28 The Chicago Academy of Sciences. 



ance was carried on either the structure or its contents. 

 On the dwelling- house there were two policies, each 

 written for $5,000. 



Thus in a few hours the Academy had lost all. 

 Its buildings, its records, its valuable collections and 

 its library were totally destroyed; yet ambition, hope, 

 and above all, courage and will, still remained the domi- 

 nant characteristics of its members. Within twelve 

 days steps were taken looking toward its rehabilitation. 



At a special meeting of the board of trustees, 

 which was held October 23, 1871, and at which the 

 future of the Academy was discussed, J. Young Scam- 

 mon, Daniel Thompson and George C. Walker were 

 appointed a committee on the disposition of the Wabash 

 avenue property, and to consider the future location of 

 the Academy building. Several offers of rooms, in 

 which the Academy might establish a temporary home, 

 were received. Before the last of the month of 

 December, 1871, the debris on the Academy's lot had 

 been removed, preparatory to improving it, provided 

 no sale was made; and it was deemed wise to remain 

 in that locality. 



The first meeting of the members after the fire was 

 held on the evening of October 21, 1871. At this meet- 

 ing steps were taken to build up the collections, and 

 several donations were announced. At the regular 

 November meeting President John W. Foster spoke of 

 the prospects and hopes of the members for the 

 Academy's future. He was full of faith that the 

 Academy, like the private interests that had suffered, 

 would be speedily restored, and he predicted that in 

 five years there would be built as good a building with 

 as great a collection as that which was lost. 



During the few years of its existence, vigorous 

 and well directed exertion had established for the 

 Academy a worthy reputation, which proved a most 

 potent factor in its rehabilitation. The foreign and 

 domestic societies which were its correspondents and 



