Chicago

City of Cook co., Ill., second largest of the U. S.; on w. shore of Lake Michigan near its head. The site is nearly level, and raised but a few feet above the lake. It is traversed by C. River, a sluggish, crooked stream, but navigable for lake ve els. A breakwater has been constructed in the lake, forming a fairly good harbor. It is the principal port of the Great Lakes, has a large commerce, and is one of the most important railroad centers of the country, more than 30 lines intersecting there. It has very large manufactures of a varied character; among the more prominent are iron and steel, clothing, furniture, and agricultural implements. Slaughtering and meat-packing is among the most prominent of its industries. The city covers an area of 180 sq. m. Ab. one-fourth of its streets are paved, mainly with wood. Water is supplied by pumping from Lake Michigan, the point of supply being at some distance from the shore. It has a comprehensive sewer system, the sewers emptying into C. River. The sewage thus accumulated in the river and harbor causes much anxiety and trouble, and a project is in proce of carrying it into the Illinois River. The population in 1890 was 1,099,850, of which fully one-half were of foreign birth. Marquette visited the place 1673; Fort Dear born was built 1804. The city was laid out in 1830, and chartered 1837. Its growth has been phenomenal in its rapidity. Oct. 8-10, 1871, it was visited by a fearful conflagration, which destroyed the entire busine center and a large part of the residence portion, involving a lo of $200,000,000. A bomb, thrown by Anarchists, May 4, 1886, killed 8 and wounded 60 policemen; 4 of the Anarchists were hanged Nov. 11, 1887, and others imprisoned. The Columbian Exposition was held May 1 to Oct. 30, 1893. Chicago Ship Canal. Under construction to connect Lake Michigan with the Mi i ippi R., and to carry the sewage of Chicago away from the city and lake. The canal proper will be ab. 30 m. long, from 110 to 210 ft. wide, and from 22 to 36 ft. deep, 10 m. being in solid rock. Work was begun 1893. The estimated cost, including harbor outlet and river improvements, is ab. $28,000,000. It has a pitch of 1 ft. in 7 m., and will discharge 300,000 cubic ft. a minute.