At the age of 18 years he became office boy and stock man for Hamill & Laskey, but about a year later accepted a clerk ship with Hamill & Congdon of the Board of Trade. In 1889 he went to San Francisco and for ten months was in the employ of HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 703 Horst Brothers, hop brokers. He then returned to Chicago and be-. came an apprentice with the Wacker Birk Brewing and Malting company in order to learn every step of the. brewing business. He completed his studies and researches with a course in the Wahl & Henius Brewing academy. In 1891 he became connected with the Birk Brothers Brewing company and was elected to the position of secretary and treasurer and has filled the same with credit ever since, He is also president of the firm of Edward J. Birk & Brother, brewers and bottlers of Weiss beer, which business was established in January, 1909. Few men who are obliged to bear the stings and arrows of a business career are able to shoulder the burden as placidly and smilingly as Mr. Birk. His good fellowship is spark ling and contagious. He is a member of the Chicago Athletic, Illinois Athletic, South Shore Country, Chicago Automobile and other clubs, and the Germania Maennerchor and the Society of Brew ing Technology. On October 5, 1892, he married Amanda Markers, a native of Chicago, and they have one child, William J. Albert S. Klein, president and treasurer of the A. S. Klein com pany, dealers in floor coverings and manufacturers of window shades and picture frames and .mirrors, with plant and offices at 409-413 South Green street, is a native of Chicago and was born February 17, 1859, being the son of Frederick W. and Caroline (Kemmler) Klein. The parents were both natives of Wurtemburg, Germany, and came to the United States about the year 1852, locating in Chi cago, where the father engaged in the manufacture of brushes at Jefferson and Madison streets. He died March 17, 1871, but his widow still survives and resides in this city. They were the parents of five children, as follows : Albert S. ; Frederick W., secretary of the A. S. Klein company; George (deceased) ; Lena, wife of Joseph Downey, former commissioner of public works and later a member of the Board of Education ; Ida, unmarried and living with her mother. Albert S. was educated at the public schools and at Bryant & Stratton's Business college. At the age of 14 years he began work for the Shober Lithographing company, as an apprentice, in order to learn that trade. Before completing it he began work for F. E. Colwell & Company, manufacturers of picture frames and mouldings, which business he thoroughly learned during several years of service. He then engaged with Rice & Thompson in the same busi ness at 259 Wabash avenue. Later this company moved to 409-13 S. Green street, where they erected a large building — five stories and 75x125 feet. In 1891 Mr. Klein began business at 161 Fifth avenue, but a year later, so large had become his business, he was forced to secure larger quarters which he found at 157-9 S. Jeffer son street. In June, 1899, Mr. Klein bought the Rice & Thompson plant on S. Green street, and is located there at the present time. His business is large and profitable, and his success is due mainly to his 704 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY •own exertions, ability and sound judgment. He is a member of the Royal League, Royal Arcanum, Chicago Athletic club, Illinois Athletic association and the Germania Maennerchor club. January 7, 1892, he married Bertha Birk, daughter of Jacob and Magdalena Birk, and to this union two children have been born, Mildred Mag dalena and Albert S., Jr. Harry B. Rouse, president of H. B. Rouse & Company, manu facturers of printers' specialties and weight motors, with plant and office at 2214 Ward street, was born at Morris, 111., December 8, 1861, and is a son of Burdett C. and Eliza J. (Lannan) Rouse, na tives of New York and Illinois respectively. The father, when one year old, was brought to LaSalle county, this state, in 1833, but later was taken to Grundy county where he lived until the second year of the Rebellion. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company B., 88th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, known as the "Second Board of Trade Regiment," and after serving for a short time became sick from exposure and died March 25, 1863, and now lies buried in the National Cemetery at Murfreesboro, Tenn. His widow subsequently married Samuel T. Ailing and now resides at Long Beach, Cal. Harry B. was educated in the public schools, and at the age of 14 years began work for the Bloomington Chair company, and later accepted a position on the Bloomington Pantagraph, manufacturing department. Later he secured a position as traveling salesman for the Western Publishing house. In January, 1885, he came to Chi cago and began work for the Shniedewend & Lee company, manu facturers of printers' machinery, but six years later changed to the McKellar Smith & Jordan company, type founders, which concern in 1892 was merged with the American Type Founders company. Mr. Rouse remained with the latter company until 1897 and later occupied a position with R. Hoe & Company, manufacturers of print ing presses. In January, 1901, he established an independent busi ness on Dearborn street, and two years later, in company with Wil liam J. Knoll, established a plant on Huron street, continuing there until 1904, when they removed to their present quarters. They were incorporated in April, 1906, under the name of H. B. Rouse & Com pany, with Harry B. Rouse president ; William J. Knoll, vice-presi dent, and Walter A. Sittig, secretary. In 1898 Mr. Rouse invented a lead and rule cutter which was patented in May, 1900, and now sold all over the world, being one of the chief articles manufactured by this company. The invention took first prize at the Paris Ex position of 1900, and the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo, in 1901, receiving the highest award. Since his present company was founded Mr. Rouse has invented and patented twelve other devices of use to printers, among which are composing sticks, register hooks, plate holders, printers' blocks, a safety device for acetylene gas generators, etc. Mr. Rouse was married July 25, 1895, to Mrs. Fannie K. Upp. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 705 Edwin Cooper is a son of Thomas and Eleanor (Hewson) Cooper, and was born in Orland township, this county, November 5, 1862. He was reared on his father's farm and has followed farm ing all his life. He received his education in the public schools, and on February 4, 1891, was united in marriage with Edith E. Har- wood, who also is a native of this township. She was born July 19, 1873, and is a daughter of John and Mary A. (Merrill) Har- wood, pioneers of Cook county. Soon after his marriage, Edwin and wife settled on the old Harwood homestead and there resided for about ten years, when they moved to the farm where they now reside in Section 9, Orland township. There he owns sixty acres of land and eighty acres more in Section 15 of the same township. He is one of the substantial citizens of this part of the county. He and wife have the following children : Raymond M., born April 15, 1892 ; Mabel J., bom October 13, 1893 ; Lavera A., bom January 18, 1896; Edwin T., born January 16, 1904; and Laurence E., born February 17, 1906. John J. Slomski, who conducts a general steamship agency at 2138 W. Eighteenth street, was born in Fremont, N. Y., August 10, 1874, and is a son of Charles and Magdalena (Dumalski) Slomski, The parents were natives of Poland, came to the United States in 1872 and located in Sullivan county, N. Y., where they remained until 1880, and then came to Chicago. Here the father died in November, 1898, at the age of 55 years. These parents had three children who grew to maturity, as follows: John J., Kate, wife of Ceslaw Rafinski and Charles. John J. was reared in Chicago after the age of six years and was educated in St. Albert's parochial school and the public schools of the city. Thereafter for several years he secured employment in various factories and other establishments, but in 1904, opened on his own account a general steamship agency on West Eighteenth street, and has succeeded in building up a large and profitable busi ness. For five years he has served as notary public. On November 29, 1899, he married Anna, daughter of John and Veronica (Maz- orowski) Zielinski, of this city, and they have one daughter, Gertrude M. Mr. Slomski and family are members of St. Ann's Polish Roman Catholic church. He is a member of the Polish Turners, and in politics affiliates with the Republicans. Rev. Charles A. Erkenswick, pastor of St. Dionysius Roman Catholic church, at Hawthorne, is deserving of more than passing mention for the work he has accomplished in raising his parish to one of the most important in the country. Father Erkenswick was born in Chicago, May 6, 1868, a son of Fred and Catharine (Gergen) Erkenswick. Hubert and Margaret Gergen, his- maternal grand parents, emigrated to the United States in 1843, locating in Chi cago when it was little more than an overgrown frontier village, and here acquiring valuable real estate holdings. Until 1871, when his 706 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY property was destroyed by the great fire, Hubert Gergen worked at his trade of shoemaker and conducted a shoestore, after which he retired from active business pursuits. Fred Erkenswick came to the United States with his mother in 1856, when he was 16 years old. He was a carpenter by trade, at which, he was employed until he entered the employ of the Government as inspector of lumber. In 1883 he became associated with the John Wilkinson Co., and for eighteen years had charge of the cabinet department of this cor poration. In 1901 he retired from active business pursuits and he and wife are living a retired life on Franklin street. The names of their four children are Hubert J., Charles A., George B. and Fred -N. Charles A. Erkenswick received his earlier education in St. Joseph's parochial school, Chicago, and his classical training at St. Benedict's college, Atchison, Kan., later taking his theological course at St. Francis' Seminary, Milwaukee, Wis., where he was graduated in 1892. On June 29th of the latter year he was or dained to the priesthood in Chicago by Archbishop Feehan, and his first work was that of assistant pastor of St. Theresa's parish, Chi cago, where he remained until July 1, 1905, then being appointed to his present position at Hawthorne. In this connection a brief sketch of the parish would be appropriate. The preliminary organiza tion was effected during the summer of 1889 by Rev. Father Deriis Thiele when more than $900 was pledged. Shortly thereafter the present site was bought, and in 1900 the present church was erected at a contract price of $4,000. The first mass was read by the late Rev. Father Kavalage. Rev. Father Thiele was the first pastor, and in 1901 a school was established. Rev. Father D. Konen succeeded Father Thiele and he in turn by Rev. Father Erkenswick, the present pastor. The parish, through the indefatigable labor of its pastor, has prospered incredibly, but the changes made have been gradual and on a strict business basis. Numerous societies have been organized, schools brought up to a high state of efficiency, debt has been liquidated, improvement of building and equipment has been accomplished and loyalty and sacrifice have been continually in evidence. Since July 1, 1895, Father Erkenswick has been the guiding hand and directing factor in the affairs of the parish. Rev. John Dettmer, present rector of St. Anthony's German Roman Catholic church at Twenty-fourth Place and South Canal street, was born in Olpe, Westphalia, Germany, January 28, 1859. His classical and philosophical education was received in the gym nasium of Rheine near Munster, where he spent eight years in study. In 1882 he came to the United States and entered St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee, where he pursued a full course of study and where he was graduated in theology with high credit. On ' the twenty- fourth of June, 1886, he was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Heiss, of Milwaukee. His first appointment was as assistant pastor of St. Francis Assissi church at Newberry avenue HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 707 and Twelfth street, Chicago, where he served .ably and faithfully for a year and a half. Pie was then promoted pastor of St. George's parish at Thirty-ninth street and Wentworth avenue. While thus connected he built a new church structure with school and parochial buildings adjoining at a total cost of about $100,000. He greatly increased and strengthened this organization. On January 9, 1909, he was appointed irremovable rector of St. Anthony's church and has the honor and distinction of being the only irremovable German priest in the city. At present St. Anthony's church has a member ship of 600 families or about 3,000 souls. In the parochial school are about 500 pupils under the instruction of twelve sisters of Notre Dame. The high school connected with the church was established by Father Dettmer in 1909, and has an enrollment of about forty students. Father Dettmer has charge and has one assistant — his brother, Rev. William ^Dettmer. All property at St. Anthony's is free from debt, money is in the treasury and the parish is in a flourishing condition. John W. Becker was born April 9, 1864, and is a son of Herman J. and Elizabeth M. (Ravensburg) Becker, both of whom were natives of Oldenburg, Germany, and came to Chicago in 1867. The father was for a time connected with the old banking firm of Beuler & Company on the West Side, and later with the department of In ternal Revenue and still later was engaged in the wholesale liquor business at 99 Randolph street. He is at present employed in the office of the County Clerk, and for the last twenty years has been an active Republican of the Twenty-fifth ward. John W., his son, was educated in the Chicago public schools, and while yet quite young was employed as office boy by Keller, Sturm & Company. Later he occupied a position in the stock department of Jansen, McClurg & Company, continuing there for three years. At the age of 19 years he engaged in the real estate business at Lincoln and Sheffield avenues, but two years later became chief clerk of the Town of Lake View. He served as clerk and assistant chief clerk in the County Treasurer's office under Mr. Kern, and from 1894 to 1902 was chief clerk. He then established the tax agency business at 100 Washington street under the firm name of John W. Becker- & Co. He is a Republican and has for several years been a member of the executive committee of the Twenty-fifth Ward Republican organization. He is a Shriner in Masonry and a member of the Eagle River Fishing & Shooting club and the Rotary club. He married Esther M. Walker, of Boston, on November 18, 1900, and they, with their daughter, Helen Margaret, reside at 541 Oakdale avenue. Judson McFell was born September 12, 1859, and is a son of Joseph and Cynthia (Olds) McFell, of Port Dover, Canada, where for forty years the father was captain on the Great Lakes, prin cipally Huron, Erie and Ontario. In 1890 he retired from active 708 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY service, but is still living and active at the age of ninety years. The mother died in 1900. Their son Judson was educated principally in the Collegiate In stitute at Ingersoll, Ontario. Came to Chicago in 1881 and accepted a clerkship with S. A. Kean & Co., bankers, with whom he re mained for a short time. In 1882 he joined the construction depart ment of the Western Electric company, and was thus connected for over ten years. In 1893 he founded the McFell Electric company, with offices in the Rookery building, and later moved to the Mar quette building, finally locating at the present manufacturing plant at 565 VanBuren street. The company has always done a general contracting business, and for the last seven or eight years has done nearly all the electrical work for the Illinois Central Railway com pany. Mr. McFell has invented and taken out patents on several elec trical devices, one of which is a combination firealarm and watch man service system, which is so constructed that an alarm will be received at a central station even if the circuit wires are broken or short-circuited. One of his latest devices is a selective calling ap paratus, to be used in connection with telephones for train despatch ing on railroads. A number of railroad stations may be connected on one circuit and anyone of them may be called from any other, ringing two or more bells at each station if desired, the entire ap paratus being worked from one main set of batteries. Mr. McFell is a member of the Masons, Odd Fellows, National Union and Royal Arcanum. The family resides at 7209 Union avenue. John S. Wayman was born April 21, 1858, and is a son of Wil liam Wayman, a native of England who came to the United States and settled in Chicago in 1837. His mother was Jane Outhet, who came to Chicago in 1832 with her parents. They died about two years after coming to this city. The mother lived in Fort Dearborn, but after the death of her parents she lived with the family of Daniel Elston on Elston road. The father spent four years as a journey man, learning the wagon makers' trade, and in 1844 established himself in that business on Randolph street and employed several men. In 1850 he bought ground at Desplaines and Carroll streets, built a shop and moved his business there and continued wagon making until 1865, when he was appointed by Governor Yates one of the first police commissioners of Chicago under the new law. The first police station on the West Side was located at the comer of Union and Randolph streets. In 1861, William Wayman, A. C. Coventry and Fred Tuttle were the first commissioners. He also served as alderman from the old 6th Ward in 1854, and in 1872 was elected to the lower house of the Legislature. He was one of the appointed committee of one hundred ap pointed as an escort to President Lincoln's body from Chicago to HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 709 Springfield. Previously he was one of the old volunteer firemen. Mr. Wayman was active, able and prominent. In 1892, having retired from active business, he died, aged 74 years. Elizabeth Outhet, sister of John S. Wayman's mother, came to Chicago as a baby in 1832 and is to-day the oldest living native and resident of the city. She lives in Oak Park and is active and bright at the age of 78 years. John S. was educated in the public schools. He early learned the wagon makers' trade and was at work in the shop. of his father at the age of 17 years. Later he worked with C. Stone on W. Lake street, but in 1878 he located an independent shop at Lake and Green streets. In 1882 he located at the corner of Canal street and Milwaukee avenue. In 1883 he formed a partnership with Thomas G. Murphy, under the firm name of Wayman & Murphy, with shops at Sangamon and Randolph streets, and in this block they have since remained engaged extensively in the manufacture of carriages and wagons. In 1907 they built a large structure at Lake and Sangamon streets, covering a tract 250x100 feet. They em ploy about fifty men. Mr. Wayman is a Republican and a member of the Illinois Athletic club, Royal League and the Masonic order, being high up in the latter. In 1907, in conjunction with E. X. Cummings and Frank E. Locke, he was instrumental in having Randolph street widened from Halsted to Sangamon streets. On October 31, 1887, he married Lucy M. Whittier, of Joliet, and they have one son, John W. The family residence is at 724 North Pine avenue, Austin. Theodore F. Decker was born December 21, 1868, and is a son of Ferdinand F. and Emily Decker, natives of Southern Wurttem- berg, Germany. The' father was an extensive manufacturer of steam engines and general machinery, employed over 1,000 men and in the '70s conducted one of the largest machine shops and foundries of its kind in Europe. He built the famous tunnel which connects Switzerland and Italy, one of the largest and most difficult engineering feats of the kind ever finished. He also erected many large and intricate bridges. He was active and prominent in public affairs and died in 1883 at the age of 49 years; his widow is still living and strong at the age of 75 years. They were the parents of four children. Theodore was educated in the public and high schools and finished with a thorough course in manual training, graduating in 1884. Two years later he came to the United States and for a while was in the employ of Gormley & Jeffries, manufacturers of bicycles. Later he had charge of the repair and assembling department of their works. In 1891 he opened an independent retail store for bicycles at 310 W. Division street. He has taken several extensive trips through Europe. In 1896 he disposed of his bicycle store and embarked in the real estate business at 2749 W: Division street, under the firm name of Hanson & Decker — mortgages, loans, in- Vol. 11—42. 710 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY surance, general real estate and safety deposit vaults. He is thus actively engaged at the present time. He is a member of the Humboldt Park Improvement club, the Masonic fraternity and is an active Republican. In 1906 he married a young lady of Water- town, Wis., and they have one child, Elenor, born March 27, 1909. They reside at 664 Wellington avenue. Albert H. Hollander was born in Germany, August 18, 1866, and is a son of Joseph and Caroline (Marks) Hollander, who lived at Cologne, Germany, where the father was a horse dealer and was authorized to buy horses for the Government during the Franco- Prussian war. Both parents died in 1871, leaving three boys — Edward S., Benjamin E. and Albert H. The latter was educated in the public schools of Chicago after the age of 14 years. He came to America with an aunt, Mrs. Lind, with whom he lived for a number of years after his arrival in Chi cago. He first worked for Mr. Lind who was engaged in teaming. In the meanwhile, until he was 16 years old, he attended the Wicker Park schools. In 1887 he engaged in the teaming and expressing business at 1521 Milwaukee avenue with L. J. Baer, but in 1893 this partnership was dissolved and Mr. Hollander opened in dependently an office at 1215 Milwaukee avenue and engaged in the moving business. In 1894 the concern was incorporated as the Hollander Express & Van company, Mr. Hollander becoming presi dent. In 1905 they built a large, modern, six-story, fireproof, storage warehouse at 1616 and 1618 Milwaukee avenue, corner of North avenue, the structure occupying 50x119 feet of ground space. They also opened an office at 2005 Milwaukee avenue, with branches throughout the North Side. They now have the largest warehouse of the kind on the North- West Side. Mr. Hollander is president of the organization of Furniture & Van Mover Express company, and in 1906-7 was its treasurer. He is interested in public affairs. and in 1905-6 was chairman of the Democratic ward organization. He is a member of the Masonic order. In 1903 he married Mary Trimpler, of this city, and they have two children — Joseph A. and Ethel M. The family residence is at 2005 Milwaukee avenue. Chauncey F. Newkirk was born December 8, 1858, and is a son of Charles C. and Frances M. (Barnes) Newkirk, the mother be ing the daughter of Rev. Chauncey Barnes, of Utica, N. Y., who distinguished himself in the Empire state. The Barnes family is of English and Scotch descent, coming originally to the American Colonies about the year 1700. Rev. Chauncey was a minister of the Christian church and became well and favorably known in that portion of New York. Charles C. Newkirk was taken to Ingham county, Mich., when a boy and was there reared and educated in the common schools. He became a painting contractor. At the age of 50 years he moved to Harbor Springs where he yet lives retired. He was a member of HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 711 the 17th Michigan Volunteer Infantry, Company K, during the Rebellion and served with credit three years, receiving a severe wound at the battle of South Mountain. He is 72 years old, and has always been a Republican in his political views. Pie and wife be came the parents of four children, of whom one is deceased: Chauncey E., John L., a Methodist minister of the Detroit Con ference, Sarah D., now Mrs. B. R. Barber of Kalamazoo, and Carl C, an editor in Michigan. Chauncey F. was educated in the public schools at Dansville and the Normal school at Ypsilanti, Mich. Later during several sum mers he attended the University of Michigan, teaching during the winter months. He finally entered the law office of E. D. Lewis at Williamston, Mich., took a thorough course of study and was duly admitted to the bar in 1880 at Mason. He practiced for a time at Weberville and later at South Lyon, but finally accepted the superintendency of the schools of the latter and was thus occu pied from 1881 to 1885. At the same time he was village attorney and in 1884 founded and edited the South Lyon Picket. In 1885 he went to Harbor Springs and was elected superintendent of schools, whereupon he disposed of his paper. In 1888 he was elected Super intendent of the State Public school and held the position until 1891, with offices at Coldwater. He then became Chicago manager for Houghton, Mifflin & Company, publishers, of Boston, and was thus connected until 1900, when he resigned and accepted the position of manager of the school book and map department of Rand-McNally & Company and is thus occupied at the present time. His duties are important and include bringing out new school books, critical constructive work and educational specifications. Dodge's geography, prepared under his direction, was adopted by the Chicago School board. Over one hundred school books brought out by him are in use throughout the country. He is a Republican and active in the politics of the 26th Ward. He was defeated with his ticket for alderman in 1906, although reducing the opposition majority by about 2,000. From 1895 to 1902 he served as president of the precinct. In 1904-5 he was president of the Ravenswood Business Men's association, and has served as chairman of the Y. M. C. A. for several years. Mr. Newkirk is Past Master of Ravenswood Lodge No. 777, A. F. & A. M., Past High Priest of Columbia Chapter No. 202, R. A. M., Past Thrice Illustrious Master of Siloam Council No. 53, R. & S. M. and is the present Eminent Commander of Illinois Commandery No. 72, K. T. He is at present Grand Lecturer for the Grand Chapter of Illinois, is an ex-president of the National Union, and belongs to the City, Ravenswood Golf and Masonic Standard clubs. He is a Congregationalist and a trustee of the Ravenswood church. February 8, 1889, he married Rose E. Dean, of Weberville, Mich., and they reside at 4313 N. Hermitage avenue. Their only daughter, Fern E., recently became the wife of John F. Rossall. 712 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Frank Steiskal, the son of Frank and Antonie (Danes) Steiskal, natives of Bohemia, was born December 20, 1841, at Tabor, Bohemia, and came to the United States with his parents, who settled on a farm in Manitowoc county, Wis., in 1854. The follow ing year the son went to Green Bay, Wis., where he was employed as an errand boy at one of the hotels. Later he entered the employ of Lambert Nau & Company, then one of the leading business houses of that place. Lambert Nau, being a highly educated man, en couraged the boy in his efforts to acquire an education, giving him personally private instruction and also an opportunity during the dull. seasons to attend a public school, among the results of which was that when he left his employ to go to Manitowoc, Wis., he was able to speak fluently, read and write three languages. After leaving Manitowoc, in 1860, he went to Chicago, where he secured a position in a mercantile establishment, and resigning his position in 1862 he enlisted as volunteer in the 82nd Illinois Regiment then being organized in Chicago, and on May 2, 1863, he participated in the stirring battle of Chancellorsville, where he was wounded and taken prisoner, and for a time experienced all the horrors of life in the rebel prisons at Libby and Belle Isle. After being paroled and exchanged he was sent to Camp Chase at Columbus, O., and from there to Jefferson Barracks, Mo., to recuperate from the effects of brutal treatment while a prisoner. Recovering his shattered health, he rejoined his regiment in time to engage in the battles of Lookout mountain and Missionary ridge at Chattanooga, Tenn., and in the relief of General Burnside at Knox- ville. His regiment then returned to Whiteside station, Tenn., to enter into winter quarters, and in the following early spring com menced the famous Atlanta campaign under General Sherman. Mr. Steiskal participated with his regiment in the numerous battles of that campaign, among which were the battles of Resaca, New Hope church, and Peach Tree creek, and in the siege of Atlanta. After Atlanta was captured he participated with his regiment in the famous "March to the Sea," and in the campaign through the Carolinas to the close of the war. After Johnston's surrender his regiment was sent to Washington, taking part in the "Grand Review." During the war, Mr. Steiskal was in more than seventeen battles and engagements. On July 1, 1865, he received his honorable dis charge from the army and returned to Chicago, where he accepted a position with one of the leading hardware firms of the city. In this line of employment he spent several years, after which he en gaged in business for himself, but during the Chicago fire in 1871, he lost all his property and was utterly ruined. Undaunted by the loss he sustained, he struggled hard to better his condition and after several years of hard work he was financially able to become one of the members of the firm of Matuska, Craig & Co., then one of the leading furniture manufacturing establishments in the city. HISTQRY OF COOK COUNTY 713 In 1882 he retired from this firm and went to Kewaunee, Wis., where he organized a bank, becoming its cashier. In 1892 he re turned to Chicago and formed a partnership with John L. Novak to engage in the real estate and mortgage banking business. Their place of business is now at the intersection of Blue Island avenue, Loomis and Eighteenth streets. In politics Mr. Steiskal is a Republican, his first vote for Presi dent being cast for Abraham Lincoln. He is a past commander of the J. M. Read Post, No. 54, G. A. R., of Kewaunee, Wis., and is now a member of the Columbia Post, No. 706, G. A. R., of Chicago. He is a past president of the John Huss Council of the National Union ; secretary and treasurer of the Bohemian Old Settlers' asso ciation since its organization, and a member of a number of Ameri can, German and Bohemian clubs or societies. April 25, 1870, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Chladek, of Chicago, and to them have been born three children : Otto L., attorney; Frank B. (deceased) ; and Albina L., now the wife of Janies E. Chwatal. The family home is at 1343 South California avenue. Johnson Earle, the son of Luther and Ellen (Ready) Earle, na tives of the Province of Ontario, Canada, where the father engaged in farming and spent all his days, was born December 27, 1845. The grandparents of our subject left the States at an early date and settled in Ontario, Canada. Here the father died March 10, 1871, aged 53 years, the mother preceding him in 1853. Johnson Earle was educated in the common schools, and when 16 years old served an apprenticeship of three years to the carpen ters' trade. In 1865 he came to Ogle county, 111., locating in the town of Oregon and engaging in a general contracting and building business there. He came to Austin in 1873 and located on Park avenue near Chicago avenue, living for thirty-six years in the same locality. Mr. Earle has, since residing in Chicago, built over 400 homes, besides many flats and stores in Austin and Oak Park. He also erected the Episcopal church of Oak Park in 1884, the Epis copal church of Austin in 1889, the Library Hall of Austin in 1889 and the First Methodist church of Austin in 1909. He is a Re publican in politics and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. November 8, 1870, he was united in marriage with Ada Souther- land, of Palatine, 111., and three children have been born to them, Edna (deceased, 1895) ; J. Harold (living) ; and Frank Warren (deceased, 1907). Angelos Geocaris was born January 16, 1874, and is a son of John and Anastasia (Limberakis) Geocaris, both natives of Tegea, Greece, where they still reside. The father is 73 years old and the mother 65. The father is a farmer by occupation. They had eight children, as follows : Christos in New York City ; Angelos in Chi cago; Alexander in Chicago; Marie, now Mrs. Thomas Massias, in Chicago; Spyros who died in 1909; Xenophon, Vassilo and Con- stantina, the latter three yet living in Greece. 714 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Angelos was reared and educated in his native land. In 1894 he came to the United States and directly to Chicago. Upon his arrival at the Polk Street depot and after paying all his expenses, he had but three cents to his name. He could speak no English, but had to get along some way. He had a cousin Christos Trakas, who conducted a fruit stand at Adams and State streets, and was em ployed by him at $20 a month to sell fruits. He saved his money and at the end of four months bought a horse and wagon for $45 and began an independent business as fruit peddler. In a short time he had made $400, clear of expenses, and during the next sum mer he added $400 more to that sum. He then established a fruit store at the corner of Halsted and Eighteenth streets in partnership with Christos Trakas, but two years later sold out and went to Dubuque, la., and was in the confectionery business for one year and later for six months at Davenport, Ia. He then returned to Chicago and engaged for three years in the hay and grain business at 66 Blue Island avenue. Then associated with others he established sixteen boot blacking parlors in different parts of the city and United States, and yet owns nine of them. In 1906 he established the real estate, loan and renting business at Halsted street and Blue Island avenue, and in 1908 he established a private bank with safety de posit vaults in partnership with George Stamatides — known as the Greek-American bank. He is interested in the Stamatides-Papakos- tas Steamship & Labor Employment company at 612 S. Halsted street and owns a half interest in the building at 1457-63 W. Madison street. He also owns four vacant lots at Fifty-second avenue and Madison street. He is a member of the Association of Commerce, Greek Community, Pan-Hellenic Union of the United States, of which he was one of the directors in 1908-9, Greek Society of Phoenix and the same of Mantinia. In politics he is a Republican. On July 29, 1900, he married Marie Colovos, of Chicago, and they reside at 1210 McAllister Place. Peter S. Lambros was born February 5, 1874, and is a son of Spero and Chrysoula ( Loomos) Lambros, natives of Sparta, Greece. During his early life the father was engaged in the grocery business at Sparta. In 1883 he was appointed by the Greek Government a constable, and served as such with credit up to the date of his death, July 15, 1898, aged 63 years. His widow is yet alive and is 68 years" old. To them were born the following three children: Panagiota, Milia and Peter S. The latter was educated in Sparta and came to Chicago in 1890, where for four years he worked in a fruit store conducted by an uncle. In the meantime he attended school at the Y. M. C. A. in order to learn and perfect his English. During the World's fair he corresponded with various Athenian newspapers. In 1894 he became chief salesman for Garibaldi & Cuneo, wholesale fruit deal ers, and was thus engaged for eight years. In 1904 he established HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 715 the Greek Star, a newspaper for the Greek people here, Mr. Lambros being editor, and later sole proprietor as well. It is issued as a weekly and at first its circulation was about 700; now it is 15,000 copies. The size of the paper has increased from four pages to sixteen pages. About sixty columns of advertising matter are pub lished weekly. It is in the Greek language, is the leading Greek paper in the country and is Republican in politics. It takes an active part in National politics. Mr. Lambros has letters from President Taft and leading Republicans praising his work in support of party principles. At the time of the devastation at Messina and elsewhere, caused by the earthquake, the paper raised about $600 for the suf ferers. Mr. Lambros is a member of the Greek Community and other orders and societies. On September 27, 1909, he married Ariadna Papadakis, of Cairo, Egypt, and they reside at 3120 Humboldt boulevard. Sotirios Boussoulas was born August 19, 1877, and is a son of John and Pagona (Leoni) Boussoulas, natives of Styra, Greece. There the father for twenty-five years was engaged first in the real estate business and later in the mercantile business. He was an in fluential and successful business man. He died in December, 1900, and his widow three years later. They had eight sons and four daugh ters, of whom four are deceased. Those yet living are as follows : Georgios, Christos, Argyrios, Dimitrios, Anastasios, Fofini, Nikalaos and Sotirios, who is the youngest of this large family. The latter was educated in the public schools of his native land, and at the age of 19 years engaged in merchandising with his brother, continuing thus for two years. He then served two years in the Greek army and during his term of service was promoted to sergeant. He then resumed the mercantile business and in 1901 came to the United States and located in Atlanta, Ga., for two months, then removing to New Orleans. He traveled through the South looking for a permanent location and learning the language and ways of the Americans. In May, 1903, he came to Chicago and opened a steamship, railroad ticket and foreign exchange office at 748 S. Halsted street, in partnership with E. Carevelis, and in 1904 opened clown town offices. In 1908 Mr. Boussoulas became sole proprietor of the business, and the next year opened a banking, steamship and railroad ticket house at 2 and 4 S. Clark street. At present he is interested in the manufacture of cigarettes and tobacco, with factory at 748 S. Plalsted street, and makes several brands of the best Turkish cigarettes and tobaccos. He is the owner of Hellas, the Greek newspaper established in 1903. It is an eight-page journal and has a circulation of over 4,000. They do a general printing business also. He is a member of the Panellemon society and has been its president since 1907. He is also a member of the Pan- ellenic Union society, of which he occupies the position of Counselor- ship. He resides at 1225 S. California avenue. 716 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Pasquale Mastroianni is one of the progressive, foreign born men of Chicago who compose her cosmopolitan citizenship. Born No vember 11, 1854, at Conflenti, Province of Catanzaro, Italy, he was reared to manhood on his father's farm and received but limited educational advantages in the schools of his native town. Having heard of the superior opportunities for advancement in America, he emigrated to the United States in 1881, and here began his career as a day laborer on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railway, at $1.25 per day, subsequently continuing similar work in Colorado and Kansas, in fact almost every state in the Union. The winter of 1884 he worked as a hod carrier in Chicago, but the succeeding spring went to Bedford, Ind., where he secured employment in the stone quarries. This he abandoned after a short time owing to his inability to get money for his services, and returning to Chicago, engaged his services to the Northern Pacific Railway company. For two years he worked in British Columbia and the State of Washington and was advanced to the position of assistant foreman by reason of merit. From this he was advanced to a foremanship at $100 per month. Succeeding this he was employed as foreman doing general repair and improvement of road beds for the Great Northern Railway company, after which, for two years, he was foreman for the Kansas & Southern railway, and then, until 1899, acted in the same capacity for the Union Pacific company. In the latter year he located permanently in Chicago. His long experience in railroad work and his influence with his fellow countrymen led him to open an agency for the employment of labor, and this he conducted at 137 Ewing street for six years. Since 1899 he has contracted with the Burlington system for all Italian labor employed by them, at present about 4,000 laborers a year. By this time he had accumulated from his labor considerable property, and building a commodious three-story brick building, began a general banking business, together with handling foreign exchange, operating a steamship and railroad ticket agency and also continuing his labor employment bureau, and also has a sub-postal station in his establish ment. The three-story building erected by him was sold for $19,000 and he then bought a large four-story structure at Morgan street and Vernon Park Place and Sholto street. Besides this he owns the property at 2622-26 Grand avenue, purchased for $7,500, which he has remodeled and for which he has refused $18,000. Mr. Mastroianni is a fitting example of what grit, hard work and economy can accomplish even when accompanied by the restrictions of foreign birth. He began life's battle amidst humble surroundings and has achieved success. In politics he is a Republican. Socially he is a member of the National Union, San Pietro of Rome, Belini Lodge K. of P. and other benevolent organizations. In 1889 he married Flomena Maurno and to them have been born Nicola, Peter, Vincenzo and Giovanni. The family home is at 940 Vernon Park Place. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 717 Lyman Ware, M. D., was born November 11, 1841, and is a son of Ralph and Lucinda (Clark) Ware, both parents being natives of Massachusetts, where the Ware family located in the 17th century. On the mother's side the Clarks came to the Colonies in 1621 on the second voyage of the Mayflower and located at what is now Conway, and there members of the family have ever since re sided. Ralph, father of Lyman, was born in Conway in 1804 and became a manufacturer of shell combs, continuing until 1833, when he came to Illinois and settled at Granville, Putnam county. There he engaged in farming and stock raising and often drove his cattle, hogs and sheep to the Chicago market. He was active in politics, was a Whig and was well acquainted with Abraham Lincoln whom he often entertained at his home. He was a Presbyterian and the main supporter of the church in his home village. His death occurred in 1863. His children were: Edward (deceased), Caroline, Lucinda (deceased), Lyman, Elisha (deceased 1909), Lincoln (deceased) and Henry. Dr. Lyman Ware was educated in the public schools of Granville and later attended the University of Michigan. In his second year at that institution he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-second Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and owing to his knowledge of drugs and medicine was taken from the ranks and made hospital steward, being located most of the time at Paducah, Ky. Upon being mustered out in 1865 he entered the Chicago Medical college, now medical department of Northwestern University, and after taking his degree of M. D. entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, graduating therefrom in 1868. He returned at once to Chicago and engaged in the general practice of medicine, becom ing connected with several hospitals and dispensaries. After spending 1874 and 1875 in post graduate work at Vienna and Paris, he again returned to Chicago and then limited his practice to diseases of the eye and ear at 125 State street. He was thus located until 1893 when he removed his office to the corner of Wabash avenue and Washing ton street, Marshall Field building, and here he has since remained. For twenty-five years he was surgeon at the Illinois Eye and Ear hospital and for several years was connected with the Cook county hospital. He is a Republican and a Presbyterian ; of the latter oragni- zation he has been an elder for many years. His life has been ac tive, useful and replete with stirring and important professional scenes. He has translated, by special permission, Von Arlts' clinical lectures on diseases of the eye. He is the owner of considerable busi ness and flat property in this city. On June 7, 1877, Dr. Ware was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth A. Law, daughter of Robert Law of this city, and to them have been born the following children : Hildegard, born November 20, 1892; Edith, born March 18, 1894; and Elizabeth, born February 20, 1897. The family resides at 4424 Drexel boulevard. 718 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Vincenzo Gialloreti, M. D., was born April 16, 1865, and is a son of Antonio and Anna Galassi Gialloreti, of the Province of Aquila, Italy. The father inherited from his parents considerable property which he looked after during the greater part of his adult life. His son Vincenzo was educated in the public schools, spending five years in the gymnasium and three years in the lyceum. Then for one year he attended the medical department of the University of Rome and still later the medical department of the University of Naples, graduating in medicine from the latter in 1892. Not yet satisfied with his education and inspired with a lofty zeal and ambition he spent two years in rigid post-graduate work in the hospital of Gesue Maria. In 1895 he served two trips as surgeon on passenger steam ers plying between New York city and Naples. Succeeding this ex perience he practiced one year in Naples and five years in Alex andria, Egypt. He then located in Rome and resumed his practice and medical studies and was thus occupied for five years. In 1904 he crossed the Atlantic and came to Chicago, opened an office at 903 South Halsted street near Forquer street and is there located at the present time actively engaged in a large and lucrative practice. His professional education and experience fit him for rapid advancement and an exalted position in the medical ranks of Chicago. He is a member of the Chicago Medical society, the Knights of Pythias and several Italian societies. He is official physician of the Italian Red Cross society and resides at 903 South Halsted street. William Stuchlik, now living a retired life from active business pursuits at 1915 South Ridgeway avenue, was born in Bohemia, Oc tober 15, 1844. His parents, Joseph and Mary (Velibil) Stuchlik, immigrated to America in 1853, first locating in Canada, subsequent ly, in May, 1854, establishing a home in Chicago at Clark and Van Buren street, where they resided three years. Mr. Stuchlik then leased land at Twelfth and Dearborn streets where he continued the same business until 1859, then moving to a farm near Eastman, Crawford county, Wis, Tiring of backwoods life, he returned to Chicago with his family in 1862 and lived at the corner of Clinton and Taylor streets and here worked at his trade of mason and in a lumber yard until his death. William Stuchlik, the subject of this sketch, is the only child living born to his parents. After ten years of age he has lived in the United States, his education having been acquired in the public an4 German Catholic schools of Chicago. When seventeen years old he was apprenticed to the machinist's and engineer's trade, serving five years", and during the civil war acted as assistant engi neer for three months on the steamer "War Eagle," plying on the Mississippi river. From then until 1881 he worked at his trade in Chicago, the succeeding twelve years being passed in the grocery bus iness at Fisk and Eighteenth streets. He then continued in the same line at Eighteenth street and Nutt Court until he retired from active business pursuits in May, 1895. Mr. Stuchlik is remembered by the HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 719 old settlers and by those who know him as an honorable, industrious citizen and a credit to the city. He married Margaret, daughter of Willia^ and Anna (Brabec) Razney, natives of Bohemia, who set tled in Chicago in 1867, and to them have been born seven children : Anna (now Mrs. Frank Jindrich), William A., John, Frank (de ceased), Mary (now Mrs. James Friedl), Edward and Emily (the wife of Joseph Kadec). Mr. Stuchlik, on matters of national import ance, is a Republican. He and wife are members of the Bohemian Old Settlers' association of which Mrs. Stuchlik has been vice-presi dent since 1899. William A. Stuchlik, a prominent pharmacist of 1758 West Twelfth street, is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Chicago and perhaps the first Bohemian family to settle in Cook county. William Stuchlik, his father, appropriate mention of whom appears elsewhere, was the only child of Joseph, the pioneer. Wil liam A. Stuchlik was born in Chicago, at Thirty-ninth street and Wentworth avenue, July 14, 1872, and attended in youth the public schools, the Lutheran German grammar school and the Cook County Normal school. In 1904 he was graduated from the Chicago Col lege of Pharmacy and the following year embarked in the drug busi ness in partnership with his brother John. He thus continued until 1899, when he engaged in the business alone at the corner of Eighteenth and Wood streets. Ability and natural aptitude in his profession has brought him success in a marked degree. On October 24, 1905, he married Louise, daughter of Frank and Antonia (Kvasnicka) Kreml, of Chicago, and they are the parents of one daughter, Helen, born in 1906. Mr. Stuchlik is a member of the Chicago Retail Druggists' association, the Social Drug club, the Masonic fraternity, the Bohemian club and the Dobrosky, an organization composed of Bohemian Masons. In politics he is a Republican on national issues and is active in party affairs. Edward Stuchlik, a prominent and successful pharmacist at 1012 W. Eighteenth street, was born in Chicago, May 11, 1883, and is a son of William and Margaret (Razney) Stuchlik, pioneer Bo hemians of Chicago. He was reared in this city and educated in the public schools, the Medill High school and was graduated in pharmacy from the Uriiversity of Illinois in 1904. From 1902 to 1904 he served as assistant pharmacist in various drug stores of this city and after his graduation was employed for a year and a half in the chemical department of Armour's laboratory and later for the same period was. manager of the drug department of the Fair, Charles H. Fitzner, J. S. Stiles and others. In. 1907 he embarked in business for himself at his present location in the drug store which had been founded by his brothers,William A. and John, in 1894. He now has one of the best equipped drug stores in this part of the city and his trade is large and his reputation excellent. At the present time he is teacher of pharmacology and chemistry in the 720 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY College of Physicians and Surgeons. This fact is so notable and un usual as to be worth special attention. He is a member of the National Association of Retail Druggists, Illinois Pharmaceutical association, the Alumni association of the Chicago College of Pharmacy and is a shareholder in the Chicago, Wholesale Drug company and the Asepta Product company. He is also a member of Arcana Lodge No. 717 of the Masonic fraternity. Alfred Stromberg is a native of Sweden, born March 9, 1861. At fifteen years of age he began his business career in the electric field with Oiler & Company, which concern owned the first electrical fac tory doing business in Sweden, manufacturing telegraph instruments, telephones and sewing machines and was one in which the great tele phone inventor, L. M. Ericson, received his technical training. Mr. Stromberg installed the first battery transmitter to be used in Scan dinavia, in the year 1878. After the American Bell Telephone com pany had organized the Stockholm Bell Telephone company, with Hugo Bratt as president, Mr. Stromberg interested himself in their enterprise and installed several telephone exchanges in northern Sweden. Realizing that the United States offered his inventive and business genius a far wider scope than his native country, Mr. Stromberg came to this country in the spring of 1884, his first employment be ing with the Chicago Telephone company. During his connection with this corporation he invented some very valuable improvements in the Bell telephone, some of which are still in standard use. In 1890 he constructed the burglar and fire alarm system of the Chi cago Electric Protective company and operated the system until 1894. In this year he reentered the telephone field as an independent tele phone manufacturer, taking in Mr. A. Carlson as partner, and found ing the Stromberg-Carlson Telephone Manufacturing company in the year 1896. He capitalized this company for $50,000 and so rapid was its growth that in the year 1901 it showed an earning of $600,- 000 per year and turned out telephones at the rate of a telephone a minute. The spring of 1902 the company was reorganized and the capital increased to $3,000,000, the plant being moved to Rochester, N. Y., where the factory occupies a floor space of eight acres and gives employment to 3,000 employes. The capitalization of the com pany has since been raised to $6,000,000. In 1905 Mr. Stromberg sold out his entire interest in the company and has since devoted his whole time to the promotion of numerous enterprises. Included among these is the Stromberg Motor Devices company, which has now in process of erection a large steel construction factory on Twenty-fifth street near Michigan avenue in Chicago. Tliis com pany is at present turning out carburetors which are bought and used by all the important automobile manufacturing companies both -in this country and Europe. These carburetors are also used by all the best motor boat companies and air ship constructors. This new car- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY , 721 buretor factory will have a capacity of more than one carburetor a minute. Mr. Stromberg is also president of the Stromberg Electric Chronograph company which furnishes the chronographs for the United States navy and other government institutions. These chron ographs are for cost keeping in factories, timing-in-and-out office reg istrations and other purposes. He is also vice-president of the Willis Electric Meter company which produced the first meter offered which the public can read. Mr. Stromberg is a Knight Templar Mason, a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, a member of the Union League club and many other organizations. One who has enjoyed a long, intimate business acquaintance with Mr. Stromberg has this to say of him : "In some respects Mr. Stromberg is the most remarkable man I have ever known. Of humble origin he has, by native ability coupled by persistent effort, risen to his present position in the business world. His quick perception enables him to grasp a situation at once and to master every detail of the proposition involved. His life is wrapped up in his various business affairs into which he has put his energies to such an extent that only those who have been intimately associated with him pan appreciate. A capable man at the outset, he has con stantly developed with the growth of his business interests. From working mechanic with a daily wage of $2 to a man of large affairs and wealth in the short space of a dozen years is a record of which few can boast; but with Mr. Stromberg it has had no effect in changing the plain, simple, honest and direct manner of his life. To his friends, his business associates and with the world generally he is the same unassuming man as when struggling for a livelihood at the outset of his career. Many have been financially benefited by their association with them. He enjoys the confidence and respect of his fellowmen." In 1885 Mr. Stromberg married Miss Ellen Johnson, of Chicago, and they are the parents of four children : Minnie, Alice, Emil and Eva. Their home is at 5442 Sheridan Road. Thomas Alexander Lemmon, a successful and well known coal op erator, was born in New Albany, Ind., April 16, 1841, and is a son of Michael and Martha (Griffin) Lemmon. He was educated in the common and high schools of New Albany, continuing therein until 1857. He then began business, but in 1861 enlisted in the Fifth Ohio cavalry regiment and served with credit until 1865 when he was hon orably discharged. He participated in the first day's bloody fight at Shiloh, his regiment being the only cavalry command thus engaged. He served in many other battles and campaigns, and his military ca reer was stirring and vastly to his honor and credit. On April 27, 1865, he married Sarah C. Berry at New Albany, Ind., and they had the following children : Mrs. Florence R. McDonald, Chandler Fon taine and Albert Berry. Upon his return from the army, he was for fourteen months engaged in the clothing business at Louisville, Ky. In July, 1866, he arrived in Chicago and became bookkeeper for E. 722 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY D. Taylor & Son, coal dealers, and later was with Taylor & Thomas for a year. In 1871 he began business for himself in the partnership known as Lemmon & Cornish, but was soon burned out in the big fire. In 1872 he became bookkeeper for the Chicago, Wilmington & Ver million Coal company, of which he has been secretary and treasurer since 1887. He is also at present treasurer of the Eureka Coal & Dock company. He is a republican and a member of Columbia Post G. A. R. He is also a Mason and a member of the Illinois Athletic and Traffic clubs. His office is in the Old Colony building and his residence at 2802 Washington boulevard. Edward S. Keely, a prominent and active railway official of this city, was born in Peru, 111., November 11, 1858, and is a son of John and Mary Keely. He received a good common school education, and entered the railway service in 1874 and has continued thus occuj>ied down to the present time. One of his first important positions was that of division freight agent of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway company, at Milwaukee, where he continued until 1891, then receiving a well-deserved promotion to assistant general freight agent. He thus served acceptably until 1900 when he was still fur ther honored by advancement to the responsible position of general freight agent of the same road. On January 1, 1907, he was ad vanced to the position of freight traffic manager and in April, 1909, to vice-president. He is one of the most practical and experienced railway men of this city. His offices are in the Railway Exchange building. He is a member of the Chicago, Union League, Chicago Athletic and Exmoor clubs. Oscar F. Bell, traffic manager of the Crane company, has had a successful business and social career. His grandfather, five genera tions removed, Capt. John Bell, was a Scotchman, master and owner of a ship which sailed between Glasgow and the American colonies. After a shipwreck by which his vessel was lost, he located near Balti more about 1650. On his mother's side Oscar F. is descended from Lieutenant Robert Coles, who came to the colonies in 1635 as a member of Governor Winthrop's expedition. Oscar F. received his education at the grammar and high school of Dayton, Ohio, where he was born and where he began his business career in 1869. After working at various occupations he entered the railway service in 1878 as an employe under H. C. Wicker in the general freight of fices of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway company. Later he was placed in control of the pool accounts and settlements of that company with the title of "pool secretary," in which capacity he was serving when the interstate commerce law became effective in 1887. He also saw service as chief clerk in the office of the traffic manager and for six months under W. H. Newman, third vice-president of the Northwestern road. Then for two years, 1890 to 1892, he was en gaged in the Black Hills as secretary of the Harney Peak Tin Min ing company with headquarters at Hill City, S. D. In 1892 he was HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 723 purchasing agent for that company and had charge of their freight traffic. In October, 1892, he accepted the position of traffic mana ger with the Crane company and ever since has satisfactorily occu pied that position. From 1902 to 1905 he was a member of the traf fic committee of the Illinois Manufacturers' association and was chairman of the committee in 1907 and 1908. He was one of the organizers of the National Industrial Traffic League and is at pres ent a member of the executive committee and the board of directors of that organization. He is also president of the Traffic club of Chi cago, of which he is a charter member. He took an active interest and part in the negotiations which resulted in the adoption of the uni form bill of lading in 1907. He is interested in educational matters and is a member of the board of education of the Deerfield Township high school in Highland Park. He married Wilhelmina Elizabeth Mayer and they have ten children. He resides at 127 North avenue, Highland Park, 111. Henry G. Zander, one of Chicago's prominent real estate dealers and loan brokers, was born in Rendsburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Ger many, October 4, 1869, and is the son of Claudius C. and Margot (Van Staeding) Zander. His early education was acquired in the gymnasium at Rendsburg, Germany, and in the North Division high school, Chicago, from which latter institution he was graduated with the class of 1886. He subsequently was graduated as a civil engineer from Grant's school, and from the John Marshall Law school with the degree of L.L. B. Mr. Zander was married in 1895 to Charlotte M. Keitel, of Chicago, and to their union have been born two sons, Henry G, Jr., and Karl M. On October 5, 1886, he entered the real estate offices of Martin Van Allen, and in May, 1892, formed his present partnership with George F. Koester, under the firm name of Koester & Zander, doing a general real estate business. In his political views Mr. Zander is a Democrat, he affiliates with the Luth eran church, is a thirty-second degree Mason and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the Union League, Irving Park, Country and Ridgemoor Golf clubs. His offices are at 69 Dearborn ^street and he resides in Irving Park. Robert E. Sackett, vice-president of the National Life Insurance company, traces his genealogy in an unbroken line to Simon Sackett, who came from England to America in 1630 on board the ship "Lyon," which also carried those pioneers, Roger Williams, John Throckmorton and Nicholas Bailey. Simon Sackett (1), helped to found Newtown (now Cambridge), Mass. From him to the subject of this sketch the heads of the different families are as follows : John (2), the first white child born at Newtown; John (3), of Weathers- field; Daniel (4), of Westfield, served in colonial wars, member of Captain A. Dewey's troop of horse, also the one commanded by Cap tain H. .Noble, and was on duty guarding Westfield under Captain John Ashley; Captain Daniel (5), of Westfield and Pittsfield, served 724 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY in colonial wars and that of the revolution, in the latter as a member of Captain Horton's company of Colonel Worthington's regiment, commissioned captain of the seventh company of Colonel Moseley's Hampshire county regiment April 26, 1776, mustered out November 29, 1777, reentered service soon thereafter but finally resigned in No vember, 1799, also credited with commanding a company in Shay's rebellion; Lemuel (6), of Westfield; Daniel (7), of Pittsfield; Rob ert (8), of Pittsford, N. Y., married Laura Jane Smith and became the father of six children of which Robert E. (9) is the third in the order of birth. Robert E. Sackett was born November 11, 1852, at Pittsford, N. Y. He was reared on a farm and in early youth attended the dis trict schools, subsequently taking a course in Olivet college, at Oli vet, Mich. Upon his father's death in 1873, he took charge of the home farm in Eckford, Mich., which he conducted about eighteen months, then embarked in the grocery business at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In 1875 he became a clerk and later a bookkeeper and pay master of the Sioux City & Pacific Railway company and here ac quired the foundation of the knowledge which subsequently was of such material assistance to him in business. In the year 1881 he went to Denison, Iowa, to accept the office of assistant cashier in the First National bank of that city, but two years later resigned that position to take charge of the land sales of the Sioux City & Pacific Railway company, with headquarters at Sioux City. While occupy ing this position he was nominated and elected, in 1887, to the of fice of the clerk of the district court of Woodbury county, and after serving one term of four years was reelected to this position, occu pying the office eight years in all. In 1894 he became secretary of the Iowa Life Insurance company, and in 1895 came to Chicago with that company. In 1900, when the National Life Insurance Company of the United States of America absorbed that company he was elected secretary of the National, which position he held until the year 1906, when he was elected vice-president of the latter company, which position he still retains. Mr. Sackett is a Republican in poli tics; a member of the Prostestant Episcopal church and of the Grand Lodge of the Knights of Pythias of Iowa, the Union League and Hawkeye Fellowship clubs. He was married August 31, 1886, to Miss Juliet H. Richfield, of Marshall, Mich. They reside at 5318 East End avenue, Chicago, 111. Mr. Sackett is the owner of one of the fine farms near Rockford, 111., a locality noted for its splendid homes and magnificent development. Henry W. Forward, general freight agent of the Erie railroad company, 536 Railway Exchange building, Chicago, was born Aug ust 8, 1859, in Somerset, Penn., his parents being Ross and Char lotte (Ogle) Forward. He was educated in the grammar and high schools of Cincinnati, and in 1876 began his railroad career .as mes senger in the office of the general freight agent of what was then HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 725 the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad company. Since that time his progress in railroad work has been a steady advancement coupled with hard and conscientious work. From 1884 to 1890 he was chief clerk in the general freight office of the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad company at Cleveland, and from the latter year to 1896, was division freight agent of the Chicago & Erie road with, headquarters at Huntington, Ind. Succeeding this he was the assist ant general freight agent of the same corporation at Chicago until September 1, 1898, when he was made the assistant general freight agent of the Erie system. Ten years later (September 1, 1908,) he was promoted to his present position of general freight agent. Ross Forward, the father of Henry W., was a lawyer by profession and a man of prominence in Pennsylvania. He held many local positions of honor and trust. For thirty years he represented the Aetna Life Insurance company, and being of an inventive turn of mind invented and had patented a number of devices of merit. Henry W. For ward is a Republican in politics and a member of the Edgewater Golf and Chicago Traffic clubs. He married Miss Florence A.,Grover on September 13, 1891, and he and wife are members of the Christian church. Their home is at 1158 Farwell avenue, Rogers Park. Frederick H. Harwood, vice-president and general manager of the New Kentucky Coal company, 1709 Fisher building, has passed the greater part of his life in railroad work. He was born January 15, 1863, in Chicago, a son of Theron D. and Elizabeth (Keller) Harwood, who were among the early settlers of Cook county. He received his education in the public schools, and in 1879 began life fcS* himself as an office assistant for Field, Leiter & Company, sub sequently serving in a similar capacity with Schlessinger, Mayer & Company and with Montgomery Ward & Company. He began his railroad career in 1887 under the resident engineer on the construc tion of the Chicago, Kansas & Nebraska railroad, but one year later, and until 1890, was in the service of the Illinois Central Railroad company in the various capacities of bill clerk, rate clerk and con tracting freight agent. From 1890 to June, 1893, he was rate clerk in the general freight department of the same road and from that time to March, 1894, was contracting freight agent; subsequently, until June 1, 1896, he was traveling freight agent and commercial agent with headquarters at Pittsburg. The succeeding three and one-half years he was stationed at Cincinnati as commercial agent. On December 20, 1899, he became assistant general freight agent of the road at Evansville, Ind., and on June 4, 1894, the coal traffic manager at Chicago. This latter position he held until 1909, when he embarked in his present business. Mr. Harwood is a Re publican in politics, a member of the Edgewater Presbyterian church and the Edgewater Country club. His marriage with Miss Jennie Herring was solemnized July 23, 1884, and their home is at 1260 Bryn Mawr avenue. Vol. n— 43. 726 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Robert Letson Van Arsdale, a prominent and successful insurance broker, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., September 26, 1876, and is a son of Robert Letson (deceased) and Emeline (Bristol) Van Ars dale. He came to Chicago in 1885 when only nine years old and was principally educated in the public schools here, graduating finally from the Brown public school. Soon after his graduation he secured employment with Thorson, Cassidy & Co., dealers in sporting goods, and there remained from 1890 to 1892. In the latter year he en tered the offices of Charles E. and W. F. Peck, insurance brokers, and is now a member of the firm of Willcox, Peck & Hughes, who succeeded Charles E. and W. ' F. Peck. At the present time he is manager of their Chicago office. Mr. Van Arsdale is a Republican, and although not an applicant for office takes much interest in poli tics and all other worthy affairs. He is a Presbyterian. He resides at 6502 Monroe avenue. He is a member of the Calumet Country club, Wanderers' Cricket and Athletic club and the Illinois Athletic club. Alfred Brand is a son of Rudolph Brand, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. He is a native of Cook county and was born in Chicago, July 20, 1884. He was educated in the grammar schools and the University school of Chicago, graduating from the latter in 1902. He then entered Yale college, pursued a full course of study and was graduated in 1906 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then returned to Chicago and studied the art of painting at the Chi cago Art Institute, and in the fall of 1907 accepted the position of managing editor of the Real Estate News. In April, 1908, he went abroad and for five months visited many parts of Europe. He fhUt returned to Chicago and accepted a position with his father in the offices of the United States Brewing company and was there engaged until 1909. He then became connected with the Brand Brewing company and is thus occupied at the present time. He is a meriiber of the Chicago Yale club and among the enterprising, art-loving and public-spirited citizens of the city. Peter Czaja, druggist, 1490 West Twenty-second street, was born in Chicago, December 10, 1876, the son of John and Jennie (Bar- todziej) Ozaja. The parents were natives of Austria Poland and, immigrated to the United States and Chicago in 1869, where the father engaged in merchandizing for many years, retiring in 1908 at an advanced age from a long and successful business career. To him and wife were born four children: Adam (deceased), Frank, Peter and Julius. In the public and parochial schools of his native city Peter Czaja received his primary education, subsequently taking a course at the school of pharmacy of the University of Illinois, from which he was graduated in 1901. In 1902 he entered business for himself, open ing a drug store at 809 South Ashland avenue where he remained for a year and a half. In 1904 he located at his present place of business HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 757 on West Twenty-second street and has ever since been thus success-, fully engaged. On November 25, 1903, Mr. Czaja married Lottie, daughter of John and Jennie Cenalewski, of Chicago, and to their union has been born two sons, Vladimir and Zenon. He is a member of St. Casimir's Polish Roman Catholic church, Polish Turners' Unity No. 9, St. Casimir's Society Z. P. R. K, and the National Re tail Druggists' association. In politics he is a Republican. John A. Rybcinski, a prominent real estate dealer with office at room 670, 160 Washington street and residence at 668 Holy avenue, was born in this city July 2, 1877, and is the son of Anthony and Mariana (Gordon) Rybcinski. The father was a native of Russian Poland and the mother of German Poland. They came to Chicago previous to 1871 and here they have since resided. The father was one of the first Polish carpenters in the city, and assisted to build the first church structure for St. Stanislaus parish. This is now probably the largest parish of that nationality in the United States. The father for many years was engaged in contracting and building but retired from active business in 1893. He and wife were the par ents of twelve children, five of whom survive: John A., Julius, Louise, wife of Walter Stancewski ; Pauline, wife of Frank Janis- zeski, and Mary. John A. of this family was educated in St. Stan islaus parochial school, in the public schools, in the Jesuit college and later took up commercial law in Bryant & Stratton Business college. From 1900 to 1905 he was employed in the sheriff's and county clerk's offices in Cook county, but then engaged in the real estate and fire insurance business and in managing estates in the probate court. He is thus occupied at the present time. On October 3, 1905, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Francis Ciesielski, of Chicago, and they have two children, Virginia and Alice. Mr. Rybcinski is a member of St. Stanislaus Polish Roman Catholic church, Catholic Order of Foresters, Knights of Columbus, Modern Woodmen, Po lish National Alliance of America ; Kosciusko club, Northwestern Business Men's association and politically is a Republican. He has taken an active interest in the success of his party and is a member of the Sixteenth Ward Republican club. Bruno F. Kowalews'ki, mortgage banker, real estate dealer and loan insurance operator, at 1359 West Fifty-first street, was born in Posen, German Poland, on January 25, 1874, and is a son of Andrew and Mary (Teichert) Kowalewski. The parents immigrated to the United States in July, 1881, and settled in Chicago where the father worked at his trade as carpenter until his death in 1891 at the age of 51 years. He left a widow and five children as follows : Bruno F., Roman J., Rev. Edward A., pastor of St. Stanislaus Polish Roman Catholic church, Kankakee, 111. ; Mary, now "Sister Zygmen- ta" of the Felician Sisters, and Gertrude, deceased. Bruno F. was reared in Chicago after the age of seven years, and received his education in St. Adalbert's parochial school and the even- 728 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY ing public schools of the city. At the age of eleven years he was put at work sandpapering wall brackets and was thus engaged for about two years. Six months later he was placed in the canning de partment of Armour & Company, with which concern he remained for a period of eighteen years, rising steadily to the responsible posi tion of foreman. During this period he put in all his spare time learning the real estate and insurance business. Since 1906 he has devoted his whole time to that pursuit, gradually adding mortgage banking. He built his present handsome and commodious quarters in 1907. His business is prosperous and he has won prominence as a successful business man and a useful citizen. He is a member of St. John of God Polish Roman Catholic church, Knights of Columbus, Foresters, Polish National Alliance, Polish Turners and Polish Rom an Catholic union. He affiliates with the Republicans. On July 23, 1899, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob and Delia (Kas- przykowski ) Kiepura, of Chicago, and has two living children : Eulalia and Edward. Rev. Francis J. Karabasz, pastor of St. John of God Roman Cath olic church at 5129 Throop street, was born in Lemont, 111., on Janu ary 19, 1881, and is a son of Martin and Michaeline Karabasz, both of whom were natives of German Poland. They immigrated to the United States about the year 1872 and settled in Lemont, 111., where they still reside. They reared to maturity a family of five children, as follows: Frances, now a member of the Felician Sisterhood; Veronica, Francis J., Joseph and Stanislaus. Francis J. attended the Polish parochial school at Lemont until he attained the age of thirteen years, when he was sent to St. Mary's Polish college, Detroit, Mich., from which institution he was duly graduated in 1898. He then took up his theological studies at St. Mary's seminary, Baltimore, and was there graduated in 1904. On June 10 of that year he was ordained to the priesthood by Arch bishop Quigley at the Cathedral of the Holy Name, Chicago. His first appointment was as assistant pastor of St. Joseph Polish Cath olic church, of Chicago, where he served for seven months. He was then transferred to a like position in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, South Chicago, where he remained about three and a half years. He was appointed to his present parish on June 30, 1908. This parish consists of about 750 families or about 4,000 members. The school connected with the church has a membership of 430 pupils under the instruction of six sisters of the Felician Or der. Connected with the church are fifteen beneficent societies. Under Father Karabasz is one assistant, Rev. Stanislaus Doberstein. The church building was erected in 1907 by Father Jendrzejek at a cost of $75,000. Connected with the property are thirty-six lots which cost the parish $18,000. Edmund Szajkowski, engaged in real estate, loans and insurance, at 2593 Milwaukee avenue and 495 Noble street, was born in Stens- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 729 zewo, Province of Posen, Prussian Poland, October 24, 1874, and is a son of Teofil and Catharine (Waczynski) Szajkowski, who immi grated to the United States in 1881, settling in Chicago, where they still reside. The father is a saddle maker by trade. The family consists of six children: Frances, Roman, Edmund, Gabriel, Sophia, wife of Joseph Wojtalewicz, and Lilian. The subject of this sketch was reared in Chicago after the age of seven years. He was educated at St. Stanislaus parochial school and the public schools of Chicago and also at the Chicago Business college. He began busi ness as a machine operator in the saddlery house of L. Kiper & Sons in 1889 and remained thus engaged until 1895 when he embarked in his present business at the corner of Milwaukee avenue and Di vision street with Anthony Czarnecki, which partnership existed for eighteen months, when our subject engaged in business on his own responsibility at 598 North Ashland avenue and remained thus en gaged for one year. In 1897 he located at his present place of busi ness. He has been successful in his commercial dealings and is well known and respected. On November 19, 1902, he married Anna, daughter of John and Elizabeth Klafta, of Chicago, and they have three children: Antoinette, Mary and Nicholas. Mr. Szajkowski is a member of the Roman Catholic church, Polish National Alliance, Polish Roman Catholic Union, Catholic Order of Foresters, Knights of Columbus and in politics is a Republican. Edward Starzynski, a prominent contractor and builder at 852 West Oakdale avenue, was born in Grabow, Russian Poland, on Oc tober 10, 1865, and is a son of Frank and Josie Starzynski. He was reared to manhood in his native country and educated in private schools. At the early age of fourteen years he began to learn the carpenter trade under the instruction of his father. Having learned the same he followed that occupation in his native land until 1891, when he crossed the ocean to America and came direct to Chicago and here he has since resided. He worked at his trade previous to 1902, but at that date embarked in business for himself as a general contractor and has made a notable success — he has erected from seven to twelve buildings annually — both business houses and dwellings. He gives employment to from six to fifteen hands, and has erected many large and prominent business blocks on Milwaukee avenue and vicinity. In 1908 he erected the parochial school building at Hedgewisch, Cook county, for the St. Florian Polish Roman Catholic church at a cost of $45,000. He is a member of St. Stanislaus Po lish Roman Catholic church, Polish National Alliance, Polish Roman Catholic union, Catholic Order of Foresters, Polish Turners and King Wladislaus society. In politics he is independent. In 1892 he married Mrs. Lizzie Halman, of Chicago, and they have six chil dren : Celia, Lizzie, Annie. Josie, Sophia and Leo. Rev. John Zwierzchowski, pastor of Holy Innocents' Polish Rom an Catholic church, was born in Calumet, Mich., on May 9, 1877, and 730 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY is a son of John and Josephine (Maciejewska) Zwierzchowski, natives of Piotrkowo and Sroda, Poland, respectively. The parents immigrat ed to the United States in 1870 and settled in Calumet, Mich, where they still reside and where the father is employed with the Calumet & Hecla Mine company. To these parents ten children were born, as follows: Stephen, a lawyer; Hedwig, wife of Arthur Robbilard; Theresa, wife of N. J. Tobianski ; Wladislaus; John, Casimir, Stanis laus, Pelagia, wife of Frank Banaszewski, Frances and Teckla. John of this family was reared in his native city and was educated in the public schools, St. Viateur's college, Bourbonnais Grove, 111., where he pursued his philosophical studies, and St. Francis seminary in 1895, where he finished his theological studies in 1899. On, April 1, 1900, he was ordained to the priesthood at St. Francis seminary. His first appointment was as assistant pastor of St. Adalbert's church at Seventeenth and Paulina streets. After seven months he was ap pointed assistant of St. Michael's church, South Chicago, where he remained five years with the present Bishop Rhode. On October 12, 1905, he was appointed pastor of his present parish, which has about 700 families and nearly 4,000 souls. . The school in connection has over 500 pupils under the instruction of eight Felician sisters. Connected with the church are fourteen beneficent societies. The par ish in a flourishing condition and is growing rapidly. There is one assistant, Rev. Felix Feldheim. Vincent Milaszewicz, a prominent mortgage banker at 1719 West Forty-seventh street, was born in the state of Kowna, Lithuania, Russia, on January 1, 1865, and is a son of Nicholas and Barbara (Pietkewicz) Milaszewicz. He was reared to manhood in his na tive country and was educated at the Gymnasium of Szawli. In 1890 he immigrated to the United' States and spent two years at Mechanicsville, Saratoga county, N. Y. He then went to Minne apolis and there remained for six months. In 1893 he came to Chi cago and here he has since resided. After his arrival here his first employment was in a restaurant, where he remained for ten months. In November, 1894, he engaged in the restaurant business on his own account. This he successfully conducted until November, 1900, when he engaged in his present business. He has been usually suc cessful and first occupied his present commodious and handsome quarters since January, 1909. He was married on June 26, 1895, to Angeline, daughter of Frank and Mary (Urbanek) Niwa, of Chi cago, and they have six children, as follows : Sophia, Victoria, Ber nard, Gertrude, Vincent, Jr., and Angeline. Mrs. Milaszewicz con ducts an up-to-date millinery establishment in a room adjoining her husband's offices. Mr. Milaszewicz is a member of the Holy Cross Lithuanian Roman Catholic church, Royal Arcanum, St. Vincent's Ferr society, St. Stanislaus society, Guards of Prince Vytonita, First Division, National Alliance of Lithuanians and in politics is a Re publican. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 731 Rev. Alexander Skrypko, pastor of the Holy Cross Lithuanian Roman Catholic church at Forty-sixth street and Hermitage avenue, was born in Lithuania, Russia, on December 3, 1867. He received his elementary and classical education in the Gymnasium of Ryga on the Baltic sea and his theological education at Kovno seminary, Lithuania, at which latter institution he was ordained to the priest hood on February 20, 1891. Thereafter for eleven years he occu pied important positions in Lithuania and other parts of Europe, but in 1902 came to the United States and was soon afterward appointed pastor of SS. Peter and Paul parish at Westville, 111. After re maining there one and one-half years he came to Chicago and in June, 1904, organized Holy Cross parish and erected a school and church building which, with the land, cost a total of $30,000. In 1909 a fine two-story brick rectory was erected at a cost of over $20,000. Already the parish has outgrown the church and the school buildings. A new church costing over $100,000 is in contemplation. The parish now consists of about 700 families, about 4,000 souls and is in a flourishing condition. The school is under the instruction of five sisters of the Nazareth order and now numbers about 400 pupils. Father Skrypko's ability, piety, energy, high character and popularity are reflected in the unusual progress and prosperity of the parish. Under him is an able assistant, Rev. Anthony Ezerskis, who has oc cupied his present position since July 5, 1908. Michael J. Wachowski, real estate dealer, and land insurance agent, at 1844 North Wood street, was born in German Poland on August 24, 1855, and is a son of Frank and Josephine (Kwapiczew- ski) Wachowski. He was reared in his native land and received a liberal education. During his youth and early manhood he learned the cabinet maker's trade, and this he followed before coming to the United States. In 1881 he crossed the Atlantic and came to America and located first in Buffalo, N. Y., where he remained nearly a year, and then came to Chicago, where he has since made his home. For the first fifteen years after coming to this country he followed the cabinet maker's trade and managed to lay aside a considerable por tion of his income. After coming to this city he conducted for two years a meat market on Wabansia avenue. Since then he has been engaged in his present business. He has built up a successful busi ness and has the confidence of the community. He and family are members of St. Mary's of Angels Polish Roman Catholic church, and he is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. In politics he is a Democrat. In 1879, while yet in Poland, he married Mary, daugh ter of Michael and Antonia Pawlek, and by her has six children, as follows: John, Frances, Stella, wife of Stephen Biezezinski, Gusta, Celia and Bronislawa. Joseph L. Donat, a prominent and successful mortgage banker at 3817 West Twenty-sixth street, was born in this city on June 26, 1874, and is a son of Joseph and Zdeuka (Kucera) Donat, natives 732 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY of Bohemia, who came to the United States in 1866 and located in Chicago, where the father followed the occupation of custom tailor ing until his death in 1874, leaving his widow and unborn son, the subject of this sketch. His widow married John Prucha by whom she had two sons now living and one daughter : Bessie, wife of Anton Janata ; Ladimer and Frank. Joseph L- was reared in Chicago and here he has ever since resided. He was educated in the public schools, and early in adult life followed the occupation of architec tural draftsman for nine years. For the succeeding seven years he was engaged in the business of plumbing, but in 1909 he engaged in the business of mortgage banking on West Twenty-sixth street, and this he has since successfully followed. He is generally known in the community and is universally respected. He is a member of Palacky Lodge No. 630, I.O.O.F., and is the secretary of the Narodni Build ing and Loan association. In politics he is a Republican. On June 28, 1903, he married Bertha, daughter of Charles and Leopoldine Domschihitz, of Chicago, formerly of Vienna, Austria, and by her has two daughters : Grace D. and Viola. Rev. Louis W. Grudzinski, pastor of St. John of God Polish Rom an Catholic church, was born in Posen, Poland, on August 2, 1878, and is a son of Francis and Julia (Wozniak) Grudzinski. The parents immigrated to the United States in 1879 and settled in Chi cago, where the father died in 1892 at the age of fifty-one years. He and wife were the parents of five children : Helen, wife of Francis Tuchocki; Wladyslawa, wife of John Manikopski; Boleslaus, Nicholas and Louis W. The latter received his primary education in the Immaculate Con ception parochial school of South Chicago, his classical and phil osophical education at St. Mary's seminary at Detroit, and his theo logical education at St. Francis seminary, Milwaukee, Wis. On July 11, 1903, he was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Quigley, and was appointed assistant pastor of the Immaculate Con ception church of South Chicago. There he remained actively at work for about four years. On May 1, 1907, he was appointed pas tor of Holy Rosary parish, North Chicago, where he remained four teen months. He was then appointed administrator of St. Joseph's church, Forty-eighth street and Hermitage avenue, where he served for one year. On July 17, 1909, he was appointed pastor of his present parish, which has a membership of about 750 families, or about 4,000 souls. The parochial school has about 430 pupils under the instruction of six sisters of the Felician order. Connected with the parish are fifteen beneficial societies. The church school building and rectory were built by Rev. John G. Jendrzejek and dedicated in 1907. The buildings cost a total of about $75,000. There are thirty-six lots valued at about $18,000. Frank Randak, architect at 1615 Ashland block and at the corner of Trumbull and West Twenty-sixth streets, was born in Bohemia on HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 733 May 16, 1861, and is a son of Frank and Anna Randak. He was reared to manhood in his native country and in youth received a liberal education. He studied architecture and mastered all de partments pertaining to that art. Believing that the United States afforded better opportunity for the practice of his business, he crossed the Atlantic in 1888 and located in Chicago, where he has ever since resided and labored. He has advanced steadily until now he is rec ognized as one of the best and most successful of the younger archi tects of the city and the west. He has designed many of the finest buildings here. He prepared the plans for the Douglas park nata- torium and gymnasium, the Bohemian Plzensky Sokol Hall gymna sium, Ashland avenue Bohemian-American hall ; Pilsen station post- office, and many other important buildings, including private resi dences, business houses and flat dwellings. He is well and favorably known in his profession. He is a member of the Bohemian- American club, and several gymnasium societies and lodges. In 1908 he mar ried Beda, daughter of James Dvorak, of Bohemia. John P. Wilkowski, mason and general contractor, 3131 Monti cello avenue, was born in this city, May 31, 1867, and is a son of John and Constantia (Rybaudt) Wilkowski. The parents were na tives of Germany and came to the United States about the year 1865 and settled in Chicago, where the father was successfully en gaged in the business of general contracting up to the date of his death in 1883 at the age of fifty-two. He and wife had seven chil dren who grew to maturity : Joseph, John P., Mary, wife of Anton Teis; Philip, Martha, wife of Frank Cerney; Clara and Frances. John P. was reared in Chicago and educated mainly in St Stan islaus Kostki parochial school. He early learned the mason trade with his father and for twenty-five years followed that pursuit as a journeyman. In 1904 he embarked in business for himself as a gen eral contractor and thus he is successfully occupied at the present time. He and family are members of St. Viator's Roman Catholic church, and he is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. In politics he is a Republican. On June 2, 1891, he married Saloma, daughter of Albert and Theodora (Szukay) Slupekowski, pioneer Polanders of this city, and they have three children : Frances, Frank and Benjamin. Rev. Bronislaus Czajkowski, pastor of St. Mary of Czestochowa Polish Roman Catholic church, of Hawthorne, 111., was born in the province of Posen, German Poland, on April 4, 1874. There he grew up until his sixteenth year, attending high school for two years, and generally receiving a good preliminary education. In 1890, thinking to better his condition, he crossed the Atlantic ocean to the United States and located in South Chicago, where until 1893 he found em ployment in various capacities. In the last mentioned year he en tered St. Jerome college, Berlin, Ontario, Canada, and there finished his classical education in 1897. He then entered St. Mary's semi- 734 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY nary, Baltimore, from which celebrated institution he was graduated in philosophy and theology in 1902. In June of the same year he was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Gibbons, of Baltimore, and his first appointment was a.s assistant pastor of St. Mary of Perpet ual Help Catholic church, on Thirty-second street, Chicago, where he served for a little over two years. In July, 1904, he was appointed pastor of his present parish. Under his active and able ministration the parish has grown from 250 families to 700 families or about 5,000 souls. The parish was organized in 1895. The present church and school combined was erected by Father Czajkowski in 1905 at a cost of $50,000. The convent, which was erected in 1908, cost $20,000. The school has 600 pupils under the instruction of nine sisters of the Order of St. Joseph. The parish is in a most flourish ing condition. Stanley J. Jerozal, a successful and prominent pharmicist at Thirtieth street and Linden avenue, also at 1800 West Eighteenth street, was born in this city on November 16, 1881, and is a son of Jacob- Jerozal, a native of the province of Posen, German Poland. The father came to the United States in 1869 and settled in Chicago, but after the great fire of 1871 he removed to Minnesota, where he spent five years in farming. He then returned to Chicago and secured employment on lumber vessels traversing the great lakes, an occupa-- tion he followed for several years. He then retired from active busi ness and is now living retired at Hawthorne. He was twice married By his first wife he-had two children : Helen, wife of John Bergman and Stanley J. By his second marriage he also had two children: Lucy and Celia. Stanley J. was reared in his native city and was educated in the public schools. Later he entered the Chicago College of Pharmacy and was duly graduated therefrom in 1902. During this period he clerked for three years in a drug store at Hawthorne. The year fol lowing his graduation in pharmacy he purchased one of the drug stores in Hawthorne, and has successfully conducted the same ever since. On May 1, 1909, he opened another drug store at 1800 West Eighteenth street, and this venture has proved a most successful enterprise. He is a member of St. Mary of Czestochowa Polish Roman Catholic church, of Hawthorne; Polish- American Alliance, Polish Turners, National Association of Retail Druggists; Social Drug club; American Pharmaceutical association. In politics he is a Republican and takes much interest in the success of his party and in the progress of humanity generally. Joseph W. Kapela was born in Chicago August 24, 1874, and is a son of Jacob and Amelia Kapela, natives of the province of Posen, German Poland, who came to the United States in the latter part of the sixties and settled in Chicago. The father was a cabinet maker by trade, but followed various other occupations until his death in 1902 at the age of sixty-eight years. His widow and five children HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 735 survive him : Louise, wife of Louis Hochsberger, John, Josephine, wife of Leo Ricker, Sylvester W. and Joseph W. The latter was reared to manhood in Chicago and was educated at the parochial schools. He served an apprenticeship at the moulders' trade arid later at the bakers' trade and followed the latter business for nine years. In 1902 he embarked in the retail liquor business in Hawthorne and is thus engaged at the present time. He has conducted the buffet at 2801 Forty-eighth avenue since 1907. On September 18, 1902, he married Mary Luka, of Chicago, and they have two children liv ing: Joseph and Helen. Mr. Kapela is a member of St. Mary's of Czestochowa Polish Roman Catholic church, the Polish National Alliance of America, the Polish Turners and other societies and or ganizations. In politics he is a Republican and as such was elected supervisor and treasurer ex-officio of Cicero township in 1906 and still holds those important offices. Charles Laskowski, a successful and enterprising painting and electrical contractor, located at 1416 Noble street, was born in Rus sian Poland, May 3, 1867, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Klep- arski) Laskowski. He was reared to manhood in his native country, and in 1886 crossed the Atlantic ocean to the United States and lo cated in Detroit, Mich. He there learned the painting and electrical business and in 1889 came to Chicago and here he has since resided. Upon his arrival here he at once embarked in the painting and elec trical business as a contractor and in this occupation has met with marked arid merited success. Not only has he succeeded in business, but has also become well known as a public-spirited and upright citi zen. In 1891 he married Julia, daughter of Peter and Mary Janisew- ski, pioneer Polanders of Chicago, and they have the following chil dren : Lillian, wife of Stanley Kozael ; Rosa, Angie, Martha, Wan da, Jennie, Edwin and Stanley. Mr. Laskowski and family are mem bers of the St. Stanislaus Polish Roman Catholic church. He is also a member of St. Michael's Roman' Catholic society and the Polish National Alliance. Politically he is a stanch Republican. John Romanowicz was born in Inowraclaw, German Poland, April 19, 1867, and is a son of Frank and Catherine (Drogowski) Roman owicz, who came to the United States in 1887 and located in St. Louis, Mo. In 1891 they removed to Chicago and here the father still resides. They were the parents of six children, as follows : Joseph F., Tekla, wife of Martin Kurkowski, Jacob, John, Michael- ena, wife of Martin Trzeciak, and Victoria, wife of Mathew Naklas. John of this family was reared to manhood in Posen, Germany, and was educated in the public schools. In early manhood he served two years in the German army. He learned the cabinetmaker's trade, and in 1889 came to this country and first located in St. Louis where he remained two years, working at his trade. In 1891 he removed to Chicago and here he has since lived and labored. After coming here he worked at his trade one year and then embarked in business 736 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY for himself, buying and selling billiard tables and repairing and deal ing in billiard supplies, in which occupation he was engaged for about fifteen years. In 1906 he embarked in the theatrical business at 4650-52 South Ashland avenue, opening the first theatre in that vicinity. This he has since successfully conducted as the Union Thea tre. In conjunction with the same he conducts a first-class buffet and the best restaurant in this portion of the city. Mr. Romanowicz was married February 22, 1898, to Mary, daughter of Anton and Mary (Siwinski) Walczak, natives of Russian Poland and residents of Chicago since 1897. Mr. Romanowicz is a member of the Roman Catholic church, Polish National Alliance, Order of Foresters and the National Protective Legion. John Golombiewski, alderman from the 29th Ward, was born in the Province of Posen, German Poland, March 24, 1872, and is a son of Frank and Josephine (Daniel) Golombiewski, who came to the United States in 1880 and located in Chicago. The father who was a blacksmith by trade followed that vocation for a time, but later engaged in the grocery business and continued the same until his death which occurred in 1899 at the age of fifty years. His children were as follows : John, Martha, wife of Joseph Bartik, Mary, wife' of John Hajnowski, and Benedictine, deceased. Of this family John was reared in Chicago after the age of eight years, and received his education in the public and parochial schools. For several years thereafter he assisted his father in the store, and later became an employe of the city under John F. Smulski. In 1893 he was elected constable and held the office for four years. In 1897 he was em ployed in the county clerk's office and subsequently in the office of the board of review. He is now serving his second term as alderman of the 29th Ward, being first elected in the spring of 1906. On July 28, 1899, he married Teresa, daughter of Stanislaus and Mary (Genge) Witkowski, of Chicago. They have two children: Ed ward J. and Raymond E. Mr. Golombiewski is a member of St. Joseph's Polish Roman Catholic church, Polish National Alliance, Polish Turners, National Union, Woodmen of America and other organizations. In politics he is a Republican. Joseph Jarzembowski was ,born near Gradenz. West Prussia, March 3, 1874, and is a son of John and Mary (Drzynski) Jarzem bowski, who came to the United States in 1876 and settled in Chi cago. Here the father worked at various occupations until 1880, when he embarked in the undertaking business and continued the same until 1903, when he sold out to his son, Joseph, and retired from business and two years later died at the age of 68 years. , His wife died in 1893. They were the parents of five sons, as follows: Joseph, Stanley, Bruno, Wladislaw and Bolislaw. Of this family Joseph was reared in Chicago after the age of two years. He was educated at St. Stanislaus parochial school and at the public schools. He began his business career as a messenger for the Chicago Tele- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 737 phone company and rapidly made his way upward step by step until he was manager with a salary of $200 per month. He was in the employ of this company for eight years and during that time was the first man to make telephonic connection between Chicago and Boston. From 1893 to 1903 he was employed as clerk in different clothing houses here, -receiving a salary of $48 per week. In March, 1903, he purchased the undertaking business owned by his father and has since successfully conducted the same. He has been married twice: First to Julia, daughter of Peter Stasch, of Chicago, by whom he had two children : Harry and Helen. His first wife died in 1901, and on May 20, 1903, he married Helen, daughter of Anton and Rosa (Mastak) Gutowski, natives of Russian Poland and pio neers of Berlin, Wis. Mr. Jarzembowski is a member of both St. Stanislaus and Holy Trinity Polish Roman Catholic churches. He belongs to twenty-eight different societies and orders, among which are the following : Knights of Columbus, Foresters, Catholic Union, Polish National Alliance, Polish Association of America, Woodmen and St. Casimir's Young Men's society. He is a Democrat and has been the delegate of his party to nearly all city, county and state con ventions since he became a voter. Leon Zamorski, one of the leading Polish- American citizens of the 16th ward, was born in Posen, Poland, December 10, 1875, and is a son of Ludwig and Frances (Iwanonska) Zamorski. The parents came to the United States in 1885 and settled in Chicago and here they still reside. To them was born a family of eight children, as follows: Leon, Annie, wife of Ignatz Hajza; Rosie, wife of John Kaznecki; Nettie, Frances, wife of Mathew Gorzynski; Ben, Eelix and Walter. Of this family Leon was reared in Chicago after the age of ten years. He was educated in St. Stanislaus Polish parochial school. He began his business career as a factory employe and later was advanced to the position of bookkeeper and still later occupied various important positions in business houses here. In July, 1903, he embarked on his own account in the retail liquor business at 1734 Wabansia avenue, and has continued the same ever since. He is a prominent member of St. Mary's of Angels Polish Roman Catholic church, Foresters, Polish Maternity and Polish Catholic Union, in the latter of which he is a director. Pie is a Democrat but is inde pendent on local issues. On January 19, 1897, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Frank and Rosie Mika, and they have three children : Mamie, Irene and Elizabeth. Rt. Rev. John Piechowski, Superior of St. Stanislaus college, -is deserving of more than mere passing mention because of the great re sults he has accomplished within a comparatively short time. He is a native of Stawiska, Prussian Poland, his birth occurring December 26, 1863. He received a classical education in the gymnasium at Ber- ent, Prussia, and his philosophical and theological training in the Gre gorian college at Rome. Succeeding his graduation from the latter 738 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY in 1891, he was ordained to the priesthood the same year at Cracow, Austria, by Cardinal Bishop Puzyna then, as now, the only Polish Cardinal of his time. Father Piechowski came to the United States in 1892, and was at once made rector of St. Stanislaus college, Chi- ' cago, continuing as such for three years. He then founded St. Hyacinth's parish on Central Park avenue, Avondale, where he erected the church and was its pastor two years. Under the direc tion of Archbishop Feehan he was then sent to St. Hedwig's parish to counteract the influence of the 'late Polish independent Bishop Kozlowski. He remained at St. Hedwig's until January, 1909, when he was appointed to his present position of Superior at St. Stanislaus college by the General of the Congregationalists Fathers at Rome, of which order he is a member. St. Stanislaus college is strictly Po lish and its graduates are numbered among the great lawyers, physi cians, clergymen and business men throughout the country. It is in a most flourishing and harmonious condition and at present has 180 students in attendance under the instruction of twelve teachers and professors. Upon his arrival at St. Hedwig's parish the membership consisted of but 150 families, but within1 a comparatively short time it numbered over 2,000 families. Father Piechowski erected the pres ent magnificent church, one of the finest in the United States, at a cost of $180,000, installed the beautiful altar therein and provided a church organ at a cost of $8,000 which is so wonderfully toned that in a measure it resembles the human voice. Perhaps the greatest re nown to come to Father Piechowski was in connection with his work at St. Hedwig's parish. He found it in a demoralized condition and with obstacles to surmount far greater than if it had been to found a new parish. He displayed administrative qualities of such a high order as to attract wide attention. From chaos he brought order; from an impoverished condition he brought wealth, and from indif ference he brought devotion and loyalty. That parish is now one of the strongest and most influential in the city and in connection with it are forty-seven societies. Father Piechowski is a member of the Polish Roman Catholic Union and the Catholic Order of Foresters. Frank J. Palt, lawyer at 1500 American Trust building, also oper ating a real estate and insurance agency at 3205 South Morgan street, was born August 27, 1880, in Silesia, Germany, a son of John and Josephine (Puzik) Palt, of Polish ancestry. The father, in the early sixties, came to America in order to avoid military duties, but later returned to his native country, married and in 1871 again came ta this country, locating permanently in Chicago. For a time he was employed by the McCormick Reaper company, then by the Chi cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad company, and subsequently, for many years, was engaged in the grocery business. He and wife were the parents of six children: Frank J., Charles (deceased), Joseph N., John S., Mary (wife of John Goriwoda), and Emily (Mrs. Frank A. Przybylski). The father died in 1895 aged 50 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 739 years. Frank J. Palt was reared from infancy in the city of Chi cago receiving his literary education in the public schools and the Northern Indiana Normal school at Valparaiso. He took up the study of the law and was graduated from that department of the Lake Forest university in 1893, and the same year was admitted to ' the Illinois State bar. Since that time he has been engaged in legal pursuits. In 1901 he was appointed assistant attorney of the law. department of the sanitaiy district of Chicago, a position he yet occupies. In 1905, in addition to his legal work, he established a mortgage banking, real estate and insurance business at 3205 South Morgan street, which has been a success from inception. November 21, 1905, he married Hattie, daughter of Charles and Florence (Lamich) Rozek, residents of Chicago for the past twenty years, and to this union have been born two sons : Frank P. and Charles. Mr. Palt is numbered among the progressive and enterprising Polish- American citizens of Chicago. He is a member of the Roman Cath olic church, the Polish National Alliance, the Modern Woodmen of America, and in politics is a Republican. Wilder A. Pickard is of English descent and was born January 12, 1859. He is a son of William and Emma (Yerxa) Pickard whose ancestors located at Raleigh, Mass., at an early period in col onial history, but moved to New Brunswick before the Revolution. In the fifties William Pickard moved to Dane county, Wis., and there - engaged in grain shipping, continuing at Sun Prairie for many years. He owned large farming interests also and was an active member of the Baptist church. He was one of the most substantial and prominent citizens of that portion of the state. He died in 1891 and his widow in 1904. Wilder A. was educated in the public schools of Dane county, and at the age of sixteen years began for himself. He came to Chicago and for five years worked for a subscription book establishment. For some time afterward he continued the book business, though in a different department. In 1889 he established in Chicago a manufac turers' agency, representing and introducing lines of goods without representation in this city. He thus devised and developed plans and methods of interesting buyers in the adjoining states. In 1893, while thus engaged, he met a man and his wife at Edgerton, Wis., who were manufacturing hand-painted pottery which sold readily and almost exclusively to Marshall Field & Company, of Chicago. It immediate ly occurred to Mr. Pickard that a splendid demand for hand-painted china to be sold to jewelers or other traders might be created in this country. In accordance with this idea he established at Edgerton, Wis., a small force of young women artists, the most of whom had had training at art institutes. He soon discovered that for the suc cess of the enterprise there was demanded the inspiration of a large art center, and consequently he moved the institution to Chicago. For several years he was located in the heart of the city, but found 740 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY the old quarters inadequate and the conditions largely unsuitable. Thereupon he built in 1901 at Ravenswood a new building or studio, a model of its kind both from an architectural and a utilitarian stand point. It is the most complete building of its kind in the world. In the sixteen years of its existence it has surpassed all other institutions of the kind. At this date six salesmen, each with five or six trunks loaded with samples, cover the United States and Canada, Mexico and other countries. Seventy-five artists who have made a life study of china painting are steadily employed. Too much can scarcely be said in praise of the sagacity and business judgment that saw, de vised and developed this most interesting industry. Mr. Pickard is a member of the Edgewater Country club and the Edgewater Golf club and the North Shore Congregational church. He was married on December 26, 1894, to Minnie V. Flood of this city and they have the following children : William John, Henry Austin and Dorothy. The family resides in Buena Park. George W. Walker was born November 6, 1862, and is a son of Zena and Julia A. (Lukins) Walker, natives of Philadelphia. The father, who was a large and successful mason contractor of that city, passed his entire life there, dying in 1869. George W. was educated in the public schools of Philadelphia, and afterward was bound out to learn the bakers' and confectioners' trade at Camden, N. J. In 1883 he came to Chicago and entered the employ of the Deering Harvester company, where he did janitor and other work for five years. He then established a teaming and express business at 956 Clybourn avenue and continued doing a general teaming busi ness for four years. In 1893 he embarked in the real estate busi ness with Samuel Brown in the Chicago Opera house block. Mr. Walker had charge of the branch office at the corner of North Clark and Wilson streets and remained as a salesman with Mr. Brown for six years. In 1899 he embarked in the real estate business for himself at 3209 North Clark street, where he is still located. He is doing a general business, principally buying and selling, but is also engaged in building residences in Ravenswood, Edgewater and Sheridan Park. He is a member of the Odd Fellows, Royal League and Knights of Pythias. In 1892 he married Elizabeth H. Hartman, of Naperville, and they have one son : Sidney V., 16 years old. The family resides at 2714 North Hermitage avenue. Philip L. Marsh was born in Rockford, 111., on February 27, 1875, and is a son of Frank M. and Elizabeth (Maxwell) Marsh, both of whom also were born in Rockford. The paternal grandparents came west at an early date from Milford, Conn., and took up a total of 1,800 acres of land from the government in the vicinity of Rock ford. Frank M., the father, was engaged in the undertaking business and is one of the leading citizens of Rockford. For the last twenty years he has been coroner of that county. He and his brother have ever been prominent in the politics of that portion of the state. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 741 Philip L. was educated in the public and high schools of Rockford. While yet in school he began to drive a laundry wagon and after his schooling days continued in the same business and after a few years bought out his former employers. For eight years he con tinued in the laundry business at Roclcford, but in 1901 came to Chicago, bought the Home Laundry at Ravenswood, wrrich con cern at that time had about $6,000 worth of machinery. Since he purchased the business it has grown enormously until he was forced to build a large two-story building and to place therein machinery worth about $45,000. He now employs sixty-five people and con ducts the only laundry in Ravenswood. He is most liberal with his help, sharing with them on a percentage basis a considerable portion of the profits. He takes much interest in politics and in the progress of the community in all that tends to better conditions and surround ings. He is & member of Ravenswood club, the Elks, and is a thirty-second degree Mason. On September 5, 1897, he married Louise Maxwell, of Rockford, and they have Philip and Mary Louise. The family resides at 1522 Perry avenue. Jens B. Madsen was born in Prasto, Denmark, on January 11, 1867, and is a son of Hans and Marguerite (Petersen) Madsen, both of whom were also natives of Prasto, Denmark. There the father, a successful farmer, resided during the whole period of his life. He died in 1898 and his wife in 1886. Their son, Jens B., was educated in the common schools at Prasto, and at the age of sixteen years was apprenticed for four years to learn the cabinet- making business at Prasto. In 1890 he crossed the Atlantic and came to Chicago and entered the employ of the Halvorsen Cabinet shops, manufacturers of folding beds, and there he remained for a period of five years. Succeeding this service he was with the Union Show Case company for two years. In 1897 he opened a cabinet shop of his own at 143 North Hermitage avenue and began the man ufacture of show cases, employing seven or eight men, and operat ing under the firm name of J. B. Madsen & Company. During the last ten years the business has grown so enormously that he has been forced to employ about -one hundred men. He is engaged in the manufacture of store and office fixtures, and his products find ready sale in all portions of the United States. Mr. Madsen is a member of the Maccabees. On August 20, 1906, he married Martha Haver- berg, of Chicago, and they have the following children : Marguerite, Ella, Emil and James. The family resides at 916 North Webster avenue. Dr. Frank Branen was born August 5, 1867, and is a son of Wil liam and Margaret (Briggs) Branen, the father being of Scotch descent and the mother of English, and born in Fayette county, Ohio. The father located in that county at an early date and engaged in farming and stock-raising. On more than one occasion he drove hogs all the way from Washington Courthouse to Baltimore, Md. Vol. 11—44. 742 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY He died in September, 1893, and the mother in 1898, both well ad vanced in years and having the respect of all who knew them. Their son, Dr. Frank, was educated in the public schools and Washington Courthouse high school, and- in early manhood taught school for a few years. He finally entered Hahnemann Medical col lege, Philadelphia, and was graduated with credit therefrom in the class of 1891. Immediately thereafter he served one year as interne in the college hospital. In 1892 he came to Chicago and began prac ticing at the corner of Madison and San Francisco streets. He was one of the first attending physicians of the Baptist hospital, and on the staff of the Garfield Park sanitarium. He was one of the phy sicians and surgeons of the original staff of the college where he lectured for five years. He is a member of the Cook County Homeo pathic society, the Illinois Homeopathic society, the American Insti tute of Homeopathy, the Ashland club, the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias. In 1884 he maried Lizzie N.- Sanford, of Charles City, Iowa. The family resides at 961 West Monroe street. Arthur W. Lovell was born April 15, 1861, and is a son of Darus W. and Jeanette R. (Brown) Lovell, of Hampshire county, Mass., whose ancestors came to the colonies in the Mayflower, and have become numerous and prominent in all portions of the country since that time. The father of sub j ect was engaged in merchandising at Cummington, Mass., for thirty years, but retired from that occupa tion in 1881. He- came west and invested extensively in real estate in Chicago and Battle Creek, Mich. Though seventy-five years old he still looks after his real estate interests and takes as active an in terest in the progress of humanity as ever. He is a strong Republi can and in Massachusetts served in the Legislature, 1874-76. He was also mayor of the town of Cummington and otherwise promi nent and useful in public affairs. Arthur W., his son, was educated in the public schools and in of 1883. He came to Chicago the same year and engaged in the real estate business with offices in the Tacoma building and under the name .of Lovell Real Estate agency. He began to do a general real estate business throughout the city and has continued thus occu pied down to the present time with steadily expanding sphere of labor and usefulness. At a later date he removed his offices to 180 Western avenue. He is a member of the Chicago Athletic club, is a Republican and is active in local politics. In June, 1893, he mar ried Belle J. Jennings, of Chicago, and has one child, Jeanette, aged about two years. The family resides at 1012 Monroe street. Charles F. Gormley was born at Lexington, Ky., on July 22, 1865, and is a son of James and Alice (Kearney) Gormley. The father, who was born in Ireland, came to the United States in the early fifties, located at Lexington and there engaged in the hotel business, continuing the same for eight years. The father died when Charles was but six vears old, and the mother died when he was but twelve HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 743 years old. This unfortunate calamity threw him on his own re sources at an early age. He was educated in parochial schools and in a Catholic college. He learned the carriage and piano painting trade and after three years spent in Cincinnati, from 1880 to 1883, he went to St. Louis where he followed his trade for one year. In 1885 he came to Chicago and for a while worked for the Tudor Buggy company and later for the C. P. Kimball Carriage company, continuing with the latter concern four years. He then began doing business for himself, contracting on a small scale but gradually widening his operations. He is now engaged in a general business of painting, decorating, hardwood finishing and general building con tracting and employs fifty men during the busy seasons. He is one of the substantial and reliable citizens of the city. He is a Republi can and is active and prominent in local politics and public affairs. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus. On April 16, 1891, he married Mary E. Curran, of Cincinnati, and they have James P., born March 12, 1892; Charles Auburn, born February 3, 1894, and Annie Marie, born May 26, 1896. The family resides at 1233 Jack son boulevard. Dr. Loren Wilder was born January 21, 1873, and is a son of Ed- son L. and Jane (Watson) Wilder. The mother was born near Ab erdeen, Scotland, and came to the United States with her parents in 1871, locating in Livingston county, Illinois. Edson L. was born in Sandy Creek, N. Y. His ancestors date back to the time of the Mayflower in America. At the age of sixteen years he came west with his parents and located in Peoria county, 111., later moving to Livingston county, where he engaged in farming near Cridley. Ten years ago he retired and moved to Pontiac, where he still resides in the enjoyment of good health. He is a Democrat and for many years was active in local politics. To him and wife were born four children : Loren, Edson A., George W. and Frances Jeanette. Dr. Loren Wilder was educated in the public schools and at Eureka college. In 1897 he came to Chicago and entered Rush Medical college from which he was duly graduated with credit in the class of 1901. He has since been engaged in a general practice in this city. He served as interne in the Post Graduate hospital for one year ; was also interne in the Chicago Lying-in hospital. He was for four years surgeon for the Western Electric company. He is on the attending staff as surgeon of the Robert Burns hospital. He is a member of the Chicago and the Illinois Medical societies and of the American Medical association. He is a Mason and a Knight of Pythias. He is a Democrat and takes much interest in the success of his party. In 1906 he married Mina E. Cody, of Windsor, Canada. He resides at 793 West Van Buren street and his office is at 72 Madison street. Lyman Edgar Cooley was born in Canandaigua, N. Y., on Decem ber 5, 1850, and is a son of Albert B. and Aksah (Griswold) Cooley. 744 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY His ancestors came from England to the colonies in 1632 and located at Springfield, Mass., and there the family mainly resided until after the Revolution, when about the year 1790 Lyman, grandfather of Lyman E., located in western New York and there engaged in farming. His son, Albert B. father of Lyman, succeeded him on the farm and also engaged extensively in stock-raising. To Albert B. and wife eight children were born, all of whom are living at the. present date, as follows : Morton E. is at the head of the engineering department of the University of Michigan; Ernest L. is a mechanical engineer on the Sanitary District of Chicago; two brothers reside in the West, and four of the children are living in the East. The father died in 1887 and the mother in 1891. Lyman E. received his primary education in the public schools of Canandaigua. In 1872 he entered the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N. Y., and in two years completed the four years' course, the only case of the kind in the history of the institution. In the fall of 1874 he became professor of engineering in North western University, and also taught mathematics and literature, conr tinuing until 1877. From 1875 to 1878 he was associate editor of the Engineering News, the first paper of the kind in this country. In 1878 he became assistant engineer of construction on the bridge at Glasgow, Mo. — an important feat in engineering. From 1878 to 1884 he was engaged by the government to perform important duties on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, and while thus en gaged made valuable physical studies and surveys. In 1885 he re turned to Chicago, became editor of the American Engineer, and took up his profession, that of civil engineering. It was now that his services and studies became highly important and valuable. While a member of the sub-committee of the Citizens' association, he pre pared the report which was the initial step in the publicity resulting in the construction of the drainage canal. He helped to organize the drainage and water supply commission, of which he was chief assistant in 1886-7. From that time forward until 1897 Mr. Cooley was intimately connected with every step made toward the completion of the canal, as assistant engineer, chief, consulting, en gineer, trustee, special representative to the legislature, and expert committeeman. In 1888-91 he was consulting engineer to the State Board of Health, and as such investigated the water supply of the state. In 1896-7 he was a member of the commission that devised the wonderful intercepting sewer system of Chicago. In 1895-7 he was a member of the International Deep Waterways commission which considered the feasibility of a navigable route from the great lakes to the Atlantic. He was engaged in 1897-8 as consulting engineer by a group of ten contracting firms which contemplated building the Isthmian canal. He inspected both the Panama and Nicaragua routes until operations were stopped by the war in Cuba, after which the project was assumed by the govern- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 745 ment. At the same time he was advising engineer of the Erie canal extension, where an expenditure of $9,000,000 was contemplated for improvement ; he was appointed by the New York State commis sion to investigate the expenditure of the money. From 1899 to 1904 he served as consulting engineer for the Union Water Works company, of Denver, which built the highest masonry dam in the world — 225 feet. In 1900 he was a member of the United States -Postal service movement to investigate the use of the pneumatic tube mail service. From 1900 to 1905 he served as engineer on the immense dam across the Mississippi river at Keokuk, Iowa — a structure 35 feet high and 7,000 feet long. During this period, also, he was engaged in similar capacities on numerous water, drainage, flood and other projects throughout the western states. In 1904-7 he reported on the flood situation at Grand Rapids, Mich., and in 1905 reported on the same conditions and on the location of the barge canal at Rochester, N. Y. About this time he was called in consultation by Omaha and Racine to aid in improving the water systems of those cities and in estimating their values. Since 1906 he has been retained by the state of Illinois on the Great Lakes and Gulf Deep Waterway project, promoted the legislation on the sub ject, and wrote the state report concerning that proposed improve ment. Much of his time for the last three years has been spent in the furtherance of this vast enterprise. He has written extensively for papers, magazines and books on the various subjects embraced in his profession, and in addition has lectured and spoken on special topics before the various western universities. He has practiced his profession in twenty-one different states'" and in five foreign countries. He is the author of two very important books on the deep waterway proposition. He was president of the Western Society of Engineers in 1890-1, is a member of the American Society of Civil Engi neers, member of the National Geographical Engineering Society, Chicago Academy of Sciences, Chicago Press club, Owl club, etc. In 1874 he married Lucina McMillan, of New York, and has two living children : Charles A., a resident of Toledo, Ohio, and Re- x becca L., now Mrs. C. M. Graham, of Maryville, Mo. Mr. Cooley resides at Evanston, 111. Fred W. Bishop is a son of Harry A. and Emma (Dower) Bishop and was born May 22, 1879. The father came to Burlington, Iowa, in 1857 with his parents, but soon was taken to Memphis, Tenn., and there later Harry's father engaged in contracting and built many notable local structures among which was the famous Peabody hotel. In 1863 he was killed by guerrillas. His son, Harry A., went on a prospecting tour to Colorado and Wyoming in the early seventies and met with unexpected success. He disposed of his claims and came to Chicago in 1878, and for about ten years was Chicago rep resentative and salesman of a St. Louis house. In 1888, after a period in Arkansas, where he held land interests, he engaged in con- 746 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY tracting in Chicago, setting boilers and furnaces and was first located in the Rookery, then in the Continental National Bank building, but is now in the Commercial National Bank building. He is promi nent and successful and is fifty-three years of age. His son, Fred W., was educated in the public and high schools and finished in 1897 with a course in the Armour Institute. For two years he clerked for N. K. Fairbank & Co., but in 1899 joined his father and later had the management of estimates and engineer ing and while thus engaged was called to all parts of the United States. The company are specialists in boiler construction and instal lation and have done ninety per cent of the high-class work in this line in this section of the country. They installed the power house, car barns and masonry work of the Havana Electric Railway, Havana, Cuba. For a time they had an office in Birmingham, Ala. They did contract work for the government on the postoffices at Jackson, Miss., and Versailles, Ky. They also installed all the boil ers for the Edison company, the Cosmopolitan Electric company, and many others. Mr. Bishop is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow orders and of the Hinsdale and Hinsdale Golf club. On June 1, 1901, he married Elizabeth A. Hoskin, of Chicago, and they have Grace Charlotte and Ruth Emily. They reside at Hinsdale. Patrick Henry Rice, president of the Rice Malting & Grain Co., was born September 9, 1849, in County Wexford, Ireland, the son of William and Mary (Furlong) Rice. He came to America with his parents in 1850, settling first in Belvidere, 111., and later at Elgin, where his father was a distiller. He attended the public schools of Elgin, graduating therefrom at the age of fourteen years, and sub sequently took a course at Notre Dame, South Bend., Ind., from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1866. That year Mr. Rice came to Chicago and entered the employ of F. E. Rigby, retailer of paints, wall paper, etc., where he remained until 1871, then buying a small malt house at Elgin and operating it in connection with his father. After the great fire of 1871 he estab lished a malt house in Chicago and in 1875 bought and enlarged a distillery at the corner of Kinzie and Seymour streets. He subse quently purchased and built other malting plants, and is now presi dent of his company and a director of the United Breweries company. He was director of the Fort Dearborn National Bank and. was one of the organizers and the first president of the Lake Street Elevated rail way. Previous to 1896 he had been a Democrat, but, with many others, changed his political faith at that time. In 1878 he married Mary J. Walsh, of Chicago, and they have William P., Walter J., Conway L., Paul H. and Vera C. Mr. Rice is a Roman Catholic in religion, being identified with St. James church. He belongs to the Sheridan club and the Knights of Columbus, and with his family resides at 415 Sheridan Road. His offices are located at 255 La Salle street, Chicago. In conjunction with his son, William P., he HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 747 invented the Rice system of malting, which they recently sold to a syndicate of eastern capitalists for $2,000,000. Their patents virtu ally control the manufacture of malt in this country and Canada, and the Rice Malting Co., with headquarters in Chicago, will be the greatest concern in its line. The subject of this sketch is justly proud of this fact. William A. Tilden has occupied for the last decade a prominent position in banking and financial circles. He was born June 17, 1858, at Delavan, Wis., and there grew to manhood and was educated. While yet in his teens he went to Toronto, Canada, where his business career began as office assistant. In the early eighties he came to Chicago and secured employment in the army of com mercial travelers, representing what even then was one of the great business centers of America. In 1888 he quit the road in order to take charge of the office of the manufacturing firm of Heywood & Morrill, now the firm of Heywood Brothers & Wakefield company ; but in 1897 resigned his position in order to become assistant cashier of the Drovers' National bank, located at the Union Stock Yards. This bank has become one of the most widely known banking insti tutions of the country by reason of its extensive relations with the great stock interests of the west. In 1899 Mr. Tilden became cashier of this bank and in 1906 was elected its president. In June, 1908, he was elected president of the Fort Dearborn National bank, a posi tion he has since occupied with conspicuous ability and fidelity. At the same time he has been vice-president of the Drovers' Deposit National bank. Such in brief is the career of a man typical of this great throbbing, industrial city. Mr. Tilden is a member of the Union League, Midday, Chicago Athletic and South Shore Country clubs. He is married and resides at 4747 Woodlawn avenue. Lewis B. Scharringhausen is a-son of Henry and Adelaide (Land- meier) Scharringhausen, and was born in Elk Grove township Janu ary 1, 1856. The father was a native of Hanover and the mother of West Phalen. They left the old country and came by sailing ves sel to the United States, the father arriving in Cook county in 1833. They were married in 1853 and had a family of ten children, all of whom except one are still living. Lewis B. was educated in the pub lic schools near his home, also at Des Plaines after his thirteenth year and still later at the Horton school in Chicago. He was then apprenticed in the harness business to Christian Scharringhausen, of Des Plaines and during this service attended night schools for about three years. Then for two years he worked for Charles Wicke, of Des Plaines, and Ortmeyer & Company, of Chicago. In 1876 he returned to Elk Grove, his birthplace, and established a shoe and harness shop of his own, continuing the same for three years. In 1879 he opened a store in Elgin, but in 1881 returned to Des Plaines and reopened his harness store, but continued his real estate business and was appointed bailiff by H. C. Senne and held the office for six- 748 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY teen years. In 1904 he was elected president of the village board and has served as such to the present with credit and distinction. In 1881 he was elected justice of the peace and has served as such ever since. A number of years ago he was admitted -to the bar, his sixteen years as bailiff giving him superior knowledge of court prac tices. He is a Republican, a member of the German Evangelical church, and has a family of four sons and four daughters, all of whom are living. In 1877 he married Sophia Biermann, daughter of William and Sophia (Heifers) Biermann, of Germany. The Des Plaines auditorium is composed wholly of material from the old Cook county courthouse brought to the village by Mr. Scharring hausen. He well recollects when as a boy of thirteen years he herded two hundred head of cattle in Elk Grove and found shelter from storms in one of the early prairie dug-outs. Elwin D. Scott was born August 2, 1849, his parents being Enos and Elizabeth A. (Upton) Scott, natives of Vermont and Massa chusetts, respectively, and a grandson of Alpheus Scott and Jedediah Upton, who were both natives of Connecticut. He was born in Somerset, Vt., and came with his parents to Des Plaines village in 1852. His early life was similar to that of the average boy of that period. He attended the public schools of Des Plaines until he was sixteen years old and secured in the meantime a good common school education. In 1865, having finished his education, he began work on his father's farm three miles south of Des Plaines and continued thus actively employed until 1882, during which period after attain ing his majority, he served his township with credit in various of ficial capacities. In 1882 Mr. Scott moved to his present residence in Des Plaines and since that date has been one of the prominent, substantial and successful business men of that place. He has served with distinction as trustee of Des Plaines and is identified with many public movements that have made this one of the most desirable suburbs in which to reside. He is a Mason, a Republican and a member of the Congregational church. He is one of the most active, reliable and successful real estate men in this portion of the country, and also conducts an insurance agency. On June 28, 1876, he mar ried Ella A. Webster, and to them were born the following children : Mary S., born March 15, 1877, and Cornelia A., born October 13, 1885. The former is now the wife of Richard C. Huston and re sides in Indiana. George Runge is the son of August and the grandson of Henry Runge, one of the pioneers of Leyden township, who bought his farm as school land. Henry was a native of Lansberger, Hanover, Germany, was a teamster, and married there Dorothea Bonholtz; they came to America about 1840 in a sailing vessel and were six weeks in making the passage. On the way the food gave out and the passengers were put on short rations. They came direct to Leyden township, where Henry's brother-in-law, Franzen, known as the HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 749 " cap-maker," had settled a short distance west of George's present place. Henry bought 160 acres of school land where George now lives, much ©f which was then under water, but now is the best farm land in the township. His first cabin was of logs and contained but one room. Three of their children were born in Germany and three here. Henry was one of the founders of the first Evangelical church in this section. He was one of the first "Lincoln Republicans," and lived to the great age of 95 years. His son, August, was born on this farm and was here reared and educated in the early schools. He married Amelia Volberding, daughter of Fred, a pioneer of DuPage county. August, brother of George, received eighty acres from his father and also bought out the other heirs and thus became the owner of the old homestead. August and wife were members of the St. John Evangelical Lutheran church. He was a stanch Republican and is now retired from business. George, his son, was born on the old home farm November 21, 1871, and was reared as a farmer. He attended the public schools and finished at Bryant & Stratton's Business college. In 1893 he married Clara, daughter of Barney and Mary (Schoppe) Landmeier. He is one of the prominent and substantial citizens of the county. He has greatly improved the old home farm and has drained it with five cars loads of tile, making it one of the best in the vicinity. He now owns about 156 acres. He was collector for two years and is a Republican. He is the father of the following children: Harry and Laura. The family are members of the St. John Lutheran Evangelical church, of which Mr. Runge has been deacon. John M. Dunphy, who knows everybody and whom everybody knows and respects, was born in Utica, N. Y, October 2, 1834. As a lad he attended the common schools. During early manhood he served an apprenticeship as a bricklayer and plasterer, his "employer being James Benton, one time mayor of Utica, and a man for whom Mr. Dunphy has always entertained the highest regard. Our sub ject came first to Chicago in 1855, but after a short residence, re moved to Beloit, Wis., where he remained until April, 1858, when he returned to Chicago and has ever since made this place his home. In 1863 he began taking contracts on his own account, and in the following year erected the first Jewish synagogue built of stone and brick, which stood at the corner of Fourth avenue and Harrison street. During the years immediately following he built the Cathe dral of the Holy Name , the diocese church of this Catholic parish ; the St. Columbian's church, at Paulina and Grand avenue; St. Jar- lath's church, Jackson boulevard, near Ogden avenue, and the Italian Catholic church on Illinois street. These well-known structures rep resent but a small percentage of the buildings erected under the supervision of Mr. Dunphy. He built the whole block on Washing ton street, between State and Dearborn streets, the magnificent resi dence of George M. Pullman at Prairie avenue and Eighteenth 750 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY street, and scores of other business blocks and residences throughout the city. Mr. Dunphy, because of his personal worth and unblem ished character, was elected West Town collector in 1879. He served in this position with great credit, and was in 1883 elected city treasurer. To this position he gave the best that was in him, and consequently in 1899 was appointed building commissioner by Mayor Dewitt C. Cregier. It can be said of him that during the whole of his public career he never was accused of anything of a shady or underhand character; that he served the people honestly and with the same careful regard to the highest principles of right that have been the measure of his conduct both in public and private life. His wife was Miss Mary Doyle, of Chicago, who died Janu ary 28, 1907. Mr. Dunphy, who has passed the allotted age by sev eral years, is still actively engaged in business. James Cooper was reared as a farmer and has always pursued that occupation. He is a son of Thomas and Eleanor (Hewson) Cooper, members of the most prominent families in this part of the county. He was born in this township, August 5, 1851, and was educated in the common schools of his district. He remained with his parents until he was about twenty-five years old, when he bought forty acres of land in Orland township and began farming on his own account. On October 6, 1875, he married Mary A. Daniel, who is also a na tive of this township, her birth occurring July 17, 1856, being the daughter of Thomas and Martha (Stone) Daniel. Her parents were early and respected citizens of Cook county. Mary A. died April 2, 1890, having borne her husband the following children: Thomas D., born August 18, 1877; Elmer L, born July 14, 1879; Celia M., born July 13, 1884. On January 2, 1895, Mr. Cooper married Katherine Wiler, who was born in this township May 29, 1874, and is a daughter of Martin and Mary (Hustard) Wiler. Her parents were natives of Germany and among the early and prominent citizens of this county. To Mr. Cooper's second marriage the following chil dren were born: Cora H, born October 16, 1897, and Everett J., born May 20, 1906. He is a Republican, takes much interest in the success of his party, but does not aspire to office. He has served his township as collector and for over twenty years has been school di rector. Wladislaus Dyniewicz, publisher of the Gazeta Polska, the oldest Polish paper in America, located on Noble street, is of Lithuanian stock and was born at Chwalkowo, Prussian Poland, June 13, 1843, a son of Karol and Julianna (Szutczynski) Dyniewicz. The paternal- grandfather, Adam Dyniewicz, left Lithuania in 1815 on account of a revolution in which he was a participant, and fled to Prussian Poland, and while there added the middle syllable to his name, which has since been retained by his descendants. Wladislaus Dyniewicz was reared in his native country, educated in the principal schools of Wrzesnia, and there learned the trade of a machinist. In Febru- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 751 ary, 1866, he started for the United States and was three months making the passage on a sailing vessel. He located first in Chats worth, 111., and there secured employment in a sugar-beet factory as a machinist. In 1867 he located in Chicago and entered the employ of the McCormick Harvester company. He later was employed in the lumber yards and subsequently for about six years was an em ploye of the Northwestern Railway company. During the last three years of this period he was gang boss on locomotive work. The first safety valve used on locomotives was the invention of Wladislaus Dyniewicz, but unfortunately was never patented by him. In 1873 he established the Gazeta Polska, a weekly publication, and this he has since conducted. It probably was the first Polish paper established in America and at the present time has a circulation of about 12,000. January 17, 1863, Mr. Dyniewicz married Albertina, daughter of John Nepumocen Krygier, of Roznowo, Province of Posen, Prussian Poland, and to them eight children have been born : Casimir W ; An gela, wife of Paul A. Leischner; Wanda, wife of Joseph Kwasieswski; Edwin M., editor of Gazeta Polska; Leon W., mana ger of Gazeta Polska; Mary P., wife of Stanislaus Kuflewski ; Yad- wiga, wife of Leon J. Nowak, and Matthew J. Mr. Dyniewicz has nineteen grandchildren of whom he is justly proud. He is a mem ber of the Holy Trinity Polish Roman Catholic church, the Polish National Alliance and the Art Institute of Chicago. He is a Republi can in politics but his paper is Independent Republican. The first present Mr. Dyniewicz gave his wife before their marriage was the reproduction of a pin, the emblem of Poland, with the name of Boze Zbaw Polska thereon. Casimir W. Dyniewicz, dealer in real estate, loans, insurance, rent ing and a notary public at 1151 Milwaukee avenue, was born in Posen, Prussian Poland, February 6, 1865, the oldest son of Wladis laus Dyniewicz, a prominent citizen and publisher of Chicago, appro priate mention of whom immediately precedes this. When two years old he came with his parents to the United States and has practically lived his entire life in Chicago. He received his education in the public schools of the city and at St. Ignatius college, and then began learning the trade of printer, as printer's "devil," in his father's es tablishment. After serving in all departments of the printing busi ness up to that of editor, he embarked in the real estate business in 1899, and this he has since successfully continued. He began his real estate operations in a small way, but close application to business and a practical knowledge of real estate values has enabled him to en large his field of operations until he is now considered one of the large dealers of Chicago. One of the more recent bargains closed by him was the purchase during the spring of 1909, of forty acres at Higgins and North Sixtieth avenues in Jefferson Park, which he has subdivided under the name of Angeline Dyniewicz Park, it being a subdivision of the northeast quarter of the southwest 752 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY quarter of section 8, township 40 north, range 13 east of the third principal meridian. This property is divided into half acre pieces and business lots. Mr. Dyniewicz is one of the prominent Polish-Ameri can citizens of Chicago. In politics heis a Republican on national issues. He is also president of the W. Dyniewicz Publishing com pany, a corporation doing a general publishing, printing and binding business in the Polish language, besides publishing the oldest Polish newspaper in the United States, the Gazeta Polska. He belongs to the Holy Trinity Polish Roman Catholic church, the National Po lish Alliance, the Royal League and the Royal Arcanum. On August 4, 1887, he married Angeline, daughter of Joseph and Joan (Marsch- ank) Wysocki, of Chicago, and to them six children have been born: Adela, Jadwiga, Bronislawa, Washington, Jeanette and Casimira. Arcangelo Mercola is one of the representative Chicago Italian business men who has achieved success in the land of his adoption. His parents, Thomas and Mary R. (Rossi) Mercola, were of the Province of Caserta, Baia-Latina, Italy, where the father for more than a score of years followed his trade of ladies' tailor. He later engaged as general steamship agent, real estate dealer and attorney. He died in 1898 leaving an honored name for his descendants to cherish ; his widow survives him and lives on the old homestead. They were the parents of the following four children, the first three named residing in Chicago : Arcangelo, Michael, Arcangelina and Joseph. Arcangelo Mercola was born February 27, 1883, and was reared to man's estate in his lative land, securing his education in the public schools and two years and a half in the private schools of Caserta. Under the careful training of his father he learned the ladies' tailor ing trade and when sixteen years old embarked in this line of busi ness for himself. Believing that better opportunities existed in America for his advancement he came to the United States in 1900, and for a short time worked at his trade in New York and in Mead ville, Penn., and for eighteen months in St. Louis. In 1903 he came to Chicago and entered the employ of Lincoln Bartlett for whom, in a short time, he became head tailor. Wisely concluding that it was to his best interests to be in business for himself, he opened an estab lishment in the ladies' tailoring business at 33 Auditorium building and here he continued until 1909. Possessed of a pleasing person ality and being a complete master of his trade, it was not long until he acquired a large patronage which has grown to such an extent that he is known as one of the foremost in his line of business in the city. On May 1, 1909, in order to procure more suitable quarters to accom modate his growing business, he moved to his present location, 189-91 Wabash avenue. Mr. Mercola, while of foreign birth, is in all essen tials an enterprising American, thoroughly loyal to Chicago and a be liever in its present and future greatness, and a willing contributor in all that presages good for the city and country. February 2, 1907, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Halloran, and to them HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 753 two sons, Thomas and Arcangelo, have been born. The family home is at 5318 Drexel avenue. Everett Austin Thornton, president of the E. A. Thornton Lumber company, 1103 Chamber of Commerce building, was born in De Peyster, N. Y., July 2, 1869, and is a son of Alonzo and Mary Eliza beth (Austin) Thornton. He was educated in the schools of Heuvelton, N. Y., and at the St. Lawrence University, Canton, N. Y., graduating from the latter in 1891 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He then taught school, and in 1892 came to Chicago and entered the employ of the Central Lumber company, later engaging his services to C. H. Mears & Company and remaining thus occupied until 1901. He then entered into partnership with C. M. Smalley in the lumber trade and did an independent business under partnership agreement, with headquarters at Chicago. While thus engaged Mr. Thornton established a lumber brokerage business, handled northern woods and operated in the name of E. A. Thornton. In 1907 the E. A. Thornton Lumber company was organized and Mr. Thornton was elected its president and still occupies this position. The firm has since added a box department which is doing a large and increasing busi ness. He is president of the Marquette Box & Lumber company, of Marquette, Mich. He is a member of the University, Chicago, Auto mobile and Edgewater clubs, the Masonic and Knights of Pythias fraternities and of the Alpha Tau Omega college brotherhood. Mr. Thornton's father was a native of De Peyster, N. Y., and was engaged in the lumber business. He owned large tracts of lumber lands and several lumber mills. He was of English descent and his wife of Dutch descent. Everett A. owns considerable land in Ches terton and Porter, Ind. He was married December 21, 1898, to Edith Frances Grosse and resides at 4143 Sheridan Road. George F. Thompson, M. D., was born March 17, 1875, and is a son of Moses C. and Margaret (Bellew) Thompson, the father being a native of Bangor, Maine, and the mother of Chicago. The latter was of Irish descent and a daughter of John Bellew, who located here in the fifties. Moses C. Thompson came to Oconto, Wis., in 1856, and began work as a laborer in the lumber camps, but was soon advanced to foreman and finally to superintendent. He and his wife are now living retired and both are active arid well. Their children were as follows: George F., Leola, now the wife of Dr. A. B. Sturm, of Elgin, and May. Dr. George E, their son, was educated in the public and high schools of Oconto and finished his literary education by attending the University of Wisconsin at Madison, being duly graduated there from in 1896 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He then came to Chicago, entered Rush Medical college from which he was also graduated in the class of 1899. After serving a year and a half in- terneship in the Cook County hospital, he began the general practice of his profession with offices at the corner of Blue Island avenue and 754 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Harrison street. Since 1901 he has been attending surgeon at the Cook County hospital, and since 1900 has been instructor in surgery at Rush Medical college. He is professor of Gynecology at the Illi nois Post Graduate college and surgeon for the Wisconsin Central railway. He is a member of the Chicago Medical Society and the Knights of Columbus. On June 11, 1902, he married Irma Sturm, of Chicago, and they, with their three daughters, Dorothy, Irma and Helen, reside at 1440 Congress street. Lawrence G. Hallberg was born at Wenersnas, Sweden, Septem ber 4, 1844, and is only son of Jonas and Mary Christina Hallberg. He was educated in public and private schools and at the Chalmers Polytechnic Institute at Gothenburg, Sweden, from which he gradu ated, 1866, and afterwards at the Academy of Fine Arts, Stockholm. In early life spent some time in travel throughout Europe. He studied architecture, desiring to make that his business throughout life. He began practicing that profession at Gothenburg and Gefle, Sweden, but finally, in 1871, came to Chicago and here he has resid ed and practiced ever since. Mr. Hallberg was the first to raise serious objection to the manner of turning the Chicago sewage into its water supply. He advocated keeping water courses and lakes free from pollution; and in 1879 presented a large petition to the Chicago city council to keep the sew age out of the lake and the river ; but to return it to the earth where it belongs. His ideas, however, were not fully appreciated because a temporary relief costing about $50,000,000 was the subsequent re sult. Mr. Hallberg is also the originator of plain sagged bars for rein forced concrete floor construction and has erected many buildings in that manner very creditably. He says that will be the building con struction in the future. He has built up an excellent reputation in his most difficult profes sion. Numerous buildings throughout the city attest the thorough ness of his knowledge and the attractiveness and usefulness of his art and skill. He -is a fellow of the American Institute of Architects, member of the Western Society of Engineers, an associate member of the Chicago Real Estate Board, and a member of the Chicago As sociation of Commerce. He is a Republican and resides at Evanston, and his office is at 84 La Salle street. In October, 1881, he married Florence P. Estey, and they have the following children : Margaret L., Marie Josephine, Lawrence G. and Norman D'Este. Joseph Corson Llewellyn, distinguished architect of Chicago, was born in Philadelphia, Penn., July 22, 1855, and is a son of David R. and Huldah S. (Corson) Llewellyn. He was educated in the com mon schools and finished his technical education in the University of Illinois, graduating from that institution in 1877. For the succeed ing two years he was an instructor in the University of Illinois. From 1879 to 1880 was building superintendent with J. W. Givens of St. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 755 Louis. From 1880 to 1886 he occupied the office of superintendent with the Lindell railway, of St. Louis. From 1886 to 1893 he was engaged in various branches of work, but since 1893 he has devoted himself wholly to the practice of his profession of architecture. He is recognized as one of the ablest architects in the city. For two terms he was president of the Architectural League of America, and • is a member of the following organizations : Union League club, American Institute of Architects, Chicago Architectural club and the LaGrange Country club. In his political views Mr. Llewellyn is a Republican. His office is in the First National Bank building and his residence at LaGrange. In May, 1883, he married at Monticello, 111., Emma C. Piatt, and their children are Ralph C, Clafinne, Ruth and Vida. Frank C. Weber, founder and president of the wholesale grocery firm of Frank C. Weber & Company, is a native of Chicago, his birth occurring August 11, 1874. Philip J. and Elizabeth (Koehler) Weber, his parents, were natives of Baden, Germany, and there the father received his education in the public schools and learned the carpenter's trade during early manhood. He also bears an honored record as a veteran of the Franco-Prussian war. In 1871, realizing the advantages to be had in America, the family came to this country and located in Chicago, where the father embarked in the retail gro cery business. Ke continued thus occupied at different locations until 1894, when he returned on a visit to his native country. Shortlyafter- wards he returned to Chicago and was admitted to the present whole sale firm which had been established by his son, Frank C. Web er. At this writing the concern is officered by Frank C. Weber, presi dent; Antone H. Weber, vice-president; Philip J. Weber, Sr., treas urer, and Philip J. Weber, Jr., secretary. The steady growth of commercial houses from small concerns to commanding positions in the business world is brought about by certain fixed principles. In the present instance only first-class goods are handled, only reputable men are employed and the word and credit of the house have been so safe-guarded that it is considered one of the best firms of its line in the city. Frank C. Weber, the subject of this review, received his education in the public and parochial schools of this city, and began his busi ness career at the age of thirteen years as a clerk in his father's re tail store. He mastered the details of the retail trade and when only nineteen years old embarked in the wholesale business on his own ac count. Later he admitted his father and two brothers to the business and to their combined efforts is due the present size and excellent reputation of the firm. At the present time they transact an annual business of over $1,000,000, and by confining it to the South Side are enabled to make deliveries with great convenience and prompt ness. Although actively engaged in the business at the present time, Mr. Weber also has seen fit to cultivate the social side of life, and his 756 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY fine home at 1638 West Garfield boulevard has been the scene of many dinners and entertainments to his friends. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and of the Sherman Park club. On June 22, 1897, he was united in marriage with Mary H. Enzenbacher, of Chicago, and the daughter of a West Side wholesale cigar manufac turer. His business location is at 619-23 West Sixty-third street. Oswald James Arnold, secretary of the Illinois Life Insurance company, was born at Rochester, N. Y., October 29, 1873. James Arnold, his father, was a native of County Louth, Ireland, his birth occurring March 17, 1839, and to his marriage with Elizabeth Mc- Kenna, also a native of County Louth, there were born these chil dren : Charlotte E., Mary (Mrs. Mann, deceased), William (de ceased), Oswald J. and Harriet (Mrs. McKenzie). To better his circumstances James Arnold immigrated to America and for a num ber of years resided in the state of New York, where he followed the occupation of a general building contractor, a part of the time being associated with the late George Chambers and R. E. Moss. Prior to this he served as general superintendent on the ' Brown-Howard & Company division of the Croton Aqueduct, N. Y. Since the year 1888, Oswald J. Arnold has been a resident of Cook county, 111., and since 1897 has resided in Palos township, where he is engaged in the life insurance business and banking and is now the president of the board of school trustees of Palos township. The family home is at Palos Park. Oswald Janies Arnold received his education in the public schools of Tarrytown, N. Y., and the North Division high school, Chicago. From the University of Chicago he received the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1897. Originally he had decided to become a lawyer, but abandoning this he entered the employ of the Illinois Life Insurance company, also taking up the study of actuarial science. He made rapid progress in the field of insurance and after serving in various capacities was elected assistant secretary in 1900, and one year later ( 1901 ) was elected secretary, actuary and director of the company, positions he has since occupied, and is also a member of the executive and finance committees. Mr. Arnold is also a director and chairman of the examining committee of the Prairie National bank, and a director of the Plotel LaSalle company. In re ligion he is an Episcopalian and in politics a Republican. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Actuaries and a member of its board of governors. In the Masonic fraternity he has attained the thirty-second degree in Oriental Consistory, and is a Noble of Medinah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. In social affairs Mr. Arnold holds membership in the Union League, University, Chicago Ath letic, South Shore, Midlothian Country and Hamilton clubs. He is unmarried and resides at Palos Park and at the Hotel LaSalle, Chi cago. William F. Roach, the son of Michael and Mary (Radley) Roach, was born April 30, 1874. The parents were natives of Ireland, the HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 757 father coming from County Tipperary and the mother, County Cork. The father immigrated to the United States and Buffalo in 1842, at the age of fifteen years, and here he learned the blacksmith's trade. In 1854 he came to Chicago and secured employment as an iron worker with the Willetts, carriage builders, in time becoming their superintendent and remaining with them for thirty years. He then retired for one year, but working had become a strong habit with him, and he was, upon solicitation, appointed park policeman at Douglas Park. He lived for thirty years at 191 Twelfth street, one block from where the big fire of 1871 started and died April 24, 1897, at 1112 Hamlin avenue. The mother died April 24, 1901, at the age of sixty-eight years. To them were born the following children, all but one of whom are yet living: John, James T., Simon, Joseph (deceased), Anna, Katie, Mary, Elizabeth, Julia, Emma and Aggie. They were the grandparents of twenty-six children. The education of William, our subject, was acquired in public and parochial schools and at St. Patrick's Academy. He also attended one year at the Metropolitan Business college, shortly after which he entered the claim department of the Fort Wayne branch of the Penn sylvania railroad. Here he remained until 1892, when he became cashier and paymaster for the Wuerpel Switch and Signal company, having charge of all the switches and signals entering the main depot at the World's Columbian Exposition. During 1894-6 he served as desk sergeant of the police force detailed in the drainage canal. In 1896 he engaged in the undertaking business at 3343 Ogden avenue, Lawndale, where he still continues. In politics he is a Democrat, though locally independent. He is identified with the following or ganizations: Knights of Columbus, Columbian Knights, Macca bees, Knights of Pythias, Catholic Order of Foresters, Modern Woodmen of America, Royal League, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Bankers' Life Association, and the Eagles. March 13, 1897, he mar ried Mollie Kane, of Chicago, and they have two children, William and Erma. They reside at 3343 Ogden avenue. Frank Joseph Reichmann, vice-president and general manager of Street's Western Stable Car line, is a native of this city, born October 1, 1860, a son of Joseph and Dorothea (Kriete) Reichmann. The father was born near the city of Stuttgart, Germany, and received his education in the engineering schools of that country. He first be gan practicing his profession in England, but subsequently came to America and entered the office of George Weisenborn, designing en gineer, New York city. He then came to Chicago and conducted a machine shop, but failed with many others in the panic of 1857. He next went to Dubuque, Iowa, in connection with a steamboat enter prise on the Mississippi river, but later returned to Chicago where he had charge of the installation of all machinery in the original South Chicago Steel mills (North Chicago Rolling Mill Co.), of which concern his brother-in-law, Henry C. Kriete, was chief engi- Vol. II— 45. 758 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY neer for thirty years. Mr. Reichmann was also master mechanic for a number of years in the North Side Rolling mills, and in this en vironment, Frank J. Reichmann, received the fine practical training that was to be of such material use to him in his future business deal ings. To the father and mother thirteen children were born of which there are now Jiving: Frank Joseph (our subject), Albert, resident engineer of the American Bridge company for years and treasurer of the Western Society of Engineers ; Edward, a chemist in Indianapo lis ; Louis A. F., an attorney ; Joseph, a director and member of ex ecutive committee of the Corn Products Refining company, president and director of the Carnegie Trust company and director of the Van Norden Trust Company of New York City; Emma F., a teacher in the LaSalle school, Chicago, and Charlotte, an instructor in language at the Iowa State University. Of this family, Frank Joseph Reichmann, the subject of this re view, received his earlier education in the public schools of Dubuque, Iowa, and the Dubuque Commercial college. From 1877 to 1879 he was bookkeeper and general office man in the general merchandise store of Alexander Reichmann, Le Mars, Iowa, but in January, 1880, he entered the general offices of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway company, at Chicago. He resigned his position of chief clerk in the freight auditor's office of that road in June, 1884, to go with the National Despatch Fast Freight Line (Grand Trunk railway) as general contracting freight agent, etc. In September, 1897, when the various refrigerator car lines operating over the Grand Trunk system were consolidated under the control of the Chicago, New York & Boston Refrigerator Co., he was made general manager, serving thus until November 1, 1902. He then became general manager of Street's Western Stable Car Line, and in February, 1903, was elected a director and made vice-president and general manager of the same concern. Assuming the responsibilities of life at a very early age Mr. Reichmann has nevertheless been a close student, his bent being mechanics, political economy and law. During the term 1900-4 Mr. Reichmann served as trustee and chairman of the committee on finance of the village of River Forest. He is a life member of the Press Club of Chicago. On January 5, 1885, he was united in mar riage with Josephine Lemos, of Chicago, and they, with their chil dren, Julia, Frank J., Jr. ; Josephine D. and Ernest R.,. reside at 5207 Kimbark avenue. Mr. Reichmann's business location is at 1003, 77 Jackson boulevard. Antonio Romano is a native of Italy, his birth occurring May 15, 1872. He is the son of Michele and Teresa (Motta) Romano, both of whom were natives of the town of Laurenzana, Province of Po- tenza, Italy. The father was engaged in merchandising and in the grain, flour and grocery business, but retired in 1898. He came on a visit to Chicago in 1899, but after his return to Italy died in 1901, at the age of seventy-five years. The mother died October 16, 1894, HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 759 aged fifty-six years. They were the parents of thirteen children : Joseph, Frank, Rocco and Antonio, living, and two other boys, de ceased, and Rosa and Carmela, living, and five other girls, de ceased. Antonio came to the United States at the age of seven years in company with his brother, Rocco. For six years he followed the vo cation of musician in New York, Buffalo, Toronto, Canada and other cities. He then returned to Italy and entered college at Vig- giano. In 1890 he came to Chicago and worked for a year in his brother's jewelry store, and later for a year as a clerk in a drug store. Then in partnership with Dr. Joseph De Stef ano, he bought the drug store at Jefferson and Polk streets and continued thus occupied for three years. Later he was associated in the drug business with Mr. A. Gaul and others. He is a graduate of the Chicago College of Pharmacy — class of 1895. Since 1904 he has conducted a steamship, foreign exchange, telegraph office, water and gas office, express of fice, postal sub station, etc., and is agent for daily papers. He pros pered and in 1904 bought the four-story building which he now oc cupies. It is 78x215 feet and has seven storerooms with flats above. He owns considerable other valuable property. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of several Italian societies. In politics he is a Republican. October 23, 1899, he married Josephine De Stef- ano, of this city, and they, with their children : Teresa, Minnie and Jennie, reside at 501 N. Halsted street. The family are of the Rom an Catholic religion. In the year 1845 there was born in the city of Amsterdam, Hol land, a boy who was destined to leave the land of his nativity and achieve distinction in America. This boy was Henry Bosch, the founder of the present Henry Bosch company, of Chicago. His early education was of the practical kind, and his training was based upon the principles of thrift and honesty. In order to take advantage of the better opportunities afforded in America, he crossed the ocean in 1867, and after a brief stay in New York, went to Michigan where, for a period, he worked at his trade as a journeyman. ___ About this time Chicago was attracting wide attention by reason of its commer cial aggressiveness and its wonderful advancement in population. Thither, in 1869, Mr. Bosch came and for two years continued to work as a journeyman. In 1871 he organized the firm of Johnson & Bosch, general contractors, painting and paper hanging being the principal lines of business, and this firm continued in successful oper ation until 1879, when it was dissolved by mutual consent. Mr. Bosch then bought out the paper hanging and decorating firm of Otto Brothers, 120 Blue Island-avenue, arid this was the beginning of the firm that has become, under his wise management, the largest of its kind in the country. The principles of hard work and unswerving honesty engrafted into his character in the fatherland when a boy were carried by him into his business methods. Many men under 760 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY similar conditions and of less sturdy character would have succumbed to the commercial vicissitudes and panics of the times, or, at best, would only have achieved a moderate degree of success. Mr. Bosch not only successfully overcame the numerous obstacles with which he was confronted, but kept his business integrity spotlessly clean. In 1892 he incorporated the Henry Bosch company of which he became the head and of which his oldest son, Peter, was a minority stock holder. The business prospered to such an extent that it became nec essary to have more central location and more commodious quarters, In 1895, the property at 307-9 Wabash avenue was acquired and business was here continued until they were burned out in July, 1902. Temporary quarters were then secured, but in November of the same year they moved to 338-44 Wabash avenue in a building especially erected for their requirements. This building has a frontage of eighty feet with a depth of one hundred and eighty feet, is a modern, substantial, seven-story structure equipped with special machinery of the latest and most approved character. The salesrooms are un equalled for spaciousness, perfect proportion -and artistic elegance. Mr. Bosch lived to see the business established by him become one of the great commercial houses of Chicago and was gratified to know that he left it in safe, capable hands. On coming to Chicago he met, and on May 30, 1869, married Reina Mulder who died October 16, 1883. In religious belief both Mr. and Mrs. Bosch were Protestants. To their marriage eight children were born, two dying in infancy. Those living are as follows: Peter, married Katharine Robinson; Frederica, the wife of Leslie C. Orrell ; Henry, married Lauretta Schlegel ; Charles, married Imogene Lartz ; Fannie, the wife of J. O. Wells, of St. Joseph, Mich., and Reina. Mr. Bosch died on March 8, 1908, after a life of singular usefulness and honor. He belonged to that desirable and excellent class whose sturdy industry, good fel lowship, public spirit and high character have shed honor on the city and luster on the family name. George Frederick Koester, of the real estate firm of Koester & Zander, is a native of the City of Chicago, his birth occurring No vember 8, 1862. He is a son of John H. and Mary A. (Schultz) Koes ter. He received his education in the Chicago public schools gradu ating from the West Division high school in 1878. In 1881 he en tered the real estate office of Albert Wisner, where he remained until 1892 when he formed a partnership with Henry G. Zander, under the firm name of Koester & Zander, to transact a general real estate and loan business. This firm has ever since continued and ranks high among the creditable concerns in the city. Mr. Koester has been active in social and benevolent secret orders and is a thirty-sec ond degree Mason, a Shriner, an Odd Fellow, a member of the Na tional Union and Royal Arcanum insurance orders. He is a member of the Union League club, Ravenswood club, Irving Park Country club and Ridgemoor Golf club. He is at present a member of the HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 761 board of education. In politics he is a Republican, and he attends the Congregational church. On September 3, 1891, he married Miss Fannie C. Martin. They have four children, two boys and two girls, George F., Jr. ; Harold M., Frances C. and Genevieve. The family home is at 4606 North Hermitage avenue, Ravenswood. His office is at 69 Dearborn street, corner Randolph street, where he has been located since 1881. Otto Hermann Matz was born in Berlin, Prussia, March 8, 1830, and is a son of John Christian and Augusta (Dahlman) Matz. He grew pp in his native land and was educated in the Royal technical school of Berlin, graduating in 1852. He came to the United States - in the early fifties and spent the first two years with compass, level and transit in the service of the Illinois Central railway from Free- port to Galena and Dubuque. In 1854 he was ordered to Chicago by the company to assist in the construction of their buildings, and was soon appointed to the position of architect to the road, owing to the death of John Perriere who had previously occupied that position. Mr. Matz was immediately set at work on the plans for the com pany's buildings — shops, depots, stations, eating houses, freight houses, etc., along 705 miles of road. There were many obstacles, as draughtsmen were rare, conditions and requirements new and the best workmen inexperienced. There were no technical schools in the west and the architect's office was headquarters. But the excel lent training Mr. Matz had received in the fatherland now stood him well and he successfully passed through all the requirements of that strenuous railroad period. It was the custom to work without cessa tion all winter using salt and hot water in the mortar. The immense growth of the city also called for the services of Mr. Matz in the con struction of private residences, business blocks, school houses and churches. He had to compete with such men as Van Osdel, Burling, Carter, Bauer, Bauman, Boyington, Wheelock, Wadskier, Nicholson, Olmsted, Schmid, etc. He was one of the leaders in the movement that raised the grade of Chicago to and over six feet — an undertak ing of vast magnitude in the fifties, and which gave the city its first real system of sewerage. He was also actively concerned in many house raising and house moving operations. All these operations were considered so unusual and indeed so wonderful, that Mr. Matz described them fully in a newspaper of Berlin, Germany. In 1857 he left the services of the Illinois Central railway and devoted him self to private practice, but soon after the Civil War bfoke out en listed, and for three years was on duty as an engineer officer at the ' headquarters of Generals Fremont, Halleck and Grant. Upon his return to Chicago he resumed the practice of architecture. During 1870-71 he was architect for the school board and the board of edu cation. The great fire swept away all. his possessions, but not his knowledge, experience and grit. In 1873 he was awarded first prize of $5,000 in the competition for designs for a new courthouse and 762 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY city hall, but for some reason his plans were sidetracked and others substituted. Many buildings throughout the city were designed by him. He designed the criminal court building on Michigan street and numerous other pretentious structures. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects, the Apollo Commandery and in his political views is a Republican. On October 26, 1857, he married Mary E. Lewis and to them were born the following children : Her mann L., Rudolph and Evelyn. Plis office is at 78 LaSalle street and residence at 120 East Oak street. Walter Z. Brown was born in Coventry, Tolland county, Conn., October 26, 1855, and is a son of Walter C. and Sarah A. (Clark) Brown, both of whom were natives of Connecticut, the former of English and the latter Dutch descent. The father was a successful farmer, held several of the town offices, was a member of the legis lature, and was prominent in public affairs. Walter Z. received his education in the common and high schools in the vicinity of his home and was obliged to begin work on his own account at a comparatively early age. Upon reaching manhood he took up the fire insurance business, and a little later became cashier and bookkeeper for B. F. Spinney & Co., shoe manufacturers of Lynn, Mass. From 1880 to 1890 he was associated with Bowden & Jenkins, bankers of 48 Wall street, New York city, and from 1885 to 1892 was treasurer to the receiver of the Lackawanna & Pittsburg railroad and treasurer of the Lackawanna & South-Western railroad. He removed to Chicago in 1892 and in 1894 became associated with the Illinois Life Insurance Co. For four years he was treasurer of the company and has been auditor for the same for eleven years. His acquaintance with John H. Washburn, president of the Home Insur ance Company of New York, determined his occupation through life. For the last sixteen years insurance has been his principal business. He is not actively interested in politics, but is a friend of improve ment and progress. He is a trustee of the Church of the Covenant and was president of the board of Deacons for six years. He is a member of the Hamilton club, the Y. M. C. A., Odd Fellows and New England Society. He is a Republican and a Presbyterian. On June 24, 1880, he married Mabel G. Phelps, of Paris, Maine, by whom he had five children, one of whom is deceased. His wife died April 24, 1908, and on June 28, 1909, he was again married to Marie A. Luce, of Salt Lake City, Utah. Lawrence Joseph Reed, a well-known contractor of Chicago, is a native of this city, where he was reared, educated and where he has passed practically his entire life. He was born on October 7, 1866, a son of William and Annie (Conway) Reed. He received his schooling at St. Patrick's Academy, and in March, 1879, started out in life for himself as a cash boy in the retail dry goods store of Field, Leiter & Company. In September of the year following he began clerking in the office of the Chicago & Eastern Indiana Railroad HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 763 company, but since 1889 he has been engaged in the paving contract ing business almost exclusively. Mr. Reed is treasurer and director of the R. F. Conway Company, contractors for asphalt paving, and also occupies a similar position for the International Asphalt com pany^ dealers in asphalt, and is a director of the Warner-Quinlan Asphalt company, importers and refiners, with a refinery at Tremley Point, N. J. He is a member of the Chicago Athletic, South Shore Country and Chicago Yacht clubs, and has his office in the Chamber of Commerce building. To his marriage with Miss Helena J. Quirk, solemnized at Chicago, June 28, 1893, five children have been born, named Richard J., .Lawrence C, Mildred, Constance and Muriel. The family home is at 3146 Washington boulevard. Dr. Joseph Damiani, son of Pietro and Grace (Borrello) Damiani, was bom January 25, 1873, in the city of Termini, Sicily, where his father was engaged in the restaurant and hotel business and as con tractor. The elder Damiani was a man of note in Termini, having had charge of the street lightning system there. His wife died in 1875 after having borne her husband three children : Rosina, Ig- nazia and Joseph. In 1893 Mr. Damiani retired from active life and coming to America to visit the World's Fair, has since made Chicago his home and is now seventy-one years old. The immediate subject of this sketch, Dr. Joseph Damiani, was educated in the public grammar schools and the technical schools of his native country. When seventeen years old (1890) he came to America, and securing temporary employment, also attended private night schools in order to better equip himself for American citizen ship. Having decided to become a physician, he began the study of that profession, supporting himself by working at various employ ments which he could secure, and in this way attended college, gradu ating in 1900. He began practicing his profession at 174 North Halsted street, later locating at Milwaukee avenue and Green street, and finally, at his present location, 904 Grand avenue. Dr. Damiani has accepted every opportunity of improving himself in his profes sion, and he has succeeded in building up a successful and increasing practice. In 1903 he completed a special course in electro-thera peutics, and in 1904 one of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. Dr. Damiani is a member of the Chicago Medical Society, the Ameri can Medical Association, the Illinois State Medical Society, the Unione Sicilani, the largest Italian society in Chicago, and in 1909 was president of the White Hand Society. June 30, 1903, he mar ried Josephine Samuelson, of Chicago, and with his wife and two daughters, Grace Esther and Eleanor Santilia, resides at 627 Arling ton Place. Albert Mussey Johnson, one of the well-known men of Chicago, identified with life insurance, was born May 31, 1872, at Oberlin, Ohio, receiving his earlier education in the public schools and the re nowned college of that place. He subsequently entered Cornell Uni- 764 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY versify, from which he was graduated in 1895. He began his busi ness career as station agent for the Arkansas Midland Railroad com pany in 1888. After completing his education he was secretary and manager of the Mussey Stone Company, of Elyria, Ohio. He was next interested in the lead and zinc mines of Joplin, Mo., for one year, succeeding which he served as vice-president of the Arkansas Midland Railroad company, and president of the Oberlin Gas & Electric company, one year each. In 1902 he became largely inter ested in the National Life Insurance Company of the United States of America. After serving for a few years as vice-president and treasurer, he was elected president in 1906, and has held that office since. He is also president of the North American Cold Storage company, and the National Life Building company, and is a director of the Broadway Savings & Trust company, of Cleveland, Ohio, and a director of the Columbus Safe Deposit company, of Chicago. In religion Mr. Johnson is a Congregationalist ; in politics a Republi can. November 19, 1896, at Oakland, Cal., he married Miss Bessie Morris Penniman and their home is at 2835 Sheridan Road. George Mortimer Davis, for many years a resident of Chicago and one of the first to settle in Austin, was a man who accomplished things and who was a credit to the community in which he lived. He was born August 25, 1844, at Eaton, N. Y., his parents being Rich ard M. and Rowena (Wells) Davis. Nathaniel and Sophronia (Johnson) Davis were his grandparents. His boyhood days were passed in his native city and when fifteen years old he began learning the machinist's trade. Two years later he secured employment in a gun factory at Binghamton, N. Y., which concern had large con tracts for furnishing firearms for the government. Succeeding this he worked in gun factories at Watertown and Illion, N. Y., then, af ter six months spent at Oil City, Penn., came to Chicago in 1866. He here began the manufacture of steam gauges and was ever after wards identified with this work. His prosperity was substantial, of steady growth and in no small measure was attributable to many in genious and important inventions devised by him. He was the origi nator of the automatic air valve on steam radiators for the use of steam-heated buildings, an automatic steam regulator for reducing" steam pressure for heating purposes and many other inventions and appliances for the public good. In 1870 he established his factory at Chicago. In 1894 he also became the owner of the Cicero Light, Heat & Power Co. plant. He became connected with other commer cial enterprises and founded the Davis Regulator company. Decem ber 31, 1867, he married Miss Henrietta Dales, daughter of Dr. Ira and Frances (Coit) Dales and granddaughter of John and Sarah (Cal vin) Dales, Sarah Dales being a cousin of Alexander Hamilton. To this marriage two sons have been born : Walter Edgar and George Coit. Mr. Davis was active in public matters and for twelve years was a member of the board of education prior to the annexation of HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 765 Austin to Chicago. His life was a clean, wholesome one, devoid of ostentation, but filled with many acts of kindness and charity. He was a Republican, an Odd Fellow, served as president of the Oaks club of Austin and was an attendant of the Presbyterian church. While on a trip south in 1908 he was stricken down with paralysis at Morrell, Texas, and on November 18, died. Such, in brief, was the career of a man who did much for the good of the public. His career is well worthy the emulations of the younger generations. The following poem by Mrs. Frances Page was written in mem ory of George M. Davis : Sleep, veteran, sleep, Who sows for others to reap, Has earned at day's soft close, This, most sublime repose : — Sleep, veteran, sleep. Sleep, veteran, sleep, Humanity will keep The memory of thy noble deeds, Thy ministry to human needs ; Sleep, veteran, sleep. Sleep, veteran, sleep, Ah, who would idly weep, Or o'er the heavenly fiat grieve, When souls like these get their reprieve; Sleep, veteran, sleep. Sleep, veteran, sleep, This rest of thine how deep, But may thy kindly mantle fall, Like a rich blessing o'er us all; Sleep, veteran, sleep. Leander Devine Condee, attorney at law, was born in Athens county, Ohio, September 26, 1847, and is a son of Henry M. and Jane (Rickey) Condee. The father, a farmer by occupation, saw active service in the Union army during the Civil war. In 1861 he enlisted in the Third Illinois Cavalry regiment as lieutenant of Com pany M. He is still alive at the age of eighty-five years. In 1854 the family moved from Ohio to. Coles county, 111., and there Leander D. received his primary education. Later he attend ed Saint Paul's academy at Kankakee, 111., and still later the Uni versity of Michigan, from the law department of which he was gradu ated in 1868 with degree of Bachelor of Laws. He was admitted to the bar and began practice in Butler, Bates county, Mo., and thus continued for six years. In 1873 he came to Chicago and the fol lowing year became a member of the law firm of Richmond & Con dee which continued in active practice until 1876 when it was dis solved and the new firm of Condee & Bliss was formed. A little later the firm of Condee & Rose was formed and finally that of Condee & Condee, of which he is Senior partner. They are now engaged in 766 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY general practice. He was elected attorney for the village of Hyde Park in 1879, in which capacity he served for four years. Since at taining his majority he had taken great interest in political and other public affairs and continued the same after coming to Chicago. He was elected to the state senate in 1880. As a member of that body he was active in shaping legislation. He was nominated for judge of the superior court in 1892, but suffered defeat with the rest of his party. Again in 1904 he received the nomination for judge of the circuit court, but again suffered defeat with his ticket. He is a mem ber of the Union League and Kenwood clubs and is a Knight Templar Mason. He is married and resides with his family at 4552 Woodlawn avenue. His offices are at 107 Dearborn street. Clarence Myron Converse, now president of the Chicago Heater & Supply company, at 56-58 Dearborn street, was born at Rindge, N. H, November 19, 1854, and is a son of Ebenezer H. and Sarah (Darling) Converse. He was educated in the common schools, the grammar schools and in due time entered Appleton Academy, New Ipswich, N. H, from which he was graduated with credit. Upon leaving school he became an apprentice to the plumbing and heating trade, and upon its completion engaged in that business on his own account at Fitchburg and Gardner, Mass. In 1884 he sold his inter ests and came to Chicago where he joined the firm of Spear & Con verse, with store at 86 Lake street. After five years of successful operation he embarked in the manufacture of radiators and heaters and established a plant known as the Model Radiator company, at Elwood, Ind., and another, the Columbia Radiator company, at Ben ton Harbor, Mich. In August, 1901, he organized the Chicago Heater Supply company, of which organization he became presi dent and thus officiates at the present time. He is also president of the Chicago Teaming company. He is a director of the Chicago Missionary Society and was one of the superintendents of Armour Mission for several years. He has been actively identified with church and mission work for the past twenty years. He is a Knight Templar and a thirty-second degree Mason and a member of Plymouth church, also of the Hamilton, Congregational and Illinois Athletic clubs. In February, 1907, he married Irene Grace Anthony and their home is at 3108 Grand boulevard. Ebenezer H. Converse, his father, was a lumberman, and was captain of Company K Sixth New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war. He had two brothers, Captain O. I., who served with credit in the state leg islature of New Hampshire, afterwards serving in the Civil war, and the remainder of his life in the United States army, and Morton E., who served in both branches of the state legislature of Massa chusetts, and is the owner of the largest wooden toy factory in the world, located at Winchendon, Mass. One of his sisters, Mrs. Sarah Antoinette (Converse) Spear, was prominent as a member of the Chicago Woman's club and in philanthropic work. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 767 Samuel M. Hastings, manufacturer, is a native of Reimersburg, Penn., his birth occurring August 14, 1860, a son of Eli and Rachel (Kerr) Hastings. His parents came to Illinois when he was yet a child and his early years were passed at Gardner, subsequently going to Braidwood, 111., where he began his business career as clerk in a dry goods store. In 1879 he embarked in the retail dry goods busi ness in Braidwood, but in 1884 moved to Streator, 111., where he con tinued the same occupation. He traveled extensively throughout Europe, but returning to America located in Chicago, and for a time was engaged in the contracting business. In 1893, under the firm name of Mills & Hastings, he embarked in the manufacture of scales, continuing thus until 1899 when the business was incorporated under the name of the Moneyweight Scale company of which he is secre tary and treasurer. Aside from this Mr. Hastings has been active in other lines of business, particularly as identified with scale manu facturing. He is president of the Computing Company, of Dayton, Ohio; vice-president of the Computing Scale company, limited, of Canada; treasurer of the Computing Scale Company of America; president of the Moneyweight Scale Company, of Europe, and is a director of the W. F. Stimpson company, of Detroit, Mich. ; the Stimpson Computing Scale company, of Elkhart, Ind., and the Acorn Brass Manufacturing company, of Chicago. In politics Mr. Hastings is a Republican. He is a Knight Templar Mason and a member of the Chicago Athletic, Owentsia clubs and the Exmoor club, of Highland Park. At Braidwood, 111., he married Miss Jeanette Rankin, and their home is at Highland Park. Harry J. Farnham, of the real estate firm of Farnham, Willoughby & Company, was born May 14, 1875, at Milwaukee, Wis., a son of E. W. and Emma J. (Dykins) Farnham. The removal of his par ents to Chicago when he was a boy led to his acquiring his early edu cation in the grammar and high schools of this city which he later supplemented with a business course. At the age of sixteen years he entered the wholesale house of Marshall Field & Company where he remained one year. In November, 1892, he joined the firm of Aldis, Aldis & Northcote, continuing with this firm until January, 1899. For about a year following this he was manager of the rent ing department of Henry A. Knott & Company, and since December 1, 1899, has been a member of the firm of Farnham, Willoughby & Company which he founded. The business of the firm is chiefly de voted to real estate transactions in the business district and the man agement of business property. Mr. Farnham is a member of the Chicago Real Estate Board and the Building Managers' Associa tion. September 3, 1907, at Chicago, Mr. Farnham married Miss Alice S. Dickinson and they have one daughter, named Ursula Mae. In politics Mr. Farnham is a Republican. He is a thirty-second degree and Knight Templar Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine. 768 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY He is also a member of the National Union, the Chicago Athletic Association and the Union League, Hamilton, Edgewater Country and Edgewater Golf clubs. Dr. Benjamin A. McBurney, well-known surgeon of Chicago, is a native of the state of Pennsylvania, and was born July 6, 1872, a son of William and Rachael (Ride) McBurney. The parents were reared and educated in Mercer, Penn., but later removed to Sandy Lake, same state, where the father engaged in the jewelry business and is thus occupied at the present time. To him and wife three children were born, as follows: Harry (deceased in 1889), Dr. Benjamin A. and Florence, aged twelve years. Dr. Benjamin A. McBurney received his earlier education in the public schools of Sandy Lake, Penn., subsequently taking a course in and graduating from the Grove City college in 1893 with the de gree of Bachelor of Science. He then came to Chicago and entered the Homeopathic college from which he was graduated in 1896. He served an interneship at the Chicago Homeopathic college and the Garfield sanitarium, also a year and a half in the Cook County hospital. Since 1899 he has been engaged in the general practice of his profession at Austin and his clientele has grown large and .lucrative. Since 1899 he has served as attending surgeon on the staff of the Cook County hospital, also in the same capacity at the Chicago. Homeopathic and Hahnemann hospitals. Since 1905 he has been lecturer and surgical demonstrator at Hahnemann hospital-. For several years Dr. McBurney has been specializing in surgery and has written several articles on medical surgery for medical mag azines. He was at one time honored by being offered the chair of surgery of the Iowa State university but declined by reason of broader fields in Chicago. He is. a member of the Chicago and State Homeopathic Medical societies and the American Institute of Homeopathy, and was one of the organizers and the first president of the western branch of the Chicago Homeopathic Society. He is also identified with the Masonic order, the Oaks' Club of Austin, the Westward Ho Golf club and the Austin Methodist Episcopal church. In his political views he is independent. September 5, 1899, he mar ried Miss Kittie Howe, of Chicago, and they with their three chil dren, George Howe, Catherine and Benjamin, Jr., reside at 247 N. Park avenue, Austin Station, Chicago. Charles La Tour Furey was horn in New York on August 19, 1860, a son of Edward F. and Mary E. (La Tour) Furey. Of excellent parentage and ancestry, the subject of this review came upon the stage of earthly action at an eventful and auspicious time. Edward F. Furey was an officer in the regular army and served with credit in the Mexican and Civil wars, and his father, the grandfather of Charles, served in the War of 1812 under Commo dore Perry. The great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch was an early settler of South Carolina where he assisted the colonies HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 769 during the Revolution. For a time he was stationed in New York where he was wounded and out of service for a short time. He then joined with Col. Henry Jackson in the organization of the Sixteenth Colonial Massachusetts Volunteers. He served with dis tinction and after the war married and settled in New York City at the corner of Wall and Broad streets the present site of the banking house of J. Pierpont Morgan & Co. There he became one of the prominent land owners and business men of the metropolis. At his house the Marquis de Lafayette was entertained upon his visit to this country about the year 1825. Lafayette's second daugh ter married his nephew. Charles La Tour Furey, the subject of this review, was educated in the city of New York, finishing at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. Early in life he went to Colorado and for a time worked as a teamster and day laborer on the Denver & Rio Grande rail road ; later he prospected for valuable minerals and mined in Sum mit and Lake counties, Colorado, continuing thus for about three years. He afterward engaged in wholesale merchandising in Den ver. His business career was very active and led him into banking as well as other pursuits. In recent years he served as receiver of several Chicago banks and filled other important positions with fidelity and credit. He was president of the Marquette club. Such a position required wide information on public affairs, a thorough knowledge of modern business ^relations and conditions and the acquaintance of leaders of thought and action. Mr. Furey was a member of the Union League, Midlothian Country, South Shore Country, Chicago Automobile clubs and the Lawyers' club of New York City. He was president of the Women's and Children's Con valescent Home, of Chicago. Judging Mr. Furey by his accomplishments against great odds and obstacles he was gifted with qualities that would have carried him to the mountain top of any pursuit in life. He was stockholder in several of the Chicago banks and director in one of the city's largest manufacturing plants and vice-president of the American Guaranty company. In politics Mr. Furey was a Republican. In 1889, while in Denver, he married Caroline Rebecca Smith and they have one daughter, Caroline La Tour Furey, born in 1890. The family resides at 135 Lincoln Park boulevard. His death was a public loss at a time when the future was golden with hope and promise. He passed away on November 29, 1908, and now sleeps his last sleep in Rosehill cemetery. Patrick J. Boland was born on Easter Sunday, 1868, and is a son of John and Anna (Conley) Boland, both of County Monihan, North Ireland, where the father was engaged in farming. The mother died in 1889 and the father in 1894. To them were born fourteen children, of whom the following located in the United States : Mary, Rose, Charles, Patrick J., Hugh and John. 770 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Patrick J. was educated in the national schools of Ireland and in 1882 came to Chicago and for ten years was in the employ of the street car companies. In 1893 he established a livery barn at 4021- 23 West Madison street and a little later engaged in undertaking. He now owns another livery and sale stable at 4204-06 West Madi son street which he established in 1904. He now has the largest and best equipped undertaking establishment of the West Side. He is a member of the following organizations : Knights of Columbus, Foresters, Hibernians, Royal Arcanum, North American Union, Maccabees and Knight and Ladies of Securities. In 1892 he mar ried Elizabeth McArdle, of County Monihan, Ireland, and they have the following children : Frank, Mary, Bessie, Margaret, Ellen and John. The family resides at 4047 Washington boulevard. Herman J. Troch was born in Chicago, May 5, 1875, and is a son of William and Ida (Knuth) Troch, natives of Germany. The father when but two years old came to the United States with his father, Carl, and was educated in the public schools. Here, early in life, he learned the harness maker's trade and in 1873 engaged in that profession on Milwaukee avenue, near Western avenue. Wil liam Troch died May 19, 1894. Herman J. was educated in the public schools and at the age of fourteen years began business as an errand boy, later becoming a messenger boy for the Chicago Telephone company. For five years he was connected with Charles P. Riehl in the real estate business, having charge of the renting department. He was then for about one year associated with W. M. Merrigold & Company at 152 La Salle street and still later with the Smith-Premier Typewriter company, beginning with the latter as shipping clerk in 1897 and continued until 1902, doing their drayage and teaming. In 1903 he established the coal, grain, hay, feed and general teaming business at 2088 Milwaukee avenue and also located an office at 2947-49 Milwaukee avenue. Since 1905 he has had the contract for sprink ling the streets north of North avenue and west of the river. He is a strong Republican and a member of the Ward organization of that party. He is a member of the North American Union, Looper's Business Men's club, and resides at 2088 Milwaukee avenue. On May 28, 1902, he married Adelaide Verden, of Chicago, and they have one child, Robert, aged four years. Hans Blase, son of John and Maggie (Seivert) Blase, was born February 14, 1872. The parents were natives of Holstein, Ger many, where the father followed the occupation of a farmer. In 1881 he came to Chicago and for fifteen years engaged in the lum ber, sash and door business. Later he went into the cement business at 3865 Milwaukee avenue. In 1898 he retired in favor of his son, Hans. Mr. Blase was a Democrat and a member of the Lutheran church. To him and wife were born four children as follows: Hans, George, a painting contractor; Maggie (now Mrs. Jacob Henyel), and Katie (now Mrs. Marcus Runge) . All are still living. HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 771 The subject of this review acquired his early education in the pub lic schools of Chicago. For a time he engaged in gardening and farming, later, with Mr. Runge, establishing the cement firm of Blase & Runge. In 1902 he bought out his partner's interest and continued alone. Mr. Blase also has building and real estate inter ests in Irving Park and in 1908 the firm of Hans Blase & Co. was incorporated with Mr. Blase, president ; Henry J. Seivert, secretary and treasurer, and Christian Colsen, superintendent. July 15, 1893, Mr. Blase was united in marriage with Carrie Richter, of Chicago, and to them were born Annie, Maggie, Carrie, Esther, John and Walter. He has been active in .local politics, serving as alderman from the twenty-seventh ward during the years 1906-7. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Royal League, Graylan club and several German orders. Mr. Blase and family reside at 4515 Mil waukee avenue. Dr. Thomas J. Conley was born March 4, 1859, and is a son of Patrick and Catherine (Diamond) Conley, natives of Galway, Ire land, The parents, realizing the advantages to be had in America, came here in 1849, settling in Whitewater, Wis., where they engaged in farming. Here both father and mother died, the former in 1886 at the age of seventy- two years and the latter in 1891. To them were born the following children: Dr. P. H. (deceased), who was professor at the College of Physicians and Surgeons and on the advisory staff of the Cook County hospital ; Dr. Martin J., dentist, 103 State street, Chicago; Thomas J.; J. F., Mayor. of Cazenovia, Wis. ; Dr. Sarah, wife of Dr. R. J. O'Connell ; Dr. Catherine, wife of Ed Corcoran ; Mary and Margaret. The subject of this memoir received his early education in the pub lic and high schools of Richland Center, Wis., later taking a course at Rush Medical college, from which he was graduated in 1885. Dr. Conley has served as associate physician in the Cook County Insane Asylum, 1885-6 ; medical superintendent of Cook County Infirmary, 1886; surgeon in Cook County hospital, 1889-1894; physician to St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum for the last twenty years; surgeon West Side hospital, and professor of surgery at the Illinois Post Graduate school since 1907. He was one of the twenty-five promi nent physicians and surgeons appointed on the consulting staff of the Cook County hospital for the term 1905-11, and is identified with the Chicago and American Medical societies. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Order of Foresters. Decem ber 19, 1906, he was united in marriage with Laura Sexauer, of Chi cago, and to their union were born Thomas J. and Catherine. The doctor and family reside on Humboldt boulevard and his offices are at 100 State street, Chicago. Frederick E. Krause, son of Carl and Barbara (Marquart) Krause, was born July 7, 1857. The parents were natives of Ger many, the father coming from Leipsic, Saxony, and the mother 772 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Hesse-Darmstadt. In 1851 the family immigrated to America, locat ing at Cresline, Crawford county, Ohio, where Mr. Krause followed contracting until his death in April, 1866. His widow survived him until 1891. The education of Frederick E. Krause was secured in the public schools of Cresline, Ohio, and early in life he worked as a railroad laborer and farm hand. When twenty-three years old he established a butter and egg business at Lowdonville, Ohio, but after two years sold out and went into the dry goods business. He later disposed of these interests and in 1883 became the editor and proprietor of the Chicago Timer, at Chicago Junction, Ohio. In 1886 he sold out there and came to Chicago where for five years he worked as sales man for Armour & Co. His first real estate venture was at Ashland avenue and Forty-second street, where he stayed one year, then mov ing down town to 236 La Salle street and engaging in the general real estate business until 1896. About this time he became connected with the police force, but in 1901 he again engaged in the general real estate business, locating at 3349 Ogden avenue and where he still continues. He married Lillie Castell, of Nashville, Ohio, De cember 15, 1881, and to them were born two sons, Clarence J. and Carl R. (deceased). Mr. Krause is identified with the Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows, Schiller club and Hermannison German So ciety. The family residence is at 5327 Washington avenue. Dr. Edward M. Holmes was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., May 27, 1876, and is the son of Michael J. and Mary (O'Shea) Holmes. The mother was a native of County Limerick, Ireland, and the father of County Cork. The family came to America in 1872 and after travel ing through the state of New York, located for a time at Brooklyn and at Buffalo, where the father followed his trade of tailoring. In 1880 he was accidentally drowned in the Erie canal, having become, at the time of his death, very successful and well known. In 1882 Dr. Edward M. Holmes came with his sister, Catherine, to Chicago, where he was educated in the parochial schools and in Lewis Institute. He then entered the Illinois Medical college from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1903. He served an interneship of a year and a half in St. Elizabeth's hospital and then took up his residence and began the practice of his profes sion at 3726 Ogden avenue. Dr. Holmes is identified with the Chi cago, Illinois and American Medical societies, and is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Order of Foresters. He is independent in politics. June 7, 1903, he was united in marriage with Sadie Clohsey, of Chicago, and they have one daughter, Ruth. Josef Tuma, prominent Chicago Bohemian banker, was born in Bohemia, July 21, 1868, the son of Vaclar and Anna Bares (Wen- caseans) Tuma. The father served in the cavalry of the Austrian army during the Prussian and Austrian war and was wounded dur ing this campaign. Both he and wife are yet living on a farm in HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 773 Bohemia, he sixty-eight and she sixty-six years of age, and to them were born four children : Anna, Marie, Frances and Josef. The latter was educated in the Gymnasium at Prague and after wards taught school in the capital city. He was the first tutor of Emma Destinn, now a noted soprano grand opera singer. In 1893 he came to Chicago to see the World's Columbian Exposition, and after spending two months here, decided to make it his home. He accepted a position as teacher in the Bohemian school at 400 West Eighteenth street, and remained here three years, studying English in the meantime and taking an evening course in the Metropolitan Business college. Pie then gave up one year to study of banking, bookkeeping, etc., then being employed by the Union Trust bank as clearing house clerk, later as bookkeeper and finally, from 1903-8, as manager of the transit and collecting department. September 1, 1908, Mr. Ti'tna resigned this position to establish a private bank at 4013 West Twelfth street, styled the Tuma Savings bank, and do ing a general line of banking. His building is 28x95 feet and is two- stories high. In politics he is a Republican nationally,, but independ ent locally. He is a member of the National and North American unions, Fraternal Tribune, Bohemian Turner club, C. S. P. S., the Bankers' Association of the State of Illinois and the Chicago Chapter of the American Bankers' Institute. Mr. Tuma married, in 1887, Emily Radesinsky, of Bohemia, and they, with their one daughter, Emily, a graduate of the Chicago University, reside at 4013 West Twelfth street. Robert C. Barr was born February 4, 1855, and is a son of James and Jane (Scott) Barr, natives of Glasgow, Scotland. They came to the United States in 1859 and located first at Kenosha, Wis. The father before coming to America was engaged in the hat business. The year after his arrival in this country, while traveling in the south, he took sick with yellow fever and died in 1860 at the age of thirty-one years. His widow lived to be seventy-two years old. He was a member of the Masonic order. To them the following five sons were born : James, Charles, of Kenosha; Robert C, Peter and John, of Chicago. Robert C. was educated in the public schools of Kenosha and at the age of eighteen years began learning the moulding trade serving an apprenticeship of four years at Kenosha and Racine. He then for a time traveled and worked at his trade, but in 1878 came to Chi cago and"" a little later went to Piano and here worked as moulder in the Deering factory until 1881 and later in Chicago. In 1882 he joined the McCormick Harvester company, continuing with them un til 1886. That year during the moulder's strike, while secretary of the union, he was mainly instrumental in securing a good settlement for the strikers. Then until 1893 he worked at various places, but at the latter date, in partnership with Richard Cleveland, bought out the "Big Four Foundry Company" at 30-40 East Erie street. They Vol. n— 46. 774 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY did a large general jobbing business until 1905, at which date, Mr. Cleveland having died, Mr. Barr formed a partnership with Charles Kellerman, and they are doing a large business. Mr. Barr is a mem ber of the Masonic order, A. A. O. N. M. S. and of the Republican Boosters' club. He is active in politics. On May 11, 1879, he mar ried Annie Cotter, of Kenosha, and they have one son, Charles, who is foreman in his father's shops. The family resides at 3848 Perry street. J. Charles Stamm, M. D., was born February 2, 1868, and is a son of Andreas and Helena (Fiele) Stamm, who were natives of the Grand Dutchy of Baden, Germany. They came to Chicago in 1864 and located at 203 Blue Island avenue, where the father embarked in the drug business, having previously followed the same occupation in the old country. He had prepared himself as a pharmacist at the University at Heidelberg. At the time of his death in 1895 at the age of fifty-eight years, he had been in the drug business at the above stand for thirty-one years. His store was a land-mark in that vicin ity. His residence was at 99 McAllister Place. He was a Republi can and lived an honorable and useful life. The business is still con ducted by his widow. In 1902 the store was moved to the corner of Twelfth and Fortieth avenue with the daughter, Lena, in charge. Their children were as follows : Dr. J. Charles, William (died in 1903), Lena, Louis (died in 1903) and Anna, now Mrs. Dr. E. R. Moras. Dr. J. Charles was educated in St. Ignatius college and Rush Medical college, graduating from the latter with the class of 1889. He began a general practice at 203 Blue Island avenue,, but in 1902 located at Fortieth avenue and Twelfth streets, with residenceatl311 Springfield avenue. His success attests his skill. He is a member of the American, Illinois and Chicago Medical societies and of the Cath olic Foresters, Maccabees and Knights of Columbus. On October 16, 1901, he married Jennie McCue, of Chicago, and their children are Ruth, J. Charles, Jr. ; Ogden, Mary and Josephine, the latter two be ing deceased. Michael Schiavone was born in 1887 and is a son of Pasquale and Carmela (Romano) Schiavone, who were natives of Laurenzana of the Province of Potenza, Italy. The father, who was a gunsmith by trade, came to the United States in 1890, had then but three dollars, and first began working for the American Cutlery company. He made good wages, saved the same and at the end of one year en gaged in the jewelry business with headquarters at Chicago. He was both firm and salesman and for two years sold jewelry in the Italian colonies of the principal cities of the United States. In 1892 he located his family in this city and the following year established an office at 77 Ewing street, selling jewelry and steamship tickets and doing a foreign banking business. In 1906 he located at Taylor and Halsted streets. He has used good judgment and now owns HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 775 considerable valuable real estate. He owns property at 466 North Halsted street where he has a branch office. The father and mother are both actively engaged in the business. They have two children, Michael and Angelina. Michael was educated in the schools of Chicago, having come to this city at the age of five years. He finished with a course at a busi ness college and at the age of ten years began to clerk for his father. When fifteen years old he was able to take charge of the business and is now a partner under the firm name of P. Schiavone & Son. Michael is a member of the Association of Commerce and the Knights of Pythias and resides with his parents at Taylor and Hal sted streets. Frank Big*gio was born July 14, 1862, and is a son of Lawrence and Barbara (Angeline) Biggio, both of whom were natives of Genoa, Italy, where the father followed the occupation of farming on land owned by his father. In the spring of 1847, when Lawrence was still young, he came with two of his brothers to the United States and two years later went with the rush to California in the search for gold. He was lucky and managed to gather $20,000 with which he returned to New York City and opened a combined grocery and liquor store, but in a short time failed and came to Chicago in 1850. Here he engaged in the liquor business at the corner of Franklin and Van Buren streets, continuing there eight years, then at 36 West Madison street for six years, after which he visited his old home in Italy. In 1866 he located where the business is now carried on under the management of his sons — the old Western Ho tel site. The Biggio family was the fifth of that nativity to settle in Chicago. In connection with his liquor business Mr. Biggio con ducted a cafe. He lived to the great age of eighty-six years, dying in 1888. The mother died in 1893, aged sixty-eight years. Their children were Joseph, Anthony, Mary (deceased), Frank and John. Of this family Frank was educated in the public schools of Chi cago and engaged in the same business as his father. Upon the death of the latter his business was assumed and continued by the sons. They opened another store at Polk and Lincoln streets, also one at 18 North Wells street. Frank and Anthony are yet unmar ried and have conducted the business at their present location to good advantage since the passing away of the father. Gaetano S. De Stefano was born in Cairano, Province of Avellino, Italy, May 8, 1859, and is a son of Angelo and Maria Giuseppa De Stefano. The father was a successful lawyer, and during the revo lution and war for the independence of Italy, 1859-61, was captain of militia at Cairano, and continued to hold that position until 1867. The father died in 1892 at the age of eighty-nine years, and the mother in 1893 at the age of sixty-six years. Their children were : Gaetano, Giuseppe, Nicola, Maria, Serafina and Anna. Gaetano was educated in the public schools of Cairano and at S. 776 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Andrea seminary, and before completing his studies was placed on a farm owned by his father, where he remained six years. In 1883' he cariie to the United States, and for six months worked as clerk in an Italian bank at New York, and then moved to Buffalo, N. Y., where he established a steamship agency, foreign exchange banking and employment agency in partnership with Dr. P. Pasini. Two years afterward and for several consecutive years he engaged in contracting for railroad grading, construction, and other public improvements in Canada and the United States, making his home in Chicago since 1891. Since 1900 he has been located at 374 South Clark street, and has established a general banking and foreign exchange business, representing all steamship lines doing the Mediterranean service, and conducting also a large employment office. He is a Mason, a Knight of Pythias, a member of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and the Chicago Association of Commerce. To his marriage the following children were born: Angelo, Frank, Victor and Josephine. The family resides at 1817 South Clifton Park avenue. Vincent Formusa, a successful business man of Chicago, was born February 23, 1864, and is a son of Pietro and Teresa (Catalano) Formusa, of Termini, Imerese, Province of Palermo, Sicily. The father when a young man learned the jewelry business which he fol lowed for a period of about fifty years. He died September 29, 1888, aged seventy years. His widow died March 12, 1908, being seventy-eight years of age. They were the parents of the following children : Salvatore, Antonino, Vincent, Rev. Joseph, of the Italian church in Bagheria; Joseppa and Lucia, all of whom reside in Ter mini, except Rev. Joseph and Vincent. Lucia died December 6, 1900. Vincent spent five years of his youth in the public schools and then entered a technical school where for three years he studied mechanics. At the age of fifteen years he began learning watch making and music, and having mastered the former, followed the same in Termini for thirteen years. In 1892 he came to Chicago and was employed at his trade for a short time, but he opened business on his own account as a watch maker, jeweler and commission merchant. For three years he was located at 75 Grand avenue, near Milwaukee avenue, engaged in importing olive oil, macaroni, etc., on commission and doing a profitable busi ness. In 1895 he began an independent business along the same line, but two years later went to Italy and was there married on June 12, 1898, to Grazia Formusa, of Termini, Italy. Upon his return to the United States in 1898 he located at his present address, 710 Grand avenue, 'and ever since has done a large business. He now owns a three-story brick building, 22x68 feet, consisting of one storeroom and three flats. He makes a specialty of importing olive oils of the name Pietro E. Vincenzo Formusa, macaroni and other staple Italian products. In connection with this line he conducts a HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 777 jewelry store and a steamship and foreign exchange agency.^ He and his wife carry insurance policies in the New York Life and the Prudential Insurance companies, respectively. He is a member of the Frinacria Benevolent Association, Italian Chamber of Commerce, Italian Steamship Agents' Society, honorary member of the Imera Benevolent Association and other organizations. He and wife have had four children, three of whom are living — Teresa, Pietro and Giuseppe. They reside at 710 Grand avenue. John M. Kott, the present postmaster and village clerk of Orland, was born in Bremen township, Cook county, June 11, 1866. His parents, William and Anna (Stoehr) Kott, were natives of Muehl- hausen, Province of Saxony, Germany, the father's birth occurring May 15, 1825, and the mother's June 11, 1836. They both came to the United States in 1844 and located in Bremen township, Cook county. There they became acquainted and on November 28, 1854, were united in marriage. Soon afterward they bought a tract of land in the same township where they made their home until Febru ary, 1884, when they moved to Orland and engaged in merchandis ing, continuing until 1896. The father was then succeeded by his son, John M., the subject of this sketch, who has continued the busi- iness with success ever since. The father died on January 3, 1905, but the mother still survives and resides at Orland. William Kott was an industrious and successful farmer and took an active part in the upbuilding of the township, in the education of youth, in the ad vancement of morals and in the prosperity of the township. He has served as assessor and also as supervisor. He was much interested in politics in which he took an active and prominent part. He and his family were members of the German Evangelical church. Wil liam and wife were the parents of six children as follows : Eliza beth, wife of Joseph Horn, of Orland; Henry C, a resident of Or land ; Anna, wife of August Witt, of Orland ; Magdalena, wife of Fred Dreisherf, of Hammond, Ind. ; Matilda, who died in infancy, and John M., named above. The latter was educated in the district schools and at the age of sixteen years accepted a clerkship in the store of C. Andres, of Tinley Park. Later he worked in the store of Henry Vogt, of the same village, but finally came to Orland and clerked a while for his father. In January, 1896, he succeeded his father in business and has continued the same occupation ever since. In 1889 he was elected clerk of Orland township, serving with credit for four years. In 1892 he was elected clerk of the village of Or land and has thus served ever since to the satisfaction of the citizens. On March 22, 1896, Mr. Kott married in Orland, Bertha Kramer, who was born in Chicago, July 26, 1875, and was brought to Or land by her parents when about five years old. Her father was Philip Kramer, a native of Germany, born about 1850, and came to America when about sixteen years old. He settled first in Chicago and there worked in stores for several years. While thus engaged 778 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY he married Christina Kloss, a native of Will county, born in Mokena in 1858. In 1881 the Kramers moved to Orland, where the husband and father engaged in the lumber and coal business and at the same time kept hotel. He continued thus occupied until his death Febru ary 17, 1900. His widow still survives. They were the parents of five children, three of whom died in infancy. The other two are Bertha, wife of the subject, and Elizabeth, wife of Alexander Wag ner. To Mr. Kott and wife have been born six children as follows : John P., Luella E., Wellington J., Earl C, Edwin H. and Harlow A. Mr., Kott is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, Orland Camp No. 4951, of which he has been clerk since its organi zation. He and family are members of the Evangelical German church. They are well known and have the respect of everybody. Norman Powell, one of the early settlers of Cook county, was born in Oneida county, N. Y., March 24, 1829, and is the son of Melancthon A. and Clarenda A. (Treat) Powell. The parents moved from New York to Cook county in 1837, coming overland, of course, by team and requiring about six weeks to make the trip. They settled in Palos township and there subsequently bought land and continued to live until death. Melancthon A. Powell was one of the first supervisors also school treasurer for more than thirty years and was the first postmaster in the township. To him and wife were born eight children as follows: Helen (deceased), Amelia (de ceased), John (deceased), Nancy, the widow of Lewis Winden- burgh, resides at Lemont, Iowa; Julius and Julia, twins, the latter deceased, and the former residing at Adrian, Mich. ; Hannah, wife of John Bush, of Orland, and Norman, named above. The latter was brought to this county when about eight years old and here he has ever since resided. When a young man he learned the black- smithing trade and followed the same for several years. At the same time he was engaged in farming. In 1857 in Palos township he married Mary Anderson, a native of Onondaga county, N. Y., the daughter of William and Polly Anderson. Mr. Powell con tinued to reside in Palos township until about 1895 when he moved to Orland which is his present residence. To him and wife two chil dren have been born as follows: Edwin M., who resides in Palos township, and Frank, who resides in Chicago. Mr. Powell has been prominent in the communities where he has resided. He held the office of supervisor of Palos township and trustee of Orland village and is regarded as one of the most reliable, substantial and honorable citizens of this portion of the county. Benjamin F. Sayers, one of the highly respected citizens of Or land township, Cook county, 111., was born in Will county, 111., Aug ust 29, 1851, the son of John and Harriet (Goddard) Sayers. Ben jamin F. was reared on a farm and has always followed that vo cation. He received his education in much the same way as other boys of those times, in the public schools of the neighborhood. Feb- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 779 ruary 17, 1875, he was united in marriage with Ellen Cooper, of Or land township, Cook county. She was born November 5, 1853, the daughter of Thomas and Eleanor (Hewson) Cooper. Soon af ter his marriage Mr. Sayers settled on the same farm as that on which he now resides, and he has made this place his home ever since. To him and wife were born the following six children : Ed win C, of Howard county, Iowa; Frank B., of Orland township, Cook county; Hattie E. (deceased), Gilbert A., now residing at home with his parents; John T., at home with parents, and Jessie M., also at home. Mr. Sayers and family affiliate with the Metho dist Episcopal church, he having served as trustee in same for some time. He is a Republican in his political views, and although not an office seeker, has served creditably as school director and drain age commissioner. The family is among the highly respected ones of Cook county. Edgar H. Cooper was born on the farm where he now resides — section 16, Orland township — August 13, 1864. He was reared as a farmer and has always followed that occupation. He received a common school education, and on March 20, 1888. married Lydia Holstein, who is a native of Cook county, born in 1869, her parents being Charles E. and Catherine (Moeller) Holstein, both natives of Germany and early settlers of Cook county. To Edgar H. and wife the following children have been born : Arthur O., born 1888, died 1889; Lydia E., born 1890, died 1894; Charles H. and Thomas E., twins, born 1893; Harvey I., born 1897; Pearl F., born 1909. The family is well known and respected by everybody of their ac quaintance. The parents of Edgar H. were Thomas and Eleanor (Hewson) Cooper, both natives of Lincolnshire, England. They were married in 1845 and in 1850 came to the United States, locat ing in Orland township. Both died in 1897 from the effects of in juries received in a runaway accident while out driving. They were the parents of thirteen children as follows: John T., William (de ceased), William H. (also deceased), James, Ellen, Elizabeth (de ceased, George H., Hannah E. (deceased), Hannah (deceased), Anna E., Edwin, Edgar H. and Willie. Charles E. and Catherine Holstein had the following children: Mary, John, Charles C, Christina (deceased), William C, Christina L. (deceased), Lydia, Leo, Louisa E., Catherine S., Caroline (deceased), Benjamin F. (deceased), Huldah H. and Arthur B. Charles E. Holstein and wife moved to Will County in 1891 and there they still reside. Mr. Hol stein was born November 5, 1838, and his wife October 13, 1839. Thomas Cooper was born September 28, 1821, and his wife March 13, 1826. Albert H. Cooper, who conducts a general store including coal and feed at Alpine, Cook county, and who is at present postmaster of that place, is a native of this township, his birth occurring November 1, 1869. He is a son of John T. and Sarah (Sayers) Cooper and 780 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY was reared on his father's farm. He was educated at the common schools and on March 11, 1902, married Hannah Ryan, who died in March, 1905. He was engaged in farming until after his wife's death, and then for awhile worked in a grocery in Chicago, but a year later came to Alpine and embarked in his present business. He has made the same successful and is now prosperous. Soon after coming here he was appointed assistant postmaster and served as such until January, 1909, when he received the appointment as post master. On December 19,. 1908, Mr. Cooper married Anna Pease, a native of Will county and the daughter of Orville Pease. Mr. Cooper is one of the most prominent and influential citizens and busi ness men in this part of Cook county. George H. Cooper is a son of Thomas and Eleanor (Hewson) Cooper, a more extensive sketch of whom appears on another page of this work. He was born in Orland township, May 18, 1856, and was reared on his father's farm, securing at the district schools a fair education. He remained with his parents until he was twenty- four years old and then bought forty acres in this township on which he located and continued his farming operations. On March 24, 1880, he married Fannie Newton, who was born in this township, October 4, 1857, the daughter of James and Ann (Sherman) New ton. Her parents were among the pioneers of the county and were people of eminent respectability. Immediately after his marriage Mr. Cooper located on his forty-acre farm in section 15 andihere remained for about two years, when he purchased 120 acres in Will county, moved thereon and .resided until 1890, when he returned to Orland township and located on the farm where he now resides, in section 31. At the present time he owns 237 acres — a splendid farm. In addition he owns 181 acres in the sanie section and there one of his sons resides. ,He also is the owner of 520 acres in Todd county, Minn. Mr. Cooper deals extensively in stock and makes a specialty of cattle and horses. He is one of the best and most progressive farmers and stock raisers in this portion of the state. To him and wife six children have been born, as follows : Walter, bom Decem ber 31, 1880, married Lillie Creer and resides in Orland township; Herbert, born July 2, 1883 ; Gilbert, born September 7, 1885 ; Fan nie, born June 14, 1887, died 1887; Maude, born April 28, 1889; George H, Jr., born September 25, 1894. Mr. Cooper is a Repub lican in his political views and is interested in party affairs and in all movements calculated to improve his community and the county gen erally. For six years he has been highway commissioner and has served as school director. He is a member of the Illinois State Board of Agriculture and is superintendent of poultry and forage in that society. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen, Court of Honor and White Cross. He and wife are Methodists in their religious views. Frederick E. Walther, retired contractor and builder now living HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 781 in Palos Park, came with his parents to Chicago in 1863, but before coming here learned the millwright trade in his native land. He there received a fair education in the public schools. Upon his arrival in Chicago he took up the carpenter trade and first worked under his father for two years and then under William Vogt. He continued thus occupied until 1872 when he began contracting and building on his own account and was thus actively and successfully engaged un til 1906. At times he did an immense business in Chicago and the surrounding country, employing at different times as many as fifty men. He was one of the best, most reliable and most popular build ers in the city, and his reputation for honest operations was second to that of no other builder of Chicago. He retired in 1907 and now lives in a beautiful home in Palos Park. He was born in Prussia, Germany, September 13, 1851, and is a son of Charles and Henrietta (Weiss) Walther, both of whom also were natives of Prussia. The parents immigrated to the United States in 1863, came direct to Chicago and here lived until their respective deaths. Virgil M. Brand, president of the Brand Brewing Company, is a son of Michael and Philippine (Darmstaetter) Brand, and was born in Blue Island, Cook county, January 16, 1862. The parents set tled in Blue Island at an early date and in 1866 located in Chicago. Their son, Virgil M., was educated in the public schools and in 1878 became office boy in the brewery of Michael Brand & Co. and remained with that concern under different names for twelve years. During the last few years he was acting secretary and treasurer. The second year after the plant was sold to the United States Brewing company, Mr. Brand was elected its president and served as such a short time. In 1898 the Brand Brewing company was reorganized and incorporated with Virgil M. as president; Horace L. Brand, vice-president, and Armin W. Brand, secretary and treasurer. In 1904, in partnership with Philip R. Brand, he bought out the Carl Cooper Brewery and incorporated under the name of Globe Brewing company, with Virgil M. Brand as president. They do a large and profitable business. Mr. Brand is a member of the Illinois Athletic club, Knights of Pythias, Chicago Art Institute, Chicago Numis matic Society and several other organizations. He is public-spirit ed and awake to the importance of good government. William A. Birk, president of Birk Brothers Brewing company, was born in Chicago, November 11, 1861, and is a son of Jacob and Magdalena (Welflin) Birk. He received his education in the pub lic schools and at Bryant & Stratton's Business college, and when sixteen years old accepted a position with a Board of Trade firm, but soon afterward was given a position with Wacker & Birk Brewing and Malting company. He remained with this organization for sev eral years and during that time became thoroughly familiar with every branch of the business. In 1891 he became associated with others in organizing and putting into successful operation the Birk 782 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Brothers Brewing company, of which he was elected first president and has occupied that important and responsible position until the present time. He has seen it grow from a small concern to one of the largest, most successful and most profitable companies of its kind in this city. Much of its success is due to his energy, foresight and sound business qualities. He has not confined himself wholly to this company, and is one of the directors of the Metropolitan Trust & Savings bank; secretary of the Northern Malt company; treasurer of F. Bockius Leather company and treasurer of the German hos pital, of Chicago. Nor has he neglected the social phase of his char acter. He is a member of the Masonic order, Chicago Athletic As sociation, Germania Maennerchor, the South Shore Country and In dustrial clubs. On September 21, 1903, he married Rose Britton. George J. Jaeger, president, treasurer and general manager of the Central Candy company, with plant and offices at 506-8 South Desplaines street, is one of the most successful business men and public-spirited citizens of the city at the present time. He was born in Chicago, July 29, 1873, and is a son of Philip and Victoria (Bol- singer) Jaeger, who were among the pioneers of that city. He was educated in the public schools, the German-American Academy of Chicago and Racine College, Racine, Wis. At the age of eighteen years he was given employment in the wholesale grocery house owned by his father and Christopher Strassheim at South Water and La Salle streets. Here he remained at work for twelve years during which time he advanced from one position to another, finally becoming a member of the firm, Strassheim, Jaeger & Company. In 1904 when this firm sold out to Steele, Wedeles Company, Mr. Jaeger was employed by the latter as superintendent. In 1906 he gave up this position and for a short time was engaged with his father in the meat business. In March, 1908, when the Central Candy company was organized and incorporated Mr. Jaeger became one of its members and was elected to the position he now occupies. They occupy a five-story building with basement, 90x125 feet, and employ an average of 110 people in the manufacture of all kinds of confectionery. Mr. Jaeger is a member of the Germania Maenner chor club and also of the Illinois Commercial Men's Association. On December 15, 1896, he married Minnie Birk, a daughter of Jacob and Magdalena Birk, and they have one child, George J., Jr., born October 8, 1909. Philip Jaeger, for over half a century one of the active business men of Chicago, was born February 27, 1836, in Holszheims, Hes sen Darmstadt, Germany, a son of Jacob and Gretchen (Zeisz) Jaeger. He was educated in the public schools of his native country and there learned the butcher's trade. In 1854, when a boy of but eighteen years, he crossed the ocean to the United States, landing at New York City on July 4 of that year. Shortly thereafter he went to Buffalo, N. Y., where he worked at his trade, and subsequently HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 783 was similarly employed at St. Catherines, Canada. In August, 1856, he came to Chicago, which place has since been his home. He first secured employment with Haas & Powell, and after working for five years with different concerns, embarked in business for himself in 1862 at Blue Island avenue and Polk street. His next location was on Fifth avenue, between Washington and Madison streets, then at the Union Stock Yards and next on Kinzie street, where he was burned out during the great fire of 1871. Following this he con ducted a market on Randolph street, then on Jackson street, but in 1887 began business at his present -location, Fulton Market, corner of Green and Fulton streets, as a member of the Fulton Market Wholesale Meat company. This is an incorporated company of ficered by Richard Collins, president; Philip Jaeger, treasurer and Cornelius Quinlan, secretary, and is one of the best known and most prosperous mercantile houses of Chicago. In 1886 Mr. Jaeger em barked in the wholesale grocery business at the corner of South Water and La Salle streets which he conducted about ten years, but his principal occupation through life has been handling meats, at which he has amassed a comfortable fortune. For fifty-four years he has been a resident of Chicago. Coming here at a time when the city was little more than a straggling frontier village, he has seen it grow and develop through fire and panic until it has become one of the greatest cities in the world. To his marriage with Miss Vic toria Bolsinger, solemnized December 31, 1859, ten children have been born, the following of whom are yet living : Victoria, Anna, George J., Philip J. and Charles. Mrs. Jaeger died June 21, 1903, a member of the German Evangelical church, as is also Mr. Jaeger. B. J. Lagona, proprietor of the Kosciuszko Pharmacy, 519 Mil waukee avenue, is a native of the village of Stawiany, Poland, and is a son of John and Josie Lagona. He was reared to manhood in his native country and received a public school education. He early learned the drug business, and in 1892 immigrated to the United States and settled in Chicago where he still resides. In 1901 he em barked in the drug business at 519 Milwaukee avenue, where he has built up a successful trade and become popular. He is a member of the Chicago Druggists' Association, St. Casimir's Society, Svoboda Slovenska and St. John's Canton Polish Roman Catholic church. In politics he is a Democrat. David B. Lyman was born on the island Hilo of the Sandwich group March 27, 1840, his parents being Rev. David B. and Sarah (Joiner) Lyman, who at the time were Christian laborers among the natives there. His youth and early manhood were spent on those is lands and his early -education was obtained mainly from his parents, both of whom had had a thorough New England training in litera ture and theology. As a young man he occupied various positions under the government of Hawaii, but when twenty years old came to the United States to finish preparing himself for life's pleasing but 784 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY arduous duties. He entered Yale college in 1860 and four years later was graduated therefrom with credit. He then entered Harvard Law school and in two years finished his legal studies and was ad mitted to the bar. He won one of the two prizes offered for the best legal essays. He then came to Chicago and for two years clerked in a law office, after which he entered into partnership with W. H. Jackson, which association was continued until 1895 and was known as one of the strongest and most reliable at the local bar. From 1895 to 1901 he devoted his whole time to business transacted by the Chicago Title & Trust company, of which he had become president. in 1891. Since 1901 he has been a director of the reorganized com pany. From 1901 to 1906 he was senior member of the law firm of Lyman, Busby & Lyman. In 1906 the firm was reorganized as Ly man, Lyman & O'Connor. Since 1901 the firm has given particular attention to corporation and real estate law. Mr. Lyman has held several important trusts — Pullman Land Association and Grant Land Association, etc. He is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church. In 1891 he became first president of the first church club in this city and for many years he has been a regular delegate to the general conventions of his church. For thirty years he was a fnem- ber of the LaGrange board of education. He is or has been con nected with many other organizations designed to improve human character and society such as the Union League, Chicago, Univer sity, Country and Suburban and Chicago Literary clubs, Chicago Bar Association, etc. On October 5, 1870, he married Mary E., daughter of F. D. Cossitt, of Chicago, and to them were born the following children : David B., Jr., who is associated in business with his father, and Mary Ellen, wife of Murray M. Baker, of Peoria. Charles Edwin Caldwell, M. D., was born at Manchester, 111., and is a son of Brice and Mary A. (Thompson) Caldwell. The father was a farmer and also a railway contractor. Charles E. was educated in the public schools of Logan county, Illinois, at Lincoln University and at Rush Medical college, gradu ating from the latter institution in 1877 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In 1877 and 1878 he was interne in the Cook County hospital, but during the latter year began a general practice at Twenty-ninth and State streets. In 1887-8 he occupied the chair of Surgical Anatomy in the College of Physicians & Surgeons. His practice is large and lucrative. . In Masonry he is a member of Me- dinah Temple and Oriental Consistory. On August 20, .1884, he was united in marriage with Katherine Eigenman, and they, with their children, Christian B., Carl E., Reginald A. and Millett B., re side at 5454 Jefferson avenue. Harry Irving Miller was born at Cleveland, Ohio, January, 1862, and is a son of John F. and Almira G. Miller. He was educated at the public schools, Russell's college, New Haven, Conn. ; St. Mary's HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 785 college, Emmitsburg, Maryland, and Cornell university. Soon af ter finishing his education he married May B. Burbank and by her has one son, Alvin Ford. In 1880 he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Company and was assigned work as clerk in the office of the superintendent at Richmond, Ind. After filling various posi tions in the engineering department on that line, he was appointed in 1888 superintendent of the Richmond division of the Pennsylvania lines. Two years later he became superintendent of the Louisville division of the Pennsylvania lines, but in April, 1894, became super intendent of the main line division of the Vandalia Railway. In June, 1901, he was appointed general manager of the Vandalia line with headquarters at St. Louis. While a resident of St. Louis he was a director of the Mechanics National bank and of the American Central Trust company. From December, 1903, to March, 1905, he served as general manager of the Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railway company with office in Chicago. At the latter date he as sumed the position of second vice-president and general manager of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois railway, and in ? became presi dent of the same company. Thus step by step he has advanced through sheer merit from one position to another each with increas ing and widening responsibility until he is recognized today as one of the ablest constructive railway men of the world. This ability was recognized and appreciated by the Japan railway commission a few years ago, when his judgment, advice and assistance vastly aided that body in formulating practical plans for the railway system of that country. As a further testimonial of the gratitude of that com mission, Mr. Miller was decorated by the Emperor of Japan with the Order of the Sacred Treasure. Mr. Miller is a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity, Union League, Chicago Athletic, Chicago Golf, Midday, Union, University of St. Louis, University of Indian apolis and other clubs and organizations. He resides at 234 Lincoln Park boulevard, and his office is at the La Salle Street railway sta tion. Richard Sweet Folsom was born in Chicago, August 5, 1872, and is a son of Charles A. and Sarah T. (Sweet) Folsom. The father, who was an able and successful lawyer, was a native of Maine and came to Chicago in 1868. Under President Lincoln's first call he enlisted in the Twenty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and served with, credit until he was honorably discharged as captain for disability contracted from disease while in the service. He passed away in 1905, but his widow is still living. Richard S. was educated in the public schools and was graduated from Williams college in 1894 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then entered the Northwestern Law school, duly graduated there from in 1896 and in October of the same year was admitted to the bar of the supreme court at Springfield. He immediately began a general practice and has continued the same with signal success 786 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY down to the present time. He is a member of the University club, Illinois Athletic Association, Chicago Bar Association and is a Dem ocrat. His office is at 952 First National Bank building and his residence at 2119 Calumet avenue. On May 30, 1905, he married Dorothy Moulton. Edward John Koch, manufacturer of rich cut-glass, is a son of G. Charles and Caroline Sophia (Francke) Koch, and was born in this city August 27, 1861. He was educated at the parochial schools and also spent four months in attendance at the Ogden school. He began his business career in 1875 as an employe of Burley & Tyrrell at a salary of two dollars per week, but was soon advanced to a higher position and better wages. In 1889 he became traveling sales man for the Mt. Washington Glass company, of New Bedford, Mass., makers of the best and highest grades of cut-glass, and held this position until 1898, learning in the meantime all details of that art and business. On January 1, 1899, he established a concern of his own under the style of Edward J. Koch & Company and began the manufacture of cut-glass and has thus continued to the present time. The operations of the company from the start have been con fined to cut-glass products manufactured by themselves. Their trade is now large and lucrative. Mr. Koch is a Republican and a member of the Jeweler's club, of Chicago. His business location is at 40-42 State street and his residence at 1732 Arlington Place. On May 9, 1889, he married at St. Louis, Mo., Pauline J., daughter of E. F. W. Meier, ex-president of the St. Louis city council, who was at one time the most prominent queensware merchant in that city. George Walter Sheppard, president of the wholesale grocery firm of Sheppard-Strassheim company,. is a native of the city of Chicago, born September 1, 1872, a son of George J. and Deborah F. (Webb) Sheppard. After attending the public schools in boyhood he began the active business of life in 1886 as errand boy in the grocery es tablishment of Charles H. Slack. Following this he was employed by Sprague, Warner & Company, J. B. Inderrieden & Brother, Weber & Stayart and Louis W. Stayart Company, serving as secre tary and treasurer of the latter. Succeeding this he organized, the wholesale grocery firm of Sheppard-Strassheim company, of which he has been the president since its inception and which, by conserv ative, hard work, has become one of the successful, well-known business houses of the city. Mr. Sheppard resides in Oak Park and his business establishment is at 670 West Randolph street. He is a Republican in politics, a member of the National Union and a Knight Templar Mason of Siloam Commandery No. 54, and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. Dr. John A. McHugh, Chicago physician, was born April 17, 1873, in Brooklyn, N. Y., and is a son of John and Anna E. (Per- lettes) McHugh. The father was born at Marshall, Mich., July 1, 1844, and when about nineteen years old went to New York, where HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 787 he was connected with the dry goods firm of E. S. Jaffray & Com pany, and also with Paton & Company, representing the latter as foreign buyer. About the year 1871 he engaged in the jobbing busi ness under the firm name of Dickey & McHugh, but in 1873 the firm failed, succeeding which he became connected with the firm of H. B. Clafin & Company. He later became the Michigan representative of Hood, Bonbright & Company, Philadelphia, and was also con nected with James H. Walker & Company, Chicago, and William Fletcher & Company, New York, representing each firm successive ly in the state of Michigan. After a protracted illness he died at Marshall, Mich., on November 26, 1898, aged fifty-eight years. His wife died in Brooklyn, N. Y., August 13, 1875, her birth having oc curred in New York City November 4, 1848. They were the par ents of "four children: Thomas E. (deceased), Mary, Anna (de ceased), and John A. The latter received his early education in the parochial schools of Brooklyn, N. Y., and between the ages of ten and seventeen years attended the public and parochial schools of Marshall, Mich. In 1890 he came to Chicago and entered the employ of Marshall Field & Company, retail establishment, and during this time supplemented his earlier acquired education by taking thorough courses in the night schools. Having decided upon the practice of medicine as his fu ture profession he entered the Harvey Medical college, of Chicago, in 1897, from which he was graduated with the class of 1901. Suc ceeding his graduation he served eighteen months in St. Anthony de Padua hospital, and finally began the practice of his profession at 3435 Ogden avenue. During the years 1903 and 1904 he served on the associate medical staff of the Cook county hospital. He is a member of the Douglas Park branch Chicago Medical Society. In July, 1899, he married Miss Agnes Allie, and to them have been born, John A., Thomas F., Ruth S., Bertrand A. and Perlette. The family home is at 1958 St. Louis avenue. Aside from his splendid work as a successful physician, there is another side to Dr. McHugh' s character. During his leisure moments he has written a number of poems which have been repub lished around the English-speaking world. He has also written a number of popular songs, the music of several of which is his own. If he were not a successful man, professionally, Dr. McHugh in evitably would rise to eminence as a literateur and artist. Happily married, in possession of a pleasant home, surrounded by books, flowers, pictures and music, his life is an ideal one and his advance to distinction practically assured. All who know him esteem him highly, and stand ready to affirm that he deserves all good things that time may bring to him. ~ Rev. Francis Gordon, C. R., pastor of St. Mary's of the Angels church and manager of the Polish Daily News, was born in Prussian Poland in 1860. At the required age he attended the district school 788 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY and after graduating from there took up the higher studies in the local high school. In 1881 he came to Chicago and almost immedi ately joined the Congregation of the Resurrection, located in this city. The superior seeing that the young man's vocation was for the priesthood, sent him to one of the colleges of the order — to St. Mary's college, Marion county, Ky. There he completed his classi cal course. For the philosophical and the theological courses he was sent to the Gregorian University in Rome. He was ordained priest, April 20, 1889. The Congregation of the Resurrection, of which Father Gordon was a member, had charge of the St. Stanislaus church in Chicago, reputed to be the largest parish in the United States. To this parish Father Gordon was assigned as one of the assistants. He remained here until December, 1892. In addition to the parochial work he was appointed manager of the Polish Publishing company, publish ers of Catholic books and periodicals. The fathers of the Congrega tion of the Resurrection were interested in this company. Father Gordon suggested the idea of starting a Polish daily paper, which would give its readers the news of the day, and treat the various questions that come within the range of a live, up-to-date newspaper, in a quiet, conservative and dignified manner. The religious ques tions were to be treated from the Roman Catholic point of view. The idea was put into action. The Polish Daily News became a reality December 15, 1890. It has been published daily, except Sun days and holidays of obligation, ever since. The latter part of December, 1892, Father Gordon was called to Rome and from there transferred to Adrianople, in Turkey, to be come professor in one of the colleges in charge of the Fathers of the Congregation of the Resurrection. On account of ill health he was called back to Rome, where he soon became acting-procurator general of the congregation. In 1896 Father Gordon returned to Chicago where he again be came assistant at the St. Stanislaus church and manager of the Polish Daily News. The latter position he holds to the present time. In 1897 he founded the Macierz Polska, a benevolent organization with the insurance feature in it. The organization has grown very rapidly until now it numbers several thousand members of both sexes in various parts of the United States. Father Gordon became its first moderator which position he holds today, having been reelected at the expiration of each term. In 1899 he organized St. Mary's of the Angels Parish at Hermitage avenue and Clybourn Place and be came its first pastor. Seven years later he was transferred to become pastor of St. Stanislaus church. During his three years stay, the new St. Stanislaus school, hall and Sisters' home were built. They belong to the finest and most up-to-date buildings of their kind in this country. In 1909, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Congregation of the Resurrection regarding the transfer of HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 789 pastors every three years, he was again assigned to the pastorship of St. Mary's of the Angels church, which position he now holds. Father Gordon is also general manager of the Polish-Bohemian cemetery of St. Adalbert in Norwood Park, 111. In the Chicago Examiner popularity contest, including a trip to the Holy Land, Father Gordon won first place by 138,354 plurality, receiving in all 1,132,534 votes. Fred M. Pease is a native of Rockland, Maine, as were also his parents, Alonzo C. and Emma (Furbish) Pease. The father was the owner of several large granite quarries near Rockland which he op erated the greater part of his life and from which, in 1873, he fur nished all the granite entering into the construction of the East River bridge at New York. In 1873 he came to Chicago and here lived a retired life until his death on October 17, 1907, aged seventy-three years. His widow survives him and resides with the subject of this sketch. Fred M. Pease was born May 25, 1865, and received his education in the public and high schools of Rockland, Maine. He came to Chicago with his parents in 1873, but returned to Rockland to com plete his schooling. He then traveled extensively throughout the west identified with various business enterprises, and during the early '80s and until 1887, was associated with interests identified with the old Alton Railroad company in the operation of lime quarries at Auxvasse, Mo. He established a plant for the manufacture of plas ter at Blue Rapids, Kan., it being the first of its kind in the West, and also one for the manufacture of cement at Kansas City, Mo. In 1887 he sold out his interests and embarked in the buying and sell ing of live stock in Kansas and shipping hogs to Mexico. In 1889 he came to Chicago and engaged in the railway supply business at 155 Washington street, also acting as the western agent for the Murray Dougal & Company, of Milton, Penn., pioneer tank car builders. In 1893 he moved to 355 Dearborn street where he has since maintained his office. Mr. Pease erected the F. M. Pease Lo comotive works at Hegewisch, Cook county, 111., where he made a specialty of rebuilding cars and locomotives, this being the first com plete works of this character. During the well-remembered activities in the oil fields of Texas he alone was able to supply hundreds of tank cars to various railway lines, and the promptness of supplying orders enabled his company to reach very substantial profits. The factory was enlarged until, when completed, it covered over twenty- six acres, employed over 800 hands and operated over three miles of switches. Mr. Pease was the first to embark in the field of rebuild ing of old railroad rolling stock, to which he added the buying and selling of private railroads. During the '90s he bought and sold the Washburn, Bayfield & Iron River railroad, the Baltimore & Lehigh railroad, the Danville & Western railroad, the Ashland, Siskiwit & Iron River railroad, and other important railroads of that time. Mr. Vol. 11—47. 790 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Pease is the owner of 1,200 acres of land in Missouri, near Jefferson City, and is also largely interested in Chicago real estate, in the management of which he devotes his time. Dr. W. C. Abbott, Ravenswood, Chicago, president of the Abbott Alkaloidal company and Clinic Publishing company, was born on a farm in Woodstock, Vt., 1857, and was educated in the schools of the time. He later graduated at the Randolph State Normal school and the St. Johnsbury Academy preparatory to entering college, teaching as a stepping stone. He took his first courses in medicine at Dartmouth and his degree at the Michigan University in 1885, be ing self-supporting all the way through. For a few months he then practiced medicine in Ruthland, Vt., after which he came to Chicago, locating in Ravenswood in 1886. He then continuously and widely pursued his profession as a general practitioner for twelve years, dur ing the later part of which period he established the Abbott Alka loidal company and the Clinic Publishing company, teaching and promoting active-principle therapeutics. To this work he had given and is now giving the major portion of his time, and is doing only consultation work professionally. He has built up a big business and is one of the widest and most favorably known shapers of medi cal thought in America, his work being favorably received in foreign countries as well. He was early married to Clara Ingraham, likewise of Vermont, and has one child. Dr. William M. Stearns, a specialist who has attained distinction in the practice of special medicine and surgery, is a son of George W. and Harriet N. (Chaffee) Stearns. His ancestors settled in New England about the year 1630, and his paternal grandfather and great grandfather were soldiers in the War of 1812. Shortly after the birth of Dr. Stearns in western New York, on June 20, 1856, his parents moved to Will county, Illinois, and there he re ceived the foundation of his education in the common and high schools. When nineteen years old he began teaching geometry, Lat in and physiology, but having decided to become a physician he took up the study of that profession in 1878 and in 1880 was graduated from the Chicago Homeopathic Medical college. For nearly three years succeeding this he served by appointment as house physician and surgeon of the Illinois State Penitentiary at Joliet, then resigned and in order to better equip himself in his profession, continued his studies for two years in the best clinics and hospitals of Germany and Austria. Late in 1885 he returned to Chicago and was appointed assistant professor of Otology and Ophthalmology in the Chicago Homeopathic Medical college; and in 1890 he was elected adjunct professor of Rhinology and Laryngology and soon thereafter was elected to a full professorship, a position he retained until the college was consolidated with the Hahnemann Medical college in 1904, in which he has been senior professor of the same branches till the pres ent time. He was also one of the board of directors and secretary, and HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 791 from 1901 to 1904 dean of the faculty of the Chicago Homeopathic Medical college. Dr. Stearns is a member of various medical and be nevolent societies and besides his native tongue is well versed in the German and French languages. For many years he has confined his practice to diseases of the ear, nose and throat and as such is recog nized as an authority. He was raised a Master Mason in 1881 ; ex alted a Royal Arch Mason in 1882 ; Knighted in 1882, and became a member of Apollo Commandery No. 1, in 1885. In 1887 he was made a thirty-second degree Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Mason of Oriental Consistory, and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine of Medinah Temple. During his early Masonic career Dr. Stearns held many important offices within the gift of the craft. His home in one of culture and comfort where, surrounded by his family, a large general library and other distinguishing social influences, he most enjoys life. On June 1, 1887, he married Miss Fannie Foote, daughter of Dr. William S. Foote, of Belvidere, 111., who was the eighth son in lineal descent oL Nathaniel Foote, the progenitor of that family in America in 1620. To Doctor and Mrs. Stearns have been born five children, three of whom, Helen Frances, Eugene Marion and Clar ence Foote, are still living. Frank Wengierski, who is engaged in business at 574 North Ash land avenue, was born at Zempelburg, West Prussia, Germany, on August 3, 1858, and is a son of Joseph and Tekla (Szlezerski) Wen gierski. The father was a carpenter by trade and first came to the United States in 1866. He engaged in business and found it neces sary to cross the ocean fourteen different times. In all he spent about thirty-five years of his life in America, but finally died in Zempelburg, Germany, in the year 1900. His life was full of inci dents and exertions. On March 17, 1828, he was born in German and at his death was seventy-two years old. His widow died in 1907 at the age of seventy-three years. Their four children now reside in Chicago. They are Frank, John, Felix J. and Theodore. Frank is at present engaged in insurance, real estate, loaning, etc., and has an agency for several steamship lines. He was educated in the public and private schools of Germany and in June, 1877, came to the United States on the vessel Braunschweig, landing at Balti more and from there proceeded directly to Chicago where he se cured employment in a picture frame factory where he continued for a year. He then clerked in a grocery store for six years, but in 1884 passed the civil service examination and secured a position as a let ter carrier in which capacity he served four years under the adminis tration of Postmasters Palmer and Judd. He then resigned and en gaged in his present business which he has successfully conducted. He resides in the Sixteenth ward where he owns property. On April 15, 1882, he married Magdalena, 'daughter of Frederick and Mar garet Billmayer, of Chicago. They have four children: Julius F., a graduate of the law department of Northwestern University; Al- 792 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY phonso S., Tekla, wife of Max Thies, and Frances. The oldest son is located near Rockford where heat present holds the position of sup erintendent of the Winnebago Farm school for delinquent boys, which position he has held since 1907. Frank, the subject of this review, while yet a boy, was employed for two years as record writer in the courthouse at Zempelburg, Germany. He took private lessons in foreign languages evenings while thus engaged. He is a member of the Polish National Alli ance, Catholic Order of Foresters, Royal Arcanum, St. Stanislaus Polish Roman Catholic church, and is a member of the choir of this church. Politically he is a Republican. He speaks and writes Polish, German and English. He takes a warm interest in the progress and advancement of Chicago and hopes to see it the first city in the world. Joseph Beifeld, manufacturer and merchant, was born August 22, 1853, in Hungary. Having relatives in America he came to this country in 1867, and for one year succeeding his arrival attended the Chicago public schools. In 1869 he entered the employ of Field, Leiter & Company, and in the wholesale establishment of this firm occupied the positions of entry clerk and bookkeeper until 1878. In company with his brother, Morris, he then embarked in the whole sale manufacture of cloaks at which he continued until 1902, when, associated with Nelson Monroe, he bought the Sherman House. Three months later he purchased the interest of Mr. Monroe and thereafter conducted the hotel until it was razed, in 1909, to make way for the new structure now in process of construction. On ac quiring possession of the Sherman House property in 1902, the lease was for twenty years, but in 1906, the original lease was abrogated and a new one executed for ninety-nine years. In 1903 he origi nated and established the College Inn, a restaurant that has since be come famous, and in 1905, encouraged by his previous succsses,he financed and promoted the White City, the pioneer of that kind of public resorts in the west. Mr. Beifeld was president of the White City until January 1, 1910, although still retaining his large stock interest. His brother, Morris, succeeded him as presiding officer. Perhaps one of the greatest undertakings in which Mr. Beifield has thus far engaged is the erection of the new Hotel Sherman. When completed it will have 757 rooms, each bedroom having a bathroom, and will be equipped in the most substantial and modern manner as applied to hotel construction. The entire second floor will be de voted to public gatherings and banquets, and the building will be ready for occupancy in December, 1910. On May 25, 1876, Mr. Beifeld married Miss Fannie Grossman, of Chicago. The three children born to them are, Dr. Albert H., now finishing his education in Europe ; Eugene V. and Ernest L-, the last named being associated with his father in business. Mr. Beifeld is a member of the Standard and Hamilton clubs, and in politics has HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 793 been a life-long Republican. On October 17, 1900, he delivered an address, "The Present Campaign from the Standpoint of a Business Man." It was of such merit and so applicable to the questions of the day that it was published in booklet form under the auspices of The Business Men's Sound Money Association. Jesse Spalding, whose name is indelibly imprinted on the history of lumbering in Chicago and the northwest, was a man of unusual force and high character. He came to Chicago in the year 1860, at a time when lumbering was yet in its crude stages and full of possibilities. Here he made his home during the remainder of his days and became prominent in commercial and political life and in all ways that contributed to good citizenship. Born April 15, 1837, in Bradford county, Penn., he was a son of John Spalding, a de scendant of English ancestry, the progenitor of the family being Joseph Spalding who settled in Braintree, Mass., sometime between the years 1630 and 1633. The early years of Jesse Spalding were passed on his father's farm and in attending the public schools and the academy at Athens. About the time of attaining his majority he found employment in rafting lumber on the Susquehanna river and tributary streams, subsequently becoming purchasing agent for his employers. . When twenty-three years old he began buying, ship ping and selling for himself. In 1860, impressed with the wonderful opportunities and advantages of the west, he came to Chicago with the belief that this city was destined to become a great metropolis and commercial center. Subsequent events proved his judgment to have been well founded. His first venture was the purchase of a saw mill at Menekaunee, Wis., at the mouth of the Menominee river. He subsequently purchased a mill at the mouth of Cedar river some thirty miles north of Menominee. During this time he maintained a lumber yard at the corner of Lumber and Twelfth streets, Chicago, and was afterwards one of the first to take a location in the "new" district at Twenty-second street. Associated with others, he estab lished the first planing mill in this district at the corner of Fisk and Twenty-second streets. In connection with William B. Ogden, N. Ludington and H. B. Gardner, Mr. Spalding, in 1880, organized the Sturgeon Bay & Lake Michigan Ship Canal & Harbor company. This corporation dug a canal across the peninsula from Sturgeon Bay to Lake Michigan, thereby saving 150 miles of dangerous navi gation on a round trip. A harbor of refuge was built at the Lake Michigan end of the canal where third order coast and range lights, steam fog signal and a life-saving station were established. To aid in this enterprise the government made a grant of 200,000 acres of land. In 1892 congress made an appropriation for purchasing the canal, and in 1893 it was made free to the shipping interests of the country. For eight years Mr. Spalding served as president of the canal company. When Civil War was declared between the states Mr. Spalding was employed by the adjutant-general of Illinois to 794 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY build Camp Douglas, accepting as remuneration for lumber and labor warrants issued by the state auditor, which later were re deemed by national currency of the government. As a Republican in politics he occupied a prominent position in the councils of his party. By appointment of President Arthur he was collector of cus toms of the port of Chicago in 1883, and in 1889 was appointed one of the government commissioners in its relation with the Union Pa cific railroad. For three years he was a member of the city council of Chicago under Mayor Colvin, where as chairman of the commit tee on finance, his sound judgment and practical experience proved of great value. He became prominently identified with banking and other financial concerns of Chicago. To the marriage of Mr. Spald ing with Adelphia Moody, of Athens, Bradford county, Pennsylva nia, three sons and three daughters were born. Charles F. Spalding, a son of Jesse Spalding, appropriate mention of whom immediately precedes this, was born October 5, 1865, in 'Chicago. After receiving his education in the Harvard school, Chi cago, and the Exeter Academy, N. H, he began his business career with his father. He was first stationed in the mill of the Spalding Lumber company at the mouth of Cedar river, where he thoroughly mastered the intricacies of felling trees, transporting logs to the mill, converting the same into lumber and marketing the product. Upon fhe death of his father he was elected to succeed him as presi dent of the company. He was one of the substantial business men of Chicago, a city famed the world over for its many successful men in all avenues and walks of life. He was a director of the Hibernian bank, resident vice-president of the American Surety company, direc tor of the First National bank ( Marinette, Wis. ) , of the Menominee River Lumber company, Commercial National bank (Chicago), Commercial bank (Iron Mountain, Mich.), vice-president of the Tennessee Central Railroad, vice-president of the Waccamaw Lum ber company, located in Wilmington, N C, and president of the Holcomb-Hayes company, which manufactures railway ties. On February 1, 1888, Mr. Spalding married Miss Elizabeth Clarke, daughter of John V. Clarke, of Chicago, and the children born to them have been as follows : Jesse, Jr. ; Lillian, Bertrande and John Vaughn Clarke. In his religious faith Mr. Spalding was an Episcopalian ; was a Republican in politics, and identified with the Chicago, Union League, St. Louis, Chicago, Athletic, Germania, Forty, Glen View, Exmoor, Saddle and Cycle, Edgewater Golf and Mid Day clubs. He died in 1909. Harry Stillson Hart is one of the younger present generation of Chicago business men who has achieved success in his chosen pro fession. Born at Clinton, Iowa, September 2, 1870, he is a son of Eli S- and Olive Miriam (Williams) Hart. In youth he attended the public schools and was graduated from the Clinton high school in 1889. Having a desire to secure a technical education, he entered HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 795 the Rose Polytechnic Institute at Terre Haute, Ind., from which, after completing the mechanical and electrical engineering courses, he received the degree of B. S. in 1893. For six months succeeding his graudation he was employed as electrical constructing engineer for the well-known firm of Siemans & Halske Electric company, and from 1889 to 1894, was the eastern manager in New York for the Crouse-Tremaine Carbon company. In April of the latter year he was elected secretary of the Rodger Ballast Car company, and Janu ary 1, 1902, was elected vice-president and general manager of the same concern. From this position he was elected president of the company, a position he has since occupied with signal ability and satisfaction. Aside from his business interests Mr. Hart devotes considerable of his time to his books, special studies and in fellowship with his neighbors. He is a member of the Union League club, the University club, the South Shore Country club and the Chicago Ath letic Association. January 29, 1905, he was united in marriage with Miss Zalome Sherman and they are the parents of one daughter, Miriam, two years old. Mr. Hart's home life is divided between his country residence at Barrington, 111., which he occupies about nine months of the year, and his Chicago residence at 2922 Prairie ave nue. His business location is in the Railway Exchange building. Norman D. Fraser, president of the Chicago Portland Cement company, was born in this city February 25, 1857, and is a son of David R. and Lydia H. (Scoville) Fraser. He was educated in the Chicago public schools and upon leaving school in 1874 he became connected with the firm of Fraser & Chalmers, manufacturers of mining machinery, etc. He remained actively connected with this firm for a period of seventeen years — 1876 to 1893. Then for two years he was out of business but in 1895 became president of his present company. They are manufacturers of Portland Cement and have a large and profitable trade. Mr. Fraser is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Western Society of Erigineers. He is a Republican and a member of the following clubs: Union League and Illinois. His office is at 108 La Salle street and his residence at 2928 Washington boulevard. Col. James Donovan was born April 2, 1847, in a log cabin built by his father one mile from North Adams, Hillsdale county, Mich., and is of Irish ancestry on his paternal side. Michael Donovan, his father, came from the North of Ireland to Syracuse, N. Y., in 1813, later moving to Toledo, Ohio, where in 1832, he married Rhoda Chambers. James Chambers, her uncle, who died in Birmingham, England, in 1864, and after whom our subject was named, was of royal family and left a large estate, which now, after many years, is about to be divided among the heirs. Two brothers, Josiah and Joseph, and four sisters, Sarah, Ellen, Caroline and Ann, located in Toledo, Ohio, in 1830. Originally they were from Hampton, England. Josiah was a miller and brought with him a grist mill 796 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY which he erected on Summit street, it being the first in that section. He died at the great age of 101 years. Among the valued posses sions of Col. James Donovan are two old English prayer books presented to his mother in 1805 by Esther Etheridge, who was a relative of Queen Victoria and also related to the Chambers. An other prayer book in the possession of Colonel Donovan has a super scription on the fly-leaf in the handwriting of the queen, having date of 1816. The owner of these antique and valuable relics was educated in the public schools at North Adams and at Hillsdale college, receiv ing his diploma from the latter in 1867 after having completed the prescribed English course. Previous to this, when the Confederate General Morgan threatened the invasion of Ohio, he joined the First Michigan zouaves, organized in his native town, the date of his en listment being January 1862. He was assigned to Company A, of which he was later elected captain, but the capture of General Mor gan and the dispersement of his command led to the disbanding of the organization. After leaving college Colonel Donovan taught school in Jackson county, Michigan, and among his pupils was Clara E. Conley, whom he subsequently married December 24, 1867, she being the daughter of James Conley who was at that time one of the wealthiest men of that section. Succeeding this he was engaged in merchandising at Ivesdale, 111., but disposing of his interests in 1869, moved to Quincy, Mich., where he embarked in the lumber business, and practiced law for some time. He acquired large property inter ests and his career for many years thereafter was one of great ac tivity and absorbing interests. Unfortunately he became connected with some unscrupulous men who endeavored to rob him of his pos sessions, but the fighting stock from which he sprang and his own good sense and untiring perseverance led to the final vanquishing of his enemies. Since 1884, and even before then, Colonel Donovan has been closely identified with commercial Chicago. He built the Don ovan Opera House in 1872, and for many years has been engaged in looking after his own large property interests and those of his friends with whom he has been associated. He is now the owner of 80,000 acres of choice timber land in the states of Michigan, Wiscon sin and Minnesota, valued at several millions of dollars. Hon. Thomas G. McEUigott, one of the well-known lawyers of Chicago, was born here September 26, 1861, a son of John and Sarah Jane (Cusack) McEUigott, both of whom were of Irish descent. The father, a cooper by occupation, was a sober, honest and excel lent citizen. He came to America in 1850 and to Chicago in 1851, and here he resided until his death, May 6, 1908. His son, Thomas G. McEUigott, received his primary education in the common schools, subsequently taking courses at night schools, the Athenaeum and Metropolitan Business college. At an early age he began working at his father's trade of cooper and a little later en- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 797 gaged in the tea and coffee business and was thus engaged in 1886 when first elected to the legislature. He was reelected in 1888. He was one of the most active and useful members of the House. He finally sold his tea and coffee business and soon afterward began the study of law for which he was by nature admirably fitted. He was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1890 and the following Novem ber was elected clerk of the appellate court of the first district for a term of six years. He was a candidate for reelection in 1896, but was defeated with the rest of his ticket in the great Republican land slide of that year. He is an unswerving Democrat and in all his official duties has brought into service all his ability, honesty and energy. On February 12, 1888, he was united in marriage with Mary A. Storen and to them were born six children, of whom the following five are living: Sarah A., John, Thomas, Jr. , James and Marie. His wife died May 12, 1899. Mr. McElligott's offices are located in the Unity building. Abijah O. Cooper, well-known Chicago attorney at law, with of fices at 145 LaSalle street, was born in Burlington, Iowa, March 9, 1858. He received his education in the public schools of his native city, subsequently coming to Chicago where he embarked in the wholesale tobacco business at 1 169 Taylor street. This business he conducted with much success for a period of about twenty years (1874 to 1894). Possessing great natural ability as a campaigner and a public speaker, he attracted many friends and was finally pre vailed upon by men high in the political circles of Cook county to put his talents to a practical use. He entered the Chicago College of Law, graduating therefrom in 1897 with the degree of LL. B. In the campaign of 1894 he was elected clerk of the probate court by a plurality of 56,000 votes and upon the completion of his most sat isfactory term of office, began the practice of law which he still con tinues. His clientele is large and lucrative. Mr. Cooper was one of the leading spirits in promoting the night schools of- Chicago, which have proved an invaluable acquisition to the city's educational facilities, and was also largely instrumental in the organization of over twenty debating societies. He is an arduous supporter of advancement and has devoted a large portion of his life to this cause. He is unmarried, a stanch Republican and resides at 2440 Taylor street. Abraham Robert Marriott, vice-president of the Chicago Title & Trust company, was born on a farm in DuPage county, Illinois, May 26, 1860, a son of William and Kittie (Gresham) Marriott. He re ceived his early education in the public schools of Wheaton, 111., and later took a course in the Chicago College of Law. From 1875 to 1891 he was employed in the clerical department of the firm of Had dock, Coxe & Company, and Haddock, Vallette & Rickcords (ab stracts of title) ; from 1891 to 1895 he was superintendent of Had dock, Vallette & Rickcords company; from 1895 to 1901 he was 798 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY vice-president of the Security Title & Trust company, and since 1901 has acted as vice-president and director of the Chicago Title & Trust company. On September 1, 1904, he was awarded the con tract for re-writing the abstract books and records of Cook county by the county board, the work to be completed in two years. Mr. Marriott is a member of the Chicago Real Estate Board, the Ham ilton club, the Republican club and the Oaks club, of Austin. On October 19, 1882, he was united in marriage with Minnie C. Cooper and to them the following children have been born : Ida Elizabeth, Arthur Cooper, Robert William and Thomas Benton. Louis Joseph Sankar, engaged in the newspaper advertising busi ness at 115 Dearborn street and representing practically all Slavic publications in the United States, was born January 19, 1877, in Lysa, Bohemia. His parents, Ignatius Hynek and Anna (Svoboda), Sankar, were also natives of Bohemia, and were of old and highly esteemed families. In 1888 they immigrated to the United States and here the father followed his trade of mason. The early edu cation of Louis Joseph Sankar was obtained in the public schools of Bohemia and in the public schools of Chicago. He also attended the evening high schools that he might more rapidly acquire a knowledge of the English language and American customs. Very few Chicago men are better linguists than Mr. Sankar as he is well versed in Bohemian, Slavic, Polish, French, Spanish and English. His first commercial venture was as a correspondent for various pub lications, later taking up advertising and establishing himself in that particular field of operation. In this he has prospered and is con sidered an expert in the advertising world. Mr. Sankar is a member of the Bohemian Methodist Episcopal church, is independent in his political views and belongs to the Masonic and Odd Fellows' fratern ities and is vice-president of Lafayette Council of the Royal League. He is a lover of art and music. To his marriage with Miss Anna B. Jaros, of Chicago, and of Bohemian ancestry, one son has been born, named Alfred Cotton Sankar. Ferdinand W. Dierssen, wholesale fish and oyster dealer at the Union fish market, is a native of the city of Chicago, his birth oc curring on June 6, 1877. He is a son of Frederick and Emma (Tan- nenberger) Dierssen who were born in Hanover, Germany, and are among the old and highly respected citizens of Chicago. Ferdinand W. Dierssen in early youth attended the public schools, subsequently taking a course in the Metropolitan Business college. He began his business career as an assistant to his father, who was then senior member of the firm of F. Dierssen & Brother, at four dollars per week, his duties being of a miscellaneous character. From this humble beginning he grew with the business until he had ad vanced to the head of the establishment. When consolidation seemed to pervade most lines of expanding buiness pursuits, the concern, in 1898, was merged into the A. Booth interests, and Erederick Diers- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 799 sen, the father, retired from active participation in its affairs and confined his attention to various other business enterprises, the son becoming the head and active agent of the Union market. He is also interested in other lines and is the present vice-president of the Chi cago Sash, Door & Blind Manufacturing company. Such, in brief, is the career of a Chicago boy whose life, while uneventful, has been one of activity and usefulness. He is a lover of out-door sports, is unmarried and resides with his parents at 2052 Ewing Place. William Henry Burns, general auditor, Rock Island lines, was born in Chicago, April 23, 1865, and is a son of Patrick and Mar garet (Casey) Burns. He was educated in the common schools — grammar and high — and finished at Bryant & Stratton's Business col lege. He began the active duties of life in 1881 as clerk in the store department of the Rock Island road. Later, he was clerk in the roadmaster's and freight auditor's offices, and on June 1, 1898, was advanced to freight auditor of the same road. On July 1, 1902, he became auditor freight traffic, October 1, 1905, assistant general au ditor, and on December 10, 1909, general auditor, Rock Island lines. He is a member of the Railway Club of Chicago and the Knights of Columbus. His wife was formerly Elizabeth Ryan, of Albany, N. Y. They have four children : Warren, Esther, Frances and How ard. Mr. Burns is a Democrat. He lives at 7317 Princeton avenue. His father was in the employ of the Rock Island road for about thirty-five years. William Frank Mulvihill, the subject of this sketch, was born on a farm in Oswego county, New York, February 6, 1872. Leaving the farm at the age of fourteen years he learned the trade of a furni ture finisher, working in Whitesboro and Utica, N. Y., where he at tended night school and business college. In 1892 he became half owner of the Central New York News, a local prohibition paper published at Utica, and since that time has been actively identified with various religious and temperance periodicals, including the Facts, afterward the Defender, of New York, the Northern Chris tian Advocate and the Christian Century. Mr. Mulvihill came to Chicago in 1899 to take an editorial posi tion on the New Voice, then the national organ of the prohibition movement ; in 1900 he was the managing editor of the Daily Voice, and in 1901 became general manager of the company. Later Mr. Mulvihill effected a merger of the New Voice list with that of the Defender, of New York, and the Home Defender, of Chicago, the consolidated papers being now published in this city as the National Prohibitionist, of which he is treasurer. Before coming to Chicago Mr. Mulvihill was secretary of the New York State Prohibition committee for two years and is considered an authority on the ques tions of prohibition and law enforcement. He was the author and compiler of the Campaign Text-Books of the Prohibition party for 1900 and 1904. He is just closing a three years course at Chicago- 800 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Kent College of Law paying special attention to the subjects of con stitutional law and the construction and interpretation of statutes. He graduates as orator of his class, having been chosen by his colleagues for that honor by acclamation. Mr. Mulvihill was elected secretary of the Englewood Law and Order League in 1903, serving until July, 1909. He has also served the Chicago Law and Order League as executive-secretary since its incorporation. He was married December 28, 1898, to Emma M. Elliott, nee Hubbard, and has one son, Stewart Pearson, seven years old. He is a member of the Church of Christ (Disciples), a Good Templar and a charter member of Park Manor Lodge No. 899, A. F. &A. M. James Nelson Buchanan was born on Adams street, Chicago, Oc tober 16, 1849. At that time Dearborn street did not extend south of Monroe street, but later when this street was extended, the house was on the southeast corner of the two thoroughfares, where the Bedford building now stands, and was burned October 9, 1871. His parents were Nelson and Ellen M. ( Paine) Buchanan. He attended the Brown (public) school, Palmers and Dyrenfurth Academies. His business career commenced as errand boy for Cul ver, Page & Hoyne, and later he was a clerk in the office of Hollis ter & Phelps' carpet house, when Lake street was the principal re tail street of Chicago, and later took up the real estate business, in which he is now engaged. Mr. Buchanan was elected a member of the state legislature on the Harrison and Morton ticket in 1888 and served two years repre senting in the thirty-sixth general assembly, the second senatorial district, in which was located the World's fair. The same body also enacted the drainage law under which Chicago's big canal was built. He was a charter member of Company A, First Regiment Illinois National Guard, and served eight and a half years as private, cor poral, sergeant, lieutenant, and the last two and a half years as cap tain of the company. After severing his connection with the First Regiment, he served six and a half years as commissary and assist ant inspector general, on the staff of Gen. Charles Fitz Simons, when he commanded the First Brigade, Illinois National Guard. On October 17, 1876, he was united in marriage with Miss Isadora Berry, daughter of Capt. William M. Berry, of Hyde Park, and to them three children have been born : Grace Buchanan Lamberton, William Nelson Buchanan, both now residents of Chicago, and Isa dora B. Buchanan, who died in infancy. Mr. Buchannan is a member of the Cook County Real Estate Board and the Chicago Press club, and resides at No. 5555 Monroe avenue. James S. Paine came to Chicago in the spring of 1842 from Hallowell, Maine. He lived in Dearborn street between South Water and Lake streets, where he conducted a harness arid saddlery HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 801 business until the spring of 1850, when he crossed the plains to Cali fornia. Returning in 1857, he felt the restraint of Chicago's civili zation, and in the fall of that year took his family to Linn county, Kansas, where he died in September, 1866. Nelson Buchanan was born in Montreal, June 20, 1820, and came to Chicago in 1837, being one of the early druggists. In December, 1848, he was married to Ellen Maria Paine, and died October 31. 1858. Ellen Maria (Paine) Buchanan was born in Hallowell, Maine, March 4, 1829, and came to Chicago with her father, James S. Paine, in 1842, the family coming by boat from Buffalo. They lived for many years in Dearborn street, between Lake and South Water streets. In 1848 she was married to Nelson Buchanan, and died February 3, 1907, at her residence 5555 Monroe avenue, where she had lived for seventeen years. Three sons, James N., Dr. Charles H. arid Edward P. Buchanan, all residents of Chicago, sur vive her. Dr. Charles Henry Buchanan was born in Chicago, August 2, 1851. His parents were Nelson and Ellen M. (Paine) Buchanan. He received his early education in the public schools, and afterward graduated from Kenyon college at Gambier, Ohio. He also is a graduate of Rush Medical college, and resides at 6608 Yale avenue. In 1881 he was united in marriage with Mary N. Slichter. They have one daughter, Maybelle (Buchanan) Avery. Edward Paine Buchanan was born in Harrison street between Buffalo street and Medina Place, May 21, 1853, a son of Nelson and Ellen M. (Paine) Buchanan. He was a student in the Brown (pub lic) school, and afterward at Racine college, Racine, Wis. After leaving school he was a clerk with the New York Life Insurance company, later taking up the contracting business. He served five years as a member of Company A, First Regiment, Illinois National Guard, and has been for many years a member of the veteran corps, of which he is now commander. In 1881 he was married to Imogene (Fowler) Buchanan. They have two daughters, Jessie and Imogene Buchanan. Mr. Buchanan is a member of the Illinois Athletic club. George Russell Carr, vice-president and general manager of the Dearborn Drug & Chemical Works, was born in Argenta, 111., Janu ary 23, 1878, and is a son of Dr. Robert F. and Emily (Smick) Carr. He attended the public schools of Argenta and the Austin high school, graduating from the latter with the class of 1897. He then entered the University of Illinois, took a full course in chemis try and graduated in 1901 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. On July 1, 1901, he began active work as an employe of the Dear born Drug & Chemical Works, with which concern he has been asso ciated ever since. He was first a salesman, then manager of a de partment, then assistant general manager, then in July, 1906, vice- president and in 1907 vice-president and general manager, which 802 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY dual position he still occupies. He is also connected with outside business interests. He is vice-president of the Blue Island Rolling Mill & Car company at 124th street and Marshfield avenue and vice- president of the Sheffield Car & Equipment company, of Kansas City, Mo. He is secretary and a director of the Emerson Typewriter com pany. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and the University, Chicago Athletic, South, Shore Country, Midlothian Golf, Westward Ho Golf and Oak Park clubs and the American Chemical Society. He resides at 416 Home avenue, Oak Park. Robert James McKay, general passenger agent of the Chicago & Alton ; Toledo, St. Louis & Western ; Minneapolis & St. Louis, and the Iowa Central railroads, was born in Aurora, 111., February 26, 1871, and is a son of John H. and Anna (Turner) McKay. The fath er, who was a skillful mechanic, was a resident of Aurora and was long in the employ of one or more of the above roads. In youth Robert J. attended the public schools of Aurora and at the age of eighteen years began the active duties of life in the office of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy telegraphic office, occupying the various positions of bill clerk, messenger, clerk in the freight of fice, clerk in roadmaster's office, etc. While thus engaged he be came thoroughly familiar with the intricate details of practical rail roading. In July, 1892, he became assistant ticket agent at Aurora and four years later ticket agent there. In 1900 he came to Chicago as city ticket agent at 211 Clark street and was there employed until September, 1904, when he went to St. Louis as district passenger agent of the Toledo, St. Louis & Western system. On January 1, 1906, he was promoted to assistant general passenger agent of the same road and was thus occupied until June 1, 1908, when he re turned to Chicago and assumed the duties of assistant general pas senger agent for the two roads — Toledo, St. Louis & Western and the Chicago & Alton. On March 1, 1909, he became first assistant general passenger agent of those roads and on December 1, 1909, general passenger agent of the four roads named first in this sketch. His advance has been steady, rapid and merited. He is a Republican and lives at 4860 Kenmore avenue. On May 4, 1898, he married Elizabeth DuBrock, of Aurora, and they have one son, George Rob ert. Kempster B. Miller, of the firm of McMeen & Miller, consulting engineers, 1452 Monadnock Block, and with a branch establishment at 333 Grant avenue, San Francisco, is a native of Boston, Mass., born August 14, 1870, a son of Joseph K. and Eliza (Blanchard) Miller. His father was an expert mechanic in early life and pos sessed literary talent of a high order. While yet a young man he moved to Washington, D. C, where for many years he was em ployed in the office of the comptroller of the currency. It was in the latter city that Kempster B. Miller grew to manhood and secured his HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 803 primary education. He later entered the engineering department of Cornell University from which he was graduated with the degree of mechanical engineer in the class of 1893. He began life for himself as examiner of patents in the electrical division of the United States Patent office at Washington, D. C. From 1893 to 1896 he was thus employed, then came to Chicago where for three years he was con nected with the Western Telephone Construction company. From then until 1905 he was in the employ of the Kellogg Switchboard & Supply company as electrical engineer. The first office established as consulting engineers in the telephone field was that of McMeen & Miller in 1905, and this has proved a marked success. The firm has recently executed important work for the New York Board of Under writers, and for the city of New York on the fire alarm system. They are now building a telephone system for the Home Telephone company, of San Francisco, which is designed to be the largest ever constructed. Mr. Miller inherited from his father his taste for litera ture, and "American Telephone Practice," a technical work of high merit, is from his pen. His contributions to various periodicals on technical subjects have also attracted much attention and praise from the critics. In social affairs he is identified with the Union League, Quadrangle and Illinois Athletic clubs, the Engineer's Club of New York, the Engineer's Club of Chicago, the American Institute of Electrical Engineering and the Western Society of Engineers. He is a director of the Kellogg Switchboard & Supply company and of the Beiden Manufacturing company. To his marriage with Miss Antha Knowlton, solemnized July 3, 1897, three children have been bom : Dorothea, Antha and Ruth. The family home is at 1232 E. Fifty-sixth street. Frank O. Melcher, second vice-president of the Chicago, Rock Is land & Pacific Railroad company, is a native of Maine, born at Dam- ariscotta, June 14, 1864, a son of Franklin B. and Harriet Newell (Harrington) Melcher. In boyhood he attended the public schools, then entered Tufts college from which he was graduated in 1887, and subsequently, in 1895, graduating as a civil engineer from the same institution. In 1887 he began his railroad career as instrument man on the Fitchburg road, then became assistant engineer, chief engi neer, division superintendent and general superintendent of the same road. He next became superintendent of the Fitchburg division of the Boston & Maine railroad, but in November, 1902, came west as the division superintendent for Illinois of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railway, later occupying the position of general superin tendent of the Choctaw district for the same company. In June, 1905, he was promoted to general manager of the Central and North ern districts, and from this, on December 10, 1909, he was appoint ed second vice-president of the road, a position he now occupies. Mr. Melcher is a member of the Union League and Exmoor Country clubs and resides at Winnetka. On October 1, 1895, he was united in marriage with Miss Edna Elizabeth Lane, of Yonkers, N. Y. 804 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY Henry U. Mudge, president of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad company, was born June 9, 1856, at Minden, Mich., and received his early education in the public schools. Practically his en tire life has been passed in railroad work and was begun as water boy (when only fourteen years old) on track with the Atchison, Topeka & Sante Fe railway. Having learned telegraphy, he served in the different capacities of operator, brakeman, baggageman, con ductor of work, freight and passenger trains, roadmaster, train master, division superintendent of different roads, general superin tendent, and from 1900 to 1905 was general manager of the Atchi son, Topeka & Santa Fe railway. On May 1, of the latter year he be came connected with the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railway, as second -vice-president, and in December, 1909, was elected president of this road. This record speaks for itself and is one to which the aspiring youth of the land can turn with benefit. Dr. Byron Robinson for many years has occupied high rank among the medical practitioners of Chicago. He is a native of Wis consin, his parents being William and Mary Robinson. His early education was acquired in a log school house, subsequently attending a seminary at Mineral Point and the University of Wisconsin. He received the degree of Bachelor of Science from the latter in 1878. During his senior year at the university he was assistant to the pro fessor of chemistry. The two following years he was principal of the high school at Ashland and at Black Earth and during this time took up the study of medicine under Dr. U. P. Stair. He then en tered Rush Medical college from which he was graduated in 1882, and the ensuing two years he was engaged in practice at Grand Rap ids, Wis. In 1884-5, in order to better equip himself in his profes sion, he pursued special studies and investigations in gynecology and abdominal surgery at Heidelberg, Berlin, and London, then return ing to America and resuming his practice at Grand Rapids. In 1887 he again went to Europe where he took up special studies in gynecology at the University of Vienna, and in 1888, located at To ledo, Ohio, where he became professor of anatomy and clinical sur gery in the Toledo Medical college. During this period he made numerous experiments and devised improved methods in intestinal anastomasis operations. Since 1891 Dr. Robinson has been engaged at his profession in Chicago. To give a complete resume of original operations performed by Dr. Robinson would alone fill a volume. As an author he has con tributed two volumes entitled "Landmarks of Gynecology," two vol umes on "Practical Intestinal Surgery," one volume each on "Auto matic Menstrual Ganglia," "Urachal Cysts," "The Abdominal Brain, Its Rhythm and Reflexes," and a work on the "Peritoneum." In addition to this he has also published monographs on the "Great Omentum," "Colopo-Perineorrhaphy," "Utero-ovarian Artery" and a chart on the "Sympathetic Nerve." He has contributed ex- HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 805 tensively to current medical literature special articles on abdominal anatomy and surgery. Dr. Robinson is a member of most of the medical societies. His wife, to whom he was married in 1894, was Dr. Lucy Waite, a physician and surgeon of note in Chicago Meyer Blum (deceased) is a son of N. and Flora Blum and was bom in Alsace, France, October 28, 1828. He came to America in 1854 and first located at East Wheeling where he engaged in the meat business, continuing thus for three years. He then moved to West Wheeling, now known as Arlington Heights, and embarked in merchandising and dealing in stock. In 1862 he bought the Madison House of which he was proprietor and manager for thirteen years. He then rented the place, but finally sold it. He was an active Republican and for many years was influential in shaping public affairs of this community. In 1876 he was appointed deputy sheriff, reappointed in 1878 and in 1882. Altogether he held the positions of deputy sheriff and jailer for about thirty years. He served a like time on the school board and was trustee of the village for several years. He was a popular and successful auctioneer for about thirty years. He was for many years a member of Emanuel Congregation (Jewish) of Chicago. He died in 1903 while occu pying a position in the office of the treasurer of Cook County. He was a Royal Arch Mason, having been a member of the order for forty-three years. On November 19, 1857, he married Henrietta Minchrod and they became the parents of nine children as follows : Abraham, Joseph, Isaac, Jacob, Clara, Bertha, Sarah, and two daughters, Pauline and Flora, who died young. Of these children, Isaac was reared in this country and re ceived a good education. On October 8, 1889, he married Minnie Dahens and they have four children — William, Laura, Ben and Earl. Mr. Blum is a Republican and has spent much of his adult life in the service of the International Harvester company and its predecessors. He has represented them on the. road and is an expert in his department.. He resides at Palatine. Edward Schwarz, recognized as one of the foremost wood en gravers of the city, was born in Chicago on March 27; 1880, a son of Frank and Meta (Schultz) Schwarz. The father was a native of Prussia, but in order to better his circumstances immigrated to America when a young man, and locating in Chicago, worked at his trade of pattern making. Edward Schwarz has always made Chicago his home. Educated in the public schools he early took up the study of wood engraving from an artistic and commercial point of view and after serving four years as an apprentice worked for a time for the Chicago Engraving company. The first six months of his apprenticeship were passed without any pay whatever, and the succeeding six months he received pay at the rate of one dollar per week. After each remaining six months of his apprentice ship his wages were advanced one dollar per week. After his first Vol. 11—48. 806 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY employment he secured a position with the firm of J. Manz & Com pany with whom he continued for three years ; then for short periods was connected with other firms. Previous to this he had decided to go into business for himself as soon as circumstances warranted and accordingly, in 1906, he opened his own studio. In 1909 he moved to his present location in the Isabella building. Mr. Schwarz has been an earnest and a close student of his art, especially as ap plied to commercial pursuits, and his success is the result of knowl edge and industry. William Senne, a representative of one of the pioneer families of Cook County, was born at Plum Grove, January 2, 1866. His parents, Fred and Frederica (Roper) Senne, were natives of Han over, Germany. About the year 1831 they sailed to America and coming to the frontier, entered land frofn the government at what is now known as Plum Grove. Two years later they moved to the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch where they resided until their respective deaths. William Senne was brought up on his father's farm, his boyhood days being passed in such work as was required of him and in .attending the district schools. In 1891 he assumed charge of the old home place where he now resides. In politics he is a firm believer in the principles of the Republican party and for many years has served his district as school director. On October 18, 1891, he was united in marriage with Miss Louise Homier and to this union four sonshavebeen born, named, William, Edward, Arthur and George. The family attend worship at the German Lutheran Church in Plum Grove. Mark G. Harris, president of Mark G. Harris & Company, located at 375-383 Fifth avenue, is a native of the State of Illinois, born August 4, 1863, in Newark, Kendall county, a son of Isaac and Rachel Harris. He was educated in the Foster and high schools of Chicago, and in 1883 began his business career at Joliet, engaging in the merchant tailoring business. He was awarded first prize gold medal for superior cut and fit of garments at the convention of the Custom Foreman Tailors' Association of America, held at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1891. He was also awarded first prize at the Illinois Merchant Tailors' and Garment Designers' convention, held at Chicago the same year. He was chairman of the Will County Democratic central committee for three years and was a member of the Joliet city council for six years as alderman from the Second ward. March 1, 1894, he was appointed postmaster of Joliet by President Cleveland and at the expiration of his term the business men of Joliet presented him with a diamond charm inscribed "Joliet's Best Postmaster." He took an evening course at the Chicago Col lege of Law and in June, 1897, was admitted to the bar. In October, 1900, Mr. Harris engaged in the wholesale tailoring business in Chicago in the firms of Calumet Woolen Company and Gold Medal Tailors, being vice-president and manager of both until January, HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 807 1904, when the two above firms consolidated under the style of Mark G. Harris & Company, Gold Medal Tailors, Mr. Harris being presi dent and manager. He patented the Mark G. Harris front, shoulder and sleeve head and is the author of the Mark G. Harris describing method and the Mark G. Harris cutting chart. Mr. Harris is a life member of Joliet Lodge No. 296, B. P. O. E., of which order he was elected exalted ruler for two terms. He resides at 4236 Grand Boulevard, Chicago. William Jenson is of Danish descent and was born in Chicago, August 14, 1875. Plis father, N. P. Jenson, is a cabinet maker and in 1867 came to America and Chicago, accompanied by his wife, Annie Jenson. Their son William, the subject of this review, re ceived his early education in the public schools of his native city, later taking, for three years, a night course in a commercial college and a two years course at the Chicago College of Law. In July, 1890, he began his business career as clerk for the abstract company which was succeeded by the Chicago Title & Trust company, and here he remained two years. He then, entered the employ of James H. Van Vlissingen, engaged in the real estate and loan business, and was thus engaged for five years. He next became connected with the firm of Haberer & Delfosse, real estate dealers, in the capacity of mana ger and here he remained for a period of three years. He then formed a partnership with W. C. Regelin, under the firm name of Regelin & Jenson, doing a general business in real estate, loans and insurance. They first located at 119 La Salle street but one year later, on account of their big increase in business, removed to their present location in the Reaper block. They also have branch offices at Sheridan Park, Buena Park and Logan Square. Mr. Jenson has traveled extensively throughout the United States, Cuba, Can ada and Europe. He is vice-president of the Ravenswood club and one of the charter members of the Rotary club. He also is identified with the Royal Arcanum, Royal League and the Masonic fraternity, being a member of St. Bernard Commandery and of the Shrine. In his political views he is a Republican and in religion a member of the Evangelical Church. In June, 1890, he was united in marriage with Mabel M. Spiarr, and their residence is at 5546 Magnolia avenue. Edward C. Waller was born in Kentucky, November 21, 1845, and is a son of Henry and Sarah B. (Langhorne) Waller. The father was born in Frankfort, Ky., was a son of William S. Waller and was a graduate of West Point. He became eminent as a member of the bar and was prominent as a Whig and a supporter of Henry Clay. He was a member of the Kentucky legislature. He came to Chicago in 1855, continued the practice of law and was regarded as one of the ablest members of the bar. Edward C. Waller received his primary education in Kentucky, before reaching the age of fifteen years, afterward in Chicago. In 808 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 1866 he began on his own account an independent business in real estate and has continued the same until the present time — a period of nearly forty years. He is one of the oldest members of the Chicago Real Estate Board. In a large measure the Rookery building was the result of his suggestions and plans. He is president of the North American Accident Insurance company and secretary and treasurer of the Central Safety Deposit company. His office is in the Rookery building and his residence at River Forest. Frank Hahn, of the firm of Hahn Brothers, was born November 27, 1877, a son of Gustave and Lottie (Kospinsky) Hahn, who were natives of eastern Prussia. The father died in 1883, but the mother is now living in Chicago at the age of seventy years. Frank Hahn, the subject of this sketch, received a common, practical education, and after coming to America, located in Chicago and in 1895 estab lished himself in the laundry business at 217 (old number) West North avenue. He subsequently bought the lot at 3527 West North avenue, on which he caused to be erected a modern 41x120 foot, two-story building, especially adapted for laundry purposes. This is the only modern, up-to-date laundry in the city of Chicago west of Humboldt Park. Associated with him in business is his brother, Gustave Hahn, and the firm of Hahn Brothers is among the first of their line of business in the city today. Dr. Nathan S. Davis. Perhaps no other man of the medical profession has been more widely known or more highly honored than was Dr. Davis. Probably no one exerted a like influence in bringing into intimate relation and fraternal fellowship the leading members of the medical profession in this country. The powerful organization known as the American Medical association has done more to secure this result than all other influences combined, and to him as to no other it is indebted for its organization and suc cessful development. It would require a volume to give adequate expression to the work which he accomplished. Our limits only permit a brief outline of his life and labors. He was born in Chenango county, New York, in 1817. Until he was 16 years old he labored on his father's farm and had the educational advantages of the common district school. Although the youngest of seven children, such was his love of books that he was permitted to attend the Cazenovia Academy, then in the zenith of its prosperity, and from which so many eminent men entered public life. He commenced the study of medicine at the early age of seventeen years, under the supervision of Dr. Daniel Clark, one of the most prominent physicians in his native county. He attended his first course of lectures at the College of Physicians and Sur geons in New York City during the winter of 1834-35. In the spring of '35 he registered with Dr. Thomas Jackson, one of the leading physicians in Binghamton, New York, and graduated at Fairfield in 1837, when he was not yet twenty-one years old. The HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 809 same year he opened an office in Binghamton and in 1838 was hap pily married to Miss Anna Maria, daughter of Hon. John Parker of Vienna, New York. He was soon elected a member of Brown County Medical society, and was an officer continuously in that organization until he removed from the county. In 1842 he was appointed to represent the county in the New York State Medical society and took his seat in that body in Albany in February, 1844. At this first meeting with the state society he offered a series of resolutions having for their object the securing of a higher stan dard of medical education, and so ably did he advocate that at the next annual meeting, in 1845, the following resolution presented by him was adopted, to-wit : "Resolved, That the New York Medical society earnestly recommend a national convention of delegates from medical societies and colleges in the whole Union to convene in the city of New York on the first Tuesday in May, 1846, for the purpose of adopting some concerted action on the subject set forth in the preamble." The resolution was adopted, and a committee appointed to carry out the purpose of the resolution, of which Dr. Davis was made chairman. As the result of extended correspond ence, a large and influential meeting was held in New York City in 1846 representing nearly every State in the Union. At this meeting committees were appointed to perfect a permanent organ ization. The meeting adjourned to meet in Philadelphia the fol lowing year. At that meeting the committees reported, plans were duly perfected, and the American Medical Association was organ ized. By reason of the arduous labors in organization and later development, by common consent Dr. Davis has been recognized as the "father" of the association. In 1847 he removed from Bing hamton to New York City and became connected with the College of Physicians and Surgeons. While thus connected and also en gaged in private practice, he still found time to edit the medical journal called The Analyst. In 1849 he accepted a call to the chair of physiology and general pathology in Rush Medical college, and came to reside in Chicago in the fall of that year. At the close of his first course of lectures in Rush Medical college he was transferred to the chair of principles and practice of medicine and of clinical medicine. He occupied this position for ten years. When the medical department of Lind university was organized in 1859 he resigned to accept a like position in that institution. Though not present at the organization of the Illinois State Medi cal society, he .was elected a member and rarely through all the successive years until the time of his death was he absent from its annual meetings. He was elected its president in 1855, and for twelve consecutive years served as its secretary. Whether in local, State or national society, his labors were alike con spicuous and helpful. He wielded the pen of a ready writer, and his productions were able, terse and convincing1. In 1855 he had become the leading editor of the Chicago Medical Journal, and 810 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY held that position until 1859. In 1860 he began the publication of a new journal named the Medical Examiner, and continued the same until 1873, when it became the property of the Medical Publication Society and was merged with the Chicago Medical Journal with the two names united. When in 1853 it was determined by the American Medical as sociation to journalize its transactions and issue them weekly, Dr. Davis was by common consent chosen editor of the journal. He gave to it a vast amount of personal attention until it was success fully and permanently established. At the eighth International Medical Congress held in Copenhagen in 1884, it was voted to hold its next session in Washington, District of Columbia, in 1887. In the preparation for the meeting the arduous work of the general sec retary rested upon Dr. Davis. While in the midst of the labors inci dent to this responsible position, Prof. Austin Flint, Sr., the presi dent-elect of the coming congress, suddenly died, and Dr. Davis was at once called to that position. In the furtherance of its interests he visited England and held extended correspondence with most of the principal men in Europe who were specially interested in the congress. The congress at Washington was an eminent success. Dr. Davis presided over its deliberations with conspicuous ability. It is hardly needful to say that he was closely identified with the educational, moral and philanthropic institutions of the city when ever in civic relations his influence could be felt. He was one of the founders of the Northwestern university and one of its most influential trustees until his death. In the Union Law school of Chicago he held the chair of medical jurisprudence. He gave years of time to the management of the Washingtonian Home for the reclamation of inebriates. He was also one of the founders of the Chicago Historical society, the Academy of Sciences and of the Chicago Microscopical society. During his years of collegiate instruction be found time to publish his extended work on the "Principles and Practice of Medicine," in which his teachings are concisely embodied. Early in life he set himself to the accomplish ment of three important purposes. The first was the organization of an American Medical association which should unify the medical profession of the entire Union. The second was the founda tion of a medical college in which a graded course of instruction should be inaugurated. The third was the publication of a text book upon the "Principles and Practice of Medicine." Each of these in due time he lived to see realized. Personally Dr. Davis, though slight in form, was a man of al most unparalleled endurance, which, with intense adherence to his convictions, coupled with untiring industry, made him eminently successful in the accomplishment of his purposes. He was a man of strong religious convictions and an active member of the Meth odist Episcopal church, and one of its most constant attendants. His home relations were ideal. Until almost the last he continued HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY 811 his daily visits to his office. When at last he fell asleep his loving family was at his side. He died June 16, 1904, aged 87 years. Dr. William H. Byford was a native of Easton, Ohio, where he was born May 21, 1817. When he reached the age of 9 years his father died, whereupon he became an apprentice to a tailor in Pales tine, but completed his apprenticeship at Vincennes, Indiana. Al most from his start in life he designed to study medicine, and upon reaching a suitable age, knowing the importance of a liberal educa tion, he not only perfected himself in the English language but also in the Greek and Latin classics. He began the study of medicine under Dr. Joseph Matteson of Vincennes, and so rapid was his progress he passed the necessary examination and at the end of eighteen months was granted a cer tificate by the examining board. He hung out his shingle at Vin cennes, Indiana, and there remained for two years, when he be came a partner of Dr. Hezekiah Hammond of Mount Vemon, Indiana. In 1844 Dr. Byford still further increased his medical knowledge and usefulness by special lectures at the Ohio Medical college, from which he received his medical degree. In 1850 he accepted the chair of anatomy in the Evansville college, and a year later was promoted to that of theory and practice of medicine. In 1857 he became one of the vice-presidents of the American Medical association, and the same year accepted the chair of obstetrics and diseases of children in Rush Medical college. In 1859 he became connected with the medical department of Lind university. Dr. Byford was the originator of many reforms in practice. He was the founder of gynecology as a specialty in Chi cago. He first projected a woman's hospital in 1865, to which he afterward devoted much time and means. In 1876 he assisted in organizing the American Gynecological association and was one of its first vice-presidents, becoming later its president. He distin guished himself as writer on medical subjects. In 1875 he became editor-in-chief of the Chicago. Medical Journal and Examiner, which he conducted for a number of years. He published many works on private diseases, several of which passed through a series of editions. His writings were based wholly upon his own wide and observant experiences. At the zenith of his career, he passed away. Christian Fenger was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1840 and in that city graduated in medicine in 1867. Succeeding his graduation he served as assistant in Meyer's Ear Clinic and later as an interne for two years in the Royal Fredericks hospital. He then began a private practice in Copenhagen and thus continued until the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian war, in which struggle he served as surgeon in the International Ambulance association. At the end of the war he returned to Copenhagen and for three years was prosector of the City Hospital, in which there were about one thousand beds. His thesis on "Cancer of the Stomach" 812 HISTORY OF COOK COUNTY prepared for the purpose of. securing a lectureship in the University was successful and he received the appointment as lecturer on path ological anatomy. It should be said in this connection that as a medical and surgical specialist on cancer he attained the highest rank in the United States. In 1875 he went to Egypt and there, continued to practice his profession with the highest success. He became a member of the Sanitary Council of Alexandria, but in 1860 he removed to Cairo, where he served by special appointment under the khedive. Ill health obliged him to leave Egypt and in 1877 he located in Chi cago. Here his reputation was still further enhanced. In clinical surgery particularly he attained the highest distinction. He was connected with the Northwestern Medical school and occupied the chair of surgery in Chicago's Polyclinic. He was also surgeon-in- chief of the German hospital for many years and was attending surgeon at the Passavant Memorial hospital and consulting sur geon at some half dozen other hospitals of this city. He was an active member and at one time was vice-president of the American Surgical association and was identified prominently and conspicu ously with many other medical societies and organizations. During his practice in Chicago he was consulted as a specialist by hundreds of physicians and surgeons throughout the country who desired the benefit of his marvelous examinations and splendid medical judgment. YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 3 9002 01545 4797