On Thanksgiving 1892, Chicago was gearing up for the World’s Columbian Exposition, having just held the grand Dedication Day ceremonies on October 21 and the Inaugural Reception ball two days before that. Both events had showed that Chicago was ready to host the World’s Fair the following spring.

What were these ten prominent Chicagoans thankful for? In this cartoon for the Chicago Inter Ocean Illustrated Supplement, artist Art Young attempts to take a guess their inner thoughts.

George R. Davis, Director-General of the WCE: “Thankful to know where I am at.”

Thomas W. Palmer, President of the National Commission: “Thankful that I don’t have to take care of foreign diplomats every day.” Oh, just wait!

Harlow N. Higinbotham, President of the World’s Columbian Exposition Board of Directors (aka “the Directory”): “I thank my lucky stars that the dedication is over.”

Ferdinand W. Peck, First Vice-President of the WCE Directory: “Thankful that the Exposition bonds are all sold.”

Eugene Field, “poet laureate” of Chicago and columnist for the Chicago Record: “Thankful that pay day comes once a week and that I get handsomer every day.”

Anthony F. Seeberger, Treasurer of the WCE Directory: “Thankful that the World’s Fair popular subscription of $5,000,000 is collected.”

Moses P. Handy, Chief of the Department of Publicity & Promotion: “Thankful that every man can whisker as becomes him.”

Robert Waller, Second Vice-President of the WCE Directory: “Thankful that knickerbockers are not in style and that he has finished the Ashland Block.”

Hempstead Washburne, Mayor of Chicago (1891-1893) who decided to not stand for re-election: “Thankful that he has only 4 months more of the mayoralty.”

Victor Lawson, owner of the Chicago Record and Daily News: “Thankful that I wasn’t in the landslide.”