The Illinois and Michigan Canal. begun in IS:30, was finished in 184S; and in the same year the first railroad, the Chicago and Galena was completed. Four years later the Michigan Southern and the 'Michigan Central, the first roads leading to the East, entered the city, which from this time grew Willi unprece dented rapidity. In 1800 the Republican Na tional Convention, by vvhieli Lincoln was nom inated. was held in Chicano, In October, 1871, the most destructive fire in the history of the country oeeurred here. Breaking out in a barn in De lioven Street, and fanned by a gale, it spread with the greatest rapidity, and raged uncon trolled for two days and nights, sweeping over 2100 acres, destroying 17.450 buildings, and caus ing 2110 deaths, besides the greatest destitution and suffering. Out of a population of 324.000, more than 70,000 were rendered homeless, and al most one-third of the property in the city ($190, 000,000 out of 8020.000.000) was destroyed. Re lief poured in from all sides, :i.:7.000.000 being quickly contributed in Europe and America, and within a year the city was largely rebuilt.
In July. 1877, the railroad riots, caused by discontented laborers. necessitated the calling out of militia and United states troops, and in Slay, 1886, occurred the celebrated *Haymarket riots' (9.v.), consequent upon the labor troubles of 18S.i till. 1111 Slay -I. while the police were at tempting to break lip an Anarchist meeting, a bomb was thrown among them, and 27 of their number were wounded, of whom seven subse quently died. In 1593 the great Worlirs Fair (see \Vomit's COLT EXPOsTTIoN was held here. In 1594 a large number of laborers went on a st rike. destroying property at ..1.000.000. and again making it necessary to call out the militia and a detachment of United States troops.
BiumoonAmiv. Mason (editor). Euriy Chi cory, gild Illinois (Chieago. 15901; Kirkland. The Story of chirgyo (Chicago, 1:02) ; and and Kirkland, History of Chicago (Chicago, 1895) ; the various papers in Fergus's Historical ;writ's, Nos. 1-22 (Chicago, 1876-82) ; HurIburt, Chicago Antiquities (Chicago. 1881), and a chap ter by Lyman J. Gage. in Powell. Historic
Towns of the Western States (New York. 19)1); Andreas. History of Chicago (Chicago, 1884). • CHICAGO DRAINAGE CANAL. This canal was built to connect the west branch of the south fork of the Chicago River (q.v.) with the Des Plaines Iti one of the head streams of the Illinois River, under such conditions that the water flows from Lake through the Chicago River and the eanal, into the Des Plaines River. thus reversing the direction of flow of the Chicago River. The object of the canal is to divert to the Illinois River the sewage of Chicago. which had been previously discharged into Lake Michigan. The engineering difficulties were peculiar, and aroused =eh professional and general interest. Work was begun on the canal on September 3, 1892, and it was formally opened on January 28. 1900. The canal begins on the west fork of the south branch of the Chicago River, at (obey Street, 5.8 miles from the lake, up to which point the Chicago River had to be dredged, and extends to Leek port, a distance of 28.05 miles, where the water action is controlled. Here there is a basin of sufficient width to allow vessels to turn. The tail-race below Lockport. which carries the water to the Des Plaines River. is (150(1 feet long. The flow of water through this race is controlled by sluice-gates and a dam. It was necessary. how ever, to carry the construction to Joliet, 7.1 miles farther, so that the total distance from the lake to Joliet is about 40 miles. The width of the canal is 100 feet at the bottom and 102 feet at the top, through rock, and 1 1 0 to 202 feet at the bottom and 200 to 300 at the top, through earthy soil. the actual width in most of the distance being hut 100 feet. this being sufficient for the flow of water at the rate of :;00,000 cubic feet per minute. The depth is 36 feet, with a minimum depth of water of 22 feet. The cost of the canal up to the time of 'opening' about $33,000,000. The construction has been most of the time under the charge of Chief Engineer Isham Randolph. Current numbers of the Engineering •ews contain much information in regard to the canal. See SEWAGE Diseosxl..