The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1879-01-09
Letter From Chicago.
CHICAGO, Jan. End, IS


CHICAGO, Jan. End, 1879.
DEAR FATHER: AS the weather
this morning will not permit sight
seeing with anything like comfort, the
mercury being 20 degrees below zero,
L am compelled to keep indoors, so will
try and give You some idea of the very
small part of Chicago which I have
visited. Yesterday was a comparative
ly warm day, the only, one we have
had since my arrival in the city. and
was improved by taking in all that is
possible to in one day. One of the first
places of interest to ali strangers is the
Water Works, and it is grand sight
to see the immense engines pumping
millions of gallons of water daily. We
went up into the tower, the height of
which 1 did not learn, but there are
24O steps from the ground to the top
landing and by the time one has climb
ed them he is ready to rest, I can as
sure you. I'm clear day the view from
this tower must be magnificent, look
ing both out on the lake and over the
city, but at the time we were thereit
was showing SO that we could see but
a short distance, enough, however, to
get something of an idea of the inn
mense size of this great city of the
West. Chicago covers some thirty-twO
square miles of ground, and, has over
seven hundred miles of sidewalk, so
you will readily see the common inn
preston that only few days are nee
essafy to edo" the place is far from be-
ing a correct one. We went through
some of the large stores and hotels,
which it is useless for me to undertake
to describe. Think of one hotel which
would accommodate comfortably near
ly, if not quite, the entire population
of Ravenna, and all furnished and run
in style that is simply magnificent.
There are several of this class of houses
in the city, besides an endless number
of what would be called splendid build
ings in place Of less Importance and
enterprise. Every one knows that
Chicago is great grain center, but
very few have any idea of the amount
of business that is done in that line.
During the past year over 100000, 900
bushels of grain have been shipped
from this city, and the receipts of
breadstuffs were about 135 ,OOO, 900 BUSH
els-reducing flour to it's equivalent in
grain.
Chicago has seven daily papers, the
:" Times" Tribune" and Inter-
Ocean" being rivals for the first hon.
ors, and with the exception of their
politics, there is very little choice, as
they areall first-class, morning papers.
The others are the journal. ""News,"
{" Telegraph" and q German paper.
Besides these there are an almost end
less number of weekly papers, but as I
have not been through any of their Of
fees yet, will defer any description
until another time.
I went through one of the engine
houses to-day, in company with a
friend, and saw one of the great steam
ers, of which there are two in the city,
which run on the road l,y steam pow
er. We We're shown the arrangements
for awakening the men, opening doors
and getting everything in readiness
for a start, all of which, the boys of
the company claim can he done in six
teen seconds from the time the alarm
is turned in. This engine may be run
at the rate of mile in about $40, and
can he stopped in an instant, and by |
simply drawing pin is put in condi-
ton to begin throwing water.
There are four first-class theaters in
the city, besides lecture this evening
by Ohio's great statesman, Rev. James
A., SO we have no difficulty in finding
enough amusements.
For those who are coming to Chica-
go, or points farther West, the A. & q. |
w. & P. Ft. w. & G. route is as good
as can possibly be afforded by any line,
as they make close connection at Mans
field, avoiding the tedious waiting for
trains their cars are roomy and ele-
CANT, and their employees gentlemanly |
and attentive, making even q night |
ride in winter endurable. GEO. 1
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