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Mrs. O'Leary's cow and the Chicago Fire...
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Mrs. O'Leary's cow and the Chicago Fire...

Item # 716452 ·
NEW YORK TIMES, Nov. 29, 1871  Page 3 has a very interesting article headed: "Mrs. O'Leary's Cow" "Attempt to Get at the Truth as to the Origin of the Chicago Fire--Statement of Neighbors".
Keep in mind that this was just 7 weeks after the fire, and it is rare to find contemporary accounts giving some credence to the report that Mrs. O'Leary's cow started the fire by kicking over a lantern.
This report is an investigation by the Chicago Board of Police & Fire Commissioners, with several interviews including Patrick O'Leary, noting in part: "...Patrick O'Leary, husband of Catherine O'Leary, whose wife owned the kicking cow, said he was in bed & didn't know anything about the start of the fire; when he saw it, only his barn was ablaze..." with much more. A rare report, but it would ultimately be determined an historical myth. The Chicago City Council officially exonerated Mrs. O'Leary and the cow in 1997, as there is no evidence to support the story.
The front page has: "The Mormons" "Brigham Young's Case Peremptorily Ordered On for Monday--The Murder of Buck".
Eight pages, very nice condition.

Item from our most recent catalog - #368 - released for July, 2026

Category: Post-Civil War
Price
$168
100% Authentic: Original printing, never a reproduction.