New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-05-16

Soon We were in the arms OF our dear kind friends.
messenger wss dispatched TO the garrison for the
remaining members of the family and for tina. day at
least l was the wonder and admiration Of the whole
circle, :" for the dangers had seem"
The Chicago at which our author then received
such q cheering welcome, would scarcely be rec
oenixed by the visitor to the populous and beautiful
city Of the present day.
CHICAGO IN 1881.
Fort Dearborn at that day consisted Of the same
buildings at present. They were, of course, IN a
better state Of preservation though still considerably
dlspidated. They had been erected in 1916, under
the supervision fCapt. Hezekiah Bradley aud there
story current that, such his patriotic regard
for the interests of the Government, he obliged the
soldiers to fashion wooden pins instead Of spikes and
nails 10 fasten the tnbers Of the buildings and that
be even called on the Junior officers to aid in their con-
If this .rue, the captain must have sbored under
the deusion (eIcusable in one who had lived long on
the ontier that Government would thank its servants
for any excess Of economical zeal
The fort was incosed by high pckets, with bastons
at the alternate angles. Large gates opened TO the
north aid south, and there small portions here
and there for the accommodation of the inmates The
bank Of the river which stretches 10 the west, now
covered by the lighthouse buildings and inclosed by
docks was then occupied by the root-houses of the
garrison. Beyond the parsde-ground, which extended
south Of the pickets were the company gardens, well
filed with cuITant-bushes and young fiuit-trees
The fort stood at what might naturally be supposed
to be the mouth Of the river yet it was not go, for in
those days the latter took turn sweeping round the
proDonOry on which the fort was built, toward the
south and Joined the lake about half mile below;
that these buildings, in fact, stood the right bank
of the river, the left being formed by long spit
land extending from the northern Shore OF which
formed part After the cutting through OF tins por
ton of the left bank in 1888 by the United States Ens
net emp,oye to construct harbor at this point and
the throwing out of the piers, the water overfoweo
this long tongue Of land, and continually encroachng
H.. LorI bod nf mi
acres while by the action of the vast body OF
the lake. an accretion constantly taking place on
the north Of the harbor.
The residence of Jean Baptiste Beaubin stood at
this period between the gardens and the river-bank
and still further south was nckety tenement, oult
many years before by Mr.. John Dean, the sutler OF
the post. short time sfterthe commencement OF the
growth of Chicago the foundations OF this ouIaihg
were undermined by the gradual encroachment OF ths
Jake. and il tumbed backward down the bank, where
it long lay, a melancholy spectacle.
On the northern bank of the river, directly facing
the fort was the family mansion of my husband. 1t
was long, low building, with piazza extending
along its front range of four five rooms. Droad
green space was inclosed between it and the river and
Shaded by row of Lombardy poplars. Two immense
cotton trees stood in the of the building one
of which still remains as an ancient landmark. A line,
well cultivated garden extended to the north OF
the dwelling, and surrounding 1t were various ouu-
ings appertaining to the estabhshment-dary, pake-
house lodging house for the Frenchmen and staples
vast range of sand hills covered with stunted &C.
dars pines and dwarf willow trees interviewed between
the house and the lake. which was, at this time, not
more than thirty rods distant.
Proceeding from this point along the northern DahK
of the river, we came first to the Agency House,
"Cobweb Castle" as it had been denominated while
long the residence of bachelor aud the sotrqae al
hered to it ever after 1t stood at what now tne
southwest corner of Wolcott and N. Water streets
Many will still remember it, substantial, compact,
little building of logs hewed and squared, with cen
ter two wings, and, strictly speaking, two tGs snce
when there found more room for additions AT
the sides, they were placed in the rear, whereon
vacant spot could be found. 80
These appendices did not mar the symmetry Of the
whole, as viewed from the front, but when, in the
ciousy opened directly in the Of the building, the
whole establishment, with its comca little adjuncts,
a constant source of Amusement to the passersby
No matter. There We're pleasant, happy hours passed
under its oddshaped roof, many OF Chcago's early
settlers testify.
Around the Agency House were grouped colec.
ton of Iog-budings the residences of the different
persops in the employ of Government, appertanng to
that sablishment-backsmth, striker, and laborers.
These were for the most part Canadians hafbreeds,
with occasionally a stray Yankee, to set all things
going by bis activity and enterprise.
There was still another house the north side Of the
river, built by former resident OF the name OF Miller
but he had removed to " Rviere du Chemn,"
Trail Creek, which about this time began to be called
" Michigan City," This house, which stood near the
forks Of the river was at this time vacant.
There was no house on the southern bank OF the
river between the fort and The Point" the forks
of the river were then called. The land was low,
wet praine, scarcely atfordng good walking IN the
dryest Summer weather, while at other seasons 1t was
absolutely impossible A muddy streamet, or as it is
called in this country, siec, after winding around
from about the present site of the fremont House. fell
into the river at the foot of State street.
At the point, on the routh side, stood house just
completed by Mark Beauben, zen. 1t preten-
tious white two-story building, with bright blue wooden
ebutters, the admiration of all the little circle at Wolf
Point Here canoe ferry kept to transport peO-
pie across the south branch Of the nver.
Facing down the river from the west was, first
small tavern kept by Mr. Wentworth, Familiarity known
as "Old Geese" not from any want of sbrewdness
his part but in compliment to one OF his own cant
piessioDs. Near him were two or three log-cabins
occupied by Robinson, the Pottowat.anie chief, and
some of bis wife's connections Billy Caldwell the
Sau-ga-nasb, tco resided here occasionally with his
wife who was daughter Of Nee-scot- one of
the most famous chiefs OF the patton. little remote
from these residences small square log building
originally designed for sehool-house but occasionally
used as place of worship whenever any itinerant
minister piesented bimseH
established Themselves near ther present residence on
the North Branch-they called their place Ner- Vr-
gvia. -Four miles up the South Branch was an old |
building which was at that time an object of great
interest as having been the thester of some stirring
events during the troubles of 1872 1t was denomi.
mated Lees Place, or Hard.crabble. Here lived, at
this time a settler named Heacock.
Owing to the badness of the roads greater part of
the year. the usual mode Of communication between
the fort and The Point" was by q boat rowed up |
the river, by a padded by skilfu hand
BY the latter means, too an intercourse kept up
between the residents OF the font and the Agency
House.
There were at this time two companies of soldiers
in the garisop but Of the officers one Lieutenant
Furmap, had died the Autumn previous, and several
of the others were away on farough In the absence
VOWED ON Lieut.. Hunter Beside him there were
Lieuis. Engle and Foster-the latter unmarried. Dr.