WICKED CHICAGO



Before the "Windy City," Chicago was the "Wicked City." I've been going

through the 1871 pre-Chicago fire newspaper sources, and "Wicked Chicago" is

there.

This is from the New York Sun, 9 August 1871, pg. 2, col. 7:



DOC PLATT'S PATHETIC BALLAD OF CHICAGO

(_with the accent heavy on the "go"_),

TOUCHING THE DIVORCE CASE OF CRAIG VS. SPRAGUE.

I sing a breach or promise

That happened long ago,

Where the waters of the river

Like roses seem to flow,

Where Amanda Craig was trifled with,

In the town of Chicago.



There was an ancient duffer,

As rich as rich could be,

Who loved the fair Amanda,

"The inexpressive she."

And "he loved her as his Jesus,"

And he spelled it with a "G."



Amanda was no chicken,

Though tender as a dove;

She lived in Cincinnati,

Where the market is out slow;

So she listened to the duffer

Of the wicked Chicago. (...)



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