Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1890-02-22

ducel by the pressure OF noXious gases
generated in the enQrm Gus sewer below
Tho 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 ae-
counts OF that wonderful relic OF the ancient
world the eatacombs of Rome, in which OF
old were buried the dead OF the Eternal
City, and yet few, even among Chicago's
owu people, know that below the level OF
her streets there is IL subtewanean 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 oil two hundred feet and
number thirteen stories and more. AS the
eye of tho visitor sweeps their extensive
fronts. rich in architectural designs and
ornamentations. he f0rgets 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 u city of
no mean proportions. Hundreds of thou
sands of dollars are often expended on
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 whole block some
times. Besides. many Easements are fitted
up as elegant restaurants, ealesrooms and
factories, In one of Chcagos 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.
Bat the space below visible Chicago is not
ell used for the useful purposes mentioned.
Many low saloons, resorts for thieves and
thugs, where all manner OF dark and diabol-
zeal 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 Acknowledged
Celestial conducts his laundry too frequent
ly but fence or mask for an opium Joint,
and the qualification OF other vices Of a 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 d police raid; Lut the lower 50 t,
particularly those oper ated and frequented
by negroes, who ar apt to be inveterate
gamblers. are found in easements and. Gel
lars, These are often so connected with
each other as to form 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 Il
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
caeo"
The water supply system OF Chicago is
unequaled in the world; and to such as