I1HI1
07 189
BYC2ONK 1>AYS IN CHICAGO
BYGONE DAYS IN
CHICAGO
KRCOIjI-ECTIONS OF THE
"GARUKN CITY" OF THJfl SIXTIES
IY
FHKDEHICK FRANCIS COOK
up rnru~miirnnrw nf Iking* pcu4"
NKARI-Y ONK IttWIHtBD It.t.l'STHAT>N
AK rttiNTK AMD
CHICAGO
A. C. McCXATOO & CO.
1910
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The author and publishers of this book are indebted
to the t'hioago Historical Society for its generosity in
allowing the use of a !nr#e numtwr of eontemi>oraneous
pictures from its coHtvtions, many of them after unique
examples of old color-prints.
FOREWORD
IN putting these memories of a bygone Chicago between
the covers of a book, it Is less the aim of this old-time
newspaper reporter to supply first-hand material to
compile** of matter-of-fact histories, than to shed what
light may be his on the psychology of a staid yet sur-
charged period, now difficult for those who were not of it
to realise; rebuild for the mind's eye a vanished city; re-
store to its streets their varied life; rehabilitate passed types
in their proper netting; recall with a due regard for values
some of the moving events of a memorable epoch: and so
provide a faithful transcript for whomsoever may be in-
terested in the "Garden City" of a classic past as a some-
what unique social integral* or feel moved to re-people it
in fancy with the offspring of his imagination*
It is a saying that under Napoleon every private
carried & marshal's baton in his knapsack. Whenever, in
these days, the writer in his Gotham exile responds to the
lure of his old stamping-ground, and reckons not a thou*
sand miles against * chat at the Chicago Press Club with
the all too few surviving old-timers, he has the feeling that
to the last fledgling among its hospitable members* there
are preening* for flights into the empyrean, with an eye
single to the production of the Great American Novel*
It was not so in other days. We, of the earlier time,
saw the things about us through & tenuous and almost
colorless atmosphere for we lived in a present without
* past Local history was then all in the making* Quite
* bit is now in retrospect, and all the upper air, the realm
ix
x FOREWORD
of visions, is filled with a beguiling efflorescence, wherein
may be discerned, by eyes anointed, the shades of vociferous
assemblages, by grace of one of which there rose to im-
mortal heights the inspiring figure of Abraham Lincoln;
the heroic manes of a titanic conflict between freedom and
slavery, in which Chicago bore so worthy a part; the lurid
spectres of a great fire; the grim apparitions of baffled
conspirators; the tragic wraiths of a hideous holocaust; the
genii, who, to awaken in our people a sense of the beau-
tiful, fashioned for a few brief months an enchanted city
out of dream mist; and, commingling with these, the my-
riad spirits of masterful men and helpful women, associated
with the giant city's epoch-making beginnings. Now from
"haunts" of this sort there issue minute microbes of
wondrous sheen, that in a manner come to possess the
brain of such as are hospitable to wizards of their kind, and
therein weave into the warp of prosaic reality a woof of
rare imaginings. Thus great art is born sometimes.
Chicago is to the unthinking a synonyme for Material-
ism. Yet, of a truth, she is a very Mother of Idealism.
Unfortunately she cannot yet hold all she nurtures, nor
always realize the visions she inspires. For the present,
therefore, she must needs content herself with the role of
prolific matrix, whose issue on occasion answer the beck-
onings of older centres, in the hope of a fuller expression
not, however, always realized.
The generation of Lincoln still made touch at many
points with the historic past. The generation best typified
by a Roosevelt is wrested from all traditional moorings,
and is whirled through space by the realized fictions of a
Jules Verne. Hence only heart-tugging memories remain
to those whose dimming eyes are prone to blink in the
garish force-light of the twentieth century; and these turn
FOREWORD ri
gratefully to that elder time, in whose restful half-light
events are composed to softest outlines, and only the tallest
peaks within range of the backward vision still reflect with
a transfiguring halo the light of the suns of bygone days.
As in our national life the old regime is divided from
the new by the Civil War of 1861, so in the minds of
Chicagoans the city's past is demarcated from the present
by the great fire of 1871. In respect to both it is a case
of "before" or "after/ 5 Happily, the ordeal through
which the nation was made to pass, exhausting as it was,
left it physically intact; whereas the catastrophe that
visited this community came near obliterating it, and in
no respect was the destruction more complete, or so ir-
reparable, as in the matter of records and landmarks.
Hence the ante-fire "Garden City" will exist for the
future only as it may be restored from the memories of
those who were of it ; and while, unfortunately, all too little
has been done to revive the Wonder City's past to evoke,
amid indigenous surroundings, the masterful men and stir-
ring events that so distinguish its virile adolescence it
is only too true that what is not soon recorded will be lost
to future generations without hope of recovery.
Perhaps regarding no modern foundation is it so
exigent that early data be recorded and impressions pre-
served. Chicago is the marvel of an age that is itself the
most marvellous in history. If its genesis is found in op-
portunity, its achievements axe clearly of man. From the
first it sought to stand on its own feet, and wherever the
ground gave way (and fathomless areas were differentiated
from possible anchorages for "prairie schooners" by signs
of "no bottom") it jauntily put jack-screws under itself,
laid new foundations, and, Antaeus-like, having renewed
xii FOREWORD
its strength by contact with a somewhat more solid sub-
stratum of Mother Earth, went courageously forward to
new conquests.
It was surely through no accident that "Long John"
Wentworth stalked into the infant city to fix the type. It
was merely an effect of reciprocal attraction under a nat-
ural law of fitness. And even as this Titan loomed in
manifold ways among the living, so now his monument in
Kosehill Cemetery (shrewdly erected by himself to make
sure of its height) dominates the memorials of the sur-
rounding dead* "Long John," even up to the time when
first elected Mayor, had a way of outgrowing, as well as
outwearing, his clothes; and Chicago, having acquired the
habit by imitation, has continued ever since to outstrip her
habiliments. Of New York it has been said that it suffers
from congestion. Of Chicago it may be said even more
pertinently that it is afflicted with chronic indigestion a
condition arising from the impossible task of properly as-
similating all that nature and man combine to crowd into it.
It is a gratifying reflection that, shortly after the fire,
I felt moved to go about among the older settlers to revive
and preserve their impressions of early days; and these
reminiscences, to something like fourscore issues, were pub-
lished in the Times of Wilbur F. Storey (with which
paper the writer was then connected) under the uniform
heading of " Bygone Days." The series included the recol-
lections of Gurdon S. Hubbard, then far and away the
oldest inhabitant his advent dating back to 1818
when, outside of the stockade known as Fort Dearborn,
the only white family's habitation was John Kinzie's.
These reminiscences were prepared with care; and as much
then recorded was still matter of first-hand knowledge, and
hence subject to contemporary correction, the series may
FOREWORD xiii
be accepted as embodying fairly trustworthy data. Later
a file of these published memoranda, together with a rare
volume or two about early Chicago, was deposited with the
Chicago Historical Society,' where the historian of the
future may find it worth his while to consult them.
Now, a full generation later, the writer is undertaking
to supplement these older reminiscences of others with
some recollections of his own. These date back to 1862
a strenuous war time and while the presentation of de-
tached events or epochs, however salient or complete in
themselves, may suffer in comparison with the sustained
narrative, they should nevertheless, if fairly informed with
the spirit of their day and hour, possess something more
than a passing interest.
Not many had better opportunities to know the young
city both in its shadows and its lights; for I was the first
of a class with roving commissions^ now usual enough,
known as "night reporters." Before coming to Chicago I
had travelled quite extensively for a youngster of twenty,
over territory then rapidly becoming tributary to the as-
piring city namely, the States of Illinois, Iowa, Min-
nesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan; furthermore, I had spent
several months in each of its two most ambitious north-
western rivals of earlier days, Galena and Dubuque. By
this experience I was enabled to gauge the young giant's
grasp of empire where it was most poignantly felt, and
knew by report somewhat about most of the men who in
those days made Chicago the focus of Western attention
and interest.
, On arrival (after working my way "before the mast"
on a lumber schooner from Saginaw, Michigan, where my
peregrinations had stranded me) I found myself in the
midst of the men who practically constituted the first gen-
xiv FOREWORD
eration of settlers. With few exceptions, all were still in
the prime of life. Not above a dozen names in any manner
conspicuously identified with the city's origin or develop-
ment to something over 100,000 inhabitants were missing
from its directory; and it was my privilege, as a journalist,
to come in contact with most of those, whose race is now all
but run. Of this old guard only a few stragglers remain
as was only too evident at the old settlers' reunion, on
the occasion of the city's recent "fort"-issimo centennial
celebration and soon the line that demarcates the old
settler from his fellows must be moved up a full decade, to
provide material for future f oregatherings.
F.F. C.
NEW YORK CITY,
February 1 J 1910.
NOTE
IT is my pleasure to have known Mr. Cook during the
period which he recalls in this volume. It is an ad-
vantage, in judging of its merits, that I was a fellow-
worker in journalism during the same period, and that
we saw and heard and did much together. Mr. Cook, in
those days, half a century ago, was an alert, keen, ob-
servant, well equipped reporter. The reporter has un-
usual advantages for knowing what is . going on in his
local world. No event escapes him. He knows the causes
and consequences of events. He is made the repository
of secrets and the receptacle of rumor and gossip. Indeed,
he is so well acquainted with human motives that he knows
what makes the wheels go round in business, politics,
society, and art, as in Hamlet's characterization of the
players, "they are the abstract and brief chronicles of
the time; after your death you were better have a bad epi-
taph than their ill report while you live." All this was spe-
cially true in the Chicago of half a century ago, for at that
time the city was so small that it was within the possi-
bilities of any smart reporter personally to know every
one of prominence in it, and to be aware of all that was
going on. In preparing this transcript of Chicago's past,
therefore, Mr. Cook has been not only well equipped for
his task, but he could truthfully say, in marshalling events,
"Magna pais fui" As I have already intimated, half a
century ago Mr. Cook and I were reporters together,
bent upon the same assignment or enthusiastically com-
peting for "scoops." Since those days he has drifted away
XVI
NOTE
from his early moorings while I still swing with the tide
at the old anchorage. His book recalls to me the stirring
events of "the sixties" forcibly, accurately, and interest-
ingly. It will furnish valuable material for any future
history of Chicago, and to this extent it is a distinctly
important public service. To the reader of the present,
who only knows Chicago in its virile, forceful manhood,
it should be interesting to read of it when it was an en-
thusiastic stripling, girding up its loins for the race. Per-
sonally, his book takes me over familiar highways and
by-ways, and I am glad to congratulate him and help to
introduce him to its readers.
GEORGE P. UPTON.
CHICAGO., January 15, 1910.
CONTENTS
PlGX
WAR-TIME MEMORIES
CHAPTER I. RISING OF A PEOPLE 1
CHAPTER II, PREPARATIONS FOR THE WAR 16
CHAPTER IIL THE WAR FACE AT HOME ... 88
CHAPTER IV, SUPPRESSION OF THE " TIMES " . . 51
CHAPTER V. POLITICAL STRIFE .... 59
CHAPTER VL A "COPPERHEAD" CONVENTION . - 77
CHAPTER VII. THE PULPIT AS A WAR FORCE . . 90
CHAPTER VIIL THE WORK OF THE WOMEN . . . 104
CHAPTER IX. THE PART OF THE SINGERS . . , 117
THE UNDERWORLD ,128
THE UNDERWORLD (Continued) 188
THE UNDERWORLD (Concluded) 150
A RETROSPECT 161
A BIRD'S-EYE VIEW 171
THE BUSINESS CENTRE 188
AN " OLDEST SETTLER" CELEBRATION. .... 197
A MEMORABLE ARMY REUNION ...... 211
EARLY LITERATURE AND ART ; 227
EARLY AMUSEMENTS 248
SOMETHING ABOUT "Scoops" 251
A PEOPLE'S PARTY REGIME 264
CONTENTS Continued
PAGE
GOOD OLD TIMES" 272
THE SPOILS OF WAR ....... 289
THE TRAGEDY OF POPULARITY ...... 296
A COMEDY OF CONTRASTS ....... 304
THE LINCOLN FUNERAL ....... 316
A LINCOLN SEANCE ........ 321
WILBUR F. STOREY, EDITOR OF THE " TIMES " . . . 331
THE OLD "LAKE FRONT" 339
SHARP-CORNER RHAPSODY ....... 345
AN EARLY SOCIABLE . 352
A HARDSCRABBLE ROMANCE ...... 359
BY FROST, FLOOD, AND FIRE
ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE
Portrait of the Author, Fred. Francis Cook . . Frontispiece
Portrait of Col. James A. Mulligan . . . . .12
Facsimile of the Cover of "The Ellsworth Requiem March,"
showing an Authentic Portrait of Col. Elmer E. Ells-
worth . . . . . . . . .14
The Union Defence Committee, organized in 1861 . . 18
The Chicago Zouaves at Drill ...... 26
Portrait of Col. John L. Hancock ..... 80
Portrait of Hon. Thomas B. Bryan 30
"Old Abe," the Eighth Wisconsin's War Eagle . . 84
Confederate Prisoners at Camp Douglas ... 88
Portrait of Col. (later Gen. ) Benjamin J. Sweet ... 42
Portrait of Hon. Buckner S. Morris ..... 46
Plat of Camp Douglas ....... 48
The Court House in 1860 54
Portrait of Dr. N. S. Davis 66
Portrait of Deacon Philo Carpenter . . . . .66
The "Wigwam," where the Republican National Convention
of 1860 Challenged Slavery by the Nomination of
Abraham Lincoln . * . .78
Interior of the "Wigwam" during the Republican Conven-
tion of 1860 82
The Soldiers' Memorial in St. James's Church ... 92
Portrait of Rev. William W. Everts 94
Portrait of Rev. W. H. Ryder 94
Portrait of Rev. Robert Collyer 96
Portrait of Rt. Rev. Dennis Dunne ..... 98
ILLUSTRATIONS Continued
PAGE
Portrait of Rev. Robert H. Clarkson .... 100
Portrait of Rev. 0. H. Tiffaiiy 100
Portrait of Rev. William Weston Patton . . . .102
The Northwestern Sanitary Fair of 1865 110
Portrait of Mrs. Mary A. ("Mother") Bickerdyke . . 114
Portrait of George F. Root . . . . . .118
Facsimile of the Cover of * ' The Battle-Cry of Freedom " . 1 30
Portrait of Frank Lumbard . . . . . .122
Portrait of Jules G. Lumbard . . . , . .122
Sunnyside, the High-toned Road-house of Lake View . .144
Portrait of "Long John" Wentworth .... 156
Portrait of William B. Ogden ] 62
Portrait of Levi D. Boone 164
Portrait of Thomas Hoyne . . . . . .164
Portrait of Dr. Charles Volney Dyer 166
Portrait of Judge Mark Skinner 166
Portrait of Deacon William Bross , . . . .168
The Lincoln Funeral Procession in Chicago . . .172
Reception of the Remains at the Court House . . .172
Views from the Court House Dome, in 1858, Looking South
and Southwest * . . . . . . .174
Views from the Court House Dome, in 1858, Looking North
and Northeast . . . . . . .176
Residence of Ezra B. McCagg 178
The Mahlon D. Ogden Property 178
Bird's-eye View of Chicago in the Sixties .... 180
Views in the Early Shopping District . 184
Street Scenes before the War 188
The Sherman House 194
The Tremont House . . . . . .194
ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE
Portrait of Gurdon S. Hubbard 198
Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Archibald Clybourne, Types of
the Pioneer ........ 206
The Clybourne Mansion ....... 208
The Grand Army Reunion of 1868 at Crosby's Opera House 214
Portrait of "Black Jack" Logan 222
Benjamin F. Taylor 228
Street Scenes in the "Bygone Days' 1 . . . 234
Portrait of George P. Upton 238
Portrait of Francis F. Browne * 288
McVicker's Theatre, "Home of the Tragic Muse" . . 244
Wood's Museum and Theatre 244
Portrait of Joseph Medill, Chicago's "Fire-Proof" Mayor . 256
Portrait of George M. Pullman 260
Lake House, Rush Street Bridge, and River Mouth . . 278
Portrait of James H. Bowen , 286
Portrait of John V* Farwell 286
Portrait of William F. Coolbaugh 298
Portrait of Rev. Dwight L. Moody 806
Portrait of Robert G. Ingersoll 812
Arrival of Lincoln's Body in Chicago . 818
Portrait of Charles H. Reed 822
Portrait of Leonard Swett 824
Portrait of Hon. Isaac N. Arnold 828
Portrait of Wilbur F. Storey 332
Views on the Lake Front ....... 840
The Lake Front Park Row and the " Marble Terrace" . 842
First Congregational Church ...... 854
St. Paul's Universalist Church 360
Old Building of the First Baptist Church .... 860
BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
WAR-TIME MEMORIES
\
CHAPTER I
RISING OF A PEOPLE
THE CALL TO ARMS ENTHUSIASM FOR ENLISTMENTS GREAT WAR
MEETINGS LEADING- CITIZENS TO THE FORE NOTABLE ORA-
TORS "MAT" CARPENTER, "Dicx" YATES AND OTHERS A CON-
FLICT OF PASSIONS ATTITUDE OF NORTHERN DEMOCRATS
CAUSES THAT LED TO GERMANS AND IRISH TAKING OPPOSITE SIDES
WHY THE EARLY ZEAL OF THE LATTER TURNED TO DISAFFEC-
TION THE ELLSWORTH ZOUAVES TRAGIC DEATH OF THEIR
YOUNG LEADER.
DURING the war for the Union, Chicago was ever a
stage on which one event followed another with
startling rapidity, often picturesquely, and always
dramatically. As a prelude to the great conflict, it was
here, in 1860, that a National Convention in the name of
Freedom challenged Slavery to a struggle for supremacy
by the nomination of Abraham Lincoln; and here also
that another National Convention pronounced the war
on Freedom's side a failure, when the slaughter had gone
on for more than three years- It was in Chicago that a
great rebel host was in. durance an ever-present men-
ace to life and property, and for the liberation of this
unorganized ami unkempt horde a conspiracy was hatched,
2 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
though happily only to be effectually scotched. Here,
again, a leading newspaper was suppressed by military
edict for alleged rebel sympathies ; and it was in Chicago
that inspired singers armed the nation with "The Battle
Cry of Freedom" and many another war paean, that
strengthened the cause of the Union as an army with
banners.
ENTHUSIASM FOE ENLISTMENT
The ceaseless roll of the drum not only rallied the
patriot by day, but reminded him of his duty a good part
of the night especially in the vicinity of the Court
House Square, filled with recruiting tents. And, when-
ever a great victory was celebrated, or the wail of disaster
was heard in the land, and it became urgent once again
to fire the hearts of the home guard to added enlistments,
the doors of Bryan Hall, fronting the square, were flung
open, great crowds surged within, and, while patriotic
eloquence moved the assembled patriots to transports of
enthusiasm, their united voices, vibrtint with the emo-
tions of the hour, preceded or followed each speaker with
the "Star-Spangled Banner," "Hail Columbia," "Amer-
ica," "The Battle Cry of Freedom," "John Brown's
Body," or other stirring lyrics of the war. These great
meetings were often protracted till midnight; but, be the
hour what it might, there was no thought of adjournment
until Frank Lumbard, in answer to a unanimous call, had
stepped gallantly forward, given some general orders
about the way he wanted everybody to sweep into the
chorus (as if that were necessary) , and sung "Ole Shady"
with the uplifting fervor he alone could give it. Those
were great days for Frank; and seldom was a meeting
called until its promoters had made sure that he and his
famous war quartette could attend.
RISING OF A PEOPLE 3
NOTABLE ORATORS FOR THE CAUSE
When his engagements permitted, Mat Carpenter was
brought down from Milwaukee, and Dick Yates, Gover-
nor (father of a later Governor of Illinois), was called up
from Springfield, to be orators-in-chief. One who could
always be depended upon to hold his hearers was "Long
John" Wentworth; another was Tom Hoyne, Others
frequently heard were Senator Lyman Trumbull, the
Hon. E. C. Larned, the Hon. Isaac N. Arnold (at this
time Chicago's sole representative in Congress), Emory
A. Storrs, Wirt Dexter, B. F. Ayer, Colonel Edmund
Jiissen, Casper Butz, Colonel John L. Hancock, the Hon.
George C. Bates, the Hon. S, K. Dow, the Hon. John C.
Dore, A. C. Hesing, Revs. W. W. Patton, Robert Collyer,
W. W. Everts, O. H. Tiffany, R. W. Patterson and W.
H. Ryder, Judge J. B. Bradwell, the Hon. John N.
Jewett, John Lyle King, future Judge Sidney Snjith,
Colonel Van Annan, William F. Coolbaugh.
PRESIDING OFFICERS
The list of presiding officers at various times included
such well-known citizens as the Hon. Thomas B. Bryan,
John V. Farwell, the Hon. Julian S. Rumsey (Mayor at
the outbreak of the war) , the Hon. J. B. Rice and the Hon.
R. B. Mason (both subsequently Mayors), Judges John
M. Wilson and Henry Drummond, the Hon. W. B. Ray-
mond, and Deacon (subsequently Lieutenant-Governor)
William Bross. In the beginning of the struggle the name
of William B. Ogden (from a business point then far and
away Chicago's first citizen, as he had been its first Mayor)
was included in this list; but, as the struggle advanced,
"constitutional scruples'* made him withdraw from the
firing line of support. Then the place of first citizen fell
4 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
by common consent to the Hon. Thomas B. Bryan, and a
well deserved honor it was. The list of Vice-Presidents
included almost everybody on the Union side in any man-
ner conspicuous in business or the professions; while es-
pecial care was taken to include as many names as possible
with Democratic antecedents. Among the more noted in
this class I recall the following: Thomas B, Bryan, Potter
Palmer, J. H. McVicker, David A. Gage, William F.
Coolbaugh, Thomas Hoyne, George L. Dunlap, Marshall
Field, Daniel O'Hara, John R. Walsh, Henry E. Hamil-
ton, W. K. McAllister, M. F. Tuley, Benjamin F. Ayer,
James W. Sheehan, Gilbert C. Walker, Isaac N". Milliken,
E. G. Asay, T. M. Harvey, H. D. Colvin, John N. Jew-
ett, J. W. Doane, S. M. Nickerson, Gen. IL F. Linder,
C. L. Woodman, Philip Conley, W, J. Onahan.
SOLDIER ORATORS IN THE MAKING
In the list of orators, the reader whose memory runs
only with the political regime that followed the war will
miss the names of men without whom in later days no
meeting on one side or the other was complete, namely
those of General John A. Logan, General Richard J.
Oglesby, and Colonel Robert G. Ingersoll for the Repub-
licans, and Generals John C. Black and M. R. M. Wallace
for the Democrats. But these men were engaged in mak-
ing history then not in celebrating its epochs and lay-
ing up reputations with the sword that should stand them
in good stead with the people in subsequent piping times of
peace. Unhappily, for many a year the war was fought
all over again on every husting in the land, and charges
and counter charges, if only with tongue or pen, were de-
livered with all their old-time fierceness.
RISING OF A PEOPLE 5
MATTHEW CARPENTER, A POPULAR SPEAKER
Mat Carpenter stood conspicuously above the rest in
public favor as a speaker. At this time he was a practising
lawyer in Milwaukee, was known as a "War Democrat,"
and afterwards became the Republican Senator from Wis-
consin. He, had been a close friend of Senator Douglas ;
and this fact, aside from his great talent, gave uncommon
value to his services in holding his fellow Democrats in
line. Carpenter was beyond doubt the highest type of
orator (as distinguished from great debaters like Lincoln
and Douglas) the West then could show, for Robert G,
Ingersoll, who at this time was in the field, had his oratori-
cal spurs still to win. In after years, though acknowledged
one of the ablest lawyers in the Senate, and rated also
among its most skilful debaters, he never quite rose to such
heights of eloquence as when, in an atmosphere vibrant
with life-and-death issues, he moved multitudes with ap-
peals to uphold the arms of the defenders of the Union.
His was a leonine head, set on a superb body. His voice
was full, musical, far-reaching, and few better than he un-
derstood how to master an audience and move it to his will.
BITTER PARTY PEELING
Nothing could be more misleading or unjust than to
judge the attitude of Northern Democrats during the war
in the light of the negative party feeling of to-day. In
those strenuous times any exhibition of reasonableness was
unhesitatingly stigmatized as cowardice, and men were
wholly swayed by their prejudices, heated by friction into
blinding passion. Not only does this apply to the immedi-
ate war time, but to many years before as well as after the
great struggle. It was in 1859 that the steamer Lady
Elgin was wrecked on Lake Michigan, off Winnetka.
6 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
Many of the male victims were members of an Irish mili-
tary organization; and I have a very distinct recollection
that the horrors of that catastrophe were much mitigated
for many Republicans (including my own miserable
partisan self) by the reflection that the Democratic vote
was thereby reduced to the extent of a hundred or more.
ATTITUDE OF FOREIGN-BORN CITIZENS
Up to the war the country's foreign-born population
was composed almost wholly of, and divided about equally
between, immigrants from Germany and Ireland; and
while both, in the main, sought these shores because of op-
pressive conditions at home, these conditions were in the
case of the former chiefly political, while in that of the lat-
ter they were largely economic. Hence the immigrants
from the first country represented a superior class, and
those from the latter an inferior one. Thus antecedent
conditions determined that while a majority of Germans
should be intensely anti-slavery, Irishmen in an ap-
proximate degree should be pronounced in their pro-slavery
sentiments. That the reactionary Catholic hierarchy of
that time exerted a pro-slavery influence over its devotees,
there is little room to question ; though the factors of chief -
est determination were clearly economic, or more broadly
speaking, sociological. The German immigrant, when not
of the scholarly class, usually possessed at least a fair
education; and, when he did not take to farming, found
employment in the more advanced industries.
Nine-tenths of all immigrants from the Green Isle were
at best adapted only to the commonest labor, and so came
often not only in close contact, but even in direct competi-
tion with blacks, both bond and free. On the Southern and
Western rivers, for example, while the raftsmen (in char-
RISING OF A PEOPLE 7
acter comparable to the cowboy of the plains) were gener-
ally native Americans of the harum-scarum sort, the roust-
abouts on the steamboats, as well as the laborers about the
wharfs, when not negroes, were almost without exception
Irish. The latter at this time constituted everywhere,
North and South, the lowest white strata in the active labor
market; hence there arose among them an intense desire
to keep the negro in his place as slave.
GERMANS AND IRISH ON OPPOSITE SIDES
Whatever the aversions among the highest toward the
lowest in the social scale, they are seldom comparable to the
unreasoning prejudice, often rising to blinding hate, that
manifests itself in the lower ranges toward those regarded
as a grade beneath them. Where the distance that sepa-
rates an upper from a lower stratum yields a perspective
sufficient to "lend enchantment to the view," there fre-
quently intervenes a sort of benevolent haze, through which
such commonplaces as dirt and grime not only become the
handmaids of art, as "lovely bits of local color, 53 but the
sources of a moving sentiment : as when the negro in slav-
ery times was seen through the glamour of "Uncle Tom's
Cabin"; or, in these later days, the slums are envisaged
through a University Settlement romance. Thus, while
among the comfortably circumstanced and well-disposed
people of the North, either native or German-born, there
had grown up before the war a strong sympathy for the
slave, which invested him with a halo more or less of a
misfit, there developed among the Irish a tendency dis-
tinctly in the opposite direction. This was due to a variety
of cooperating extraneous causes, but also in no small de-
gree to that primitive instinct which demands for its sat-
isfaction that somebody be kept in his place to be looked
8 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
down upon. Accordingly, in judging the attitude of
Irishmen toward a war having for one of its ultimates
negro emancipation, with possible political equality, due
allowance should be made, and all the more credit awarded
to that considerable number who rose manfully above all
these influences, to enroll themselves among the champions
of liberty and union.
I certainly hold no brief in plea of the attitude of the
mass of Irishmen during the war. Since, however, in the
interest of a proper understanding of the political situation
in war-time Chicago, I have ventured to touch upon this
subject, fairness demands that all the light possible be shed
upon it. Time often brings not only charity but clarity ;
and a sufficiently wide induction may force the conclusion
that, given similar conditions, all peoples will act in pretty
much the same way. The German idealist, who stood sp
valiantly for freedom, equal rights, and equal opportun-
ities for the negro in America, in his native country fre-
quently disgraces himself as a fanatical Jew-baiter. A
similar phenomenon is observed in enlightened, republican
France; while the aristocracy of Magna Charta England
not only held Ireland in brutal subjection for centuries,
but during our war was strongly pro-slavery in its sym-
pathies.
MUTTJAJL ANTIPATHIES
The fact that so considerable a number of the sons of
Erin enlisted on the side of the Union, and this more par-
ticularly at the outset, in no manner contravenes a conten-
tion that in the mass (and this more conspicuously after
the President's Emancipation Proclamation) they were
distinctly antipathetic to the cause of the "Black Abolition-
ists." The true test of their feelings would come when
placed where they could make easy choice of sides. To
RISING OF A PEOPLE 9
such purpose Missouri offered itself at the beginning of
the war as ideal proving ground: and while it is generally
conceded that it was the German who saved that State to
the Union cause, an Irish rally to the same consummation
is conspicuous hy its absence. And here another motive
to swing the Irishman to the Southern side suggests itself,
namely, his natural affinity with the easy-going, toddy-
drinking Southerner; and, per contra, his temperamental
antipathy to the more sluggish, beer-drinking German.
And because the Irishman and the German constituted al-
most the entire foreign population at this time, it followed
as a matter of course, that whatever "Hans" espoused
"Pat" was "ferninst," and vice versa. In those days the
latter might vary his whiskey with ale, but with beer, never ;
and the latter beverage could be had only in places patron-
ized exclusively by Germans.
Since then much has happened. Not only does the Hi-
bernian, if bibulously inclined, now line up with the most
capacious Teuton as a consumer of lager; but even sauer-
kraut, with a soupfon of Limburger, does not in these days
come amiss to him. In our foreign-born polyglot, the
Irishman no longer looks up, but distinctly down; for in
nearly all ranks of labor he is now top-sawyer, invariably
the "walking delegate"; and none excels hiim in getting a
"hustle" out of his Italian, Polish, Hungarian, or Croatian
successors as wielders of the pick and spade, or luggers of
the hod.
ACTIVITY OF OPPOSING FORCES
This somewhat psycho-sociological digression has
seemed necessary in order to set before the reader in its
true light the political situation in war-time Chicago. With
the exception of a considerable Southern-born admixture,
the native population was in the main loyal to the Union
10 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
side, while the foreign-born population was divided into
opposite camps, with an appreciable preponderance of
numbers on the Irish side. Whereas, the north division
with its dominant German population, and the Milwaukee
Avenue region with its Scandinavian beginnings, were ever
enthusiastic for the Union and the abolition of slavery, all
that region which lies between Archer and Blue Island
Avenues (excepting a German cluster about Twelfth and
Halsted Streets) was never more than lukewarm, and on
occasion distinctly hostile to the prosecution of the war.
Whenever there was a notable Union victory, the North
Side would burst spontaneously into a furor of enthusiasm,
while matters down in the densely populated southwest
region would be reduced to a mere simmer. But no sooner
was there a Rebel victory than it was the turn of Bridge-
port and its appanages to celebrate ; and these demonstra-
tions generally took the form of hunting down any poor
colored brother who might have strayed inadvertently
within those delectable precincts.
A CONTRAST IN LEADERSHIP
German leaders, like Colonel Edmund Jiissen, Dr.
Ernst Schmidt, A. C. Hesing, Lorenz Brentano, Friede-
rich Rapp, Casper Butz, George Schneider, Prof. Julius
Dyhrenf urth, Emil Dietzsch, Louis Huck, Peter Schuttler,
Jacob Beidler, F. A. Hoffman, Hans Balatka, Fred.Letz,
Ernst Pruessing, Henry Greenebaum, John G. Gindele,
Louis Wahl were either speakers at war rallies, or, with
many another prominent compatriot from the Fatherland,
were never absent from a list of vice-presidents. But I
search my memory in vain to recall the names of con-
spicuous Irishmen, outside of the fighting ranks, who
stood stoutly for the cause of the Union, unless glorious
RISING OF A PEOPLE 11
old Tom Hoyne, James W. Sheehan, John R. Walsh, and
other bearers of Irish names, but born in America, be
credited on the side of Erin; while, from among less known
men who subsequently rose to more or less prominence,
the names of W. J. Onahan (who sometimes spoke at war
meetings) , Philip Conley, Hugh Maher, Daniel McElroy,
T, J. Kinsella, John Tully, and the Prindeville brothers
alone occur.
IRISHMEN LOYAL AT THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR
That the Irish disaffection, so marked in the later years
of the war, was a state of mind that grew logically out of
the progress and political developments of the struggle,
when the emphasis of appeal shifted from an unconditional
Union to one modified by emancipation, with possible
equal rights for the black man, has perhaps been sufficiently
pointed out. No class was apparently more enthusi-
astic for the defence of the flag which symbolized the Union
of States, when fired upon at Sumter, than the Irish. Few
regiments were more quickly filled than those recruited
under Irish auspices : and that this enthusiasm was not a
mere flash in the pan, is well shown by the spirit in which
discouragements were disregarded and obstacles overcome.
As soon as war was a certainty, this call was issued:
"RALLY! All Irishmen in favor of forming a regiment of Irish
volunteers to sustain tlxe Government of the United States, in and
through the present war, will rally at North Market Hall, this evening,
April 20th. Come all! For the honor of the Old Land, Rally!
Rally ! for the defence of the New! (signed) James A. Mulligan, Alder-
man Comiskey, M. C. McDonald, Captains M. Gleason, C, Moore, J.
C. Phillips, Daniel Quirk, F. McMurray, Peter Casey; Citizens Daniel
McElroy, John Tully, Philip Conley, T. J. Kinsella."
It is rather surprising to note the name of "Mike"
(M. C.) McDonald, the notorious gambler, recently de-
12 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
ceased, among the signers ; and still more that of Alderman
Comiskey, who in the later years of the war was one of the
most outspoken " Copperheads" in the city.
THE IRISH BRIGADE
There were some odds and ends of Irish military or-
ganizations, known as Montgomery Guards, Emmet
Guards, and Shields's Guards, under the command of those
grouped as "Captains" in the call, and what there was of
these organizations responded almost to a man; so that,
at the meeting, in a couple of hours 325 men were enlisted ;
and in a few days a complete regiment and more, known as
"The Irish Brigade." But the rush to arms under the
first and second calls was so great, and so quickly were the
regiments allotted to Illinois placed in the field, that there
was no room for this Irish contingent, and many another,
among them several regiments composed exclusively of
Germans. But such was the spirit that animated these
sons of Erin, that they determined to maintain their or-
ganization and bide their time. Meanwhile their gallant
Colonel, James A. Mulligan, had hied him to Washington,
and after much ado, persuaded the Secretary of War to ac-
cept the "Irish Brigade" as an independent organization
outside of the assigned quota. It was mustered in as the
Twenty-third Illinois, June 5, 1861, and left for the field
on the fourteenth of July.
THEIR POOR EQUIPMENT
I have heard not a few "old and reliable" citizens de-
scrihe the scenes of enthusiasm that accompanied the de-
parture of the Irish Brigade, and the brave showing thej
made in their new uniforms, with their gallant leader, Col
onel Mulligan, at their head. No one may question th<
By Courtesy of the Chicago Historical Society
COL. JAMKS A. MULLIGAN
(Oomraander of "The Irish Brigade"")
RISING OF A PEOPLE 13
enthusiasm, for the regiment was largely made up of well-
known young men about town; but their appearance is an-
other matter ; and as a picture of the times, the hurry and
inadequacy with which everything had to be done, I take
the liberty to quote this paragraph from the Tribune of
the morning following the regiment's departure:
"Although in material the men are a credit to any section, they are
in outfit a disgrace to Chicago as a city, Cook as a county, and Illi-
nois as a State."
From what can.be gathered, the one uniform article of
apparel was a green shirt; and as this had done duty for a
month or more in what was euphoniously known as "Fon-
tenoy Barracks," an old brewery on Polk Street, the rest
can be imagined. As likely as not they left for the field
of glory which, in a brief month was to be also the
field of death for so many, at Lexington, Missouri, in
common box cars ; for that, in the crying lack of transpor-
tation, is the way many of the early regiments departed
for the front.
THE ELLSWORTH ZOUAVES
Since Chicago had boasted for a year or more, and up
to within a few months of the opening of hostilities, the
possession of so famous a military organization as the Ells-
worth Zouaves, it might well be supposed that it was also
to the fore in the matter of military organizations in gen-
eral, But the state of things was lamentably otherwise.
Indeed, it was probably the very proficiency of these
Zouaves, under their brilliant young commander, which, in-
stead of taking the form of a stimulus toward the promo-
tion of other organizations, acted directly as a deterrent,
because of the discouraging comparison to which any at-
tempt on the same lines in the local field would inevitably
14 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
be subjected. In 1859, at the age of twenty-two, Elmer E.
Ellsworth was assistant paymaster of the State. He was a
military enthusiast, and seeing that the Illinois militia was
in a deplorable condition, he reorganized, by way of ex-
ample, an old Chicago company under the title of United
States Zouave Cadets. Ellsworth exacted total abstinence
from the use of liquor, and regular attendance at drill
three times a week. He thus in an incredibly short time
brought his command to such proficiency that, during an
exhibition tour which included all the larger cities of the
East, it was everywhere proclaimed the model military
company of America, while the popularity of its com-
mander rose to a pitch quite unique in the history of the
country.
But as in that time of peace a military career outside
of the regular army offered no opportunities of solid ad-
vancement to an ambitious young man, the hero of the hour
felt constrained to disband his organization, to continue
the study of the law in the Springfield office of Abraham
Lincoln. The disbandment took place in October, 1860.
Early in the Spring of 1861, Captain James R. Hayden
effected a partial reorganization. It had been Ellsworth's
ambition to organize a militia regiment on the lines of his
company, and now Captain Hayden took up this work.
In addition to his own, there was part of a company under
Captain John H. Clybourne when hostilities began, and
these, under the command of Colonel Joseph R. Scott, con-
stituted part of the hastily organized skeleton of a regi-
ment that was rushed by order of Governor Yates under
General H. K. Swift, to hold the key to the control of the
Ohio and Mississippi Rivers at Cairo.
TO THE MEMORY OF
COL,. E.E, ELLSWORTH.
WHO FEU A r fit X A N0RIA VA. MA Y 24 '" t#6f
I .....ML, ';,-. ,,. *
>(')> I I I ' I.. II V" '"" I.** -
H'*t.o.>'.iit i' !*. fliH 1,1 ,,',.|"V^'t
(IH* \,JHl Hl in,^,,n ,i % , ti l , Ji.IiiU. T^
SAD1YTHEBEL1STOLLTHEDEATH OF THE HERO."
BYA.BTOBZY.
i'sy of \ li
"THE ELLSWOHTII UKQUIKM MARCH"
(The Cover Shows nn AuMu'iilii* Portrait of C'ol. KlnuT K. Ellsworth,
Chicvi^-o's Youthful HtM-o, llu* First Soldier Killed
in the Civil \VurJ
RISING OP A PEOPLE 15
DEATH OF COLONEL ELLSWORTH
Young Ellsworth accompanied Lincoln to Washington
for the inauguration. He was still in the East when the
call for troops was issued. So great was his reputation,
that the New York Fire Zouaves elected him their Colonel,
and this was the first full regiment to be sworn into the
service. It was also among the first to arrive for the de-
fence of the Capital, and its hrilliant commander "was the
first soldier, among the hundreds of thousands that were
to follow, to yield up his life for his country. While pass-
ing through Alexandria he caught sight of a Rebel flag.
Indignant at this flagrant display of disloyalty, he rushed
forward to haul it down, and was shot in the act by its em-
bittered defender. Ellsworth's death under such appealing
circumstances gave an indescribable shock to the country,
and went far to open Northern eyes to the bitterness of the
struggle before them. There is little doubt that in the un-
timely death of this brilliant tactician the cause of the
Union lost a man who, through the exceptional oppor-
tunities before him, would have risen to high distinction.
CHAPTER II
PREPARATIONS FOR THE WAR
ILLINOIS' LACK OF READINESS How GENERAL SWIFT EQUIPPED HIS
TROOPS PRECAUTIONS AGAINST REBEL SYMPATHIZERS WORK
OF THE UNION DEFENCE COMMITTEE CAPTURE OF GUNS CAP-
TAIN STOKES* RUSE BEFORE BULL RUN TOO MANY REGIMENTS
OFFERED THE STATE'S RESPONSE TO THE CALL FOR MORE MEN
GOVERNOR YATES TELLS WHAT THE STATE HAS DONE - PROTESTS
AGAINST EXCESSIVE DEMANDS DISTINGUISHED ILLINOIS SOLDIERS
THE BOARD OF TRADE'S SPLENDID RECORD ILLINOIS ORGAN-
IZATIONS IN THE WAR CHICAGO'S CONTRIBUTION OF MEN*
SOME PARADOXES IN THE COURSE OF THE STRUGGLE.
IT is a matter of history that the South, thanks to its
friends in the Buchanan cabinet, was at the outbreak of
the war far better supplied with arms and ammunition
than the North ; and, perhaps, no part was in a worse plight
than Illinois. Therefore, in the light of the State's tran-
scendent record in the war, the first efforts to master an
appalling situation warrant some details.
On April 19, 1861, four days after the first call for
seventy-five thousand men, Governor Yates telegraphed
to General H. K. Swift of the militia, with headquarters
at Chicago, as follows :
"As quickly as possible have as strong a force as you can raise,
armed and equipped "with, ammunition and accoutrements^ and a com-
pany of artillery, ready to march at a moment's warning."
The next day a messenger from the Governor arrived
with these further instructions:
"Take possession of Cairo at the earliest moment. Have your ex-
pedition start as if going to Springfield via Illinois Central Railroad.
16
PREPARATIONS FOR THE WAR 17
The state of feeling in Southern Illinois may require the utmost de-
spatch and secrecy. Captain John Pope [one of the future com-
manders of the Army of the Potomac] will join your expedition at
some point/'
HOW GENERAL SWIFT EQUIPPED HIS TROOPS
In his report of this expedition to the Governor, made
a month later; General Swift naively says :
"As you did not advise me in any of your orders, either by tele-
graph or by your special messengers, as to when, where, or how the
troops I was ordered to raise and start with in such haste were to be
supplied with ammunition for both infantry and artillery, with rations,
camp equipage, army stores, and horses for artillery, I considered that
your orders, to be consistent, gave me authority to provide the troops,
as far as possible, with ammunition for defence, and all other needful
and useful military equipment, appendages, and appliances ; for with-
out these the troops would have been worse than useless. Therefore,
to supply these, my only remedy was to avail myself of the aid and
cooperation of patriotic citizens, which I am happy to say was cheer-
fully extended, and whose active exertions, in conjunction with Quar-
termaster R, M. Hough, enabled us to move upon so short a notice."
PRECAUTIONS AGAINST BEBEL SYMPATHIZERS
Within two days a force was got under way, accompa-
nied by four brass six-pounder guns and forty-six horses.
As the southern part of the State was believed to be a hot-
bed of Rebel sympathizers, and there were rumors that a
body of these had designs against the Illinois Central Rail-
road bridge over the Big Muddy, some sixty miles north
of Cairo, Captain Hayden and his company of Chicago
Zouaves were detached for its protection.
As showing the state of mind of the community, it was
reported to General Swift on his arrival at Cairo, that a
force of not less than five hundred Rebel sympathizers
was gathering at Carbondale, to move to the destruction
18 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
of the bridge; accordingly he detached another company
with a brass cannon, to reinforce Captain Hayden.
WORK OF THE UNION DEFENCE COMMITTEE
When it was imperative, in the early days of the strug-
gle, that something approaching military order be brought
out of the civil chaos in which Chicago, like every com-
munity in the land, found itself, the people's purpose crys-
tallized into a form known as the "Union Defence Com-
mittee," a body composed of leaders in various walks of life.
There were among its members high-pressure drivers like
James H. Bowen, B. M. Hough, C. G. Wicker, Thomas
Hoyne, John C. Dore, Julian A. Rumsey; and these were
fittingly balanced by the judicial minds of Judges Thomas
Drummond, John M. Wilson, George Manierre, Mark
Skinner, Van H. Higgins, and Grant Goodrich ; while the
generous-hearted citizen class was represented in a general
way by such varied and notable examples as Thomas B.
Bryan, E. W. Willard, L. P. Y.oe, A. H. Burley, George
Schneider, E. C. Larned, John Van Annan, and H. D.
Colvin; with Governor Yates as chairman eoc offido. It
was through this administrative group that the first regi-
ments were placed in the field ; that civilians were organized
into effective sub-committees; and that Chicago earned a
reputation for "doing things" at a time when many things
needed very much to be done.
ILLINOIS' INABILITY TO EQUIP six REGIMENTS
While it is outside the scope of these recollections to go
into details of enlistment that can only be set forth ade-
quately in voluminous reports, it is yet important to a
proper appreciation of Chicago's place in the drama of the
war, that its position relative to the larger fields, first of
the State, and then of the Nation, be briefly set forth.
By Courtesy of the Chicago Historical Society
THE UNION DEFENCE COMMITTEE, ORGANIZED IN 1861
(Through this representative Body of Chicago Citizens the First Regiments
were Placed in the Field, Civilians Organized, and Chicago's
Imputation for "Dointf Things" Established)
PREPARATIONS FOR THE WAR 19
On the fifteenth of April, 1861, there was a call for
seventy-five thousand militia, of which the quota of Illinois
was six regiments. But there were only some odds and ends
of companies in the State, not enough to fill a third of the
quota. General H. K. Swift, of Chicago, a well-known
banker, being a militia brigadier was called upon by Gov-
ernor Yates, as has been shown, to proceed immediately
to Cairo with whatever force he could "commandeer."
This he proceeded to do, and he arrived at that point with
less than one thousand men, as follows :
Men
Chicago Light Artillery 125
Ottawa Light Artillery 86
Lockport Light Artillery 52
Plainfield Light Artillery 72
Captain Harding's Company SB
Chicago Zouaves, Companies A and B 172
Union Cadets (German Turners) 97
Lincoln Rifles, Captain Mihalotzky 66
Sandwich Company, Captain Carr 102
Drum Corps 17
872
But few of these had arms, and the stores of Chicago
had been depleted to supply them with anything that re-
sembled a gun. As to the State, it had altogether this
remarkable collection of "shooting irons" in its arsenal at
Springfield: 362 muskets altered from flintlocks, 125 Har-
per's Ferry and Deneger rifles, 297 horse pistols, and 133
musketoons whatever deadly contrivances those may
have been! As for the batteries, they were without any-
thing resembling shot, shell, or cannister, and so was the
State arsenal. Accordingly, slugs were hurriedly pre-
pared, and some of these improvisations are said to have
made great havoc in the ranks of the enemy at Donelson.
80 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
CAPTURE OF GUNS
The occupation of Cairo as a move in the war game was
most important. The States of Missouri and Kentucky,
the one adjoining on the south, the other on the west, were
both in the hands of outspoken pro-Southern governors,
who had flatly refused to answer to the call for troops. At
St. Louis there was an arsenal with muskets and ammuni-
tion, and it was known that steps were being taken to trans-
fer them to the Confederacy. No sooner had the junction
of the Mississippi and the Ohio been taken possession of
than information came that two steamboats had left St.
Louis with guns and ammunition for the South. On ap-
proaching Cairo these were captured, and everything on
board confiscated. At the same time Illinois secured 20,000
stand of arms with ammunition from the St. Louis arsenal.
Thus a very serious danger point was passed. But it re-
mains to be told by what daring strategy this so desirable
result was brought about.
CAPTAIN STOKES' RUSE
In those days of unpreparedness many issues freighted
with incalculable consequences were wholly dependent on
individual initiative, coupled with swift resolute action;
and a notable exploit, illustrating the exigencies of the ap-
proximately local field of operations, was the "capture" of
the St. Louis arsenal, by Captain James H. Stokes of
Chicago. By dint of much urging Governor Yates had se-
cured an order from the War Department on the St. Louis
Government arsenal for 20,000 muskets with ammunition;
and now the question of moment was, how could the order
be made good, with St. Louis virtually in the hands of the
enemy? The situation appealed to Captain Stokes, then
fortunately at Springfield, and he volunteered to deliver
PREPARATIONS FOR THE WAR 21
the goods. So dominant was the Rebel influence in the
Missouri city at this time, that he deemed it expedient, in
order to reconnoitre the stronghold and take preparatory
measures,, to avow himself in quarters inimical to the North,
as a friend of the South. But once his plans were ma-
tured and he inside, the Captain presented a bold front,
and left those in charge in no doubt as to his intention to
carry the order into effect. The arsenal authorities, while
themselves friendly to the Union cause, did not believe it
could be done, as almost everything afloat thereabouts was
controlled by Southern sympathizers. Probably three-
fourths of the city's business was with the South, and the
first step in a move to relieve the arsenal of its stores for
the benefit of the North, would most likely precipitate
action on the part of the friends of the South, who could
depend on both the city and State authorities to back them.
THE CAPTURE EFFECTED
But the Captain had taken all that part of his hazard
into account, and communicated with friends at Alton,
some twenty miles up the river, asking them to send a
steamer at night to the arsenal wharf, with men in charge
who could be trusted, and had Union fighting blood in
their veins. At midnight a makeshift craft, but with stout
and willing hands on board, tied up to the wharf, and in a
couple of hours it was loaded with 20,000 muskets, 110,000
cartridges, 500 new rifle carbines, 500 revolvers and a num-
ber of cannon, which left but a small remainder as possible
loot for the enemy. If, as the result of an alarm after its
departure, the steamer should be overtaken (it was at best
a very slow affair) , it was agreed by those in charge, rather
than have its precious cargo fall into the hands of the
enemy, to sink the steamer in midstream, and seek a friend-
m BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
ly shore as best they might. Happily such an heroic course
did not become necessary; and, once at the Alton wharf,
many loyal hands were in readiness to transport the cargo
to a waiting train. Thus it came about that the Illinois
quotas of the first two calls for seventy-five thousand
men were armed through the resolute action of a single
Chicagoan.
BEFORE BULL RUN, TOO MANY REGIMENTS OFFERED
So many regiments were being offered to the Govern-
ment by Illinois, that on the sixteenth of May, just a
month from the first call, the Secretary of War wrote to
its energetic Governor that he must understand that Illi-
nois was entitled to only six regiments of militia for the
three months' service, and six regiments of volunteers un-
der a second call for seventy-five thousand men to serve for
a term of three years or during the war and that it was
"important to reduce rather than increase this number,
and in no event to exceed it, and if more are already en-
listed, to reduce the number by discharge." In the light
of what followed, how hopelessly inadequate the Adminis-
tration's conception of what was before it! Then came
Bull Run and the nation's awakening to an appalling real-
ity. On the heels of that disaster, Governor Yates tele-
graphed that sixteen regiments and a battery above its
quotas were ready for service, and he added: "I insist that
you respond favorably to this tender."
The next day there came a call on the nation for 500,000
men!
GOVERNMENT UNDERTAKES RECRUITING AND EQUIPPING
Up to the third of December, 1861, the raising and
equipping of troops were under the auspices of the different
PREPARATIONS FOR THE WAR 23
States. Thereafter the general Government took over the
entire business of both recruiting and equipping. When
this took place Illinois had put 43,000 men in the field, with
a reserve of 17,000 in training camps, and of these 15,000
were in excess of the State's quotas. Under the 500,000
call the Thirty-first Infantry went into the field under
Colonel John A. Logan, and the Eleventh Cavalry under
Colonel Robert G. Ingersoll.
TEN NEW HEGIMENTS OBGANLZED
On the third of April, 1862, an order came from Wash-
ington to suspend recruiting; but on the twenty-fifth of
May, less than two months later, came a hurry call from
Secretary Stanton to "organize and forward immediately
all the volunteer and militia force in your State"; for a
Rebel army was advancing north, while McClellan was on
the peninsula in front of Richmond, and the nation's cap-
ital was in imminent danger of capture. Inside of two
weeks five regiments for three months' home duty were
organized, thus relieving older organizations from guard
duty at Camp Douglas ; and in the same period five regi-
ments of three-year men were sent east, including the one
under command of General Mulligan, which, since its re-
organization after its heroic defence of Lexington, Mis-
souri, had been doing guard duty at Camp Douglas, where
the Fort Donelson prisoners were confined.
ILLINOIS ALWAYS TO THE POKE
On the thirtieth of May the Government signified its
willingness to accept any number of independent volunteer
regiments, and on the sixth of July, 1862, came a call for
300,000 to serve for three years or the war. Then, on the
fifth of August following, came a supplementary call for
24 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
300,000 militia to serve for nine months, unless sooner dis-
charged. In connection with this call it was assumed by
the Government that a draft would be necessary, and the
order to enroll the militia in the several States that is,
to put on the roll all names in any event liable to a draft
immediately followed. Under these two calls the quota of
Illinois was 52,296. It had, however, to its credit an ex-
cess of 16,978, reducing its allotment to 35,318, and it was
on this basis that recruiting proceeded. There was a great
rush to volunteer, to avoid the disgrace of the draft; and in
a few days the Adjutant-General made annoxincement that
the draft was averted. But no sooner did Washington
realize that Illinois was free (whereas the draft was prac-
tically inevitable in every other State) , than it coolly an-
nounced that the credit for the surplus of 16,978 was
withdrawn, and that the total required was 52,296 men.
This in the circumstances was a facer, for only thirteen days
from the date of call was allowed to fill the entire quota ;
but it was accomplished in eleven days, while in many an-
other State there was resort to the draft. Immediately
on the heels of this drain came an order that all the old regi-
ments must be filled up to their full number by September
1, or there would be a draft. The number assigned to Illi-
nois was 34,719. The militia was enrolled as a precaution-
ary measure, but again Lincoln's State averted a draft by
enlistment.
GOVERNOR YATES TELLS WHAT ILLINOIS HAS DONE
Other calls were met in like manner, so that early in
1865, on retiring to give place to Richard J. Oglesby, its
valiant War Governor could say: "Thus it will be seen
that Illinois clone^ of all the loyal States of the Union,
furnishes the proud record of not only having escaped the
PREPARATIONS FOR THE WAR 5
draft without receiving credit for her old regiments, but of
starting under a new call [which had come on January 17,
1865, for 300,000 additional men] with her quota largely
diminished by the credit to which she is entitled by thou-
sands of veterans already reenlisted."
ILLINOIS PROTESTS AGAINST EXCESSIVE DEMANDS
It seems to have been assumed in Washington, from
the readiness of the men of Illinois to enlist, that the source
of supply was unlimited; and in consequence the War De-
partment became exceedingly careless, not to say generous,
in its apportionment of the State's quota, especially in its
last call. On the one hand it ignored all credits of excesses
over assigned quotas, and on the other it increased the
State's allotment out of all comparison with other States.
At first this unfavorable discrimination received little at-
tention, but finally the "carelessness" of the Provost Mar-
shal's department became so flagrant, especially as regards
Cook County, that a halt was called and a serious account-
ing demanded. On one occasion a delegation went to
Washington to enter a protest against this unfairness ; but
Secretary Stanton refused to interfere, on the plea that it
would disarrange the entire allotment, and made a strong
appeal to the committee, and through them to the patriot-
ism of Illinois, to let the unjust apportionment stand.
A PEW ILLINOIS MEN DRAPTED AS A MATTER
OF POEM
While it cannot be said with a strict regard for the
technical truth, that every paxt of the State of Illinois
was free from draft, it can be said that no drafted man
went into the field from Illinois. Owing to grievous ir-
regularities in assigning the State's quotas and because
26 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
of the fact that the demand was not made on the State
as a whole, but on manifold small subdivisions, many of
whose assigned quotas were outrageously excessive sev-
eral of these minor subdivisions were subjected to a nominal
draft, and a few hundred men were assembled at Spring-
field, but only that enlisted men might take their places.
In several instances, through blunders in the Provost Mar-
shal's office, more men were apportioned to a sub-district
than the entire enrollment, and in more than one the as-
signment was in excess of the entire male population.
EVIDENCE THAT THE DEMAND WAS UNFAIE
In only one district in the State was a new enrollment
ordered, and this, as a fair sample, shows how outrageously
the State was served by the Provost Marshal assigned to it :
Counties Enrollment (1864) New Enrollment (1865)
St Clair 8,959 4,539
Madison 8,598 4,449
Clinton 2,372 1,483
Washington 2,682 1,709
Kandolph 3,301 2,076
Monroe 3,509 726
29,421 14,982
To show further how exceedingly unfair was the quota
assigned to Illinois under the final call, it is only neces-
sary to point out that Ohio, with a population of 2,400,000,
was required to furnish only 26,000 men, while Illinois,
with a population of only 1,700,000, was called upon for
35,541, subsequently reduced to 32,887 men. And this
further fact was brought to the attention of the Govern-
ment, by Governor Oglesby:
PREPARATIONS FOR THE WAR 7
"Under the call of July 18, 1864, we all know that the draft was
enforced against Iowa. That State was then behind in her quotas.
Except in a few sub-districts (townships)^ the draft was not enforced
in Illinois, for we, including all calls upon us, were only behind as a
State, 13,400, with a surplus of 85,875 three-year men, to answer a
call of 52,057 one-year men. Yet now, under this call for troops, Iowa
is exempt from draft, has no quota upon her enrollment and popula-
tion, whilst Illinois has 32,887 required from her."
And this further question received no satisfactory
answer:
"How is it that our quota under the 300,000 call, which is said to
include our credit of 35,875 men, is more than 11 per cent of 300,000,
when without any credit, under the call of 500,000 men it was only
10 4 /io per cent? Please explain this/*
On the close of the war 3,572 officers and 68,517 en-
listed men credited to Illinois were disbanded. Of this
number more than 20,000 received their discharges in Chi-
cago amidst a succession of ovations.
THE STATE'S TOTAL ENLISTMENT
The fact seems to have been, unless the figures of the
State's Adjutant-General were compiled under some un-
accountable misapprehension and they were never suc-
cessfully controverted, that when Illinois was called
upon for a final quota of 32,887 men, she was entitled to a
credit of at least half that number. Nevertheless recruiting
went forward to fill the entire quota demanded, and was
within less than 5,000 of completion, when by order of the
War Department all recruiting ceased. The State's proud
total enlistment for the war was 231,488 men, a showing
both per quota and enrollment far above that made by any
other State.
28 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
The following shows the different calls and quotas as-
signed to Illinois :
Quotas for
Calls Illinois
April 15, 1861 75,000 6,000
July 21, 1861 500,000 42,032
October 1, 1863 300,000 27,930
February 1, 1864 500,000 46,309
March 4, 1864 200,"000 18,564
July 18, 1864 500,000 52,057
December 19, 1864 300,000 , . . .32,887
Total 225,779
Total enlistment roll 231,488
Excess of enlistment over quotas 5,709
The ahove figures show some striking variations in the
proportions demanded. Thus while in 1861, in a call for
500,000, the State's proportion was 42,032, in 1864, under
a similar call, it was raised to 52,057 and the other calls
show similar disproportions against the State.
ILLINOIS ORGANIZATIONS IN THE WAR
The following is a list of Illinois organizations, as
furnished for this record by the Ad jut ant- General's office
in Springfield. In their way, the terms of service, from
three months to three years, interspersed with 100-day and
one-year men, illustrate the different stages of the war, its
ups, downs, and sudden emergencies, as clearly as a de-
tailed description:
7th to 12th Infantry, 3 months. 132nd to 143d Infantry, 100 days.
7th to 66th Infantry, 3 years. 1 44th to 156th Infantry, 1 year.
67th to 71st Infantry, 3 months. 1st to 17th Cavalry, 3 years.
72d to 131st Infantry, 3 years. 1st to 2nd Artillery, 3 years.
29th U. S. Infantry (Colored Troops).
PREPARATIONS FOR THE WAR 29
Besides the two artillery regiments noted, there
were independent batteries, all for three years, as follows:
Chicago Mercantile, Springfield Light Artillery, Coggs-
well's, Renwick's Elgin, Henshaw's, Bridges', Colvin's,
Chapman's ; and Campbell's three-months' battery.
THE BOARD OF TRADE RAISES TROOPS
In giving credit for zeal and efficient service to various
classes and bodies of men in Chicago during the war, the
part played by the Board of Trade should not be over-
looked. Indeed, it probably did more to further enlist-
ments than any other body of citizens in proportion to its
wealth and numbers; while in the matter of example it
was always a shining light and heartening leader. On an
occasion when the calls for troops piled so rapidly one upon
another, that before there was time to fill one quota another
was knocking at the door, an extraordinary war meeting
of the Board was called at the request of the following
members: George Steel, William Sturges, E. Akin, M.
C. Stearns, Ira Y. Munn, G. L. Scott, C. H. Walker, Jr.,
E. G. Wolcott, and Messrs. Flint and Thompson. The
meeting was presided over by Colonel John L. Hancock,
to my mind at this time the most masterful personality in
the city; and through the work there begun a number of
Board of Trade regiments were recruited and as quickly
as possible put in the field.
A FESTAL "COME ONE, COME ALL" RALLY
In response to the last call, the men were rendezvoused
at Camp Fry, in the precincts of Lake View, under the ef-
ficient supervision of Colonel Hancock. To expedite the
work of volunteering, the services of prominent speakers
from other parts of the country were enlisted, mass meet-
30 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
ings were held in different parts of the city, scores of re-
cruiting offices were opened (a despatch to The New York
Herald gave fifty as the number) , and to keep the enthusi-
asm at concert pitch, the Lumbard war quartette was kept
untiringly on the move.
CHICAGO'S CONTRIBUTION OF MEN
Chicago at the outbreak of the war had a population
approximating 100,000. Her contribution of men to the
war was in round numbers about 15,000 (Cook County's
total being 22,436) . When it is considered that the city's
total vote in 1860 was only 18,747, which in 1862, under
the drain of the war had fallen to 13,670, it can easily be
seen what an important part the war played in the every-
day life of the people, and the affairs of the city.
DISTINGUISHED ILLINOIS SOLDIERS
Illinois was distinguished on the roll of the Union army
by its Lieutenant-General Grant, nine full Major-Gener-
als, 53 Major-Generals by brevet, and 125 Brigadier-Gen-
erals. The full Major-Generals were: John A. Logan,
John Pope, John M. Schofield, John M. Palmer, John A.
McClernand, Richard J. Oglesby, Stephen A. Hurlbut,
Benjamin M. Prentiss, and Giles A. Smith. In scanning
the list of Illinois soldiers who exceptionally distinguished
themselves, it is interesting to note the number of Smiths
who rose to high honors, for besides the full Major-
General, Giles A., there are among the 53 brevet major-
generals no less than seven, whereas not one other surname
is duplicated; while among the 125 brigadiers there are but
two Smiths left behind in the race for the higher goal. The
more distinguished Smiths are Arthur A., Franklin C.,
George W., Gustavus A., John C., John E., Robert F.,
COL. JOHN L. HANCOCK
HON. THOMAS B. BRYAN
PREPARATIONS FOR THE WAR 31
and Robert W. Among the wags it used to be said that
in the multiplicity of Smiths, and other similarities to add
to the confusion, such as a John C. and a John E., a Rob-
ert F. and a Robert W., the glory achieved by each fell
uniformly upon all; and, unwilling to go to the trouble of
untangling this wealth of laurels, Uncle Sam accepted the
composite Smith as the type; and, lest injustice should be
done, gave to each the honors due the entire family. Aye,
but there were fine soldiers among these Smiths!
SOME PARADOXES IN THE COURSE OF THE WA&
The war was in many respects a succession of surprises
and paradoxes. Over and over it was the unexpected that
happened, as when the Abolitionist and the Copperhead
changed places in their mental attitude toward the war;
for there was all along much fault-finding with its conduct
on the part of both, but for very different reasons. They
also changed places in what might be called their physical
relation to it: for the ingrained Copperhead was not un-
known to turn up suddenly in one of Uncle Sam's uni-
forms ; while a consuming patriotism and sympathy for the
slave was by no means inconsistent with an unshakable de-
termination to guard the home.
In speaking of the movements of the militia in the early
days of the war, and the secrecy that was enjoined, lest
Rebel sympathizers, by the destruction of bridges and oth-
erwise, should prevent the concentration of troops at Cairo,
the reader could scarcely avoid the impression that "Dark-
est Egypt" was a hot-bed of secessionism; and such it was
to the mind of the Governor when he wrote his instructions.
In this same "Darkest Egypt," at the beginning of the
war, according to reports then current, it was easier to raise
volunteers for the Confederacy than for the Union; and
32 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
there, according to report, one who later became a distin-
guished Union general took steps in the early days to
raise a company for the Rebels. Yet, but for this "Dark-
est Egypt," this seething den of Copperheadism, the proud
honor of heading the roll of enlistment districts for the
entire Union would have fallen to Chicago. As it is, it is
to the Cairo district that the glory belongs of having
furnished more troops to the cause of the Union per en-
rollment than any other! Who can explain this paradox?
CHAPTER III
THE WAR FACE AT HOME
CHICAGO CHEERS MANY PASSING REGIMENTS THE EIGHTH WIS-
CONSIN'S WAR EAGLE "OLD ABE'S" BEHAVIOR INT BATTLE Is
THE STAR OF A SANITARY FAIR His DEATH CAMP DOUGLAS AS
A CENTRE OF INTEREST FIRST ONE OF MANY RECRUITING CAMPS
THEN A REBEL "STRONGHOLD" ALSO SHELTERS PAROLED
UNION PRISONERS A MENACE TO THE TIMID ITS ENVIRONS A
RESORT FOR THE YOUNG FREQUENT CHANGES IN ITS PERSONNEL
COMPARED WITH ANDERSONVILLE MANY ESCAPES IN ITS EARLY
DAYS A " GAMBLING" EPISODE AN INCIDENT ILLUSTRATES
THE LACK OF VIGILANCE JUDGE AND MRS. MORRIS Two AL-
LEGED CONSPIRACIES TO LIBERATE THE PRISONERS AND DESTROY
CHICAGO.
A LL through the struggle there was scarcely a day, and
<L\. never a week, that a regiment or a battery, or two or
more of their kind, did not leave or arrive or pass
through the city to or from the seats of war. The Wiscon-
sin and Minnesota contingents had almost perforce to make
a temporary halt in the city ; and whenever an Iowa regi-
ment was ordered to the East, or a Michigan regiment to
the West, it was the same. And it was seldom, when there
had been notice of such prospective advent, that these mi-
grants were not in some manner formally welcomed, hos-
pitably entertained, and enthusiastically cheered on their
way by a populace that thronged the line of march.
There was little that appealed superficially to the eye
in these realistic illustrations of
"Tramp, tramp, tramp, the boys are marching,"
but much that went straight to the heart. There was no
blazonry about these frequent repetitions none of the
33
34 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
pomposity, glitter, or finery that on occasion enables our
militia to charge with envy the heart of the callow youth
or set the maidenly bosom in a flutter. No, there was none
of this, but overmuch grime and unkemptness, especially
in the instance of returning regiments either when hon-
orably discharged or sent home on a well-earned recruiting
furlough to put on new flesh. Some regiments by the
havoc of war had been reduced to mere skeletons of the
originals. In these circumstances, the bullet-torn battle-
flags, zealously guarded by the surviving remnant, and
borne proudly aloft, reflected a glory that extended for
loyal eyes to the last tatter of their war-worn uniforms.
THE EIGHTH WISCONSIN'S WAB EAGLE
Of the many regiments of passage the Eighth Wiscon-
sin received most attention, both on leaving for the field,
in October, 1861, and on its return, in the FaU of 1865;
and all on account of its war eagle, the most famous living
example of our national emblem in the country's history.
When, at the beginning of the war, Company C of this
command was recruiting in the lumber district at Eau
Claire, a Chippewa Indian captured an eagle only a few
months old; and the "boys/* as true sons of the Chippewa
Valley, "chipped in" to the extent of two and a half dol-
lars and bought it. They built a perch for their prize,
named him "Old Abe," swore him into the service, and
elected James McGinnis to the honor of "eagle-bearer."
From that time the company came to be known as the
"Eau Claire Eagles," and the command as the "Wisconsin
Eagle Regiment." Long before it was ready to start for
the front, young "Old Abe's" fame had spread abroad;
and when the regiment passed through Chicago on its way
to the seat of war, the route of passage was densely lined
'OLD ABE," THE EIGHTH WISCONSIN'S WAR EAGLE
(Exhibited in Chic<igo at the Sanitary Fair of 1863)
THE WAR FACE AT HOME 35
to give it a welcome, and never was bird more enthusias-
tically acclaimed.
HOW "OLD ABE" MET THE ENEMY
Thereafter one heard frequently of the President's
alter ego and his behavior in battle. Accordingly, when
two years later the first Sanitary Fair was organized, and
its promoters were casting about for attractions, it oc-
curred to somebody to secure "Old Abe"; and as just then
there was something of a lull at the front, the bird, along
with his proud bearer, was in due form granted "leave of
absence on special service," and so became the fair's top-
liner. Photographs of him were sold by tens of thousands ;
also numerous feathers; and some that were avowed to
have been separated from him by Rebel bullets brought
fabulous prices.
It was an article of faith with the army that "Old Abe"
bore a charmed life, that the bullet that could kill him
had not been cast, and events went far to justify this
belief; for though he was always well to the front in the
twenty battles and sixty skirnushes with which the "Eagle
Regiment" is credited, and while its flag was shot to tat-
ters, "Old Abe," though frequently "ruffled," never lost
a drop of blood. The fiercer raged the battle, the higher
would he rise on his lofty perch, the bolder flap his wings,
and the louder send forth his screams of defiance.
"OLD ABE'S" BEHAVIOR DUBING LEAVE OF ABSENCE
When on exhibition at the fair he made it plain that
he had but a poor opinion of his surroundings that he
missed the bugle call and the roar of battle. Then it hap-
pened one day that a noted war orator in attendance was
called on for a speech. No sooner had he got well started
36 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
than "Old Abe" rose on his perch, flapped his wings, and
evidently mistaking what he heard for the familiar, terror-
inspiring "Rebel yell/* screeched a wild defiance. This is
probably the only instance when an orator in very fact
made the American eagle scream. It was also proof that
what this particular specimen needed to show him off was
noise; and thereafter^ in the absence of orators of the
requisite calibre, whenever it was desired to get a rise out
of his high-mightiness, the young people would gather
about him and deliver what probably led to the present
terror-inspiring college yell.
It is, perhaps, needless to add that this idol of both old
and young, on his return from the war as a full-fledged,
laurel-crowned veteran, received an ovation such as eagle
never had before; while the waves of applause that rose
from thousands of throats at every point of vantage on the
route through the city, were sufficiently in similitude of the
roar of battle to keep the great war bird in a high state of
demonstration.
"OLD ABE'S" DEATH AND APOTHEOSIS
In the subsequent piping times of peace "Old Abe"
became a ward of the State of Wisconsin, with headquar-
ters at Madison; and there grim death, which had so often
spared him when so many fell at his side, called him on the
twenty-sixth of March, 1881, for a final "rise" to a higher
eyrie.
But it was to no ordinary foe that this battle-crowned
King of the Air yielded his life to no element not the
equal of his own royal dominion. It was through fire in
the State's capitol that the end came by suffocation. For-
tunately, not a feather of "Old Abe's" body was injured;
and by grace of the taxidermist, his outward sem-
THE WAR FACE AT HOME 37
blance continued for nearly a quarter of a century to re-
ceive the homage of the rising generation of Badgerites,
But the envious Fates had decreed that no slightest vestige
of so historic an exemplar of our national emhlem should
remain visible to mortal eye; and so, on February 27, 1904,
when the capitol was again fire-stricken, there ascended
from the memorial chamber of the Grand Army of the Re-
public verily as incense to the God of Battles Wis-
consin's proudest possession, to join its awaiting spirit in
the halls of Valhalla! And as most fitting and loyal com-
pany, there were consumed with it the priceless battle-
flags and other cherished memorials of the State's proud
share in the greatest struggle for freedom in the world's
history. What an irreparable loss!
CHICAGO'S CAMPS FOE RECRUITS AND PRISONERS
Few countries were ever so completely or so uninter-
ruptedly possessed by a war as this land during the four
years of our great civil strife; and except in those parts of
the South where the actual struggle took place, perhaps no
locality felt its impact more directly, or lived in the pres-
ence of its varied accompaniments more persistently, than
Chicago. Not only was this city a leading recruiting cen-
tre and passageway to and from the field, but from the
first year of the war to the end there were imprisoned in
its immediate vicinity (the spot is now in the very heart of
one of its great divisions) for most of the time, a number
sufficient to constitute a Rebel army corps. It was because
there were here great recruiting camps, with fairly sub-
stantial barracks, that Chicago was elected to this doubtful
distinction in the first instance; and its continuance was
largely due to the fact that nearly all the prisoners captured
in large bodies by the Federal arms were taken in the
38 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
West; whereas it was the Eastern Union armies that filled
Andersonville and other Southern prison camps.
CAMP DOUGLAS A MENACE TO THE TIMID, A RESORT FOR
THE YOUNG
The Rebel horde that was confined in Camp Douglas
was a source of mixed sensations to the people of the city.
To the timid it was an ever-present menace ; and during its
continuance real estate in its neighborhood was little in de-
mand for permanent improvement, though considerable
ground thereabout was covered by temporary ramshackles,
occupied by dealers in provisions. But for young people
it was as natural on a summer Sunday afternoon to take a
horse car for Camp Douglas (and a most tedious ride it
was) as it is in these days for the same kind to take a trol-
ley for Riverview; and in this they but followed a habit
that had grown upon thousands when Camp Douglas was
a great recruiting rendezvous, and there were fathers,
brothers, or sweethearts to visit. Furthermore, for a con-
siderable period after the surrender of Harper's Ferry to
the Confederates, something like seven thousand paroled
Union prisoners were added to the camp's population; and
until these were exchanged, the place was doubly besieged
by the personally interested and the merely curious. There
was, to be sure, little enough for the latter to see when they
got there, unless provided with passes ; but for most of this
sort it was enough that the place brought them in imagina-
tion in contact with something that resembled the seat of
war.
QUESTIONABLE AMUSEMENTS AT THE CAMP
Because of these never-failing Sunday crowds, there
had blossomed in the neighborhood other attractions in the
guise of " summer gardens," with all the noxious allure-
en
THE WAR FACE AT HOME 39
ments common to resorts of this character. And so much
depends on the point of view, that had this form of diver-
sion been reported as associated with any Southern prison
pen, the inflamed Northern imagination would readily have
colored it into a "heartless" or even a "fiendish" gloat.
CAMP DOUGLAS COMPARED WITH ANDERSONVHJLJE
This writer had little trouble to secure admission to
Camp Douglas, where he mingled freely with the "Johnny
Rebs." He found them apparently well fed; and they
certainly appeared a jolly lot, much given to horse-play.
By a class of Northern apologists for the state of things
reported about Andersonville, it has been asserted that
matters were in all respects equally bad at Camp Douglas ;
but for such a contention there is as little foundation as
there would have been excuse for its existence. Camp
Douglas was at the door of the greatest food stores in the
world; and if in such case the prisoners were persistently
starved, as has been charged against Andersonville, such a
condition could be attributed only to deliberate malice;
whereas the excuse of the South has been that they had not
always the wherewith to supply their captives, and that, on
the whole, they were as well cared for as their own men in
the field at various exigent times.
THE CAMP'S UNSANITARY CONDITION
However, as to the charge of unsatisfactory sanitary
conditions until matters had come to a pretty sad pass,
that is unf ortunately only too well founded. When the
camp was laid out as a mustering station, a thorough sani-
tary system was recommended, but because it was sup-
posed to be only a temporary arrangement, this was not
carried out; consequently, it was in this respect far from
40 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
ideal even as a rendezvous for the Federal recruits. Then,
when it is borne in mind that the Southern clay-eating
"cracker 55 naturally associates suggestions of muck with
comfort, in view of the Camp's overcrowded condition,
serious consequences to the health of the occupants were
inevitable. But this applies only to the first half of the
prison's existence. Later it was placed in an admirable
sanitary, condition.
FKEQTJENT CHANGES IN THE PERSONNEL OF THE CAMP
Camp Douglas, first as a rendezvous for the early en-
listments, and later as the principal Northern prison for
captured Confederates, was for four years so continually
in people's thoughts, and its varied phases, frequent trans-
formations, and moving incidents in so many ways register
the changing tides of the great struggle, that its part in
the pageant of war-time Chicago calls for more than a
passing notice. It was ever in a state of flux. One day So -
and-so would be in command, and such-and-such contin-
gents would rendezvous there; and, later, this or another
regiment! would be on guard, and this or that variety of
Jefferson Davis's myrmidons would be its guests ; and lo !
in the twinkling of an eye, the entire personnel would be
changed, and hardly a single familiar name or feature
remain.
The camp was located by order of Governor Yates, in
September, 1861. Previous to this, the environs of the city
had been dotted with camps, hurriedly improvised, and
during their temporary existence these were known as
"Camp Douglas" (south of the permanent enclosure),
"Camp Song," "Camp Mulligan," "Camp Sigel,"
"Camp Dunne," "Camp Fremont," "Camp Ellsworth,"
"Camp Mather," "Camp Webb," etc.
THE WAR FACE AT HOME 41
THE CAMP'S LOCATION AND COMMANDERS
The permanent Camp Douglas comprised about sixty
acres, just outside the southern city limits, about the pres-
ent Thirty-fourth Street, and facing Cottage Grove Ave-
nue. Its first commander was Colonel Joseph H. Tucker;
the first troops to occupy it were Brackett's Ninth Illinois
Cavalry; and inside of a month there were nearly 5,000
.men in camp. In the early part of October, Colonel Mul-
ligan surrendered to General Price at Lexington, Mo.;
and then this brave Irishman was placed in charge, while
he and his paroled regiment, the Twenty-third Illinois,
were awaiting a return to the field through an exchange-
In a few months they were free to reenlist, and then Col-
onel Tucker resumed command. About this time the cap-
ture of Fort Donelson brought some 5,000 prisoners to the
camp.
ACCESS OF PAROLED PRISONERS AFTER HARPER'S FERRY
As an offset in the game of war, there was a surrender
of something like an army corps of Union men at Harper's
Ferry; and Colonel Cameron, whose regiment, the Scottish,
was among the captured, was placed in charge. Not only
his own command, but most of those captured in its com-
pany, were brought to Chicago to do garrison duty while
awaiting exchange. There were thus gathered at the camp
besides the Scotchmen, the Thirty-ninth, Ninety-third, One
Hundred and Eleventh, One Hundred and Fifteenth, One
Hundred and Twenty-fifth and Twenty-sixth New York
regiments, as weU as the men of a New Yprk battery of
heavy artillery; the Thirty-ninth and Sixty-sixth Ohio,
part of the Twelfth Illinois battery, and the Second Ver-
mont. There were now about as many Union troops as
Rebel prisoners in virtual durance, and during this state
42 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
of congestion, the barracks occupied by the Federals were
burned no less than three times; whether by accident or de-
sign was never definitely determined.
After the Union forces had been exchanged, the camp
was commanded in quick succession by General Ammen,
Captain Phillips, Captain Turner, General Orme, Colonel
Strong, General Sweet, Captain Shurley, and Captain
Phettyplace.
MANY ESCAPES IN ITS EARLY DAYS
In the early days of the camp as a prison, there were a
number of escapes, for only a fairly high board fence stood
between the inmates and liberty. But, as one humorist re-
marked on his quick recapture, "it was a good deal easier
to get out than to stay out." At one time several score
made their escape, but hardly one got back to Dixie, for
their tattered butternut jeans were a constant "give-away."
If without funds, they were soon compelled to come from
under cover; while in cases where friends had provided
the "Johnnie Graybacks" with Yankee greenbacks, the
temptation to enjoy themselves after a long abstinence so
frequently overcame their caution, that a goodly number
were returned by way of the police court.
At first there were only moderate restrictions on "gifts
from friends"; but when turkeys were found "fatted and
stuffed" with revolvers, and homespuns were discovered
lined with Uncle Sam's circulating medium, more rigid
examinations followed. Where it was denied those seized
with wanderlust to negotiate the fence or bribe their way
out, they took to digging tunnels, and by this means quite
a number managed to reach the outside. As it was nearly
impossible to put a stop to these burrowings so long as the
floors of the barracks were near the ground, and many of
By Courtesy of the Chioasro Ilistorioal Society
COL. (LATER GKN.) BENJAMIN J. SWEET
(Commander at Camp Douglas; Pension Apfent after the \Var)
THE WAR FACE AT HOME 43
the diggings but a few feet from the fence, the floors were
in time raised six feet or more on piles, so that the patrols
could always see what was going on underneath. Finally
the fence was replaced by a heavy oak stockade twelve feet
in height, surmounted by a railed platform, from which the
patrolling sentinels could readily overlook every part of the
enclosure. There were fewer escapes after that.
EXCHANGES OF PRISONERS
The prisoners kept coming and going. At first Uncle
Sam refused to treat with the Rebel authorities at Rich-
mond in any way, as savoring of recognition; but in time
exchanges were duly effected. Sometimes there would be
as many as 10,000 or more, and later only some skeletons
of regiments. Then a new contingent would arrive ; and
altogether the number imprisoned aggregated over 30,000.
Among those to put in a forced appearance were the "Mor-
gan raiders" captured in the Fall of 1863, at Salem, Ohio.
These numbered something like 5,000, many of them Ken-
tuckians, and were by far the j oiliest lot of the various con-
signments. When time hung heavily on their hands they
improvised "shows," had mock trials for all manner of of-
fences, and did quite a trade in jack-knife handiwork, with
an eye to tobacco. A good deal of the labor involved in
putting the barracks on piles was done by the prisoners,
as was most of the regular work of the camp.
A "GAMBLER" AMONG THE PRISONERS
But there was also a "serious" side to the diversions of
the "Johnnies." General Sweet, who had an eye for things
unnoticed by others, began to suspect that something sin-
ister was undermining the morals of his charges. There
was about many a look of utter dejection, as if they had
lost their all, and life was no longer worth living. He set
44 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
to work to find the cause, and discovered that a former New
Orleans gambler had improvised a faro "lay-out." We in
Chicago had indulged the conceit that almost all of that
kidney who infested the lower Mississippi at the out-
break of the war had made their way to Randolph Street;
but somehow this one must have been headed off. How-
ever, the fact remains that the confiding "crackers" were
being "robbed" in a most heartless and expeditious man-
ner; and it was the "ruin" so plainly written on their faces
that put the commander on the scent. Discovery was fol-
lowed by swift action. The "lair" was surrounded, every
avenue of escape with ill-gotten booty was closely guarded,
and in the official report of the Adjutant-General of Illi-
nois it is stated that no less than $150,000 was duly con-
fiscated. The "banker" made a most melting plea to be
allowed to retain his gains, but all his protestations went
for nought. He said he had been reared in the balmy
South, amid palms and orange groves; avowed that ex-
perience had taught him that Uncle Sam was none too
free with his coal to shield Sensitive souls like himself
against the rigors of a Northern winter, and he had looked
forward with glowing anticipations to the prospect of sup-
plementing the frugal dole of his captors with an accum-
ulation of fuel of his own. That this pampered Southron
had a substantial grievance in having his prospect of
"money to burn" so ruthlessly dashed, may well be ad-
mitted; for the high quality of heat potential in Confed-
erate currency has never been seriously called in question.
Toward the close of the war, when it was only too evi-
dent that the cause of the South was hopeless, several hun-
dred prisoners joined Uncle Sam's navy: this branch being
selected as obviating the possibility of coming face to face
with their old comrades in arms.
THE WAR FACE AT HOME 45
A CONSPIRACY TO LIBERATE THE PRISONERS
Much has been written about the conspiracy to liberate
the Confederate prisoners, with the object of harassing
the rear of the Union armies. The exact truth about this
attempt may never be known, for there were political ex-
igencies to be served that might well have tempted to an
exaggeration or distortion of appearances. That there was
some foundation for all the excitement stirred up may well
be admitted; but that any wholesale scheme of liberation
was contemplated or seriously furthered by the Confeder-
ate authorities is highly improbable. What could such a
horde, even if partially provided with arms, have accom-
plished, a thousand miles or more from any helpful sup-
port? To be sure, it might well have brought about the
fate that overtook Chicago a few years later; but such an
adventure could have had no appreciable effect on the for-
tunes of the war, and the consequences would have fallen
in the end most heavily on the heads of those who had pro-
moted the offence.
AN INCIDENT AS EVIDENCE OF LAX SURVEILLANCE
That there were not wanting opportunities for hatch-
ing a conspiracy between those within the camp and any
sympathizing and adventurous friends outside, is not open
to doubt. There was a goodly number of Kentuckians
among the prisoners, and there was also a considerable
Kentucky element in the city's population, with quite a
sprinkling of relatives within the enclosure; and as illus-
trating the lax surveillance, and the ease with which inter-
communication was maintained, I have permission to make
use of the following incident.
Mr. Henry E. Hamilton, one of Chicago's oldest and
best known citizens, was distantly related to Buckner S.
46 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
Morris. In the course of a settlement of some family prop-
erty, he had occasion to seek the ex-mayor and ex-judge,
then living on Michigan Avenue, between Washington and
Madison Streets. Mr. Hamilton was accompanied by a
cousin, also interested in the property, whose home was in
Milwaukee. This cousin was a major in the Union army,
on leave, and in full uniform. The time was evening.
Their ring brought an old darkey to the door, who, on see-
ing a uniformed officer, appeared to be frightened out of
his wits, and, in answer to their query if the judge was at
home, replied in an obvious panic that he would go and
see. He was gone quite a while; and, in the meantime, the
visitors standing in the open door could not fail to note
considerable commotion within. Then all was still, and
they were led by way of the hall into the back parlor, where
the darkey said the judge would be pleased to see them.
The old gentleman appeared exceedingly perturbed, but
managed somehow to give them the information they de-
sired. When they were about to depart, Mrs. Morris en-
tered the room from the hall. She greeted the visitors in
high good humor, and remarked that she felt highly flat-
tered to meet so distinguished an officer. Then, in a spirit
of mingled raillery and bravado, she expressed a desire to
make him acquainted with some gentlemen of his own call-
ing. With that, to the obvious consternation of her hus-
band, she pushed back the folding doors and laughingly
revealed a group of men, whom she introduced as Confed-
erate officers from Camp Douglas, temporarily out on
"French leave." The situation brought about by a reck-
less woman's caprice was an exceedingly trying one for all
the men, and the one most concerned was probably the
Federal major; for as soon as they had made their exit,
he exclaimed to Mr. Hamilton: "My God, Henry! Un-
HON. BUCKNKR S. MORRIS
(Chicago's Second Mayor)
THE WAR FACE AT HOME 47
less I inform on these men and set about to have them
arrested, I may be shot for this." Mr. Hamilton did his
best to make light of the adventure, but at the same time
advised his cousin to take an early train back to Milwaukee,
which he did.
JUDGE MORRIS AND HIS WIFE FRIENDLY TO THE PRISONERS
Mrs. Morris had charge of the distribution of clothing
sent to prisoners by their friends in the South. Through
this service she became a frequent visitor at the camp, and
naturally made many acquaintances among the inmates.
She is spoken of as a woman of extraordinary charm, one
whom it was difficult to resist; and it is possible that she
had somewhat to do with assisting her friends to an oc-
casional "outing." It is said that the camp authorities
sometimes permitted officers to visit their friends in the
city under an honor pledge. But aside from this, it was
pretty well established that the guards found it conducive
to their prosperity to close an eye occasionally.
The judge was treasurer of the local "Sons of Lib-
erty," a secret organization whose ulterior purposes remain
a moot question. That it was distinctly unfriendly to the
war may well be affirmed, but between such a state of
feeling and overt acts of treason there is a considerable
margin; and there is little trustworthy evidence that the
organization ever contemplated giving substantial assist-
ance to the South.
TWO ALLEGED CONSPIRACIES
According to the record there were two conspiracies
hatched in Canada to liberate the Rebel prisoners at Camp
Douglas. It was in connection with the second that Judge
Morris was arrested, tried, and found not guilty. The first
48 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
was at the time of the Democratic Convention in August,
1864. The reason for choosing this occasion, it is alleged,
was that it afforded an excellent opportunity, without ex-
citing suspicion, for gathering a force to cooperate with
the prisoners to effect their escape. The vigilance of the
camp authorities is supposed to have nipped this affair in
the bud. No arrests were made. The next " conspiracy"
was timed even more auspiciously: it was simultaneous
with the presidential election; but whether formed by
Copperheads or "Black Republicans" it would be hazard-
ous to decide. At all events, the reported danger led the
authorities to strengthen the defensive force at the camp.
Among the "conspirators" arrested were Colonel G.
St. Leger Grenf ell, Colonel Vincent Marmaduke, Colonel
Ben Anderson, and Captains Castleman, Cantrill, and
Raphael S. Semmes. Although these had all been active
fighting men, accustomed to command (Colonel Grenf ell
having been at one time the raider Morgan's chief of staff) ,
it was eminently fitting to this whole business that they
should consent to serve under one "Brigadier-General"
Charles Walsh, of the "Sons of Liberty," in the cellar of
whose house in the southern part of the city many revolvers
are alleged to have been found; but through an oversight
they were never put on exhibition.
OBJECTS OF THE SECOND CONSPIRACY
The objects of this "conspiracy" are reported by wit-
nesses at the trial in Cincinnati to have included the fol-
lowing choice examples of operations: "To attack Camp
Douglas, release the prisoners, and with their aid seize the
polls, allowing none but Copperheads to vote." Not con-
tent with this infringement on the inalienable rights of
c
^
o
O
r!
X
THE WAR FACE AT HOME 49
American citizenship, "the ballot boxes were to be stuffed,
so that the vote of the State might be declared for McClel-
lan." Then, and not until then, the city was to be "utterly
sacked, burning every description of property, except what
they could appropriate for their own use, and that of their
Southern brethren; to lay the city waste [though, accord-
ing to programme, already destroyed by fire] and carry
off its money and stores' to Jefferson Davis's dominions."
And the official report of General Sweet, the Commander
at Camp Douglas, is scarcely less melodramatic. This
highly esteemed soldier is credited with a most lively im-
agination, and, although a teetotaler, it is affirmed that he
sometimes "saw things" in their absence.
SENTENCES OF THE CONSPIEATORS
Colonel Grenfell was actually sentenced to death by
the court. "Brigadier-General" Walsh was sentenced to
three years, and Raphael S. Semmes to two years, in the
penitentiary. But strange to say, none of these sentences
went into effect: although, to save appearances, Colonel
Grenfell was banished for a short time to the Dry
Tortugas by a climatic inversion Uncle Sam's war-time
Siberia.
Both "conspiracies" were alleged to have been plotted
in Windsor, Canada, by Jacob Thompson, of Missis-
sippi, Secretary of the Interior under President Buchanan;
and he is reported to have been supplied with plenty of
money to carry out his nefarious schemes. Considering
the state of Jefferson Davis's exchequer, if Thompson real-
ly had "plenty of money," it must have been of the Con-
federate variety, quoted about that time at thirty cents a
bushel;
50 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
HABDSHIPS INFLICTED ON JUDGE MOKEIS
While Judge Morris was awaiting trial in Cincinnati
a daughter died at his Chicago home. Permission was
given hirn to attend the funeral ; and it was under a military
escort that the grief -stricken father entered the room to
look for the last time on the face of his beloved child.
That great injustice was done to Judge Morris in sub-
jecting him to a trial under charges implying all manner
of moral turpitude, a trial which through the costliness of
defence in a far-off city brought about his financial ruin,
became in time the settled public opinion, and was can-
didly voiced by Captain Shurley, a successor to General
Sweet as Commandant of Camp Douglas, in these words :
"History should do justice to Judge Buckner S. Morris.
He was entirely innocent."
It is not pleasant to reflect that Mrs. Morris, so loyal
to a misguided section of her country, should not have
shown more of the same spirit to her aged husband in the
days of his adversity. She was a Kentucky Blackburn, a
sister of both the Senator and that Dr. Luke Blackburn
who during the war was accused without warrant, let
us trust of a desire to poison Northern wells, and who
was subsequently one of Kentucky's Governors. It is suf-
ficient to say that during the judge's later years, so full of
heart-breaking memories, Mrs. Morris made her home with
her brothers.
CHAPTER IV
SUPPRESSION OF THE "TIMES"
GENERAL BITRNSIDE SUPPRESSES THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE CITY
ITS EDITOR FAR FROM DISPLEASED DANGER OF A LOCAL REBEL-
LION THE "TRIBUNE" THREATENED WITH DESTRUCTION COL-
ONEL JENNISON IN CHARGE OF ITS DEFENCES MASS MEETINGS
FOR AND AGAINST THE ORDER JUDGE DRUMMOND FORBIDS
FURTHER ACTION BY THE MILITARY APPEAL TO THE PRESIDENT
THE ORDER RESCINDED.
ONE of the most exciting events in the annals of Chi-
cago was the suppression of the Times, on June 2,
1863, by military edict. General Ambrose E. Burn-
side, chiefly distinguished for a magnificent pair of side-
whiskers, had command of the department which included
Chicago, with headquarters at Cincinnati; and from thence,
on June 1, 1863, there issued a mandate, excluding the
New York World from the mails within his military juris-
diction; and an order to General Sweet, Commander at
Camp Douglas, to take charge of the Times office and
prevent any further issues of that notorious Copperhead
sheet.
THE EDITOR NOT DISPUEASED
To call this order a blunder is the mildest characteriza-
tion that can be applied to it. The unthinking mass of Re-
publicans hailed it with delight, and gave it stout support.
But the more sober-minded leaders of the party fully ap-
preciated its menace not only to civil liberty, but to law and
order. Perhaps the one personally least concerned in this
crisis was the owner and editor of the Times, Wilbur F.
Storey. It required no prophet to predict that the order
51
52 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
would not stand; and in the meantime it gave the paper
a country-wide notoriety, while the act served only to give
color to the often reiterated charge (that for which the pa-
per was suppressed), namely, that "the war, as waged by
military satraps of the administration, was a subversion of
the Constitution and the people's rights under the law."
To the Copperhead leaders the order came as a god-
send. Through an irresponsible military zealot they had at
one bound been fixed in the saddle, booted and spurred,
with the hated "abolition" enemy divided, distracted, and
on the run. Let it be remembered that Chicago was in fact
a Democratic city; that it had a Democratic Mayor and
Council; and that the Times was the municipality's of-
ficial organ.
DANGER OF REBELLION
The order was in effect a declaration ol martial law.
Only by a military force could it be carried out and main-
tained, for the entire civil machinery, including the United
States Court, was opposed to it. Another step, and the
city, the State, and wide areas beyond might be in the
throes of a civil war within a civil war. As soon as
the news of what was to happen spread among the people,
the strain between the opposing sides became threateningly
tense, and with "Copperheadism" most resolutely to the
fore; while on every side one heard the threat, which grew
with each hour, "If the Times is not allowed to publish,
there will be no Tribune/*
As soon as the news of the intended suppression
reached the Times office, every department received a rush
order, and the press (this was before the days of stereo-
typing, and the duplication of "forms") was set in motion
at the earliest possible hour; while the issue as fast as
printed was bundled out of the building into safe quarters
SUPPRESSION OF THE "TIMES" 53
for distribution. A horseman was sent to Camp Douglas,
with orders to speed to the office as soon as a detachment
of the garrison was seen to leave the camp. He arrived
shortly after two o'clock with the report that the "Lincoln
hirelings" had started; and within an hour a file of soldiers
broke into the office and formally took possession. When
everything had been brought to a standstill, and the place
put in charge of a care-taker, the troops departed; but
word was left that at the first sign of activity they would
return. They did return shortly, on an unfounded report
that an attempt was being made to issue a supplementary
edition.
A MASS MEETING
All through the day great crowds were gathered about
the Randolph Street entrance of the publication office; and
by evening the thoroughfare from State Street to Dear-
born Street was a solid pack of humanity* Meantime the
city had been flooded with handbills calling upon the
people to resent this military interference with the freedom
of the press, and making announcement that a mass meet-
ing in protest of the order would be held on the north
side of the Court House Square in the evening. When
the time for this meeting came, and a thousand oft-repeated
cries of "Storey," "Storey." had met with no response,
the crowd spontaneously moved two blocks west to the
Square, where by eight o'clock an estimated crowd of
twenty thousand people was gathered, which was to the
full the city's total voting population.
The situation certainly called for serious, deliberate,
and concerted action on the part of all law-and-order-
loving citizens. While the rank and file of the opposing
currents stood face to face in sullen, menacing opposition,
the conservative leaders of both sides were in council to
54 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
avert threatening trouble. At a mob demonstration the
Copperhead faction would undoubtedly have had a numer-
ical advantage, besides having the partisan police o;i its
side. But this was at least partly offset by the fact that
the militia had been placed under arms, and could be
depended on to side with the war party; and, moreover,
in any protracted struggle, there was the Camp Douglas
garrison to fall back upon, though any considerable with-
drawal from that Rebel stronghold might in the circum-
stances have been a hazardous adventure.
SPEAKERS ADVISE PRUDENCE
The greatest concern was lest the meeting fall into the
hands of irresponsible Copperhead demagogues who might
inflame it to action* A favorite speaker with the Demo-
cratic masses was E. W. McComas, an ex-Lieutenant-
Governor of Virginia, and editor of the Times under a
former regime. He called the meeting to order, and de-
voted his introductory remarks to a counsel of prudence.
Then he introduced Samuel W. Fuller as chairman, who
spoke at considerable length in the same strain. After
Fuller came General Singleton, a fiery Democratic war
horse from the central part of the State, under whose
lashings of the administration the meeting was brought
close to the danger line. He was followed by E. G. Asay,
another Democrat, in a more conciliatory vein. Then
came Wirt Dexter, a prominent Republican lawyer, with
the message that steps were being taken by leading men
from both sides to have the Burnside order rescinded. He
voiced in no uncertain tones the opposition of the con-
servative element of his party to this military interference
with the freedom of the press, and assured the crowd that
the measures to be taken would surely result in the Presi-
THE COURT HOUSE IN 1860
(Nucleus of Business Centre, Political Rallying Place,
Highest Point of Observation)
SUPPRESSION OF THE "TIMES" 55
dent's rescinding the order. This speech had an excellent
effect on the assemblage, and the danger point was passed.
ANOTHER MEETING ASKS THE EESCINDING OF THE OBDEB
While the mass meeting was in progress outside,
another was taking place in one of the court rooms.
Judge Van H. Higgins was at this time a stockholder in
the Tribune, and its property was in danger. Largely
through his efforts prominent men from both sides had
been brought together, and Mayor Sherman was called
to the chair. The meeting was addressed among others
by Judge Van H. Higgins, Senator Lyman Trumbull,
Congressman I. N. Arnold, and Wirt Dexter for the Re-
publicans ; and by William B. Ogden, S. S. Hayes, A. W*
Arrington, and M. F. Tuley for the Democrats.
On motion of William B. Ogden, Chicago's first
Mayor, the following preamble and resolution were
adopted:
"Whereas, In the opinion of this meeting of citizens of all parties,
the peace of this city and State, if not also the general welfare of the
country, are likely to be promoted by the suspension or rescinding of
the recent order of General Burnside for the suppression of The Chi-
cago Times: therefore
"Resolved, That upon the ground of expediency alone, such of our
citizens as concur in this opinion, without regard to party, are hereby
recommended to unite in a petition to the President, respectfully asking
the suspension or rescinding of the order."
When one contrasts this negative and colorless declara-
tion with any word pro or con that might have been sent
to the President as expressive of the sentirrients of the
passion-blown crowd outside, one feels instinctively that
all the elements that entered into the problem before the
meeting of leaders were weighed with the utmost care, and
the equation reduced to its dynamic minimum*
56 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
THE RESOLUTIONS FOftWABDED TO THE PBESIDENT
On motion Messrs. William B, Ogden, Van H. Hig-
gins, A. C. Coventry, Hugh T. Dickey and C. Beckwith
were appointed a committee to promote the circulation of
the petition among the people. The resolutions were at
once forwarded to the President, with an additional tele-
gram signed jointly hy Senator Trumhull and Congress-
man Arnold, praying him to give the voice of the meeting
immediate and serious consideration.
JUDGE DEUMMOND FORBIDS FURTHER ACTION BY THE
MILITARY
And still further action was taken to restore the bal-
ance between the civil and military powers so rudely dis-
turbed. The courts were appealed to, and shortly after
midnight Judge Henry Drummond of the United States
Court, issued a writ directing the military authorities to
take no further steps to carry into effect the Burnside
order.
No man stood higher in the community than Judge
Drummond, In issuing the order his honor spoke these
pregnant words:
"I may be pardoned for saying that, personally and officially, I
desire to give every aid and assistance in my power to the Government
and to the administration in restoring the Union. But I have always
wished to treat the Government as a Government of law and a Govern-
ment of the Constitution, and not as a Government of mere physical
force. I personally have contended, and shall always contend, for the
right of free discussion, and the right of commenting under the law,
and under the Constitution, upon the acts of officers of the Govern-
ment."
COLONEL JENNISON PROTECTS THE " TRIBUNE " OFFICE
How serious the menace to the Tribune was regarded
may be judged from the fact that the correspondent of the
SUPPRESSION OP THE "TIMES" 57
New York Herald closed his despatch for the night, "At
this hour the Tribune still stands." None were more
alive to the danger threatening their property than the
owners of this resolute war paper* According to reports
the old Clark Street rookery opposite the Sherman House,
and within sound of the clamor of the great assemblage,
had been transformed into an arsenal, with Colonel Jen-
nison, of "Jayhawking" notoriety, in command. This
whilom lieutenant of "Ossawattamie" Brown, during the
trying "Bloody Kansas" days, was endowed by the mass
of Republicans with an almost superhuman prowess; and
at the same time was a veritable red rag to the Copperhead
bull. He was togged in quite the present cowboy fashion;
and whenever seen on the street was followed by a crowd
of gaping admirers. Armed men, according to rumor,
had been quietly smuggled to the lofts of various build-
ings about the Tribune; and, in case the journalistic
stronghold was attacked, on a word from this leader
they would strew Clark Street with Copperhead corpses.
These reports, however small their foundation, had no
doubt a salutary effect on the more timid.
That Colonel Jennison was en rapport with the deni-
zens of a number of upper floors in the neighborhood, there
is no manner of doubt. There were human wild beasts to
subdue in that vicinage; and, as a hunter who could track
the "tiger" to his lair, the Colonel had few equals.
A MEETING IN SUPPORT OF SUPPRESSION
The Democrats having had their inning, there was a
gathering in force of Republicans on the following even-
ing, their obvious object being to call to account those
members of the party who had memorialized the President
to undo the work of Burnside. When Senator Trumbull
58 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
undertook to address the meeting he found the crowd in
a very ugly mood. He was frequently interrupted, again
and again charged with consorting with "traitors," with
aiding and abetting the enemy, while over and over again
there were cries, "We want Jennison," "Jennison is the
man for us." On the same evening a meeting, at which
practically all the newspapers of the city were represented,
was held in New York, with Horace Greeley in the chair,
and the Burnside order was denounced in no uncertain
terms.
On the following day, June 4, General Burnside an-
nounced that the President had rescinded both the World
and Times military order. The result was that the circu-
lation of the Times was largely increased.
CHAPTER V
POLITICAL STRIFE
CHICAGO'S VOTE AS WELL AS THAT OF THE STATE OPPOSED TO THE
WAR THE LEGISLATURE PROROGUED TO PREVENT THE PASSAGE
OP PEACE RESOLUTIONS ULTRA ABOLITIONISTS AND COPPER-
HEADS SIMILARITY OF SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS DEACON
CARPENTER AND DR. N. S. DAVIS AS TYPES OP OPPOSED LEADERS
REPUBLICANS MORE APOLOGETIC THAN DEMOCRATS FOR THEIR EX-
TREMISTS UNPOPULARITY OF SO-CALLED "NIGGER" CHURCHES
VARIOUS SHADES OF ANTI-WAR AND DISUNION SENTIMENT THE
AUTHOR'S OPPORTUNITIES FOR FORMING OPINIONS THE PSY-
CHOLOGY OF THE COPPERHEAD.
IT was by weight of character rather than of numbers
that Chicago was able during much of the four years of
the war to present a bold, if not always a fear-inspiring
front to the enemy; for there were times when the numer-
ical balance was distinctly against such an attitude. In
the Spring of I860, when there was little thought of war,
out of a total vote of 18,747, John Wentworth, Republi-
can, defeated Walter S. Gurnee, Democrat, by a majority
of 1,267. In the following spring, at the very height of
the Fort Sumter excitement, out of a total vote of 14,677,
Julian S. Rumsey, Republican, defeated Thomas B.
Bryan, Democrat, by a majority of 1,463. Then, in 1862,
under the influence of the war, out of a total vote of
13,670, Francis C. Sherman, Democrat, defeated Charles
N. Holden, Republican, by a majority of 1,188; and again
in 1863, out of a total vote of 20,346 (a remarkable in-
crease in the aggregate vote) , Francis C. Sherman, Demo-
crat, defeated so formidable a rival as Thomas B. Bryan,
heading a Union ticket, by a majority of 588 whereas
59
60 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
two years later (the election having in the meantime been
changed from annual to biennial), with the final victory
of the Union arms assured, out of a total vote of 16,505,
John B. Rice, Republican, defeated Francis C. Sherman,
the perennial Democratic candidate, by a majority of
5,649.
THE WHOLE STATE OPPOSED TO THE WAR
When to the above showing it is added that in the
most disastrous period of the war the whole State showed
an implied opposition to the war, by electing what was
stigmatized as a Copperhead Legislature, and that this
not only elected a United State Senator distinctly opposed
to the war, but was prorogued by Richard Yates, the
resolute War Governor, on a technicality, to prevent it
from memorializing Congress to call a "Peace Conven-
tion" which in the circumstances was equivalent to an
avowal of sympathy with disunion, the stress during
1862, 1863, and the greater part of 1864, under almost
uninterrupted defeats in the eastern field of operations,
can be measurably realized.
FRANCIS c. SHERMAN'S WAVERING CHARACTER
Francis C. Sherman, a rather negative character, at the
beginning of the war was an avowed War Democrat, and
his son, Francis T., a very resolute character, led a regi-
ment into the field, and returned as General Sherman*
As time went on, the elder became less outspoken for the
war; and the fact that he permitted himself to head a
party dominated by its peace-at-any-price element, made
his position, to say the least, an equivocal one. In this,
however, he only reflected the average of his party: which
through loyalty to a name, and dislike of its opponents,
permitted a determined minority to place it in a position
POLITICAL STRIFE 61
pregnant with disaster to the cause of the Union. And
so, as one discouraging factor is added to another, the
wonder grows how the good fight was fought to a tri-
umphant end*
EFFECT OF THE FIRING ON FOET SUMTER
Whoever studies the scant records that escaped the
fire, cannot fail to he surprised at the many names promi-
nently associated with the first uprising for the Union,
which, hy the Summer of 1862, had come to be classed
among the disaffected. Many of this number, and especi-
ally those of Southern birth, took a leading part in the
early demonstrations for the Union, in the evident hope of
breaking the force of the impact between the contending
parties, and, for a time, met with some success in tempering
the resolutions adopted at Union meetings. But when
Smnter was fired on, all talk of concessions to or compro-
mise with the secession spirit caine at once to an end, and
only the tocsins of war could get a hearing. Then, when in
the preparatory steps for the defence of the Union, com-
mittees were appointed, it no doubt happened that names
were included whose bearers not only rendered no active
service, but the rather, as the struggle went on, either
hedged themselves about with constitutional objections to
the war, or assumed an attitude that, by those whose hearts
and souls were bound up with the cause of the North, was
held to give substantial "aid and comfort" to the enemy.
CONSERVATIVE ATTITUDE OF MANY REPUBLICANS
It is in the light of the strong reaction, especially
among the Irish on account of the negro, that the conserv-
ative, nay, apologetic, attitude of a considerable element
in the Republican party must be sought. With the solid
62 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
South in rebellion, it would not do to solidify needlessly
the Northern discontent; and hence the moral issue in-
volved with the Emancipation Proclamation, now ever held
in such a strong light, was rarely hrought to the fore,
except hy the old-line Abolitionists, who, on occasion, stood
hardly higher in favor with the mass of Republicans than
the detested Copperheads.
AGGRESSIVENESS OF THE ABOLITIONISTS
It was far more through a bold front and the invin-
cible logic of events, than by force of numbers, that the
Abolitionist became a determining factor in the issue of
the war. He was as often a malcontent as a supporter
of the administration. It was ever too slow for him, too
much given to looking on all sides of the questions pre-
sented for solution. For the Abolitionist there was ever
and always but one side. And even when the slave had
been freed, so far as a presidential proclamation could
effect his freedom, there was no end to the fault-finding
by the more aggressive wing of the abolition party, which,
until the close of the war, and the death of Lincoln, fre-
quently failed to fuse with the Republican party.
MOST EEPUBLICANS NOT ABOLITIONISTS
While it would not be true to say that the bulk of
the Republican party did not endorse the Emancipation
Proclamation, it yet remains to say that in public a ma-
jority of its members seldom went beyond standing for
it as a war measure* They accepted the fact, and on the
whole, gladly; but their anti-slavery sentiments would
never have moved them to urge the measure insistently,
except at most as a help in crushing the Rebellion. No,
POLITICAL STRIFE 63
those who were Abolitionists in principle, and by word and
deed bore testimony to their faith, were neither numerous
nor highly esteemed of the community in general; and the
few churches from whose pulpits the sinfulness of slavery
was proclaimed, were often as much out of favor with
Republicans as with Democrats*
UNPOPULARITY OF ABOLITION CHURCHES
In every considerable town in the North there was
generally one "nigger church/ 5 that is, one pulpit from
which slavery was in some degree proclaimed a sin; but
it was seldom a leading one in any community or denom-
ination. And a church that would be "nigger" in one
place, in another might well be held quite innocent of any
covert designs against the "peculiar institution": it was
merely that a "nigger church" was a necessity to the
suspicious pro-slavery mind; and churches often were
called "nigger" on the merest rumor that the minister was
not altogether sound on the main question.
The writer, prior to coming to Chicago, spent the first
year of the war in Galena, then a city of about twelve
thousand inhabitants. From that city came the General
of the Army, U. S. Grant, four Major-Generals, to wit,
John A. Rawlins, John E. Smith, Jasper A. Maltby, and
A. L. Chetlain, with lesser military lights in due propor-
tion; its Congressman, E. B. Washburne, was the Repub-
lican leader of the nation's House of Representatives ; and
in this burg, so distinguished in the annals of the war for
freedom, a Congregational minister (one of the noblest
men and most eloquent preachers) was excluded from all
regular pulpits, and relegated to a third-rate hall, because
he dared to avow himself an Abolitionist.
64 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
VARIOUS DEGREES OF ABOLITIONISM
Before the war, and in the early days of the struggle,
abolitionism was of many degrees. To many Democrats
all Republicans were indiscriminately "black Abolition-
ists"; by Republicans themselves many shades were dis-
tinguished, and the darkest variety was usually excluded
both from party councils and the feast where "loaves and
fishes" were served; while among those who frankly
avowed themselves Abolitionists, only those were recog-
nized as of the true faith who were in some sort connected
with the "Underground Railroad," and could be depended
upon to aid and abet any hazardous rescue work.
The writer has been at some pains to list those Chi-
cagoans who, in the trying days, were not only willing to
stand up and be counted, but belonged to the inner or
esoteric group, and the following make up the total he
has been able to distinguish: Zabina Eastman, Philo Car-
penter, Dr. C. V. Dyer, Allan Pinkerton, L. C. P. Freer,
James H. Collins (died before the war) , Calvin DeWolf,
the Rev. L, F. Bascomb, S. D. Childs, H. L. Fulton, N.
Rossiter, and J. B. Bradwell.
NORTHERN OPPONENTS OF THE WAR
When beginning this war-time sketch, the writer had
it in mind to go into some details regarding a goodly
number of well-known Chicagoans, who in those days of
frenzied partisanship and bitter, biting speech, were
frankly denounced by their "nigger-loving," "black abo-
lition," "Lincoln hireling" fellow-citizens as "Rebels,"
"venomous Copperheads," or "miserable dough-faces."
Some of these men in later years rose to very high places
on the bench, in political life, and in affairs generally.
Much has been forgiven, and it is surely best that more
POLITICAL STRIFE 65
be forgotten, especially where the hostility was implied
rather than brazenly expressed.
DE. N. S. DAVIS
One opponent of the war I feel moved to mention, how-
ever, and that chiefly because of an element of the per-
sonally picturesque. While the war was waging, intel-
lectual or^ moral scruples to its prosecution were to the
deeply stirred loyal masses simply inconceivable; and,
when expressed, were bluntly stigmatized as the merest
subterfuges to conceal ulterior, sinister motives. Yet I
am firmly persuaded that that immovable Jacksonian
Democrat (and a very Old Hickory, too, in appearance),
dear old Dr. N. S. Davis, opposed the war on grounds
of constitutional construction and none other: for, being
a York State man, he had no controlling Southern family
affiliations. The good doctor lived long enough to be well
remembered by a later generation; and few in Chicago
have died in greater honor. But in his virile manhood
he was a chronic storm centre; and it was only because
he was so much besides a Copperhead that his so fre-
quently ill-timed "constitutional" fulminations met with
toleration.
The doctor was one of those crystallized natures who
find it impossible to change, especially under any form of
menace or compulsion; and this immutability applied even
to his apparel, particularly to that relic of the Websterian
age, the swallow-tail. In general practice he was easily
the leading physician of the city, and he gave much of his
time to the poor. Behind a face set in those war days to
the rigidity of adamant, there yet breathed one of the
kindliest of natures, with open, helpful hands* Yes, the
doctor was essentially what is commonly called a "char-
66 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
acter," bristling with all manner of points. There was
not an ounce of spare flesh on his body; and in manner
as well as in feature, he typified the economy of incisiveness.
In the eyes of his patriotic neighbors he was a gross
political misfit. By all character signs, considering his
York State nativity, he should have been an uncompro-
mising, dyed-in-the-wool Abolitionist; for not only was he
a temperance advocate of the strictest sect, but in many
other respects had that itching for reforming things gen-
erally so characteristic of his ultra-political opponents.
All this made it difficult to account for him; it put him
distinctly in a class by himself; and it was above all others
the people who naturally were most in accord with him in
his various innocuous "fads" who felt most outraged,
because it was one of their very own peculiar kind who
so provoked their loyal wrath.
DEACON CARPENTER
Deacon Philo Carpenter, of the same grim, unyielding
stock, an uncompromising Abolitionist, stood most dis-
tinctly at the opposite pole to Dr. Davis. When these two
came to close quarters, as happened not infrequently,
more especially during the first year or two of the war,
however fiercely the battle might be raging in Dixie, atten-
tion was instantly diverted to the passage-at-arms between
these exemplars of concentrated inexpugnability.
In the records of the early days of the war the name
of Dr. Davis occurs frequently on committees, and he was
by an act of the Legislature made chairman of a State
medical board to pass upon applicants for positions as
surgeons for the State organization; and later he accepted
the position of surgeon to the Eighteenth Regiment. But
from this he soon resigned, probably for the reason that
DR. N. S. DAVIS
&..**&<" '
:>, - r -
''*/%
'' ' . lff"J;,^j^r^,
DEACON PHILO CARPENTER
POLITICAL STRIFE 67
he was no longer in sympathy with the war as conducted
by the administration.
HE DECLARES HIS ATTITUDE
Dr. Davis stood so high with his party that he was
chosen one of the delegates-at-large to what was generally
stigmatized as the " Copperhead National Convention/' of
1864. His general attitude is well summed up in the fol-
lowing extract from an address delivered by him during
the Convention week, before the "Invincible Club," and
reported in the Times:
"I deny that slavery has caused the war, but attribute it to the
pride, self -righteousness, and Pharisaism of the Christian Churches of
the North, which have corrupted the pure religion of the heart, and
substituted for it a bigoted fanaticism, that stands ready to wrap itself
in the mantle of self -righteousness, and arrogantly exclaim to all who do
not obey its dictates, 'I am holier than thou/ . . . From the com-
mencement of this conflict, I have, for one, entirely eschewed the word
loyal as having no place in the vocabulary of a Republican people.
There is one sense, and one only, in which the word loyal has any legi-
timate place whatever among a Republican people. It is the last and
most insignificant definition that is given to it by that old lexicogra-
pher, Noah Webster, which is 'obedience to law; faithfulness to law.'
In that meaning of the term it may be used by a Republican people.
But if you attach that meaning to the term, who are the loyal party?
Who are those who have been faithful to the Constitution and to the
laws of the Republic? Who and what party, in spirit, in temper, and
in acts, have trampled not only the law of the land, but the Constitu-
tion itself, under their feet? Who are the men that have thus trampled
law and the Constitution under their feet? Are they in the Demo-
cratic party? Are they in the great conservative portion of the peo-
ple?"
DEACON CABPEISTTER'S ACTS AS AN ABOLITIONIST
I have spoken of Deacon Philo Carpenter as standing
most conspicuously at the opposite pole to Dr. Davis,
68 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
Something more should be said of this veritable chip from
Plymouth Rock. The Deacon (he was deacon emeritus
in his last years) came to Chicago in 1832, and was largely
instrumental in organizing the First Presbyterian Church.
Later he moved to the West Side, and there joined the
Third Church. As an ingrained Abolitionist he attended
the Anti-Slavery Convention in Cincinnati in 1850, and
was a stanch supporter of The Alton Observer, whose bold
stand for the slave cost the editor. Love joy, his life. Ac-
cordingly, when, in 1851, the General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church decided to keep in fellowship with
slave-holders, he led a protest; and when in consequence,
by order of presbytery, their names were read out in
church, he arose and announced that on the following Sab-
bath public worship would be held in the adjoining chapel,
built by himself, and to which he still held title. At this
time, under the lead of Henry Ward Beecher and others
of his kind, the Congregational body was regarded as most
aggressively anti-slavery; and so the good Deacon organ-
ized the First Congregational Church, from which one hun-
dred and forty-one churches have since sprung. It soon
became known as the "nigger church," and in the circum-
stances only the stanchest kind of anti-slavery people had
the courage to cast their lot with it. Meantime the Deacon
had organized an "underground railroad,'* by means of
which something like two hundred slaves found their way
to freedom; and in many other ways he left his fellow-
citizens in no doubt as to his position in the country's great
moral crisis.* I shall speak in another place of the work
of the church and its distinguished pastor, in the days of
the war.
*In 1846 and again in 1847 Deacon Carpenter ran for Mayor on a straight
Abolition ticket against Democratic and Whig candidates, and received 289 and
238 votes, out of 1,997 and 2,739 respectively.
POLITICAL STRIFE 69
AMIABILITY OF DAVIS AND CARPENTER
Fifty and more years ago the state of the body politic,
as well as the primitive form of the social organization,
evolved men of the stamp of Dr. Davis and Deacon
Carpenter to accepted leadership; and in a mental retro-
spect they dominate the mass as from commanding
pedestals. Physically all gristle and bone; intellectually
alert, though narrow; in matters of principle grimly un-
yielding they were yet at heart so kindly that children
often declared them "just like one of us/* These char-
acteristics were frequently conspicuous among circuit
riders; they also distinguished judges on the bench; but,
above all, marked on the one hand the uncompromising
Abolitionist, and on the other, the inflexible Copperhead.
The rapidity with which, under democratic equality
of opportunities, and in a transforming climate, our
enormous polyglot alien additions are modified to an ap-
proximately uniform American physical standard, is a
matter of general observation; and there is little doubt that
certain native types, once so common as to represent na-
tional characteristics, are disappearing in what may be
called nature's efforts to modify all exceptional expressions
to a national composite. Certain it is that the type of men
of which the above-mentioned were conspicuous examples
is rapidly disappearing. This type was evolved probably
by the efforts of man to overcome wifh rather inadequate
means the stubborn resistance of primeval nature.
LEADERS OF OPPOSITE PARTIES NEARLY EQUAL IN FORCE
In his reportorial days the writer came frequently in
contact with those who were the natural leaders in the
storm and stress of the slavery agitation period, and who
subsequently also stood in the forefront of the conflict of
70 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
passions aroused by the war. Again, in these later years,
he has had fair opportunity to come in touch with a class
of men who have achieved leadership in shaping and con-
trolling the country's stupendous economic forces; and
while he would hold the dynamic total of these so different
Titans to be about equal, their respective modes of expres-
sion (the one all centripetal, the other as distinctly cen-
trifugal) are so opposed, that a comparison, except in
terms of mass or energy, is out of the question. The John
Browns looked neither to the right nor the left all was
concentrated on the goal; while the mind that creates and
controls a modern octopus needs all the eyes of Argus as
well as the hundred hands of Briareus.
GREAT MEN'S INFLUENCE ON HISTORY
So much has happened during the past half -century,
that one may well ask whether men create crises or crises
produce men: whether all is chance, or there is an outwork-
ing through a higher power. Man is at best a short-sighted
mortal. Except through an enormous retrospect, it is
given to few to discern victory in defeat moral regen-
eration through physical cataclysm. Had Bull Run been
a decisive triumph for the North, the Confederacy might
have collapsed then and there; and one may well wonder
what sort of a Union there would now be. Again, had
McClellan stood less in fear of Quaker guns, who can tell
what might have happened? And Lincoln the martyr is
a far more potent influence for the humanities than a
Lincoln going to his grave in senile decrepitude.
WHAT CONSTITUTES A GEEAT MAN
James Bryce, the philosophic author of "The American
Commonwealth," in a recent talk fbr publication con-
POLITICAL STRIFE 71
travened the idea frequently advanced that great men and
great crises come together, by contending that such a
remarkable opportunity for exploitation of intellectual
power as the French Revolution, failed to produce a single
man of the first rank. In view of this dictum, one may
well ask how human greatness is to be defined. For ex-
ample: is only that great which is organically constructive,
or in the sphere of mind creative? Again, is only that great
which endures, and is no commensurate rank to be as-
signed to agencies of destruction? Yet, cruelly as it was
done, what Frenchmen have wrought as did the Jacobins?
Almost the last vestige of the rule Napoleon has disap-
peared from the earth; yet the yeast of the Revolution is
still at work wherever men seek to translate their dreams
of liberty through action into reality. And, in the last
analysis, who was it freed the American slave? Of a verity,
it was John Brown; and Abraham Lincoln but signed the
mandate that went forth from the scaffold at Charleston.
The blow struck at Harper's Ferry shook the "peculiar
institution" from base to turret, morally depolarized each
particular atom of the anachronistic structure, and so
doomed it to inevitable collapse. We see in John Brown
one of the world's greatest iconoclasts a very Thor of
destruction; and though earthly "constructive immortal-
ity" be denied him, yet "his soul goes marching on/' to
inspire unborn generations to strike, however blindly, for
their inalienable rights.
BOTH PARTIES APOLOGETIC TOE THEIR EXTEEMISTS
Both parties in the North did their best all through the
war to squelch their fire-eaters. Indeed, except in a few
notable localities, like the "Western Reserve" in Ohio, and
Owen Love joy's district in Illinois, the Republican party
72 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
was far more apologetic for its extremists, its Garrisons
and Phillipses, its Ben Wades and Love joys, than the
Democratic party for its Storeys and Vallandinghams, its
Mahoneys and "Brick" Pomeroys. And even as the Re-
publican party was not an abolition party fully and
frankly until long after the proclamation of emancipation,
indeed hardly until it discovered its halo in the transfig-
uring death of Abraham Lincoln, so it may be said that
in somewhat similar fashion and degree the Democratic
party was no more a disunion party, the main body
of each being forced into a somewhat alien attitude by the
course of events and the domination of a masterful
minority. But at the present time a striking difference
may be noted in the outworking from this indeterminate
middle ground; for whereas the Republican party is now
most desirous to stand in the estimation of posterity as the
unreserved and undivided exponent of freedom during the
war, the Democratic party of the North has entirely with-
drawn from any attitude of implied Rebel affiliation, and
now probably frankly doubts if it really ever had any.
AN IMPARTIAL HISTORY OF THE PERIOD NOT YET
ATTAINABLE
Thus far the history of those times has been written
mostly by extreme partisans; while for a just estimate
and the forming of an impartial judgment, the material
(which will be found to consist largely of private corre-
spondence) is not yet accessible. Meantime there is urgent
need for well-considered contributions, based upon per-
sonal observations and experience; and it is because his
opportunities for the study of underlying sentiments and
motives that joined issue in those remarkable , days were
somewhat exceptional, that the writer is moved to include
POLITICAL STRIPE 73
in these reminiscences some impressions of that history-
making period.
THE AUTHOR'S FACILITIES FOR FORMING OPINIONS
First as compositor and then as reporter, the writer
was associated with Chicago's four leading dailies of the
war period, to wit: the Tribune (most outspoken anti-
slavery), the Times (semi-secession), the Journal (con-
servative Republican) , and the Post (an exponent of war
Democracy). In the composing-rooms of these papers
there was never the slightest restraint on expressions of
opinion, though it may go without saying that opinions
found their freest utterance when in harmony with the
attitude of the paper for which service was rendered; and
because newcomers preferably sought employment in the
atmosphere politically most congenial to them, the law of
natural or preferential selection in time brought the com-
posing rooms into comparative harmony with the editorial
rooms. This gives us a body of nearly two hundred, ap-
proximating mentally to the professional class, and in their
expressed opinions uninfluenced by extraneous considera-
tions* Obviously, we have here ideal premises for credible
conclusions.
THE WAR NOT FOR EMANCIPATION
Then, let it be said, that until well toward the close of
the war, the writer, as an outspoken Abolitionist, found
even in the composing-room of the Tribune little political
fellowship. On every hand there was explicit denial that
the war was waged with any special intent to free the
slaves that concomitant of the struggle being almost
invariably alluded to apologetically as an incident en-
tirely beside the real issue, It is the fashion nowadays to
74 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
speak of the Emancipation Proclamation as a call to arms
that met with an acclaiming response to enlistment. Ac-
cording to my observation it came as near paralyzing the
whole enlistment machinery as any event of the war. Few
outside of a comparatively small percentage of original
Abolitionists defended it except upon grounds of matter-
of-fact expediency or necessity as strictly a war meas-
ure, made possible under extraordinary war powers
while such echoes as came from former associates in the
field (and were usually made common composing-room
property) generally expressed dissatisfaction over the
situation, and often with the added avowal that, had they
known the war would "degenerate" into one of "freedom
for the nigger," they would not have enlisted. In time
these adverse reports from the army wore away, the minor
being absorbed in the major problem, namely, how to suc-
ceed under any conditions.
A RANGE OF COPPERHEADISM
To a somewhat greater degree than there was out-
spoken abolition sentiment in the composing-room of the
Tribune was there undisguised disunion avowal in that of
the Times and this conspicuously only from those who
were Southern-born or had lived in the South, and who
were members of the order of Knights of the Golden
Circle. This was a band of would-be conspirators, who
met at dead of night (among other places) on the upper
floor of the McCormick block, southeast corner of Dear-
born and Randolph Streets.
In most Northern communities at this time, the ma-
jority of the compositors on the Times would have been
denounced as Rebel sympathizers. But, brought as they
were here into direct relation and contrast with the real
POLITICAL STRIFE 75
article, many shades of differences were readily apparent.
When with Republicans, these pseudo-sympathizers might
he fierce denouncers of the war and all that it stood for;
hut in the presence of extremists of their own kind they
would so double on their tracks as to land almost squarely
in the Union camp; and often such a query as, "What has
become of Jack, or Billy?" would be answered in the song-
slang of the day, "Gone for to be a sojer."
The out-and-out Southerners could be trusted to know
their own kind, precisely as I had no doubt about the
standing of my Republican confreres on the slavery ques-
tion ; and not only did they keep well together, but would
say to me privately that they preferred my outspokenness
to the now hot, now cold, attitudes of their supposed
friends.
EVEN COPPERHEADS WOULD HAVE REPELLED SOUTHERN
INVADERS
It is almost a pity that this Copperhead pudding was
never subjected to the test of eating, by a Southern in-
vasion of the North. In such event, I make no doubt,
not one in a score would have felt other than dismay, and
sprung to the defence with the readiest "Black Republi-
can." Indeed, the majority of my acquaintances who
joined the Union ranks were Democrats. Of course, in
the later days of the war the large bounties so freely of-
fered were potent inducements to enlistment; and not in-
frequently, sad to relate, the most consuming patriotism
was attached to a string with a "bounty jumper" at the
end.
COMPLEXITY OF THE WHOLE MATTER
I am fully alive to the apparent contradictions in this
presentation of a peculiar state of things its obvious
76 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
"in-and-out" character. But the paradoxical complexity
of the subject, its many-sidedness founded on a multi-
plicity of equations, makes it exceedingly difficult to blaze
a straight, undeviating way through such a passion-swept
tangle. Certain it is that any judgment which generalized
"Copperheadism" as unmixed secessionism would be egre-
giously misleading. M. Taine, when working on his
"French Revolution," exclaimed to a friend: "Let me
once frame the true psychology of a Jacobin, and my book
is written." An even more complex puzzle, I imagine,
will confront the future historian who seeks to synthesize
all that is comprehended under the chameleon term "Cop-
perhead." Be the future judgment what it may, it will
be far afield if the conclusions are not based on the premise
that the "nigger," if not actually in plain view, was al-
ways somewhere hidden "in the wood pile" which may
be taken as another way of saying that among the Demo-
cratic masses in the North, antipathy to the negro out-
weighed every other consideration.
CHAPTER VI
A "COPPERHEAD" CONVENTION
THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION OF 1864 THUS STIGMATIZED IN-
CIDENTS OF THE MEMORABLE GATHERING "LONG JOHN" CHAL-
LENGES VALLANDIGHAM AND OVERWHELMS HIM IN DEBATE
UNRESTRAINED DENUNCIATION OF THE WAR AT IMPROVISED MASS
MEETINGS LINCOLN ACCUSED OF ALL MANNER OF ENORMITIES
CHARACTERISTIC UTTERANCES BY LEADERS REPORTED WITH AP-
PROBATION BY THE CHICAGO "TIMES" MCCLELLAN'S CANDIDACY
FIERCELY ASSAILED IN CONVENTION A "KNOCK-DOWN" ARGU-
MENT BY HARRIS OF MARYLAND A SUDDEN REACTION INTER-
ESTING EPISODES.
THE Democratic National Convention held in Chicago
in 1864 was to many people an event of ominous im-
port. When it is considered that on the one hand was
the South holding the Union armies well in check; and on
the other, a party in the North, constituting at least three-
sevenths of its population, whose chosen representatives in
Convention assembled solemnly declared the war then wag-
ing for the preservation of the Union a failure, it can he
readily imagined that the avowedly Union element found
itself in a discouraging pass, and seldom more so than at
the time of this extraordinary gathering.
While the attitude anathematized as "Copperhead-
ism" may remain a more or less disputed question in the
sphere of political psychology, certain it is that this "ism"
was often extremely aggressive, even though its temerities
were as a rule wholesomely tempered by the ebb and flow
of the tide of war. And so, when for the nonce the va-
rious disgruntled segregations found themselves com-
ponents of an enormous aggregation, under circumstances
77
78 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
particularly favorable for kindling a "fire in the rear" of
the Union armies, ,the brands thus adventitiously thrown
together threatened a general conflagration.
UNRESTRAINED SPEAKING OUTSIDE THE CONVENTION
In the deliberations of the Convention, which took
place in a huge auditorium specially erected for the occa-
sion at the southern end of the lake front, restraint of
speech was for obvious reasons deemed advisable ; but out-
side, at impromptu gatherings about the leading hotels,
most of the speakers (when addressing what can be char-
acterized only as howling mobs) lashed themselves into
paroxysms of denunciation of everything in any manner
tending to give encouragement or effective support to
the war.
GBEAT EXCITEMENT DURING THE CONVENTION
Ordinarily the Union sentiment, by virtue of the supe-
rior character of its avowers, was safely in control in
Chicago. But against this mighty influx, representative
of whatever was extreme in the various sections from
which it was drawn, the local Union element was com-
pelled to stand passive, and let the whelming wave of op-
position sweep over it. The shibboleth of the hour was
"Peace at any price"; and when the one side charged that
such an attitude was treason to the nation, the other re-
torted that coercion was treason to the Constitution. In
the Republican press this political submergence of the city
was usually spoken of as a Rebel invasion; and when in
addition to so much that was disquieting, the air was filled
with rumors of plots for the release of the 10,000 or more
"Johnny Rebs" in durance at Camp Douglas, it is
within bounds to say that the substantial classes were in a
state of mind bordering on panic.
A "COPPERHEAD" CONVENTION 79
REACTION
Under the spur of irresponsible leadership, the great
gathering was turned into a political debauch to be
swiftly followed by sobering reactions. The partisan rage
so long pent up under repressive local conditions (else-
where even more than in Chicago) having freely spent
itself in what was for the time an unrestraining environ-
ment, soon gave place to uneasy afterthoughts. It was
noticeable that many prominent Democrats who thereto-
fore had been accounted Southern sympathizers, or at
least as among those who occupied positions of "benevo-
lent neutrality," bore far more lightly thereafter on their
constitutional objections to the war; and with the progress
of the presidential campaign, whose issues were set in ever
more clearing lights by the steady advances of the Union
armies, the peace talk became less and less pronounced; so
that with the advent of the Ides of November, the reelec-
tion of Abraham Lincoln, which looked dubious enough
to many of his supporters at the date of nomination, be-
came a triumphant acclaim.
PARTISAN FEELING STIRRED UP
In passing judgment on the attitude of individuals
during those trying years, the fact should never be lost
sight of that partisanship was a very different thing then
from what it is to-day that party feeling now with dif-
ficulty kept lukewarm was then continuously at the boiling
point. Great issues make politics a personal affair. Men
ranged on opposite sides would hardly recognize each other,
and the commercial boycott was a common phenomenon.
Republicans spoke of their opponents seldom otherwise
than as "Copperheads, 5 * "traitors," or "rebels"; while
Democrats retorted with "nigger-lovers/ 3 "black Aboli-
80 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
tionists," or "Lincoln hirelings/' Nobody permitted him-
self to discriminate.
The Sherman House, most centrally located, was the
headquarters of the ultra leaders* Here Vallandigham
and his immediate retinue put up; and here also was to
be found the Indiana delegation; which, under the cloud-
compelling leadership of the "Tall Sycamore of the Wa-
bash," was the most blatant of them all. A triumphant
mob surged at all hours about this hostelry, and its
cries of "Speech!" "Speech!" would bring to the balcony
first one and then another of the popular favorites the
measure of acclaim with which their appearance was
greeted being usually in proportion to lengths of time they
had served in some "Lincoln bastille." On the floor of
the Convention the hot-heads were forced to be somewhat
on their good behavior, for whatever was said went on
record; but when these extremists found themselves in the
presence of an irresponsible mob, eagerly responsive to the
hottest kind of anti-war sentiment, they readily yielded
to its spell and indulged freely in abuse of everything that
stood for the struggle for the Union, though the line was
generally drawn at open support of the Rebellion.
SOME OF THE NOTED SPEAKERS
One of the most outspoken was an interesting specimen
from Iowa, known as the Rev. Henry Clay Dean, but
better known as "Dirty Shirt" Dean, because of his con-
stitutional aversion to clean linen. (All his aversions, by
the way, were based on the Constitution.) Iowa's "Copper-
head" par excellence was, however, one D. A. Mahony,
editor of The Dubuque Herald. I happened in the office
of that paper on the day the Rebel ram Merrimac sank
the wooden frigates in Hampton Roads, and can never
A "COPPERHEAD' 5 CONVENTION 81
forget the exultant glee with which he burst into the pres-
ence of the staff to announce the news. Another for whom
the crowd went wild was "Brick" Pomeroy, of The La
Crosse Democrat, a paper that achieved an extraordinary
circulation because of its outspoken Southern sympathies*
Other favorites besides those mentioned were "Fog Horn"
Bill Allen, of Ohio; Senators Bright and Fitch, and Gov-
ernor Hendricks, of Indiana; Senator Richardson and
General Singleton, of Illinois; and could Wilbur F.
Storey have been persuaded to overcome his habitual re-
serve and exhibit himself, he no doubt would have cast all
the rest in the shade*
"LONG JOHN'S" TRIUMPH OVER VAIXANDIGHAM
It must be said to the credit of "Long John" that he
stood almost alone in fearless and pronounced opposition
to this "Copperhead" exploitation. He knew he could
"jolly" any crowd they might bring against him; therefore
he boldly challenged C. L. Vallandigham, the most fearless
and the brainiest among the firebrands, to a public discus-
sion of the issues. The tourney duly came off in the Court
House Square, the speakers addressing an enormous
crowd from the north steps. Under the circumstances
the debate was a decisive triumph for the home giant.
Vallandigham confined himself almost entirely to dry con-
stitutional quibbles, that soon palled on the crowd, which
at best could catch only a word here and there; while
"Long John" megaphoned his Union and War paeans
to the farthest limit of the vast assembly ; and to such good
effect, that every reserve of Union sentiment in his pres-
ence was roused to enthusiastic approbation. This ap-
parent turning down of their foremost champion caused
deep chagrin among the large body of delegates who over-
82 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
looked the vast assemblage from the vantage of the south-
ern balcony of the Sherman House, and there was free
expression among them that Vallandigham committed a
tactical blunder in consenting to appear under conditions
for him so obviously disadvantageous.
DESCRIPTION IN THE " TIMES " OP OUT-DOOR MEETINGS
On the morning following one of the evening gather-
ings during the Convention week a "Copperhead orgy"
the Republican papers called it the Times described the
outbreak as follows:
"The demonstration last night was not a meeting merely; it was a
whole constellation of meetings. The grand centre of the city
Randolph, Clark, Washington, and La Salle Streets, about the Court
House, as well as the Court House Square presented one solid mass
of human beings; and these were independent of crowds that had
gathered in Bryan Hall and other halls. During the entire evening
there were at all times five speakers holding forth to these tens of
thousands of assembled citizens."
SAMPLE OF THE SPEECHES
Of the utterances of the speakers who harangued the
great mass from different improvised rostrums the prin-
cipal ones being the east and south balconies of the Sher-
man House the following extracts from the Times re-
ports are fair samples :
Hon. John J. Van Allen "We do not want a candidate with the
smell of war on his garments. The great Democratic party should
have resisted the war from the beginning."
Hon. S. S. Cox, of Ohio (later of New York) "Abraham Lin-
coln has deluged the country with blood, created a debt of four thou-
sand million dollars, and sacrified two millions of human lives. At
the November election we will damn him with eternal infamy* Even
Jefferson Davis is no greater enemy of the Constitution."
H
ffi
3
I I
a
2
a
w
t^
hH
o
n
o
W
2!
H
H I
O
00
Oi
o
A "COPPERHEAD" CONVENTION 83
Ketchum, of New York "We want to elect a man who will say
to the South, e Come back; we will restore to you every constitutional
privilege, every guarantee that you ever possessed; your rights shall
no longer be invaded; we will wipe out the Emancipation Proclamation;
we will sweep away confiscation; all that we ask is that you will come
back and live with us on the old terms.'"
Hon. W. W. O'Brien, of Peoria "We want to try Lincoln as
Charles I. of England was tried, and if found guilty will carry out
the law."
Hon. John Fuller, of Michigan "Are you willing to follow in
the footsteps of Abraham Lincoln, the perjured wretch who has vio-
lated the oath he took before high heaven to support the Constitution
and preserve the liberties of the people?"
Stambaugh, of Ohio "If I am called upon to elect between the
freedom of the nigger and disunion and separation, I shall choose the
latter. You might search hell over and find none worse than Abraham
Lincoln."
Hon. H. S. Orton, of Wisconsin " In Wisconsin Lincoln has
no party, except his officers and satraps that is all there is left. T
pledge you my word, that that is all that is left in the State of Wis-
consin.* The collectors of the revenue, the assessors and their de-
pendents, are all the strength that Abe Lincoln has in these free
States. Are they to rule over us? Are you going to submit to it?
[Cries of "No." " No."] God bless the draft. It proves that we have
touched bottom, and got to the last ditch, the last man and the last
dollar. The stars of heaven are blotted out, the moon will refuse to
shine, the sun will rise no more in the fair firmament of the American
Republic."
G. C. Sanderson " It is time this infernal war should stop. Have
we not all been bound hand and foot to the abolition car that is rolling
over our necks like the wheels of another Juggernaut? If the Southern
Confederacy, by any possibility be subjugated by this abolition admin-
istration, the next thing they will turn their bayonets on the free men
of the North, and trample you in the dust."
* Little more than two months later, out of a total vote of 149,343, Lincoln
had a majority over McClellan of 17,574.
84 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
C. Chauncey Burr, of New York, editor of The Old Guard
"Argument is useless. We have patiently waited for a change, but for
four years have lived under a despotism, and the wonder is that men
carry out the orders of the gorilla tyrant who has usurped the presi-
dential chair. The South cannot lay down its arms, for they are fight-
ing for their honor. Two million of men have "been sent down to the
slaughter pens of the South, and the army of Lincoln cannot again be
filled."
Hon. and Rev. Henry Clay Dean, of Iowa "The American peo-
ple are ruled by felons. With all his vast armies Lincoln has failed !
failed! FAILED! FAILED ! And still the monster usurper wants more
victims for his slaughter pens. I blush that such a felon should oc-
cupy the highest gift of the people. Perjury and larceny are written
all over him. Ever since the usurper, traitor, and tyrant has occupied
the presidential chair the Republican party has shouted war to the
knife, and the knife to the hilt. Blood has flowed in torrents, and yet
the thirst of the old monster is not quenched. His cry is ever for
more blood."
THE SEASON FOR MC CLET JAN- WORSHIP NOT APPARENT
The McClellan- worship of the Democratic party was a
curious exhibition of contradictions and stultifications.
Why was he pitched upon as leader? Was it because he
was a Democrat? So were Generals Grant, Sherman,
Sheridan, Thomas, Logan, McClernand, Corse, Bragg,
Slocum, Hancock, Sickles, originally; and many of them
remained Democratic partisans to the last. Indeed, the
names of Generals Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Thomas,
and Hancock were all prominently mentioned as possible
Democratic nominees in 1868 ; and up to a few months be-
fore the time to make nominations, it seemed in doubt which
ticket Grant would head. Hancock's turn came twelve
years later. Furthermore, all those mentioned were suc-
cessful leaders, while McClellan had little else than defeats
to his account. But, perhaps it was this that distinguished
A "COPPERHEAD" CONVENTION 85
him in Democratic eyes. Ostensibly the party espoused
his cause on the alleged ground that the administration had
not supported him in the field because he was a Democrat.
Did the Democratic party, then, want him to succeed to
whip the South? However, be this or that as it may, what
happened was that McClellan was raised into a Demo-
cratic idol, and songs with a "Little Mac" refrain not only
became the staple of the variety shows and free concert
saloons, but during the last years of the war held the same
place at Democratic meetings that the "Star Spangled
Banner" or "The Battle Cry of Freedom" did at Re-
publican rallies.
So far as the leaders are concerned, they probably
argued like this: "One of our own sort would stand no
chance with the masses. We must have a soldier; but a
successful one would not serve our purpose, nor is there
any likelihood that we could get him to stand on the kind
of platform we are determined to adopt." So it was
McClellan or a civilian.
HARRIS'S INDICTMENT OF MC CLELLAN
"Little Mac's" selection did not, however, go wholly
unchallenged. It was fought in the Convention by the
extreme wing tooth and nail. Its utter absurdity was un-
flinchingly shown up by Congressman Harris, of Mary-
land. "Do you want McClellan because he is a great
soldier?" he shouted. "Why, he has never won a battle.
[Great uproar.] Does he stand for liberty? Why, the
military oppression under which Maryland suffers was in-
stituted by him. It was he that struck the first blow.
. * . The sons of Maryland were imprisoned by that
devil McClellan; and all the charges I can make against
Lincoln and his administration, I can make against
86 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
McClellan." Harris was frequently interrupted; he
knocked down a delegate who sought to stop him; and it
was not until he had declared that he was armed and pre-
pared to defend the right of free speech to the death, that
he was permitted to finish his indictment of the Democratic
hero, namely: that he had ordered General Banks, if neces-
sary, to suspend the habeas corpus; that he had declared the
President had the right to abolish slavery as a war meas-
ure; that he had taken steps to arrest the Legislature of
Maryland; that he was a mere tool of Abraham Lincoln,
who "combined with military incapacity the fact that he
interfered with and destroyed the civil rights of the
people."
But McClellan was nominated, and the platform not
only declared the war a failure, but demanded that "im-
mediate efforts be made for a cessation of hostilities." But
this part the candidate disavowed in his letter of acceptance.
APPEARANCE OF THE KENTUCKY DELEGATION
"A scene in Hopkinson Smith's capitally dramatized
novel of "Colonel Carter of Cartersville" presents a group
of "Colonels" and "Judges" from the South, just come
to town to assist in the settlement, according to the*" code,"
of an affair of honor. That group strikingly recalls the
appearance of the Kentucky delegation on their arrival at
the Tremont House. Each carried an old-fashioned carpet
bag ; and when they had doffed their dusters, there was pre-
sented the oddest assortment of notables ever seen off the
burlesque stage. I gazed at them in amazement, and shall
never forget the gravity with which Sam Turner stroked
his foot-long beard, the suavity with which he invited
them to register, nor the wink and squint he cast my way,
saying plainly, "Did you ever?" Some rose gaunt and
A "COPPERHEAD" CONVENTION 87
swarthy to six feet and over; others had successfully de-
voted much spare time to an accumulation of breadth of
beam; while every thinkable shape and size between these
extremes, or outside of them, was characteristically repre-
sented.
" General C , I am going to give you Room X," quoth
the genial Sam. This general's name was one of the best
known in the Border State. All during the war its bearer
had been conspicuously on the fence, and on which side he
would eventually land had been debated the country over
for so long that the question became tedious. Indeed, so
big with possibilities for either side did he loom in the
chronicles of the early war days, that one instinctively
looked among the giants for a reply to Sam's announce-
ment; and, failing there, turned naturally to the broad-
beamed heavy-weights, only to scan their Bourbon adver-
tisements to equal failure. Then, to my inexpressible
surprise, it was a manikin in a trailing duster who ex-
claimed in a piping treble, "All right, Mr. Clerk." Siz-
ing up all there was of him, including the duster, I could
not help wondering why it should ever have occurred to
any one that it could possibly matter on which side of
the fence "General C "of Kentucky climbed down.
WHY THE CONVENTION ALARMED THE REPUBLICANS
To show with some detail why the gathering of the
Copperhead hosts in national convention was a source of
profound apprehension to all who favored the prosecution
of the war, it may be said: that the shiver which Grant's
repulse at Cold Harbor, with its frightful sacrifice of life,
had sent over the North, was still felt in the people's inmost
marrow; that the General's operations before Petersburg
had so far proved a distinct failure; that only a few weeks
88 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
before, Lee had felt sufficiently strong to detach a force of
20,000 men to pass around the Federal lines and make its
way into the suburbs of Washington, seriously threatening
the national Capital, which a bold attack 'might well
have taken, so denuded was it of troops to strengthen the
assaulting lines of Grant, hundreds of miles away; that
Sherman's campaign against Atlanta still hung in the bal-
ance; that a draft was proceeding in many States in spite
of the offer of generous bounties to volunteers; that there
was trouble in Lincoln's cabinet, resulting in the resigna-
tion of Chase ; and, finally, that the value of the greenback,
the country's barometric currency, was reduced to a specie
value of about forty cents.
HOW THEIR FEARS MAGNIFIED TRIFLES
Under the tension of a situation so full of disquietude,
it is perhaps not surprising that every obstructing mole-
hill was magnified into a mountain, and that every trifling
circumstance with a possibly treasonable implication should
be endowed with portentous significance. I well remember
the ado there was in the Republican press all over the
country, because the Richmond House was the first among
the large hotels during convention week to announce " Cot
accommodations only." This was construed into proof
positive that it was the name so intimately associated with
the Rebel cause that preferably turned Copperhead steps
to it. To be sure there was the fact that the rates were
somewhat lower than at the hotels more centrally located,
and the further circumstance that it was nearer the prin-
cipal railway station; but to take such uninteresting details
into account did not at this time suit the Republican book.
If, however, any admirer of Jefferson Davis did select the
Richmond because of its suggestive name, he probably fled
A "COPPEBHEAD" CONVENTION 89
its hospitable precincts, if by any chance made aware that
the hostelry took its name from the man whose fortune it
absorbed, from Thomas Richmond, one of Chicago's most
enterprising and honored citizens, who was an ingrained
Abolitionist, an intimate friend of Abraham Lincoln, and
in his own person claimed a large share of the credit (as set
forth in a monograph) for the issuance of the Emancipa-
tion Proclamation.
CHAPTER VII
THE PULPIT AS A WAR FORCE
SELF-SACRIFICING SERVICES OF LEADING CLERGYMEN REV. ROBERT
COLLYER' s EFFORTS IN BEHALF OF THE MEN IN THE FIELD DR.
ROBERT H. CLARKSON'S FORCEFUL, LOYAL LEADERSHIP MEMO-
RIAL OF ST. JAMES'S CHURCH TO ITS FALLEN HEROES DR. W. W.
PATTON AS A PROMOTER OF EMANCIPATION DR. W. W. EVERTS
A STALWART BAPTIST DR. R. W. PATTERSON, PRESBYTERIAN
DR. W. H. RYDER, UNIVERSALIST DRS. T. M. EDDY AND O. H.
TIFFANY, METHODISTS VICAR-GENERAL DUNNE A CONSPICUOUS
WAR PRIEST ABOLITIONISM FORCES ORTHODOX TOLERANCE FOR
GERMAN FREETHINKING THE SUNDAY THEATRE A MILLION-
AIRE ROMANCE THAT HARKENS BACK TO THE STAGE.
NO class of Chicago's citizens deserves more credit for
zeal and self-denial during the great crisis than its
clergy. As in the forum, so in the pulpit, there were
strong personalities in those days. Only one remains at
this writing by which to gauge his war-time contempo-
raries. That one is grand old Robert Collyer, who to-day,
at eighty-seven, probably has more calls on his time to
meet outside engagements than any other minister in the
country, and still fills both pulpit and pew as few others
in these days. Like Joseph Jefferson, who was the last
link that bound the present generation to the great stage
stars of the past, Robert Collyer grows riper and mellower
with each added year; and a half -century hence the old
folks of that time will boast to their grandchildren of the
good fortune that enabled them to see the one as Rip Van
Winkle, and hear the other tell of the time when he worked
at the anvil, making good, honest horseshoes during the
day, and preaching stanch Methodist sermons at night.
90
THE PULPIT AS A WAR FORCE 91
But in the ratio that he came less in contact with the fire
of the forge, and so had more time to meditate upon the
divine love, he came also to stand less in fear of the un-
quenchable fires of the nether-world; and finally, when the
"call" came to give up the one for good and all, he let
the other die out also.
OTHER NOTED MINISTERS
The great names of Beecher, Parker, Chapin, Storrs,
Bellows, and their congeners in the East, were most cred-
itably supplemented in Chicago, besides Robert Collyer,
by such men as Robert H. Clarkson (Episcopal), W. W,
Patton (Congregational), Robert W.Patterson (Presby-
terian) , W. W. Everts (Baptist) , T. M. Eddy and O. H.
Tiffany (Methodist), W. H. Ryder (Universalist) , and
Dennis Dunne (Catholic).
E,. H. CLARKSONS ENTHUSIASM
Deserving of a grateful remembrance as are all these,
I feel like giving first place to Dr. Robert H. Clarkson, of
St. James's Episcopal and later the revered Missionary-
Bishop of Nebraska and Dakota, because he had clearly
the most to overcome, with the possible exception of Father
Dunne. As to the attitude of the denominations repre-
sented by the others, there was never any question; but in
the Episcopal fold, there was here and there, because of its
intimate affiliations with the aristocracy of the South, an
appreciable lukewarmness, and aversion to "bringing poli-
tics into the pulpit." One might have hesitated to define
the position of his bishop ; but there was never any question
where Robert H. Clarkson stood. His voice from the first
was a trumpet call, and he fairly swept his church with him,
notwithstanding some rather important hold-backs. There
were in his congregation, which was by far the most
92 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
select in the city, such stanch supporters of the war
as Judge Mark Skinner, E. B. McCagg, and E. H.
Sheldon; and with these at his back, he missed no op-
portunity to fill the young men of his parish with his
own noble enthusiasm. Once, in his zeal, he made
the promise from the pulpit that the church would
rear a memorial to those of the congregation who fell in
defence of their country; and this promise was in after
years fulfilled, though he himself, on the close of the war,
had been called to another and wider field of usefulness.
ML MONUMENT TO SOLDIERS OF HIS CONGREGATION
When the time came, some years before the fire, to give
effect to Dr. Clarkson's promise, the commission for an
appropriate memorial was given to a prominent New
York firm of architects, and from their design it was built
at a cost of fifty-five hundred dollars. And it would seem
as if even the ruthless fire fiend had respect for the honored
dead, for the only part of St. James's Church that escaped
destruction was the wall of the tower against which the
Soldiers' Memorial was built. It was blackened, but was
otherwise undamaged. It is still in good condition, is a
part of the new church, and on Memorial Day, All Saints'
Day, and Easter Day, it is decorated with flags and flow-
ers. The Memorial is a beautiful piece of work; and the
names it perpetuates show the class of young men St.
James's Church sent into the field under the stimulus of
its patriotic rector, and who freely gave their lives that
their country might live. They are: Lucius Sherman
Larabee, Edward Hanson Russell, William De Wolf,
John Harris Kinzie, Thomas Ordaard, Frank M. Skin-
ner, Peter Preston Wood, Louis DeKoven Hubbard, and
Charles H. Hosmer.
THE SOLDIERS' MEMORIAL IN ST. JAMES'S EPISCOPAL
CHURCH
(Uninjured by the Fire and Forming Part of the Reconstructed
Edifice, at Cass and Huron Streets')
THE PULPIT AS A WAR FORCE 93
DR. PATTON'S WORK AS AK ABOLITIONIST
Another whose work stands out conspicuously is the
Rev. W. W. Patton, D. D., of the First Congregational
Church. Dr. Patton was an uncompromising Abolitionist,
and he had at his back a congregation after his own heart.
Of the origin of this "nigger church" I have spoken at
some length in connection with that abolition wax-horse,
Deacon Philo Carpenter. This church believed thoroughly
in the efficacy of prayer in bringing about moral results.
For many years, the Fourth of July was dedicated to
prayers for the freedom of the slave. For a month prior
to the inauguration of President Lincoln it held daily
prayer meetings; and later the church sent resolution after
resolution to the President, to sustain him in his work and
to turn his thoughts to emancipation. Finally, Dr. Patton
was instrumental in calling a public meeting, at a critical
time, to urge the President to free the slaves; and he was
chairman of the committee that bore the adopted resolu-
tions to Washington. That Dr. Patton and his supporters
made a strong appeal to the President may go without
saying; and it is a noteworthy coincidence that the same
issue of the Chicago papers which published the com-
mittee's report on their mission also contained the Emanci-
pation Proclamation. So effectively did this valiant
soldier of the cross labor among his own people for the
cause so near his heart, that out of a membership of 755
of both sexes, 69 of its youths joined the army. In
the lists of speakers at war meetings the name of Dr.
Patton was seldom absent, for the words of few carried
more conviction to the hearts of his hearers; while his posi-
tion as Vice-President of the Northwestern Sanitary Com-
mission afforded rare opportunities for the display of his
exceptional executive powers.
94 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
DB. EVERTS'S EECOKD HE SAVES CHICAGO UNIYERSITT
The Rev. W. W. Everts, D. D., of the First Baptist
Church, was another who could always be depended on to
strike straight from the shoulder. He left Louisville, Ky.,
in 1859, hecause of his anti-slavery views. Although his
congregation was loyal to him, he felt he must have a freer
field than a Southern pulpit afforded; and though he was
absent when the secession crisis came to a head, it is said
that the influence of the people of his old congregation was
most effective in holding Kentucky to the side of the
Union. Dr. Everts was probably the most forceful
preacher in the history of the city's pulpit. He was ortho-
dox to the core, a man of profound convictions and of
undaunted courage* When he came to the First Church,
it was heavily in debt, as were most Chicago churches at
that time. He said to his people that the debt must be
paid, and the task was accomplished at a single meeting.
This unprecedented success put heart into other ministers.
Dr. Ryder made public acknowledgment that the pre-
cedent saved St. Paul's Universalist Church. Scores of
congregations all over the West made a like acknowledg-
ment, and Dr. Everts was frequently called upon to help
save sinking ships. Then there was the Baptist (now
the Chicago) University. When Dr. Everts came to the
city, the denomination was about to give up the enterprise
as too heavy a load to carry. The doctor said it must not
be done; and it was largely through his efforts that the
University was put on an active and enlarged basis. But
such was his orthodoxy, that, had it been revealed to him
what sort of "heresies" were to proceed from his nursling,
through the grace of Rockefeller endowments, he would
surely have stayed his hand and let the University perish.
The chapter on "Early Chicago Literature" in this
REV. WILLIAM W. EVERTS
REV. W. H. RYDER
THE PULPIT AS A WAR FORCE 95
volume, is illuminated by scintillations from the iridescent
pen of <c January Searle." In the early sixties this re-
markable aviator into the realms of hyperbole, in a book
entitled "Chicago Churches," delivered himself as follows:
"From 1859 the march of the First Baptist Church has
been a regal progress through triumphant arches, and over
roads strewn with flowers and the glorification of redeemed
souls and the acclamation of angels." If the foregoing
could be reduced to its earthly equivalents, it would un-
doubtedly tell the exact truth about Dr. Everts's remark-
able work in his chosen field* Of his labors in the Union
cause I have already spoken in general terms. At one time
the situation brought about by Northern defeats made it
imperative that every veteran serve at the front* Volun-
teers for an emergency corps were called for, to enable the
Camp Douglas garrison to take the field. None were
more active than Dr. Everts in filling the ranks; his own
congregation furnished a large contingent ; and when the
command took possession of the camp, he served as its
chaplain.
DBS. EDDY, TIFFANY, RYDER, AND PATTERSON
For the Methodists, Drs. T. M. Eddy and (X H. Tif-
fany stood out conspicuously. Dr. Eddy was a trenchant,
forceful speaker, while Dr. Tiffany joined to a high intel-
lectuality a gift of oratory now seldom equalled in the pul-
pit. He was untiring in his zeal for the cause of the Union,
and gladly accepted places on commissions to visit the men
in the field with a view to improving their physical wel-
f are though, in such circumstances, he never failed to
sustain their patriotism with his fervid eloquence.
Rev. W. H. Ryder, D. D.,of St. Paul's Universalist
Church, was a frequent speaker at Union meetings. Next
96 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
to Chapin he was regarded as the most gifted minister in
his denomination in the country; and in championing his
"all-saving*' views, he was not only qualified to repulse
the attacks of his able opponents for those were days
when liberalism in religion threatened souls with damna-
tion, and had to be fought to the death but frequently
carried the war into the enemy's ranks with distinguished
success. He was a stanch supporter of all that the war
stood for, even among the most advanced; else he might
well have heard from Mrs. Mary A. Livermore, of his
congregation.
Dr. Robert W. Patterson of the Second Presbyterian
Church started out in life a Garrison Abolitionist, but that
leader's radicalism in religion brought about something
like a reaction in the pupil. Dr. Patterson was, however,
never other than a loyal supporter of the Union, and his
exceptional height, and impressive manner, made him
everywhere a conspicuous figure. He was sometimes al-
luded to as "Deacon Brass's preacher/' and that should
be a sufficient guarantee of his place among the champions
of the war.
DR. COLLYER'S EFFORTS IN BEHALF OF THE SOLDIERS
I have already referred to the Rev. Robert Collyer in
connection with this group of masterful men. Quite a few
interesting legends have grown up around this brainy and
muscular Christian. It is doubtful if, when Sumter fell,
he covered his pulpit with the flag and announced there
would be no more preaching, as all must go to the war ; but
it is a fact that Unity Church in those days showed many
flags that might have been so used; that he preached from
the text, "He that has no sword, let him sell his garment
and buy one"; and it is also true that during the first year
REV. ROBERT COLLYER
THE PULPIT AS A WAR FORCE 97
of the struggle this hot-hearted patriot was seldom in his
pulpit, but, as the representative of the Sanitary Commis-
sion, visited many camps on the Potomac, at Donelson
and Pittshurg Landing, in Missouri; and while he every-
where heartened the men to their tasks, his reports on the
condition of the sufferers in the field moved the people at
home to ever greater efforts of relief. His Yorkshire burr
was a bit broader in those days than now, but that only
added a deeper note to his heart-stirring eloquence. He
was a Garrisonian Abolitionist, brought to that view in his
earlier Methodist days through the inspiration of Lucretia
Mott; and while he did not go the length of the few who
made slavery the sole burden of their message, he permitted
none to doubt his position, and on all fitting occasions
spoke the convictions of his heart. And it is to Eli Bates,
a member of his Unity congregation, that Chicago and the
nation are indebted for St. Gaudens' immortal statue of
Lincoln.
FATHER DUNNE AND BISHOP DUGGAN
As a class the Catholic clergy were not noted for their
support of the war, and for that reason the unqualified
position of the Rt. Rev. Dennis Dunne, pastor of St.
Patrick's Church and Vicar-General of the diocese, was all
the more conspicuous. It is said that Bishop Duggan as-
sisted Colonel Mulligan in raising his regiment. Be that
as it may, certain it is that little was heard from the
Bishop's palace in the later years of the struggle, while one
was never at a loss in placing his Vicar-GeneraL Not sat-
isfied with helping to fill up other military organizations,
Father Dunne set about in the Summer of 1862 by
which time a considerable lukewarmness was already noted
among his compatriots and co-religionists to organize
what was knpwn as the "Irish Legion/ 3 which finally took
98 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
the field as the Ninetieth Illinois, with Father Kelly for its
chaplain. All honor to these sturdy priests, who found
no difficulty in being loyal to hoth their church and the
imperilled country of their adoption.
THE OLD ORTHODOXY SELDOM A BRINGER OF COMFORT
The way in which the present generation differs from
its fathers in respect to religion, and the influence this dif-
ference is likely to have on the social order and individual
conduct, is to-day the absorbing concern of reflective
minds. The decision, whether the present is on the whole
better than a given stage in the past, depends largely on
one's point of view; but that this is in a general way a hap-
pier world for all sorts of people admits of no doubt. To
a comparatively few exalted souls religion has always been
a source of supreme happiness; but to the many who failed
of inward experiences to support an inherited belief so
full of the direst threatenings for indulgence in even the
most innocent diversions uncompromising orthodoxy
brought little comfort and often much trouble of mind.
This is not the place to go into the psychology of the re-
ligion o half a century ago; but the character and influ-
ence of the old faith as a force standing over against the
things of the world (as illustrated in war-time Chicago)
may well call for some attention.
The period was the fruitage of a seedtime when the
American pulpit still enlisted the Boanerges of the intel-
lect. Men of parts believed implicitly in an inerrant Bible ;
and what little "higher criticism" worked its way to the
Middle West was wise enough to remain within the shelter-
ing walls and shady walks of the academy. The great,
serious, native middle class, therefore, had as yet no mis-
givings as to the letter of the Word; and any doubts there
By Couitesy of tin* Chicago Historical Society
RT. REV. DENNIS DUNNE
THE PULPIT AS A WAR FORCE 99
might be were confined to forms of interpretation: as, for
example, to the saving efficacy of different forms of
baptism.
TOLERANCE TOWARD SABBATH-BREAKING GERMANS
The native American element derived from an English-
speaking ancestry, and inheriting the Protestant faith, was
sufficiently dominant to entitle it to be spoken of as the
arbiter of the social order. Yet more than a third of the
city's population was Catholic, chiefly Irish; while proba-
bly a fifth part was rationalistic German. But these dif-
ferent classes hardly affected each other socially, in terms
of interacting modes of thought. So long as the beliefs of
the community did not infringe on his Sunday amusements,
the agnostic German did not in the least concern himself
about them; and what to a casual observer might have
seemed like a native indifference about German doings was
equally marked. Indeed, considering the serious attitude
of American evangelicism toward Sabbath observance, few
of the paradoxes of the times are more remarkable than
the tolerance of German violations of strict Sabbatarian
notions.
ITS TWO CHIEF CAUSES
However, one need not go far to find a cause. The un-
compromising Sabbatarian in the pulpit, and to a less
degree in the pew, was pretty certain to be anti-slavery
if not an out-and-out Abolitionist; and the free-thinking,
Sabbath-breaking German was invariably of the same po-
litical brand. This coincidence brought the Sabbatarian
face to face with a serious dilemma. Everything was con-
ceived intensely in those days, and here was a battle royal
to be fought between two sets of convictions that seemingly
admitted of no compromise. But the abolition issue was too
100 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
urgent to take a second place; and so the German was left
unmolested in the enjoyment of his diversions, lest he he
pushed where he would not hesitate, on local issues, to make
common cause with pro-slavery Catholicism. This was re-
garded as even less American than the Teutonic ideas, and
was generally spoken of as an adjunct to Rome, for the
Pope was at this time still a temporal potentate, as well as
the spiritual head of the Roman hierarchy.
But there was yet another factor favorable to tolerance.
To an even greater degree than to-day, all the section lying
west of North Clark Street, and north of Chicago Avenue,
was German territory, precisely as the southwest was
Irish; and these delimitations gave to the city an aspect of
three distinct municipalities. Nothing could he more ab-
horrent to the evangelical mind of half a century ago than
a Sunday theatre. It was bad enough that public opinion
compelled the toleration of week-day performances, but a
Sunday stage exhibition in competition with the pulpit led
to visions of Hades. Had the promoters of the German
Sunday theatre attempted to locate their annex to perdi-
tion at this time in any native section of the city, there
would, no doubt, have resulted a determined effort to stop
the performance; but being on the North Side, southeast
corner of Wells and Indiana Streets, made it in a sense
extra-territorial; and when some years after the war (by
which time many centuries-old restrictive fences had come
down) there was some talk of giving Sunday performances
in English at a South Side place of amusement, the Prot-
estant pulpit spoke with no uncertain voice, and the idea
was significantly scotched. How different this from the
Chicago of to-day!
By Courtesy of "The Churchman"
REV. ROBERT H. CLARKSON
REV. CX H. TIFFANY
THE PULPIT AS A WAR POECE 101
STAGE PEOPLE THE GBEAT-GEANDPABENTS OF A MULTI-
MILLIONAIRE
While we are upon the subject of the German theatre,
a digression from the field sociological may be permitted.
The performances were generally of a high order su-
perior, in fact, in point of histrionic talent to those at
McVicker's, Chicago's only American theatre till well
along in the middle sixties; and this excellence was due in
no small degree to the Kenkels, husband and wife. The
performances being limited to Sunday evenings, there was
naturally little to keep the pot boiling, and it was much of
the time pretty hard sledding for this excellent couple.
It might be going too far to say that in German theatricals
in those days the "talent," like the country schoolmaster,
"boarded round" among the patrons; or, like the country
parson, was paid in turnips and like delectables; but cer-
tain it is that on more than one occasion helpful hands
were needed to keep the proverbial wolf at a respectful dis-
tance. Yet through the whirling of time, by which as start-
ling contrasts are brought about in real life as on any
mimic stage, it came to pass that a granddaughter of these
struggling Komodianten married the only son (now de-
ceased) of the richest man this city of multi-miilionaires
has produced; and she and her children are the heirs of
what is believed to be the largest fortune ever accumulated
in a mercantile pursuit.
WHY FREE-THINKERS TOLERATED BOTH PURITANS AND
ROMANISTS
To the rationalistic German as a rule a child of the
Revolution of 1848 the Protestant American, whose re-
102 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
ligion was the result of personal experience, was a complete
enigma; and when not believed to suffer from some form
of delusion, he was credited with little sincerity. But the
Catholic Church he thought he understood* This typified
for him priestcraft, with a background of the torturing
Inquisition, and any allusion to it quickly provoked his
wrath. But his hatred of everything that savored of Jesu-
itism seldom took the form of active propagandism, for the
reason that Rome was tolerant of a liberal Sabbath; and
this attitude, as against the American Puritanism, en-
forced something like an armed peace, fairly suggestive
of a coalition. The German free-thinker, the product of
a reaction from the objective horrors of the Inquisition
rather than the subjective influence of a haunting orthodox
theology, concerned himself little about mere questions of
Biblical errors or mistaken interpretations; and so it was
left for the American Ingersoll, with his unpleasant mem-
ories of a repressed orthodox childhood, to throw his
gauntlet in the face of the defenders of an inerrant Bible ;
and this attitude, so startling to the average American of
the time, was to the rationalisic Teuton simply a source of
wonderment that the great infidel should care to go to all
the trouble.
GERMANS OF THAT DAY LARGELY TINGED WITH
SOCIALISM
And there was still another vital difference between the
orthodox American and the radical German, with whom he
was so intimately bound up in the matter of abolitionism.
If you scratched deep enough, you would be very apt to
find under the revolutionary Teutonic cuticle some variety
of socialist or communist. A conspicuous example of
this class was Dr. Ernst Schmidt, in every respect a large
REV. WILLIAM WESTON PATTON
THE PULPIT AS A WAR FORCE 103
personality, and an uncompromising type of the born
iconoclast; and as proof how thoroughly the German of
that time was inoculated with socialistic ideas, and how
ready to hring them to the fore when there was absence of
more burning questions, it may be mentioned that in 1879,
when the Doctor ran for Mayor against Democratic and
Republican candidates on a straight Socialistic ticket, he
received no less than 11,829 votes out of a total poll of
66,910. It may be well to remember this formidable pro-
portion when the militant reformer threatens the com-
munity with an early Socialistic deluge. The last time the
Chicago Socialists were heard from in a municipal elec-
tion, they cast 13,429 votes out of a total poll of 335,930;
and in the last presidential election 17,712 votes out of a
total poll of 378,535. In other figures: while in 1879 the
Socialists polled approximately one in six, their proportion
in the last municipal election was only one in twenty-five,
and in the presidential election one in twenty-one.
CHAPTER VIII
THE WORK OF THE WOMEN
WOMEN'S SHARE IN THE CIVIL WAR INDIVIDUAL WOMEN WHO
SERVED THE "SOLDIERS' REST/' THE "SOLDIERS' HOME/' THE
SANITARY FAIRS OFFICERS UNDER MATRON-GENERAL Dix
WORK DONE FOR THE SOLDIERS BY YOUNG WOMEN THE SANITARY
FAIR OF 1863 THE SANITARY FAIR OF 1865 "MRS. PARTING-
TON" EXPRESSES HER FEELINGS RELICS OF SLAVERY AND THE WAR
EXHIBITED AT THE FAIR ARRIVAL OF GENERAL SHERMAN AND
GENERAL GRANT AN ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION TO EACH
MRS. BICKERDYKE'S ARRAIGNMENT OF MEN WHO WOULD NOT HELP.
THE present generation of strenuous young women
often fosters the belief that its grandmothers were
mere stay-at-homes, who not only expected the men
to do the fighting, but to look after all the rest of the try-
ing things that follow in the train of a call to arms. Yet
the story of the war for the Union, especially in its begin-
nings, when everything was in a state of chaos, would be
an infinitely sadder one but for woman's spontaneous
share.
The struggle beginning in 1861 was a people's war.
There were no armed hosts ready to spring at each other's
throats at the word of command. When the nations of the
Old World set out to Mil each other, woman has but small
share in the preparation for the combat. All is ready
or, at any rate, is supposed to be ready. Every man drawn
into the struggle is disciplined to hardship, and knows his
exact place in the huge machine set in motion. And every
part is trained. How different this from our internecine
struggle! Women alone knew anything about nursing;
and of these, as a rule, only the mothers of families.
104
THE WORK OF THE WOMEN 105
ESTDIVIDTJAL, WOMEN WHO SERVED
When nurses were called for, it was out of the very
heart of the situation that Mrs. D. M. Brundage, of this
city, having given her four sons to the cause, added her own
services. And it was the same when Mrs. Upright, of
Roekf ord, a very mother in Israel, having sent seven sons
into the field, declared she had three more to answer the
next call, and when these left she would go with them.
The early regiments, hurriedly gotten together, in-
adequately provided with even the essentials to a soldier's
well-being in the field, soon fell into a perilous state ; and
from every camp there came appeals for nurses. From the
first, hrave women stood ready to give their lives for the
cause. The credit of heing the first to volunteer as nurses
in Chicago is given to the Misses Jane A. Babcock and
Mary E. M. Foster. And within a week after the fall of
Fort Sumter, at a meeting held at the Briggs House and
presided over by the Rev. Robert Collyer, a number of
mothers and sisters of the men who were being hurried to
the front were organized into a nursing corps. Among
these were Mesdames J. S. Kellogg, Mary Evans, A. M.
Beaubien, E. S. Johnson, E. B. Graves, and Annette
Sleightly. Shortly after, Mrs. P. E. Yates was appointed
presiding matron of the military hospitals at Cairo, where
most of the men recruited in Chicago were rendezvoused.
Mrs. Yates selected for her assistants the Misses Jane A.
Miller, L. B. Slaymaker, Mary E. Babcock, Adeline
Hamilton, and Teresa Zimmer.
Miss Dorothea L. Dix, of Massachusetts, had been ap-
pointed "Matron-General" of the army by Secretary of
War Cameron; and this very competent and energetic
leader in turn appointed Mrs. D. P. (Mary A.) Livermore
and Mrs. A. H. Hoge her representatives in the West, and
106 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
these two forceful women soon gathered ahout them an
efficient corps of helpers.
Among the many women held in grateful remembrance
by the men in the field, because of untiring service in their
behalf, besides those already mentioned, one most readily
recalls: Mrs. Myra A. Bradwell, Mrs. O. E. Hosmer,
Mrs. Henry Sayers, Mrs. J. H. Woodworth, Mrs. J.
W. Steele, Mrs. C. W. Andrews, Mrs. J. Long, Mrs. M.
A. Burnham, Mrs. Reuben Ludlow, Mrs. N. H. Parker,
Mrs. C. P. Dickinson, Mrs. J. O. Brayman, Mrs. Ambrose
Foster, Mrs. Joseph Medill, Mrs. E. S. Wadsworth, Mrs.
E. Higgins, Mrs. F. W. Robinson, Mrs. A. Foster, Mrs.
E. H. Gushing, Mrs. Jerome Beecher, Mrs. W. H. Clark,
Mrs. Smith Tinkham, Mrs. J. K Botsford, Mrs. W. E.
Doggett, Mrs. C. N. Holden, Mrs. J. H. Tuttle, Mrs.
Lawrence, Mrs. E. W. Blatchford, Mrs. I. Greenfelder,
Mrs. George Gibbs, Mrs. E. F. Dickinson, Mrs. Elizabeth
Blackie, Mrs. Dr. Ingalls, Mrs. O. D. Ranney, Mrs. J. M.
Harvey, Mrs. C. M. Clark, Mrs. H. L. Bristol, Mrs. J. M.
Loomis, Mrs. J. C. Shepley, Mrs. Sarah E. Henshaw,
Mrs. Elizabeth Porter, Mrs. Colonel Sloan, Mrs. C. C,
Webster, Mrs. Elizabeth Hawley.
THE "SOLDIERS* BEST," THE "SOLDIERS' HOME/' THE
SANITARY FAIRS
It was by women of this group that the "Soldiers'
Rest" was founded in the first stages of the struggle. Here
hundred of thousands of meals were served to the brave
boys in blue; for there was never a regiment permitted to
pass through the city without entertainment. It was also
through their efforts that the "Soldiers' Home" came into
being while the war was still in progress; that the two great
Sanitary Fairs were organized and brought to a successful
THE WORK OF THE WOMEN 107
issue; that camp hospitals were equipped and supplied with
nurses and medical supplies, and the men with such coveted
luxuries as onions, pickles, and chowchow, to supplement
the regular menu of "sow-belly" and hardtack provided
by Uncle Sam. All this was before the time of scientific
food preservation, and only the "cove" oyster was canned.
EXPENDITURE BY THE BOARD OF TRADE AND BY
SOLOMON STURGES
For a considerable period almost every detail necessary
to put the men in the field depended on private initiative.
The Board of Trade fitted out a number of regiments,
while Solomon Sturges, at a cost to himself of twenty thou-
sand dollars, put in the field the "Sturges Rifles" ; and that
was but one of his many contributions. Not only was Mr.
Sturges the largest giver to the war in Chicago, but it was
said that he contributed more than any man in the country.
That, however, may be questioned. When, near the close
of 1864, the doctors informed this sturdy patriot that his
hour had come, he insisted they were mistaken, as he could
not die until Richmond was taken. Grant was then before
Petersburg, and it would have been pleasant to say he
had made good the old gentleman's contention.
WOMEN OFFICERS UNDER MATRON-GENERAL DIX
Aside from her official position as a representative of
Matron-General Dix, the one to whom probably most
credit is due for energizing the local feminine forces in sup-
port of the fighting sex, is Mrs. Mary A. Livermore, an
extraordinarily dominant personality. Her husband, the
Rev. D. P. Livermore, editor of a Universalist paper, was
well above the average of men, both in stature and mental
force, and also very active in all manner of public affairs;
108 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
but he never quite succeeded in establishing his identity
independent of Mary A. Such was the separatist state of
the religious mind, that had Mrs. Livermore been a less
personality, the majority of the women with evangelical
affiliations, who so willingly accepted her leadership, might
well have refused to follow, because of her heretical belief
in ultimate universal salvation. Mrs. A. H. Hoge, who
shared official honors with Mrs. Livermore as a representa-
tive of the Matron-General, was also a very forceful
personality, with an executive talent of a high order; and
another who was ever in the forefront as an efficient leader
and worker was Myra, the talented wife of Judge J. B.
Bradwell, and latter a "limb of the law" on her own
account.
Men of the stamp of Thomas B. Bryan, Mark Skinner,
and E. B. McCagg, were called to the head of the various
movements to ameliorate the hardships of the struggle, and
virtually gave all their time and much of their substance to
further the work. But these effective personalities by no
means obscured the light of the women in positions behind
them; for not only were all details left in their hands, but
many of the larger initiatives were due to their experience
as home managers or to their intuitive foresight.
WORK DONE FOR THE SOLDIERS BY GIRLS
Among the younger generation the sisters and sweet-
hearts of the "boys" who had responded to their country's
call the desire to render service equalled that of their
elders. There was lint to pick (this was before the days
of antiseptics) ; and who shall say that many a wound did
not heal the quicker for the precious "magnetism" im-
parted to the filaments by sympathetic maidenly hands?
There were all manner of other hospital equipments, such
THE WORK OP THE WOMEN 109
as bandages, sheets, pillow slips, etc., to be provided;
and in its furtherance that indefatigable patriot, J. H.
McVicker, set up a battery of thirty sewing-machines on an
upper floor of his theatre. There was always opportunity
for service at the "Soldiers' Rest," where all departing,
returning, or passing regiments were entertained; and
many a brave lad took with him a pleasant memory of fair
ministrants decked in red, white, and blue scarfs, who
favored them so generously with cheering smiles and ap-
petizing "goodies."
THE SA^ITAEY PAIE OF 1863
Prior to the two great Sanitary Fairs, held respectively
in 1863 and 1865, there was held in the early days of the
war, with the idea of developing "sinews," under the man-
agement of Mesdames Livermore, Hoge, and Hosmer,
what was known as a "Festival." Then, in 1863, followed
the Sanitary Fair which was to prove the parent of a
numerous progeny all over the country, in aid of the Sani-
tary Commission. To this President Lincoln contributed
the perfected draft of his Emancipation Proclamation,*
* There appears to be a good deal of confusion and not a little misinformation
extant, with reference to Emancipation Proclamation " originals/' and their dis-
position and fate. The one sold at, and for the benefit of, the first Chicago Sani-
tary Fair, was undoubtedly the first dean draft carefully copied by the President
for final approval by the Cabinet; and there is evidence that it was with great
reluctance that he finally placed this priceless document at the disposal of the fair.
According to all late references that have come under my notice, it was bought in
at auction by Thomas B. Bryan, and presented by him to the Soldiers 9 Home.
The manuscript was deposited by the Board of Managers of the Soldiers' Home
in the ** fire-proof*' building of the Chicago Historical Society, where it was
destroyed in the fire of 1871. That it was not allowed to perish without an heroic
struggle is evidenced by a letter from CoL Samuel Stone, assistant secretary and
librarian of the Historical Society, who, when the alarm of fire was given en the
morning of October 9, 1871, rushed to the Historical Society. He writes: " I at-
tempted to break the frame of the Proclamation and take it out. But the frame
110 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
which sold for three thousand dollars, and thereby won for
the liberator a hugely magnificent gold watch, which had
heen offered as a prize to the one whose individual gift
should represent the highest money value. It was duly
presented to the President by the Hon. Isaac N. Arnold,
Chicago's Congressman, in his best Chesterfieldian man-
ner, on behalf of the committee of ladies who bore it to
Washington. The recipient is reported to have acknowl-
edged the gift with one of his best stories; but what it was
all about the ladies could never be got to tell.
THE SANITARY FAIR OF 1865
Then, in 1865, it was determined to hold another fair,
and on a much larger scale, a part of the proceeds to go to
the Soldiers' Home, and the remainder to the Sanitary
Commission. It was at first proposed to open it on Wash-
ington's Birthday, and to close it on the day of Lincoln's
second inauguration. But the work, under a committee
from each church and every sort of secular organization, as-
sumed such proportions, that the thirtieth of May was then
fixed upon for the opening. Meantime Lee had surren-
dered, an event that was soon followed by the assassination
of the President; and the corner-stone was laid in silence
and sadness. Although the war had come to a sudden close,
there was still great need of funds to care for the disabled;
was so stout it was not easily done; and just as I was making 'the attempt there
came another blast of fire and smoke, . . . The entire building and everything
surrounding it was one mass of flame, the fire burning every brick, apparently."
But there is another "original," and a very real one, extant. It was pre-
sented by the President to the Albany Army Relief Bazaar on January 4, 1864,
and was sold by the bazaar to Gerritt Smith, the famous Abolitionist, for $1,100.
Mr. Smith in turn presented it to the United States Sanitary Commission. In 1865,
by action of the legislature of the State of New York, it was purchased from the
commission for $1,000, and ordered to be deposited in the State Library, where it
now is.
&
5* p
>t O
Z? 5*
? S3
y: O
r ?
IS
^ o-
^ O
THE WORK OF THE WOMEN 111
and so a building was erected, which completely covered
the old Dearborn park, now occupied by the public library;
while Bryan Hall served as a trophy-hall adjunct* Con-
tributions were received from all over the world: from
England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Denmark,
Sweden, Norway, China, Japan, and it proved an extraor-
dinary success. The Hon. Thomas B. Bryan was the
active manager, assisted by most of the ladies I have men-
tioned; Mrs. W. T. Sherman had personal supervision of
one of the departments; General Grant presented "Jack/'
the horse he rode while Colonel of the Twenty-first Illinois
Infantry; Iowa farmers contributed four hundred acres of
land ; Lincoln's log cabin was imported, and erected in all
its primitive uniqueness; Harriet Hosmer sent her statue
of Zenobia; Carpenter his painting of "The Signing of the
Emancipation Proclamation"; Bierstadt his "Rocky
Mountains"; Professor Goldwin Smith presented a valu-
able painting; and famous literary men sent the manu-
scripts of their inspirations. Horace Greeley wrote:
"Office of the Tribune,
"New York, May 7, 1865.
"MY DEAR SIR:
" I have your note and circular. I enclose herewith as many photo-
graphs of myself (half a dozen) as will probably be required to glut
the market. As to Arms or Trophies, not having used the former in
our late terrible struggle, I have had no opportunity to acquire the
latter.
"I am yours,
"HORACE GREELEY/'
"MRS. PARTINGTON" EXPRESSES HTCU EEELTNGS
"Mrs. Partington," having been invited to express her
feelings, gave utterance to the following:
"DEAR SIR: Perhaps you don't know Isaac has gone to the con-
tented field; he was grafted last fall in one of the wings of the army;
112 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
I suppose the flying artillery. I wrote to Mr. Stanton, telling him not
to put Isaac where he would get shot, as he wasn't used to it. I know
what influenza you must have with the President, and I write this to you
to get Isaac on a furlong, so he can get his mended pantaloons; for
he writes me two of their 'parrots' burst their breeches, and I think
what an awful thing it would be if Isaac was a parrot. When Isaac
used to sing 'I want to be an angel' I did not think he would be so soon
with the 'Swamp angels' down in Charleston. He says the war will
be over soon, and he will come back a Victoria. I'm sure I wish it
was over, or had not been commenced yet.
"Yours,
"RUTH PARTINQTON."
A daily paper called The Voice of the Fair was pub-
lished by the management, and a bound file of this unique
souvenir remains in possession of the Hon. E. B. Sherman,
one of its editors.
WAR AND SLAVERY RELICS ON EXHIBITION
Bryan Hall was draped with flags, and here many
unique relics were exhibited, Among these was a bell from
the Mississippi plantation of Jefferson Davis, which had
formerly called his "hands" to their daily tasks: it was
here used morning and night to open and close the fair.
Hardly less interesting was a rusty iron collar that had
decorated the necks of slaves. But the relic that
attracted most attention was a sign with the legend "Libby
& Son, Ship Chandlers/* a fearsome reminder to not a
few who looked upon it here, of days and months of unut-
terable suffering in Richmond's prison. On the centre of
the stage, in solemn state, rested the catafalque whereon
in his last sleep had reposed the nation's martyr. As show-
ing how the trophies from Rebel lands displayed here in
such numbers, were regarded at the time, I will let The
Voice of the Fair speak, as it truly reflects not only the
THE WORK OF THE WOMEN 113
feeling of the day, but also the manner in which it fre-
quently found utterance:
"And here too have come the ford and loathsome emblems of trea-
son and slavery the exponents of that hellish monster, begotten in
f raudj conceived in wickedness^ born in violence, rapine, plunder, and
cruelty, and swaddled all over with a pestilential garment, whose warp
was treason, whose woof was shameless lies, and baptized in the blood
of Liberty's martyrs,"
ARRIVAL OF GENERALS SHEBMAN AND GBANT
The chief events among many stirring incidents that
marked the progress of the fair were the arrival on dif-
ferent days, fresh from their hard-won victories, first of
General Sherman and later of General Grant. To a gen-
eration whose enthusiasms, for lack of emotional issues, are
necessarily somewhat perfunctory or altogether artificial
as when a candidate is vociferously acclaimed in a nomi-
nating convention for the hest part of an hour it is not
easy to convey through the medium of words a sense of the
spontaneous, irresistible uprush of feeling that in the hour
of final victory marked every possible occasion for a dem-
onstration. The four years of suspense were well calcu-
lated to engender a form of popular hysteria. By a slow,
costly, death-charged process of selection, two men had
risen above all others to leadership. In their hands had
come to rest the fate of the nation; and now, in the hour of
supreme triumph, these two were Chicago's guests!
AN ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION TO EACH
The reception of General Sherman, if not so elaborate
as that tendered the Lieutenant-General, was not one whit
less enthusiastic. In both instances any difference was
simply a case of less or more opportunities afforded by
the programme. When General Sherman arrived, cannon
114 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
boomed a salute, and the hero of the hour, on alighting
from the train, found himself in the midst of a frenzied
populace, which no restraining force could keep within
bounds* Happily the march to the fair was shorter than
that through Georgia, At the building the General was
received in fitting terms by Mayor Rice; then a poem
well, "Old Tecumseh" was never known to flinch before
any ordeal, whatever the suffering it might entail.
Two days later, on the tenth of June, it was General
Grant's turn to face the music, and this in quite a literal
sense. The hero of Appomattox was received by the
Mayor and Council, and by delegations from every kind
of organization, headed by the Board of Trade. "Fight-
ing Joe" Hooker, himself no mean hero, as commander of
the department was present with his staff, and it devolved
on him to deliver the formal address of welcome ; for this
was in effect a military reception, with salutes of cannon,
and an escort from every branch of the service.
General Grant, as became the occasion, rode literally
at the head of the army, and he bestrode his old war-horse
"Jack/* donated by him for the benefit of the fair.
General Sherman had taken his medicine as became the
occasion, by entering heartily into the spirit of it and
again and again his face was wreathed in smiles, with, per-
haps, a suggestion of the sardonic, while the glitter in his
eye was a challenge to ever fresh enthusiasms. But Grant
was literally in "The Wilderness" once again. He sat his
horse as grimly as if all the forces of Lee were in ambush
before him, and there was no opening line in sight on which
to fight it out. To a man as diffident as the Grant of those
days he in time overcame his reticence, as he did many
things it was indeed trying to face such a turbulent
human sea with its waves upon waves of ever higher rising
By Courtesy of the Cliionjoro Historical Sociely
MRS. MARY A. (/'MOTHKR" BICKERDYKK
(Organizer of Military Hospitals and. Frientl of the Soldiers)
THE WORK OF THE WOMEN 115
enthusiasm. But all this was as nothing to the ordeal that
awaited him inside the building, when he found himself
face to face with the city's young and exuberant beauty,
strewing the way to the platform with flowers.
GENEEAL GEANT DECLINES TO MAKE A SPEECH
After the addresses of welcome General Grant was
naturally called upon for a speech, but declined. General
Sherman was then called on, and said: "I have always
been willing to do anything the Lieutenant-General asked
me to do, but he has never asked me to make a speech."
To this Grant replied, "I have never asked a soldier to
do anything I could n't do myself."
The net proceeds of the fair were about four hundred
thousand dollars; while the Sanitary Fairs in different
parts of the country offspring of the first held in Chi-
cago in 1863 netted nearly five million dollars.
MBS. BICKEEDYKE'S ABEAIGNMENT OF MEN WHO WOULD
NOT HELP
While still on the theme of the work of the women in
behalf of the men in the field, I cannot refrain from going
outside the local record to say a word about Mrs. Mary A*
Bickerdyke, of Cleveland, who visited Chicago more than
once, when things seemed to need stirring up a bit.
"Mother" Bickerdyke the name by which she was best
known among the camps and hospitals of the army was
nothing if not fearless and original* At one time she had
charge of the Gayoso Hospital, at Memphis, and by keep-
ing every one connected with it up to a strict line of duty,
made it a model for other military hospitals. She had the
head of one of the field hospitals discharged. He appealed
to General Sherman, Commander of the department, who
116 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
asked, "Who caused your discharge?" The answer was,
"It was that woman Bickerdyke." "Oh," was the reply,
"I can do nothing for you; she ranks me."
As the name Bickerdyke might suggest, its bearer was
afraid of nobody, and least of all, of a man. When she
wanted to stir the stay-at-homes up to their duty, she went
after them in this fashion :
"You merchants and rich men, living at your ease dressed in your
broadcloth, knowing little and caring less for the sufferings of the
soldiers from hunger and thirst., from cold and nakedness, from sick-
ness and wounds, from pain and death, all incurred that you may roll
in wealth, and your homes and little ones be safe, you refuse to give
aid to these poor soldiers, because, forsooth, you gave a few dollars
some time ago to fit out a regiment! Shame on you you are not
men you are cowards. Go over to Canada ! This country has no
place for such creatures."
Mrs. Bickerdyke was with the Army of the Tennessee
at Mission Ridge, and was the only woman in the field hos-
pital there. Thence she went to the field hospital near
Chattanooga, where she was joined by Mrs. Eliza A.
Porter, an accomplished lady, who had been sent by the
Northwestern Sanitary Commission at Chicago, and was
thereafter her constant associate. She attended Sherman's
army in the Atlanta campaign, and was afterwards called
to Nashville and Franklin to nurse the wounded in those
terrible battles. Later she organized the supply depart-
ment of the hospital in Savannah, and followed Sherman's
army through the Carolinas.
CHAPTER IX
THE PART OF THE SINGERS
BOTH NORTH AND SOUTH SUSTAINED BY INWARD FORCES CAUSES OF
ILLINOIS* PREEMINENCE AMONG THE STATES IN FILLING ITS
QUOTAS THE BROTHERS FRANK AND JULES LTJMBARD INFLU-
ENCE OF THEIR QUARTETTE ON ENLISTMENTS CHICAGO AND THE
MORE IMMEDIATE WEST ROUSED TO A HIGH PITCH OF PATRIOTIC
SACRIFICE "THE BATTLE CRY OF FREEDOM" FRANK LUMBARD
AND "OLE SHADY" A LETTER FROM JULES ABOUT THE SONG
GENEROUS SERVICES UNREQUITED AN APPEAL.
AS the great war crisis lengthens in mental perspective,
some matters that once loomed large in the fore-
ground recede vaguely into colorless shadow, while
others, through a better informed estimate of values,
grow in self -illumining proportions. On the side
of the South, the underlying feeling which unheedingly
forced the issue to an arbitrament by the sword, and there-
after sustained the "lost cause" to the bitter end, was an
overweening pride, the result of a long-fostered sense of
caste superiority. On the side of the North the sensi-
bilities involved were of a more impersonal character a
patriotism comprehended under the symbol of Union, and
here and there touched with a sentimental regard for the
condition of the slave. When it is remembered that the
South believed as thoroughly as the North in the justice
of her cause, it is possible to see that her pride, joined to
the feeling that she was defending her homes, made a con-
dition where powers of resistance and endurance were
distinctly less in need of extraneous stimuli than was the
case with the synthesis of feelings that kept the Northern
117
118 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
armies at their accepted task; and hence extrinsic influences
to enthusiasm were far more important as supports to the
cause of the Union than to that of the enemy. Neither side
in those days understood the other, and each sadly mis-
calculated the other's staying powers. For the inward
forces that sustained the North in its long struggle the
South had no vision whatsoever. To it the Northern peo-
ple were prideless, shop-keeping "mudsills," in whose eyes
only the dollar had value. It credited no depths of senti-
ment to descendants from a Puritan ancestry ; knew nought
of the sacrificial possibilities of a freedom-loving Ger-
man idealism founts whose uprushings could he trans-
lated into deeds through the alchemy of song and story.
Who of that time, for example, can forget the emotional
thrill produced by Dr. Hale's "Man Without a Country,"
or estimate in fighting terms the services of a man like
George F. Hoot, an inspired singer, who fitted himself to
the hour as steel to flint? The South was stimulated by
thoughts of chivalry, and panoplied in those qualities tha,t
exalt men in the eyes of sentimental womanhood. With
the North fought all the invisible hosts of the historic past
whose blood has enriched the soil of freedom; all the spirits
of martyrs who for imperishable ideals found death at the
stake ; and when the strength and fortitude which these ex-
amples inspired were failing, they could be revivified by
those stimuli which excite emotions that most readily spur
to action.
CAUSES OF ILLINOIS' EXCEPTIONALLY LARGE ENLISTMENT
The exceptional position of Illinois among her loyal
sister States, as the only one whose quotas were placed in
the field without resort to the draft, has been frequently
attributed to the fact that it gave Abraham Lincoln to the
GEORGE F. ROOT
(Composer of "The Battle-Cry of Freedom,
and Other Inspired Song-s)
THE PAET OF THE SINGERS 119
nation, and so had a special incentive to sustain him in his
arduous task. But, as I attempt to evaluate the various
influences that joined in the proud result, certain other fac-
tors urge themselves for recognition* If the great Presi-
dent was an inspiration to enlistment among the intensely
loyal, it must not be forgotten that he was also hated and
reviled as none other: and that between his ardent sup-
porters and his envenomed detractors, there was a consider-
able middle zone occupied by a class who might be moved
only by some form of self-interest or extraneous excitation.
The lure of large bounties was in the later years of the war
all over the land; and while this might hold a strong posi-
tion in the background of intention, it was of the first
importance to the work of enlistment that something out
of the common should stir the blood and help to fix the
resolution.
Who was it that said, "Let me write the songs of a
people and I care not who makes its laws"? But great
songs have no fixed habitation. Indeed, frequently they
are popularized far from the scene of their birth: so much
is due to the manner of their exploitation so frequently
to some exceptional interpretation. Was it merely a coin-
cidence that the maker of the war's most inspiring lyrics,
and their "creators" (as the stage people say) and most
gifted celebrants were local co-workers? These battle
paeans were heard in Chicago, where they were born, as
nowhere else. If inspiration requires a congenial atmos-
phere for spontaneous expression, there was much here to
call it forth.
THE BROTHERS LUMBABD AS SINGERS
The Lumbards, Frank and Jules, were notabilities
years before the war. Through these gifted brothers sing-
120 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
ing had fairly got into Chicago's blood; and so all was
ready to give a whole-hearted welcome to the gift of the
muses, as a form of emotional expression suited to the hour.
Jules G. Lumbard, in his prime, was regarded as one of
the finest bassos in the country; and to this rare gift for-
tune added a presence that happily still makes this master-
singer in his hale old age one of the marked figures of the
city. Frank's voice was a sonorous tenor; and, if not quite
the equal of the brother's in purity, it had a quality all its
own, a triumphant heartiness that irresistibly compelled his
auditors to follow where he led, and to ring out the chorus
as if the life of the country depended on each individual
doing his very utmost.
THEIR SINGING OF "THE BATTLE CRY OF FBEEDOM"
Mr. George P. Upton shared to the full the emotions
of the hour. In his recently published "Musical Mem-
ories," through which those who were of the elder time can
so truly live many experiences over again, he thus asso-
ciates these singers with some significant incidents :
"When President Lincoln issued Ms second call for troops, 'The
Battle Cry of Freedom' occurred to him [Root] as a motive for a
song,, while he was reading the document. He dashed it off hurriedly
the next morning at the store. There was to be a public meeting on
the same day in the Court House Square. Frank and Jules Lumbard,
who were the singers laureate of the war period, came to the store to
get something new to sing. The Doctor gave them * The Battle Cry/
They ran it over once or twice, went to the meeting, and shouted it in
their trumpet tones, and before the last verse was finished thousands
joined in the refrain. It spread from that Square all over the coun-
try. It was heard in camps, on the march, upon the battle field. It
became the Northern Marseillaise. I heard it sung once under pe-
culiar circumstances, when I was with the Mississippi flotilla, acting
as correspondent for The Chicago Tribune. There was a transport
in convoy of the fleet, with troops on board. One evening, as I sat
By Courtesy of the Chicago Historical Society
COVER OF "THE BATTLE-CRY OF FREEDOM"
(Written by George F. Root at the Time of Lincoln's Second Call for
Troops; First Sung by Frank and Jules Lumbard in the
Court House Square, Chicago)
THE PART OF THE SINGERS 121
upon the deck of the gunboat wondering what would happen next
for the Confederates were in our immediate vicinity behind strong
batteries, I heard a clear tenor voice on the transport singing *The
Battle Cry of Freedom.* As the singer's notes died away on the even-
ing air, the response of 'Dixie' came across the water from an equally
clear tenor. As soon as he had ceased the first singer continued the
concert by a vigorous shout of the song which declares the intention
to 'hang Jeff Davis on a sour apple tree, as we go marching on.*
There was no song of the war time that equalled 'The Battle Cry* in
popularity and patriotic inspiration/*
THE INFLUENCE OF THEIR WAR QUARTETTE
When defeat followed defeat, and hearts were wrung
to the breaking point, there was in the wide territory tribu-
tary to Chicago no instrumentality to rouse men to re-
newed action to ever higher duties and sacrifices
comparable to these rarely gifted singers. No rally for the
Union within a wide radius was complete without the
promised presence of their war quartette; and whensoever
they were advertised to appear, there was never a question
as to the success of the meeting, for then the whole country
side for fifty miles around would be on hand to follow their
lead in "Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom." Frank,
the quartette's leader, was an incarnation of optimism, an
embodiment of the spirit of enthusiasm; and, whatever the
situation, however oppressed the hearts of the people, he
possessed the gift to impart his own high spirits to his sur-
roundings. He just did things in a big, exuberant way;
dispelled clouds and made the sun shine in spite of itself ;
forced men and women to sing and sing again, and so
turned heart-heaviness into sacrificial rejoicing.
ILLINOIS* EXCEPTIONALLY FAVORABIJE CIRCUMSTANCES
One must have been of the day and hour to realize what
slight fillip to the sensibilities often led to resolutions preg-
Itt BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
nant with the issue of life or death. Each successive call
filled the country with a feverish unrest, which might, as
circumstances determined, settle into a dispiriting depres-
sion or rise to a fervid exaltation. Those communities that
were without forceful leaders or other incentives to action
had no recourse but to face the draft : a proceeding without
sentiment. On the other hand, a locality so favored as
Illinois, whose lode-star was a Lincoln, which had the ef-
fective leadership of a great War Governor, and was
furthermore uplifted hy the exceptional influences noted,
found in these demands upon it only occasions for renewed
and greater efforts ; and until the task set before it was ac-
complished, all other matters were thrust aside.
UBIQUITOUSNESS OF THE LTJMBARD QUARTETTE
I have spoken of the part taken by the men of the
Board of Trade, of the meetings held under their direc-
tion, and the extraordinary enlistment machinery set in
motion by them. In all this, and much besides, the Lum-
bard quartette was ubiquitous. From alternating between
gatherings at Bryan and Metropolitan Halls, there would
be a rush to the train to meet an engagement at Urbana
or Springfield, Peoria or Freeport, Rockford, Galesburg,
Dixon, or Aurora. Then back to Chicago, where further
rallies waited on their inspiriting presence. And when Illi-
nois had rushed its quota to a triumphant conclusion, and
adjoining States were making strenuous efforts to escape
conscription, the quartette would answer a summons from
Janesville or Madison, Wisconsin; Indianapolis or Terre
Haute, Indiana; or Grand Rapids or Lansing, Michigan.
And when there was nothing special in the recruiting line
to keep them at home, there were loud calls from the
various camps of the men from Illinois in the field; and
FRANK LUMBARD, TENOR
JULES G. LUMBARD, BASSO
(Chicago's Famous Sing-ers of War-time Lyrics)
THE PART OF THE SINGERS 123
so all the days of the four years of conflict were busy as
well as helpful ones for the Lumbards.
CHICAGO STIRRED BY MUSIC IN THE WAR TIME
It is not easy to interpret to an overworked age like
the present, in which the stimuli to the emotions must
be strained to the snapping point in order to produce any
appreciable effect, what simple means sufficed to move
men to great enthusiasms, when their sensibilities had not
been rendered callous by over-much artificial excitation.
Though we are not a spontaneously musical people, as
are most Europeans, there was in the war time an outburst
of patriotic song on the slightest provocation, shared in
by everybody, anywhere and everywhere; while all the
great war meetings had the appearance of mannerchor
reunions. In defence of the Wagner music drama (in
which even a dragon has his "motif") it has been con-
tended that primeval man was more of a singing than a
talking biped-
EMOTIONS OF SERFS AND SLAVES EXPRESSED IN SONG
We see this illustrated by the chants in which abor-
igines demonstrate their feelings. Because the serfs un-
burdened their hearts through music, fitted a melody to
every task of drudgery, as well as to their scant pleasures,
there is for the behoof of the modern composer an almost
inexhaustible store of spontaneous Russian folk-music to
draw upon for symphonic elaboration; and when the
American Tschaikovsky shall arrive, he may well find his
richest nuggets among the plaints wrung from the heart
of the African in our slavery days. Therefore, taking
into account the naive character of the community,
together with the storm. and stress of the times, it should
124 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
not be difficult to understand why the Lumbards, through
their exceptional gift, became the voice of a popular emo-
tion nay, its apotheosis and, rather than the many
honored above their deserts, deserve to be held in grate-
ful remembrance by their compatriots; and, above all, by
the people of the Middle West.
JULES LUMBARD'S LETTER ABOUT "OLE SHADY"
And this brings me to where a word about the song
with which the name of Frank Lumbard is so intimately
associated may be of interest. Few themes in Chicago's
"bygone days" are so suggestive of romance or story as
"Ole Shady" an idyllic note in a procession of war's
alarms. Its origin is shrouded in mystery, its author is
unknown, and probably, like Topsy, it "just growed."
Innumerable legends have been woven around it in con-
nection with its famous interpreter most of them pure
inventions. With the view of giving the song all the basis
of fact possible in the circumstances, I communicated with
Jules, the superb basso of the quartette, and the only sur-
vivor that links the present to those inspired bards who,
led by the Hutchinson family, sang slavery to its doom.
I give Mr. Lumbard's reply in full, for it is a veritable
whiff from the spirit of those elder days, when men were
truly moved out of themselves for a cause:
"MY DEAR MR. COOK:
"To your inquiry, I beg to advise that the first time we heard *Ole
Shady* it was sung by an old darky, to a banjo accompaniment, at
General McPherson's headquarters, in the rear of Vicksburg, while
that place was under siege by the Union forces under General Grant.
My brother Frank and myself were visitors there some time before the
surrender, which occurred on July 4, 1863. We brought the music
of the song with us, for it was in bur ears and hearts from the first
rendering by the gray-haired minstrel, but it was I who had the fore-
THE PART OF THE SINGERS 125
thought to copy the words from the dictation of the old darky, and
we both took early opportunity to introduce it to Northern audiences.
"I afterwards learned that the song had been previously given to
the world through a Boston music-publishing house, but who its com-
poser was I never found out. But the sentiment of the song struck
the key-note of public feeling, and it came into almost universal de-
mand.
"One thing deserves, nay needs, to be said regarding it. And that
is that it is in no sense a comic production, notwithstanding the fact
that its first words are of laughter, and that most singers prefer to
give it a flippant and comic interpretation. The fact remains that the
song itself is one of deepest pathos, and of sublime aspiration. Its
subject is unlettered, but its import is of the noblest and highest. The
old man, who was born and reared a slave, is suddenly impressed with
the thought that freedom has come at last: that his children are his
own and not another's, and that he is at last a man among men, that
he is free! And he exclaims with heartfelt earnestness and enthu-
siasm, 'Hail! mighty day!'
"As you are aware, my brother Frank and myself gave ourselves to
the rendering of patriotic music throughout the war, and the enthu-
siasm everywhere enkindled by this song is proof of its merit, and of
its being in sympathy with the sentiment of the time. But it has been
belittled, and rendered almost contemptible, by the attempts of false
interpreters to turn it into jest and a subject of merriment. The
words already quoted, 'Hail! mighty day!' are as lofty and trenchant
as those of that other heaven-pointing refrain, 'Give me liberty, or
give me death/
"Ever sincerely yours,
"J. G. LUMBABD."
THE SONG
Here is the song with which the name of Frank Lum-
bard is so intimately associated:
"OLE SHADY"
"Oh! yah, yah! darkies, laugh wid me!
For de white folks say Ole Shady am free.
So don't you see dat de Jubilee
Am a-comin*, comin 5 ? Hail! mighty day!
126 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
CHORUS:
"Den away, away, for I can't stay any longer;
Hooray! Hooray! for I's a-gwine home!
Den away, away, for I can't wait any longer;
Hooray! Hooray! for I's a-gwine home!
"Ole Mas' got scared, an* so did his lady,
Dis chile he break for Ole Uncle Aby.
Open de gates ! for here 's Ole Shady
A-comin', comin* ! Hail! mighty day!
" Good-bye, Mas* Jeff and good-bye, Mas* Stephens.
Scuse dis niggah for takin' his leabings;
Spect pretty soon you '11 hear Uncle Abram *s
A-comin', comin*! Hail! mighty day!
"Good-bye, hard work, wid neber any pay;
I 's a-gwine up Norf, wha'r de good folks say
Dat white wheat bread an' a dollar a day
Am a-comin*, comin*! Hail! mighty day!
"Oh! I's got a wife, and she'm got a baby,
Way tip Norf in Lower Canady ;
Oh! won't dey laugh when dey see Ole Shady
A-comin', comin' ! Hail ! mighty day !
CHORUS:
"Den away, away, for I can't stay any longer;
Hooray! Hooray! for I's a-gwine home!
Den away, away, for I can't wait any longer;
Hooray! Hooray! for I *s a-gwine home!"
Who that heard Frank sing this song in the war days
can ever forget the heart-bursting triumph with which
he rose to
"Open de gates for here *s Ole Shady
A-comin', comin* ! Hail ! mighty day ! "
In the war days the quartette was composed of Frank
Lumbard, first tenor; John Rickey, second tenor; Charles
Smith, alto ; and Jules Lumbard, basso. Later John M.
THE PART OF THE SINGERS 127
Hubbard, who is still in a responsible position in the Chi-
cago Post Office, took the basso part.
LTJMBABD'S UNSELFISHNESS
Frank Lumbard, however hard pressed, was never a
mercenary, singing merely for hire. When in after years
the war-time singer attuned himself to the exigencies of
political campaigning the work in which he is now best
remembered by the many he still held his talent in trust
to support his political convictions, and under no circum-
stances could a money consideration influence him to sing
for "the other side." To the last he was true to his po-
litical colors, which to his mind were identical with "Old
Glory"; and I trust that the flag he so loved, and which
through his inspiring celebrations was made doubly pre-
cious to so many of his countrymen, became his winding
sheet.
It was in 1882 that Frank Lumbard died. It would
have been pleasant to recall that his country, to the pres-
ervation of which he so efficiently gave the best years of
his life, made suitable provision for himself and family
when a last lingering illness came upon him; or that some
of the many whom by his voice he helped to rich political
rewards, had fittingly remembered their obligation. Frank
Lumbard was a man who freely spent himself for others,
with little regard for his own interests; and so his chief
legacy is a memory worthy to be cherished by every lover
of our reunited country.
THE UNDERWORLD
PROFESSIONAL GAMBLING IN THE EARLY SIXTIES AN INFLUX OP
BLACKLEGS FKOM THE SOUTH THEY GIVE A "REBEL" COLORING
TO DOWN-TOWN LIFE THE "SPORT" OF EVERY SORT IN THOSE
DAYS AN "OUTCAST" Is HE Now "ONE OF Us"? THE PER-
NICIOUS INFLUENCE OF THIS CLASS ON THE YOUNG LACK OF
LEGITIMATE AMUSEMENTS STRIKING CONTRAST IN THE SOCIAL
LIFE BETWEEN THEN AND Now THE "WAR WIDOW" THE
BOUNTY-JUMPER.
PROFESSIONAL gambling, by a class frankly
branded "blacklegs" a term of reprobation now
far less in common use was exploited in war-time
Chicago largely by Southerners. Indeed, if the Garden
City of the early sixties could in any respect be called
"fast," it was this contingent that supplied the speed; for
the mass of the people, brought together from staid New
England or York State, Germany, Ireland, or Scandi-
navia, found the fullest scope for their gaming propensities
in real-estate options, with at most an occasional "flyer"
on the Board of Trade, which "pit of iniquity," like the
dramatic stage of the period, was still devoted to the
"strictly legitimate."
The gambler of those days was a "sport" even in a
Darwinian sense: a marked variation from the normal.
Society had not yet followed him into the betting ring, and
he differentiated himself from his more humble fellow-
citizens both by his toggery and demeanor. His was usu-
ally a striking figure, and he "banked" heavily on his
shape. When not an out-and-out swashbuckler, your
THE UNDERWORLD 129
thoroughbred was apt to go to the opposite extreme, and
draw attention to himself by a studied nonchalance. In
dress he might follow the latest or the loudest fashion,
affect the brass-buttoned claw-hammer of a former genera-
tion, or slosh around in the fantastic gear of a "plainsman"
since evolved into the " cowboy-hero" of classic story.
But, however arrayed, your gambler was never other than
a picturesque poseur., invariably "on the mash," a pas-
time at which he was ably seconded by another unique
species, yclept "burnt-cork artist," a bunch of whom, when
not on exhibition at Metropolitan Hall, usually vied with
the blackleg in giving "color" to the panorama of the
street.
Few social phenomena are more worthy of attention
than the drift in these days from old-time meanings, as well
as moorings, with respect to what is broadly termed
"sport." Once the gamester was a social pariah. Is it
going too far to say he is now "one of us"? When an
"outcast," he took every pains to emphasize his shame.
To-day, he finds himself an undifferentiated unit of the
"madding crowd," as likely as not is a recognized leader
in high finance ; and, unable to distinguish himself morally
from so many of his esteemed fellow-citizens, he no longer
deems it worth his while to maintain the external dis-
tinctions of his whilom caste.
INFLUX OF BLACKLEGS KBLOM THE SOUTH
It was largely owing to the influx from the South that
"sport" assumed a quite alien face in the Chicago of the
early sixties, and played so conspicuous a part in the city's
kaleidoscopic life. The swarthy, long-haired blackleg of
the Lower Mississippi acknowledged as facile princeps
of the profession, and affecting the manners of his favorite
130 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
old-time victim, the high-rolling, slave-owning planter
invaded Chicago at the outbreak of hostilities in such
numbers that he constituted an element to be reckoned
with. Rebel to the core though without hankerings for
the hardships of army life he was insolent to the point of
defiance ; and, in every situation wherein his world played
a part, invariably held the middle of the stage. This
element, so numerous, and so offensively in evidence by
its blatant secession talk, not only worked up a good deal
of Southern sympathy among the unthinking younger gen-
eration about town, but went far in giving the impression
that Chicago was a hotbed of disaffection. Indeed, so far
did this Southern gambling influence extend, that of all the
resorts for men-about-town, the Tremont House, under
the loyal wing of mine host John B. Drake, was about
the only place where one invariably heard outspoken Union
sentiment. And while there was among all classes (the
German element excepted) a goodly number with more or
less avowed Southern sympathies, it was the gambler, in
close touch with his kind in the South, who above all gave
an extraordinarily aggressive tone to the local opposition
to the war, and was the moving spirit in the organization
of Lodges of Knights of the Golden Circle,
THEY FIND MANY POIXOWEES AMONG YOUNG MEN
In those days the downtown night life was peculiarly
indigenous; whereas the multitudes that to-day fill the
skyscrapers, when the day's work is done scatter hither and
yon by rapid transit. Most young men without local fam-
ily ties lived within, or immediately contiguous to, the
business section. The upper parts of nearly all commercial
buildings unfit for business because of the absence of
elevators were occupied by "roomers"; while all that
THE UNDERWORLD 131
part between Madison and Van Buren Streets, east of
Clark, was devoted almost wholly to boarding-houses*
It was this state of things that gave such an air of liveli-
ness to "downtown" at night. It made all of us, that were
foot-free, literally "Johnnies-on-the-spot" all the time;
and it was this intimate and peculiar community life, un-
modified by anything like home influences, that gave the
gambler his opportunity to play a dominant role. In the
eyes of most unattached masculinity, the "sport" with
Lower Mississippi River antecedents was a prodigious
personage, whose sayings and doings formed a leading
topic at every rendezvous. He was particularly catered to
at all but the most exclusive resorts, and it was an off-night
when he failed to supply a batch of racy news items.
The average young man of half a century ago, as com-
pared with his kind to-day, was easily impressed by ex-
ternals ; and as in the downtown night life it was invariably
the gambler on whom the lime light centred, it is small
wonder that our "Johnnie" fell an easy victim to the
glamour of the extravaganza in which this pinchbeck cav-
alier was ever the acclaimed hero. A veritable night-hawk,
the blackleg was seldom on view until well along in the
afternoon, and then only to do a "stunt" at sidewalk
"mashing." The silly caramel girl, in her matinee finery,
had as yet no existence, for the matinee itself awaited intro-
duction. No, when in those days you caught the flash of
an eye from under some milliner's "dream," you made no
mistake in assigning the wearer to the "red-light" district;
for the approved street costume of the period was exceed-
ingly quiet, and a "symphony in color," such as may now
without comment be displayed by the demurest maiden,
was in those days an unmistakable class signal, and vastly
in afternoon-promenade evidence.
132 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
PAUCITY OF RESORTS AND AMUSEMENTS IN THE EARLY
SIXTIES
No picture of downtown street life in the early sixties
would be in any manner a true reflex that failed to show in
high relief the part played by the Underworld which
for the nonce might well be called the Upperworld: for
was it not literally on top? Even had it not so flagrantly
challenged the eye the men aggressively swagger, the
women flaringly spectacular it would still have attracted
large attention, because of the absence of other " goings-
on " to divide interest with it. A process of elimination
from the present-day showing of any American city of say
two hundred thousand inhabitants (about Chicago's ag-
gregate at the close of the war) will readily make this plain.
There was only one permanent place of amusement, where
to-day (apportioned to same population) there are half a
score of various sorts, and more or less "continuous."
There were no race meetings to bulk the pygmy jockey
into a Goliath of popularity; no ring contests to beat the
"bruiser" into pulpy notoriety; no professional baseball
to apotheosize the doubly-twisted "twirler"; no football
contests to crown with bay or laurel the buttressed
"centre/' rock-rooted "fullback," or foot-winged "rusher" ;
no rowing matches to distinguish the "stroke" above his
fellows; unheard of, and certainly unplayed, were such
diversions as polo, golf, tennis, cricket, lacrosse, hockey,
hand-ball, basket-ball, and even innocuous croquet; no
such objects of adoration as champion pedestrians, long-
distance runners, spindle-shanked sprinters, high- jumpers,
vaulters, weight-putters, or other fame-devouring athletes ;
no record- or neck-breaking cyclists ; no death-courting or
death-dealing chauffeurs; surely no sun-soaring aviators;
and not even a billiard champion, until some years later,
THE UNDERWORLD 133
when my old friend, genial Tom Foley, won that distinc-
tion at the first State tournament. There was not a club
in the whole city for a quiet "sit-in"; no horse, dog, poul-
try, or flower shows; no skating-rinks; indeed, no popular
pastimes of any sort ; while even the picturesque red-shirt
lads, who but a few years before had "run wid de masheen"
and finished every fire with a free, all-round fight, had been
summarily abolished. So it only remains to mention
McVicker's Theatre, home of the tragic muse, for a
"steady," with an occasional variation of circus or minstrel
troupe. In these circumstances, is it matter for wonder
that in the "whirl of the town," the men and women of the
Underworld were the unchallenged top-liners? And while
the shame thus flaunted no doubt acted as a deterrent on
the many, on more than a few the gay plumage permitted
only to those who threaded the "primrose path of dal-
liance," exerted a baleful fascination.
EFFECTS OF THE GBEAT OUTPUT OF GREENBACKS
During the first year or two of the war money was
extremely scarce. After that, through the steady output
of greenbacks, this circulating medium reached demoraliz-
ing proportions, and, with the premium on gold, prices rose
by leaps and bounds. This brings us to the period when,
almost in a night, the centuries-old order changed into the
new, in which we now live, move, and have our high-
pressure being. Enter the regime of which the shoddy
millionaire is the finest flower; and from top to bottom
there goes forward a steady demoralization of the com-
munity, through all manner of sordid and malign influ-
ences. The tremendous industrial activity that had been
stimulated to supply our vast armies in far Southern fields
was continued immediately after the war by such schemes
134 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
as the building of the Union Pacific Railroad: and thus on
top of the army-contract scandals came those of the Credit
Mobilier all, however, mere indices of the general state
of the body social. But this, for the present, is taking us
too far afield.
The early spontaneous enlistments were largely of the
foot-free, bolder spirits, the country's natural fighting
blood. Later, as call followed call, more married men came
to the fore, as the large bounties (to which were often
added generous provision by communities) promised to
secure those dependent on them against want. How this
drain upon the conserving forces of society tended to
weaken the defences that make for continence need scarcely
be emphasized. And even while husbands made their exits,
there entered upon the scene numbers on sick-leave or other
form of furlough; and later, thousands whose enlistment
had expired devil-may-care fellows, with bulging pock-
ets, determined to "paint the town"; and, while many will
eventually reenlist, such a thing is, of course, quite un-
thinkable so long as there remains a desire ungratified or a
greenback to squander. Not only were the authorities ex-
ceptionally indulgent toward folk of this sort, but, with a
hope of hastening their return to the firing line, they rather
encouraged them to fling their money about; and the man-
ner in which they paraded their bedizened jades in open
barouches, and frequently in processions, was rivalled only,
as a street attraction, by the " grand entrance" of a circus.
THE "WAR wmow"
About this time there came into common use the term
"war widow," to denote a species of frailty quite unknown
before. When the modern Ulysses went forth to battle,
his Penelope, it is to be feared, did not always rise to the
THE TJNDERWORLD 135
possibilities of her self-denying opportunities, neither
wove by day nor undid by night, unneeded webs against
the importunities of unwelcome suitors; nor yet devoted
herself wholly to keeping the hearth swept in readiness for
her hero's return. No, in only too many instances (espe-
cially in the absence of the restraining influence of chil-
dren) the spouse, if still young and moderately fair to look
upon, made undue haste to invest her " substitute " hoard
in finery for the street, approaching ever nearer in her un-
restraint to the devotees of pleasure* From this it resulted
that outlying abodes were exchanged for "light house-
keeping" accommodations on the upper floors of business
blocks, hitherto consecrate to guileless masculinity. And
so it came about that an evil theretofore strictly confined to
"establishments" apart, intruded free-lance fashion wher-
ever it might find domiciliary tolerance* Prior to the
irruption of the "war widow," spiders of her variety had
spread their gaudy nets only in the light of day as part
of "Vanity Fair," and with an ulterior eye only to possible
entanglements of over-curious "flies." But now, in the full
adornment of war paint, the "bereaved" went obtrusively
forth to seek her prey under the gaslight; and, in an in-
credibly short time this evil grew to such proportions that
the police were compelled to take cognizance of it. There-
after frequent perfunctory "clean-ups" followed, and the
"widow," with or without a war record, became an es-
tablished police-court Jiobitu6.
THE BOUNTY-JUMPER
To the degree though with differing motive that
the family man was moved by exceptional monetary in-
ducements (in some cases rising above $1,500) to shoulder
a musket, the chronic loafer and general vagabond also
136 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
succumbed to the temptation to enlist, but seldom with
any thought of making a target of himself. As in days
before the war there was an "Underground Railroad" to
help runaway slaves across the border, so in these draft-
and-substitute times, was there something of a like nature
to aid the bounty- jumper for a consideration. The
looseness with which things were managed for Uncle Sam
was most amazing; and there is little doubt that in many
instances recruiting officers "stood in" with the gang, for
only the most perfunctory precautions were taken to hold
"substitutes" to their obligations. In Chicago the scheme
was largely engineered by a coterie of Southern gamblers,
who, besides getting a large "rake-off," no doubt felt they
were loyally serving their cause. Hence, while the leaders
remained flagrantly in evidence, any one familiar with the
ins and outs of their entourage could not fail at this time
to note a remarkable absence of pickpockets, sneak-thieves,
and gambling-house hangers-on generally; and it was an
open secret that they had found it profitable to take a vaca-
tion in Canada. However, long before the close of the
war indeed, as soon as the draft excitement was over
they were again in evidence at their old haunts, and not a
mother's son of them was ever brought to book. At this
distance the war time is apt to be regarded as one of hero-
isms only. Yet it was the seamy and sordid side the face
distorted by lust and passion that most insistently
forced itself on the observer's attention.
ADMISSION OP GAMBLERS INTO PRESENT-DAY SOCIETY
Yes, "sport" was distinctly professional in the Chicago
of the early sixties. There was socially as yet no " fast set,"
or even a "smart set," to give the term a more generic
meaning. There were "sporting men" surely enough, and
THE UNDERWORLD lf*7
"sporting women" to spare, but all were of a piece, and
frankly immoral. The present-day differentiation into
various sporting strata, that make bewilderingly close
touch, and fairly run into and over each other, until none
can tell where the social status of some people begins or
that of others ends whether to class them among the
elect or the "reject," as pillars of church and society or
professional gamblers had as yet no existence, and so
presented no problem.
The gambler in those days was as to many things a
somewhat fastidious dilettante, and especially so in his re-
lation to "practical" politics; now he is most likely a ward
or city boss, owns a racing stable, and occasionally seeks
diversion by cornering the market. To-day, also, your big
gambler is apt to be an evolution from the spawn of the
purlieus, whereas in those days he was frequently an effect
of social devolution was the degenerate scion of some
noble sire, and prided himself on his blood. Many a
one, had he chosen another way, might have risen to honor-
able distinction in the world at large; in his particular
sphere he was a leader anyhow, with all that a distinction
in such circumstances implies in the way of followers,
rivalries, and sanguinary encounters. More than one
among these "king pins" approximated to the Jack
Hamlin and John Oakhurst type, and were idealized (not
to say idolized) in quite the Bret Harte fashion by that
large contingent whose standards were formed on the ex-
amples offered by writers of the Ned Buntline variety.
THE UNDERWORLD (Continued)
Two NOTORIOUS GAMESTERS WOMEN WHO KEPT "ESTABLISHMENTS"
MURDER OF A GAMBLER BY His PARAMOUR THE WEDDING OP
"CAP" HYMAN OPENING OP SUNNYSIDE AS A HIGHLY MORAL
ROAD-HOUSE THE CLASS OP "LADIES" WHO WERE PRESENT
PUNCTILIOUS DECORUM BEFORE SUPPER LATER A CHAMPAGNE
BEVEL.
FROM among the many who rose to a bad eminence,
two stood out conspicuously on several accounts, but
chiefly because they kept things on the jump by a
practice known in modern vernacular as "shooting up the
town." One and he offender in chief was "Cap."
Hyman, and the other George Trussell. Both kept their
pocket artillery ever in a hair-trigger state of readiness;
hut, undoubtedly owing to poor marksmanship (under the
somewhat common illusion characterized as "seeing dou-
ble'*) , neither ever killed anybody, if the mortuary returns
may be trusted. Trussell, when sober, was a man of few
words indeed, a very sphinx of taciturnity. Hyman, on
the other hand, was an excitable, emotional jack-in-the-
box. It was only when in liquor that Trussell burst his
shell, and got ugly and dangerous. He was tall, straight
as an arrow, and might have stood as model for one of
Remington's Indian-fighting cavalry officers. As a game-
ster he was top-sawyer among the "highest rollers," with a
record of many broken "banks" to his credit. His pet
aversion was Hyman; and, when it happened that both
were sampling Randolph Street under full sail at the same
time, everybody about was on the qui vive for something to
138
THE UNDERWORLD 139
happen. It came more than once to an exchange of shots,
but, unfortunately, only projecting signs were damaged.
Hyman was an insufferable egotist, and his irascible
temper was forever getting the whole street into trouble.
Again and again, after some ineffectual target practice on
his part, the press would read the riot act to the authorities,
a proceeding which now and again resulted in a general
" shake-up," but seldom until the valiant " Cap." had found
it convenient to absent himself for a month or two on im-
portant business.
WOMEN WHO KEPT " ESTABLISHMENTS "
It was the vogue of the period for the gambling chiefs
to have for consorts the most notorious keepers of "estab-
lishments." There seemed under the circumstances a
peculiar fitness in this arrangement, a veritable triumph
for the law of natural selection, and because of this con-
nection, and the large publicity given to occasional "pulls"
(always made as spectacular as possible on the part of the
police), these "Madams" were the tavern talk from the
lakes to the Rockies. While people of this sort were in
part conspicuous because of the flatness of life in general,
it yet remains to be said that some of these Aspasias were
rather uncommon characters, in a way quite resembling
their Athenian sisters, if only in the frequency with
which they entertained statesmen of high degree. And
though their doings might fall short of "pointing a moral/'
their sayings seldom failed to "adorn a tale," or enrich the
vocabulary of the street, while more than one was credited
quite after the fashion of present-day multi-millionaires
with attempts to mollify good St. Peter with phil-
anthropic bestowals of their "tainted" lucre. If any in
similar wise now fills the eyes of the vulgar, it is that
UO BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
modern tragedienne in real life, the "Florodora girl/'
though sensationalism is now so general that no class or
form of exploitation may claim a monopoly.
Indeed, in quite the fashion that the gambler now per-
meates various strata of society, so his frail counterpart
assumes many roles formerly not open to her. In those
days there were no gradations of descent no experi-
mental stages, as one might say, for possible ascents to
giddy heights in millionaire mistressdom; no snug secre-
taryships, or alluring opportunities afforded by the en-
chantments of the chorus. No, a single false step pre-
cipitated the victim straight into the depths; and this
explains why the "lady boarders" of Madam's sumptuous
establishment often played so conspicuous a part in the
rather commonplace drama of the period. It also makes
plain, because of the eliminations by selection for "light
housekeeping" that nowadays go forward in the process
of descent, why the present-day Magdalen, per police-
court exhibit, is seldom other than a repulsive residuum.
Society, as a censor of morals, occupied itself with
no fine-spun distinctions half a century ago. It knew
only good and bad. Hence that very considerable male
contingent, now more or less within its pale, which is
distinguished as the "fast set," though outwardly held in
strong leash to social convenances, would yet covertly as-
sociate where it could enjoy a fling for its money; and,
accordingly, the upper crust of the demi-world occupied
an influential position toward this not inconsiderable social
increment that had to be reckoned with. All that is now
known as "gentleman's sport," nay, proclaimed as the
"sport of kings," was then socially tabooed, along with all
forms of gambling, and so received open support only from
professional gamblers. Hence, much that now finds op-
THE UNDERWORLD 141
portunity for exploitation under the wing of eminent
respectability, was then unqualifiedly condemned, and
found a congenial atmosphere only in the gilded salon*
MUBDEB, OF A GAMBLER BY HIS PABAMOUB
After the war, when the sporting bars began to come
down, it was none other than George Trussell, thorough-
bred gambler and managing owner of Dexter, the
"record" trotting horse of its 'day, who led the racing
cohorts of Chicago. And additional light is shed on the
status of the race track as a means to amusement at that
time, when it is added that in less than a month after the
tragic end of Trussell at the hands of his "Mollie,"
McKeever, the gallant owner of the horse General Butler,
was done to death in a foul attempt to prevent him from
winning from the horse Cooley, a tragedy that closed the
gates of the but recently opened Chicago Driving Park.
When, however, the following year, a new course was
opened, it was significantly named for the horse once
owned by George Trussell Dexter Park.
The date is September 3, 1866. The horse Dexter,
record-holder for trotting speed, and but recently acquired
by George Trussell, had made its first appearance under
the new ownership, and there was great rejoicing among
the habitues of Randolph Street, with whom Trussell was
a prime favorite. Mistress Mollie, in a barouche, sur-
rounded by a bevy of ladies-in-waiting under a rainbow-
hued canopy of sunshades, had been the particular centre
of attraction within the oval. At the close of the races
George had solemnly promised "to be home early," and
preside at a little dinner to be given a select company of
swell patrons. But, probably because so many wanted to
congratulate him on his new acquisition, he failed to put
142 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
in an appearance, and horrible visions of faithlessness
crossed Mistress Mollie's champagne-befuddled brain.
Then it came over her that it was about time an example
was made in behalf of her too confiding sex, of a stay-out-
late; and she took pains to equip herself, so that the new
household ordinance, then and there to go into effect,
might be properly enforced.
The Times newspaper was then published on Ran-
dolph Street, in the very centre of the "hair-trigger block/'
between Dearborn and State Streets. The report of fire-
arms was a happening so common, especially at night, as to
create no special flurry among us ; and hence, when close
on midnight, a shot was heard, the city editor remarked to
me quite casually (for I was before all "shooting" re-
porter), "Guess Cap. Hyman is out for practice; better
look into it." When, however, a moment later the sharp
report was followed by a succession of piercing screams,
obviously feminine, the entire reportorial outfit came to its
feet to make a plunge through a devious passage to the
Randolph Street entrance, from whence men could be seen
rushing from all sides toward Price's livery stable, directly
opposite, a bit east of the present Colonial Theatre. Some
one shouted to us, "Mollie has shot George!" and, so
intimately had the principals of the tragedy been associated
with the day's events, that the affix "Trussell" followed in
our minds without saying.
Meanwhile the shrieks continued, and, as we made our
way through the crowd (for every gambling den quickly
had emptied itself), we beheld a woman in white pros-
trate over a man's form lying within the wide entrance to
the stable. And, until by main force she was torn from the
THE UNDERWORLD 143
body of her dead lover, she exclaimed wildly, between
shrieks, "George, have I killed you? Have I killed you?"
Because of Trussell's connection with the horse Dexter,
the tragedy formed a leading topic for many weeks from
Maine to Calif ornia. And now, when one comes to think
of it, we were not so very old-fashioned after all as some
might believe us; for "temporary emotional insanity" was
already a firmly established habit, and a sensational trial
closed with the best up-to-date denouement.
THE WEDDING OF "CAP." HYMAN
Whether Mollie was really married to the man whose
name she bore and whose life she took, remains a moot
question. But certain it is that " Cap/' Hyman Trassell
being out of the way, and he now undisputed cock of the
walk shortly after the tragedy took to wife Mollie's
most ambitious rival. The wedding of this delectable pair
was by far the "swellest" affair witnessed in the Garden
City up to that time, weddings in general not yet rank-
ing among the shows of the town, and, along with a
variety of local male and female celebrities, was attended
by a galaxy of "sports" of both sexes from St. Louis,
Cincinnati, Louisville, and other Southern and Western
cities. Conjointly with the wedding (which signalized the
Madam's going out of one business and into another) was
the opening by the pair of " Sunnyside," in Lake View, as
a high-toned road-house. And only that the staid dobbins
of the period had a way of shying when they were expected
to turn in for baiting, the enterprise might have proved as
great a financial, as it was an unquestionable "moral"
success.
144 BYGONE DAYS. IN CHICAGO
OPENING OF SUNNYSIDE AS A HIGHLY MOEAL KOAD-HOTJSE
For weeks prior to the Sunnyside opening, little else
was talked about in all but the most detached circles ; while
the "boys" on the Board of Trade would have it that it was
simply useless trying to do business until this affair was
well off their hands* The guest of honor was Jack Nelson,
deputy Superintendent of Police, and by no means in his
official capacity as a keeper of the peace; for Sunnyside
now in the heart of the north division at that time lay
as distinctly outside of his bailiwick as Kamchatka. Other
officials also graced the occasion, and not a few well-known
men of business with a tincture of " sport" in their blood;
but without exception they forgot to bring their wives.
There was, however, no scarcity of "ladies" the bright
particular "Pearls" and "Rubies" of the demi-world;
and while decottete was still under social taboo, the display
of charms trespassed perilously on present-day opera-box
prerogatives.
There had been a heavy fall of snow, the air was sharp,
and never before had Chicago witnessed such an output of
sleighs, all speeding northward in the moonlight to the
merry jingle of bells. The town in those days was well
supplied with all manner of outfits on runners, as sleighing
parties were still a prime form of diversion. Besides cut-
ters of various styles and degrees, there were a number of
contraptions capable of holding a dozen or more; and as
those were days when the finest buffalo robe was about as
cheap as a common horse blanket, it was a luxury
now possible only to multi-millionaires to let the cold
winds blow while one snuggled cosily in the hospitable
amplitude of such.
Yes, it was both a night and a ride to remember ! Most
members of the gambling guild had some particular fern-
THE UNDERWORLD 145
inine "friend" (and, if of rank, perchance Madam's entire
entourage] to look after. Accordingly, this kind drove
straight from various "establishments" to their goal. But
the undetached element, which formed about the Board of
Trade contingent, gathered in force at the Matteson
House, northwest corner of Randolph and Dearborn
Streets. Shortly after eight o'clock, amid a fanfare of
horns, and the chaff and "jolly" of a great crowd gathered
to see the sight, a start was made a huge four-horse,
gondola-shaped affair, filled from prow to stern with
roistering blades, taking the lead. As each mettle-
some prancer was backed by a set of musical bells (a kind
now seldom heard) , the charming tintinnabulation excited
the liveliest interest all along the route* This, after cross-
ing Clark Street bridge, lay along La Salle Street to North
Avenue, thence along North Clark Street through Lake
View (still a separate burg), and so onward to brilliantly
lighted Snnnyside, then quite new, and, somehow, seeming
to my younger eyes fully twice as big as when last I saw
it, after more than forty years, in its sad decrepitude.
Hyman, when at his best, made a capital host. He was
a college man, had enjoyed excellent social advantages, and
did the honors of the occasion with the air of a Ward
McAllister. Corralling a batch of moral censors, he ad-
dressed us thus : " I would like you gentlemen of the press
to understand that this affair will be straight to the wink
of an eye-lash. All the ladies are here on their honor, and
Mrs. Hyman will see to it that nothing unseemly takes
place. We want the best people in town to patronize
Sunnyside, and will make them welcome." Mrs. H. cer-
tainly did her best to make everybody feel " at home." She
was a good-natured body, a bit overplump for a Hebe,
and as to face a very counterpart of Adelina Patti in
middle life.
146 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
The company after its kind and manner was certainly
"select/' This applies especially to the contingents from
various Southern cities, the men whereof were usually
credited with military handles* In those days, at any rate,
Southerners were frankly sporty.
THE CLASS OF " LADIES " WHO WEEE PRESENT
While the male guests hidden to the Sunnyside opening
gave one an impression of dominance, it was plain that
those of the opposite sex had been culled largely with an
eye to abundant physical charms, now and then somewhat
marred by overmuch "make-up." More than a few had
evidently in fairer days enjoyed some social advantages,
and these carried off their "honor" role with a manner
quite natural, if occasionally punctuated by little touches
of diablerie. But where the charms were solely physical,
the efforts to do the "lady business" resulted not infre-
quently in breaks that bordered on the appalling ; and one
could imagine them saying to themselves, "You just wait
till this honor business is over, and" more to the same
effect.
PUNCTILIOUS DECOEUM BEFORE SUPPEE
The festivities began with dancing. Usually when
"Bohemia" goes in for this sort of thing the joy is truly
"unconfined" ; and (in mixed sporting metaphor) , the field
being "free for all," partners are deftly "caught on the
fly." But things were altogether different here. You
were ceremoniously introduced, engagement cards were
consulted, and all the rest of the little formalities that dis-
tinguish like functions in the Tiaut monde were strictly
observed. Yes, the make-believe was quite tremendous.
About midnight there was an intermission for supper.
The many were served informally ; but a score or so (chiefly
THE UNDERWORLD 147
members of the press, and some "military" guests from
out of town) , were Invited to an elaborate banquet, with
Jack Nelson in the seat of honor. To each male guest
there was assigned a fair one to "take in," clearly a
notable reversal of the usual order where this sort are
concerned, and anything more punctilious than this af-
fair it would be hard to imagine. Indeed, until well along,
when the champagne began to exert its dissolving effects,
the decorum that clouded the feast was fairly depressing,
as most of the women, fearful in their bewilderment of
caution lest they put their unsure feet into forbidden
depths, seldom got beyond the confidence-inspiring weather
stage; for, in the circumstances, none dared lift their con-
versational skirts even the littlest bit to help them in their
gropings for isles of safety.
I felt instinctively that the charmer assigned to me was
somewhat out of the common. The something in her eye,
and the superior manner in which she tossed her auburn-
crowned head, carried conviction that here was a spirit that
needed only a bit of well-directed encouragement to reveal
the workings of an impenitent souL Therefore (and this
purely in the line of sociological observation, of course),
one did what one might to snip here and there a constrain-
ing fetter; and, quick to seize the psychological moment,
she boldly inquired who my favorite poet might be. I
would not now like to say whom, in this undefended emer-
gency, and considering my years, I distinguished above
others; but I distinctly recall with what coy fearlessness
she confided to me that her own favorite was Byron a
name you never mentioned in those days unless in some
mood of romantic desperation you wanted to impress peo-
ple .with your irreclaimable depravity.
Not only was I deeply moved by her confidence, but
148 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
frankly kindled to an intellectual honesty that could rise
so courageously above the fettering implications of her
unaccustomed situation; for one less brave, less true to her
ideals, in subserviency to a prescribed line of conduct that
was to be "straight to the wink of an eye-lash," might have
cravenly douched the lambent flame of her soul, and
handed me out either N. P. Willis or George P. Morris,
for it was this pair, along with the immortal Tupper and
Mrs. Hemans, who above others, at this period, harried the
"absolutely pure" yet passion-laden hearts of the Middle
West.
REVELBY AFTER SUPPEE
Supper over, the fair ones returned to the dance, and
next day some, of the Board of Trade "boys" gave it out
that after the departure of the reportorial censor outfit,
the hoodoo spell that had hung like a pall over the fes-
tivities was quickly exorcised, and I can imagine my im-
penitent siren well to the fore. Even before our with-
drawal the affair had degenerated into a huge drinking
bout. Wine had not only been served without stint by the
host during supper, but after that the guests took a hand,
and champagne was ordered by the case. Among others
who completely lost their heads was Billy Bolshaw, of the
Matteson House Cafe. When I came on him a few days
later, he showed me a wine bill above five hundred dollars,
and ruefully asked what I thought of it.
Your born reporter is a moralist by nature, and all are
so by profession. Furthermore, if he be not also an embryo
psychologist, the reader will recall my convincing ex-
periment with her of the oriflame, he has sadly mistaken
his calling. For him humanity divides into types based
upon elemental passions. Beneath the conventional he
looks for the real. It is needless to say that this " Sunny-
THE UNDERWORLD 149
side opening" furnished many an object lesson. In your
typical Magdalen* multiple personalities make lightning
changes one moment a compassionate Sister of Mercy,
the next, a rapacious harpy* For love she mil give herself
and all; in hate, seven devils possess her. Instinctively
aware that the ties that bind her lover are of the woof of
her own frailties, her poor maudlin, sentimental heart is
ever a prey to hordes of green-eyed monsters.
Broadly speaking, was there ever a social function,
with its inevitable oversights and subtle discriminations,
that did not cause heartburnings in some maidenly breast,
however gentle, self-effacing, or innocent of "claims"?
What then could be expected where undisciplined hearts
were lashed as rudderless barks on a storm-swept sea, and
"claims" on masculinity were thicker than pebbles on a
beach? And were not all put in jeopardy to rival lures
as never before, because forsooth there were muscle-hamp-
ering convenances to be observed? So, while hostages to
"honor" might prevail against intolerable itchings at the
fingers' ends for the time, they could not restrain nature's
impulses forever; and so it is sad to chronicle, that for
many days after this event, police justices were worked
over-time issuing warrants of arrest for "assault and bat-
tery"; while on successive mornings the old Armory Court
exhibited such varied facial disfigurements that the psych-
ologic interest (not to mention the moral censor function)
was completely lost in the shock to artistic sensibilities,
when one recalled how these animated canvasses, now so
streaked and splotched, but a few nights before had daz-
zled the beholder with their deftly composed color schemes*
THE UNDERWORLD (Concluded)
A DELUGE OF KENO THE POLICE PROFIT LARGELY BY THE GAM-
BLING HUNDREDS OF THE PLAYERS ARRESTED "COLONEL "
HAVERLY, GAMBLER AND "MAN OF BUSINESS" COMBINED THE
OPENING OF THE WEST SIDE DRIVING PARK MANY ACT ON
HAVERLY'S BUSINESS PRINCIPLE AND "GET LEFT" CLEANING
OUT THE "NORTH SIDE SANDS" ROGER PLANT'S "UNDER THE
WILLOW" "WHY NOT?"
FEW who were of the Chicago of the middle sixties
and in any manner "men-about-town," can have for-
gotten the introduction of a game that has heen de-
scribed as consisting of one fellow calling out numbers,
another after a while shouting "Keno," and a whole lot
of other fellows vociferating, "Oh, h 111" For months
little else was talked about. Was it gambling? Ah, that
was the question! The "sports" said no, as "keno" was
only another name for a certain innocent German pastime
called "lotto/ 9 The police, meanwhile, could n't come to any
conclusion indeed, how could they, with their "rake-off "
in mind? and so matters were allowed to drift until the
craze passed all bounds. For faro and like orthodox
gambling devices Chicago had never been "open 5 * in the
sense that Western cattle or mining towns are, where you
enter the tiger's den directly from the street, and the best
ground-floors are reserved for the animal's sinuous dis-
porting. No, faro had to be played at least one flight up,
and with some pretence to closed doors. But keno! ah,
that was different! First floors on Randolph Street, be-
tween Clark and State then par excellence the gambling
150
THE UNDERWORLD 151
"midway" were soon renting at exorbitant figures; and,
spacious as they might be, there was seldom sufficient room
to accommodate would-be patrons. On Saturday nights
in particular the crowds that gathered not only blocked the
sidewalks, but filled up a good part of the street; while
above all the din and uproar of this congregated loaf erdom,
the casual wayfarer could plainly hear the urn manipu-
lator's can, "Sixty-four!" "Seventy-two!" "Eleven!"
" Forty-three!" or whatever might be the numbers drawn;
and, over all, in due course, the triumphant "Keno!"
THE POLICE PBOFIT LABGELY BY THE GAMBLING
An order from headquarters to "shut up" would at
any time have sufficed to put all these establishments in-
stantly out of business. But such a matter-of-fact pro-
ceeding would have brought no grist to the Armory
Station police mill. Accordingly (when the scandal had
finally made some action imperative), realizing that even
an appearance of "shutting up shop" would seriously cut
down their "diwy," the powers determined to recoup by a
big "pull" with bail-bond pickings at a dollar a head
for the justices, and five dollars or more per victim to the
professional bailors and all this, properly proportioned
between captain and sergeants, promised to make life
reasonably worth living to those in charge of the Armory
precinct, which at this time included the entire south
division.
HUNDREDS OF THE PLAYERS AERESTED
The police selected a Saturday night, of course, and
the hour when there would be most to "pull off." While
practically the entire force was brought to the scene, there
were yet only policemen enough to guard the various out-
152 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
lets simultaneously, with a reserve squad for escort duty,
which in the circumstances barely sufficed to cope with the
contents of a single establishment at a time. Hence nearly
a dozen trips were made, and while the raid began before
ten o'clock, it was long after midnight before the last
"den" was emptied.
To facilitate the bailing process, both the police justices
of that day, ex-Mayor Isaac N. Milliken and ex-school-
teacher A. D. Sturtevant, were on hand; and the gravity
with which they piled their desks with greenbacks was
exceeded only by the unction with which the bailors pock-
eted their fat pickings.
A raid so wholesale had never before been attempted,
and most likely has not been seen since. The old Armory
was a goodly sized building, three stories high. Soon it
was packed from bottom to top with victims, and still they
came. There was a big barn in the rear, and when that
was filled, a lot were corralled in the open street, and sep-
arated from the thousands of outsiders drawn to the scene
by a barrier of blue-coats. Sunday morning came, and
still the bailing grind went on. Then an odd thing hap-
pened. The justices ran out of printed blanks, and it
became necessary to write out the entire rigmarole on
sheets of foolscap; and to this service every policeman
capable of wielding a pen, and who might be spared from
guard duty, was impressed.
It was by no means an ordinary "catch" that was
brought to land. As everything had been conducted for
weeks with wide-open doors, many a staid burgher was
caught, who had dropped in merely to see the fun. But
in "the eyes of the law" that made no difference; and while
the patient wife waited by the fireside for the coming of
her liege, "Smith" or "Jones" of record was eating his
THE UNDERWORLD 153
heart out, while waiting through weary hours for the par-
ticular Jones or Smith whom he stood for, to be called to
receive his charter of liberty.
While hundreds of the well-to-do were thus enabled to
spend the Sabbath (or what was left of it) in the agitated
bosoms of their f amilies, other hundreds, whom the game
had perchance served scurvily, were compelled to take "pot
luck" of unsweetened mush and black coffee with the
turnkey until Monday morning, when they were either re-
leased through the good offices of friends, or joined the
procession to the Bridewell, then a dilapidated rookery in
the region of Franklin and Harrison Streets.
COLONEL HAVERLY, GAMBLER AND "MAN OF BUSINESS"
COMBINED
When an old regime is passing, and a new order is
struggling to take its place, there is usually some one pre-
pared to take the leadership. The period from the close of
the war to the fire was one of travail. In a very real
sense a new world was being born. The old shell, however,
was not always ready to be shaken off, and this resulted in
a state of things in which, despite strong counter influences,
the authority of the past was still able to hold the com-
munity to an outward observance of established conven-
ances. But when the old Chicago had gone up in smoke,
the "new spirit," in so far as it could be expressed by the
term "sport," suddenly awoke to its opportunities, and
valiantly determined that the rebirth should be fittingly
informed. If this incarnation was looking for a leader, it
found one ready-made in "Colonel" J. H. Haverly, of
Mastodon Minstrel fame.
"Jack" Haverly was the thoroughbred gambler
changed with the transition then in progress into the or-
154 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
ganizer or "promoter." His kind is common enough
now anywhere, and Chicago has since nurtured the species
in some of its most exuberant and picturesque forms; but
a third of a century ago, Haverly was still a kind apart,
and he literally "blazed the way" for the host that has since
followed his somewhat tortuous and elusive trail. The
problem facing the "new spirit" was in effect this: how to
merge the gambler in the acceptable "business man," or
vice versa, without loss of caste in either direction. It was
given to "Jack" to show how it could be done. Was he
not par excellence a "business man"? nay, a whole syndi-
cate of them? His minstrel aggregation had already be-
come a mere side speculation. He was now lessee of the
old Post Office, gutted by the fire, and transformed into
a great auditorium where, in conjunction with the ir-
repressible Colonel Mapleson, he shone with dazzling
effulgence as a grand opera impresario while the gold
mines that he did not own in Colorado and Utah about this
time were scarcely worth mentioning.
THE OPENING OF THE WEST SIDE DRIVING PAUK
In the ante-fire days, as has been shown, Chicago was
a bit slow in. the racing line, and especially in betting on
events of that sort. There had been at Dexter Park an
occasional trotting day or two, varied now and then by a
day devoted to running races ; but it was not until the open-
ing of the West Side Driving Park, in the middle seventies,
that a full-fledged running meeting was established, with
"Lucky" Baldwin's famous mare Molly McCarthy as the
bright particular star.
In addition to "Lucky's" California stable, there were
several of note from bluegrass Kentucky to give eclat to
the "opening." And along with the latter there came a
THE UNDERWORLD " 155
varied assortment of "Colonels," "Majors/* "Judges," and
other folk of that ilk; but as these, in spite of their reassur-
ing titles, were suspected of belonging to the gambling
class, their example as an influence toward a larger freedom
for the oppressed was negligible. In those pre-trust days
one heard a good deal about introducing "business meth-
ods" into religion (where now the concern is how to get
a bit of religion into business) , and so highly honored was
the term when untainted by the virus that characterizes its
degenerate offspring "commercialism," that if, by any de-
vice, it could be associated in the public mind with betting
on races as a mode of "investment," the taboo that had
theretofore overshadowed that kind of sport would be
quickly removed. It was precisely here that Haverly
came in.
MANY ACT ON HAVERLY's " BUSINESS" PRINCIPLE TO THEIR
COST
"Jack," as has been intimated, was at this period sat-
urated with "business." At the same time, as bearing
on the obverse side of the problem to be solved, as a
practical moralist he honestly believed that betting on
horses was in no wise more sinful than gambling in wheat
or speculating in grand opera enterprises, with its prima
donna hazards: and in this he was probably not far out of
the way. Accordingly, he undertook to demonstrate that
this sort of thing could be reduced to a steady dividend-
paying basis; and for a time the "principle" on which he
operated seemed to warrant his contention. However,
"Haverly luck" took him only far enough to carry a large
confiding public with him into the "hole" always gaping
for their kind and left them there. The "straight"
gambler in "Jack" when uncorrupted by his "business"
156 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
alternate easily knew better than to risk his money on
the uncertainties of horse flesh* Men of that kind have no
illusions about the game; and whenever their sort go out
of their way to "play the races/' it is a foregone conclusion
that they have some kind of "inside information." But the
"business" Haverly had his limitations.
For a time "Jack" literally stormed the betting-ring.
He headed every auction pool (book-making at this time
was unknown in Chicago) , usually with a cool thousand.
This sort of race pool-buying in the open precisely as
one might buy real or imaginary wheat or pork in their re-
spective "rings" or "pits" on the Board of Trade was
an altogether new wrinkle in the "legitimate" gambling
game, and so absorbed public attention that the papers
severally felt obliged to send an extra reporter to the races
to make a record of Haverly's "investments." Of course,
when the papers came to print daily tabulated reports of
"Jack's" doings just as they reported the sale of car-
loads of wheat or beeves, or cargoes of lumber no Chi-
cagoan brought up on a diet of quotations could be sup-
posed to know the difference between the tweedledum of
the one and the tweedledee of the other, and frankly ac-
cepted the game at its quotation value. Thereafter, hazards
on races became a fashionable amusement, and everybody
followed society into the betting-ring. What mattered the
corruption of youths? But at last there came an awaken-
ing of the public conscience, and now even in New Yjork,
which had set the pace, open betting on races is no longer a
legalized road to ruin.
CLEANING OUT THE "NORTH SIDE SANDS "
Some reference should be made, as a part of old-time
underworld history, to "Long John's" exploit in clean-
"LONG JOHN" WEXTWORTH
CClilcago's Giant Mayor)
THE UNDERWORLD 157
ing out the "North Side Sands/' This happened in
the later fifties, and I can speak from personal knowl-
edge only of its effects. As to the "cleaning out" there
can he no doubt; and equally certain is it that it was a
drama that had better been left unacted. In some aspect
the social evil is bound to exist; and sociologists are pretty
well agreed that it is best to segregate it under strict police
surveillance. That "the Sands" fulfilled the first of these
conditions, admits of no question; and they were a flaring
scandal and a menace to public order only because of in-
adequate police control. Probably no event in Chicago's
history up to the time of the fire was as much talked about
all over the West, and so variously commented upon.
The scene of the episode was an isolated sand barren, on
the bleak North Shore, with Michigan Street for its centre.
It was the fashion in the rough-and-ready volunteer fire
department days for the "authorities" to give the men
that "ran wid de masheen" and worked the brakes, on
one pretext or another, a "time," by making them in-
struments of "moral regeneration." I remember, when a
lad in Cincinnati, witnessing one of these "law and order"
diversions. A three-story tenement, which had acquired
an evil name, was attacked amid a tremendous ado, and
made entirely untenable, though there was no slightest
sign of fire. I happened to be near the scene when the
hubbub began and saw many women fleeing the premises
as for their lives, amidst the shouts and jeers of their as-
sailants. From this minor episode I can imagine what
the major "cleaning out" must have been, regarded purely
as "sport." Here was an assemblage of rookeries, none
above two stories in height, and very easily demolished.
The brute in the average man was far greater in
those days than now. There were no doubt many es-
158 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
tunable citizens connected with some of the fire companies,
for they were of many degrees, including one or two
regarded as quite "tony." But others were mere "fight-
ing" organizations, with small reference to fires; and
sometimes one would get so demoralized as to call for dis-
bandment. Thus it was men in many instances in no wise
above the level of their victims, who in a riotous enthusiasm
drove these bedraggled outcasts from their shelter, and
forced them to seek refuge where none was obtainable.
Yet this exhibition of barbarism in the name of high moral-
ity set "Long John" apart in the estimation of "good and
pious people," as the defender of the home and an apostle
of purity; while to the "men about town" it furnished a
theme to dramatize.
And what happened afterwards? Why this, that for
years it made untenable for decent folk all of the South
Side east of Clark and south of Madison Street; and it was
left for the fire to make an end of this state of things.
South Wells, from Madison to Van Buren Street, was the
centre of this aggregation of vileness ; and so evil a name
did this thoroughfare acquire from its belongings, that
later, to fit it for trade, it was, on petition of fronting
property owners, fumigated into Fifth Avenue.
The raid took place on April 20, 1857; and while from
all accounts a most wanton affair, it was not initiated
without some color of law. Writs to eject several of the
squatters for non-payment of ground rent had been
placed in the hands of Sheriff John L. Wilson, and when
"Long John" heard that the rookeries to be cleaned out
had been marked, he thoughtfully advised that "all be
marked." Then, while the ejectment under the sheriff
was proceeding though not without stout resistance
a fire got itself "accidentally" started, and this gave the
THE UNDERWORLD 150
coveted opportunity for the department to "play" into
the game with his mayoral highness as a supporting
presence.
"irSSTDER THE WILLOW "
Roger Plant's "Under the Willow," southeast corner
of Wells and Monroe Streets, was the very core of this
corruption. Originally "Under the Willow" applied only
to the corner building. But with the progress of the
war and the increase pan passu of its inevitahle accom-
paniments one adjoining rookery after another, both
to the east and to the south, was added, until the name
applied to nearly half a block; and now Police Captain
Jack Nelson dubbed it "Roger's Barracks."
Patrols were never at a loss where to look for "strays"
from the outlying camps though this was by no means
always the same as finding them, for Roger maintained
a very thorough outpost system, and it was only by ap-
proaching these delectable precincts in character, as sheep
ready for the shearing, that an alarm could be fore-
stalled, and escape from the labyrinth by devious passages
and alley-ways cut off. As for the police, they seldom
troubled the place during the war years. For one thing,
Roger paid his toll with exemplary regularity; and, for
another, it was like "pulling in" an elephant to fill the
Armory police station with blue-coats, who laughed a
magistrate to scorn when he talked about fines and bride-
wells. Verily, it was on no such flimsy charge as being
caught in a "disorderly house" that the city authorities
could keep one in Uncle Sam's uniform from his "sworn
duty." Roger was a diminutive Yorksbireman; whereas
Mrs. Plant, a graduate from the purlieus of Liverpool,
easily balanced two of him on the scales, with something
left over. Their offspring had come mostly in pairs.
160 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
They were everywhere in and about the place ; and it was
an off-day when Captain Jack Nelson did n't have a new
story about Mrs* P., and her entourage. These, how-
ever, never found their way into print.
In his small way Roger was quite a character. Call-
ing his place "Under the Willow" showed his sentimental
side. And then there was Roger the humorist. Every
window of the den displayed on a flaring blue shade, in
large gilt letters, the legend "Why Not?" It is needless
to say that the phrase acquired a large street currency.
The place was a refuge for the very nethermost strata of
the Underworld the refuse of the bridewell. Only by
seeking the bottom of the malodorous river could its in-
mates go lower as they sometimes did.
With time Roger began to take himself very seriously.
It was not that he experienced a change of heart ; but, hav-
ing made his "pile," he became a landed proprietor, alleg-
ing that a country life was best for the morals of children.
He now also became a patron of the turf, and otherwise
blossomed into a pattern of respectability. Well, "Why
Not?"
A RETROSPECT
THE CHICAGO OF 1862 How IT WAS DRAMATIZED BY PUBTOYORS OF
GOSSIP "LONG JOHN'S" DOINGS A ROLL-CALL OF OLD SET-
TLERS FIRST GROUP: VERY OLD-TIMERS SECOND GROUP: MEN
OF THE THIRTIES THIRD GROUP : MEN OF THE FORTIES FOURTH
GROUP: ARRIVALS ABOUT 1850 FIFTH GROUP: NAMES FAMILIAR
TO-DAY A FEW MEN NOTED FOR WIT OR ELOQUENCE WHO HAD
PASSED AWAY WHAT MAKES FOR THE GREATNESS OF CHICAGO?
ITS PREEMINENCE IN WOMEN MUSICIANS THE WHISTLER OF
THE FUTURE.
IT does not always follow that the substantial men of a
community are also the most widely known and talked
about. It is true to a marked degree, however, that
solidity and celebrity, in the young West, were frequently
covered by the same hat. The "personal" paragraph, so
conspicuous in the up-to-date twentieth-century news-
paper, had as yet small vogue; but the oral purveyor of
personal gossip was in great form. Not then, as now, did
the representative of the seller haunt the country store to
drum up business, for in those days even the most insignif-
icant cross-roads storekeeper betook himself at least twice
a year to some trade centre, mingled familiarly with its
leading merchants, noted their salient characteristics, and
listened to stories about them. These impalpable additions
to his stock in trade, he would on his return unctuously re-
tail (along with the latest consignment of cove oysters,
plug tobacco, or smoked herring) to absorbed listeners,
picturesquely grouped amidst the impedimenta of his es-
tablishment. And whatever might be lacking in the
161
BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
presentation of the protagonist was readily supplemented
by one or another of his listeners. In those days every
country merchant was perforce a prime story-teller (a
function now largely usurped by the "drummer"),
thoroughly versed in the art of dramatizing every smallest
detail to realistic effect; and hence, when any backwoods
Hoosier or Sucker, Badger, Hawkeye, or Wolverine, dis-
embarked for the first time from canal boat or "prairie
schooner" in the future Metropolis of the West, he could
say with truth (as indeed he frequently did) on meeting
this or that personage notable above the common: "I
hearn tell on you often; I reckon I know purty much all
about you."
Furthermore, if the newspaper of that day was a bit
slow in the matter of "personal mention" (though seldom
lacking in this respect when it came to a question of scalp-
ing a rival quill-driver) , its advertising columns constituted
a far truer reflex of the city's business with the outside
than any metropolitan paper of this era, for in those days
it was the wholesale merchant or jobber, rather than the
retailer, who exploited his business not only in the dailies
of his own city, but in scores of country weeklies. The
"drummer" has changed all that; and while the great de-
partment stores more than compensate the big dailies for
the lost patronage of jobbers, the veteran country editor
looks back regretfully to halcyon days now enjoyed in his
stead by the village hotel-keeper.
"LONG JOHN'S" DOINGS
"Long John," although not strictly a merchant ex-
cept as he "sold" the unwary through the columns of his
very personally conducted Democrat, was for many
years far and away the "top-liner" and hero par excel-
&#^ &&&:: ':
:"-t'.i 1'fatAjlf&!' 9** ' V ' '
\V1LLIAM B. OODKN
(Chicago'* First Mayor, and -Ripest All-round Man
in th* Nortliwest'
A RETROSPECT 103
lence, if not always sans reproche, of Western romance and
story. "Long John's doings" naturally came in time to
include much of which he was wholly innocent; but the
story most often retold and redecorated to suit the jaded
tastes of blase listeners referred to the way this mayoral
giant "cleaned out" and submerged the "North Side
Sands/' the salient features of which have already been
detailed.
A BOLL-CALL OF OLD SETTLERS: FIRST GROUP
Others besides "Long John," that were frequent sub-
jects of free-hand, cross-roads character-drawing, were
three notable individuals whose advent antedated 1830;
namely, Gurdon S. Hubbard (1818) , Archibald Clybourne
(1823) , and Mark Beaubien (1826) . Oddly enough none
of these were permanent residents from first to last.
Hubbard, up to the thirties, was a frequent absentee.
Clybourne had actually to be "annexed" to make him a
true-blue, "blown-in-the-glass" Chicagoan; while Beaubien
spent the last decade and more of his long life in Kendall
County. Clybourne, on his arrival at the "Post," in 1823,
from Virginia, took root on the west side of the North
Branch, about two miles from the junction of the two
branches (a locality that through him came to be known as
" New Virginia") ; and while the early city limits extended
considerably farther than this on the north side, the west
shore of the river, so far out, was not included until the
city had reached a population approximating 100,000 ; so
that Clybourne did not become a citizen of Chicago until,
as before said, he was nolens volens annexed.
To this list of first-comers, as antedating the men of
the thirties, should be added the names of John EL and
Robert A. Kinzie, sons of John Kinzie, Chicago's first
164 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
bona fide settler. Neither of these, however, happened to
be residents of the city in the early sixties. John H, Kin-
zae was a candidate for mayor at the city's first election.
He died in 1865. His brother Robert in after years made
Chicago his permanent home. A few others, much talked
about, but gone over to the majority, were General Jean
Baptiste Beaubien, Madore B. Beaubien, William Cald-
well (The Sauganash), Russell E. Heacock, and above
most, David Kennison, who died in 1852 at the extraor-
dinary age of one hundred and sixteen years, and was the
last survivor of the historical Boston Tea Party.
SECOND GROUP: MEN OF THE THIRTIES
Other notables of the "Old Guard" who arrived in the
thirties, and were for the most part in hale and hearty mid-
dle life, were Wm. B. Ogden, the first mayor and the
biggest all-round man in the Northwest ; as also a remark-
able group of other ex-mayors, including Buckner S.
Morris, B. W. Raymond, Francis C. Sherman, W. S,
Gurnee, A. S* Sherman (the latter died at a very ad-
vanced age only a few years ago), Levi D. Boone (a
stalwart Kjiow-nothing) , "Long John" Wentworth (of
course), Isaac L. Milliken (who started as a blacksmith
and ended as a police justice) , John C. Haines, and Julian
S. Rumsey. Other old-timers calling for mention were:
Alanson and James M. Adsit, Hon. Isaac N. Arnold,
Jerome Beecher, Jacob Beidler, J. K. Botsford, Erastus
Bowen, Ariel Bowman, C. P. Bradley, Judge J. B. Brad-
well, Alexander Brand, Dr. Daniel Brainard, William H.
Brown, A. G. Burley, A. H* Burley, Alvin Calhoun, John
Calhoun, Philo Carpenter, T. B. Carter, Judge John D*
Caton, George Chacksfield, S. D. Childs, Thomas Church,
W. L, Church, Francis Clark, John L. Clark, Charles
LEVI
BOONE
THOMAS HOYXE
A RETROSPECT 105
Cleaver, Silas B. Cobb, "Ike" Cook (whilom proprietor
of the "Young America" resort, postmaster, and above
all famous for his inexpugnable faith in the ability of
Truth to rise again, no matter how "squashed to earth*') ,
Ira and James Couch (early mine hosts par excellence at
the old Tremont), Calvin De Wolf, Hugh T. Dickey,
Michael Diversey, George W. Dole, Judge Thomas
Drummond, Dr. C. V. Dyer, Dr. J. W. Eldridge, Charles
and Daniel Elston, Robert Fergus, Dr. John Foster, J,
W. Freer, John Frink (who, with the Walkers, owned
all the stage coaches in which one travelled in the forties
and fifties in the West) , Alanson and Charles Follansbee,
Judge Henry Fuller, Jared and John Gage, Abram Gale,
Stephen F. Gale, Augustus Garrett (five times a candi-
date and three times elected mayor) , P. W. Gates, Samuel
H. Gilbert, Judge Grant Goodrich, T. W. Goodrich,
Amos and S. W. Grannis, Dexter Graves, Henry Graves,
Charles M., Franklin D., George M., John, Joseph H.,
and Moses Gray, B. F. Hadduck, E. H. Hadduck, E. M.
Haines, Philip A. Hall, Colonel John H, Hamilton, P. D.
Hamilton, John L. Hanchett, Charles L., E. R,, Isaac D.,
and Isaac N* Harmon, E. W. Herrick, Judge Van H*
Higgins, L. P. Hilliard, Samuel Hoard, C. N. Holden,
(X S. Hough, R. M. Hough, Thomas Hoyne, Alonzo
Huntington, Fernando Jones, Honu Norman B. Judd,
Mark Kimball, Walter Kimball, Tuthill King, Abraham
V. Knickerbocker, Mathew Laflin, William M. Larrabee,
Iver Lawson, William Lill, Sylvester Lind, James Long,
Alexander Lloyd, H. H. Magie, Hugh Maher, Judge
George Manierre, James A. Marshall, the Morrison
brothers, Adam Murray, W. F. Myrick, Walter L. New-
berry, Mahlon D. Ogden, Peter Page, Elijah Peacock,
Joseph Peacock, Ebenezer Peck, P. F. W. Peck, Hibbard
106 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
Porter, John and Redmond Prindeville, Asahel Pierce,
James H. Rees, Thomas Richmond, Hugh Ross, George
F. Rumsey, Colonel J. B. F. Russell, F, G. Saltonstall,
William W. Saltonstall, J. Y. Scammon, Peter Schuttler
(whose name was on most of the wagons one saw in the
early decades), George Scott, Judge Mark Skinner,
George Smith (the West's most prominent banker, and
who died a few years ago in London, leaving an estate
estimated between $50,000,000 and $75,000,000), George
W. Snow, William B. Snowhook, Isaac Spear, Marcus
C. Stearns, George Steel, Jonathan W* Steele, Gen. Hart
Lu Stewart, H. (X Stone, Patrick Strachan, General
R, K. Swift, E. B. Talcott, Mancel Talcott, Reuben
Tayler, A. D., Ezra Daniel, and William H. Taylor,
David A. Thatcher, E. I. and D. O. Tinkham, John
Turner, John M. Turner, Frederick Tuttle, Nelson
Tuttle, John M. Van OsdeU, Elijah S. and Julius Wads-
worth, George W. Waite, Charles Walker, Curran
Walker, Samuel B. Walker, John Watkins, General
Joseph D. Webster, C. G. Wicker, Joel H. Wicker,
Alonao J. Willard, E. W. Willard, John L. Wilson,
Judge John M* Wilson, Alexander Wolcott, John S.
Wright, Peter L. Yoe. Of all the above only Fernando
Jones and Redmond Prindeville are now among the living.
THIRD GROUP: MEN OF THE FORTIES
Among somewhat later arrivals (the men of the for-
ties) the Hon. William Bross, ex-Lieutenant-governor
and "deacon" extraordinary, easily took first rank, be-
cause well, because he was "Deacon" Bross. Others
who achieved prominence were : Addison Ballard, Chaun-
cey B. Blair, E. W. Blatchford, Michael Brand, I. H.
Burch, Jonathan Burr, Benjamin Carpenter, William E.
DR. CHARLES VOLNEY DYER
JUDGE MARK SKINNER
A RETROSPECT 167
Doggett, J. H. Dunham, Zabina Eastman (a stalwart
among Abolitionists) , Henry Farnum, CX B* and J. V.
Farwell, Alexander X. Fullerton, S. C. Griggs, Philip A.
Hoyne, Hon. E. C. Larned, Robert Law, Orring-
ton Lunt, ex-Mayor Roswell B. Mason, E. B. McCagg,
Cyrus H. McConnick, ex-Mayor John B. Rice, Joseph T.
Ryerson, Conrad Seipp, Edwin H, Sheldon, David Stew-
art, Daniel Thompson, A. G. Throop, Judge Murray F.
Tuley, John B. Turner, John R. Walsh.
FOURTH GROUP: ARRIVALS ABOUT 1850
And still another group, chronologically considered,
running hoth forward and backward some years from
1850, included the following: Judge Corydon Beckwith,
William Best, T. B. Blackstone, Chauncey, George S.,
and James H. Bowen, Lorenz Brentano, Hon. Thomas
B. Bryan, Nicholas Clapp, R. T. Crane, Dr. N. S. Davis,
John B. Drake, George L. Dunlap, David A. and George
W. Gage, C. G. Hammond, Colonel John L. Hancock,
T. W. Haxvey, Charles H. and C. M. Henderson, A* C.
Hesing, the Keith brothers, W. D. Kerfoot, S. D. Kim-
bark, Henry W. King, J. H. McVicker, Joseph Medffl,
Ira Y. Munn, Walter C. Newberry, Frank Parmelee, Pot-
ter Palmer, H. H. Porter, Henry Russell, George Schnei-
der, John B. Sherman, Sol. A. Smith, F. F. Spencer.
FIFTH GBOIIP: NAMES FAMUJAB TO-DAY
And lastly reference should he made to a group whose
names are familiar to nearly every Chicagoan of to-day
(though the majority of even these have closed their
careers) hut who, for the most part, were wholly unknown
in 1862, or just rising into recognition within the lines of
their specialties, yet in a few years were literally to dom-
jes BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
inate almost every branch of commercial activity. George
M. Pullman was somewhat known in connection with the
raising of the Tremont House, and other buildings on
Lake Street, but his first "sleeper" was not completed
until -1863. Marshall Field and L. Z. Leiter were merely
rising junior partners. William F. Coolbaugh and John
Crerar were new arrivals; Lyman J. Gage had just been
promoted to the cashiership of the Merchants Savings,
Loan & Trust Company; and beginners with these were:
S. W. Allerton, A. M. Billings, John W. Doane, N. K.
Fairbank, John C. Gault, EL N. Higginbotham, Marvin
Hughitt, B. P. Hutchinson ("Old Hutch"), General
A. C. McClurg, Secretary of the Treasury Franklin Mac-
Veagh, O. W. Potter, Jesse Spaulding, Wilbur F. Storey
(he came in 1861) , while Chief Justice M. W. Fuller was
a rising young lawyer, along with B. F. Ayer, C. C. Bon-
ney, Wirt Dexter, W. C. Goudy, Edwin Haskin, K S,
Isham, John N. Jewett, James S. Kirk, Emory A* Storrs,
Lambert Tree, James M. Walker.
WHAT MAKES FOE THE GBEATNESS OF CHICAGO?
"What makes for the greatness of Chicago?" has been
a standing query ever since there was any Chicago at all
to talk about. Many causes have been assigned. A
goodly share may well be claimed for the men before men-
tioned; but an answer coming nearest the truth would prob-
ably be to say it was born great. Nevertheless, if special
causes are to be at all considered, the one advanced by Dr.
William Mason, of musical fame (recently deceased), in
his interesting autobiography, should receive grave con-
sideration. Nearly half a century ago, and just returned
from a sojourn of several years in Germany, and the com-
panionship of such men as Wagner and Liszt, Dr. Mason
DEACON WILLIAM HKOSS
A RETROSPECT
gave a concert in Chicago; and at a reception subsequently
held in his honor, found on the feminine side "only sweet
New England girls." " Where are your married women ? "
he inquired. The reply was, "They are here. They were
girls in New England, but our fellows went after them,
and they are all married now."
And to this naive and charming genesis he attributes
most of the greatness that has since f alien to Chicago's lot.
Verily an unanswerable dictum, for who would be so un-
gallant as to call it in question? Besides, has not the
greatness of ancient Rome been attributed to a blend sug-
gestively similar? though happily for Chicago, differing
in method of courtship. And so, what the Sabine maidens
were to the old-time mistress of the world, "sweet New
England girls" are to its twentieth-century successor* And
it is thus that history repeats itself.
Nevertheless, the causes that apparently make for pop-
ulation or contribute to greatness in one instance seldom
produce similar effects in others. Rome, as a site, remains
where it was two thousand years ago. Its seven hills stand
unmoved. Neither has Venice shifted much (though now
decidedly wobbly) since it dominated the maritime world.
Yet to-day these are little more than show places. And the
conditions that make for intellectual centres are even more
recondite and elusive. What, for example, made Boston
fifty years ago one of the lights of the world, and why is
that light to-day so effectually hidden? And what, by the
same token, got into the soil that overlays Chicago's
original quagmire, that it should so conduce to the "rais-
ing" of great preachers, that New York might become a
religious barren should either the seed or the soil's fructify-
ing powers give out? And again, what is there peculiar in
the musical atmosphere of the Phoenix City, that it should
170 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
produce contemporaneously not only the world's two great-
est women musicians, but almost the two greatest of either
sex? And this in face of the fact that women, with rare
exceptions, have heretofore not distinguished themselves
as instrumentalists. Naturally, all the world is now look-
ing to the same source for the first great woman composer.
Judging by what has already been done and is still
doing, in creative literature, it is not only evident that Chi-
cago is fully up "with the procession/ 9 but may any day
forge forward and give to the world the only truly Ameri-
can "great" that everybody is so eagerly awaiting* And
yet, what this wonderfully creative city should easily be
foremost in, it has hitherto failed to yield a supreme
master with the brush. That the incomparable Whistler
should have achieved his apotheosis anywhere but in Chi-
cago (with which his ancestry is so intimately associated)
seems an instance of ungracious artistic misfit for what
is the "mystery" (an important element in all great art)
wrapped in a London fog, compared to the phantasms
which so imaginative a conjurer might have evoked from
any square yard of ordinary Chicago atmosphere! How-
ever, there is still hope, as there is yet time : and when the
inevitable genius shall arrive, his "high noons/* painted
from the vantage of a thirty-story skyscraper, may rival
in luring depths and haunting obscuration the most in-
spired nocturnes of the departed master.
A BIBD'S-EYE VIEW
THE CITY AND ITS COURT HOUSE IN 1862 THE IMMEDIATE SUH-
ROXJNDINGS OP THE SQUARE THE VlEW FROM THE COURT HOUSE
DOME WHY CHICAGO WAS KNOWN AS THE "GARDEN CITY"
THE VIEW SOUTHWARD THE OLD PLANK ROADS.
IN 1862, the year of my arrival, Chicago had an esti-
mated population of 120,000, distributed among its
three divisions, both as to character and numbers, in
about the same proportion as are to-day its approximately
2,500,000 inhabitants. The south division remains what
it was then, the business centre; but where now are several
distinct foci in the general maelstrom, each comparable to
the original nucleus, and sufficiently specialized to admit of
geographical demarcation, the Court House in those days
brooked no rivals. With its aspiring cupola, it so dom-
inated the town that none could help looking up to it as
something superior and apart being, in fact, the only
really tall object in sight, except when "Long John" hap-
pened to take an airing. If you wanted a hack you went
to the Court House Square for it; and it was nearly the
same if you were looking for a policeman, for several could
generally be found hanging about there to prevent rival
hackmen from murdering each other, or a combination of
the pestiferous crew from doing a stranger to death, both
being not infrequent happenings. Anywhere else a police-
man was seldom seen outside of saloons. But, frankly,
what better could one expect of men content to wear
leather shields as insignia of authority? In those days the
171
in BYGONE DAYS IX CHICAGO
force was under a marshal, and that functionary was a
mere satrap of the Mayor. Accordingly, in 1857, when
"Long John" carne to the head of affairs, being deter-
mined that the " copper" should not get above his business,
he put the adage, "there is nothing like leather," to a prac-
tical test. Most people are aware that both "bobby" and
"peeler," as slang for "policeman," date from Sir Robert
PeePs ministry. But it is not so generally known that
"copper," as another epithet of derision, is claimed to date
from the mayoralty of John C. Haines, once somewhat
widely known as " Copper-stock" Haines (because of some
transaction in that metal), and hence its variants "cop,"
"fly cop," and "sparrow-cop."
In a way, also, the Court House was everybody's
monitor and guide. It told you when to rise, when to eat
your dinner, when to knock off work, when to jubilate,
when to mourn, and, above all, it helped you to locate fires;
for the clang of its great bell could be heard in almost
every part of the town. Aye, how it rang paeans of victory
for Donelson, for Vicksburg, and Gettysburg, and finally
for Richmond, when that stronghold fell! And how its
slow, solemn monotone voiced the anguish of all hearts,
when the body of the slain Lincoln was borne through the
shrouded streets of the mourning city, to rest for a day
and a night beneath the dome of the city's capitol, that a
stricken people might once more look upon the trans-
figured face of their beloved dead! And, finally, how it
clanged, and clanged, and clanged again, on that fearful
night of fire, each stroke heightening the terror that pos-
sessed the fleeing multitude, while the "fiend" that lashed
the elements to such boundless fury, compelled it to sound
its own death-knell.
THE LINCOLN FUNERAL PROCESSION IN CHICAGO
RECEPTION OF THE REMAINS AT THE COURT HOUSE
A BIRD'S-EYE VIEW 173
THE IMMEDIATE SURROUNDINGS OF THE SQUARE
In 1862 the Court House Square was surrounded by
an oddly assorted architectural hodgepodge, strikingly
typical of the various stages of the city's development, from
the primitive "frame" of the thirties, to the new, six-
storied marble Sherman House, at this time the finest
building in the city, as well as one of the best appointed
hotels in the country. Because of the panic of 1857, and
the subsequent war, the Chicago of this period represents
a status quo of nearly a full decade- Thereafter, from
1865, down to the time of the fire, the city was in an ex-
ceptional state of flux, and so much of the dilapidation
of former days disappeared, that it was in quite a large
way a comparatively new downtown Chicago that was
destroyed on October 9, 1871.
Where Washington Street bounds the Court House
Square (then enclosed by a high iron fence), there re-
mained down to 1864 nearly a block of original prairie,
a dozen feet below the plank sidewalk; and when, in 1863,
the plot was tenanted by a winter circus, its patrons de-
scended to their seats as into a cellar. When, in the
middle sixties, the building boom set in, Smith & Nixon
erected on the site now occupied by the Chicago Opera
House a fine Music Hall, which was opened, if I am not
mistaken, with a concert by Gottschalk. Among other
events I recall as taking place therein was a state billiard
tournament, wherein Tom Foley, the veritable stand-by
of to-day, won the State championship, a circumstance
which throws a calcium light on the status of the game at
that period; a concert by u Blind Tom"; and a lecture by
William Lloyd Garrison, on "Reconstruction."
In marked contrast to the vacant plot, and neighboring
171 BYGONE DAYS IX CHICAGO
it on the corner of La Salle Street, stood one of the tallest-
steepled churches in the city, the First Baptist. This, in
1864, was taken down bit hy bit and reconstructed on its
present site, Morgan and Monroe Streets, there becoming
the Second Baptist. In its place rose Chicago's first fine
Chamber of Commerce, to be followed after the fire by
a second trade-temple of similar dimensions, only the outer
walls of which now remain, as the substructure to a
skyscraper.
The southwest corner, across La Salle Street from the
Baptist church, calls for special mention. It was at this
time occupied by a brick building of two stories and base-
ment, among the first dwellings of that material erected in
Chicago. It was originally the home of P. F. W* Peck;
and before it was demolished, about 1867, after a some-
what checkered existence, it had been some years the head-
quarters of the police department, with a calaboose in the
basement.
The old landmark was succeeded by one of the finest
buildings in the city, with the Union National Bank for
its chief tenant* After the fire the bank was temporarily
domiciled at the northwest corner of Market and Madison
Streets, which one-sided locality with Field, Leiter &
Co/s establishment, both wholesale and retail, on the
northeast corner, and the Board of Trade opposite be-
came for a time the business focus of the city. Within
a year or so, the old Peck residence site was rehabilitated
with an even more substantial building than the one
destroyed; and so this intersection, when the Chamber of
Commerce had been rebuilt, became once again the city's
chief business centre. In addition to the Union National
Bank, then the leading financial institution in the West, the
A BIRD'S-EYE VIEW 175
new building accommodated the Western Union Telegraph
Company, the Associated Press, the Western Army Head-
quarters (in charge of General PhiL Sheridan), another
bank, and many important interests besides. Neverthe-
less, though of goodly size, this structure was in 1893
ruthlessly razed to give place to the present Stock Ex-
change building. Thus, in its various stages, this corner
has been preeminently typical of the city's vicissitudes and
progress; while the frequent changes in its physical aspect
emphasize the difficulties of the chronicler in undertaking
to reproduce with certitude any particular epoch in the
city's physical history.
Besides the Sherman House and the Baptist church,
almost the only other salient feature on the four fronts
facing the Square was the Larmon block of four stories,
on the northeast corner of Washington and Clark Streets,
having for its tenant on the upper floor Bryant and Strat-
ton's Business College, a fact that was announced to the
wayf arer by a sign so conspicuous as almost to belittle the
Court House dome as an object of attention. The ground
floor was occupied by J. T. & E. M. Edwards, jewelers;
Julius Bauer, pianos; J. M. Loomis, hatter; Root &
Cady's music store, and Buck & Raynor's drug store.
Others on Clark Street facing the Square, and running
north in the order noted, were: Ambrose & Jackson (col-
ored), caterers; Bryan Hall entrance; George Tolle, sur-
gical instruments; E. J* Hopson, ntfllinery; "Anderson's'*
(a restaurant presided over by John Wright, who a few
years later opened in Crosby's Opera House the first really
"swell" resort in the city) ; "Campbell's," hair jewelry;
J. Gray, wigs; E. A. Jessell, auctioneer (a "Peter Funk, 5 '
if ever there was one) ; while on the corner of Randolph
176 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
there lingered a senile frame construction, in color a dirty
yellow, on the second floor of which Carter H. Harrison,
Sr., along with other luminaries, devoted himself to the
acquisition and exudation of lore more or less legaL
On Randolph Street, corner of La Salle, stood a four-
story brick, and all the rest of the block between that and
the Sherman House presented a depressed line of two-
story tumble-down frames, dating from the thirties, the
street floors devoted to free-lunch resorts, while the second
stories were polluted by so-called "justice" offices, and
their "shyster" hangers-on*
In general it may be said that only the Clark Street
frontage of the four sides of the Square was in touch with
business all the rest being as much out of it as the un-
settled prairie* The La Salle Street side was made up
largely of forsaken residences; and it was not until several
years later, when the Chamber of Commerce was estab-
lished at Washington and La Salle, that the region there-
about came into demand for business purposes though
when it did, it jumped at one bound into the front rank.
The Metropolitan block, on the northwest corner of
La Salle and Randolph Streets, was a somewhat notable
landmark Metropolitan Hall, on its third or upper floor,
was prior to the building of Bryan Hall (about 1860) for
many years the most capacious place of assembly in the
city, and many notabilities, not only of national but inter-
national fame, had attracted crowds within its walls. Often
it was decked and garlanded for fairs and balls; and it was
here (not so very long before the great fire in which he
lost his life) that John McDevitt, he of the velvet touch,
played the famous game of billiards, 1,500 points up,
against Joseph Dion, which he finished while his opponent
had hardly a button to his credit, with a run of 1,457 a
M ^
A BIRD'S-EYE VIEW 177
feat that forced the "sharps" to put their heads together,
led to the barring of the push shot and other helps to big
records, and so put the game, for championship honors,
on an entirely new basis. And in the basement of the block
there was then, and had been for many years, as there is
still, a "Quincy Xo. 9," a relic of the days when the boys
"ran wid de masheen," and which, during its more than
half a century of existence, has scored an unexampled
record of continuous performance.
THE YIEW FEO3I THE COUUT HOUSE DOME
Let us now ascend the dome of the Court House. The
climb is not so wearisome in fancy as in the olden days
it was in fact, when it was a favorite youthful diversion.
Near the top we shall find a circular balcony, specially de-
signed for sight-seeing, and let that be our place of obser-
vation. In an atmosphere as yet undefiled by the soot of
ten thousand factories, a pleasing panorama unfolds itself.
Naturally you are amazed to note how clearly the sand hills
of Michigan, beyond the shimmering waters of the lake,
thirty miles away, glint in the sunlight. Truly it would
take a miracle to catch a glimpse of them now, even from
the top of the Auditorium Tower, except perchance for
a moment, after some phenomenally clearing storm from
the east.
WHY CHICAGO WAS KNOWN AS THE ^GARDEN CITY**
As you gaze about, you may realize why Chicago was
once generally known as the "Garden City." First, note
those broad stretches of lovely green, due to tree-lined
Wabash and Michigan Avenues, and observe how richly
the neighborhood of Cottage Grove Avenue is wooded,
and the area of verdure widens as you follow it south-
178 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
ward to Hyde Park. The building in the midst of a forest
of uncommonly large oaks, at about Thirty-fifth Street
(then outside of the city limits) , is the old Chicago Uni-
versity, founded by Stephen A. Douglas, who at the time
of his death (1861) owned much of the land in its vicinage.
Although the foreground, westward, is fairly inviting
(for not only are most of the streets tree-bordered, but
here and there large, unoccupied spaces refresh the eye
with their rich green) , it is really not until you turn fully
to the north, and a bit to the east, that a climax of verdure
is revealed. What we now behold is a magnificent natural
forest in the midst of a city, or is it not better to say
that the city here plays hide and seek in the forest? Either
way, it is a dream. The noble, lake-bordered expanse is
divided into lordly domains, embellished with lovely gar-
dens. From this height the north division, east of Clark
Street, and to the farthest limits, presents an unbroken
stretch of woodland, as if the Lincoln Park of to-day (then
in part a cemetery, and for the rest primeval forest) came
down to North Water Street. Not only is every street
shaded, but entire wooded squares contain each only
a single habitation, usually near its centre, thus enabling
their fortunate owners to live in park-like surroundings.
These spacious domains exhibit a native growth re-
markable for its variety. The Hon. Isaac N. Arnold is
at this period the proud owner of one of these preserves,
acquired in the thirties when this region was first platted,
and when entire squares, at opportune times, were bought
for less than the present value of a single lot, with fifty
or more to the square. Mr. Arnold's plot retained much
of its original aspect up to the fire, and he could point out
among other varieties of timber (as he loved to do) fine
specimens of oak, ash, maple, cherry, elm, birch, hickory,
By Court*"-y of thf Chiruuo Iiitnric:il S*riety
RESIDENCE OF EZRA B. McCAGG
By Courtesy <it'tIu k Ciiu.MUo Hist<iu-al SttciC'tjr
THE MARLON D. OGDEN PROPERTY
A B3BD'S-EYE VIEW 170
and cottonwoocL And to think that in a single night all
this wealth of nature disappeared as if it had never been!
Others who occupied entire squares In proximity to
Mr* Arnold, with say Hush and QntaiiO; Streets as an ap-
proximate centre, were such well-known old-timers as ex-
Mayor Wm. B. Ogden, Walter L. Newberry, Mark
Skinner, H. H. Magie, and a little farther north, E. B.
McCagg and Mahlon D. Ogden; while the detached man-
sion of many another stood in grounds of approximate
dimensions.
THE VIEW SOUTHWABD
Once again let us sweep the horizon and make a note
of salient features. South of Twenty-second Street (then
known as Ringgold Place) scattered buildings mark the
course of Cottage Grove Avenue, Between Thirty-second
and Thirty-fifth Streets, and running about an equal dis-
tance westward from the avenue, is a high-boarded enclos-
ure, filled with temporary barracks. In the early days of
the war this served as a recruiting camp, but now it holds
in durance ten thousand or more "Johnny Rebs," corralled
at Forts Henry and Donelson, and Island No. 10.
Half a mile or more west of the camp is a clearing,
for the most part owned by "Long John." In a few years
a part will become the Chicago Driving Park, with an in-
cidental baseball field. And later still a larger part will
be occupied by the Union Stock Yards, with the Dexter
Trotting Park just south of them. When this happens,
in the later sixties, much of the territory between the Stock
Yards and Twenty-second Street is still unoccupied
prairie, but shortly the great "Long John tract" is opened
to settlement, and Wentworth Avenue is extended through
to the west of it.
From its beginning for nearly a mile, the Archer Road
180 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
is thinly settled* Then come clusters of large, low con-
structions* These are either slaughter or packing houses,
with a glue factory and some rendering establishments
thrown in to heighten the malodorous effect. You are now
gazing on Bridgeport, a settlement beyond the corporate
limits. It is a place with a reputation. Both morally and
physically it is a cesspool, a stench in everybody's nostrils,
especially when there is a breeze from the southwest.
Except for a fringe of structures along the South
Branch, the entire section that lies between Archer and
Blue Island Avenues is largely unsettled marshland, in
part known to old settlers as "Hardscrabble." The pres-
ent great lumber district, with its teeming factories, is little
better than a bog. At this time the lumber yards are
strung along the South Branch, north of Eighteenth
Street, with a bunch at the mouth of the river, while grain
elevators (though by no means the leviathans of to-day)
break the skyline at different points along both the South
and North Branches. Oux sweep has taken in the source
of Chicago's eaily greatness its "Big Three"; for
already it is able to announce to an amazed world that it
is the foremost grain mart, lumber market, and packing
centre in the world. And the pride that thereat swelled
the collective Chicago bosom crops out occasionally in
individual exhibitions of "chestiness" even to-day.
THE OLD PLANK ROADS
West of Aberdeen, and south of Adams Street, land
is still in the market by the acre. Peter Schuttler has just
domiciled himself on the outskirts in what is the most pre-
tentious residence in the city and, following the example
of the North Side gentry, has placed his mansion in the
X
X
A BIRD'S-EYE VIEW 181
centre of extensive grounds. The region between Adams
and Lake Streets, to Union Park, is fairly built up; but
beyond tbat point (best known as BulFs Head) the habi-
tations are few and far between; yet the horse cars are
pushing to Western Avenue, in the hope that population
will follow, for at this period their revenue is largely de-
rived from Sunday pleasure-seekers, bound for various
outlying groves. The northwestern part of the town is
still practically unsettled, and from about Centre Avenue
and Lake Street one can cut across to Milwaukee Avenue
(better known as the Milwaukee or Northwestern Plank
Road) without other obstruction than the old Galena Rail-
road track. On the North Branch are some tanneries, and
a tall chimney marks the site of Ward's Rolling Mill,
later to become the nucleus of the huge collection to be
known as the North Chicago Rolling Mills, O. W. Potter
is at this time Captain Ward's superintendent. In the
north division the building line halts at North Avenue.
The site of Lincoln Park is to remain for some time a most
forbidding locality, for ghosts walk there. Beyond lies
thickly wooded Lake View. And it is an off summer's
day when some German society does not hold a picnic
there.
Before closing with the general view, let us note the
fact that expansion from the main nucleus proceeds in
narrow lines (somewhat like the spokes of a wheel), show-
ing large areas of unsettled prairie between* These settled
lines mark the whereabouts of plank roads^ known as
Archer, Blue Island, South Western (now Ogden Ave-
nue), Northwestern (now Milwaukee Avenue), Cly-
bourne, etc. Fortunately, these exits from the early
settlement were retained in the subsequent platting, and
182 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
now constitute most convenient avenues to facilitate rapid
transit. The first settlers in the outlying lowlands were
wise in sticking close to what then most resembled solid
ground, for away from planked roads danger lurked in
every rood of ground, and during rainy seasons wading
was a frequent alternative for walking.
THE BUSINESS CENTRE
OLD-TIME DOMINANCE OP LAKE STREET THE BOARD or TRADE
BEGINS THE SOUTHWARD MOVEMENT IT is QUICKLY FOLLOWED
BY BUSINESS HOUSES DEARBORN STREET BECOMES A CKNTRE
FOR NEWSPAPERS AND RESORTS MARSHALL FIELD'S INFLUENCE
IN DETERMINING THE BUSINESS CENTRE His MIND THE DOMI-
NATING POWER IN THE FIRM MARSHALL FIELD & Co., SUCCES-
SORS TO FIELD, LEITER & Co. CONTRAST BETWEEN BUILDINGS OF
1862 AND THOSE OP TO-DAY THE CITY'S IRON AGE TH
CITY'S MARBLE AGE CHICAGO'S EXCELLENT HOTELS THK
SCARCITY OF FACTORIES AND OTHER LARGE BUILDINGS.
HAVING made acquaintance with the "lay of the
land" in general, let us now take advantage of our
eyrie to scan the business section. There is little
occasion to glance either westward or southward, or even
directly eastward, for in none of these directions, beyond
the Clark Street front on the Square, is there as yet any
merchandising worth mentioning. Practically the business
area is still bounded by South Water and Randolph
Streets, with only Lake Street between and what there
is on Randolph is mostly confined to the single block
between Clark and Dearborn Streets.
In the beginning most of the business was on the North
Side. Between the thirties and forties it crossed the river
and hummed loudest about the intersection of Lake and
La Salle Streets. In the decade following, the business
centre shifted eastward a block to the intersection of Lake
and Clark Streets. In 1862 the spell of Lake Street is
still all-potent. Not only is it the city's shopping district,
but also its banking and wholesale centre, and much be-
183
184 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
sides. Therefore, merely to moot the possibility that busi-
ness may sometime break away from it is at this period
to most people of that locality equivalent to an attack
( on vested rights, and a menace to universal stability.
THE BOARD OF TRADE BEGINTS THE SOUTHWARD MOVEMENT
Accordingly, when a few years later the Board of
Trade resolved to desert its grimy quarters on South
Water Street, skip Lake Street, and break ground at
Washington and La Salle Streets, there was much wag-
ging of heads over the flight so far away from the im-
memorial business centre; and, as if this were not enough
to warrant predictions of failure, there was the further
reason that members could no longer watch the movement
of shipping on the river, a hitherto unfailing source of in-
terest and diversion between deals.
The causes that for nearly a decade prior to 1865
brought building operations in Chicago to a comparative
standstill, have already received mention. In outlying
parts, and especially in the packing district (where the
wax had stimulated its peculiar enterprises to an extraordi-
nary activity) , construction had gone forward at a lively
pace. But in the centre of the city so few changes had
taken place, and the existing order had come to be so taken
for granted, that, when the business community finally
awoke to its shortcomings, it moved so suddenly and so
swiftly as completely to upset every calculation based on
the status quo so long maintained.
IT IS QUICKLY FOLLOWED BY BUSINESS HOUSES
When it was seen that the Board of Trade had not
only come to no harm by moving so far afield, but was
rapidly becoming an important centre, with office buildings
By Courtesy of the Chicago Historical Sn.-iety
Intersection t,f Lake and La
Streets
By Courtesy of the Chicago Historical Society
Intersection of I^ikc and \Velta Street 1 *
THE EARLY SHOPPING DISTRICT
THE BUSINESS CENTRE 185
going up all about it, there was a movement to break
bounds and enlarge the business area southward from Lake
Street all along the line from Market Street to Michigan
Avenue. And while State Street was laying ruthless
hands on the dry goods, jewelry, book, china, and kindred
trades, and Wabash and Michigan Avenues were diverting
into new and commodious quarters a goodly part of the
wholesale and jobbing trade, other sections south of Ran-
dolph, under the impetus of the national banking law, set
up as financial centres. Notable instances were the group
of banks, headed by the Union National, about the Board
of Trade, and the First National, in the new State Street
retail district. Thus was Lake Street deprived of still
another old-time monopoly. And while State Street and
the avenues to the east were absorbing the shopping and
jobbing business, and La Salle Street was paying special
court to banking and insurance interests, Dearborn Street
caine into favor as a newspaper centre,
DEARBORN STREET BECOMES A CENTRE FOR NEWSPAPERS
AND RESORTS
The Journal was already located on Dearborn Street,
opposite the Tremont House, with the Morning Post a
block farther south. The Times, in 1866, left Randolph
for its new quarters on Dearborn, between Washington
and Madison Streets. The Tribune a little later moved
from Clark Street, opposite the Sherman House, to its
present site. The Evening Post set up business where
the Journal is now located* The Staats-Zeitung was then
published on Madison, just west of Dearborn; while the
Republican (later the Inter-Ocean) started on Washing-
ton Street. That thoroughfare also felt the impulse
strongly, for within a year it secured, among other im-
186 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
provements, between La Salle and State Streets, such
important accessions in a single line as Crosby's Opera
House (then the most imposing "art temple" in the coun-
try), Smith & Nixon's Music Hall (opposite the Court
House), and a fine minstrel hall.
At the time when Lake Street still attracted the shop-
per, Dearborn and Randolph Streets, at their intersection,
lured the wayfarer, the gambler, and the idle pleasure-
seeker of every sort. For one reason, Dearborn Street was
a direct approach for many West and most North Siders to
the Post Office, then on the present site of the First Na-
tional Bank; for until 1866, when the carrier system was
introduced, "going for your mail" was an everyday neces-
sity or pastime. And then all through the fifties Rice's
theatre, the only permanent place of amusement during
most of 'this period in the city, made Dearborn Street a
general rendezvous at night; while other resorts with their
more or less questionable attractions did the rest. It was
Ike Cook's " Young America," on the southeast corner of
Randolph, that caught much of the political and sporting
drift. It was the headquarters of Senator Douglas for a
number of years, and consequently a rendezvous for such
convivial spirits among his admirers as Dr. Wm. B. Egan,
Patrick BallingaU, General U. F. Linder, Dan O'Hara,
and their followers. But when, about 1860, the McCor-
mick block replaced the old caravansary, the sports
and the bloods transferred their patronage to the north-
west corner, and made Billy Bolshaw's Matteson House
Cafe their headquarters; while Randolph Street, for a
block east and west, formed a "banking centre" quite a
bit different from the approved financial interests clustered
about Lake and La Salle Streets.
THE BUSINESS CENTRE 187
MARSHALL FIELD'S INFLUENCE IN DETERMINING THE
BUSINESS CENTRE
The gift of prevision is far from common ; and in still
rarer instances is it coupled with the means to control the
environing forces to desired ends. It is one thing to see
what might, could, or should be done to meet the demands
or possibilities of the future, and it is quite another thing
to actualize the vision. The seer is seldom a doer the
inventor rarely controls the product of his genius. It can
be said with truth, however, that Chicago is able to show
at least one example, and that in a superlative degree,
where a single mind again and again determined the lines
of the city's material development, at least in so far as its
business centre is concerned. This distinction belongs to
Marshall Field; and in noting the changes the business
section has from time to time undergone, it may be of in-
terest to mark his influence where it crops conspicuously to
the surface. It is probably not going too far to say that
as an incarnation of business methods, coupled with fore-
sight along distinctly marked lines, the world has seen few
the equal of this mercantile field marshal. Though a force
in many directions, he was first and last a merchant all
other things being subordinate, or at most, tributary to the
controlling interest*
So long as the house of Field, Leiter & Co. (succes-
sors to Potter Palmer, and later to Palmer, Field, Leiter
& Co.) held to Lake Street, that thoroughfare's supremacy
was assured; and it was the removal of this firm to State
and Washington Streets, in the late sixties, that gave the
proud old street its coup de grace. From then on till the
fire, State Street was the city's shopping centre almost as
dominantly as it is to-day; though a few of the long-
188 BYGONE DAYS IX CHICAGO
established houses, like Giles Brothers (the Tiffanys of the
West), clung tenaciously to their old moorings until
ousted by the fire. When, after the fire, it became a ques-
tion of rebuilding the business centre, one locality may be
said to have had as good a chance as another; and thefre-
fore intending builders for retail trade accommodations
waited to see what Field, Leiter & Co. would do.
Most people took for granted that the city's leading
firm would preferably return to its old site, owned by the
Singer Company, but instead it established itself in a
hastily constructed building of its own, northeast corner
of Market and Madison Streets, after a temporary make-
shift in an old car-barn on State at Eighteenth Street.
The change to Market Street sent a shiver through the
whole business community. It was, however, a shrewd
venture, a multitude of disappointed croakers to the con-
trary* The North Side being wiped out, as well as a
goodly part of the South Side, it was good business to cater
particularly to the West Side (then containing consider-
ably more than half of the city's population) , by locating at
its very threshold. Furthermore, as compared with State
Street prices, lots thereabouts could be had for a song,
though, when other dry-goods houses, as well as leaders
in other lines, lost no time in settling about the leader
per se, real-estate figures in their vicinage rose by leaps and
bounds. The area south of Madison Street, along Market
and Franklin (or rather where those streets were opened
after the fire) had been an unplatted and disreputable
locality, dominated by a gas house. The land was chiefly
occupied, and in some fashion owned, by Hibernian shanty-
men, several of whom became Croesuses over night.
This move on the part of Field, Leiter & Co. put State
Street in the doldrums, and for several years its fate hung
By Courtesy of tin- rhir;m<
State Street, Near
By Courtesy of the Chk'asM Hi-toru-al Si
Intersection of Clark and South Water Streets
TllV \\' \ l>
THE BUSINESS CENTRE
in the balance. In the meantime, the Singer Company
concluded to rebuild on the old site, but It did so very re-
luctantly, for there was no tenant in sight for so pretentious
a structure. While the building was going up, Field,
Leiter & Co. made no sign; but its heads quietly possessed
themselves of various parcels of real estate in its vicinage.
Meantime rumor had it leased first to one rival, and then
to another, including A. T. Stewart & Co., of Xew York,
but nothing came of it all. Finally, it pleased Field, Leiter
& Co* to reoccupy their old site, but for retail trade ex-
clusively. They returned very much on their own terms.
So the retail trade of the city was once again securely
anchored on State Street. Thus we see that on three dif-
ferent occasions it was Field, Leiter & Co. that determined
the retail focus of the city; and that Marshall Field was,
and had been, the dominating mind, was made clear the
moment a personal difference sent the heads apart.
HIS MIND THE DOMINATING POWER IN THE FIEM
Levi Z. Leiter's opinion of himself as a business man
was not always shared by his co-workers; and that he could
make no valid claim to possessing either exceptional per-
spicacity or talent for leadership was made evident the
moment he separated from the Field dominance. Few of
Leiter's independent real-estate investments ranked with
those made by the head of the firm on his own account ; and
in other respects his initiatives proved rather ineffectual,
and were saved from failure only because general develop-
ment came to their rescue. After the fire the firm had a
phenomenal success; and most of the excess over direct
business demands was put by the heads into real estate,
and their investments became controlling factors in de-
termining values in the vicinage of their purchases. During
190 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
these years the real-estate news department of the
Times was in charge of the writer, and a Field or Leiter
transaction was always an occasion for a column or more
of speculation into the possible future of the locality that
had been so fortunate as to receive either's attention.
MAESHALL FIELD & CO., SUCCESSORS TO FIELD, LEITER & CO.
When, in 1881, there was a dissolution of partnership,
the news did not reach the newspaper offices till late in the
evening. I had retired for the night, when an A. D. T.
messenger made a furious assault on the door bell.
Through hi a note from the city editor apprised me of
the dissolution, and asked what I could contribute in the
way of data about their partnership, as well as individual
real-estate holdings. This was so directly in my line, that
from memory I was able to give a complete inventory, the
share of each approximating to $3,000,000, on the basis
of the purchase price.
The following day I received a note from Mr. Storey
Tnfnrming me that Mr. Field had sent word that he desired
to see the compiler of said real-estate values. I fully ex-
pected a compliment, but instead was met by an Olympian
frown, and the query: "Mr. Cook, what possessed you to
give those details about our business?" I answered in
some amazement that I could see no reason for not doing
so that it was certainly legitimate news matter. "Well,
you shouldn't have done it," he continued. "We have
been large patrons of the Times, and the paper should
have considered our interests more. 5 ' I frankly informed
him that Mr. Storey did not expect us to consult the
counting-room when it came to a matter of news; and
it was only after I had pressed him for the specific grounds
THE BUSINESS CENTRE 191
of his objection to publicity regarding his real-estate hold-
ings, that he surprised me with the answer that he "did
not care being made a target for socialists to fire at,"
whether with verbal, paper, or leaden missiles, he failed
to say.
This incident goes far to explain the country's amaze-
ment when informed that Marshall Field died worth
$80,000,000* It is generally assumed that the socialistic
propaganda is rapidly spreading. Yet the fact is that
more than thirty years ago the socialist candidate for
Mayor, Dr. Schmidt, polled something like one-sixth of
the entire vote, a proportion, it is safe to say, not at-
tained at any time since by a socialistic candidate*
In view of the extraordinary success of the house of
Field, Leiter & Co., and its successor, Marshall Field & CoJ;
it would be interesting if one could estimate at their true
value the factors that went to the making of this success
whether, for example, the preponderance rests with the
character of its personnel, or the exceptional opportunities
afforded by their environment. How Mr. Leiter would
have proportioned the credit is hardly in doubt. For a
number of years following the crushing panic of 1873, it
fell to me to interview the leading business men twice a
year for a semi-annual exposition of the city's reviving
trade. On one of these rounds, when business was on the
"boom" again, and Mr. Leiter had enlightened me on the
extraordinary volume the house was doing (he, at any rate,
had no socialistic spectres before his eyes, that madetargets
of too-sudden millionaires), I took occasion to remark
that he and Mr. Field were fortunate in making their
business start in Chicago. To this Mr. Leiter strongly
demurred, and gave it as his opinion, if circumstances had
19* BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
started Mr* Field and himself together in New York, their
foresight and mastery of system would have resulted in a
still greater success.
CONTRAST BETWEEN BUILDINGS OF 1862 AND THOSE OF
TO-DAY
But it is time to return to our observation of the status
of 1862, before any of the changes brought to notice had
taken place. Looking down upon the scene from an alti-
tude twice the height of any other skyward projection,
barring distant grain elevators, a few church steeples, and a
gaunt shot tower in the neighborhood of Lake and
Desplaines Streets, an observer cannot fail to be struck
by the extraordinary difference in this aspect to what a view
from the modern city's tallest skyscraper reveals. The
scene to-day suggests a multitude of sky-piercing peaks,
separated by yawning chasms; whereas the roof surface
of fifty years ago resembled a plateau raised somewhat
above a plain, and occasionally broken by slight protuber-
ances. We note that the Lake Street skyline is almost
as uniform as a regulated Paris boulevard, or a brownstone
cross-street vista in New York. The usual height is four
stories, and this is pretty evenly maintained all over the
business section, the exceptions being hotels, and a few iron
constructions then of a comparatively recent date.
THE CITY'S IEON AGE
The period that came to a sudden close with the panic
of 1857 only one of half a dozen and more distinct
stages or cycles of development in the city's short history
may be called its "iron age," for most of the buildings
and blocks erected in the middle fifties, in a time of extreme
inflation, were of iron, and commonly five stories in height.
THE BUSINESS CENTRE 190
A notable example of this class was the Burch block, at
Lake Street and Wabash Avenue, whose destruction, with
contents (S. C. Griggs & Co., booksellers, being the chief
occupants), by fire in 1868 entailed a loss of two million
dollars, up to that time the heaviest single fire loss in the
history of the city; and it was followed within a year by
another, the J. V. Farwell fire, which entailed a still greater
loss. These two were in a way "curtain raisers" preceding
the cataclysmic drama of 1871- Another similar construc-
tion was the Gilbert Hubbard & Co* building, of which a
writer spoke, in the hyperbole of the period, as "that mas-
sive iron structure of architectural grandeur, which will
defy the desolation of time, and the spoil of ages, on the
corner of South Water and Wells Streets." Still another
stood on the northwest corner of Randolph and Wells
(Fifth Avenue) ; and while this, known as the Lloyd block,
proved something of an elephant, so far west and south, it
was chiefly known for the Sunday-night dances on its great
upper floor. This floor was also used for military drills,
and was notably in demand when, in the middle sixties,
O'Mahony's Fenian army was mobilized for the invasion
of Canada.
THE CITY'S MABBLE AGE
The "iron age" was followed by the Lament "marble
age," vestiges of which are still in plentiful evidence. The
opening of the Lockport-Lamont quarries was an event of
importance, and gave a sudden quietus to the use of iron
for exteriors, as well as the importation from afar of other
material, save for decorative purposes. When, in the early
fifties, the first instalment of the Court House was pro-
jected, the stone was brought all the way from Lockport,
INFew York. When, however, a decade or more later, it
was proposed to provide the house with wings (perchance
19* BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
to typify the city's soaring ambition) , material from the
quarries at Loekport or Lamont, Illinois, proved a good
substitute.
CHICAGO'S EXCELLENT HOTELS
Until the incoming of the modern office skyscraper, the
tallest constructions from time immemorial were pyramids,
temples, churches, capitols, and in more modern times,
hotels. The Court House dome, grain elevators, and
church steeples excepted, it was the hostelries that relieved
the perspective in the Chicago of 1862. Almost from its
earliest beginnings, when Mark Beaubien "kept tavern
like the devil" and played the fiddle in similar fashion to
distract the attention of patrons from table shortcomings,
Chicago was noted for the size and excellence of its car-
avansaries. Where other cities of its magnitude when it
had, say, 100,000 inhabitants pointed with pride to one,
or at the most two, hotels of the first class (as Cincin-
natians did to the Burnett House, and St. Louisians to the
Old Planters and Southern) , Chicago could boast half a
dozen of equal pretensions, and certainly two that were
their superiors. When the Sherman House was opened, in
1860, it had few equals in the country ; the Tremont, under
mine host John B. Drake, challenged comparison with the
best; while the Richmond House, on South Water Street
and Michigan Avenue, before the Sherman was opened,
was esteemed the most exclusive; and it was there that
King Edward, as the Prince of Wales, was entertained.
Next in order came the Briggs House, with the Metro-
politan, on the southwest corner, opposite* a close follower;
while the Matteson, at the northwest corner of Randolph
and Dearborn, the City Hotel, at the southwest corner of
State and Lake Streets, and the Adams House and
By Courtesy of the Chicago Historical rwM-i
THE TREMONT HOUSE
Bj- Courtesy of the Chicago Historical Society
THE SHERMAN HOUSE
THE BUSINESS CENTRE 105
Massasoit House, still farther east, all enjoyed excellent
reputations. The Massasoit was built by the Gage broth-
ers, and it was from here they went to the Tremont, and
subsequently to the Sherman. Several of these buildings
were six stories in height, and the others, with a single ex-
ception, five. There were yet other good third-rate hotels,
like the Garden City, northeast corner of Madison and
Market Streets; and finally, some excellent family hotels,
though this feature, now so important, was as yet in its
infancy.
There was still in some class, perhaps the sixth the
old Lake House, corner of Rush and Kinzie Streets,
opened in 1835, and once the pride of the West, sharing
with the Astor House in New York a reputation for enter-
taining old-time celebrities, including such lights as Daniel
Webster, General Scott, and Governor Cass. It was a
four-story brick. Later it received an addition, and was
then about seventy-five feet square. It was built at a time
when there was sharp rivalry for supremacy between the
north and south divisions, and its promoters entertained
the hope that this piece of enterprise would effectually stop
the exodus to the south division.
SCARCITY OF FACTORIES AND OTHER LARGE BUILDINGS
Away from the business centre, looking southward be*
yond Washington Street, there are in the year 1862 few
constructions of note to challenge attention, aside from
McVicker's Theatre, on its present site, and the Post
Office, where now stands the First National Bank building.
Michigan Avenue, however, as far as Harrison Street,
looms quite boldly in similitude of a sea wall the
most conspicuous buildings being the so-called "Bishop's
Palace," corper of Madison, and the "Marble Terrace,"
IDtf BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
a solid block of half a score of "palaces," of Lamont stone,
four stories in height, where the Auditorium now stands.
Only a few manufactories rise to any pretension at the
period of this sketch. Notable among these are the
McCormick reaper factory, on the north bank of the main
river, near Rush Street bridge; Peter Schuttler's wagon
factory, southwest corner of Randolph and Franklin
Streets; Goss & Phillips's Sash and Door Factory, Clark
and Twelfth Streets; the Oriental Flouring Mill, on the
west bank of the river, at Madison Street bridge; and P.
W. Gates's Foundry, somewhere near the western mouth
of the Washington Street tunnel. Obviously Chicago is
not yet much of a manufacturing centre; and, while an
important railroad confluence, all the stations except that
of the Illinois Central, at the foot of Lake Street, are mere
wooden rookeries.
One other structure must be noted. It is the huge
"Wigwam" in which Abraham Lincoln was nominated,
on Market Street between Randolph and Lake Streets,
facing the river. Its street floor is at this time occupied by
produce and feed stores. Opposite this stands the Lind
block, the only building in the South Side "burnt district"
that escaped destruction.
AN "OLDEST SETTLER" CELEBRATION
THE SILVER WEDDING OP MR. AND MRS. GURDON S. HUBBARD MR.
HUEBARD IN HIS YOUTH HuBBARD, LlNCOLN, AND DOUGLAS
EARLY BUSINESS EXPERIENCES NEWSPAPER PARAGRAPHS ON THE
SILVER WEDDING -A NOTABLE GATHERING MR, ANO MRS*
ARCHIBALD CLYBOURNE THE CLYBOURNE MANSION AN IN-
DIAN ALARM MRS. CLYBOURNE AS A HEROINE A FAMOUS
FEAST.
AN event of more than passing interest in the per-
sonal history of one who for several decades was
Chicago's oldest settler and of significance to the
entire population, as a mile-stone in the meteoric career
of the city was the celebration, in 1868, by Mr. and
Mrs. Gordon S. Hubbard, of their silver wedding. It
occurred just fifty golden years from the date of the
bridegroom's arrival, as a youngster of sixteen, on the
reed-grown shore now peopled by two and a half million
souls; and which, in 1818, was the abode of but a single
white family outside of the stockade known to history as
Fort Dearborn.
Not only was it the most talked-about social event of
the season, but it was regarded as the leading incident
of the sort where all the factors were of local contribu-
tion in the festive annals of the city. The Hubbards,
though in a way simple people, occupied an assured social
position, and were beloved by everybody. Their ante-fire
home, one of the finest in the city a detached mansion
of generous proportions on North La Salle Street, corner
of Whitney, and at the head of Locust Street was the
197
i&8 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
centre of an open-hearted as well as open-handed hospi-
tality. These good people were ever "at home/* in the
truest sense, to all who had in any manner an old-settler
claim to recognition; which not every old family recog-
nized as sufficient to counterbalance any shortcomings in
social directions, but then Mr. Hubbard, as chief among
the city's patriarchs, might do as he would. While of
the exclusive North Side set, the Hubbards were by no
means confined to it, but continued in neighborly touch
with all who could look back to a time when the social
life of the city was a primitive solidarity.
In respect to means the Hubbards occupied a com-
fortable middle place, being easily among the well-to-do,
but not classed with those other old settlers, the Ogdens
and the Newberrys, the Magees and the Fullers, the Pecks
and the Wentworths, the Cobbs and the Laflins. For this
Mr- Hubbard had been too much of a leader in all new
departures for the city's development had too fre-
quently paid for the seed, while others waited until the
harvest was assured before venturing into the field; and
later, through losses by the great fire, his means, while
always sufficient for his own and his family's well-being,
were yet measurably circumscribed.
While the celebration of the silver wedding was in
all respects an event to evoke the most pleasurable mem-
ories (and of which more anon) , I look back with even
greater personal satisfaction to the evening before the fes-
tivities, which by journalistic favor it was my good fortune
to pass in the company of this interesting couple, in a
home atmosphere of free and genial reminiscence. Mrs.
Hubbard was the quiet, intelligent, tactful matron, whose
sympathetic nature found ready access to the hearts of the
young. Mr. Hubbard, while an embodiment of self-
By Comlo-y of the- t'hicMtio I!i-t*ru"ii S^c-i
GL'RDOX S. HUBBAKD
(The Famous Kur-traclt-r, Frie*ml *f tht* Indian, -iiiti
Sfttler; arrived in islss
AN "OLDEST SETTLER" CELEBRATION 199
contained geniality, was unconsciously a master of un-
premeditated dramatic narrative, that took hold of the
listener as much by what native modesty withheld, as by
what was so quietly yet saliently revealed. In a some-
what extensive elbow acquaintance with masterful men,
few have impressed me as did this incarnate epitome of all
that Chicago from its origin to its present greatness
typifies.
3HB. HUBBABD IN HIS YOUTH
At an age when most lads, if studiously inclined, are
still conning its printed page, young Hubbard had
already begun to make history. Great responsibilities,
under most trying conditions, were his while yet in his
teens, A keen observer, he weighed in the balance of a
natural equipoise all the elements of a situation, and
readily coordinated and assimilated its salient points. He
was a recognized and accepted leader among his white and
mongrel entourage from the start; and the equal of any
Indian in those specialties that determine leadership
among them. Indeed, he proved time and again, that as
a long-distance runner a role in which the trained red
man of that period was supposed to have no equal there
was not his match in all the Illinois tribes. He had the
red man's freedom of carriage, that easy, graceful lift in
his walk, that marks the wearer of the moccasin.
While the Caucasian at his best was ever dominant in
Mr. Hubbard, certain acquired Indian characteristics
nevertheless occasionally revealed themselves to the last.
A striking alertness in his bodily movements had its com-
plement in a substratum of mental wariness, clearly a
resultant of the exacting environment of his younger days.
Not obtrusively, nor in the least suspiciously, but just
by second nature, he would unconsciously vouchsafe in-
200 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
teresting glimpses of his Indian "double," giving to one
psychologically inclined the impression that, while the
guileless, frank-hearted, debonair white man was giving
himself unreservedly into the hands of the Philistine, the
assimilated red man in him would see to it at least in
his pow-wows with a member of the newspaper tribe
that the scalps were equitably divided.
HUBBABD, LINCOLN, AND DOUGLAS
In his reserves of power, resourcefulness, and native
ability, this stalwart character reminded one strongly of
his friend Abraham Lincoln. These two thoroughly un-
derstood, admired, and trusted each other. On the even-
ing to which I have referred, Mr. Hubbard spoke of the
dead President with unaffected tenderness. He recounted
a number of incidents in which Lincoln bore a part, and
related with special satisfaction how "Uncle Abe" and
the "Little Giant" were once brought into amiable fra-
ternization, at a time when their political relations, to say
the least, were considerably strained.
During the memorable senatorial debate between these
Titans, in 1858, it so happened, that while Mr. Lincoln
was the guest of the Hubbards, Senator Douglas was
entertained by Judge Corydon Beckwith, their next-door
neighbor. None in either house had foreknowledge of
the interesting coincidence, and only discovered the situ-
ation when, in the cool of the evening, both families, as
was their wont, sought relief from sultry interiors on
their ample piazzas. When the antagonists, to their
surprise, caught sight of each other, they bridged the po-
litical chasm with hearty, friendly greetings, each leader
vying with the other in making the incident an enjoyable
social interlude in the most memorable political contest in
the history of the country.
AN "OLDEST SETTLER" CELEBRATION
EAELY BUSI3SESS EXPERIENCES
Mr. Hubbard was born in 1802, at Windsor, Vt. At
fourteen he was already in business for himself* He had
frequently crossed the border into Canada, and finally
brought up in Montreal, then the headquarters of the
American Fur Company- At sixteen he became an agent
of the Company, with headquarters at Mackinac. In
charge of a crew of voyagers he frequently coasted along
the western shore of Lake Michigan, trading with the In-
dians; and in 1818, entered the mouth of the creek, which
is to-day one of the world's greatest harbors. When in
a reminiscent mood, and geographically inclined, Mr*
Hubbard was wont to show his visitors a private map of
the Chicago of that date, illustrated with two and one-
half habitations, all told. One was the stockade called
Fort Dearborn, and then occupied quite recently after a
lapse of years following the massacre of 1812; another,
the log house of the Indian trader John Kinzie; and the
half was a tumble-down affair occupied by a French
squawman. Mr. Hubbard made one or two journeys to
St. Louis, then an important trading centre, with a
thousand or more permanent settlers; but his most fre-
quent trips were made to the Wabash, and the route he
travelled over more than fifty times, became generally
known as "Hubbard's trail." In the later twenties he
quit the Company, and did a trading business with the
Indians on his own account, one of his caravans containing
as many as fifty pack ponies. When, in 1880, Mr. Hub-
bard finally made Chicago his permanent home, he imme-
diately took a leading part, and within two years was
elected to the Legislature, which then met at Vandalia*
He there met his first wife, who died in 1838.
Before 1830 nearly all Chicago's business was done on
303 BYGONE DAYS IX CHICAGO
the North Side. Mr. Hubbard, however, favored the
South Side (though always a resident of the north divi-
sion) , and was the first to build a warehouse in the new
section, on South Water Street. He also went into the
packing business, and in 1835 shipped the first barrel of
beef from Chicago, and he remained in the packing busi-
ness for more than a third of a century.
A TRANSACTION IN REAL ESTATE
Mr. Hubbard owned considerable real estate at times,
and as an instance showing how values rose in the craze
of 1836-37, he cited his purchase, in 1832, of eighty feet
front on the northeast corner of Lake and La Salle
Streets, running back so as to include the same width on
South Water, for one hundred and thirty dollars. He
built thereon the first brick business structure in the city,
and it was occupied by the State Bank of Illinois. This
plot, with the building worth about ten thousand dollars,
he sold in 1836 for eighty thousand, a transaction probably
with few parallels in the annals of real estate. Mr. Hub-
bard was also one of the builders and owners of the Lake
House, which in 1835 was the only brick hotel in the city,
and the most noted and best caravansary in the West.
During the Black Hawk War Mr. Hubbard raised a
regiment. However, before it could take the field the
scrimmage was over. It was in this war that young
Lincoln also made a futile attempt to smell powder.
When, in 1828, the Winnebagoes became restless, and
the destruction of what there was of Chicago was threat-
ened, such possible calamity was averted by the daring
of young Hubbard. Unattended, he sped through the hos-
tile country to the Wabash, and succeeded in bringing the
forces of General Atkinson to the assistance of the settle-
AN "OLDEST SETTLER" CELEBRATION 203
ment. Mr. Hubbard was one of the originators and chief
promoters of the Illinois and Michigan Canal. When its
construction was entered upon, he was appointed the first
commissioner, and all the earlier deeds of transfer bear
his signature. At sixty-six Mr, Hubbard was still in his
prime. Indeed, his son (by a former marriage) , a stalwart
in his thirties, made confession to me that his father was
more active than himself, and could still, if so minded, give
him a sound thrashing.
HOW HUBBARD WAS ESTEEMED
These glimpses of Mr. Hubbard at different times,
and in many fields of exploitation and activity, reveal his
many-sided and forceful character. And to show how
he was esteemed in the Chicago of his ripened manhood,
I shall quote the introductory paragraphs to my account
of the silver wedding, which I have come upon, much to
my surprise, in an old scrapbook. Incidentally they also
show how Chicago regarded itself in those days :
"One of the most notable events in the personal history of Chi-
cago took place last evening. The Garden City, in the pride of her
three hundred thousand inhabitants, reverted joyfully to its begin-
nings; and, standing in fancy on the reed-grown shore of Lake Michi-
gan^ shook by the hand the daring pioneer, who, though, among the
first to follow the red man's trail hereabouts, still lives in the pres-
ent, the remotest link that connects the powerful city of to-day with
its aboriginal past. The occasion was the silver wedding of onr oldest
settler, Gurdon S. Hubbard, on the fiftieth anniversary of his advent
on these shores. Half a century may be relatively a long or a very
short period. When it is counted in the span of a single life, it as-
sumes formidable proportions, and generally embraces the greater part
thereof; but when it comes within the existence of a populous city, it
is usually of comparatively small account. In this instance one hardly
knows which to marvel at the more, that a single individual, still in his
prime, should have witnessed so much, or that so much should have
BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
been accomplished in so brief a period. Modern history furnishes no
parallel.*
"It was meet that so marked an occasion be commemorated in some
special manner. It would have been unpardonable in a family so
identified with the city's beginnings, had its rejoicings been confined
to the home circle; for whatever pertains to the early history of the
Garden City is like a leaf in the life-book of each of her citizens*
None in point of time, and few in works that shall endure, are so much
a veritable part of the progress and prosperity of our city as Mr.
Gurdon S. Hubbard ; and a large proportion of those among the living
who fought the early battle by his side enjoyed his hospitality last
evening. It was truly a gathering of the seed now ripened into golden
harvest. The residence of Mr. Hubbard is one of the finest in the city*
Last evening its spacious parlors were crowded to their utmost, and a
happier gathering Chicago has never witnessed. The old-timers had
met and mingled but little of late years, and the occasion was therefore
in the nature of a general reunion of old settlers; and if not actually
the first, it was certainly the most important, both in numbers and in-
terest, in the history of the city."
The exploitation of any event of magnitude by the
community's organs of publicity may go far, even by its
defaults, to illustrate in manifold ways the difference in
manners and customs that distinguish one generation from
another. Because of the notable character of the gather-
ing, comprising as it did about all who were historically
associated with the city (and at this period such a roll
included nearly all distinguished for other reasons), one
would now like to scan a list of the people who made the
occasion so memorable. But, alas! none was appended.
Per contra, if in this year of grace, a reporter assigned
to so important a function came away without a fairly
complete list of well-known people present, it would be
* While all this is true enough, it is simply insignificant when compared with
the later feet, that there are those still living, in the Chicago with 2,500,000 in-
habitants, who were of the town when it had fewer people than may now be found
under the roof of one of its skyscrapers.
AN "OLDEST SETTLER" CELEBRATION 203
taken for granted that he was seeking for an excuse to
give up his job. And so an interesting inquiry would be:
"Have the people changed the papers? Have the papers
changed the people? Or was it all a mistake in those days
to assume that folks shied at publicity?'*
A NOTABLE GATHERING
The period was peculiarly one of change from the old
to the new. The abnormal prosperity that followed upon
the war was at full tide. There had been a great influx
of new people, not a few scions of old families, and men
of fashion, and so the manners and customs of older
communities were gradually finding acceptance in quarters
where but a few years before they had been regarded with
feelings of positive aversion. Hence a goodly proportion
among those present had risen at the behests of fashion to
"cut monkey-shines in swallow-tails," to say nothing of
their staid spouses appearing in evening toilettes. And so
the display of costumes at this reception was in a way a re-
flex of the various stages of the city's development; from
the deer-skin dress of the primitive hunter (in which several
appeared, to typify the host's youthful environment) to
the latest cut in evening dress.
The old settlers of Chicago were an exceptionally fine
body of men many uniting in their persons the distinc-
tion of good breeding with the off-hand manner born of the
early free life of the West. Good examples of this blend,
all in their prime, were Judges Mark Skinner and J. D.
Caton, Dr. C. V. Dyer, and Mahlon D. Ogden; while in
marked contrast to these, and attracting more notice than
even "Long John" Wentworth (ever in all respects in a
class by himself), was Mark Beaubien, of early hotel-
keeping and fiddling fame; a keen-eyed, sun-tanned, quiz-
00 BYGONE DAYS IX CHICAGO
zical old Frenchman, a genuine "left-over" from the mon-
grel rough-and-ready period.
MR. AND MRS. ARCHIBALD CLYBOURNE
Among others who drew the attention of the assem-
blage though in no wise because they sought it were
Mr. and Mrs- Archibald Clybourne, the former after Mr.
Hubbard the oldest settler. Mr. Clybourne arrived at the
settlement in 1823, remained a year, returned to Virginia,
came back the following year with his parents, and there-
after became a fixture at New Virginia or Virginiaville, as
the region roundabout the North Side rolling mills came
to be known. Mrs. Clybourne, as Mary Galloway, came
with her parents as a girl of fourteen, from Sandusky,
Ohio, in 1826, and was married in 1829. Mr. and Mrs.
Clybourne were fine examples of the American pioneer:
the man, self-contained, energetic, resourceful ; the woman,
helpful, motherly, uncomplaining, of unwearying good-
nature and undaunted courage. To the last Mr. and Mrs.
Clybourne remained plain people, though in 1836 they
built and occupied what was perhaps the most pretentious
brick mansion in the settlement to remain for many dec-
ades a looming landmark in a locality that in time came
to be filled up chiefly by the grimy cottages of rolling-mill
employees. Mr Clybourne, as a type of the pioneer
bride, wife, and mother, deserves to be immortalized in
bronze; for it is from such primal sources that the virile
virtues are drawn through which States endure.
THE CLYBOURNE MANSION
After the fire the Clybourne mansion was the oldest
brick building in the city; and, with the exception of a
tumble-down affair on the corner of Lake and Canal
X
AN "OLDEST SETTLER** CELEBRATION 07
Streets, the oldest construction of any kind* JEt was built
of brick manufactured near its site, so Mrs. Clybourne
informed me, by Francis C. Sherman, five times a candi-
date and three times elected Mayor, and the owner of the
Sherman House. It was quite a pretentious structure,
and, as it had been built in the open without reference to
any possible future platting (which did not take place till
almost thirty years later) , it refused to fit in with the sub-
sequent arrangement of streets* Toward the west it pre-
sented the appearance of a plain, two-story brick, with an
ordinary entrance in the centre; that which was finally the
front of the building, facing Elston Avenue, was once its
side; while the real front of the old-time structure, facing
south toward the heart of the city, displayed a spacious
columned porch to an adjoining lot.
Nearly a decade after this reunion I spent a most en-
joyable reminiscent day at the old mansion. Mr. Cly-
bourne had joined the great majority; but his widow, then
in her sixty-fifth year, was still a hearty matron, with all
her faculties undimmed. She lived to see the twentieth
century well started. It is pleasant to recall that fireside
picture. After Mr. Hubbard, she was then the oldest
settler living in Chicago, and bore her honors as such a
mother in Israel should. Mrs* Clybourne, without know-
ing it, was a born story-teller. She had a natural feeling
for the dramatic and picturesque, a spontaneous humor
that caught one unawares, while her speech was racily
colloquial.
HOSPITABUB HABDSCKABBLE
It was an event in the history of Chicago, when Mrs.
Clybourne's family, the Galloways, arrived. Mr. Galloway
had been here the year before, thoroughly familiarized him-
self with the conditions roundabout, and had then returned
208 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
to Sandusky for his family, and a supply of goods for
traffic among the Indians. The coming of the goods was,
however, not to the liking of the Fur Company's agent
here, and so Mr. Galloway was not only denied store room,
but also shelter for his family. Fortunately for Mr. Gallo-
way, Chicago had at this time a most formidable rival, or
it might have gone ill with him; for the agent literally
owned the place. This rival was Hardscrabble. It con-
sisted of four or five log cabins indeed, almost as many as
Chicago could boast and was located on the West Branch
not far from its junction with the South Branch. A ferry
was there, and also some sort of provision for man and
beast. Chief Alexander Robinson, one of the worthies of
that period, and a resident of Hardscrabble, happened to
be "downtown" when the schooner arrived. He had met
Mr. Galloway on the latter's previous visit; and with na-
tive hospitality placed at his disposal one of his up-river
Hardscrabble cabins. Accordingly, before night both
goods and family had been poled in a scow to the friendly
Indian shelter. Here the family remained all winter, while
Mr. Galloway made frequent excursions to points on the
Desplaines and Illinois Rivers.
AN INDIAN ALABM
During one of these absences a rumor got abroad that
the Indians about the Desplaines had gone on the war
path. Mr. Galloway was expected home that evening.
Therefore, when he failed to put in an appearance, Mrs.
Galloway and Mary (the future Mrs. Clybourne) jumped
to the conclusion that he had been murdered. In their
terror they set about to barricade the entrance to the cabin,
determined to defend their lives to the utmost. Soon a
fierce blizzard swept across the prairie; and, shortly after
AN "OLDEST SETTLER" CELEBRATION
midnight, to their dismay, they heard above the roar of the
storm a variety of noises that proceeded from a band of
Indians seeking shelter, who, when entrance was denied
them, sought to force the door. Loud and fierce were their
cries, and ever fiercer raged the storm.
MRS. CLYBOURNE AS A HEROINE
Mrs. Galloway, rifle in hand, defended the entrance
by way of the door, while our fourteen-year-old heroine,
axe in hand, stood beside the only window, instructed to
split heads as fast as they made their appearance. It
seems that a band of Indians had been long absent on a
hunting and trapping expedition. Laden with skins and
furs, they were now returning to the agency; and, as they
knew the Robinson cabin of old as a trading-post, they
were exasperated at being denied admission where they had
a right to look for a warm welcome. Therefore, the longer
they were kept out in the blizzard, which cut their faces
like shot from a blunderbuss, the more and the louder they
vociferated, until a veritable bedlam seemed to have broken
loose. This particular cabin in Hardscral?ble happened to
be quite a distance farther from anywhere than the others,
and hence the untutored mind was reluctant to try else-
where; but at last the band was forced to trudge on to
Laughton's cabin at the ferry, where they gave forceful
vent, to their indignation. Appreciating the situation, Mr*
Laughton quickly despatched a young Frenchman to the
Galloway cabin to explain matters; but as this envoy com-
manded little English, and the women folks less French,
they concluded it was an Indian playing Frenchman, the
readier to gain access to their scalps, and so continued
desperately to "hold the fort," until the advent of daylight
dispersed the supposed besiegers.
210 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
A FAMOUS FEAST
By way of closing this old-settler topic, it only re-
mains to add that a notable feature of the Hubbard cele-
bration was a feast, pronounced b}" all present to have had
no equal up to that time in the festal history of the city.
John S. Wright, of the Opera House restaurant, the Chi-
cago Delmonico of that period, had received carte blanche
in its preparation ; and it was in all respects worthy of that
caterer's reputation. In a way the table told the whole
story of Chicago, and Mr. Hubbard's association with it.
Among other reminiscences embodied in confection, were
the old Fort Dearborn, John Kinzie's log cabin, the " one-
half " aJffair of the half-breed, and finally a relief map of
the entire city of 1868, with the Court House rearing its
proud dome in the centre*
And now I will close this chapter with the words in
which my narrative of more than forty years ago was
brought to a conclusion :
"What more can be said of an occasion that stands unrivalled
among the private social gatherings of Chicago? Many -were the con-
gratulations bestowed on the honored host and hostess, and there was
none present who would not wish to add a hundred years to their
lives."*
* Mrs. Hubbard lived for more than forty years after this notable event.
A MEMORABLE ARMY REUNION
CHICAGO PREPARING FOR THE FESTIVITY HEROES IK THE ACT OF
HERO-WORSHIP ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION OP SOME OF jpria
LEADERS THE ADDRESSES THE REPORTER'S EXCOUXTER "WITH
GENERAL SHERMAN GEXERAL LOGAX TITRNS THE TABLES ox
HIM THE LATTER AS A POLITICIAN MRS. LOGAN'S TACT AND
POPULARITY SHE HELPS THE REPORTER TO SECURE COPY FROM
THE GENERAL, ALSO FURTHERS A ROMANCE.
OF the many occasions in earlier days when countless
hosts were drawn to Chicago, not one looms more
august in the background of memory than that
efflorescence of the world's most gigantic internecine
struggle, the great Army Reunion of 1868.
The wars under Napoleon not only fill a large place
in the perspective of history, but in their course blazoned
the names of a host attached to the conqueror's fortunes.
Yet, had it been possible at the close of the great Corsi-
can's career, to gather about him in the refulgence of
victory, rather than in the shadow of the utter defeat that
was his final portion, the galaxy that starred the firma-
ment of his once transcendent dominion, the scene thus
imagined, while indubitably more spectacular, would
scarcely have outranked in terms of martial achievements
the actual gathering under the aegis of unqualified triumph,
that was witnessed in the Chicago of auld lang syne. Now
more than forty years have passed; and few, indeed, of
the notable thousands who contributed to the glory of that
memorable spectacle remain among the living, for the
lustrums in their procession move unfalteringly toward
mist-enshrouded Valhalla,
211
S12 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
Many days before the reunion, Chicago set about to
deck herself as for a marriage feast; and everybody who
counted for anything was assigned to some committee of
reception: to extend a welcome to the whilom heads of the
four armies about to assemble; to one or another of a score
or more of corps commanders; to this, that, or another of
almost unnumbered major generals; to no, the line was
sharply drawn at brigadiers, for this sort, especially in
brevet form, were simply legion, and could count them-
selves fortunate if they succeeded in capturing a hall bed-
room somewhere, or so much as got mentioned among
others as arrived. No, there was n't a bit of glory in being
a mere brigadier; while colonels, majors, and their like,
however "big injuns" at their particular "four corners,"
here found none sufficiently lowly to do them reverence;
and when an evil star brought them under the eye of a
lordly hotel clerk, their insignificance called for nothing
short of an apology.
How festal were the streets! And what scenes of ani-
mation at the hotels that were decked in the insignia
peculiar to the army or corps societies that made them
their headquarters! President-elect Grant, and Generals
Sherman, Sheridan, Logan, and others of the Army of
the Tennessee were quartered at the Tremont; General
Thomas was chief among those at the Sherman; while
General Schofield (at the time also Secretary of War)
headed the list at the Briggs.
Although the reunion technically embraced only those
officers who belonged to the army societies of the Ten-
nessee, of the Cumberland, of the Ohio, and of Georgia,
their combined roster included practically all the big fight-
ing men in active service on the Union side at the close
of the war a fact that throws an interesting light on
A MEMORABLE ARMY REUNION 213
the way the Western commanders were shifted to displace
Eastern failures.
While the respective army societies met In different
minor halls for the transaction of routine business, the
Grand Reunion took place at the Crosby Opera House,
at this time the finest auditorium in the country, and where
only a few months before a National Convention had
nominated General U S. Grant for the presidency; a
notable gathering also, but a mere rush-light when com-
pared with the flare of this camp fire.
POSITIONS ASSIGNED TO THE HEROES
Those in charge of the reunion arrangements found it
an ungracious task, in their embarrassment of leaders, to
determine who should be distinguished above their fellows
by seats in the front line on the stage. In a way prefer-
ences were determined by seniority of rank and the
chairs were set as close as comfort would permit, and ex-
tended to the utmost limits of the stage, that as many
as possible might be accommodated* But that the align-
ment fell far short of satisfying the estimates in terms of
fighting rank of those who had weighed their commanders
with their own lives in the balance, was made plain by the
spontaneous acclaim with which some were greeted who
were discovered among comrades in the body of the hall,
and the perfunctory recognition accorded others who
bulked large on the stage through grace of seniority.
The last night of the reunion was an event to be re-
membered. A cruel but righteous struggle lay in the
heroic past; in the present shone bright the sun of a bene-
ficent peace; and those who had been triumphant leaders
in the one were now the glad promoters of the other, even
though gathered to fight their battles over again. The
*M BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
addresses by distinguished soldiers before their former
comrades-in-arms were all of a high order, arid evoked
storms of applause by their eloquence and deep sincerity.
Lieutenant-general \V. T. Sherman "Old Tecum-
seh" as chairman, occupied the centre of the line of
embattled heroes. On his right sat the President-elect,
General TL S. Grant; on his left the accepted father of
the army, General George H. Thomas. Others I now re-
call as facing the great audience were Generals Sheridan,
Schofield, Hooker, Logan, Palmer, Slocum, Blair, Me-
demand, McDowell, Butterfield, Rawlins, Rosencranz,
Stoneman, McCook, Howard, Pope, Terry, Harney, In-
galls, Belknap, Cox, Coggswell, and Croft, the last four
the orators of the occasion.
A OTGHT OF OVATIONS
It was a night of ovations of transports of enthusi-
asm. But however wild and unconstrained the acclaim,
it never passed the bounds of a battle-trained discrimina-
tion. The reunion, therefore, offered a rare opportunity to
study an assemblage of heroes in the act of hero-worship.
As well as circumstances would permit, the four armies,
and even different corps within these grand divisions, had
definite positions in the hall. Except in the case of uni-
versal heroes, the applause sometimes struck the front as
if delivered by detached columns ; and so it was not always
easy to determine its precise objective. Especially wps
the situation complicated when two or more middle-weigfctt
heroes, belonging to different armies, chanced to become
rival foci of attention, by emerging simultaneously from
the wings to seats on the " firing line." In such case,
each might have his particular group of admirers; a&d
how to direct the applause so that no portion intended for
THE GRAND ARMY REUNION OF 186S AT CROSBY'S
OPERA HOUSE
I.T.-GEX. SHERMAN" DF.I.XVER IXG ADDRESS OF AVJEIXOMK
(This Building then Ranked *is "the Most Imposing ^Vrt Temple
of the Country % ")
A MEMORABLE ARMY REUNION !>
one should go to the credit of another was sometimes a
baffling proposition, and there were not wanting occasions
when the exigencies of discrimination forced a group of
partisans to proclaim their particular favorite by name.
There was, of course, little trouble to concentrate from all
quarters on such shining marks as Generals Grant, Sher-
man, Thomas, Sheridan, and even Hooker and Logan;
but applause intended as an ovation to any one at the
front below the salt, was pretty sure to scatter, and more
than once led to an embarrassing situation,
ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION OF SOME OF THE T.TCA^
The President-elect, the leader above all, was greeted
with a grand round of applause, of course; and so were
"Old Tecumseh," "Little Phil," "Fighting Joe," and
" Black Jack." But the real thing, the charge that swept all
before it, had apparently held itself in reserve until " Pap
Thomas" should get his inning* Then all in a moment
the camp fire, which before had but flickered for this one,
or at best flared for another, burst into an uncontrollable
blaze. Cheer rose upon cheer. Men stood in their seats
and shouted hysterically, "Pap!" "Pap!" "Old Pap!"
"We love you!" while the giant frame of this most modest
of heroes, that had withstood the shock of a score of
battles, trembled as if smitten with a great fear. To be
singled out in the presence of his superiors was a most
unwelcome ordeal to a man of General Thomas's reserve,
and with mute deprecation he vainly sought to still the
storm. As well might he have attempted to stem an on-
rushing avalanche, for his very unwillingness to be ac-
claimed only lent zest to the spirit of tumult, amidst which
"Old Tecumseh," with a fine impulse of chivalry, by main
force pushed him farther to the front, where defenceless,
BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
and bereft of all support, the Rock of Chickamauga re-
ceived in grim silence the onslaught of his overwhelming
popularity. There was a feeling in the country, and par-
ticularly in the West, that General Thomas had been
rather shabbily treated by those in power; and the extra-
ordinary character of the ovation was no doubt partly due
to the exceptional opportunity presented by the occasion
to bring this feeling home to whomsoever it might concern.
Amongst others forced to their feet in the body of the
hall in response to calls and the plaudits of their comrades,
two were conspicuous by reason of their diminutive stature
though credited with ability to fight their weight in
wild cats. These were Generals Corse and Bragg, the
former the hero-defender of Allatoona Pass, the latter the
commander of the famous "Iron Brigade"; and, by a co-
incidence, both were pronounced Democrats. The former
won no additional laurels as a civilian; but the latter lived
long enough to add to his fame by the phrase, "We love
him for the enemies he has made-" General Custer, always
a picturesque figure, also received special recognition*
THE ADDRESSES
"Old Tecumseh" delivered the address of welcome.
It was crisp, epigrammatic, and in every way a striking
reflex of the man. Then followed in order: General W.
EL Belknap, for the Army of the Tennessee; General
Charles Croft, for the Army of the Cumberland; General
J. D. Cox, for the Army of the Ohio; and General William
Coggswell, for the Army of Georgia* General Belknap,
in his opening, rose grandly to the occasion. His was a
commanding presence, and he spoke to mastering effect.
Waiting until the applause that greeted him on rising had
been followed by an impressive silence, he slowly raised
A MEMORABLE ARMY REUNION 217
his arms as for a benediction, and with the action seemed
also to lift his auditors, as in tones full-rounded, and
vibrant with the emotions of the hour, he thrilled them
with : " It all seems like a dream ! " Then he paused, while
tumultuous applause broke from every part of the house.
Like a master he had touched a chord that led straight to
every heart; and thereafter he had the great audience
obedient to his every mood. Rarely are the emotions of
an epoch so effectively embodied in and dramatized by a
phrase. The address of General Cox was that of a scholar,
while the others evoked frequent applause with telling
army reminiscences and heart-stirring periods.
There was a good deal of cabinet-making for Grant's
coining administration going on about that time; and so
impressed was the writer by the orations of Generals
Belknap and Cox, that, in writing an introduction to the
proceedings for the Tribune, he felt moved to try his
'prentice hand in the same direction, by suggesting that
if the President-elect was still looking for cabinet material,
he might go farther and fare worse than offer a portfolio
to either or both of those gentlemen. Great, therefore,
was his astonishment when he found that Grant had taken
his advice or somebody else's and appointed both.
Later, however, he was forced to the conclusion, as to one
at least, that it would have been better if he had stuck
strictly to reporting, and left cabinet-making to more com-
petent hands and he has never indulged in the pastime
since.
THE REPORTER'S ENCOUNTER WITH GENERAL SHERMAN
Sherman had arrived in town a day or two before the
reunion, as he was on the programme for the address
of welcome. It occurred to me as a good piece of fore-
418 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
handedness to see him and ask leave to make a copy of
it, and so save the paper a shorthanding bill (this was
before the typewriter and easy duplication), a kind of
foresight always appreciated at full value higher up.
There were rumors that the hero of "Marching through
Georgia" was no lover of the pen brigade; but it was
fair to suppose that his aversion was confined to meddle-
some army correspondents, and so I hied myself blithely
to the Tremont, sent in my card, and was duly ushered
into the lion's den. The famous marcher was alone, and
as the day was frosty, he was jauntily holding up his coat
tails so as to get the full effect of a grate fire in the rear.
"Well, sir, I see by this card that you are a newspaper
man," was his amiable greeting. "What is it you want?"
"I called to ask if you have an extra copy of your
address of welcome, or would permit me to make one for
the Tribune" was my reply.
"Young man, I have but one copy, and that does n't
go out of my possession until I have had my say."
"But "
"Stop right there. There are no buts to this thing.
If once you got your hands on my manuscript, not only
would I probably never see it again, but most likely you
would publish it ahead of time. I don't trust newspaper
men. I have had too much experience."
While there may be occasions when the pen is mightier
than the sword, this was distinctly not one of them; for
both the tone and the eye (and what an eye!) of the im-
placable old war dog so demonstrated the wisdom of the
poet who sang the praises of discretion, that little time was
lost by this deponent in retreating to a stronger, or at all
events a more salubrious, position.
However, not even the most callous copy-raider cares
A MEMORABLE ARMY REUNION 219
to be drubbed vicariously; and such is the evil effect of
giving even a fairly good dog a bad name, that, because
a Son of Thunder took this news scout's depravity for
granted, the latter came near turning out all that was as-
sumed of him. The temptation came on the night of the
great reunion. In charge of the reportorial contingent
assigned by the Tribune for duty at the meeting, I
was privileged to forage behind the scenes. My enemy
was early on hand, and, from a position in the wings, ex-
tended a welcome to the gathering chiefs as one by one
they came into his ken. All this was very interesting
(for "Old Tecumseh," when in the humor, was a pastmas-
ter with the piquant or felicitous phrase) , and while busy
taking notes of his sallies, a stray glance to the floor
revealed to the writer a roll of paper a yard or more
from Tecumseh's heels, A step, and the reporter found
in his hands the very address that had been so brusquely
denied him. Various emotions contended for mastery*
What a chance to get even to give the old hero a worse
facer than he had given! But a good daemon put all the
little imps of temptation to flight; and stepping up to
the big chief, I handed him the scroll with the remark,
"General Sherman, I take pleasure in returning the
manuscript you so kindly let me have to copy."
" What f s that? I let nobody have my manuscript"
and this with a look that had the glint of a line of bayo-
nets. "Are you the reporter who asked me for it?"
I frankly acknowledged my guilt, then added: "I
found this on the floor/*
Quickly his hands went to his coat tails* Then he
snatched the roll from my hand; glanced at it; gave me
a look which, if less piercing than the first, conveyed
volumes of suspicions; growled a "Much obliged"; faced
220 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
about; and a moment later stepped from the wings to
receive the welcoming plaudits of the great assemblage.
CONFEONTED BY GENERAL LOGAX
I had another rather interesting military encounter the
same day. General John A* Logan was also staying at the
Tremont, and as he had just been elected Congressman-
at-large for Illinois a place created for the nonce by
the exigencies of Congressional apportionment, he
seemed good material for an interview. I had met him
only a few months before at his home in Carbondale
(whereof more anon) and therefore required no introduc-
tion. But no sooner did I stand in his presence than he
turned the tables on me. Logan was in one of his irascible
moods, and resolved to do some interviewing on his own
account. Going to a table, he snatched up a bit of paper,
and thrusting it in my face, fiercely demanded: "What
do you Tribune people mean by sending me this?" I
took the slip with some trepidation, but was greatly re-
lieved to find it to be nothing more ominous than a printed
invitation to a hastily improvised reception at the Mich-
igan Avenue home of Deacon Bross, one of the owners
of the paper, in honor of Generals Grant, Sherman, Sheri-
dan, Thomas, and Schofield.
"Mean by what?" was my astonished query.
"This invitation to meet General Schofield. Why, I
commanded more men than ever he did. What entitles
hi to this distinction?"
"Why, I suppose, because he is the Secretary of War,
and so in a way the superior even of General Sherman,'*
I permitted myself to reply.
"Yes, and you people seem determined to force him
into Grant's cabinet," I was then still ignorant of the
A MEMORABLE ARMY REUNION 221
cabinet-making abilities that lay dormant under my waist-
coat, which the reader will recall I subsequently dis-
covered myself to possess, and so confessed not only
entire innocence of any intended wrong-doing, but pro-
found ignorance as to what we people of the Tribune
meant to do anent General Schofield; though I did man-
age to say that I thought the good deacon was promoting
the reception entirely on his own initiative, and without
the least idea that a sinister motive might be attributed
to the accidental grouping of the name of General Scho-
field with that of Grant. But the ire of "Black Jack"
was not so easily appeased it had been nursed too long
on real or imaginary slights of various kinds at the hands
of all manner of "powers," and he laid about him right
and left in a way that amazed me. Not only did he look
upon the sending of such an invitation to him as a direct
insult, considering his rank, but as an underhanded blow
at his aspirations. As chief among the volunteer gen-
erals, he contended, he had a claim to some exceptional
recognition; but because he was not a West Pointer, he
had been only too often passed over by the war powers
in the matter of independent commands, and it seemed
that this studied neglect was to follow him into civil life.
I demurred to all this by citing that his State had just
elected him to the most honored place then in its gift*
"Bahl" he exclaimed. "What do I care for this
empty honor of Congressman-at-large ? I was a Congress-
man before the war, and that *s all I am now, after all
the fighting I Ve done. And now, when there is an office
like that of Secretary of War, that ought to come to me
by every right, and it ought never to go into the West
Point ring, not a hand is lifted by your people to help
me, but instead they send me this insulting invitation. 5 *
BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
Thus twice in a single day an ambitious reporter
missed getting what he went for; but, had he been con-
nected with a paper less wedded to the proprieties than
the Tribune under Horace White, what he really got
might easily have been made interesting reading. After-
wards, when I told the good deacon how Logan had taken
his well-meant invitation, those astonishingly shaggy eye-
brows of his mounted nearly to the top of his head.
GENEEAT. IXX3AN AS A POLITICIAN
As a matter of fact, the Tribune had at this time
small enthusiasm for General Logan, the politician. Hor-
ace White, its editor, was not only of an independent turn
of mind, but had already entered upon those studies which
in after years, through his position as editor of the New
York Evening Post, has made him a recognized author-
ity among American economists ; whereas Logan, though
he aimed so high, had at this time little besides his war
record to recommend him. To be sure, few who in those
days fought the Southern brigadiers all over again on the
stump were any better equipped; but, on the other hand,
none attracted equal attention, because of a splendid war
record and an aggressive personality. Toward the close
of his career Logan rose to an assured place in senatorial
debate and the admirable temper in which he took
his Vice-Presidential defeat made him many friends among
former depreciators but in the passion-laden days im-
mediately following the war, he would occasionally in his
patriotic zeal get so much at odds with accepted forms of
speech as to be the despair of the shorthand fraternity.
MBS. LOGAN'S TACT, WINSOMENESS, AND POPUIAHITY
Howerer, if in those formative days the general had
few admirers among newspaper men (or, let us confine
BLACK JACK'' LOGAN
A MEMORABLE ARMY REUNION
it to stenographers) , Mrs. Logan had enough and to spare.
It has been frequently remarked that her brilliant initi-
ative, tactful cooperation, and self-sacrificing support,
joined to a most winning personality, were potent influ-
ences in promoting the general's political fortunes, I
believe this to be true, especially in early days, to an even
greater extent than is generally supposed. A somewhat
unique personal experience may serve to illustrate the sort
of ally and helpmate she was quick to seize every op-
portunity at any cost of personal sacrifice, to disarm her
husband's logical opponents, by enlisting them under her
own banner.
It was in the late Summer of 1868* General Logan
had been nominated by the Republican party of Illinois
for the office of Congressman-at-laxge. He was accord-
ingly booked to fire the opening gun of the presidential
campaign in the State, at Carbondale, his home. I
was sent there to report on the rally for the Tribune
and telegraph a fairly full synopsis of the speech, espe-
cially if by any chance the subjects of finance and taxation
should be touched upon questions then slowly looming
on the political horizon.
Now it so happened (as it will to youthful swains)
that the narrator was paying court to his future wife.
And it further happened that she was at this particular
time visiting relatives about half-way between Chicago
and Carbondale; and what more natural than that he
should set his wits to work to arrange matters to give him
a day off at Onarga, and that without interfering with
his schedule. He therefore made a study of time tables,
found that a train left Carbondale at three o'clock in the
afternoon for the north, and as the rally was advertised
for two o'clock, and the general would certainly talk a
BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
couple of hours, that train could be enlisted in love's
service only on condition that the speech be gotten at some-
how beforehand; and, as the general was never known
to prepare even so much as headings for his remarks, the
prospect loomed with discouragements. However, love
had before been known to find a way, and it did so again.
MRS. LOGAN TO THE RESCUE
When the hero of this romance got to Carbondale,
though quite early in the morning, he forthwith posted to
the Logan residence, where he found its mistress among
her flowers, while the general was still in dreamland.
Naturally the swain lost little time in making known his
heart's desire anent that day off; and Mrs. Logan, with
a woman's natural disposition to aid and abet any love
adventure, readily promised to do all in her power to
further his wishes, and this the rather when convinced that
a more coherent report could be made from data obtained
during a quiet t&te-brt&te than from notes scribbled amidst
the hurly-burly of an out-door rally*
As time was an important factor in the success of our
little scheme, the general was hustled up a bit earlier
than would otherwise have happened; and even while at
his breakfast, scraps of copy were providently extracted,
to make room, let us believe, for an extra portion of eggs
and bacon, inasmuch as the general announced he would
not break a prospective fast until after the meeting. It did
not take long to discover that the "opening gun" which
John was assigned to fire was one of the old-fashioned
muzdeloaders, shotted with the regulation (s)logans
against unrepentant Rebel brigadiers and their sinister
purpose to get firmly seated in the Government saddle
again. Indeed, before the last egg had disappeared, more
A MEMORABLE ARMY REUNION 25
points than the general was likely to elaborate in his
speech were in the interrogator's possession. Without ado
he set to work to extend them into a column, which, of
this sort, was all that was wanted; and it was Mrs. Logan
rather than the general who made discriminating selection
for emphasis or elaboration*
I accompanied Mrs. Logan to the place of meeting
a very pretty grove about half a mile from the house,
whither the general had preceded us. The son, John A.
Logan, Jr* (who, with his father's fighting blood in his
veins, has since met his death at the front in the Philippine
Islands) , then a youngster in probably his first knicker-
bockers, trotted by our side. I remained about half an
hour, to note some details of the rally for an introduction,
and to see that John was well under way fighting the
battles of his country over again. Then I bade Mrs. Lo-
gan good-bye, and was about to make a bee line for the
station, to file my despatch, and to make sure not to miss
the train, when my lady exclaimed in a voice that almost
had a sob in it: "Oh, I *m so sorry! I intended you should
take a bouquet from my garden, and a bottle of wine of
my own making, to your sweetheart!"
"That was very kind of you, indeed, but it can't be
helped now/ 5 was my reply.
"But it can and must be helped/* was her emphatic re-
joinder, and gathering up her skirts, she exclaimed as she
started, "Come right along."
I did my best to dissuade her for one reason that
I feared to lose my train but to no avail; and she kept
me at a trot for the better part of the half-mile to the
house. In those days Mrs. Logan possessed the agility
of a deer; and she made a picture of animation it is a de-
light to recall. We met a number of the townspeople
26 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
on their way to the grove, and every now and then, as we
scurried past, she would throw back a laughing " I forgot
something." Perhaps some may have imagined it was
John's speech.
It seemed hut a moment after we reached the garden
before I found a posy in my hand, and she met my sur-
prise with, "I had arranged it all in my mind coming
along." Then she skipped into the house, and in a twink-
ling reappeared with a bottle of wine, neatly wrapped.
To her gifts she added "ever so many of my best wishes" ;
then, having returned hasty but heartfelt thanks, I was
away.
And now is any reader surprised that the writer has
ever since been a stanch supporter of Mrs. Logan? In-
deed, on more than one occasion he stayed his hand when
the temptation was strong to go for John in the columns
of the Democratic Times, and all on account of one who
was not only the equal, but, on occasion, easily the "better
half."
EARLY LITERATURE AND ART
OP THE VERNACULAR IN THE EARLY LITERATURE ow CHI-
CAGO THE STILTED CLASSICISM OF A CERTAIN HISTORIAN* AN
EXAMPLE OF HIS STYLE THE LITERATURE OF THE EARLY SIX-
TIES A HISTORY OF CHICAGO'S INDUSTRIES THE SCINTILLA-
TIONS OF "JANUARY SEARLE" BENJAMIN F. TAYLOR GEORGE
P. UPTON OTHER CHICAGO WRITERS OF THE WAR PERIOD
FRANCIS F. BROWNE AND "THE LAKESIDE" EARLY ART IN CHI-
CAGO REAL ART BEGINNINGS.
IT is much to be regretted that among all the Inspired
prophets and jubilant celebrants who raised their
voices in Chicago's beginnings to proclaim her future
greatness, there was none whose lucubrations had the
savor of its native speech, in manner as "John Phoenix,"
Bret Harte, and "Mark Twain** exploited the Argonauts
of *49 in the patois of the Western slope. Of mere writers
there were more than enough; but none felt moved to de-
pict the strenuous life about them in fitting vernacular.
In Benjamin F. Taylor, Chicago possessed a poet whose
muse rose sublimely to the theme of the great war; but
in the presence of the everyday drama of life he was nearly
voiceless. Indeed, it is a commonplace that only the rare
few succeed in translating the idiom of their time into the
universal tongue.
The manners of early Chicagoans were unconventional
enough, and the ordinary speech of men about town as
direct and picturesque as one could wish. But by some
strange inversion, such thoughts as found expression dur-
$8 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
ing this period in what aspired to be literature, were
imaged in forms ludicrously alien to the soil. However
the turgid, pseudo-classical rhetoric of the time may have
appealed to a former generation, its pedantries and af-
fectations have an odd sound to ears accustomed to the
epigrammatic literary speech of to-day. In early Chicago,
as in many another place of the time, the literary muse
floundered helplessly between the classic and the inane
the formal Addisonian period, and the puerilities of Gra-
ham's or Godey's magazine. The man about town saw
clearly enough the thing as it was, and the unprofessional
story-maker was quick to touch it up with his homely wit
or satire. But the man of the quill lived in a world apart,
had vision only for what would permit itself to be larded
with classic ineptitudes; and so it was left to the Jack
Nelsons, the Sam Turners, the Dan O'Haras, the Frank
Parmelees, their predecessors or contemporaries, to sur-
prise the local divinity as Nature had fashioned her, dress
her in such homespun as might lie to hand, and start the
hussy on her rounds among the raconteurs. And when by
any chance one of these improvisations found its way into
print, it generally stalked on such preposterous stilts (lest
the native soil defile it) that its progenitor seldom recog-
nized his offspring.
There was in the early sixties one Bowman, a lank spec-
imen of our Bohemian tribe, doing stunts under the pen
name of "Beau Hackett," who not only had the traditional
physiognomic prerequisite of a humorist an abnormal
proboscis but carried some pretty good brain stuff
besides. However, a fool friend got him a position as
State Historian, and that finished him. The efforts of
another historian of early Illinois to hand down the Chi-
cago of the forties call for special mention.
BKN.TAM1N F. TAYLOH
Mc'itf.i"-. l'M-t of t!i.- W- h r IVrio
EABLY LITERATURE AND ART
THE STILTED CLASSICISM OF A CERTAIN HISTOEIAN
In 1846, when the city had a population approximat-
ing 15,000, it had also a debt of fifteen thousand dollars,
and at the same time a citizen who had written a " History
of Illinois." At this period it further came to pass that
Chicago began to preen her pin-feathers for an excursion
into the literary empyrean, by organizing a lyceum; and in
default of other or better material, elevated this historian
to the presidency. He chose for the subject of his in-
augural address, "The Present and Future Prospects
of Chicago." How altogether this composition reflected
the literary ideals of the time may be inferred from the
fact that three such well-known members as Dr. Wm. B.
Egan, the HOEU Thomas Hoyne, and Wm. M. Larrabee
were appointed a committee to see that it got duly printed
in pamphlet form.
From a historian whose prophetic soul saw such a
marvellous development that he rashly predicted that
some within the sound of his voice might live to see a city
of 200,000 souls (when, in fact, at least one still lives to
see 2,500,000) , a wayfarer might be pardoned the expecta-
tion of learning somewhat about the community regarding
which such an inspiring prediction was made its man-
ners and the everyday life of the market place; but about
these he had hardly a word to say. Some other things, how-
ever, he did talk about* For example, he descanted most
loftily on such burning themes as Ancient Egypt, Persia,
Greece, and Rome; and fortified his thesis with references
to or extracts from such worthies as Homer, Plutarch,
Cato, Archimedes, Shakespeare, Milton, Chatham, Sydney
Smith, Brougham, Scott, Campbell, Cowper, Sheridan,
Fox, Pollok, Dr. Paley, Whitefield, with the Nile, the
Euphrates, Athens, the Acropolis and the Parthenon
BYGONE DAYS IX CHICAGO
thrown in for background and good measure, things,
as any one must see at a glance, all most intimately asso-
ciated with the quagmires and prairie schooners of that
interesting period in the Garden City's history.
It was only in moments of obvious inattention that he
permitted anything about Chicago to slip into his dis-
course, and then only that he might hold up to execration
the iniquities by which its aforesaid enormous debt of
fifteen thousand dollars had been accumulated. He
started out by quoting with approbation what a brother
rhetorician had said about the State's debt, to the effect
that something ought to happen "to confound and para-
lyze the congregated energies of corruption, and rescue
from the lowest depths of degradation the lost credit of
the State . . . and disinter the enormous skull and dis-
jointed vertebrae, the scattered bones of the mammoth
debt, with bonds therefor poured out like water, till the
drunkenness of financial debauchery has eventuated in
delirium tremens." And then, rising to the situation on
his account, our historian delivered himself in this fashion:
" I have heard it frequently stated, and in Chicago too, by men of
wealth and standing, that we must not scrutinize these things too
closely,, for peradventure friends may suffer. Gracious and eternal
God! Why are thy bolts withheld when doctrines such as these, with-
out excuse and without apology, escape from polluted lips . . .
Let him go to where his talents will be duly appreciated, and feed
for hire the half-starved swine that prowl about hell's dormitory, or
the back door of Mammon's cellar kitchen. Aye,
*Sbc thousand years of sorrow have well nigh
Fulfilled their tardy and disastrous course/
since the Almighty by a deed of trust gave Adam and his posterity
the globe we inherit, and the appurtenances thereunto belonging, in-
cluding every herb and every tree save one, and every fowl and fish,
and every beast, and every living thing that moveth on the earth.
EARLY LITERATURE AND ART 231
For what purpose? That he might replenish it and subdue it; that
he might, as in the case of Eden, 'dress it and keep if How, gentle*
men., I ask, have we discharged that trust? An answer to this inquiry
can hardly be expected in one discourse."
That our historian did not attempt such answer speaks
volumes for his noble reticence. And it was clearly much
better that he should finish as he did, with
" * Charge, Chester, charge! On, Stanley, on!*
Were the last words of Marmion!"
And of such was literature in the Chicago of 1846.
THE LITERATURE OF THE EARLY SIXTIES
Let us now pass a decade or more, and pry a few
specimen bricks out of the literary temple of the early
sixties. George S. Phillips, who had won some fame in
England under the pen name of "January Searle," was
at this time a reigning luminary* Another was Judge A.
W. Airington, a fine personality, who came from the
South with a reputation as a writer of border tales. Both
died in the sixties* The former I knew well and was of
some service to in his last sad hours. Much of the afflatus
of that period was derived from the "little brown jug/*
and poor Phillips toward the end was seldom sober,
though even in his cups never other than a gentleman.
A. C. Wheeler was in 1863 city editor of The Morning
Post. He subsequently became a well-known New
York critic under the pen name of "Nym Crinkle," and
several years before his lamented death, in 1904, he de-
lighted literary circles with a series of sketches and novels,
published under the name of " J. P. Mowbray." It was
only natural that he should seek fellowship with any one
whose work had a literary flavor; and so he became inti-
mate with Phillips. Being aware that I also had acquaint-
BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
ance with the author, Mr. Wheeler sought me one day in
great haste (he being suddenly called out of town) to
request that I get a hack, go to Phillips's boarding-house,
and take hi to the Mercy Hospital, then situated on
Wabash Avenue, near Van Buren Street. This was one
of the toughest jobs I ever tackled. I found Phillips quite
out of his head, and suffering from a couple of broken
ribs. A strait- jacket was improvised, and with the aid of
the hackman and a fellow-boarder the struggling sufferer
was carried to the carriage. The drive was fortunately
a short one, but what there was of it thrilled with interest.
Arrived at the hospital we were compelled to bind hirri to
the bed, and he expired in his bonds.
A HISTORY OF CHICAGO'S INDUSTRIES
It was hard sledding for poor Phillips most of the
time. He had, however, one windfall, when, in 1862, one
I. D. Guyer took it into his head to publish a "History
of Chicago: Its Commercial and Manufacturing Inter-
ests and Industries." The historical part was exceedingly
brief, and for the rest the publication was a sort of literary
and illustrated business directory, in which such firms as
were willing to pay for the luxury were written up for
all they were worth. When Phillips found himself in
daily newspaper harness, he felt sadly hampered by
thoughts of the blue pencil; but in charge of the literary
end of this commercial enterprise, he not only was given
a free hand, but was urged to extend his Pegasus to the
utmost*
This illustrated history is now a rare literary curiosity.
It matters not what the commodity, rubber, jewelry,
books, engravings, drugs, beer, a description of the
business house was invariably preceded by a historical
EARLY LITERATURE ANI> ART 33
sketch of the invention or discover}' of the commodity
offered. That Phillips dazzled us youngsters in those days
will not be doubted by the reader when he shall himself
blink under the radiance of his style. Only a few scintil-
lating gems from this treasure casket are permitted The
subjoined refers to the book store of S. C. Griggs & Co*
the predecessors of A. C. McClurg & Co., and follows a
couple of pages on the birth of literature and the discovery
of printing:
"The establishment is a massive edifice with an ornate iron front
elevation to protect it from the devouring flame and the wreck of
time,* known as Burch's Iron Block, majestic in its appearance, as be-
comes a pursuit whose prerogative it is to move the arms that move
the world- Compared with any other place in this western world It
is to the scholar what the Parthenon was to the Athenian. We have
read of Cadmus bringing letters to Greece, and we trace with un-
utterable curiosity and delight their progress from nation to nation,
as like the sun in his circuit they go to illumine the globe. But we
are witnessing here in this latest found Hesperian home of the strug-
gling races of men, a spectacle which enkindles a deeper enthusiasm
and awakens more illimitable hopes than all the records of Alfred or
Cadmus. . . There never has been a great nation, until this,
with a universal language, without dialects. The Yorkshire man can-
not now talk with a man from Cornwall. The Peasant of the Ligurian
Apenines drives his goats home at evening over hills that look down
upon six provinces, none of whose dialects he can speak. Here five
thousand miles change not the sound of a word. This we owe to
Webster, whose genius has presided over every scene in the nation.
His principles of language have tinged every sentence that is now or
will ever be uttered by an American tongue. It is universal, om-
nipotent, omnipresent. No man can breathe the air of the Continent
and escape it, and this great work is always found on sale at this
great representative house. No person should be without a copy/*
A. H. Miller's jewelry store on Lake Street reminds
him of "the crystal entrance to some Aladdin palace where
* It was totally destroyed in 1S68.
r,4 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
the treasures of earth and sea, refined and polished by
cunning workmanship, are all flashing forth their intense
splendor/' He then continues :
"W! crossed the threshold of the house of treasures, when the
gaus light was flashing over these works of genius, and saw them
in transcendent mirrors reflected and multiplied, an epic in silver and
gwnh nnd gold* We saw a coronet of pearls, inwoven with a starry
way of brilliants, and lying as though it had just fallen from the
brow of a princess, and near to it a diamond cross which * Jews might
kiss* and infidels adore/ "
And the diamond is in his eyes "the ultimate effect, the
idealization, the spiritual evolution of coal, the butterfly
escaped from its antennal touch, the realization of the
coal's highest being," while the opal is "the moonlight
queen of the kingly diamond."
Somebody named Wiggers had a picture-frame and
looking-glass shop on Randolph Street, and thus is he
introduced:
"On one of those dreamy Indian summer afternoons during last
autumn, while standing in the elegant salon of one of those palatial
residences [cost $0,000] in Marble Terrace,, Michigan Avenue, be-
fore a grand French plate mirror, extending from the ceiling to the
floor, reflecting the beauties of the late and sky, and looking like a
sea of glass surrounded by a golden shore, we involuntarily exclaimed,
If this be not the highest ideal of domestic luxury , where shall wealth
or fancy go to find it?"
In the course of writing up an engraver's advertise-
ment he becomes psychologically reflective:
"In the marriage, visiting, or mourning card there often is a power,
* mysterious influence that causes a thousand pleasing and varied
associations to rush upon the fancy. We have often gone into this
establishment, and when we saw parcel after pared, despatched by
express fc> distant quarters, we have thought what fountains of joy
or grief will these little white-winged messengers of power open to the
/ I "-z&ag&jit v V' - ' it "''/'*"! . ., . f ii ^ '' %
Custom House Pin re, Showintr John K. Walsh'.s
By Courtesy of the Chicago Historical Society
Washington Street, Looking West from Dearborn
STREET SCENES IN THE "BYGONE DAYS"
EARLY LITERATURE AND ART *,
hearts of thobe who read them. Some with a few words added in
pencil will record the rapturous emotions of reciprocated love; son^
will carry messages of sadness that will cover life's pilgrimages with
gloom; some will announce that a new being has bnrst joyfully apon
creation; and the more elegantly engraved, the higher the art style,
the more impressive. 1 '
Hair jewelry affected him in this wise:
" * The most powerful thing is a beautiful woman's hair/ says an
Arab proverb, and as *a thing of beauty is a joy forever/ whether
it be on canvas, in the breathing marble, in words, or of fancy unde-
fined in the brain, or the gem that decks the form divine, adorn* the
bosom of beauty, or sparkles on the lily-white hand, it matters not,
it is a thing of beauty and it is ever so with Campbell's hair jewelry."
In Introducing the reader to John R. Walsh's old
newspaper and hook stand, he opens in this fashion:
"When Edmund Burke, the wisest statesman and the greatest
political philosopher the world has yet seen, drew in the British
House of Commons his famous word painting of the future grandeur
and prosperity of the American colonies, his shortsighted and time-
serving contemporaries," etc.
Speaking of Lfll & Diversy's beer, he informs the
reader that its fame has extended "from the frozen regions
of the north, the rock-girt shores of Lake Superior to
New Orleans, the Naples of the south, and from Niagara
Falls to the newly discovered gold regions of Pike's peak. 1 '
Mr. Phillips, to his extreme joy, found a worthy coad-
jutor in Prince Napoleon, when the latter visited Chicago;
and that this sprig of royalty would have given him a hard
run had he entered the lists as a business illuminator, none
can doubt af tev reading what he said of Lord & Smith's
drug store, according to Mr. Phillips's quotation, namely:
"If this does not represent the right arm of power, and
the true dignity of American merchandising, then I have
not seen it on this continent.**
BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
However flamboyantly Mr. Phillips might express
himself in prose, in his poetical effusions he manifested a
due restraint, as is shown in these finely imagined lines,
entitled "Silence":
Old Time was dead, and the pale hours lay
In his tomb aronnd him solemnly,
And Earth, like a vision, had passed away,
And not a wreck of its beauty stood;
For mountain and meadow, and field and flood,
And all that was fair and bright and good
Had turned to a shapeless void again;
And Death, whose arm had its thousands slain,
Had broken his sceptre and ceased to reign.
And there was none o'er this scene to mourn,
Save one pale maiden, whose locks were torn,
And whose tearful eyes and looks forlorn
Spoke more than her voiceless tongue could tell
Of all that the lovely earth befell,
Ere she heard the voice of its funeral knell*
And she did weep, though her lips were sealed,,
And though naught she felt could be revealed,
And though her heart with its grief concealed
Was ready to burst ! She wandered on
O'er the fields of space, all sad and lone,
For Silence knew that she wept alone.
BENJAMIN F. TAYLOE
Reference has already been made to Benjamin F.
Taylor, easily Chicago's best literary example of the
sixties, and it has every reason to keep his memory green.
I recall with more than passing interest Decoration Day,
1870 (the first in the long series), when a monument to
the fallen heroes of Bridges' Battery was dedicated in
EARLY LITERATURE AND ART 337
Rosehill Cemetery. There was a vast assemblage, and an
Inspired lyric, read by this poet, went straight to every
heart. At its conclusion the Rev. Robert Collyer pre-
sented a tear-stained face to the multitude, and in a voice
stirred with deep emotion, said:
"You have heard, friends, that I am to give you & benediction.
I have felt, as I am sure you did, that you were receiving it when
you listened to those mighty words that have stormed our hearts tor-
day, as no poem of our great war, I think, stormed us before. I
would rather that these should rest upon you than any other thing
that can be said or done, I can, therefore, but say, 'God bless you/
Let us all go home with this sweet blessing our friend and fellow
citizen has given us in our hearts. Amen/*
The poem contains about two hundred lines. I shall
venture on a few extracts* It opens:
"Oh, be dumb, all ye clouds,
As the dead in their shrouds,
Let your pulses of thunder die softly away;
Ye have nothing to do
But to drift round the blue,
For the emeral world grants a furlough to-day!**
**
"A great mart's majestic arterial beat
Throbbed this multitude out where the graves at our feet
Have so roughened the earth with their motionless surge
That we know we are treading its uttermost verge,
That another step more, and life's flag would be furled;
Another step more, we are out of the world/'
*
"Stormy pulses, be dumb! AH unheeded, unheard,
As the heart-beat that troubles the breast of a bird.
Wheel the battery out ! Unlimber the guns !
All flashing electric the eyes of the sons,
All glowing the forges, all ready to fire
The cannons, all panting with keenest desire,
The columns all grandeur, and broader and higher
BYGONE DAYS IX CHICAGO
For the souls within range, God pardon their sins!
Let all go, mighty heart ! and the battle begins.
Each throb is the thunder a bolt for each flash
Rends the air with a howl, smites the earth with a crash,
And the shriek of the shell with the quivering cry
That a demon might utter if demons could die,
Cuts keen through the din like a wing through the sky;
Till old Kenesaw roars from its mantle of cloud,
And Lookout stands white before God in its shroud,
As if Gabriel's trumpet had sounded that day,
And the Mountain had heard and was first to obey."
GEORGE P. UPTON
While Benjamin F. Taylor stood for literature on
the Journal, George P. Upton, under the pen name
of Peregrine Pickle, rendered an even greater service
through the columns of the Tribune. His was, in fact,
the first sustained essay to reflect the spirit of the times
in a literary form* Such a series of papers, hecause of
their rare fidelity to the sensihilities of their day and hour,
would perhaps be voted as too naive for these high-
pressure days; but forty years ago they were looked for-
ward to with lively anticipations, and constituted the
matter of chief interest in the columns of the Sunday
Tribune. Mr. Upton was also the first in Chicago to give
an informed tone to musical criticism; and the fruits of
his more than half a century of labor in this chosen field
are now happily before the public in his "Musical Mem-
ories " and other publications. In the columns of the
Times a less sustained work was done by Franc B. Wil-
kie, under the pen name of Poliuto.
OTHER CHICAGO WRITERS OF THE WAR PERIOD
It should not be inferred from the foregoing that Chi-
cago was without other writers of distinction in those days.
Indeed, there were several in the first rank; but, as a rule,
GKORGK P. I'PTON
FRANCIS F. BROWNE
EARLY LITERATURE AND ART *.TO
they were too much engrossed with the business or ques-
tions of the hour for a state of mind proper to the pro-
duction of the things of the spirit. Dr. Charles H. Ray,
the editor-in-chief of the Tribune both before and dur-,
ing the war, was one of the most cultured and forceful
newspaper writers in the country, as the editorial from
his pen on the nomination of Abraham Lincoln, quoted
elsewhere in these pages, attests. Another whose English
was of the purest simple, direct, and dashed with a
quiet humor was James W. Sheehan; and that Elias
Colbert (still with us) , when separated from his soul-crush-
ing statistics, could draw upon a rich store of erudition, and
give his thoughts a choice literary flavor, was abundantly
shown by his Shakespeare tercentenary paper, and many
another example. Also there was Brock McVickar, redolent
of the Paris Latin quarter* His was a fine beginning,
but the promising sprout was unhappily wasted by over-
growth. And shortly after the war, Fred Hall enlivened
the columns, first of the Republican under Charles A.
Dana, and then of the Tribune under Horace White
(himself a master of the art of exposition), with his play-
ful fancy and caustic humor. He was assigned for a
time to do police court sketches, in which "his honor"
(and there were some remarkable specimens, a la Ban-
yon, to draw upon) was invariably discovered as culprit
extraordinary. And in the editorial rooms of the Tribune
to-day Fred Hall still holds sway, with his life-long asso-
ciate, George P. Upton, the latter's connection with the
paper covering a full half -century.
FRANCIS F. BROWNE AND "THE LAKESIDE*'
Along with the many changes in the social order that
marked the close of the war, there was awakened a literary
2M BYGONE DAYS IX CHICAGO
consciousness, seeking to come into touch with the spirit
of older communities. Chicago now grew by leaps and
bounds; new men, bringing with them the atmosphere of
the university, came in numbers sufficient to make a dis-
tinct impression on the community's unregulated provin-
cialism; and the new spirit found expression in the pages
of The Lakeside Monthly , under the stimulating editor-
ship of Francis F. Browne. The founding of this high-
class publication marked the first step in the local literary
output inviting critical comparison with what was doing
in the world at large; and as such received flattering recog-
nition both at home and abroad. It set up a standard
whose influence on the character of local production, even
if not always recognized, was almost immediate, and most
salutary. This standard was not of the self -sufficient sort
it sought to direct, not to stifle, the exuberant spirit of
the West; and the work thus begun, and still carried for-
ward under the same inspiriting leadership in the pages
of the present Dial a critical force surpassed, perhaps, by
none in America has its due reward in a germinating
soil and literary fruition that has not only made a distinct
place for itself, but is receiving an ever larger recognition
as a formative influence in American literature*
EABLY ABT IN CHICAGO
Apropos of early literature, something ought, per-
haps, to be said about early art. But was there any?
Well, there certainly were some staggers at it. Among
other ventures there was produced a duly attested historical
painting immortalizing the Massacre of 1812. There was a
good deal of tomahawking going on, especially of women,
and one could but marvel to see John Kinzie, at that
EARLY LITERATURE AND ART 241
time Chicago's only bona fide white settler, standing in the
midst of it all, as if in a brown study. There had been for
some time rumors that a great painting was under way.
Much to my surprise I was one day assigned to "write it
up/' What I didn't know about art in those days loomed
large; but an instinct told me that on so busy an occasion
to be in character, the one who was in a way its hero ought
to be doing something. This idea seemed never to have
occurred to dear old Page; and when I mooted the point,
he looked quite troubled for a moment. Then, with a
happy-thought expression: "But can't we suppose that he
had just been doing something?'*
There was also in those days an elderly Scotchman
working very hard to make a living with the brush.
His genius ran to allegory, and in a particular instance
his subject took the form of an infant carried aloft on the
back of a bird* During a press view, Jim Chisolm, who
was always a bit over-critical for the times, ventured the
opinion that the bird ought to be at least four sizes larger
to do the trick of kidnapping so lusty an infant. "Ah,
Jimmy, lad," remarked the old gentleman, in his broadest
accent, as he patted his youthful critic and friend on the
back, "y e dozn't at all understand the picture; the hale
thing is a miracle."
TMBAT, AET BEGINNINGS
However, as a few years later the spirit of the time
began to voice itself in an acceptable literary form, so there
were real beginnings towards expression in various art
forms, A native impulse that in architecture could realize
itself in a Columbian Exposition, in sculpture produce a
John Donoghue, and in other manner an Albert Sterner,
an Alexander Schilling, an Annie C. Shaw, and a Mary
242 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
A. Wright (now Bartow) , surely had warrant for seek-
ing expression.
This group, with other kindred spirits, struggled along
in quite the approved Latin Quarter fashion. There was
light very light studio housekeeping on upper floors;
and what one did not have the others also went without.
Donoghue was of the unregulated type commonly asso-
ciated in the pppular mind with genius, and his "Young
Sophocles Leading the Chorus after the Battle of Sala-
mis" will go far to save his name from oblivion* Alhert
Sterner has now a recognized international standing, hoth
as painter and illustrator. In the New York gallery most
esteemed by individual or group exhibitors, Alexander
Schilling gave a retrospective oil and water-color exhi-
bition recently, which received wide recognition. That a
brilliant career was cut short by the death of Annie C.
Shaw is an ever-present regret to her friends ; while the all
too little work that is still done by Mary A. Bartow at her
Pasadena home continues to be marked by its old-time
strength, and is touched with the same brush of flame that
gave such distinction to her earlier work*
EARLY AMUSEMENTS
ONLY ONE THEATRE FOR 200,000 PEOPLE JOSEPH JEFFERSON'S
NAME IN DIRECTORY FOR 1839 BICE AND McVicKER RIVALS IN
1857 THE CIRCUS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN THE FIFTIES
THE MINSTRELS AND WOOD'S MUSEUM TRAGEDY THE STAPLE
ARTICLE STARS OF THE FIRST MAGNITUDE HAMLETS GALORE
GETTING YOUR MONEY'S WORTH THE BALLET IN EMBRYO:
JENNY HIGHT THE REAL THING: CUBAS AND BONFANTI
KINGS OF COMEDY: JEFFERSON, HACKETT, SOTHERN, ETC. COM-
PARISONS WITH THE PRESENT.
fTl HERE is probably no better way of realizing how one
A generation differs from another in its manner of life
or in its ideals, than by comparing the agencies that
cater to their various wants. The exceptional hotel accom-
modations of the Chicago of the early sixties have been
noted a feature that speaks of a large transient popula-
tion, and therefore one prone to seek diversion. In another
place something is said about the remarkable group of men
who filled the city's pulpits at this period and, if the
churches were less imposing than those that minister to our
twentieth-century religio-aestheticism, they were relatively
far better attended. But the feature which in many ways
best reflects a community's social life is its amusements.
The twentieth-century traveller who, on arriving in
any American city of 150,000 people, if on diversion bent,
makes choice from among half a dozen places, all syndi-
cated up to the latest novelty or "sensation** will be as-
tonished to learn that Chicago, close up to 1864, when it
was fast approaching the 200,000 mark, could lay claim to
only one theatre or permanent show place fit to mention,
43
244 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
and one theatre of some sort, more or less permanent, it
had boasted from the time it had a few thousand inhab-
itants.
JOSEPH JEFFERSON'S NAME IN DIRECTORY FOR 1839
Indeed, it was because it had a theatre in 1839, that the
name of "Joseph Jefferson, actor," got into Fergus's first
City Directory. Then, as a "kid," our late lamented
"Joe" played a part in the company of his parents; and,
because the directory man happened to be on his
rounds at that particular time, it came to pass that the
bearer of the name and title was duly "naturalized"; and
by such grace "Joseph Jefferson, actor," came to be his-
torically, as well as histrionically, Chicago's oldest inhabi-
tant "at large."
For a short time, in 1857 (and once before), Chicago
had actually two theatres, for before John B. Rice was
wholly and for good "off" the stage, at the old stand on
Dearborn near Randolph Street, J. H. McVicker was
"on" at the new place, in remote Madison Street, then a
veritable part of "shanty town." However, in a little
while, Actor-manager Rice retired gracefully with a
goodly bank account. The community, to testify its ap-
preciation of him as a man grown up in their 'midst, twice
elected him mayor; and none have filled that office to the
better satisfaction of the people. However cast in the
drama of life, John B. Rice ever played his part worthily.
THE CIRCUS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN THE FIFTIES
If Chicago for so long a period could boast only one
permanent place of amusement, its pleasure-lovers were,
however, not always restricted to "Hobson's choice," for
we are harking back to days when the peripatetic burnt-
By Courtesy of the Chicago Historical Society
McVICKER'S THEATRE, "HOME OF THE TRAGIC MUSE"
By Courtesy of the Chicago Historical Society
WOOD'S MUSEUM AND THEATRE
Originally Kingsbury Hall
EARLY AltfDSEMENTS 245
cork artist was in his glory, and the circus was still the
advance agent of civilization. Indeed, so important a
place did the sawdust ring fill in the amusement life of
half a century ago, that in 1855, when Chicago had barely
75,000 inhabitants, Levi J. North (who along with Dan
Rice was in those days better known that the President)
erected a hippodrome for an entire winter season, on
Monroe Street near Fifth Avenue; and a decade later an-
other winter circus was established, on Washington Street,
facing the Court House. Those were the days when the
circus made its entry with forty horses four abreast
to the band-wagon, and the names of clowns were as
cherished of youngsters, as are now those of record pitchers
or short-stops.
THE MINSTBJELS AND WOOD*S MUSEUM
As for "Christy Minstrels" as the English call all
of the burnt-cork tribe Chicago had in 1859 the simon-
pure originals for a season. And later Arlington, Kelly,
Leon, and Doniker, having opened in the same place
(Kingsbury Hall, subsequently transformed into Wood's
Museum and Theatre and later into Aiken's) became so
popular, that (about 1866) a fine hall was built for them
on Washington, between Dearborn and Clark Streets, and
there they developed minstrelsy to such perfection as to
approach present-day high-class vaudeville or comic opera.
KELLY, LEON, AND BILLY BICE
Kelly was something of a dramatist as well as a fine
singer, and it was an event when it was announced he had
staged a new creation, or would sing a new ballad; Leon
was a capital impersonator of female parts; while Billy
Rice was ever an inimitable comedian. Among the
246 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
"caramel contingent" the minstrel was in those days a
hero of romance comparable to the troubadour of old,
and for a time the newspapers found some difficulty in
keeping up with his elopements and other like escapades.
Theatre-going was a serious business in those days. A
body seldom went to the theatre for "fun," for that
you went to the minstrels or the circus. No, at the thea-
tre tragedy was the staple pabulum, with at most a
laugh for a "wind-up," as a dish of "floating island"
might be served to lighten a heavy course dinner.
Shakespeare then dominated the dramatic, as Wagner
to-day does the operatic stage.
STABS OF THE FIRST MAGNITUDE
When it was n't one actor it was another who curdled
your blood with "Richard III" or "Macbeth"; and when
the star parts were not filled by men, there were Ristori,
Charlotte Cushman, Mrs. Emma Waller, Madame
Janauschek and others to do Lady Macbeth, Queen
Katherine, and other tragic heroines of the divine
William. J. K. Hackett almost alone relieved the sombre
procession of tragedians with his inimitable Falstaff.
We were all, after a fashion, Shakespearean critics in the
sixties. Indeed, one had to be or cut the theatre. In the
composing room of the Tribune, for example, there was
quite a coterie of this ilk, fairly the equal of any who might
be assigned to "do" performances from the writing staff;
and on the first night of a new Hamlet, there would be
a great demand for "subs," as all these "critics," headed
by tall Harry Streat, must needs attend in a body; and
most erudite comparisons of "readings" would be in order
the following morning, while the "cases" were being filled
by "distribution."
EARLY AMUSEMENTS 47
HAMLETS GALOBJS
To show how amazingly frequent were opportunities
for "comparison," let it be noted that within a couple
of seasons we had the Hamlets of Edwin and Wilkes
Booth, Edwin Forrest, Jaines E. Murdock, E. L.
Davenport, Charles Kean, Daniel Bandman, Charles
Fechter, and Roepenach (the latter at the German
Theatre) , and a year or two later, of Lawrence Barrett
and Thomas W, Kean not to mention sundry amateurs,
one a graduate from the Times composing room, where
the "Hamlet" fever raged quite as malignantly as among
the Tribune "comps."
One did n't pay much in those days only about half
the present prices yet one got double the amount now
so parsimoniously doled out to blase dyspeptics. The
curtain rose on the five-act tragedy promptly at 7:30.
This concluded, there would be (as there had been before
the play and between acts) music from "Martha" or "The
Bohemian Girl" with both of which sentimental damsels
everybody at this period was on most familiar terms
after which, amidst a great fanfare. Miss Jenny Hight
would rush to the footlights, fling one of her innocuous
pas-seids at the boys, mayhap to tune them up a bit for
the coming farce (which was generally of the "Box and
Cox" variety, with John Dillon or Sam Myers, or both,
in the funny parts)* It was not until this had been
brought to a triumphant conclusion that one retired to
Ms pillow, always with the feeling that he had received
a full qwd pro quo, a state of satisfaction, one may
venture to assert, somewhat rare among play-goers
nowadays.
248 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
THE BALLET IN EMBRYO: JENNY HIGHT
Miss Jenny Hight, to whom allusion has been made, was
no ordinary, frivolous, Paris-made danseuse (of which kind
we were to see more than enough, later on), hut a strictly
home-made product; and, if a bit heavy-footed, that only
illustrated how the law of gravity in those days operated
to hold everything indigenous to Chicago close to the
ground. We youngsters were all in love with Jenny, of
course; hut, let me hasten to add, only in a platonic sort
of way: for anything more ardent would have been wholly
out of character with her naive attractions. So far as
she was concerned, we were all stanch protectionists,
pledged to the encouragement and support of home in-
dustry of which our Jenny's dancing was a convincing
example. Not only did she work hard which alone was
enough to recommend her to all but the superfinical
but Jenny was also as good as she could be, and so nice
and modest that her dancing (though necessarily done in
short skirts) so nearly approximated to an object lesson
in the proprieties, that she seemed to form for many folks
the much-sought-for link between the stage and well,
let us say, the Young Ladies' Seminary.
THE KFiAT. THING: CUBAS AND BONFANTI
Art with us all was still in that stage where everything
morally good is also aesthetically beautiful ; and it was not
until one Cubas a dark-eyed, supple-limbed Spanish
temptress entered our Eden to personify the heresy of
"art for art's sake," that our innocence fell a victim to
knowledge. The barriers once down and they came
down with a rush immediately after the war a veritable
flood-tide of "Black Crooks" and "White Fawns," with
their seductive Bonfantis, swept over the city: so that
EARLY AMUSEMENTS 249
the Crosby Opera House, just opened (1866) , for months
and months at a time was devoted to nothing else. With
the advent of Cubas, our Jenny's reign came to a sudden
end. Her refusal to disjoint herself, or spoil her toes by
cutting capers on them, was as flat-footed as only a
Chicago-bred girl of that sylvan period could make it,
and but for the fact that we were now all worshipping
other goddesses our grief on learning that she had, as
an alternative, committed matrimony, might have been too
painful for mention*
KINGS OF COMEDY: JEFFERSON, HACKETT, SOTHEEN, ETC.
If our staple theatrical food was wholesome gristle-
and-bone tragedy, we nevertheless now and then permitted
ourselves to indulge in seasons of romance and comedy,
and when we did so, it was to partake of such feasts as
the present generation know of only by hearsay. A single
star from the galaxy, albeit of the first magnitude, and
for very love regarded by all with ever more magnifying
eyes, alone remained in evidence until lately Joseph Jef-
ferson- Alas! where is one now to look for any worthy
successors to Jefferson's Rip, Hackett's Fcdstaff>
Sothern's Dundreary, Chanfrau's Mose* Owen's
Solon Shingle; or for the equals as Irish comedians
of Barney Williams or Billy Florence; or for general
comedians to compare with William Warren, Dan Marble,
and (and by no means least) J. H. McVicker himself,
whose Grave-digger and Salem Scudder were class-
ical stage portraitures? And was there ever a finer old
English gentleman on the boards than Mark Smith, a
more romantic Claude Melnotte than Fechter, or a Juliet
so enthralling as Adelaide Nielson?
The stock company of the twentieth century, when
250 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
attempted, is no doubt on an average a better all-round
organization than prevailed in 1862 just as talent in
all directions is more general than formerly but if the
average be higher, the great peaks, alas, have disappeared
in cloudland, and we miss them all the more because of
our enlarged outlook and keener sense of appreciation.
SOMETHING ABOUT "SCOOPS"
THE "Scoop" INDIGENOUS TO CHICAGO ITS BALEFUL
A " TIMELY " MURDER " SCOOP" FOR THE "TIMES" "THE TY-
COON " AT THE LABORING OAR THE GENTLE ART OF WRITING
INTRODUCTIONS EFFECT OF THE "Scoop" UPON NIGHT REPORT-
ING A BOLD EXPRESS COMPANY ROBBERY BAGGED WITH THE
BOODLE "UNCLE JOE" MEDILL SCOOPS HIS OWN PAPER FI-
NANCIAL FLUTTER INVOLVING " PULLMAN'S BANK" MIDNIGHT
CONFERENCE OF DIRECTORS LIQUIDATION OF THE THIRD NA-
TIONAL THE GREAT PULLMAN "Scoop" AGITATION OF THE
REAL-ESTATE MARKET THE TOWN OF PULLMAN LOCATED
INTERVIEW WITH GEORGE M. PULLMAN LARGEST LAND PUR-
CHASE IN THE HISTORY OF THE CITY.
"
MA-NY of us who in the early Chicago set out to live
by the pen repoitorial, fell ready victims to all
manner of atrocious habits through a mania for
scoops." That its old-time Gotham equivalent "beats"
is a far milder form of journalistic obsession, may be in-
ferred from the motor difference in the terms; and now
that the press of the Borough of Manhattan is actually
naturalizing the Chicago coinage even, if rather reluc-
tantly, for reasons of amour propre, and on the implied
condition that Chicago substitute New York's "story"
for its owu time-honored, if somewhat inane, "article**
it will be interesting to note the effect of the more com-
pelling descriptive on the somewhat immobile scribes of
Father Knickerbocker's bailiwick.
ITS BALEFUL INFLTJENCE
Whatever of inward grace the "scoop" may have ex-
perienced, or of outward propriety have taken on in later
251
252 BYGONE DAYS IX CHICAGO
years, certain it is that when first discovered or was it
invented ? it was distinctly aboriginal, possessed neither
morals nor manners, and could scarcely be distinguished
from the "whoop" with which it usually announced itself,
and from which its baneful virus was no doubt originally
derived. Under its malign influence the exploiter lost all
sense of proportion, mistook quantity for quality, and
any bit of "news" that at all promised to be "exclusive,"
was strung out as might be a bale of hemp in a rope walk
the one object being to strike terror into the hearts of
competitors, regardless of the agony inflicted on guileless
readers.
A "TIMELY" MUEDEB "SCOOP" FOR THE "TIMES"
One incident is worth recalling, not only for the light
it throws on old-time "scoop" journalism, but also be-
cause it bears directly on the evolution of an important
department of local newspaper work, and at the same
time offers a glimpse of that great journalistic captain,
Wilbur F. Storey, at the laboring oar. It happened on
the day when the Times, in 1866, moved from Randolph
to Dearborn Street, upon the present site of the Press
Club, and into the first distinctively newspaper building
put up in Chicago unless John Wentworth's old "Jack-
son Hall" be an exception. This event was signalized by
a change in the form from a four- to an eight-page paper
the first move in that direction among the dailies of the
West, as it was also the first essay in Chicago to stereo-
type the forms.
Up to this date the "night reporter" had only a nomi-
nal existence. ISTone was expected to be on duty after
midnight, unless detained by some matter in hand. The
writer had, however, contracted a habit of haunting the
SOMETHING ABOUT "SCOOPS" 253
precincts of the old Armory Police Station to a much
later hour (for sketch material, if nothing else) and pro-
longed his vigil, on the occasion of the paper's removal,
to the limit fixed for going to press. That hour had
passed, yet for some reason he still lingered. Then two
stalwart policemen hustled in a blood-stained prisoner;
and when the officers charged their quarry with the murder
of a brother, under rather blood-curdling circumstances,
this deponent's state of mind can be imagined,
Here, indeed, was a sensation; and a "scoop" surely,
if only it could be negotiated. Something told me I had
a fighting chance. Matters might have gone amiss with
the "make up" under new conditions. So, hastily possess-
ing myself of the outlines of the tragedy, I made a sprint
for the office, something over half a mile away, rushed
panting up three flights directly to the composing room,
and, to my inexpressible joy, found both Mr. Storey and
Charley Wright, the city editor, busy with the belated
"forms." In those days, Mr. Storey always remained on
deck until, in his own expressive phrase, "the last dog was
hanged." Both he and the city editor, like myself, were
graduates from the composing room, and so, at a pinch,
could be of vital assistance in the mechanical department.
"THE TYCOON" LENDS A HAND
Out came my "scoop," straight and hot. Charley was
instantly on fire; but the " Tycoon" as we were wont to
call Mr Storey when he was n't listening remained pro-
vokingly unmoved; and when I stopped a moment for
breath, he coolly turned to the dock, permitted a half-
amused, semi-sardonic smile to light up his chiselled, enig-
matic features an unmistakable sign of inward satisfac-
tion before he quietly remarked, " You can have twenty
254 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
minutes. Cut your cloth accordingly." Then to the fore-
man, "Hold what men are left"; and as Charley and I
were making a rush for the local room, he called after us,
"I'll see to the heading "; and, "stick" in hand, he com-
posed a "corker" for crisp, epigrammatic English.
Now, accustomed as I was to the composition of
"scoops" in their most irrelevant top-heavy form, I was
nevertheless taken a good deal aback when, on reaching
the local room, Charley flashed the instruction, " Start in
with the facts; I'll attend to the introduction," thereby
indicating that his contribution would not in any manner
concern itself with the matter actually in hand nor did
it. When drink was at the bottom of any trouble we
generally went back no farther than the Flood, and made
Father Noah our point of departure, anent that mooted
spree of his; and it was the same when the tragedy or
comedy, as might be, had colored actors, because of Brother
Ham's connection with that watery episode. But most
often the start was made directly from the Garden of 1
Eden: for the peccadilloes are few, indeed, that cannot in
some fashion be laid at the door of Mother Eve. For this
occasion, however, Charley made a start just outside of
Paradise, by dilating on the direful consequences entailed
by the difference in occupation between Cain and Abel.
Thereafter he worked along in fine shape, for he
was a past master at this sort of word-stringing, pick-
ing up a " blood-cur dler" here and another there, until,
in the prescribed twenty minutes, he had raked together
nearly half a column (leaded minion) of as choice a col-
lection of fratricides as ever warmed the cockles of a ghoul.
Five or six lines to a sheet was the order, and as fast as
one was scrawled it was rushed to the composing room, so
that ten minutes after we had finished, the waiting
SOMETHING ABOUT "SCOOPS" 53
"form" was ready for the press, with our "sensation"
in the place of honor, first column, first page.
EFFECT OF THE " SCOOP " UPON NIGHT REPORTING
It is needless to add that so opportune a "scoop" did
this youngster no harm at headquarters; and it had this
effect that night reporting was advanced on all the
papers to the time of going to press.
While at the time of the above incident the night re-
porter's vigil was supposed to close at midnight, only a
year hefore its limit was eleven o'clock; and how it came
to be advanced by an hour may also be worth relating, as
a newspaper incident.
An American Express Company delivery wagon had
been robbed at high noon, on Lake Street, of a package
containing something over $30,000 in greenbacks. This
occurrence created an unusual stir, and the more as it
was obviously the outcome of a conspiracy. I was the only
permanent "night scout" then on the Chicago press, the
rule on other papers being for different members of the
local staff to take turns a couple of weeks at a time. This
naturally gave me a distinct advantage in the interpreta-
tion of esoteric storm signals. My competitors at this
juncture were Jim Chisolm, lately deceased, and Charley
Wright, then for the Republican,, but shortly afterwards
called to the city editorship of the Times.
Police headquarters were at this time established in the
old P. F. W. Peck home, on the site of the present Stock
Exchange. While dropping in and out during the early
evening, I became convinced that the detectives expected
to bag the robbers, for never had I observed so much sub-
dued excitement and mystery about the comings and go-
ings of the "sleuths." None would talk, and old Bill
256 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
Douglas, the veteran of the force, simply could n't so
did the tension of the hour aggravate his "stutter," ex-
asperating enough, when not amusing, at any time. Char-
ley Wright did his duty by dropping in at eleven o'clock;
and then, at peace with his conscience, went quietly to
bed as I too would have done under ordinary circum-
stances for at that time it devolved on the night man
to assist at the police court "round up" the next morning.
Shortly after midnight my vigil was duly rewarded,
for in trooped the entire detective squad Kennedy, a
future superintendent; Sherman, a future deputy superin-
tendent; Dixon, another; Douglas, Ellis, Kenney, Elliott,
e i ol t w ith three prisoners, one a prepossessing damsel,
and all the "boodle" in a carpet-bag.
THE SCOOPER " HELD UP "
Charley Wright being out of the way, I now felt pretty
certain of a glorious "scoop," as Jim Chisolm, a new-
comer, was also "doing" amusements, and besides was
known to have little enthusiasm for the police end of the
business. However, as I was rushing towards the office
with my "scoop" well tucked out of sight, whom should
I run up against but Jim, homeward bound. And then
he must needs in the most exasperating by-the-way man-
ner, inquire, "Is anything doing at police headquarters?"
Of course, I had to tell him; but, frankly, having a tooth
drawn would have been a comparatively painless operation.
Poor Charley handed in his resignation the next morning.
It was, however, not accepted* When I met him the
following evening his chivalry prompted him to compli-
ment my enterprise, his warmth tempered, however, by a
hint that it would have been better for the "article," if I
had not described the "fence" where the thieves were
JOSEPH MEDILL
(Owner and Kditor of The Chicago Tribune}
SOMETHING ABOUT "SCOOPS" 357
captured reported by the detectives as rather hand-
somely furnished as "presenting a scene of Oriental
magnificence." The criticism, under the circumstances,
from one considerably older and more experienced, some-
how etched itself into my brain, and in all the five and
forty years that have since passed, I have seldom modified
an expression without a recrudescence of that garish
exaggeration.
"'UNCLE JOE" MEDELL " SCOOPS " HIS OWN PAPER
Probably the most unique " scoop" on record or un-
recorded is one in which "Uncle Joe" assisted me in
"laying out" his own paper, The Chicago Tribune. It
was during the aftermath of the panic of 1873.
Bank after bank had gone down before the Northern
Pacific financial blizzard; even the Union National, up to
that time the leading financial institution in the West, had
for a time succumbed to the blast; and yet the Third Na-
tional (of which J. Irving Pearce was president, and
Joseph Medill one of the many influential directors) stood
erect; and, because of its substantial directorate, was
looked upon as a veritable financial Gibraltar.
FINANCIAL FLUTTER INVOLVING "PULLMAN^ BANK"
In common parlance it was known as "Pullman's
bank," and few suspected that what was generally regarded
as its tower of strength might prove a source of weakness,
for Mr. Pullman's galleons, like those of many another,
were at that time embarked on an exceedingly treacherous
sea. To be sure, Pullman Company stock was not only
paying an eight per cent dividend, but earning twice that
figure; yet for some reason it was quoted below par. Its
leading customer at that time as it still may be was
&>8 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
the Pennsylvania Railroad; and as the company's con-
tract was about to expire, it made something of a gallery
play for position, by threatening to follow the New York
Central policy of that time and set up a line of "sleepers"
for itself. In the meantime President Pearce, as a resi-
dent of Hyde Park, had lent the southern outlying parts
a strong helping hand at the expense of the bank; and
though matters generally were already beginning to look
up quite a bit, suburban real estate continued to make
lower and lower records*
In these circumstances, a rumor gained circulation that
the Third National was in trouble. The report was gener-
ally discredited; but knowing something of the Pullman
situation (indeed, for some time I had felt the banking
pulse daily with an eye almost single to George M.'s finan-
cial health) I was quite prepared to credit the rumor;
and, through the good offices of one on the inside, learned
that a meeting of the directors would be held in the "dead
waste and middle of the night," in an upper room of the
bank building, southeast corner of Dearborn and Wash-
ington Streets surely a most unusual proceeding, and
one ominous of trouble*
The evening was, indeed, well advanced, when a dozen
or more of the solid men of the city, one by one, made
their way to the rendezvous. Time went on ... mid-
night passed ... one o'clock struck . . . then two ...
and still the conference continued. Here were the ele-
ments of a fine "scoop." But what if matters did not
culminate until too late for the press? At half-past two
by the clock the docs finally opened, and a very sober
body of men filed out. I tackled one after another, but
not a word could I extract.
The very last to emerge proved to be Mr. Medill. He
SOMETHING ABOUT "SCOOPS" 259
greeted me cordially, and in answer to a query as to' the
upshot of the meeting, answered in a tone of mingled
humor and indignation, "Well, I have just seen a solvent
bank go into liquidation." "Why didn't Pullman come
to its rescue?" I ventured. ** That's just what we all
would like to know. My own interest is small, hut his is
large, and yet he had hardly a word to say," was the reply.
Then followed more interesting information, and I was
away*
A "SCOOP" THAT WAS A SCOOP
By holding the press to the last possible moment I
was enabled to make a considerable feature of the event,
especially with the aid of quotations from the very inter-
esting and obliging editor-in-chief of the Tribune. I more
than suspected I had a "scoop," for, when we emerged
from the building, instead of turning down Dearborn
Street, towards the Tribune, Mr. Medill started down
Washington towards State Street, adding to his "Good-
night," "I am going straight home and get some sleep."
The fact is, '"Uncle Joe," as we all loved to call him,
had come into the newspaper business before the "scoop**
mania became epidemic, and his age now held him im-
mune. But I would have given a large doughnut to have
been by when his brother Sam, then the active manager,
read what the editor-in-chief had confided to a reporter
for the Times with not a line of the sensation of the day
in his own paper!
In a way Mr.- Medill was right when he said he had
seen a solvent bank go into liquidation that is to say,
it was potentially solvent. But it actually took a couple
of decades to demonstrate the fact; and during all that
time a portion of the assets remained in the hands of a
receiver a nice job for a certain attorney, lately de-
2CO BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
ceased, who, in his younger days at least, was known as
the handsomest man in Chicago, and was a good fellow
besides.
THE GEEAT PULLMAN "SCOOP"
Another " Pullman scoop " was of an extraordinary
real-estate and manufacturing interest when " negotiated "
the slang to be accepted for once in its proper meaning.
In the later seventies, besides other duties, I had charge
of the real-estate department of the Times. It became
known that the Pullman Company intended to build a
manufacturing town somewhere, but whether in the
environs of Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City or other West-
ern point, was for the public an open question for many
months and, I dare say, for a time was an unsettled
proposition with the company itself, for St. Louis offered
large inducements in the way of land grants. What fin-
ally turned the scales in favor of Chicago, according to
Mr. Pullman's declaration to me, was the more favorable
climatic conditions presented by Chicago. It was his
contention that during the summer a man could do at least
ten per cent more work near Lake Michigan than in the
Mississippi Valley in the latitude of St. Louis.
During many disturbing weeks for the whole real-
estate market in at least three cities waited on the decision
frequent announcements were made that the directors
of the company, or its committee on site, had inspected
this locality, or that, in the vicinity of one city or another,
and so the wearisome time went on. Many places were
visited about Chicago some to the north, some on the
Desplaines, some in the neighborhood of the Canal, but
somehow none near Calumet Lake, a fact which finally
aroused my suspicions. In the meantime, unverifiable re-
(1KORC.K M. Pl'I.LMAN*
SOMETHING ABOUT " SCOOPS" 261
ports of large transactions in that locality floated about in
real-estate circles* Finally, I pinned down an actual sale
of large dimensions, with Colonel "Jim" Bowen as the
ostensible purchaser. That opened my eyes, for the col-
onel's circumstances at this time put such a transaction on
his own account altogether out of the question.
THE TOWN OF PULLMAN LOCATED
Almost daily at this time Mr. Pullman was inter-
viewed on the situation by the real-estate newspaper
phalanx Henry D. Lloyd was then in charge for the
Tribune but "Nothing decided," was the stereotyped
reply. By and by I discovered that almost invariably if
I went at a certain hour, "Colonel Jim 55 would be largely
in evidence about the Pullman headquarters, with an air
of doing a "land office business," and, as it turned out,
he was actually doing something very much like it. Slowly
I picked up clue after clue, pieced this to that, and one day
felt in a position to say to Mr. Pullman that I had located
the site. He seemed amused, and laughingly replied that
he was pleased to hear it, as it would save the committee
on site a lot of trouble; and, as some of them were that
very day looking at a Desplaines River site near River-
side a trip most ostentatiously advertised in advance
he thought he would telegraph them to stop looking, and
come back to town.
NEGOTIATING A " SCOOP "
It was always a pleasure to interview Mr. Pullman,
for he had a way of making you feel at ease, and I entered
heartily into the humor of, his jocularity. But, as in a;
bantering way, I let out link after link of my chain of
BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
evidence, he became more and more serious, and finally
without committing himself, however took the
ground that even if true, in view of the importance of their
plans, no paper having the good of Chicago at heart
ought by premature publication to interfere with them,
He pressed this point more and more, and finally made
frank confession that I was on the right track, by ac-
knowledging that they had already bought many hundreds
of acres, were negotiating for many hundreds more which
would be advanced to prohibitive prices by publication,
and the whole scheme would thus be wrecked. On the
other hand, if I withheld publication, he promised that I
should have the matter exclusively the whole vast im-
provement scheme, unique plan of administration, etc.
As there was the danger in waiting that one of my rivals
might get hold of the facts, exploit them, and thus turn
the tables on me, I replied that the matter was of too great
moment for me to take the responsibility of holding. the
news, and that I should have to consult Mr. Storey. It
happened that Mr. Storey had invested quite extensively in
South Side boulevard property; and, as a great improve-
ment southward could not fail to add to the value of his
holding, and there was the further prospect of a more
complete exclusive account later than was possible with
my skeleton information, he gave a ready assent.
LAEGEST LAND PUBCHASE IN THE HISTORY OF THE CITY
So it happened that about two weeks later I exploited
to the extent of nearly a page in the Sunday edition, what
was undoubtedly the largest and most important single
land purchase and manufacturing enterprise in the history
of the city. There was only one condition on which Mr.
SOMETHING ABOUT "SCOOPS" 363
Pullman strenuously insisted and this is of special in-
terest in view of his attitude during the memorable strike
of a dozen years ago, that convulsed the whole country
namely, that the enterprise should in no manner be pre-
sented as a philanthropic one, but, in all its aspects, as a
strictly business proposition.
A PEOPLE'S PARTY REGIME
CHICAGO BECOMES "WIDE OPEN" THE MAYOR ANI> OTHERS HAVE
A PRIVATE VIEW OF THE "CANCAN" THEY SEE IT AGAIN "FROM
A STRICTLY ARTISTIC POINT OF VIEW" CHICAGO is VISITED BY
THE KlNG OF THE SANDWICH ISLANDS HlS HONOR ACHIEVES
SOME HAPPY DELIVERANCES How A SECRET CONFERENCE WAS
REPORTED.
T OSEPH MEDILL, Chicago's " fire-proof " Mayor
t-l elected amidst the debris of the great conflagration
had permitted himself to become, under pressure,
and quite against natural inclination, what our German
fellow-citizens are pleased to call a ** Mucker " i. e., a
believer in, or enforcer of, anything resembling sumptuary
laws. Hence there arose, in room of the Democratic party,
a conglomerate that dubbed itself a "People's Party";
and great was the reign thereof. Its chief promoter was
A. C. Hesing, a Republican "boss," and owner of the
Staats-Zeitung. For its standard-bearer the combination
chose one Harvey D. Colvin, a puissant chief among bons
vivantS; and a connoisseur par excellence in moral bric-a
'brae. Furthermore, what Harvey did n't know about good
things, as understood in such company, was readily sup-
plied by him who was elected City Treasurer on the same
ticket namely that hail-fellow-well-met, Dan O'Hara,
a rare combination, for a Scotchman, of Y.ankee shrewd-
ness, German GemiitJilicTikeitj and Hibernian wit and
humor.
It was writ large in the People's Party bond that under
its regime the town should be "wide open" and open it
64
A PEOPLE'S PASTY REGIME 20,5
became, nearly to the splitting point. As if by magic all
its "joints" limbered up, ordinances that had been as rigid
as the reputed laws of the Medes and Persians became as
elastic as the revised consciences of the police magistrates
who interpreted them; and the city's reputation for things
"free and easy" turned hitherward the steps of all (if they
had the fare, or the walking was good) who yearned to
lead untrammelled lives.
MAYOR COLVIN AS A MORAL CENSOR
In a way, Mayor Colvin proved himself a fully up-to-
date Haroun-al-Raschid. That is to say, he was not satis-
fied with a mere report on doings within his domain, but
felt it his duty, whenever a matter that lay particularly
within his specialties came up for decision, to see and judge
for himself. Accordingly, when one morning the town
awoke to find its virgin walls covered with shocking, if
fascinating, verisimilitudes of a live and kicking "cancan"
aggregation imported directly from Paris (to follow
the posters), whither had been duly flashed news of Chi-
cago's lately awakened aspirations to see what life is like
"with the lid off" all the town was agog. When the
newspaper representatives at the Rookery Court called
bluff Harvey's attention to the threatened invasion, and
in their capacity as moral censors asked what he intended
to do about it, he did not, as many another in his place
would have done, vow there should be none of that sort
of thing in his dominion; but, with a reassuring air, ad-
vised the boys not to lose any sleep over the matter, as he
would give it his personal attention. And he did.
Whether the episode hereinafter to be related hap-
pened after or before a certain King of Bavaria had those
private performances of Wagner's music dramas, this
366 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
chronicler does not at this moment recall. Nor does it
really matter with whom the idea originated; for it suffices
to say that the Munich incident had in a way its counter-
part in Chicago with this difference only, that the music
of Offenhach was substituted for that of the Bayreuth
master, while Mayor Colvin filled the role of King Lud-
wig: though, for appearances' sake, supported by a few
choice spirits. These included that unmatched trio,
known to the town in its accommodating vernacular as
"Dan O'Haxy, 'Colonel 5 Clary, and Jim McGary," in
their reverse order the veritable originals of Peter Dunne's
"Mr. Dooley, Hinnissy, and Hogan."
A PRIVATE VIEW OF THE CANCAN TOO LOW-TONED
Amusement halls in Chicago were scarce about this
time, but of churches a goodly number had been spared;
and as there was a feeling that under the reign of Harvey
far fewer would satisfy all reasonable demands, one with
Presbyterian affiliations, at the intersection of Halsted and
Harrison Streets, was hastily provided with a stage, and
here the "kicking" that was not already being done by
a scandalized public, was advertised to take place by the
aforesaid aggregation.
When the troupe arrived, its manager was immediately
invited to the City Hall for solemn conference, to which
only People's Party connoisseurs were admitted, and
whereat, to allay the public alarm, it was decided that His
Honorj, with a cabinet of experts, should attend a special
performance the following afternoon the said perform-
ance to be in all respects an exact replica of the simon-pure
article to be offered the public provided the verdict of the
Court upon the sample was permissive.
The thing was, of course, too good to keep, especially
A PEOPLE'S PARTY REGIME 267
by one with Dan O'Hara's sense of humor; and so, under
promise not to say anything about it in the papers, he let
a few of us into the secret ; and in turn we fixed things with
the manager to be "let in/* if not exactly on the "ground
floor," at least to the opportunity of observing from the
organ loft all that would be submitted for mayoral
judgment.
His Honor and party occupied a box, and while the
"champagne" that flowed so freely in the " Jardin Ma-
bille " of the stage was common cider, that which regaled
the choice spirits in the jury box had the best local
guarantee. Without wasting space on details, it may be
said that the performance offered for official inspection
would scarcely have raised a blush among the board of
deacons who still controlled the property, so low-toned and
underdone was it; and while a verdict of unreserved moral
approval was freely rendered, it was voiced in accents that
made it plain that the show had not come up to expecta-
tions, regarded from a poster point of view as if the art
had not been all " for art's sake," but too strictly modified
to conventional standards.
THEY SEE IT AGAIN " FROM A STRICTLY ARTISTIC POINT OP
VIEW"
" Oh, well, that is another matter," quoth the agree-
able manager; and he would not mind letting it be known
that his artists, if put to it, could do things in the way of
skirt-swishing, which, from a strictly artistic point of view,
would leave little to the imagination. The jury there-
upon sized itself up, and voted unanimously, that inasmuch
as their official status had lapsed with the rendition of
the verdict on the regulation article, they could now regard
themselves as connoisseurs-in-general, and let art have its
268 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
fling. Thereupon it flung; and, as now everything came up
easily to the expectations founded on the posters, the
committee, which before, for the benefit of the public, had
given the show a moral verdict, now privately added for the
information of the elect that it had also high artistic poten-
tialities. When, later, there arose much clamor against the
unrestraint of the exhibition, His Honor after due notice,
attended a public performance. This, while it was hardly
as subdued as the official rehearsal, was yet so much below
what he knew from personal observation the artists were
capable of doing, that he pronounced the modification a
happy compromise*
CHICAGO IS VISITED BY THE KING OF THE SANDWICH
ISLANDS
During Mr. Colvin's administration the city had many
.distinguished visitors, and the manner in which they were
officially received and entertained supplied the wits with
never-ending topics. Once an actual live king turned him-
self loose under Harvey's mayoral chaperonage, and that
beat Barnum's Circus then, as a fitting coincidence, ex-
hibiting on the lake front fairly hollow. Having seen
the King duly installed at the Grand Pacific, the kind-
hearted Mayor, taking cognizance of his guest's appear-
ance, considerately remarked that he would give him an
opportunity to retire and " clean up a bit." His Kingship
hailed from the Sandwich Islands, now among Uncle
Sam's more or less valuable possessions; and what His
Honor, a bit shy in his ethnology, apparently took for sun-
dry layers of annexed American soil, was but the color of
the integument with which nature had swathed His Royal
Nib's august body.
But Harvey could do even better than this. A few
A PEOPLE'S PARTY REGIME 369
days later there was a reception for His Majesty at the
Board of Trade, and His Honor having been asked to
make the presentation, opened up in this wise: " Gen-
tlemen of the Board of Trade: I take great pleasure in
introducing to you the King of the Cannihal Islands."
This gave the "boys" a chance to let themselves go, and
seldom has royalty been more vociferously acclaimed
greatly to Harvey's surprise, who for the life of him
couldn't imagine why the members should proclaim them-
selves such enthusiastic monarchists. His Majesty by this
time knew his Colvin, and entered heartily into the fun*
However, when on some public occasion Lord Duf-
ferin, then Governor General of Canada, became the city's
guest, this official was so delighted with Harvey's hearty
and bluff manner, that he proclaimed him "an ideal Mayor
of a democratic city."
HOW A SECRET CONFERENCE WAS REPORTED
While the sole issue kept before the people during the
electoral campaign had been one of " personal liberty," it
was quickly discovered after election that there were
sundry loaves and fishes to be distributed, and great was
the scramble for them among the various divisions and
subdivisions. It was finally decided among the leaders to
hold a conference over the matter. A private parlor at
the Sherman House was selected for the meeting, and the
members were put on honor not to divulge any part of the
proceedings. The conference was set for eight o'clock in
the evening. During the day the position was carefully
reconnoitred by vedettes for the Times. It was not only
found that the walls were too thick for ears, but that the
steamfitters and plumbers had left no smallest chink by
which sounds might be conveyed to rooms above or below.
270 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
Then, when despair was about to possess the souls of the
heroic band, cc Little Frank " McClenthen nearly fell over
himself with an idea. There was a sideboard at one end
of the room. It had doors that opened to right and left,
while above these was a drawer, which when removed
added sufficient space for a diminutive imp like himself to
do business in. The head clerk had, of course, to be made a
party to the conspiracy, and when he had good-naturedly
given his consent, the success of the scheme was practically
assured.
Poor "Little Frank" ! Once in, he could hardly wiggle
his big toe and there he was forced to remain from
shortly after seven o'clock until past midnight more
than five mortal hours ! Lest he suffer from lack of air
for a heavy cloth had been thrown over the whole, to con-
ceal the fact that the drawer had been removed, holes
were bored in the back. A bottle with water, and another
with an anti-cough preparation, were introduced; and in
addition the prospective captive was fitted out with no end
of advice, especially as to the best manner of counter-
acting the inevitable desire to sneeze.
Well, all things come to an end, and so did this con-
ference, with "Little Frank" in a state of virtual collapse.
But with rubbing and douching he was soon restored, and
by reference to his notes taken in the dark, and hence nearly
indecipherable, he managed to reel off to a trio of short-
hand men a two-column story of true inwardness. That
it made mighty interesting readipg goes without saying,
for there had been a deal of plain speaking by one and an-
other; and through publicity no end of feuds were started.
But who had given the precious business away? That
was the all-important question. Anathema unto him!
Two of the participants felt sure they knew, though
A PEOPLE'S PARTY REGIME 271
neither could for the life of him imagine why the other
had done it. Tom Foley, of billiard fame, had been elected
alderman, and at the meeting had held a very confidential
confabulation with Sheriff-elect Agnew; and almost every
word of it appeared in print. So Tom knew it was
Agnew; and Agnew was even more sure it was Tom, for
the latter was well known to be on rather intimate footing
with most of the newspaper boys. They had accused each
other roundly, and Tom came to the office, in sad spirits,
for light. As neither had as yet communicated his sus-
picions to an outsider, it was deemed advisable to let the
principals into the secret, while enjoined to silence lest the
Sherman House people suffer for this hostelry had be-
come the "People's Party" headquarters. "By thunderl"
was Tom's exclamation, "and we were both leaning on
that confounded sideboard when having our talk."
"THE GOOD OLD TIMES"
MEN AND MANNERS OP FIFTY YEARS AGO THE SIGNIFICANCE OF
"HONEST OLD ABE'* POLITICS MORE A GAME OF INTRIGUE THEN
THAN Now LINCOLN'S NOMINATION FOR PRESIDENT His IN-
NATE FORCE OF CHARACTER DR. RAY'S TRIBUTE TO THE MAN OF
THE PEOPLE THE SELF-SEEKING SPIRIT MORE CONSPICUOUS THAN
AT PRESENT MEN OF HIGH CHARACTER Now IN DEMAND FOR
PUBLIC OFFICES THE PRESENT AGE MORE DEMOCRATIC THAN
THE PAST THE DOLLAR MORE WORSHIPPED THEN THAN Now
THE HOLD-FAST LANDOWNER THE TRUST A BETTER EMPLOYER
THAN THE INDIVIDUAL TASKMASTER JAMES H. BoWEN A TYPE OF
THE MAKERS OF CHICAGO His EFFORT TO RECLAIM THE CALU-
MET SWAMP.
WHATSOEVER the age, there is usually some in-
dividual who sums up in his character the ideal pos-
sibilities of his time and place ; and this exception
to what may have been a rule of commonplace sordidness,
is in later years apt to be held up for public admiration
as a typical product of those "good old times/* It would
be pleasant to believe, for example, that Abraham Lincoln
was in all respects a logical outcome of his environment ;
yet it is much nearer the truth to say that it was precisely
by the characteristics in which he was greatest that he
most departed from, and rose above, his surroundings, or
they would have held him to a commonplace, self-seeking
career. The average lawyer in a new community is seldom
a pattern of civic virtues* His studies are largely confined
to modes of escape from the law's meshes ; and this only
too frequently for his individual behoof. Furthermore,
in the political field he is apt to be a common trickster.
"THE GOOD OLD TIMES" 273
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF "HONEST OLD ABE"
The public distrust of the kind of "limbs of the law"
that grew up with the country fifty and more years ago,
was deeply rooted. It was the same in all the commun-
ities I came in touch with, and they were many. There
might be one in every half-dozen in whom some trust was
placed; but this rule seldom applied to one who succeeded
in his profession. The poor widow might go to the ex-
ception, to save herself from being over-reached by a
neighbor; but as most of the litigation was in connection
with some dubious transaction in which the kettle was
usually full brother to the pot, it followed that each wanted
the smartest, and the demand was for men who knew the
law on the shady side. Why was it that over a wide
territory Lincoln became known as " Honest Abe" ?
Clearly there must have been something the matter with
the other fellows that he should be so peculiarly distin-
guished. To-day, a fair amount of honesty in a member
of the bar above the shyster class is generally assumed;
and it is only among professional gamblers that an ex-
ception is occasionally complimented with an "Honest* 9
prefix.
POLITICS MOKE A GAME OF INTRIGUE THEN THAN NOW
In the formative days of Lincoln, politics was far more
a game of intrigue and compromise than it is to-day. The
great commoner forced the issue against Douglas in op-
position to every kind of discouragement among his en-
tourage,, and thus raised the memorable debate far above
any level hitherto attained in similar contests. And when
he stood before the nation as a candidate for the presi-
dential nomination, his immediate sponsors at the Wig-
wam Convention added little to the greatness of their time.
274 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
The name of Seward was presented by a William M.
Evarts, and the nomination was seconded by a Carl
Schurz. The name of Lincoln was presented by an N. B.
Judd.
This comparison in personal values is made less for
the purpose of calling attention to a conspicuous difference
in mental calibre, than to bring into the perspective of an
event so epochal as this Convention and its transcendent
issues, the absence in the surroundings of the rail-splitter
of any bracing force or high vouchment of character. As
a matter of fact, Lincoln was in no position to dictate to
the forces that were making for his nomination; in other
words, he had not the power to determine how or by whom
his name should be presented.
LINCOLN'S NOMINATION FOE PBESIDENT
Few candidates were ever more completely in the hands
of their friends; and had not an invincible destiny taken a
hand also, the outcome might well have been very different.
There was, to be sure, a strong current direct from the
people of the Middle West, that was lifting their choice
into a place of vantage; but this tide was by no means ir-
resistible; and as a choice from among Lincoln's managers,
N. B. Judd was perhaps as good as another, and even pre-
ferable to some. Yet how important the possession of
elevated character by the presenters really was will be ap-
parent, when the nominating procedure so deficient in
the forensic display so much relied on in these days to bring
support to a candidate is taken into account* This is
all that happened by way of presentation :
MR, EVARTS, of New York: "In the order of business before the
Convention, Sir, I take the liberty to name as a candidate to be nomi-
nated by this Convention for the office of President of the United
States, William EL Seward."
"THE GOOD OLD TIMES" 275
ME. JUDD, of Illinois: "I desire on behalf of the delegation from
Illinois, to put in nomination, as a candidate for President, Abraham
Lincoln, of Illinois."
HIS INNATE FORCE OF CHARACTER
There is something besides human heredity and the in-
fluences of environment that goes to the making of the
world's exemplars. Some day we may realize that there
are also spiritual heredities, however descended, to which
human obstacles are but as foundation stones to towering
heights. The more our great commoner is studied, the
more light is shed upon his figure and its surroundings,
the grander does he rise above his fellows; and they were
by no means small men against whom the village lawyer
was finally called upon to match himself in the nation's
capital. But even there, few were of any help to him in the
great struggle. He alone wears the crown of self-sacrifice.
However low men's standards, or however much alloy
in their own mintage of character, they instinctively rec-
ognize the true ring in another's, and pay homage to it.
The forces that brought about Lincoln's nomination were
by no means all inspired by the vision of the moral great-
ness of the leader. Sordid ambitions and mean revenges
played no small part in the consummation; and his man-
agers incurred obligations that proved costly both to his
administration and the nation when payment was exacted.
But because of this murky side, not only was the silent
force of character exemplified by the candidate brought
into greater relief, but an added emphasis was given to the
deeply moving current of public appreciation and demand.
That the best instincts of the masses at the heart of the
continent were deeply enlisted by the qualities of the man
who had grown up in their midst, admits of no doubt. Nay,
270 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
more. There were those whose eyes were anointed to look
into the future; to feel what manner of man was needed,
and what manner of man Providence had placed at the
nation's service. In proof, I give these inspired words,
taken from an editorial by Dr. Charles H. Ray, editor of
The Chicago Press and Tribune, and published on the
morning following the nomination. It bore the caption:
"The Man of the People/'
DB. RAY*S TRIBUTE TO THE MAN OP THE PEOPLE
"Ever and anon there springs from the bosom of the people a man
qualified to meet the people's highest wants in great emergencies a
man who by reason of his many virtues, his moral heroism and his
commanding qualities, is recognized by all classes as one endowed and
anointed for a great work. His credentials bear the impress of a
power whose fiat is irresistible, and his progress toward the appointed
goal is as sure as the march of destiny. Scorning adventitious aids,
trampling under foot every suggestion of mere policy, with heart all
athrob with pure and lofty aspirations and generous aims, he moves
right onward with the assured tread and the unquailing eye of a born
conqueror. . . . No other man in the nation stands so near the
popular heart to-day; and in the exigencies to which corrupt rulers
have brought our Government, and amid the perils which on every
hand threaten our free institutions, the people turn instinctively to Kim
as the man for the occasion as one who has been led by Providence
through all the experiences of lowly life, through labor and privation,
through struggles and sacrifices, into self-reliance, into honest sim-
plicity of life, into nobleness and purity of character, into a love of
justice, of truth and freedom, that he might be fitted for the work."
To-day, half a century later, a united nation responds
to these prophetic words with a heart-felt " Amen!"
THE SELF-SEEKING SPIRIT MORE CONSPICUOUS THAN
AT PRESENT
In Lincoln's time the folks in homespun had many
sterling qualities allied to the character-stuff with which
"THE GOOD OLD TIMES" 277
the great martyr was so richly endowed; but in behalf
of the self-constituted gentry, large allowances had to
be made because of the struggle for existence. No, the
fittest to survive of that period were no models for the
present. Almost all in any manner associated with
the founder of Christianity have been provided with a ca-
nonical halo. There is danger that all who in any manner
"knew Lincoln" will some day be similarly endowed.
None can feel the glamour of those other days more
than the writer. As to much, he has now vision only for
the good that was in his contemporaries of fifty years ago.
But when he looks about to-day, and notes to what high
ideals so many of his fellow-men consecrate their lives,
and then recalls how limited, how narrow, how self-centred
was much of the best in the past, he is filled with profound
gratitude that he has lived to see the dawn of a kindlier
humanity.
MEN OF HIGH CHARACTER NOW IN DEMAND FOR PUBLIC
OFFICES
It is a commonplace of history, that when great moral
issues of the more obvious kind, like slavery, convulse a
people, the things that really make for stability, that un-
derlie social progress and exemplify the more vital and
enduring virtues, are easily lost sight of; while the dem-
agogue, under a cloak of patriotism and cheap sentiment,
serves his own corrupt ends. In great crises the public
vision becomes clouded to everything but the main issue;
and when this disappears, there is danger of a lapse into
supine indifference. Thereafter, for the public well-being,
a very different reforming spirit must be called into action,
and altogether different standards of conduct and ideals
brought to public attention and that is now the business
78 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
of the twentieth-century reformer. It is true that indif-
ference and the flesh-pots still all too often work together
to debasing ends. But that there is progress admits of no
douht. The sort of men who once were readily accepted,
regardless of their moral lapses, may no longer call for
support in the open. Not only have the drunkard and the
debauchee been relegated to private life, but the public's
scrutiny becomes more and more intimate and exacting,
calls ever more for positive qualities of character in leader-
ship; and the searchlight penetrates ever deeper to discover
the things that are most vital for the general welfare. That
"public office is a public trust" was practically a new doc-
trine when first uttered by the Sage of Princeton. Its
serious acceptance as a political gospel is of very recent
date. Precisely as in religion the old hard-and-fast
standards are disappearing, and something besides fear
of eternal punishment is to become a motive for right
conduct in the sphere of social morals, so the new
political f aiih calls for higher ideals and for a more dis-
criminating use of the franchise, to impersonal ends. In
short, a new spirit, self -searching in all its terms, is agitat-
ing the surface of the hitherto stagnant waters with in-
creasing persistence.
THE P1ESENT AGE MOBE DEMOCRATIC THAN THE PAST
I have permitted myself rather a wide field in which to
bring the past and present into synthetic relations, first,
that as an interested observer I might give testimony bear-
ing on the character of the major determining forces in
our national life during the past half -century; and, sec-
ondly, that thereby a door might be opened whereby the
light shed by one side of human activity might help the
"THE GOOD OLD TIMES" 279
reader to a better understanding of another; that is, that
of the individual of a different age in his social and business
relations.
What men exemplify in one sphere of life they are apt
to express in their activities in another. If democracy in
any manner stands for breadth of ideas, for enlarging com-
mon interests, for toleration, for deep and wide sympathies
and helpful hands, then the present is a far more demo-
cratic age than the one in which our fathers lived much
in appearance to the contrary. Under the present race for
wealth, and the craving for carnal pleasures, there moves
an undercurrent, coming ever nearer the surface, that is
vitally informed with the humanities, and sooner or later
is sure to rise to the surface and wrest the leadership from
degenerate hands to noblest ends.
The "good old times" of half a century ago, because of
their greater simplicity of living, are on that account often
celebrated as representative of democratic equality and an
intimate community of social interests. Yet nothing is
intrinsically farther from the truth. They constituted, in
fact, a framework of sharply accented lines traversing
every sphere of life of acute angles permitting of little
social "snuggling," so to speak, except in most limited
folds. To be received on a familiar footing in any social
circle, not only had you to be approximately of the same
worldly standing, but you needed also to be of the same
narrow political faith, and to subscribe to the same par-
ticular shade of religious creed as the other members
thereof. That this was in the nature of things, when every
wire-drawn distinction was magnified into a fundamental
principle, cannot fail to be recognized. Hence it was an
era of captiousness, of finical fault-finding, of fine-spun
280 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
discriminations; in short, an exhibition of traits that are
distinctly frowned upon to-day, as savoring of un-
charitableness.
THE DOLLAR MORE WORSHIPPED THEN THAN NOW
If it be true that men were not so mad in the rush for
wealth in other days, it can in nowise be said that the
almighty dollar had less value in their eyes. On the con-
trary, it was probably because there were fewer dollars,
and these harder to get, that the coin or its equivalent was
worshipped in a manner not dreamed of to-day. In those
days the dollar was only too often valued for its own sake,
and so was hoarded, making the genus miser a very com-
mon phenomenon; whereas to-day money is valued chiefly
for what it will buy in multiple forms of luxury. Indeed,
the older generation was not generous even to itself;
whereas the present is perhaps in that respect over-
generous.
While it is by no means an invariable rule that the
world's most consistent givers are inheritors of wealth, it
seems nevertheless to be essential that the maker of a for-
tune feel the stimulus of culture which is the child of
hereditary wealth in order to enter to any considerable
extent into the joys of giving. And even then his endow-
ments are apt to follow a, narrow line of benefactions a
line held to a fixed direction by the limitations of creed, or
one that is determined by some particular personal experi-
ence in the giver's career. Above all, he insists that his
money shall produce visible and if possible immediate re-
sults* Preventive philanthropy, which in any wise appli-
cation of means would come first, invariably comes last.
It is a stage we are now slowly entering upon.
"THE GOOD OLD TIMES" 281
THE HOLD-FAST LANDOWNER
The conditions under which the first Chicago million-
aires evolved themselves were peculiar* In no other
American centre of activities was the struggle quite so
intense or so full of hazards, because of the city's rapid
growth and the persistent lure of schemes of development
far ahead of their time of fruition* Land, not manufac-
tures, was the accepted road to riches. Therefore, whatever
was undertaken was usually with an eye to increasing land
values. And this effect is to be noted: that the possession
of land, as an index of fortune, seldom goes with a large
philanthropy. This general statement, while abundantly
illustrated by the history of Chicago, is based upon a far
wider induction. Let one study conditions in New York,
pass from thence to England, to Grermany, to France, and
everywhere it is the same. The man whose wealth lies
in land has no money to spare for anything except it be
more land.
In Chicago there were, however, other causes that led
the possessors of land to keep in dose touch with it. In-
deed, so recurrent were the ups and downs resulting from
insensate speculation, undigested improvement schemes,
and "wild-cat" currency expedients, that it was only the
very prudent, with a dash of "nearness," who by their
qualities were fitted to weather the economic gales that
periodically swept the Western prairies. And even during
the war period, when the very life of the nation was at
stake, it was conspicuously the merchant class (though by
no means constituting at that time a preponderance of the
solid men of the community) who contributed most liber-
ally of their substance to further the cause of the Union.
Happily, the descendants of the old "hold-fasts" have in
28S BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
numerous instances become leaders in many enterprises
and benefactions for the people's uplift. Such is the re-
active law of progress.
THE TBUST A BETTER TASKMASTER THAN THE INDIVIDUAL
EMPLOYEE
While the landowner might lead in the game of keeps,
the "easy mark" was by no means common in any line.
The successful employer, self-made, was pretty sure to be
a severe taskmaster. Though he might present a demo-
cratic shirt-sleeve appearance, he nevertheless drew sharp
distinctions in his intercourse with his employees ; and, as a
rule, was as hard as nails in his exactions of service. He
was generally first at the day's task; and to him, wrapt
as he was in the details of his business, long hours brought
no tedium; while the pace he set was expected to be fol-
lowed by all under his lynx-eyed surveillance. Ask any
elderly Chicagoan who had his way to make in the world,
what manner of employer he had in his youth; and, in eight
instances out of ten, his reply will be to the above effect.
The grinding trust may rob the consumer; but, as a task-
master, it is much to be preferred to the regime of strenu-
ous, competitive individualism.
It may be more difficult for ordinary folk to come in
contact with the rich to-day than formerly. In a certain
sense there is undoubtedly a more exclusive spirit in evi-
dence. But when the inferior does come into close relation
with a superior nowadays especially with the class who
have inherited wealth he usually encounters a far kind-
lier manner, and receives more courteous consideration,
than his kind was wont to enjoy in bygone times. In those
days the grasp for money was just as keen as now, but for
lack of diversified interests, and in the absence of cultural
"THE GOOD OLD TIMES" 383
distinctions, the dollar mark alone divided the master from
those who served him.
MEN OF THE INDIVIDUALISTIC "ERA APT TO BE NAKROTT
The successful man of a generation or more ago, be-
cause of the conditions under which he worked and sought
to prosper the individualistic era was apt to be close
and narrow. To-day a very different order of mind suc-
ceeds. Details are left to subordinates, and only the larger
field is envisaged. Hence it happens that the masterful
men of this era are also frequently built on large lines in
directions other than those of business. Their expansions
often include the spheres of mind and heart, and sometimes
even encompass all humanity. The old "liberality" was
often an outgrowth of the narrowest kind of sectarian
spirit, and as likely as not was nothing more than a bribe to
St. Peter. To-day, the liberal mind is far more inclusive.
Russell Sage was in quite an intimate sense a product of
a time which he outlived without a change of heart. The
great masters of to-day may not be as careful of the rights
of others as we in this critical age could wish; but while
they are in no sense worse in that respect than their prede-
cessors, they are often magnificently generous, and grudge
neither their time nor their substance in furthering social
betterments.
As contrasted with the old, the present age is notably
impersonal. In those other days the ego was an insistent
factor in every relation. All rivalries took the form of
enmities. In the newspaper world every publication was
a party organ, and in that capacity a bludgeon with which
to belabor one's opponent, "doubly-dyed in villainy," while
he who dared to make a contest for leadership in the politi-
cal field was branded a "sneak," or "poltroon," or "assas-
sin." AH this is happily in the past.
284 BYGONE DAYS IN CHICAGO
THE PUBLIC SLOW TO MAKE DUE ALLOWANCE WHEN
DISASTERS COME
The bark that ventures on the open sea needs both
ballast and sail. When top-heavy, and a blast overtakes
it, some of the sail may be safely stowed, but a goodly part
will probably be torn to tatters. In such case it is often
a question of ballast whether either the ship or any part of
its cargo shall be saved. When all is fair weather, with
favoring winds, it is the bellying sail that serves the adven-
turer and catches the fancy of the onlooker. Then all is
praise for the part that makes for speed. However, if a
single mishap overtakes the good ship, her successful voy-
ages under gener 
