Omaha daily bee., 1891-02-01
A DAY IN DARKEST CHICAGO.
Ore Section Where the Sun Never Succeeds
in Shining.
\SlX SQUARE MILES OF TWILIGHT.
Grotcsquc Shapes Which Struggle
with Each Other in n Bilious
Flood The Fog and the
Smoke Ficnd.
SIX SQUARE MILES OF TWILIGHT,

CmcAGo, Jan. 81. Especial to The BEE. l.
The sun never shines in Chicago.
II percolates.
This observation applies to the city proper
for investigation has demonstrated that in the
suburbs Of the old city and generally
throughout the annexed districts the inhabi-
tants often enjoy the clear sky and the mel
low, golden light which constitute one of the
abundant charms of NcbrasBas metropolis,
1t is n little hazardous, from scientific
standpoint, to define the territory over which
hangs this murky mass of steam and smoke
Any boundaries which may be fixed are sub
ject to indefinite expansion for this huge
nebulous blanket has a trick of stretching to
all points of the compass. This is when it
assumes powers eX traordinary. It's usual juris-
diction may be said to be bounded on the west
by Halstead street, on tho north by Division,
and on the south by Twenty-second. Over
this area of about six square miles the pail
is almost perpetual. The prevailing tone is
dull dark blue, and the various cOntribu-
tions to it from factories and furnaces, tene-
ment houses and hotels produce an effect
which must appeal strongly to every student
of the grotesque. With little assistance
from the imagination one may see winged
horses, centaurs, giants, dragons, and men
whose heads do grow between their
shoulders.
1t is even conceivable that with the assist
ance of u few "bonanzasn the more or less
distinct outlines of the worlds fair buildings
might be traced
The bonanza, may explain, is new re-
freshment for the inner man evolved by
the presiding genius at the bar of the Hotel
Richelieu Here ana there cloud
Of steam pours out and rolls among the strug-
Cling shapes rs If some artist with an arm
like Hercules had dashed brushful of white
paint along this mighty canvas.
Ordinarily man with keen eyes may see
from three to four blocks along these level
streets. Beyond that every thing is lost in a
dull blue haze, Not infrequcntly il is impOs-
sible TO see more than block and the gas is
lighted all day long. The fog rises up from
the lake, shakes its name and arm in arm
with the smoke nuisance proceeds TO decorate
the city
The Montauk. the Tacoma, the Owings and
the Auditorium become grim giants rearing
their dim heads above the choking clouds in
vain effort to get IA breath Of unadulter-
tsd air. The street lamps blink the windows
Of the big buildings become galaNies of little
stars, the ceaseless din of the cable gongs
sound dsmally as II the cars were running
under water and people Grope from block 10
block.
This is when the weather and the smoke
are at their worst. When both are at their
best the SUMS rays, more or less dishgured,
manage to filter through this over hanging
stratum and fall in bilious food upon the
iaundiced hue which characterizes a partial
eclipse.
In the meantime the SCOT comes down in a
gentle but continuous rain, CiSterns are uu-
known, because when the water has run the
gauntlet OF the smoke tends and Plided along
the roofs with their accumulated deposits II
RItains such an ebon hue that It's own Jupiter