street, whence he had some of the bodies removed to Graceland. This circumstance served to recall to memory an imputed fact in the rivalry, at an early day, between Dixon, this state, and Beloit, Wis. It was in the fever and ague period, when new-comers into the West were aching and shaking with the prevailing affection. Pioneer settlers at Beloit wrote to friends back East that their locality was free from the ague, but that it was awful down in Dixon; while settlers at the latter place informed their friends at the East that a request had been made on Beloit for a corps with which to start a graveyard there. Here, then, the South Division was to furnish corpses for the starting of a cemetery for the North Division-which might be taken as a recognition of the exceeding healthfulness of the north shore.

Now the lead is straight into the City Council. The sixty acres which comprised the upper half and more of the cemetery grounds, and had not been surveyed and divided into burial lots, but had already been a good deal improved by the Board of Public Works and given somewhat the appearance of a park, were within the old Thirteenth Ward, which was competently represented in the council by Mathias Franzen and John M. Armstrong. On March 14, 1864, Alderman Armstrong presented a communication in which was recommended the passing of an ordinance setting apart about sixty acres in the old cemetery for a public park. Referred to the Committee on Wharves and Public Grounds. At a council meeting, March 28, this report thereon was made: "The Committee on Wharves and Public Grounds, to whom had been referred a communication from Alderman Armstrong, submitted the following, which was laid over and published. "To the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Chicago: Your committee on Wharves and Public Grounds, to whom was referred a communication from Alderman Armstrong with an ordinance in relation to Chicago Cemetery, and to declare a part thereof a public park, have had the same under consideration and recommend the passage of the same. (Signed) James Conlan, Benj. E. Galup, for the Committee. On April 25, Alderman Ruh of the Fourteenth Ward called up the recommending ordinance, and Alderman Titsworth (of the Second Ward), moved again to refer it. This evidently was a sparring for time. It had come to be regarded as a ticklish business, the making of a park for the North Division. The fact was further evidenced when Alderman Roberts (of the Third Ward), moved to lay the motion to refer on the table, pending which the Council adjourned. The Second, Sixteenth and Third Wards were not in the North Division. At a subsequent meething of the Council the subject-matter was referred to a special committee composed of Alderman Armstrong, Sheridan and Talcott. This committee submitted, April 25, a report which was designed to answer each and every argument that had, in the Council and outside among the people, been made against the park scheme.

"The city purchased,'' said this report, "one hundred and twenty acres of land, now included in the city limits, and lying on the lake short in the North Division, to be used as a cemetery. About sixty acres of the south part have been sub-divided into cemetery lots and most of them sold. A portion of the ground thus sub-divided was set apart as a Potter's Field. The north sixty acres have never been surveyed or divided into lots, and the Common Council on the 13th day of February, 1860, passed an ordinance limiting the cemetery to that part then surveyed and sub-divided, prohibited further burials in the north sixty acres and reserved them to be used as a park or such public purpose as the Common Council might thereafter devote them to. There is also a small triangular piece containing about three acres in the southwest corner, lying west of Green Bay road, and cut by LaSalle street, thus giving fronts on Green Bay road and both sides of LaSalle street, which has never been enclosed or used for cemetery purposes.

"When the cemetery was located Chicago was a small town and the ground was sufficiently remote from the inhabited portion of the town; but since then Chicago has become a large city, bringing the cemetery entirely within the city. This location is now an improper one, and interferes with the growth and prosperity of the city. Other and more desirable cemeteries have been laid out to meet the new state of affairs. Removals are being made from the old cemetery to the new grounds and the city cemetery will ultimately be abandoned. Chicago has now a population of 150,000 and must become the second city on the continent. Public parks are necessary to the health, comfort and morality of an over-crowded city. Experience has shown the necessity of making early provision for parks while the land can be obtained in a body of sufficient size and for

a reasonable price. So far the city has only a few squares, and Union Park, which is the only public ground worthy of the name of park. Union Park is too small to accommodate the great City of Chicago, is destitute of water and natural trees. It fortunately happens that the city owns the sixty acres north of the cemetery on the lake shore, which possesses all the requisites for a public park for the whole city. Your committee takes no such narrow view of this matter as to consider the proposed public park as one in which the North Division is alone interested. It is to be the park to which the whole city may resort, and may be enlarged as the cemetery is abandoned. The ground is of an uneven surface, covered with a fine growth of trees, and has a running stream of water passing entirely through it, from which fish ponds may be made and on which boats may be used in summer and in winter make admirable places for skating. A full view of the entire shipping on the lake, as it enters and leaves the harbor, can be had from the park. This ground could not be purchased by the city, except at a large cost, and if sold suitable grounds could never be obtained for this purpose within the city. It has already been reserved for a park or some other public purpose, at the discretion of the Common Council, and the ordinance referred to your committee only declares the grounds to be a park, and provides for its improvement. No appropriation is asked from the treasury. The tract of three acres cannot be used by the city, and must sooner or later be sold. Your committee is of the opinion that the present is a suitable time to realize the largest sum from the sale. It seems to be eminently just that the proceeds of this small piece should be applied to the improvement of the park, and thus save all taxation for that purpose. The ordinance has sufficient provisions to prevent a sacrifice of property. Your committee recommends the passage of the ordinance. (Signed) J. M. Armstrong, Mark Sheridan, M. Talcott.”

This report had influence with many of the aldermen and probably the larger portion of the public. But there were members of the Council, and a minority of the citizens, who were skeptical as to the proposed park being improved without recourse to taxation, and besides, it was contended, the grounds to be taken for it were too far from the South and West Divisions of the city ever to be visited for recreation by the dwellers south and west of the river. Something stronger than argument was needed in the case. That something was a "gentlemen's agreement," to which the North Division aldermen and leading citizens were parties, to the effect that as occasion should arise they would exert themselves to the utmost to secure to each of the other divisions of the city a park to be its own. There was some hesitation to accept this solution as satisfactory, but finally all did so. On October 21, 1864, at a regular meeting of the Council, Alderman Armstrong called up the ordinance and had it put on its passage. Alderman Holden moved to fill a blank in the ordinance by naming the park "Douglas Park." The motion was lost, ayes 7, nays 14. Alderman Rue moved that the blank be filled with the name "Lake Park," which motion carried, ayes 22, nays none. On the final vote upon the ordinance there was not a single dissentient.

That just credit may be given for the passage of this park ordinance to the North Chicago Railway Company among others, it will be proper to refer to à festive incident that occurred in the afternoon and evening before the event, outside the City Council. Jacob Rehm who, when City Marshal, as he was a few years previously, and by virtue of his office was also sergeant-at-arms of the City Council, was well known to and influential with the aldermen, whose votes were expected to pass the park measure. He held close and confidential relations with the directors of the railroad company, and as their guests he had the whole Council on an excursion to view the road and the land that was wanted to be declared a public park. The aldermen were met and handsomely entertained by expectant residents of the district; and upon their return to the city, Mr. Rehm treated them all to a bountiful supper at Tom Andrews' fine restaurant. All this was a sufficient preparation for affirmative action on the park ordinance, which was taken two hours later. It was of common knowledge then, as the conclusion must now be, that the railroad company and the Board of Public Works were the principal of a number of collaborating authors of the first large park. At the same time Alderman Armstrong earned and received handsome credit.

The ordinance as passed read: Sec. 1. Hereafter no body shall be buried in the Chicago Cemetery except in the lots which have been sold by the city. Sec. 2. All of the north part of the Chicago Cemetery which has not been

surveyed and divided into cemetery lots (tract described) is hereby set apart and declared to be a public park, and shall be known by the name of Lake Park. By an amendment to the ordinance authority was given to sell the outlying three-acre piece, the proceeds of the selling to be used in improving the park in such manner as the Board of Public Works should direct. Thus the park was a whole city affair, under the management of city officials.

The name, Lake Park, for the at last dedicated recreation and pleasure grounds, was almost immediately changed for that it still bears-Lincoln Park. On June 5, 1865, Alderman Lawson presented to the Common Council and had at once passed the following resolution: Whereas, there appears by the records of the city that there are now two public parks designated by the name Lake Park; Therefore, be it resolved that the park recently set apart from the unoccupied portion of the old cemetery grounds shall hereafter be known and designated as Lincoln Park."

Alderman Iver Lawson, who presented this resolution, was from the old Fifteenth Ward. He was the father of the present Victor Lawson, editor and publisher of the Chicago Daily News.

IV.

LINCOLN PARK.

Cemetery Park-Lake Park-Lincoln Park-three names given in succession to one and the same tract, both on the records and in popular speech, during the early stage of Chicago's first great park. So far this public pleasure ground, together with all the small parks in other parts of the city, had been under the management of the Board of Public Works, with a superintendent of parks as the board's efficient agent. What moneys were required for their upkeep and improvement had been voted by the Common Council. In the development of this history, the conditions theretofore existing will continue for a while longer.

For the year 1866, the Board of Public Works reported to the Mayor and Common Council that at Lincoln Park the work contracted for included the excavating for and formation of artificial lakes and artificial elevations of ground, the sodding around the borders of the lakes, and the trenching and grading of small portions of the park. This work done, said the report, "the park already begins to disclose something of the beauty which it is believed it will bear when the plan begun shall be fully carried out.' In pursuance of the political agreement, or gentlemen's pledge, made when the North Division park measure went through the Council, a considerable amount of work had been done at Union Park, which consisted mainly of preparation of the soil. Four thousand loads of manure were deposited on the grounds. The whole of the surface was sub-soiled to the depth of eighteen inches and graded. The drives and walks were laid out and excavated to the depth of six inches. The main sewer at Randolph street was extended through the park, and the board was preparing for the laying of lateral drains to connect with it. Jefferson Park had not been neglected nor, in fact, had any of the small parks been without improving attention. The reports for the next three years showed little variation in the details.

The operations on the parks during 1870 were in the control of a new Board of Public Works, composed of John McArthur, W. H. Carter and Redmond Prindiville. Their report of work done in that year showed marked advance. Of the city's money, they had expended on Lincoln Park, $38,0322.58; on Lake Park, $18,032.58; on Union Park, $12,813.40; on Ellis Park, $5,593.28; on Vernon Park, $1,627.70; on Jefferson Park, $20,868.63; on Dearborn Park, $131.75; on Washington Park, $14.30; on Wicker Park, $15.75. The principal expenditures upon the parks, in addition to their care and maintenance, were, on Lincoln Park, for the introduction of lake water, the construction of drinking hydrants and fountains of rock work, a rustic carriage bridge, and for an artesian well, bored to the depth of 1,173 feet. In Jnion Park, for the introduction of gas pipes and erection of lamp posts, the construction of rustic houses and a new carriage entrance from Washington street. In Jefferson Park, for the finishing of the lakes, the construction of walks, three rustic bridges, of a music pavilion, of a large fountain and basin, and for the sodding and seeding of most of the surface of the park. In Ellis Park, for the construction of walks, of a picket fence around the park, of a music pavilion, and of a small fountain. In Vernon Park, for grading walks and transplanting of trees.

The first notice made by any of the Boards of Public Works of Lake Park in the South Division occurs in the report for 1870. Probably it is not necessary to say here that the Lake Park of that day became the Grant Park of the present time. In view of the enormous enlargement of it to date by filling, all that the Board of Public Works said of work there in 1870 will be of interest now. "Four years ago, the strip of land called Lake Park, lying between Michigan avenue and the lake, and extending from Randolph street to Park Row, was so narrow as to be unsuitable for improvement, to any considerable extent. About that time the Board, for the purpose of putting it in a more desirable condition, asked of the Council a small appropriation, which was made, and which has been continued from year to year, to the present time. The amount appropriated has been expended in filling and making land as fast as it could be done economically, with a view to some permanent improvement that would be beneficial to the city. The result has been that, during the last four years, more than fourteen acres of land have been made at a cost of less than $50,000. After some delay from various causes, a plan was fixed upon for a systematic improvement, and the work has since been prosecuted with considerable energy. The plan is for a water-way through the center, with walks, lawns, terraces, etc., with fountains and such other ornaments and attractions as may be thought desirable. It is the purpose of the Board to continue this improvement as fast as an economical expenditure of the appropriations made by the Council from time to time will allow. Four years more, at the present rate of progress, will be sufficient to fill the entire basin and complete the present designs, so that Lake Park will have a local 'habitation' as well as a 'name' and be an ornament to the city."

The next report of the Board of Public Works covers the year of the great fire-1871—and the following year. In that period $17,110.58 were expended on Lincoln Park, on Lake Park $30,906.75, and on the West Side parks, $13,182.20; moneys appropriated by the Council. The report says: "A large amount of filling was done at Lake Park during the year, and considerable progress was made in grading, sodding and constructing walks, prior to the fire; soon after this, however, that portion of the ground fronting Michigan avenue was rented temporarily for business purposes, and on that account the work of grading and finishing was suspended. It is the design of the Board to resume this work as soon as the ground is vacated."'

Great, and even splendid, as had been the progress with respect to the parks of the city, it had been too slow to please some people who were real estate speculators or otherwise interested in the material and artistic improvement of the North Division. These decided to move on Springfield and procure from the General Assembly special relief. This was done in 1869. Besides, there was a party motive animating the move. They were all prominent members of the political party at the time dominant in the state, but that was not at all sure of dominating the city. In the other two divisions there were strong men likeminded with themselves. It was foreseen that, should there be created for each of the three divisions of the city a corporation vested with the control and management of its quota of the parks, and should there be commissions three, all the members of them to be appointed by the Governor, they would have patronage and power hard to be resisted.

It was the year before the adoption of the new State Constitution which was to do away with all special legislation, and the event was in anticipation of that prohibition. The General Assembly in that year passed "An Act to fix the boundaries of Lincoln Park in the City of Chicago, and provide for its improvement; ;" which Act was approved on the 8th of February. It had been pretty well understood that the constitution then about to be framed would forbid the granting of special charters to corporations of whatever kind, and so in the same year1869-certain enterprising men in the West Division and in the South Division procured each group the passage of an act, differing only in some of the details from that for the North Division improvers.

So far as the present writer knows, the fact that this legislation for the parks was of the same nature essentially as that had in 1865, by which the Ninety-Nine Years Horse Railroad Company was incorporated, has never been animadverted upon, nor even casually noticed. An act of incorporation-this latter that, after long weary years, the Supreme Court of the United States declared so invalid as to be absolutely void.

In the act authorizing the creation of Linciln Park, there were definite limits prescribed to the grounds to be occupied by it. These were the same, with

slight additions, that in 1837 the Legislature gave to the canal lands conveyed to the city for cemetery purposes exclusively, forever. Thus at the start it was necessary to clear the grounds, and that was done in the second section of the act. The city was authorized to appropriate such land for the park, without compensation to the city; and the title to any land that was embraced in the park limits, and not belonging to the city, might be acquired by purchase or condemnation. Next, when appointed, the Board or Commissioners of the park were empowered to purchase such land out of moneys that should come into their hands, "the same to vest in the city, to be used as part of the park." The cemetery, now having been cleared of one form of incumbrance, another, that of the dead buried there, needed to be raised. It shall be the duty, said the Act, of any person or persons owning cemetery lots included within the lands described, to remove any bodies interred there, inside of six months from the confirmation required to be made, relating to such lots; and if such removal shall not be made within the said six months, the Board of Park Commissioners may, at any time thereafter, make such removal. Other grounds were authorized to be laid out, to bring the park to the lake, at points where it fell short, and for a driveway. For the purpose of paying for such added ground, and upon a fair price being reported by appraisers, the bonds of the City of Chicago were directed to be issued, payable in twenty years, and bearing interest at the rate of seven per cent. This section of the Act was subsequently repealed, but still it is interesting as tending to show the intention, respecting the city, together with Lincoln Park, of the original framers of this park measure. The commissioners were authorized, on or before the first day of October in each year, to fix upon the amount, not exceeding seventy-five thousand dollars, necessary to be expended for the improvement and repair of the park and drive during the next succeeding year, and to certify the same to the County Court of Cook County. Thereupon it became the duty of the clerk to apportion the amount upon the taxable property returned by the town assessors of North Chicago and Lake View, and compute the same in a separate column, headed "Lincoln Park Tax," and to include the amount in the warrant issued for the collection of taxes, and collected as other taxes. In case of failure to pay the tax, judgment was to be rendered against the real estate assessed, and the like proceedings had as for other taxes. The moneys so collected must be paid to the park commissioners, to be used by them in improving and keeping in repair the park and drive.

A supplementary act was passed by the Legislature and approved April 19, 1867, repealing the section of the original act containing the above described provision, and substituting a more drastic one. This was made necessary in order to overcome opposition and to place the matter more securely in the hands of the commissioners. Town supervisors were substituted for court-appointed appraisers. Now, as before, it was the duty of the commissioners of Lincoln Park to make an estimate of the amount of money required to pay any debt contracted by them, which would fall due during the next year, and for the improvement, maintenance and government of the park during that period. This estimate was to be made and certified to the supervisors of the towns of North Chicago and Lake View, on or before the first of October in each year; and it was made the duty of the supervisors to meet in the office of the County Clerk of Cook County on the second Wednesday of October, in each year, at 11 o'clock in the forenoon, when they shall examine the returns of the assessors of said towns, and ascertain the amount of taxable property in each town; and they shall then and there proceed to fix upon and determine the amount of tax necessary for the purpose aforesaid, making the same so that there shall be uniformity with respect to persons and property in said towns; and each of said supervisors shall immediately certify to the County Clerk the amount to be raised for taxation for the purposes aforesaid, in their respective towns; and the County Clerk shall compute and extend the same as other town taxes, but such tax shall be placed in a separate column, headed 'Lincoln Park Tax.' The taxes so levied and collected shall be paid to the Commissioners of Lincoln Park, and by them applied to purposes aforesaid.'

Owing to the temper the supervisors were in, influenced as they were by many objectors, there was added this further section: "If the said supervisors of North Chicago and Lake View shall refuse, neglect or omit to fix and determine the amount to be raised, as aforesaid, or if they cannot agree with respect thereto, it shall be the duty of the Commissioners of Lincoln Park to meet at the County Clerk's office on the next day thereafter, at 11 o'clock in the forenoon, and fix