History of the great fires in Chicago and the West ... With a history of the rise and progress of Chicago, the "young giant". To which is appended a record of the great fires in the past

Front matter

Class Book

Copyright^0 , <T fa

COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT.

Chapter II. Indian Massacre

Meaning of word Chicago. Fort Dearborn. Garrison of 1812. Particulars given by Brown concerning the massacre. Bravery of troops. Cruelty of savages. Escape of Mrs. Helen. Murder of wounded prisoners. Captain and Mrs. Heald saved. Ransom of captives 19-36

Chapter III. Removal Of Barbarians

Corrupting influence of the Indians. Obstacle to growth. Major Long condemns the place and its inhabitants. Parton's description of the payment and departure of the savages. Fort rebuilt. Block-house demolished in 1856 35-38

Chapter IV. Chicago A Mud-hole

"No bottom here." Bar in the river. Advantage of the early settlement of the East instead of the West. A city set on a hill. Natural site for a large place. Some said it in an early day 38—39

II.— THE YOUTH.

Chapter V. Water-courses

Mistakes of early settlers in undervaluing the treeless prairies. Their beauty and fertility. Providential settlement of the country. Illinois River and Canal. Twelve years in digging. Help to Chicago from the canal. Filth of our river. Good story on its odor 40-41

Chapter VI. Growth

Tax Levy in 1S32. Population in 1837. Excited hopes. Ford's account of speculation in lots- Farmers seeking a market here. Beef and grain trade before the advent of the locomotive. First whistle of the steam-engine in 1849 41-43

IV CONTENTS.

Chapter VII. Prominent Founders

Many of these injured by the fire. Sketch of Wm. B. Ogden, the railroad king. Began poor. Industry and brains triumphant. Absent during the conflagration. Letter written after his return. Fearful desolation described. Night search after his burned home. Grateful acknowledgment of the world's charity. Peshtego destroyed, and his property there 43-49

Chapter VIII. Samuel Hoard And John Wentworth

Sad feature— the losses of men in years. Mr. Hoard's influence and character. His early identification with Chicago. Postmaster under Johnson. Dignity and Christian nobility. Advent of " Long John " in 1S36. Early addicted to politics. Editor and Mayor. Speculations as to his course had he been mayor at the time of the fire 49-54

Chapter IX. Governor Bross

Became a citizen of Chicago in 1S48. Early faith in the future greatness of the city. Wrote a pamphlet on its prospects. He lived to see his hopes realized. His account of the fire. Burning of his Tribime building. Loss of his house. Cheerful spirit of the people under their calamities. 55-63

Chapter X

CHARLES N. HOLDEN.

Astley Cooper's advice to a class of medical students. Illustrated by Mr. Holden. Landed here in 1887 with ten dollars. The young farmer. Attraction in Chicago. Marriage. Useful citizen. Public officer, and supporter of educational and religious institutions 63-66

Chapter XI. Follies Of Great Men

Judge Spring. Court-room farce. Drunk at home. Died of delirium tremens. Frequent instances of the same. Godly men early here. The Methodist preacher at " Lake Michigan Huddle." Eloquent address. Trials of the pioneers of the Gospel 66-71

* III.— THE YOUNQ GIANT.

Chapter XII. Rapid Development

Sudden increase of population from 1850. In 1857 one hundred thousand people here ; in 1871 there were three hundred and thirty-four thousand. People became permanently located. Water improved. Everything to minister to the wants of man. Trade and commerce. Banks. Assessed valuation of the city, and area 73-75

Chapter XIII. Conspiracy Of Confederate Prisoners

War. Abraham Lincoln. Camp Douglas. Eddy's account of the conspiracy. Southern organization to seize Northern places. Grand plans. Thwarted by Colonel Sweet. Detective's story. Marmaduke pumped. Colonel Sweet's plans. Arrest of conspirators. The vicissitude safely passed 75-80

Chapter XIV. Water-works

Creator provides water for His creatures everywhere. Sickness from foul water. Conception of a plan to draw supplies from the lake. Engineer's description of the water-works from their inception till their completion. Commenced in 1852, finished in 1867. Engine-room. Water tower. Lake tunnel. Chambers. Ventilation. Alignment. Crib. Cylinder and lake shaft. Tunnelling and formal celebration of the completion 80-107

CONTENTS.

Chapter XV. River Tunnels

Description of course of river. Bridges and their annoyance. Scene in "Washington street tunnel on the night of the fire. Exaggerated reports. Dreadful experiences in the La Salle street tunnel. Monuments of the energy of our people 107-110

Chapter XVI. Morals And Religion

Reputation for immorality. Divorce. Acknowledgment of corruption and iniquity. Vindication of the other side of our life. Newness of everything in the West. Great necessities. Not absorbed in money-getting. Churches numerous and well sustained. Moody. North Star. Mission schools of the Second Baptist Church. Late gathering of their pupils and teachers. Educational institutions — Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, and Catholic. Christians active and liberal. Mutual kindness. Honesty and uprightness. A stranger's testimony 110-114

Chapter XVII. Advantages Of Chicago

Home for all nationalities. Country and city. Railroads. Elevators described. Grain dryer. Drainage. City elevated several feet. Fire-alarm telegraph. Burning of the office. Statement by one of the operators. Schools and academies. Religion and general cultiu-e. Summary. The Young Giant down 114-120

IV.— THROUGH FIRE.

Chapter XVIII. The Great Conflagration

Began just after evening service, October 8, 1871. Peculiar dryness of the atmosphere. Fire of October 7, lasting all night. Probable effect of this on the fire of the next evening. Many writers summoned to tell their stories of the great fire. Punch and the kicking cow. Hartford Post takes off the sensational reports. Yet no account can well exaggerate the horrors of the time. A correspondent's vivid sketch 121-129

Chapter XIX. Remote Cause Of Western Fires

Mr. Barnard's article. He recognizes the peculiar dryness of the air. But asks, "Why these droughts?" Results of meteorology. Mischief caused by cutting away the forests. How shall we restore them ? Imitate our transatlantic friends. Plant groves. Estimate of pecuniary benefit. Little labor and good profits 1C0-133

Chapter XX. Progress Of The Fire

Causes summed up. The Chicago Pos'^i version of the disaster. Erilliant description from the onset. Splendid images. Glowing paragraphs. The hurricane. The firemen. The people. Madness and terror. Court-House. Sherman House. After daylight. Drunken crowds. South Side wiped out as far as Harrison street. Agonizing inquiries. Water supply failed. Weeping men. Prayers and curses. Blowing up of O'Neil's block checked the flames. Terrace Row a wreck. Fire leaps the river and attacks the North Side. Bridges burned. Terror of the people. Cemeteries assailed. Churches consumed. McCormick's factory ruined. Hell let loose its demons. Women and children flying and screaming. The "Sands." No safety by the lake shore except in getting into the water. Awful desolation upon which the sun went down 133-155

VI CONTENTS.

Chapter XXI. Origin Of The Fire

Men anxious to know the beginning. Mean source. Cradle of the fire. Times' story. New- York Tribune's narrative. The Irish woman interviewed. Unwillingness to disclose much. Feared that she would have to foot the bill of losses 155-163

Chapter XXII. The Burning

Richards' beautiful poem, "Chicago in Ashes." The panorama of the fire, as painted by the Chicago Times. Powerlessness of engines. Roaring of the wind. Advance of the flames in columns. River no barrier. Ruins of the preceding fire stayed the foe's progress northward. A Swede's bundles on fire. Tar-works. Peculiarities of wind currents. Crosby's Opera House. Field & Leiter's store. Times Building down. Michigan Southern Depot. Delusive hopes. Sheridan using powder. Last buildng to burn on South Side. Turn to New York Tribune's report. View of the ruin. Fire began at the best place for its work. Combustibility of Chicago then. Dreadful dust of the day. Grigg's bookstore. Times' narrative resumed. North Side the aristocratic portion of the city. Swept clean. Damage to La Salle street tunnel. A corner left. Progress of the fire. Water-works in flames. Tragedy and comedy on the " Sands." Chicago avenue bridge burned. Born on the street. Sixteen burned in one shop. A terrible scene. New England Church. Robert Coilyer's church. Lincoln Park and old Cemetery. Forty horses burned. End of the track of fire. Grave of the fire described. Mahlon Ogden's house saved. Fiery tempest among the tombstones. Wrecks of household goods. Songs in the night. Newberry School bounds the burnt district 162-235

Chapter XXIII. Aetee The Fire

Stupendous calamity. Sad night. Rumors of awful deeds. Morning dreaded. Werk for the unfortunate made us forget grief. Tramp over the ruins described by a reporter. Crumbled masonry, leafless trees, general destruction. Correspondent's account of sight-seers and relic merchants. Intensity of heat. Night scenes. Coal fires. Outlines of ruins. Suspicions rife. Patrolling the city. No gas on the South Side, and no water. Cry for help. Early to bed 205-217

Chapter XXIV. Incidents And Experiences

Adi'antage of combining many accounts. Fuller view and juster. Violence of the heat. A Christian woman's consolation. A godly deacon. A liberal minister. Moody and his Bible. Geo. J. Read's escape. J. W. Goodspeed's perilous adventure. Mrs. Hebron robbed. Carpet stolen. The pugilistic deacon. The drop of rain on the check. Mr. Kimball and his coffee. The rich man and the blankets. Mother's agony and joy. The German woman and her husband. Drunkenness. Dr. Goodwin's story. Theft and avarice. The book-keeper. Thieves pv.nished. Court-House delivery of criminal*. The oil-stone theory exploded. The German's troubles with patrolmen. A case of brutal selfishness. The invalid wife. Sensational reports of crime. The beautiful Italian girl. Nelly Grant. Clothing given away. The drama of "Divorce." The gay and gallant widow. Must save her store. The mother a maniac. Rev. T. AY. Goodspeed, of Quincy, tells his experience in the fire. Scene on Michigan avenue beggars description. Fire in the ship's rigging. He saves property. A woman's story of the fire. Startled by the sudden approach of the flames. The invalid refused to escape. Treasures forsaken. . Tower and bells of St, James' Church fall. Sympathy with her pastor. Children who have lost their mother. The invalid rescued. A guest in a hotel has a bitter list of troubles. Curious memorial. Relics and relic-merchants. The men in Speed's Block. One is saved and one lost. The wife separated from her husband. Shortall's narrative of the saving of the books of Abstracts of Titles. A revolver secures a wagon. Brick work. Flying embers. All safe. The Post-office cab. The disregard of red tape in saving mail matter and government property. Postage stamps ruined. The condition of the sufferers. Rainy and chilly night sowed 6eedsof disease. Five hundred births. Romantic sketching of fearful adventures by a Herald reporter. Rosa D'Erina. Burning of the Academy of Design and other buildings. Bagnios destroyed. Awful scenes

CONTENTS. Vll

on the lake shore. Immersed in the water. Mayor's proclamation allayed terrors. Group of dead. Citizen patrol. Heart-broken refugees. Professor Bradish's letter on the Academy of Design. Kothermel's Battle of Gettysburg. Dreadful anxiety and suspense previous to the actual burning. Bigelow Hotel. False hopes deceive. Pictures removed. Sudden attack of the fire prevents further work. All sinks into ruin. Mr. Yolk in Rome. The valuable watch in the safe. Historical Society's building and collections perish. Rush of the fire. Overspreads the cemeteries. Ghastly spectacle. Pin-cushion versus silver. Instant death. " Our first great sorrow." Dying wife and burning store. The Clerks of Court and their pets. Dog's sagacity. The mouse a Hon. President of 111. Central and his search for his family. The adventures of a family living near the corner of Madison and La Salle. " These are the things that trouble me most." Their looms lost. The German's violin, three hundred years old. Charred though buried. " Books !"" Books ! " Innumerable incidents. Child's relic. Jolly merchants. Leonard Swett. Thrilling narrative by a lady. Her long agony. Saved her canary bird. The engineer. Mr. Kerfoot's escape. Potter Palmer. The murderous refugee lolled by a farmer. Refugees in New York city. Mrs. Hobson and the half- orphans. Milligan's trotter. A description of the scene of desolation. Night among the campers on the prairie. " Don't ki, mamma ; don't ki." A fire wedding. Fire-Marshal Williams' letter. .217-353

Chapter XXV. Losses

Widespread damage. Our population drawn from all countries and States. Insurance companies — their capital, assets, and losses, with suspended and sound companies. Grain checks restored by Professor Wheeler. Safes unsafe. Restoration of burned money, &c, at Washington. Records consumed. Indirect losses. Law Institute's loss. Breweries. City property. Churches. Trade and manufactures. Historical Society. R. T. Lincoln, B. F. Taylor, I. N. Arnold. Fearful sufferings in trying to save home and life. Pinkerton's records and collections in ashes. Mullet's inspection of government buildings. Principal edifices destroyed. Description of the northwest spared district. The dead-house. Fatal results of the calamity upon life and health. Poem 353-403

V.-MINISTERED TO BY CHRISTIAN CHARITY.

Chapter XXVI. The Wobld's Benevolence

Law of compensation. Present application. Great rash of $he need. Prompt relief. The noble-hearted railroad man and his worthy wife. Grand poem recognizing the bounty. " Heathen Chinee." Letter from the South. Extract from Whittier's " Past." Cleveland, Springfield, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Boston, Montreal, a brilliant galaxy 404-413

Chapter XXVII. Initiatobt Steps Of Belief

President Holden's report. Graphic account. Report of Western Committee, October 13th. Work turned over by Mayor Mason to the Relief and Aid Society. Churches exchanged for other depositories and asylums. Generally imposed upon. Died in the churches. Reunions 413-421

Chapter XXVIII. Belief And Aid Society

Poor fared well. Imposition arrested. Superintendent Gibbs issues admirable orders. Rations allotted. Great carefulness and kindness enjoined. Bureau of Special Assistance. "The boy who took care of his younger brothers." Committee of Special Relief hard at work. Specimen of distress relieved. Form of application. Magnanimity of railroads. Colonel James Fisk, Jr. Amount of money received. Houses for the poor. Other gifts not recorded except in Heaven 422-438

Vlll CONTENTS.

Chapter XXIX. Supplemental Work

Young Men's Christian Association. "Women's Christian Union. Benevolent societies of a private character. Charity of citizens. A miser and a clergj-man. No just account of aid possible. Newsboys hospitably entertained in New York. Irish Tim. Old England. Queen Victoria's interest. Chicago cosmopolitan 438-444

Chapter XXX. Aid Fkom The State

Churches and orders assisted. Proclamations by Governors of Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Iowa and Illinois. Governor Palmer convenes the Legislature. His message and their action. The voice of the pulpit and press. Extract from a poem by Townsend 444-470

Chapter XXXI. Appreciation Of The Bounty

Surprise of our citizens. Primitive fraternity revived. Men wept who had not shed a tear over their misfortunes. Tribune's eloquent acknowledgment. Day of fasting and prayer recommended by the Mayor. Sermon by Rev. E. J. Goodspeed in the Second Baptist Church. Good deeds to be held in everlasting remembrance. New York congratulates mankind on the great beneficence. A blessing on all givers. Chicago's appeal 470-485

Chapter XXXII. General Expectation Of Chicago's Resurrection

Punch's rhymed pun. Reputation for boasting. But Chicago had won respect for energy and power. Speculations by London Spectator, London Times, Daily Telegraph, Daily News. New York Tribune. The St. Louis Democrat recognizes our recuperative force 486-495

Chapter XXXIII. Rebuilding

Horror of the situation after the fire. Rumors of incendiarism scouted. Spontaneous movement towards reconstruction. The cheerful voice of the press. Debris removed. "Our debts will be paid." The artists full of courage. No rush on the banks. Rents advanced. General inflation of prices. N. B. Judd. Help proffered. Plucky girl. Economy. Churches rising again. Prognostications fulfilled 496-512

VII.— THE FUTURE.

Chapter XXXIV. Glorious Anticipations

Whittier's " Chicago." Doubts and fears paralyzed some. But a voice has said, "Rise." B. F.

Wade's estimate in 1866 of our future. WTiat would he have said in 1871 ? 513-515

Chapter XXXV. Faith And Hope

Chicago must be greater than ever. The first reason for this is the confidence of our people. Faith not weakened. The Chicago Post's clarion-call to hopefulness. Grounds assigned for renewed confidence 516-518

Chapter XXXVI. The Strong Men Remain

Mercy of the fire. Our men of might in trade, art, and journalism survive, girded for the contest. J. Y. Scammon. Architects' monuments clown. W. W. Boyington. Jno. M. Van Osdel. They are crowded with new enterprises. City more splendid than before. Merchants. Jno. V. Farwell. "Farwell Hall." C. T. Bowen. Library for Youths. These men can repeat their careers • 521-533

CONTENTS. CI

Chapter XXXVII. Chicago's Resources

Faith supplemented by nature. What remains of Chicago. Harbor and shipping. The canaL The railroads converging here. Various nationalities. Actual indebtedness of Chicago. Comparative age and population of Western cities. Cattle trade. Union Stock Yards. Full description. Missoitri Republican recognizes our geographical supremacy 533-647

Chapter Xxxviii. Utopia

Vision of what might be. Universal education. Temperance. Justice. Purity. Sabbath honored. Religion protected. Literature, Science, and Art encouraged. Provisions against fire. Few fires in Paris. Magnificent possibilities. Pleasant picture of the Chicago of the future 547-549

THE FIRES IN WISCONSIN AND MICHIGAN.

Chapter XXXIX. Wisconsin Ravaged

General drought. Volumes of smoke. Violent winds. One hundred and fifty miles of coast on fire. The destruction of Peshtego. Founded by Wm. B. Ogden. Rich timber. country. Excellent water-power. Fires in the woods. No fear of danger. Strange noises Sunday night. Sudden onset of the fire. Flocking to the river. Three hundred roasted alive. Workmen with wives and children perished in a brick building. People immersed in water up to their necks. Terrible appearance on the day after the fire. Many escaped by the bed of the river on the northern road. Corpses in the street. Rain Sunday night. People smothered among the Pines. Relief, losses, incidents. Relief Committee. Losses three millions. Letter from Mr. Ogden in behalf of "Little Frankie." The mother and her baby. A man swimming for his life. Strange phenomena. Wind, fire, and electricity. One hundred and seventeen persons burned to death in Door County. Wide-spread desolation. Relief for the unfortunate. A Chicago man doubly injured 550-575

Chapter XL. Summary Of Wisconsin Losses

Captain Bourne's estimate of the loss of lumber. Thrilling story of adventures. With a maniac. Boston Relief Committee's report. People thought the Judgment Day had come. Ample provisions for the sufferers. Announcement of the Milwaukee Relief Committee. .576-593

Chapter XLI. Desolation In Michigan

Steamers cruising off shore for the fugitives. Disaster less universal in its effects than that of Chicago. Flourishing villages entirely destroyed. A man in the water eight hours. A four hundred thousand dollar fire in Saginaw City. College students at Lansing fighting fire* Sickening, blinding smoke for weeks before. People crazed. " No more wigwam ! " A city saved. Manistee burned. Laird's heroism. Burning of Holland City. Distress of children. " Hurrah for God ! " A single county in Michigan and its losses. Tuscola County and ita sufferings. Skeleton found in a log 594-620

CHAPTER XLIL

LOSSES. INCIDENTS, CHARITY.

The relief work. Loans of money suggested. A Detroit lawyer's liberality. The people assisting one another 621-620

X CONTENTS.

HISTORY OF THE GREAT FIRES IN THE PAST.

Chapter XLIII. Fires In Dakota

A soldier's experience with Sherman saved his life. A little girl's appeal. Miraculous escape from a prairie fire. The Black Year. War, famine, pestilence, fire, wind, water, and ice. Murders, suicides, viUanies 626-634

Chapter XLIV. Virgil's Description Of The Burning Of Troy

Virgil's poetical description of the burning of Troy. The wooden horse. JEneas conveying his family out of the flames. Loses his wife and returns. Sees his own house burning. Meets . the ghost of his wife. Flees from the city 635-640

Chapter XLV. Ancient Rome In Flames

Description by Tacitus of the burning of ancient Rome. Misery of the dreadful scene. Incendiaries 640-642

CHAPTER XLYI.

MOSCOW.

Sir Archibald Alison's description of the burning of Moscow. Napoleon and his troops intoxicated with joy. Moscow silent. The Russian governor's inscription affixed to the gates of the palace. Fire breaking out. Autumnal tempest. Description of the fire. Drunken French soldiers. Moscow a heap of ruins 643-648

OTHER CITIES VISITED.

Pittsburg. Philadelphia. Portland. Charleston. Chicago. San Francisco 658-664

Chapter L

Table of fires. Conclusion 6G5-6G7 ir. LIT STRATI OISTS.

PAGE

A Scene at the taking- of Fort Dearborn, 1812 17

Black Partridge holding Mrs. Helm in the "Water 27

Chicago in 1820 33*

Samuel Hoard 51

Chicago in 1836 69

The Court-House Bell 69

Chicago Water-works from the Northwest 87

Crosby's Opera House 87

The New Pacific Hotel 105

View from the Court-House looking south 123

View from the Court-House looking southeast 123

Drake & Farwell Block, Wabash avenue . . . 12')

Unity and New England Churches' 1 23

The Court-House 141

The Chamber of Commerce 141

The Sherman House 142

Clark street, south from "Washington street 142

Field, Leiter & Co.'s Building, State street 150

Booksellers' Bow 150

The Tribune Building. 160

Illinois and Michigan Central B.B. Depot 160

The Palmer House, State street 177

The Shepard Block, Dearborn street 177

Burning of the Chamber of Commerce „ - . . 195

Burning of the Crosby Opera House .. 213

Burning of the Tremont House '. 231

Burning of the Grain Elevators 249

A Family Perish on the Roof of a House 267

Ruins of the Masonic Temple 285

Where the Fire began 285

Ruins of the Land Office of the Illinois Central R. R. . 285

Ruins of the Republic Life Insurance Company's Building 285

Ruins of the Posfc-Office and Custom-House 285

Ruins of the Chamber of Commerce and Court-House 286

Ruins of Crosby's Distillery 2.86:

Ruins of the First National Bank ,.;„ 280

Xll ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE

Ruins of St. Paul's Church 303

Ruins of the Methodist Church Block 303

Ruins of the Church of the Holy Name 303

Ruins of the First Presbyterian Church 303

Ruins of St. James's Church 304

Ruins of the Second Presbyterian Church 304

Ruins of the New England Church 321

Ruins of the Bigelow House 321

Ruins of the Pacific Hotel 321

Ruins of St. Joseph's Priory 321

Ruins of the Land Office 321

Ruins of the Great Union Depot 321

Ruins of the Unity Church 322

Ruins of the Methodist Church ' 322

Ruins of Sands' Brewery 322

Ruins of the Tribune Building 339

Silent Forever 339

Post-Office Cat 339

Chicago will Rise Again 339

General View of the Ruins of the North Division 339

Ruins of Rash Medical College 339

New Chicago 339

Ruins of Field, Leiter & Co. 's Store 340

Relic found in the Ruins of the Church of the Holy Name 340

General View of the Ruins on the South Side 357

Hon. Isaac N. Arnold 375

Living Among the Ruins 393

The National Hand of Charity 411

The Relief Committee in Session 411

General Depot of Supplies for the Sufferers by the Fire 429

Young Ladies Ministering to the Homeless 447

Opening Vaults of Merchants' Loan and Trust Company 465

Hauling Safes from the Ruins 483

The First Building Erected in the Burnt District 501

John M. Van Osdel 519

John V. Farwell 537

The Burning of Peshtego 555

A Wisconsin Home Enveloped in Flames 573

Refugees from White Rock Seeking Safety in the Water 591

Rebuilding Chicago 609

A Young Merchant Disposing of Relics 627

Preface

Among the remarkable phenomena of modern times, Chicago occupies a leading place. Richard Cobden, the English statesman, charged Goldwin Smith on the eve of his departure for America : " See two things in the United States, if nothing else — Niagara and Chicago," — intimating thus that these were the two principal wonders of the New World to a stranger. Since our Great Conflagration, it has occurred simultaneously to many that the ambitious young city, always aspiring to lead, wished also to surpass the world in the way of a fire. And now, certainly, her fortunes attract and interest millions of mankind as never before. To satisfy this interest in part, many have undertaken to write up the city and its vicissitudes. Believing that the story of its changes, prosperity and calamity, of its help and hope, will be eagerly read by millions, we offer this contribution, gathered from many sources and carefully prepared, to the generous public, who have already signalized their interest in our welfare by the most magnificent bounty to our suffering thousands. Let the poet no longer sing —

" Oh, the rarity Of Christian charity ! "

but rather celebrate

" The quality of mercy, Which droppeth like the gentle rain from Heaven."

XI V PREFACE.

; Our parched soil, after fourteen weeks of drought, did not rejoice in the showers that fell from God, as we exulted in the beneficence that poured forth upon us in our extremity of need. "The Lord loveth a cheerful giver ! "

Chicago is great in its ruins and hopeful in its prostration. The record of its herculean energy and manly heroism, and the outlook for its future, must animate and encourage the world, now smitten in every part by our misfortune.

We send forth this venture in humble gratitude to the Almighty for such a past, in submission to His providence, confidence for the future, and trust in the charitable generosity of the people, to whom it is boldly submitted for their patronage.

We have faithfully sought to arrange all the lights needed for a complete illustration of the stupendous events recorded. In the full illumination afforded by these various torch-bearers, many of them brilliant and glowing, the reader may expect to see and appreciate, as no one eye-witness could, what must ever be considered marvellous among the marvels of time !

E. J. Q.

Chicago.

" Hear the loud alarum bells —

Brazen bells !

What a tale of terror, now, their turbulency tells ! In the startled ear of night How the j scream out their affright !

Too much horrified to speak, They can only shriek, shriek, Out of tune, In a clamorous appealing to the mercy of the fire, In a mad expostulation with the deaf and frantic fire, Leaping higher, higher, higher, With a desperate desire And a resolute endeavor, Now — now to sit or never, By the side of the pale-faced moon.

Oh, the bells, bells, bells, What a tale their terror tells Of despair !

How they clang, and clash, and roar, What a horror they outpour On the bosom of the palpitating air! "

NOTICE

The Publishers purpose, after defraying the expenses of publishing and selling this book, to devote a portion of the profits which may arise from the sale thereof to the aid of deserving mechanics, working-women, etc., who have suffered by the fires. Having already made several instalments, the following letters are appended to show the manner in which aid is proposed to be rendered.

The Publishers.

Chicago, November 25, 1871.

H. S. Goodspeed & Co. :

Gentlemen — I have received the elegant sewing-machine sent by yon to me, to be given to the most deserving person of my acquaintance who suffered in the late terrible fire here. May God bless you in your endeavors to help our suffering people, so many of whom will have a hard struggle to live through the cold winter.

I am very truly yours,

Mrs. LIZZIE AIKEN, Missionary.

$£00. Chicago, 27th November, 1871.

Received from J. W. Goodspeed, of Chicago, One Hundred Dollars, for the Chicago Relief and Aid Society.

GEORGE M. PULLMAN, Treasurer.

Per W. C. Nichols, Cashier.

Free Reading-Rooms and Library of the

Young Men's Christian Association, 97 W. Randolph st., Chicago, Nov. 28, 1871. Mr. J. W. Goodspeed, Publisher, 51 S. Carpenter street, Chicago: Dear Sir— On behalf of the Young Men's Christian Association of Chicago, I would gratefully acknowledge the receipt of your order upon Lyon & Healy for a Burdett Organ for the use of the devotional meetings, upon account of Dr. Goodspeed's " History of Chicago and the Great Fire." May all the other results of that wonderful visitation in like manner tend to promote the praise of God and the edification of his Church.

Yours in Christ,

ROBERT PATERSON.

• Rooms Ladies' Christian Union, ) Cor. Peoria and Jackson streets. ) TtLr. J. W. Goodspeed, Publisher :

Dear Sir — The Ladies' Christian Union do most gratefully acknowledge the receipt of a Home Shuttle Sewing-Machine from you, as publisher of Dr. Goodspeed's " History of Chicago and Great Fires." It is a most timely and acceptable gift, and our prayers are that "He who loveth a cheerful giver" may reward you, who, in giving to the poor in time of their utmost need, but lend to Him.

Yours truly, Mrs. O. P. KNOX, Pres't Ladies' Christian Union,

IN

CHICAGO AND THE WEST.

I.— THE INFANT.

Chapter I

Cities, which are but an aggregation of individuals, have their periods of development, changes, growth, checks, prosperity and adversity, sickness and recovery, and alas ! of decline and dissolution, like men. The proudest of earth's great gatherings of human beings had their origin in some accident, or, we may better say, some providential circumstance or course of events, and their progress from humble beginnings has been slow. As rivers rise in some small obscure fountain in the depth of the forest, or upon the mountain side, and wind onward for long distances, fed by other streams till they become like the foaming Rhine or the majestic Father of Waters, so the metropolis now teeming with vast multitudes of busy men, began in a group of lowly huts or cabins, and increased by degrees from within and from without, by births and immigration, till it reached greatness and became a power in the earth. We may compare it to the snowball which boys roll along the whitened field till it becomes an immense mass. It was at first just a handful of white crystals massed together ; it ends by assuming gigantic proportions. Our Londons and other capitals grew up in this manner, and had in their history all the elements of crudeness and feebleness which marked Chicago's infancy. ,

The age of fable has passed, and in telling the story of Chicago we have no Romulus and Remus suckled by a wolf to adorn our tale. Yet if all that was experienced by the first white people who settled the shores of this magnificent lake could be described with graphic pen, the story would be full of romance, We cannot point to such an origin as Venice had, which was tho retreat of robber bands who built among the shallow waters and upon the mud a nest for themselves, to which they might bring their plunder. Yet upon these sands, and beside the river that winds along the prairie as if loth to leave the Lake, savages roamed or built their wigwams for temporary residence. And these waters echoed to the war-whoop, and the shriek of the despairing was heard in unison with the moan of the waves along the beach. But the white people who came to this Far West were men of adventurous, but not bloodthirsty natures, who sought for themselves a fortune in these untrodden virgin regions of the New World. These hardy pioneers were tired of restraint in older countries, and pined for the freedom of the wild prairies, where the winds were no freer than the spirits of the hunter. Woman, ever clinging fondly to man, accompanied the bold adventurer to cheer and bless him in his wanderings, and to help him sustain the hardships of frontier life.

In the fearful Indian massacre which early stained these shores with blood, there shone forth the heroism and fidelity of the female character — even as sixty years afterwards, in the horrors of the furious assault of murderous flames, woman exhibited heroism and nobleness, and proved herself worthy to be termed man's " helpmeet."