The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1870-01-27

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gress and give little Of my experience
in The early history of Chicago
Aug. 4th 1887 / started from Syracuse
on board a canal boat for this now great
Emporium of the West, Chicago. Arri-
we'd in Buffalo on the 9Th Took the
Steamer Pennsylvania, and reached Chi
cago on the 18th, being IA days on the
j way Fare. cabin, $500 Started the
same day of my arrival, for Athens on
the line of the canal, distance 26 miles.
few log houses an a multitude Of shanties,
occupied principally by Irishrnen, en-
gagged in taking out the rock for a con-
templated ship canal. Here let me re-
mark, was in the employ OF William
i Avery, formerly Of the firm of Avery,
Lynds & Son, who carried. on an extern
sive business in the Foundry and ma.
chine line in the village Of Syracuse in
1884, 1885 and 1885. I think in Dec.
1886, he went to Chicago and took an
extensive canal job near the said town or
huddle of Athens. remained with Mr..
Avery on the job most of the time up to
the last day of November. I then went
to Chicago on foot From the summit to
the town, it had more the appearance ola
lake than anything else. Myself and three
companions literally waded to Chicago.
Stopped over night on the way and ar
rived in the town on the first day of Dec.
1887. Mr.. Avery had job of building
pair Of engines, and machinery for the
first steam boat that was ever built in
i Chicago was engaged in the foundry
as clerk, and in the boarding house as ca
terer We boarded our own hands some
30 or 80 Captain Case of Ogdensburg,
Il N. Y was the builder of the boat His
/ Ship Yard was near the confluence of
i the North and South branches on the
north side Of the main river. Sometime
in March, think near the last, said boat
1 was ready to make its first appearance.
on the waters of the Chicago river It
was really an exciting time! When the
time came "all both great and small, !"
came out to see the great sight. Up to
this time all the peoplewere ignorant of
Z the name she was to have, Mr.. Kimball,
clerk of the company, placed himself on
i 0he only one on board) the PROV near
4 the stem. AS soon as the hull struck the
water he. broke champagne bottle on
its top, and at the instant hoisted her
name Capt Masonf Then the people
4Mere satisfied and returned to their
II homes Capt Mason was in the service
of the u s. and garrisoned in the Fort at
Chicago which then stood near where
the Michigan Central Depot now stands
At that time there was q quantity o.
land within the city limits said to con-
tain 60 acres, the ownership of which
L was unsettled. An old Frenchman Col
Bouben Gas near as | can spell it) claim
| =
for services rendered in the war of 1912.
He could not show any good title, and
the people of Chicago asked government
to put the land in market Subsequent
: ly it was sold to different persons, and
now it is one of the most promineIt parts
of the city. Said land was bounded on
the north by the main river-on the east
by the fort, government grounds, and the
lake-on the south by open prairie and
on the west by open prairie and Dearborn
Street The Col married into the Moe
casin tribe in an early day, and the result
was family of half breeds. often raw
two of his daughters who were symetrl-
, cal in form and rather fine specimens of
humanity skin rather dark, except when
artificial means were applied-then they
had more the appearance of the pale
face" Their mother retained her native
, costume, While her daughters, when in
public. appeared in the latest fashion,
composed of the best material. They at
tended dancing school the winter of 1887
and 1888, and were admitted into young
society with as much courtesy and favor
as any who could boast of purer blood
The only ware or store houses of any
note were situated on the north side of
the main river near the lake, and nearly
or quite opposite the old Light House
Kinzie owned the first, and, if my mem
DRY serves me right, Hubbard owned the
other (there being but two.) One bridge
spanned the main river, think on Dear
born Street. Lumber and all bulky
f freight were discharged along the banks
at most convenient points. On, or near,
Lake Street was float Of rude construc-
ton, called bridge, over the south
branch. am quite certain those were
: all the bridges then in Chicago, at that
time. Near the warehouses just mention
ed was situated the largest Hotel in the
city called the Lake House, kept by a.
young man whose name was Cox. Board
was $14 per week. Principal business
done on the south side was on River and
i Lake Streets. South branch was in o
state of nature, save now and then
temporary dock for heavy freight. At
the corner of Dearborn and Lake Street
stood the Couch House kept by Mr..
Couch, proprietor. During my engage
ment on the canal, often came to Chi
cago to purchase supplies for the job,
and usually put up at the Couch House.
Formed but little acquaintance with any
of the boarders, except DR.. Clark, who
was at the time successful physician. !
His practice extended as far down the
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