, 1874-09-13
LOCAL MISCELLANY

THE LUMBER DISTRICT.
By the courtesy of Fire Marshal Benner,
TRIBUNE reporter accompanied him Oh q driv
through the lumber districts i'll the southern
portion OF tie West Division. which are at pres
ent considered tie most dangerous in the cit
rs regards fire. Should q FIRE ever obtain goo
Leadwav among these lumber piles. which are q
closely packed together, the possibilities Of
large condasratoa are very great; ant
should south or southwest wint
bo blowing st the time. the chance
Of the escape OF the whole West Division would
be but very slight indeed. At the present sea
son Of the year the yards are 30 completely tllet
With lumber that IN almost every case the oWneri
have been tempted to appropriate a large por
lion OF
THE STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
to their own uses. They dld tho same thing last
yea. but were forced u desist by orders from
the Board OF Public Works. pres!dcn. Prindl-
vile, who iu company with Aid. Spaulding visited
tho same district IN the early portion or the
present week. has hired man to look after the
district il this respect, and to Keep the stree ss
of the streets have all been leased, but this tho
Mar.hsl will not complain OF, II the rent OF such
6.roet-eads II employed III
CONSTRUCTING DUCTS
from the river leading to tanks sunk in different
parta OF the easily-approached streets. The con-
struction Of several such clsteTns and
ducte ia now going on in the
neighborhood of TWeuty-sccoud street, aud
br the time that two or three hundred ara COM
ple.od 1t il hopei TINT tho new wattr-wurks on
TIM corrcr OF Ashland avenue and Twenty
second street will be finished, thus furnishing
an 1ue1laEstllo supply OF Taser to all the un-
projected districts. From the tower OF the en-
gine-house on Twenty-second street the scene
is one well calculated to make even Loudoner
OF Partisan wonder d: the vast size OF Chicago.
ACRES UPON ACRES OF LCMuER-PII.ES
Rnd beyoud these, thousands Of acres Ut frame
buildings, exposed to every spark Of fire which
may be waited by tho wind. At least nine-tcushs
OF the Llaniug-1nlils in tho neighborhood are
nero tinder-boxes, barely holding taeir sides to-
gether, not BY the power Of the nails used iu
their construction, but By tho braces applied to
tnem from rhe outside. The works OF tho Chi
rago planing- Nil! Company deserve special men
ton for tie method OF construction, and the
greatest shell of them all. II
Causes ono to wonder how Chicago
business men, who usually SO pr1ncely in their
tempt to carry on business in such miserable
novels as are tho majority Of these pianing-
,uilIs.
Away to the southwest lies the Village Of
Ia"1dale, which constitutes d portion OF the
city. 1t locks Like New England 7llage in
stead of part OF Chicago. From the tower OF
the ensine-honae on Twelfth street. the scene
il not so varied to tho south is Eeen but little
OF the lumber piles; to tho west is secn
the new extension Of the city west on
Taylor. Twelfth. and Polk streets. which has
MI appearance similar to that Of Lawndae; the
view on the north and east is obstruc5ed by the
Church Of the Holy Family, directly across the
road from the engine house. An immense tower
il now constructing on the southeast corner CT
the chulch, aud it is said tina. tho pastor baB s1g
nitled his willingness to build
A LOOKOUT STATION
IN it which will command an entire view OF the |
city, If the Fire Marshal so desires. There Is |
no doubt but that the people in this portion
with their dangerous position, and they !
all know that the checking OF small |
fires is the only preventive CT large ones Hence
the most strenuous exertions are made to pre- |
vent fires taking place.
By the clearing OF tho obstructed streets in
The lunbe1-district. and tlls means every ono Of |
them, and by the rapid completion of the new |
Water Works. the danger from fire in this locAi- |
tr can oc abolished in great part. The first will |
Ie done rs soon rs possible, aud the latter Will |
bo finished N about & yeaE from date.
TIE CHICAGO ATHENEUM.
TIE Chicago Athennun, located at III Madi-
son street, invites the attention OF the public,
md especially Of the young people OF the city, |
10 the following sta.ement OF the work and pur-
poses OF the society:
Tie Society was organized and has been
naintained (untl recently urGar the manage
nent OF the Chicago Christian Union) for the
purpose Of promotlug the social, montal, moral,
Ind physical welfare OF the people Of the city,
especially Of the young.
ITS AGENCIES EMPLOYED
Ire readlng-room and library, aInusemeat-
Dom, gymnasium, free lectu1e-cour5e, evening
:lasses. soclables, aud entertainments. Its
ibrary contains BomB 1G0O Volumes to which |
A36 a mi ant nf 4 n1afar |
American Encyclopedias, the gift Of q generous
ricnd OF the Society. It will be accessible to |
he public for reference. The reading-room is
npplied with leading daily, secular, and reli-
.ious weekly papers, Eagaz1ncs, reviews, etc.
CHEss-R6oM.
The Chicago Chess Club occupies rooms with
he Society on terms which maze its privileges
,pen to members Of the Atheueum. In addi-
ion to this tables are supplied with checker and
Backgammon boards.
THE GYMNASIUM
ccupisB the antire upper floor Of the buang,
nd is furnished with all the NECESSARY apparatus
f the most approved style and substantial char
rctef. among which are three healtl,-l1f |
7ho value Of those appliances for exercise and
'nyalcal culture to young men, and to all per-
Ons engaged IN indoor and scdeutacy employ
nents. can hardly be estimated, aud can be testi-
led to by hundreds in tlis city who have availed
themselves Of the privileges they afford
THE EVENING CLASSES
orm an important feature OF the work Of the
society, affordng to all who desire it the oppor-
unity for devotlng their leisure to seIi-lmproye-
nent. Tho classes will be arranged in three terms
4 twelve weeks each-fan, winter, md epring.
The fall term will open in tho week commencing
ept. a. Classes for this term are nov form
ng in tho following branches of study, VIZ:
-atln. German, French, Spanish, English, litcra-
ure. astronomy, botany, photography, clocu-
ion, vocal music, aud free-hand obiect-dsawlng.
Experienced and competent teachers hive
eeu secured, aud TIC instruction will be thor
ugh aud practical. All who intend to enter the
!asses should cali during the present week to reg
ster their uanes. and obtain their class-tlckets
'ho evenings on which the several classes will |
lect will ba Announced hereafter in the daily |
aners.
9ociables and entertainments are given evcry I
wo weeks, combining the features Of a literary.
1us!cal, and social entertainment. which are FREQ
0 all members, and such friends as they NAV
avlte.
MEMBERSHIP {
open to all, Irrespective OF nationality. Hex
ehglous b=lief, occupation, or age on terms |
1hich place the privileges Of the Society !
Ilthln the reach OF all VINO may wish to enjov | .
BEN. All interested in the work and objects Of
he Society are invited to become members.
ITS FIELD.
Ii Will bo seen from tho foregoing that the
ltbenmum occupies its own distinct field of |