On 13 Sept 1873, ChiTrib says several kinds of poker here. "Poker in the ribs, poker and tongs, whisky-poker & draw poker." Says last was 1st played at the Tremont House hotel in 1850s. Whisky-poker was game in which players traded cards to get the best poker hand, nothing down.

On 13 Sept 1873, female lawyers should tie "gorgeous ribbons around their waists in pretty boudoirs" instead of practicing law, says male colleague. Chicagoan Myra Bradwell lost her bid to become a lawyer in April 1873 in famous SCOTUS decision, but dozens followed her here.

On 14 Sept 1874, the so-called State St. burnt district, from Van Buren to Harmon Ct., rebuilding slowly. Few buildings are already up & most lots have activity. Streets crowded with horse teams taking debris to dump in lake. This pix is immediate post-fire of State & Madison.

On 14 Sept 1874, patrons checked out 1,801 books from the Chicago Public Library in what they say was a national record. The library opened 1 Jan 1873 in an old water tower. Most of the books were so esoteric that few would read them, but hey, it was free, just like the internet!

On 15 Sept 1875,

On 16 Sept 1875,

On 17 Sept 1876,

On 17 Sept 1876, the Chicago-Florida Association has 40 members & wants to start a settlement of Chicagoans in the Sunshine State. Group met @ the Atlantic hotel for a couple of months & then disappeared. Were they eaten by alligators?

On 18 Sept 1877, Peter Ponson, no age, died of self-inflicted gunshot wound @ 373 Hubbard St. He had just taken job as a telegraph operator & was hoping to send $ to wife & large family back home in Norway. For all of the "American Dream" stories, not all immigrants succeeded.

On 18 Sept 1877, the Merchants', Farmers' & Mechanics' Savings Bank was hit by a bank run this morning. Bank closed its doors yesterday after it ran out of $. Cash on hand not equal to deposits, so most depositors will be out of luck. 2day there is insurance, even in 2008-9.

On 19 Sept 1878, total travel time to Deadwood, S.D. from Chicago is 57 hours by train & stage. 1000s traveling from the the East in search of Black Hills gold & since all trains run to Chicago, all must stop here. The exodus thinned by 1879 as most gold was mined, not panned.

On 19 Sept 1877, instead of Tide pods mix 1 box potash, 5 cents of ammonia, 5 cents of tartar & a gallon of water & soak clothes overnite. White clothes are best. Heat pot to boiling for several minutes, swirl & wring dry. Kids can't eat this mixture like Tide pods.

On 20 Sept 1878, business is brisk @ Chicago's west side retailers. With cheaper rents and lots of customers, dry goods, grocers & others on Halsted, Milwaukee & Madison sts have best buys in town. Much of their neighborhood was lost to freeways & U of I campus in 1960s & 70s.

On 20 Sept 1878, advice 2 parents: don't let ur daughters sit up w/company til 10:30 pm, read novels til 2 am & breakfast @ 10. "Self is the all-absorbing thought of such lives. Instead, teach them to be respected & happy." And give them Facebook & Instragram accounts.

On 21 Sept 1879, fish are biting @ nearby Lake Geneva. One Chicago physician & party caught 400 black bass, some largest ever, in 1 day's fishing. Chic & NW RR running special trains to lake for other Chicago fishermen. And now u know why u never catch anything.

On 21 Sept 1879, August Luallows, 37, 16 N Halsted, took too much laudanum to relieve a migraine headache. His wife called a physician when he collapsed, but nothing could be done. Ruled accidental poisoning. Laudanum, active ingredient opium, still prescribed for diarrhea & pain

On 22 Sept 1880, State Street is in store for new sidewalks, from Adams to 39th streets. The city will pay for the construction through one of Chicago's most interesting neighborhoods. In those days, all sidewalks were made of wood, as picture shows.

On 23 Sept 1880, 2 Chicago stockbrokers suing a telegraph company for mistaken message. The telegram as sent from Boston read "buy pork @ four," but as received said, "buy pork @ five." Plaintiffs say they lost $129.03 & want $ back. That's why computerized trading is safer.

On 24 Sept 1881, Illinois Humane Society has prosecuted 3 Chicago boys for cruelty to animals. All sent to reform schools. Oscar L. Dudley is society's Chicago agent. Beyond animals, he also helped neglected, abused & abandoned children & set up 1st juvenile court in 1899.

On 24 Sept 1881, all Chicago saloons will be closed 2morrow 10 am to 5 pm during Pres. James Garfield's funeral. He was 2nd assassinated president, between Lincoln & McKinley. His tomb in Cleveland makes one wonder how future presidents will be remembered & buried