Mrs. O'Leary's cow started the Great Chicago Fire
| Mrs. O'Leary's cow started the Great Chicago Fire | |
|---|---|
| FALSE | |
| "The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 was started when a cow belonging to Catherine O'Leary kicked over a lantern in her barn." | |
| Domain | History |
| Tactic | Fabrication False Context |
| Era | Historical |
| First seen | 1871 |
| Origin | A newspaper story by Chicago Republican reporter Michael Ahern, which spread widely and reflected prejudice against Irish immigrants |
| Last reviewed | 2026-10-27 |
| Further reading: books on History | |
The claim that Mrs. O'Leary's cow started the Great Chicago Fire became one of the best-known stories in American history. The fire began on the evening of October 8, 1871, in or near the barn behind the home of Patrick and Catherine O'Leary on DeKoven Street and burned for more than a day, killing an estimated 300 people and destroying much of the city. Newspapers reported that Catherine O'Leary's cow had kicked over a lantern while she was milking it. An official inquiry did not determine the cause and found no evidence that she was in the barn at the time. In 1893, reporter Michael Ahern said he and other reporters had made up the cow story. In 1997, the Chicago City Council passed a resolution exonerating Catherine O'Leary and her cow.
What the evidence shows
- Inquiry. The Board of Police and Fire Commissioners heard testimony in late 1871 and concluded it could not determine how the fire started. Catherine O'Leary testified that she was in bed.
- Reporter's admission. Ahern later wrote that the cow story was invented because it made colorful copy.
- Alternative theories. Researchers have suggested other possible causes, including a neighbor, Daniel "Pegleg" Sullivan, who first reported the fire, and who some believe may have been in the barn.
- Anti-Irish prejudice. Catherine O'Leary was an Irish Catholic immigrant, and newspapers portrayed her in demeaning terms that reflected prejudice of the time.
- Exoneration. The 1997 city council resolution followed research by amateur historian Richard Bales and others.
Why it persists
The cow and lantern make a simple, memorable explanation for an enormous disaster. Prejudice made Catherine O'Leary an easy scapegoat, and the story was repeated in songs, films and textbooks.
Lessons for readers
- Disasters often produce scapegoats.
- Colorful newspaper stories may be invented.
- Official inquiries can fail to identify a cause.
- Prejudice can make false stories seem plausible.
See also
- Nero fiddled while Rome burned
- Ellis Island officials changed immigrants' names
- Jews murder Christian children for their blood
Sources
- Richard F. Bales, The Great Chicago Fire and the Myth of Mrs. O'Leary's Cow (McFarland, 2002).
- Chicago History Museum and Northwestern University, The Great Chicago Fire and the Web of Memory.