Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-06-09
w. ID. WALLACE.
RAISING THE STREETS OF CHICAGO

correspondent Of the New York Tribune.
writing from Chicago, Illinois, ON the 18th of
May, says:
One Of the striking peeuliarities of Chicago is
that its whole population is composed of young
and middle-aged men. Of old men there sp1
pear To be none whatever Hence foyyis,n is
here utterly unknown. Where but in \ eom-
munity Of young and impulsive men could Won
hsye found the courage necessary 10 order the
grade ot the whole city To- be raised six feet,
Think OF 1t raising the streets six feet above
their former level, and compelling every house,
holder to elevate his house and Gil i'm the side
walk TO the same grade-all, too, at the sole
cost ot the man unlucky enough to be the owner
"i line hye-stOry house. But this city ordered
the thing done, and it will be put through.
Many Of the streets have been filled in and
curbed, and many of the houses have been
lifted up bodily to the new level, and fine base
mentS established under them Hundreds of
men with wagons and horses are engaged in this
huge undertaking. The new grade was neces-
sary to secure sufficient drainage for the city.
as its site was the lowest on the prairie. The
undertaking has cost great sum, but it has re-
deemed the city, which is now the hea!thiest in
the world. Nearly 100000 were spent last
year on the streets, and some twenty miles of
sewers laid, while the whole expenditure for
Improvements in the city was 81, 900 900. There
are three large firms engaged in the curious
and responsible business of raising houses to
BIdue- 1Hcy 10 Jne WOrk with surprising care
and expedition, and the inmates continue their
occupations, unconscious that the house is rails
ing foot per day. One of the newspsper
offices, with engine and power presses running.
was raised five feet without disturbance One
block Of stores, 1S5 feet front by So deep, was
raised six feet, basement built, pavement laid,
and large amount Of excavation done, within
about three weeks. The work of raising is done
by jaek-screws, which lift the building about
sixteenth of an inch at each turn. The owners
are, OfcOurse subject to heavy expenses to do all
this, but 1T gives them a new and desirable base
ment, which rents So well Is quickly to reim-
burse the cost. Meantime the footways are nm
and down all over the city and pedestrians are
stepping up and down at a most faticuin. rate.
This unfinished condition of things will con-
tnue until the new grade is CONFIRMED to by all
owners The new payemeuts are formed Of noble
blocks Of stone, So solid NJ never 10 become I'M
even, and form magnificent promenade Then
the streets from 40 to 100 feet wide. are beau
tifully maeadamized clear out TO and sometimes
beyond the city limits. Hence locomotion and
riding are pleasant and easy i'm the worst
weather But immense sums have been spent
to get the city into this fine condition Now.
in the hight Of Spring. notwithstanding the de-
preston OF business, they are crowded with
vehicles to all extent to astOniSh me- Looking
Mt the thrOng which constantly fills them, IL Is
difficult TO believe that business is dull But
1t is complained of by some, and money is un-
comfortably tight