Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-04-09
Rebuilding Of Chicago.
CHtcAao. Anil 9Th 1872

CHICAGO, April 9th, 1872.
Editor Dailg Spg:-It may be of some inter.
est to the many readers of your paper to hear of
the prosperity of the Phoenix city" of the
west and to know that she is surely rising from
the ruins and dcsoladon of that ever memora-
BILE day, October ., 1871. Tie city built in
forty years, swept awayIn forty hours, is now
writing on her banners, "To be built in five
years' BY the close of the year 1872 at the
rate of present advancement, two thirds of the
south side which was burnt, comprising most of
the public and largest buildings, bounded by
The river on the northwest. the lake on the east
and Congress street on the north, will be recon-
structed in manner fully equal TO its former
prestige, Eastern capital is offered freely on
long time, which together with loans abroad, is
giving energy and encouragement to our prop
erty holders and few will need TO sacrifice their
corner lots. In many instances property has in
creased in value along whole blocks, and par
ties selling out at first prices offered are buying
back at advanced figures. Real estate is active
throughout the whole south and west sides, in
GLIDING residence property, which is in great
demand by those who formerly rented in the
burnt district Careful estimates show that
property north of 22d street has advanced 20
per cent; north of 22d to 39th street, 20 per
cent. Rents have increased in the same local
tiles in about the same ratio. The location of
wholesale stores has changed tho entire aspect
of many streets. Market street, on which was
formerly a haymarket and which was lined
with furniture stores, is now TO be the finest
business point in the city.
On this street is the Central Union block,
completed on the 18th of February last, at a cost
of $50 900, now has rental of $40, 900 annually.
As a general thing no new building lacks a ten
ant and in many cases stores and offices are all
let upon the plans alone of the building before
brick is laid. The Bigeow block is condemned
for government buildings, and the post Office
and custom house are to be commenced imme
diately. The Pacific, Sherman, Briggs, Palmer
and fremont houses are being rebuilt Out of
five bridges burned across the river, three are
now restored. The vessels partially burnt and
sunk in the river are all raised and navigation
is now open. Lumber vessels are daily arriving
from the shores of Lake Michigan. The pass
ing of the Chicago relief bill by congress, adj
hitting duty free for the period OF one year, all
building material from Canada, will be of great
help to this community, by reducing the high
prices now prevalent. The foundations of six
of the burnt elevators, which together held over
four million bushels of grain, are ready for the
walls, and will be rebuilt on a larger scale A
new engine, the largest in the country, is being
erected in the water works, and proposals are
tbn laIrn nit ,,r;t
and iron. To add to the commercial prosperity
of Chicago fifteen railroads are seeking en-
trance; the Baltimore and Ohio, Chicago, Dan
vile and Vmcennes and Canada Southern are
the most prominent. None of the depots have
been rebuilt permanently, owing to the prospect
of changes in location and of more general con.
centration. Those familiar with the entrance
of the Michigan and Illinois Central road will
now find, instead of one mile of pling, solid
road bed made from the debris, filed in at
no expense to the companies, requiring no re-
pairs.
OF seyenty-fye churches destroyed only few
are being rebuilt, as most of the members lost
both homes and places of business. Several so
cieties on Wabash avenue have sold their church
b'NPN4tS 4NA .pho4iiNo9 PuAiooNo at hufilNCu
prices, and will rebuild farther SOUTH Many
pastors are at the east soliciting aid from the
ever ready and generous people who have for
merly contributed to the same objects
The people who from every city and hamlet
opened their hearts and purses, and sent means
to supply bodily necessities, arc now equally re-
sponsive to appeals for the promotion of spirit
ual life. The relief record for Chicagos home
less people is ever to be remembered as one of
the grandest of the nations charities The re-
lief society has distributed faithfully nearly all
the donations so generously sent from all parts
of the globe, and has so reduced the list of the
needy, that now only widows and the sick re-
quire assistance. Having made comfortable
through the winter the many thousands of fam
lilies, distributing supplies of every description,
by thorough system Of inspection and expert
ence, it has met the appreciation of all, and
well deserves the thanks of every giver and re-
cever. "Well done good and faithful servants
In closing you will find few correct items of
the articles distributed up to April LIST, which
were obtained through the faithful superinten.
dent q g. Eibhs ESQ