Cook County IL Archives History - Books .....History Of Chicago, 1876, Part 1 1876
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Book Title: History Of Chicago

INTRODUCTORY.

The records from which I prepared the "History of Chicago" for the Democratic 
Press, in the winter of 1854, were all burned in our great fire of 1871. 
Though at first sight this history may not seem to be of much importance, it 
may interest somebody "a hundred years hence" to read what was recorded by our 
earliest settlers. 

They may like also to see the names of our pioneers, who in spite of every 
discouragement made their homes in Chicago. For several years the Democratic 
Press published annually an exhaustive review of our railway system and its 
progress; also of the Commerce of the city, and other matters tending to 
illustrate its growth and future prospects. From those which I prepared myself 
I have made a few extracts, simply to show facts as they then existed. The 
brief addresses are inserted for the same purpose. In that at Des Moines, Jan. 
22, 1873, will be found a short description of the proposed Georgian Bay 
Canal. I believe I have the only complete file of the paper in which these 
articles were published; the others having been destroyed by the fire of 1871. 
This is another reason for republishing them; and, besides, as I said in my 
recent lecture, "I recognize the duty of placing on record—as myself and 
others doubtless have often been urged to do—what I know personally of the 
history of Chicago. Though this may require a too frequent use of the personal 
pronoun, if each citizen would do it, Chicago would have what no other city 
has—a history from its earliest times by its living inhabitants." Need I make 
any further apology for any apparent egotism that may appear in the following 
pages?

W. B.
CHICAGO, March, 1876.
 

 
History of Chicago
 
1852.
 
The past has been a year of unexampled prosperity, and our city has shared 
largely in the general progress of the country. In no former year has so much 
been done to place its business upon a permanent basis, and extend its 
commerce. By the extension of the Galena Railroad to Rockford, we have drawn 
to this city the trade of portions of Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota, that 
hitherto sought other markets; and when our roads reach the Father of Waters, 
as two of them will within the present year, we may expect an avalanche of 
business, for which we fear all our wholesale houses will not be prepared.

The opening of the Rock Island Railroad, Oct 18th to Joliet, Jan. 5th to 
Morris, Feb. 14th to Ottawa, and to La Salle March 10th, has brought customers 
during the winter from a different direction, and made an unusually "lively 
winter" for our business men. The extension of this and other roads must tend 
to add to our activity and permanent prosperity in an increasing ratio.

In order that the files of the Democratic Press may be perfect as a source for 
future reference, we avail ourselves of the labors of one of its editors while 
connected with another paper, and republish a statement prepared by him, of 
the business of the city prior to the year 1851.

The press of the city, previous to the year 1849, neglected to publish 
connected statements of the business of the city; but we are nevertheless not 
without some recorded facts of the past, which will serve to show how rapid 
has been the growth of Chicago, how great the increase of her commerce. In 
some of the earliest "Directories," we find collected various interesting 
statistics on this subject, which, although not as full as could be wished, 
are yet highly satisfactory in the absence of more definite statements. 
Through the politeness of T. HOYNE, Esq., we have been placed in possession of 
a memorial to Congress, praying for an appropriation for the improvement of 
the Chicago harbor, embodying statistics from 1836 to 1842, inclusive. We also 
find in the Report of the late Judge Thomas, made in compliance with a 
resolution of the River and Harbor Convention, which assembled in this city in 
1847, the fullest collection of the commercial statistics of Chicago from 1836 
up to 1848, that, we presume, is extant. From these three sources we compile 
the following facts, which will be read with interest by every one identified 
with the prosperity of our city.

Up to the year 1836, provisions, for domestic consumption, were imported along 
with articles of merchandise; and indeed, many articles of necessary food 
continued to be brought in for several years later. In 1836 there were 
exported from the port of Chicago, articles of produce of the value of 
$1,000.64. We have felt a great curiosity to know what articles constituted 
this first year's business, but have sought in vain for any other record save 
that which gives the value. The next year, the exports had increased to 
$11,065; in 1838 they reached the sum of $16,044.75. In 1839 they more than 
doubled the year previous, while in 1840 they had increased to what was then 
doubtless regarded as the very large sum of $328,635.74! This was progressing 
in a ratio very seldom equalled in the history of cities, and must have caused 
no little exhilaration among the business men of Chicago, as well as advanced 
the views of fortunate holders of water and corner lots.

We are informed in Judge Thomas' Report, that a "small lot of beef was shipped 
from Chicago as early as 1833, and was followed each successive year by, a 
small consignment of this article, and also of pork." Some idea of the extent 
of the first consignment may be formed from the fact that three years after, 
the total exports of the place were valued at $1,000.64. It was truly a small 
beginning, and gave but slight promise of the great extent to which, as the 
sequel will show, this branch of business has grown. The same authority 
informs us that the first shipment of wheat from this port was made in the 
year 1839. In 1842 the amount shipped reached 586,907 bushels, and in 1848, 
2,160,000 bushels were shipped out of the port of Chicago. Since that period 
there has been a material falling off until the past year, in the annual 
exports of wheat, owing to a partial failure of the crop each succeeding year, 
and from the fact that farmers are paying more attention to other products.

CITY IMPROVEMENTS.

Our time and limits will not permit us to enter into a detailed statement of 
the improvements made for the past year. Suffice it to say, that more progress 
has been made than at any former period. Elegant residences have been built in 
all parts of the city, splendid blocks of stores have been erected on bur 
principal streets, and the limits of the inhabited part of the city have been 
greatly extended.

On the 20th of February, 1852, the Michigan Southern Railroad was opened to 
this city. The depot is located near Gurnee's Tannery, on the South Branch. 
The Rock Island Railroad have built their depot directly opposite. A year 
since, there were only a few old buildings in that neighborhood, and it was 
considered far "out of town." Now nearly the whole of Clark street is built up 
as far south as the depot, and there has been an important addition made to 
the city where, a year since, it was open prairie.

The Michigan Central Railroad was opened to Chicago on Friday, May 21st. 
Grounds for the depot were leased a short distance below Twelfth street, on 
the lake shore. 

The buildings are temporary, as it is intended to establish the depot for this 
road and the Illinois Central, between the foot of Randolph street and the 
south pier. 

Hence no permanent buildings have been put up where the depot now stands, and 
no very considerable addition has been made to the city in that vicinity.

In the summer season, both these lines furnish a direct steam communication 
with the cities on the seaboard. About the 1st of January last, all the 
railroad lines along the south shore of Lake Erie were completed, and these, 
with the Erie Railroad and the Michigan Southern, give us a direct railroad 
line to New York. This has formed an era in the history of Chicago, which will 
always be regarded with interest. Our merchants who, in the depth of winter, 
were obliged to consume some two weeks in staging through Canada mud "up to 
the hub," in order to purchase their goods for the spring trade, can now go 
through, and enjoy the luxury of a comfortable railroad car, in two days. In 
the course of the year, the Canada Railroad, connecting Detroit with Buffalo, 
will be finished—when we shall have a choice of routes to the East, at all 
seasons; and within two or three years, the Fort Wayne and Logansport 
Railroads will open two other routes.

CONCLUSION.

The facts above given, we think, will convince the most skeptical, that the 
march of improvement at the West is onward. They show an increase in 
population, wealth and resources, which must prove exceedingly gratifying to 
all our citizens. They will serve to extend the conviction, now almost 
universal, that Chicago is destined to become the great commercial centre of 
the Northwest, and among the first, if not the first, city in the Mississippi 
Valley. Her position at the head of a thousand miles of lake navigation, gives 
her a commanding influence. She has no levee to be inundated, causing the 
destruction of millions of property. Neither is she situated upon a river, 
whose navigable capacity the clearing up of the country will be liable to 
affect. She is subject to no floods nor inundations. To the north, west and 
south, almost boundless prairies and groves are inviting the toil of the 
husbandman to develop their treasures and yield a rich reward to honest 
industry. 

In all the elements of wealth, their resources are exhaustless. The mineral 
treasures of Lake Superior will soon pay tribute to Chicago; and our railroads 
in a few months will have reached the lead regions of the Galena district. The 
Rock Island and the Illinois Central Railroads will soon penetrate the most 
extensive coal field in the United States, and in fact in the world, and our 
commerce, and more especially our manufactures, must increase in a ratio far 
beyond what has hitherto been realized. Within the next five years the 
railroads that will be completed and centre in this city will extend more than 
three thousand miles. If we should add the extensions of these trunk lines to 
their ultimate limits, their aggregate lengths would amount to tens of 
thousands. Within five years we expect to be in railroad connection with 
Milwaukee and Madison, Wis., with Dubuque and Council Bluffs, Rock Island, St. 
Louis, Cairo, New Orleans, Mobile, Savannah, Ga., Charleston, S. C., Richmond, 
Va., Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Portland, and "the 
rest of mankind." A bright future is therefore before the "GARDEN CITY." Let 
our merchants and mechanics, our artisans and business men generally, 
understand the advantages which our commanding commercial position affords. 
Let them, with becoming prudence, but with far-seeing, intelligent views as to 
what the spirit of the age and the stirring times in which we live demand, 
gird themselves for the work of making Chicago the great commercial emporium 
of the Mississippi Valley. The prize is within their grasp; let them show the 
world that they are worthy, and the rich commerce of the prairies and the 
lakes will most certainly crown their efforts with success. —From the Annual 
Review of the Democratic Press, for the year 1852.
 
The figures embodied in this review have been quoted in every succeeding 
document of the kind, and being accessible in the Board of Trade Reports every 
year, need not be repeated here.

 
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.

1853.
 
In the winter of 1854, I prepared and published four articles, on the business 
and progress of the city for the year previous. Of these articles, in pamphlet 
form, we sold 15,000 copies, besides an immense edition of the paper 
containing them. Our citizens scattered them all over this country and Europe, 
and it was believed at the time that they had a marked effect upon the growth 
and prosperity of the city. The first one, entitled

CHICAGO AND HER RAILROADS,

was issued January 31st. The following extracts are from the closing 
paragraphs of that article:

As the mathematician, after he has wearied himself amid the intricacies of 
long, difficult theorems, at length arrives at the summation of the series, so 
it remains for us to give a synopsis of our article, that our readers may the 
better be able to comprehend the great railroad system that has its centre in 
Chicago.

The following is the total number of roads in process of construction, with 
the proposed extension and branches of each:

MILES.
Chicago and Milwaukee, 90
Milwaukee and Fond du Lac, 60
Racine and Beloit Railroad, 65
Illinois and Wisconsin to Janesville,  88 1/2
Fond du Lac Branch, Janesville to Fond du Lac, 78
Madison Branch, 35
South Wisconsin, Janesville to Dubuque, 98
Galena and Chicago Union, Chicago to Freeport, 121
Fox River Valley Railroad, 34
Wisconsin Central, 150
Beloit Branch of the Galena, 20
Beloit and Madison Railroad, 47 1/2
Milwaukee and Mississippi, Western Division, Madison to Prairie du Chien, 96
Madison and St. Paul Railroad, 300
Milwaukee and LaCrosse, Western Division, 180
Madison and Lake Superior, 275
Chicago and Galena Air Line, Chicago to Fulton City, 135
Lyons Iowa Central, Fulton to Council Bluffs, 308
Chicago, St. Charles and Mississippi Air Line to Savanna, 130
Chicago and St. Charles Branch to Galena, 30
Galena and Minnesota, 250
Iowa Central Air Line, 325
Chicago and Aurora Railroad to Mendota, 89
Central Military Tract Railroad, 84
Peoria and Oquawka, Western Division, 40
Burlington and Missouri Railroad, 220
Northern Cross Railroad, Galesburg to Quincy, 120
Hannibal and Missouri, 205
Chicago and Rock Island Railroad, 181
Mississippi and Missouri, 1st Division, 300
Mississippi and Missouri, 2d Division, 300
Mississippi and Missouri, 3d Division, Muscatine to Cedar Rapids, 50
Peoria and Bureau Valley Railroad, 47
Peoria and Warsaw Railroad, 90
Peoria and Hannibal Railroad, 120
Peoria to Illinoistown, opposite St. Louis, 180
Peoria and Oquawka, Eastern Division, 50
Chicago and Mississippi, Alton to Chicago, 265
Great Western, Naples to Springfield, 65
Alton, Illinoistown and Murphysboro, 114
Illinois Central Railroad, 704
Wabash Valley Railroad, 360
Chicago and Logansport Railroad to Cincinnati, 280
Fort Wayne and Chicago, 145
Mich. South, and North. Indiana, 242
Cincinnati, Peru and Chicago Railroad, 70
Michigan Central Railroad, 282
New Albany and Salem Railroad, 284

Total—14 Trunk and 34 Extension and Branch Lines - 7,803

But lest any venerable "croaker," "with spectacles on nose," should still be 
in doubt as to our commercial facilities, we submit one more list.

The following table exhibits the number of railroads that are now in 
operation, leading into this city, with the number of miles that are now 
completed:

MILES.
Illinois and Wisconsin, to Deer Grove, 32
Galena and Chicago Union, to Freeport, 121
Beloit Branch of the Galena, 20
Galena Air Line, to Lane, Ogle Co., 75
Chicago, St. Charles and Mississippi Air Line, 10
Chicago and Aurora, 89
Chicago and Rock Island, 181
Chicago and Mississippi, Alton to Bloomington, 132
Great Western, Naples to Springfield, 65
Illinois Central, 252
Mich. South, and North. Indiana, to Toledo, 242
Michigan Central, 282
New Albany and Salem, 284

Total—10 Trunk and 3 Branch and Extension Lines - 1,785
 
On these roads there will be daily leaving and entering the city, on the first 
of May next, forty-six trains, making, in all, ninety-two trains per day over 
the roads, to accommodate our travel and commerce. Here is a fact, which, had 
we time, it would be worth while to stop and contemplate. A fact of still 
greater significance is, that less than two years ago we had only one railroad 
entering the city—the Galena and Chicago Union—and that was finished only a 
few miles. Now we have 1,785 miles, counting only two States from our own, and 
by the first of December we shall have 2,979 1/2 miles. Can it be wondered at 
that our city has doubled its population within the same time, and that the 
price of real estate and business of all kinds have increased in a 
corresponding ratio. Splendid fortunes have been made in two years. Men who 
were trading in small, seven-by-nine wooden tenements, now find a splendid 
brick store too small to accommodate their customers. Real estate in the 
suburbs of the city that could have been bought five years ago for fifty 
dollars per acre, is now worth five thousand, and many fortunate speculators 
have realized splendid fortunes. The rise in real estate is by no means 
confined to a few shrewd operators. From the first our citizens generally have 
been determined to have a home of their own. Generally they would purchase a 
lot eighty feet front, and often four or even ten times that amount. The rise 
in the value of their homes, so much larger than was necessary in a city, has 
placed many a family in easy circumstances.

But will some cautious wiseacre ask, Are these things to continue? We will not 
stop to answer the question, but will simply say, on the first of January next 
we shall have 3,000 miles of railroad leading into the city, and by a year 
from that time it will be entirely safe to add another thousand. How much it 
will augment the business of the city, and appreciate the value of real estate 
to double the miles of railroad centreing here, and to double the population 
of the city, and also of the magnificent country which is tributary to it, we 
shall leave the ultra cautious to estimate. The railroads will certainly be 
finished, but we shall not hazard an opinion as to the population of the city 
or the price of real estate on the first of January, 1856. We hope to be wiser 
then, and we know our readers will, if we and they live to see that "happy new 
year." Time will show.

There is another most important fact that should be considered, in speaking of 
Chicago, as a great railroad centre. She has not, in her corporate capacity, 
invested a single dollar in any of them. While the bonds of other cities are 
hawked about in Wall street to build railroads that in turn are expected to 
build the cities in which they terminate, Chicago has prudently kept aloof 
from all such dangerous speculations. All our roads have been projected and 
will be built by private enterprise. This shows that capitalists have placed 
abundant confidence in our commercial position, and the result is 
demonstrating most clearly that they have judged correctly. We refer to this 
matter with peculiar satisfaction, and we are sure it will have an important 
bearing in shaping the future destiny of the city.

It may be answered, that the city would have made large sums by investing her 
credit in railroad stocks. It is true that Galena stock, and that of several 
of our other roads, sell at prices that astonish Eastern capitalists, who are 
ignorant of the resources of the Central States, and the cheapness with which 
our roads are built. The stock, however, sells for no more than it is really 
worth, and we should not be surprised to see it attain a much higher figure. 
But experience has shown that, where cities become involved in extensive 
schemes of internal improvement, corrupt demagogues generally find means to 
fatten upon the public treasury, and, in the end, bring ruin and disgrace upon 
the community whose confidence they had managed to secure. From all such 
dangers Chicago is entirely free. She has, it is true, issued her bonds to 
construct the waterworks, and she has, in addition, a small floating debt. But 
the water works will, in a few years, liquidate the debt contracted for their 
construction, and she can, without serious inconvenience, pay all her other 
liabilities in, at most, three or five years. The important fact is worth 
repeating, that Chicago, a city that will have three thousand miles of 
railroad in operation centreing in it, on the first of January next, DOES NOT
OWE A SINGLE DOLLAR FOR THEIR CONSTRUCTION.

Our task is accomplished. We ask our citizens to contemplate the magnificent 
system of public works that has been completed in two short years. The past is 
certain. 

To the future let us look, and gird ourselves for the work that is before us. 
From almost every place in the Union, and from across the wide Atlantic, the 
industrious and the enterprising are seeking a home in the "Garden City." Let 
us give them a warm-hearted, generous welcome. Along our broad streets, or 
upon our wide-spread, beautiful prairies, we have ample room for them all. Let 
them come and identify themselves with the great central commercial city of 
the Central States!
 

HISTORY OF  CHICAGO.
FEBRUARY, 1854.
 
After we published our article on "CHICAGO AND HER RAILROADS," Jan. 31st, it 
occurred to us that a short sketch of the history of Chicago would not prove 
unacceptable to our readers. At first we intended merely a brief notice, to 
show her rapid growth, in connection with our Annual Review of the business of 
the city. 

The more we studied the subject, and consulted those who have been here since 
the wolves were accustomed to visit every part of the city in the night, and 
the wigwam of the painted savage dotted the prairie on every side, the more 
have facts accumulated upon our hands, till now our only difficulty is to know 
what to reject. The rapid growth of the city within the last eight years—her 
immense increase in wealth and population—the proud position she has assumed 
among the commercial cities of the Union, and the certainty that her march 
will be ONWARD, till she yields in importance only to New York, have created a 
very general desire among a portion of our own citizens, and especially in the 
Eastern States, to know more of her past history as well as her present 
resources and future prospects. The history of Chicago is intimately connected 
with the settlement and growth of the other parts of the State, and it will be 
equally interesting to notice in a few paragraphs some facts in relation to 
the settlement of this part of the Mississippi Valley.

The origin of the term Illinois is given in the "Western Annals," edited by 
Rev. J. M. Peck, as follows: "The name Illinois is derived from Leno, 'man.' 
The Delaware Indians call themselves Lenno-Lenape, which means 'original, or 
unmixed men.' The term manly men, to distinguish themselves from mean, 
trifling men, would convey the exact idea. The tribes along the Illinois gave 
the French explorers to understand that they were real men. They said 'leno,' 
or 'leni.' The termination "ois" is undoubtedly of French origin. As all 
strange and uncouth sounds are liable to be mis-spelled, it is very easy to 
see from the above how the beautiful name which our State bears was formed 
from the language of the first monarchs of the soil.

The "Illini," or Illinois Indians, occupied all the territory north of a line 
drawn northeast and southwest through the city of Ottawa, extending east to 
the Wabash, and west to the Mississippi river. The term was also applied to an 
indefinite territory west of the Mississippi.

The first white men who ever visited this region were Marquette and Joliet, 
two Jesuit missionaries, who explored this section of the Mississippi Valley 
in the years 1682-3. Hennepin and La Salle followed a few years later, and as 
a consequence of these several explorations and discoveries, a magnificent 
scheme was formed by France to extend her possessions from Canada to New 
Orleans, and thus having embraced the entire inhabited portion of the Western 
Continent, to advance eastward, and secure the authority over the vast empire 
which her eminent statesmen even then foresaw must ere long occupy this 
magnificent country. The plan was well arranged, and its accomplishment 
constantly kept in view for nearly a hundred years by the adventurous sons of 
La Belle France, but it was completely overthrown by the gallant Wolfe on the 
plains of Abraham, on the 13th of September, 1759. As a consequence of that 
victory, Canada fell into the hands of the English. The war of the Revolution 
transferred the northwestern possessions of the British to the United States, 
and the purchase of Louisiana by Mr. Jefferson from the French in 1803, gave 
us the possession of the entire Mississippi Valley. The wisdom of that 
purchase, though strenuously opposed at the time, is acknowledged by all 
parties.

Early in the Revolutionary war, Col. G. R. Clark had formed the design of 
attacking the forts of the British at Detroit and in Southern Illinois, and 
laid his plans before the Virginia Legislature. On the 2d of January, 1778, he 
received authority from Patrick Henry, then Governor of that State, to raise 
troops and to march westward on his bold and hazardous enterprise. This 
expedition was successful, and as a consequence, Virginia laid claim to the 
territory north and west of the Ohio river. This claim was acknowledged by the 
other States, and Illinois was organized as a county of Virginia in October, 
1778. The act was practically inoperative, as we can not find that any one in 
behalf of that State carried the law into effect. From that time till 1784 
there was no legal authority in the State. The people were "a law unto 
themselves," and to the credit of the earlier settlers, the annalist adds, 
that "good feelings, harmony and fidelity to engagements prevailed."

In March, 1784, Virginia ceded to the United States all her claim to the 
territory northwest of the Ohio; and in 1790 Gov. St. Clair organized the 
county which bears his name. From the year 1800 to 1809 Illinois was attached 
to the Territory of Indiana. In February of the latter year Congress passed an 
act establishing the Territory of Illinois, and appointed the Hon. Ninian 
Edwards, then Chief Justice of Kentucky, Governor of the Territory, and 
Nathaniel Pope, Esq., of Kaskaskia, Secretary. The Territory was organized by 
Judge Pope, in March, and Gov. Edwards arrived in June, and assumed the duties 
of his office.

The first Territorial Legislature convened at Kaskaskia on the 25th of 
November, 1812; the Council, or Upper House, consisting of five, and the 
Assembly of seven members. The author of the "Western Annals" says of this 
body: "They did their work like men devoted to business matters. Not a lawyer 
nor an attorney is found on the list of names. They deliberated like sensible 
men—passed such laws as they deemed the country needed; made no speeches, had 
no contention, and after a brief session of some ten or twelve days, 
adjourned." We are sorry to say, that this good example has had too little 
influence upon succeeding Legislatures.

In 1815, Hon. Nathaniel Pope was elected as Representative of the Territory in 
Congress. The north line of the Territory, as originally defined, ran due west 
from the south bend of Lake Michigan to the Mississippi. Judge Pope, seeing 
the importance of having a lake front in the future State of Illinois, 
procured the passage of an act extending that line north to the parallel of 42 
degrees and 30 minutes, thus securing a most important portion of territory 
from our sister State of Wisconsin.

Congress passed an act in 1818, approved by James Monroe, April 18th, 
authorizing the people to form a State Government provided it should be 
ascertained that it contained 40,000 inhabitants. All accounts agree in 
estimating the total number of people at about 30,000; but the different 
marshals, by accidentally counting the emigrants, who were coming in or 
passing through the State several times, made out the full number. Delegates 
to form a constitution were elected, who met at Kaskaskia in July, 1818, and 
having completed their labors, they signed the constitution, and adjourned on 
the 26th day of August. The constitution was adopted by the people, and the 
first Legislature convened at Kaskaskia, on the first Monday in October 
following. Shadrach Bond, of Kaskaskia, was elected Governor, and Pierre 
Menard, of the same place, Lieut. Governor.

It will be seen from the above, that it is not yet thirty-six years since our 
State Government was formed; a State which has now more than a million of 
inhabitants, and whose principal commercial city has more than 60,000 
inhabitants, and 1,785 miles of railroad completed, contributing to its 
prosperity. By the first of January next it will have 3,000 miles finished and 
in operation.
 
We have found a great deal that is both instructive and amusing in the early 
legislation of the State, but we have room for only a single incident. It must 
be borne in mind, that the first settlements were made in the southern parts 
of the State, by emigrantsk principally from Virginia, Kentucky, and some of 
the other Southern States. Many of them had a sort of "holy horror" for that 
ubiquitous, ever-trading sharper, "the live Yankee." To guard against his 
depredations, a law was passed, February 14th, 1823, duly enacting, that "No 
person shall bring in and peddle, or sell, wooden clocks in this State, unless 
they first take out an extra license;" for which the price was $50. The 
penalty for violating the law was fixed at the same sum. This "said sum" would 
make a sad inroad upon Jonathan's profits, and hence, under the impulses of 
his "higher law" notions of the value of money, he pursued his "chosen 
calling" without any regard to the majesty of the law in such case made and 
provided." He was of course arrested, and in due form arraigned before the 
court of Fayette county. The fact of "selling" was not denied, "but it 
appeared in evidence that one Yankee brought them "in" across the river at St. 
Louis—and another "sold" them. The counsel for the prisoner—our fellow-
citizen, Wm. H. Brown, Esq.—contended that it must be shown that the prisoner 
did both "bring in and peddle or sell." Jonathan, as usual, escaped, and went 
on his way "peddling" and "selling" his wooden wares. We believe 
his "Yankeeship" has always, since the failure of that law to "head him off" 
been permitted to exercise his peculiar habits without "let or hindrance."

The history of our city is very intimately connected with that of the Illinois 
and Michigan Canal. The idea of a canal connecting the waters of the Lakes 
with those of the Mississippi, was suggested as early as 1814. In Niles' 
Register of August 6th the following paragraph may be found:

"By the Illinois river it is probable that Buffalo, in New York, may be united 
with New Orleans by inland navigation, through Lakes Erie, Huron and Michigan, 
and down that river to the Mississippi. What a route! How stupendous the idea! 
How dwindles the importance of the artificial canals of Europe compared to 
this water communication. If it should ever take place—and it is said the 
opening may be easily made—the Territory (of Illinois) will become the seat of 
an immense commerce, and a market for the commodities of all regions."

How strange to us appear some of the expressions in this paragraph. Then, all 
west of Ohio was an unbroken wilderness inhabited only by savages, with here 
and there a fort or trading post, and a few small French settlements along the 
Mississippi. Little did the writer think that in only thirty-four years 
his "stupendous idea" would become a common-place reality, and that in less 
than forty years a city of more than sixty thousand people would be reposing 
in quiet dignity at the northern terminus, of that canal! What an "immense 
commerce" that city has enjoyed the past year, the sequel of this article is 
designed to show.

At the first session of the Illinois Legislature in 1818, Gov. Bond brought 
the subject of a canal from Lake Michigan to the Illinois river prominently 
before that body, and his successor, Gov. Coles, in 1822 devoted a large space 
in his message to the elucidation of the same topic. By an act passed February 
14th, 1823, a Board of Canal Commissioners was appointed, and in the autumn of 
that year a portion of the Board, with Col. J. Post, of Missouri, as Chief 
Engineer, made a tour of reconnoisance; and in the autumn of 1824, Col. R. 
Paul, an able engineer, residing at St. Louis, was also employed. Five 
different routes were surveyed, and estimates made of the cost of the canal. 
The highest estimate was $716,110.

At this time, 1823, only thirty-one years ago, the Sangamon river and Fulton 
county were the northern boundaries of civilization, and in that region there 
were only a very few inhabitants. The whole northern portion of the State was 
still under the dominion of the wolf and the savage, with no prospect of its 
settlement or an indefinite time to come. The leading idea of the citizens of 
the south half of the State, where the population was then concentrated, was 
to open a water communication for them by the Lakes and the Erie Canal with 
New York City.

On January 18th, 1825, an act was passed to "incorporate the Illinois and 
Michigan Canal Company, with a capital of $1,000,000." As the stock was not 
taken, a subsequent Legislature repealed the charter. In the meantime, our 
Senators and Representatives in Congress were urging upon that body the 
passage of an act granting to this State lands to aid in the construction of 
the proposed canal. The Hon. Daniel P. Cook, from whom this county is named, 
has the credit of leading in this movement. Accordingly, on the 2d of March, 
1827, Congress granted to the State of Illinois every alternate section in a 
belt of country extending six miles on each side of the canal. Owing to 
financial embarrassment, nothing effectual was done till January 22d, 1829, 
when the Legislature passed a law organizing a Canal Board, and appointed Dr. 
Jayne, of Springfield, Edmund Roberts, of Kaskaskia, and Charles Dunn, 
Commissioners. These Commissioners were empowered, among other things, to 
locate the canal, lay out towns, to sell lots, and to apply the proceeds to 
the construction of the canal.

In the autumn of 1829 the Commissioners came to Chicago, having employed James 
Thompson to survey and lay off the town. His first map bears date August 4th, 
1830. It is in the Recorder's office.

Hon. S. D. Lockwood, now a resident of Batavia, Kane county, came up with the 
Commissioners in the autumn of 1829. We are indebted to him and to Wm. H. 
Brown, Esq., for much valuable information in reference to the early history 
of the State. Both these gentlemen are among the oldest citizens in Illinois, 
as they landed at Shawneetown in 1818, the same year the Constitution was 
adopted. We have the men among us who have seen the State in her infancy, and 
now look upon her with pride, assuming a commanding position among the oldest 
States of the Union.

The list of families residing here in the autumn of 1829, as given by Judge 
Lockwood, is as follows: John Kinzie, the father of our present excellent 
Alderman, John H. Kinzie, resided on the north side, a little west of 
McCormick's factory, West of Mr. Kinzie's, near the site of the Galena 
Railroad's freight depot, east of Clark street, lived Dr. Wolcott, son-in-law 
of Mr. Kinzie; Dr. Wolcott was, at the time, Indian Agent. Near the forks of 
the river, a little west of where Steele's warehouse now stands, John Miller 
kept a "log tavern." On the south side, near the present residence of James H 
Collins, Esq., a little south of the old fort, was the house of John B. 
Beaubien. Besides these, there were some three or four Indian traders living 
in log cabins on the west side.

There were, of course, the officers and men connected with Fort Dearborn. 
Perhaps we may as well pause here and notice the building of the fort, and 
some other facts connected with our earlier history. It was built by the 
Government in 1804, and manned with a company of about fifty men and three 
pieces of artillery. Everything remained quiet till 1812, when the war broke 
out with Great Britain, and our Government, apprehensive that so distant a 
post among the savages could not be maintained, ordered it to be evacuated. 
The commander was required to distribute the government property among the 
Indians, and to march with his troops to Fort Wayne.

The fort was at that time well supplied with provisions and military stores, 
and might have maintained a siege for a long time against any force that the 
Indians could have brought against it; and nearly all the officers 
remonstrated against carrying out the instructions; but Capt. Heald determined 
to obey to the letter the orders of his superiors. The Pottawatomies were well 
known to be hostile, but Capt. Heald called a council on the 12th of August, 
1812, and laid the propositions of the Government before them, asking in 
return, an escort to Fort Wayne. This the Indians promised to give. The 
distribution was to be made the next day. During the night, lest the guns and 
ammunition which they would necessarily be forced to leave, might prove a 
dangerous gift to the savages, the powder was thrown into the well, and the 
guns were broken and destroyed. The liquor shared the same fate. The cannon 
were thrown into the river.

The next day the Indians came together to receive the presents, but their 
countenances betokened anger and deep-seated revenge when only the goods of 
the United States factory were distributed among them. They charged the whites 
with bad faith, and left with feelings aroused to the highest pitch of 
resentment. In the afternoon Capt. Wells, the brother of Mrs. Heald, arrived 
from Fort Wayne with fifteen friendly Miami Indians, to act as a guard in the 
retreat that was to follow. 

On the morning of the 15th of August the troops took up their line of march 
for Fort Wayne. Capt. Wells, with the friendly Miamis, acted as the advance 
guard, and a band of Pottawatomies, according to the stipulations made three 
days previous, followed at a short distance in the rear. They had proceeded in 
this order along the Lake shore about a mile and a half, to a point near the 
residence of Mrs. Clarke, when they were suddenly attacked by a party of 
Pottawatomies, who lay in ambush behind the sand hills upon the right of their 
line of march. Capt. Heald immediately ordered his men to form and charge the 
enemy, which movement was scarcely effected before they received a volley of 
balls from their savage foe. The troops did not flinch for a moment, but 
charged and dislodged the Indians in front; but their great numbers enabled 
them at once to turn the flanks of the troops, and to gain possession of the 
horses and baggage. At the first fire the Miamis galloped off, and could not 
be induced to join in the action. Capt. Heald, confident that further 
resistance was entirely vain, withdrew his troops to a small elevation, and 
awaited the movements of the enemy. They held a council, and soon their 
chiefs, of whom Black Partridge was the leader, motioned Capt. Heald to 
approach. They met, and Capt. Heald agreed to surrender, on condition that the 
lives of the prisoners should be spared. The troops delivered up their arms, 
and were marched back to the fort. The loss in the action, and in the 
subsequent massacre—for the Indians did not fully comply with their agreement—
was twenty-six of the regular troops, twelve—being the entire number of the 
militia—two women and twelve children—in all, fifty-two. The children were 
placed in a baggage wagon, and fell victims to the tomahawk of a single 
merciless savage, after the troops had surrendered. Capt. Wells was among the 
slain. Capt. Heald and his wife were also wounded, as also were Lieut, and 
Mrs. Helm.

The next day the fort was plundered and burnt, and the prisoners were 
distributed in various directions. The family of Mr. Kinzie were taken across 
to St. Joseph in a Mackinaw boat, and subsequently to Detroit. In due time the 
prisoners were ransomed, and found their way to their Eastern friends. No 
effort was made to re-establish the fort during the war. In 1816 it was 
rebuilt under the direction of Capt. Bradley. It continued to be occupied by a 
company of troops till 1837, when, the Indians having left the country for a 
long distance west of us, it was abandoned. On a part of the grounds of the 
fort our magnificent Marine Hospital now stands. The buildings occupied by the 
officers are most of them standing. To us the object of greatest interest is 
the old block house, and we wish here to put in an earnest plea that it may be 
preserved as long as one log will "lie upon the other." It is about the only 
relic of "hoary antiquity" in our city worth preserving. It was built thirty-
eight years ago, when the whole country was filled with savages. Let it be 
surrounded with a neat iron fence, that we may be able to illustrate to our 
children the nature of the defenses which the early settlers of Chicago were 
obliged to adopt. Let the giant arm of modern improvement, if necessary, sweep 
away every other vestige of Fort Dearborn, but let the shrill scream of the 
locomotive, as it brings up its long train of cars from the Gulf of Mexico, or 
rests from its labors after the mighty race of a thousand miles from the 
Atlantic seaboard, age after age, echo around this humble, but significant 
monument of the past.

Our "oldest inhabitant," at least in one view of the subject, is our excellent 
fellow citizen, Alderman John H. Kinzie. He was born in Canada, nearly 
opposite Detroit, and when an infant only a few months old, was brought to 
this city by his parents in 1804. He is a son of John Kinzie, mentioned above 
as an Indian trader. 

Mr. Kinzie settled here in that capacity in 1804, when the fort was first 
built. Our fellow citizen, Gurdon S. Hubbard, Esq., came here in 1818, and was 
then in the employ of the American Fur Company, at the head of which was John 
Jacob Astor. He frequently was in the town for several days or weeks at a 
time, but neither Mr. Kinzie nor Mr. Hubbard were settled here permanently 
till 1833 or 1834. Mr, Kinzie spent his boyhood here, but was afterwards 
located at Mackinaw and on the Upper Mississippi for many years.

Our oldest permanent resident in the city is Col. R. J. Hamilton. In this view 
of the case, he is certainly entitled to the honor of being the "OLDEST 
INHABITANT." He came here April 9th, 1831, and this has been his home ever 
since. G. W. Dole, Esq., came here May 4th, 1831, and P. F. W. Peck, Esq., 
July 15th of the same year. 

But though not living in the city limits, A. Clybourne, Esq., has been 
identified with it, or rather with the place that became Chicago, since August 
5th, 1823. He has resided since that time on the west side of the North 
Branch, about three miles from Lake street bridge. The city limits extend 
north of his residence on the east side of the river. We have given the dates 
when each of these gentlemen came to Chicago, and some of the circumstances 
connected with the claims of each to the important distinction of being 
the "oldest inhabitant," and here we leave the decision to our readers, 
satisfied that neither of them would have dared to predict even ten years ago 
what Chicago would be in the year 1854.
 
So far as we have been able to learn, the "oldest inhabitant" born in Chicago, 
and now living here, is a lady—we beg pardon for saying it—she is an unmarried 
lady. Be not amazed, ye spruce, anxious bachelors, and if you can count your 
gray hairs by scores, stand aside, for we are quite sure there is no chance 
for you. She is not only an unmarried lady, but a YOUNG LADY, only twenty-two 
years of age, as she was born in Fort Dearborn in the early part of 1832. We 
have not the pleasure of her acquaintance, and at the peril of incurring her 
displeasure, we venture to state that the "oldest native inhabitant" of 
Chicago, a city of more than 60,000 people, is Miss Ellen Hamilton, the 
daughter of our good friend, Col. R. J. Hamilton.

In 1818, when Gurdon S. Hubbard, Esq., came to Chicago, there were but two 
white families here. John Kinzie lived on the north side, a little west of 
where McCormick's factory now stands. Antoine Oulimette, a French trader, who 
had married an Indian woman, lived near the ground now occupied by the Lake 
House. The fort was occupied by a detachment of troops under the command of 
Captain Bradley. The American Fur Company had trading posts at convenient 
distances all through this country. At that time only a single schooner of 30 
or 40 tons was sent around from Buffalo with provisions for the fort, during 
the summer season.

In the fall of 1828, the Winnebagoes, who inhabited the territory west of us, 
became restless, and threatened the destruction of the fort. Our fellow 
citizen, Gurdon S. Hubbard, Esq., went alone on horseback to the settlements 
on the Wabash, and procured reinforcements. He was absent only seven days. The 
Indians were pacified by the presence of a large force under General Atkinson, 
and very little mischief was done, beyond the murder of a few travelers.

Col. R. J. Hamilton came to this city, as above stated, in April, 1831. Cook 
county had been organized the month previous. He soon obtained a high position 
among his fellow citizens, and at that time, young and full of energy and 
vigor, and not the man to shrink from responsibility, we wonder that he was 
not crushed with the weight of the "blushing honors" that fell to his share of 
the spoils in the new county of Cook. In the course of the year, he became 
Judge of Probate, Recorder, County Clerk; discharged gratuitously the duties 
of Treasurer, and was Commissioner of Schools. The good Colonel would find his 
hands full were he to fulfill the duties of all these offices at the present 
time. We have availed ourselves of his early and accurate knowledge of events 
for most of the facts which are contained in some half dozen of the succeeding 
paragraphs.

The county of Cook, in 1831, embraced all the territory now included in the 
counties of Lake, McHenry, Dupage, Will, and Iroquois. At that time Fort 
Dearborn was occupied by two companies of U. S. Infantry, under the command of 
Major Fowle. The resident citizens were Mr. Elijah Wentworth and family, 
occupying a house partly log and partly frame, owned by Mr. James Kinzie, and 
situated on the ground now occupied by Mr. Norton as a lumber yard. Mr. W. 
kept a tavern, the best in Chicago. 

In the vicinity of this tavern resided Mr. James Kinzie and family, Mr. 
William See and family, Mr. Alexander Robinson and family—now living on the 
Des Plaines— and Mr. Robert A. Kinzie, who had a store composed of dry goods—a 
large portion of them Indian goods—groceries, etc. Across the North Branch of 
the Chicago river, and nearly opposite Mr. Wentworth's tavern, resided Mr. 
Samuel Miller and family, and with them Mr. John Miller, a brother. Mr. Miller 
also kept tavern. On the east side of the South Branch, and immediately above 
the junction with the North Branch, resided Mr. Mark Beaubien and family, who 
also kept tavern; and a short distance above him on the South Branch resided a 
Mr. Bourisso, an Indian trader. Between Mark Beaubien's tavern and Fort 
Dearborn there were no houses, except a small log cabin, near the foot of 
Dearborn street, and used as an Indian trading house. Near the garrison, and 
immediately south, on the property sold by James H. Collins, Esq., to the 
Illinois Central Railroad Company, was the residence of J. B. Beaubien and 
family, who was connected with the American Fur Company in the Indian trade. 
He had near his residence a store, containing such goods as were suitable to 
that business. A short distance south of him on the lake was a house, then 
unoccupied.

On the north side of the river and immediately opposite the garrison, stood 
the old "Kinzie House," as it was commonly called, which was also then 
unoccupied, and in a very dilapidated state. A short distance above, on the 
main branch of the river, and on the ground now occupied by the Chicago and 
Galena Railroad Company, stood what had been the Government Agency house, and 
known to the "oldest inhabitant" as "Cobweb Castle." That was then unoccupied, 
Dr. Wolcott, the Government Agent, having died the fall before. In its 
vicinity were several small log buildings for the accommodation of the 
blacksmith, interpreter, and others connected with the Agency. The blacksmith 
then occupying one of the buildings was a Mr. McGee, now living in Dupage 
county. Billy Caldwell, the principal chief of the Ottawa, Pottawatomie and 
Chippewa Indians, occupied another. He was then Interpreter for the Agency. 
Col. Thomas J. Y. Owen, who had been the winter before appointed to succeed 
the late Dr. Wolcott, had not then taken up his residence in Chicago; G. 
Kercheval, who was then sub-Agent, was then here. Dr. E. Harmon, the father of 
C. L. Harmon, and James Harrington of Geneva, Kane county, had taken up their 
residence here, and were making claims on the lake shore—Dr. Harmon where Mrs. 
Clarke now lives, and Mr. H. immediately north and adjoining.

Here we have some dozen families in the spring of 1831—only TWENTY-THREE YEARS 
AGO—constituting, with the officers and soldiers in the fort, the entire 
population of Chicago. Now, the city numbers more than sixty thousand, and its 
blocks of splendid stores, its fine churches, its railroads, and extensive 
commerce, are the wonder and admiration of all. We have never spent much time 
in reading works of fiction, but if there is anything in that dreamy 
literature more astonishing than these facts, we certainly have never seen it.

In June following, the garrison, by order of the Secretary of War, was 
abandoned by the troops, and left in charge of Col. T. J. V. Owen, the 
Government Agent of the Ottawa, Pottawatomie, and Chippewa Indians; and by 
September, the fort, together with the old Kinzie House and the one on the 
lake shore (formerly vacant), were filled with emigrant families. In the 
latter part of September, the payment of the Indian annuities was made by Col. 
Owen. There were present on that occasion about four thousand Indians, and 
among them was a deputation of eight Sauk and Fox Indians belonging to the 
band of the celebrated BLACK HAWK. Their object was to induce the Ottawas, 
Pottawatomies and Chippewas, to join them in their contemplated invasion of 
the Rock River country, and to wrest it from the whites, who, they alleged, 
had obtained it fraudulently. Had it not been for the influence of Billy 
Caldwell, little doubt was entertained of the success of the mission. Caldwell 
was well advised of the weakness of the Indians, and the strength of the 
Government, and by his influence and representations, prevented the alliance. 
After the payment, a scene of drunkenness, debauchery and violence occurred, 
such as is never witnessed, except at an Indian payment.

During the fall, in the month of November, the schooner Marengo, belonging to 
Oliver Newberry of Detroit, arrived. She had been looked for with much anxiety 
for some weeks. She encountered a heavy gale on Lake Michigan, which was just 
subsiding on her arrival. There being no harbor, she anchored out in the lake, 
more than half a mile from the shore, nearly in front of the fort, where she 
remained until the lake had become sufficiently calm to unload. This could 
only be done by the aid of small boats, crossing the bar at the mouth of the 
river which then emptied into the lake near the foot of Randolph street. 
The "Marengo" was commanded by Captain Stewart, a veteran sailor who had long 
been in the employment of Mr. Newberry. The Telegraph, which arrived in July, 
and the Marengo, were the only arrivals during the season, except the one that 
transported the troops to Green Bay. The principal part of the population of 
Chicago during the winter of 1831-2 occupied the quarters in the garrison, and 
were ministered to, in the way of creature comforts, by our estimable citizen, 
Geo. W. Dole, who was the only merchant then in Chicago, except Mr. R. A. 
Kinzie at "Wolf Point," which was the name given to the "settlement" at the 
junction of the North and South Branches, where Mr. Norton's lumber yard is 
now located.

The winter was long and intensely cold, and the population of the surrounding 
country so sparse, that no traveler could be found sufficiently reckless to 
traverse it. There were then no mail routes, post roads nor post offices at 
Chicago, and the only means its inhabitants had of knowing anything of the 
world was by sending a half-breed Indian once in two weeks to Niles,in 
Michigan, to procure all the papers, both old and new, that could be 
had. "Great caution," says Colonel Hamilton, "was exercised in reading the old 
first, that we might be properly advised of events in the world as they 
occurred. The trip was made on foot, and usually occupied a week. The arrival 
of "the mail" was an event of quite as much interest then as it is now; but 
notwithstanding our exclusion from the world, we were not unhappy, and 
doubtless enjoyed ourselves as well as its inhabitants now do."

"A debating society was formed, composed of most of the male inhabitants of 
the fort, over which presided our venerable fellow-citizen, J. B. Beaubien, 
with much efficiency and dignity. Although not very conversant 
with 'Jefferson's Manual,' he had no occasion to use it, as every member was 
disposed to be orderly and behave himself; and each and all felt bound to 
contribute as much as possible to the general sum of knowledge and usefulness. 
To vary the amusement, a dance was occasionally got up at the house of Mark 
Beaubien, Esq., and for those who had no taste for such amusement, a religious 
meeting was held generally once a week in the Fort, by the late Mark Noble, 
Jr., and his wife and two daughters, and Mrs. R. J. Hamilton, who were all 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church."

These early meetings had a most happy effect upon all within their influence. 
Mrs. R. J. Hamilton, first wife of Col. H., contributed very much to their 
interest, as she was a lady of great intelligence, enlarged views, and devoted 
piety. She was for many years among the first in all religious and benevolent 
enterprises. Col. Hamilton pays a just tribute to the zeal and piety of Mr. 
Noble. He was the principal speaker at all these meetings, and his exertions 
in the cause of truth were greatly blessed. He was a man of practical common 
sense, and large experience, and was fitted for a "standard bearer" on the 
borders of civilization. It will be seen that the Methodists were here, as 
almost everywhere, the pioneers in Christianity. They did not, however, 
establish the first church, as will be seen further on in our sketches.

Thus passed the winter of 1831-2. On the approach of spring, it was announced 
that "Black Hawk," a Sauk chief, was moving up Rock river, with about five 
hundred Sauk and Fox Indians, with demonstrations of a hostile character, 
unless he could be permitted to remain on the lands formerly ceded to the 
United States. The rumor was confirmed by the arrival of the Hon. Richard M. 
Young, at Fort Dearborn, who was then one of the Circuit Judges of the State, 
and within whose judicial district Chicago was at that time. Judge Young was 
accompanied by Benjamin Mills, Esq., then a leading member of the Illinois 
bar, and our late fellow-citizen, Col. Strode, all from Galena. They had come 
by the way of Dixon, and from the conduct of the Indians assembled there, were 
convinced of their hostile intentions. Before the adjournment of the court 
other intelligence arrived confirmatory of these statements. The Indians 
continued to move up Rock river until they arrived at the Kishwaukie, a 
tributary of Rock river, where they made a halt. An expedition was organized 
under the command of Major Stillman, of Peoria, from the counties of Tazewell 
and Peoria, principally with the object, as then understood, to watch the 
movements of the Indians and protect the few settlements on the extreme 
frontier from their depredations; but with the further understanding, that 
they were not to strike the first blow. They proceeded up Rock river until 
within a few miles of the Indian encampment, and by some want of discipline 
and caution, an action was brought on against a portion of the Indians, which 
resulted in a disastrous defeat and total rout of the whole of Major 
Stillman's force. Almost immediately after the defeat of Major Stillman, the 
Indians, in bands, made a descent on the settlements on Fox river, at 
Hollenback's and Holderman's Grove, and at other points on the river where 
there were settlements, burning the houses and destroying the property, and 
had it not been for the friendly interposition and warnings of Shabbo-nee,* an 
Ottawa chief, who, till within a few years, lived at Shabbona's Grove, many of 
the people must have been massacred. Some barely escaped, being sufficiently 
near to witness the smoke ascending from their burning houses—what few 
inhabitants were in the surrounding country made their way to Chicago, to seek 
safety in Fort Dearborn, and by the 10th of May the Fort contained a 
population of near seven hundred souls, two-thirds of whom were women and 
children. This great disproportion of women and children was occasioned by the 
male heads of families taking their provisions and whatever else they could 
muster to drive their stock into the settled parts of the country, mostly on 
the Wabash. Col. Owen, the government agent, was then in charge of the Fort, 
and no effort on his part was spared to accommodate all that came. He had 
himself a

--------------------------
*I often saw him in the streets of Chicago. He was not very tall; but he was a 
broad-shouldered, stalwart specimen of the Indian. He died a few years ago, 
and was buried in the cemetery at Morris, Grundy county.
--------------------------

large family and occupied the commander's quarters, but he confined himself to 
a single room, and gave up the rest to those who came in from the country. 
Gholson Kercheval and Col. Hamilton were appointed quartermasters to arrange 
quarters equitably among the people, and in many cases fifteen and twenty 
occupied a room that would not more than comfortably accommodate a family of 
four or five persons.

Information was again received through "Billy Caldwell," by Col. Owen, that 
the hostile chiefs were tampering with the Ottawa, Pottawatomie and Chippewa 
Indians belonging to his agency, and that in consequence of the success in the 
fight at Kishwaukie, many of the young men were strongly inclined to join 
them. It was with difficulty the chiefs could restrain them. A consultation 
was had with Messrs. Robinson and Caldwell, both influential chiefs among the 
Indians, who advised an immediate council with the principal chiefs together 
with some of their young men, at which Col. Owen was to address them, and let 
them know distinctly that if they formed any alliance, or connection with 
Black Hawk, or furnished them men or aid of any kind, the Government would 
hold them to a strict accountability for it, and would punish them severely. 
The council was held at or near the place where the Rev. Mr. Richardson's 
church now stands, in the North Division of the city. There were present a 
number of the chiefs of the United Nations, including Caldwell and Robinson, 
and Col. Owen, and Col. R. J. Hamilton on the part of the Government. The 
council was opened by a few remarks from Caldwell to the chiefs. Blackfoot, a 
chief of considerable influence and power, then addressed the council. He 
recounted many of their grievances, and charged the Government with gross 
injustice towards them, and concluded by remarking that now was a good time to 
redress them. His speech was evidently well received by the young men. Col. 
Owen followed him, and his boldness, energy, and the scathing rebuke he 
administered to Blackfoot changed the whole current of feeling against the 
chief. The Indians retired for a few minutes, and then returned presenting 
their hands to Col. Owen, declaring their friendship to the Government, and 
offering to furnish a hundred braves to march against Blackhawk, if desired. 
Thus terminated this council; small and insignificant as it may now seem to 
have been, yet it was productive of important results. To the unwavering 
friendship of Caldwell, and the bold, energetic conduct of Col. Owen before 
the council, the inhabitants of Chicago were indebted for their safety in the 
contest which followed.

Late in the month of May, 1832, a small force consisting of twenty-five men, 
was organized in the fort under the command of Capt. J. B. Brown, with Capt. 
Joseph Naper and Col. R. J. Hamilton, for the purpose of securing the frontier 
on Fox river, and to ascertain from personal observation the extent of the 
depredations committed on the property of the inhabitants. It was also 
intended to render aid to the inhabitants settled on the Dupage river, who had 
assembled at Mr. James Walker's where Plainfield now stands, and erected a 
small fort for their protection. After leaving the fort on the Dupage, where 
they had remained a day, rendering such assistance as was desired, the 
expedition proceeded to Holderman's Grove. The Indians had but recently left 
it after having destroyed all the personal property found in the house and 
around the premises, and scattered the, fragments about the yard. The 
provisions which were not taken away were destroyed.

On the third evening after their departure from Fort Dearborn the company 
encamped about three miles from Holderman's Grove, in the direction of 
Hollenback's Grove, on Fox river. Some time before daylight, Mr. G. E. Walker, 
of Ottawa, arrived at the camp and stated that a man had arrived at that place 
(Ottawa) and reported that considerable firing had been heard on Indian creek, 
about fifteen miles from Ottawa, at the residence of a Mr. Davis, where the 
families of Davis, Hall and Pettigrew had assembled for mutual protection, and 
a short time afterwards a young man, a son of Mr. Hall's, arrived and 
confirmed the statement. He also stated that he was at work in the field about 
a mile from the house, heard the firing and saw the Indians.

Upon receiving this information, Capt. Brown immediately marched the company, 
with all possible dispatch, to Indian creek where the firing had been heard. 
Some five or six, a part of whom had joined the expedition on the route, left 
it and returned to afford protection to their respective families. The company 
arrived at Mr. Davis' residence between nine and ten o'clock, A. M. The scene 
there, as described by Colonel Hamilton, was the most painful that could well 
be imagined. Some thirteen dead bodies, composed of the families of Davis, 
Hall and Pettigrew, lay in the house and about the yard, consisting of men, 
women and children, who had been shot, speared, tomahawked, scalped and 
mutilated in the most cruel manner. Davis was a blacksmith, and apparently a 
very athletic man. At the moment of the attack he was in his shop, and started 
for the house about seventy-five or a hundred yards distant, for the purpose, 
no doubt, of assisting to protect the families there. He was attacked a short 
distance from the shop, and from every indication a severe contest ensued.

By his side, or near him, lay a large Kentucky rifle, which had been fired,and 
afterward used in a hand-to-hand fighty as its stock was much shattered, and 
its breech broken. The bodies were collected and buried as well as they could 
be, under the circumstances, after which the expedition went to Ottawa, where 
they fell in with Major Bailey, with a company from Tazewell Co., who had been 
in the late disastrous Stillman expedition against the Indians at Kishwaukie, 
a part of which, together with Major Bailey, joined Capt. Brown. The whole 
detachment proceeded to Chicago under the command of Major Bailey. On the 
route to Chicago, the guide to the expedition, a half-breed Indian, reported 
at several points large fresh Indian signs. Much solicitude was felt for the 
families at Walker's on the Dupage, and some time after dark a man by the name 
of Payne was hailed, who had just come alone from Chicago, and was on his way 
to Ottawa. The dangers of the route were made known to him, and efforts were 
made to retain him with the expedition. He, however, announced himself an 
ambassador of God, and said he would be safe from any attack by the Indians. 
It was evident he was partially insane, and he could not be induced to change 
his purpose. He had a long flowing beard, and venerable appearance. He was 
probably killed the same day, as his head was found two weeks afterward stuck 
on a pole in the prairie, and his body some half mile distant from the head. 
Our fellow-citizen, Gurdon S. Hubbard, Esq., was in the party that found him. 
Major Bailey and his command encamped the same evening at the fort on the 
Dupage, and started early the next morning with the families in the fort, and 
all their movable effects that could be transported in ox and horse teams, and 
arrived late in the evening at Chicago, after an absence of ten days. The fort 
was immediately organized as a military post, and placed under the command of 
Major Bailey. 

Two young ladies, by the name of Hall, were captured at Indian creek,and 
retained for some two weeks, when they were given up by a party of friendly 
Indians to Gov. Dodge, of Wisconsin. They were treated with great kindness and 
respect while they were captives. The massacre of the people of Indian creek 
occurred on the 21st of May.

In the meantime, three thousand militia were ordered out from Peoria and the 
counties south of it, and marched to Rock river, where they were joined by a 
detachment 

of regular troops from Fort Armstrong, under General Atkinson. A party of one 
hundred and fifty militia under the command of Major Dement, fell in with a 
detachment of Indians, commanded by Black Hawk himself, somewhere between Rock 
river and Galena. An action ensued, in which the Indians were routed. The main 
army continued to move up Rock river, around the head waters of which it was 
said the Indians were concentrated. 
 
On the 21st of July, General Henry, commanding an advanced party of the army, 
came up with the Indians between the Blue Mounds and the Wisconsin river. The 
troops were formed into a hollow square, and all attempts to break the line by 
the savages were in vain. A general charge was finally made by the troops, 
when the Indians were forced to retreat, with the loss of between fifty and 
sixty of their number.

The Indians continued their retreat to the northwest, crossed the Wisconsin 
river, and moved up the east bank of the Mississippi. About fifty miles above 
Prairie du Chien, they were again overtaken and completely routed, with the 
loss of one hundred and fifty warriors. This victory completely broke the 
power of Black Hawk, and ended the war. He was captured by a party of 
Winnebagoes, and delivered up to the officers of the United States at Prairie 
du Chien, on the 27th of August, 1832.

Early in the season General Scott was ordered to leave the seaboard and gather 
up all the troops on his route westward, and repair to Chicago. The Indians 
were entirely defeated before he was able to join the army.

On the 21st of September, 1832, all these difficulties were arranged by a 
treaty made at Fort Armstrong, (Rock Island,) by General Scott and Governor 
Reynolds, with the Sauk and Fox Indians, by which they relinquished all their 
claim to Eastern Iowa, and agreed to move west of the Missouri. Annuities were 
to be paid to the several bands, and a reservation of forty miles square was 
made to the principal Chief, Keokuk, and a portion of his followers.

We are indebted to P. F. W. Peck, Esq., for the facts contained in several of 
the succeeding paragraphs:

In July, A. D. 1831, the schooner Telegraph, of Ashtabula, Ohio, Captain 
Joseph and John Naper, arrived at Chicago with a number of families, their own 
among the number, who soon after left and settled the place now known as 
Naperville. The village took its name from Captain Joseph Naper, he being the 
first white settler upon its present site.

Mr. Peck left New York City in the month of May of that year (1831), with a 
small stock of goods for a "market," having previously determined upon a 
western home. 

Accidentally becoming acquainted with Captain Joseph Naper, at Buffalo, at 
which place the schooner was then loading for "Fort Dearborn," (Chicago), that 
gentleman, with characteristic frankness, invited Mr. Peck to embark with him 
and seek a home in that remote region, then but little known, where Capt. N. 
had previously determined to remove with his family. Mr. P. readily accepted, 
and left Buffalo with Capt. N. about the 1st of June, A. D. 1831, and arrived 
at Chicago after a passage of two months from the city of New York.

Probably many years prior to this arrival, no structure of any kind had been 
added to the small number of log cabins which, with the buildings of the 
garrison, constituted the town of Chicago; and the only addition to its growth 
during that year was a small log store for Mr. Peck, shortly after his 
arrival, and which he owned and occupied until late in the fall of that year. 
It was built near the garrison, a few rods northwest of the land on which Col. 
Beaubien formerly resided, and which James H. Collins, Esq., recently sold to 
the Illinois Central Railroad Company.

It was after some deliberation and advice, that Mr. P. determined to locate 
in "the lower village," instead of at "the Point," (West Side,) which latter 
settlement was then, he thinks, rather in the ascendant. Rival feelings, to 
some extent, existed at the time between the people of those localities, both 
contending that they possessed superior advantages for the site of the future 
village of Chicago.

Shortly, before Mr. Peck's arrival, the Canal Commissioners had subdivided 
into town lots part of Sec. 9, (the Old Town) and given titles to a few of the 
lots to different purchasers. "Fort Dearborn" (fractional section 10) was not 
then subdivided, and much uncertainty existed as to the time, and under what 
auspices it would ultimately be done. These circumstances very much promoted 
the interests of land owners at "Wolf Point."

Mr. P. says that his young and fertile imagination presented before him as 
possible to be built up within a reasonable time, the village church, 
schoolhouse, doctor's and lawyer's office; a tavern, more fashionable than 
that kept by "Jolly Mark" a blacksmith, shoemaker, and tailor's shop, and a 
few painted stores and dwellings; and that his newly found home would become a 
respectable consolidated village, at one or the other of these two extreme 
settlements, for then no intermediate lots were considered to be of much 
importance.

Late in the fall of 1831, Mr. Peck received from New York, via the Lakes, a 
stock of goods with which, and the small stock he had previously in trade, he 
removed into Naper's settlement, and united in business with Capt. Joseph 
Naper, and remained with him until the spring of 1832, when the Sauk war drove 
the people into Chicago.

Mr. Peck has ever since resided in Chicago, having immediately after the 
termination of Indian hostilities resumed mercantile business in a building 
then owned by S. Miller, Esq., North Side, at the junction of the North and 
South Branches, which for several previous years had been occupied by Messrs. 
Miller & Clybourne, as a store for Indian trade. During the fall of 1832, and 
while occupying the building before mentioned, Mr. P. caused to be raised the 
frame of the building now owned by him, and situated on the southeast corner 
of South Water and LaSalle streets, which was finished and occupied by him 
early in May, A. D. 1833, as appears by vouchers for its payment which he has 
exhibited to us. It is built of black walnut and oak lumber. The lumber was 
hauled from Walker's mills—now Plainfield—forty miles southwest from Chicago, 
and is believed to have been the first lumber ever sawed in Cook county. 
Plainfield is now in Will county.

In this building Mr. Peck continued business until the fall of 1835, at which 
time he disposed of his entire stock in trade to Thomas Hartzell, Esq., then 
of Hennepin, and now a resident of this city, and one of the oldest and most 
respectable settlers of Northern Illinois. He thinks the store abpve mentioned 
was the first frame building built on the south side of the river; but G. W. 
Dole, Esq., assures us that his old warehouse, on the southeast corner of 
Dearborn and South Water streets, was completed and occupied by him in the 
fall of 1832. Mr. Dole then lived in a small log building, now covered with 
siding, which stands two or three doors east of the old warehouse on Water 
street. The warehouse has for some years been occupied for dwellings.

In the rear of this building, and in front of the Tremont House, Mr. Dole 
slaughtered, in the fall of 1832, the first lot of cattle, in all two hundred 
head, ever packed in Chicago. They were driven from the Wabash Valley, and 
cost him $2.75 per cwt. He also slaughtered in the same place and packed 350 
hogs from the same locality, for which he gave $3 per cwt. Here was the 
nucleus of the immense "packing" business now done in Chicago. It cannot 
amount to much less than $1,500,000 per annum, and Chicago beef has obtained 
the first place in the markets of the world.

Mr. Peck has also shown us his original document for the purchase of Lot 4, 
Block 18, in the Old Town of Chicago. It is as follows:

CHICAGO, Aug. 15, 1831.

Received of P. F. W. Peck, eighty dollars, in full for Lot No. 4, Block 18, in 
the plan of the town of Chicago, and in full for all claims to this date.

W. F. WALKER.

This lot is at the southeast corner of South Water and LaSalle streets, 
fronting 80 feet on South Water and 150 feet on LaSalle street, and entire is 
now valued in our table at $42,500. Mr. P. retains a part of the lot only, 
having sold the largest portion of it soon after his purchase. He has also 
exhibited to us a receipt of his taxes for 1833, signed S. Forbes, Sheriff, 
amounting to $3.50. The books of the proper officers will show that he has 
paid, for general and special assessments, for the past year, about $5,000. 
Mr. Peck is but one among a score in our city whose taxes would show as large, 
and some of them even larger figures. Early in 1832, Chicago received quite an 
addition to her citizens. Among those now residents of the city, we remember 
Dr. Maxwell, G. W. Snow, Philo Carpenter, John S. Wright, and Dr. Kimberly.

Going back to 1831, we find that the Commissioners' Court, under the act 
organizing the county, was opened March 8th of that year. The first record we 
have is that "Samuel Miller, Gholson Kercheval and James Walker, Commissioners 
for Cook county, were sworn into office by J. S. C. Hogan, Justice of the 
Peace. William See was appointed Clerk of the Commissioners' Court, who, after 
being duly sworn and giving bonds 'according to law, the Court proceeded to 
business.' Archibald Clybourne was appointed County Treasurer, and an order 
passed that the 'S. W. fraction of Sec. 10 in T. 39 N., R. 14 East of the 
third principal meridian, be entered for County purposes.' At the next 
meeting, March 9th, the Treasurer is authorized to borrow one hundred dollars, 
with which to enter the land before mentioned, and he is directed 'not to give 
more than six per cent, interest.' It is also ordered that Jesse Walker be 
employed to enter the land, that Jedediah Wooley be nominated to the Governor 
for County Surveyor, and that there be three precincts in the county of Cook, 
to wit: 'the Chicago Precinct,' the 'Hickory Creek Precinct,' and the 'Du-page 
Precinct.' The boundaries of these three precincts were established, Judges of 
Election appointed, and the times and the places of holding the same. Grand 
and Petit Jurors were selected, and some other minor business transacted, when 
the 'Court adjourned until Court in course.'"

April 13th, 1831.—A special term was held. The record says: "Court was called 
at the hour of ten o'clock in the morning, and Samuel Miller and Gholson 
Kercheval being present, formed a quorum, and proceeded to business.

"Ordered, That there be a half per cent, levied on the following description 
of property, to wit: On town lots, on pleasure carriages, on distilleries, on 
all horses, mules and neat cattle above the age of three years; on watches, 
with their appurtenances, and on all clocks."

Elijah Wentworth and Samuel Miller were licensed to keep a tavern in the town 
of Chicago, and taxed therefor the sum of $7 and $5 respectively. The 
following financial measure, the second recorded in the history of Chicago, 
was also adopted, and as one of the "quorum" on this occasion was also one of 
the prospective "tavern keepers," we have a right to presume that the tariff 
was fairly adjusted.

"Ordered, That the following rates be allowed to tavern keepers, to wit:

Each half pint of wine, rum or brandy. 25 cents.
Each pint	 	do............ 37 1/2 "
"   half pint of gin.................. 18 3/4 "
"   pint	do.................... 31 1/4 "
"   gill of whisky....................  6 1/4 "
"   half pint do...................... 12 1/2 "
"   pint      do...................... 18 3/4 "
For each breakfast and supper......... 25     "
"        dinner....................... 37 1/2 "
"        horse feed................... 25     "
Keeping horse one night............... 50     "
Lodging for each man per night........ 12 1/2 "
For cider or beer, one pint...........  6 1/4 "
    "      "	    "   quart......... 12 1/2 "

The first licensed merchants in Cook county, as appears from the licenses 
granted at this time, were B. Laughton, Robert A. Kinzie, Samuel Miller; and 
the first auctioneer, James Kinzie. Russell E. Heacock was licensed to keep a 
tavern at his residence.

Initiatory steps were taken for the establishment of a ferry across both 
branches of Chicago river, at the forks, over which the people of Cook county, 
with their "traveling apraties" were to be passed free. Rates of ferriage were 
specified for outsiders, and a ferry scow was purchased from Samuel Miller for 
sixty-five dollars. At the next meeting of the Court, Mark Beaubien filed his 
bond for $200, with James Kinzie as security, and having agreed to pay into 
the Treasury fifty dollars, and "to ferry all citizens of Cook county free," 
became the first ferryman of Chicago.

During vacation of Court, permits to sell goods were obtained from the clerk 
by Alexander Robinson, John B. Beaubien and Madore Beaubien, thus adding by so 
many to the number of Cook county merchants.

At the next term of Court, June 6th, Jesse Walker, who had been commissioned 
to enter the land selected for county purposes, reported that he had been 
refused permission to enter the same, and paid back the money put into his 
hands for that purpose.

The fees received by the members of the Commissioners' Court during this 
period were, as appears from appropriations made them, at the rate of $1.50 
per day, for actual term time, and were paid in county orders. Joseph 
Leflenboys was added to the list of merchants; also, Mark Beaubien and O. 
Newberry.

Certain blocks and lots having been given to the county by the "Canal 
Commissioners," it was thought proper to dispose of them, with the exception 
of the Public Square, and accordingly a "sail of lots"—we use the spelling of 
the record—was advertised to take place on the first Monday in July following. 
This semi-nautical proceeding was probably the first of the speculative and 
numerous land sales of which Chicago has since been the theatre. In return, 
probably, for the liberal donation received from the Canal Commissioners, and, 
as also perhaps considered the best and only method of extending to them 
the "hospitalities of the county," it was "ordered that the county pay the 
Canal Commissioners' ferriage during their stay at Chicago on canal business," 
all of which ferriage, according to Mark Beaubien's account, afterwards 
presented and paid, amounted to the enormous sum of seven dollars and thirty-
three cents. In these days of paved streets and present and prospective plank 
roads and railroads, it is also interesting to glance at another order, having 
in view the opening of the first two highways of which any definite history 
has come down to us. The first provides for the viewing of a road to the West 
boundary of the county, in a direction toward the mouth of Fox river, as 
follows: "From the town of Chicago to the house of B. Laughton, from thence to 
the house of James Walker on the Dupage river, and so on to the west line of 
the county, and that Elijah Wentworth, K. E. Heacock and Timothy B. Clark be 
the viewers." The other is a road "from the town of Chicago, the nearest and 
best way to the house of the widow Brown, on 'Hycory creek,' and that James 
Kinzie, Archibald Clybourne and R. E. Heacock be the viewers." What would 
widow Brown now say were she to count from the cupola of the Tremont House the 
eighty trains of cars that daily arrive and depart from this city? And for 
aught we know she may have done so, for it is only twenty-three years since 
her house was made the terminus of the "original survey" of one of the first 
avenues from Chicago.

The vexed question, whether our present splendid Court House, with all its 
roomy and convenient public offices, stands on a "square" or a "skew," is 
resolved into a matter of insignificance, when it is remembered at how recent 
a date, as the archives inform us, the Sheriff was authorized "to provide, on 
the best terms in his power, to secure a prisom sufficient to hold prisoners 
for the time being," or when, as in the present instance, the "court adjourned 
until court in course, to the house of William See."

The affairs of the county appear to have been managed during these primeval 
times with commendable prudence, economy and good faith, for we find 
subsequently that Jas. Kinzie, having, in his official capacity, disposed of 
the lands given to the county by the Canal Commissioners, was allowed a county 
order for $14.53 3/4, being at the rate of 2 1/2 per cent, for the first $200, 
and one per cent. for all over that sum, for his services as "auxineer"—we use 
the spelling of the record—"in the sail of lots" elsewhere mentioned.

The mercantile corps of Cook county was meanwhile increased by the addition of 
four new firms, viz.: Brewster, Hogan & Co., Peck, Walker & Co., Joseph Naper 
and Nicholas Boilvin. It, perhaps, ought not to be omitted, that Mark 
Beaubien, who, from all accounts, was not an unworthy pioneer to Chicago 
enterprise and ambition, not satisfied with being already chief ferryman, as 
well as a merchant, or with having experienced the clemency of the Court, in 
the shape of a remittance of a fine of ten dollars, "assessed to him for a 
fracas" with John G. Hall, also applied for and received a license to "keep a 
tavern," being charged therefor the moderate sum of six dollars. As an offset 
to these various evidences of favor, he well nigh met with a worse fate than 
old Charon, for he was "ordered" to ferry the citizens of Cook county "from 
daylight in the morning until dark, without stopping?"

The reason for this stringent order, as given by Dr. Kimberly, was, that Mark 
at the time kept two race horses, and he had such a passion for the sports of 
the turf that he would, every day, if possible, get up a race with some of the 
Indian "bloods," and sadly neglect his duty to ferry the good citizens of Cook 
county free, according to the law in such case made and provided.

An incident in the history of the Beaubien family should be duly recorded. The 
military commandant of the State gave orders in 1834 that the militia of Cook 
county should be duly organized and officers elected. Like the immortal 
Falstaff, there were some gentlemen who did not fancy that kind of company. As 
usual, there were several aspirants who, if elected, would carry out the law; 
but over all these it was determined to elect John B., Colonel. The election 
was to be held in the house of a Mr. Laughton, who kept tavern near where 
Lyonsville now stands, on the southwestern plank road. The town turned out en 
masse, taking with them a keg of brandy, four packages of loaf sugar and six 
dozen of lemons. John was elected over all opposition, and it was determined, 
of course, to have "a time." At the base of the bluff, near the house, is a 
fine spring. A dam was made across the outlet, and the brandy, lemons and 
sugar were all emptied into it, and "being duly stirred up, each one drank 
till he could drink no more from this novel "PUNCH BOWL." Colonel Beaubien was 
entirely satisfied with the "the honor" conferred upon him, and never called 
out his forces. He is the first, and still is the, highest officer of the Cook 
county militia.

The first mention we find of the Circuit Court is contained in the minutes of 
September 6th, 1831, providing that it be held in "Fort Dearborn, in the brick 
house, and in the lower room of said house."

It is worthy of remark, that notwithstanding the low state of the county 
finances during this period, the sick or disabled strangers and travelers, or 
unfortunate residents, were uniformly provided with proper nourishment, 
medicine, and careful attendance at the public expense. Several instances are 
on record of appropriations from the treasury for these and like purposes. It 
is equally in evidence, that amid all the impositions and irregularities 
attending the first years of a new settlement, the administration of public 
affairs rested in the hands of cool and impartial officers, who were not to be 
easily deceived or imposed upon, and who had a single eye to the general good. 
As an instance, we notice that when the first road was located from the Public 
Square to the west county line, it appears that some or all of the viewers 
were influenced by some selfish purpose, and hence we find that their "report 
is rejected, and the viewers shall have no pay for their services."

The population and business of the town steadily increased from month to 
month, and with it many changes occurred which it is beyond our limits to 
notice.

Richard J. Hamilton was appointed Clerk of the Court, in place of William See, 
resigned, and entered upon the duties of his office on the second day of 
April, 1832. 

Much business of more or less importance was transacted at this special term. 
More roads and streets were authorized, and Commissioners appointed to decide 
their location; election precincts and magistrate districts were set apart, 
described and named; judges of elections appointed, etc., etc. From a 
statement returned by the Sheriff of Cook county, April 4th, 1832, it is shown 
that the amount of the tax list on real and personal property, for the year 
ending March 1st, 1832, was $148.29; and that the non-resident delinquent tax 
list amounted to $10.50. Of this amount there had been paid into the treasury 
$142.28. The Treasurer's report for the same period shows that the amount 
received from licenses "to keep taveran," sell goods, etc., was $225.50; taxes 
paid in, as per Sheriff's report, were $132.28—total, $357.78. To balance this 
amount, the Treasurer reports, license tax delinquencies to the amount of 
$88.50. Paid out for County Orders, $252.35—leaving balance in the treasury of 
$15.93.

Thus stands the account current of Cook county in the spring of 1832, only 
twenty-two years ago! The total receipts of taxes and moneys from all other 
sources, is the enormous sum of $357.78! How stands the account now? The total 
amount of moneys collected by the City Treasurer for the year 1853, is 
$135,752.03; and by the County Treasurer, $245,057.07—making the total amount 
of taxes collected last year in Cook county, $380,809.10. Those who have 
leisure may "cypher up" the ratio of increase in the short space of twenty-two 
years.

The whole assessed value of the personal property of the city for the past 
year is $2,711,154; real estate, $13,841,831—total, $16,841,831. The entire 
valuation for Cook county is, personal property, $4,450,630; real estate, 
$18,487,627 —total, $22,937,657. Every one knows that the assessed does not 
represent one-fourth of the real value of the property in the county. It is 
entirely safe to set down the value of the personal and real property of Cook 
county at the lowest estimate at ONE HUNDRED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

It will be noticed by the above that several of the tavern keepers or 
merchants failed to pay for their licenses, and it was accordingly ordered by 
the Court that hereafter all taxes for license "shall be paid before the 
issuing thereof." The tax of one-half per cent, was extended to include all 
personal property of whatever kind or description, and other measures 
suggested by time and experience were adopted. Archibald Clybourne was 
reappointed Treasurer for the ensuing year. The Sheriff was authorized to 
procure a room or rooms for the April term of the Circuit Court at the house 
of James Kinzie, provided it can be done at a cost of not more than ten 
dollars.

We find several "items" upon the record, among which we notice that John R. 
Clark was the first Coroner. The first inquest was held "over the body of a 
dead Indian." 

The second was on "William Jewett, a passenger who was found dead."

The first street leading to Lake Michigan was laid out April 25th, 1832. This 
street commenced at what was then called the east end of Water street, and is 
described by Jedediah Wooley, the surveyor, as follows: "From the east end of 
Water street, in the town of Chicago, to Lake Michigan. Direction of said road 
is south 88 1/2 degrees east from the street to the Lake, 18 chains, 50 
links." Said street was laid out fifty feet wide. The viewers on this 
occasion "also believe that said road is of public utility, and a convenient 
passage from the town to the Lake."

The first public building of which any mention is made, was an "Estray Pen," 
erected on the southwestern corner of the public square. The lowest bid for 
the contract—$20—was put in by Samuel Miller, but upon the completion of the 
edifice, the Treasurer was directed to pay therefor but $12, on account of its 
not being finished "according to contract."

At the March term, 1833, the Road Commissioners reported their survey of a 
State road leading from Chicago to the left bank of the Wabash river, opposite 
Vincennes. 

Various other roads in different directions were surveyed and laid out during 
the spring and summer of 1833.

The next public building erected after the "Estray Pen," was the Jail. The 
first contractors failed to fulfill their contract, and a suit for damages was 
instituted against them. The Jail was finally built in the fall of 1833, "of 
logs well bolted together," on the northwest corner of the public square. It 
stood there till last year, when the new Court House and Jail having been 
completed, it was torn down, and no vestige remains to tell where once 
stood "this terror of evil doers."

The minutes of the first meeting of the citizens of Chicago, without date upon 
the records, are as follows:

"At a meeting of the citizens of Chicago, convened pursuant to public notice 
given according to the statute for incorporating Towns, T. J. V. Owen was 
chosen President, and E. S. Kimberly was chosen Clerk. The oaths were then 
administered by Russell E. Heacock, a Justice of the Peace for Cook county, 
when the following vote was taken on the propriety of incorporating the Town 
of Chicago, County of Cook, State of Illinois:

For Incorporation—John S. C. Hogan, C. A. Ballard, G. W. Snow, R. J. Hamilton, 
J. T. Temple, John Wright, G. W. Dole, Hiram Pearsons, Alanson Sweet, E. S. 
Kimberly, T. J. V. Owen, Mark Beaubien—12.

Against Incorporation—Russell E. Heacock—1.

We certify the above poll to be correct.

[Signed]        T. J. V. OWEN, President.
                ED. S. KIMBERLY, Clerk."

Dr. Kimberly informs us that the meeting was held some twenty days before the 
election which followed.

The first election for five Trustees of the Town of Chicago was held at the 
house of Mark Beaubien, on the 10th of August, 1833, at 11 o'clock in the 
forenoon, and the polls were closed at 1 o'clock. The following are the names 
of the voters, and those elected on that occasion:

Voters—E. S. Kimberly, J. B. Beaubien, Mark Beaubien, T. J. V. Owen, William 
Nmson, Hiram Pearsons, Philo Carpenter, George Chapman, John Wright, John T. 
Temple, Matthias Smith, David Carver, James Kinzie, Charles Tajdor, John S. C. 
Hogan, Eli A. Rider, Dexter J. Hapgood, George W. Snow, Madore Beaubien, 
Gholson Kercheval, Geo. W. Dole, R. J. Hamilton, Stephen F. Gale, Enoch 
Darling, W. H. Adams, C. A. Ballard, John Watkins, James Gilbert.

T. J. V. Owen received 26 votes.
Geo. W. Dole   "       28     "
Madore Beaubien "      23     "
John Miller received   20 votes. 
E. S. Kimberly    "    20     " 
And so were elected Trustees of the Town of Chicago.

At this election there were in all twenty-eight voters in the "TOWN OF 
CHICAGO" on the 10th day of August, 1833. "Canvassing" at elections did not 
require quite so much labor, and there was far less money spent then than 
there is now. Two of the first Trustees, Dr. Kimberly and G. W. Dole, Esq., 
are still residents of the city. 

The "Town of Chicago" has not, therefore, arrived at the full age of twenty-
one years. To those who have not become familiar with such facts, they are 
more wonderful than the wildest dreams of a "poetic fancy." They are, however, 
plain sober history—such history, however, as can only be found in the annals 
of the American people. 

The Trustees held their first meeting at the Clerk's office on the 12th day of 
August, 1833. The limits of the corporation were defined as follows: Beginning 
at the intersection of Jackson and Jefferson streets; thence north to Cook 
street, and through that street to its eastern extremity in Wabansia; thence 
on a direct line to Ohio street in Kinzie's Addition; thence eastwardly to the 
Lake shore; thence south with the line of beach to the northern U. S. pier; 
thence northwardly along said pier to its termination; thence to the channel 
of the Chicago river; thence along said channel until it intersects the 
eastern boundary line of the Town of Chicago, as laid out by the Canal 
Commissioners; thence southwardly with said line until it meets Jackson 
street; thence westwardly along Jackson street until it reaches the place of 
beginning. 

The 26th of September, 1833, is a memorable day in the history of Chicago. The 
Pottawatomie Indians, to the number of 7,000, had been gathered here for the 
purpose of making a treaty with the United States. On that day the treaty was 
signed on the part of the United States by T. J. V. Owen, G. B. Porter and Wm. 
Weatherford, and by a large number of Indian chiefs, by which the Indians 
ceded to the United States all their territory in Northern Illinois and 
Wisconsin, amounting to about twenty million acres. The treaty was made in a 
large tent on the North Side, a little north of the Lake House. The largest 
part of the Indians were encamped in the woods on the North Side. Two bands 
from Coldwater, Mich., encamped under a large cottonwood tree, which then 
stood in the rear of I. Speer's. Jewelry store, near the corner of Lake and 
State streets. There were a large number of speculators and others present, 
and there were scenes enacted which it would be no credit to humanity to 
narrate. Quite a large number of our present citizens were here at the time of 
the treaty.

On the 26th of November, 1833, the first newspaper ever printed in Chicago, or 
Northern Illinois, was published by our friend, John Calhoun, Esq. The bound 
volumes of that paper for two years are before us. The perusal of its pages 
has filled up some of the most interesting hours in our study of the "ancient 
history" of Chicago. It has since fallen into other hands, and merits no 
notice from us. In this first number, Mr. Calhoun strongly urges "the 
commencement and completion of the long-contemplated canal to connect the 
waters of Lake Michigan with the Illinois river," and adds, that "even with 
the present limited facilities of navigation, goods have been transported from 
New York to St. Louis in the short space of twenty-three days!" Thanks to our 
railroads, goods can now be sent through by express in three days!

The second number of Mr. Calhoun's paper, issued on the 3rd of December, 1833, 
contains the names of the following persons as advertisers, who are still 
residents of Chicago: S. B. Cobb, John S. Wright, Walter Kimball, Philo 
Carpenter, P. F. W. Peck, R. M. Sweet, A. Clybourne, John Bates, Jr., G. W. 
Dole, B. Jones, Star Foote, C. Harmon, E. S. Kimberly, John H. Kinzie, S. D. 
Pierce, and H. J. Hamilton. We think this fact is worthy of notice by those 
who have been led to believe that Chicago is an unhealthy city. Never was 
there a more gratuitous or unfounded assertion.
 
During the summer of 1833, Chicago, as has already been intimated, grew 
rapidly. Attention had been called to the place by an appropriation of 
$30,000, made in the spring of that year by Congress, to build a harbor here 
to accommodate the commerce of Lake Michigan. The harbor was pushed forward 
rapidly during the summer, and in the following spring there was a great 
freshet, which carried out the sand from between the piers, and opened the 
harbor to the Lake commerce.

So late as 1834, only twenty years ago, there was but one mail per week from 
Niles, Michigan, to Chicago, and that was carried on horseback. On the 11th of 
January of that year, a large public meeting of the citizens of Chicago was 
held at the house of Mark Beaubien, at which, of course, "speeches were made," 
and a memorial was drawn up and sent to the Postmaster General, stating the 
grievances under which the citizens labored, and the pressing necessity there 
was for increased mail facilities. The contrast presented by the present post-
office business is truly astonishing. The Chicago post-office is now sending 
out and receiving fourteen daily mails, besides several weekly and tri-weekly. 
The receipts of the office for the quarter ending Jan. 1st, 1854, were over 
$130,000. 

The number of letters passing through the office averages over 30,000 daily, 
and there are 75 bags containing 45,000 newspapers. The average number of 
letters received by our citizens, and sent out from this office, is about 
5,000 per day.

We gather the following items from our friend Calhoun's paper. On the 16th of 
April, 1834, there was still but one mail per week, and he gives as an excuse 
for not having more news, that for that week it did not arrive. The same week 
he commences a marine list, noticing the arrival of one schooner from St. 
Joseph's, and the departure of two for the same port. On the 30th of the same 
month he says that emigration had fairly commenced, as more than "a hundred 
had arrived by boats and otherwise within the last ten days." Astonishing! an 
average of ten persons per day! What would our two great Eastern railroads say 
to such an amount of travel? On the 4th of June Mr. Calhoun announces with 
great satisfaction "that arrangements have been made by the proprietors of the 
steamboats on Lake Erie, whereby Chicago is to be visited by a steamboat once 
a week till the 25th of August." This was certainly an era in the history of 
the "Town of Chicago." On Saturday, July 11, 1834, the schooner Illinois 
entered the harbor, and sailed up the river amid the acclamations of the 
citizens. She was the first large vessel that ever entered the Chicago river. 
The bar between the piers was worn out by a great freshet the spring previous. 
Before this, vessels were obliged to anchor outside the bar, and received and 
discharged their cargoes by means of scows and lighters. The Illinois was the 
pioneer of the immense commerce which now finds its centre in Chicago. In the 
same paper, of the 6th of August, we find the whole number of votes polled in 
Cook county, which then embraced the present counties of Will and Dupage, was 
528. During the summer of 1834 Chicago grew very rapidly, for we find Mr. 
Calhoun stating, on the 3d of September, "that one hundred and fifty vessels 
had discharged their cargoes since the 20th of April previous."

We must not suppose, however, that Chicago was "out of the woods,"  for there 
was a fine grove of timber along the river on the east side, extending south 
from Madison street. Some of these trees are still standing, and we present a 
plea in their behalf, that they may be spared the "remorseless axe." On Monday 
morning, Oct. 6th, the citizens of this quiet town were startled by the 
announcement that a large black bear was safely domiciled in this "strip of 
timber." All the town of course turned out to give Bruin anything but a 
generous welcome. He was soon found, and following his ancient custom, "took 
to a tree." This was of course no security, and he was shot near the corner of 
Market and Jackson streets. In these woods multitudes of prairie wolves were 
accustomed to harbor, and in the night they would visit all parts of the town. 
Excited by their success against poor Bruin, the citizens manfully determined 
to give the wolves no quarter. They therefore formed several parties, and at 
night it was found that they had dispatched forty of these midnight marauders. 
We simply make a note, that on the spot where Chicago now stands, less than 
twenty years ago, a "great hunt" was gotten up, and one bear and—probably 
within the present city limits—forty wolves were killed in a single day.

Mr. Calhoun was present at the Indian payment in 1834, and has handed us the 
following account of it. He says:

"On the 28th of October the first annuity was paid to the Pottawatomie and 
other Indians under the treaty which was made the year previous for the 
purchase of their lands in Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin. About $30,000 
worth of goods were to be distributed. They assembled to the number of about 
4,000. The distribution took place by piling the whole quantity in a heap upon 
the prairie on the west side of the river, near the corner of Randolph and 
Canal streets. The Indians were made to sit down upon the grass in a circle 
around the pile of goods—their squaws sitting behind them. The half breeds and 
traders were appointed to distribute the goods, and they leisurely walked to 
the pile, and taking in their arms an armful of goods, proceeded to throw to 
one and another of those sitting on the grass, and to whom they were appointed 
to distribute, such articles as they saw fit, and then returned to the pile to 
replenish. Shortly the Indians began to show an anxiety not to be overlooked 
in the distribution, and at first got on their knees, vociferating all the 
time in right lusty Indian 'gibberish.' Then   they rose on one foot, and soon 
all were standing, and then they began to contract the circle, until they 
finally made a rush for the pile. I saw then a manner of dispersing a mob that 
I never saw exemplified before nor since. The crowd was so great around the 
pile of goods that those who were back from them could not get to them, and 
the 'outsiders' at once commenced hurling into the air whatever missiles they 
could get hold of, literally filling the air, and causing them to fall in the 
centre where the crowd was the most dense. These, to save a broken head, 
rushed away, leaving a space for those who had hurled the missiles to rush in 
for a share of the spoils. The Indians were paid their annuities for two years 
after the treaty, before they were removed west of the Mississippi. These 
Indians were a degraded set, and did not inspire a person with any respect for 
the prowess and savage character which our forefathers had to encounter. A 
number were killed here at every payment in their drunken brawls."

On the 9th of September, 1833, our fellow citizen, Col. J. B. F. Russell, 
advertises for forty ox teams, each team to be composed of two yoke of oxen, 
to remove the Indians to the country "allotted to them West." On the first of 
October Colonel Russell started with the "forty ox teams," containing the 
children and baggage of the last remaining remnant of the Red Men, about 1,500 
in all, and was twenty days in reaching the Mississippi. They were twenty days 
more in reaching the land allotted to them west of Missouri. It is not, 
therefore, nineteen years since Chicago was surrounded by Pottawatomie Indians.

In Mr. Calhoun's paper of November 25th, 1835, we find the first census of the 
town of Chicago, and the county of Cook. The town then contained 3,265, and 
the county 9,773 inhabitants. Mr. Calhoun speaks of this as a very encouraging 
increase, as the county contained only a very few inhabitants when it was 
organized in 1830. As late as the 20th of January, 1836, he regrets to learn 
that Will county is to be set off from Cook, as it will probably "lessen our 
political influence in the State." On Thursday, May 18, 1836, the sloop 
Clarissa, the first vessel ever built in Chicago, was launched. It was an 
occasion of much interest.

The Fire Department was organized on the 19th of September, 1835, as appears 
by the following resolution passed by the Board of Trustees on that day:
 
"Resolved, That the President order two engines for the use of the 
Corporation, of such description as he shall deem necessary, and also 1,000 
feet of hose, on the credit of the Corporation."

The first lawyer's bill we find on the records was paid to James H. Collins, 
Esq., on the 16th day of August, 1834. Some differences had arisen in 
reference to the right of the city to lease certain water lots. Mr. Collins 
was applied to for an opinion, for which he charged and received $5. On the 
7th of October, 1835, John Dean Caton's bill against the Corporation for 
counsel fees and services rendered during the years 1833-34 was paid. The 
amount of the bill was $75. Our friends, the lawyers, manage at present to get 
a much larger slice from the public loaf.

On the 13th of February, 1836, notice was given that the "Trustees of the Town 
of Chicago will not hold themselves accountable for any damages which may 
arise to any person by reason of crossing the bridges over the Chicago river, 
or over the north and south branches thereof, the said bridges being 
considered dangerous, and the said Trustees not having funds out of which to 
repair the said bridges." Rather a sad state of affairs that.*

On the 26th day of October, 1836, initiatory steps were taken towards 
obtaining a City Charter. The town being then in three districts, the 
President of the Board of Trustees invited the inhabitants of each district to 
select three persons to meet with the Board, and consult upon the expediency 
of applying to the Legis-

---------
* The bridges over the Chicago river in 1848, when I came here, were a 
curiosity. One end was fixed on a pivot in the wooden abutment, and the other 
was placed upon a large square box or boat. When it was necessary to open the 
bridge for the passage of vessels, a chain, fastened on or near the shore on 
the side of the pier at some distance from it, was wound up by a capstan on 
the float-end of the bridge, thus opening it. It was closed in the same manner 
by a chain on the opposite side of it. Our present excellent pivot bridges 
were, if I mistake not, introduced, and I think invented, by Mr. City 
Superintendent Harper," about 1850, or soon after that year.
--------

lature for a City Charter, and to adopt a draft to accompany such application. 
The district meeting was held, and the following delegates chosen:

From 1st district—Ebenezer Peck, William Stuart, E. W. Casey.

From 2d district—J. D. Caton, ----- Chadwick, W. Forsyth.

From 3d district—John H. Kinzie, W. L. Newberry, T. W. Smith.

The above delegates met with the Board on Friday evening, November 25th, at 
the Trustees' room, opposite the Mansion House, and it was resolved "that it 
is expedient for the citizens of Chicago to petition the Legislature for a 
City Charter. Also, that a committee of five, consisting of one delegate from 
each district, and two members of the Board, be appointed by the chair to 
prepare a draft of a City Charter, to be submitted to this convention. 
Whereupon the chair (E. B. Williams) appointed Messrs. E. Peck, District No. 
1, J. D. Caton, District No. 2, and T. W. Smith, District No. 3, and from the 
Trustees, Messrs. Bolles and Ogden. The committee met again, Dec. 9th, and 
through E. Peck, Esq., presented their draft of a City Charter. After some 
discussion and amendment, it was adopted for presentation to the citizens, and 
500 copies were ordered to be printed.

The charter was passed by the Legislature, and approved March 4th, 1837. The 
city of Chicago is therefore not "out of her teens." She is a buxom maiden of 
only SEVENTEEN summers, and what she is destined to be when she becomes a 
matron of sixty, we dare not venture to predict.

The first election for city officers was held on the 1st Tuesday of May, 1837. 
It resulted as follows:

Wm. B. Ogden, Mayor. 
J. C. Goodhue, Alderman 1st Ward.
J. S. C. Hogan, "	2d    "
J. D. Caton,	"	3d    "
A. Pierce,	"	4th   "
B. Ward,	"	5th   "
S. Jackson,	"	6th   "

John Shrigley was elected High Constable, and at the first meeting of the 
Council, May 3d, 1837, N. B. Judd, Esq., was elected City Attorney. The total 
number of votes, as appears from the canvass for Mayor, then in the city, was 
703.

Males and Females, 21 and over - 2,645
Males and Females over 5 and under 21 years - 831
Males and Females under 5 years of age - 513

Total white - 3,989
Total black -    77
Total       - 4,066

Sailors belonging to vessels owned here - 104
Grand Total - 4,170

The census shows that there were:  

4 Warehouses, 19 Grocery and Provision Stores, 398 Dwellings, 29 Dry Goods 
Stores, 10 Taverns, 5 Hardware Stores, 26 Groceries, 3 Drug Stores, 17 
Lawyers' Offices, 5 Churches.





Additional Comments:
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
HISTORICAL AND COMMERCIAL STATISTICS, SKETCHES, Facts and Figures,
REPUBLISHED FROM THE "DAILY DEMOCRATIC PRESS."
 
What I Remember of Early Chicago; 
A LECTURE, DELIVERED IN McCORMICK'S HALL, JANUARY 23, 1876,
(Tribune, January 24th,)
By WILLIAM BROSS, Ex-Lieut. Governor of Illinois.	
CHICAGO: JANSEN, MCCLURG & Co., BOOKSELLERS, PUBLISHERS, ETC.
1876

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