The main purpose in the preparation of this volume has been to furnish the public with a more complete statement than has hitherto been attainable of the present aspect of Chicago ; this added to a clear, logical and sufficiently minute examination into the history of the city from its earliest days. The research of the author and his assistants into original and unpublished sources of information has been directed chiefly to the Chicago of the present, rather than that of the past ; the fact being that not only were all the valuable original annals of Chicago destroyed by the fire of 1871, but the old citizens, having lost in nearly every case the memoranda from which they were wont to refresh their recollection, have become less trustworthy sources of information than they were a few years ago. This being the case, it was thought best to make Part I. of Chicago AND ITS Suburbs" a thoroughly logical and analytical, rather than an exhaustively circumstantial treatment of the development of Chicago. It is believed that the history of Chicago, as given in this volume, not only combines all the trustworthy statements of essential facts which have been published on this subject (together with some which are new), but exhibits the wonderful development of the city which the world has adopted as one of its greatest wonders, in a more logical, thoughtful, and instructive manner than they have been given heretofore. The author (or editor) is able to say this without egotism, since the credit of it must be ascribed to the Hon. James M. Binckley, whose important services in this and other departments of the present work are cheerfully and gratefully acknowledged.