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diff --git a/34844-h/34844-h.htm b/34844-h/34844-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ba7a7cb --- /dev/null +++ b/34844-h/34844-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,15639 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" +"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Collection of Nebraska Pioneer Reminiscences by the Nebraska Society of the Daughters Of The American Revolution.</title> +<link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> +<style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; +} /* page numbers */ + + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + +.bbox {border: solid 2px;} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.padtop {padding-top: 3em;} + +.padbase {padding-bottom: 3em;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.caption {font-weight: bold;} + +.sig {margin-right: 25%; text-align: right;} + +.tdind {text-align: left; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -1em;} + +ul {list-style-type:none;} + +ins {text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 1px dashed #dcdcdc;} + + + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + + + </style> + </head> +<body> + +<div style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold;'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Collection of Nebraska Pioneer Reminiscences, by +Nebraska Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution</div> +<div style='display:block;margin:1em 0'> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and +most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms +of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online +at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you +are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the +country where you are located before using this eBook. +</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Collection of Nebraska Pioneer Reminiscences</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Nebraska Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution</div> +<div style='display:block;margin:1em 0'>Release Date: January 4, 2011 [eBook #34844]<br /> +[Most recently updated: January 15, 2021]</div> +<div style='display:block;margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> +<div style='display:block;margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Brian Sogard, Sharon Verougstraete and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team</div> +<div style='margin-top:2em;margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NEBRASKA PIONEER REMINISCENCES ***</div> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width:45%;"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="[Illustration]" /> +</div> + +<p> +<br /> +</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 401px;"><a name="front" id="front"></a> +<img src="images/illus_001.jpg" width="401" height="600" alt="Mrs. Laura B. Pound + +Second and Sixth State Regent, Nebraska Society, Daughters of the American +Revolution. 1896-1897, 1901-1902" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Mrs. Laura B. Pound + +Second and Sixth State Regent, Nebraska Society, Daughters of the American +Revolution. 1896-1897, 1901-1902</span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<h1> +COLLECTION OF<br /> +NEBRASKA PIONEER<br /> +REMINISCENCES<br /></h1> +<p class="center"><br /> +ISSUED BY THE<br /> +<br /></p> +<h2>NEBRASKA SOCIETY OF<br /> +THE DAUGHTERS OF THE<br /> +AMERICAN REVOLUTION<br /> +<br /></h2> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 150px;"> +<img src="images/emblem.png" width="150" height="146" alt="" title="" /> +<br /> +<br /> +</div> + +<p class="center">NINETEEN SIXTEEN<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +THE TORCH PRESS<br /> +<br /> +CEDAR RAPIDS<br /> +<br /> +IOWA<br /> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>FORETHOUGHT</h2> + + +<p>This Book of Nebraska Pioneer Reminiscences is issued +by the Daughters of the American Revolution of Nebraska, +and dedicated to the daring, courageous, and intrepid +men and women—the advance guard of our progress—who, +carrying the torch of civilization, had a vision of +the possibilities which now have become realities.</p> + +<p>To those who answered the call of the unknown we owe +the duty of preserving the record of their adventures +upon the vast prairies of "Nebraska the Mother of +States."</p> + +<blockquote><p> +"In her horizons, limitless and vast<br /> +Her plains that storm the senses like the sea."<br /> +</p></blockquote> + +<p>Reminiscence, recollection, personal experience—simple, +true stories—this is the foundation of History.</p> + +<p>Rapidly the pioneer story-tellers are passing beyond +recall, and the real story of the beginning of our great +commonwealth must be told now.</p> + +<p>The memories of those pioneers, of their deeds of self-sacrifice +and devotion, of their ideals which are our inheritance, +will inculcate patriotism in the children of the +future; for they should realize the courage that subdued +the wilderness. And "lest we forget," the heritage of +this past is a sacred trust to the Daughters of the American +Revolution of Nebraska.</p> + +<p>The invaluable assistance of the Nebraska State Historical +Society, and the members of this Book Committee, +Mrs. C. S. Paine and Mrs. D. S. Dalby, is most gratefully +acknowledged.</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="smcap">Lula Correll Perry</span><br /> +<span class="tdind">(Mrs. Warren Perry)</span><br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + + + + +<div> +<table class="figcenter" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Some First Things in the History of Adams County</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_11">11</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By George F. Work</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Early Experiences in Adams County</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_18">18</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By General Albert V. Cole</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Frontier Towns</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_22">22</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Francis M. Broome</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Historical Sketch of Box Butte County</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_25">25</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Ira E. Tash</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">A Broken Axle</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_27">27</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Samuel C. Bassett</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">A Pioneer Nebraska Teacher</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_30">30</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Isabel Roscoe</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Experiences of a Pioneer Woman</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_32">32</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Elise G. Everett</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Recollections of Weeping Water</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_36">36</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By I. N. Hunter</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Incidents at Plattsmouth</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_41">41</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Ella Pollock Minor</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">First Things in Clay County</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_43">43</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Charles M. Brown</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Reminiscences of Custer County</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_46">46</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Mrs. J. J. Douglas</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">An Experience</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_50">50</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Harmon Bross</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Legend of Crow Butte</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_51">51</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Dr. Anna Robinson Cross</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Life on the Frontier</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_54">54</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By James Ayres</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Plum Creek (Lexington)</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_57">57</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By William M. Bancroft</span>, M. D.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Early Recollections</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_62">62</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By C. Chabot</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Recollections of the First Settler of Dawson County</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_64">64</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Daniel Freeman</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Early Days in Dawson County</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_67">67</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Lucy E. Hewitt</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Pioneer Justice</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_72">72</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By B. F. Krier</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">A Good Indian</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_74">74</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Clifford Whitaker</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">From Missouri To Dawson County</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_75">75</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By A. J. Porter</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Erickson Family</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_76">76</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Mrs. W. M. Stebbins</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Beginnings of Fremont</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_78">78</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Sadie Irene Moore</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">A Grasshopper Story</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_82">82</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Margaret F. Kelly</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Early Days in Fremont</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_84">84</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Theron Nye</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Pioneer Women of Omaha</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_90">90</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Charles H. Fisette</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">A Pioneer Family</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_93">93</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Edith Erma Purviance</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Badger Family</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_97">97</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The First White Settler in Fillmore County</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_102">102</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Pioneering in Fillmore County</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_107">107</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By John R. McCashland</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Fillmore County in the Seventies</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_109">109</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By William Spade</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Early Days in Nebraska</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_111">111</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By J. A. Carpenter</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Reminiscences of Gage County</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_112">112</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Albert L. Green</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Ranching in Gage and Jefferson Counties</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_123">123</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Peter Jansen</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Early Recollections of Gage County</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_127">127</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Mrs. E. Johnson</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Biography of Ford Lewis</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_129">129</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Mrs. (D. S.) H. Virginia Lewis Dalbey</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">A Buffalo Hunt</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_131">131</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By W. H. Avery</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">A Grasshopper Raid</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_133">133</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Edna M. Boyle Allen</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Early Days in Pawnee County</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_135">135</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Daniel B. Cropsey</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Early Events in Jefferson County</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_137">137</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By George Cross</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Early Days of Fairbury and Jefferson County</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_139">139</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By George W. Hansen</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Earliest Romance of Jefferson County</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_147">147</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By George W. Hansen</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Experiences on the Frontier</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_152">152</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Frank Helvey</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Looking Backward</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_155">155</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span><span class="smcap">By George E. Jenkins</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Easter Storm of 1873</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_158">158</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Charles B. Letton</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Beginnings of Fairbury</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_161">161</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Joseph B. McDowell</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Early Experiences in Nebraska</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_163">163</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Elizabeth Porter Seymour</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Personal Recollections</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_166">166</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Mrs. C. F. Steele</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">How the Sons of George Winslow Found Their Father's Grave</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_168">168</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><i>Statement by Mrs. C. F. Steele</i></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_168">168</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><i>Statement by George W. Hansen</i></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_169">169</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Early Days in Jefferson County</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_175">175</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Mrs. M. H. Weeks</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Location of the Capital at Lincoln</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_176">176</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By John H. Ames</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">An Incident in the History of Lincoln</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_182">182</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Ortha C. Bell</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Lincoln In the Early Seventies</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_184">184</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Ortha C. Bell</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">A Pioneer Baby Show</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_186">186</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Frank I. Ringer</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Marking the Site of the Lewis and Clark Council at Fort Calhoun </span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_187">187</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Laura B. Pound</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Early History of Lincoln County</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_190">190</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Major Lester Walker</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Grey Eagle, Pawnee Chief</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_194">194</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Millard S. Binney</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Lovers' Leap (Poem)</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_196">196</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Mrs. A. P. Jarvis</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Early Indian History</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_198">198</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Sarah Clapp</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Blizzard of 1888</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_203">203</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Minnie Freeman Penny</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">An Acrostic</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_204">204</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Ellis</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Early Days in Nance County</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_206">206</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Ellen Saunders Walton</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Pawnee Chief's Farewell (Poem)</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_208">208</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Chauncey Livingston Wiltse</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">My Trip West in 1861</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_211">211</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Sarah Schooley Randall</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Stirring Events Along the Little Blue</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_214">214</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Clarendon E. Adams</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">My Last Buffalo Hunt</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_219">219</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span><span class="smcap">By J. Sterling Morton</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">How the Founder of Arbor Day Created the Most Famous Western Estate </span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_235">235</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Paul Morton</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Early Reminiscences of Nebraska City—Social Aspects</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_240">240</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Ellen Kinney Ware</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Some Personal Incidents</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_242">242</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By W. A. McAllister</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">A Buffalo Hunt</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_244">244</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Minnie Freeman Penny</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Pioneer Life</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_246">246</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Mrs. James G. Reeder</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Early Days in Polk County</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_248">248</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Calmar McCune</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Personal Reminiscences</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_252">252</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Thyrza Reavis Roy</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Two Seward County Celebrations</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_254">254</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Mrs. S. C. Langworthy</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Seward County Reminiscences</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_255">255</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">Compiled by Margaret Holmes Chapter D. A. R.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Pioneering</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_263">263</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Grant Lee Shumway</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Early Days in Stanton County</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_266">266</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Andrew J. Bottorff and Sven Johanson</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Fred E. Roper, Pioneer</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_268">268</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Ernest E. Correll</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Lure of the Prairies</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_272">272</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Lucy L. Correll</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Suffrage in Nebraska</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_275">275</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><i>Statement by Mrs. Gertrude M. McDowell</i></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_275">275</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><i>Statement by Lucy L. Correll</i></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_277">277</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">An Indian Raid</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_279">279</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Ernest E. Correll</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Reminiscences</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_281">281</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Mrs. E. A. Russell</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Reminiscences of Fort Calhoun</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_284">284</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By W. H. Allen</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Reminiscences of Washington County</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_286">286</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Emily Bottorff Allen</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Reminiscences of Pioneer Life at Fort Calhoun</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_288">288</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Mrs. N. J. Frazier Brooks</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Reminiscences of De Soto</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_289">289</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Oliver Bouvier</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Reminiscences</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_290">290</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Thomas M. Carter</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Fort Calhoun in the Late Fifties</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_293">293</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span><span class="smcap">By Mrs. E. H. Clark</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Some Items From Washington County</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_295">295</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Mrs. May Allen Lazure</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">County-seat of Washington County</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_298">298</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Frank McNeely</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Story of the Town of Fontenelle</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_299">299</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Eda Mead</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Thomas Wilkinson and Family</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_305">305</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Nikumi</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_307">307</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Harriett S. MacMurphy</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Heroine of the Jules Slade Tragedy</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_322">322</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Harriett S. MacMurphy</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Last Romantic Buffalo Hunt on the Plains Of Nebraska</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_326">326</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By John Lee Webster</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Outline History of the Nebraska Society, D. A. R.</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_333">333</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdind"><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Charles H. Aull</span></td></tr> +</table></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + + + +<div> +<table class="figcenter" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Illustrations"> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Mrs. Laura B. Pound</span></td><td align="left"><i><a href="#front">Frontispiece</a></i></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Oregon Trail Monument near Leroy, Nebraska</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_18">18</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Oregon Trail Monument on the Nebraska-Wyoming State Line</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_18">18</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Mrs. Angie F. Newman</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_22">22</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Dedication of Monument Commemorating the Oregon Trail at Kearney, Nebraska</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_27">27</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Mrs. Andrew K. Gault</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_50">50</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Monument Marking the Old Trails, Fremont, Nebraska</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_78">78</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Mrs. Charlotte F. Palmer</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_90">90</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Mrs. Frances Avery Haggard</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_127">127</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Oregon Trail Monument near Fairbury, Nebraska</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_139">139</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Mrs. Elizabeth C. Langworthy</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_155">155</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Mrs. Charles B. Letton</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_168">168</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Boulder at Fort Calhoun, commemorating the council Of Lewis and Clark with the Otoe and Missouri Indians</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_187">187</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Mrs. Oreal S. Ward</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_203">203</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Oregon Trail Monument on Kansas-Nebraska State Line</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_240">240</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Mrs. Charles Oliver Norton</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_252">252</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Oregon Trail Monument near Hebron, Nebraska</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_268">268</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Mrs. Warren Perry</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_305">305</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Memorial Fountain, Antelope Park, Lincoln</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_326">326</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Mrs. Charles H. Aull</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_333">333</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Monument marking the initial point of the California Trail, Riverside Park, Omaha</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_337">337</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">California Trail Monument, Bemis Park, Omaha</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_337">337</a></td></tr> +</table></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>SOME FIRST THINGS IN THE HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By George F. Work</span></h3> + + +<p>Adams county is named for the first time, in an act of the +territorial legislature approved February 16, 1867, when the +south bank of the Platte river was made its northern boundary. +There were no settlers here at that time although several persons +who are mentioned later herein had established trapping camps +within what are now its boundaries. In 1871 it was declared a +county by executive proclamation and its present limits defined +as, in short, consisting of government ranges, 9, 10, 11, and 12 +west of the sixth principal meridian, and townships 5, 6, 7, and +8, north of the base line, which corresponds with the south line +of the state.</p> + +<p>Mortimer N. Kress, familiarly known to the early settlers as +"Wild Bill," Marion Jerome Fouts, also known as "California +Joe," and James Bainter had made hunting and trapping +camps all the way along the Little Blue river, prior to this time. +This stream flows through the south part of the county and has +its source just west of its western boundary in Kearney county. +James Bainter filed on a tract just across its eastern line in +Clay county as his homestead, and so disappears in the history +of Adams county. Mortimer N. Kress is still living and now +has his home in Hastings, a hale, hearty man of seventy-five years +and respected by all. Marion J. Fouts, about seventy years of +age, still lives on the homestead he selected in that early day and +is a respected, prominent man in that locality.</p> + +<p>Gordon H. Edgerton, now a resident and prominent business +man of Hastings, when a young man, in 1866, was engaged in +freighting across the plains, over the Oregon trail that entered +the county where the Little Blue crosses its eastern boundary +and continued in a northwesterly direction, leaving its western +line a few miles west and a little north of where Kenesaw now +stands, and so is familiar with its early history. There has already +been some who have questioned the authenticity of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> +story of an Indian massacre having taken place where this trail +crosses Thirty-two Mile creek, so named because it was at this +point about thirty-two miles east of Fort Kearny. This massacre +took place about the year 1867, and Mr. Edgerton says that it +was universally believed at the time he was passing back and +forth along this trail. He distinctly remembers an old threshing +machine that stood at that place for a long time and that +was left there by some of the members of the party that were +killed. The writer of this sketch who came to the county in +1874, was shown a mound at this place, near the bank of the +creek, which he was told was the heaped up mound of the grave +where the victims were buried, and the story was not questioned +so far as he ever heard until recent years. Certainly those who +lived near the locality at that early day did not question it. +This massacre took place very near the locality where Captain +Fremont encamped, the night of June 25, 1842, as related in +the history of his expedition and was about five or six miles +south and a little west of Hastings. I well remember the appearance +of this trail. It consisted of a number of deeply cut +wagon tracks, nearly parallel with each other, but which would +converge to one track where the surface was difficult or where +there was a crossing to be made over a rough place or stream. +The constant tramping of the teams would pulverize the soil and +the high winds would blow out the dust, or if on sloping ground, +the water from heavy rains would wash it out until the track became +so deep that a new one would be followed because the axles +of the wagons would drag on the ground. It was on this trail +a few miles west of what is now the site of Kenesaw, that a lone +grave was discovered by the first settlers in the country, and a +story is told of how it came to be there. About midway from +where the trail leaves the Little Blue to the military post at +Fort Kearny on the Platte river a man with a vision of many +dollars to be made from the people going west to the gold-fields +over this trail, dug a well about one hundred feet deep for the +purpose of selling water to the travelers and freighters. Some +time later he was killed by the Indians and the well was poisoned +by them. A man by the name of Haile camped here a +few days later and he and his wife used the water for cooking +and drinking. Both were taken sick and the wife died, but he +recovered. He took the boards of his wagon box and made her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> +a coffin and buried her near the trail. Some time afterwards he +returned and erected a headstone over her grave which was a few +years since still standing and perhaps is to this day, the monument +of a true man to his love for his wife and to her memory.</p> + +<p>The first homestead was taken in the county by Francis M. +Luey, March 5, 1870, though there were others taken the same +day. The facts as I get them direct from Mr. Kress are that he +took his team and wagon, and he and three other men went to +Beatrice, where the government land office was located, to make +their entries. When they arrived at the office, with his characteristic +generosity he said: "Boys, step up and take your +choice; any of it is good enough for me." Luey was the first to +make his entry, and he was followed by the other three. Francis +M. Luey took the southwest quarter of section twelve; Mortimer +N. Kress selected the northeast quarter of section thirteen; +Marion Jerome Fouts, the southeast quarter of eleven; and the +fourth person, John Smith, filed on the southwest quarter of +eleven, all in township five north and range eleven west of the +sixth principal meridian. Smith relinquished his claim later +and never made final proof, so his name does not appear on the +records of the county as having made this entry. The others +settled and made improvements on their lands. Mortimer N. +Kress built a sod house that spring, and later in the summer, a +hewed log house, and these were the first buildings in the county. +So Kress and Fouts, two old comrades and trappers, settled +down together, and are still citizens of the county. Other settlers +rapidly began to make entry in the neighborhood, and soon +there were enough to be called together in the first religious +service. The first sermon was preached in Mr. Kress' hewed +log house by Rev. J. W. Warwick in the fall of 1871.</p> + +<p>The first marriage in the county was solemnized in 1872 between +<a name="rod1" id="rod1"></a><ins title="Original has Rhoderic">Roderick Lomas</ins> or Loomis and "Lila" or Eliza Warwick, +the ceremony being performed by the bride's father, Rev. J. W. +Warwick. Prior to this, however, on October 18, 1871, Eben +Wright and Susan Gates, a young couple who had settled in the +county, were taken by Mr. Kress in his two-horse farm wagon +to Grand Island, where they were married by the probate judge.</p> + +<p>The first deaths that occurred in the county were of two +young men who came into the new settlement to make homes for +themselves in 1870, selected their claims and went to work, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> +a few days later were killed in their camp at night. It was +believed that a disreputable character who came along with +a small herd of horses committed the murder, but no one +knew what the motive was. He was arrested and his name given +as Jake Haynes, but as no positive proof could be obtained he +was cleared at the preliminary examination, and left the country. +A story became current a short time afterward that he was +hanged in Kansas for stealing a mule.</p> + +<p>The first murder that occurred in the county that was proven +was that of Henry Stutzman, who was killed by William John +McElroy, February 8, 1879, about four miles south of Hastings. +He was arrested a few hours afterward, and on his trial was +convicted and sent to the penitentiary.</p> + +<p>The first child born in the county was born to Francis M. +Luey and wife in the spring of 1871. These parents were the +first married couple to settle in this county. The child lived only +a short time and was buried near the home, there being no graveyard +yet established. A few years ago the K. C. & O. R. R. in +grading its roadbed through that farm disturbed the grave and +uncovered its bones.</p> + +<p>In the spring and summer of 1870 Mr. Kress broke about fifty +acres of prairie on his claim and this constituted the first improvement +of that nature in the county.</p> + +<p>J. R. Carter and wife settled in this neighborhood about 1870, +and the two young men, mentioned above as having been murdered, +stopped at their house over night, their first visitors. It +was a disputed point for a long time whether Mrs. Carter, Mrs. +W. S. Moote, or Mrs. Francis M. Luey was the first white woman +to settle permanently in the county; but Mr. Kress is positive +that the last named was the first and is entitled to that distinction. +Mrs. Moote, with her husband, came next and camped on +their claim, then both left and made their entries of the land. +In the meantime, before the return of the Mootes, Mr. and Mrs. +Carter made permanent settlement on their land, so the honors +were pretty evenly divided.</p> + +<p>The first white settler in the county to die a natural death and +receive Christian burial was William H. Akers, who had taken +a homestead in section 10-5-9. The funeral services were conducted +by Rev. J. W. Warwick.</p> + +<p>In the summer of 1871 a colony of settlers from Michigan<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> +settled on land on which the townsite of Juniata was afterward +located, and October 1, 1871, the first deed that was placed on +record in the county was executed by John and Margaret Stark +to Col. Charles P. Morse before P. F. Barr, a notary public at +Crete, Nebraska, and was filed for record March 9, 1872, and recorded +on page 1, volume 1, of deed records of Adams county. +The grantee was general superintendent of the Burlington & +Missouri River Railroad Company which was then approaching +the eastern edge of the county, and opened its first office at +Hastings in April, 1873, with agent Horace S. Wiggins in +charge. Mr. Wiggins is now a well-known public accountant +and insurance actuary residing in Lincoln. The land conveyed +by this deed and some other tracts for which deeds were soon +after executed was in section 12, township 7, range 11, and on +which the town of Juniata was platted. The Stark patent was +dated June 5, 1872, and signed by U. S. Grant as president. +The town plat was filed for record March 9, 1872.</p> + +<p>The first church organized in the county was by Rev. John F. +Clarkson, chaplain of a colony of English Congregationalists +who settled near the present location of Hastings in 1871. He +preached the first sermon while they were still camped in their +covered wagons at a point near the present intersection of Second +street and Burlington avenue, the first Sunday after their +arrival. A short time afterward, in a sod house on the claim of +John G. Moore, at or near the present site of the Lepin hotel, +the church was organized with nine members uniting by letter, +and a few Sundays later four more by confession of their faith. +This data I have from Peter Fowlie and S. B. Binfield, two of +the persons composing the first organization.</p> + +<p>The first Sunday school organized in the county was organized +in a small residence then under construction on lot 3 in block 4 +of Moore's addition to Hastings. The frame was up, the roof +on, siding and floor in place, but that was all. Nail kegs and +plank formed the seats, and a store box the desk. The building +still stands and constitutes the main part of the present residence +of my family at 219 North Burlington avenue. It was a +union school and was the nucleus of the present Presbyterian +and Congregational Sunday schools. I am not able to give the +date of its organization but it was probably in the winter of +1872-73. I got this information from Mr. A. L. Wigton, who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +was influential in bringing about the organization and was its +first superintendent.</p> + +<p>The first school in the county was opened about a mile south +of Juniata early in 1872, by Miss Emma Leonard, and that fall +Miss Lizzie Scott was employed to teach one in Juniata. So +rapidly did the county settle that by October 1, 1873, thirty-eight +school districts were reported organized.</p> + +<p>The acting governor, W. H. James, on November 7, 1871, +ordered the organization of the county for political and judicial +purposes, and fixed the day of the first election to be held, on +December 12 following. Twenty-nine votes were cast and the +following persons were elected as county officers:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Clerk, Russell D. Babcock.<br /> +Treasurer, John S. Chandler.<br /> +Sheriff, Isaac W. Stark.<br /> +Probate Judge, Titus Babcock.<br /> +Surveyor, George Henderson.<br /> +Superintendent of Schools, Adna H. Bowen.<br /> +Coroner, Isaiah Sluyter.<br /> +Assessor, William M. Camp.<br /> +County Commissioners: Samuel L. Brass, Edwin M. Allen, and<br /> +Wellington W. Selleck.<br /> +</p></blockquote> + +<p>The first assessment of personal property produced a tax of +$5,500, on an assessed valuation of $20,003, and the total valuation +of personal and real property amounted to $957,183, mostly +on railroad lands of which the Burlington road was found to +own 105,423 acres and the Union Pacific, 72,207. Very few of +the settlers had at that time made final proof. This assessment +was made in the spring of 1872.</p> + +<p>The first building for county uses was ordered constructed on +January 17, 1872, and was 16x20 feet on the ground with an +eight-foot story, shingle roof, four windows and one door, +matched floor, and ceiled overhead with building paper. The +county commissioners were to furnish all material except the +door and windows and the contract for the work was let to +Joseph Stuhl for $30.00. S. L. Brass was to superintend the +construction, and the building was to be ready for occupancy in +ten days.</p> + +<p>The salary of the county clerk was fixed by the board at $300, +that of the probate judge at $75 for the year.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p> + +<p>It is claimed that the law making every section line a county +road, in the state of Nebraska, originated with this board in a +resolution passed by it, requesting their representatives in the +senate and house of the legislature then in session to introduce +a bill to that effect and work for its passage. Their work must +have been effective for we find that in July following, the Burlington +railroad company asked damages by reason of loss sustained +through the act of the legislature taking about eight +acres of each section of their land, for these public roads.</p> + +<p>The first poorhouse was built in the fall of 1872. It was +16x24 feet, one and one-half stories high, and was constructed +by Ira G. Dillon for $1,400, and Peter Fowlie was appointed +poormaster at a salary of $25 per month. And on November +1 of that year he reported six poor persons as charges on the +county, but his administration must have been effective for on +December 5, following, he reported none then in his charge.</p> + +<p>The first agricultural society was organized at Kingston and +the first agricultural fair of which there is any record was held +October 11 and 12, 1873. The fair grounds were on the southeast +corner of the northwest quarter of section 32-5-9 on land +owned by G. H. Edgerton, and quite a creditable list of premiums +were awarded.</p> + +<p>The first Grand Army post was organized at Hastings under +a charter issued May 13, 1878, and T. D. Scofield was elected +commander.</p> + +<p>The first newspaper published in the county was the <i>Adams +County Gazette</i>, issued at Juniata by R. D. and C. C. Babcock in +January, 1872. This was soon followed by the <i>Hastings Journal</i> +published by M. K. Lewis and A. L. Wigton. These were +in time consolidated and in January, 1880, the first daily was +issued by A. L. and J. W. Wigton and called the <i>Daily Gazette-Journal</i>.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>EARLY EXPERIENCES IN ADAMS COUNTY</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By General Albert V. Cole</span></h3> + + +<p>I was a young business man in Michigan in 1871, about which +time many civil war veterans were moving from Michigan and +other states to Kansas and Nebraska, where they could secure +free homesteads. I received circulars advertising Juniata. They +called it a village but at that time there were only four houses, +all occupied by agents of the Burlington railroad who had been +employed to preëmpt a section of land for the purpose of locating +a townsite. In October, 1871, I started for Juniata, passing +through Chicago at the time of the great fire. With a comrade +I crossed the Missouri river at Plattsmouth on a flatboat. The +Burlington was running mixed trains as far west as School +Creek, now Sutton. We rode to that point, then started to walk +to Juniata, arriving at Harvard in the evening. Harvard also +had four houses placed for the same purpose as those in Juniata. +Frank M. Davis, who was elected commissioner of public +lands and buildings in 1876, lived in one house with his family; +the other three were supposed to be occupied by bachelors.</p> + +<p>We arranged with Mr. Davis for a bed in an upper room of +one of the vacant houses. We were tenderfeet from the East +and therefore rather suspicious of the surroundings, there being +no lock on the lower door. To avoid being surprised we piled +everything we could find against the door. About midnight we +were awakened by a terrible noise; our fortifications had fallen +and we heard the tramp of feet below. Some of the preëmptors +had been out on section 37 for wood and the lower room was +where they kept the horse feed.</p> + +<p>The next morning we paid our lodging and resumed the journey +west. Twelve miles from Harvard we found four more +houses placed by the Burlington. The village was called Inland +and was on the east line of Adams county but has since been +moved east into Clay county. Just before reaching Inland we +met a man coming from the west with a load of buffalo meat and +at Inland we found C. S. Jaynes, one of the preëmptors, sitting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> +outside his shanty cutting up some of the meat. It was twelve +miles farther to Juniata, the railroad grade being our guide. +The section where Hastings now stands was on the line but there +was no town, not a tree or living thing in sight, just burnt +prairie. I did not think when we passed over that black and +desolate section that a city like Hastings would be builded there. +The buffalo and the antelope had gone in search of greener pastures; +even the wolf and the coyote were unable to live there at +that time.</p> + +<div class="figcenter padbase" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/illus_002.jpg" width="600" height="548" alt="Oregon Trail Monument +on Nebraska-Wyoming +State Line + +Erected by the Sons and +Daughters of the American +Revolution of Nebraska +and Wyoming. +Dedicated April 4, 1913. +Cost $200" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Oregon Trail Monument +on Nebraska-Wyoming +State Line + +Erected by the Sons and +Daughters of the American +Revolution of Nebraska +and Wyoming. +Dedicated April 4, 1913. +Cost $200</span> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter padbase" style="width: 339px;"> +<img src="images/illus_003.jpg" width="339" height="600" alt="Monument on the Oregon +Trail + +Seven miles south of Hastings. +Erected by Niobrara Chapter, +Daughters of the American Revolution +at a cost of $100" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Monument on the Oregon +Trail + +Seven miles south of Hastings. +Erected by Niobrara Chapter, +Daughters of the American Revolution +at a cost of $100</span> +</div> + +<p>Six miles farther on we arrived at Juniata and the first thing +we did was to drink from the well in the center of the section +between the four houses. This was the only well in the district +and that first drink of water in Adams county was indeed refreshing. +The first man we met was Judson Buswell, a civil +war veteran, who had a homestead a mile away and was watering +his mule team at the well. Although forty-four years have +passed, I shall never forget those mules; one had a crooked leg, +but they were the best Mr. Buswell could afford. Now at the +age of seventy-three he spends his winters in California and +rides in his automobile, but still retains his original homestead.</p> + +<p>Juniata had in addition to the four houses a small frame +building used as a hotel kept by John Jacobson. It was a frail +structure, a story and a half, and when the Nebraska wind blew +it would shake on its foundation. There was one room upstairs +with a bed in each corner. During the night there came up a +northwest wind and every bed was on the floor the next morning. +Later another hotel was built called the Juniata House. +Land seekers poured into Adams county after the Burlington +was completed in July, 1872, and there was quite a strife between +the Jacobson House and the Juniata House. Finally a +runner for the latter hotel advertised it as the only hotel in +town with a cook stove.</p> + +<p>Adams county was organized December 12, 1871. Twenty-nine +voters took part in the first election and Juniata was made +the county-seat.</p> + +<p>We started out the next morning after our arrival to find a +quarter section of land. About a mile north we came to the +dugout of Mr. Chandler. He lived in the back end of his house +and kept his horses in the front part. Mr. Chandler went with +us to locate our claims. We preëmpted land on section twenty-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span>eight +north of range ten west, in what is now Highland township. +I turned the first sod in that township and put down the +first bored well, which was 117 feet deep and cost $82.70. Our +first shanty was 10x12 feet in size, boarded up and down and +papered on the inside with tar paper. Our bed was made of +soft-pine lumber with slats but no springs. The table was a +flat-top trunk.</p> + +<p>In the spring of 1872 my wife's brother, George Crane, came +from Michigan and took 80 acres near me. We began our +spring work by breaking the virgin sod. We each bought a yoke +of oxen and a Fish Brothers wagon, in Crete, eighty miles away, +and then with garden tools and provisions in the wagon we +started home, being four days on the way. A few miles west of +Fairmont we met the Gaylord brothers, who had been to Grand +Island and bought a printing press. They were going to publish +a paper in Fairmont. They were stuck in a deep draw of +mud, so deeply imbedded that our oxen could not pull their +wagon out, so we hitched onto the press and pulled it out on +dry land. It was not in very good condition when we left it but +the boys printed a very clean paper on it for a number of years.</p> + +<p>In August Mrs. Cole came out and joined me. I had broken +30 acres and planted corn, harvesting a fair crop which I fed +to my oxen and cows. Mrs. Cole made butter, our first churn +being a wash bowl in which she stirred the cream with a spoon, +but the butter was sweet and we were happy, except that Mrs. +Cole was very homesick. She was only nineteen years old and +a thousand miles from her people, never before having been +separated from her mother. I had never had a home, my parents +having died when I was very small, and I had been pushed +around from pillar to post. Now I had a home of my own and +was delighted with the wildness of Nebraska, yet my heart went +out to Mrs. Cole. The wind blew more fiercely than now and +she made me promise that if our house ever blew down I would +take her back to Michigan. That time very nearly came on +April 13, 1873. The storm raged three days and nights and the +snow flew so it could not be faced. I have experienced colder +blizzards but never such a storm as this Easter one. I had +built an addition of two rooms on my shanty and it was fortunate +we had that much room before the storm for it was the +means of saving the lives of four friends who were caught with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span>out +shelter. Two of them, a man and wife, were building a +house on their claim one-half mile east, the others were a young +couple who had been taking a ride on that beautiful Sunday +afternoon. The storm came suddenly about four in the afternoon; +not a breath of air was stirring and it became very dark. +The storm burst, black dirt filled the air, and the house rocked. +Mrs. Cole almost prayed that the house would go down so she +could go back East. But it weathered the blast; if it had not I +know we would all have perished. The young man's team had +to have shelter and my board stable was only large enough for +my oxen and cow so we took his horses to the sod house on the +girl's claim a mile away. Rain and hail were falling but the +snow did not come until we got home or we would not have +found our way. There were six grown people and one child to +camp in our house three days and only one bed. The three +women and the child occupied the bed, the men slept on the floor +in another room. Monday morning the snow was drifted around +and over the house and had packed in the cellar through a hole +where I intended to put in a window some day. To get the +potatoes from the cellar for breakfast I had to tunnel through +the snow from the trap door in the kitchen. It was impossible +to get to the well so we lifted the trap door and melted fresh +snow when water was needed.</p> + +<p>The shack that sheltered my live stock was 125 feet from the +house and it took three of us to get to the shack to feed. Number +two would keep within hearing of number one and the third +man kept in touch with number two until he reached the stable. +Wednesday evening we went for the horses in the sod house and +found one dead. They had gnawed the wall of the house so that +it afterwards fell down.</p> + +<p>I could tell many other incidents of a homesteader's life, of +trials and short rations, of the grasshoppers in 1874-75-76, of +hail storms and hot winds; yet all who remained through those +days of hardship are driving automobiles instead of oxen and +their land is worth, not $2.50 an acre, but $150.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>FRONTIER TOWNS</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Francis M. Broome</span></h3> + + +<p>With the first rush of settlers into northwest Nebraska, preceding +the advent of railroads, numerous villages sprang up on +the prairies like mushrooms during a night. All gave promise, +at least on paper, of becoming great cities, and woe to the citizen +unloyal to that sentiment or disloyal to his town. It is sufficient +to recount experiences in but one of these villages for customs +were similar in all of them, as evidence of the freedom common +to early pioneer life.</p> + +<p>In a central portion of the plains, that gave promise of future +settlement, a man named Buchanan came out with a wagonload +of boards and several boxes of whiskey and tobacco and in a +short space of time had erected a building of not very imposing +appearance. Over the door of this building a board was nailed, +on which was printed the word "SALOON" and, thus prepared +for business, this man claimed the distinction of starting the +first town in that section. His first customers were a band of +cowboys who proceeded to drink up all of the stock and then to +see which one could shoot the largest number of holes through +the building. This gave the town quite a boom and new settlers +as far away as Valentine began hearing of the new town of +Buchanan. Soon after another venturesome settler brought in +a general merchandise store and then the rush began, all fearing +they might be too late to secure choice locations. The next public +necessity was a newspaper, which soon came, and the town +was given the name of Nonpareil. It was regularly platted into +streets and alleys, and a town well sunk in the public square. +Efforts to organize a civil government met with a frost, everyone +preferring to be his own governor. A two-story hotel built +of rough native pine boards furnished lodging and meals for +the homeless, three saloons furnished drinks for the thirsty +twenty-four hours in the day and seven days in the week; two +drug stores supplied drugs in case of sickness and booze from +necessity for payment of expenses. These with a blacksmith<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> +shop and several stores constituted the town for the first year +and by reason of continuous boosting it grew to a pretentious +size. The second year some of the good citizens, believing it +had advanced far enough to warrant the establishment of a +church, sent for a Methodist minister. This good soul, believing +his mission in life was to drive out sin from the community, set +about to do it in the usual manner, but soon bowed to the inevitable +and, recognizing prevailing customs, became popular in +the town. Boys, seeing him pass the door of saloons, would +hail him and in a good-natured manner give him the contents of +a jackpot in a poker game until, with these contributions and +sums given him from more religious motives, he had accumulated +enough to build a small church.</p> + +<div class="figcenter padbase" style="width: 483px;"> +<img src="images/illus_004.jpg" width="483" height="600" alt="Mrs. Angie F. Newman + +Second Vice-President General from Nebraska, National Society, Daughters +of the American Revolution. Elected 1898" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Mrs. Angie F. Newman + +Second Vice-President General from Nebraska, National Society, Daughters +of the American Revolution. Elected 1898</span> +</div> + +<p>After the organization of the county, the place was voted the +county-seat, and a courthouse was built. The court room when +not in use by the court was used for various public gatherings +and frequently for dances.</p> + +<p>Everybody had plenty of money and spent it with a prodigal +hand. The "save-for-rainy-days" fellows had not yet arrived +on the scene. They never do until after higher civilization steps +in. Old Dan, the hotel keeper, was considered one of the best +wealth distributors in the village. His wife, a little woman of +wonderful energy, would do all the work in a most cheerful +manner while Dan kept office, collected the money and distributed +it to the pleasure of the boys and profit to the saloons, and +both husband and wife were happy in knowing that they were +among the most popular people of the village. It did no harm +and afforded the little lady great satisfaction to tell about her +noble French ancestry for it raised the family to a much higher +dignity than that of the surrounding plebeian stock of English, +Irish, and Dutch, and nobody cared so long as everything was +cheerful around the place. Cheerfulness is a great asset in any +line of business. The lawyer of the village, being a man of +great expectations, attempted to lend dignity to the profession, +until, finding that board bills are not paid by dignity and becoming +disgusted with the lack of appreciation of legal talent, +he proceeded to beat the poker games for an amount sufficient +to enable him to leave for some place where legal talent was +more highly appreciated.</p> + +<p>These good old days might have continued had the railroads<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> +kept out, but railroads follow settlement just as naturally as +day follows night. They built into the country and with them +came a different order of civilization.</p> + +<p>Many experiences of a similar character might be told concerning +other towns in this section, namely, Gordon, where old +Hank Ditto, who ran the roadhouse, never turned down a needy +person for meals and lodging, but compelled the ones with money +to pay for them. Then there was Rushville, the supply station +for vast stores of goods for the Indian agency and reservation +near by; Hay Springs, the terminal point for settlers coming +into the then unsettled south country. Chadron was a town of +unsurpassed natural beauty in the Pine Ridge country, where +Billy Carter, the Dick Turpin of western romance, held forth +in all his glory and at whose shrine the sporting fraternity performed +daily ablutions in the bountiful supply of booze water. +Crawford was the nesting place for all crooks that were ever +attracted to a country by an army post.</p> + +<p>These affairs incident to the pioneer life of northwestern +Nebraska are now but reminiscences, supplanted by a civilization +inspired by all of the modern and higher ideals of life.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>HISTORICAL SKETCH OF BOX BUTTE COUNTY</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Ira E. Tash</span></h3> + + +<p>Box Butte county, Nebraska, owes its existence to the discovery +of gold in the Black Hills in 1876. When this important +event occurred, the nearest railroad point to the discovery in +Deadwood Gulch was Sidney, Nebraska, 275 miles to the south. +To this place the gold seekers rushed from every point of the +compass. Parties were organized to make the overland trip to +the new <a name="dorado" id="dorado"></a><ins title="Original has Eldorado">El Dorado</ins> with ox teams, mule teams, and by every +primitive mode of conveyance. Freighters from Colorado and +the great Southwest, whose occupation was threatened by the +rapid building of railroads, miners from all the Rocky Mountain +regions of the West, and thousands of tenderfeet from the East, +all flocked to Sidney as the initial starting point. To this heterogeneous +mass was added the gambler, the bandit, the road agent, +the dive keeper, and other undesirable citizens. This flood of +humanity made the "Old Sidney Trail" to the Black Hills. +Then followed the stage coach, Wells-Fargo express, and later +the United States mail. The big freighting outfits conveyed +mining machinery, provisions, and other commodities, among +which were barrels and barrels of poor whiskey, to the toiling +miners in the Hills. Indians infested the trail, murdered the +freighters and miners, and ran off their stock, while road agents +robbed stages and looted the express company's strong boxes. +Bandits murdered returning miners and robbed them of their +nuggets and gold dust. There was no semblance of law and +order. When things got too rank, a few of the worst offenders +were lynched, and the great, seething, hurrying mass of humanity +pressed on urged by its lust for gold.</p> + +<p>This noted trail traversed what is now Box Butte county from +north to south, and there were three important stopping places +within the boundaries of the county. These were the Hart +ranch at the crossing of Snake creek, Mayfield's, and later the +Hughes ranch at the crossing of the Niobrara, and Halfway +Hollow, on the high tableland between. The deep ruts worn<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> +by the heavily loaded wagons and other traffic passing over the +route are still plainly visible, after the lapse of forty years. +This trail was used for a period of about nine years, or until +the Northwestern railroad was extended to Deadwood, when it +gave way to modern civilization.</p> + +<p>Traveling over this trail were men of affairs, alert men who +had noted the rich grasses and wide ranges that bordered the +route, and marked it down as the cattle raiser's and ranchman's +future paradise. Then came the great range herds of the Ogallalla +Cattle Company, Swan Brothers, Bosler Brothers, the Bay +State and other large cow outfits, followed by the hard-riding +cowboy and the chuck wagon. These gave names to prominent +landmarks. A unique elevation in the eastern part of the +county they named Box Butte. Butte means hill or elevation +less than a mountain, Box because it was roughly square or box-shaped. +Hence the surrounding plains were designated in cowman's +parlance "the Box Butte country," and as such it was +known far and wide.</p> + +<p>Later, in 1886 and 1887, a swarm of homeseekers swept in +from the East, took up the land, and began to build houses of +sod and to break up the virgin soil. The cowman saw that he +was doomed, and so rounded up his herds of longhorns and +drove on westward into Wyoming and Montana. These new +settlers soon realized that they needed a unit of government to +meet the requirements of a more refined civilization. They were +drawn together by a common need, and rode over dim trails +circulating petitions calling for an organic convention. They +met and provided for the formation of a new county, to be +known as "Box Butte" county.</p> + +<p>This name was officially adopted, and is directly traceable to +the discovery of gold in the Black Hills. The lure of gold led +the hardy miner and adventurer across its fertile plains, opened +the way for the cattleman who named the landmark from which +the county takes its name, and the sturdy settler who followed +in his wake adopted the name and wrote it in the archives of +the state and nation.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter padbase" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/illus_005.jpg" width="600" height="369" alt="Unveiling of Monument at Kearney, Nebraska, in commemoration of the Oregon Trail + +Left to right: Mrs. Ashton C. Shallenberger, Governor Shallenberger, Mrs. Oreal S. Ward, State Regent Nebraska +Society, Daughters of the American Revolution; Mrs. Andrew K. Gault, Vice-President General, National +Society, Daughters of the American Revolution; Mrs. Charles O. Norton, Regent Ft. Kearney Chapter, Daughters +of the American Revolution; John W. Patterson, Mayor of Kearney; John Lee Webster, President Nebraska +State Historical Society; Rev. R. P. Hammons, E. B. Finch, assisting with the flag rope" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Unveiling of Monument at Kearney, Nebraska, in commemoration of the Oregon Trail + +Left to right: Mrs. Ashton C. Shallenberger, Governor Shallenberger, Mrs. Oreal S. Ward, State Regent Nebraska +Society, Daughters of the American Revolution; Mrs. Andrew K. Gault, Vice-President General, National +Society, Daughters of the American Revolution; Mrs. Charles O. Norton, Regent Ft. Kearney Chapter, Daughters +of the American Revolution; John W. Patterson, Mayor of Kearney; John Lee Webster, President Nebraska +State Historical Society; Rev. R. P. Hammons, E. B. Finch, assisting with the flag rope</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>A BROKEN AXLE</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Samuel C. Bassett</span></h3> + + +<p>In 1860, Edward Oliver, Sr., his wife and seven children, +converts to the Mormon faith, left their home in England for +Salt Lake City, Utah. At Florence, Nebraska, on the Missouri +river a few miles above the city of Omaha, they purchased a +traveling outfit for emigrants, which consisted of two yoke of +oxen, a prairie-schooner wagon, and two cows; and with numerous +other families having the same destination took the overland +Mormon trail up the valley of the Platte on the north side +of the river.</p> + +<p>When near a point known as Wood River Centre, 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. The Oliver +family camped beside the trail and the broken wagon was taken +to the ranch of Joseph E. Johnson, who combined in his person +and business that of postmaster, merchant, blacksmith, wagon-maker, +editor, and publisher of a newspaper (<i>The Huntsman's +Echo</i>). Johnson was a Mormon with two wives, a man passionately +fond of flowers which he cultivated to a considerable +extent in a fenced enclosure. While buffalo broke down his +fence and destroyed his garden and flowers, he could not bring +himself to kill them. He was a philosopher and, it must be +conceded, a most useful person at a point so far distant from +other sources of supplies.</p> + +<p>The wagon shop of Mr. Johnson contained no seasoned wood +suitable for an axle and so from the trees along Wood river +was cut an ash from which was hewn and fitted an axle to the +wagon and 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, and the party could not proceed. In the +family council which succeeded the father urged that they try<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> +to arrange with other emigrants to carry their movables (double +teams) and thus continue their journey.</p> + +<p>The mother suggested that they return to the vicinity of Wood +River Centre 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, with an abundance +of wood and 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 Centre, and on the banks +of the river constructed a log hut with a sod roof in which they +spent the winter. When springtime came, the father, zealous in +the Mormon faith, urged that they continue their journey; 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 and married a younger woman who had accompanied +the family from England, which doubtless was the +determining factor in the mother refusing to go.</p> + +<p>The mother, Sarah Oliver, proved to be a woman of force and +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 Kearny, some twenty miles distant.</p> + +<p>In those days there were many without means who traveled +the trail and Sarah Oliver never turned a hungry emigrant +from her door, and often 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 dread savages. In 1863 two settlers were killed by Indians +a few miles east of her home. In the year 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 to the south. In 1865 William +Storer, a near neighbor, was killed by the Indians.</p> + +<p>Sarah Oliver had no framed diploma from a medical college +which would entitle her to the prefix "Dr." to her name, possibly +she was not entitled to be called a trained nurse, but she is +entitled to be long remembered as one who ministered to the +sick, to early travelers hungry and footsore along the trail, and +to many families whose habitations were miles distant.</p> + +<p>Sarah Oliver and her family endured all the toil and priva<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span>tion +common to early settlers, without means, in a new country, +far removed from access to what are deemed the barest necessities +of life in more settled communities.</p> + +<p>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 completion of +the Union Pacific railroad near her home in 1866; she saw Nebraska +become a state in the year 1867. In 1870 when Buffalo +county was organized her youngest son, John, was appointed +sheriff, and was elected to that office at the first election thereafter. +Her eldest son, James, was the first assessor in the +county, and her son Edward was a member of the first board +of county commissioners and later was elected and served with +credit and fidelity as county treasurer.</p> + +<p>When, in the year 1871, Sarah Oliver died, her son Robert +inherited the claim whereon she first made a home for her family +and which, in this year, 1915, is one of the most beautiful, +fertile farm homes in the county and state.</p> + +<blockquote class="padtop"><p> +<span class="tdind">A DREAM-LAND COMPLETE</span><br /> +<br /> +Dreaming, I pictured a wonderful valley,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A home-making valley few known could compare;</span><br /> +When lo! from the bluffs to the north of Wood river<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I saw my dream-picture—my valley lies there.</span><br /> +<br /> +Miles long, east and west, stretch this wonderful valley:<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Broad fields of alfalfa, of corn, and of wheat;</span><br /> +'Mid orchards and groves the homes of its people;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The vale of Wood river, a dream-land complete.</span><br /> +<br /> +Nebraska, our mother, we love and adore thee;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Within thy fair borders our lot has been cast.</span><br /> +When done with life's labors and trials and pleasures,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Contented we'll rest in thy bosom at last.</span><br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p></blockquote> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>A PIONEER NEBRASKA TEACHER</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Isabel Roscoe</span></h3> + + +<p>In 1865, B. S. Roscoe, twenty-two years of age, returned to +his home in Huron county, Ohio, after two years' service in the +civil war. He assisted his father on the farm until 1867, when +he was visited by F. B. Barber, an army comrade, a homesteader +in northwestern Nebraska. His accounts of the new country +were so attractive that Mr. Roscoe, who had long desired a farm +of his own, decided to go west.</p> + +<p>He started in March, 1867, was delayed in Chicago by a snow +blockade, but arrived in Omaha in due time. On March 24, +1867, Mr. Roscoe went to Decatur via the stage route, stopping +for dinner at the Lippincott home, called the half-way house between +Omaha and Decatur. He was advised to remain in Decatur +for a day or two for the return of B. W. Everett from +Maple Creek, Iowa, but being told that Logan creek, where he +wished to settle, was only sixteen miles distant, he hired a horse +and started alone. The snow was deep with a crust on top but +not hard enough to bear the horse and rider. After going two +miles through the deep snow he returned to Decatur. On March +26 he started with Mr. Everett, who had a load of oats and two +dressed hogs on his sled, also two cows to drive. They took +turns riding and driving the cows. The trail was hard to follow +and when they reached the divide between Bell creek and +the Blackbird, the wind was high and snow falling. They missed +the road and the situation was serious. There was no house, +tree, or landmark nearer than Josiah Everett's, who lived near +the present site of Lyons, and was the only settler north of what +is now Oakland, where John Oak resided. They abandoned the +sled and each rode a horse, Mr. Everett trying to lead the way, +but the horse kept turning around, so at last he let the animal +have its way and they soon arrived at Josiah Everett's homestead +shanty, the cows following.</p> + +<p>The next day Mr. Roscoe located his homestead on the bank +of Logan creek. A couple of trappers had a dugout near by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> +which they had made by digging a hole ten feet square in the +side of the creek bank and covering the opening with brush and +grass. Their names were Asa Merritt and George Kirk.</p> + +<p>Mr. Roscoe then returned to Decatur and walked from there +to Omaha, where he filed on his claim April 1, 1867. The ice +on the Missouri river was breaking though drays and busses +were still crossing. Mr. Roscoe walked across the river to +Council Bluffs and then proceeded by train to Bartlett, Iowa, +intending to spend the summer near Brownville, Nebraska. In +August he returned to his homestead and erected a claim shanty. +The following winter was spent working in the woods at Tietown. +In the winter of 1869 fifty dollars was appropriated for +school purposes in Everett precinct and Mr. Roscoe taught +school for two months in his shanty and boarded around among +the patrons.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>EXPERIENCES OF A PIONEER WOMAN</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Elise G. Everett</span></h3> + + +<p>On December 31, 1866, in a bleak wind I crossed the Missouri +river on the ice, carrying a nine months' old baby, now Mrs. +Jas. Stiles, and my four and a half year old boy trudging along. +My husband's brother, Josiah Everett, carried three-year-old +Eleanor in one arm and drove the team and my husband was a +little in advance with his team and wagon containing all our +possessions. We drove to the town of Decatur, that place of +many hopes and ambitions as yet unfulfilled. We were entertained +by the Herrick family, who said we would probably remain +on Logan creek, our proposed home site, because we would +be too poor to move away.</p> + +<p>On January 7, 1867, in threatening weather, we started on the +last stage of our journey in quest of a home. Nestled deep in +the prairie hay and covered with blankets, the babies and I did +not suffer. The desolate, wind-swept prairie looked uninviting +but when we came to the Logan Valley, it was beautiful even in +that weather. The trees along the winding stream, the grove, +now known as Fritt's grove, gave a home-like look and I decided +I could be content in that valley.</p> + +<p>We lived with our brother until material for our shack could +be brought from Decatur or Onawa, Iowa. Five grown people +and seven children, ranging in ages from ten years down, lived +in that small shack for three months. That our friendship was +unimpaired is a lasting monument to our tact, politeness, and +good nature.</p> + +<p>The New Year snow was the forerunner of heavier ones, until +the twenty-mile trip to Decatur took a whole day, but finally +materials for the shack were on hand. The last trip extended +to Onawa and a sled of provisions and two patient cows were +brought over. In Decatur, B. S. Roscoe was waiting an opportunity +to get to the Logan and was invited to "jump on." It +was late, the load was heavy, and somewhere near Blackbird +creek the team stuck in the drifts. The cows were given their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> +liberty, the horses unhooked, and with some difficulty the half +frozen men managed to mount and the horses did the rest—the +cows keeping close to their heels; and so they arrived late in the +night. Coffee and a hot supper warmed the men sufficiently to +catch a few winks of sleep—on bedding on the floor. A breakfast +before light and they were off to rescue the load. The two +frozen and dressed porkers had not yet attracted the wolves, and +next day they crossed the Logan to the new house.</p> + +<p>A few days more and the snowdrifts were a mighty river. +B. W. was a sort of Crusoe, but as everything but the horses +and cows—and the trifling additional human stock—was +strewn around him, he suffered nothing but anxiety. Josiah +drove to Decatur, procured a boat, and with the aid of two or +three trappers who chanced to be here, we were all rowed over +the mile-wide sea, and were at home!</p> + +<p>Slowly the water subsided, and Nebraska had emerged from +her territorial obscurity (March 1, 1867) before it was possible +for teams to cross the bottom lands of the Logan.</p> + +<p>One Sunday morning I caught sight of two moving figures +emerging from the grove. The dread of Indian callers was ever +with me, but as they came nearer my spirits mounted to the +clouds—for I recognized my sister, Mrs. Andrew Everett, as +the rider, and her son Frank leading the pony. Their claim +had been located in March, but owing to the frequent and heavy +rains we were not looking for them so soon. The evening before +we had made out several covered wagons coming over the hills +from Decatur, but we were not aware that they had already arrived +at Josiah's. The wagons we had seen were those of E. R. +Libby, Chas. Morton, Southwell, and Clements.</p> + +<p>A boat had brought my sister and her son across the Logan—a +pony being allowed to swim the stream but the teams were +obliged to go eight miles south to Oakland, where John Oak and +two or three others had already settled, and who had thrown +a rough bridge across.</p> + +<p>Before fall the Andrew Everett house (no shack) was habitable—also +a number of other families had moved in on both +sides of the Logan, and it began to be a real neighborhood.</p> + +<p>One late afternoon I started out to make preparations for +the night, as Mr. Everett was absent for a few days. As I +opened the door two Indians stood on the step, one an elderly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +man, the other a much-bedecked young buck. I admitted them; +the elder seated himself and spoke a few friendly words, but the +smart young man began immediately to inspect the few furnishings +of the room. Though quaking inwardly, I said nothing +till he spied a revolver hanging in its leather case upon the wall +and was reaching for it. I got there first, and taking it from +the case I held it in my hands. At once his manner changed. +He protested that he was a <i>good</i> Indian, and only wanted to <i>see</i> +the gun, while the other immediately rose from his chair. In a +voice I never would have recognized as my own, I informed him +that it was time for him to <i>go</i>. The elder man at last escorted +him outside with me as rear guard. Fancy my feelings when +right at the door were ten or more husky fellows, who seemed +to propose entering, but by this time the desperate courage of +the arrant coward took possession of me, and I barred the way. +It was plain that the gun in my hand was a surprise, and the +earnest entreaties of my five-year-old boy "not to shoot them" +may also have given them pause. They said they were cold and +hungry; I assured them that I had neither room nor food for +them—little enough for my own babies. At last they all went +on to the house of our brother, Andrew Everett. I knew that +they were foraging for a large party which was encamped in the +grove. Soon they came back laden with supplies which they +had obtained, and now they insisted on coming in to <i>cook them</i>, +and the smell of spirits was so unmistakable that I could readily +see that Andrew had judged it best to get rid of them as soon +as possible, thinking that they would be back in camp by dark, +and the whiskey, which they had obtained between here and +Fremont, would have evaporated. But it only made them more +insistent in their demands and some were looking quite sullen. +At last a young fellow, <i>not</i> an Indian—for he had long dark +curls reaching to his shoulders—with a strategic smile asked in +good English for a "drink of water." Instead of leaving the +door, as he evidently calculated, I called to my little boy to bring +it. A giggle ran through the crowd at the expense of the strategist +but it was plain they were growing ugly. Now the older +Indian took the opportunity to make them an earnest talk, and +though it was against their wishes, he at last started them toward +the grove. After a while Frank Everett, my nephew, who +had come down to bolster up my courage, and the children went<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +to bed and to sleep, but no sleep for me; as the gray dawn was +showing in the east, a terrific pounding upon the door turned +my blood to ice. Again and again it came, and at last I tiptoed +to the door and stooped to look through the crack. A pair of +very slim ankles was all that was visible and as I rose to my +feet, the very sweetest music I had ever heard saluted me, the +neigh of my pet colt Bonnie, who had failed to receive her accustomed +drink of milk the previous evening and took this manner +of reminding me.</p> + +<p>This was the only time we were ever menaced with actual +danger, and many laughable false alarms at last cured me of my +fears of a people among whom I now have valued friends.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>RECOLLECTIONS OF WEEPING WATER, NEBRASKA</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By I. N. Hunter</span></h3> + + +<p>Mr. and Mrs. L. D. Hunter were pioneer settlers of Nebraska +and Weeping Water, coming from Illinois by team. Their first +settlement in the state was near West Point in Cuming county +where father staked out a claim in 1857. Things went well aside +from the usual hardships of pioneer life, such as being out of +flour and having to pound corn in an iron kettle with an iron +wedge to obtain corn meal for bread. When the bottom of the +kettle gave way as a result of the many thumpings of the wedge, +a new plan was devised—that of chopping a hole in a log and +making a crude wooden kettle which better stood the blows of the +wedge. This method of grinding corn was used until a trip +could be made with an ox team, to the nearest mill, forty miles +distant; a long and tedious trip always but much more so in this +particular instance because of the high water in the streams +which were not bridged in those days. These were small hardships +compared to what took place when the home was robbed +by Indians. These treacherous savages stripped the premises +of all the live stock, household and personal effects. Cattle and +chickens were killed and eaten and what could not be disposed +of in this way were wantonly destroyed and driven off. Clothing +and household goods were destroyed so that little was saved +except the clothing the members of the family had on. From +the two feather beds that were ripped open, mother succeeded +in gathering up enough feathers to make two pillows and these +I now have in my home. They are more than a half century +old. A friendly Indian had come in advance of the hostile band +and warned the little settlement of the approach of the Indians +with paint on their faces. His signs telling them to flee were +speedily obeyed and in all probability this was all that saved +many lives, as the six or seven families had to keep together and +travel all night to keep out of the reach of the Indians until the +people at Omaha could be notified and soldiers sent to the scene.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +On the arrival of the soldiers the Indians immediately hoisted +a white flag and insisted that they were "good Indians."</p> + +<p>As no one had been killed by the Indians, it was the desire of +the soldiers to merely make the Indians return the stolen property +and stock, but as much property was destroyed, the settlers +received very little. A number of the Indians were arrested +and tried for robbing the postoffice which was at our home. My +parents were the principal witnesses and after the Indians were +acquitted, it was feared they might take revenge, so they were +advised to leave the country.</p> + +<p>With an ox team and a few ragged articles of clothing they +started east. When he reached Rock Bluffs, one of the early +river towns of Cass county, father succeeded in obtaining work. +His wages were seventy-five cents a day with the privilege of +living in a small log cabin. There was practically no furniture +for the cabin, corn husks and the few quilts that had been given +them were placed on the floor in the corner to serve as a place +to sleep. Father worked until after Christmas time without +having a coat. At about this time, he was told to take his team +and make a trip into Iowa. Just as he was about to start, his +employer said to him: "Hunter, where's your coat?" The +reply was, "I haven't any." "Well, that won't do; you can't +make that trip without a coat; come with me to the store." +Father came out of the store with a new under coat and overcoat, +the first coat of any kind he had had since his home was +invaded by the red men.</p> + +<p>An explanation of the purpose of the trip into Iowa will be +of interest. The man father worked for was a flour and meat +freighter with a route to Denver, Colorado. In the winter he +would go over into Iowa, buy hogs and drive them across the +river on the ice, to Rock Bluffs, where they were slaughtered and +salted down in large freight wagons. In the spring, from eight +to ten yoke of oxen would be hitched to the wagon, and the meat, +and often times an accompanying cargo of flour, would be started +across the plains to attractive markets in Denver.</p> + +<p>Father made a number of these trips to Denver as ox driver.</p> + +<p>The writer was born at Rock Bluffs in 1860. We moved to +Weeping Water in 1862 when four or five dwellings and the little +old mill that stood near the falls, comprised what is now our +beautiful little city of over 1,000 population.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p> + +<p>During the early sixties, many bands of Indians numbering +from forty to seventy-five, visited Weeping Water. It was on +one of their visits that the writer made the best record he has +ever made, as a foot racer. The seven or eight year old boy of +today would not think of running from an Indian, but half a +century ago it was different. It was no fun in those days to +be out hunting cattle and run onto a band of Indians all sitting +around in a circle. In the morning the cattle were turned out +to roam about at will except when they attempted to molest a +field, and at night they were brought home if they could be +found. If not the search was continued the next day. Some one +was out hunting cattle all the time it seemed. With such a +system of letting cattle run at large, it was really the fields that +were herded and not the cattle. Several times a day some member +of the family would go out around the fields to see if any +cattle were molesting them. One of our neighbors owned two +Shepherd dogs which would stay with the cattle all day, and +take them home at night. It was very interesting to watch the +dogs drive the cattle. One would go ahead to keep the cattle +from turning into a field where there might be an opening in +the rail fence, while the other would bring up the rear. They +worked like two men would. But the family that had trained +dogs of this kind was the exception; in most cases it was the +boys that had to do the herding. It was on such a mission one +day that the writer watched from under cover of some bushes, +the passing of about seventy-five Indians all on horseback and +traveling single file. They were strung out a distance of almost +a mile. Of course they were supposed to be friendly, but there +were so many things that pointed to their tendency to be otherwise +at times, that we were not at all anxious to meet an Indian +no matter how many times he would repeat the characteristic +phrase, "Me good Injun." We were really afraid of them and +moreover the story was fresh in our minds of the murder of the +Hungate family in Colorado, Mrs. Hungate's parents being residents +of our vicinity at that time. Her sister, Mrs. P. S. Barnes, +now resides in Weeping Water.</p> + +<p>Thus it will be seen that many Indian experiences and incidents +have been woven into the early history of Weeping Water. +In conclusion to this article it might be fitting to give the Indian +legend which explains how the town received its name of Weep<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span>ing +Water. The poem was written by my son, Rev. A. V. Hunter, +of Boston, and is founded on the most popular of the Indian +legends that have been handed down.</p> + +<blockquote class="padtop"><p> +THE LEGEND OF WEEPING WATER<br /> +<br /> +Long before the white man wandered<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To these rich Nebraska lands,</span><br /> +Indians in their paint and feathers<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Roamed in savage warlike bands.</span><br /> +<br /> +They, the red men, feared no hardships;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Battles were their chief delights;</span><br /> +Victory was their great ambition<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In their awful bloody fights.</span><br /> +<br /> +Then one day the war cry sounded<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Over valley, hill and plain.</span><br /> +From the North came dusky warriors,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From that vast unknown domain.</span><br /> +<br /> +When the news had reached the valley<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That the foe was near at hand,</span><br /> +Every brave was stirred to action<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To defend his home, his land.</span><br /> +<br /> +To the hills they quickly hastened<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">There to wait the coming foe.</span><br /> +Each one ready for the conflict<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Each with arrow in his bow.</span><br /> +<br /> +Awful was the scene that followed,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Yells and warwhoops echoed shrill.</span><br /> +But at last as night descended<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Death had conquered; all was still.</span><br /> +<br /> +Then the women in the wigwams<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hearing rumors of the fight,</span><br /> +Bearing flaming, flickering torches<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Soon were wandering in the night.</span><br /> +<br /> +There they found the loved ones lying<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Calm in everlasting sleep.</span><br /> +Little wonder that the women,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Brokenhearted, all should weep.</span><br /> +<br /> +Hours and hours they kept on weeping,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'Til their tears began to flow</span><br /> +In many trickling streamlets<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To the valley down below.</span><br /> +<br /> +These together joined their forces<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To produce a larger stream</span><br /> +Which has ever since been flowing<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">As you see it in this scene.</span><br /> +<br /> +Indians christened it Nehawka<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Crying Water means the same.</span><br /> +In this way the legend tells us<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Weeping Water got its name.</span><br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span></p></blockquote> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>INCIDENTS AT PLATTSMOUTH</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Ella Pollock Minor</span></h3> + + +<p>Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Vallery were living in Glenwood, Iowa, +in 1855, when they decided to purchase a store from some Indians +in Plattsmouth. Mr. Vallery went over to transact the business, +and Mrs. Vallery was to follow in a few days. Upon her arrival +in Bethlehem, where she was to take the ferry, she learned +that the crossing was unsafe on account of ice floating in the +river. There were two young men there, who were very anxious +to get across and decided to risk the trip. They took a letter +to her husband telling of the trouble. The next day, accompanied +by these two young men, Mr. Vallery came over after +her in a rowboat, by taking a course farther north. The boat +was well loaded when they started on the return trip. Some of +the men had long poles, and by constantly pushing at the ice +they kept the boat from being crushed or overturned.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Vallery's oldest daughter was the third white child born +in the vicinity of Plattsmouth. And this incident happened +soon after her arrival in 1855. Mrs. Vallery had the baby in a +cradle and was preparing dinner when she heard a knock at the +door. Before she could reach it, an Indian had stepped in, and +seeing some meat on the table asked for it. She nodded for him +to take it, but he seemed to have misunderstood, and then asked +for a drink of water. While Mrs. Vallery was getting the +drink, he reached for the baby, but she was too quick for him +and succeeded in reaching the baby first. He then departed +without further trouble.</p> + +<p>At one time the Vallerys had a sick cow, and every evening +several Indians would come to find out how she was. She seemed +to get no better and still they watched that cow. In the course +of a week she died, evidently during the night, because the next +morning the first thing they heard was the Indians skinning the +cow, out by the shed, and planning a "big feed" for that night +down by the river.</p> + +<p>The late Mrs. Thomas Pollock used to tell us how the Indians<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> +came begging for things. Winnebago John, who came each +year, couldn't be satisfied very easily, so my grandmother found +an army coat of her brother's for him. He was perfectly delighted +and disappeared with it behind the wood pile, where +he remained for some time. The family wondered what he was +doing, so after he had slipped away, they went out and hunted +around for traces of what had kept him. They soon found the +clue; he had stuffed the coat in under the wood, and when they +pulled it out, they found it was minus all the brass buttons.</p> + +<p>Another time one of Mrs. Pollock's children, the late Mrs. +Lillian Parmele, decided to play Indian and frighten her two +brothers, who were going up on the hill to do some gardening. +She wrapped up in cloaks, blankets and everything she could +find to make herself look big and fierce, then went up and hid in +the hazel brush, where she knew they would have to pass. Pretty +soon she peeked out and there was a band of Indians coming. +Terrified, she ran down toward her home, dropping pieces of +clothing and blankets as she went. The Indians seeing them, +ran after her, each one anxious to pick up what she was dropping. +The child thinking it was she they were after, let all her +belongings go, so she could run the better and escape them. +After that escapade quite a number of things were missing about +the house, some of them being seen later at an Indian camp +near by.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>FIRST THINGS IN CLAY COUNTY</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Charles M. Brown</span></h3> + + +<p>The first settler of Clay county, Nebraska, was John B. Weston, +who located on the Little Blue, built a log hut in 1857 and +called the place Pawnee Ranch. It became a favorite stopping +place of St. Joe and Denver mail carriers.</p> + +<p>The first settler of Sutton was Luther French who came in +March, 1870, and homesteaded eighty acres. Mr. French surveyed +and laid out the original townsite which was named after +Sutton, Massachusetts. His dugout and log house was built on +the east bank of School creek, east of the park, and just south +of the Kansas City and Omaha railroad bridge. Traces of the +excavation are still visible. The house was lined with brick and +had a tunnel outlet near the creek bottom for use in case of an +Indian attack. Among his early callers were Miss Nellie Henderson +and Capt. Charles White who rode in from the West +Blue in pursuit of an antelope, which they captured.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Wils Cumming was the first white woman in Sutton. +She resided in the house now known as the Mrs. May Evans +(deceased) place. Part of this residence is the original Cumming +home.</p> + +<p>At this time the population of Sutton consisted of thirty-four +men and one woman. In the spring of 1871, F. M. Brown, who +was born in Illinois in 1840, came to Nebraska and settled on a +homestead in Clay county, four miles north of the present site +of Sutton. At that time Clay county was unorganized territory, +and the B. & M. railroad was being extended from Lincoln +west.</p> + +<p>September 11, 1871, Governor James issued a proclamation +for the election of officers and the organization of Clay county +fixing the date, October 14, 1871. The election was held at the +home of Alexander Campbell, two miles east of Harvard, and +fifty-four votes were cast. Sutton was chosen as the county-seat. +F. M. Brown was elected county clerk; A. K. Marsh, P.O. Norman, +and A. A. Corey were elected county commissioners. When<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> +it came to organizing and qualifying the officers, only one freeholder +could be found capable of signing official bonds and as +the law required two sureties, R. G. Brown bought a lot of +Luther French and was able to sign with Luther French as +surety on all official bonds. As the county had no money and +no assessments had been made all county business was done on +credit. There was no courthouse and county business was conducted +in the office of R. G. Brown, until February, 1873, when +a frame building to be used as a courthouse was completed at a +cost of $1,865. This was the first plastered building in the +county and was built by F. M. Brown.</p> + +<p>In May, 1873, a petition for an election to relocate the county +seat was filed, but the motion of Commissioner A. K. Marsh that +the petition be "tabled, rejected and stricken from the files" +ended the discussion temporarily. In 1879 the county-seat was +removed to Clay Center. Several buildings were erected during +the fall of 1873 and Sutton became the center of trade in the +territory between the Little Blue and the Platte rivers.</p> + +<p>Melvin Brothers opened the first store in 1873 south of the +railroad tracks, now South Sanders avenue. At that time it +was called "Scrabble Hill."</p> + +<p>In 1874 the town was incorporated and a village government +organized, with F. M. Brown as mayor.</p> + +<p>Luther French was the first postmaster.</p> + +<p>Thurlow Weed opened the first lumber yard.</p> + +<p>William Shirley built and run the first hotel.</p> + +<p>L. R. Grimes and J. B. Dinsmore opened the first bank.</p> + +<p>Pyle and Eaton built and operated the first elevator.</p> + +<p>Isaac N. Clark opened the first hardware store.</p> + +<p>Dr. Martin V. B. Clark, a graduate of an Ohio medical college, +was the first physician in the county and opened the first +drug store in Sutton. In 1873, during the first term of district +court, he was appointed one of the commissioners of insanity. +In 1877 he was elected coroner.</p> + +<p>The Odd Fellows hall was the first brick building erected.</p> + +<p>The Congregational church, built in 1875, was the first church +building in the county.</p> + +<p>William L. Weed taught the first school, beginning January +20, 1872, with an enrollment of fourteen scholars.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p> + +<p>In 1876 the Evangelical Association of North America sent +Rev. W. Schwerin to Sutton as a missionary.</p> + +<p>In the early seventies the Burlington railroad company built +and maintained an immigrant house on the corner south of the +present Cottage hotel. This was a long frame building of one +room with a cook stove in either end. Many of the immigrants +were dependent upon a few friends who were located on the +new land in the vicinity. Their food consisted largely of soup +made with flour and water; any vegetables they were able to +get were used. Meat was scarce with the immigrants. They +had considerable milk, mostly sour, brought in by their friends. +The immigrants remained here until they found work; most of +them moved on to farms. The house burned about 1880.</p> + +<p>In the early days Sutton was a lively business place with all +the features of a frontier town. Now it is a city enjoying the +comforts of modern improvements and refined society.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>REMINISCENCES OF CUSTER COUNTY</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Mrs. J. J. Douglas</span></h3> + + +<p>In July, 1888, I arrived at Broken Bow, which is situated +geographically about the center of the state. That village looked +strange to me with not a tree in sight excepting a few little +cuttings of cottonwood and box elder here and there upon a lawn. +After having lived all my life in a country where every home +was surrounded by groves and ornamental shade trees, it seemed +that I was in a desert.</p> + +<p>I had just completed a course of study in a normal school +prior to coming to Nebraska, and was worn out in mind and +body, so naturally my first consideration was the climatic condition +of the country and its corresponding effect upon the vegetation. +I wondered how the people stood the heat of the day but +soon discovered that a light gentle breeze was blowing nearly all +the time, so that the heat did not seem intense as it did at my +Iowa home.</p> + +<p>After I had been in Broken Bow about two weeks I was offered +a position in the mortgage loan office of Trefren and +Hewitt. The latter was the first county clerk of Custer county. +I held this position a few weeks, then resigned to take charge +of the Berwyn school at the request of Mr. Charles Randall, the +county superintendent. Berwyn was a village situated about +ten miles east of Broken Bow. It consisted of one general merchandise +store, a postoffice, depot, and a blacksmith shop. I +shall never forget my first impression on arriving at Berwyn +very early on that September morning. It was not daylight +when the train stopped at the little depot, and what a feeling of +loneliness crept over me as I watched that train speed on its +way behind the eastern hills! I found my way to the home +of J. O. Taylor (who was then living in the back end of his store +building) and informed him that I was the teacher who had +come to teach the school and asked him to direct me to my +boarding place. Being a member of the school board, Mr. Taylor +gave me the necessary information and then sent his hired<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> +man with a team and buggy to take me a mile farther east to +the home of Ben Talbot, where I was to stay.</p> + +<p>The Talbot home was a little sod house consisting of two small +rooms. On entering I found Mrs. Talbot preparing breakfast +for the family. I was given a cordial welcome, and after breakfast +started in company with Mrs. Talbot's little girl for the +schoolhouse. The sense of loneliness which had taken possession +of me on my way to this place began to be dispelled. I found +Mrs. Talbot to be a woman of kind heart and generous impulses. +She had two little girls, the older one being of school age. I +could see the schoolhouse up on the side of a hill. It was made +of sod and was about twelve by fifteen feet. The roof was of +brush and weeds, with some sod; but I could see the blue sky by +gazing up through the roof at almost any part of it. I looked +out upon the hills and down the valley and wondered where the +pupils were to come from, as I saw no houses and no evidence of +habitation anywhere excepting Mr. Talbot's home. But by nine +o'clock about twelve children had arrived from some place, I +knew not where.</p> + +<p>I found in that little, obscure schoolhouse some of the brightest +and best boys and girls it was ever my good fortune to meet. +There soon sprang up between us a bond of sympathy. I sympathized +with them in their almost total isolation from the +world, and they in turn sympathized with me in my loneliness +and homesickness.</p> + +<p>On opening my school that first morning, great was my surprise +to learn how well those children could sing. I had never +been in a school where there were so many sweet voices. My attention +was particularly directed to the voices of two little girls +as they seemed remarkable for children of their years. I often +recall one bright sunny evening after I had dismissed school and +stood watching the pupils starting out in various directions for +their homes, my attention was called to a path that led down +the valley through the tall grass. I heard singing and at once +recognized the voices of these two little girls. The song was a +favorite of mine and I could hear those sweet tones long after +the children were out of sight in the tall grass. I shall never +forget how charmingly sweet that music seemed to me.</p> + +<p>I soon loved every pupil in that school and felt a keen regret +when the time came for me to leave them. I have the tenderest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> +memory of my association with that district, though the school +equipment was meager and primitive. After finishing my work +there I returned to Broken Bow where I soon accepted a position +in the office of J. J. Douglass, clerk of the district court. +Mr. Douglass was one of the organizers of Custer county and +was chosen the first clerk of the court, which position he held +for four years. I began my work in this office on November 16, +1888, and held the position till the close of his term.</p> + +<p>During this time many noted criminal cases were tried in +court, Judge Francis G. Hamer of Kearney being the judge. +One case in which I was especially interested was the DeMerritt +case, in which I listened to the testimony of several of my pupils +from the Berwyn district. Another far-famed case was the +Haunstine case, in which Albert Haunstine received a death sentence. +To hear a judge pronounce a death sentence is certainly +the most solemn thing one can imagine. Perhaps the most trying +ordeal I ever experienced was the day of the execution of +Haunstine. It so happened that the scaffold was erected just +beneath one of the windows of our office on the south side of the +courthouse. As the nails were being driven into that structure +how I shuddered as I thought that a human being was to be +suspended from that great beam. Early in the morning on the +day of the execution people from miles away began to arrive to +witness the cruelest event that ever marred the fair name of our +beloved state. Early in the day, in company with several others, +I visited the cell of the condemned man. He was busy distributing +little souvenirs he had made from wood to friends and +members of his family. He was pale but calm and self-composed. +My heart ached and my soul was stirred to its very +depth in sympathy for a fellow being and yet I was utterly +helpless so far as extending any aid or consolation. The thought +recurred to me so often, why is it men are so cruel to each +other—wolfish in nature, seeking to destroy their own kind? +And now the thought still comes to me, will the day ever dawn +when there will be no law in Nebraska permitting men to cruelly +take the life of each other to avenge a wrong? I trust that the +fair name of Nebraska may never be blotted again by another +so-called <i>legal</i> execution.</p> + +<p>It was during the time I was in that office the first commencement +of the Broken Bow high school was held, the class consist<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span>ing +of two graduates, a boy and a girl. The boy is now Dr. +Willis Talbot, a physician of Broken Bow, and the girl, who was +Stella Brown, is now the wife of W. W. Waters, mayor of +Broken Bow.</p> + +<p>We moved our office into the new courthouse in January, +1890. Soon after we saw the completion of the mammoth building +extending the entire length of the block on the south side of +the public square called the Realty block. The Ansley Cornet +band was the first band to serenade us in the new courthouse.</p> + +<p>Mr. Douglass completed his term of office as clerk of the district +court on January 7, 1892, and two weeks later we were +married and went for a visit to my old home in Iowa. Soon +after returning to Broken Bow we moved to Callaway. I shall +never forget my first view of the little city of which I had heard +so much, the "Queen City of the Seven Valleys." After moving +to Callaway I again taught school and had begun on my +second year's work when I resigned to accept a position in the +office of the state land commissioner, H. C. Russell, at Lincoln, +where I remained for two years. During the time I was in that +office Mr. Douglass was appointed postmaster at Callaway, so I +resigned my work in Lincoln and returned home to work in the +postoffice. We were in this office for seven years, after which +I accepted a position in the Seven Valleys bank. After a year +I again took up school work and have been engaged in that ever +since. We have continued to reside at Callaway all these years +and have learned to love the rugged hills and glorious sunshine. +The winds continue to blow and the sands beat upon our pathway, +but we would not exchange our little cottage in the grove +for a palace in the far East.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>AN EXPERIENCE</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Harmon Bross</span></h3> + + +<p>An experience through which I passed in northwestern Nebraska +in the early days comes to my mind very frequently.</p> + +<p>When the railroad first went through that region to Chadron, +Mr. Bross was general missionary for the Northwest, including +central Wyoming and the Black Hills country.</p> + +<p>When we first visited Chadron it was a town of white tents, +and we occupied a tent for several days. Then the tent was +needed for other purposes and Mr. Bross suggested that we find +lodging in a building in process of erection for a hotel. The +frame was up and enclosed, the floors laid, but no stairs and no +division into rooms. The proprietor said we could have a bed +in the upper room, where there were fifty beds side by side. He +would put a curtain around the bed. As that was the only thing +to do, we accepted the situation and later I climbed a ladder to +the upper floor.</p> + +<p>The bed in one corner was enclosed with a calico curtain just +the size of the bed. I climbed on, and prepared the baby boy +and myself for sleep. As I was the only woman in the room, +and every bed was occupied before morning by two men, the +situation was somewhat unique. However, I was soon asleep.</p> + +<p>About three o'clock I was awakened by the stealthy footsteps +of two men on the ladder. They came to the bed at the foot of +the one we occupied, and after settling themselves to their satisfaction +began discussing the incidents of the night. As they +were gamblers, the conversation was a trifle strange to a woman.</p> + +<p>Soon in the darkness below and close to the side of the building +where we were, rang out several pistol shots with startling +distinctness.</p> + +<p>One man remarked, in a calm, impersonal tone, "I prefer to +be on the ground floor when the shots fly around like that." +The remark was not especially reassuring for a mother with a +sleeping baby by her side.</p> + +<p>As no one in the room seemed to be disturbed, and as the +tumult below soon died away, I again slept, and awakened in the +morning none the worse for the experience of the night.</p> + +<div class="figcenter padbase" style="width: 483px;"> +<img src="images/illus_006.jpg" width="483" height="600" alt="Mrs. Andrew K. Gault + +Third Vice-President General from Nebraska, National Society, Daughters +of the American Revolution. Elected 1913" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Mrs. Andrew K. Gault + +Third Vice-President General from Nebraska, National Society, Daughters +of the American Revolution. Elected 1913</span> +</div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>LEGEND OF CROW BUTTE</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Dr. Anna Robinson Cross</span></h3> + + +<p>The early history of Crawford and its environment is replete +with tales of Indian scares; the pioneer settlers banding themselves +together and arming for protection against possible Indian +raids, all presenting lurid material for the most exciting +stories, if one could gather the accurate data.</p> + +<p>The legend of Crow Butte is one of the most thrilling, and at +the same time the most important, of the many tales told by the +old settlers around the winter fireside.</p> + +<p>In the early history of the Sioux and Crow Indians, much +strife and ill-feeling was engendered between the two tribes by +the stealing of horses. As no satisfactory settlement could be +arranged between them, it was declared, after a solemn pow-wow, +that a decisive battle should be fought, and the field for +the said conflict was chosen on the land east of the present site +of Crawford. The final stand was taken on one of the peculiar +clay formations known as buttes, found in northwestern Nebraska. +These eminences, dividing this section of the country +into valleys and ridges of hills, add very much to the beauty of +the landscape, by their seeming likeness to a succession of battlements +and old castles.</p> + +<p>This particular butte, standing like a sentinel about five miles +east of Crawford, rises to a height of nearly three hundred feet +on the east side, and is possible of ascent by gradual elevation +on the west side. It appears to stand distinct and alone, forming +a landmark on the horizon that has guided many a settler +and traveler to home and safety. The writer is one of the number +of travelers who, from bitter experiences in long winter +drives over the prairie, has learned to appreciate the landmark +of the old Crow Butte.</p> + +<p>The Sioux, having driven the Crows to the top of this butte, +thought, by guarding the path, they could quickly conquer by +starving them out. Under cover of night the Crows decided, +after due deliberation, that the warriors could escape, if the old<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> +men of the tribe would remain and keep up a constant singing. +This was done. The young and able-bodied men, making ropes +of their blankets, were let down the steep side of the butte, while +the poor old men kept up a constant wailing for days, until +death, from lack of food and exhaustion, had stilled their voices. +As the singing gradually ceased, the Sioux, while watching, saw +white clouds passing over the butte, having the appearance of +large, white birds with outstretched wings, on which they carried +the old men to the "Happy Hunting Grounds." The +Sioux, awed by the illusion, believed it an omen of peace and +declared that forever after there should be no more wars between +the Crows and the Sioux.</p> + +<p>Through Capt. James H. Cook, an early settler and pioneer +of this section, who has served as scout and interpreter for the +Indians for years, I have learned that it was near this Crow +Butte that the last great treaty was made with the Indians, in +which the whole of the Black Hills country was disposed of to +the white people. According to his statement, the affair came +very nearly ending in a battle in which many lives might have +been lost. The bravery and quick action of a few men turned +the tide in favor of the white people.</p> + +<p>The following original poem by Pearl Shepherd Moses is quite +appropriate in this connection:</p> + +<blockquote class="padtop"><p> +<span class="tdind">TO CROW HEART BUTTE</span><br /> +<br /> +Oh, lofty Crow Heart Butte, uprising toward the sun,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">What is your message to the world below?</span><br /> +Or do you wait in silence, race outrun,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The march of ages in their onward flow?</span><br /> +<br /> +Ye are so vast, so great, and yet so still,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That but a speck I seem in nature's plan;</span><br /> +Or but a drop without a way or will<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In this mad rush miscalled the race of man.</span><br /> +<br /> +In nature's poems you a period stand<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Among her lessons we can never read;</span><br /> +But with high impulse and good motive found,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">You help us toward the brave and kindly deed.</span><br /> +<br /> +The winds and sunshine, dawns and throbbing star,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Yield you their message from the ether clear,</span><br /> +While moonlight crowns your brow so calm and fair<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With homage kingly as their greatest peer.</span><br /> +<br /> +A longing fills me as I nightly gaze;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Would I could break your spell of silence vast;</span><br /> +But centuries and years and months and days<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Must add themselves again unto the past.</span><br /> +<br /> +And I can only wish that I were as true,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Always found faithful and as firmly stand</span><br /> +For right as you since you were young and new,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A wondrous product from a mighty hand.</span><br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span></p></blockquote> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>LIFE ON THE FRONTIER</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By James Ayres</span></h3> + + +<p class="center"><i>Prairie Covered with Indians</i></p> + +<p>In July, 1867, a freight train left the old Plum Creek station +late one night for the west. As the company was alarmed for +the safety of the trains, Pat Delahunty, the section boss, sent out +three men on a hand-car over his section in advance of this train. +They had gone about three miles to the bend west of the station +when they were attacked by Indians. This was at a point nearly +north of the John Jacobson claim. There are still on the south +side of the track some brickbats near the culvert. This is the +place where the Indians built a fire on the south side of the +track and took a position on the north side. When the hand-car +came along, they fired upon it. They killed one man and +wounded another, a cockney from London, England, and thinking +him dead took his scalp. He flinched. They stuck a knife +in his neck but even that did not kill him. He recovered consciousness +and crawled into the high weeds. The freight came +and fell into the trap. While the Indians were breaking into +the cars of the wrecked freight, the Englishman made his escape, +creeping a mile to the north. As soon as morning came, Patrick +Delahunty with his men took a hand-car and went to investigate. +Before they had gone half a mile they could see the Indians all +around the wreck. Each one had a pony. They had found a lot +of calico in one car and each Indian had taken a bolt and had +broken one end loose and was unfolding it as he rode over the +prairie. Yelling, they rode back and forth in front of one another +with calico flying, like a Maypole dance gone mad. When +they saw the section men with guns, they broke for the Platte +river and crossed it due south of where Martin Peterson's house +now stands. The section men kept shooting at them but got no +game. They found that a squaw-man had probably had a hand +in the wrecking of the train for the rails had been pried up just +beyond the fire. The smoke blinded the engineer and he ran +into the rails which were standing as high as the front of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> +boiler. The engineer and the fireman were killed. The engine +ran off the track, but the cars remained on the rails. The Indians +opened every car and set fire to two or three of the front +ones. One car was loaded with brick. The writer got a load of +these brick in 1872 and built a blacksmith forge. Among the +bricks were found pocket knives, cutlery, and a Colt's revolver.</p> + +<p>The man who had been scalped came across the prairie toward +the section men. They thought he was an Indian. His shirt +was gone and his skin was covered with dried blood. They were +about to shoot when Delahunty said, "Stop, boys," for the man +had his hands above his head. They let him come nearer and +when he was a hundred yards away Delahunty said, "By gobs, +it's Cockney!" They took him to the section house and cared +for him. He told them these details. After this event he +worked for the Union Pacific railroad at Omaha. Then he went +back to England. The railroad had just been built and there +was only one train a day.</p> + + +<p class="center"><i>Wild Turkeys and Wild Cats</i></p> + +<p>Tom Mahum was the boss herder for Ewing of Texas and had +brought his herd up that summer and had his cattle on Dilworth's +islands until he could ship them to Chicago. He bantered +me for a turkey hunt, and we went on horseback up Plum +creek. He was a good shot and we knew we would get game of +some kind. We followed the creek five miles, when we scared +up a flock of turkeys. They were of the bronze kind, large and +heavy. We got three, and as we did not find any more, we took +the tableland for the Platte. As we came down a pocket we ran +into a nest of wildcats. There were four of them. One cat +jumped at a turkey that was tied to Tom's saddle. That scared +his horse so that it nearly unseated him, but he took his pistol +and killed the cat. I was afraid they would jump at me. They +growled and spit, and I edged away until I could shoot from my +pony, and when twenty-five yards away I slipped in two cartridges +and shot two of the cats. The fourth one got away and +we were glad to let it go. We took the three cats to town, +skinned them, and sold the pelts to Peddler Charley for one dollar. +Tom talked about that hunt when I met him in Oregon a +few years ago.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="center"><i>A Scare</i></p> + +<p>On another occasion, Perley Wilson and I took a hunt on the +big island south of the river where there were some buffalo. +The snow was about eight inches deep and we crossed the main +stream on the ice. Before we got over, I saw a moccasin track +and showed it to Wilson. He said we had better get out. "No," +said I, "let us trail it and find where it goes." It took us into +a very brushy island. Wilson would go no further, but I took +my shotgun, cocked both barrels, and went on but with caution +for fear the Indian would see me first. I got just half way in, +and I heard a "Ugh!" right behind me. The hair on my head +went straight up. I was scared, but I managed to gasp, "Sioux?" +"No, Pawnee. Heap good Indian." Then he laughed and I +breathed again. I asked, "What are you doing here?" "Cooking +beaver," he replied, and led the way to his fire. He had a +beaver skinned hanging on a plum tree and he had a tin can +over the fire, boiling the tail. I returned to Wilson and told him +about it. He said, "It is no use to try to sneak up on an Indian +in the brush, for he always sees you first." I could have shot +the Indian, as he only had a revolver, but that would have been +cowardly as he had the first drop on me and could have had my +scalp. We got home with no game that day.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>PLUM CREEK (LEXINGTON), NEBRASKA</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Wm. M. Bancroft</span>, M.D.</h3> + + +<p>On April 5, 1873, I arrived at Plum Creek, now Lexington, +with what was called the second colony from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. +Captain F. J. Pearson, who was in charge, later became +editor of the <i>Pioneer</i>. Judge Robert B. Pierce and the +Tucker family were also with this colony. On our arrival the +only town we found was a mile east of the present site of Lexington. +It consisted of a section house, a small shanty called +the Johnson restaurant, one story and a half log house run by +Daniel Freeman as a general store, and a stockade built of ties +used as a place of safety for the horses and cows. The upper +story of the Freeman building was occupied by the Johnson +family, who partitioned it off with blankets to accommodate the +immigrants, and the only lights we could depend on were candle +dips from the Freeman store at twenty-five cents each. At this +time bread sold at twenty-five cents per loaf.</p> + +<p>There was also an immigrant house 20 by 40 feet located on the +north side of the railroad nearly opposite the other buildings +referred to. This house was divided into rooms 6 by 8 feet +square with a hall between. The front room was used as Dawson +county's first office by John H. MacColl, then county clerk. +There was also a coal shed and a water tank on the south side +of the track. The depot was a mile west on a railroad section +where the town was finally built.</p> + +<p>The reason for the change of townsite was a fight by Freeman +against the Union Pacific company. Freeman owned the +quarter section of government land, on which the buildings referred +to were located.</p> + +<p>The first house in Plum Creek was built by Robert Pierce, +whose family got permission to live in a freight car on the side-track +while the house was being built. While in the freight car +the family was attacked by measles. In order to gain entrance +to this temporary residence a step-ladder had to be used, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +in visiting the family while in the car, I would find them first at +one end of the switch and next at the other, and would have to +transfer the ladder each time. Later on Robert Pierce was +elected probate judge and served until by reason of his age he +retired.</p> + +<p>Tudor Tucker built the first frame house on Buffalo creek +five miles northeast of town. The first store building in Plum +Creek was built by Mr. Betz. The first hotel was built by E. D. +Johnson, who deserves much credit for his work in building up +Dawson county. In 1873 the population numbered about 175. +The old townsite was soon abandoned and the town of Plum +Creek on its present site became a reality.</p> + +<p>The completion of the Platte river bridge was celebrated +July 4, 1873, by a big demonstration. It then became necessary +to get the trade from the Republican Valley, Plum Creek being +the nearest trading point for that locality. Since there were +no roads from the south, a route had to be laid out. With this +object in view, Judge Pierce, E. D. Johnson, Elleck Johnson, +and I constituted ourselves a committee to do the work. We +started across the country and laid up sod piles every mile, until +we reached the Arapahoe, 48 miles southwest. Coming back we +shortened up the curves. This was the first road from the south +into Plum Creek, and we derived a great amount of trade from +this territory. It was no uncommon thing for the Erwin & +Powers Company, conducting a general store at this time, to +take in from one thousand to twelve hundred dollars on Saturdays.</p> + +<p>The first church and Sunday school was organized Sunday, +April 13, 1873, three and one-half miles north of town at the +farm of Widow Mullen. Those present, including myself, were: +Mrs. Mullen and family, Captain John S. Stuckey, afterwards +treasurer of Dawson county, Joseph Stuckey, Samuel Clay +Stuckey and wife, Edgar Mellenger, and one negro servant. +Joseph Stuckey was appointed leader, James Tipton, superintendent +of the Sunday school, and I took charge of the music. +The first regular sermon was preached by a Mr. Wilson who +came to Overton to live on a homestead. He consented to preach +for us until we could fill his place by an appointment at general +conference. We held the first regular service both of the church +and the Sunday school in the old frame schoolhouse located in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> +the east ward. We also held revivals in the Hill hall where +Smith's opera house now stands.</p> + +<p>On this Sunday afternoon about five o'clock the great April +storm started with blizzard from the northwest. It was impossible +for any of us to get away until Tuesday afternoon. On +Monday night Captain Stuckey, Doc Mellenger, and I had to +take the one bed. During the night the bed broke down and +we lay until morning huddled together to keep from freezing. +Mellenger and I left Tuesday afternoon, when the storm abated, +and started back toward the old town. The storm again caught +us and drifted us to Doc's old doby two and one-half miles north +of the townsite. By this time the snow had drifted from four +to five feet in depth. The horses took us to the dugout stable in +which we put them. Then we had to dig our way to the doby +where we remained from Tuesday evening until Thursday morning. +We had nothing to eat during that time but a few hard +biscuits, a little bacon, and three frozen chickens, and nothing +but melted snow to drink. The bedstead was a home-made affair +built of pine boards. This we cut up and used for fuel and +slept on the dirt floor. The storm was so terrific that it was impossible +to get to the well, fifteen feet from the doby. We became +so thirsty from the snow water that Doc thought he would +try to get to the well. He took a rope and pistol, tied the rope +around his waist and started for the well. His instructions +were that if I heard the pistol I was to pull him in. After a +very short time the pistol report came and I pulled and pulled +and Doc came tumbling in without pistol or bucket. It was so +cold he had nearly frozen his hands. Thursday was clear and +beautiful. One of the persons from Mullen's, having gone to +town, reported that we had left there Tuesday afternoon. On +account of this report a searching party was sent out to look +for us.</p> + +<p>Another item of interest was the Pawnee and Sioux massacre +on August 5, 1873. It was the custom of the Pawnees, who were +friendly and were located on a reservation near Columbus, +Nebraska, to go on a fall hunt for buffalo meat for their winter +use. The Sioux, who were on the Pine Bluff reservation, had +an old grudge against the Pawnees and knew when this hunt +took place. The Pawnees made Plum Creek their starting point +across the country southwest to the head of the Frenchman<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> +river. They camped about ten miles northwest of Culbertson, +a town on the B. & M. railroad. The camp was in the head of a +pocket which led from a tableland to the Republican river. +The Sioux drove a herd of buffalo on the Pawnees while the latter +were in camp. Not suspecting danger the Pawnees began +to kill the buffalo, when the Sioux came up, taking them by surprise. +The Pawnees, being outnumbered, fled down the cañon. +The Sioux followed on either bank and cross-fired them, killing +and wounding about a hundred. I was sent by the government +with Mr. Longshore, the Indian agent of Columbus, and two +guides to the scene of the massacre, which was about one hundred +and forty miles southwest of Plum Creek, for the purpose +of looking after the wounded who might have been left behind. +We made this trip on horseback. The agent had the dead +buried and we followed up the wounded. We found twenty-two +at Arapahoe and ten or fifteen had left and started on the old +Fort Kearny trail. We brought the twenty-two wounded to +Plum Creek, attended to their wounds and then shipped them in +a box car to the reservation at Columbus.</p> + +<p>My first trip to Wood river valley twenty miles north, was to +attend James B. Mallott, one of the first settlers. They were +afraid to let me go without a guard but I had no fear of the Indians, +so they gave me a belt of cartridges and a Colt's revolver. +Finally MacColl, the county clerk, handed me a needle gun and +commanded me to get back before dark. I started on horseback +with this arsenal for Wood river and made the visit, but on my +return I stopped to let the horse rest and eat bluestem. Soon the +horse became frightened and began to paw and snort. On looking +back toward the divide, I saw three Indians on horseback were +heading my way. We were not long in getting started. I beat +them by a mile to the valley, arriving safely at Tucker's farm on +Buffalo creek. The Indians did not follow but rode along the +foothills to the west. A party of four or five from Tucker's was +not long in giving chase, but the Indians had disappeared in the +hills. A little later, Anton Abel, who lived a mile north of town, +came in on the run and stated that a file of eight or ten Indians, +with scalp sticks waving, were headed south a half mile west of +town. A number mounted their horses and gave chase to the river +where the Indians crossed and were lost sight of. We never +suffered much loss or injury from the Indians. Many scares were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> +reported, but like the buffalo after 1874-75, they were a thing of +the past in our county.</p> + +<p>My practice for the first ten or twelve years among the sick +and injured, covered a field almost unlimited. I was called as +far north as Broken Bow in the Loup valley, fifty miles, east +to Elm Creek, Buffalo county, twenty miles, west to Brady +Island, Lincoln county, thirty-five miles, and south to the Republican +river. Most of the time there were no roads or bridges. +The valley of the Platte in Dawson county is now the garden +spot of the state. As stated before the settlement of 1872 was +on the extreme edge of the frontier. Now we have no frontier. +It is progressive civilization from coast to coast. I have practiced +my profession for over forty years continuously in this +state, and am still in active practice. I have an abiding faith +that I shall yet finish up with an airship in which to visit my +patients.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>EARLY RECOLLECTIONS</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By C. Chabot</span></h3> + + +<p>After repeated invitations from my old boyhood companion, +Dr. Bancroft, to visit him in his new home in western Nebraska, +I left Philadelphia and arrived in Omaha the early part of +April, 1878. Omaha at that time did not impress me very +favorably. After buying my ticket to Plum Creek (in those +days you could only buy a ticket to Omaha) the next thing in +order was to get in line and have my trunk checked, and witness +baggage "smashers" demolish a few trunks, then coolly offer to +rope them at twenty-five cents each. Our train left at 11 a. m. +and arrived in Plum Creek at 11 p. m., good time for those days. +The train left with all seats occupied and some passengers standing. +Everybody was eager to see the great prairie country. +We expected to see Indians and buffalo, but only a few jack +rabbits appeared, which created quite a laugh, as it was the +first time any of us had ever seen one run. After we had traveled +about twenty miles, "U. P. Sam," as he called himself, came +into our car and treated us to a song of his own composition. In +his song he related all the wonders of the great Union Pacific +railroad and the country between Omaha and Ogden. I saw +him two years later in Dawson county, playing the violin at a +country dance, and singing songs about different persons at the +gathering. All you had to do was to give him a few points as +to a man's disposition and habits with a few dimes and he would +have the whole company laughing.</p> + +<p>We stopped at Grand Island for supper, and in due time arrived +in Plum Creek. Dr. Bancroft was waiting for me and +after being introduced to many of his western friends, we retired +for the night. Next morning feeling the necessity of visiting a +barber shop, I asked the doctor if there was a barber shop in +town. Judging from the accommodations at the hotel I had +my doubts. "We have a good barber in town," he replied, +"but I will go with you." On arriving at the corner of what +is now Main and Depot streets we entered a building which I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> +discovered to be a saloon. I protested, but before I had had +time to say much, the doctor asked the barkeeper where Ed. +(the barber) was. "Why, he has gone south of the river to +plaster a house," was the reply. Then I thought "what kind +of a country have I come to, barber and plasterer the same person." +Then my mind wandered back to the far East where I +saw a comfortable bath room, and I thought "What can the doctor +see in this country to deny himself all the comforts of home?" +Before I had time to recover from my reveries, I was surrounded +by cowboys who insisted that I drink with them. I protested +and if it had not been for Dr. Bancroft I suppose they would +have made me dance to the music of their six shooters or drink, +but as I was a friend of "Little Doc" (as they called him) that +was sufficient and the tenderfoot was allowed to leave. Then +and only then I saw in the northwest corner of the room the +barber's chair.</p> + +<p>I accompanied Dr. Bancroft on many drives over the country +going as far north as the Loup and Dismal rivers. We went +several times south to Arapahoe; in fact it was but a short time +before I was acquainted with most all the settlers in Dawson and +adjacent counties. The population at that time was hardly +2,000 in Dawson county. In a very short time I began to feel +more at home. The hospitality of the people was something I +had never dreamed of; the climate and good fresh air so invigorating +that I soon adjusted myself to surrounding conditions, +and before I had been here a month I decided to cast my +lot with the rest of the new settlers and became one of them.</p> + +<p>While I have had many ups and downs I cannot say that I +regret having done so. When I look back and think of the +many friends I made in the early days and how we stood hand +in hand in our adversities as well as in our good fortunes, I +cannot help feeling that we are more than friends and belong +to one big family.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>RECOLLECTIONS OF THE FIRST SETTLER OF DAWSON COUNTY</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Daniel Freeman</span></h3> + + +<p>I came from Canada to Leavenworth, Kansas. Mr. Freeman +was a freighter to Pike's Peak, but was not always successful. +He spent $4,000 on one train and came back with only a team +of oxen and a team of ponies. The next spring, 1862, I bought +a stage-coach and using the pony team, I took my three children, +the youngest only two months old, and drove all the way to +Nebraska. My husband was there and had started a little store +just across from the pony express station on Plum creek. He +bought buffalo hides of the Indians and shipped them east. The +buffalo were in easy reach and we had fresh meat every day. +We had a big sign with the word "Bakery" on it. I baked a +hundred pounds of flour every day. I would make yeast bread +over night and bake it in the forenoon, and make salt-rising in +the morning and bake it in the afternoon. We got St. Louis +flour that the freighters brought from Denver when they came +back. I sold my bread for fifty cents a loaf and made as much +as thirty dollars a day. I made cheese, too. We had seventy-five +head of cows and milked twenty-five. We would take a +young calf and let it fill its stomach with its mother's milk, then +kill it. Then we took the stomach and washed and wiped it and +hung it up on a nail to dry. When it was perfectly dry we +would put it away carefully in a cloth and used it for rennet to +make the cheese. I would put a little piece of it in new milk +and it would form a solid curd. My husband made me a press +and a mold. I got twenty-five cents a pound for my cheese, +and sold lots of it. I got up fine meals and charged two dollars +a meal. The people were glad to pay it. There was plenty of +firewood. The trees drifted down the river and we piled the +wood up on the islands, but after the settlers came they would +steal it. There was no need of anybody going hungry those +days, for anyone could kill a buffalo. One day a herd of thirty +came within ten feet of our door, and our cows went away with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> +them. The children and I walked three miles before we came +up to the cows and could get them back home. We were near the +river and it was not far down to water. We dug holes in the +ground and sunk five salt barrels. The water came up in these +and we always had plenty of water. Sometimes we dipped the +barrels dry, but they would be full the next morning. There +wasn't a pump in the country for years.</p> + +<p>The people who kept the Pony Express station were named +Humphries. These stations were about fifty miles apart. There +would be lots of people at the station every night, for after the +Indians became troublesome, the people went in trains of about +a hundred wagons. There were many six oxen teams. The +Indians never troubled anybody until the whites killed so many +buffalo and wasted so much. There were carcasses all over the +prairies. The Indians used every part, and they knew this great +slaughter of the buffalo meant starvation for them, so they went +on the warpath in self-defense. They would skulk on the river +bank where the trail came close, and would rush up and attack +the travelers. The soldiers were sent out as escorts and their +families often went with them. One night at Plum Creek Pony +Express station twin babies were born to the lieutenant and wife. +I went over in the morning to see if I could help them, but they +were all cared for by the lieutenant. He had washed the babies +and had the tent in order. I do not remember his name now. +We often saw tiny babies with their mothers lying in the wagons +that came by. They would be wrapped up, and looked very +comfortable. Water was so scarce that they had to pay for +enough to wash the babies.</p> + +<p>Brigham Young made trip after trip with foreign people of +all kinds but blacks. Most of these could not speak English, +and I don't think Brigham bought any water for them, as they +were filthy dirty. Brigham was a great big fat man, and he +kept himself pretty neat. He made just about one trip a year. +One company of these immigrants was walking through, and +the train was a couple of miles long. They went south of the +river on the Oregon trail. There was no other road then.</p> + +<p>On August 8, 1864, the Sioux people killed eleven men at +11:00 o'clock in the morning, on Elm creek. I was afraid to +stay on our ranch, so I took the children and started to Fort +Kearny. On the way we came to the place of the massacre.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> +The dead men were lying side by side in a long trench, their +faces were covered with blood and their boots were on. Three +women were taken prisoners. I heard that there were two +children in the party, and that they were thrown in the grass, +but I looked all around for them and didn't find any signs of +them. Friends of these people wrote to Mr. E. M. F. Leflang, to +know if he could locate them. The Indians never troubled us +except to take one team during this war, but I was always afraid +when I saw the soldiers coming. They would come in the store +and help themselves to tobacco, cookies, or anything. Then the +teamsters would swing their long black-snake whips and bring +them down across my chicken's heads, then pick them up and +carry them to camp. I think the officers were the most to blame, +for they sold the soldiers' rations, and the men were hungry.</p> + +<p>When the Union Pacific railroad was first built we lived on +our homestead north of the river and the town was started on +our land. We had the contract to supply the wood for the engines. +They didn't use any other fuel then. We hired men to +cut the wood on Wood river where Eddyville and Sumner are +now. I boarded the men in our new big house across from the +depot in old Plum Creek. The store was below and there was +an outside stairway for the men to go up. That summer Mr. +Freeman was in Washington, Philadelphia, and New York talking +up this country. Mr. Freeman was the first county clerk +and his office was upstairs over the store. We rented some of +the rooms to newcomers. We did a big business until the railroad +moved the town to their section, a mile west. Mr. Freeman +kept on trapping, and finally was drowned near Deadwood, South +Dakota. I stayed by Dawson county and raised my family and +they all are settled near me and have good homes.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>EARLY DAYS IN DAWSON COUNTY</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Lucy R. Hewitt</span></h3> + + +<p>Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Hewitt, in June, 1873, journeyed +from Forreston, Illinois, to Plum Creek, Nebraska. Their object +was to take advantage of the offer the government was making +to civil war soldiers, whereby each soldier could obtain +one hundred and sixty acres of land. They stopped at Grand +Island and Kearney, but at neither place could they find two +adjoining quarter sections, not yet filed on. They wanted two, +for my grandfather, Rockwood, who lived with us was also a +soldier. At Plum Creek, now Lexington, they were able to +obtain what they wanted but it was six miles northwest of the +station.</p> + +<p>Plum Creek at that early date consisted of the depot. The +town was a mile east and when my parents arrived at Plum +Creek, they were obliged to walk back to the town, in order to +find lodging for the night. Rooms seem to have been scarce for +they had to share theirs with another man and his wife. They +found a place to eat in the restaurant owned by Mr. and Mrs. +E. D. Johnson.</p> + +<p>In August of the same year, they made a second trip to Nebraska, +this time with wagon and carriage, bringing with others +a carpenter who built their house upon the dividing line of the +two homesteads. This house had the distinction of being the +first two-story house in the neighborhood. All the others were +one-story, because the settlers feared the high winds that occasionally +swept over the prairies. For a few months it was the +farthest away from town.</p> + +<p>In the three months between the two trips the town had moved +to the depot, and had grown from nothing to a village of sixty +houses and stores. The Johnsons had brought their restaurant +and placed it upon the site where a little later they built a hotel +called the Johnson house. Mr. T. Martin had built the first +hotel which he named the Alhambra. I have a very faint recollection +of being in this hotel when the third trip brought the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> +household goods and the family to the new home. It was in +December when this last journey was taken, and great was the +astonishment of the older members of the family to see the +ground covered with a foot of snow. They had been told that +there was practically no winter in Nebraska, and they had believed +the statement. They found that the thermometer could +drop almost out of sight with the cold, and yet the greater part +of many winters was very pleasant.</p> + +<p>My father opened a law office in the town and T. L. Warrington, +who taught the first school in the village, read law with +him, and kept the office open when the farm required attention. +The fields were small at first and did not require so very much +time.</p> + +<p>The first exciting event was a prairie fire. A neighbor's family +was spending the day at our farm and some other friends +also came to call. The day was warm, no wind was stirring +until about 4 o'clock, when it suddenly and with much force +blew from the north and brought the fire, which had been smoldering +for some days in the bluffs to the north of the farm, down +into the valley with the speed of a racing automobile. We +children were very much frightened, and grandmother who was +sick with a headache, was so startled she forgot her pain—did +not have any in fact. Mother and Mrs. Fagot, the neighbor's +wife, were outside loosening the tumble weeds and sending them +along with the wind before the fire could catch them. In that +way they saved the house from catching fire. My father, who +had seen the fire come over the hills, as he was driving from +town, had unhitched the horses and riding one of them as fast +as possible, reached home in time to watch the hay stacks. Three +times they caught fire and each time he beat it out with a wet +gunny sack. I think this happened in March, 1874.</p> + +<p>That same year about harvest time the country was visited +by grasshoppers. They did considerable damage by nipping off +the oat heads before the farmers could finish the reaping. My +aunt who was visiting us suggested that the whole family walk +through the potato field and send the hoppers into the grass +beyond. It was a happy thought, for the insects ate grass that +night and the next day a favorable wind sent them all away.</p> + +<p>The worst grasshopper visitation we had was in July, 1876. +One Sunday morning father and mother and I went to town to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> +church. The small grain had been harvested and the corn all +along the way was a most beautiful, dark green. When we were +about a mile from town a slight shade seemed to come over the +sun; when we looked up for the cause, we saw millions of grasshoppers +slowly dropping to the ground. They came down in +such numbers that they clung two or three deep to every green +thing. The people knew that nothing in the way of corn or +gardens could escape such devastating hordes and they were +very much discouraged. To add to their troubles, the Presbyterian +minister that morning announced his intention to resign. +He, no doubt, thought he was justified.</p> + +<p>I was pretty small at that time and did not understand what +it all meant, but I do know that as we drove home that afternoon, +the cornfields looked as they would in December after the +cattle had fed on them—not a green shred left. The asparagus +stems, too, were equally bare. The onions were eaten down to +the very roots. Of the whole garden, there was, in fact, nothing +left but a double petunia, which grandmother had put a +tub over. So ravenous were the pests that they even ate the +cotton mosquito netting that covered the windows.</p> + +<p>In a day or two when nothing remained to eat, the grasshoppers +spread their wings and whirred away. Then grandfather +said, "We will plant some beans and turnips, there is plenty of +time for them to mature before frost." Accordingly, he put in +the seeds and a timely rain wet them so that in a very few days +they had sprouted and were well up, when on Monday morning, +just two weeks and one day from the time of the first visitation, +a second lot dropped down and breakfasted off grandfather's +beans. It was too late in the season then to plant more.</p> + +<p>My mother had quite a flock of turkeys and a number of +chickens. They were almost dazed at the sight of so many perfectly +good insects. They tried to eat them all but had to give +up the task. They ate enough, however, to make themselves +sick.</p> + +<p>This time I believe the grasshoppers stayed several days. +They seemed to be hunting some good hard ground in which to +lay their eggs. The following spring the warm days brought +out millions of little ones, which a prairie fire later destroyed.</p> + +<p>The corn crop having been eaten green and the wheat acreage +being rather small, left many people with nothing to live on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> +during the winter. Many moved away and many of those +who could not get away had to be helped. It was then that +Dawson county people learned that they had good friends in +the neighboring states for they sent carloads of food and clothing +to their less fortunate neighbors.</p> + +<p>A good many homesteaders were well-educated, refined people +from Pennsylvania, New York, and elsewhere. They were a +very congenial company and often had social times together. +They were for the most part young people, some with families +of young children, others just married, and some unmarried. I +remember hearing my mother tell of a wedding that she and +father attended. The ceremony was performed at a private +house and then the whole company adjourned to a large hall +where everybody who wanted to, danced and the rest watched +until the supper was served by Mr. and Mrs. Johnson in their +new hotel. The bride on this occasion was Miss Addie Bradley +and the groom was W. H. Lingle, at one time county superintendent +of public instruction.</p> + +<p>For some time after the starting of the town of Plum Creek +there was no church edifice but there was a good sized schoolhouse, +and here each Sunday morning the people for miles +around gathered. One Sunday the Methodist preacher talked +to all the people and the next week the Presbyterian minister +preached to the same congregation, until the courthouse was +built, and then the Presbyterians used the courtroom. I have +heard the members say that they received more real good from +those union services than they ever did when each denomination +had a church of its own. The Episcopalians in the community +were the most enterprising for they built the first church, a little +brick building that seated one hundred people. It was very +plainly furnished, but it cost fifteen hundred dollars, due to the +fact that the brick was brought from Kearney and freight rates +were high. It stood on the site of the present modern building +and was built in 1874. My grandfather, an ardent Churchman, +often read the service when there was no rector in town.</p> + +<p>Speaking of the courthouse reminds me that it was not always +put to the best use. I cannot remember when the following incident +occurred, but I do remember hearing it talked of. A +man who lived on the south side of the Platte river was accused +of poisoning some flour that belonged to another man. He was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> +ordered arrested and two or three men, among them Charles +Mayes, the deputy sheriff, were sent after him. He resisted +arrest and using his gun, killed Mayes. He was finally taken +and brought to town and put into the county jail in the basement +of the courthouse. Mayes had been a very popular man +and the feeling was very high against his slayer, so high, indeed, +that some time between night and morning the man was +taken from the jail, and the next morning his lifeless body was +found hanging at the back door of the courthouse.</p> + +<p>One of the pleasures of the pioneer is hunting. In the early +days there was plenty of game in Dawson county, buffalo, elk, +deer, antelope, jack rabbits, and several game birds, such as +plover, prairie hen, ducks, geese, and cranes. By the time we +arrived, however, the buffalo had been driven so far away that +they were seldom seen. There was plenty of buffalo meat in the +market, however, for hunters followed them and shot them, +mostly for their hides. The meat was very good, always tender +and of fine flavor. My father rushed into the house one day +and called for his revolver. A herd of buffalo was racing across +the fields towards the bluffs on the north. Father and some of +the men with him, thought possibly they might get near enough +to shoot one. But although he rode as fast as his pony could +carry him, he could not get close enough and the herd, once it +reached the hills was safe. The poor beasts had been chased for +miles and were weary, but they did not give up. The cows +huddled the calves together and pushed them along and the bulls +led the way. Father learned afterward that his pony had been +trained by the Indians to hunt; and if he had given him the rein +and allowed him to go at it in his own way, he would have gone +so close that father could have shot one. But he did not know +this until the buffalo were far away.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>PIONEER JUSTICE</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By B. F. Krier</span></h3> + + +<p>In the early history of Lexington, Nebraska, as in all western +states, there was no crime committed more reprehensible than that +of stealing a horse. One might kill a man and it would be overlooked +or excused, but the offense of stealing a horse was a +crime that nothing could atone for but the "wiping out" of the +thief. And generally when the horse thief was caught the nearest +tree or the upraised end of a wagon tongue was immediately +brought into use as a gallows upon which the criminal was duly +hanged without the formalities of courts or juries. It was amply +sufficient to know that the accused had stolen a horse, and it +mattered but little to whom the horse belonged or whether the +owner was present to take a hand in the execution. The culprit +was dealt with in such manner that he never stole another animal.</p> + +<p>This sentiment prevailed among the first settlers of Dawson +county, as was shown in 1871, shortly after the organization of +the county. Among the officials of the county at that time was +a justice of the peace, a sturdy, honest man, who had been a +resident of the county several years before it was organized. +One day in 1871 a half-breed Sioux came riding from the east +into Plum Creek (as Lexington was then called). The Indian +stopped in the town and secured a meal for himself and feed for +his horse.</p> + +<p>While he was eating, two Pawnee warriors arrived at the station +on a freight train, from the east. They at once hunted up +the sheriff, a broad-shouldered Irishman named John Kehoe, +and made complaint that the half-breed Sioux had stolen a horse +from one of them and had the animal in his possession. Complaint +was formally made and a warrant issued for the half-breed's +arrest upon the charge of horse-stealing, the warrant +being issued by the aforesaid justice of the peace.</p> + +<p>The Sioux was at once taken in custody by the sheriff and +brought before the justice. One of the Pawnees swore the horse +the half-breed rode when he entered the town was his property,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> +and the other Pawnee upon oath declared he knew it was. The +prisoner denied the statement made by the Pawnees and vehemently +declared the animal was his property; that he came by it +honestly, and that the Pawnee had no title whatever in the horse.</p> + +<p>There was no jury to hear and judge the evidence, and the +justice was compelled to decide the case. He had had some experience +with redskins, and entertained but small regard for +any of them, but as the preponderance of the evidence was +against the Sioux, he decided the latter was guilty, and after a +short study of the matter sentenced the culprit to be hanged.</p> + +<p>There were no lawyers in Plum Creek at that time, a condition +that has not existed since, and each side did its own talking. +The Sioux at once filed a vigorous complaint against the +sentence, but was ordered by the court to keep still.</p> + +<p>Realizing he had no chance, he became silent, but some of the +citizens who were present and listening to the trial, interposed +objections to the strenuous sentence, and informed the court +that "as we are now organized into a county and have to go by +law, you can't sentence a man to hang fer stealin' a hoss."</p> + +<p>This staggered the justice somewhat and he again took the +matter under advisement, and shortly after made the following +change in the sentence, addressing the prisoner as follows "——, +Dem laws don't let you get hanged, vich iss not right. You iss +one teef; dat iss a sure ting, and I shust gif you fifteen minutes +to git out of dis state of Newbrasky."</p> + +<p>The Pawnee secured possession of the horse, but whether it +belonged to them or not is questionable, and hit the eastern +trail for the "Pawnee house," while the Sioux warrior hastily +got himself together and made a swift hike toward the setting +sun and safety.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>A GOOD INDIAN</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Clifford Whittaker</span></h3> + + +<p>The late John H. MacColl came to Dawson county in 1869 to +benefit his health, but shortly after reaching here he had an +attack of mountain fever, that left his lower limbs paralyzed. +The nearest medical aid he could get was from the army surgeon +at Fort McPherson, forty miles to the west. He made a +number of trips to attend Mr. MacColl, and finally told him +that he would never be any better. An old Indian medicine man +happened along about that time and he went to see Mr. MacColl. +By curious signs, gesticulations, and grunts, he made Mr. MacColl +understand that he could cure him and that he would be +back the next day at the rising of the sun. True to his word, +he came, bringing with him an interpreter who explained to Mr. +MacColl that the medicine man could cure him if he would submit +to his treatment. Mr. MacColl was desperate and willing +to do almost anything, so he agreed. The patient was stripped +and laid flat on a plank. The medicine man then took a saw-edged +knife and made no less than a hundred tiny gashes all +over his patient's body. This done he produced a queer herb, +and began chewing it. Then he spit it in his hand, as needed, +and rubbed it into each tiny wound. That was all, and in three +days Mr. MacColl could stand alone, and in a week he could +walk.</p> + +<p>This incident was told to me in 1910 by the sister, Laura MacColl.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>FROM MISSOURI TO DAWSON COUNTY IN 1872</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By A. J. Porter</span></h3> + + +<p>I left southwest Missouri late in October, 1872, accompanied +by my sister, and journeyed by team via Topeka, Kansas, to +Nebraska. We spent our first night in Nebraska at Fairbury, +November 8, 1872. Trains on the St. Joe and Grand Island +railroad had just reached that point.</p> + +<p>After visiting a few days with the Carney families near Fairmont +we took the train for Plum Creek (now Lexington) and +reached Kearney at 10 o'clock P. M. All rooms being occupied +we sat in the office of the hotel till morning. None of the Union +Pacific trains stopped at that place except to take mail. At +10 o'clock that night we got a train to Plum Creek, which place +we reached at 12 o'clock. There being no hotel we stayed in the +depot until morning, when we found our brother living on a +homestead.</p> + +<p>During our stay I filed on land six miles northeast of Plum +Creek. The next April I brought my family by wagon over the +same route and reached Dawson county a month after the noted +Easter storm of 1873. At that time we saw hundreds of hides +of Texas cattle, that had perished in the storm, hanging on +fences surrounding the stockyards at Elm Creek.</p> + +<p>We remained on our homestead until August, 1876, at which +time we came to Fillmore county and bought the southwest +quarter of section eleven in Madison township, which place we +now own.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE ERICKSON FAMILY</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Mrs. W. M. Stebbins</span></h3> + + +<p>Charles J. Erickson left Sweden in 1864 and for two years +lived in New York, Indiana, and Illinois. In 1866 he moved to +Fort McPherson, Nebraska. He worked around the Fort until +1871 when he took a homestead nine miles east. The next year, +he sent to Sweden for his family. They arrived at McPherson +station—now Maxwell—on September 1, 1872. Mr. Erickson +died in April, 1877. The family resided on the old homestead +until 1910, when they moved to Gothenburg, Nebraska. The +sons, Frank and John Erickson, who still reside in Nebraska, +unite in the following statement:</p> + +<p>"Coming to this part of the state at so early a date we have +been eye witnesses to the development and transformation of +the country from a bleak, wild prairie covered with blue stem +grasses, upon which fed thousands of buffalo, deer, antelope, and +elk. The Indians still controlled the country and caused us to +have many sleepless nights.</p> + +<p>"In those early days we always took our guns with us when +we went away from home, or into the field to work. Several +times we were forced to seek shelter in the Fort, or in some +home, saving our scalps from the Indians by the fleetness of our +ponies. But how changed now.</p> + +<p>"One of our early recollections is the blackened posts and +poles along the old Oregon trail. As we gazed down the trail +these looked like sentinels guarding the way, but we soon learned +they were the poles of the first telegraph line built across Nebraska. +It extended from Nebraska City to Fort Laramie, Wyoming. +When the Union Pacific railroad was built through +here—on the north side of the river—in 1866, the telegraph +line followed and the old line on the south side of the Platte +was abandoned. The old poles were of red cedar taken from +the cañons and were all burned black by the prairie fires. They +soon disappeared, being used by the Indians and the emigrants +for firewood. The old trail and telegraph line crossed our farm<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> +and only a few years ago we dug out of the ground one of the +stubs of a cedar telegraph pole about two feet in diameter and +six feet long, and there are still more of these old stubs in our +fields.</p> + +<p>"In the early seventies the most prominent ranches in this +section were Upper 96 and Lower 96. These ranches had first +been the relay stations of the old Wells Fargo Express Company. +At each of these may be seen well preserved cedar log buildings +still in use built by this company when they first established +their express business across the plains in the middle of the last +century. On the advent of the Union Pacific, the Wells Fargo +Express Company abandoned these stations and they became +the property of the 96 Ranch. Although they have passed +through the hands of several different owners they have always +retained their names of Upper 96 ranch and Lower 96 ranch.</p> + +<p>"The cañons leading into the hills from the south side of the +river are named from the early ranches along the valley near +the mouths of the cañons; Conroy from Conroy's ranch, Jeffrie +from Jeffrie's ranch, Gilman from Gilman's ranch, and Hiles +from Hiles' ranch. An exception to the above is the Dan +Smith cañon which is named after Dan Smith in memory of the +tragedy with which his name is connected. Dan Smith and wife +were working at the Lower 96 ranch in 1871. Mrs. Smith +wished to attend a ball to be given by the officers at Fort McPherson +and wanted her husband to go with her, but he being of +a jealous disposition refused to go. She mounted her horse and +started to go alone when he called to her to come back and take +his gun to protect herself from the Indians. She turned around +and started back toward him. He drew his gun and fired, killing +her instantly. She was buried at the Lower 96 ranch and until +a few years ago her grave was kept green. After shooting his +wife, Dan Smith mounted her horse and rode away into the hills +to the south. The soldiers at the Fort twenty-five miles away +were notified and the next day they came to hunt for the murderer. +They surrounded him in a cañon in the hills and there +shot him to death leaving his body a prey for buzzards and +wolves. The cañon to this day is called Dan Smith Cañon and +through it is the main road leading from Gothenburg to Farnam, +Nebraska."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE BEGINNINGS OF FREMONT</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Sadie Irene Moore</span></h3> + + +<p>Fremont was named for John C. Fremont, who was a candidate +against Buchanan for president. The first stakes were set +August 23, 1856, the boundaries being finished three days later. +"The first habitation of any sort, was constructed of poles surrounded +by prairie grass. It was built and owned by E. H. +Barnard and J. Koontz, in 1856, and stood upon the site of the +present Congregational church." In the autumn of 1856, Robert +Kittle built and owned the first house. A few weeks later +his house was occupied by Rev. Isaac E. Heaton, wife and two +daughters, who were the first family to keep house in Fremont. +Alice Flor, born in the fall of 1857, was the first child born in +Fremont. She is now Mrs. Gilkerson, of Wahoo. The first +male child born in Fremont was Fred Kittle. He was born in +March, 1858, and died in 1890. On August 23, 1858, occurred +the first marriage. The couple were Luther Wilson and Eliza +Turner. The first death was that of Seth P. Marvin, who was +accidentally drowned in April, 1857, while crossing the Elkhorn +seven miles northeast of Fremont. The Marvin home was a +mile and a quarter west of Fremont and this house was the +rendezvous of the parties who laid out Fremont. Mr. Marvin +was one of the town company.</p> + +<p>The first celebration of the Fourth of July was in 1857. Robert +Kittle sold the first goods. J. G. and Towner Smith conducted +the first regular store. In 1860, the first district school +was opened with Miss McNeil teacher. Then came Mary Heaton, +now Mrs. Hawthorne. Mrs. Margaret Turner, followed by James +G. Smith, conducted the first hotel situated where the First National +bank now is. This was also the "stage house," and here +all the traders stopped en route from Omaha to Denver. In the +evening the old hotel resounded with the music of violin and the +sound of merry dancing. Charles Smith conducted a drug store +where Holloway and Fowler now are. A telegraph line was established +in 1860. The first public school was held in a building<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> +owned by the Congregational church at the corner of Eighth and +D streets. Miss Sarah Pneuman, now Mrs. Harrington, of Fremont, +was the teacher. When court convened, school adjourned, +there being no courthouse. In three years the school had grown +from sixteen to one hundred pupils, with three teachers. The +first public schoolhouse was built at the corner of Fifth and D +streets. In 1866 the Union Pacific was built. The first bank +was established in 1867. The <i>Tribune</i>, the first newspaper, was +published July 24, 1868. "The Central School" was built in +1869 and the teacher, in search of truant boys, would ascend to +the top, where with the aid of field glass, she could see from the +Platte to the Elkhorn. Today, can be seen on the foundations +of this old landmark, the marks of slate pencils, which were +sharpened by some of our middle aged business men of today.</p> + +<div class="figcenter padbase" style="width: 446px;"> +<img src="images/illus_007.jpg" width="446" height="600" alt="Monument at Fremont, Nebraska, marking the Overland +Emigrant Trails or California Road + +Erected by Lewis-Clark Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Monument at Fremont, Nebraska, marking the Overland +Emigrant Trails or California Road + +Erected by Lewis-Clark Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution</span> +</div> + +<p>Mrs. Cynthia Hamilton, of Fremont, gives an interesting account +of the early days. In June, 1857, she, with her husband, +Mr. West, their daughter, Julia, Mrs. West's brother, the late +Wilson Reynolds, and Mrs. Reynolds, reached the few dwellings +then comprising Fremont, after an eighteen or nineteen days +trip in moving wagons from Racine, Wisconsin. They first +stopped at the house of Robert Kittle, corner Military and +Broad streets. This house was made from trees grown on the +bluffs southwest of town, and had a red cedar shingle roof, the +shingles shaved from logs floated down the Platte. After two +days, they all moved to a log house in "Pierce's Grove." While +living here, Mrs. Hamilton tells of hearing a great commotion +among the tinware and upon investigation, found it was caused +by a huge snake. In August of the same year they moved to +their homestead, northwest of town, on the Rawhide. It is now +known as the Rohr place. Here they remained two years. In +winter the men made trips to the river for wood, and the women +must either accompany them or remain at home, alone, far from +another house. Thus, alone one day, she saw a large band of +Indians approaching. The chief, picking up an axe from the +wood pile, placed it under the window where she sat, indicating +that she must take care of it, else some one might steal it. He +then led his band northward. During all the residence on the +homestead the three members of the family suffered continually +from ague. In the fall of 1859, Mrs. West and her child returned +to Wisconsin, where they remained ten months. During<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> +her absence, Mr. West became a trader with the Indians and +once in Saunders county as he was selling a quantity of meat on +a temporary counter, the Indians became rather unruly. His +white companions fled, and Mr. West seizing a club, went among +the Indians, striking them right and left. For this, they called +him a brave and ever afterwards called him "Buck Skadaway," +meaning curly hair. When Mrs. West returned from Wisconsin, +she came down the Mississippi and up the Missouri to Omaha, +then a small town. From there they drove to Fremont, with +horse and buggy, via Florence. Mr. West now bought a cottonwood +house, battened up and down. It consisted of two rooms, +and stood on the site of the present residence of Thad Quinn. +Wilson Reynolds bought two lots on the south side of Sixth +street near the West home for twenty-five cents. Here he built +a house made partly of black walnut taken from the banks of +the Platte. In this house, was born our present postmaster, B. +W. Reynolds. Mrs. Hamilton relates that the Indians were frequent +callers at her home, one even teaching her to make "corn +coffee," "by taking a whole ear of corn, burning it black and +then putting it in the coffee pot." Food consisted of vegetables, +which were grown on the prairie sod, prairie chickens, small +game, and corn bread. Butter was twenty-five cents a pound. +Syrup was made by boiling down watermelon. Boiled beans +were mashed to a pulp and used as butter. "Everything was +high and when the money and supplies which we bought were +exhausted it was hard to get more." Screens were unknown and +the flies and mosquitoes were terrible. In the evenings everyone +would build a smudge so that they could sleep. Not a tree was +to be seen except those on the banks of the streams. Tall prairie +grass waved like the ocean and prairie fires were greatly feared. +Everyone began setting out trees at once.</p> + +<p>"In those days Broad street was noted as a racing road for the +Indians and now it is a boulevard for automobiles," says Mrs. +Hamilton. "Yes," she continued, "I well remember the Fourth +of July celebration in 1857. There were about one hundred +people in attendance. Miss McNeil was my little girl's first +teacher and Dr. Rhustrat was our first physician." In 1861, +after a short illness, Mr. West died. He was buried beside his +infant daughter in the cemetery, which at that time stood near +the present brewery. The bodies were afterward removed to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> +Barnard's cemetery and later to Ridge. The following year, +Mrs. West, with her daughter, Julia, returned to her parents at +Racine, Wisconsin, where she remained for many years. In +1876, as the wife of William Hamilton she returned and made +her home on one of her farms near the stockyards. Twenty-five +years ago this place was sold for $100 per acre while the old +homestead northwest of town brought $25 per acre in 1875. +After selling the south farm she and Mr. Hamilton, who died a +few years ago, bought the present home on Broad street. Everyone +should honor the early settlers, who left their eastern +homes, endured hardships and privations that a beautiful land +might be developed for posterity. They should be pensioned as +well as our soldiers. And we, of the younger generation, should +respect and reverence their memory.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>A GRASSHOPPER STORY</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Margaret F. Kelly</span></h3> + + +<p>I came to Fremont, Nebraska, in May, 1870, and settled on a +farm on Maple creek. In 1874 or 1875 we were visited by grasshoppers. +I had never formed an idea of anything so disastrous. +When the "hoppers" were flying the air was full of them. As +one looked up, they seemed like a severe snow storm. It must +have been like one of the plagues of Egypt. They were so bad +one day that the passenger train on the Union Pacific was stalled +here. I went to see the train and the odor from the crushed +insects was nauseating. I think the train was kept here for +three hours. The engine was besmeared with them. It was a +very wonderful sight. The rails and ground were covered with +the pests. They came into the houses and one lady went into +her parlor one day and found her lace curtains on the floor, +almost entirely eaten. Mrs. George Turner said that she came +home from town one day when the "hoppers" were flying and +they were so thick that the horses could not find the barn. Mrs. +Turner's son had a field of corn. W. R. Wilson offered him +fifty dollars for it. When he began to husk it, there was no +corn there. A hired man of Mrs. Turner's threw his vest on +the ground. When he had finished his work and picked up the +vest it was completely riddled by the grasshoppers. I heard +one man say that he was out riding with his wife and they +stopped by a field of wheat where the "hoppers" were working +and they could hear their mandibles working on the wheat. +When they flew it sounded like a train of cars in motion. +Horses would not face them unless compelled. One year I had +an eighty acre field of corn which was being cultivated. The +men came in and said the "hoppers" were taking the corn. +They did not stay long, but when they left no one would have +known that there had ever been any corn in that field. My brother +from California came in 1876. On the way to the farm a +thunder storm came up and we stopped at a friend's until it +was over. My brother said, "I would not go through the ex<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span>perience +again for $10,000, and I would not lose the experience +for the same amount." The "hoppers" came before the storm +and were thick on the ground. It was a wonderful experience. +In those days we cut our small grain with "headers." The +grain head was cut and fell into boxes on wagons. After dinner +one day, the men went out to find the grasshoppers in full +possession. A coat which had been left hanging was completely +destroyed. Gardens and field crops were their delight. They +would eat an onion entirely out of the hard outer skin. I had +a thirty acre field of oats which looked fine on Saturday. We +could not harvest it then and on Monday it looked like an inverted +whisk broom. Some of the "hoppers" were three inches +long. The backs were between brown and slate color and underneath +was white. I think we received visits from them for +five years.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>EARLY DAYS IN FREMONT</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Theron Nye</span></h3> + + +<p>From the year 1856 until the beginning of the civil war in +1861 the early settlers of Nebraska experienced nearly all of the +ills and hardships incidental to a pioneer life. Fifty years +have passed since then and to one having lived through those +trying days—or to a stranger who merely listens to the almost +incredulous tales of a past generation—there arises a question +as to why any sane person or persons should desire to leave a +land of comparative comfort and plenty for one of deprivation +and possible starvation.</p> + +<p>The early settlers of Fremont were for the most part young +people from the eastern states, full of ambition and hope. There +is in the youthful heart a spirit of energy, of doing and daring +in order to realize, if possible, dreams of a perhaps glorious future +in which may be won honor and fame and wealth. Then +again the forces of nature are never at rest and man, being a +part of the great whole, must inevitably keep in step with the +universal law. A few lines written for a paper several years +ago give the first impression of the landscape which greeted the +eyes of a stranger on entering the valley of the Elkhorn river +in 1858, April 26:</p> + +<p>"This is the picture as I see it plainly in retrospect—a +country, and it was all a country, with a smooth, level, gray +surface which appeared to go on toward the west forever and +forever. On the north were the bluffs of the Elkhorn river, +but the great Elkhorn Valley was a part of an unknown world. +South of the little townsite of Fremont the Platte river moved +sluggishly along to meet and be swallowed up in the great Missouri. +Ten or twelve log cabins broke the monotony of the treeless +expanse that stretched far away, apparently to a leaden +sky. My heart sank within me as I thought but did not say, +'How can I ever live in a place like this?'" And yet the writer +of the above lines has lived in Fremont for forty-seven years.</p> + +<p>The histories of the world are chiefly men's histories. They<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> +are stories of governments, of religions, of wars, and only in exceptional +instances has woman appeared to hold any important +place in the affairs of nations. From the earliest settlement of +the colonies in the new world until the present time, women have +not only borne with bravery and fortitude the greater trials of +the pioneer life, but from their peculiar organization and temperament +suffered more from the small annoyances than their +stronger companions of the other sex. The experiences of the +home and family life of the early settlers of the great West +have never entered into the annals of history nor can a truthful +story be told without them, but thus far no doubt the apparent +neglect has been due to woman herself, who until quite recently +has felt that she was a small factor in the world's affairs.</p> + +<p>In the beginning of the new life in Fremont women had their +first introduction to the log cabin which was to be their home +for many years. It was not as comfortable as it looks picturesque +and romantic printed on paper. It was a story and a half +high, sixteen by twenty feet in size. The logs were hewn on +two sides, but the work performed by the volunteer carpenters +of that time was not altogether satisfactory, consequently the +logs did not fit closely but the open spaces between were filled +with a sort of mortar that had a faculty of gradually dropping +off as it dried, leaving the original holes and openings through +which the winter winds whistled and Nebraska breezes blew the +dirt.</p> + +<p>The houses were made of cottonwood logs and finished with +cottonwood lumber. The shingles warped so the roof somewhat +resembled a sieve. The rain dripped through it in summer and +snow sifted through it in winter. The floors were made of wide +rough boards, the planing and polishing given by the broom, +the old-fashioned mop, and the scrubbing brush. The boards +warped and shrunk so that the edges turned up, making wide +cracks in the floor through which many small articles dropped +down into a large hole in the ground miscalled a cellar. It was +hardly possible to keep from freezing in these houses in winter. +Snow sifted through the roof, covering beds and floors. The +piercing winds blew through every crack and crevice. Green +cottonwood was the only fuel obtainable and that would sizzle +and fry in the stove while water froze standing under the stove. +This is no fairy tale.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span></p> + +<p>The summers were not much more pleasant. It must be remembered +that there were no trees in Fremont, nothing that +afforded the least protection from the hot rays of a Nebraska +sun. Mosquitoes and flies were in abundance, and door screens +were unknown at that time. The cotton netting nailed over +windows and hung over and around the beds was a slight protection +from the pests, although as the doors must necessarily +be opened more or less no remedy could be devised that would +make any perceptible improvement. To submit was the rule +and the law in those days, but many, many times it was done +under protest.</p> + +<p>The first floor was divided or partitioned off, by the use of +quilts or blankets, into a kitchen, bedroom, and pantry. The +chamber, or what might be called attic, was also partitioned in +the same way, giving as many rooms as it would hold beds. The +main articles of food for the first two years consisted of potatoes, +corn meal, and bacon. The meal was made from a variety +of corn raised by the Indians and called Pawnee corn. It was +very soft, white, and palatable. Wheat flour was not very plentiful +the first year. Bacon was the only available meat. Occasionally +a piece of buffalo meat was obtained, but it being very +hard to masticate only served to make a slight change in the +gravy, which was otherwise made with lard and flour browned +together in an iron frying pan, adding boiling water until it was +of the right consistency, salt and pepper to suit the taste. This +mixture was used for potatoes and bread of all kinds. Lard +was a necessity. Biscuits were made of flour, using a little corn +meal for shortening and saleratus for raising. Much of the +corn was ground in an ordinary coffee mill or in some instances +rubbed on a large grater or over a tin pan with a perforated +bottom, made so by driving nails through it. The nearest flouring +mill was at Fort Calhoun, over forty miles away, which was +then a three days' journey, taking more time than a trip to +California at the present day. Nothing, however, could be substituted +for butter. The lack of meat, sugar, eggs and fruit, +tea and coffee, was borne patiently, but wheat flour and corn +meal bread with its everlasting lard gravy accompaniment was +more than human nature could bear, yet most of the people +waxed strong and flourished on bread and grease. Oh, where +are the students of scientific research and domestic economy?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +There were possibly three or four cows in the settlement, and if +there was ever an aristocracy in Fremont, it was represented by +the owners of said cows.</p> + +<p>In 1858 a little sorghum was raised. "Hope springs eternal +in the human breast." Men, women, and children helped to +prepare the stalks when at the right stage for crushing, which +was done with a very primitive home-made machine. The juice +obtained was boiled down to syrup, but alas, the dreams of a +surfeit of sweetness vanished into thin air, for the result of all +the toil and trouble expended was a production so nauseous that +it could not be used even for vinegar.</p> + +<p>Wild plums and grapes grew in profusion on the banks of the +rivers. There was much more enjoyment in gathering the fruit +than in eating or cooking it. The plums were bitter and sour, +the grapes were sour and mostly seeds, and sugar was not plentiful.</p> + +<p>The climate was the finest in the world for throat and lung +troubles, but on the breaking up of the soil malaria made its appearance +and many of the inhabitants suffered from ague and +fever. Quinine was the only remedy. There were neither +physicians nor trained nurses here, but all were neighbors and +friends, always ready to help each other when the occasion required.</p> + +<p>In 1856, the year in which Fremont was born, the Pawnee +Indians were living four miles south across the Platte river on +the bluffs in Saunders county. They numbered about four +thousand and were a constant source of annoyance and fear. +In winter they easily crossed the river on the ice and in summer +the water most of the time was so low they could swim and wade +over, consequently there were few days in the year that they did +not visit Fremont by the hundred. Weeks and months passed +before women and children became accustomed to them and they +could never feel quite sure that they were harmless. Stealing +was their forte. Eyes sharp and keen were ever on the alert +when they were present, yet when they left almost invariably +some little article would be missed. They owned buffalo robes +and blankets for which the settlers exchanged clothing which +they did not need, jewelry, beads, and ornaments, with a little +silver coin intermixed. The blankets and robes were utilized +for bedding and many were the shivering forms they served to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> +protect from the icy cold of the Nebraska winters. In 1859 the +government moved them to another home on the Loup river and +in 1876 they were removed to Indian territory.</p> + +<p>Snakes of many kinds abounded, but rattlesnakes were the +most numerous. They appeared to have a taste for domestic +life, as many were found in houses and cellars. A little four-year-old +boy one sunny summer day ran out of the house bare-footed, +and stepping on the threshold outside the door felt something +soft and cold to his feet. An exclamation of surprise +caused a member of the household to hasten to the door just in +time to see a young rattlesnake gliding swiftly away. In several +instances they were found snugly ensconced under pillows, on +lounges, and very frequently were they found in cellars.</p> + +<p>For more than two years there was no way of receiving or +sending mail only as one or another would make a trip to Omaha, +which was usually once a week. In 1859 a stage line was put +on between Omaha and Fort Kearny. No one can tell with what +thankfulness and rejoicing each and every improvement in the +condition and surroundings was greeted by the settlers. Dating +from the discovery of gold in Colorado the pioneer was no more +an object of pity or sympathy. Those who had planted their +stakes and made their claims along the old military and California +trail were independent. Many of the emigrants became +discouraged and turned their faces homeward before getting a +glimpse of the Rocky Mountains. On their way home they sold +loads of provisions for a song. The same fall the fertile soil of +the Platte Valley, after two years of cultivation, responded to +the demand of civilization. There was a market west for every +bushel of grain and every pound of vegetables grown. So at +least the patient and persevering ones received their reward.</p> + +<p>The sources of amusement were few, and yet all enjoyed the +strange new life. A pleasant ride over the level prairie dotted +with wild flowers, in any sort of vehicle drawn by a pair of oxen, +was as enjoyable to the young people then as a drive over the +country would now be in the finest turnout that Fremont possesses. +A dance in a room twelve by sixteen feet in a log cabin, +to the music of the Arkansas Traveler played on one violin, was +"just delightful." A trip to Omaha once or twice a year was a +rare event in the woman's life particularly. Three days were +taken, two to drive in and out, and one to do a little trading<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> +(not shopping) and look around to view the sights. A span of +horses, a lumber wagon with a spring seat in front high up in +the air, was the conveyance. Women always wore sunbonnets +on these occasions to keep their complexion fair.</p> + +<p>Several times in the earlier years the Mormons passed through +here with long trains of emigrants journeying to the promised +land, and a sorry lot they were, for the most of them were footsore +and weary, as they all walked. The train was made up of +emigrant covered wagons drawn by oxen, and hand carts drawn +by cows, men and women, and dogs. It was a sight never to be +forgotten.</p> + +<p>This is merely a short description of some of the trials and +sufferings endured by the majority of the early settlers of this +state. Many of the actors in the drama have passed away, a few +only now remaining, and soon the stories of their lives will be to +the coming generation like forgotten dreams.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>PIONEER WOMEN OF OMAHA</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Charles H. Fisette</span></h3> + + +<p>Very few of those now living in Omaha can have any realization +of the privations, not to say hardships, that were endured +by the pioneer women who came here at an early date. A few +claim shanties were scattered at distant intervals over this beautiful +plateau, and were eagerly taken by those who were fortunate +enough to secure them. There was seldom more than one +room in them, so that no servants could be kept, even if there +were any to be had. Many an amusing scene could have been +witnessed if the friends who had been left behind could have +peeped in at the door and have seen the attempts made at cooking +by those who never had cooked before.</p> + +<p>A description of one of the homes might be of interest. A +friend of ours owned a claim shanty that stood on the hill west +of what is now Saunders, or Twenty-fourth street, and he very +kindly offered it to us, saying he would have it plastered and +fixed up. We, of course, accepted it at once and as soon as possible +it was made ready and we moved into it late one evening, +very happy to have a home. The house consisted of upstairs, +downstairs, and a cellar, the upstairs being just high enough for +one to stand erect in the center of the room, provided one was +not very tall. The stairs were nothing but a ladder, home-made +at that, in one corner of the room, held in place by a trunk. It +was some time before I succeeded in going up and down gracefully. +I happened to be upstairs when our first caller came and +in my effort to get down quickly caught my feet in one of the +rungs of the ladder and landed on the aforementioned trunk +so suddenly that it brought everyone in the room to their feet. +It took away all the formality of an introduction.</p> + +<p>Mr. and Mrs. Hanscom lived half a mile north of the cottage +just described, and had what seemed to others a house that was +almost palatial. It contained three rooms, besides a kitchen, and +had many comforts that few had in those days, including a +cradle, which held a rosy-cheeked, curly-headed baby girl, who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> +has long since grown to womanhood and had babies of her own. +Another home, standing where Creighton College now stands, +was built by a nephew of the late Rev. Reuben Gaylord, but was +afterwards occupied by Mr. and Mrs. W. N. Byers, who have for +many years resided in Colorado. The Gaylords moved from +there to a new home at Eleventh and Jackson streets. Their +family consisted of three children: Mrs. S. C. Brewster, of Irvington, +who is still living at the age of 77 years; a son, Ralph +Gaylord; and an adopted daughter, Georgia, who has since died.</p> + +<div class="figcenter padbase" style="width: 468px;"> +<img src="images/illus_008.jpg" width="468" height="600" alt="Mrs. Charlotte F. Palmer + +First State Regent, Nebraska Society, Daughters of the American +Revolution. 1894-1895" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Mrs. Charlotte F. Palmer + +First State Regent, Nebraska Society, Daughters of the American +Revolution. 1894-1895</span> +</div> + +<p>A one story house built just in the rear of Tootle and Mauls' +store on Farnam, between Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets, +was kept as a boarding house by Kentucky Wood and his wife. +It was considered a high-toned boarding house, although the partitions +were made of unbleached cloth and the floor of the dining +room was covered with sawdust. Judges Lockwood and Bradley, +two of our territorial judges, boarded there and a dinner +was given in their honor by the landlord. The invited guests +included Governor and Mrs. Cuming, Colonel and Mrs. C. B. +Smith, and Dr. Geo. L. Miller. That was the first dinner party +ever given in Omaha. Governor and Mrs. Cuming then boarded +at the Douglas house, Thirteenth and Harney streets, and their +rooms were often filled with the elite of this young and growing +city. Mrs. Cuming was very popular in the little gatherings +which were frequently held. She was the leading light and was +always ready and willing to assist in any good work. Wherever +there was sickness she was sure to be found. Mrs. Thomas +Davis was another who was always doing little acts of kindness. +She was the mother of the late Mrs. Herman Kountze, who, at +that time, was the only white little girl in Omaha. Still another +who never turned anyone away from her door who needed help +was Mrs. E. Estabrook.</p> + +<p>Mrs. A. D. Jones, our first postmaster's wife, lived at that +time at what was called Park Wild, in a one story log and frame +house, which was afterwards occupied by General G. M. Dodge, +the distinguished soldier, so well and widely known to the whole +country as the chief engineer of the Union Pacific railroad. +Among others who were here were Mrs. Edwin Patrick and Mrs. +Allen Root, also Mrs. T. G. Goodwill, who lived in the Kentucky +Wood house that I have already mentioned. She afterwards +built the brick house that still stands near the northwest corner<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> +of Davenport street, facing south. It is an old landmark near +Fifteenth street.</p> + +<p>One of the most prominent women of that day was Mrs. John +M. Thayer, whose home at that time was said to have been the +first civilized appearing home. It was plastered, clapboarded, +and shingled. The entire community envied Mrs. Thayer her +somewhat imposing residence. It was in very strong contrast, +however, with the beautiful brick house which General Thayer +afterwards built and occupied for several years, on the northeast +corner of Sixteenth and Davenport streets.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Samuel Rogers, Mrs. William Snowden, Mrs. Thomas +O'Conner, Mrs. O. B. Selden, Mrs. Hadley Johnson, and Mrs. +Harrison Johnson were among the first women who lived in +Omaha. Mrs. A. J. Poppleton may be classed among the number, +although at that time she was living in Council Bluffs, then +called Kanesville, where she was one of the leading young ladies.</p> + +<p>The first hotel in Omaha, a log house, eighteen by twenty feet, +one story high, was named the St. Nicholas. It was first occupied +by the family of Wm. P. Snowden, and stood on the corner +of Twelfth and Jackson streets in 1855. The Douglas house, a +two story frame building, was erected at the southwest corner +of Thirteenth and Harney streets. The rear part was made of +cottonwood slabs, and in the winter time it was said to have +been very cold. It was the leading hotel and all the high-toned +people stopped there. The Tremont house, between Thirteenth +and Fourteenth streets, was built in 1856, and opened by Wm. F. +Sweezy and Aaron Root. Mr. Sweezy is still living in Omaha. +The Farnham, between Thirteenth and Fourteenth on Harney, +was built in 1858. The famous Herndon house was built in +1856 by Dr. Geo. L. Miller and Lyman Richardson. The Hamilton, +a brick building, was erected in 1856 by C. W. Hamilton, +C. B. Smith, and H. M. Judson. The proprietors bought their +furniture in St. Louis and brought it to Omaha by steamboat. +The upper part of the house was one large bedroom with beds +ranged against the walls. About once a week the furniture was +all removed from this room and it was temporarily converted +into a ballroom.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>A PIONEER FAMILY</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Edith Erma Purviance</span></h3> + + +<p>Dr. Wm. Washington Wiley, with his wife, Gertrude Miranda +Wiley, and their children, came to Nebraska July 6, 1857, and +lived at Saratoga (now in Omaha) a year and a half. They +came from Ohio in covered wagons, driving their cows along. +It took two months to make the trip.</p> + +<p>They caught up with a company of Mormon emigrants when +they reached Iowa City, Iowa, three or four hundred of whom +camped along about five miles ahead of the Wiley family. They +stopped at Florence a few weeks to buy provisions and teams to +carry them across the plains to Utah. These Mormons had +two-wheeled carts. These carts were provision carts drawn by +both men and women.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Wiley was of Holland Dutch descent, and inherited the +thrift and capability of her ancestors. She deserved great credit +for her quick action in saving one victim from the Claim Club. +This Claim Club was an organization of prominent Omaha business +men. John Kelly, a nephew of Mrs. Wiley's sister, had a +claim of one hundred sixty acres near Omaha. There were four +wagonloads of men out looking for him to compel him to give +them the papers showing his right to the land. The late Joseph +Redman, of Omaha, lived near Mrs. Wiley, and when he saw the +men coming for John Kelly he went to Mrs. Wiley and requested +her to warn young Kelly, as she could get past the men, but he +could not. Mrs. Redman went to Mrs. Wiley's house and took +care of the three months' old baby and five other children. +John Kelly was working at the carpenter's trade in Omaha, +about three miles south of Mrs. Wiley's. All she had to ride +was a stallion, of which she was afraid, and which had never +been ridden by a woman. She rode slowly until out of sight of +the wagonloads of men and then hit the horse every other jump. +She made him run all the way, passing some Indians on the way, +who looked at her wonderingly but did not try to stop her. +After going to several places she finally located John Kelly.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> +He wanted to go to the ferry, but her judgment was better and +she said they would look for him there the first thing, which +they did. She took him on behind her and rode to the home of +Jane Beeson, his aunt, who put him down cellar and then spread +a piece of rag carpet over the trap door. The Claim Club men +were there several times that day to look for him, but did not +search the house. After dark he walked to Bellevue, twelve +miles, and the next morning crossed the Missouri river on the +ferry boat and went to Missouri. When his claim papers were +returned from Washington he returned and lived on his land +without any further trouble. He would have been badly beaten +and probably killed had it not been for Mrs. Wiley's nerve and +decision in riding a fractious horse to warn him of his danger.</p> + +<p>While Dr. and Mrs. Wiley resided at Omaha the territorial +law-makers disagreed, part of them going to Florence to make +laws and part of them to Omaha, each party feeling it was the +rightful law-making body of the territory.</p> + +<p>In December, 1859, the family crossed the Platte river on +the ice and located on a farm in Cass county, three miles west +of the Missouri river, about three miles southwest of the present +town of Murray, although the old town of Rock Bluffs was their +nearest town at that time. Dr. Wiley and the older children +went on ahead with the household goods and live stock. Mrs. +Wiley, with the small children, rode in a one-horse buggy. She +did not know the way and there were no fences or landmarks to +guide her. She had the ague so badly she could hardly drive +the horse. A sack containing $1,800 in gold was tied around +her waist. This was all the money they had, and they intended +to use it to build a house and barn on their new farm. She +objected to carrying so much money, but Dr. Wiley said it was +safer from robbers with her than with him. In spite of her illness +and the difficulty in traveling in an unknown country a +distance of thirty-five or forty miles, she reached the new home +safely. She took off the sack of gold, threw it in a corner, and +fell on the bed exhausted. They lived all winter in a log house of +two rooms. There was a floor and roof, but no ceiling, and the +snow drifted in on the beds. Most of the family were sick all +winter.</p> + +<p>The next summer they built a frame house, the first in that +locality, which caused the neighbors to call them "high toned."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> +Mrs. Wiley bought a parlor set of walnut furniture, upholstered +in green.</p> + +<p>General Worth, who had been a congressman, wrote to Washington, +D. C., and got the commission, signed by Abraham Lincoln, +appointing Dr. Wiley postmaster, the name of the postoffice +being Three Groves. They kept the postoffice eleven +years.</p> + +<p>They kept the stage station five years. It was the main stop +between St. Joseph and Omaha before the railroad went through. +They had from ten to fifteen people to dinner one coach load. +The stage coach was drawn by four horses, and carried both +mail and passengers. The horses were changed for fresh ones +at the Wiley farm. At first the meals were twenty-five cents; +the last two years, fifty cents. This was paid by the passengers +and not included in the stage fare.</p> + +<p>Shortly after the discovery of Pike's Peak and gold in Colorado, +freighters, with big freight wagons of provisions drawn by +six or eight oxen, stopped there over night. There were usually +twelve men, who slept on the floor, paying eighteen dollars for +supper, breakfast, and lodging. Mr. McComas and Mr. Majors +(father of Col. Thomas J. Majors) each had freight wagons +starting at Nebraska City and taking the supplies to Denver +and Pike's Peak via Fort Kearny, Nebraska. When the Union +Pacific railroad was completed in 1869 the freighters had to +sell their oxen and wagons, as they could not compete with the +railroad in hauling freight.</p> + +<p>The Omaha, Pawnee, and Otoe Indians, when visiting other +Indians, would stop at Dr. Wiley's and ask for things to eat. +Sometimes there would be fifty of them. An old Indian would +peer in. If the shade was pulled down while he was looking in +he would call the party vile names. If food was given him a +dozen more Indians would come and ask for something. If +chickens were not given them they helped themselves to all they +found straying around. It would make either tribe angry to +ask if they were going to visit any other tribe. The Pawnees +would say, "Omaha no good"; the Omahas would say, "Pawnee +no good."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Wiley kept a copy of the <i>Omaha Republican</i>, published +November 30, 1859. The paper is yellow with age, but well preserved, +and a few years ago she presented it to the State His<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span>torical +Society. It is a four-page paper, the second and third +pages being nearly all advertisements. It contains a letter +written by Robert W. Furnas, ex-governor of Nebraska, and a +long article about the late J. Sterling Morton. This was about +the time Mr. Morton tried to claim the salt basin at Lincoln as +a preëmption, and wanted to locate salt works there.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Wiley always took a great interest in the development of +the state; she attended the State Fair almost every year, spending +a great deal of time looking over the new machinery.</p> + +<p>Dr. Wiley died in 1887 and Mrs. Wiley in 1914. Mrs. Wiley +lived to the age of 87 years.</p> + +<p>Little Erma Purviance, daughter of Dr. W. E. and Edith E. +Purviance, of Omaha, is a great-granddaughter of Mrs. Wiley, +and also a namesake. May she possess some of the virtue and +intelligence of her ancestor.</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Note</span>: Mrs. Wiley's two daughters, Araminta and Hattie, +were students in the early years at Brownell Hall, then the only +means of obtaining an education, as there were very few public +schools. Some of the children and grandchildren still live on +the lands taken by Dr. and Mrs. Wiley, and have always been +among the well-to-do citizens of Cass county.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Edith Erma Purviance, the writer of the foregoing +article, spent most of her girlhood with her grandmother, who +sent her to the State University, where she made good use of +her advantages. Other children of Mrs. Wiley were also university +students or identified with the various schools of the +state. Mrs. A. Dove Wiley <a name="asche" id="asche"></a><ins title="Original has Asch">Asche</ins>, youngest daughter of Mrs. +Wiley, now occupies the old home, out of which so recently went +the brave pioneer who made it of note among the early homes +of the territory.—<span class="smcap">Harriett S. MacMurphy.</span></p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE BADGER FAMILY</h2> + + +<p>Lewis H. Badger drove with his parents, Henry L. and Mary +A. Badger, from their home in Livingston county, Illinois, to +Fillmore county, Nebraska. They had a covered emigrant wagon +and a buggy tied behind. Lewis was twelve years old October +5, 1868, the day they crossed the Missouri river at Nebraska +City, the nearest railroad station to their future home. The +family stayed with friends near Saltillo while H. L. Badger +came on with the horse and buggy and picked out his claim on +the north side of Fillmore county, it being the northwest quarter +of section 2, township 8, range 3, west of the sixth principal +meridian.</p> + +<p>At that time the claims were taken near the river in order +that water might be obtained more easily, and also to be near +the railroad which had been surveyed and staked out in the +southern edge of York county near the West Blue river.</p> + +<p>The Badger family came on to Lincoln, then a mere village, +and stopped there. They bought a log chain, and lumber for a +door; the window frames were hewed from logs. When they +reached the claim they did not know where to ford the river so +they went on farther west to Whitaker's and stayed all night. +There they forded the river and came on to the claim the next +morning, October 20, 1868. There they camped while Mr. +Badger made a dugout in the banks of the West Blue river, +where the family lived for more than two years. The hollow +in the ground made by this dugout can still be seen.</p> + +<p>In 1870 H. L. Badger kept the postoffice in the dugout. He +received his commission from Postmaster General Creswell. +The postoffice was known as West Blue. About the same time +E. L. Martin was appointed postmaster at Fillmore. Those were +the first postoffices in Fillmore county. Before that time the +settlers got their mail at McFadden in York county. Mr. Badger +kept the postoffice for some time after moving into the log house +and after the establishment of the postoffice at Fairmont.</p> + +<p>In 1867 the Indians were all on reservations but by permission<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> +of the agents were allowed to go on hunting trips. If they made +trouble for the settlers they were taken back to the reservations. +While the Badgers were living in the dugout a party of about +one thousand Omaha Indians came up the river on a hunting +trip. Some of their ponies got away and ate some corn belonging +to a man named Dean, who lived farther down the river. +The man loved trouble and decided to report them to the agent. +The Indians were afraid of being sent back to the reservation so +the chief, Prairie Chicken, his brother, Sammy White, and seventeen +of the other Indians came into the dugout and asked Mr. +Badger to write a letter to the agent for them stating their side +of the case. This he did and read it to Sammy White, the interpreter, +who translated it for the other eighteen. It proved +satisfactory to both Indians and agent.</p> + +<p>In August, 1869, while Mr. Badger was away helping a family +named Whitaker, who lived up the river, to do some breaking, +the son, Lewis, walked to where his father was at work, +leaving Mrs. Badger at home alone with her four-year-old daughter. +About four o'clock it began to rain very hard and continued +all night. The river raised until the water came within +eighteen inches of the dugout door. The roof leaked so that it +was almost as wet inside as out. Mr. Badger and Lewis stayed +at the Whitaker dugout. They fixed the canvas that had been +the cover of the wagon over the bed to keep Grandmother Whitaker +dry and the others sat by the stove and tried to keep warm, +but could not. The next morning the men paddled down the +rived to the Badger dugout in a wagon box. The wagon box +was a product of their own making and was all wood, so it +served the purpose of a boat.</p> + +<p>It should be explained that the reason the roofs of the dugouts +and log houses leaked was because of the material used in +their construction. Shingles were out of the question to these +settlers of small means living one hundred miles from the railroad. +There were plenty of trees near the river, so the settlers +hewed out logs for ridge poles, then placed willow poles and +brush across for a support. On top of that they put dirt and +sod. When it rained the water naturally soaked through. The +roof would leak for several days after a big rain.</p> + +<p>The next dwelling place of the Badger family was a log house +built on the south half of the quarter section. For some time<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> +they lived in the log house and kept their stock in the dugout +stable on the river bank. Thus they were living during the +great April storm of 1873, which lasted for three days. All of +the draws and ravines, even the river, were packed full of snow +that was solid enough to hold a man up. There was very little +snow on the level, it all being in drifts in the low places. The +Badgers had a corn field between the log house and the river. +While the storm raged Lewis wrapped himself in a blanket, and +by following the rows of corn made his way to the dugout stable +and fed the horses corn once each day. It was impossible to +give them water.</p> + +<p>Henry L. Badger was commissioned by Governor Butler the +first notary public in Fillmore county. Later he was appointed +by acting Governor James, registrar of voters for the election +to be held April 21, 1871, to elect officers for the new county. +At that election he was elected both county clerk and county +surveyor.</p> + +<p>In the late sixties when the county was first settled the country +abounded in buffalo, deer, antelope, elk, prairie chickens, +wild geese, ducks, and turkeys. The muddy stream known as +West Blue river was clear and the fish found in it were not of +the same variety as those caught now. Wild plums grew in +abundance along the river bank and were much larger and of +finer quality than the wild plums of today. In those days glass +jars for canning were not as plentiful as now, so they picked +the plums late in the fall, put them in a barrel and poured water +over them and kept them for winter use.</p> + +<p>Lewis Badger tells of going on buffalo hunts with his father +and seeing herds of thousands of the big animals, and driving +for ten hours through the herd. He has now an old silver half +dime that he found in an abandoned stage station on the Oregon +trail, when on a buffalo hunt.</p> + +<p>In early days the settlers did lots of trapping. The Indians +were frequent visitors and one time an Indian went with Mr. +Badger and his son to look at their traps. In one trap they +found a mink. Mr. Badger remarked that they got a mink in +that same trap the day before. The Indian said, "Him lucky +trap." The Indian would not steal but he wanted the lucky +trap, so the next day that trap was gone and another in its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> +place. The Indian seemed to get the best of the bargain for it +is a fact that they never caught a thing in the trap he left.</p> + +<p>Sammy and Luke White, brothers of chief Prairie Chicken +of the Omahas, frequently visited the early settlers. Sammy +could talk English and was a good interpreter. He told of a +big Indian battle in the western part of the state wherein the +Sioux and Cheyenne, and Omahas, Otoes, Poncas, and Pawnees +all took part and fought for two days and only killed two Indians. +His brother, Prairie Chicken, killed one of the Indians +and scalped him in the midst of the battle. For that act of +bravery he was made a chief. After telling the story of his +brother, when asked about himself, Sammy very modestly said, +"Me 'fraid, me run."</p> + +<p>On one of Mr. Badger's hunting trips he killed a deer. When +it was dressed Lewis was sent to the Whitaker dugout with a +quarter of the meat. An Indian, Pawnee Jack, happened to be +there at the time and it stormed so they had to keep him all +night, much to their disgust. Evidently he enjoyed their hospitality, +especially the venison, for when they started him on the +next morning he inquired where the "papoose" lived that +brought the "buckskin," meaning the venison. They told him +and he made straight for the Badger dugout and the "buckskin." +It stormed so they were forced to keep him there two +nights before sending him on.</p> + +<p>Although most painfully familiar to every early settler, no +pioneer story is complete without the grasshoppers. They came +in herds and droves and ate every green thing. For days great +clouds of them passed over. The next year they hatched out in +great numbers and flew away without hurting anything. Mr. +Badger had a nice young orchard that he had planted and +tended. The grasshoppers ate the leaves off the trees and as it +was early in August they leaved out again and were frozen so +they died. Snakes feasted on the hoppers. Since seeing a +garter snake at that time just as full of grasshoppers as it could +possibly be, Lewis Badger has never killed a snake or permitted +one to be killed on his farm. He declared that anything that +could make away with so many grasshoppers should be allowed +to live. Many people asked for and received the so-called "aid +for grasshopper sufferers." In this section of the country it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> +seemed absolutely unnecessary as there had been harvested a +good crop of wheat, previous to the coming of the hoppers.</p> + +<p>In 1871 the railroad was built through the county. That season +Lewis Badger sold watermelons, that he had raised, to the +construction gang at work on the road. The town of Fairmont +was started the same year. In those days the settlers would +walk to town. It was nothing unusual for Mr. and Mrs. Badger +and Lewis to walk to Fairmont, a distance of six miles.</p> + +<p>When the Badger family settled on their claim, they planted +a row of cottonwood trees around it. These trees have made a +wonderful growth. In 1911 part of them were sawed into lumber. +There are two especially large cottonwood trees on the +farm. One measures twenty-six feet in circumference at the +base and nineteen feet around five feet above the ground and +runs up forty feet before it begins to branch out. The other +is thirty-three feet around the base but branches into three trees +four feet above the ground.</p> + +<p>Mrs. H. L. Badger was a witness of the first wedding in the +county, that of Wm. Whitaker and Sabra Brumsey, which took +place June 28, 1871. The ceremony was performed by the first +county judge, Wm. H. Blaine, who stayed all night at the +Badger home and attended the wedding the next day.</p> + +<p>Mrs. H. L. Badger died January 11, 1894, and Mr. Badger +July 21, 1905. The son Lewis and family still own and farm +the old homestead.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>FIRST WHITE SETTLER IN FILLMORE COUNTY</h2> + + +<p>The first settlement in Fillmore county, Nebraska, was made +in 1866 by Nimrod J. Dixon, a native of Pennsylvania. He was +married to Lydia Gilmore, who had previously filed on a homestead +adjoining his. Mr. and Mrs. Dixon continued to reside +on their homestead until they moved to Fairmont, Nebraska, +where they are now living, having lived on the farm forty years.</p> + +<p>Mr. and Mrs. Dixon were married February 28, 1867, at the +home of Mrs. Dixon's father, Elias Gilmore, near Blue Vale. +Mr. Dixon got the license at Nebraska City. From that time +until the summer of 1868 they were the only settlers in the +county and were seven or eight miles from the nearest neighbor.</p> + +<p>In relating her experiences Mrs. Dixon said: "I was afraid +to stay alone, so when Mr. Dixon had to go away I went with +him or my sisters stayed with me. At that time we had to go to +Milford for flour and twenty-five miles to get a plow-lay sharpened. +At such times Mr. Dixon would stay at my father's home +near Blue Vale and help them two or three days with their +breaking, in return for which one of the boys would come and +help him.</p> + +<p>"The Indians visited us frequently and I was afraid of them. +One time a number of them came and two entered the dugout +and asked for flour. We gave them as much as we could spare, +but they could see the flour sitting on a bench behind the door +and wanted more. We refused, but they became very insistent, +so much so that Mr. Dixon grabbed a black-snake whip that hung +on the wall and started toward them. This show of resistance +was all that was necessary. It proved to the Indians that Mr. +Dixon was not afraid of them, so they gave him powder and +shot to regain his friendship.</p> + +<p>"An Indian came in one day and gave me a lot of beads, then +he wanted flour, which we gave him. He took it and held it out +to me, saying, 'Squaw cook it, squaw cook it!' This I refused +to do, so he said, 'Give me the beads, give me the beads.'</p> + +<p>"My baby, Arthur, born January 9, 1869, was the first white<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> +child born in Fillmore county. I recall one time that I was +home alone with the baby. An Indian came in and handed me +a paper that said he had lost a pony. I assured him that we +had seen nothing of the pony. He saw a new butcher knife that +was lying on the table, picked it up, and finally drew out his old +knife and held it toward me, saying, 'Swap, swap!' I said, +'Yes,' so he went away with my good knife.</p> + +<p>"The worst fright I ever did have was not from Indians. My +sister Minnie was with me and we were out of salt. Mr. Dixon +said he would go across the river to Whitaker's and borrow +some. We thought that he wouldn't be gone long so we stayed +at home. While he was away a cloud came up and it began to +rain. I never did see it rain harder. The river raised, and the +water in the ravine in front of the dugout came nearly to the +door. The roof leaked so we were nearly as wet indoors as we +would have been out. The rain began about four o'clock in the +afternoon. It grew dark and Mr. Dixon did not return. We +thought that he would certainly be drowned in trying to cross +the river. While we were in this state of suspense, the door +burst open and a half-clad woman rushed in, saying, 'Don't let +me scare you to death.' I was never so frightened in my life, +and it was some time before I recognized her as my neighbor, +Mrs. Fairbanks.</p> + +<p>"Mr. and Mrs. Fairbanks had gone to Whitaker's, who were +coopers, to get some barrels fixed for sorghum, and left the children +at home. When it rained they thought they must try to +cross the river and get to their children. Mr. Dixon came with +them. At first they tried to ride horses across, but the one Mrs. +Fairbanks was riding refused to swim and threw her into the +water, so she had to swim back. They were all excellent swimmers, +so they started again in a wagon box which those on land +tried to guide by means of a line. With the aid of the wagon +box and by swimming they succeeded in getting across. That +was in the fall of 1869.</p> + +<p>"The only time I ever saw a buffalo skinned was when a big +herd stayed a week or more on the south side of the river. Kate +Bussard and I stood on the top of the dugout and watched the +chase, and after they killed one we went nearer and watched +them skin it."</p> + +<p>Mr. Dixon took his claim without seeing it. In October, 1866,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> +he went to the land office and learned that he could then take a +homestead of one hundred and sixty acres but the new law would +soon go into effect providing that settlers could only homestead +eighty acres. Mr. Dixon was afraid that he could not go and +see the claim and get back to Nebraska City and file on it in time +to get one hundred and sixty acres. In telling about it Mr. +Dixon says, "I thought it would, indeed, be a poor quarter section +that would not have eighty acres of farm land, so I took my +chances.</p> + +<p>"In the year 1868, the first year that we had any crops planted, +it almost forgot to rain at all. The barley was so short that +it fell through the cradle. There were no bridges so we had to +ford the river. It was hard to haul much of a load across because +the wagon would cut into the mud on the two banks while +the sandy river bottom would stand a pretty good load. That +difficulty I overcame by making bundles or sheaves of willow +poles and placing them at the two banks and covering them with +sand. Later the settlers made a bridge across the river near +the homestead of H. L. Badger. This has ever since been known +as the 'Badger Bridge.' The first bridge was made of logs which +we procured along the river.</p> + +<p>"I was making a hayrack of willow poles at the time of the +total eclipse of the sun. It began to grow dark, the chickens +went to roost, and it seemed that night was coming on.</p> + +<p>"The year 1869 was rainy and we raised good crops and fine +potatoes that season. That was the year they were driving +Texas cattle up to eat the northern grass and then ship them +east over the Union Pacific railroad. The cattle stampeded, so +they lost many of them and we saw them around for a year or +more.</p> + +<p>"My first buffalo hunt was in 1867. The country seemed to +be covered with great herds and the Indians were hunting them. +Twenty of us started out with five wagons. There were Jake +and Boss Gilmore, Jim Johnson, and myself in one wagon. We +had only about three days' supplies with us, expecting to get +buffalo before these were exhausted, but the Indians were ahead +of us and kept the buffalo out of our range. Our party crossed +the Little Blue at Deweese. Beyond there we found carcasses +of buffalo and a fire where the Indians had burned out a ranch. +Realizing that it was necessary for us to take precautions, we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> +chose Colonel Bifkin our leader and decided to strike another +trail and thus avoid the Indians if possible. We traveled toward +the Republican river but found no track of either buffalo or +Indians, so we turned around and followed the Indians. By +that time our food supply was exhausted, but by good luck we +shot two wild turkeys.</p> + +<p>"We were soon following the Indians so closely that we ate +dinner where they ate breakfast and by night we were almost +in sight of them. We thought it best to put out a guard at +night. My station was under a cottonwood tree near a foot-log +that crossed a branch of the Little Blue. I was to be relieved +at eleven o'clock. I heard something coming on the foot-log. +I listened and watched but it was so dark that I could see nothing, +but could hear it coming closer; so I shot and heard something +drop. Colonel Bifkin, who was near, coming to relieve +me, asked what I was shooting at. 'I don't know, perhaps an +Indian; it dropped,' I replied. We looked and found merely a +coon, but it did good service as wagon grease, for we had forgotten +that very necessary article.</p> + +<p>"The Indians kept the main herd ahead of them so we were +only able to see a few buffalo that had strayed away. We went +farther west and got two or three and then went into camp on +the Little Blue. We always left a guard at camp and all of the +fun came when Boss Gilmore and I were on guard so we missed +it. The others rounded up and killed about twenty buffalo. +One fell over the bluff into the river and it fell to our lot to get +it out and skin it, but by the time we got it out the meat had +spoiled. The water there was so full of alkali that we could not +drink it and neither could the horses, so we started back, struck +the freight road and followed it until we came to Deep Well +ranch on the Platte bottom. We had driven without stopping +from ten o'clock in the forenoon till two o'clock in the morning. +We lay down and slept then, but I was awakened early by chickens +crowing. I roused the others of our party and we went in +search of something to eat. It had been eight days since we had +had any bread and I was never so bread-hungry as then. We +came to the Martin home about three miles west of Grand Island +and although we could not buy bread, the girls baked biscuits +for us and I ate eleven biscuits. That was the home of the two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> +Martin boys who were pinned together by an arrow that the +Indians shot through both of them while riding on one pony.</p> + +<p>"That morning I saw the first construction train that came +into Grand Island over the Union Pacific railroad. If I remember +correctly it was in November, 1867.</p> + +<p>"We took home with us five wagonloads of buffalo meat. I +did not keep any of the hides because I could not get them +tanned. Mr. Gilmore got Indian women to tan a hide for him +by giving them sugar and flour. They would keep asking for it +and finally got all that was coming to them before the hide was +done, so they quit tanning, and Mr. Gilmore had to keep baiting +them by giving them more sugar and flour in order to get it +done."</p> + +<p>Mr. and Mrs. Dixon have eight children, all living. They +still own the original homestead that was their home for so +many years.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>PIONEERING IN FILLMORE COUNTY</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By John R. McCashland</span></h3> + + +<p>In the fall of 1870, with Mrs. McCashland and two children, +Addie and Sammy, I left Livingston county, Illinois, and drove +to Fillmore county, Nebraska. We started with two wagons and +teams. I had three good horses and one old plug. I drove one +team and had a man drive the other until I became indignant +because he abused the horses and let him go. Mrs. McCashland +drove the second team the rest of the way.</p> + +<p>A family of neighbors, Thomas Roe's, were going west at the +same time, so we were together throughout the journey until we +got lost in the western part of Iowa. The road forked and we +were so far behind we did not see which way Roe turned and so +went the other way. It rained that night and a dog ate our +supplies so we were forced to procure food from a settler. We +found the Roe family the next evening just before we crossed +the Missouri river, October 15, 1870.</p> + +<p>East of Lincoln we met a prairie schooner and team of oxen. +An old lady came ahead and said to us, "Go back, good friends, +go back!" When questioned about how long she had lived here, +she said, "I've wintered here and I've summered here, and God +knows I've been here long enough."</p> + +<p>When Mrs. McCashland saw the first dugout that she had ever +seen, she cried. It did not seem that she could bear to live in a +place like that. It looked like merely a hole in the ground.</p> + +<p>We finally reached the settlement in Fillmore county and lived +in a dugout with two other families until I could build a dugout +that we could live in through the winter. That done, I picked +out my claim and went to Lincoln to file on it and bought lumber +for a door and for window frames.</p> + +<p>I looked the claim over, chose the site for buildings, and when +home drew the plans of where I wanted the house, stable, well, +etc., on the dirt hearth for Mrs. McCashland to see. She felt so +bad because she had to live in such a place that I gave it up and +went to the West Blue river, which was near, felled trees, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> +with the help of other settlers hewed them into logs and erected +a log house on the homestead. While living in the dugout Indian +women visited Mrs. McCashland and wanted to trade her a +papoose for her quilts. When she refused, they wanted her to +give them the quilts.</p> + +<p>I had just forty-two dollars when we reached Fillmore county, +and to look back now one would hardly think it possible to live +as long as we did on forty-two dollars. There were times that +we had nothing but meal to eat and many days we sent the +children to school with only bread for lunch.</p> + +<p>I was a civil war veteran, which fact entitled me to a homestead +of one hundred and sixty acres. I still own that homestead, +which is farmed by my son. After visiting in the East +a few years ago I decided that I would not trade my quarter +section in Fillmore county for several times that much eastern +land.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>FILLMORE COUNTY IN THE SEVENTIES</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By William Spade</span></h3> + + +<p>We came to Nebraska in October of 1870 by wagon and wintered +a mile east of what now is the Red Lion mill. We made +several trips to Lincoln during the fall and winter and one to +Nebraska City, where brother Dan and I shucked corn for a +farmer for a dollar a day with team.</p> + +<p>I moved on the William Bussard claim, later the Elof Lindgren +farm, in March, 1871, and raised a crop, then moved on our +homestead in section 24, town 8, range 3 west. We built part +dugout and part sodup for a house and slept in it the first night +with only the blue sky for a roof. Then we put on poles, brush, +hay, dirt, and sod for a roof. This was in October, and we lived +in this dugout until 1874, then built a sod house.</p> + +<p>In April, 1873, we had a three days' snow storm called a blizzard. +In the spring of 1871 I attended the election for the organization +of the county of Fillmore. I followed farming as an +occupation and in the fall of 1872 William Howell and I bought +a threshing machine, which we ran for four seasons. Some of +the accounts are still due and unpaid. Our lodging place generally +was the straw stack or under the machine and our teams +were tied to a wagon, but the meals we got were good. Aside +from farming and threshing I put in some of the time at carpentry, +walking sometimes six miles back and forth, night and +morning.</p> + +<p>In July or August, 1874, we had a visit from the grasshoppers, +the like of which had never been seen before nor since. +They came in black clouds and dropped down by the bushel and +ate every green thing on earth and some things in the earth. +We had visits from the Indians too but they mostly wanted +"hogy" meat or something to fill their empty stomachs. Well, +I said we built a sodup of two rooms with a board floor and +three windows and two doors, plastered with Nebraska mud. +We thought it a palace, for some time, and were comfortable.</p> + +<p>In June, 1877, I took a foolish notion to make a fortune and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> +in company with ten others, supplied with six months' provisions, +started for the Black Hills. We drove ox teams and +were nearly all summer on the road; at least we did not reach +the mining places till August. In the meantime the water had +played out in the placer mining district so there was "nothing +doing." We prospected for quartz but that did not pan out +satisfactorily, so we traded our grub that we did not need for +gold dust and returned to our homes no richer than when we +left. However, we had all of the fresh venison we could use +both coming and going, besides seeing a good many Indians and +lots of wild country that now is mostly settled up.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>EARLY DAYS IN NEBRASKA</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By J. A. Carpenter</span></h3> + + +<p>I came to Gage county, Nebraska, in the fall of 1865, and +homesteaded 160 acres of land, four miles from the village of +Beatrice, in the Blue River valley. I built a log house 12x14 +feet with one door and two windows. The floor was made of +native lumber in the rough, that we had sawed at a mill operated +by water power.</p> + +<p>With my little family I settled down to make my fortune. +Though drouth and grasshoppers made it discouraging at times, +we managed to live on what little we raised, supplemented by +wild game—that was plentiful. Wild turkeys and prairie +chickens could be had by going a short distance and further +west there were plenty of buffalo and antelope.</p> + +<p>Our first mail was carried from Nebraska City on horseback. +The first paper published in Gage county was in 1867 and was +called the <i>Blue Valley Record</i>. In 1872 a postoffice was established +in the settlement where we lived, which was an improvement +over going four miles for mail. For the first schoolhouse +built in the district where I lived I helped haul the lumber from +Brownville, Nebraska, on the Missouri river, sixty-five miles +from the village of Beatrice. The first few crops of wheat we +raised were hauled to Nebraska City, as there was no market at +home for it. On the return trip we hauled merchandise for the +settlement. Every fall as long as wild game was near us we +would spend a week or two hunting; to lay in our winter supply +of meat. I remember when I came through where the city +of Superior now is, first in 1866 and again in 1867, nothing was +to be seen but buffalo grass and a few large cottonwood trees. +I killed a buffalo near the present town of Hardy.</p> + +<p>We have lived in Nebraska continuously since 1865 and it is +hard to believe the progress that it has made in these few years.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>REMINISCENCES OF GAGE COUNTY</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Albert L. Green</span></h3> + + +<p>The writer has in his possession an old map of the North +American continent published in London in 1796, twelve years +after the close of the American Revolution, whereon the region +now comprising the state of Nebraska is shown as a part of +Quivera; that supposed kingdom of fabulous riches in quest of +which Coronado pursued his tedious wanderings more than three +hundred years ago. At the time this map was published the +French had visited Indian tribes as far west as the Missouri, +and it must have been from French and Spanish sources that +the geographer and map-maker gathered the information that +enabled him to compile that part of his map covering the vast +unknown regions of the west. Guess-work and supposition resulted +in elongations and abbreviations of territory and rivers +that made it possible for him to show our own Blue river as +emptying into the Gulf of California, and the great kingdoms +of Quivera and Teguayo as extending from the Missouri river +to the Pacific coast. The greater part of what is now Mexico +is shown as "New Biscay" and "New Navarre," while Mexico +or "New Spain" is crowded down towards Central America. +The existence of the Rocky Mountains, at the time this map was +made, was unknown; and the whole region covered by them is +shown as a vast plain. While spending leisure hours among +some rare old books in the library of the Union League of Philadelphia, +I came across the chronicles of Coronado's wanderings +and adventures, as detailed by his monkish chaplain and preserved +in the Spanish archives. A careful perusal of these fully +convinced me that the route traversed was through eastern Nebraska +as far northward as the present site of Lincoln, and possibly +as far as the Platte. The great salt marsh was referred to, +and the particulars of a disastrous encounter with the warlike +Otoes are given. Mention is made of the Missouri nation and +its bold warriors, as well as of other tribes whose habitat and +hunting grounds were the plains or prairies of eastern Nebraska.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> +In prehistoric times the Indian trails led along the level river +bottoms where both wood and water could be obtained and +where game was usually most abundant, and also in the direction +of salt springs or licks where salt might be obtainable and the +larger kinds of game be more plentiful. At the time of its settlement +by white people the bottom lands of the Blue were +threaded by many deeply worn trails that had evidently been +traveled for centuries and a careful consideration of happenings, +as recorded by the monkish chronicler, and the fact I have +just stated in regard to the prehistoric routes of travel, forces +the conclusion that Coronado's weary cavalcade must undoubtedly +have followed the course of the Blue river to a point where +the well worn trail diverged towards the great salt basin. Possibly +the party may have encamped on the site of Beatrice and +there can be little doubt that one of the Indian cities mentioned +by the faithful monkish historian, occupied the present site of +Blue Springs, where evidences of an ancient Indian town can +still be seen, and the outlines of ancient fortifications be traced. +Fragments of Indian pottery and stone knives and implements, +of both the paleolithic and the neolithic ages, are frequently +turned up by the plowshare in that vicinity, all indicating a +long established occupancy that must have continued for centuries. +As late as the early part of the last century the Pawnees +occupied the site; and when the writer as United States government +agent took charge of the Otoes and Missouris, in the summer +of 1869, there were still old warriors living who remembered +hearing their fathers tell of deeds of bloody warfare done in +this very vicinity, and who pointed out to the writer the very +spot, in a deep draw or ravine on the prairie a few miles east +of Blue Springs, where a war party of thirty Otoes met a well-deserved, +but terrible death. At the time of this occurrence +the Otoes were living at the mouth of the Nemaha and were on +very bad terms with the Pawnees, many of whose scalps the +writer has seen adorning Otoe medicine bags or hanging in their +wigwams. The Pawnees had started on a buffalo hunt, leaving +at home only the old and decrepit and a few children, and the +Otoes, knowing that the defenders of the village had started on +the hunt, made an attack at daybreak the next morning, murdering +and scalping old and young alike and after loading +themselves with plunder, hastened on their homeward trip.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> +Unfortunately for the Otoes the Pawnee hunters had encamped +only eight miles up Indian creek and one of them that morning +had returned to the village on some errand and arrived just in +time to discover what was going on. The Otoes wounded him +severely, but he succeeded in escaping to the Pawnee camp and +giving the alarm. The enraged Pawnee warriors, mounted on +their freshest and fastest ponies, were not long in reaching the +village, nor were they long in discovering the trail of the Otoe +war party, which they followed until they overtook it at the +place pointed out to the writer. Here a fierce battle took place +which resulted in the complete extermination of the Otoe party; +the tall slough grass, in which they took shelter, having been +set on fire, the wounded all perished in the conflagration. This +is probably one of the most tragic incidents of which we have +any knowledge as having happened within the limits of Gage +county.</p> + +<p>The first store established within the county was located in a +log house on Plum creek near the present site of the village of +Liberty. It was established, primarily as an Indian trading +place, by a Mr. MacDonald, of St. Joseph, Missouri, but was +under the management of Mrs. Palmer, who with her husband, +David, were the first white settlers within the limits of the +county, having arrived in 1857 a few weeks prior to the coming +of the founders of Beatrice. David was drowned a few years +ago while bathing in the Blue. The store on Plum creek, on +one occasion, was raided by a party of Pawnees who, loaded with +plunder, were pursued by a large party of Otoes, who overtook +them on the Little Blue some distance above the present site of +Fairbury, and killed them all. The site of this battle was pointed +out to the writer by the Otoes while accompanying them on a +buffalo hunt in 1870. The skulls and bones of the slain were +still in evidence at that time, being concealed in the dense thicket +in which the battle had taken place.</p> + +<p>About the year 1868 a war party of Osages made a raid on the +aboriginal inhabitants of the county and murdered and scalped +several squaws who were chopping wood near the Blue. The +trail of the Osages was followed, by a war party of Otoes, to +the reservation of the former and satisfaction exacted in the +shape of a gift of forty head of ponies. On their way back the +Otoes concluded that they had settled too cheaply and feared<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> +they might be censured by the kindred of the murdered women. +They halted, and leaving the forty head of ponies under guard, +made a flying raid on the Osage pony herds and succeeded in +stealing and getting safely away with another forty head. In +due time, with eighty head of Osage ponies, they made a triumphal +daylight entry into their home village. If they had +been unsuccessful they would have stolen in one by one during +the darkness of the night.</p> + +<p>The last Indian war party to traverse the soil of Gage county +consisted of thirty naked and painted Omahas. It transpired +that a party of Kickapoos had raided the pony herds of the +Omahas and stolen thirty head of ponies, and in order to throw +suspicion on the Otoes, had cunningly directed their trail towards +the Otoe reservation, passing in the night as near to the +Otoe village as possible without being discovered. The Otoes +at this time were expecting, and trying to guard against, a raid +from the Osages, whom they had great reason to fear, as it was +fully expected that they would exact satisfaction, sooner or later, +for that extra forty head of ponies that the Otoes had stolen. As +a protection from the Osages, the Otoes had constructed a sort +of a stockade of poles tied together with withes and strips of +bark, in front of each wigwam, where they kept their nearly +eight hundred head of ponies under careful watch every night. +The Omaha war party stealthily approached under cover of the +darkness and finding sentinels posted and watching, they hid in +the tall weeds and sunflowers as close to the stockades as they +could safely get, until daybreak, when the sleepy sentinels, thinking +all danger over, entered the wigwams for something to eat +and a nap, then emerging from their hiding places the Omahas +made quick work of cutting the lashings that bound the poles +and selecting thirty of the best ponies they could get hold of. +The noise of the ponies' hoof-beats, as the Omahas rode swiftly +away, aroused the Otoes, and in a very few minutes the whole +village was in a commotion. Fierce war whoops resounded; the +heralds went about calling the braves into action and soon there +was mounting in hot haste. The writer, awakened by the tumult, +stepped out upon a balcony in front of the agency building and +beheld a sight such as no historian of the county will ever again +record. In the far distance the naked Omahas were riding for +their very lives, while perhaps a hundred or more Otoes were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> +lashing their ponies in a wild frenzy of pursuit. In the village +the greatest commotion prevailed, the women wailed, the heralds +shouted, and the dogs barked; scores of women stood on the tops +of their wigwams shrieking and gesticulating and the temper +of the community closely resembled that of a nest of hornets +when aroused by the rude thrust of a pole. It was nearly noon +when the distant war whoops, announcing the return of the pursuers, +were heard; as they drew near it was apparent that they +were wildly triumphant and were bringing with them the thirty +hideously painted Omahas. The prisoners were delivered to the +agent who directed his police to disarm them, and cause them +to be seated on the floor of the council room where they formed +a dejected looking group with their naked bodies and shaved +and vermillion painted heads. It was then that their leader +explained that their seizure of ponies was honestly intended +as a reprisal for ponies which they had lost. Old Medicine +Horse, an Otoe chief, assured them that his braves would have +killed every one of them if the agent had not talked so much +about the wickedness of killing, and it was only their fear of +displeasing him that caused them to take prisoners instead of +scalps. After much speech-making, the agent adjourned the +council and suggested that the Otoes take the Omahas to their +wigwams, feed them, and allow them to depart in peace; and +this was done. The only blood shed during the campaign was +in the shooting of one of Elijah Filley's hogs by the Omahas. +The first notification I had of this atrocious and bloody affair +was when Elijah, then quite a young man, came to see me and +file a complaint, bringing with him the blood-stained arrow that +had pierced the vitals of his innocent hog.</p> + +<p>Perhaps one of the saddest tragedies of those early days occurred +in 1870 when two homesteaders, returning to their families +from a trip to Brownville for provisions, were brutally +murdered by a half-breed named Jim Whitewater. Jim was just +returning from a buffalo hunt and had secured a supply of +whiskey from a man named Wehn, at Fairbury. Being more +than half drunk, he conceived the idea that the bravest thing +he could do would be to kill some white people; and it happened +that he came across the poor homesteaders just at that time. +It was about dusk and the poor fellows had halted for the night, +by the side of a draw where the grass was tall enough to cut for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> +their horses. They had unharnessed their teams, tied them to +the wagons and were in the act of mowing grass for them when +a pistol shot rang out and one of them fell mortally wounded; +the other, being attacked, and though mortally hurt, tried to +defend himself with the scythe that he had been using, and in +doing so cut the Indian's hand, almost severing the thumb. The +scene of this terrible affair was just over the Gage county line +in Jefferson county and consequently it devolved on the sheriff +of that county to discover and arrest the murderer. As Whitewater +had been seen in the vicinity, suspicion pointed to him +and his arrest followed. He soon escaped from the officers and +was hidden for two weeks, when the Indian police discovered +his place of concealment in the timber on Wolf creek. His own +brother, assisted by other Indians, captured him by strategy, +bound him securely with their lariats and delivered him at the +agency. The writer had gone to Beatrice on business and was +not expected back until the next day, but in his absence his +wife, then a young woman of about twenty, took energetic +measures to insure the safety of the prisoner by ordering him +placed in irons, and kept under a strong guard until the agent's +return. In the meantime, having finished the business at Beatrice +and there being a full moon, the writer decided to drive +the twenty miles to the agency between sundown and midnight, +which he did, arriving there shortly after midnight. Of course, +until his arrival, he had no intimation that Whitewater had +been captured. Before leaving home the Indians had reported +that they had reason to believe that he was hiding somewhere on +Wolf creek, as his wife had taken dried buffalo meat to that +locality, and as the writer, in returning, had to drive for about +forty rods through the heavy timber bordering that creek and +cross it at a deep and rather dangerous ford, and knowing that +Whitewater had declared that he would take both the agent and +the sheriff with him to the other world, and that he was heavily +armed, the writer is not ashamed to confess to a feeling of nervousness +almost akin to fear, as he was about to enter that +stretch of timber shaded road dimly lighted by the full moon. +He first carefully let down the curtains of the carriage and then +made his team dash at full speed through the long stretch of +timber, plunge and flounder through the ford, and out once +more upon the open prairie, the driver expecting at almost any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> +moment to hear the crack of a pistol. On arriving within sight +of the agency building, instead of finding it dark and silent as +he had expected, the writer was greatly surprised to see it well +lighted and many Indian police standing about it as if on +guard. The next morning the writer with several Indian chiefs +and the Indian police started for Fairbury with the prisoner; +the Indians riding two abreast and carrying a large United +States flag at the head of the procession. The trip was made +via Beatrice and the distance traveled was about fifty miles. +The Indians feared an attack from the Rose creek settlers; +neighbors and friends of the murdered men, and as they approached +Fairbury the entire line of Indians commenced a +melodious chant which the interpreter explained as nothing +less than an appeal to the Great Spirit asking him to incline +the hearts of the people to treat the Indians kindly and fairly. +On arriving at Fairbury the cavalcade halted in the public +square and was soon surrounded by the entire population of +the hamlet. It was nearly dark, but the good ladies of the +place set about preparing a bountiful meal for the hungry Indians, +to which they did ample justice. There being no jail in +the place, we waived a hearing and started the next morning +for Pawnee City, where prison accommodations could be had. +Shortly after leaving Fairbury the interpreter told the Indians +that evidently the Great Spirit had heard their appeal, to which +they all vociferously assented. Jim was kept at Pawnee City +until his trial, which took place at Fairbury before Judge O. P. +Mason, who sentenced him to imprisonment for life. Whitewater +was one of three individuals among the Otoes who could +read and write, the other two being Battiste Barneby and Battiste +Deroin, both of whom were very capable interpreters. +Polygamy being allowable among the Otoes, Deroin was one who +had availed himself of its privileges, his two wives being sisters. +On learning that Whitewater had been imprisoned for life, his +wife soon found another husband, greatly to his sorrow and +chagrin. It was during Whitewater's imprisonment that the +reservation was sold and the Indians removed. Eighteen years +after his conviction he received a pardon and left the penitentiary +to rejoin the tribe. What retribution he meted out to +those who aided in his capture or to his wife's second husband, +the writer has never learned.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p> + +<p>A year before the writer took charge of the Otoes and Missouris, +a delegation of their chiefs had accompanied their agent +Major Smith, to Washington and made a treaty under which +the whole reservation of 160,000 acres was to be sold at $1.50 +per acre. The writer was informed by Major Smith that a +railroad company would become the ultimate beneficiary, provided +the treaty was ratified by the senate, and that he had been +promised a section of land if the scheme proved successful. +Smith urged the writer to use all the influence possible to secure +the ratification of the treaty and before the writer had taken +any steps to secure its defeat, he also received an intimation, +if not an absolute promise, from interested parties, that in the +event of its ratification, he should have his choice of any section +of land on the domain. Believing that such a treaty was adverse +to the interests and welfare of the Indians, the writer at +once set about to accomplish its defeat, in which, through the +aid of eastern friends, he was finally successful.</p> + +<p>Coronado's chronicler mentions, among other nations with +whom the expedition came in contact, the <i>Missourias</i> as being +very fierce and warlike, and it may be a matter of local historical +interest to state that the Missouri "nation" with which +Coronado became acquainted, and from which one of the world's +largest rivers and one of the largest and richest states take +their names, reduced to a remnant of less than one hundred +individuals, found an abiding place within the limits of Gage +county for more than a generation. Placed on a reservation +with the Otoes and under the care of the same agent, they still +retained their own chief and their own language, though circumstances +gradually induced the adoption of the Otoe tongue. +The old chief of the Missouris was called Eagle and was known +as a war chief. It was his province to command and direct all +hunting operations. He was a man of very striking appearance, +over six feet in height, straight as an arrow, with fine features +and apparently about seventy-five years of age in 1869. He +was an hereditary chief, and probably a lineal descendant of one +of the kings of the Missouri nation that Coronado and his followers +met. Old Eagle was the only chief of the Missouris, +and was respected and highly esteemed by both the Missouris +and the Otoes. During a buffalo hunt, in which the writer participated +with the Indians, Eagle chief was the highest author<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span>ity +in regard to all matters pertaining to the chase and attack +on the herd. In 1869 the head chief of the Otoes was Arkeketah +who was said to have been appointed to that position by Major +Daily. He was a polygamist and very much opposed to the +ways of the white man. In fact he was such a reactionary and +stumbling-block to the progress of the tribe that the writer +finally deposed him and advanced Medicine Horse to the position +of head chief.</p> + +<p>The number of Indians living within the borders of Gage +county in 1869 was probably not far from eight hundred. The +reservation, comprising two hundred and fifty square miles, +extended some distance into Kansas and also took in a part of +Jefferson county in this state, but the Indians were all domiciled +in Gage county. Their principal village was situated close to +the site now occupied by the town of Barnston and where a +fine spring afforded an ample supply of water. The wigwams +were of a type adopted by the Indians long before the discovery +of America, and most of them were large enough to accommodate +several families. It was a custom of the Otoes to vacate +the wigwams and live during the winter in tipis which were +pitched in the timber where fuel was close at hand. In 1869 +only three persons in the confederated tribes wore citizens +clothes, the rest were all blanket Indians, who, during warm +weather, went almost naked, and habitually painted their faces +and shaved heads, with vermillion and indigo.</p> + +<p>The principal burial place of the Otoes was on a bluff overlooking +the river bottoms, and within a short distance of where +Barnston now stands. For years it was visited, as one of the +curiosities of the reservation, by the white settlers and strangers, +chiefly on account of the weird and ghostly funeral oaks that +stood on the brink of the bluff, bearing, lashed to their gnarled +and crooked limbs, gruesome burdens of dead Indians, wrapped +in bark and partly mummified by the sun and wind; there was +probably a score of these interesting objects resting peacefully +on the boughs of these three oaks; they had been there for many +years, and might possibly have remained to this day had not a +great prairie fire during the summer of 1871 destroyed the oaks +and their ghastly burden, leaving only an assortment of charred +bones and skulls to mark the site.</p> + +<p>A strange and pathetic tragedy, in connection with this old<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> +burial place, transpired shortly before the writer took charge +of the agency and its affairs; and it was from the interpreter, +Battiste Deroin, that the particulars were obtained. The incident +may be worth preserving by the local historian, as illustrating +the absolute faith of the Indians in a continued existence +of the spirit beyond the grave. Dogs were frequently strangled +at children's funerals in order that the dog's spirit might accompany +that of the child, and it was a common sight to see a +dog's body sitting upright with its back to a stake and securely +tied in that position, in the vicinity of the old burial place. +The man who figured in this tragedy was very aged and feeble, +and the little child was very dear to him; he doubtless knew +that he had not long to live and that he very soon would have to +travel over the same lonely trail that the little child was about +to take. Doubtless he realized fully what a comfort it would be +to each, if they could take the long journey together. The +Otoes always buried their dead in a sitting posture; and the old +man, when seated in the grave, held the body of the child in +his arms. The relatives took a last farewell of both the dead +child and its living caretaker; the grave was covered with a +buffalo robe supported on poles or heavy sticks, and the mass +of earth taken from the grave was piled thereon; this being their +usual mode of burial.</p> + +<p>The custom of strangling a horse or pony at the burial of an +Indian brave was a common occurrence among the Otoes prior +to 1870 and the old burial place on the bluff was somewhat decorated +with horses' skulls laid upon the graves of warriors who +are supposed to have gone to heaven on horseback. The tail +of the horse sacrificed was usually fastened to a pole that stood +at the head of the grave.</p> + +<p>The first school established within the limits of the county +was a mission school under the care of the Rev. Mr. Murdock, +and the old stone building, built for it on Mission creek, was the +first stone building in the county. It was a ruin in 1869.</p> + +<p>In 1869 there were still some beavers to be found along the +Blue; and at that time the river abounded with large gars, some +of which were three or four feet in length; a fish which has +since become entirely extinct in the Blue, probably because the +water is no longer clear. The gar was one of the primitive fishes +of the silurian age; it was very destructive of all other fish.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> +White people never ate it, but the Indians thought it fairly +good. The Indians obtained most of their fish by shooting with +arrows from the river banks. They often succeeded in shooting +very large fish owing to the clearness of the water. This could +not be done now that the prairies have been put into cultivation, +as that has destroyed the clearness of the water.</p> + +<p>As late as 1869 there were some wild deer in the county and +little spotted fawns were occasionally caught. The writer procured +two of the latter from the Indians and gave them to Ford +Roper's family in Beatrice; they became very tame and were frequently +seen on the streets of the town. In 1870 the writer, +while driving from Blue Springs to Beatrice, met a large buck +with antlers, as it emerged from an opening in the bluffs.</p> + +<p>Among the first settlers of the county were some families +from Tennessee who settled near the present town of Liberty +on Plum creek. They did their own spinning and weaving, and +having been accustomed to raising cotton and mixing it with the +wool for spinning, they undertook to raise it here. The writer +remembers seeing their cotton patches, but never saw them +gathering cotton.</p> + +<p>The first bridge built in the county to cross the river, was +built on Market street, Beatrice, about the year 1870. It was a +very narrow wooden structure, only wide enough for one wagon +at a time to pass over. The firm of Peavy and Curtiss of Pawnee +City were the contractors and the contract price was $4,000. +It was regarded as a public improvement of very great importance +to the town.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>RANCHING IN GAGE AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Peter Jansen</span></h3> + + +<p>I came to Beatrice, Nebraska, in 1874, after having been +through Minnesota, Dakota, and Kansas, looking for a place +where a settlement of our people, the Mennonites, could be established. +Of all the land I had looked over, I liked southeastern +Nebraska best, and the little town of Beatrice on the +banks of the Big Blue, then consisting of maybe fifty dwellings +and a few stores on lower Court street, seemed very picturesque +and attractive. After forty years I have not changed my opinion. +We found a suitable tract of prairie just across the line in +Jefferson county, which we bought of the Burlington and Missouri +River railroad at $3.50 per acre on easy payments. Beatrice +remained our chief place of business. Smith Brothers +had just started a banking business in one-half of a little shack, +the other half being occupied by a watchmaker carrying a +small stock of jewelry. Klein & Lang had a general store on +the corner of Second and Court streets, and here we did nearly +all of our trading. The "Pacific House" on Second street was +the only hotel. Here I made headquarters for some time. Mr. +and Mrs. Randall, the hosts, were very kind to me. The latter +died a few years later in the prime of her life.</p> + +<p>We soon commenced to build up what was for years known as +"Jansen's Ranch," about twenty miles southwest of Beatrice, +and stock it with sheep, which we brought from Wisconsin. The +first summer I had a temporary sheep corral about where the +West Side schoolhouse now stands. We used to drive from the +ranch to Beatrice diagonally across the prairie; very few section +lines had been established, and there was only one house +between the two points.</p> + +<p>Major Wheeler, of stage route fame, lived at the Pacific house +and took a kindly interest in the young emigrant boy. I remember +on one occasion I had brought in a carload of valuable +breeding sheep and quartered them for the night in the corral +of the livery stable across the street from the hotel, run then<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> +by S. P. Lester. I was afraid of strange dogs attacking them, +and sat up all night on the porch watching. In the morning, +while washing up in the primitive wash-room, I overheard the +major telling Mr. Randall about it. He concluded by saying: +"That young fellow is all right; a boy who sits up all night +with a few sheep will certainly succeed." I felt proud over the +praise, and it encouraged me very much.</p> + +<p>We were told by the few settlers who had preceded us that +the upland prairie would not grow anything and that the bottom +land was the only place where crops could be raised with any +assurance of success. However, we were going to try farming, +anyway. I bought a yoke of young oxen and a breaking plow +and started in. The oxen were not well broken, and the plow +was new and would not scour. Besides, I did not know anything +about breaking prairie or driving oxen. The latter finally became +impatient and ran away, dragging the plow with them. +It was a hot day in May, and they headed for a nearby slough, +going into the water up to their sides. I had by that time discarded +my shoes and followed them as fast as I could. When I +reached the slough, quite out of breath and thoroughly disgusted, +I sat down and nearly cried and wished I were back in Russia +where I did not have to drive oxen myself. About this time +the nearest neighbor, a Mr. Babcock, living four miles away, +happened along driving a team of old, well broken oxen. He +asked what my trouble was, and after I told him in broken +English, he said: "Well, Pete, take off your trousers and go +in and get your oxen and plow out, and I will help you lay off +the land and get your plow agoing," which he did, and so started +me farming.</p> + +<p>My younger brother, John, and I bached it for two years. +One of us would herd the sheep and the other stay at home and +do the chores and cooking. We took turns about every week. +We had a room partitioned off in the end of the sheep shed, +where we lived.</p> + +<p>Game was plentiful those days, and during the fall and winter +we never lacked for meat.</p> + +<p>I had by that time, I regret to say, acquired the filthy American +habit of chewing (I have quit it long since), and enjoyed +it very much while doing the lonely stunt of herding the flock.</p> + +<p>One day we had gotten a new supply of groceries and also a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> +big plug of what was known as "Star" chewing tobacco. Next +morning I started out on my pony with the sheep, the plug in +my pocket, and anticipating a good time. Soon a severe thunder +storm came up, and lightning was striking all around me. I +felt sure I would be hit and they would find me dead with the +big plug of tobacco in my pocket. My mother knew nothing +of my bad habit, and I also knew that it would nearly kill her +to find out, so I threw the plug far away and felt better—for +awhile. The clouds soon passed away, however, and the sun +came out brightly and soon found me hunting for that plug, +which, to my great disappointment, I never recovered.</p> + +<p>Those early winters, seems to me, were severer than they are +now, and the snow storms or blizzards much fiercer, probably +because the wind had an unrestricted sweep over the vast prairies.</p> + +<p>In a few years our flocks had increased, so that we built a +corral and shed a mile and a half away, where we kept our +band of wethers and a herder.</p> + +<p>About Christmas, I think it was in 1880, a blizzard started, +as they usually did, with a gentle fall of snow, which lasted the +first day. During the night the wind veered to the north, and +in the morning we could not see three rods; it seemed like a +sea of milk! We were very anxious to know the fate of our +herder and his band of sheep, and towards noon I attempted to +reach them, hitching a pair of horses to a sleigh and taking a +man along. We soon got lost and drove around in a circle, +blinded by the snow, for hours, my companion giving up and +resigning himself to death. We probably would have both perished +had it not been for the sagacity of my near horse, to +which I finally gave the reins, being <a name="benummed" id="benummed"></a><ins title="Original has benumed">benummed</ins> myself. He +brought us home, and you may believe the barking of the shepherd +dogs sounded very musical to me as we neared the barn.</p> + +<p>We got our fuel from the Indian reservation about eight miles +south of us on the creek, where now stands the thriving town +of Diller. The Indians were not allowed to sell any timber, +but a generous gift of tobacco was too tempting to them to resist.</p> + +<p>Rattlesnakes were found frequently in those days, and their +venomous bites caused great agony and sometimes death. One +Sunday afternoon, wife and myself were sitting on the porch +of our small frame house, while our baby was playing a few<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> +feet away in a pile of sand. Our attention was attracted by +her loud and gleeful crooning. Looking up, we saw her poking +a stick at a big rattler, coiled, ready to spring, about three feet +away. I have always detested snakes and would give even a +harmless bull-snake a wide berth. However, I took one big +jump and landed on Mr. Rattler with both feet, while my wife +snatched the baby out of harm's way.</p> + +<p>The next ten years made a great change. We had proven +that farming on the tablelands could be made a success, railroads +had been built, and towns and villages had sprung up +like mushrooms. We even got a telephone. The wilderness +had been conquered.</p> + +<p>When I look back upon those first years of early settlement, +with their privations and hardships, I cannot refrain from thinking +they were the happiest ones of my life, especially after I got +married in 1877 and my dear wife came to share joy and sorrow +with me. To her I attribute to a very large extent what little +I may have achieved in the way of helping to build up this +great commonwealth.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter padbase" style="width: 460px;"> +<img src="images/illus_009.jpg" width="460" height="600" alt="Mrs. Frances Avery Haggard + +Third State Regent, Nebraska Society, Daughters of the American +Revolution. 1898" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Mrs. Frances Avery Haggard + +Third State Regent, Nebraska Society, Daughters of the American +Revolution. 1898</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>EARLY RECOLLECTIONS OF GAGE COUNTY</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Mrs. E. Johnson</span></h3> + + +<p>Emerson aptly said, "America is another word for opportunity." +We realize this most truly when we compare present +prosperity with early day living in the middle West.</p> + +<p>In 1878 my brother, A. M. McMaster, and family, arrived in +Nebraska City. They came overland to Gage county and settled +on section 15, two and a half miles northeast of Filley +and one mile south of what was then known as Melroy postoffice, +so-called in honor of two little boys born the same year the postoffice +was established, Mell Gale and Roy Tinklepaugh, whose +parents were among the earliest settlers in this neighborhood.</p> + +<p>My brother built his house of lumber he had shipped to Nebraska +City. Beatrice was our market place. We sold all our +grain, hogs, and produce there. Eggs were five cents a dozen +and butter six cents a pound. The first year we came we +bought five hundred bushels of corn at twelve cents a bushel +delivered, and cribbed it.</p> + +<p>There was an Indian trail across the farm, and often the +Indians would pass going from the Omaha reservation to the +Otoe reservation at Barnston; the children would become +frightened and hide under the bed; the Indians would often +call and ask for flour and meat.</p> + +<p>There was not a house between Elijah Filley's stone barn and +Beatrice on the Scott street road, and no bridges. The trail +we followed going to Beatrice led us north to Melroy, making +the traveling distance one and a half miles farther than in +these times of well preserved section lines and graded country +roads. This stone barn of Elijah Filley's was an early landmark. +I have heard Mr. Filley tell interesting anecdotes of his +early years here, one of an Indian battle near the present site +of Virginia.</p> + +<p>Before the town of Filley was in existence, there was a postoffice +called "Cottage Hill," which is shown on old time maps +of the state.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span></p> + +<p>One of the curiosities of the early times was a cow with a +wooden leg, running with a herd of cattle. The hind leg was +off at the knee joint. She was furnishing milk for the family +of her owner, a Mr. Scott living on Mud creek, near the town +of Filley.</p> + +<p>Mr. Scott often told of pounding their corn to pulverize it. +The nearest mill was at Nebraska City. This difficult traffic +continued until 1883, when the Burlington came through Filley.</p> + +<p>Two or three years after we had located here, two young men +came along from Kansas looking for work. My brother was +away from home, working at carpentry, and his wife, fearing +to be alone, would lock the stair door after they retired and +unlock it in the morning before they appeared. They gathered +the corn and then remained and worked for their board. One +day, one of the young men was taken sick. The other was sent +for Dr. Boggs. He lost his way in a raging blizzard and came +out five miles north of where he intended to, but reached the +doctor and secured medicine, the doctor not being able to go. +The next day Dr. Boggs, with his son to shovel through the +drifts, succeeded in getting there. The young man grew worse, +they sent for his mother, and she came by stage. The storm +was so fierce the stage was left there for a week; the horses were +taken to Melroy postoffice. The young man died and was taken +in the stage to Beatrice to be shipped home, men going with +shovels to dig a road. Arriving there it was found that the +railroad was blocked. As they could not ship the body, they +secured a casket and the next day brought it back to our house. +My brother was not at home, and they took the corpse to a +neighbor's house. The next day they buried him four miles +east, at what is now known as Crab Orchard.</p> + +<p>True, life in those days tended to make our people sturdy, +independent and ingenious, but for real comfort it is not +strange that we prefer present day living, with good mail service, +easy modes of transportation, modern houses, and well +equipped educational institutions.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>BIOGRAPHY OF FORD LEWIS</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By (Mrs. D. S.) H. Virginia Lewis Dalbey</span></h3> + + +<p>As my father, Ford Lewis, was one of the pioneer land owners +in Nebraska and assisted actively in settling the southeast +part of the state, I have been requested to give a brief sketch +of his life and early experiences in this state. My only regret +in writing this is that he is not here to speak for himself. Ford +Lewis was born in Deckertown, New Jersey, July 25, 1829, son +of Phoebe and Levi Lewis, the latter engaged in mercantile business +both in Hamburg and Hackettstown, New Jersey.</p> + +<p>After finishing his education at William Rankin's Classical +School and studying under Chris Marsh, author of double entry +bookkeeping, he assisted his father in the mercantile business +for some time. However, he preferred other pursuits and after +a successful test of his judgment in real estate, started west. +At Syracuse, New York, he was induced to engage in partnership +under the name of Chapman & Lewis, watch case manufacturers +and importers of watch movements; keeping standard +time for the New York Central and other roads and supplying +railroad officials, conductors, and engineers with the highest +grade of watches.</p> + +<p>Selling his interest in 1856, he accepted the general agency +of the Morse Publishing House, New York, making his headquarters +at Charleston, South Carolina, in winter and at Cleveland, +Ohio, in summer, until 1859, when he went to Jerseyville, +Illinois, with his parents and sister, buying and selling real +estate in that city and Jersey county until 1867, when, with +Congressman Robert M. Knapp, he visited Nebraska, and made +his first investment in government land, many of his United +States patents being signed by Presidents Grant and Johnson.</p> + +<p>Ford Lewis was in pioneer days one of the largest owners of +farm lands in Nebraska, his holdings being chiefly in Pawnee, +Otoe, Gage, Johnson, and Lancaster counties. On one of his +advertising cards he states that, "occupied for eighteen years +past in the purchase and sale of over 80,000 acres of other lands,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> +these, on account of their well known intrinsic value have been +reserved intact."</p> + +<p>Mr. Lewis founded the towns of Lewiston in Pawnee county +and Virginia in Gage county, naming the latter in honor of his +daughter.</p> + +<p>At a meeting of the Nebraska legislature held at Omaha in +1867, Mr. Lewis was an interested spectator, and before the +capital of the state was changed he predicted its location in the +salt basin, almost on the spot where Lincoln now stands. He +accordingly purchased property in the vicinity of what is now +Beatrice, making a comfortable fortune as the result of his +wisdom and foresight. By Ford Lewis' liberality to those +purchasing land from him, in selling at reasonable prices, and +extending their contracts during hard times, instead of making +purchasers forfeit their land because of inability to meet their +payments, he encouraged and assisted many settlers who are now +some of Nebraska's most prosperous farmers to keep their land, +which is now the source of their prosperity. During the period +when he was borrowing money for his investments in Nebraska +land, many Illinois people remarked that Ford Lewis was "land +crazy," but have since wished they had had his vision, and +courage to hold their purchases through the crop failures and +drouths which are sometimes the portion of every community: +those who followed his advice now "rise up and call him +blessed."</p> + +<p>That he was not alone in his judgment is evidenced by the +large land holdings of the late Lord Scully of England and the +late John W. Bookwalter of Springfield, Ohio, who recently died +in Italy, and was a warm personal friend of my father's, having +purchased some of his land from him.</p> + +<p>Mr. Lewis married Miss Elizabeth Davis of Jerseyville, Illinois, +in 1864. She was the first girl baby born in that town, +her parents being among the earliest pioneers there from New +Jersey; so her childhood memories of bears, Indians, and slave +refugees during the civil war, and roaming the woods surrounding +their home prepared her to be a capable and sympathetic +helpmate for my father during his many pioneer trips to +Nebraska.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>A BUFFALO HUNT</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By W. H. Avery</span></h3> + + +<p>In the fall of 1866, about the last of October, a party of nine +men, myself included, started out from Rose creek for a buffalo +hunt. At Whiterock, Kansas, we were joined by another +party of four men with "Old Martin Fisher," an early Whiterock +settler, as official guide. Our equipment consisted of four +wagons, one of which was drawn by a double ox team. There +were numerous firearms and plenty of provisions for the trip. +The party was much elated over the first day's experiences as +night found us in possession of four fine buffalo. That evening +while we were riding out after one of the buffalo our ears +were greeted by the Indian yell. Looking back up a draw we +saw five redmen galloping toward us. At the time we did not +know they were friendly, but that was proven later. They +came up to us and wanted powder or "bullet" and also wanted +to swap guns. All they succeeded in getting was a necktie which +one of the men gave them. After a short parley among themselves +they left, going back to our camp where we had left one +man to guard the camp and prepare supper. There they helped +themselves to the loaf of bread the guard had just baked, a $12 +coat, a $22 revolver, and one good bridle; away they went and +that was the last seen of them. The night was passed in safety +and the next day we hunted without any exciting experiences. +The following day we met with only fair success so thought we +had better start for home. In the morning the party divided, +our guide, Fisher, and two men going on and leaving the rest +of us to hunt as we went along. We succeeded in getting only +one buffalo, but Fisher's men had done better and were ready +to make tracks for home. That night they had suspicions that +there were Indians near so built no fire and in the morning +soon after breaking camp a party of Indians came upon them. +There was considerable parleying about a number of things +which the Indians wanted but the men were unwilling to make +any bargains whatever. All the Indians but one started off and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> +this one still wanted to parley and suddenly drew his revolver +and shot Fisher in the shoulder. The Indian then rode off at +breakneck speed and that was the last seen of them. Fisher +warned the men not to shoot as he was uncertain as to how many +redmen might be in their vicinity and he did not want to take +any great risk of them all being killed. Our party did not know +of the accident until we returned home and we had no encounter +with the party of Indians. We were thankful to be +safely home after a ten days hunt.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>A GRASSHOPPER RAID</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Edna M. Boyle Allen</span></h3> + + +<p>Perhaps children who live in a pioneer country remember +incidents in their early life better than children living in older +settled countries. These impressions stand out clearly and in +prominence all the rest of their lives.</p> + +<p>At least there are several things which happened before I was +six years old that are as vivid in my memory as if they had +happened but yesterday. Such was the coming of the grasshoppers +in 1874, when I was two years old.</p> + +<p>My father, Judge Boyle, then owned the block on the north +side of Fifth street between I and J streets, in the village of +Fairbury. Our house stood where J. A. Westling's house now +stands. Near our place passed the stage road to Beatrice. A +common remark then was, "We are almost to Fairbury, there +is Boyle's house."</p> + +<p>Father always had a big garden of sweet corn, tomatoes, cabbage, +etc., and that year it was especially fine.</p> + +<p>One day he came rushing home from his office saying, "The +grasshoppers are coming." Mother and he hurried to the garden +to save all the vegetables possible before the grasshoppers +arrived. I put on a little pink sunbonnet of which I was very +proud, and went out to watch my parents gather the garden +truck as fast as they could and run to the cellar door and toss +it down. I jumped up and down thoroughly enjoying the excitement. +Finally, the grasshoppers, which were coming from +the northwest like a dark cloud, seeming so close, father shut +the cellar door before he and mother returned to the garden +for another load. They had just filled their arms when the +grasshoppers began to drop and not wishing to let any down +cellar they threw what vegetables they had on the ground and +turned a big wooden wash tub over them. By this time my little +pink sunbonnet was covered with big grasshoppers. Mother +picked me up in her arms and we hurried into the house. From<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> +the north kitchen window we watched every stalk of that garden +disappear, even the onions were eaten from the ground.</p> + +<p>When father went to get the vegetables from under the wooden +tub there wasn't a thing there. The grasshoppers had managed +to crawl and dig their way under the edge of that tub.</p> + +<p>The only time an Indian ever frightened me was in the fall +of 1875. I was used to having the Otoe Indians come to our +house. Mother was not afraid of them so of course I was not. +Among them was a big fellow called John Little Pipe. The door +in the hall of our house had glass in the upper half. One afternoon +mother being nearly sick was lying down on the couch +and I took my doll trying to keep quiet playing in the hall. +Looking up suddenly I saw John stooping and looking in +through the glass in the door. I screamed and ran to mother. +He didn't like my screaming but followed me into the sitting +room and upon seeing mother lying down said, "White lady +sick?" Mother was on her feet in a moment. He sat down and +after grumbling a while about my screaming he began to beg +for a suit of clothes. Mother said, "John, you know well enough +you are too large to wear my husband's clothes." Then he +wanted something for his squaw and children. Finally mother +gave him an old dress of hers. He looked it over critically and +asked for goods to patch it where it was worn thin. Grabbing +his blanket where it lay across his knees he shook it saying, +"Wind, whew, whew." After receiving the patches, he wanted +food but mother told him he could not have a thing more and +for him to go. He started, but toward the closet he had seen +her take the dress from. She said, "You know better than to +go to that door. You go out the way you came in." He meekly +obeyed. I had seen him many times before and saw him +several times afterward but that was the only time I was frightened.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>EARLY DAYS IN PAWNEE COUNTY</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Daniel B. Cropsey</span></h3> + + +<p>In March, 1868, I left Fairbury, Illinois, with my two brothers +and a boy friend in a covered wagon drawn by two mules. We +landed at Nebraska City after swimming the mules to get to the +ferry on which we crossed the Big Muddy. We then drove to +Lincoln the first week in April. My father had purchased a +home there on the site where the Capital hotel now stands. +Lincoln then was but a hamlet of a few hundred people. There +were no shade trees nor sidewalks and no railroad. Later father +built a larger house, out a considerable distance in those days, +but today it faces the capitol building. The house is a brick +structure, and all the bricks were hauled from Nebraska City. +Afterwards father sold the home to Chancellor Fairfield of the +State University.</p> + +<p>The year before we came father had come to Nebraska and +had bought a large body of land, about ten thousand acres, in +Pawnee county. I being the oldest boy in our family, it devolved +upon me to go to Pawnee county to look after the land, +which was upland and considered by the older inhabitants of +little value; but the tract is now worth about a million dollars. +Among other duties I superintended the opening up of the lines +and plowing out fifty-two miles of hedge rows around and +through this land. I am sorry to say that most of the money +and labor were lost for prairie fires almost completely destroyed +the hedge.</p> + +<p>I had many experiences during my two years' sojourn in +Pawnee county. The work was hard and tedious. Shelter and +drinking-water were scarce—we drank water from the buffalo +wallows or went thirsty, and at times had to brave the storms in +the open. The people were poor and many lived in sod houses +or "dugouts," and the living was very plain. Meat and fruit +were rarities. The good people I lived with did their best to +provide, but they were up against it. Grasshoppers and the +drouth were things they had to contend with. At times our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> +meals consisted of bread and butter and pumpkin, with pumpkin +pie for Sunday dinner. The barn we usually carried with +us. It consisted of a rope from sixty to a hundred feet long +for each mule or horse and was called the lariat. I put the +pony one night in the barn across the ravine, I well remember, +and in the morning I found a river between the barn and me. +A rain had fallen in the night and I had to wait nearly a day +before I could get to the pony.</p> + +<p>Our only amusement was running down young deer and rabbits +and killing rattlesnakes.</p> + +<p>We often met the red man with his paint and feathers. He +was ever ready to greet you with "How!" and also ready to +trade ponies, and never backward about asking for "tobac." +As I was neither brave nor well acquainted with the Indians I +was always ready to divide my "tobac." Later I found out I +was easy, for the boys told me whenever they met the beggar +Indian they told him to "puckachee," which they said meant +for him to move on.</p> + +<p>We had no banks, and we cashed our drafts with the merchants. +David Butler was governor at that time. He was a +merchant as well, and made his home in Pawnee, so he was my +banker. On two occasions I had the pleasure of riding with him +in his buggy from Pawnee to Lincoln. It was indeed a privilege +to ride in a buggy, for we all rode ponies those days, and +I think I was envied by most of the boys and girls of Pawnee. +On one of my return trips with the governor my good mother +had baked a nice cake for me to take with me, which I put under +the seat along with a lot of wines of several kinds and grades +which the governor's friends had given him. Of course mother +didn't know about the liquids. I'll never forget that trip. We +grew very sociable and the Nemaha valley grew wider and wider +as we drove along; and when we arrived at Pawnee the next +day the cake was all gone, our faces were like full moons, and +it was fully a week before I had any feeling in my flesh.</p> + +<p>I also well remember the first train which ran between Lincoln +and Plattsmouth. That was a great day, and the Burlington +excursion was made up of box cars and flat cars with ties for +seats. Crowds of young people took advantage of the excursion +and we enjoyed it much more than we would today in a well-equipped +pullman.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>EARLY EVENTS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By George Cross</span></h3> + + +<p>Along in the seventies, when everyone was interested in the +project of the erection of a United Brethren college in Fairbury, +the leading promoter of that enterprise held a revival in +the Baptist church. The weather was warm and as his zeal in +expounding the gospel increased he would remove his coat, vest, +and collar, keeping up meantime a vigorous chewing of tobacco. +The house was usually crowded and among the late-comers one +night was W. A. Gould, who was obliged to take a seat in front +close to the pulpit. The next day some one offered congratulations +at seeing him in church, as it was the first time he had ever +been seen at such a place in Fairbury. "Yes," said Gould, "I +used to attend church, but that was the first time I ever sat +under the actual drippings of the sanctuary, for the minister +spit all over me."</p> + +<p>The most closely contested election ever held in Jefferson +county was that in 1879 on the question of voting bonds to the +Burlington and Missouri railroad to secure the passing through +Fairbury of the line being built east from Red Cloud. The +proposition was virtually to indirectly relieve the road from +taxation for ten years. As bonding propositions were submitted +in those days this was considered a very liberal one, as the taxes +were supposed to offset the bonds and if the road was not built +there would be neither bonds nor taxes. It required a two-thirds +vote to carry the bonds and as the northern and southern +portions of the county were always jealous of Fairbury the contest +was a bitter one. Some of the stakes of the old Brownville +& Ft. Kearny survey were yet standing and some still hoped +that road would be built. The people of Fairbury resorted to +all known devices to gain votes, some of which have not yet been +revealed. It was long before the days of the Australian ballot +and more or less bogus tickets were in circulation at every election. +On this occasion a few tickets containing a double negative +were secretly circulated in a precinct bitterly opposed to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> +bonds. Several of these were found in the ballot box and of +course rejected, which left on the face of the returns a majority +of one in favor of the bonds. It has always been believed that +Fairbury lost the road because the officials of the road, who also +comprised the townsite company, thought they could make more +by building up new towns of their own.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter padbase" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/illus_010.jpg" width="600" height="383" alt="Monument on the Oregon Trail, three miles north of Fairbury + +Erected by Quivira Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. Dedicated October 29, 1912. + +Cost $200" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Monument on the Oregon Trail, three miles north of Fairbury + +Erected by Quivira Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. Dedicated October 29, 1912. + +Cost $200</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>EARLY DAYS OF FAIRBURY AND JEFFERSON COUNTY</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By George W. Hansen</span></h3> + + +<p>The first white settler in what is now Jefferson county was +Daniel Patterson, who established a ranch in 1856 where the +Overland, or Oregon trail crosses the Big Sandy. Newton +Glenn located the same year at the trail crossing on Rock creek. +The first government survey of land in this county was made in +1857, and the plat and field notes show the location of "Patterson's +Trading Post" on the southeast quarter of section 16, +town 3 north, range 1 east.</p> + +<p>Early in May, 1859, D. C. Jenkins, disappointed in his search +for gold at Pike's Peak, returned on foot pushing a wheelbarrow +with all his possessions the entire distance. He stopped at the +Big Sandy and established a ranch a short distance below Patterson's +place. A few weeks later, on May 25, 1859, Joel Helvey +and his family, enroute for Pike's Peak, discouraged by the reports +of Mr. Jenkins and other returning gold hunters, settled +on the Little Sandy at the crossing of the trail. About the same +time came George Weisel, who now lives in Alexandria, James +Blair, whose son Grant now lives near Powell, on the land where +his father first located, and D. C. McCanles, who bought the +Glenn ranch on Rock creek. The Helvey family have made +this county their home ever since. One of Joel Helvey's sons, +Frank, then a boy of nineteen, is now living in Fairbury. He +knew Daniel Patterson and D. C. McCanles, and with his +brothers Thomas and Jasper, buried McCanles, Jim Woods, and +Jim Gordon, Wild Bill's victims of the Rock creek tragedy of +1861. He drove the Overland stage, rode the pony express, was +the first sheriff of this county, and forms a connecting link between +the days of Indian raids and the present. Alexander +Majors, one of the proprietors of the Overland stage line, presented +each of the drivers with a bible, and Frank Helvey's +copy is now loaned to the Nebraska State Historical Society. +Thomas Helvey and wife settled on Little Sandy, a short distance +above his father's ranch, and there on July 4, 1860, their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> +son Orlando, the first white child in the present limits of Jefferson +and Thayer counties, was born.</p> + +<p>During the civil war a number of families came, settling +along the Little Blue and in the fertile valleys of Rose, Cub, and +Swan creeks. In 1862 Ives Marks settled on Rose creek, near +the present town of Reynolds, and built a small sawmill and +church. He organized the first Sunday school at Big Sandy.</p> + +<p>The first election for county officers was held in 1863. D. L. +Marks was elected county clerk, T. J. Holt, county treasurer, +Ed. Farrell, county judge. In November, 1868, Ives Marks was +elected county treasurer. If a person was unable to pay his entire +tax, he would accept a part, issue a receipt, and take a note +for the balance. Sometimes he would give the note back so that +the party would know when it fell due. He drove around the +county collecting taxes, and kept his funds in a candle box. He +drove to Lincoln in his one-horse cart, telling everyone he met +that he was Rev. Ives Marks, treasurer of Jefferson county, and +that he had five hundred dollars in that box which he was taking +to the state treasurer.</p> + +<p>Fairbury was laid out in August, 1869, by W. G. McDowell +and J. B. Mattingly. Immediately after the survey Sidney Mason +built the first house upon the townsite of Fairbury, on the +corner northwest of the public square, where now stands the +U. S. postoffice. Mrs. Mason kept boarders, and advertised that +her table was loaded with all the delicacies the market afforded, +and I can testify from personal experience that the common +food our market did afford was transformed into delicacies by +the magic of her cooking. Mrs. Mason has lived in Fairbury +ever since the town was staked out, and now (1915), in her +ninety-sixth year, is keeping her own house and performing all +the duties of the home cheerfully and happily.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Mason's grandson, Claiborn L. Shader, son of Mr. and +Mrs. A. L. Shader, now of Lincoln, was the first child born in +Fairbury.</p> + +<p>One of the most vivid and pleasant memories that comes to me +after the lapse of forty-five years is that of a boy, tired and footsore +from a hundred-mile walk from the Missouri river, standing +on the hill where the traveler from the east first sees the +valley of the Little Blue, looking down on a little group of +about a dozen houses—the village of Fairbury. This was in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> +the summer of 1870, and was my first view of the town that was +ever after to be my home.</p> + +<p>On the second floor of Thomas & Champlin's store I found +George Cross and my brother, Harry Hansen, running off the +<i>Fairbury Gazette</i>, alternating in inking the types with the old-fashioned +roller and yanking the lever of the old-fashioned hand +press. This was about the first issue of the <i>Gazette</i> entirely +printed at home. The first issues were set up at home, hauled +to Beatrice in a lumber wagon, and printed in the office of the +Beatrice <i>Express</i>, until the press arrived in Fairbury.</p> + +<p>When subscriptions were mostly paid in wood, butter, squash, +and turnips, you can imagine what a time Mr. Cross had in +skirmishing around for cash to pay for paper and ink, and the +wages of a printer; so he decided if the paper was to survive +and build up the country, he must have a printer for a partner, +and he sold a half interest in the <i>Gazette</i> to my brother and me. +The principal source of our revenue was from printing the commissioners' +proceedings and the delinquent tax list, taking our +pay in county warrants. These warrants drew ten per cent interest, +were paid in a year, and we sold them to Editor Cramb's +grandfather for seventy-five cents on the dollar. On that basis +they yielded him forty per cent per annum—too low a rate, +we thought, to justify holding.</p> + +<p>Prairie grass grew luxuriantly in the streets. There were not +enough buildings around the public square to mark it. On the +west side were three one-story buildings, the best one still standing, +now owned by Wm. Christian and used as a confectionery; +it was then the office of the county clerk and board of county +commissioners. The second was the pioneer store of John Brown, +his office as justice of the peace, and his home; the third was a +shanty covered with tarred paper, the office and home of Dr. +Showalter, physician, surgeon, politician, and sometimes exhorter; +and a past master he was in them all. On the north +side were two of the same class of buildings, one occupied by +Mr. McCaffery, whose principal business was selling a vile brand +of whiskey labeled Hostetter's Bitters, and the other was Wesley +Bailey's drug store and postoffice. George Cross had the honor +of being postmaster, but Wes drew the entire salary of four dollars +and sixteen cents per month, for services as deputy and +rent for the office. On the east side there was but one building,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> +Thomas & Champlin's Farmers' store. On the south side there +was nothing. On the south half of the square was our ball +ground. Men were at work on the foundation of the Methodist +church, the first church in Fairbury. We were short on church +buildings but long on religious discussions.</p> + +<p>Where the city hall now stands were the ruins of the dugout +in which Judge Boyle and family had lived the previous winter. +He had built a more stately mansion of native cottonwood lumber—his +home, law and real-estate office. M. H. Weeks had for +sale a few loads of lumber in his yard on the corner northeast +of the square, hauled from Waterville by team, a distance of +forty-five miles. All supplies were hauled from Waterville, the +nearest railroad station, and it took nearly a week to make the +round trip. Judge Mattingly was running a sawmill near the +river, cutting the native cottonwoods into dimension lumber and +common boards.</p> + +<p>The Otoe Indians, whose reservation was on the east line of +the county, camped on the public square going out on their annual +buffalo hunts. The boys spent the evenings with them in +their tents playing seven-up, penny a game, always letting the +Indians win. They went out on their last hunt in the fall of +1874, and traveled four hundred miles before finding any buffalo. +The animals were scarce by reason of their indiscriminate +slaughter by hunters, and the Otoes returned in February, 1875, +with the "jerked" meat and hides of only fifteen buffalo.</p> + +<p>The Western Stage Company ran daily to and from Beatrice, +connecting there by stage with Brownville and Nebraska City. +The arrival of the stage was the great and exciting event of each +day; it brought our mail and daily newspaper, an exchange to +the <i>Gazette</i>; and occasionally it brought a passenger.</p> + +<p>After resting from my long walk I decided to go on to Republic +county, Kansas, and take a homestead. There were no +roads on the prairie beyond Marks' mill, and I used a pocket +compass to keep the general direction, and by the notches on the +government stones determined my location. I found so much +vacant government land that it was difficult to make a choice, +and after two trips to the government land office at Junction +City, located four miles east of the present town of Belleville. +I built a dugout, and to prevent my claim being jumped, tacked +a notice on the door, "Gone to hunt a wife." Returning to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> +Fairbury, I stopped over night with Rev. Ives Marks at Marks' +mill. He put me to bed with a stranger, and in the morning +when settling my bill, he said: "I'll charge you the regular +price, fifteen cents a meal, but this other man must pay twenty +cents, he was so lavish with the sugar." On this trip I walked +four hundred and forty miles. Two years later I traded my +homestead to Mr. Alfred Kelley for a shotgun, and at that time +met his daughter Mary. Mary and I celebrated our fortieth +anniversary last May, with our children and grandchildren.</p> + +<p>The first schoolhouse in Fairbury was completed in December, +1870, and for some time was used for church services, +dances, and public gatherings. The first term of school began +January 9, 1871, with P. L. Chapman for teacher.</p> + +<p>In December, 1871, I was employed to teach the winter and +spring terms of school at a salary of fifty dollars a month, and +taught in one room all the pupils of Fairbury and surrounding +country.</p> + +<p>Mr. Cross announced in the <i>Gazette</i> that no town of its size in +the state was so badly in need of a shoemaker as Fairbury, and +he hoped some wandering son of St. Crispin would come this +way. Just such a wandering shoemaker came in the person of +Robert Christian, with all his clothes and tools in a satchel, and +twenty-five cents in his pocket. He managed to get enough +leather from worn-out boots given him to patch and halfsole +others, and was soon prosperous.</p> + +<p>During the summer of 1871 C. F. Steele built a two-story +building on the lot now occupied by the First National bank, +the first floor for a furniture store, the second floor for a home. +When nearly completed a hurricane demolished it and scattered +the lumber over the prairie for two miles south. It was a hard +blow on Mr. Steele. He gathered together the wind-swept +boards and, undismayed, began again the building of his store +and business.</p> + +<p>In the fall of 1871, William Allen and I built the Star hotel, +a two-story building, on the east side, with accommodations for +ten transient guests—large enough, we thought, for all time.</p> + +<p>In the early days of my hotel experience, I was offered some +cabbages by a farmer boy—rather a reserved and studious looking +lad. He raised good cabbages on his father's homestead a +few miles north of town. After dickering awhile over the price,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> +I took his entire load. He afterwards said that I beat him down +below cost of production, and then cleaned him out, while I insisted +that he had a monopoly and the price of cabbages should +have been regulated by law. Soon after, I was surprised to find +him in my room taking an examination for a teacher's certificate, +my room-mate being the county superintendent, and rather +astonished, I said, "What! you teach school?"—a remark he +never forgot. He read law with Slocumb & Hambel, was some +time afterwards elected county attorney and later judge of this +district. Ten years ago he was elected one of the judges of the +supreme court of the state of Nebraska, and this position he still +fills with distinguished ability. I scarcely need to mention that +this was Charles B. Letton.</p> + +<p>A celebration was held on July 4, 1871, at Mattingly's sawmill, +and enthusiasm and patriotism were greatly stimulated by +the blowing of a steam whistle which had recently been installed +in the mill. Colonel Thomas Harbine, vice-president of the St. +Joseph & Denver City R. R. Co., now the St. Joseph & Grand +Island railroad, made the principal address, his subject being +"The railroad, the modern civilizer, may we hail its advent." +The Otoe Indian, Jim Whitewater, got drunk at this celebration, +and on his way to the reservation murdered two white men who +were encamped near Rock creek. He was arrested by the Indians, +brought to Fairbury, and delivered to the authorities, +after which chief Pipe Stem and chief Little Pipe visited the +<i>Gazette</i> office and watched the setting of type and printing on +the press with many a grunt of satisfaction. I was present at +the trial of Whitewater the following spring. After the verdict +of guilty was brought in, Judge O. P. Mason asked him if he +had anything to say why judgment should not be pronounced. +Whitewater proceeded to make a lengthy speech, ridiculed the +former sheriff, S. J. Alexander, and commenced criticizing the +judge. The judge ordered him to sit down. A look of livid +rage came over Whitewater's face, and he stooped slightly as +though to spring. Then the judge turned pale, and in that +rasping voice which all who knew him remember well, commanded +the sheriff to seat the prisoner, which was done.</p> + +<p>The spring of 1872 marked a new era in the life of Fairbury. +On March 13th of that year the St. Joseph and Denver City railroad +built into and through our city. From the time the track-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span>layers +struck Jenkin's Mills, a crowd of us went down every day +to see the locomotive and watch the progress of the work. One +of our fondest dreams had come true.</p> + +<p>In the fall of 1873 Col. Thomas Harbine began the erection +of the first bank building, a one-story frame structure on the east +side of the square. George Cross was the bank's first customer, +and purchased draft No. 1. Upon the death of Col. Harbine's +son John, in August, 1875, I became cashier, bookkeeper, teller, +and janitor of the "Banking House of Thomas Harbine." In +1882 this bank incorporated under the state banking law as the +"Harbine Bank of Fairbury," and I have been connected with +it in various capacities ever since.</p> + +<p>We had our pleasures in those pioneer days, but had to make +them ourselves. Theatrical troupes never visited us—we were +not on the circuit—but we had a dramatic company of our own. +Mr. Charles B. Slocumb, afterwards famous as the author of the +Slocumb high license law, was the star actor in the club. A +local critic commenting on our first play said: "Mr. Slocumb +as a confirmed drunkard was a decided success. W. W. Watson +as a temperance lecturer was eminently fitted for his part. G. +W. Hansen as a hard-up student would have elicited applause +on any stage."</p> + +<p>Election days in those "good old times" gave employment +to an army of workers sent out by candidates to every precinct +to make votes, and to see that those bought or promised were delivered. +John McT. Gibson of Gibson precinct, farmer, green-backer, +and poet, read an original poem at a Fourth of July +celebration forty years ago, one verse of which gives us an idea +of the bitterness of feeling existing in the political parties of +that time:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +"Unholy Mammon can unlock the doors<br /> +Of congress halls and legislative floors,<br /> +Dictate decisions of its judges bought,<br /> +And poison all the avenues of thought.<br /> +Metes out to labor miseries untold,<br /> +And grasps forever at a crown of gold."<br /> +</p></blockquote> + +<p>I do not care to live too much in the past; but when the day's +work is done, I love to draw aside the curtain that hides the intervening +years, and in memory live over again Fairbury's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> +pioneer days of the early seventies. Grasshoppers and drouth +brought real adversity then, for, unlike the present, we were unprepared +for the lean years. But we had hope and energy, and +pulled together for the settlement of our county and the growth +and prosperity of Fairbury.</p> + +<p>We dreamed then of the days to come—when bridges should +span the streams, and farm houses and fields of grain and corn +should break the monotony of the silent, unending prairie. We +were always working for better things to come—for the future. +The delectable mountains were always ahead of us—would we +ever reach them?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE EARLIEST ROMANCE OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEBRASKA</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By George W. Hansen</span></h3> + + +<p>One hundred and three years ago Hannah Norton was born +"away down east" in the state of Maine. Hannah married +Jason Plummer, and in the year 1844, seized by the wanderlust, +they decided to move west. One morning their little daughter +Eleanor, four years old, stood outside the cabin door with her +rag doll pressed tightly to her breast, and watched her parents +load their household goods into the heavy, covered wagon, yoke +up the oxen, and make preparations for a long journey.</p> + +<p>As little Eleanor clambered up the wheel and into the wagon, +she felt none of the responsibilities of the long pioneer life that +lay before her, nor did she know or care about her glorious ancestry.</p> + +<p>Only a few decades previous her ancestor, Major Peter Norton, +who had fought gallantly in the war of the Revolution, had +gone to his reward. His recompense on earth had been the consciousness +of patriotic duty well performed in the cause of liberty +and independence. A hero he was, but the Maine woods +were full of Revolutionary heroes. He was not yet famous. It +was reserved for Peter Norton's great-great-great-granddaughters +to perpetuate the story of his heroic deeds. One, Mrs. +Auta Helvey Pursell, the daughter of our little Eleanor, is now +a member of Quivera chapter, D. A. R., of Fairbury, Nebraska, +and another, Lillian Norton, is better known to the world she +has charmed with her song, as Madame Nordica.</p> + +<p>But little Eleanor was wholly unmindful of past or future on +that morning long ago. She laughed and chattered as the wagon +rolled slowly on its westward way.</p> + +<p>A long, slow, and painful journey through forests and over +mountains, then down the Ohio river to Cincinnati was at last +finished, and the family made that city their home. After several +years the oxen were again yoked up and the family traveled +to the West, out to the prairies of Iowa, where they re<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span>mained +until 1863. Then, hearing of a still fairer country +where free homes could be taken in fertile valleys that needed +no clearing, where wild game was abundant and chills and fever +unknown, Jason, Hannah, and Eleanor again traveled westward. +After a toilsome journey they settled in Swan creek valley, +Nebraska territory, near the present northern line of Jefferson +county.</p> + +<p>Theirs were pioneer surroundings. The only residents were +ranchers scattered along the creeks at the crossings of the Oregon +trail. A few immigrants came that year and settled in the +valleys of the Sandys, Swan creek, Cub creek, Rose creek, and +the Little Blue. No human habitation stood upon the upland +prairies. The population was four-fifths male, and the young +men traveled up and down the creeks for miles seeking partners +for their dances, which were often given. But it was always +necessary for a number of men to take the part of ladies. In +such cases they wore a handkerchief around one arm to distinguish +them.</p> + +<p>The advent of a new family into the country was an important +event, and especially when a beautiful young lady formed a part +of it. The families of Joel Helvey and Jason Plummer became +neighborly at once, visiting back and forth with the friendly +intimacy characteristic of all pioneers. Paths were soon worn +over the divide between Joel Helvey's ranch on the Little Sandy +and the Plummer home on Swan creek, and one of Joel's boys +was accused of making clandestine rambles in that direction. +Certain it was that many of the young men who asked Eleanor +for her company to the dances were invariably told that Frank +Helvey had already spoken. Their dejection was explained in +the vernacular of the time—they had "gotten the mitten."</p> + +<p>The music for the dances was furnished by the most energetic +fiddlers in the land, and the art of playing "Fisher's Hornpipe," +"Devil's Dream," and "Arkansaw Traveler" in such +lively, triumphant tones of the fiddle as played by Joe Baker +and Hiram Helvey has been lost to the world. Sometimes disputes +were settled either before or after the dance by an old-fashioned +fist fight. In those days the accepted policy was that +if you threshed your adversary soundly, the controversy was +settled—there was no further argument about it. At one dance +on the Little Sandy some "boys" from the Blue decided to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> +"clear out" the ranchers before the dance, and in the lively +melee that followed, Frank Helvey inadvertently got his thumb +in his adversary's mouth; and he will show you yet a scar and +cloven nail to prove this story. The ranchers more than held +their own, and after the battle invited the defeated party to take +part in the dance. The invitation was accepted and in the +morning all parted good friends.</p> + +<p>On August 6, 1864, the Overland stage, which had been turned +back on its way to the west, brought news that the Sioux and +Cheyenne were on the warpath. They had massacred entire +settlements on the Little Blue and along the trail a few miles +west, and were planning to kill every white person west of +Beatrice and Marysville.</p> + +<p>For some time the friendly old Indians had told Joel Helvey +that the young men were chanting the old song:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +"Some day we shall drive the whites back<br /> +Across the great salt water<br /> +Whence they came;<br /> +Happy days for the Sioux<br /> +When the whites go back."<br /> +</p></blockquote> + +<p>Little attention had been paid to these warnings, the Helvey +family believing they could take care of themselves as they had +during the past eighteen years in the Indian country. But the +report brought by the stage was too alarming to be disregarded; +and the women asked to be taken to a place of safety.</p> + +<p>At this time Mrs. Plummer and her daughter Eleanor were +visiting at the home of Joel Helvey. They could not return to +Swan creek, for news had come that all Swan creek settlers +had gone to Beatrice. There was no time to be lost. The +women and father Helvey, who was then in failing health, were +placed in wagons, the boys mounted horses to drive the cattle, +and all "struck out" over the trail following the divide towards +Marysville, where breastworks had been thrown up and stockades +had been built.</p> + +<p>During the day Frank found many excuses to leave the cattle +with his brothers while he rode close to the wagon in which +Eleanor was seated. It was a time to try one's courage and he +beguiled the anxious hours with tales of greater dangers than +the impending one and assured her, with many a vow of love,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> +that he could protect her from any attack the Indians might +make.</p> + +<p>The first night the party camped at the waterhole two miles +northwest of the place where now an imposing monument marks +the crossing of the Oregon trail and the Nebraska-Kansas line. +Towards evening of the next day they halted on Horseshoe +creek. In the morning it was decided to make this their permanent +camp. There was abundant grass for their stock, and +here they would cut and stack their winter hay.</p> + +<p>A man in the distance saw the camp and ponies, and mistaking +the party for Indians, hurried to Marysville and gave the +alarm. Captain Hollenberg and a squad of militia came out +and from a safe distance investigated with a spyglass. Finding +the party were white people he came down and ordered them +into Marysville. The captain said the Indians would kill them +all and, inflamed by the bloodshed, would be more ferocious in +their attack on the stockade.</p> + +<p>The Helveys preferred taking their chances with the Indians +rather than leave their cattle to the mercies of the Kansas Jayhawkers, +and told the captain that when the Indians came they +would get to Marysville first and give the alarm.</p> + +<p>Their camp was an ideal spot under the grateful shadow of +noble trees. The songs of birds in the branches above them, the +odor of prairie flowers and the new-mown hay about them, lent +charm to the scene. Two of the party, at least, lived in an enchanted +land. After the blistering heat of an August day +Frank and Eleanor walked together in the shadows and coolness +of night and watched the moon rise through the trees. And +here was told the old, old story, world old yet ever new. Here +were laid the happy plans for future years. And yet through +all these happy days there ran a thread of sorrow. Father Joel +Helvey failed rapidly, and on September 3 he passed away. +After he was laid to rest, the entire party returned to the ranch +on Little Sandy.</p> + +<p>The day for the wedding, September 21, at last arrived. None +of the officers qualified to perform marriage ceremonies having +returned since the Indian raid, Frank and Eleanor, with Frank's +sister as chaperon, drove to Beatrice. On arriving there they +were delighted to meet Eleanor's father. His consent to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> +marriage was obtained and he was asked to give away the bride. +The marriage party proceeded to Judge Towle's cabin on the +Big Blue where the wedding ceremony was solemnly performed +and "Pap" Towle gave the bride the first kiss.</p> + +<p>And thus, just fifty years ago, the first courtship in Jefferson +county was consummated.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>EXPERIENCES ON THE FRONTIER</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Frank Helvey</span></h3> + + +<p>I was born July 7, 1841, in Huntington county, Indiana. My +father, Joel Helvey, decided in 1846 to try his fortune in the +far West. Our family consisted of father, mother, three boys, +and three girls. So two heavy wagons were fitted up to haul +heavy goods, and a light wagon for mother and the girls. The +wagons were the old-fashioned type, built very heavy, carrying +the customary tar bucket on the rear axle.</p> + +<p>Nebraska was at this time in what was called the Indian +country, and no one was allowed to settle in it. We stopped at +old Fort Kearny—now Nebraska City. In a short time we +pulled up stakes and housed in a log cabin on the Iowa side. +Father, two brothers—Thomas and Whitman—and I constructed +a ferry to run across the Missouri river, getting +consent of the commandant at the fort to move the family over +on the Nebraska side; but he said we would have to take our +chances with the Indians. We broke a small patch of ground, +planting pumpkins, melons, corn, etc. The Indians were very +glad to see us and very friendly—in fact, too much so. When +our corn and melons began to ripen, they would come in small +bands, gather the corn and fill their blankets. It did no good +for us to protest, so we boys thought we would scare them away. +We hid in the bushes close to the field. Soon they came and +were filling their blankets. We shot over their heads, but the +Indians didn't scare—they came running straight toward us. +They gave us a little of our own medicine and took a few shots +at us. We didn't scare any more Indians.</p> + +<p>When word came in the fall of 1858 that gold had been discovered +in Pike's Peak by the wagonload, that settled it. We +got the fever, and in April, 1859, we started for Pike's Peak. +We went by the way of Beatrice, striking the Overland trail +near the Big Sandy. An ex-soldier, Tim Taylor, told us he believed +the Little Sandy to be the best place in southern Nebraska. +We built a ranch house on the trail at the crossing of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> +Little Sandy and engaged in freighting from the Missouri river +to the Rocky Mountains. This we did for several years, receiving +seven to eight cents per pound. We hauled seven thousand +to eight thousand pounds on a wagon, and it required from +seventy-five to eighty days to make a round trip with eight and +ten yoke of oxen to a wagon. I spent about nine years freighting +across the plains from Atchison, Leavenworth, St. Joseph, +and Nebraska City to Denver, hauling government supplies to +Fort Laramie. In 1863-64 I served as substitute stage driver, +messenger, or pony express rider. I have met at some time or +another nearly every noted character or "bad man" that passed +up and down the trail. I met Wild Bill for the first time at +Rock Creek ranch. I met him often after the killing of McCanles, +and helped bury the dead. I was well acquainted with +McCanles. Wild Bill was a remarkable man, unexcelled as a +shot, hard to get acquainted with. Lyman, or Jack, Slade was +considered the worst man-killer on the plains.</p> + +<p>The Indians did not give us much trouble until the closing +year of the civil war. Our trains were held up several times, +being forced to corral. We were fortunate not to lose a man. +I have shot at hundreds of Indians. I cannot say positively +that I ever killed one, although I was considered a crack shot. +I can remember of twenty or more staying with us one night, +stretching out on their blankets before the fireplace, and departing +in the morning without making a move out of the way. +The Pawnees and Otoes were very bitter toward the Sioux and +Cheyennes. In the summer of 1862 over five hundred Indians +were engaged in an all-day fight on the Little Blue river south +of Meridian. That night over a hundred warriors danced +around a camp-fire with the scalps of their foes on a pole, catching +the bloody scalp with their teeth. How many were killed +we never knew.</p> + +<p>My brothers and I went on one special buffalo hunt with three +different tribes of Indians—Otoes, Omahas, and Pawnees—about +one thousand in all, on Rose creek, about where the town of +Hubbell is situated. We were gone about four days. The Indians +would do all the killing. When they got what they +wanted, then we boys would get our meat. There was plenty +for all. The prairies were covered with buffalo; they were never +out of sight. On the 4th of July, 1859, six of us with two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> +wagons, four yoke of oxen to a wagon, went over on the Republican +where there were always thousands of buffalo. We were +out two weeks and killed what meat we wanted. We always +had a guard out at night when we camped, keeping the wolves +from our fresh meat. We came home to the ranch heavily loaded. +We sold some and dried some for our own use.</p> + +<p>I homesteaded, June 13, 1866, on the Little Blue, five miles +northwest of Fairbury, and helped the settlers looking for homesteads +locate their land. My father, Joel Helvey, entered forty +acres where we had established our ranch on Little Sandy in +1861, the first year any land was entered in this county. I was +the first sheriff of this county; served four years, 1867-1870. +No sheriff had qualified or served before 1867. County business +was done at Big Sandy and Meridian, and at the houses of the +county officers. We carried the county records around from +place to place in gunny sacks.</p> + +<p>I am glad I participated in the earliest happenings of this +county, and am proud to be one of its citizens.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter padbase" style="width: 472px;"> +<img src="images/illus_011.jpg" width="472" height="600" alt="Mrs. Elizabeth C. Langworthy + +Seventh State Regent, Nebraska Society, Daughters of the American +Revolution. 1905-1906" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Mrs. Elizabeth C. Langworthy + +Seventh State Regent, Nebraska Society, Daughters of the American +Revolution. 1905-1906</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>LOOKING BACKWARD</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By George E. Jenkins</span></h3> + + +<p>Looking backward forty years and more, I feel as Longfellow +so beautifully expresses it,</p> + +<blockquote><p> +"You may build more splendid habitations,<br /> +Fill your rooms with sculpture and with paintings,<br /> +But you cannot buy with gold the old associations,"<br /> +</p></blockquote> + +<p>for in that time I have seen Fairbury grow from a little hamlet +to a city of the first class, surrounded by a country that we used +to call "the Indian country," considered unfit for agricultural +purposes, but today it blossoms as the rose and no finer land +lies anywhere.</p> + +<p>I have read with great interest of the happenings of ten, +twenty, thirty years ago as published each week in our Fairbury +papers, but am going to delve into ancient history a little deeper +and tell you from personal experience of the interesting picture +presented to me forty-odd years ago, I think in the year 70 or +'71, for I distinctly remember the day I caught the first glimpse +of Fairbury. It was a bright and sunshiny morning in July. +We had been making the towns in western Kansas and had gotten +rather a late start from Concordia the day before; a storm +coming up suddenly compelled us to seek shelter for the night. +My traveling companion was A. V. Whiting, selling shoes, and +I was selling dry-goods, both from wholesale houses in St. Joseph, +Missouri. Mr. Whiting is well and honorably known in +Fairbury as he was afterwards in business there for many years. +He has been a resident of Lincoln for twenty-three years.</p> + +<p>There were no railroads or automobiles in the country at that +time and we had to depend on a good pair of horses and a covered +spring wagon. We found a place of shelter at Marks' +mill, located on Rose creek fifteen miles southwest of Fairbury, +and here we stayed all night. I shall always remember our introduction +there, viz: as we drove up to the house I saw a large, +portly old man coming in from the field on top of a load of hay,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> +and as I approached him I said, "My name is Jenkins, sir—" +but before I could say more he answered in a deep bass voice, +saying, "My name is Clodhopper, sir," which he afterwards explained +was the name that preachers of the United Brethren +church were known by at that time. This man, Marks, was one +of the first county treasurers of Jefferson county, and it is related +of him that while he was treasurer he had occasion to go to +Lincoln, the capital of the state, to pay the taxes of the county, +and being on horseback he lost his way and meeting a horseman +with a gun across his shoulder, he said to the stranger, "I am +treasurer of Jefferson county. My saddle-bags are full of gold +and I am on the way to Lincoln to pay the taxes of the county, +but I have lost my way. Please direct me."</p> + +<p>Returning to my story of stopping over night at Rose creek: +we were most hospitably entertained and at breakfast next +morning we were greatly surprised on being asked if we would +have wild or tame sweetening in our coffee, as this was the first +time in all our travels we had ever been asked that question. +We were told that honey was wild sweetening and sugar the +tame sweetening. I cannot refrain from telling a little incident +that occurred at this time. When we had our team hitched up +and our sample trunks aboard, we asked Mr. Marks for our bill +and were told we could not pay anything for our entertainment, +and just then Mrs. Marks appeared on the scene. She had in her +hand a lot of five and ten cent war shinplasters, and as she handed +them to Mr. Marks he said, "Mother and I have been talking +the matter over and as we have not bought any goods from you +we decided to give you a dollar to help you pay expenses elsewhere"; +and on our refusing to take it he said, "I want you to +take it, for it is worth it for the example you have set to my +children." Politely declining the money and thanking our host +and hostess for their good opinion and splendid entertainment, +we were soon on our way to pay our first visit to Fairbury.</p> + +<p>We arrived about noon and stopped at a little one-story hotel +on the west side of the square, kept by a man by the name of +Hurd. After dinner we went out to see the town and were told +it was the county-seat of Jefferson county. The courthouse +was a little one-story frame building and is now located on the +west side of the square and known as Christian's candy shop. +There was one large general store kept by Champlin & McDow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span>ell, +a drug store, a hardware store, lumber yard, blacksmith +shop, a schoolhouse, church, and a few small buildings scattered +around the square. The residences were small and widely scattered. +Primitive conditions prevailed everywhere, and we were +told the population was one hundred and fifty but we doubted +it. The old adage reads, "Big oaks from little acorns grow," +and it has been my privilege and great pleasure to have seen +Fairbury "climb the ladder round by round" until today it has +a population of fifty-five hundred.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE EASTER STORM OF 1873</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Charles B. Letton</span></h3> + + +<p>Spring opened very early in the year 1873. Farmers plowed +and harrowed the ground and sowed their oats and spring wheat +in February and March. The grass began to grow early in +April and by the middle of the month the small-grain fields +were bright green with the new crops. Most of the settlers on +the uplands of Jefferson county were still living in dugouts or +sod houses. The stables and barns for the protection of their +live stock were for the most part built by setting forked posts +in the ground, putting rough poles and brush against the sides +and on the roof, and covering them with straw, prairie grass, or +manure. Sometimes the bank of a ravine was made perpendicular +and used as one side. The covering of the walls and roof +of these structures needed continual renewal as the winds loosened +it or as the spring rains caused it to settle. Settlers became +careless about this early in the spring, thinking that the winter +was over. The prairies were still bare of hedges, fences, or trees +to break the winds or catch the drifting snow.</p> + +<p>Easter Sunday occurred on the thirteenth of April. For days +before, the weather had been mild and the air delightful. The +writer was then living alone in a dugout seven miles north of +Fairbury in what is now the rich and fertile farming community +known as Bower. The granary stood on the edge of a +ravine a short distance from the dugout. The stable or barn +was partly dug into the bank of this ravine; the long side was +to the north, while the roof and the south side were built of +poles and straw in the usual fashion of those days. On the +afternoon of Easter Sunday it began to rain and blow from the +northwest. The next morning I had been awake for some time +waiting for daylight when I finally realized that the dim light +coming from the windows was due to the fact that they were +covered with snow drifts. I could hear the noise of the wind +but had no idea of the fury of the tempest until I undertook to +go outside to feed the stock. As soon as I opened the door I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> +found that the air was full of snow, driven by a tremendous +gale from the north. The fury of the tempest was indescribable. +The air appeared to be a mass of moving snow, and the wind +howled like a pack of furies. I managed to get to the granary +for some oats, but on looking into the ravine no stable was to be +seen, only an immense snow drift which almost filled it. At the +point where the door to the stable should have been there appeared +a hole in the drift where the snow was eddying. On +crawling into this I found that during the night the snow had +drifted in around the horses and cattle, which were tied to the +manger. The animals had trampled it under their feet to such +an extent that it had raised them so that in places their backs +lifted the flimsy roof, and the wind carrying much of the covering +away, had filled the stable with snow until some of them +were almost and others wholly buried, except where the remains +of the roof protected them.</p> + +<p>Two animals died while I was trying to extricate them and at +night I was compelled to lead two or three others into the front +room of the dugout and keep them there until the storm was +over in order to save their lives. It was only by the most strenuous +efforts I was able to get to the house. My clothing was +stiff. The wind had driven the snow into the fabric, as it had +thawed it had frozen again, until it formed an external coating +of ice.</p> + +<p>I had nothing to eat all day, having gone out before breakfast, +and when night came and I attempted to build a fire in the +cook stove I found that the storm had blown away the joints +of stovepipe which projected through the roof and had drifted +the hole so full of snow that the snow was in the stove itself. +I went on the roof, cleared it out, built a fire, made some coffee +and warmed some food, then went to bed utterly fatigued and, +restlessly tossing, dreamed all night that I was still in the snow +drift working as I had worked all day.</p> + +<p>Many other settlers took their cattle and horses into their +houses or dugouts in order to save them. Every ravine and +hollow that ran in an easterly or westerly direction was filled +with snow from rim to rim. In other localities cattle were +driven many miles by this storm. Houses, or rather shacks, +were unroofed and people in them frozen to death. Travelers +caught in the blizzard, who attempted to take refuge in ravines,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> +perished and their stiffened bodies were found when the drifts +melted weeks afterward. Stories were told of people who had +undertaken to go from their houses to their outbuildings and +who, being blinded by the snow, became lost and either perished +or nearly lost their lives, and of others where the settler in +order to reach his well or his outbuildings in safety fastened a +rope to the door and went into the storm holding to the rope in +order to insure his safe return. Deer, antelope, and other wild +animals perished in the more sparsely settled districts. The +storm lasted for three days, not always of the same intensity, +and freezing weather followed for a day or two thereafter. In +a few days the sun shone, the snow melted, and spring reappeared; +the melting drifts, that lay for weeks in some places, +being the only reminder of the severity of the storm.</p> + +<p>To old settlers in Nebraska and northern Kansas this has ever +since been known as "The Easter Storm." In the forty-six +years that I have lived in Nebraska there has only been one other +winter storm that measurably approached it in intensity. This +was the blizzard of 1888 when several people lost their lives. +At that time, however, people were living in comfort; trees, +hedges, groves, stubble, and cornfields held the snow so that +the drifts were insignificant in comparison. The cold was more +severe but the duration of the storm was less and no such widespread +suffering took place.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>BEGINNINGS OF FAIRBURY</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Joseph B. McDowell</span></h3> + + +<p>In the fall of 1868 my brother, W. G. McDowell, and I started +from Fairbury, Illinois, for Nebraska. Arriving at Brownville, +we were compelled to take a stage for Beatrice, as the only railroad +in the state was the Union Pacific.</p> + +<p>Brownville was a little river village, and Tecumseh was the +only town between Brownville and Beatrice. It probably had +one hundred inhabitants. There was only one house between it +and Beatrice. The trip from Brownville to Beatrice took two +days with a night stop at Tecumseh. The scenery consisted of +rolling prairie covered with buffalo grass, and a few trees along +the banks of Rock creek. We stopped for dinner at a house a +few miles northeast of the present site of Endicott, where the +Oregon trail stages changed horses.</p> + +<p>On our arrival at Beatrice we found a little village of about +three hundred inhabitants. The only hotel had three rooms: a +reception room, one bedroom with four beds—one in each +corner—and a combination dining-room and kitchen. There was +a schoolhouse fourteen by sixteen feet, but there were no +churches. We bought a few town lots, entered two or three sections +of land, and decided to build a stone hotel, as there was +plenty of stone along the banks of the Blue river, and in the +water.</p> + +<p>We then took a team and spring-wagon and started to find a +location for a county-seat for Jefferson county. We found the +land where Fairbury is now located was not entered, so we entered +it with the intention of making it the county-seat.</p> + +<p>On our return to Beatrice we let the contract for the stone +hotel, which still stands today. We returned to Illinois, but the +following February of 1869 I came back to look after the building +of the hotel. I bought a farm with buildings on it, and began +farming and improving the land I had entered. In the +summer of 1869 my brother came out again, and we drove over +to lay out the county-seat of Jefferson county, which we named<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> +after Fairbury, Illinois, with the sanction of the county commissioners. +We shipped the machinery for a sawmill to Waterville, +Kansas, and hauled it to Fairbury with teams. Judge Mattingly +bought it and sawed all the lumber that was used for +building around Fairbury. Armstrong Brothers started a small +store in a shack.</p> + +<p>About 1870, I came over from Beatrice and built the first store +building, on the east side of the square, which was replaced a +few years ago by the J. D. Davis building. The Fairbury Roller +Mill was built in 1873 by Col. Andrew J. Cropsey. I bought +his interest in 1874 and have had it ever since. In 1880 I came +to make my home in Fairbury and have watched its steady +growth from its beginning, to our present thriving and beautiful +little city of 1915.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>EARLY EXPERIENCES IN NEBRASKA</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Elizabeth Porter Seymour</span></h3> + + +<p>In the spring of 1872, we came from Waterloo, Iowa, to Plymouth, +Nebraska. My husband drove through, and upon his arrival +I came by train with my young brother and baby daughter +four months old.</p> + +<p>When my husband came the previous fall to buy land, there +was no railroad south of Crete, and he drove across the country, +but the railroad had since been completed to Beatrice. +There was a mixed train, with one coach, and I was the only +lady passenger. There was one young girl, who could not speak +any English, but who had a card hung on her neck telling where +she was to go. The trainmen held a consultation and decided +that the people lived a short distance from the track, in the +vicinity of Wilber, so they stopped the train and made inquiries. +Finding these people expected someone, we waited until they +came and got the girl. My husband met me at Beatrice, and +the next morning we started on a fourteen-mile drive to Plymouth, +perched upon a load of necessaries and baggage.</p> + +<p>We had bought out a homesteader, so we had a shelter to go +into. This consisted of a cottonwood house fourteen by sixteen +feet, unplastered, and with a floor of rough boards. It was a +dreary place, but in a few days I had transformed it. One carpet +was put on the floor and another stretched overhead on the +joists. This made a place to store things, and gave the room a +better appearance. Around the sides of the room were tacked +sheets, etc., making a white wall. On this we hung a few pictures, +and when the homesteader appeared at the door, he stood +amazed at our fine appearance. A rude lean-to was built to +hold the kitchen stove and work-table.</p> + +<p>Many times that summer a feeling of intense loneliness at the +dreary condition came over me, but the baby Helen, always +happy and smiling, drove gloom away. Then, in August, came +the terrible blow of losing our baby blossom. Cholera infantum +was the complaint. A young mother's ignorance of remedies,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> +and the long distance from a doctor, caused a delay that was +fatal.</p> + +<p>Before we came, the settlers had built a log schoolhouse, with +sod roof and plank seats. In the spring of 1872, the Congregational +Home Missionary Society sent Rev. Henry Bates of +Illinois to the field, and he organized a Congregational church +of about twenty-five members, my husband and myself being +charter members. For a time we had service in the log schoolhouse, +but soon had a comfortable building for services.</p> + +<p>Most of the land about Plymouth was owned by a railroad +company, and they laid out a townsite, put up a two-story schoolhouse, +and promised a railroad soon. After years of waiting, +the railroad came, but the station was about two miles north. +Business went with the railroad to the new town, and the distinction +was made between New Plymouth and Old Plymouth.</p> + +<p>Prairie chickens and quail were quite abundant during the +first years, and buffalo meat could often be bought, being +shipped from the western part of the state. In the droves of +cattle driven past our house to the Beatrice market, I have occasionally +seen a buffalo.</p> + +<p>Deer and wolves were sometimes seen, and coyotes often made +havoc with our fowls, digging through the sod chicken house to +rob the roosts. Rattlesnakes were frequently killed and much +dreaded, but deaths from the bite were very rare, though serious +illness often resulted.</p> + +<p>Prairie fires caused the greatest terror, and the yearly losses +were large. Everyone plowed fire guards and tried to be prepared, +but, with tall grass and weeds and a strong wind, fire +would be carried long distances and sweep everything before it +with great rapidity.</p> + +<p>Indians frequently camped on Cub creek for a few days in +their journey from one reservation to another to visit. They +would come to the houses to beg for food, and, though they +never harmed us, we were afraid of them. More than once I +have heard a slight noise in my kitchen, and on going out, found +Indians in possession; they never knocked. I was glad to give +them food and hasten their departure.</p> + +<p>In the summer of 1873, quite a party of us went to the Otoe +reservation to see just how the Indians lived. We had two covered +wagons and one provision wagon. We cooked our food by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> +a camp-fire, slept out of doors, and had a jolly time. We spent +nearly one day on the reservation, visiting the agent's house +and the school and peering into the huts of the Indians. At +the schoolhouse the pupils were studious, but several of them +had to care for papooses while studying, and the Indians were +peering into the doors and windows, watching proceedings. +Most of the Indians wore only a blanket and breech cloth, but +the teacher was evidently trying to induce the young pupils to +wear clothes, and succeeded in a degree. One boy amused us +very much by wearing flour sacks for trousers. The sacks were +simply ripped open at the end, the stamps of the brand being +still upon them, one sack being lettered in red and the other in +blue. Preparations were going on for a visit to the Omahas by +a number of braves and some squaws, and they were donning +paint and feathers. The agent had received some boxes of +clothing from the East for them, which they were eager to wear +on their trip. Not having enough to fit them out, one garment +was given to each, and they at once put them on. It was very +ludicrous to see them, one with a hat, another with a shirt, another +with a vest, etc. At last they were ready and rode away +on their ponies. As we drove away, an Indian and squaw, with +papoose, were just ahead of us. A thunder storm came up, and +the brave Indian took away from the squaw her parasol and held +it over his head, leaving her unprotected.</p> + +<p>Although the settlers on the upland were widely scattered, +they were kind and neighborly, as a rule—ready to help each +other in all ways, especially in sickness and death. One Thanksgiving +a large number of settlers brought their dinners to the +church, and after morning services enjoyed a good dinner and +social hour together. That church, so important a factor in the +community in early days, was disbanded but a few years ago. +Pioneer life has many privations, but there are also very many +pleasant experiences.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Mrs. C. F. Steele</span></h3> + + +<p>Calvin F. Steele came to Nebraska, in March, 1871, staying +for a little time in Beatrice. He heard of a new town just starting +called Fairbury. Thinking this might be a good place for +one with very little capital to start in business, he decided to go +there and see what the prospects were. Nearly all of the thirty-three +miles was unbroken prairie, with no landmarks to guide +one. Mr. Steele had hired a horse to ride. Late in the afternoon +the sky was overcast, and a storm came up. He saw some +distance ahead of him a little rise of ground, and urging his +horse forward he made for that, hoping he might be able to +catch sight of the town he sought. To his surprise he found +himself on top of a dugout.</p> + +<p>The man of the house came rushing out. Mr. Steele explained +and asked directions, only to find he was not near Fairbury as +he hoped. He was kindly taken in for the night, and while all +slept in the one room, that was so clean and comfortable, and +the welcome so kindly, a friendship was started that night, a +friendship that grew and strengthened with the years and lasted +as long as E. D. Brickley, the man of the dugout, lived.</p> + +<p>I arrived in Fairbury the first day of May, 1871. The morning +after I came I counted every building in the town, including +all outbuildings having a roof. Even so I could only bring the +grand total up to thirty.</p> + +<p>That summer proved a very hot one—no ice, and very few +buildings had a cellar. We rented for the summer a little home +of three rooms. The only trees in sight were a few cottonwoods +along the ravine that ran through the town and on the banks of +the Little Blue river. How to keep milk sweet or butter cool +was a problem. At last I thought of our well, still without a +pump. I would put the eatables in a washboiler, put the cover +on, tie a rope through the handles, and let the boiler down into +the well. In late September a lady told me as her husband was +going away she would bring her work and sit with me. I per<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span>suaded +her to stay for supper. I intended to have cold meat, a +kind of custard known as "floating island"; these with milk and +butter were put down the well. After preparing the table I +went out and drew up my improvised refrigerator, and removing +the cover went in with milk and butter. Returning almost +instantly, the door closed with a bang and frightened a stray +dog doubtless attracted by the smell of meat. He started to run +and was so entangled in the ropes that as far as I could see, dog, +boiler, and contents were still going.</p> + +<p>The whole thing was so funny I laughed at the time, and still +do when I recall that scene of so long ago.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>HOW THE SONS OF GEORGE WINSLOW FOUND THEIR FATHER'S GRAVE</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Mrs. C. F. Steele and George W. Hansen</span></h3> + + +<p class="center"><i>Statement by Mrs. Steele</i></p> + +<p>I have been asked to tell the story of how the sons of George +Winslow found their father's grave.</p> + +<p>In April, 1911, it was my pleasure and privilege to go to +Washington to attend the national meeting of the Daughters of +the American Revolution. I went in company with Mrs. C. B. +Letton as well as a number of other delegates from different +parts of the state. While passing around to cast our votes for +president general, an eastern lady noticing our badges exchanged +greetings with some of our delegates and expressed a +wish to meet some one from Fairbury. She was told that Fairbury +had a delegate and I was called up to meet Mrs. Henry +Winslow of Meriden, Connecticut. She greeted me cordially, +saying her husband's father was a "Forty-niner" and while on +his way to California was taken sick, died, and was buried by +the side of the Oregon trail. In February, 1891, a letter appeared +in a Boston paper from Rev. S. Goldsmith of Fairbury, +Nebraska, saying that he had seen a grave with the inscription +"Geo. Winslow, Newton, Ms. AE. 25" cut on a crude headstone, +and that he was ready to correspond with any interested +party as to the lone grave or its silent occupant. This letter +came to the notice of the sons of George Winslow, and they +placed Mr. Goldsmith in communication with David Staples, of +San Francisco, California, who was a brother-in-law of George +Winslow and a member of the same company on the overland +journey to California.</p> + +<p>Mr. Staples wrote him about the organization of the company, +which was called the "Boston and Newton Joint Stock Association," +and the sickness and death of George Winslow; but after +this they heard nothing further from the Nebraska man.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Winslow asked me if I knew anything of the grave. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> +did not, but promised to make inquiries regarding it on my return +home.</p> + +<div class="figcenter padbase" style="width: 478px;"> +<img src="images/illus_012.jpg" width="478" height="600" alt="Mrs. Charles B. Letton + +Eighth State Regent, Nebraska Society, Daughters of the American +Revolution. 1907-1908" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Mrs. Charles B. Letton + +Eighth State Regent, Nebraska Society, Daughters of the American +Revolution. 1907-1908</span> +</div> + +<p>Soon after reaching home, Judge and Mrs. Letton came down +from Lincoln and as guests of Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Hansen we +were all dining together. The conversation turned to the trip +Mrs. Letton and I had enjoyed together, and we told the story +of the talk with Mrs. Winslow. To my great surprise and pleasure +Judge Letton said, "Why, Mrs. Steele, I remember seeing, +many years ago, close by the Oregon trail, somewhere near the +head of Whiskey Run, a grave marked with a red sandstone, +and it is probably the grave you are searching for. I believe +Mr. Hansen can find it."</p> + +<p>A few days after this Mr. Hansen reported the finding of the +grave. He said the headstone had been knocked down by a +mower and dragged several rods away, and that he had replaced +it upon the grave; that the inscription on the stone was as distinct +as though freshly cut. I at once wrote to Mrs. Winslow, +giving her the facts, and telling her Mr. Hansen would gladly +answer any questions and give such further information as she +might wish.</p> + +<p>The grateful letter I received in reply more than compensated +me for what I had done.</p> + + +<p class="center"><i>Statement by Mr. Hansen</i></p> + +<p>Upon a beautiful swell of the prairie between the forks of +Whiskey Run, overlooking the charming valley of the Little Blue +river, in a quiet meadow, five miles north and one mile west of +Fairbury, close to the "old legitimate trail of the Oregon emigrants," +is a lone grave marked with a red sandstone slab, twenty +inches in height, of equal width, and six inches thick, on +which is carved "Geo. Winslow, Newton, Ms. AE. 25."</p> + +<p>Through this meadow untouched by the plow may still be seen +the deep, grass-grown furrows of the Oregon trail; and when +George Winslow's companions laid him at rest by its side, they +buried him in historic ground, upon earth's greatest highway.</p> + +<p>To the honor of George Winslow's comrades be it said they +loved him so well that in their grief the feverish haste to reach +the gold fields was forgotten, and every member did what he +could to give him Christian burial and perpetuate his memory. +They dug his grave very deep so that neither vandals nor wolves<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> +would disturb him. They searched the surrounding country and +found, two miles away, a durable quality of sandstone, which +they fashioned with their rude tools for his monument, his uncle +Jesse Winslow carving with great care his name, home, and age, +and on a footstone the figures 1849. This service of love rendered +him that day gave to his sons their father's grave, and +enabled us sixty-three years afterwards to obtain the story of +his life, and the story of the journey of his company to California.</p> + +<p>Of all the thousands of men who were buried by the side of +the old trail in 1849 and 1850, the monument of George Winslow +alone remains. All the rest, buried in graves unmarked or +marked with wooden slabs, have passed into oblivion.</p> + +<p>In June, 1912, it was my pleasure to meet George Winslow's +sons, George E. of Waltham, Massachusetts, and Henry O. at +the home of the latter in Meriden, Connecticut. They were intensely +interested in the incident of their father's death and in +the protection of his grave. It was planned that they should +obtain a granite boulder from near their father's home in which +the old red sandstone set up by his companions in 1849 might +be preserved, and a bronze tablet fashioned by Henry O. Winslow's +hands placed upon its face. This has been done, and the +monument was unveiled on October 29, 1912, with appropriate +ceremonies.</p> + +<p>I learned from them that Charles Gould, then in the eighty-ninth +year, the last survivor of the party, lived at Lake City, +Minnesota. Mr. Gould kept a record of each day's events from +the time the Boston and Newton Joint Stock Association left +Boston until it arrived at Sutter's Fort, California. A copy +of this interesting diary and a copy of a <a name="daguerreo" id="daguerreo"></a><ins title="Original has daguerrotype">daguerreotype</ins> of Mr. +Gould taken in 1849 are now in the possession of the Nebraska +State Historical Society. The original letter written by George +Winslow to his wife Eliza from Independence, Missouri, May +12, 1849, and the letter of Brackett Lord written at Fort Kearny +June 17, 1849, describing Winslow's sickness, death, and burial, +and a copy of a daguerreotype of George Winslow taken in 1849, +were given me by Mr. Henry O. Winslow to present to the Nebraska +State Historical Society.</p> + +<p>From the Winslow memorial published in 1877, we learn that +George Winslow was descended from Kenelm Winslow of Dort<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span>witch, +England, whose two sons Edward and Kenelm emigrated +to Leyden, Holland, and joined the Pilgrim church there in 1617. +Edward came to America with the first company of emigrants +in the Mayflower, December, 1620, and was one of the committee +of four who wrote the immortal compact or Magna Charta. He +became governor of Plymouth colony in <a name="date" id="date"></a><ins title="Original has 1833">1633</ins>. His brother +Kenelm came to America in the Mayflower with the long hindered +remainder of the Pilgrim church on a later voyage.</p> + +<p>His son Kenelm Winslow was born at Plymouth, Massachusetts, +in 1635. His son, Josiah Winslow, born 1669, established +the business of cloth dressing at Freetown, Massachusetts. His +son James Winslow, born 1712, continued his father's business, +and was a colonel in the second regiment Massachusetts militia. +His son Shadrach Winslow, born 1750, graduated at Yale in +1771 and became an eminent physician. At the outbreak of the +Revolutionary war, being a gentleman of independent fortune, +he fitted out a warship or a privateer, and was commissioned +to attack the enemy on the high seas. He was captured off the +coast of Spain, and confined in a dismal prison ship where he +suffered much. His son Eleazer Winslow, born 1786, took up +his abode in the Catskill mountains with a view to his health +and while there at Ramapo, New York, on August 11, 1823, his +son George Winslow was born.</p> + +<p>The family moved to Newton, Mass., now a suburb of Boston, +where George learned his father's trade, that of machinist and +molder. In the same shop and at the same time, David Staples +and Brackett Lord, who afterwards became brothers-in-law, and +Charles Gould were learning this trade.</p> + +<p>George Winslow was married in 1845. His first son, George +Edward, was born May 15, 1846. His second son Henry O., +was born May 16, 1849, the day the father left the frontier town +of Independence, Missouri, for California.</p> + +<p>The Boston and Newton Joint Stock Association consisted of +twenty-five picked young men from Newton and the vicinity of +Boston, each member paying $300 into the treasury. The incidents +along the journey we obtain from Mr. Gould's excellent +journal. They left Boston, April 16, 1849, traveling by rail to +Buffalo, taking the steamer Baltic for Sandusky, Ohio, and then +by rail to Cincinnati, where they arrived April 20, at 9:00 +o'clock p. m.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span></p> + +<p>They left Cincinnati April 23rd, on the steamer Griffin Yeatman +for St. Louis, and arrived there April 27th, then by steamer +Bay State, to Independence, Missouri. The boat was crowded +principally with passengers bound for California. A set of +gamblers seated around a table well supplied with liquor kept +up their game all night. Religious services were held on board +on the Sabbath, Rev. Mr. Haines preaching the sermon. The +usual exciting steamboat race was had, their boat leaving the +steamer Alton in the rear, where, Mr. Gould remarks "we think +she will be obliged to stay."</p> + +<p>On May 3rd, they landed at Independence, Missouri, and began +preparations for the overland journey. In the letter written +by George Winslow to his wife, he says:</p> + +<p>"We have no further anxiety about forage; millions of buffalo +have feasted for ages on these vast prairies, and as their number +have been diminished by reason of hunters, it is absurd to +think we will not have sufficient grass for our animals....</p> + +<p>"We have bought forty mules which cost us $50 apiece. I +have been appointed teamster, and had the good luck to draw +the best wagon. I never slept better in my life. I always find +myself in the morning—or my bed, rather—flat as a pan cake. +As the darn thing leaks just enough to land me on terra firma +by morning, it saves me the trouble of pressing out the wind; +so who cares....</p> + +<p>"Sunday morning, May 13, 1849. This is a glorious morning +and having curried my mules and washed my clothes and bathed +myself, I can recommence writing to you Eliza....</p> + +<p>"We engaged some Mexicans to break the mules. To harness +them they tied their fore legs together and threw them down. +The fellows then got on them and wrung their ears, which like +a nigger's shin, is the tenderest part. By that time they were +docile enough to take the harness. The animals in many respects +resemble sheep, they are very timid and when frightened +will kick like thunder. They got six harnessed into a team, +when one of the leaders, feeling a little mulish, jumped right +straight over the other one's back. One fellow offered to bet +the liquor that he could ride an unbroken one he had bought; +the bet was taken—but he had no sooner mounted the fool +mule than he landed on his hands and feet in a very undignified +manner; a roar of laughter from the spectators was his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> +reward. I suppose by this time you have some idea of a +mule....</p> + +<p>"I see by your letter that you have the blues a little in your +anxiety for my welfare. I do not worry about myself, then +why do you for me? I do not discover in your letter any anxiety +on your own account; then let us for the future look on the +bright side and indulge in no more useless anxiety. It effects +nothing, and is almost universally the bugbear of the imagination.... +The reports of the gold region here are as encouraging +as they were in Massachusetts. Just imagine to yourself +seeing me return with from $10,000 to $100,000...."</p> + +<p>On May 16th this company of intrepid men started out upon +the long overland trail to California. They traveled up the +Kansas river, delayed by frequent rains and mud hub deep, +reaching the lower ford of the Kansas on the 26th, having accomplished +about fifty miles in ten days. The wagons were +driven on flatboats and poled across by five Indians. The road +now becoming dry, they made rapid progress until the 29th, +when George Winslow was suddenly taken violently sick with +the cholera. Two others in the party were suffering with symptoms +of the disease. The company remained in camp three days +and the patients having so far recovered, it was decided to proceed. +Winslow's brothers-in-law, David Staples and Brackett +Lord, or his uncle, Jesse Winslow, were with him every moment, +giving him every care. As they journeyed on he continued to +improve. On June 5th they camped on the Big Blue, and on the +6th, late in the afternoon, they reached the place where the trail +crosses the present Nebraska-Kansas state line into Jefferson +county, Nebraska. Mr. Gould writes: "About a half hour +before sunset a terrific thunder shower arose, which baffles description, +the lightning flashes dazzling the eyes, and the thunder +deafening the ears, and the rain falling in torrents. It was +altogether the grandest scene I have ever witnessed. When the +rain ceased to fall the sun had set and darkness closed in."</p> + +<p>To this storm is attributed George Winslow's death. The +next morning he appeared as well as usual, but at 3 o'clock +became worse, and the company encamped. He failed rapidly, +and at 9 o'clock a. m., the next day, the 8th of June, 1849, painlessly +and without a struggle, he sank away as though going to +sleep. He was taken to the center of the corral, where funeral<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> +services were performed, by reading from the scriptures by +Mr. Burt, and prayer by Mr. Sweetser. He was then borne to +the grave by eight bearers, and followed by the rest of the company. +Tears rolled down the cheeks of those strong men as each +deposited a green sprig in the open grave.</p> + +<p>For him the trail ended here—in these green pastures. All +the rest of his company traveled the long old trail across plains, +mountains, and deserts, and reached the fabled gardens and +glittering sands of El Dorado, only to find them the ashes of +their hopes. He alone of all that company was never disillusioned.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>EARLY DAYS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Mrs. M. H. Weeks</span></h3> + + +<p>When I look upon the little city of Fairbury and see the beautiful +trees, fine lawns, and comfortable homes, it is hard to realize +the feelings I had in July, 1873, when as a bride, coming +from the dear old Granite state, we came to our future home. +I wanted to "go on" somewhere else, for everything that is +usually green was so parched and dreary looking and desolate. +The only trees were at the homes of L. C. Champlin and S. G. +Thomas.</p> + +<p>We spent the night at the Purdy house, and the following +day drove to our homestead; and in fording the river where the +Weeks bridge is now, the water poured into the express wagon +(finest conveyance in town) driven by Will Hubbell. At least +two of the party were much alarmed—our sister Mary Weeks +and the writer.</p> + +<p>It was the first of many peculiar experiences, such as taking +my sewing and a rocking chair, on a hayrack, to the hay field, +rather than stay home alone for fear of the Otoe Indians. The +first intimation of their presence would be their faces pressed +against the window glass, and that would give one a creepy feeling.</p> + +<p>I have ridden to town many times on loads of sand, rock, and +hay; and when the ford was impassable with wagons, I would go +on horseback, with arms around the neck of faithful Billy, and +eyes closed for fear of tumbling off into the water. On the return +trip both of our horses would be laden with bags of provisions.</p> + +<p>In 1867 my husband went with a party of twenty-five on a +buffalo hunt with a man by the name of Soules as guide. They +secured plenty of elk, deer, and buffalo. The wagons were +formed in a circle, to corral the horses and mules nights for fear +of an attack by the Indians; each one taking turns as sentinel. +The mules would always whistle if an Indian was anywhere +near, so he felt secure even if he did sleep a little. They only +saw the Indians at a distance as they were spearing the buffalo.</p> + +<p>All things have surely changed, and now we ride in autos instead +of covered wagons. What will the next fifty years bring?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>LOCATION OF THE CAPITAL AT LINCOLN</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By John H. Ames</span></h3> + + +<p>By an act of the legislature, approved June 14, 1867, it was +provided that the governor, secretary, and auditor of state, +should be commissioners for the purpose of locating the seat of +government and public buildings of the state of Nebraska, and +they were vested with the necessary powers and authority for +proceeding, as soon as practicable, to effect that purpose, and required +on or before the fifteenth day of July in the same year, to +select from among certain lands belonging to the state, and lying +within the counties of Seward, Saunders, Butler, and Lancaster, +"a suitable site, of not less than six hundred and forty acres +lying in one body, for a town, due regard being had to its accessibility +from all portions of the state and its general fitness for +a capital."</p> + +<p>The commissioners were also required, immediately upon such +selections being made, to appoint a competent surveyor and proceed +to "survey, lay off and stake out the said tract of land into +lots, blocks, streets, alleys, and public squares or reservations for +public buildings"; and the act declared that such town when so +laid out and surveyed, should "be named and known as Lincoln," +and the same was thereby declared to be "the permanent +seat of government of the state of Nebraska, at which all the +public offices of the state should be kept, and at which all the sessions +of the legislature thereof should be held."</p> + +<p>The act further provided that the lots in the alternate blocks, +not reserved as aforesaid, in said town, should, after notice +thereof had been given by advertisement for the time and in the +manner therein prescribed, be offered for sale to the highest and +best bidder; and the commissioners were authorized, after having +held the sale for five successive days, as therein provided, at +Lincoln, Nebraska City, and Omaha, to adjourn the same to be +held at such other place or places within or without the state, +as they might see proper, provided that at such sales no lots +should be sold for a less price than a minimum to be fixed on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> +each lot by the commissioners, previous to the opening of the +sales. All moneys received for the sale of said lots were declared +to be a state building fund, and were directed to be deposited +in the state treasury and kept separate from all other +funds for that purpose. Notice was directed to be issued immediately +after the sale of lots, asking from architects plans and +specifications for a building, the foundation of which should be +of stone, and the superstructure of stone or brick, which should +be suitable for the two houses of the legislature and the executive +offices of the state, and which might be designed as a portion +of a larger edifice, but the cost of which should not exceed +fifty thousand dollars. Provision was also made for the letting +of the contract for its construction, and appointing a superintendent +thereof, and also for the erection at Lincoln, as soon as +sufficient funds therefor could be secured by the sale of public +lands or otherwise, of a state university, agricultural college, +and penitentiary; but no appropriation, other than of the state +lands and lots as above described, was made for the aid of any +of the enterprises herein mentioned.</p> + +<p>What was the result of sending three men fifty miles out into +an unbroken, and at that time, almost unknown prairie, to <i>speak</i> +into existence simply by the magic of their own unconquerable, +though unaided, enterprise and perseverance, a city that should +not only be suitable for the seat of government of the state, but +should be able, almost as soon as its name was pronounced, to +contribute from its own resources sufficient funds for the erection +of a state house and other necessary public state buildings, +remains to be seen.</p> + +<p>It appears from the report of the commissioners, made to the +senate and house of representatives at its first regular session, +held in January, 1869, that, having provided themselves with an +outfit, and employed Mr. Augustus F. Harvey, as surveyor, to +ascertain the location of the lines of the proposed sites, they +left Nebraska City on the afternoon of the 18th of July, 1867, +for the purpose of making the selection required in the act.</p> + +<p>After having visited and examined the town sites of Saline +City, or "Yankee Hill," and Lancaster, in Lancaster county, +they proceeded to visit and examine the several proposed sites +in each of the counties named in the act, in which occupations +they were engaged until the twenty-ninth of the same month,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> +when they returned, and made a more thorough examination of +the two sites above referred to, at which time the favorable impressions +received of Lancaster on their first visit were confirmed. +Says the report:</p> + +<p>"We found a gently undulating surface, its principal elevation +being near the centre of the proposed new site. The village +already established being in the midst of a thrifty and considerable +agricultural population; rock, timber, and water power +available within short distances; the centre of the great saline +region within two miles; and in addition to all other claims, +the special advantage was that the location was at the centre of a +circle, of about 110 miles in diameter, along or near the circumference +of which are the Kansas state line directly south, the +important towns of Pawnee City, Nebraska City, Plattsmouth, +Omaha, Fremont, and Columbus.... Under these circumstances +we entertained the proposition of the people residing in +the vicinity of Lancaster, offering to convey to the state in <i>fee +simple</i> the west half of the west half of section 25, the east half +and the southwest quarter of section 26, which, with the northwest +quarter of section 26 (the last named quarter being saline +land), all in town 10, range 6 east; the whole embracing 800 +acres, and upon which it was proposed to erect the new town. +In addition, the trustees of the Lancaster Seminary Association +proposed to convey to the state, for an addition to the site named +in the foregoing proposition, the town site of Lancaster, reserving, +however, certain lots therein which had been disposed of in +whole or in part to the purchasers thereof."</p> + +<p>After being satisfied of the sufficiency of the titles proposed to +be conveyed to the state, and having carefully "considered all +the circumstances of the condition of the saline lands, the advantage +of the situation, its central position, and the value of its +surroundings over a district of over <i>twelve thousand square +miles</i> of rich agricultural country, it was determined to accept +the proposition made by the owners of the land." Accordingly +on the afternoon of the 29th of July the commissioners assembled +at the house of W. T. Donavan, in Lancaster, and by a +unanimous vote formally declared the present site of the capital +city of Lincoln, which action was first made public by a proclamation +issued on the 14th day of August next following.</p> + +<p>On the 15th of August, Messrs. Harvey and Smith, engineers, +with a corps of assistants, commenced the survey of the town,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> +the design being calculated for the making of a beautiful city. +The streets are one hundred and twenty feet wide, and all except +the business streets capable of being improved with a street +park outside the curb line; as, for instance: On the one hundred +feet streets, pavements twelve feet wide and a park or +double row of trees outside the pavement, and planted twelve +feet apart so as to admit of a grass plat between, may be made +on both sides the street. This will leave on the one hundred feet +streets a roadway fifty-two feet wide; with pavements as above, +and parks fifteen feet wide, will leave a roadway on the one +hundred and twenty feet streets of sixty feet; while on the business +streets a ninety-foot roadway was thought to be amply +sufficient for the demands of trade.</p> + +<p>Reservations of about twelve acres each were made for the +state house, state university, and a city park, these being at +about equal distances from each other.</p> + +<p>Reservations of one block each were made for a courthouse +for Lancaster county, for a city hall and market space, for a +state historical and library association, and <i>seven</i> other +squares in proper locations for public schools. Reservations +were also made of three lots each in desirable locations for ten +religious denominations, upon an understanding with the parties +making the selections on behalf of the several denominations, +that the legislature would require of them a condition that the +property should only be used for religious purposes, and that +some time would be fixed within which suitable houses of worship, +costing not less than some reasonable minimum amount, +should be erected. One lot each was also reserved for the use +of the Independent Order of Good Templars, and Odd Fellows, +and the order of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. These +reservations were afterwards confirmed by the legislature, with +conditions recommended by the commissioners, and religious denominations +were required to build on their reserved lots previous +to or during the summer of 1870.</p> + +<p>In anticipation of the completion of the survey, due advertisement +thereof was made as provided by law, and a sale of lots +opened at Lincoln on the 17th day of September, for the purpose +of raising the necessary funds for commencing the construction +of the state house.</p> + +<p>Owing to the unpropitious state of the weather but few bid<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span>ders +were present, and the results of the first day's sales were +light and disheartening; during their continuation, however, +circumstances were changed for the better, and at the end of +five days $34,000 had been realized. Subsequent sales were held +at Nebraska City and Omaha, which by the fourth day of October +had increased that amount to the sum of $53,000. Sales were +subsequently held at Lincoln on the seventeenth of June and +September, 1868, from which were realized the sum of $22,580.</p> + +<p>On the tenth of September, 1867, the commissioners issued +their notice to architects, inviting, for a period of thirty days, +plans and specifications for a state house; and upon the tenth +of October, after having considered the merits of the several +plans presented, they concluded to accept that of Prof. John +Morris, of Chicago, whom they thereupon appointed superintendent +of construction, and issued notice to builders, inviting +proposals for a term of three months, for the erection of the +work; Prof. Morris in the meantime commencing such preliminary +work as excavations for foundations, delivery of material +for foundation, and other arrangements as should tend to facilitate +the progress of the work after the contract was let.</p> + +<p>On the tenth of November the superintendent caused the +ground to be broken in the presence of a number of the citizens +of Lancaster, the removal of the first earth being awarded to +Master Frele Morton Donavan, the first child born in, and the +youngest child of the oldest settler of Lancaster county.</p> + +<p>On the eleventh of January, 1868, the bid of Mr. Joseph +Ward, proposing to furnish the material and labor, and erect +the building contemplated in the contract for the sum of $49,000, +was accepted, and from that time forward the work steadily +progressed, with the exception of a few unavoidable delays, until +its completion.</p> + +<p>On account, however, of the increasing wants of the state, the +difficulties attending, the changes of material and increased +amount of work and additional accommodation found necessary +and advisable, the commissioners deemed it expedient to exceed +the amount of expenditure contemplated in the statute; the additional +expense being defrayed from the proceeds of the sales of +lots and lands appropriated for that purpose.</p> + +<p>It was originally intended that the walls of the building +should be built of red sandstone, and faced with blue limestone,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> +but upon proceeding with the work the architect and builder +found that the difficulties attending the procuration of the last +named material would, unless the object was abandoned, result +in an impossibility of the completion of the work at contract +prices; and in so far retarding its progress as to prevent its erection +in time for the use of the next session of the legislature. +Its use, therefore, was accordingly abandoned, and it was decided +to substitute in lieu thereof the magnesian limestone of Beatrice, +which the experience of the architect had proved to be of far +better character for building purposes than the blue limestone, +it being less liable to wear or damage from frost or fire or any +other action of the elements.</p> + +<p>This change having been made, the work was pushed vigorously +forward, and on the third day of December, 1868, was so +far completed as to be ready for the occupancy of the state officers, +and the governor, therefore, on that day issued his proclamation +announcing the removal of the seat of government from +Omaha to Lincoln and ordering the transportation of the archives +of the state to the new capitol.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>AN INCIDENT IN THE HISTORY OF LINCOLN</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Ortha C. Bell</span></h3> + + +<p>On February 1, 1872, I arrived in Lincoln, the capital of the +state. About the middle of January, 1875, the residents of Lincoln +were greatly startled at seeing a man, shoeless and coatless, +mounted on a horse without saddle or bridle, coming down +Eleventh street at full speed, and crying at the top of his voice, +"Mutiny at the pen!" The man proved to be a guard from +the penitentiary heralding the news of this outbreak and calling +for help. The prisoners had taken advantage of the absence of +Warden Woodhurst, overpowered Deputy Warden C. J. Nobes, +bound and gagged the guard. The leader, Quinn Bohanan, disrobed +the deputy warden, exchanged his own for the clothing +and hat of the deputy, and produced the effect of a beard with +charcoal. This disguise was all so complete that the guards did +not detect the ruse when the prisoners were marched through +the yards, supposed to be in charge of the deputy. When on the +inside of the prison they used the warden's family as hostages +and took possession of the arsenal, and were soon in command +of the situation.</p> + +<p>The man on horseback had spread the news through the city +in a very short time and soon hundreds of men with all kinds of +guns had left their places of business and gone to the penitentiary, +which they surrounded, holding the prisoners within the +walls.</p> + +<p>The governor wired for a detail from the regulars, stationed +at Fort Omaha, and with all possible haste they were rushed to +the scene. They were soon in charge of the situation, and negotiations +were begun for a restoration of normal conditions, +which result was attained in three days' time.</p> + +<p>During all this time Warden Woodhurst was on the outside of +the walls and his brave little wife, with their two small children, +were on the inside. Mrs. Woodhurst used all the diplomacy at +her command to save her own life and that of the two children. +She and the children had served as shields to the prisoners, pro<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span>tecting +them from the bullets of the soldiers on the firing line +around the penitentiary.</p> + +<p>The incident closed without loss of life to citizen or prisoner, +but has left a lasting impression on the minds of those who were +present.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>LINCOLN IN THE EARLY SEVENTIES</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By (Mrs. O. C.) Minnie DeEtte Polley Bell</span></h3> + + +<p>In the spring of 1874 my father, Hiram Polley, came from +Ohio to Lincoln, I being a young lady of nineteen years. To +say that the new country with its vast prairies, so different from +our beautiful timber country, produced homesickness, would be +putting it mildly. My parents went on to a farm near what is +now the town of Raymond, I remaining in Lincoln with an aunt, +Mrs. Watie E. Gosper. My father built the barn as soon as +possible and this was used for the house until after the crops +were put in, then work was begun on the house that they might +have it before cold weather.</p> + +<p>The first trouble that came was the devastating plague of +grasshoppers which swept over this section of the country in the +years 1874 and 1875. Not long after this a new trouble was +upon us. The day dawned bright and fair, became hotter and +more still, until presently in the distance there could be seen the +effects of a slight breeze; this however was only the advance of +a terrible windstorm. When the hurricane had passed, the +barn, which only a few months before had served as the house, +was in ruins. Undaunted, my father set about to rebuild the +barn, which still remains on the farm; the farm, however, is +now owned by other parties.</p> + +<p>In the winter of 1875 there was quite a fall of snow, and one +of the funny sights was a man driving down O street with a +horse hitched to a rocking chair. Everything that could be used +for a sleigh was pressed into service. This was a strange sight +to me, having come from Ohio where we had from three to four +months of sleighing with beautiful sleighs and all that goes to +make up a merry time.</p> + +<p>During this winter many were using corn for fuel and great +quantities were piled on the ground, which of course made rats +very plentiful—so much so that when walking on the streets +at dusk one would almost have to kick them out of the way or +wait for them to pass.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span></p> + +<p>In the course of time a young man appeared upon the scene, +and on December 10, 1874, I was married to Ortha C. Bell. We +were married in the house which now stands at the northeast +corner of Twelfth and M streets, then the home of my aunt, +Mrs. Gosper. Four children were born to us: the first, a daughter, +dying in infancy; the second, Jennie Bell-Ringer, of Lincoln; +the third, a son, Ray Hiram Bell, dying at the age of +three; and the fourth, a daughter, Hazel Bell-Smith. Two +grandchildren have come to brighten our lives, DeEtte Bell +Smith and Edmund Burke Smith. Our home at 931 D street, +which we built in 1886, is still occupied by us.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>A PIONEER BABY SHOW</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By (Mrs. Frank I.) Jennie Bell-Ringer</span></h3> + + +<p>I am a Nebraska product, having been born in the city of +Lincoln, just across the street from the state university, on R +street, between Eleventh and Twelfth.</p> + +<p>When yet very young my proud mother entered me in an old-fashioned +baby show which was held in the old opera house, +known as "The Hallo Opera House." This show was not conducted +as the "Better Babies" contest of today is conducted, +but rather along the line of a game of chance. The judges went +around and talked and played with the various babies. The +baby that made the best impression on the judges, or perhaps, +more correctly speaking, the baby that was on its good behavior, +was the one that made the best impression on the judges.</p> + +<p>To make a long story short, I evidently, at that tender age, +knew when to put on my company manners, and when the prizes +were awarded, I held the lucky number and rode away in a +handsome baby buggy, the first prize.</p> + +<p>The second prize was awarded to John Dean Ringer, second +son of Mr. and Mrs. Bradford Ringer. The third prize was +given to Harry Hardenburg; and an impromptu fourth prize +was awarded to a colored baby.</p> + +<p>The day I was married my newly acquired brother, in bestowing +good wishes upon me, said there was only one fault he had +to find with me, and upon inquiry as to what that might be, he +answered, "You took the first prize away from me at the baby +show."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter padbase" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/illus_013.jpg" width="600" height="337" alt="Boulder at Fort Calhoun + +Commemorating the Council of Lewis and Clark with the Otoe and Missouri Indians, August 3, 1804. +Erected by the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Sons of the American Revolution, and the Nebraska +State Historical Society" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Boulder at Fort Calhoun + +Commemorating the Council of Lewis and Clark with the Otoe and Missouri Indians, August 3, 1804. +Erected by the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Sons of the American Revolution, and the Nebraska +State Historical Society</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>MARKING THE SITE OF THE LEWIS AND CLARK COUNCIL AT FORT CALHOUN</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Laura B. Pound</span></h3> + + +<p>Looking backward for thirteen years, it is difficult for me to +realize that at the beginning of my fourth term as state regent, +in 1902, there were as yet only two chapters of the Daughters of +the American Revolution in Nebraska. From 1894 to 1902 +there had been three other state regents besides myself; and it +was surely through no lack of diligence or patriotism that the +organization grew so slowly. Mrs. S. C. Langworthy had been +appointed organizing regent at Seward in 1896; Mrs. J. A. Cline +at Minden, and Mrs. Sarah G. Bates at Long Pine in 1897; and +Miss Anna Day at Beatrice in 1899. The total membership in +the state probably did not exceed two hundred and fifty, and +these, with the exception of the regents already named, belonged +to the Deborah Avery and the Omaha chapters.</p> + +<p>In 1899, Mrs. Eliza Towle reported to the president general +and the national board of management that the Omaha chapter +had decided to place a monument at Fort Calhoun—undoubtedly +at the suggestion of Mrs. Harriet S. MacMurphy, who was +much interested in the early history of that place.</p> + +<p>As the hundredth anniversary of the acquisition of the Louisiana +territory approached, and interest began to center around +the expedition of Lewis and Clark, it was found that the only +point touched in Nebraska by these explorers which could be +positively identified was old Council Bluff, near Fort Calhoun; +and here the Omaha chapter had decided to erect a monument. +At a meeting of the Omaha chapter in 1901, the state regent +directed the attention of the members to this fact, and it was +voted to enlarge the scope of the undertaking, to make the marking +of the site a state affair, and to ask the coöperation of the +Sons of the American Revolution and of the State Historical +Society. This action was ratified at the first conference of the +Daughters of the American Revolution held in Nebraska, the +meeting having been called especially for that purpose, in Octo<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span>ber, +1902. A committee in conjunction with the Sons of the +American Revolution asked the state legislature of 1903 for a +sum of five thousand dollars to buy the site of Fort Atkinson +and to erect a suitable monument, under the auspices of the Sons +and the Daughters of the American Revolution, the monument +to be erected according to plans and specifications furnished by +the two societies.</p> + +<p>Disappointed by the failure of the legislature to make the desired +appropriation but in no way discouraged, the Daughters +of the American Revolution at the second state conference, held +in October, 1903, voted to observe the anniversary of the first +official council held by Lewis and Clark with the Indians in the +Louisiana territory, and to commemorate the event by placing +a Nebraska boulder upon the site. As chairman of the committee, +it fell to my lot to raise the money and to find the boulder; +and it is with pleasure that I record the ease with which the +first part of my duty was accomplished. The Deborah Avery +chapter gave seventy-five dollars, the Omaha chapter one hundred, +and the two new chapters organized in 1902, Quivira of +Fairbury and Lewis-Clark of Fremont, raised the sum to two +hundred, each promising more if it was needed.</p> + +<p>To find a Nebraska boulder was more difficult; and it was still +more difficult to find a firm in Nebraska willing to undertake to +raise it from its native bed and to carve upon it the insignia of +the D. A. R., with a suitable inscription. Finally a boulder of +Sioux Falls granite was found in the Marsden farm, north of +Lincoln, and it was given to the society by the owner, who remarked +that he was "glad to be rid of it." Its dimensions +were 7-1/2x8-1/3x3-1/2 feet. Its weight was between seven and eight +tons. The firm of Kimball Brothers of Lincoln took the contract +for its removal and inscription. Through the assistance of Mr. +A. E. Sheldon of the State Historical Society, the Burlington +and Missouri railroad generously transported it to Fort Calhoun, +where its placing was looked after by Mr. J. H. Daniels of the +Sons of the American Revolution. As the project had drifted +away from the original intention, and had become a memorial +to commemorate an event rather than to mark a spot, the boulder +was placed on the public school grounds at Fort Calhoun. At +last, almost five years from the time of the broaching of the +project, the wish of the society was accomplished.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span></p> + +<p>The following condenses an account of the unveiling of the +boulder, and the program, from the report of Miss Anna Tribell +Adams of the Omaha chapter for the <i>American Monthly</i> of January, +1905:</p> + +<p>"On August 3, 1904, the village of Fort Calhoun, fifteen miles +above Omaha on the Missouri river, was the scene of the unveiling +of a boulder commemorating the first peace council between +the United States government and the chiefs of the Otoe +and Missouri Indian tribes. The town as well as the school +grounds were brave with bunting and flags. Everyone wore +with a small flag the souvenir button on which was a picture of +the boulder with a suitable inscription. As a matter of history +it is a pleasure to record that the button was designed by Mrs. +Elsie De Cou Troup of the Omaha chapter. One worn by one +of the speakers is in the collection of the Deborah Avery chapter +in the rooms of the State Historical Society at Lincoln.</p> + +<p>"Among those present were Brigadier General Theodore Wint, +representing the United States government, Governor J. H. +Mickey, Adjutant General and Mrs. J. H. Culver, Mr. J. A. Barrett +and Mr. A. E. Sheldon of the State Historical Society, Senator +J. H. Millard, ex-Governor J. E. Boyd, and others.</p> + +<p>"The Thirtieth Infantry band from Fort Calhoun opened the +program. Then came a brief reproduction, in pageant-manner, +by the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben of Omaha, of the Council of 1804, +enacting the Lewis and Clark treaty. Mr. Edward Rosewater +of the Omaha <i>Bee</i> extended the welcome of the day, and brought +to the attention of the audience the presence of Mr. Antoine +Cabney, the first white child born in Nebraska, whose birthplace, +in 1827, was near the site of Fort Calhoun. The state regent, +Mrs. Abraham Allee, introduced Governor Mickey, who spoke +briefly. He was followed by J. A. Barrett of the State Historical +Society, who gave an account of the Lewis and Clark +Council. Honorable W. F. Gurley of Omaha then delivered the +address of the day. At the conclusion of the formal program +the boulder was unveiled. In the presentation speech by Mrs. +S. B. Pound of Lincoln, the boulder was committed formally, in +the name of the Sons and the Daughters of the American Revolution +and of the State Historical Society, to the care of the +citizens of Fort Calhoun."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>EARLY HISTORY OF LINCOLN COUNTY</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Major Lester Walker</span><br /> + +(Late captain Fifth U. S. Cavalry and brevet major U. S. Army)</h3> + + +<p>It is supposed that the first white men who visited Lincoln +county were the Mallet brothers, who passed this way to Santa +Fe in 1739. Pierre and Auguste Chouteau were sent out from +St. Louis to explore the northwestern country in 1762. In 1780 +another expedition was sent to explore the country between the +Missouri river and the Rocky Mountains.</p> + +<p>After the expedition of Lewis and Clark, which followed up +the Missouri river, the first government expedition was made in +1819, under Major Stephen H. Long, who traveled up the north +side of the Platte and crossed just above the forks of the two +rivers, then going up the valley between the two streams to the +site of the present town of North Platte.</p> + +<p>Titian Peale, the naturalist of Philadelphia, was with this expedition +and the Peale family living at North Platte, are relatives +of his. In 1835, Col. Henry Dodge visited this section of +the country in the government employ to treat with the Arikara +Indians.</p> + +<p>In 1843, Col. John C. Fremont, making his expedition up the +Platte, celebrated the Fourth of July of that year, in what is +now Lincoln county. During the year 1844 travel up the Platte +river became quite heavy and the first building in the county +was erected by a Frenchman (name unknown) near the present +residence of Mrs. Burke at Fort McPherson, and was used as a +trading ranch, but was abandoned in 1848.</p> + +<p>In 1852, a man by the name of Brady settled on the south +side of the island now known as Brady Island. Brady is supposed +to have been killed some time during the following year +by the Indians.</p> + +<p>In 1858, the first permanent settlement in the county was +made at Cottonwood Springs and the first building was erected +in the fall of the year by Boyer & Roubidoux. I. P. Boyer had +charge of this ranch. In the same year another trading ranch<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> +was built at O'Fallon's Bluffs on the south side of the river. +In 1859 Dick Darling erected the second building at Cottonwood +Springs. This building was purchased by Charles McDonald +for a store, and he stocked it with general merchandise. In 1860, +Mr. McDonald brought his wife from Omaha, she being the first +white woman to settle in Lincoln county. Mrs. McDonald lived +here about three years before another white woman settled at +Cottonwood Springs. Mr. McDonald is now living at North +Platte, engaged in the banking business. Mrs. McDonald died +in December, 1898, and is buried at North Platte.</p> + +<p>In the spring of 1860, J. A. Morrow built a ranch about +twelve miles west from Cottonwood, to accommodate the great +rush to California. To give some idea of the extent of the +freight and emigrant business along this route, it was no uncommon +thing to count from seven hundred to one thousand +wagons passing in one day.</p> + +<p>During the year 1861, the Creighton telegraph line was completed +through the county. In June, 1861, the first white child +was born. His name is W. H. McDonald, son of Chas. McDonald, +now of North Platte, Nebraska.</p> + +<p>In the spring of 1860, W. M. Hinman removed from Port +Laramie to Cottonwood Springs, and opened up a farm, trading +with the emigrants and Indians. In November, 1863, Fort McPherson +was established by the government at this settlement +of Cottonwood Springs. This military post was first commanded +by Major George M. O'Brien.</p> + +<p>Fort McPherson was established none too soon, for it was in +the following year, 1864, that the war with the Sioux and Cheyenne +Indians commenced. This war continued for over five +years and many emigrants and soldiers were killed.</p> + +<p>What is now known as Lincoln county, was first organized as +a county under the territorial government of Nebraska in 1860. +Cottonwood Springs was made the county-seat. The following +officers were elected: County commissioners—I. P. Boyer, J. +C. Gilman and J. A. Morrow; judge—Charles McDonald; +treasurer—W. M. Hinman. Instead of calling the county +Lincoln, it was named "Shorter." Nothing, however, was done +under this organization. Judge McDonald qualified and the +only business was the marriage ceremony.</p> + +<p>On September 3, 1866, a meeting was held and arrangements<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> +made to reorganize Shorter county under the name of Lincoln +county. Under the reorganization, the following officers were +elected: J. C. Gilman, W. M. Hinman, and J. A. Morrow were +elected county commissioners; S. D. Fitchie, county judge; +Wilton Baker, sheriff; and Charles McDonald, clerk. The county +seat was at Cottonwood Springs. W. M. Hinman built a +sawmill near Cottonwood Springs and did a large business. +The Union Pacific railroad was then being constructed through +this county and the cañons south of the Platte abounded with +cedar timber, furnishing an abundance of material.</p> + +<p>During November, 1866, the Union Pacific railroad was completed +to North Platte and a town was laid out by the railroad +company. The plat of the town was filed with the clerk of the +county on January 31, 1867; a military post was established, +and a garrison of soldiers was stationed here.</p> + +<p>In 1867 the Union Pacific railroad began the erection of shops +and roundhouse, North Platte having been designated as a division +station. During the year 1867, a freight train was wrecked +by the Indians. Several of the trainmen were killed and the +train plundered and burned. In September, 1867, the Indian +chiefs were all called to assemble at North Platte, where they +were met by the commissioners appointed by the government to +treat with them. These commissioners were General Sherman, +General Harney, and John P. Sanborne, and a treaty of peace +was entered into. During the stay of these commissioners, they +were well entertained by the citizens of North Platte. The +county-seat was moved from Cottonwood Springs to North +Platte at an election held October 8, 1867. A total of twenty-one +votes were cast. The officers elected were B. I. Hinman, +representative; W. M. Hinman, county judge; Charles McDonald, +clerk; O. O. Austin, sheriff; Hugh Morgan, treasurer, and +A. J. Miller, county commissioner. There was no courthouse, +and the records were kept at the home of W. M. Hinman, who +had moved from his farm to North Platte. The first county +warrant was issued in 1867. The first term of district court +was held at North Platte in 1867, Judge Gantt then being the +circuit judge for the entire state. July 1, 1867, the first levy +on the Union Pacific railroad in Lincoln county was made on +an assessed valuation of $49,000.00.</p> + +<p>During this year, there was an Indian scare and settlers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> +throughout the county thronged to the military parks at McPherson +and North Platte, taking refuge in the railroad roundhouse +at the latter place.</p> + +<p>The first money collected from fines was that paid into the +county treasury on February 1, 1868, by R. C. Daugherty, a +justice of the peace, who fined a man $21.50 for stealing an +overcoat.</p> + +<p>The first school in the county was taught at North Platte +during the summer of 1868. Theodore Clark was the first +teacher. The next term of school began November 30, 1868, and +was taught by Mary Hubbard, now Mrs. P. J. Gilman.</p> + +<p>The first Sunday school in the county was at North Platte, +and was founded by Mrs. Keith, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Cogswell, and +Mrs. Kramph. There were only three children in attendance.</p> + +<p>During the year 1868, troubles with the Indians were on the +increase. On one occasion, "Dutch" Frank, running an engine +and coming round a curve with his train, saw a large body of +Indians on each side of the road, while a number were crowded +on the track. Knowing it would be certain death to stop, he +increased the speed of his train and went through them, killing +quite a number.</p> + +<p>In May, 1869, the Fifth U. S. Cavalry arrived at Fort McPherson +under General Carr. Eight companies were left here and +four companies went to Sidney and Cheyenne. The government +was surveying this county at that time and the troops were used +to protect the surveyors. Large bands of Indians had left the +reservation and were killing settlers and stealing horses. During +the summer of 1869 the order from General Auger, commanding +the department, was to clear the country of Indians +between the Union Pacific and the Kansas Pacific. I was an +officer of the Fifth U. S. Cavalry and was in command of the +post at North Platte in 1869 and 1870, and was in all the Indian +campaigns until I resigned in 1878.</p> + +<p>The first bank in North Platte was started in 1875 by Walker +Brothers and was later sold to Charles McDonald.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>GRAY EAGLE, PAWNEE CHIEF</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Millard S. Binney</span></h3> + + +<p>It is not often that one sees a real Indian chief on the streets +of Fullerton, but such happened in June, 1913, when the city +was visited by David Gillingham, as he is known in the English +tongue, or Gray Eagle, as his people call him, chief of the +Pawnees.</p> + +<p>Gray Eagle is the son of White Eagle, whom the early inhabitants +of Nance county will remember as chief of the Pawnees at +the time the county was owned by that tribe.</p> + +<p>Gray Eagle was born about three miles this side of Genoa, in +1861. He spent his boyhood in the county and when white men +began to build at the place that is now Genoa, he attended +school there. When he was fourteen years of age he accompanied +his tribe to its new home at Pawnee City, Oklahoma, +where he has since resided. The trip overland was made mostly +on horseback, and the memories of it are very interesting as interpreted +to us by Chief Gray Eagle, and John Williamson, of +Genoa, one of the few white men to make this long journey with +the red men. Gray Eagle made one trip back here in 1879, visiting +the spot that is now Fullerton—then only a few rude +shacks.</p> + +<p>Uppermost in Gray Eagle's mind had always been the desire +to return and see what changes civilization had brought. In +1913 he was sent to St. Louis as a delegate to the Baptist convention, +after which he decided to visit the old scenes. From +St. Louis he went to Chicago and from that city he came to +Genoa.</p> + +<p>"I have always wanted to see if I could locate the exact spot +of my birth," said Gray Eagle, in perfect English, as he talked +to us on this last visit, "and I have been successful in my undertaking. +I found it last week, three miles this side of Genoa. I +was born in a little, round mud-house, and although the house +is long since gone, I discovered the circular mound that had +been its foundation. I stood upon the very spot where I was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> +born, and as I looked out over the slopes and valleys that had +once been ours; at the corn and wheat growing upon the ground +that had once been our hunting grounds; at the quietly flowing +streams that we had used so often for watering places in the +days so long gone by; my heart was very sad. Yet I've found +that spot and am satisfied. I can now go back to the South and +feel that my greatest desire has been granted."</p> + +<p>When asked if the Indians of today followed many of the customs +of their ancestors, he answered that they did not. Occasionally +the older Indians, in memory of the days of their +supremacy, dressed themselves to correspond and acted as in +other days, but the younger generation knows nothing of those +things and is as the white man. In Oklahoma they go to school, +later engage in farming or enter business. "Civilization has +done much for them," said Gray Eagle. "They are hard workers +and have ambitions to accomplish great things and be better +citizens. Only we old Indians, who remember the strenuous +times of the early days, have the wild blood in our veins. The +younger ones have never even seen a buffalo."</p> + +<p>Then he told of his early life in the county and related interesting +stories of the past—Gray Eagle, the Indian chief, and +John Williamson, the pioneer, talking together, at times, in a +tongue that to us was strange, but to them an echo of a very +real past.</p> + +<p>The Loup he called Potato Water, because of the many wild +potatoes that formerly grew upon its banks. Horse creek he +remembered as Skeleton Water, the Pawnees one time having +fought a band of Sioux on its banks. They were victorious but +lost many warriors. Their own dead they buried, leaving the +bodies of their enemies to decay in the sun. Soon the banks of +the creek were strewn with skeletons and ever after the creek +was known to the Indians as Skeleton Water. The Cedar was +known as Willow creek, Council creek as the Skidi, and the +Beaver as the Sandburr.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2>LOVERS' LEAP</h2> +<h3><span class="smcap">By Mrs. A. P. Jarvis</span></h3> +<blockquote><p> +I pause before I reach the verge<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And look, with chilling blood, below;</span><br /> +Some dread attraction seems to urge<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Me nearer to the brink to go.</span><br /> +The hunting red men used to force<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The buffalo o'er this frightful steep;</span><br /> +They could not check their frantic course;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">By following herds pressed down they leap,</span><br /> +<br /> +Then lie a bleeding, mangled mass<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Beside the little stream below.</span><br /> +Their red blood stained the waving grass,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The brook carnation used to flow.</span><br /> +Yet a far more pathetic tale<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The Pawnees told the pioneer</span><br /> +Of dusky maid and stripling pale<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Who found in death a refuge here.</span><br /> +<br /> +The youth had been a captive long,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Yet failed to friendly favor find;</span><br /> +He oft was bound with cruel thong,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Yet Noma to the lad was kind.</span><br /> +She was the chieftain's only child,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">As gentle as the cooing dove.</span><br /> +Pure was this daughter of the wild;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The pale-face lad had won her love.</span><br /> +<br /> +Her father, angered at her choice,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Had bid'n her wed a chieftain brave;</span><br /> +She answered with a trembling voice,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">"I'd rather lie within my grave."</span><br /> +The day before the appointed eve<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When Wactah was to claim his bride,</span><br /> +The maid was seen the camp to leave—<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">The pale-face youth was by her side.</span><br /> +<br /> +She led him to this dangerous place<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">That on the streamlet's glee doth frown;</span><br /> +The sunlight, gleaming on her face,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Her wild, dark beauty seemed to crown.</span><br /> +"Dear youth," exclaimed the dusky maid,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">"I've brought thee here thy faith to prove:</span><br /> +If thou of death art not afraid,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We'll sacrifice our lives to love."</span><br /> +<br /> +Hand linked in hand they looked below,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Then, headlong, plunged adown the steep.</span><br /> +The Pawnees from that hour of woe<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Have named the place The Lovers' Leap.</span><br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span></p></blockquote> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>EARLY INDIAN HISTORY</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Sarah Clapp</span></h3> + + +<p>In 1843 Mr. and Mrs. Lester W. Platt were first engaged in +missionary work among the Pawnees, and in 1857 the government +set aside a tract of land thirty miles by fifteen miles, in +the rich prairie soil of Nance county, for their use; and when +the Indian school was established at Genoa, Mrs. Platt was made +matron or superintendent.</p> + +<p>My mother taught in this school during the years 1866-67. +She found the work interesting, learned much of the customs +and legends of the Pawnees and grew very fond of that noble +woman, Mrs. Platt, who was able to tell thrilling stories of her +experiences during her mission work among the members of that +tribe.</p> + +<p>At the time my mother taught in the Genoa school, the Sioux, +who were the greatest enemies of the Pawnees, on account of +wanting to hunt in the same territory, were supposed to be +friendly with the settlers, but drove away their horses and cattle +and stole everything in sight, furnishing much excitement.</p> + +<p>My father, Captain S. E. Cushing, accompanied my uncle, +Major Frank North, on a number of expeditions against the +hostile Indians, during the years 1869 until 1877. He was with +Major North at the time of the famous charge on the village of +the Cheyennes, when the notorious chief, Tall Bull, was killed +by my uncle.</p> + +<p>In 1856, when Frank North came to Nebraska, a young boy, +he mingled fearlessly with the Indians along the Missouri in the +region of Omaha, where our family first settled, learning their +mode of warfare and living, and their language, which he spoke +as fluently as his mother tongue. In 1861 he took a position as +clerk and interpreter at the Pawnee reservation and by 1863 he +had become known as a daring scout.</p> + +<p>The next year the building of the Union Pacific railroad was +started, and as the work progressed westward the fierce Arapahoes, +Cheyennes, and Sioux began attacking the laborers, until<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> +it seemed deadly peril to venture outside the camps. It was useless +to call on the regular troops for help as the government +needed them all to hold in check the armies of Lee and Johnston. +A clipping from the Washington <i>Sunday Herald</i>, on this +subject, states that "a happy thought occurred to Mr. Oakes +Ames," the main spirit of the work. He sent a trusty agent to +hunt up Frank North, who was then twenty-four years old. +"What can be done to protect our working parties, Mr. North?" +said Mr. Ames. "I have an idea," Mr. North answered. "If +the authorities at Washington will allow me to organize a battalion +of Pawnees and mount and equip them, I will undertake +to picket your entire line and keep off other Indians.</p> + +<p>"The Pawnees are the natural enemies of all the tribes that +are giving you so much trouble, and a little encouragement and +drill will make them the best irregular horse you could desire."</p> + +<p>This plan was new but looked feasible. Accordingly Mr. Ames +went to Washington, and, after some effort, succeeded in getting +permission to organize a battalion of four hundred Pawnee warriors, +who should be armed as were the U.S. cavalry and drilled +in such simple tactics as the service required, and my uncle was +commissioned a major of volunteers and ordered to command +them. The newspaper clipping also says: "It would be difficult +to estimate the service of Major North in money value." General +Crook once said, in speaking of him, "Millions of government +property and hundreds of lives were saved by him on the +line of the Union Pacific railroad, and on the Nebraska, Wyoming, +and Montana frontiers."</p> + +<p>There is much to be said in his praise, but I did not intend +writing a eulogy, rather to tell of the stories which have come +down to me, with which he and my other relatives were so +closely connected.</p> + +<p>During the many skirmishes and battles fought by the Pawnees, +under Major North, he never lost a man; moreover, on several +different occasions he passed through such hair-breadth +escapes that the Pawnees thought him invulnerable. In one instance, +while pursuing the retreating enemy, he discovered that +his command had fallen back and he was separated from them +by over a mile. The enemy, discovering his plight, turned on +him. He dismounted, being fully armed, and by using his horse +as a breastwork he managed to reach his troops again, though<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> +his faithful horse was killed. This and many like experiences +caused the Pawnees to believe that their revered leader led a +charmed life. He never deceived them, and they loved to call +him "Little Pawnee Le-Sharo" (Pawnee Chief), and so he was +known as the White Chief of the Pawnees.</p> + +<p>The coming of the railroad through the state, bringing thousands +of settlers with household furnishings and machinery for +tilling the soil, was of the greatest importance. It was concerning +the guarding of that right of way that a writer for the +<i>Horse World</i> has some interesting memories and devotes an +article in a number in February, 1896, to the stories of Colonel +W. F. Cody, Major Frank North, Captain Charles Morse, Captain +Luther North, Captain Fred Mathews, and my father, Captain +S. E. Cushing. The correspondent was under my father, +in Company B, during one of the scouting expeditions, when the +company was sent to guard O'Fallon's Bluffs, west of Fort McPherson +on the Union Pacific. He tells much more of camp +activities and of his initiation into border life than of the skirmishes +or scouting trips. He was fond of horses and tells of a +memorable race in which a horse of Buffalo Bill's was beaten by +my father's horse "Jack."</p> + +<p>My uncle, Captain Luther North, who also commanded a company +of scouts at that time, now resides in Omaha.</p> + +<p>While yet a boy he freighted between Omaha and Columbus +and carried the mail, by pony, during a period when my grandmother +felt that when she bade him good-bye in the morning she +might never see him again, so unsettled was the feeling about +the Indians. He was intimately acquainted with every phase of +Indian life. He knew their pastimes and games, work of the +medicine men and magicians, and especially was he familiar with +many of their legends. I am happy to have been one of the +children who often gathered 'round him to listen to the tales of +his own experiences or stories told him by the red men.</p> + +<p>One personal experience in the family happened before the +building of the railroad, probably in sixty-one or sixty-two. A +number of men, accompanied by the wives of two of them, went +to put up hay for the government, on land located between +Genoa and Monroe. One night the Indians surrounded their +camp, presumably to drive away their stock. Naturally the +party rebelled, and during the melee which followed Adam<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> +Smith and another man were killed and one of the women, Mrs. +Murray, was wounded but saved herself by crawling away +through the tall grass. The recital of this trouble grew in magnitude +the farther it traveled, until people grew frantic with +fear, believing it to mean an uprising of the Sioux. The settlers +from Shell creek and all directions, bringing horses, cattle, and +even their fowls, together with personal belongings, flocked into +the village of Columbus for mutual protection. My mother, +then a young girl, describes the first night as one of much confusion.</p> + +<p>Some of the fugitives were sheltered with friends, others +camped in the open. Animals, feeling as strange as did their +masters, were bawling or screeching, and no one could sleep, as +the greatest excitement prevailed.</p> + +<p>"They built a stockade of upright posts about eight feet high, +around the town," says my uncle Luther, thinking that as the +Indians usually fought on horseback, this would be a great help +if not a first-class fort.</p> + +<p>They organized a militia company and men were detailed for +guard duty and stationed at different points along the stockade, +so serious seemed the situation. One night Luther North and +two other young men were sent on picket duty outside the stockade. +They took their horses and blankets and went up west of +town about half a mile, to keep an eye on the surrounding country. +A Mr. Needham had gone up to his farm (now the John +Dawson farm) that day, and did not return until it was getting +dark. The guards thought it would be great fun to give him a +little scare, so as he approached they wrapped themselves in +their blankets, mounted, and rode down under a bank. Just as +he passed they came up in sight and gave the Indian war whoop +and started after him. He whipped his team into a run; they +chased him, yelling at every step, but stopped a reasonable distance +from the stockade and then went back. Mr. Needham +gave graphic description of how the Indians had chased him, +which so upset the entire population that sleep was out of the +question that night. Moreover he cautioned his wife in this +wise: "Now, Christina, if the Indians come, it is everybody +for himself, and you will have to skulk." This remark made by +Mr. Needham became a byword, and even down into the next +generation was a favorite saying and always provoked a smile.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> +The young guards had no fear whatever of marauding Indians, +and, blissfully unaware of the commotion they had aroused, +went back up the road to a melon patch, ate a sufficient amount +of the luscious fruit, picketed their horses, wrapped themselves +in their blankets, and lay them down to pleasant dreams. The +next morning they rode into town and reported no red men in +sight. After a few weeks, when there was no further evidence +of trouble from the savages, the people gradually dispersed to +their homes and farms which were, by that time, much in need +of attention.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter padbase" style="width: 480px;"> +<img src="images/illus_014.jpg" width="480" height="600" alt="Mrs. Oreal S. Ward + +Ninth State Regent, Nebraska Society, Daughters of the American +Revolution. 1909-1910" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Mrs. Oreal S. Ward + +Ninth State Regent, Nebraska Society, Daughters of the American +Revolution. 1909-1910</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE BLIZZARD OF 1888</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Minnie Freeman Penney</span></h3> + + +<p>On January 12, 1888, the states of Nebraska and South Dakota +were visited by a blizzard so fierce and cruel and death-dealing +that residents of those sections cannot speak of it even now without +an involuntary shudder.</p> + +<p>The storm burst with great suddenness and fury, and many +there were who did not live to tell the story of their suffering. +And none suffered more keenly than did the occupants of the +prairie schoolhouses. Teachers and pupils lost their lives or +were terribly maimed. The great storm indicated most impressively +the measure of danger and trial that must be endured by +the country school teacher in the isolated places on the frontier.</p> + +<p>Three Nebraska country school teachers—Loie Royce of +Plainfield, Etta Shattuck of Holt county, and Minnie Freeman +of Mira Valley, were the subjects of much newspaper writing.</p> + +<p>Miss Royce had nine pupils. Six went home for luncheon and +remained on account of the storm. The three remaining pupils +with the teacher stayed in the schoolhouse until three o'clock. +Their fuel gave out, and as her boarding house was but fifteen +rods away, the teacher decided to take the children home with +her.</p> + +<p>In the fury of the storm they wandered and were lost. Darkness +came, and with it death. One little boy sank into the +eternal silence. The brave little teacher stretched herself out +on the cold ground and cuddled the two remaining ones closer. +Then the other little boy died and at daylight the spirit of the +little girl, aged seven, fluttered away, leaving the young teacher +frozen and dumb with agony. Loie Royce "hath done what she +could; angels can do no better." Miss Royce lost both feet by +amputation.</p> + +<p>Etta Shattuck, after sending her children home (all living +near) tried to go to her home. Losing her way, she took refuge +in a haystack, where she remained, helpless and hungry Friday,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> +Saturday, and Sunday, suffering intensely and not able to move. +She lived but a short time after her terrible experience.</p> + +<p>Minnie Freeman was teaching in Mira Valley, Valley county. +She had in her charge seventeen pupils. Finding it impossible +to remain in the schoolhouse, she took the children with her to +her boarding place almost a mile from the schoolhouse.</p> + +<p>Words are useless in the effort to portray that journey to the +safe shelter of the farmhouse, with the touching obedience of +the children to every word of direction—rather <i>felt</i> than <i>heard</i>, +in that fierce winding-sheet of ice and snow. How it cut and +almost blinded them! It was terrible on their eyes. They beat +their way onward, groping blindly in the darkness, with the +visions of life and death ever before the young teacher responsible +for the destiny of seventeen souls.</p> + +<p>All reached the farmhouse and were given a nice warm supper +prepared by the hostess and the teacher, and comfortable beds +provided.</p> + +<p>Minnie Freeman was unconscious of anything heroic or unusual. +Doing it in the simple line of duty to those placed in +her care, she still maintains that it was the trust placed in the +Great Spirit who guides and cares for His own which led the +little band—</p> + +<blockquote><p> +"Through the desert and illimitable air,<br /> +Lone wandering, but not lost."<br /> +</p></blockquote> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>AN ACROSTIC</h2> + +<blockquote><p><i>Written to Miss Minnie Freeman in 1888 by Mrs. Ellis of St. +Paul, Nebraska. Mrs. Ellis was then seventy-eight +years old—now deceased</i></p></blockquote> + +<p> +'Midst driving winds and blinding snows,<br /> +Impending dangers round her close;<br /> +No shelter from the blast and sleet,<br /> +No earthly help to guide her feet.<br /> +In God alone she puts her trust,<br /> +Ever to guide the brave and just.<br /> +<br /> +Fierce and loud the awful storm,<br /> +Racking now her slender form,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span>Eager to save the little band<br /> +Entrusted to her guiding hand.<br /> +Marshalled her host, see, forth she goes<br /> +And falters not while tempest blows;<br /> +Now God alone can help, she knows.<br /> +<br /> +See them falling as they go;<br /> +Angry winds around them blow.<br /> +Is there none to hear their cry?<br /> +Now her strength will almost fail;<br /> +Tranquil, she braves the fearful gale.<br /> +<br /> +Preëminent her name shall stand,<br /> +A beacon light o'er all the land,<br /> +Unrivalled on the page of time;<br /> +Let song and story swell the chime.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>EARLY DAYS IN NANCE COUNTY</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Ellen Saunders Walton</span></h3> + + +<p>In 1872, after passing through a great sorrow, a longing came +to me to enter the missionary field among the Indians. At that +time the Pawnee tribe was located on their reservation, now +Nance county, and I was sent to work among them. It was interesting, +at the same time sad and depressing, to witness +the degeneration and savagery of tribal life; and ofttimes +it was seemingly hopeless to civilize and christianize them.</p> + +<p>In 1874 the Pawnees were removed by the government to Indian +territory, now Oklahoma, and the reservation was thrown +on the market. This became Nance county, and a new order of +things followed. Settlers came to the little hamlet of Genoa, +that had been first settled by the Mormons in 1857, and though +later given over to the Indians, it was one of the oldest towns +in Nebraska.</p> + +<p>A church was established under the care of the New England +Congregational Mission and Rev. Charles Starbuck was put in +charge. A small farmhouse where travelers could be accommodated, +and a few homes of those who had bought land, comprised +the village life. This freedom from restraint was indeed +new to one accustomed to the rush of busy life in New York. +Daily rides over the prairie on my pony were a delight.</p> + +<p>It was wonderful how many cultured people drifted into the +almost unknown western country. It was not infrequent to see +in humble sod houses shelves filled with standard books and +writings of the best authors. This was the second wave of population, +and though many things had to be sacrificed that in the +old life were considered necessary to comfort, pioneer life had +its happy features. One especially was the kindly expression of +helpfulness in time of sickness or sorrow. The discomforts and +self denials and the longing for dear ones far away grow dim +and faded! only memories of pleasant hours remain. Then +came the third wave of men and women settling all around,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> +bringing fashion and refining influences, and entertainment of +various kinds. Churches, elevators, banks, and business houses +were built and Nance county began to show the march of civilization +and progress. Where first we knew the flower-gemmed +prairie, modern homes spring up and good roads follow the +trails of the Indian and the hunter.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE PAWNEE CHIEF'S FAREWELL</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Chauncey Livingston Wiltse</span></h3> + + +<p> +As I strolled alone, when the day had flown,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Through the once Pawnee reserve,</span><br /> +Where the memories keep of the brave asleep<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">By the winding Cedar's curve—</span><br /> +Methought the leaves of the old oak trees<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'Neath the sheltering hill-range spoke,</span><br /> +And they said: "It's here that hearts knew no fear,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Where arose the Pawnee smoke!</span><br /> +<br /> +"In the eventide, when all cares subside,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Is the hour the tribe liked best;</span><br /> +When the gold of day crossed the hills away,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And, like those who tried, found rest.</span><br /> +O'er this Lovers' Leap, where now shadows creep,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Strode the chief, in thought, alone—</span><br /> +And he said: 'Trees true, and all stars in view,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And you very winds my own!</span><br /> +<br /> +"'I soon shall pass, like the blades of grass,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Where the wandering shadows go;</span><br /> +Only leaves will tell what my tribe did well—<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But you Hearts of Oak—you know!</span><br /> +To those Hunting Grounds that are never found<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Shall my tribe, in time, depart;</span><br /> +Then it will be you to tell who were true,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With the dawn-song in their heart!</span><br /> +<br /> +"'You will sing a song, with the winds along,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">How the Pawnee loved these hills!</span><br /> +Here he loved to stray, all the wind-glad day—<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In his heart the wind sings still!</span><br /> +You will whisper, too, how he braved the Sioux,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">How life's days he did his part;</span><br /> +Though not understood, how he wished but good,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With but love within his heart!</span><br /> +<br /> +"'The White Father's call reaches us, and all<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To his South Wind land we fly,</span><br /> +Yet we fain would stay with you hills alway—<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It is hard to say good-bye!</span><br /> +You, our fatherland, we could once command,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We are driven from, so fast;</span><br /> +But you hills alway in our hearts will stay<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And be with us at the last!</span><br /> +<br /> +"'Here we took our stand for our fatherland,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Here our sons to manhood grew;</span><br /> +Here their loves were found, where these hills surround—<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Here the winds sang to them, too!</span><br /> +By this Cedar's side, where the waters glide,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We went forth to hunt and dream;</span><br /> +Here we felt the spell of you oaks as well,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And felt all that love may seem!</span><br /> +<br /> +"'Here we felt the pang of the hot wind tang,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Here we felt the blizzard's breath;</span><br /> +Here we faced the foe, as the stars all know—<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Here we saw the face of Death!</span><br /> +Here we braved the wrath of the lightning's path,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Here we dared starvation's worst;</span><br /> +Here tonight we stand, for our fatherland,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Banished from what was ours—first!</span><br /> +<br /> +"'Bravely we obey, and will go away;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The White Father wills it so;</span><br /> +But our thoughts will roam to this dawntime home<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Where our fathers sleep, below!</span><br /> +And some shining day, beyond white men's sway,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We will meet our long-lost own—</span><br /> +Where you singing winds and the dawn begins,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">One will say, "Come in—come home!"</span><br /> +<br /> +"'Just beyond you hills, the Rest Land still<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Is waiting for us all;</span><br /> +At earth's sunset hour One will wake each flower,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And us home will softly call!</span><br /> +Trees and stream, good-bye! Now our parting's nigh;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Know you memory's sweet to me!</span><br /> +Though our footsteps go, you may always know<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">You've the heart of each Pawnee!'</span><br /> +<br /> +"As the chief passed by, stars filled the sky,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And the moonlight softest fell—</span><br /> +But the night winds said, 'Peace is overhead!'<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And the hills said, 'All is well!'"</span><br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>MY TRIP WEST IN 1861</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Sarah Schooley Randall</span></h3> + + +<p>In 1857 my brother, Charles A. Schooley, landed at Brownville +and soon after purchased several tracts of land near there, +one being the old home of Church Howe and adjoining the present +site of the village of Howe. Incidentally, my husband's +father, N. G. Randall, three years later purchased land within +three miles—known later as Bedford.</p> + +<p>In 1860, while my brother was visiting his old home, White +Deer Valley, near Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the smoldering +flames of adventure were kindled in my mind which nothing but +a trip west could quench. On March 1, 1861, we left Williamsport +by train from Pittsburgh and on arriving there went to the +Monongahela hotel, then a magnificent building. Abe Lincoln +had just left the hotel, much to our disappointment. After a +few days we engaged passage on the <i>Argonaut</i> to St. Louis via +the Monongahela, the Ohio, and the Mississippi rivers. Our +experiences were varied and exciting enough to meet my expectations. +During one night we stood tied to a tree and another +night the pumps were kept going to keep us from sinking. +Small consolation we got from the captain's remark that this +was "the last trip for this old hulk." We had ample time for +seeing all the important cities along the shore—Cincinnati, +Louisville, etc.</p> + +<p>Arriving at St. Louis we took passage on a new boat, <i>Sunshine</i>, +and set sail upstream. Perhaps we felt a few pangs of +fear as we neared the real pioneer life. We changed boats again +at St. Joe and then our trip continued, now up the treacherous +Missouri. Every now and then we struck a snag which sent the +dishes scurrying from the table. I am reminded that this trip +was typical of our lives: floating downstream is easy but upstream +is where we strike the snags.</p> + +<p>Of our valued acquaintances met on the trip were Rev. and Mrs. +Barrette, the former a Presbyterian minister coming to Brownville, +and our friendship continued after reaching our destination.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> +Arriving in Brownville, we went to the McPherson hotel, where +we continued to hear disturbing rumors about the coming civil +war.</p> + +<p>After a few days we took a carriage and went west ten miles +over the beautiful rolling prairies to our ranch. I was charmed +with the scene, which was vastly different from the mountains +and narrow winding valleys of Pennsylvania, and was determined +to stay, though my brother had lost his enthusiasm and +gave me two weeks to change my mind. Many a homesick spell +I had when I would have very quickly returned to my father's +home of peace and plenty, but the danger of travel detained me. +I assured my brother that if he would only stay I would be very +brave and economical. I only wanted five small rooms plainly +furnished and a horse and carriage. When the place was ready +we left Brownville in a big wagon, drawn by oxen, and fortified +by a load of provisions. When we came in sight of our bungalow +it proved to be a one-room, unpainted and unplastered edifice, +but I soon overcame that defect by the use of curtains, and +as all lived alike then, we were content with our surroundings. +Our first callers were three hundred Indians on an expedition. +I had been reading extensively about Indians, so knew when I +saw their squaws and papooses with them that they were friendly—in +fact, rather too familiar.</p> + +<p>My brother fenced his land and planted it in corn and all +kinds of vegetables. The season being favorable there was an +abundant crop, both cultivated and wild. The timber abounded +with grapes, plums, nuts, etc., and strawberries on the prairies. +We had a well of fine water, a good cellar or cave, and a genuine +"creampot" cow. Instead of a carriage I had a fine saddle +horse (afterwards sold to a captain in the army), and how we +did gallop over the prairies! One of my escapades was to a +neighbor's home ten miles away for ripe tomatoes. In lieu of a +sack we tied together the neck and sleeves of a calico wrapper, +filled it with the tomatoes, then tied the bottom and balanced it +astride the horse in front of me. Going through the tall slough +grass in one place near Sheridan, now Auburn, the horse became +frantic with heat and flies and attempted to run away. The +strings gave way and the tomatoes scattered. Finally the saddle +turned and the well-trained horse stopped. An inventory revealed +one sleeve full of tomatoes remaining.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span></p> + +<p>Among our near neighbors were Mr. and Mrs. Milo Gates and +family, and Mr. and Mrs. Engle. Mrs. Gates's cheerful optimism +made this pioneer life not only possible but enjoyable.</p> + +<p>After five months, my brother joined the army and went south +as a captain; was several times promoted, and stayed all through +the war. A year after I went back to Brownville to stay until +the war was over, and there made many valued acquaintances: +Senator Tipton's sister, Mrs. Atkinson, Judge Wheeler, H. C. +Lett, the McCrearys, Hackers, Whitneys, Carsons, Dr. Guin, +Furnas, Johnson, etc. About this time the citizens gave a party +for the boys who enlisted, and there I met E. J. Randall, whom +I married soon after he returned from the army. Of the four +Randall brothers who enlisted one was killed, one wounded, and +one taken prisoner. Two of them still live, Dr. H. L. Randall +of Aurora, forty-seven years a practicing physician in Nebraska +and at one time surgeon at the Soldiers' Home, Grand Island; +and A. D. Randall of Chapman, Nebraska, who enlisted at the +age of sixteen and served all through the war.</p> + +<p>After a college course of four years my husband entered the +ministry and served for twenty-five years in Nebraska, except +for one year of mission work at Cheyenne, Wyoming. The +itinerant life is not unlike the pioneer life and brought with it +the bitter and sweet as well, but the bitter was soon forgotten +and blessed memories remain of the dear friends scattered all +over the state of Nebraska, and indeed to the ends of the earth.</p> + +<p>Dr. Wharton said when paying his tribute to my departed +husband, "He still lives on in the lives of those to whom he has +ministered." Our children are Charles H. Randall of Los Angeles, +California, member of congress, and Mrs. Anna Randall +Pope of Lincoln, Nebraska.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>STIRRING EVENTS ALONG THE LITTLE BLUE</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Clarendon E. Adams</span></h3> + + +<p class="center"><i>Painting a Buffalo</i></p> + +<p>The following narrative of Albert Bierstadt's visit to what is +now Nuckolls county, Nebraska, was told to me by Mr. E. S. +Comstock, a pioneer of the county. Mr. Comstock made his first +settlement in this county at Oak Grove, in 1858, and was in +charge of the Oak Grove ranch when this incident took place.</p> + +<p>In 1863 Mr. Bierstadt returned from the Pacific coast via the +Overland stage route, which was then conducted by Russell, +Majors & Waddell, the pioneer stage and pony expressmen of the +plains. Arriving at Oak Grove ranch, Mr. Bierstadt and his +traveling companion, a Mr. Dunlap, correspondent of the New +York <i>Post</i>, decided to stop a few days and have a buffalo hunt. +In company with E. S. Comstock, his son George, and a neighbor +by the name of Eubanks, who was killed by the Indians the +next year, they proceeded to the Republican Valley and camped +the first night in the grove on Lost creek, now known as Lincoln +Park. The following morning the party proceeded up the river +to the farm now owned by Frank Schmeling. Here they discovered +a large herd of buffalo grazing along the creek to the west +and covering the prairies to the north for several miles. Mr. +Comstock says that it was one of the largest herds of buffalo he +had ever encountered and that Mr. Bierstadt became greatly +excited and said, "Now, boys, is our time for fun. I want to +see an enraged wounded buffalo. I want to see him so mad that +he will bellow and tear up the ground." Mr. Comstock said +they arranged for the affray: Mr. Bierstadt was to take his position +on a small knoll to the east of the herd, fix himself with his +easel so that he could sketch the landscape and the grazing +bison, and when this was done the wounding of one of the buffalo +bulls was to take place.</p> + +<p>Bierstadt was stationed on a small knoll in plain view of the +herd; Mr. Eubanks was stationed in a draw near Bierstadt, in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> +order to protect him from the charges of the buffalo, if necessary. +George Comstock was to select a buffalo bull from the +herd and wound him and then tantalize him by shaking a red +blanket at him until he was thoroughly enraged, then he was to +give him another wound from his rifle and lead out in the direction +of Mr. Bierstadt.</p> + +<p>The wounded buffalo became furious and charged Comstock's +horse repeatedly, but Comstock, being an expert horseman, +evaded the fierce charges and was all the time coming nearer to +Bierstadt. When within about three hundred yards Comstock +whirled his horse to the side of the maddened monster. As a +buffalo does not see well out of the side of his eyes on account +of the long shaggy hair about the face, Comstock was lost to +his view. The infuriated animal tossed his head high in air and +the only thing he saw was Bierstadt. Onward he rushed toward +the artist, pawing the ground and bellowing furiously. Bierstadt +called for help and took to his heels. The buffalo struck +the easel and sent it in splinters through the air. Onward he +rushed after the fleeing artist, who was making the best time of +his life. Mr. Comstock said he was running so fast that his coat +tails stuck so straight out that you could have played a game of +euchre on them. The buffalo was gaining at every jump.</p> + +<p>At this point in his story Mr. Comstock became greatly excited. +He was standing on the identical spot telling me the +story, and was living the exciting scene over again. "Why," +he said, "I thought Eubanks never would shoot. I was scared. +The buffalo nearly had his horns under Bierstadt's coat tail. He +was snorting froth and blood all over him, but the gun cracked +and the buffalo fell and Bierstadt was so overcome he fell at the +same time entirely exhausted, but saved from a fearful death." +When he recovered sufficiently to talk, he said, "That's enough; +no more wounded buffalo for me." Mr. Bierstadt was several +days recovering from his fearful experience, but while he was +recovering, he was painting the picture. "Mr. Dunlap, the correspondent, +wrote a graphic and vivid pen picture of the exciting +scene," said Mr. Comstock; "but when Mr. Bierstadt finished +his picture of the infuriated charging buffalo and the +chase, the pen picture was not in it."</p> + +<p>This was the painting that brought Bierstadt into prominence +as an artist. It was exhibited at the first Chicago exhibition and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> +was sold for $75,000. I saw the picture in Chicago before I +heard Mr. Comstock's narrative, and as I was one of the owners +of El Capitan Rancho, the landscape of the famous painting, I +fixed his story vividly upon my memory. Mr. Mike Woerner +now owns a portion of El Capitan Rancho, the landscape of this +famous painting. A portion of this original painting is embraced +in Mr. Bierstadt's masterpiece, "The Last of the Buffalo."</p> + + +<p class="center"><i>An Indian Raid</i></p> + +<p>The settlement of the section now included in Nuckolls county +was attended with more privation and suffering from Indian +raids and depredations than any other county in the state of +Nebraska. The great Indian raids of August 7, 1864, extended +from Denver, Colorado, to Gage county, Nebraska, at which +time every stage station and settlement along the entire line of +the Overland trail was included in that skilfully planned attack. +A certain number of warriors were assigned to each place +and the attack was simultaneous along the line for four hundred +miles in extent.</p> + +<p>The Oak Grove ranch was among the most formidable in fortifications +and a band of forty well-armed braves was sent to capture +and destroy it. On the day of the attack G. S. Comstock, +owner of Oak Grove ranch, was away from home; but besides +his family there were five men at the stockade. The Indians +came to the ranch about mid-day in a friendly attitude. They +had left their ponies about a quarter of a mile away. They +asked for something to eat and were permitted to come into the +house with their guns and bows and arrows on their persons. +They finished their dinner and each received a portion of tobacco +and some matches. Then without any warning they turned +upon the inmates of the ranch yelling and shooting like demons, +and only for the quickness and great presence of mind of one of +the Comstock boys the whites would all have been killed or taken +away captives to submit to the cruelty of the savage foe.</p> + +<p>A Mr. Kelly, from Beatrice, was there and was the first to fall +pierced with an arrow. He had a navy revolver in his belt. +The Indians rushed for it but young Comstock was too quick +for them and seized the revolver first and shot down the leader +of the braves. Seeing the fate of their leader, the Indians +rushed to the door in great fright. The revolver was in skilful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> +hands and three more of the braves went down under the unerring +aim of young Comstock. Kelly and Butler were both +killed outright. Two men by the name of Ostrander and a boy +were wounded. All the other occupants of the ranch had their +clothes pierced with arrows or bullets.</p> + +<p>The Indians ran to their ponies, and while they were away +planning another attack, the wounded were cared for as best +they could. The doors were securely barred and the living were +stationed in the most advantageous places for defense. The +friendly game of the Indians had not worked as they expected, +but they were not daunted and soon they encircled the house, +riding, shooting, and yelling. This fiendish warfare they kept +up all the afternoon. They tried several times to set the buildings +on fire but shots from experienced marksmen, both men and +women, kept them at bay.</p> + +<p>The new leader of the Indians rode a white pony and seemed +at times to work his warriors up to great desperation, and young +Comstock made up his mind to shoot him the next time that he +appeared. It was now too dark to distinguish one man from +another. Mr. Comstock, senior, was mounted on a white horse +and he was enroute home about the time the Indians were expected +to return. The vigilant son raised his gun, took aim, and +was about to shoot, when one of the girls, remembering that her +father rode a white horse, called out, "Father, is it you?" An +affirmative answer came back just in time to prevent the fatal +shot which would have followed in an instant more. Mr. Comstock +had ridden through the Indian lines, while returning to his +ranch, unmolested. He said to me he believed the Indians +spared his life that evening on account of favors he had always +granted them.</p> + +<p>Five miles east of the Comstock ranch that day a boy eighteen +years old by the name of Ulig was met by two Indians. One of +them shook hands with him while the other pierced his body with +a spear and then scalped him and left him writhing in the broiling +sun to die on the prairie. This savage and brutal act was +followed by others unparalleled even in savage warfare. Four +miles above Oak Grove at a place called the Narrows on the +Little Blue river, lived a family of ten persons by the name of +Eubanks. They were from the East and knew nothing of Indians' +cruel warfare and when they were attacked they left<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> +their cabin and ran for the trees and brush along the river banks. +Nine of them were murdered in the most brutal manner: scalped +and stripped of their clothing. Two of the women, Mrs. Eubanks, +with a young babe in her arms, and Laura Roper, a school teacher +who was there on a visit, were the only ones who arrived at a +place of concealment and would have escaped had not the babe +from heat and fright cried out. The practiced ear of the Indians +caught the sound and they were made captives and subjected +to the most inhuman and beastly treatment by the horrible +savages. After the mother was made a captive the baby +cried from hunger. The mother was so famished she could not +nourish the babe but held it fondly in her arms trying to soothe +it; and one of the merciless savages stepped up and brained it +with his tomahawk. No pen or brush can tell the horrors of +this diabolical deed.</p> + +<p>The two women were subjected to six months of bondage impossible +to describe. I was telling this story one day to the late +Captain Henry E. Palmer of Omaha, and learned from him that +he and his command of soldiers and Pawnee scouts followed +these inhuman wretches over the plains trying to bring them to +bay, and finally down on the Solomon river in Kansas captured +some of the Indian chiefs and succeeded in exchanging them for +the two women captives.</p> + +<p>This is one of the terrible chapters in the early settlement of +Nuckolls county and was graphically detailed to me by Mr. +Comstock soon after I settled in the county.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>MY LAST BUFFALO HUNT</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By J. Sterling Morton</span></h3> + +<p class="center">(Read before the Nebraska State Historical Society, January +10, 1899)</p> + + +<p>Among all the glowing and glorious autumns of the forty-odd +which I have enjoyed in clear-skied Nebraska, the most delicious, +dreamy, and tranquil was that of 1861. The first day of October +in that year surpassed in purity of air, clouds, and coloring +all the other October days in my whole life. The prairies were +not a somber brown, but a gorgeous old-gold; and there drifted +in the dry, crisp atmosphere lace-like fragments of opalescent +clouds which later in the afternoon gave the horizon the look of +a far-away ocean upon which one could see fairy ships, and +upon its farther-away shores splendid castles, their minarets and +towers tipped with gold. The indolence of savagery saturated +every inhalation, and all physical exertion except in the hunt +or chase seemed <a name="repel1" id="repel1"></a><ins title="Original has repellant">repellent</ins>, irksome, and unendurable.</p> + +<p>Then it was that—like an evolution from environment—the +desire and impulse to go upon a buffalo hunt seized upon +and held and encompassed and dominated every fibre of my +physical, every ambition and aspiration of my mental, make-up. +Controlled by this spontaneous reincarnation of the barbaric +tastes and habits of some nomadic ancestor of a prehistoric generation, +arrangements for an excursion to Fort Kearny on the +Platte (Colonel Alexander, of the regular army, then in command) +were completed. With food rations, tent and camping +furniture, and arms and ammunition, and pipes and tobacco, +and a few drops of distilled rye (to be used only when snake-bitten), +a light one-horse wagon drawn by a well-bred horse +which was driven by the writer, was early the next morning +leaving Arbor Lodge, and briskly speeding westward on the +"Overland Trail" leading to California. And what rare roads +there were in those buoyant days of the pioneers! All the +prairies, clear across the plains from the Missouri river to the +mountains, were perfectly paved with solid, tough, but elastic<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> +sod. And no asphalt or block-paved avenue or well-worked pike +can give the responsive pressure to the touch of a human foot +or a horse-hoof that came always from those smooth and comely +trails. Especially in riding on horseback were the felicities of +those primitive prairie roads emphasized and accentuated. Upon +them one felt the magnetism and life of his horse; they animated +and electrified him with the vigor and spirit of the animal until +in elation, the rider became, at least emotionally, a centaur—a +semi-horse human. The invigoration and exaltation of careering +over undulating prairies on a beautiful, speedy, and spirited +horse thrilled every sense and satisfied, as to exhilaration, by +physical exercise, the entire mental personality. Nature's roads +in Nebraska are unequaled by any of their successors.</p> + +<p>This excursion was in a wagon without springs; and after +driving alone, as far as the Weeping Water crossing, I overtook +an ox train loaded with goods and supplies for Gilman's ranch +on the Platte away beyond Fort Kearny.</p> + +<p>One of the proprietors, Mr. Jed Gilman, was in command of +the outfit, and by his cordial and hospitable invitation I became +his willing and voracious guest for the noonday meal. With a +township for a dining room over which arched the turquoise-colored +sky, like a vaulted ceiling, frescoed with clouds of fleecy +white, we sat down upon our buffalo robes to partake of a hearty +meal. There was no white settler within miles of our camp. +The cry of "Dinner is now ready in the next car" had never +been heard west of the Mississippi river nor even dreamed of in +the East. The bill of fare was substantial: bacon fried, hot +bread, strong coffee, stronger raw onions, and roasted potatoes. +And the appetite which made all exquisitely palatable and delicious +descended to us out of the pure air and the exhilaration +of perfect health. And then came the post-prandial pipe—how +fragrant and solacing its fumes—from Virginia natural leaf, +compared to which the exhalations from a perfecto cigar are +today a disagreeable stench. There was then the leisure to +smoke, the liberty and impulse to sing, to whoop, and to generally +simulate the savages into whose hunting grounds we were +making an excursion. Life lengthened out before us like the +Overland route to the Pacific in undulations of continuously +rising hillocks and from the summit of each one scaled we saw a +similarly attractive one beyond in a seemingly never-ending<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span> +pathway of pleasure, ambition, and satisfaction. The gold of +the Pacific coast was not more real then than the invisible possibilities +of life, prosperity, success, and contentment which were +to teem, thrive, and abound upon these prairies which seemed +only farms asleep or like thoughts unuttered—books unopened.</p> + +<p>But the smoke over, the oxen again yoked to the wagons and +the train, like a file of huge white beetles, lumbered along to the +songs, swearing, and whip-crackings of the drivers toward the +crossing of Salt creek. However, by my persuasive insistence, +Mr. Gilman left his wagon boss in charge and getting into my +wagon accompanied me. Together we traveled briskly until +quite late at night when we made camp at a point near where +the town of Wahoo now stands. There was a rough ranch cabin +there, and we remained until the following morning, when we +struck out at a brisk trot toward Fort Kearny, entering the +Platte Valley at McCabe's ranch. The day and the road were +perfect. We made good time. At night we were entertained +at Warfield's, on the Platte. The water in the well there was +too highly flavored to be refreshing. Nine skunks had been +lifted out of it the day of our arrival and only Platte river water +could be had, which we found rather stale for having been +hauled some distance in an old sorghum cask. But fatigue and a +square meal are an innocent opiate and we were soon fast asleep +under the open sky with the moon and stars only to hear how +loudly a big ranchman can snore in a bedroom of a million or +more acres. In the morning of our third day out, we were up, +breakfasted with the sunrise, and drove on over the then untried +railroad bed of the Platte Valley at a rattling gait. The stanch +and speedy animal over which the reins were drawn, a splendid +bay of gentle birth, had courage and endurance by heredity, and +thus we made time. Ranches were from twenty to thirty miles +apart. And the night of the third day found us at Mabin's.</p> + +<p>This was a hotel, feed barn, dry goods establishment, and saloon +all under one roof, about thirty miles from Fort Kearny. +After a reasonably edible supper, Mr. Gilman and I were escorted +to the saloon and informed that we could repose and possibly +sleep in the aisle which divided it from the granary which +was filled with oats. Our blankets and buffalo robes were soon +spread out in this narrow pathway. On our right were about +two hundred bushels of oats in bulk, and on our left the counter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> +which stood before variously shaped bottles containing alleged +gin, supposed whiskey, and probable brandy. We had not been +long in a recumbent position before—instead of sleep gently +creeping over us—we experienced that we were race courses +and grazing grounds for innumerable myriads of sand fleas. +Immediately Gilman insisted that we should change our apartment +and go out on the prairies near a haystack; but I stubbornly +insisted that, as the fleas had not bitten me, I would continue +indoors. Thereupon Gilman incontinently left, and then +the fleas with vicious vigor and voracity assaulted me. The +bites were sharp, they were incisive and decisive. They came in +volleys. Then in wrath I too arose from that lowly but lively +couch between the oats and the bar and sullenly went out under +the starlit sky to find Mr. Gilman energetically whipping his +shirt over a wagon wheel to disinfest it from fleas. But the +sand fleas of the Platte are not easily discharged or diverted, +from a fair and juicy victim. They have a wonderful tenacity +of purpose. They trotted and hopped and skipped along behind +us to the haystack. They affectionately and fervidly abided +with us on the prairie; and it is safe to say that there never +were two human beings more thoroughly perforated, more persistently +punctured with flea bites than were the two guests at +Mabins's ranch during all that long and agonizing night. However, +there came an end to the darkness and the attempt at +sleep, and after an early breakfast we resumed the Fort Kearny +journey to arrive at its end in the late afternoon of the fourth +day.</p> + +<p>There I found Colonel Alexander, of the regular army, in +command. John Heth, of Virginia, was the sutler for the post +and after some consultation and advisement it was determined +that we might without much danger from Indians go south to +the Republican river for a buffalo hunt. At that time the +Cheyennes, who were a bloodthirsty tribe, were in arms against +the white people and yearning for their scalps wherever found. +But to avoid or mitigate dangers Colonel Alexander considerately +detailed Lieutenant Bush with twelve enlisted men, all +soldiers of experience in the Indian country, to go with us to the +Republican Valley as an escort or guard—in military parlance, +on detached service. Thus our party moved southward with +ample force of arms for its defense.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span></p> + +<p>The four hunters of the expedition were Lieutenant Bush, +John Heth, John Talbot (who had been honorably discharged +from the regular army after some years of service) and myself. +The excursion was massed and ready for departure at 8 o'clock +on the bright morning of October 6, 1861. The course taken +was nearly due south from the present site of Kearney city in +Buffalo county. The expedition consisted of two large army +wagons, four mules attached to each wagon, a light, two-horse +spring wagon, and four trained riding horses experienced in the +chase, together with twelve soldiers of the regular U. S. army +and the gentlemen already named. It had not traveled more +than twenty-five miles south of Fort Kearny before it came in +view of an immense and seemingly uncountable herd of buffalo.</p> + +<p>My first sight of these primitive beeves of the plains I shall +never forget. They were so distant that I could not make out +their individual forms and I at once jumped to the conclusion +that they were only an innumerable lot of crows sitting about +upon the knobs and hillocks of the prairies. But in a few moments, +when we came nearer, they materialized and were, sure +enough, real bellowing, snorting, wallowing buffaloes. At first +they appeared to give no heed to our outfit, but after we saddled +and mounted our horses and rode into their midst they began to +scatter and to form into small bands, single file. The herd separated +into long, black swaying strings and each string was headed +by the best meat among its numbers. The leading animal +was generally a three-year-old cow. Each of these strings, or +single-file bands, ran in a general southeast direction and each +of the four hunters—Bush, Heth, Talbot, and the writer—selected +a string and went for the preëminent animal with +enthusiasm, zeal, and impulsive foolhardiness.</p> + +<p>In the beginning of the pell-mell, hurry-scurry race it seemed +that it would be very easy to speedily overtake the desired individual +buffalo that we intended to shoot and kill. The whole +band seemed to run leisurely. They made a sort of sidewise +gait, a movement such as one often sees in a dog running ahead +of a wagon on a country road. Upon the level prairie we made +very perceptible gains upon them, but when a declivity was +reached and we made a down hill gallop we were obliged to rein +in and hold up the horses, or take the chances of a broken leg +or neck by being ditched in a badger or wolf hole. But the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span> +buffaloes with their heavy shoulders and huge hair-matted heads +lumbered along down the incline with great celerity, gaining so +much upon us that every now and then one of them would drop +out from the line upon reaching an attractive depression, roll +over two or three times in his "wallow," jump up and join his +fleeing fellows before we could reach him.</p> + +<p>But finally after swinging and swaying hither and thither with +the band or line as it swayed and swung, the lead animal was +reached and with much exultation and six very nervous shots +put to death. My trophy proved to be a buffalo cow of two or +three years of age; and after she had dropped to the ground, a +nimble calf, about three months old, evidently her progeny, began +making circles around and around the dead mother and bleating +pitifully, enlarging the circle each time, until at last it went out +of sight onto the prairie and alone, all the other parts of the +herd having scattered beyond the rising bluffs and far away.</p> + +<p>That afternoon was fuller of tense excitement, savage enthusiasms, +zeal and barbaric ambition than any other that could +be assorted from my life of more than sixty years. There was a +certain amount of ancestral heathenism aroused in every man, +spurring a horse to greater swiftness, in that chase for large +game. And there was imperial exultation of the primitive barbaric +instinct when the game fell dead and its whooping captors +surrounded its breathless carcass.</p> + +<p>But the wastefulness of the buffalo hunter of those days was +wicked beyond description and, because of its utter recklessness +of the future, wholly unpardonable. Only the hump, ribs, the +tongue, and perhaps now and then one hind-quarter were saved +for use from each animal. The average number of pounds of +meat saved from each buffalo killed between the years 1860 and +1870 would not exceed twenty. In truth, thousands of buffaloes +were killed merely to get their tongues and pelts. The inexcusable +and unnecessary extermination of those beef-producing +and very valuable fur-bearing animals only illustrates the extravagance +of thoughtlessness and mental nearsightedness in the +American people when dealing with practical and far-reaching +questions. It also demonstrates, in some degree, the incapacity +of the ordinary every-day law-makers of the United States. +Game laws have seldom been enacted in any of the states before +the virtual extinction of the game they purposed to protect.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> +Here in Nebraska among big game were many hundreds of thousands +of buffaloes, tens of thousands of elk and deer and antelope, +while among smaller game the wild turkey and the prairie +chicken were innumerable. But today Nebraska game is practically +extinct. Even the prairie chicken and the wild turkey +are seldom found anywhere along the Missouri bluffs in the +southern and eastern part of the commonwealth.</p> + +<p>Looking back: what might have been accomplished for the +conservation of game in the trans-Missouri country is suggested +so forcibly that one wonders at the stupendous stupidity which +indolently permitted its destruction.</p> + +<p>The first night outward and southeastward from Fort Kearny +we came to Turkey creek which empties into the Republican +river. There, after dark, tents were pitched at a point near the +place where the government in previous years established kilns +and burned lime for the use of soldiers in building quarters for +themselves and the officers at Fort Kearny which was constructed +in 1847 by Stewart L. Van Vliet, now a retired brigadier +general and the oldest living graduate of West Point. After a +sumptuous feast of buffalo steak, a strong pint of black coffee +and a few pipes of good tobacco, our party retired; sleep came +with celerity and the camp was peacefully at rest, with the exception +of two regular soldiers who stood guard until 12 o'clock, +and were then relieved by two others who kept vigil until sunrise. +At intervals I awoke during the night and listened to the +industrious beavers building dams on the creek. They were +shoveling mud with their trowel-shaped tails into the crevices of +their dams with a constantly-resounding slapping and splashing +all night. The architecture of the beaver is not unlike that +which follows him and exalts itself in the chinked and daubed +cabins of the pioneers.</p> + +<p>The darkness was followed by a dawn of beauty and breakfast +came soon thereafter, and for the first time my eyes looked out +upon the attractive, fertile and beautiful valley of the Republican +river. All that delightful and invigorating day we zealously +hunted. We found occasionally small bands of buffaloes +here and there among the bluffs and hills along the valley of +the Republican. But these animals were generally aged and +of inferior quality. Besides such hunting, we found a great +quantity of blue-winged and green-winged teal in the waters of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> +the Republican and bagged not a few of them. There is no +water-fowl, in my judgment, not even the redheaded duck and +canvasback duck, which excels in delicate tissue and flavor the +delicious teal.</p> + +<p>Just a little before sundown, on the third day of our encampment, +by the bluffs land of the Republican, Lieutenant Bush +and Mr. Heth in one party, and John Talbot and I in another, +were exploring the steep, wooded bluffs which skirted the valley. +The timber growing at that time on the sides of these bluffs +was, much of it, of very good size and I shall never forget going +down a precipitous path along the face of a hill and suddenly +coming upon a strange and ghastly sight among the top limbs +and branches of an oak tree which sprang from the rich soil of +a lower level. The weird object which then impressed itself +upon my memory forever was a dead Indian sitting upright in a +sort of wicker-work coffin which was secured by thongs to the +main trunk of the tree. The robe with which he had been +clothed had been torn away by buzzards and only the denuded +skeleton sat there. The bleached skull leered and grinned at me +as though the savage instinct to repulse an intruder from their +hunting grounds still lingered in the fleshless head. Perfectly +I recall the long scalp-lock, floating in the wind, and the sense +of dread and <a name="repel2" id="repel2"></a><ins title="Original has repellant">repellent</ins> fear which, for the startled moment, took +possession of me in the presence of this <a name="arbor" id="arbor"></a><ins title="Original has arborially">arboreally</ins> interred Indian +whose remains had been stored away in a tree-top instead +of having been buried in the ground.</p> + +<p>Not long after this incident we four came together again down +in the valley at a great plum orchard. The plum trees covered +an area of several acres; they stood exceedingly close together. +The frosts had been just severe enough to drop the fruit onto +the ground. Never before nor since have my eyes beheld or +my palate tasted as luscious fruit as those large yellow and red +plums which were found that afternoon lying in bushels in the +valley of the Republican. While we were all seated upon the +ground eating plums and praising their succulence and flavor +we heard the click-cluck of a turkey. Immediately we laid ourselves +flat upon the earth and in the course of ten minutes beheld +a procession of at least seventy-five wild turkeys feeding +upon plums. We remained moveless and noiseless until those +turkeys had flown up into the tall cottonwood trees standing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> +thereabouts and gone to roost. Then after darkness had settled +down upon the face of the earth we faintly discerned the +black forms or hummocks of fat turkeys all through the large +and leafless limbs of the cottonwoods which had been nearly +defoliated by the early frosts of October. It required no deft +<a name="marks" id="marks"></a><ins title="Original has markmanship">marksmanship</ins> or superior skill to bring down forty of those +birds in a single evening. That number we took into camp. +In quick time we had turkey roasted, turkey grilled, turkey +broiled; and never have I since eaten any turkey so well flavored, +so juicy and rich, as that fattened upon the wild plums of the +Republican Valley in the year 1861.</p> + +<p>At last, surfeited with hunting and its successes, we set out +on our return to Fort Kearny. When about half way across the +divide, a sergeant, one of the most experienced soldiers and +plainsmen of the party, declared that he saw a small curl of +smoke in the hazy distance and a little to the west and south +of us. To my untrained eye the smoke was at first invisible, but +with a field glass I ultimately discerned a delicate little blue +thread hanging in the sky, which the soldiers pronounced smoke +ascending from an Indian camp. Readjusting the glasses I soon +made out to see three Indians stretched by the fire seemingly +asleep, while two were sitting by the embers apparently cooking, +eating and drinking. Very soon, however, the two feasters +espied our wagons and party. Immediately they came running +on foot to meet us; the other three, awaking, followed them; +speedily they were in our midst. They proved, however, to be +peaceful Pawnees. Mr. John Heth spoke the language of that +tribe and I shall never forget the coolness with which these +representatives of that nomadic race informed him that Mrs. +Heth and his little two-years-of-age daughter, Minnie, were in +good health in their wigwam at Fort Kearny; they were sure of +it because they had looked into the window of the Heth home the +day before and saw them eating and drinking their noonday +meal.</p> + +<p>These Indians then expressed a wish for some turkey feathers. +They were told to help themselves. Immediately they pulled +out a vast number of the large feathers of the wings and tails +and decorated their own heads with them. The leader of the +aboriginal expedition, in conversation with Mr. Heth, informed +him that although they were on foot they carried the lariats<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span> +which we saw hanging from their arms for the purpose of hitching +onto and annexing some Cheyenne ponies which they were +going south to steal. They walked away from home, but intended +to ride back. The barbaric commander in charge of this +larcenous expedition was named "The Fox," and when questioned +by Mr. Heth as to the danger of the enterprise, and informed +that he might probably lose his life and get no ponies at +all, Captain Fox smiled and said grimly that he knew he should +ride back to the Pawnee village on the Loup the owner of good +horses; that only a year or two before that time he had been +alone down into the Cheyenne village and got a great many +horses safely out and up onto the Loup fork among the Pawnees +without losing a single one. "The Fox" admitted, however, +that even in an expedition so successful as the one which he +recalled there were a great many courage-testing inconveniences +and annoyances. But he dwelt particularly upon the fact that +the Cheyennes always kept their ponies in a corral which was +in the very center of their village. The huts, habitations, tipis, +and wigwams of the owners of the ponies were all constructed +around their communal corral in a sort of a circle, but "The +Fox" said that he nevertheless, in his individual excursion of +which he proudly boasted, crawled during the middle of the +night in among the ponies and was about to slip a lariat on the +bell-mare without her stirring, when she gave a little jump, and +the bell on her neck rang out pretty loudly. Then he laid down +in the center of the herd and kept still, very still, while the +horses walked over him and tramped upon him until he found +it very unpleasant. But very soon he saw and heard some of +the Cheyennes come out and look and walk about to see if anything +was wrong. Then he said he had to stay still and silent +under the horses' hoofs and make no noise, or die and surely be +scalped. At last, however, the Cheyennes, one after another, +all went back into their wigwams to sleep, and then he very +slowly and without a sound took the bell off from the mare, put +his lariat on her neck quietly, led her out and all the herd of +Cheyenne ponies followed. He never stopped until he was safe +up north of the Platte river and had all his equine spoils safe +in the valley of the Loup fork going towards the Pawnee village +where Genoa now stands.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Fox was an "expansionist" and an annexationist out of +sympathy for the oppressed ponies of the Cheyennes.</p> + +<p>"The Fox" declared that the number of horses he made requisition +for at that time on the stables of the Cheyennes was three +hundred. At this statement some incredulity was shown by +Mr. Heth, myself, and some others present. Immediately "The +Fox" threw back his woolen blanket which was ornamented on +the inside with more than two hundred small decorative designs +of horses. Among the Pawnees, and likewise, if I remember +rightly, among the Otoes and Omahas, robes and blankets were +thus embellished and so made to pass current as real certificates +of a choice brand of character for their wearers. Each horse +depicted on the robe was notice that the owner and wearer had +stolen such horse. Finally, after expressions of friendship and +good will, the expedition in charge of "The Fox" bade us +adieu and briskly walked southward on their mission for getting +horses away from their traditional enemies.</p> + +<p>It is perhaps worth while to mention that, it being in the autumn +of the year, all these Indians were carefully and deftly +arrayed in autumn-colored costumes. Their blankets, head-gear +and everything else were the color of dead and dried prairie +grass. This disguise was for the purpose of making themselves +as nearly indistinguishable as possible on the brown surface of +the far-stretching plains. For then the weeds and grasses had +all been bleached by the fall frosts. We were given an exhibition +of the nearly perfect invisibleness of "The Fox" by his +taking a position near a badger hole around which a lot of tall +weeds had grown upon the prairie, and really the almost exact +similitude of coloring which he had cunningly reproduced in his +raiment made him even at a short distance indistinguishable +among the faded weeds and grasses by which he was surrounded.</p> + +<p>In due time we reached Fort Kearny and after a pleasant +and most agreeable visit with Mr. Heth and his family, Colonel +Alexander and Lieutenant Bush, I pushed on alone for the +Missouri river, by the North Platte route, bringing home with +me two or three turkeys and a quarter of buffalo meat.</p> + +<p>About the second evening, as I remember it, I arrived at the +agency of the four bands of the Pawnee on the Loup fork of +the Platte river, near where the village of Genoa in Nance county<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> +now stands. Judge Gillis of Pennsylvania was the U. S. government +agent then in charge of that tribe, and Mr. Allis was +his interpreter. There I experienced the satisfaction of going +leisurely and observingly through the villages of the four bands +of Pawnees, which there made their habitation. The names of +the four confederate bands of Pawnee Indians were Grand +Pawnee, Wolf Pawnee, Republican Pawnee, and Tapage Pawnee. +At that time they all together numbered between four thousand +and five thousand.</p> + +<p>Distinguished among them for fearlessness and impetuous +courage and constant success in war was an Indian who had been +born with his left hand so shrunken and shriveled that it looked +like the contracted claw of a bird. He was celebrated among all +the tribes of the plains as "Crooked Hand, the Fighter." Hearing +me express a wish for making the acquaintance of this +famous warrior and scalp accumulator, Judge Gillis and Mr. +Allis kindly volunteered to escort me to his domicile and formally +introduce me. We took the trail which lay across Beaver +creek up into the village. This village was composed of very +large, earthen, mound-like wigwams. From a distance they +looked like a number of great kettles turned wrong side up on +the prairie. Finally we came to the entrance of the abode of +Crooked Hand. He was at home. I was presented to him by +the interpreter, Mr. Allis. Through him, addressing the tawny +hero who stood before me, I said:</p> + +<p>It has come to my ears that you are and always have been a +very brave man in battle. Therefore I have made a long journey +to see you and to shake the hand of a great warrior.</p> + +<p>This seemed to suit his bellicose eminence and to appeal to his +barbaric vanity. Consequently I continued, saying: I hear +that you have skilfully killed a great many Sioux and that you +have kept the scalp of each warrior slain by you. If this be +true, I wish you would show me these trophies of your courage +and victories?</p> + +<p>Immediately Crooked Hand reached under a sort of rude settee +and pulled out a very cheap traveling trunk, which was +locked. Then taking a string from around his neck he found +the key thereunto attached, inserted it in the lock, turned it, +and with gloating satisfaction threw back the lid of the trunk. +It is fair to state that, notwithstanding Mr. Crooked Hand's per<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span>sonal +adornments in the way of paint, earrings, and battle mementoes, +he was evidently not a man of much personal property, +for the trunk contained not one other portable thing except a +string of thirteen scalps. This he lifted out with his right hand +and held up before me as a connoisseur would exhibit a beautiful +cameo—with intense satisfaction and self-praise expressed in +his features.</p> + +<p>The scalps were not large, averaging not much more in circumference +than a silver dollar (before the crime of 1873). +Each scalp was big enough to firmly and gracefully retain the +scalp-lock which its original possessor had nourished. Each +scalp was neatly lined with flaming red flannel and encircled by +and stitched to a willow twig just as boys so stretch and preserve +squirrel skins. Then there was a strong twine which ran +through the center of each of the thirteen scalps leaving a space +of something like three or four inches between each two.</p> + +<p>After looking at these ghastly certificates of prowess in Indian +warfare I said to the possessor: "Do you still like to go +into fights with the Sioux?" He replied hesitatingly:</p> + +<p>"Yes, I go into the fights with the Sioux but I stay only until +I can kill one man, get his scalp and get out of the battle."</p> + +<p>Then I asked: "Why do you do this way now, and so act +differently from the fighting plans of your earlier years when +you remained to the end of the conflict?" Instantly he replied +and gave me this aboriginal explanation:</p> + +<p>"You see, my friend, I have only one life. To me death must +come only once. But I have taken thirteen lives. And now +when I go into battle there are thirteen chances of my being +killed to one of my coming out of the fight alive."</p> + +<p>This aboriginal application of the doctrine of chance is equally +as reasonable as some of the propositions relating to chances +found in "Hedges' Logic," which I studied in the regular college +course. There is more excuse for a savage faith in chance +than can be made for the superstitious belief in it which is held +by some civilized people.</p> + +<p>My last buffalo hunt was finished and its trophies and its +choicest memories safely stored for exhibition or reminiscence at +Arbor Lodge. More than thirty-seven years afterwards I am +permitted this evening by your indulgence and consideration to +attempt faintly to portray the country and its primitive condi<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span>tion +at that time in that particular section of Nebraska which is +now Franklin county.</p> + +<p>But in concluding this discursive and desultory narrative I +cannot refrain from referring to and briefly descanting on another +and an earlier and larger expedition into the valley of the +Republican which set out from Mexico in the year 1540 under +the command of Coronado.</p> + +<p>That explorer was undoubtedly the first white man to visit Nebraska. +In his report to the Spanish government is a description +of buffalo which for graphic minuteness and correctness +has never been excelled. Thus it pictures them as they appeared +to him and his followers more than three hundred and fifty years +ago:</p> + +<p>"These oxen are of the bigness and color of our bulls, but +their horns are not so great. They have a great bunch upon +their foreshoulders, and more hair upon their fore-part than on +their hinder-part; and it is like wool. They have, as it were, a +horse mane upon their back bone, and much hair, and very +long from the knees downward. They have great tufts of hair +hanging down their foreheads, and it seemeth they have beards, +because of the great store of hair hanging down at their chins +and throats. The males have very long tails, and a great knob +or flock at the end, so that in some respects they resemble the +lion, and in some other the camel. They push with their horns, +they run, they overtake and kill a horse when they are in their +rage and anger. Finally, it is a fierce beast of countenance and +form of body. The horses fled from them, either because of +their deformed shape, or because they had never seen them +before. Their masters [meaning no doubt the Indians] have no +other riches or substance; of them they eat, they drink, they +apparel, they shoe themselves; and of their hides they make +many things, as houses, shoes, apparel and robes; of their bones +they make bodkins; of their sinews and hair, thread; of their +horns, maws and bladders, vessels; of their dung, fire; and of +their calf skins, budgets, wherein they draw and keep water. +To be short, they make so many things of them as they have +need of, or as may suffice them in the use of this life."</p> + +<p>It is perhaps a work of supererogation for me after the lapse +of three and a half centuries to endorse and verify the accuracy +of that word picture of the buffalo. A photograph of the great<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> +herd which I rode into during my hunt could hardly better +convey to the mind the images of buffalo. The hundreds of +years intervening between my own excursion into the valley of +the Republican and the invasion of Coronado had neither impaired, +improved, nor perceptibly changed either the buffalo or +the soil of that fertile section now comprising the county of +Franklin in the state of Nebraska. Of that immediate propinquity +Coronado said: "The place I have reached is in the +fortieth degree of latitude. The earth is the best possible for all +kinds of productions of Spain, for while it is very strong and +black, it is very well watered by brooks, springs and rivers. I +found prunes" [wild plums, no doubt, just as my party and the +wild turkeys were feasting upon in October, 1861] "like those +of Spain, some of which are black; also some excellent grapes +and mulberries."</p> + +<p>And Jaramillo, who was with Coronado, says: "This country +has a superb appearance, and such that I have not seen +better in all Spain, neither in Italy nor France, nor in any other +country where I have been in the service of your majesty. It +is not a country of mountains; there are only some hills, some +plains and some streams of very fine water. It satisfies me completely. +I presume that it is very fertile and favorable for the +cultivation of all kinds of fruits."</p> + +<p>And this land whence the Coronado expedition upon foot retraced +its march to Old Mexico, a distance, by the trail he made, +of 3,230 miles, was in latitude forty degrees and distant westward +from the Missouri about one hundred and forty miles. +Geographically, topographically, and in every other way, the description +of Franklin and the neighborhood of Riverton in that +county.</p> + +<p>Here then in Franklin county it is recorded that the last +horse belonging to Coronado and his band of precious-metal +hunters died. At that time all the horses on this continent had +been imported. The loss of this animal that day at that place +was like the loss today of a man-of-war for Spain in a great +naval conflict with the United States. It was discouraging and +overwhelming and resulted in the relinquishment of further exploration +for the land of Quivera—the home of gold and silver—and +the return to Old Mexico. There was no use for saddles, +bridles and other equestrian trappings, for with no horse to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> +ride even stirrups were thrown away, and it has been the good +fortune of Nebraska to have them exhumed after a sequestration +of more than three centuries.</p> + +<p>And thus, after so many years of delay, I give you the story +of the first buffalo hunt and the last buffalo hunt in the Republican +Valley concerning which I am competent to make statement.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>HOW THE FOUNDER OF ARBOR DAY CREATED THE MOST FAMOUS WESTERN ESTATE</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Paul Morton</span></h3> + +<blockquote><p>"The memories that live and bloom in trees, that whisper of +the loved and lost in summer leaves, are as imperishable as the +seasons of the year—immortal as the love of a mother."—<span class="smcap">J. +Sterling Morton.</span></p></blockquote> + + +<p>I suppose the story of a successful pioneer will always interest +and encourage people. The narrative of a strong, far-sighted +man who makes something out of nothing seems to put heart +into the average worker. That is why I am telling the story of +how my father, J. Sterling Morton, and his young wife, set +their faces toward the West, one October day in 1854, and built +them a home on the prairies.</p> + +<p>Arbor Lodge as it stands today, with its classic porticoes, its +gardens, and its arboretum, the present country home of my +brother, Mr. Joy Morton, is not the home that I remember as a +boy. That was a much more modest edifice. Yet even that +house was a palace compared with the first one, which was a +little log-cabin standing on the lonely prairie, exposed to blizzards +and Indians, and with scarcely a tree in sight.</p> + +<p>My father was a young newspaper man in Detroit, only recently +out of college, when he took his bride, two years his +junior, out to the little-known frontier. Attracted by the information +about the new country brought out by Douglas and +others in the Kansas-Nebraska debates in congress, he conceived +and acted on the idea that here were fortunes to be made. Taking +such household goods as they could, they traveled to the +new land, making the last stage up the Missouri river by boat.</p> + +<p>Nebraska at that time was the Indian's own country. There +were not over 1,500 white people in the entire state. All the +country west of the Missouri was called in the geographies the +Great American Desert, and it took a good deal of faith to believe +that anything could be made to grow where annual fires +destroyed even the prairie grass and the fringes of cottonwoods<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> +and scrub-oaks along the rivers. Today this section, within a +radius of some two hundred miles, includes perhaps the most +fertile soil in the world and has become a center of industry, +agriculture, and horticulture for the middle west. There was +then no political organization, no laws; men went about fully +armed. There were no roads and no bridges to speak of in the +entire state; it was "waste land."</p> + +<p>This was part of the land of the Louisiana Purchase, and my +father bought a quarter section (160 acres) from the man who +preëmpted it from the government. The price paid was $1.25 +an acre. Today the estate comprises about 1,000 acres, and the +land is readily saleable at a hundred times this price.</p> + +<p>On the spot where Arbor Lodge now stands, my father built +his first log-cabin. This was soon replaced by a modest frame +house; there was not then another frame house between it and +the Rocky Mountains, six hundred miles away. On the same +place two succeeding houses were built by my father, the present, +and fifth, Arbor Lodge having been built by his sons after his +death. My father called these first four houses, "seed, bud, +blossom, and fruit."</p> + +<p>The first winter was a mild one, fortunately, but there were +plenty of hardships for the young people. There were no very +near neighbors, the village of Kearny Heights, now Nebraska +City, being then over two miles away. The Indians formed +the greatest danger. I can remember a day in my boyhood +when we had everything packed up, ready to flee across the +Missouri to Iowa from the murderous Pawnees and Cheyennes, +who, fortunately, did not come that time. A part of that first +winter my father and mother spent in Bellevue.</p> + +<p>When spring came they set about building their home. Later +on they had young trees sent to them from the East, including +some excellent varieties of apples, peaches, cherries, pears, etc. +Things grew fast; it was only the prairie fires that had kept +the land a desert so long, and year by year these fires had enriched +the soil.</p> + +<p>The farm was located on the Overland trail, the favorite +route to Pike's Peak and the El Dorado. Many of the Mormon +emigrants crossed the river at that place. I can remember the +big trains of ox and mule teams passing the house.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span></p> + +<p>My father's interests were always inseparably joined with +those of the community; he was in public life from the start, +and Nebraska's fortunes were his. His neighbors all had the +same experiences, and many a farmer who started with nothing +is now wealthy. The farmers had to bring in from Missouri +and Iowa all the food for themselves and their horses and cattle +the first year. They were living on faith. During the first +spring and summer the anxiety was great, but they were rewarded +by a good harvest in the fall. The success of that harvest +settled the Nebraska question forever. It was a land that +could support its inhabitants.</p> + +<p>But the end was not yet. The "get-rich-quick" fever struck +the community. Immigration was over-stimulated, and town +lots were manufactured at a great rate. In a few months they +increased in price from $300 to $3,000 apiece. Banks were +created and money was made plenty by legislation. My father +never caught this fever, being always a sound-money man and +believing in wealth based on the soil.</p> + +<p>At the end of the second summer the crop of town lots and +Nebraska bank-notes was greater than the crop of corn. But +the lesson was not learned until the panic of 1857 drove out +the speculators and left the farmers in possession of the territory. +With the spring of 1858 sanity came to rule once more, +and there was less bank making and more prairie breaking. +The citizens had learned that agriculture was to be the salvation +of the new country. In 1857, two dollars a bushel had been +paid for imported corn, but in 1859 the same steamers that had +brought it in bore thousands of bushels south at forty cents a +bushel, bringing more money into the territory than all the +sales of town lots for a year.</p> + +<p>The first territorial fair was held in Nebraska City in 1859, +and on that occasion my father made a speech in which he +reviewed the history of the new territory up to that time. I +speak of these things because my father was always a man of +public interests, and his fortunes were wrapped up in those of +the territory. His hardships came when the community went +crazy, and his fortune grew when sanity was once more restored.</p> + +<p>I know of nothing that better illustrates my father's private +character than an editorial which he wrote and published in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> +<i>The Conservative</i> a short time before the untimely death of my +brother Carl. The fact that both the author and the two loved +ones of whom he so tenderly wrote have passed to the Great +Beyond, imparts to this beautiful passage a most exquisite +pathos:</p> + +<p>"It was a bright, balmy morning in April more than a quarter +of a century ago. The sun was nursing the young grass +into verdure, and the prairie was just beginning to put off its +winter coat of somber colorings. Tranquil skies and morning +mists were redolent at Arbor Lodge of the coming resurrection +of the foliage and flowers that died the autumn before. All +about the cottage home there was hope and peace; and everywhere +the signs of woman's watchful love and tidy care, when, +suddenly, toned with affectionate solicitude, rang out: 'Carl, +Carl!' but no answer came. Downstairs, upstairs, at the barn, +even in the well, everywhere, the mother's voice called anxiously, +again and again. But the silence, menacing and frightening, +was unbroken by an answer from the lost boy. At last, +however, he was found behind a smokehouse, busily digging +in the ground with a small spade, though only five years of age, +and he said: 'I'm too busy to talk. I'm planting an orchard,' +and sure enough, he had set out a seedling apple tree, a small +cottonwood, and a little elm.</p> + +<p>"The delighted mother clasped him in her arms, kissed him, +and said: 'This orchard must not be destroyed.'</p> + +<p>"And so now</p> + +<blockquote><p> +"'I hear the muffled tramp of years<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Come stealing up the slopes of Time;</span><br /> +They bear a train of smiles and tears<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Of burning hopes and dreams sublime.'</span><br /> +</p></blockquote> + +<p>"The child's orchard is more than thirty years of age. The +cottonwood is a giant now, and its vibrant foliage talks, summer +after summer, in the evening breeze with humanlike voice, +and tells its life story to the graceful, swaying elm near by, +while the gnarled and scrubby little apple tree, shaped, as to +its head, like a despondent toadstool, stands in dual shade, and +bears small sweet apples, year after year, in all humility. But +that orchard must not be destroyed. It was established by the +youngest tree planter who ever planted in this tree planter's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> +state, and for his sake and the memory of the sweet soul who +nursed and loved him, it lives and grows, one cottonwood, one +apple tree, one elm.</p> + +<blockquote><p> +"'But O, for the touch of a vanished hand,<br /> +And the sound of a voice that is still.'<br /> +</p></blockquote> + +<p>"The memories that live and bloom in trees, that whisper of +the loved and lost in summer leaves, are as imperishable as the +seasons of the year—immortal as the love of a mother."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>EARLY REMINISCENCES OF NEBRASKA CITY</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Ellen Kinney Ware</span></h3> + + +<p class="center"><i>Social Aspects</i></p> + +<p>As a girl graduate I came to Nebraska City from Virginia, +at an early day. It seemed to me that I was leaving everything +attractive socially and intellectually, behind me, but I was mistaken. +On arriving here, I expected to see quite a town, was +disappointed, for two large brick hotels, and a few scattered +houses comprised the place. Among my first acquaintances was +the family of Governor Black, consisting of his daughter about +my own age, his wife, and himself. He was not only bright and +clever, but a wit as well, and famous as a story-teller. Alas a +sad fate awaited him. For leaving here to take command of a +Pennsylvania regiment, he was killed early in the civil war.</p> + +<p>Those were freighting days and Russell, Majors and Waddell, +government freighters, made this their headquarters. Alexander +Majors brought his family here adding much socially to +the town. Major Martin, an army officer, was stationed here. +He was a charming gentleman and had a lovely wife. Dancing +was the principal amusement with the young people. Informal +dances at private homes and occasionally on a steamboat when +it arrived, brilliantly lighted and having a band of music on +board. At the "Outfit" as it was called, where the supplies for +the freighting company were kept, dwelt a family, Raisin by +name, who were exceedingly hospitable, not only entertaining +frequently, but often sending an ambulance for their guests. +At these parties no round dancing was indulged in, just simple +quadrilles and the lancers. Mr. and Mrs. J. Sterling Morton, +who lived on a country place, a short distance from town, which +has since become widely known as Arbor Lodge, were among the +most active entertainers, dispensing that delightful hospitality +for which in later times they were so well known.</p> + +<p>And so we lived without railroads, without telephones, automobiles, +or theaters. But I believe that our social enjoyment +was greater than it is now. Instead of railroads, we had steam<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span>boats +arriving almost daily from St. Louis, St. Joseph, and other +towns. In carriages we drove to Omaha and back, and the +social intercourse of the two towns was much greater than it is +now.</p> + +<div class="figcenter padbase" style="width: 377px;"> +<img src="images/illus_015.jpg" width="377" height="600" alt="Oregon Trail Monument, located at the +point where the line between Jefferson +and Gage Counties intersects the Kansas-Nebraska +State Line + +Dedicated May 12, 1914. Cost $350. Trail crosses state +line 1,986 feet east, and crosses Jefferson-Gage county +line 2,286 feet north of this point. Erected by the citizens +of Gage and Jefferson counties, Nebraska, Washington +county, Kansas, and Elizabeth Montague Chapter, +Daughters of the American Revolution" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Oregon Trail Monument, located at the +point where the line between Jefferson +and Gage Counties intersects the Kansas-Nebraska +State Line + +Dedicated May 12, 1914. Cost $350. Trail crosses state +line 1,986 feet east, and crosses Jefferson-Gage county +line 2,286 feet north of this point. Erected by the citizens +of Gage and Jefferson counties, Nebraska, Washington +county, Kansas, and Elizabeth Montague Chapter, +Daughters of the American Revolution</span> +</div> + +<p>Amateur theatricals took the place of the theater, and often +brilliant, undreamed of talent was shown. Literature also was +not neglected, many highly educated men and women were +among our pioneers and literary societies were a prominent part +of our social life. We played chess in those days, but not cards. +This alone might be taken as an index of how much less frivolous +that day was than the present.</p> + +<p>In 1860 Bishop Talbot arrived here from Indianapolis and +made this his home, adding greatly socially and intellectually +to the life of the community. In his family was the Rev. Isaac +Hager, beloved and revered by all who knew him, a most thorough +musician, as well as a fine preacher.</p> + +<p>Remembering old times we sometimes ask ourselves, where +now are the men and women, equal to the ones we knew in those +days, certainly there are none superior to them, in intellect, +manners, wit, and true nobility.</p> + +<blockquote><p> +"Oh brave hearts journeyed to the west,<br /> +When this old town was new!"<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span></p></blockquote> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>SOME PERSONAL INCIDENTS</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By W. A. McAllister</span></h3> + + +<p>My father and family came to Nebraska in 1858, living two +years at Genoa. At this time the government assigned what is +now Nance county, to the Pawnee Indians, as a reservation. +When the white settlers sought other homes our family located +eight miles east of Columbus, at McAllister's lake. Every fall +my father hired about sixty squaws to husk out his crop of corn. +Only one buck ever came to work, and he was always known as +"Squaw Charlie" after that. He spoke English quite well. +They were slow workers, husking about twenty bushels per day. +They were very gluttonous at meals, eating much bread, with +meat soup containing potatoes and other vegetables, cooked in +large twenty gallon camp kettles. This was supplemented by +watermelons by the wagonload. It required a week or ten days +to harvest the corn crop. The Indians were very thievish, stealing +almost as much as their wages amounted to. During these +years I often witnessed their "Medicine Dances."</p> + +<p>When fifteen years old I enlisted in Company B, Second Nebraska +Cavalry, and went to Fort Kearny. Our company relieved +the Tenth Infantry, which went to the front. In less +than twenty days this company was nearly annihilated at the +battle of Fredericksburg.</p> + +<p>While at the fort a buffalo hunt was organized by the officers, +and I had an opportunity to go. Our party went south to the +valley of the Republican. The first night we camped at the +head of the Big Blue, and the second day I noticed south of us, +about eight miles distant, a dark line along the horizon extending +as far east and west as the eye could reach. I inquired what it +was and an old hunter replied "buffaloes." I could not believe +him, but in a few hours found he was right, for we were surrounded +by millions of them. They were hurrying to the east +with a roaring like distant thunder. Our sportsmen moved in a +body through the herd looking for calves, not caring to carry +back the meat of the old specimens. Strange to say this tre<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span>mendous +herd seemed to be composed of males, for the cows +were still on the Oklahoma ranges caring for their calves, until +strong enough to tramp north again. We noticed an old fellow +making good progress on three legs, one foot having been injured. +One of the party wished to dispose of him, but his wooly forehead +covered with sand, turned every bullet. Finally the hunter +asked me to attract his attention, while he placed a bullet in +his heart. In doing this, he almost succeeded in goring my pony, +but I turned a second too quickly for him. I was near enough +to see the fire flashing from his angry eyes. In a few minutes +he fell with a thud.</p> + +<p>Several years after the war being over, I worked for the +Union Pacific railroad company. At Kearney, in 1869, we met +the Buck surveying party, who had come west to lay out, for the +government, the lands of the Republican Valley. In this company +was a young man from Pontiac, Illinois, named Harry McGregor. +He left a home of plenty to hunt buffalo and Indians, +but found among other privations, he could not have all the +sugar he wished, so at Kearney he decided to leave the party +and work with us. This decision saved his life, for the rest of +the surveyors, about ten in all, after starting south next morning, +were never seen again. They were surprised and killed by the +Indians. Their skeletons were found several years later, bleaching +on the Nebraska prairie.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>MAJOR NORTH'S BUFFALO HUNT</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Minnie Freeman Penny</span></h3> + + +<p>A party under the direction of Major Frank North set out +with six wagon teams and four buffalo horses on November 13, +1871, to engage in a buffalo hunt. The other men were Luther +North, C. Stanley, Hopkins Brown, Charles Freeman, W. E. +Freeman, W. E. Freeman, Jr., and Messrs. Bonesteel, Wasson, +and Cook. They camped the first night at James Cushing's +ranch, eighteen miles out; the second night at Jason Parker's +home at Lone Tree, now Central City, and the third night arrived +at Grand Island. On the way to Grand Island one of the +party accidentally started a prairie fire six miles east of Grand +Island. A hard fight was made and the flames subdued just +in time to save a settler's stable.</p> + +<p>Leaving Grand Island on the sixteenth they crossed the Platte +river and camped on the West Blue. From this point in the +journey the party suffered incredible hardships until their return.</p> + +<p>About midnight the wind changed to the north, bringing rain +and sleet, and inside of an hour a blizzard was raging on the +open prairie. The horses were covered with snow and ice and +there was no fuel for the fires. The men went out as far as +they dared to go for wood, being unsuccessful. It was decided +to try to follow the Indian trail south—made by the Pawnee +scouts under Major North. Little progress could be made and +they soon "struck camp" near some willows that afforded a little +protection to their horses and a "windbreak" was made for man +and beast. This camp was at the head of the Big Sandy, called +by this party the "Big Smoky" for the men suffered agonies +from the smoke in the little tipi.</p> + +<p>For two days the storm continued in all its terrible force. +The wind blew and the air was so full of snow that it was blinding. +The cold was intense. The men finally determined to find +some habitation at any price and in groups of two and three +left camp following the creek where they were sure some one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> +had settled. A sod house was found occupied by two English +families who received the party most hospitably. Charles Freeman, +older than the other men of the party, suffered a collapse +and remained at this home. During the night the storm abated +and next morning, finding all the ravines choked with heavy +snow drifts, it was decided by vote to abandon the hunt. They +dug out their belongings from under many feet of snow, sold +their corn to the English families to lighten their load and started +back. The journey home was full of accidents, bad roads, +and drifted ravines. Reaching the Union Pacific railroad at +Grand Island Major North and Mr. Bonesteel returned to Columbus +by rail, also Mr. Stanley from Lone Tree. The rest of +the party returned by team, arriving on November 24.</p> + +<p>Major North admitted that of all his experiences on the prairie—not +excepting his years with the Pawnee scouts—this +"beat them all" as hazardous and perplexing.</p> + +<p>The foregoing is taken from my father's diary.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>PIONEER LIFE</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Mrs. James G. Reeder</span></h3> + + +<p>It is almost impossible for people of the present day to realize +the hardships and privations that the first settlers in Nebraska +underwent. Imagine coming to a place where there was nothing +but what you had brought with you in wagons. Add to the discomfort +of being without things which in your former home had +seemed necessities, the pests which abound in a new country: +the rattlesnake, the coyote, the skunk, the weasel, and last—but +not least—the flea.</p> + +<p>My father, Samuel C. Smith, held the post of "trader" for +the Pawnee Indians under Major Wheeler in 1865-66. We lived +in a house provided by the government, near the Indian school +at Genoa, or "The Reservation," as it was commonly called. I +was only a few weeks old, and in order to keep me away from +the fleas, a torture to everyone, they kept me in a shallow basket +of Indian weave, suspended from the ceiling by broad bands of +webbing, far enough from the floor and wall to insure safety.</p> + +<p>I have heard my mother tell of how the Indians would walk +right into the house without knocking, or press their faces +against a window and peer in. They were usually respectful; +they simply knew no better. Sometimes in cold weather three or +four big men would walk into the kitchen and insist upon staying +by the fire, and mother would have hard work to drive them +out.</p> + +<p>The next year my father moved his family to a homestead two +miles east of Genoa where he had built a large log house and +stables surrounded by a high tight fence, which was built for +protection against the unfriendly Indians who frequently came +to make war on the Pawnees. The government at times kept a +company of soldiers stationed just north of us, and when there +would be an "Indian scare," the officers' wives as well as our +few neighbors would come to our place for safety. Major Noyes +was at one time stationed there. Firearms of all sorts were al<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span>ways +kept handy, and my mother could use them as skilfully +as my father.</p> + +<p>One night my father's barn was robbed of eight horses by the +Sioux and the same band took ten head from Mr. Gerrard, who +lived four miles east of us. E. A. Gerrard, Luther North, and +my father followed their trail to the Missouri river opposite +Yankton, South Dakota, and did not see a white man while they +were gone. They did not recover the horses, but twenty years +after the government paid the original cost of the horses without +interest. The loss of these horses and the accidental death +of a brother of mine so discouraged my father that he moved to +Columbus in 1870.</p> + +<p>One of the delights of my childhood were the nights in early +autumn when all the neighborhood would go out to burn the +grass from the prairie north of us for protection against "prairie +fires," as great a foe as was the unfriendly Indian of a few years +before.</p> + +<p>In the summer of 1874, which in Nebraska history is known +as "the grasshopper year," my grandmother, Mrs. William +Boone, accompanied by her daughter, Mrs. Mary Hemphill, and +granddaughter, Ada Hemphill, came to make us a visit. For +their entertainment we drove in a three-seated platform spring +wagon or carryall to see the Indians in their village near Genoa. +Their lodges were made of earth in a circular form with a long +narrow entrance extending out like the handle of a frying pan. +As we neared the village we came upon an ordinary looking Indian +walking in the road, and to our surprise my father greeted +him very cordially and introduced him to us. It was Petalesharo, +chief of the Pawnees, but without the feathers and war-paint +that I imagined a chief would always wear. He invited us to +his lodge and we drove to the entrance, but my grandmother +and aunt could not be persuaded to leave the surrey. My cousin, +being more venturesome, started in with my father, but had +gone only a few steps when she gathered up her skirts and cried, +"Oh, look at the fleas! Just see them hop!" and came running +back to the rig, assuring us she had seen enough. The Indians +must have taken the fleas with them when they moved to Oklahoma, +for we seldom see one now.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>EARLY DAYS IN POLK COUNTY</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Calmar McCune</span></h3> + + +<p>In the early history of the county, county warrants were +thicker than the leaves on the trees (for trees were scarce then), +and of money in the pockets of most people there was none. +Those were the days when that genial plutocrat, William H. +Waters, relieved the necessities of the needy by buying up +county warrants for seventy-five cents on the dollar. Don't +understand this as a reflection on the benevolent intentions of +Mr. Waters, for he paid as high a price as anybody else offered; +I mention it only to illustrate the financial condition of the +people and the body politic.</p> + +<p>Henry Mahan was postmaster and general merchant. The +combined postoffice and store which, with a blacksmith shop, constituted +the business part of the town of Osceola, was located on +the west side of the square. It was a one and one-half story +frame and on the second floor was <i>The Homesteader</i> (now the +Osceola <i>Record</i>). Here H. T. Arnold, W. F. Kimmel, Frank +Burgess, the writer, and Stephen Fleharty exercised their gray +matter by grinding out of their exuberant and sometimes lurid +imaginations original local items and weighty editorials. In +those days if a top buggy was seen out on the open, treeless +prairie, the entire business population turned out to watch it and +soon there were bets as to whether it came from Columbus or +Seward, for then there was not a top buggy in Polk county. The +first drug store was opened by John Beltzer, a country blacksmith +who suddenly blossomed from the anvil into a full-fledged +pharmacist. Doctor Stone compounded the important prescriptions +for a while.</p> + +<p>I need not try to describe the grasshopper raid of 1874 for +the old-timers remember it and I could not picture the tragedy +so that others could see it. To see the sun's rays dimmed by the +flying agents of destruction; to witness the disappearance of +every vestige of green vegetation—the result of a year's labor, +which was to most of the inhabitants the only resource against<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span> +actual want, to see this I say, one must live through it. Many +of the early settlers were young people newly married, who had +left their homes in the East with all their earthly possessions in +a covered wagon, or "prairie schooner" as it was called, and +making the trip overland, had landed with barely enough money +to exist until the first crop was harvested. Added to the loss +and privation entailed by the visitation of the winged host was +the constant dread that the next season would bring a like +scourge.</p> + +<p>On Sunday afternoon, April 13, 1873, I left the farm home +of James Bell in Valley precinct for Columbus, expecting to +take the train there Monday morning for Omaha. The season +was well advanced, the treeless prairie being covered with verdure. +It was a balmy sunshiny spring day, as nearly ideal as +even Nebraska can produce.</p> + +<p>As I left the Clother hotel that evening to attend the Congregational +church I noticed that the clouds were banking heavily +in the northwest. There was a roll of distant thunder, a flash +of lightning, and a series of gentle spring showers followed and +it was raining when I went to bed at my hotel. Next morning +when I looked out of my window I could not see half-way across +the street. The wind was blowing a gale, which drove large +masses of large, heavy snow-flakes southward. Already where +obstructions were met the huge drifts were forming. This continued +without cessation of either snow or wind all day Monday +and until late Tuesday night. Wednesday about noon the snow +plow came, followed by the Monday train, which I boarded for +Omaha. As the train neared Fremont I could see the green +knolls peeping up through the snow, and at Omaha the snow +had disappeared. There they had had mainly rain instead of +snow. I may say that the storm area was not over two hundred +miles wide with Clarks as about the center, the volume gradually +diminishing each way from that point. It should be borne +in mind that the farmers raised mainly spring wheat and oats. +These grains had been sown several weeks before the storm and +were all up, but the storm did not injure them in the least.</p> + +<p>On leaving Omaha a few days later I went to Grand Island. +At Gardner's Siding, between Columbus and Clarks, a creek +passed under the track. This had filled bank high with snow +which now melting, formed a lake. The track being bad the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span> +train ran so slowly that I had time to count fifty floating carcasses +of cattle upon the surface of the water. This was the +fate of many thousands of head of stock.</p> + +<p>Nobody dared to venture out into that storm for no human +being could face it and live. The great flakes driven by a fifty-mile +gale would soon plaster shut eyes, nose and mouth—in +fact, so swift was the gale that no headway could be made +against it.</p> + +<p>In those days merchants hauled their goods from Columbus or +Seward and all the grain marketed went to the same points. +Wheat only was hauled, corn being used for feed or fuel.</p> + +<p>A trip to Columbus and return the same day meant something. +A start while the stars still twinkled; the mercury ten, twenty, +or even thirty degrees below, was not a pleasure trip, to the +driver on a load of wheat. But the driver was soon compelled +to drop from the seat, and trudge along slapping his hands and +arms against his body to keep from freezing. Leaving home at +three or four o'clock in the morning he was lucky if he got +home again, half frozen and very weary, several hours after +dark. Speaking of exposure to wintry blasts, reminds me of a +trip on foot I made shortly after my arrival in Polk county. +December 24, 1872, I started to walk from the Milsap neighborhood +in Hamilton county, several miles west of where Polk now +stands, to the home of William Stevens, near the schoolhouse +of District No. 5. It was a clear, bitter cold morning, the wind +blowing strongly from the northwest, the ground coated with a +hard crust of snow. I kept my bearings as best I could, for it +should be remembered that there were no roads or landmarks +and I was traveling purely by guess. Along about mid-day I +stumbled upon a little dugout, somewhere north of where +Stromsburg now stands—the first house I had seen. On entering +I found a young couple who smiled me a welcome, which was +the best they could do, for, as I saw from the inscriptions on a +couple of boxes, they were recent arrivals from Sweden. The +young lady gave me some coffee and rusks, and I am bound to +say that I never tasted better food than that coffee and those +rusks. I did not see another house until I reached the bluffs, +where, about sunset, I was gladdened by the sight of the Stevens +house in the valley, a couple of miles distant. When I finally<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span> +reached this hospitable home the fingers of both hands were +frozen and my nose and ears badly frosted.</p> + +<p>In the early days we traveled from point to point by the +nearest and most direct route, for while the land was being rapidly +taken up, there were no section line roads. Whenever the +contour of the land permitted, we angled, being careful to avoid +the patches of cultivated land. There were no trees, no fences, +and very few buildings, so, on the level prairie, nothing obstructed +the view as far as the eye could carry. The sod houses +and stables were a godsend, for lumber was very expensive and +most of the settlers brought with them lean purses. It required +no high-priced, skilled labor to build a "soddy," and properly +built they were quite comfortable.</p> + +<p>When I grow reminiscent and allow my mind to go back to +those pioneer days, the span of time between then and now seems +very brief, but when I think longer and compare the <i>then</i> with +the <i>now</i>, it seems as though that sod house-treeless-ox driving +period must have been at least one hundred years ago. It is a +far cry from the ox team to the automobile.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>PERSONAL REMINISCENCES</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Thyrza Reavis Roy</span></h3> + + +<p>In March, 1865, my husband, George Roy, and I started from +our home in Avon, Illinois, to Nebraska territory. The railroad +extended to St. Joseph, Missouri. There they told us we would +have to take a steamboat up the Missouri river to Rulo, forty +miles from St. Joseph. We took passage on a small steamboat, +but the ice was breaking up and the boat ran only four miles up +the river. They said it was too dangerous to go farther so told +us we would have to go back or land and get some one to drive +us to Rulo, or the Missouri side of the river across from Rulo. +We decided to land, and hired a man to drive us across country +in an old wagon. It was very cold and when we reached the +place where we would have to cross the Missouri, the ice was +running in immense blocks. It was sunset, we were forty miles +from a house on that side of the river. There was a man on +the other side of the river in a small skiff. Mr. Roy waved to +him and he crossed and took us in. Every moment it seemed +those cakes of ice would crush the little skiff, but the man was +an expert dodger and after a perilous ride he let us off at Rulo. +By that time it was dark. We went to a roughly boarded up +shanty they called a tavern. It snowed that night and the snow +beat in on our bed. The next morning we hired a man to take +us to Falls City, ten miles from Rulo. Falls City was a hamlet +of scarcely three hundred souls. There was a log cabin on the +square; one tiny schoolhouse, used for school, Sunday school, +and church. As far as the eye could reach, it was virgin prairie.</p> + +<p>There was very little rain for two years after we came. All +provisions, grain, and lumber were shipped on boats to Rulo. +There was only an Indian trail between Rulo and Falls City. +Everything was hauled over that trail.</p> + +<p>After the drouth came the grasshoppers, and for two years +they took all we had. The cattle barely lived grazing in the +<a name="nemaha" id="nemaha"></a><ins title="Original has Nemeha">Nemaha</ins> valley. All grain was shipped in from Missouri.</p> + +<p>The people had no amusements in the winter. In the summer<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span> +they had picnics and a Methodist camp-meeting, on the Muddy +river north of Falls City.</p> + +<div class="figcenter padbase" style="width: 356px;"> +<img src="images/illus_016.jpg" width="356" height="600" alt="Mrs. Charles Oliver Norton + +Tenth State Regent, Nebraska Society, Daughters of the American +Revolution. 1911-1912" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Mrs. Charles Oliver Norton + +Tenth State Regent, Nebraska Society, Daughters of the American +Revolution. 1911-1912</span> +</div> + +<p>Over the Nemaha river two and one-half miles southwest of +Falls City, on a high hill above the falls from which the town +was named, was an Indian village. The Sac and Foxes and +Iowa Indians occupied the village. Each spring and fall they +went visiting other tribes, or other tribes visited them. They +would march through the one street of Falls City with their +ponies in single file. The tipi poles were strapped on each side +of the ponies and their belongings and presents, for the tribe +they were going to visit, piled on the poles. The men, women, +and children walked beside the ponies, and the dogs brought up +the rear. Sometimes, when the Indians had visitors, they would +have a war-dance at night and the white people would go out to +view it. Their bright fires, their scouts bringing in the news of +hostile Indians in sight, and the hurried preparations to meet +them, were quite exciting. The Indians were great beggars, and +not very honest. We had to keep things under lock and key. +They would walk right into the houses and say "Eat!" The +women were all afraid of them and would give them provisions. +If there was any food left after they had finished their eating, +they would take it away with them.</p> + +<p>Their burying-ground was very near the village. They buried +their dead with all accoutrements, in a sitting posture in a grave +about five feet deep, without covering.</p> + +<p>The Indians cultivated small patches of land and raised corn, +beans, pumpkins, etc. A man named Fisher now owns the land +on which the Indians lived when I reached the country.</p> + +<p>The people were very sociable. It was a healthy country, and +we had health if very little else. We were young and the hardships +did not seem so great as they do in looking backward fifty +years.</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Note</span>—Thyrza Reavis Roy was born August 7, 1834, in Cass +county, Illinois, the daughter of Isham Reavis and Mahala Beck +Reavis. Her great-grandfather, Isham Reavis, fought in the +war of the Revolution. Her grandfather, Charles Reavis, and +her own father, Isham Reavis, fought in the war of 1812. She +is a real daughter of the war of 1812. She is a member of the +U. S. Daughters of 1812, a member of the Deborah Avery Chapter +D. A. R. of Lincoln, and a member of the Territorial Pioneers +Association of Nebraska. Her husband, George Roy, died +at Falls City March 2, 1903.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>TWO SEWARD COUNTY CELEBRATIONS</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Mrs. S. C. Langworthy</span></h3> + + +<p>I recall one reminiscence of my early life in Nebraska which +occurred in 1876, when we first located in Seward. We could +have gone no farther, even had we wished, as Seward was then +the terminus of the Billings line of the Burlington railroad.</p> + +<p>We soon learned that a county celebration was to be held on +the fourth of July, and I naturally felt a great curiosity to know +how a crowd of people would look to whom we had been sending +boxes of clothing and bedding in response to appeals from the +grasshopper sufferers. My surprise cannot be imagined when I +saw people clothed as well as elsewhere and with baskets filled +with an abundance of good things for a picnic dinner.</p> + +<p>The same pretty grove in which this gathering occurred thirty-nine +years ago is now our beautiful city park, where during the +summer of 1914 our commercial club gave an old-time barbecue +costing the members twelve hundred dollars. They secured the +state band and fine speakers, and served a bounteous dinner to +about fifteen thousand people. Everything was free to all who +came, and a happier crowd can not be imagined. I speak of this +because in the years to come it will be a pleasant reminiscence to +many who may have been present.</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Note</span>—Elizabeth C. (Bennett) Langworthy, fourth state regent +of the Nebraska Society D. A. R., is a daughter of Jacob +and Caroline (Valentine) Bennett. Her paternal grandfather +was also Jacob Bennett, a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He +was taken prisoner and held in an English ship off the coast of +Quebec for some time. Mrs. Langworthy was born in Orleans +county, New York, in 1837. The family moved to Wisconsin in +1849, and the daughter finished her education at Hamline University, +then located at Red Wing, Minnesota. In 1858 she was +married to Stephen C. Langworthy, and in 1876 became a resident +of Seward, Nebraska. Mr. Langworthy died March 3, 1904.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Langworthy has been active and prominent in club work, +and is widely known. She served for five years as a member of +the school board at Seward and organized the History and Art +Club of Seward of which she was president for several years. +She was the first secretary of the State Federation of Woman's +Clubs, and was elected president in 1898. Mrs. Langworthy is +the mother of six children.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>SEWARD COUNTY REMINISCENCES</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Compiled by Margaret Holmes Chapter D. A. R.</span></h3> + + +<p>Seward county shared with other counties all of the privations +and experiences of pioneer life, though it seems to have had less +trouble with hostile Indians than many localities in the state.</p> + +<p>The struggles of pioneer settlers in the same country must +necessarily be similar, though of course differing in detail. The +first settlers deemed it important to locate on a stream where +firewood could be obtained, and they were subject to high waters, +prairie fires, constant fear of the Indian, and lack of provisions.</p> + +<p>At one time the little band of settlers near the present site of +Seward was reduced to one pan of corn, though they were not +quite as reduced as their historic Pilgrim forefathers, when a +load of provisions arrived that had been storm-bound.</p> + +<p>Reminiscences are best at first hand, and the following letters, +taken from the <i>History of Seward County</i> by W. W. Cox, recount +some of the incidents of early pioneer life by those who +really lived it.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sarah F. Anderson writes as follows:</p> + +<p>"At the time of the great Indian scare of 1864, my father's +family was one of the families which the Nebraska City people +had heard were killed. It had been rumored throughout the +little settlement that there were bands of hostile Indians approaching, +and that they were committing great depredations +as they went.</p> + +<p>"One Sunday morning my uncle and Thomas Shields started +down the river on a scouting expedition. After an all-day +search, just at nightfall, they came suddenly upon an Indian +camp. The men thought their time had come, but the redskins +were equally scared. There was no chance to back out, and they +resolved to know whether the Indians were friendly or hostile. +As they bravely approached the camp, the Indians began to +halloo, 'Heap good Omaha!' The men then concluded to camp +over night with them, and they partook of a real Indian supper.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span> +The next morning they went home satisfied that there were no +hostile Indians in the country.</p> + +<p>"A day or two after this, my father (William Imlay) and his +brothers were on upper Plum creek haying, when grandfather +Imlay became frightened and hastened to our house and said the +Indians were coming upon the settlement. He then hurried +home to protect his own family. About three o'clock in the +afternoon we saw a band of them approaching. They were +about where the B. & M. depot now stands. We were living +about eighty rods above the present iron bridge. My mother, +thinking to escape them, locked the cabin door, and took all the +children across the creek to the spring where she kept the milk. +To kill time, she commenced churning. Very soon, four Indians +(great, big, ugly creatures) came riding up to the spring and +told mother that she was wanted over to the house. She said, +'No, I can't go; I am at work.' But they insisted in such a +menacing manner that she felt obliged to yield and go. They +said, 'Come, come,' in a most determined manner. The children +all clinging to her, she started, and those great sneaking braves +guarded her by one riding on each side, one before, and one behind. +Poor mother and we four children had a slim show to +escape. They watched our every movement, step by step. When +we reached the cabin, there sat sixteen burly Indians in a circle +around the door. When we came up, they all arose and saluted +mother, then sat down again. They had a young Indian interpreter. +As they thought they had the family all thoroughly +frightened, the young Indian began in good shape to tell just +what they wanted. They would like to have two cows, two sacks +of flour, and some meat. Mother saw that she must guard the +provisions with desperation, as they had cost such great effort, +having been hauled from the Missouri river. The Indians said, +'The Sioux are coming and will take all away, and we want +some.' 'No,' said mother, 'we will take our cattle and provisions +and go to Plattsmouth.' 'But,' said the Indian, 'they will be +here tonight and you can't get away.' Mother at this point began +to be as much angry as frightened. 'I will not give you +anything. You are lying to me. If the Sioux were so close, +you would all be running yourselves.' At this point another +brave, who had been pacing the yard, seeing mother grow so +warm, picked up our axe and marched straight up to her and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span> +threw it down at her feet. She picked it up and stood it beside +her. Mother said afterward that her every hair stood on end, +but knowing that Indians respect bravery, she resolved to show +no cowardice. We could all see that the whole river bend was +swarming with Indians. Mother said with emphasis, 'I now +want you to take your Indians and be gone at once.' Then they +said, 'You are a brave squaw,' and the old chief motioned to his +braves and they marched off to camp. The next day our family +all went over to Plum creek and remained until things became +settled.</p> + +<p>"The following winter father was at Omaha attending the +legislature; and I am sure that over a thousand Indians passed +our place during the winter. It required pluck to withstand the +thievish beggars. Sometimes they would sneak up and peep in +at the window. Then others would beg for hours to get into the +house.</p> + +<p>"A great amount of snow had fallen, and shortly after father's +return home, a heavy winter rain inundated all the bottom lands. +We all came pretty near being drowned but succeeded in crawling +out of the cabin at the rear window at midnight. Our only +refuge was a haystack, where we remained several days entirely +surrounded by water, with no possible means of escape. Mr. +Cox made several attempts to rescue us. First he tried to cross +the river in a molasses pan, and narrowly escaped being +drowned, as the wind was high and the stream filled with floating +ice. The next day he made a raft and tried to cross, but the +current was so rapid he could not manage it. It drifted against +a tree where the water was ten feet deep, and the jar threw him +off his balance, and the upper edge of the raft sank, so that the +rapid current caught the raft and turned it on edge against the +tree. Mr. Cox caught hold of a limb of the tree and saved himself +from drowning. A desperate struggle ensued but he finally +kicked and stamped until he got the raft on top of the water +again, but it was wrong side up. We then gave up all hopes of +getting help until the water subsided. The fourth day, tall trees +were chopped by father on one side and by Mr. Cox on the other, +and their branches interlocked, and we made our escape to his +friendly cabin, where we found a kindly greeting, rest, food, +and fire."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span></p> + +<p>The following from the pen of Addison E. Sheldon is recorded +in the same <i>History of Seward County</i>:</p> + +<p>"My recollections of early Seward county life do not go back +as far as the author's. They begin with one wind-blown day +in September, 1869, when I, a small urchin from Minnesota, +crossed the Seward county line near Pleasant Dale on my way +with my mother and step-father (R. J. McCall), to the new +home on the southeast quarter of section 18, town 9, range 2 +east—about three miles southeast of the present Beaver Crossing. +Looked back upon now, through all the intervening years, +it seems to me there never was an autumn more supremely joyous, +a prairie more entrancing, a woodland belt more alluring, +a life more captivating than that which welcomed the new boy +to the frontier in the beautiful West Blue valley. The upland +'divides' as I remember them were entirely destitute of settlement, +and even along the streams, stretches of two, three, and +five miles lay between nearest neighbors.</p> + +<p>"What has become of the Nebraska wind of those days? I +have sought it since far and wide in the Sand Hills and on the +table lands of western Nebraska—that wind which blew ceaselessly, +month after month, never pausing but to pucker its lips +for a stronger blast! Where are the seas of rosin-weed, with +their yellow summer parasols, which covered the prairie in those +days? I have sought them too, and along gravelly ridges or +some old ditch yet found a few degenerate descendants of the +old-time host.</p> + +<p>"Mention of merely a few incidents seeming to hold the drama +and poetry of frontier life at that time: 'Pittsburgh, the city +of vision, at the junction of Walnut creek and the West Blue, +inhabited by a population of 20,000 people, with a glass factory, +a paper factory, a brick factory, oil wells, a peat factory, woolen +mills, junction of three railway lines, metropolis of the Blue +Valley.' All this and so much more that I dare not attempt to +picture it; a real existence in the brain of Christopher Lezenby +in the years of 1871-72. What unwritten dramas sleep almost +forgotten in the memories of early settlers! When Mr. Lezenby +began to build his metropolis with the assistance of Attorney +Boyd of Lincoln and a few other disinterested speculators, he +was the possessor of several hundred acres of land, some hundreds +of cattle, and other hundreds of hogs, and a fair, unmar<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span>ried +daughter. What pathetic memories of the old man, month +after month, surveying off his beautiful farm into city lots for +the new metropolis, while his cattle disappeared from the prairies +and his swine from the oak thickets along the Walnut; with +sublime and childish simplicity repeating day after day the confession +of his faith that 'next week' work would begin; 'next +week' the foundation for the factories would be laid; 'next +week' the railway surveyors would set the grade stakes. And +this real rural tragedy lasted through several years, ending in +the loss of all his property, the marriage of his daughter to +Irwin Stall, and the wandering forth of the old man until he +died of a broken heart in California.</p> + +<p>"One monument yet remains to mark the site and perpetuate +the memory of Pittsburgh, a flowing well, found I think at the +depth of twenty-eight feet in the year 1874 and continuously +flowing since that. Strange that no one was wise enough to +take the hint and that it was twenty years later before the second +flowing well was struck at Beaver Crossing, leading to the +systematic search for them which dotted the entire valley with +their fountains.</p> + +<p>"There were no high water bridges across the West Blue in +those days. I remember acting as mail carrier for a number of +families on the south bank of the Blue during the high waters +of two or three summers, bringing the mail from the city of +Pittsburgh postoffice on the north bank. A torn shirt and a pair +of short-legged blue overalls—my entire wardrobe of those +days—were twisted into a turban about my head, and plunging +into the raging flood of the Blue which covered all the lower +bottoms, five minutes' vigorous swimming carried me through +the froth and foam and driftwood to the other side where I once +more resumed my society clothes and, after securing the mail, +upon my return to the river bank, tied it tightly in the turban +and crossed the river as before.</p> + +<p>"I remember my first lessons in political economy, the fierce +fight between the northern and the southern parts of the county +upon the question of voting bonds to the Midland Pacific railway +during the years 1871-72. It was a sectional fight in fact, +but in theory and in debate it was a contest over some first +principles of government. The question of the people versus +the corporation, since grown to such great proportions, was then<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span> +first discussed to my childish ears. One incident of that contest +is forever photographed on my brain—a crowd of one hundred +farmers and villagers lounging in the shadow of T. H. +Tisdale's old store. A yellow-skinned, emaciated lawyer from +Lincoln who looked, to my boyish vision, like a Chinese chieftain +from Manchuria, was speaking with fluent imaginative +words in favor of the benefits the people of Seward county +might secure by voting the bonds. This was H. W. Sommerlad, +registrar of Lincoln land office. A short Saxon opponent, +Rev. W. G. Keen of Walnut creek, was picked from the crowd +by acclamation to reply to the Lincoln lawyer. The impression +of his fiery words denouncing the aggressions of capital and +appealing to the memories of the civil war and the Revolutionary +fathers to arouse the people's independence is with me +yet.</p> + +<p>"Next in the economic vista is the old Brisbin sod schoolhouse +east of Walnut creek where a grange was organized. Here +a lyceum was held through several winters in which the debates +were strongly tinctured with the rising anti-monopoly sentiment +of those hard times. George Michael and Charley Hunter, leaders +of the boyish dare-deviltry of those days, were chosen as +judges upon the debates in order to insure their good behavior, +and they gravely decided for the negative or affirmative many +deep discussions of doubtful themes.</p> + +<p>"Beaver Crossing in the early days was remarkable for the +great number of boys in its surrounding population, and I have +observed in these later years when visiting there, that the custom +of having boy babies in the family does not appear to have entirely +gone out of fashion. That great swarm of restless boy +population which gathered, sometimes two hundred strong, Saturday +afternoons on the Common! What 'sleights of art and +feats of strength' went round! What struggles of natural selection +to secure a place upon the 'First Nine' of the baseball +team! For years Beaver Crossing had the best baseball club +in three or four counties, and some of her players won high +laurels on distant diamonds.</p> + +<p>"One custom which obtained in those frontier days seems to +have been peculiar to the time, for I have not found it since in +other frontier communities. It was the custom of 'calling off' +the mail upon its arrival at the postoffice. The postmaster, old<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span> +Tom Tisdale—a genuine facsimile of Petroleum V. Nasby—would +dump the sacks of mail, brought overland on a buckboard, +into a capacious box upon the counter of his store, then pick up +piece by piece, and read the inscriptions thereon in a sonorous +voice to the crowd, sometimes consisting of one or two hundred +people. Each claimant would cry out 'Here!' when his name +was called. Sometimes two-thirds of the mail was distributed in +this way, saving a large amount of manual labor in pigeon-holing +the same. Nasby had a happy and caustic freedom in +commenting upon the mail during the performance, not always +contemplated, I believe, by the United States postal regulations. +A woman's handwriting upon a letter addressed to a young man +was almost certain to receive some public notice from his sharp +tongue, to the great enjoyment of the crowd and sometimes the +visible annoyance of the young man. At one time he deliberately +turned over a postal card written by a well-known young +woman of Beaver Crossing who was away at school, and on observing +that the message was written both horizontally and +across, commented, 'From the holy mother, in Dutch.' If I +should ever meet on the mystic other shore, which poets and +philosophers have tried to picture for us, old Tom Tisdale, I +would expect to see him with his spectacles pushed back from +his nose, 'calling off' the mail to the assembled spirits, the while +entertaining them with pungent personal epigrams.</p> + +<p>"One startling picture arises from the past, framed as Browning +writes 'in a sheet of flame'—the picture of the great prairie +fire of October, 1871, which swept Seward county from south +to north, leaving hardly a quarter section of continuous unburnt +sod. A heavy wind, increasing to a hurricane, drove this fire +down the West Blue valley. It jumped the Blue river in a +dozen places as easily as a jack rabbit jumps a road. It left a +great broad trail of cindered haystacks and smoking stables and +houses. A neighbor of ours who was burnt out remarked that +he had 'been through hell in one night,' and had 'no fear of the +devil hereafter.'</p> + +<p>"At the other end of the scale of temperature are recollections +of the 'Great Storm' of April 13, 14, 15, 1873. There burst +from a June atmosphere the worst blizzard in the history of the +state. For three days it blew thick, freezing sleet, changing to +snow so close and dense and dark that a man in a wagon vainly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span> +looked for the horses hitched to it through the storm. Men who +were away from home lost their lives over the state. Stock was +frozen to death. In sod houses, dugouts, and log cabins settlers +huddled close about the hearth, burning enormous baskets of +ten-cent corn to keep from freezing.</p> + +<p>"In these later years of life, Fate has called me to make +minute study of many historical periods and places. Yet my +heart always turns to review the early scenes of settlement and +civilization in Seward county with a peculiar thrill of personal +emotion and special joy in the risen and rising fortunes of those +who there built the foundations of a great commonwealth. No +land can be dearer than the land of one's childhood and none +can ever draw my thoughts further over plain or ocean than the +happy valley upon West Blue whose waters spring spontaneously +from beneath the soil to water her fortunate acres."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>PIONEERING</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Grant Lee Shumway</span></h3> + + +<p>On September 15, 1885, I crossed the Missouri river at Omaha, +and came west through Lincoln. The state fair was in full blast +but our party did not stop, as we were bound for Benkleman, +Parks, and Haigler, Nebraska.</p> + +<p>After looking over Dundy county, Nebraska, and Cheyenne +county, Kansas, the rest of the party returned to Illinois.</p> + +<p>I went to Indianola, and with Mr. Palmatier, I started for the +Medicine. He carried the mail to Stockville and Medicine, +which were newly established postoffices in the interior to the +north, and his conveyance was the hind wheels of an ordinary +wagon, to which he had fashioned a pair of thills. He said that +he was using such a vehicle because it enabled him to cut off +several miles in the very rough country through which we +passed.</p> + +<p>The jolting was something fierce, but being young and used +to riding in lumber wagons, I did not mind. I was very much +interested in everything, but the things that linger most clearly +in my mind after all these years are the bushy whiskered, hopeful +faces of the men who greeted us from dugouts and sod cabins. +The men's eyes were alight with enthusiasm and candor, +but I do not remember of having seen a woman or child upon +the trip.</p> + +<p>It seems that men can drop back into the primitive so much +more easily than women: not perhaps with all the brutality of +the First Men, but they can adjust themselves to the environment +of the wilderness, and the rusticity of the frontier, with +comparative ease.</p> + +<p>I stopped for the night in Hay cañon, a branch of Lake cañon, +at Hawkins brothers' hay camp, and I remember when they told +me that they had three hundred tons of hay in the stack, that it +seemed almost an inconceivable quantity. On our old Illinois +farm twenty-five or thirty tons seemed a large amount, but three +hundred tons was beyond our range of reasoning. However,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span> +we now stack that much on eighty acres in the Scottsbluff +country.</p> + +<p>In due time I went on over the great tableland to the city of +North Platte, and going down the cañon on the south side of the +south river, I killed my first jack rabbit, an event which seemed +to make me feel more of a westerner than any circumstance up +to that time.</p> + +<p>My first impression of North Platte, with its twelve saloons, +was not of the best. And my conception of Buffalo Bill dropped +several notches in esteem when I saw the Wild West saloon. +But in the light of years, I am less puritanical in my views of +the first people of the plains. In subsequent years I rode the +range as a cowboy, and drove twenty-mule teams with a single +line and a black-snake, and while always I remained an abstainer +and occasionally found others that did likewise, I learned to tolerate, +and then enjoy, the witticisms and foolishness of those +that did indulge. Sometimes the boys in their cups would +"smoke up" the little cities of the plains, but they never felt +any resentment if one of their number did not participate in +their drinking and festive sports.</p> + +<p>I spent the winter of 1885 on the ranch of Hall & Evans, near +North Platte, and one of the pleasantest acquaintanceships of +my life has been that of John Evans, now registrar of the land +office at North Platte.</p> + +<p>In the spring of '86 the constant stream of emigrant wagons +going west gave one an impression that in a little time the entire +West would be filled, and I grew impatient to be upon my way +and secure selections. In May I arrived at Sidney and from +there rode in a box car to Cheyenne. When we topped the +divide east of Cheyenne, I saw the snow-capped peaks of the +Rockies for the first time.</p> + +<p>During the summer I "skinned mules," aiding in the construction +of the Cheyenne & Northern, now a part of the Hill +system that connects Denver with the Big Horn basin and Puget +sound.</p> + +<p>Returning to Sidney in the autumn, I fell in with George +Hendricks, who had been in the mines for twenty years and +finally gave it up. We shoveled coal for the Union Pacific until +we had a grub stake for the winter. I purchased a broncho, and +upon him we packed our belongings—beds, blankets, tarpaulin,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span> +provisions, cooking utensils, tools, and clothing, and started +north over the divide for "Pumpkin creek," our promised land. +In a little over a day's travel, one leading the horse and the +other walking behind to prod it along, we reached Hackberry +cañon, and here, in a grove by a spring, we built our first cabin.</p> + +<p>Three sides were log, the cracks filled with small pieces of +wood and plastered with mud from the spring, and the back of +the cabin was against a rock, and up this rock we improvised a +fireplace, with loose stones and mud.</p> + +<p>When we had rigged a bunk of native red cedar along the +side of this rude shelter, and the fire was burning in our fireplace, +the coffee steaming, the bread baking in the skillet, the +odor of bacon frying, and the wind whistling through the tree-tops, +that cabin seemed a mighty cozy place.</p> + +<p>We could sometimes hear the coyotes and the grey wolves howl +at night, but a sense of security prevailed, and our sleep was +sound. Out of the elements at hand, we had made the rudiments +of a home on land that was to become ours—our very own—forever.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>EARLY DAYS IN STANTON COUNTY</h2> + + +<p class="center"><i>Statement by Andrew J. Bottorff</i></p> + +<p>I came to Nebraska at the close of the civil war, having +served during the entire campaign with the Seventeenth Indiana +regiment. I came west with oxen and wagon in the fall of +1866, bringing my family. We wintered at Rockport, but as +soon as spring opened went to Stanton county, where I took a +homestead. Here we had few neighbors and our share of hardships, +but thrived and were happy.</p> + +<p>One day I heard my dogs barking and found them down in a +ravine, near the Elkhorn river, with an elk at bay, and killed +him with my axe.</p> + +<p>The first year I was appointed county surveyor. Having no +instruments at hand, I walked to Omaha, over a hundred miles +distant, and led a fat cow to market there. I sold the cow but +found no instruments. I was told of a man at Fort Calhoun who +had an outfit I might get, so wended my way there. I found +E. H. Clark, who would sell me the necessary supplies, and I +bought them; then carried them, with some other home necessities +obtained in Omaha, back to Stanton, as I had come, on foot.</p> + +<p>I am now seventy-five years old, and have raised a large family; +yet wife and I are as happy and spry as if we had never +worked, and are enjoying life in sunny California, where we +have lived for the last ten years.</p> + + +<p class="center"><i>Statement by Sven Johanson</i></p> + +<p>With my wife and two small children I reached Omaha, Nebraska, +June 26, 1868. We came direct from Norway, having +crossed the stormy Atlantic in a small sailboat, the voyage taking +eight weeks.</p> + +<p>A brother who had settled in Stanton county, 107 miles from +Omaha, had planned to meet us in that city. After being there +a few days this brother, together with two other men, arrived +and we were very happy. With two yoke of oxen and one team +of horses, each hitched to a load of lumber, we journeyed from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span> +Omaha to Stanton county. Arriving there, we found shelter in +a small dugout with our brother and family, where we remained +until we filed on a homestead and had built a dugout of our +own.</p> + +<p>We had plenty of clothing, a good lot of linens and homespun +materials, but these and ten dollars in money were all we possessed.</p> + +<p>The land office was at Omaha and it was necessary for me to +walk there to make a filing. I had to stop along the way wherever +I could secure work, and in that way got some food, and +occasionally earned a few cents, and this enabled me to purchase +groceries to carry back to my family. There were no +bridges across rivers or creeks and we were compelled to swim; +at one time in particular I was very thankful I was a good +swimmer. A brother-in-law and myself had gone to Fremont, +Nebraska, for employment, and on our return we found the Elkhorn +river almost out of its banks. This frightened my companion, +who could not swim, but I told him to be calm, we would +come to no harm. I took our few groceries and our clothing and +swam across, then going back for my companion, who was a very +large man, I took him on my back and swam safely to the other +shore.</p> + +<p>While I was away, my family would be holding down our +claim and taking care of our one cow. We were surrounded by +Indians, and there were no white people west of where we lived.</p> + +<p>In the fall of 1869 we secured a yoke of oxen, and the following +spring hauled home logs from along the river and creek and +soon had a comfortable log house erected.</p> + +<p>Thus we labored and saved little by little until we were able +to erect a frame house, not hewn by hand, but made from real +lumber, and by this time we felt well repaid for the many hardships +we had endured. The old "homestead" is still our home, +but the dear, faithful, loving mother who so bravely bore all the +hardships of early days was called to her rich reward January +28, 1912. She was born June 15, 1844, and I was born October +14, 1837.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>FRED E. ROPER, PIONEER</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Ernest E. Correll</span></h3> + + +<p>Fred E. Roper, a pioneer of Hebron, Nebraska, was eighty +years old on October 10, 1915. Sixty-one years ago Mr. Roper +"crossed the plains," going from New York state to California.</p> + +<p>Eleven years more than a half-century—and to look back +upon the then barren stretch of the country in comparison with +the present fertile region of prosperous homes and populous +cities, takes a vivid stretch of imagination to realize the dreamlike +transformation. At that time San Francisco was a village +of about five hundred persons living in adobe huts surrounded +by a mud wall for a fortified protection from the marauding +Indians.</p> + +<p>Fred E. Roper was born in Candor Hill, New York, October +10, 1835. When three years old he moved with his parents to +Canton, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, and later moved with +his brother to Baraboo, Wisconsin. Then he shipped as a +"hand" on a raft going down the Wisconsin and Mississippi +rivers to St. Louis, getting one dollar a day and board. He returned +north on a steamer, stopping at Burlington, Iowa, where +his sister resided.</p> + +<p>In 1854, when he was nineteen years of age, Mr. Roper "started +west." His sister walked to the edge of the town with him +as he led his one-horned cow, which was to furnish milk for +coffee on the camp-out trip, which was to last three months, +enroute to the Pacific coast.</p> + +<p>There were three outfits—a horse train, mule train, and ox +train. Mr. Roper traveled in an ox train of twenty-five teams. +The travelers elected officers from among those who had made +the trip before, and military discipline prevailed.</p> + +<p>At nights the men took turns at guard duty in relays—from +dark to midnight and from midnight to dawn, when the herder +was called to turn the cattle out to browse. One man herded +them until breakfast was ready, and another man herded them +until time to yoke up. This overland train was never molested<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span> +by the Indians, although one night some spying Cheyennes were +made prisoners under guard over night until the oxen were +yoked up and ready to start.</p> + +<div class="figcenter padbase" style="width: 444px;"> +<img src="images/illus_017.jpg" width="444" height="600" alt="Oregon Trail Monument, two miles north of Hebron + +Erected by the citizens of Hebron and Thayer county, and Oregon Trail +Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, dedicated May 24, 1915. +Cost $400" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Oregon Trail Monument, two miles north of Hebron + +Erected by the citizens of Hebron and Thayer county, and Oregon Trail +Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, dedicated May 24, 1915. +Cost $400</span> +</div> + +<p>The prospectors crossed the Missouri river at Omaha, which +at that time had no residences or business buildings. Enroute +to Salt Lake City, the South Platte route was followed, averaging +about twenty miles a day. Enough provisions were carried +to last through the journey and as they had some provisions +left when they reached Salt Lake City, they were sold to the +half-starved Mormons at big prices.</p> + +<p>Some perplexing difficulties were encountered on the journey. +At one point in the mountains, beyond Salt Lake City, the trail +was so narrow that the oxen were unhitched and led single file +around the cliff, while the wagons were taken apart and lowered +down the precipice with ropes.</p> + +<p>When crossing the desert, additional water had to be carried +in extra kegs and canteens. When the tired cattle got near +enough to the river to smell the fresh water, they pricked up +their ears, stiffened their necks, and made a rush for the stream, +so the men had to stand in front of them until the chains were +loosened to prevent their crazily dashing into the water with +the wagons.</p> + +<p>Mr. Roper worked by the day for three months in the mines +northeast of San Francisco. While placer mining, he one day +picked up a gold nugget, from which his engagement ring was +made by a jeweler in San Francisco, and worn by Mrs. Roper +until her death, October 28, 1908. The ring was engraved with +two hearts with the initials M. E. R., and is now in the possession +of their son Maun, whose initials are the same.</p> + +<p>Mr. Roper was one of a company of three men who worked a +claim that had been once worked over, on a report that there was +a crevasse that had not been bottomed. The first workers did +not have "quicksilver," which is necessary to catch fine gold, +but Mr. Roper's company had a jug shipped from San Francisco. +Nothing less than a fifty-pound jug of quicksilver would +be sold, at fifty cents a pound. This was used in sluice-boxes as +"quicksilver riffles," to catch the fine float gold, when it would +instantly sink to the bottom of the quicksilver, while the dirt and +stones would wash over; the coarse rock would be first tossed out +with a sluice-fork (similar to a flat-tined pitchfork). In three<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span> +years the three men worked the mine out, making about fifteen +hundred dollars apiece.</p> + +<p>With his share carried in buckskin sacks belted around his +waist under his clothes, Mr. Roper started in a sailing vessel up +north along the coast on a trip, hunting for richer diggings. +Then he went on a steamer to the Isthmus of Panama, which he +crossed with a hired horse team, then by steamer to New York +and by railroad to Philadelphia to get his gold minted.</p> + +<p>After his marriage in 1861 Mr. Roper returned to the West +and in '64 ran a hotel at Beatrice called "Pat's Cabin." When +Nebraska voted on the question of admission to statehood, Mr. +Roper's ballot was vote No. 3.</p> + +<p>Desiring to get a home of his own, Fred Roper came on west +into what is now Thayer county, and about six miles northwest +of the present site of Hebron up the Little Blue, he bought out +the preëmption rights of Bill and Walt Hackney, who had +"squatted" there with the expectation of paying the government +the customary $1.25 per acre. In certain localities those claims +afterwards doubled to $2.50 per acre. Mr. Roper paid only the +value of the log cabin and log stables, and came into possession +of the eighty acres, which he homesteaded, and later bought adjoining +land for $1.25 per acre.</p> + +<p>Occasionally he made trips to St. Joe and Nebraska City for +supplies, which he freighted overland to Hackney ranch. At +that time Mr. Roper knew every man on the trail from the Missouri +river to Kearney. On these trips he used to stop with Bill +McCandles, who was shot with three other victims by "Wild +Bill" on Rock creek in Jefferson county.</p> + +<p>The first house at Hackney ranch was burned by the Cheyenne +Indians in their great raid of 1864, at which time Miss +Laura Roper (daughter of Joe B. Roper) and Mrs. Eubanks +were captured by the Indians near Fox Ford in Nuckolls county +and kept in captivity until ransomed by Colonel Wyncoop of +the U. S. army for $1,000. Si Alexander of Meridian (southeast +of the present town of Alexandria), was with the government +troops at the time of Miss Roper's release near Denver. +Her parents, believing her dead, had meanwhile moved back to +New York state. (Laura Roper is still alive, being now Mrs. +Laura Vance, at Skiatook, Oklahoma.) At the time of the +above-mentioned raid, the Indians at Hackney ranch threw the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span> +charred cottonwood logs of the house into the well, to prevent +travelers from getting water. Fred Roper was then at Beatrice, +having just a few days before sold Hackney ranch to an overland +traveler. After the raid the new owner deserted the place, +in the fall of 1869, and in a few months Mr. Roper returned +from Beatrice and again preëmpted the same place.</p> + +<p>In 1876 Mr. and Mrs. Roper moved to Meridian and ran a +tavern for about a year, then moved back to Hackney, where +they resided until the fall of 1893, when they moved into Hebron +to make their permanent home. Mr. Roper was postmaster +at Hebron for four years under Cleveland's last administration.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE LURE OF THE PRAIRIES</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Lucy L. Correll</span></h3> + + +<p>The memories of the long hot days of August, 1874, are burned +into the seared recollection of the pioneers of Nebraska. For +weeks the sun had poured its relentless rays upon the hopeful, +patient people, until the very atmosphere seemed vibrant with +the pulsing heat-waves.</p> + +<p>One day a young attorney of Hebron was called to Nuckolls +county to "try a case" before a justice of the peace, near a +postoffice known as Henrietta. Having a light spring wagon +and two ponies he invited his wife and little baby to accompany +him for the drive of twenty-five miles. Anything was better +than the monotony of staying at home, and the boundless freedom +of the prairies was always enticing. An hour's drive and +the heat of the sun became oppressively intense. The barren +distance far ahead was unbroken by tree, or house, or field. +There was no sound but the steady patter of the ponies' feet +over the prairie grass; no moving object but an occasional flying +hawk; no road but a trail through the rich prairie grass, and +one seemed lost in a wilderness of unvarying green. The heat-waves +seemed to rise from the ground and quiver in the air. +Soon a wind, soft at first, came from the southwest, but ere long +became a hot blast, and reminded one of the heated air from an +opened oven door. Added to other inconveniences came the intense +thirst produced from the sun and dry atmosphere—and +one might have cried "My kingdom for a drink!"—but there +was no "kingdom."</p> + +<p>After riding about nine miles there came into view the homestead +of Teddy McGovern—the only evidence of life seen on +that long day's drive. Here was a deep well of cold water. +Cheery words of greeting and hearty handclasps evidenced that +all were neighbors in those days. Again turning westward a +corner of the homestead was passed where were several little +graves among young growing trees—"Heartache corner" it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span> +might have been called. The sun shone as relentless there as +upon all Nebraska, that scorching summer.</p> + +<p>As the afternoon wore on, looking across the prairies the heat-waves +seemed to pulse and beckon us on; the lure of the prairies +was upon us, and had we chosen we could not but have obeyed. +Only the pioneers knew how to endure, to close their eyes to exclude +the burning light, and close the lips to the withering heat.</p> + +<p>At last our destination was reached at the homestead of the +justice of the peace. We were gladly seated to a good supper +with the host and family of growing boys. After the meal the +"Justice Court" was held out of doors in the shade of the east +side of the house, there being more room and "more air" outside. +The constable, the offender, the witness and attorney and +a few neighbors constituted the prairie court, and doubtless the +decisions were as legal and as lasting as those of more imposing +surroundings of later days.</p> + +<p>But the joy of the day had only just begun, for as the sun +went down, so did even the hot wind, leaving the air so heavy +and motionless and oppressive one felt his lungs closing up. +The boys of the family sought sleep out of doors, the others +under the low roof of a two-roomed log house. Sleep was impossible, +rest unknown until about midnight, when mighty peals +of thunder and brilliant lightning majestically announced the +oncoming Nebraska storm. No lights were needed, as nature's +electricity was illuminatingly sufficient. The very logs quivered +with the thunder's reverberations, and soon a terrific wind loaded +with hail beat against the little house until one wondered +whether it were better to be roasted alive by nature's consuming +heat, or torn asunder by the warring elements. But the storm +beat out its fury, and with daylight Old Sol peeped over the +prairies with a drenched but smiling face.</p> + +<p>Adieus were made and the party started homeward. After a +few miles' travel the unusual number of grasshoppers was commented +upon, and soon the air was filled with their white bodies +and beating wings; then the alarming fact dawned upon the +travelers that this was a grasshopper raid. The pioneers had +lived through the terrors of Indian raids, but this assault from +an enemy outside of the human realm was a new experience. +The ponies were urged eastward, but the hoppers cheerfully +kept pace and were seen to be outdistancing the travelers. They<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span> +filled the air and sky and obliterated even the horizon. Heat, +thirst, distance were all submerged in the appalling dread of +what awaited.</p> + +<p>As the sun went down the myriads of grasshoppers "went to +roost." Every vegetable, every weed and blade of grass bore its +burden. On the clothes-line the hoppers were seated two and +three deep; and upon the windlass rope which drew the bucket +from the well they clung and entwined their bodies.</p> + +<p>The following morning the hungry millions raised in the air, +saluted the barren landscape and proceeded to set an emulating +pace for even the busy bee. They flew and beat about, impudently +slapping their wings against the upturned, anxious faces, +and weary eyes, trying to penetrate through the apparent snowstorm—the +air filled with the white bodies of the ravenous +hordes. This appalling sight furnished diversion sufficient to +the inhabitants of the little community for that day.</p> + +<p>People moved quietly about, in subdued tones wondering what +the outcome would be. How long would the hoppers remain? +Would they deposit their eggs to hatch the following spring and +thus perpetuate their species? Would the old progenitors return?</p> + +<p>But, true to the old Persian proverb, "this too, passed away." +The unwelcome intruders departed leaving us with an occasional +old boot-leg, or leather strap, or dried rubber, from which the +cormorants had sucked the "juice."</p> + +<p>The opening of the next spring was cold and rainy. Not +many of the grasshopper eggs hatched. Beautiful Nebraska +was herself again and "blossomed as the rose."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>SUFFRAGE IN NEBRASKA</h2> + + +<p class="center"><i>Statement by Mrs. Gertrude M. McDowell</i></p> + +<p>When I was requested to write a short article in regard to +woman's suffrage in Nebraska I thought it would be an easy +task. As the days passed and my thoughts became confusedly +spread over the whole question from its incipiency, it proved to +be not an easy task but a most difficult one. There was so much +of interest that one hardly knew where to begin and what to +leave unsaid.</p> + +<p>This question has been of life-long interest to me and I have +always been in full sympathy with the movement. When the +legislature in 1882 submitted the suffrage amendment to the +people of the state of Nebraska for their decision, we were exceedingly +anxious concerning the outcome.</p> + +<p>A state suffrage association was formed. Mrs. Brooks of +Omaha was elected president; Mrs. Bittenbender of Lincoln, +recording secretary; Gertrude M. McDowell of Fairbury, corresponding +secretary.</p> + +<p>There were many enthusiastic workers throughout the state. +Among them, I remember Mrs. Clara Bewick Colby, of Beatrice, +whom we considered our general; Mrs. Lucinda Russell and +Mrs. Mary Holmes of Tecumseh, Mrs. Annie M. Steele of Fairbury, +Mrs. A. J. Sawyer, Mrs. A. J. Caldwell, and Mrs. Deborah +King of Lincoln, Mrs. E. M. Correll of Hebron and many more +that I do not now recall.</p> + +<p>There were many enthusiastic men over the state who gave the +cause ardent support. Senator E. M. Correll of Hebron was +ever on the alert to aid in convention work and to speak a word +which might carry conviction to some unbeliever.</p> + +<p>Some years previous to our campaign, Elizabeth Cady Stanton +and Lucy Stone on one of their lecture tours in the West were +so impressed with the enthusiasm and good work of Hon. E. M. +Correll that they elected him president of the National Suffrage +Association, for one year. I also recall Judge Ben S. Baker, +now of Omaha, and C. F. Steele of Fairbury, as staunch sup<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span>porters +of the measure. During the campaign, many national +workers were sent into the state, among them Susan B. Anthony, +Phoebe Couzens, Elizabeth Saxon of New Orleans, and others. +They directed and did valiant work in the cause. We failed to +carry the measure in the state, but we are glad to note that it +carried in our own town of Fairbury.</p> + +<p>Thanks to the indomitable personality of our Nebraska women, +they began immediately to plan for another campaign. In 1914, +our legislature again submitted an amendment and it was again +defeated. Since then I have been more than ever in favor of +making the amendment a national one, President Wilson to the +contrary notwithstanding—not because we think the educational +work is being entirely lost, but because so much time and +money are being wasted on account of our foreign population +and their attitude towards reform. It is a grave and a great +question. One thing we are assured of, viz: that we will never +give up our belief in the final triumph of our great cause.</p> + +<p>It is a far cry from the first woman's suffrage convention in +1850, brought about by the women who were excluded from acting +as delegates at the anti-slavery convention in London in +1840.</p> + +<p>Thus a missionary work was begun then and there for the +emancipation of women in "the land of the free and the home +of the brave." We can never be grateful enough to Lucretia +Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and other +noble, self-sacrificing women who did so much pioneer work in +order to bring about better laws for women and in order to +change the moth-eaten thought of the world.</p> + +<p>Many felt somewhat discouraged when the election returns +from New Jersey, Massachusetts, and New York announced the +defeat of the measure, but really when we remember the long +list of states that have equal suffrage we have reason to rejoice +and to take new courage. We now have Wyoming, Kansas, +Utah, Idaho, Colorado, California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, +Montana, Arizona, New Mexico, Alaska, and Illinois, besides the +countries of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Finland, New +Zealand, Australia, Nova Scotia, and some parts of England.</p> + +<p>In the future when the cobwebs have all been swept from the +mind of the world and everyone is enjoying the new atmosphere +of equal rights only a very few will realize the struggle these<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span> +brave women endured in order to bring about better conditions +for the world.</p> + + +<p class="center"><i>Statement by Lucy L. Correll</i></p> + +<p>Hebron, Thayer county, Nebraska, was the cradle of the Nebraska +woman suffrage movement, as this was the first community +in the state to organize a permanent woman's suffrage +association.</p> + +<p>Previous to this organization the subject had been agitated +through editorials in the Hebron <i>Journal</i>, and by a band of progressive, +thinking women. Upon their request the editor of the +<i>Journal</i>, E. M. Correll, prepared an address upon "Woman and +Citizenship." Enthusiasm was aroused, and a column of the +<i>Journal</i> was devoted to the interests of women, and was ably +edited by the coterie of ladies having the advancement of the +legal status of women at heart.</p> + +<p>Through the efforts of Mr. Correll, Susan B. Anthony was induced +to come to Hebron and give her lecture on "Bread versus +the Ballot," on October 30, 1877. Previous to this time many +self-satisfied women believed they had all the "rights" they +wanted, but they were soon awakened to a new consciousness of +their true status wherein they discovered their "rights" were +only "privileges."</p> + +<p>On April 15, 1879, Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, upon invitation, +lectured in Hebron and organized the Thayer County +Woman's Suffrage Association. This society grew from fifteen, +the number at organization, to about seventy-five, many leading +business men becoming members.</p> + +<p>Other organizations in the state followed, and at the convening +of the Nebraska legislature of 1881, a joint resolution providing +for the submission to the electors of this state an amendment to +section 1, article VII, of the constitution, was presented by +Representative E. M. Correll, and mainly through his efforts +passed the house by the necessary three-fifths majority, and the +senate by twenty-two to eight, but was defeated at the polls.</p> + +<p>During that memorable campaign of 1881-82, Lucy Stone +Blackwell, and many other talented women of note, from the +eastern states, lectured in Nebraska for the advancement of +women, leaving the impress of the nobility of their characters +upon the women of the middle West.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Thayer County Woman's Suffrage Association was highly +honored, as several of its members held positions of trust in the +state association, and one of its members, Hon. E. M. Correll, +who was publishing the <i>Woman's Journal</i>, at Lincoln, at the +time of the annual conference of the American Woman's Suffrage +Association, at Louisville, Kentucky, in October, 1881, +was elected to the important position of president of that national +organization, in recognition of the work he had performed +for the advancement of the cause of "Equality before the Law."</p> + +<p>This association served its time and purpose and after many +years was instrumental in organizing the Hebron Library Association.</p> + +<p>The constitution and by-laws of this first woman's suffrage +association of the state are still well preserved. The first officers +were: Susan E. Ferguson, president; Harriet G. Huse, +vice president; Barbara J. Thompson, secretary; Lucy L. Correll, +treasurer; A. Martha Vermillion, corresponding secretary. +Of these first officers only one is now living.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>AN INDIAN RAID</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Ernest E. Correll</span></h3> + + +<p>In 1869, Fayette Kingsley and family resided on the Haney +homestead at the southeast corner of Hebron, where Mr. Haney +had been brutally murdered in the presence of his three daughters +in 1867, the daughters escaping and eventually reaching +their home, "back east."</p> + +<p>On May 26, 1869, "Old Daddy" Marks, accompanied by a +young man for protection, drove over from Rose creek to warn +Kingsley's that the Indians were on a raid. While they were +talking, Mr. Kingsley heard the pit-pat of the Indian horses on +the wet prairie. From the west were riding thirty-six Indians, +led by a white man, whose hat and fine boots attracted attention +in contrast to the bare-headed Indians wearing moccasins.</p> + +<p>In the house were enough guns and revolvers to shoot sixty +rounds without loading. When Mrs. Kingsley saw the Indians +approaching she scattered the arms and ammunition on the table +where the men could get them. There were two Spencer carbines, +a double-barreled shotgun, and two navy revolvers, besides +other firearms.</p> + +<p>Mr. Kingsley and Charlie Miller (a young man from the East +who was boarding with them) went into the house, got the guns, +and leveled them on the Indians, who had come within 250 yards +of the log-house, but who veered off on seeing the guns. One of +the party at the house exclaimed, "The Indians are going past +and turning off!" Mr. Marks then said, "Then for God's sake, +don't shoot!"</p> + +<p>The Indians went on down the river and drove away eleven +of King Fisher's horses. Two of Fisher's boys lay concealed in +the grass and saw the white leader of the Indians remove his +hat, showing his close-cut hair. He talked the Indian language +and ordered the redskins to drive up a pony, which proved to +be lame and was not taken. The Indians continued their raid +nearly to Meridian.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile at Kingsley's preparations were made for a hurried +flight. Mr. Marks said he must go home to protect his own +family on Rose creek, but the young man accompanying him insisted +that he cross the river and return by way of Alexander's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span> +ranch on the Big Sandy, as otherwise they would be following +the Indians. Mr. Kingsley, with his wife and three children, +went with them to Alexander's ranch, staying there two weeks +until Governor Butler formed a company of militia composed +of the settlers, to protect the frontier. A company of the Second +U. S. Cavalry was sent here and stationed west of Hackney, +later that summer. The Indians killed a man and his son, and +took their horses, less than two miles from the soldiers' camp.</p> + +<p>On returning to the homestead, two cows and two yoke of +oxen were found all right. Before the flight, Mr. Kingsley had +torn down the pen, letting out a calf and a pig. Sixty days +later, on recovering the pig, Mr. Kingsley noticed a sore spot on +its back, and he pulled out an arrow point about three inches +long.</p> + +<p>The Indians had taken all the bedding and eatables, even +taking fresh baked bread out of the oven. They tore open the +feather-bed and scattered the contents about—whether for +amusement or in search of hidden treasures is not known. They +found a good pair of boots, and cut out the fine leather tops +(perhaps for moccasins) but left the heavy soles. From a new +harness they also took all the fine straps and left the tugs and +heavy leather. They had such a load that at the woodpile they +discarded Mr. Kingsley's double-barreled shotgun, which had +been loaded with buckshot for them.</p> + +<p>Captain Wilson, a lawyer who boarded with Mr. Kingsley, +had gone to warn King Fisher, leaving several greenbacks inside +a copy of the Nebraska statutes. These the Indians found and +appropriated—perhaps their white leader was a renegade lawyer +accustomed to getting money out of the statutes.</p> + +<p>In 1877 Mr. Kingsley's family had a narrow escape from +death in a peculiar manner. After a heavy rain the walls of his +basement caved in. His children occupied two beds standing +end to end and filling the end of the basement. When the rocks +from the wall caved in, both beds were crushed to the floor and +a little pet dog on one of the beds was killed, but the children +had no bones broken. Presumably the bedding protected them +and the breaking of the bedsteads broke the jar of the rocks on +their bodies.</p> + +<p>Mr. Kingsley has a deeply religious nature, and believes that +Divine protection has been with him through life.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>REMINISCENCES</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Mrs. E. A. Russell</span></h3> + + +<p>In September, 1884, Rev. E. A. Russell was transferred by the +American Baptist Publication Society from his work in the East +to Nebraska, and settled on an eighty-acre ranch near Ord. Mr. +Russell had held pastorates for twenty-six years in New Hampshire, +New York, and Indiana, but desired to come west for improvement +in health. He was accompanied by his family of +seven. Western life was strange and exciting with always the +possibility of an Indian raid, and dangerous prairie fires. It +was the custom to plow a wide furrow around the home buildings +as a precaution against the latter.</p> + +<p>The first year in Nebraska, our oldest daughter, Alice M. Russell, +was principal of the Ord school, and Edith taught in the +primary grade.</p> + +<p>On the fifth of August, 1885, late in the afternoon, a terrific +hail-storm swept over the country. All crops were destroyed; +even the grass was beaten into the earth, so there was little left +as pasture for cattle. Pigs and poultry were killed by dozens +and the plea of a tender-hearted girl, that a poor calf, beaten +down by hailstones, might be brought "right into the kitchen," +was long remembered. Not a window in our house remained +unbroken. The floor was covered with rain and broken glass +and ice; and our new, white, hard-finished walls and ceilings +were bespattered and disfigured.</p> + +<p>This hail-storm was a general calamity. The whole country +suffered and many families returned, disheartened, to friends in +the East.</p> + +<p>The Baptist church was so shattered that, for its few members, +it was no easy task to repair it. But they soon put it in +good condition, only to see it utterly wrecked by a small cyclone +the following October.</p> + +<p>The income that year from a forty-acre cornfield was one small +"nubbin" less than three inches in length.</p> + +<p>All these things served to emphasize the heart-rending stories<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span> +we had heard of sufferings of early pioneers. The nervous shock +sustained by the writer was so great that a year elapsed before +she was able to see clearly, or to read. As she was engaged on +the four years' post-graduate course of the Chautauqua Literary +and Scientific Circle, her eldest son read aloud to her during +that year and her work was completed at the same time as he +and his younger sister graduated with the class of 1887.</p> + +<p>Some time later the writer organized a Chautauqua Circle, +Ord's first literary society. Its president was a Mr. King and its +secretary E. J. Clements, now of Lincoln, Nebraska.</p> + +<p>During our second winter in Nebraska the writer did not see +a woman to speak to after her daughters went to their schools in +Lincoln, where one was teaching and the other a University +pupil.</p> + +<p>Of the "Minnie Freeman Storm" in January, 1888, all our +readers have doubtless heard. Our two youngest boys were at +school a mile away; but fortunately we lived south of town and +they reached home in safety.</p> + +<p>In 1881 Fort Hartsuff, twelve miles away, had been abandoned. +The building of this fort had been the salvation of pioneers, +giving them work and wages after the terrible scourge of +locusts in 1874. It was still the pride of those who had been +enabled to remain in the desolated country and we heard much +about it. So, when a brother came from New England to visit +an only sister on the "Great American Desert," we took an +early start one morning and visited "The Fort." The buildings, +at that time, were in fairly good condition. Officers' quarters, +barracks, commissary buildings, stables, and other structures +were of concrete, so arranged as to form a hollow square; and, +near by on a hill, was a circular stockade, which was said to be +connected with the fort by an underground passage.</p> + +<p>A prominent figure in Ord in 1884 was an attractive young +lady who later married Dr. F. D. Haldeman. In 1904 Mrs. +Haldeman organized <i>Coronado</i> chapter, Daughters of the American +Revolution. Her sister, Dr. Minerva Newbecker, has practiced +medicine in Ord for many years. Another sister, Clara +Newbecker, has long been a teacher in the public schools of Chicago. +These three sisters, who descended from Lieutenant Philip +Newbecker, of Revolutionary fame, and Mrs. Nellie Coombs, are +the only living charter members of <i>Coronado</i> chapter. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span> +chapter was named in honor of that governor of New Galicia in +Mexico who is supposed to have passed through some portion of +our territory in 1540 when he fitted out an expedition to seek +and christianize the people of that wonderful region where +"golden bells and dishes of solid gold" hung thick upon the +trees.</p> + +<p>About all that is definitely known is that he set up a cross at +the big river, with the inscription: "Thus far came Francisco +de Coronado, General of an expedition."</p> + +<p>And now, in 1915, the family of seven, by one marriage after +another, has dwindled to a lonely—two.</p> + +<p>The head of our household, with recovered health, served his +denomination twenty years in this great field, comprising Nebraska, +Upper Colorado, and Wyoming. He retired in 1904 to +the sanctuary of a quiet home.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>REMINISCENCES OF FORT CALHOUN</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By W. H. Allen</span></h3> + + +<p>I reached Fort Calhoun in May, 1856, with my friends, Mr. +and Mrs. John Allen; coming with team and wagon from Edgar +county, Illinois. I was then eleven years old. Fort Calhoun had +no soldiers, but some of the Fort Atkinson buildings were still +standing. I remember the liberty pole, the magazine, the old +brick-yard, at which places we children played and picked up +trinkets. There was one general store then, kept by Pink Allen +and Jascoby, and but few settlers. Among those I remember +were, my uncle, Thomas Allen; E. H. Clark, a land agent; Col. +Geo. Stevens and family, who started a hotel in 1856, and Orrin +Rhoades, whose family lived on a claim five miles west of town. +That summer my father took a claim near Rhoades', building a +log house and barn at the edge of the woods. We moved there +in the fall, and laid in a good supply of wood for the huge fireplace, +used for cooking as well as heating. Our rations were +scanty, consisting of wild game for meat, corn bread, potatoes and +beans purchased at Fort Calhoun. The next spring we cleared +some small patches for garden and corn, which we planted and +tended with a hoe. There were no houses between ours and Fort +Calhoun, nor any bridges. Rhoades' house and ours were the +only ones between Fontenelle and Fort Calhoun. Members of +the Quincy colony at Fontenelle went to Council Bluffs for flour +and used our place as a half-way house, stopping each way over +night. How we children did enjoy their company, and stories +of the Indians. We were never molested by the red men, only +that they would come begging food occasionally.</p> + +<p>I had no schooling until 1860 when I worked for my board +in Fort Calhoun at E. H. Clark's and attended public school a +few months. The next two years I did likewise, boarding at +Alex. Reed's.</p> + +<p>From 1866 to 1869 inclusive I cut cord-wood and railroad ties +which I hauled to Omaha for use in the building of the Union<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span> +Pacific railroad. I received from $8.00 to $15.00 per cord for +my wood, and $1.00 each for ties.</p> + +<p>Deer were plentiful and once when returning from Omaha I +saw an old deer and fawn. Unhitching my team I jumped on +one horse and chased the young one down, caught and tamed it. +I put a bell on its neck and let it run about at will. It came +to its sleeping place every night until the next spring when it +left, never to be seen by us again.</p> + +<p>In the fall of 1864 I was engaged by Edward Creighton to +freight with a wagon train to Denver, carrying flour and telegraph +supplies. The cattle were corralled and broke at Cole's +creek, west of Omaha known then as "Robber's Roost," and I +thought it great fun to yoke and break those wild cattle. We +started in October with forty wagons, seven yoke of oxen to each +wagon. I went as far as Fort Cottonwood, one hundred miles +beyond Fort Kearny, reaching there about November 20. There +about a dozen of us grew tired of the trip and turned back with +a wagon and one ox team. On our return, at Plum creek, thirty-fives +miles west of Fort Kearny we saw where a train had been +attacked by Indians, oxen killed, wagons robbed and abandoned. +We waded the rivers, Loup Fork and Platte, which was a cold +bath at that time of year.</p> + +<p>I lived at this same place in the woods until I took a homestead +three miles farther west in 1868.</p> + +<p>My father's home was famous at that time, also years afterward, +as a beautiful spot, in which to hold Fourth of July celebrations, +school picnics, etc., and the hospitality and good cooking +of my mother, "Aunt Polly Allen" as she was familiarly +called, was known to all the early settlers in this section of the +country.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>REMINISCENCES OF WASHINGTON COUNTY</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Emily Bottorff Allen</span></h3> + + +<p>I came to Washington county, Nebraska, with my parents in +the fall of 1865, by ox team from Indiana. We stopped at +Rockport, where father and brothers got work at wood chopping. +They built a house by digging into a hill and using logs to finish +the front. The weather was delightful, and autumn's golden +tints in the foliage were beautiful.</p> + +<p>We gathered hazel nuts and wild grapes, often scaring a deer +from the underbrush. Our neighbors were the Shipleys, who +were very hospitable, and shared their garden products with us.</p> + +<p>During the winter father bought John Frazier's homestead, +but our home was still in a dugout, in which we were comfortable. +We obtained all needed supplies from Fort Calhoun or +Omaha.</p> + +<p>In the spring Amasa Warrick, from Cuming City, came to our +home in search of a teacher and offered me the position, which +I accepted. Elam Clark of Fort Calhoun endorsed my teacher's +certificate. I soon commenced teaching at Cuming City, and +pupils came for miles around. I boarded at George A. Brigham's. +Mr. Brigham was county surveyor, postmaster, music +teacher, as well as land agent, and a very fine man.</p> + +<p>One day, while busy with my classes, the door opened and +three large Indians stole in, seating themselves near the stove. +I was greatly alarmed and whispered to one of my pupils to +hasten to the nearest neighbor for assistance. As soon as the +lad left, one Indian went to the window and asked "Where boy +go?" I said, "I don't know." The three Indians chattered +together a moment, and then the spokesman said. "I kill you +sure," but seeing a man coming in the distance with a gun, they +all hurried out and ran over the hill.</p> + +<p>I taught at Cuming City until the school fund was exhausted, +and by that time the small schoolhouse on Long creek was completed. +Allen Craig and Thomas McDonald were directors. I +boarded at home and taught the first school in this district, with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span> +fourteen pupils enrolled. At this time Judge Bowen of Omaha +was county superintendent, and I went there to have my certificate +renewed.</p> + +<p>When all the public money in the Long Creek district was +used up, I went back to Cuming City to teach. The population +of this district had increased to such an extent that I needed an +assistant, and I was authorized to appoint one of my best pupils +to the position. I selected Vienna Cooper, daughter of Dr. P. J. +Cooper. I boarded at the Lippincott home, known as the "Halfway +House" on the stage line between Omaha and Decatur. It +was a stage station where horses were changed and drivers and +passengers stopped over night.</p> + +<p>At the close of our summer term we held a picnic and entertainment +on the Methodist church grounds, using the lumber +for the new church for our platform and seats. This entertainment +was pronounced the grandest affair ever held in the West.</p> + +<p>The school funds of the Cuming City district being again exhausted, +I returned to Long Creek district in the fall of 1867, +and taught as long as there was any money in the treasury. By +that time the village of Blair had sprung up, absorbing Cuming +City and De Soto, and I was employed to teach in their new +log schoolhouse. T. M. Carter was director of the Blair district. +Orrin Colby of Bell Creek, was county superintendent, and he +visited the schools of the county, making the rounds on foot. I +taught at Blair until April, 1869, when I was married to William +Henry Allen, a pioneer of Fort Calhoun. Our license was issued +by Judge Stilts of Fort Calhoun, where we were married by Dr. +Andrews. We raised our family in the Long Creek district, and +still reside where we settled in those pioneer days.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>REMINISCENCES OF PIONEER LIFE AT FORT CALHOUN</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Mrs. N. J. Frazier Brooks</span></h3> + + +<p>I came to Nebraska in the spring of 1857 from Edgar county, +Illinois, with my husband, Thomas Frazier, and small daughter, +Mary. We traveled in a wagon drawn by oxen, took a claim +one and one-half miles south of Fort Calhoun and thought we +were settling near what would be Nebraska's metropolis. My +husband purchased slabs at the saw mill at Calhoun and built our +shanty of one room with a deck roof. For our two yoke of oxen +he made a shed of poles and grass and we all were comfortable +and happy in our new home. In the spring Mr. Frazier broke +prairie, put in the most extensive crops hereabouts, for my husband +was young and ambitious. We had brought enough money +with us to buy everything obtainable in this new country, but +he would often say, "I'd hate to have the home folks see how +you and Mary have to live." Deer were a common sight and +we ate much venison; wild turkeys were also plentiful. They +could be heard every morning and my husband would often go +in our woods and get one for our meat.</p> + +<p>In 1859 he went to Boone county, Iowa, and bought a cow, +hauling her home in a wagon. She soon had a heifer calf and +we felt that our herd was well started. The following winter was +so severe that during one storm we brought the cow in our house +to save her. The spring of 1860 opened up fine and as we had +prospered and were now making money from our crops we built +us a frame house, bought a driving team, cows, built fences, etc. +I still own this first claim, and although my visions of Fort Calhoun +were never realized I know of no better place in which to +live and my old neighbors, some few of whom are still here, +proved to be everlasting friends.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>REMINISCENCES OF DE SOTO IN 1855</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Oliver Bouvier</span></h3> + + +<p>Mother Bouvier, a kind old soul, who settled in De Soto in +the summer of 1855, had many hardships. Just above her log +house, on the ridge, was the regular Indian trail and the Indians +made it a point to stop at our house regularly, as they went to +Fort Calhoun or to Omaha. She befriended them many times and +they always treated her kindly. "Omaha Mary," who was often +a caller at our house was always at the head of her band. She +was educated and could talk French well to us. What she said +was law with all the Indians. Our creek was thick with beavers +and as a small boy I could not trap them, but she could, and had +her traps there and collected many skins from our place. I +wanted her to show me the trick of it, but she would never allow +me to follow her. At one time I sneaked along and she caught +me in the act and grabbed me by the collar and with a switch +in her hand, gave me a severe warming. This same squaw was +an expert with bow and arrow, and I have seen her speedily +cross the Missouri river in a canoe with but one oar. Our wall +was always black and greasy by the Indians sitting against it +while they ate the plates of mush and sorghum my mother served +them. I have caught many buffalo calves out on the prairies, +and one I brought to our De Soto home and tamed it. My sister +Adeline and myself tried to break it to drive with an ox hitched +to a sled, but never succeeded to any great extent. One day +Joseph La Flesche came along and offered us $50.00 for it and +we sold it to him but he found he could not separate it from +our herd, so bought a heifer, which it would follow and Mr. +Joseph Boucha and myself took them up to the reservation for +him. He entertained us warmly at his Indian quarters for two +or three days. I have cured many buffalo steak (by the Indian +method) and we used the meat on our table.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[290]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>REMINISCENCES</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Thomas M. Carter</span></h3> + + +<p>In the spring of 1855, with my brother, Alex Carter, E. P. and +D. D. Stout, I left the beautiful hills and valleys of Ohio, to seek +a home in the west. After four weeks of travel by steamboat +and stage, horseback and afoot, we reached the town of Omaha, +then only a small village. It took us fourteen days to make the +trip from St. Louis to Omaha.</p> + +<p>While waiting at Kanesville or Council Bluffs as it is now +called, we ascended the hills back of the town and gazed across +to the Nebraska side. I thought of Daniel Boone as he wandered +westward on the Kentucky hills looking into Ohio. "Fair +was the scene that lay before the little band, that paused upon +its toilsome way, to view the new found land."</p> + +<p>At St. Mary we met Peter A. Sarpy. He greeted us all warmly +and invited all to get out of the stage and have a drink at +his expense. As an inducement to settle in Omaha, we were +each offered a lot anywhere on the townsite, if we would build +on it, but we had started for De Soto, Washington county, and +no ordinary offer could induce us to change our purpose.</p> + +<p>We thought that with such an excellent steamboat landing and +quantities of timber in the vicinity, De Soto had as good a +chance as Omaha to become the metropolis. We reached De +Soto May 14, 1855, and found one log house finished and another +under way. Zaremba Jackson, a newspaper man, and Dr. Finney +occupied the log cabin and we boarded with them until we +had located a claim and built a cabin upon the land we subsequently +entered and upon which the city of Blair is now built.</p> + +<p>After I had built my cabin of peeled willow poles the Cuming +City Claim Club warned me by writing on the willow poles of +my cabin that if I did not abandon that claim before June 15, +1855, I would be treated to a free bath in Fish creek and free +transportation across the Missouri river. This however proved +to be merely a bluff. I organized and was superintendent of the +first Sunday school in Washington county in the spring of 1856.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[291]</a></span></p> + +<p>The first board of trustees of the Methodist church in the +county was appointed by Rev. A. G. White, on June 1, 1866, and +consisted of the following members, Alex Carter, L. D. Cameron, +James Van Horn, M. B. Wilds, and myself. The board met and +resolved itself into a building committee and appointed me as +chairman. We then proceeded to devise means to provide for a +church building at Cuming City, by each member of the board +subscribing fifty dollars. At the second meeting it was discovered +that this was inadequate and it was deemed necessary for +this subscription to be doubled. The church was built, the members +of the committee hewing logs of elm, walnut, and oak for +sills and hauling with ox teams. The church was not completely +finished but was used for a place of worship. This building +was moved under the supervision of Rev. Jacob Adriance and +by his financial support from Cuming City to Blair in 1870. +Later it was sold to the Christian church, moved off and remodeled +and is still doing service as a church building in Blair.</p> + +<p>Jacob Adriance was the first regular Methodist pastor to be +assigned to the mission extending from De Soto to Decatur. +His first service was held at De Soto on May 3, 1857, at the home +of my brother, Jacob Carter, a Baptist. The congregation consisted +of Jacob Carter, his family of five, Alex Carter, myself +and wife.</p> + +<p>The winter before Rev. Adriance came Isaac Collins was conducting +protracted meetings in De Soto and so much interest +was being aroused that some of the ruffians decided to break up +the meetings. One night they threw a dead dog through a window +hitting the minister in the back, knocking over the candles +and leaving us in darkness. The minister straightened up and +declared, "The devil isn't dead in De Soto yet."</p> + +<p>I was present at the Calhoun claim fight at which Mr. Goss +was killed and Purple and Smith were wounded.</p> + +<p>The first little log school was erected on the townsite of Blair, +the patrons cutting and hauling the lumber. I was the first +director and Mrs. William Allen <i>nee</i> Emily Bottorff, first teacher.</p> + +<p>I served as worthy patriarch of the First Sons of Temperance +organization in the county and lived in De Soto long enough to +see the last of the whiskey traffic banished from that township.</p> + +<p>I have served many years in Washington county as school +director, justice of the peace, and member of the county board.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[292]</a></span></p> + +<p>In October, 1862, I joined the Second Nebraska cavalry for +service on the frontier. Our regiment lost a few scalps and +buried a number of Indians. We bivouacked on the plains, +wrapped in our blankets, while the skies smiled propitiously +over us and we dreamed of home and the girls we left behind +us, until reveille called to find the drapery of our couch during +the night had been reinforced by winding sheets of drifting snow.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[293]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>FORT CALHOUN IN THE LATER FIFTIES</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Mrs. E. H. Clark</span></h3> + + +<p>E. H. Clark came from Indiana in March, 1855, with Judge +James Bradley, and was clerk of the district court in Nebraska +under him. He became interested in Fort Calhoun, then the +county-seat of Washington county. The town company employed +him to survey it into town lots, plat the same, and advertise +it. New settlers landed here that spring and lots were +readily sold. In June, 1855, Mr. Clark contracted with the proprietors +to put up a building on the townsite for a hotel; said +building to be 24x48 feet, two stories high, with a wing of the +same dimensions; the structure to be of hewn logs and put up +in good style. For this he was to receive one-ninth interest in +the town. Immediately he commenced getting out timber, boarding +in the meantime with Major Arnold's family, and laboring +under many disadvantages for want of skilled labor and teams, +there being but one span of horses and seven yoke of cattle in +the entire precinct at this time. What lumber was necessary +for the building had to be obtained from Omaha at sixty dollars +per thousand and hauled a circuitous route by the old Mormon +trail. As an additional incident to his trials, one morning at +breakfast Mr. Clark was told by Mrs. Arnold that the last mouthful +was on the table. Major Arnold was absent for supplies and +delayed, supposedly for lack of conveyance; whereupon Mr. +Clark procured two yoke of oxen and started at once for Omaha +for provisions and lumber. Never having driven oxen before +he met with many mishaps. By traveling all night through +rain and mud he reached sight of home next day at sunrise, +when the oxen ran away upsetting the lumber and scattering +groceries all over the prairies. Little was recovered except some +bacon and a barrel of flour.</p> + +<p>Finally the hotel was ready for occupancy and Col. George +Stevens with his family took up their residence there. It was +the best hostelry in the west. Mr. Stevens was appointed postmaster +and gave up one room to the office. The Stevens family +were very popular everywhere.</p> + +<p>Mr. and Mrs. John B. Kuony were married at the Douglas +house, Omaha, about 1855 and came to the new hotel as cooks; +but soon afterward started a small store which in due time made<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[294]</a></span> +them a fortune. This couple were also popular in business, as +well as socially.</p> + +<p>In March, 1856, my husband sent to Indiana for me. I went +to St. Louis by train, then by boat to Omaha. I was three weeks +on the boat, and had my gold watch and chain stolen from my +cabin enroute. I brought a set of china dishes which were a +family heirloom, clothes and bedding. The boxes containing +these things we afterward used for table and lounge. My husband +had a small log cabin ready on my arrival.</p> + +<p>I was met at Omaha by Thomas J. Allen with a wagon and +ox team. He hauled building material and provisions and I sat +on a nail keg all the way out. He drove through prairie grass +as high as the oxen's back. I asked him how he ever learned the +road. When a boat would come up the river every one would +rush to buy furniture and provisions; I got a rocking chair in +1857, the first one in the town. It was loaned out to sick folks +and proved a treasure. In 1858 we bought a clock of John +Bauman of Omaha, paying $45.00 for it, and it is still a perfect +time piece.</p> + +<p>My father, Dr. J. P. Andrews, came in the spring of 1857 and +was a practicing physician, also a minister for many years here. +He was the first Sunday school superintendent here and held +that office continually until 1880 when he moved to Blair.</p> + +<p>In 1858 the Vanier brothers started a steam grist mill which +was a great convenience for early settlers. In 1861 Elam Clark +took it on a mortgage and ran it for many years. Mr. Clark +also carried on a large fur trade with the Indians, and they +would go east to the bottoms to hunt and camp for two or three +weeks.</p> + +<p>At one time I had planned a dinner party and invited all my +lady friends. I prepared the best meal possible for those days, +with my china set all in place and was very proud to see it all +spread, and when just ready to invite my guests to the table, a +big Indian appeared in the doorway and said, "hungry" in +broken accents. I said, "Yes I get you some" and started to +the stove but he said, "No," and pointed to the table. I brought +a generous helping in a plate but he walked out doors, gave a +shrill yell which brought several others of his tribe and they +at once sat down, ate everything in sight, while the guests +looked on in fear and trembling; having finished they left in +great glee.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[295]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>SOME ITEMS FROM WASHINGTON COUNTY</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Mrs. May Allen Lazure</span></h3> + + +<p>Alfred D. Jones, the first postmaster of Omaha, tells in the +<i>Pioneer Record</i> of the first Fourth of July celebration in Nebraska.</p> + +<p>"On July 4, 1854, I was employed in the work of surveying +the townsite of Omaha. At this time there were only two +cabins on the townsite, my postoffice building and the company +claim house. The latter was used as our boarding house. Inasmuch +as the Fourth would be a holiday, I concluded it would be +a novelty to hold a celebration on Nebraska soil. I therefore +announced that we would hold a celebration and invited the +people of Council Bluffs, by inserting a notice in the Council +Bluffs paper, and requested that those who would participate +should prepare a lunch for the occasion.</p> + +<p>"We got forked stakes and poles along the river, borrowed +bolts of sheeting from the store of James A. Jackson; and thus +equipped we erected an awning to shelter from the sun those +who attended. Anvils were procured, powder purchased and +placed in charge of cautious gunners, to make a noise for the +crowd. The celebration was held on the present high school +grounds.</p> + +<p>"The picnickers came with their baskets, and the gunner discharged +his duty nobly. A stranger, in our midst, was introduced +as Mr. Sawyer, an ex-congressman from Ohio."</p> + +<p>I had a life-long acquaintance with one of those early picnickers, +Mrs. Rhoda Craig, a daughter of Thomas Allen, who +built the first house in Omaha. Mrs. Craig was the first white +girl to live on the site of Omaha. She often told the story of +that Fourth of July in Omaha. Their fear of the Indians was so +great that as soon as dinner was over, they hurried to their +boats and rowed across to Council Bluffs for safety.</p> + +<p>Another pioneer woman was Aimee Taggart Kenny, who came +to Fontenelle with her parents when a small child. Her father +was a Baptist missionary in Nebraska, and his earliest work was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[296]</a></span> +with the Quincy colony. I have heard her tell the following +experience:</p> + +<p>"On several occasions we were warned that the Indians were +about to attack us. In great fear, we gathered in the schoolhouse +and watched all night, the men all well armed. But we +were never molested. Another time mother was alone with us +children. Seeing the Indians approaching we locked the doors, +went into the attic by means of an outside ladder and looked +out through a crack. We saw the red men try the door, peep +in at the windows, and then busy themselves chewing up +mother's home-made hop-yeast, which had been spread out to +dry. They made it into balls and tossed it all away."</p> + +<p>John T. Bell of Newberg, Oregon, contributed the following:</p> + +<p>"I have a pleasant recollection of your grandfather Allen. +My father's and mother's people were all southerners and there +was a kindliness about Mr. and Mrs. Allen that reminded me of +our own folks back in Illinois. I often stopped to see them +when going to and from the Calhoun mill.</p> + +<p>"I was also well acquainted with Mrs. E. H. Clark, and Rev. +Mr. Taggart and his family were among the most highly esteemed +residents of our little settlement of Fontenelle. Mr. +Taggart was a man of fine humor. It was the custom in those +early days for the entire community to get together on New +Year's day and have a dinner at 'The College.' There would +be speech-making, and I remember that on one of these occasions +Mr. Taggart said that no doubt the time would come when we +would all know each others' real names and why we left the +states.</p> + +<p>"The experiences of the Bell family in the early Nebraska +days were ones of privation. We came to Nebraska in 1856 +quite well equipped with stock, four good horses, and four young +cows which we had driven behind the wagon from western Illinois. +The previous winter had been very mild and none of the +settlers were prepared for the dreadful snow storm which came +on the last day of November and continued for three days and +nights. Our horses and cows were in a stable made by squaring +up the head of a small gulch and covering the structure with +slough grass. At the end of the storm when father could get out +to look after the stock there was no sign of the stable. The low +ground it occupied was levelled off by many feet of snow. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[297]</a></span> +finally located the roof and found the stock alive and that was +about all. The animals suffered greatly that winter and when +spring came we had left only one horse and no cows. That lone +horse was picking the early grass when he was bitten in the nose +by a rattlesnake and died from the effects. One of those horses, +'Old Fox,' was a noble character. We had owned him as long +as I could remember, and when he died we children all cried. +I have since owned a good many horses but not one equalled Old +Fox in the qualities that go to make up a perfect creature.</p> + +<p>"After the civil war my brother Will and I were the only +members of our family left in Nebraska. We served with Grant +and Sherman and then went back to Fontenelle, soon afterward +beginning the improvement of our farm on Bell creek in the +western part of the county. By that time conditions had so improved +in Nebraska that hardships were not so common. I was +interested in tree planting even as a boy and one of the distinct +recollections of our first summer in Nebraska was getting so severely +poisoned in the woods on the Elkhorn when digging up +young sprouts, that I was entirely blind. A colored man living +in Fontenelle told father that white paint would cure me and so +I was painted wherever there was a breaking out, with satisfactory +results.</p> + +<p>"Later the planting of cottonwood, box elder, maple, and +other trees became a general industry in Nebraska and I am +confident that I planted twenty thousand trees, chiefly cottonwood. +To J. Sterling Morton, one of Nebraska's earliest and +most useful citizens, Nebraska owes a debt of gratitude. He +was persistent in advocating the planting of trees. In his office +hung a picture of an oak tree; on his personal cards was a picture +of an oak tree with the legend 'Plant Trees'; on his letterheads, +on his envelopes was borne the same injunction and the +picture of an oak tree. On the marble doorstep of his home +was cut a picture of an oak tree and the words 'Plant Trees'; +on the ground-glass of the entrance door was the same emblem. +I went to a theater he had built and on the drop curtain was a +picture of an oak tree and the words 'Plant Trees.' Today the +body of this useful citizen lies buried under the trees he planted +in Wyuka cemetery, near Nebraska City."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[298]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>COUNTY SEAT OF WASHINGTON COUNTY</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Frank McNeely</span></h3> + + +<p>In 1855 an act was passed by the territorial legislature reorganizing +Washington county and designating Fort Calhoun as +the county-seat.</p> + +<p>De Soto, a small village five miles north of Fort Calhoun, +wished the county-seat to be moved there. In the winter of +1858 a crowd of De Soto citizens organized and with arms went +to Fort Calhoun to take the county-seat by force. Fort Calhoun +citizens barricaded themselves in the log courthouse and held off +the De Soto band until the afternoon of the second day, when +by compromise, the county-seat was turned over to De Soto. +One man was killed in this contest, in which I was a participant.</p> + +<p>The county-seat remained in De Soto until an election in the +fall of 1866 when the vote of the people relocated it at Fort +Calhoun, where it remained until 1869. An election in the latter +year made Blair the county-seat.</p> + +<p>A courthouse was built in Blair, the present county-seat of +Washington county, in 1889, at a cost of $50,000.</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Note</span>—In the early days every new town, and they were all +new, was ambitious to become the county-seat and many of them +hopefully sought the honor of becoming the capital of the territory. +Washington county had its full share of aspiring towns +and most of them really got beyond the paper stage. There +were De Soto, Fort Calhoun, Rockport, Cuming City, and last but +not least—Fontenelle, then in Washington county, now a "deserted +village" in Dodge county. Of these only Fort Calhoun +remains more than a memory. De Soto was founded by Potter +C. Sullivan and others in 1854, and in 1857 had about five hundred +population. It began to go down in 1859, and when the +city of Blair was started its decline was rapid. Rockport, which +was in the vicinity of the fur trading establishments of early +days, was a steamboat landing of some importance and had at +one time a population of half a hundred or more. Now only the +beautiful landscape remains. Cuming City, like De Soto, received +its death blow when Blair was founded, and now the +townsite is given over to agricultural purposes.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[299]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE STORY OF THE TOWN OF FONTENELLE</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Eda Mead</span></h3> + + +<p>When Nebraska was first organized as a territory, a party of +people in Quincy, Illinois, conceived the idea of starting a city +in the new territory and thus making their fortune. They accordingly +sent out a party of men to select a site.</p> + +<p>These men reached Omaha in 1854. There they met Logan +Fontenelle, chief of the Omahas, who held the land along the +Platte and Elkhorn rivers. He agreed to direct them to a place +favorable for a town. Upon reaching the spot, where the present +village is now situated, they were so pleased that they did +not look farther, but paid the chief one hundred dollars for the +right to claim and locate twenty square miles of land. This consisted +of land adjoining the Elkhorn river, then ascending a high +bluff, a tableland ideal for the location of the town.</p> + +<p>These men thought the Elkhorn was navigable and that they +could ship their goods from Quincy by way of the Missouri, +Platte, and Elkhorn rivers.</p> + +<p>Early in the spring of 1855 a number of the colonists, bringing +their household goods, left Quincy on a small boat, the +"Mary Cole," expecting to reach Fontenelle by way of the Elkhorn; +and then use the boat as a packet to points on the Platte +and Elkhorn rivers.</p> + +<p>But the boat struck a snag in the Missouri and, with a part of +the cargo, was lost. The colonists then took what was saved +overland to Fontenelle.</p> + +<p>By the first of May, 1855, there were sufficient colonists on +the site to hold the claims. Then each of the fifty members +drew by lot for the eighteen lots each one was to hold. The first +choice fell to W. H. Davis. He chose the land along the river, +fully convinced of its superior situation as a steamboat landing.</p> + +<p>The colonists then built houses of cottonwood timber, and a +store and hotel were started. Thus the little town of about two +hundred inhabitants was started with great hopes of soon becoming +a large city.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[300]</a></span></p> + +<p>Land on the edge of the bluff had been set aside for a college +building. This was called Collegeview. Here a building was +begun in 1856 and completed in 1859. This was the first advanced +educational institution to be chartered west of the Missouri +river.</p> + +<p>In 1865 this building was burned. Another building was immediately +erected, but after a few years' struggle for patronage, +they found it was doomed to die, so negotiated with the people +of Crete, Nebraska, and the Congregational organizations (for +it was built by the Congregationalists) in Nebraska. It therefore +became the nucleus of what is now Doane College.</p> + +<p>The bell of the old building is still in use in the little village.</p> + +<p>The first religious services were held by the Congregationalists. +The church was first organized by Rev. Reuben Gaylord, +who also organized the First Congregational church in Omaha.</p> + +<p>In Fontenelle the Congregationalists did not have a building +but worshiped in the college. This church has long since ceased +to exist, but strange as it may seem after so many years, the last +regular pastor was the same man, Rev. Reuben Gaylord, who organized +it.</p> + +<p>There was a little band of fifteen Methodists; this was called +the Fontenelle Mission. In 1857 an evangelist, Jerome Spillman, +was sent to take charge of this little mission. He soon +had a membership of about three score people. A church was +organized and a building and parsonage completed. This prospered +with the town, but as the village began to lose ground the +church was doomed to die. The building stood vacant for a +number of years but was finally moved to Arlington.</p> + +<p>The settlers found the first winter of 1855-56 mild and agreeable. +They thought that this was a sample of the regular winter +climate; so when the cold, blizzardy, deep-snow winter of +1856-57 came it found the majority ill prepared. Many were +living in log cabins which had been built only for temporary +use. The roofs were full of holes and just the dirt for floors.</p> + +<p>On awaking in the morning after the first blizzard many +found their homes drifted full of snow; even the beds were covered. +The snow lay four or five feet deep on the level and the +temperature was far below zero.</p> + +<p>Most of the settlers lost all of their stock. Food was scarce, +but wild game was plentiful. Mr. Sam Francis would take his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[301]</a></span> +horse and gun and hunt along the river. The settlers say he +might be seen many times that winter coming into the village +with two deer tied to his horse's tail trailing in the snow. By +this means, he saved many of the colonists from starvation.</p> + +<p>Provisions were very high priced. Potatoes brought four and +five dollars a bushel; bacon and pork could not be had at any +price. One settler is said to have sold a small hog for forty-five +dollars; with this he bought eighty acres of land, which is today +worth almost one hundred eighty dollars an acre.</p> + +<p>A sack of flour cost from ten to fifteen dollars.</p> + +<p>At this time many who had come just for speculation left, +thus only the homebuilders or those who had spent their all and +could not return, remained.</p> + +<p>Then came trouble with the Indians. In the year 1859 the +Pawnees were not paid by the government, for some reason. +They became desperate and began stealing cattle from the settlers +along the Elkhorn around Fontenelle. The settlers of +Fontenelle formed a company known as the "Fontenelle Mounted +Rangers," and together with a company sent out by Governor +Black from Omaha with one piece of light artillery, started after +the Pawnees who were traveling west and north.</p> + +<p>They captured six prisoners and held them bound. While +they were camped for rest, a squaw in some way gave a knife to +one of the prisoners. He pretended to kill himself by cutting +his breast and mouth so that he bled freely. He then dropped +as if dead. Amidst the confusion the other five, whose ropes +had been cut, supposedly by this same squaw, escaped.</p> + +<p>As the settlers were breaking camp to still pursue the fleeing +tribe, they wondered what to do with the dead Indian. Someone +expressed doubt as to his really being dead. Then one of +the settlers raised his gun and said he would soon make sure. +No sooner had the gun been aimed than the Indian jumped to +his feet and said, "Whoof! Me no sick!" They then journeyed +on to attack the main tribe. When near their camp the settlers +formed a semi-circle on a hill, with the artillery in the center.</p> + +<p>As soon as the Indians saw the settlers, they came riding as +swiftly as possible to make an attack, but when within a short +distance and before the leader of the settlers could call "Fire!" +they retreated. They advanced and retreated in this way three +times. The settlers were at a loss to understand just what the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[302]</a></span> +Indians intended to do; but decided that they did not know of +the artillery until near enough to see it, then were afraid to +make the attack, so tried to scare the settlers, but failing to do +this they finally advanced with a white rag tied to a stick.</p> + +<p>The Indians agreed to be peaceable and stop the thieving if the +settlers would pay for a pony which had been accidentally killed, +and give them medicine for the sick and wounded.</p> + +<p>Some of the men who took part in this fight say that if the +leader had ordered the settlers to fire on the first advance of the +Indians every settler would have been killed. There were twice +as many Indians in the first place and the settlers afterwards +found that not more than one-third of their guns would work; +and after they had fired once, while they were reloading, the +Indians with their bows and arrows would have exterminated +them. They consider it was the one piece of light artillery that +saved them, as the Indians were very much afraid of a cannon. +This ended any serious Indian trouble, but the housewives had +to be ever on the alert for many years.</p> + +<p>Each spring either the Omahas or Pawnees passed through the +village on their way to visit some other tribe, and then returned +in the fall. Then through the winter stray bands would appear +who had been hunting or fishing along the river.</p> + +<p>As they were seen approaching everything that could be was +put under lock, and the doors of the houses were securely fastened. +The Indians would wash and comb their hair at the water +troughs, then gather everything about the yard that took their +fancy. If by any chance they got into a house they would help +themselves to eatables and if they could not find enough they +would demand more. They made a queer procession as they +passed along the street. The bucks on the horses or ponies led +the way, then would follow the pack ponies, with long poles +fastened to each side and trailing along behind loaded with the +baggage, then came the squaws, with their babies fastened to +their backs, trudging along behind.</p> + +<p>One early settler tells of her first experience with the Indians. +She had just come from the far East, and was all alone in the +house, when the door opened and three Indians entered, a buck +and two squaws. They closed the door and placed their guns +behind it, to show her that they would not harm her. They then +went to the stove and seated themselves, making signs to her that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[303]</a></span> +they wanted more fire. She made a very hot fire in the cook +stove.</p> + +<p>The old fellow examined the stove until he found the oven +door; this he opened and took three frozen fish from under his +blanket and placed them upon the grate. While the fish were +cooking, he made signs for something to eat. The lady said she +only had bread and sorghum in the house. This she gave them, +but the Indian was not satisfied; he made a fuss until she finally +found that he wanted butter on his bread. She had to show +him that the sorghum was all she had. They then took up the +fish and went out of doors by the side of the house to eat it. +After they were gone she went out to see what they had left. +She said they must have eaten every bit of the fish except the +hard bone in the head, that was all that was left and that was +picked clean.</p> + +<p>Among the first settlers who came in 1855 was a young German +who was an orphan and had had a hard life in America up +to this time.</p> + +<p>He took a claim and worked hard for a few years. He then +went back to Quincy and persuaded a number of his own countrymen +to come out to this new place and take claims, he helping +them out, but they were to pay him back as they could.</p> + +<p>Years passed; they each and all became very prosperous. But +this first pioneer prospered perhaps to the greatest degree. The +early settlers moved away one by one; as they left he would buy +their homes.</p> + +<p>The houses were torn down or moved away, the trees and +shrubs were uprooted, until now this one man, or his heirs—for +he has gone to his reward—owns almost the whole of the +once prosperous little village, and vast fields of grain have taken +the place of the homes and streets.</p> + +<p>It is hard to stand in the streets of the little village which now +has about one hundred fifty inhabitants and believe that at one +time it was the county-seat of Dodge county, and that it lacked +only one vote of becoming the capital of the state. There are +left only two or three of the first buildings. A short distance +south of this village on a high bluff overlooking the river valley, +and covered with oaks and evergreens, these early pioneers +started a city which has grown for many years, and which will +continue to grow for years to come. In this city of the dead we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[304]</a></span> +find many of the people who did much for the little village +which failed, but who have taken up their abode in this beautiful +spot, there to remain until the end of time.</p> + +<p>This story of Fontenelle has been gathered from my early +recollections of the place and what I have learned through +grandparents, parents, and other relatives and friends.</p> + +<p>My mother was raised in Fontenelle, coming there with her +parents in 1856. She received her education in that first college.</p> + +<p>My father was the son of one of the first Congregational missionaries +to be sent there. I received my first schooling in the +little village school.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[305]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter padbase" style="width: 485px;"> +<img src="images/illus_018.jpg" width="485" height="600" alt="Mrs. Warren Perry + +Eleventh State Regent, Nebraska Society, Daughters of the American +Revolution. 1913-1914" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Mrs. Warren Perry + +Eleventh State Regent, Nebraska Society, Daughters of the American +Revolution. 1913-1914</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THOMAS WILKINSON AND FAMILY</h2> + + +<p>Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Wilkinson, early Nebraska settlers, +were of English birth, and came to America when very young. +They met in Illinois and were married in 1859 at Barrington. +They moved to Louisiana, remaining there until the outbreak of +the civil war, when they returned to Illinois for a short time, +and then emigrated to the West, traveling in a covered wagon +and crossing the Missouri river on the ferry. They passed +through Omaha, and arrived at Elk City, Nebraska, July 27, +1864, with their two children, Ida and Emma, who at the present +time are married and live in Omaha.</p> + +<p>Soon after arriving in Elk City, Mr. Wilkinson lost one of +his horses, which at that time was a great misfortune. He purchased +another from the United States government, which they +called "Sam" and which remained in the family for many +years.</p> + +<p>At one time provisions were so high Mr. Wilkinson traded his +watch for a bushel of potatoes.</p> + +<p>At that time land was very cheap and could be bought for from +two to five dollars per acre. The same land is now being held at +two hundred dollars per acre. Labor was scarce, with the exception +of that which could be obtained from the Indians. There +were a large number of Indians in that part of the country, and +the settlers often hired the squaws to shuck corn and cut firewood.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Wilkinson has often told of the Indians coming to her +door and demanding corn meal or beef. They always wanted +beef and would not accept pork. They would come at night, +look in at the windows, and call for firewater, tobacco, and provisions. +Their visits were so frequent that Mrs. Wilkinson soon +mastered much of their language and was able to talk to them +in their own tongue.</p> + +<p>Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson first settled about twenty-five miles +from Omaha on the old military road. During the early days of +their life there, Mrs. Wilkinson made large quantities of butter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[306]</a></span> +for regular customers in Omaha. They often arose at three +o'clock, hitched up the lumber wagon, and started for town, +there to dispose of her butter and eggs and return with a supply +of provisions.</p> + +<p>As a rule the winters were extremely severe and Mrs. Wilkinson +has often told of the terrible snow storms which would fill +the chimneys so full of snow it would be impossible to start a +fire, and she would have to bundle the children up in the bedclothes +and take them to the nearest house to keep from freezing.</p> + +<p>During their second year in Nebraska they went farther west +and located at "Timberville," which is now known as Ames. +There they kept a "ranch house" and often one hundred teams +arrived at one time to remain over night. They would turn +their wagons into an immense corral, build their camp fires, and +rest their stock. These were the "freighters" of the early days, +and generally got their own meals.</p> + +<p>During their residence at Elk City, two more children were +born, Nettie and Will.</p> + +<p>They continued to live on the farm until the year 1887, when +they moved to Blair, Nebraska, there to rest in their old age.</p> + +<p>Mr. Wilkinson died July 18, 1912. He is survived by his +wife, Mrs. Lucy Wilkinson, a son, Wm. W. Wilkinson, and two +daughters, Mrs. J. Fred Smith and Mrs. Herman Shields. Mrs. +George B. Dyball, another daughter, died May 13, 1914.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[307]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>NIKUMI</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Harriet S. MacMurphy</span></h3> + + +<p>He glanced from the letter in his hand to the Indian woman +sitting in the door of the skin tipi, and the papoose on the +ground beside her, then down the river, his eyes moving on, like +the waters, and seeing some vision of his brain, far distant. +After a time his gaze came back and rested upon the woman and +her babe again.</p> + +<p>"If I could take the child," he murmured.</p> + +<p>The squaw watched him furtively while she drew the deer +sinew through the pieces of skin from which she was fashioning +a moccasin. She understood, although spoken in English, the +words he was scarce conscious of uttering, and, startled out of +her Indian instinct of assumed inattention, looked at him with +wide-opened eyes, trying to fathom a matter hardly comprehended +but of great moment to her.</p> + +<p>"Take the child"—where, and for what? Was he going to +leave and sail down the great river to the St. Louis whence came +all traders and the soldiers on the boats? Going away again as +he had come to her many seasons ago? "Take the child," her +child and his? Her mouth closed firmly, her eyes darkened and +narrowed, as she stooped suddenly and lifted the child to her +lap; and the Indian mother's cunning and watchfulness were +aroused and pitted against the white father's love of his child.</p> + +<p>Fort Atkinson was the most western post of the line established +by President Monroe in 1819, after the Louisiana Purchase, +to maintain the authority of the United States against +Indian turbulence and British aggression, and had been in existence +about four years before our story opens.</p> + +<p>Here had been stationed the Sixth U. S. Infantry, who had +wearily tramped for two months the banks of the Missouri river +and dragged their boats after them, a distance of nearly a thousand +miles of river travel to reach this post in the wilderness. +Not a white man then occupied what is now the state of Iowa, +except Julien Dubuque and a score or so of French traders.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[308]</a></span> +Not a road was to be found nor a vehicle to traverse it. But +one or two boats other than keel boats and barges had ever overcome +the swift current of the great Missouri thus far.</p> + +<p>The Santa Fe trail, that wound over the hills west of the fort, +connected them with the Mexican Spanish civilization of the +Southwest, and the great rivers with their unsettled land far +away on the Atlantic seaboard.</p> + +<p>Seventy-five years ago these soldiers dropped the ropes with +which they had dragged the barges and keel boats and themselves +thither, and picking up spade and shovel, dug foundations, +molded and burned brick, cut down trees, and built barracks +for themselves and the three detachments of artillery who +terrified the redmen with the mysterious shells which dropped +down amongst them and burst in such a frightful manner.</p> + +<p>They numbered about twelve hundred men, and the bricks +they molded and the cellars they dug still remain to tell of the +Fort Atkinson that was, beside whose ruins now stands the little +village of Fort Calhoun, sixteen miles north of Omaha on the +Missouri river.</p> + +<p>Dr. Gale, whom we have thus seen considering a question of +great importance both to himself and to the Indian woman with +whom he seems to have some relation, was the surgeon of the +Sixth Infantry, an Englishman, short, thick-set, and evidently +of good birth, although the marks of his rough life and rather +dissolute habits obscured it in some degree.</p> + +<p>The point where Fort Atkinson was built was the noted +"Council Bluff" at which Lewis and Clark held the Indian +council famous in the first annals of western explorations, and +it still remains a rendezvous for the various tribes of Indians, +the "<a name="otoes" id="otoes"></a><ins title="Original has Ottoes">Otoes</ins>, Pawnees, 'Mahas, Ayeaways, and Sioux," attracted +thither by the soldiers and the trading posts, and secure from +each others' attacks on this neutral ground.</p> + +<p>Shortly after the troops were located here an Ayeaway (Iowa) +chief and his band pitched their tents near the fort. The daughter +of this chief was named Nikumi; she was young and had not +been inured to the hard tasks which usually fell to the squaws, +so her figure was straight, her eyes bright, and her manner +showed somewhat the dignity of her position.</p> + +<p>Not a white woman was there within a radius of five hundred +miles except a few married ones belonging to the fort; was it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[309]</a></span> +strange that Dr. Gale, the younger son of an English family +who had left civilization for a life of adventure in the New +World, and who seemed destined to dwell away from all women +of his own race, should woo this Indian princess and make her +his wife? He had chosen the best of her race, for all who remember +her in after years speak of her dignified carriage, her +well-formed profile, and her strength of will and purpose, so +remarkable among Indian women.</p> + +<p>For four years she had been his wife, and the child she had +just seized and held in her arms as if she would never let her +go, was their child, little Mary, as her father named her, perhaps +from his own name, Marion.</p> + +<p>But now this union, which her unknowing mind had never +surmised might not be for all time, and his, alas, too knowing +one had carelessly assumed while it should be his pleasure, was +about to be severed.</p> + +<p>A boat had come up the river and brought mail from Chariton +or La Charette, as the Frenchmen originally named it, several +hundred miles below, and the point to which mail for this fort +was sent.</p> + +<p>These uncertain arrivals of news from the outside world made +important epochs in the life of the past. The few papers and +letters were handled as if they had been gold, and the contents +were read and reread until almost worn out. For Dr. Gale +came a bulky letter or package of letters tied together and sealed +over the string with a circle of red wax. There was no envelope, +as we have now, but each letter was written so as to leave a +blank space after folding for the superscription, and the postage +was at least twenty-five cents on the three letters so tied together. +The postmark of the outer one was New York City; it +was from a law firm and informed Dr. Marion F. Gale, surgeon +of the Sixth Infantry, stationed at Fort Atkinson, the +"camp on the Missouri river," that the accompanying letters +had been received by them from a firm of London solicitors, +and begging to call his attention to the same. His attention +being most effectually called thereto elicited first that Messrs. +Shadwell & Fitch of London desired them to ascertain the whereabouts +of Marion F. Gale, late of Ipswich, England, and now +supposed to be serving in the U. S. army in the capacity of +surgeon, and convey to him the accompanying information, being<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[310]</a></span> +still further to the effect that by a sudden death of James Burton +Gale, who died without male issue, he, Marion F. Gale, being +next of kin, was heir to the estate of Burton Towers, Ipswich, +England. Last came a letter from the widow of his brother, +telling him the particulars of his brother's death.</p> + +<p>Ten years before he had left home with a hundred pounds in +his pocket and his profession, to make himself a career in the +new country.</p> + +<p>There were two brothers older than he, one of them married, +and there seemed little prospect that he would ever become proprietor +of Burton Towers; but they, who lived apparently in +security, were gone, and he who had traversed the riverway of +an unknown and unsettled country, among Indians and wild +animals, was alive and well to take their place.</p> + +<p>He thought of the change, back to the quiet life of an English +country squire, after these ten years of the free life of the plains, +and the soldiers and the Indians. The hunting of the buffalo, +the bear, and the elk exchanged for the tame brush after a wild +fox, or the shooting of a few partridges.</p> + +<p>But the family instinct was strong, after all, and his eye +gleamed as he saw the old stone house, with its gables and towers, +its glorious lawns and broad driveway with the elms meeting +overhead. Oh, it would satisfy that part of his nature well to +go back as its master. This vision it was that had filled his eyes +as they looked so far away. But then they came back again and +rested on Nikumi and the child.</p> + +<p>A certain kind of love had been begotten in his heart for the +Indian maiden by her devotion to him, although he had taken +her without a scruple at the thought of leaving her when circumstances +called him away. But now he felt a faint twinge +of the heart as he realized that the time had come, and a stronger +one when he thought that he must part with the child. "But +why need I do it?" he soliloquized. "I can take the child with +me and have her educated in a manner to fit her for my daughter; +if she is as bright as her mother, education and environment +will fit her to fill any position in life, but with Nikumi it is too +late to begin, and she has no white blood to temper the wildness +of the Indian. I will take the child."</p> + +<p>Not a care for the mother love and rights. "Only a squaw." +What rights had she compared with this English gentleman who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[311]</a></span> +had taken her from her tribe, and now would cast her back again +and take away her child? But ah, my English gentleman, you +reckoned without your ordinary sagacity when you settled that +point without taking into consideration the mother love and the +Indian cunning and watchfulness, their heritage from generations +of warfare with each other.</p> + +<p>"What have you got?" she asked in the flowing syllables of +the Indian tongue, for like the majority of Indians, though she +understood much English she never, to the end of her days, +deigned to speak it.</p> + +<p>"Some words from my friends in the far-away country over +the waters, Nikumi," he answered. "My brother is dead."</p> + +<p>"Ah, and you are sad. You will go there to that land?" she +said.</p> + +<p>"I don't know, Nikumi; I may have to go over, for there is +much land and houses and fields to be cared for. I am going +down to see Sarpy, now. He came up on the boat today."</p> + +<p>She watched him as he strode off down past the cattle station +towards the fort. In the summer time her love of her native life +asserted itself, and she left the log quarters which Dr. Gale provided +for her, and occupied a tipi, or tent of skins, down among +the cottonwoods and willows of the bottom lands where portions +of her tribe were generally to be found. When he passed out +of sight she took her baby and went to a tipi a short distance +from hers, where a stalwart buck lay on a shaggy buffalo robe +on the shady side, smoking a pipe of kinnikinick, and playing +with some young dogs. She spoke with him a few minutes. +He ceased playing with the dogs, sat up and listened, and finally +with a nod of assent to some request of hers started off towards +the fort. She followed shortly after and glided about from the +post store to the laundresses' quarters, stopping here and there +where groups of soldiers were gathered, and listening attentively +to their talk about the news that had come by the boats.</p> + +<p>She learned that these boats were to be loaded with furs from +Sarpy's trading post and go back to St. Louis in a few days. +In the meantime the young buck, who was her brother, had gone +by her directions to Sarpy's trading post, just below the fort. +She had told him what she knew and surmised; that the "pale-faced +medicine man," as the Indians called him, had received +a paper from his friends across the great waters towards the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[312]</a></span> +rising sun which told his brother was dead, and that he might +have to go there to care for the houses and lands his brother had +left; that she had heard him say "If I could take the child," +and she feared he might take her papoose away; "and he shall +not," she said passionately. "I must know what he will do. +Go you and listen if the medicine man talks with Sarpy; watch +him closely and find out all."</p> + +<p>He had followed the Indian trail which skirted along the edge +of the high bluffs on the eastern boundary of the fort, and +reached the trading post from the north. Going in he uttered +the single word "tobac," and while the clerk was handing it out +to him he glanced around in the aimless, stolid Indian manner, as +if looking over the blankets and skins hung against the logs. +Back at the further, or southwest, corner of the store, near a +window, and partially screened by a rude desk made of a box +set upon a table and partitioned into pigeon-holes, sat two men. +One of them was Dr. Gale, the other, Peter A. Sarpy.</p> + +<p>To the ears of most readers the name will convey no particular +impression; if a resident of Nebraska it would call to mind +the fact that a county in that state was named Sarpy, and the +reader might have a hazy consciousness that an early settler had +borne that name; but in the days of this story and for thirty +years later it meant power and fame. The agent of the American +Fur Company in that section, Peter A. Sarpy's word was +law; to him belonged the trading posts, or so it was believed; he +commanded the voyageurs who cordelled the boats and they +obeyed. Every winter he went down the great river before it +was frozen over, to St. Louis, and every spring his boats came up +after the ice had broken up, and before the great mountain rise +came on in June, with new goods that were anxiously looked for, +and eagerly seized in exchange for the buffalo robes, the beaver, +mink, otter, and deer skins that had been collected through the +winter. He was of French parentage, a small man, with the +nervous activity of his race; the brightest of black eyes; careful +of his dress, even in the wilds; the polish of the gentleman always +apparent in his punctilious greeting to everyone; but making +the air blue with his ejaculations if his orders were disobeyed +or his ire aroused. Famous the length of the river for +his bravery and determination, he was a man well fitted to push<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[313]</a></span> +actively the interests of the company of which he was the agent +as well as a member.</p> + +<p>The Indian passed noiselessly out and going around to the +side of the building seated himself upon the ground, and pulling +his long pipe from the folds of his blanket, filled it with the +"tobac," rested it on the ground, and leisurely began to smoke. +It was no unusual thing for the Indians thus to sit round the +post, and no one took any notice of him, nor in fact that he was +very near the open window, just out of the range of vision of +the two men sitting within.</p> + +<p>"So upon me devolves the succession of the estate of Burton +Towers," Gale was saying to Sarpy, "and my sister-in-law +writes that some one is imperatively needed to look after the +estate as there is no male member of the family left in England."</p> + +<p>"And you will leave your wild life of the prairies to go back +to the tame existence of rural English life? Egad, I don't believe +I could stand it even to be master of the beautiful demesnes +which belong to my family. Power is sweet, but Mon +Dieu, the narrowness, the conventionalities, the tameness of existence!"</p> + +<p>"No worse than the tameness of this cursed fort for the last +year or two. It was very well at first when the country was new +to us and the Indians showed some fight that gave us a little +excitement, but now we've exhausted all the resources, and an +English squire, even, will be a great improvement. You've some +change, you know. St. Louis in winter gives you a variety."</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do with Nikumi and Mary?"</p> + +<p>"That's what I want to talk to you about. I find I'm fonder +of the child than I thought, and indeed it gives my heartstrings +a bit of a wrench to leave Nikumi behind; but to take her is out +of the question. Mary, however, I can educate; she is bright +enough to profit by it, and young enough to make an English +woman of. I believe I shall try to get her away quietly, and +take her with me."</p> + +<p>"You ought to have lived here long enough to have some +knowledge of the Indians, but I'm damned if I think you are +smart enough to get that child away from its mother," said +Sarpy.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[314]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, I'll try it, anyway. The worst trouble I apprehend +is getting away myself at so short notice. When do your boats +go down again?"</p> + +<p>"In about a week."</p> + +<p>"To leave the troops without any surgeon is rather risky, but +they're pretty healthy at this season, and young Carver has been +studying with me considerably, and can take my place for a +short time. If I succeed in getting leave of absence to go on to +Washington, Atkinson will probably send some one up from St. +Louis as soon as possible. I shall have to get leave of absence +from Leavenworth here, and then again from Atkinson at St. +Louis. Then I can send in my resignation after I arrive at +Philadelphia. All this beside the intermediate hardships and +delays in reaching there."</p> + +<p>To the Indian outside much of this was unintelligible, but he +heard and understood perfectly "I think I shall try to get her +away from her mother and take her with me," and later the +reply that the boats would go down in about a week.</p> + +<p>That was sufficient for him, and he arose, gathered up his +blanket that had dropped down from his shoulders, slipped the +pipe into his belt which held it around his waist, and then his +moccasined feet trod the narrow trail, one over the other, the +great toe straight in a line with the instep, giving the peculiar +gait for which the Indian is famous.</p> + +<p>He found Nikumi back at her tipi: the kettle was hung from +the tripod of three sticks over the fire, and a savory smell arose +which he sniffed with pleasure as he approached, for Nikumi +was favored above her tribe in the supplies which she received +from the camp, and which included great luxuries to the Indians. +Nikumi was very generous to her relatives and friends, +and often shared with them the pot which she had varied +from the original Indian dish of similar origin by diligently observing +the methods of the camp cooks.</p> + +<p>She had learned to use dishes, too, and bringing forth two +bowls, some spoons, and a tin cup, ladled some of the savory +mixture into them, for she had evidently learned the same lesson +as her white sisters: when you would get the best service from +a man, feed him well.</p> + +<p>On the present site of Fort Atkinson may be found, wherever +the ground is plowed over or the piles of bricks and depressions<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[315]</a></span> +that mark the cellars of the buildings are overhauled, a profusion +of old buttons, fragments of firearms, cannon balls and +shells, and many pieces of <a name="delf" id="delf"></a><ins title="Spelling retained per Webster's 1828 Dictionary">delf</ins>. A quaint old antiquarian who +lives there has a large collection of them which he shows with +delight.</p> + +<p>Who knows but that some of the fragments are pieces of +Nikumi's bowl, for as her brother told her of Gale's words to +Sarpy, her face added to its bronze hue an indescribable grayish +tinge, and starting suddenly, the bowl fell from her hand, striking +the stones which formed a circle for the fire, and broke into +fragments. She forgot to eat, and a rapid flow of words from +her lips was accompanied by gestures that almost spoke. They +should keep strict watch of the loading of the boats, she said, +and of the voyageurs in charge of them, and when they saw signs +of departure of them, she would take the child and go—and +she pointed, but spoke no word. He must make a little cave in +the hillside, and cover it with trees and boughs, and she would +provide food. When the white medicine man had gone he could +tell her by a strip of red tied in the branch of a tree like a bird, +which could be seen down the ravine from her hiding place, and +she would be found again in her tipi as if she had never been +absent. He grunted assent as well as satisfaction at the innumerable +bowls of soup, and then stretched himself comfortably +and pulled out his pipe.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile little Mary, the heroine of this intrigue, was eating +soup and sucking a bone contentedly. Would she be an Indian +or an English maiden? She was an Indian one now and +happy, too. And Nikumi? She had come to her white husband +and remained with him contented and happy. He had been +good to her in the main, although he swore at her and abused +her sometimes when he got drunk or played at cards too long, +but he was better than the braves were to their squaws, and she +did not have to work as they did; she had wood and food and +she could buy at the trading post the blankets and the strouding +and the gay red cloths, and the beads with which the squaws +delighted to adorn their necks and to stitch with deer sinew into +their moccasins. She had lived each day unconscious that there +might not be a tomorrow like it. But it had dropped from the +skies, this sudden knowledge that had changed everything.</p> + +<p>Had she had no child she would doubtless have mourned si<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[316]</a></span>lently +for the man who had come and taken her life to be lived +beside his and then left her worse than alone; but the greater +blow had deadened the force of the lesser, and only her outraged +mother love cried out.</p> + +<p>She sat on the buffalo robe inside the tipi and watched the +child rolling about outside with the little fat puppy, hugging it +one moment, savagely spatting it over the eyes the next. She +had no right to rebel; an Indian did what he would with his +squaw, how much more a white man, and to any decree concerning +herself she would doubtless have submitted silently, but to +lose her child—that she would not do, and she knew how to +save it.</p> + +<p>All unconscious of this intrigue, Gale made his preparations +for departure, and it was soon known through the camp that he +was about to go to the "states."</p> + +<p>He had taken pains to conceal the fact of his intended final +departure for England.</p> + +<p>He secretly made arrangements with the man who acted as +cook for the boats to take charge of little Mary until they got to +St. Louis, where they could get a servant, and going down the +river would take but a few days.</p> + +<p>Gale's condition of mind was not to be envied during the interval +before he started. He scarcely felt the injustice to Nikumi +in thus leaving her, but he could not quite reconcile with +even his weak sense of her rights that he should take the child +away from her, and yet he fully intended to do so. He spent +much of the time with Nikumi at her summer residence, the +tipi, and she treated him with the same gentle deference and +quiet submissiveness that were usual to her, so completely deceiving +him that he did not once surmise she knew anything of +his plans. The last two or three days he occupied himself in +packing a case of articles of various kinds that he had accumulated: +an Indian pipe of the famous red pipestone of the Sioux +country, with its long flat stem of wood cut out in various designs +and decorated with feathers and bits of metal; moccasins +of deer skin, handsomely beaded and trimmed with fringes, +some of them made by Nikumi's own hands; specimens of the +strange Mexican cloths woven from the plumage of birds, brought +by the trading Mexicans up the Santa Fe trail; a pair of their +beautiful blankets, one robe, a few very fine furs, among them a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[317]</a></span> +black bear skin of immense size, a little mat woven of the perfumed +grasses, which the Indians could find but the white man +never, some of the nose and ear rings worn by the squaws.</p> + +<p>Nikumi came to his quarters while he was taking these things +down from the walls and shelves where she had always cared for +them with so much pride. In answer to her inquiring gaze he +said: "I go Nikumi, to the far eastern land, and these I shall +take with me to show my friends what we had that is beautiful +in the land of the Indian and the buffalo, that they wish to know +all about." "And when will you return to Nikumi and Mary?" +"I can not tell; I hope before many moons; will you grieve to +have me go Nikumi?" "Nikumi will look every day to the +rising sun and ask the Great Spirit to send her pale-faced medicine +man back safely to her and the child." He put his arms +about her with a strange spasm of heart relenting, realizing for +a moment the wrong he was purposing to commit. But ah, the +stronger taking advantage of the weaker. The strong race using +for their own pleasure the weak one. "Ye that are strong +ought to help the weak." He also prepared at Sarpy's trading +post, and by his advice, a smaller package of such things as +would be desirable for little Mary's welfare and comfort.</p> + +<p>It was greatly lacking in the articles we should consider necessary +these times, but when we realize that every piece of merchandise +which reached this far away post had to be transported +thousands of miles by river it is matter of wonder how much +there was.</p> + +<p>The morning of the day before the boats were to start he occupied +himself with some last preparations, giving Nikumi a +number of articles that she had used around his quarters to take +to her tipi, and telling her he would leave money with Sarpy +so that she might get what was necessary for herself and Mary. +In the afternoon he went down to the post and did not return +to the quarters until late, where he supped at the mess table and +then went in the direction of Nikumi's tent. He had devised, +he thought, a cunning plan to get Nikumi to go the next morning +for some fresh leaves of a shrub which she often procured +for him to mix in his tobacco, and of which he was very fond; +and after her departure he would make for the boat and embark +hastily with little Mary, whom he would keep. Resolving the +broaching of his plan as he approached the tipi, he did not notice<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[318]</a></span> +that it failed to show the usual signs of habitation until he drew +near when he observed that the kettle hanging from the tripod +over the circle of stones had no fire beneath it, and no steam +issuing from it, no dogs were playing about, and there was no +sign of Nikumi and little Mary. He began to look about for +them; the flap of skin usually fastened up to form a doorway +was dropped down; he put it up and stooping, entered the tipi. +It was almost entirely empty; the skins which had formed the +beds were gone; the dishes seemed to be there, but the food of +which he knew she always kept a supply, was all gone, and +there were no signs of the articles of clothing belonging to them. +Sarpy's words come to him, "I'm damned if I think you are +smart enough to get the child away from its mother," and he +knew that Nikumi had outwitted him. He should never see +mother or child again.</p> + +<p>He turned and traced angrily the narrow trail to Sarpy's. +Striding in and down the low, dingy, fur odorous room to the +rear where Sarpy sat lazily smoking his pipe he exclaimed, +"You were right, Sarpy, Nikumi has gone with the child." +Sarpy took his pipe from his mouth slowly, "Well I'm sorry +you are disappointed, but it will be better for you and the child, +too; she would have grieved herself to death, and worried you +almost to the verge of lunacy first, and you would have had the +burden on your conscience of Nikumi unhappy, and all for no +good." "But I'll not give her up. I had set my heart on it; +I shall start a search party for her at once." "And much good +it will do you. There isn't a soldier in your camp that can find +what an Indian chooses to hide, if it is not more than six feet +away from him. You will only inform the camp of your design +and of the fact that a squaw has outwitted you."</p> + +<p>Gale knew too well the truth of his statement, but he paced +up and down the building angrily for some time, determining +at each turn towards the door to start out at the head of a search +party, but turning again with an oath toward the rear as the +futility of it all was forced upon him.</p> + +<p>Sarpy regarded him quietly, a half smile in his eyes. He +understood the conflict of feelings, the pain at leaving Nikumi, +not very great, but enough to cause him some discomfort; the +now added pain of separation from the child, also; the chagrin +at being outwitted by a squaw, and one who had always seemed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[319]</a></span> +so submissive, and whom he had not dreamed possessed so much +acuteness; the English obstinacy aroused by antagonism, all +struggling against his knowledge that he could do nothing. +Sarpy in his place would have invoked all the spirits of the +darker regions, but he probably would never have put himself +in a like predicament. To his class, seekers of fortunes in the +New World, the Indian was simply a source of revenue and +pleasure, treated fairly well to be sure, because that was the +better policy; while it suited their convenience to use them they +did so; when the need was supplied they cast them off; possibly +Gale, if he analyzed the situation at all, thought the same, but +under the present circumstances, a different set of emotions +dominated him. Nikumi, superior to her tribe, had inspired +inconveniently deep feelings, and he found his fatherly love a +factor he had not counted on.</p> + +<p>At last he approached Sarpy, and throwing himself in a chair, +took out one of the two great soothers of man's woes, his pipe, +lighted it and proceeded to mingle its smoke with that of Sarpy's. +"I suppose I shall have to give it up, but I'm damned if +I can submit to it with equanimity, yet; outwitted by an apparently +innocent and submissive squaw, I suppose two months +from now I'll be thanking my lucky stars that I'm not saddled +with a brat of an Indian, and at intervals thereafter shall be +falling upon my knees, and repeating the operation. But I'm +blessed if I can see it so now."</p> + +<p>"Yes it will be better for you as well as the others, and as +soon as you get away from here you will view it very differently," +said Sarpy.</p> + +<p>And Nikumi in her cave dug into the bluff, held her baby +tight in her arms, and listened to every sound, while she watched +by aid of the rude but cunningly devised dark lantern, the +reptiles and insects which crawled about, moving only to dispatch +a snake or two that were venomous.</p> + +<p>Could Gale have seen her would he have relented and left the +child to her? Has it been the history of the union of the stronger +and weaker races that the stronger have given up their desires?</p> + +<p>"You will have to look out for Mary, too, Sarpy, as you have +promised to do for Nikumi. I haven't any more money to leave +with you at present, but I will send you some from England.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[320]</a></span> +I don't want her to grow up without any education at all, and +have to slave and toil as squaws do generally, nor Nikumi either." +"I'll see to them," said Sarpy, briefly, "there isn't much +chance for education unless they keep up the post here and she +be permitted to learn with the white children; for I don't suppose +Nikumi will ever let her go away to school as Fontenelle +sends his boys, but she shall have what education she can get +and Nikumi shall not be obliged to go back to her tribe for support +as long as I am here," and the smoke of the Frenchman's +and Englishman's pipes ascended to ratify this compact.</p> + +<p>The next day at sunrise the boats dropped swiftly down the +river. A figure at the stern of one of them watched until the +last sign of the landing place faded in the early morning light.</p> + +<p>Dr. Gale had played a brief part in the settlement of a new +country from which he now disappeared as if he had never +been.</p> + +<p>In after years only the few who belonged to that early settlement +remembered that Mary was his child, and told of it +sometimes, when they recounted the adventurous life of those +early days. A young man listened to these reminiscences from +the lips of the strange, irascible, but warm hearted Frenchman, +and treasured them in memory. Hence this true tale. Nikumi +released from her reptile inhabited cave by the little red bird in +the tree down the ravine, came back to her tipi. She had kept +her child but she had lost her lover and her life. How should +she take it up again? She had been always quiet and little +given to the chatter and laughter of the young squaws; she was +only a little more quiet now, and Mary's lot was decided; she +would always be an Indian woman.</p> + +<p>One day Sarpy came to her and told her that Gale had left +money for her and she was to come to the fort for what she +wished. And after a time it came to pass that Sarpy took +her to wife as Gale had done. Perhaps that was in his mind +when he looked at Gale with a smile in his eyes; but Nikumi +would not listen to him till she had waited long, and until Sarpy +told her and she heard from others that Gale would never come +again. And she was his faithful wife for many years, occupying +always, because of her inherent dignity and real womanliness, +a position high in the estimation both of the white and the red +men. Many tales are told of her life with Sarpy, how at one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[321]</a></span> +time she carried him miles on her back when he was stricken +with fever in the mountains, until she brought him to aid and +safety. Another time when he had given orders that no more +goods should be given her from the post (she was always very +liberal to her relatives and he wished to check it) she quietly +picked up two or three bolts of calico, and walking to the river +bank, threw them in; a second armful followed, and then the +enemy capitulated. And still another time when Sarpy had +bought a beautiful black mare, "Starlight," to minister to the +pleasure of a designing English widow, she one day quietly appeared +when the horse was driven round by Sarpy's black servant, +and ordered it taken to the stable, and enforced the order, +too. But this is another story.</p> + +<p>In later years, as Sarpy's dominion ceased with the gradual +decline of the fur company, and he spent much of his time +in St. Louis, Nikumi lived with Mary, who had married an Indian +like herself, with a mixture of white blood in his veins, +although he was French, and who occupied a prominent position +in one of the tribes to whom was given a distinct reservation. +From this mixture of English, French, and Indian bloods +has arisen a family which stands at the head of their tribe, and +one member who is known throughout this country. It is worthy +of notice, too, that with one exception it has been the women +of the family who have shown the qualities which gave them +preëminence.</p> + +<p>Nikumi died March 23, 1888, at the home of her daughter +Mary; but her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren +live to show that sometimes the mixture of races tends to development +of the virtues, and not, as has been so often said, of the +vices of both races.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[322]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE HEROINE OF THE JULES-SLADE TRAGEDY</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Harriet S. MacMurphy</span></h3> + + +<p>Our two weeks' ride over Iowa prairies was ended and we had +reached our new home in Nebraska. I sat in the buggy, a child +of twelve, with my three-year-old brother beside me, on the +eastern bank of the Missouri river, while father went down +where the ferry boat lay, to make ready for our crossing.</p> + +<p>In the doorway of a log cabin near by stood a young girl two +or three years older than I. We gazed at each other shyly. She +was bare-headed and bare-footed, her cheeks tanned, and her +abundant black hair roughened with the wind, but her eyes were +dark and her figure had the grace of untrammeled out door +life. To my girl's standard she did not appeal, and I had not +then the faintest conception of the romance and tragedy of +which she was the heroine.</p> + +<p>We gazed at each other until father gave the signal for me to +drive down on the clumsy raft-like boat behind the covered +half-wagon half-carriage that held the other members of our +family, which I did in fear and trembling that did not cease +until we had swung in and out as the boat strained at the rope +to which it was attached, the waters of the "Old Muddy," the +like of which I had never seen before, straining and drawing it +down with the current, and a fresh spasm of fear was added +as we reached the far shore and dropped off the boat with a +thud down into the soft bank. We had reached Decatur, our +future Nebraska home, adjoining the Indian reservation with +its thousand Omahas.</p> + +<p>For a long time I did not know anything further of the girl +of the log cabin by the river side, only that they told us the +family were named Keyou and the men were boatmen and fishermen +and ran the ferry. This first chapter of my little story +opened in the spring of 1863.</p> + +<p>Six years later my girlhood's romance brought marriage with +my home-coming soldier, who in his first days in the territory +of Nebraska had passed through many of the romantic events<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[323]</a></span> +that a life among the Indians would bring, among them clerking +in a trading post with one "Billy" Becksted, now the husband +of my maiden of the riverside log cabin. And Billy and +John always continued the comradeship of the free, happy, +prairie hunting life, riding the "buckskin" ponies with which +they began life together, although they came together from +very different walks of life.</p> + +<p>And I learned of my husband that "Addie," as we had +learned to call her, young as she was when first I saw her, had +been the wife of a Frenchman named Jules, after whom the town +of Julesburg (Colorado) is named, and his dreadful death at +the hands of one Slade was one of the stock stories of the plains +well known to every early settler.</p> + +<p>Billy and Addie after a time drifted away from Decatur down +the river and we lost sight of them.</p> + +<p>We, too, left the home town and became residents of Plattsmouth.</p> + +<p>One day my husband, returning from a trip in the country +said, "I ran across Billy and Addie Becksted today and they +were so glad to see me that Addie put her arms round me and +kissed me, with tears in her eyes." Later we learned with sorrow +that Billy was drinking and then that he had come down +to Plattsmouth and tried to find my husband, who was out of +town and had gone back home and when almost there had taken +a dose of morphine, and they had found him unconscious and +dying near their log cabin under the bluffs half a mile above +the Bellevue station. And my husband really mourned that he +had not been at home, perhaps to have kept good-hearted Billy +from his woeful fate. After a time Addie married Elton, a +brother of Billy's, and one Sunday I persuaded my husband to +go down to them in their cabin under the bluffs.</p> + +<p>"I have always wanted to get Addie to tell me her story of +her life with Jules," I said.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe you can get her to talk about it," said Mac, +"she never speaks of it, Elton says."</p> + +<p>We went, and they were delighted to see us, killed the fatted +chicken and gathered for us some of the wild berries that grew +in the bluffs, and then as we sat under the trees with the bluff +towering above us, I asked her for the story of her girlhood's +days out on the plains, when only a single house that sheltered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[324]</a></span> +three or four people was her home, and not another for many +miles.</p> + +<p>"I was just a child," she said, "and Jules was more like my +father than my husband. But there were few women in the +country in those days and Jules said to my parents that he +would take good care of me, and so they gave me to him, and +they went on to Denver. He had a man and his wife to take care +of the place and do the work, and I just did whatever I wanted +to. We were on the great trail to California and Pike's Peak +and trains would come by and purchase supplies from us, so I +did not get lonesome. Jules had had some trouble with a man +named Slade a few years before and had shot Slade, but had +taken him to Denver and put him in a hospital and paid to have +him cared for and Slade and he had made it all up, my husband +thought. Slade's ranch was further west and on the other side +of his ranch Jules had another ranch with cattle on, and one +day he started off with two or three men to bring some of the +cattle back. He had been told that Slade had threatened to +kill him but he did not believe it, although he went armed and +with good men, he thought. This time he did not take me +along as he had the cattle to drive. When he got near Slade's +place Slade and his gang came down on Jules and his men, +shouting and shooting, drove off Jules' men, took him and carried +him to Slade's ranch. One of Jules' men followed them +and saw them tie Jules up to a great box and then Slade stood +a ways off with his rifle and shot at Jules, just missing his +ear or his neck or his hand that was stretched out and tied; +sometimes hitting him just enough to draw the blood. He kept +this up all the rest of the day and then towards night he fired +a shot that killed him. The boys who were with Jules came +back to us and told us what had been done. We were so frightened +we did not know what to do at first, for we expected every +minute that Slade and his gang would come and kill us. They +did come the next day and carried off a lot of the stuff we had +in the trading post but did not do any harm to us. The man +and his wife that were with us and the boys then got a team +together and put enough stuff into the wagon to do us until we +could get to Denver. All the rest and the cattle I guess Slade +got. Jules had money in some bank in Denver, he had always +said, but we never could find it. I found my folks and after a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[325]</a></span> +while we came back here where we had lived before we went to +Denver."</p> + +<p>She told her story in the simplest commonplace manner, but +it did not need any addition of word or gesture to paint on my +memory for all time the pathos beneath.</p> + +<p>A girl of fourteen, happy and care-free under the protection +of her father husband one day, putting him in the place of +father, and mother, trusting to him, and suddenly standing beside +the rude trading post way out on the treeless spaces of the +trail that seemed to come from solitude and lead away to it +again, and listening to the story of the frightened cowboy on his +broncho whose almost unintelligible words finally made her understand +that her protector, the kind man she had learned to +love, had died a death so horrible it would make the strongest +man shudder. And with only three or four frightened, irresponsible +people to save her, perhaps from a similar or worse +fate? But the women of the plains had but little childhood, +and must act the part that came to them no matter what it +might be.</p> + +<p>Afterward she told me more of her strange life with Jules, of +his fatherly, protecting care of her, of his good heart, of the +trouble with Slade, which was Slade's fault in the first place, +and it was plain to see the ideal that had always been cherished +way down in her subconsciousness of the man who played such +an eventful but brief part in her life. It was a wrong, perhaps, +but natural feeling to have when I found by after reading of +annals of the plains that Slade died the death that such a fiendish +nature should have suffered.</p> + +<p>Addie Becksted still lives in a little cabin down among the +hills about Bellevue, her children and grandchildren about her, +and still bears traces of the beauty that was hers as a girl. She +is only about ten miles distant from Omaha but has not visited +it for years.</p> + +<p>When I go to see her, as I do occasionally, she puts her arms +about me and kisses me on the cheek. And her still bright +brown eyes look the affection of all the years and events that we +have known together.</p> + +<p>It is well worth while to have these humble friends who have +lived through the pioneer days with us.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[326]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE LAST ROMANTIC BUFFALO HUNT ON THE PLAINS OF NEBRASKA</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By John Lee Webster</span></h3> + + +<p>In the autumn of 1872 a group of men, some of whom were +then prominent in Nebraska history, Judge Elmer S. Dundy and +Colonel Watson B. Smith, and one who afterward achieved +national fame as an American explorer, Lieutenant Frederick +Schwatka, and another who has since become known throughout +Europe and America as a picturesque character and showman, +Colonel Wm. F. Cody, participated in what proved to be the +last romantic buffalo hunt upon the western plains of the state +of Nebraska.</p> + +<p>Elmer S. Dundy was a pioneer who had come to Nebraska in +1857. He had been a member of the territorial legislature for +two successive terms; he was appointed a territorial judge in +1863, and became the first United States district judge after the +admission of the state into the union. Colonel Watson B. Smith +at that time held the office of clerk of the United States district +and circuit courts for the district of Nebraska. Some years +afterward he met a tragic death by being shot (accidentally or +by assassination) in the corridors of the federal building in the +city of Omaha. Colonel Smith was a lovable man, of the highest +unimpeachable integrity and a most efficient public officer. There +was also among the number James Neville, who at that time held +the office of United States attorney and who afterward became +a judge of the district court of Douglas county. He added +zest, vim, and spirit by reason of some personal peculiarities to +be mentioned later on.</p> + +<p>These men, with the writer of this sketch, were anxious to +have the experience and the enjoyment of the stimulating excitement +of participating in a buffalo hunt before those native +wild animals of the plains should become entirely extinct. To +them it was to be a romantic incident in their lives and long to +be remembered as an event of pioneer days. They enjoyed the +luxury of a pullman car from Omaha to North Platte, which at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[327]</a></span> +that time was little more than a railway station at a division +point upon the Union Pacific, and where was also located a military +post occupied by a battalion of United States cavalry.</p> + +<div class="figcenter padbase" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/illus_019.jpg" width="600" height="406" alt="Memorial Fountain + +Erected in Antelope Park, Lincoln, Nebraska, by Deborah Avery Chapter, Daughters of the American +Revolution, in memory of Mary M. A. Stevens, First Regent of the Chapter (1896-1898). Dedicated, +June 17, 1914. Cost $300" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Memorial Fountain + +Erected in Antelope Park, Lincoln, Nebraska, by Deborah Avery Chapter, Daughters of the American +Revolution, in memory of Mary M. A. Stevens, First Regent of the Chapter (1896-1898). Dedicated, +June 17, 1914. Cost $300</span> +</div> + +<p>Lieutenant Frederick Schwatka, a regular army officer and +American explorer, at one time commanded an arctic expedition +in search of traces of the remains of Dr. Franklin. At another +time he was in command of an exploring expedition of the Yukon +river. At another time he commanded an expedition into +the northernmost regions of Alaska in the interest of the New +York <i>Times</i>. He also became a writer and the author of three +quite well known books: <i>Along Alaska's Great River</i>, <i>Nimrod +in the North</i>, and <i>Children of the Cold</i>.</p> + +<p>At the time of which we are speaking Lieutenant Schwatka +was stationed at the military post at North Platte. He furnished +us with the necessary army horses and equipment for the +hunting expedition, and he himself went along in command of a +squad of cavalry which acted as an escort to protect us if need +be when we should get into the frontier regions where the Indians +were at times still engaged in the quest of game and sometimes +in unfriendly raids.</p> + +<p>William F. Cody, familiarly known as "Buffalo Bill," who +had already achieved a reputation as a guide and hunter and +who has since won a world reputation as a showman, went along +with us as courier and chief hunter. He went on similar expeditions +into the wilder regions of Wyoming with General Phil +Sheridan, the Grand Duke Alexis, and others quite equally celebrated.</p> + +<p>This Omaha group of amateur buffalo hunters, led by Buffalo +Bill and escorted by Lieutenant Schwatka and his squad of cavalry, +rode on the afternoon of the first day from North Platte +to Fort McPherson and there camped for the night with the +bare earth and a blanket for a bed and a small army tent for +shelter and cover.</p> + +<p>On the next morning after a rude army breakfast, eaten while +we sat about upon the ground, and without the luxury of a bath +or a change of wearing apparel, this cavalcade renewed its journey +in a southwesterly direction expecting ultimately to reach +the valley of the Republican. We consumed the entire day in +traveling over what seemed almost a barren waste of undulating +prairie, except where here and there it was broken by a higher<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[328]</a></span> +upland and now and then crossed by a ravine and occasionally +by a small stream of running water, along the banks of which +might be found a small growth of timber. The visible area of +the landscape was so great that it seemed boundless—an immense +wilderness of space, and the altitude added to the invigorating +and stimulating effect of the atmosphere.</p> + +<p>We amateurs were constantly in anticipation of seeing either +wild animals or Indians that might add to the spirit and zest of +the expedition. There were no habitations, no fields, no farms. +There was the vast expanse of plain in front of us ascending +gradually westward toward the mountains with the blue sky and +sunshine overhead. I do not recollect of seeing more than one +little cabin or one little pioneer ranch during that whole day's +ride. I do know that as the afternoon wore on those of us who +were amateur horsemen were pleased to take our turns as the +opportunity offered of riding in the army wagon which carried +our supplies, and leading our horses.</p> + +<p>When the shades of night of the second day had come we had +seen many antelope and now and then heard the cry of the +coyote and the wolf but we had not seen any sign of buffalo, but +we did receive information from some cattlemen or plain wanderers +that there was a band of roving Indians in that vicinity +which created in us a feeling of some anxiety—not so much +for our personal safety as that our horses might be stolen and +we be left in these remote regions without the necessary facilities +for traveling homeward.</p> + +<p>Our camp for the night was made upon a spot of low ground +near the bank of a small creek which was bordered by hills on +either side and sheltered by a small grove of timber near at +hand. The surrounding hills would cut off the sight of the +evening camp fires, and the timber would obscure the ascending +columns of smoke as they spread into space through the branches +of the trees.</p> + +<p>The horses were picketed near the camp around the commissary +wagon and Lieutenant Schwatka placed the cavalrymen +upon sentinel duty. The night was spent with some restlessness +and sleep was somewhat disturbed in anticipation of a possible +danger, and I believe that all of us rather anxiously awaited +the coming of the morning with the eastern sunlight that we +might be restored to that feeling of security that would come<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[329]</a></span> +with freedom of action and the opportunity for "preparedness." +When morning did come we had the pleasure of greeting each +other with pleasant smiles and a feeling of happy contentment. +We had not been molested by the Indians and our military sentinels +had not seen them.</p> + +<p>On the afternoon of the third day of our march into the wilderness +we reached the farther margin of a high upland of the +rim of a plain, where we had an opportunity of looking down +over a large area of bottom land covered by vegetation and where +there appeared to be signs of water. From this point of vantage +we discovered a small herd of browsing buffalo but so far +away from us as to be beyond rifle range. These animals were +apparently so far away from civilization or human habitation of +any kind that their animal instinct gave them a feeling of safety +and security.</p> + +<p>We well knew that these animals could scent the approach +of men and horses even when beyond the line of vision. We +must study the currents of the air and plan our maneuvers with +the utmost caution if we expected to be able to approach within +any reasonable distance without being first discovered by them.</p> + +<p>We intrusted ourselves to the guidance of Buffalo Bill, whose +experience added to his good judgment, and so skilfully did he +conduct our maneuvers around the hills and up and down ravines +that within an hour we were within a reasonable distance +of these wild animals before they discovered us, and then the +chase began. It was a part of the plan that we should surround +them but we were prudently cautioned by Mr. Cody that a +buffalo could run faster for a short distance than our horses. +Therefore we must keep far enough away so that if the buffalo +should turn toward any of us we could immediately turn and +flee in the opposite direction as fast as our horses could carry us.</p> + +<p>I must stop for a moment to recite a romantic incident which +made this buffalo chase especially picturesque and amusing. +Judge Neville had been in the habit of wearing in Omaha a high +silk hat and a full dress coat (in common parlance a spiketail). +He started out on this expedition wearing this suit of clothes +and without any change of garments to wear on the hunt. So it +came about that when this group of amateur buffalo huntsmen +went riding pell-mell over the prairies after the buffalo, and likewise +when pursued by them in turn, Judge Neville sat astride<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[330]</a></span> +his running war-horse wearing his high silk hat and the long +flaps of his spiketail coat floating out behind him on the breeze +as if waving a farewell adieu to all his companions. He presented +a picture against the horizon that does not have its parallel +in all pioneer history.</p> + +<p>It was entirely impossible for us inexperienced buffalo hunters +while riding galloping horses across the plains to fire our rifles +with any degree of accuracy. Suffice it to say we did not succeed +in shooting any buffalo and I don't now even know that +we tried to do so. We were too much taken up with the excitement +of the chase and of being chased in turn. At one time +we were the pursuers and at another time we were being pursued, +but the excitement was so intense that there was no limit +to our enjoyment or enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>Buffalo Bill furnished us the unusual and soul-stirring +amusement of that afternoon. He took it upon himself individually +to lasso the largest bull buffalo of the herd while the rest +of us did but little more than to direct the course of the flight +of these wild animals, or perhaps, more correctly expressed—to +keep out of their way. It did not take Buffalo Bill very long +to lasso the large bull buffalo as his fleet blooded horse circled +around the startled wild animal. When evening came we left +the lassoed buffalo out on the plains solitary and alone, lariated +to a stake driven into the ground so firmly that we felt quite +sure he could not escape. It is my impression that we captured +a young buffalo out of the small herd, which we placed in a +corral found in that vicinity.</p> + +<p>On the following morning we went out upon the plains to get +the lassoed buffalo and found that in his efforts to break away +he had broken one of his legs. We were confronted with the +question whether we should let the animal loose upon the prairies +in his crippled condition or whether it would be a more +merciful thing to shoot him and put him out of his pain and suffering. +Buffalo Bill solved the vexatious problem by concluding +to lead the crippled animal over to the ranchman's house and +there he obtained such instruments as he could, including a +butcher knife, a hand-saw, and a bar of iron. He amputated +the limb of the buffalo above the point of the break in the bone +and seared it over with a hot iron to close the artery and prevent +the animal from bleeding to death. The surgical operation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[331]</a></span> +thus rudely performed upon this big, robust wild animal of the +prairie seemed to be quite well and successfully performed. The +buffalo was then left in the ranchman's corral with the understanding +that he would see it was well fed and watered.</p> + +<p>We were now quite a way from civilization and near the +Colorado border line, and notwithstanding our subsequent riding +over the hills and uplands during the following day we did +not discover any other buffalo and those which had gotten away +from us on the preceding day could not be found. During that +day we turned northward, and I can remember that about noon +we came to a cattleman's ranch where for the first time since +our start on the journey we sat down to a wooden table in a log +cabin for our noonday meal. During the afternoon we traveled +northward as rapidly as our horses could carry us but night +came on when we were twenty miles or more southwest of Fort +McPherson and we found it again necessary to go into camp +for the night, sleeping in the little army tents which we carried +along with us in the commissary wagon.</p> + +<p>Colonel Cody on this journey had been riding his own private +horse—a beautiful animal, capable of great speed. I can remember +quite well that Mr. Cody said that he never slept out at +night when within twenty miles of his own home. He declined +to go into camp with us but turned his horse to the northward +and gave him the full rein and started off at a rapid gallop over +the plains, expecting to reach his home before the hour of midnight. +It seemed to us that it would be a desolate, dreary, lonesome +and perilous ride over the solitude of that waste of country, +without roads, without lights, without sign boards or guides, but +Buffalo Bill said he knew the direction from the stars and that +he would trust his good horse to safely carry him over depressions +and ravines notwithstanding the darkness of the night. So +on he sped northward toward his home.</p> + +<p>On the next day we amateur buffalo hunters rode on to Fort +McPherson and thence to North Platte where we returned our +army horses to the military post with a debt of gratitude to +Lieutenant Schwatka, who at all times had been generous, courteous, +and polite to us, as well as an interesting social companion.</p> + +<p>So ended the last romantic and rather unsuccessful buffalo +hunt over the western plains of the state of Nebraska—a region<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[332]</a></span> +then desolate, arid, barren, and almost totally uninhabited, but +today a wealthy and productive part of our state.</p> + +<p>The story of the buffalo hunt in and of itself is not an incident +of much importance but it furnishes the material for a +most remarkable contrast of development within a period of a +generation. The wild buffalo has gone. The aboriginal red +man of the plains has disappeared. The white man with the +new civilization has stepped into their places. It all seems to +have been a part of Nature's great plan. Out of the desolation +of the past there has come the new life with the new civilization, +just as new worlds and their satellites have been created out of +the dust of dead worlds.</p> + +<p>There was a glory of the wilderness but it has gone. There +was a mystery that haunted all those barren plains but that too +has gone. Now there are fields and houses and schools and +groves of forest trees and villages and towns, all prosperous +under the same warm sunshine as of a generation ago when the +buffalo grazed on the meadow lands and the aboriginal Indians +hunted over the plains.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[333]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter padbase" style="width: 478px;"> +<img src="images/illus_020.jpg" width="478" height="600" alt="Mrs. Charles H. Aull + +Twelfth State Regent, Nebraska Society, Daughters of the American +Revolution. 1915-1916" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Mrs. Charles H. Aull + +Twelfth State Regent, Nebraska Society, Daughters of the American +Revolution. 1915-1916</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE NEBRASKA SOCIETY, DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By Mrs. Charles H. Aull</span>, <i>State Regent</i></h3> + + +<p>The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution +was organized in Washington, District of Columbia, +October 11, 1890, and incorporated under the laws of Congress, +June 8, 1891. Its charter membership numbered 818. Its declared +object was:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"To perpetuate the memory of the spirit of the men and +women who achieved American Independence by the acquisition +and protection of historical spots, and the erection of monuments; +by the encouragement of historical research in relation +to the Revolution and the publication of its results; by the preservation +of documents and relics, and of the records of the individual +services of revolutionary soldiers and patriots, and by +the promotion of celebrations of all patriotic anniversaries.</p> + +<p>"To carry out the injunction of Washington in his farewell +address to the American people, 'to promote, as an object of primary +importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge,' +thus developing an enlightened public opinion, and affording +to young and old such advantages as shall develop in them +the largest capacity for performing the duties of American +citizens.</p> + +<p>"To cherish, maintain, and extend the institutions of American +freedom, to foster true patriotism and love of country, and +to aid in securing for mankind all the blessings of liberty."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Although there were previously some "members at large" in +Nebraska, no chapter had been organized until the formation of +Deborah Avery chapter in 1896. At present (1916) there are +thirty-three chapters with a membership of fifteen hundred, and +a well organized state society actively engaged in historical, educational, +and patriotic work. Each chapter pays to the state +society a per capita tax of twenty-five cents. A conference is +held annually to plan the state work and promote the purposes +of the national society.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Charlotte F. Palmer of Omaha was appointed by the +national society as organizing regent for Nebraska, June 7, 1894.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[334]</a></span> +She was reappointed in February, 1895, and again in February, +1896.</p> + +<p>No chapters were formed until in 1896, when Mary M. A. +Stevens of Lincoln was admitted to membership in the national +society, January 8, and was made organizing regent by Mrs. +Philip Hichborn, vice-president general in charge of organization. +Under the direction of Miss Stevens, Deborah Avery +chapter was formed May 15, 1896, and chartered June 17 following.</p> + +<p>In May, 1896, Mrs. Laura B. Pound of Lincoln was appointed +state regent to succeed Mrs. Palmer and the real work of organization +was begun.</p> + +<p>Omaha chapter was formed June 29, 1896, and approved by +the national society October 1, 1896. In December, 1896, Mrs. +Elizabeth C. Langworthy was appointed organizing regent at +Seward but a chapter was not completed there until nine years +later. In February, 1897, Mary M. A. Stevens of Deborah +Avery chapter and Mrs. Henry L. Jaynes of Omaha chapter +were delegates to the continental congress at Washington. Miss +Stevens nominated Mrs. Pound for state regent and Mrs. Jaynes +nominated Mrs. John M. Thurston of Omaha for vice-president +general from Nebraska. Their election followed. Mrs. Thurston +died March 14, 1898, and her sister-in-law, Mrs. Angie Thurston +Newman of Lincoln was elected at the following congress to +succeed her. No new chapters were perfected in 1897 but Minnie +Shedd Cline of Minden and Mrs. Sarah G. Bates of Valentine +were appointed organizing regents.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Frances Avery Haggard of Lincoln was elected state regent +by the continental congress in February, 1898. She devoted +her energies to raising money and supplies for the relief +work undertaken by the Daughters during the Spanish-American +war. At the close of her first term Mrs. Haggard declined +a renomination.</p> + +<p>The third state regent was Mrs. Elizabeth Towle of Omaha, +who was first elected in 1899 and reëlected in 1900. Miss Anna +Day of Beatrice was appointed organizing regent by Mrs. Towle.</p> + +<p>In 1901 Mrs. Laura B. Pound was again elected state regent +and served two terms. The national society having made provision +for state vice-regents, Mrs. Mildred L. Allee of Omaha +was elected to that office. Mrs. Annie Strickland Steele was ap<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[335]</a></span>pointed +organizing regent at Fairbury, Mrs. Janet K. Hollenbeck +at Fremont, and Mrs. Olive A. Haldeman at Ord. In her +last report as state regent Mrs. Pound recorded two new chapters, +Quivira chapter at Fairbury, organized December 3, 1902, +and Lewis-Clark chapter at Fremont, January 17, 1903, with +chapters at Beatrice and Ord in process of formation. Quivira +chapter was chartered February 3, 1903, and Lewis-Clark chapter +was chartered February 13, 1903.</p> + +<p>The first state conference was called by Mrs. Pound in October, +1902, and was held in Lincoln at the home of the late Mrs. +Addison S. Tibbetts. This conference was called to nominate +a state regent and plan for observing the centennial of the Lewis +and Clark expedition. This event was celebrated August 3, +1904, the anniversary of the council of Lewis and Clark with +the Otoe and Missouri Indians. On this date a Nebraska boulder +was dedicated at Fort Calhoun with appropriate exercises, participated +in by the Sons of the American Revolution and the +Nebraska State Historical Society. This was the first historical +event commemorated by the Daughters in Nebraska.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Mildred L. Allee of Omaha was nominated for state regent +at the conference in 1902, and Mrs. Emma Kellogg of Lincoln +for vice-regent. These nominations were approved at the +continental congress in 1903 and both nominees were elected, +and reëlected in 1904.</p> + +<p>Coronado chapter at Ord was organized January 25, 1904, +and Elizabeth Montague chapter at Beatrice June 17, 1904. +The former was chartered September 30, 1904, and the latter +June 21, 1905.</p> + +<p>On October 20, 1903, the second annual state conference was +held in Omaha. Mrs. Charles Warren Fairbanks, president general +of the national society, was the guest of honor and delivered +an address upon the subject, "The Mission of the Daughters of +the American Revolution."</p> + +<p>The third annual state conference assembled in Lincoln, October +19, 1904, for a two days' session. Mrs. Elizabeth C. Langworthy +of Seward was chosen for state regent and Mrs. Janet K. +Hollenbeck of Fremont was the choice of the conference for vice-regent. +Both were elected, and both were renominated at the +fourth state conference held at Fairbury in October, 1905.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[336]</a></span> +Mrs. Langworthy organized the Margaret Holmes chapter at +Seward April 10, 1905, and Nikumi chapter at Blair, February +23, 1906.</p> + +<p>Lincoln entertained the fifth annual state conference October +29-30, 1906, Mrs. Donald McLean, president general, being the +guest of honor. At this conference a state organization was +perfected and by-laws adopted providing that nominations for +state regent and vice-regent should be made by the state board +of management and submitted to the continental congress for +election. Other officers for the state organization were to be +elected at the annual conference. This system was followed +until 1910, when the by-laws of the national society were changed +to permit each state organization to elect its own regent and +vice-regent.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Charles B. Letton of Quivira chapter, Fairbury, was +nominated for state regent and Mrs. Janet K. Hollenbeck for +vice-regent at the meeting of the board of management in the +spring of 1907, and were elected at the national congress immediately +following. Mrs. Letton was reëlected in 1908 and Mrs. +S. D. Barkalow of Omaha was elected vice-regent.</p> + +<p>The sixth annual state conference was held in Omaha October +22-23, 1907. Mrs. Letton appointed three organizing regents, +one at Aurora, where no chapter has yet been formed; Mrs. +Arthur E. Allyn at Hastings, and Mrs. Charles Oliver Norton at +Kearney. On May 16, 1908, she organized the Fort Kearney +chapter at Kearney, which was chartered October 27, 1908, with +Mrs. Norton as its first regent.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Richard C. Hoyt presented the following resolution to +the sixth annual conference and moved its adoption, the motion +being seconded by Mrs. Henrietta M. Rees:</p> + +<p>"Therefore, be it resolved that the D. A. R. of Nebraska coöperate +with the State Historical Society in taking some steps +toward marking the old Oregon trail in Nebraska and that a +committee be appointed to act in unison with the Historical +Society."</p> + +<p>The resolution was adopted. Members of the Omaha chapter +who were interested in this matter at the time, say that the idea +was suggested by Dr. George L. Miller of Omaha, then president +of the State Historical Society. In accordance with the foregoing +resolution Mrs. Letton, state regent, appointed the follow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[337]</a></span>ing +committee: Mrs. John J. Stubbs, Omaha; Mrs. George H. +Brash, Beatrice; and Mrs. Stephen B. Pound, Lincoln.</p> + + +<div class="figcenter padbase" style="width: 383px;"> +<img src="images/illus_021.jpg" width="383" height="600" alt="Monument Located in +Bemis Park, Omaha, on +the California Trail or +Military Road + +Erected by Omaha Chapter, +Daughters of the American +Revolution" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Monument Located in +Bemis Park, Omaha, on +the California Trail or +Military Road + +Erected by Omaha Chapter, +Daughters of the American +Revolution</span> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter padbase" style="width: 367px;"> +<img src="images/illus_022.jpg" width="367" height="600" alt="Monument in Riverside +Park, Omaha, marking the +Initial Point of the California +Trail + +Erected by Omaha Chapter, Daughters +of the American Revolution" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Monument in Riverside +Park, Omaha, marking the +Initial Point of the California +Trail + +Erected by Omaha Chapter, Daughters +of the American Revolution</span> +</div> + +<p>The seventh annual conference was held at Fremont October +29-30, 1908. At this conference Mrs. Letton urged that plans +be made for marking the Oregon trail across Nebraska, and +called upon Mrs. Charles Oliver Norton who had been appointed +chairman of the Oregon trail committee to present the subject +to the conference.</p> + +<p>In April, 1909, Mrs. Oreal S. Ward of Lincoln was elected +state regent and Mrs. S. D. Barkalow of Omaha was reëlected +vice-regent. In 1910 Mrs. Ward was reëlected state regent with +Mrs. Charles Oliver Norton as vice-regent.</p> + +<p>The eighth state conference was held at Beatrice October +28-29, 1909. At this conference it was voted to present two marble +pedestals to Memorial Continental Hall. It was resolved to +vigorously prosecute the efforts to secure an appropriation from +the legislature for the marking of the Oregon trail. Mrs. Charles +B. Letton, during her last term as state regent, had endeavored to +have the legislature of 1909 appropriate money for marking this +trail, but no action was taken by that body until the session of +1911, when, through the efforts of Mrs. Oreal S. Ward, who had +been elected state regent, $2,000 was appropriated "for the purpose +of assisting in the procuring of suitable monuments to mark +the Oregon trail in the state of Nebraska." This money was to be +expended under the direction of a commission composed of "the +state surveyor of Nebraska, the state regent of the Daughters of +the American Revolution in the state of Nebraska, and the secretary +of the Nebraska State Historical Society." This act was +approved April 7, 1911. On April 10th following, the above-named +commissioners met and organized as the "Oregon Trail +Memorial Commission," with Robert Harvey president, Mrs. +Oreal S. Ward vice-president, and Clarence S. Paine secretary-treasurer.</p> + +<p>During Mrs. Ward's term as state regent she organized four +chapters, St. Leger Cowley chapter, Lincoln, December 3, 1909; +Niobrara chapter, Hastings, October 12, 1910; Otoe chapter, Nebraska +City, February 15, 1911; Major Isaac Sadler chapter, +Omaha, March 1, 1911.</p> + +<p>The ninth annual state conference was held in Seward, Octo<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[338]</a></span>ber +19-20, 1910, and Mrs. Charles Oliver Norton of Kearney was +elected state regent, and Mrs. Warren Perry of Fairbury vice-regent. +They were reëlected at the tenth state conference, held +at Kearney, October 23-25, 1911. The following eleven chapters +were organized during Mrs. Norton's administration:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Platte chapter, Columbus, October 20, 1911.<br /> +Reavis-Ashley chapter, Falls City, January 5, 1912.<br /> +Superior chapter, Superior, January 12, 1912.<br /> +Thirty-seventh Star chapter, McCook, February 21, 1912.<br /> +David City chapter, David City, March 5, 1912.<br /> +Pawnee chapter, Fullerton, March 28, 1912.<br /> +David Conklin chapter, Callaway, February 22, 1913.<br /> +Josiah Everett chapter, Lyons, February 26, 1913.<br /> +Bonneville chapter, Lexington, February 26, 1913.<br /> +Nancy Gary chapter, Norfolk, February 27, 1913.<br /> +Stephen Bennett chapter, Fairmont, February 28, 1913.<br /> +</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Norton attended the third meeting of the Oregon Trail +Commission, held May 2, 1911, and was elected vice-president in +place of Mrs. Oreal S. Ward whom she had succeeded as state regent. +During her term Mrs. Norton vigorously prosecuted the +work of marking the Oregon trail, with the assistance of Mrs. +Charles B. Letton, whom she had appointed as chairman of the +Oregon trail committee. During her administration the contract +was made for regulation markers to be used in marking the trail, +and several were erected. There were also several special monuments +erected ranging in cost from $100 to $350. The first +monument to be planned for during this period was the one on +the Kansas-Nebraska state line, to cost $350, which, however, +was not dedicated until later, and the last monument to be dedicated +during Mrs. Norton's term was the one on the Nebraska-Wyoming +line, costing $200, for which Mrs. Norton raised the +money from the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution +in Nebraska and Wyoming. During this time there was +also a very careful survey made of the trail and sites for monuments +were selected.</p> + +<p>In April, 1910, Mrs. Andrew K. Gault of Omaha was elected +vice-president general from Nebraska at the national congress +and reëlected in 1912, serving, in all, four years.</p> + +<p>The eleventh annual conference was held in Lincoln, October<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[339]</a></span> +22-24, 1912. Mrs. Mathew T. Scott, president general, was the +honor guest. Amendments to the by-laws were adopted in harmony +with the by-laws of the national organization and the date +of the state conference was changed from October to March. +It was provided that all state officers should serve for one term +of two years, and the per capita tax was raised from ten cents to +twenty-five cents. Mrs. Warren Perry of Fairbury was elected +state regent and Mrs. Charles H. Aull of Omaha vice-regent.</p> + +<p>The twelfth annual state conference convened at Fairbury, +March 17-19, 1914. During Mrs. Perry's term of office there +were organized the following chapters:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Oregon Trail chapter, Hebron, October 20, 1913.<br /> +Jonathan Cass chapter, Weeping Water, January 23, 1914.<br /> +Elijah Gove chapter, Stromsburg, February 16, 1914.<br /> +Fontenelle chapter, Plattsmouth, April 21, 1914.<br /> +Reverend Reuben Pickett chapter, Chadron, March 4, 1915.<br /> +</p></blockquote> + +<p>At the close of her administration twelve organizing regents +were at work: Mrs. Eleanor Murphey Smith, Crete; Mrs. Capitola +Skiles Tulley, Alliance; Mrs. Mabel Raymond, Scottsbluff; +Miss Jessie Kellogg, Red Cloud; Mrs. Alice Dilworth, Holdrege; +Mrs. Clara King Jones, Wayne; Mrs. C. M. Wallace, Shelton; +Mrs. Charles Brown, Sutton; Mrs. Margaret Orr, Clay Center; +Mrs. Viola Romigh, Gothenburg; Mrs. Leona A. Craft, Morrill; +Dr. Anna Cross, Crawford.</p> + +<p>The most important work to engage the attention of the state +society during the administration of Mrs. Perry was the erection +of monuments on the Oregon trail, and the accumulation of +material for the present volume of reminiscences. A large number +of the regulation markers on the Oregon trail were erected +during this time; several special monuments dedicated and +others arranged for.</p> + +<p>The thirteenth state conference was held in Omaha, March +17-19, 1915. Mrs. Charles H. Aull of Omaha was elected state +regent, and Mrs. E. G. Drake of Beatrice vice-regent. Three +chapters have been organized under the present administration:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +Capt. Christopher Robinson chapter, Crawford, June 16, 1915.<br /> +Butler-Johnson chapter, Sutton, June 17, 1915.<br /> +Three Trails chapter, Gothenburg, December 31, 1915.<br /> +</p></blockquote> + +<p>At the present time plans are being formulated for marking<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[340]</a></span> +the California trail from Omaha and Florence along the north +side of the Platte river to the Wyoming line. This work will +be carried forward by the Daughters, through the agency of the +Nebraska Memorial Association of which the state regent is +vice-president.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>FINIS</h2> + + +<p> +"The moving Finger writes, and having writ,<br /> +Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit<br /> +Shall lure it back to cancel half a line,<br /> +Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it."<br /> +</p> +<p class="tdind"> +—<i>Omar Khayyam</i><br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[341]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[342]</a></span></p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[343]</a></span></p> +<h2>INDEX</h2> + + + +<table style="width:75%;" border="1" summary="indexlist"> + <tr> + <td> <a href="#IX_A">A</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_B">B</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_C">C</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_D">D</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_E">E</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_F">F</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_G">G</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_H">H</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_I">I</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_J">J</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_K">K</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_L">L</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_M">M</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> <a href="#IX_N">N</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_O">O</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_P">P</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_Q">Q</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_R">R</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_S">S</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_T">T</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_U">U</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_V">V</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_W">W</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_Y">Y</a></td> + </tr> +</table> + +<ul> +<li><a id="IX_A" name="IX_A"></a>Abel, Anton, <a href="#Page_60">60</a></li> +<li>Adams, Anna Tribell, <a href="#Page_189">189</a></li> +<li>Adams, Clarendon E., <i>Stirring Events along the Little Blue</i>, <a href="#Page_214">214</a></li> +<li>Adams County <i>Gazette</i>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a></li> +<li>Adams county, historical sketch of, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>, <a href="#Page_18">18</a></li> +<li>Adriance, Rev. Jacob, <a href="#Page_291">291</a></li> +<li>Akers, William H., <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> +<li>Ak-Sar-Ben, Knights of, <a href="#Page_189">189</a></li> +<li>Alexander, Colonel, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>, <a href="#Page_229">229</a></li> +<li>Alexander, S. J., <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a></li> +<li>Alexander's ranch, <a href="#Page_279">279</a></li> +<li>Alexandria, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a></li> +<li>Alexis of Russia, Grand Duke, <a href="#Page_327">327</a></li> +<li>Allee, Mildred L. (Mrs. Abraham), <a href="#Page_189">189</a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a></li> +<li>Allen, Edna M. Boyle, <i>A Grasshopper Raid</i>, <a href="#Page_133">133</a></li> +<li>Allen, Edwin M., <a href="#Page_16">16</a></li> +<li>Allen, Mrs. Emily Bottorff, <i>Reminiscences of Washington County</i>, <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> +<li>Allen, Mr. and Mrs. John, <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> +<li>Allen, Pink, <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> +<li>Allen, Thomas, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>, <a href="#Page_295">295</a></li> +<li>Allen, Thomas J., <a href="#Page_299">299</a></li> +<li>Allen, William, <a href="#Page_143">143</a></li> +<li>Allen, William Henry, <i>Reminiscences of Fort Calhoun</i>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>, <a href="#Page_287">287</a></li> +<li>Allen, Mrs. William Henry, <a href="#Page_291">291</a></li> +<li>Alliance, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Allis, Samuel, <a href="#Page_230">230</a></li> +<li>Allyn, Mrs. Arthur E., <a href="#Page_336">336</a></li> +<li>American Baptist Publication Society, <a href="#Page_281">281</a></li> +<li>American Fur Company, <a href="#Page_312">312</a></li> +<li>American Monthly magazine, <a href="#Page_189">189</a></li> +<li>American Woman's Suffrage Association, <a href="#Page_278">278</a></li> +<li>Ames, John H., <i>Location of the Capital at Lincoln</i>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a></li> +<li>Ames, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_306">306</a></li> +<li>Ames, Oakes, <a href="#Page_199">199</a></li> +<li>Anderson, Mrs. Sarah F., <a href="#Page_255">255</a></li> +<li>Andrews, Dr. J. P., <a href="#Page_287">287</a>, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> +<li>Anthony, Susan B., <a href="#Page_276">276</a>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a></li> +<li>Arapahoe, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_63">63</a></li> +<li>Arbor Lodge, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>, <a href="#Page_239">239</a>, <a href="#Page_240">240</a></li> +<li>Arkeketah (Otoe chief), <a href="#Page_120">120</a></li> +<li>Arlington, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_300">300</a></li> +<li>Armstrong brothers, <a href="#Page_162">162</a></li> +<li>Arnold, Mrs., <a href="#Page_293">293</a></li> +<li>Arnold, Major, <a href="#Page_293">293</a></li> +<li>Asche, Mrs. A. Dove Wiley, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> +<li>Atkinson, Mrs., <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li>Atkinson, General Henry, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> +<li>Auburn, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_212">212</a></li> +<li>Auger, General C. C., <a href="#Page_193">193</a></li> +<li>Aull, Mrs. Charles H., <i>Outline History of the Nebraska Society, Daughters of the American Revolution</i>, <a href="#Page_333">333</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Aurora, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li>Austin, O. O., <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> +<li>Avery, W. H., <i>A Buffalo Hunt</i>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a></li> +<li>Ayres, James, <i>Life on the Frontier</i>, <a href="#Page_54">54</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a id="IX_B" name="IX_B"></a>Babcock, ----, <a href="#Page_124">124</a></li> +<li>Babcock, C. C., <a href="#Page_17">17</a></li> +<li>Babcock, Russell D., <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a></li> +<li>Babcock, Titus, <a href="#Page_16">16</a></li> +<li>Badger family, <a href="#Page_97">97</a></li> +<li>Badger, Henry L., <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a></li> +<li>Badger, Mrs. H. L., <a href="#Page_101">101</a></li> +<li>Badger, Lewis H., <a href="#Page_97">97</a></li> +<li>Badger, Mary A., <a href="#Page_97">97</a></li> +<li>Bailey, Wesley, <a href="#Page_141">141</a></li> +<li>Bainter, James, <a href="#Page_11">11</a></li> +<li>Baker, Ben S., <a href="#Page_275">275</a></li> +<li>Baker, Joe, <a href="#Page_148">148</a></li> +<li>Baker, Wilton, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> +<li>Bancroft, Dr. William M., <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a></li> +<li>Banking House of Thomas Harbine, <a href="#Page_145">145</a></li> +<li>Barber, F. B., <a href="#Page_30">30</a></li> +<li>Barkalow, Mrs. S. D., <a href="#Page_336">336</a>, <a href="#Page_337">337</a></li> +<li>Barnard, E. H., <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> +<li>Barneby, Battiste, <a href="#Page_118">118</a></li> +<li>Barnes, Mrs. P. S., <a href="#Page_38">38</a></li> +<li>Barnston, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_127">127</a></li> +<li>Barr, P. F., <a href="#Page_15">15</a></li> +<li>Barrett, Jay Amos, <a href="#Page_189">189</a></li> +<li>Barrette, Rev. and Mrs., <a href="#Page_211">211</a></li> +<li>Bartlett, Iowa, <a href="#Page_31">31</a></li> +<li>Bassett, Samuel C., <i>A Broken Axle</i>, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>; + <ul> + <li><i>Dreamland Complete</i> (poem), <a href="#Page_28">28</a></li> + </ul></li> +<li>Bates, Rev. Henry, <a href="#Page_164">164</a></li> +<li>Bates, Mrs. Sarah G., <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a></li> +<li>Bauman, John, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> +<li>Bay State Cattle Company, <a href="#Page_26">26</a></li> +<li>Beatrice <i>Express</i>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a></li> +<li>Beatrice, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_181">181</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>, <a href="#Page_336">336</a>, <a href="#Page_337">337</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Beaver creek (Sandburr creek), <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> +<li>Beaver Crossing, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>, <a href="#Page_261">261</a></li> +<li>Becksted, Addie, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>, <a href="#Page_325">325</a></li> +<li>Becksted, Billy, <a href="#Page_323">323</a></li> +<li>Becksted, Elton, <a href="#Page_323">323</a></li> +<li>Bedford, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_211">211</a></li> +<li>Beeson, Jane, <a href="#Page_94">94</a></li> +<li>Bell creek, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_287">287</a>, <a href="#Page_297">297</a></li> +<li>Bell, James, <a href="#Page_249">249</a></li> +<li>Bell, John T., <a href="#Page_296">296</a></li> +<li>Bell, Ortha C., <i>An Incident in the History of Lincoln</i>, <a href="#Page_182">182</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185</a></li> +<li>Bell, Mrs. Ortha C., <i>Lincoln in the Early Seventies</i>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>-<a href="#Page_185">185</a></li> +<li>Bell, Ray Hiram, <a href="#Page_185">185</a></li> +<li>Belleville, Kansas, <a href="#Page_142">142</a></li> +<li>Bellevue, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>, <a href="#Page_325">325</a></li> +<li>Beltzer, John, <a href="#Page_248">248</a></li> +<li>Beni, Jules, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>, <a href="#Page_324">324</a>, <a href="#Page_325">325</a></li> +<li>Benkleman, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_263">263</a></li> +<li>Bennett, Caroline Valentine, <a href="#Page_254">254</a></li> +<li>Bennett, Jacob, <a href="#Page_254">254</a></li> +<li>Berwyn, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_46">46</a></li> +<li>Bethlehem, Iowa, <a href="#Page_41">41</a></li> +<li>Betz, ----, <a href="#Page_58">58</a></li> +<li>Bierstadt, Albert, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>, <a href="#Page_215">215</a></li> +<li>Bifkin, Colonel, <a href="#Page_105">105</a></li> +<li>Big Blue river, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>, <a href="#Page_242">242</a></li> +<li>Big Sandy, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>, <a href="#Page_280">280</a></li> +<li>Binfield, S. B., <a href="#Page_15">15</a></li> +<li>Binney, Millard S., <i>Gray Eagle, Pawnee Chief</i>, <a href="#Page_194">194</a></li> +<li>Bittenbender, Mrs. Ada M., <a href="#Page_275">275</a></li> +<li>Black, Gov. Samuel W., <a href="#Page_240">240</a>, <a href="#Page_301">301</a></li> +<li>Black Hills, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_110">110</a></li> +<li>Blackbird creek, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> +<li>Blackwell, Lucy Stone, <a href="#Page_277">277</a></li> +<li>Blaine, William H., <a href="#Page_101">101</a></li> +<li>Blair, Grant, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> +<li>Blair, James, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> +<li>Blair, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_287">287</a>, <a href="#Page_291">291</a>, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>, <a href="#Page_336">336</a></li> +<li>Blizzards, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>, <a href="#Page_249">249</a>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_261">261</a>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a></li> +<li>Blue river, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>, <a href="#Page_261">261</a></li> +<li>Blue Springs, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, <a href="#Page_122">122</a></li> +<li>Blue Vale, <a href="#Page_102">102</a></li> +<li><i>Blue Valley Record</i>, <a href="#Page_111">111</a></li> +<li>Boggs, Dr., <a href="#Page_128">128</a></li> +<li>Bohanan, Quinn, <a href="#Page_182">182</a></li> +<li>Bonesteel, ----, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a></li> +<li>Bonneville chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> +<li>Bookwalter, John W., <a href="#Page_130">130</a></li> +<li>Boone, Mrs. William, <a href="#Page_247">247</a></li> +<li>Bosler brothers, <a href="#Page_26">26</a></li> +<li>Boston and Newton Joint Stock Association, <a href="#Page_168">168</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li> +<li>Bottorff, Andrew J., <i>Early Days in Stanton County</i>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a></li> +<li>Boucha, Joseph, <a href="#Page_289">289</a></li> +<li>Bouvier, Adeline, <a href="#Page_289">289</a></li> +<li>Bouvier, Mother, <a href="#Page_289">289</a></li> +<li>Bouvier, Oliver, <i>Reminiscences of De Soto in 1855</i>, <a href="#Page_289">289</a></li> +<li>Bowen, Adna H., <a href="#Page_16">16</a></li> +<li>Bowen, Judge, <a href="#Page_287">287</a></li> +<li>Bower, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_158">158</a></li> +<li>Box Butte county, <i>Historical sketch of</i>, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_26">26</a></li> +<li>Boyd, ----, <a href="#Page_258">258</a></li> +<li>Boyd, James E., <a href="#Page_189">189</a></li> +<li>Boyer and Roubidoux, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> +<li>Boyer, J. P., <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> +<li>Boyle, Judge, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a></li> +<li>Bradley, Judge James, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_293">293</a></li> +<li>Brady, ----, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> +<li>Brady Island, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> +<li>Brash, Mrs. George H., <a href="#Page_336">336</a></li> +<li>Brass, Samuel L., <a href="#Page_16">16</a></li> +<li>Brewster, Mrs. S. C., <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> +<li>Brickley, E. D., <a href="#Page_166">166</a></li> +<li>Brigham, George A., <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> +<li>Brisbane, ----, <a href="#Page_260">260</a></li> +<li>Broken Bow, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a></li> +<li>Brooks, Mrs. ----, <a href="#Page_275">275</a></li> +<li>Brooks, Mrs. N. J. Frazier, <i>Reminiscences of Pioneer Life at Fort Calhoun</i>, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> +<li>Broome, Francis M., <i>Frontier towns</i>, <a href="#Page_22">22</a></li> +<li>Bross, Rev. Harmon, <a href="#Page_50">50</a></li> +<li>Bross, Mrs. Harmon, <i>An Experience</i>, <a href="#Page_50">50</a></li> +<li>Brown, Mrs. Charles, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Brown, Mrs. Charles M., <i>First Things in Clay County</i>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a></li> +<li>Brown, F. M., <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_44">44</a></li> +<li>Brown, Hopkins, <a href="#Page_244">244</a></li> +<li>Brown, John, <a href="#Page_141">141</a></li> +<li>Brown, R. G., <a href="#Page_44">44</a></li> +<li>Brownell hall, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> +<li>Brownville & Fort Kearny railroad, <a href="#Page_137">137</a></li> +<li>Brownville, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a></li> +<li>Buchanan, a frontier town, <a href="#Page_22">22</a></li> +<li>Buck surveying party, <a href="#Page_243">243</a></li> +<li>Buffalo, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>-<a href="#Page_106">106</a>, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>, <a href="#Page_242">242</a>, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_332">332</a></li> +<li>Buffalo county, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_223">223</a></li> +<li>Buffalo creek, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a></li> +<li>Burgess, Frank, <a href="#Page_248">248</a></li> +<li>Burke, Mrs. ----, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> +<li>Burlington and Missouri R. R. Co., <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, <a href="#Page_254">254</a></li> +<li>Burt, Mr. ----, <a href="#Page_174">174</a></li> +<li>Bush, Lieutenant ----, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>, <a href="#Page_223">223</a>, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_229">229</a></li> +<li>Bussard, Kate, <a href="#Page_103">103</a></li> +<li>Bussard, William, <a href="#Page_109">109</a></li> +<li>Buswell, Judson, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> +<li>Butler, ----, <a href="#Page_217">217</a></li> +<li>Butler, Gov. David, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a></li> +<li>Butler Johnson chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Byers, Mr. and Mrs. William N., <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a id="IX_C" name="IX_C"></a>Cabney, Antoine, <a href="#Page_189">189</a></li> +<li>Caldwell, Mrs. A. J., <a href="#Page_275">275</a></li> +<li>California trail, <a href="#Page_88">88</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Callaway, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> +<li>Cameron, L. D., <a href="#Page_291">291</a></li> +<li>Camp, William M., <a href="#Page_16">16</a></li> +<li>Campbell, Alexander, <a href="#Page_43">43</a></li> +<li>Capital hotel, Lincoln, <a href="#Page_135">135</a></li> +<li>Captain Christopher Robinson chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Carney family, <a href="#Page_75">75</a></li> +<li>Carpenter, J. A., <i>Early Days in Nebraska</i>, <a href="#Page_111">111</a></li> +<li>Carr, Gen. E. A., <a href="#Page_193">193</a></li> +<li>Carson family, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li>Carter, Alex., <a href="#Page_290">290</a>, <a href="#Page_291">291</a></li> +<li>Carter, "Billy," 24</li> +<li>Carter, Jacob, <a href="#Page_291">291</a></li> +<li>Carter, Mr. and Mrs. J. R., <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> +<li>Carter, Thomas M., <i>Reminiscences</i>, <a href="#Page_290">290</a></li> +<li>Cass county, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_94">94</a></li> +<li>Cedar creek (Willow creek), <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> +<li>Central City, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_244">244</a></li> +<li>Chabot, C., <i>Early Recollections</i>, <a href="#Page_62">62</a></li> +<li>Chadron, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Champlin and McDowell, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li> +<li>Champlin, L. C., <a href="#Page_175">175</a></li> +<li>Chandler, John S., <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> +<li>Chapman, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li>Chapman, P. L., <a href="#Page_143">143</a></li> +<li>Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle, <a href="#Page_282">282</a></li> +<li>Cheyenne and Northern R. R., <a href="#Page_264">264</a></li> +<li>Cheyenne county, Kansas, <a href="#Page_263">263</a></li> +<li>Cheyenne, Wyoming, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li>Chief Pipe Stem (Otoe Indian), <a href="#Page_144">144</a></li> +<li>Chouteau, Auguste, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> +<li>Chouteau, Pierre, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> +<li>Christian, ----, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li> +<li>Christian, Robert, <a href="#Page_143">143</a></li> +<li>Christian, William, <a href="#Page_141">141</a></li> +<li>Claim clubs, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> +<li>Clapp, Mrs. Sarah, <i>Early Indian History</i>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a></li> +<li>Clark, E. H., <a href="#Page_266">266</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>, <a href="#Page_293">293</a></li> +<li>Clark, Mrs. E. H., <i>Fort Calhoun in the Early Fifties</i>, <a href="#Page_293">293</a>, <a href="#Page_296">296</a></li> +<li>Clark, Elam, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> +<li>Clark, Isaac N., <a href="#Page_44">44</a></li> +<li>Clark, Dr. Martin V. B., <a href="#Page_44">44</a></li> +<li>Clark, Theodore, <a href="#Page_193">193</a></li> +<li>Clarks, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_249">249</a></li> +<li>Clarkson, Rev. John F., <a href="#Page_15">15</a></li> +<li>Clay Center, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Clay county, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a></li> +<li>Clements, ----, <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> +<li>Clements, E. J., <a href="#Page_282">282</a></li> +<li>Cline, Mrs. J. A., <a href="#Page_187">187</a></li> +<li>Cline, Minnie Shed, <a href="#Page_334">334</a></li> +<li>Clother hotel, Columbus, <a href="#Page_249">249</a></li> +<li>Cody, William F. (Buffalo Bill), <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>, <a href="#Page_329">329</a>-<a href="#Page_331">331</a></li> +<li>Cogswell, Mrs., <a href="#Page_193">193</a></li> +<li>Colby, Mrs. Clara Bewick, <a href="#Page_275">275</a></li> +<li>Colby, Orrin, <a href="#Page_287">287</a></li> +<li>Cole, Gen. Albert V., <i>Early Experiences in Adams County</i>, <a href="#Page_18">18</a></li> +<li>Cole's creek, <a href="#Page_285">285</a></li> +<li>Collegeview (Fontenelle college), <a href="#Page_300">300</a></li> +<li>Collins, Rev. Isaac, <a href="#Page_291">291</a></li> +<li>Columbus, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_242">242</a>, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>-<a href="#Page_250">250</a></li> +<li>Comstock, E. S., <a href="#Page_214">214</a>, <a href="#Page_216">216</a></li> +<li>Comstock, George S., <a href="#Page_214">214</a>-<a href="#Page_217">217</a></li> +<li>Concordia, Kansas, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li> +<li>Conroy's ranch, <a href="#Page_77">77</a></li> +<li>Cook, ----, <a href="#Page_244">244</a></li> +<li>Cook, Capt. James H., <a href="#Page_52">52</a></li> +<li>Cooper, Dr. P. J., <a href="#Page_287">287</a></li> +<li>Cooper, Vienna, <a href="#Page_287">287</a></li> +<li>Corey, A. A., <a href="#Page_43">43</a></li> +<li>Coronado chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a></li> +<li>Coronado, Francisco de, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>, <a href="#Page_283">283</a></li> +<li>Correll, Ernest E., <i>Fred E. Roper, Pioneer</i>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>; + <ul> + <li><i>An Indian Raid</i>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a></li> + </ul></li> +<li>Correll, E. M., <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>, <a href="#Page_278">278</a></li> +<li>Correll, Lucy L., <i>The Lure of the Prairies</i>, <a href="#Page_272">272</a>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>; + <ul> + <li><i>Suffrage in Nebraska</i>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>, <a href="#Page_278">278</a></li> + </ul></li> +<li>Cottage Hill postoffice, <a href="#Page_127">127</a></li> +<li>Cottonwood Springs, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> +<li>Council Bluff (Fort Calhoun), Nebraska, <a href="#Page_308">308</a></li> +<li>Council Bluffs, Iowa, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_276">276</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>, <a href="#Page_295">295</a></li> +<li>Council creek (Skidi creek), <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> +<li>Cox, William W., <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_257">257</a></li> +<li>Crab Orchard, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_128">128</a></li> +<li>Craft, Mrs. Leona A., <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Craig, Allen, <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> +<li>Craig, Mrs. Rhoda, <a href="#Page_295">295</a></li> +<li>Cramb, J. O., <a href="#Page_141">141</a></li> +<li>Cramb, Will F., <a href="#Page_141">141</a></li> +<li>Crane, George, <a href="#Page_20">20</a></li> +<li>Crawford, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Creighton college, <a href="#Page_90">90</a></li> +<li>Creighton, Edward, <a href="#Page_285">285</a></li> +<li>Creighton telegraph line, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> +<li>Crete, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Crook, General George, <a href="#Page_199">199</a></li> +<li>Crooked Hand, the Fighter (Pawnee Indian), <a href="#Page_230">230</a></li> +<li>Cropsey, Col. Andrew J., <a href="#Page_162">162</a></li> +<li>Cropsey, Daniel B., <i>Early Days in Pawnee County</i>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a></li> +<li>Cross, Dr. Anna, <i>Legend of Crow Butte</i>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Cross, George, <i>Early Events in Jefferson County</i>, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_145">145</a></li> +<li>Crow Butte, Legend of, <a href="#Page_51">51</a></li> +<li>Crow Heart Butte (poem), Pearl Shepherd Moses, <a href="#Page_52">52</a></li> +<li>Cub creek, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a></li> +<li>Culbertson, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_60">60</a></li> +<li>Culver, Gen. Jacob H., <a href="#Page_189">189</a></li> +<li>Culver, Mrs. Jacob H., <a href="#Page_189">189</a></li> +<li>Cuming City Claim Club, <a href="#Page_290">290</a></li> +<li>Cuming City, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>, <a href="#Page_287">287</a>, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>, <a href="#Page_291">291</a>, <a href="#Page_298">298</a></li> +<li>Cuming county, <a href="#Page_36">36</a></li> +<li>Cuming, Governor Thomas B., <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> +<li>Cuming, Mrs. Thomas B., <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> +<li>Cumming, Mrs. Nils, <a href="#Page_43">43</a></li> +<li>Cushing, James, <a href="#Page_244">244</a></li> +<li>Cushing, Capt. S. E., <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> +<li><i>Custer County, Reminiscences of</i>, by Mrs. J. J. Douglas, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a id="IX_D" name="IX_D"></a><i>Daily-Gazette-Journal</i>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a></li> +<li>Daily, Major, <a href="#Page_120">120</a></li> +<li>Dalbey, Dwight S., <a href="#Page_129">129</a></li> +<li>Dalbey, Mrs. Dwight S., member Book committee, <a href="#Page_5">5</a></li> +<li>Dalbey, Mrs. Virginia Lewis, <i>Biography of Ford Lewis</i>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a></li> +<li>Daniels, J. H., <a href="#Page_188">188</a></li> +<li>Darling, Dick, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> +<li>Daugherty, R. C., <a href="#Page_193">193</a></li> +<li>Daughter of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_168">168</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, <a href="#Page_253">253</a></li> +<li>David City, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> +<li>David City chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> +<li>Davis, Frank M., <a href="#Page_18">18</a></li> +<li>Davis, J. V., <a href="#Page_162">162</a></li> +<li>Davis, Mrs. Thomas, <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> +<li>Davis, W. H., <a href="#Page_299">299</a></li> +<li>Dawson county, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>-<a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, <a href="#Page_74">74</a></li> +<li>Dawson, John, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> +<li>Day, Miss Anna, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a></li> +<li>Deadwood, South Dakota, <a href="#Page_66">66</a></li> +<li>Deborah Avery chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>, <a href="#Page_253">253</a>, <a href="#Page_333">333</a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a></li> +<li>Decatur, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>-<a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_287">287</a>, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a></li> +<li>Deep Well ranch, <a href="#Page_105">105</a></li> +<li>Delahunty, Patrick, <a href="#Page_54">54</a></li> +<li>De Merritt, Case of, <a href="#Page_48">48</a></li> +<li>Deroin, Battiste, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a></li> +<li>De Soto, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_287">287</a>-<a href="#Page_289">289</a>, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>, <a href="#Page_298">298</a></li> +<li>Diller, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_125">125</a></li> +<li>Dillon, Ira G., <a href="#Page_17">17</a></li> +<li>Dilworth, Mrs. Alice, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Dilworth's Islands, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li> +<li>Dinsmore, John B., <a href="#Page_44">44</a></li> +<li>Dismal river, <a href="#Page_63">63</a></li> +<li>Ditto, Hank, <a href="#Page_24">24</a></li> +<li>Dixon, Mr. and Mrs. Nimrod J., <a href="#Page_102">102</a></li> +<li>Doane college, <a href="#Page_300">300</a></li> +<li>Dodge county, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>, <a href="#Page_303">303</a></li> +<li>Dodge, Gen. Grenville M., <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> +<li>Dodge, Col. Henry, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> +<li>Donavan, Frele Morton, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li> +<li>Donavan, W. T., <a href="#Page_178">178</a></li> +<li>Douglas county, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_326">326</a></li> +<li>Douglas house, Omaha, <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +<li>Douglas, J. J., <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a></li> +<li>Douglas, Mrs. J. J., <i>Reminiscences of Custer County</i>, <a href="#Page_46">46</a></li> +<li>Douglas, Stephen A., <a href="#Page_235">235</a></li> +<li>Dubuque, Julien, <a href="#Page_307">307</a></li> +<li>Dundy county, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_263">263</a></li> +<li>Dundy, Judge Elmer S., <a href="#Page_326">326</a></li> +<li>Dunlap, ----, <a href="#Page_215">215</a></li> +<li>Drake, Mrs. E. G., <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Dreamland Complete (poem), <a href="#Page_29">29</a></li> +<li>Dyball, Mrs. George B., <a href="#Page_306">306</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a id="IX_E" name="IX_E"></a>Eagle (Missouri Indian chief), <a href="#Page_119">119</a></li> +<li>Eddyville, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_66">66</a></li> +<li>Edgerton, Gordon H., <a href="#Page_11">11</a>, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a></li> +<li>El Capitan Rancho, <a href="#Page_216">216</a></li> +<li>Elijah Gore chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Elizabeth Montague chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_335">335</a></li> +<li>Elk City, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>, <a href="#Page_306">306</a></li> +<li>Elkhorn river, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a>, <a href="#Page_297">297</a>, <a href="#Page_299">299</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a></li> +<li>Ellis, Mrs. ----, <i>An Acrostic</i>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a></li> +<li>Elm creek, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_75">75</a></li> +<li>Endicott, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_161">161</a></li> +<li>Engle, Mr. and Mrs., <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li>Erickson, Charles J., <a href="#Page_76">76</a></li> +<li>Erickson, Frank, <a href="#Page_76">76</a></li> +<li>Erickson, John, <a href="#Page_76">76</a></li> +<li>Erwin & Powers company, <a href="#Page_58">58</a></li> +<li>Estabrook, Mrs. Experience, <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> +<li>Eubanks, Mr. and Mrs., <a href="#Page_214">214</a>, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a></li> +<li>Evans, John, <a href="#Page_264">264</a></li> +<li>Evans, Mrs. May, <a href="#Page_43">43</a></li> +<li>Everett, Mr. and Mrs., <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a></li> +<li>Everett, B. W., <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> +<li>Everett, Eleanor, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> +<li>Everett, Mrs. Elise G., <i>Experiences of a Pioneer Woman</i>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> +<li>Everett, Frank, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a></li> +<li>Everett, Josiah, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> +<li>Ewing, ----, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a id="IX_F" name="IX_F"></a>Fagot, Mrs., ----, <a href="#Page_68">68</a></li> +<li>Fairbanks, Mr. and Mrs., <a href="#Page_103">103</a></li> +<li>Fairbanks, Mrs. Charles Warren, <a href="#Page_335">335</a></li> +<li>Fairbury <i>Gazette</i>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>-<a href="#Page_143">143</a></li> +<li>Fairbury, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>-<a href="#Page_146">146</a>, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>-<a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_168">168</a>, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>-<a href="#Page_337">337</a></li> +<li>Fairfield, Chancellor E. B., <a href="#Page_135">135</a></li> +<li>Fairmont, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> +<li>Falls City, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>, <a href="#Page_253">253</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> +<li>Farnam, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_77">77</a></li> +<li>Ferguson, Susan E., <a href="#Page_278">278</a></li> +<li>Fifth U. S. Cavalry, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a></li> +<li>Filley, Elijah, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_127">127</a></li> +<li>Filley, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_127">127</a></li> +<li>Fillmore county, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a></li> +<li>Fillmore postoffice, <a href="#Page_27">27</a></li> +<li>Finney, Dr., <a href="#Page_290">290</a></li> +<li>First National bank, Fairbury, <a href="#Page_143">143</a></li> +<li>First Territorial Fair, <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li> +<li>Fisette, Mrs. Charles H., <i>Pioneer Women of Omaha</i>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a></li> +<li>Fish creek, <a href="#Page_290">290</a></li> +<li>Fisher, ----, <a href="#Page_253">253</a></li> +<li>Fisher, King, <a href="#Page_279">279</a></li> +<li>Fisher, Martin, <a href="#Page_131">131</a></li> +<li>Fitchie, S. D., <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> +<li>Florence, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_248">248</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Fontenelle chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Fontenelle college, <a href="#Page_296">296</a></li> +<li>Fontenelle, Logan, <a href="#Page_299">299</a></li> +<li>Fontenelle mission, <a href="#Page_300">300</a></li> +<li>Fontenelle Mounted Rangers, <a href="#Page_301">301</a></li> +<li>Fontenelle, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>, <a href="#Page_297">297</a>, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>, <a href="#Page_304">304</a></li> +<li>Fort Atkinson, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>, <a href="#Page_308">308</a></li> +<li>Fort Calhoun, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>, <a href="#Page_285">285</a>, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>, <a href="#Page_287">287</a>, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>, <a href="#Page_293">293</a>, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>, <a href="#Page_308">308</a></li> +<li>Fort Cottonwood, <a href="#Page_285">285</a></li> +<li>Fort Hartsuff, <a href="#Page_282">282</a></li> +<li>Fort Kearney chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_336">336</a></li> +<li>Fort Kearny (Nebraska City), <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li> +<li>Fort Kearny, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_88">88</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>-<a href="#Page_223">223</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>, <a href="#Page_242">242</a>, <a href="#Page_285">285</a></li> +<li>Fort Laramie, Wyoming, <a href="#Page_76">76</a></li> +<li>Fort Leavenworth, <a href="#Page_314">314</a></li> +<li>Fort McPherson, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>, <a href="#Page_331">331</a></li> +<li>Fort Omaha, <a href="#Page_182">182</a></li> +<li>Fourth of July celebration, <a href="#Page_295">295</a></li> +<li>Fouts, Marion Jerome (California Joe), <a href="#Page_11">11</a>, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> +<li>Fowlie, Peter, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a></li> +<li>Fox, The (Pawnee Indian), <a href="#Page_228">228</a>, <a href="#Page_229">229</a></li> +<li>Fox Ford, <a href="#Page_270">270</a></li> +<li>Francis, Samuel, <a href="#Page_300">300</a></li> +<li>Franklin, Dr., <a href="#Page_327">327</a></li> +<li>Franklin county, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_233">233</a></li> +<li>Frazier, John, <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> +<li>Frazier, Thomas, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> +<li>Freeman, Charles, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a></li> +<li>Freeman, Daniel, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a></li> +<li>Freeman, Mrs. Daniel, <i>Recollections of the First Settler of Dawson County</i>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a></li> +<li>Freeman, Minnie (see Penney), <a href="#Page_203">203</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a></li> +<li>Freeman, W. E., <a href="#Page_244">244</a></li> +<li>Freighting, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>, <a href="#Page_285">285</a></li> +<li>Fremont, John C., <a href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> +<li>Fremont, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_178">178</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, <a href="#Page_249">249</a>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a></li> +<li>French, Luther, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>-<a href="#Page_44">44</a></li> +<li>Frenchman river, <a href="#Page_59">59</a></li> +<li>Fritt's grove, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> +<li><i>Frontier Towns</i>, Frances M. Broome, <a href="#Page_22">22</a></li> +<li>Fullerton, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> +<li>Furnas, Gov. Robert W., <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a id="IX_G" name="IX_G"></a>Gage county, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>-<a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>-<a href="#Page_130">130</a>, <a href="#Page_216">216</a></li> +<li>Gale, Dr. Marion F., <a href="#Page_307">307</a>-<a href="#Page_321">321</a></li> +<li>Gale, Mary, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>-<a href="#Page_321">321</a></li> +<li>Gale, Mell, <a href="#Page_127">127</a></li> +<li>Gantt, Judge Daniel, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> +<li>Gardner's Siding, <a href="#Page_249">249</a></li> +<li>Gates, Mr. and Mrs. Milo, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li>Gates, Susan, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> +<li>Gault, Mrs. Andrew K., <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> +<li>Gaylord brothers, <a href="#Page_20">20</a></li> +<li>Gaylord, Georgia, <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> +<li>Gaylord, Ralph, <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> +<li>Gaylord, Rev. Reuben, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a></li> +<li>Genoa, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_228">228</a>, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>, <a href="#Page_242">242</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>, <a href="#Page_247">247</a></li> +<li>Gerrard, E. A., <a href="#Page_247">247</a></li> +<li>Gibson, John McT., <a href="#Page_145">145</a></li> +<li>Gilkerson, Alice Flor, <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> +<li>Gillingham, David (Gray Eagle), <a href="#Page_194">194</a></li> +<li>Gillis, Judge, <a href="#Page_230">230</a></li> +<li>Gilman, J. C., <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> +<li>Gilman, Jed, <a href="#Page_220">220</a>, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>, <a href="#Page_222">222</a></li> +<li>Gilman, Mrs. P. J. (Mary Hubbard), <a href="#Page_193">193</a></li> +<li>Gilman's ranch, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>, <a href="#Page_220">220</a></li> +<li>Gilmore, Boss, <a href="#Page_104">104</a></li> +<li>Gilmore, Elias, <a href="#Page_102">102</a></li> +<li>Gilmore, Jake, <a href="#Page_104">104</a></li> +<li>Gilmore, Lydia, <a href="#Page_102">102</a></li> +<li>Gilmore, Minnie, <a href="#Page_103">103</a></li> +<li>Glenn, Newton, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> +<li>Glenwood, Iowa, <a href="#Page_41">41</a></li> +<li>Goldsmith, Rev. S., <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li> +<li>Goodwill, Mrs. Taylor G., <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> +<li>Gordon, Jim, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> +<li>Gordon, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_24">24</a></li> +<li>Gosper, Mrs. Watie, <a href="#Page_184">184</a></li> +<li>Goss, ----, <a href="#Page_291">291</a></li> +<li>Gothenburg, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Gould, Charles, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li> +<li>Gould, W. A., <a href="#Page_137">137</a></li> +<li>Grand Island, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a></li> +<li>Grant, U. S., <a href="#Page_15">15</a></li> +<li>Grasshoppers, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>-<a href="#Page_248">248</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>, <a href="#Page_273">273</a>, <a href="#Page_274">274</a></li> +<li>Gray Eagle (Pawnee chief), <a href="#Page_194">194</a>-<a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> +<li>Great American Desert, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a></li> +<li>Green, Albert L., <i>Reminiscences of Gage County</i>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a></li> +<li>Grimes, L. R., <a href="#Page_44">44</a></li> +<li>Guin, Dr., <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li>Gurley, W. F., <a href="#Page_189">189</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a id="IX_H" name="IX_H"></a>Hackberry cañon, <a href="#Page_265">265</a></li> +<li>Hacker family, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li>Hackney ranch, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>, <a href="#Page_280">280</a></li> +<li>Hackney, Walt, <a href="#Page_270">270</a></li> +<li>Hackney, William, <a href="#Page_270">270</a></li> +<li>Hager, Rev. Isaac, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> +<li>Haggard, Mrs. Frances Avery, <a href="#Page_334">334</a></li> +<li>Haigler, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_263">263</a></li> +<li>Haile, ----, <a href="#Page_12">12</a></li> +<li>Haines, Rev., <a href="#Page_172">172</a></li> +<li>Haldeman, Dr. F. D., <a href="#Page_282">282</a></li> +<li>Haldeman, Mrs. Olive A. (Mrs. F. D.), <a href="#Page_282">282</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a></li> +<li>Halfway Hollow ranch, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> +<li>Hall & Evans, <a href="#Page_264">264</a></li> +<li>Hamer, Judge Francis G., <a href="#Page_48">48</a></li> +<li>Hamilton county, <a href="#Page_250">250</a></li> +<li>Hamilton, Mrs. Cynthia, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a></li> +<li>Hamilton hotel, <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +<li>Hamilton, Mrs. William, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a></li> +<li>Haney, ----, <a href="#Page_279">279</a></li> +<li>Hanscom, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew J., <a href="#Page_90">90</a></li> +<li>Hansen, George W., <i>Early Days of Fairbury and Jefferson County</i>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>; + <ul> + <li><i>The Earliest Romance of Jefferson County</i>, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>;</li> + <li><i>Finding the Grave of George Winslow</i>, <a href="#Page_168">168</a>-<a href="#Page_174">174</a></li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hansen, Harry, <a href="#Page_141">141</a></li> +<li>Hansen, Mary Kelley, <a href="#Page_143">143</a></li> +<li>Harbine Bank of Fairbury, <a href="#Page_145">145</a></li> +<li>Harbine, John, <a href="#Page_145">145</a></li> +<li>Harbine, Col. Thomas, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_145">145</a></li> +<li>Hardenburg, Harry, <a href="#Page_186">186</a></li> +<li>Hardy, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_111">111</a></li> +<li>Harney, General W. S., <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> +<li>Harrington, Sarah P., <a href="#Page_79">79</a></li> +<li>Hart ranch, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> +<li>Harvard, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a></li> +<li>Harvey, Augustus F., <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, <a href="#Page_178">178</a></li> +<li>Harvey, Robert, <a href="#Page_337">337</a></li> +<li>Hastings <i>Journal</i>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a></li> +<li>Hastings, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_336">336</a>, <a href="#Page_337">337</a></li> +<li>Haunstine, Albert, <a href="#Page_48">48</a></li> +<li>Hawkins brothers, <a href="#Page_263">263</a></li> +<li>Hawthorne, Mary Heaton, <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> +<li>Hay cañon, <a href="#Page_263">263</a></li> +<li>Hay Springs, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_24">24</a></li> +<li>Haynes, Jack, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> +<li>Heaton, Rev. Isaac E., <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> +<li>Heaton, Mrs. Isaac E., <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> +<li>Hebron <i>Journal</i>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a></li> +<li>Hebron Library association, <a href="#Page_278">278</a></li> +<li>Hebron, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>-<a href="#Page_272">272</a>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Helvey, Frank, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>-<a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <i>Experiences on the Frontier</i>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a></li> +<li>Helvey, Jasper, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> +<li>Helvey, Joel, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>-<a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a></li> +<li>Helvey, Orlando, <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> +<li>Helvey, Thomas, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li> +<li>Helvey, Whitman, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li> +<li>Hemphill, Ada, <a href="#Page_247">247</a></li> +<li>Hemphill, Mrs. Mary, <a href="#Page_247">247</a></li> +<li>Henderson, George, <a href="#Page_16">16</a></li> +<li>Henderson, Nellie, <a href="#Page_43">43</a></li> +<li>Hendricks, George, <a href="#Page_264">264</a></li> +<li>Henrietta postoffice, <a href="#Page_272">272</a></li> +<li>Herndon house, <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +<li>Herrick family, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> +<li>Heth, John, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>, <a href="#Page_223">223</a>, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>, <a href="#Page_228">228</a>, <a href="#Page_229">229</a></li> +<li>Heth, Mrs. John, <a href="#Page_227">227</a></li> +<li>Heth, Minnie, <a href="#Page_227">227</a></li> +<li>Hewitt, Lucy R., <i>Early Days in Dawson County</i>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a></li> +<li>Hewitt, Thomas J., <a href="#Page_67">67</a></li> +<li>Hewitt, Mrs. Thomas J., <a href="#Page_67">67</a></li> +<li>Hichborn, Mrs. Philip, <a href="#Page_334">334</a></li> +<li>Hickok, James B. (Wild Bill), <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li> +<li>Hiles' ranch, <a href="#Page_77">77</a></li> +<li>Hinman, Beach I., <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> +<li>Hinman, Washington M., <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> +<li>History and Art club, Seward, <a href="#Page_254">254</a></li> +<li>Holdrege, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Hollenbeck, Mrs. Janet K., <a href="#Page_335">335</a>, <a href="#Page_336">336</a></li> +<li>Hollenberg, Captain, <a href="#Page_150">150</a></li> +<li>Holloway & Fowler, <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> +<li>Holmes, Mrs. Mary, <a href="#Page_275">275</a></li> +<li>Holt county, <a href="#Page_203">203</a></li> +<li>Horse creek (Skeleton Water), <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> +<li>Horseshoe creek, <a href="#Page_150">150</a></li> +<li>Howe, Church, <a href="#Page_211">211</a></li> +<li>Howe, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_211">211</a></li> +<li>Howell, William, <a href="#Page_109">109</a></li> +<li>Hoyt, Mrs. Richard C., <a href="#Page_336">336</a></li> +<li>Hubbard, Mary (Mrs. P. J. Gilman), <a href="#Page_193">193</a></li> +<li>Hubbell, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li> +<li>Hubbell, Will, <a href="#Page_175">175</a></li> +<li>Hughes' ranch, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> +<li>Humphries, ----, <a href="#Page_65">65</a></li> +<li>Hungate family, <a href="#Page_38">38</a></li> +<li>Hunter, Rev. A. V., <a href="#Page_39">39</a></li> +<li>Hunter, Charley, <a href="#Page_260">260</a></li> +<li>Hunter, George Michael, <a href="#Page_260">260</a></li> +<li>Hunter, I. N., <i>Recollections of</i>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a></li> +<li>Hunter, Mr. and Mrs. L. D., <a href="#Page_36">36</a></li> +<li><i>Huntsman's Echo</i>, <a href="#Page_27">27</a></li> +<li>Hurd, ----, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li> +<li>Huse, Harriet, <a href="#Page_278">278</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a id="IX_I" name="IX_I"></a>Imlay, William, <a href="#Page_256">256</a></li> +<li>Indians, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>-<a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>-<a href="#Page_56">56</a>, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>-<a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>-<a href="#Page_106">106</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>-<a href="#Page_110">110</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>-<a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>-<a href="#Page_202">202</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>-<a href="#Page_210">210</a>, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>-<a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>-<a href="#Page_231">231</a>, <a href="#Page_242">242</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>, <a href="#Page_253">253</a>-<a href="#Page_257">257</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>, <a href="#Page_280">280</a>, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>-<a href="#Page_303">303</a>, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>-<a href="#Page_321">321</a></li> +<li>Indian burial, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a></li> +<li>Indian creek, <a href="#Page_113">113</a></li> +<li>Indian massacres, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>, <a href="#Page_285">285</a></li> +<li>Indian police, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>, <a href="#Page_118">118</a></li> +<li>Indian school, Genoa, <a href="#Page_246">246</a></li> +<li>Indianola, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_263">263</a></li> +<li>Inland, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_18">18</a></li> +<li>Independence, Missouri, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a></li> +<li>Irvington, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a id="IX_J" name="IX_J"></a>Jackson, James A., <a href="#Page_295">295</a></li> +<li>Jackson, Zaremba, <a href="#Page_290">290</a></li> +<li>Jacobson, John, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_54">54</a></li> +<li>Jacobson house, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> +<li>James, Gov. William H., <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a></li> +<li>Jansen, John, <a href="#Page_124">124</a></li> +<li>Jansen, Peter, <i>Ranching in Gage and Jefferson Counties</i>, <a href="#Page_123">123</a></li> +<li>Jarvis, Mrs. A. P., <i>Lovers' Leap</i>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a></li> +<li>Jascoby, ----, <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> +<li>Jaynes, C. S., <a href="#Page_18">18</a></li> +<li>Jaynes, Mrs. Henry L., <a href="#Page_334">334</a></li> +<li>Jefferson county, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>-<a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a></li> +<li>Jeffrie's ranch, <a href="#Page_77">77</a></li> +<li>Jenkins, D. C., <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> +<li>Jenkins, George E., <i>Looking Backward</i>, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li> +<li>Jenkins' Mill, <a href="#Page_145">145</a></li> +<li>Johanson, Sven, <i>Early Days in Stanton county</i>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a></li> +<li>Johanson, Mrs. Sven, <a href="#Page_267">267</a></li> +<li>Johnson county, <a href="#Page_129">129</a></li> +<li>Johnson family, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li>Johnson, Mrs. E., <i>Early Recollections of Gage County</i>, <a href="#Page_127">127</a></li> +<li>Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. E. D., <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_70">70</a></li> +<li>Johnson, Elleck, <a href="#Page_58">58</a></li> +<li>Johnson, Mrs. Hadley, <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +<li>Johnson, Mrs. Harrison, <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +<li>Johnson, Jim, <a href="#Page_104">104</a></li> +<li>Johnson, Joseph E., <a href="#Page_27">27</a></li> +<li>Jonathan Cass chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Jones, Alfred D., <a href="#Page_295">295</a></li> +<li>Jones, Mrs. Alfred D., <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> +<li>Jones, Mrs. Clara King, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Josiah Everett chapter, daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> +<li>Judson, H. M., <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +<li>Julesburg, Colorado, <a href="#Page_323">323</a></li> +<li>Junction City, Kansas, <a href="#Page_142">142</a></li> +<li>Juniata, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> +<li>Juniata house, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a id="IX_K" name="IX_K"></a>Kanesville (Council Bluffs), Iowa, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_290">290</a></li> +<li>Kansas City & Omaha R. R., <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> +<li>Kansas Pacific R. R., <a href="#Page_193">193</a></li> +<li>Kearney county, <a href="#Page_11">11</a></li> +<li>Kearney, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_223">223</a>, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>, <a href="#Page_336">336</a>, <a href="#Page_337">337</a></li> +<li>Kearny Heights (Nebraska City), <a href="#Page_236">236</a></li> +<li>Keen, Rev. W. G., <a href="#Page_260">260</a></li> +<li>Kehoe, John, <a href="#Page_72">72</a></li> +<li>Keith, Mrs., <a href="#Page_193">193</a></li> +<li>Kelley, Alfred, <a href="#Page_143">143</a></li> +<li>Kelly, ----, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a></li> +<li>Kelly, John, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> +<li>Kelly, Margaret F., <i>A Grasshopper Story</i>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a></li> +<li>Kellogg, Miss Jessie, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Kellogg, Mrs. Emma, <a href="#Page_335">335</a></li> +<li>Kenesaw, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>, <a href="#Page_12">12</a></li> +<li>Kenny, Aimee Taggart, <a href="#Page_295">295</a></li> +<li>Keyou, ----, <a href="#Page_322">322</a></li> +<li>Kimball brothers, <a href="#Page_188">188</a></li> +<li>King, ----, <a href="#Page_282">282</a></li> +<li>King, Mrs. Deborah, <a href="#Page_275">275</a></li> +<li>Kingsley, Fayette, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>, <a href="#Page_280">280</a></li> +<li>Kirk, George, <a href="#Page_31">31</a></li> +<li>Kittle, Fred, <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> +<li>Kittle, Robt., <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_79">79</a></li> +<li>Klein and Lang, <a href="#Page_123">123</a></li> +<li>Knapp, Robert M., <a href="#Page_129">129</a></li> +<li>Koontz, J., <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> +<li>Kountze, Mrs. Herman, <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> +<li>Kramph, Mrs., <a href="#Page_193">193</a></li> +<li>Kress, Mortimer N. (Wild Bill), <a href="#Page_11">11</a>, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> +<li>Krier, B. F., <i>Pioneer Justice</i>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a></li> +<li>Kuony, Mr. and Mrs. John B., <a href="#Page_293">293</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a id="IX_L" name="IX_L"></a>La Flesche, Joseph, <a href="#Page_289">289</a></li> +<li>Lake cañon, <a href="#Page_263">263</a></li> +<li>Lancaster county, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li> +<li>Lancaster, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, <a href="#Page_178">178</a>, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li> +<li>Langworthy, Elizabeth C. (Mrs. Stephen C.), <a href="#Page_187">187</a>; + <ul> + <li><i>Two Seward County Celebrations</i>, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a></li> + </ul></li> +<li>Lazure, Mrs. May Allen, <i>Some Items from Washington County</i>, <a href="#Page_295">295</a></li> +<li>Lee, General, <a href="#Page_199">199</a></li> +<li>Leflang, E. M. F., <a href="#Page_66">66</a></li> +<li>Leonard, Emma, <a href="#Page_16">16</a></li> +<li>Lepin hotel, <a href="#Page_15">15</a></li> +<li>Lester, S. P., <a href="#Page_124">124</a></li> +<li>Lett, H. C., <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li>Letton, Mrs. Charles B., <a href="#Page_168">168</a>, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>, <a href="#Page_336">336</a>, <a href="#Page_337">337</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> +<li>Letton, Judge Charles B., <a href="#Page_144">144</a>; + <ul> + <li><i>The Easter Storm of 1873</i>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>-<a href="#Page_160">160</a>, <a href="#Page_169">169</a></li> + </ul></li> +<li>Lewis and Clark, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_308">308</a></li> +<li>Lewis-Clark chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a></li> +<li>Lewis, Elizabeth Davis, <a href="#Page_130">130</a></li> +<li>Lewis, Ford, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a></li> +<li>Lewis, Levi, <a href="#Page_129">129</a></li> +<li>Lewis, M. K., <a href="#Page_17">17</a></li> +<li>Lewis, Phoebe, <a href="#Page_129">129</a></li> +<li>Lewiston, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_130">130</a></li> +<li>Lexington, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> +<li>Lezenby, Christopher, <a href="#Page_258">258</a></li> +<li>Libby, E. R., <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> +<li>Liberty, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_122">122</a></li> +<li>Lincoln, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>-<a href="#Page_182">182</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>-<a href="#Page_186">186</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_278">278</a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>, <a href="#Page_337">337</a></li> +<li>Lincoln county, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>-<a href="#Page_193">193</a></li> +<li>Lindgren, Elof, <a href="#Page_109">109</a></li> +<li>Lingle, Mrs. Addie Bradley, <a href="#Page_70">70</a></li> +<li>Lingle, W. H., <a href="#Page_70">70</a></li> +<li>Lippincott Halfway House, <a href="#Page_287">287</a></li> +<li>Little Blue river, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a></li> +<li>Little Pipe, John (Otoe Indian), <a href="#Page_134">134</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a></li> +<li>Little Sandy, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li> +<li>Lockwood, Judge William F., <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> +<li>Logan creek, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> +<li>Logan Valley, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> +<li>Lomas (or Loomis), Roderick, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> +<li>Lone Tree (Central City), Nebraska, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a></li> +<li>Long creek, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>, <a href="#Page_287">287</a></li> +<li>Long, Major Stephen H., <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> +<li>Longshore, ----, <a href="#Page_60">60</a></li> +<li>Long Pine, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_187">187</a></li> +<li>Lord, Brackett, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a></li> +<li>Lost creek (Lincoln park), <a href="#Page_214">214</a></li> +<li>Louisiana Purchase, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>, <a href="#Page_307">307</a></li> +<li>Loup river, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>, 88 (Potato Water), <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_228">228</a>, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>, <a href="#Page_285">285</a></li> +<li><i>Lovers' Leap</i>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a></li> +<li>Lower 96 ranch, <a href="#Page_77">77</a></li> +<li>Luey, Francis M., <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> +<li>Lyons, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a id="IX_M" name="IX_M"></a>MacColl, John H., <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_74">74</a></li> +<li>MacColl, Laura, <a href="#Page_74">74</a></li> +<li>MacMurphy, Harriet S., <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>; + <ul> + <li><i>Nikumi</i>, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>;</li> + <li><i>The Heroine of the Jules-Slade Tragedy</i>, <a href="#Page_322">322</a></li> + </ul></li> +<li>MacMurphy, John A., <a href="#Page_323">323</a></li> +<li>McAllister, W. A., <i>Some Personal Incidents</i>, <a href="#Page_242">242</a></li> +<li>McCabe's ranch, <a href="#Page_221">221</a></li> +<li>McCaffery, ----, <a href="#Page_141">141</a></li> +<li>McCall, R. J., <a href="#Page_258">258</a></li> +<li>McCandles, Bill, <a href="#Page_270">270</a></li> +<li>McCanles, D. C., <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li> +<li>McCashland, Addie, <a href="#Page_107">107</a></li> +<li>McCashland, John R., <i>Pioneering in Fillmore County</i>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a></li> +<li>McCashland, Mrs. John R., <a href="#Page_107">107</a></li> +<li>McCashland, Sammy, <a href="#Page_107">107</a></li> +<li>McComas, ----, <a href="#Page_95">95</a></li> +<li>McCook, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> +<li>McCreary family, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li>McCune, Calmer, <i>Early Days in Polk County</i>, <a href="#Page_248">248</a></li> +<li>McDonald, Mrs. Charles, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> +<li>McDonald, Charles, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a></li> +<li>McDonald, Thomas, <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> +<li>McDonald, W. H., <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> +<li>McDowell, Mrs. Gertrude M., <i>Suffrage in Nebraska</i>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a></li> +<li>McDowell, Joseph B., <i>Beginnings of Fairbury</i>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>, <a href="#Page_162">162</a></li> +<li>McDowell, W. G., <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a></li> +<li>McElroy, William John, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> +<li>McGovern, Teddy, <a href="#Page_272">272</a></li> +<li>McGregor, Harry, <a href="#Page_243">243</a></li> +<li>McLean, Mrs. Donald, <a href="#Page_336">336</a></li> +<li>McMaster, A. M., <a href="#Page_127">127</a></li> +<li>McNeely, Frank, <i>County-seat of Washington County</i>, <a href="#Page_298">298</a></li> +<li>McNeil, Miss, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li> +<li>McPherson hotel, Brownville, <a href="#Page_212">212</a></li> +<li>McPherson station, <a href="#Page_76">76</a></li> +<li>Mabin's ranch, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>, <a href="#Page_222">222</a></li> +<li>Mahan, Henry, <a href="#Page_248">248</a></li> +<li>Mahum, Tom, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li> +<li>Major Isaac Sadler chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_337">337</a></li> +<li>Majors, Alexander, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_240">240</a></li> +<li>Majors, Col. Thomas J., <a href="#Page_95">95</a></li> +<li>Mallet brothers, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> +<li>Mallott, James B., <a href="#Page_60">60</a></li> +<li>Maple Creek, Iowa, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a></li> +<li>Margaret Holmes chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, <i>Seward County Reminiscences</i>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a></li> +<li>Marks, Mrs. Ives, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li> +<li>Marks, Rev. Ives, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a></li> +<li>Marks' mill, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li> +<li>Marsden, ----, <a href="#Page_188">188</a></li> +<li>Marsh, A. K., <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_44">44</a></li> +<li>Martin, ----, <a href="#Page_105">105</a></li> +<li>Martin, E. L., <a href="#Page_97">97</a></li> +<li>Martin, Major, <a href="#Page_240">240</a></li> +<li>Marvin, Seth P., <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> +<li>Mary Cole steamboat, <a href="#Page_299">299</a></li> +<li>Marysville, Kansas, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a></li> +<li>Mason, Judge O. P., <a href="#Page_118">118</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a></li> +<li>Mason, Sidney, Mr. and Mrs., <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> +<li>Mathews, Capt. Fred, <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> +<li>Mattingly, J. B., <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_162">162</a></li> +<li>Maxwell, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_76">76</a></li> +<li>Mayes, Charles, <a href="#Page_71">71</a></li> +<li>Mayfield's ranch, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> +<li>Mead, Mrs. Eda, <i>The Story of the Town of Fontenelle</i>, <a href="#Page_299">299</a></li> +<li>Medicine, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_263">263</a></li> +<li>Medicine Horse (Otoe chief), <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a></li> +<li>Mellenger, "Doc," 59</li> +<li>Mellenger, Edgar, <a href="#Page_58">58</a></li> +<li>Melroy, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128</a></li> +<li>Melvin brothers, <a href="#Page_44">44</a></li> +<li>Memorial Continental Hall, <a href="#Page_337">337</a></li> +<li>Meridian, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a></li> +<li>Merritt, Asa, <a href="#Page_31">31</a></li> +<li>Mickey, Gov. John H., <a href="#Page_189">189</a></li> +<li>Midland Pacific R. R., <a href="#Page_259">259</a></li> +<li>Milford, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_102">102</a></li> +<li>Military road, <a href="#Page_305">305</a></li> +<li>Millard, Joseph H., <a href="#Page_189">189</a></li> +<li>Miller, Mrs., <a href="#Page_193">193</a></li> +<li>Miller, A. J., <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> +<li>Miller, Charlie, <a href="#Page_279">279</a></li> +<li>Miller, Dr. George L., <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_336">336</a></li> +<li>Minden, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a></li> +<li>Minor, Ella Pollock, <i>Incidents at Plattsmouth</i>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a></li> +<li>Mira Valley, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a></li> +<li>Mission creek, <a href="#Page_121">121</a></li> +<li>Missouri river, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>, <a href="#Page_256">256</a>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>, <a href="#Page_299">299</a>, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>-<a href="#Page_309">309</a>, <a href="#Page_322">322</a></li> +<li>Missouri river ferry, <a href="#Page_322">322</a></li> +<li>Monroe, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> +<li>Moore, John S., <a href="#Page_15">15</a></li> +<li>Moore, Sadie Irene, <i>The Beginnings of Fremont</i>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> +<li>Moote, Mr. and Mrs. W. S., <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> +<li>Morgan, Hugh, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> +<li>Mormon trail, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_293">293</a></li> +<li>Mormons, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a></li> +<li>Morrill, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Morris, Prof. John, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li> +<li>Morrow, J. A., <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> +<li>Morse, Capt. Charles, <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> +<li>Morse, Col. Charles F., <a href="#Page_15">15</a></li> +<li>Morton, Carl, <a href="#Page_238">238</a></li> +<li>Morton, Caroline Joy, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>, <a href="#Page_240">240</a></li> +<li>Morton, Charles, <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> +<li>Morton, J. Sterling, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>; + <ul> + <li><i>My Last Buffalo Hunt</i>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>, <a href="#Page_239">239</a>, <a href="#Page_240">240</a>, <a href="#Page_297">297</a></li> + </ul></li> +<li>Morton, Joy, <a href="#Page_235">235</a></li> +<li>Morton, Paul, <i>How the Founder of Arbor Day Created the Most Famous Western Estate</i>, <a href="#Page_235">235</a></li> +<li>Moses, Pearl Shepherd, <i>Crow Heart Butte</i> (poem), <a href="#Page_52">52</a></li> +<li>Mott, Lucretia, <a href="#Page_276">276</a></li> +<li>Mud creek, <a href="#Page_128">128</a></li> +<li>Mullen, Mrs., <a href="#Page_58">58</a></li> +<li>Murdock, Rev., <a href="#Page_121">121</a></li> +<li>Murray, Mrs., <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> +<li>Murray, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_94">94</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a id="IX_N" name="IX_N"></a>Nance county, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>-<a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>, <a href="#Page_242">242</a></li> +<li>Nancy, Gary chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> +<li>Narrows, The, <a href="#Page_217">217</a></li> +<li>National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_333">333</a></li> +<li>National Suffrage Association, <a href="#Page_275">275</a></li> +<li>Nebraska City, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, <a href="#Page_178">178</a>, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>, <a href="#Page_297">297</a>, <a href="#Page_337">337</a></li> +<li>Nebraska Memorial Association, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Nebraska Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_254">254</a></li> +<li>Nebraska Society, Sons of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> +<li>Nebraska State Historical Society, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>-<a href="#Page_189">189</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>, <a href="#Page_336">336</a></li> +<li>Nebraska Territorial Pioneers' Association, <a href="#Page_253">253</a></li> +<li>Needham, Mr., <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> +<li>Needham, Mrs. Christina, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> +<li>Nemaha river, <a href="#Page_253">253</a></li> +<li>Neville, Judge James, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_329">329</a></li> +<li>Newbecker, Clara, <a href="#Page_282">282</a></li> +<li>Newbecker, Dr. Minerva, <a href="#Page_282">282</a></li> +<li>Newbecker, Lieut. Philip, <a href="#Page_282">282</a></li> +<li>Newman, Mrs. Angie Thurston, <a href="#Page_334">334</a></li> +<li><i>Nikumi</i>, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>-<a href="#Page_321">321</a></li> +<li>Nikumi chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_336">336</a></li> +<li>Niobrara chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_337">337</a></li> +<li>Niobrara river, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> +<li>Nobes, C. J., <a href="#Page_182">182</a></li> +<li>Nonpareil, a frontier town, <a href="#Page_22">22</a></li> +<li>Norfolk, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> +<li>Norman, P. O., <a href="#Page_43">43</a></li> +<li>North, Major Frank, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a></li> +<li>North, Capt. Luther, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_244">244</a></li> +<li>North Platte, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="#Page_264">264</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>, <a href="#Page_331">331</a></li> +<li>Northwestern R. R., <a href="#Page_26">26</a></li> +<li>Norton, Mrs. Charles Oliver, <a href="#Page_336">336</a>, <a href="#Page_337">337</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> +<li>Norton, Hannah, <a href="#Page_147">147</a></li> +<li>Norton, Lilian (Madam Nordica), <a href="#Page_147">147</a></li> +<li>Norton, Major Peter, <a href="#Page_147">147</a></li> +<li>Noyes, Major, <a href="#Page_246">246</a></li> +<li>Nuckolls county, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>, <a href="#Page_272">272</a></li> +<li>Nye, Mrs. Theron, <i>Early Days in Fremont</i>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a id="IX_O" name="IX_O"></a>Oak, John, <a href="#Page_30">30</a></li> +<li>Oak Grove ranch, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>, <a href="#Page_216">216</a></li> +<li>Oakland, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_30">30</a></li> +<li>O'Brien, Major George M., <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> +<li>O'Conner, Mrs. Thomas, <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +<li>O'Fallon's Bluffs, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> +<li>Ogallalla Cattle Company, <a href="#Page_26">26</a></li> +<li>Oliver, Sr., Edward, <a href="#Page_27">27</a></li> +<li>Oliver, Edward, <a href="#Page_29">29</a></li> +<li>Oliver, James, <a href="#Page_29">29</a></li> +<li>Oliver, John, <a href="#Page_29">29</a></li> +<li>Oliver, Robert, <a href="#Page_29">29</a></li> +<li>Oliver, Sarah, <a href="#Page_28">28</a></li> +<li>Omaha, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_88">88</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>, <a href="#Page_178">178</a>, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>, <a href="#Page_181">181</a>, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>, <a href="#Page_249">249</a>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>-<a href="#Page_287">287</a>, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>, <a href="#Page_299">299</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>-<a href="#Page_306">306</a>, <a href="#Page_308">308</a>, <a href="#Page_325">325</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_329">329</a>, <a href="#Page_333">333</a>-<a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Omaha <i>Bee</i>, <a href="#Page_189">189</a></li> +<li>Omaha chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>, <a href="#Page_336">336</a></li> +<li>Omaha Mary, <a href="#Page_289">289</a></li> +<li>Omaha <i>Republican</i>, <a href="#Page_75">75</a></li> +<li>Onawa, Iowa, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> +<li>Ord, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_281">281</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a></li> +<li>Oregon trail, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>, <a href="#Page_168">168</a>, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>, <a href="#Page_336">336</a>-<a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Oregon Trail chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Oregon Trail Memorial Commission, <a href="#Page_337">337</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> +<li>Orr, Mrs. Margaret, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Osceola, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_248">248</a></li> +<li>Osceola <i>Record</i>, <a href="#Page_248">248</a></li> +<li>Ostrander, ----, <a href="#Page_217">217</a></li> +<li>Otoe chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_337">337</a></li> +<li>Otoe county, <a href="#Page_129">129</a></li> +<li>Otoe Indian reservation, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>-<a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_322">322</a></li> +<li>Overland Stage line, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_214">214</a></li> +<li>Overland trail, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_220">220</a>, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a></li> +<li>Overton, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_58">58</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a id="IX_P" name="IX_P"></a>Pacific house, Beatrice, <a href="#Page_123">123</a></li> +<li>Pacific Telegraph line, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> +<li>Paine, Mrs. C. S., <a href="#Page_5">5</a></li> +<li>Paine, Clarence S., <a href="#Page_337">337</a></li> +<li>Palmatier, ----, <a href="#Page_263">263</a></li> +<li>Palmer, Mrs. Charlotte F., <a href="#Page_333">333</a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a></li> +<li>Palmer, Capt. Henry E., <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> +<li>Parker, Jason, <a href="#Page_244">244</a></li> +<li>Parks, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_263">263</a></li> +<li>Parmele, Mrs. Lilian, <a href="#Page_42">42</a></li> +<li>Patrick, Mrs. Edwin, <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> +<li>Patterson, Daniel, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> +<li>Patterson's trading post, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> +<li>Pawnee City, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_178">178</a></li> +<li>Pawnee county, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a></li> +<li>Pawnee Indian reservation, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_230">230</a>, <a href="#Page_242">242</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a></li> +<li>Pawnee ranch, <a href="#Page_43">43</a></li> +<li>Pawnee scouts, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> +<li>Peale, Titian, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> +<li>Pearson, Capt. F. J., <a href="#Page_57">57</a></li> +<li>Peavy and Curtiss, <a href="#Page_122">122</a></li> +<li>Penney, Minnie Freeman, <i>The Blizzard of 1888</i>, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>; + <ul> + <li><i>Major North's Buffalo Hunt</i>, <a href="#Page_244">244</a></li> + </ul></li> +<li>Perry, Mrs. Lula Correll (Mrs. Warren), <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_337">337</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Petalesharo (Pawnee chief), <a href="#Page_247">247</a></li> +<li>Peterson, Martin, <a href="#Page_54">54</a></li> +<li>Pierce, Judge Robert D., <a href="#Page_57">57</a></li> +<li>Pine Bluff reservation, <a href="#Page_59">59</a></li> +<li>Pine Ridge country, <a href="#Page_24">24</a></li> +<li><i>Pioneer</i>, Dawson county, <a href="#Page_57">57</a></li> +<li><i>Pioneer Record</i>, <a href="#Page_295">295</a></li> +<li>Pittsburgh postoffice, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="#Page_259">259</a></li> +<li>Plainfield, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_203">203</a></li> +<li>Platt, Elvira Gaston, <a href="#Page_198">198</a></li> +<li>Platt, Lester W., <a href="#Page_198">198</a></li> +<li>Platte chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> +<li>Platte river, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_220">220</a>, <a href="#Page_228">228</a>, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>, <a href="#Page_285">285</a>, <a href="#Page_299">299</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Platte Valley, <a href="#Page_221">221</a></li> +<li>Plattsmouth, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_178">178</a>, <a href="#Page_256">256</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Pleasant Dale, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_258">258</a></li> +<li>Plum creek, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_256">256</a>, <a href="#Page_257">257</a>, <a href="#Page_285">285</a></li> +<li>Plum creek (Gage county), <a href="#Page_114">114</a>, <a href="#Page_122">122</a></li> +<li>Plum creek (Lexington), Nebraska, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, <a href="#Page_75">75</a></li> +<li>Plummer, Eleanor, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a></li> +<li>Plummer, Mrs. Jason, <a href="#Page_149">149</a></li> +<li>Plummer, Jason, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a></li> +<li>Plymouth, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li> +<li>Polk county, <a href="#Page_248">248</a>, <a href="#Page_251">251</a></li> +<li>Polk, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_250">250</a></li> +<li>Polley, Hiram, <a href="#Page_184">184</a></li> +<li>Pollock, Mrs. Thomas, <a href="#Page_41">41</a></li> +<li>Pony Express, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a></li> +<li>Pope, Mrs. Anna Randall, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li>Poppleton, Mrs. Andrew J., <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +<li>Porter, A. J., <i>From Missouri to Dawson County in 1872</i>, <a href="#Page_75">75</a></li> +<li>Pound, Mrs. Laura B., <i>Marking the Site of the Lewis and Clark Council at Fort Calhoun</i>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>, <a href="#Page_336">336</a></li> +<li>Pumpkin creek, <a href="#Page_265">265</a></li> +<li>Purdy house, Fairbury, <a href="#Page_175">175</a></li> +<li>Purple, ----, <a href="#Page_291">291</a></li> +<li>Pursell, Mrs. Auta Helvey, <a href="#Page_147">147</a></li> +<li>Purviance, Edith Erma, <i>A Pioneer Family</i>, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> +<li>Purviance, Erma, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> +<li>Purviance, Dr. W. E., <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> +<li>Prairie Chicken (Omaha Indian), <a href="#Page_100">100</a></li> +<li>Prairie fires, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_247">247</a></li> +<li>Pyle and Eaton, <a href="#Page_44">44</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a id="IX_Q" name="IX_Q"></a>Quincy colony, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>, <a href="#Page_299">299</a>-<a href="#Page_304">304</a></li> +<li>Quivira, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_233">233</a></li> +<li>Quivira chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>, <a href="#Page_336">336</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a id="IX_R" name="IX_R"></a>Randall, Mr. and Mrs., <a href="#Page_123">123</a></li> +<li>Randall, A. D., <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li>Randall, Charles, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li>Randall, E. J., <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li>Randall, Dr. H. L., <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li>Randall, N. G., <a href="#Page_211">211</a></li> +<li>Randall, Sarah Schooley, <i>My Trip West in 1861</i>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a></li> +<li>Rawhide creek, <a href="#Page_79">79</a></li> +<li>Raymond, Mrs. Mabel, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Raymond, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_184">184</a></li> +<li>Reavis-Ashley chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> +<li>Reavis, Isham, <a href="#Page_253">253</a></li> +<li>Reavis, Mahala Beck, <a href="#Page_253">253</a></li> +<li>Red Cloud, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Red Lion mill, <a href="#Page_109">109</a></li> +<li>Redman, Joseph, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> +<li>Reed, Alexander, <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> +<li>Reeder, Mrs. James G., <i>Pioneer Life</i>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a></li> +<li>Rees, Henrietta M., <a href="#Page_336">336</a></li> +<li>Republic county, Kansas, <a href="#Page_142">142</a></li> +<li><i>Republican</i>, Omaha, <a href="#Page_95">95</a></li> +<li>Republican river, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>, <a href="#Page_242">242</a></li> +<li>Republican Valley, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a></li> +<li>Reverend Reuben Pickett chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Reynolds, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> +<li>Reynolds, B. W., <a href="#Page_80">80</a></li> +<li>Reynolds, Wilson, <a href="#Page_80">80</a></li> +<li>Rhoades, Orrin, <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> +<li>Rhustrat, Dr., <a href="#Page_80">80</a></li> +<li>Richardson, Lyman, <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +<li>Ringer, Mr. and Mrs. Bradford, <a href="#Page_186">186</a></li> +<li>Ringer, Frank J., <a href="#Page_186">186</a></li> +<li>Ringer, Jennie Bell, <a href="#Page_185">185</a></li> +<li>Ringer, John Dean, <a href="#Page_186">186</a></li> +<li>Riverton, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_239">239</a></li> +<li>Rock Bluffs, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_94">94</a></li> +<li>Rock creek, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a></li> +<li>Rockport, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>, <a href="#Page_298">298</a></li> +<li>Rockwood, Martin T., <a href="#Page_67">67</a></li> +<li>Roe, Thomas, <a href="#Page_107">107</a></li> +<li>Rogers, Mrs. Samuel E., <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +<li>Romigh, Mrs. Viola, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Root, Aaron, <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +<li>Root, Mrs. Allen, <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> +<li>Roper, Ford, <a href="#Page_122">122</a></li> +<li>Roper, Fred E., <a href="#Page_268">268</a>-<a href="#Page_271">271</a></li> +<li>Roper, Joe B., <a href="#Page_270">270</a></li> +<li>Roper, Laura, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a></li> +<li>Roper, Mann E., <a href="#Page_269">269</a></li> +<li>Roscoe, B. S., <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> +<li>Roscoe, Mrs. Isabel, <i>A Pioneer Nebraska Teacher</i>, <a href="#Page_30">30</a></li> +<li>Rose creek, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a></li> +<li>Rosewater, Edward, <a href="#Page_189">189</a></li> +<li>Roy, George, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>, <a href="#Page_253">253</a></li> +<li>Roy, Mrs. Thyrza Reavis, <i>Personal Reminiscences</i>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>, <a href="#Page_253">253</a></li> +<li>Royce, Loie, <a href="#Page_203">203</a></li> +<li>Rulo, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_252">252</a></li> +<li>Rushville, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_24">24</a></li> +<li>Russell, Alice M., <a href="#Page_281">281</a></li> +<li>Russell, Mrs. E. A., <i>Reminiscences</i>, <a href="#Page_281">281</a></li> +<li>Russell, Rev. E. A., <a href="#Page_281">281</a></li> +<li>Russell, H. C., <a href="#Page_49">49</a></li> +<li>Russell, Mrs. Lucinda, <a href="#Page_275">275</a></li> +<li>Russell, Majors and Waddell, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>, <a href="#Page_240">240</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a id="IX_S" name="IX_S"></a>St. Joe & Denver City R. R. Co., <a href="#Page_144">144</a></li> +<li>St. Joe and Grand Island R. R., <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a></li> +<li>St. Joseph, Missouri, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a></li> +<li>St. Leger Cowley chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_337">337</a></li> +<li>St. Marys, Iowa, <a href="#Page_290">290</a></li> +<li>St. Nicholas hotel, <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +<li>St. Paul, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_204">204</a></li> +<li>Saline City, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li> +<li>Salt creek, <a href="#Page_221">221</a></li> +<li>Saltillo, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_97">97</a></li> +<li>Salt Lake City, <a href="#Page_269">269</a></li> +<li>Sanborne, John P., <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> +<li>Sand Hills, <a href="#Page_258">258</a></li> +<li>Santa Fe trail, <a href="#Page_308">308</a>, <a href="#Page_316">316</a></li> +<li>Saratoga (Omaha), Nebraska, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> +<li>Sarpy, Peter A., <a href="#Page_290">290</a>, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>-<a href="#Page_321">321</a></li> +<li>Sarpy's trading post, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>, <a href="#Page_317">317</a></li> +<li>Saunders county, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a></li> +<li>Sawyer, Mrs. A. J., <a href="#Page_275">275</a></li> +<li>Saxon, Elizabeth, <a href="#Page_276">276</a></li> +<li>Schmeling, Frank, <a href="#Page_214">214</a></li> +<li>School creek, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a></li> +<li>Schooley, Charles A., <a href="#Page_211">211</a></li> +<li>Schwatka, Lieut. Frederick, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>, <a href="#Page_328">328</a>, <a href="#Page_331">331</a></li> +<li>Schwerin, Rev. W., <a href="#Page_45">45</a></li> +<li>Scofield, T. D., <a href="#Page_17">17</a></li> +<li>Scott, ----, <a href="#Page_128">128</a></li> +<li>Scott, Miss Lizzie, <a href="#Page_16">16</a></li> +<li>Scott, Mrs. Mathew T., <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> +<li>Scottsbluff country, <a href="#Page_264">264</a></li> +<li>Scottsbluff, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Scully, Lord, <a href="#Page_130">130</a></li> +<li>Second Nebraska Cavalry, <a href="#Page_242">242</a>, <a href="#Page_292">292</a></li> +<li>Second U. S. Cavalry, <a href="#Page_280">280</a></li> +<li>Selden, Mrs. O. B., <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +<li>Selleck, Wellington W., <a href="#Page_16">16</a></li> +<li>Seward, <a href="#Page_254">254</a></li> +<li>Seward county, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_262">262</a></li> +<li>Seward, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_248">248</a>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>, <a href="#Page_336">336</a>, <a href="#Page_337">337</a></li> +<li>Seymour, Elizabeth Porter, <i>Early Experiences in Nebraska</i>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>-<a href="#Page_165">165</a></li> +<li>Shader, Mr. and Mrs. A. L., <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> +<li>Shader, Claiborn, <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> +<li>Shattuck, Etta, <a href="#Page_203">203</a></li> +<li>Sheldon, Addison E., <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a></li> +<li>Shell creek, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> +<li>Shelton, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Sheridan (Auburn), Nebraska, <a href="#Page_212">212</a></li> +<li>Sheridan, Gen. Phil, <a href="#Page_327">327</a></li> +<li>Sherman, General, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> +<li>Shields, Mrs. Herman, <a href="#Page_306">306</a></li> +<li>Shields, Thomas, <a href="#Page_255">255</a></li> +<li>Shipley, <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> +<li>Shirley, William, <a href="#Page_44">44</a></li> +<li>Shorter county, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>-<a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> +<li>Showalter, Dr., <a href="#Page_141">141</a></li> +<li>Shumway, Grant Lee, <i>Pioneering</i>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a></li> +<li>Sidney, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="#Page_264">264</a></li> +<li>Sidney trail, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> +<li>Sixth U. S. Infantry, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>, <a href="#Page_309">309</a></li> +<li>Slade, Jack, <a href="#Page_324">324</a>, <a href="#Page_325">325</a></li> +<li>Slade, Lyman or Jack, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li> +<li>Slocumb, Charles, <a href="#Page_145">145</a></li> +<li>Slocumb and Hambel, <a href="#Page_144">144</a></li> +<li>Sluyter, Isaiah, <a href="#Page_16">16</a></li> +<li>Smith, ----, <a href="#Page_178">178</a>, <a href="#Page_291">291</a></li> +<li>Smith, Adam, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> +<li>Smith Brothers, <a href="#Page_123">123</a></li> +<li>Smith, C. B., <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +<li>Smith, Mrs. C. B., <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> +<li>Smith, Charles, <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> +<li>Smith, Dan, <a href="#Page_77">77</a></li> +<li>Smith, Mrs. Dan, <a href="#Page_77">77</a></li> +<li>Smith, De Etta Bell, <a href="#Page_185">185</a></li> +<li>Smith, Edmund Burke, <a href="#Page_185">185</a></li> +<li>Smith, Mrs. Eleanor Murphey, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Smith, Hazel Bell, <a href="#Page_185">185</a></li> +<li>Smith, Mrs. J. Fred, <a href="#Page_306">306</a></li> +<li>Smith, J. G., <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> +<li>Smith, John, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> +<li>Smith, Major, <a href="#Page_119">119</a></li> +<li>Smith, Samuel C., <a href="#Page_246">246</a></li> +<li>Smith, Towner, <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> +<li>Smith, Col. Watson B., <a href="#Page_326">326</a></li> +<li>Snake creek, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> +<li>Snowden, Mrs. William P., <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +<li>Solomon river, <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> +<li>Sommerlad, H. W., <a href="#Page_260">260</a></li> +<li>Sons of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a></li> +<li>Soules, ----, <a href="#Page_175">175</a></li> +<li>Southwell, ----, <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> +<li>Spade, Dan, <a href="#Page_109">109</a></li> +<li>Spade, William, <i>Fillmore County in the 70's</i>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a></li> +<li>Spanish American War, <a href="#Page_334">334</a></li> +<li>Spillman, Jerome, <a href="#Page_300">300</a></li> +<li>Stall, Irwin, <a href="#Page_259">259</a></li> +<li>Stanley, C., <a href="#Page_244">244</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a></li> +<li>Stanton county, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a></li> +<li>Stanton, Elizabeth Cady, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a></li> +<li>Staples, David, <a href="#Page_168">168</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>-<a href="#Page_173">173</a></li> +<li>Starbuck, Rev. Charles, <a href="#Page_206">206</a></li> +<li>Star hotel, Fairbury, <a href="#Page_143">143</a></li> +<li>Stark, Isaac W., <a href="#Page_16">16</a></li> +<li>Stark, John, <a href="#Page_15">15</a></li> +<li>Stark, Margaret, <a href="#Page_15">15</a></li> +<li>State Federation of Woman's Clubs, <a href="#Page_254">254</a></li> +<li>Stebbins, Mrs. W. M., <i>The Erickson Family</i>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a></li> +<li>Steele, Annie M., <a href="#Page_275">275</a></li> +<li>Steele, Mrs. Annie Strickland, <a href="#Page_334">334</a></li> +<li>Steele, Calvin F., <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a></li> +<li>Steele, Mrs. C. F., <i>Personal Recollections</i>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>-<a href="#Page_167">167</a>; + <ul> + <li><i>Finding the George Winslow Grave</i>, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li> + </ul></li> +<li>Stephen, Bennett chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> +<li>Stevens, Col. George, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>, <a href="#Page_293">293</a></li> +<li>Stevens, Mary M. A., <a href="#Page_334">334</a></li> +<li>Stevens, William, <a href="#Page_250">250</a></li> +<li>Stiles, James, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> +<li>Stilts, Judge, <a href="#Page_287">287</a></li> +<li>Stockville, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_263">263</a></li> +<li>Stone, Dr. ----, <a href="#Page_248">248</a></li> +<li>Stone, Lucy, <a href="#Page_275">275</a></li> +<li>Storer, William, <a href="#Page_28">28</a></li> +<li>Stout, D. D., <a href="#Page_290">290</a></li> +<li>Stout, E. P., <a href="#Page_290">290</a></li> +<li>Stromsburg, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Stubbs, Mrs. J. J., <a href="#Page_336">336</a></li> +<li>Stuckey, Capt. John S., <a href="#Page_58">58</a></li> +<li>Stuckey, Joseph, <a href="#Page_58">58</a></li> +<li>Stuckey, Samuel Clay, <a href="#Page_58">58</a></li> +<li>Stuhl, Joseph, <a href="#Page_16">16</a></li> +<li>Stutzman, Henry, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> +<li>Sullivan, Potter C., <a href="#Page_298">298</a></li> +<li>Sumner, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_66">66</a></li> +<li>Superior chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> +<li>Superior, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> +<li>Sutton, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Swan Brothers, <a href="#Page_26">26</a></li> +<li>Swan creek, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>-<a href="#Page_149">149</a></li> +<li>Sweetser, ----, <a href="#Page_174">174</a></li> +<li>Sweezy, William F., <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a id="IX_T" name="IX_T"></a>Taggart, Rev. J. M., <a href="#Page_296">296</a></li> +<li>Talbot, Mr. and Mrs. Ben, <a href="#Page_47">47</a></li> +<li>Talbot, Bishop, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> +<li>Talbot, John, <a href="#Page_223">223</a>, <a href="#Page_226">226</a></li> +<li>Talbot, Dr. Willis, <a href="#Page_49">49</a></li> +<li>Tall Bull (Cheyenne Indian), <a href="#Page_198">198</a></li> +<li>Tash, Ira E., <i>Historical Sketch of Box Butte County</i>, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> +<li>Taylor, J. O., <a href="#Page_46">46</a></li> +<li>Taylor, Tim, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li> +<li>Tecumseh, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a></li> +<li>Tenth U. S. Infantry, <a href="#Page_242">242</a></li> +<li>Thayer county, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a></li> +<li>Thayer County Woman's Suffrage Association, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>, <a href="#Page_278">278</a></li> +<li>Thayer, Gen. John M., <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +<li>Thayer, Mrs. John M., <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +<li><i>The Conservative</i>, <a href="#Page_238">238</a></li> +<li><i>The Homesteader</i>, <a href="#Page_248">248</a></li> +<li>Thomas, S. G., <a href="#Page_175">175</a></li> +<li>Thomas & Champlin, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a></li> +<li>Thompson, Barbara J., <a href="#Page_278">278</a></li> +<li>Thirty-seventh Star chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> +<li>Thirty-two Mile creek, <a href="#Page_12">12</a></li> +<li>Three Groves, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_95">95</a></li> +<li>Three Trails chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Thurston, Mrs. John M., <a href="#Page_334">334</a></li> +<li>Tibbetts, Mrs. Addison S., <a href="#Page_335">335</a></li> +<li>Timberville (Ames), Nebraska, <a href="#Page_306">306</a></li> +<li>Tinklepaugh, Roy, <a href="#Page_127">127</a></li> +<li>Tipton, James, <a href="#Page_59">59</a></li> +<li>Tipton, Thomas W., <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li>Tisdale, Thomas H., <a href="#Page_260">260</a>, <a href="#Page_261">261</a></li> +<li>Tooth & Maul, <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> +<li>Towle, Albert, <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li> +<li>Towle, Mrs. Eliza, <a href="#Page_187">187</a></li> +<li>Towle, Mrs. Elizabeth, <a href="#Page_334">334</a></li> +<li>Tree planting, <a href="#Page_238">238</a>, <a href="#Page_297">297</a></li> +<li>Trefren and Hewitt, <a href="#Page_46">46</a></li> +<li>Tremont house, <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +<li><i>Tribune</i>, The Fremont, <a href="#Page_79">79</a></li> +<li>Troup, Mrs. Elsie De Cou, <a href="#Page_189">189</a></li> +<li>Tucker, ----, <a href="#Page_60">60</a></li> +<li>Tucker family, <a href="#Page_57">57</a></li> +<li>Tucker, Tudor, <a href="#Page_58">58</a></li> +<li>Tulley, Mrs. Capitola Skiles, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Turkey creek, <a href="#Page_225">225</a></li> +<li>Turner, Eliza, <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> +<li>Turner, Mrs. George, <a href="#Page_82">82</a></li> +<li>Turner, Mrs. Margaret, <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a id="IX_U" name="IX_U"></a>Ulig, ----, <a href="#Page_217">217</a></li> +<li>Union Pacific R. R., <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>, <a href="#Page_264">264</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a></li> +<li>United States Daughters of the War of 1812, <a href="#Page_253">253</a></li> +<li>Upper 96 ranch, <a href="#Page_77">77</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a id="IX_V" name="IX_V"></a>Valentine, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a></li> +<li>Vallery, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob, <a href="#Page_41">41</a></li> +<li>Valley county, <a href="#Page_204">204</a></li> +<li>Van Horn, James, <a href="#Page_291">291</a></li> +<li>Van Vliet, Brig. Gen. Stewart L., <a href="#Page_225">225</a></li> +<li>Vance, Mrs. Laura (Laura Roper), <a href="#Page_270">270</a></li> +<li>Vanier brothers, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> +<li>Vermillion, A. Martha, <a href="#Page_278">278</a></li> +<li>Virginia, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a id="IX_W" name="IX_W"></a>Wahoo, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_221">221</a></li> +<li>Walker brothers, <a href="#Page_193">193</a></li> +<li>Walker, Major Lester, <i>Early History of Lincoln County</i>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> +<li>Wallace, Mrs. C. M., <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Walnut creek, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>, <a href="#Page_260">260</a></li> +<li>Walton, Mrs. Ellen Saunders, <i>Early Days in Nance County</i>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a></li> +<li>Ward, Joseph, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li> +<li>Ward, Mrs. Oreal S., <a href="#Page_337">337</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> +<li>Ware, Ellen Kinney, <i>Early Reminiscences of Nebraska City</i>, <a href="#Page_240">240</a></li> +<li>Warfield's ranch, <a href="#Page_221">221</a></li> +<li>Warrick, Amasa, <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> +<li>Warrington, T. L., <a href="#Page_68">68</a></li> +<li>Warwick, Rev. J. W., <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> +<li>Warwick, Lila (or Eliza), <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> +<li>Washington county, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>, <a href="#Page_287">287</a>, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>-<a href="#Page_298">298</a></li> +<li>Wasson, ----, <a href="#Page_244">244</a></li> +<li>Waters, Stella Brown, <a href="#Page_49">49</a></li> +<li>Waters, William H., <a href="#Page_248">248</a></li> +<li>Waters, W. W., <a href="#Page_49">49</a></li> +<li>Waterville, Kansas, <a href="#Page_162">162</a></li> +<li>Waterville, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_142">142</a></li> +<li>Watson, W. W., <a href="#Page_145">145</a></li> +<li>Wayne, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Webster, John Lee, <i>The Last Romantic Buffalo Hunt on the Plains of Nebraska</i>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a></li> +<li>Weed, Thurlow, <a href="#Page_44">44</a></li> +<li>Weed, William L., <a href="#Page_44">44</a></li> +<li>Weeks, M. H., <a href="#Page_142">142</a></li> +<li>Weeks, Mrs. M. H., <i>Early Days in Jefferson County</i>, <a href="#Page_175">175</a></li> +<li>Weeks, Mary, <a href="#Page_175">175</a></li> +<li>Weeping Water, Legend of, <a href="#Page_39">39</a></li> +<li>Weeping Water, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> +<li>Weeping Water river, <a href="#Page_220">220</a></li> +<li>Wehn, ----, <a href="#Page_116">116</a></li> +<li>Weisel, George, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> +<li>Wells Fargo Express Company, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_77">77</a></li> +<li>West, ----, <a href="#Page_80">80</a></li> +<li>West, Mr. and Mrs., <a href="#Page_79">79</a></li> +<li>West, Julia, <a href="#Page_79">79</a></li> +<li>West Blue river, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="#Page_262">262</a></li> +<li>West Blue postoffice, <a href="#Page_97">97</a></li> +<li>West Point, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_36">36</a></li> +<li>Western Stage Company, <a href="#Page_142">142</a></li> +<li>Westling, J. A., <a href="#Page_133">133</a></li> +<li>Weston, John B., <a href="#Page_43">43</a></li> +<li>Wharton, Rev. Fletcher L., <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li>Wheeler, Judge, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li>Wheeler, Major, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a></li> +<li>Whiskey Run, <a href="#Page_169">169</a></li> +<li>Whitaker, ----, <a href="#Page_103">103</a></li> +<li>Whitaker, Sabra Brumsey, <a href="#Page_101">101</a></li> +<li>White, Rev. A. G., <a href="#Page_291">291</a></li> +<li>White, Capt. Charles, <a href="#Page_43">43</a></li> +<li>White Eagle (Pawnee Chief), <a href="#Page_194">194</a></li> +<li>White, Luke, <a href="#Page_100">100</a></li> +<li>White, Sammy, <a href="#Page_98">98</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a></li> +<li>Whiterock, Kansas, <a href="#Page_131">131</a></li> +<li>Whitewater, Jim (Otoe half-breed), <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a></li> +<li>Whiting, A. V., <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li> +<li>Whitney family, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li>Whittaker, Mrs. Clifford, <i>A Good Indian</i>, <a href="#Page_74">74</a></li> +<li>Wiggins, Horace S., <a href="#Page_15">15</a></li> +<li>Wigton, A. L., <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a></li> +<li>Wigton, J. W., <a href="#Page_17">17</a></li> +<li>Wilbur, Nebraska, <a href="#Page_163">163</a></li> +<li>Wild Bill (James B. Hickok), <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a></li> +<li>Wild Cat banks, <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li> +<li>Wilds, M. B., <a href="#Page_291">291</a></li> +<li>Wiley, Araminta, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> +<li>Wiley, Gertrude Miranda, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> +<li>Wiley, Hattie, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> +<li>Wiley, Dr. William Washington, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> +<li>Wilkinson, Emma, <a href="#Page_305">305</a></li> +<li>Wilkinson, Ida, <a href="#Page_305">305</a></li> +<li>Wilkinson, Nettie, <a href="#Page_306">306</a></li> +<li>Wilkinson, Thomas, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>, <a href="#Page_306">306</a></li> +<li>Wilkinson, Mrs. Thomas, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>, <a href="#Page_306">306</a></li> +<li>Wilkinson, William W., <a href="#Page_306">306</a></li> +<li>Williamson, John, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>, <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> +<li>Wilson, ----, <a href="#Page_58">58</a></li> +<li>Wilson, Capt., <a href="#Page_280">280</a></li> +<li>Wilson, Luther, <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> +<li>Wilson, Perley, <a href="#Page_56">56</a></li> +<li>Wilson, W. R., <a href="#Page_82">82</a></li> +<li>Wiltse, Chauncey Livingston, <i>The Pawnee Chief's Farewell</i>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>-<a href="#Page_210">210</a></li> +<li>Winslow, Edward, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li> +<li>Winslow, Eleazer, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li> +<li>Winslow, George, <a href="#Page_168">168</a>-<a href="#Page_174">174</a></li> +<li>Winslow, Mrs. George, <a href="#Page_170">170</a></li> +<li>Winslow, George E., <a href="#Page_170">170</a></li> +<li>Winslow, George Edward, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li> +<li>Winslow, Henry O., <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li> +<li>Winslow, Mrs. Henry, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li> +<li>Winslow, James, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li> +<li>Winslow, Jesse, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a></li> +<li>Winslow, Josiah, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li> +<li>Winslow, Kenelm, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li> +<li>Winslow, Shadrach, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li> +<li>Wint, Brig. Gen. Theodore, <a href="#Page_189">189</a></li> +<li>Woerner, Mike, <a href="#Page_216">216</a></li> +<li>Wolf creek, <a href="#Page_117">117</a></li> +<li><i>Woman's Journal</i>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>, <a href="#Page_278">278</a></li> +<li>Woman's suffrage, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>-<a href="#Page_278">278</a></li> +<li>Wood, Mr. and Mrs. Kentucky, <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> +<li>Wood river, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a></li> +<li>Wood River Centre, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a></li> +<li>Woodhurst, Mrs., <a href="#Page_182">182</a></li> +<li>Woodhurst, Warden, <a href="#Page_182">182</a></li> +<li>Woods, Jim, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> +<li>Work, George F., <i>Historical Sketch of Adams County</i>, <a href="#Page_11">11</a></li> +<li>Wright, Eben, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> +<li>Wyncoop, Col. ----, <a href="#Page_270">270</a></li> +<li>Wyoming Society Daughters of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> +<li>Wyoming Society Sons of the American Revolution, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li> +<li>Wyuka cemetery, Nebraska City, <a href="#Page_297">297</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><a id="IX_Y" name="IX_Y"></a>Yankee Hill, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li> +<li>Yankton, South Dakota, <a href="#Page_247">247</a></li> +<li>Young, Brigham, <a href="#Page_65">65</a></li> +</ul> + +<div class="bbox"> +<p>Transcriber's Notes:</p> + +<p>Punctuation has been standardised.</p> + +<p>Minor printer errors (e.g. omitted, superfluous or transposed +characters) have been fixed.</p> + +<p>Kearny and Kearney are both used in this text.</p> + +<p>Page 13, "Rhoderic" changed to "<a href="#rod1">Roderick</a>" (Roderick Lomas) [per internet search]</p> + +<p>Page 25, "Eldorado" changed to "<a href="#dorado">El Dorado</a>" (trip to the new El Dorado)</p> + +<p>Page 96, "Asch" changed to "<a href="#asche">Asche</a>" (A. Dove Wiley Asche) [per internet search]</p> + +<p>Page 125, "benumed" changed to "<a href="#benummed">benummed</a>" (being benummed myself) [per Webster's 1828 Dictionary]</p> + +<p>Page 170, "daguerrotype" changed to "<a href="#daguerreo">daguerreotype</a>" (daguerreotype of Mr.) (daguerreotype of George)</p> + +<p>Page 171, "1833" changed to "<a href="#date">1633</a>" (colony in 1633)</p> + +<p>Page 219, "repellant" changed to "<a href="#repel1">repellent</a>" (seemed repellent, irksome)</p> + +<p>Page 226, "repellant" changed to "<a href="#repel2">repellent</a>" (and repellent fear)</p> + +<p>Page 226, "arborially" changed to "<a href="#arbor">arboreally</a>" (arboreally interred)</p> + +<p>Page 227, "markmanship" changed to "<a href="#marks">marksmanship</a>" (no deft marksmanship)</p> + +<p>Page 281, "Nemeha" changed to "<a href="#nemaha">Nemaha</a>" (grazing in the Nemaha)</p> + +<p>Page 308, "Ottoes" changed to "<a href="#otoes">Otoes</a>" (the "Ottoes, Pawnees)</p> + +<p>Page 315, the spelling of "<a href="#delf">delf</a>" was retained (per Webster 1828 Dictionary)</p> + +</div> + +<div style='display:block;margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NEBRASKA PIONEER REMINISCENCES ***</div> +<div style='display:block;margin:1em 0;'>This file should be named 34844-h.htm or 34844-h.zip</div> +<div style='display:block;margin:1em 0;'>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in https://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/8/4/34844/</div> +<div style='display:block;margin:1em 0'> +Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will +be renamed. +</div> + +<div style='display:block;margin:1em 0'> +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, +so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United +States without permission and without paying copyright +royalties. 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