History of Buffalo County
and Its People
VOLUME I
by Samuel Clay Bassett
[ix]
CONTENTS
CHAPTER IBEFORE THE WHITE MAN CAME -- NAMES OF INDIAN TRIBES INHABITING NEBRASKA TERRITORY -- BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PAWNEE INDIANS -- FAITHFUL TO THEIR TREATY OBLIGATIONS -- REMOVAL TO INDIAN TERRITORY IN 1876 -- ASSIGNED LANDS IN SEVERALTY IN 1892 -- A PATHETIC INCIDENT -- IN 1915 THE PAWNEE MAKING GOOD, BECOMING USEFUL CITIZENS. ............ 1
CHAPTER II
FORT KEARNEY -- DATE WHEN ESTABLISHED-BOUNDARIES OF MILITARY RESERVATION -- BLEW THE BUGLE -- REFERENCE -- HISTORY OF FORT KEARNEY BY ALBERT WATKINS, HISTORIAN OF STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY -- SERGEANT MICHAEL COADY -- A SOLDIER OF THE MEXICAN AND CIVIL WARS -- SERVED AS CLERK OF BUFFALO COUNTY -- CHARTER MEMBER OF FIRST I. O. O. F. LODGE INSTITUTED IN THE COUNTY -- CHARTER MEMBER OF FIRST MASONIC LODGE INSTITUTED IN THE COUNTY. ............ 5
CHAPTER III
BUFFALO COUNTY; HALL COUNTY -- IN TERRITORIAL DAYS HALL COUNTY OFFICIALS TRANSACT THE FINANCIAL AFFAIRS OF BUFFALO COUNTY -- EQUALIZE ASSESSMENT OF PROPERTY; LEVY TAXES; COLLECT TAXES; AUDIT AND PAY CLAIMS AGAINST BUFFALO COUNTY -- COPIES OF DUPLICATE TAX RECEIPTS -- LIST OF TAX PAYERS IN BUFFALO COUNTY WHO PAID THEIR TAXES TO THE TREASURER OF HALL COUNTY. ............ 9
CHAPTER IV
BOUNDARIES OF BUFFALO COUNTY, ACT OF THE TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE -- NEBRASKA CENTRE THE SEAT OF JUSTICE (COUNTY SEAT) -- ORIGINAL SURVEY OF THE COUNTY -- NEBRASKA CENTRE ITS EXACT LOCATION -- CENTRALIA AND NEBRASKA CENTRE PRECINCTS -- TERRITORIAL ELECTION HELD IN 1859 -- POLL-BOOKS AND ELECTION RETURNS -- THE EARLY SETTLEMENT IN THE PLATTE VALLEY -- DOBYTOWN AND THE FAMOUS TOM KEELER RANCH -- DAVID ANDERSON SPENDS THREE DAYS AT THE BOYD RANCH -- TELLS OF AN ELECTION HELD THERE IN FALL OF 1859 -- WITNESSES TESTIFY AT CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION AS TO LOCATION OF NEBRASKA CENTRE -- LETTER FROM JOSEPH OWEN. ............ 13
[x]CHAPTER V
HUNTSMAN'S ECHO, FIRST NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED IN BUFFALO COUNTY -- COPIES ON FILE IN LIBRARY OF STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY -- SKETCH OF JOSEPH E. JOHNSON, NEBRASKA'S FIRST EDITOR -- ACCOMPANIES EXPLORERS WHO LOCATE LINE OF UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD -- BUFFALO DESTROY MR. JOHNSON'S GARDEN AND CROPS -- GRASSHOPPERS DESTROY CROPS IN BUFFALO COUNTY IN 1860 -- BUILDING OF TELEGRAPH LINE TO FORT KEARNEY IN 1860 -- STAGE LINE MAKES A RECORD TRIP, FORT KEARNEY TO OMAHA, 33 HOURS -- MR. JOHNSON VISITS PAWNEE INDIANS WINTER 1860-61 -- A SAW MILL IN OPERATION AT WOOD RIVER CENTRE -- A ONE-HORSE GRIST MILL IN OPERATION -- GRAIN AND VEGETABLES GROW TO PERFECTION -- FIRST POSTOFFICE IN BUFFALO COUNTY. ............ 21
CHAPTER VI
ORGANIZATION OF BUFFALO COUNTY -- RETURNS OF AN ELECTION IN BUFFALO COUNTY IN 1858 -- NEWSFAPER ACCOUNT OF AN ELECTION OF COUNTY OFFICERS IN 1860 -- BUFFALO COUNTY ORDERED TO ENLIST SOLDIERS IN 1862 -- AN ACT OF THE TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE TO CONTINUE THE ORGANIZATION OF BUFFALO COUNTY, 1866 -- COUNTY CLERK OF BUFFALO COUNTY NEBRASKA TERRATORY, USES A COUNTY SEAL. ............ 28
CHAPTER VII
BUFFALO COUNTY IN 1870 -- RE-ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY -- TRADITION RELATING THERETO -- PROCLAMATION OF GOVERNOR DAVID BUTLER-RETURNS OF SPECIAL ELECTION JANUARY 20, 1870 -- FIRST REGULAR ELECTION OCTOBER 11, 1870. ............ 32
CHAPTER VIII
PROCEEDINGS OF FIRST MEETING OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS -- DIVIDE COUNTY INTO THREE ELECTION PRECINCTS -- SALOON LICENSE FIXED AT $25 -- JOHN OLIVER APPOINTED SHERIFF -- FIRST SCHOOL TAX LEVIED -- W. H. PLATT EMPLOYED AS COUNTY ATTORNEY -- W. H. PLATT EMPLOYED TO COLLECT DELINQUENT TAXES; FEE ONE-HALF OF AMOUNT COLLECTED; PLATT'S CLAIM, $2,148 -- O. A. ABBOTT EMPLOYED TO PROSECUTE W. H. PLATT. ............ 35
[xi]CHAPTER IX
CHARACTER OF EARLY SETTLER'S -- VOTERS VOUCHED FOR -- TOOK THE SHERIFF ALONG. ............ 38
CHAPTER X
REV. DAVID MARQUETTE -- FIRST RELIGIOUS SERVICES HELD IN BUFFALO COUNTY -- JAMES JACKSON -- "PAP" LAMB -- GEORGE STEARLEY -- CHURCH AND SUNDAY SCHOOL ORGANIZED. ............ 40
CHAPTER XI
THE BOYD RANCH, JAMES E. BOYD, OWNER; LATER GOVERNOR OF NEBRASKA -- RAISED CORN -- TRAFFICKED IN OXEN -- BREWED BEER -- WHISKY $20 A GALLON -- THE BOYD RANCH FIRST CLAIM TAKEN IN BUFFALO COUNTY -- FIRST PIECE OF DEEDED LAND IN NEBRASKA, WEST OF HALL COUNTY -- PAID FOR IN LAND SCRIPT ISSUED TO A SOLDIER OF THE WAR OF 1812. ............ 42
CHAPTER XII
ACROSS THE PLAINS IN 1853 -- WESCOATT BROTHERS TAKE 400 HEAD OF COWS TO CALIFORNIA -- CAPT. JOHN FULLER WITH HIS COMMAND JOIN THEIR PARTY -- INDIANS MASSACRE EMIGRANTS ON BANKS OF PLATTE RIVER -- JOHN HODGES ESCAPES AND SWIMS THE PLATTE -- PURSUIT OF INDIANS AND THIRTY-SEVEN KILLED -- BURIAL OF MASSACRED EMIGRANTS -- THE BOYD RANCH -- TWENTY DOLLARS FOR A GALLON OF WHISKY -- THE BOY, JOHN HODGES, FINDS HIS UNCLE IN CALIFORNIA -- SIXTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS PROFIT ON THE HERD OF COWS -- WESCOATT BROTHERS RETURN TO IOWA. ............ 46
CHAPTER XIII
A PIONEER FAMILY, A HISTORICAL SKETCH OF ONE OF THE FIRST FAMILIES TO MAKE SETTLEMENT IN BUFFALO COUNTY -- CONVERTS TO THE MORMON FAITH -- LEAVE ENGLAND IN 1855 -- FIVE WEEKS TO MAKE OCEAN JOURNEY -- FIND EMPLOYMENT IN PHILADELPHIA -- LEAVE PHILADELPHIA IN 1859 FOR UTAH -- JOURNEY FROM FLORENCE TO UTAH ACROSS THE PLAINS WITH AN OX TEAM-DEATH AND BURIAL BESIDE THE TRAIL OF AN EMIGRANT'S CHILD -- THE ARRIVAL IN UTAH -- DISGUSTED WITH THE MORMON RELIGION -- THE RETURN FROM UTAH ACCOMPANIED BY MRS. ALLEN -- STORY OF MRS. ALLEN, A DESERTED MORMON WIFE -- FORDING THE PLATTE IN HIGH WATER TIME -- LOCATE ON A "SQUATTER'S" CLAIM ON WOOD RIVER -- RAISE AND SELL 600 BUSHELS OF CORN FOR $600 -- STAMPEDE OF 1864 -- BABY HELEN LEFT BEHIND -- THE FLIGHT TO IOWA, ACROSS TO QUEBEC AND ON TO ENGLAND -- THE RETURN TO NEBRASKA -- TAKES A PRE-EMPTION CLAIM -- PLANTS AN ORCHARD OF 2,000 TREES -- BUILDS A HOUSE WITH ALL MODERN CONVENIENCES. ............ 51
[xii]CHAPTER XIV THE INDIAN STAMPEDE OF 1864 -- NARRATION OF EVENTS BY JAMES JACKSON, "TED" OLIVER AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HOPEWELL -- ACCOUNT OF ATROCITIES COMMITTED BY INDIANS AS RELATED BY CAPT. H. E. PALMER -- MRS. EWBANK AND MISS LAURA BOYER RANSOMED -- SETTLERS IN BUFFALO COUNTY ASSEMBLE AT WOOD RIVER CENTER -- AUGUST MEYER CHOSEN CAPTAIN -- NAMES OF SETTLERS IN COUNTY AT THAT DATE -- THE FLIGHT TO OMAHA AND IOWA -- -- AUGUST MEYER AND "TED" OLIVER, GEORGE BURKE AND JOHN BRITT REMAIN. ............ 61
CHAPTER XV
ACROSS THE PLAINS IN 1860 -- A MILLION OF BUFFALO, HORACE GREELEY DELAYED AT FORT KEARNEY FOR TWENTY-FOUR HOURS BY BUFFALO -- 25 CENTS TO CARRY A LETTER -- MINING FOR GOLD IN COLORADO -- CORN $7 A BUSHEL -- CORN 10 CENTS A BUSHEL -- TEN DOLLARS TO WATER GOVERNMENT TEAMS -- THE TRANSPORTATION EXPENSE OF FORAGE DELIVERED AT FORT KEARNEY AND FORT LARAMIE -- TEN CENTS A GALLON FOR WATER IN 1874. ............ 67
CHAPTER XVI
A BROKEN AXLE -- EDWARD OLIVER AND FAMILY EN ROUTE TO UTAH -- AXLE TO WAGON BROKEN NEAR WOOD RIVER CENTRE -- THE WIFE AND CHILDREN REFUSE TO JOURNEY FARTHER -- SPEND THE WINTER ON WOOD RIVER-THE FATHER CONTINUES JOURNEY TO UTAH -- THE MOTHER AND CHILDREN REMAIN AND ESTABLISH A HOME -- MRS. SARAH OLIVER A LARGELY USEFUL WOMAN -- THE OLIVERS TAKE AN ACTIVE PART IN THE ORGANIZATION OF BUFFALO COUNTY. ............ 70
CHAPTER XVII
GOVERNMENT LANDS -- RAILROAD LANDS -- SPYING OUT THE LAND -- LOADED RIFLES CARRIED ON ALL UNION PACIFIC TRAINS -- FIRST TASTE OF ANTELOPE STEAK -- THE BOYD RANCH -- CARRIED A BUTT OF A CORNSTALK: BACK TO OHIO -- WELL PLEASED WITH THE APPEARANCE OF THE COUNTRY AND OF PROPOSED LOCATION OF COLONY. ............ 73
[xiii]CHAPTER XVIII SOLDIER'S FREE HOMESTEAD COLONY -- ORIGIN OF COLONY -- CERTIFICATE OF MEMBERSHIP -- REDUCED RATES TO COLONISTS -- ITINERARY OF COLONY -- ARRIVAL AT COUNCIL BLUFFS -- CROSS MISSOURI RIVER ON A FLAT BOAT -- NEBRASKA LAND -- CHECKING BAGGAGE -- OMAHA IN 1871. ............ 76
CHAPTER XIX
SOLDIER'S FREE HOMESTEAD COLONY, CONTINUED -- TO THE LAND OF PROMISE -- THE COLONISTS ARRIVE AT GIBBON -- FIXING UP QUARTERS -- VIEWING THE LAND -- HOLD RELIGIOUS SERVICES. ............ 80
CHAPTER XX
SOLDIERS' FREE HOMESTEAD COLONY, CONTINUED -- AN APRIL BLIZZARD -- BOX CARS TO LIVE IN -- THE WOOD RIVER VALLEY OF THE PLATTE -- THE FIRST MEETING HELD BY THE COLONISTS-DRAWING LOTS FOR CLAIMS -- LOCATING THE CLAIMS -- FILING ON HOMESTEADS -- SIXTY-ONE CLAIMS FILED UPON APRIL 17 AND 18, 1871 -- NAMES OF THOSE TAKING CLAIMS. ............ 83
CHAPTER XXI
SOLDIERS' FREE HOMESTEAD COLONY, CONTINUED -- OFFICIAL LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE COLONY -- A HABITATION -- A PLACE TO LIVE -- RANGE OF PRICES -- FIRST CROPS GROWN -- CONDITIONS CONFRONTING COLONISTS -- INSECT DEPREDATIONS -- LACK OF MOISTURE -- LIVE STOCK CONDITIONS -- GROWING SMALL GRAIN -- WHEAT AND OATS -- THE QUESTION OF FUEL. ............ 88
CHAPTER XXII
A COLONIST'S TRIP TO OMAHA -- $250 FOR A YOKE OF OXEN -- OPENING UP FOR BUSINESS. ............ 95
CHAPTER XXIII
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL -- THE COLONISTS AND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL -- COLONISTS LIVING IN THE CARS ORGANIZE A SCHOOL DISTRICT -- COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT -- STATEMENT OF C. PUTNAM MADE FOR RECORD -- ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS -- ERECTION OF SCHOOLHOUSES -- REPORT OF COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT, JANUARY, 1872 -- LIST OF LICENSED TEACHERS, 1871-76. ............ 98
[xiv]CHAPTER XXIV INCIDENTS IN A WEDDING JOURNEY ACROSS THE PLATTE IN 1869 -- FORD THE PLATTE AT FORT KEARNEY -- TWO PRAIRIE DOGS AND A BOX OF MEDICINE -- THE WAGON UPSETS -- RESCUE OF THE BRIDE -- THE BRIDE'S MOTHER ENJOYS A SMOKE -- ALL ENDS WELL. ............ 103
CHAPTER XXV
PIONEER MERCHANDISING IN CENTRAL NEBRASKA -- LOCATION AT LOWELL IN 1872-SETTLEMENT OF SOUTHWEST NEBRASKA -- EPIZOOTIC AMONG HORSES -- MANY MERCHANTS FAIL -- BUYING FURS OF TRAPPERS -- FOUR TONS OF BUFFALO HAMS -- STRYCHNINE AND STEEL TRAPS FOR TRAPPERS -- A MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF GOODS SOLD IN TWO YEARS. ............ 105
CHAPTER XXVI
HOMESTEADERS IN BUFFALO COUNTY -- A LIST OF 1,265 PERSONS TAKING HOMESTEAD AND PRE-EMPTION CLAIMS IN BUFFALO COUNTY PREVIOUS TO 1880 -- ARRANGED BY TOWNSHIP AND RANGE, GIVING YEAR OF FILING ON CLAIM. ............ 110
CHAPTER XXVII
FIRST FOURTH OF JULY PICNIC, 1872 -- HELD IN DUGDALE GROVE -- SUNDAY SCHOOLS FROM BUFFALO AND HALL COUNTIES PARTICIPATE -- 500 CHILDREN IN ATTENDANCE -- SAMUEL B. LOWELL, PRESIDENT -- COL. H. D. NILES DELIVERS THE ORATION -- PROF. D. B. WORLEY IN CHARGE OF MUSIC. ............ 120
CHAPTER XXVIII
THE COUNTY SEAT -- THE FIRST COURTHOUSE -- HAULING WOOD FROM THE LOUP RIVER -- FIRST TERM OF COURT -- LIST OF GRAND AND PETIT JURORS -- OFFICERS OF THE COURT -- BOUNDARIES OF JUDICIAL DISTRICT -- REMOVAL OF COUNTY SEAT -- BUILDING A SECOND COURTHOUSE -- USING THE OLD COURTHOUSE -- ACADEMY AT GIBBON -- BAPTIST COLLEGE -- UNITED BRETHREN COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE -- COMMERCIAL COLLEGES -- FARMER'S INSTITUTE. ............ 122
CHAPTER XIX
BRIDGING THE PLATTE AT GIBBON AND KEARNEY JUNCTION -- CONTRACT PRICE FOR GIBBON BRIDGE, $16.50 PER RUNNING FOOT -- CONTRACT PRICE FOR KEARNEY BRIDGE, $8.50 PER RUNNING FOOT -- "IT IS THEIR SKUNK AND THEY MUST SKIN IT," WRITES THE EDITOR OF THE BUFFALO COUNTY BEACON -- MUCH BITTERNESS IN THE FACTIONAL FIGHT OVER THE BRIDGE QUESTION -- DRIVING THE FIRST PILE FOR THE KEARNEY BRIDGE. ............ 130
[xv]CHAPTER XXX THE SAXON COLONY -- CAME FROM SAXONY IN 1873 -- MADE SETTLEMENT IN BUFFALO COUNTY IN FALL OF 1873 -- CROPS DESTROYED BY GRASSHOPPERS IN 1874 -- REMARKABLE INSTANCE OF ENDURANCE ON PART OF SAXON WOMEN. ............ 133
CHAPTER XXXI
THE APRIL STORM OF 1873 -- NOT POSSIBLE TO DESCRIBE ITS FURY -- EXPERIENCE OF A MISSIONARY MINISTER. ............ 141
CHAPTER XXXII
THE GRASSHOPPER PLAGUE -- GRASSHOPPERS DESTROY CROPS IN 1860 -- THE RAID OF 1874 -- THE RAID IN 1875 -- HOPPERS LAY EGGS. ............ 143
CHAPTER XXXIII
SHELTON -- KNOWN AS WOOD RIVER CENTER FROM 1860 TO ABOUT 1873 -- COUNTY SEAT OF BUFFALO COUNTY -- FIRST RELIGIOUS SERVICES HELD IN 1870 -- AN OFFICIAL DOCUMENT IN THE HANDWRITING OF PATRICK WALSH- OLIVER BROTHERS ESTABLISH A STORE IN 1871 -- AN OFFICIAL NOTICE TO THE POSTMASTER GENERAL NOTIFYING HIM OF CHANGE IN THE NAME OF THE POSTOFFICE -- LIST OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS -- THE FIRST DENTIST -- SHELTON FLOURING MILLS -- THE FIRST GRAIN ELEVATORS -- ALFALFA MILL -- THE SHELTON CLIPPER -- TWENTIETH CENTURY CLUB -- FIRST TERM OF SCHOOL IN COUNTY BY LICENSED TEACHER -- SHELTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS -- PUBLIC LIBRARY -- BANKS -- CHURCHES -- FRATERNAL AND BENEFICIARY LODGES. ............ 145
CHAPTER XXXIV
GIBBON -- NAMED IN HONOR OF SEN. JOHN GIBBON, U. S. A. -- WILSON AND STAATS THE FIRST SETTLERS -- WILSON DROWNED IN THE PLATTE -- FIRST DEEDS TO LOTS PROHIBITED THE SALE OF INTOXICATING LIQUORS -- I. N. DAVIS DONATED TEN ACRES FOR TOWNSHIP PARK -- LIST OF POSTMASTERS -- LIST OF PHYSICIANS -- FIRST NEWSPAPER, BUFFALO COUNTY BEACON -- GIBBON REPORTER -- RIVERSIDE CEMETERY -- AN INCLINE GRAIN ELEVATOR -- THE GIBBON CREAMERY -- INCORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE -- FIRST BOARD OF TRUSTEES -- GIBBON COMMERCIAL CLUB -- THE GIBBON CHAUTAUQUA -- THE PUBLIC SCHOOL -- THE FIRST WINTER TERM OF SCHOOL -- WOMAN'S STUDY LEAGUE -- GIBBON TOWNSHIP LIBRARY -- BANKS -- CHURCHES -- FRATERNAL AND BENEFICIARY LODGES. .... 162
[xvi]CHAPTER XXXV
KEARNEY -- KEARNEY JUNCTION TIMES -- CENTRAL NEBRASKA PRESS -- KEARNEY HUB -- KEARNEY DEMOCRAT -- KEARNEY ENTERPRISE -- NEW ERA STANDARD -- KEARNEY MORNING TIMES -- WATSON RANCH -- CITIZENS WHO HAVE GAINED OFFICIAL STATE DISTINCTION -- FOUNDING OF KEARNEY -- INCORPORATION OF TOWN OF KEARNEY -- NEWSPAPERS -- EARLY REMINISCENCES -- SCHOOL ESTABLISHED -- SOCIETIES -- CHURCHES -- BANKS -- ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 7 KEARNEY -- ORGANIZATION OF FIRST CHURCH IN COUNTY -- ORGANIZATION OF W. C. T. U. IN COUNTY -- VISIT OF MISS FRANCES E. WILLARD, NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF W. C. T. U. -- ORGANIZATION OF WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY -- PRESENTED WITH A DEED OF FIRST LOT DISPOSED OF IN ORIGINAL TOWN OF KEARNEY JUNCTION. ............ 178
CHAPTER XXXVI
RAVENNA -- FORT BANISHMENT -- ERASTUS SMITH, THE FIRST SETTLER -- BURLINGTON RAILROAD COMPLETED IN 1886 -- INDIAN RELICS -- VILLAGE OF RAVENNA INCORPORATED IN 1886 -- VILLAGE OFFICERS -- WATERWORKS INSTALLED -- SEWERAGE INSTALLED -- POSTOFFICE ESTABLISHED IN 1878 -- LIST OF POSTMASTERS -- LIST OF PHYSICIANS -- CEMETERY ESTABLISHED IN 1886 -- THE PUBLIC SCHOOL -- RAVENNA NEWS -- THE RAVENNA CREAMERY -- THE DAIRY INDUSTRY IN BUFFALO COUNTY -- THE RAVENNA MILLS -- CHURCHES -- BANKS -- FRATERNAL LODGES. ......... 259
CHAPTER XXXVII
ELM CREEK TOWNSHIP-EARLY SETTLERS -- ELM CREEK STATION AND EATING HOUSE -- COLD TEA SOLD EMIGRANTS AS "WET GOODS" -- CORD WOOD SOLD AT SHERIFF SALE AT EIGHT CENTS PER CORD -- ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 9 -- LIST OF POSTMASTERS; PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS -- THE FIRST NEWSPAPER -- INCORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE -- CHURCHES -- BANKS -- LODGES -- FIRST CHURCH SERVICE A FUNERAL OCCASION -- ODESSA TOWNSHIP -- FIRST SETTLERS -- REMINISCENCES -- GRANT TOWNSHIP -- REMINISCENCES. ............ 270
CHAPTER XXXVIII
LOUP AND RUSCO TOWNSHIPS -- NAMES OF EARLY SETTLERS -- PETER'S BRIDGE -- BUFFALO IN PLEASANT VALLEY IN 1874 -- THE VILLAGE OF PLEASANTON -- A 10-GRADE HIGH SCHOOL -- BUFFALO COUNTY TELEPHONE COMPANY -- FARMERS GRAIN COMPANY -- THE PLEASANTON STATE BANK -- THE FARMERS STATE BANK -- COMMERCIAL CLUB -- CHURCHES -- FRATERNAL AND BENEFICIAL LODGES. ............ 282
[xvii]CHAPTER XXXIX ARMADA TOWNSHIP AND MILLER -- LIST OF EARLY SETTLERS -- WM. CRAVEN STARTS IN BUSINESS IN A SOD HOUSE WITH A CAPITAL OF $9 -- POSTOFFICE ESTABLISHED IN ABOUT 1884, NAMED ARMADA -- VILLAGE OF MILLER INCORPORATED IN 1890 -- NAMES OF VILLAGE TRUSTEES -- NAMES OF POSTMASTERS -- NAMES OF PHYSICIANS -- THE FIRST NEWSPAPER -- THE MILLER INDEPENDENT TELEPHONE COMPANY -- BANKS, SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, LODGES -- W. C. T. U. ESTABLISH A LIBRARY AND REST ROOM. ............ 287
CHAPTER XL
SCOTT AND SARTORIA TOWNSHIPS -- LIST OF EARLY SETTLERS-REMINISCENCES BY JOHN SWENSON -- JEF HOOLEY SHOOTS AN ELK -- HOOLEY, A PROFESSIONAL HUNTER -- SWENSON'S RIDGLING PONY -- "YES, STRANGER, FOR HUMANITY SAKE" -- FIRST SETTLERS -- FOUR DAYS' LABOR TO GET A SACK OF FLOUR -- CHILDREN QUARREL OVER WHO SHALL HAVE A FLOUR SACK FOR A GARMENT -- TEAM LOST IN QUICKSAND HOLE IN LOUP RIVER -- A DUCKING IN AN AIR-HOLE -- A COW, A LAMB AND A PIG -- COTTONWOOD TIMBER ON THE SOUTH LOUP. ............ 293
CHAPTER XLI
FIRST SETTLERS IN CEDAR TOWNSHIP -- MRS. JOHN DAVIS LOSES HER LIFE IN THE MEMORABLE STORM OF APRIL, 1873 -- GRASSHOPPER RAID IN 1874 -- ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 20 -- MRS. E. W. CARPENTER FIRST TEACHER -- BUILT A SOD SCHOOLHOUSE IN 1875 -- FIRST PRECINCT ELECTION HELD IN 1874; THE ELEVEN VOTES CAST COST THE COUNTY $14, AND WERE WELL WORTH THE MONEY -- MAJORS POSTOFFICE ESTABLISHED IN 1879; NAMED IN HONOR OF COL. THOMAS J. MAJORS -- E. W. CARPENTER NAMED POSTMASTER AND SERVED TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS -- UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ORGANIZED IN 1882 WITH FIVE CHARTER MEMBERS. ............ 300
CHAPTER XLII
FIRST FLOURING MILL; ERECTED IN 1873 -- FIRST MILL IN STATE WEST OF HALL COUNTY -- SETTLERS CAME 100 MILES TO MILL. ............ 305
CHAPTER XLIII
ORGANIZATION OF TELEPHONE COMPANIES IN BUFFALO COUNTY -- THE FARMERS' TELEPHONE COMPANY -- BUFFALO COUNTY TELEPHONE COMPANY -- UNION VALLEY TELEPHONE COMPANY -- THE FAIRVIEW TELEPHONE COMPANY -- THE MILLER INDEPENDENT TELEPHONE COMPANY. ............ 307
[xviii]CHAPTER XLIV EFFORTS TO VOTE COUNTY BONDS AS AID TO RAILROADS-EFFORTS NOT SUCCESSFUL -- VOTING COUNTY BONDS FOR COURTHOUSE AND PLATTE RIVER BRIDGES -- A PROTEST AGAINST VOTING RAILROAD BONDS SIGNED BY 204. TAXPAYERS -- A SUBSCRIPTION LIST IN CIRCULATION IN 1888 TO RAISE FUNDS TO ASSIST IN CARRYING AN ELECTION OF BONDS AS AID TO A PROPOSED RAILROAD. ............ 310
CHAPTER XLV
COWBOY TROUBLES IN BUFFALO COUNTY -- GREAT HERDS OF TEXAN CATTLE -- ATTORNEY F. G. HAMER OFFERS TO WHIP THE WHOLE CROWD -- THE KEARNEY GUARDS -- THE KILLING OF MILTON COLLINS -- CAPTURE OF JORDON P. SMITH -- THE PRELIMINARY TRIAL -- FIRST TRIAL OF JORDON P. SMITH -- APPLICATION FOR CHANGE OF VENUE -- EDITORIAL FROM KEARNEY JUNCTION TIMES -- OFFICERS OF THE COURT -- LIST OF JURORS -- VERDICT OF THE JURY-SENTENCE OF THE COURT -- SECOND TRIAL OF SMITH -- SUMMARY OF TESTIMONY-ACCOUNT OF THE TRIAL BY JUDGE E. F. GRAY -- EXPENSE TO THE COUNTY OF THE TRIAL -- EDITOR M'NEW OF THE SHELTON CLIPPER, WRITES OF COWBOY TROUBLES AT KEARNEY -- MURDER OF AN UNARMED BOY BY THE CITY MARSHAL OF KEARNEY -- MARSHAL "SCARED TO DEATH -- CITIZENS OF KEARNEY UPHOLD THE MARSHAL. ............ 314
CHAPTER XLVI
RESOURCES OF BUFFALO COUNTY -- FERTILITY OF SOIL -- GROWING OF FRUITS -- CROP PRODUCTION -- IMPORTANCE OF ALFALFA-VALUE OF PROPERTY BY DECADES -- TAXES PAID BY DECADES -- TOTAL TAXES PAID TO DATE -- NUMBER OF FARMS -- VALUE OF CROPS -- VALUE OF LIVE STOCK -- POPULATION OF COUNTY BY DECADES. ............ 325
CHAPTER XLVII
PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE RECORDS IN BUFFALO COUNTY -- RECORDS DATING FROM THE YEAR 1849 -- RECORDS KEPT AT FORT KEARNEY, KEARNEY, RAVENNA, ELM CREEK AND WATERTOWN -- A CONTINUOUS RECORD KEPT BY ERASTUS SMITH AND MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY FROM 1878 TO DATE, 1915 -- HIGHEST TEMPERATURE; LOWEST TEMPERATURE; AVERAGE TEMPERATURE -- AVERAGE DATE OF KILLING FROSTS IN SPRING AND AUTUMN. ............ 329
CHAPTER XLVII
ORGANIZATION OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN BUFFALO COUNTY IN 1871 -- GEORGE H. SILVERNAIL PRESERVES RECORD IN HIS DIARY -- NOMINATE A FULL COUNTY TICKET -- A SPIRITED ELECTION -- 150 VOTES POLLED -- PATRICK WALSH ON AN INDEPENDENT TICKET ELECTED PROBATE JUDGE. ............ 334
[xix]CHAPTER XLIX MY FIRST STATE CONVENTION IN 1876 -- ELECTED DELEGATE AT COUNTY CONVENTION -- INTRODUCED TO FREE PASS SYSTEM -- JUDGE N. H. HEMIUP CANDIDATE FOR ATTORNEY-GENERAL -- GENERAL ROBERTS AND THE "TROJAN HORSE" -- T. J. MAJORS NOMINATED FOR CONTINGENT CONGRESSMAN -- BITTER FIGHT BY RAILROADS TO CONTROL CONVENTION -- CONVENTION IN SESSION FROM TUESDAY TO SATURDAY -- EDWARD ROSEWATER ATTACKED AND KICKED DOWN HOTEL STAIRS -- LIST OF BUFFALO COUNTY DELEGATES. ............ 337
CHAPTER L
POLITICAL PARTIES IN BUFFALO COUNTY. ............ 341
CHAPTER LI
THE ANTI-MONOPOLY MOVEMENT IN NEBRASKA AND IN BUFFALO COUNTY. ............ 346
CHAPTER LII
CAPITAL RELOCATION -- COUNTY OPTION THE CAMPAIGN ISSUE -- CAPITAL REMOVALISTS DRAFT A BILL -- THE CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR, ON THE PART OF LIQUOR INTERESTS, INDORSES SUCH A MEASURE -- LIQUOR INTERESTS USE CAPITAL RELOCATION BILL AS A CLUB TO DEFEAT COUNTY OPTION -- BUFFALO COUNTY CITIZENS A THOUSAND STRONG PETITION IN FAVOR OF THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL -- ANALYSIS OF THE VOTE ON CAPITAL RELOCATION AND COUNTY OPTION -- LETTER OF E. P. COURTRIGHT -- LETTER OF. W. L. HAND -- OFFICIAL ACTION OF BUFFALO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. ............ 349
CHAPTER LIII
LIST OF PERSONS HOLDING OFFICIAL POSITIONS -- MEMBERS OF TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE REPRESENTING BUFFALO COUNTY -- MEMBERS OF STATUE LEGISLATURE REPRESENTING BUFFALO COUNTY -- MEMBERS OF CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION -- JUDGES OF DISTRICT COURT -- DISTRICT ATTORNEYS -- COUNTY ATTORNEYS -- COUNTY CLERKS -- COUNTY TREASURERS -- COUNTY SHERIFFS -- COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS -- COUNTY JUDGES -- CLERKS OF DISTRICT COURT -- REGISTER OF DEEDS -- COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND SUPERVISORS. ............ 355
[xx]CHAPTER LIV
DEFALCATION OF JAMES VAN SICKLE, COUNTY TREASURER -- H. C. M'NEW IN SHELTON CLIPPER -- INTEREST ON PUBLIC FUNDS DEEMED THE LEGITIMATE OFFICE INCOME OF A COUNTY TREASURER -- UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY EVADES PAYMENT OF COUNTY TAXES -- HOMESTEADERS COMPELLED TO PAY TAXES ON LANDS BEFORE MAKING FINAL PROOF -- COUNTY MONEY BUILDS BRIDGES AND FURNISHES STAGE-LINE EQUIPMENT FOR STAGE LINE FROM KEARNEY TO BLACK HILLS -- COUNTY TREASURER JAMES VAN SICKLE TAKES A HUNTING TRIP -- METHOD OF CONDUCTING COUNTY BUSINESS -- MONEY HIRED OF AN OMAHA BANK TO MAKE SETTLEMENT WITH COUNTY BOARD -- REMOVAL OF TREASURER VAN SICKLE FROM OFFICE -- AN EMPLOYE OF THE UNION PACIFIC COMPANY INSTALLED AS DEPUTY COUNTY TREASURER -- EX-COUNTY TREASURER JAMES VAN SICKLE EARNS A PRECARIOUS LIVING BY HUNTING AND TRAPPING. ............ 362
CHAPTER LV
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY -- GRANGES ORGANIZED IN NEBRASKA IN EARLY '70s -- ENGAGE IN MANUFACTURE OF FARM IMPLEMENTS -- NOXIOUS WEED SEED IN GRAIN SHIPPED DROUTH SUFFERERS -- GRANGES ORGANIZED IN BUFFALO COUNTY IN 1875 -- LOCATION OF GRANGES AND THOSE ACTIVE IN THE MOVEMENT -- POLITICS DISRUPTS THE GRANGE -- THE GRANGE MOVEMENT IN BUFFALO COUNTY IN 1912-15 -- TWENTY-ONE GRANGES ORGANIZED, WITH 687 CHARTER MEMBERS -- GRANGE MEMBERSHIP 1,000 IN COUNTY IN 1915 -- LIST OF GRANGES -- NUMBER OF MEMBERS -- NAMES OF MASTER AND SECRETARY. ............ 365
CHAPTER LVI
ERIE FARMER'S CLUB ORGANIZED IN 1874 -- LIST OF CHARTER MEMBERS -- SOME OF THE SUBJECTS DISCUSSED -- BUFFALO COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY -- FIRST ORGANIZATION IN 1875 AND A FAIR HELD AT KEARNEY -- RE-ORGANIZED IN 1881 AND LOCATED AT SHELTON -- BUILDINGS ERECTED AND THREE FAIRS HELD -- FAIR MOVED TO KEARNEY IN 1884 -- SEVERAL SUCCESSFUL FAIRS HELD -- RE-ORGANIZED IN 1913. ............ 368
CHAPTER LVII
MURDER AND BURNING OF MITCHELL AND KETCHUM -- THE MOST DASTARDLY DEED COMMITTED IN THE HISTORY OF THE STATE -- CATTLE MEN CONTROLLING BY THREATS AND INTIMIDATION LARGE SECTIONS OF GOVERNMENT LANDS -- I. P. OLIVE ONE OF THE WEALTHIEST CATTLE-RANCH MEN IN THE STATE -- STEVENS (BOB OLIVE) ATTACKS MITCHELL AND KETCHUM -- STEVENS IS MORTALLY WOUNDED -- MITCHELL AND KETCHUM FLEE TO MERRICK COUNTY -- ARRESTED IN HOWARD COUNTY -- CONFINED IN BUFFALO COUNTY JAIL -- THE PRISONERS DELIVERED TO SHERIFF GILLIAN OF KEITH COUNTY -- SHERIFF GILLIAN DELIVERS THE PRISONERS TO I. P. OLIVE -- HANGING, SHOOTING AND BURNING OF MITCHELL AND KETCHUM BY I. P. OLIVE AND HIS GANG OF COWBOYS -- REMAINS OF THE MURDERED AND BURNED MEN BROUGHT TO KEARNEY AND EXPOSED TO PUBLIC VIEW -- ARREST OF OLIVE AND HIS CONFEDERATES -- TRIAL AT HASTINGS BEFORE DISTRICT JUDGE WILLIAM GASLIN -- COMPANY OF STATE MILITIA IN ATTENDANCE DURING THE TRIAL -- OLIVE AND FISHER CONVICTED AND SENTENCED FOR LIFE TO THE STATE PENITENTIARY -- A DECISION OF THE STATE SUPREME COURT TURNS THE CONVICTED MEN LOOSE AND RENDERS IT NOT POSSIBLE TO TRY THEM FOR THE CRIME BEFORE ANY DISTRICT JUDGE IN THE STATE -- OLIVE SLAIN AT THE HANDS OF AN AVENGING RELATIVE OF ONE OF THE MURDERED MEN. ............ 373
CHAPTER LVIII
LAST HUNT OF THE PAWNEES IN 1873 -- THE TRIBE NUMBERED 2,400 -- 700 MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN WENT ON THE HUNT -- TOOK 800 EXTRA PONIES TO PACK HOME THE MEAT -- HUNTED ON THE SOUTH OF THE PLATTE, ON PRAIRIE DOG, BEAVER AND FRENCHMAN -- KILLED LARGE NUMBERS OF BUFFALO -- ATTACKED BY THE SIOUX AND 156 PAWNEES KILLED -- LOST ALL OF DRIED MEAT AND MOST OF THEIR PONIES -- FIFTY OF THE SIOUX WERE KILLED -- THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT FINED THE SIOUX $10,000 AND GAVE THE MONEY TO THE PAWNEES. ............ 383
CHAPTER LIX
INTRODUCTION OF ALFALFA INTO NEBRASKA AND BUFFALO COUNTY -- REPORT BY DR. C. E. BESSEY -- REPORT BY PROF. C. L. INGERSOLL -- REPORT BY C. Y. SMITH -- ALFALFA PALACE ON STATE FAIR GROUNDS -- EXPERIENCE OF C. H. BALLENGER, J..H. NEAD, H. W. M'FADDEN, MARTIN SLATTERY, H. D. WATSON, PAT O'SHEA, ROBERT OLIVER, MICHAEL MOUSEL, JOHN S. MARSH, DR. JOHN E. SMITH, THOMAS M. DAVIS, CAPT. J. H. FREAS, J. H. GISHWILLER, JAMES O'KANE, A. B. CLARK, B. A. ROBBERTS, W. S. DELANO, J. C. MITCHELL -- STATISTICS. ............ 389
