U. H. Crosby Distilling Co.

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U. H. Crosby Distilling Co., Thomas Lynch Co., H. H. Shufeldt & Co. Distillery
Life Span: 1853-1906
Location: Larrabee, cor. Hawthorn av.
Architect: TBD

D. B. Cooke & Co.’s City Directory for the Year 1859

Crosby Albert

Crosby Uranus H.

Halpin & Bailey’s City Directory for the Year 1863
Crosby U. H. & Co., distiller, 167 S Water

Halpin’s Chicago City Directory for 1864
Crosby Uranus H., distiller, N. Branch, cor. Larrabee and Chicago av., office 27 La Salle, bds. Sherman House.
Lynch Thomas, clerk U. H. Crosby’s distillery, r. 150 N. LaSalle

Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1866
Crosby Albert, distiller, 167 S. Water, bds. Sherman House

Bailey’s Chicago City Directory for 1867
Crosby Albert, distiller cor Larrabee and Hawthorne av, office 167 S. Water.

Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1870
Lynch Thomas & Co., (Thomas Lynch and John Herting), distillers, Larrabee, cor. Hawthorn av, and office room 8, 128 S. LaSalle.

Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1871
Lynch Thomas, distiller, Larrabee, cor. Hawthorn av, office room 8, 128 LaSalle.
Crosby Albert, cor. Larrabee and Hawthorn av, office 167 S. Water.

Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1873
Shufeldt Henry H. & Co. (Henry H. Shufeldt and Thomas Lynch), distillers, Larrabee nw. cor. Hawthorn av.

Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1876
Shufeldt Henry H. & Co. (Henry H. Shufeldt and Thomas Lynch), distillers, Larrabee nw. cor. Hawthorn av.

Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1884
Shufeldt Henry H. & Co. (Henry H. Shufeldt and Thomas Lynch), distillers, 261 Kinzie and 23 Larrabee nw. cor. Hawthorn av.

Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1904
Shufeldt Henry H. & Co. Thomas Lynch supt; distiller, 261 Kinzie

Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1911
Ward Montgomery & Co. A. Montgomery Ward pres; George A. Thorne sec; gen merchandise Chicago av bridge 618 W Chicago av

Uranus Crosby and his older cousin, Albert, came to Chicago in 1851 from Cape Cod. It was two years later they opened a distillery north of Chicago avenue, on the bank of the North Branch of the Chicago River. Uranus became more interested in building the culture in Chicago so he decided to build an opera house worthy of the ones in the East. Albert, meanwhile, enjoyed the business aspect of operating the distillery. After the fire, Uranus, penniless, went back to Cape Cod, and Albert sold his interest of the distillery to Thomas Lynch.

Chicago Tribune, February 18, 1853

New Distillery. —We learn that a new company is formed for erecting on the north side of the river a Distillery for the exclusive manufacture of pure Alcohol—the article to be used for medicinal, mechanical and manufacturing purposes. The rapidity with which solar fluid, phosgene, etc, is superceding oil as a burning fluid, creates a great demand for alcohol, which is the principal constituent of these gases.

When the Illinois Central Railroad is opened, and an increasing supply of corn poured into this market, Chicago will be a great point for distilling. During the winter the distillers have been the principal consumers of corn, rye and poor wheat. One establishment consumed during the year 1852, 132,000 bushels, about three-fourths of which was corn.

The Weekly Chicago Times, February 5, 1857

Crosby & Co. own the largest cooperage and manufactured 30,000 barrels last year worth 40,000 dollars, with 65 men at 15,000 dollars aggregate wages, and 15,000 dollars capital invested. It is connected with Crosby’s distillery and the barrels are for whiskey, alcohol, and pork, principally.—It is situated on the corner of Kinzie and Curtis streets, far out on the West side.

Chicago Tribune, September 16, 1858

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.—Yesterday morning about 4 o’clock, while the hands were engaged in drawing off wines in the rectifying house attached to Uranus H. Crosby’s distillery, on the North Branch, an explosion occurred from the high temperature. The blazing liquid was thrown over the whole apartment, setting fire to the building, which, together with its contents, two or three dry sheds and four or five thousand bushels of grain, were entirely destroyed. The wind being high, the flames were conveyed to Joy & Frisbie’s ice houses adjoining, two of which were consumed, and some $500 worth of ice destroyed.

Mr. Crosby’s loss is some $15,000 to $20,000; how much is covered by insurance we could not learn, as that gentleman is absent from the city. Joy & Frisbie’s loss is about $2,000, which is covered by insurance.

Chicago Tribune, July 10, 1864

THE NORTH BRANCH.
A Visit to Crosby’s Distillery—Means for the Prevention of Nuisance—A Correction.
The Chicago river is not a very pleasant thing to see, smell, or read about, especially as a Sunday morning dissertation; it is not agreeable to swim in, or to drink out of; it has few charms for the voyager, and there are few indeed who care to walk or drive along its banks. We are not quite sure that our readers have not a right to demand an apology for our persistent obtrusion of the subject, yet cannot refrain from flinging another stone into its slimy contents.

It 1s almost too bad to stir so stinking a subject, but after all we may console ourselves with the thought that agitation conduces to parity, ether in the water atmosphere or viler stuffs. We shall be gratified indeed if the evil is remedied through such a course. The continual ping of water “may wear away a stone,” but this is a peculiar kind of water which may not be dropped till the whole thing is worn away. The citizens of Chicago have a right to demand that their river shall not be polluted to suit the convenience of any man, or to help swell his gains—if they be synonymous with the slush now in the river, they must be filthy ones.

We spoke a few days ago of the possibility as well as necessity of all parties engaged in business on the river’e bank keeping their offal or filth out of that channel. We cited the action of the Bridgeport packers, and showed that although much yet remains to be accomplished for the purification of that channel locality, that yet a reform was instituted which struck at the root of one of the evils complained of. From that account it is patent that the South Branch of the river can be kept in passable condition. We are glad to be able to cite something which has been done towards the prevention of the nuisance in the North Branch; it is the only evidence of a desire to be cleanly we have met with in that locality.

Our reporter paid a visit, on Saturday last, to the distillery of U. H. Crosby, situated on the east bank of the North Branch, near Chicago avenue, In his previous explorative tour he did not examine thee premises, on account of the absence of the manager, and spoke of it only incidentally in his subsequent report. This establishment is in many respects an exception to the rule which otherwise governs the disposition of the filth which is manufactured by the distilleries and in their satellite cowsheds. The distilleries themselves are not generally subject of complaint, except one instance; the products of the still are fed to the cows, and those animals make the nuisance complained of, their dung and other emissions running into a bog which, abutting on the river, to periodically emptied into it.

A year and a half ago, when the first appointed Health Committee made its tour of inspection, the cowsheds of Mr. Crosby were equally bad with the rest, as was then seen by our reporter who accompanied the committee on their smelling excursion. But a great change has been wrought since then, not one so complete as entirely, to obviate all cause of complaint, but sufficiently so to exonerate Mr. Crosby from the general sweeping charge brought against the distilleries. The gutters, or drains, running the whole length of the cow stalls, sloping from east to west, formerly emptied directly into the river, but were subsequently tapped by a sewer, which carries the mulch to the northern end, emptying it there into a tank, where it is pumped up and carted away: three teams having been constantly employed through the season for that purpose. This sewer is rather too small for the purpose in wet weather when the rain fall swells the matter from the floors of the sheds, but in dry weather it is quite capacious enough to carry off every thing, and does not communicate with the river; in rainy times some of the drippings have doubtlessly escaped over into the river, but not the more solid portion, Mr. Crosby informed our reporter that this plan had been in operation ever since two or three months after the visit alluded to, and certainly a rather minute inspection failed to discover any leak. It may be added that the work of the season is about over with the distilleries, the cattle of Mr. Crosby having been all sold of several days ago.

We cheerfully make these statements for a double reason, that, as an act of justice to Mr. Crosby, and secondly as an indication of relief in the other cases, by following his example in the adoption of kindred means. If Mr. Crosby, does not pour any of his filth into the river, the others need not do so; and it is unjust to compel one to incur an expense which others are suffered to evade. The citizens of Chicago have no wish to interfere with vested interests of any kind, so long as the enjoyment of a location. does not peril the health of the community. When this is the case, the people nave a right to step in and protect themselves at whatever issue, and the weaker must give way to the strong. The filth from those cowsheds must be not only kept out of the river, but taken away where it will not poison the atmosphere of the city. If this, cannot be dove, then the shede mast be removed. There is but the one alternative: which will they accept?

We owe it to Mr. Crosby to say that we were led into an error on Friday, through quoting a contemporary. He was not indicted as committing a nuisance; the indictment did not extend to him.

Crosby Opera House

Chicago Tribune, July 14, 1864

Crosby’s Distillery.
We give the following letter a place in our columns. We may say that the Tribune does not wish to misrepresent any one, either for good or evil. We wish the public to know the real state of the river nuisance and its cause, if such knowledge be attainable:

Editors Tribune:

Shortly after the “Smelling Committee” visited the distilleries last summer, Mr. Crosby constructed drains and tanks, as described by your reporter, and carted the refuse out on the prairie a few hundred yards from the premises, there to breed corruptions and disease to be carried by every breeze into the homes of thousands. In a short time, however the excitement in regard to the nuisance subsided, and with it the efforts(?) of the managers of this institution. During the summer months part of the filth was carted away, while by far the greater part found its way, as usual, into the river. During the fall and spring months it was absolutely impossible to cart any distance, on account of the bad condition of the roads, no matter how good the intentions might have been.

In the spring the accumulations in front of the cattle houses at this distillery reached the top of the water, forming an island, as the ice broke up was washed into the bed of the river by the action of the water. Nor can it be said that this filth rested on the ice, for the liquids coming warm from the cattle houses, kept the river clear of ice for many feet from the dock. Causes have their effects, and let any man who has seen the fermenting, putrefying mass in front of that distillery, question, if he can, the cause. The simple facts is, that the conduct of Mr. Crosby. and every other distiller on the North Branch, is execrable and without excuse. It is not enough that these men should make their thousands per day in such an odious business as that, without being permitted to poison the air we breath? Is it not enough that thousands of our best men are killed yearly by their legal. business without their being permitted, in defiance of all law, to carry on a business which will bring pestilence and death stalking to our doors ?

There is no safety in half-way measures. The only way to effect a permanent cure is to remove the cattle houses. This the people demand, and this they must have.
Yours, respectfully,
A Sufferer.

Chicago Tribune, July 29, 1864

On July Sth following your committee visited the North Branch of the Chicago River, giving the various places of manufacture their particular attention.

The first of importance is Crosby’s distillery, which was in comparatively good condition at that time, as all cattle had been removed some time previously and the works stopped, as was also the case with all distilleries except Nickerson’s, which was in operation in a small way.

Chicago Tribune, October 21, 1867

FIRE.-The alarm sounded at 10 o’clock last night, was caused by a smoldering fire, located in the basement of Crosby’s distillery, situated at the intersection of Larrabee street and Hawthorne avenue. Owing to the timely arrival of the engines, the fire was confined to the flooring of the first floor, and did no material damage. The cause of the fire is not known.

Chicago Tribune, October 13, 1871

THE SUFFERERS.
The following is a list of the principal business firms whose stores and stock of goods were burned. In addition to them, there were in the neighbor hood of five thousand wholesale firms who did a limited business, and retail deniers, which are not given:

Distillers and Rectifiers:.
E. Boss & Co. 276 Madison; Cavanagh, Bodle & Co., 287 North Water; Conklin Bros., 79 Wabash avenue: Dickinson, Leach & Co., 48 Indians; D. H. Eaton, 82 South Water; Keller’s Distillery Co.. 178 Chicago avenue: Kraefit, Roelle & Co., 261 Kinzie; Thos. Lynch, Larrabee street: S. Myers & Co., 270 Madison; Schwah & Co.. 33 Michigan avenue; H. H. Shufeldt, 54 South Water.

Chicago Evening Post, February 2, 1872

Instruments Filed for Record on Thursday, Feb. 1.
Albert Crosby to Thomas Lynch, the Crosby land situated on Larrabee st, Hawthorne-av. and North Branch-st, running to river, dated Jan. 25; consideration, $130,000

Inter Ocean, April 8, 1878

6,421-H. H. Shufeldt vs. G. A. Shufeldt, Ur., A. F. Croskey, A. C. Badger and G. Garnett. Old chancery suit restored. Story & King, solrs.

Chicago Tribune, November 20, 1889

RUMORS OF SYNDICATE DEALS.
Reported Sale of Shufeldt’s Distillery and the Stock-Yards Company’s Stock.
The rumor that a syndicate had purchased the distillery of H. H. Shufeldt & Co. was again revived yesterday. Dr. Rush’s name was mentioned in connection therewith. As Dr. Rush has afillattions with the Whisky Trust, it was argued that the trust had at last succeeded in getting hold of the property. Another report had it that an English syndicate was the purchaser.

Dr. Rush was seen at the Clifton House last evening, and readily gave all information within his power.

“I heard a rumor not long ago,” he said, “that Tom Lynch was going to buy out Shufeldt’s interest. Lynch owns the buildings, ground, and plant. and Shufeldt has a half interest in the workings. So Shufeldt wouldn’t be likely to sell to anybody but Lynch. Some one was telling me that they saw Tom Lynch’s name on the barrels instead of H. H. Shufeldt & Co. That may be all true, too. I have been with ‘Buffalo’ Miller almost night and day during his last illness and haven’t had an opportunity to keep informed. I think. however, that the rumor you nave heard is simply a revival of that old English syndicate business. That’s dead long ago. I believe Fred Winston did try to do something with it while he was abroad, but it’s dead now.”

“Did you hear a price mentioned in connection with the sale of Shufeldt to Lynch?”

“No. It’s not a matter of publie importance anyhow and would in no way affect the Whisky Trust.”

Mr. Lynch was seen at his residence. No. 577 La Salle avenue, late last evening. He denied that he had either purchased Mr. Shufeldt’s interest or intended doing so. Nor had the distillery been sold to any person or syndicate.

One of these rumors for which nobody accepts any responsibility was out Monday the effect that an English syndicate had made a tempting offer to the officials who control the stock of the Union Stock-Yards & Transit company. The story for a moment seemed to have weight when it was asserted that the visit of President Thayer of Boston made to the yards a few days ago had something to do with the proposed sale.

Just what caused the story is unknown, but it is almost certain that no sale has been effected. Neither is it definitely known that any offer has been made by any English syndicate. Officials of the company, who are supposed to know, say they have no knowledge of any such thing. The Stock-Yards is a valuable plant, with track properties in which every railroad entering the City of Chicago 1s interested. Its ramifications are extensive, and it is too much of a bonanza for the stockholders to think of parting with their stock.

Chicago Tribune, February 12, 1891

poster
Another attempt was to be made to blow up the plant of the H. H. Shufeldt Distillery company, on Larrabee street, near Chicago avenue, next Saturday night, according to the details of a plot unfolded by the Government secret service yesterday.

When the anti-trust distillery was partially destroyed by dynamite Dec. 10, 1888, it was charged that the Whisky Trust was at the bottom of the conspiracy, the object of which was to rid itself of a dangerous and successful rival. But the investigation came to naught.
poster
George J. Gibson, Secretary of the Whisky Trust, was arrested early yesterday morning by Inspector Stuart and Chief Deputy United State Marshal Gilman on a complaint sworn out by Special Agents Brooks and Summerville. As Gibson alighted with his wife from the carriage in front of the ladies’ entrance of the Grand Pacific the officers stepped up to him, and, each taking an arm, informed him that he was under arrest. Gilman then read the warrant.

Gibson was carrying a small grip and asked to deposit it in the hotel. The grip, however, the safety of which Mr. Gibson was so solicitous about, was taken in charge of the officers, and its contents were afterwards found to be valuable evidence for the Government. In it were letters and telegrams which have passed between Gibson and the man whom he supposed to be his accomplice. There was also a bottle of stuff having the appearance of Holland gin.

While Mrs. Gibson went to her room in the hotel, Gibson was brought before Commissioner Hoyne. He waived an examination and was held to the Federal grand jury in $20,000 bonds. Attorney J. S. Runnells, whom Gibson sent for, said that he thought Nelson Morris would sign the bail bond. The packer was sent for, and readily consented to be the prisoner’s surety. Gibson immediately went over to the Grand Pacific.

Chicago Tribune, June 3, 1891

Has Shufeldt Given Up?
W. H. Shufeldt, office manager of the Shufeldt distillery, and a son of Henry H. Shufeldt, was seen at his home, No. 628 Dearborn avenue. last night. In answer to inquiries regarding the reported sale Mr. Shufeldt said: “If there were any plan in contemplation for the sale of our plant I should know of it, and I assure you that not a word has been said to me regarding it. You can say authoritatively that there is not a word of truth in the story. The Shufeldt is not, has not, and, so far as I know, will not be for sale at any price or to any person, trust, or corporation. The report says we have sold for $1,000,000. It is improbable, to say the least, that we would sell a business of $8,000,000 a year for such a sum.

“Our distillery is sold periodically for various sums by various persons, but I might add entirely without our knowledge or consent. It is due to the trust to say that these reported sales do not come from its officers. They originate amongst the stock brokers who wish to run up the price of stock.”

Chicago Tribune, June 4, 1895

It intentions expressed yesterday are carried out the Shufeldt distillery, which five years ago was the object of a conspiracy that startled the country, may again be lifted into notice. Thomas Lynch Jr., son of Thomas Lyuch and partner of his father when the latter, as co-owner of the Shufeldt plant, sold it to the trust, said yesterday he would attempt to seize the property if the Supreme Court handed down a decision declaring the trust an illegal corporation.

The original transfer was enforced as to his rights, he said, adding that other people were intending to make a similar move and that he would, if necessary, get the assistance of 300 men in taking possession first. The decision of the Supreme Court is expected during its present term, and the suit, which was fought vigorously partially for that reason, it is said, was disposed of yesterday. This was the bill filed by the Central Trust company for a receiver of the whisky trust on behalf of the bondholders and an injunction to restrain the sale of the property. Judge Showalter decided against it, upholding the demurrer. Edwin Walker gave notice he would file a supplementary bill.

Receiver McNulta’s recent application for deputies to guard the distilleries under his charge was based, it is said, on quiet hints that the former owners of the plants were preparing to grab them back. The latter, it developed, had figured out that the effect of an affirmation by the Supreme Court of the judgment of the lower court in the quo warranto case would be to declare that the trust had never legally existed, and consequently never was competent to purchase property. Hence deeds of sales to the old trust would be waste paper. The old owners, so it was said, believed that in the chaos created by the expected decision of the Supreme Court they would not only be able to get the plants but would not be compelled to repay the money or return the stock they had received for then.

It is not known whether the Shufeldt plant was included in the property guarded. It was sold to the trust five years ago, shortly after the development of the starting conspiracy to blow it up, conceived and executed according to testimony by the trust as the final device to force it into the trust’s fold. H. H. Shufeidt and Thomas Lynch & Sous were owners of the plant. Young Tom Lynch was violently opposed to the sale, but the property was turned over for a consideration of $1,600,000 in cash. The trust proceeded to improve the then fine plant, and it has so multiplied improvements that it is now considered one of the model distilleries of the country.

His Fighting Clothes On.
“I never consented to the sale of the Shufeldt distillery, says Tommy Lynch. “I opposed it from the first. It would make an interesting story to tell how attempts were made to drug me and secure my consent. Advantage was taken of me when that was transferred. I consider property that I still have an interest in it. Anyhow, if the Supreme Court decides that the trust never had a right to exist, and thus upsets all its transactions. I am going to try to get my property back. I don’t care who knows my intentions, and I’ll have 300 friends to help me take it if I need them. I nave information that one of two men who have been largely mentioned in this litigation wants the Shufeldt plant it the Supreme Court knocks the company to pieces. He will not be there before I am. I also have information of intentions to take back their property on the part of Cincinnati and Peoria men. I am not interested there, but I am in the Shufeldt, and I am going to make a fight for my property and give notice to that effect. I don’t do business in the dark.”

The Supreme Court meets at Springfield today. If it does not render a decision in the whisky trust case during the Springfield term it will not do so until October. Mr. Lynch has arranged to be notified by a representative there it the court utters its decision today. The Reorganization committee is equally desirous of hearing what the court finds. Its attorneys have announced the plan of quitting Illinois as a corporate creation of this State as early as possible. Yesterday the date of the transfer was definitely fixed within a few days. Attorney Levy Mayer informed Judge Showalter he would present a bill this week ordering a judicial sale of the property. Referring to one claim made by the trust company to sustain its position that the property was in good condition, inasmuch as Receiver McNuta had been authorized to borrow $350,000, Judge Showalter said.

Inter Ocean, May 25, 1901

TALK OF NEW DISTILLERIES.
Recent Independent Concerns May Be Joined is Fighting Trust.
Since the announcement in yesterday’s edition of The Inter Ocean of the erection of two independent distilleries—one at Hammond, Ind., and the other at Peoria, Ill., with a combined output of 50,000 gallons of spirits and alcohol daily—all sorts of rumors have been current regarding the organization of other local independent distilling companies to wage war on the whisky trust. However, Levy Mayer, general counsel for the American Distilling company, was not in the least perturbed yesterday over the erection of the Hammond plant.

“The principal business of the Distilling Company of America is the manufacture and sale of fine Kentucky Bourbon, and Pennsylvania and Maryland rye whiskies,” remarked Mr. Mayer. “It has sixty plants engaged in that industry. A very small per cent of its business is devoted to the manufacture of spirits and alcohol. In that department its goods are sold for a little above cost. It is therefore not concerned with this so-called new spirit distillery. It has never followed the theory of the old Distilling and Cattle-Feding company, whose exclusive business was the manufacture of spirits and alcohol, and which went into the hands of a receiver eix years ago because it bought up every bel. pirit house immediately after it was built.”

“The affairs of the American Distilling company are in splendid condition at present,” remarked another local official of the trust yesterday. “While the stock has only been traded in on the curb since it was removed from the regular list, we have been assured that it will be handled in the regular way by June 1.”

At present the independent houses and their estimated capacity are: The Merchants’ of Terre Haute, 4,000 bushels; Inter State of Vincennes, 3,000; Lakeside of Milwaukne, 1,000; Clarke’s of Peoria, 3,000; National ot Milwaukee, 1,000; American of Pekin, 4,000; Clifton Springs of Cincinnati, 2,000; total, 18,000 bushels.

There was some talk yesterday of reopening the old Shufeldt distillery at Larrabee street and Chicago avenue, which is now the property of the trust. The machinery is all intact, and the plant could be put in shape to run in a few days. Thomas Lyuch, general manager of the H. H. Shufeldt rectifying house and distillery, did not care to express himself concerning the report last night.

Inter Ocean, February 11, 1906

REMOVAL OF WHOLESALE HOUSES.
On the opposite side of Chicago avenue (Sprague, Warner & Co. owns the property on the south side of Chicago avenue) is the Shufeldt distillery property which Montgomery Ward & Co. are said to have purchased, and already the work of tearing out the interior and remodeling the buildings of the old distillery are well under way. This property has lain idle for the past ten years and is admirably located for the purpose for which it is said it will now be used that it is more credible that Montgomery Ward have purchased it.

Historical Review of Chicago and Cook County, and Selected Biography, A. N. Waterman, 1908

THOMAS LYNCH—Until time laid its restraining finger upon him, Thomas Lynch was one of the “most prominent Irish-American citizens and business men in Chicago,” so comments the Chicago Tribune, upon the occasion of the death of this successful and charitable pioneer, who passed away on the 22nd of September, 1893, after a residence in this city of more than forty-eight years. He was born in Ireland sixty-seven years before, and at the age of nineteen came to Chicago where he became connected with one of the old-time distilleries known as the Crosby distillery, He finally came into possession of this establishment and it was known for years as Thomas Lynch & Co. He afterward formed a partnership with H. H. Shufeldt, and the business was conducted under the name of H. H. Shufeldt & Co., at Larrabee street and Chicago avenue, and for many years was one of the most determined opponents in the west of the whisky trust. This position resulted not only in continuous threats of injury to person and property, but several actual attempts, and at least one successful act of violence.

In 1898 his distillery was blown up by dynamite and badly crippled, but the damage was quickly repaired. Several attempts were also made to burn it, and although no direct proof was ever obtained as to the culpability of the trust in these lawless acts, this continued succession of misfortunes was at least quite suggestive and suspicious. By the final sale of the Shufeldt & Co. distillery to the whisky trust in 1901, the local triumph of the combine was complete. Mr. Lynch insisted to the last that he was not aware, even then, that he was selling to the combine, but that the ostensible purchaser was Lyman J. Gage, of the First National Bank of Chicago. It is stated that the distilling business, with all its trials and losses, brought him something like $1,750,000, and as he left an estate of more than $1,000,000, this is undoubtedly true.

Chas. Shober & Co.

Chicago Avenue Bridge

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