With this money Mack built himself a fine two-story frame house with a cellar, which later became the residence for the forest preserve caretaker and is now a museum. He also used the money to make other improvements. Sometime during 1842/43 Mack built the first bridge across the Rock River in Illinois, formerly located where the public boat landing is presently. The bridge replaced a ferry he had started in 1837. Mack had offered Talcott a partnership in his settlement, but there was disagreement on the terms and words were exchanged. There was a falling out between the two men, and the breach was never healed.