The City That A Cow Kicked Over

ANNA MATSON

Publication: AH Andrews & Co, 1881, Des Moines

First edition. 9 1/4" x 6 ½" in pictorial wrapper showing an illustration of a cow kicking over a lantern and "Mrs. O'Leary" on the ground with her stool topple over beside her. Title and border in gilt. 22 pp. including wrappers. Illustrations by Chas. Copeland and printed in muted gold or orange. "On the evening of October 8, 1871, a fire consumed the O'Leary family's barn at 137 DeKoven Street. Due to a high wind and dry conditions it spread to burn a large percentage of the city, an event known as the Great Chicago Fire. After the Great Fire, Chicago Tribune reporter Michael Ahern published a report that the fire had started when a cow kicked over a lantern while it was being milked. The woman was not named, but Catherine O'Leary was soon identified, as the fire had begun in her barn. Illustrations and caricatures soon appeared depicting Mrs. O'Leary with the cow." In 1893 the reporter Michael Ahern retracted the "cow-and-lantern" story, admitting it was fabricated, but even his confession was unable to put the legend to rest. Although the O'Learys were never officially charged with starting the fire, the story became so ingrained in local lore that Chicago's city council officially exonerated them ... and the cow ... in 1997. This books begins with a picture of the shore of Lake Michigan. “This is the City.” The next picture is one of panic, as cows and an assortment of men and children dash through the street. “This is the Fire That burned the City.” This is followed by a simple household utensil. “This is the Lamp that started the Fire that burned the City.” Then, "This is the Cow, forlorn and weary, That kicked the Lamp, that started the Fire that Burned the City.” “This is the famous Mrs. O’Leary, Who milked the Cow, forlorn and weary, That Kicked the Lamp, That started the Fire that Burned the City.......” At the center is a double-page illustration showing a city in flames, with an inset showing an imp swinging on an alarm bell. The story goes on to note the gifts that poured in for the homeless and finishes with an illustration of the shore of Lake Michigan, where bustling docks show things are back to normal and with a final verse that begins, “This is Chicago! Mark her well!” Heavily soiled, edges chipped, front wrapper, title page, and last page loose. Missing rear wrapper. Good.