Official Actions
The first official proclamation regarding the fire
WHEREAS, In the Providence of God, to whose will we humbly submit, a terrible calamity has befallen our city, which demands of us our best efforts for the preservation of order and relief of suffering, be it known that the faith and credit of the City of Chicago is hereby pledged for the necessary expenses for the relief of the suffering.
Public order will be preserved. The police and special police now being appointed will be responsible for the maintenance of the peace and protection of property.
All officers and men of the Fire Department and Health Department will act as special policemen without further notice.
The Mayor and Comptroller will give vouchers for all supplies furnished by the different relief committees.
The headquarters of the City Government will be at the Congregational Church, corner of West Washington and Ann Streets.
All persons are warned against any act tending to endanger property. Persons caught in any depredation will be immediately arrested.
With the help of God, order and peace and private property will be preserved.
The City Government and the committee of citizens pledge themselves to the community to protect them, and prepare the way for a restoration of public and private welfare.
It is believed the fire has spent its force, and all will soon be well.
R.B. MASON, Mayor
GEO. TAYLOR, Comptroller
CHAS. C.P. HOLDEN, President Common Council.
T.B. BROWN, President Board of Police
[October 9, 1871, 3 P.M.]
Broadside informing the burnt out where to go for assistance
TO THE HOMELESS
The headquarters of the General Relief Committee are at the Congregational Church, corner of Washington and Ann streets. All of the public school buildings, as well as churches, are open for the shelter of persons who do not find other accommodations. When food is not found at such buildings, it will be provided by the committee on application headquarters.
R.B. MASON, Mayor.
J.H. MCAVOY,
N.K. FAIRBANK,
ORRIN E. MOORE,
W.B. BATEHAM,
M.A. DEVINE,
JOHN HERTING, General Relief Committee.
C.T. HOTCHKISS, Secretary.
Order suspending the sale of liquor
In consequence of the great calamity that has befallen our city, and for the preservation of good order, it is ordered by the Mayor and Common Council of Chicago, that no liquor be sold in any Saloon until further orders. The Board of Police are charged with the execution of this order.
R.B. MASON, Mayor.
Chicago, Oct. 9, 1871
Notice authorizing J.W. Preston of the Board of Trade to receive relief contributions in behalf of the Relief Committee
HEADQUARTERS, GENERAL RELIEF COMMITTEE,
CHICAGO, October 10, 1871.
J.W. Preston, Esq., President of the Board of Trade, is hereby authorized to receive on account of this Committee, all supplies for the relief of the destitute, and distribute the same to depots of supplies established in the city, under the control and upon the order of this Committee. He is also authorized to hire or press into service, if necessary, a sufficient number of teams to handle such supplies.
ORRIN E. MOORE, Chairman,
C.T. HOTCHKISS, Secretary.
Mayor's Proclamation -- Advisory and Precautionary
1. All citizens are requested to exercise great caution in the use of fire in their dwellings, and not to use kerosene lights at present, as the city will be without a full supply of water for probably two or three days.
2. The following bridges are passable, to wit: All bridges (except Van Buren and Adams streets) from Lake Street south, and all bridges over the North Branch of the Chicago River.
3. All good citizens who are willing to serve are requested to report at the corner of Ann and Washington streets, to be sworn in as special policemen.
Citizens are requested to organize a police for each block in the city, and to send reports of such organization to the police headquarters, corner of Union and West Madison streets.
All persons needing food will be relieved by applying at the following places:--
At the corner of Ann and Washington; Illinois Central Railroad Round-house.
M.S.R.R. -- Twenty-second Street Station.
C.B. & Q.R.R. -- Canal Street Depot.
St. L. & A.R.R. -- Near Sixteenth Street.
C. & N.W.R.R. -- Corner of Kinzie and Canal streets.
All the public school-houses, and at nearly all the churches.
4. Citizens are requested to avoid passing through the burnt districts until the dangerous walls left standing can be leveled.
5. All saloons are ordered to be closed at 9 P.M. every day for one week, under a penalty of forfeiture of license.
6. The Common Council have this day by ordinance fixed the price of bread at eight (8) cents per loaf of twelve ounces, and at the same rate for loaves of a less or greater weight, and affixed a penalty of ten dollars for selling, or attempting to sell, bread at a greater rate within the next ten days.
7. Any hackman, expressman, drayman, or teamster charging more than the regular fare, will have his license revoked.
All citizens are requested to aid in preserving the peace, good order, and good name of our city.
R.B. MASON, Mayor
October 10, 1871
The Mayor's instructions on the distribution of relief
1. All supplies of provisions will be received and distributed by the Special Relief Committee, of which O.E. Moore is Chairman and C.T. Hotchkiss Secretary. Headquarters of Committee on Ann and West Washington streets.
2. All contributions of money will be delivered to the City Treasurer, David A. Gage, who will receipt and keep the same as a Special Relief Fund.
3. All moneys deposited at other places for the relief of the city will be drawn for only by the Mayor of the city.
4. No moneys will be paid out of the Special Relief Fund except upon the order of the Auditing Committee.
George Taylor, City Comptroller, Mancell Talcott, Esq., of the West Division, and Brock McVickar, of the South Division, are hereby appointed such Auditing Committee.
5. Railroad passes from the city will be issued under the direction of the Relief Committee, corner of Ann and West Washington streets, until further orders.
Given under my hand this 11th day of October, 1871.
R.B. MASON, Mayor
Proclamation regarding the policing of the city
LET US ORGANIZE FOR SAFETY IN CHICAGO.
1. The Mayor's headquarters will be at the corner of Ann and Washington streets.
2. Police headquarters at the corner of Union and Madison streets.
3. Every special policeman will be subject to the orders of the Sergeant for the District in which he performs duty. The Sergeants of Districts will be appointed by the Police Superintendent.
4. Five hundred citizens for each of the districts will be sworn in as Special Policemen.
5. The Sergeant of each District will procure of Police Headquarters rations and supplies for Special Policemen in his district.
6. Orders to the Police will be issued by the Superintendent of Police.
7. The military will cooperate with the Police Organization and the City Government in the preservation of Order.
8. The Military are invested with full Police power, and will be respected and obeyed in their efforts to preserve order.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT corner of Ann and Washington
R.B. MASON, Mayor
Notice of the relocation of city offices
From and after the 12th day of October, 1871, the Mayor's Office, City Comptroller's, City Treasurer's, and other City Offices will be at the corner of Hubbard Court and Wabash Avenue.
The Department of the Board of Public Works and other departments of the City Government will be located in the immediate vicinity of the other City Offices.
Given under my hand this 11th day of October, 1871.
R.B. MASON, Mayor
Attest: C.T. HOTCHKISS, City Clerk
Notice of dismissal of city employees (issued October 19)
To the Hands of all Departments of the City Government: --
The late fire has, of necessity, caused the suspension of public improvements, and much of work heretofore done in various departments of the city government. It therefore becomes necessary to discharge all employees of the city government whose services are not absolutely required. I respectfully request that you, in your several departments, give notice of discharge to all such, with a view to the most rigid economy, which must now be observed in all departments.
R.B. MASON, Mayor
The Mayor calls for a day of "humiliation and prayer"
In view of the recent appalling public calamity, the undersigned, Mayor of Chicago, hereby earnestly recommends that all the inhabitants of this city do observe Sunday, October 29, as a special day of humiliation and prayer; of humiliation for those past offenses against Almighty God, to which these severe afflictions were doubtless intended to lead our minds; of prayer for the relief and comfort of the suffering thousands in our midst; for the restoration of our material prosperity, especially for our lasting improvements as a people in reverence and obedience to God. Nor should we even, amidst our losses and sorrows, forget to render thanks to Him for the arrest of the devouring fires in time to save so many homes, and for the unexampled sympathy and aid which has flowed in upon us from every quarter of our land, and even from beyond the seas.
Given under my hand this 20th day of October, 1871.
R.B. MASON, Mayor
