The Great Chicago Fire of 1871-- Part 4: What Did George Train Say?

In 1870, there were 600 fires in the city, most started by  lamps overturning in barns.  During the first week of October the next year, more than 30 fires sprang up, the last one on the night of the 7th, wiping out four blocks and causing $750,000 in damages (nearly $1.7 million today).

It was on the same night that eccentric businessman George Francis Train spoke to a crowd at Farwell Hall at Clark and Madison streets.  

He offered a grim prophesy, saying, "This is the last public address that will be delivered within these walls!  A terrible calamity is impending over the city of Chicago!  More I cannot say, more I dare not utter."

He did not live in Chicago, being Boston born.  But he was aware that it had not rained in Chicago in a long time and that many of the city's wells were empty.  He could have observed buildings baked dry by the sun.  He would have known that the men of the fire department were exhausted.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Tribune, operating from its new four story "fire-proof" building, had published all through the hot and dry smmer and fall, almost daily stories about fires throughout the country.  In early October, the paper declared, "We will continue to print these stories on conflagrations until the common council acts."

It was too late for that.  Chicago was a city ready to burn.  And burn it would.

CootFire

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871-- Part 2: The Rapid Growth of Chicago

By the 1830s newcomers started arriving by stagecoach and wagon, burlap bags in hand, moneymaking dreams in their heads.  A boom was on.  By the 1870s, there were some 334,000 people in the city, three times as many now lived here as there were in 1860.

The growth was impressive and some people made fortunes.

But prosperity brought some dangers and disreputable types.  The Tribune, founded in 1847,  cried in the 1860s, "We are beset on every side by gangs of desperate villains."

Murders and robberies were commonplace (as they are today).  Corruption at all levels was rampant.

Most citizens lived in what was mostly a wood-structured frontier town, 6 miles long and three miles wide.  It was a town that contained extreme wealth and squalor, from the fashionable homes of Terrace Row on South Michigan Avenue to the sordid diversions and hovels of Conley's Patch a few blocks to the west.

--Cooter

This Date in History, August 5: Sir William Wallace, Chicago and Cleveland's Lights

From the August 5, 2021 Chicago tribune "On August 5..."

Some very interesting things happening this date in history.

1305:  Sir William Wallace who unsuccessfully led Scottish resistance to the English in 1298, was captured near Glasgow by the English; he was executed for treason on August 23, 1305.  (From the movie "Braveheart.")

1833:  Chicago was incorporated as a village with population of 200.  (And, they weren't killing each other back then.)

1861:  The U.S. government levied an income tax for the first time.  Incomes of more than $800 were taxed at the rate of 3 percent.  (Funds needed to fight the Civil War.)

1884:  The cornerstone of the Statue of Liberty was laid on Bedloe's (now Liberty) Island near the entrance of New York Harbor.

1914:  The first electric traffic lights were installed in Cleveland, Ohio.

--Cooter

Chicago's Bohemian National Cemetery-- Part 8: The Cermak Family Mausoleum (That Would Be Mayor Anton Cermak)

Tens of thousands of people waited in line for hours -- in the bitter cold-- to pay their respects to Chicago's 36th mayor, Anton Cermak, and an estimated 50,000 assembled in the Bohemian cemetery for the conclusion of his funeral procession in March 1933.

The Czech immigrant, who once sold firewood from a wagon, worked his way up to become chief of Chicago's Democratic machine and was considered a unifier of the city's working ethnic groups.  He was hit by bullets intended for President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt during a ride with him in a convertible car in Miami, on Feb. 15, 1933, and died 19 days later.

Roosevelt and his wife Eleanor, visited the site on Oct. 2, 1933.

The inscription upon his final resting place says:  "I'm glad it was me instead of you," which Cermak allegedly told FDR after he was shot.  The Tribune reported the quote without attribution.  Scholars doubt Cermak ever said these words.

Also in the Cermak mausoleum is one of the former mayor's daughters, Helena, who had been married to former Illinois Governor Otto Kerner Jr.

Chicago's National Bohemian Cemetery-- Part 6: Civil War and Spanish-American War Memorials

CIVIL WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL

I'll write more about this in my Saw the Elephant: Civil War blog.

Dedicated in 1892.  Said to be the first Bohemian soldiers monument in America.

*****************************

SPANISH AMERICAN WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL

If this statue looks familiar, then you've probably seen it in another cemetery or outside a government building in another state. The 8 1/2-foot-tall figure atop a granite boulder "represents the veteran as he appeared in the ranks" during the 1898 war, according to the Chicago Tribune story on the statues unveiling in September 1926.

A cross-shaped plaque listing the names of 147 Spanish-American War veterans was added in 1964.

The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre-- Part 1: 'Black Wall Street'

From the June 18,2020, Chicago Tribune "Black Tulsans live with fiery legacy" by Ellen Knickmeyer, AP.

A once-thriving black community in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was destroyed nearly a century ago.  There were black-built and black-owned house, churches and businesses which covered dozens of blocks in an area known as the "Black Wall Street."   About all that remains now are burned bricks and a fragment of a church basement.

On May 31 and June 1, white residents burned and looted Tulsa's black Greenwood district to the ground and even used lanes to drop projectiles on them.

These attackers killed up to 300 black Tulsans and forced survivors for a time to live in internment camps overseen by the state National Guard.

Pandemics in Chicago-- Part 4: The 1866 Cholera Epidemic

A military leader sounding the alarm about a disease spreading?  And, not knowing the causes of it or what to do for sure?  Sounds a bit similar to what we have these days.  Who says history does not repeat itself.  Personally, at age 68, I never thought I'd be in one of these disease events right now.  I kind of thought that was a thing of the past.

The causes of cholera weren't well known at the time.  One thought would be considered an ugly xenophobic speculation that immigrants coming to the city caused it.

A thousand Chicagoans would die in the next cholera epidemic in 1866, including Dr. Daniel Brainard, founder of Rush University and hospital, who had studied the disease a lot.  The Tribune called the disease "the grim destroyer" and it killed about a third of the people who caught it."

It was after this third wave that the city began working to fight it.  They still didn't quite understand where it came from. but they'd figured out that good sanitation would help.

--DaCoot

The History of Pandemics in Chicago-- Part 1: Some Ignored the Stay-At-Home Order in 1918

From the April 9, 2020, Chicago Tribune by Nina Metz.

Despite all the urging from city and state officials to stay-at-home this has not been universally followed.  But this also happened during the 1918 influenza pandemic.  It was flouted as well.

Back then, the city had banned large gatherings because of health concerns, but Chicago's upper crust continued to have large parties.  One of these was hosted by Joan Pinkerton Chalmers, daughter of Allan Pinkerton, founder of Pinkerton National Detective Agency.

The Chicago Tribune went so far as to name names of those who attended.

It took place at the expensive and elegant Casino Club on East Delaware Place.  The tone of the article was very neutral, considering, and opens with,  "Fear of the flu" doesn't seem to be affecting gatherings at the Casino.

Joan Chalmers was fortunate enough to survive the pandemic and died in 1940 at the age of 84.

--Cooter

Top Chicago Bears Radio Announcers-- Part 1: Kupcinet, Bender and Hart

From the Nov. 3, 2019, Chicago Tribune by Phil Rosenthal.

I don't know about you, but given a choice between listening to TV and radio commentators, I'll take radio anytime.  TV commentators are more general and non-fan than their counterparts.  Ideal football watching to me involves watching the game on TV, but listening to the radio announcers.  Sadly, TV stations have figured that out and delay what their feeds so that the play and words about it don't go in sync.

And, my all-time favorite Bears announcer was the voice of those great Bears teams of the 1980s, but is now with the Packers.  But, we live on the Wisconsin-Illinois border and get him doing the Packer games  Wonder who he is and where Phil will rank him?

Anyway, Phil Rosenthal takes his shot at listing the 13 Bears announcers who have done Bear play-by-play in the last 66 years and even took a stab at ranking them.

#13  IRV KUPCINET  (1953-1976)

  Long-time Chicago Sun-Times columnist and one-time NFL qb and referee.    "Dat's right, Jack."

#12  GARY BENDER   (1999-2000)

Two forgettable seasons of play-by-play and for sad Bears teams with combined records of 11-21.

#11  JIM HART  (1985-1989)

Long-time Cardinals qb, but overshadowed by Dick Butkus and Wayne Larrivee.

Top Ten Next.  --CootBall

Just In Time for Halloween: A Short History of Hearses and Those Who Collect Them-- Part 1

From the Oct. 30, 2019, Chicago Tribune "Honk, but only if you're macabre" by Christopher Borrelli.

This is an article about people in the Chicago area who collect hearses.There are even clubs devoted to collecting hearses named Hardcore Hearse Club, Grim Rides Chicago and the Las Ryd's Hearse Club.

I've seen the occasional hearse as car shows.

SOME HISTORY OF HEARSES

The hearse, or "funeral coach" as the industry prefers, is actually a custom car  When a fleet of hearses are ordered it is not likely that any two will be 100% identical.  The traditional hearse is essentially a single luxury vehicle that has been split in two, outfitted with a long chassis to extend the length and then sculpted back into shape.

Hearses were initially pulled by horses, but the first one to use a standard combustion engine appeared in 1909, a year after the Model T was introduced.  The hearse industry, like the larger car industry, began in the Midwest, except the car-makers did not have hearse divisions.

The first motorized hearses were made by Crane & Breed of Cincinnati and advertised being able to travel at "fifteen miles-per-hour faster than any hearse should have to go."  About a decade later, the president of the company, Austin Breed, poisoned himself to death and they switched to caskets.

--Riding Out With Style.  --Cooter

Ranking the 100 Best Bears-- Part 7: " Double D" and Buffone

I am hoping that the Tribune will put these stories out in a magazine or book.

*  I've heard of the player   **  On the '85 Bears team.

50.  Larry Morris

49.  Dave Duerson **   The Double D.

48.  Doug Buffone*

47.  Matt Forte*

46.  Fred Williams

45.  Joe Kopcha

44.  Johnny Morris*

43.  Rosey Taylor

42.  Ray Bray

41.  Richie Pettibone*

Da Bears.  --DaCooter

Ranking the 100 Best Bears-- Part 6: Wondering Who the #1 Bear Is Going To Be?

From the August 9, 2019, Chicago Tribune.

The Tribune is now down to the Top Ten players.  

Just wondering who the #1 is going to be?

My money is on Walter Payton. Of course, on those 1985 Bears who won Super Bowl XX.

We should know by Wednesday or Thursday.

"Sweetness"   --DaCoot

Ranking the 100 Best-Ever Chicago Bears-- Part 2: The "Butt Head" and the Plank

* means I have heard of him.  Again, these also include recent and current Bears.  **  On the '85 Bears.

90.  Kevin Butler*  The "Butt Head"  All those field goals and a Univ. of Georgia grad as well.

89.  Beattie Feathers

88.  Alshon Jeffery*

87.  Lee Artoe

86.  Brandon Marshall*

85.  Kyle Long*

84.  Bill Wade*

83.  Zuck Carlson

82.  Doug Plank*  The 46 Defense

81.  Eddie Jackson*

Da Bears.  --DaBearsDog

Ranking the Best-Ever Chicago Bears-- Part 1: The "Refrigerator"

The Chicago Tribune has been running this series all summer long, one player a day with a half page on each with information and a picture.

I am taking this list from the August 9, 2019, edition "#28 George Trafton."

He is one of the first Bears from 1920-1921 and quite an interesting character whom I will write about in the future because of the real early NFL.

Anyway, here is the list of Bear players.  *  means I have heard of them.  These include present-day players as well.  **  On that great '85 Super Bowl XX team

100.  Patrick Mannelly

99.  William Perry** The "Refrigerator" and one of my all-time favorites.  I mean, you just had to love the "Fridge."

98.  Tom Thayer**

97.  Hugh Gallarneau

96.  Joey Sternamam

95.  Akiem Hicks*

94.  Gary Famiglietti

93.  Ed Brown

92.  Matt Suhey*

91.  Bill Karr

Da Bears.  --CootBear

The Rise, Set and Rise of Daylight Saving Time-- Part 1: It Had to With a War

From the March 10, 2019, Chicago Tribune by Gillian Brockell of the Washington Post.

Hey, that was the day we went back on Daylight Saving Time (DST)!!

Nope, Benjamin Franklin did not invent it, suggesting that cities fire a cannon earlier to wake its citizens.

The idea of doing that DST thing came around the turn of last century from New Zealand and England.  New Zealander George Hudson wanted more time for his hobby, collecting bugs.  William Willett of England wanted more time for his passion called golf.

Neither man's desires came about.

Then came World War I, or as the English call it the First World War.  Of course, back then no one knew that there was going to be a second act so  it was mostly  just called the Great War.

--CooTime

Sears Kit Homes in Chicagoland-- Part 1: The Legacy

From the December 2, 2019, Chicago Tribune "Cataloging History" by Darcel Rocket.

"Once upon a time, you could purchase a home for less than $5,000.  The Barrington. The Lexington.  The Sheridan.  The Hazleton.  The Malden."

Sears, Roebuck and Co., well, Sears, sold thousands of mail-order kit houses from the early 1900s to 1942.  All you had to do was pick the model you wanted from the catalog and as long as you had the money and rail connections, you were good to go.

Joe and Mary Beth Turek have a Barrington kit home in Downers Grove, which back then cost $2,606 and came with everything from trim, windows, millwork and flooring and some 30,000.  Some assembly required.  Actually, lots of assembly.  You could either build it yourself or hire someone to do it.

The Hoffman Estates-based company has filed for bankruptcy and its days, sadly, are numbered.  But many of their kit homes still stand.

Probably the Legacy of Sears.  --Cooter

WW I & Ethnic Chicago-- Part 7: The 50,000 Man Bohemian Army

When a Czechoslovakian independence leader visited Chicago enormous crowds of Bohemians lined the streets between the North Western Railway station and the Blackstone Hotel, where he was staying.

The Tribune reported:  "More than 200,000 cheering Bohemians turned out... to welcome... Professor Tomas Masaryk, commander in chief of the Bohemian revolutionary armies.

"In his Bohemian address, the speaker said he had left behind him in Russia a fully equipped army of 50,000 Bohemians."   This army had quite a story.  They had been conscripted by the Austrians and captured by the Russians.

They set off for Prague, but knew the Germans would block them going west so, they headed east across Siberia, fighting communists and czarists.  Upon reaching the Pacific, they sailed to Europe..

It's Total War.  --Cooter

World War I and Ethnic Chicago-- Part 4: German Books and Newspapers

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra abandoned the German names of works they performed.

Under the headline, "Hun doctrines spread by book in city library," the Tribune reported that a book was found in the Chicago Public Library that didn't  blame Germany for the war.  It was similar to books acquired while the U.S. was still neutral.

A library official thanked the man and said, "Now, of course, with our changed point of view, they should be withdrawn."

The Tribune called the Abendpost, a German-language daily, the "Chicago Hun-tongued newspaper."  It had carried dispatches saying Germans weren't starving  and had sufficient military supplies despite the British Navy's blockade of their ports.

--DaCoot

World War I and Ethnic Chicago-- Part 3: Anti-American and Anti-German Sentiment

The Tribune reported that a soldier and his brother had stopped for a drink in south suburban Crete, in Will County.  The locals, "all Germans, hooted and jeered" and called the young man, in full uniform, "a tin soldier."  The soldier and his brother were beaten badly "almost into insensibility" but they were the ones arrested and held in jail for a night.

More often, it was the Germans who were on the receiving end of hostility though.  The private Chicago Athletic Association fired 18 waiters, cooks and dishwashers "of German extraction."  Some members tried to keep Henry Bauer because he had a son in the U.S. Army.

The Chicago Music College notified staffers that they would be fired if they participated in a concert sung in German.  Women in the South Shore Country Club organized a "Use Nothing German" campaign, pledging to rid their households of anything marked "made in Germany."

Cooter

World War I and Ethnic Chicago-- Part 2: An Ethnic City

From that point on, the war was the talk of the town.  And this especially  applied to each of the belligerents as all had considerable groups living in Chicago.  The city was a checkerboard of ethnic neighborhoods.

The German community was especially targeted with almost a paranoid suspicion.  Chicago's clergy were  calling the war the biblical Armageddon.  One preacher said, "If Germany is victorious, then every Christian ideal will be destroyed and brute force will prevail."

Leaders of the German community tried to deflect the blow with a well-publicized war bond drive.  "We have shown our loyalty by sending our sons to war, "said Henry G. Zander.  "But we must overcome the feeling on the part of many Americans that we are not loyal."

But, the Tribune in a news story said:  "Will County, populated largely by Germans, is a dangerous place for a man wearing the uniform of Uncle Sam to go."

--Cooter