Arizona republican., 1908-02-16
ARlZ0NA'S LESSON
 DRAWN FROM HISTORY
Interesting Comparisons Drawn By Mir. w. A. Giles in His Address at the Illinois Picnic.

Those who were present at the Illi- nois picnic will recall with a great deal | of pleasure the remarks on that occa- sion, made by Mir. w. A. Giles, who claims a winter home in Phoenix, but spends his summers in Chicago which has been his home city for the better part of half a century.
 MT. Giles began his remarks by ex-
 hibiting a famous old hat worn by Abraham Lincoln. and reciting some what of it's interesting history, which fact was referred to in the succeeding issue of The Republican. His ad- dress proper. however, was unavoidab- ly omitted, owing to lack of space. but was secured with view of presenting it's chief features in the Sunday issue Those who attended the picnic will be pleased therefore at an opportunity to peruse the following quite full synopsis of his remarks, while those who are so unfortunate as to have no rights at an Illinois pie nic will be even more glad to read it in The Republican,, for it's subject matter is timely for consideration by any Arizonian wherever he may have come from to this territory. His ad- dress was devoted almost entirely to the early history of Illinois and es- pecially Chicago and vicinity, and comparison was made with Arizona at the present time, the purpose Of which was to illuminate the many advan- tages of Arizona and from Illinois draw the lessons of how best to serve the cause of progress in this new country. Mir. Giles said in part:
 have been asked 10 say a word about the early history and develop ment of the city of Chicago and our great state of Illinois. I can hardly tell you Illinoisans any thing with which you are not already familiar. but the growth and history of the city and state are so marvellous that it cannot be amiss to refresh our memories occasionally. I first saw the plains of Illinois and the dirty streets of Chicago in the sos. Some now liv- ing. who came a little earlier have de- scribed to me the earlier conditions of the city. Imagine on the sand banks of the Chicago river rude log fort, surrounded by all the evidences of wild and savage life; a rope ferry crossed the river. where now swings Ia s250,000 Bascule bridge. The scene was enlivened by an occasional Indian massacre or a lonely emigrant wagon slowly pushing its way across the broken streams to the fertile prairies beyond; the beaten footpaths of the village soon began to widen into streets and the streets to broaden and 10 push their way out miles to the north, to the west and to the south Almost as in a fairy tale, these streets were lined with palatial buildings
 A Mir. Brown, reputable merchant of Bangor, Maine, writing home description of the city in 1S44 said The city has about 12.OO0 inhabit- ants.' about the same as Phoenix now has, there were no sewers, no rail- roads. He spoke of the vast extent of fertile country lying back of the city and the large business that was being done. In riding by stage from Chicago to Peru, distance of about go miles he met more than loo teams loaded with wheat. The roads were so bad that a pair of horses could only haul about 25 bushels and it took ten days to make the trip. Many went with OK teams which were still slow CT, but the farmers took 1t easy and sat upon their carts day after day, and when night overlook them. they turned the oxen out to feed and lay down under their carts for the night. Their wheat in Chicago brought 56R cents a bushel. A farmer said it took him all day to go to the mill with a small load of corn and then he had to give the miller half for toll.
 Corn was frequently burned for fuel. Prime beef sold in Chicago for 21s cents a pound. The Arizona farmers think they have a hard time but, I tell You, they don't know what hard times are. The early railroads that were built little later compared but poorly in equipment with the scores of magnificent express trains that now fly across the country daily at light ming speed. The cars bumped along over the rough tracks. Artemus Ward was one day making a journey. over one of these primitive roads. He very quietly inquired Of the conductor if the railroad company was willing to receive suggestions. The conductor said Yes, if they were reasonable" Artemus replied. "I see you have a COW catcher on the front of the. train, now, as you will never overtake COW would suggest that your company change it to the rear of the train; a COW might come up behind and walk right into the car and bite somebody" They sometimes had tri-weekly trains like your Florence freight They ex- plained that the "tri" meant that they went out one week and tried to re- turn the next
 Contrast these times with those of the city and state of today. The Illi- nois wheat is now sent from Chicago to Liverpool 4000 miles for about 12 cents to 15 cents bushel. Behold to-