Hall County, Nebraska, 1890 History, Chapter XXIV, File 2 USGenWeb Project NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the internet, data may be used by non-commercial researchers, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format for profit, nor for presentation in any form by any other organization or individual. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than as stated above, must obtain express written permission from the author, or the submitter and from the listed USGenWeb Project archivist. *************** Transcribed by Kaylynn Loveland, audriana@ginetworks.com NEGenWeb Project Hall County "Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton Counties" Published 1890 by the Goodspeed Publishing Co., Chicago, Ill. (Note: Includes Hall County Only) Hall County Chapter XXIV (Page 2) Page 553 The elections of November, 1883, show 815 votes for M. B. Reese, and 1,022 for James W. Savage, candidates for judge of supreme court; 886 votes for T. L. Norval, and 921 for M. A. Mills, contestants for the office of judge of Sixth district; 865 for Charles S. Benton, and 981 for Patrick Nevills for commissioner; 755 for Michael Murphy, and 1,081 for Ed. Hooper, candidates for treasurer; 1,017 for Frank Sears, and 824 for Charles Ivers for county clerk; 836 for H. C. Denman, and 986 for James Cannon for sheriff; 1,609 for John Allan, and 231 for H. Harvey, candidates for clerk of district court; 1,431 for George H. Caldwell, county judge; 1,310 for D. H. Vantine, superintendent of schools; 778 for David Ackerman, 578 for C.T. Poe, and 395 for H. J. Ring, candidates for coroner; H. Hald was elected surveyor without opposition. The vote for township organization was 1,283, and against such organization 216. The assessors elected in the order of 1882 were S. J. Bateman, Henry Rief, G. Southman, Herman Deverman (Alda), John Ewing, John Britt, C. C. Wilson, A. C. Powers, C. B. Rhiner, G. Vaughn, E. A. Rickerd, Anthony Moore, Patrick Nevills and L. S. Orcutt. The justices of the peace elected in this order were Daniel Morgan, J. W. West, H. E. Clifford, J. H. Andrews, William A. Brown, Lucas Henry, T. J. Mehaffie, E. S. Lee (Riley Westcott and George Zeluf tie in Martinsville), C. B. Lewis, H. E. Kent (Patrick Hoey and F. Smith tie in Harrison), John Mosser, William Drennan and S. Beidelman. The township treasurers elected in November, 1883, were D. H. Vieths, Henry Giese and Charles W. Scarff, for East, West and North Grand Island, repectively; William Powell, Alda; George H. Stoddard, Wood River; Charles Shaw, South Platte; Josiah Hall, South Loup; E. V. Palmer, Cameron; H. E. Rose, Martinsville; John F. Mader, Prairie Creek; Charles Christensen, Lake; Louis Rickerd, Harrison; James Keefe, Jackson; J. H. Waldron, Mayfield, and James Scudder, Doniphan. The township clerks elected in the order of townships observed in the list of treasurers are names as follow: H. D. Boyden, Fred Roby, T. B. Bush, E. E. Barr, M. R. Abbott, J. F. Cole, August Mieth, Jr., H. A. Goodrich, D. S Johnson, George J. Spencer, S. F. Kent, Ed. Curtis, Patrick Moore, Henry Tegtmeyer and W. B. Foster. The elections of November, 1884, were well-fought battles between the two great political parties. For Governor, J. S. Morton received 1,285 and James W. Dawes 1,314 votes; for Congress, William Neville received 1,259 and George W. E. Dorsey 1,429; for district attorney, D. T. Moore received 1,231 and Thomas Darnell 1,460 votes; for representative, Samuel N. Wolback recerived 1,537, Patrick Nevills 1,195, George Cornelius 1,430, and James Jackson 1,152; for senator, D. S. Parkhurst received 1,301 and Frnak C. Putnam 1,396; Z. H. Denman was elected surveyor. For constitutuional amendment, relating to legislative department, 995 votes were given and 350 against the amendment; for amendment of Article 5 there were 151 votes given, while 1,116 votes were cast in opposition to such change in the exectutive department. The vote on the issue of bridge bonds and direct tax to meet interest and principal thereof was 1,746 for and 670 contra. The vote for presidential electors was as follows: Patrick Hines and four others, 1,216; A. L. Burr and four others, 1,467; A. L. Reinoehl and four others, 12 The justices of the peace elected to fill vacancies were: E. W. Justice, Grand Island; E. T. Lehenthal, Alda; J. C. Furman, Wood River; George W. West, South Platte; J. J. Brewer, South Loup; Christopher H. Benton, Cameron; Milo Marsh, Doniphan; H. M. Jones, Jackson; J. H. Leonard, Harrison; R. C. Perkins, Mayfield; Ira M. Wan, Center. In Washington Township H. H. Bock and D. L. Rouse received each 140 votes, and in Lake H. E. Kent and L. J. Hanchett received each 41 votes. The elections of November, 1885, show 1,394 votes for G. H. Caldwell and 675 for J. W. West, candidates for county judge; 2,281 votes for Ed Hooper, sole candidate for treasurer; 1,223 for David Ackerman and 1,042 for Charles Ivers, can- Page 554 didates for county clerk; 980 for I. M. Cole and 1,273 for E. A. Wedgwood, candidates for sheriff; 1,237 for H. J. Ring and 1,030 for C. T. Poe, for coroner; 1,073 for D. H. Vantine and 1,179 for H. A. Edwards, candidates for superintendent of schools; William Ensign received 1,240 votes for surveyor. The elections of 1886 show 1,459 votes for John M. Thayer, 1,102 for James M. North, and 19 for W. W. Hardy, candidates for Governor; 1,359 for G. W. Laws, 1,199 for Richard Thompson, and 23 for E. J. O'Neil, candidates for scretary of State; 833 for Othman A. Abbott and 1,713 for Samuel N. Wolbach, for senator from Twenty-fifth district; 1,346 for George W. E. Dorsey, 1,200 for W. H. Webster, and 14 for W. G. Olinger, candidates for Congress from Third district; 1,241 for James Ewing, 1,153 for O. C. Hall, 1,238 for Z. H. Denman, and 1,258 for Charles Rief, candidates for representative; 1,230 for L. M. Whitney and 1,315 for W. H. Thompson. Out of 851 preference votes cast for United State senator, C. H. Van Wyck received 845, while the proposed amendment of constitution relating to the legislative department reveived 815 votes and was opposed by 238. The vote for two judges of the Ninth judicial district, recorded in November, 1887, in this county, was as follows: 1,759 for T. O. C. Harrison, 1,350 for T. B. Tiffany, 1,359 for William H. Platt, and 1,005 for T. J. Doyle; for county judge, Geoge H. Caldwell received 1,472, J. H> Mullin 1,239, and B. F. Merrill 60; for county treasurer, Ed C. Hockenbergr, 1,596, Fred Roby, 1,117 and C. D. Irvine 54; for clerk of district court, John Allan 1,478 and J. M. Thompson 52; for county clerk, David Ackerman 1,627, George R. Ryan 1,064, and R. C. Perkins 58. The vote for sheriff shows C. P. R. Williams receiving 1,283 and E. A. Wedgwood 1,469; for superintendent of schools, H. A. Edwards 1,384, S. S. Hayman 1,330, and Mrs. G. E. Everett 57; H. A. Gallup received 1,440 and William Ensign 1,220 for the office of surveyor; Z. B. Partridge 1,428, C. T. Poe 1,280, and H. J. Ring 54 for coroner. The elections of November, 1888, show 1,907 votes for George H. Hastings and four other electors, 1,509 for W. G. Sloan and four others, 99 for E. S. Abbott and four others, and 33 for Allen Root and four others, or a total of 3,548 votes; John M. Thayer received 1,902 votes, John A. McShane 1,514, George E. Bigelow 99, and David Butler 46 for the office of Governor; George W. E. Dorsey 1,901, E. P. Weatherby 1,506, A. M. Walling 103, and I. O. Jones 36 for Congress; John L. Means 1,626, S. N. Walbach 1,793, O. C. Hall 66, and C. H. Wood 18 for senator of Senenteenth district; William J. Olinger received 51 preference votes for United States senator, Ed Hooper 1,762, H. C. Denman 1,884, W. J. Burger 1,454, Henry Vieregg 1,645, William Drennan and C. D. Irvine 80 each; Thomas A. Oakes 60 and William C. Brown 39 for representative of Forty-seventh district; Walter R. Bacon 1,772, H. B. Wilson 1,712, and C. Winking 32, candidates for county attorney. The proposition to issue bonds, referred to in the transaction of the supervisors, received only 482 votes, and was opposed by 1,729 votes. The vote on building an addition to court-house and issuing new jail bonds was 299 for and 984 contra. The elections of November, 1889, show 1,706 votes for T. L. Norval, and 1,325 for John H. Ames, candidates for justice of the supreme court; E. C. Hockenberger received 1,839 votes and was not opposed, David Ackerman received 1,871 and Eli A. Barnes, 1,163 and J. H. Mullin 1,356 votes for county judge; E. E. Thompson 1,574 and H. A. Edwards 1,428 for office of school superintendent; William f. McLaughlin 1,425, and James A. Costllo 1,619, for sheriff; J. D. Jackson 1,718 and C. H. Waldschmit 1,298 for coroner, and Ca. A. Baldwin 1,725 for surveyor. The assessors elected were Fayette Smith, Grand Island City; William Thomssen, Alda; M. J. Costello, Wood River; L. Henry, Souith Platte; C. C. Wilson, South Loup; A. O. Poweres, Cameron; W. O. Foote, Martinsville; J. E. Mader, Prairie Creek; F. Suehlsen, Lake; M. S. Drennan, Mayfield; James F. Haldeman, Harrison; E. B. Engleman, Centre; Henry Rief, Washington; Page 555 Robert Gillispie, Washington, and R. P. McCutcheon, Doniphan. The justices of the peace elected were George J. Spence, First Ward, Henry Garn, Second, T. H. Elsner, Third, and W. A. Prince, Fourth Ward of Grand Island City; D. O'Kane, M. J. Costello, W. D. Devereaux (J. J. Brewer and P. S. Wingert, tie in South Loup), J. W. Hurley, A. Eager, J. H. Andrews, W. W. McCoy, Patrick Hoye, S. H. Ferguson (H. H. Bock, D. S. Roush, tie in Washington), George Cox and H. N. Lord. The township clerks elected in November, 1889, are named as follows, the order of townships (from Alda to Doniphan) as given in the list of justices, being observed in this list: F. D. Hastings, E. Baldwin, Fred Phillips, J. T. Mehaffie, Lee W. Crofts, D. S. Johnson, Hans H. Schroeder, J. E. Hanna, J. H. Hulett, M. Diehl, J. H. Squires, George Rief, M. J. Ryan and O. B. Hawk. The list of treasurers, in the same order of townships, comprises Claus Stoltenberg, S. M. Jordan, J. F. Cole, Elmer Veedd, E. O. Palmer, A. H. Stewart, Peter Schroeder, E. C. Walker, C. L. Alford, William Mundt, David Alter, Henry Giese, John Mullin and C. W. Hengen. The supervisors elected in 1889 to serve in 1890 are Thomas Robinson, G. H. Geddes, George P. Dean, I. R. Alter, M. V. Powers, George H. Andrew, Myron Dings, M. Murphy and Charles Wasmer. The latter received the lowest vote of the party, 615, while George P. Dean received the highest vote of the party, 685. Robert Geddes, Sr., received 591, while James Cleary and P. Dunphy received 546 votes, each being the highest and lowest vote of the party in Grand Island City. Z. H. Denman was elected was elected in Alda, David Barrick in wood River, William Lammers in South Platte, Josiah Hall in South Loup, W. W. Dubbbs in Cameron, O. F. Foote in Martinsville, W. H. Culbertson in Prairie Creek, H. C. Moeller in Lake, J. C. Bishop in Mayfield, J. W. Harrison in Harrison, G. L. Rouse in Centre, William Stolley in Washington, C. S. Ewing in Jackson, and Samuel Shultz in Doniphan. Apart from the representation of this county in the Legislature, the offices of State have claimed a few citizens of Hall, and the highest position in the gift of the State is now held by Gen. Thayer. Henry A. Koenig served as state treasurer four years; Seth P. Mobley, regent of university two years; O. A. Abbott, lieutenant-governor two years, John Wallichs, State auditor four years, and John M. Thayer, Governor for four years. In Masonic, Odd Fellow, Grand Army and other secret society affairs, Grand Island has taken a representative part; while in agricultural association matters, Hall County farmers participate very prominently. The first record of the sidtrict court of Hall County is opened under date, November 30, 1868. Judge L. Counse who called this court for the date given, on application of the commissioners, was not present, so that the clerk John Wallichs, adjourned court until December 1, when the continued absence of the judge occasioned another adjournment. On December 2, the worried clerk, the impatient jurors and lawyers and angry litigants were made happy by the presence of his honor, who opened the morning session, with John Walichs, clerk; E. T. Gray, district attorney, and Henry Rose, sheriff. The grand jury then empaneled comprised Peter Boch, George Canfield, H. Giese, Edward Hooper (foreman), J. Riss, H. Bockman, edward Keuscher, Hans Knuth, Elijah Lane, Henry Schoel, A. P. Beaman, J. Crean, P. Moore, J. T. reese, Edward Gumar and S. Lamb (succeeded by Patrick Dunpjy and Henry Tempke). John S. Martin of the Ohio bar was admitted to the Nebraska bar on motin of Lawyer Gray. Henry Schoel, Hans Knuth and Henry Tempke, all grand jurors, were admitted to citizenship. Joachim Doll, John David Schullr, Henry Joehnk, John Hann, John Seirer, Nicholas O. Hansen, Peter Stuhr, Carl Boehl, George Lounzen and August Thorspecken were also admitted to citizenship. The continuance in the cse of A. C. McLain vs. Joseph Smith; a judgment against Daniel Freeman for $163.72 in favor of Ritchard Smith; the overruling of a motion to dismiss the case of assault and battery against Wesley Folsom; a judgment Page 556 rendered by jury (of which C. C. Ridell was froeman) against C. A. Hartzell, in favor of Conrad Grein, and the dismissal of the suit by Koenig & Wiebe against John Seier, mark the first day's work. On December 3, the grand jury returned an indictment for forgery and one for larceny. Teh charge of assault and battery was submitted to the jury, of which Robert Mitchell was forean, with the result of acquitting Wesley Folsom. The admission to citizenship of Michael Crean, Carl Becker, Teith Becker, Detleo Sass [most probably Detleff Sass], Gottfried Merker, James Crean and Henry Lilianthal was ordered, and the trials of John Jennings for forgery, and Elijah A. and John E. Myers, for larceny, were begun. On the 4th a verdict of guilty was returned by a jury of whom Robert Mitchell was also foreman. C. P. Hall was assigned as counsel for Jennings, but could not save him from a two-years' term in the penitentiary. The Myers were acquitted by a jury of whom S. Canfield was foreman. Patrick and Richard Moore and Henry A. Koenig were admitted to citizenship, and the latter as treasurer of Hall County receipted for $40, being the amount of commencement fee for suits brought to this term. There is no record of court being held in 1869. On May 24, 1870, Judge Crounse opened the second term, with Wallichs clerk, Gray attorney, and H. Hald, sheriff. The grand jury comprised John Meagher, William Hollingshead, C. C. Jerome, J. Kraft, F. A Wiebe, C. D. Mevis, John Riss, William Spiker, C. W. Thomas, Adam Windolph, John Haup, Perry Hack, N. V. Hansen, Fritz Roby, William Eldridge and David Miller. The civil suits, McLean & Russell vs. Charles Davis, and Koenig & Wiebe vs. John Seier, were reported settle. A judgment fo $464.40 in favor of Fred Hedde, and against Freeman C. Dodge is recorded. Albert Swarzland, an attorney, moved the admission of William H. Platt to the bar, which motin prevailed. Fritz Stark appled for leave to build a mill-dam across Wood River, and a jury in the case was called, on whose report the petition was granted. The first divorce suit was begun and ended here at this time. Anna Margareth Elsabea Pap had her maiden name of Tiedge restored, owing to the fact that Johann D. Pap was absent from her for over two years. Martin Schimmer and Hugo Hald became citizens. The commencement fees for suits brought to this tem amounted to $35. The third term of court was begun May 3, 1871, although called for the first Monday in April. This was die to the inability of the judge to be present. Among the grand jurors (names not hitherto given) were Peter Peterson, James Touwt, R. C. Jordan, E. O'Brien, William Johnson, Damiel Wainright, Daniel Baker, J. G. Nagy, Patrick Nevills, L. Melson, Henry Egge, William Powell, J. W. Jones, George Cornelius, W. Rollins, George Williamson, Harry Norton, H. N Chapman, H. Makely, George Loan, James Baldwin and Joseph Jenneman. George H. Thummel and Sparks of the Illinois bar were admitted at this term, also J. A. Platt, who was examined and admitted on motin of O. A. Abbott. A judgment for $971.20 and costs was assessed by the jury against Joseph Smith, and in favor of McLean & Russell. Patrick Nevills, H. Obermiller, H. Garn, P. Peterson, C. D. Mevis, Alex A. Baker, Christian Hann, Carl Hann, Claus Hansen, Theodore Noll, Martin Horn, J. Boehl, John Hays, John Foulks, Jonathan Francis, John Quaine, John Davis, John Bishoff, Louis Engel, August Engel, Fritz Kruse, H. Bauman, Patrick Brett and Fritz Stark were admitted to citizenship. W. C. Buderos was admitted to the bar on motion of William H. Platt. At this time O. A. Abbott, G. H. Thummel and Charles H. Brown were appointed a committee to examine candidates for admission to the law circle. The indictment for manslaughter was returned against Thomas O'Neil, to which he answered "guilty." Judge Crounse sentenced him to ten hours hard labor per day in the State penitentiary, until April 1, 1881. The commencement fees amounted to $45 from suits entered at this term, as shown by the receipt of Treasurer F. A. Wiebe. In January, 1872, D. E. Marler, jailer, was locked in the cell by a prisoner named G. E. Mason, who escaped. Mason escaped once before; but owing to the severity of the weather, returned. The April term of 1872 was fixed to begin on Page 557 the 8th, but the judge not being present, Clerk Wallichs had to resort to the plan of adjournment. On the 9th, however, Judge Ccrounse appeared upon the scene with E. F. Gray, attorney for district, and William M. Spiker, sheriff. The grand jury comprised Michael McNamara, Henry Tempke, James Baldwin, W. H. Denman, L. W. Rollins, James Michelson, W. H. Mitchell, J. D. Schuller, E. B. Veeder, Samuel Huston, William Deuel, Joe Wesley, E. W. Brown, John Windolph, Charles Hoffman and John Calahan. On motion of Attorney John D. Hayes, J. H. Darnell of the Iowa bar was admitted to practice. New citizens were made in the persons of C H. Mink, John Pehrs and Paul Petterson. The carge of murder against George Williamson was dismissed by the grand jury. Charles Ross was sentenced to tighteen months' hard labor for larceny, and indictments for a similar offense returned in two other cases. John Buenz, Henrich Scheel, Theodore Scherzberg, Thomas Nevills, Charles Scherzberg, Christian Wasmer and George Williamson were admitted to citizenship, and the marriage relations between Elizabeth and John Bishoff were dissolved on the former's petition. The commencement fees paid over to Charles Reulberg at the close of term amounted to $20. Court was called for April 14, 1873, but the usual absence of Judge Crounse led to adjournment. On the 15th the clerk adjourned to the 16th, and on that day, owing to the continued absence of the judge, adjourned sine die. The resolution of the commissioners of April 23 1873, calling for a term of the sidtrict court, was answered by Judge Samuel Maxwell May 12, who appointed June 30 as the first day of term. Judge Maxwell presided, with M. B Hoxie district attorney, and clerk and sheriff as in 1872. Adolph P. D. Egge, Henry Pieper, Henry Gulzov, J. M. Oltmann, H. Kruse, Hans Ruge, Sievert Wendt, F. Wilde, C. Engelke, Peter Jehrs, Jacob Suhr, H. Boersen, F. Hues, William Engel, Peter Meesch and James Buenz were admitted to citizenship. On July 1, 1873, John D. Hayes, G. H. Thummel, E. F. Gray and W. H. Platt were appointed a committee to examine applicants for admission to the bar. Thomas Harrison was admitted on their repor. Henry Nunn of the Illinois bar was admitted on motion of John D. Hayes. Paul Frauen, Claus Frauen, Peter wiese, Charles Ried, Lawrnce Kilkenny, Patrick Kilkenny, Martin Nolan and Hohn Graham became citizens, and later Henry Wiese, Geoge Thavenet, Hans Behrens, Geoge Lorenzen and Louis Lorenzen followed their example. The amount of commencement fees turned over to Treasurer Hagge was $70. The October term of 1873 opened on the 27th with the same judge and officials as in June of this year. Joe Jeneman, Rasmus Nielson, Chris Dieks, Edward Hooper, Heinrich Dederichsen, Henry Rief, Adolph Baasch and J. C. Ohlsen were admitted to citizenship. The celebrated case of Hall County vs. Charles Ruelberg et al. was presented October 28, O. A. Abbott representing the county. David Beach was tried by a jury of which C. W. Felt was foreman, found guilty and sentenced to one year in penitentiary. The charges against Anna Cross and W. H. Anderson, questionable house-keepers, and "Sandy" and Speunce, common gamblers, were presented, while the suit against Ex-Treasurer Ruelberg was dismissed without prejudice to future action at the request of the commissioners, tendered by County Attorney O. A. Abbott. The April term of 1874 opened with Judge Maxwell presiding; M. B. Hoxie, district attorney; John Wallichs, clerk, and William A. Deuel, sheriff.* A heavy contingent of foreigners applied for admission to citizenship, and William Johnson, Nicholas Bonson, Ehrick Prahm, Peter Mohr, John Liedemann, Henry C. Ahrens, Peter Meinert, Charles M. Horn, Daniel Baker, Hans P. erickson, John Hauss, Robert Froberg and George Boehm were admitted. At this time the first probate petition was heard-George W. Hulst, administrator of Jesse Turner estate, for leave to sell ___________________________________________ *On March 16, 1874, William Nicholson, the jailor, while placing a prisoner in the cell, was seized by Joe Clark and James Duff and jailed. The two desperadoes escaped; but John Ellis, charged with murder, refused to accompany them. Page 558 real estate. A few civil and criminal cases were presented. The October term opened on the 26th with the same judge and officers as in April. John G. Schaupp's petition for leave to build a mill-dam across Wood River was presented, and a jury ordered in the case. Henry Schimmer, Henry Kasbari, D. M. Reuter, Claus Panstian [Paustian?], George Grantham, Jurgen Heesch, George Leger, Herman Oehlrich, Charles Christiansen and George Greve were admitted citizens; Amilia Wire was granted her petition of divorce from Edward; Warren Thummel was admitted to the bar on motion of William H. Platt, and the acceptance of a receipt from Treasurer Hagge for $60 commencement fees closed the record of the term. The April term of 1875 was opened on the 12th, but, owing to the absence of Judge Maxwell, adjourned to the 13th, when George J. Spencer was admitted to the bar; the petition of Emilie K. Balling for divorce was granted; Frederick Muntzert, Niels Hansen, John Bolders, William McCracken, Niels Anderson, L. Rasmussen Astrup, Claus Eggers and Ferdinand Loehle were admitted to citizenship, and Emma Grabach indicted for merder in the second degree. The commencenemt fees amounted to $45. The May adjoured term opened and concluded May 8, 1875. Charles R. Smith was admitted to the bar on motion of John D. Hayes; M. R. Abbott, James Holden and John Holden were admitted to citizenship, and Emma Grabach was sentenced to one year in the State penitentiary without solitary confinement. A notable law case grew out of the title of the Union Pacific Railroad company, known as the Union Pacific Railroad Company vs. W. H. Platt. It appears that some point in the contract of the company with the United States bound it to dispose of all the land grant prior to 1875. Secretary Schurz held that the company had forfeited their rights to lands then unsold, and under this ruling Platt pre-empted a one-fourth section within what is now Grand Island. The railroad company entered an action for trespass, but Platt enjoined the proceedings. Before Judge Dundy of the United States District Court the case was decided in favor of the company; but the defendant Platt carried it to the United Sates Supreme Court, which confirmed the decision and settled the question of the land grants. The October term of 1875 was remarkable for the lengthy docket presented. C. D. Culver, of the Illinois bar, was admitted to this bar; Daniel Ertel, John Genz, John Hendricks and John Johnson were admitted to citizenship. The term was opened by Judge Maxwell and closed by Judge George W. Post. The latter, on January 12, 1876, fixed the time of holding regular tems of court in the counties forming the Fourth judicial district-Hall, Merrick, Platte, Colfax, Dodge, Saunders, Howard, Seward, York, Butler, Polk and Hamilton. Judge Post opened the February term here on the 23d. Martin Ott, Hans Rief, Friedrich Schleichardt, John Mahony, Thomas Mahony, Hans Wiese, Henry Wiese, C. Clausen, Kasper Hein, Johann Hinrich Rief, Werner Foellmer, Fritz Tamsen, Claus Grotzke, Carl F. Petersen, Peter Laubach, Ludwig Schultz and Fritz Wiese were admitted to citizenship. Chrostophr T. Hall was admitted to the bar on certificate of the United States district clerk of Wyoming Territory. Loring Gaffey and A. M. Stevenson, who were examined by Messrs. W. H. Platt, J. D. Hayes and Henry Nunn, and Arthur E. Pinkney by Messrs. Abbott and Thummel, were admitted to the Nebraska bar in September. Henry Streeve, Nicolaus Mildenstein, Peter D. Thomsen, Peter Schuhmann, J. E. Meth, F. A. Schieck and Othman A. Abbott were admitted to citizenship during this term, and a number of civil cases disposed of. The February term of 1877 commenced on the 20th, Judge Post presiding, with M. B. Reese, district attorney, John Wallichs, clerk, and W. A. Deuel, sheriff. The names of grand jurors show very few of the veteran jurors of past years. Martin Brett, Gustave Schaurup, Hans A. Klingenberg, John C. Stark, M. Hokinson, H. Buensen, Bryan Harcy, W. Guenther, Patrick Higgins, John Lammert, Heinrich Graack, Christian E. Lykke, C. Schaurup, Nicholas Rauert, Claus Klindt, Christian Nieberger, Hugo Oehrich, Hans Page 559 J. Moehler, A. Blunk and Arnold Oehlrich were admitted to citizenship. The adjourned term was held in April. Mrs. Esther Johnson's maiden name-Esther E. Frye-was restored on her own petition. Ernest Marquardt, Carl Daberkow, Peter Thomsen, Michael Kroeger, Joachim F. Dibbern, Bertha Wiese, Charles Stolle, Peter Mohr, John Mohr, Juergen Giese, John Lemburg and Carsten Lemberg were admitted to citizenship; while in September, 1877, a similar service was performed in the case of John Allan, the present district court clerk, Michael Kroeger, August Dobberstein, John L. Johnson, John Anderson, Detrick M. Sweeden, Caroline Pettersen, Pereke E. Pettersen, Jacob Giese, Christian Ipsen and Henry Reese. The admission of George H. Caldwell, a West Virginia lawyer, to the Nebraska bar, is of the record at this time. The February term of 1878 shows only one change in teh official list, Joseph Killian, sheriff, vice Deuel. Alex. Campbell was admitted to the Nebraska bar on testimonials from Michigan and Iowa. A long list of new citizens marks the first day of this term: Thomas Francis, Ellen Kearney, Fred Spangenberg, Gottfired Keinge, Michael Mullen, Thomas Mullen, Bridget F. Mullen, Catherine Francis, Dirk T. Witt, Claus Dammann, Herman Schipman, Max T. Voss, Carl Gatzke, Adolph Schipman, C. H. Kruse, Loren Nelson, Marx Opp, Ehrhard Opp, Christ. Opp, Johann Opp, Henry Drews, Nicholaus Adams, Erlan G. Carlson, Frank Geerssen, W. Freund, George Loan, Henry Irvine and Mado Anderson renounced allegiance to their old oppressors. George Thompson was indicted for burglary, was found guilty by a jury, of whom Nathan Britton was foreman, and sentenced to one year in penitentiary. In September, 1878, the following-named were admitted to citizenship: John Hyland, Fred Campbell, Heinrich Wulf, Gustav Schieine, Franz Guenther, Miles Lyons, Charles Beinecke, Peter Claussen, Joohann J. Gissell, Carl W. Wallgreen, Mark Lyons, Adam Simon, Simon Uhrig, Patrick Kane, Heinrich C. Stienbeck, the Widow Messa Dammann, W. P. Nicholson, John Pohlmann, Jacob Erickson, Julius Buss, Henrietta Beinecke, Carl Schaub, Carl Guenther and Edward Bussell. Edward Wilson, who pleaded guilty to the indictment for burglary, was sentenced to two years in the penitentiary. John R. Thompson, of the Iowa bar, was admitted to the Nebraska bar in February, 1879, on motion of T. O. C. Harrison. George H. Thummel and M. J. Gahan were appointed commissioners of insanity; Miles Christensen, Frederick Wiegert, Jens Larsen and Henrietta Scherzberg were admitted to citizenship; Charles Davis was sentenced to one year in the penitentiary for burglary; Thomas J. Morgan, Wilhelm Glause, Lorenz Gulzor, Christian L. Frey and Carl Schultz were admitted citizens in May, and in September following, there were admitted Owen Curry, Robert Beckman, Carsten Bosselman, Johann D. H. Koch, Christian Otto, Theo. Brustim, Lawrence Michael and Johann G. Schieck. The March term of 1880 was opened by Judge Post on the 2d. M. B. reese was district attorney, B. C. Wakeley (succeeded by E. M. Battis), court reporter, Charles Rief, clerk, and Joseph Killian, sheriff. At this time the work of naturalizing for eigners commenced in earnest, and large lists of those admitted to American citizenship find their wasy into the court journal. M. B. Hoxie, P. S. Batte and M. B. Reese, a committee appointed to examine candidates for admission to the bar, reported favorably on the petitions of George B. Darr, D. H. Burroughs and George W. Trefren, who were admitted. The trial of Frank Lawrence for murder in the first degree occupied much of the attention of this term. Messrs. Reese, Thummel and Platt represented the State and Messrs. Abbott, Caldwell and W. H. Bell the defendant. The jury, of which James Ewing was foreman, brought in a verdict of "not guilty." In October, 1880, Austin H. Moulton was admitted, and in September, 1881, Herschel A. Edwards was admitted on motion of J. K. Thompson. In the fall of 1885 [1881?] an attempt was made to burn the court-house and jail by some desperate prisoners. In August four prisoner, William H. Thurman, a forger, August Pitreet, a horse thief, Clar- Page 560 ence McClain, a seller of mortgaged property, and John Moody escaped. With the aid of a small fire-shovel they bored through the concrete floor, and burrowed thence to liberty. The murder of Valentine Gulcher occured near Grand Island, February 19, 1888 [1882?]. The coroner's jury found August Moeller guilty of the crime. The trial of George Hart* for the murder of Michael Kress commenced in September, 1881, but was continued to the next term. March 1, 1882, a jury, of whom N. Child was foreman, found the prisoner guilty, and Judge Post sentenced him to be hanged June 15, 1882. Messrs. M. B. Reese, Thummel and Platt represented the State, and Messrs. Abbott, Michael and Caldwell the defendent. In February, 1882, H. C. Denman was sheriff and Frank Sears, clerk, vice Killian and Rief. Very little business was tranacted during the fall term proper, but at the adjouned term, held in January, 1883, a very extensice civil docket was disposed of. Henry E. Clifford was admitted to practice on January 9. In the fall of this year Thomas Darnall presented the "whisky indictments" to the grand Jury, and that body knowingly did retun them for trial on specific evidence pointing out the defendants to have sold and delvered "a certain spirituous liquor, commonly called whisky." ______________________________________ *The case was carried to the supreme court, but without success, when exective clemency was asked. Although the scaffold was ready for the execution it was not given a victim, as the death sentence was commuted, and instead imprisonment for life imposed. The April term of April 10, 1883, was opened by Judge T. L. Norval, with Thomas Darnal, district attorney; E. M. Battis, court reporter; H. C. Denman, sheriff, and Frank Sears, clerk. The whisky cases and the trial of stephen Binfield, Henry Bonsen, Nicholas Bonsen and Fred Whittler, for murder in the second degree, were presented, and Richard C. Glanville was admitted to the bar. On September 8 Stephen Binfield was found guilty of manslaughter by a jury of whom William Stolley was foreman, and sentenced to ten years in the penitentiary. The February term of 1884 was opened by Judge Norval, February 12; Thomas Darnall, distict attorney; John Allan, clerk; H. M. Waring, reporter, and James Cannon, sheriff. In October, 1884, Winfield S. Hayman was admitted a member of the bar. The transactions of the last few years belong principally to the civil docket. The officers present at the October term of 1889 comprised F. B Tiffany and T. O. C. Harrison, judges; E. B. Henderson and C. W. Pearsall, reporters; W. R. Bacon, prosecuting attorney; E. A. Wedgwood, sheriff, and John Allan, clerk. While the county has been exceptionally favored by the absence of heavy criminals, the civil docket has always been full, and the court records spread out over several volumes. The record of elections points out the contests for court positions and the last election shows the return of Sheriff Costello, vice Wedgwood. Transcribed by Kaylynn 2000 © Kaylynn Loveland, Hall County NEGenWeb Project (End of File)