On October 8th, 1871, began the Great Chicago Fire. I have a few books that are classified as “reading copy only”. That means it is in pretty bad shape. In this case, the covers are off, and a few pages are loose from the binding. However, it is still an important book in the library. While I must handle it gingerly, it is amazing to read about this tragedy right after it happened. The title on binding is “Chicago: Past Present and Future” by James W. Sheahan and George P. Upton, published in 1871.
This wonderful book was published just over a month after the actual Great Chicago Fire. First is a history of Chicago; and then many eye witnesses to the conflagration as it progressed, and overwhelming details of the damages and destruction. There is even a fold out map of Chicago showing the origan and boundries of fire damage.
We further read of relief measures, and already of rebuilding plans and hopes; Including speeches by prominent people, and poems of support. It ends with other famous fires in history, and how they compared to the Great Chicago Fire, including the Peshtigo Fire in Northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, that also started on October 8th, 1871.
That fire burned much more area, and many more people perished there-some say between 1500 and 2500 people died. The Great Chicago Fire loss of life was about 300, but over 100,000 people were left homeless, as perhaps 17,000 buildings were destroyed. The apartment building that my great-great grandfather lived in, was burned down. Everyone thought he died there. He was released from a hospital just in time to visit his funeral.
My next book is “The Great Chicago Fire” edited by Paul M. Angle from the Chicago Historical Society, published 1946. This book “described in seven letters by men and women who experienced its horrors, and now published in commemoration of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the catastrophe.”
As well as harrowing stories, there are many unusual illustrations, and some pictures of the destruction. Inside of the book (I don’t know if came with it, or if someone added it) is a flyer “Marshall Field & Company, and the great Chicago Fire 1871.”
Inside is a picture of before and after the fire, along with the rebuilding. It also gives a little history including, that when they closed their doors Saturday night, October 7, 1871, Field, Leiter & Co was the largest of all Chicago’s whosale and retail dry goods establishments. In less than 24 hours, the building was rubble, and their losses were nearly $3,500,000. Insurance covered $250,000.
They opened again in a temporary horse-car barn once they could get merchandise. Their newly constructed permanent retail building opened in 1873. They became Marshall Field & Company in 1881, but even before the name change, they were again the largest retail establishment west of New York City.
October 8th is International Off Road Day. I have one of those vehicles. It was a suprise birthday present from my wife for my 60th birthday.
There has been this one time I had to tow myself up a hill, when I got stuck in the mud, and was caught slipping and sliding between several trees.
I do like taking my grandkids for rides. I don’t like to have the top on. We seem to make it work.
October 8th is International Octopus Day. Octopuses are fascinating creatures. I have a couple of pop-ups to illuminate the octopus. First is “Alphabet Zoo-A Pop-up A-B-C Book” by Lynette Ruschak, 1997.
O is for Octopus.
I have a large pop-up book (12 X 15) called “Big Book of Myths” by Kite Hill Books, 2010. The pages open up to 24 x 15. It is a big book.
This page is about myths in the deep. It opens up Atlantis-the lost city, under the waves. On one side of the watery city is a Kraken. This giant octopus could easily pull down a full size ship and drown everyone on board.
Between fires, and drowning, and freezing because of no roof, there are dangers all around. Can we avoid every danger? I think not, just be aware.
Danger in Japan? I have the book “Max Danger” by Robert Collins, 1987.
“As soon as there is life there is danger.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
And as always, thanks for reading.
P.S. I have several old erotic Japanese Netsuke toggles (used in old days to attach a small bag on a Kimono belt) made, I believe from Mamouth ivory. They are both of an octopus. One is reminiscent of Hokusai’s drawing of “Dream of the Fisherman’s Wife” from 1812. That print was also seen in the series ‘Mad Men’. Bert Cooper had the print hanging in his office. It was given to Peggy Olson. I enjoyed the series because it was about old school journalism, and advertising in the 1960’s.
Librarytomes 