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The Devil in the white City Discussion Questions
Prologue - 1912
1. Aboard the Olympic (pg. 3)
a. Who is the lead character so far? What is he known for?
b. What was the original cause of the World Columbian Exposition?
c. What ship was Francis Millet on?
a. Who is the lead character so far? What is he known for?
b. What was the original cause of the World Columbian Exposition?
c. What ship was Francis Millet on?
Part I: Frozen Music - Chicago, 1890-91
2/3. The Black City (pg. 11)/"The Trouble Is Just Begun" (pg. 13)
a. What convinced Americans to have a World's Fair?
b. Why did Chauncey Depew try to call a recess in Congress?
c. Was Burnham successful early in life? Provide evidence to support your answer.
d. Who provided Burnham with his first major contract? What was it for?
e. What architectural puzzle did Root solve? What was his solution?
f. What problems plagued the city as it grew in size?
g. What were the three major setbacks for Burnham and Root?
h. What were the basic goals of the World's Columbian Exposition Company?
a. What convinced Americans to have a World's Fair?
b. Why did Chauncey Depew try to call a recess in Congress?
c. Was Burnham successful early in life? Provide evidence to support your answer.
d. Who provided Burnham with his first major contract? What was it for?
e. What architectural puzzle did Root solve? What was his solution?
f. What problems plagued the city as it grew in size?
g. What were the three major setbacks for Burnham and Root?
h. What were the basic goals of the World's Columbian Exposition Company?
4. The Necessary Supply (pg. 35)
a. Which neighborhood did Holmes move to in Chicago?
b. What was Holmes' original name?
c. What was significant about Holmes' retelling of the story about the photographer?
d. Where did Holmes go to college?
e. What suspicious event happened while Holmes was a principal?
f. What plan did Holmes and a friend come up with to get money?
g. Why did Englewood grow so quickly? What circumstances allowed that area to do so well? Who lived in Englewood?
h. How did Holmes end up working in Chicago?
i. What happened to Mrs. Holton?
a. Which neighborhood did Holmes move to in Chicago?
b. What was Holmes' original name?
c. What was significant about Holmes' retelling of the story about the photographer?
d. Where did Holmes go to college?
e. What suspicious event happened while Holmes was a principal?
f. What plan did Holmes and a friend come up with to get money?
g. Why did Englewood grow so quickly? What circumstances allowed that area to do so well? Who lived in Englewood?
h. How did Holmes end up working in Chicago?
i. What happened to Mrs. Holton?
5. "Becomingness" (pg. 48)
a. What was Frederick Law Olmsted famous for? What was his occupation?
b. What was Olmsted's eventual reason for joining the planning committee for the fair?
c. Why did Olmsted dislike many of his clients?
d. What principles guided Olmsted's vision for the fairgrounds?
e. Who was Prendergast? What do you think is going to happen with him? Why?
f. Why was the news in the end of October 1890 disheartening for the planning committee?
a. What was Frederick Law Olmsted famous for? What was his occupation?
b. What was Olmsted's eventual reason for joining the planning committee for the fair?
c. Why did Olmsted dislike many of his clients?
d. What principles guided Olmsted's vision for the fairgrounds?
e. Who was Prendergast? What do you think is going to happen with him? Why?
f. Why was the news in the end of October 1890 disheartening for the planning committee?
6. "Don't Be Afraid" (pg. 62)
a. Why would madams try to meet women just as they got to Chicago?
b. What did Holmes do with the lot he bought across the street from his store?
c. How did Holmes keep the more interesting features of his project a secret?
d. What were the names and occupations of the three trusted employees?
e. What other substantial structures existed in Englewood other than Holmes' new building?
f. Where was the Exposition going to take place?
a. Why would madams try to meet women just as they got to Chicago?
b. What did Holmes do with the lot he bought across the street from his store?
c. How did Holmes keep the more interesting features of his project a secret?
d. What were the names and occupations of the three trusted employees?
e. What other substantial structures existed in Englewood other than Holmes' new building?
f. Where was the Exposition going to take place?
7. Pilgrimage (pg. 75)
a. Which building would Root design?
b. Who were the five original building architects? Where were they from?
c. What was the reaction to the people invited to design buildings at the fair?
d. What was Hunt known for?
e. Why were five more firms added to the list of architects?
a. Which building would Root design?
b. Who were the five original building architects? Where were they from?
c. What was the reaction to the people invited to design buildings at the fair?
d. What was Hunt known for?
e. Why were five more firms added to the list of architects?
8. A Hotel for the Fair (pg. 85)
a. What was Holmes' plan for his building following the Fair?
b. Who did Holmes generate income?
c. Describe Myrta's uncle's experience at the hotel.
d. What did Holmes build in the basement? What was it for?
a. What was Holmes' plan for his building following the Fair?
b. Who did Holmes generate income?
c. Describe Myrta's uncle's experience at the hotel.
d. What did Holmes build in the basement? What was it for?
9. The Landscape of Regret (pg. 94)
a. What was the reaction of the architects to seeing Jackson Park for the first time?
b. What do you think is going on with Root?
c. What was the purpose of the banquet?
a. What was the reaction of the architects to seeing Jackson Park for the first time?
b. What do you think is going on with Root?
c. What was the purpose of the banquet?
10. Vanishing Point (pg. 100)
a. Where did Ned get a job?
b. What made Ned uneasy about Holmes personality?
c. What strange event occurred between Ned and Holmes?
d. What was the state of the police force in Chicago?
e. What was assumed about missing persons in Chicago?
a. Where did Ned get a job?
b. What made Ned uneasy about Holmes personality?
c. What strange event occurred between Ned and Holmes?
d. What was the state of the police force in Chicago?
e. What was assumed about missing persons in Chicago?
11. Alone (pg. 104)
a. Who became chair of the Board of Architects?
b. Who became secretary?
c. What style was approved for the buildings? What are the characteristics of that style? What other unifying feactures were decided on?
d. What happened to Root?
e. What negative developments (according to the organizers) caused difficulties for the fair?
f. Who is the "Irish immigrant?"
a. Who became chair of the Board of Architects?
b. Who became secretary?
c. What style was approved for the buildings? What are the characteristics of that style? What other unifying feactures were decided on?
d. What happened to Root?
e. What negative developments (according to the organizers) caused difficulties for the fair?
f. Who is the "Irish immigrant?"
Part II: An Awful Fight - Chicago, 1891-93
12. Convocation (pg. 113)
a. What was Hunt's building? Describe its features.
b. What were the features of the building designed by George Post?
c. What was Olmsted's plan for the grounds? Why was he worried?
d. What new issues arose shortly after construction started?
e. Who did the police prepare for the Fair?
a. What was Hunt's building? Describe its features.
b. What were the features of the building designed by George Post?
c. What was Olmsted's plan for the grounds? Why was he worried?
d. What new issues arose shortly after construction started?
e. Who did the police prepare for the Fair?
13. Cuckoldry (pg. 123)
a. How did Holmes deal with the debt in the pharmacy?
b. What happened to Ned?
c. What do you think Holmes had planned for Ned?
a. How did Holmes deal with the debt in the pharmacy?
b. What happened to Ned?
c. What do you think Holmes had planned for Ned?
14. Vexed (pg. 128)
a. What was the result of the load-bearing tests on the fairgrounds?
b. Who provided power to the fairgrounds? Why that group over others?
c. How did Burnham use the building contracts to force builders to move quickly?
d. What were all of the fears about failure of the Fair, and what caused those fears?
a. What was the result of the load-bearing tests on the fairgrounds?
b. Who provided power to the fairgrounds? Why that group over others?
c. How did Burnham use the building contracts to force builders to move quickly?
d. What were all of the fears about failure of the Fair, and what caused those fears?
15. Remains of the Day (pg. 146)
a. What information put Holmes' plan in motion?
b. What happened to Julia and Pearl?
c. What was Chappell's role in these events?
a. What information put Holmes' plan in motion?
b. What happened to Julia and Pearl?
c. What was Chappell's role in these events?
16. A Gauntlet Dropped (pg. 153)
a. What was the status of the fairgrounds in early 1892?
b. What role did money play in the building progress and the political side of the Fair?
c. What was Bloom's goal for the Midway?
d. What world-famous family had a relative working on the Fair?
a. What was the status of the fairgrounds in early 1892?
b. What role did money play in the building progress and the political side of the Fair?
c. What was Bloom's goal for the Midway?
d. What world-famous family had a relative working on the Fair?
17. The Angel from Dwight (pg. 161)
a. Why did Holmes send Pitezel to Dwight?
a. Why did Holmes send Pitezel to Dwight?
18. Dedication Day (pg. 167)
a. What became of the Wooded Island? Were Olmsted's wishes adhered to?
b. What did Olmsted take away from the Paris fairgrounds?
c. How did Burnham ensure that the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building in time for the dedication?
d. What role did the weather play in the few months leading up to the dedication?
e. What was Francis Millet's job? What invention helped him complete his task?
f. What was the "monstrosity" that the Pittsburg engineer was thinking of? Any guesses?
g. What pledge was created in order to honor the fair?
a. What became of the Wooded Island? Were Olmsted's wishes adhered to?
b. What did Olmsted take away from the Paris fairgrounds?
c. How did Burnham ensure that the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building in time for the dedication?
d. What role did the weather play in the few months leading up to the dedication?
e. What was Francis Millet's job? What invention helped him complete his task?
f. What was the "monstrosity" that the Pittsburg engineer was thinking of? Any guesses?
g. What pledge was created in order to honor the fair?
19. Prendergast (pg. 183)
a. What was the social status of postcards in this time? Why?
b. What were the features of Prendergast's note?
a. What was the social status of postcards in this time? Why?
b. What were the features of Prendergast's note?
20. "I Want You at Once" (pg. 185)
a. What mystery marvel of engineering is finally revealed? Who was the Pittsburg engineer?
a. What mystery marvel of engineering is finally revealed? Who was the Pittsburg engineer?
21. Chappell Redux (pg. 186)
a. Why was Emeline going home for Christmas?
b. Why did Mrs. Lawrence keep asking Holmes about the whereabouts of Emeline?
c. What strange events did Mrs. Lawrence notice shortly after Emeline left?
d. What facts does Larson put forward that leave little doubt about the whereabouts of Emeline?
a. Why was Emeline going home for Christmas?
b. Why did Mrs. Lawrence keep asking Holmes about the whereabouts of Emeline?
c. What strange events did Mrs. Lawrence notice shortly after Emeline left?
d. What facts does Larson put forward that leave little doubt about the whereabouts of Emeline?
22. "The Cold-Blooded Fact" (pg. 192)
a. How did Colonel Rice deal with unruly members of the Columbian Guard?
b. What were the features of the ferris wheel? What were the challenges?
c. Was Olmsted more concerned about time or his vision? How do you know?
d. What happened as a result of the buildup of snow?
a. How did Colonel Rice deal with unruly members of the Columbian Guard?
b. What were the features of the ferris wheel? What were the challenges?
c. Was Olmsted more concerned about time or his vision? How do you know?
d. What happened as a result of the buildup of snow?
23. Acquiring Minnie (pg. 198)
a. What were Holmes' sources of income?
b. Why was Holmes interested in Minnie?
a. What were Holmes' sources of income?
b. Why was Holmes interested in Minnie?
24. Dreadful Things Done by Girls (pg. 206)
a. What was Ward McCallister's advice to Chicago?
b. What did Jacob Riis have to say about the city?
c. What was Harison's legacy after four terms as mayor? How had he demonstrated little change upon being re-elected for a fifth term?
d. What did Prendergast assume about the election?
a. What was Ward McCallister's advice to Chicago?
b. What did Jacob Riis have to say about the city?
c. What was Harison's legacy after four terms as mayor? How had he demonstrated little change upon being re-elected for a fifth term?
d. What did Prendergast assume about the election?
25. The Invitation (pg. 217)
a. What is Holmes' plan for Anna?
a. What is Holmes' plan for Anna?
26. Final Preparations (pg. 218)
a. What did unions do as the fair neared opening day? What was the outcome of this action? Do you think this was the right thing for the unions to do?
b. Which group seemed the only ones able to handle the rain?
c. What complications were caused by the rain?
d. Who owned the World's Fair Hotel?
a. What did unions do as the fair neared opening day? What was the outcome of this action? Do you think this was the right thing for the unions to do?
b. Which group seemed the only ones able to handle the rain?
c. What complications were caused by the rain?
d. Who owned the World's Fair Hotel?
Part III: In the White City - May-October 1893
27. Opening Day (pg. 235)
a. Take stock: what was pretty well done by opening day, and what still needed to be finished?
b. What happened starting on day two of the Fair nationwide? What was the effect of this series of events on the Fair?
c. How did Burnham Burnham counter the low attendance?
a. Take stock: what was pretty well done by opening day, and what still needed to be finished?
b. What happened starting on day two of the Fair nationwide? What was the effect of this series of events on the Fair?
c. How did Burnham Burnham counter the low attendance?
28. The World's Fair Hotel (pg. 243)
a. Why did Holmes rent an apartment?
b. What was the common trait of Holmes' guests?
a. Why did Holmes rent an apartment?
b. What was the common trait of Holmes' guests?
29/30. Prendergast (pg. 246)/Night is the Magician (pg. 247)
a. What new items/inventions debuted at the Fair?
b. What was the significance of the lighting at the Fair? Why was it important?
c. What were the biggest attractions to the Fair to this point?
a. What new items/inventions debuted at the Fair?
b. What was the significance of the lighting at the Fair? Why was it important?
c. What were the biggest attractions to the Fair to this point?
31. Modus Operandi (pg. 256)
a. Why didn't the police become involved in all the disappearing persons cases?
b. How did Holmes kill his victims?
a. Why didn't the police become involved in all the disappearing persons cases?
b. How did Holmes kill his victims?
32. One Good Turn (pg. 258)
a. What caused the awful noise on the first test of the ferris wheel?
b. How did the Infanta like Chicago? Why did she feel the way she did?
c. How did Chicago like the Infanta? Why did the people feel that way?
a. What caused the awful noise on the first test of the ferris wheel?
b. How did the Infanta like Chicago? Why did she feel the way she did?
c. How did Chicago like the Infanta? Why did the people feel that way?
33. Nannie (pg. 264)
a. Do the descriptions of the fairgrounds and Midway remind you of any place you've experienced? Describe any comparisons you can make.
b. What exhibits would you have gone to see? Why?
c. How did Anna decide to end her trip?
a. Do the descriptions of the fairgrounds and Midway remind you of any place you've experienced? Describe any comparisons you can make.
b. What exhibits would you have gone to see? Why?
c. How did Anna decide to end her trip?
34. Vertigo (pg. 269)
a. Was Gronau happy to be among the first to ride the ferris wheel? Why is his reaction amusing?
b. What was the reaction of the people on the first ride? What gave them that reaction?
c. What "ruined the moment?"
d. Why did the Board wait to open the ferris wheel?
a. Was Gronau happy to be among the first to ride the ferris wheel? Why is his reaction amusing?
b. What was the reaction of the people on the first ride? What gave them that reaction?
c. What "ruined the moment?"
d. Why did the Board wait to open the ferris wheel?
35. Heathen Wanted (pg. 274)
a. What did Olmsted find out while talking to people around the country about the Fair?
b. What did Olmsted want to do to encourage higher attendance at the Fair?
c. What aspects of Olmsted's vision were similar to amusement parks of today?
d. What did Burnham do to ensure a certain version of the fair would be seen by the rest of the country?
e. What very significant event happened at the Cold Storage Building? Why do you think Larson points out that Burnham wasn't told?
a. What did Olmsted find out while talking to people around the country about the Fair?
b. What did Olmsted want to do to encourage higher attendance at the Fair?
c. What aspects of Olmsted's vision were similar to amusement parks of today?
d. What did Burnham do to ensure a certain version of the fair would be seen by the rest of the country?
e. What very significant event happened at the Cold Storage Building? Why do you think Larson points out that Burnham wasn't told?
36. At Last (pg. 279)
a. How would the Fair have been different if Ferris' idea had been accepted the first time he submitted it to the Board?
b. How did the operators of the wheel anticipate dealing with those afraid of heights?
a. How would the Fair have been different if Ferris' idea had been accepted the first time he submitted it to the Board?
b. How did the operators of the wheel anticipate dealing with those afraid of heights?
37. Rising Wave (pg. 282)
a. How severe was crime at the Fair?
b. What was significant about Buffalo Bill's reaction to Susan B. Anthony?
c. Why was the model of the HMS Victoria covered for a time?
d. How did one woman calm the man who was afraid of heights?
a. How severe was crime at the Fair?
b. What was significant about Buffalo Bill's reaction to Susan B. Anthony?
c. Why was the model of the HMS Victoria covered for a time?
d. How did one woman calm the man who was afraid of heights?
38. Independence Day (pg. 283)
a. What was the climax of the Fireworks show? If you could decide the finale, what person, event, or place would you immortalize in controlled explosions? Why?
b. Why would Holmes suggest such a long trip?
a. What was the climax of the Fireworks show? If you could decide the finale, what person, event, or place would you immortalize in controlled explosions? Why?
b. Why would Holmes suggest such a long trip?
39. Worry (pg. 293)
a. What did bankers want to do to ensure that the Fair would be profitable?
b. What did Burnham want to do instead?
a. What did bankers want to do to ensure that the Fair would be profitable?
b. What did Burnham want to do instead?
40. Claustrophobia (pg. 294)
a. Where did Anna and Minnie go?
b. What did Holmes do with all of their belongings?
a. Where did Anna and Minnie go?
b. What did Holmes do with all of their belongings?
41. Storm and Fire (pg. 299)
a. What happened to the ferris wheel during the storm?
b. What happened to the Cold Storage Building? Why did it happen?
c. Who took the initial blame for the events at the CSB?
d. What did the Exposition Company do that worried Burnham? Why was he worried?
a. What happened to the ferris wheel during the storm?
b. What happened to the Cold Storage Building? Why did it happen?
c. Who took the initial blame for the events at the CSB?
d. What did the Exposition Company do that worried Burnham? Why was he worried?
42. Love (pg. 305)
a. How does Holmes continue to woo so many women?
a. How does Holmes continue to woo so many women?
43/44. Freaks (pg. 309)/Prendergast (pg. 317)
a. What were the findings of the Retrenchment Committee?
b. Who did the Exposition directors blame for low attendance?
c. What did Millet organize in order to raise attendance?
d. Why was Samuel Gompers' speech unsettling to the city's well-off population?
e. Was Kraus being genuine?
a. What were the findings of the Retrenchment Committee?
b. Who did the Exposition directors blame for low attendance?
c. What did Millet organize in order to raise attendance?
d. Why was Samuel Gompers' speech unsettling to the city's well-off population?
e. Was Kraus being genuine?
45. Toward Triumph (pg. 318)
a. Was Chicago Day a success? If so, in what way?
b. What was the monetary effect of October 9th on the Fair?
a. Was Chicago Day a success? If so, in what way?
b. What was the monetary effect of October 9th on the Fair?
46. Departures (pg. 321)
a. Why did several builders talk of blowing up the Fair?
b. As the Fair wound down, how did Mayor Harrison attempt to help the newly unemployed?
c. What was Holmes' excuse for not paying his debts?
d. Where did Holmes go? What was his plan?
a. Why did several builders talk of blowing up the Fair?
b. As the Fair wound down, how did Mayor Harrison attempt to help the newly unemployed?
c. What was Holmes' excuse for not paying his debts?
d. Where did Holmes go? What was his plan?
47. Nightfall (pg. 327)
a. What did Prendergast do?
b. What effect did Prendergast's actions have on the Fair?
a. What did Prendergast do?
b. What effect did Prendergast's actions have on the Fair?
48. The Black City (pg. 334)
a. Now that the Fair was over, what happened to the workers?
b. What happened to the White City?
c. Who was ordered by President Cleveland to deal with the strikers?
a. Now that the Fair was over, what happened to the workers?
b. What happened to the White City?
c. Who was ordered by President Cleveland to deal with the strikers?
Part IV: Cruelty Revealed - 1895
49. "Property of H. H. Holmes" (pg. 339)
a. How did Holmes end up where he was?
b. What happened to Pietzel?
c. Through which cities did Geyer follow Holmes' trail?
d. Where did Howard probably leave the group?
a. How did Holmes end up where he was?
b. What happened to Pietzel?
c. Through which cities did Geyer follow Holmes' trail?
d. Where did Howard probably leave the group?
50. Moyamensing Prison (pg. 351)
a. Why did Holmes like that Geyer was searching for the children?
b. What was the purpose of the memory diary?
a. Why did Holmes like that Geyer was searching for the children?
b. What was the purpose of the memory diary?
51. The Tenant (pg. 354)
a. Where were Alice and Nellie found?
b. How did Geyer discover the house?
a. Where were Alice and Nellie found?
b. How did Geyer discover the house?
52. A Lively Corpse (pg. 360)
a. Who did Holmes blame for the the fate of the children?
b. After reading the news and facing questions, what did Holmes want done as soon as possible? Why?
a. Who did Holmes blame for the the fate of the children?
b. After reading the news and facing questions, what did Holmes want done as soon as possible? Why?
53. "All the Weary Days" (pg. 363)
a. What did the Chicago Police Department find in Holmes' Englewood castle?
b. What happened to the Englewood building?
c. Was Howard found? If so, what proved that it was him?
a. What did the Chicago Police Department find in Holmes' Englewood castle?
b. What happened to the Englewood building?
c. Was Howard found? If so, what proved that it was him?
54. Malice Afterthought (pg. 369)
a. What crime was Holmes charged with in Philadelphia?
b. What was embarrassing to the Chicago police about this whole affair?
a. What crime was Holmes charged with in Philadelphia?
b. What was embarrassing to the Chicago police about this whole affair?
Epilogue: The Last Crossing
55. The Fair (pg. 373)
56. Recessional (pg. 379)
57. Holmes (pg. 384)
58. Aboard the Olympic (pg. 389)
56. Recessional (pg. 379)
57. Holmes (pg. 384)
58. Aboard the Olympic (pg. 389)
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