Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-12-14

W open OF 'man-hOle pro-
duced by the pressure OF noxious gases
generated in the enormous sewer below.
The accident. which was trivial in its re-
suits and excited but little comment at the
time. suggests the subject OF underground
Chicago.
Every one has read and marveled at &C.
counts of that wonderful relic OF the ancient
world. the catacombs of Rome. in which OF
old were buried the dead of the Eternal
City, and yet few, even among Chicago 9
own people, know that below the level OF
her streets there is a subterranean world
SURPRISING in interest the one beside the
Tiber.
Chicago abounds In beautiful buildings
massive and tall and grand" many OF
these rise to a height of two hundred feet and
number thirteen stories and more. AS the
eye of the visitor sweeps their extensive
fronts. rich in architectural designs and
Communications, he forgets the solid foun-
dations. reaching far into the earth. upon
which the superstructure, vast and beautl-
full, is reared. The cost OF the foundations
of Chicago would suffice to build a city OF
no mean proportions. Hundreds OF thou
sands of dollars are often expended on q
single building before its granite walls rise
to the level of the sidewalk. The space
thus reclaimed from the bowels OF the
earth" is utilized for boilers and engines to
run the elevators and machinery for all
manner Of manufactures. to heat the vast
structure, and furnish power to keep alive
the electric lights in a whole block some
times. Besides, many Easements are fitted
up as elegant restaurants, saleSroomS and
factories, In one of Chicago's basement
restaurants more oysters are served during
the r months" than in any other single es-
Enlistment in the world, metropolitan New
York not excepted, Twice during the sum-
mer just past great transforms have over
taxed the sewers and caused the water to
invade Easements and cellars, to the great
damage OF property.
But the space below visible Chicago is not
all used for the useful purposes mentioned.
Many low saloons. resorts for thieves and
thugs, where all manner of dark and diabol-
ical crimes are concocted. discussed and
perpetrated, are tucked away in Easements
secure from the observation of the casual
passer-by. 1t is here that the almond eyed
Celestial conducts his laundry, too frequent
ly but fence or mask for an opium joint,
and the qualification of other vices of still
darker hue. Gambling houses of the bet
ter" sort are usually situated high up in
buildings, with openings to the roofs for
egress in the event of an interruption in the
form of a police raid; but the lower sort.
particularly those operated and frequented
by negroes, who arc apt to be inveterate
gamblers, are found in Easements and eel
lars. These are often so connected with
each other as to form a regular labyrinth.
and render the inmates tolerably secure
from arrest.
Pure water and good drainage are two of
the principal requisites to the health of a
city. These are supplied to the Garden
City" by underground systems which. to-
gether with the gas mains for furnishing
light. fairly "honeycomb" the streets and
justify the caption of UNDERGROUND Chi
cago."
The ter-supply system of Chicago is
uneQualed in the world: and to such as