The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1919-06-28
History

history
Most of the historical exhibit was in the
form of compositions and maps covering
wide range of information.
One of the first things to catch the eye
was the maps showing the territorial growth
of the United States.
Without going into them in detail, it was
interesting to note that in l/8S, shortly
after the close of the Revolutionary War,
the American government possessed every
thing east of the Mississippi river except
Florida, although the forests west OF the
Apalachian Mountains had been broken
only by a few hardy settlers, living here
and there in constant peril of their lives
from Indian savagery.
Also, that California, Nevada, Utah,
part of New Mexico and nearly all OF
Arizona, states which have since yielded
untold mineral wealth,-were purchased
for $18,OOO,OO0.
Most of us have thought that we were
familiar with the early history of America,
but did you ever know that the white set
tiers, in crowding back the Indian tribes
from their possessions upon those belong
ing to neighboring tribes, caused fierce
tribal wars which destroyed more Indians
than were killed by the whites?
In the exhibit were numerous themes on
invention for instance, one entitled, IRON
Log Cabin to the Modern Skyscraper,
outlined the history of building construction.
We were informed that if the walls of
sixteen or twenty story skyscraper were built
solidly of stone, instead of steel incased in
stone, the walls of the first story would
necessarily be so thick, in order to support
the weight of the stories above, that there
would be only room enough left for narrow
Railways, a staircase and an elevator shaft;
otherwise, they would be crushed to powder.
The history of sewing was outlined from
the first hand stitching to the modern ma
chimes now run by motors at tremendous
speed in our garment factories; also the
evolution of the wooden pillow of the early
settlers to the steam tractors of today.
The theme, From Canoe to Trans-Atlan-
tic Liner" informed US that John Fitch in
vented tho first steamboat instead of Robert
Fulton, as commonly supposed. In l79O,
Fitch operated a crude form of steamboat on
the Delaware river He asked Benjamin
Franklin to finance his project; but Frank
lin, himself renowned inventor, replied
that it was an insane idea. Fitch, in disap-
pointment, committed suicide, leaving note
saving that an ADLER and more brilliant man
would perfect that which he had been unable
to accomplish. Fulton, in 1907, fulfilled this
prediction.
The unique title, Things George Wash
ington Never Saw" opened up subject
about which a volume could easily be writ
ten. Neat booklets, with cut out lllustra-
tons, informed us that Washington never
saw rubber goods, city policeman, cam
era, tomato as a cultivated vegetable, an
egg plant, caulifower, a postage stamp
nor envelope. nickel nor penny, bath
room as we have them today, cooking nor
a heating stove, a calculating machine,
washing machine, a steel plow, vacuum
cleaner, canned soup, hash-light, an cleo
trio appliance an electric light, gasoline,
kerosene, bicycle, motorcycle, an auto
mobile, a typewriter, a graphophone, a
piano, milk separator, a wheat drill,
reaper, threshing machine, a telephone nor
telegraph wire, wireless outfit, steamboat
nor a railway train; and the list might be
extended indefinitely. And yet he managed
to live and enjoy life.
A miniature block-house, constructed at
ter the manner of the block-house forts of
pioneer days, attracted much attention.
Every settlement in those days had one or
more forts to which the settlers with their
wives and children, could flee for protection
in case of an Indian uprising. In order to
provide against the possibility of the savages
creeping up and setting fire to the fort, the
upper story was built out over the lower one
in the form of projecting ledge, with loop
holes pointing downward.
These forts formed prominent part in
the early history of America. A large stone
tablet marks the spot in Chicago today
where Fort Dearborn formerly stood.
Geography