William T. Stead, If Christ Came to Chicago (Chicago, 1894). It is a vividly written, highly perceptive account of life and politics in Chicago based upon the author’s visit to the city in 1893 -during a time of economic depression following the triumph of the [World’s Columbian Exposition](). William T. Stead, an erudite and well known British journalist and minister, interviewed notable public figures, as well as people who were poor, in jail, or involved in criminal activities or political graft. Stead’s account of Chicago and its people remains valuable, unsurpassed in its scope and ability to capture images of what it was to live in the city at that time.
Contents
- Table of Contents, Preface (PDF - 1.58MB)
- PART I - The Images Ye Have Made of Me (PDF - 12.11MB) I. - In Harrison Street Police Station II. - Maggie Darling III. - Whisky and Politics IV. - The Chicagoan Trinity V. - “Who Are the Disreputables?” VI. - “The Nineteenth Precinct of the First Ward
- PART II - Christ’s Metewand in Chicago (PDF - 3.74MB) I. - I was an Hungered and Ye Gave Me Meat II. - The Sheep and the Goats
- PART III - Satan’s Invisible World Displayed (PDF - 9.44MB) I. - The Boodlers and the Boodled II. - The Tyranny and the Assyrian III. - Dives and the Tax Dodger IV. - Gambling and Party Finance V. - The Scarlet Woman
- PART IV - Christ’s Church in Chicago (PDF - 7.89MB) I. - The Churches of the Sects II. - The Church, Catholic and Civic III. - Mayor Hopkins IV. - Bishop Brennan and His Secular Clergy V. - How the Oracle is Worked VI. - The Watchmen of the City
- PART V - What Would Christ Do in Chicago? (PDF - 13.75MB) I. - The Conscience of Chicago II. - Lead
