Summary

Catherine "Cate" O'Leary, a resident of Chicago's South Side who, along with her cow, was unjustly blamed for starting the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, largely because of a story fabricated by a reporter for The Chicago Daily Tribune, Michael Ahern. Accounts at the time from those living in the neighborhood, as well as family stories of those descended from neighborhood residents (including the family of Tribune reporter Liam Ford, whose great-grandfather was a boy at the time) long disputed the common assumption that the O'Leary family cow had kicked over a lantern to start the fire. More recent research has confirmed that the culprit likely was Daniel "Peg Leg" Sullivan, although another possible culprit...
Catherine "Cate" O'Leary, a resident of Chicago's South Side who, along with her cow, was unjustly blamed for starting the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, largely because of a story fabricated by a reporter for The Chicago Daily Tribune, Michael Ahern. Accounts at the time from those living in the neighborhood, as well as family stories of those descended from neighborhood residents (including the family of Tribune reporter Liam Ford, whose great-grandfather was a boy at the time) long disputed the common assumption that the O'Leary family cow had kicked over a lantern to start the fire. More recent research has confirmed that the culprit likely was Daniel "Peg Leg" Sullivan, although another possible culprit is area resident Louis M. Cohn. In 1997, the Chicago City Council passed a resolution exonerating Mrs. O'Leary--and her cow.
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City worker was proud of heritage, singing talent
Special to the Chicago TribuneJohn "Jack" J. Daly spent nearly his entire life on Chicago's Far South and Southwest Sides, where he never lost his Irish roots or his love for Elvis Presley. Mr. Daly wore sideburns like "The King," and if a tavern he was visiting had a sound system,...Tags: Defense, James Joyce, Baseball, Cancer, Armed Forces
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'The Battle of the Labyrinth' by Rick Riordan
The Battle of the Labyrinth
A Young Adult Novel
Rick Riordan
Hyperion Books for Children: 362 pp., $17.99
Greek myths have long inspired storytellers, but it took author Rick Riordan to bring them roaring to life for the middle-school crowd with his...Tags: Literature, Empire State Building, Mysteries, School Supplies, Coca-Cola Company
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Chris Erskine: May their marriage outshine this toast
Man of the HouseAND I THOUGHT last week's party for 80 teenagers was bad (it was). Now I'm hosting a party for 30 adults. Each week, the celebrations get smaller, more polished, more demanding. "Did you get the ice?" Posh asks. "Check." "Is the music ready to go?"...Tags: Beverage Industry, Hawaii, Marriage, Harvey Korman, Family
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The Chicago Fire
Chicago TribuneThe whole Midwest was parched, caught in the thrall of a mighty drought. Chicago, with its preponderance of wooden buildings, inadequate fire codes and inferior firefighting equipment, was a conflagration waiting to happen. On this Sunday evening, it did....Tags: Michigan, Fires, Local Elections, Marshall Field, Chicago
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About the Windy City
Haitian Jean-Baptiste Pointe du Sable, a fur trader, founded a settlement called Eschikagou on the north bank of the Chicago River in 1772. He was not officially recognized as Chicago's founder until 1968. Aunt Jemima Syrup, Cracker Jacks, Juicy Fruit...Tags: Hugh Hefner, Newsday Inc., Chicago City Council, Chicago, Great Chicago Fire of 1871
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List of Grammy Award winners 2005
Album of the Year "Genius Loves Company," Ray Charles and various artists Record of the Year "Here We Go Again," Ray Charles and Norah Jones Song of the Year "Daughters," John Mayer Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal "Vertigo," U2 Country...Tags: Adam Clayton, Rock and Roll Music, Tim McGraw, Brooklyn (King's, New York), Annie Lennox
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Kanye West bested
Tribune music criticNot even actor Jamie Foxx trying to sing "Georgia on My Mind" could ruin Ray Charles' evening Sunday at the 47th annual Grammy Awards. The late soul great hauled in eight Grammys, including album of the year, for his posthumous 2-million-seller "Genius...Tags: Super Bowl, Scott Weiland, Rock and Roll Music, Marc Anthony, Tim McGraw
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Charles' 'Genius' wins eight Grammys
Los Angeles Times Staff WriterThe swan song of the late Ray Charles, an album of duets called "Genius Loves Company," brought him a posthumous bounty at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday night, including the first trophies for album and record of the year in his long and...Tags: Michael Jackson, Transportation Accidents, Rock and Roll Music, Stevie Wonder, Bonnie Raitt
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Big victory for Ray Charles
Times Staff WriterThe swan song of the late Ray Charles, an album of duets called "Genius Loves Company," brought him a posthumous bounty at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday night, including the first trophies for album and record of the year in his long and...Tags: Michael Jackson, Transportation Accidents, Rock and Roll Music, Stevie Wonder, Bonnie Raitt
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Cheers to the Chief!
Everybody tries to be Irish on St. Patrick's Day. But pounding a pint of Guinness at Bennigan's is hardly the way to go about it. Instead, wow the Celtic crowd with your knowledge of Irish history and folklore. Get the scoop on who's behind pub names, and...Tags: Chicago, Folk Music, Avondale, Chicago Fire, Lakeview
Jun 30, 2008
|Story| Chicago Tribune
May 18, 2008
|Story| Los Angeles Times
May 8, 2008
|Column| Los Angeles Times
Dec 18, 2007
|Story| Chicago Tribune
Oct 14, 2004
|Story| Newsday
Feb 14, 2005
|Story| Orlando Sentinel
Feb 14, 2005
|Story| Metromix
Feb 14, 2005
|Story| Los Angeles Times
Feb 14, 2005
|Story| Envelope
Mar 9, 2005
|Story| Metromix
Original site for Mrs. O'Leary topic gallery.
