NEBRASKA HISTORY AND RECORD OF PIONEER DAYS VOL I, NO. 2, MAR 1918 Transcribed from a copy of the original publication by the submitters. Submitted to the USGenWeb Nebraska Archives, January, 1998, by Ted and Carole Miller (susieque@pacbell.net). 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. *************** NEBRASKA HISTORY AND RECORD OF PIONEER DAYS Vol. I, no. 2 - March 1918 (Original had no Table of Contents) Sergeant Anderson, of Funston (photo ID of WW I pictures at NE & Camp Funston) 1 Frank Rosewater's "... Golden Age" (book donation) 1 History and Patriotism (in schools) 1 NE History in Nebraska Schools, Study of 1 Who started the War? 1 Present Day NE History 1 Burt County History (new courthouse, original blockhouse site of 1854 settlers from NY) 1 Historical Society: Field Work - survey of Pawnee & Richardson Counties 1 Fort Kearny Flagstaff (donation) 2 Nebraska and the Mexican War (incl history of Old Fort Kearny) 2 Gifts (Donations) 2 Letters of Appreciation (from members) 2-3 Thurston County History; Bit of (Formation of Farmers Wives Society) 3 NE House of Representatives Service Flag - representing members, & sons in service 4 Free Homestead Colony Reunion - group that settled near Gibbon, Buffalo Co in 1871 4 Platte River (Spanish, French, Indian and American names) 4 Douglas County Pioneers (group organized in 1906) 4 Howard County: Old Settlers Historical Society meeting 4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ NEBRASKA HISTORY WHO STARTED THE WAR? AND RECORD OF PIONEER DAYS ---------------------------------- Winning the war is the immediate Published Monthly by the Nebraska question. To that all the gifts, and State Historical Society virtues and resources of the American ----------------------------------nation are dedicated hence-forward Editor, ADDISON E. SHELDON until the end. But neither the nation Associate Editors nor the people can have justly in The Staffs of the Nebraska State mind why we are in the war and what Historical Society and must be done when it ends unless Legislative Reference Bureau there is a full understanding of its ----------------------------------origin. Two years ago the editor read Subscription $2.00 Per Year carefully through all the documents ----------------------------------published by the different European q All sustaining members of the countries giving their version of how Nebraska State Historical the war started. He reached a very Society receive Nebraska clear opinion on the case at that History without further payment. time. Within the last six months he q Application made at Lincoln. has again gone over all the old and Nebraska. for admission to new evidence offered. The opinion is mails as second class matter, clearer and stronger. There is need under act of July 16, 1894. of a brief pamphlet in popular ----------------------------------language to summarize this evidence VOLUME and the conclusion which it I. MARCH, 1918 NUMBER 2 irresistibly indicates, viz: that it ----------------------------------was planned and pushed upon the world by the Imperial Government at Berlin. SERGEANT ANDERSON, OF FUNSTON In book form there is the volume "The Evidence in the Case" by Beck. But we Sergeant Clyde Anderson, of the have seen no brief, effective headquarters company of the 355th pamphlet. Infantry, at Camp Funston, has -------- rendered a gracious and important service to Nebraska soldiers and PRESENT DAY NEBRASKA HISTORY - to the State Historical Society by naming about fifty group The history of Nebraska today photographs of soldiers taken centers about the World War. Twenty either in Nebraska or at camp. thousand Nebraskans are already in Many or these groups are most uniform. Before the war ends there interesting pictures of may be a hundred thousand. All the Nebraska's part in the world war. home life is concentrated upon the They will be mounted with other issue. All that we think or say or do war photographic collections and is colored by the war cloud. The will be eagerly studied in future history of Nebraska at the present years. time is the history of Nebraska's ------- part in the great war. The people of twenty years from now or a hundred FRANK ROSEWATER'S "GOLDEN AGE" years from now will wish to know the true story of these present months In the first half century of more than anything else. It is the Nebraska history the name or purpose of the Slate Historical Edward Rosewater will always have Society to gather from every source a prominent place. From his the records which shall tell this brother, Frank, of New York City, story. Among them are the pictures of the Historical Society has Nebraska soldiers in camp and at the received a gift of his new book. front, the letters written home by The Coming Golden Age, with the men in the service, the newspapers inscription upon the fly leaf, "A and books and songs written by Tribute to the faith which Nebraskans during these stirring converted the Great American times, the account of the Desert into a garden land." The organization of Nebraska for the book is the work of an idealist production of food, the raising of having for its chief thesis an, money, the creation of popular ingenious device for the peaceful sentiment to sustain the government. overthrow of capitalism by the For each of these kinds of historical use of what the author calls material the society has it purpose "Self money." and a plan. To house them all in a ------- noble Historical Memorial Building, for the instruction and inspiration HISTORY AND PATRIOTISM - of Nebraska through all future time, is part of that plan. It is well recognized now that -------- the most adequate method of teaching patriotism to the youth BURT COUNTY HISTORY - is through the study of the history of their own country. The Burt County Herald of March 22, American history is filled with 1918, has a beautiful illustration of the material to inspire a the courthouse just completed, also a patriotism of the highest type. description of a memorial tablet There are so many splendid placed on the courthouse by Niles R. examples of faith, fearlessness Folsom, the only survivor of the and sacrifice in the story of our little band of immigrants who came country that when these are from Attica, New York, and settled in properly presented to children Burt county in the fall of 1854. This they cannot fail to respond. The tablet records that the new war is proving that we need a courthouse stands on the site of the more thorough and rapid old blockhouse built in 1855. An Americanization of our various attack by Indians on the settlement elements to be ready for a great at Fontenelle, in the summer of 1855, crisis. Of the many legitimate led to the organization of a militia methods for achieving this result company at Tekamah soon after, of none will be found more effective which Benjamin R. Folsom was chosen than the true teaching of captain and his son, Niles R. Folsom, American history in our common orderly sergeant. It was decided to schools. This should be taught erect a fort or blockhouse of logs, the child in the English forty feet square and two stories language. It should not exalt war high. After roll call and drill each as the sole form of patriotism. morning, the men were detailed for ------- work, some to cut logs in the timber east of Tekamah, others to transport STUDY OF NEBRASKA HISTORY IN the logs to the site, where they were NEBRASKA SCHOOLS - hewn and the building was erected. This blockhouse was later fitted up It is an important suggestion as a hotel. Judge Eleazer Wakeley which comes from Mr. N. P. Dodge. held the first term of court in Burt Jr.. regarding the pioneer county just sixty-one years ago, in a stories and inspiring incidents hall on the second floor of this of this commonwealth and their building. use in the schools. Five years -------- ago the editor published the HISTORICAL SOCIETY FIELD WORK first volume designed to meet this need in Nebraska schools in For many years, the Historical his book, "History and Stories of Society has wished to make a thorough Nebraska." Each year since then historical survey of the older has seen a wider use of Nebraska settled parts of the state. From time history study in our schools. The to time expeditions have been made by suggestion that each county ought members of the office staff to the to make use of the best more important historical localities historical material connected and valuable results have been with the history of that county secured. What has been most needed is is a good one. Where a well a systematic survey which would written county history exists, - secure important historical material such as the one of Antelope from the homes and the memories of county by A. J. Leach, of Buffalo the early settlers; the collection of county by S. C. Bassett, or early documents, weapons, tools and Dakota county by M. M. Warner, - implements for the Historical library a copy of it should be in every and museum; the photographing and school district library. Some of filming of historical sites and the county histories published persons and the making of a record have been chiefly planned to get which would serve as a guide to all money for biographical and the important historical material in business "write-ups." It is to be each county. hoped that each county in Mr. Frank A. Harrison has been Nebraska may soon achieve the secured to begin such a survey in the honor of a patriotic county southeastern section of the state history written by a competent during the present summer. Frank was person, long resident of the "raised" there. He knows the names of county, with the purpose of all the dogs on the farms of Pawnee preserving the record of the and Richardson during the early early years in a truthful and years. He knows the boyhood tricks inspiring form. and escapades of all the politicians whose careers began in that section. He knows whose girl they courted and whether she married the "other fellow" or not. He knows where the log schoolhouses and crossroads stores used to stand. He knows and loves the memories of those early years when we were all poor and ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 Nebraska History and Record of Pioneer Days ------------------------------------------------------------------------ barefooted and neighborly. He that the secretary of war, in his will endeavor to visit every report for that year, not only old settler and every keeper of recomended the appropriation "for historical documents and erecting military posts from the historical articles in that Missouri River to the Rocky Mountains," part of Nebraska. He is fully but also the organization of the authorized to receive Nebraska country into a territory; and applications for membership in in 1845 President Polk recomended the the Historical Society and to establishing of posts along what had transact any other historical now become "the usual route" and that business for the success of his an adequate force of mounted riflemen work. be raised to garrison them. Accordingly, on May 19, 1846, the ------- congress made the appropriation and on [Image] March 31, 1847, a call was made on the state of Missouri for a regiment of (handwritten: See D387) mounted volunteers, a part of which was to be attached to establish the posts THE FORT KEARNY FLAGSTAFF. along the Oregon Trail. But the whole regiment was sent to Mexico. A The historic flagstaff of battalion of similar troops, styled Fort Kearny, pictured above, is Missouri Mounted Volunteers, was then in the Historical Society organized. and after a sharp contest museum where it has been for Dr. Ludlow E. Powell was elected to many years. Colonel W. 0. command the battalion by the men of the Dungan, of Minden, owner of the organization. The command, comprising farm upon which the site of five companies with 452 men and 25 Fort Kearny is situated, writes officers arrived at Fort Leavenworth the following to the editor early in August, 1847. On September 5 regarding the history of this it started for Table Creek, arriving flagstaff: there September 15. It was too late in The best information I can the season to proceed at once to Grand gather from Major Talbot and Island where the new fort was to be Sergeant Holland is, the established; so upwards of sixty log flagstaff was shipped down the cabins were built at Table Creek in Mississippi River and up the which the soldiers were housed until Missouri to Leavenworth and spring. On May 13, 1848, most of the there hauled by ox team to the original Command - 375 men and 18 fort in the forties, right officers - resumed the march to Grand after the Mexican war. They Island, where it arrived June 1 and thought it was 65 or 70 feet proceeded forthwith to establish New high. The flag could be seen Fort Kearny. for a distance of 20 miles The first military post or Nebraska around. It was in the ground was established in 1819. It was about 12 feet and must have situated on the Council Bluff of Lewis broken off just above the and Clark and was called Fort Atkinson. water's edge, and what you have (Fort Leavenworth was substituted for there is it lower end. There it in 1827.) Fort Atkinson was was another red cedar staff. I established for the double purpose of thought that was the original protecting American traders from flagstaff until we raised one hostile Indians and the encroachments at one of our reunions, and we of British traders. By 1836 it was found the one you have. I sent thought that a post was necessary that with a section of the farther up the river than Leavenworth, pontoon bridge with our Kearney and accordingly the Congress passed an county exhibits to the state act authorizing its construction. In fair and then turned it over to 1838 Colonel Stephen W. Kearney decided the Historical Society. that Table Creek was the proper place for the new fort, but the specific site ------- for it was not selected until May 23, NEBRASKA AND THE MEXICAN WAR 1846. The blockhouse, the first building, was erected in June. At that When the Mexican war began, time Colonel Kearny thought that Table in 1846, there was no Nebraska; Creek would be the main starting point but the vast plain extending on the Missouri River for Oregon from the divide between the emigration: but it was soon decided streams which flow directly that the location was too far north, into the Missouri River and and it was abandoned in a few months those which flow into the after it was actually occupied. The Platte, on the north, to the site was chosen for wintering Colonel divide between the Kansas and Powell's command on its way to Arkansas rivers on the south, establish the new Fort Kearny because and from the Missouri River on the blockhouse and two or three other the east to the Rocky Mountains rather unimportant buildings might be on the west, was called "the useful. The place began to be called Nebraska country" - because Nebraska City in 1852. Nebraska was the first or The following story, which I copied Indian name of the principal recently from the Daily Missouri river of that region. It is now Republican (St. Louis) of May 30, 1846, called the Platte. is very interesting in this relation. At this time the Nebraska "OLD FORT KEARNY." country was yet a part of a still greater territory which, Col. Kearny, with one hundred and by an act or congress passed in fifty dragoons, were taken on board the 1834, was set. apart as "Indian steamer Amaranth, at Fort Leavenworth, country," from which white on her last trip up, and proceeded to settlers were interdicted. But Fort Kearny, on Table Creek, a new fort in the meantime this country established about fifteen miles below had become well known and Council Bluffs. Above Weston, on her important to white people on way up, the boat struck a snag, which account of the extensive travel carried away the guard under the cook through it to Oregon and house, and the whole of its contents California. Emigration to were lost in the river; which accident Oregon was encouraged by the caused a great deal of inconvenience, federal government on account as the cooking for the whole company on of the rivalry between American board had to be done with a small stove and British interests for its on the after deck. possession. Col. Kearny returned on the Amaranth So as early as 1841 the to Fort Leavenworth, where he first secretary of war recommended heard of the orders of the President the construction of a chain of for the expedition to New Mexico. The military posts "from the dragoons which Col. Kearny took up with Council Bluffs to the month of him were left at the site of the new the Columbia," for the fort. protection of the emigrants. By General Brooke, commander of this 1844 the emigration to Oregon division, went up to the site of the had become so important and had new fort, on the Amaranth, and returned so distinctly established the to the city yesterday evening. We are lower and permanent trail, via unable to learn at what time Col. the Platte River, Kearny will move on the expedition to which he has been ordered by the Government. ALBERT WATKINS -------- GIFTS RECEIVED BY HISTORICAL SOCIETY FROM JAN. 1, 1918 TO APRIL 1, 1918. A Shingle Rive. Used by William Young, of Cass county, Nebrnska to split, shingles used on his cabin, built in 1855, on secttion 12, township 11. range 13. Presented by David A. Young of Murray, Nebraska, a son of William Young. Indian hoe found in 1855, grown into the forks of a tree in Cass county. Presented by David A. Young, of Murray, Nebraska. A Winnebago beaded pincushion presented by Mrs. Mary Baird (?) White. She received it from a cousin who had received it from a Winnebago Indian about seventy-five years ago. Two photographs of Company L, at Albion, Nebraska. Presented by Mrs. Al. M. Claflin of University Place. Photographs of Red Cross girls at Cook, Nebraska, presented by Harriet Wilson. Photograph of Seward Red Cross solicitors. Presented by Dr. C. F. Roth, captain M. R. C. U. S. A. Swiss watch works, found near Denver. Loaned by William Kline. From Mrs. Fred R. Kingsley, of Minden, an interesting collection of stationery, bearing advertisements of the U. S. Sanitary Commission, which was the Red Cross organization of Civil War time; also old-time state bank notes of the Towanda and Lancaster banks in Pennsylvania and the Bank of Tennessee in Nashville, dating from 1841. From Walter C. Kern, of Pawnee City, a collection of historical card posters, illustrating the first sixty years' history of Pawnee county - from 1854 to 1914. These historical cards are approximately 6 by 12 inches in size and are different in their plan from any other historical literature we have seen. -------- LETTERS OF APPRECIATION. Many letters of appreciation and information are received at the State Historical Society office. The stimulus which these give is so strong and genuine that the editor passes some of it along to the readers of Nebraska History. I received volume XVIII and have read it with great interest, and ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Nebraska History and Record of Pioneer Days 3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I congratulate the Society on the every number of it. We have often efficiency of its work, and I am thought of issuing such a sure it will continue in its good publication, but there have been endeavors. obstacles in the way which we have not thus far been able to overcome. John C. Cowin, Omaha. The following very interesting I have received Volume XVIII and letter comes from D. A. Yonne, of congratulate you on its information Murray, Cass county: and attractiveness. Enclosed find blanks filled out having just had copy of the John D. Haskell, Nebraska History. I am very much Wakefield. interested in Nebraska history. I came to Nebraska March 5. 1855, I think your plan to make a with my parents. My father was volume of history regarding farmers elected surveyor at the first organizations in Nebraska a good election held in Cass county then one. I came to Nebraska with my later was commissioner. I own the parents when a little boy almost old place yet that my father bought forty- seven years ago, arriving in of the government at $1.25 per Pawnee county on May 12, 1871. I acre. I have some of his papers. I was raised on a, farm and knew have a diploma given him for farm something of the farmer's life and products in '58 or '59 at the know that the history you are county fair held at old Rock making will be very interesting to Bluffs, and I have an old Indian the farmers. hoe that was found grown into the forks of a tree. It was found in David W. Neill, Pawnee 1855. If anything of this kind City. would be acceptable I would lend them to you to be taken care of, I enjoy the books and pamphlets for the younger generation does not from the Society immensely. I have take the interest in back things a friend here who would like to now that older people do. become a member. From N. P. Dodge, Jr., Of Omaha, J. R. Swain, Greeley. comes the following valued note: Let me express to you my I am with you in your work appreciation of the honor of being elected one of the directors of Josiah Miner, Friend. this Society. I am wondering what conld be done Don't you think that in your to create a greater interest in history of farmers organizations this Society. Usually I have that of the farm mortgage business constructive ideas along these should be taken up? The greatest lines in other organizations, but I economic question in all history is must confess that I haven't given farming - food production. I think sufficient thought to the matter to in the history you propose it make any suggestions in this should be asked and answered, "Why letter. When I burrow into the the tremendous farm mortgage archives of pioneer days in this indebtedness which is still country, as shown in the letters increasing by leaps and bounds? and diaries of my uncle and father, What is the cause; what is the and realize how little time I have cure?" had in my busy life to even edit some of their work, which they William Stull, Omaha. hoped would some day be of interest, I am fully aware that the I find much that is interesting in average person has even less Nebraska History and Record of interest or time. Pioneer Days. Why couldn't we start with the new generation and get into every Francis E. White, Omaha. public school in the state pioneer history that would tell in I send check for your monthly attractive stories, incidents that magazine. I do not know whether it would emulate the pioneers and is generally known that the Arikara their rugged character instead of are an off- shoot of the Pawnee the silly stories about "Frederick tribe, as also the Pawnee Picts. the Great" and "Kaiser Wilhelm" or Both these tribes visited the the "Cherry Tree Story of George Pawnee here in the sixties. Washington." I do not mean any disregard to Washington, for I do E. A. Gerrard, Monroe. not believe the story is true, and I do not believe in continuing I am surely glad to see your new false stories about great men if journal. We are beginning on the any true ones can be found. Every 1819 celebration at this point. county could probably have a little historical book that could be W. H. Woods, Fort utilized, and that would contain Calhoun. human interest stories, which would impress high principles upon the Find check for subscription to child mind. The older I get, the Nebraska History. We will send you more I believe in establishing our Bohemian farm paper, Hospodar, character before the child is and our Bohemian magazine, Kvety fifteen years of age, and although Americke. I do not believe in delegating that duty to the school, the facts are Roso Roslcky, Omaha. that the school has the larger part of the burden." I send my greetings to you and ------- the many old and good friends of A BIT OF THURSTON COUNTY HISTORY. the Historical Society and have read with interest your magazine. From Mrs. John C. Laughlin, of Pender, we have received a most Henry B. Ward, Urbana, interesting historical story of a Ill. woman's organization in that County, founded by her mother, Mrs. Enclosed find check. I am T. H. Graves. Slightly abridged, interested in the preservation of her story is as follows: the state's history. By authority of an act of congress, passed August 7, 1882, a L. A. Berge, Walton. part of the Omaha Indian reservation was opened to settlers. As Mr. Bryan is away I take the Accordingly, on October 30, 1884, liberty of sending you his name as T. H. Graves and wife located in a a sustaining member with enclosure. prairie schooner on 160 acres of the rich land in that region. When Mary B. Bryan, Miami, their home was established, Mrs. Fla. Graves, ambitious and farsighted for her home surroundings, invited I hand you herewith draft for my all the women within five miles of brother, John G. Maher, who is in her, home to meet at her house. the army and absent from the city. August 6, 1885. where they organized the Farmers Wives Blake Matter, Lincoln. Society. The by-laws of the organization present an interesting Find herewith check for $6.00 to view of the ideals of its founders. pay sustaining membership in the They are as follows: Nebraska State Historical Society for John W. Groff, Fred H. 1. This society shall be called Richards, L. D. Richards. Wishing The Farmers Wives Society and shall you success. meet once in four weeks at any place designated by the president. L. D. Richards, Fremont. Its objects are to promote social intercourse, to profit by the I am interested in your Nebraska experience of others, and to seek History journal and in the volumes instruction in the duties of the of the Society. With personal farmer's wife. greetings and good wishes. 2. The officers shall consist of president. vice president, Melvin R. Gilmore, secretary and treasurer. Any woman Bismarck, N. D. may become a member by signing the constitution, all money bring I am in receipt of No. 1 of raised by subscription. Nebraska History and Record of 3. That the society may not be a Pioneer Days for which I thank you burden or a care to any one person and enclose check for membership every woman shall bring from her dues. store of eatables anything she may find convenient; the one receiving Albert Coolidge, North the society provides tea, butter, Platte. biscuits and other condiments. 4. That this society shall not And from that rugged pioneer of say bad while it aims to do good, a the old freighting days comes the fine shall be imposed on any woman following generous western who speaks disparagingly of response: another. I enclose check on Merchants 5. At every meeting some subject National Bank, Omaha for $10. shall be presented for Please accept same as a donation to consideration at the next meeting. help along in your good work. The subject shall relate to anything that pertains to the John Bratt, North Platte. happiness or comfort of a farmer's wife. With a great pleasure I have 6. Lest we forget the object of received, just now, from you the our society, and make it an 1917 report, where at three advertisement of the latest styles hundredth page I had the glad in fashionable attire, every woman opportunity to see my name elected is required to wear a plain home as a corresponding member. I thank dress. you for this great honor and 7. Every woman may bring her own promise to do all I call in behalf work unless some case of of the institution. destitution shall be presented to this society, or some member Antonio Carlos Simoens da Silva, through sickness or other domestic Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. affliction needs assistance. 8. While this society is designed Many thanks for kind sending of for the farmer's wife, none are volume XVIII, Publications of the excluded and all are assured a Nebraska State Historical Society, cordial welcome. containing my remarks before the 9. To give every woman a chance meeting of January, 1910, as also to do what she can to make the memorial notice and portrait of our society a success there shall be a friend, Mr. Clarence S. Paine. change of officers every year. In matter and in mechanical 10. Each member is taxed 10 cents make-up the volume is a model, a year, which shall be paid at the reflecting credit alike on the annual meeting for papers and other Society and on its able editor. magazines. Allow me again to urge the importance of minute local record To say that the organization wits and collection while you still have a success puts it too mildly. It with you the pioneers, the Indians grew in membership until something and the landmarks. like 150 members were enrolled. With thanks, and with remembrance Each meeting was more interesting to friends, and best wishes of the than its predecessor. It was season. maintained continually nearly until the death of its founder, August 4. James Mooney, U. S. 1913 . Ethnologist. When the first farmers institute was held in Thurston county, in E. F. Stephens writes all the way February, 1896, the Farmers Wives from Nampa, Idaho, to become a Society joined in the meeting. It sustaining member of the Historical had already created in the homes of Society. No man has a better right the neighborhood an atmosphere to a place on Nebraska history than which welcomed the farmers Mr. Stephens. The founder of the institute and every other movement Crete nursery in 1871, he was for to make life better and brighter. more than forty years one of the When the membership of the foremost orchardists in Nebraska, Farmers Wives Society became so and thousands of people will be large that it could no longer be picking fruit from Nebraska trees accommodated at any one home, it during this century, all divided into a number of smaller unconscious that they owe a debt to clubs, among which are the Pender Mr. Stephens for the trees. Mr. Woman's Club, the Kensington Club, Stephens' share of the Idaho apple north of Pender, the Mothers Club, crop of 1917 was 54,000 bushels. He east of Pender, and the Woman's is president of the Idaho State Country Club, south of Pender. All Board of Horticultural Inspectors. of these have large membership and William E. Connelley, secretary are progressive societies, of the Kansas State Historical Society, writes to the editor: I have enjoyed looking over No. 1. of Nebraska History and Record of Pioneer Days. It is a valuable publication and we wish to file ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4 Nebraska History and Record of Pioneer Days ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Image] 1686 - Rio Grande, The Grand or Great River. Father Posada, OFM (handwritten: See C1495) 1720 - Rio Jesus Y Morin, River of Jesus and Mary. Captain Velasur. NEBRASKA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES' 1720 - Rio San Lorenzo, River St. SERVICE FLAG, Lawrence (South Platte). Captain EXTRA SESSION, 1918. Velasur. 1795 - Rio Chato, The Flat or This flag is a gift to the Shallow River. J. B. Truteau and Nebraska State Historical Society James Mackay. from the Nebraska House of French Names. Representatives in special session, March, 1918. The three large upper 1658 - Riviere la Fourche, The stars represent three members of Forked River, Radisson and the House in the United States Groselliers. military service, the fifteen small 1700 - Riviere des Panis, Pawnee stars represent sons of members in River, Le Senor. the United States military service. 1710 - Riviere des Missouris, The list of members and sons Missouri River. Mall or Senex. follows: 1739 - La Platte, the Flat or Members in service: FRANK C. Shallow river. Mallet, Brothers. RADKE, JOHN H. HOPKINS and CHASE 1739 - Riviere des Padocas, the BURROWS. Padouca or Comanche River, (North. Tile following members of the Platte). Mallet Brothers. House of Representatives of the 1742 - Belle Riviere. the Nebraska legislature have sons in Beautiful River. Laverendrye. the United States military service: 1757 - Riviere a la Graisee, Andersen, Crist, (Boyd) - Two Greasy River (South Platte). sons, Jacob P. Anderson, Rudolf Bougainville. Dewey Andersen. 1757 - Riviere a la Coquille, Cronin, Dennis H., (Holt) - One Shell River (North Platte). son, Julius D. Cronin. Bougainville. Dau, Will. G. J., (Dodge) - One 1840 - Riviere au Cerf, Deer son, Peter J. Dau. River. Father De Smet. Gormly, William, (Kearney) - Two Indian Names. sons, W. R. Gormly, Glen Gormly. Harris, J. E., (Buffalo) - One 1739 - Padocas, Padouca or son, Oliver Ben Harris. Comanche River (North Platte). Hoffmeister, Fred, (Chase) - Two Mallet Brothers; Lewis and Clark. sons, Geo. W. Hoffmeister, Chas. 1757 - Wabiek, Shell River (North Hoffmeister. Platte). Bougainville. Jackson, George, speaker, 1757 - Ouonaradeba, Fat or Greasy (Nuckolls) - One son, Earl Jackson. River (South Platte). Bougainville. Neff, P. B., (Knox) - One son, Kitzkatus, Flat or Shallow Everett Neff. River. Skidi Pawnee name. Nesbit, John F., (Burt) - One Nebrathka (Nebraska), Flat or son, Andrew Nesbit. Shallow Water. Omaha name. Schneider, R. A., (Douglas) - One son, Hammond Lloyd Schneider. K'odalfaton, Necklace-shell River Tracewell, G. E.. (Cherry) - One (North Platte.) Kiowa name. James son, Roy Tracewell. Mooney, (17th Report, Bureau of Waite, George G., (Lancaster) - American Ethnology. p. 411.) One son, M. S. Waite. ------- K'olalpäkcia pa, Sioux River THE FREE HOMESTEAD COLONY REUNION. (North Platte) Kiowa name. (17th Bureau of American Ethnology The forty-seventh annual reunion Report, p. 411.) of the Soldiers Free Homestead K'o dalp K'i a p'a, Sioux River. colony which made settlement in the (North Platte.) Kiowa name. James vicinity of Gibbon, Buffalo county, Mooney. (17th Report, Bureau or Nebraska, on April 7. 1871, was American Ethnology, p. 411.) held in the parlors of the Panheska Wapka, Shell River Presbyterian church on April 6. (North Pork). Sioux name Seventeen members of the original Don p'at, or Goose River (South colony responded to roll call. Pork). Kiowa name. Including descendants, eighty were American Names. in attendance. Both dinner and supper were 1840 - The Nebraska River. Father served. There was a brief program De Smet. of music and recitations, the time 1840 - The Deer River. Father De being largely given to visiting and Smet. renewing oldtime friendships. 1840 - The Bighorn River. Father Ten members of the colony De Smet. association have died within the 1840 - The Platte River. Father year, eight of the number being Do Smet. members of the original colony, 1876 - The Shell River (North namely. Mrs. Lora Davis-Thatcher, Platte Fork.) Captain Jas. H. Cook. Mrs. Eva Putnam-Vanduzer, Mrs. Cora La Barre-White, Mrs. Mary (Rev.) Michael A. Shine. Brady-Traut, Mrs. Carrie Gilmore-Marsh, Harry A. Lee, George ------- Lowell, and Robert H. Hick; also DOUGLAS COUNTY PIONEERS. Ruth and Sadie Thatcher, daughters of Mrs. Lora Davis-Thatcher. The Douglas County Association of The original colony comprised 140 Nebraska Pioneers was organized families. The officers for the February 1, 1906. It has today over ensuing year are Mrs. L. W. Bailey, twelve hundred members. It is one president; Mrs. Stephen of the strong social institutions Stonebarger, secretary; Miss June of the great city of Omaha. It has Bassett, treasurer. - S. C. B. numbered among its presidents such ------- well-known men in Nebraska history THE PLATTE RIVER. as George B. Lake, B. E. B. Kennedy, Martin Dunham, Joseph The following is only a partial Redman, Thomas Swift, Frank X. list of the various names by which Dellone, Absalom N. Yost, Martin J. the Platte River was known in the Feenan, August Locknar, Jonathan past. Edwards, and William R. Kierstead. Spanish Names. The present president is David H. Mercer, ex- congressman. At his 1541 - Rio Quivira, (Skidi-ra), invitation the editor hereof River of the Wolf or Skidi nation. addressed the members of the Coronado. association March 14 on the subject 1541 - Rio San Pedro Y San Pablo, of Nebraska history and what the St. Peter and St. Paul's. Coronado. State Historical Society is doing for its recognition. Some of the things the Douglas county pioneers are doing ought to be told for the example and inspiration of others. First of all,their democracy. In a state as rich as Nebraska amd in a city as big as Omaha caste groups begin to show. Some have more money than their neighbors and are trying to let the fact be known. Social "sets" appear. Beginnings of class hostility are visible. Now your genuine old settler has no use for anything of the sort. One of them may have a million dollars and the other a humble cottage - they are still Bill and Hannah and Joe and Mary to each other. They wish their children to have the same outlook. So, of all the democracies I have found in fifty years of Nebraska life, the old settler democracy is among the truest and kindest, and the Douglas county pioneers are among the chief in that respect. One of the finest touches of this democracy was the report upon sick members and their visitation by the flower committee. This report was joined in by a number of members; and it was perfectly plain that, no matter how humble or, infirm, each member of this Douglas county democracy was made to feel the tender personal interest of his fellow members. The association meets regularly once a month. It has social festivals and feast days besides. It publishes a little booklet with the names of all its members, living and dead, the date when they came to Nebraska and, if departed, the date of their long journey hence. Long life to the pioneers and may their children revere their memory and imitate their virtues! ------- IN HOWARD COUNTY. The Old Settlers Historical Society of Howard county met in annual meeting at St. Paul on April 13 and reelected the old officers for the ensuing year, towit: J. N. Paul, president Paul Anderson, first vice president. Z. T. Leftwich, Second vice president Robert Harvey, secretary N. J. Paul, treasurer The meeting was largely attended by the pioneers of the county, and considerable business of importance was transacted. One of the important features of the meeting was the appointment of the Clerk of the district Court to act as custodian to receive, number, register and preserve the photographs of all Howard county men already in the service, now being called, and hereafter to be called to the colors, as an honor roll of the men making the great sacrifice of their lives for their country. Robert. Harvey ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Produced for NEGenWeb, 1998 by Ted & Carole Miller