On Chicago

"Reform is here to stay, and Chicago is no place for a gentleman."

James "Big Jim" Patrick O'Leary (1869-1925) a.k.a. "The Prince of Gamblers." Son of Catherine O'Leary. "Big Jim" was known to bet on everything - horses, baseball games, the weather.

Photo Credit: Chicago Tribune, January 23, 1925

A (Chicago) History Resource for Kids

I'm always on the lookout for magazines and books that have the potential of stimulating an interest in history in young people. Call me wacky, but history is fun, or it can be. Cobblestone Magazine (recommended for ages 9 to 14), one of a slew of kid's magazines from Carus Publishing, thinks so too.

Designed to meet curriculum standards for history/social science while still being a lively and entertaining reading experience for young history buffs, COBBLESTONE® is the recognized leader in the study of American history. Each issue is thoroughly reviewed by a consulting editor who is an expert in the field and contains well-researched articles, time lines, primary sources, and maps. Original illustrations and fun activities keep COBBLESTONE accessible for pleasure reading.

What caught my attention was an upcoming issue of Cobblestone. Each issue of Cobblestone has a theme and in February of 2009 the theme is the World's Columbian Exposition.


But, wait. There's more! A check of the available back issues revealed the following additional topics/theme issues of interest: Chicago; Jane Addams; Ida B. Wells-Barnett; The Gilded Age; The Northern Migration. Just a sample of what they have available now. (I'm checking out the Chicago and Jane Addams issues.)

Teachers and K12 educators should also note their "Teacher's Guides." Subscriptions cost $33.95 a year. A small price to pay to encourage the young historian among us. I almost wish I had a kid to buy it for. Well, almost...

Junior, We Hardly Knew Ye

It was a simple funeral service in the deceased’s home. Friends and family gathered; favorite hymns, such as “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say, Come Unto Me and Rest,” were played and sung. Flower arrangements filled the drawing room and music room, which held the coffin, and the casket itself was blanketed in violets topped by two crosses of white roses and two wreaths of orchids. It was a simple funeral held at 1919 Prairie Avenue in Chicago on November 29, 1905. But, there was nothing simple about the departed – Marshall Field, Jr., age 37, the son of Chicago’s Merchant Prince, Marshall Field, and “Dauphin” of the Field empire, was dead.

He died of a gunshot wound, but where was he when it happened on November 22nd? Was it an accident, self-inflicted, or was there another person involved?

That question is still being asked 103 years later. The family insists that Marshall accidentally shot himself in his home while examining a newly purchased gun to be used on a contemplated Wisconsin hunting trip. The other description of the unfortunate incident involves the notorious Levee, The Everleigh Club, a sensationalistic press, a one-time chorus girl named Vera Scott and a whole lot of hush money. (Sounds like a movie plot to me.)

So, what is the truth? Do some reading and you be the judge. Is it possible he was carousing at the Everleigh Club with his friend and fellow playboy Ernest Lehmann? Absolutely. It was a very popular place of recreation for the social elite. Was Junior shot at the Club and moved to his home under orders from his Father? No question that Marshall Field Sr. had the power and money to accomplish that slight of hand, even under the watchful eyes of the press. And, what parent would blame him?

But, it is also completely feasible that Marshall Field, Jr. actually did have an accident with the pistol. Of course, he was pretty experienced with firearms...and, are pistols the norm on hunting trips?

As I said, you judge for yourself.

Less than two months later Marshall Field would follow his son to Graceland Cemetery on January 16, 1906.

Recommended reading:
The Marshall Fields by Axel Madsen
Give the Lady What She Wants! by Lloyd Wendt and Herman Kogan
Sin in the Second City by Karen Abbott

"Says She Killed Marshall Field, Jr.:" New York Times, November 23, 1913.
"DOUBT VERA SCOTT'S STORY; Clevelanders Say She Married There the Day After Alleged Shootng," New York Times, November 24, 1913.
"Good Rumors Never Die: Marshall Field, Jr., was killed by a prostitute in a bordello…wasn't he?" by Dan Rottenberg, Chicago Magazine, February, 1984.

It's a "Chicago History" Empire...Under Construction!

Not really an empire, but I am working on a project that I hope will be useful to, well..., someone. And, I would like your feedback.

My purpose in writing this blog has been 1)provide an outlet for my ramblings on Chicago's history, and 2)create a portal site of Chicago history Internet resources. The "Journal" satisfies the first criteria, but the number of Internet resources are becoming lost in the blog.

I am in the process of creating two supplemental sites for this blog: Chicago History Online and Chicago History: The Bookshelves. I have provided the links to those at the top of the left column. Both sites are under construction and are evolving, but I wanted to make them temporarily visible so readers can comment and make suggestions of what they would like included or specific topic pages.

Chicago History Online will be the main portal site. This is where I will record websites with information on or related to Chicago's history. I've just started to transfer links, but pages will include, but are not limited to:

People
Architecture & Architects
City of Chicago Links
Events and Disasters
Chicago History for Kids
Chicago Women's History

Chicago History: The Bookshelves is intended to be an extended bibliography - online or not. All online books will be from free access sites. I'm going to include a listing of the books in my library just for schnicks, but someone else might find it interesting. In addition I'll include:

Chicago Literature available online
Chicago history books available online
Information on new Chicago history book releases (reviews and announcements)
The books in my library
Anything related to Chicago literature, writers, etc. (There may be some crossover with Chicago History Online)

This is going to be a lot of work so you have to be patient with me. I'm just learning to use Wordpress and tech is not my strong suit. The sites are pretty bare bones right now, but you'll get the idea. Chicago History Online and The Bookshelves will be viewable this week. Is it a good idea? Will they be useful? Heck, it may turn out that the sites are for "my eyes only" and that is OK. You won't hurt my feelings. I like organizing things. But, let's hear what you have to say. Please post your comments and suggestions here, on the blog.

On Chicago

Demonstration by unemployed in Chicago, 1932
Photographer: Keller
Source: Chicago Historical Society (ICHi-23242)

"Four years ago . . . I came to a Chicago fighting with its back to the wall—factories closed, markets silent, banks shaky, ships and trains empty. Today those factories sing the song of industry, markets hum with bustling movement, banks are secure, ships and trains are running full. Once again it is Chicago as Carl Sandburg saw it, 'the city of the big shoulders,' the city that smiles and, with Chicago, a whole nation that had not been cheerful for years is full of cheer once more."

President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Campaign Speech, October 14, 1936

Chicago, 1919: Wingfoot, Race Riots, Strikes, and Strikeouts

It was recently announced that best-selling author Gary Krist (The White Cascade, Extravagance, Chaos Theory) has contracted to write AMERICAN COLOSSUS: An Epic of Chicago. The book will be "a narrative history of twelve extraordinary days in the life of Chicago in the summer of 1919, the events of which -- an aviation disaster, a race riot, a crippling transit strike, and a sensational murder -- helped define the city's identity at a critical moment in its evolution." American Colossus is in its early stages and probably won't be published until 2011, (you heard it here first!) but I'm already anxious to read it. 1919 was one tough year in the history of Chicago and the month of July may have been hardest of all.

Prohibition came to Chicago. (18th Amendment would go into affect January, 1920, but Illinois lawmakers ratified the amendment in 1919.) Beer and wine were still legal, for awhile, but "John Barleycorn" had left the building. (Republicans in Washington, however, were working to repeal a tax on ice cream sodas. See July 17, 1919 Chicago Tribune if you don't believe me.) A transportation strike was called for and Armour and Swift were trying to find ways to appease their packinghouse workers. Garbage men went on strike and workers at International Harvester. Strikes were crippling the city. The Goodyear dirigible, Wingfoot, crashes into the Illinois Trust and Savings Building at 231 South LaSalle Street. And, a stone throwing incident between blacks and whites on the 29th Street Beach plus the drowning death of Eugene Williams, a young black swimmer, erupts into racial violence around the city. That's just a sampling of what Chicago endured that hot summer. Of course, there was also the World Series scandal to look forward to in the fall...

Of particular interest will be Krist's findings on the Wingfoot air disaster of July 21st. I've been searching and very little has been written about the tragedy. To my chagrin, I could not even find it listed in the Encyclopedia of Chicago. If I've missed something, please let me know. There is a brief entry in Wikipedia and I found a short article by Duncan Rice titled, "Wingfoot Air Express - The First Airship Disaster."

On Monday 21st July 1919 the Wingfoot Air Express (owned by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company) crashed into the Illinois Trust and Savings Building in Chicago, with the loss of 13 lives. This was the worst Airship disaster in the USA until the Zeppelin Airship, Hindenburg crashed in 1937. Of the 13 who died, one was a crew member, two were passengers whilst the remaining 10 were bank employees in the building below.

The Wingfoot Air Express was carrying passengers from Grant Park to the White City Amusement Park when, at an altitude of about 1200ft, the craft caught fire above the Chicago Loop. Once the crew realised that the Airship was lost, the Pilot and the Chief Mechanic parachuted to safety along with a third person who broke both legs and later died in hospital.

The Illinois Trust & Savings Bank building on the corner of LaSalle Street and Jackson Boulevard, housed 150 employees who were closing up after the days business (the fire being reported to have started at 4:55pm) in the main banking hall. The main hall was illuminated by a large skylight and the remains of the Wingfoot Air Express struck the banks skylight directly causing flaming debris to fall through to the hall below. As well as the ten employees who were killed, 27 members of staff were also reported injured.

After the crash, Chicago City Council imposed a ban on hydrogen filled dirigibles from flying over populated parts of the city. The Airships home base, Grant Park Airstrip, was also closed shortly after the crash.

One would think there would be more on this significant event. Write fast, Gary.

Photo Credit: Chicago Public Library
Cartoon: John T. McCutcheon; Chicago Tribune, July 23, 1919

Chicago History Caught in the Web

The Fall, 2008 edition of Chicago History Magazine is now available for purchase on the Chicago History Museum website. While you are ordering, also check out the Museum Store for some Christmas gift ideas. Your purchase helps to support the Chicago History Museum and that is a good thing for everyone.

Evanston realtor, Alan May published a nice article on the 1915 Eastland Disaster on his Real Estate Blog (Why, I couldn't tell you, but there it is.) There are lots of pictures courtesy of the Chicago History Museum. It seems many of Alan's readers were unfamiliar with the tragedy.


The Digitized Book of the Week from the Library of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is the Chicago Architectural Club Annual of 1914. The club, originally called the Chicago Architectural Sketch Club, was founded by James H. Carpenter in the spring of 1885. Also, The Ryerson & Burnham Libraries Archives at the Art Institute has over 4000 sketches from the Chicago Architectural Sketch Club Collection available for viewing online.


In the November issue of Chicago Magazine, Robert Loerzel previews the eagerly awaited new book by Neil Harris, The Chicagoan: A Lost Magazine of the Jazz Age. The article, titled "Urban Artifact," includes a slideshow of 14 of the magazine's beautiful covers. The Chicagoan is available from the University of Chicago Press and is the latest addition to their "Books About Chicago" offerings.


More on the publishing front - A new book from University of Illinois Press: The 1933Chicago World's Fair: A Century of Progress by Cheryl R. Ganz.

In this engaging social and cultural history, Cheryl R. Ganz examines Chicago's second world's fair through the lenses of technology, ethnicity, and gender. The book also features eighty-six photographs--nearly half of which are full color--of key locations, exhibits, and people, as well as authentic ticket stubs, postcards, pamphlets, posters, and other items. From fan dancers to fan belts, The 1933 Chicago World's Fair: A Century of Progress offers the compelling, untold stories of fair planners and participants who showcased education, industry, and entertainment to sell optimism during the depths of the Great Depression.

No, I Haven't Abandoned my Blog

Just been a bit preoccupied.

Like millions of other people right now, I am experiencing fewer work hours (lots fewer) at my part-time retail job. I need to make up the difference, so I am looking into:

1. a second part-time job outside the home (Ya, right...)
2. work I can do at home (ideal)
3. how long it would take me to sell everything I own on eBay

If you have any ideas, let me know. Any and all reasonable suggestions will be considered.

I seem to be worrying more and more about my Mom and Dad (I'm almost 62 so you can imagine how old they are)and really need to spend more time with them.

My son, it seems, is getting married. I am overjoyed!!!! I am also feeling very old.

But, I'll be back shortly so don't go away. When the world fails me, I have my little blog to remind me of who I really am. Is that a good thing?

One last item...

A Special Note to the people who recently contacted me for some research help:

I'm sorry. I didn't get the memo that suspended good manners. Perhaps what I sent wasn't good enough? Fine. But, how about a gracious "thank you" and "go in peace" just for the hell of it?

A Long Time Comin'

"It's been a long time coming," he told the crowd, "but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America."

On a picture perfect autumn day in 1965 my parents drove me to college. The car was piled high with everything I could possibly need to lead a comfortable life in the dorm - TV, record player, bicycle, the works. My life had been one of privilege in a Detroit suburb, and it was all going with me as I started my college experience. I was excited; my parents were excited.

We reached the university, found my dormitory and began the unloading process. As I was carrying in a box of books, my roommate and her family showed up. She was carrying a box, too. Her parents followed closely behind. She was black.

There were some awkward introductions, I recall, but she and I continued our unpacking. Our fathers disappeared.

A few minutes later the fathers returned with a university official. Apologies were uttered; it seemed I had been assigned the wrong room. It was just a clerical mistake, the official said. She and I looked at each other across the room, not believing the excuse but resigned. We were both embarrassed and silently communicated - "It's them, not me."

Our parents, hers and mine, were not racist. They were a product of their time.

But, times have changed.

Last night we witnessed an event of historical proportion - for America and the world. The first African-American has been elected President of the United States. Those far more eloquent than I will document the event and I encourage you to take time to reflect on both the past and the future of our great country.

Although Chicago made history last night, as the location of President-Elect Obama's acceptance speech, I will not be posting on my Chicago history blog this week. In my life I have seen the Korean War, the birth of the Civil Rights movement, a man land on the moon, the loss of Jack, Bobby and Martin, the tragedy of 9/11, to name a few. But of all I have seen, last night - as state after state screamed - "It's not me" -I realized that our country had finally and decisively entered a new age. And I lived to see it.

Photo: Doug Mills/The New York Times

Make History...VOTE

With Deep Sadness

Studs Terkel (1912-2008)

On Chicago

"The saddest day for Chicago newspapers was when they started taking politicians seriously and reporting their everyday doings and sayings"

Ben Hecht(1894-1964)

Recommended:
Great resource on Hecht! Ben Hecht Biography & Works in Snickersnee Press Books

Photo Credit: Library of Congress, DN-0070632, Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Chicago Historical Society.