Eastern Illinois University Logo
Past Tracker |

Late 19th Century - Business and Economy

Pre-Statehood Era: 1700-1818

Early Statehood: 1818-1861

Civil War Era: 1861-1865

Late 19th Century: 1866-1900

Early 20th Century: 1900-1914

World War I: 1914-1918

Roaring Twenties: 1918-1929

Great Depression: 1930-1941

World War II: 1941-1945

Cold War Era: 1946-1991

Millennium: 1991-Present

Lesson Plans

Resources

Agriculture

Photograph of Centennial Parade, July 4th, 1876, Charleston, Illinois  

  • This photograph depicts two floats from the Traver and Nixon Broom Factory. Broomcorn played an important role in Coles County’s economy. Manufacturers used the tassels of the broomcorn plant to make the bristles of the broom found in many kitchens.

  • Photograph courtesy of the Illinois State Historical Society.

Newspaper article about lack of rain, August 8, 1894

  • This article from the New York Times talks about the lack of rainfall and its effect on crops in the Illinois region. 

  • Citation: "Illinois Still Needs Rain." from the New York Times, August 8, 1894.

Memoir of Edward West, 1895, Speaking About the Farmer and Fruit Growers Association

  • In this memoir, Edward West speaks about the changes and growth of the Farm and Fruit Growers Association in Illinois and also about his six-week term serving on a grand jury.

  • Citation: West, Edward William. "Memoirs: Record of the Events in the Life and Times of Edward William West, Belleville, Illinois, A. D. 1895" from Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, vol. 22, no. 2. July, 1929. 55-57.

Banks and Economy

An Act to Repeal and Amend the Several Laws in Relation to Banks in this State, March 7th, 1867

  • In 1867 the legislature authorized the existing stock banks to retire their notes, reduce their capital stock to five thousand dollars, and continue their banking activities other than note issue.

  • Citation: Public Laws of the State of Illinois Passed by the General Assembly Convened January 7, 1867. Springfield, IL: Baker, Bailhache & Co., Printers, 1867. 49-50.

Industry and Labor

Invitation to a Southern Commercial Convention, August 16th, 1869 / Transcription

  • Invitation to the Chicago city council to send representatives to Louisville, KY to discuss commercial interests in the south following the Civil War. The convention was held October 12th of that year.

  • Citation: Bailey, Robert E. and Elaine Shemoney Evans. Early Chicago, 1833-1871 A Selection of City Council Proceedings Files. Springfield: Illinois State Archives, 1999. Document 47. Used by permission of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Accessed 11/19/2016. https://cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/teaching_packages/early_chicago/doc47.html

Request for the Sale of Brick and Iron from Burned Public Buildings, October 23rd, 1871 / Transcription

  • Request from Chicago Public Works to the city council to sell brick and iron that was still usable from the Great Fire of 1871.

  • Citation: Bailey, Robert E. and Elaine Shemoney Evans. Early Chicago, 1833-1871 A Selection of City Council Proceedings Files. Springfield: Illinois State Archives, 1999. Document 50. Used by permission of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Accessed on 11/19/2016. https://cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/teaching_packages/early_chicago/doc50.html

Law Concerning Warehouses, 1871

  • This act regulated public warehouses and the housing and inspection of grain. It was considered to be part of the Grange Movement that became fairly influential after the Civil War. It is also connected with the Railroad and Warehouse Commission Act. It was approved on April 25th, 1871.

  • Citation: Gross, Eugene L. and William L. Gross. The Statutes of Illinois: An Analytical Digest of All the General Laws of the State in Force at the Present Time, Second Volume: Acts of 1871 and 1872. Springfield, IL: E. L. & W. L. Gross, 1872. 440-449.

Law Concerning Warehouses, 1873

  • This act, passed two years later, revised the laws concerning the state’s regulation of warehouses passed in 1871. It was approved on April 15, 1873.

  • Citation: Gross, William L., ed. The Statutes of Illinois: An Analytical Compilation of All the General Laws of the State in Force at the Present Time, Volume III: Acts of 1873-4. Cambridge, MA: Riverside Press, H. O. Houghton & Company, 1874. 454-455.

Petition of the Ellsworth Zouaves for Compensation for Services Rendered During the Labor Riots, December 6th, 1877 / Transcription

  • This petition request funds for the "Ellsworth Zouaves" militia for assisting in stopping labor riots in Chicago.

  • Citation: Bailey, Robert E. and Elaine Shemoney Evans. From the Ashes, 1872-1900 A Selection of Documents from the Proceeding Files of the Chicago City Council. Springfield: Illinois State Archives, 1990. Document 10. Used by permission of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Accessed on 11/19/2016. https://cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/teaching_packages/from_the_ashes/doc10.html

Hyde Park Nuisance Article

  • This newspaper article describes complaints brought up by the city of Hyde Park against the Northwestern Fertilizer Company. The company had earlier been given legal permission to erect a factory in the vicinity that would convert animal waste products from Chicago’s meatpacking plants into fertilizer. After several years, however, no factory had been built, but the company continued to transport animal entrails and other waste products by train and dump them in the fields near the originally proposed site. Naturally, the pollution brought about by the abandoned waste raised the ire of Hyde Park’s citizens.

  • Citation: "Hyde Park Nuisance" from the Chicago Daily Tribune, January 13, 1873, 4.

Resolution to Investigate a Cigar Factory, March 1st, 1880 / Transcription

  • This resolution to the health commission to investigate a cigar factory for health violations. The notes in the original section note that, despite the resolution, the factory passed inspection.

  • Citation: Bailey, Robert E. and Elaine Shemoney Evans. From the Ashes, 1872-1900 A Selection of Documents from the Proceedings Files of the Chicago City Council. Springfield: Illinois State Archives, 1990. Document 16. Used by permission of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Accessed on 11/19/2016. https://cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/teaching_packages/from_the_ashes/doc16

Ordinance Concerning Child Labor, September 6th, 1880 / Transcription

  • This ordinance prevented children under 12 from working and limited the hours of children under the age of 15. Ultimately, the ordinance did not pass.

  • Citation: Bailey, Robert E. and Elaine Shemoney Evans. From the Ashes, 1872-1900 A Selection of Documents from the Proceedings Files of the Chicago City Council. Springfield: Illinois State Archives, 1990. Document 17. Used by permission of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Accessed on 11/19/2016. https://cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/teaching_packages/from_the_ashes/doc17.html

Mine Inspection Report, Bureau County, 1880 / Transcription

  • This report shows the findings from Bureau County Locey-Hall Mine inspections in 1880 and 1881. Included is a mine collapse and safety reports for the visits to the mine.

  • Citation: Turnbaugh, Dr. Roy C. Jr. and Robert E. Bailey. Windows to the Past: A Selection of Illinois County Records from 1818 to 1880. Springfield: Illinois State Archives, 1985. Document 37. Used by permission of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

Petition from Labor Groups to Close City Offices on May 1 to Observe an Eight-Hour Demonstration, April 19th, 1891 / Transcription

  • Petition from labor unions to the city of Chicago to close city hall and city departments on May 1st. Notes from the original book stated the city council complied with the request. This day was seen as a precursor to the modern Labor Day celebration in America, passed in 1894.

  • Citation: Bailey, Robert E. and Elaine Shemoney Evans. From the Ashes, 1872-1900 A Selection of Documents from the Proceedings Files of the Chicago City Council. Springfield: Illinois State Archives, 1990. Document 36. Used by permission of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Accessed on 11/19/2016. https://cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/teaching_packages/from_the_ashes/doc36.html

Memorial of the Chicago Teamsters Union No. 1 for the City to Contract Exclusively with Union Members, February 6th, 1893 / Transcription

  • This memorial lists proposed ordinances that the Teamsters Union No. 1 suggested for the city of Chicago, including exclusive contracts for all teamster jobs in the city, as well as age and citizenship requirements for all teamsters.

  • Citation: Bailey, Robert E. and Elaine Shemoney Evans. From the Ashes, 1872-1900 A Selection of Documents from the Proceedings Files of the Chicago City Council. Springfield: Illinois State Archives, 1990. Document 38. Used by permission of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Accessed on 11/19/2016. https://cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/teaching_packages/from_the_ashes/doc38.html

Communication from the Trade and Labor Assembly Concerning Compulsory Education, December 16, 1888 / Transcription

  • The communication endorses a petition put forth by the Illinois Woman's Alliance on December 10th, 1888. It addresses perceived opposition to compulsory education.

  • Citation: Bailey, Robert E. and Elaine Shemoney Evans. From the Ashes: 1872-1900, A Selection of Documents from the Proceedings Files of the Chicago City Council. Springfield: Illinois State Archives, 1990. Document 31. Used by permission of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Accessed on 11/19/2016. https://cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/teaching_packages/from_the_ashes/doc31.html

Communication from the Illinois Woman's Alliance Concerning Child Labor, April 16, 1890 / Typed Transcription

  • This report requests that children who work to support their families must be over ten, and have reports from the Boards of Health and Education.

  • Citation: Bailey, Robert E. and Elaine Shemoney Evans. From the Ashes: 1872-1900, A Selection of Documents from the Proceedings Files of the Chicago City Council. Springfield: Illinois State Archives, 1990. Document 33. Used by permission of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Accessed on 11/19/2016. https://cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/teaching_packages/from_the_ashes/doc33.html

Excerpt from Thirty Years of Labor, 1859-1889 by Terence V. Powderly, 1890

Haymarket Riot, 1886

"Revenge" Circular, May 3rd and 4th, 1886

  • This circular hoped to arose the passions of workingmen against the police for violence that occurred the day before Haymarket. It appears in both English and German.

  • Citation: Schaack, Michael J.. Anarchy and Anarchists. Chicago: F. J. Schulte & Company, 1889.

Call for the Haymarket Meeting, Version One, May 4th, 1886

  • The initial version of the Haymarket flyer featured the line "Workingmen Arm Yourselves and Appear in Full Force!" This appears in both English and German.

  • Citation: Schaack, Michael J.. Anarchy and Anarchists. Chicago: F. J. Schulte & Company, 1889.

Call for the Haymarket Meeting, Version Two, May 4th, 1886

  • The second version of the Haymarket flyer removed the line "Workingmen Arm Yourselves and Appear in Full Force!"

  • Citation: Schaack, Michael J.. Anarchy and Anarchists. Chicago: F. J. Schulte & Company, 1889.

Chicago Herald, May 4th, 1886

  • Account of the battle between police and strikers at the McCormick Works.

  • Citation: From the Chicago Herald, May 4, 1886.

Chicago Herald, May 5th, 1886

  • Newspaper article account of the events of the Haymarket Riot which emphasizes the violence of the confrontation.

  • Citation: From the Chicago Herald, May 5, 1886.

Chicago Inter Ocean, May 5th, 1886

  • First-person newspaper article account of the events of the Haymarket Riot. The author blamed August Spies for inciting the riot.

  • Citation: From the Chicago Inter Ocean, May 5, 1886.

Chicago Evening Journal, May 5th, 1886

  • Newspaper account of Inspector Bonfield meeting with striking freight-handlers. The workers pledged to denounce violent resistance.

  • Citation: From the Chicago Evening Journal, May 5, 1886.

Chicago Times, May 6th, 1886

  • Newspaper article denouncing the Socialist agitators of the Haymarket Riot.

  • Citation: From the Chicago Times, May 6, 1886.

Chicago Inter Ocean, May 6th, 1886

  • Newspaper article account of a police raid on a beer saloon.

  • Citation: From the Chicago Inter Ocean, May 6, 1886.

Chicago Times, May 7th, 1886

  • Newspaper article account of the arrest of George Engel.

  • Citation: From the Chicago Times, May 7, 1886.

Chicago Inter Ocean, May 8th, 1886

  • Newspaper article account on the arrest of Rudolph Schauboldt and pursuit of Albert and Lucy Parsons.

  • Citation: From the Chicago Inter Ocean, May 8, 1886.

Chicago Times, May 8th, 1886

  • Newspaper article mocking the response of the Arbeiter Zeitung to the Haymarket Riot.

  • Citation: From the Chicago Times, May 8, 1886.

Chicago Daily News, May 15th, 1886

  • Newspaper article account of the violent arrest of Louis Lingg.

  • Citation: From the Chicago Daily News, May 15, 1886.

Excerpt from the Opening Address of State Attorney, July 15th,  1886

  • State Attorney Julius S. Grinnell led the prosecution in the trial resulting from the Haymarket Riot.

Excerpt of Writing by Michael Schwab, 1887

  • Michael Schwab writes about the injustice of the trial and defends the anarchist point of view.

  • Citation: Parsons, Albert R.. Anarchism: Its Philosophy and Scientific Basis, as Defined by Some of Its Apostles. Chicago, 1887.

Drawing of the Suicide Attempt by Louis Lingg, 1887

  • On November 10th, 1887, Louis Lingg committed suicide by exploding a dynamite cap in his mouth, one day before Neebe, Fielden, and Schwab were hung.

  • Citation: Schaack, Michael J.. Anarchy and Anarchists. Chicago: F. J. Schulte & Company, 1889.

Excerpt of a Letter to The Alarm by Albert R. Parsons, August 11th, 1888

  • Parsons claimed to be innocent of any crime at Haymarket, but believed that his political and social opinions had led to his conviction during the trial.

Collage of Drawings of Weapons Related to Louis Lingg, 1889

  • Drawings detailing equipment related to Louis Lingg.

  • Citation: Schaack, Michael J. Anarchy and Anarchists. Chicago: F. J. Schulte & Company, 1889.

Diagram of Haymarket Area, 1889

  • Drawing shows where the bomb was thrown, where the bomb exploded, and Zepf's Hall.

  • Citation: Parsons, Lucy E.. Life of Albert Parsons with Brief History of the Labor Movement in America. Chicago: Mrs. Lucy E. Parsons, 1889.

Drawing of Police Arriving at Haymarket, Version One, 1889

  • The police arrive at Haymarket in a loosely organized formation.

  • Citation: Parsons, Lucy E.. Life of Albert Parsons with Brief History of the Labor Movement in America. Chicago: Mrs. Lucy E. Parsons, 1889.

Drawing of Police Arriving at Haymarket, Version Two, 1889

  • The police arrive at Haymarket in a tightly organized formation.

  • Citation: Schaack, Michael J.. Anarchy and Anarchists. Chicago: F. J. Schulte & Company, 1889.

Virden Mine Conflict, 1898

"Wanted! 175 Colored Miners!" Flyer, 1898

  • Flyer, created by the owners of the Chicago-Virden Coal Company in Virden, IL, was distributed in Birmingham, Alabama to advertise jobs for African-American miners in the Virden mine. The labor dispute occurring at Virden is not mentioned in the flier. When the African-American miners arrived via train, a shoot-out took place between the Illinois miners and hired guards on the train.

  • Credit: This image is courtesy of Dr. Rosemary Feurer, professor of history at Northern Illinois University.

"Battle to the Death at Virden," October 13th, 1898

  • This Chicago Tribune article lists the casualties at Virden, gives an account of the battle, and notes the arrival of troops.

  • Citation: "Battle to the Death at Virden" from the Chicago Tribune, October 13, 1898.

"Aiding the Virden Miners," October 15th, 1898

  • This New York Times article gives an account of Wednesday's battle and notes that the company might try to bring the African-American miners in again.

  • Citation: "Aiding the Vierden Miners" from the New York Times, October 15, 1898.

Coal Report Illinois, 1898 / Summary by page

  • This 17-page report describes the state of Illinois' assessment of the labor problems plaguing mines and the condition of the mining industry. View the Summary by page link for a breakdown of the document.

  • Citation: Seventeenth Annual Report of the State Bureau of Labor Statistics Concerning Coal in Illinois 1898 Containing the Fifteenth Annual Reports of the State Inspectors of Mines. Springfield: Phillips Bros., State Printers, 1899. 1-17.

Transportation

Railroads

Law Concerning Railroads, 1871

  • This act regulated rates for passengers and freight being shipped by railroads to prevent unjust discrimination. It established a board of railroad and warehouse commissioners and prescribed their powers and duties. This act was considered to be part of the Grange Movement that became fairly influential after the Civil War. It is also connected with the Public Warehouse Act included on the Industry page. It was approved on April 13th, 1871.

  • Citation: Gross, Eugene L. and William L. Gross. The Statutes of Illinois: An Analytical Digest of All the General Laws of the State in Force at the Present Time, Second Volume: Acts of 1871 and 1872. Springfield, IL: E. L. & W. L. Gross, 1872. 299-315.

Law Concerning Railroads, 1873

  • This act, passed two years later, revised the laws concerning the state’s regulation of the railroad industry passed in 1871. It was approved on April 15th, 1873.

  • Citation: Gross, William L., ed. The Statutes of Illinois: An Analytical Compilation of All the General Laws of the State in Force at the Present Time, Volume III: Acts of 1873-4. Cambridge, MA: Riverside Press, H. O. Houghton & Company, 1874. 313-324.

Law Concerning Horse and Dummy Railroads, 1874

  • This act regulate the creation of dummy railroad and tramway companies. Dummy engines were steam engines that were enclosed in a wooden box to make them appear more similar to passenger cars in an attempt to keep from startling horses. The act was passed on March 19th, 1874.

  • Citation: Gross, William L., ed. The Statutes of Illinois: An Analytical Compilation of All the General Laws of the State in Force at the Present Time, Volume III: Acts of 1873-4. Cambridge, MA: Riverside Press, H. O. Houghton & Company, 1874. 228-229.

Canals and River Ways

Communication from the State Board of Health Concerning Pollution of the Chicago River, Illinois and Michigan Canal and the Illinois River, January 10th, 1880 / Transcription

  • This communication discusses pollution issues with canals caused by the removal of pumps at Bridgeport, and suggest replacing those removed.

  • Citation: Bailey, Robert E. and Elaine Shemoney Evans. From the Ashes, 1872-1900 A Selection of Documents from the Proceedings Files of the Chicago City Council. Springfield: Illinois State Archives, 1990. Document 15. Used by permission of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Accessed on 11/19/2016. https://cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/teaching_packages/from_the_ashes/doc15.html