The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 swallowed up more than three square miles in two days, leaving thousands homeless and 300 dead. Throughout history, the fire has been attributed to Mrs. OLeary, an immigrant Irish milkmaid, and her cow. On one level, the tale of Mrs. OLearys cow is merely the quintessential urban legend. But the story also represents a means by which the upper classes of Chicago could blame the fires chaos on a member of the working poor. Although that fire destroyed the official county documents, some land tract records were saved. Using this and other primary source...