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GENEALOGY COLLECTION

.ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

3 1833 01103 2858

BUFFALO COUNTY

NEBRASKA

AND ITS PEOPLE

A Record of Settlement, Organization,
Progress and Achievement

SAMUEL CLAY BASSETT

ILLUSTRATED

VOLUME

CHICAGO

THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1916

INTRODUCTION

NEBRASKA— A LAND FLOWING WITH MILK AND HONEY

For centuries the supremest praise possible to bestow upon any land has
been, "A land flowing with milk and honey." Were some modern Moses to
send out spies in this our generation, in search of a promised land, and were
these spies to traverse this our land, in the fall of the year, when the harvests
are ripe, what possible phrase could those spies invent w^iich would briefly and
more fittingly express its richness and fatness, its home-making and nation-
making qualities?

For the purpose of this toast and this occasion let us consider as "this land
of ours" the twelve states lying in the valley of the Mississippi and Missouri
rivers, and of which states our own Nebraska is by no means the least in
in,por,a„ce. 1385505

"A land flowing with milk and honey."

A land fertile and fruitful, a land abounding in running waters, sweet and
wholesome, a land having a healthful climate has been the supreme desire of all
people, of all nations since time had a beginning. To possess such a goodly
land, to enjoy it as a heritage and to transmit it to posterity, mankind, in all
ages, have labored and endured, have suffered toil and privation, have fought,
bled and died.

Where, let me ask. in this wide, wade world, can you find a valley of like area
so fertile and so fruitful and of such producing capacity? Where a climate more
healthful and invigorating? Where a land whose waters, sweet and wholesome,
are more abundant and unfailing?

And where, let me ask, can you find a rural population of 16.000,000 souls
having so small a percentage of illiteracy, so small a percentage of poverty, so
small a percentage of w^retchedness, so small a percentage of vice and crime?

Where can you find a people among whom you would prefer to make your
home, to have for your neighbors and friends, among whom to do }'Our life
work and to enjoy the fruits of your labor? A people whose character, whose
enterprise, whose public spirit, whose customs, whose habits, whose form of
government, whose traditions, whose religious beliefs, together with the goodly
land which they inhabit, you would rather leave as a heritage to your children
and your children's children?

This land of ours.

The heart of a continent.

iii

iv IXIKODUCTION

Tlic bread basket of tlic wtirld.
Tlic desire of all the earth.

A land to bo enjoyed and by us transmitted as a heritage to our children and
our children's children.

A land tlowing with milk ami honey.

S. C. Bassett.

A DREAM-LAND COMPLETE

Dreaming. I pictured a wonderful valley,

A home-n)aking valley few known could compare,

When lo ! from the blufTs overlooking Wood River
I saw my dream-jMcture, my valley lies there.

Miles long, east and west, stretch this wonderful valley ;

Broad fields of alfalfa, of corn and of wheat;
'Mid orchards and groves the homes of its people —

The vale of Wood River — a dream-land complete.

Nebraska, our mother, we love and adore thee :

Within thy fair borders our lot has been cast ;
When done with life's labors and trials and pleasures,
Contented we'll rest in thy bosom at last.

S. C. Bassett.
Gibbon, Neb., 1913.

PREFACE

A lot of people never take time to read the preface of a book, seemingly
thinking it don't amount to anything and is put in because it is a customary
thing to do. Now, if the readers of this history — real students of history —
will take the time to read this preface they will better understand the idea, the
plan, the purpose, which the editor has constantly kept in mind in compiling this
history of Buffalo County and the achievements of its people.

First — Much time and effort has been given to gathering a history of .the
organization of the county in 1855 and up to the reorganization in 1870; that
period in which no official records seem to have been kept, at least preserved ;
that period in which it seems that the people who dwelt in Buffalo County under-
stood little and cared less about legal methods of doing county business ; that
period in which, while the county retained its name and boundaries and in some
sort of a way elected county officers, that the County Commissioners of Hall
County levied the taxes, the county treasurer of Hall County collected them,
keeping such taxes in a separate account, and the commissioners of Hall County
audited and authorized the payment of claims against the County of Buffalo.
There seems no warrant of law for so doing the county business, but it was
so done. The county, once organized and its business conducted in accordance
with legal provisions, there is little in that feature of its history of special or
unusual interest.

Second — Let us turn to the achievenients of its people, which are of absorbing
interest to a student of history and ought to be of intense interest to every citizen
of the county.

In the beginning our. lands were in a state of nature, our resources wholly
unknown.

What were and have been the ideals of our people in the civilization wc have
striven for?

What have we, as a people, achieved, as we have labored and struggled,
suffered and endured to accomplish the purpose in mind "

The first concern of our people has been to establish a home, this our highest
ideal. In the beginning, in 1870, there was not within the borders of the county
any place, any habitation, worthy to be called a home; today there are in our
county more than four thousand homes, where abide a happy, contented, pros-
perous people.

The assessed valuation of the property of the people of the county for taxa-
tion purposes (not including the assessed value of railroads) in 1870 was $23,668.
A like valuation of the property of the people (not including railroads) in 19 12
was $6,186,707, the real value being quite seven times the assessed value. This

vi PREFACE

represents in a nicasnrc what wc lia\c achic\c(l in the development of our
resources, in the accumulation of material wealth.

Next to the home the highest ideal of our pco^ile in civilization has been the
public school, b'rom the very beginning our i)eople have taxed themselves to a
reasonable limit of their resources in support of the public school. In the begin-
ning there was one school district, comprising all of what is now Buffalo and
Dawson counties. Today there are within the borders of lluffalo County 120
school districts. In the year 1914-15 more than five thousand school children
were enrolled, the payroll of teachers exceeding eighteen thousand dollars each
school month. The people of the county are now (1915) expending, approxi-
mately, one-fourth of a million dollars annually for support of the public school ;
have expended for this i)urpose alone more than eight million dollars ^ince the
year 1870. This is why there is a public school in easy w^alking distance of
every child of school age in the county.

This is why our children, reared in the county, educated in our public schools,
have gone forth into the world, into states too numerous to mention, yes, gone
to the uttermost parts of the earth, and made good; achieved success not only in
a material way, but far better, in being largely useful in the world, helping to
advance the cause of a higher civilization.

It will be noted that in the very beginning the settlers in the county began
the organization of churches, the charter membership being in many cases as
few as four, six or eight. It will be noted that church organizations have
increased each year in number, the membership increasing many fold, so that in
the year 19 15 there is a church organization and a church building within easy
reach of every family in the county.

One of the ideals of our civilization has been to provide organizations for
social purposes, where people might meet on common ground, having a common
purpose, and enjoy each other's society.

Such societies as the Masons, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Workmen,
Woodmen, Knights of Pythias, Grand Army of the Republic, Woman's Relief
Corps, Woman's Club, the Crange and others too numerous to mention. It will 1^
noted in this history that as early as i<S72 there was organized a lodge of such a
nature, and from time to time otlrcr like organizations. These have continued in
existence, increasing each year in membership, so that such social, beneficial,
and fraternal societies are w itliin the easy reach of our peoj)le, and have proven a
most important factor in our ci\ ilization.

In the beginning there were no established highways, not a stream bridged;
transportation and communication sUjw and tedious.

Our people have established highways, convenient, accessible, all over the
county; all streams are safely bridged, and peo])le readily pass from place to
place, quickly and in ease, comfort, if desired in luxury.

In the early days the isolation endured by many was distressing, almost intol-
erable to endure. When the telephone was discovered our people, living on
farms, at once made use of it. On their own motion, by means of the labor of
their own hands and the limited means at their disposal, there began the con-
struction of farmers' telephone lines, and today the county is covered with a net-
work of such farmer lines, and ;i telephone can he found in practically every

PREFACE vii

home in the county. The isolation of the farm home is gone, is a thing of the
past, never to return. This achievement of our people is of great interest to
students of histor}^ ; its value and importance can hardly be estimated.

As the people of the county developed its resources there came a hio-her
standard of living, a higher ideal in civilization. Public libraries have been
established, higher grades established in our public schools, woman's clubs for
the study of music, art, literature, household economics. The best of current
literature is found in great abundance in the homes of all our people, and there is
available much more of leisure for the enjoyment of life. The achievements
of the people of Buffalo County since the year 1870 have been marvelous, and
we as a people do not appreciate the manifold blessings we thus enjoy. It has
been the steady purpose in compiling and editing this history to illustrate, record,
magnify if you please, the achievements of the people of the county; not of
individuals, but of us, the people. For there is not one who has been a resident
of the county for a considerable number of years who has not contributed in
some measure to the remarkable achievements which have here taken place.

In the compilation and preparation of the copy for this history the editor
has received the most hearty encouragement and assistance on every hand, from
friends it is not possible to here name or number, for all of which he hereby
expresses appreciation and most hearty thanks. Where parties have kindly con-
tributed special articles due credit is given, and hearty thanks and appreciation
here expressed. There are some who have given in generous measure of their
time and talent and to whom the editor here makes public acknowledgment of
appreciation and thanks greater than mere words can express, to Mrs. George L.
Prouty, Mrs. Max A. Hostetler, Joseph Owen, Shelton ; C. B. Bass, C. A. Clark,
Mrs. Herbert Smith, Ravenna ; J. C. Mahoney, Poole ; F. L. Grammer, Pleasan-
tori; F. D. and Ross Brown, Miller; L. A. Wight, Gibbon; John X. Dryden,
Mrs. C. y. D. Basten, Robert Haines, Prof. C. N. Anderson, Mr. and Mrs.
George Bischel, Dr. M. A. Hoover, Mrs. F. G. Hamer, Mrs. E. R. Holmes,
Mrs. C. O. Norton, Hon. J. E. Miller, F. J. Switz, J. H. Dean, county clerk,
T. N. Hartzell, city clerk, of Kearney, and L. B. Cunningham, Glenwood, Iowa.

The compiling, the writing, the editing of this history has been a labor of
love, made possible by reason of encouragement and kindly assistance of dearly
loved friends dwelling in all portions of the county. May this, our united effort,
as it goes forth into the world, prove of some use, some benefit to those who
come after us.

S. C. Bassett,

Editor.

Echo Farm, Gibbon, Neb., February 14, 1916.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1

BEFORE THE WHITE MAN CAME NAMES OF INDIAN TRIBES INHABITING NEBRASKA

TERRITORY BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PAWNEE INDIANS — FAITHFUL TO THEIR

TREATY OBLIGATIONS REMOVAL TO INDIAN TERRITORY IN 1876 ASSIGNED

LANDS IN SEVERALTY IN 1892 A PATHETIC INCIDENT — IN I915 THE PAWNEE

MAKING GOOD, BECOMING USEFUL CITIZENS I

CHAPTER H

FORT KEARNEY DATE WHEN ESTABLISLIED BOUNDARIES OF MILITARY RESERVA-
TION BLEW. THE BUGLE REFERENCE — HISTORY OF FORT KEARNEY BY ALBERT

WATKINS, HISTORIAN OF STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY SERGEANT MICHAEL

COADY A SOLDIER OF THE MEXICAN AND CIVIL WARS SERVED AS CLERK OF

BUFFALO COUNTY CHARTER MEMBER OF FIRST I. O. O. F. LODGE INSTITUTED

IN THE COUNTY CHARTER MEMBER OF FIRST MASONIC LODGE INSTITUTED IX

THE COUNTY 5

CHAPTER HI

BUFFALO COUNTY; HALL COUNTY IN TERRITORIAL DAYS HALL COUNTY OFFICIALS

TRANSACT THE FINANCIAL AFFAIRS OF BUFFALO COUNTY EQUALIZE ASSESS-
MENT OF property; levy taxes; collect taxes; audit and pay claims

AGAINST BUFFALO COUNTY COPIES OF DUPLICATE TAX RECEIPTS— LIST OF TAX

PAYERS IN BUFFALO COUNTY WHO PAID THEIR TAXES TO THE TREASURER OF
HALL COUNTY 9

CHAPTER IV

BOUNDARIES OF BUFFALO COUNTY, ACT OF THE TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE-
NEBRASKA CENTRE THE SEAT OF JUSTICE ( COUNTY SEAT)— ORIGINAL SURVEY OF
THE COUNTY— NEBRASKA CENTRE, ITS EXACT LOCATION— CENTRALIA AND
NEBRASKA CENTRE PRECINCTS— TERRITORIAL ELECTION HELD IN 1859— POI-E-
BOOKS AND ELECTION RETURNS— THE EARLY SETTLEMENT IN THE PLATTE

COXTLXTS

VALLEY — DOn\TO\VX AND THE FAMOUS TOM KEELER RANCH — DAVID ANDERSON
SPENDS THREE DAYS AT THE IWYD RANCH — TELLS OF AN ELECTION HELD THERE
IX FALL OF 1859 — WITNESSES TESTIFY AT CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION AS TO
LOCATION OF NEURASKA CENTRE — LETTER FROM JOSEPH OWEN I 3

CHAPTER V

HUNijMAN's la lU), MKST NEWSl'AI'HK I'LllLISH IID IN liUl-iALO CUUNTV COIMKS ON

FILE IN LIURARV OF STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY SKETCH OF JOSEPH K. JOHN-
SON, NEHRASKA's first KIHTOR — ACCOMPANIES EXPLORERS WHO LOCATE LINE OF
UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD — UUFFALO DESTROY MR. JOHNSON'S GARDEN AND

CROPS GRASSHOPPERS DESTROY CROPS IN BUFFALO COUNTY IN 1860 — BUILDING

OF TELEGRAPH LINE TO FORT KEARNEY IN 1860 — STAGE LINE MAKES A RECORD
TRIP, FORT KEARNEY TO OMAHA, 33 HOURS — MR. JOHNSON VISITS PAWNEE

INDIANS WINTER I860-61 A SAW MILL 1 .\ OI'ERATIOX AT WOOD RIVER CENTRIC

A ONE-HORSE GRIST MILL IN OPERATION GRAIN AND VEGETAHLES GROW TO

I'l kl 1 I TKiN— 1 IKST POSTOFFICE IN BUFFALO COUNTY 21

CIIAITKR VI

ORGANIZATION OF BUFFALO COUNTY — RETURNS OF AN ELECTION IN BUFFALO
COUNTY IN 1858 — NEWSPAPER ACCOUNT OF AN ELECTION OF COUNTY OFFICERS

IN i860 — BUFFALO COUNTY ORDERED TO ENLIST SOLDIERS IN 1862 AN ACT OF

THE TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE TO CONTINUE THE ORGANIZATION OF BUFFALO

COUNTY, 1866 COUNTY CLERK OF BUFFALO COUNTY, NEBRASKA TERRITORY,

USES A COUNTY SEAL 28

CHAPTER \TI

BUFFALO COUNTY IN iS/O — RE-ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY — TRADITION RELAT-
ING THERETO — PROCLAMATION OF GOVERNOR DAVID BUTLER — RETURNS OF
SPECIAL ELECTION JANUARY 20, 1870 — FIRST REGULAR ELECTION OCTOBER II,
1 870 '>2

CHAPTER VHI

PROCEEDINGS OF FIRST MEETING OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS — DIVIDE
COUNTY INTO THREE ELECTION PRECINCTS — SALOON LICENSE FIXED AT $25 —

JOHN OLIVER APPOINTED SHERIFF — FIR.ST SCHOOL TAX LEVIED W. II. PLATT

EMPU)YED AS COUNTY ATTORNEY — W. II. PLATT EMPLOYED TO COLLECT DELIN-
QUENT TAXES; FEE ONE-HALF OF AMOUNT COLLECTED/ PLATT's CLAIM, $2,148
— O. A. ABBOTT EMPLOYED TO PROSECUTE W. H. PLATT 31:

CONTENTS xi

CHAPTER IX

CHARACTER OF EARLY SETTLERS VOTERS VOUCHED FOR TOOK THE SHERIFF

ALONG 38

CHAPTER X

REV. DAVID MARQUETTE FIRST RELIGIOUS SERVICES HELD IN BUFFALO COUNTY

JAMES JACKSON "PAP" LAMB GEORGE STEARLEY CHURCH AND SUNDAY

SCHOOL ORGANIZED 4O

CHAPTER XI

THE BOYD RANCH, JAMES E. BOYD, OWNER; LATER GOVERNOR OF NEBRASKA — RAISED

CORN TRAFFICKED IN OXEN BREW^ED BEER WHISKY $20 A GALLON THE

BOYD RANCH FIRST CLAIM TAKEN IN BUFFALO COUNTY FIRST PIECE OF DEEDED

LAND IN NEBRASKA, WEST OF HALL COUNTY PAID FOR IN LAND SCRIPT ISSUED

TO A SOLDIER OF THE WAR OF l8l2 42

CHAPTER XII

ACROSS THE PLAINS IN 1853 — WESCOATT BROTHERS TAKE 4OO HEAD OF COWS TO

CALIFORNIA — CAPT. JOHN FULLER WITH HIS COMMAND JOIN THEIR PARTY

INDIANS MASSACRE EMIGRANTS ON BANKS OF PLATTE RIVER — JOHN HODGES
ESCAPES AND SWIMS THE PLATTE — PURSUIT OF INDIANS AND THIRTY-SEVEN
KILLED — BURIAL OF MASSACRED EMIGRANTS — THE BOYD RANCH — TWENTY DOL-
LARS FOR A GALLON OF WHISKY THE BOY, JOHN HODGES, FINDS HIS UNCLE IN

CALIFORNIA SIXTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS PROFIT ON THE HERD OF COWS

WESCOATT BROTHERS RETURN TO IOWA 46

CHAPTER XIII

A PIONEER FAMILY, A HISTORICAL SKETCH OF ONE OF THE FIRST FAMILIES TO MAKE

SETTLEMENT IN BUFFALO COUNTY CONVERTS TO THE MORMON FAITH LEAVE

ENGLAND IN 1855 FIVE WEEKS TO MAKE OCEAN JOURNEY FIND EMPLOYMENT

IN PHILADELPHIA LEAVE PHILADELPHIA IN 1859 FOR UTAH JOURNEY FROM

FLORENCE TO LTTAH ACROSS THE PLAINS WITH AN OX TEAM — DEATH AND BURIAL
BESIDE THE TRAIL OF AN EMIGRANT'S CHILD THE ARRIVAL IN UTAH DIS-
GUSTED WITH THE MORMON RELIGION THE RETURN FROM UTAH ACCOMPA-
NIED BY MRS. ALLEN STORY OF MRS. ALLEN, A DESERTED MORMON WIFE

FORDING THE PLATTE IN HIGH WATER TIME LOCATE ON A "SOUATTER's" CLAIM

ON WOOD RIVER — RAISE AND SELL 60O BUSHELS OF CORN FOR $6oO — STAMPEDE
OF 1864 BABY HELEN LEFT BEHIND THE FLIGHT TO IOWA, ACROSS TO QUEBEC

CONTEXTS

AM) ON TO ENGLAND — THE RETURN TO NEBRASKA — TAKES A PRE-EMPTION
CLAIM — PLANTS AN OR( IIAK1> OF 2.000 TREES — UUILDS A HOUSE WITH ALL
MODERN CONVENIENCES 5 ^

ciiaiti:r XIV

THE INI)L\N STAMPEDE OF 18C4 — NARRATION OF EVENTS BY JAMES JACKSON, "tEd"
OLIVER AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HOPEWELL ACCOUNT OF ATROCITIES COM-
MITTED nV INDIANS AS RELATED BV CAPT. II. E. PALMER — MRS. EWIIANK AND

ML^S I. AURA ItOVER RANSOMED SETTLERS IN BUFFALO COUNTY ASSEMBLE AT

WOOD RIVER CENTER — AUGUST MEYER CHOSEN CAPTAIN — NAMES OF SETTLERS
IN COUNTY AT TII.VT DATE — THE FLIGHT TO OMAHA AND IOWA — AUGUST MEYER
AND "ted" OLIVER, GEORGE BURKE AND JOHN BRITT REMAIN 61

CI I AFTER X\'

ACROSS THE I'LAINS IN 1860 A MII.l.lOX OF HUFI^XLO, HORACE GKEEr.EY DELAYED

AT FORT KEARNEY FOR TWENTY-FOUR HOURS BY BUFFALO 25 CENTS TO CARRY

A LETTER — MINING FOR GOLD IN COLORADO CORN $7 A BUSHEL CORN lO

CENTS A P.USHEL — TEN DOLLARS TO WATER GOVERNMENT TEAMS — THE TRANS-
PORTATION EXPENSE OF FORAGE DELIVERED AT FORT KEARNEY AND FORT LARAMIE
— TEN CENTS A GALLON FOR W \TI:r TX 1874 6/

CHAPTER X\T

A BRdKEN AXLE — EDWARD OLIVER AND FAMILY EN ROUTE TO UTAH AXLE TO

WAGON BROKEN NEAR WOOD RIVER CENTRE THE WIFE AND CHILDREN REFUSE

10 joi'RNEY i\ki"iii:r — sri:M) thi-: winter on wood river — the father

CONTINUES JOURNEY TO UTAH — THE MOTHER AND CHILDREN REMAIN AND
ESTABLISH A HO.ME — MRS. SARAH OTJVER A LARGELY USEFUL WOMAN — ^THE
OLIVERS TAKE AN ACTIVE PART IN THE ( )R(; AX IZATIOX OF BUFFALO COUNTY.. . 70

CHAPTER XVn

GOVERNMENT LAND.S — RAILROAD LANDS — SPYING OUT THE LAND LOADED RIFLES

CARRIED ON ALL UNION PACIFIC TRAINS — FIRST TASTE OF ANTELOPE STEAK —
THE BOYD RANCH — CARRIED A BUTT OF A CORNSTALK BACK TO OHIO — WELL
PLEA.SED WnU THI. API'LARANCE OF THE COUNTRY AND OK I'ROPOSED LOCATION
f)F COLONY yi,

CONTENTS xiii

CHAPTER XVIII

soldier's free homestead colony ORIGIN OF COLONY — CERTIFICATE OF MEM-
BERSHIP REDUCED RATES TO COLONISTS ITINERARY OF COLONY ARRIVAL AT

COUNCIL BLUFFS CROSS MISSOURI RIVER ON A FLAT BOAT — NEBRASKA LAND —

CHECKING BAGGAGE OMAHA IN 1871 76

CHAPTER XIX

SOLDIER^S FREE HOMESTEAD COLONY, CONTINUED TO THE LAND OF PROMISE — THE

COLONISTS ARRIVE AT GIBBON — FIXING UP QUARTERS — VIEWING THE LAND

HOLD RELIGIOUS SERVICES 80

CHAPTER XX

SOLDIERS' FREE HOMESTEAD COLONY, CONTINUED ^AN APRIL BLIZZARD BOX CARS

TO LIVE IN THE WOOD RIVER VALLEY OF THE PLATTE — THE FIRST MEETING

HELD BY THE COLONISTS — DRAWING LOTS FOR CLAIMS — LOCATING THE CLAIMS

FILING ON HOMESTEADS — SIXTY-ONE CLAIMS FILED UPON APRIL I7 AND 18,

1 871 — NAMES OF THOSE TAKING CLAIMS 83

CHAPTER XXI

SOLDIERS' FREE HOMESTEAD COLONY, CONTINUED — OFFICIAL LIST OF MEMBERS OF

THE COLONY ^A HABITATION A PLACE TO LIVE — RANGE OF PRICES — FIRST

CROPS GROWN — CONDITIONS CONFRONTING COLONISTS — INSECT DEPREDATIONS

— LACK OF MOISTURE LIVE STOCK CONDITIONS — GROWING SMALL GRAIN

WHEAT AND OATS THE QUESTION OF FUEL 88

CHAPTER XXII

A colonist's TRIP TO OMAHA $250 FOR A YOKE OF OXEN OPENING UP FOR

BUSINESS 95

CHAPTER XXIII

THE PUBLIC SCHOOL THE COLONISTS AND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL COLONISTS LIVING

IN THE CARS ORGANIZE A SCHOOL DISTRICT COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT STATE-
MENT OF C. PUTNAM MADE FOR RECORD — ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS —

ERECTION OF SCHOOLHOUSES REPORT OF COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT, JANUARY,

1872 LIST OF LICENSED TEACHERS, 187I-76 98

xiv CONTENTS

CHAPTER XXIV

INCIDENTS IN A WEDDING JOURNEY ACROSS THE PLATTE IN 1869 FORD THE PLATTE

AT FORT KEARNEY TWO PRAIRIE DOGS AND A BOX OF MEDICINE — THE WAGON

UPSETS — RESCUE OF THE BRIDE — THE BRIDE's MOTHER ENJOYS A SMOKE — ALL
ENDS WELL I^S

CHAPTER XXV

PIONEER MERCHANDISING IN CENTRAL NEBRASKA LOCATION AT LOWELL IN l8/2

—SETTLEMENT OF SOUTHWEST NEBRASKA — EPIZOOTIC AMONG HORSES — MANY

MERCHANTS FAIL BUYING FURS OF TRAPPERS — FOUR TONS OF BUFFALO HAMS

STRYCHNINE AND STEEL TRAPS FOR TRAPPERS A MILLION DOLLARS WORTH

OF GOODS SOLD IN TWO YEARS I05

CHAPTER XXVI

HOMESTEADERS IN BUFFALO COUNTY — A LIST OF 1,265 PERSONS TAKING HOMESTEAD
AND PRE-EMPTION CLAIMS IN BUFFALO COUNTY PREVIOUS TO 1880 — ARRANGED
BY TOWNSHIP AND RANGE, GIVING Y^EAR OF FILING ON CLAIM IIO

CHAPTER XXVII

FIRST FOURTH OF JULY PICNIC, 1 872 HELD IN DUGDALE GROVE SUNDAY SCHOOLS

FROM BUFFALO AND HALL COUNTIES PARTICIPATE — 5OO CHILDREN IN ATTEND-
ANCE — SAMUEL B. LOWELL, PRESIDENT — COL. H. D. NILES DELIVERS THE ORATION
— PROF. D. B. WORLEY IN CHARGE OF MUSIC I20

CHAPTER XXVIII

THE COUNTY SEAT — THE FIRST COURTHOUSE — HAULING WOOD FROM THE LOUP

RIVER FIRST TERM OF COURT — LIST OF GRAND AND PETIT JURORS OFFICERS OF

THE COURT — BOUNDARIES OF JUDICIAL DISTRICT — REMOVAL OF COUNTY SEAT —

BUILDING A SECOND COURTHOUSE USING TUE OLD COURTHOUSE — ACADEMY AT

GIBBON — BAPTIST COLLEGE — UNITED BRETHREN COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE — COM-
MERCIAL COLLEGES — farmer's INSTITUTE 122

CHAPTER XXIX

BRIDGING THE PLATTE AT GIBBON AND KEARNEY JUNCTION CONTRACT PRICE FOR

GIBBON BRIDGE, $16.50 PER RUNNING FOOT CONTRACT PRICE FOR KEARNEY

BRIDGE, v$8.50 PER RUNNING FOOT — "iT IS THEIR SKUNK AND THEY MUST SKIN

CONTENTS XV

IT," WRITES THE EDITOR OF THE BUFFALO COUNTY BEACON MUCH BITTERNESS

IN THE FACTIONAL FIGHT OVER THE BRIDGE QUESTION DRIVING THE FIRST PILE

FOR THE KEARNEY BRIDGE I30

CHAPTER XXX

THE SAXON COLONY — CAME FROM SAXONY IN 1873 — MADE SETTLEMENT IN BUF-
FALO COUNTY IN FALL OF 1873 — CROPS DESTROYED BY GRASSHOPPERS IN 1874
REMARKABLE INSTANCE OF ENDURANCE ON PART OF SAXON WOMEN. .. .I33

CHAPTER XXXI

THE APRIL STORM OF 1873 NOT POSSIBLE TO DESCRIBE ITS FURY EXPERIENCE

OF A MISSIONARY MINISTER I4I

CHAPTER XXXH

THE GRASSHOPPER PLAGUE GRASSHOPPERS DESTROY CROPS IN 1860— THE RAID OF

1874 THE RAID IN 1875 HOPPERS LAY EGGS I43

CHAPTER XXXni

SHELTON KNOWN AS WOOD RIVER CENTER FROM 1860 TO ABOUT 1873 COUNTY

SEAT OF BUFFALO COUNTY — FIRST RELIGIOUS SERVICES HELD IN 1870 — AN OFFI-
CIAL DOCUMENT IN THE PIANDWRITING OF PATRICK WALSH OLIVER BROTHERS

ESTABLISH A STORE IN 187I AN OFFICIAL NOTICE TO THE POSTMASTER GENERAL

NOTIFYING HIM OF CHANGE IN THE NAME OF THE POSTOFFICE — LIST OF PHYSI-
CIANS AND SURGEONS THE FIRST DENTIST— SHELTON FLOURING MILLS THE

FIRST GRAIN ELEVATORS ALFALFA MILL THE SHELTON CLIPPER TWENTIETH

CENTURY CLUB FIRST TERM OF SCHOOL IN COUNTY BY LICENSED TEACHER

SHELTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS PUBLIC LIBRARY BANKS— CHURCHES FRATERNAL

AND BENEFICIARY LODGES I45

CHAPTER XXXIV

GIBBON NAMED IN HONOR OF GEN. JOHN GIBBON, U. S. A.— WILSON AND STAATS

THE FIRST SETTLERS WILSON DROWNED IN THE PLATTE FIRST DEEDS TO LOTS

PROPIIBITED THE SALE OF INTOXICATING LIQUORS 1. N. DAVIS DONATED TEN

ACRES FOR TOWNSHIP PARK — LIST OF POSTMASTERS — LIST OF PHYSICIANS —

FIRST NEWSPAPER, BUFFALO COUNTY BEACON GIBBON REPORTER RIVERSIDE

CEMETERY AN INCLINE GRAIN ELEVATOR THE GIBBON CREAMERY INCOR-
PORATION OF THE VILLAGE FIRST BOARD OF TRUSTEES GIBBON COMMERCIAL

xvi CONTENTS

CLLIS— Tllli GIU150N CHAUTAUQUA— Tllli TUBLIC SCHOOL— THE FIRST WINTER .:

TKRxM OK SCHOOL WOMAN's STUDY LEAGUE GIBBON TOWNSHIP LIBRARY

BANKS — CHURCHES — FRATERNAL AND BENEFICIARY LODGES 162

CHAPTER XXXV

KEARNEY KEARNEY JUNCTION TIMES CENTRAL NEBRASKA PRESS KEARNEY

IIUY] KEARNEY DEMOCRAT KEARNEY ENTERPRISE NEW ERA STANDARD

KI-.ARNEY MORNING TIMES — WATSON RANCH — CITIZENS WHO HAVE GAINED OF-
FICIAL STATE DISTINCTION FOUNDING OF KEARNEY INCORPORATION OF TOWN

OF KEARNEY NEWSPAPERS EARLY REMINISCENCES SCHOOL ESTABLfSHED

SOCIETIES CHURCHES BANKS ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 7

KEARNEY — ORGANIZATION OF FIRST CHURCH IN COUNTY — ORGANIZATION OF

W. C. T. U. IN COUNTY VISIT OF MISS FRANCES E. WILLARD, NATIONAL PRESIDENT

OF W. C. T. U. ORGANIZATION OF WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY PRE-
SENTED WITH A DEED OF FIRST LOT DISPOSED OF IN ORIGINAL TOWN OF KEARNEY
JUNCTION 178

CHAPTER XXXVI

RAVENNA FORT BANISHMENT ERASTUS SMITH, THE FIRST SETTLER BURLINGTON

RAILROAD COMPLETED IN 1886 INDIAN RELICS VILLAGE OF RAVENNA INCOR-
PORATED IN 1886 VILLAGE OFFICERS WATERWORKS INSTALLED SEWERAGE

INSTALLED POSTOFFICE ESTABLISHED IN 1878 LIST OF POSTMASTERS LIST OF

PHYSICIANS CEMETERY ESTABLISHED IN 1886 THE PUBLIC SCHOOL RAVENNA

NEWS THE RAVENNA CREAMERY THE DAIRY INDUSTRY IN BUFFALO COUNTY

THE RAVENNA MILLS CHURCHES BANKS FRATERNAL LODGES 259

CHAPTER XXXVn

ELM CREEK TOWNSHIP EARLY SETTLERS ELM CREEK STATION ANp EATING HOUSE

COLD TEA SOLD EMIGRANTS AS "WET GOODS" CORD WOOD SOLD AT SHERIFF

SALE AT EIGHT CENTS PER CORD ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 9 — ■

LIST OF POSTMASTERS; PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS THE FIRST NEWSPAPER —

INCORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE CHURCHES BANKS LODGES FIRST CHURCH

SERVICE A FUNERAL OCCASION ODESSA TOWNSHIP— FIRST SETTLERS REMINIS-
CENCES GRANT TOWNSHIP REMINISCENCES 27O

CHAPTER XXXVni

LOUP AND RUSCO TOWNSIIIP.S NAMES OF EARLY SETTLERS PETEr's BRIDGE BUF-
FALO IN PLEASANT VALLEY IN 1874 THE VILLAGE OF PLEASANTON A lO-GRADE

HIGH SCHOOL BUFFALO COUNTY TELEPHONE COMPANY FARMERS GRAIN COM-
PANY THE PLEASANTON STATE BANK THE FARMERS STATE BANK COMMER-
CIAL CLUB CHURCHES FRATERNAL AND BENEFICIAL LODGES 282

CONTENTS xvii

CHAPTER XXXIX

ARMADA TOWNSHIP AND MILLER LIST OF EARLY SETTLERS WM. CRAVEN STARTS

IN BUSINESS IN A SOD HOUSE WITH A CAPITAL OF $9 POSTOFFICE ESTABLISHED

IN ABOUT 1884, NAMED ARMADA VILLAGE OF MILLER INCORPORATED IN 189O

NAMES OF VILLAGE TRUSTEES NAMES OF POSTMASTERS NAMES OF PHYSI-
CIANS THE FIRST NEWSPAPER — THE MILLER INDEPENDENT TELEPHONE COM-
PANY BANKS, SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, LODGES W. C. T. U. ESTABLISH A LIBRARY

AND REST ROOM 287

CHAPTER XL

SCOTT AND SARTORIA TOWNSHIPS LIST OF EARLY SETTLERS REMINISCENCES BY

JOHN SWENSON JEF HOOLEY SHOOTS AN ELK HOOLEY, A PROFESSIONAL

HUNTER SWENSON's RIDGLING PONY "yE^ STRANGER, FOR HUMANITY

sake" FIRST SETTLERS FOUR DAYS' LABOR TO GET A SACK OF FLOUR CHILDREN

QUARREL OVJER WHO SHALL HAVE A FLOUR SACK FOR A GARMENT TEAM LOST

IN QUICKSAND HOLE IN LOUP RIVER— A DUCKING IN AN AIR-HOLE A COW, A

LAMB AND A PIG COTTONWOOD TIMBER ON THE SOUTH LOUP 293

CHAPTER XLI
«

FIRST SETTLERS IN CEDAR TOWNSHIP MRS. JOHN DAVIS LOSES HER LIFE IN THE

MEMORABLE STORM OF APRIL, 1873 GRASSHOPPER RAID IN 1874 ORGANIZA-
TION OF SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 20 MRS. E. W. CARPENTER FIRST TEACHER

BUILT A SOD SCHOOLHOUSE IN 1875 FIRST PRECINCT ELECTION HELD IN 1874;

THE ELEVEN VOTES CAST COST THE COUNTY $14, AND WERE WELL WORTH THE

MONEY MAJORS POSTOFFICE ESTABLISLIED IN 1879 ; NAMED IN HONOR OF COL.

THOMAS J. MAJORS E. W. CARPENTER NAMED POSTMASTER AND SERVED

TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ORGANIZED IN l88i

WITH FIVE CHARTER MEMBERS 300

CHAPTER XLH

FIR.ST FLOURING MILL; ERECTED IN 1873 FIRST MILL IN STATE WEST OF HALL

COUNTY SETTLERS CAME lOO MILES TO MILL 3O5

CHAPTER XLHI

ORGANIZATION OF TELEPHONE COMPANIES IN BUFFALO COUNTY THE FARMERS'

TELEPHONE COMPANY BUFFALO COUNTY TELEPHONE COMPANY UNION VAL-
LEY TELEPHONE COMPANY THE FAIRVIEW TELEPHONE COMPANY THE MILLER

INDEPENDENT TELEPHONE COMPANY 3O7

xviii CONTEXTS

CHAPTER XLIV

EFFORTS TO VOTE COUNTY BONDS AS AID TO RAILROADS — EFFORTS NOT SUCCESSFUL —
VOTING COUNTY BONDS FOR COURTHOUSE AND PLATTE RIVER BRIDGES — A PROTEST
AGAINST VOTING RAILROAD BONDS SIGNED BY 294 TAXPAYERS — A SUBSCRIPTION
LIST IN CIRCULATION IN 1888 TO RAISE FUNDS TO ASSIST IN CARRYING AN ELEC-
TION OF BONDS AS AID TO A PROPOSED RAILROAD 3IO

CHAPTER XLV

COWBOY TROUBLES IN BUFFALO COUNTY — GREAT HERDS OF TEXAN CATTLE ATTOR-
NEY F. G. HAMER OFFERS TO WHIP THE WHOLE CROWD — THE KEARNEY GUARDS
— THE KILLING OF MILTON COLLINS — CAPTURE OF JORDON P. SMITH — THE PRE-
LIMINARY TRIAL FIRST TRIAL OF JORDON P. SMITH APPLICATION FOR CHANGE

OF VENUE — EDITORIAL FROM KEARNEY JUNCTION TIMES OFFICERS OF THE

COURT — LIST OF JURORS — V^DICT OF THE JURY — SENTENCE OF THE COURT

SECOND TRIAL OF SMITH SUMMARY OF TESTIMONY ACCOUNT OF THE TRIAL

BY JUDGE E. F. GRAY — EXPENSE TO THE COUNTY OF THE TRIAL — EDITOR m'nEW,

OF THE SHELTON CLIPPER, WRITES OF COWBOY TROUBLES AT KEARNEY MURDER

OF AN UNARMED BOY BY THE CITY MARSHAL OF KEARNEY MARSHAL "SCARED TO

DEATH" CITIZENS OF KEARNEY UPHOLD THE MARSHAL 3I4

CHAPTER XLVI

RESOURCES OF BUFFALO COUNTY — FERTILITY OF SOIL — GROWING OF FRUITS CROP

PRODUCTION — IMPORTANCE OF ALFALFA — VALUE OF PROPERTY BY DECADES —

TAXES PAID BY DECADES TOTAL TAXES PAID TO DATE NUMBER OF FARMS

. VALUE OF CROPS — VALUE OF LIVE STOCK POPULATION OF COUNTY BY

DECADES 325

CHAPTER XLATI

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE RECORDS IN BUFFALO COUNTY RECORDS DATING

FROM THE YEAR 1849 RECORDS KEPT AT FORT KEARNEY, KEARNEY, RAVENNA,

ELM CREEK AND WATERTOWN A CONTINUOUS RECORD KEPT BY ERASTUS SMITH

AND MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY FROM 1878 TO DATE, I915 HIGHEST TEM-
PERATURE; LOWEST TEMPERATURE; AVERAGE TEMPERATURE AVERAGE DATE OF

KILLING FROSTS IN SPRING AND AUTUMN 329

CHAPTER XLVHI

ORGANIZATION OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN BUFFALO COUNTY IN 187I — GEORGE

H. SILVERNAIL PRESERVES RECORD IN HIS DIARY NOMINATE A FULL COUNTY

TICKET A SPIRITED ELECTION 1 50 VOTES POLLED PATRICK WALSH ON AN

INDEPENDENT TICKET ELECTED PROBATE JUDGE 334

CONTEXTS xix

CHAPTER XLIX

MY FIRST STATE COXVEXTIOX IN 18/6 ELECTED DELEGATE AT COUNTY CONVEN-
TION INTRODUCED TO FREE PASS SYSTEM JUDGE N. H. HEMIUP CANDIDATE

FOR ATTORNEY-GENERAL GENERAL ROBERTS AND THE "TROJAN HORSE" T. J.

MAJORS NOMINATED FOR CONTINGENT CONGRESSMAN BITTER FIGHT BY RAIL-
ROADS TO CONTROL CONVENTION CONVENTION IN SESSION FROM TUESDAY TO

SATURDAY EDWARD ROSEWATER ATTACKED AND KICKED DOWN HOTEL STAIRS

LIST OF BUFFALO COUNTY DELEGATES 337

CHAPTER L

POLITICAL PARTIES IN BUFFALO COUNTY 34I

CHAPTER LI

THE ANTI-MONOPOLY MOVEMENT IN NEBRASKA AND IN BUFFALO COUNTY 346

CHAPTER LH

CAPITAL RELOCATION COUNTY OPTION THE CAMPAIGN ISSUE CAPITAL REMOVAL-

ISTS DRAFT A BILL THE CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR, ON THE PART OF LIQUOR

INTERESTS, INDORSES SUCH A MEASURE — LIQUOR INTERESTS USE CAPITAL RELO-
CATION BILL AS A CLUB TO DEFEAT COUNTY OPTION BUFFALO COUNTY CITIZENS

A THOUSAND STRONG. PETITION IN FAVOR OF THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL

ANALYSIS OF THE VOTE ON CAPITAL RELOCATION AND COUNTY OPTION LETTER

OF E. P. COURTRIGHT LETTER OF W. L. HAND OFFICIAL ACTION OF BUFFALO

COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 349

CHAPTER LHI

LIST OF PERSONS HOLDING OFFICIAL POSITIONS MEMBERS OF TERRITORIAL LEGIS-
LATURE REPRESENTING BUFFALO COUNTY MEMBERS OF STATE LEGISLATURE

REPRESENTING BUFFALO COUNTY MEMBERS OF CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

JUDGES OF DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT ATTORNEYS COUNTY ATTORNEYS

COUNTY CLERKS COUNTY TREASURERS COUNTY SHERIFFS COUNTY SUPERIN-
TENDENTS — COUNTY JUDGES CLERKS OF DISTRICT COURT REGISTER OF DEEDS

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND SUPERVISORS 355

CHAPTER LIV

DEFALCATION OF JAMES VAN SICKLE, COUNTY TREASURER — H. C. m'nEW IN SHEL-
TON CLIPPER INTEREST ON PUBLIC FUNDS DEEMED THE LEGITIMATE OFFICE

XX CONTENTS

INCOME OF A COUNTY TREASUKER UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY EVADES

PAYMENT OF COUNTY TAXES — HOMESTEADERS COMPELLED TO PAY TAXES ON
LANDS BEFORE MAKING FINAL PROOF — COUNTY MONEY BUILDS BRIDGES AND
FURNISHES STAGE-LINE EQUIPMENT FOR STAGE LINE FROM KEARNEY TO BLACK
HILLS — COUNTY TREASURER JAMES VAN SICKLE TAKES A HUNTING TRIP —

METHOD OF CONDUCTING COUNTY BUSINESS MONEY HIRED OF AN OMAHA BANK

TO MAKE SETTLEMENT WITH COUNTY BOARD REMOVAL OF TREASURER VAN

SICKLE FROM OFFICE — AN EMPLOYE OF THE UNION PACIFIC COMPANY INSTALLED
AS DEPUTY COUNTY TREASURER — EX-COUNTY TREASURER JAMES VAN SICKLE
EARNS A PRECARIOUS LIVING BY HUNTING AND TRAPPING 362

CHAPTER LV

PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY — GRANGES ORGANIZED IN NEBRASKA IN EARLY '70S —
ENGAGE IN MANUFACTURE OF FARM IMPLEMENTS — NOXIOUS WEED SEED IN
GRAIN SHIPPED DROUTH SUFFERERS — GRANGES ORGANIZED IN BUFFALO COUNTY
IN 1875 LOCATION OF GRANGES AND THOSE ACTIVE IN THE MOVEMENT — POLI-
TICS DISRUPTS THE GRANGE — THE GRANGE MOVEMENT IN BUFFALO COUNTY IN
I912-15 — TWENTY-ONE GRANGES ORGANIZED, WITH 687 CHARTER MEMBERS —

GRANGE MEMBERSHIP I, GOO IN COUNTY IN I915 LIST OF GRANGES — NUMBER

OF MEMBERS — NAMES OF MASTER AND SECRETARY 365

CHAPTER LVI

ERIE farmer's club ORGANIZED IN 1874 LIST OF CHARTER MEMBERS SOME OF

THE SUBJECTS DISCUSSED BUFFALO COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY — FIRST

ORGANIZATION IN 1875 AND A FAIR HELD AT KEARNEY RE-ORGANIZED IN 1881

AND LOCATED AT SHELTON BUILDINGS* ERECTED AND THREE FAIRS HELD— FAIR

MOVED TO KEARNEY IN 1 884 — SEVERAL SUCCESSFUL FAIRS HELD RE-ORGANIZED

IN 1913 368

CHAPTER LVn

MURDER AND BURNING OF MITCHELL AND KETCHUM THE MOST DASTARDLY DEED

COMMITTED IN THE HISTORY OF THE STATE CATTLE MEN CONTROLLING BY

THREATS AND INTIMIDATION LARGE SECTIONS OF GOVERNMENT LANDS 1. P.

OLIVE ONE OF THE WEALTHIEST CATTLE-RANCH MEN IN THE STATE STEVENS

(BOB OLIVE) ATTACKS MITCHELL AND KETCHUM STEVENS IS MORTALLY

WOUNDED MITCHELL AND KETCHUM FLEE TO MERRICK COUNTY ARRESTED IN

HOWARD COUNTY— CONFINED IN BUFFALO COUNTY JAIL THE PRISONERS

DELIVERED TO SHERIFF GILLIAN OF KEITH COUNTY SHERIFF GILLIAN DELIVERS

THE PRISONERS TO I. P. OLIVE HANGING, SHOOTING AND BURNING OF MITCHELL

AND KETCHUM BY I. P. OLIVE AND HIS GANG OF COWBOYS — REMAINS OF THE
MURDERED AND BURNED MEN BROUGHT TO KEARNEY AND EXPOSED TO PUBLIC

CONTENTS xxi

VIEW ARREST OF OLIVE AND HIS CONFEDERATES TRIAL AT HASTINGS BEFORE

DISTRICT JUDGE WILLIAM GASLIN COMPANY OF STATE MILITIA IN ATTENDANCE

DURING THE TRIAL OLIVE AND FISHER CONVICTED AND SENTENCED FOR LIFE

TO THE STATE PENITENTIARY A DECISION OF THE STATE SUPREME COURT TURNS

THE CONVICTED MEN LOOSE AND RENDERS IT NOT POSSIBLE TO TRY THEM FOR

THE CRIME BEFORE ANY DISTRICT JUDGE IN THE STATE OLIVE SLAIN AT THE

HANDS OF AN AVENGING RELATIVE OF ONE OF THE MURDERED MEN 373

CHAPTER LVIII

LAST HUNT OF THE PAWNEES IN 1873 THE TRIBE NUMBERED 2,400 7OO MEN,

WOMEN AND CHILDREN WENT ON THE HUNT TOOK 80O EXTRA PONIES TO PACK

LIOME THE MEAT HUNTED ON THE SOUTH OF THE PLATTE, ON PRAIRIE DOG,

BEAVER AND FRENCHMAN KILLED LARGE NUMBERS OF BUFFALO ATTACKED BY

THE SIOUX AND I56 PAWNEES KILLED LOST ALL OF DRIED MEAT AND MOST OF

THEIR PONIES lifTY OF THE SIOUX WERE KILLED THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT

FINED THE SIOUX $I0,000 AND GAVE THE MONEY TO THE PAWNEES 383

CHAPTER LIX

INTRODUCTION OF ALFALFA INTO NEBRASKA AND BUFFALO COUNTY REPORT BY

DR. C. E. BESSEY REPORT BY PROF. C. L. INGERSOLL REPORT BY C. Y. SMITH

ALFALFA PALACE ON STATE FAIR GROUNDS EXPERIENCE OF C. H. BALLENGER^

J. H. NEAD, H. W. m'fADDEN, MARTIN SLATTERY, H. D. WATSON, PAT O'SHEA,

.ROBERT OLIVER, MICHAEL MOUSEL, JOHN S. MARSH, DR. JOHN E. SMITH, THOMAS

M. DAVIS, CAPT. J'. H. FREAS, J. H. GISHWILLER, JAMES o'kANE, A. B. CLARK,

B. A. ROBBERTS, W. S. DELANO, J. C. MITCHELL STATISTICS. . . . 389

History of Buffalo County

CHAPTER I

BEFORE THE WHITE MAN CAME NAMES OF INDIAN TRIBES INHABITING NEBRASKA

TERRITORY BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PAWNEE INDIANS — FAITHFUL TO THEIR

TREATY OBLIGATIONS — REMOVAL TO INDIAN TERRITORY IN 1876 ASSIGNED

LANDS IN SEVERALTY IN 1892 — A PATHETIC INCIDENT — IN I915 THE PAWNEE
MAKING GOOD, BECOMING USEFUL CITIZENS.

BEFORE THE WHITE MAN CAME

Before the white man came this land we call "Nebraska" was claimed by
several tribes of Indians. The boundaries of their lands were not defined by
metes and bounds, clearly outlined and made matters of record, as are the coun-
ties of the state. In the eighteenth annual report of the Bureau of American
Ethnology, for the years 1896-97, J. W. Powell, director, is given an outline
map of Nebraska, giving the names of the principal tribes of Indians, the location
of their lands in the state and the dates when each tribe ceded such lands to the
general Government. Herewith is a brief summary from said report, giving
the names of the tribes and the location of their lands. The State of Nebraska
is approximately two hundred miles from north to south and four hundred from
east to west. Speaking in a general way, not to be understood as being exact,
let us draw a line across a map of Nebraska commencing at the mouth of the
Niobrara River, thence south about sixty miles, thence southeast to a point east
of the City of Columbus, thence south to the Kansas State Hne. East of this
line to the Missouri River and north of the Platte River the lands thus embraced
were those claimed by the Omaha Indians and tribes friendly to and living within
the territory described. East of this line to the Missouri River and south of
the Platte River, the lands thus embraced were those of the Oto and Missouri
tribes.

Next let us draw a line north and south across the state, passing through the
forks of the Platte River — North Platte. The territory thus embraced between
these two lines, the central portion of the state, both north and south of the
Platte Rivef, were lands belonging to the confederated tribes of Pawnee Indians,
viz. : Grand Pawnee, Pawnee Loup, Pawnee Republicans and Pawnee Tappaye.

West of the Pawnees and south of the Platte the lands were claimed by the
Arapaho and Cheyenne tribes. West of the Pawnees and north of the Platte

Vol.1 —1

2 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

were the lands of the Sioux, and in the northern part those of the Sioux, North-
ern Cheyennes and .Vrapaho.

It will be seen that ikitfalo County is located in what was Pawnee territory,
without question the greatest hunting ground on the American continent for wild
game, such as buffalo, elk, deer and antelope. The Pawnee lands south of the
Platte were ceded to the general Government October 9, 1833. The Fort Kear-
ney Military Reservation, north of the Platte, was ceded to the general Govern-
ment August 6, 1848, and the remaining lands of the Pawnees, north of the
Platte, were ceded September 24, 1857.

How long the Pawnee Indians had inhabited the valleys of the Platte and
Loup rivers in what we now call Nebraska is not definitely known, and doubt-
less never wmII be, but history seems to disclose that they were living here more
than three centuries before the white man came to dispossess them, about the
year i860.

The following brief history of the Pawnee, whose lands we, the people of
Buffalo County, Nebraska, now occupy and enjoy, is taken as an extract (kindly
furnished by United States Senator George W. Norris) from the "Handbook of
American Indians," Bulletin No. 30, Bureau of American Ethnology :

"Pawnee. A confederacy belonging to the Caddoan family. The name is
probably derived from Pariki, a horn, a term used to designate the peculiar
manner of dressing the scalp-lock, by which the hair was stiffened with paint and
fat, and made to stand erect and curved like a horn. This marked feature of
the Pawnee gave currency to the name and its application to cognate tribes. The
people called themselves Chahiksichahiks, 'men of men.'

"In the general northeastwardly movement of the Caddoan tribes the Pawnee
seem to have brought up the rear. Their migration was not in a compact body,
but in groups, whose slow progress covered long periods of time. The Pawnee
tribe finally established themselves in the Valley of the Platte River, Nebraska,
w^hich territory their traditions say was acquired by conquest, but the people
who were driven out are not named. It is not improbable that in making their
way northeast the Pawnee may have encountered one or more waves of the
southward movements of Shoshonean and Athapascan tribes. When the Siouan
tribes entered the Platte Valley they found the Pawnee there. The geographic
arrangement always observed by the four leading Pawnee tribes may give a hint
of the order of their northeastward movement, or of their grouping in their
traditionary southwestern home.

"The Skidi place was to the northwest, and they were spoken of as belonging
to the upper villages. The Pitahauerat villages were always downstream ; those
of the Chaui, in the middle, or between the Pitahauerat and the Kitkehahki, the
villages of the last named being always upstream. How long the Pawnee resided
in the Platte Valley is unknown, but their stay was long enough to give new
terms to 'west' and 'east;' that is, words equivalent to 'up' or 'down' that east-
wardly flowing stream.

"The earliest mention of a Pawnee is that of the so-called 'Turk' (q. v.), who,
by his tales concerning the riches of Quivira (q. v.), allured and finally led
Coronado, in 1541, from New Mexico over the plains as far as Kansas, where
some Pawnee (see Harahey) visited him. The permanent villages of the tribes

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 3

lay to the north of Ouivira, a name given to the Wichita territory. It is doubtful
if the Apane or the Quipana mentioned in the narrative of De Soto's expedition
in 1 541 were the Pawnee, as the latter dwelt to the northwest of the Spaniard's
line of travel. Nor is it likely that the early French explorers visited the Pawnee
villages, although they heard of them, and their locality was indicated by Tonti,
La Harpe and others. French traders, however, were established among the
tribes before the middle of the eighteenth century.

"How the term Pani (q. v.) or Pawnee, as applied to Indian slaves, came into
use is not definitely known. It was a practice among the French and English
in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries to obtain from friendly tribes their
captives taken in war and to sell them as slaves to white settlers. By ordinance
of April 13, 1709, the enslavement of negroes and Pawnee was recognized in
Canada (Shea's Charlevoix, v. 224, 1871). The Pawnee do not seem to have
suffered especially from this traffic, which, though lucrative, had to be abandoned
on account of animosities it engendered. The white settlers of New Mexico
became familiar with the Pawnee early in the seventeenth century through the
latter's raids for procuring horses, and for more than two centuries the Spanish
authorities of that territory sought to bring about peaceful relations with them,
with only partial success.

"As the Pawnee lay in a country remote from the region contested by the
Spaniards and French in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, these Indians
escaped for a time the influences that proved so fatal to their congeners, but
ever-increasing contact with the white race, in the latter part of the eighteenth
century, introduced new diseases and brought great reduction in population,
together with loss in tribal power. When the Pawnee territory, through the
Louisiana Purchase, passed under the control of the United States, the Indians
came in close touch with the trading center at St. Louis. At that time their
territory lay between the Niobrara River on the north and Prairie Dog Creek on
the south, and was bounded on the west by the country of the Cheyenne and
Arapaho, and on the east by that of the Omaha, on the north of the Platte River,
and on the south of the Platte by the lands of the Oto and Kansa tribes. The
trail to the southwest, and later across the continent, ran partly through Pawnee
land, and the increasing travel and the settlement of the country brought about
many changes. Through all the vicissitudes of the nineteenth century the Pawnee
never made war on the United States. On the contrary, they gave many evi-
dences of forbearance under severe provocation by waiting, under their treaty
agreement, for the Government to right their wrongs, while Pawnee scouts
faithfully and courageously served in the United States army during Indian
hostihties.

"The history of the Pawnee has been that conmion to reservation life — the
gradual abandonment of ancient customs and the relinquishment of homes before
the pressure of white immigration.

"* * * By treaty of Table Creek, Neb., September 24, 1857, all lands
north of the Platte River were assigned to the Government except a strip on
the Loup River, thirty miles east and west and fifteen miles north and south,
where their reservation was established. This tract was ceded in 1876, when

4 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

the tribes were removed to Oklahoma, where they now Hve. In 1892 they took
their kinds in severahy and became citizens of the United States. * * *

'Tn 1702 the Pawnee were estimated by Iberville at two thousand families.
In 1838 they numbered about ten thousand souls, according to an estimate of
houses by Missionaries Dunbar and Allis, and the estimate is substantially con-
firmed by other authorities of the same period, one putting the number as high
as twelve thousand five hundred. The opening of a principal emigrant trail
directly through the country in the '40s introduced disease and dissipation, and
left the people less able to defend themselves against the continuous attacks of
their enemies, the Sioux.

"In 1848 they were officially reported to have lost one-fourth of their number
by cholera, leaving only 4,500. In 1856 they had increased to 4,686, but five
years later were reported at 3,416. They lost heavily by removal to Indian
Territory in 1873-75, ^"^ "^ ^^79 numbered only 1,140. They have continued
to dwindle each year until there are now (1906) but 649 surviving."

What a sad history the foregoing is of a people who for centuries possessed
and successfully defended this land in Central Nebraska which we now possess
and enjoy! What a sad history of a people of whom it is written that they
faithfully observed their treaty agreements with the United States and loyally
and courageously fought in the armies of the United States against its enemies!

It is related that after the removal of the Pawnee to the Indian Territory in
1876 (much against their wish, many being brutally compelled to go by the
soldiers assigned to their removal) that some of the number became so home-
sick that in the dead of winter they stole away from the reservation and jour-
neyed back to Nebraska in order to once more visit the land of their fathers, to
visit their former homes and the places where their dead were buried — and what
did they find? Their former homes, the burial places of their dead, were plowed
fields, the home of the white man. There was no place they could go and be
welcome. They were, as it might be said, a stench in the nostrils of the white
man, and the soldiers of our Government, armed with guns and bayonets, forced
them to return to the reservation assigned them.

And thus it was that we, the white men, came and possessed this land.

In the year 191 5, H. A. Lee, an early settler and long-time resident of Bufifalo
County, now residing in Oklahoma, writes that the Pawnee are making good;
tilling their farms, establishing homes, making useful citizens.

GENERAL HENRY B. CARRINGTON
IN COMMAND AT FORT KEARNEY, 1865-66

The original location of the Union Pacific Railroad iH-ovided for
the road to cross the Platte at Fort Kearney, thence west up the
south side of the river. General Carrington,' then in command at
Fort Kearney, made a survey for a bridge across the Platte at that
point, rei)orted unfavorably, and the plan of building a bridge was
abandoned.

CHAPTER II

FORT KEARNEY DATE WHEN ESTABLISHED BOUNDARIES OF MILITARY RESERVA-
TION BLEW THE BUGLE REFERENCE — HISTORY OF FORT KEARNEY BY ALBERT

WATKINS, HISTORIAN OF STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY SERGEANT MICHAEL

COADY A SOLDIER OF THE MEXICAN AND CIVIL WARS- — SERVED AS CLERK OF

BUFFALO COUNTY — CHARTER MEMBER OF FIRST I. O. O. F. LODGE INSTITUTED
IN THE COUNTY — CHARTER MEMBER OF FIRST MASONIC LODGE INSTITUTED IN
THE COUNTY.

FORT KEARNEY

(Note — In Volume No. i6 of the published collections of the Nebraska State
Historical Society, for the year 191 1, may be found a very complete history of
Fort Kearney compiled from public documents and written by Albert Watkins,
historian of the State Historical Society.)

As a protection to the thousands of emigrants traveling the Oregon and
Overland trails from the early '30s to the completion of the Union Pacific Rail-
road in 1869, Fort Kearney was established in May, 1848, and garrisoned with
United States troops until its abandonment in the year 1871. That portion of
the military reservation on the north side of the Platte River and in part within
the boundaries of Buffalo County was ceded to the general Government in 1848
and its boundaries described as follows :

"Commencing on the south side of the Platte River, five miles west of post
'Fort Childs' (later named Fort Kearney), thence due north to the crest of the
bluffs north of said Platte River; thence east and along the crest of saids bluffs
to the termination of Grand Island, supposed to be about sixtv miles distant;
thence south to the southern shore of said Platte River; and thence west and
along the southern shore of said Platte River to the place of beginning.

"A plat of this tract is inserted in the treaty,"

The reservation on which the fort was located was ten miles square, lying
on both sides of the Platte River, and over this reservation a strict military
discipline was maintained. While emigrants were permitted to travel the trails
crossing the reservation and to visit the fort, no one was permitted to make an
overnight camp on this reservation. To this there was one exception — to encour-
age the raising of crops, more especially gardens, small tracts of land were leased
to individuals who were permitted to reside upon such leased tracts. The tracts
thus leased were located on islands of the Platte, principally an island known
as Fort Farm Island. Also on this island some farming, such as growing corn,
was done under the supervision of the military authorities at the fort. Also on

6 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

this island a considerable area was fenced for pasture for horses belonging to
the garrison.

It is understood that the reason for including in the military reservation
the tract above noted— some sixty miles in length and embracing, as it did, the
Wood River X'alley in Buffalo County— was that on this tract, which included
the "thousand" islands of the Platte, there was much timber needed and used by
the military authorities.

BLEW THE BUGLE

It is related that each day an officer and guard were detailed to visit the
timber sections of the reservation and see if unauthorized persons were cutting
Government timber. It is also related that on such duty, at intervals, the clear
notes of a bugle rang out over the islands and the prairie, and hearing the bugle
unauthorized wood choppers ceased from their labors while the inspection guard
passed by. On return to the fort the officer reported that he saw no one engaged
in cutting timber on the reservation, and yet as the years came and went, and
before the fort was finally abandoned, the islands of the Platte and the banks
of Wood River within the bounds of the reservation were entirely stripped of
timber suitable for cordwood or a railroad tie.

It should also be mentioned that this timbered reservation furnished all tim-
ber needed for fuel and other purposes at the fort for some twenty-three years.

SERGT. MICHAEL COADY

The name of Sergt. Michael Coady and mention of his deeds is well worthy
a place and to be made of record in a history of Buft'alo County, although in a
legal sense it can hardly be said he was ever a resident of the county. Sergeant
Coady was kind and helpful to early settlers in Central Nebraska when kindness
on the part of those in authority was appreciated and help needed.

Early settlers could not tell the names of the commanding officers at Fort
Kearney, but every man, woman and child knew of Sergeant Coady, that he
seemed to exert much authority and that he was a friend to all pioneer settlers.

It will be noted in this history of Buffalo County that Sergeant Coady was
active in the reorganization of the county in 1870, and that he was elected and
served as county clerk. It is related that when the first elections were held in
the reorganized county, the poll books were taken to Fort Kearney, and Sergeant
Coady helped to make out the election returns, for the reason that Sergeant
Coady was accustomed to making reports, the keeping of records, while the resi-
dents of the county were not. It will be noted, in this history, that Michael
Coady was a charter member, helped to organize the first I. O. O. F. lodge insti-
tuted in the county in 1873. It will also be noted that he was a charter member,
and helped to organize the first Masonic lodge in the county in 1873.

Sergeant Coady was of a sociable disposition, and enjoyed a wide acquaintance
both in army circles and in the state.

While he was forceful, energetic, a born fighter, he was of a most kindly dis-
position. It is related that Sergeant Coady was offered a commission as officer

SCENE ON LAKE KEARNEY— SLEEPY HOLLOW IN THE DISTANCE

(inioto by ». V. HuUlicii

1>1CNIC SCENE AT OLD FOKT KEARNEY IN 190(5
Tho tict's sliowii wcip planted when tli(> fort was established in 1S4S. Bevoiid the loo- an<l
(•oni.t.nK Iron, the left are: Mrs. .lane (iihnorc, Mrs. S. C. Bassett, Mrs. Thomas Kirk" In
the f-entcr, Moses Svdeidiain.

SEEGEANT MICHAEL COADY

A soldier of the Mexican and
Civil wars. Served at Foit Kearney.
A charter member of the first Masonic
and Independent Order of Foresters
lodges instituted in Buffalo County.
Served as clerk of Buffalo County,
1870-71.

OLD SOLDIERS AT PICNIC AT OLD FOET KEAEXEY IX 1906

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 7

in the regular army of the United States and dechned, giving as his reason that
his early advantages and training were such that were he an officer, invited to
social functions, his brother officers might feel humiliated, while if not invited he
should feel offended.

"Leave me be a sergeant," he is reported to have said, "and I'll be satisfied,"
and a sergeant to the end of his army days he was.

When, as a military post Fort Kearney was abandoned in 1870, Sergeant
Coady was left in command, in charge of the Government property until August,
1874, when he was ordered to take station at Fort Omaha, Neb., where, in
addition to his duties as ordnance sergeant, he was postmaster of the fort. After
his retirement from the army he remained postmaster at the post until it was
abandoned in 1896, when he moved out of the post and settled down, living a
quiet life until his death, September 10, 1900.

He was accorded a military funeral with full honors due a commissioned
officer.

]\Iichael Coady was born January i, 1828, in Tipperary, Ireland, and when
a small boy emigrated to America. He entered the United States army in 1846,
serving through the Mexican war. Rebellion and numerous Indian campaigns.

In 1862 Sergeant Coady was appointed ordnance sergeant, which position he
held until he was retired, June 16, 1885.

He was married in July, i860, at Washington, D. C.

There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Coady five daughters, Julia, Mary, Mar-
garet Elizabeth, Anna, and Catherine ; three sons, John J., Edward V., and
William F. In 1916 his widow and living children were residents of Omaha.

The following is a list of battles in which Sergeant Coady participated :

Palo Alto 1846

Rasaca de la Palma • • 1846

Monterey 1846

Vera Cruz 1846

Contreras and Cherubusco 1846

Molino del Rey 1846

City of Mexico 1846

Indian campaigns in New Mexico and Texas and the Overland boundary
survey, from 1848 to i860.

BATTLES OF THE REBELLION

First and Second Bull Run 1862

Savage Station 1862

Glen Dale 1862

White Oak Swamp 1862

Glen Mills 1862

Hanover Courthouse 1862

Malvern Hill 1862

Charles City Cross Roads 1862

Alechanicsville 1862

8 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

Discharges bear the following characters: "Excellent in every respect.
Remarks : His performance of every duty marked by the same faithfulness and
zeal which has always characterized him."

Discharges signed by the following officers : Gen. John Gibbon, Dangerfield
Parker, John H. King, William P. Carlin, Edwin Pollock and others.

CHAPTER III

BUFFALO county; HALL COUNTY IN TERRITORIAL DAYS HALL COUNTY OFFICIALS

TRANSACT THE FINANCIAL AFFAIRS OF BUFFALO COUNTY EQUALIZE ASSESS-
MENT OF PROPERTY ; LEVY TAXES ; COLLECT TAXES ; AUDIT AND PAY CLAIMS

AGAINST BUFFALO COUNTY COPIES OF DUPLICATE TAX RECEIPTS LIST OF TAX

PAYERS IN BUFFALO COUNTY WHO PAID THEIR TAXES TO THE TREASURER OF
HALL COUNTY.

BUFFALO COUNTY ; HALL COUNTY

While there are records and publications (election returns in the office of the
secretary of state, special legislation relating to Buffalo County, a proclamation
in the office of the governor, copies of the Huntsman's Echo in the library of
the state historical society) which seem to disclose that there was a county
organization in Buffalo County, dating possibly from the year 1855, quite certainly
from the year 1858, and that a complete list of county officials were elected in
and for Buffalo County, and while these officers doubtless did on occasions act
in an official capacity, yet there are no county records of Buffalo County of an
earlier date than the year 1870, and so far as the writer has knowledge, the
only records relating to the conduct of county business in Buft'alo County
previous to 1870 are the county records of Hall County. The county records of
Hall County date from 1858, the year the county was organized, and these
records seem to disclose that while the political existence of Buff'alo County was
recognized, that the county business of and for Buff'alo County was transacted by
the officials of Hall County. It appears that the county commissioners of Hall
County audited and allowed the claim of the assessor of property in Buffalo
County and ordered the same paid out of the general fund of Buff'alo County.
It appears that the commissioners of Hall County equalized the assessment of
property in Buffalo County at the same meeting as was equalized the assessment
of property of Hall County, and then proceeded to make the levy of taxes in and
for Buffalo County. It appears from records in the treasurer's office of Hall
County that taxpayers in Buffalo County paid their taxes to the treasurer of
Hall County, who issued receipts therefor, the duplicate tax receipt showing it
was for taxes due Buffalo County.

The proceedings of the county commissioners of Hall County disclose that
when a term of court was held at Grand Island, the expense of said term of
court was paid out of the general fund of both Hall and Buffalo counties. In
considering this matter it should be kept in mind that in territorial days in
Nebraska, there were but few people residing in either Buff'alo or Hall County;

10 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

that there was Inil little county business to transact; that lands were not taxable
and that the value of the personal property to be taxed was small. In Buffalo
County it appears that the value of all property for taxation purposes in the
year 1867, was $22,520, on which the commissioners of Hall County levied a
tax of six (6) mills on the dollar, the total county tax amounting to $135.12. In
the year 1868 it appears that the value of all property in Buffalo County for
purposes of taxation was $12,448, on which the commissioners of Hall County
levied a tax of six (6) mills on the dollar for county general fund and three (3 )
mills for county sinking fund ; from this levy the total tax paid into the county
general fund would be $74.69, and into the sinking fund $37-34- It appears that
all the tax levied was for the county general fund, no levy being made for school,
road, bridge or poor fund purposes.

From the proceedings of the county commissioners of Hall County are
copied the following items as relating to the county business of Buffalo County:

"Date, July i, 1867.
"Total valuation of property in Buffalo County, $22,520.
"\'oted to levy a tax of six (6) mills on the dollar."

"Date, January 6, 1868.
"Claim of Wm. Eldridge for services as assessor in Buffalo County, $9 (three
days at $3 per day) allowed and ordered paid out of general fund of Buffalo
County."

"Date, April 20, 1868.
"Commissioners' proceedings show one precinct in Buffalo County."

"Date July 6, 1868.
"Total valuation of Buffalo County, $12,448.

"Voted to levy six (6) mills on the dollar for county general fund.
"Voted to levy three (3) mills on the dollar for county sinking fund."

"Date December 8, 1868.
"Buffalo County and Hall County to pay from the general fund of each
county, to pay in proportion :

Rent holding district court $100.00

Boarding jurors 24.00

Advertising in Fremont Tribune 4.00

Sheriff fees 31.00

John Jones, services as bailiff 6.00

Total for term $165.00"

A duplicate tax receipt in the office of the treasurer of Hall County shows
that James E. Boyd, of Buffalo County, paid of taxes for the year 1868:

State general fund $ 1.60

State sinking fund 80

State school fund 1.20

County general fund 4.80

County sinking fund 2.40

Total $10.80

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

A duplicate tax receipt in the ofifice of the treasurer of Hall County shows
that Thomas K. Wood, of Jiuffalo County, paid of taxes for the year 1869:

State general fund $0.32

State sinking fund 19

State school fund 29

State university 19

County general fund i.ii

County sinking fund 18

Dog 2.00

Total $4.28

A duplicate tax receipt shows that Wesley Folsom, of Buffalo County, paid
of taxes for the year 1868, $21.08.

John O'Connell, 1868, $5.95.

The following communication from W. G. Partridge, deputy county treasurer
of Hall County, gives a list of taxpayers in Buffalo County for the year 1867,
the assessed value of their porperty and the amount of tax paid by each ; it will
be noted the rate of taxation was approximately ten mills on the dollar valuation
(.0105).

"Grand Island, Nebr., November 22, 191 5.
"S. C. Bassett, Gibbon, Nebr.

"Dear sir: After you were here a few days ago, I hunted through our vault
and found the Tax List for 1867 for Buffalo County, and am giving you below,
the names — valuation — taxes — date paid.

Value Amount Paid

Beach, D. W $1,080.00 $11.34 March 17, 1868

Britt, Jno 1 50.00 Gone

Boyd, Jas. E 6,830.00 71.72 May 7, 1868

Boyd, Jos 600.00 6.30 May 7, i<

Champlain, D. R 750.00 7.88 March 21, il

Dugdale, Hy (Henry) 940.00 9.87 March 21, i!

Eddy, C 715-00 7.52 Gone

Estey, Wm 1,140.00 ii-97 May 9, i<

Gardner, G. G 650.00 6.83 June 24, 1868

Johnson, C. S 475-00 5.00 March 21, 1868

Myers, A 425.00 4.47 April 20, 1868

Oliver, Ed 335-00 3.52 Paid

Oliver, Sarah 540.00 5.67 March 21, 1868

Statts & Wilson 3.760.00 39-48 May 14, i<

Thomas, Wm. D 2,800.00 29.40 May 18, i<

Tague, Thos 355-00 3.74 May i, 1868

Teats, J. H 650.00 6.82 Gone

Williams, A. J 825.00 8.67 February 24, 1868

"The above is a correct list of the taxes for Buffalo County according to the
assessors return, to the best of my knowledge and belief.

"Fred Evans, County Clerk.
"Wm. H. Platt, Deputy.

12 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

"If you wish the next year or two following this, I think I can find it for
you. "Yours truly,

"W. G. Partridge,
"Deputy County Treasurer."

:\lap showing boundaries of Uufitalo County as defined when the county was
created by act of Territorial Legislature, approved March 14, 1855. At that
date no other county in the territory bordered on Bufifalo County.

Those interested in the early history of Bufifalo County will find the follow-
ing references of much value.

(Note — The accompanying map and references are kindly contributed by
Mr. E. L. Sayre, Sr., Stapleton, Nebr.)

References: Session laws of Nebraska Territory for 1859.

Page 193 — Ferry across Platte River at Kearney City to Alonzo D. Luce and
Theadore H. Dodd.

Page 141 — Creation of Kearney County.

Page 142 — Creation of Dawson County.

Page 203 — Mill dam across Wood River in Hall County.

Page 166 — To incorporate Kearney City in Kearney County.
Pages 207-8 and 218 — Relative to Pawnee Indian depredations.

Page 219 — Relative to navigation of Platte River to New Fort Kearney.

Session laws of Nebraska Territory for 1861 :

Page 107 — Election district in Hall, Bufifalo, Kearney and Lincoln counties.

Session laws of 1865 :

Page 69 — Election of assessor in Bufifalo and other counties.

Statutes of Nebraska, 1867, compiled by E. Estabrook:

Page 710 — To continue organization in Bufifalo County.

MAP OF BUFFALO COUNTY

Courtesy of H. A. Webbert, Kearney

Map showing townships, ranges, names of townships, names of towns, loca-
tion of rivers, location of railroads, number, and location of school districts in
Bufifalo County.

Issued from the office of County Superintendent J. S. Elliott for the school
year 1914-1915.

NEW CHANGES OF BOUNDARY NOT SHOWN ON MAP

SW34 34-1 1-18 from District No. loi to 76. E)^ of NW54, WK- of NE>^
and NE^::; of NEj4 21-11-14 from District 39 to 92. All of District No. 37
attached to District No. loi. Ey. of NW^ and NW^^ of NW>4 21-11-15 from
District No. 66 to 2^. SW^i 15-12-13 from District No. 91 to 106.

CHAPTER IV

BOUNDARIES OF BUFFALO COUNTY, ACT OF THE TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE

NEBRASKA CENTRE THE SEAT OF JUSTICE (cOUNTY SEAT) — ORIGINAL SURVEY OF

THE COUNTY NEBRASKA CENTRE ITS EXACT LOCATION — CENTRALIA AND

NEBRASKA CENTRE PRECINCTS TERRITORIAL ELECTION HELD IN 1859 POLL-
BOOKS AND ELECTION RETURNS THE EARLY SETTLEMENT IN THE PLATTE

VALLEY DOBYTOWN AND THE FAMOUS TOM KEELER RANCH — ^DAVID ANDERSON

SPENDS THREE DAYS AT THE BOYD RANCH TELLS OF AN ELECTION HELD THERE

IN FALL OF 1859 — W^ITNESSES TESTIFY AT CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION AS TO
LOCATION OF NEBRASKA CENTRE LETTER FROM JOSEPH OWEN.

BOUNDARIES OF BUFFALO COUNTY

The County of Buffalo, one of the first eight counties named and boundaries
estabHshed, was named and its boundaries first defined at the second session
of thjg. Territorial Legislature of Nebraska which convened at Omaha, Tuesday,
DeceiTiber i8, 1855, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon. Hon. Mark W. Izzard was
territorial governor, Benjamine R. Folsom was president of the council and
Erastus G. McNeely, chief clerk. The speaker of the House was William Lari-
mer, Jr., and Joseph W. Paddock, chief clerk.

The act of the Territorial Legislature providing for the organization of
Buffalo County follows :

AN ACT To Organize Buffalo County.

Section i. Be it enacted by the Council and House of Representatives of the
Territory of Nebraska, That all that portion of Territory included in the follow-
ing hmits, is hereby declared organized into a county to be called Buffalo, com-
mencing at a point in the centre of the Platte River, ten miles east from the
mouth of Wood River, running thence westward up the southern channel of
the Platte, to the mouth of Buffalo Creek, thence north thirty miles — thence east
to a point directly north of the place of beginning, thence south to the place of
beginning. The seat of justice is hereby located at Nebraska Centre.

Sec. 2. This act to take effect from and after its passage. Approved March

14, 1855-

In a general way it can be said the east line of the county thus established
began at a point approximately south of the present City of Grand Island, and
the western line of the county was near the present Village of Overton in Dawson
County. Later, 1858-1871, the boundaries were changed to conform to the
present boundaries.

14 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

ORIGINAL SURVEY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

On the establishment of Fort Kearney in 1848, the war department ordered
a military reservation of ten miles square surrounding the fort to be surveyed
and established. Accordingly the Fort Kearney military reservation was sur-
veyed in 1848, (Morton history), this being the first survey of record in the
county, and it appears that the lines thus established were recognized in all future
surveys in both Buffalo and Kearney counties. In 1866 the second and third
standard township lines in the county were surveyed and established by H. C. F.
Hackbusch, the third standard being the present north line of the county and
the second standard the line between townships eight (8) and nine (9). In 1866
range lines 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 were run by George F. McClure. In the
same year, 1866, the township and section lines in ranges 13, 14. 15 and 16 were
run by Edwin R. Farnsworth and H. C. F. Hackbusch and in 1868 the township
and section lines in ranges 17 and 18 were run by VV. J. Allason. This completed
the original survey of the county.

It will be noted that in the act organizing the county Nebraska Centre is
named as the "Seat of Justice," the county seat; a history of Nebraska Centre
somewhat in detail and as near as can be determined its exact location is herewith
given :

NEBRASKA CENTRE

In the first published account of Buffalo County, Territory of Nel^ska,.^
mention is made of Nebraska Centre, and in the maps of Central Nebrasw^and
Buffalo County of that date a rather indefinite location is given of Nebraska
Centre, which is not to be wondered at, as there had been no official survey
made of this portion of the territory, but few people (squatters) resided here
and of necessity the hamlet named "Nebraska Centre" could have consisted of
only a few log habitations.

It has been generally understood, and the editor of this history has so under-
stood and written, that the place known as Nebraska Centre from 1855 to i860
was from i860 to 1873 known as Wood River Centre, and from 1873 to date
(1916) as Shelton. But such seems not to have been the case. History seems
to disclose that Nebraska Centre was located at that point known since about
i860 as "Boyd's Ranch," which, when the lands in the county were surveyed in
1868, can best be described as the southwest one-quarter, section No. 14, town
No. 9, range No. 14, now Gibbon Township, Buffalo County. Possibly a descrip-
tion, somewhat in detail, of settlements in Buffalo County previous to 1868, when
the lands were surveyed and thrown open to settlement, may be of interest to a
student of a history of our county. It appears that all travel in the Platte River
Valley over the Overland-California-Mormon trail through what is now Buffalo
County was south of Wood River. Until the building of the Union Pacific
Railroad through the county in 1867 all settlements in the county were south of
Wood River and adjacent to the above mentioned trail, and in the eastern portion
of the county.

Fort Kearney was established in 1848. It was located on a military reserva-
tion ten miles square lying on both sides of the Platte River. The northeast

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 15

corner of the reservation was on section No. 26, town No. 9, range No. 14, and
the northwest corner of the reservation was on section No. 29, town No. 9,
range No. 15. The military regulations in force at Fort Kearney did not permit
any civilian to live upon the reservation — the ten miles square ; in fact, no
civilian was permitted to so camp over night. Reference to a map will disclose
'that the north line of the Fort Kearney Military Reservation was south of the
Boyd ranch and less than two miles distant, and hence it was that all travel over
the Overland-California-Mormon trail up and down the Platte Valley passed
through what might be termed the "door yard" of the Boyd ranch. West of the
Boyd ranch Wood River bears towards the north and west, while the above men-
tioned trail bore towards the south and west. Also about a mile west of the
Boyd ranch, and south of Wood River, begins a low blufif, extending westward
between the trail and Wood River, which is doubtless the reason there were few,
if any, settlers in the early days along Wood River west of the Boyd ranch, as
such settlers would have been distant from and out of sight of the trail traveled
by emigrants.

Going west the trail divided at the Boyd ranch, or Nebraska Centre, one trail
continuing up the Platte Valley, passing through where is now the City of Kear-
ney, the villages of Odessa and Elm Creek. The other trail was to Fort Kearney,
some eleven miles distant, being eight miles west and six miles south of the Boyd
ranch, and on the south bank of the Platte. Quite naturally there would have
been a "ranch," a "center," at the crossing of the Platte opposite Fort Kearney,
but as the crossing point was on the military reservation, there could be no
"ranch," no "hamlet," at that point.

History seems to disclose that previous to i860 Nebraska Centre was located
at the point later known as Boyd ranch; that it was the county seat of Buffalo
County dating from the year 1855, when the county was named and bounded;
that all the travel over the trail, on the north side of the Platte River, passed this
point ; that there was here a ranch and store where grain and provisions could be
purchased, a saloon, and a "townhouse," where elections were held.

It appears that beginning with the year i860 Wood River Centre became a
center of recognized importance in Buffalo County, and Nebraska Centre ceased
to be known to have a name in Central Nebraska and along the Overland trail.
In the year 1858 Joseph E. Johnson located at a point on Wood River named
Wood River Centre. In April, i860, he estabhshed a newspaper called the
Huntsman's Echo. He established a store, a tintype gallery, a blacksmith shop,
a wagon repair shop, and most important' of all, in the same year, a postoffice
named Wood River Centre, himself as postmaster.

About that time the Western Stage Company extended its stage line from
Iowa points through Omaha, up the north valley of the Platte to Fort Kearney,
making their first stage station out of Fort Kearney at Wood River Centre on
the farm now owned by Joseph Owen, and the station in charge of August Meyer,
now (1916) living in Shelton.

It appears that beginning with the year i860 Nebraska Centre ceased to Jiave
a legal existence, its name but a memory, and its exact location not with certainty
determined by those of us residing in Buffalo County in the year 1916.

In the year 1859 an election for territorial officers was held in Buffalo County,

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

and to Albert Watkins, historian for the State Historical Society, we are indebted
for the returns of said election, including the names of the voters as copied from
the poll books. These returns are as follows :

"At an election held in the townhouse of Nebraska Centre, in the Precinct of
Nebraska Centre, County of Buffalo, and Territory of Nebraska, on Tuesday, the
nth day of October, 1859, the following named persons received the number of
votes annexed to their respective names for the following described offices :

"Experience Estabrook had thirty-eight votes for member of Congress.

"William C. Wyman had thirty-eight votes for territorial treasurer.

"Robert C. Jordan had thirty-eight votes for auditor.

"Alonzo D. Luce had thirty-eight votes for librarian.

"William C. Harvy had thirty-eight votes for commissioner of common schools,

"James G. Chapman had thirty-seven votes for district attorney for First
Judicial District.

"Richard C. Barnard had thirty-eight votes for member of the Legislature,

"John Hamilton,

"Morrison M. Miller,

"CoNSTAN B. Reynolds,

_ ^ ^ "Jtidges of Election,

Robert J. Johnson,

"Samuel Hood,

"Clerks of Election.

"I do hereby certify that this is a true copy of the poll books for the Precinct

of Nebraska Centre, in Buffalo County.

"George Miller,

"County Clerk for Buffalo County, Nebraska Territory."

NAMES OF VOTERS IN POLL BOOK

Smith Kinsey

20.

James Tierney

P. S. Gibbs

21.

Carby Gooderman

Harvy Estere

22.

James Mername

J. J. Lester

23-

Alexander Givyneny

James E. Boyd

24.

John W. Britt

Charles Wilson

25-

Peter Kinney

John H. Young

26.

Milo Tourend

George Miller

27.

David Narcy

C. H. Swits

28.

Jeremiah Cox

10.

M. Tory

29.

J. C. Dorman

II.

William Mixlow

30.

John Lux

12.

John Hamilton

31-

T. Brown

13-

R. S. Johnson

32.

B. Norman

14.

Morrison McMillen

33-

Gustavus Stout

15-

Samuel Hood

34-

W. L. Brinton

16.

S. R. Brown

35-

T. J. Dorian

17-

Anan Henry

36.

David Anderson

18.

Henry Wilson

■ 37.

John Davis

19.

John Hamphill

38.

B. F. Brown

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 17

"At an election held at the house of J. H. Johnson, in the Precinct of Cen-
tralia, and County of Buffalo, and Territory of Nebraska, on Tuesday, October
II, A. D. 1859, the following named persons received the number of votes annexed
to their respective names for the following described offices :
"Experience Estabrook, sixteen votes for member of Congress.
"William W. Wyman, sixteen votes for territorial treasurer.
"Robert C. Jordan, sixteen votes for auditor.
"Alonzo D. Luce, sixteen votes for librarian.

"William E. Harvy, sixteen votes for commissioner of common schools.
"James G. Chapman, sixteen votes for district attorney for First Judicial
District.

"Richard C. Barnard, sixteen votes for member of Legislature.

"Joel W. Johnson,
"Thomas Page,
"John Fames,

"Judges of Election.
"J. W. Wilson,
"John Thorp,

"Clerks of Election."

names of voters on poll book

1. Henry Peck 9. John B. McCallister

2. Thomas Page 10. James McCallister

3. John Fames 11. George Gurney

4. J. H. Johnson 12. John Cramer

5. J. B. Lewis 13. Andrew Berry

6. John Thorp 14. Oliver M. Anderson

7. J. W. Wilson 15. Joseph Houfif

8. Henry Sharp 16. Patrick Carroll

"I do hereby certify that this is a true copy of the poll books for the Pre-
cinct of Centralia, in Buffalo County.

"George Miller,
"County Clerk for Buffalo County, Nebraska Territory."
As bearing upon the question of the exact location of Nebraska Centre, we
copy from "Collections, Volume 16," of the State Historical Society, page 193,
as follows :

"the early settlement of the PLATTE VALLEY

"By David Anderson
"(Paper read before the annual meeting of the Nebraska State Historical Society,

January 18, 19 10)
"In the fall of 1859, after spending an exciting and adventurous summer
in the newborn City of Denver, and the Rocky Mountains, in company with some
old Pennsylvania friends with whom I had crossed the plains from Leavenworth
City over the Smoky Hill route in the early spring, our party started from
Denver with a mule team bound for Omaha.

18 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

"We followed the Pike's Peak trail, south of the south fork of the Platte
River, to Julesburgh. thence down the old California trail to Fort Kearney.
Great herds of buffalo, deer, elk and antelope were constantly in view. The
Cheyenne Indians, who roamed over the plains between Fort Kearney and Den-
ver, were furiously engaged in attacking emigrant trains, burning ranches and
murdering the occupants. We had several skirmishes with the red devils who
followed our trail many days.

"Ten miles west of Dobytown was the famous Keeler ranch. Here we met
the notorious Tom Keeler, the terror of the plains and especially of the Cheyenne
Indians. With all his native rudeness and roughness, however, Mr. Keeler was
one of the most hospitable and generous men that I ever met. His buildings
were all of sod, and the dwelling house was tidy and inviting. Mr. Keeler was
loyally and lovingly attached to his wife and children.

"One day during the war period a cavalcade of rebels who were fleeing from
the draft in Missouri stopped at his wells to obtain water for themselves and
animals. Their mules were decorated with flags of the Confederacy, and the
men were lustily hurrahing for Jefif Davis. This exhibition aroused Tom
Keeler's Union feelings so intensely that he stood before the well with a gun in
each hand, demanding that the rebel bunting be removed before any Union
Nebraska water should be drawn. His wife stood at the door, armed with a
double-barreled shotgun. After very acrimonious discussion the demand was
complied with and the boisterous fugitives congratulated Keeler and his wife
upon their courage and loyalty.

"A few weeks after we passed this ranch Mr. Keeler's stables, containing
forty head of horses, together with 200 tons of hay, were wantonly set on fire
by the Cheyenne Indians and totally destroyed. In later years Mr. Keeler re-
moved to Eastern Nebraska and settled on the Elkhorn River, near Elkhorn City.
In 1878 he met his death in a shotgun duel with Daniel Parmalee, a prominent
citizen of Omaha.

"Dobytown, two miles w^est of Fort Kearney, contained about three hun-
dred people. The houses were built of adobe or sod, one story high. It was on
the extreme western verge of civilization and was a great rendezvous for out-
laws and gamblers, who practiced their nefarious arts on the unsophisticated
pilgrims.

"At a point opposite the fort the Platte River was three miles wide, contain-
ing numerous small islands and many deep and treacherous channels ; yet this
was the only real safe fording place between Julesburgh and the Missouri River.

"On arrival at the Boyd ranch, eleven miles east of the fort, our team was
so fatigued that we were compelled to rest for three days. Here James E. Boyd
operated a small trading post and ranch, carrying on a large traffic with the
officers and soldiers of the fort, making profitable contracts for supplying wood
from the margin of the river and from islands which had been reserved by the
Government for military purposes; also for hay that grew abundantly on the
Platte bottoms. While we tarried here the territorial election was held for
choosing a delegate to Congress. This was the only polling place between Grand
Island and Fort Kearney, a distance of thirty miles. The democratic candidate
was Experience Estabrook of Omaha, and the republican candidate was Samuel

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 19

G. Daily. There were twenty-two votes cast at the Boyd ranch, eleven of them
by officers and soldiers from the fort. Great interest was manifested in the con-
test. I speak with emphasis and pleasure of the strenuous and useful career of
Mr. Boyd. He assisted in the construction of the Union Pacific roadbed, pro-
jected the first railway north from Omaha, established the first large pork pack-
ing plant at Omaha and erected the first large theater in the city.

"The Wood River plain, which we followed a distance of twenty miles, pre-
sented a magnificent view; but there were only half a dozen settlers in that long
stretch. At Wood River Crossing *Pap' Lamb, well known along the Platte
Valley, was operating a ranch and stage station. About this time the W'estern
Stage Company, which was operating lines in Iowa, Wisconsin and other border
states, established a route between Omaha and Pike's Peak — the name by which
the Denver region was generally known — and stations were established from ten to
fifteen miles apart. Mr. Lambs' ranch was one of them, and he drove to the
next station west."

In a footnote to Mr. Anderson's paper (in part here quoted), Albert Watkins,
historian for the State Historical Society, writes as follows :

"John K. Lamb, writing from Fort Kearney, April ii. i860, to the Omaha
Republican of April 18, i860, remarked that Kearney City 'is better known as
Adobe Town.' And he observed that Doctor Henry was doing a large business
there. (Dr. Charles A. Henry was the father of Mrs. James E. Boyd.) Testi-
mony taken by Samuel G. Daily in his contest against Experience Estabrook for
a seat in Congress tended to show that at the time of the election of October 11,
1859, there were at Kearney City not over eight houses, not over fifteen resi-
dents, and not one acre of cultivated land or a farmhouse in the neighborhood
of Kearney City. It also showed that at Nebraska Centre, the place named as
the county seat (of Buffalo County), there was but one dwelling house, one
storehouse and one warehouse. ( Statement of Representative Campbell of
Pennsylvania on behalf of Daily. Congressional Globe, first session. Thirty-sixth
Congress, part 3, page 2180.) The returns of the election show that 238 of the
292 votes of Buffalo County were cast at Kearney City. These were rejected
because Kearney City, being situated south of the Platte River, was not within
Buffalo County."

Albert \\'atkins, historian of the State Historical Society, writing in refer-
ence to the location of both "Centralia" and "Nebraska Centre" says:

"Relevant to the footnote on page 196, 'Collections of the Nebraska State
Historical Society,' Volume XVI : Stephen H. Wattles, a witness for Daily,
testified that 'There is no such town as Centralia, but [it] is the name given to
a precinct. The election purports to have been held at the house of ^Ir. Johnson,
on Wood River.'

"The witness testified also, of Nebraska Centre, that 'It has one dwelling
house, one storehouse, one barn or stable and one warehouse.' He said that he
was at Nebraska Centre about eighteen hours and saw only three persons there
who appeared to be residents. He testified further that Nebraska Centre and
Centralia 'are on the direct line of thoroughfare from the Missouri River to the
mines.' At Centralia he saw only four, five or six houses. He saw none any-
where except on Wood River."

20 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

The question of the dehnite loeation of Nebraska Centre was referred to
Joseph Owen of Shelton. In exphmation let it be said Mr. Owen came to Buffalo
County in 1863 and has since resided here. Mr. Owen has served as treasurer
of School District No. i since its organization in 1870 to date (1916). He has
also served as a member and as chairman, of the county board of supervisors.
His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Ann Oliver, is a sister of Ed Oliver.
Ed Oliver, also mentioned, came to Buffalo County in i860. He worked for
Joseph E. Johnson at Wood River Centre in 1860-61. He has served as county
treasurer in 1871-72 and as a member of the board of county commissioners.

Mr. Joseph Owen, under date of January 28, 1916, writes, in substance, as
follows: "I have always known that the J. E. Boyd place, when I came here
in 1863, was known as Nebraska Centre, and Mr. Ed Oliver, who worked for
J. E. Johnson (at Wood River Centre), never heard of Centralia Precinct. My
wife (maiden name, Sarah Ann Oliver) was acquainted with the Wilsons
(Charles and Henry) and Boyd, as she worked for Mrs. Boyd when a girl.
Henry Wilson lived on the Kelsey place (this the northeast one-quarter section
No. 13, town No. 9, range No. 14, in Gibbon Township). His father was
drowned in the Platte River and his body never recovered, before I came here.
John Britt and George Burke bought out Henry Peck in 1863. This land is now
a part of the Village of Shelton. All the other people named as voting at the
Boyd place (Nebraska Centre) are entirely unknown to the Olivers, and we are
at a loss to know where they all lived. They certainly did not live along Wood
River.

"Mrs. Owen says she was acquainted with Henry Peck, Thomas Page, John
Eames, J. E. Johnson, Henry Sharp, John B. and James McCallister, Joseph
Houfif and Patrick Carroll. They all lived at Wood River Centre."

The Boyd ranch has a definite location. It was the first land filed upon in
Buffalo County by Joseph Boyd in 1868. There seems no question but what the
Boyd ranch was at Nebraska Centre.

CHAPTER V

huntsman's echo, first newspaper published in buffalo county COPIES ON

FILE IN LIBRARY OF STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY SKETCH OF JOSEPH E. JOHN-
SON, Nebraska's first editor — accompanies explorers who locate line of

UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD BUFFALO DESTROY MR. JOHNSON'S GARDEN AND

crops — GRASSHOPPERS DESTROY CROPS IN BUFFALO COUNTY IN 1860 — BUILDING

OF TELEGRAPH LINE TO FORT KEARNEY IN 1860 STAGE LINE MAKES A RECORD

TRIP, FORT KEARNEY TO OMAHA, 33 HOURS MR. JOHNSON VISITS PAWNEE

INDIANS WINTER 1860-61 A SAW MILL IN OPERATION AT WOOD RIVER CENTRE

A ONE-HORSE GRIST MILL IN OPERATION GRAIN AND VEGETABLES GROW TO

PERFECTION FIRST POSTOFFICE IN BUFFALO COUNTY.

JOSEPH E. JOHNSON

The first postmaster in Buffalo County and editor of the first paper pubhshed in
Buffalo County and in the territory of Nebraska west of Omaha.

THE FIRST NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED IN BUFFALO COUNTY

The first newspaper published in the territory now embraced in Buflalo
County was The Huntsman's Echo at Wood River Center (now Shelton) from
April, i860, to August i, 1861. The editor was Joseph E. Johnson, who also
appears to have been one of Nebraska's first editors.

Several copies of The Huntsman's Echo are on file in the library of the State
Historical Society and in consulting this file one learns much of the history of
the county and its people in territorial days. The Huntsman's Echo carried a
quite full line of advertising, discussed men and measures of public importance
in the free and breezy western style but of necessity had little of local news.
The editor was a most pronounced democrat, a warm friend of J. Sterling
Morton, who seems to have been a standing candidate for office and from the
columns of The Huntsman's Echo we learn that Mr. Morton, in the interests of
his candidacy for office, visited Buft'alo County and spoke on the streets of Wood
River Center, and, at the June election in the year 1866, received thirty-two of
the forty-two votes cast in the county for governor and in the October election
in the same year, Mr. Morton being a candidate for Congress, received seventeen
of the twenty-nine votes cast in the county.

There seems no question that Mr. Johnson was a man of much more than
ordinary abilities and the writer has been inclined to question just why a man
of his attainments should have located and engaged in the publication of a news-
paper at a point where in those days there was no local patronage for its support.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

Mr. Johnson had hccn a strong advocate of the building of the Union Tacific
Railroad and of its location on the north side of the Platte River and as the
location had been determined previous to his arrival at Wood River Center,
possibly he had in mind that in the near future a city might be established, when
the road was built, at the point where he had located. There is every reason to
believe that had he remained at Wood River Center during the building of the
road, that with the inHuence exerted by an ably edited newspaper, the division
station of the Union I'acihc. now at Grand Island, might have been located at
Wood River Center instead; possibly the state capital, who can tell? While
Mr. Johnson was editing a newspaper at Council Bluffs and Omaha, there had
been established by the general government, a military road described as follows :
"From Florence, (about five miles north of the present City of Omaha) via
Elkhorn City, Fremont. North Bend, Emerson, Buchanan, Columbus and
Nebraska Center to New Fort Kearney." Also at the same date, June 14, 1858,
there was established a military road from Bellevue, via Hazelton connecting
with the first mentioned at Elkhorn City. As Mr. Johnson had traveled the
Platte River trail to Utah and return in 1850 there seems little question that he;
foresaw that when the Union Pacific was constructed it must pass in the imme-
diate vicinity of Wood River Center and that possibly an important city might
be established at that point. Air. Johnson was a Mormon, having two wives
and numerous children on his arrival at Wood River Center in 1859. In i860,
it is related, another woman came from an Iowa point to whom later, in Utah,
he was married, and possibly the increasing prejudice against the Mormons and
especially polygamy caused Mr. Johnson to abandon this suggested financial
venture and remove to Utah, there to dwell among a people more in sympathy
with his beliefs and practices.

By permission we copy from the Morton History the following brief sketch
of Joseph E. Johnson, Nebraska's first editor, as prepared by his son, C. E.
Johnson, a resident of Salt Lake City: "Joseph Ellis Johnson was born April 28,
1817, at Pomfret, New York, being one of a family of sixteen children. At the
age of sixteen, he moved with his parents, who had been converted to the faith
of the Latter Day Saints, to Kirtland, Ohio. After this he followed the fate
of the Saints through their various persecutions till he got as far west as Council
Bluffs, Iowa. At Nauvoo, Illinois, he was married to Harriet Snyder, the
ceremony being performed by the Mormon prophet. Joseph Smith. At the time
he went to Council Bluff's in 1848 it was known as 'Miller's Hollow,' afterwards
'Kanesville.'

"Here he built the first house in Pottawattamie County, was postmaster for
five years and obtained the change of name from 'Kanesville' to 'Council
Bluffs.' Here he was a member of the first city council for many years. He
established and published the Council Bluffs Bugle in 1852. The Bugle had
much to do with getting the capital of Nebraska Territory established at Omaha.
Here he opened the first store on the site of Omaha, and from here sent the
first train (ox team) load of goods to the Denver, Colorado, (then known as
Cherry Creek) mines. In 1854 he published the Omaha Arrow, the first paper
published on Nebraska soil. In the same year he accompanied the first party of
explorers for a railroad crossing on the Missouri River and the Loup Fork of the

RICE H. EATON

Editor of the Central Nebraska Press,
establisheil at Kearney in 1873

■(By courtesy of C. s. I'aii i-. Lincoln)

JOSEPH E. JOHNSON

First postmaster in Buffalo County at
Wood Eiver Center, 1860. Editor of the
Huntsman 's Echo, 1860-61, first news-
paper published in Nebraska Territory
west of Omaha.

LYMAN B. CUNNINGHAM

Pioneer settler of Buffalo County.
Editor of the first newspaper published
in Kearney — Kearney Junction Times.
One of the founders of Kearney who, at
a public meeting held in a coal and lum-
ber office, helped give the future city its

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 23

Platte River. He wrote the lirst article published favoring the North Platte
route for the Pacific Railroad and contended for the same until so located. He
crossed the plains in 1850 and went to Utah, in order to see the country, return-
ing shortly with intention of soon removing to Utah. In 1857 he published the
Crescent City (Iowa) Oracle, and laid out the town of that name. In 1858 he
published the Council Bluffs Press. In 1859 he moved to Wood River (Center),
Nebraska, and for three years published the Huntsman's Echo. At this point
he had a large outfitting store for the accommodation of the many who were
rushing to the gold fields of California. He had also a printing office, bakery,
hotel, daguerreotype studio, etc. In 1861 moved to Utah, bringing a long train
of teams loaded with all manner of goods and chattels. * * * q^ November
6, 1882, he was taken sick with pneumonia, from which he died December 17,
1882. He had three wives, all of whom survived him and were present at his
deathbed. He had twenty-seven children and many grand children." — (C. E.
Johnson, Salt Lake City, Utah, October 16, 1905.) To be historically correct and
give due justice it is perhaps best to state that the Omaha Arrow was doubtless
the first newspaper published for, but not in, Nebraska Territory, as the Arrow
appears to have been printed at Council Bluff's, the first issue bearing date of
July 28, 1854. The first paper printed in the territory appears to have been the
Nebraska Palladium, at Bellevue, and the first issue on November 14, 1854. On
the last page of this issue appeared the following: "This is the first column of
reading matter set in the Territory of Nebraska. This was put in type on the
14th day of November, 1854, by Thomas Morton."

Early settlers in the county state that the store of Mr. Johnson was not
extensive in character and that in connection with the store and newspaper he
also conducted a blacksmith shop and repair shop for wagons and that the repair
shops were much the more profitable as a business. In one of his newspapers
Mr. Johnson advertises himself as follows : "General outfitting commission
merchant, keeper of Council Bluffs Mansion ; as carrying on wagonmaking and
blacksmithing and keeper of a bakery and eating saloon." The following, some
wholly, some in substance, are taken from the Huntsman's Echo, July 26, i860:
"A few miles above on the Platte and Wood rivers, there are numerous herds of
buffalo. Across the river it is said, they are coming over from the Republican in
innumerable multitudes, and many, famishing for food or water — whilst making
for the Platte for a drink, are frightened back by emigrants and travelers, yet
make immediate efforts to gain the water, but are again driven back by the report
of fire arms, and, we are told, many thus perish before they reach the water."
* * * On September 6, i860: "Buffalo are continually coming about our
farm, ranch and office, bothering us by eating our vegetables, cropping the grass,
bellowing and kicking up a dust generally ; and not being able to stand it longer
we sent the boys and Doctor (Doctor Farner of Council Bluffs, Iowa, who was
en route for Denver with a stock of drugs) out to drive them away. This resulted
in prostrating the carcasses of two, and as dogs and wolves are scarce we had
to breakfast, dine and sup from their flesh since. We shan't try to stand it, and
give timely notice that the echo of fire arms will be a common thing in this neck
of the woods, unless these fearfully, frightful looking creatures desist from
peeking into our office, and dis-composing our printer. At (Fort) Kearney, it

24 HISTORY OF J5UFFALO COUNTY

seems, they almost came into town. The driver of the express from Denver,
was compelled to bring his team to a walking pace near (Fort) Kearney because
of the buffalo thronging the road."

September 6, i860, "'The Huntsman's Echo regrets to learn that clouds of
grasshoppers migrating south have for several days been doing considerable
damage at some of the ranches above."

September, i860, "It is reported that a band of thirty Cheyenncs (Sioux)
had recently made a descent on the Pawnee camps, but were routed with the loss
of much of their own equipage."

September 6, i860, describing a trip along Wood River it is said, "there was
found rich, brown clusters of grapes — large, juicy and sweet, though in a state
of nature. Of plums we never saw as large, or quality better, growing wild; we
enjoyed them to a fullness. Trees cut by beaver and numerous paths, slides and
dams are found along Wood River. The editor has received a present of the
largest and finest watermelon of the season from J. E. Boyd, who has a most
delightful and eligible farm seven miles above — comfortable buildings, several
hundred acres fenced and near two hundred acres in crops, a pleasant and agree-
able lady and a pretty baby."

On September 13 the editor again notes that buffalo are destroying his garden
and says, "we could not stand it longer, but started Sam, who intercepted his
progress before he had done much damage to our garden, and banging away — -

" 'The well-aimed lead pursues the certain sight,
And death in thunder overtook his flight.'

"The flesh being secured our t'other half, self and the balance, have been
regaling on roast, broil, fry and stew, ever since."

On November 2d : "Last week on two occasions, from our office, we wit-
nessed the playful pranks of several antelope, and again a sprightly red fox
came up near the enclosure, but cut and run when Towser came in sight. A nice
race they had but Reynard made the best time. A week ago three large white
wolves hove in sight, and played around on the prairie at a safe distance — the
same chaps, probably, that made a tender meal from a good-sized calf of ours
that had been running out. The buffalo have taken our caution and for two
weeks have not troubled us or annoyed our printer." On this date the editor also
says: "Yesterday Messrs. Kountze and Porter called on us whilst on their trip
providing for the distribution of the balance of the telegraph poles along the
route. Come on with your forked lightning! Strike for the great western ocean,
the land of gold and glittering stones and ore." Reference is here had to the
telegraph line being constructed from Omaha to Fort Kearney and which was
completed to Wood River Center November 2d and to Fort Kearney November
4, i860.

September 13, i860: 'The people of the Pike's Peak mining district, together
with all concerned, will be pleased to learn that after being swindled, gouged,
imposed upon, and literally robbed in the matter of mail facilities and service,
by that arch-monopoly, Jones, Russell & Co., for nearly two years they are now
provided by the department, at American rates, a mail from Omaha, by this place

' HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 25

and Fort Kearney, once a week and back. The Western Stage Company, the
most punctual, accommodating and reliable in mail service, has the contract and
have already sent out one mail." This is believed to have been the first mail route
established by the general Government, passing through Buffalo County. On
August nth it is related this stage company made a record trip from Fort
Kearney to Omaha in thirty-three hours carrying six passengers.

In the winter of 1860-61 the editor of the Huntsman's Echo visited the Paw-
nee Indians on their reservation at Genoa in Nance County and in the February
2ist issue gives the following interesting account of this visit: '"The Pawnees
number at present about four thousand souls and a fraction over, and when 'at
home' live in a cluster of huts built with crotches and poles, covered, top and
sides, with willows, then with grass and dirt, giving the appearance at a little
distance of an immense collection of 'potato hills,' all of a circular shape and oval.
The entrance is through a passage walled with earth, the hole in the center at the
top serving both for window and chimney, the fire being built in the center.
Along the sides little apartments are divided off the main room by partitions of
willow, rush or flag, some of them being neatly and tidily constructed, and
altogether these lodges are quite roomy and comfortable, and each is frequently
the abode of two or more families. In these villages there is no regularity of
streets, walks or alleys, but each builds in a rather promiscuous manner, having
no other care than to taste and convenience. The tribe is divided into five bands,
each being under a special chief or leader, and the whole confederation being
under one principal chief. Each band has its habitation separate and distinct
from the other, three bands living in villages adjoining and all composing one
village, the other two villages some little distance. There is frequently some con-
siderable rivalry between the several bands in fighting, hunting and other sports,
and not infrequently one band commits thefts upon the effects of another."

In the issue of April 25, 1861, speaking of the agricultural prospects of the
Wood River Valley the editor says : ''Corn, wheat, oats, rye, barley, potatoes,
and all sorts of vegetables and roots grow to perfection. For melons and other
vines the fruit is almost spontaneous. The timber consists of cottonwood, elm.
ash. hackberr}^, box elder and oak. Eighteen miles below there is a sawmill,
lumber $30 per thousand. There was a one-horse grist mill at Wood River
Center. The vast emigration going up the valley at that time demanded far
more of the products of the region than the supply. Corn brought from $1.25 to
$2.50 per bushel, flour $5 to $7 per 100 lbs., butter 25 cents per pound, eggs
25 cents per dozen, and potatoes $2 per bushel. We have growing apples,
peaches, English gooseberries, currants, raspberries, and strawberries, set last
year. All stood the winter fine and look well." It is related that in the two sum-
mers' life of the Huntsman's Echo the far-seeing editor prophesied as to the
future greatness of the Wood River A'alley. In the last issue, x\ugust r. i86r.
appears the following:

"adieu

"Friends and patrons — adieu. \Ye have 'secessed,' and tomorrow shall start
westward and shall probably become a citizen of Utah, and perhaps — soon our

26 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

Echo may be re-Echoed from the tops of the mountains. We go from turmoil,
strife and bloodshed, to seek quiet in the happy, peaceful vales of Utah. This
republican reign of terror, blood, tyranny and oppression is too much for our
democratic style of free thought, free speech and freedom, when men who may
chance to differ in opinion with wild, blood-thirsty fanatics, are threatened and
sometimes despoiled or murdered. * * * Should our life and abilities be
spared, our friends may hnd our foot-marks through the boundless West, and
again hear the shrill, oracular notes of the old bugler, re-echoed from the vales
of the mountains. Again, adieu."

Mr. E. Oliver, now a resident of Shelton, and who was employed by Mr.
Johnson to work in his garden, states that Mr. Johnson took great pride and
pleasure in tilling the soil, not only raising quantities of vegetables, but was also
a lover of flowers and small fruits to which he gave much attention. The store
and printing office was in a building fourteen feet square, built of hewn logs, and
was located on the bank of Wood River, east of the main street. In front of this
store was the Overland Trail; across the trail, to the south, was the house in
which Mr. Johnson lived, and his garden extended to the south as far as the
present railroad tracks. This garden was enclosed with a fence built of poles.
After the removal of Mr. Johnson to Utah, the store building was used as a
residence by the families of E. Oliver and A. Meyer.

As the Huntsman's Echo mentions migrating grasshoppers as destroying
crops in i860 it might be of interest to mention that a rainfall record had been
kept at Fort Kearney from 1850 to and including 1861, and that the rainfall for
the years 1859-60-61 was the least for any years during that period, being 16.10
inches in 1859, 16.85 inches in i860, and 19.34 inches in 1861. This is the least
rainfall, for a period of three years, as appears in the rainfall record kept at
Fort Kearney and Ravenna between the years 1850 and 1914. The least rainfall
record in any one year in this time, 1850 to 1914, being 15.67 inches in 1894.

THE FIRST POSTOFFICE

The first postoffice established in Buffalo County was at Wood River Center
in i860. The first contract to carry mail was let by the general Government in
1850. This was a monthly mail between Independence, Mo., and Salt Lake City,
Utah. This mail was carried over the Oregon Trail, through Nebraska Territory
south of the Platte River and via Fort Kearney to Utah. This contract was let
to Samuel H. Woodson of Independence, Mo. In 1859 this contract was trans-
ferred to Russell, Majors and Waddell, and the initial or starting point was made
Nebraska City. The celebrated Pony Express was put in operation in i860 be-
tween St. Joseph and Sacramento, passing south of the Platte via Fort Kearney.
Previous to the breaking out of the Civil war Missouri was a hotbed of secession
and the home of border ruffians and more and more emigration to the Pacific Coast
followed the trail north of the Platte River. In the latter '50s the Western
Stage Company of Iowa extended its route to Fort Kearney, following the mili-
tary road established by the general Government in 1858, from Bellevue and
Florence via Fremont, Columbus, Nebraska Center to Fort Kearney. In August,
i860, the Western Stage Company were awarded a contract by the general

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

Government to carry mail o\er this route as far west as Fort Kearney. Pre-
vious to this date it seems that the mail between Omaha and Fort Kearney up
the valley of the Platte was carried and charged for the same as freight or
express, the rates of course being high. These extortionate rates for carrying
mail doutbless account for the rather violent language used towards Jones, Rus-
sell & Co. in the Huntsman's Echo of September 13, i860.

frfttUK^^

Through the kindness of Senator Norris Brown it is learned that the records
of the Postoffice Department show that the postofifice at Wood River Center was
established August 20, i860, and discontinued May 28, 1864. The postmasters
at Wood River Center were as follows: Joseph E. Johnson, August 20, i860, to
September 30, 1862; Henry Peck, September 30, 1862, to July 18, 1863; Edward
Huff, July 18, 1863, to May 28, 1864. Thus it seems that Joseph E. Johnson was
the first editor of a newspaper for Nebraska Territory, the Omaha Arrow, July
28, 1854 ; the editor and publisher of the first paper printed in Buffalo County,
and the first postmaster in Buff'alo County.

CHAPTER VI

ORGANIZATION OF BUFFALO COUNTY RETURNS OF AN ELECTION IxN BUFFALO

COUNTY IN 1858 — NEWSPAPER ACCOUNT OF AN ELECTION OF COUNTY OFFICERS
IN i860 — BUFFALO COUNTY ORDERED TO ENLIST SOLDIERS IN 1862 — AN ACT OF
THE TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE TO CONTINUE THE ORGANIZATION OF BUFFALO

COUNTY, 1866 COUNTY CLERK OF BUFFALO COUNTY, NEBRASKA TERRITORY,

USES A COUNTY SEAL.

ORGANIZATION OF BUFFALO COUNTY

It has generally been understood and accepted that the first organization of
Buffalo County was in the year 1870, the appointments to office in the county
being made by Governor David Butler on petition of Patrick Walsh, Martin
Slattery and Sergeant Michael Coady, the tradition being that Governor Butler
named Patrick Walsh as probate judge with power to appoint temporary county
officers and that Probate Judge Walsh did so name and appoint the first county
officers and yet, there are official records which disclose that there was a county
organization in Buffalo County in territorial days, possibly dating from the year
1855 when the county was first named and its boundaries established. These
records seem to disclose that the said county was divided into one or more pre-
cincts and that there was elected county officials. In the office of the secretary
of state there is an election return from Buffalo County for the year 1859 as
follows :

"This is to certify that at a general election held in the several precincts of
and for the County of Buffalo and Territory of Nebraska on Tuesday, October
II, A. D. 1859, the following named persons received the number of votes'
annexed to their respective names for the following described offices :

"Estabrook had 292 votes for member of Congress.

"William W. Wyman had 292 votes for territorial treasurer.

"Robert C. Jordan had 292 votes for territorial auditor.

"Alonzo D. Luce had 292 votes for territorial librarian.

"William E. Harvey had 292 votes for territorial commissioner of schools.

"James G. Chapman had 292 votes for district attorney, First Judicial District.

"In testimony whereof I have hereunto attached my name for official pur-
poses this I2th day of October, A. D. 1859.

"(Signed) Geo. Miller,
"County Clerk of Buffalo County, N. T."

It is understood that in the canvass of the returns for member of Congress
and for territorial officers the votes from Buffalo County, as above certified to,

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 29

were thrown out (not counted), on the ground that Buffalo County was
unorganized.

COUNTY OFFICERS ELECTED IN BUFFALO COUNTY IN 1860

The Huntsman's Echo was published at Wood River Centre (now Shelton) in
1860-61. The following account of an election of county officers, taken from
the Huntsman's Echo of November 2, i860, makes certain that there was a
county organization in Buffalo County in territorial days and previous to the
year 1870. Files of the Huntsman's Echo are in possession of the State His-
torical Society and from which the following account of the election is taken :

)

huntsman's echo, NOVEMBER 8, 1860.

"The election on Tuesday last (November 6th) in our county went off as
quietly and pleasantly as we ever witnessed. Forty-two votes were cast, thirty-
nine of which Mr. Morton (J. Sterling Morton) received and the three others
were given to J. P. Daily. Our humble self (Joseph E. Johnson, editor of the
Huntsman's Echo) received the largest number of votes for representative of
the Hall County district. Henry Peck was elected probate judge; J. H. Wagner,
Joseph Huff and Thomas Page, county commissioners ; P. H. Gunn, sheriff ; L.
Vanalstyne, coroner; J. E. Boyd and J. H. Wagner, justices of the peace; J. E.
Boyd, treasurer and register; Edward Huff, county clerk; P. H. Gunn and John
Evans, constables; and our learned self (Joseph E. Johnson) superintendent of
schools.

"We did not see one drunken or boisterous man through the day and we
enjoyed the fulness of democratic harmony and union. So much for Buffalo
County and her industrious, peaceful and democratic law-and-union-loving
citizens."

buffalo county in 1862

The records in the office of the governor disclose that "On September 16,
1862, Buffalo County was ordered to enlist its quota of men to fill the ranks of
the First Nebraska Regiment."

H Buffalo County was unorganized to whom was this order issued? In the
muster roll of the First Nebraska Regiment, found in the office of the adjutant
general. Department of Nebraska, Grand Army of the Republic, are the names
of men who enlisted in the First Nebraska whose address are given as Fort
Kearney. Among the names is that of John Oliver, who it is known was a
resident of Buffalo County and later, in 1870, served as sheriff of the county,
and it is believed that of the enlistments in the First Nebraska Regiment at Fort
Kearney at that date, a portion, at least, of the number were credited to Buffalo
County, the office or place for enlistment being Fort Kearney.

buffalo county in 1866

That there was a coimty organization in Buffalo County previous to the year
1870, attention is invited to a special act of the Territorial Legislature passed
and approved February 12, 1866.

30 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

It will be noted that while this act is "to continue the organization of the
County of Buffalo, Nebraska Territory." it has especial reference to the office
of probate judge in said Buffalo County. Attention is invited to the fact that
this is a special act of the Legislature applicable to Buffalo County only.

At the session of the Legislature this act was passed, Isaac Alberton repre-
sented the counties of Platte, Merrick, Hall, Buffalo, Kearney and Lincoln in
the Territorial Council and John Walliohs the counties of Platte, Hall, Buffalo
and Merrick in the House.

This act may be found in the "Statutes of Nebraska — 1867," compiled by
E. Estabrook, and in part is as follows :

"An Act to continue the organization of the County of Buffalo, Nebraska
Territory.

"Section i. Be it enacted by the Council and House of Representatives of
the Territory of Nebraska: That the probate judge of the County of Buffalo,
Territory of Nebraska, is hereby authorized and required to appoint all officers
in said county necessary to complete county and precinct organizations ; said per-
sons so appointed to qualify before and file their bonds with said probate judge,
the same to be approved by him and to be of the same amount and tenor as now
provided by law, and to hold their offices respectively until the next general elec-
tion succeeding their appointment and until their successors are elected and
qualified.

"Section 2. Said probate judge is further authorized and required to demand
and receive all records, books and papers belonging to said county, and safely
keep the same until the proper officer in whose custody they may severally belong,
shall have been appointed and qualified as provided in the foregoing section of
this act.

"Section 2. * * *.

"Section 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its
passage.

"Approved February 12, 1866."

COUNTY CLERK USES A SEAL OF THE COUNTY

In this chapter covering the organization of Buffalo County it has been shown
that in the year 1859, in the County of Buffalo, Territory of Nebraska, an elec-
tion was held, in which 292 votes were cast and the election returns certified to
the secretary of state for the territory by George Miller, county clerk of Buffalo
County, Nebraska Territory. It is further proposed to show by official records
in the office of the secretary of state that in the year 1866 elections were held
in Buffalo County, Territory of Nebraska, certified to by a county clerk who
used an official seal of the county.

The first election returns in the office of the secretary of state in which it
appears that a seal was used by the county clerk of Buffalo County, Nebraska
Territory, is as follows :

"This is to certify that at an election held in the several precincts of Buffalo
County, Nebraska Territory, on Saturday, the 2d day of June, A. D. 1866, the
following named persons received the number of votes annexed to their respective
names for the following described offices, to-wit :

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 31

"Governor — J. Sterling Morton, 32; David Butler, 10. Secretary of State —
Chas. W. Sturgis, 32; T. P. Kennard, 10. State Auditor — Guy C. Barnum, 31;
John Gillispie, 10. State Treasurer — St. John Goodrich, 33; Augustus Kountze,
9. Chief Justice — Wm. A. Little, 35 ; O. P. Mason, 7. Associate Justice — E. W.
Thomas, ^;^; B. E. B. Kennedy, 33. Associate Justice — L. Crounse, 9; George
B. Lake, 9. Representative in Congress — John R. Brooks, 32 ; T. M. Marquette,
9. For the constitution, i vote. Against the constitution, 41 votes.

'Tn testimony whereof I have hereunto attached my name and the seal of
said county this 4th day of June, A. D. 1866.

Seal of (Signed) Joseph Boyd,

Buffalo County, County Clerk.''

Nebraska Territory.

On the same date as the foregoing is the following :

"This is to certify that at an election held in the several precincts of Buffalo
County, Nebraska Territory, on Saturday, the 2d day of June, A. D. 1866, that
the following named persons received the number of votes annexed to their
respective names for the following described offices, to-wit:

"U. Kummer received 34 votes for state senator. Fifth Council District.
James E. Boyd received 42 votes for state representative for joint district of
Platte, Merrick, Hall and Buffalo counties.

"In testimony wherebf I have hereunto attached my name and the seal of
said county this 4th day of Jime, A. D. 1866.

Seal of (Signed) Joseph Boyd,

Buff"alo County, County Clerk."

Nebraska Territory.

At this election James E. Boyd was elected as representative in the Terri-
torial Legislature. Joseph Boyd, who certified to the election returns as "county
clerk," was a brother of James E. Boyd.

It will be noted that James E. Boyd was elected a justice of the peace and
also county treasurer of Buff'alo County at the November election in the year
i860.

In the office of the secretary of state may be found the returns of an election
held in Buffalo County in October, 1866, as follows :

"This is to certify that at a general election held in the several precincts of
Buffalo County, Nebraska Territory, on Tuesday, the 9th day of October, A. D.
1866, the following named persons received the number of votes annexed to
their respective names for the following offices, to-wit :

"Delegate to Congress — J. Sterling Morton, 17; T. M. Marquette, 12. Terri-
torial Auditor — Frank Murphy, 18; John Gillispie, 12. Territorial Treasurer — «
John S. Seaton, 18; Augustus Kountze, 12. Territorial Librarian — Robert D.
Jordan, 16; R. S. Knox, 12. Member of Congress — Algeron S. Paddock, 16;
John Taffe, 11.

"In testimony whereof I have hereunto attached my name and affixed the
seal of said county this 13th day of October, A. D. 1866.

Seal of (Signed) Ambrose Stowell,

Buffalo County, County Clerk of Buffalo County."

Nebraska Territory.

CHAPTER VII

DUIFALO COUXTV IX iSjO — RE-ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY — TRADITION RELAT-
ING THERETO — PROCLAMATION OF GOVERNOR DAVID BUTLER — RETURNS OF

SPECIAL ELECTION JANUARY 20, 187O FIRST REGULAR ELECTION OCTOBER II,

1870.

BUFFALO COUNTY IN 187O

We now come to the history of the organization, or more appropriately, the
reorganization, of Buffalo County in the year 1870.

On May 30, 1854, President Franklin Pierce signed the Nebraska-Kansas bill
by which act Nebraska became a territory.

On March 4, 1867, on proclamation of President Andrew Johnson, Nebraska
became a state. As before noted, at the second session of the Territorial Legis-
lature which convened December 18, 1855, Buffalo County was named and its
l)Oundaries defined. Of the other counties in the territory named and their
boundaries defined, not one adjoined Buffalo County. In fact until the year 1858
there was not a county adjoining Buffalo County. The establishment of Fort
Kearney in 1848, the fertility of the Wood River Valley, the enormous emigra-
tion over the trail north of the Platte River, doubtless led many people to make
temporary settlement along the trail and within the limits of Buffalo County as
first named and bounded. When the county was named and its boundaries
defined in 1855, Nebraska Center was named as its county seat. In the year i860
the county seat was known as Wood River Center and now known as Shelton.
It was at Wood River Center that the election of county officers was held in the
year i860 as reported by the Huntsman's Echo. From the earliest history
which we have of the county there was a "center," a village as it were, at that
point.

It is not difficult to understand why county organization in Buffalo County
liccame disorganized under the territorial form of government and other condi-
tions which existed at that date, when we consider that all lands comprised in
said county (except the Fort Kearney Military Reservation) were Pawnee Indian
lands until ceded to the general Government in the year 1857. That these lands
were not surveyed and opened to settlement until the year 1867. That in the
year 1871 Indians were still hunting wild game over the prairies of the county.
That the first piece of land owned by an individual in the county was the "Boyd
Ranch," purchased from the Government by Joseph Boyd in the year 1867, and
that when the county government was reorganized in the year 1870, there was
not a land owner l\v purchase, by deed, by pre-emption or by homestead claim

PATRICK WALSH

Pioneer settler of Buffalo County in 1865. Served as county judge, deputy
county clerk, deputy county treasurer, deputy superintendent of schools and county
commissioner.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 33

in the county except James E. Boyd, owner of the Boyd Ranch, who was then
living in Omaha. In territorial days and previous to 1870, settlers in the county
were not land owners, were not home builders ; with a few exceptions such as the
Walshs, the Olivers, the Dugdales, the Ow^ens, the Slatterys, the Nutters, August
Meyer, and a few others, they were a migratory class and if one held a county
office he, seemingly, did not deem it important to keep an official record of his
administration of the office and when he "moved on," as most of them seem to
have done, he took with him whatever of official record of his office he possessed.

RE-ORGANIZATION OF BUFFALO COUNTY

The tradition as it relates to the re-organization of Buffalo County is substan-
tially as follows : In the year 1869 Patrick Walsh, Martin Slattery, together
with Sergt. Michael Coady, who was stationed at Fort Kearney in Kearney
County, and others, sent a signed petition to Governor David Butler asking that
an election be called in the county preliminary to the organization (or reorganiza-
tion) of the county. In response to this petition Governor Butler issued a proc-
lamation, of which the following is a copy as found in the official records of the
executive office of the state :

"State of Nebraska — Executive Department

"Whereas : The county of Buffalo in this state became dis-organized in the
year 1867 by the removal of the county officers to the territory of Wyoming, and

"Whereas, A large number of the citizens of the said un-organized county of
Buft'alo have united in a petition asking that an election be called for the purpose
of choosing county officers preliminary to the organization of said county,

"Therefore, I, David Butler, Governor of the State of Nebraska, by virtue of
the authority in me vested, do hereby order that an election be held in the school
house in precinct No. i, of said Buft'alo county, from 9 o'clock a. m. to 6 o'clock
p. m. on Thursday the 20th day of January, 1870, for the purpose of choosing
three county commissioners, one county clerk, one county treasurer, one sheriff,
one probate judge, one county surveyor, one county superintendent of schools,
one coroner, three judges and two clerks of election, and, I hereby designate and
appoint Edward Oliver, Patrick Walsh and William C. Booth as judges, and
C. S. Johnson and William Nutter as clerks to conduct said election in accord-
ance with the 'Act for the organization of counties' approved June 24, 1867, and
the election laws of the state.

'Tn testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Nebraska.

"Done at Lincoln this ist day of December in the year of
our Lord, One thousand, eight hundred and sixty-nine.
"(Signed) David Butler,

"By the Governor.
"(Signed) Thomas P. Kennard,

"Secretary of State."

special election, JANUARY 20, 187O

The special election for the reorganization of the County of Buffalo was

held at the schoolhouse in Precinct No. i, on Thursday, January 20, 1870. The
fol. 1—3

34 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

returns of this election in the office of the secretary of state disclose the result
as follows: Probate judge, Patrick Walsh; county clerk, Martin Slattery; county
treasurer, Henry Dugdale; county sheriff, Roger Hayes; road supervisor, Au-
gustus Meyer; coroner, J. T. Walker; county surveyor, Geo. P. Russell; county
cx)mmissioners, A. C. McLane, Thomas Wood, Edward Oliver.

Judges of Election — Edward Oliver, Patrick Walsh, Wm. C. Booth.

Clerks of Election — C. S. Johnson, W^illiam Nutter.

FIRST REGULAR ELECTION

The first regular election in the county was held October ii, 1870.

The officers chosen at this election to serve until their successors were elected
at the October election in 187 1.

All voters were required to register in advance of an election ; there were
thirty-five registered voters in the county, and thirty-eight tax payers.

The result of the election, so far as given was as follows: Probate judge,
Patrick Walsh; county clerk, Michael Coady; county treasurer, Henry Dugdale;
county sheriff, John Oliver; county commissioners, Charles Davis, W^m. C. Booth,
Edward Oliver. fl

Thomas K. Wood was chosen superintendent, but it is not known whether
he qualified or not. At a meeting of the county commissioners, November i,
1870, the following resolution was adopted: "On motion, P. Walsh was appointed
superintendent of schools in Buffalo County in case Thomas K. Wood, elect,
doesn't qualify." Sergt. Michael Coady was not a resident of the county, being
stationed at Fort Kearney, but he accepted the office of county clerk and fur-
nished the new-born county an iron-bound box, secured at Fort Kearney, for the
safe keeping of the records. All the records of the county were in the keeping
of Patrick Walsh, who, in addition to his duties as county judge, was also deputy
county clerk, deputy treasurer and deputy superintendent, but it appears that
Sergeant Coady was present at all meetings of the commissioners and that his
advice was sought and followed in all county affairs. It appears that Sergeant ,
Coady was a friend in need and a friend indeed to all early settlers. ]-:^

CHAPTER \'III

PROCEEDINGS OF FIRST MEETING OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DIVIDE

COUNTY INTO THREE ELECTION PRECINCTS — SALOON LICENSE FIXED AT $25

JOHN OLIVER APPOINTED SHERIFF FIRST SCHOOL TAX LEVIED W. H. PLATT

EMPLOYED AS COUNTY ATTORNEY W. H. PLATT EMPLOYED TO COLLECT DELIN-
QUENT TAXES; FEE ONE-HALF OF AMOUNT COLLECTED; PLATT's CLAIM, $2,148
A. ABBOTT EMPLOYED TO PROSECUTE W. H. PLATT.

PROCEEDINGS OF THF: FIRST MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

In recording the proceedings of the tirst meeting of the board of county com-
missioners one would naturally expect to find entered of record the proclamation
of Governor Butler calling the special election held on January 20, 1870, together
with the result of the election and at least giving the names of the officers-elect,
but nothing of this character appears in the minutes of this first meeting and
while the returns of this electioil, as now on file in the office of the secretary of
state, disclose that A. C. McLane, Thomas Wood and Edward Oliver were
elected county commissioners, the minutes of this first meeting, now on file in the
office of the county clerk, disclose that County Commissioner-elect A. C. McLane
was not in attendance and that Samuel Boyd (a younger brother of James E. and
Joseph Boyd) served as one of the commissioners. ^ QCtrcrAtr

Herewith is copied the minutes of this meeting: -■-•JCJOOvfO

"'The first meeting after the organization of the county.

"At a special meeting of the board of county commissioners of Buffalo County,
held pursuant to public notice, at Nebraska Center on the 26th day of February,.
1870. Present, Thomas K. Wood, Edward Oliver, Samuel Boyd, commissioners.
Resolved, that the County of Buffalo, in the State of Nebraska, be divided into
three precincts, Nos. i, 2 and 3, the first precinct to be bounded on the east
line of Hall and Buffalo counties and on the west by the west end of section 31,
Union Pacific Railroad (the section referred to is now embraced in the corporate
limits of the City of Kearney) ; and Precinct No. 2 to be bounded on the east by
the west end of section 31, Union Pacific Railroad, and on the west by Stevenson
Siding, Union Pacific Railroad ; and Precinct No. 3 to be bounded on the east by
Stevenson Siding, Union Pacific Railroad, and on the west by western line of
the county. (The Stevenson Siding referred to is, as recalled, now known as
Odessa.)

"Resolved, that all county business hereafter, until next election, be transacted
in Schoolhouse District No. i in said county.

"Resolved, that all horney cattle be valued at the follo^ving rates as taxable

36 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

property: From one year old to two years old, $io per head; and from two
years old upward, to be valued at $30 per head.

"Resolved, that all whisky saloonkeepers shall pay $25 per annum and $25
per annum for each billiard table; also John Oliver was appointed sheritT and
assessor for Uuffalo County. On motion the meeting adjourned.

"Martin Slattery,

"County Clerk.
"By Patrick Walsh, his deputy."
While from the above minutes it appears that John Oliver was appointed
assessor for the county, it appears that later James Oliver was appointed and
served as assessor, thus being the first assessor in the county.

On July 5, 1870, at a regular meeting of the county commissioners taxes were
levied as follows :

General fund '. 6 mills

Sinking fund 2 mills

School fund 2 mills

Poor fund i mill

Total II mills

The total valuation of the county for taxable purposes in 1870 was $788,988;
97 per cent of this amount ($769,998) was the value of railroad and telegraph
property and only 3 per cent that of personal property of settlers, there being
only one quarter section of deeded real estate in the county, that, the "Boyd
Ranch." As will be noted the levy for county purposes was 11 mills, which
included 2 mills for schools ; deducting the school tax we have 9 mills levied for
county purposes in 1870.

It may be of interest to compare valuations and tax levies as between 1870
and 1908. The total value of all property in the county for taxation purposes
in 1908 was $35,276,110; of this amount $1,468,945.35 was for railroad, telegraph
,and telephones, or about 4 per cent of the total compared with 97 per cent of the
total in 1870. The levy for county purposes in 1908 was 8 mills as compared
with a 9-mill levy in 1870. In 1870 there was raised $7,100 for county purposes;
in 1908, $56,z|4i, an increase of 800 per cent. This statement includes only
•county expenses and does not include state, school or village taxes.

Herewith is copied the record of the county commissioners wherein was
allowed the first claims against the county. These claims were allowed at a meet-
ing held January 3, 1871, and the record is as follows:

"The following bills were presented and by careful examination were
ordered :
Patrick Walsh's bill as follows.

Furnishing county with stationery one year $150.00

Issuing 1 1 warrants 1 1 .00

For O'Niel's trial 5.85

Services as probate judge, one year, Patrick Walsh 100.00

County seal and express on treaurer's books 7.75

As superintendent of schools, year 8.00

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 37

Salary to P. Walsh as deputy county clerk one year, $150, and to M.

Coady, county clerk, $175 300.00

Issuing certificate of election, $2, going to Grand Island 8.00

Assistant register (of voters) 15-75

Total due Walsh and Coady to January 3, 1871 $606.30"

It is interesting to note that Mr. Walsh served and drew salary as county
judge, superintendent of schools and deputy county clerk, also that the county
paid $1 each for warrants issued. At a meeting of the county commissioners
held in 1870, W. H. Piatt of Grand Island was employed as county attorney at a
salary of $150 per year and traveling expenses. At a meeting of the county com-
missioners held July 5, 1871, the following w^as adopted: "Resolved by the board
that W. H. Piatt be and is hereby authorized to collect the Union Pacific Railroad
taxes for the years A. D. 1868 and 1869 for payment of which he is to receive
the one-half of all he collects, otherwise no pay." On August 15, 1871, in the
commissioners' record appears the following: "On motion the county treasurer
is hereby authorized and allowed to settle with the Union Pacific Railroad Com-
pany, and to receive from said company the sum of $4,297, taxes for the years
1868 and 1869 and the sum of $10,703 taxes for the year 1870 and that he be
empowered to receipt in full for the taxes due from said company for the above
years mentioned." "On motion it was ordered that a warrant be struck to W. H.
Piatt as attorney for the collection of taxes of 1868 and 1869 for $2,148.50, being
one-half of the taxes collected for said years and the same to be paid from the
taxes collected from said years, a proportionate part to be taken from each fund."

From the records it appears that P. Walsh was at this date, July 5, 1871,
serving as county judge and also as county treasurer, while Sergt. Michael Coady
was serving as county clerk, with F. S. Trew as deputy clerk. It is recalled that
when it became known that W. H. Piatt had received over two thousand dollars
for collecting county taxes, and which, it appears, he had only to ask for in order
to have paid, there was a great outcry raised and it was openly charged that all
the county officers were engaged in the steal. At the October meeting of the
commissioners it is recorded that "The Hon. W. H. Piatt generously returned
county warrant No. 52 with $826.35 ^^^ thereof for cancellation, being the one
issued at last meeting of county commissioners for collection of delinquent rail-
road taxes for years 1868 and 1869." In the records of the county commissioners
it later appears that O. A. Abbott of Grand Island was employed by the commis-
sioners to prosecute W. H. Piatt in the endeavor to secure a return of the money
paid him for collection of delinquent taxes, and while it appears that the county
paid $45-35 as costs in such a suit there is no record, so far as can be learned,
that any further portion of the money thus paid Mr. Piatt was refunded.

CHAPTER IX

CHARACTER OF EARLY SETTLERS VOTERS VOUCHED FOR TOOK THE SHERIFF ALONG

CHARACTER OF THE EARLY SETTLERS

The early settlements in this county were not of a permanent character nor
were there many in number. In 1867 there were eighteen tax payers, and the
total levied was $241.98, no part of this school tax. The names of these tax
payers and the value of their property for taxation purposes was as' follows:
D. W. Beach, $1,080; John Britt, $150; J. E. Boyd, $6,830; Joseph Boyd, $600;
D. R. Champlin, $750; H. Dugdale, $940; C. Eddy, $715; W. Esty, $1,140; G.
Gardner, $650; C. S. Johnson, $475; A. Meyer, $425; Ed Oliver, $335; Sarah
Oliver, $540; Staats & Wilson, $3,760; W. D. Thomas, $2,800; Thomas Tague,
^355; G. H. Hats, $650; A. J. Williams, $825. Total valuation of property in
the county for 1867, $23,020.

In 1868 there were twenty-one tax payers in the county; in 1869, twenty,
and in 1870, thirty-eight, notwithstanding the Union Pacific Railroad had been
completed and running regular trains as far as Kearney (now Buda), in August,
1866, and the railroad property had been listed for taxation in 1868.

The first school tax levied was in 1870 and amounted to about sixteen hundred
dollars. The early settlers who were, it appears, of influence in the settlement
and who took a more or less active part in matters of public interest were com-
posed in great part of two classes or nationalities, English and Irish. The English
were in the majority and were largely Alormon emigrants, some of whom had
journeyed to Utah, becoming dissatisfied and returned to this locality, the others
proceeding no further than Wood River Center settlement. The Irish were not
Mormon emigrants nor does it appear that they were in any manner in sympathy
with that form of religion. As a rule these early settlers came direct from their
native land to the Territory of Nebraska and were therefore unacquainted with
our form of government or the methods in common use in the states in con-
ducting elections or of those relating to school, county and governmental affairs.
All these things must be taken into consideration in passing judgment on the
methods and manner in which some of the public business was conducted in
the early history of the county.

That no school tax was levied until 1870 would seem to indicate that the
earlier settlers did not deem education of such immediate and pressing importance
as those who came in 1871 and later. While the English were in the majority
among the early settlers the Irish seem to have been more active in public affairs.
Possi])ly this is accounted for from the fact that Sergt. Michael Coady, at Fort

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 39

Kearney, was of great use and influence among the early settlers and doubtless
was inclined to favor his own people. James Jackson, a register of voters,
relates that on his refusing to register certain Irishmen who under the law were
not eligible to vote, complaint was made to Sergeant Coady that Mr. Jackson —
who, by the way, is of English descent — was discriminating against the Irish in
this respect, and that when he (Jackson) convinced Sergeant Coady that he was
following the letter of the law, there was no further complaint. That the early
settlers were a peaceful, law abiding people is evidenced by the fact that while
the county was unorganized until 1870 there is related practically nothing of
lawlessness or crime on the part of the settlers. Something in the nature of tra-
dition as to the manner in which public affairs were conducted is herewith given
as illustrating the character of the early settlers.

VOTERS VOUCHED FOR

Previous to 1873 voters were required to register in advance of an election.
At an election held in 1870 there were thirty-five registered voters in the county.
It is related that on election day as the hour for closing the polls drew near it
appeared that fifteen registered voters had failed to cast their votes, whereupon
a judge of the election arose and said: "I am well acquainted with these men
who have not voted ; they are all good and true men, and I will vouch for them."
He then placed fifteen ballots in the ballot box, which were later counted with
those regularly cast. If this be true it is believed it was not done to further any
partisan end or purpose but as a neighborly act, it not being convenient for the
voter to attend in person, a neighbor kindly performs the necessary duty instead.

TOOK THE SHERIFF ALONG

While the county records show that on February 26, 1870, the county com-
missioners appointed John Oliver both sheriff and assessor, there is good reason
to believe that later James Oliver was appointed assessor and served as the first
assessor in the county. It is related that in the western part of the county there
were a few settlers who boasted that they had never been assessed and would
not be and they would make it warm for anyone who attempted to assess their
property. On this official trip the assessor was accompanied by his brother,
John, the sheriff". When they arrived the few settlers at Elmcreek began making
threats and firing their guns, but the Oliver brothers were not easily bluffed
and replied that they had guns and could shoot if necessary, but that the assess-
ment must be made and there was no use making a fuss about it. After a long
parley the assessor was permitted to perform his official duty.

CHAPTER X :

REV. DAVID MARQUETTE FIRST RELIGIOUS SERVICES HELD IN BUFFALO COUNTY —

JAMES JACKSON — "PAP" LAMB GEORGE STEARLEY CHURCH AND SUNDAY

SCHOOL ORGANIZED.

FIRST RELIGIOUS SERVICES HELD

The first preaching services held in the county appears to have been in the
winter of 1869-70. These services, a series of meetings, were held in "the first
schoolhouse," elsewhere described, and were conducted by Rev. D. Marquette,
a Alethodist missionary, who is still living (1908) and now resides at University
Place, Neb. As related, a pleasing and interesting feature of these meetings was
the sweet singing by the Owen family, Mrs. David Owen, her two daughters
and son, Joseph. As singers the Owen family seems to have been gifted, as it
is related that two other daughters of this family, who resided in Utah, were
members of the choir and sang regularly in the great ]Mormon Tabernacle at
Salt Lake City, Utah. The writer is greatly indebted to Reverend Marquette
for the following account of this series of meetings and of his labors in Buffalo
and adjoining counties:

"University Place, Neb., Oct. 28, 1908.

"Replying to your inquiry concerning my work as missionary in the bounds of
Buffalo County, I take pleasure in stating the following facts : In the spring of
1869 I was appointed pastor of Wood River Mission, a 'circuit' which consisted
of a straight line from Silver Creek Station just west of Columbus, to Gibbon
Siding, ten or twelve miles east of Fort Kearney, embracing all intermediate
points where there were people enough, including Grand Island where wife and
I lived. I visited and held services at three places west of Grand Island — 'Pap'
Lamb's ranch ten miles west but on Wood River, and at Wood River Station,
holding the services at the station or at Jackson's store, about a mile northwest
of the station. I am not sure whether W^ood River railroad station and Jack-
son's store on the old freight road (overland trail) keeping close to the stream
of Wood River, were either or both in Buffalo County. You will probably know
more about the county lines than I do, these cutting no figure in my work in
those days, my circuit embracing part of Platte and all of the inhabited portions
of Merrick, Hall and Buffalo counties. At Wood River there was no class organ-
ized, and it is certain, from a study of the annual conference minutes, that no
one had gone, as pastor, any farther west than 'Pap' Lamb's, where there was
an organization ; however, I went as far west as 'Gibbon Siding.' which I sup-
pose is identical with the present Village of Gibbon. During the winter of
1869-70 I held a series of meetings which resulted in a gracious revival and in
the conversion of about twenty and in the organization of the first class in the
bounds of Buffalo County, and for that matter the first Methodist organization
in all the territory now embraced in the West Nebraska Conference. I cannot

EEV. DAVID MAKQUETTE

Methodist missionary -who held a series of
religions meetings at Wood River Center
(Shelton) in the winter of 1870-71.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 41

now, after the lapse of thirty-eight years, recall the names of any who formed
that historic first class. The meetings were held in an old board house which
was open in many places, and the weather being cold, the people who crowded
the house laid down buffalo robes on the floor and hung shawls up at the sides
of the house to keep out the cutting winter wind and make the room endurable.
We recall a sturdy and very pious German by the name of George Stearley, who
with his excellent wife, lived on Wood River some two or three miles east of
Gibbon Siding. He was not, at that time, preaching and could not have preached
in English. He was the only one in that country who could lead in public prayer ;
when called upon to do so, he would usually, in deference to his English speaking
brethren, begin his prayer in English, but would soon cut loose and pass over
into German and make an excellent impression by his manifest earnestness and
sincerity, though we could not understand a word he said. This couple by their
royal hospitality, entertaining in their home the missionary and his wife, and
the pleasant hours we spent there are among our precious memories of those
times. But a royal hospitality was characteristic of nearly all of those early
settlers and thereby greatly added to our comfort in sharing their humble dwell-
ings and scanty fare with the preacher and his wife. Hoping this brief state-
ment will assist you and expressing my appreciation of your effort to write a
history of your county, I am,

"Respectfully yours,

"D. Marquette."

Both prayer meetings and a Sunday school were held in this old schoolhouse
but the church organization mentioned by Rev. Mr. Marquette seems to have
fallen through, as it has not been learned that the organization existed at the
time or after the arrival of the colony in 1871. The "Pap" Lamb referred to
was a stage driver for the Western Stage Company and is highly spoken of by
those now living who knew him. The Mr. Jackson mentioned is James Jackson,
now a merchant of Wood River. Mr. Jackson is of English descent and with
his young wife came to what is now Hall County in i860. In 1864 he engaged
in the mercantile business at a point some miles west of the present Village of
Wood River and has continued this business to the present time. Religious
(preaching) services were held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, and their
home was popularly known as the "Preacher's Roost." Mr. Jackson attended
the series of meetings held by Rev. Mr. Alarquette in the old schoolhouse and
states that there w^as great interest and the attendance taxed to the utmost the
capacity of the house in which the meetings were held.

The George Stearley mentioned will be readily recalled by early settlers in
the county. After the arrival of the colony he took a homestead on section 22
in Shelton Township. On this homestead Mr. Stearley planted several acres of
timber which he took much pride in cultivating and caring for and in time his
homestead came to be one of the choice farms in the township. Mr. Stearley
was licensed as a local preacher in the United Brethren Church, and took an
active part in the affairs of the church. The United Brethren organization in
the immediate vicinity of where he resided was one of the strongest in the state.
Mr. Stearley resided on his homestead until his death, which occurred August
27, 1897.

CHAPTER XI .1

THE BOYD RANCH, JAMES E. BOYD, OWNER) LATER GOVERNOR OF NEBRASKA RAISED

CORN TRAFFICKED IN OXEN BREWED BEER WHISKY $20 A GALLON THE

BOYD RANCH FIRST CLAIM TAKEN IN BUFFALO COUNTY FIRST PIECE OF DEEDED

LAND IN NEBRASKA, WEST OF HALL COUNTY — PAID FOR IN LAND SCRIPT ISSUED
TO A SOLDIER OF THE WAR OF l8l2.

THE BOYD RANCH

The place known as the "Boyd Ranch" was one of the first landmarks west
of the Missouri River on the Utah-California-Oregon Trail, having its initial
or starting points at Florence, Omaha and Bellevue on the Missouri River. This
ranch was located on what is now the southwest quarter of section 14, township
9, range 14 west, in Buffalo County. As a business point for traffic with emi-
grants enroute over the trail it was an ideal location. It was located on Wood
River at a point where that river approaches nearest to the Platte, less than three
miles distant, thus causing the entire travel over the trail to pass close to the
ranch. About twelve miles to the south and west and across the Platte River
was Fort Kearney, near enough to afford some protection to the ranch but not
so near as to cause Dobytown, the business point near the fort, to compete for '
the trade over the trail.

In describing ^le business of a ranch in those early days and of the store
sometimes connected therewith, some writers seem to have exaggerated ideas
and quite often draw on their imagination in their written description. One
writer in describing a ranch and store at Wood River Center, about ten miles
east of the Boyd Ranch, says : "At this point he had a large outfitting store for
the accommodation of the many who were rushing to the gold fields of Cali-
fornia." As a matter of fact, early settlers still living in Buffalo County state
that the principal business of this storekeeper at Wood River Center was as a
blacksmith and wagonmaker in repairing wagons passing over the trail and that
the stock of goods carried by him would not make a wheelbarrow load on a
smooth road. Emigrants purchased their outfits, including provisions, before
starting on the long journey over the plains and mountains.

Just when a ranch was first established at this point is not known so far as
can be learned. Riley Wescoatt states that in the spring of 1853 himself and
brother Jonas, with their wives and three children, passed over this trail and
camped just beyond what was later known as the Boyd Ranch. The Wescoatt
brothers had a herd of 400 heifers which they were driving to California and
had with them thirty-five men enroute for California and who assisted in driving

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 43

the cattle as compensation for board and transportation. In company with the
Wescoatt brothers was Capt. John Fuller, who was in command of lOO men
whom he had engaged to furnish board and transportation for to California in
consideration of $ioo each, $10,000 in all, each man to do his share of guard
duty while enroute. These two commands made the entire journey together,
and all being fully armed had no fear of successful attack from Indians. Mr.
Wescoatt states that the principal business conducted at the ranch was trading
in oxen and horses and selling whisky. In the journey over the trail both oxen
and horses often became footsore, but after a few days' rest the hoofs would
grow out and the lameness disappear. Ranchmen traded for these footsore
animals and after they had rested and recovered from their lameness were again
in shape for another like trade. Mr. Wescoatt states that the Wescoatt broth-
ers and the Fuller command each purchased at the ranch twenty gallons of
whiskey, paying therefor $20 a gallon, $800 in all; that the wives of the Wescoatt
brothers carried the money of the firm and they had ciuite a time to convince
the women that the whisky was a necessary purchase; but the men in their employ
thought they ought to have the whisky on the long journey and as it could not
be secured elsewhere the purchase was made. James E. Boyd, governor of
Nebraska in 1901-2, after whom the "Boyd Ranch" was named, came to Buffalo
County in December, 1858 — Morton History, Vol. I, page 594. Mr. Boyd had
been married in August of that year to Miss Ann H. Henry and the family made
their home on the ranch. Doctor Henry, father of Mrs. Boyd, made his home
with the Boyds and spent some of his time, at least, in hunting and trapping
along Wood River. Mr. Boyd says Eleanor, their eldest child, was the first
white child born in Bufl:'alo County, Nebraska. Mr. Boyd seems to have begim
his ranch business in a very modest manner, as early settlers state that he
assisted in breaking the prairie on his ranch and in i860 was often seen plowing
in his cornfields. From the first he engaged in the sale of liquor and in the
early '60s had begun to raise barley and established a small brewery on the bank
of Wood Ri\er where he brewed about ten kegs of beer at a time and which
he sold at the fort and at Dobytown for from six to eight dollars a keg. In
connection with the brewery he hand an icehouse which he filled from Wood
River. This small brewery was on the bank of Wood River, east of the ranch
house, and the cellar and part of the building was to be seen when the colony
came in 1871. The hole in the ground where the cellar was is still to be seen
on the bank of Wood River close beside the public highway. In the early '60s
Mr. Boyd had more than one hundred acres under cultivation, on which he
raised principally corn and barley, corn bringing a good price from travelers
over the trail. Mr. Boyd also trafficked in horses and oxen and had at that date
about one hundred head of native cattle.

Until about the year 1864 the buildings at the Boyd Ranch were of logs with
dirt roof. Soon after the stampede in 1864, it is related, Mr. Boyd went to
Missouri and purchased twenty-four mule teams, all young mules ; he also
bought new harness and new wagons with the intention of engaging in the
freighting business. Among the first freight brought out from the Missouri
River by Mr. Boyd's teams was lumber with which a frame house was erected
on the Boyd Ranch. This would not be considered a very pretentious structure

44 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

in these days, but it was something entirely out of the ordinary in those days,
being the first frame house in the county.

On December 2, 1863, ground was first broken, near Omaha, for the building
of the Union Pacific Railroad, but it was not until 1865 that much progress
had been made in the grading and construction of this road. In 1865-66 Mr.
Boyd secured a large contract for grading on the railroad in which work he found
profitable use for the mule teams he had purchased in Missouri. At the close
of the first year's work of grading Mr. Boyd informed one of his neighbors that
he had cleared $20,000 on his contract that season. This neighbor states that
Mr. Boyd cleared at least one hundred thousand dollars on his contracts for
grading on the Union Pacific Railroad. The land comprising the Boyd Ranch
was first purchased from the United States by Joseph Boyd, his deed from the
United States bearing date of December 10, 1867, and is signed by Andrew
Johnson, President. Joseph Boyd paid for this land in "land script," issued to
Private Thomas Davis in Captain Henry's company, Georgia Militia, War of
1812. This land script was first assigned to William Henly and by him to
Joseph Boyd. Land script, as here mentioned, was issued by the general Gov-
ernment to soldiers of both the Revolutionary war and War of 1812 for serv-
ices in those wars. This script was negotiable and could be used in securing
title to Government lands. Joseph Boyd deeded this land to James E. Boyd for
a consideration of $500, the deed bearing date of April 5, 1867. O'^ April 8,
1874, James E. Boyd deeded the Boyd Ranch to Asahel Eddy for a considera-
tion of $2,500. From the first establishment of this ranch, at least as early as
1853, continuously until its sale to Mr. A. Eddy in 1874, it is believed the sale
of intoxicating liquors formed a regular part of the business of the ranch. After
the arrival of the colony at. Gibbon in 1871 there was a saloon located close
beside the old brewery cellar on this ranch.

Few people realize the immense number of emigrants that have passed over
the Califomia-Oregon-Utah Trail across what is now the State of Nebraska. A
very large per cent of these emigrants traveled the trail north of the Platte River
and thus passing the Boyd Ranch, though it was probably not known Ijy that
name until about the year 1858 when the Boyds first came to Bufifalo County.
In order to give at least some idea of the emigrant travel over this trail we
quote a few illustrations from Morton History, Vol. II: 'Tn 1845 C^l. S. W.
Kearny estimated that 850 men, 475 women, 1,000 children, with 460 wagons,
7,000 cattle and 400 horses had emigrated by the Oregon Trail that year. Major
Cross, in the report of the march of the regiment of mounted riflemen to Oregon
in 1849, estimates that from 8,000 to 10,000 wagons passed over the trail that
season, with an average of 4 people and seldom less than 10 oxen to each wagon,
nearly all bound for California. In 1852 an agent of the Indian Department
reported passing at least 500 wagons on the trail each day. In 1859 the secre-
tary of the Columbus Ferry Company at Loup Fork (this ferry w^as over the
Loup River near the present City of Columbus) reported that up to June 25th
of that year 1,987 wagons, 20 hand carts, 5,401 men, 424 women, 480 children,
1,610 horses, 406 mules, 6,010 oxen and 6,000 sheep had crossed at that point.
This statement included no portion of the Mormon emigration, but merely Cali-
fornia, Oregon and Pike's Peak emigrants. It was thought that not less than

JAMES E. BOYD

Governor of Nebraska, 1891-92. Proprietor of Boyd's Eanch one
mile east of Gibbon. This ranch was established about 1846

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 45

4,000 wagons had passed over the trail north of the Platte from March 29th
to June 25th."

In i860 a stage line — Western Stage Company — was established from Iowa
to Fort Kearney, via Omaha. The Boyd Ranch was a stage station on this
route. In 1866 came the Union Pacific Railroad, following the identical trail
past the Boyd Ranch first follow^ed by emigrants as early as 1845, so that it will
be seen that for more than sixty years there has been a daily stream of travel
over this trail and passing a point locally knowni as the "Boyd Ranch." The
early emigrant, with his ox teams and prairie schooner was satisfied if he accom-
plished fifteen miles a day on his journey. He cooked his meals beside the trail,
sometimes his fire was of wood, at other times of ''buffalo chips," but no matter
how cooked, he relished and enjoyed his food, for he was blessed with a good
appetite. At night he slept in his wagon or on the ground and complained not
that he "could not sleep," or that he "did not rest well."

CHAPTER XII

ACROSS THE PLAINS IS 1853 — WESCOATT BROTHERS TAKE 4OO HEAD OF COWS TO

CALIFORNIA — CAPT. JOHN FULLER WITH HIS COMMAND JOIN THEIR PARTY

INDIANS MASSACRE EMIGRANTS ON BANKS OF PLATTE RIVER — JOHN HODGES
ESCAPES AND SWIMS THE PLATTE— PURSUIT OF INDIANS AND THIRTY-SEVEN
KILLED — BURIAL OF MASSACRED EMIGRANTS THE BOYD RANCH TWENTY DOL-
LARS FOR A GALLON OF WHISKY THE BOY, JOHN HODGES, FINDS HIS UNCLE IN

CALIFORNIA — SIXTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS PROFIT ON THE HERD OF COWS

WESCOATT BROTHERS RETURN TO IOWA.

ACROSS THE PLAINS IN 1853

Capt. Riley Wescoatt, an early settler in Central Nebraska, relates his experi-
ence in crossing the plains in 1853.

In the spring of 1853 Riley and Jonas Wescoatt of Albia, la., arranged to
take a herd of 400 young cows across the plains to California. Jonas Wescoatt
had made the trip to California and back the year previous with the view to
the present enterprise. Their cows cost them about four thousand dollars, and
in addition the expense of the necessary outfit, comprising saddle horses, wagons
and twenty yoke of oxen, provisions, bedding, ammunition and other necessaries
for so extended a journey along the route of which nothing could be purchased.
The Wescoatt brothers were both married and their wives and three children
accompanied them. Their wagons were covered and the wagon boxes extended
over the wheels so as to provide comfortable sleeping quarters and as they carried
feather beds and plenty of bedding they made the journey with comparative
comfort. The saddle horses were for use in driving the cattle, the Wescoatt
brothers furnishing board and transportation for thirty-five men who wished to
go to California and who assisted in driving and caring for the cattle and doing
each his share of guard duty as compensation for board and transportation. The
Wescoatt family had moved from the Tippecanoe battle ground in Indiana to
Monroe County, la., in 1831, and the thirty-five men who accompanied them
on this journey were neighbors with whom they were well acquainted, as it was
a somewhat hazardous undertaking and only men of character and courage were
wanted.

They crossed the Missouri River on April 28th at Bellevue. then a trading
pomt. and Mr. Riley Wescoatt states that they saw no house or habitation after
leavmg the Missouri River until their arrival in California, except the ranch
later known as "Boyd's Ranch" on Wood River, about ten miles northeast of
Fort Kearney, the location of this ranch being about a mile west of the present
Village of Gibbon in Buffalo County.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 47

It was an unusually early spring and even at that early date the emigrant
travel was so great that six steamboats had come up the Missouri River from
below and were used for ferrying purposes at the Bellevue crossing. At the
crossing of the Missouri the Wescoatt brothers met a party of 100 well
armed men enroute for California and under command of Capt. John Fuller.
Captain Fuller had made the journey to California the previous year and had
arranged to furnish board and transportation for these 100 men, they to pay him
Sioo each, $10,000 in all, and each man to do his full share of guard duty. The
A\'escoatt brothers and Captain Fuller arranged to make the journey together and
did so, not camping more than a mile apart during the entire journey. The party
traveled the trail north of the Platte and because of the heavy emigration over
the trail found the pasture very short. Because of the scantiness of the pasture
they were compelled to range their cattle, at times some distance from the regu-
lar trail and so for the first month their rate of travel was very slow. On May
28th, about one hour before sundown, when the party was about four miles
south of the present Village of Wood River, in Hall County, Nebraska, and was
preparing to camp for the night, it was noticed that there was a commotion on
the south side of the Platte River and the firing of guns was heard. By means
of field glasses which both commands carried, it was seen that a large party of
Indians had attacked an emigrant camp on the south bank of the Platte and were
scalping women in the camp. The fight appeared to last but a short time, ten
minutes, Mr. Wescoatt says, and while there was some talk of crossing the river
it was finally decided not to do so. In explanation of this decision Mr. Wescoatt
says: "The Platte was very high, and also our own commands were in danger
of attack, as there appeared to be a large party of the Indians, and it was thought
best not to divide our own forces." As a matter of general information in con-
nection with this tragedy it might be well to state that the Platte River at this
point is more than a mile wide from its north to its south bank. There is one
large and several small islands in the river and three main channels. The largest
or north channel is about 1,400 feet in width, the middle one about 1,000 feet and
the south channel about 350 feet, in all the water channels are nearly 3,000 feet
in width. High water occurs in the Platte from May 15th to June 15th,
varying with the earliness of the season when the melted snow from the
mountains comes rushing down on its way to the ocean. The fall in the
Platte River is 3,400 feet in the 400 miles across the State of Nebraska, being
an average fall of about eight feet to the mile. When we compare this fall
with that of the Mississippi River, averaging less than one foot fall to three
miles between its mouth and St. Paul, Minn., it will be seen that the fall in the
Platte is nearly twenty-five times as great as in the Mississippi. The Platte has
a sandy bottom and in high water numerous quicksand holes, also in high water
there is somewhere between its banks what is termed a "main channel," here
today, elsewhere tomorrow, continually changing, in which the water is much
deeper and runs with a stronger current than the remainder of the stream, mak-
ing it an extremely dangerous river to cross when the water is an average of
three feet in depth and much deeper in the "main channel" referred to. These
explanations are deemed necessary because the casual reader, not understanding
the surrounding conditions, might be led to think the Wescoatt and Fuller com-

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY *

mands were heartless and lacking in courage in not at once going to the rescue
of attacked emigrants. Also the reader will in some measure be the better able
to realize what a small boy braved and endured in his escape on this occasion.

The Wescoatt and F\iller commands camped at this ppint for the night.
About 2 o'clock the next morning the camp guard brought a small boy to Mr.
Riley Wescoatt. The boy's clothing, consisting of shirt and trousers, was wet
and the child, while greatly excited, seemed able to control his feelings. He
said he belonged to an emigrant party going to California and camped on the
other side of the river; that last evening they were attacked by a large party
of Indians and he was afraid all but himself were killed; that he hid in the
brush on the bank of the river and when it became dark he saw a camp fire on
the othti side of the river and knowing how to swim had crossed over; that he
was carried down the river a long ways, five miles he told Mr. Wescoatt, and
when he got across he had followed the river until he reached the camp. The
boy said his name was John Hodges and that there were live in the family, his
father, mother and three children. John was at once taken to Captain Fuller.
Messengers were sent to camps below on the trail, requesting as many men as
could be spared to come, armed and mounted, ready to cross the river at day-
light. Mr. Wescoatt states that guns carried on this journey were flint-lock
muskets, although some of the party had revolvers with percussion caps. Little
John was given a revolver and a horse and took an active part in the fight with
the Indians later in the day. Mr. Wescoatt states that John was about thirteen
years old and a boy of more than ordinary intelligence, energy and courage.
At daylight a party of 185 men, armed and mounted, crossed the Platte, going
direct to the place of the massacre. They found the emigrant party consisted of
fifteen men, nine women and four children, all killed except the boy, John
Hodges. The women had been scalped, but not the men. The wagon train, con-
sisting of seven wagons and the necessary oxen, had been destroyed, the Indians
burning most of the wagons and contents. It appeared that the Indians were
armed with bows and flint pointed arrows, though little John thought some of
the Indians had guns. If the emigrants had killed any of the Indians the dead
bodies could not be found.

Captain F\tller was in command and his party took the trail of the Indians
and it was soon learned that the Indians had already broken camp and were
going south towards the Republican River some fifty miles distant. The Indians
were surprised and attacked some miles south of the Platte River on the divide
where it was broken by ravines and draws. The Indians were mostly mounted
on ponies and it was a running fight, lasting two hours or more. At the close
thirty-seven dead Indians were counted. It was estimated that the Indians num-
bered one hundred and fifty. They were Sioux, all warriors, and undoubtedly
a war party as they were in Pawnee territory and the Sioux and Pawnees were
traditional enemies.

The Fuller command returned to the place of massacre about 2 o'clock in
the afternoon and planned for the burial of the murdered people. Graves were
dug on a rise of ground near the emigrant camp and members of families, as
identified by little John, buried side by side. There was nothing of which coffins
could be made and the dead were wrapped in their clothing and committed to the

CAPTAIX EILEY WESCOATT

A soldier of the Mexican and Civil
wars and a pioneer settler in Central
Nebraska.

JUDGE JOXAS WESCOATT

In company with his brother, Capt.
Eiley Wescoatt, he took a herd of cattle
across the plains in 1853.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 49

care of Mother Earth who is ever kind. The Wescoatt and Fuller commands
remained in camp two days before the burial of the emigrants was completed.
Their next camp was near a place known later as "Boyd's Ranch," before men-
tioned in this paper, the Wescoatt party camping on what is now section 21 and
the Fuller command on the hill or bluff on what is now known as section 16,
both in Gibbon Township, Buffalo County.

It was somehow understood that a war party of Sioux, 400 strong, were pre-
paring to attack these two commands in revenge for the Indians killed in the
fight south of the Platte and an anxious night was passed, but the commands
were not molested. The Indians had been troublesome all along the trail that
spring and word was sent to the officers at Fort Kearney in regard to the
massacre of emigrants less than twenty-five miles east of that fort, but the
officers of that garrison made no response and Mr. Wescoatt spoke of the officers
of the fort at that date in terms not at all complimentary. The buildings of
the ranch mentioned were of sod with dirt roofs and the owner had a large
corral in the bend of the river west of the house. He trafficked in oxen and
horses, trading for such animals as had become lame on the trail. He had a
considerable number of men about the place, frontiersmen, some half-breeds,
most of whom could speak the Indian language. He seemed to be on good terms
with the Indians and did not seem to fear an attack. The ranchmen kept liquor
for sale, freighting, as he said, alcohol from the Missouri River and making out
of one barrels of alcohol twenty barrels of whisky, selling his whisky for $20 a
gallon. Both the Wescoatt and Fuller commands bought each twenty gallons
of whisky, paying $800 in all. The waves of the Wescoatt brothers carried the
money and the men had quite a time to convince their wives that it w^as advisable
to purchase the liquor, but the men in their employ insisted that liquor was
needed on so long a journey and as it could not be secured elsewhere it was
purchased.

The boy, John Hodges, was made one of the family by Mr. and Mrs. Riley
Wescoatt, Mrs. Wescoatt coming to love and care for him as one of her own
family, and he accompanied them to California, wdiere the two commands arrived
on August 17, 1853. The boy made his home with the Wescoatts for more than
two years, when he one day accompanied, as usual, Mr. Wescoatt to Sacramento,
some five miles distant from their ranch. On the street John saw and recognized
an uncle who had gone to California some years before and who had not before
learned of the massacre of his relatives. This uncle was a rich ranchman and
accompanied Mr. Wescoatt home and remained several days, finally inducing his
nephew- to make his home with him.

The Wescoatt brothers realized a profit of more than sixteen thousand dol-
lars for their cattle, some of the choicest cows bringing $150 each and the heavier
oxen $300 a pair. Jonas Wescoatt and wife soon returned to Iowa where Mr.
Wescoatt served for many years as a judge in that state. After the death of
his wife he returned to California, living in a hotel in San Francisco, where he
lost his life in the destruction of that city by earthquake a few years ago.

Riley Wescoatt and wife returned to their Iowa home about the year 1856.
coming via Panama, crossing the isthmus soon after the completion of the rail-
road at that place. Mr. Riley Wescoatt was a soldier in the Mexican war, serv-

50 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

iiig under General Taylor. Me Ayas wounded soon after reaching Mexican soil
and returned home. On the breaking out of the Civil war he raised in his own
county Company H, F'irst Iowa Cavalry, being commissioned captain of that
company and promising the members of the company that he would remain with
them during their term of service. He remained with the company as captain
and was mustered out with his regiment April i6, 1864. In 1875 Mr. and Mrs.
Wescoatt came to Nebraska, taking a homestead on Elm Island, in Hall County,
less than two miles distant from where the massacre of the emigrants occurred
in 1853, and repeatedly visited the place where they were buried. Mrs. Riley
Wescoatt died July 15, 1905. The death of Mr. Wescoatt occurred on March
6, 1909. He was buried beside his brave and courageous wife in Riverside Ceme-
tery, near Gibbon.

CHAPTER XIII

A PIONEKR FAMILY, A HISTORICAL SKETCH OF ONE OF THE FIRST FAMILIES TO MAKE

SETTLEMENT IN BUFFALO COUNTY CONVERTS TO THE MORMON FAITH LEAVE

ENGLAND IN 1855 FIVE WEEKS TO MAKE OCEAN JOURNEY FIND EMPLOYMENT

IN PHILADELPHIA LEAVE PHILADELPHIA IN 1859 FOR UTAH JOURNEY FROM

FLORENCE TO UTAH ACROSS THE PLAINS WITH AN OX TEAM' — DEATH AND BURIAL
BESIDE THE TRAIL OF AN EMIGRANT'S CHILD THE ARRIVAL IN UTAH DIS-
GUSTED WITH THE MORMON RELIGION THE RETURN FROM UTAH ACCOMPA-
NIED BY MRS. ALLEN STORY OF MRS. ALLEN, A DESERTED MORMON WIFE

FORDING THE PLATTE IN HIGH WATER TIME LOCATE ON A "sQUATTER'S'" CLAIM

ON WOOD RIVER RAISE AND SELL 60O BUSHELS OF CORN FOR $6oO STAMPEDE

OF 1864 BABY HELEN LEFT BEHIND THE FLIGHT TO IOWA, ACROSS TO QUEBEC

AND ON TO ENGLAND THE RETURN TO NEBRASKA TAKES A PRE-EMPTION

CLAIM PLANTS AN ORCHARD OF 2,000 TREES BUILDS A HOUSE WITH ALL

MODERN CONVENIENCES.

A PIONEER FAMILY, A HISTORICAL SKETCH OF ONE OF THE FIRST FAMILIES TO MAKE
SETTLEMENT IN BUFFALO COUNTY

William Nutter, aged twenty-five years, and Dinah Hingham, aged eighteen
years, were married in Lancastershire, England, in 1853. In the family of Wil-
liam Nutter there were nineteen children, all from the same parents, and Mr.
Nutter recalls seeing fifteen of these children seated together at his father's table.
In Mrs. Nutter's family there were seven children. Mr. Nutter from his earliest
youth was taught the spinner's trade and worked at his trade until he rose to the
position of foreman of the card room before leaving England. Mrs. Nutter, as
a small child, wound bobbins for weavers and when older worked in cotton and
woolen mills. About this date there were many Mormon elders in both England
and Wales and large numbers of the people in these parts of England were con-
verted to the Mormon faith and emigrated to Utah. At first polygamy was not
preached as a part of the Mormon faith or practice, but about this date (1852-54),
its preachers becoming more bold, announced that Mormons of deep piety and
who gave liberally to the church were permitted more than one wife. Mr. Nutter
was converted to the Mormon faith and earnestly advocated its cause, though it
seems that he gave little thought to its polygamous feature as it did not appeal
to his nature or mode of life. Mr. Nutter was so imbued with the truth of the
Mormon faith that he attempted to convert his mother, who had already borne
nineteen children, from her own faith to that of the Mormons, but without suc-
cess. Two children, the eldest a daughter named Olive, and the second a son

52 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

named Moroni, after one of the most prominent cliaracters in the Mormon Bible,
had been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nutter when in the spring of 1855, in company
with 700 other Mormon emigrants, they took passage on a saiHng vessel named
the Juventa, their destination. Salt Lake City, Utah. This vessel, the Juventa,
had been condemned as unseaworthy by the British government, but the con-
demnation seems not to have prevented the use of the vesssel to transport
Mormon emigrants. The passage cost about thirty dollars for each person and
included board. Five weeks were required for the trip and they landed at Phila-
delphia. Fa. Mr. and i\Irs. Nutter were without means when they landed, but
had been led to believe that plenty of work at good wages could be had on arrival
and that they could earn enough to enable them to pursue their journey to Utah.
As both had worked all their lives in cotton and woolen factories, they fully
expected to find like employment on arrival, but were disappointed. Mr. Nutter
finally secured work in a truck garden at $3 a week, working from daylight till
dark. Work was so scarce at the time that many worked for their board and it is
related that an aged man, toothless, who worked for his board, was found fault
with because he took so much time at his miCals. About this time the eldest child,
Olive, died of summer complaint and was buried in Philadelphia. xA.fter a few
weeks Mr. Nutter found employment in a cotton factory but was taken sick and
being without any means, was compelled to ask for and received a ticket of ad-
mission to an almshouse, but could not get admission for his wife and child. The
family went together to the almshouse, arriving in the evening. The superin-
tendent, on coming to the door, demanded in a loud, coarse voice, "What in h — 1
did you come at this time of night for?" This brutal reception so angered Mr.
Nutter that he left the building, and passing down the street, it being a warm
evening and the people sitting on their porches, inquired where he might find
lodging until he w^as able to find work. He was taken to a building called
"House of Industry," established by the Quakers for those out of work and
without means, where the family were provided with clean beds and good food
until employment could be found. When able to seek work Mr. Nutter found
a man who promised work on a railroad in the State of Delaware and who fur-
nished transportation on a sailing vessel but furnished nothing to eat and the
family became very hungry when a negro cook took pity and gave them a meal.
Here Mr. Nutter worked two weeks and then found work for himself and wife
with a farmer but neglected to fix a price and when they came to leave had little
coming — just enough to pay their passage back to Philadelphia. They started on
Saturday and at midnight the vessel cast anchor until Monday morning and the
family became very hungry. On arriving at Philadelphia, an Englishman, whom
they met, gave them some money and referred them to a friend in Gloster. N. J-.
where they found employment in print works, and where they remained for two
years. At this place the second child, Moroni, died and was buried in Gloster.
also John N.. the second son was born in 1855. In the fall of 1857 the family
returned to Philadelphia and Mr. Nutter found w^ork at his trade at $1 a day
wages, but soon came the panic of 1857, and all manufacturing ceased. In the
spring of 1858 Mr. Nutter found employment at his trade, as foreman of the
card room at S40 a month wages. In the year 1857, twin boys were born, Wil-

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ME. AND MRS. AVILLIAM NUTTER
Pioneer settlers in Buffalo. County

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 53

Ham H. and W. Hingham. The one named W. Hingham died in early infancy
and was buried beside his sister Ohve in Philadelphia.

The family remained in Philadelphia until enough had been earned to enable
them to reach Utah. They left Philadelphia in the spring of 1859 and going to
some point on the Ohio River traveled down that stream and up the Mississippi
and Missouri rivers to Florence, near Omaha, which was an outfitting and start-
ing point for Mormon emigrants. Mrs. Nutter recalls that they were three days
making the distance from St. Joseph to Florence occasioned by their boat repeat-
edly getting aground on sand bars. On this trip the family were accompanied
by Samuel Stamworth, wife and child, Mrs. Stamworth being a sister of Air.
Nutter. At Florence Mr. Nutter purchased a yoke of oxen, a new wagon, a cow
and food sufficient for the entire journey. Another family furnished a yoke of
oxen and shared the wagon with Mr. Nutter's family during the journey. The
train consisted of seventy-five wagons, mostly drawn by two yoke of oxen. A
daughter of Hiram Smith, later president of the Mormon Church, and her hus-
band and children accompanied the train, the captain of the train being John F.
Smith, a son of Hiram Smith. All emigrants were supposed to carry sufficient
provisions to last the entire journey but many were wasteful and were entirely
out before the end of the journey. Mrs. Nutter says she feared more than
wild Indians these half famished emigrants when they came demanding food.

A few days before the Smith train left Florence, a hand cart train (that is a
party carrying all their belongings in hand carts which they pushed or pulled)
started out ahead of the Smith train and reached Salt Lake City some two weeks
in advance of the Smith train. Owing to the crowded condition of their wagon,
Mrs. Nutter walked the entire distance, riding less than twenty-five miles. Rice
was the principal food of the family, this with milk from their cow furnishing a
most satisfactory meal. The captain of the train, John Smith, had frequently
traveled the trail. He w^as a very profane man and a drunkard. When drunk
he would not allow the train to break camp, and they were much delayed on this
account. On one occasion he did not break camp until after noon and then
announced that they would travel in the night to make up lost time. For fear-
that William H., the baby, might fall out the wagon in the dark and be injured,.
Mrs. Nutter tied him with a rope to the wagon bows. While driving in the night,,
on this occasion, a teamster in lighting his pipe, frightened his oxen and this in'
turn caused a stampede of other ox teams and loose stock, cows and other cattle.
Mrs. Nutter had milked their cow previous to starting and was carrying the milk
in a pail in order to have it for their supper when they camped. In the stampede
she was knocked down and the milk spilled but she was not injured. One child
was seriously injured and wagons broken so that it was necessary to make camp
in order to make repairs. Late in the night the captain of the train came back
cursing and swearing because they had not continued the day's drive until the
camp was reached.

Mrs. Nutter relates that on the ship Juventa, at Florence and on the trail
occasional religious services were held and related an incident connected with one
of such services held on the trail by the captain of their train who was also an
ordained elder or preacher. Captain Smith had issued an order for religious
services to be held at camp headquarters in the evening and commanding every

54 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

one to be present. This ser\iee Captain Smith conducted in person during which
he stated that in being ordained an elder he was also given the power to pronounce
curse on anyone, and the ])arty so cursed could not remove same. He then said
he had lost a valuable knife costing $5, and he knew someone with the train had
it, that if the knife was not returned he would pronounce a curse on the one hav-
ing it. At this point a Welshman jumped up and said he had the knife.

During this journey twelve children died of whooping cough, one of the num-
ber, the daughter of Mr. Nutter's sister, Mrs. Stamworth. John N. Nutter recalls
being awakened before daylight to take a last look at his little cousin, who lay
dead in a cracker box, much too short for a comfortable bed, and who was buried
in a grave beside the trail early in the day so as to not delay the journey of the
train. Accompanying this train was a family, husband, wife and three children;
they were possessed of considerable means, had three good horse teams, a good
wagon, and abundant outfit for the journey. The three children sickened and
died and were buried beside the trail. The drunken captain of the train neglected
to caution the emigrants not to allow their animals to drink of the alkali water
and as a result this family lost some of their most valuable horses and finally the
husband of the family buried his wife beside the trail, without a cofiin, on the
high divide, where it is reported that the waters from one spring flow one part
towards the distant Pacific and the other part towards the distant Atlantic.

The greatest sufi^ering on the part of the emigrants on this journey was for
want of water while crossing the alkali plains and in the mountains ; much of this
suffering would have been avoided but for the drunken captain who sometimes
failed to advise where water could have been found and thus save long drives
between camps ; also had the emigrants known the distance to the next water camp
they might have carried water at times to help relieve the great thirst often
endured. This journey, begun in early summer, was completed after the harvest
of small grain in the settlement in Utah, but in time to find work in the harvest of
potatoes and other vegetables. There was no welcome on the part of the Mormon
Church or those in authority, to these emigrant members of the Mormon Church,
who, leaving kindred and friends, the land of their birth, the homes of their
ancestors for many generations, and who had, amid poverty, toil and undreamed
of privations, at last reached the so-called "promised land," the dwelling place
of the "Latter Day Saints of God."

There was no preparation in advance for their coming; no provision for their
comfort or necessities. Did one complain to an elder of the church that he had
only a dry crust to eat and no means to buy more, he was told to soak his bread in
water, and if he lacked for vegetables was informed that potato tops were said
to be better than nothing. Ox teams and good new wagons were valuable prop-
erty in Utah, and, at much less than their real value, Mr. Nutter traded his
oxen and wagon for ten acres of sandy land some miles from the City of Salt
Lake, and also included in the trade was a lot and a house built of "dobe" or
sun-dried brick. Timber for fuel could be had in the mountains some five miles
or more distant. Work could be had but the pay consisted of produce, not cash.
Everything not raised in Utah commanded extravagant prices. The English are
great lovers of tea. To purchase one pound of tea it is related one Englishman
drove to the mountains, cut and hauled a load of wood to the city, a trip, coming

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 55

and going, of thirty miles. Mr. and Mrs. Nutter soon learned that polygamy, as
preached in England and practiced in Utah, were quite different propositions.
In Utah, any man could have all the so-called wives he could manage to get pos-
session of and incoming trains were watched for, and young women made plural
wives of, in many cases over the objections and protests of their parents. Girls
only thirteen or fourteen years of age thus became mothers of children by becom-
ing plural wives of Mormon officials as well as of men who held no official con-
nection with the Mormon Church, simply were members of the church. The
Nutter family soon became greatly dissatisfied with the so-called Mormon re-
ligion and Mr. X utter, from a firm believer in the Mormon religion, came to be
a non-believer in any form of religious belief, and so continued to the end of
his life.

The breaking out of the Civil war greatly pleased the Mormon leaders who
claimed the war had been prophesied by Brigham Young as punishment for the
persecution of Mormons by Gentiles, and that the Gentiles in the eastern states
would destroy each other and that the Indian tribes in the West would assist in
the destruction. All this was believed by the Mormon people and discouraged
any who thought of leaving. Helen, the second daughter, was born in Utah in
i860; in 1862 the family arranged to leave Utah. They traded their real estate
property for two yoke of oxen and a wagon, and provided food for the journey
but had no cow. Mrs. Nutter had taken with her to Utah a loom, thinking she
might get work at her trade. This loom she traded for a gold watch. They left
Utah in the month of June, accompanied by two other families, one by the name
of Morgan. On the first day's journey, when some ten miles east of Salt Lake
City, they were overtaken by Mrs. Allen, with whom they were acquainted. She
was barefoot, and had nothing except the clothing she wore. She begged to be
allowed to accompany them on their journey. Mr. and Mrs. Allen were quite
well educated people and had arrived in Utah with considerable property. Since
their arrival Mr. Allen had taken younger wives and practically deserted his first
wife, leaving her destitute. When he saw that his wife was determined to leave
Mr. Allen had agreed that Mrs. Allen might have a yoke of steers with which to
make the journey, but neither Mr. Nutter nor Airs. Allen dared to return for the
steers for fear they might not be permitted to again continue their journey. The
Aliens had in store some flour at a Mormon station east of Salt Lake City and of
this flour Mrs. Allen secured two sacks which were added to the food supply of the
party. A few miles west of Fort Laramie the Nutter family met a westbound
emigrant train engaged in burying three of their number who had been killed
by Indians. These three persons — two men and one woman — driving a good
team of horses and a fine saddle horse hitched to the wagon, had tarried at a
trading post near the fort in order to make a few purchases. Some Indians were
at the trading post and tried to trade for the saddle horse but without success.
It is supposed the Indians followed the party and attacked and killed them. The
members of the train with which the three persons were traveling, becoming
uneasy that they did not rejoin the train, halted and sent back a party which had
just found them dead and their horses gone. At Fort Laramie Mrs. Allen
traded a ring which she wore for a pair of coarse shoes, she having come bare-
foot thus far on the journey. The Nutter family had planned to cross the Platte

56 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

River at Julesburg, coming down on the north side of that river. At this point
they met some Indians who threatened to kill them if they crossed the river, so
they followed the trail on the south side until they reached Fort Kearney, cross-
ing the Platte at that point. When Mrs. Nutter was asked if they had any
trouble in crossing the Platte she answered "Not at all." When asked to describe
just how they crossed, she said: "Mr. Nutter walked on the near side, driving
the oxen; Mrs. Allen and myself waded in the river on the off side and with
whips kept the oxen from turning back. The water was not deep except in
the main channel where it came nearly up to the wagon box."

The Platte River at this crossing is 1^/2 miles from the north to the south
bank; there are numerous small islands or toe-heads as they are called locally,
so that the total width of all the channels is about four thousand feet. The
crossing was about three miles in length, extending from a point half a mile west
of the fort on the south side to a point some two miles west of the fort on the
north bank. The Platte was a treacherous stream to cross, having numerous
quicksand holes and a fall of about eight feet to the mile. In time of high water
in the main channel the water often came up to the wagon box and with the
tremendous fall ran at a furious rate. With a strong wind, in time of high
water, the waters were forced into one channel, washing out holes ten or more
feet in depth. The writer forded the Platte at this crossing in 1871 and saw a
dozen or more large, strong army wagons, sunken in quicksand holes and
abandoned in mid-stream, when doubtless attached to each one of these wagons
were four or more pair of strong, government mules driven by experienced
drivers, while the brave, sturdy pioneers, men and women, who by toil and priva-
tion demonstrated for the benefit of future generations, the possibilities of the
then Nebraska Territory as a place for comfortable homes and happy families,
thought it "no trouble at all" to wade waist deep in the swift running waters of
this broad and treacherous stream and by means of whips and shouting encourage
their half frightened oxen to drag across its sandy bottom a heavily loaded wagon
containing the small children of their families and all their earthly belongings.
The objective point of the Nutter family on leaving Utah, had been the Wood
River Valley, near what is now the Village of Shelton in Buffalo County, some
fifteen miles east of Fort Kearney, as they had been most favorably impressed
with this locality on their overland journey to Utah. When they were near this
point they overtook a freighting outfit en route to the Missouri River. Mrs. Allen
was extremely anxious to continue her journey eastward and so Mr. Nutter
arranged with the freight "boss" to convey Mrs. Allen to Omaha. There were
no women with the freighting outfit but the "boss" agreed to protect Mrs. Allen
during the journey. The Nutter family never again heard in any manner from
Airs. Allen — one among many thousands of other victims, deceived, wronged,
outraged, robbed, many murdered, by that foul blot on civilization, and more so
on the American nation, the Mormon Church.

The Nutter family purchased a "squatter's right" to a claim on Wood River
about two miles east of the present Village of Shelton, trading therefor one of
the two yoke of oxen. Mrs. Nutter traded her gold watch for a cow and here
began anew the struggle for a living and a home. During the fall Mr. Nutter
found work putting up hay for use at Fort Kearney and in the winter in cutting

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 57

and hauling wood to the fort. Air. Nutter had never worked at farming, except
while in Utah, and had never raised any corn. In the spring of 1863, they
planted a small acreage of potatoes and other vegetables and managed to break
and plant eighteen acres of corn. In planting this corn a hole was cut in the
sod with an ax and the kernels of corn dropped in the hole. No weeds grew,
in those days, on newly broken sod and this corn was not cultivated in any
manner. Mrs. Nutter assisted in the out-door work. From these eighteen acres
they harvested and sold 600 bushels of corn selling at $1 per bushel — $600 in all.
This corn was purchased by the Holiday stage line operating on the south side
of the river.

This was more money than the Nutter family had ever had at one time before
and Mrs. Nutter relates that the first article that she ordered when they received
the money for this corn was a pair of men's boots, No. 5, for which they paid
$5. There being no store nearer than Omaha an order was made for the things
needed and sent by a freighting outfit wdiich in time delivered the goods. In the
spring of 1864 the family planted a considerable acreage of corn and vegetables,
planting their corn quite early and thereby secured the promise of a bountiful
crop, while those of their neighbors who planted late had their crop destroyed by
grasshoppers which appeared in considerable numbers destroying the unripened
corn.

In August, 1864, occurred the "stampede,"' memorable in the history of
Nebraska Territory for the horrible atrocities committed by the cruel Cheyenne
Indians. Space does not permit only a mere mention of the stampede; suffice
to say practically all settlers in the Territory of Nebraska, except in the near
vicinity of the Missouri River, deserted their homes and traveled with all pos-
sible speed towards the eastern border of the territory. Awakened in the dead
of night and notified that the dreaded Indians w^ere on the w^ar path, the Nutter
family hastily placed their household effects and children in their wagon, hitch-
ing thereto their two ox teams and took the trail for the Missouri River, every
moment in dread of attack by the savage Indians. Is it any wonder that in the
hurry incident to this sudden leaving of their home that baby Helen should have
been overlooked and been left asleep in a drygoods box used as a cradle? Some
considerable distance had been thus traveled before Helen was missed and the
team halted while the anxious father returned for her. During the time the
family had been living on the Wood River claim, two daughters, Onie and
Leonie, had been born, so that the mother's arms were full even without the
baby daughter Helen. The great fright wdiich Mr. Nutter received on this
occasion seems not to have left him until he reached England. He had heard
of the horrors of the Civil war then raging in "the states," of the massacre of
settlers by Indians in Minnesota, knew of the degradation and misery of Mor-
mondom from which he had lately escaped and his one desire seems to have
been to once again reach "Old England." At Omaha the family disposed of all
of their belongings, at what then seemed fairly good prices. Their first objective
point was Quebec, Canada, as Mr. Nutter greatly feared that he might be com-
pelled to take part in the Civil war. Of the journey from Omaha to Quebec,
Mrs. Nutter can recall nothing as to route or mode of travel. One thing she
recalls with much vividness ; it is the great astonishment she felt when crossing

58 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

"the states," proljably Iowa, Illinois and Michigan, that the people on the farms
were busily at work in the fields or in building houses or barns, and in the cities
larger buildings were being erected, while she had thought that in "the states"
everybody was fighting and being killed.

At Quebec they engaged passage on a vessel for Liverpool, England. The
passage was paid in English money, or at the rate of $3 of United States money
for $1 of English money. The passage took two weeks and when the family
reached Liverpool they had not a cent to pay fare to their former home. Mr.
Nutter pawned his watch for that purpose. Llere the baby Helen was again
forgotten, she being asleep in the station with the rest of the family on the train
ready to start. Mr. Nutter at once secured w-ork at his trade of spinner, but in
less than two weeks was longing to be again on his claim in Nebraska Territory.
He wrote to his former employer in Philadelphia for work and back came a
letter with passage money, and Mr. Nutter leaving his family in England returned
to Philadelphia and began work in the factory as foreman of the card room. On
this trip Mr. Nutter was a passenger on the City of Boston, a magnificent
steamship, which on its return voyage disappeared and was never heard from.
Mrs. Nutter remained in England six months before joining Mr. Nutter in
Philadelphia. While in England the twin daughter, Leonie, died and was buried
in England, and a daughter, named Elizabeth, was born. Mr. Nutter remained
in Philadelphia until the spring of 1869, when he came to Nebraska and purchased
a "squatters right" to the southeast quarter of section 8, town 9, range 13 west,
in Buffalo County, paying therefor, with the improvements— a log house, log
barn and corral — about three hundred dollars.

He secured work as a section hand on the Union Pacific Railroad and in
July Mrs. Nutter and the children arrived. In the spring of 1870, not being
able to purchase a team, they hired some land plowed, and this they planted to
potatoes and other vegetables and corn, from which he raised good crops. His
corn he sold. for 50 cents per bushel and the potatoes were placed in a cave until
spring and sold for excellent prices to members of the Soldiers' Free Homestead
colony, some seventy-five families, which made settlement near that point in
April, 1871. The crop of 1870 enabled the family to purchase a yoke of oxen
and a cow^ and through the kindness of Sergt. Michael Coady of Fort Kearney
he secured an old Government wagon. At the time of the stampede, before
referred to, he had nearly ready for the harvest a considerable crop of both corn
and vegetables, and which crop was harvested and sold by returning settlers after
the stampede scare was over. Returning settlers state that this crop sold for
about one thousand dollars, but it is more than probable that this amount is
greatly in excess of the amount actually received. For the crop raised in 1864 •
Mr. Nutter received from one of the settlers who returned after the stampede
one cow.

With the coming of the colony referred to schools were at once established,
and the children of the family were prompt to take advantage of this opportunity
to acquire an education. Also the older children were of an age where they
were helpful in opening up the new farm and tilling the same. The home of
this family soon became one of the best improved farms in the county. In the
'80s there was on this farm a bearing orchard of 2,000 trees. When this orchard

SOD HOUSE OF ERASTTS 8.M1TH AM) FAMILY
First settlers in Garfield Township, March, 1874

ONE OF THE FIEST HABITATIONS IN BUFFALO COUNTY

Built about 1860. Photo taken in 1906. In the foreground are Mr. and :\Irs. 'William Nutter,
their children and grandchildren. At left of the photo is Walter Scott. Mr. Nutter lived
here until 1886.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 59

came into bearing there was great loss by reason of wormy apples. Mr. Nutter
finding little of value in recognized authorities in regard to this pest of his
orchard, set apart a room in his house and made a scientific study of the pest,
pursuing his investigations with all the zeal and close attention to details that
would be expected from a graduate of a scientific department of the State Uni-
versity with the initials of a degree attached to his name. The results of Mr.
Nutter's study and investigations in this connection were deemed so important
that the professor of horticulture of the State University visited Mr. Nutter
and secured the results of his investigations and embodied them in a bulletin
issued by the station and from these and like investigations came the present
method of spraying fruit trees for the destruction of many kinds of fruit pests.
In 1886 Mr. Nutter erected, at that date, one of the finest farm houses in the
country. The house is octagon in form, 16 feet on a side and 18 feet in height.
It has what are termed modern conveniences, such as hot and cold water, toilet
and bath room, furnace, etc. The rooms are spacious and well furnished. It
has abundant porch room and a well kept lawai with ornamental trees and shrubs.
He also erected at the same date a convenient barn. After the return of the
family tb Nebraska in 1870 there were born the following children: Hingham,
Alice, Jane, Frank, Louisa and Mirabeau D., in all fifteen children, ten of whom
are living and of legal age. All these children were given the benefit of a com-
mon school education and some of them have been for years teachers in the
public schools.

Air. Nutter took but little interest in state and national afl^airs. He was for
many years a subscriber to such magazines as Popular Science Monthly and
North American Review, and in his library was a quite complete set of Spen-
cer's works, also the published works of Darwin, Tito Vignoli, Stallo and others.
He was a strong believer in free trade from an English standpoint. He was at
all times industrious and performed an incredible amount of labor and yet he
was, by many, regarded as a "dreamer" because, while his hands were employed
about the labors of the farm, his thoughts were almost wholly given to the con-
templation of some profound subject.

All the property accumulated by Mr. and Mrs. Nutter has been by industry
and economy, as Mr. Nutter never speculated, nor, so far as known, had any
source of income other than his farm. Mr. Nutter was born in 1828 and died at
his home on May 13, 1908. He was buried in Riverside Cemetery, near Gibbon.
No historical account of this family is at all complete that does not include some
further mention of the mother of this family; she enjoyed little in the way of
educational advantages and at the age when she should have been playing with
her dolls was helping to earn the family living by winding bobbins for the
weaver's shuttle. She it was who loyally, patiently, uncomplainingly followed
the varying fortunes of the family, seemingly never discouraged, always hopeful,
doing her full share of work most laborious, enduring her full share of all priva-
tions, bearing fifteen children, two pair twins, five of the children dying in early
youth or infancy and being buried in widely separated graves, one in England,
one in New Jersey, two in Pennsylvania and one in Nebraska. As the years
came and went she came to be the financier of the family. She it was who saw
that the children had food in plenty and of good quality, that they were com-

60 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

fortably clothed, and while to her the profound theories of Huxley and Darwin
and Spencer and the fine spun theories of free trade and protection were as
mysterious as the letters of the Greek alphabet, yet she it was who saw that the
children were regular in attendance at school and attended to the cares and duties
assigned them. In furnishing, from memory only, on request, something ot
the history of her family, its travels, its privations, its toils and struggles at times
for the barest necessities of life, its times of great peril and sore afifliction, she
was much more likely to recall some humorous feature or incident than one of
peril or great privation and seemed not to realize that people who thus meet
and overcome such almost insurmountable obstacles, and at last secure by indus-
try, economy and integrity a comfortable home for themselves and their imme-
diate family are true heroes and heroines of real life. Notwithstanding all the
toils and privations incident to her life and travels, Mrs. Nutter in the seventy-
third year of her age pursues her daily task with a vigor of step and a spright-
liness of movement to be envied by many a person still on the sunny side of
Hfe.

CHAPTER XIV

THE INDIAN STAMPEDE OF 1864 NARRATION OF EVENTS BY JAMES JACKSON, "tEd"

OLIVER AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HOPEWELL ACCOUNT OF ATROCITIES COM-
MITTED r.V INDIANS AS RELATED BY CAPT. H. E. PALMER — MRS. EWBANK AND

MISS LAURA BOYER RANSOMED SETTLERS IN BUFFALO COUNTY ASSEMBLE AT

WOOD RIVER CENTER AUGUST MEYER CHOSEN CAPTAIN NAMES OF SETTLERS

IN COUNTY AT THAT DATE — THE FLIGHT TO OMAHA AND IOWA — AUGUST MEYER
AND "tED" OLIVER, GEORGE BURKE AND JOHN BRITT REMAIN.

THE STAMPEDE IN AUGUST, 1864

The stampede that occurred in August, 1864, marks an event of great impor-
tance in the early settlement of the county and state. With no knowledge of the
actual conditions and circumstances existing at the time of this stampede, it has
been difficult to understand why all the settlers in the vicinity of Wood River
Center (now Shelton) should have deserted their homes, when it appears that
not a hostile Indian was seen at that time by these settlers ; also that no hostile
Indians were seen on the north side of the Platte River, at least not within
100 miles to the west of Wood River Center settlement. These settlers had
been living for years in daily dread of attack by Indians, had been continually
on the lookout for them, and Indians had frequently attacked one or two white
men settlers when found alone and the Indians could surprise them. James
Jackson states that two were killed by Sioux Indians in 1863, a few miles west
of Wood River Center. "Ted" C^liver relates that he spent many long hours on
the roof of their loghouse watching for Indians for some years preceding this
stampede. For these and other reasons it has been thought best to determine as
far as possible the reasons for the stampede of these early settlers, and after
giving the subject much study and consideration, the writer offers the following
suggestions or reasons for this fright and stampede. From the date, 1847, when
the Mormons lirst made settlement in Utah until the completion of the Union
Pacific Railroad in 1869, Alormon sentiment dominated the trail between Florence
on the Missouri River and Salt Lake City, Utah. Thousands of Mormon emi-
grants passed each year over this trail in charge of Mormon elders who regularly
made the journey back and forth. Along the trail from Florence as far west as
Fort Kearney were settlers, largely Mormon emigrants, some of whom tarried a
brief time and then journeyed on to Utah ; others remained and made permanent
homes, as did the Olivers, Owens, Nutters and others of the early settlers in Buf-
falo County. Commencing in i860 a great and terrible Civil war was raging in the
"states," the real cause of which Mormon emigrants had little knowledge. The

62 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

Mormon leaders preached that this war was sent as punishment on the Gentiles for
their persecution of the Mormons, and that while the war raged the Indians of the
Northwest would raid the settlements along the border and murder the settlers. A
year or more previous to the stampede Sioux Indians had raided the settlements in
Minnesota and massacred a thousand or more of the settlers. All these things
naturally kept the settlers in Buffalo and Hall counties in a state of apprehension
of Indian attack.

A narration of some events which did occur in this connection will show that
the apprehension on the part of the settlers was well founded. In conversa-
tion with Lieutenant Governor Hopewell, in November, 1908, he stated that in
]uly. 1864, he was a "buUwhacker" on a Government freight train loaded with
supplies and journeying from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to Fort Laramie, some
three hundred miles west of Fort Kearney. There were twenty-five wagons in
the train, each wagon drawn by from six to eight yoke of oxen, and they aver-
aged about fifteen jniles a day. The conditions were so peaceful along the trail
that the men were not generally armed, although most of them carried revolvers.
Indians visited their camp daily, probably Pawnees, as this was Pawnee terri-
tory — begging for food or anything which pleased an Indian's fancy. On July
4th the train reached Fort Kearney, making a brief stop and continuing the
journey on the trail south of the Platte. On July 6th, when opposite the mouth
of Plum Creek (near the present Village of Lexington), they saw where Indians
had committed depredations on an emigrant train. The train crossed the Platte
near Julesburg, two days being required to make the crossing, it being necessary
to unload some of the freight and to double teams on each wagon. At Fort
Laramie the men with the wagon train were issued guns and ammunition, and on
the return journey there were seventy-five wagons in the train and about one
hundred armed men. Near O'Fallon's Bluffs the train passed through a large
camp of Cheyenne Indians (old men and squaws), and a day or two days' journey
farther east saw at a distance a large body of Indian warriors. From this band
a small number, mounted, detached themselves, taking a course as if to intercept
the wagon train. The train boss ordered the train into camp, and when the small
party of Indians rode up "how-howing," the men had their guns handy. These
Indians remained but a short time, when as if by signal they rode off at full
speed. The train was not molested, but when it reached the mouth of Plum
Creek they found where a train of eleven wagons had been destroyed and there
were a large number of fresh graves beside the trail. Farther east they saw
additional evidences of Indian depredations.

Capt. H. E. Palmer, in his "History of the Powder River Expedition of 1865"
(Nebraska State Historical Society, Vol. II), relates many incidents of this
raid by the Cheyenne Sioux. From his account the following is quoted: 'Tn
August, 1864, I was ordered to report to General Cvirtis, who commanded the
Department of Kansas, at Fort Leavenworth, and was by him instructed to
take command of a detachment of the Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Corps, sixty
men, every one of them lately Confederate soldiers with John Morgan in his
raid into Ohio, captured there and confined at Columbus. They had enlisted in
the L'ederal service under the pledge that they were to fight Indians and not
rebels. I was to conduct those men to Fort Kearney, and there turn them over

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 63

to Captain Humphreyville of the Eleventh Ohio. On my way out, near Big
Sandy, now Alexandria, in Thayer County, Nebraska, I met a party of freighters
and stage coach passengers on horseback, and some few ranchmen, fleeing from
tlie Little Blue Valley. They told me a terrible story, that the Indians were just
in their rear and how they had massacred the people just west of them, none
knew how many. All knew that the Cheyennes had made a raid into the Little
Blue Valley, striking down all before them. After camping for dinner at this
place, and seeing the last citizen disappear towards the states, I pushed on toward
the Little Blue, camping in the valley, and saw two Indians about five miles
away on a hill as I went into camp. The next day passed Ewbank's ranch, and
found there little children from three to seven years old, wIto had been taken by
the heels and swung around against the log cabin, beating their heads into a jelly.
The hired girl was found some fifteen rods from the ranch, staked out on the
prairie, tied by her hands and feet, naked, and her body full of arrows and
horribly mangled. Not far from this was the body of Ewbank, whiskers cut
oif, body most fearfully mutilated. The buildings had been burned and the
ruins still smoking. Nearly the same scene of desolation and murder was wit-
nessed at Spring ranch. Camped that night at Liberty farm. Next day passed
trains, in one place seventy wagons loaded with merchandise, en route for Denver.
The teamsters had mounted their mules and made their escape. The Indians had
opened boxes containing dry goods, taking great bolts of calicoes and other
cloths, carried ofl:" all they wanted, and scattered the balance, all they could,
around over the prairie. * * * These Indians had attacked the troops at
Pawnee ranch under command of Capt. E. B. Murphy of the Seventh Iowa
Cavalry, and had driven them into Fort Kearney, although he had with him
about one hundred and fifty men and two pieces of artillery. By this time the
main body of the Indians was far away in the Republican Valley, en route for
the Solomon River. I followed their rear guard to a point near where the
Town of Franklin, in Franklin County, on the Republican, now stands. Camped
there one night and then marched north to Fort Kearney. On that day's march
we saw millions of bufi^alo."

This raid on the Little Blue was made by the Cheyennes under the command
of Black Kettle, One-Eyed George Bent, Two Faces and others. Mrs. Ewbank
and Miss Laura Boyer were carried away captives. We ransomed them from the
Indians, who brought them to Fort Laramie in January, 1865. Just prior to this
outbreak on the Little Blue a number of the same Indians had attacked a train
near Plum Creek, thirty-one miles west of Fort Kearney, on the south side of
the Platte, and killed several men. From Plum Creek they moved down the
Little Blue, passing south of Fort Kearney.

This band of Indians, says Captain Palmer, was attacked by Colorado troops
under command of Col. J. M. Chivington, on November 29, 1864, in their camp
on Sand Creek, about one hundred and ten miles southeast of Denver. The
Indians were surprised, and according to the very best estimate five hundred or
six hundred were killed — men, women and children.

The story of this memorable stampede, as relates to settlers in what is now
Bufi^alo County, as told by some who took part, is in substance as follows: It
had been a quiet, peaceful summer in the Wood River \'alley in 1864. The set-

64 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

tiers liad been busy with their farming operations and there was promise of a
good crop of corn, and the vegetables, potatoes, beans, etc., were already being
gathered and sold at F^ort Kearney. On August 9th, James Oliver and Thomas
Morgan, settlers living on Wood River, about midway between the present vil-
lages of Gibbon and Shelton, had gone to F^ort Kearney with a load of vege-
tables, leaving their wives and children to keep company together at the home
of 'Sir. Morgan. News of the outbreak reached the officers at the fort while
Oliver and Morgan were there, and they were not allowed to return home to
their families, but were pressed into service to defend the fort. Another settler
by the name of Cook was also at the fort and he was sent to warn the settlers
and to advise them to gather at Wood River Center prepared to defend them-
selves.

The homes of these early settlers, some built of logs, some of sod, some dug-
outs (holes in the ground), were all on the south side of Wood River, close to
that stream, and the one farthest west was that of J. E. Boyd, the Boyd ranch,
about one mile west of the present Village of Gibbon. Thus it was, in the
dead of night, that Messenger Cook called these settlers from their sleep, informed
them that the Indians were coming in great force, advising not to strike a light,
as it might attract the attention of the Indians, but to go as quickly as possible
to Wood River Center. Before daylight all the settlers within miles of this com-
mon center had been warned and had assembled, many with little more clothing
than when awakened from their sleep. August Meyer, now ( 1908) living at
Shelton, a German, who had served five years in the regular service, was chosen
captain and at once organized his force as best he could, establishing a line of
pickets. At this center there was being built a log stable, yet without a roof.
Into this stable the women and children were placed, while all awaited the coming
of the Indians. When morning came one settler mounted his horse and started
towards his home. He soon returned in great haste, saying he saw a band of
Indians on the north side of Wood River in the rear of his home. After a long,
anxious time of waiting, four men, mounted, were sent to see what had become
of the Indians the settler reported to have seen. When this party returned they
reported that in the rear of the ranch, and across Wood River, was a bunch of
buffalo feeding, and doubtless in his fright the settler mistook these buffalo for
Indians. So far as can be recalled, the following are the names of persons and
families residing at that date in what is now Buffalo County and most of whom
gathered at Wood River Center on the occasion of this stampede ; J. E. Boyd and
family, John Britt, George Burke, Crane brothers. Cook and family, FI. Dugdale
and family, Mrs. Francis and children, Huff and family, French George, Augustus
Meyer and wife, Edward (Ted) Oliver and wife, James Oliver and family,
Mrs. Sarah Oliver and her children, Robert, John, Sarah Ann, Jane and Eliza,
Mrs. David Owen and son, Joseph Owen, Thomas Morgan and family, Payne
and family, Thomas Peck and family, Jack Staats and family. Story and family,
Tague and family, Mrs. Wilson and children, William Nutter and family.

During the day James Oliver and Thomas Morgan returned from Fort
Kearney, bringing further news of the murders and horrible atrocities perpe-
trated by the Indians. The settlers remained at Wood River Center during the
day and succeeding night, when it was agreed best for all to leave and each

AUGUST MEYEE

Soldier of the Civil war. Cliosen captain
by settlers in the memorable Indian stam-
pede of 1864.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 65

family returned to their home, placed in wagons their household belongings,
hitched to the wagons their ox teams and driving their few head of cows and
other cattle, took the trail for Missouri River. In the haste of this leaving of
home under such conditions, it is small wonder that one child was left asleep
in the cradle and not missed until the parents were some distance on the trail,
when it was discovered that baby Helen had been left behind and the wagon
was halted while the anxious father hurried back for the little one. In the
arms of mother were twin daughters only a few months of age. Except at
Grand Island, where some of the settlers had thrown up breastworks and pre-
pared to defend themselves, the entire country as far as the Missouri River was
with a few exceptions deserted. When the fleeing settlers reached Omaha they
found the stores closed, every able-bodied man pressed into service and armed,
and mounted men patrolling the country for miles outside the Village of Omaha.
Omaha, at that date (1864), was a straggling village with a population about the
same as the present Village of Shelton. At an election held in 1864 (Morton
History, Vol. I, page 495) Douglas County had cast 971 votes for delegate to
Congress out of a total of 5,885 cast in the Territory of Nebraska. This would
give Douglas County a population of approximately four thousand, with a popu-
lation in the City or Village of Omaha of approximately one thousand. Most
of the fleeing settlers from the Wood River Center settlement pursued their
journey into Iowa. William Nutter and family continued on to England, going
by way of Quebec. The female members of the Oliver and Owen families
remained in Iowa for a year before returning to their Wood River homes.
James Oliver, Thomas Morgan and others returned in time to gather the crops
on their claims. Augustus Meyer, Edward (Ted) Oliver, George Burke and
John Britt did not leave during the stampede, but remained to care for their prop-
erty. They were not molested and saw no hostile Indians.

Mr. Meyer was in the employ of the Western Stage Company, in charge of
their stage station near Wood River Center, where was kept a relay of horses,
and Mr. Meyer states that his sense of duty to his employers would not permit
of his leaving the stage property at such a time, and further, he had seen no
Indians and did not greatly fear an attack. Mr. Meyer, a German, had served
five years in the regular United States service, a portion of the time at Fort
Kearney, and had been discharged from the service at Fort Kearney in 1861,
since which time he had been in the employ of the Western Stage Company, first
at Boyd's ranch, and later at their station near Wood River Center.

The press of that date, 1864, in the Territory of Nebraska, roundly denounced
the general Government for its failure to protect emigrants on the trail and set-
tlers on the plains from attack by hostile Indians, and it seems that such denun-
ciation was in a measure deserved, for it appears that no effort whatever was
made by those in command at Fort Kearney to protect or come to the relief
of settlers during this raid ; in fact, two of the settlers, James Oliver and Thomas
Morgan, were pressed into service to defend the fort, while their wives and
children were left to the mercy of savage and barbarous Indians. When the
settlers returned to their homes after the stampede they found small details of
soldiers from the fort stationed at the Boyd ranch. Wood River Center and at
settlements farther east toward Grand Island, in order to protect both the settlers

66 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

and also the emigrants traveling the California and Oregon trail. It should not
be forgotten that this memorable raid occurred in the closing year of the great
Civil war when every soldier was needed in the stupendous struggle for the
preservation of the Union, and it also appears that the garrisons in the western
forts and the troops employed to fight the Indians were largely captured Confed-
erate soldiers who preferred service in fighting Indians (not rebels) rather than
to remain prisoners of war, confined in armed camps. •

CHAPTER XV

ACROSS THE PLAINS IN 1860 A MILLION OF BUFFALO, HORACE GREELEY DELAYED

AT FORT KEARNEY FOR TWENTY-FOUR HOURS BY BUFFALO 25 CENTS TO CARRY

A LETTER MINING FOR GOLD IN COLORADO CORN $7 A BUSHEL CORN 10

CENTS A BUSHEL TEN DOLLARS TO WATER GOVERNMENT TEAMS THE TRANS-
PORTATION EXPENSE OF FORAGE DELIVERED AT FORT KEARNEY AND FORT LARAMIE
TEN CENTS A GALLON FOR WATER IN 1 874.

ACROSS THE PLAINS IN 1860

J. E. ]\liller, a soldier of the Civil war, came to Buffalo County, from Iowa
in the year 1873, taking a homestead claim in Cedar Township. Mr. ^liller
served as justice of the peace in his township and two terms as state senator.
He introduced in the Senate and secured its passage, a bill providing for the
teaching of agriculture in our public schools, — this the beginning of the teaching
of the principles of agriculture in the public schools of our state and nation. In
the year i860 Mr. Miller made a journey across the plains and in the year 191 5
gives the following interesting description of the journey:

I passed up the south side and down, from Fort Kearney, the north side of
the Platte River in i860, fifty-five years ago this summer. Our company con-
sisted of seven ox teams (two and three yoke to a wagon) and nineteen men.
We left Davenport, Iowa, early in April, crossed the Missouri at Nebraska City,
May 1st, loaded up and started for the Platte route, which we struck 115 miles
below Fort Kearney (this would be about opposite Columbus). Only a few
miles from Nebraska City we lost sight of settlers and traveled through an
unbroken prairie till we reached Salt Creek (this Lincoln) where there were a
few straggling houses. I now believe it was near the junction of the little creek
coming down from the asylum as we found the water too salt for our use, and
by crossing over to another stream we found the water all right. Soon after
reaching the Platte we came in contact with others on the same errand — "Pike's
Peak or bust." By the time we reached Fort Kearney the road was full of
freighters and gold seekers.

A MILLION OF BUFFALO

A large herd of buffalo had about finished crossing the Platte River going
north; it had taken them two days and nights to cross; the east edge of the herd
was at Doby Town (this two miles west of Fort Kearney) and reached west
thirty-five miles. The buffalo were in a solid mass so that all teams were
delayed.

68 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

HORACE C.RliELEV DELAYED TVVEXTV-FOUR HOURS

Horace Greeley, who was a passenger on the overland stage, was detained
twenty-four hours, ^le wrote to the New York Tribune, of which he was editor,
"I know a million is a great many but I am sure I saw more than a million buffalo
yesterday. Some estimate there are more butTalo on the plains than domestic
cattle in the United States. I can't say as to that, but I feel sure there are more
in weight as the buffalo weigh more." From P^ort Kearney to Denver the road
was filled with teams. r>y standing on the front of the wagon one could see
every tuni of the road for many miles by the line of covered wagons. I noticed
the peculiar fact that there was not a stream, little or big, which entered the
Platte from the south, from w'here we struck the valley (at Columbus) to Denver.
The mail was carried from the Missouri River by Hinkley's express ; we had
to pay 25 cents for each letter besides the 3 cents stamp.

DENVER WAS IN KANSAS

Kansas and Nebraska at that time extended to the summit of the mountains
and joined Utah. Denver was in Kansas. We crossed the range and mined 23/2
months near where Leadville now is. We had to saw our lumber with a whip
saw. We averaged to earn about ten dollars per day to the man. Snow began
to cover the range September 14, and we, being short of provisions, pulled out.
Reached Denver, 115 miles, in a week.

CORN $7 A BUSHEL

Bought corn at Denver at 12^^ cents per pound to feed my team— I had
bought horses. It was a long, dreary road to Fort Kearney, where we forded
the Platte; we found some settlers along Wood River of whom we bought com
for $2 a bushel. Crossed the Missouri at Omaha where we sold our gold for $18
an ounce. Of course this lightened our load somewhat. The year i860 saw the
great drouth in Kansas. Nebraska was not farming much then or she would
have suffered. The drouth extended into Western Iowa and we paid 60 cents
a bushel for corn. It was cheaper as we traveled east until I bought the last
bushel fifteen miles north of Davenport for 10 cents. That was the biggest fall
in the price of corn I ever knew it to take inside of fifty days. I reached home
November 5th and the next day cast my first vote for President, thereby electing
Abraham Lincoln. While going up the Platte I would take to the sand hills on
the south side and chase antelope. My opinion of this country as an agricultural
paradise you can guess.

I would not have given a dime for all of Nebraska west of Fort Kearney.

I had intended to go back to the mines in 1861, and perhaps would, had it
not been there was a rebellion to look after and I was asked to take the job.

TEN DOLLARS TO WATER GOVERNMENT TEAMS

There is a tradition that $10 was paid at one time to water a string of Govern-
ment teams at a well on the divide south of the Platte and that the amount was

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 69

allowed in the expense account at Washington. If so it must have been because
this territory was known as a desert and in a desert water is often scarce. East
of Kenesaw, on the trail coming from the Little Blue over the divide to the
valley of the Platte, a distance of some twenty miles there was a well known as
the "Government well," but private property, which was more than one hundred
feet deep. It was curbed with logs and was a regular stopping place for travelers
over the trail. Possibly it was at this well that the "large"' price was paid for
water for the Government teams. This price is not greatly in excess of the
contract price paid for hay for use at Fort Kearney, as related $20 per ton,
and the contractor let the contract to cut and stack the hay in sight of the fort
for $1.25 per ton. Some idea of the enormous expense of maintaining an army
at Fort Kearney and Fort Laramie will appear in the following taken from
Morton History, Vol. 2: "The cost of transporting (1865) a hundred pounds of
corn, hay, clothing, subsistence, lumber or other necessary from Fort Lea^■en-
worth (Kansas) to Fort Kearney was $6.42; to Fort Laramie $14.10."
It is further stated that the cost of a bushel of corn bought at Fort Leavenworth
and delivered at Fort Kearney was $5.03. In 1850 Gen. Winfield Scott com-
plained of the great expense of furnishing supplies for troops on the frontier,
in which he states : "The average cost of forage for a horse during one month
at Fort Kearney was $27.72, and at Fort Laramie, $34.24." In 1873 the writer
paid 10 cents for a gallon of water and 25 cents to water a team on the divide
south of the Platte and drew the water himself, out of a well much more than
one hundred feet in depth.

CHAPTER XVI

A BROKEN AXLE EDWARD OLIVER AND FAMILY EN ROUTE TO UTAH AXLE TO

WAGON BROKEN NEAR WOOD RIVER CENTER THE WIFE AND CHILDREN REFUSE

TO JOURNEY FARTHER SPEND THE WINTER ON WOOD RIVER THE FATHER

CONTINUES JOURNEY TO UTAH THE MOTHER AND CHILDREN REMAIN AND

ESTABLISH A HOME MRS. SARAH OLIVER A LARGELY USEFUL WOMAN THE

OLIVERS TAKE AN ACTIVE PART IN THE ORGANIZATION OF BUFFALO COUNTY.

A BROKEN AXLE

The attention of travelers on the overland route over the Union Pacific Rail-
road is almost invariably drawn to an inviting farm scene in the Wood River
Valley of the Platte just west of the thriving Village of Shelton in Buffalo
County, Neb. The first thing to attract attention is a large, roomy, up-to-date
looking in all its appointments, farm house standing some twenty rods north of
both the highway and the railroad which run parallel at this point. To add to
the beauty of the scene, as a background lies Wood River with its border of
native trees and their varying shades of green. Immediately south of the river
are orchards — apple, plum, cherry and smaller fruits — and a garden, and scat-
tered among the trees are "skips" of bees. A little north and west of the house
is a large barn. To the north and east of the house beyond the orchard, in the
bend of the river, are large corn cribs full and overflowing, and adjoining these
are corrals, where in the winter time hundreds of sheep are fattened for market.
Jn front of the house is a well kept lawn extending down to the highway and
bordered on either side with evergreen trees ; to the east and west and across
the railroad to the south are broad level acres of alfalfa, whose carpet of green
is so restful to the eye from early spring to early winter, and when the four
cuttings of hay, secured from these broad acres each year, are gathered and
stored in stacks scattered over these acres, their size and number are indisputable
evidence of the almost unlimited fertility of the soil.

So beautiful is this scene that the Union Pacific Railroad Company has
reproduced it as an illustration, with the title, "A Typical Nebraska Ranch Home"
and the illustration appeared in Union Pacific folders alongside that of their
great Overland Limited passenger train, itself a marvel of comfort and luxury
of modern railway travel. This beautiful home with its broad acres is that of
Robert Oliver and his numerous family, and while greatly enjoyed by all the
members of the family, it also adds in some measure to the pleasure and enjoy-
ment of thousands of travelers who each year journey from ocean to ocean over
this great overland route.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 71

Possibly it may be of interest to relate a seemingly trivial incident which
caused a large family to locate at this point while Nebraska was yet a territory
and thus led to the creation of this and other comfortable, luxurious homes in
Central Nebraska.

In the year i860, Edward Oliver, Sr., his wife and seven children, one son
married, converts to the Mormon faith left their home in England, their destina-
tion being Salt Lake City, Utah. At Florence, a few miles north of the City of
Omaha, they purchased a traveling outfit for emigrants, which included two yoke
of oxen, a wagon and two cows, and with numerous other families, having the
same destination, took the Utah trail up the valley of the Platte on the north
side of the river. When near a point known as Wood River Center, now Shelton,
175 miles west of the Missouri River, the front axle of their wagon gave way,
compelling a halt for repairs, their immediate companions in the emigrant train
continuing the journey, for nothing avoidable, not even the burial of a member
of the train, was allowed to interfere with the prescribed schedule of travel,
and the dead were buried during the hours devoted to camp purposes.

The Oliver family camped beside the trail and the broken wagon was taken
to the ranch of Joseph Johnson who combined in his person and business that
of postmaster, merchant, blacksmith, wagonmaker, editor and publisher of a
newspaper, a Mormon with two or more wives and numerous children, a man
passionately fond of flowers which he cultivated to a considerable extent, a
philosopher, and it must be conceded a most useful person at a point so far
distant from other source of supplies. The wagon shop of Mr. Johnson contained
no seasoned wood suitable for an axle to the wagon and so from trees along
Wood River was cut an ash from which was hewn and fitted an axle to the
wagon and with the wagon thus repaired the family again took the trail, but ere
ten miles had been traveled, the green axle began to bend under the load, the
wheels ceased to track, the journey could not thus further proceed. In the family
council which succeeded the father urged that they try to arrange with other
emigrants to carry their movables and thus continue the journey. The mother
suggested that the family return to the vicinity of Wood River Center and arrange
to spend the winter. To the suggestion of the mother all the children added
their entreaties. The mother urged that it was a beautiful country, an abund-
ance of wood and good water, grass for pasture and hay in plenty could be made
for their cattle and she was sure crops could be raised. The wishes of the mother
prevailed, the family returned to a point about a mile west of Wood River Center
and on the bank of Wood River constructed a habitation, a log hut with a sod
and dirt roof, in which they spent the winter. When springtime came, the father,
zealous in the Mormon faith, urged that they continue the journey to Utah. To
this neither the mother nor any of the children could be induced to consent and
in the end the father journeyed to Utah where he made his home to the end of
his life. The married son made a home for his family not far distant. The
mother, Sarah Oliver, became the head of the family and proved to be a woman
of energy and force of character. With her children she engaged in the raising
of corn and vegetables, the surplus being sold to emigrants passing over the
trail, and at Fort Kearney, nearly twenty miles distant. The emigrants west-
bound usually had money to pay for vegetables, eggs and com, but too often the

72 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

emigrant westbound, who labeled his "prairie schooner" "Tike's Peak or Bust,"
returned later with his label reading "Busted, by Gosh." Sarah Oliver never
turned from her humble door a hungry emigrant, eastward or westward bound,
and often she divided with such the scanty store needed for her own family.
When rumors came of Indians on the warpath the children took turns on the
housetop as lookout for the dreaded savages. In 1863 two settlers were killed a
few miles east of this point. In 1864 occurred the memorable raid of the
Cheyenne Indians in which horrible atrocities were committed and scores of
settlers were massacred by these Indians only a few miles immediately south of
this point on the south side of the Platte River. In 1865 A. W. Storer, a near
neighbor, was murdered by Indians. .Sarah Oliver had no framed diploma from
some medical college which would entitle her to use the prefix "Dr." to her
name, possibly she was not entitled to be called a trained nurse or mid-wife,
but she is entitled to be long remembered as one who ministered to the sick, to
early settlers along the trail, to travelers over the trail, and to many whose
dwelling place was at or near Fort Kearney, many miles distant. Often the
messenger from distressed families miles distant was "Pap" Lamb, whose home
was near Grand Island, twenty-five miles to the east, and whose route as stage
driver was from his home to Fort Kearney, and when this messenger came
Sarah Oliver was accorded the seat of honor beside the driver. ,

Sarah Oliver and her family endured all the toil and privation incident to
early settlers, without means, in a new country, far removed from access to what
are deemed the barest necessities of life found in more settled communities. She
endured all the terrors incident to settlement in a sparsely settled locality in which
year after year Indian atrocities were committed and in which the coming of
such savages was hourly expected and dreaded. She saw the building and com-
pletion of the Union Pacific Railroad near her home in 1866; she saw^ Nebraska
become a state in 1867; in 1870 when Bufifalo County w^as organized, her son,
John, was appointed sheriff and was elected to that office at the first election
thereafter. Her eldest son, James, was named the first assessor of the county,
and her son, Edward, w^as a member of the first board of county commissioners
and later served with credit and fidelity as county treasurer. When in 1871
Mrs. Sarah Oliver died, her son, Robert, inherited her old home and on that old
home, established in i860, is located "The Typical Nebraska Ranch Home" which
an attempt has been made to describe.

CHAPTER XVII

GOVERNMENT LANDS — RAILROAD LANDS SPYING OUT THE LAND LOADED RIFLES

CARRIED ON ALL UNION PACIFIC TRAINS FIRST TASTE OF ANTELOPE STEAK — ■

THE BOYD RANCH CARRIED A BUTT OF A CORNSTALK BACK TO OHIO WELL

PLE/\SED WITH THE APPEARANCE OF THE COUNTRY AND OF PROPOSED LOCATION
OF COLONY.

GOVERNMENT LANDS RAILROAD LANDS

Originally all lands in the county were Government lands, but to encourage
the building of the Union Pacific Railroad, the general Government, granted to
the railroad company, one-half of all lands for twenty miles on each side of
the railroad bed. Also the general Government gave to the public school fund
of the state two sections of land — 18 and 36 — in each Government township.
There are in Bufifalo approximately, six hundred thousand acres of land and
approximately three hundred thousand acres were railroad lands : of the
remainder, in round numbers, two hundred eighty-five thousand acres were open
to homestead and pre-emption entries and some fifteen thousand acres were
school lands. It was not until about the year 1870, that the Union Pacific Rail-
road came into possession of its lands in the county and the Government surveys
completed so that the Government lands were all open to entry. Until settlers
could be induced to take homestead and pre-emption claims, and thus begin a
settlement of the county, the railroad could not sell oft" its lands. This led the
Union Pacific Railroad Company to enter into an agreement with Col. John
Thorp, to locate a colony on homesteads and pre-emptions in Buffalo County.

This arrangement was made in the year 1870.

SPYING OUT THE LAND

(Harry A. Lee, a member of the colony, furnishes the following account of
a journey made by himself and Colonel Thorp previous to the coming of the
colony.)

John Thorp, the originator of the colony plan and myself had been acquaint-
ances for years and were school-mates at the old Western Reserve Seminary
located at West Farmington, Ohio. Shortly after the close of the Civil war.
Thorp organized a colony which located in Central Kansas and which proved
quite a success. In the fall of 1870, Thorp informed me of his plans for organiz-
ing a soldier's colony to locate on the line of the Union Pacific Railroad west
of Grand Island. In January, 1871, he informed mc he had perfected his

74 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

arrangements with the railroad company and would visit the proposed location
in February and invited me to accompany him, which I did. We left Columbus,
Ohio, on the 25th of February; snow was gone, frost out of the ground and mud
very deep.

We passed through Chicago, Rock Island, Illinois to Omaha where we crossed
the Missouri River on a ferry boat nearly one-half mile below where the present
railroad bridge now is. After visiting the Union Pacific Land Office in Omaha,
we boarded the old emigrant train which left for the West at 6 P. M, After
examining our tickets the conductor invited us into his car — a caboose. The
lirst thing which attracted our attention was a gun-rack at one end of the car
in which stood twenty-four United States rifles. The conductor informed us
that all overland trains carried a stand of guns, loaded and ready for use.

We arrived at Grand Island the next morning where we were met by Mr.
Kennedy, land agent for the Union Pacific Land Company. Our train stopped
at Gibbon switch to let us off. The only house in sight there was the section
house and the only other house in sight was on the Boyd Ranch about a mile west
of the switch, where was living Thomas K. Wood.

We decided to visit Mr. Wood, learn what he thought of the country and
possibly get some horses to ride to the bluffs to the north, and to the Platte to
the south, and last but not least get something to eat.

We had been at Mr. Woods but a short time when one of his little girls
came running in and said there were some antelope on the bluff* about half a mile
to the west and sure enough there they were in plain sight.

Josh Wood, a stripling boy, took a needle gun and started after the game, his
father remarking in his quiet, emphatic manner, "No use for you to go, you
can't kill nothing."

In about half an hour, the little girl, who had been on the watch, came in and
said Josh has got one. That evening we had for supper our first taste of antelope.
We visited the bluffs to the north, and rode to the Platte River to the south,
noted the lay of the land, the quality of the soil, its adaptability, as we thought
to agriculture — particularly we noted a few acres Mr. Wood had in cultivation,
northwest of his house, and although he told us, "No man could make a living
here by farming, for nothing would grow in such a dry soil," I found a butt
of a corn stalk, on his field, that measured i^A inches in diameter and which I
took home to Ohio with me.

Mr. Wood had an ideal location for a cattle ranch and did not wish to be
disturbed, and I could not blame him, but "Westward the march of civilization
was taking its way" and could not be resisted.

(At that date on the Boyd Ranch, in charge of Mr. Wood, was a herd of
770 Texan steers and some three hundred head of stock cattle, roaming the
prairies in all directions.)

We spent the night till 3 A. M. at the section house, near the Gibbon
switch, when our section boss — Roger Hayes — swung his lantern across the
track and halted a returning emigrant train which we boarded and returned
to Grand Island where we remained three days ; here we met some former
acquaintances from Ohio by the name of Powell and John Donaldson who had
lived in Nebraska some years.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 75

We returned home well satisfied with our trip and pleased with the appear-
ance of the country and of the proposed location for a colony.

The day we spent at Gibbon switch was beautiful and spring-like. Had it
been like some days I have since seen there, the "Soldier's Free Homestead
Colony"' might still be seeking a location.

CHAPTER XVIII

SOLDIER 'S FREE HOMESTEAD COLONY ORIGIN OF COLONY CERTIFICATE OF MEM-
BERSHIP REDUCED RATES TO COLONISTS ITINERARY OF COLONY ARRIVAL AT

COUNCIL BLUFFS CROSS MISSOURI RIVER ON A FLAT BOAT NEBRASKA LAND —

CHECKING BAGGAGE — OMAHA IN 187I.

soldier's free HOMESTEAD COLONY

The origin of the Soldier's Free Homestead Colony was with Col. John
Thorp of West Farmington, Ohio, who had already settled a colony on home-
steads in Kansas, along the line of the Union Pacific Railroad in that state.
During the winter of 1870-71, Colonel Thorp had advertised his colony in eastern
newspapers, these advertisements setting forth in rather glowing colors the
desirable features of "free homes — free lands," along the line of the Union
Pacific Railroad in Nebraska, and making most prominent of all that soldiers
could homestead 160 acres of these lands within the railroad limits.

Colonel Thorp and H. A. Lee had visited Buffalo County and stated that
from personal observation it was a most desirable country in which to establish
homes on lands to be had without money and without price.

A membership fee of $2.00 was required of those joining the colony, but the
membership was not confined to those who had been soldiers.

To those who joined a certificate was issued, signed John Thorp, secretary,
but as a matter of fact there was never any such organization as the "Soldier's
Free Homestead Colony" other than as a financial venture on the part of Colonel
Thorp and even after the arrival of the colony at Gibbon, no steps were taken
to perfect an organization, and no list of members w^as then made and only since
from memory, from searching investigation and inquiry forty-four years after
the arrival of the colony. At least two classes or kinds of certificates of member-
ship in the colony were issued, one signed "John Thorp, Secretary," the other
signed "John Thorp, Agent." On one certificate the title reads, "Soldier's Free
Homestead Colony" and on the other "Soldier's Homestead Colony." F. F.
Blanchard preserved his certificate of membership, has it framed and it hangs
on the wall of his home as a souvenir. Herewith is a copy kindly furnished by
Mr. Blanchard.

S. F. H. C. Certificate of Membership

This is to certify that F. F. Blanchard is an accepted member of the Soldier's
Free Homestead Colony, and is entitled to all the privileges accorded to members
of the association.

West Farmington, Ohio, March 15, 1871. John Thorp, Secretary.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 77

The following is a copy of a certificate of membership issued to H. A. Lee:

Certificate of Alembership Soldier's Homestead Colony
This certifies that H. A. Lee is an accepted member of the Soldier's Home-
stead Colony and is entitled to all the privileges of that association.

West F'armington, Ohio, June i8, 1872. John Thorp, Agent.

Colonel Thorp had arranged for reduced rates to colonists, but this applied
to passenger rates only as all freight paid full rates as well as excess baggage,
which was all weighed and the excess collected in advance. The reduced rates
to members of the colony were extended to July, 1872, and as recalled amounted
to a saving of about $15 to each from states as far east as New York and a less
sum from points farther west. In the establishment of the colony, it is under-
stood. Colonel Thorp's profit consisted in purchasing desirable railroad lands near
the proposed Village of Gibbon, and later selling these lands at a profitable
advance in price. Colonel Thorp, with relatives and immediate friends also
secured the lands covering the townsite of the Village of Gibbon.

By purchasing Union Pacific land grant bonds, at the then market price,
60 cents on the dollar, and paying for railroad lands with these bonds at their
face value. Colonel Thorp and others with means, were enabled to buy railroad
lands at about $1.80 per acre, and from such investment they realized, even in a
few years, a considerable profit. The maximum price of the railroad lands —
first choice — were priced at $3 per acre on ten years' time, interest at 6 per cent.

ITINERARY OF THE COLONY

The itinerary of the colony provided, that on the journey to Nebraska,
members east of Buffalo, N. Y., should meet at Buffalo on Tuesday, April 4,
187 1, in time to take the morning train on the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern
Railroad for Chicago.

The writer recalls the good-bye given his uncle, James Hanford, a "Forty-
niner" to California. Uncle James was just of age, raised on a farm in Dela-
ware County, N. Y., and his relatives and neighbors never expected to again
see him on the morning when they said their good-bye, as he was leaving in
search of gold in far away California.

Like unto this was the good-bye many of the colonists received on the morn-
ing of April 4th, 1871, as they started on their journey to a land of which little
was known, except that it seemed far away, and had been the home of cruel,
uncivilized Indians for untold ages.

The Buffalo contingent of the members of the colony, arrived in Chicago
about noon, Wednesday, and found Colonel Thorp with members from Ohio and
other points in waiting. Special cars (ordinary passenger cars) were provided
for the colonists over the Rock Island Railway, and we left soon after noon on
Wednesday. It was a company of strangers, practically all the eastern and
middle states being represented.

Some became acquainted, but for the majority it was a sight-seeing trip,
the West being to them a new and wonderful country, its broad prairies, with-

78 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

out timber, stumps or stone in the cultivated fields, a constant source of surprise
and remark.

It was a temperate class of men, only one of the number, as recalled, became
intoxicated during the trip, and that during the stop at Omaha.

A few brought their families, and fewer still their household belongings,
but a large majority were men, whose families came at a later date.

It is recalled, one member read his Bible during the entire trip, seeming not
interested in the new and wonderful country through which we were passing.
We arrived at the Mississippi River in time to see the width of that mighty
stream, crossed the State of Iowa in the night, arriving at Council Bluffs in the
forenoon of Thursday.

Everything was a new and novel experience, none more so than to arrive
at the terminus of a great railroad, and find no station, no village or city, just
stop at the end of the track on the bank of a muddy stream and unload pas-
sengers, baggage, mail and express on the wide, open prairie. On the bank of
the Missouri River, near where our train stopped, was a flat boat, or great scow,
used to transfer passengers, baggage and freight. This transfer boat had no
wharf at which to tie up, where passengers might gain easy access to it, but the
boat was snubbed against the bank, here today, elsewhere tomorrow, as the con-
stantly shifting channel of the river permitted and made necessary.

From the floor of this boat a gang plank, cleated, reached the bank of the
river some three feet above the floor of the boat. Passengers with their hand
baggage occupied the center of the boat. First came four great, sleek mules
drawing a load of mail sacks, the load as long, wide and high as a load of hay
and which, it did seem, must upset as the load came with a rush down the steep
gang plank onto the boat. The loaded team was driven along the outer side
of the boat, and making a complete circuit stood ready to drive off at the same
end as it was driven on.

Following came other teams with great loads of baggage, until the boat was
loaded to its utmost capacity. Then we steamed across the "Big Muddy,"
snubbed against the opposite bank (no wharf provided) and all scrambled up the
gang plank and at last were on Nebraska soil.

NEBRASKA LAND

On the banks of the Missouri River stood the station of the Union Pacific
Railroad, a cheap frame building, scant two stories in height : in the upper
story, reached by uncovered stairs from the outside, were the telegraph and
other offices for the convenience of the railroad employes ; below was a waiting
room which might possibly seat twenty persons, a ticket office, and adjoining
the station a long, plank platform for the convenience of passengers in entering
or leaving the passenger cars. Adjoining the station was also a large baggage
room where all baggage was unloaded, handled and weighed, and for passengers
going farther than Omaha, re-checked, it being not possible to check baggage
from eastern points farther than Omaha. No one who witnessed the re-checking
of baggage at the Union Pacific Station at that date will ever forget the scene.
Everything about the procedure was new to all passengers, for there was no

EENEST GOEHEING

A member of the Saxon Colony
which made settlement in Schneider
Township, Buffalo County, in 1873.

COLONEL JOHN THOEP

Founder of Soldiers' Free Homestead
Colony

JAMES OGILYIE

First station agent at Gilibon, 1871

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 79

experienced traveler who had made the trip before and therefore knew, in
advance, just what to do.

The check caller had a voice like unto a steam calliope and, standing just out-
side the railing were the baggage owners, holding in hand their baggage checks
and tickets. At the beginning it all seemed like an unintelligible jargon, but we
soon learned that when the caller shouted at the top of his voice, "Buffalo,
L. S. & M. S. 19-046," that he meant the baggage had been checked at Bufl'alo
over the L. S. & M. S. Railroad and the number of the check was 19,046.

One colonist had delivered to him a large trunk, not locked, and when he
insisted it was not his, the baggage man asked what he had in his trunk and
then opened the one at hand and found woman's wearing apparel instead of a
tent, carpenter tools, cooking utensils, a log chain, some bedding, and little cloth-
ing which the colonist claimed was in a red chest and which was found later.

The "Overland passenger, No. i" stood at the station, steamed up when we
arrived and as soon as mail and baggage could -be transferred (the baggage re-
checked), this only passenger train proceeded on its journey. There was no
dining car on this train, and as recalled no sleeping cars. In regard to whether
sleeping cars were run on the "Overland passenger", at that date, the writer has
made an effort to definitely ascertain, but no* one connected with the Union
Pacific Railroad at this date, 191 5, has knowledge. The schedule time of this
train was fifteen miles an hour.

OMAHA IN 1871

The colonists began to understand that they were bound for a country or
locality where there could be found no hotels or boarding houses, nor even con-
venient store where supplies might be found, and most of the members laid
in a limited supply of crackers, bread and like food.

Omaha in those days was an uninviting, dreary looking village or city. The
buildings were cheap frame structures, devoid of paint, few sidewalks, and as the
business part was some distance from the railroad station, it seemed the city
was much smaller than it really was.

There was no end of saloons and gambling dens, in fact at that date and
for some years later, there was an organization of gamblers known as "three
card monte" men, wnth headquarters in Omaha, who regularly traveled on the
"Overland" passenger train — in and out of Omaha — and robbed passengers who
were foolish enough to play with them. It was some years before public opinion
became strong enough to enact legislation to compel the railroad management to
drive these gamblers from their trains.

At that date and for many years later no second class passengers were carried
on the "Overland" passenger, but instead on an emigrant train, mixed passenger
and freight, which ran through to the Pacific Coast.

The schedule time of this train was ten miles.

CHAPTER XIX

soldier's free homestead colony, continued TO THE LAND OF PROMISE — THE

COLONISTS ARRIVE AT GIBBON FIXING UP QUARTERS — VIEWING THE LAND —

HOLD RELIGIOUS SERVICES.

TO THE LAND OF PROMISE

The colonists left Omaha on the emigrant train at 6 P. M. on Thursday,
and at once the statement was circulated that we were being taken on a night
train because, if we saw the country in the day time we would desert before
reaching the destination. Although in the night when we reached Fremont the
train was boarded by German women with sandwiches, eggs and coffee and also
land agents who assured us that nothing could be raised in Buffalo County,
no one lived there, and that there were plenty of homesteads near Fremont.
When we reached Lone Tree (now Central City), land agents came on board
and accompanied us to Grand Island, making the same statements in regard to
the country as those made by agents at Fremont, only, the latter fixed the limit
in the state, where one could live by farming, at Grand Island.

We reached Grand Island late in the forenoon, having breakfast and dinner
at one meal, the Union Pacific having a large dining hall at this point for many
years, until dining car service was established.

Grand Island was quite a trading point in those days, and had some fairly
good grocery stores and some firms which carried small stocks of drugs, hard-
ware and lumber. Grand Island was also the location of the United States land
office.

THE COLONISTS ARRIVE AT GIBBON

On Friday, April 7, 1871, at 2 P. M., the colonists arrived at Gibbon switch
and the cars we came in — some passenger cars, some box cars — were placed on
the siding and left for our use. It was a warm, spring-like day, sun shining
brightly and a gentle breeze blowing. An ideal day, and an ideal time of the
day to reach our destination.

On Sunday, April 2d, a prairie fire had swept over the entire country leaving
it black, bleak, desolate and uninviting. No rain or snow had fallen since the
previous August, and not a green tree, shrub or sprig of grass was to be seen.
As the bleak and black prairie lay glistening in the sunshine, it seemed at a
distance that we were surrounded by water (a water mirage it is called and
very common in the early days of the colony), and to the writer it seemed as

REV. J. N. ALLEN AND DAUGH-
TER MERTIE

Mr. Allen was a soldier of the Civil
war and pioneer settler and mission-
ary in Buffalo County in 1871. He
conducted the first religious service
after the arrival of the colony at Gib-
bon, on the open prairie, Sunday,
April 9, 1871.

REV. J. MARSH

A pioneer Methodist missionary and
father of the Methodist Church at
Gibbon.

REV. WILLIAM MORSE

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 81

though he was again upon the ocean, out of sight of land. Along Wood River
were fringes of bushes. Everything which would make a railroad tie or a stick
of wood had been cut and used in the building of the railroad, built through
the county in 1866. No trees were on the Platte River or its islands, only here
and there bunches of willow brush. At the end of the switch was nearly a
hundred cords of wood, cottonwood, for use on the railroad, as some of the
engines at that date were wood burners. There was but one house in sight,
that the railroad section house, standing where the present one does in 191 5, in
fact the same house, the only changes in forty-four years being a new roof,
chimney, floor, sidewalls and a coat of paint of another color.

Roger Hayes was section foreman and had a corral and a considerable
number of cattle. That afternoon the section men placed a box car on a spur
on the north side of the main line and an agent of the company, Charles Smith,
who had come from Omaha with us, set up his telegraph instrument and opened
the statical for business. S. C. Ayer, a colonist, at once transferred his belong-
ings to the box car station, making it his temporary home. William Nutter
(a "squatter," or as we termed, an **old settler") was planting potatoes on old
land near the siding and was at once surrounded by colonists and deluged with
questions about the countr}' and what could be raised. He said no rain had
fallen since the previous August, and while the prairie was very dry, the old
land, which he was plowing and planting, was moist and plowed easily. He had
raised the previous year, and was then planting, as fine, large potatoes as one
would care to see, and in this sign or sight the colonists found great encourage-
ment. On the previous day a box car, with horses, wagon and other emigrant
movables, including a considerable supply of lumber, all belonging to Mr. and
Mrs. George Gilmore — Mrs. Gilmore being a sister of Colonel Thorp— and in
charge of F. S. and Willmot P. Trew, had arrived, and a like car of emigrant
movables, including a team of horses, belonging to D. P. Ashburn, J. S. Chamber-
lain accompanying Mr. Ashburn. A small shanty, answering for both kitchen
and a place to eat, was hastily constructed, so that Gibbon had a hotel or board-
ing house without delay.

One newly married couple, who were entirely without means, and had no
household goods whatever, found employment, for their board, at the boarding
place, sleeping on the floor of a car, covered with bedding furnished them. One
colonist had shipped his household" goods by express instead of freight and the
charges amounted to $75. Not having the money to pay the charges, he hired
out by the month to earn the necessary amount.

FIXING UP QUARTERS

Some found box cars on the siding and managed to fix up quite comfortable
quarters; for a time some were in passenger cars and slept on the floor between
seats or in the aisle. On Saturday morning one colonist took the passenger
train for "back East," the only one who did not stay and file a homestead claim.

VIEWING THE LAND v

On Saturday the colonists ranged the prairies from the Platte to the bluffs
and beyond ; some to the east where resided the few early settlers ; some to Fort

82 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

Kearney, some to Kearney station (now Buda), where there was a station for
the convenience of Fort Kearney, and at which place there were a few houses,
belonging to hangers-on around the fort, among the number one or two where
liquor was sold. Thomas K. Wood was living on the Boyd ranch, about a mile
west of the switch; Mr. Wood had a family of several children and also had
a herd of native cattle owned jointly with J. E. Boyd, the owner of the ranch.
Sam Boyd was making his home with Mr. Wood and had charge of 770 head
of Texan steers, ranging between Wood River and the bluffs and corralled at
night in a bend of Wood River on the Boyd ranch.

On gathering around the camp fire that evening, a young man, Kingman
Fisher, related a terrible experience with thirst. He had gone into the bluffs,
some six miles north, and finding no water had nearly perished, being so far
gone, as he said, as to "spit cotton." When an old soldier remarked that it took
more than a few hours, traveling light, for a man to become so famished for
want of water as to "spit cotton," Fisher concluded his degree of thirst was
largely imaginary.

On Sunday came James Ogilvie, appointed station agent at Gibbon.

Mr. Ogilvie was a Scotchman, a strong friend of education, a Christian
gentleman in all that tlie term implies, and in the educational, social and religious
activities in the community was one of the most useful and helpful of men.
He served as station agent until his death in February, 1881.

HOLD RELIGIOUS SERVICE

Sunday was a bright, sunny day. After breakfast it was planned to hold a
religious service at 10 o'clock. Out on the open prairie, with the blue vault of
heaven above and the warm, bright sunshine of an April day sliining over all,
seats were improvised from the lumber pile and a sermon preached by Rev.
Josiah N. Allen, a member of the colony.

C. Putnam also spoke, calling attention to the fact that we had come to make
homes in this new land and that it was equally important that we establish char-
acters for honesty, integrity and sobriety. Practically every member of the
colony attended this service. After dinner most of the colonists went sight
seeing — land viewing, some as far east as where lived William Nutter, an old
settler, he having come with his family two years before.

CHAPTER XX

soldiers' free homestead colony, continued AN APRIL BLIZZARD BOX CARS

TO LIVE IN ^THE WOOD RIVER VALLEY OF THE PLATTE— THE FIRST MEETING

HELD BY THE COLONISTS DRAWLING LOTS FOR CLAIMS LOCATING THE CLAIMS

FILING ON HOMESTEADS SIXTY-ONE CLAIMS FILED UPON APRIL 1/ AND l8,

187I NAMES OF THOSE TAKING CLAIMS.

AN APRIL BLIZZARD

About 2 P. M. Sunday it began to "spit" snow, the wind shifting into the,
north. By nightfall a furious storm of wind and snow was raging. When
Monday morning came the snow was piled as high as the tops of the cars in
which the colonists were staying. In the two emigrant cars there were stoves
which the emigrants had brought with them.

The only other stoves were small affairs in each end of the passenger cars.
It is recalled that in one of the passenger cars were four women and four chil-
dren besides several men. In each end of this car were small stoves fed by
Cottonwood. The force of the wind drove the snow through the ventilators and
window and door frames sO' that the seats, bedding and floor were wet. The
women and children huddled about the stoves and the men took turns bringing
wood from the pile of cordwood some forty rods distant and cutting in lengths
to fit the playhouse stoves. About noon three men, headed by I. D. LaBarre,
came into the car and began taking down the stovepipe to one of the stoves with
the evident intention of removing the stove. They were landed outside, and
then concluded to explain that in a box car was Dr. I. P. George and wife with
n6 stove in the car. The situation is best explained by stating that on May 15th,
following, occurred the first birth among the colonists, Gibbon Thorp George,
son of Dr. and Mrs. I. P. George. Understanding the situation, the occupants
of the car helped to remove the stove to Dr. George's car. With the going down
of the sun, on Monday, the storm ceased. Tuesday was, bright and sunny.
Investigation showed no snow on the prairie, but all sloughs and Wood River
packed full and so hard as to be crossed readily on the snow. On Monday,
during the storm, word was telegraphed from railroad headquarters at Omaha
to take all women and children to the section house, but only one or two women
availed themselves of the offer, all others cheerfully accepting conditions in the
cars and making the best of them.

Such a storm as occurred on April 9, 1871. would not at this date be con-
sidered at all serious or worthy of mention. With groves of trees, fields of
corn stalks, the prairie covered with dead grass, with comfortable houses, with

84 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY .

barns, sheds, fences and the Hke to break the force of the wind and cause the
snow to cover all the ground and not be drifted into sloughs and other depres-
sions so as to fill level with the surrounding prairie ; but on the bare prairie,
devoid of everything, burned bare of all vegetation just a week previous, the
wind swept along with nothing to obstruct its force and the drifting snow filled
every slough and \\'ood River level with the prairie.

The storm itself had no discouraging effects on the colonists, but there were
many other factors which did tend to discourage.

Ranchmen like the Boyds and Woods, who kept large herds of cattle, did not
want homesteaders, because it would destroy the range for their herds. The early
settlers, as they were called, those living on squatter claims before the arrival
of the colonists, discouraged the colonists. Not one of these early settlers had
filed on claims ; most of them had small herds of cattle with an unlimited range
for them, and also their source of revenue or market for the corn and vegetables
which they raised had been the emigrants which traveled the trail. The coming
of so considerable a number of homesteaders as comprised the colony, meant
the taking of all government lands in nearby Wood River Valley and a complete
change in local conditions. A few of these early settlers had been here living
for quite ten years, yet their habitations were mere huts; some of logs, covered
with a dirt roof, others living in a habitation part dugout (a hole in the ground),
part sod with a dirt roof. Not a thing about such habitations was inviting,
especially to members of the colony who had just come from long settled locali-
ties in the eastern states, where people took pride and pleasure in their immediate
surroundings, houses were comfortable, buildings painted, fields fenced and all
the surroundings showed thrift and comfort.

One young wife, with two small children, had plead with tears in her eyes to
be permitted to accompany her husband on the morning of April 4th, and when
it was explained that there would be no place for her or the children until a
house could be built, replied, "Fll be perfectly happy to put up our tent in the
corner of a fence until a house can be built." But here was a country with no
fences, no nothing but the bare prairie, and while these few early settlers had
caves filled with potatoes and other choice vegetables, and also had small cribs
of corn, some of the colonists were inclined to reason that if in ten or more
years these early settlers had not been able to raise enough to build frame houses,
and have tables, chairs and like furniture, as well as horses and wagons and
farming utensils Hke farmers in eastern states, it was not much use in trying
to make a home out here where it hardly ever rained and settlers did not seem
to prosper and get ahead. It is recalled that a story became current that one of
these settlers, living in a dugout, was worth $10,000, and at once colonists began
to speculate what they would do if they were worth such a sum, and it is quite
sure their speculations or dreams did not contemplate living in a dugout, though
such was in reality the habitation of many of them for some years. The state-
ment that one of the early settlers was worth $10,000 is greatly exaggerated; of
these early settlers living in the immediate vicinity of Gibbon Switch, the record
of the valuation of their property for purposes of taxation was as follows:
James E. Boyd, $6,830. This represented the Boyd ranch with its thousand and

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 85

more head of cattle. The vaktation of the other settlers ran as follows : $940,
,^425, $335, $540.

Immediately after the storm the railroad company sent hox cars for members
of the colony to live in, and such cars remained as long as occupied; in fact some
members of the colony lived in such cars during the winter of 1871-2. These
cars did not make a very comfortable home, as often in the nighttime a passing
freight train would take the siding, come bumping into the box car, upset the
stove, and cause a fall of crockery and cooking utensils. The railroad company
at once removed the pile of cordwood beside the siding, but as there were plenty
of old ties there was no lack of fuel.

THE WOOD RIVER VALLEY OF THE PLATTE

The writer has often wished that some one, gifted, might have written, for
the benefit of future generations, a fitting description of Wood River and the
Wood River Valley of the Platte before the hand of the white man came to
change it. In the fall of 1871, C. Putnam, a member of the colony, wrote as
follows of Wood River:

"It is a vast serpentine vineyard, literally festooned with wild grapes."

To this delightful description might be added that in the bends of this wind-
ing river were orchards of wild plums, in their season loaded with fruit, the
red and yellow of the ripening fruit with the green bordering of trees making
a picture of surpassing beauty and loveliness, while the fruit itself was most
delicious to the taste.

Did one wish to cross this river there were, at convenient distances, bridges
built by those ingenious and cunning workmen, the beaver.

Standing on either bank of this meandering stream, which with its fringe of
trees lay like a thread of dark green in the midst of the far reaching valley, and
looking across the smooth prairie as far as the eye could reach, could be seen
herds of innumerable buffalo feeding and fattening on the nutritious grasses.
Always there could be seen flocks of timid antelope, their white "flags" discern-
able miles distant.

Occasionally would pass herds of stately elk and boimding over the prairie
were smaller herds of black tail deer, while the accompanying whir of prairie
chicken and quail seemed but the echo of fast fleeing footsteps.

THE WOOD RIVER VALLEY OF THE PLATTE

Before the coming of the white man, a land of fatness, a scene of loveliness
passing description. To the white man and his descendants a home of plenty,
a dwelling place of contentment, peace and happiness.

A third of a century after the coming of the colony. Chancellor Samuel
Avery of the state university, having visited this valley, in a public address at
Omaha, spoke of it as follows:

"A few years ago I stood on the bluffs overlooking this valley, near the Vil-
lage of Gibbon. Below me as far as the eye could reach were fields of wheat,
corn and alfalfa. I have made a similar survey of the Rhine Valley from' the

86 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

mountains of the Odenvvald. I have seen the best of the Columbia and the
Willamette from the bluffs of their borders, but I have never seen an agricultural
paradise to compare with the valley of the Platte as I saw it on that July day,"

THE FIRST MEETINiG HELD BY THE COLONISTS

On Tuesday, April nth, there was held the first meeting of the colonists.
This meeting was held on the open prairie, on the south side of the railroad
track and to the south of the present section house. Who presided as chairman
or served as secretary can not be recalled. The first question, whether the
colonists would remain, was decided in the affirmative, as recalled, unanimously.
As each member wished to locate a claim as near as possible to the proposed
Village of Gibbon, to be the future county seat of Buffalo County, it was voted
that choice for such location should be determined by lot. As some members
desired to secure claims adjoining each other, it was also decided that two or
more might unite in drawing together.

There were sixty-two who took part in the drawing, divided into twenty-
eight lots. In a hat were placed slips of paper containing numbers ranging from
one to twenty-eight. The one who drew was to mark on a United States land
office map his choice for a claim, and no member of the colony could take that
claim until the party had decided he did not want it. This rule held good with all
members of the colony with a very few exceptions. Some members did not take
part in the drawing, and it developed later that (doubtless having inside informa-
tion) they had secured claims in the immediate vicinity of Gibbon Switch, which
claims the government maps, as furnished, did not disclose were open to home-
stead entry.

DRAWING THE 'LOTS

A few only of the lot numbers, as drawn, can be recalled, or anything definite
learned in relation thereto.

William Brady drew lot No. i and chose the northwest quarter of section
twenty-four (24) adjoining the proposed town site of Gibbon. Choice No. 2
was drawn by John W. Wiggins, Charles E. Brayton and Charles Monks, who
took the remaining quarter sections of section twenty-four (24). Choice No.
3 fell to S. C. Ayer, F. F. Blanchard, F. S. Trew and Dr. I. P. George, who
located claims on section eighteen (18) immediately adjoining the proposed
town site on the east. Choice No. 22 fell to John M. Bayley, who located on
section twenty-two (22) in town nine, range thirteen (13). Qioice No. 26 was
drawn by S. C. Bassett, B. C. Bassett, Robert Waters and Henry Fairchild, who
located claims on section six (6), town nine (9), range thirteen (13).

Choice No. 28 was drawn by George H. Silvernail, John Silvernail, Daniel
R. Davis and T. J. Hubbard, who located on section ten (10), town nine (9),
range fourteen (14).

LOCATING THE CLAIMS

Having made a choice of a claim, on a map, the colonists spent the next few
days in locating the claim, looking it over and deciding if they would file upon

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

it. Some could not find the corners of their claims and were assisted by J. N.
Paul, a surveyor, who had been sent by the railroad company for that purpose.
The J. N. Paul referred to is now Judge J. N. Paul of St. Paul, Neb. Mr. Paul
had helped to survey government lands in the state, and while with the colony
began a survey of the proposed town site of Gibbon, which later was completed
by C. Putnam. From the nth to the 15th of April was thus spent in locating
and viewing claims as selected.

FILING ON THE HOMESTEAD CLAIMS

The United States land office was located at Grand Island, thirty miles
distant. The railroad fare for the round trip was $4.20.

Arrangements were made with County Judge Patrick Walsh to open an
office in a box car and before Judge Walsh the entries were made.

Judge Walsh was paid a fee of one dollar ($1) for each entry, and the
government fee was fourteen dollars ($14) for a quarter section, and was entitled
"surveying fees." Very little friction, as between members, developed in filing
on the claims, and it appeared then and later that each felt, all things considered,
that he had secured a most desirable location.

On the 17th and i8th days of April, the following named colonists filed upon
homestead claims, sixty-one in all: •

NAMES OF THOSE TAKING HOMESTEAD CLAIMS

S. C. Ayer
J. N. Allen
B. Austin
S. C. Bassett

B. C. Bassett
Jacob Booth

I. D. La Barre
William Brady

C. E. Bray ton

F. F. Blanchard
J. M. Bayley

G. W. Barrett
Ira- Bunker

C. O. Childs

J. S. Chamberlain
William Craven

D. R. Davis
H. Fieldgrove
D. Fox

Asa Fawcett
H. Fairchild

K. Fisher
H. C. Green
W. W. Gibson
A. F. Gibson
L. D. George
Dr. I. P. George
W. N. Gray
John Grabach
T. J. Hubbard
J. M. Irwin
W. H. Kenney
W. J. Knight
Coe Killgore
John Lucas
Clara E. Lew
John Lloyd
C. A. Monks
J. F. McKinley
W. F. McClure
Samuel Mattice
E. Northrup

O. J. Oviatt
C. Putnam
William Patterson
H. P. Rogers
Isaac Starbuck
B. F. Sammons
George H. Silvernail
John N. Silvernail
J. P. Smith
John Stern
F. S. Trew
M. D. Thomas
John Thorp
L A. West
Robert Waters
R. F. L. Willard
A. Washburn
J. W. Wiggins
Aaron Ward

CHAPTER XXI

soldiers' free homestead colony, continued — OFFICIAL LIST OF MEMBERS OF

THE COLONY A HABITATION ^A PLACE TO LIVE — RANGE OF PRICES — FIRST

CROPS GROWN — CONDITIONS CONFRONTING COLONISTS — INSECT DEPREDATIONS

— LACK OF MOISTURE LIVE STOCK CONDITIONS — GROWING SMALL GRAIN —

WHEAT AND OATS THE QUESTION OF FUEL.

OFFICIAL LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE COLONY

The following is an official list of the members of the Soldiers' Free Home-
stead Colony as adopted at the forty-fourth annual meeting of the Soldiers' Free
Homestead Colony Association, April 7, 1915, held at Gibbon:

Allen, Josiah N.
Allen, Homer J.
Armbus, Valentine
Ashburn, D. P.
Austin, Benjamin
Ayer, Simon C.
Ayer, Mrs. Lois N.
Barrett, Abram
Bassett, Benjamin C.
Bassett, Samuel C.
Bayley, John M.
Blanchard, Frank F.
Blanchard, John
Boardman, Frank D.
Booth, Jacob
Brady, William
Bray ton, Qiarles E.
Brown, George
Brown, Seneca
Bunker, Ira P.
Bushong, Isaac
Buzzell, Oliver A.
Chamberlain, J. S.
Childs, C. O.
Clifton, Mrs. Mary C.
Crable, D. P.
Craig, Andrew

Craven, William
Darby, John H.
Davis, Daniel R.
Davis, Perce T.
Davenport, C. W.
,Day, Usher A.
Drury, Delos P.
Drury, Peter K.
Drury, William C.
Danner, John A.
Fairchild, Henry
Fargo, Ezra M.
Fawcett, Asa
Fawcett, Barclay
Fieldgrove, Henry
Fisher, Kingman
Fisher, Thomas J.
Forrest, John W.
Forehand, Lloyd D.
Gagin, John
Garfield, James
George, Amos D.
George, Ira P.
George, L. D.
George, Rodney
George, Truman Q.
Gibson, Adelbert F.

Gibson, William W.
Gilmore, George
Glanville, Mrs. Ann
Goss, H.
Grabach, John
Gray, Marcelus
Green, Henry C.
Haines, Robert
Hancock, O. C.
Henninger, S. F.
Hick, Robert H.
Hillficker, Henry
Hough, Lemuel S.
Howe, Frank
Hubbard, Emory M.
Hubbard, J. J.
Henning, John
Irwin, John
Jackson, William N.
Johnson, David W.
Judd, James E.
Kenney, W. H.
Kelly, William H.
Kelsey, James E.
Killgore, Coe
Knight, W. J.
Kenedy, A.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

La Barre, L D.
Lew, Clara E.
Lee, Harry A.
Lloyd, John
Lowell, Samuel B.
Lucas, John
Lux, John K.
McClure, William F.
]\IcCraney, Mrs. E. P.
]\IcKinley, Jeremiah F.
Mattice, Samuel
]\Ieisner, George
Mercer. Vernon T.
Mills, James H.
Mills, Nahum
Monks, Charles
Northrup. Emory
Ogilvie, James
Oviatt, A. Judson
Patterson, ^^'illiam

Pember, Mrs. E. A.
Plumb, Lorenzo
Putnam, Christopher
Putnam, John J.
Roach, William
Rogers, Horace P.
Rosseter, S.
Sammons, Benjamin F.
Seeley, Simon V.
Short, Nelson W.
Silvernail, Calvin T.
Silvernail, George H.
Silvernail, John N.
Smith, George N.
Smith, John P.
Smith, Sereno
Sprague, William H.
Standley, J. C.
Starbuck, Isaac
Stern, John

Steven, Walter J.
Stonebarger, Daniel
Thatcher, Timothy D.
Thomas, ^I. D.
Thomas. George L.
Traut, Samuel R.
Trew, Willmot P.
Ward, Aaron
Washburn, Albert A.
Washburn, Oscar B.
Waters, Robert
A\"est, Levi N.
White, Alva G. H.
Whittier, James J.
Wiggins. John W.
Wilkie, James
\\'illard, Richard E. L.
Worthington, L.
Zimmerman, Adam W

HONORARY MEMBERS

Those residing in the county and in the vicinity of Gibbon Switch on the
arrival of the colony were, by action of the Soldiers' Free Homestead Colony
Association, made honorary members of the association and of the colony.

Dugdale, Henry
Meyer, August
Nutter, William
Oliver, Mrs. Sarah
Oliver. Edward

Oliver, James
Owens, Joseph
Slattery, Martin
Stearley, George
Reddy, John

Thompson. Oliver E.
Walsh, Patrick
Wood, Thomas K.

A HABITATION A PLACE TO LIVE

The homesteads filed upon, the most important matter was a habitation, a
place in which to live. The colonists were all practically persons of very limited
means, so much so that quite often two families lived in one house, the house
located on the line between the claims.

More often two or more joined in owning one team, wagon and plow.

Several had so little means, nothing but their claims, that they worked for
others as occasion ofifered. Some lived in dugouts on their claims, others built
sod houses, and a quite common frame house was 12x16 feet in size, 8 feet in
height, boarded up, one thickness of boards, battened, and with a shingle roof,
the furniture consisting of a stove, a bed, and three chairs. So exact were the
estimates of material for one of these houses that when completed the pieces of
lumber left would not make a wheelbarrow load.

90 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

RANGE OF PRICES

Oxen were largely used for teams; they cost less to purchase, required no
expense for harness, other than a yoke, and required no grain ration, living and
working on grass in the growing season and on hay and forage in winter. The
sudden and unusual demand inflated prices, oxen selling for from $150 to $250
per yoke. Cows sold for from $50 to $60. A four weeks old pig (razor back
breed) cost $5 and hens 50 cents each. A quite common price paid for breaking
prairie was $5 per acre. Potatoes, $1 per bushel. Com meal, $2 per 100 pounds.
Pine lumber, from $30 to $40 per 1,000. If one complained that the prices asked
seemed too high, the invariable excuse was "excessive transportation rates on
the railroad."

FIRST CROPS GROWN

On the newly broken prairie the crops grown the first year or season were
corn, planted with a spade, pumpkins, squash and melons.

No finer squash, pumpkins and melons were ever grown in the county
than were grown on prairie sod in the summer of 1871.

Some made gardens on the sod and learned that onions from "black"' seed
did remarkably well, and later these proved a valuable crop.

On and in the vicinity of the Boyd ranch was a hundred or more acres of
"old" land — land that had been previously tilled — and some of the colonists
rented from five to ten acres of this land, planting to corn and potatoes. The
corn yielded about forty bushels per acre and the potatoes about one hundred
and fifty bushels. Practically no weeds grew on this land and most of the corn
and potatoes there planted were not tilled after planting, the fact being there
were no implements to be had for such tilling. On the newly plowed sod no
weeds grew except tumble weeds, which were easily destroyed.

CONDITIONS CONFRONTING THE COLONISTS

Possibly some mention of conditions which confronted these colonists may
be of historic interest. First, with a very few exceptions, they were persons of
limited means. Second, quite one-half of the number were without practical
experience in farming, even in the locality from which they came. Third, this
was a new country — quite generally believed not adapted to the growing of
crops — a virgin soil, destitute of timber for either fuel or building purposes,
destitute of coal, or stone, in a state of nature, other than a railroad, and the
base for supplies of all kinds nearly two hundred miles distant.

There were no precedents which could be followed or referred to; no old
and experienced farmers to whom the "tenderfoots" could go for counsel and
advice. From the construction of some kind of a habitation in which to live
to the securing of teams and farming utensils for tilling the soil, seed to be
planted, everything to the minutest detail had to be purchased, and at what then
seemed and which has since proven to be, extravagant prices. These conditions
soon exhausted the resources of the homesteader, even though he expended his

SOD HOUSE OX WASH MILBOUEN'S HOMESTEAD
Built more than thiitv years ago

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 91

means with utmost economy. If compelled to run in debt he found later that
to pay from $150 to $200 for a yoke of oxen, $50 for a cow, $5 for a four-weeks-
old pig, $32 for a breaking plow, and like prices for other needed articles, and
then to make payment in corn and potatoes at 10 and 15 cents per bushel required
not only hard, hard work, but years of privation and economy to get out of debt,
which, with exceeding regret, it is to be recorded, many of the poor homesteaders
were never able to do.

There were other conditiotis which took years of time and long and bitter
experience to realize and understand. One of the most important of these to
be understood is the relation of the growing season for many crops as affected
by altitude or elevation above sea level.

No member of this colony had ever given a thought to the fact that along
a parallel of latitude, increase in elevation meant a shortening of the growing
season for many crops, especially the corn crop, on which main dependence
was placed in all farming operations.

The corn plant requires and can make good use of a growing season of quite
140 days, which condition prevails in the Mississippi and Missouri valleys to
the east and which prevailed in the lower levels from which most of the colonists
came, but the greater elevation in Buffalo County was such that the growing
season for corn was from thirty to forty days less than the colonists had been
accustomed to.

It was the most natural thing in the world for colonists to send to their
former home, "back east," for seeds of various kinds to plant, and yet when
these seeds were planted in this new country, this virgin soil, the conditions
confronting the plants from these seeds, were as new and strange as were the
conditions of all kinds confronting the members of the colony. It is true that
plants adapt themselves to changes in soil, climate, length of growing season
and other surroundings and conditions which affect their growth and full devel-
opment, but plants require time and opportunity to so adapt themselves the same
as do people.

INSECT DEPREDATIONS

Another occasion of failure or at least partial failure of many crops in those
early years, was that many kinds of insect life, such as grasshoppers, crickets,
etc., feed during the growing season on the leaves and stems of plants, the
prairie being alive with such insects at that season. The cultivated plants of the
homesteader, such as com, potatoes, vines of all kinds, and of small grain —
wheat, oats — are much more tender and succulent as a food than the native
plants and grasses of the prairie, and the result was that these insects flocked
to the small crops of the homesteader, either completely destroying, or at least
weakening them, resulting in a partial if not entire failure to make a crop. It
is recalled that when the grasshopper raids came, that small fields of crops were
entirely destroyed, while a large field of corn — a half section or a section in a
body — was often only injured by them for a comparatively short distance on
the outer edges, the center portion of the field being uninjured.

92 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

LACK OF MOISTURE

That this was a land dehcient in moisture for the successful growing of
crops was understood by the homesteaders, but how best to take advantage of
this lack, how to conserve moisture as now understood, had not, in the minds
of any one, even a beginning. Brietiy stated, the conditions as regards moisture
were as follows : F'or ages the prairies of Nebraska had been annually burned.
As our rainfall comes in sudden showers, the res>ult was that a sudden shower
of two or even three inches of rain did not wet the prairie to a depth of more
than a few inches, the prairie being burned clean of any dead leaves or grass
which might hold the rainfall until it could soak into the earth. Under such
conditions the rain ran off the prairie as from the roof of a house, into the
sloughs, ravines, rivers and thus out of the country, doing vegetation little or
no good. Also the prairie being hard and undisturbed, the moisture which pen-
etrated the soil was soon drawn from the soil by the action of sun and winds.
It is believed that in the early settlement of the county, 50 per cent of the rain
that fell on the prairies ran directly into the ravines and rivers and out of the
county, this being especially true of unbroken prairie, while at the present time
probably 90 per cent of our rainfall is absorbed in the soil and retained for
growing crops. Also, because of more moisture retained in the soil, the atmos-
phere is much more humid than in the earlier periods of colony history.

LIVE STOCK CONDITIONS

Another condition, not generally understood, occasioned heavy loss of live
stock to many homesteaders. Previous to the coming of the colonists it had
been widely advertised that cattle would live and keep in good condition during
the entire year, living wholly upon the wild grasses. Doubtless this was prac-
tically true with half -wild cattle, used to ranging for a living, and where they
could range at will seeking shelter in the brush along the streams in time of
storms and extreme cold. There were no more nutritious grasses for live stock
anywhere to be found than the native grasses of Nebraska. When the home-
steader came there was no longer an unlimited range ; also native or domesticated
cattle, accustomed to being fed and cared for, would not range the prairie and
rustle for a living in the winter months, and the result was that many an early
homesteader, many a colonist, who perchance borrowed the money with which
to invest in cattle to roam the prairie, had only the hides when the grass was
green in the succeeding spring.

It is recalled that all of a herd of some five hundred head of cattle being
wintered on the Platte River south of Gibbon in the winter of 187 1-2, perished,
and the same fate met a herd of about one thousand, five hundred being kept the
same winter on the South Loup River in the immediate vicinity of the present
Village of Ravenna.

c;rowing small grain — wheat and oats

In the spring of 1872 a few acres of spring wheat and oats were sown.
Harrows were used to cover the grain ; these harrows were home-made, of oak

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 93

secured at the Loup River; they were Hght, '■A"-shaped, and of Httle real service.
The wheat and oats were harvested with grain cradles, threshed with flails, on
the ground, and cleaned by throwing the grain against the wind. While the
yield was fairly good the crops were badly infected with smut — in fact, in the
earlier attempts to grow small grain the crops were at times not worth harv'esting
on account of smut.

Machinery for the rapid harvesting of grain had not then come into use, the
better kinds not even as yet invented. The first of these machines was a dropper
attachment to a mowing machine (the expense of the mower and attachment
3175). \\ ith this machine five men were required to bind and remove the grain
as fast as cut. This machine, high geared as a mower, wore out very rapidly.
The first Marsh harvester was purchased and operated by William Nutter, using
oxen. On this machine the grain was delivered on a platform, on which two
men rode and bound the grain. While much more rapid in harvesting, it was
very hard work and very wasteful. The first self binders, using wire and costing
$315, were not satisfactory to use and the wire, broken in threshing, caused loss
of stock where cattle ate of the straw and chafl:'.

To pay the above named prices for harv^esting machinery, newly invented
and not in very satisfactory working order, and to make payment in wheat at
about fifty cents per bushel and corn at about fifteen cents, was not a rapid way
of accumulating wealth or of paying debts.

THE OUESTIOX OF FUEL

In the early days of the colony the question of fuel was not so pressing as
a few years later. In the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad about
two thousand, five hundred ties were used to the mile. It appears that of these
ties, to each rail was used four of hardwood (oak or black walnut), the others
Cottonwood. These cottonwood ties were beginning to be removed before the
arrival of the colony and were used for fuel purposes, the only other fuel avail-
able being willow brush and dead cottonwood trees on the islands of the Platte.

The Union Pacific Railroad at that date was poorly supplied with rolling
stock to use in hauling coal, also the coal mines were undeveloped, and at times
in the early winters it was impossible to buy, beg or steal coal from the railroad—
the only source of supply — and on one such occasion the railroad authorities
advised that organized parties be sent to the Loup River (twenty miles distant)
for fuel, stating that any timber found on railroad land could be freely used for
such purpose. jMany homesteaders, having ox teams, hauled wood from the
Loup River, at times making the trip in the dead of winter.

Some families endeavored to keep warm by burning corn stalks, cut stove
lengths. Later years when corn was more plenty, the corn itself was burned
for fuel. Some ranged the prairie in search of "buffalo chips," the dried drop-
pings of cattle, and used these "chips"' for fuel. It made an intensely hot fire
but was far from clean and pleasant to use. Many families living near the
Platte bottoms used the coarse grass for fuel. It is recalled that J. N. Allen
invented a machine which twisted the grass into a hard rope, which he cut in
lengths and burned, as wood, in a stove. Ira P. Bunker constructed a furnace

94 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

under his house and invented an arrangement (which he patented) by which,
from the outside, he fed hay into the furnace and thus heated his house.

Many famiHes used fuel of the kinds described to keep warm in houses built
of only one thickness of boards, not lathed or plastered, and more than one
child was born in such a house, in the winter time, when the snow sifted into
the house, and over the bed whereon lay the mother and new born infant. In
those early years, during the extreme cold of winter, to many colonists the most
comfortable place, the occasion most looked forward to, was to attend a grange
or church service, at the schoolhouse, there to absorb the heat from a red hot
stove, a hot coal fire, and enjoy for a brief hour or more the companionship of
friends and neighbors in full sympathy with all the surrounding conditions and
circumstances. The great lack of fuel, cheap and abundant, was a most serious
handicap in the early settlement of Bufi^alo County, and a cause of much dis-
comfort and suffering during the long months of winter.

CHAPTER XXII

A colonist's trip to OMAHA $250 FOR A YOKE OF OXEN OPENING UP FOR

BUSINESS

A colonist's TRIP TO OMAHA IN APRIL, 187I

The homesteads taken, the next step was a habitation in which to live, fur-
nishing for the house, and farming implements, at least a plow.

Lumber, hardware, household goods, farming implements and food supplies
could only be purchased in Omaha, as there were nO' stocks of such goods at a
nearer point. A number of the colonists made out bills of needed supplies and
chose one of their number to make the trip and purchase the articles. The
colonists had brought their funds in New York exchange which would require
the one presenting the same to be identified, and as one of their number had an
acquaintance residing in Council Bluffs, a lawyer, who could identify him, he
was chosen to make the trip.

The railroad fare from Gibbon to Omaha was $14.75, 7 cents per mile. The
party arrived at Omaha about 6 P. M., crossed to Council Bluffs to find his
acquaintance attending court at some point in Iowa and not expected home for
some days. The next morning found the colonist on the banks of the Missouri
ready to cross at first opportunity, but the wind blew at such a furious rate that
it was not possible for the boat to make the crossing. All day long the colonist
remained, without a bite to eat, awaiting a favorable opportunity to cross.

Several attempts were made without success ; on one occasion the ferry boat
barely escaped being swamped on one of the piers of the railroad bridge then
in process of construction. With the going down of the sun, the wind abated,
but the colonist reached the Nebraska side after business hours. Early the next
morning a call was made on a lumber dealer, but when the case was stated he
replied that he could not take drafts where the party was not known or could
not be identified.

A visit was then made to the store of Milton Rogers, a dealer in hardware,
stoves and agricultural implements, and the situation explained to Mr. Rogers,
who without a moment's hesitation replied, in substance : "We have all heard of
your colony in Buffalo County and we want you to stay and help settle the state,
and I am more than willing to aid you in any manner possible. I will take your
drafts in payment for such of my goods as you desire, will find a lumber dealer
who will take your drafts for lumber, and I will endorse your drafts at the bank
for the balance so that you may take the remainder home in currency."

This kindness on the part of Mr. Rogers was greatly appreciated and has

96 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

never been forgotten. The business of ]\Ir. Rogers was established in 1855,
and more than half a century later was being conducted under the name of
Alilton Rogers Sons.

The articles purchased comprised two car loads^cars being much smaller
than at present, ten tons the limit of capacity — and had a wide range from lumber
to build several small houses to stoves, furniture, crockery, breaking plows,
spades, well buckets, rope, picket pins, pork by the barrel and molasses by the
5-gallon keg. The railroad company made one concession, making the same rate
on the shipment as for emigrant movables.

TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS FOR A YOKE OF OXEN

On this trip an option was secured on a yoke of oxen at $250. This seemed
like and was a large price if not an extravagant one, but teams of oxen were
scarce, and a better yoke of oxen never looked through ox-bows than these.
They were large, young, well broken and active.

Later the purchase was concluded through Milton Rogers and the oxen
shipped to Gibbon. The first use made of the team was to draw a load of
lumber out to a claim across Wood River ; when in mid-stream the yoke broke
and it was necessary to send to Omaha for another before use could be made
of the team. These oxen, a wagon, and a breaking plow were owned by three
homesteaders.

OPENING UP FOR BUSINESS

Immediately after the taking of the homesteads, Aaron Ward engaged in
the lumber business and L. D. George and I. D. La Barre each arranged to
engage in the mercantile business. The business venture of Mr. George was
on a much more extensive scale than that of Mr. La Barre; T. Q. George, a
brother of L. D., came later, the firm being L. D. and T. Q. George and Co.
I. D. La Barre at once secured a considerable line of goods and opened for
business in a box car on the siding, until such time as his first place of business
was in readiness ; this store building of Mr. La Barre's was the first building
completed in the Village of Gibbon, and the first building to receive a coat of
paint; it is, at this date (1915) the first building to the west of the Babcock
Opera House, on Main Street. It is recalled that when the prices which the
colonists had paid for the two carloads of goods — before mentioned — became
known, it occasioned much irritation as between the merchants and their cus-
tomers. For instance, the price paid at Omaha for a 12-inch breaking plow was
$21 ; for a stove, $20; a well bucket, 75 cents; while the prices for like articles
at Gibbon were: a 12-inch breaking plow, $32; a stove, $30; well bucket, $1.50.
It will be seen that on such standard articles the margin of profit was certainly
large enough to warrant success in the business, and yet those merchants, in the
end, did not make any marked success of the business, for the reason credit
was universal and when a debtor was a homesteader whose whole source of
income was from crops raised on his claim, it stands to reason that merchants'
losses were lar^e Avhere credit was extended to such a class of customers.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 97

It is a matter of astonishment, at this date, to recall some of the methods
of transacting; business which prevailed in the early days of which this history
treats. It was a common occurrence for a homesteader to agree to pay 2, 3
and at times 4 per cent a month interest on borrowed money. It was a common
business transaction for a homesteader, without means, to purchase on time a
full line of agricultural implements, their value aggregating- several hundreds
of dollars, and often not even paying in advance the freight charges on the
same, and in case of crop failure, payment had to be extended, and often the
machinery was worn out before paid for, and at times it was never paid for.
Such business conditions and transactions, can only be accounted for on the
theory that the unbounded faith and optimism as to the country and its future
development, which caused people without means and experience to come here
and engage in agriculture in a countr}^ in which nothing was known as to
capabilities for support of an agricultural population, included not only the
homesteader himself but all classes engaged in business as well.

Just across the Platte River south of Gibbon was the Village of Lowell, and
one of the early merchants at that point was Joel Hull. At a reunion held at
Fort Kearney, many years later, by Mr. Hull read a paper entitled, "Pioneer
Merchandising in Central Nebraska." It presents so true and complete a history
of merchandising in Buffalo County in those days that as a matter of historic
interest it is here given place.

CHAPTER XXIII

Tllli PUBLIC SCHOOL THE COLONISTS AND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL COLONISTS LIVING

IN THE CARS ORGANIZE A SCHOOL DISTRICT COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT STATE-
MENT OF C. PUTNAM MADE FOR RECORD ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS

ERECTION OF SCHOOLHOUSES — REPORT OF COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT, JANUARY,
1872 LIST OF LICENSED TEACHERS, 187I-76.

THE COLONISTS AND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL

That the members of the colony were home builders in all that the term
implies is possibly best illustrated by the prompt action taken in the organiza-
tion of school districts, the building of schoolhouses and the opening of public
schools. The records of school district No. 2 (Gibbon) under date of April 15,
1 87 1, read in part as follows:

"At a school meeting duly noticed, held by the inhabitants of Gibbon for the
election of officers and the transaction of such other business as might be brought
before the meeting, the proceedings were as follows :" The proceedings further
set forth that "At a previous assemblage of said inhabitants for the purpose
of attending to the school interests of Gibbon and vicinity, a committee con-
sisting of C. Putnam, J. N. Allen and Aaron Ward had written the state super-
intendent of public instruction for a copy of the school law of the State of
Nebraska and such other personal instruction as was necessary for the proper
organization of a school district." It appears from the records that no reply
had been received from the state superintendent and the meeting adjourned
subject to call of the chairman.

Let it be understood that these proceedings had all taken place while members
of the colony were living in the cars, when not one of the number was a legal
voter, and not one of the number had, as yet, filed upon a homestead or pre-
emption claim, and had not been in the state and county of Buffalo one week.

These records further disclose that on April 22, 1871, "At a school meeting
duly held by the inhabitants of Gibbon and vicinity for the election of moderator,
director and treasurer and other business as follows :'' At this meeting (thirteen
days after the arrival of the colony) C. Putnam was elected moderator, Aaron
Ward, director and F. S. Trew, treasurer. It was voted that $1,000 be raised
by public tax to build a schoolhouse and L. D. George, Aaron Ward and D. P.
Ashburn were appointed a building committee.

In the 12 by 16 wing of the first dwelling house erected in the Village of
Gibbon, on the 26th day of June, 1871, a public school was opened, with Mrs.
Frank Chamberlain as ';eacher, wages $35 per month.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

The records disclose that the director furnished for use of this school, "One
chair, one water bucket, and four seats." Five dollars per month rent was paid
for use of the room for school purposes.

In December, 1871, a schoolhouse (22 by 32 in size) was built in this dis-
trict and furnished with patent seats and a winter term of school held, although
the schoolhouse rested on blocks for a foundation, was not banked, and was
neither lathed nor plastered. Teachers wages paid, $50 per month.

COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

Patrick Walsh had been appointed superintendent of public instruction for
Buffalo County, but at a meeting of the county commissioners soon after the
arrival of the colony (the meeting of the county commissioners was on April
24, 1871) Mr. Walsh resigned and C. Putnam, a member of the colony was
appointed superintendent. At that date no record had been kept in the office
of the county superintendent. As a matter of history in which the members of
the colony had a direct part and interest, herewith is given a statement, made of
record by Mr. Putnam on entering upon his duties as superintendent of public
instruction in and for Buffalo County.

"Statement of C. Putnam made for Record.

"I received the appointment of superintendent of public instruction for Buft'alo
County at the meeting of the commissioners of said county in April (24th)
1 87 1, vice, Patrick Walsh resigned. On being qualified no written record what-
ever was delivered to me. School district No. i was organized, had a school-
house (a board and sod shanty) and had had a school and made reports up to
April I, 1 87 1. District No. 2 comprised all of Buft'alo County, except the
eastern range of townships, and all of Dawson County which county was not then
organized.

"Mr. Walsh had requested the colony which arrived April 7th to organize into-
a school district and said colony posted notices according to law, had school meet-
ings at which they elected officers, voted to raise taxes to build schoolhouse,
carry on school, etc. On assuming the duties of superintendent of public instruc-
tion I had nothing but Mr. Walsh's statement as to the condition of school
matters, which was, that district No. i was legally organized and that district
No. 2 was regularly reported to the superintendent of state of public instruc-
tion, and it rested with that district to complete the organization. That there
was $205 in the county school fund besides the railroad tax for ''870, which
was about $1,500."

ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS

In December, 1871, school district No. i, completed a frame ochoolhouse
(whir J at this date, 1916, is still in use) and B. F. Sammons, a member of the
colony, taught a term of winter school.

October 2, 1871, was organized school district No. 3. Notice of the call
to organize was given D. P. Ashburn, who was elected director of the district.
A schoolhouse was erected in this district early in 1872, with a cupola and a

100 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

bell installed — the first school bell in the coimty — being known for years as the
"bell" schoolhouse.

School district No. 4 was organized November 4, 1871, the written notice
being delivered to \V. H. Kenney. A substantial frame schoolhouse was built in
this district early in 1872 and furnished wath patent seats. W. H. Kenney was
chosen director and taught the first term of school in the district in 1872.

School district No. 5 was organized March 16, 1872, official notice being
given George II. Silvernail and the first meeting being held at the house of
Jacob Booth. R. E. L. Willard was chosen director and a substantial frame
schoolhouse — 22 by '^^2 feet in size — built during the summer of 1872. The
first term of school was taught by George H. Silvernail, a member of the colony,
in the winter of 1872-73.

School district No. 6 was organized March 16, 1872, official notice being
given Mr. Smith (George N.), the meeting for organization being held at the
house of Mr. Smith. A. H. Brundage was chosen director. A substantial frame
schoolhouse was built in this district early in 1872, the first term of school being
taught by Mrs. D. D. Smith.

School district No. 7 (Kearney) was organized March 23, 1872, the official
notice being delivered to A. Collins and the first meeting held at what was
known as "Hotel Collins." James Smith was chosen director. Miss Fannie
Nevius taught the first term of school in rented rooms as no schoolhouse was
erected until a later date.

School district No. 8 was organized March 27, 1872. Official notice was
given George W. Brown and the first meeting held on the open prairie near the
residence of Simon V. Seeley. Ezra M. Fargo was chosen director and early
in 1872 a frame schoolhouse, 22 by 32 feet in size with 14 feet studding,
erected. The first term of 'school being taught by Simon V. Seeley.

Excluding district No. 7 (Kearney) these school districts embrace the terri-
tory upon which the colonists made settlement and in which they exercised
control in the organization of the districts and the erection of the first school-
houses.

During the years 1871 and 1872, schoolhouses were erected in districts Nos.
I, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 at an expense of from $1,000 to $1,500 each, bonds for this
purpose having been voted. These schoolhouses were furnished with patent
seats (seats and desk combined), good stoves, unabridged dictionaries, and in
some instances text books had been purchased by the district for the use of the
pupils; these schoolhouses were painted, built in a substantial manner and most
of them still in use in 191 5. In districts Nos. i, 2, 4, 6 and 8, Sunday schools
had been organized and held regularly and in these houses there were regular
appointments for religious services.

REPORT OF COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT, JANUARY II, 1872

District No. of children Directors

1 50 H. C. Green

2 29 A. D. George

3 18 D. P. Ashburn

MISS CLAEA LEW

First licensed teacher in Buffalo Comity-
1871

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 101

District No. of children Directors

4 21 W. H. Kenney

5 2z R. E. L. Willard

6 II A. H. Brundage

7 36 J. A. Smith

8 36 E. M. Fargo

School district No. 9 was organized June 19, 1872, official notice being sent
to John P. Arndt, the first meeting being called at the home of Charles Davis
(Elm Creek), D. F. Hood being chosen director.

School district No. 10 was organized July 6, 1872, official notice being
served on Henry Fieldgrove and the first meeting held at the home of D. B.
Allen. Martin L. Henry was chosen director.

School district No. 11 was organized October i, 1872, official notice being
given John Blanchard, and the first meeting held at the home of Mr. Blanchard.
Lloyd D. Forehand was chosen director.

It will be seen that within eighteen months after the arrival of the colony,
ten school districts had been organized by County Superintendent C. Putnam,,
in most of the district schoolhouses erected; also the report of the county super-
intendent of date January 11, 1872, shows 224 children in attendance at the
public schools, in eight of the first organized school districts.

LIST OF LICENSED TEACHERS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

1869 — Mary Smith — no certificate.

1870 — John Fuller — no certificate.

1871 — Clara Lew — first certificate, ]\Irs. Frank L. Chamberlain, Mrs.
Wealthy A. Kelsey and B. F. Sammons.

1872— S. C. Bassett, Mrs. F. F. Blanchard, Mrs. E. A. Pember, C. W. Daven-
port, Miss Ida Troop, Mrs. D. D. Smith, Mrs. W. F. McClure, Miss Martha
Davis and Miss Eugenia Silvemail.

1873 — Fannie Nevius, S. V. Seeley, Geo. H. Silvernail, Thomas Maloney,
B. Grant, I. ]\Iore, ]\Iiss Lu Allison, Sadie Cook, Delia Putnam, Mrs. C. E.
Kenney, B. W. Marsh, Lucy Rosseter, Lora Davis, Miss S. A. Washburn. Chas.
W. Springer, Miss N. D. Brooks, Miss N. Rosseter, Miss F. Bunnell, J. J.
Whittier, W. A. Cook, M. J. Grant, James Steven, W. R. Bacon, Josephus More
and H. H. Haven.

1874— C. E. Hanson, John P. Hartman, Mrs. Mary A. Judd. Miss Jennie
Giddings. Aliss Carrie Giddings, Omer White, Joseph L. Hartman. Dan A.
Crowell. J. G. Gossett, J. Jessup, A. P. Smith. Reta Hollenbeck. IMiss C. R.
Foster, Miss C. J. Brown, Minnie Richardson, ]\Irs. E. M. Carpenter, Mrs. H. L.
Smith, Mrs. M. V. Willard, A. B. Whitney, Mrs. M. E. Bailey, John Hickey,
Wm. A. Allen, John Swenson, Ada Bunnell. Mark G. Lee, Thomas ^lahoney.
Miss M. E. Waggoner and M. D. Marsh.

1875 — James Ewing, H. S. Colby. Miss Louise Broderick. Miss Jennie
Holmes, Mrs. R. H. Coffman, C. M. Hull, E. A. Hunt, Forest J. Hunt, Mary
E. Peck, Mary J. Holmes, Clara E. Samuels, Miss H. C. Ewing, Miss E. M.

102 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

McNew, A. H. Cleveland, J. S. Zerbee, H. B. Gilbert, Geo. D. Aspinwall, W. S.
Campbell (first ist grade certificate issued), B. L. Grant, Homer J. Allen and
Miss L. Hall.

1S76 — H. C. Downer, Emma Morrison, Mrs. N. Humison, Miss Roderick,
Miss Adah Seaman, S. B. Grant, Miss Hattie Cook, George Cook, Miss Mary
Kraiis, Miss Cora LaBarre, Miss Edith George, Geo. W. Hartman, R. H.
Pember, Emmet Hunt, F. J. Hunt, Mrs. Arvilla Broderick, Mrs. Emma Treichler,
Carrie L. Longstreet, Helim Thompson, Miss Jennie McLouth, Miss Maggie
Meyers, G. A. Perego, Geo. Furguson, James A. Scott, Mrs. A. L. Austin, Mrs.
H. H. Clark, Mrs. A. V. Marble and Jane Arnold.

CHAPTER XXIV

INCIDENTS IN A WEDDING JOURNEY ACROSS THE PLATTE IN 1869— FORD THE PLATTE
AT FORT KEARNEY— TWO PRAIRIE DOGS AND A BOX OF MEDICINE— THE WAGON
UPSETS— RESCUE OF THE BRIDE— THE ERIDE's MOTHER ENJOYS A SMOKE— ALL
ENDS WELL.

INCIDENTS IN A WEDDING JOURNEY ACROSS THE PLATTE IN 1869

Air Samuel Stearley, a resident of Buffalo County in 1869, furnishes the
following interesting account of the fording of the Platte River by a wedding
party in 1869- "In the summer of 1869 John Martin and Miss Craig, who lived
on the Blue River south and east of Grand Island, wished to get married and
in order to do so had to come to Fort Kearney crossing of the Platte and thence
east to Wood River Center, where lived Judge Patrick Walsh, who had authority
to perform the marriage ceremony. The distance necessary to make this journey
I was about seventy-five miles. The Platte was very high at this time. Charles
Walker who lived at Kearney station, now Buda, had the contract to freight all
Government supplies for Fort Kearney across the Platte and at the time men-
tioned was engaged in hauling fencing material to fence the Government cemetery
near the fort. The wedding party arranged with Air. Walker to take them
- ■- • ' o'clock in the evening John Martin, his sweetheart

^ .J mother, Mrs. Craig, also an eighteen months old

^ ^ttemujr^. ^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^ ^^^g ^.^.^^ j^ ^^,^5 Q^^r last trip for

. , ^ ffht outfit and my business was to keep the oxen on

tn I loved was torn awav &"*- . , , , , ..u^^ tLpm

sorrows blinded me with tears; around the islands or toe heads as we cal ed them,

lunshine melted from the day njoyed the fun and excitement of fording the 1 latte.

larkness loomed for after years. his party across it was necessary to put on a wagon

fence pickets to set their trunk and roll of blankets

Tnl'r' '"'" "'"'''' ''"'' '" t The party also had with them two prairie dogs
came to me on memory's wings ycii<.y a.

irtues of my brother gone. icine and these two boxes were put m my charge.

3y within my bosom sings. hitched to the wagon and two horseback riders, one

The wedding partv was all set, the bull whip cracked
es m good deeds that he wrought ^ ■ {^^^ .j^e of the wagon box with my

mng forth a wealth of cheer; ^ ^^ buunt, ^ ,• • • „,,, u^ \Vp

hough in vain his face is sought. Prairie dogs and box of medicine in my lap. We
Pfulness he still is here. till we came to the deep channel. I hen the water

Our load was so light and the current so strong it
turned the wagon, box and all upside down. The result was we were all in the
water When'l came up I saw Martin catch his girl and pull for a wagon wheel ;
next I saw Airs. Craig come up with her child in her arms, the mother struggling

103

102 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

:McNew, A. H. Cleveland, J. S. Zerbee, H. B. Gilbert, Geo. D. Aspinvvall, W. S.
Campbell (first ist grade certificate issued), B. L. Grant, Homer J. Allen and
Miss L. Hall.

1876 — H. C. Downer, Emma Morrison, Mrs. N. Humison, Miss Roderick,
Miss Adah Seaman, S. B. Grant, Miss Hattie Cook, George Cook, Miss Mary
Kraus, Miss Cora LaBarre, Miss Edith George, Geo. W. Hartman, R. H.
Pember, Emmet Hunt, F. J. Hunt, Mrs. Arvilla Broderick, Mrs. Emma Treichler,
Carrie L. Longstreet, Helim Thompson, Miss Jennie McLouth, Miss Maggie
Meyers, G. A. Perego, Geo. Furguson, James A. Scott, Mrs. A. L. Austin, Mrs.
H. H. Clark, Mrs. A. V. Marble and Jane Arnold.

While willing hands and loving hes.
To do the last sad service for the

^xixth^ l^er^ascit ^xttin^ tk

DANIEL T. McDonald, Aug

e that when thy summons comes t(
hich moves to that mysterious rei

CHAPTER XXIV

INCIDENTS IN A WEDDING JOURNEY ACROSS THE PLATTE IN 1869 FORD THE PLATTE

AT FORT KEARNEY TWO PRAIRIE DOGS AND A BOX OF MEDICINE — THE WAGON

UPSETS — RESCUE OF THE BRIDE THE BRIDE's MOTHER ENJOYS A SMOKE — ALL

ENDS WELL.

INCIDENTS IN A WEDDING JOURNEY ACROSS THE PLATTE IN 1869

j\Ir. Samuel Stearley, a resident of Buffalo County in 1869, furnishes the
following interesting account of the fording of the Platte River by a wedding
party in 1869: 'Tn the summer of 1869 John Martin and Miss Craig, who lived
on the Blue River south and east of Grand Island, wished to get married and
in order to do so had to come to Fort Kearney crossing of the Platte and thence
east to Wood River Center, where lived Judge Patrick Walsh, who had authority
to perform the marriage ceremony. The distance necessary to make this journey
was about seventy-five miles. The Platte was very high at this time. Charles
Walker, who lived at Kearney station, now Buda, had the contract to freight all
Government supplies for Fort Kearney across the Platte and at the time men-
tioned was engaged in hauling fencing material to fence the Government cemetery
near the fort. The wedding party arranged with Mr. Walker to take them
across the Platte and about 4 o'clock in the evening John ]\Iartin, his sweetheart
and intended wife, the girl's mother, Mrs. Craig, also an eighteen months old
child belonging to Mrs. Craig, came to cross the river. It was our last trip for
the day. I was with the freight outfit and my business was to keep the oxen on
the lead team from swinging around the islands or toe heads as we called them.
The water was warm and I enjoyed the fun and excitement of fording the Platte.
In order to bring Martin and his party across it was necessary to put on a wagon
box and crib up the box with fence pickets to set their trunk and roll of blankets
on so they would not get wet. The party also had with them two prairie dogs
in a box and a box of medicine and these two boxes were put in my charge.
There were ten yoke of oxen hitched to the wagon and two horseback riders, one
on each side the ox teams. The wedding party was all set, the bull whip cracked
and the procession started. I was sitting on the side of the wagon box with my
feet inside and holding the prairie dogs and box of medicine in my lap. We
went nicely for half a mile till we came to the deep channel. Then the water
went over the wagon box. Our load was so light and the current so strong it
turned the wagon, box and all upside down. The result was we were all in the
water. When I came up I saw Martin catch his girl and pull for a wagon wheel;
next I saw Mrs. Craig come up with her child in her arms, the mother struggling

103

104 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

for dear life. It fell to me to save her and I held her till Martin could come and
get her. The other two men were busy taking care of the oxen and holding
them. The trunk and roll of blankets went down the river and one of the bull
whackers and myself were detailed to go after them. I want to tell you there
was lively work for awhile. When we got back with the trunk and blankets to
the north bank of the river the wedding party had all got ashore and Mrs. Craig
was sitting on the bank enjoying a good smoke out of a borrowed pipe. She
thanked me very kindly for saving her life, as she was going under the second
time when I caught her. This delayed the wedding as everything in the trunk
and blankets was wet and as the old lady's tobacco was wrapped up in the
wedding dress the dress was so stained it could not be used for a wedding
occasion. Stores were not plenty in those days and the party had to go to Grand
Island, twenty-five miles east of Wood River Center, to buy another dress and
make it. Some days later Judge Walsh married the happy couple and they went
on their way rejoicing.

"About three or four years later I met Mrs. Craig in Grand Island. She
called her little boy in off the street and introduced him to me and then told her
son that I was the young man who saved his and her life. She then said the
only way she could repay me was to give me, for a wife, her last daughter, then
about my own age and a very beautiful girl."

In this connection it might be well to state that the Platte opposite the Fort
Kearney site is i^ miles wide from the north to the south bank. This includes
islands as well as the channels of the river. These channels have a total width
of approximately four thousand three hundred and fifty-four feet, this being the
length of the nearest bridge across this river at this point at the present time.

Mr. Dungan, who owns the farm on which the fort was located, states that
the old Fort Kearney crossing, commencing on the south side of the Platte,
started at a point one-half mile west of the fort, taking a northeasterly course,
striking the north bank about two miles east of the fort, making the crossing
quite three miles in length. It is related that a ferry was operated at one time
near this crossing, consisting of a large flat-bottomed scow drawn back and forth
by several yoke of oxen.

CHAPTER XXV

PIONEER MERCHANDISING IN CENTRAL NEBRASKA LOCATION AT LOWELL IN 18/2

SETTLEMENT OF SOUTHWEST NEBRASKA EPIZOOTIC AMONG HORSES MANY

MERCHANTS FAIL BUYING FURS OF TRAPPERS FOUR TONS OF BUFFALO HAMS

STRYCHNINE AND STEEL TRAPS FOR TRAPPERS A MILLION DOLLARS WORTH

OF GOODS SOLD IN TWO YEARS.

(Note — This article, prepared by Joel Hull, of Minden, Kearney County,
Nebraska, was read at the 1909 celebration of the Fort Kearney National Park
Association, June 23-26, and is given place in this history as it truthfully and
forcefully presents the experience of such pioneer merchants in Buffalo County
as L. D. George and I. D. LaBarre at Gibbon ; Oliver Brothers at Wood River
Centre (now Shelton) ; R. R. Greer and James O'Kane at Kearney. — Editor.)

PIONEER MERCHANDISING IN CENTRAL NEBR.VSKA

By Joel Hull

Merchandising in the pioneer days of Kearney County was a calling requirmg
great care and alertness to fill the demands made by the torrents of immigrants
rushing in to take homesteads, pre-emption and timber-culture claims and to buy
railroad lands.

From the present conditions in 1909 of these lands, all fenced, ornamented
with rows or groves of beautiful, thrifty trees, owned and occupied by prosper-
ous farmers residing in finely appointed roomy residences of architectural beauty
of design, surrounded by shapely, well-designed buildings for the comfort of
thrifty domestic animals, one would think that such a rush of immigration would
soon be over, and all these lands, of their present beauty and the value of $100
per acre, would be quickly taken. Incredible as it may seem to the present
observers of the comfort, profit and happiness now in evidence in this Eldorado,
such was not the fact.

In the year 1872, by reason of the location and mapping of the route of the
line of railroad by the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad in Nebraska, there
came a few venturesome spirits into this territory named Kearney County to
the number of thirty-one voters, mostly single men, not one of whom had an
inkling of an idea of the value of the lands herein embraced for agricultural
purposes, nor of their value for homes and fortunes. These thirty-one voters
had made the requisite motions for the county organization of this territory under
the name given it by the Legislature, of Kearney County, and after filing their

105

l66 • HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

petition with the acting governor and their holding an election of a set of county
officers, it was by the acting governor (William H. James who was also secretary
of state) proclaimed to be a legally organized county, dating from the 20th day
of June, 1872.

None of those thirty-one voters had at that date looked at any lands embraced
within the limits of the boundaries of the new country south of the line of the
sand hills running parallel with the Platte River. Nearly every one laid claims
upon even numljcred sections east and northeast of Lowell, its county seat, and
a few claims on sections west of Fort Kearney Military Reservation adjacent to
Kearnev City, now commonly known as Doby Town. Not a claim of any kind
had been made to any land south of the line of sand hills, and not a building of
any kind was erected in the county but those in and about Lowell and Doby
Town, except a composite sod and board shanty near the southwest corner of
the county, named "Walker's Ranch" located upon the trail from Lowell to
Republican City.

Your orator came upon the scene as just portrayed on the 30th day of June,
1872, on the tenth day of the legal existence of the county, and found the thirty-
one voters who had performed the ceremonies of its organization, and besides
these thirty-one there were seven women (three of whom were widows) and nine
children, making a total population of forty-seven souls. He carefully looked
over the prospectus ; took into consideration that the Burlington and Missouri
River Railroad Company w^as then building its road at the rate of about a mile
a day, and that the great Republican Valley and the Frenchman and Red Willow
and numerous other tributaries had been widely advertised in the East as far as
Ohio, and that emigrants were then moving in caravans toward those named
locations, which were represented as having rich valleys, the streams abounding
with choice fish and pure water and whose banks were lined with large timber
of various sorts ; and that the route of travel was already changing to the old
California trail ; and that reasonably there would be a demand for their supplies
from their nearest railroad station which would evidently be Lowell for a few
years.

You have already clearly concluded that it would be nothing less than folly
to commence merchandising with a list of customers numbering forty-seven
souls, at a time when there were already two merchants, Thomas W. Vallentine
and Albion A. Andrews. But there existed the outlook for the traffic with the
Republican Valley settlers and I at once seized the opportunity. On the first day
of July I bought the Andrews' stock of goods, and on the third day of July the
Burlington & Missouri River arrived at Lowell, set ofif to the side of the track
an old box car for a depot. On the fourth I ordered a fresh stock of supplies
and the story of pioneer selling of goods commenced. I arranged with Lincoln.
Omaha, Council Blufi's and St. Joseph dealers to supply me with goods, and
with the Capital Mills at Lincoln to supply flour and meal. Before August ist
my sales averaged over $100 per day, and the demand was so great that in
September, from Chicago, I laid in a stock of $33,000 worth of goods in eleven
different departments, all bought on credit, having at times barely enough to pay
the freight bills, and my trade increased to sales averaging from two hundred to

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 107

three hundred dollars per day, much of which were flour and meal, taking two or
tliree cars a week.

I was a very busy man with se\'en clerks, but not too busy to observe that
this immense traffic had been also discovered by others so that in 1873 Lowell had
seven general merchandise stores, two drug stores, seven saloons, three hotels,
three boarding houses, two doctors, four lawyers. "Old Bill Gaslin" was one of
them.

There was a "hot time in the town tonight'' every day and night, Sundays
included. ]\Ioney was easy and gamblers plenty. You must not mistake in
thinking the merchants had an easy time. Many present remember the panic of
1873 and all have heard something of it. \Miile the panic did not affect this
new West in a serious degree, yet in some respects it was felt. In my trade I
had occasion to handle commercial paper such as drafts, checks, etc., and at one
time I had in my hands three drafts of $500 each drawn by eastern national banks
upon their New York depositories all protested for want of fmids, confusing my
cash arrangements for the instant to such an extent chat I had to ask the First
National Bank of Lincoln to deposit to my credit, by telegraph, in First National
Bank of Chicago, $1,000 to make good deficiencies on overdrafts arising from
protested drafts just mentioned. \\'hile the panic was raging in the East making
bankrupts by the thousands, the West was not seriously concerned.

In 1873 appeared a distemper among horses called "epizootic," which was a
panic breeder over these plains. During a period of about two months only a
few dozen teams of horses appeared in the lively market of Lowell, succeeding a
year or more of the daily arrival of from fifty to one hundred teams from the
settlements of the Republican, Solomon, the Smoky and their tributaries. Their
horses in considerable numbers died and all were disabled that did not die. To
such straits were they reduced that hundreds of teams of oxen were hastily
caught up from herds and yoked and driven to market for supplies. Some of
those wild steers never had their yokes taken oft' after starting until they returned
home. They were thus enabled to haul about half loads or a little more. While
it was hard on the settler it was harder on the merchants. The gamblers and
saloonkeepers were horror stricken and left temporarily for greener pastures.
Half the merchants failed or closed and the remainder did some tall hopping to
make ends meet.

I had several experiences new to me during my two years' merchandising at
Lowell. Lowell market had attracted the attention of trappers, many of whom
along the upper tributaries of the streams to the southwest, west and northwest
of Lowell came here to market their pelts and to lay in supplies. During the
furnishing of my share of the customers I heard numerous complaints of the
unfair dealing they were receiving at the hands of local dealers. I made it my
business to investigate the facts and in so doing actually learned the names of
the different pelts and watched the manner of inspection of the grades of the
different kinds of furs. A load of pelts came in one day and was by the dift'erent
dealers inspected and quoted, that is, bids were made for the load amounting to
about six hundred dollars. I closely watched their proceedings and found what
I believed to be a "ring" — that is a secret agreement among them that the load
should be bought by one of them and after the hunters left divided. Just then I

108 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

stepped in and over-bid the gang, lirst by going through the form of inspection
and then making my figures $50 above the best bid so far made. I got the load
and suppHed their outfit, and was the cause of better prices and a better name for
Lowell. I had never handled nor owned a fur pelt before but kept on buying,
all of the other dealers wondering what market I was going to find for my furs.
One day a gentleman from Buffalo stepped into my store inquiring who had a
stock of furs. I showed him mine, made him a price, he bought the lot amounting
to over twenty-three hundred dollars, at a profit to me of near two hundred and
fifty dollars. It was my first and last venture in furs. I never again bought a
pelt.

Other hunters in Kansas were busy in another line of profit. In the winter
of 1873 large herds of bufifalo appeared and the hunters turned out for a carnival
of fun and a bushel of money. Thousands of buffalo were slain, the hams cut
out with the skin on them and a load sent to Lowell. It was a new deal, none
of the dealers would touch them at any price. I bid 3^4 cents per pound for the
load, and upon a further contract to take other loads, I got it. The other loads
came also until I had accumulated over four tons of ham. A notice of the fact
in a Chicago daily that I could supply large or small orders brought me customers
from Ohio, Indiana, Illinois arid Iowa for one, two, three or four hams at 10
to 12^4 cents a pound, by express C. O. D. and all were closed out at a profit.

In 1874 came a German settler who through agents in Europe contracted for
the purchase of railroad lands in Frontier County south of Plum Creek, now
called Lexington. He came to Lowell and brought his wealth in the shape of a
draft of a Prussian bank upon a New York bank for $1,730 in gold. There was
a bank at Lowell at that time but the bank nor any merchant in Lowell dare
invest. They had never seen such a thing. He came to me and with the aid of
my smattering knowledge of German, and the assistance of the "Mohawk Dutch-
man" I mastered the meaning of the document, and as the premium on gold was
then declining, the day before having been quoted at 8 cents premium, I offered
to take the paper at 6 per cent premium, give him all the goods he wanted to buy
on it and $600 in cash, the balance on demand at any time after two weeks from
date. He was rejoiced, took out about $300 trade and the cash I had on hand.
I sent the draft to the First National Bank of Chicago which refused to credit
any specific amount but forwarded it to New York where it arrived on a day
when gold was quoted at 16 per cent premium. My bank account was credited
within a week of the date I had taken it for the face plus 16 per cent premium
thus clearing 10 per cent on $1,730 besides my profits on the goods sold him.
In about four weeks he again appeared, loaded up two wagons with farm imple-
ments, food and supplies and took the balance due him in cash, a happy man and
came again and again.

I soon learned the kinds of guns mostly used by hunters and made it a point
to keep a good supply of ammunition of all kinds used. I also made it a point
to have on hand also a large supply of strychnine used largely by hunters. At
one time received a supply from the manufacturer of 180 ounces in dram
bottles ; and steel traps by the dozen of the size mostly in demand by the trappers.
I tried to make it an object for settlers, hunters, trappers and all others to come
to the metropolis.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 109

When I came to Lowell there was no Kearney Junction. It had just been
platted but not a building of any kind on the plat. Along in the fall the square
house used by pre-emptors of section 2, town 8, range 16, was moved upon the
street named \\'yoming Avenue, now called Central Avenue. In a few days a
board shanty was erected for a saloon, those were the first buildings in what is
now known as Kearney City.

At the date of my arrival there was no such place as Hastings, but in 1873
the St. Joe & Denver Railroad changed its name and its terminal to St. Joe &
Grand Island Railroad, and at its crossing of the Burlington & Missouri, a little
town was started and named Hastings. Only an eighty acres was platted at first.
The United States Land Office was moved in the spring of 1874 from Lowell to
Bloomington. In September, 1874, a new bridge (across the Platte River) was
erected at Kearney Junction and a few months later a bridge was completed at
North Platte. Lowell was doomed. Your orator saw it. Hastings. Kearney
Junction. North Platte. Grand Island were all bidders for the wonderful trade
that Lowell had enjoyed in full sway for two years, and I withdrew to my farm
and the founding of a new town to become the county seat of this finest county
in the state. Kearney County lost its City of Lowell but gained by the founding
of a new and larger and better City of Minden.

Bufifalo County won the trade at the expense of a new bridge which it built
at its own cost and has kept in repair for thirty-five years — whether a profitable
(leal will be explained by "Bob Greer" who took charge of the customers when
I quit.

But 1874 is also an historical year in the fact that in that year and the two
succeeding years the locvists came and played havoc with the crops of those new
struggling settlers, which plague was finally ended by a fortunate ]May, 1877, rain,
sleet and snow storm, closing with a freeze that utterly destroyed the '"hoppers."

Recounting my first advent to this county I now find not one of those thirty-
one organizers remaining, but find myself to be the oldest remaining settler of
the county. All those who were here when I came are dead or moved away
except two old ladies who were here prior to my advent, ^Nlrs. Talbot and Mrs.
Paul Peterson.

Upon recapitulation of my merchandising venture July '72 to July '74 I
found that I had sold $1,300,000 worth of goods; that my ledger balance showed
that I had made a clear profit of $13,000, or just 10 per cent on my sales ; dividing
that, one-half to my father who was my partner, and li\'ing expenses of my
family for two years, I had enough to erect buildings on my homestead, buy
teams and implements and support my family during the grasshopper plague and
be just even when the locusts quit.

CHAPTER XXVI

HOMESTEADERS IN BUFFALO COUNTY A LIST OF 1,265 PERSONS TAKING HOMESTEAD

AND PRE-EMPTION CLAIMS IN BUFFALO COUNTY PREVIOUS TO 1880 — ARRANGED
BY TOWNSHIP AND RANGE, GIVING YEAR OF FILING ON CLAIM.

THE HOMESTEADER

As a pioneer in the settlement of the county and state the homesteader takes
first place — first rank. As a rule the homesteader was of limited means and
ventured everything in the effort to establish a home. The rapidity with which
the county was settled beginning in 1871 is best illustrated by a table showing
the number of homestead and pre-emption claims filed upon in the county previous
to the year 1880.

A table giving by years the number of homestead and pre-emption claims
filed upon in Buffalo County :

1867 I

1870 2

1871 165

1872 177

1873 150

1874 143

1875 71

1876 r 50

1877 29

1878 268

1879 209

Total 1,265

The setback which not only Buffalo County but the state received in the
drouth and grasshopper years of 1874, 1875 and 1876 is only half illustrated in
the above table, for not only were there comparatively few newcomers, but hun-
dreds of those who had taken claims left the county and state, deserting their
claims, which were in later years taken by others.

The rather large number of claims recorded as taken in the years 1878-79 is
in part accounted for by the fact that the Fort Kearney Military Reservation,
ten miles square and four-tenths of which was embraced within the limits of
Buifalo County, was thrown open to homestead entry in 1878 under conditions

110

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 111

which permitted the head of a family to homestead i6o acres, and in the years
1878-79 all these lands were filed upon in the United States Land Ofifice, and as
there were no railroad lands in the reservation, every quarter section contained a
homesteader. The belief that the reservation would be thrown open to home-
stead entry led interested parties (the chief promoter being Dr. J. J. Saville)
to employ S. and J. Murphy, civil engineers, living at Kearney, to survey the
reservation, this about the year 1876, and at that date practically the entire
reservation was taken by "squatters," who, when the lands were thrown open to
homestead entry in 1878, having the first right to make entry, filed their claims
in the land office.

Believing that in a history of Bufifalo County the name of every person taking
a homestead or pre-emption claim, in the early days, is worthy of being made a
matter of record, and that to future generations it will be of interest to know
who made the first settlements in the various townships of the county, the editor
has copied from the United States Land Office records the names of all those
taking a homestead or pre-emption claim in the county previous to the year
1880.

This list is here given by Government township and range, and in the spelling
of the names great care has been taken to follow the record in the land office.
It wnll be noticed there are some duplication of names. This is accounted for
from the fact that some settlers took both a pre-emption and a homestead claim,
it being legal and proper so to do.

List of persons taking homestead and pre-emption claims in Bufifalo County
previous to the year 1880:

PLATTE TOWNSHIP TOWN NO. 8, RANGES I3 AND I4

1878 — 'Jacob Miller, Nelson Jaco, C. E. Darling, F. C. Goodwin, Edward
Broderick, A. Smith, H. S. Towers, R. H. Pember, John Stutz, Fred Donner,
Henrich Brenkman, W. H. Wallace, John Nash, Wm. Moreland, W'm. J.
Willars, John Hartwell, John Pember, E. Slatie, L. Morrow, Thomas Carson,
Sarepta Patterson, A. Johnson, G. W. Rishel, N. Piatt, M. Martin, F. A. Morgan,
J. A. Combs, Sophia Holbrook, P. IMcBride, Silas Troop, A. A. Robinson, T. L.
Grafiius, H. Wilcox, Samuel Boyer, Charles Ernst.

1879 — John Vanwey, George Stearley, J. W. Weaver, M. O. Kessler, John W.
Shahan, John T. Gilliland, T. Swenier, I. A. Matlick, W. H. Fulton, J. Kent.

SIIELTON TOWNSHIP TOWN NO. 9, RANGE NO. I3

1870 — O. E. Thompson, Andrew Buest.

1871 — August AJeyer, L. Worthington, B. C. Bassett, Henry Fairchild,
Robert Waters, S. C. Bassett, A. S. Craig, J. H. Darby, Ed Lovall, W. H. Sprague,
James Oliver, H. C. Green, M. Stearley, H. Goss, B. F. Sammons, Ira L. Bunker,
L. N. West, F. F. Blanchard, C. Putnam, Dr. I. P. George, W. H. Kelly, Theron
D. Yost, J. N. Allen, B. Austin, J. M. Bayley, C. O. Childs, Kingman Fisher,
J. M. Erwin, J. F. McKinley, Isaac Starbuck, James Wilkie, F. B. Reider, Paul
Litterman, W. H. Gray.

112 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

1872 — Edward Oliver, Ephriam Oliver, Henry Dugdale, E. M. Fargo, John
Gagin, H. Stockwell, Orin Pratt, S. B. Lowell, A. D. George, Rodney George,
George W. Brown, James Wilson, John Haug, Fred Haug, George Stearley,
Joseph Buck, Sr., A. W. Zimmerman, J. R. George.

1873 — Joseph Owen, Elizabeth Hurley, Mrs. Mary Day.

1874 — Patrick Walsh, J. A. Brown, M. Breed, H. Thompson, F. J. Jenns,
L. M. Sanford, B. Asliton.

1875 — Wm. Nutter, Montrose Fisher.

1876 — L. D. Craven, Mrs. E. Pember.

1877— M. G. Lee.

1878— D. S. Meals, D. M. Swayze, W. G. Devall, Mary M. Kirkpatrick, Eli
Meals, B. P. Thompson, W. H. Curtis, J. O. Vanwey, George Trace, Jr., L.
Vohland, W. H. Bell, N. Meals, M. W. Winchester, W. H. Mauer, J. Bishop,
W. H. Ashton, J. P. Bastian, S. L. Boyer, J. B. Loury, J. J. Brown, James
Wilson, H. H. Winchester.

1879 — George Mortimer, J. H. Leisey, J. Miller.

SHARON TOWNSHIP TOWN NO. lO, RANGE NO. IT,

1 87 1 — V. Armbus, Wm. M. Craven, Albert Washburn, Geo. L. Thomas,
O. B. Washburn, O. C. Hancock, Simon V. Seeley, F. D. Boardman, James
Garfield, Jame E. Judd, T. D. Thacher, Lorenzo Plumb, J. W. Vance, J. A.
Barnes, George Meisner, Casper Meisner, D. Fox, Henry Fieldgrove, John P.
Smith, A. Barrett, Alzo Plumb, J. H. Mills, S. R. Traut.

1872 — Mrs. Lois N. Ayer, E. Buno, L. Sturges, P. Ruth, R. A. Fox, Robert
Goar, T. J. Taylor, J. E. Miller, C. E. S. Cooper, E. Miller, J. M. Kean, J. K. Lux,
C. W. Davenport, J. C. Standley, P. McCullough, S. F. Henninger, J. J. Whit-
tier, D. W. Johnson, R. Neil, D. Stonebarger, Mrs. E. Pember, Nathan Mills.

1873— A. Rines, C. S. Bailey, E. S. Judd, T. E. Mundle, A. D. Barnhart,
John Henry, M. S. Henry, Daniel Dye.

1874— H. S. Colby, J. D. H. Koch, J. M. Devall, Geo. F. Klingst, F. A.
Kappler, O. Gumprech, Isaac Willard, B. Whittaker.

1875— E. W. Borman, J. P. Turbell, E. M. Devall.

1876 — F. W. Killner, T. F. Craig, W. S. Freeman.

1877 — D. Otto, F. W. Schiemann.

1878 — W. F. Koster, H. Sutter, George Conroy, John Conroy, Geo. D.
Williams, C. H. Cudney, G. A. Blume, A. Hoag, W. H. Bentley, F^lorence E.
Brown.

1879— John Lubbin, E. L. Smith, T. D. Allen.

GARDNER TOWNSHIP — TOWN NO. II, RANGE NO. I3

1874— D. Barrett, A. Bromley, Wm. Barrett, S. Chandler, J. T. Badger,
T. J. Smith, Saml. Urwiller. •

1875 — Geo. L. Gardner, Luke Barrett.

1876 — Geo. K. Peck, Wm. Weeces.

1877— W. S. Elliott, Emma T. Peck, S. McCutchen, Henry Willey, G. W.
Archer, C. Riddle.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 113

1878 — Max Schlund, Clans Sothmann, F. Hentz, H. IMuhlbach, R. Beekman,
H. Cassidy, J. H. Barrett, G. H. L. Harding, J. G. A. Muhlbach, Jas. Hutchin-
son. S. R. Hankins, C. C. Knapp, W. L. Lewis, L. Krenzwieser, V. E. Bush,
H. Harris, J. G. Harris, EHzabeth J. Aufderhide, John Luce, Robt. Taylor, F.
Urwiller, Thomas Carroll, Emil Keehler, C. Karp, George Best, D. Scrivin, J.
Urwiller. F. A. Muhlbach, W. F. Muhlbach, J. P. Curry, J. B. Wrightington.
Joanna Dean, A. G. Welch, Henry Decker, J. Flendrickson, D. Riley, F. Rohr-
bach.

1879 — Samuel Urwiller, E. Muhlbach, F. A. E. Novck, John A. Hogg, E.
Riley, L. Waldron, James Cleary, George S. Post, Wm. Sprect, E. J. Stephens,
J. Y. Swigart, George W. Carr, Danforth Demary, C. N. Klammer, John Stuber,
R. J. Welch, Eli Campbell, P. Dooley, J. BiUingsly.

CHERRY CREEK TOWNSHIP — TOWN NO. 12, RANGE NO. I3

1876 — E. Locke.

187S— A. Kyne, G. M. Hankins, R. J. Hodson.

1879 — A. J. Hodson, J. D. Mathews, M. Kyne, E. J. Varney.

GIBBON TOWNSHIP — TOWN NO. 9, RANGE NO. I4

(Note — The southwest quarter of section 14, town 9, range 14, in this town-
ship, known as "Boyd Ranch," was the first claim taken in the county by Joseph
Boyd in 1867, and was the first piece of deeded land in Nebraska west of Hall
County.)

1867 — Joseph Boyd.

1871 — A. F. Gibson, W. H. Kenny, W. J. Knight, Coe Killgore, Clara E.
Lew, John Lloyd, C. A. Monks, W. F. McClure, E. Northrup. A. J. Oviatt, Wm.
Patterson, C. T. Silvernail, H. P. Rogers, John Lucas, Geo. H. Silvernail, Wm.
Roach, John Silvernail, Jacob Booth, R. E. L. Willard, J. W. Wiggins, S. M.
McDuft'ee, Aaron Ward, W. D. Hick, C. E. Brayton, John W. Forrest, Wm.
Brady, Robert Hick, L D. LaBarre, R. Forrest, Geo. Gilmore, P. K. Drury, L. S.
Hough, J. Delos Drury, S. Rosseter, V. T. Mercer, U. A. Day, John Stern. D. R.
Davis, O. A. Buzzell, Asa Fawcett, W. J. Carson, W. W. Gibson, D. P. Crable,
M. D. Thomas, A. Kennedy, J. S. Chamberlain, R. S. Shifit'ert, L. D. George,
J. Gable, T. J. Hubbard, W. N. Jackson, E. aL Hubbard, G. A. King, Saml.
Mattice. R. Wallace, John Grabach.

1872— P. T. Davis; A. J. Snowdon, W. C. Drury, J. W. Berry, Mary J.
fiercer, J. E. Kelsey, D. P. Ashburn, John P. Putnam, T. J. Fisher, D. B. Wor-
ley, Wm. Stern, J. A. Danner, H. B. Mercer.

1873— J. Marsh, T. B. George, W. P. Trew, T. J. Mahoney.

1874 — Ebon Bray, J. J. W. Place.

1878— A. P. Johnson, H. Lewis. R. W. \\'allace. P. Crawford, A. J. Mur-
rish, John J. Marrs. Charles Riley, Wm. Manix. John Murrish, B. M. Guiles, M.
Meals, J. McWHiiney, T. Pratt, A. H. Bohin, Elisabeth Baker, W. H. Chapman,
W. O. Altaft'er, S. M. Palmer, H. Cook, F. H. Cook, Mary A. Reis, E. S.
Edwards, J. M. Applegate. P. E. Foxworthy, Hattie B. Cook, A. Eddy.

1879 — Peter DeClark, Isaac DeClark, A. L. Chase.

114 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

VALLEY TOWNSHIP TOWN NO. lO, RANGE NO. I4

187 i—N. W. Short, M. Gray.

1872— T. L. Mitchell, J. R. Beach, S. A. Barrett, E. Graham.

1873— W. T. Beatty, H. H. Haven, W. A. Losee, S. F. Berry, M. Oard,
A. M. Campbell, George Simpkins, Samuel T. Walker.

1874 — Thomas Jones, John Brennon, W. R. Wheeler.

1875 — P. C. Shannon.

1876 — Wm. Puttergill, S. D. Kooser.

1878 — J. B. Wheeler, Geo. E. Fredericks, T. O. George, O. Knepper.

1879 — ^- R- Rathbon, Joseph Glaze, Wm. Trivelpiece, L. C. France. J. Kin-
nett, G. W. McKay, David Roach, G. W. Walker, N. H. Smith.

SCHNEIDER TOWNSHIP TOWN NO. II, RANGE NO. 1 4

1874 — J. Schuller, John Petz, F. Frederick, G. Schiem.

1875 — W. Fischer, J. G. Grossen, P. Mundscheuk, A. Schueller, C. Mnrbe,

F. A. Schmidt, C. Kaubler, F. Lochr, F. L. Berbig.

1876 — C. W. Grosser, T. Kender, F. Winkler, G. Middleton, Robert Pcnson.

1877 — F. A. Scheick, F. Reinhold, F. Gruenther, W. Weber.

1878 — J. Lindloff, Anna Murgerl, J. Soukup, Frank Schuler, E. Goehring,
W. A. Shreve, Mary Schuller, W. Freyberg, F. Guenther, J. H. Richardson.

1879 — C. H. Dow, Elizabeth Porter, A. Burgess, S. H. Hogg, Silas Robinson,
R. Goehring, W. Z. Tillson, B. F. Gardner, C. T. Frederick, A. Scheick, F. A.
Weidner, F. L. Weidner, J. Schmidt, A. W. Clark, J. Weigel, W. W. Pool, W.
Freyberg, Hans Voss, T. Blaschko, Granvill Robinson, J. A. King, J. Zulauf
Peter O'Brien, R. McKutchen, J. H. Vorys, T. Hodges.

GARFIELD TOWNSHIP TOWN NO. 12, RANGE NO. I4

1874 — Erastus Smith, H. J. Alward, Wm. Eastridge, D. Miller, W. Freel.
1876— E. Veith.
1877— J. T. Lewis.
1878— F. Stark, A. A. Hixon.

1879— J. C. Stark, P. Gehrt, J. W. Mommesson, J. M. Smith, C. Uri, W.
Brough, B. F. Peck, P. N. Round, C. Landers.

CENTER TOWNSHIP TOWN NO. 9, RANGE NO. 1 5

Also all of town No. 8, range No. 15, embraced in Buffalo County.

1871— George N. Smith, H. Hillficker, R. Killgore, B. F. Bengsloe. John
Blanchard, A. H. Brundage, FL D. Smith, W. A. Hunter, Wm. Smith, George
Hoge, George Enderly, J. H. Miller, George Flehearty, J. H. O'Neil, S. A. Mack,
A. Shovel, T. M. Faddis. L B. Wambaugh, H. Comstock, H. T. Faddis, C. A.
Smith. John Davis, A. W. Tabor, A. L. Ketchum. F. Moore.

1872— W. H. Killgore, J. Hillficker. J. Wood, John Mahan, L. D. Forehand.

G. M. Hively. John Hively, J. Enderly, J. Loverin, J. N. Loverin, Mary A.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 115

Smith, A. P. Mitchell, J. Gabriel, A. B. Richardson, J. C. Pierce, I. L. Cuttler,
H. S. Guy, J. McClure, G. W. Kern, Jr., S. I. Asterheid, C. I. Asterheid, D. B.
Marsh, S. Brandal, A. Row, W. S. Spooner, J. Crinyan, H. Worden, W. M.
Brookover, C. Parry, J. Hively, A. Henderson, T. Garland, C. T. Weldin.

1873 — J. M. Frantz, N. D. Brooks, George Grabach, A. W. Hanson, D. Bean,
W. Troop, Robert Haines, A. Scott, Maria J. Sadler, Mary A. Smith, J. M.
Thomas, J. Thomas, H. V. Westhoven, H. W. Morse, J. S. Harrington, J. B.
Ingram, J. A. Waters, G. W. Clem, John Hoge.

1874 — B. Fancette, L. Troop, J. Scott, J. Troop, E. A. Hartman, C. Lee,
P. D. Keys.

1875 — J. Hormel, D. Clelland, A. A. Brown.

1876— F. E. Babbitt, B. F. Vandyke, S. Van Scyoc, C. C. Black, F. Reynolds,
A. H. Edwards.

1S77 — J. Trumbull, Wm. Schranm, L. Korecek, C. Osterheid.

1878— W. T. Scott, F. J. Switz, H. Burritt, Mary A. Vance, L. M. Brigham,
E. C. Calkins, M. Saville, C. A. Westervelt, A. Bessie, Samuel L. Savidge, C. E.
Paist, A. B. Clark, I. Henthorn, J. Layton, J. A. Harron, J. E. Lund, M. F.
Martin, S. H. McNutt, A. D. Randall, M. O. Riley, H. J. Mack, E. Mathews,
G. W. Mecum, M. M. Martin, D. Allen, J. ^I. Chism, R. W. Russell, S. Landis,
C. D. Ayers, H. C. Sams, W. H. Salisbury, S. Wenzell, D. Webbert, W. L. Nash,
J. S. Sizer, S. J. Waldron, L. W. Zook, P. Ford, W. E. Hawley, J. Eaton, J. W.
Winslow, T. T. Clelland, J. McKain, M. M. Allen, M. Henthorn, T. McBride,
James Evans, Rosa Grant.

1879— W. B. McBride, B. H. Goulding, R. H. Eaton, J. Anderson, E. D.
McCalve.

THORNTON TOWNSHIP— TOWN NO. lO, RANGE NO. I5

1873 — C. A. Borders, B. Turner, F. Chisler, F. J. Weldin, M. Conners, J. C. V.
Kelley, B. J. Holmes, W. S. Hall.

1874— S. S. St. John, J. M. Smith, J. Gass, N. L. Coombs, Joel Miller, N.
Fellers, J. Trumbull, W. J. Neely, J. E. Holloway, F. G. Hamer, B. Streigle,
G. H. Cutting, W. G. Patterson, S. W. Thornton, E. Goodsell.

1875 — G. R. Tracy, S. W. Powers, H. Stanford, J. Schutrum, P. D. Keys,
J. H. Borders, D. K. Larimer, E. Cooperider.

187^-G. P. Caldwell, J. A. Waters, G. Schmid.

1878— J. Lake, George Gilming, Z. A. Weldin, L. W. Weldin, D. McCan, W.
Weldin, Rebecca S. Neely, C. C. Smith, W. J. Turner, T. Spencer.

1879 — Caroline M. Gilming, J. Gass, L. F. Lyberger, R. Gass, F. Gunst, W. S.
Ball, T. Caton, A. Henderson, A. W. Smith, I. S. Tracy, F. W. Magee.

CEDAR TOWNSHIP TOWN NO. II, RANGE NO. 1 5

1873^ — M. A. Young, I. Bates, Joseph Clayton, S. A. Marshall, S. Kinsey,
E. West, E. W. Carpenter, Joseph White, S. J. Houston, J. M. Treichler, S. Hig-
gins, J. Dance.

1874— A. St. Peter, J. McCool, J. Rink, H. Luce, J. E. Miller.

116 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

1878— W. C. Tillson, J. Mapes, C. H. George, G. Vater.
1879 — ^^- Barker, J. Barker, G. W. Duncan, J. M. Shields, A. J. Stover,
C. W. Putnam, D. McCool, \V. Bigsty, T. Hunnegbun, G. A. Tuppan.

BEAVER TOWNSHIP TOWN NO. 12, RANGE NO. 1 5

1873 — H. Hughes, J. P. Christensen.

1874 — J. Armstrong.

1875— J. E. Nave, J. McGee.

1876— B. F. Parkhurst, H. C. Padelford.

1877 — J. W. Herbough.

1878— E. Nervig, W. A. Weller, J. Michie, T. W. Smay, Robt. Hutchinson.

i879_H. Work, W. Lee, Ole Lee, J. L. Miller, T. J. Cocking.

RIVERDALE TOWNSHIP TOWN NO. 9, RANGE NO. 16

Also town No. 8, range No. i6, as embraced in Buffalo County.

1871 — George E. Smith, Jas. A. Smith, W. F. Marsh, E. T. Jay, Pattie Gid-
dings, W. W. Patterson, Mahlon White, L. S. Dickenson, J. W. Whitlock, J. Q.
Potter, J. F. Chace, G. S. Ball, W. S. Croy, N. Gould, A. M. White, L White,
H. Van Arman.

1872 — John Henning, D. Lewis, W. Slote, D. M. Logan, James Jenkins, L
Webb, F. L. Perkins, Joseph Scott, J. M. Winterbottom, George E. Smith, A. M.
Gay, L J. Hiilman, Anna M. Smith, J. W. Leland, L. B. Fifield, D. Rowan, D.
Anderson, A. Fellows, F. W. Dart, A. W. Barlow, Ashbury Collins, F. N. Col-
well, C. Winterbottom, F. G. Keens, A. J. Gibson, A. Larson, H. Miller, J. C.
Bunnell, L. B. Cunningham, B. C. Byrd, C. Sischo, J. F. Jones, P. Calhoon, C.
Stevenson, F. Cuddebach, J. Cuddebach, J. W. Kick, E. S. Perkins, W. G. Carson,
j. B. Sammons, S. Wenzell, C. Gould, Wm. Morse.

1873 — F. R. Woods, Hannah Jay, Geo. E. Norris, J. N. Keller, J. W. Bradley,
W. J. Perkins, J. G. Carson, E. P. McDonald, J. C. Bunnell, J. R. Hurst, J. Carr,

A. E. Russell, J. H. Hollenbeck, E. Spencer, W. Smart, A. W. Reddish, Wm.
Swartwood, W. C. Griffith, A. H. Connor, J. A. Smith, M. Smidt, W. S. Gregory,
W. C. Turner, Max Boetsch, J. Williams, Walter Colby.

1874— J. W. Nash, C. Baumgartner, M. M. White, C. Israel, J. Fish, E. H.
Wilcox, W. Hewitt, N. C. Honnold, E. L. Lull, P. Keefer, F. Reynolds, H. W.
Ross.

1875— M. N. Hildebrand, J. B. Wicker, J. R. King, C. Larson, Ole Larson,

B. Tuesdale, C. Abrandt, W. B. Brown, Wm. Moner, T. C. Roberts.

1876— John Ffrom, C. S. Hill, S. S. Hill, C. W. Porter, L. Wenzell, T. S.
Nightengale.

1877— H. H. Magill.

1878— N. Campbell, M. Nevius, H. E. Swan, H. Lantz. D. Lowenstein, C. L.
A. Klatte, Julia Haven, C. C. Black, J. S. Atwood, John Barnes, Joseph Black,
E. Kleber, J. M. Feather, James Cox, W. S. Slate.

1879 — J. H. Lantz, H. Lowenstein. N. D. Bort, S. R. Black, I. J. Sommers,
W. L. Nash, W. M. Guardian, M. Smith, A. J. Crossley, J. L. Seymour, A.
Sheifeldt.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 117

DIVIDE TOWNSHIP TOWN NO. 10, RANGE NO. l6

1872— Wm. Willard, W. Richardson, V. O. S. Reynolds, A. D. Raymond,
W. F. Piercy, J. L. Chevaux.

1873— J- F. Young, S. Herod, A. E. Thomas, G. N. McKeen, M. J. Spry, I.
Neff, E. A. Cutting, W. L. Willard, G. S. Duncan, I. S. Knight, Mrs. M. B.
Fox, D. Inman, D. A. Dorsey, E. W. Thomas, C. A. McConkey, J. Joseph, A. L.
Spry, J. Brown, S. A. Atwood, G. L. Bakewell, C. Lewis, B. C. Sprague, J. E.
Spry, S. N. Spry, D. Vance, R. H. Eaton, H. W. Collins, T. G. McLaughlin.

1874— T. J. McKee, H. Mitchell, G. Beal, H. Sievert, J. Ginther, C. Kirk, F.
Siewert, F. Riesenweber, A. Davidson, F. Willoper, H. Baumgarn, S. Miller,
T. Turney, J. Rilinger, A. H. Cleaveland, C. Bishop. John Swenson, J. Schutt.

1875 — L. Logan, J. H. Harrison, L. N. Thorndike, D. H. Compton, J. Som-
merville, Thomas Ginther, O. Neff, Wm. Hueselton, F. Weiss, A. Gartley, H.
Randolph, C. Schandtz, E. Cuddebach, A. L. Hopwood, A. Ayers.

1876— L. G. Walter, N. Boquet, C. Stierlen, L. Brucker, A. A. Brucker, T.
Hutchinson.

1877 — V. H. Barrager, Robert Scheiching.

1878— F. Hone, Lydia P. Bever, A. Stedwell, Robt; Knittel, F. Juhl, C.
Scheiching.

1879 — Emory Peck, J. W. Lalone, W. H. Pettit, D. Hamilton, B. Koeppe,
M. S. Stover, H. A. Wells, K. Holmes, Xaver Hoell, F. Juhl, G. Scheiching,
Wm. Stover.

RUSCO TOWNSHIP — TOWN NO. II, RANGE NO. 16

1873— E. M. Holly.

1874 — A. Peake, John Wilson, L. H. Johnson, J. L. Scott, L. Allen, B. D.
Graham, A. M. Morse, F. Boyer, J. H. Lockard.

1875— W. H. Jordon.

1876— W. Rusco.

1877— M. P- Baker, C. Scott.

1878— J. W. Phillips, A. D. Colwell.

1879— E. Beyer, J. A. Beyer, J. T. Field, A. O. Olsen, C. E. Field, S. A. Field,
Kate M. Trott, F. M. Moore, J. Nickman.

LOUP TOWNSHIP — TOWN NO. 12, RANGE NO. 16

1874— H. F. Hand, J. T. Palmer, L. A. Colburn, C. B. Oakley, N. Dick, N. A.
Brunce, J. Welch, H. H. Clark.

1876 — E. Colburn, J. C. Carr, John Sheckler.

1878— C. F. Madsen. J. H. Booher, R. Reiter, J. J. Parks, C. A. Turner, O.
Holrries, J. Pearson, L Holmes, D. A. Parks.

1879— H. H. Smith, E. Reiter, D. A. Peterson, J. F. Hunter, W. H. Sparks,
J. Unick, D. Rohrbarer, C. E. Parks, F. Scholtz.

ODESSA TOWNSHIP — TOWN NO. Q, RANGE NO. I7

Also that portion of town No. 8, range No. 17, embraced within the limits of
Buffalo County.

118 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

187 1 — Dan A. Crowell, B. Allen Crovvell.

1872 — R. D. Gould, J. Zerk, D. Brown, E. Christianson, C. Christianson,
J. F. Suplee, S. Tolefsen, R. Vails, S. W. Homer, Flora Thomas, FI. Brown,
J. B. Vincent, M. Fagley, H. F. Leonard, Wm. C. T. Kurth, Geo. W. Tovey,
J. Ratliii", M. Homer, J. E. F. Vails, John D'. Seaman.

1873 — C. S. Greenman, E. N. Lord, Geo. D. Aspinwall, George Hall, R. F.
Walters, Theadore Knox, James Sturrock, A. Ream, J. E. Chidester, J.
Homer, Jr.

1874 — James Halliwell, D. Harpst, John T. Brown, Edward Keltner, Wm. F.
Reeves, J. M. Grant, Thomas Maloney.

1875 — George Jones.

1876 — H. Ransom, Catherine Edwards.

1878— F. W. Nickols, J. Vails, George A. Bailey, Susan C. Hurlburt, R. D.
Gould, D. Hostetler, H. H. Achey, Susan Grant, L. C. Skelley, Ada Grant.

1879— J. Segard, John Davis, W. Broat, Cordelia M. Waite, J. B. Neal, John
Work, George T. Broughton, Wm. H. McNett.

GRANT TOWNSHIP TOWN NO. 10, RANGE NO. 1 7

1872 — John Groves, J. Atkinson, Jr., Richard Bell, J. J. Roberts.

1873— M. B. Hunt, W. White, E. S. Marsh, G. L. Rough, A. M. Mudge,
J. K. Sanford, W. H. Brown, G. F. Hesselgrave, T. E. Foster, Wm. N. Brown.

1874 — Wm. Grant, G. W. Coffman, A. Thompson, Lydia M. Mace, H. Coff-
man, J. H. Coffman.

1875 — H. A. Jules, G. H. Sand, D. Halsey, Charles Wandel, C. L. Hamilton.

1876— M. Butler, A. Clark, L. Major.

1877 — Katie Lander, J. W. Brewster.

1878— Daniel Holden, P. H. Esler, M. E. Lathrop, H. L. Seaman, Pat
Riley.

1879— J. H. Fisher, B. L. Mushrush, H. Brown, F. C. Almy, W. J. Clark,
H. B. Gilbert, J. C. Douke, Wm. M. Hoover.

SCOTT TOWNSHIP — TOWN NO. II, RANGE NO. I7

1873 — Benjamin Scott, John Laro.

1874 — W. Hanshen, J. P. Gilmore, James A. Betts.

1878 — J. J. Moore, James Broadfoot.

1879— W. W. McLea, O. H. Lowery.

SARTORIA TOWNSHIP TOWN NO. 12, RANGE NO. I7

1878— B. Lee, Nels Lee, Mattie Stockdale.

1879— P. Pierce, W. Cook, C. Cook, W. J. Grant, George Pfeift'er.

ELM CREEK TOWNSHIP TOWN NO. 9, RANGE NO. 18

Also that portion of town No. 8, range No. i8, embraced within Buffalo
County.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 119

1871— A. F. Fraser, T. J. Holt, B. Foot, H. Ryan.

1872 — Fannie Nevius, James Tyler, W. Shreve, R. M. Holt, M. Stout, F.
Ryan, D. McAlister, W. S. Leake, J. E. Anderson, P. Llansen, D. T. Hood, W. V.
lloge, J. McKee, J. W. Stevens.

1873— H. B. Steele, John Tyler, D. C. Bond, D. Dooley, J. Degler.

1874— C. J. Swayne, H. T. Morton, J. Meach, J. Dane, J. Ulrich, William
Dawns. J. T. Shufflebarger, Wm. Snell, F. Foster, J. DeKam, Charles Davis.

1875— L. Kocker, A. S. Leake, S. T. Wolf, A. Shufllebarger, J. Shufflebarger,
Sarah J. Calkins, George Miller.

1876— G. W. House, J. P. Arndt.

1877 — D. L Brown.
• 1878— R. K. Potter, W. C. Shufflebarger, J. R. Churchill, M. Hurley.

1879— J- Somell, A. Straight, S. M. Tingley, H. Hobson, C. E. Holmes, L.
Knapp, D. Browning. A. S. Sabin, L. P. Wells, J. Demuth, A. Jarchke, Thomas
Bolan, N. O. Calkins, J. B. Wait.

LOGAN TOWNSHIP — TOWN NO. 10, RANGE NO. l8

1878— C. A. WiUis, Ella A. WiUis.
1879 — Anton Rager.

ARMADA TOWNSHIP TOWN NO. II, RANGE NO. 18

1873 — H. C. Harbough. A. J. Fennell, Wm. Carr, R. Burney, Thomas Jeffry.

1874 — John Mercer. J. H. Brown, Robert Miller, Oscar Hamilton.

1875— L Lamb, J. F. Mackey.

1877 — A. L. Armstrong.

1878— Wm. M. White, G. A. Roach, PL Zarrs.

1879— J. L. Abel, R. F. Simpson. F. B. Craps, A. F. Burt, H. T. West.

HARRISON TOWNSHIP TOWN NO. 12, RANGE NO. 18

1879— John Hurse, J. W. Cassell, E. Miles, C. Olmstead, W^ N. Wright,
E. A. Woodbridge, Cannute Lee.

CHAPTER XXVII

FIRST FOURTH OF JULY PICNIC, 1872 — HELD IN DUGDALE GROVE — SUNDAY SCHOOLS
FROM BUFFALO AND HALL COUNTIES PARTICIPATE — 5OO CHILDREN IN ATTEND-
ANCE — SAMUEL B. LOWELL, PRESIDENT COL. H. D. NILES DELIVERS THE ORATION

PROF. D. B. WORLEY IN CHARGE OF MUSIC.

FIRST FOURTH OF JULY PICNIC

(From Buffalo County Beacon, July 13, 1872)

The day was ushered in by the booming of a big cotton wood log and the
ringing of bells. It was one of those beautiful days only to be seen in Nebraska.
The Sunday schools of Gibbon and Wood River Union (Centre Township) and
their friends assembled at the schoolhouse in Gibbon at 11 A. M., where con-
veyances were ready, for all who wished to participate, for the grove, situated
about four miles east of town on grounds owned by Henry Dugdale. On arrival
at the grove, we found it a cool and delightful place on the banks of Wood River,
carefully cleaned of underbrush and fitted up with seats, swings, rostrum, etc.
District No. i and Wood River Station (Hall County) schools were already on
the ground. After a short time spent in preparation, the different schools, headed
by their superintendents, marched into the grove, the Wood River School first,
numbering sixty members and bearing a banner trimmed with colored rosettes
and ribbon streamers. The center was the figure of an eagle of beautiful needle
work, bearing in its beak a scroll inscribed with the national motto, "E Pluribus
Unum." This banner was the work of Japanese men and was presented to the
school by Doctor Patterson. Rufus Mitchell was superintendent of this school.
Next in the procession came District No. i School numbering 115 members with
Rev. J. N. Allen as superintendent. Then came the Gibbon School, 150 members,
bearing a banner inscribed "Gibbon Sunday School" and on the reverse side
"Holy Bible," the banner trimmed with evergreen, Rev. O. A. Buzzell superin-
tendent. Last came the Wood River Union School, sixty-five members, carrying
the Stars and Stripes, and a plain banner with the inscription "Union Sunday
School" and on the reverse "God is Love," W. H. Kinney, superintendent.

The assemblage was called to order by the president of the day, S. B. Lowell.
Rev. Wm. Morse offered an appropriate and impressive prayer. The audience
then sang the national hymn, "America," led by Prof. D. B. Worley, who presided
at the organ, this followed by the reading of the immortal declaration of inde-
pendence by Rev. J. J. W. Place. The remaining exercises were as follows:

Song, "Beautiful River," by the Gibbon School.

Oration, Col. H. D. Niles.

120

SAMUEL B. LOWELL

Early settler in Buffalo County. Pre-
sided at first Fourth of July Sunday school
picnic helil in the county, 1872.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 121

The afternoon exercises consisted of a musical selection by Prof. D. B.
Worley; an address by Rev. J. N. Allen and recitations by :\Iisses Edith George,
Flora Sprague, Carrie Alarsh and Flossie Day. * * * It would have taken
a great stretch of the imagination to have pictured to the mind the scene which
actually took place on the Fourth at Dugdale's Grove. Not less than five hundred
children assembled and singing praises to God where eighteen months before the
wild Indians roamed at pleasure and herds of bufifalo occupied the very grounds
the picnic was held on. It shows with what a bound civilization has advanced
over the prairies of Nebraska within a short period of time. May the children
who took part in the first celebration of our national holiday in Buffalo County
live to see many more such.

CHAPTER XXVIII

THE COUNTY SEAT THE FH^ST COURTHOUSE HAULING WOOD FROM THE LOUP

RIVER — FIRST TERM OF COURT — LIST OF GRAND AND PETIT JURORS — OFFICERS OF

THE COURT BOUNDARIES OF JUDICIAL DISTRICT REMOVAL OF COUNTY SEAT

BUILDING A SECOND COURTHOUSE USING THE OLD COURTHOUSE ACADEMY AT

GIBBON BAPTIST COLLEGE UNITED BRETHREN COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE— COM-
MERCIAL COLLEGES farmer's INSTITUTE.

THE COUNTY SEAT

When on the first day of December, 1869, Governor David Butler called a
special election to be held in Buffalo County, in order to reorganize the county,
he designated that the election be held at the schoolhouse in Precinct No. i, which
was in the immediate vicinity of Wood River Center, and thus Wood River
Center became the county seat of the reorganized county.

At this point, in the dwelling of Patrick Walsh, in an ironbound box, secured
from Fort Kearney by Sergt. Michael Coady and presented to the county, all the
records of the county were kept, the same being in possession of County Judge
Patrick Walsh. The official meetings of the county commissioners were held at
this point, Wood River Center, until the arrival of the colony in April, 1871. On
May 13, 1871, a meeting of the commissioners was held at Gibbon. At this
meeting the commissioners authorized the holding of their meetings at Gibbon,
it being a more convenient point. About this date. Sergt. Michael Coady, county
clerk, who resided at Fort Kearney, being in the military service of the United
States, appointed Frank S. Trew, deputy county clerk and the county records
were placed in Mr. Trew's keeping. George Gilmore had erected a cheap frame
building, 12 by 16 feet in size as a land office. This building was used also by
Mr. Trew as a land office and in this building was kept the county records and
it was also used by the county as the office of the county clerk, county judge and
county treasurer, Patrick Walsh being county judge and by appointment county
treasurer. At the regular election held October 10, 1871, the county seat was, by
vote, located at Gibbon. At the same election Aaron Ward was elected county
clerk, Edward Oliver, treasurer; C. Putnam, superintendent of schools; O. E.
Thompson, sheriff; B. F. Sammons, and W. F. McClure, commissioners. As
recalled Frank S. Trew served as deputy county treasurer. On May 22, 1872,
the county records were transferred to a building erected for a private residence,
being at this date (1915) the residence of Mr. F. M. Riggs. On this removal the
county clerk was authorized to expend not to exceed $50 for a desk and other
furniture for his office. The county offices and county records were kept in this

122

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 123

building, for which a rental of $io per month was paid by the county until
February, 1873, when on the completion of the new courthouse the offices and
records were transferred to that building.

THE COURTHOUSE

On April 20, 1872, the commissioners, W. F. McClure and B. F. Sammons,
ordered a special election to vote on the proposition of issuing courthouse bonds.
This election was held May 7, 1872, and resulted as follows:

For bonds, 121 ; against bonds, 55; majority for bonds, 66. On June 8, 1872,
Charles F. DriscoU, an architect from Omaha, appeared before the commis-
sioners and was authorized to furnish plans and specifications for the courthouse
building. He received for drawing plans and specifications the sum of $423.

To build this courthouse there was issued $20,000 in bonds, bearing 10 per
cent interest and dated July i, 1872. They were twenty-year bonds, optional after
ten years. It might be of interest to state that these bonds, are still unpaid
(1908) ; they were refunded in 1888 at 7 per cent interest; in 1893, refunded at
5 per cent interest; in 1899 at 3 60-100 per cent interest. The interest on these
bonds from July i, 1872, to date, 1908, approximates $51,480. The original
bonds were sold to Farr & Trew, bankers at Gibbon, for SyYz cents, that being 5
cents higher than the bid of any other bidder.

The county received in cash for these bonds $17,500

The county has paid, approximately, in interest 51,480

The county has yet to pay on bonds 20,000

On July 13, 1872, ten bids were received for the construction of the court-
house and jail, the jail being in the basement of the building. The contract was
awarded to H. B. Dexter of Omaha to complete the building for $16,925. Mr.
Dexter further agreeing that the brick would be manufactured at Gibbon.
Mr. Dexter at once began the construction of the courthouse. The stone for
the foundation and the lumber to be used were shipped from Omaha. The brick
were made from clay and sand found in the immediate vicinity of Gibbon and it
was planned to burn the brick with wood procured from the Loup River in the
north part of the county, a distance of about twenty-five miles by the route neces-
sarily traveled. The contract to cut the wood was taken by W. F. McClure and
he was assisted by John Silvernail and Samuel Mattice. J. S. Chamberlain took
the contract to haul the wood at $6 a cord and among those wdio hauled wood
for this purpose were J. S. Chamberlain, W. W. Gibson, S. C. and B. C. Bassett.
Bray Brothers and W. F. McClure. McClure hauled with a horse team, the rest
with oxen. With three yoke of oxen two cords of wood could be hauled at a
load, by doubling the teams from the Loup through the sand, a distance of about
four miles. There was a drive of about twenty miles without water, making it
necessary to drive in the night a portion of the trip as the oxen could not stand
it without water if driven in the heat of the day. It required three days, with
good luck, to make the trip with oxen, and it usually took longer as breakdowns
occurred or wagon tires became loose, often in the night, when the wheel must
be taken ofif, the tire heated over a wood fire, strips of burlap tacked on the wagon

124 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

wheel felloe and the tire, when heated as hot as the green wood would heat it,
crowded back on the wheel and cooled with all the water carried in the little five
gallon kegs used on such trips. A loose tire was greatly dreaded as it meant a
delay of some hours. The wood cut for this purpose was both cottonwood and
oak. It was cut on the south side of the Loup, opposite the mouth of Beaver
Creek on section 9, Garfield Township, the timber being on an island in the bend
of the river and had thus been protected from prairie fires by having water on
both sides of the timber.

There was no money in hauling this wood at $6 a cord and the last brick made
were burned with coal, it being impossible to develop sufficient heat with the
green wood. It might be mentioned that in tearing down this courthouse in 1908,
brick used in the inside walls were found that had not been heated sufficiently hot
in the making or burning to destroy the grass roots that had grown in the clay
of which the brick had been made. Some of the men who hauled wood on this
contract carried at times nothing but green corn to eat on the trip, and while
green corn is a most toothsome article of food, especially as a side dish where a
variety of foods comprise the meal, yet when one has corn for breakfast, corn
for dinner, corn for supper, corn, corn, corn, it somehow loses its delicious tooth-
some flavor, especially when eaten cold. In the drive of about twenty miles,
without water, in hot weather and hauling a heavy load, the oxen sometimes
became so thirsty as to become unmanageable and it was necessary to unhitch
from the load and go some miles to the water. At such times the oxen, frantic
with thirst, would break away and bawling run like mad for water and drink
till it seemed their hides would burst.

One serious accident occurred in the building of the courthouse. While work-
ing in a sand pit on the north side of Wood River, to secure sand for the con-
struction of the building, the sand caved in and thereby William Brady lost his
life. Mr. Brady was a member of the colony, a soldier of the Civil war. Company
F, One Hundred and Twenty-third New York Infantry. His death occurred
on September 17, 1872. He left a wife and four small children and none of the
early settlers had a more arduous, laborious struggle than did Mrs. William Brady
to support and educate her family of children. She met this struggle, extending
over many years, with fidelity and true courage and success crowned her efforts.

Just when the courthouse was completed the county records do not show.
Final settlement was made with Mr. Dexter, the contractor, on April i, 1873.
The first meeting held in the new courthouse was on Washington's birthday,
February 22, 1873. It was a public gathering of the people on the occasion it now
seems, of the formal acceptance of the courthouse. The gathering was in the
evening and among the other exercises was an address by Col. H. D. Niles, a
local attorney. The exercises concluded with a dance, music for the same being
furnished by the Thomas Brothers Orchestra, George, Aleck and Thorn Thomas,
homesteaders living in the eastern part of the county. The first entry in the
journal of the District Court in and for Bufifalo County, is as follows: "The
first term of District Court was called (as the law provided) for March 3, 1873.
Judge failed to appear therefore I adjourn District Court until March 4. 1873. —
Aaron Ward, clerk of the District Court in and for Buffalo County, Nebraska."
The court was adjourned from day to day until March 6th when an order was

BUFFALO COUNTY COURTHOUSE, KEARNEY

FIRST COURTHOUSE IN BUFFALO COUNTY ERECTED AT GIBBON IN 1873

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 125

received from Judge Maxwell adjourning court until April 3, 1873. This order
was issued from Plattsmouth, Nebr.

In the Buffalo County Beacon of March 22, 1873, is given the names of
grand and petit jurors, drawn to serve at the ensuing term of the District Court
to be held at Gibbon on the 3d of April next : Grand Jury — A. D. George, J. P.
Smith, A. Clark, F. D. Boardman, Miles B. Hunt, W. H. Kinney, Ed Oliver,
Henry Dugdale, H. Hilficker, Aaron Scott, J. E. Judd, H. Fieldgrove, D. P
Prable, J. N. Keller, DeWitt Brown, S. W. Grant. Petit jury — G. Flehearty,
George Hoge, David Harpst, William Patterson, E. S. Marsh, B. F. Sammons,
Ira D. Bishop, George Norris, W. H. Barnes, J. Danner, C. O. Childs, Miller H.
Fagley, I. C. Starbuck, W. C. Sunderland, L. B. Cunningham, D. B. Allen, S. S.
Curry, David Anderson, G. W. Tovey, Charles Lisch, Barnley Foot, E. T. Jay,
Robert Goar, W. Hewitt.

In regard to the first term of the District Court the journal records as fol-
lows : "At the adjourned March term, 1873, of the District Court of the Third
Judicial District in and for Buffalo County, Nebraska, held at the courthouse in
Gibbon in said county on the 3d day of April, 1873. Present Samuel Maxwell,
judge of said court: M. B. Hoxie, district attorney; O. E. Thompson, sheriff;
and Aaron Ward, clerk of said court." The sheriff read the names of (grand)
jurors summoned by him and the follow reported present: A. D. George, J. P.
Smith, A. Clark, W. H. Kenney, H. Dugdale, H. Hilficker, Aaron Scott, H. Field-
grove, D. P. Crable and S. W. Grant. The court ordered that the sheriff com-
plete the panel by selecting Salesmen from those present, resulting as follows :
J. W. Wiggins, S. \^ Seeley, C. Putnam, J. M. Bayley, T. O. George and P. K.
Drury. C. Putnam was appointed foreman and the jury duly sworn and
instructed. The first case was C. B. Parsons vs. Simon Murphy. The plaintiff
filed stipulation and the case was settled without going to a jury. Henry D. Niles
presented a certificate from the District Court of Ohio and was duly admitted to
practice as an attorney. Norton H. Hemiup presented a diploma from the
Supreme Court of the State of New York and was admitted to practice in this
district. C. B. Parsons presented a certificate from Iowa and was duly admitted.
James A. Smith was also admitted to practice upon presenting his certificate
from Indiana. The grand jury reported "no indictments"' and the jail in a satis-
factory condition. It does not appear that a petit jury was impaneled and doubt-
less the only case before the court was the one mentioned. There is a tradition
that at this term of court Judge Maxwell was presented with a pair of gloves or
mittens as a token of respect and esteem as well as a souvenir of the occasion.
If this be true the judge had need of them if he was out of doors on the wind
swept prairies of the state on the 14th and 15th days of the same month when
raged the memorable storm of '"j^,-

At this first term of District Court held in the county it is interesting to note,
so far as can be learned, whence came these persons who had a part in the holding
of the term of court, representing as it did "The majesty of the law." The judge
of* the court, the clerk and three members of the grand jury, including the
foreman were from the State of New York, the sheriff and one member of the
jury natives of England, and of the other members of the jury, three came from
Pennsylvania, three from Massachusetts, two from Ohio, and one from Missouri.

126 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

As the writer recalls from memory Messrs. F. G. Hamer, A. H. Connor and
D. Westervelt were practicing attorneys in the county although their names are
not mentioned as being in attendance at this term of court : Including these
among the attorneys, three, Messrs. Connor, Hamer, and Smith, came from
Indiana, Mr. Hemiup from New York, Mr. Niles from Ohio and Mr. Parsons
from Iowa. Mr. Niles was the only attorney residing at Gibbon, his office being
in the courthouse; the other attorneys resided at Kearney Junction. Of the
twenty-three persons mentioned in the court record as performing duties in con-
nection with the holding of this first term of District Court at least thirteen of
the number were soldiers of the Civil war.

In the Civil war it was tlie custom in the formation of brigades, divisions and
corps, to include in these formations regiments from many different states, as it
tended to a spirit of emulation and inspiration reaching to every officer and
private connected with a regiment. This spirit — pride of birth, country, state,
what e'er one pleases to term it, pervades all classes, even those engaged in the
making and execution of the law. Able attorneys, learned judges are inclined to
give more weight, to place a greater degree of dependence upon a statute or a
decision of the court coming from their own native state, and especially is it true
that legislators are extremely jealous as regards the superiority of the laws in
force in the state whence they came. In the making and executing of the
law some of the results, that to a "layman" seems wholly unexplainable, when
traced back to the original source are found to have had as a first cause
this same spirit before referred to. The township organization law, en-
acted by the Nebraska Legislature in 1883 is a case in point as regards
the making of the laws. This law% as a whole, required things to be done
which it was utterly impossible to do. On investigation it w^as found that
the committee which framed this law was composed of men who came from
various states. New York, Ohio, Iowa, etc., having township organization and
each member of the committee considered the law of his native state in this
respect much the best. The result was that the Nebraska law was made up of
sections taken bodily from the statutes of the states mentioned without careful
supervision to make sure the various provisions would harmonize as a whole;
the result, the requiring of impossible things to be done. This spirit of emulation
on the part of early settlers, coming as they did from many different states,
together with the fact that they were all, men and women, comparatively young,
also hopeful, ambitious, courageous, has had much to do with the wonderful
growth and development of the county and state.

At the date of holding the first term of District Court, the Third Judicial
District in the state, of which Buffalo County formed a part, comprised not only
all the territory north of the Platte River except the counties of Douglas and
Sarpy, but that part of Dawson and Lincoln counties south of the Platte and all
territory west of Lincoln County. The area of this Third Judicial District
exceeded 50,000 square miles, an area greater than is comprised in either of the
states of Ohio, Pennsylvania or New York. *

Under the constitution of the state in force from 1866 to 1875 the Supreme
Court was composed of three judges, to each of whom was also assigned the
duties of district judge. The three judges in 1873 were George B. Lake, Daniel

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 127

Gantt and Samuel Maxwell, the latter being assigned the Third Judicial District.
Under the state constitution adopted in 1875 there was created the Fifth
Judicial District, embracing the counties of Bufifalo, Adams, Webster, Franklin,
Harlan, Kearney. Phelps, Gosper, Furnas, Hitchcock, Dundy, Chase, Cheyenne,
Keith, Lincoln. Dawson, Sherman, Red Willow, Frontier and the unorganized
territory west of said district.

In 1S87 the Legislature created the Tenth Judicial District, embracing Bufifalo,
Dawson, Custer. Lincoln, Logan, Sherman, Keith and Cheyenne counties and the
unorganized territory west of Logan County.

In 1891 the Legislature created the Twelfth Judicial District, embracing
liufifalo. Dawson, Custer and Sherman counties.

In 191 1 the Legislature changed the boundaries of the Twelfth District to
include Custer, Sherman and Bufifalo counties.

Before the first courthouse was completed agitation had begun for removal
of the county seat. Time is too short, eternity too near, printer's ink and white
I)aper too expensive, to even attempt to relate the history of a county seat fight.
On August 24, 1874, the county commissioners, W. F. McClure. Patrick Walsh
and J. E. Chidester, were induced to declare the courthouse unsafe and to order
that no meetings except for county purposes be allowed in the building. On
August 29, 1874, a petition was presented to the commissioners asking for a
special election for the relocation of the county seat. On October 13, 1874. a
special election for the relocation of the county seat was held, resulting in its
removal to Kearney. The records do not show the number of votes cast for and
against this question.

In the removal of the county seat the records were loaded in the night on a
farm wagon by Joseph Scott, county clerk, and his deputy, F. G. Keens, arriving
at Kearney Junction about 2 A. M., and were deposited in a heap on the floor of
the Chandler Building, being guarded until morning by F. G. Keens, then a lad
of twenty-one years. The Chandler Building then stood on the lot now occupied
by the Presbyterian Church. This building is still standing on the west side of
Central Avenue and is occupied as a. millinery store. About July i, 1875, the
records were removed to the R. R. Greer Building on Twenty-fourth Street,
just west of the Catholic C'hurch, and remained there until January 4, 1876.
The Greer Building is still standing (1912) on the east side of Central Avenue
and is occupied by Greeks as a shoe shining parlor. Much of the early history
of the county government was enacted in the Chandler and Greer buildings,
while occupied as county offices, one of the most exciting and important events
being the auction sale of lots in School Section No. 36, upon which lots then sold
many of the buildings of the present City of Kearney now stand. During this
period the sessions of the District Court were held in More's Hall, now (1912)
the upper floor of the Gilcrest Lumber Company Building on Central Avenue.
One of the inducements ofifered for the removal of the county seat was that the
South Platte Land Company and the Union Pacific Railroad Company would
donate to the county a site for a courthouse and also erect a building for court-
house purposes. The site donated is the one now in use by the county and which,
for a consideration of $1, was deeded to the county December 27, 1875. and there-
on was erected in 1875 by these two companies a cheap frame building, two

128 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

stories high, and used by the county until the erection of the present courthouse.
This building was first occupied by the county on January 4, 1876. At its own
expense the county erected, on the present courthouse site, a small i -story brick
building, with fireproof vaults, for the safe keeping of county records, and in this
building were the offices of the county clerk and treasurer. The frame building
erected by the Union Pacific Railroad Company for use as a courthouse, when no
longer needed for that purpose, was moved to another location, veneered with
brick, and is now being used as the W. C. T. U. Hospital.

In 1886 a proposition was submitted to the voters of the county, and adopted,
whereby a five-mill levy for the term of three years was authorized, the proceeds
of the same to be used for the building of a courthouse. The understanding of
the voters was that the cost of the completed courthouse would not exceed the
amount of the levy voted, estimated at about $45,000, but the larger per cent of
the levy was used in the foundation of the proposed courthouse and it was neces-
sary for the voters to authorize the issue of county bonds in the amount of
$45,000 with which to complete the courthouse building, making the actual cost
of the present building $90,000. In the light of history, as viewed by the writer,
the courthouse proposition has been unsatisfactory and disappointing from the
date of the voting of the bonds to build the first courthouse until the present
time. It was by means of representations, later found to be not true, that pro-
moters induced the voters to authorize the issue of the $20,000 in bonds to build
the first courthouse, and it was promoters, with city lots to sell, who secured the
location for the present courthouse site at a point entirely unsatisfactory to the
people of the county.

The casual reader of this history of the first courthouse in Bufifalo County,
whether he be an early settler or late comer, will be quite apt to exclaim : "What
a waste of money ! What utter foolishness on the part of some one or more
persons that taxpayers should have been compelled to squander more than $70,000
in paying for a courthouse that was used by the county less than two years for
courthouse purposes."

It seems best to complete, in a brief manner, the history of the first court-
house, the uses to which it was put, and possibly when this is understood it will
appear that the erection of the building was not after all an entirely useless waste
of public money. In 1875 there was established in the courthouse building an
academic department of the Gibbon schools. District No. 2. Prof. W. S. Camp-
bell was at the head of this academic department for two years. County Super-
intendent of Schools J. J. W. Place visited the schools on December 13, 1875,
and in his official record reports as follows : "Spent the day in visiting the
academic school in Gibbon. The scholars are enthusiastic in their studies. Les-
sons mostly perfect. Twenty-three scholars present. Prof. W. S. Campbell is
an able teacher; he holds the only first grade certificate in the county."

On November 28, 1876, County Superintendent John Swenson records:
"Visited the academic school at Gibbon. About thirty-five pupils in attendance,
many of whom live out of the district and others have moved in to take advan-
tage of this school. The brilliant success of this school is greatly owing to the
personal character of Professor Campbell both as a man and as a teacher. There
is need of another teacher in this department."

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 129

Prof. J. T. Mallalieu succeeded Professor Campbell and for three years fully
maintained the high standing of this school and the excellent work accomplished
by the students in attendance. The necessity and importance of this school at
that date can hardly be appreciated by those conversant with present educa-
tional advantages only. In all the territory of Central and Western Nebraska, at
the dates mentioned, there was not a high school nor a school where the educa-
tional advantages offered were much above the present eighth grade in our com-
mon schools, hence it was that the academic department of the Gibbon schools
•offered superior educational advantages to students from a large territory and
more especially to those students desiring to fit themselves as teachers in our
common schools, and students came long distances to attend this school.

Equally as important and far-reaching in results were a series of county
farmers' institutes held in the courthouse building from 1874 to 1880, at which
were presented and discussed problems relating to the agriculture of the county,
and the lessons there learned, the seed there sown, have brought forth fruit in
great abundance to all the people of the county. In the growth and development
of the county education has been the most important factor. This wonderful
growth and development can be best illustrated by a brief comparison. In 1870
the population of the county was 193 and the value of all property for purposes
of taxation $788,988, and 97 per cent of this amount was that of the railroad
and telegraph companies. In 1900 the population of the county was 20,254, and
the valuation of property, for purposes of taxation, in 1908, $35,276,110. The
total amount of taxes levied in 1870 was $13,484.56, and in 1908 $298,998.91.

In 1882 there was established in the courthouse building the Nebraska Baptist
College, at the head of which was Rev. G. W. Read, assisted by Rev. George
Sutherland, now (1912) president of the Baptist College at Grand Island. This
college was well attended and did excellent work in an educational way, but
because of a more central location and financial considerations was removed to
Grand Island in 1885. In 1886 there was established a collegiate institute under
the control of the United Brethren Church, Rev. C. M. Brooke, principal. The
attendance at this college was in excess of 100 students, and the educational advan-
tages offered were of a high order. This college, after three years, removed to
York, Neb., and takes rank as a leading college of the state. At a later date
commercial colleges were conducted, first by Prof. U. S. Conn and last by Pro-
fessors Boggs and Moody in 1904, so that for some thirty years the "First Court-
house" has been a temple of learning instead of a temple of justice. As before
stated, there was pressing need, in the early history of the county, of schools
offering the advantages of higher education, and by reason of the sheltering
walls of the abandoned courthouse such advantages were provided and made
use of by hundreds of students. From an educational standpoint it is believed
Buffalo County never made a better investment of public money than in the erec-
tion of "The First Courthouse." In the '90s the courthouse was sold to School
District No. 2, Gibbon, for the consideration of $1, the object being to enable
that district to secure the permanent establishment of a commercial college. This
project failed, and in 1908 the building was torn down and in its place erected
an up-to-date high school building at an expense of approximately $25,000.
Of the some 400,000 brick used in the construction of the courthouse building
about 100,000 were used in the high school building.

CHAPTER XXIX

BRIDGING THE PLATTE AT GIBBON AND KEARNEY JUNCTION — CONTRACT PRICE FOR

GIBBON BRIDGE, $16.50 PER RUNNING FOOT CONTRACT PRICE FOR KEARNEY

BRIDGE, $8.50 PER RUNNING FOOT "iT IS THEIR SKUNK AND THEY MUST SKIN

IT," WRITES THE EDITOR OF THE BUFFALO COUNTY BEACON MUCH BITTERNESS

IN THE FACTIONAL FIGHT OVER THE BRIDGE QUESTION — DRIVING THE FIRST PILE
FOR THE KEARNEY BRIDGE.

The first bridge across the Platte River in Buffalo County was south of
Gibbon and completed in the spring of 1873. The contract price for this bridge
was $16.50 per running foot, including approaches, and H. T. Clark of Omaha
was the contractor. The bridge was built at the joint expense of Buffalo and
Kearney counties. The contract was let at Lowell, county seat of Kearney
County, at a joint meeting of the county commissioners of both counties, the
two commissioners on the part of Buffalo County being W. F. McClure of
Center Precinct and B. F. Sammons of Shelton Precinct. The county bonds
voted to build this bridge bore 10 per cent interest and are not at this date (1912)
wholly paid, but have been refunded by bonds bearing 3 6-10 per cent interest.
The settlement of the Republican Valley to the south began in 1872-73 and the
nearest railroad point for all that section, for at least one hundred miles, was
at Lowell on the Burlington and at Gibbon and Kearney Junction on the Union
Pacific, the Burlington having also made junction with the Union Pacific at
Kearney Junction in September, 1872. Large quantities of lumber and house-
hold supplies were needed by the settlers south of the Platte and Kearney Junc-
tion business men were greatly handicapped on account of lack of a bridge across
the Platte.

A proposition to vote county bonds to build a bridge south of Kearney
Junction was twice submitted to the voters and defeated, the defeat creating
much bitterness of feeling as between Kearney Junction and the eastern portion
of the county. In the Central Star, Moses H. Sydenham, editor, published
at Centoria (near old Fort Kearney), under date of January i, 1873, appears
the following: "The people of Buffalo County are to vote a second time on the
issuing of bonds for the purpose of building a bridge across the Platte River
between Kearney Junction and Centoria. The first proposition not being satis-
factory to the people generally was voted down.

"* * * Enterprising men have commenced to do business at Kearney
Junction and it is only natural that they should seek to command all the trade

130

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 131

possible of this great region of country, so soon to receive its large acquisitions
of persevering pioneers."

On March i8, 1873, the county commissioners submitted to the voters of
Kearney Junction precinct a proposition to bond that precinct for $25,000 to
build a bridge, the bonds to bear 10 per cent interest.

This proposition carried and after litigation in the courts a contract was let
by the county commissioners, W. F. McClure, Patrick Walsh and D. A. Crowell,
to build a bridge of like specifications as the one south of Gibbon, the lowest
bid being $8.50 per running foot. It was T. H. Clark, who received $16.50 per
foot for building the Gibbon bridge, who bid to build a like bridge at Kearney
Junction for $8.50. The writer does not believe, and neither was it generally
believed, that the county commissioners who let the contract for the Gibbon
bridge were paid by Mr. Clark to award him the contract, but rather that there
was little or no competition in bridge building at the time the first contract was
let and that Messrs. McClure and Sammons had no knowledge as to a fair price
for the work. As a matter of history of the times and the rivalry that existed
as between the citizens of Gibbon and Kearney Junction it is interesting to read
the following editorial found in the Buffalo County Beacon, published at Gibbon,
A. J. Price, editor, which appeared in the issue of March 22, 1873. First is
quoted the petition for voting the bonds : "We, the undersigned citizens of
Kearney Junction Precinct, Buffalo County, Nebraska, are in favor of Kearney
Junction voting bonds for $25,000, for the purpose of building a bridge across
the Platte River at or near Kearney Junction," _ The editorial reads : "The
above statement was presented to the commissioners on Tuesday last, numerously
signed, and, though it is not a petition for an election, yet Walsh and Crowell
issued proclamation for an election to be held in said precinct, Commissioner
McClure voting no and ordering his protest to be recorded. These bonds have
been twice defeated by a large majority in the whole county, the people having
sense enough to keep their property free from such a damaging incumbrance ;
and we shall be astonished if the small territory of Kearney Junction Precinct
votes to issue these bonds. If they do it will certainly bankrupt them as badly
as several counties in Iowa are bankrupted, where many have sold their property
for half its worth to get rid of the ruinous tax. But it is their own skunk and
they must skin it.

"We warn them that they can safely console themselves with the idea of any
trick or catch, for 'eternal vigilance' shall guard the people's interests, and so
sure as they rush into this speculation, recklessly determined to dance, so surely
they shall themselves pay the fiddler."

After many delays, caused by injunctions and other court proceedings, work
was begun on the Kearney bridge. It was a great day when the first pile was
driven. Kearney Junction had a population of 245, according to a census taken
that year by J. W. Leland, and every male citizen of the town was in attendance
at the ceremony attending the occasion.

The following account, published in the Central Nebraska Press, Webb <&
Rice H. Eaton, editors, gives an interesting report of the proceedings:

132 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

"KEARNEY BRIDGE

"the first pile driven

'a large and enthusiastic crowd at the river

'the citizens of the tow^nship superintend the w^ork

"SPEECHES, ETC., ETC.

"Yesterday at 3.30 P. M. was the hour appointed to commence the opera-
tions of driving- the first pile for the bridge over the Platte River. Most of the
male inhabitants of the town assembled on the bank of the stream by the
appointed time, all anxious to see a commencement made. The route had been
surveyed and under the direction of Capt. L. R. Moore, the first pile was placed
in position immediately south of Colorado Avenue, and at 4.56 o'clock, September
24, 1873, the ponderous cast iron hammer of the pile driver came down for the
first time upon the first pile driven for the bridge that is soon to connect the north
and south banks of the Platte opposite this point. The Stars and Stripes had
been nailed to a staft', and by Mr. Keens (F. G. Keens) was nailed to the driver.
Everyone felt glorious and even the appearance of Sherifif Thompson (O. E.
Thompson) with his pockets full of injunctions did not aft'ect or stay matters in
the least, for our folks have become so used to these little documents that they
consider them part of the program on all important occasions. After the pile
had received four or five hard thumps from the driver, Judge Hemiup (N. H.
Hemiup) was called for and in a neat little speech of fifteen minutes told the
people of the importance of this internal improvement, alluded to the trouble we
had experienced in getting as far as we have, counseled obedience to the laws of
the land and prophesied a bright future for Kearney and the surrounding country.

"He was followed by Judge Connor (A. H. Connor), who spoke about the
same length of time. The judge spoke with much emphasis, denounced the
enemies of the bridge in strong language, said we had been fought step by step
in this bridge matter, but we had defeated the enemy wherever we had met them,
and closed his remarks amid loud cheers from the assembly. The crowd then
dispersed and the driver proceeded to finish the work of driving the first pile."

CHAPTER XXX

THE SAXON COLONY CAME FROM SAXONY IN 1873 MADE SETTLEMENT IN BUF-
FALO COUNTY IN FALL OF 1873 CROPS DESTROYED BY GRASSHOPPERS IN 1874

REMARKABLE INSTANCE OF ENDURANCE ON PART OF SAXON WOMEN.

THE SAXON COLONY

The saying "Peace hath her victories no less renowned than war/' has been
fully demonstrated in the settlement of the West, and in the settlement of
Buffalo County as well. If it be counted as hardship and privation to those
living in eastern states to make the attempt to establish homes in the unsettled
and almost unknown West in an early day, to make settlement in company with
those speaking the same language, accustomed to the same form of government,
schools, churches and social relations, how much greater the hardship, the priva-
tion to those settlers among us who left home and native land, crossed the ocean
to a strange land to found homes among a people speaking another tongue, hav-
ing a form of government entirely different from that to which they had been
accustomed ? Plow strange must the new surroundings have seemed, and how,
at times, must these newcomers have longed for a sight of the hold home across
the water, to see again the loved ones so ^r away ! In the settlement and devel-
opment of the West we are indebted in a large measure to those of our people
who came from other lands to here make homes. They have been to us living
examples of a high type of courage, fortitude, industry, economy and above all
loyalty to the home of their adoption, to the Government to which they have
sworn allegiance. Schneider Township in Buffalo County was very largely
settled by emigrants from Europe and even at this date the names of quite eighty
per cent of those residing on the 150 farms in this township indicate that the
present occupants of the farms either came from Saxony, Germany, Bohemia or
other European countries or are descendants of those who in the preceding gen-
eration emigrated from one of those countries to Schneider Township there to
make a home.

Schneider Township, six miles square, lies on the divide between the Wood
River Valley of the Platte on the south and the South Loup on the north. From
the center of the township it is nine miles to Ravenna, on the Burlington Railroad
on the north and fourteen miles to Gibbon, on the Union Pacific Railroad to the
south. There are no running streams of water in the township and no natural
growth of timber. The altitude is approximately two thousand one hundred feet
and water in wells is found at approximately seventy feet. The general surface
is rolling and somewhat broken. The soil is fertile and easily tilled and produces

133

134 . HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

abundant crops. There are in the township at this date (1910) six schoolhouses,
and three churches but no village. The population is approximately five hundred
and the valuation of property by the township assessor for the year 1909
$964,835.

In the valuation of property in the township it should be borne in mind that
this valuation represents farm values only, the value of the farms and personal
property incident to farming, as there are no railroads or village or city property
within the township. The valuation of the township on a strictly farm basis indi-
cates that the inhabitants are prosperous and as one travels over the township,
the comfortable houses and barns, the well tilled fields, the groves of trees, the
orchards of fruit, the abundance of well bred, well kept domestic animals,
the comforts and conveniences on every hand are indisputable evidence that the
people are contented and happy. The present prosperity attained by emigrants
who came from a foreign country, without means, and making settlement on lands
destitute of timber, without running water and from nine to fourteen miles
from a railroad station having trading or shipping facilities.

The first settlement in this township was made by emigrants from the King-
dom of Saxony and for much of the history the writer is indebted to Richard
Goehring, a member of the colony.

In the early '70s there were in the Kingdom of Saxony many people gf the
laboring class who looked with longing eyes toward the New World, where it
was reported lands from which homes might be made could be had almost for
the taking. Saxony was at that date densely peopled, having an average of
approximately four hundred forty inhabitants to the square mile, being twenty-
two times the number per square mile as has Bufifalo County at the present time,
or more than thirty times that of Nebraska as a whole, and because of the poor
living and low wages paid in the over-populated factory districts many of the
laboring class were anxious to emigrate, hoping thereby to better their financial
condition.

Many of these people had not the means to pay their passage across the water
which separated them from these lands, and so they organized themselves into
classes and agreeing to pay a stipulated amount, in some cases 50 cents, in others
$1, per month, into a common fund and when the amount paid in was sufficient
to pay the transportation charges of a few of their number across the water the
members rafiled ofif the chance to be one of the lucky number.

The first members of the colony left Saxony April 5, 1873, and arrived in
New York April 19th. That was the year of the great April storms, as remem-
bered by early settlers in Nebraska, the storm commencing Sunday, April 13th,
and members of the Saxony Colony, crossing the ocean that week, recall that a
terrible storm also raged on the ocean causing terror, sickness and great discom-
fort to those aboard the vessel. These members of the colony journeyed to
Detroit and then into Northern Michigan, in the region of Lake Superior, where
it had been planned to purchase a large tract of land to be subdivided into farms
and also to establish on the tract a village or other business and social center for
the members of the colony.

A frost which came in the month of July, that year, in Northern Michigan, so

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 135

discouraged the members of the colony that it was decided to abandon that location
and seek another in Nebraska.

About this date Doctor Schneider, after whom Schneider Township was
named, arrived in the United States and was chosen president of the colony.
Doctor Schneider was a native of Saxony and was traveling in Egypt when the
colony was formed and left Saxony. It seems that Doctor Schneider conceived
the idea that important results might be accomplished by means of such a colony
and abandoning his Egyptian trip, came to Michigan and was chosen president
of the colony; he was without means and not a good financier and it does not
appear that either as an officer or individual he was of help or benefit to the
colonists. He came to Nebraska with the colony in 1873 and departed in 1874.

The first members of this colony arrived about October i, 1873, and lived out
of doOrs on the south bank of the Loup River, opposite the mouth of Beaver
Creek, until the first sod house could be built. This sod house was built on
section 4-11-14 on a claim taken by Fred Winkler. These members of the colony
had no teams to begin with and carried the rafters needed for the sod house on
their shoulders from the Loup River, a distance of about five miles. These
rafters were necessarily strong, heavy timbers, as they supported a roof made of
sod and dirt. Also it was necessary to dig a well and this was no small task; the
distance to water was seventy feet. The well was dug four feet square and the
dirt hauled by by means of a windlass made of cotton wood limbs, using one pail
and a rope. Richard G ^g^ ing did most of the digging of the well and relates
that he was in constant fear and especially when deep down in the well the pail
of dirt went swinging on the rope to the top. It is estimated that in digging such
a well about forty wagon loads of dirt would be removed, or more than two
thousand five hundred pails full of dirt drawn with the windlass, some of it from
a depth of seventy feet from the top of the ground. Two sod houses were thus
built and two wells thus dug, the second house and well on section 10 and com-
pleted about December i, 1873.

All the wood used the first winter had to be carried from the Loup River and
in order to economize in the matter of fuel and because there was no time to build
other houses before winter came the following spent the winter of 1873-74 i'"' the
first sod house on section No. 4, the size of this house being about 16 by 24:
There were two married couples, Mr. and Mrs. F. Winkler and Mr. and Mrs.
Gust Schieme. The single men were C. W. Grosser, Richard Goehring, Wm.
Freyberg, Chas. Muerbe, F. Reinhold, Julius Weigel, Carl Kaeupler, Doctor
Schneider and Felix Ziehr, in all thirteen persons. Also after a short time Otto
Gumprecht and family and Mr. Kappler and family camped at the same place as
part of the colony.

Early in the spring of 1874 began the work of building other sod houses by
members of the colony and the digging of wells also. About the only timber
available at that date for rafters for sod houses was on the north bank of the
Loup on section 16 (a school section) and Richard Goehring recalls that all day
in the month of March he with others waded back and forth across the Loup,
waist deep in icewater, carrying rafters for the sod houses, these timbers being
later carried to the claims in Schneider Township.

One-half of the lands in the township were railroad lands and only eighty

136 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

acres could be taken under the homestead laws by the members of the colony,
and many of the members took pre-emption claims of i6o acres, the law per-
mitting 2^2 years to elapse before final payment of ^1^2.50 per acre must be paid
and after payment for the pre-empted lands members of the colony took home-
stead claims of eighty acres. The Goehring family took claims on section 12
and W'ilhelm hlscher on section 10.

When grass had started in the month of May, some members were able to
purchase ox teams and cows, and those not able to purchase a team exchanged
work so that the sod was broken and crops of corn and potatoes planted and
especially large gardens, planted. Every member of the family labored to the
end that food might be raised for the support of all. If not able to own or hire
a team to plow the land with, it was turned over with a spade and every possible
acre thus prepared planted to some useful crop. Mother Earth was kind and as
the season progressed and the month of July came there was promise of abun-
dance from the corn fields and gardens of the Saxon colonists. Late in July the
ears of corn began to show with their tassels of silk; the early potatoes were of
good size; from the gardens came in plenty onions, beans, radish and like vege-
tables; there was an abundance of pasture for the one or more cows which
strained at the picket rope and whose every want was cheerfully looked after by
members of the family. There was a pig or two, sometimes tethered out by
one leg, to graze, or in other cases confined in a pen whose fence was a deep ditch
with an outer wall of sod and the pig fed with weeci^^ucculent and appetizing,
pulled from among the vegetables in the garden; a flock of hens, some of whom
escorted a brood of chickens, roamed over the prairie and lived on the fat of the
land, the countless insects whose home was the prairie. There was laughing and
singing, happiness and contentment among the members of the colony for surely
their lines had fallen in pleasant places and a competency for the future seemed
already assured.

On a bright, sunshiny day, late in the month of July, 1874, at the noon hour
the sun was slightly darkened, much the same appearance as precedes the coming
of an eclipse ; looking to the north, over the range of blufifs some three miles
distant it was remarked that it looked as though we were to have an April snow-
squall such as sometimes comes in that month when the air is soft and balmy and
when the snow flakes are large, melting as they reach the earth. It was the hour
for the noon-day meal and all the family passed into the house and were soon in
that keen enjoyment of eating which is the great boon granted to those on the
sunny side of life, engaged in some useful occupation and to whom the future
is bright and hopeful in anticipation. A member of the family going to the
well for fresh water returned, hurriedly exclaiming, "come and see the grass-
hoppers and do look at the chickens." Hurrying to the door it was seen that
grasshoppers in great numbers were dropping from the air; at the first as a
hopper alighted a hen would dash forward and gobble it up ; then without stirring
from her tracks she would swallow another and another until, her crop distended
to an unusual size, she could hold no more. Then when a hopper alighted near,
the hen would cock her head to one side, stretch out her neck and bv her
actions seem to say, "can I possibly hold one more?"

At first it was not thought that the hoppers would do damage to the crops

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 137

but it was soon noticed that in the cornfields near the house the stalks were bend-
ing almost to the ground with their load of hoppers ; that the potato tops, so rank
of growth and dark green in color, were flattened to the ground; also that from
the fields came a sound much like that made by cattle in eating coarse fodder and
then it was realized that the hoppers were eating the crop. At once forth from
the houses came the bedding and extra clothing and an effort was made to cover
the most valuable of the garden, such as onions, tomatoes and the like. There
was a gathering of dry hay and coarse litter and smudge fires started hoping to
save by means of smoke some portion of the crop but all to no avail ; the hoppers
would eat holes in the clothes or bedding and crawl under and continue to eat the
plants, and the smoke from the smudges of hay and litter proved of no practical
benefit. When the next morning came there was not a leaf of cultivated plants
left, nothing but bare stems of corn, potatoes and other vegetables and where
the onions were there were saucer-like holes in the ground, the hoppers having
eaten not only the onion bulb but to the ends of the roots as well.

Thus it was that the noon-day meal, began with the keenest of appetite and
with feelings of peace, contentment, happiness and the brightest of anticipations
for the future was never finished, for with the coming of the hoppers all else was
forgotten in the vain attempt to drive them away, some rushing through their
fields with whips and cloths, thinking thus to frighten the hoppers and save the
crop.

With the loss of crops came the direst of forbodings and in place of laughter
and singing there came a great burden of care and anxiety as to what the future
had in store. Just how great the reaction, to what extreme in thought and feel-
ings, from hopefulness to despair, the mental pendulum might swing in a crisis
of this kind can possibly be illustrated by the relation of an incident which
occurred but which has no connection whatever with the history of the Saxon
Colony. The destruction of the crops completed and the excitement incident
thereto had subsided, came the natural inclination to visit neighbors, talk over the
terrible visitation and learn the extent of the grasshopper raid. In the cool of
the evening, in company with the good wife, who was always hopeful, we started
on such a visit to a neighbor. It was necessary to drive very slow as the great
swarms of hoppers which continually raised from the ground as the team
proceeded made it impossible to go faster than a slow walk. The particular neigh-
bor had in view was a man of a deep religious nature, had helped to organize a
church in his locality, was superintendent of the Sabbath school and until a
schoolhouse was erected his house had been used for religious services of various
kinds. Himself and family took great pleasure in gardening and were very
proud of their garden that it being superior to any in the community. On this
occasion there was no opportunity given for a friendly visit for we were met
with such blasphemy and cursing because of the destruction wrought by grass-
hoppers as to make the blood run cold and very soon all thought of a friendly
visit was abandoned and the team headed homeward. This neighbor lived for
a quarter of a century or more in our midst, loved, honored and esteemed, no one
more implicitly trusted both in public and private matters and yet he never
resumed his former church relations or had further connection with a church
organization. To make this incident complete in a historical way it seems well

138 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

to also relate that the pastor of the church to which the neighbor belonged called
a meeting of the members of the church to pray for their brother (the neighbor
referred to), but the pastor himself forgetting the call, went fishing and the
meeting was not held.

The first raid of grasshoppers came in the last days of July, 1874^ spring
wheat (the only kind then raised) had been harvested and a portion of the oats.
Oats not harvested were chipped off by the hoppers and thus lost. Not a large
acreage of spring wheat was grown in the county at that date, the average yield
per acre being about twelve bushels and the price tifty-four to fifty-nine cents in
December.

The grasshoppers undoubtedly ate of the native grasses and plants and of the
leaves of native trees but however much might have been eaten of these native
plants it was not noticeable. They much preferred to feed on cultivated plants
which are more succulent than are native ones and all cultivated plants were
stripped of their leaves and all growing crops destroyed. Onions were a profitable
crop in the early settlement of the country, being raised with little labor on newly
turned sod because practically no weeds grew and while the seed was expensive,
one or more acres could be found on nearly every claim. There was nothing
the grasshoppers seemed to prefer more than onions, and they ate them, tops,
bulbs and roots.

The grasshoppers remained, as recalled, two days and disappeared as mysteri-
ously as they came. About the noon hour they arose as if in answer to a com-
mand, and darkening the sun as on the day they came, flew toward the south.
No hopper of the migratory kind remained nor were any eggs laid in the fall of
that year. The migratory hoppers returned from the South in the summer of
1875. Their arrival was at a little later date than in 1874. Corn was far enough
advanced that kernels had formed at the butt end of the ear and all corn
harvested that year was ears having one or two inches of kernels on the butt
end.

In the fall of 1875, the hoppers laid millions of eggs. The eggs were laid in
the hardest of ground, traveled roads across the prairie. The hoppers would dig
a hole about one inch in depth and deposit from forty to sixty eggs in a sort of
egg-shaped sack glued firmly together and shaped like the end of a finger. In the
month of April, 1876, these eggs began to hatch, the top eggs in the sack first
and all at once it was discovered that the ground was literally alive with little
black hoppers. Instinct seemed to lead them to gather and feed on the fields of
wheat and oats and although every possible effort was made to destroy them it
seemed impossible so to do as there seemed no limit to their numbers. But just
when it appeared that every cultivated plant would be destroyed by them and
the destruction of all crops would be complete, that nothing in the nature of a
cultivated crops could be raised, there came late in May a three days' storm,
rain and snow, freezing temperature, and as all prairie had been burned over there
was no protection for the young and tender hopper and all perished.

It is difficult to describe, in the limits of a brief historical narrative, the con-
ditions and feelings of the Saxon colonists after the destruction of their entire
crop by grasshoppers. The members of the colony were without financial re-
sources, without credit, and still more distressing, were strangers in a strange

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 139

land. All their available means had been expended in transportation charges
from their native lands and in the construction of a habitation in which to live
and their entire resources and reliance for the future were bound up in promising
crops which were destroyed in a few hours' time by a swarm of devouring insects.

The barest necessities of life could not be purchased on credit, for it is a mat-
ter of history during this period that honest, industrious men were refused credit
for even a sack of corn meal at a time when there was an utter lack of food in
their homes for their families. Had it not been for the carloads and trainloads
of food and clothing so generously contributed by the kind-hearted people of the
eastern states for the settlers in Kansas, Nebraska and the Dakotas, whose crops
had been destroyed by clouds of grasshoppers, the entire settlements in these
states must have been deserted for a time until means could have been secured
for another venture.

Just how the members of the Saxon Colony met this crisis in their affairs can
best be explained by relating a few personal incidents which, in a general way,
apply to all the members. In one family the only article of any value that could
be disposed of was a gun and this two sons in the family sold to George Meisner,
living near Shelton, for $8, and with this purchased coarse shirts, overalls and
coarse shoes and thus respectably clothed started on foot toward the East seeking
work. At Grand Island one of the sons found employment with Fred Hedde and
the wages thus earned went to the support of the family on the claim. For years
all his wages went to the support of the family and the improvement of the claims
and being a single man he was able to make proof on his own claim, one of the
first homestead claims proved up on in Schneider Township: Later he married
and became a permanent resident of Grand Island ; has been in the lumber busi-
ness in that city for many years, is the owner of two valuable business blocks ;
has served as county supervisor of Hall County for four years; councilman of
the City of Grand Island for six years and is one of Hall County's most honored
and respected citizens, and with a good substantial yearly income, Richard
Goehring, a Saxon colonist in 1873, is spending the evening of his day in comfort
and happiness.

Another instance illustrates both perseverance and endurance on the part of
a member of the colony seldom equalled. Some months after the grasshopper
raid there called at the home of the writer about the noon hour, a woman who
after resting and partaking of food continued on her journey to Kearney, sixteen
miles distant, the entire journey from her home in Schneider Township being
twenty-eight miles. At the relief headquarters in that city she procured for her
own and other families some food supplies which she placed in a basket carried
on the head and shoulders. The next day about sundown she again called at the
home of the writer, so exhausted that she could not, unaided, remove the basket
of food supplies from her head and shoulders. When her shoes and stockings
were removed, her feet, a mass of blisters, were so pitiable a sight that tears
streamed down the cheeks of women of the family as they helped to bathe the
feet and apply soothing and healing lotions. When the morning came a team was
hitched to a wagon and the good wife asked permission of the woman to take her
home. She declined and seemed distressed when the matter was urged, possibly
fearing she could not afford the expense as she seemingly could not understand

140 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

that the request or ofl'er was not for hire but would have been deemed a
pleasure and so assisting the woman to lift the loaded basket to her head and
shoulders she started bravely forth on her twelve-mile journey over the bluffs
to her home.

Mrs. Ernest Goehring, mother of Richard Goehring herein mentioned, was
about fifty years of age when she carried that load of food supplies from Kearney,
twenty-eight miles distant, to her home in Schneider Township. She is now
eighty-five years of age, is the owner of i6o acres of land in Schneider Township
and while bowed with age and the result of a life of toil and privation is still able
to assist in the household duties. Scores, yes hundreds of like instances might
be related of privation, endurance, courage, fortitude and finally a large measure
of success on the part of many of the most useful and respected citizens who left
their homes in foreign lands and made for themselves and their families homes
in our own loved lands, and a history of what many of them endured and of their
measure of success brings more forcibly to our attention the truth of the sentiment
first quoted, "Peace hath her victories no less than war."

In 1874 a survey was made with a view of establishinig a village on section
22-1 1-14 in Schneider Township to be named Berg, but no village ever grew
there although a postoffice named Berg was established at that point in 1874 or
'75 with Friedrich Friedrich as postmaster. As recalled there was a mail route
from Gibbon to Berg.

The members of the Saxon Colony were all of the Lutheran faith, 97 per
cent of the inhabitants of Saxony being of the Protestant faith ; there is a
Lutheran Church with a large membership in an adjoining township. At a quite
early date there was erected in the immediate vicinity of Berg postoffice a Presby-
terian Church and a Catholic Church. Schools were not established in the town-
ship until the '90s.

The names of the members of the colony as furnished from memory are
herewith given: Gust Schieme and wife, Fred Winkler and wife. Otto Gum-
precht and family, F. A. Kappler and family, August Weidner and family, Louis
Weidner and family, Wm. Weber and wife, Wm. Fisher and wife, C. W. Grosser
and wife, Ernest Goehring and family, Carl Rost and wife, and those unmar-
ried, Frank Guenther, J. C. Grosser, Charles A. Muebe, August Schmidt. Carl
Kaeupler, Fred Reinhold, Wm. Freyberg, Felix Ziehr, Richard Goehring, Julius
Weigel, Louis Veit, Emil Veit. All those who remained accumulated property
and established comfortable homes and those now living are spending the evening
of their days in ease and comfort on incomes secured by industry and economy.
— Dated June 23, 1910.

CHAPTER XXXI

THE APRIL STORM OF 1873 NOT POSSIBLE TO DESCRIBE ITS FURY EXPERIENCE

OF A MISSIONARY MINISTER

THE APRIL STORM OF 1873

The April storm of 1873 is memorable in the annals of the West. Not in the
memory of the white man has a storm so furious and destructive as was this
one' ever swept the plains west of the Missouri River.

It is not possible to fully describe the fury of this storm nor the terror it
inspired in the hearts of many members of the colony, living as they were on
claims distant from neighbors and in houses cheaply constructed and illy fitted
to protect against the fury of a storm so long enduring. Let me tell the story of
this storm as it afifected many of the colonists by relating what occurred to
Rev. Charles Marvin and family, Mr. Marvin being a missionary of the Presby-
terian Church in this locality at the time. On Sunday, April 14, 1873, Mr. Mar-
vin was holding a religious service in a schoolhouse quite ten miles from his
home. It was a warm, sunny, spring day with a southerly wind. Just at the
close of the service, about 4 o'clock, in the twinkling of an eye, the wind shifted
into the north, there came great clouds of dust, obscuring the sun, quickly fol-
lowed by rain and hail. Mr. Marvin realized that a great and furious storm
was at hand and that it was imperative that he speedily reach home to render
assistance to his wife and children. That on foot and alone he finally reached
home in safety was due to the fact that he traveled in a southeasterly direction;
had it been otherwise he certainly would have perished. Commencing about 4
o'clock on Sunday, April 14, this storm raged in all its fury until the going down
of the sun on Wednesday. Many settlers on claims perished, how many will
never be known owing to the thinly settled and scattered settlements and lack
of facilities at that date for gathering statistics. Live stock by the thousands
perished, some in streams which they were endeavoring to cross, some in stables
and corrals, their owners unable to reach and afford relief, some in cars on rail-
road sidings, railroad traffic being abandoned, some in depressions where they
had sought shelter and perished beneatii snow drifts many feet deep. It was
not the intensity of the cold which added to the terror and danger of the storm.
It was the fine particles of snow driven by the furious wind which wet man and
beast to the skin and chilled them to the marrow of their bones. On Thursday,
friends of Mr. Marvin, greatly concerned for the safety of the family, loaded
into a wagon supplies of family necessity, not forgetting coal, and drove the ten
miles. They learned that having neither shelter nor hay for their cow she had

141

142 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

been brought into the lean-to kitchen, fed the straw in the bed tick and also food
needed for the family. Running out of coal, the family had spent most of the
time in bed in the effort to keep warm, but there being a young babe in the family
and other young children, it was necessary to keep some fire and so the one par-
tition and most of the furniture had been burned, and yet Mr. Marvin uttered
no word of complaint, and when all were gathered around the table he devoutly
thanked the Loving Father for his manifold blessings. Many members of the
colony suffered serious financial loss by reason of live stock which perished in
the storm, much of this stock having been purchased with borrowed money.

CHAPTER XXXII

THE GRASSHOPPER PLAGUE GRASSHOPPERS DESTROY CROPS IN 1860 — THE RAID OF

1874 THE RAID IN 1875 HOPPERS LAY EGGS

THE GRASSHOPPER PLAGUE

In the Huntsman's Echo, pubHshed at Wood River Center (now Shelton),
mention is made that migrating grasshoppers destroyed crops for settlers along
Wood River in the year i860. The grasshopper raid with which, the colonists
had to contend came first late in July, 1874. The small crops of wheat and oats
then raised had just been harvested. On a bright sunny day, late in July, about
2 P. M., an unusual sight appeared on the bluffs north of Wood River, having
much the appearance of an April snow storm, with large flakes. Soon it was
noticed that the sun had a hazy appearance and suddenly grasshoppers by the
millions covered the ground. Corn was the principal crop grown by the colon-
ists, because it required little expense for seed, little labor in cultivating the crop,
and promised quick returns. The hoppers gathered in the corn fields till the
stalks bent to the ground beneath them and the sound of their feasting was like
unto a herd of cattle in a corn field. In a few hours' time that afternoon the
hoppers destroyed all cultivated plants in fields and gardens. In the corn fields
just the bare stalks were left.

The destruction of native grasses and plants and of leaves on native trees
was not noticeable, but the destruction of cultivated plants and cultivated trees
and shrubs was complete. These hoppers came from the north, remained over
night and about noon the next day disappeared towards the south as suddenly
and mysteriously as they came.

The corn crop and all gardens were unusually promising that year and their
sudden destruction caused great privation among the colonists, most of whom
were without means and dependent upon the growing crops for means of living.
Had it not been that kind hearted and generous people in eastern states sent
food and clothing to the grasshopper sufferers most of the settlers must have
left the country.

These hoppers which came in the year 1874 laid no eggs, but in August,
1875, there came a hopper raid from the south. Many believed these were
descendants of the 1874 hoppers, hatched farther south and returning to the
home of their parents. When the hoppers came in 1875 the ears of corn had
formed and there was about an inch of kernels on the butt of the ears. The
hoppers destroyed the silk on the ears, thus preventing further fertilization of
the corn. The leaves of the corn were only partially destroyed by the hoppers

143

144 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

and farmers had ears of corn to harvest with about an inch of kernels on the
butts. These hoppers were most industrious in laying eggs in the traveled roads
and wherever the ground had been tramped by herds of cattle. These eggs
hatched in April, 1876, and in May the ground was literally alive with young
hoppers, who soon began to assemble on the growing crops of wheat and oats.
Late in May came a three days' storm, rain and snow, and to the joy of the
colonists the young hoppers perished.

HOPPERS DESTROY ONIONS

Aside from the destruction of the corn crop by hoppers in 1874, many colon-
ists suffered a grievous loss of their onion crop, for the hoppers not only ate the
onions greedily but dug holes to get the last morsel of the roots of the onions.
Onions from "black seed" had been found to be a profitable crop, notwithstand-
ing the large expense of the seed. The onions grew best on sod breaking, and
as there were no weeds in those early days there was little labor in making the
crop. Such onions grew to good size and sold readily for $1 a bushel. It is
recalled that A. J. Snowdon of Centre Township grew and marketed 1,500 bushels
of such onions one season, selling them for $1 per bushel.

Early potatoes made a fair crop in the year 1874, although the hoppers
destroyed all the tops. Such potatoes were good eating but did not keep well
during the winter.

CHAPTER XXXIII

SHELTON KNOWN AS WOOD RIVER CENTER FROM 1860 TO ABOUT 1873 COUNTY

SEAT OF BUFFALO COUNTY FIRST RELIGIOUS SERVICES HELD IN 187O AN OFFI-
CIAL DOCUMENT IN THE HANDWRITING OF PATRICK WALSH OLIVER BROTHERS

ESTABLISH A STORE IN 187I AN OFFICIAL NOTICE TO THE POSTMASTER GENERAL

NOTIFYING HIM OF CHANGE IN THE NAME OF THE POSTOFFICE LIST OF PHYSI-
CIANS AND SURGEONS — THE FIRST DENTIST — SHELTON FLOURING MILLS — THE

FIRST GRAIN ELEVATORS ALFALFA MILL — THE SHELTON CLIPPER — TWENTIETH

CENTURY CLUB ^FIRST TERM OF SCHOOL IN COUNTY BY LICENSED TEACHER

SHELTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS PUBLIC LIBRARY BANKS CHURCHES FRATERNAL

AND BENEFICIARY LODGES.

SHELTON

At the locality where now (1915) is the thriving- and prosperous Village of
Shelton, at as early a date as i860, on maps and publications of that date
appeared the name Wood River Center, and there is good reason for believing
that at an even earlier date there was here a hamlet, a way station, as it were,
for travelers over the Overland Trail, doubtless dating from the establishment of
Fort Kearney in 1848.

The trails up the Platte Valley, on the north side, extended from the Platte
to the bluffs until in the vicinity of Wood River Center, when all trails north
of Wood River (those which had followed Prairie Creek) crossed to the south
of Wood River at or near this point, proceeding westward on the south side.

To this point in the year 1859 came Joseph E. Johnson, a Mormon, a man of
considerable means and of more than average ability. Here he established a
store, a blacksmith and wagon repair shop, a tintype gallery, a bakery and place
where meals might be had and in April, i860, a newspaper (The Huntsman's
Echo), published, as announced in its columns, at Wood River Center, Nebraska
Territory, so that from April, i860, until February 3, 1873, the name of the
place was officially and otherwise known as Wood River Center.

Mr. Johnson fenced with poles cut from Wood River an enclosure, where
he engaged in gardening, raising of flowers and planted small fruits and also
cherry and apple trees. From copies of the Huntsman's Echo, in the library of
the State Historical Society, we learn that near this point was a portable saw-
mill in operation ; that corn and spring wheat were grown ; that Mr. Johnson had
a portable mill in which he ground both corn and wheat for customers.

From the Huntsman's Echo, published in 1860-61, it appears that in the year
i860 J. Sterling Morton and other candidates for congressional and territorial

Vol. I— 10

145

146 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

office came to Wood River Center and made political addresses on the streets
of the village. We learn that in the fall of i860 an election for county officers
was held at this point, forty-two votes being cast, resulting in the election of
Henry Peck, probate judge; J. H. Wagner, Joseph Huff and Thomas Page,
county commissioners; P. H. Gunn, sheriff; L. VanAlstine, coroner; James E.
Boyd and J. H. Wagner, justices of the peace; James E. Boyd, treasurer and
register of voters; Edward Huff, county clerk; P. H. Gunn and John Evans,
constables, and Joseph E. Johnson, county superintendent. It was at this point,
August 20, i860, that the first postoffice in the county was established, Joseph E.
Johnson, postmaster. It was in this immediate vicinity in the early '60s that
the families of Mrs. Sarah Oliver, James Oliver, Owen, Dugdale, Meyer, Nut-
ter, Walsh, Thompson, Slattery and Stearley made settlement on lands, becom-
ing permanent residents of the county, honored citizens of the commonwealth.
It was at this point in i860 that the Great Western Stage Company, extending
as far west as Fort Kearney, established a stage station, with August Meyer in
charge.

When in August, 1864, occurred the stampede, memorable in the history of
the territory, occasioned by a raid of Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians, in which
terrible atrocities were committed in Central Nebraska Territory and many lives
of white settlers lost, and all inhabitants west of the Missouri River terrorized,
it was at Wood River Center that settlers north of the Platte gathered, placed
themselves under command of August Meyer, who had served in the United
States regular army, barricaded themselves in an unfinished log building, and
later all journeyed to Omaha and Iowa points until fear of the raid was over —
except August Meyer and "Ted" Oliver, who remained to care for the stage
company horses. Here the first school district was organized, the first school-
house provided, the first terms of school held.

It was citizens of Wood River Center, Patrick Walsh, Alartin Slattery and
others, who joined in a petition to Governor David Butler to reorganize Buffalo
County in 1869, and it was in the schoolhouse at this place that the special elec-
tion reorganizing the county, January 20, 1870, was held. Wood River Center
being the county seat.

In this schoolhouse, in the winter of 1870-71, was held the first public religious
services in the county, conducted by Rev. David Marquett, a Methodist mis-
sionary.

AN OFFICIAL DOCUMENT — 187I

The following is a copy of an official certificate of appointment to office,
issued by the county clerk of Buffalo County under date of February 24, 1871.
This document is in the handwriting of Patrick Walsh and bears the seal of
Buffalo County, Nebraska :

"State of Nebraska"]

Us.
"County of Buffalo]

"I Patrick Walsh Deputy clerk of said county do hereby certify that at a
meeting of the county commissioners of said county on the i8th day of this

MAIN STEEET, LOOKING SOUTH FROM THE KATLROAD, SHELTON

WEST SlDK OF MAIN STKHKT, SHKLTOX

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 147

month the said commissioners have duly appointed OHver Thompson for the
office of county Sheriff of Buffalo Co. and that he has been duly qualified by
taking the oath of office and giving bond as the law requires.

"Given under my hand at Wood River Center this 24th day of February
A. D., 1871.

(Signed) "Michael Coady, Co. Clerk.
(Signed) "By Patrick Walsh, Deputy."
"Seal of
Buffalo County."

(Note — The original of this document is in possession of Shelton Township
Library.)

In the year 1873 Edward Oliver and brother established a store at Wood
River Center, first in a building 12 by 16 feet in size, later occupying a much
larger building south of the track and carrying a line of dry goods and gro-
ceries. An advertisement of E. Oliver and Brother, dry goods, groceries and
provisions, Wood River Center, appeared in a copy of the Buffalo County
Beacon, published at Gibbon, in 1873. A postoffice at Wood River Center was
established October 11, 1872, with Patrick Walsh as postmaster, the postoffice
being kept in Mr. Walsh's dwelling, a log house, and later in the Oliver store,
with E. Oliver as deputy postmaster. There is a tradition that when the post-
office inspector visited the office and found no stamps on sale the deputy informed
him that he did not have to keep stamps for sale without a profit and the inspector
threatened to close the office, the salary of the postoffice being some twelve dol-
lars a year.

The name of the postoffice was changed from Wood River Center to Shelton
on February 3, 1873, Mr. Walsh continuing to serve as postmaster until March
31, 1879, when Mark G. Lee was appointed.

The postmasters in their order have been Patrick Walsh, ]\Iark G. Lee, John
Conroy, J. M. Harman, S. F. Henninger, Frank D. Reed (three terms), I. T.
Peterson and John Conroy, dating from August 1914. The revenue of the office
in 19 14 was $1,500.

It is related that the village was named in honor of N. Shelton, an auditor in
the land department of the Union Pacific Railroad Company.

There is a tradition that Postmaster Walsh, desiring the name of the post-
office changed, notified the postmaster general in substance as follows :

"Mr. Postmaster General,

"Washington, D. C.
"Dear Sir:

"You are hereby notified that the name of this postoffice has been changed
from Wood River Center to Shelton and ycAi will govern yourself accordingly."

In the year 1879 Patrick Walsh had a townsite surveyed on his homestead
farm and additions were soon after surveyed by the Union Pacific Railway
Company and by Michael Coady, who had a claim on an adjoining section.

In the year 1876 the Union Pacific established a station and installed George
Mortimer as agent.

148 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

PHYSICIANS

As recalled, the pioneer physician was Doctor Childs, who erected a two-
story frame building south of Wood River bridge on the west side, the lower
rooms occupied by More & Nethercut, dry goods and groceries.

Of resident physicians in the life of the village the following are recalled :
Henry W. Brickett, Ames, Theron E. Webb, R. M. Beecher, Geo. C. Paxton,
E. L. Smith, Charles Lucas, W. W. Hull, R. Kanzler, J. Soper. Of the physi-
cians named doubtless Dr. E. L. Smith was most widely known, had the most
extensive practice. His devotion to his chosen profession, his ready response to
the calls of suffering humanity doubtless had much to do with his death in the
prime of life.

The pioneer dentist was Alex Thomas, who had a pair of rough, home-made
forceps, about the size of horse forceps. He had an improvised chair in which
to perform his dental operations, his office being in the pioneer hardware store
of Eb Marsh, and later John Heatherington.

INCORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE

The Village of Shelton was incorporated January 6, 1882, the county board
naming as trustees H. S. Colby, Edward Oliver, George Mortimer, Mark G.
Lee and E. O. Hostetler. The oath of office was administered by B. F. Sam-
mons, justice of the peace. H. S. Colby was chosen chairman and F. D. More
clerk. The first meeting was held in Oliver Hall, south of the track.

The United States census returns give the population of the village, 1890, 706;
1900, 861 ; 1910, 1,005.

In the year 1904 the village installed a water system, bonds to the amount
of $12,000 being voted.

In the year 1915 the village took over the electric light plant of the Shelton
Light and Power Company, village bonds to the amount of $8,000 being voted
for the purpose.

Members of the village board in 1915, J. B. Hodge, chairman; E. L. Templin,
Lee Roberts, Fred Spahr, H. C. Hofgard; G. L. Bastian, clerk; V. L. Johnson,
treasurer.

THE LIORSE INDUSTRY

Much attention is given to the breeding of horses and some of the finest draft
stallions in the state are owned by Shelton parties and kept for breeding pur-
poses. Colt shows are held and the animals exhibited are among the finest
specimens of their class. In the year 1905 mention was made in the public press
of the weights of some of the colts of draft breeding shown. In the two-year-
old class, Jacob Johnson's weighed 1,390 pounds, H. H. Stedman's 1,320, Albert
Allen's 1,200, Chauncey Cook's 1,150, Silas Coon's 1,170, C. J. Soderstrom's
1,130. In the yearling class I. K. Henninger's weighed 1,010, H. J. Dugdale's
950, John Hesler's 810, Lew Anderson's 830.

Shelton has a driving park association, a fine half mile track, and speed

HKiH S(1|(.)()L lUILDlMJ, SiiELTUX

STREET SCENE IN SHELTON

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 149

events are held each year at which Hberal purses are offered and which attract
large numbers of speed horses from this and other states.

The Shehon Flouring Mill was erected in the year 1874 by Jason I. and
Dr. I. P. George, brothers.

Wood River, which furnishes the water power to operate this mill, is a
stream exceedingly difficult and expensive on which to maintain a dam, and the
owners of the Shelton Mill in the earlier days were put to great expense on this
account.

In the year 1901 the mill was owned and operated by the Shelton Milling
Co., composed of S. A. D. Henninger, F. T. Turney and S. G. Carlson.

In the early spring of 191 2 the old dam was completely washed out by an
immense flood and the new permanent dam was immediately built of reinforced
concrete.

In 1893 the mill was changed from the old stone system to the modern roller
process and has been constantly kept up to date with new machinery.

A fine grade of flour is made by this mill which is not only sold largely in
Shelton and surrounding towns, but considerable shipments are made abroad.

In the year 1915 the mill was still owned and operated by the Shelton ^Milling
Co., which is composed of S. A. D. Henninger only, who in turn is the acting
president and manager.

The milling capacity is 100 barrels per day and the grain storage capacity
is 12,000 bushels.

From the earliest history of the county Shelton has been prominent as a
grain shipping point, one of the first to engage in the business being ''Jake"
Rice, about the year 1878. At that date there were no elevators for storing grain
and when cars could not be secured in which to load the grain for shipment, it
was piled on the ground and at times several thousand bushels of wheat were
thus in piles on the open prairie awaiting cars for shipment, and as Mr. Rice
could not pay for the wheat until loaded in a car, when he drew on the bill of
lading, the wheat was in these piles at the risk of the farmers.

Fortunately, in those years, there was little rainfall in the fall of the year
and the loss on the wheat thus exposed was not large.

At first the storage elevators were "shovel elevators," that is, grain was
shoveled into the storage bins from the farm wagons and then shoveled into cars.
When the first elevators were built the loaded wagons were drawn up an incline
plane to the top of the elevator and then dumped. In 19 15 Shelton has four
grain elevators, with a total capacity of 130,000 bushels.

Alfalfa is extensively grown in this locality and in the year 191 1, at an
expense of $15,000, E. C. Warren erected an alfalfa meal mill with a capacity
of thirty tons per day.

THE SHELTON CLIPPER

The Shelton Clipper, in the history of Shelton, has been recognized as a
model country newspaper of the state — model in its mechanical make up, model
in its editorial and business management. Frank D. Reed, for many years its
owner and editor, brought the Clipper into statewide recognition and left a last-

150 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

ing impress in the village and county in which he did the most useful and
important work of his lifetime. Flis death, which occurred November 7, 191 1,
was a distinct loss to the county and state.

In Vol. II, No. 13, of the Shelton Clipper Editor H. C. McNew gives the
following history of the Clipper to that date :

"The Clarion, the second newspaper in Shelton (the first being The Hunts-
man's Echo in 1859-60-61), was started in 1879 and came under the control of
the present publisher of The Clipper in May, 1880, after being five months
under the management of four men at different times. The Clarion continued
to be published until October, 1880, when the name of the paper was changed
to the one now used. This was done in order to protect our own interests and
prevent trouble with former publishers of the Clarion.

'Tn 1883 The Clipper was purchased by Reed Bros., William M. and Frank
D. Reed. In 1895 The Clipper became the property of the junior member of
the firm, who still continues as editor and publisher. The Clipper office was
destroyed by fire on March 22, 1903; the loss was almost total, the insurance
being very small. Mr. Reed at once made arrangements for a temporary office
until the building could be replaced, and issued the usual weekly number on the
regular publication day, not a single issue being missed on account of the fire.

"The office is now equipped with a full complement of up-to-date machinery
and material and is above the average for a town of the size of Shelton. The
job work turned out is of superior quality and The Clipper is a newspaper of
which Shelton citizens and the Twentieth Century Club members are justly
proud."

On the death of Frank D. Reed in 191 1 the editorial and business manage-
ment of The Clipper was taken over by E. L. Templin and C. C. Reed and still
(1915) enjoys a wide circulation and a profitable patronage.

THE TWENTIETH CENTURY CLUB

In the Twentieth Century Club souvenir edition of The Shelton Clipper,
Mrs. Catherine Smith writes of the history of the Twentieth Century Club
excerpts from which appear in this article.

"In 1892 a woman's club was organized in Shelton, its object being 'To
stimulate the intellectual development of its members and for the promotion of
unity and good fellowship among them.' It was known as the Nineteenth Cen-
tury Club."

"In 1887 a Chautauqua circle was formed with a membership of fifteen:
Some dropped out, some moved away. Mrs. H. A. Hostetler alone finished the
course, in 1891 receiving her diploma at the assembly in Beatrice. It was through
her influence the Nineteenth Century Club of Shelton was organized. She served
as its first president and has held that position at different times since. At the
meeting of the organization of the state federation in Omaha she represented
the Shelton Club and it became a part of the federation in 1894."

"In 1901 the name of the club was changed to the Twentieth Century Club.
Our colors are purple and gold; the club flower, the pansy; the motto, 'All that
is human must retrograde if it does not advance.'

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 151

"The study has been history, art, music, Hterature and current events."

"The chib has done some work along altruistic lines. The present library is
the outgrowth of a library established by the club in 1896. We are aiding in a
small way a colored Nebraska girl to fit herself as a kindergartner to go South
and teach among her own race. The club is also interested in the public schools.
The lady teachers are usually active members."

The membership of this club in the year 191 5 was thirty. Mrs. Charles
Lucas, president; Mrs. C. S. Lyle, vice president; Mrs. Maurice Weaver, record-
ing secretary; Mrs. S. E. Smith, corresponding secretary; Mrs. Albert Allen,
treasurer.

The past presidents of the club, Mesdames M. A. Hostetler, H. H. Stedman,
Charles Lucas, Rufus Bentley, Eugene Phelps, George Meisner, C. F. Graves,
George Prouty, Carlton Ely, Joseph Owen, Jr., E. F. Monroe, Roy Reynolds,
Frank Turney and L K. Henninger.

FIRST TERM OF SCHOOL BY LICENSED TEACHER

The first term of school in Bufi'alo County, taught by a teacher duly licensed
was in the summer of 1871. The teacher. Miss Clara Lew, was a member of the
Soldier's Free Homestead Colony, coming from the State of Ohio in April, 1871.
Miss Lew was the first teacher to whom a certificate to teach was granted
in the county.

The records disclose that her examination took place before C. Putnam,
county superintendent ; on June 3, 1871, vvdio issued to her a third grade certificate.
This school was taught in a board shanty, sodded on the outside, located on
the farm of Joseph Owen in school district No. i. Originally this schoolhouse
was a rough board shanty used in the construction of the Union Pacific Rail-
way and purchased by inhabitants interested in having a school in that locality.

James Dugdale, who was old enough to go to school but who had to herd
cattle furnishes, from memory, the names of the scholars attending the school as
follows : Lulu Slattery, Albert Slattery, Hattie Bayley, Harry Oliver, John
Walsh, John Stearley, Lester W. Bayley, Thomas Dugan, James Walsh, Mary
Stearley, John Bayley, ]\Iaggie Walsh, Wm. H. Nutter and George Dugdale.

SHELTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Shelton has from the beginning taken great pride in her public school and
spared neither time nor expense in the effort to have the best, for in educational
lines the best is none too good.

In the Twentieth Century Club souvenir edition of The Shelton Clipper
(1895) Miss Elsie Burr writes as follows of the history of the Shelton schools:
"As early as 1866 this part of the country was settled by people destined to
be forerunners of a commonwealth, forerunners in politics, citizenship and
education.

"One of their first thoughts was for the education of their children, so
clubbing together and headed by Patrick Walsh they bought lumber that had
been used for a section house in the building of the Union Pacific Railroad.

152 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

With this they built the first schoolhouse in Buffalo County. This before the
county was organized in 1870. This schoolhouse was located on the same spot
where the district No. i now stands and was known as school district No. i.
Mrs. Harry Norton was the first teacher in Buft'alo County. There were no
funds (public) with which to pay the teacher so these men yaid her — $35 a
month. Beside this she 'boarded round,' and it is said as the school did not
require her undivided time, she even did dress making during school hours.
The term was for four months. For several years (1866 to 1871) school was
held in this building. About 1876 a new school district was organized, taking
some territory from district No. i in Buffalo County and also some from Hall
County, making the present school district of Shelton known legally as No. 19
in Buffalo County and No. 41 in Hall County.

"The first schoolhouse was a frame structure 14 by 18 feet in size. The
seats were arranged around the walls of the room and in front were rude, home-
made desks. Miss Mattie Davis of Gibbon was the first teacher. This building
was used for two years when a larger and better building was erected. In this
structure the youth of Shelton received instruction for four or five years when
the school was divided owing to crowded conditions. Mrs. Max A. Flostetler
taught the last term before division was made. One section of the school remained
in the schoolhouse under the instruction of Miss Addie Thomson, the other
division was located in a room over Mr. Oliver's store in charge of Miss Laura
Hardin. This division was made about the year 1881 ; in the year 1882 a four-
room building was erected on the site of the present building; at first but two
rooms were used. Professor Griffin taught in one and Miss Lulu Slattery the
other."

From Miss Burr's article it is further learned that the school building was
greatly enlarged and in the year 1905 twelve grades were being taught. In the
year 1911-12 one of the finest, most up-to-date school buildings in the state was
erected at a cost of $40,000, school district bonds for such being issued. Supt.
E. F. Monroe, writing as to the later history of the Shelton school says : "It
has been said that the first class to' be graduated was that of 1890, from an
eleventh grade.

"I believe from the evidence that the twelfth grade was introduced in 1899.
The six-year high school (the six-and-six plan) was begun in 1911-12, with
beginnings in 1909-10 and 1910-11, in the old building and was put in full force
in the new building in 1912-13.

"In 1912-13 the Shelton schools were accredited by the North Central Asso-
ciation of Colleges and Secondary Schools, thus giving the Shelton schools the
official rank as one of the fifty best public school systems out of about five
hundred high school systems in the state. This accreditment includes the col-
leges of sixteen states from Ohio to Montana, and admits Shelton graduates with-
out examination."

The enrollment of the school as given by Superintendent Monroe for the
school year 1915-16 is: boys, 163; girls, 202; total 365. Number teachers em-
ployed, twelve. The members of the school district board, 191 5, W. S. Ashton,
Frank Easter, George W. Smith, Dr. Charles Lucas, H. H. Stedman, and V. S.
Pierce.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 153

SHELTON SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS IN 1881

H. C. McNew in Shelton Clipper, 1881.

In educational matters, Buffalo County has taken a decided lead. I. T.
jNIallalieu, county superintendent, has labored faithfully for two years to build
up the schools of the county, and it may be truthfully said, that the greatest
success has crowned his efforts. We paid our first visit to the Shelton School in
an official capacity last Thursday. We "went in" with the scholars after recess
and remained until noon, and would have stayed longer but did not care to
stay there alone. The school is under the management of G. W. Hartman and
Miss Addie Thomson. J\Ir. Hartman, one of the graduates of our state univer-
sity, and one of the young men who built up Buffalo County's good reputation
in that institution, will have charge of the Oliver Hall School, when the school
will be divided, which will be soon. Miss Thomson will continue the intermediate
department in the old school building. When the school is divided, Shelton can
boast of as good schools as any town of its size for it certainly has two as good
teachers. About seventy pupils were in attendance. In the space of one hour
six classes were heard, two of the number arithmetic, numbering thirteen and
fourteen pupils. Both classes were reciting at the same time, Mr. Hartman
hearing one class. Miss Thomson the other. Notwithstanding the large number
of pupils in one small room, the best of order prevailed. We were greatly
pleased with the general appearance of the room, and can assure the patrons
their children are well cared for and instructed.

jMiss Lulu Slattery is wielding the birch in district No. 17. She has thirty-
five scholars — this her second term.

Miss Annie Barbour, sister of ]\Irs. Frank More, is teaching in district
No. 43.

Miss Stonebarger, lately from Illinois, is teaching in district No. 52.

Miss Ella Smith has a six months' term on district No. i.

George K. Peck is teaching in Hall County.

James Steven holds forth in the Nebraska brick building (a sod school-
house) in district No. 41, Elm Island.

E. O. Elliot is teaching the young ideas "how to shoot'' in district No. 10.

C. Allen Cook is engaged in district No. 11, near Buda.

Cooley Walker is teaching his first term in Hall County.

Frank Cooper is teaching over in the bluffs.

SHELTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

In the Twentieth Century Club souvenir edition of The Shelton Clipper
(1905) Miss Rosa Stebbins writes of the early history of Shelton Public Library:
"In the year 1896 the Nineteenth Century Club, believing a circulating library to
be in the highest degree beneficial to the public, first assumed the responsibility
of placing one in the town. Certain of its members solicited the community and
secured by subscription the amount of $50. With this capital the club sub-
scribed to what was known as the Fremont Circulating Library. This library
sent out a set of books every three months, the club paying the freight and sub-
scription and being entitled to their use for five years. Miss Anna Wood

154 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

(later Mrs. John Light) was authorized to care for these books as Hbrarian.
Later on in the year 1898, the club ladies believed that a library owned by the
public would prove more far reaching and satisfactory, and thereupon began
their work for the establishment of a public library.

"A call was extended to all ladies interested through the Clipper which
resulted in the formation of an association with a membership of thirty-five
ladies. At this time it became independent of the club, and became possible
through the courtesy of A. H. Morris, who donated the use of a steam-heated
room for this purpose, and to those who subscribed books and money. The
club donated a large number of books they had on hand. During the next three
years. Miss Minnie Smith being made librarian in 1901, by dint of hard work
and unflagging interest on the part of the association, the library was kept open,
and at the close of the year 1902, 670 books were reported on the shelves.

"On November i, 1903, the association deemed it advisable to close the
library for one year, there being a deficiency of funds, and a seeming lack of
interest on the part of the public. In January, 1905, the association again took
up its work with redoubled vigor, and reorganized with a much larger mem-
bership than ever before.

"The library is now (1905) situated at the north end of Main Street, a
pleasant room in the Meisner Building having been donated by Mr. Meisner for
its use. The hbrary hours are from 2 to 6 o'clock on Wednesday and Saturday
afternoons, and the room is also kept open on the same evenings as a reading
room. There are now 1,370 books on the shelves and subscription to several
magazines has been donated. Although the Twentieth Century Club deserves
credit for the first establishment of a library in the town, the idea and desire
for it originated in the mind of Mrs. H. H. Stedman."

In January, 1908, it became the Shelton Public Library, a village tax being
levied for its support. On April 25, 191 2, at the annual town meeting of Shelton
Township, it was made a township library, one of the first thus established in
the state and a two mill tax levied for its support. On April 7, 191 3, Andrew
Carnegie's offer of $9,000 with which to erect a library building was received
and accepted.

On June i, 1914, the library moved into the new building. The members of
the library board (191 5) are George W. Smith, president; V. L. Johnson, Leroy
Barrett, Mrs. J. H. Dugdale and Mrs. George Prouty, secretary.

The annual report for the year ending June i, 191 5, shows: Number of
volumes in library, 3,411 ; number of volumes issued, juvenile, 3,113; number of
volumes issued, adults, 4,582 ; number of readers, 2,748.

Those serving as librarians, Minnie Smith, Rosina Stebbins, Jessie Smith,
Hattie Bissett, Gladys Adams, Edith Weaver, Mrs. H. A. Vose.

BANKS.

The Shelton Bank was started as a private enterprise in 1882 by Coleman
and Leachey, who were succeeded in about a year by Huggins and Leachey
and these in turn (in June, 1883) by H. J. Robbins and S. H. Graves; the bank
remained a private affair until July, 1889, when it organized as a state bank with

1 ^"^^^^1

^I^^IHH^HHI

METHODIST CHUECH, SHELTOX

SHELTOX T0WX8HIP LIBRARY
Erected 1912

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 155

an authorized capital of $50,000, one-half paid in. The charter members were
J. S. Hedges, D. P. Junk, George Mortimer, S. H. Graves, and L. F. Stockwell;
George Mortimer, president; S. H. Graves, cashier. In 1902 was organized the
Farmers Bank, with a capital stock of $10,000. George Mortimer, president;
M. L. Phelps, vice president; P. H. Graves, cashier. In the year 1905 the
Farmers Bank was taken over by the Shelton Bank. In 19 15 the bank had a
capital stock of $25,000; surplus, $6,200; deposits, $120,000. The officers of the
bank, H. C. Hansen, president; H. H. Stedman, vice president; V. L. Johnson,
cashier.

Meisner's Bank was a private enterprise on the part of George Meisner, start-
ing in the year 1884 with a capital stock of $35,000. In June, 1889, the bank was
reorganized as First National Bank with a paid up capital of $50,oc)0, the charter
members being George Meisner, J. H. Robbins, H. J. Robbins, M. G. Lee, Henry
Fieldgrove and George Smith; Mr. Meisner, president; A. H. Sterrett, cashier;
F. D. ]\Iore, assistant cashier.

In the year 1895 the bank was chartered as a state bank (Meisner's Bank)
and in the year 1915 had a capital stock of $40,000; surplus, $8,000; deposits,
$250,000. President, H. J. Robbins; vice president, M. G. Lee; cashier, George
W. Smith ; assistant cashier, F. D. More.

THE METHODIST CHURCH

The first history of record of the Methodist Church at Shelton appears to be
that of Rev. J. Marsh, who came to Buffalo County in 1873, taking a home-
stead claim in Gibbon Township. Mr. Marsh records that he organized in 1873-4
a class at Shelton with Rufus Mitchell as leader. The names of the members of
this class as given by Mr. Marsh are: Eunice Mitchell, Nathan T. Britton, Jane
A. Warner, Alexander Ross, Henry M. King, Margaret Vanwey, Jane A. West,
Isaac A. King, Hannah Britton, Josephus Morgan, Eliza J. Ross, Amanda E.
King, Robert Gilispie, Emma J. Bly, Charlotte C. King, James A. Light, Celesta
Morgan, John C. Vanwey, Joseph T. Ross, Angeline Gilispie, Almira Jaunta,
James O. King, Mary A. Light, Eliza Vanwey, Wm. J. Vanwey, Kate Ross, Ros-
well West and Aimed Morrow.

The church services were held in the old schoolhouse until 1882 when a
church edifice was erected. In the year 1896 the Epworth League room was
added and extensive repairs made.

The Methodist Episcopal Aid Society was organized in 1882. In 1915 there
were forty members, the officers being, Mrs. George Hauke, president; Mrs.
Charles Lucas, vice president; Mrs. Clyde Burkerd, secretary and Miss Elizabeth
Richardson, treasurer.

In the year 1906 a new church building was erected at a cost of $9,500.

The following pastors have served the Methodist Church at Shelton : Revs.
J. Marsh, Charles Reily, Peter DeClark, J. A. Bartholemew, H. Somers, H. C.
Flarman, Charles A. Mastin, G. H. McAdam, J. G. Martin, C. C. Wilson, C. C.
Suavely, S. Blair, James Leonard, M. T. Stiffler, W. H. Mills, W. H. D. Llorne-
day, A. L. Umpleby, J. R. Martin and E. E. Carter.

156 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

The First Presbyterian Church of Shelton was organized April 12, 18S0, by
Rev. George L. Little, assisted by Rev. J. G. Tate.

The charter members were George L. Warner, Mrs. Jane A. Warner, James W.
White, Mrs. Ella J. White, Henry Fieldgrove, Mrs. Margaret Fieldgrove, Philip
Smith, Mrs. Philip Smith, Mrs. E. Gilbert, John Gutherless, Mrs. L. L. McDon-
ald, Shield Smith, Mrs. Shield Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Meals, Mrs. J. G.
Tate, Mr. and Mrs. George Smith, Mrs. Emily Beekman, O. J. Vandyke, Mrs.
Sarah Vandyke, Mrs. A. J. Heatherington, Mrs. B. P. Thomson, Miss Addie
Thomson. George L. Warner, Shield R. Smith and O. J. Vandyke were chosen
elders and Henry Fieldgrove, Philip Smith and A. A. Burrows trustees. A church
building was erected in 1887 and since improved at a total cost of $5,000. The
manse was built in 1904 and since made modern at a total cost of $2,000.

The membership of the church in 1905 was seventy-two and in 191 5 sixty-five.

During the pastorate of Rev. F. A. Mitchell a pipe organ was installed in the
church at an expense of $1,200.

The pastors who have served this church in their order have been : J. G.
Tate, George Bray, John Gilmore, James Griffis, C. F. Graves, L. W. Scudder, F.
L. Higdon, J. M. Skinner, F. A. Mitchell, George McNab, John R. Bennett,
George F. WilHams.

The Presbyterian Social Circle was organized in 1884. Li the year 191 5
the membership was fifty. The officers were: Mrs. M. G. Lee president; Mrs. A.
L. Strand, vice president; Mrs. F. H. Redington, secretary; Mrs. O. R. Crumley,
treasurer.

UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH

Shelton Mission was organzed by the annual conference held at Athelstan,
Iowa, March 16, 1896. The board of trustees for the church were elected and
organized April 7, 1898, and were incorporated the following day. Services were
held in the Advent Church for some time and in the month of November, 1899,
under the pastorate of Rev. E. W. Brooker, a subscription paper was circulated
for the purpose of securing funds to erect a church building in Shelton.

This church was dedicated by Bishop R. Dubs, May 30, 1900, under the
pastorate of Rev. M. B. Young.

The church building was built at an expense of $2,700 and a parsonage at
an expense of $1,300.

The pastors who have served in this field have been : Revs. I. B. Wolford,
E. W. Brooker, M. B. Young, C. F. Beller, B. A. Shively, Con Hewett, H. C.
Farley, H. Wood, W. T. Randolph.

CATHOLIC CHURCH

The cornerstone of the Catholic Church at Shelton was laid in May, 1908,
the building completed the following year The structure is of brick and cost
$11,000. It was largely through the efforts of George Meisner that the work of

CATHOLIC CHURCH, SHKLTON

LAYIXC THE CORNEKSTONE OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AT SHELTOX

. IN MAY, 1908

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 157

building was accomplished, he donating the first $i,ooo towards the building
fund. Xon-Catholics of Shelton and vicinity were most liberal in their donations
toward the church building. Edward B. McDermott, a law student at Creighton
College, Omaha — a resident of Shelton and a graduate of Shelton High School —
delivered the address of the day when the church was dedicated.

Rev. P. J. Daly, the first pastor of the church, was active in securing the
building of the church.

The church at present (191 5) has a membership of forty families. The
pastors of the church have been: Rev. P. J. Daly, Rev. H. Alberts, Rev. H.
Muenstermann.

THE SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

The Seventh Day Adventist Church at Shelton was started through the efforts
of Elders George Langdon and A. L. Hooper, who held a course of lectures here
in 1885.

The church was organized with a charter membership of thirteen.

A church building was erected in 1893 at a cost of about twelve hundred
dollars.

It has a seating capacity of 125. *

The church was dedicated August 5, 1893, by Elder Daniel Nettleton, assisted
by Elders G. Smith and W. B. White. In the year 1905 the membership was
twenty-eight and in 191 5 fifteen.

The pastors or elders in charge of the church have been : Simon Mosser,
I-orenzo Plumb. xA.lbert Danman.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

The First Baptist Church, Shelton, was organized January'30, 1904.

The charter members were : Sarah L. Wilkenson, Benjamin Wilkenson, M.
P. Cleveland, Daniel Stonebarger, Hannah Stonebarger, Thomas Blakeley, Sarah
Blakeley, Mary Keefauver.

A church building was erected in 1904 at an approximate cost of two thousand
dollars. The membership in 191 5, twenty-three.

The first pastor was Rev. J. W. Groves, the others in order: B. F. Farrer,
Edwin Hardcastle, C. F. Deuholm. Joseph James, M. C. Powers.

UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH

In School District No. 22, in Shelton Township, was organized the United
Brethren Church in Christ on November 20, 1873.

The church was organized by Rev. W. S. Spooner, in the house on the home-
stead farm of George Stearley. The charter members were : A. \\'. Zimmer-
man, Louisa E. Zimmerman, husband and wife; George Stearley, Barbery
.Stearley, husband and wife.

The name given the organization at the time was "The Zimmerman Class."

In the year 1897 a church was built at a cost of approximately twelve hundred
dollars. In the year 191 5 the membership of the church was fifty-five.

158 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

As near as can be recalled the pastors who have served this church and peo-
ple, in their order, are as follows : W. S. Spooner, O. Knepper, J. M. Witters,
John Green, H. S. Munger, J. J. Smith, J. M. Witters, J. Bremser, W. S. Fields,
]\Ir. Fowler, W. Thompson, T. B. Cannon, C. W. Bohart, A. Boyd, A. L.
Zimmerman, Wm. Tooley, A. Boyd, W. C. Miller, L. L. Epley, G. W. Arnold,
Walter Smith, W. G. Rooker, F. Grow.

The church was built during the pastorate of Rev. A. L. Zimmerman,

ladies' aid society

The first ladies' aid society in Shelton was organized in the year 1882. The
meeting was held in the unfinished building of the M. E. Church, the ladies sit-
ting, meantime, on piles of lumber. Mrs. Max A. Hostetler was elected presi-
dent; Mrs. James Steven, secretary; Mrs. M. L. Phelps, treasurer. A bazar was
held soon after in a corner of the church building. The Methodist Church was
the first church erected in the village and everyone interested in churches assisted
with labor and finance. When the church was completed it was painted a white
color. The painter, being something of an artist, conceived the idea of an oil
painting high above the front windows. Accordingly, he painted a woodland
scene — a stream, some fallen logs, a man with an ax and a cow. An elderly
gentleman, being asked later what he thought of the painting, replied: "Well,
I guess the painting is all right but it seems a funny place for a cow pasture."

w. c. T. u.

The first county organization of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union
appears to have been in Kearney in 1890, Mrs. Cooley organizer. The officers
were: Mrs. Louise M. Collins, president; Mrs. A. H. Connor, Kearney, cor-
responding secretary; Mrs. Max A. Hostetler, of Shelton, recording secretary;
Mrs. James H. Davis, Gibbon, treasurer.

It is recalled that Miss Mary Ripley, of Kearney, was greatly interested in
this work, especially along the line of scientific instruction in the public schools.

Miss Frances Willard, national president of the W. C. T. U., spoke on two
occasions in Kearney in the interests of the work of the Union. On both
occasions there was a large attendance, both Shelton and Gibbon being well
represented.

The records of the organization of the W. C. T. U. in Shelton disclose Mrs.
C. F. Graves, president ; Mrs. H. H. Stedman, treasurer ; Miss Elizabeth Richard-
son, secretary. In the year 191 5 there were twenty-one members : Miss Elizabeth
Richardson, president; Mrs. Charles Soderstrum, vice president; Mrs. R. A.
Mears, secretary; Mrs. H. H. Stonebarger, treasurer.

p. E. o.

A P. E. O. society was organized in February, 1914, with a membership of
twelve persons. The officers in 1915 were: Mrs. H. H. Stedman, president;
Mrs. E. C. Emigh, vice president ; Mrs. Leroy Barrett, corresponding secretary ;
Mrs. F. H. Redington, recording secretary ; Mrs. H. C. Hansen, treasurer.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 159

Joe Hooker Post No. 28, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized at
Shelton December 6, 1879. Its first officers and charter members were: C. S.
Bailey, Com. ; J. R. George, S. V. C. ; Patrick Walsh, J. V. C. ; D. B. Allen, 0. M. ;
S. A. Banks, O. D. ; J. H. Barrett, O. G. ; Rev. J. N. Allen, Chap. ; A. D. BuTrows,
Surg.; H. S. Colby, Adj.; J. H. Heatherington, Sergt. Maj.; W. H. Barnes,
Q. M. Sergt. ; C. H. Horth, S. R. Blois, T. Carrol, W. W. Dubbs, B. F. Sammons,
L. Waldron, Rufus Mitchell, H. Willey, W. McCracken, James McCreary,
J. R. George, J. H. Smith, J. P. Smith, George L. Gardner. In 1915 the Post
had a membership of seventeen. The officers were : R. A. Mears, Com. ; Aug.
Meyer, S. V. Com. ; W. S. Allison, Q. M. ; J. A. Light, O. D. ; W. H. Barnes,
Adj.; D. Stonebarger, Chap.; J. H. BHss, P. I. Forty-seven soldiers of the Civil
war are buried in Shelton cemetery.

Joe Hooker Woman's Relief Corps No. 136, of Shelton, was organized April
17, 1891. The charter members and officers were: President, Amelia H. Ster-
rett; S. V., Lottie Murphy; J. V., Eunice Mitchell; Treas., Kate McCreary;
Chap., Mary E. Smith; Cond., Mary Bolding; G., pilie Armbus ; Secy., Maude
L. Beecher; Bertha L. Hedges, Mary B. Town, Hannah Stonebarger, Emma
Childs, Lide Waters, Angelina Horth, Polly E. Marble, Olive Armbus, Emretta
Fisher, Jane Lippincott, Lettie M. Hedges, Delia Beecher.

In the year 191 5 the membership of the corps was seventeen. Pres., ^lary
Light; Secy., Jessie Meyer Lawson; Treas., Margaret Bliss.

Banner Lodge No. 48, Degree of Honor, A. O. U. W., was organized at
Shelton April 3, 1893. The officers were: Mrs. Ella White, P. C. H. ; Mrs.
Laurene Hostetler, C. H. ; Mrs. Edith Bailey, L. H. ; Mrs. Max A. Hostetler,
Rec. ; Mrs. Sarah Barrett, Fin.; Mrs. Sarah Blakely, receiver; ]\Irs. James
Stevens, C. C. ; Miss Gertrude Graffius, usher; Miss Nancy Bastian, I. W. ;
George Smith, O. W. In 191 5 the officers of the lodge were: Mrs. Mary Bills,
P. C. ; Mrs. Maggie Corrigan, C. H. ; Mrs. Maggie Fieldgrove, L. H. ; Mrs.
Sarah Vandyke, C. C. ; Mrs. Max A. Hostetler, Rec. ; Mrs. L. Anna Adams, Fin. ;
Mrs. Hazel Templin, receiver; Mrs. Hattie Reed, usher; Mrs. Sarah Meusch,
I. W.

Dewey Lodge No. 598, Modern Brotherhood of America, was organized in
August, 1899, with Max A. Hostetler as president; C. A. Washburn, secretary.
The charter membership was left open for some time and when closed the lodge
had a membership of 151. In 1915 the lodge had a membership of 103. Officers:
G. W. Dawson, Pres. ; C. A. Washburn, Secy.

Anchor Lodge No. 14, A. O. U. W., located at Shelton, was organized August
22,, 1883, the charter members being: H. J. Fleck, J. P. Bastian, A. A. Burrows,
E. Oliver, James Steven, H. E. Jones, A. E. Rice, Rev. J. G. Tate, D. W. Under-
wood, Henry Fletcher, T. E. Mundle, H. C. McNew, Dr. R. M. Beecher, Rev.
J. M. Harman, J. H. Waters, J. M. Hawk, D. W. Smith, J. W. Kearn, Paul
Kalmuk, John Gutherless.

The present (1915) membership of the lodge is 137. M. W., James Buck;
Rec, F. Carpenter; Fin., V. S. Pierce; receiver, R. R. Mathieson.

Phoenix Lodge No. 158, A. O. U. W., was organized February 27, 1897. The
charter members were: C. F. Graves, P. M. W. ; A. D. Graham, M. \V. ; James

160 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

W. White, Rec. ; John Heatherington, Fin. ; J. W. Weaver, Erf ord Wescoatt, J.
P. Moore, James Waters, Thomas Blakeley, O. P. Guffey.

The present (1915) membership of the lodge is thirty-five. M. W., Barney
Wiest; Rec., Jeff Devall; Fin., M. A. Hostetler; receiver, J. P. Moore.

Buffalo Camp No. 1190, M. W. A., of Shelton, organized October 10, 1889.
The records of the camp were destroyed by fire in 1903, making it not possible
to give the number of charter members. The first officers were : Coun., C. M.
Wallace; W. A., E. O. Hostetler; banker, James McCreary; clerk, J. W. Whar-
ton ; escort, F. A. Bailey ; watchman, Wm. P. Harmon ; sentry, Robert Beekman ;
managers, C. S. Bailey, J. S. Hedges, M. G. Lee; physician. Dr. E. L. Smith.

In 1915 the camp had a membership of sixty. The of^cers : Coun., R. Kester-
son; advisor, Frank Webbin; banker, J. B. Hodge; clerk, C. M. Wallace; escort,
W. H. Lute ; watchman, H. G. Grumprecht ; sentry, Leo Kesterson ; trustees, A.
H. Morris, John Mullen, M. G. Lee ; physician, Dr. Charles Lucas.

Shelton Lodge No. 141, I. O. O. F., was instituted February 26, 1886, by
Grand Master Arthur Gibson, assisted by members of the order from Gibbon
and Kearney. The charter members were : James Steven, F. J. Taylor, D. P.
Crable, W. V. Fox, Edward Oliver, J. M. Harman, E. Y. Bush, Joseph Owen.
H. C. Bull, A. N. Murphy, W. E. Bull, W. W. Watters, J. H. Watters, James
Vanwey, Eli Campbell, L. D. Hile. Joseph Owen, N. G. ; James H. Watters,
R. S. In the year 1915 the lodge had a membership of seventy-nine. Of^cers :
Samuel Druse, N. G. ; Fred Haug, V. G. ; Joseph Owen, Sr., R. S. ; H. J. Dug-
dale, Treas.

Ellen Rebekah Lodge No. 306, I. O. O. F., was instituted at Shelton Febru-
ary 5, 1913, with sixteen charter members. The officers were: Ella Grafius, N.
G. ; Clara A. Smith, V. G. ; Bertha E. Kunkle, Secy. ; C. C. Grafius, Treas. In
1915 the lodge had forty-seven members. The officers were: Melissa E. Kunkle,
N. G. ; Lillian F. Webbin, V. G. ; Bertha E. Kunkle, Secy. ; Maggie Webbin,
Treas.

Shelton Lodge No. 99, A. F. & A. M., was organized July 28, 1882, with a
charter membership of fifteen. George L. Gardner, W. M. ; Rodney Beecher,
S. W. ; Moses L. Phelps, J. W. ; B. F. Sammons, Secy. ; M. G. Lee, Treas. ; John
A. Hogg, S. D. ; Joseph Smith, J. D. ; George L. Thomas, Tyler. In the year
1915 the lodge had fifty-two members. Lawrence E. Treat, W. M. ; \>rnon S.
Pierce, Secy. ; M. G. Lee, Treas.

FRATERNAL AID UNION OF AMERICA

On January 19, 1909, there was organized at Shelton a lodge of American
Order of Protection, with a charter membership of thirty-seven. The instituting
officer was ex-Governor W. A. Poynter.

At a later date the name was changed to Fraternal Aid Union of America.

In 191 5 the lodge had a membership of sixty. Pres., J. R. Johnson ; V. Pres.,
John Ohver; Secy., E. L. Light; Treas., Mary Light.

Castle Hall, Shelton Lodge No. 92, Knights of Pythias, was instituted at
Shelton December i, 1887, with a charter membership of forty-four. Officers:
F. E. Ellis, P. C. ; J. S. Hedges, C. C. ; C. A. Kinney, V. C. ; David Neely, M. of

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 161

Ex.; F. D. More, M. of F. ; F. H. More, prelate; J. H. Heatherington, M. of A.;
S. H. Graves, K. of R. & S.; C. S. Bailey, I. W. ; J. W. White, O. G.

In 1915 the castle had a membership of seventy-four. Officers: Joseph Owen,
Jr., C. C. ; V. S. Pierce, V. C. ; Joseph Owen, Sr., M. of Ex. ; Lee Roberts, prelate ;
F. T. Turney, M. of A.; W. H. Barnes, K. of R. & S. ; Paul More, I. G. ; Carl
Carlson, O., G.

CHAPTER XXXIV

GIBBON NAMED IN HONOR OF GEN. JOHN GIBBON, U. S. A. WILSON AND STAATS

THE FIRST SETTLERS WILSON DROWNED IN THE PLATTE FIRST DEEDS TO LOTS

PROHIBITED THE SALE OF INTOXICATING LIQUORS — I. N. DAVIS DONATED TEN

ACRES FOR TOWNSHIP PARK LIST OF POSTMASTERS — LIST OF PHYSICIANS

FIRST NEWSPAPER, BUFFALO COUNTY BEACON GIBBON REPORTER RIVERSIDE

CEMETERY AN INCLINE GRAIN ELEVATOR — THE GIBBON CREAMERY INCOR-
PORATION OF THE VILLAGE ^FIRST BOARD OF TRUSTEES GIBBON COMMERCIAL

CLUB THE GIBBON CHAUTAUQUA THE PUBLIC SCHOOL THE FIRST WINTER

TERM OF SCHOOL — WOMAN's STUDY LEAGUE GIBBON TOWNSHIP LIBRARY

BANKS — CHURCHES — FRATERNAL AND BENEFICIARY LODGES.

GIBBON

In the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad a siding was built at this
point in 1866 and named "Gibbon Switch." As the editor of this history under-
stands, the name Gibbon was in honor of Gen. John Gibbon, a graduate of the
United States Military Academy in 1847. He served in the war with Mexico.
Subsequently he was in garrison and on frontier duty against hostile Indians
until the outbreak of the Civil war in 1861. For gallant services in battle in the
Civil war Captain Gibbon received successive brevet promotions from major to
that of major general, U. S. A. Gibbon is located on section No. 13, all of
which would have been railroad land had it not been that a man named Wilson
"squatted" on what proved to be, when surveyed, the northeast C[uarter of sec-
tion 13. From the heirs of Wilson, J. E. Kelsey purchased the squatter's
right" and filed thereon a soldier's homestead claim. John Nutter relates the
following incident connected with the first family who made settlement where
now is the Village of Gibbon: In the year 1865 a man named Wilson "squatted"
on a claim, now within the incorporated limits of Gibbon. Here he built a habi-
tation, part dug-out, part logs, and then went to Dobytown, a hamlet two miles
west of Fort Kearney, for his family. His family consisted of a wife and
several children, some of sufficient age and experience to drive an ox team. He
had an ox team, a covered (prairie schooner) wagon and also owned a mule.
Loading his family and belongings into the wagon it was arranged that the two
older boys should drive the oxen and the father follow, riding the mule. To
celebrate their removal to their claim the father indulged in a few drinks and
the start was made. The crossing of the Platte was opposite Fort Kearney.
It was in the month of June, and, as the saying is, the Platte was running full
banks at high water mark. The most difficult and dangerous part of the cross-

162

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 163

ing was known as "ox channel," it having a deep, swift current and occasional
quicksand holes.

Crossing this channel the boys had great difficulty in extricating their ox
team from a quicksand hole and in the excitement incident thereto none of the
family seem to have thought to look back for the father. When the family had
reached land they looked for the father, but could see nothing of either him or
the mule and neither of them were seen or heard of since. It is conjectured
that the mule encountered a quicksand hole and was drowned and that Mr. Wil-
son, too drunk to help hemself, drowned as he floated down stream in the turbid,
swift flowing waters of the Platte. Jack Staats married Sophia, daughter of
Mr. Wilson before mentioned, the families living together. It is related that in
the days of the building of the Union Pacific, James E. Boyd claimed nearly
everything in sight, there being a story current that he was paid $500 for the
privilege of permitting the wood to be cut on Wood River, although he had no
rights on any land other than his claim on section No. 14, known as Boyd's
Ranch. When the Staats and Wilson families squatted on their claim Mr. Boyd
rode down and ordered them to leave. When Staats refused, the story as related
is, that Boyd started to draw his gun, but Staats being the quicker, shot Boyd
through the hand and would have killed him had not Boyd immediately left.

The names of Staats and Wilson appear in the list of tax payers in the
county in the year 1867.

The Village of Gibbon had its beginning in April, 1871, on the arrival of
the soldier's free homestead colony, and in the history of the colony, elsewhere
given, appears much of the early history of the village.

The records disclose that the original townsite of the Village of Gibbon — the
southwest quarter of section 13, township 9, range 14 west — was purchased of
the Union Pacific Raiload Company, consideration, $600.

The townsite was surveyed by C. Putnam. The owners of the townsite
donated one block for a public school site, one block for a courthouse site and a
site for a church building.

The first deed to a lot in the Village of Gibbon was given I. D. LaBarre and
signed by John Thorp, George Gilmore, Jane Gilmore. In the deed given for
this lot is the following condition :

"If the said I. D. LaBarre shall sell, keep, give away or permit to be sold,
kept or given away any malt, spirituous or vinous liquors on the premises, or
shall keep, sell or give away or allow to be kept, sold or given away any medicated
liquors, styled bitters, to be used as a beverage, then this conveyance to be void ;
otherwise in full force and effect.

"Dated May 6, 1872."

As a matter of history it may be well to add that the foregoing provision in
this deed and others of like nature were openly and notoriously violated by the
sale of so called "bitters," which served every purpose of intoxicating liquors.

I. N. Davis donated to the Town of Gibbon ten acres of land within the
incorporated limits of the village for a public park and which has been improved
and is a source of great pleasure to the entire community.

In the early history of the village there was a story current that the junction
of the Burlington Railway with the Union Pacific could have been secured at

164 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

this point had the owners of the Gibbon townsite been wilhng to donate liberally
of the lands of the townsite. Those who read of "The Founding of Kearney
Junction" in this history will be convinced that the junction point of the two
railroads was determined before members of the homestead colony had filed
upon claims, before, in fact, there was any certainty that here would be a village.
The original owners of the townsite of Gibbon, as well as a large majority of
the members of the colony, were temperance people, opposed to the sale of intoxi-
cating liquors, and deeds to the first lots sold in Gibbon contained provisions
that no intoxicating liquors should ever be sold on the premises. It was nearly
twenty years before a saloon license was issued in the village.

A postoffice was established soon after the arrival of the colony, L. D. George,
postmaster, the salary $12 a year, the ofifice being kept in the store of Mr. George.
In the order named the postmasters who have served at Gibbon have been I. D.
LaBarre, A. J. Price, S. C. Ayer, M. D. Marsh, H. H. Haven, C. Putnam, J. E.
Kelsey, J. B.Ring, D. P. Ashburn, H. N. Miller, W. A. Rodgers, R. A. St. John,
H. J. Dunkin. In 1914 the salary of the postmaster was $1,500; the revenue
from the office, $3,600.

In the life of the village the following are the names of those physicians and
surgeons who have in largest measure and for longest periods of time practiced
their profession and ministered to the bodily ills of the people of the community:
I. P. George, D. H. Hite, S. D. Steere, Josiah Slick, J. C. Carson, L. B. Hill.
J. W. Miller, R. S. McLain.

A station agent, like a postmaster, is a most useful official in the life of a
village, and in this respect Gibbon has been well served by efficient, public
spirited men who took an active interest in the life and activities of the village.
James Ogilvie served from the establishment of the station in 1871 to his death
in February, 1881. Following Mr. Ogilvie came D. F. Ingles, who served until
1895. Our genial agent, E. S. Harte, has completed (1915) twenty years of
service and the patrons of the office hope that twenty years hence he will still
be selling tickets, checking baggage, receiving and forwarding freight and serv-
ing as a member of the school board.

In July, 1872, was issued the first copy of the Buffalo County Beacon, A. J.
Price, editor. There was scant support for a local newspaper at that date and
in March, 1873, the subscription list and good will were sold to Webster Eaton,
proprietor of the Central Nebraska Press, published at Kearney. When the
Nebraska Baptist College was established at Gibbon in 1882 Rev. J. M. Taggart
established the Buffalo County Beacon of that date, the hand press and type
being from a printing outfit brought into Nebraska Territory in the early '50s.
Both Mr. Taggart and Rev. G. W. Read served as editors until 1884, when the
plant was purchased by S. C. Bassett, who within the year sold to F. C. Hitch-
cock, and in a short time the Beacon became the property of W. H. Carson, a
practical newspaper man. In 1890 the Gibbon Printing Company purchased the
Beacon plant and the publication was continued until 1900, when the entire plant
was sold to E. C. Krewson and removed to Elm Creek. In 1890 W. H. Carson
began the publication of the Gibbon Reporter, which in 1901 was purchased by
R. A. St. John, who has since been its editor and publisher.

In 1915 Eugene Wiggins was still connected with the Reporter. "Gene," as

PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDING, GIBBON

HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING, GIBBON

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 165

his friends (and everybody is his friend) lovingly call him, first began his news-
paper career at Gibbon at some dim and distant date in the last century, when
the Union Pacific was a one-track road, long before the telephone and motor
cars came into use, long years before a postmaster who believed in the principles
of the democratic party was permitted to read the postal cards and distribute
mail to the people of Gibbon and vicinity. Faithful "Gene;" when the next
century shall be with us may you still be setting type, making up forms and
writing the subscription list of the local newspaper.

In the year 1876 was organized the Riverside Cemetery Association, the
first of its kind in the county. Those most active in its organization were D. P.
Ashburn, James H. Davis, James Ogilvie, C. Putnam. A. Eddy, Henry Cook,
D. B. Worley, J. J. W. Place.

The cemetery was located on the pre-emption farm of D. P. Ashburn, six
acres being donated by Mr. Ashburn. The grounds were surveyed and platted,
free of expense, by C. Putnam. About the year 1890 the cemetery was taken
over by Gibbon Township, township trustees elected at the annual township
meeting and a township tax levied for its support, this being the first township
cemetery in the state and also one of the first to make provision whereby the
township, for a consideration, contracted to perpetually care for a cemetery lot.

Riverside Cemetery, located on the banks of Wood River, a "city of the
dead," is a beautiful spot, at all times well cared for.

In 1879 grain began to be shipped in considerable quantities, the first elevator
being built and operated by D. P. Ashburn. In delivering grain at this elevator
the wagon was drawn up an incline plane by means of a rope, pulley and team
to the top of the elevator, where the loaded wagon was dumped. About 188 1 a
more modern elevator was erected on the site of the present (1915) Hoard
Elevator. In 1915 Gibbon had two grain elevators with a capacity of about
seventy thousand bushels.

In the year 1881 D. P. Ashburn built and operated the Gibbon Creamery.
This creamery was one of the first established in Central Nebraska. It was
operated on the "cream gathering" plan and was successful and profitable until
other like creameries and a cheese factory were established, dividing the pat-
ronage, which extended over a considerable extent of territory, until all ceased
operations for want of support.

Permission to incorporate the Village of Gibbon was granted by the county
board of supervisors January 14, 1885. The members of the first board of trus-
tees were D. M. Fulmer, D. Carson, F. C. Hitchcock, George E. Evans, H. H.
Havens.

In 1907 the village installed a waterworks plant, bonds to the amount of
$15,000 being voted.

In 1908 a private corporation installed an electric light plant, the capital
stock of the corporation being $10,000, furnishing light for the village and also
individual customers.

An event of more than ordinary interest in the life of the village was the
erection, in the year 1892, of the Babcock (L. J. Babcock) Opera House and
the J. W. Harrel building, the first brick buildings to be erected in the village.
The formal opening of the opera house was on October 26, 1892. The program

166 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

consisted of music, recitations and addresses. Those taking part were : Invoca-
tion, Rev. George \an\Vinkle ; music, Mrs. H. F. Flint, Mrs. C. M. Beck, Mrs.
R. E. Rogers, Messrs. Hayward, J. N. Ashburn, I. A. and J. C. Kirk ; recitations,
Misses Jennie Rodgers, Mary Brady, Rosa Ogilvie and Mrs. I. W. Perdue;
addresses, D. P. Ashburn, F. S. Fuhner, Prof. U. S. Conn, A. M. Eastman,
George E. Evans, C. Putnam, S. C. Bassett. The reception committee was com-
posed of S. H. Robb, H. F. Flint, T. J. Mahoney, O. McConnaughey, D. F.
Ingles, C. C. Holloway, W. FI. Buck, C. M. Beck.

In the year 1909 was organized the Gibbon Commercial Club, its first presi-
dent being O. K. Campbell and the secretary E. R. Mercer.

In 1909 the club arranged to have held a chautauqua, guaranteeing its finan-
cial success. A chautauqua has been held each year since with an average ses-
sion attendance of about four hundred and fifty, the patronage paying all
expenses. The Commercial Club took an active interest in the establishment of
the public library, in securing the erecti'on of a more modern depot building,
and in the improvement of public roads. In 191 5 the president was W. H. Buck
and the secretary R. A. St. John.

In the year 1915 the trustees of the village board were Charles L. Wallace,
W. H. Buck, B. F. Henline, J. G. DeWolf and George R. Little ; W. S. Randall,
village clerk; I. A. Kirk, village treasurer.

The people of Gibbon and vicinity have always taken marked interest in
their public schools, mention of which efforts, in the earlier years of its history,
is elsewhere made. About the year 1880 there was erected a four-room school
building and a high school established. In the year 1886 was graduated the first
class from the Gibbon High School, the graduates being Emma L. Davis, Nettie
N. Morrow, Sue L. Morrow, Rosa E. Ogilvie. In the year 1908 the district
erected a fine, up-to-date brick building at a cost of about twenty-five thousand
dollars, school district bonds to the amount of $18,000 being issued for the
purpose.

In the year 191 5 ten teachers were employed and 260 pupils enrolled. The
members of the school board were M. D. Marsh, I. A. Kirk, W. M. Ross, W. L.
Randall, J. G. Walker, G. C. Lunger.

FIRST WINTER TERM OF SCHOOL IN DISTRICT NO. 2

In the fall of 1871 a schoolhouse was built in School District No. 2. This
building was about 22 by 32 feet in size, set on blocks as a foundation, was not
banked to keep out the cold of winter and neither lathed nor plastered. In this
building a three months' term of school was held in the winter of 1871-72 with
S. C. Bassett as teacher.

Blanket Indians of the Pawnee tribe, using bows and arrows, were trapping
and hunting along the Platte and Wood rivers that winter and often camped
near the Village of Gibbon. These Indians often visited the school ; that is,
without warning some of these Indians would be seen in the school room, at
first greatly frightening the children. Such visits seemed to be out of curiosity,
the Indians remaining but a brief time, going as quickly and silently as they
came.

U 1»A ,S( ilu(»L

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 167

The names of the scholars attending that term of school are as follows:
Perry, Edward, Nora and Delia, children of Thomas K. Wood; Joanna and
Lena Rodig, step-daughters of R. E. L. Willard ; Clara, daughter of Capt. J. H.
Darby; Edith, daughter of A. D. George; Cora, daughter of L D. LaBarre;
Carrie and Edward, children of George Gilmore ; John, son of Charles Walker,
living at Fort Kearney Station (now Buda) ; Zara, son of L. Worthington;
P'rank and William, sons of A. S. Craig; Allison, son of Dr. L P. George; Elmer
E. and Flora, children of W. H. Sprague; Etta and Ella, daughters of Coe Kill-
gore; John N., son of Wm. Nutter; Alice and Emma, daughters of Jeremiah
McKinley ; Cora, Flora and Ida, daughters of L. D. George.

(Note — For history of the organization of School District No. 2 see chap-
ter 23.)

woman's study league.

In the year 1905, June 26, was organized the Woman's Study League of
Gibbon, the charter members being Mesdames Hattie Ashburn, Lucia M. Bas-
sett, Susie Beck, Flora Buck, Mabel Campbell, Maud Davis, Evalyn De Wolf,
Ida Drury, Robbie Dunkin, Flora Fay, Mae Ferguson, Susan Flint, Grace
Hershey, John Hershey, Clara Kirk, Rosa Linger, Mary Miller, Pearl Nicholson,
Blanche Noble, Jennie Rodgers, Jessie Sargent, Louise Scott, Sybil Walker,
Misses Mattie Pierce, Jessie Kean ; Mrs. Grace Hershey, president; Mrs. Blanche
Noble, vice president; Mrs. Jessie Sargent, recording secretary; Mrs. Jennie
Rogers, corresponding secretary ; Mrs. Maud Davis, treasurer. In the same
year the league joined the State Federation of Woman's Clubs, Mrs. Jessie
Sargent attending as delegate.

The league in addition to a course of study for mutual improvement, first
agitated the subject of a modern school building, which was erected in 1908 at
an expense of $25,000. The league secured the establishment of a public read-
ing and rest room in the town hall and were largely instrumental in the estab-
lishment of a public library and the erection of a library building.

]n 191 5 the league had thirty-five members. The officers were, president,
Mrs. Blanche Mickey; vice-president, Mrs. Lillian Webster; treasurer, Mrs.
Grace Lunger ; corresponding secretary, Miss Fern Leas ; recording secretary,
Mrs. Pauline Little.

PUBLIC LIBRARY

Elsewhere in this history mention is made of the "first library" established
in Gibbon. At the close of the Woman's Study League for the year 1909, Mrs.
C. M. Beck, president, there remained on hand a surplus of $45, and the league
set this sum aside as the beginning of a public library fund, each member of the
league pledging to earn $1 during the ensuing year to be added to the fund. This
and entertainments given by the league during the year brought their contribu-
tion to $245. The Good Samaritans contributed $^y, and popular subscriptions
by people of the community added $183, making a total of $465.

On May 10, 19 10, was organized the Gibbon Public Library Association, the
officers and directors being : S. C. Bassett, president ; Miss Mattie Pierce, secre-

168 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

tary; Miss Jessie Kean, treasurer; Mrs. J. G. Walker, L. A. Wight, W. M. Ross
and W. C. Ogilvie. The Township of Gibbon donated the use of a room in the
town hall where the library was installed with Miss Alattie Davis as librarian.
In the year 1912, at the annual township meeting, the library was taken over
by Gibbon Township and a two-mill levy voted for its support. The first trus-
tees named were W. C. Ogilvie, R. A. Francis, L. A. Wight, Mrs. J. G. Walker,
Ray R. Cook, Mrs. J. G. Walker, president. From funds ($6,000) donated by
Andrew Carnegie a beautiful library building was erected in 1913 on a site
donated by the Village of Gibbon. This was one of the first two township
libraries established in the state and the first township library building erected
in the state.

The annual report for the year ending June i, 191 5, as furnished by Miss
Mattie Pierce, librarian, shows :

Number volumes in library i,54i

Number volumes issued — juvenile 2,103

Number volumes issued — adults 3,402

Number readers * 690

GIBBON TOWNSHIP LIBRARY

By L. A. Wight

In no institution in our midst do the people of Gibbon seem to take a greater
pride than in their Carnegie Public Library. It is housed in one of the finest
buildings in the town, practically fireproof. More than 700 readers comprise
its list of patrons. Over 1,500 volumes make up its stock of books. On its
reading tables may be found a choice selection of the leading periodicals, and
besides these there are innumerable pamphlets and Government bulletins. There
is also a fine collection of curios and historical relics. The Gibbon library spirit,
long standing and determined, far antedates this well-nurtured forerunner of our
present tax-supported township library, having come, apparently, with the first
settlers of our community, surviving in spite of every adversity and thriving
under any show of prosperity until now it takes its full measure of pride in a
firmly established and thoroughly prosperous public library. In the early days,
soon after the coming of the "colony" in 1871, in spite of adversity and the
abounding cares incident upon the conversion of the wilderness into a suitable
abiding place for the new community, an unquenchable love of books made itself
distinctly manifest, and, in 1872, under the auspices of the Gibbon Library Asso-
ciation, we find a collection of standard books installed in the depot, under the
care of Station Agent James Ogilvie. Several of these comparatively ancient
volumes may yet be found doing yeomanlike book service beside the best sellers
of the present day, and after having passed through the hands of the various
educational institutions occupying the old courthouse, they have come finally to
an ideal bookhouse in the township library. Inside their covers, modestly hiding
behind the book pockets of our present library, may be found the printed rules
of this first Gibbon library of 1872.

But these patriarchs of the book shelf are by no means anything like lonely

• :"ik.

EXCTTAXdR BANK BTTTLDING, GIBBON

GIBBON TOWNSHIP LIBKARY

-t

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 169

"last leaves" on account of their longevity. Crowding around them are hun-
dreds of the newest and the best in literature and the stock is being constantly
replenished.

The Gibbon Public Library caters to the needs of the public schools in the
township, assisting students in their research work, becoming more and more a
fixed department in our public school system.

The love of good books has certainly here a vigorous stimulant, and the
Gibbon Public Library has undoubtedly opened upon an exceptionally useful
career.

The success and the great measure of usefulness already attained by the
Gibbon Public Library is due in large measure to its efficient, progressive and
enthusiastic librarian. Miss Mattie Pierce.

EXCHANGE BANK

In the year 1885 James H. Davis and Horace F. Flint engaged in the bank-
ing business with a paid in capital of $20,000, the firm name being James H.

Davis & Company. In the year the bank was reorganized as First National

Bank with a paid in capital of $50,000. The stockholders were: James H.
Davis, Horace F. Fliitt, L. J. Babcock, Thomas Kirk, S. C. Bassett, John Reddy,
W. A. Rodgers. James H. Davis, president; H. F. Flint, cashier. In the year
1892 the bank was reorganized and chartered as a state bank and named
Exchange Bank, with a capital stock of $10,000.

In 191 5 the bank had a capital stock of $16,000; surplus, $4,000; deposits,
$155,000. Officers, H. F. FHnt, president; I. A. Kirk, cashier; W. C. Ogilvie,
assistant cashier.

COMMERCIAL BANK

In the year 1884, Frank C. Hitchcock, John Silvernail and John P. Hart-
man established a bank, The Bank of Gibbon, a private afifair with F. C. Hitch-
cock as manager of the business.

In the year 1885 the bank was reorganized with a paid in capital of $5,000;
the principal shareholders, Ira Holloway, H. F. Flint, J. P. Hartman, J. H.
Silvernail.

The bank was chartered as a state bank under the name. Commercial Bank;
for a few months H. F. Flint served as cashier but as finally reorganized the
officers were C. M. Beck, president and C. C. Holloway, cashier. In the year
191 5 the bank had as capital stock, $5,000; surplus, $3,800; deposits, $97,000.
The officers: I. F. Henline, president; B. F. Henline, cashier; C. A. Torrance,
vice president ; Roscoe Lunger, assistant cashier.

ORGANIZATION OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH AT GIBBON

On Tuesday evening, January 16, 1872, Rev. J. N. Webb, general missionary
of the American Baptist Home Missionary Society, preached a sermon in the
schoolhouse at Gibbon, after which the following named persons organized

170 HISTORY (3F BUFFALO COUNTY

themselves into a church to be known as the First Regular Baptist Church of
Gibbon, Buffalo County, Nebraska, adopting as their church government and
articles of faith and practice those drawn by J. Newton Brown and published
by the American Baptist Publication Society. Ira P. George, Airs. Ira P. George,
Jacob Booth, ]Mrs. Jacob Booth, C. Putnam, John P. Putnam, W. H. Sprague,
Mrs. W. H. Sprague, Henry Winklebeck, George H. Silvernail, Amos D.
George and Mrs. Amos D. George. At this meeting Dr. Ira P. George was
chosen deacon and C. Putnam, clerk.

On Sunday, February ii, 1872, after a sermon by Rev. J. Gunderman, the
church granted a license to exercise his gifts in preaching the gospel, to Jacob
Booth. On February 25, 1872, the church extended a call as pastor to Rev. J.
J. W. Place, which was accepted. Mr. Place served the church, as pastor, until
J\Iarch 8, 1874. After that date the following named served as pastors: Rev.
O. A. Buzzell from June 6, 1874, to March 7, 1875; Rev. J. J. W. Place from
April 14, 1875 to September 2, 1876; Rev. J. R. Shanafelt from February 3,
1877 to September 2, 1877; Rev. G. W. Read from September 8, 1880 to October
6, 1883; Rev. L. F. Compton from January i, 1884 to November 8, 1885; Rev.
G. W. Willis from November 15, 1885 to December 18, 1887. When the
Nebraska Baptist College, which had been established at Gibbon in 1882, was
removed to Grand Island, several members of the Baptist Church moved from
Gibbon and those members who remained became discouraged because it seemed
well nigh impossible to longer carry on the church work. On July 21, 1888, at
a meeting held in the Presbyterian Church in Gibbon it was decided to reorganize
and form a new church to be named the Baptist Church of Gibbon, Neb. The
following named persons wishing to join the new organization, permission was
obtained from the original first church by letter: Mr. and Mrs. Applegate, Mr.
and Mrs. J. D. Taylor, Rev. and Mrs. G. T. Willis, Rev. and Mrs. D. G. Sturte-
vant. Rev. A. E. Carson, Mrs. Laura Carson, M. M. Carson, Mrs. S. E. Carson,
W. B. Southwell, F. C. Overton, ]\Irs. A. M. Blue, Miss Lena Carson ; on Chris-
tian experience, Mrs. M. M. Ingham ; from the First Baptist Church, Ottawa,
Kan., A. B. Carson; by letter from the First Baptist Church of Kearney, Neb.,
Air. and Mrs. O. McConnaughey, Misses Thena and Hattie McConnaughey, Air.
and Airs. D. Carson, H. F. Carson, Miss Nettie Carson. The church voted to call
•as pastor Rev. Joseph Smith, who served as pastor one year. During this period
work was begun on a brick church in size 35 by 46 feet; this church was com-
pleted at a cost of $4,500, and dedicated, free of debt on June 20, 1890. Follow-
ing the pastorate of Rev. Joseph Smith the following pastors have served the
church : J. H. \^eder, George Vansickle, A. E. Carson, A. T. Norwood, C. P.
Kirby, J. W. Graves, F. D. Kennedy and in 1910, U. G. Miller; R. Richards and
M. C. Powers, 1912.

ORGANIZATION OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN BUFFALO COUNTY

The organization of the Presbyterian Church of Gibbon as appears from the
church records was as follows :

"Church organization at Gibbon, Neb.

"This place was visited by Rev. George R. Carroll, district missionary of the

METITODTST EPISCOPAL CHURCH,
GIBBON

BAPTIST CHUECH. GIBBON

PRESBYTEEIAN CHURCH, GIBBON

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 171

Presbyterian Board of Home Missions for Western Iowa and Nebraska, January

22, 1872. Some families were visited during the day and brief services were
held at the schoolhouse (Gibbon) in the evening. On the following day after
visiting and consultation with friends interested, it was thought best to proceed
at once to the organization of a church. Accordingly at 4 o'clock P. M., January

23, 1872, the people came together and after reading the scripture with remarks
appropriate to the occasion and prayer for the Divine blessing the following
paper with names attached was read."

The paper referred to was a statement in favor of organizing a Presbyterian
Church in this place (Gibbon) to be in connection with the general assembly of
the Presbyterian Church of the United States of America.

The charter members signing this paper were D. P. Crable, Mrs. M. J. Crable,
F. A. Schweinsbury, Mrs. C. Willard, Mrs. Mary Brady, D. B. Worley, Simon
V. Seeley, Mrs. ]\Iartha O. Seeley, Henry Fairchild, Mrs. Emma Fairchild, and
Miss Joana Rodig. D. B. Worley and Simon V. Seeley were duly elected and
ordained as elders and the following resolution adopted :

"Resolved : That this church be called the Presbyterian Church of Gibbon,
and that we request the presbytery of Missouri River to receive us as a church
under its care."

As appears from the records the following persons became members of this
church during the years 1873 and 1874: James E. Judd, Mar}^ h. Judd, T.
Dwight Thatcher, Flora M. Thatcher, Harriett M. Brow^n, Mary E. Alarvin,
Miss Adelia A. Putnam, James Ogilvie and Margaret Ogilvie, and on January
25, 1874, James Ogilvie and Henry Fairchild were elected and ordained elders.
In 1873 was erected the first church building in Buffalo County. This church
was erected by contributions from members of the church, citizens of Gibbon
and vicinity and with funds furnished by the board of church extension of the
Presbyterian Church.

The building was a wooden frame veneered with brick, and was built by
H. B. Dexter who also was the builder of the first courthouse in the county.
Rev. Charles S. Marvin, a Presbyterian missionary, who was pastor of the
church for some years, beginning in January, 1873, was largely instrumental
in securing the erection of the building, spending much time and effort and
contributing liberally of his limited means. The first service held in this church
was on March 2}^, 1873, conducted by Rev. Charles S. ^larvin. This building
was also used by the Methodist and Baptist Church organizations. The district
missionaries and pastors in charge of this church are as follows, the date given
being that of the beginning of their respective terms of service: Rev. George R.
Carroll, June, 1872; Rev. C. S. Marvin, January, 1873; Rev. J. H. Rainard,
April, 1878; Rev. Thomas Blayne, March, 1879; Rev. Arthur Folsom, Novem-
ber, 1882; Rev. C. G. A. Hullhorst, March, 1885; Rev. Julian Hatch, January,
1894; Rev. C. F. Graves, 1896; Rev. Fred C. Phelps, 1897; Rev. J. L. Atkinson,
1898; Rev. F. A. Mitchell, April, 1898; Rev. John Steele, June, 1903; Rev. IM.
O. Reynolds, March, 1904; Rev. R. L. Purdy, 1909; Rev. E. F. Hammond, 1913.

It is related in the early history of the Presbyterian Church at Gibbon, owing
to removal of members and from other causes the membership became small
and but little interest manifested, that the presbytery had in mind to abandon

172 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

the church organization, there being at the time no resident pastor. The tradi-
tion is that Mrs. Margaret Ogilvie, Mrs. Mary Traut and Mrs. N. I. IMorrow,
all widows, attended the session of the presbytery and urged that the church
organization be not abandoned; their petition and prayer was granted and from
that date the church organization seemed to take on new life and enter upon
a larger sphere of usefulness. The membership increased and in the year 1909
the original "First Church in the county'' was razed to the ground and a beauti-
ful and commodious building, one of the finest in the county erected at a cost of
approximately twelve thousand dollars.

Gir.BON METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

A history of the Methodist Church at Gibbon quite properly begins with
mention of Rev. J. Marsh who may appropriately be called the "Father'' of the
church both at Gibbon and the surrounding community. ]\Ir. Marsh and family
came to Nebraska from Erie County, Pa., in 1873 and took as a homestead claim
on section No. 4 in Gibbon Township.

He at once entered into both the spirit and the work of organizing and build-
ing up the Methodist Church, consecrating his life and all his energies in the
cause; in this cause he labored for years far beyond his strength and received
but little in the way of financial remuneration. On horseback he rode the prairies
in all directions, in summer's heat and winter's cold, having one sole object in
view, his Master's work and the building up of the Methodist Church.

It appears that under Rev. Wm. Morse's administration no church or class
records were kept and to Rev. J. Marsh is due the credit of the brief written
history of the organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Gibbon and of
the classes organized in the vicinity.

From the church records of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Gibbon, is
copied the following history of the organization of the church as written by
Rev. J. Marsh: "This church record was secured by Rev. A. G. White (presid-
ing elder of Kearney district), for Gibbon charge in 1874.

"Gibbon the previous years with Kearney Junction but this year (1874)
Gibbon circuit was formed with the following appointments : Gibbon, Erie. Wood
River and Prairie Creek with J. Marsh as pastor, transferred Erie (Pa.) to
the Nebraska conference the same year.

"The Gibbon and Erie classes were formed by Rev. Wm. Morse of Wisconsin
Conference in 1872. Wood River and Prairie Creek classes were regularly
organized in 1873 by J. Marsh then a supernumerary of Erie (Pa.) Con-
ference, though there had been a class temporarily formed by Brother Fairchild,
but no record being found, the class was organized as above.

"At the foundation of Gibbon charge the entire membership numbered about
eighty." "Signed, J. Marsh."

The writer is of the opinion that in the above statement, "At the foundation
of Gibbon charge the entire membership numbered about eighty," that this in-
cluded the members of classes at Erie, and Prairie Creek as well as at Gibbon.
The records disclose that Rev. J. Marsh was returned to the Gibbon charge for
1875-76, and that there were about fifty conversions. Rev. Charles Riley was

BALLOT BOX IiSED AT AN ELECTION HELD AT
GIBBON IN SEPTE^klBEB, 1871, TO ADOPT OR RE-
JECT A STATE CONSTITUTION. THIS BALLOT
BOX— A FRUIT CAN— LABELED AND PRESERVED
BY C. PUTMAN.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY I73

pastor in charge for the year 1876-77, Rev. J. ]\Iarsh being returned to the
charge for the year 1877-78.

Rev. A. H. Summers was pastor in charge for the years 1879-80, and during
this period it seems steps were taken to build a church building at Shelton, which
up to that time seems to have been a part of the Gibbon charge. The Shelton
church was completed in the year 1880.

It appears that Rev. J. Marsh was returned to the Gibbon charge in Sep-
tember, 1880, and continued until September, 1882. It was during this period
that the church at Shelton was completed. It appears that during his last pas-
torate at Gibbon Rev. J. Marsh preached at Gibbon, at Buckeye Valley, Box
Elder Valley and had regular appointments at three other schoolhouses. Rev.

C. A. Mastin came to the Gibbon charge in September, 1882, and remained until
September, 1885. It was during the pastorate of Rev. C. A. Mastin that the
Methodist Church erected their first church building in Gibbon. This church
was dedicated March 4, 1883, by Presiding Elder T. B. Lemon. At the dedica-
tion a subscription of $1,200 was raised to pay off all indebtedness. For the
building of this church great credit is due Samuel B. Lowell and wife for finan-
cial assistance. It was during Mr. Mastin's pastorate that Charles E. Fulmer
was licensed to preach and assigned to the Sharon charge, which had been a
part of the Gibbon charge. The church building, erected in 1883, was struck by
lightning in 1899. It is related that no great eft'ort was made to put out the fire,
the pastor in charge saying in substance, "Let it burn ; we need a new church
anyway." Another church building was erected on the same lots in 1900.

As no charter membership I'.at is available, there is herewith given the list of
members of classes at Gibbon, Erie and schoolhouse or School District No. 5,
as appear in the class records prepared by Rev. J. Marsh. No date is given in
the record, but it is assumed it was for the year 1874:

Class No. I, Gibbon, Helim Thompson, Leader. — Helim Thompson, Julia
Thompson, Aaron Ward, Mrs. Sarah Ward, Elizabeth Cherry, Charles E. Bray-
ton, Mrs. Charles E. Brayton, Lemuel S. Hough, W. H. Wheeler, Jane Wheeler,
Mrs. S. A. Jackson, Jerusha ]\Iarsh, Milton D. Marsh, J. Eugene Marsh, R. Lu-
vern Marsh, Henry H. Haven, Mrs. Henry H. Haven, Mrs. Ann Glanville, J. B.
Wheeler, George Gilmore, Jane Gilmore, Cora LaBarre, Pauline Wheeler, Monroe

D. Breed, Rhoda Breed, Mrs. Mary Day, Mary E. Fee, Minerva Rice. Isaac D.
LaBarre, Mrs. Mary LaBarre, Alva G. H. White, Henry J. Dunkin, Thomas J.
Mahoney, Mrs. Laura Mahoney.

Class No. 2, Erie Schoolhouse, John K. Lux, Leader. — Samuel B. Lowell,
Samuel R. Traut, Caroline Barrett, Clark Washburn, James H. Mills, Julia A.
Washburn, John K. Lux, \"alentine Armbus, Albert Washburn, John Smith,
Nancy Fox, Mrs. Caroline C. Lowell, Mrs. S. R. Traut, Jane Barrett, Benjamin
Whittaker. Susan M. Mills, Samuel T. Walker, Mrs. C. M. Lux, Olive Armbus,
Sarah J. Washburn, Sarah T. Smith, Nancy Rollston, Abram Barrett, Sarah J.
Barrett, Libbie Lowell, Mary Whittaker, Lois N. Ayer, Alartha Walker.

Class No. I, No. 5 Schoolhouse, Sydney A. Barrett, Leader. — Sydney A. Bar-
rett, ^Margaret Graham, Eugenia R. Silvernail, John Lucas, Stephen L. Lucas,
Nora M. Graham, Cora J. George. Truman J. Hubbard, Cora Hubbard, Delia A.
Barrett, C. T. Silvernail, Fred Silvernail, Matilda Lucas, Wesley G. Walker.

174 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

H. M. Chamberlain, Ida George, Jeanett Hubbard, Dorah Hubbard, Edward G.
Graham, Abigal Silvernail, William Roach, Caroline Roach, John H. Graham,
Flora A. George, George H. Silvernail, Marcia Silvernail, Hannah T. Walker.

Class No. 2, No. 5 Schoolhouse, Nelson W. Short, Leader. — Nelson W.
Short, Martha J. Davis, Terry E. Davis, Emory D. Hubbard, Jeanett Losee,
Martin Oard, Lucy A. Rosseter, Nancy M. Short, Lora E. Davis, William C.
Wheeler, Frank Hubbard, Robert H. Hick, Hannah Oard, Walter George, Perce
T. Davis, Esther Davis, Wilson J. Marsh, Warren A. Losee, Neta Hick, Shelburn
Rosseter.

Pastors Methodist Episcopal Church, Gibbon. — William Morse, 1872-73; J.
Marsh, 1874-76; Charles Riley, 1876-77; J. Marsh, 1877-78; A. H. Summers,
1879-80; J. Marsh, 1880-82; C. A. Mastin, 1882-85; M. G. Vessels, 1885-86;
O. R. Beebe, 1886-89; Price A. Crow, 1889-91 ; James Leonard, 1891-92; Erastus
Smith, 1892-94; A. B. Chapin, 1894-95; A. W. Coffman, 1895-98; G. F. Cook,
1898-1901; George H. Jones, 1901-02; T. M. Ransom, 1902-05; A. J. Chfton,
1905-08; R. H. Link, 1908-09; A. Gilson, 1909-13; W. E. Henry, October, 1913-
November, 1913; O. E. Johnson, 1914-.

EPISCOPAL

St. Agnes' Chapel (Episcopal) was organised by Reverend Doctor Oliver
about the year 1890, with twelve charter members, among whom can be recalled
Mrs. M. H. Noble, Mrs. R. J. S. McCallum, Mrs. G. W. Cherrington, Mrs. Doctor
Dalrymple, Emma Masters.

It is related that a friend of the Episcopal Church, living in an eastern state,
gave to the diocese a block of lots in the Village of Gibbon. These lots, with
the exception of one on which the present (1915) church building stands, were
sold and the proceeds used by Bishop Graves in the erection of a church build-
ing, the people of Gibbon and vicinity contributing towards the expense. Bishop
Graves himself contributing liberally. The church building was erected about the
year 1892.

The church has had no resident pastor, being supplied from pastors residing
at Kearney and Grand Island.

In 191 5 the church had a membership of nine.

The St. Agnes' Guild was organized July 21, 1909, with a charter membership
of nine. The first officers were: Mrs. Roy Smith, president; Mrs. R. Carson,
vice president; Mrs. H. E. Hershey, secretary; Mrs. E. Tunks, treasurer. In
1915 the guild had a membership of seventeen. The officers: Mrs. R. Carson,
president; Mrs. I. A. Kirk, vice president; Mrs. D. Dwiggins, secretary; Mrs.
E. R. Mercer, treasurer.

woman's christian temperance union

A local organization of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union was insti-
tuted at Gibbon July 2, 1905, with eighteen charter members. The first officers
were: Mrs. Ada Codner, president; Miss Ella Codner, secretary; Mrs. H. J.
Dunkin, treasurer.

SOLDIERS MONUMENT AT GIBBON

Gift of the Woman 's Relief Corps

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY I75

In 1915 the officers were: Mrs. G. W. DeWolf, president; Mrs. Delia Cory,
vice president; Mrs. Minnie Henson, secretary; Miss Mattie Davis, treasurer.

GIBBON LODGE NO. ^il ^ I- O- O- F-

Of the fraternal orders one of the first, if not the first, to be instituted in the
county was Gibbon Lodge No. 37, I. O. O. F., on May 30, 1873. The instituting
ofiker was Grand Secretary John J. Evans, and the place of meeting the audience
room in the newly completed courthouse. The date first fixed to organize the
lodge was April 15th, but when that date arrived the memorable and historic
blizzard of April, 1873, was raging, making it impossible to hold meetings of any
kind, and a later date was taken. The charter members were : John W. Wig-
gins, Robert Haines, Sergt. Michael Coady, Vernon T. Mercer, Henry L. Newell
and Henry C. Green. The first applications for membership : A. J. Oviatt,
H. D. Mercer, D. P. Crable, S. Rosseter, O. E. Thompson, R. E. Barney, I. D.
Evans, G. S. Fox, Joseph Owen and I. D. Labarre.

The first officers: N. G., John W. Wiggins; V. G., Vernon T. Mercer;
R. S., Henry C. Green ; P. S., Robert Haines ; T., Michael Coady.

During the grasshopper raids in 1875-76 this lodge received and distributed
$1,000 among those of its members needing financial assistance.

In 1915 the lodge had a membership of eighty-five. Its chief officers: N. G.,
John Bauer ; \. G., H. G. Silvernail ; Sec, Earl G. Tunks.

MASONIC

The first Masonic lodge organized in the county was at Gibbon in the year
1873. The meeting was held in the newly finished courthouse. The name of
the lodge was Robert Morris No. 46, C. Putnam being W. M.

In the year 1875 this lodge was relocated at Kearney, where it still is in
existence.

On February 14, 1889, was instituted Granite Lodge No. 189, with a charter
membership of twenty-three and the following officers : Joseph C. Carson, W. M. ;
James H. Davis, S. W. ; Sherman D. Frederick, J. W. ; J. E. Williams, secretary.
In 191 5 the membership was fifty-five. The officers: J. N. Ashburn, W. M. ;
C. P. Miller, S. W. ; C. A. Gordon, J. W. ; I. A. Kirk, secretary.

GIBBON CAMP NO. 708, M. W. A.

Gibbon Camp No. 708, M. W. A., was organized August 31, 1888, with
twenty-one charter members. The officers : R. S. Woolley, V. C. ; M. H.
Noble, W. A.; W. H. Buck, clerk; W. C. Drury, escort; G. W. Cherrington,
watchman; M. DeWyant, sentry; Thomas Kirk, H. P. Smith, J. H. Murnen,
managers; M. D. Marsh, banker; Dr. E. Henderson, S. C. Bassett, delegates.

In 1915 the camp had a membership of 102. The officers: T. B. George,
V. C. ; E. F. Wiggins, W. A. ; C. L. Wallace, clerk ; W. C. Ogilvie. banker.

WILD ROSE CAMP NO. 38, ROYAL NEIGHBORS OF AMERICA

Wild Rose Camp No. 38, Royal Neighbors of America, was organized at
Gibbon, August 16, 1893, with twenty-six charter members. Its officers: Carrie

176 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

M. Marsh, oracle; Martha WooUey, vice oracle; Alattie Pierce, recorder; Frank
V. Avery, treasurer. In 1915 the camp had a membership of forty-one. Its
officers: Flora Weller, past oracle; Anna George, oracle; Tillie Thomas, vice
oracle; PauHne Little, chancellor; Carrie M. Marsh, recorder; Eliza B. Huett,
receiver.

G. K. WARREN POST NO. II3, G. A. R,

G. K. Warren Post No. 113, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized
August 12, 1882, with tht following as charter members : M. V. B. Chapman,
H. PI. Haven, James H. Davis, U. A. Day, S. A. Berry, S. C. Bassett, D. Tague,
T. J. Mahoney, Simon Uhrig, A. Watenpaugh, Dr. Josiah Slick, James Mills,
Nelson Schooley, Col. W. T. Beatty, ' Wm. H. Kelly, Stephen Jones, W. B.
Southwell, John Stern, Abram Thompson. Commander of post, M. V. B. Chap-
man; adjutant, S. C. Bassett.

During the life of the post the membership reached fifty. The post owns a
burial lot in Riverside Cemetery. In the year 1915 the membership of the post
was five. Sixty-nine soldiers are buried in Riverside Cemetery, each grave
marked with a headstone and each grave cared for at the expense of the Town
of Gibbon.

Officers, 1915: S. C. Bassett, commander; Chester Holloway, adjutant.

G. K. WARREN W. R. C. NO. 1 59

G. K. Warren W. R. C. No. 159 was instituted August 13, 1892, with a
charter membership of twenty-eight. Officers : President, Mary E. Mahoney ;
S. v., Lucia M. Bassett; J. V., Kate Blanchard; secretary, Frances Sturdevant;
treasurer, Mary Robb.

In the year 191 5 the corps had a membership of eighty. Officers: President,
Blanche McConnaughey ; S. V., Louise Gibson ; J. V., Lizzie Foxworthy ; secre-
tary, Jennie Rodgers ; treasurer, June Bassett.

The corps under the leadership of its first president, Mary E. Mahoney,
and later under the presidency of Mrs. Ellen Holloway was largely instrumental
in having erected, during the years 1894-96, at an expense of approximately
$1,500, a soldiers' granite monument in Riverside Cemetery.

GIBBON LODGE NO. 35, A. O. U. W.

Gibbon Lodge No. 35, A. O. U. W., was organized March 28, 1884. Charter
members : D. P. Ashburn, L. J. Babcock, S. C. Bassett, H. H. Clark, H. J.
Dunkin, George E. Evans, H. F. Flint, J. O. Filer, J. W. Harrel, H. H. Haven,
L. B. Hill, D. F. Ingles, Stephen Jones,' M. D. Marsh, A. F. Ring, M. W. Win-
chester, A. Watenpaugh. Officers: P. M. W., S. C. Bassett; M. W., D. P. Ash-
burn ; recorder, M. D. Marsh ; financier, L. J. Babcock.

In the year 1915 the membership is 132. Officers: E. E. Thompson, M. W. ;
R. S. WooUey, recorder; M. D. Marsh, financier.

DECOEATION DAY AT EIVERSIDE CEMETERY, GIBBON, 1912

Members of G. K. Warren Post, G. A. E., from left to right: Post Commander P. E. Fox-
worthy; Past Post Commander James Holloway (snpporting the flag) ; W. C. Rizer; Past
Post Commander Emory Wyman ; Post Chaplain D. G. Stnrdevant; Post Adjutant S. C.
Bassett; kneeling, A. Watenpangh; W. L. Eandall, marshall of the day. Following the post
are the members of the G. K. Warren W. E. C. In rear of the procession 140 boys and
girls bearing wreaths and flowers with which to decorate the graves of seventy soldiers of
the Civil war buried in the cemetery. More than one thousand people of the community Avere in
attendance on the occasion.

FRONT STEEET, LOOKING EAST, GIBBON

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 177

MARY TATE LODGE NO. 52, D. OF H.

Mary Tate Lodge No. 52, Degree of Honor, was instituted March 28, 1893,
with a charter membership of eighty-seven. Officers : P. C. of H., Minnie
Smith; C. of H., Lucia M. Bassett; L. of H., Metella Dean; C. of C, Emily
Ashburn; Rec, Mattie Davis; Fin., Emma Ring; Treas., Mary Reddy.

In 19 1 5 the lodge had a membership of ninety-two, and insurance certificates
in force amounting to $90,000. Officers : P. C, Metella Dean ; C. of H., Blanche
McConnaughey ; L. of H., Love Winchester; C. of C, Pauline Little; Rec, Flora
Fay; Fin., Jessie McComb; Treas., Robbie Dunkin.

EXCALIBUR LODGE XO. 1 38, K. OF P.

Excalibur Lodge No. 138, Knights of Pythias, was organized at Gibbon, March
24, 1892. The charter members and first officers were : S. D. Frederick, C. C.
G. W. Cherrington, V. C. ; Dr. E. L. Robinson, prelate ; E. ]\I. Prouty, M. of A.

B. E. Vesey, M. of E. ; James A. Brady, M. of F. ; C. C. Holloway, K. of R.

C. S. Steere, I. G. ; A. Bigelow, O. G. ; C. W. Preston, C. W. McMullen, B. E.
Seaver, W. L. Fox, Fred H. Cosgrove, J. D. Drury, H. W. Brayton.

In 19 1 5 the lodge had a membership of fifty, its officers being: E. S. Harte,
C. C.; George Hibberd, Y. C. ; C. S. Grow, P.; C. A. Webster, M. A.; L. C.
Holloway, M. of E. ; R. H. W^ebster, M. of R. ; J. D. Drur>s K. of R. ; Frank
Leonard, I. G. ; Roscoe Lunger, O. G.

FAITHFUL REBEKAH LODGE NO. 89, I. 0. O. F.

Faithful Rebekah Lodge No. 89, I. O. O. F., was instituted July 20, 1893,
with a charter membership of twenty-seven. The first officers were : Mary E.
Mahoney, N. G. ; Phoebe Wiggins, V. G. ; Franke Avery, Cor. Sec. ; Blanche
McConnaughey, Rec. Sec; Mary Robinson, Treas. In the year 1915 the lodge
had a membership of fifty-four. The officers were : Emma Taylor, N. G. ;
Lillian Jones, \\ G. ; Lyllian Webster, Sec. ; Mae Strong, Treas. ; Olive Miller,
Past N. G.

CHAPTER XXXV

KEARNEY KEARNEY JUNCTION TIMES CENTRAL NEBRASKA PRESS KEARNEY

HUB KEARNEY DEMOCRAT KEARNEY ENTERPRISE NEW ERA STANDARD

KEARNEY MORNING TIMES WATSON RANCH CITIZENS WHO HAVE GAINED OF-
FICIAL STATE DISTINCTION FOUNDING OF KEARNEY INCORPORATION OF TOWN

OF KEARNEY NEWSPAPERS EARLY REMINISCENCES SCHOOL ESTABLISHED

SOCIETIES CHURCHES BANKS ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 7,

KEARNEY ORGANIZATION OF FIRST CHURCH IN COUNTY — ORGANIZATION OF W.

C. T. U. IN COUNTY VISIT OF MISS FRANCIS E. WILLARD, NATIONAL PRESIDENT

OF W. C. T. U. ORGANIZATION OF WOMAN's HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY PRE-
SENTED WITH A DEED OF FIRST LOT DISPOSED OF IN ORIGINAL TOWN OF KEARNEY
JUNCTION.

KEARNEY

Of the history of the City of Kearney mention is made in various ways in
this volume. Because the founding of the city was unique, no other city in the
state founded under like conditions, a quite lengthy history is herein given under
the title, "Founding the City of Kearney." To the student of history it seems
most unfortunate that promoters and boomers should have so largely had con-
trol in the development of the city in the years of its early history.

The reaction which followed the boom period was most disastrous in a finan-
cial sense and for a considerable period retarded the further growth of the city.
The extent to which promoters and speculators boomed the city and the reaction
following is perhaps best made plain by the relation of the following bit of
history bearing on the point. In the '90s, following the boom period, Capt. L. D.
Forehand was employed to take the enumeration of school children in School
District No. 7, and in this district is embraced the City of Kearney. It was
rec|uired that the enumerator visit each dwelling house in the district. Mr. Fore-
hand relates that for his own information he made note of the number of dwelling
houses and the number vacant. He found 1,4.00 dwelling houses in the city and
700 vacant. Of these vacant houses hundreds were moved out on the farms of
Buffalo County, some of them quite twenty miles from the city. As a matter of
history it might be added that few if any of the promoters remained as citizens of
the city. Like birds of prey, when the bones were picked clean (when the bubble
burst), they departed for fresh fields, greener pastures.

It is well to state that some of the buildings erected during the boom period
have been of lasting benefit. The Opera House Block, Iniilt at an expense of
about ninety thousand dollars, still remains a landmark, its hall a source of much
pleasure and usefulness to the people of the city and surrounding country

]78

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 179

The City of Kearney of today (191 5), the county seat town of Buffalo
County, with a population of 6,202, as recorded in the 1910 United States census,
is a substantial city, well supported by the country tributary thereto, assured of
future growth and prosperity by reason of its location in the midst of a country
having a soil of great fertility and abounding in agricultural resources as yet
largely undeveloped. While certain features of the life and activities of the city
and its people are treated elsewhere somewhat in detail, it may be said, that it is
a city of homes, wide streets bordered wath ornamental trees, miles of sidewalks
and beginning in the year 191 3 its principal streets and avenues are being
paved.

Through the center of the city runs the Lincoln Highway, a great national
highway extending across the continent from coast to coast and in the year 191 5
a "seedling" mile of pavement was laid leading westward from the city.

The city owns a public waterworks system, with direct pressure, the mains
extending to all parts of the city and to the cemetery, furnishing pure water for
domestic purposes and the best of fire protection.

There is a privately owned gas plant and electric light and power plant, a
history of which is elsewhere given. A city sewerage system was installed in
the year 1888 at an expense of $70,000, city bonds for that purpose having been
voted. The city cemetery is beautitfully located on the bluffs overlooking the
city and Platte \^alley, title to the Kearney cemetery grounds having been acquired
June 28, 1876.

A city library, conveniently located, on valuable lots generously donated by
Mrs. C. O. X'orton, and under the efficient management of Mrs. Pauline Frank
as librarian, is a strong educational force in the city and also reaches out to school
districts and smaller towns adjacent to the city. An interesting history of Kear-
ney's public library achievements is elsewhere given by Mrs. C. V. D. Basten.

The public schools of the city are the pride and boast of its people and in
the matter of school buildings, school equipment, the educational advantages
offered are fully up-to-date in all particulars. The postoffice of the city is
housed in a Government building, beautiful in design and finish, an ornament to
the locality. In a beautiful park, conveniently located, there has been maintained
a Chautauqua course for several years. There are two hospitals with up-to-date
equipment and managed in accordance with scientific methods. The Buffalo
County bar has numbered among its members men eminent in their profession
and of recognized ability. The medical profession in the city is represented by
men of ability, large experience and extensive practice. In the nature of things,
in the history of the city, there have been bank failures, but to relate the history
of such failures can serve, in a history way, no good purpose. The banks of the
county seat town of 191 5 are conservatively managed, fully serve the financial
interests of the city and county, and are safe depositories of public and private
funds, the last reports for the year 1915 showing a total of capital stock, $125,000;
surplus, $108,041; deposits, $1,631,725.

Since the year 1876 there has been maintained, at Kearney, a company of
state militia but whether continuously or not history does not disclose. In the
beginning the company w^as known as "The Kearney Guards" with E. C. Calkins
as captain, R. A. Julian, first lieutenant, James Jenkins, second lieutenant.

180 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

Jn the year 1915 it was known as Nebraska National Guard, Company L,
J-ourih Infantry, "Norris Brown Guards." Captain, Lyn J. Butcher; first
henlenant, W. E. Harper; second Heutenant, F. G. Tracy.

.\ woman's club organized in 1888 was among the first of such clubs organized
in the slate and has proven a helpful factor in the social and educational life
of the city.

In a newspaper way the city from the beginning has been well and abundantly
served. The Kearney Junction Times, L. B. Cunningham editor, was established
in October, 187 J, before the Towai of Kearney Junction was incorporated.
Later the name was changed to Buffalo County Journal and enjoyed a county
wide circulation and exerted a strong and helpful influence through the county.

In I<\"bruary, iS/2,, The Central Nebraska Press was established by Webster
and Rice 11. Eaton, the latter managing editor. It was understood that "Web"
Eaton recci\ed, as subsidy to induce the publication of a daily at Kearney
Junction, lots donated by promoters interested in the sale of city lots. This
publication, daily and weekly, served in an efficient manner, the interests of the
city and surrounding country, taking rank as one of the leading papers of the
state. The Press (weekly) passed into the hands of W. C. Holden and in a
large sense became the personal organ of its editor, used too often to "get even,"
as it might be termed, rather than in the dissemination of news and the upbuild-
ing of the community. In the history of the press of Buffalo County, W. C.
Holden, as an editor, is in a class by himself as one given to what in later days
was termed "muck raking;" he seemed to take pleasure and delight in personal
attacks on individuals, through the columns of his publication, and it would have
occasioned little surprise had he been killed by some whom he thus attacked.
It is true, that in some cases the provocation was great, and the parties guilty
as publicly charged, but the Press under ]\Ir. Holden's management lost public
favor, public influence and public support.

In the year 1888, M. A. Brown, R. H. Eaton and others organized the Flub
Printing Company and began the publication of The Daily Hub and also con-
tinued the iniblication of the original Central Nebraska Press, whose publication
began in the year 1873. The Press was at first issued as a weekly but later as
the -Semi-Weekly Hub.

Mr. Eaton soon retired from editorial connection wath the Hub, to become
postmaster of Kearney, and M. A. Brown became publisher and editor.

The Hub in the twenty-five years of its publication has been the leading paper
published in the county both in general circulation and as a molder of public
opmion. In local news it covers both the city and county. The Hub carries a
strong editorial page. As an editorial writer Mr. Brown shows wide reading and
acquaintance with the thought of the day; his editorials are brief, timely, never
dull or out of date and are widely quoted in the press of the state.

The Kearney Hub and The Kearney Flub Publishing Company represent in
large measure the life work of M. A. Brown; a work useful and helpful to
mankind.

From the silver anniversary edition of The Kearney Daily Hub, 1913:

"The Hub w\as founded upon the rather shaky foundations of the old Central
Nebraska Press, established in 1873, by Webster and Rice Eaton. In the fall

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 181

of 1888 the present editor and manager of the Hub came to Kearney upon the
sohcitation of a then Kearney citizen who had been visiting in Beatrice. The
writer had a few months before disposed of the Beatrice Express, was comfort-
ably situated in Beatrice and was not looking for a new location; but he visited
Kearney, was pleased with what he saw, and impressed with the possibilities of
the newspaper held in Central Nebraska. Rice Eaton and J. P. Johnson owned
the plant of the Central Nebraska Press, which they had just revived. The writer
bought the Johnson interest, retained Mr. Eaton, and organized the Hub Pub-
lishmg Company. The writer was business manager and managing editor.
Mr. Eaton for a short time conducted the editorial column. The name was
changed to the Hub at the writer's suggestion, in harmony with the then greatly
advertised fact that Kearney was the 'hub" of the continent, 1,733 utiles from
Boston and 1,733 niiles from San Francisco.

"Then trouble began. Immediately followed the Kearney Daily Enterprise,
subsidized with money and land by the 'boom' interests rampant at that time.
The Kearney Journal was then printed as a daily but ceased publication long ago.
The New Era was a weekly printed by Rhone Brothers, who disposed of the
plant; it became the New Era-Standard, and the last publishers dropped the
name and substituted the Times. Other newspapers have started up meantime.
The Democrat, weekly, survives. But no other newspaper printed in Kearney
twenty-five years ago, except the Hub, is now living. The boom went up the
flume and caused many wrecks. Drouth came and the country was poverty
stricken. Came also the panic and widespread insolvency. Nothing, barring
pestilence, was lacking. The experience of those years, looked back upon, seems
now like a frightful dream.

"So far as the Hub was concerned it had ceased to hope. There was nothing
left except 'grit' and the determination to hang on. In 1896 the Hub was down
in the lowest financial depths. In 1897 the writer effected a turn by means of
which he secured entire personal control. The editor, his wife, and two daugh-
ters, went to work to rebuild the paper's fallen fortunes."

THE KEARNEY DEMOCRAT

In the year 1891, The Kearney Democrat was- established with F. L. W'heedon
as editor and publisher. The Democrat has steadily grown in excellence and
influence and its editor has achieved much in experience and wisdom. The
Democrat has been a helpful factor in the development of our civilization towards
higher ideals and has been the leading newspaper in the county in support of
temperance legislation, the abolition of the open saloon.

As a local, county seat newspaper it has won an enviable rank.

While its editorial page shows study, investigation and a deep interest in
matters relating to conditions affecting the City of Kearney, the state and the
nation, its editor has seemed to have little interest in the development of the
agricultural resources of the county the most vital of our interests in a material
way.

One feature in the history of the Democrat is of special interest to a historian,
and possibly has a bearing on both the success and influence of the Democrat as

182 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

a newspaper and that is, that payments of subscription are acknowledged in its
columns by a notice so skillfully and diplomatically worded as to give pleasure and,
as .he saying is, "leave a pleasant taste in the mouth."'

THE KEARNEY ENTERPRISE

During the "boom" period there was started a daily known as The Kearney
Enterprise. It was a subsidized publication, advertised to publish dispatches of
the press association, and as a disseminator of world-wide news of the day,
to equal dailies published in the metropolitan cities.

As a newspaper publication it might appropriately be described as a "hummer"
a "sky rocket."' It was short-lived.

NEW ERA-STANDARD

About the year 1884 was established The New Era Standard, Rhone Brothers
editors and publishers. It was understood it was established in the interests of
George W. E. Dorsey, who was a candidate for Congress in the then "Big Third"
District, and later elected. The Rhone Brothers were job printers by trade and
by preference, and the Standard was, wath them, a secondary consideration.

For a time it enjoyed a considerable circulation, but did not win favor as a
disseminator of local news or a strong, convincing force in the shaping of public
opinion.

The Kearney ^lorning Times was established in 190G. Its publisher, T. B.
Garrison, Sr. ; editor, Martin F. Blank. The several changes which have occurred
in both the ownership and editorial management of the Times, have not had a
tendency to establish a fixed policy or to develop force and strength as a molder
of public opinion, which should be the ideal, the goal, striven for by every news-
paper publication and in the realization of which time is an important factor.
The editor of the Times in 191 5 was F. W. Brown.

THE WATSON RANCH

During the boom period in the life of the city, there was established, within
the incorporated limits of the city what was known as The Watson Ranch. It
embraced several hundred acres of land devoted ta farming, along certain lines,
on an extensive scale. The ranch was largely a promotion scheme and was
featured extensively in advertising sent out from Kearney. It attracted more
than state-wide notice and was given much space in not only the daily press but
in agricultural journals. The value and importance of the alfalfa plant was just
beginning to be recognized in the state and on the Watson Ranch, about one
thousand acres were devoted to alfalfa growing and with marked success.
Unusual efiforts were being put forth to encourage and develop the dairy business
in the state and on the Watson Ranch, was kept one hundred or more dairy
cows, a large dairy barn built, a creamery established, and R. K. Emily, an
experienced creamery man who had won high honors in a national competition
of butter exhibited was employed to manage the creamery. The poultry yards

PAROCHIAL SCHOOL, KEAEXEY

BEAR A^IEW OF STATE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL, KEARNEY

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 183

were extensive. As recalled, some two thousand cherry trees were planted and for
years furnished fruit in great abundance.

While the Watson Ranch is, in 191 5, but a memory, it served, in its day a
useful purpose, demonstrating, as Secretary R. W. Furnas used to say of exhibits
at a state fair or exposition, "possibilities in agriculture.'' Of H. D. Watson's
activities at \\'atson Ranch, one remains to bless his memory and for long years
to come will stand as a living monument to his foresight and wisdom : along the
right of way of the Union Pacific Railway running through Watson Ranch, and
along the public highway leading to the city he planted trees and cared for them,
and a century hence these trees which Mr. Watson planted and cared for will
still add to the beauty of the landscape, and give pleasure to those who travel the
great Overland Trail across the continent.

In recognition of Air. Watson's worth and worthiness, the Commercial Club
of Kearney adopted a set of resolutions asking that the seedling mile on the
Lincoln Highway be named the H. D. Watson Boulevard. The city council acted
on the request on Xovember 16, 1915, and passed a city ordinance whereby the
west part of Twenty-fourth Street was named "The H. D. Watson Boulevard,"
as a token in appreciation of the public services of Mr. Watson. Mr. Watson
has planted or caused to be planted ten miles of trees in and adjacent to the
City of Kearney, nine miles of which are still (1915) living. The H. D. Watson
Boulevard is that part of Twenty-fourth Street lying west of the Kearney Canal
tail-race and extending to the southeast corner of the State Industrial School
grounds.

CITIZENS GAIN DISTINCTION

Of citizens of Kearney who have gained recognition as state officials the
following named are recalled : Joseph Scott, commissioner of public lands and
buildings; E. C. Calkins, Supreme Court Commissioner and regent of the
university ; \Y. D. Oldham, deputy attorney general and Supreme Court Com-
missioner; Norris Brown, deputy attorney general, attorney general, United
States senator; L. B. Fifield and John T. Mallalieu, regents of the university;
R. R. Greer, president of the State Board of Agriculture ; Francis G. Hamer,
justice of the Supreme Court; John T. Shahan, deputy state auditor; A. O.
Thomas, state superintendent ; C. H. Gregg, X. P. McDonald and Dan Morris,
members of the board of education, state normal schools ; J. X. Dryden. trustee
of X^ebraska Wesleyan University and president of Xebraska State Bar Asso-
ciation, 1916.

The churches of the city, its schools, public and sectarian, its lodges, social,
fraternal, beneficial, are treated elsewhere somewhat in detail.

The activities of the city are best represented by its commercial club, com-
posed of the business men of the city. The commercial club of the city, organized
at an early date, has been a strong and directing force in the upbuilding of the
city's business interests. At this date and for some years previous the club has
maintained a salaried secretary with rooms in the city hall.

Located at Kearney are three state institutions : The State Industrial School
for Boys, established in 1881 ; the State X^ormal School, established in 1905 ; the
State Tuberculosis Hospital, established in 1911.

184 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

The City of Kearney, for its municipal government, is divided into four
wards, electing two councilmen from each ward, these with the mayor constitute
the city council.

The officers of the city in 1915 were: Mayor, C W. Kibler; city clerk, T. N.
Ilartzell; city treasurer, 11. A. Webbert; police judge, John Wilson; city attorney,

Warren I'ratt; chief of police, T. A. Pickrell; night police, ; merchants'

police, \'. \'. Smith; chief of fire department, H. H. Porter; assistant chief,
Elmer Rhoades; street commissioner and building inspector, E. H. Morey;
water commissioner and sewer inspector, J. A. Cleary; janitor city hall, driver
auto fire truck, D. H. Sitorius; sexton of cemetery, Hampton S. Bell; city
teamster, T. J. Waller; city engineer, E. H. Morey; city librarian, Mrs. Pauhne
I-rank; city physician. Dr. L. M. Stearns; president of council, J. D. Loewenstein.

Councilmen — S. E. Hawley, J. C. Mercer, First Ward; J. D. Loewenstein,
R. M. Barney, Second Ward; T. H. Bolte, A. J. Mercer, Third Ward; F. M.
Arbuckle, ^. A. Miller, Fourth Ward.

FOUNDING TPIE CITY OF KEARNEY

The conditions which led to the founding of the City of Kearney were
unusual ; the methods employed are a matter of history.

Both the Union Pacific and Burlington and Missouri River railways were
land grant roads, the charter of the latter, from the general government, requiring
that it make junction with the Union Pacific at a point east of the one hundredth
meridian.

LOCATING THE JUNCTION POINT

April II, 1871, D. N. Smith, agent for the town-site department of the Bur-
lington Railway, in company with Moses Syndenham and Rev. Ashbury ColHns,
visited Bufifalo County and located the junction point of the two roads. The
records disclose that on May 3, 1871, D.'^J. Smith purchased of the Union Pacific
Railway Company all of section one ( i ) and part of eleven (11), township 8, range
16 in Buffalo County — in all 993.10 acres for the sum of $2,979.30, an average price
of $3 per acre. On April 21, 1871, friendly parties filed pre-emption claims on
the north one-half of section two (2) town 8, range 16 and at the earliest possible
date pre-emption proof was made on these claims and on November 21, 1871,
D. N. Smith purchased these two claims, 300 acres in all, for the sum of $500
each. In February, 1872, another quarter section of Section No. 2 was purchased
by Mr. Smith, agent for the South Platte Land Company. Thus it will be seen
that nearly a year before the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad made
junction with the Union Pacific, the South Platte Land Company, by its agent,
D. N. Smith, had secured in a body, covering the junction point, 1,473.10 acres
of land at a total expense of approximately $4,419.00.

SCHOOL SECTION NUMBER 36

It was doubtless the intention of the South Platte Land Company to secure
possession of school section No. 36, adjoining, on the north, the town-site, the

1^1

■Bsfe* >^ '"^^^ ^ ^^^H

E^^

L. E. MORE

Located at Kearney Junction in 1872.
Organized first bank and was president and
owner. One of tb.e first board of trustees
of the Town of Kearney Junction.

D. X. SMITH

Agent for Townsite Company for B. & M.
Railway. Located the Junction point —
Kearney Junction — April 11, 1871.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 185

minimum price for such lands being $7 per acre, some $4,480 for the section. At
that date school lands were in charge of the county board and the county com-
missioners of Buffalo County would not permit the sale. C. Putnam was
employed to survey this section into lots and acreage property. In June, 1873,
the county board appointed F. S. Trew, D. Allen Crowell and J. Marsh Grant
to appraise the value of these lots; the appraised value as reported was $49,108.00.
At a later date — 1874— these lots were sold at public auction by the treasurer
of Buffalo County, the state realizing, from this sale, approximately $67,000 for
the lots in school section No. 36.

SURVEYING THE TOWN-SITE OF KEARNEY

During the summer of 1871 Anselmo B. Smith surveyed, into city lots, the
original town-site of Kearney Junction and the original plat was filed for record
in the county clerk's office October 27, 1871.

This survey and plat comprised all of section one ( i ) as aforesaid.

COMPLETION OF THE BURLINGTON

The Burlington was completed and made junction with the Union Pacific at
Kearney, September i, 1872. The Burlington built a union station at the junction
point but the Union Pacific refused to stop its trains at the union station and
continued to make its stop at the Junction House station on section No. 2, about
a mile to the west ; the Union Pacific demanded an interest in the town-site, and
on September 14, 1872, title to one-half of the lots in the original town-site of
Kearney Junction was conveyed to John Duff", trustee for the Union Pacific
Railway Company, the consideration being $1,075.18.

A DREAM OF THE FUTURE

Let us consider briefly the period between the completion of the B. & M.
Railway to Kearney, September i, 1872, and the incorporation of the Town of
Kearney Junction, November 30, 1872, three months of time.

The spirit of the West, the accomplishment of results regardless of obstacles,
legal and otherwise ; regardless of customs or well established precedents of older
communities was forcibly illustrated in the founding of the Town of Kearney
Junction and more especially in the incorporation thereof. Their optimism, like
the prairies about them seemed without limit, their faith in the ultimate success
of their plans unbounded. In old and well established communities it is customary
for a stranger or new comer into such a community, if he does not bring with
him credentials or letters of introduction, to at least seek introduction and to
generally take an interest and an active part in public affairs. Not so the early
settler in Buff'alo County, those who helped found the City of Kearney Junction ;
they "arrived,'' possibly in a prairie schooner, possibly on the evening train of
the Union Pacific or the B. & M. and the next morning we find them full-
fledged citizens, coat off, sleeves rolled up, not only taking part in public affairs
but taking a leading part, originating new plans,- directing what shall be done.

186 IILSTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

These pioneers confidently believed that at the junction point of these two great
railway systems there would grow and develop one of the largest cities on the
plains west of the Missouri River and firm in such faith and belief those on the
gruunil lloor planned llic founilations accordingly.

Their "Dream of the F'uture" was rosy with promise,

The prospect alluring — To doubt was a crime;
Though we question their judgment and smile at their boasting,
\W' all must admit that their faith was sublime.

POPULATION AT DATE OF INCORPORATION

It would be a quite natural conclusion that at the date of incorporating the
Town of Kearney Junction there was a town, or a village at least, of considerable
size, many houses and a few hundreds of population necessitating incorporation
in order that its afifairs might be properly regulated and controlled, but this
appears not to have been the case; there seems to be the best of evidence to
warrant the statement that at the date, November 30, 1872, when was incorpo-
rated the Town of Kearney Junction, the population of the incorporated area was
not to exceed one hundred souls. During this period Jasper L. Walker and Paul
Moore, living in the eastern portion of the county, while en route for a buffalo
hunt south of the Platte River, visited the junction and Mr. Walker states that
he took pains to count the buildings erected or nearing completion and that the
number was fourteen (14) ; these buildings were all located on either the Perkins
and Harford addition on section 35 or on school section No. 36. He recalls that
workmen were engaged in excavating and laying the foundation for the Burling-
ton round house.

In Vol. I, Number i, of the Kearney Junction Times (L. B. Cunningham,
editor), under date of October 12, 1872, in an editorial describing conditions,
mention is made as follows: "Kearney Junction has two hotels (Harrold House,
S. & J. Murphy, Depot House, E. E. Clark) ; one dry goods store (J. S.
Chandler); one meat market; one painters shop; one blacksmith shop (John
Mahon) ; four lumber yaiv. - (one More and Sutherland); one furniture store
(N. H. Hemiup & Allison) ; one tin and hardware store; about twenty dwelling

houses. Personal mention is made of Frank Perkins, Hartford, King.

Capt. I. B. Wambaugh, Porter, Rev, Wm. Morse, J. M. Grant, Mr. (H. M.)

Elliott, who had residences on Greeley Avenue ; Col. W. W. Patterson was agent
for railroad city lots ; the death of Miss Sarah Richardson ; Hamer and Connor
attorneys at law; H. H. Achey, carpenter and builder; J. B. Randall, plasterer;
Nightengale and Keens (F. G.), druggists; also that Kearney has three preachers,
Rev. Wm. Morse, Rev. Asbury Collins, Rev. Nahum Gould; four doctors (Dr.
E. S. Perkins)."

LIST OF TAXPAYERS

The only unit of assessment for taxation purposes to which reference can
be made at that date is school district No. 7, which was organized March 8. 1872.
Ihis school district had an area of more than one hundred and twenty square

FIRST STORE BUILDING ERECTED IX KEARXEY

Built by F. X. Dart in 1872, on southwest comer of sfhool section Xo. 36.
Gloved to Central Avenue, where photo was taken in 1910

(Photo taken in 1910)

FIRST HOTEL BUILDIXG IX KEARXEY

Erected in 1872 by S. and J. ^Mnrjihy and called the " Harrold House.'

known as the ' ' Beckett House. ' '

In later years it was

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 187

miles and embraced within its limits all of area incorporated in the Town of
Kearney Junction. The tax list of the county for the year 1872 discloses that
in school district No. 7, there were in that year nineteen (19) persons against
whom personal taxes were levied ; it also appears that of the nineteen named,
seven did not pay the tax levied, also against seven only a poll tax was levied.

The names of these persons against which said personal tax w^as levied were :
John Bugler, Asbury Collins, M. M. Collins, Fred and E. Cuddebeck, F. N. Dart,
Edward Delhanty, George Enderly, Jacob Enderly, M. F. F^agly, Wilson Hewett,
E. T. Jay, John Alahon, W. F. Marsh, Joseph McClure, W. W. Patterson, James
A. Smith, F. R. Wood, T. J. Walker. The original town-site of Kearney
Junction, platted and recorded in 1871, was, in the year 1872, valued for assess-
ment purposes at $4,375, or at the rate of about $7 per acre.

The enumeration of school children, taken in April, 1873, gave a total of 467
for the county, making the population of the county at that date approximately
one thousand six hundred and fifteen ; this enumeration of school children in
district No. 7 (as abo\ej disclosed forty-five children of school age, making the
total population in the district approximately one hundred and fifty-five; this
population for school district No. 7 in which was embraced the incorporated
Town of Kearney Junction.

Of the nineteen taxpayers herein named, the records disclose that twelve
of the number had, at that date, filed upon homestead or pre-emption claims :
J. A. Smith, W. F. Alarsh, Asbury Collins, Fred Cuddebeck, J. Cuddebeck, F. N.
Dart, E. T. Jay and W. W. Patterson, within the limits of what is now (1915)
Riverdale Township, and that George Enderly, Jacob Enderly, John Mahon and
Jacob McClure had filed on like Government claims in what is now Center
Township.

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS TO INCORPORATE A TOWN OR VILLAGE

At the date in mind (November 30, 1872), the statutes of Nebraska required
in order to incorporate a town or village, "That whenever a majority of the
inhabitants of any town or village within this state shall present a petition to
the board of county commissioners of the county in which said town or village
is situated, setting forth the metes and bounds of their town or village, and the
commons belonging thereto, and praying that they be incorporated, * * *
and the county commissioners shall be satisfied that a majority of the taxable
male inhabitants of such town or village have signed such petition, and that the
prayer of the same is reasonable, the board of county commissioners may declare
such town or village incorporated * * *."

\Miile the legal requirements to incorporate a town or village were not dififi-
cult to comply with it will be well for students of history to question whether
"The prayer of the petitioners was reasonable."

INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF KEARNEY JUNCTION

At a meeting of the board of county commissioners, November 30, 1872,
W. F. McClure, Patrick Walsh and Dan A. Crowell, commissioners, the records

188 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

disclose that : "A i)Ctition was presented by citizens of Kearney Junction pray-
ing to be incoq)oralcd into a town to be known as 'Town of Kearney Junction/
to include the following described lands, viz: sections i, 2, 3, 10, 11 and 12,
town No. 8, range No. 16; sections 24, 25, 26, 27, 34, 35 and 36, town No. 9,
range No. 16; and sections 6 and 7, town No. 8, range No. 16; sections 30, 31,
town No. 9, range No. 15, and also the territory extending southward from the
mainland in front of said sections 10, 11 and 12, town No. 8, range No. 16, and
section No. 7, town No. 8, range No. 15, and of the same width to the channel
of the Platte River, was received and on motion agreed to, and the appointment
of the following trustees ratified: John Mahon, D. B. JMarsh, L. R. More, E. B.
Carter and J. S. Chandler." The records do not give the names of the petitioners,
neither does a prolonged search disclose that such a petition is on file in the otifice
of the coimty clerk. The records do not disclose the number of petitioners,
whether the petitioners were a majority of the inhabitants or whether a majority
of the taxable inhabitants had signed the petition. Thus on November 30, 1872,
not to exceed one hundred inhabitants (men, women, and children), a majority
of the men not legal voters, less than a score of the men listed as taxable even
to the extent of a poll tax, incorporated an area of more than eighteen sections
of land and named it Town of Kearney Junction.

COMPARISONS

In the light of today (1915), in the effort to comprehend and make plain the
sublime faith, the magnificent dream of the future, which inspired a mere hand-
ful of pioneers to incorporate, on the treeless and wind-swept prairies of
Nebraska, where yet blanket Indians, carrying bows and arrows, hunted the
wild game, a town having an area exceeding eighteen sections of land, whereon
were living, of white people, less than one hundred souls, let us consider and
compare conditions, requirements as to population and incorporated area in the
cities of Lincoln and Omaha in the census year 1910:

Year Population Incorporated Area

Lincoln 1910 43,973 4799-5 acres

Omaha 1910 124,096 15,680 acres

Town of Kearney Junction. 1872 100 11,900 acres

PERSONNEL OF THE TRUSTEES

In the absence of official record or published accounts giving the names of
individuals who were chiefly instrumental in the incorporation of the Town of
Kearney Junction, it seems fair to presume that the men named as its first
trustees were among the prime movers, the leading spirits in the matter. This
being assumed, as a matter of history, it seems pertinent to inquire, what manner
of men were these whose visions of growth and development are marvelous to
contemplate? Who among them might be termed leading spirits, enthusing and
directing all with whom they came in contact?

HON. JOHN D. SEAMAN

Pioneer settler in Odessa Town-
ship. First grain buyer in Kearney,
1873. Served as state senator.

MKS. HADASSAH J. SEAMAN

Fir>-t lilirrrian in the City of Kearney

MR. AND MRS. JOHN :\rAHON

Mr. Mahon was a nienilier of tlie
first board of trnstees of Kearney.
First settler on the site of the city.

.lOSEPH OWEN

Pioneer settler of Bulialo County
in 18H(). Elected treasurer of School
District No. 1 when first organized
in 1S71 and has held the office con-
tinuouslv to date — 1915.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 189

E. B. CARTER

The chairman of the board of trustees, E. B, Carter, engaged in the jewelry
business, but after a few years moved to Omaha. He w^as a man pleasing in
address and manner, prominent in Masonic circles, popular in the community,
but lacking in originality of thought and force of character necessary in leaving
a lasting impress even in the early history and establishment of a community.

J. S. CHANDLER

J. S. Chandler erected a frame store building, engaged in the mercantile busi-
ness for a brief period of time, disposing of his interests to R. R. Greer in 1873.

D. B. MARSH

D. B. Marsh was a carpenter by trade and took a Government claim in Center
Township (town 9, range 15) in the year 1872. He serv^ed for a short time as
deputy sheriff of the county in the year 1876.

JOHN MAHON

John ]\Iahon enjoys the distinction — in this connection — of being the only
member of the board of trustees, who, when appointed, was on the list of tax-
payers in the county ; in fact, of all persons of which mention is made in the official
records of the Town of Kearney Junction during the incorporation period and
until ^larch 3, 1873, Johii Mahon is the only one whose name appears as a taxpayer
in the county. Mr. Mahon was of Irish descnt, born in Delaware County, N. Y.,
in 1824. In 1846 he enlisted, at Brooklyn, N. Y., in the navy and served on board
the Trenton in the Alexican war. In the year 1848 he went, by water, to California,
where he engaged in mining and other enterprises. In his published biography
it is stated: "He came to Buft'alo County in October, 1871, and was the first
settler on the site where now stands the magnificent City of Kearney. He
built the first house and helped to lay out the townsite. He had charge of the
real estate belonging to the Union Pacific and B. & M. companies for about
two years." Later he moved to Custer County and engaged in stock raising
for about ten years and in 1889 was living on a farm near Armada, in Buft'alo
County.

L. R. MORE

It is believed that L. R. More was the leading spirit in the incorporation of
the Town of Kearney Junction as well as a directing force for more than a
score of years in its early history. L. R. More, of Scotch descent, was born in
Delaware County, N. Y., in 1839. In a published biography of Mr. More it
states that he was a cousin of Jay Gould, the railroad king. That he came to
Buffalo County in 1871, having accumulated the sum of $25,000. That he
established the first lumber yard, built the first brick building, the upper story
being the only opera house in town; he also established the first bank, in 1872,

190

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

known as More's Bank; he owned the first hotel, Grand Central, and was
partner of John D. Seaman, the first wheat buyer in Kearney; that in 1873 he
was appointed captain of the Kearney Guards by Governor Furnas and under
his leadership the cow-boy's "reign of terror" came to an end, they losing two
of their number in a running fight. That in 1884 he sold what was known as
Alore's Bank and the brick store adjacent for $22,000, taking $16,000 in stock
in the Kearney National Bank and becoming its first president.

When Kearney had a beginning, Mr. More was thirty-three years of age;
he had already been engaged in business and accumulated $25,000 as before
noted. His subsequent career demonstrated that in business matters he was
far-seeing and while always conservative was not adverse to making a venture
when there was a reasonable prospect of success. There seems no cjuestion that
on arrival Mr. More at once determined to make here his future home and to
engage in business; a hasty and somewhat superficial search of the deed record
of the county seems to disclose that the first deed of record for a lot in the
Town of Kearney Junction was to Rev. Wm. Morse, lot 16, block 57, Perkins
and Harford Addition, date September 20, 1872, consideration, $200. October
I, 1872, to L. R. More, lots 11 and 12, block 29, Perkins and Harford Addition,
consideration, $200.

The first lots of record, sold in the original townsite, bear date i\Iay 15, 1873,
to L. R. More, lots 535, 536, 467, 468, consideration, $950.

The proceedings of the town trustees, January 20, 1873, disclose that on
motion of Mr. More the ordinances were so amended as to permit Mr. More's
business partner to be appointed town treasurer and an additional office created,
town collector (to which office Attorney F. G. Hamer w^as appointed) ; at a
later date the business partner of Mr. More served as deputy county treasurer.
From an early date the L. R. More Bank had for many years — at first a monopoly
— and at all times a large per cent of deposits both county and city and Mr. More
exerted much influence in the politics of both the city and county. As illustrating
some of the methods by which county business was conducted at that date and
of Mr. More's influence in county affairs, it can be stated: First in explanation,
that to furnish material for numerous bridges needed and demanded by early
settlers was one of the most perplexing problems which confronted the county
commissioners and very many requests for material for bridges, even where the
parties ofifered to l)uild the bridge without expense to the county for labor, were
refused for lack of means to pay for material. Instances are recalled where,
failing to secure lumber for a bridge from the county commissioners, parties of
some prominence and influence in their locality went direct to Mr. More with
the result that the lumber firm of More & Sunderland furnished the material
for the bridge, Mr. More remarking, "We'll take our chances in getting pay
from the county."

In the long drawn out and expensive fight in the courts, over the awarding
of the contract to build a bridge across the Platte, south of Kearney, the real
"bone of contention" was whether the lumber firm of More & Sunderland
should furnish the lumber for the structure.

Of the immediate period of which this article treats, Mr. More was the
wealthiest man in the county and as he had the ready money to put into his

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 191

ventures, he directed and controlled them and many others as well; he was
aggressive but not popular and while he aspired to official positions such as state
treasurer, lieutenant governor, and state senator, he failed in securing a nomina-
tion in the case of the first two named and was defeated for the office of state
senator by Gen. A. H. Connor, yet he was quite successful in securing the
election of local candidates whom he favored.

F. Q. HAMER A. H. CONNOR

An active force in the founding of the Town of Kearney Junction and the
City of Kearney was Attorney F. G. Hamer. The first store building erected
in the town was that of F. N. Dart, on the Perkins and Harford Addition.
(This building was moved to Central Avenue, on the East Side and of late
years has been used by A. H. Boltin in his fruit business.)

In Mr. Dart's store Attorney Hamer had his office, the furniture a table, a
nail keg with an undressed sheepskin for a chair.

In these days of beginning. Attorney Hamer was regularly employed by
L. R. More to look after the legal features of his business and of much of public
business as well. In the fall of 1872 ^Ir. Hamer was the preferred candidate
of the Kearney faction for the Legislature but was defeated for the nomination
by D. P. Ashburn. Mr. Ashburn was the nominee of the republican party and
W. F. Cody ( Buffalo Bill) of the democratic, Mr. Ashburn being elected. At
this period, an effort was made to divide Buffalo County by creating a new
county out of portions of Buffalo and Dawson counties, the real object being
to retain the county seat at Gibbon. The Kearney Junction people bitterly
opposed such a division and Mr. Hamer spent much time during the legislative
session of 1872-3 in securing the defeat of this measure. While Mr. Hamer
took an active part in the founding of the city and in its development, his
greatest efforts have been along legal lines in which he has won both a name
and fame. His partner for long years. Gen. A. H. Connor, also took an active
part in these early struggles to found a city. General Connor was a man of
striking personality, charming in manner and address, yet while the law firm of
Hamer & Connor had a state wide reputation. General Connor seemingly
trusted more to the inspiration of the moment, to his strength as an advocate,
his skill as an orator, rather than as a student of law and familiar with all the
details of the case at bar..

MEETINGS OF THE TOWN TRUSTEES

The incorporation of the Town of Kearney Junction completed, the trustees
proceeded to the business of providing ordinances for the government of its
municipal affairs. At the first meeting, January 16, 1873, E. B. Carter was
chosen chairman and Sylvester S. St. John clerk.

On January i8th at a meeting, propositions for a place of meeting for the
trustees was submitted by L. B. Cunningham, (L. B.) Fifield and L. R. More,
the proposition of L. R. More being accepted. On January 20th, a committee
appointed to submit nominations for town officers, submitted a report as follows :

192 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

Town treasurer and collector, H. V. Hoagland, David Anderson, Walter Colby,
and W. C. Sunderland; for marshal, George E. Evans, A. I. Aitken, J. H.
Mitchell, and David Anderson; for assessor, J. W. Leland. The officers ap-
pointed were: Assessor, J. W. Leland; collector, David Anderson; treasurer,
W. C. Sunderland; marshal, Cieorge E. Evans; town attorney, A. H. Connor.

On January 28th, before Simon Murphy, notary public, the town officers
took the oath of office. At the February 3d meeting it appears the marshal had
resigned and the following named persons received votes for the office : John
Bradley, W. P. P. St. Clair, J. IL Mitchell, and on third ballot, Samuel Wenzell
was chosen marshal. At this meeting town ordinances were adopted in which
the license fee for the sale of liquors was fixed at $50, and the bond of saloon
keepers at from $1,000 to $5,000; also the license for billiard table and ball
alleys $3 per month. The board of county commissioners had fixed the license
fee for the sale of liquors at $300, and on January 18, 1873, had granted to
W. H. H. Fogg a license to sell liquors at Kearney Junction and it appears that
Fogg had paid the fee of $300. While the fee for license to sell liquors had
been fixed by the trustees at $50, it appears from the record of the proceedings
of the board that saloons were openly in operation, the proprietors refusing to
take out license and that more difficulty was experienced by the trustees in their
efforts to control the liquor business than with any other or all other branches
•of business in the .town.

PROVIDE FOR PAVEMENTS

Among the ordinances adopted at this February 3d meeting of the trustees,
was one relative to the construction of pavements in the town. Doubtless had
anyone suggested that it was hardly necessary to pass such an ordinance at that
date, he would have been termed a knocker, and had he further ventured to
prophesy that forty years would come and go ere any pavement was laid on a
street in the city (which was the case) he certainly would have been stigmatized
as an "undesirable citizen."

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

At the February 7, 1873, meeting, Samuel Wenzell having resigned as mar-
shal, John Bradley was appointed, and T. J. Murphy engineer. On February
loth, the Central Nebraska Press (Webster and R. H. Eaton, editors), was
made the official organ for the pubHcation of town ordinances. Felt and Coff-
man made application for liquor license; their bond was fixed at $1,000, and
license granted February 17th. This appears to have been the first liquor license
granted by the town trustees. This saloon appears to have been located on
Nebraska Avenue, Perkins and Harford Addition. At this meeting the first
dray license was issued to John Dermody. On March 3d, the office of marshal
being vacant and on petition of numerous citizens, William Thomas was ap-
pointed. Among the ordinances adopted was one imposing a yearly tax of $1
on each dog owned or harbored by a resident of the town ; licenses to keep a
dog were issued to Jas. A. Smith, F. N. Dart. A. H. Connor, Nathan Campbell,

NATHAN CAMPBELL

First elected mayor of Kearney, 1874

JAMES O'KANE

Elected a member of the city coun-
cil of Kearney, 1873. Believed to be
the first settler in Buffalo County to
buy and sow alfalfa seed.

JOSEPH SCOTT
A homestead settler in Center
Township, 1873. Served as county
clerk, county treasurer and for two
terms as state commissioner of public
lands and buildings. Was a soldier
of the Civil war.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 193

Charles Wakefield, H. M. Elliott, C. T. Weldin, A. H. Barlow, T. Billesbach,
J. C. Fifield, L. R. More, W. S. Holt, Max Boetscher and F. G. Hamer.

FIRST TOWN ELECTION

On May 5, 1873, was held the first election of the Town of Kearney Junction,
at which the trustees chosen were: E. B. Carter, L. R. More, J. N. Keller, H. H.
Achey and James OTvane. Mr. Keller was station agent for the Union Pacific,
Mr. Achey a contractor and builder and Mr. O'Kane a grocery and restaurant
keeper south of the railroad. Mr. O'Kane was very popular with farmers and
for some years enjoyed a large patronage until failing health necessitated his
giving up the business.

At the May 19th meeting of the trustees, I. D. Bishop was appointed marshal,
J. C. McAdams clerk, W. C. Sunderland treasurer, P. W. Wilson assessor,
¥. G. Hamer collector and A. H. Connor town attorney.

THE TOWN PRINTING

At the June 3d meeting, Mendel, Clapp and Cunningham submitted bids to
do the town printing in the Kearney Junction Times at 25 cents per hundred
words; Webster Eaton submitted a like bid of 9 cents in the Central Nebraska
Weekly Press and 18 cents in the daily Press; the bid of Mr. Eaton was accepted
in both the weekly and daily.

LICENSES ISSUED

On June 23d dray licenses were issued to Charles Christensen, John Der-
mody, John T. Wright and J. S. Harrington. Liquor licenses to James Kelly,
Stimpson and Decker, H. H. Achey and A. J. Spaulding. Mention is made of
the Grand Central Hotel.

A KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS ORGANIZATION

On June 22d, arrangements were made with the Knights of Pythias to use
their hall as a place of meeting for the town trustees. August 12th Thomas S.
Nightengale was appointed town clerk; on October 12, 1873, an opinion was
asked of Judge N. H. Hemiup as to best method to pursue to organize a city.
November 3d, Wm. R. Firlong appointed town engineer and D. B. Clark,
assessor; Attorney Sam L. Savidge employed to look over the town ordinances
with a view to corrections and revision. Samuel Wenzell took oath of office
as marshal; the chairman reported small success in obtaining the names of
responsible parties who would become security for the cost of a fire engine if
purchased by the town.

TAKING A CENSUS OF THE TOWN

The statutes of the state provided, "Section i. All cities and towns of the
State of Nebraska, containing more than five hundred and less than fifteen
thousand inhabitants, shall be cities of the second class."

194 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

October 12, 1873, J. W. Leland was appointed to take a census of the Town
of Kearney Junction with a view of organizing a city of the second class. In a
pubhshed biography of Mr. Leland it is stated, "He took a census of Kearney
in 1873, when the population numbered only 245." There seems no question
that this was the census ordered by the trustees of the Town of Kearney Junc-
tion with a view of organizing a city of the second class, the returns of this
census disclosing a population of 245.

INCORPORATING THE CITY OF KEARNEY

On December 3, 1873, the "Town of Kearney Junction," one year and one
month old, ceased to have a legal existence and "Kearney," a city of the second
class, with a population of approximately three hundred was incorporated, the
officials of the Town of Kearney Junction serving as like officials of the City of
Kearney until a regular election was held. Hence it was that E. B. Carter, L. R.
More, J. N. Keller, H. H. Achey and James O'Kane were the members of the first
city council; E. B. Carter the first mayor, Thomas S. Nightengale city clerk
and Samuel Wenzell chief of police or marshal. In this brief history of the
Town of Kearney Junction, is given, as appears in the record and in published
proceedings available, the name of every person mentioned (about one hundred
in all), because, having no other records of those who took part in the founda-
tion and life of the town, from these we may learn and record the names of a
portion of the residents and of those who took a more or less prominent part
in public affairs.

THE FIRST POSTOFFICE

On February 9, 1872, a postoffice named Kearney Junction was established
with Asbury Collins as postmaster. It is understood that at that date Mr.
ColHns and family were residing in the Junction House, located on section 2,
and that the postoffice was kept there.

PERKINS AND HARFORd's ADDITION TO KEARNEY JUNCTION

In the month of September, 1872, Asbury Collins had C. W. Colt and James
MacGonegal, surveyors residing at Lowell, Neb., survey South Kearney as
an addition to Kearney Junction, the same being on the northwest quarter of
section 12, town 8, range 16. In July, 1872, D. N. Smith bought of the Union
Pacific Railway Company the east half of section 35, town 9, range 16, for a
consideration of $960, and sold the same to Perkins and Harford for a con-
sideration of $16,000. In volumes No. i and No. 3, issue of the Buft'alo County
Beacon, published at Gibbon and dated July 27, 1872, appears the following
item : "Esquire Collins of Kearney Junction made us a pleasant call a few
days ago. He informs us that real estate at that point is on the rise in price.
Mr. Smith (D. N. Smith) sold to parties from Minnesota (Minneapolis), (Per-
kins and Harford), a short time since the east half of section 35, town 9, range
16, for the snug sum of $50 per acre." In the month of August, 1872, Perkins

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 195

and Flarforcl had Anselmo B. Smith survey and plat into city lots Perkins and
Harford's first and second additions to Kearney Junction, being the east half of
section 35, town 9, range 16. Thus it will be noted that before the Burlington
had made junction with the Union Pacific there had been surveyed and platted
into city lots and such plats made a matter of record, 960' acres of land in a
solid body.

It is a matter of tradition that because of the unfair advantage taken by
the townsite company in obtaining possession, in advance, of the townsite and
because of the extravagant prices asked for city lots, the first buildings erected
were on school section No. 36 and the Perkins and Harford Addition. The
county records show that on April 2, 1872, A. Collins was appointed agent for
the county to notify all parties not to occupy or erect any buildings on section
36, town 9, range 16, the same being school lands. In March, 1872, F. N. Dart
erected a store building on the school section. An advertisement of Mr. Dart's
business appeared in issues of the BufTalo^ County Beacon in the year 1872.
Rev. Wm. Morse also erected a building on a lot in Perkins and Harford's
Addition, purchased in September, 1872. As before noted, the first lots sold in
the original townsite was to L. R. More in May, 1S73. The building erected by
Rev. Wm. Morse was occupied by James Jenkins as a shoe store, Mr. Jenkins
being a shoemaker by trade. The first saloon opened at Kearney Junction was
either on section 35 or section 36.

THE PUBLIC SCHOOL

School district No. 7, embracing 120 square miles of territory, was organized
March 8, 1872; the place of organizing was at the "Hotel Collins" (known also
as the Junction House), James Smith being chosen director. The first district
report discloses thirty-six children of school age in the district. An enumera-
tion of school children made in April, 1873, shows forty-five children of school
age.

The first term of school taught in this district (No. 7 — Kearney) was by
Miss Fannie Nevius, who was first licensed as a teacher in the county in the
year 1873. Dan A. Crowell, county superintendent, under date January 24th,
records : "Visited school in district No. 7, taught by Miss Nevius. Owing to
some disagreement between the school officers and citizens relative to the selec-
tion of a site, no house has yet been built and the school is at present domiciled
in a room rented to suit the emergency. It is, however, poorly furnished and
but illy adapted to the purposes of a school." On January 24, 1874, J. J. W.
Place, county superintendent, records : "Visited district No. 7, found two
schools in session taught by O. E. Hansen and Miss Fannie Nevius."

FIRST COUNTY TEACHERS' INSTITUTE

The first county teachers' institute was held at Kearney, November 25,
1875, J. J. W. Place superintendent. The teachers in attendance were enter-
tained by the people of Kearney. State Superintendent J. M. McKenzie was
in attendance and delivered two lectures. Prof. D. B. Worley had charge of

196 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

the music. There were twelve teachers from the county in attendance. A
county teachers' organization was formed with O. E. Hansen, chairman; J. S.
Zerbe, secretary; Miss Bunnell, treasurer; and Miss Fannie Nevius, critic.
Dan A. Crowell was one of the teachers in the Kearney school at that date.

KEARNEY JUNCTION TIMES

As the writer understands the Kearney Junction Times, established by Mendel,
Clapp and Cunningham (L. B. Cunningham, editor) was the first newspaper
published at Kearney Junction. Its first issue was October 12, 1872. The Times
was ever loyal to the best interests of Kearney Junction, and the City of Kearney
and exceedingly helpful in the upbuilding of the town and community; in the
discussion of public affairs it maintained a high moral standard, its editor having
no sympathy with the belief of many that open saloons and dens of vice were
essential to the up-building of the city and hence the Times was not in close
touch and fellowship with certain elements which exerted a powerful influence
in the early history of Kearney Junction and Buffalo County, influences which at
times largely controlled in the distribution of public printing and public patron-
age. In later years the Times became the Buffalo County Journal, having a
general circulation throughout the county and exerting a large influence.

CENTRAL NEBRASKA PRESS

The exact date of the establishment of the Central Nebraska Press at Kearney
Junction is, to the writer, not known. Official records disclose that February 10,
1873, the Press was made the official organ for publication of ordinances of the
Town of Kearney Junction, and that on June 3, 1873, there was being published
both the daily and weekly Press. In the days of the founding of the Town of
Kearney Junction it was generally understood that the owners of the townsite
and the promoters of the town donated to "Web" Eaton a considerable number
of city lots as an inducement to establish a newspaper, daily and weekly ; in
March, 1873, Mr. Eaton secured the subscription list and good will of the Buft'alo
County Beacon being published at Gibbon. "Web" Eaton had a love for politics
and was a very shrewd politician ; he secured, by appointment, political preferment
and left the management of the Press largely in the hands of his brother, R. H.
Eaton. Rice Eaton, as he was familiarly called, was born in Rochester, N. Y.,
in 1838; by profession and training he was a printer and newspaper man. He
was a soldier of the Civil war, had traveled somewhat and was a keen observer
of i^iankind. He was of a lovable disposition, witty, original in thought and
expression, a versatile and apt writer.

He had a liking for politics and a nose for news of a political nature.

Under his management the Press soon secured a state wide reputation, was
widely quoted, and exerted a large influence. Of the days of which this article
treats, the Central Nebraska Press easily took first rank among the newspapers
published in the county. In the year 1879 Mr. Eaton disposed of the Press to
W. C. Holden.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 197

CENTRAL NEBRASKA STAR

The Central Nebraska Star was established (as recalled) in the year 1871 by
Moses H. Sydenham; its publication was not regular and no files of its issues
are known to exist. Its date line hailed from "Centoria," a paper-boom town in
Kearney County, a few miles west of Fort Kearney. Centoria was surveyed
and platted by Mr. Sydenham but had no existence except on paper. The Star
advocated the removal of the national capitol to the Fort Kearney military
reservation, the geographical center of the nation, urging that by surveying the
reservation (ten miles scjuare) into city lots the sale of the lots would provide for
all expense of erecting Government buildings and the removal of the national
capitol. While the Star had a considerable circulation in Buffalo and Kearney
counties in the years 1871-2-3, it can not be said to have exerted much infiuence
in the settlement and development of Central Nebraska ; it was the personal
organ of its editor who was without experience in public affairs and seemingly
not in touch or sympathy with the development of the agricultural resources of
this portion of the state. Air. Sydenham was an Englishman by birth, served
first at Fort Kearney as a sutler's clerk and later as postmaster at the fort ; he
also served a term as county commissioner when Kearney County was organized
in 1872. Fort Kearney was abandoned as a. fort in 1871.

EARLY REMINISCENCES OF KEARNEY

L. B. Cunningham

i.„gust 18, 1872, I arrived at Lowell, the then terminal point of the Burling-
ton & Missouri River Railroad in Nebraska, about 5 P. AI. One other man
beside myself desired to get to Kearney and a third desired to reach the Union
Pacific Railroad as soon as possible.

Lowell was then a flourishing railway station, crowds coming and going,
business lively, hotels full, cow boys, whiskey and roustabouts galore. We three
hired a livery rig and driver to take us to the south and east terminal of the
Burlington Railway bridge across the Platte River. We had learned that the
main pillars of the bridge were laid across and that one could walk over. We
arrived at the bridge about dark. The night was starlight but no moon. The
third man proved to be well acquainted with directions and locations ; he knew
about where Kearney Station (now Buda) was and we gladly permitted him to
lead the way. The meadows north of the river were luxuriant with grass, some
of which was higher than our heads. After wading the high grass and over
bufi^alo grass sod, carrying our grips, we arrived at the station and found a
lodging house conducted by Mrs. Johnson and her son, Wm. C, the latter a
lad of about fourteen, who died in Kearney about four years ago. His mother
later married M. W. Benschoter. The traveling man rose at 3 A. M. and boarded
a passenger train for Omaha. Years after I met him in Iowa, only once.

My remaining companion and self took a tie-path late Sunday morning for
Kearney. When about half the distance a brother of Jacob Gabriel drove up
with a wagon and team and asked us to ride, which kind invitation we gladly
accepted. We were directed to the Smith Hotel (sometimes called Junction

198 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

House— sometimes Hotel Collins) then located in the center of section 2-8-16,
later removed to south part of town and used as a hotel. We found there James
A. and George E. Smith, also Frank Woods, each of whom, with a fourth man
we now disremember his name, each a homesteader (pre-emptor) holding down
a quarter of that section. The house was four big rooms below and also above,
one room by survey on each quarter of the section, thus questionably complying
with the law. James A. Smith and wife kept public house for the accommodation
of travelers.

CHURCH SERVICES HELD

We were surprised to see almost immediately on our arrival, homesteaders
coming in for church services and two gray haired preachers present. Rev. Wm.
Morse, a pioneer, Methodist, and Rev. Nahum Gould, likewise a pioneer, Presby-
terian, both homesteaders. Then there was Asbury Collins whom we sub-
sequently learned was a minister also, and his good wife, Airs. Louisa Collins,
whom I believe is still living.

We had church services, preaching and singing; James A. Smith and wife,
and James Jenkins were each fair singers, and they with others and an organist
made the building ring wath melody. C. S. Greenman and wafe, also daughter
and son, the daughter now Mrs. T. N. Hartzell, then a pretty young girl blooming
into womanhood, Herbert the son, then five years of age. Roswell Gould was
present, a prominent figure then, and I believe still living. Judge and Mrs. F. G.
Hamer w^ere there, which was, of course, my first sight of them. I went to
Kearney with the intention of starting a newspaper, and had not thought of
taking land, but on Monday most all were taking land, homesteads, and Frank
Woods saddled two ponies and induced me, I having taken the homestead fever,
to mount one of the ponies and accompany him on a hunt for a claim. He took
me out to where is now Riverdale — the Fort Kearney reservation not then
being open for settlement — where I selected the northwest quarter section 6-9-16
and filed upon the same the next day at the Grand Island land office. J. R. King,
C. Sisco, Peter Calhoun, and Wm. Stevenson had already settled on section 8.
Jake Bunnell had located on the east half of section 6; Cosmo Hill, and father,
Charles Porter and W. F. Piercy were further east and John Sammons, John
Henning, Fred Cuddebeck, Wilson Hewitt, J. F. Chase, James Carson and others
were settled in the neighborhood of where now is Glenwood Station. On return-
ing to Kearney Frank Woods refused to accept a cent of pay for his time and
trou1)le in assisting me to select a claim ; he said, at the time, it was the best claim
then untaken within twelve miles of Kearney and thereafter I proved by my
crops that he prophesied truly.

F. G. Hamer, Rev. N. Gould and Roswell Gould were located north of the
present electric light plant. Rev. Wm. IMorse, James Jenkins and others tw^o miles
north of the hamlet called Kearney, while Wm. Schram, L. D. Forehand, and
George N. Smith were six or seven miles northeast. Of these early homesteaders
the following named have passed to their rewards. Rev. N. Gould, Rev. Wrrt.
Morse, C. Cisco, J. R. King, C. Hill, Sr., W. F. Piercy, J. F. Chase, and James
Carson, but I believe the others are still living. Aside from the Smith Flouse,

MOSES H. sydexha:x[

Editor of the Central Nebraska Star published in 1871-72-73.
Postmaster at Fort Kearnev. County commissioner, Kearney
County, 1872-73.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 199

which was in reahty westward from the town site, there were six houses in Kear-
ney. John Mahon, the oldest settler, had a cottage and blacksmith shop on the
south of the Union Pacific track. Simon and Dr. J. T. Murphy were constructing
the Harrold House which still stands. David Anderson, later sheriff of the
county, lived with his family in a little cottage upon what is now West Twenty-
fourth Street, then or soon after, known as Smith Avenue. F. N. Dart and
brother-in-law, W. H. McClure, had a shanty well filled with a general stock of
goods located on almost the extreme southwest corner of section No. 36. Charley
Christenson was the drayman of that day and lived with his horses in an adjoin-
ing stall.

After filing on my claim in Grand Island, on Tuesday, August 21st, I returned
to Iowa, arranging my aft'airs, and again landed in Kearney on a Burlington
freight at midnight September 6, 1872, the passenger train not yet running.
During my two weeks' absence Kearney hamlet had moved some, almost to the
character of a village. Union Pacific trains did not stop at the town proper but
would let oft' passengers and mail at the Smith House. Freight had to be hauled
from Kearney Station (now Buda). D. N. Smith, of Burlington, Iowa, a
Burlington Railway right-of-way man and construction agent, had played snap
judgment upon the Union Pacific Railway Company and had slipped in and
purchased as a private citizen, several sections of railroad lands in that vicinity,
of the Union Pacific Company, knowing that the Burlington would form a
junction with the Union Pacific at some point very near, hence the Union Pacific
would not stop its trains at the new hamlet (Kearney Junction) until some
satisfactory arrangement could be made about lands and lots. This logger-head
business went on for some weeks while the new comers suffered inconveniences.

L. R. MORE STARTS A BANK

L. R. More and Will C. Sunderland started lumber and coal yards. L. R.
More soon started a little bank, first doing business in his coal and lumber office
and later erected a small frame on a corner on Main Street, then called Colorado
Avenue and Twenty-first Street, where now stands the opera house. This corner
has practically been the foundation and support of a banking house ever since.
Charles W. Dake removed his family from Mount Ayr, Iowa, and soon started
another bank in the north part of town, later known as the Buffalo County
National Bank. Owing to grasshopper depredations, drouth and general hard
times this bank failed some years later and Mr. Dake went to Denver.

Mr. St. Clair started a bank, he having moved from Schuyler, Nebr. ; he failed
inside of a year, but he proved strictly honorable and paid every cent of indebted-
ness. L. D. Grant came from Schuyler about August 25th and removed his wife
and daughter the following January. S. S. St. John came in October from
Wisconsin. Peter W. Wilson from Mount Ayr, Iowa ; Samuel Wenzell accom-
panied the latter, each with their families. H. C. Andrews came the following
December from the same place as the latter two. V. B. Clark soon started a
hardware store in October; T. J. Parish and Byron INfarsh came some months
later as did C. J. Burke, the latter the tinner, the former two clerks for Mr. Clark.
]\Ir. Williams came from Lincoln, built a frame building on Smith Avenue and

200 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

placed therein a stock of groceries. James O'Kane built on the south side just
north of the Harold House and kept groceries and produce. J. S. Chandler of
St. Joe built in the corner where the Presbyterian Church now stands; Doctors
D. A. X'ance and C. T. Dildine came in June, 1873. Doctor Bolton came from
Illinois antl started a drug store and practiced some and had a partner in the
store, the firm known as Bolton and Barlow.

I built a two story building on Smith Avenue for a printing office and under
the firm name of Mendel, Clapp and Cunningham started the Kearney Junction
Times, the first issue being dated October 12, 1872, and the first paper in
Kearney. Messrs. L. D. Gant, L. D. Forehand and perhaps Judge F. G. Hamer,
each has a copy of the first issue. For a couple of months the paper was printed
at the Union office in Albia, Iowa, until we could establish our material in the
upper rooms of the building above referred to. Webster Eaton, of Red Oak,
Iowa, started the Daily Press in January or February following (1873), and in
a few months was joined by his brother, Rice Eaton.

A SCHOOL ESTABLISHED

Families of children came and a school was in demand. I leased the lower
room of the Times Building to James A. Smith, director of the newly organized
school district for a term of six months school and Miss Fannie Nevius, now
deceased, was employed as the first teacher in Kearney, who immediately started
in to teach the young hopefuls.

This room in the Times Building was also leased to the Methodist and
Presbyterian Church people, a few of each, who held union services during the
winter (1872-73), and to a literary society organized, called the "Philomathean,"
at the instigation of F. N. Colwell, J. C. McAdams, Walter Colby, S. S. St. John
and the writer and we held weekly debating societies therein on Saturday even-
ings. The Methodist people had a preliminary church organization. Rev. L. B.
Fifield built Walworth Hall on corner of Smith Avenue and Colorado Street
(now Central and Twenty-fourth) in which he continued to preach and later
organized a Congregational Church. The Baptist people organized the following
summer (1873) with V. B. Clark and family as principal force.

PRESBYTERL'XN CHURCH ORGANIZED

About March 7th (1873) the synodical missionary with Rev. Nahum Gould
organized the first Presbyterian Church of Kearney in the Times Building with
a membership of eight beside the minister, as follows : Dr. J. T. Brown, Roswell
B. Gould, Eddy Lloyd. Mrs. Smith, Mrs. George E. Smith, Emma Greenman,
Mrs. C. S. Greenman, and L. B. Cunningham, and the former two named w^ere
elected elders.

A .SOUVENIR OF EARLY DAYS

E. B. Carter came in the fall of 1872 and started a jewelry store in a small
building near where the Downing-Bartlett Block now is. We have in our home

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 201

a pleasant reminder of my old friend Carter. In June, 1873, I bought a plain
walnut case eight-day alarm clock of him for which I paid $7. We still have
this clock in good condition, keeps perfect time and it will awaken you at any
hour if you but set the alarm right. It now times our cook in egg boiling and
biscuit making. E. B. Carter was a veritable yankee, sharp and shrewd, always
active in the upbuilding of the town. He was a member of the early town council
and third mayor, ^larsh (D. B.) being the first and Nathan Campbell, a settler
coming in June, 1872, being the second. (Note — The records disclose that E. B
Carter was chairman of the board of trustees of the Town of Kearney Junction
when organized in November, 1872, was elected a member of the board of
trustees May 5, 1873, and served as chairman of the board when the City of
Kearney was incorjjorated in December, 1873, and served as mayor of the City
of Kearney until the first election held in the city when Nathan Campbell was
elected mayor.)

NAMING THE NEW TOWN

At a meeting in the lumber office of More and Sunderland, it was voted to
lay out (incorporate) the town four miles square — sixteen square miles — thus
putting down on paper a big foundation for a big city. On account of there being
so many places and things called "Kearney," such as, Kearney County, Kearney
City (in Kearney County), Fort Kearney and Kearney Station (now Buda).
it was seriously discussed to change the name of the new town. I do not recall
all of half a dozen names proposed, but one gentleman (Commercial Hotel pro-
prietor) very much desired to name it "Inter Ocean" — half way between the
oceans — thus you see that "Midway City" was thought of as early as October,

1872. I remember distinctly that I wanted "Permanence," as I believed we were
laying the foundation for a permanent city, and how surely my early ideas are
coming true, you citizens of Kearney best know. But there were too many
present, of whom L. R. ]More. a very positive sort of man, who had the Kearney
fever very badly, and they outvoted us and Kearney it is and no doubt Kearney
it will remain while time lasts.

Attorneys E. C. Calkins and Warren Pratt came, if I mistake not, in June,

1873. These gentlemen were partners in law for a number of years and now
still living, and as separate attorneys, are prosperous. James Harron and Thomas
C. Roberts came from St. Joseph, Mo., and conducted a store for a while; the
former branched ofif into farming and the latter returned to St. Joseph ; both
have passed to the unknown. F. J. Switz came from Ohio and established a
furniture store and is still a very prominent figure in Kearney. W. J. Perkins
was a '72 recruit. A. H. Connor with F. G. Hamer made a strong law firm.
Nightengale and F. G. Keens opened the first drug store. J. P. Johnson, the
"inevitable" as I used to advertise him, came from Mount Pleasant and Red Oak,
Iowa; he engaged in various occupations, among them, hardware and also a
general stock of clothing and dry goods. Hiram Randall should not be over-
looked nor Robert Haines now an honored councilman. John J. Bartlett, W. A.
and R. L. Downing, all time-honored early pushers for Kearney. Doctor Hull,
Joseph. Samuel and Charles Black, C. B. and E. B. Finch and Jack Crocker were

202 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

on the ground a little later, as were Wm. H. Roe, John H. and Dan W. Roe.
Col. John H. Roe did a nice thing for Kearney, which deserves a special mention:
as agent for Union Pacific lands and lots he secured the handsome block of lots
where the Kearney High School now stands as a permanent school ground for
the city.

Alisscs Libbie Wilson and Ella Grant were the first, or among the first, young
ladies of the place. Charles W. Porter and Miss Osterhiel were the first to get
married in Kearney although George E. Smith and Miss Clemm were married in
Logansport, Ind., and came to Kearney before the Porter-Osterhiel wedding.

Frank Kearney Clark, son of Mr. and Mrs. V. B. Clark, was the first child
born in the city. I was married September 3, 1872, to Mary E. Clapp at Fair-
field, Iowa, and arrived home in Kearney, September 30th. But I must find a
stopping place ; from hamlet to village, Kearney grew rapidly, having three
hundred or four hundred people by Qiristmas, 1872, and one thousand within
twelve months from that time, and her magnificent growth has been, in the main,
gradual, steady, and permanent ever since.

Having a fire in my newspaper office in 1890, all my newspaper files were
burned and now I have not the record of a single issue from which to copy, and
neither have I a line or word anywhere with which to refresh my memory in
gathering together these events of long ago days, but if any old or new friend or
neighbor becomes interested in what I have here contributed of early events,
early history of Kearney I will feel amply repaid for the time and trouble.

(Note — ]Mr. Cunningham and son are in the newspaper business at Glenwood,
Iowa, and in the year 191 1, at the request of the writer (S. C. Bassett) con-
tributed this very interesting and valuable history of the founding of Kearney
Junction and reminiscences of those early days.)

SEDGWICK POST NO. I, G. A. R.

Sedgwick Post No. i, Department of Nebraska. Grand Army of the Republic,
has the distinction of being the first G. A. R. post organized in Nebraska.

Past Post Commander A. H. Boltin furnishes the following history of the
post: Sedgwick Post was organized at Fort Kearney in the year 1870, under
jurisdiction of the Department of Illinois. In 1874, at Kearney, the post was
reorganized under jurisdiction of the Department of Iowa. On December i,
1879, the post was again reorganized and chartered as Sedgwick Post No. i,
Department of Nebraska.

In the life of this post thirty-three comrades have served as post commanders
in order as follows: E. C. Calkins, J. W. Wilson, Joseph Black, Robert La
Fountain, James Jenkins, A. H. Boltin, J. W. Parker, W. J. Perkins, R. M.
Grimes, J. M. Tisdell, W. Smith, D. A. Dorsey, I. A. Arnold, I. B. Wambaugh,
John Barnd, Dr. H. S. Bell, Dwight Phelps, Henry Seaman, W. W. Dye, J. C.
McKeene, Phil Bessor, B. H. Goulding, John Hoge, J. C. Beswick, E. W. Thomas,
George N. Smith, George C. Ray, Freeman Merryman, J. A. Larimer, Rev. Henry
Wood, Simon Landis, A. D. Rice, Lorenzo Smith.

In the year 19 15 the post was in a flourishing condition, with seventy mem-
bers. There are buried in the cemetery at Kearney 162 soldiers of the Civil war.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 203

SEDGWICK woman's REIJEF CORPS NO. I, G. A. R.

Sedgwick Woman's Relief Corps No. i, Department of Nebraska, G. A. R.,
was organized at Kearney in January, 1884, with the following charter members :
Josephine Gillespie, president ; Julia McKelvey, Mary La Fountain, Maria Miles,
Mrs. Lacy, Laura Perkins, Sarah Parker, Mrs. Fields, Mrs. Fitch, Mrs. Van-
horn, Mary Lotterman, Mrs. Harding, Sarah Hoge, Mrs. R. M. Grimes, Mrs.
Shiers, Mrs. William Hunt, Martha Goulding, Mrs. J. W. Wilson, Mary Jenkins,
Mrs. Bicknell, Harriet Worley, Mrs. Wilks.

In the year 1915 the corps had a membership of thirty-five. Its officers:
Grace Hardy, president ; Lucinda Ball, S. V. P. ; Melissa Wiley, J. V. P. ; Effie
Boltin, chaplain; Phoebe J. Lancaster, secretary; Aurelia Whitney, treasurer;
Anna Kilgore, conductor; Louisa Lowe, A. C. ; Louisa Haase, guard; Mary
Bailey, A. G. ; Effie Boltin, patriotic instructor ; Anna Kilgore, press correspond-
ent ; color bearers. Elizabeth Smith, Jennie Shiers, Maria Reed, Mary Llarper.

This was the first corps organized in the Department of Nebraska.

SMITH GAVITT POST NO. 299, G. A. R.

Smith Gavitt Post No. 299, G. A. R., of Kearney, received its charter March 4,
1890, with the following charter members : John Tottersman, L. O. Hyatt,
James P. Tucker, James M. Duley, Franklin W. Nichols, John Larimer, Stewart
W. Calhoun, Joseph McKain, William M. Woodruff, H. H. Wade, Benedict
Streigel, Joseph Worsley, J. A. Larimer, William B. Ray, John H. Boatwright,
Andrew J. Snow, John R. Mote.

The officers elected and installed were: John W. Totterman, commander;
James M. Duley, S. V. ; John Larimer, J. V. ; Andrew J. Snow, O. M. ; Franklin
W. Nichols, surgeon ; William M. Boatwright, chaplain ; H. H. Wade, O. D. ;
J. J. Boatwright, O. G. ; Joseph Worsley, adjutant; S. A. Hyatt, S. M. ; W. B.
Ray, O. M. Sergt.

In 1915 the post had a membership of fifty-three. Its officers: M. Hop-
kins, commander ; S. Bell, S. V. ; J. S. Wiley, J. V. ; W. H. Marshall, O. D. ;
Robert Haines, chaplain; J. A. Larimer, O. M. ; F. J. Switz, adjutant; D. T.
Hostetter, O. G.

SMITPI GAVITT WOMAn's RELIEF CORPS NO. I06, G. A. R.

Smith Gavitt Woman's Relief Corps No. 106 at Kearney received its charter
March 18, 1890, and was instituted with the following officers and charter mem-
bers : Marie Y. Miles, president ; Mary J. Tottersman, S. V. ; Hattie J. Worsley,
J. V. ; Lucy A. Willoughby, secretary; Estelle Rogers, treasurer; Maggie McKain,
chaplain; Frances Woodruff, conductor; Sarah A. Seaman, G. ; Kate A. Tucker,
A. G. ; Nancy Murphy, A. G. ; May Demar, Jennie Coleman, Mary A. Webbert,
Mary J. Triggs, Hannah N. Hyatt, Mattie O'Kane, Jennie Wood, Martha E.
Tague, Eva Uhrig, Lucy Willoughby, Jennie Calhoun, Victoria Brundage, Marion
Steigle, Cleronne Ray, Eleanor Hawk, Ada Caswell. In the year 1915 the
corps had a membership of twenty-five. Its officers : Mrs. Barbara Scheiling,

204 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

president ; Liddie Bonser, S. V. ; Elizabeth Marshall, J. V. ; Emma L. Hostetter,
treasurer; Nellie M. Stimpson, secretary; Mary M. Page, conductor; Celia Tal-
bert, chaplain; Olie Springer, G.; Amanda Green, Emily McKinney, Henrietta
Pickerel and Costelia Rogers, color bearers; Emma L. Hostetter, patriotic in-
structor; Melissa Hemmingway, press correspondent.

PHIL KEARNEY CIRCLE NO. 4, LADIES OF THE G. A. R.

Phil Kearney Circle No. 4, Department of Nebraska, Ladies of the Grand
Army of the Republic, was organized at Kearney, May 12, 1904, with ten charter
members. The first officers were: Lizzie Trimble, president; Christie Hoge,
S. V. P. ; Lizzie Wambaugh, J. V. P. ; Josephine Stephenson, secretary ; Jane
Larimer, treasurer; Mary J. Stear, chaplain.

In 1915 the membership of the circle was seventy-five. The officers: Flora
Rawell, president; Fannie Wilson,vS. V. P.; Mary Webbert, J. V. P.; Effie SulH-
van, secretary ; Anna Warren, treasurer ; Lillie Rahn, chaplain ; patriotic instruc-
tor, Emily Stark; Sophia Brown, guard.

FORT KEARNEY CHAPTER, D. A. R.

F'ort Kearney Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, was organized
at the home of Mrs. Charles Oliver Norton, Kearney, May 16, 1908, with the
following charter members and first officers: Mrs. Lottie Gove Norton, chapter
regent; Mrs. Florence Valentine Miller, vice regent; Airs. Henrietta Bearce Roby,
historian ; Miss Isabel Amanda Tabor, secretary ; Mrs. Maybelle Nye Miller,
treasurer; Mrs. Anna V. A. Peterson, registrar; Mrs. Irene Holbrook Clark,
chaplain; Mrs. Elijah Atwood Gove, Mrs. Frederick R. Kingsley, Miss Arathusa
Calkins, Mrs. Leroy V. Patch, Mrs. Harry J. Reed, Mrs. E. St. Claire Snyder,
Miss Agnes M. Tabor, Mrs. Henry Gibbons, Miss Catherine A. Nye, Mrs. Robert
A. Moore, Miss Alice Ruth Miller, Mrs. Burton Lothrop, Mrs. Joseph Plumb.

Since organization 150 members have been admitted to the chapter, which
now (1916) is the third in size in the state.

Among the patriotic work accomplished by the Fort Kearney Chapter has
been the placing in the Union Pacific Park in Kearney of a granite monument
to mark the "Oregon Trail," which had its beginning in the Valley of the Platte
River in the year 1811, this monument being the first stone to mark this historic
trail erected in the State of Nebraska.

BUFFALO LODGE NO. 38, I. O. O. F.

Bufifalo Lodge No. 38, I. O. O. F., was instituted at Kearney, May 31, 1873,
by Grand Secretary John Evans, with the following charter members : N. H.
Hemiup, Henry W. Morse, James P. Johnson, I. B. Wambaugh, D. B. Marsh,
Philip H. Allison, W. F. Marsh, HughStotler, H. A. Wakefield.

In the year 191 5 I. B. Wambaugh, a soldier of the Civil war, is the only one
of the charter members living.

In the year 1915 the lodge had a membership of 275. Its officers: T. A.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 205

Pickerell, N. G. ; A. G. Barlow, \\ G. ; J. A. Larimer, secretary; \V. A. Miller,
treasurer.

In the year 1907 the lodge erected, on a lot owned by the lodge, a substantial
brick building at a cost of $15,000, the upper rooms of the building being used
for lodge purposes.

KEARNEY ENCAMPMENT NO. l8, I. O. O. F.

Kearney Encampment No. 18, I. O. O. F., was instittited at Kearney, Sep-
tember 3, 1881, by Grand Patriarch J. W. Walters and Grand Secretary D. A.
Cline, with the following charter members : A. T. Cannon, Swan J. Johnson,
L. L. Ketchum, William Schram, W. F. Pickering, James Wallace, H. C. An-
drews, W. H. Bushell, C. R. Clapp, L. D. Forehand, C. D. Ayres, H. W. Morse,
Theodore AMlhelmy, C. J. Burke, I. B. Wambaugh, \\\ H. Hunt, Thomas H.
Ayres.

In the year 1915 the encampment had a membership of seventy-five. Its
officers: T. J. Scott, chief patriarch; E. E. Gardner, senior warden; E. A. Miller,
scribe; M. N. Troupe, treasurer.

NAOMI REBEKAH LODGE NO. 12, I. O. O. F.

Naomi Rebekah Lodge No. 12, I. O. O. F., was instituted June 26, 1887, with
a charter membership of twenty. G. H. Cutting, N. G. ; Emma Haines, treasurer.

In the year 1915 the membership of the lodge was 203. Officers: Margaret
Webbert, N. G. ; Nellie Wilkins, V. G. ; Aurelia AMiitney, secretary ; Frances
Whitney, treasurer.

ROBERT MORRIS LODGE NO. 46, A. F. & A. M.

Robert Morris Lodge No. 46, A. F. & A. M., of Kearney, was organized at
Gibbon soon after the completion of the courthouse, the lodge meetings being
held in the courtroom of the building. The preliminary organization was early
in the year 1873, the date of the charter June 26, 1874. The charter members
were : A. H. Brundage, Frank S. Trew, L. Worthington, Christopher Putnam.
George S. Thomas, Benjamin Sartoria, Michael Coady, Rollin L. Downing,
Simon C. Ayer, Alva G. H. White. Officers : Christopher Putnam, W. I\I. ;
Frank S. Trew, S. W. ; Simon C. Ayer, J. W.

On the removal of the county seat from Gibbon the lodge was removed to
Kearney.

In the year 1915 the lodge had a membership of 215. Officers : Daniel Ouin-
ton, W. M. ; J. D. Hawthorne, secretary.

KEARNEY CHAPTER NO. 23, R. A. M.

Kearney Chapter No. 23, R. A. M., was organized September 13, 1881. The
charter members were: H. P., A. L. Webb; K., James H. Davis; S., H. L.
Strong; treasurer, F. J. Switz; secretary, T. N. Hartzell; Ross Gamble, Reuben
E. Barney, Paul Kalmuk, Charles B. Finch, Lawrence Ketchum.

206 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

In the year 1915 the chapter had 130 members. Officers: J. O. Pierce, E. H.
P.; J. D. IJawthornc, secretary.

MOUNT HEBRON COMMANDERY NO. 12.

Mount Hebron Commandery No. 12 was organized in January, 1882. The
charter membership : Henry Gibbons, E. C. ; Rheuben E. Barney, Gen. ;
Sylvester S. St. John, C. G. ; Frederick J. Switz, prelate ; Paul Kalmuk, S. W. ;
Lawrence Ketchum, J. W. ; A. L. Webb, warden ; James H, Davis, Sent. ; William
C. Villson, Rec.

In the year 191 5 the commandery had 117 members : Officers : John Wilson,
E. C. ; G. E. Haase, recorder.

TUSCAN CHAPTER NO. 35, 0. E. S.

Tuscan Chapter No. 35, O. E. S., was organized June 12, 1890, with a charter
membership of twenty-five. The officers : W. M., Francis B. Burkhead ; W. P.,
George W. Kern; secretary, A. S. Potter; treasurer, R. M. Rankin.

In 1915 the membership of the chapter was 160. The officers: W. M., Mrs,
Dorothy Clifton; W. P., C. B. Manuel; secretary, Bessie Manuel; treasurer, Mrs.
Minter Todd.

KEARNEY LODGE NO. 984, B. P. O. E.

Kearney Lodge No. 984 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
was instituted on June 30, 1905 by the initiation of a class of ninety. At this
same meeting the following officers were elected :

L. M. Welsh, Exalted Ruler.

N. P. Hansen, Esteemed Leading Knight.

K. R. Andrews, Loyal Knight.

G. E. Haase, Lecturing Knight.

E. S. Chadwick, Secretary.

J. A. ]Miller, Treasurer.

On July 2 1st of the same year the lodge secured the top floor of the City
National Bank Building for lodge rooms and have held them ever since. In
connection with the lodge room a fine suite of club rooms are maintained for
the convenience and comfort of the members. Under the supervision of a
steward these rooms are always open to members and visiting brothers.

The following men have served as exalted ruler and secretary of the lodge
since its inception :

i905-o6~L. M. Welsh; E. S. Chadwick.

1906-07 — E. S. Chadwick; T. B. Garrison, Jr.

1907-08— K. R. Andrews ; A. E. Faidler, T. W. Maus.

1908-09 — J. A. Miller; Chas. O. Swan.

1909-10 — J. A. Miller; Chas. O. Swan.

1910-11 — Arthur A. Scoutt ; Chas. O. Swan.

1911-12 — Warren Pratt; Chas. O. Swan.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 207

1912-13 — Clyde W. Norton; Chas. O. Swan.

1913-14 — H. B. Watson; Chas. O. Swan.

1914-15 — H. B. Sammis; Chas. O. Swan.

1915-16 — Clark Thomas, Chas. O. Swan; H. B. Watson.

KEARNEY COMMERCIAL CLUB

H. B. Watson

On Saturday evening, April 2, 1881, a delegation of citizens met in Mores'
Hall and organized the first business men's association in Kearney and gave it
the name of the Kearney Board of Trade. Mr. J- N. High Avas chosen chair-
man of the meeting and ^Ir. J. H. Roe was chosen secretary. The following
gentlemen were elected to form an executive committee : H. C. Andrews, C. F.
Bodinson, N. Campbell, E. C. Calkins, R. L. Downing, R. R. Greer, J. N. High,
F. G. Keens, J. H. Roe, J. D. Seaman, F. J. Switz, G. R. Sherwood, S. L.
Savidge, J. J. Saville and J. Fred Wiley.

On the following Thursday, April 7, 1881, the above committee met in the
Nonpareil office and organized by electing E. C. Calkins president and J. J.
Saville secretary. At this meeting Mr. J. N. High presented suggestions for a
plan to organize a company and raise funds for the purpose of building a canal
from the Platte River to supply water to the City of Kearney and water power
for manufacturing purposes. After a careful discussion of the subject a com-
mittee was appointed to procure an estimate of the cost of the work, and another
committee to draft a plan for forming a company and devise a method to be
used in raising money for the project.

At this meeting ]\Ir. Hodges, a citizen of Sweetwater, appeared before the
executive committee and made a statement regarding the bridges over Cedar
Creek and the Loup River. It seemed that the bridges were in very poor con-
dition and Avould require piling and lumber to repair them and the people in the
vicinity were not in a financial position to buy the material. A committee of five
was appointed to raise the needed funds and the results of their efforts were
explained at the following meeting held on April 9, when Mr. Andrews reported
that the committee had obtained five piles from the B. & M. Railroad Company
and had telegraphed the agent of the Union Pacific Company requesting a dona-
tion of five piles from them, and by circulating a subscription paper had secured
from the citizens of Kearney cash subscriptions amounting to $113.95 with
which to purchase lumber.

On April 11, 1881, the Board of Trade met again and at this meeting J. J.
Saville reported that the estimated cost of the canal was: Dam, $1,000; excava-
tion, $14,448; flumes, $3,000; bridges, $1,500; sur^-ey and right-of-way, $1,500,
making a total cost of $21,448.

At this meeting a committee was appointed consisting of Messrs. Calkins,
Savidge and Roe, which secured the co-operation of Mr. F. G. Hamer, with
instructions to correspond with the Nebraska delegation in Congress, with the
secretary of the interior and the law department at \A'ashington and procure from
them charter, department regulations and laws relating to subsidised railroads

208 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

and especially those relating to the St. Joe and Denver and the obligation of
that company to build their road to Kearney.

This meeting was adjourned to meet Thursday evening, April 14, 1881, when
the canal subject would again be discussed. Of this meeting there are no
records, neither of any subsequent meetings. However the Board of Trade
remained in existence for some time after this date and was directly responsible
for the initial work on the Kearney Canal.

Several years passed by before another organization of this nature was per-
fected in the city. On March 21, 1887, the second Kearney Board of Trade was
launched with the following officers: President, C. B. Finch; first vice presi-
dent. Homer J. Allen; second vice president, F. J. Switz; treasurer, E. C.
Calkins; secretary, K. O. Holmes. This organization was perfected in the third
story of the Bufifalo County Bank Building, now known as the Porterfield Build-
ing. Afterwards rooms were taken in B. D. Smith's office in a building near
where V. C. Chase's store now stands.

The records and minutes of this organization have been destroyed and the
actual progress of the association as revealed by substantial records is not known.
Several members of this organization are still in Kearney and many of these
will be found among our leading merchants. Upon their recollection and upon
the newspaper files of that epoch I must rely for data of its activities.

At that time Kearney was in a transitory period. She was expanding very
rapidly and growing from a small town of the plains into a city of business and
a mart of trade. Eastern capital was flowing into the town in large quantity
and expansion was the watchword. Business became rushing, money was easy
and the spirit of enterprise filled the air. With these conditions it was natural
that the newly organized Board of Trade found much to do. The business men
represented on its directorate w^orked until the early hours of the morning plan-
ning new methods to attract capital and to advertise Kearney. There was no
lack of funds flowing into the treasury and with these, alluring literature tell-
ing of "Kearney's Gait" was prepared and mailed broadcast over the land. Com-
mittees were appointed to follow up every tangible prospect and money was
spent freely but judiciously in interesting such prospects.

This organization during 1887 and 1888, under the leadership of C. B. Finch
and K. O. Holmes accomplished much good and was instrumental in securing
many enterprises for the city. At that time Mr. Finch was mayor of the city
and much of the success of the Board of Trade was due to the harmony that
existed between it and the city council.

During the summer of 1888 many real estate promoters from the east formed
a combination in Kearney and in March, 1889, secured control of the organiza-
tion when a reorganization was eft'ected under the name of the Kearney Cham-
ber of Commerce. The officers elected were : President, O. S. Marden ; first
vice president, George W. Frank ; second vice president. Homer J. Allen ; treas-
urer, E. M. Judd ; secretary, K. O. Holmes. The membership of the new organ-
ization was 108 and the meetings were held in room 11 of the old Midway Hotel.

By this time Kearney had developed a portentous boom and the men at the
head of the Chamber of Commerce were directly interested in the boom, conse-
quently the efl:'orts of the association were directed to that end. The cotton mill

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 209

was built, factories of various kinds and on an elaborate scale were secured,
subsidised and built, street railways were constructed, steam railroads were
projected and bonds voted to assist them in building. Men of affairs had won-
derful visions ; they saw Kearney a second Chicago, the big city of Nebraska.
Times were feverish. The people became aquiver with expectation, a wonderful
city was in the making and then the crash came. The Chamber of Commerce
was forgotten, its officers moved to other parts and at last the organization
passed into history. Later on an effort was made to resuscitate the association,
but the move failed and it went the way of the boom.

The present Commercial Club was organized during 1907, but the first min-
utes of its meetings now available are dated March 3, 1908. At this meeting
Mr. Henry Gibbons served as chairman and W. W. Barney was elected tem-
porary secretary.

The organization of this Commercial Club, like the inception of the others,
was demanded through an exigency arising that effected the people of Kearney.
The first club was organized to build the Kearney Canal and thus furnish Kearney
with a water supply, the second club was an outgrowth of a necessity that fur-
nished a medium through which the boosting of the city could better be accom-
plished, while the organization of this present association was demanded to
furnish a co-operation of the business men in a struggle to secure just and
equitable freight rates into and out of the city.

Mr. J. W. Patterson was elected its first president and Mr. J. G. Lowe was
chosen secretary of the newly organized club. During the succeeding years the
following men have served as president and secretary :

1908 — -J. W. Patterson; J. G. Lowe.

1909 — J. W. Pafterson; W. F. Bailey.

1910— W. H. Roe ; W. F. Bailey.

191 1 — C. W. Kibler; C. E. Oehler.

1912 — Warren Pratt; C. E. Oehler.

1913 — J. W. Patterson; W. F. Bailey.

1914 — J. W. Patterson ; F. W. Brown, H. B. Watson.

1915— A. C. Killian; H. B. Watson.

1916— C. B. Manuel (elected) ; H. B. Watson.

During these years the club has been actively engaged in the fight for better
freight rates for the city. It launched the Buffalo County Fair, it has con-
sistently advocated better roads, it has promoted street paving, and during the
last three years its scope of action has broadened until it has developed into the
community forum. Every question effecting the city and its environs is brought
to the club for discussion. Its attitude on public questions is eagerly sought.

For several years the club has maintained a Monday noon lunch for its mem-
bers, which service has become very popular. The meeting of its board of
directors is held weekly, directly after the Monday lunch.

The original board of directors was composed of fifteen members. This
number was soon increased to twenty-five and at the annual election of 19 16
was raised to fifty. This allows a large percentage of the membership a voice
in the weekly deliberations of the directors and creates added interest in the
activities of the club.

210 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

The club's activities are rapidly multiplying and instead of being an organ-
ization working alone for the interest of the merchants it is striving to become
a community builder, a city builder, where the farmer, the city dweller and the
business man can meet on mutual footing and work harmoniously for the
advancement of the entire community.

KEARNEY AERIE NO. I489, F. O. E.

Kearney Aerie No. 1489, F. O. E., meets every Wednesday at Eagles Hall.
Its officers in 1914 were: A. M. Franks, president; Joseph Kauer, secretary;
J. F. Ackerman, treasurer,

LOYAL LODGE NO. I4, K. OF P.

Loyal Lodge No. 14, K. of P., history seems to disclose, was the first fraternal
lodge instituted in Kearney, in the winter of 1872-73.

Its officers in 1914 were: G. E. Haase, C. C. ; M. A. Moody, V. C. ; E. P.
Hamilton, P. ; P. T. Lambert, M. of W. ; C. D. Ayers, M. of E. and K. of R. and
S.; W. H. Bettinger, M. of F. ; A. P. Paulson, M. of A.

FORMAN LODGE NO. 12, A. O. U. V^.

Forman Lodge No. 12, A. O. U. W., was organized August 13, 1883, with a
charter membership of twenty-five. Officers : Byron D. Smith, P. W. M. ;
J. A. Regnell, M. W. ; W. H. Hurst, foreman; W. M. Knutzen, overseer; S. M.
Nevius, Rec. ; H. Fred Wiley, Fin.; J. C. Philbrick, Treas. ; P. Lindgren, guide;
G. A. Olson, I. W.

In the year 1915 the lodge had 350 members. Officers: C. E. Bloomfield,
P. W. M. ; T. A. Pickrell, M. W. ; C. Lancaster, foreman ; E. A. Miller, Fin. ;
John Frasier, overseer ; E. F. Winn, Rec. ; A. T. Olson, Treas. ; George Clark,
guide; A. M. Sherman, inside watch.

KEARNEY LODGE NO. 43, DEGREE OF HONOR, A. O. U. W.

Kearney Lodge No. 43, Degree of Honor, A. O. U. W., was instituted March
16, 1893, with a charter membership of sixty-eight. The names of its first officers
could not be obtained.

In 1915 the lodge had a membership of 103. Its officers were: Ella Killgore,
P. C. of H. ; Maggie Dority, C. of H. ; Lena Olson, L. of H. ; Carrie Richard,
C. of C. ; Mary LaCornn, R'dr. ; Ida Haynes, Fin. ; Emma M. Hibberd, Rec. ;
Phoebe Lancaster, usher; the minor officers being Fern Lancaster, Ada Holmes,
Nellie Fenton, Lucy Hall, Etta Temple, Rilla Flannery, Elsie LaCornn.

HOPE CAMP NO. 316, M. W. A.

Hope Camp No. 316, M. W. A., was instituted at Kearney in April, 1887,
with seventy-six charter members. Its first officers were : W. A. Howard, V. C. ;

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 211

J. R. Churchill, W. A.; C. H. Henclers-on, clerk; Ira Johnson, banker; C. A,
Bartz, escort; C. O. Jackson, W. ; W. Wilson, S.; A. L. Fitch, B. F. East and
W. C. Holdem, board of managers.

In the year 1915 the camp had 220 members. Its officers: J. A. Allhands,
V. C. ; Roy Jacobs, W. A. ; Charles Shahan, banker ; G. E. Haase, clerk ; T. A.
Tollefson, escort; John Mannins, W. ; C. Knorig, S.; T. J. Scott, William Lantz,
James Cleary, trustees.

KEARNEY COUNCIL NO. 12, LOYAL MYSTIC LEGION

Kearney Council No. 12, Loyal Mystic Legion, is located at Kearney. Its
officers, elected for the year 1916, are: Rachel Jenkins, W. C. ; Olive R.
Springer, W. V. C. ; H. T. Clark, secretary ; J. N. Jenkins, W. P. ; F. E. Hutch-
inson, W. P. C. ; Dr. M. A. Hoover, J. N. Jenkins, P. E. Hutchinson, trustees.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

St. James Council No. 1728, Knights of Columbus, was organized with a
charter membership of ninety, April 21, 1914. The first officers: Dr. E. A.
Watson, G. K. ; Prof. B. H. Patterson, R. S.

The object of the order as stated : "To perpetuate and keep alive the memory
of Columbus by fitting and appropriate ceremonies on October 12th of each
year."

Membership, 1915, 120. Officers: R. B. Daugherty, G. K. ; A. H. Berbig,
F. S.

TRIBE OF BEN HUR

Kearney Court No. 108, Tribe of Ben Hur, was instituted September 16, 1903,
with a charter membership of thirty-five, the officers being: Dr. M. A. Hoover,
chief ; E. A. Miller, scribe.

In the year 1915 the membership was ninety-five. The officers: E. E. Gard-
ner, chief; Laura M. Berbig, scribe.

HISTORY OF THE FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF KEARNEY, NEB.

John N. Dry den

The first official reference to this church is contained in the report of A. G.
White, presiding elder of the Omaha District, made at the annual session of the
Nebraska Conference, held at Plattsmouth, April 18, 1873. The Nebraska Con-
ference then comprised the entire state. Kearney Junction Circuit was at that
time a part of the Grand Island Mission. The report referred to contains the
following :

"The Grand Island Mission was an extensive field, requiring the labor of
two men. Brother J. S. Smith, the pastor, preferred to confine his operations to
the east part of the work, and he consented voluntarily to divide the missionary
appropriation with another man, if he would take charge of the western part of

212 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

the circuit. I therefore employed Rev. Wilham Morse, a supernumerary of
Wisconsin Conference, appointed him to the western portion, and called it Kear-
ney Junction Circuit. Brother Morse has labored very efficiently, and reports a
large increase of membership."

This indicates that the work at this point began after the preceding annual
conference, which met at Nebraska City on the 20th of March, 1872, at which
conference the records disclose that J. S. Smith was appointed to Grand Island.
The membership at Kearney at the end of Reverend Morse's first year was
forty-five. At the Plattsmouth conference, of 1873 ^^"^^ Kearney District was
formed, with A. G. White presiding elder. The report of the elder for the suc-
ceeding conference year, from 1873 to 1874 (the time of holding the conference
had in the meantime been changed, and that of 1874 was held October ist of
that year, making an interim of eighteen months between the conferences of 1873
and 1874) states :

"Kearney Circuit in BuiTalo County was left to be supplied, and Rev. D. A.
Crowell, a supernumerary of Erie Conference, was appointed pastor. The suc-
cess of his labor is evidence that he is a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.
A neat church has been built, 30 by 50 feet in size, with a projecting tower and
bell, at a cost of $4,000, and the membership has been increased by the addition
of nearly 100."

In the report of the district superintendents at the conference of 1875, li<^^d
at Lincoln September 15th, the outlook at Kearney was discouraging. The record
says :

"When the church at Kearney was dedicated last year, pledges were taken
sufficient to cover the indebtedness, but the grasshopper plague swept away the
resources of the people and they were unable to meet their obligations. The
indebtedness amounted to $1,246, and an execution was issued for the sale of
the premises. We obtained half this amount in the East, including $300 from
the Board of Church Extension, and the whole debt was paid."

The charge at the conference of 1874 was left to be supplied, and Rev. William
iNIorse was appointed to the place.

The local history of the church differs somewhat from that reflected by the
official records above. The manuscript, written probably in 1874, by the minister
in charge, is as follows :

'"The territory now included in Kearney Circuit has been mostly settled in
the last three years. The first religious organization made took place at Gibbon
in October, 187 1. Rev. A. G. White, presiding elder of Omaha District, preached
in La Barre Hall on that occasion and organized a class of twelve persons and
appointed Brother Aaron Ward leader. Two days later Brother White visited
the family of Judge A. Collins, living at what has since become Kearney Junc-
tion. Notice was immediately circulated among the few settlers of the vicinity
that religious service would be held in the house of Judge Collins. In the evening
a congregation of thirty persons was assembled in the parlor, and Brother White
preached to them, and Brother Collins assisted in the service. A class was then
organized, composed of Asbury Collins, Louisa E. Collins, H. E. A. Sydenham
(wife of Moses H. Sydenham), Alfred M. Gay and Hannah Jay. A, Collins
was appointed leader. Brother Collins is a local elder, formerly a member of

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 213

Iowa Conference, but disabled by protracted sickness and compelled to desist
from public speaking on account of ill health. But his efificient co-operation both
here and elsewhere has contributed largely to the prosperity of the church.

"These classes were then attached to Grand Island Circuit, and Rev. 'M. A.
Fairchild, the preacher in charge, was instructed to give them preaching and
pastoral care as he had opportunity. At a quarterly conference held at Wood
River Station, on the Union Pacific Railroad, December 31, 1871, a board of
trustees was appointed for Kearney Junction, composed of A. Collins, A. M.
Gay and H. E. A. Sydenham. In February, 1872, Judge Collins organized a
^lethodist Episcopal Sunday school at Kearney Junction and held it in his own
parlor.

"At the annual conference held at Nebraska City, March 20, 1872, this part
of the work was retained with and formed part of the Grand Island Circuit.
But the demands for ministerial labor were so great that the pastor could not
supply them, and the presiding elder, by the request of the people and the consent
of the pastor at Grand Island, divided the work June 15, 1872, and called the
western part Kearney Junction Circuit and appointed Rev. William Morse
pastor. The new circuit included at this time forty-fi\'e members, divided into
three classes, and located respectively at Wood River, Gibbon and Kearney
Junction. Also a Sabbath school at the latter place. Brother Morse labored
faithfully the remainder of the year and enjoyed some prosperity. And at the
close of the conference year, April 18, 1873, he reported a membership of seventy-
five. At this conference the charge was renamed Kearney Circuit, and left to be
supplied, and Rev. D. Allen Crowell, a supernumerary of Erie Conference, was
appointed pastor.

"During the conference year just closed (1874), covering a period of nearly
eighteen months" (owing to the change of time of holding the sessions of the
annual conference from April to October), "this charge has enjoyed some pros-
perity. The membership, including probationers, has increased during the year
from 75 to 157, and owing to the increase of population and the growth of the
church, the number of preaching places have increased from three to six. At
Kearney a neat church has been built, 30 by 50 feet in size, with a protecting
tower and bell, at a cost of nearly $4,000. At the conference held in Omaha
October i, 1874, the charge was again divided. Gibbon and Erie being set off,
and Kearney Circuit was left to be supplied."

If the local record is correct, the first trustees were A. Collins, A. M. Gay
and H. E. A. Sydenham ; the charter members, Asbury Collins, Louisa E. Collins,
H. E. A. Sydenham, Alfred AI. Gay and Hannah Jay. The only surviving
member of the original charter members is Mrs. Louisa E. Collins, widow of
Rev. Asbury Collins, deceased, who still resides in Kearney. In 1877 the church
was moved from its original location to its present situation on the corner of
Twenty-second Street and Avenue A. It was enlarged during the pastorate
of D. K. Tindall in 1887, and further additions were made during the pastorate
of David D. Forsyth in 1898, and the present beautiful structure, costing $40,000,
finished in 1908.

Official records give as the ministers who have served this church : Rev.
William Morse, 1872-73; Rev. D. A. Crowell, 1873-74; Rev. William Morse,

214 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

1874-75; Rev. E. J. Willis. 1875-76; Rev. C. G. Lathrop, 1876-77; Rev. J. C.
Armstrong, 1877-78; Rev. J. M. Richards, 1878-79; Rev. Joseph Gray, 1879-80; '
Rev. Z. S. Rhone, 1880-81; Rev. A. H. Summers, 1881-83; Rev. G. W. Martin,
1883-84; Rev. W. C. Wilson, 1884-86; Rev. D. K. Tindall, 1886-89; Rev. G. L.
Haight. 1889-90; Rev. D. C. Ridgway, 1890-92; Rev. R. D. Black, 1892-94; Rev.
C. A. Alastin, 1894-95; Rev. B. W. Marsh, 1895-98; Rev. D. D. Forsyth, 1898-
1901 ; Rev. C. A. Mastin, 1901-05 ; Rev. G. W. Abbott, 1905-09; Rev. R. P. Ham-
mons, 1909-12; Rev. R. H. Thompson, 1912-15; Rev. E. M. Furman, 1915-.

Local historians, in giving the roster of ministers, give the name of Rev.
As|?ury Collins as the pastor from March, 1871, to October, 1871, and Rev. M. A.
Fairchild, 1871-72, and Mrs. Louisa E. Collins corroborates this version of the
history. But the conference records as printed, and now existing in the archives
of the conference, give the record as hereinbefore stated.

The first presiding elder. Rev. A. G. White, must have been a man of strong
character, and was sustained in his discouraging efforts by a fine sense of humor.
In speaking of the experience of one of his ministers, he says :

"He expected but little from the people in the way of salary, and he has not
been disappointed."

His judgment as to the outcome of the territory in which he worked was
prophetic. In his report for 1874 he says, referring to his district :

"The climate is salubrious, the soil unsurpassed in fertility. The people are
intelligent and enterprising, but generally poor. Here are the elements of great
physical and spiritual prosperity, to be realized in the near future."

And in his report for the preceding year he said :

"Nebraska is becoming known in the distance. We number among our
thriving citizens representatives from every state in the Union, and from nearly
every nation on earth. Doubts no longer exist as to the richness of the soil,
the healthfulness of the climate and the prominence of the state in the near
future. There is more gold in Nebraska than in Colorado, more fortunes to be
made on these fertile plains than can be found in the mines of the mountains.
Industry and enterprise and capital and intelligence are flowing in upon us,
and these elements of power must be met by the leaven of the gospel, and won
for Christ."

The church suffered, together with every other enterprise, by reason of the
grasshoppers. Mr. White, in his report in 1875, says:

"One year ago Kearney District was financially prostrate, for the destruc-
tion that wasteth at noonday had come upon the whole land in the shape of
prairie locusts. Crops were consumed and people left destitute and helpless.
They could not carry forward their church enterprises, or support preachers,
or even obtain for themselves the necessaries of life."

This man in 1875 collected for the families of his preachers $2,850 in cash,
and $10,460 in other supplies.

The history of the Kearney Church would not be complete without special
reference to its one surviving charter member, Mrs. Louisa E. Collins, and her
estimable husband. Rev. Asbury Collins. They together wrought largely and
most successfully in developing and building up the great commonwealth of
Western Nebraska, and built churches at many different points. Mrs. Collins

Episcopal Chureh

Catholic- Chureh

First Christian Church

New Methodist Episeopal Chureh First Baptist Church

A GROUP OF KEAEXEY CHUECHES

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 215

organized the work of the Woman's Home Missionary Society, and was its
president for many years. The first Sunday school was organized in the parlor
of the Collins home, and the scholars came from a distance of many miles, and
were always welcomed when it must have caused great inconvenience to the
home-keeper. She is still spared and mingles with a host of appreciative friends,
new and old. Her latest act of devotion to the church for which she has given
her life was the conveyance of her home to the Preachers' Aid Society of the
West Nebraska Conference, to be used as a home for the ministers and their fami-
lies after their retirement, and at the death of the donor.

The membership of the church at this time, January i, 1916, is 650. Alem-
bership of Sunday school, 400. Officers : District superintendent, George W.
Isham, D. D. ; minister, Edgar AI. Furman, D. D. ; superintendent Sunday school,
George Burgert ; trustee Nebraska Wesleyan University, John N. Dryden ; trus-
tees, Dan Morris, N. P. McDonald,. C. J. Burke, A. G. Bower, B. F. Rogers,
W. F. Crossley, W. L. Stickel, I. F. Henline and G. S. Dick. One of the most
active members in recent years, and especially during the period of the con-
struction of the new church, was the late Walter W. Barney, whose strong con-
structive influence upon this church will be felt for many years to come.

COXGREGATIOXAL CHURCH

The Congregational Church at Kearney was organized about January 8,
1873 ; Rev. Libbins B. Fifield its first pastor.

Writing as to the organization of the church, F. G. Keens states it is from
memory and adds : "But there were additional members present at the organ-
ization whose names I do not recall." Mr. Keens gives as the charter members:
Jennie Grant, Ella J. Grant, William H. Green, Douglas Westervelt, David B.
Clark, Francis G. Keens and Mrs. L. B. Fifield. The approximate cost of the
church building is given as $8,000. In 1915 the church had a membership of
fifty, the pastor. Rev. Wm. Spire.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

The First Presbyterian Church of Kearney was organized in the year 1873.
Of the organization, L. B. Cunningham, a charter member, writes as follows :
"About March 7, 1873, the synodical missionary, with Rev. Nahum Gould,
organized the First Presbyterian Church of Kearney in the Times Building, with
a membership of eight beside the minister: Dr. J. T. Brown, Roswell D. Gould,
Mrs. Anna Smith, Edward M. Lord, Mrs. George E. Smith, Emma Greenman,
Mrs. C. S. Greenman, and L. B. Cunningham. Roswell D. Gould and Dr. J. T.
Brown were elected elders. The first pastor was Rev. Nahum Gould.

The present (1915) church building was erected at a cost of approximately
$12,000. The present pastor, Rev. John E. Spencer. The present membership,
320.

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

The First Christian Church of Kearney was organized in October, 1874,
this also being the organization of the first church of the Christian denomination

216 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

in the county. The charter members were: Robert Haines and wife, Emma I,

E. A. Hartman and wife, Sarah, J. M. Thomas and wife, Eunice, and George
Hoge and wife, Sarah Ann. At the date of the organization the charter mem-
bers were Hving on homestead claims in Center Township. The first pastor
was Evan A. Hartman.

In the year 1912 a church buikhng was erected in Kearney at a cost of $27,500.
In 1915 the membership of the church was 295; its pastor, Manson E. Miller.

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN ZIONS CHURCH

Evangelical Lutheran Zion's Church was organized at Kearney, September
14, 1914; the charter members: Llerm Petersen, Otto Wiednanders, H. A.
Meyer, W. Baumann, R. Nuttleman, H. M. Kanzler, George Bautel. The first
pastor w^as Rev. A. C. Baumann. In the fall of 1914 a church building was
provided at an approximate cost of $3,000. In 1915 the church had a member-
ship of 130; its pastor. Rev. W. Jiede.

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

A Roman Catholic Church was organized at Kearney in 1885. A fine church
building has been erected; also in the year 1915 there was completed a beautiful,,
substantial building for the use of the parochial school.

This church, in the year 1914, was reported to have a membership of 800.
Bishop of the diocese, Rt. Rev. James A. Duffy. Rector, Henry Muenstermann.

FIRST UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH

The First United Brethren Church was organized, at Kearney, November
5, 1887; the first pastor. Rev. C. M. Brooke. Charter members: Mr. and Mrs.

F. F. Scott, Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Hartman, Mr. and Mrs. Perry E. Moler, Mr.
and Mrs. W. H. Iddings, Mr. and Mrs. George W. Snyder, Mrs. Abbie George,
Mrs. Minnie Snyder, Mrs. Rosana White, Mrs. Elizabeth Channel, Mr. and
Mrs. A. L. Graham, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Moler, Mrs. Eliza Smith, Mrs. Matilda
Campbell, Mrs. Mary A. Webert, Thomas Scott, Mrs. Mary Brice, Mrs. Matilda
Wire, Mrs. Lou Koogler, Mr. and Mrs. Harper Campbell.

The approximate cost of the church building as dedicated in 1896, was
$13,000. In 191 5 the church had a membership of 136; the pastor. Rev. A. P.
Vannice. Of the history of this church Rev. Mr. Vannice writes:

*'The beginning of the work of the United Brethren Church in Kearney dates
back to Jtily 12, 1871, at which time Rev. D. K. Flickinger, missionary secretary
of the United Brethren Church, preached in the home of Rev. Asbury Collins,
who lived then at the four corners just west of the present site of the city. This
is supposed to have been the first sermon ever preached in Kearney. No effort
was made at that time to continue the work. Sometime in the year 1886, Rev.
J. J. Smith came to Kearney with the purpose of organizing a church, but only
remained a short time. He was followed in the fall of the same year by Rev.
C. M. Brooke, who effected the first organization. He rented what is now a part

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 217

of the present United Brethren Church, of the Swedish-Lutheran brethren and
there held services. Articles of incorporation were filed November 5, 1887,
with J. M. Fads, a presiding elder, and the following persons as trustees :
F. F. Scott, Wm. Bankson, S. S. Hartman, Wm. Moler, J. P. Hartman, Sr."

Rev. H. W. Trueblood took charge of the work under the auspices of the
missionary board of the United Brethren Church, October 20, 1890. He pur-
chased and dedicated a small chapel located at the corner of Twenty-fifth and
D Avenue. In 1896, under the pastorate of Rev. H. H. Spracklen, the present
(1915) site was purchased and with the addition to the original building was
dedicated October 4, 1896.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

The First Baptist Church of Kearney was organized in the year 1874, with
the following charter members : Mrs. E. Carey, C. B. Carey, Mrs. Anna Carey,
Mrs. Ellen Sizer, Airs. Emily Aitken, Mrs. Mary Keys, Mrs. Opie Poland and
Mr. Poland. The first pastor was Rev. O. A. Buzzell. In 1890 a church build-
ing was erected at an approximate cost of $25,000. In 191 5 the church had a
membership of 175. Its pastor. Rev. H. J. Walker. The Sunday School had
an enrollment of 150; Carl G. Sward, superintendent; Miss Alice James,
secretary.

FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST

A history of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, at Kearney, as related,
may be said to date from the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bunnell in the late
'80s. They were practitioners who had just completed a course of study with
the discoverer and founder of the movement in Boston.

Mrs. Bunnell gave the first treatment and INIrs. W. S. Freeman received the
treatment. As related, it was found helpful and profitable for the beneficiaries
of this science to meet together for study and mutual interchange of helpful
thoughts and accordingly a church was organized in 1890 and incorporated in
1891.

Ezra M. Buswell of Beatrice, Nebraska, taught the first class in Kearney in
Christian Science healing, and was prominent in the affairs of the church. The
following members were among the most active during the early years of the
church when founded in Buffalo county: Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bunnell, Mr.
and Mrs. S. S. St. John, H. A. Kennedy, Mr. and :SIrs. W. A. McDonald, Mrs.
Mary W. Haynes, Mrs. Sarah E. Bennie, Miss Delia McDonald, John H. Roe,
Miss Jennie Pearson, Mr. and Mrs. S. T. Adams, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bene-
dict, Miss Lettie Overmise, E. J. Woolworth, Mr. and Mrs. F. Armstrong,
Mr. and Mrs. D. N. Wells, Mr. and Airs. W. S. Freeman, Mrs. Eliza Smith,
Mr. and Airs. Albert Wilson, Airs. Nenta L. Maddox, Airs. Harriet AlcClintock,
Airs. Estella I. Ayres, Miss Ella Alae Smith.

In 191 5 the church owned a fine building site at the corner of First Avenue
and Twenty-third Street worth approximately $6,000 and clear of incumbrance
and on which the church planned to erect a church building which would be a credit
to the cause and the community.

218 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

ST. Luke's episcopal church

The St. Luke's Episcopal Church of Kearney, organized in 1892, Rev. R. D.
OHver, D. D., its first pastor.

At an approximate cost of forty thousand dollars a fine church building
has been erected. In the year 191 5, the membership of the church was two
hundred (200) ; the pastor on that date, Rev. George G. Ware, archdeacon,

ST. GEORGE SYRL\N GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

The St. George Syrian Greek Church was organized at Kearney, June 3,
1903, Rev. Nicola E. Yanney its first pastor.

The church building erected cost approximately two thousand dollars.

In the year 191 5 the church had a membership of 180. Of this church its
present pastor, Rev. Nicola E. Yanney, writes : 'Tt is the second oldest church
of its kind in the American hemisphere — second to that of New York City. The
only church (of its kind) west of the Missouri River. A bishop, located in New
York City, superintends the aft"airs of the church and the forty others of its
kind in the United States."

GRACE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH

The Grace United Evangelical Church at Kearney was instituted March 9,
1893, Rev. L. G. Brooker its first pastor.

The church building erected cost approximately five thousand dollars.

In 191 5 the church had a membership of 165.

Rev. B. Hillier, its pastor at that date writes, "The church has a splendid
opportunity for service, and is filling a real need in the community. We have in
the Sunday school an average attendance of 150, and a splendid bunch of young
people."

woman's CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION

An organization of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union was insti-
tuted in Kearney in 1878, through the efforts of Mrs. Louisa E. Collins. In
the year 1915 the union had twenty members, its officers: Mrs. S. S. O'Brien,
president; Mrs. Irene Merriott, vice president; Mrs. Nellie Treadway, secretary;
Mrs. H. C. Holt, treasurer.

Mrs. S. S. O'Brien writes that the W. C. T. U. Hospital or the Mother Hull
Hospital as it was also called, was established about the year 1885 by Mrs.
Nancy Hull, who served as president until her death in 19 11.

FIRST school in KEARNEY

By Helen H. Hartzell, Student at State Normal School

When Kearney was first settled very few settlers brought their families with
them, so few in fact that one woman, living here today, tells that when she walked

1 1 imtu taken in I'J 10)

FIRST SCHOOL BUILDING EBECTED L\ DISTKICT .\L'.Ml;i:i; 7, KEAHXEY, IN 1873
First County Teachers' Institute held here November 25, 187-3

STOEE BUILDING OF E. R. GREER ERECTED AT KEARNEY IN 1873

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 219

down the road early in 1870, a gang of men working on the road laid down their
tools and watched her out of sight; but by the winter of 1872, there were at
least twenty children of various sizes and ages.

The only building to be found suitable for school purposes was one occupied
as a printing office — the Kearney Times — used by L. B. Cunningham, editor,
now of Glenwood, Iowa. This building was located on Smith Avenue, now
called Twenty-fourth Street and about Sixth Avenue; this building was the
farthest one to the west, the town stretching eastward.

The printing office with all its machinery and noise and bustle, was upstairs,
the school in the lower room. There was but one desk, loaned to the school by
Mr. Cunningham ; the pupils sat on long benches or rather planks laid on boxes ;
there were no blackboards, shingles were used instead. As for books, each pupil
brought such text-books as their family possessed ; Miss Fannie Nevius was
teacher.

In 1873, a school building was built, its estimated cost being twenty-two
hundred dollars. This building still stands on Twenty-third Street and Avenue A,
now used as a rooming house. In this building were four rooms; (at that date
there were four grades in the Kearney School) Oscar Hansen was principal and
Miss Fannie Nevius the primary teacher, but Miss Nevius also taught algebra
to half a dozen of the older pupils.

Later the Whittier School Building was erected at a cost of $25,000.

One interesting bit of history in connection with the Times Building, is that
not only was the first school organized and kept here, but also the first Presby-
terian Church was organized in this building with only seven charter members.

(Note — It is worthy of mention that in the early history of Kearney, the
Times Building served a most useful purpose in the educational and religious
life of the town; a newspaper was published here, whose editor was a man of
high ideals, earnestness of purpose, a desire to be useful in the world ; here was
organized and kept the first term of school; here was organized one of the first
churches in the town ; here were held religious services conducted by ministers
of different denominations ; here was organized and met a literary society, where
were debated questions of public importance; the foundations here laid, the early
influence here exerted, has been felt in the life of the city, has been for the best
interests of the people of the city down to this day and generation and will
continue for long years in the future. — Editor.)

THE KEARNEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

From the Silver Anniversary edition (1913) of The Kearney Daily Hub is
taken the following well written and most valuable history of the public schools
of the city :

Kearney may be justly proud of her educational advantages, for no city of its
size in the entire state can boast of superior facilities for preparing the boys and
girls for their life work. The system is thoroughly up-to-date in methods and
equipment. It has commercial, domestic science and manual training courses as
complete as any in the state — the first branch introduced last year and the second
this year. It has a very large library, a fully equipped gymnasium, eight pianos,

220 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

and the entire school is accredited by the state university and the Central Associa-
tion of Colleges and High Schools, and there is no school in the land but accepts
Kearney High's credits. It has its own official publication in "The Echo," which
is strictly a high school product ranking well with similar school papers, in fact
there are none better or brighter. And there are other features creditable to the
school too numerous to mention in an article of the limited scope of this one
which tend to facilitate elTorts along the lines of higher education. The hand-
some new building completed last year and dedicated last autumn signally
enlarged the facilities for generally effective school work, and gave opportunity
for the better equipment of boys and girls in the way of efficiency and practical
work, upon leaving school.

A business undertaking of ponderous proportions is the management of the
Kearney High School District which, since the establishment of the first school
in the city, has grown from a very small beginning into an investment of $205,850,
including in its property list, besides its thorough equipment of all kinds, eight
blocks of ground and seven fine buildings all constructed of brick and stone, and
named as follows: Longfellow High^School, Whittier, Emerson, Bryant, Haw-
thorne, Alcott, Kenwood ; all but the latter named for the poets.

The sum of money required last year to carry on the work of this vast
educational system was $47,066.83. The number of pupils was 2,087, 'iiid teach-
ers forty-four from superintendent down.

This splendid school system of Kearney is under the supervision of six
members of the board of education as follows :

F. J. Everett, president.

Clyde W. Norton, vice president.

Dr. M. A. Hoover, secretary.

Messrs. J. A. Miller, Gilbert E. Haase, Fred A. Nye.

BEAUTIFUL ENVIRONMENTS

The beautiful surroundings of the different school buildings are an incentive
to the student body to do the best and most thorough work, and instil a keener
insight into the advantages of a good education. The school grounds have
capacious campuses and all appliances for the enjoyment of outdoor sports during
respites from study, with see-saws, swings, teeter-boards, turning poles, basket
ball, football, all of which go to make school life enjoyable for the pupil.

It can be truthfully said that Kearney High is one of the best "balanced"
schools in the country.

While no general system of study as laid out by educational publications is
followed in the Kearney schools there is, however, a much closer supervision of
teachers than is observed in most cities. The class room work is carefully
planned and laid out in the office of the superintendent so that, practically, the
same method and interpretation of the work is followed so perfectly in all the
rooms of the grade schools that it has been said that the observer can visit the
classes in one of the grade schools in one part of the city then go to another
building and pick up the work just where he left it in the first school.

Six courses are followed in the high school— Latin, English, German, com-

LONGFELLOW AND WHITTIEE SCHOOLS, KEAENEY

STATE NOEMAL SCHOOL, KEAENEY

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 221

mercial, normal training and domestic science. The normal training course for
teachers is said to be one of the best for the purpose intended of that of any
high school in the state.

BY WAY OF REMINISCENCE

One of the first, if not the very first, buildings used for school purposes in
the City of Kearney is the two-story frame building standing at the southwest
corner of Twenty-fourth Street and A Avenue, owned by one of the Nyes and
fitted up now for a boarding and rooming house. The construction of this
building was commenced in 1872, and owing to a mistake in the location of the
lot lines it stood in the middle of Twenty-fourth Street. There was strong
opposition to the building's location there and at one time there were three
petitions out to have the structure located elsewhere. Finally, but before the
building was anywhere near completed it was decided to move it to what is now
the northwest part of the city, and near the present sites of the Hamer and
Keens residences. Shortly after the removal to that location the elements took a
hand in the campaign and one night sent along a wind of such force that the
structure was razed to the ground and scattered about the prairie. What frag-
ments of the demolished building that were available were gathered up and a
reconstruction of the building on its former site was begun. There it was built
and there it stood until was discovered the error in the street lines when it was
moved over on the lot where it now stands.

There was another frame structure used awhile as a school building which
stood on the present site of the Whittier Building, formerly the high school
building. This building was obliterated when plans had been laid for the con-
struction of the AMiittier School.

THE KEARNEY PUBLIC LIBRARY

By Mrs. Adah Basten (C. V. D.)

The Kearney Public Library was established in the summer of 1890. The
first board appointed by the city council was: Dr. O. S. Marden, Ira D. ]\Iarston,
Judge A. H. Connor, Rev. John Askin, Capt. Joseph Black, H. H. Seeley, Mrs.
Nancy Hull, Mrs. Nora M. Jones and Mrs. Etta R. Holmes.

This board held its first meeting July 8, 1890. Judge Connor served as tem-
porary chairman. Dr. John Askin was elected president, and Mrs. Holmes
secretary. Mr. Marston drew up the rules and regulations ; No. 2, provided
that books should be drawn only on Tuesdays and Saturdays; the reading room
to be open every day.

The purchasing committee. Doctor IMarden, Mr. Marston and Mrs. Jones,
bought the private circulating library of W'ni. Skinner — 1.400 volumes — with
fixtures and list of publications. This purchase made it possible to open the
library in the city hall with Mrs. Hadassah J. Seaman as librarian on September
I, 1890.

Judge Connor's place, at his death, was filled by the appointment of Mrs. B. S.

222 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

Smith, and that of Airs. Xora M. Jones by Mr. Yost, who was succeeded by
J. P. Johnson as a representative of the Fourth Ward.

The roster of the board of trustees for the ensuing twenty-five years inchides
well known names: Mrs. Flolmes was trustee for nine years and acted as
secretary for that time; this long service has not been exceeded except by
Captain 131ack, who served nineteen years, 1890-1909, and by Mrs. Adah Basten,
who was appointed in 1899 and is still (1916) a member of the board. In
addition to those mentioned the following citizens have served as trustees:
Rev. W. S. Barnes, Mrs. H. S. Robertson, George W. Frank, Jr., Marvin Trott,
Wallace Bierce, Mary A. Squires, W. W. Barney, T. N. Hartzell, H. A. Webbert,
John N. Dryden, Mrs. Hazelton, Miss M. I. Stewart, Rev. G. S. M. Montgomery,
C H. Gregg, Frank Yarnes, E. Frank Brown, Mrs. V. E. Jakway, George Ray,
W. S. Clapp, Mrs. C. V. D. Basten, Miss Blanche Finch, Mrs. J. F. Daniels,
Carl O. Lund, Mrs. W. D. Oldham, Judge B. O. Hostetler, J. S. Adair, Y. C.
Chase, Jas. L. Tout, Rev. George Allen Beecher, Mrs. Walter Nye, Clarence A.
Murch, A. O. Thomas, C. F. Bodinson, Dan Morris, Rev. M. McMinn, G. A.
Burgert, H. N. Russell, Mrs. Henry C. Andrews, Mrs. T. J. Parish, W. A.
Tarbell, Rev. M. L. Daly, Mrs. A. L. Bertig, Mrs. J. N. Dryden, George N.
Porter, H. E. Bradford, Philip G. Snow, R. E. Cochran, N. P. McDonald, Mrs.
F. F. Roby, John G. Lowe.

Mrs. Seaman was librarian for nine years. Miss Belle S. Earley succeeded
her in October, 1899. The library was still in the city hall, occupying the former
council chamber, a platform had been removed to increase floor-space, but the
needs of the public were not adequately supplied by the meager facilities. Com-
munication with Mr. Andrew Carnegie resulted in a gift of $10,000, in January,
1903. The city council appointed a committee to decide on a site; this was not
settled until June. The generosity of Mrs. Charles O. Norton, who gave a
valuable lot on the corner of Twenty-first Street and First Avenue, finally
decided the location. Its accessibility has made it a good location. The builders'
and architects' bids were passed upon, the contract going to Knutzen and Isdell of
Kearney and James Tyler and Son of Lincoln, on September 28, 1903. An
additional gift of $2,000 was asked from Mr. Carnegie, on the ground that the
levy for library purposes would meet this requirement for maintenance. This
request was graciously granted, and the library board were thus enabled to put
the building into shape for occupancy. The books were removed from the city
hall December 29, 1904, and the new building was ready for the pubHc February
4, 1905-

1892 191 5
Number of books in circulation . . 391 Number of books in circulation . 54,000
Number of books on shelves . . 2,000 Number of books on shelves. . . 10,800
Number of borrowers 1,263 Number of borrowers 4.427

The library has always been a depository for public documents, a highly
valued asset.

In the twenty-five years of existence there have been four librarians: Mrs.
Hadassah J. Seaman, 1890 to 1899; Miss Belle S. Earley, 1899 to 1904; Miss
Mary Katherine Ray, 1904 to 1907; Mrs. Pauline Frank, 1907 to . These

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 223

women, alike competent, conscientious and ambitions for the success of the
work, reflect credit upon the discrimination of the various boards of trustees
who selected them to this responsible post. ^Irs. Seaman, the first librarian,
had the longest term of office.

From a published report of July 29, 1893, the following is quoted: "The
affairs of the library and reading-room have been faithfully looked after by
Mrs. Seaman, the librarian. Competent, attentive, and intelligent, with the
experience of age and the instinct of a good mother, she is a wise advisor as to
what our boys and girls should read." Mrs. Seaman went to Tulsa, Okla.,
in October, 1899, and died there May 30, 191 1. Her interest in founding a
library in her new home was recognized by a special memorial service to her at
the laying of the cornerstone of a new Carnegie library in October, 191 5. Her
portrait will adorn its walls and a deliver}'^ desk, with her name carved above
its panels will be placed there in her honor.

Mrs. Seaman was the wife of John D. Seaman, pioneer settlers in Crowellton
Precinct (now Odessa), Buffalo County, in the year 1872.

Miss Belle S. Farley was born in Kennedy, N. Y. ; she prepared for her
work by a course in library science, then in its infancy, at Madison, Wis. ; it
was a sad circumstance that she did not live to see the new library building
completed, but died after a short illness on the 29th of December, 1903.

An extract from the secretary's report at that time reads : "Everywhere
were evidences of her busy hands, trying with the poor means at her disposal,
to make her little domain come up to the ideal library which existed in her mind,
planted there by instruction, study and an innate desire to do' whatever she did
well. She was away from her work one day less than a week, and was laid to
her rest with tears and loving remembrances on the last day of the year 1903."

Miss Mary K. Ray was elected on April i8th, the post being filled in the
interval by Miss Farley's sister, Mrs. Mary E. O'Brien.

Miss Ray attended a library summer school at Iowa City, Iowa, and assumed
her duties on her return. She resigned May 6, 1907, to take a like position in
the state library at Lincoln, Neb.

Mrs. Pauline Frank was elected to succeed Miss Ray and took up her work
August I, 1907. She was born in Madison, Wis., educated in a Chicago high
school and in St. Xavier's, Chicago.

She has fitted herself for her work by numerous courses at library schools.
It is owing to Mrs. Frank's genius for administration that the Kearney Public
Library is one of the best in the state. It is third in point of distribution of
books in the state : that is, it comes next to Omaha and Lincoln, though there
are four other towns with greater population between Kearney and Lincoln.
The board of trustees not infrequently receives letters asking for points in
management as the "Kearney Library is known to be a model small library."

The activities of the library outside of the care and loaning of books are
many. It is, in fact, in touch with whatever intellectual life there is in the city.
It has study clubs, meetings in the reference room under the direction of the
librarian, besides its relation to all the other clubs and schools. Mrs. Frank has
also stimulated work in domestic science. A notable achievement was the ob-
servance of the Shakespeare tercentenary.

224 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

NINETEENTH CENTURY CLUB

Mrs. Etta R. Holmes (K. O.)

The history of Buffalo County would be incomplete without mention of the
woman's "Nineteenth Century Club," of Kearney.

On June 15, 1888, Mrs. Elizabeth Lisle Saxon, vice president for Tennessee,
of the National Suft'rage Association, addressed the Clio Club of Kearney on
"EquaHty of Women Before the Law." As a result of the lecture an organiza-
tion was formed which was named, "The Nineteenth Century Club of Kearney."

The officers elected were: Mrs. F. G. Hamer, president; Mrs. F. Y. Robert-
son, vice president; Mrs. J. L. Tout, treasurer; Mrs. E. B. Jones, secretary.

The motto chosen was, "Interdependence not Independence," which certainly
absolves the members from a militant suft'rage policy.

The charter members were: Mesdames Rebecca Hamer, Eva Robertson,
IVIartha Tout, Nora M. Jones, Amelia E. Pratt, Fanny M. Gilcrest, Etta R.
Holmes, Mary C. Barnd, C. J. Raymond, S. M. P. Holmes. The last named
three are deceased and five have moved from the city.

For twelve years this was a live culture club, limited to fifty members. In
1910 it was made a department club. The membership immediately doubled and
the club joined the state federation and later the national federation. During
all these years while annually pursuing a liberal course in study, the aim of the
club has been service and a desire to assist in whatever tended toward an uplift
in the community. The special days regularly observed are : Federation,
Library, Civics and Education.

Mrs. A. O. Thomas, while acting as chairman of the educational committee
of the state federation, became founder of educational day, which has since
acquired state-wide observance.

Donations to the public library have included Poole's Index to Periodicals,
several sets of fiction, juvenile works, and a valuable picture.

In educational work much more has been done than there is space to
enumerate. Many lectures of great value have been secured from prominent
educators. By special tax, a fund was raised to assist in sending a teacher for
a much needed kindergarten in the South. The club once placed by special
effort two efficient women on the school board. It worked and voted for a
$40,000 addition to the high school building; contributed $25 to the Nebraska
University scholarship fund, and to several other scholarship funds liberal con-
tributions have been made from time to time. Two lectures on domestic science
by Mrs. Harriet McAIurphy have been supported by the club.

The following benefactions stand to their credit : A set of dining-room
furniture to the City Hospital ; $200 in stock subscribed to the Chautauqua Asso-
ciation; $5 monthly for one year to the Salvation Army rest room; $5 monthly
for one year to the Mother Hull Hospital ; $400 was given to the Community
Club for boys and a committee from the club took active part in its management.
For several years the club has taken charge of the sale of Red Cross seals,
and three public drinking fountains have been secured with a little addition
from the club treasury.

MES. EEBECCA A. HAMEE

Charter meniher and first president
of the Nineteenth Centnry Club, or-
ganized at Kearney in 1888, the first
woman's club organized in Buffalo
County and among the first organ-
ized in the state.

(Photo taken in ISSS)

MES. JOHN H. HUGHES
The first school teacher in Eavenna

MISS MAEY FEAXCES NEVIUS

Taught the first term _of school in
Kearnev, 1872

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 225

The club now numbers about eighty-seven members. It has three depart-
ments: Home Economics, Art and Literature, and History. The present (191 5)
officers are: Mrs. Emma Wort, president; Mrs. Nora L. Killian, vice presi-
dent; Mrs. AHce Cavanee, recording secretary; Mrs. Huldah Saylor, correspond-
ing secretary; Mrs. Elizabeth Troupe, treasurer; Mrs. Helen Dryden, historian.

Within a few weeks the Child's Conservation League has elected to join the
club and this will greatly add to its strength and value to the public.

We have thus set forth the public work of the club and we may well add
that it has all been done on the modest entrance fee of $1 at first, increased
later to $1.50 and for the last two years to $2.50 for admission and $2 annually.

The subtle and more powerful influence on its members and their families
cannot be estimated. One remarkable fact in the history of the club is the low
death rate among its members. So far as I have knowledge of the hundreds who
have been enrolled in the twenty-eight years, only eighteen have passed away,
and two of these were octogenarians. Shall we not attribute the low per cent
of death to intelligent, careful living and to the co-operative study and work
which contribute to it?

The following have served as president of the club: Rebecca A. Hamer,
three terms ; S. M. P. Holmes, Eva R. Robertson, Etta R. Holmes, four terms ;
Mary W. Newman, Mary A. Ripley, Ida Brady, Margaret E. Fox, Helen H.
Dryden, three terms; Cuddie L. Marston, Margaret B. Hostetler, two terms;
Ethelwyn G. Brown, Mary T. W. Graves, Helen A. Packard, Ellamae C. Thomas,
three terms; Cora D. Neale, Ella L. Bessie, tw^o terms; Emma C. Wort, 1914-15.

The membership of the club for the year 191 5 was as follows: Mrs. Mary
Andrews (H. C), Mrs. Anna Barney (W. W.), Mrs. Annie Bell (H. S.), Mrs.
Laura Berbig (A. L.), Mrs. Elizabeth Barber (Emory), Mrs. Augusta Blanchard
(J. S.), Mrs. Effie A. Boltin (A. H.), Mrs. Sarah Brindley, Mrs. Alice Beardsley
(Chas.), Mrs. Darlen Burgert (G. H.), Mrs. Ella L. Bessie (CD.), Mrs. Mabel
Bower (A. G.), ]\Irs. Adah Basten (C. V. D.), Miss Anna Bishop, Miss Marie
Berkman, Mrs. Alice M. Cavanee (J. N.), Mrs. Catherine Carrig (C. C), Mrs.
Irene Conklin (J. D.), Mrs. Susan A. Davies (C. K.), Mrs. Josephine Doherty
(J. G.), Miss Katherine Dickerman, Mrs. Una Donnell (J. S.), Mrs. Helen
Dryden (J. N.), Mrs. Mary F. Downing (W. F.), Mrs. Elliott (R. L.). Mrs.
Viola Easterling (J. M.), Mrs. Eileen G. Fountain (L. D.), Mrs. Estelle Fowler
(J. H.), Mrs. Pauline Frank (Agustus), Mrs. Rue Good (Chas.), Mrs. Winnie
V. Giest (F. G.), ]\Iiss Sarah L. Garrett, Mrs. Flora Harrison, Mrs. Mary L.
Haase (G. E.), Mrs. Mary E. Heasley (C. J.), Mrs. Lana LI. Hecox (D. W.),
Mrs. Bernice Hamer (T. F.), Mrs. Lavina Horn, Mrs. Grace Hardy (Ward),
Mrs. Margaret Hostetler (B. O.), Mrs. Clarissa L. Huntley (F. C), Mrs. Clara
Hawthorne (J. D.), Mrs. Harriett Hendrys (L. D.). Mrs. Anna Hyatt (M.),
Mrs. Etta R. Holmes (K. O.), Mrs. Etta K. Hallowell (F. M.), Mrs. Anna L.
Halstead (George), Mrs. Nellie Henline (S. A. D.), Mrs. Leah Inks (Thos.),
Mrs. Minnie A. Jones (H. N.), Mrs. Nora S. Killian (A. C), Mrs. Minnie S.
Keoppa (L. A.), Mrs. Elizabeth King (W. O.), Mrs. Gertrude Lambert (A. C),
Mrs. Phoebe J. Lancaster (Thos.), Mrs. Nellie Landis (S.), Mrs. Ella Lee
(A. J.), Mrs. Clara E. Martin (L. D.), Mrs. Etta Manuel (C. B.), Mrs. Phoebe
A. Miller (E. A.), Mrs. AHce Moc^e (D. C), Mrs. Anna Moore (C. H.), Mrs.

Vol. I— 15

226 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

Ella M. Morris (Dan), Mrs. Helen Xye (F. A.), Mrs. Edith E. Offil (A. V.),
Mrs. Rebecca Offil (M.), Mrs. Helen Packard (F. A.), Mrs. Henrietta Roby
(F. F.), Mrs. Emma Robinson (F. L.), Mrs. Annie Scott (E. J.), Mrs. Anna
Selleck (J. M.), Mrs. Ina Sammis (H. B.), Mrs. Grace Steadman (Jos.), Mrs.
Irene Stuart, Airs. Mattie Shafto (E.), Mrs. Louise Smith (L.), Mrs. Olive M.
H. Strong (J. A.), Mrs. Frances Sumption (A. O.), Mrs. Esther Sward (C. G.),
Mrs. Effie Sweeley (S. M.), Mrs. Huldah Saylor (J. C.), Mrs. Effie Sullivan
(R.), Mrs. Maude Scoutt (W. J.), Mrs. Ruth Sowles (B. W.), Mrs. Sue G.
Tarbell, Mrs. Louella Tolbert (L. W.), Mrs. Mary Tompkins (C. O.), Mrs.
Sletta Turner (W. T.), Mrs. Elizabeth Trindle (J. F.), Mrs. Elizabeth Troupe
(M. N.), Mrs. Hattie G. Webbert (H. A.), Mrs. Emma D. Whiteaker (G. W.),
Mrs. Mary Whedon (F. L.), Mrs. Emma C. Wort (D.) and Mrs. Rosa Wilson
(John).

THE KEARNEY POSTOFFICE

A postoffice was established at Kearney Junction February 9, 1872, with
Rev. Asbury Collins as postmaster. It is understood the office was kept at first
in the Junction House, located in the center of section No. 2. Later George E.
Smith was appointed postmaster and moved the office to the business center
of the city.

The silver anniversary edition of the Kearney Daily Hub, 1913, relates the
following interesting account of those who have served as postmaster at Kearney
following the term of George E. Smith :

"R. M. Grimes was appointed postmaster at Kearney by President Garfield,
and that is as far back as this history need to go. Postmaster Grimes was
removed by President Cleveland when the administration changed and J. C.
Morgan was appointed, but was soon succeeded by E. R. Watson, who died while
in office, and E. Fred Wiley was appointed during the latter part of Cleveland's
administration, and was postmaster when the Hub was established twenty-five
years ago.

"Rice H. Eaton, one of the founders of the Central Nebraska Press, which
the Hub succeeded, and for a short time connected with the Hub after it suc-
ceeded the Press, was appointed postmaster soon after President Harrison was
elected, and served four years.

"Four years later Cleveland again succeeded Harrison and J. C. Crocker was
appointed, serving some months longer than his 4-year term because of delay
in making an appointment after President McKinley was elected. His successor
was Henry Gibbons, who served four years. Next in succession was K. O.
Holmes, who also held the office during a 4-year term.

"M. A. Brown, the present incumbent, was appointed in January, 1906, and
took possession of the office on February 19th following. The first appointment
was made by President Roosevelt and the second by President Taft. The second
term will expire on January 31, 1914.

"In 1888, when the Hub first did business with the postoffice, it was located
on Central Avenue in what is now the Hazlett jewelry store. Soon after the
appointment of Postmaster Eaton the office was removed to the Scott Block to

POSTOFFICE, KEAENEY

CITY HALL, KEAENEY

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 227

the room first occupied by the Hub, which was removed to another part of the
block. The office remained in this small room until 191 1, badly cramped for
space, until removing to the new Federal Building in September, 191 1."

Following M. A. Brown, C. C. Carrig was appointed postmaster by President
Wilson in 1915. Phil Lambert served as deputy postmaster under M. A. Brown's
administration, and was continuing to so serve in the year 1916, under Postmaster
Carrig.

THE POSTOFFICE BUILDING AT KEARNEY

The following description of the postoffice building at Kearney is from the
silver anniversary edition of the Daily Hub — 1913 :

"The finest postofifice building in any city of its class in the United States,"
is the general admission made by those who are informed, and so understood in
the office of the supervising architect at Washington. The entire cost of the
building and fixtures was approximately $120,000. It is located at the corner of
Central Avenue and Twenty-fourth Street, facing west, with a side entrance to
the lock-box corridor on Twenty-fourth Street, facing south.

In general the style of the building is classic, with Corinthian details, although
touches of Italian renaissance are discernible, especially on the interior, while
many noticeable features of the American fireproof, steel-frame building were
visible in the building in the course of its construction. The architect's drawings
and plans were, indeed, intended to show a model office building of a new type
which the supervising architect had in mind, and the Kearney building was one
of the first and apparently is the best of this new type of building produced.

The building rests on foundations 93 feet long and 65 feet wide. Above
ground, basement walls of New Hampshire granite blocks rise to 5 feet above
the surface of the lawn, and above this the superstructure walls are of the best
quality and a very beautiful tint of Bedford sandstone. The elevation from the
basement to the roof is 52 feet, while the cornice extends 6 feet above the roof
line, and the top of the flag-pole is 75 feet above the basement line.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INTERIOR

Entering the lock-box corridor, entrance is through a commodious vestibule
with revolving doors. Inside, you are confronted by the lock-box compartment,
in bronze, with Yale and Towne locks. The postmaster's office is at the right.
The surrounding woodwork is of quarter-sawed white oak. The walls are of
solid white Vermont marble highly polished, and ceiling of the same in the lock-
box corridor, making a very striking effect.

Turning to the left, there is a splendid view of the main corridor approached
from the Central Avenue entrance, with wide, easy-rising granite steps. The
vestibule here is very beautiful, and on either side are the writing desks topped
with heavy plate glass. Facing this vestibule are the mailing openings, with
the general delivery window at the farther end. On the angle at the left of the
general delivery window are the stamp, registry, money order and postal sav-
ings windows.

228 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

The floor of the main rotunda and the lock-box corridor is composed of
terrazza composed of white and sienna marble in cement, with pattern blocks of
Tennessee marble interspersed. The walls and casings are all highly polished
marble and the ceilings are a pure white stucco.

On this floor are a large, well lighted and perfectly ventilated workroom, the
assistant and postmaster's room, and money order and postal savings clerk, in
northwest corner; postmaster's room in southeast corner; ladies' toilet; and rear
vestibule for forwarding and receiving mail.

The stairway is very beautiful, leading to the second story, which is allotted
for office purposes. There are five of these rooms. The long corridor on this
floor is chaste, simple and exquisite. Two toilet rooms are located in the north-
east corner.

The basement is complete, with very large boiler room, janitor's storeroom,
sitting room or waiting room for employes, and a capacious coal room. The
steam plant is the best in the city. The building is lighted with electricity. Gas
is used for emergency lighting and also for heating water in summer. Con-
venience and comfort are fully provided for.

Two employes have the entire care of the building. The postmaster is the
custodian of the building.

Length of foundation, 93 feet.

Width of foundation, 65 feet.

Height of building, 58 feet.

Height of top of flag pole, 75 feet.

Number of rooms, exclusive of halls and lobby, seventeen.

Material of basement. New Hampshire granite.

Material of building, Bedford sandstone.

Material of floors, Terraza and Tennessee marble.

Material of walls of first floor, White Vermont granite.

Material of woodwork, quarter-sawed white oak.

Material of floors, maple.

FIRST FREE DELIVERY SERVICE

The first free delivery service was established in the early part of the term
of Postmaster Eaton. There were four carriers, viz : Charles Mott, Alex
Everson, Amos L. Graham and William Crawford. The first substitute carrier
was E. S. Dorsey, who afterward became a carrier and died while in the service.

There are now five regular carriers where six could be used to advantage.

The work of the office now requires six clerks, as against four clerks eight
years ago.

Rural free delivery has grown until there are six carriers, serving approxi-
mately one hundred fariiilies each.

The growth of the business has been steady but not phenomenal. Receipts
in 1903 were $10,214.34 annually. In 1913 they will be (estimated) $23,000.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 229

KEARNEY VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES

Dr. M. A. Hoover

In the year 1883, during Mayor Webb's administration, the Kearney Volun-
teer Fire Department was organized. On July 11, 1883, the Kearney Hook
and Ladder Company was incorporated, and on November 7, 1883, was incor-
porated the Wide Awake Hose Company.

From this small beginning, over a third of a century ago, has developed the
splendid organizations- of today (1916) with their up-to-date equipments, second
to none in the state under volunteer firemen.

Now, as at the time of its organization, it has the best young blood in the
city in its ranks. Much property has been saved by its efficient work and deeds
of valor beyond description have been performed. '

This organization from its formation to the present time has had the support
of the city officials, the moral, and frequently, the financial support of its citi-
zens. Kearney is indeed proud of the records of her fire fighters.

BANKS.

The City National Bank was established in 1889 with a capital stock of
$100,000. Its first officers were F. G. Keens, president; J. S. Adair, cashier.
Among the directors were J. S. Adair, W. R. Adair, H. C. Andrews, Henry
Gibbons, K. O. Holmes.

Later the capital stock was reduced to $50,000. In the year 19 16 it had a
capital stock of $50,000; surplus, $66,000; deposits $1,100,000.

Its officers are : . Dan Morris, president ; George Burgert, vice president ;
C. W. Norton, cashier; F. W. Turner, assistant cashier; directors, K. O. Holmes,
chairman ; Dan Morris, George Burgert, C. W. Norton.

The Farmers Bank of Kearney was organized under the laws of Nebraska
in 1890, with a capital stock of $50,000, of which $25,000 was paid in. Its ofifi-
cers were Lew Robertson, president; B. H. Goodell, vice president; James A.
Boyd, cashier. In 191 5 Mr. Boyd was still serving as cashier. In 1897 John G.
Lowe succeeded to the presidency and W. O. King became vice president.

On its twenty-fifth anniversary, April 2, 1915, the bank had a capital stock of
$25,000; surplus, $10,000; deposits, $294,386.

The officers are: John G. Lowe, president; W. O. King, vice president;
James A. Boyd, cashier; LesHe R. Prior, assistant cashier; directors, John G.
Lowe, James A. Boyd, Wm. Schramm, W. O. King.

The Central National Bank of Kearney was organized in January, 1903, with
a capital of $50,000. The officers were W. T. Auld, president; A. U. Dann,
cashier. In 1912 Mr. Dann retired and J. S. Donnell was elected cashier.

On May i, 1915, the bank had a capital of $50,000; surplus and profits, ^:^2,-
041; deposits, $237,340. The officers were J. S. Donnell, president; D. T. Mc-
Donald, cashier; directors, John Lowenstien, W. L. Stickle, J. S. Donnell, D. T.
McDonald. In the year 1912 the Central National Bank took over and absorbed
the Commercial National Bank of Kearney. This latter bank was organized in
1897 with a capital of $100,000. Its officers and directors were T. B. Garrison,

230 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

Sr., president; A. E. Waklron, vice president; R. D. Garrison, cashier; directors,
R. F. Cruit, J. E. Lowenstien, J. F. Saup, D. Wort.

"The Commercial National Bank paid dollar for dollar and quit business
with clean hands."

KEARNEY MILLING COMPANY

In the year 1886 a stock company was formed to erect a flouring mill at
Kearney. James H. Davis was president of the company, and among the stock-
holders, as recalled from memory, were H. F. Flint, C. Putnam, W. C. Tillson,
John J. Bartlett. C. Putnam superintended the erection of the mill, a sufficient
guarantee that it was well built and all material and equipment first class and
up-to-date for the times. ^

About the year 1898 Frank H. Roby purchased the property from the United
States court, since which time the mill has several times been enlarged and made
modern in every respect. When built the capacity of the mill was 150 barrels of
flour per day. In 191 5 the capacity was 500 barrels. Its grain storage capacity
was 160,000 bushels and the approximate grain milled in the year 500,000
bushels.

The owner is Frank F. Roby.

THE KEARNEY ELECTRIC PLANT

The first plant of the Electric Company was constructed in 1887, in connec-
tion wath the Kearney Canal, and was designed to use water from that canal for
power purposes. The water wheels had a capacity of 366 horse power, and
the electrical equipment consisted of a generator to develop current for arc lights
to light the streets of Kearney, and a small direct-current generator for domestic
lighting. This equipment was added to from time to time, and in 1894 addi-
tional water wheels, having approximately 800 horse power capacity, were
installed. These wheels operated electrical generators to nearly their capacity,
and the current was distributed about the city for light and power, as well as
the operation of an electric street railway.

As the art of developing and transmitting electrical energy advanced all of
the original equipment at the power house was abandoned and new machinery
of the latest type replaced it. Before 1905 the character of the electrical equip-
ment was twice changed, and the machinery then installed has again yielded to
the advances made in constructing such apparatus, and now the equipment of
the electric plant consists of the latest designed and most efficient water wheel
generators ever produced, and a steam turbine of 2,000 horse power capacity,
operating with quadruple steam expansion, condensing, furnishes a supplemental
steam unit for use in case of emergency. This steam turbine generator set operates
at 3,600 revolutions per minute. The boiler setting consists of three large Kewanee
boilers, fire tube type, the boiler water being the condensed steam water, which
is used over and over again, after first passing through feed- water heaters that
bring the temperature to 204° before the water enters the boilers.

The water wheel generator equipment consists of a pair of Leffell wheels,

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 231

operating under a 56-foot head, having 1,350 horse power capacity, which are
direct-connected to a general electric generator of 1,000 kilowatt capacity. The
steam turbine set, and the water wheel generators can be operated either sepa-
rately or together, and they develop an amount of electric energy largely in
excess of the present requirements of the City of Kearney.

During the year 1916 the company will erect transmission lines to send electri-
cal energy to the adjacent villages, and for use in the farming districts.

This property is owned by The Kearney Water & Electrical Powers Co., of
which C. M. Scoutt is president and Will J. Scoutt secretary-treasurer.

(Note— Contributed by W. J. Scoutt.)

THE KEARNEY GAS PLANT

In 1868 three brothers of the name of Maxwell, of Beatrice, Neb., erected a
small gas plant and laid about four miles of gas mains.

This plant was operated in a small way and at a financial loss for many years,
the plant changing hands a number of times, and the service was never very
good.

In the year 1908 the Midway Gas Company acquired the property and entirely
rebuilt it and extended the gas mains to all of the more densely populated dis-
tricts of the city.

The plant now has complete duplicate settings, each with a capacity of approxi-
mately two million feet of gas per month, and a storage capacity of 75,000 cubic
feet.

In 191 5 there are thirteen miles of gas mains and nearly six hundred cus-
tomers, and the yearly output of the company is about ten million cubic feet.

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION IN PUFFALO COUNTY

Dr. M. A. Hoover

The records disclose that from 1875 to 1916, 115 doctors have registered in
the county clerk's office. Of these twenty-six are dead.

As regards the class or school of medicine to which they belonged, the records
disclose 26 as eclectic, 42 as regular, 6 as homeopathy, 8 as osteopath, 3 as mid-
wives, 28 the school not given. Thirteen are now practicing in Kearney of the
regular, homeopathy and eclectic, 4 osteopath, and 14 others in the county. Of
the remaining 58, they are scattered from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from Can-
ada to the gulf. There are no records available as to their present locations, and
no way of finding out how many of these 58 have died since leaving the county.

The old doctors who served as pioneers and sufl^ered the hardships and did
the greater service to humanity are dead. All were great men in the upbuilding
of the country. Drs. J. T. Brown, John C. Hull. Theo E. Webb, C. T. Dildine,
Henry Baker, J. J. Saville, C. A. Jackson, M. Saville, E. Bodman, S. D. Steere,
D. H. Hite, Josiah Slick and E. L. Smith in their day and generation were great
men and endured physical sufifering owing to the immense field covered by them.
The storms of winter, hot blasts of summer, the wind and sand storms then prev-
alent, many times going from forty-eight to seventy-two hours without sleep,

232 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

very little to eat and drink, picking their way over the trackless prairie, for there
were no roads, oftentimes lost for hours, exposed to all kinds of infections and
contagions, very little to work with, entire families frequently living in sod
houses with but one room, often as many as seven persons occupying this; no
difference what the sickness or injury, these doctors had to and did meet the
conditions and did noble work for humanity. All honor and praise be to each
and all of these pioneer doctors.

DENTISTS

The records in the office of the county clerk disclose the registration of thirty-
four dentists from 1887 to date (1916). Of this number seven are engaged in
active practice in Kearney. These dentists are especially well qualified and
equipped w^ith up-to-date methods and instruments.

HOSPITALS

The Hospital Benefit Association at Kearney was incorporated October 24,
1902, the incorporators being A. J. Galentine, W. S. Clapp, H. A. Webbert, J. A.
Boyd, J. S. Adair, F. F. Roby.

On Alarch 9, 1912, through the efforts of Bishop Beecher, the hospital was
taken over by the Episcopal Diocese, under the name of St. Luke's Hospital,
the incorporators being Bishop G. A. Beecher, F. J. Everson, E. C. Calkins, since
which time it has been in active operation, is fully modern in all its departments
and is entitled to all the patronage tributary to it.

The W. C. T. U. or "Mother Hull" Hospital at Kearney was incorporated
April 5, 1889, with Mrs. Nancy Hull as president. The board of trustees: Mrs.
Mary C. Barnd, Mrs. Helen PL Dryden, Mrs. Nancy Hull. Airs. L. M. Parish
secretary.

This institution was doing good work long before the date of incorporation
under the name of the W. C. T. U. The good it has done can not be measured by
dollars and cents. It was an institution that admitted any and all, with or with-
out price, and were given every care at the command of those in authority.
Their spiritual illness was looked after as well as their physical. It is supported
by charity or donations, and by what money the inmates are able to pay.

The names of this band of noble women will be remembered as long as the
history of Nebraska endures, for their work was of and for love of humanity.

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION IN KEARNEY

Recognizing the great services to humanity by members of the medical pro-
fession, an attempt was made to have prepared for this history a history of the
medical profession in Buffalo County, but the brief period of time at disposal
in the gathering, compiling and preparing of copy, and the further fact that those
who could best prepare such a history are men busy in the practice of the pro-
fession, has not made this feature of the county history as complete as is to be
desired.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 233

For the following brief history of those who have practiced the profession
of medicine in the City of Kearney the editor is largely indebted to the kindness
and courtesy of ^Nlrs. C. V. D. Basten.

The editor could learn of no official records to refer to, hence it is possible
the names of practicing physicians have been omitted; if so, it has not been inten-
tional. To the editor of this' history it has been a source of great pleasure to
record herein the name of every person, in so far as possible, who has rendered
valuable service to the general public.

"Are you a doctor?" was the anxious question asked Mr. Frantz by a young
woman, wife of the proprietor of the Commercial Hotel at Kearney. This was
on the morning of February 13, 1873. ]\Ir. Frantz had come with his family
to start a drug store and the young w'oman was in dire need of a physician. This
seems to establish the fact that the first doctor w-as E. S. Perkins, J\I. D., whose
sojourn in the little pioneer town was short and inconspicuous. The recollec-
tions of him were that he had suffered a blight, and w^ore a crape sleeve band for
a lost sweetheart. A mother used to w^ite anxious letters to Rev. Nahum Gould
and ask him to have a care for her boy. (In the first issue of the Kearney Junc-
tion Times, October 12, 1872, mention is made that Kearney has four doctors,
only one of whom is named, Dr. E. S. Perkins.)

Dr. Noble Holton came to Kearney during the summer of 1873 and practiced
his profession until 1877. His office was in the drug store of Holton and Barlow.
Mr. Barlow w^as Doctor Holton's brother-in-law. Both ladies were sisters of
Curtis A. Greenman. All of them came originally from Tiskilwa, 111. Mrs.
Holton was also a medical practitioner. Both families, Holton and Barlow,
moved to Peoria, 111., in 1877. Mrs. Holton died in 1887. Doctor Holton died in
a soldiers' home in Illinois in 1901.

Dr. J. T. Brown came to Kearney in the summer of 1873. He was born in
Berkshire County, Mass. Practiced his profession for seventeen years near
Rochester, N. Y. He served as regimental surgeon of the Ninety-fourth New
York Volunteer Infantry two years; served as staff' surgeon to General Barnes
two years ; and practiced in Belvidere, Quincy and Galesburg, 111., for six years.
In the spring of 1874 Doctor Brown's horse ran away, throwing him under a
culvert, where he lay unconscious for a long time. The weather was severely
cold and his health was greatly impaired by liis cruel experience. He continued
to practice until 1886, when he moved to Belvidere, 111. His daughter Minnie
married James Harron of the firm of Roberts and Harron, who came to Kearney
from St. Joseph, Mo.

An incident is recalled in which Doctor Brown was called to attend a patient
living in the country twenty miles from Kearney. When Doctor Brown arrived
he found the father of the family had died. Doctor Brown remained to comfort
the family, read from the Bible and offered prayer, and did not leave until
arrangements had been made for the funeral. Doctor Brown was a charter mem-
ber of the Presbyterian Church, organized at Kearney in 1873, and chosen one
of its elders. He was a lovable man, one of God's noblemen, of sainted memory
to many of the early settlers of Buffalo County.

Charles T. Dildine, best known of the early physicians, was born at Dansville,
N. Y., in 1849. He graduated from Buffalo ]\Iedical College in 1872. He married

234 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

IMiss Flora Evers and after practicing at Almond and Dansville, N. Y., came to
Kearney, April i, 1874. He commanded a large practice and was successful
and greatly respected. He died at the early age of thirty-seven years July 13,
1886, and is buried at Danville, N. Y.

Dr. John C. Hull was born in Mount Vernon, Ohio, in 1827. Graduated
from Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1853. Fie married Miss
Nancy Updegraff in 1855. Fie practiced for nineteen years in Henry County,
Ohio, and came to Kearney in 1875, where he practiced until his death, November
14, 1900. His widow, of blessed memory, Hved until March 16, 191 1.

Dr. Henry Baker, active and prominent in the medical profession at Kearney
for about ten years dating from 1876, was born in Northamptonshire, England,
and was a graduate of the American Medical College of St. Louis, Mo.

Dr. Carl A. Jackson was born in Sweden and graduated from Carolmska
Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. He practiced in Sweden, Chicago, and in towns
in Nebraska, for eighteen years before coming to Kearney in 1878.

Dr. Maurice A. Floover was born in Alarion County, Ind. A graduate of
the Medical College of Indiana. Practiced in Mount Jackson and Indianapolis,
Ind., before coming to Kearney in April 1883, since which time he has been
extensively engaged in the practice of his profession.

In addition to his professional duties, Doctor Hoover has interested himself
in the various activities of city life, serving many years as a member of the
board of education.

Dr. Cornelius Van Dyke Basten was born of Dutch-Revolutionary ancestry
at Kingston, N. Y., May 25, 1859. Graduate of Kingston Academy. Studied
medicine for three years in Philadelphia, and graduated from University of
Iowa Medical College, Iowa City, in 1883. Settled in Kearney, April 31, 1883.
Married Miss Adah Seamen November 24, 1885. ITas practiced continuously
since at Kearney, taking post-graduate work in New York, Chicago, Omaha,
Kansas City and New Orleans.

Dr. George M. Hull, youngest son of Dr. John C. Hull, was born in Trenton,
Iowa, in 1863. Graduated from Omaha Medical College in 1885. Settled in
Kearney and began the practice of his profession in 1885. Married Miss Blanche
Harrington, of Geneseo, 111., in 1887. His death occurred in 1907.

Dr. George W. Kern, graduate of Hahnemann Medical College of Philadel-
phia, Pa., in 1878. Practiced in Newton, Elizabeth and McKeesport, Pa., and
came to Kearney in 1886. Removed to McKeesport, where he now (191 5)
resides.

Dr. James Porter was born in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, in 1847. He gradu-
ated from the medical department of the University of Michigan. Began the
practice of medicine at Trenton, Iowa. December 13, 1876, was married to Miss
Martha A. Wilson. Settled in Kearney in 1887, where he practiced his profession
until his death, which occurred February 14, 1897.

Dr. John James Cameron, born at Montreal, Canada. Graduated from Mc-
Gill University, Montreal, in 1887. Practiced one year in Ontario and settled
in Kearney December 29, 1888.

Dr. Frank E. Duckworth was born in Chariton County, Iowa, and graduated
from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago. Came to Kearney in

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 235

February, 1888. He was a partner for some time of Dr. M. A. Hoover. Is not
living.

Dr. Benjamin Franklin Jones was born in Ohio. A graduate of Jefferson
Medical College, Philadelphia, Pa. Settled in Kearney in 1888. Was a partner
for some years of Dr. L. P. Woodworth.

Dr. Henry Slaughter Bell was born in Kentucky. Graduated from Bellevue
Hospital ^Medical College, N. Y., in 1878. He practiced in Knox County, Ind.,
and at Paris, 111., and in the year 1889 located at Kearney.

Dr. John L. Bennett was born at Howell, Mich. Graduate of Eclectic Medical
Institute of Cincinnati in 1874. Practiced his profession in Iowa and settled
in Kearney July 15, 1890.

Dr. Charles K. Gibbons was born in Kearney, December 13, 1876. He gradu-
ated from the Shattuck Military Academy, Fairbault, Minn., and entered North-
western Medical College, Chicago, from which he graduated in 1902. He began
his medical practice at Los Angeles, Cal., but removed to Kearney to engage
in the practice of his profession in 1903. He married Miss Nellie J. Downing
June 25, 1902.

Dr. F. L. Blanchard was born in Peacham, Vt., in 1857. He graduated from
Ann Arbor Medical College, Mich., and served as acting dean of the medical
college after the death of President Palmer. He practiced his profession both
at Albion and Jackson, ^lich., coming to Kearney in 1902. His death occurred
March 27, 19 15.

Dr. Judd Albertus Strong was born in Columbia City, Ind., in 1868. Gradu-
ated in 1892 from Fort Wayne Medical College. Practiced in Illinois, Indiana,
Nebraska and Colorado, and settled in Kearney in January, 1912.

Among others who have practiced the profession of medicine in the city the
following are called to mind, but the editor of this history is not further advised
as to their life or services : Drs. Eliza B. Mills, George M. Mills, F. S. Packard,
L. P. ^^'oodw^orth, A. D. Cameron.

THE BUFFALO COUNTY BAR

Attorneys at law admitted to practice in our courts are termed "officers of our
courts" and an effort was made to have prepared for this volume a "History of
the Buffalo County Bar," but the brief time available in preparing the copy has
not given opportunity to compile the desired history. From various sources and
partly from memory the following list of attorneys at law has been compiled
and if it is found names have been omitted it is not intentional, but because mem-
ory in matters historical is treacherous, can not fully be depended upon. Mem-
bers of the Buffalo County bar have rendered valuable service to the state and
have gained state-wide distinction. Herewith, partly from memory, a brief
mention is made of services thus rendered in the county and state.

Henry C. Andrews served as member of the Legislature in 1887 and also as
member of the board of county commissioners.

D. P. Ashburn served as member of the Legislature in 1873 and also as a
member of the county board of supervisors.

Norris Brown served as county attorney, deputy attorney-general, attorney-
general and United States senator.

236 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

E. Frank Brown served as county judge in 1898-99.
John Brand serv^ed as county judge in 1880-83.

E. C. Calkins served as state senator in 1877, as regent of the state univer-
sity and as a member of the Supreme Court commission.

Thomas N. Cornett as county judge in 1890-93.

A. H. Connor as member of the constitutional convention in 1875, as state
senator in 1883 and also in 1889.

J. M. Easterling served as member of the Legislature in 1889, as county
judge in 1894-97 a"<J ^s county attorney in 1906-10.

F. J. Everitt served as county judge in 191 5-16.
George E. Evans served as county attorney in 1886-90.
J. E. Gillispie served as county judge, 1888-89.

W. L. Green served as judge of the District Court in 1896 and later as a
member of Congress.

William Gaslin served several terms as judge of the District Court and was
one of the most widely known judges in the state.

B. O. Hostetler served as judge of the District Court from 1904 to 19 16.
F. M. Hallowell served as county judge, 1902-05, 1908-13, 1914.

Frank W. Hull served as county judge, 1884-87.

F. G. Hamer served as judge of the District Court, 1883-1890, also as justice
of the Supreme Court, commencing 1912.

Thomas F. Hamer served as member of the State Legislature, 1907.

John T. Mallalieu served as regent of the university and as superintendent
of schools, 1880-84, also as superintendent of the State Industrial School for a
term of years.

Ira P. Marston served as county judge, 1906-07; as county attorney, 1890-92.

N. P. McDonald served as county superintendent, 1890-94, and as county
attorney, 1900-1904.

J. E. Morrison served, by appointment, as county judge in 1913.

Edw. B. McDermott served as county attorney, 1910-14.

Fred A. Nye served as county attorney, 1896-1900.

W. D. Oldham served as deputy attorney-general and as a member of the
Supreme Court commissioners.

H. M. Sinclair served as district attorney in 1884, and as district judge in
1896.

Sam L. Savidge served as district judge in 1883.

S. W. Switzer served as a member of the Legislature in 1877.

E. E. Squires served as county attorney, 1904-06.

A. B. ToUefsen serving as county attorney in 191 5-16

J. J. Whittier served as county judge, 1876-79.

D. Westervelt served as county judge, 1874-75.

Charles E. Yost served as county judge, 1900-01.

LIST OF MEMBERS OF BUFFALO COUNTY BAR

Andrews, H. C. Brown, Frank E. Burnett, E. P.

Ashburn, D. P. Beeman, Frank E. Boltin, A. H.

Brown, Norris Barnd, John Byrd, Frank J.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

237

Barney, C. E.
Calkins, E. C
Calkins, H. V.
Carr, T. B.
Cornett, T. H.
Collard, C. A.
Connor, A. H.
Chapman, J. W.
Cunningham, E. E.
Dorsey, D. A.
Dryden, John N.
Decker, John E.
Devisek, Frank O.
Easterling, J. M.
Everitt, F. J.
Evans, Geo. E.
East, B. F.
Foristall. J. ^I.
Green, \V. L.
Green, Omer L.
Glanville. R. C.
Gaslin, \Vm.
Groff, Lewis A.
Gillispie, J. E.
Hull, Frank W.
Hoge, John

Huston, F. L.
Hostetler, B. O.
Hallo well, F. M.
Hand, W. L.
Hamer, F. G.
Hamer, T. F.
Hartman, J. P.
Hemiup, N. H.
Moore, R. A.
Main, Lewis P.
Mallalieu, John T.
Murphy, John S.
Marston, Ira P.
IMarston, Maud
Miller, John A.
Matson, Chas. E.
Mellett, J. E.
McDonald, N. P.
Morrison, J. E.
McDermott, Edw.
Niles, Henry D.
Nevius, S. M.
Nye, Fred A.
Newcom, Gid. E.
Newcom, A.
Oldham, W. D.

Parsons, C. B.
Pratt, Warren
Robinson, C. A.
Riley, W'm.
Roe, John H.
Smith, James A.
Sinclair, H. ^I.
Savidge, Sam. L.
Shipman, J. E.
Switzer, S. W.
Saylor, J. E. C.
Smith, J. T.
Squires, E. E.
Sterling, R. H.
Sydenham, H. H.
Thompson, Stanley
Tollefsen, A. B.
AVhittier, J. J.
W'enzell, Dea
Woodworth, H. L.
\\'alker, Jasper
\\'oodruff, J. J.
Westervelt, D.
Yost, Charles F.

REV. ASBURY COLLINS AND WIFE LOUISA E. COLLINS

Rev. Asbury Collins and his family came to Buffalo County May ii, 187 1,
and established in the immediate vicinity of Kearney Junction their future home.
On their homestead claim, 12-8- 16, now within the corporate limits of the City
of Kearney, they built a house which from the first became a center of social,
religious and educational activity. In the early days this home was known
locally as Hotel Collins, for in the organization of school district No. 7 (Kearney)
the county superintendent concludes his official notice of the first meeting to
organize this district as follows : "Sent notice of due form and import to A.
Collins directing first meeting to be held at hotel of A. Collins in said district
on the 23d day of March, A. D., 1872, at 2:00 P. ]\I. — C. Putnam, superin-
tendent."

At this first meeting to organize the district, Mr. Collins was elected one of
the school district officers, and the records show that INIr. Collins was servnng: as
director of this district July i, 1874.

ORGANIZATION OF THE FIRST CHURCH

It was at this home in October, 1871, that the first church was organized
in Buft"alo County. Rev. A. G. White was presiding elder of the Omaha District

238 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the conference then embracing the entire
State of Nebraska. On the evening of Flder White's arrival he preached at the
home of J\lr. and Mrs. Collins and at the close of the services the first Methodist
Church was organized with the following as charter members : Asbury Collins,
Louisa E. Collins, H. E. A. Sydenham, Alfred Gay and Hannah Jay. Rev. A.
Collins was appointed pastor of the newly organized church. The board of
trustees was appointed December 31, 1871, composed of Mrs. H. E. A. Sydenham,
Alfred Gay and others. At the home of Mrs. Collins was organized the first
Sabbath school in Kearney in February, 1872. Of this Sunday school Airs.
Collins says : "Every lady, excepting one, within ten miles of my home was
a member of my Bible class." In 1872, Rev. Nahum Gould, a Presbyterian mis-
sionary, preached each alternate Sabbath in the parlor of Mrs. Collins' home.
In 1875, at the home of Mrs. Collins, was organized the first W. C. T. U. Society
in the county. The charter members were Mrs. Louisa E. Collins, Mrs. D. A.
Dorsey, Miss Kate Dorsey, Mrs. C. W. Dake, Mrs. H. E. A. Sydenham and
Mrs. Lena Hull. Honorary members were Asbury Collins, Moses Sydenham
and Hiram Hull. The officers elect of the society were: President, Mrs. Louisa
E. Collins; secretary, Mrs. C. W. Dake. At a meeting held in Lincoln in 1875
Mrs. Collins was elected first vice president of the Nebraska W. C. T. U. When
at later dates the distinguished and talented Miss Francis E. Willard, president
of the World's W. C. T. U., whose motto is "God and Home and Native Land,"
came to Kearney to speak in the cause of temperance, Mrs. Collins presided
on both of these occasions, at each of which the largest audience room in the
city was crowded to its utmost capacity, some of those in attendance driving
twenty miles and home again the same night and feeling abundantly compensated
in the privilege to see and hear the most talented and distinguished woman of
the nineteenth century.

When the Woman's Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal
Church in Buffalo County was organized Mrs. Collins was elected president.
In 1888 Mrs. Collins was elected president of the Woman's Home Missionary
Society of the West Nebraska conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
and in 1890 was chosen organizer for this spciety for the West Nebraska con-
ference. It is not possible to mention, even in a brief manner, the many and
varied efforts which Mrs. Collins has put forth in the past thirty-nine years for
the best interests of the City of Kearney and its inhabitants, but it can be said
that in all these years she has given freely, willingly, unselfishly of her time,
talents and means toward the advancement of the social, religious and educational
welfare of the city.

In 1875 the heavy hand of sorrow and affliction was laid on the family of Mr.
and Mrs. Collins, the occasion being the unprovoked, cold blooded murder on
September nth of their son, Alilton M. Collins, aged twenty-four years and
married, by Jordan P. Smith, a drunken cowboy, the "boss" of a cattle herding
outfit, who having delivered a large herd of Texas cattle to the Sioux Indians in
South Dakota, was with his herd outfit returning to their homes in Texas.
Again in 1882, May 13th, the hand of sore affliction came with sudden and
crushing force to this worthy and much loved family in the death of their son,
D. F. Collins, aged twenty-four years, a graduate of the law department of Iowa

EEV. AND MES. ASBURY COLLINS

Eeverend Collins, a Methodist clergyman, located on a homestead near Kearney in 1S71. He
was the first postmaster at Kearney Junction in 1872. Mrs. Collins helped to organize the
first church and Sunday school at Kearney and the first Woman's Christian Temperance Union
organization in the county. She is familiarly called "The ^lother of Kearney."

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 239

University, who while hunting with Professor Brown of the Kearney High
School near Stephenson siding west of Kearney, was killed by the accidental
discharge of a gun while sitting in the buggy. Professor Brown had left the
buggy to hunt and a neighbor getting into the buggy caused the gun to be dis-
charged, killing young Collins.

On March 9, 1890, occurred the death of Rev. Asbury Collins, who having
regained his health after his removal from Iowa to Nebraska, again took up the
work of the ministry in the Methodist Episcopal Church in the year 1871 and
continued in this work until his death. Mr. Collins was buried in the cemetery
at Kearney beside his two sons.

These great and sudden afflictions, sufficient to crush all life and ambition of
an ordinary individual, seemed in the case of Mrs. Collins to cause her to be more
solicitous for the welfare of her friends and neighbors and in 1910 we find her
still the center and inspiration of a large circle of loving and loyal friends in
her own home city. At the annual meeting of the Woman's Home Missionary
Society of West Nebraska conference, held in September, 1909, Mrs. Collins gave
up the active management of the work of that society and was made president
emetrius, a very honorable title.

On September 23, 1872, Mrs. Collins was presented with a deed of the first
lot disposed of in the original Town of Kearney Junction, the records in the
register of deeds' office showing that the first lot entered of record as disclosed
by deed index in this city (Kearney Junction) was executed September 23, 1872,
by J. W. Brooks et al. (representing the townsite company) to Louisa E. Collins.

REV. WILLIAM MORSE

Rev. William Morse, a Methodist minister, came from Ripon, Wis., to
Buffalo County, Neb., in March, 1872, and took a homestead claim on section
24, township 9, range 16, and arranging to have a house built thereon returned to
Wisconsm for his fainily. "Father" Morse, as he was lovingly called by all who
knew him, returned to Buffalo County with his family in June, 1872. On his
arrival "Father" Morse at once took up the work of the ministry and the upbuild-
ing of the Methodist Church at Kearney and in Buffalo County ; James Jenkins
(a son-in-law of Reverend Mr. Morse) relates that on June 28, 1872, religious
services were held at the home of "Father" Morse and of members of the church
in attendance gives the names of the following: Rev. and ]\Irs. Wm. Morse,
Rev. and Mrs. Asbury Collins, Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Smith, Miss Mary
Smith, Joseph Fish, Mrs. Cuddebeck, Mrs. (Hannah) Jay, 'Sir. and Mrs. J. R.
King, Mr. and Mrs. James Jenkins. Mr. Jenkins further relates that the first
Methodist Episcopal Church services held in what is now the City of Kearney
with Rev. Wm. Morse as pastor, was held in the Kearney Junction Times Build-
ing located on Smith Avenue, now Twenty-fourth Street. The coming of Rev.
Wm. Morse greatly strengthened the cause of jMethodism (the Methodist
Church) and he may not inappropriately be called the "Father" of the Methodist
Church in Buffalo County.

The beginning of the organization of the Methodist Church at Gibbon and in
the eastern portion of Buffalo County may be said to have had its inspiration
with the coming of "Father" Morse in the summer of 1872.

240 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

In the Buffalo County Beacon, published at Gibbon, under date of July 27,
1872, appears the following: "The schoolhouse was well filled last Sabbath,
July 21st, by an appreciative audience who listened to a sermon by Rev. Wm.
Morse, Methodist Episcopal preacher on this charge. Brother Morse is recently
from Ripon, Wis., and will preach at Gibbon every other Sabbath at the school-
house."

Also in the same issue of the Beacon appears the following:
"Rev. Wm. Morse, formerly of Ripon, Wis., and now of our county, in com-
pany with Judge (Rev.) Collins and others, took a hunt a few days since south
of the Platte and succeeded in "bagging" four buft"alo. The party could have
killed almost any number but four beeves were all they required."

MRS. NANCY HULL MOTHER HULL

Mrs. E. R. Holmes (K. O.)

Nancy Updegraff was born April 22, 1834, near Shelby ville, Ind. She married
Dr. John C. Hull in 1855. In 1872 the family removed to Colorado Springs,
Colo., and after remaining there one year they came to Kearney and spent the
remainder of their lives.

Their children were Chas. M., once mayor of Kearney, Frank W., Howard
J. ("Tom") and Dr. Geo. M. The eldest and the youngest died in Kearney.

In 1872 Mr. and Mrs. Asbury Collins and Mr. and Mrs. Moses H. Sydenham
met at the home of Mr. Collins and organized a W. C. T. U. and Mrs. Hull soon
became a member and for thirty-nine years her devotion to the temperance cause
knew no bounds. Naturally in fighting intemperance and trying to mitigate its
consequences she was brought into intimate knowledge of much poverty which
she was always striving to relieve. As a solicitor for contributions she certainly
was unexcelled. In her sweet motherly way she would present an appeal so
pathetic that no one thought of refusing. Long years ago it was well understood
that her home was a home for the homeless, a refuge for the unfortunate and a
haven for the unemployed and she was seldom without one or more of these
extras in her home. If one wanted a domestic or a maid wished a place all
turned to her as naturally as a sunflower turns to the sun. Her beautiful
altruistic life was so entirely given to others that she reserved none for herself.

November 9, 1893, a hospital was opened on First Avenue, Kearney, and in
honor of its devoted patroness it was named. Mother Hull Hospital. As nearly
as practicable with limited means this institution to this day exemplifies the prin-
ciples of its founder in practical benevolence. The firemen and Mother LIuU
were always in close touch and their annual contribution to the hospital from
the proceeds of their ball was handed over cheerfully.

Mother Hull passed from earth March 16, 191 1, very suddenly. Her memory
lives with the older citizens of Kearney as a blessed example of practical religion.

Kearney's legend of sleepy hollow

By Miss Lena Briggs — Student State Normal School

Just back of the lake, northwest of Kearney, lies a piece of ground, pic-
turesque in its rough, uneven surface.

MRS. NANCY HULL

Mother Hull" — loved and honored
for her good works

REV. NAHUM GOULD

A homestead settler of Center
Township in 1871. Organized the
first Presbyterian Church in Kearney
in 1872. Organized a Presbytery and
preached at the opening of the Synod
of Nebraska, October 1, 1874.

REV. L. B. FIFIELD

Homestead settler and pastor of the
First Congregational Church in Kear-
ney in 1872. Served as regent of
State University, 1876-83.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 241

The lower part of this ground is covered by a portion of the lake and slopes
up to the top of the hill. On this side-hill are a few evidences that a house had
stood there. There are trees, shrubbery, a cedar tree, a place badly caved in,
and just at the top of the hill a few bricks in the grass. Standing on this hill
one looks down on the lake (Kearney), beyond to the power house, normal school
buildings, City of Kearney, the Platte River and the view is lost in the pros-
perous farms with their fields of wheat, alfalfa and corn.

In 1871 Rev. Nahum Gould arrived in Kearney, sent as a missionary by the
synodical board of the Presbyterian Church. There was no depot or postoffice.
The railroad station was at "Fort Kearney Station," now Buda. There was
(where Kearney now is) a grocery store (F. N. Dart) on Twenty-fourth Street,
where the Catholic Church now stands, a blacksmith shop (John Mahon) on
the south side of the Union Pacific tracks and one large, house in the center of
section No. 2 occupied by a Methodist minister — Rev. Asbury Collins — and his
family. Rev. Nahum Gould purchased (homesteaded) the piece of ground,
eighty acres, north and west of Kearney and including the ground described
at the beginning.

Mr. Gould's family came in 1872. This year the Town of Kearney began
and grew rapidly and the bufi'alo grass that covered all the landscape began to
be dotted with houses. Mr. Gould selected the side-hill as the location of his
house and barns, either as a sheltered spot from winds or to be less conspicuous
to the straggling bands of Indians. He excavated into the bank to get a level
space large enough to put up a house. The house was three stories, and one
could walk out onto the ground from the third story on the west, from the second
on the north and from the first on the east and south.

There were two rooms, dining and kitchen, on the first floor. The second
floor had three rooms, the ground being excavated out of the side-hill for the
third room. The third story had three rooms.

R. D. Gould, the son, started to dig a small cave near the kitchen door for
the convenience of the women. He found the ground so well adapted to the
construction of a cave that it grew until there was an excavation 4 by 6 feet and
40 feet long extending into the side-hill. Along each side of the cave were
rooms 4 by 6 feet and extending the entire length. In these rooms were stored
vegetables, grain, fuel, harness and stores of all kinds. At present (1913) the
front has caved in, but by digging the cave could be found.

The stables were located south of the house and above both house and stables,
almost at the brow of the hill, the family graves were placed. A vault was built
of brick and in it were buried two children, and afterward Rev. Nahum Gould
himself.

Mr. Gould began his religious work soon after coming. At first Presby-
terian services alternated with the Methodist in the dining room of the Junction
house, home of Rev. Asbury Collins. In 1872, when houses were springing up
in the town, services were held' in empty houses.

Often a service was announced to take place the next Sunday on a lot on
which there was not a stick of timber. The next Sunday a house, all enclosed,
with boards across nail kegs for pews, was ready for services. A necessary part
of these services was the first organ in Kearney, brought here by Mr. Gould.

242 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

It had a rosewood case and cost $250. Every Saturday night the organ was
moved to the place of next day's services and Monday taken home again.

In time tiie Presbyterians bought, for church purposes, a wooden building,
built and used for a saloon, and located north of Rodger's grocery store. When
planning the furnishing for the new room several wished to purchase chan-
deliers that could be used when they built their church building. Mrs. L. B.
Cunningham had spoken for the chandeliers. A member believed it better to
buy lights in keeping with the room, and Mrs. Hurlburt, daughter of Rev. Mr.
Gould, made the remark, "they better buy lights in keeping with the room for
they might use electricity to light the church when built." At that date
electricity for lighting purposes was unheard of, but when the (present) Presby-
terian Church was built it had electric lights. It was Mr. Gould's ambition to
make a beautiful place of his home on the hill. The view was magnificent and
he surrounded his house by a series of terraces. He hoped his children would
all settle on his land, but he died in 1875 leaving a very peculiar will. The land
was divided into ten acre tracts, one for each of his eight children. The child
building first could have the pick of the tracts. Mrs. Hurlburt had first choice
and built a brick house on top of the hill, since burned. Mrs. Greenman had next
choice, but none of the rest built, and they settled the division by agreement
among themselves.

The old house and surrounding ten acres went to R. D. Gould, who lived
there several years, but eventually the house was deserted.

In the meantime the canal was built, the lake constructed, covering the lower
part of R. D. Gould's ten acres. The boom days came on, a pavilion was built
on the lake, there was boating, and at night when the band played in the pavilion
there was dancing.

Soon ghost stories concerning the vacant house began to be circulated. The
lights from the pavilion shown upon the windows and made the house appear
lighted. Investigation made these lights appear to move from room to room.
The peculiar location and the burial vault above all gave strength to the stories.
Some one stufi^ed a suit of clothes, making a dummy, and hung it in the house.
Stories of suicide and murder were common topics of conversation and it was
called "the haunted house."

One evening two men were boating on the lake and they began to discuss
the haunted house and ghosts in general. The braver of the two decided to
investigate and prove the reality or unreality of ghosts, but his companion feared
molesting the spirits. So the brave one started for the house, his companion
promising to wait for him in the boat. He went to the house and entered. His
companion circled around the top of the hill and by hurrying entered the top
story from the west. As the brave ghost-hunter entered one of the lower rooms
there was groaning, moaning, shrieks and cries. The brave ghost-hunter did not
stop for further investigation but jumped out of the window into the cedar
tree that can still be seen on the hill. He had some trouble extricating himself
and dropped to the ground, scratched, bleeding and thoroughly frightened. He
ran back to the lake and found his companion sitting idly in the boat and told
him his proof of the reality of ghosts while the author of the shrieks and groans
chuckled inwardly.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 243

At the time of the boom, when land near the city sold for enormous prices,
all these ten acre tracts were sold for $10,000 each. All except one were sold to
or through the agency of H. D. Watson. About one-third was paid down and
on some tracts small payments were afterward collected, but on none were paid
much more than one-third of the selling price. In settling for one of the tracts
Mr. Watson paid $1,000 for one acre and the remaining nine acres went back
to the original owner.

But the poorest tract of all, the one containing the haunted house, on which
there was not a level spot, was bought by Marshall E. Hunter, who resided in
the East, for which he paid in full $10,000.

The bodies buried in the vault on the hill were removed. As the owner did
not come immediately to claim his own by possession the house was torn down
and taken away. AMien the owner finally came to see his beautiful terraced
home with its three-story house he found a side-hill, a cedar tree, part of a lake,
a few bricks and a number of ghost stories.

THE KEARNEY BOOM

By Miss Lena Briggs — Student at State Normal School

The Kearney Canal was started in 1882 by local pioneers of Kearney and carried
forward to the extent of a cost of $67,000, which amount was abotit all they
could raise. In 1885 the stock of the Kearney Canal and Water Supply Com-
pany was taken over by George W. Frank of Corning, la. (who owned extensive
real estate interests in and adjacent to Kearney), in consideration of his com-
pleting the canal for water power and irrigation purposes. The canal was
finished and water turned into the ditch in the spring of 1886. The canal
developed a fall of 62 feet at its lower terminus within the city limits of Kearney,
Avhere w-ere planned extensive manufacturing properties to utilize the water
power. Mr. Frank during the years 1886-87 negotiated with various persons
and companies having in mind the erection here of extensive factories among
whom were officers of the Burlington Railroad who came to Kearney, examined
the situation and about completed negotiations for a half interest in all of the
Frank property, including the canal and electric light plant that was operated
by the water power and also including 2,000 acres of land within the city limits.

Through some inadvertent actions on the part of Mr. Frank the negotiations
were abruptly terminated, the railroad officials withdrew and immediately estab-
lished the large Burlington shops at Havelock, near Lincoln. The purpose of
the negotiations had been the establishing of those shops at Kearney and the
construction of a line to Holdrege, thus putting Kearney on the main line of
the Burlington from Omaha to Denver. To further the plans for a sale of a
part of the Frank interests and the inducing of large amounts of capital to come
to Kearney for investment, Mr. Frank arranged with J. L. Keck to come to
Kearney and erect the original Midway Hotel, for which a considerable subsidy
was raised and donated to Mr. Keck.

Other plans having failed to secure capital to develop the water power and
the Kearney situation generally in the summer of 1888 H. D. Watson, of Green-

244 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

field, Mass., met with ^^Ir. Frank at Kearney and closed an option to purchase
one-half of the h>ank interests and which were incorporated into a company
known as the G. W. Frank Improvement Company, which company took over
the title to all the Frank real estate holdings, the Kearney Canal, and the electric
plant.

About this time the Kearney men purchased the South Platte Land Company,
which embraced the real estate holdings of the Burlington Railroad, about eight
hundred acres of land immediately south and west of the Town of Kearney,
and incorporated as the Kearney Land and Investment Company in order to take
title to that property.

The company immediately subdivided and platted into city lots different
portions of the property and ofifered those lots for sale at auction. This created
a public interest in Kearney and aided in the development of the Kearney boom.

As soon as Mr. Watson had secured the option to purchase the half interest
in the Frank properties he went to New England and brought to Kearney during
the following ninety days three train loads of manufacturers and investors who,
while in Kearney, became so impressed with the value of the water power and
the opportunity to develop extensive manufacturing interests that they furnished
the money to pay the Franks for the half interest in the properties and invested
what w^as commonly estimated, at the time, a total sum of $1,250,000. Various
persons in the company were interested in cotton manufacturing in New England
and on the suggestion of Mr. Watson were induced to organize a company and
erect the Kearney cotton mills. These men demanded of the citizens of Kearney
a subsidy, cash and real estate of the estimated value of $250,000, which amount
was raised by popular subscription and donation within the period of ninety days.
At that date Kearney had an estimated population of five thousand (Dr. J. L.
Bennett says the population at this time was over ten thousand) and this subsidy
represented an average donation of $50 from each person then living in Kearney.

During these months various other enterprises were launched, each one of
which demanded and received a subsidy or donation to secure its location at this
place, among which w^ere a paper mill, woolen mill, oatmeal mill, plow factory,
canning factory, cracker factory, pressed brick works, and machine shops. The
exploitation of these various industries caused a furore of excitement accom-
panied by a rapid enhancement in the value of real estate in and adjacent to
the city.

The cotton mill was constructed at a cost of nearly four hundred thousand
dollars for building and equipment and was operated nine years. With the
exception of the cotton mill none of the subsidised factories operated for a
longer time than a few months.

The West Kearney Improvement Company owned and planned for the
development of one square mile of ground adjoining the cotton mill location.

The Midway Land Company owned and developed a section of ground called
■"East Lawn," where is now located the Kearney Military Academy.

During the boom days various improvements were made, such as the con-
struction of the city waterworks, city gas plant, system of sewerage, city hall,
opera house block, and the electric street railway. The collapse of the boom

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 245

came in a single day and was caused by a personal quarrel between Mr. Frank
and Mr. Watson.

As an indication of the great enhancement in market value of building lots
in Kearney during the boom period mention is made as follows : Two lots on
the corner of Second Avenue and Twenty-fifth Street that had been purchased
by Mr. Frank for his niece at $300 in the year 1886 were purchased by Mr. Frank
of that niece for $125,000. (The boom collapsed, the lots were never paid for
and the niece still owns them.) Four acres, at present a part of the State Nor-
mal campus, the same a part of an original purchase by Mr. Frank at $2.40 an
acre in the '70s, was sold to John J. Bartlett in January, 1885, for $2,400, and
sold by Mr. Bartlett to H. D. W'atson in the fall of 1888 for $19,200, and by
Mr. Watson subdivided into forty-five lots, each 25 by 140 feet, and sold by him,
as lots, between December, 1888, and March, 1889, for $29,200. The purchasers
of these lots were almost entirely Kearney citizens who had known the history
of that particular tract, among whom were George Downing and Dr. J. L. Ben-
nett.

(The latter purchased eight lots where now stands the north wing of the
State Normal Building, and he planted the trees which stand near this wing.
Doctor Bennett traded all except two of the lots, having purchased all for $600
a piece; these two he sold for $133 and after deducting taxes had left about $100.
These lots were purchased by a Swede woman, who engaged in the raising of
Belgian hares. Later the lots were purchased from her for the present use — the
State Normal School.)

Business lots in the city advanced from $40 a front foot to $400.

One real estate agent's commissions alone during the boom period often
amounted to $1,000 a day.

Doctor Bennett purchased the last twenty-two lots of the West Kearney-
Improvement Company without seeing them or knowing anything about them.
In two weeks he sold them at an advance of $500. This company ofifered tO'
give a lot to every one who would build a house worth at least a specified amount
and an Omaha architect drew plans for one of these houses, but it was never
built. On this tract was a station and park with a fountain. Now no traces,
of them are left.

The lot where now stands the Alidway Loan and Trust Company Building
was bought and resold at an advance of $12,000.

THE KEARNEY CAXAL

W. J. Scoutt

The necessity for irrigation in the Platte \^alley very early appealed to the
early settlers, and the feasibility of such a project was known as early as 1873.
On a "Bird's-Eye View" of Kearney Junction, published in 1873, the line of
the proposed Kearney Canal is shown. W. W. Patterson is probably the person
that first discussed the matter.

An attempt to organize a company and construct a canal as early as 1875 was
defeated by the fact that certain of the land owners across whose land the canal

246 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

would pass refused to either donate or sell a right-of-way for the ditch. This
resulted in the first irrigation law of Nebraska being enacted by the Legislature
of 1877, of which the Hon. E. C. Calkins was a member of the Senate, and who
caused the introduction of a bill to constitute canals for irrigation or power pur-
poses, works of internal improvement, and conferring on them the rights of
Eminent Domain.

(Senator E. C. Calkins drew the Act of 1877, authorizing construction of
canals for irrigation and power purposes and making them works of internal
improvements. — J. N. Dryden.)

At a meeting of the Kearney Board of Trade in April, 1881, committees
were appointed to secure data covering the cost of such a canal and to submit
plans for the organization of a company to do the work.

A preliminary survey was made by one Simon Murphy, who estimated the
cost at twenty-one thousand, four hundred and forty-eight dollars. .But it was
found that when the canal was constructed and enlarged the cost exceeded the
sum of four hundred thousand dollars.

A company, known as The Kearney Canal and Water Supply Co., was organ-
ized with a capital stock of $100,000, of which 60 per cent was subscribed, and
the subscribers, all of whom were the early settlers and not very well-to-do,
very largely exhausted their resources in prosecuting the work.

In April, 1882, at an election held, the City of Kearney voted bonds to the
amount of $30,000 to aid in the construction of the canal, which were to be sold
and the proceeds given to the Canal Company in stated amounts as the work
progressed.

The first president of the company was Nathan Campbell, and F. G. Keens
was secretary. The other directors were: F. J. Switz, E. C. Calkins, R. L.
Downing, J. H. Roe, H. Fred Wiley, Geo. R. Sherwood and S. L. Savidge.

During the summer of 1882 plans were perfected, final surveys made by
John D. Buckley, and on September 6, 1882, contracts were let to Thomas Price
for the actual construction of the ditch. Under this contract work was begun
in September, 1882, and that date established the priority rights of the Kearney
Canal (the oldest in the state on the Platte) to take water from the Platte River
for irrigation and water power purposes.

The first and second miles of the ditch, from the headgates, were completed
in the fall of 1882 and tested that December. Much other work was done during
the fall and winter, and thirteen miles of the ditch were completed and water
turned in during the summer of 1883.

The heavy fills across Deep and Mud creeks and at Kearney Lake were not
completed until 1885, during the summer of which year the ownership of the
canal passed from the original stockholders to Geo. W. Frank, who was then
largely interested in lands in and adjacent to Kearney. To this time the original
stockholders, officers and directors of the company were practically unchanged.

Mr. Frank undertook the completion of the canal and expended large sums
of money in the work, the cost of which had so largely exceeded the estimates
of the engineers. This work was done and water turned into the canal in the
winter of 1886. A power house was erected, water wheels installed in the fall
of 1886, and electric generators added and electric current transmitted for light

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 247

and power purposes in the summer of 1887. The work of completing the canal
by Mr. Frank was in the hands of J. T. O'Brian, civil and hydraulic engineer.

As originally constructed the canal is sixteen miles long, and of an average
size, 4 feet deep and 25 feet wide. The fall utilized at the power house is 56
feet.

In 1894 more water being required for power purposes, the canal was
enlarged to an average of 9 feet deep and 35 feet wide, which gave it a carrying
capacity of approximately 5,500 horse power. To aid in this work the City of
Kearney again voted bonds in the sum of $60,000, all of which sum was expended
for enlarging and improving the canal.

In addition to furnishing water for irrigation and power house uses, the canal
furnished water for power at the cotton mills for nearly ten years. At those
mills exceeding 500 horse power was employed.

The title of the Kearney Canal in 1908 passed to The Kearney Water &
Electric Powers Co., since which time it has been materially improved. More
land has been irrigated from it than theretofore, and at the power house a more
extended use is made of the water for power purposes. During the year 1915
new water wheels of 1,350 horse power capacity were installed, with new elec-
trical generating machinery, and concrete and steel bulkheads and sluice boxes.

The height of fall at the power house is the greatest of any water power
development in the state, and the present vvater wheels and generator the largest
water-wheel generating unit in Nebraska, and the canal capacity is now being
developed for the purpose of generating and transmitting elecirl al energy to
the country districts and surrounding villages.

THE OREGON TRAIL MONUMENT

In the year 1909 Fort Kearney Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolu-
tion undertook the erection of a monument, at Kearney, marking the Oregon
Trail. Largely by subscriptions from patriotic individuals a sufficient amount
was soon secured and an appropriate monument, of Barre granite, was pur-
chased. The inscription on the monument reads as follows : "The first stone
erected in Nebraska to mark the Old Oregon Trail. 1811-1869.

"Dedicated by Fort Kearney Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution,
Kearney, Neb., February 14, 1910 "

The location of the monument is in the park adjacent to the station of the
Union Pacific Railroad, the park bordering on Central Avenue. The location is
one of the most conspicuous and sightly in the city.

Of the beginning of the Oregon Trail, across what is now Nebraska, history
seems to disclose that Robert Stuart and four companions (members of the
Astor Expedition to Oregon in the year 1910) started from Oregon on a return
journey to St. Louis; the party spent a portion of the winter of 1810-11, on the
banks of the Platte River in the vicinity of Scotts Bluffs (of the present
Nebraska) and in March, 191 1, Stuart and his companions, on foot, journeyed
down the Platte River on the north side, thus marking the beginning of the
longest trail across our continent.

There be those who hold to the idea that the Oregon Trail across Nebraska

248 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

was confined to what might be termed a single pair of wagon tracks — one single
definite trail — and that to appropriately mark the trail a monument must be placed
just w^here those wagon tracks ran.

Emigrants over the trail to Oregon and California traveled with ox teams,
averaged about fifteen miles per day, and grazed their oxen and other live stock
beside the trail.

The editor holds to the idea that from east to west, across what is now
Nebraska, from and including the Platte River Valley to the Kansas line, ran
trails entitled to be called, the Oregon-Overland Trail. That in the Valley of
the Platte in Buffalo County it is not in strict accord with the facts to drive a
stake or erect a monument and say, "Right on this spot (between the river and
the bluff's) ran the tracks of the Oregon Trail and nowhere else to the north or
south." The whole valley, in the days when the Oregon Trail flourished, was a
trail, marked with deep, well defined wagon tracks. The erection of a monu-
ment to the Oregon Trail has two purposes : One in memory of, a marker of
the event; a milestone in its history. The other, educational. To reach and
educate the people in this matter, we must, as far as practical, bring such monu-
ments to the people, where the people can see, read and remember the legend
there recorded. To place such monuments in inaccessible places or where few
people see them is largely a waste of expense and of patriotic eff'ort.

DEDICATION CEREMONIES, JUNE 9, I91O

(Note — The following account of the unveiling ceremonies is from the
Kearney Daily Hub, M. A. Brown editor.)

With fitting solemnity the Old Oregon Trail Monument, the first commem-
oration of its kind in the State of Nebraska, erected by the Fort Kearney chapter
of the Daughters of the American Revolution, was unveiled Thursday afternoon.
Large crowds of visitors and residents of Kearney gathered about the Union
Pacific Park to witness the ceremonies accompanying the unveiling exercises.
Visitors high in the councils of the Daughters of the American Revolution and
in state political realms took part in the dedication of this monument to the
future generations of Nebraska, of Americans, of all who hold dear the memory
of the pioneers of civilization, who endured hardships of war, privation, the
dangers of the desert, all that a greater people than they might live in the Golden
West.

The governor's party arrived early in the forenoon and were entertained at
12 o'clock luncheon at the beautiful suburban home in East Lawn of Mr. and
Mrs. E. W. Tabor. John L. Webster, president of the Nebraska State Historical
Society, accompanied the party.

A luncheon consisting of six course's was served. The decorations were in
the national colors, red, white and blue, and the place cards were tiny photo-
graphic views of the Oregon Trail Monument, which will be treasured by the
guests as souvenirs of the dinner and of the unveiling of the monument, which
followed immediately after the luncheon.

From an upper balcony of the house floated the Stars and Stripes, the
governor's flag, so called by the family because it has waved over the heads of
six governors who have been entertained beneath its folds.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 249

The following were the guests at the luncheon: Governor and Airs. Ashton

C. Shallenberger, Hon. John L. Webster, Hon. S. C. Bassett, Mayor and Mrs.
John W. Patterson, Judge and Mrs. W. D. Oldham, Mrs. Oreal S. Ward, state
regent D. A. R., Mrs. Andrew K. Gault, vice president general N. S. D. A. R.,
Mrs. Charles Oliver Norton, regent Fort Kearney Chapter, D. A. R., Mr. and
Mrs. E. W. Tabor and Misses Isabel and Agnes Tabor.

Following the dinner the party returned to the city in automobiles and were
met at the Hub Hall by the Norris Brown Guards, Company A, N. N. G., with
Capt. H. N. Jones commanding, the Kearney Concert Band playing "Hail to' the
Chief."

The procession was immediately formed by Maj. Walter C. Sammons,
marshal of the day, and proceeded west on Twenty-second Street, south on Cen-
tral Avenue, thence west on Twentieth Street to the Union Pacific Park.

A grand stand had been erected in the park just west of the monument and
was occupied by the governor's party, Hon. John L. Webster and the other
speakers of the day, Mrs. Ward, Airs. Gault, and the officers and members of
Fort Kearney Chapter D. A. R. South of the monument Company A and the
Kearney Concert Band was placed, also a large delegation of soldiers of the
Civil war.

Invocation by Rev. R. P. Hammons, of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
opened the exercises, followed by the Lord's prayer in which the audience joined.

In the pause that followed the draperies about the monument were lifted by
invisible wires and the monument stood revealed to the thoughtful crowd. As
the flag hung suspended in the air, drooping in graceful folds of red, white and
blue, Mrs. Oreal S. Ward, Nebraska State Regent D. A. R., stepped forward
and while men stood with uncovered heads in silent reverence of the emblem of
national unity and honor in these words she paid tribvite to the flag :

'T pledge allegiance to my flag and to the republic for which it stands ; one
nation — indivisible — with liberty and justice for all."

Mrs. Charles Oliver Norton then, with a brief, fitting explanation of the value
of such a monument, not so much to us but to generations to come, presented
the monument to the City of Kearney. Alayor John W. Patterson responded
to the presentation speech, congratulating the Fort Kearney Chapter of the

D. A. R. on their successful efforts to commemorate the Old Oregon Trail and
accepting in the name of the city this token of patriotic zeal toward the perpetua-
tion of memories of earlier days.

A summary of Mrs. Norton's speech follows :

"Monuments are enduring links, which bind one generation to another. We
of today do not need monuments to remind us of the romance and tragedy of the
history of the Old Oregon Trail, for there are still among us, men who have
traveled the dreary stretches of this road, who can tell us the story of their
privations and suft'erings, of their escapes from their savage foe, of the famine
and thirst which they endured and of how after many years, they have seen the
full fruition of their hopes, and the realization of their wonderful dream, of
the building of an empire i" the great West which stretches out from the Missouri
to the Columbia.

250 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

"But our children, our children's children will need these monuments, 'Lest
they forget.'

"The Daughters of Fort Kearney Chapter, D. A. R. are very proud of erect-
ing the first stone in Nebraska to mark the Old Oregon Trail, and they are grate-
ful to those who assisted in making this monument a reality and we feel that
in placing it under the care and protection of the City of Kearney, that its perma-
nency is assured for untold generations.

"More than sixty years ago the Old Oregon Trail ran close to where we now
stand, but the hammer's stroke that drove the golden spike that on that
memorable day in 1869 united the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific rail-
ways just west of Ogden, proved the death knell of the old road, and drove the
freighters and stage drivers from their peculiar avocation and made it a memory
only.

"Now, Mayor Patterson, we ask you to accept this trust for the City of
Kearney from the Fort Kearney Chapter of the Daughters of the American
Revolution."

Following the unveiling services the procession formed again and marched to
the opera house, where the speakers on this occasion were heard by the audience
which filled the house, the aisles and the halls.

PROGRAM AT OPERA HOUSE

Dr. A. O. Thomas, president of the State Normal School, was chairman of
the program at the opera house. He read the following telegram from Adj.-Gen.
John C. Hartigan:

"Regret my inability to be present Thursday. Congratulations on beginning
of a great work."

A letter from Mrs. Nettie Collins Gates, president of the Nebraska State
Society, National Society Daughters of 1812 was read. The letter, which was
addressed to Mrs. Charles Oliver Norton, follows :

"Civic pride and loyal patriotic sentiment are inherent in our American
women. To them belong much of the honor of perpetuating historic spots and
creating reverence for the same.

"Kindly convey to your Kearney Chapter, D. A. R., my heartiest congratula-
tions at the unveiling of the first stone to mark the Old Oregon Trail in
Nebraska."

In introducing the speakers and before the program began Doctor Thomas
expressed his appreciation of the Daughters of the American Revolution as an
order to promote and perpetuate interest in historic things.

An instrumental duet opened the program. Misses Norma Gordon and Susie
Scott were at the piano. They played "The Poet and Peasant," by Suppe, and
were applauded heartily by the audience.

A short introduction was accorded Dr. Wm. A. Clark, of the Normal School,
and he began the speech-making of the afternoon. In part Professor Clark
said:

"The life of a nation is organic. It is developed along certain lines by specific
organs. The functions of its Hfe, however, are subdivided. There is the judicial.

PrBLIC LTBEAEY, KEABXEY

(Photo b>'

UNVEILING THE "OREGON TEAIL" MONUMENT AT KEAENEY, JUNE 9, 1910

On platform, left to right: Mrs. A. C. Shallenberger, Gov. A. C. Shallenbei^er Mrs. Oi-eal
S Ward Mrs. Andrew K. Gault, Mrs. Charles Oliver Norton, Hon. John W. Patterson, Hon.
John Lee Webster, Rev. R. P. Hammons, Mr. Edwin B. Finch, flag rope m hand.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 251

legislative and executive. But there are certain adventitious orders not included
in the general classification. These orders lend life to the nation, either by
anticipating the future or preserving the past or present by means of education.
The Daughters of the American Revolution performs all these functions. I am
proud of what has been done in Kearney; of what the F'ort Kearney Chapter
of the Daughters of the American Revolution have done. •

'Tt is said that Americans are losing their hero-worship. I believe as Carlyle
did that hero-worship is essential and that the nation that does not have it is
degraded.

"We appreciate the efiforts of the pioneers and of this organization in per-
petuating the memory of those efforts, which has been so eft'ectually done through
the leadership of j\Irs. Norton."

Following Doctor Clark's address Mrs. Joseph Steadman sang a solo, "Birds
in Dreamland Sleep," by White, with Aliss Anna Caldwell, pianist, Harry Black
violinist, Professor Porter clarinet, and Lewis Pierce, cornet, accompanying.

Followed a brief address by Mrs. Oreal S. Ward, of Lincoln, Nebraska
State Regent, D. A. R. At the outset [Mrs. Ward stated that our ancestors for the
first lOO years were too busy making history, in conc^uering savage foes and
subduing wildernesses to appreciate the importance of their own work which we
are now perpetuating. Then followed a statement of the objects of the Daughters
of the American Revolution, a great patriotic society, the work of which is so
little understood, and closing with a tribute to the pioneers and congratulations
to the Kearney Chapter of the D. A. R.

Mrs. Andrew Gault, of Omaha, vice president general of the National Society,
D. A. R., was next introduced. i\Irs. Gault denied that the society was organized
for pink teas and to show good clothes. The society is organized for patriotic
purposes and for marking historic spots, and will go forward in the fulfilment
of that purpose. Relevantly, it was announced that the ladies of the Omaha
Chapter would within a few weeks dedicate the second monument to the Old
Oregon Trail in Nebraska.

Miss Elise Green sang very charmingly, "Awake, 'Tis Dawn," by Hamley;
accompaniment by ]\Iiss Leota Mollring.

S. C. Bassett, secretary of the Buft'alo County Llistorical Society, spoke briefly
of what the monument meant to him — a mark of the trail and a marker for the
thousands of graves of those who died in the wilderness. Incidents of the trail
were related by Mr. Bassett.

Hon. John L. Webster, of Omaha, president of the Nebraska State Historical
Society, was introduced amid great enthusiasm. Reverting to the central theme,
General Webster said the exact location of the trail and the unveiling of the
monument was of little significance compared with the fact itself. Another
important thing in connection with the event is the fact that it is part of our
written history. W^e are making history and others are writing it. Blot from
your memory what happened yesterday and you will have no conception of what
will happen tomorrow. The spirit of patriotism is preserved in history. This
monument is a marking of history, of the manhood of the pioneers who opened
the trail to the Oregon country, to the great Northwest.

The memories of those we talk about today who were our pilgrims and our

252 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

cavaliers, will lOo years hence have equal place with the Pilgrims of New Eng-
land and the Cavaliers of Virginia. Followed a history of the first journeyings
through this wilderness, then a desert, describing the transformation through
succeeding geological changes. Followed again the emigrant caravans on the
marking of the trail. Then the building of the Overland Iron Trail and the
development of this wonderful country, and the importance of the West in its
relation to the East.

Miss Agnes Mowry Tabor sang 'T Hid My Love," by Dhardlot, very beauti-
fully, with accompaniment by Miss Isabel A. Tabor.

The closing address by Governor A. C. Shallenberger complained that he had
been left with practically "nothing to say," but might be able to pick up a few
fragments. As to the monument — "As all roads lead to Rome, so all trails lead
to Kearney" — hence the appropriateness of setting up this first stone to mark the
great trail at Kearney, and how wonderful the great overland railway should
follow that trail. The erection of this monument marks an epoch and signifies
patriotic pride and love of home, and the governor added his congratulations to
all who have participated in such a historic event.

The program in the opera house closed with the singing of "America," by
the audience, led by Mrs. Steadman, and dismissal by Rev. C. B. Stephens.

So were the exercises concluded but the monument itself will stand by the
road where thousands and thousands will read its message and feel the greatness
of the West as they have never felt it before. It will translate its mute mes-
sage to generations who will never have known the real West as it was when the
great Oregon Trail was blazed ; it will give to future generations the power to
appreciate what the pioneers did, the manner in which they did it, and the innate
worth of the pioneers themselves.

THE soldiers' MONUMENT AT KEARNEY

(Note — The editor is greatly indebted to State Superintendent A. O. Thomas
and Comrade F. J. Switz of Kearney for the history of the erection of this
monument and of the unveiling ceremonies.)

In the year 1906, on the 12th day of February (Lincoln's birthday), Mrs.
A. LI. Boltin, president of Sedgwick Woman's Relief Corps No. i of Kearney,
called a joint meeting of all patriotic and soldiers' organizations in the city with
a view of securing the erection, by the city, of a soldiers' monument. Past Post
Commander Capt. Joseph Black served as chairman of the meeting. Pres. A. O,
Thomas of the State Normal School delivered an inspiring address appropriate
to such an occasion.

On motion of Comrade F. J. Switz a monument committee was appointed, rep-
resenting the two G. A. R. posts of the city and the citizens, with authority to
request the city to erect a suitable soldiers' monument.

The members of the committee thus appointed were A. O. Thomas, chairman,
and representing the citizens of Kearney, and Comrades F. J. Switz, Edwin
Thomas, J. A. Larimer and James Larimer as representing Sedgwick Post No. i
and Smith Gavitt Post No. 299, Grand Army of the Republic.

When the matter was brought before the city council it w^as learned that the

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 253

city had no authority of law to expend pubhc funds for such a purpose and it
became necessary to secure the enactment of a statute providing that cities might
legally expend money for such a purpose. A bill to this end was drawn by City
Attorney H. M. Sinclair, introduced in the Legislature by Hon. George W. Bar-
rett, of Buffalo County, and became a law.

An ordinance providing for the erection of a soldiers' monument at the ex-
pense of the City of Kearney was passed June 7, 1909; the members of the city
council being C. W. Hoxie, W. H. Knaggs, Charles Smithy, C. A. Barts, W. S.
Freeman, C. W. Kibler, Robert Haines (a veteran soldier of the Civil war)
and M. E. Chidester. John W. Patterson, mayor. After advertising for bids
the contract for the monument was awarded to Troup & Cruit, of Kearney, at
$4,300.

UNVEILING CEREMONIES OCTOBER 25, I9IO

To arrange for the unveiling ceremonies E. B. Finch and C. H. Gregg were
added to the monument committee.

Li carrying out the general arrangements the following committees were ap-
pointed : Bands — Geo. N. Porter, Harry Black ; Committee on Finance — James
Boyd, Dan Morris, C. W. Norton and Robert Garrison ; Seating and Platform —
W. F. Crossley, W. S. Freeman, E. Schuler and Frank Major; Flags and Deco-
rations — E. B. Finch, W. O. King and L. L. Wernert; Parade — John Wilson,
Gilbert Haase and Maj. Walter Sammons ; Arrangement of Monument for Un-
veiling — C. A. Bessie and E. E. Piper; Publicity — This committee consisted of
the same members as the Publicity Committee of the Kearney Commercial Club ;
Ushers— Dean W. A. Clark, Prof. H. N. Russell, Supt. H. E. Bradford, Supt.
C. B. Manual, Ben Olson and Arthur Scoutt. The lumber for the seats, speakers'
and band stands was furnished gratis by Mr. W. L. Stickle.

The lateness of the season produced considerable anxiety on the part of the
committee in trying to select a good day in advance. October 27th, Roosevelt's
birthday anniversary, was first selected, but it was suggested by Mr. F. J. Switz
of the general committee that a storm was billed for that date. Mr. Switz was
therefore made chairman of the Weather Committee and the date changed to
October 25th. It was a delightful day. Delegations came from Holdrege, Funk,
Axtell, ]\Iinden, Kenesaw, Grand Island, Wood River, Shelton, Gibbon, Elm
Creek, Lexington, Overton, and the towns along the K. & B. H. Railroad. Long
before the appointed hour for the ceremony had arrived the multitude had gath-
ered, and it became evident that the 3,000 seats provided for the occasion would
be entirely inadequate. But Central Avene and wide Twenty-fifth Street pro-
vided standing room for the throng of 12,000 visitors.

The drapery which had veiled the monument since its erection was loosened.
The statue of a volunteer soldier of the Civil war surmounting the shaft was
draped with the Stars and Stripes. The speakers' stand was decorated with flags
and bunting. Everything was in readiness for the unveiling ceremony. About
the city hall were gathered the various organizations that were to take part in the
parade. The Second Regiment Band heading the procession was located on
Avenue A and Railroad Street. Immediately back of them came more than one

254 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

thousand students of the city schools. These were followed by 400 representa-
tives of the State Normal. Next came the Kearney Military Academy cadets
with arms, while Company A of the Nebraska National Guard under Capt. H. N.
Jones formed the special escort of the guests of honor, the members of the Grand
Army of the Republic, the Woman's Relief Corps, and the various ladies' auxil-
iaries, together with the Spanish-American war veterans. As the band opened
with a military march all organizations fell in line. It was a grand spectacle.
The procession filled Central Avenue from the railroad to the monument. As
the advance guard reached the monument the ranks opened and the old soldiers
and other guests of honor marched through. Along the line the crowds took up
the cheering, banners and flags were waving everywhere.

The program began promptly at 2 o'clock. The presiding officer was Chair-
man A. O. Thomas. Seated upon the platform was the acting mayor and mem-
bers of the city council ; the Monument Committee ; Past Department Com-
manders Eli A. Barnes, J. H. Maxon and C. E. Adams ; officials representing the
Woman's Relief Corps, Daughters of the American Revolution, Ladies of the
G. A. R. ; clergymen of the city; a few representative business and professional
men of the city together with those having a place on the program.

The Second Regiment Band, N. N. G., under the leadership of George N.
Porter, took up "America" and the multitude, standing with uncovered heads,
joined in the song, after which Rev. Erastus Smith, a pioneer Methodist min-
ister, a veteran soldier of the Civil war, delivered a prayer full of thankfulness
for the blessings of a free amd united country.

After the band had played the "Star Spangled Banner," Comrades Robert
Haines and Joseph Black drew aside the veil, lifted the flag and the monument
stood out in all its beauty. Constructed of the finest Barre granite, it stands
thirty-three feet high. On the south of the die is the inscription "Erected in
honor of the defenders of our country, 1861-1865 and 1898-1900. On the die
to the north is the legend : "Erected by the City of Kearney, 1910." On the east
and the west are the emblems of the Woman's Relief Corps and Ladies of 'the
G. A. R. On the shaft to the south is the badge of the Grand Army of the
Republic, while on the north is a crown of olives denoting victory. Surmounting
the shaft is the volunteer soldier of the Civil war, with arms at rest, proclaiming
peace. It is safe to say that this monument is not surpassed in beauty by any in
the country. It is of artistic design and well wrought.

Following the unveiling. Acting Mayor Chas. W. Lloxie presented the monu-
ment to the old soldiers for dedication. The receiving ceremony was conducted
by the Rev. Henry Wood, commander of Sedgwick Post No. i, and Chaplain
S. W. Thornton, of Smith Gavitt Post No. 299. In a brief address. Comrade
F. J. Switz thanked the city officials and the citizens in general for this fitting
memorial, and expressed the appreciation of the old soldiers for the honor thus
conferred. The salute to the flag was led by Fort Kearney Chapter Daughters of
the American Revolution, Mrs. Charles O. Norton, regent, after which the band
played an overture consisting of fragments of patriotic airs.

The orators for the occasion were United States Senator Norris Brown and
Past Department Commander C. E. Adams.

Letters of congratulation were read from Major Arnold, Chancellor Samuel

U.WEILIXG OF SOLDIERS' MONUMENT, KEARNEY, OCTOBER 25, 1910
TTniteil States Senator Norris Brown delivering an address

CENTRAL AA^ENUE, KEARNEY

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 255

Avery, Prof. Joseph Sparks, Past Department Commander John E. Evans, Presi-
dent John Lee Webster of the State Llistorical Society, and ex-President Theo-
dore Roosevelt, who sent "the best wishes in the world."

The monument stands at the intersection of Central Avenue and Lincoln
Highway, located at this point by the city authorities in response to a petition to
this effect signed by ninety-three soldiers of the Civil war.

STATE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL AT KEARNEY

At the fifteenth session of the State Legislature (1879) an act was passed
providing for the establishment of a state reform school in conformity with the
provisions of section 12, article 8, of the constitution of the state. Ten thousand
dollars was the amount appropriated for the establishment and maintenance of
the school. Citizens of Kearney offered 320 acres of land as a site for the school,
which was accepted, Senator John D. Seaman and Representative James H.
Davis, members of the State Legislature, and Nathan Campbell and F. G. Keens,
on behalf of the citizens of Kearney, being active in securing the location of the
school at Kearney.

Both boys and girls were admitted to the school until the year 1890, when the
Industrial School for Girls was established at Geneva and about this date the
name of the school was changed from Reform School to Industrial School.

The school was ready for occupancy in July, 1881. The first superintendent.
Dr. G. W. Collins, of Pawnee City, was appointed April 29, 1881. He was suc-
ceeded by S. C. Mullin, who served from January i, 1884, until May 7, 1885, and
was succeeded by John T. Mallalieu.

On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the school
it was stated: "During the past ten years, 590 boys and 180 girls have been
placed under the control of the school. Of this number 384 boys and 120 girls
have passed out into active life. Good homes have been provided for many of
them ; others have gone out and secured homes for themselves."

The superintendents of the school in the order of service have been : J. T.
Mallalieu, C. W. Hoxie, J. N. Campbell. J. T. Mallalieu. J. \\ Beghtol. B. D.
Hayward, E. B. Sherman. C. B. iManuel, R. V. Clark.

STATE NORMAL SCHOOL AT KEARNEY

The State Normal School at Kearney was located by act of the Legislature in
the year 1903 and opened to students in the year 1905, in charge of Dr. A. O.
Thomas as president.

From a silver anniversary edition of the Kearney Daily Hub. October 29.
191 3, is taken a brief summary of the establishment of the school, a financial
statement and reports as to enrollment and graduation of students.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

23j/< acres of land, valued at $10,000

Green Terrace Hall for dormitory, valued at 50.000

256 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

Perpetual water right from Kearney Canal., valued at 10,000

Water and sewer connections brought to buildings, which if

necessary to be built would cost 20,000

Cash donated by City of Kearney 5, 000

Total $95,000

LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATIONS FOR BUILDINGS

Session of 1913, for buildings $ 50,000

Session of 1905, for heating plant 15,000

Session of 1909, for north wing 50,000

Session of 191 1, for south wing 55,ooo

Total for buildings and heating plant $170,000

THE NORMAL SCHOOL'S RECORD TO I913

The total appropriations by the Legislature for the support of the school have
averaged each year, $50,504.50. This includes all funds for water, fuel, lights,
furniture, ec|uipment, office supplies, printing, salaries, wages, etc.

No institution of the country has made a more enviable record. Members of
the Legislature who have visited the school have repeatedly made statements that
nowhere have greater results been achieved with funds appropriated. They have
repeatedly complimented the management upon the conditions found and upon
the conservation of funds set apart for its support.

The matriculation, which counts each student enrolled in the institution in

the eight years but once, amounts to 4,695

Graduated from higher courses 522

Life certificates issued 301

Elementary certificates issued 467

Diplomas from department of commerce 20

Total enrollment, not including model schools and counting each student but

once, during the year closing May, 1913 t.303

Average annual enrollment, about 1,100

ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF KEARNEY MILITARY ACADEMY

(From an address by Bishop Anson Graves, December 18, 1906)

On my second visit to Broken Bow, in the year 1890. I had gone to my room
for a little rest on Sunday afternoon. Soon after, my hostess called me, saying
that a caller had come to see me. Supposing that some prominent churchman had
come to pay his respects to the new bishop, I went down to the parlor. I found
there a lad about twelve years of age. I was pleased that a boy should be so
thoughtful as to call on his bishop. After a little talk together, he looked earnestly
at me and said, "When can the church take me?" I supposed that he was think-

MILITAEY ACADEMY, KEARNEY

NUESES HOME AND PAVILION, NEBRASKA STATE SANATORIUxM, KEARNEY

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 257

ing of confirmation, so I asked him if he knew his catechism and what preparation
he had had. JTe repHed, "Oh, 1 don't mean that, when can the church take me
and educate me for the ministry?" That question was a poser to me. I could
not make any promises, but it set me to thinking very seriously. I knew that there
must be many boys like him on the farms and lonely ranches of Nebraska.

Some time after this a committee of the United Brethren Church came to
Kearney with the intention of starting a school there. They canvassed the town
to see what could be raised for the purpose. They got the promise of twenty-five
acres of land in the eastern part of town and a promise to put up one large build-
ing costing $7,500. The committee then went to York, Neb., and succeeded in
getting a better offer there, so they declined the offer at Kearney. Some of the
citizens then* came to me and asked me to take up with the oft'er made to the
United Brethren. I did not see how I could do so then, but promised that on
my trip East I would see if I could get sufficient help to enable me to found a
school.

On my first trip East to raise money for our missionary work in October of
1890, I was invited to address a branch of the woman's auxiliary of a church in
Yonkers, N. Y. There were about thirty ladies present. I told them of our mis-
sionary work and then I told them of the little boy at Broken Bow and the off'er
made me by the people of Kearney. I said I needed $3,000 to build a dormitory
and with that help I thought I could found a church school. After the meeting
had adjourned, a lady whom I had never seen came to me and said, "I will give
}'ou the $3,000." I almost broke down with emotion. Something for which I had
])leaded before several wealthy congregations was now put into my hands without
much eft'ort. This lady was Mrs. Eva Cochran, who became a mother to the
school and gave to its upbuilding at one time or another about thirty-five thousand
dollars.

On my return to Kearney I told the people that I was ready to go ahead with
the school and directed them to go on and put up the large central building. At
the same time the contract was let for the dormitory of forty rooms. It was
slow work getting the buildings finished and furnished, so we were not able
to open the school until the September of 1892. At first we had both boys and
girls in the school and it ran in this way for about seven years. Gradually the
boys increased in number and the girls became fewer and fewer until the girls
were reluctant to come at all among so many boys. About this time, 1898, the
Spanish war broke out, and taking advantage of the military spirit which per-
vaded the country, we changed the school from a co-educational institution to a
boys' military academy. At this time the name was changed from Platte Collegi-
ate Institute to the Kearney jMilitary Academy.

The year we opened the school there was a good attendance of boys and
girls, mostly from the country. Soon after came years of drought and famine, so
the country people had no money for schooling and the children had to work the
year round to fend off starvation. It was a hard time for the school, but sympa-
thizing friends in the East helped us to keep it going.

Prof. C. A. Murch took charge of the school for the first three years and then
Mr. H. N. Russell for the next three years. Both gave up discouraged on account
of the hard times. Then the Rev. E. P. Chittenden took the school, having like

258 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

the others, the whole plant free on condition that the tuition should be kept so
low as to reach the .needs of our plainer people. The first year Mr. Chittenden
did very well, but in the midst of the second year, on account of neglect and
complications, the school nearly broke up entirely. I then induced Mr. Russell
to become headmaster and I took the general management of the school myself.
I might then have given up the school in despair if just at that time an endow-
ment of $36,000 had not come to the school from the estate of Air. Felix R.
Brunot. This sum I carefully set aside, determined to use only the interest on
it to keep the school going and to help the poorer boys with scholarships. After
I had managed the school for several years and put it fairly on its feet, Mr.
Russell was again willing to take the school plant, rent free, and assume the
financial responsibilities. This greatly crowded our buildings, and there became
great need of a large, permanent, fireproof building.

At this juncture Mr. F. G. Keens, of Kearney, came to me and offered to
raise $25,000 of it himself in the East for a fine new building. I laid the propo-
sition before the "mother of the school," Mrs. Eva S. Cochran, and after careful
investigation she promised the other $25,000. The building was to be of rein-
forced concrete, the walls filled in with pressed brick and hollow tile and the
whole entirely fireproof.

I would here add that in due time the building was completed and occupied.
Mr. Russell remained in charge as long as I was bishop there and deserves great
credit for the upbuilding of the school. The school became in every Avay a
blessed success and a helpful adjunct to the church's work in the District of
Kearney and the neighboring diocese. I would also add that the little boy at
Broken Bow was a free pupil in the school for several years, although he did not
finally study for the ministry. Some other pupils of the school, however, are now
in the ministry and others became teachers there and elsewhere.

STREET SCENES IX RAVENNA

CHAPTER XXXVI

RAVENNA FORT BANISHMENT ERASTUS SMITH, THE FIRST SETTLER BURLINGTON

RAILROAD COMPLETED IN 1 886 INDIAN RELICS VILLAGE OF RAVENNA INCOR-
PORATED IN 1886 VILLAGE OFFICERS WATERWORKS INSTALLED SEWERAGE

INSTALLED POSTOFFICE ESTABLISHED IN 1878 LIST OF POSTMASTERS LIST OF

PHYSICIANS CEMETERY ESTABLISHED IN 1886 THE PUBLIC SCHOOL RAVENNA

NEWS THE RAVENNA CREAMERY THE DAIRY INDUSTRY IN BUFFALO COUNTY

THE RAVENNA MILLS CHURCHES BANKS FRATERNAL LODGES.

RAVENNA

In the early days in the history of the land beyond the Missouri River there
were many trails across the territory, one much traveled being up the Platte
River on the north side. This trail crossed the Loup River at or near where is
now the City of Columbus. It was a difficult crossing for the Loup was deep,
with a strong current. To cross at that point emigrants swam their oxen across.
Out of the wagon box they made a boat, some of them covering the box with
skins of animals, others using a tent cloth, and in this improvised boat they ferried
over their families and goods. In order to avoid this crossing many emigrants
continued up the Loup River on the east bank, crossing to the west bank in the
locality of where is now Nance County, and continued their journey up the South
Loup across what is now Buffalo County when they crossed the low divide to the
Platte River and continued the journey along the Platte River Trail. Thus it
was that there were numerous wagon trails up the South Loup River and no doubt
thousands of emigrants, traveling over this trail, have camped in the immediate
vicinity of Ravenna, as here was to be found luxurious pasture for the stock of
the emigrants, as well as an ideal camping place — timber and plenty of good water.
These trails were plainly in evidence in the '70s when settlers living in the south-
ern part of the county came to the Loup for wood. ]Many of these wagon trails
were worn so deep that oxen could no longer travel them and then a new wagon
trail was made beside the old one.

FORT BANISHMENT

The Union Pacific Railroad was completed across Buffalo County in the years
1866-67. Some of the tribes of Indians, more especially the Sioux in North-
western Nebraska, were not friendly to the building of the railroad and in order
to protect the workmen the general Government stationed troops in the territory
to the north and small army posts — forts they were called locally — were built for

259

260 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

the comfort and convenience of the troops. One of these frontier posts was
located on the south bank of the South Loup River in the center of section No.
i6.. town No. 12, range No. 14. In the month of June, 1871, the writer and a
considerable number of colonists who had, in April, settled on claims in the vicin-
ity of Gibbon, visited the South Loup country in order to view the land, there
being no settlers in the northern part of Buffalo County at that date. The com-
pany camped for the night at the point where was located this post known as
Fort Banishment. The earthworks — rifle pits — extended, in the form of a square,
from the bank of the river to the south. Within the enclosure were two build-
ings constructed of oak logs, one for the soldiers, the other for their horses; the
roofs were of poles and willow brush covered with sod and dirt. It is recalled
that nailed on the outer walls of the buildings were a score or more of the feet of
timber wolves, the feet being much larger than the feet of coyotes. It might be
mentioned that below the fort, on the south side of the river, was an island em-
bracing several acres, and on this island — thus protected from prairie fires — was
a considerable growth of oak, yellow and black, many of the trees from two to
three feet in diameter. It seemed that the trees to build the fort came from this
island, access to which was by means of a beaver-dam bridge over which could
be driven teams with loaded wagons.

When the courthouse was built at Gibbon in 1872, wood to burn the brick
was hauled from the South Loup River, and practically all the trees on the island
referred to were made into cord wood and hauled away. Much timber, cotton-
wood and oak, along the South Loup, of a size suitable for ties had been cut
and used in the building of the railroad.

ERASTUS SMITH

One of the earliest settlers in the northern portion of Buffalo County was
Erastus Smith, who made settlement in 1874, at the point where is now the
Town of Ravenna. Mr. Smith brought with him a herd of some thirty-five head
of shorthorn cattle, the first registered cattle of that famous breed to be brought
into the county. He engaged in the cattle business keeping an average of one
hundred and fif^y head of registered and grade shorthorns.

Realizing how greatly settlers in Buffalo County were handicapped by lack
of knowledge of climatic conditions, more especially as respects annual rainfall,
in co-operation with the weather bureau of the University of Nebraska and the
United States Department of Agriculture, in the year 1878 Mr. Smith began
keeping a daily record of temperature and rainfall and which he continued until
his death in 1909, a period of thirty-one years and which record is still (1915)
being kept by members of his family. Mr. Smith was one of the most faithful
and painstaking reporters connected with the weather bureau service. In the
earlier years it was required that the temperature be taken three times in twenty-
four hours, at 7 A. M., 2 P. M., and 9 P. M. ; it is related that in the thirty-one
years in which Mr. Smith kept his record some member of his family was always
at home to make the record at the time required.

When Mr. Smith came to Buffalo County he shipped his household goods, six
head of horses and grain for his teams and provisions for his family to last a

MICHAEL KNEISS

A resident of E'avenna who cele-
brated his one hundredth birthday in
December, 1915.

EEASTUS SMITH

First settler in Garfield Township.
Arrived in 1874 bringing with him a
herd of registered shorthorn cattle.
Founder of Eavenna.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 261

year, to Kearney; disposing of one horse he loaded his belongings onto wagons
and with the members of his family started for the new home, some twenty-five
miles distant, crossing the South Loup River at Peter's Bridge ; in that portion
of ButTalo County to which he journeyed, there were no settlers, the streams
unbridged, and his sod house was the only habitation. Li crossing the Beaver,
near his claim, the wagon containing his household goods and provisions upset,
all his goods were lost in the stream, including a cook stove, and three of his
most valuable horses were drowned.

In those early days the Union Pacific Railroad Company having secured a
decision from the courts which enabled it to evade payment of taxes on its lands,
and there being very few settlers in the northern part of the county, it was many
years before there were children enough of school age, and taxable property
sufficient to warrant the establishment of a school within reach of the few settlers
there located, and hence it was that Mr. Smith and his few neighbors were located
in a school district, and paid taxes to support a public school, whose schoolhouse
was in the Wood River Valley of the Platte some twenty miles distant. Also as
a matter of history, but not pleasing to record, it might be added that all crops
planted the first year by Mr. Smith and the members of his family, including a
large garden, on which his wife expended much labor, took much pride in, and
set great store by, was entirely destroyed by migratory grasshoppers, which even
dug holes in the ground that they might get the last tiny rootlet of an onion.

In the year 1886 the Burlington Railroad was built into Garfield Township
and Ravenna was founded and became a division station. Mr. Smith sold to the
Lincoln Land Company a two-thirds interest in the townsite of Ravenna, he
retaining every third lot.

In the early history of Bufifalo County the Platte and Wood River valleys in
the southern part were first settled by homesteaders who engaged in farming
operations, while the northern part of the county, as well as the comities of
Sherman and Custer were largely given over to cattle ranches ; when settlers
began to take homestead claims in this section there was much friction between
the cattle men and the homesteaders ; out of such friction grew the Ketchum-
Mitchell-Olive tragedy and the killing of the cowboys by the sherifif of Custer
County. It is true that some of the early settlers in that region "rustled" cattle
found on the range and it is also true that cattlemen, by intimidation and by
force endeavored to discourage and keep out would-be homesteaders ; in the
contest the homesteader prevailed and occupied the land as it was right and best
that he should; the homesteader established a home for himself and his family,
organized school districts, erected schoolhouses and supported public schools,
instituted churches, bridged streams, laid out and improved public highways,
advanced the cause of civilization, while the so-called cattle men occuj)ied the
public range with their large herds of cattle but contributed nothing to the
development of the resources of the country or the upbuilding of the community.

INDIAN RELICS

The many Indian relics discovered from time to time by Erastus Smith, his
grandson Lawrence Smith, and others, of specimens of pottery and stone imple-

262 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

ments used by Indians, as well as human bones of a bygone age, seem to clearly
indicate that in this immediate vicinity was an Indian village and an Indian
burying ground, doubtless of the Pawnee tribe of Indians, this being the home of
the Pawnees when the white man came and one of the four confederated tribes
of Pawnee being known as Pawnee Loup.

The Village of Ravenna was incorporated October 12, 1886, the board of
trustees then appointed being Henry Boyle, M. S. Taffee, Joseph Bohac, E. Geist
and R. M. Rankin, with Edw. Cronau as clerk.

In the year 1891 a system of municipal waterworks was installed at an
expense of $8,000. This system as completed in 191 5 comprises six miles of
8-inch, 6-inch and 4-inch mains, the total cost $40,000. In 191 5 a sewerage system
was installed at a cost of $22,000.

In the year 191 2 a privately owned electric light system was installed, by the
Ravenna Electric Light, Heat and Power Company, A. T. Shellenbarger, presi-
dent. The following are the names of the village ofiticials at the close of the year
1915; Dr. Frank J. Wilkie, mayor; Carl Linn, A. R. Kinney, James Motsick and
Wm. A'ieregg, trustees; R. M. Thomson, attorney; A. E. Erasim, treasurer;
C. B. Cass, clerk and superintendent of the cemetery. O. O. Geist, superintendent
of waterworks and sewers; A. A. Mrkvicka, marshal; James Raymond, night
watch.

In the year 1878, December 11, the Beaver Creek postofifice was estabhshed
with Erastus Smith as postmaster. The name was changed to Ravenna on the
completion of the Burlington Railroad in 1886. The names of postmasters in
their order have been, Erastus Smith, W. A. Way, A. T. Shellenbarger, F. P.
Wilsey, W. F. Richardson, Charles Miner, Frank Howard. Mr. Miner served
as postmaster for sixteen years and relinquished the office to Frank Howard in
March, 191 5.

The volume of business of the office approximates fifty thousand annually.

The physicians who for a term of years have served the people of Ravenna
and vicinity are, Dr. Charles A. Hale, Dr. John H. Penn, Dr. S. M. Bentley and
Dr. George Buol.

A municipally owned cemetery of five acres was established in 1886, of which
C. B. Cass has served as superintendent for more than twenty years. This is
one of the handsomest and best cared for cemeteries in Central Nebraska. It is
maintained by revenue derived from the sale of lots; ten acres adjoining on the
south have been purchased and improved for cemetery purposes.

THE PUBLIC SCHOOL

The Ravenna School District was organized in the year 1884 with Erastus
Smith, D. Hutchison and Frank Coulter as trustees.

The first teacher employed was Mrs. Alva Adams. The first high school
established was in 1887 and the second in 1912.

The first high school building was erected at a cost of $18,000. The new
high school building, completed in 191 5 at a cost of $40,000. Twelve grades are
taught and thirteen teachers employed; 460 students were enrolled in 1915. The
present members of the school board — 191 5 — are Charles Miner, George Smaha,

HIGH AND GRADE SCHOOL BUILniXGS, RAVEXXA

FIRST SCHOOLHOrSE ERECTED AT RAVEXXA

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 263

R. M. Thomson treasurer, Dr. J. H. Penn secretary, C. B. Cass president, Roy
Greenstit.

In an edition of the Ravenna News for the year 191 3 is given the following
account of the public schools of the village:

"The people of Ravenna are justly proud of their system of schools and no
factor in the development of our city receives more loyal support than does our
institution devoted to the acquisition of knowledge and the application of the
power derived therefrom.

"The university course as now offered is fully credited by the University of
Nebraska for thirty-two points, graduates from this course being admitted with-
out further examination. At the present time eleven of our graduates are pur-
suing courses in the above named institution. Many others are in attendance at
other higher institutions of learning, in all of which our records are accepted in
full faith.

"The normal training course for the training of teachers is fully approved
by the state department of public instruction. Graduates from this course are
given second grade county teachers' certificates which are exchanged for first
grade county certificates after a teaching experience of one year. A majority
of the rural schools in this part of the county are presided over by graduates of
our normal training department.

"Under the provisions of the free high school law we are authorized to
receive into the high school such non-resident students as are unable to secure
the higher instruction in their home districts from which we receive a compen-
sation of $27 each annually. At the present time there are on our roll twenty-
two such non-resident students.

"A department of music has been installed this year that gives every evi-
dence of success. Our students are taking an interest in this subject not hitherto
manifested and we are led to believe that this department will remain as a
permanent feature of the school work. Musical instruction is given in each grade
daily and, in the near future, it is expected will develop the ordinar}^ musical
faculties of the child.

"A course in Domestic Science conducted according to the Crete plan has
been in successful operation for the la'st two years from which very gratifying
results have been derived.

. "The athletic work is now in charge of a competent instructor and the work
of this department is progressing with much satisfaction.

"The former plan of simply turning the children loose at play time has been
discarded and in the future play time as well as study time will be supervised.
It is believed that all the elevating and ennobling influences of the teacher in the
school room may be counteracted in a very short time by the indiscriminate and
reckless commingling of all classes in uncontrolled association in play. Our
ideal playground of the future will contain many pieces of playground apparatus
which under the teacher's direction may become instruments of education and
means of drawing: forth the best elements of the child's nature."

264 . HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

THE RAVENNA NEWS

The Ravenna News was established in the year 1886 by C. B. Cass, who has
served continuously as its owner, publisher and editor.

The News is an ideal local newspaper. Its policy is always constructive,
never destructive. Its aim has been to develop and build up the village and the
surrounding community. Its editor keeps in close touch with the people of his
community, is in full sympathy with their desires and aspirations, has their full
confidence and in a newspaper way The Ravenna News has served its people
loyally, willingly and acceptably.

THE RAVENNA CREAMERY COMPANY

The oldest incorporated creamery company in Nebraska is the Ravenna
Creamery Company, located at Ravenna, in Buffalo County. This creamery
company was incorporated in October, i86g, by the following parties: Erastus
Smith, F. E. Shaw, F. W. Sears, W. Z. Tillson, Henry Boyle, J. W. Dunkin, A.
W. Wicher, M. Friend, James A. Clark, W. W. Pool and C. E. Davis. The
capital stock was $9,000.

This was one of some three hundred creamery plants promoted in Nebraska
between the years 1885 and 1912, which cost the original stockholders at least
two prices, and which statistics published in the 19 12 annual report of the
Nebraska Dairymen's Association disclose that of the total number, 23 per cent
ran not to exceed one year, 50 per cent not to exceed two years, 63 per cent not
to exceed three years and 80 per cent not to exceed four years. In the year
1895 the capital stock of the creamery was increased to $15,000, and about this
date C. A. Clark, an experienced creamery man from New York, was employed
to take charge of the plant. In 1904 C. A. Clark, J. Clark and J. S. Clark having
purchased the entire capital stock surrendered the original articles of incorpora-
tion and reincorporated under the same name with a paid up capital of $50,000,
which in 1914 was increased to $75,000.

This creamery was operated for a time on the "gathered cream" plan, but
soon adopted the so-called "Centralizer" plan — shipping cream by rail from
near and distant points, thus largely extending its patronage and the territory
from which cream was secured; also the' company engaged in the manufacture
of ice cream, the handling of eggs, and the, till then comparatively new industry,
buying, fattening and shipping of dressed poultry. Such poultry, when pur-
chased, is closely confined in crates holding six dozen fowls each and fed twice
a day for some six to ten days with a ration of buttermilk, cheap wheat flour
and corn meal, when they are in prime condition for the table.

The output of this company for the current year (1915) approximates very
closely to 900,000 pounds of creamery butter, 60,000 head of dressed poultry,
6,400 cases of eggs, 24,000 gallons of ice cream, at a total' expense for raw mate-
rial and labor of approximately $326,000.

The present (1915) officers of the company are: C. A. Clark, president;
J. S. Clark, secretary, and C. D. Conn, treasurer.

EAA^ENXA :\IILLS AND DAM ACROSS BEAVER CREEK, RAA'EXXA

^a^^QKsralSKLj^Si^ByMHl^H^SlElSM^^HMV^^I^HP^

*«*-;•- '^' "':WWfMM

~^ jM^^^^^^^^^^^I

iS^

(Courtesy uf C. U. Cais. ilaveiuia)

COTTONWOOD TREE OX THE BAXK OF SOUTH LOUP RIVER, RAVENNA

An anfient laiulmark, believed to be two hinidreil or more years old

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 265

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY IN BUFFALO COUNTY

The dairy industry cannot be said to have greatly flourished in Buffalo County
at any period since its first settlement.

A close analysis would disclose that dairying in the county — and in the state
as well — bears a close relation to the rural population, and further that dairying
on our farms is a side issue rather than a principal source of farm revenue.
Some ten creameries have been built in the county, none of which except the
Ravenna creamery were operated for any long period of time on account of
insufficient local patronage. Commercial dairying in Buft'alo County is best
represented by cream shipments, such cream being largely manufactured into
creamery butter.

The butter manufactured by the Ravenna Creamery Company, as given here-
with, is largely from cream produced in counties other than Buffalo, and hence
the shipments of cream from the county as herewith given approximates very
closely to the total of the commercial dairy industry of the county.

Cream shipments from stations in Buffalo County, as reported to the Nebraska
Railway Commission, from July i, 1913, to June 30, 1914:

BUFFALO COUNTY

Gallons Transportation

Stations cream charges

Pleasanton 28,130 $849.95

Miller 26,100 992.68

Amherst 26,030 926.58

- Elm Creek 23,980 887.78

Kearney 23,050 93I-09

Gibbon 18.600 473-65

Poole 14,370 451-78

Shelton 12,120 335-13

Odessa 8.310 161.42

Riverdale 7,090 166.43

Ravenna 6,400 177-44

Sweetwater 6,360 34-50

Buda 200 6.47

Totals 207,740 $6,394-90

It is estimated that from the foregoing number of gallons of cream could
be manufactured approximately 975,000 pounds of creamery butter; the approx-
imate value of the cream paid to the producer, $288,000.

THE RAVENNA MILLS

The Ravenna Mills were originally built by C. S. Seeley about the year 1891,
and about ten years later came into possession of Shellenbarger & Davenport,
who suffered a total loss by fire and rebuilt the mill in 1902. In 1904 the prop-

266 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

erty came into the possession of the Ravenna Mills, Incorporated, which corpo-
ration has since owned and operated the husiness. The active managers are:
A. R. Kinney, president and manager, and Robert S. Dickinson, secretary and
treasurer.

This property represents an investment of about seventy-five thousand dollars
and does an annual business of about three hundred thousand dollars.

The mill has a capacity of 500 quarter barrel sacks of flour daily, and the
elevator and feed mill has a capacity of handling two or three cars of feed in
addition daily. Ten men are given steady employment and additional help is
required in the busy season.

The products of the mill are marketed chiefly in the northwestern part of
Nebraska, and in Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota.

The lower grades of flour are sold in eastern cities and exports to England.
The management is planning to enlarge the plant to a capacity of 1,000 sacks of
flour daily and a storage capacity of 75,000 bushels of grain. Mr. Kinney, the
manager, states : "It is a well known fact that the high lands of Buft'alo County
produce the choicest hard winter wheat grown anywhere in the world, and the
Ravenna Mills flour is known far and wide for its excellence."

CHURCHES

The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lourdes was organized about
the year 1889 by Rev. Father Thomas P. Haley, with a charter membership of
fifteen families. About the same date (1889) a church building was erected at
an approximate cost of fifteen hundred dollars. It is stated that the first pastor
was Father J. P. Haley, but practically three or four miles north of where
Ravenna now stands was called "Paris," and consisted of three sod houses, a
blacksmith shop and a postoffice. In one of the sod houses Father J. F. Hayes
said mass in 1883. In 1887 was the first confirmation at Ravenna by Bishop
O'Connor. At that date the congregation consisted of eight German, eight Irish
and some Bohemian families, the Bohemians being attended by Father Maly.

In 1915 the church had a membership of fifty families, the pastor in charge
being Very Rev. Joseph Macourek, vicar general.

The First Congregational Church of Ravenna was instituted November 3,
1886, with Rev. Robert M. Travers as pastor. The charter members were:
Robert M. Travers, Mrs. Robert M. Travers, Mr. and Mrs. Alex. H. Gray,
F. P. Boyden, Mrs. Mary Boyden Smith, Mr. and Mrs. F. R. Petitt, Mrs. Olivia
Jeffries, John Pany. In the year 1887 a church building was erected at a cost
of approximately fifteen hundred dollars. In the year 1893 a parsonage was
built which has since been remodeled and improved.

In 1915 the church had a membership of eighty-two. Rev. H. M. Triplett
is the pastor.

Lutheran Trinity Church (German), in Schneider Township, was organized
in 1898, with Rev. William Landgraf as its first pastor, and the following charter
members : Albert Thom, Hermann Rohde, Sr., John Pape, August Burke, Karl
Thom, Henry Petermann, Fred Schmidt, Martin Keilig, Sr., Hans Voss, Carl
Kutz. Albert Bedke.

METHODIST CHUECH AND PAESONAGE, RAVENNA

CATHOLU ClilKi H AND PARSOXACl.. l;A\ KNNA

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 267

A church building and parsonage have been built at a cost of approximately
two thousand dollars. In 19 15 the church had a membership of twenty-three, its
pastor being Rev. W. E. Harms.

BANKS

The Citizens State Bank of Ravenna was organized in 1902, with a capital
stock of $10,000. The officers and shareholders were: John Skable, presi-
dent; \\'illiam Benesh, cashier; directors, John Skable, William Benesh, Joseph
Simon, Joseph Sheble, Ed Miner.

In 1915 the bank had a capital stock of $25,000; surplus, $5,000; deposits,
$175,000. Officers: F. J. Coats, president; M. L. Bonson, vice president; A. E.
Erazim, cashier; H. J. Klatt, assistant cashier.

The State Bank of Ravenna was established in 1886, with a capital of $25,000.
The officers: C. N. Davenport, president; R. M. Thomson, vice president; J. H.
Harrison, cashier; A. O. Skochdopole, assistant cashier; directors, C. N. Daven-
port, S. N. Wolbach, J. H. Harrison, R. ]\I. Thomson, A. C. Mayer, A. R. Kinney,

B. H. Paine.

In 191 5 the bank had of capital stock, $25,000; surplus, $5,000; deposits,
$190,000.

POSTS — LODGES

Cedar ^Mountain Post No. 220, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized
at Ravenna, July 17, 1886, wnth eight charter members: Henry Cochrane, John
S. Salsbury, Thomas J. Perry, Jacob Long, R. J. Malin, J. B. Vanbrunt, M. G.
Wheelock, Jeremiah Towney.

In 1915 the post had a membership of six, with John S. Saulisbury as com-
mander. Since the organization of the post there have been sixty-six members,
of whom John S. Salsbury, W. O. Pickett, William Lamb, Casper Shrader,
Paul Miller, Joseph Clayton, C. G. Perkins and John Michie are living in Buffalo
County. Twenty-six old soldiers are buried in cemeteries located in the vicinity
of Ravenna.

Kismet Lodge No. 112, Knights of Pythias, was organized at Ravenna April
3, 1889. The charter members and officers : J. W. Dunkin, P. C. ; Edw. Cronau,

C. C. : \\\ R. Hershberger, V. C. ; C. N. Davenport, P. ; W. G. Hyer, K. of R.
and S.; H. H. Rankin, M. of F. ; F. E. Taylor, M. of E. ; C. B. Cass, M. A.;
Frank \^alek, I. G. ; Joseph Smaha, O. G. ; C. A. Day, W. I. Greiner, A. B.
Hlava, A. ^^^ Wicher, J. H. Xiles, J. H. Keck, Frank Fiala, Frank Krajicik,
W. J. Eckerson, Charles Pedirit, Joseph Bohac, Joseph Hlava, Joseph Shebl, B.
Engstrom, J. A. Kilgore, A. Goodrow, George Smaha, Henry Boyle.

In 1915 the lodge had a membership of sixty-five. Officers: William Vie-
regg, C. C. ; Robert S. Dickinson, V. C. ; Carl Linn, prelate; R. A. :\Iurray, K. of
R. and S. ; C. N. Davenport, M. of F. ; James ]\Iotsick, Treas.

Ravenna Lodge No. 95, A. O. U. W., was organized October 26, 1886. The
officers: F. W. Wicher, P. M. W. ; A. S. Potter, M. W. ; Henry Friend, F. ;
F. W. Sears, Rec. ; Henry Boyle, Fin. ; Edw. Cronau, Recorder ; C. N. Daven-
port, G. ; T. T. Gologly, O. ; R. S. Boyle, I. W. ; David White, O. W.

268 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

In 1915 the lodge had a membership of fifty-three. Officers: C. B. Cass,
P. M. W. ; W. H. Margritz, M. W. ; C. N. Davenport, Rec. ; A. V. Hlava, Fin. ;
Edw. Cronau, Treas. ; R. C. Salsbury, F.

Ravenna Hive No. 44, Lady Maccabees, was organized October 17, 191 1, with
the following officers : Jessie I. Petersen, P. C. ; Anna Weidner, C. ; Madge M.
Dietlein, L. C. ; Margaret C. Moore, R. K. ; Sadie E. Glass, F. A.; Bessie L.
Glass, chaplain; Leona M. Leidbfif, L. A.; Dora E. Cunningham, Sec; Martha
Ruggles, Sent. ; Veva Michie, picket.

Samson Lodge No. 329, Modern Brotherhood of America, was organized at
Ravenna December 2, 1899. In 191 5 the lodge had a membership of ninety-
eight. Its ofiicers: Mrs. Rosa Goodwin, president; G. T. Cupit, vice president;
G. A. Winkler, secretary ; Mary L. Tibbetts, treasurer ; Willis Hutchison, guide ;
trustees, C. B. Cass, William Goodwin, Willis Hutchison.

South Loup Camp No. 1408, M. W. A., was organized at Ravenna June to,
1890. Its officers: Samuel Evans, V. C. ; J. C. Patterson, clerk; Joseph Haier,
banker; C. A. Day, Adv.; John A. Kock, sentry; Chas. H. Hale, escort; Jos. W.
Evans, watchman.

In 1915 the camp had a membership of 143. Officers : G. A. Winkler, V. C. ;
W. H. Morgritz, Adv.; C. H. Piderit, clerk; H. H. Rasmussen, banker; Albert
Polenz, escort.

Ivy Camp No. 1806, R. N. A., was organized at Ravenna September i, 1899,
with a charter membership of twenty-four, and the following officers : Miss
Libbie Smaha, oracle; Mrs. Mary Bengsh, past oracle; Helen Zimpfer, vice
oracle; Jessie Humpal, chancellor; Mrs. Ulasta Slavintinsky, recorder; Mrs.
Emma Karel, receiver; Miss Olga Hach, I. S. ; Miss Bessie Hosek, O. S. ; man-
agers, Elsie Meek, Mrs. Geist, Mrs. Lucy Smaha ; marshals. Miss Adele Hlava
and Miss Blanche Hach.

Les Alore Castle No. 2, Royal Highlanders, was organized at Ravenna
March i, 1897, with the following officers: John E. Mellett, P. I. P.; Dr. John
H. Penn, I. P. ; C. H. Freeman, C. C. ; C. B. Cass, W. E. ; John S. Molynaux,
; L. W. Brownfield, Treas.; Frank R. Donner, guide; M. McAndrews, her-
ald; Hans Henry Luth, censor; F. Schieck, second censor; Jas. DeMaranville,
C. of A. ; J. Foster Buehner, warder ; S. G. Swain, Sent. ; Frank Kellogg. P. C. ;
Albert T. Walton, Canton Swain, Fred Harris, Fred Hlava, O. L. Miller, Dr.
Samuel M. Bently.

In 1915 the castle had a membership of 190. The officers: Ferd Thompson,
I. P. ; C. H. McConnell, P. I. P. ; Mrs. Edith Hughes, C. C. ; Ina Skochdopole,
W. E. ; II. J. Klatt, Sec. and Treas.

Ruze Vitezstvi No. 92, Jednota Ceskych Dam (J. C. D.), Bohemian Woman's
Auxiliary to Z. C. B. J. Order. Organized February 22, 1898, with twenty-three
charter members. Membership of fifty-three in 1915. First officers: Mrs. Joseph
Shebl, president; Mrs. Mary Hach, secretary; Mrs. Anna Jelinek, vice president;
Mrs. Josephine Valek, treasurer. Officers in 1915: Mrs. Barbara Kolar, presi-
dent; Mrs. Anna Jelinek, vice president; Mrs. Mary Hach, secretary; Mrs. Bar-
bary Skochdopole, treasurer.

Zizkuv Palcat Lodge Cesko Slavonsky Podporujice Spolek (C. S. P. S.) was
first organized at the farm home of Albert Skochdopole, in Garfield Township^

EXTBAXCE TO CEMETERY AT RAVENNA

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND PARSONAGE, RAVENNA

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 269

November 15, 1885, with a charter membership of fifteen. The following offi-
cers were elected at time of organization: Albert Skochdopole, president; Frank
Fiala, vice president ; Frank Skochdopole, secretary ; James Hervert, treasurer.

In 1897 this lodge membership was transferred to the Z. C. B. J. (Zapadni
Bratrska Jednota), Western Bohemian Brotherhood, and at present the lodge
has an active membership of 157. The organization has ocupied its own building
for a number of years and has purchased a fine site for a proposed new hall and
auditorium, to cost not less than $10,000. Present (1915) officers: Joseph Brt,
president; Frank Fiala, past president; Vencil Kuticka, vice president; Frank
Slavintinsky, secretary ; Anton Erazim, treasurer ; A. V. Hlava, collector.

Bily Dub Camp No. 117, Woodmen o^ the World (Bohemian), was chartered
October 8, 1907. First officers: Bart Neiberk, consul; Albert Mrkvicka, vice
consul; Alois Klinkacek, banker; James Motsick, clerk; Joseph Kolar, escort;
Joseph Alusil, sentry ; Vaclav Razim, Louis Macek and Anton Jelinek, managers ;
Dr. C. A. Hale and Dr. J. H. Penn, physicians. Present (1915) membership,
fifty-two. Officers: Joseph Brt, consul; Frank Slavintinsky, adviser; Louis
Vesely, clerk; Joseph Witter, banker; F. J. Macek, flagman; James Motsick,
escort ; John Sklenar, sentry ; Thomas Suchy, watchman ; Rudolph Finder, Louis
Klinkacek and James Kostal, managers ; Dr. J. H. Penn, physician.

Ravenna Lodge No. 347, I. O. O. F., was organized November 20, 1909.
Charter members : John S. Salsbury, N. G. ; Charles A. Liedloff, V. G. ; E. F.
Carr, Sec. ; A. R. Norton, Treas. ; Dr. John H. Penn, John Akred, W. M. Feld-
mayer, Jacob Gehrt, Hermon Witte, Roy Salsbury, George Hutchison, Joseph
Hafner, W. F. Stark, C. Feldmayer, E. E. Evanson, George H. Morgon, D. N.
Henry (past grand), E. S. Wiley, C. H. Rockey, H. C. Decious. In 1915 the
lodge had a membership of forty-eight. Officers : W. F. Stark, N. G. ; A. U.
Wilson, V. G. ; G. A. Winkler, Sec. ; Wm. Butler, Treas.

Fidelity Rebekah Lodge No. 284, I. O. O. F., was organized November 21,
1910, wath twenty-eight charter members. Its first officers: Lilie Akred, N. G. ;
Rachael A. Butler, V. G. ; Dr. E. A. Carr, Sec. ; Mrs. Walter Newberg, Treas.

A dispensation was granted for Lotus Lodge No. 289, A. F. & A. M., at
Ravenna. June 11, 1914, and charter issued June 1, 1915. The petitioners for the
dispensation were : Alfred G. Hunt, W. M. ; Courtland D. Conn, S. W. ; George
W. West, J. W. ; Albert V. Hlava, Treas. ; Charles Miner, Sec. ; Claude A. Jones,
S. D. ; Louis M. Ferrier, J. D. ; Edw. Cronau, Lorin M. Walther, Frank C. Moore,
Clarence E. Collender, James M. Mewhirter, Walter Newberg, John H. Penn,
Robert M. Thomson, Clark Biggerstafif, John A. McDonald, Mac W. Wade,
Frank J. Benesh, Andrew G. Ward, George C. Moore, J. Hlava, John J. Witte,
Leroy Brewer.

CHAPTER XXXVII

ELM CREEK TOWNSHIP — EARLY SETTLERS — ^ELM CREEK STATION AND EATING HOUSE

COLD TEA SOLD EMIGRANTS AS "WET GOODS" CORD WOOD SOLD AT SHERIFF

SALE AT EIGHT CENTS PER CORD ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 9

LIST OF POSTMASTERS; PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS THE FIRST NEWSPAPER

INCORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE — CHURCHES — BANKS — LODGES — FIRST CHURCH
SERVICE A FUNERAL OCCASION ODESSA TOWNSHIP FIRST SETTLERS REMINIS-
CENCES — GRANT TOWNSHIP — REMINISCENCES.

When the Union Pacific Railroad was completed across Buffalo County in
the years 1866-67, a station was established and named Elm Creek and D. C.
Bond appointed agent. Also at Elm Creek was located an eating house, Charles
Davis proprietor, and the emigrant train, carrying passengers, was scheduled to
stop twenty minutes for meals at this point. Mr. Davis also kept a saloon and
in 1872 an advertisement of his dining hall and saloon appeared in the Buft'alo
County Beacon, published at Gibbon. Stations were few and far between on the
railroad in the early days and travelers who indulged in strong drink embraced
every opportunity offered to lay in a supply in bottles and jugs. The presence of
liquors on the emigrant train made much trouble for the trainmen, and it is
related that the following plan of lessening the evil was adopted at Elm Creek,
in co-operation between the trainmen and Mr. Davis the saloonkeeper.

On the arrival of the emigrant train refusal was made to sell liquors in bottles
and jugs on the plea that the trainmen objected, but the would be purchasers
were informed that if they would quietly wait until the train was due to leave
and the trainmen elsewhere employed, they could have all the bottles and jugs
of liquors they desired.

Hence it was at the last moment those who wished loaded up with wet goods.
After the train had left for the West it was discovered that the wet goods con-
sisted of cold tea and for a mile or more west of the station the roadside was
lined with broken jugs and bottles.

Among the first to take homestead claims in what is now Elm Creek Town-
ship were: A. F. Eraser, T. J. Holt, B. Eoot and H. Ryan in 1871 and Eannie
Nevius, James Tyler, W. Shreve, R. M. Holt, M. Stout, F. Ryan, D. McAlister,
W. S. Leake, J. E. Anderson, P. Hansen. D. T. Hood, W. V. Hoge, J. McKee
and J. W. Stevens in 1872.

A postofifice was established at an early date, D. C. Bond serving as the first
postmaster. Wm. Clark for a time handled mail at a location one mile west of
the present village, where the first schoolhouse was built and at this point a store
flourished for a time.

270

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 271

John Churchill, who built and conducted the first store on the present village
site served as postmaster. The others, as recalled, in their order were : D. I.
Brown, Ed Potter, F. M. Barney, Charles Willis, Mark Jones, B. F. Saylor, and
Ed Fitzgerald the present (1916) incumbent. The postoffice is of third class,
the annual business for the year 1914, approximating three thousand dollars.

sheriff's sale of cord wood at elm creek in 1870

Joseph Owen, an early settler and serving as deputy sheriff of the county in
the year 1870, relates that he sold on execution, at Elm Creek, on the loth of
November, 1870, 460 cords of four-foot wood, at prices ranging from six to
nine cents per cord.

Air. Owen states that the price at which the wood sold was just sufficient to
satisfy the judgment and costs.

A memorandum in Air. Owen's possession discloses the names of parties
purchasing and the price paid :

D. C. Bond, 70 cords at 9 cents $ 6.30

Charles Davis, 180 cords at 6 cents 10.80

B. I. Hinman, 210 cords at 6 cents 12.60

The following is copied from correspondence relating to the sale :

"North Platte, October 26, 1870.
"Mr. Sheriff:

"Enclosed please find execution ; directions for service will be found in
Revised Statutes, pages 474-476, sections 485-490.

"You will go to McLeans and Russells at Elm Creek and take possession of
enough property to satisfy execution and if you do not find partnership property
take individual property.

"They may talk large but go ahead and take the property and sell and if they
resist call out power of county.

"And put up five notices of sale, two in precinct where you sell.

"You had better take property to some place where you can rely on its not
being run oft'. Notify me when and where the sale will be and T will be down.

"Yours truly,

"(Signed) B. I. Hinman, attorney."

"Wood River Centre, Neb.
"September 17, 1870.
"B. I. Hinman, Esq. :

"Sir: Execution received. I have been up to Elm Creek and levied upon
four hundred and fifty cord of wood, being the only property belonging to
AIcLean. I could not find out whether any one had any claims on the said wood.
Therefore I could not see any reason why I should not levy on the same;
enclosed find ?opies of sheriff sale. Hoping this will meet your approval, I
remain,

"Yours truly,
"(Signed) Joseph Owen,

"Deputy sheriff."
"P. S. Don't fail to be down at Elm Creek on the loth inst."

272 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

INDEMNIFYING BOND

"In consideration of sale of wood by John Oliver, sheriff, by his deputy,
Joseph Owen, to me, I hereby agree to indemnify them against all damages
arising from said sale.
"November lo, 1870.

"(Signed) B. I. Hinman, attorney, him to stamp the above as
no stamps could be procured.

"(Signed) B. I. Hinman."

J\Ir. Owen also has so-called "indemnifying bonds" signed by Charles Davis
and D. C. Bond. It is noticeable that in each instance the signer of the "bond"
"authorizes them to affix stamp as it can not be procured," but in no instance is
the stamp affixed.

It appears that the amount involved in the case was $8.30 as witnessed by the
following receipt signed by the attorney for the plaintiffs in the case.

"Elm Creek received of John Oliver $8.30 on execution of Riddle Fuller
Company against McLean and Russell.

"(Signed) B. I. Hinman,

"Attorney for Riddle Fuller Company."

The Village of Elm Creek was incorporated January 12, 1887, the members
of the first village board being N. O. Calkins, H. D. Beecroft, E. O. Carpenter,
H. Nantker, D. C. Bond.

In the year 1907 the village put in a system of water works — a steel tank on
an elevated tower 120 feet in height, capacity 40,000 barrels, supplied by five
wells, thirty-five feet deep, the water pumped by a twenty-horse power gas
engine ; twenty-two blocks of water mains were laid the same year, with
sixteen hydrants and about sixty-five private taps, in charge of the village
marshal.

On June 10, 1872, C. Putnam, county superintendent, made of record the
following in his office :

"Organized this day. School District No. 9, of Buffalo County, embracing
all the townships in Range No. 18 of Buffalo County; sent notice to John P.
Arenott (Arndt) directing first meeting to be held on Wednesday, June 19th,
at the house of Charles Davis at 2 o'clock P. M."

From records in the office of the county superintendent it appears that D. F.
Hood was elected director on organization of the district and that in a report
filed with the county superintendent, July 10, 1873, there were forty children of
school age in the district.

As recalled bonds were voted by the district with wdiich to build a schoolhouse,
and it is stated in the Buffalo County Beacon, published in 1873, that the Union
Pacific Railroad transported free from Omaha the lumber to build the school-
house. The schoolhouse was located about one mile west of the site of the
present Village of Elm Creek.

Josephus Moore, now deceased, was the first teacher employed.

The records disclose that Josephus More (Moore) was issued a license as a
teacher in 1873.

Later this school building was moved into the village and when a larger

HIGH WATER SCENE JN ELM CREEK IN SUMMER OF 1913

VIEW ON TYLER STREET, ELM CREEK

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 273

building was erected, the old one was purchased and used as an Episcopal Church.
This church existed but a short period and the building is now (1916) owned
by A. Reeve and used as a chapel in his undertaking establishment. In the year
1913 the high school was raised from a ten-grade school to twelve grades, duly
accredited and employing seven teachers.

The present board of education is composed of C. T. Mastin, Dr. J. W. Laugh-
lin moderator, D. J. W. Frank treasurer, C. G. Bliss, W. C. Keep and E. Trates.

In the year 1910 John A. Nitchey built and equipped an electric light plant;
the building is of concrete blocks, power is furnished by a fifty-horse power oil
engine. Light is furnished for streets and for private homes and business houses.

As recalled, R. N. Folk was the first newspaper man in Elm Creek, his paper
the Elm Creek Sun, the first issue was dated June 2, 1886.

About the year 1900 E. C. Krewson purchased the plant of the Bufl^alo
County Beacon, being published at Gibbon, moved the plant to Elm Creek, and
began publication under the name Elm Creek Beacon. At the present time
(1916) E. C. Krewson is editor of the Beacon.

Two grain elevators are located at Elm Creek with a storage capacity of
approximately twenty thousand bushels each.

The Elm Creek flouring mill was built about the year 1897 by Frank IMcCall,
the town donating the site. It was rebuilt in 1903 by Stephen Dworak. In 191 5
the mill was not in operation.

Of physicians and surgeons who have ministered to the people of Elm Creek
and vicinity the names of the following are recalled : Doctors Case, Tomlinson,
Couch, Butterick, J. W. Frank, C. A. Yoder, J. W. Laughlin.

A fire swept Elm Creek in the year 1906, July ist, destroying fourteen build-
ings ; a better Elm Creek, with larger and more durable buildings has risen in
its place.

In 1915 the village officers were: Trustees, O. J. Lloyd chairman, T. A. Cox,
j. L. DauC H. A. Wells, W. C. Rishel ; J. O. Daul, treasurer; R. J. Mitchell, clerk.

The Farmers and Merchants Bank of Elm Creek was organized in 1889 with
a capital stock of $12,500, with B. H. Goodell, president.

In the yeaf 1915 the bank had a capital stock of $25,000; surplus, $3,500;
deposits, $74,874; W. N. Garrison, president.

The City Bank of Elm Creek was organized May 9, 1907, with a capital stock
of $10,000. The officers were: John A. Miller, president; C. G. Bliss, vice
president; S. A. Reasoner, cashier.

This bank owns its own building erected in 191 1.

In 1915 the bank had a capital stock of $10,000; surplus, $3,500; deposits,
$90,199.

The officers of the bank: C. G. Bliss, president; H. A. Wells, vice president;
E. E. Bliss, cashier; L. M. Bliss, assistant cashier.

The Christian Church at Elm Creek was organized in February, 1910, with
thirty-five charter members, the first pastor. Rev. Harry G. Knowles, who served
the church until 1913. In the summer of 1910 a church building was completed
at a cost of $5,000, and dedicated in July of that year.

In 191 5 the membership of the church was eighty.

274 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

Succeeding Rev. Mr. Knowles, the following pastors have served the church :
H. H. Utterbach, F. R. Wedge, G. P. Brammel.

In the organization of a Methodist Church at Elm Creek, it is related that
the first service was a funeral sermon for Mrs. Ryan, preached by Rev. Mr. Sum-
mers who had homesteaded north of Elm Creek. The funeral was on December
4, 1872. In February, 1873, Mr. Summers held a series of revival meetings and
a church organization was effected. The charter members as near as can be
recalled by Mrs. George Milbourn were: D. I. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas
Holt, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Holt, Rev. and Mrs. Summers, Mrs. Shuffelbarger,
Miss Mollie Shuffelbarger, Joseph McKee, John Badgely.

Meetings were held in the schoolhouse until a church was built during the
pastorate of Rev. T. H. Thurber in 1883, being located south of the track;

about the year , during the pastorate of S. J. Medlin, the church building

w^as moved north of the track, remodeled and improved. In 191 5 the member-
ship of the church was 136.

The names of the pastors who have served the church, in their order are:
Rev. Mr. Summers, Wm. Willard, J. H. Vincent, W. S. Norval, Rev. Mr.
Dressier, Asbury Collins* T. H. Thurber, Joseph Gray, C. H. Savage, George H.
McAdam, J. G. Hurlburt, L. W. Chandler, R. Randolph, Samuel Gates, J. A.
Haggard, H. M. Pinckney, N. H. Miles, S. J. Medlin, R. H. Thompson, O. F.
Chesebro, C. E. Woodson, W. C. Swartz, George Shuman, J. M. Haskins, H. S.
French, F. A. Shawkey.

Of the Catholic Church at Elm Creek, it is related that services were held
in the railroad section house in 1871 or 1872, before there was any other meeting
place in the village. That about 1878 the church had a membership of ten or
twelve families and at that date a small church building was erected ; this building
was enlarged in 1889.

Of the pastors who have served this people and church the names of the
following are recalled : Father Walsh came once a month from Lexington, he
is now located at Battle Creek (Nebraska) ; next Father Flood, now dead ; Father
Fitzpatrick from Kearney; Father McGovern from Kearney, now bishop of
Wyoming; others. Fathers Delbo and Dailey; Rev. T. D. Sullivan is the first
resident pastor, having been located here since 1907. The membership of the
church at the present time (191 5) is thirty-five families.

Asher Chapter No. 252, O. E. S., was instituted at Elm Creek in March,
1913, with twenty-four charter members. The first officers were: Mrs. E. Ray,
W. M. ; Joseph Elliott, W. P.; Mrs. Mary Jones, A. M. ; Miss Jessie Jones,
Cond. ; Mrs. A. Miller, A. Cond. ; I\Irs. John L. Daul, Treas. ; Mrs. John Kem-
merling, Sec'y; Mrs. George Milbourn, Chaplain.

In IQ15 the chapter had a membership of thirty-six. Its officers: Mrs. Mark
Jones, W. M.; Joseph Elliott, W. P.; Mrs. E. Ray, Sec; Mrs. John J. Daul,
Treas. ; Miss Bessie Lloyd, A. Cond. ; Mrs. John Kemmerling, A. M. ; Mrs.
George Milbourn, Chaplain.

Elm Creek Lodge No. 314, I. O. O. F., was instituted in March, 1906, with
M. C. Brown as Noble Grand.

The membership of the lodge in 1915 was thirty-three. Its officers: A. M.
Brown, N. G. ; H. E. Shafto, V. G. ; John Richards, Secy.

HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING, ELM CREEK

MKT11UI)1ST cm lali, KLM CKKKK

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 275

Elm Creek Lodge No. 133, A. F. and A. M. was instituted at Elm Creek,
August 8, 1884, with ten charter members. Its officers: Daniel C. Bond, W. M.;

0. Calkins, S. W. ; Robert K. Potter, J. W. ; Lewis B. Irvin, S. D. ; Delbert G.
\\^ebster, J. D. ; David I. Brown, Sec. ; Charles J. Carper, Tyler.

In the year 1915 the lodge had a membership of thirty-nine. Its officers:
August Pierson, W. M.; John L. Daul, S. W. ; William A. Clarke, J. W. ; William
T. Adams, S. D. ; Bert Aliller, J. D. ; Frank J. Jones, Sec; B. E. Elliott, Treas.;
John H. Richards, Tyler.

Elm Creek Lodge Xo. 108, A. O. U. W., was instituted January 12, 1887.
Its first officers were : Frank .AlcCall, P. M. W. ; David AlcCall, M. W. ; H. D.
Becroft, For.; R. N. Volk, O. ; J. H. Morris, Rec'r. ; David McComb, Fin.;
Wm. Barron, Recv. ; G. G. Case, G. ; R. M. Jones, I. W. ; A. T. Geyer, O. W.

In the year 191 5 the lodge had a membership of seventy-two. Its officers
W. C. Pettett, P. M. W. ; J. D. Hayes, M. W. ; R. M. Jones, F. ; Geo. Witmer, O.
C. E. Clark, Recdr. ; M. ']. Jones, Fin. ; W. T. Gould, Recv. ; W. J. Dow, G.
E. Gottwald, I. W^ ; S. L. Beaver, O. W.

Purity Lodge No. 50, Degree of Honor, A. O. U. W., was instituted April 4,
1893. Its first officers : Hattie Scott, P. C. of H. ; Frankie Lloyd, C. of H. ;
Carrie Brown, L. of H. ; Zelia Rail, C. of C. ; Fannie Haughton, Recdr. ; Sarah
Fisher, Fin.; Eunia Alace, Recv.; Lillie Snyder, Usher; Alay Brown, I. W.

In the year 1915 the lodge had a membership of eighty-four. Its officers:
Alartha Milbourn, P. C. of H. ; Mary Pettett, C. of H. ; Annie Pettett, L. of H. ;
Rose Thompson, C. of C. ; Sadie R. Gould, Recdr. ; W. T. Gould, Recv. ; Catherine
Hurley, Fin.; Mary Shawkey, Usher; Susie Smith, A. Usher; Hannah Palmer,

1. W. ; Ethyl Soniville, O. W.

Golden Rod Camp No. 470, Royal Neighbors, M. W'. A., was instituted at
Elm Creek, November 2"/, 1896, with twenty-one charter members. Its first
officers : Mrs. Fannie Dermody, Mrs. Alinnie Newcome, Mrs. Anna Dermody,
Miss Addie Nantker, Mrs. M. Ellen Anderson, Mrs. L. May Arndt, Mrs. Evelyn
Clark, Mrs. Matilda Nantker, Mrs. Amanda Tussing. The remaining charter
members : Mesdames Etta Tucker, Sarah Morris, Catherine Milbourn, Anna
Camfhie, Barbara SchifT, B. F. Tussing, S. J. W. Tucker, J. H. Morris, William
Dermody, W. F. Milbourn, Mrs. D. E. Reve and Mrs. O. J. Lloyd.

In the year 1903 the camp lost by fire, its charter, regalia and all its supplies,
but nothing daunted were up and doing. In the year 1912 twenty-four new
members were added.

The Royal Neighbors of America is said to be the largest women's fraternal
society in America.

In 1 91 5 Golden Rod Camp had seventy-one members. Its officers: Ragina
Fitzgerald, Bessie Frates, Mary Neidigh, Alary C. Skawkey, Martha F. Frank,
Louisa M. Roger, Luella Shafto, Jennie Bushee. Lucy Anderson, Addie Daul,
M. Ellen Anderson, Nina Mitchell. Physicians: Doctors J. W. Frank, J. W.
Laughlin, C. A. Yoder.

Home Camp No. i860, M. W. A., was instituted at Elm Creek, in 1891. with
charter members as follows: F. W. SchifT, venerable counselor; Geo. C. Case,
George Decker, Edward Fitzgerald. Samuel P. Flesher, J. M. Guisinger. Wm. C.
Keep, Lawrence Kelly, Oliver J. Lloyd, Robert Mitchell, David McComb.

276 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

Adelbert Snyder, John Taylor, Charles D. Taylor, August J. Ulrich, Albert
Vounkin.

The ( 1915) membership of the camp was eighty-two. Its officers : V. C, C. J.
Lloyd; W. A., E. C. Krewson; Banker, J. A. Johnson; Clerk, T. A. Cox.

The original records of the camp were burned, together with the charter,
and a new charter was issued July 12, 1906.

ODESSA TOWNSHIP

What in 19 15 is known as Odessa Township was in 1866-71 known as Steven-
son's Siding and later Crowellton.

The first to take homesteads in that locality were Dan A. Crowell and D. Allen
Crowell, in 187 1 ; R. D. Gould, J. Zerk, D. Brown, E. and C. Christianson, J. F.
Suplee, S. Tolefsen, R. Vails, S. W. Homer, Flora Thomas, H. Brown, J. B.
Vincent, H. F. Leonard, William C. T. Kurth, George W. Tovey, J. Ratlifif,
M. Homer, J. E. F. Vails, John D. Seamen, in 1872; C. S. Greenman, E. N.
Lord, George D. Aspinwall, George Hall, R. F. Watters, Theadore Knox, James
Sturrock, A. Ream, J. E. Chidester, J. Homer, Jr., in 1873; James Halliwell, D.
Harpst, John T. Brown, Edward Keltner, William F. Reeves, J. M. Grant,
Thomas Maloney, in 1874; George Jones, H. Ransom, Catherine Edwards, in
1876; F. W. Nichols, J. Vails, George A. Bailey, Susan C. Hurlburt, D. Hostetler,
H. H. Achey, Susan Grant, L. C. Skelley and Adah Grant, in 1878.

D. Allen Crowell and Dan A. Crowell were twins, D. Allen being an active,
prominent minister in the Methodist Church, serving as pastor of the Methodist
Church at Kearney in the early '70s, as recalled at the period when the first
church building was erected in the city. Dan A. Crowell served as county
superintendent, county commissioner and taught in the Kearney schools. John
D. Seaman served as state senator. George D. Aspinwall was the first to be
elected and serve as clerk of the District Court, and J. E. Chidester served as
county commissioner.

It is recalled that Thomas Maloney was one of the first licensed teachers
in the county. It is related that Mrs. Theadore Knox selected the name Odessa
to take the place of Crowellton as the name of the township, or rather precinct.
Mr. and Mrs. Theadore Knox settled at Gibbon in the winter of 1871-72, and
kept boarders during the period in which the courthouse was being erected, and
the editor moved the family to their homestead claim near Crowellton in March,

1873.

Mrs. Susan Grant, who took a homestead claim in the precinct in 1878, was
of pioneer stock. She was widely known and highly respected.

Several members of her family settled in that vicinity in an early day, and
many of her descendants still reside there. Three of her daughters are Mrs.
J. D. Seaman, Mrs. E. R. Webb and Mrs. D. Harpst. . Mrs. C. V. D. Basten of
Kearney is a granddaughter.

SUSAN CARR GRANT

Susan Carr was of a family of Virginians who moved by wagon through
mountains and forests and settled in the Western Reserve about the year Ohio

MES. SUSAN GEANT
A homestead settler in Odessa Township in 1878

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 277

became a state, that is, in 1868. Benjamin Carr, her father, had sold his slaves.
One of the slaves, the nurse, followed on foot in peril of lurking savages, and
in greater danger of starvation. The poor creature lived on roots and berries,
ravenously breaking eggs in a nest she found only to discover that they contained
half-hatched serpents. She brought a silver spoon to the baby of the Carr
family. It would be happiness to record that she gained her freedom. Alas,
for the cruelty of slavery, she was promptly deported back to her new master.
Susan Carr was born in Ohio 100 years ago, March 15, 1816. She always
retained traces of Mrginia and of the southern life in her speech, her manners
and unbounded hospitality.

She married Michael Grant in 1838 and had the usual large family of that
period. Fated to the life of a pioneer, they left Ohio and its comforts to clear
new land and open up a great new farm. She was indefatigable and efficient,
and lived on a large scale in crude abundance. She attended to the huge Dutch
oven, watched over the dryhouse, made maple sugar and tallow candles. She
raised three orphan children at different times in Ohio. In Indiana she took an
Irish family of three orphans into her home at once. Two of these orphans,
the Maloneys, came to Nebraska with her. They settled at Crowellton, now
Odessa, on the land now owned by E. R. Webb, wdio is her son-in-law.

Susan Grant lived there, seeing many changes in her family and neighbor-
hood, for eighteen years. No longer young, she nevertheless, by her broad sym-
pathy, brave cheer, good business ability and generosity, bettered the little frontier
community.

She was of helpful service to every life within reach of her beneficent influ-
ence. Such lives are not forgotten. She died December 3, 1891, at the age of
seventy-five. It falls to the lot of few women to leave a memory more cherished
in the hearts of her descendants.

School District No. 12 was organized by C. Putnam, county superintendent,.
October 17, 1872. The district embraced all of range No. 17 in Buffalo County.

Notification was sent (J.) Marsh Grant, a taxable inhabitant therein, as per
form in the law provided.

The records disclose that in July, 1873, this district had eighteen children
of school age, and that J. Marsh Grant was serving as director of the district.

REMINISCENCES

Mrs. C. V. D. Basten

It was February 13, 1873, a little girl, traveling westward with her father
and mother over the newly completed "B. & M. R. R. in Nebraska," as it was
called then, was anxiously peering into the night as the train approached Kearney
Junction. A gentleman, noticing her excitement and curiosity, talked to her about
the new country— Indians, buffalo, prairie fires and prairie-dog towns, etc. He
had been in the country five years as station agent at Elm Creek, j\Ir. D. C. Bond.
He had seen buffalo shot from a cabin doorway as a herd of them stampeded
through the little pioneer settlement. He transmitted, by telegraph, the account
of the Sioux-Pawnee battle at Brady Island, transmitting and receiving on an

278 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

old-fashioned paper-ribbon telegraph instrument. He told how glad he was
to see settlers come in. It was Mr. Bond's privilege, as the hard years came on,
to stand by the settlers. In 1874 he brought out a car load of flour and let them
have it — to pay for when they could.

The little girl's father took a pre-emption and bought an equal amount of
railroad land at Crowellton, which was the first station east of Elm Creek. Mr.
Bond thus became a neighbor and a highly esteemed friend through many years.
Crowellton was only a place where mail was thrown off.

If the conductor was complaisant he would let passengers off, but some-
times he would compel them to alight at Stevenson, three miles farther east.
Stevenson had a section house, Crowellton had a postoffice, in the house of Mrs.
Susan Grant, which was also the social center of the neighborhood. Her son,
J. Marsh Grant, had a library of 300 volumes — high, serious in character — forcing
borrowers to read Doctor Kane's "Arctic Explorations," Hugh Miller's "Red
Sandstone" and Dryden's poems when they would have much preferred the
current novels of the day. Jules Verne's "Around the World in Eighty Days"
came out at that time. We much enjoyed the description of the highly improbable
sail-sled ride between Plum Creek and Omaha. Besides the books the Grants had
the only sewing machine in the neighborhood, and they loaned it as freely as
the books ; it went from one house to another — was rarely at home and lasted two
years.

Almost the first thing erected was a schoolhouse. which the wind promptly
blew away, leaving the floor. It was as promptly rebuilt, and Thomas Maloney
resumed his school. Some of his pupils were Adah Grant, Estelle Grant, Mag-
gie Maloney, Adah Seaman, Harry Seaman, Josephine Halliwell, Jessie Green-
man, Lizzie Vail and her brother. The Vails were English, one brother, a
bachelor, was a doctor. They had a comfortable sod house and a large family.
The Sturrocks were related; James Sturrock, a nephew, by trade a plasterer.
The young wife, a good looking young dressmaker, came direct from England
to take land — lived in one room with a shed roof, in the bottoms. Mrs. Sturrock
gave us a graphic account of how she trod on a skunk when we paid her our
first call.

The two families. Vails and Sturrocks, went almost immediately to California,
though the Sturrocks lived a while in Kearney.

Mr. Greenman and others started a Sunday school which met at the school-
house. It was attended by everybody in the neighborhood.

Mr. Lord, a relative of the Goulds, and a theological student, preached there
sometimes, and a homesteader by the name of J. B. Vincent wanted to ; he was
a religious fanatic, came to the meeting with a 12-pound clasped Bible. Mr.
Lord happened to state that the Bible was not originally written in English ; this
Mr. Vincent indignantly denied. Another religious fanatic, a man by the name
of Mitchell, boarded with Mrs. Catherine Edwards, mother of the Reeves boys,
William, James and David. This Mitchell used to speak at meetings held during
a revival by Reverend Mr. Summers (afterward pastor of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church in Kearney). He would become greatly excited — a soul under con-
viction. One day detectives came out from Illinois and arrested him for murder.

Prof. D. B. Worley of Gibbon taught singing school at the schoolhouse in the

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 279

winter of 1874. He drove through to Overton, where he had some land. A
hterary society was started the same year in which budding oratory was encour-
aged. Amateur theatricals, attended by wagon loads of young people from Elm
Creek, were the gala occasions. Dancing parties were not infrequent at the
homes of the settlers in both communities, Odessa and Elm Creek.

Almost the first to erect shacks and live at Crowellton were the Brown
brothers. One of them, D. Brown, left his wife, an intrepid little woman, while
he worked on the railroad. Wandering groups of Pawnees were always peering
in at her windows and begging persistently. Entirely alone, she was not fright-
ened, which is more than can be said for other women better protected. Mrs.
Brown went miles after her cow, which drifted away in the big April storm of
1873 ; herded the cow back and saved her. Henry Brown afterwards moved
with his family to Kearney. The Christianson brothers built a house that was
afterwards used as a schoolhouse in East Odessa. The Homer and Harpst fami-
lies W'Cre related; came from Pennsylvania and returned there after a short stay,
probably two or three years. The Clellands took up railroad land in 1874.

George W. Tovey was an 1872 settler on the land afterwards occupied by
Theadore Knox, later known as the John Neal farm. Mr. Tovey was large of
frame — brown-eyed and slow of speech. He would never commit himself;
would always qualify every statement he made, and was a favorite of the young
people. He and his homesteading partner, whose name is forgotten, w^ould
have responded more often to social demands, but they were obliged to accept
alternately, as they possessed but one white shirt between them.

George D. Aspinwall was the second school teacher. He was a brother-in-
law of J. E. Chidester. Other relatives by the name of Ransom came from
Wisconsin and were well known citizens of the district and county for many
years. Richard Waters lives on the homestead he settled on in 1873 — probably
the longest continuous residence in that neighborhood.

James Halliwell, an Englishman from Altoona, Pa., attained a great age,
in the nineties. His farm is occupied by Roy Knap. His son, Samuel Halli-
well, lives in the neighborhood.

J. M. Grant, Silas Grant and Thomas Maloney came to Odessa in 1872. By
mistake they broke out R. D. Gould's land and wasted a year of hard work.
Their land was a mile farther west. They built the house now occupied by
E. R. Webb. J. M. Grant is now in Washington. Silas Grant went to Cabool,
Mo., and died there July 17, 1908, one of the richest and best beloved citizens.
His wife, Maggie Maloney, preceded him by ten years.

Thomas Maloney left Odessa in the spring of 1877. He has lived in \\'ash-
ington and Arkansas, and is now superintendent of a Government reclamation
project in Phoenix, Ariz.

The Acheys and the Hostetlers were brothers-in-law, afterwards moving to
Kearney ; have relatives living in Kearney ; the Lantz and Feathers families being
descendants. L. C. Skelley occupied two places ; the first purchased of Thomas
Maloney for $500, which they sold. They then lived for some years on what is
now known as the Rail place; this they traded for a farm in Iowa. They are
passing their decHning years, having reared a family of six sons, all settled in
Kansas City, Mo.

280 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

Cordelia M. Waite came with her father and several brothers, and sisters, from
Michigan. Cordelia, a quiet, refined girl, taught school on Wood River, north-
east of Kearney, boarding in a sod house with a lean-to bedroom. This addition
separated from the main building one night when she was sleeping. The ridge
pole fell across her, killing her.

The noise of the falling structure was not heard by the family. They dis-
covered her in the morning with her cheek lying on her hand, just as she had
slept.

George Hall lived but a short time in Odessa, moving to Illinois. Mrs.
Hall's brother shot a bufl:'alo in the hills north of Odessa in 1873. A deer
was killed about the same place in 1872, weighing 200 pounds dressed. In
1874 Silas Grant, with a companion, hunted 100 miles farther west, and brought
home venison and buffalo and a large number of buffalo robes. The buffalo meat
was dried and lasted all summer.

John B. Neal settled on the Theadore Knox place in 1877, and Hved there
until 1903 ; had a family of eight children, five of whom are living. He was a
successful farmer and a good citizen. He and his wife are living in Lents, a
suburb of Portland, Ore. Two of his children, Sadie and Roy, live in Portland,
Ben in Odessa, Henry in Kearney, Mentie in Wisconsin.

GRANT TOWNSHIP

Among the first settlers in Grant Township were John Groves, J. Atkinson,
Jr., Richard Sell, J. J. Roberts, in 1872 ; Miles B. Hunt, W. White, E. S. Marsh,
G. L. Kough, A. M. Mudge, J. K. Sanford, W. H. Brown, G. F. Hesselgrave,
T. E. Foster, William Brown, in 1873; William Grant, G. W. Coffman, A. Thomp-
son, Lydia M. Mace, H. Coffman, J. H. Coffman, Rena Hollenbeck, in 1874.

School District No. 13 in this township was organized by Dan A. Crowell,
county superintendent, March 10, 1873. Notice of the organization of the dis-
trict was sent Miles B. Hunt, a taxable inhabitant of the district, and directed
that the first meeting for the election of school district officers be held at the
house of said Miles B. Hunt on Friday, the 28th day of March (1873), at 10
o'clock A. M. (It will be noted the number of this school district is 13 and the
first meeting held to elect officers met on Friday.)

The records disclose that in July, 1873, this district is reported as having
twelve children of school age, and E. S. Marsh was serving as school director..

Mrs. C. V. D. Basten writes of the early history of Grant Township as
follows :

IIUNTSVILLE — STANLEY

The first location of Huntsville, which, accurately speaking, was the school-
house, was picturesque; the building was white with green blinds. The river
and its bridge and the overhanging trees on the banks made a peaceful, sylvan
background. This was two miles east of the present Stanley. Huntsville was
named after Miles B. Hunt; Crowellton after Dan A. Crowell. It is a pity the
names had to be changed, at the request of the postoffice department, because
easily confused with other names of postoffices in the state.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 281

In 1872-73 all the homes were dugouts. Coming upon them from the side
or rear, one knew it was a dwelling because of the stovepipe sticking out.

Few had floors. Mrs. William N. Brown put her good rag carpet directly
upon the hard worn earth ; had white curtains at the windows in front, one each
side the door. The beds were curtained off in the rear corner of the single room.
It was really attractive and comfortable.

Miss Rena Hollenbeck, who was married after her term of school in 1875
to J. H. Coft'man, had a very attractive sod house nicely furnished.

The Hunts had several rooms in their dugout. They had a large family.
Mr. Hunt was, in a sense, the dominating spirit in the neighborhood; an intelli-
gent, forceful man. He was president of the school board. Gilbert Kough,
Floyd Gargett and A. M. Mudge were directors in 1876. J. Marsh Grant taught
there in 1873; Benjamin L. Grant in 1874. Benjamin L. Grant died November
II, 1877. His sister, Adah A. Grant, taught two months beginning January i,
1877. Adah Seaman in the spring of 1876.

Floyd Gargett lived west of Huntsville; his wife was a sister of H. C. McNew,
for many years editor of the Shelton Clipper. C. F. Hesselgrave was a relative
of Gargett. The Hamiltons lived west of the Gargetts and were the only mem-
bers of the community originally from New England.

John Groves, J. J. Roberts, W. White and G. L. Kough were all soldiers of
the Civil war and past middle age. H. L. Seaman was also an old soldier, and
there were probably others. Washington Petit lived east of Huntsville; his
daughter, Carrie, attended school in 1876. So did children from the White,
Mudge and Brown families, as also did Tabitha McNew, sister of Floyd Gar-
gett.

There was no social life in the community except church and prayer meeting.
Politics and baseball interested some of the men. Rev. Ober Knepper used to
preach there. At a Wednesday night prayer meeting all those gifted in prayer
took turns praying for Washington Petit's bad temper. His wife was present;
this was but a year or two before Petit was killed by one of his sons.

The people in Huntsville had a very hard time during the winters of 1873,
1874 and 1875. It is doubtful if our forefathers were much nearer the border-
line of hunger. Bread and gravy was the great staple. Coffee was made from
wheat and corn browned, and then ground. One woman told of parching corn
and cracking it with a nut-cracker to feed her children; women exchanged
recipes for making gravy. It was a stout-hearted, brave but very narrow-minded
community. The Hunts and Roughs went to Washington. Forest Hunt has
been a successful follower of the sea and owns boats in the coast and Alaska
trade. The Coffmans are also in Washington. Mr. Hunt and most of the older
settlers are long since dead.

H. L. Seaman died in California in November, 191 5, aged seventy-four, the
last of a family of five brothers.

CHAPTER XXXVIII

LOUP AND RUSCO TOWNSHIPS — NAMES OF EARLY SETTLERS PETER's BRIDGE BUF-
FALO IN PLEASANT VALLEY IN 1874 — THE VILLAGE OF PLEASANTON A lO-GRADE

HIGH SCHOOL — BUFFALO COUNTY TELEPHONE COMPANY FARMERS GRAIN COM-
PANY — THE PLEASANTON STATE BANK — THE FARMERS STATE BANK — COMMER-
CIAL CLUB — CHURCHES FRATERNAL AND BENEFICIAL LODGES.

The first settlers in what is now known as Loup Township were H. F. Hand,
J. T. Palmer, L. A. Colburn, C. B. Oakley, N. Dick, N. A. Brunce, J. Welch and
H. H. Clark, who took homestead claims in the year 1874. Previous to the
year 1880 twenty-nine homestead claims had been filed upon in the township.

The first settler in what is now Rusco Township was E. M. Holly, in 1873,
and A. Peake, John Wilson, L. H. Johnson, J. L. Scott, L. Allen, B. L. Graham,
A. M. Morse, F. Boyer and J. H. Lockard, in 1875. Twenty-five claims had been
filed upon in the township previous to the year 1880.

PLEASANTON

The earliest settlement in the vicinity of Pleasanton was made on the farm
now owned by Henry Peters on section No. 2. This land was homesteaded in
1874, and for many years there was a log house on this farm built by the previous
owner. The name of Peters gained more than local fame on account of a bridge
across the South Loup bearing his name. In the early settlement of the country
there was a large amount of travel passing over this bridge by settlers who,
arriving at Kearney, were making settlements in the northern part of Buffalo
County and in Sherman and Custer counties, Kearney being the nearest railroad
point. In the year 1874 Charles B. Oakley, Louis Colburn and H. H. Clark came
looking for free land in the vicinity, and located in Pleasant Valley. The original
survey was so faulty it was necessary for Mr. Clark to return to Kearney and
secure the services of the county surveyor in order to properly locate their
claims. Mr. Oakley located on section No. 8, the others on sections No. 7 and
No. 22.

At this date the country was wild, there being many antelope, some deer and
a small herd of buffalo. Mr. Clark and Mr. Colburn left the country, but
Charles B. Oakley still lives here and is still enjoying life, having seen the country
grow up from a wild region, passing through the sod-house period to one of the
many prosperous settlements of Buffalo County. During the grasshopper year
most of the settlers left this part of Buffalo County, so that Mr. Oakley has seen
this locality settled twice, so to speak, he remaining through all the trials incident
to pioneer life.

282

SCENES IN PLEASANTOX

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 283

The townsite of Pleasanton was surveyed and platted in 1890, and the vil-
lage incorporated January 12, 1894, and the following board of trustees ap-
pointed : E. C. Moffitt, E. W. Noyes, A. V. Hlava, D. Wort, S. E. Smith.

A school district was organized (No. 105) in 1890, the first district officers
being Rudolph Ritter, Sr., James Welliver and A. V. Hlava.

This school district now (1915) has a lO-grade accredited high school, employ-
ing three teachers, and has built, at an expense of $5,000, an up-to-date school
building, all paid for. The present school district officers are : W. R. Scribner,
director; L T. Hart, moderator; R. B. Wort, treasurer.

That the country tributary to Pleasanton is fertile and fruitful, and that
the early settlers made good on their homestead claims, is best evidenced by the
value of farm products shipped from this point in the year 1915, approximately:
Grain, $150,000; hogs and cattle, $120,000; horses and mules, $20,000.

At Pleasanton are two grain elevators with a capacity of about twelve thou-
sand bushels, and the lumber sales for the year 191 5 amount to approximately
forty thousand dollars.

The village owns a complete water system, costing $9,000, and furnishing an
abundance of water for domestic use and fire protection.

The members of the village board in 1915 were: F. L. Grammer, chairman;
A. L. Randall, R. A. Eaton, A. E. Pearson, C. F. Hall.

The Buffalo County Telephone Company was organized by the people of
Pleasanton and vicinity in the year 1903 and incorporated in 1910 with S. B.
Carpenter, president ; A. V. Valentine, vice president ; P. S. Holtzinger, manager ;
M. S. Booher, secretary; F. L. Grammer, treasurer. The company had 128
telephones in operation.

In the year 1915 the capital, stock of the company was $6,580; surplus, $2,000;
phones in operation, 324. Officers: A. H. Valentine, president; Adolph English,
vice president; B. S. Wort, manager; M. S. Booher, secretary; F. L. Grammer,
treasurer.

The Farmers Grain Company, with four stockholders, was incorporated in
January, 1905, under what is known as the "Line" system, Pleasanton being one
of the successful branches of the system. In 191 5 the company had a member-
ship of more than one hundred, comprising both business men in the village and
farmers of the surrounding community. The company handles grain, coal and
lumber. D. Phillips is president of the company; the local board of trustees,
Albert Reese, Fred Wise, W. F. Vest.

The Pleasanton State Bank was incorporated July 23. 1892, with a capital
of $10,000. The incorporators were D. W. Titus, F. L. Grammer, Joseph
Grammer, E. W. Noyes and John Terhune, who were also the board of directors.
The officers of the bank: John Terhune, president; E. W. Noyes, vice presi-
dent: F. L. Grammer, cashier. In 1915 the bank had a capital stock of $25,000;
surplus, $10,000; deposits, $150,000. The officers: A. H. Grammer, president;
E. W. Noyes, vice president; F. L. Grammer, cashier; W. R. Scribner, assistant
cashier.

The Farmers State Bank at Pleasanton was incorporated May 29, 1909. with
M. L. Dolan, president; Charles G. Ryan, vice president; J. R. Bonson, cashier.
This bank has a capital stock of $12,000; deposits, $62,000. The officers in

284 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

1915: M. L. Dolan, president; Ludwig Mueller, vice president; F. A. Mueller,
cashier.

In September, 1914, was organized the Pleasanton Commercial Club, with a
membership of thirty. The officers : R. O. Stevenson, president ; H. H. Lam-
mers, vice president ; F. A. Mueller, secretary.

UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH

During the summer of 1892 the people of Pleasanton and vicinity, being
eager for church privileges, thought it expedient to organize a Sunday school at
the Pleasanton schoolhouse, one-half mile south of town.

Daniel Cluster was elected superintendent, serving for one year, and being
followed by C. W. Wood and Marion W. Perkins. During the existence of the
Sunday school it was convenient for the West Nebraska Conference of the
Church of the United Brethren in Christ to send a preacher each year to conduct
services at the Pleasanton schoolhouse. In the year 1895 the Pleasanton church
was organized, but the services continued to be held at the schoolhouse until
January, 1899, at which time the new United Brethren Church was dedicated.
The charter members of this church were : Mr. and Mrs. D. Cluster, Mr. and
Mrs. James Pearson, Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Chingrin, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Easley,
Mr. and Mrs. Marion W. Perkins, Mrs. E. C. Moffitt, Mrs. J. Van Buskirk, Mr.
and Mrs. R. S. Kofifroth. The church has (in 1915) property worth $3,000,
and a membership of 100.

The pastors who have served this church and people have been, in the order
named, A. B. Bechtold, D. A. Geil, William Tooley, W. G. Arnold, Mary W.
Holman, Mr. Henline, J. A. Darby, E. White, T. J. Gallagher, A. Boyd, A. W.
Neville, R. A. Giles, R. L. Brill, Blaine Radcliff.

The Roman Catholic Church was organized in March, 1906, by Father Wolfe,
and meetings were held in Crammer's Hall until January i, 1910, when the new
church building, which cost $3,000, was dedicated. The different priests in
charge of the church have been Fathers Cavana, Moser, Link, Kampman, Yorke
and Schida. The church trustees are Joseph R. Nickman, Joseph Schuller and
Joseph Zwiener.

Pleasanton Lodge No. 282, A. O. U. W., was instituted in April, 1893, with
the following charter members : J. Johnson, Walter W. Reese, Joseph Grammer,
D. Wort, Vanzle Voseipka, F. L. Grammer, C. B. Oakley, Thomas Bell, William
Johnson, Berdine F. Rogers, S. Remington, Charles M. Trott, William Moxley.
The officers: D. Wort, M. W. ; W. W. Reese, P. M. W. ; Joseph Grammer, F. ;
C. M. Trott, O.; F. L. Grammer, Rec. ; A. V. Hlava, Fin.; C. B. Oakley, G.
In 191 5 the officers were: W. R. Jones, P. M. W. ; T. M. Davis, M. W. ;
F. L. Grammer, Rec. ; E. W. Noyes, Fin. ; C. B. Oakley, G. ; Dr. A. L. Randall,
physician.

Pleasanton Camp No. 2053, M. W. A., was organized July 15, 1893, with the
following charter members: E. C. Moffitt, V. C. ; S. E. Smith, W. A.; F. G.
Hays, banker; J. H. Hansen, clerk; C. W. Wood, escort; Dr. J. H. Penn, phy-
sician; J. H. Booher, sentry. In 191 5 the camp was in a flourishing condition,
with the following officers : F. L. Grammer, V. C. ; J. H. Booher, W. A. ; A. H.

CATHOLIC CHURCH, PLEASANTON

UNITED BEETHREN CHURCH, PLEASANTON

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 285

Grammer, banker; W. R. Scribner, clerk; Louis Zimmer, escort; Dr. A. L.
Randall, physician; W. C. Stevenson, watchman; Carl Kirschner, sentry.

POOLE

The Village of Poole in Buffalo County had its beginning about the year
1889, a little trading post with one store, a grain elevator, and was known as
Poole's Siding. In the year 1905 the Union Pacific Railroad Company completed
a depot and installed an agent.

THE POOL RANCH

In 1876 W. W. Pool came to Nebraska, taking as a pre-emption claim 160
acres in section 12, township 11, range 15, in what was later known as Cedar
Township. In 1883 Mr. Pool and others organized the Nebraska Land and
Cattle Company, which engaged in cattle raising, the company having some ten
thousand acres of land in Beaver aiid adjoining townships. The officers of the
company in the beginning were: B. F. Peck, president; R. L. Downing, vice
president ; W. W. Pool, secretary and manager. In addition to stock raising the
company cultivated about thirty- five hundred acres in mixed crops, and in 1889
grew 800 acres of wheat.

REGISTERED DEVON CATTLE

Mr. Pool brought with him from New York a small herd of registered Devon
cattle, the first, and so far as the editor knows, the only herd of registered cattle
of the Devon breed ever brought into the county.

At a county fair held in Shelton, Mr. Pool exhibited his cattle and they
attracted much attention. They were well bred, of a deep red color, long branch-
ing horns and active on their feet. The cows of the breed are good milkers and
there are no better oxen than those of the Devon breed. Mr. Pool and many
others who were acquainted with the breed were of the opinion they would
prove a very desirable, valuable breed for this locality. The result was most
disappointing. The climate and conditions were not congenial, and the writer
is advised the breed made no impress on the cattle of the county. Mr. Pool
being engaged extensively in the cattle business, and living some distance from
a commercial center, and it being before the days of telephones, he constructed
a private telegraph line from his ranch to Ravenna, and himself and two of his
daughters became fairly expert operators. At a later date, when the Union
Pacific branch was built to Pleasanton, a siding was put in near the Pool ranch
and named Pool Siding, and later the name changed to Poole. The first and
only agent at Poole has been J. C. Mahoney.

In 19 10 the village was incorporated, the members of the village board being
C. E. Clark, J. S. Hanna, J. E. Criffield, Henry Abrams and J. C. Mahoney.

School District No. 60 was organized in 1882, and the first schoolhouse built
of sod, and was located on the northwest quarter of section No. 22. The mem-
bers of the first school district board were Messrs. Swigart, Dodge and John

286 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

Anderson. In 1884 a frame schoolhouse was built, and in 1890 this was moved
to a grove on John Jergensen's farm, near the Union Pacific track, west of
Poole. In 1907 the old schoolhouse was sold and a new one built in the village.
The present school board is composed of John Jergensen, Charles Brabham and
William Klein.

On July 9, 1907, was organized the First United Presbyterian Church of
Poole. The charter members : T. J. McConnell, Mrs. Orie McConnell, Roy
McConnell, Ruth McConnell, Vada McConnell, J. Charles Miller, Martin A.
Sullivan, Mrs. Nonnie Miller, Mrs. Efiie Sullivan, Ella Watt. The pastors serv-
ing the church, in their order: N. A. Whitehill, J. S. Tussey, Earl C. Coleman.

The State Bank of Poole was chartered July 11, 1905, with a capital stock of
$10,000; deposits (1915), $100,000. Officers: M. L. Dolan, president; Adam
Schneider, vice president ; C. E. Clark, cashier ; E. A. Clark, assistant cashier.

Poole has two grain elevators, with a capacity of 1,500 bushels. During the
year 1914 there was shipped of carload lots: Corn, 20; hay, 2; stock, 40; wheat,
160; miscellaneous, 10; total, 232.

The population of the village is 200. The members of the village board
(1915)' Joseph Clayton, A. D. Hanna, Francis Reynolds, B. J. Stover, J. C.
Mahoney.

CHAPTER XXXIX

ARMADA TOWNSHIP AND MILLER LIST OF EARLY SETTLERS WM. CRAVEN STARTS

IN BUSINESS IN A SOD HOUSE WITH A CAPITAL OF $9 POSTOFFICE ESTABLISHED

IN ABOUT 1884, NAMED ARMADA VILLAGE OF MILLER INCORPORATED IN 189O

NAMES OF VILLAGE TRUSTEES NAMES OF POSTMASTERS NAMES OF PHYSI-
CIANS THE FIRST NEWSPAPER THE MILLER INDEPENDENT TELEPHONE COM-
PANY BANKS, SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, LODGES W. C. T. U. ESTABLISH A LIBRARY

AND REST ROOM.

ARMADA TOWNSHIP MILLER

The first settlement in Armada Township appears to have been by H. C.
Harbaugh, A. J. Fannell, Wm. Carr, R. Burney and Thomas Jeffry in 1873 ;
John Mercer, J. H. Brown, Robert Miller and Oscar Hamilton in 1874.; I. Lamb
and J. F. Mackey in 1875; A. L. Armstrong in 1877; Wm. M. White, G. A.
Roach and H. Zarrs in 1878; J. L. Abel, R. F. Simpson, F. B. Craps, A. F. Burt
and H. T. West in 1879.

In the year 1881, Wm. Craven, a soldier in the Civil war and a native of
X^orth Carolina, purchased ten acres of land, built a sod house in which on a
capital of $9 he began the keeping of a store. A postoffice had been established
about three miles distant, a petition was circulated and the postoffice moved to
that point, William Craven named postmaster, and the name of Armada given
to the embryo commercial center. When the K. and B. H. Railroad was built
into the township the village was moved to the railroad and named Miller.
Miller was incorporated in the year 1890, with J. Millspaugh, M. O. Polter,
A. B. Cherry, H. S. Pease and Dr. E. W. Northrup as its first board of village
trustees. The names of the present board of trustees are: Dr. J. P. Norcross.
chairman; J. W. Miller, A. E. Kappel, Ray Cox and J. M. Robinson; Ross
Brown, village clerk.

Miller has three grain elevators with a grain storage capacity of 160,000
bushels.

A postoffice was established in 1890 and the names of those who have served
as postmasters are in the following order: A. B. Cherry. II. S. Pease. B. F.
Harbaugh, H. S. Pease, L. W. Hall, L. K. King.

The names of the physicians who have served the people of the locality arc :
Dr. E. W. Xorthrup, Dr. J. P. Norcross, Dr. C. R. Watson.

The first newspaper was edited by Charles M. Huston, 1891-1893.

The Miller Sun. edited by F. W. Pace since 191 5.

The Miller Independent Telephone Company was organized in 1906 with

287

288 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

a capital stock of $2,500. Its first officers: J. P. Norcross, president; L. W.
Hall, manager; F. D. Brown, treasurer. The names of those most active in
promoting the company were J. P. Norcross, L. W. Hall, F. D. Brown, L. P.
Wells, N. Maddox, C. M. Huston, R. M. Pierce. This company began business
with forty phones in operation. In the year 191 5 the company had a capital
stock of $4,500 and 150 phones in use. Its officers: J. C. Power, president;
P. M. Jacobson, vice president; L. W. Hall, manager; F. D. Brown, treasurer.

The First Bank of Miller was organized in 1889 with a capital stock of
$25,000. Its officers: J. E. Dickerman, president; W. C. Tillson, vice president;
F. D. Brown, cashier.

In the year 1915 the bank had a capital stock of $25,000; surplus and undivided
profits, v$25,ooo; deposits, $100,000. Its officers: K. Dickerman, president;
K. H. Dickerman, vice president; F. D. Brown, cashier; Ross Brown, assistant
cashier.

The bank occupied its present (191 5) quarters in 1909.

The Bank of Miller was organized in 1889 with a capital stock of $25,000;
the first officers, Mathew Maddox, president, W. L. Maddox, cashier. In the year
1915 the bank had a capital stock of $25,000; surplus, $7,000; deposits, $40,000.

The banking quarters were destroyed by fire November 9, 191 5, the bank
occupying its new quarters early in the year 1916.

School District No. 54, Miller, was organized in 1890, the first district officers,
H. S. Peace, P. L. Anderson, C. H. Aron. At an expense of approximately
three thousand five hundred hundred dollars a school building was erected in

1893.

The Miller School has ten grades and employs four teachers ; the present
(1915) district officers are Charles Aron, C. M. Houston, L. W. Hall.

The United Brethren Church was organized at Miller in 1890 with a charter
membership of some twenty-five or thirty ; among the names which can be
recalled are Henry C. Green, J. W. Wylie, W. F. Triplett, J. W. Stevens, Wallace
Pierce and A. Boyd.

The first pastor was Rev. A. Boyd. A church building was erected in the
year 1893 at an approximate cost of fifteen hundred dollars. The membership
of the church in 1915 is forty-six; its pastor, Rev. William Buswell.

Church of Christ of Miller was organized in 1913 with a charter membership
of fifteen; H. Ehreman and J. P. Norcross were chosen elders, and Wm. Fisher,
deacon. The first pastor was Paul Young, evangelist.

A church building was purchased in 1914 at a cost of $1,500.

The membership in 1915 was twenty; the church has no regular pastor, A. J-
O'Neal serving as resident evangelist.

A Methodist Episcopal Church was organized at Miller in 1890, with a charter
membership of twenty-five; the first pastor, Rev. S. J. Medlin. A church building
was erected in 1893 at an approximate cost of two thousand dollars.

This church organization disbanded and sold their church edifice to the
Church of Christ.

The Christian Church at Miller was organized in 1905 with a charter member-
ship of thirty-five ; the elders were J. P. Norcross and H. Ehreman ; the deacons,
D. F.« White and Ray Cox. The first pastor. Rev. J. W. Walker. A church

BIKD 'S-EYE VIEW OP MILLER

PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDIXG. :\fILLER

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 289

building erected in 1907 cost approximately sixteen hundred dollars. The present
membership is forty. Rev. Charles J. Shook was pastor up to 1913, since that
date the church has been without a resident pastor.

In the year 1910 there was instituted at Miller an organization of the Woman's
Christian Temperance Union with a charter membership of about twenty.
xA.mong those most active in this movement, as called to mind, were Alesdames
L. \V. Hall, F. D. Urown, J. G. King, Ray Cox, A. E. Kappel, H. \V. Fox,
W'm. Fisher, C. A. Sea and Miss Ruby Aron.

The members of the union have a library of about two hundred volumes, a
club room for meetings and support and care for a rest room for ladies.

Jewett Post No. 228, Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Nebraska,
was instituted at Miller in 1885 with thirty-five charter members. In .1915 the
post had a membership of eleven, J. W. Stevens, post commander,

A. F. & A. M.

Square and Compass Lodge No. 213, A. F. & A. M. of Nebraska. Organized
in 1888 as Armada Lodge U. D., moved to Miller in 1890 and chartered as
Sc^uare and Compass Lodge No. 213, December 14, 1891. Charter membership,
eighteen : Peter L. Anderson, Henry R. Berkheimer, Frank D. Brown, Oliver R.
Bryan, Arthur F. Burt, Willard J. Clark, William M. Craven, Henry C. Green,
Howard C. Harbaugh, Nathaniel H. Hawk, Frank J. Himmelwright, Darius B.
Jones, Isaac R. Kidd, Erie W. Northrup, Thurston W. Sibley, Samuel Veal,
Cyrus W. Wright, James W. Wylie. First officers: William M. Craven, W. M. ;
Howard C. Harbaugh, Sec'y. Present membership, forty. Present officers :
Ross Brown, W. M. ; C. R. Watson, S. W. ; D. W. Friend, J. \\\ ; F. D. Brown,
Treas. ; L. W. Hall, Sec'y.

Miller Camp No. 973 M. W. A. was instituted with a charter membership of
thirteen : Mark Aspinwall, Frank D. Brown, Wm. Lamma, Mark O. Petter, Peter
L. Anderson, David Cummins, M. J. McNally, Joseph W. Stevens, L. B. Irwin,
Harvey Brown, John W. King, Erie W. Northrup, Edward Wilson.

The first officers were: L. B. Irwin, V. C, Edward Wilson, Mark Aspinwall,
clerk. In 191 5 the membership was eighty-five. A. N. Bliss, V. C, A. E.
Scranton, clerk.

Logan Lodge, Knights of Pythias, No. 125, was instituted March 12, 1890.
with officers and charter members as follows : W. L. Maddox, P. C. ; ^i. B.
Potter, C. C; H. C. Green, V. C. ; Charles Porter, P.; Jos. Millspaugh, M. E. ;
C. M. Huston, M. F. ; J. W. King, K. R. & S.; A. B. Cherry, M. A.; Thomas
Walker, I. G. ; F. C. Potter, O. G. ; G. E. Tarbox, W. A. Hackett, E. C. W^ilson,
E. B. McElhinney. Allen Bush, Edward Bush, Thomas Cook, Edward Moore.
H. S. Pease. In 1915 the lodge had a membership of forty-two. Its officers:
A. N. Bliss, C. C. ; J. W. Larson, V. C. ; Ross Brown, P. ; A. C. Andrews, M. W. ;
J. J. Norcross, K. R. & S. ; H. M. Crusinberry, M. A. ; L. W. Hall, M. E. ; George
Comstock, M. F. ; C. M. Houston, I. G. ; L. S. Baker, O. G.

Miller Lodge No. 303, I. O. O. F., was instituted May i, 1905. The charter
members being: A. W. Osborn, N. G. ; S. B. Montgomery, V. G. ; Wm. Tiede.
Secy. ; E. E. Cole, Treas. ; L. A. Hazzard, J. E. Elmore, E. F. Wagner. C. W.
Draper, James Sennett, J. G. Hall.

290 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

In 191 5 the lodge had a membership of twenty-five. H. M. Crusinberry,
N. G. ; H. Reir, V. G. ; A. E. Scranton, Secy.; E. E. Cole, Treas.

WATERTOWN

Watertown, a station on the branch line of the Union Pacific extending north
from Kearney, was established in the year 1890.

A postoffice was established in 1890 with J. S. Veal as postmaster.

In the year 1886 a school district. No. lOi, was established; in the year 1915
there were thirty-nine pupils enrolled, two teachers employed and ten grades
taught in the school.

In the year 1891 a Methodist Church was organized with fourteen members.
The pastor in 19 15, Reverend Mr. Thurber.

At this point is a grain elevator with a capacity of 10,000 bushels, and twenty-
five cars of hay, grain and live stock were shipped in the year 1914.

AMHERST

The Village of Amherst was incorporated in the year 1894. Its first village
officers were O. G. Cobleigh, John Schnoor, Frank Outson, J. Y. Jones, Stanley
Wysoki.

It is a thriving village, with two banks, a telephone exchange, two grain
elevators, a feeding point for large numbers of sheep, and is a thriving com-
mercial center having the patronage and support of a prosperous rural com-
munity.

Notwithstanding every reasonable effort has been made by written com-
munications to obtain data and information as to the local history of the village,
its churches, its fraternal organizations, its telephone company and other features
of the history and activities of its people, the result has been disappointing.

School District No. 119 (Amherst) was organized in 1893, ^^ith Herman
Kapedsky as director. In 1892 a church building had been erected and this
building was purchased by the school district and used as a schoolhouse ; the
cost of the building was approximately six hundred dollars. A high school was
established in 1908. In 191 5 ten grades were taught and four teachers employed.
The school district officers were : James L. Vest, F. M. Kenney, W. W. Johnson.

The Commercial State Bank of Amherst was organized June 10, 1908. The
incorporators, Henry Menke, T. B. Garrison, Sr., H. H. Sinclair. The capital
stock, $10,000. The first officers, T. B. Garrison, Sr., president, Henry Menke,
cashier.

In 1915 the bank had a capital stock of $10,000; surplus, $3,499; deposits,
$46,242. W. M. Ross, president, S. E. Smith, cashier.

First National Bank of Amherst — In the year 191 5 its officers, A. U.
Dann, president, A. T. Reynolds, cashier. Capital stock, $25,000; surplus, $5,000;
deposits, $195,000.

Amherst Lodge No. 324, I. O. O. F., was instituted March 25, 1907, with a
charter membership of forty. Its first Noble Grand being E. F. Wagner.

In 1915 the membership was thirty-three. The present officers are: A. R.

VIEW OF EIVERDALE

BIE'D'S-EYE VIEW OF AMHERST

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 291

Green, N. G. ; J. H. Hoagland, V. G. ; W. W. Johnson, Secy; T. R. Curd, Treas. ;
Frank Long, Warden; L. Trumble, Conductor; JJert Jones, O. G. ; J. M. Johnson,
L G.; Jas. Jameson, R. S. N. G.; Roy Curd, L. S. N. G. ; S. Y. Harris, R. S.
V. G.; C. T. Grimes, L. S. V. G.; M. E. Parker, R. S. S.; VVm. Buettner, L. S. S.;
Milton King, Chaplain.

The Past Grands of the lodge have been L. Trumble, F. Harris, \V. W. John-
son, F. H. Belschner, C. Blois, T. R. Curd, G. Veal.

RIVERDALE

The unincorporated Village of Riverdale had its beginning in the fall of
1890 when August Raymond built the first dwelling house.

In 191 5 there were three general stores, two grain elevators with a storage
capacity of 20,000 bushels each, one bank, a telephone exchange, two churches
and three fraternal lodges.

Riverdale is most appropriately named, located as it is in the beautiful and
charming, fertile and fruitful Wood River Valley of the Platte.

School District No. 15 was organized by Dan A. Crowell, county superin-
tendent, May 3, 1873. The territory embraced was four miles from east to west,
extending to the north line of the county, twenty-two miles, embracing eighty-
eight square miles of territory.

Official notification of the formation of the district was delivered to J. R.
King, directing that the first meeting be held at the house of said King, on
Saturday, the loth day of May, 1873, at 7 P. M. The records seem to disclose
that J. R. King was elected director of the district, that on the loth day of July,
1873, there were in the district seventeen children of school age and that the dis-
trict had been apportioned $37.29 of the state school fund.

At a cost of $1,200 a schoolhouse was erected in 1873.

In 191 1 the number of grades taught was increased to ten, and in 1912 the
school building was enlarged and improved at an expense of $1,200. Three
teachers are employed. The present (191 5) district officers are: O. G. Knox,
director; C. H. Pratt, treasurer; John Farrell, moderator. O. G. Knox has
served as director since 1895.

The State Bank of Riverdale was organized in July, 1907, with a capital
stock of $5,000. Its incorporators were: A. T. Reynolds, Fred Bargmann, W. H.
Swartsley, C. H. Pratt, Thomas Pratt.

The officers of the bank: Fred Bargmann, president; A. T. Reynolds, vice
president; C. H. Pratt, cashier.

In 191 5 the bank had as capital stock, $5,000; surplus, $5,000; deposits,
$50,000. its officers: Fred Bargmann, president; Thomas Pratt, vice presi-
dent ; C. H. Pratt, cashier.

The Riverdale Christian Church was organized January i, 1898, with the
following charter members : William Knox, Emma Knox, J. C. Burnell, Belle
Burnell, W. A. Whitney, Mattie Whitney, Charles Larsen, Henrietta Larsen,
W. T. Keyes, Flora Keyes, Homer R. Knox, Jacob Flury, Catherine Flury. The
first pastor was Rev. J. W. Walker.

A church building was erected in 1894 at an approximate cost of twelve
hundred dollars. In 191 5 the church had a membership of seventy.

292

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

It was without a pastor.

Riverdale Lodge No. — , I. O. O. F., was organized April 5, 1910, with charter
members and officers as follows : W. H. Grassmeyer, N. G. ; John Farreh, V. G. ;
C. S. Hubbard, Sec; A. E. Walters, Treas. ; Thomas Pratt, Fred Schirneker,
W. O. Stephens, Sanford Merrill, W. H. Cottrell, Howard Wimberly.

In 1915 the lodge had a membership of sixty-nine. Its officers: E. W. Pratt,
N. G. ; J. E. Nelson, V. G. ; R. L. Prascher, Sec. ; C. H. Pratt, Treas.

CHAPTER XL

SCOTT AND SARTORIA TOWNSHIPS LIST OF EARLY SETTLERS REMINISCENCES BY

JOHN SWENSON JEF HOOLEY SHOOTS AN ELK HOOLEY, A PROFESSIONAL

HUNTER SWENSOn'S RIDGLING PONY "YES, STRANGER, FOR HUMANITY

sake" FIRST SETTLERS FOUR DAYS' LABOR TO GET A SACK OF FLOUR CHILDREN

QUARREL OVER WHO SHALL HAVE A FLOUR SACK FOR A GARMENT TEAM LOST

IN QUICKSAND HOLE IN LOUP RIVER A DUCKING IN AN AIR-HOLE A COW, A

LAMB AND A PIG COTTONWOOD TIMBER ON THE SOUTH LOUP.

SCOTT AND SARTORIA TOWNSHIPS

The first settlements in Scott Township appear to have been by Benjamin
Scott and John Laro in 1873, W. Hanshen, J. P. Gihnore, James A. Betts in 1874,.
J. J. Moore and James Broadfoot in 1878, and W. W. McLea and O. H. Lowry
in 1879.

The first settlers in Sartoria Township appear to have been B. Lee, Nels Lee
and Mattie Stockdale in 1878, and P. Pierce, C. Cook, Wm. Cook, W. J. Grant
and George Pfeiffer in 1879.

Township No. 12, Range No. 17, was originally named Taylor Township.
There is a tradition that the name "Taylor'' did not appeal to John Swenson for
some reason and ]\Ir. Swenson induced the county board to change the name to
Sartoria, explaining that Sartoria was a French word having a like meaning as
Taylor.

REMINISCEi^CES IN THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF SCOTT AND SARTORIA TOWNSHIPS

By John Swenson

(Note — Mr. Swenson was a soldier of the Civil war, leaving one arm on the
battlefield. He took a homestead claim in Divide Township in the year 1874.
He served two terms as county superintendent.)

My reasons for becoming a dweller in the region afterwards named Sartoria
was that I wished to get into a territory which afforded opportunities for raising
live stock. The country was then regarded as useless for any other purpose;
with this end in view, I went from my homestead on section No. 4, town Xo. 10.
range No. 16, early in ]\Iarch, 1879, up along the South Loup River to look for
a suitable location. Finding no place suitable to my purpose, after having gone
up to Elk Creek, I returned the next day. It rained and snowed alternately that
day. At the foot of a high hill, now called Black Hill Creek, I saw a cabin. Of

293

294 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

course I went in. Here dwelled Jephtha Hooley, a professional hunter. He met
me with every kind of good will and generosity.

Put my horse in a roofless stable and gave him some of his last bunch of hay.
Making known the object of my visit Hooley pointed east and said: "See that
bluff yonder? There you will find a log house and a good well; occupy this
and you will have plenty of hay and lots of range." I took Hooley's advice and
am still on that ground to which he pointed me.

HOOLEY SHOOTS AN ELK

During our conversation Hooley told me of an accident that hit him on one
of his recent hunting expeditions. Having heard that elk were often seen in
a certain locality, Hooley went there to get some of them. He arrived at the
objective region late one evening and let his mules loose to graze while he was
arranging for the comforts of his camp. Something scared the mules and they
came stampeding by the camp, and Hooley said, "Here come the elks," leveled
his faithful rifle and down fell one of his mules.

One thing more in connection with Jef Hooley. Poverty though not injurious
is always inconvenient and sometimes occasions loss. For stabling our stock
during the first we lived on the Loup (1879), we put two long stacks in parallel
positions about sixteen feet apart and roofed the space between them with poles
the hay. The 12th of February, 1880, was the worst day of the worst winter
which I have experienced during all the years I have lived in Nebraska.
The wind piled the snow on our stable roof so it broke. I had opened the door,
so the sheep were running out just as the crash came. The last of the sheep,
thirty in number, and one calf, became covered with the debris ; I needed help
to manage the situation. Jef Hooley, two miles distant, was the nearest and
only place I could go to expect help.

Hooley appeared to be indififerent to God's commandments except the one
which advises to not give thought for the morrow. When I came to his house,
the last handful of twigs had been put into the stove. So before he could render
mc any assistance, he had to provide something to burn for his house. To effect
this, he with a hunting partner, had to go to the river one mile away, in one of
the worst Nebraska storms, to drag home a load of willow brush and chop it up,
before he could go with me. He and his companion worked for me till dark
pulling out from under the debris, dead sheep.

Jef Hooley's source of livelihood was what he could bring down by his gun.
He went west into what he called the sandhills, and came home about Christmas
time with a big load of deer and antelope. I remember with affection Jef Llooley,
mostly for the good heart he carried covered with a lot of rubbish.

MY RIDGLING PONY

]\Iy first power of conveyance was a ridgling pony, weighing in good condition
812 pounds. He took good care of himself on the road whether he had his
burden on his back or behind him. However, if there was a horse within several
miles ahead of him, he would deliver a speed and assume a style that the king's

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 295

horses could not surpass. There heing no special inducement for progress on
the other side of the river and somewhat heavily loaded his wagon got stuck in
the quicksand and one time when I asked him to cross the river without any
load he refused to go on.

Leaving my sod house on the divide and directing my course towards my
newly acquired home, I had to cross the Loup; Billy stopped again. Mr. Elisha
Miles' ranch was near by. Unhooking the horse I led him up towards the ranch
house. Mr. Miles was plowing. I went up and saluted him. He did not answer
my greeting nor face towards me, just turned his head and looked askant towards
me. I explained my predicament and asked him to help me out. At that time
in comparison with Mr. Miles I was a young man. He said, "Young man where
are you botmd?" I answered: "I am moving on the })lace vacated by O. W.
Smith." "The deuce you are," said Miles. "That is right in the midst of my
range. Don't you know that the cattlemen allot the range between them and
they allow no squatters to come in and occupy any part of it?" I said, "I have
heard of such arrangements, but any private agreement about a matter of which
they have no legal right, has no binding power on others who have just the same
rights as they have." "Can you pull me out?" I asked. "Yes, stranger, for
hiunanity sake," he said.

Coming up to my new habitation, which consisted of a log house ii by 12,
with earth roof, one window, and no door, I put in my load of furniture and
ascended a high bluff from which I could view the landscape in all directions.
No where was there a habitation of man visible. But along the river-bottom
was life and joy ; there were thousands of prairie chickens playing and cooing,
while in the hills vibrated the thrilling melody of cranes.

FIRST SETTLERS

The first settlers in the region afterwards named Sartoria, came in the fall of
1877. They were Norwegians named Lee. They consisted of the parents, four
stalwart sons and two grown up daughters. They took three homesteads at first
and more afterwards. They hfid but one team. Began breaking prairie early in
April and ended in June.

With that only team, they went to Kearney, once a week (twenty-eight miles)
to get their two plows sharpened. They raised eighteen bushels of sod corn to
the acre, that year. The Lees, though prosperous were impressed by a spirit of
expansion to seek better opportunities, sold out their holdings to a colony which
came from Iowa. They were Richard Hughes, Owen Jones, and W. R. Jones,
of these only the latter is now left. He is quite prosperous, has raised a colony
of daughters who have the peculiar distinction of having acquired education and
are not above work. There came also with those mentioned a family named
Royale. They were and are so numerous that I have to limit my narrative to the
mentioning of only one, George. George Royale came to Sartoria with five
motherless children, and was apparently the poorest of the poor. What has he
now? He owns all the homesteads which his fellow colonists bought and has a
landscape west of numberless acres and all his places stocked to their full
capacity.

296 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

The other settlers who came by companies, were the Browns, McCurries,
the Chipps and others from Missouri.

SCOTT TOWNSHIP

This township was first settled by Benjamin Scott, after whom it was named,
who settled on his homestead on Deer Creek in 1873, and on which he lived
continuously till 1907, when he hung up his armor and was put to rest. His
good wife went some years before him. There was nothing remarkable about
Ben Scott, except that he was a model citizen, as I believe he had been a model
soldier.

On the west bank of the river Cornelius Cook erected a rather nice frame
house. He and his family were people of education and refinement ; they tried
to live like white people should live; at this undertaking their means soon quit
them and they quit the country.

Mr. Cook's land was transferred to his son-in-law, T. J. Parish, wdio has
added many acres to it since and made it a good size ranch. Frank, his son,
lives on the place now (1915) and is prosperous.

The first Klunders, the Sohrweids, the Wheelers and the Dickmans, were
there when I came on the river. Just where they settled I do not know, but I
know they have been and are prosperous ; they are worth from twenty-five to
one hundred thousand dollars, every one of them, and -though some of the first
settlers are dead and some gone to other places, their children have succeeded
them and are worthy successors, making wealth and improving the country.

LUDICROUS AND DANGEROUS INCIDENTS

There were many ludicrous as well as dangerous happenings along the river,
which, if related, would read stranger than fiction. I will mention but two wath
which I had to do. Early in March Dan Rohrbarger and I went south on the
divide after some corn. On coming back my horse, being used to cross the river,
bounded right through. Rohrbarger's horses, despite his whipping with a two-
foot long willow switch, stopped in the middle of the stream to drink. The team
having satisfied itself, when urged to go on could not move the wagon. Rohr-
barger, facing the river diagonally and seeing the water running by him swiftly,
cried to me, "Ain't I going?" "Not that any one can see," I replied. "What
will I do? No, rather say, what can you do? Will I have to leave the wagon
here?" he said. I replied, "H you can not move that's the only thing you can
do." Rohrbarger unhooked the horses and walked out on the wagon tongue and
shocked the tongue loose from the neckyoke and jumped on one of the horses.
When this one was asked to go he could not get his feet loose. After floundering
for some time he finally fell on his side with Mr. Rohrbarger under him. Rohr-
barger at last got out and walked home in his w^et clothes, four miles. The next
morning he came with two men and two teams. How to get the wagon loose
looked to be a difficult matter indeed. All that was to be seen of the wagon, was
one corner about eight inches above water. The two men went into the wagon in
the water and as the team passed forward and back the men in the wagon threw.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 297

each time, four grain sacks of corn into the passing wagon. The corn being all
out the wagon had to be taken to pieces to the last wheel to get it out of the
quicksand.

A DUCKING IN AN AIR-HOLE IN THE ICE

Poverty having somewhat let loose its grip, we slowly crawled out of it and
some of us got in possession of some not insignificant herds of cattle. I, among
the most of those mentioned, got in possession of cattle and knew, like the man
who has earned a dollar, how to use it, took care of my herd. One Sunday, bright
the breezy, I went to the river to see that the cattle got water and to prevent
them from falling into air-holes and drowning. One large bunch came to one of
these air-holes and, behold, the ice broke and the whole bunch fell in.

All scrambled out except one little calf. This one raised his front part up
so that his knees rested on the edge of the ice. I, reaching out for a hold at
the root of his tail, to help him out, slid into the river head foremost. With
difficulty I got out. Thermometer 6 below zero, alone, and three-fourths of a
mile from the house, to go against a brisk northwest wind. I expected to freeze
to death, but there was no other way than to try to get home. In running towards
the house my clothing soon got stiff and kept the wind from using its power on
nie. I got home all right.

A cow, A LAMB AND A PIG

In my sheep keeping we sometimes had orphan lambs. These we had to
feed with a bottle. This was tiresome and so with one lamb I tried to teach it
to nurse a small cow. This went well after the first trial. When the little cow
was lying down, the lamb hunted out the teat and then nursed the cow. The cow
let down her milk so that it ran on the ground. A pig took care of what seemed
to be wasting. He followed the stream from the ground to the teat, and in this
w^ay learned to nurse the cow also. These two followed the cow until satisfied,
after which they would lie down. When again the cow wanted to be relieved she
lowed, the lamb came running and bleating at every jump and the pig came
following as fast as he could and squealing at every jump. The cow stood the
same as for her own calf. These two grafters grew to big proportions.

COTTONWOOD TIMBER ON THE SOUTH LOUP

The South Loup River having its banks covered with lots of big trees and
brush was, for a short time, free for all, and was a real blessing to the people of
a large extent of country. This timber served for fuel and building material
for the settlers. There was nothing anywhere else one could get to bum except
what could be had from the river, and how the pioneers made use of this
opportunity may be judged from this— there were 300 large cottonwood trees in
front of my house in September, 1879. and in the following year there were
eleven of the scrubs left. Besides furnishing building material and fuel these
trees were also shaped into ways to furnish bread to the most needy. John

298 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

Stockdale, after having built his sod habitation and broken a few acres of prairie,
his means for a hvelihood were all gone. He had to turn to the timber to see
what he could get out of it. He went after a cottonwood log one day, split into
stove length the next day, hauled it to Kearney (some twenty-five miles) the
third day and brought home a sack of flour the fourth day. It sometimes hap-
pened that he arrived home a little later than usual, then all the light used by
the family would not leave the window and all the members of the family waited
and watched till father was in sight; the children often quarreled among them-
selves about who should get the flour sack for a garment.

Among the early arrivals of homesteaders there were not more than one in
five that owned a team; one who possessed even a pair of oxen was considered
well off. He had constant appreciation from those not so fortunate, and was
solicited to break some sod with which to build a sod house and to break a few
acres of prairie that would enable the homesteader to plant a little garden and a
few acres of corn.

The homesteaders kept coming, not all at one time, but right along for fifteen
or twenty years, but seldom any better provided with means than were the first
arrivals. These last ones had to take land less choice than was the privilege of
those who came before them. Our opportunities to help a new comer did not
cease for years. After we had pulled ourselves out of the deepest ruts of poverty
we were better able to help those who came ten or fifteen years after we came.

One cold morning in March a very small man came to me and asked to buy a
pair of oxen, without money. I had no oxen at all. "Have you no unbroken
steers?" he asked. I replied, 'T have one three-year-old half-bred Texan and
one what we call a native, three years old." "Let me have them," he urged.
"My good man, you could not handle the half-breed at all," I replied. "Yes,
let me try it. I can handle him," he still insisted. With all the persuasion I could
make, he insisted so hard that we had to get him the steers. But how could we
catch the wild one, that was the important question. We had a haystack, close
and parallel with the end of a shed, with a door which opened into a partition
in the shed, the haystack and the end of the shed serving as a chute. We got
him in and how this steer felt about his captivity you can imagine when you
know that he stood on his hind legs and reached his front feet up to the roof.
We managed to put loops of a strong rope over his big horns and then we let
the wild fellow out with little Felix Kreutzer at the end of the rope. Now the
comedy commenced. The steer behaved after the fashion of a bucking broncho,
but Avitli all his capers Felix stuck to the end of the rope. Finally the animal
became somewhat tired and had turned in the direction he should go. P'elix went
ahead, pulling on the steer, who now stood stock still. After about two hours of
jerking and pulling the steer took now and then a leap forward. In this manner
Felix led the steer home, a distance of sixteen miles, and the next morning; while
we were breakfasting at 8 o'clock, Felix and his wife stood outside the door and
wanting the other steer. In my judgment Hercules never performed a greater
wonder than did little Felix Kreutzer when he led that wild steer sixteen miles,
all alone. These steers he broke to the yoke, broke up his farm with them and
had no other team for several years. He is now a retired farmer, living at
Amherst, contented and happy.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 299

While serving as county superintendent and visiting schools over the county
1 had a good chance to learn the condition of the people.

Sometimes when I had occasion to stop over night with some farmer, most
generally a school director, on asking to stay, the woman would say, "I hate to
refuse you staying, but the fact is we are so hard up for something to eat that
we cannot think of asking anyone to subsist on our fare." I would answer, 'Tf
that is all the trouble, it seems to me that what you can live on every day and
look as well as you do, I can get along with for one night." "-Well," she would
generally reply, "'if that is the way you look upon the situation and are willing to
take what we have to offer, you are welcome."

In the morning, when I asked the lady what I owed for my accommodation,
"Oh, nothing. I would not think of charging anything for such fare as you
have had." I would say, "Indeed, you must. I am out on business and am
making money, and invariably pay my way, and you shall not be an exception."

Well, she would say, "If you are so insistent on paying, give what you will."
In giving her $i she would object and say at any rate that was too much. After
some parley back and forth, she would take the dollar, finger it and squeeze it and
exclaim, "Oh, my ! my ! my ! Now I have money to buy some tea." I would
be invited to come to their house next time and at such time I should pay noth-
ing, and they would have coffee, tea, sugar and meat, which they lacked at this
time.

CHAPTER XLI

FIRST SETTLERS IN CEDAR TOWNSHIP — MRS. JOHN DAVIS LOSES HER LIFE IN THE
MEMORABLE STORM OF APRIL, 1873 GRASSHOPPER RAID IN 1874 ORGANIZA-
TION OF SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 20 MRS. E. W. CARPENTER FIRST TEACHER —

BUILT A SOD SCHOOLHOUSE IN 1875 FIRST PRECINCT ELECTION HELD IN 1874;

THE ELEVEN VOTES CAST COST THE COUNTY $14, AND WERE WELL WORTH THE

MONEY MAJORS POSTOFFICE ESTABLISHED IN 1879; NAMED IN HONOR OF COL.

THOMAS J. MAJORS E. W. CARPENTER NAMED POSTMASTER AND SERVED

TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS — ^UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ORGANIZED IN 1882
WITH FIVE CHARTER MEMBERS.

EARLY SETTLEMENT OF CEDAR TOWNSHIP

By Hon. James E. Miller

Cedar Township comprises all of town No. ii, range No. 15.

The first homestead selections were made by (E.) West and (S. J.) Houston,
two soldiers of the Civil war, from the State of Ohio. After making selection
of the east half of section No. 14, they returned to their homes in Ohio. They
returned in the spring of 1873, made their filings on their homestead claims,
and hired E. W. Carpenter to break five acres on each quarter, when they again
started for Ohio, but were detained at Grand Island three days by the great
storm of April 13-15, 1873, and were never heard from again.

The first actual settlement in the township was made in the spring of 1873 by
John Davis on section No. 2, E. W. Carpenter and Joseph White on the west
half of section No. 14, and Samuel Higgins on section No. 22. These settlers
were located on their claims during the great storm in which Mrs. John Davis
lost her life. On Sunday morning, April 13th, Mr. Davis started for Grand
Island on foot, following the section lines east. The storm overtook him before
he arrived at his destination. He left his wife in their dugout with the under-
standing that she would go to the home of E. W. Carpenter for the night, a mile
or more to the south. The storm came so suddenly (at 4 o'clock Sunday after-
noon) that it seems she did not dare to leave home. It appears that she un-
dressed and went to bed, and that in the night the ridge pole broke with the heavy
load of dirt (the dugout had a dirt roof). The rafters protected her so that she
might have remained in the bed. The door was barred, and it appeared she
forced her way through the window. She left with but little clothing and with-
out her shoes. When the storm ceased (at sundown) on Tuesday, neighbors
went to the Davis home, and not finding her, began a search, and found her body

300

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 301

on a ridge about sixty rods southeast of her home. Mr. Davis arrived that
evening. They buried her near the dugout. The place has changed owners
several times and it is likely all traces of the grave is lost.

The same year (1873) M. A. Young and Joseph Clayton settled on the west
half of section Xo. 10, Capt. J. 3.1. Treichler on the southwest quarter of section
No. 22, Alaj. John Dance on the northwest quarter of section No. 25, and Mrs.
S. Higgins tiled on the northwest quarter of section No. 26 for her children by a
former husband. In October, 1873, the writer with his family arrived at Kear-
ney, and meeting John Davis, was persuaded to investigate his neighborhood,
and after looking for a location in Platte and Boone counties concluded that the
abandoned homesteads of West and Houston suited him. He with Henry Luce
filed contests and secured homestead papers and made permanent settlement.

The foregoing constituted the settlement during the winter of 1873-74, which
was a mild, dry winter. The summer of 1874 was very hot and dry, a little wheat
was harvested, but no corn. About the middle of July the migrating grass-
hoppers completely covered the ground and devoured nearly every green thing.
It looked as though we had struck the wrong country, but we all stayed except
Major Dance.

In the spring of 1874 Robert Haines of Center Precinct called on us for the
purpose of estimating the value of our personal property and securing the names
of our children of school age so that his school district could get the state appor-
tionment due school districts. We at once took the proper steps to head off
this scheme by organizing our township and forming School District X^o. 20 by
taking the north twelve miles from School Districts Nos. 11, 6 and 16. We drew
our share of the state apportionment, and hired Mrs. E. W. Carpenter to teach
our school.

She furnished the room and taught three months for $30.

So satisfactory was her work that we employed her the next summer to teach
in the same room. However, by this time teachers' wages had advanced 100
per cent. (The records disclose that on February 17, 1874. on petition of J. E.
Miller and other legal voters. County Superintendent J. J. W. Place created
School District No. 20, and issued a formal notice to the legal voters in the
new district to meet at the home of E. \\'. Carpenter on March 6, 1874, and per-
fect the organization of the district.)

Those were flush times in 1876, having had fair crops in 1875, settlers began
to flock in, and we had to build a schoolhouse. The materials were "Made in
Nebraska." The walls of the schoolhouse, two feet thick, were of sod and
plastered with gypsum dug from a nearby bank. The joists and rafters were
from Cottonwood trees, and the roof was made from willows and sod. The
materials for the floor, windows and the door had to be imported. The archi-
tect^ and the builders were home grown. This commodious edifice afforded ample
room for school purposes, as well as a place for church, Sunday school and
political meetings. It became a great seat of learning and many graduates from
the school are holding positions of honor and trust.

Our first precinct election was held in 1874. Eleven votes were cast, which
cost the county $14, and they were well worth the money. The year 1876 was a
poor one for crops. It will be long remembered by early settlers as the last and

302 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

greatest sweep of the migrating grasshoppers. These pests covered the culti-
vated portions of South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and the western half of Iowa.
The year 1877 ^^as one of the most productive years in our history (as a county),
and prices for grain ruled unusually high, especially for wheat. From this date
for twelve successive years there was not a crop failure.

We first got our mail at Gibbon, then changed to Kearney. During the sum-
mer of 1879 we sent a petition to Washington for a mail route and a postoffice.
We failed to send a name for the office, so the postoffice department named the
office Majors, in honor of the blue-shirted statesman of Nemaha County, Col.
Thomas J. Majors.

E. W. Carpenter was appointed postmaster, and William Grant of Kearney
mail carrier. This star route was later extended to the home of Erastus Smith,
where later Ravenna was located. Mr. Carpenter continued as postmaster until
the office was discontinued in 1907, a period of twenty-eight years. His income
from the office the first year was $9, and probably did not exceed $30 in any
one year during the time he held the office. This was certainly a great sacri-
fice on the part of Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Carpenter in the interests of the neigh-
borhood, and I am sure it was so considered by all patrons of the office.

Mrs. E. W. Carpenter taught two terms of school of three months each.
She was a highly useful woman in our community. Her death occurred April
13, 1907.

The first church organized was the United Presbyterian. It was organized
in John McCool's sod house by Rev. David Inches of North Bend, Neb., on
December 20, 1882. The charter members were: John McCool, Mrs. Rose
Ann McCool, James E. Miller, Mrs. Ann J. Miller and George W. Duncan.
The church had a scattering supply for a pastor until 1885, when Rev. Isaac A.
Wilson was installed as pastor. The church increased rapidly until it about
reached the one hundred mark, when some of the members moved to Poole, in
Beaver Township, and started a church there. Others moved to other states,
greatly weakening the congregation. In 191 5 the church had a membership of
about thirty. In 191 5 the pastor for the two churches — Majors and Poole —
is Rev. E. C. Coleman.

THORNTON TOWNSHIP

The first settlers in town No. 10, range No. 15. in Buft'alo County, were
C. A. Borders, N. Turner, F. Chisler, F. J. Weldin, M. Conners, J. C. V. Kelley,
B. J. Holmes, W. S. Hall, in 1873 ; and S. S. St. John, J. M. Smith, J. Gass, N. E.
Coombs, Joel Miller, N. Fellers, J. Trumbull, W. J. Neely, J. E. Holloway, F. G.
Hamer, B. Streigle, G. H. Cutting, W. G. Patterson, S. W. Thornton and E,
Goodsell, in 1874.

When township organization was adopted in the county in 1883, the county
board named the township "Thornton," in honor of Hon. S. W. Thornton, a sol-
dier of the Civil war and one of its earliest settlers.

In the life of the township there was organized a Catholic Church, which
erected a church building. The church organization is still in a flourishing con-
dition.

UNITED BEETHEEX C'HUKCH AT BUTLEK ]X BLCKEYE \ALLEi'

Erected in 1898

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 303

At an early date there was an organization of the Alethodist Episcopal
Church, their church huilding being known as Haven Chapel, which is still a
religious center for a considerable extent of territory.

At an early date a postoffice was established and which was continued until
the advent of free rural delivery, since which time people of the township have
been served by a carrier from the Kearney office.

One of the first farmers' telephone companies in the county was organized
largely through the efforts of people residing in this township, a history of
which, kindly furnished by George Bischel, appears elsewhere in this volume.

Hopewell Camp No. 4522, M. W. A., was instituted at Hopewell schoolhouse,
School District No. 35, in Thornton Township, February 8, 1897. The first
officers and charter members were: D. M. Arbuckle, V. C. ; I. F. Henline, B.;
J. C. Powers, A.; David R. Mathieson, clerk; L. N. Hollingsworth, P. W. Snook,
George Bischel, J- N. Johnson, E. E. Thorn, J. H. Fester, J. S. Burton, William
R. Fisher, F. S. Alusil, William Oehlrich, Ed Gillming, David McCan, Louis J.
Meyers, George H. Gillming, Ed A. Poole, A. J- Frederick, Peter J. Gillming,
C. L. Greemhalge, George S. Hayes, Ed A. Rose, Nicholas Gass, Fred A. Rynese,
A. E. Debrie.

George Bischel served as clerk of the camp for eight successive years.

In the year 1897 the camp erected a hall, 29 by 36 feet, on section No. 16,
in Thornton Township. The membership so greatly increased that in the year
1901 the hall was enlarged by an addition of sixteen feet. In 191 1 the mem-
bership of the camp was 105, and in 191 5 the membership was seventy-six. The
officers: J. AI. Stiles, V. C. ; Frank Stiles, A.; W. J. Turner, B.; Fred Sitz,
clerk.

Prairie View Camp No. 2228, Royal Neighbors, M. W. A., was instituted in
Thornton Township June 13, 1900. The officers and charter members were:
Mrs. Hannah Smith, oracle; Mrs. Luella Rogers, recorder; Mesdames Mary
Altmaier, Bessie Bischel, Maggie Baily, Gertrude Burton, Maude Clark, Edith
Debrie, Jannette Cass, Jane Foster, Ethel Gillming, Alma Howe, ]Mary Hayes,
Etta Richards, Flora E. Weller, ]\Iiss Lucretia Snider, George Bischel, A. E.
Debrie, Luther McKee, George Richards.

This camp has the distinction of being the only Royal Neighbor camp in the
State of Nebraska located in a rural neighborhood, its membership composed
entirely of farmers, their wives and daughters. Mrs. George Bischel, who served
eight years as recorder of the camp, writes that this organization meant much
to its members, as it was the means of bringing them together in a social way
when otherwise the members would probably ne\er have all been known to each
other. Of course there was always the faithful few who kept the camp alive.

In the year 1915 the camp had a membership of thirty. Its officers: Mrs.
Mary Altmaier, oracle ; Mrs. Minnie Mast, recorder.

BUCKEYE VALLEY BUTLER

Buckeye A'alley is in Valley Township, and the first settlement in Buckeye
Valley was by Col. W. T. Beatty and George Simpkins, in 1873 ; W. R. Wheeler,
in 1874; J. B. Wheeler, George E. Fredericks, T. O. George, O. Knepper, in
1878, and William Trivelpiece, in 1879.

304 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

Col. Wm. T. Beatty was a native of Ohio and gave to the valley its name,
"Buckeye Valley."

On March 5, 1879, County Superintendent John Swenson organized a school
district, No. 49.

A schoolhouse was erected in which a Sabhath school was held, this about
the year 1880. Rev. J. Marsh here organized a "class" of the Methodist Church,
and Air. Marsh also held regular preaching service in the schoolhouse. In the
early '80s a Grange was organized, which flourished for many years, this being
the last of the Grange organizations of that date in the county to surrender its
charter.

A postoffice was established named "Butler," and which was continued until
the establishment of rural delivery.

It is recalled that a very successful fair was held at Butler, with considerable
exhibits of live stock and farm products.

Mr. George C. Lunger kindly furnishes the following history of the organiza-
tion of the United Brethren Church at that point:

The first Sabbath school in Buckeye Valley was organized May 30. 1880,
at schoolhouse No. 49, with Rev. O. Knepper as superintendent.

Rev. O. Knepper also preached each Sunday after Sunday school and occa-
sionally in the evening for a period of two years.

The Butler class of the United Brethren Church in Christ was organized
under the pastorate of Rev. John Green in September, 1884, with the following
charter members : O. Knepper, Mrs. Emma H. Knepper, Henry C. Fliegel,
Mrs. Elizabeth Fliegel, Johnathan Stearns, Mrs. Mary Stearns, Mrs. N. Wood-
hull and several others.

At an expense of $915 a church building was erected and dedicated April 24,
1898, by Bishop J. S. Mills, the pastor at that date being Rev. A. L. Zimmer-
man, and the trustees George C. Lunger, Wm. Trivelpiece, O. Knepper, H. C.
Fliegel and Peter Gillming.

The pastors serving this church from the beginning have been O. Knepper,
John Green, H. S. Munger, J. M. Witters, J. Bremser, W. S. Fields, T. B.
Cannon, Wm. Thompson, C. J. Bohart, A. L. Zimmerman, Wm. Tooley, A. Boyd,
W. C. Miller, L. L. Epley, W. C. Arnold, Reverend Mr. Spahr, J. Mason, Walter
Smith and C. E. Harrington.

This church disorganized in 1915, and the church building was sold to the
Buckeye Valley Grange, and is now (1916) being used as a Grange hall.

A Methodist Church was organized at Butler and a church building erected,
but a history of the church is not available for this history.

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FTEST SCHOOL IN CIBBON

GIBBON FLOURING MILL
First mill in Nebraska west of Hall Couiitv. Erected in 1873

CHAPTER XLII

FIRST FLOURING MILL; ERECTED IN 1873 FIRST MILL IX STATE WEST OF HALL

COUNTY SETTLERS CAME lOO MILES TO MILL.

THE FIRST FLOURING MILL

The first mill for the grinding of wheat and other grain, erected in Nebraska
west of Hall County, was at Gibbon in 1873.

This mill was not only useful and beneficial to the early settlers of a large
portion of Central and Western Nebraska and Northwest Kansas, but it was a
most important factor in the early settlement of Buffalo County and of the
country named. Its establishment encouraged the growing of wheat as it enabled
the early settlers to have ground into flour and meal grain of their o\vn raising
thus saving the expense of shipping such grain to distant markets and paying
freight on flour and meal manufactured at distant points. So important did the
Union Pacific Railroad deem the erection of the flouring mill in the settlement
of the new country that it transported, free of charge, two carloads, one of
machinery, one of lumber, for the construction of the mill, this free transportation
being for the same reason that free transportation was granted of material for
building churches and schoolhouses.

In the early days settlers came, in some instances, distances of more than one
hundred miles in order to get their grain ground into flour. Some of these
settlers came with ox teams, bringing full loads, being a week on the way, at
times waiting a week for their turn to have the grain ground and then a week
on the road home. For many years the mill was run as a custom mill, each one
receiving the flour from his own grain and awaiting his turn to have his grain
ground.

The original mill was built in the summer and fall of 1873; the building was
about twenty-four feet square and two stories ; there were two runs of four-foot
buhr stone, one for wheat, one for feed and a reel bolt. The capacity of the
mill was about thirty barrels per day.

Power was furnished by \\'ood River, a stream of living water having a fall
of about ten feet per mile ; the dam erected was about ten feet high.

The mill dam has always been a source of great expense to maintain. About
twelve feet below the surface is a layer of quicksand and muskrats working
down into the quicksand caused great damage. It is estimated that in the thirty-
seven years since its first construction from twenty thousand to twenty-five thou-
sand dollars have been expended on this dam. While there has never been a
complete washout, each year repairs have been necessary. In the year 1877 the

Vol. T— ?n

305

306 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

mill was remodeled, another run of stone added for grinding midlings, thus
increasing the yield of flour per bushel. In the year 1884 the roller process of
grinding was introduced, increasing the capacity of the mill to sixty barrels. The
Gibbon mill was one of the first in the state to introduce the roller process of
grinding. In the year 1889 the mill was again remodeled, a swing sifter system
installed, also a twenty-one horse power gasoline engine, thus increasing the
capacity of the mill to eighty barrels. The Gibbon mill was one of the first in
the state to install machinery necessary in the milling of turkey red winter
wheat which practically took the place of spring wheat which before the advent
of the turkey red had been altogether grown. The successful milling of turkey
red winter wheat was of immense benefit, financially, in the development of the
agricultural resources of Central Nebraska. In the year 1905 there was installed
a fifty-horse power steam engine with all the latest and best improvements, mak-
ing the capacity of the mill about one hundred and twenty barrels.

From the building of the mill in 1873 and the remodeling of the same from
time to time, nothing but the latest and best improved machinery has been
installed and from 1873 to date (1916) the manufactured product has always
been recognized as first class, standard as to quality.

Also the management of the mill has always been in the hands of men with
a well earned, well deserved reputation for honesty and integrity in all their
business relations. The original builders of the mill were I. N. Davis & Com-
pany (I. N. Davis and James H. Davis), who conducted the business until 1885.
From 1885 to 1897 I. N. Davis was owner; from 1897 to 1907, James H. Davis
and son (Roy A. Davis) ; Roy A. Davis from 1907 to 1914, when J. N. Ashburn
purchased a one-half interest. Roy A. Davis died in 191 5 and the Gibbon mills
for more than forty years in the Davis family passed into other hands.

The managers of the business have been James H. Davis, from 1873 to 1885;
James S. Hopkins, 1885-88; C. Putnam, 1888-90; Bert Sprague, 1890-92; C. Put-
nam, 1892-97; Roy A. Davis, 1897-1914. The millers employed appear in the
following order, beginning in 1873 : Fritz Stark, Hans Voss, J. B. Ring, Fred
Carter, James S. Hopkins, Bert Sprague, Bayard Seaver, Charles A. Putnam,
J. D. Mickey, R. S. Winchester, Ralph Sprague and Homer J. Mickey in 19 16.

About one hundred thousand bushels of wheat are milled into flour each year.

CHAPTER XLIII

ORGANIZATION OF TELEPHONE COMPANIES IN BUFFALO COUNTY THE FARMERS*

TELEPHONE COMPANY BUFFALO COUNTY TELEPHONE COMPANY UNION VAL-
LEY TELEPHONE COMPANY THE FAIRVIEW TELEPHONE COMPANY THE MILLER

INDEPENDENT TELEPHONE COMPANY.

THE TELEPHONE IN BUFFALO COUNTY

The progressive and enterprising spirit of the people of Buffalo County is no
better iUustrated than in the ahnost universal use made of the telephone, in the
homes on the farm, as well as in the towns. The beginning of telephone systems
in the county was through people living on farms, people of small means. The
writer well recalls his first use of a telephone — a wire reaching from the house
to the barn, the phones a tin can at either e^dOf the wire.

At first a number of farmers co-opesj|fcjQ^in extending a wire into the nearest
village, a friendly business man serving as '"central." Often the wire was attached
to fence posts and quite often a fence wire served also as a telephone wire.

Beginning with about the year 1902, farmers' co-operative telephone compa-
nies were organized in various parts of the county, and in a comparatively brief
time the county became a network of telephone wires, with a telephone in every
home.

No attempt is here made to compile an acurate and complete history of the
beginning and development of the telephone in Buffalo County, but enough is
here presented to record the date of the beginning, the methods used, the growth
and development to date (1915).

THE farmers' TELEPHONE COMPANY

The Farmers' Telephone Company of Buff'alo County was organized ^larcli
2, 1902. The incorporators were W. J. Smith, Albert Allen, Joseph Buck. Jr.,
Jacob Stearley and W. H. Maurer of Shelton Township. The first officers wore :
W. J. Smith, president; W. H. Alaurer, vice president; George \V. Barrett, treas-
urer; Joseph Buck, Jr., secretary. The authorized capital stock was $10,000 and
the company had about one hundred shareholders. The territory first covered
was confined to Shelton Township, and the company began business with a]>
proximately twenty-five phones.

In the year 1915 the company covered territory embraced in Shelton. Sharon.
Gardner, Schneider, Platte, Gibbon, Valley, and Center townships, in Buff'alo
County, two townships in Hall County, and its lines extending into Kearney

307

308 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

County and having in use i,ioo phones. The capital stock is $10,000, but instead
of paying dividends the company has invested its earnings in the extension and
improvement of its plant, which is estimated to be worth thirty thousand dollars.

The company now has about thirty-five shareholders. Its present officers
are: George W. Barrett, president and secretary; C. M. Beck, vice president;
H. J. Dugdale, treasurer.

(Note — The editor is indebted to Mr. C. M. Beck, vice president and manager
of the Gibbon office, for data as to the history of the Farmers' Telephone Com-
pany.)

BUFFALO COUNTY TELEPHONE COMPANY

In the year 1903 several meetings of farmers residing in Thornton and adjoin-
ing townships resulted in the organization on April i, 1903, of the Buffalo County
Telephone Company, those signing the articles of incorporation being: George
Bischel, Peter Wink, H. G. Rieter, J. D. Lowenstein and W. D. Stadleman. The
officers elected being : Peter Wink, president ; Joseph A. Waters, vice president ;
George Bischel, secretary; John L. Hopper, treasurer; W. J. Stadleman, man-
ager. The board of directors was : George Bischel, Joseph A. Waters, John L.
Hopper, P. F. H. Schars and Peter Wink. The lines of the company covering
territory embraced in Center, Thornton, Valley, Schneider, Cedar, Beaver and
Loup townships. At the close of the year 1906 the company had 225 miles of
wire and 225 phones installed. By January, 1908, the company was out of debt
and in September, 1908, a dividend of 15 per cent was declared. In January,
1909, it was decided to divide the territory, those tributary to Pleasanton to go
with the Pleasanton company and be called the Bufifalo County Telephone Company
and a new company to be formed to cover the territory tributary to Kearney.

In February, 1909, was organized the Union Valley Telephone Company, those
signing the articles of incorporation being: Pat Fitzgerald, George Bischel, H. G.
Reiter, R. F. Cruit, Dallas Henderson, N. B. Freeman, and C. H. Fleming.
George Bischel was elected president and manager ; W. D. Thornton, secretary ;
who with Dallas Henderson, C. L. Snider and C. H. Fleming constituted the board
of directors.

It appears that the Union Valley Telephone Company began business with a
capital stock of $5,000 and with ninety-five phones in operation. This company
rebuilt its lines and in 1915 has 175 phones installed, rents its phones at $1 per
month, declares an annual dividend of 15 per cent and on payment of a 25-cent
switching charge at the Kearney central office its patrons can talk to about twenty-
one hundred phones.

The present officers are: W. D. Thornton, president; George Bischel, secre-
tary and treasurer.

(Note — The data for the foregoing history of the Buffalo County and Union
Valley Telephone companies was kindly furnished by George Bischel.)

BUFFALO COUNTY TELEPHONE COMPANY

The Buffalo County Telephone Company was organized by the people of
Pleasanton and vicinity in the year 1903 and incorporated in 1910, with S. B.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUxNTY 309

Carpenter, president; A. \\ A'alentine, vice president; P. S. Holtzinger, manager;
M. S. Booher, secretary; F. L. Grammer, treasurer. The company having in
operation 128 phones.

In the year 191 5 the capital stock of the company was $6,500. Surplus, $2,000.
Phones in operation, 324. Officers: A. H. Valentine, president; Adolph English,
vice president; B. S. Wort, manager; M. S. Booher, secretary; F. L. Grammer,
treasurer.

(Note — This history of the Buffalo County Telephone Company was kindly
furnished by F. L. Grammer, of Pleasanton.)

FAIRVIEW TELEPHONE COMPANY

The FairvicAv Telephone Company was organized February 20, 1904, the
incorporators being: W. C. Pettett, C. E. Gresham, E. E. McCartney, C. E.
Holmes, E. A. Edgerton, J. D. McCartney, C. F. Bowie, \V. T. Gould, A. E.
Pettett, R. H. Clifford, C. H. Gale, H. H. Northrup.

The first officers were : W. C. Pettett, W. T. Gould, and E. E. McCartney.

The capital stock was $5,000. When the line first became established it had
fifteen phones in operation and extended about ten miles north of Elm Creek.

In 191 5 the company had as capital stock $10,000, with 225 phones in use
and covered a territory of about one htmdred and seventy-five miles, and also
operated a thirty-mile toll line extending to ^liller and Amherst.

This company has been in operation ten years. The dues are 40 cents per
month.

The officers in 1915 were: Eber Richards, W. Chismore, C. Bowie, A. R.
Balyot, G. Sheldon.

(Note— Data furnished by W. C. Pettett.)

THE MILLER INDEPENDENT TELEPHONE COMPANY

This company was organized in 1906 with a capital stock of $2,500. Its
officers were: J. P- Xorcross, president; L. W. Hall, manager; F. D. Brown,
treasurer.

The names of those most active in promoting the company were : J. P. Nor-
cross, L. W. Hall, F. D. Brown, L. P. Wells, N. Maddox, C. IM. Huston, R. M.
Pierce. The company began business with forty phones in use. In the year 1915
the company had as capital stock $4,500, and 150 phones in use. Its officers
were : J. C. Power, president ; P. W. Jacobson, vice president ; L. W. Hall, man-
ager; F. D. Brown, treasurer.

(Note — Information furnished by Ross Brown.)

CHAPTER XLIV

EFFORTS TO VOTE COUNTY BONDS AS AID TO RAILROADS EFFORTS NOT SUCCESSFUL

VOTING COUNTY BONDS FOR COURTHOUSE AND PLATTE RIVER BRIDGES A PROTEST

AGAINST VOTING RAILROAD BONDS SIGNED BY 294 TAXPAYERS A SUBSCRIPTION

LIST IN CIRCULATION IN 1888 TO RAISE FUNDS TO ASSIST IN CARRYING AN ELEC-
TION OF BONDS AS AID TO A PROPOSED RAILROAD.

That there are no railroad bonds outstanding against Buffalo County and
that the bonded indebtedness against the county is comparatively small at this
date (1915) is not because no effort has been made in the past to vote such bonds,
but rather to the reason that the early settlers, so to speak, "burned their fingers"
in the voting of county bonds and have fought shy on any such proposition
since.

The early settlers, being comparatively young in years, and of little experi-
ence in public affairs, were easily induced to vote county bonds with which to
build a courthouse at Gibbon and to bridge the Platte. Time and again boomers
and promoters have since made efforts to have county bonds voted in aid of pro-
posed railroads, but without avail.

County commissioners, under the spell of such boomers and promoters, were
quite complaisant to their visionary schemes and called elections for such pur-
pose, but the people of the county were quick to protest and prevent favorable
action.

The county bonds voted to complete the courthouse at Kearney would not
have been voted had not the taxpayers of the county been tricked in the matter
of building a courthouse. The wish of the taxpayers was to levy a tax for a
term of years with which to build the courthouse, and on estimates submitted
and agreed to, voted the levy.

Tricksters and schemers so manipulated the matter that the levy so voted
was expended in a foundation and side-walls and it was necessary to vote county
bonds in the amount of $45,000 in order to complete and furnish the building.
The foundation walls of the present courthouse were first laid in the fall and
early winter, and when frozen appeared firm and solid. C. Putnam was at the
time deputy county clerk, and being of an inquiring turn of mind and a man of
strictest integrity, he pried off a section of the foundation wall, carried it in the
clerk's office beside the fire, and it soon crumbled to pieces. The result was
Capt. Joseph Black, also a man of unquestioned integrity, was appointed to
superintend the erection of the present county courthouse.

As a matter of history, to illustrate how complaisant the county commission-
ers were to assist in forwarding schemes to bond the county in aid of proposed

310

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

311

railroads, and how wide awake the voters were to prevent such action, record
is here made in one instance of the action of the commissioners and of the
protest of the voters.

The editor has in his possession the original petitions, bearing signatures
of the petitioners, which make plain the history of the case. Five of these peti-
tions were circulated and signed by a total of 294 taxpayers. The forty-eight
names first given are of persons residing in Kearney at the time.

The petition and signatures are as follows :

"To the Honorable Board of Commissioners of Buffalo County, State of
Nebraska :
"Gentlemen — We, the undersigned, respectfully petition your honorable body
to recall the proclamation made by you which provides a special election to be
held on the 27th of November, 1875, for the purpose of voting on the proposi-
tion to issue the bonds of Buffalo county in the sum of $75,000 to aid in the
construction of a proposed railroad from Kearney to Sioux City, and your peti-
tioners further pray that you give notice in the county papers that the said procla-
mation is recalled and countermanded, and as reasons therefor we oft'er the
following: That the petition upon which the said proclamation was granted
was signed by less than one-fourth of the voters of Buft'alo county. That the
said petition was circulated only in Kearney and that it was not generally known
that such a petition was in circulation. That a majority of the voters of Buffalo
county are opposed to the said proposition and by recalling it the expense of an
election will be saved, and to this end your petitioners do earnestly pray."

T. C. Roberts

F. L. Schmidt
David Anderson

C. L. Shift'es

D. H. Pagneer
W. S. Freeman
J. S. Harrington
A. I. Aitken
John N. Brown

A. B. Richardson

E. B. Carter
H. L. Faddis

B. F. Sammons
H. J. Allen

A. Meyer
J. R. George
Adelbert Smith
Joseph Owen
A. Binst

G. L. Thomas
D. W. Johnson

SIGNATURES

M. R. Wickwire
E. J. Bunk
James McCrary
Wilhelm Weber
John P. Smith

D. B. Allen
A. S. Craig
C. W. Dake
Nathan Campbell
G. N. Cornell

A. M. Gay

E. B. Pickering
J. W. Chambers

F. Cuddebeck
S. M. Swely
H. M. Hanson
E. R. Griffin
A. L. Webb

J. A. Harron
H. W. Giddings
A. M. Way

Geo. Stearley
Edward Oliver
A. Zimmerman
Eph Oliver
James Wilkie
O. C. Hancock
J. C. Stanley
E. Miller
Lyman Everett
A. D. Barnhart
J. T. MuUins
S. A. Thomas
Wm. Craven
^V. A. Loosee
C. Putnam
H. Randalls
Eugene Hall
Geo. W. Eastman
J. G. Carson
W. F. Pickering
J. N. Mettler

312

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

Ed J. Cook
J. N. Keller
James O'Kane
H. E. Swan
R. M. Grimes
H. A. Lee
C. O. Childs
John Haug
Arthur WoUaston
P. Letterman
James Oliver
P. Walsh
George Smith
John Henry-
John E. Miller
T. F. Craig
George Meisner
F. E. Colby
L. D. Craven
A, Henry
V. T. Mercer

C. T. Dildine

A. F. Taylor
John Mahon

D. M. Puiser
R. W. Russell
John Hoge
H. Curran

L W. Brown

E. T. Hulianiski
Roe Brothers

F. J. Switz
S. B. Lowell
John Jones
J. N. Allen
J. M. Bayley
Abram Smith
H. Dugdale
M. Slattery
Thorn Thomas
H. S. Colby

C. S. Bailey
Robert Goar

B. A. Fox
Gottlieb Daudte
Casper Meisner
E. Livingston

James H. Fee
S. C. Ayer
J. H. Darby
J. P. Putnam
James Mularkey
M. S. Cook
John Lucas
J. J. W. Place
Isaiah White
S. C. Bassett
P. K. Drury
Wm. S. Hall

B. Truman

C. A. Borders
C. Oakley
Robt. Waters
S. A. Barrett
N. W. Short
G. W. Simkins
A. Row
Joseph Glaze
Alva G. H. White
J. E. Kelsey

E. B. Dunkin
J. F. Broderick
S. M. Palmer
Wm. F. McClure
J. A. Banner
Wm. H. Kelly
E. Harris
E. North rup
James Wallace
A. F. Gibson
Wm. Wheeler
M. D. Marsh
S. F. Berry
W. H. Killgore
J. R. Rice
Geo. H. Bicknell
J. Marsh
James Thomas
J. A. Waters
Benedict Streigel

A. Henderson

B. C. Bassett
R. G. Graham

J. S. Chamberlain

S. R. Traut
John W. Berry
Chase Stenbach
James T. Hays
V. T. Broderick
I. P. George
W. R. Jackson

F. Stark
Henry Hilficker
J. D. Drury

S. A. Marshall
Aaron Ward
R. George
A. J. Oviatt
Saml. T. Walker
Abraham Barrett
S. Rosseter
O. E. Thompson
J. B. Wheeler
O. B. Washburn
John Greer
David Hostetter
James Mills
Alfred Thorne

G. R. Tracy
C. A. Smith
J. B. Thomas
H. M. Fisher
Wm. Roach
T. J. Hubbard
Geo. H. Silvernail
Wm. H. Bray

J. Trumbull
J. H. Davis
C. E. Bray ton
J. E. Mowers
b. A. Buzzell
Will P. Trew
L. D. George
J. E. Miller
Wm. T. Beatty
Henry Cook
F. F. Blanchard
John Stern
T. S. Mitchell
John Reddy
H. Fairchild

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

313

D. P. Ashburn
A. Watenpaugh
Robt. Kilgore
Geo. E. Norris
W. A. Huntley
L. S. Hough
Michael Connor
Nilson Zellers
H. Huges
W. E. Oakley
F. D. Boardman
P. T. Davis
T. F. Broderick
Ebon Bray

George Grabach
G. N. Smith
W. H. Sprague
I. D. LaBarre
L. J. Babcock
A. Eddy
H. H. Haven
Martin Oard
Joseph White
James Ogilvie
D. H. Hite
Amos D. George
Wm. Stern
R. E. L. Willard

Lorenzo Plumb
W. N. Brown
E. W. Carpenter
E. D. Hubbard
C. W. Hatch
J. McCool
Robert H. Hick
C. H. Bishop
Samuel Higgins
C. T. Silvernail
T. J. ]\Iahoney
O. b. White

The following subscription list, bearing the signatures of seventy persons
and pledging a total of $250, was found among the papers of S. S. St. John, a
long time resident of Kearney, and turned over to the editor of this history by
his son, L. N. St. John.

The heading of the subscription list reads as follows :

"We, the undersigned, agree to pay the amounts placed opposite our respect-
ive names to assist in carrying the election of bonds to aid the Nebraska South-
ern Railway company in constructing a line of railway from Red Cloud to
Kearney, Nebraska; and, also, to pay expenses asked by Gov. Thayer for the
encampment of the state militia here two weeks in September, 1888, 2,500
strong."

CHAPTER XLV

COWBOY TROUBLES IN BUFFALO COUNTY GREAT HERDS OF TEXAN CATTLE — ATTOR-
NEY F. G. HAMER OFFERS TO WHIP THE WHOLE CROWD — THE KEARNEY GUARDS
— THE KILLING OF MILTON COLLINS CAPTURE OF JORDON P. SMITH THE PRE-
LIMINARY TRIAL— FIRST TRIAL OF JORDON P. SMITH APPLICATION FOR CHANGE

OF VENUE EDITORIAL FRO-M KEARNEY JUNCTION TIMES OFFICERS OF THE

COURT — LIST OF JURORS — VERDICT OF THE JURY SENTENCE OF THE COURT

SECOND TRIAL OF SMITH SUMMARY OF TESTIMONY ACCOUNT OF THE TRIAL

BY JUDGE E. F. GRAY EXPENSE ,T0 THE COUNTY OF THE TRIAL EDITOR M'NEW,

OF THE SHELTON CLIPPER, WRITES OF COWBOY TROUBLES AT KEARNEY MURDER

OF AN UNARMED BOY BY THE CITY MARSHAL OF KEARNEY— MARSHAL "SCARED TO
death" CITIZENS OF KEARNEY UPHOLD THE MARSHAL.

(Note — While newspapers were published in the county since 1872, there are
no files of such papers available of an earlier date than the year 1880. In pre-
paring this historical sketch no copies of newspapers were available except one
copy of the Kearney Junction Times of December 14, 1875, and a copy of the
Lowell Register of May 16, 1876. The writer is greatly indebted to E. Bowker,
clerk of the District Court, for the original court records in the case; to Judge
Joel Hull of Kearney County, for copies of the records of the case in the Kearney
County District Court ; to Judge E. F. Gray of Fremont, who defended Jordon
P. Smith; to Judge F. G. Hamer; and to Hon. I. D. Evans.)

COWBOY TROUBLES IN BUFFALO COUNTY

The cowboy troubles in Bufi^alo County date from about the year 1873. Kear-
ney Junction had at that date a population of about two hundred and fifty, and
as regards saloons and gambling and questionable resorts, which were in large
measure responsible for the cowboy troubles, the town at that period and for years
later was a quite "wide open" frontier town.

In the early '70s great herds of half-wild Texan cattle were driven from the
great plains of Texas, leaving that state in a weak and half famished condition
about April ist and, moving slowly and allowed to graze, arrived in Nebraska
about June ist in a strong and thriving condition, and being held and grazed on
the nutritious grasses of Nebraska were by September ready for market. A herd
(so called) numbered about twenty-five hundred head and the writer well recalls
a visit in 1871 to three great herds of these cattle — 7,000 head in all — being held
and grazed on Elm Island, a part of the Fort Kearney Military Reservation.

In the Buffalo County Beacon of July 13, 1872, appears the following: "A

314

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 315

herd of 4,000 Texan cattle in charge of T. J. Wheat has arrived from Texas and
are being held on Elm Island. These cattle are enroute to Fort Randall, there
to be issued as a meat ration to the Indians. Buffalo are plenty on the south side
of the Platte and the herders amused themselves with catching and branding
some buffalo calves."

These herds were in charge of cowboys, many of whom were Texans and
Mexicans. While in charge of a herd the cowboys were kept under reasonably
good discipline, but when the herd had been disposed of and the herders paid off,
they quite often repaired to the nearest frontier town where liquor was sold and
engaged in a wild debauch — drinking, gambling and rioting. These cowboys were
expert marksmen and horsemen, and nothing more delighted them than to ride
into a saloon, demand the drinks at the point of a revolver and then go forth to
"shoot up the town," as it was termed. This consisted of a wild ride through the
streets, whooping, cursing and shooting in all directions. Kearney Junction was,
in those days, a rendezvous for cowboys returning to Texas and who terrorized
the inhabitants by their lawlessness. The most serious disturbances occurred in
the fall of the year, and culminated in September, 1875, in the shooting of Milton
M. Collins by Jordon P. Smith, foreman of a cowboy outfit, encamped on the
outskirts of the city.

At times, during these troubles, citizens of the town armed themselves and
patrolled the streets and also the trails leading into the town and horsemen com-
ing towards the town were halted and questioned.

When the cowboys got on a rampage and riding up and down the streets
fired oft" their revolvers in order to terrorize the inhabitants, some of the citizens
would arm themselves and hiding behind cover return the fire, but so far as re-
called no serious injury was done by either party.

In those early days F. G. Hamer was a struggling young attorney, located at
Kearney Junction, and had already acquired something of a reputation as a
scrapper. It is related that one day when quite a lot of cowboys were in town
drinking and likely to make trouble, Attorney Hamer strolled over to some hitch-
ing racks where the cowboys had congregated and offered to fight the whole
crowd, one at a time, "catch-as-catch-can," with the understanding that if he \vas
found to be the best man they should leave town and make no trouble. The cow-
boys did not take up with the offer — that was not their way of fighting.

Realizing that some organized eff'ort was necessary in order to protect the
lives and property of the citizens, E. C. Calkins secured permission to organize
a company of state militia known as Kearney Guards.

THE KEARNEY GUARDS

The Kearney Guards, Company B, State Militia, was organized Xovcmber 5.
1875; E. C. Calkins, captain; , first lieutenant; George S. Duncan, sec-
ond lieutenant; number of men, 40; number of arms, 58; rounds of ammunition,
1,000. In a report to the adjutant-general under date of December 26. 1877, by
Captain Calkins, is disclosed the following: First lieutenant, R. A. Julian; second
lieutenant, James Jenkins; number or privates, 40; number of arms, breech-

316 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

loading Springfield rifles 53, smooth bore muskets 20, carbines 9; 1,000 rounds
of ammunition received, 315 expended, 685 on hand.

Both Captain Calkins and Lieutenant Jenkins are known to have been soldiers
of the Civil war and doubtless many of the privates had seen like service, as a
very considerable per cent of the early settlers of both the county and state had
seen service in the Civil war and were then in the prime of life, their average
ages being about thirty years. Captain Calkins was a good disciplinarian and the
Kearney Guards were recognized as an efficient and well disciplined company.

Mr. Calkins, a native of New York, was a soldier of the Civil war and came
to Buffalo County in 1873. He served as state senator, six years as regent of
the State University and as a Supreme Court commissioner. His death occurred
in 1912.

Notwithstanding a quite lengthy search among the records of the adjutant-
general's office, in which the writer was kindly assisted by Adjutant-General
Phelps, the above is all that can be learned as to the history of this company of
state militia. To the writer it seems strange that such records (reports) should
be missing and equally strange that no effort has been made to write a history,
as it were, of Nebraska's territorial and state militia.

In a published biographical sketch of the life of L. R. More appears the fol-
lowing account of the organization of the Kearney Guards: "In 1873 Mr. More
was appointed captain of the Kearney Guards by Governor Furnas. Under his
leadership the cowboys' 'reign of terror' came to an end, they losing two of
their number in a running battle." In search of the records in the adjutant-gen-
eral's office the writer of this account of cowboy troubles could find no account
or mention of L. R. More as captain of the Kearpey Guards. So far as the
official records seem to disclose the "guards" were organized in 1875, with E. C.
Calkins as captain.

THE KILLING OF COLLINS

The cowboy troubles at Kearney Junction reached a culmination the 17th of
September, 1875, when Jordon P. Smith, foreman of a cowboy outfit, shot and
killed Milton M. Collins, son of Judge and Mrs. Asbury Collins, who were
among the earliest settlers of Buffalo County.

Jordon P. Smith had delivered a large herd of Texas cattle to the Indians in
Southern Dakota and was returning to Texas with his men and ponies, and had
halted at Kearney Junction for a carousal. His camp was on the Platte bottom
near the bridge, and his ponies had strayed into a field of sod corn belonging to
Collins. Smith had learned of the ponies being in the corn and that Collins wanted
damages and had threatened that he would have his ponies or have blood. On the
way to camp Smith met Collins riding towards town and they returned together.
Collins was unarmed and when he attempted to dismount on reaching home
Smith shot him and killed him ; Collins' wife standing in the door and witnessing
the deed. After shooting Collins, Smith and his outfit crossed the Platte on the
bridge south of town and were seen by M. D. Marsh of Gibbon, who was helping
to move a stock of goods belonging to Hiram Hull from Lowell to Kearney
Junction. It appears that Smith and one of his companions, Bert Brown, went

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 317

up the Platte River and attempted to hide on an island in the Platte in Dawson
County.

On the evening of September i8th the following telegram was received from
Sheriff James of Dawson County :

"Plum Creek, Nebraska, September i8, 1S75.
"Sheriff Anderson: Come up on train. Got one man and two horses; other
man not yet ; I have island all surrounded ; men all tired out ; send men and
fresh horses from there. Answer soon.

("Signed) James, Sheriff'."

When this telegram was received. Sheriff Anderson, with a large posse of
citizens of Kearney Junction, was in the Republican V'alley hunting for Smith,
and Col. John H. Roe selected eighteen men, among them S. W. Powers, J. P.
Johnson, A. B. Richardson, Geo. H. Bickwell and E. J. Newland, who left for
Plum Creek on the 9.15 train that evening and arrangements were made to send
the horses on a freight train leaving at 10.40. At 10.30 a telegram came saying
Smith had been arrested.

On Sunday morning, September 19th, Colonel Roe and S. \\'. Powers went to
Plum Creek, returning in the evening with Smith, who was kept that nigh.t in
Roe Brothers" real estate office and a hearing had on September 20th before
County Judge D. Westervelt, Smith being bound over to the District Court and
sent to Fremont, Dodge County, for safe keeping.

THE FIRST TRIAL OF JORDON P. SMITH

Buffalo County at the date of this trial was in the Third Judicial District,
consisting of the counties of \\'ashington, Dodge, Platte, Cuming, Burt, Dakota.
Dixon, Cedar, L'Eau-Aui-Court, Kearney, Lincoln, Hall, Buffalo, and the terri-
tory lying west of the same and north of the Platte River. Of this judicial dis-
trict Samuel Maxwell was judge and M. B. Hoxie district attorney. The regular
terms of District Court in and for Buffalo County were fixed by law on the first
Monday in March and the second Monday in September. No term of court was
held in September in Buffalo County, the term being adjourned to the second
Monday in December. The Board of County Commissioners of Buffalo County
requested Judge Maxwell to hold a special term of court in Buffalo County, but
no such special term was held, and the court convened December 13th. The first
day of this term the grand jury found a bill of indictment for murder in the
first degree against Jordon P. Smith, Frederick Copeland and Bernadino Roach.

This grand jury was composed of the following, the court appointing F. S.
Trew foreman : Daniel Stonebarger, L B. Wambaugh, J. E. Kelsey. Jasper Fish.
Nathan Campbell, S. F. Henninger, William Nutter. F. F. Blanchard, L. D. Grant.
James Westervelt, H. E. Swan. J. S. ^^lurphy, George TT. Smith, J. J. Whittier.

It appears that the order of the court was for the sheriff to summon ninety-
six men from residents of the county outside a limit of ten miles outside of Kear-
ney Junction ; this jury panel as talesmen from which to select a jury. The order
to summon these talesmen was quashed but it appears that the sheriff immediately
summoned the same men from those present.

318 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

APPLICATION FOR CHANGE OF VENUE

In the affidavits filed by Smith's attorneys for a change of venue the writer
of this historical sketch ventures to quote in order to properly demonstrate the
state of public opinion both in regard to the Smith case and to the cowboys as
well. In an affidavit Sheriff James, of Dawson County, states in substance that
on the night of the i8th of September, 1875, about 10.30 o'clock, a party of
citizens from Buffalo County came to Plum Creek, the deputy sheriff' of said
county was with them. The party were armed with guns and revolvers and dur-
ing the night the party came to the jail where Sheriff' James was guarding Smith,

and the deputy sheriff of Buffalo County (D. B. Marsh) said, "The ought

to be taken to Kearney and hung," also that threats were made to take them out
of the jail and hang them to telegraph poles. The following (exhibit "A") is an
editorial appearing in the December 14th (the trial of Smith then taking place)
issue of the Daily (Kearney Junction) Times, L. B. Cunningham, editor:

THE HERDERS

"Our people are greatly concerned about what will be done with the herders,
especially the cold-blooded murderer Smith. Where there is any doubt existing
in the minds of any, whether a supposed criminal is the right one or not, and
where the people may be unduly prejudiced against a prisoner, it may be well to
have a change of venue. But in a case where there is a cold-blooded murder com-
mitted without provocation, and the murderer is known, positively, by everyone,
then such a one should be tried right where the crime was committed; if it were
upon the very self same spot, it would be better, and if found guilty, then let
him hang. Let one wretched life compensate, so far as it can, for the other
that is lost to us. Talk of prejudice, indeed. How can a mind be prejudiced
where there is no shadow of a doubt? Here there is no doubt. Milton M. Collins
was murdered, 'shot like a dog,' and for nothing, by this selfsame Smith.
Whom is there that doubts? Wherein is the foundation for such doubts? The
idea is a ridiculous one. A half simpleton would laugh at such folly. The juries
have all been selected according to law. No objection can be founded on that
ground. This individual committed a murder in our midst. Our people want no
change of venue, they want no delay, no extra cost of thousands of dollars, prob-
ably, on account of change of venue and delay. We hope the authorities will
see this matter in this light. Our people are as ready to give justice as any
people. Let him, the particular one, have a fair trial right here, but let no in-
justice be done by the intrigue of shrewd attorneys. The people want no more
cost and trouble than is positively necessary; they have already endured enough
by these murderers."

Also it is the opinion of the writer of this sketch that the cowboy troubles
at Kearney Junction, including the killing of Collins by Smith, were the direct
outgrowth of the open saloon and the almost unrestricted sale of intoxicating
liquors. In support of this opinion it can be said that Gibbon was the county seat
of Buffalo County before the removal to Kearney Junction, and was a good trad-
ing point before there was a Kearney Junction and during the cowboy troubles

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 319

herein related. That during these years — the early '70s— many herds of Texas
cattle in charge of Texan and Mexican cowboys were held in the vicinity, and the
herders did all their trading at Gibbon; also after delivering their cattle they
often returned to Gibbon to buy supplies for the return journey. Gibbon had
no open saloons and so far as can be recalled there was no trouble as between
the cowboys and the citizens of Gibbon and the surrounding country.

OFFICERS OF THE COURT

The officers of the court at this trial were Samuel ^laxwell, judge; M. B.
Hoxie, district attorney. The attorneys for the defense were E. F. Gray of Fre-
mont, and Warrington and Hewitt of Plum Creek. Hamer and Connor were
attorneys for Copeland and Roach.

David Anderson, sheriff; Joseph Scott, county clerk and clerk of the District
Court; F. G. Keens, deputy clerk. In the list of jurymen herewith given, follow-
ing each name is the number of miles he resided from Kearney Junction, none
residing nearer than ten miles: C. S. Bailey, 24; G. W. McKee, 14; E. W.
Fawcett, 14; T. J. Shuffleberger, 18; Walter Shreve, 18; Louis Kocher, 16;
WilHam Pettitt, 10; Charles E. Butler, 12; Edmund Miller, 23; J. D. Drury, 14;
Robert Hick, 15; Emory D. Hubbard, 15. By ballot C. S. Bailey was chosen
foreman of the jury.

December 17th (three months from the date when the murder was commit-
ted) the jury returned the following verdict:

State of Nebraska] t i- .

Indictment

, ^' . , (for Alurder.
JordonP. Smith I

"We, the jury empaneled, charged and sworn to well and truly try and true

determination make in the above entitled cause, do find the defendant, Jordon P.

Smith, guilty of murder in the first degree.

"(Signed) C. S. Bailey, Foreman."

December iSth Judge Maxwell pronounced sentence as follows:
"And now and on this same day came the said parties into court the said
State of Nebraska being represented by the district attorney and the said defend-
ant being before the court in person and attended by his said counsel and there-
upon came the district attorney and moved that the said defendant be brought
to the bar of the court in person and attended by his counsel and having been
asked by the court what further he hath to say why the judgment of the court
should not be pronounced against him, answereth naught. It is therefore con-
sidered and adjudged by the court and the sentence of the court i.s. that you,
Jordon P. Smith, be conveyed hence and confined in the jail of Buft'alo County
until Friday, the 7th day of April, 1876, and that on the 7th day of April, 1X76,
between the hours of 10 o'clock A. M. and 4 o'clock P. M., of said day, you be
hanged by the neck until you are dead.

"(Signed) S.xmuel :\1axwell. Judge."

December 20th Sheriff Anderson delivered Jordon P. Smith to Samuel Mc-
Clay, sheriff of Lancaster County, for safe keeping in the jail of Lancaster County.

320 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

The evidence in this case, as recalled by jurors, seems to disclose that Milton
M. Collins, a farmer living south of Kearney Junction, in Buffalo County, in the
morning of the 17th day of September, found a bunch of cow ponies in his corn-
field and drove them into his corral. During the forenoon Jordon P. Smith,
accompanied by some of his herders, came to Collins' place and claimed the
ponies. Collins demanded $50 as damages, refusing to deliver the ponies until
the damages were paid. They had a wordy quarrel, Smith claiming the damage
did not amount to $50, and refusing to pay that much. Smith finally proposed to
arbitrate the matter, he to choose one arbitrator, Collins to name one, and the two
so named to choose the third. Smith agreeing to pay the award of the arbitrators.
This proposition Collins would not accept and Smith and his party rode to the city
and during the day visited the saloons, drinking and talking about the ponies, and
on one occasion Smith remarked that he was going back "and have the ponies or
have blood." In the afternoon Collins mounted his pony and rode towards the
city, and meeting Smith and his party turned and rode back with them and the
wordy argument in regard to the amount of damages was renewed. Smith was
armed with a loaded revolver, while Collins was unarmed. The corral was back
of the Collins house and as they rode by the house Collins stopped and Smith
ordered him not to dismount. Collins dismounted from his pony and Smith shot
him twice through the body, the wife of Collins standing in the doorway when her
husband was shot. Collins staggered towards the house falling on the outside
cellar. Smith claimed that he feared if Collins dismounted he would go to the
house and get a gun and shoot him.

Milton M. Collins was aged twenty-four years at the date of his death. His
widow died in June, 1876.

Writing in reference to this trial Judge F. G. Hamer says : "Hamer and
Connor defended Copeland and Roach, who were tried in Buffalo County and
acquitted. Copeland was a young printer from San Antonio, Tex. ; he had never
been a cowboy and came along with the herd for the pleasure of the trip. Roach
was a full blooded Indian. There was very little testimony against them. About
the most that could be said was that they were in the party with Smith when
the shooting was done." These two men had no means ; Copeland gave Judge
Hamer a valuable saddle in payment for services. Jordon P. Smith's people
were well-to-do and paid liberally for his defense.

SECOND TRIAL OF JORDON P. SMITH

On the 2ist of March, 1876, the Supreme Court set aside the judgment result-
ing from the first trial and granted a new trial. On petition a change of venue
was granted removing the cause to Kearney County and the trial was held at
Lowell, the county seat, beginning on May 16, 1876.

The writer is indebted to Hon. I. D. Evans for a copy of the Lowell Register,
dated May 19, 1876, giving an account of the second trial of Jordon P. Smith,
Mr. Evans being at that date editor of the Register.

The following is the Register's account of the trial :

"Judge G. W. Post of the Fourth Judicial District, whose home is at York,
presided under an arrangement made by Judge W. Gaslin. District Attorney

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 321

Dilhvorth was assisted in the prosecution of the case by Attorneys McNamar
of i'luni Creek, Hamer & Connor and Swizer of Kearney. Judge Gray of Fre-
mont, and Warrington & liewett of Pkmi Creek, were counsel for the defense.
John T. BeH, of Omaha, the official reporter.

"The following named constituted the jury, it taking a day to impanel the
same : A. R. Harland, Nathan Salsbury, Hiram Nelson, W'm. Harland, Jas. H.
Wilson, Daniel Bonge, Daniel Roberts, Charles Alexander, T. A. Cooper, Frank
Barnhardt, John Shaffer and Wm. C. Johnson. John Heatherington was sherifif.

TESTIMONY

"Mr. Calhoun testified that Smith came to the store where he was working
on the 17th of September, 1875, that in a conversation with Copeland, who was
also there, in relation to the ponies, Smith said he would shoot Collins and wear
his revolver out over his head unless he gave up the ponies. Afterwards Smith,
Copeland and others went to Kelly's saloon to get something to drink. From
there they went to Alice McDonald's 'cottage.' Here the matter was again dis-
cussed. Alice McDonald swore that during the conversation Smith offered to bet
$50 with one of his companions that he would kill some man before he left town.
That he would have the ponies or he would have blood. Leaving the 'cottage'
Smith and his friends went south in the direction of Collins' house where the
ponies were corralled. On the way they met Milton Collins riding toward town
on horseback. Smith asked him where he was going. Collins replied that he was
going to see about the damage done by the ponies. Smith after asking as to the
amount of the damages offered to leave it to arbitration, when Collins remarked
that they had other ways of settling such matters in this country (this was
proven by the defense).

"At this Smith drew his revolver, pointed it at Collins' head and kept it in that
position while they rode about half a mile to the latter's house, telling him he
would shoot him if he said anything. Collins was in his shirt sleeves and unarmed.
W^hen they reached Mr. Collins' premises and he was in the act of dismounting.
Smith with his pistol still pointing at him, told him to remain on the horse and
let the ponies go or he would kill him. Just as Collins reached the ground Smith
shot with unerring aim. Collins staggered toward the house and by the time lie
reached the door Smith had fired four additional shots at him. The other
herders who had stationed themselves in a semi-circle around the deceased during
the shooting, then liberated the ponies and started for camj), while Smith with a
volunteer force of his men constituted themselves a rear guard to protect them-
selves from any demonstrations which might be made by the citizens. The ver-
dict was murder in the second degree, the sentence thirty years in the penitentiary.
The trial began Tuesday and was completed Friday."

At the same term of court John Williams was to be tried for the murder of
the A'roomans. The two prisoners, Smith and Williams, were kept in the court
room, on the second floor of the courthouse. Tuesday, about 9 o'clock at night,
a mob estimated from fifty to one hundred and fifty in number assembled with
the avowed object of hanging Williams. Judge Post. Sheriff Heatherington and
all the attorneys in attendance at court repaired to the courthouse but it was not

T-ol. 1—21

322 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

until about i o'clock in the morning that the mob was induced to disband and go
home. The Register states that Judge Post stook Joel Hull, who it seems was
credited with being the leader of the mob, in charge and kept him until after the
crowd had dispersed. There has been a story current that an attempt was made
by a mob from Kearney to take and hang Smith, and also that the Kearney
Guards, a militia company under command of Capt. E. C. Calkins and Lieuts. Ren
Julian and James Jenkins, were on guard during this trial, but as the Register
makes no mention of the matter it doubtless is mere hearsay.

ACCOUNT BY JUDGE E. F. GRAY

Writing in regard to this trial under date November 2, 1912, Judge Gray
says, "That sentence (the one imposed at the trial held in Lowell) was revoked in
the fall of 1876; then a change of venue to Adams County and trial had at
Juniatta before Judge Wm. Gaslin. The verdict was manslaughter with a rec-
ommendation to mercy. But Judge Gaslin sentenced Smith to ten years of soli-
tary confinement. The warden did not obey the solitary part of the sentence.
Smith got the good time and actually came out in about seven years.

'T defended Smith in the first two trials and in the third had the assistance
of 'J'rii' Laird. One evening after supper, during the trial at Lowell, while
Smith and another murderer that 'Jim' Laird defended and was waiting to try,
were both left in the court room chained to the bar railings, and only one man
on guard. Laird learned that an organized mob of some hundreds of men had
come in from Kearney Junction to hang his client and mine, and thereupon Laird
and I got out our little pocket pistols and started for the courthouse. We managed
to get the password and get through the line of sentinels, and up into the court
room ; we got a prop for the lone guard to put against the door and then we got
down in the narrow stairway and as the mob came in and up to the foot of the
stairs we cocked our shooting irons and the mob skeedaddled. Judge Post and
District Attorney Dillworth collected a posse to guard the prisoners and then the
mob dispersed."

The population of Buffalo County at this date (1875) was approximately
twenty-eight hundred and of Kearney Junction approximately seven hundred.
Nearly 20 per cent of the voters of the county were summoned as grand jurymen
or as talesmen from which to select the petit jury and of all of the talesmen thus
summoned none lived within ten miles of Kearney Junction.

It is a conservative estimate to make that 80 per cent of the voters of the
county were in attendance at the trial of Smith and it is also true that in no
criminal event in the history of the county did so large a per cent of the people
come in touch, in contact, as it were, as in the trial of Jordon P. Smith for the
murder of Milton M. Collins.

The expense of this trial to Buffalo County was $5,555-35. The first trial in
the county being $3,886.65, the second trial in Kearney County $693, the third
trial in Adams County $975.70.

In the year 1881 H. C. McNew, editor of The Shelton Clipper, writing of
cowboy troubles at Kearney, says : "During the early days of Kearney that town
had a good deal of trouble with herders v/ho infested this section of Nebraska
at that time.

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 323

"It was at that place where Peeler received wounds that made him a cripple
for life, and he is now living in Western Texas. He was a crack shot, using
either hand with deadly efitect, but he got hit twice with needle gun bullets
during a midnight call of vigilantes. This knocked all the 'sand' out of him and
settled him for life. "Texas Spence' received deadly wounds during an after-
noon's shooting match on the streets of Kearney between citizens and herders.
He lived a few days and crossed to — no one knows. This about broke up the
trouble and the town settled down to quietude and has ever since retained that
state. Bill Bland was the leader of the herders in all this trouble. He was a
bad man and met a violent death last summer at Fort Grifftn, N. AI., being
shot down by a company of soldiers sent out into that country to kill off such
characters. Robert Stimson, then city marshal, shot a 'tenderfoot' herder
named Smith (Brown) whom he was attempting to take up the street."

THE MURDER OF BROWN BY CITY MARSHAL STIMSON

It was a beautiful day in the month of June that the writer and his brother
visited the City of Kearney in order to purchase some harvesting machinery.
As we drove into the city about ii o'clock in the forenoon, we saw, south of
the track, a young man riding at a rapid gait and making a great deal of unneces-
sary noise.

We put up our team at "Jimmie" O'Kane's and had started to visit A. L.
Webb's implement store on the north side, when, as we were crossing the rail-
road, our attention was called to the cowboy, whom City Marshal Stimson had
arrested near the courthouse, and was, it was stated, taking him to the mayor's
office in the north part of the city. The cowboy, unarmed except a quirt hang-
ing at his wrist, was riding his pony and the marshal's revolver glistened in the
sunlight as he walked beside the boy on his pony.

The report had quickly spread that the marshal had arrested a cowboy and
scores of men had congregated in the vicinity of the railroad crossing awaiting
the coming of the marshal and his prisoner.

The first building north of the crossing and on the west side of the street was
a law office, a one-story building, with a sleeping room above. In front of this
building the cowboy reined in his pony, facing the building, and seemingly
addressing a person in the room above the law office, said, "Don't you see this
d — d pony don't want to go any farther?" The boy did not attempt to escape.
He did not attempt to strike the marshal or his pony. He was dressed in shirt
and trousers, unarmed except for a quirt hanging at his wrist. There were
scores of men within easy reach to assist the marshal had he called for help.
The marshal stood so close to the boy that he had to step backward in order to
straighten his arm, which he did, and shot the boy through the body. As the
boy lurched in the saddle from the effect of the shot, he exclaimed. "For God's
sake, don't shoot me." The marshal shot him a second time as the boy was
falling from the horse. With the quirt still hanging to his wrist the wounded
boy was carried into the office and laid on a lounge. As recalled, no attempt
was made to dress his wounds or relieve his suffering.

When the writer returned from his noon-day lunch the boy was dead.

324 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

Immediately after the shooting the writer called on a banker with whom he
was well acquainted, Frank S. Trew, stated what he had just witnessed and
insisted it was a case of deliberate murder, that the killing was uncalled for, not
justified. The banker replied, in substance, "The people of Kearney will stand
back of their officers in all matters of this kind."

A grand jury refused to indict the marshal and he was not tried for the
killing of the boy. It developed that the boy had come from Pennsylvania the
fall before, had helped care for some cattle being wintered west of Kearney
and when spring came had worked as "tender" for a mason in plastering a house.
Having earned some money he had ridden his pony to the city, doubtless taken
a few drinks of beer, imagined he was a truly enough "cowboy," and thus met
his death. While he was killed by the city marshal, he was buried at the expense
of the county.

It is not believed by the writer that Marshal Stimson should be greatly
blamed in the matter. The people of Kearney had been terrorized by cowboys
made reckless and dangerous by intoxicating liquors purchased at open saloons
in the city. The marshal himself, it is believed, was, as the saying is, "scared
to death," imagining he was dealing with a dangerous cowboy. It is recalled
and also related that for years Mr. Stimson "toted" a shotgun, day and night,
wherever he went.

CHAPTER XLVl

RESOURCES OF BUFFALO COUNTY— FERTILITY OF SOIL GROWING OF FRUITS — CROP

PRODUCTION IMPORTANCE OF ALFALFA VALUE OF PROPERTY BY DECADES

TAXES PAID I5Y DECADES TOTAL TAXES PAID TO DATE NUMBER OF FARMS

VALUE OF CROPS VALUE OF LIVE STOCK POPULATION OF COUNTY BY DECADES.

(Note — The following article on the "Resources of Btift'alo County was pub-
lished in a "Booster" edition of The Ravenna News in the year 1913.)

OUR BUFFALO COUNTY HOME

The sun is shining bright in our Buffalo County home.

'Tis summer and the roses are in bloom ;
The days are bright and joyous and happiness abounds.

There is naught to cause a feeling here of gloom.

The robin and the mourning dove, the blue jay and the thrush,

Are flitting and a singing in the trees.
There's a rustle, and a murmur like a song comes from the leaves,

Gently stirring in a soft, caressing breeze.

The fields of wheat are waving and like billows gently roll ;

The rows of corn they show a lighter green;
The purpling alfalfa will soon be in the stack —

Can there elsewhere be a more delightful scene?

Soon the trees within the orchard will be bending with their load,

The cherries are already growing red;
There is happiness and comfort in the shade beneath the trees.

With their branches gently moving overhead.

Oh the sun is shining bright in our Buffalo County home.

The days are full of comfort and delight ;
No strife disturbs the day-dreams, so restful to the mind.

Nor the sweet and peaceful slumbers of the night. S. C. B.

Echo Farm, June, 1913.

Buffalo County contains 985 square miles, and while there were many squat-
ters on land within its borders at the date of this first election, January 20. 1870,

325

326 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

only three claims (homesteads or pre-emption) had been filed upon in the general
land ofiice. These claims were the Boyd Ranch in Gibbon Township, pre-empted
in 1867 by Joseph Boyd, two homestead claims in what is now Shelton Town-
ship, one by Andrew Buest, the other by O. E. Thompson. Between the date of
January 20, 1870, and January i, 1880, a period of ten years, 1,265 homesteads
and pre-emption claims located in Buffalo County were filed upon in the general
land office.

In discussing agricultural resources of Buffalo County we can, therefore, begin
with a fixed date, January 20, 1870, when the county was settled, its agricultural
resources unknown and, of course, undeveloped.

The soil of the county is largely a sandy loam of great depth and exceedingly
fertile. There are thousands of acres in the county which have been continuously
cropped for forty years, the crop yield at the present time equaling that of earlier
date. Where proper crop rotations are observed, the fertility of soil seems
well nigh inexhaustible.

Next to fertility of the soil the most important agricultural resource is an
abundance of wholesome water for domestic purposes. In this respect Buffalo
County is supremely blest. In addition to the Platte, the Loup, the Beaver and
Wood rivers there is beneath the surface at varying depths, according to surface
elevation, a continuous and unfailing supply of water, having an average tem-
perature of 52°. The waters of this underflowing river are easily and cheaply
brought to the surface to be made use of for domestic purposes and to some
extent irrigation purposes.

In 1870 Buffalo County was a treeless plain, the only timber being narrow belts
along running streams. Today groves of timber are seen in great abundance
and in every direction. In the forty-two years trees have been planted which
have grown to such size and maturity that they have been sawed into lumber
suitable for building and other commercial purposes.

While not advising that the growing of commercial orchards would prove
profitable, yet it is easily possible to raise all the fruits needed for home con-
sumption. In its virgin state in the county there were numerous orchards of
plums, large in size and delicious to the taste ; white grapes abounded, and at
any early date one writer in describing Wood River said, "Wood River is a vast
serpentine vineyard, literarlly festooned with wild grapes."

Apples, cherries, plums, peaches and small fruits, such as gooseberries, rasp-
berries, etc., thrive and yield good returns. There are in the county orchards of
apple trees planted in the early '70s in which the trees are still healthy, vigorous
and bearing fruit annually, some of these trees yielding thirty bushels of
matured fruit in a season. The varieties which seem to have best stood the
test for all these years and are still bearing annually are the Ben Davis, Whitney,
Wealthy, Winesap, Duchess. Red June, Early Harvest, Jonathan and Siberian
crab. There need be no lack of abundant fruit for all family purposes on any
Buffalo County farm if the owner will plant suitable varieties and properly care
for them.

In the matter of crop production, such as corn, wheat, oats, barley, rye and
vegetables, it can be said that for forty years the farms of Buffalo County have
been producing these in great abundance. Totaling these crops into millions of

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 327

bushels gives no adequate idea of their value and importance, but when we take
into consideration that Buffalo County has at the present time a population of
21,907 people, that vast improvements have been made, that great wealth has been
accumulated, public buildings been erected, rivers and streams bridged, thousands
of happy homes established, that the people are prosperous, happy and contented,
and that real poverty is practically unknown in our midst, and when we consider
that all of these things are dependent on the one question, profitable crop produc-
tion, it is self-evident that our agricultural resources in this respect are great
and can be depended upon in years to come.

In a natural way, ours is a grass country, that is, natural grasses cover our
bluffs and valleys and the tame grasses and clovers are easily cultivated and prove
profitable.

Since first settlement, the greatest discovery in the development of our agri-
cultural resources is that of the alfalfa plant and its adaptability to our soil and
climatic conditions. Buffalo County is in the very heart of that portion of our
state and nation in which the alfalfa plant seems best to thrive. There are in
our county fields of alfalfa which for more than twelve years have produced
annually three, and sometimes more, cuttings a year. This without re-seeding,
cultivating or fertilization of the soil. It would seem that there is almost no
limit to time in which profitable crops of alfalfa can continuously be pro-
duced from our soil. When our people come to realize the importance of the
value of this crop and its cultivation becomes more general it will add an annual
income of millions of dollars to our agricultural resources.

It seems to the writer that the increase in population in the county and the
growth and development of its agricultural resources can most correctly and
forcibly be expressed by comparisons based on valuations of property in the
county for assessment purposes and comparisons showing amount paid for pub-
lic purposes. It is generally conceded that the real value of our property is at
least seven times that value taken for purposes of taxation. On this basis let us
illustrate the increase in wealth in the county by decades. The following table
show^s the value of all real and personal property in Buffalo County by decades
since 1870:

Year. Value of Real and Personal Property.

1870 $ 5.522,916

1880 8,522,521

1890 25,687,403

1900 19.333.233

1910 50.695.799

1912 52.951.385

The following table shows the amounts of state, county, township, village
and school taxes paid in Buffalo County on certain specified years since organ-
ization of county:

Year. Total Tax.

1870 $ 7.868

1880 52,650

328 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

Year, ' Total Tax.

1890 243,381

1900 176,680

1910 330,133

1912 369403

The total state, county, township, village and school district taxes paid in
Buffalo County since its organization in 1870, including the year 1912, amounts
to $7,747,803.

Buffalo County has 604,800 acres. Two thousand four hundred and forty-
six farms and the value of all crops produced in 1909 (U. S. census) amounted
to $3,725,724. The value of all livestock in 1909 (U. S. census) amounted to
$4,305,243.

The population by decades in Buffalo County is as follows :

Year. Inhabitants.

1870 193

1880 7,531

1890 22,161

1900 20,254

1910 21,907

CHAPTER XLVII

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE RECORDS IN BUFFALO COUNTY — RECORDS DATING

FROM THE YEAR 1 849 RECORDS KEPT AT FORT KEARNEY, KEARNEY, RAVENNA,

ELM CREEK AND WATERTOWN A CONTINUOUS RECORD KEPT EY ERASTUS SMITH

AND MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY FROM 1878 TO DATE, I915 HIGHEST TEM-
PERATURE; LOWEST temperature; average TEMPERATURE AVERAGE DATE OF

KILLING FROSTS IN SPRING AND AUTUMN.

MONTHLY AND ANNUAL PRECIPITATION IN BUFFALO COUNTY

Through tlie courtesy and kindness of Director G. A. Loveland of the
Nebraska section of the chmatological service of the weather bureau, United
States Department of Agriculture, herewith is presented the monthly and annual
precipitation, also mean temperatures as relate to Buffalo County. The keeping
of a record of precipitation was begun at Fort Kearney in the year 1849, '^'"'^^ i"
later years a like record has been kept at the City of Kearney. The keeping of
such a record was begun by the late Erastus Smith at Ravenna in the year 1878
and continued until his death in 1909, and the record is still being kept by mem-
bers of his family.

MONTHLY AND ANNUAL PRECIPITATION AT FORT KEARNEY AND KEARNEY.

Elevation, 2,147 feet.

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Ann.

1849 6.12 7.8610.74 4.00 7.70 6.05 0.27 1.80 0.10 o.io

1850 0.47 0.06 1.06 1.07 2.88 9.93 5-38 1.66 0.43 0.26 1.57 0.30 25.07

1851 1. 15 0.97 0.14 0.73 9.43 3-50 2.86 2.78 2.60 0.52 i.oo 0.76 26.44

1852 0.12 0.25 0.28 0.73 5-23 3-02 2.69 1.84 2.17 1.35 2.24 0.73 20.65

1853 0.00 0.02 0.08 6.10 8.46 2.47 8.28 2.21 0.94 0.26 1.00 0.08 29.90

1854 0.23 1.33 1-87 -2.56 4.15 5.40 3-Si i-i8 4-6o 1.07 0.75 0.00 26.65

1855 1.00 0.25 1.35 0.68 4.91 2.20 3.90 4.69 0.18 2.12 1.48

1856 0.27 0.52 0.64 3-14 3-i8 4-65 5-09 2.14 1.92 5-50 0.40 1.35 29.10

1857 1.06 0.00 0.12 1.21 1.56 0.49 8.50 4.39 2.65 5-88 2.56 0.20 28.62

1858 1.45 0.24 1.94 4-04 355 3-02 441 176 2.10 3-35 0.21 0.07 26.14

1859 0.20 0.37 2.99 0.65 3.9s 0.66 1.80 2.76 2.03 0.38 0.21 0.10 16.10

i860 0.27 0.34 0.00 i.oi 0.68 4.82 3-82 0.75 3-5-' i-o8 0.08 0.48 16.85

1861 0.75 0.62 0.27 0.20 3-66 4.13 3-o6 2.13 2.49 0.32 i.oi 0.70 19.34

1862 0.86 0.43 .... 141 1-35 i-i7 541 3-50 400 0.00 0.39 0.13

1863 0.40 0.73 0.14

1864

186s

1866 0.76 0.26 1.75 2.25 0.75

1867

1868 0.03

329

380 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Ann.

1869

1870

1871

1872

1873

1874

1875

1876

1877

1878 2.64 2.44 3.6s 4.30 3.40 0.90 0.37

1879 0.77 0.50 0.05 2.87 3.15 5.02 11.80 1. 10 2.10 0.50 0.75 0.17 28.78

1880 0.15 0.20 0.33 0.85 1.22 5.12 4.50 4.05 4.00 1.50 0.40 1.20 23.52

1881 2.40 2.60 2.65 2.05 9.30 4.35 3.90 1.80 4.65 2.90 0.55 0.25 37.40

1882 0.9s 2.70 0.00 2.95 7.15 2.40 3,45 1.60 2.10 2.85

1883

1884

188s

1886

1887

1888

1889

1890

1891

1892 0.71 2.51 4.75 0.97 4.39 3.68 0.39 1. 71 0.30 0.60

1893 0.16 1. 10 1.37 0.40 7.49 4.99 2.89 1.37 1.46 0.42 0.04 1. 17 22.86

1894 0.81 0.99 0.00 0.70

1895 0.20 2.00 2.55 3.55 2.30 0.71 1.77 0.25 0.80 o.io

1896 0.30 T. 2.10 4.96 6.90 3-26 3.49 3.49 1.98 1.25 1.55 0.54 29.82

1897 0.32 0.99 1.08 6.52 1. 18 3.34 4.01 1.60 2.51 5.70 0.82 1.68 29.75

1898 0.17 0.25 0.04 3.60 4.11 4.1S 1.76 2.53 3.40 0.65 0.45 0.10 21.24

1899 0.00 0.60 0.60 0.25 4.77 7.93 4.90 5.10 0.85 0.45 1.20 i.oo 27.65

1900 T. 0.65 0.40 4.92 2.03 1.70 3.32 2.94 2.10 3.70 T. T. 21.76

1901 0.10 0.32 2.15 4.00 1.64 3.15 2.05 4.17 6.32 1.30 0.82 0.10 26.12

1902 0.75 0.60 2.09 0.66 5.42 4.71 8.66 2.57 4.98 4.13 0.03 0.55 35.15

1903 0.22 2.25 1.21 1.78 8.64 4.63 8.40 7.19 0.52 1.04 0.58 0.02 36.48

1904 0.21 o.oi 0.14 2.51 2.78 6.69 4.73 3.54 2.01 3.86 0.19 0.1 1 26.78

1905 0.98 0.87 0.88 3.85 8.69 8.17 5.22 2.29 5.88 0.76 1.45 0.00 39.04

1906 0.72 0.46 1. 18 5.84 3.86 1.30 5.05 5.02 4.27 2.76

1907 2.66 2.95 2.10 0.43 0.13 0.48

1908 0.10 0.97 0.19 0.64 2.86 6.04 5.33 3.25 0.27 2.17 0.70 0.05 22.57

1909 T. 0.59 1.49 0.61 1.98 2.15 3.65 1.00 3.31 1.49 1.72 1. 12 19.11

1910 0.70 T. 0.05 0.55 2.39 4.46 1.81 3.44 2.61 0.74 0.30 0.50 17.55

191 1 0.15 0.40 0.10 1.75 1.45 1.28 3.15 5.38 3.29 2.31 T. 0.55 19.81

1912 T. 0.72 2.90 1.68 0.54 2.05 4.55 1.35 1.90 1.61 1.00 0.10 18.40

1913 0.30 I. IS 1.44 3.58 1.95 3.05 0.96 0.97 1.98 0.0s 0.58 4.62 20.63

1914 0.05 0.95 1.39 1.57 1.25 4.89 2.86 2.28 1.84 0.96 T. 1.40 19.44

1915 0.98 1.40 2.25 3.06 6.04 8.44 7.96 6.84

Means 0.49 0.69 1.14 2.44 4.08 3.95 4.47 2.89 2.54 1.69 0.72 0.63 25.40

MONTHLY AND ANNUAL PRECIPITATION AT RAVENNA.

Elevation, 2,028 feet.

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Ann.

1878 0.24 0.32 3.50 1.36 2.71 2.37 4.59 1.40 2.16 0.06 0.60 0.33 19.64

1879 0.65 0.44 0.10 2.69 4.14 2.23 9.20 2.10 2.28 0.83 0.61 0.41 26.68

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

331

Jan.

iS8o 0.27

1881 0.98

1882 0.54

1883 0.59

18S4 0.36

1885 0.39

1886 1.57

1887 0.45

1888 0.34

1889 1.02

1890 1.83

1891 2.21

1892 1.69

1893 0.05

1894 0.73

1895 0.31

1896 0.35

1897 0.60

1898 0.33

1899 0.05

1900 o.or

1901 0.25

1902 0.80

1903 0.37

1904 0.16

1905 1-25

1906 0.51

1907 0.31

1908 0.20

1909 0.26

I9I0 0.81

191 1 0-55

1912 0.77

1913 0.30

1914 0.17

1915 0.95

Means o.6r

Feb.

Mar

Apr.

^lay

June

July

Aug

Sept

Oct.

Nov

Dec.

Ann.

0.06

0.67

0.99

1. 17

6.80

2.19

2.86

2.15

1.72

0.19

0.64

19.71

2.22

1-75

2.13

7-32

6.00

6.14

1.27

5.10

3.76

0.88

0.17

37-72

0.45

0.00

2.90

6.87

3-37

4.76

0.99

1.28

2.49

0.06

0.37

24.08

0.74

0.41

2.60

4.29

4-44

2.62

3.39

0.80

3.98

0.04

0.50

24.40

049

1-31

2.76

3.83

1.72

6.34

3-55

0.59

1.38

0.13

1.09

23.58

0.87

0.29

341

2.97

2.24

4.12

5.86

1.92

0.97

1.48

1.07

2556

1. 13

3.16

2.84

3.61

1-57

3-91

2.76

3.05

0.00

1.40

0.93

25-93

I.I5

0.1 1

4.01

2.71

5.83

4.18

4-55

2.35

0.13

0.70

1. 17

27.34

0.79

3.46

3-53

4-55

2.01

5.28

4.22

0.48

0.31

0.09

0.60

25.66

0.03

1-45

2.03

1-43

4.02

8.76

1.79

1-35

1.04

0.95

0.25

24.12

0.52

0.83

2.76

2.85

2.75

1.66

1.98

0.86

2.04

1.03

0.04

19.15

1.21

2.29

5.16

2.86

9.09

5.10

340

1-54

1.03

0.08

1.98

35.95

1-93

2.79

2.78

4-77

2.28

1.64

4-17

0.88

1.83

0.49

0.35

2560

1.27

1.87

0.99

4.27

2.92

2.39

0.85

1.26

0.66

0.21

1-39

18.13

0.52

0.81

1.97

0.99

3.28

1.38

1.49

1-37

2.49

0.12

0.51

15.67

1.56

0.42

2.28

2.05

5-05

1. 16

309

2.62

0.40

1. 14

0.18

20.26

0.12

1.67

572

4.58

2.66

5-37

0.89

3-25

145

1.30

o.r4

2750

0.88

1.61

5-21

1.94

5-82

1.73

6.54

1.63

4.96

0.30

1-53

32.75

0.68

0.23

2.23

3-15

3-25

2.19

1.72

3.10

0.56

0.69

0.37

18.50

0.89

0.90

0.86

1-93

8.91

2.1 1

5-33

0.45

0.58

0.94

1. 14

24.09

1.40

0.37

3.56

2.25

1.90

4-36

1-74

243

3-17

0.30

0.25

21.74

0.90

3-4^

2.71

1.39

3.63

2.37

2.88

6.76

1.67

0.84

0.33

27.15

0.70

I-5I

0.46

6.82

3.89

8.96

3-42

5-35

3-95

0.17

1.03

37.06

-•55

1.50

1-45

6.73

3-94

9.58

7.62

0.51

1.87

0.74

0.03

36.89

0.02

0.88

2.05

2.50

2.79

7.48

4-50

2.34

447

0.12

0.14

2745

0.98

0.88

3-97

6.94

4.76

2.61

4.65

449

1. 10

1.65

33.28

0.82

1-52

6.39

2.27

2.12

4.00

4-57

2.35

2.70

0.85

1.60

29.70

0.84

0.20

1-35

1-93

2.51

2.54

4.1 1

2.82

0.17

0.04

0.75

17.57

1. 19

0.19

1-25

2.62

9.68

3-90

5.16

0.78

2.89

0.49

0.07

28.42

1.20

0.53

I. TO

2.55

1.78

5-47

2.74

1.57

1-52

I-77

1.41

21.90

0.04

0.19

1.80

2.05

4.70

2.02

3-73

2.31

0.72

0.23

0.87

19-47

0.77

0.23

2.18

2.72

1.56

3.74

4.26

1.70

347

0.36

0.79

22.26

0.69

1.95

2.56

1.61

1-43

2.16

0.5S

1.90

0.99

1.60

0.18

16.42

0.78

1-55

3-24

4.83

3-17

2.34

1-55

2.12

0.20

0.80

4.99

25.87

0.68

1.02

1.49

1.96

7-79

0.83

3.28

2.64

0.76

0.00

0.84

21.46

1.64

2.52

2.18

4-05

6.39

5.98

3.89

0.88

1.27

2.60

3-37

3-96

4.08

3-23

2.18

1.68

0.63

0.77

25-08

MONTHLY AXD AXNUAL PRECIPITATION AT WATERTOWX.

Elevation, 2,299 feet.

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June

1906 1.04 1.95

1907 0.80 0.70 0.15 0.56 2.59 2.61

1908 0.02 1.26 0.23 0.73 2.95 5.88

1909 0.16 0.61 0.58 0.77 1.07 1.53

1910 0.56 0.02 0.20 0.60 2.70 3.64

191 1 0.40 0.38 0.21 i.^ 2.94 1.52

1912 0.33 0.31 0.92 1.91 1.59 0.87

1913 0.30 0.70 0.60 3.35 2.87 3.06

1914 0.08 0.56 0.43 2.86 2.28 5.73

1915 0.42 1.82 2.40 3.89 4.27 5.85

Means 0.34 0.71 0.64 1.85 2.43 3.26

July Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Ann.

441

3.74

1.90

3.92

1.36

1.04

2-97

2.93

2-15

0.37

0.09

0.39

16.31

4-55

2.94

0.99

1.73

0.55

0.06

21.89

3.50

2.52

1. 13

1.24

I. II

1-45

15-47

1.40

3-12

2.39

0.54

0.22

0.75

16.14

3.48

4.10

2.68

5.22

0.0 1

0.62

23-54

2.23

1.05

2.47

1. 10

0.75

0.15

13.68

2.85

0.90

1.70

0.00

0.82

4-53

21.68

0.83

2.42

1.73

1.71

0.00

0.52

19-15

5.16

4-87

3-14

2.86

1.90

1.76

0.55

1.06

18.95

332

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

MONTHLY AND ANNUAL PRECIPITATION AT ELM CREEK.

Elevation, 2,268 feet.

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Ann.

1908 4-69 5-91 3-3^ 0.36 2.44 0.67 0.00

1909 0.00 0.49 1.50 1.21 2.82 2.26 5.76 1.42 2.93 1.35 1.85 1. 17 22.75

1910 1. 18 0.00 0.32 0.31 3.24 4.23 4.17 4.28 2.38 0.60 0.17 0.79 21.67

1911 0.29 0.75 0.44 2.10 3.00 1.64 4.10 5.86 3.94 3.51 T. LIS 26.78

1912 0.32 1.47 2.47 1.87 1.51 2.24 1.77 1.09 2.37 1.04 0.90 0.31 17.36

1913 0.17 0.63 1. 12 3.97 4.73 5.38 1.26 0.83 1.02 0.00 0.69 5.60 25.40

1914 0.32 0.92 0.93 2.61 4.08 5.57 2.36 2.72 1.25 1.45 0.00 0.84 23.05

191S 0.71 1.56 2.17 3.22 8.7010.34 8.93 5.09

Means 0.43 0.83 1.28 2.18 4.01 4.54 4-28 3.08 2.04 1.48 0.61 1.41 23.13

1889...
1890. . .
1891 . . .
1892. . .

1893. ••
1894...

1895...
1896...
1897...
1898. . .
1899...
1900. . .
1901. . .
1902. . .
1903 •••
1904...
1905...
1906. . .
1907...
1908. . .
1909...
1910. . .
1911. . .
1912. . .
1913- • •
1914- ••
1915...
Means.

MONTHLY AND ANNUAL MEAN TEMPERATURE AT RAVENNA.

Elevation, 2,028 feet.
Jan.

16.0
28.2
16.2

237
21.S
19.4
30.2
24.4
29.2
24.4
30.2
26.3
24.8
27.2
234

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

^lay

June

July

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec. Ann.

514

32.6

36.4

25.0

34-1

524

59-0

72.0

78.8

70.4

60.1

50.4

39.3

32.9

49-2

16.2

27.8

51-5

58.6

64.6

68.5

69-5

66.2

50.5

33-2

29.9

47-1

26.2

33-5

47.2

52.2

67.2

73-1

73.9

654

53-0

36.3

22.1

47.1

21.4

32.0

48.0

56.8

70.7

74-7

70.6

66.1

51.2

35.0

28.5

39-9

20.3

41.4

54-0

62.9

72.0

79.8

754

66.0

51.8

36.8

31-3

50.6

21.3

38.0

564

61.0

67.2

70.4

72.5

69.0

48.2

354

29-5

49.0

34-5

30.5

54-0

63.2

69-3

75-2

73.1

60.7

494

27.8

35-2

50.3

28.4

354

49.0

59-6

68.2

75.8

70.6

71-5

55.0

35.6

23.6

49.8

32.2

37-2

48.6

56.8

70.0

74-2

75-0

64.7

48.0

32.5

25.8

49.5

12.8

27-3

50.2

60.0

70.0

71.8

74.8

64.8

54-2

43-0

25.7

48.2

19.8

36.7

51.8

62.7

72.0

75-5

76.9

66.3

57-7

36.0

33-2

51.6

20.4

37-0

49.2

59-9

72.2

83.0

75.8

64.0

55-2

39-7

25.0

50.6

21.8

39.8

50.1

63.6

65.8

72.6

71.8

59-5

54.0

38.8

20.6

48.6

19.8

35-5

50.1

S8.5

64.2

72.8

70.8

61.5

54-1

37.7

28.8

484

24.8

38.8

46.2

59-8

67.2

71-3

71.2

63.6

54-3

42.9

28.0

49.3

154

44.0

47.6

57-0

69.6

70.6

73-6

66.4

48.8

42.3

30.8

48.6

30.0

25-5

53-2

61.8

67.0

69.8

73-0

64.9

49.6

36.4

30.3

49-3

29-5

43-0

42.2

54.8

68.6

74.6

75-2

64.4

534

37-7

29.2

49.3

28.2

40.4

51.2

574

67.6

72.3

70.6

69.3

50.4

40.0

30.0

50.8

28.8

35.8

45-6

59-0

70.2

74-2

77.8

63.8

51.6

40.8

17.7

49.0

25.8

51.8

53.6

55.6

69.2

75.6

71.0

66.2

56.8

38.6

26.6

51.0

29.2

45-0

49.1

62.5

774

74-9

71.2

68.0

49.0

324

25.0

50.9

28.4

24.4

49.6

62.7

65-9

75-9

734

61.7

53.0

41. 8

31.0

48.3

20.8

34-2

51.6

60.2

714

76.6

78.7

644

48.0

43.0

28.8

50.1

22.8

36.2

50.3

60.6

734

76.5

73.8

65.5

54.3

42.4

14.8

50.3

26.8

24.6

54-5

56.0

64.0

69.2

66.4

24.2

35.8

50.7

59-3

69.1

74.0

73-0

65.0

52.0

37.6

27.7

49.1

In a record kept at Ravenna of twenty- four years of "highest temperature,"
twenty-four years of "lowest temperature," nineteen years of "mean temperature"
and for thirty-one years of "average number of days with one-tenth inch or
more of precipitation," there is herewith given the result by months:

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

333

Month Highest Lowest Mean

January 66 — 38 24.4

February i"] — 36 23.6

March 89 — 10 35.7

April 96 II 50.1

May ICO 24 - 59.2

June 104 35 68.7

July 107 38 73.7

August 106 36 72.9

September 104 24 65.0

October 92 9 52.0

November 82 — ^30 37.0

December 76 — 25 28.8

Annual 107 — 38 49.3

Days

Precipitation

6 .
5
3
5
79

FROST DATES.

Average date of first killing frost in autumn September 30

Average date of last killing frost in spring May 10

Earliest date of killing frost in autumn September 12

Latest date of killing frost in spring May 30

CHAPTER XLVIII

ORGANIZATION OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN BUFFALO COUNTY IN 187I GEORGE

H. SILVERNAIL PRESERVES RECORD IN HIS DIARY NOMINATE A FULL COUNTY

TICKET— A SPIRITED ELECTION 150 VOTES POLLED PATRICK WALSH ON AN

INDEPENDENT TICKET ELECTED PROBATE JUDGE.

The first steps taken, looking to an organization of the repubhcan party in
Buffalo County, was on September 15, 1871.

It is a matter of tradition that when Patrick Walsh, Sergt. Michael Coady
and Martin Slattery sent to Governor David Butler a petition for the organiza-
tion of Buft'alo County in December, 1869, that in the body of the petition they
declared that the petitioners are "good and true republicans," but it must be
remembered that all three petitioners were born in Ireland, and those who
enjoyed the privilege of an acquaintance with Patrick Walsh will also bear wit-
ness that "Paddy," as Mr. Walsh was called by his friends, had surely kissed
the "Blarney stone" before leaving "Auld Ireland," and as Governor Butler was
a republican, he doubtless thought it "wise" to belong to the governor's political
party during the negotiations for an organization of the county. As a matter of
fact, party lines cut no figure in the county until the coming of the colony to
Gibbon in 1871.

Mr. George H. Silvernail has happily preserved a record of the birth of the
republican party in the county. Under date of September 15, 1871, he wrote:
"The republicans gathered at LaBarre's Hall (the LaBarre Building, a store
with a hall on the second floor, stood where is now located the Babcock Opera
House) and organized, elected an executive committee of five (5) who are to
arrange a caucus for the nomination of a county ticket." The names of this
executive committee are not given.

On September 23, 1871, Mr. Geo. H. Silvernail again wrote: "Went to
county convention (the convention was held in LaBarre's Hall, at Gibbon) ; had
quite a spirited time; (Jacob) Booth, chairman; S. C. Bassett, secretary. The
ticket nominated was: (Rev. J. N.) Allen, probate judge; (Aaron) Ward,
county clerk ; Ed Oliver, county treasurer ; C. Putnam, county superintendent ;

C. Clifton, sheriff; B. F. Sammons and W. F. McClure, commissioners; (A.)
Collins, county surveyor. Dr. I. P. George, coroner. Precinct (Gibbon) ticket,

D. P. Ashburn and J. M. Bayley, justices of the peace; Wm. McKinley and

, constables and myself (George H. Silvernail) assessor." On October

30th, Mr. Silvernail again wrote : "Went to Gibbon, qualified as assessor of
Precinct No. i, Buffalo County."

The "spirited time" to which Mr. Silvernail refers to, was a fight, led by Mr.
Ashburn in opposition to the nomination of Rev. J. N. Allen as probate judge.

334

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 335

There was already considerable feeling against Mr. F. S. Trew, who had
taken an active part in the colony affairs and it was charged, had assisted his
personal friends to hie on claims along Wood River and adjoining the town site
of Gibbon, making the land office records show that these claims had been pre-
viously taken and thus depriving other members of the colony of an equal
chance to secure these most desirable claims, when choice was determined by
lot; also ]\Ir. Trew was either deputy or acting county treasurer, having the
use, as it was charged, of the county funds (there was no bank in the county
at that date), Mr. Ashburn charged that the nomination of Mr. Allen was not
being made in good faith; that Mr. Allen was then in Pennsylvania and would
not return for some months, and therefore could not qualify and that the plan
was for Mr. Trew to be appointed by the county commissioners to fill the
vacancy. The office of probate judge was, with the possible exception of county
treasurer, the most lucrative in the county for the reason that acknowledgments
of legal papers were made before the probate or county judge, the bond required
of a notary public that bondsmen should be freeholders and each sworn to be
worth $2,000 above all exemptions, made it practically impossible to give such
a bond, for there were there very few freeholders and a much less number
that could qualify for such an amount as $2,000.

At that date, 1871, all voters were required to register in advance of the
election, which for state and county was held on the second Tuesday in October.

There was some question as to whether some members of the colony could vote
at this election, as they had not been residents of the state for the required six
months, especially those who did not arrive at Gibbon on April 7th, but Judge
Maxwell, to whom the question was referred, advised that a voter leaving
another state with the intention of making settlement in Nebraska, and actually
making such settlement, could reckon his date of citizenship in Nebraska from
the date of leaving his former home. Under this ruling voters who drove
through from Wisconsin and even more distant states and who did not arrive
in the county until June, 1871, registered and voted.

The election was held on Tuesday, October loth ; an independent ticket had
been placed in the field. On this ticket was Patrick Walsh for probate judge,
Oliver E. Thompson for sheriff and A. Collins for county surveyor. In those
days candidates or their friends wrote the ticket, and early in the day it was
discovered that the Trew party was fighting Ashburn for justice of the peace,
and it also appears that the Ashburn party had placed A. Collins on
the ticket for probate judge, and left his (Collins) name off the ticket as county
surveyor. There was, as recalled, about one hundred and fifty votes polled and
resulted in the election of Patrick Walsh, probate judge; Aaron Ward, county
clerk; Ed. Ohver, county treasurer; O. E. Thompson, sheriff'; B. F. Sammons
and W. F. McClure, county commissioners, and Dr. I. P. George, coroner. In
Precinct No. i, D. P. Ashburn and J. M. Bayley were elected justices of the
peace; William McKinley and, as is recalled, J. S. Chamberlain, constable, and
George H. Silvernail. assessor. The county commissioners appointed C. Putnam
county surveyor, and before the next election Patrick Walsh resigned as probate
judge and A. Collins was appointed or elected to fill the vacancy.

In regard to the caucus mentioned by Mr. George H. Silvernail, so far as

336 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

can be learned, the first meeting of republicans on September 15th, was entitled
to be termed a caucus and the executive committee selected was delegated to
select and present a ticket to be voted for at the county convention held on
September 23d, and that the county convention was not a delegate convention
but a mass convention of republicans of the whole county, and therefore was
not only the first political convention held in Bufl^alo County, but also the first
republican convention held in the county.

CHAPTER XLIX

MY FIRST STATE CONVENTION IN 1876 — ELECTED DELEGATE AT COUNTY CONVEN-
TION INTRODUCED TO FREE PASS SYSTEM JUDGE N. H. HEMIUP CANDIDATE

FOR ATTORNEY-GENERAL GENERAL ROBERTS AND THE "tROJAN HORSE" T. J.

MAJORS NOMINATED FOR CONTINGENT CONGRESSMAN BITTER FIGHT BY RAIL-
ROADS TO CONTROL CONVENTION CONVENTION IN SESSION FROM TUESDAY TO

SATURDAY EDWARD ROSEWATER ATTACKED AND KICKED DOWN HOTEL STAIRS

LIST OF BUFFALO COUNTY DELEGATES.

On Saturday, September 23, 1876, the Buffalo County Republican Convention
for the election of delegates to the Republican State Convention, was held in
Kearney and greatly to the surprise of the writer he was chosen as one of the
delegates to the state convention. For months there had been a bitter factional
strife in the republican party and usually designated Hitchcock and anti-Hitch-
cock, United States Senator Hitchcock being a candidate for re-election to the
Senate and opposed by the railroad interests. Nebraska at that date had one
congressman and the nomination for congressman was made at the state conven-
tion. Also there was to be nominated a "contingent" congressman, and I smile
to myself as I write the word "contingent ;" how ambitious we all were in those
days. Delays were intolerable; tradition, precedents, insurmountable legal ob-
stacles were brushed aside as of little or no importance when additional recogni-
tion of our importance as a state was to be attained or another representative in
the national Congress secured. I have often w^ondered how our "contingent"
congressman lived and paid expenses when thus serving the state at the national
capital. He was never "recognized" by the speaker and of course was not on the
congressional payroll. Doubtless it is best for all concerned that the unrevealed
secrets as to how he lived and paid expenses be not revealed even in this gen-
eration. In the preliminary canvass in the county, L. R. More, a banker in
Kearney, had been mentioned as a possible candidate for state treasurer. ^Ir.
Afore was classed as a railroad candidate. N. H. Hemiup was also a candidate
for attorney-general. Immediately after adjournment of the county convention
the writer was approached by the deputy county clerk and informed that in elcct-
mg the writer as a delegate to the state convention it was understood that I
should give my proxy to the station agent of the Union Pacific Railroad at Kear-
ney and the deputy county clerk had the proxy made out and ready for signature.
While the writer was pleased at being chosen a delegate he at once realized that he
could not afford to go, as this was the year following the grasshopper raids and
the expense of the trip would be too great under the circumstances, railroad fare
being 5 cents a mile, making about fifteen dollars for the round trip. As the
voi.r —2?

337

338 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

writer had voted with the Hitchcock faction, he at once felt that this was a rail-
road scheme and refused to give a proxy to a railroad employe. This was on Sat-
urday ajid the state convention was called to meet on the Tuesday following. On
the next day, Sunday, Judge Hemiup sent word that transportation for the dele-
gates had been arranged for and as this was the largest item of expense, arrange-
ments were made to go. (Never to be forgotten even though left unwritten, in
relating incidents of this character in the early settlements of the state is, that
included in the word "arrangements" is the encouragement of the good wife and
the personal sacrifice incident to such "arrangements" on her part and of the
other members of the family, not only of the comforts but often of necessities
of life.) Monday morning the pony was mounted and ridden to Lowell, some ten
miles distant, and there left until the return, and taking the B. & M. at Lowell
the writer was handed a round trip pass — his first introduction to the free pass
evil. Judge Hemiup had secured headquarters at the Commercial Hotel but
the writer being a member of the grange went direct to the office of the secretary
of the state grange and arranged with the secretary, P. E. Beardsley, to make his
headquarters there and to sleep on a table in the office and Mr. Beardsley was so
kind as to bring blankets from his own home for covering. This delegate was
not the only delegate to that convention who slept on the floor in a convenient
office. Sleeping on the floor was no novelty to homesteaders in those days.

The Buffalo County delegates were Rice Eaton, A. L. Webb, L. A. Groff,
L. B. Cunningham and S. C. Bassett. The convention was held in the academy
of music, a hall on the second floor, lighted at night with numerous kerosene
lamps and when filled with perspiring politicians and clouds of tobacco smoke
is it any wonder that stomachs of homesteaders used to the broad prairies, fanned
by gentle breezes, rebelled? The convention was called to order on Tuesday, at
2.30 P. M. There had been a spirited canvass by C. H. Gere and T. M. Marquette
for chairman of the convention, resulting in Mr. Marquette being chosen tem-
porary and Mr. Gere permanent chairman. A. G. Kendall and George L. Brown
were named as secretaries.

There was also chosen a sergeant-at-arms and later additional sergeants-at-
arms were appointed in order to protect the delegates from the numerous lobby
which at times so swarmed about the delegates that it was impossible to proceed
vyith the business of the convention. At 4 P. M., the convention took a recess
until 7.30. L. R. More was balloted for as one of the candidates for lieutenant-
governor, receiving twenty-two votes, but none from the Buffalo Countv delega-
tion. The ballot on nomination for attorney general was not reached until long
after midnight. The candidates were George H. Roberts, N. H. Hemiup and
others. On the first ballot Judge Hemiup received seventeen ballots out of a
total of 259. After the first ballot the Buffalo County delegation wished to
withdraw Judge Hemiup's name, but to this the judge would not consent, saying
that the "plan" was for him to get a few votes on the first ballot and then begin
to gain and that he was "dead sure" of being nominated. On the second ballot
Judge Hemiup received twelve votes and his delegation got into the band wagon,
voted for General Roberts, who was nominated. It was then 3 A. M., but General
Roberts being called for mounted the platform and made a speech of an hour's
length and of this speech I can still recall the story which he told of the "Trojan

HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY 339

Horse." It cannot be recalled that the "Trojan Horse" story had any apphcation
to circumstances surrounding his nomination but whether it had or not we were
all too tired and sleepy to care and at the close of his speech, 4 A. M., adjourn-
ment was taken to 9.30 A. M.

The most bitter fight of the convention was over the nomination of congress-
man, the principal candidates being Frank Welch, Gen. J. C. Cowan. C. A.
Holmes, Guy C. Barton of Lincoln County and Leander Gerrard of Platte
County. A majority of the Bufi:'alo County delegation supported Gerrard and
on the third ballot attempted to change from Gerrard to Welch, but were ruled
out. On the fourth ballot Welch was nominated. T. J. ^Majors of Xcmaha
County was nominated for "Contingent" congressman.

It is believed that the intense interest manifested and the extreme bitterness
of feeling often exhibited at this convention has not been equalled at any succeed-
ing political convention held in the state. It was at this convention that the
railroad interests obtained a grip, a control of, an influence and a power in the
politics of the state which was not loosened or relaxed for any appreciable length
of time, no matter what political party was in power, until the abolition of the
free pass evil in 1907. This convention did not adjourn until Friday, it being
in session four days and all of one night, the last act of the convention being
to adopt a party platform.

There were no end of caucuses held by the politicians in the heackjuarters
room at the Commercial Hotel, and in connection with the holding of one such
caucus the writer first "met" Edward Rosewater, editor of the Omaha Bee.
Mr. Rosewater w^as not a delegate to the convention but took an active interest
in all its proceedings. Going to the headquarters of Judge llemiu]) in the
Commercial Hotel during an evening recess of the convention the incident of
"meeting" Mr. Rosewater occurred. The stairway in the Commercial Hotel at
that date was at the rear of the office with a broad landing midway to the second
floor. When I reached this midway landing Mr. Rosewater was being pushed
and kicked by a large and powerful man from the head of the stairway, landing
in a heap on the midway landing. I assisted him to his feet and incfuired if he
was hurt or injured. He said no and passed on as though nothing serious had
happened. The man who did the kicking claimed that Air. Rosewater had been
listening at a door of a room where a political caucus was being held.

At this convention acquaintances were made and friendships formed, some
of which have continued to the present time; others only terminated when the
friend "passed over the river." Some of these men have been prominent in the
state (w^ere prominent at that time) and their friendship has not only been greatly
prized but has been useful and helpful in many ways not at all concerned with
political affairs.

Nebraska was young as a state in 1876. and was being rapidly settled so that
no one, be he a political leader or not, had then what might be called a state
acquaintance, hence it was, the men who as])ired to leadershi]) in the state, and
more especially in the republican party, exerted themselves to become acquainted
with delegates from out in the state in attendance at this convention. Not only
did these would-be leaders welcome an introduction to such delegates but some
of them sought such introductions and exerted themselves to further the acquaint-

340 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

ance. There was no cold formality on their part, but the greetings were hearty
and genuine. Thus it was that the writer was introduced to scores of delegates,
the names of only a few of whom can be recalled and these only for the reason
that friendships dating from that time were formed, the value of which can
not be determined or estimated, nor the time and place forgotten. Of the Buffalo
County delegation Rice Eaton was editor of the Central Nebraska Press; L. B.
Cunningham, editor of the Kearney Junction Times ; L. A. Groff, an attorney-at-
law ; A. L. Webb, a dealer in hardware ; and the writer, then and still a farmer.

S. C. Bassett.

CHAPTER L

rOLITICAL PARTIES IN BUFFALO COUNTY

In the year 1871 there was created an organization of the repubHcan party
in the county and such an organization has continued to the present time (1915),
and at each election the party has had a ticket in the field under the heading
"Republican Party." From the beginning the republican party had a regular
precinct (at first, township later) committee and a county central committee and
county chairman located at the county seat. Until the primary law was passed
in 1907 delegates were elected at precinct caucuses, who attended a delegate
county convention at which republican candidates were nominated for election to
office. The republican party was a regularly organized political force in poli-
tics. Just when the democratic party became an organized force in politics
in the county can not be recalled. For many years the county was overwhelm-
ingly republican.

It is recalled that in Gibbon Precinct in the early history of the county there
w^as only one democratic vote cast, and as election day approached this voter
would write Dr. George L. Miller, editor of the Herald, a democratic daily pub-
lished at Omaha, and Doctor Miller would mail a national and state democratic
ticket on which this lone voter would write the names of local candidates. Until
the Australian ballot was adopted in 1897 each political party looked after the
printing and distribution to voting precincts of its own party ballots. There were
instances where members of the opposition party stole the tickets after they were
printed and, as in those days there was no telephone or quick means of trans-
portation, distant country voting precincts were without ballots on election day.
And strange as it may seem to the reader in his day and generation, such tactics
were deemed not dishonorable on the theory "all is fair in love and war."

From the beginning there were two tickets in the field at each election, one
republican, the others usually styled "Independent." The independent party for
several years was largely made up of dissatisfied and disgruntled members of
the republican party, dissatisfied and disgruntled because their friends were not
nominated for office, for in local (county) politics the struggle was for county
office, there being no principle at stake, on which the people were divided, as
regards county government or county afifairs.

The records seem to disclose that until the year 1891 the republican party
regularly elected its candidate for county treasurer and it appears that of twelve
men who have served as county treasurer since 187 1, nine were republican,
Lyman Carey being elected on the independent ticket in 1891. Of fourteen
men elected as county commissioners from 1871 to 1883 (when town.ship organ-

341

342 HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY

izalion was adopted), with one exception, Patrick Walsh, all were nominated
and elected on the republican ticket. Beginning with the year 1872, it appears
that thirty-one men have served from Buffalo County as representatives in the
State Legislature, and of this number it appears that twenty were nominated
and elected as republicans, eleven as peoples independent or democratic.

The first to be elected on the independent ticket was Simon C. Ayer, who
having been elected as a republican and served two terms as county clerk, ran as
an independent candidate for the Legislature and defeated the regularly nomi-
nated candidate on the republican ticket, F. G. Hamer. This was in the year
1880.

It appears that sixteen state senators have served from the senatorial dis-
trict comprising Buffalo County since the year 1872, and of this number ten were
nominated and elected as republican, six as anti-monopoly, people's, independent
or democratic. In the year 1888 Gen. A. H. Connor, who as a republican had
been elected state senator in the year 1882, ran as an independent candidate
on the independent ticket, as it might be termed, and was elected.

It appears that in the judicial district of which Buffalo County has formed
a part since the beginning, there have been twelve district judges, of whom
seven were elected as republican and five populist or democrat, the first of the
latter to be elected being Silas A. Holcomb in the year 1891. At an early date
in the history of Buffalo County both the Union Pacific