The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1873-02-27

EVANSTON. H., Feb. -.

EVANSTON, H., Feb. %, 1873.
DEAR TRIBUNE:-I hasten to correct
an error in my last letter, as the lives of
six poor dumb beasts are at stake. 1t
Was six cars, and not cows that were
lying in delapidated condition along
the track near Glencoe, and it was one of
these cars that was thrown Is feet into
an adjoining Geld, and not poor harm
less COW.
We have been enjoying ~ another
"cold snap for the past day or TWO, yet
it will not retard navigation much. Yes
terday the bridges of Chicago began to
swing for the first time for several months.
The river is now entirely clear of all ob
strnctions this side of Bridgeport, and
the indications point to an early opening
ee navigation, at least on Lake Michigan.
The Straits will probably remain closed
until the advent of April showers.
Business begins to brisk up" consid-
erably, and Chicago enters the spring
campaign fore handed Her destruction
was one of the greatest wonders in his
tory, yet her sudden resurrection, Phoenix
like from the smoldering embers, has
been greater wender still Chicago
had made such rapid progress in building
some of the most magnificent temples of
trade before the FIRE, that other cities
looked upon her with an eye of envy,
and it was these very temples that we're
swept away. yet they have been replaced
in eighteen months with even a greater
show of nagni6cence than before. Mar
Bile has taken tho place of iron. Iron of
brick, and brick of wood, and her great
misfortune, which many were ready to
say was n retributive judgment for her
worship of the Golden Calf, has proven
to be one of her greatest blessings, she
has finer buildings and those that are
better suited to the present demands Of
commerce; her trade has increased twenty
per cent since the fire, and the increase
of population has more than kept pace
with former years. One year from the
date Of the fire, standing By the still
smoldering embers of her great ware
houses hundreds of cigars were lighted
by these Goals on that anniversary day.
looking over the solid blocks and miles
of new buildings, it seemed mora like the
realization of some Fairy tale than a Wis
ible solid fact. 100000 have been
spent in rebuilding, and where land two
years ago was worth $500 per foot, it is
now worth $1,000. The first thing sought
in rebuilding was durability, then the
ideas of taste and architectural beauty,
and the color OF, the marble or stone; SO
we have pleasantly intersperced represen
tations of all tints and colors from the
redish brown stone of Lake Superior, to
the cream colored marble of Illinois.
There have been about l25 miles of stone
sidewalks laid down, the most of the
stone having been shipped from Joliet.
There have been over one billios feet of
lumber consumed during the past year
in the rebuilding, and there is more
money invested in this trade than any
other one branch of business, there being
over $4,000, 600 worth of lumber now
in the yards. | can give no particulars
or mention special buildings, for want of
space; description of the Great Pacific
Hotel. the largest in the world, would
require columns, it will cost 81 500, 900,
and the Custom House, opposite, Oh
Clark street, will soon be finished at
cost Of So 500 QUO and the Sherman
House on the same street, is being fin
ished at cost of $650,OOO The Lake
Shore and Rock Island and Pacific depot
will cost 100000, situated on Van
Buren, street. Icannot forbesr, however,
to mention our Chamber of Commerce,
situated on the old site corner of LaSalle
and Washington streets. 1t was one Of
the first buildings projected and its beau
tiful walls are a glory to our city. 1t
stands fitting tribnte to mans device
and is one of the most magnificent tenn.
pies of commerce in the world. The
main hall is by far the finest ia the city,
over the Presidents Rostrum is an oil
painting, wildly representing the citizens
great disaster, on the right flying over
the re-doomed city, amid the dense
smoke and lurid flames, is the demon of
destruction. while upon the left is the
Angel of Mercy soaring above the ruins
scattering with a bountiful hand the
charities of sympathizing world; the
hall is decorated with several other pic
lures, typical of the city before and after
the fire. But what else could we expect
with the 10000 miles of Railroads run
ming 1862 daily trains, and 5000 miles
more nearly completed and projected,
representing $500, 600, 900 Of capital and
earning $S5, 100000 yearly. This is the
right arm of her power, and for the left,
she has the commerce of the great lakes
seeking her harbor from which may be
seen floating from their mast heads the
flags Of all natioos. 1t enjoys COM
merce that is not equalled by any city
quadruple its size. The storage capacity
of the city elevators be fore the fire was
10000. 600 bushels, now it is ID, 900, 600,
and the receipts during the year from
October 1st 1871 to October lst 1872
were over $4,000, 900 bushels. l5,OOO,-
900 pounds of butter. $4,000. 600 of
wood etc. These great enterprises have
been accomplished through Chicago en-
ergy and eastern capital.
Fair seemed the old; but farer still
The the dreary void has filled
With dearer homes than those o'erthrown
For love has laid each corner stone"
Considerable excitement has grown out