The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1878-11-02
EARLY HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

HON. JOHN WENTWORTH GIVES SOME REMfN-
IscENcEs OF HIS ARRIVAL IN CHICAGO
FoRTY-Two YEARS AGO.
Hon John Wentworth arrived in the vii
lage which has since developed into the city
Of Chicago, on the 25th of October, 1886.
The Chicago Evening Journal has made the
recurrence Of the iorty-second anniversary
Of this event, the occasion for obtaining
from Mr.. Wentworth some "reminiscences Of
those times, and as there are few citizens of
the State who are more familiar with its
early history its report contains many items
Of interest. Speaking Of his journey around
the lake to Chicago, Mr. Wentworth said
I came around the lake on foot, travelling
on the beach all the way from Michigan
City. was little over two days in COM
ing. The first night | slept in small
shanty on the lake shore, about half way
between Michigan City and the Calumet
river The shanty was fitted up somewhat
like a canal boat. The cooking was done
outside. We had fried salt pork and baked
potatoes for breakfast The next night |
slept in small hotel. 1t was then in the
town Of Calumet, now South Chicago. 1t
was kept by Jason Gurley, afterwards a
we'll known hotel keeper in the city Of
Chicago. There were about dozen of us
trampl, They made US bed on the floor
in hall which was used for public meet
ings and gatherings Of all kinds. Passing
into the hall, noticed three or four rooms
with good beds. asked Mr.. Gurley why
I could not have one OF those rooms. He
said they were kept for gentlemen that
came ont from Chicago on hunting ex-
cursions, and who hunted days and slept
with him nights. That very night there
came party OF hunters, They had game
supper with champagne and the usual ac-
compartments. They kept me awake with
their songs aud speeches. remember that
the drunkest Of them made speech, and
said he was the son Of distinguished
clergyman, and quoted freely some Of his
father texts. | remember the names Of
all of them Although they were we'll
dressed aud had the appearance of being
wealthy, yet before two years were over
they were entirely played out. Not dol
lar could be collected from the crowd,
That was on the cath of October, the ami
versaly of my entry into the state of
Illinois. came into town about II o'clock
the next day, still following the beach
around until got at some point near the
present city limits when on account of sand
we came up the grass There were about
5000 people in the city at the time, al.
though then we advertised the place lib.
orally as at least containing 5000 people.
R-Where did you first 60 when you
came to Chicagol e
Mr.. WI went to what was known as
the United States Hotel, corner of Lake and
Market streets 1t was originally the Lake
Building, built by the celebrated Mark
Beanbien. 1t was then the best hotel on
the South Side, but there was brick hotel
on the North Side which had just been
opened. The expense for staying there was
too much for me in those days. The Unit
ed States Hotel was upon the old wigwam
lot 1t was kept by gentleman known in
those days as Honest John Murphy. He
was very devoted Irish Catholic. He had
Baptist wife, who is now living, and is
one Of the Oldest Baptist church members
in the city. Mr., Murphy was for some time
Alderman Of the city He died of cholera
several years ago, The family did not
quarrel much about religious matters.
The priest sprinkled some water upon the
forehead, and made good Catholics Of them.
The old lady dipped them into water oil
over, and made good Baptists Of them.
The most Of the prominent unmarried men
on the South Side in those days boarded at
Murphys, Friday will be the anniversary
Of my arrival in the city. Mn, Murphy
took me to the Baptist Church next Sunday,
with several young men. That was the first
church that ever attended In the city
The whole building probably cost about
d 900, yet It was paid for. And don't
PEE but what we got az good preaching and
enjoyed religion as much In those days In
our cheap churches as we do now in our
high.priced and bankrupt ones When I
am In town on the 25th generally 70 over
To bee my lsudlady. like the visits, be-
cause she tells me how ! looked whom !
was boy, as tall as am now, and weigh
ing l40 pounds She says I was terribly
green and waa afflicted very much with my
present disease extreme bashtulness.
Mr.. Wentworth expressed the opinion
that there were not over one hundred per
sous in Chicago now who wsgs thare whom
be arrived. As to the financial condition