NEBRASKA HISTORY AND RECORD OF PIONEER DAYS VOL II, NO. 3, JUL-SEP 1919 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. II, no. 3, Jul - Sep 1919 Table of Contents (Original had no Table of Contents) Council Bluff Historical Park 1 Newspaper Department 1 Pershing's Wreath to Lafayette 1 Geo. A. Hunt, Pioneer, Legislator (Crete, Saline, NE) 1 Fort Atkinson Centennial: 2-4 Celebration of Founding of the First Fort & White Settlement in Nebraska 2 Lewis & Clark Marker 2 Reunion of Pioneers (Washington & Dodge Counties) 2 The Fort Calhoun Committee 2-3 County Memorial Buildings 3 Why Fort Atkinson was Established 4-5 Historical Library, Lincoln (books added to collection) 5 Pioneers Passed On 6 HEROLD, Mrs. Elizabeth O'Neill - Cass Co. STANFORD, Henry - Cass Co. PATTERSON, John W. - Richardson Co. BEHRENS, Hans - Hall Co. COX, Mary Harris - Richardson & Jefferson Co.s KRESS, Mortimer N. - Adams Co. WEST, Dempsey C. - Otoe Co. DOUGLASS, John E. - Madison Co. BRAWNER, Jefferson - Jefferson Co. STUKENHOLTZ, Mrs. Elizabeth - Nemaha Co. HALL, John Robert - Nemaha Co. BAKER, Marion - Nemaha Co. PONN, Joseph W. - Nemaha Co. NEAL, James Emory - Nemaha Co. (died in ID) JEFFRIES, Jesse - Otoe Co. WEBSTER, Mrs. John Lee (nee Josephine Watson) - Douglas Co. ELSASSER, Mrs. G. Fred - Douglas Co. PICKARD, Orin W. - Douglas Co. GRAVES, Mrs. Mahala Pearl - Cass & Nemaha Co.s GARVEY, Mrs. Mary - Douglas Co. SCOGGIN, F. M. - Gage Co. WEATHERHOGG, Thomas - Otoe Co. HOSCHOUR, Mrs. Orpha (wife of Abraham) - Saline Co. PERKY, Charles - Saunders Co. OLIVER, Edward - Buffalo Co. HUNZEKER, Jacob - Richardson Co. CANAGA, Thomas W. - Washington & Dodge Co.s BRUNTON, Mary Frances Carter - Washington Co. SIERK, Mrs. Juliane D. - Washington Co. WALDTER, Lewis - Nemaha & Gage Co. LOOMIS, Lucinda Bills - Otoe Co. COUNTRYMAN, Robert Emmett - Cass Co. WARD, Henderson W. - Cass Co. MALCHOW, William Frederick - Cuming Co. BARNUM, Hiram S. - Gage Co. Death of Mormon Historian - Heman Conoman SMITH, LDS 6 Historical Album - early settlers of Buffalo Co. 6 Nebraska's First University Regents - John Calvin ELLIOTT 7 Well Digging Relics - tools of Nels CHRISTENSEN 7 Nebraska Buffalo Hunt Advertised in England - 1871 8 Additions to the Museum - donations 8 Hall County Settlers - Herman E. VASOLD, first sheriff, dies in MI 8 Fort Atkinson Centennial, by E. E. Blackman (poem) 8 John Colter, Related to (early visitor to Yellowstone) 8 Nebraska Ambulances - WW I ambulance plates to NSHS 8 STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, CIRCULATION, ETC. 8 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ NEBRASKA HISTORY The busy newsgatherers are AND RECORD OF PIONEER DAYS compiling daily the history of ------------------------------------every nook and corner of the state, Published Monthly by the Nebraska with its tragedies and joys, its State Historical Society developments both mental and ------------------------------------physical, weaving wonderful life Editor, ADDISON E. SHELDON stories in these pages. Associate Editors It is the mission of the Society The Staffs of the Nebraska State to collect and preserve these Historical Society and valuable records. Many publishers Legislative Reference Bureau keep files only for a short time ------------------------------------Unless the county keeps them, the Subscription $2.00 Per Year records published therein are ------------------------------------frequently lost. This Society is q All sustaining members of the the only organization in the state Nebraska State Historical which endeavors to preserve these Society receive Nebraska papers, and we have calls from all History without further payment. over the state for help in finding q Entered as second class mail proof of publications. One incident matter, under act of July 16, will illustrate this: a town in 1894, at Lincoln, Nebraska, April Nebraska was in a fight about a 2, 1918. waterworks system, the clerk's ------------------------------------books during the year the ordinance VOLUME JULY-SEPTEMBER, was passed, were lost, and the II. 1919 NUMBER 3 newspaper publishing the legal ------------------------------------notices had no files of the paper. What appeared to become it THE COUNCIL BLUFF HISTORICAL PARK long-drawn out wrangle was Two centennial celebrations have concluded quickly by finding the now been held at Fort Calhoun. The desired papers stored safely in our first commemorated the Lewis and vaults. Clark Council with Nebraska ------- Indians, August 3, 1804. The second recalls the establishment of Fort PERSHING'S WREATH TO LAFAYETTE Atkinson in 1819-20 and with it the The tomb of Lafayette at Paris coming of school, library, farming, is most difficult to find. It is in factory and other companions of the back garden of a convent in the civilized white settlement to the Rue Picpus. Readers of Victor Nebraska region. Hugo's Les Miserables need no As the decades and centuries introduction to the Rue Picpus, for come and go, the beginnings grow in it is the scene of Jean Valjean's importance, honor and public most thrilling adventures. Last consideration. The places of December, after an hour's search of historic interest will grow into that quarter of Paris, I found objects of perpetual pilgrimage and myself standing in front of a high patriotic inspiration. In Nebraska wall with an iron-barred gate. Thru a few such places will become a peephole an eye appeared when I famous. touched a button. After One of these is the Council explanations of my mission I was Bluff plateau at Fort Calhoun. A admitted, but my camera was at once hundred years hence it will be put in cold storage. Led by the another Plymouth Rock in interest attendant I followed a winding path and attraction, visited by tourists through shrubbery, around corners. from all parts of the world for its under heavy doorways, until in a commanding beauty and for its remote corner he suddenly pointed pioneer associations with the Great out the tomb, smothered with West. flowers and with a large United It is time now at the end of a States flag above it. With what hundred years to dedicate to the emotion an American stands for the public use the places made first time, uncovered at the grave memorable in our history and of Lafayette! Dear to the preserve there in permanent form imagination of every patriotic all that recalls the deeds of the American schoolboy every detail of past. We have already delayed this his life. What a scene! All about too long. are the blazoned monuments of Fort Atkinson stood on a noble French nobility, most of whom died bluff overlooking the Missouri in the French revolution. The tomb valley for many miles. It is also of Lafayette, modest and low, is in the site of the Lewis and Clark the farthest corner of the Council. An historical park should ___________ the wall. Laying my own be made here. A building to tribute on the tomb I noticed the preserve the many relics of the large metallic wreath of ___rs should be in the park. An immortelles left by General John J. automobile drive should circle the Pershing a few weeks before. I told park, giving a view of the Missouri the attendant that I was from the valley. The expense of such a park home of General Pershing. He should be met jointly. by the quickly bent over, picked a leaf citizens of Fort Calhoun and the which had been broken from the state. Plans to achieve this result Pershing wreath and fallen on the will be worked out during the tomb, gave it to me in silence. And coming months. that is how a leaf from the ------- Pershing wreath on the tomb of Lafayette is one of the treasures OUR NEWSPAPER DEPARTMENT in the museum of the Nebraska State The newspaper department of the Historical Society. Society is now receiving four ------- hundred and nine of the state publications. These include all but GEORGE A. HUNT, PIONEER AND sixty-eight of the papers or LEGISLATOR periodicals of any description George Artist Hunt died at his which are published regularly in home in Crete on July 6, 1919. Mr. Nebraska. Hunt was born in Chili, Ohio, The papers now coming cover all November 28, 1846, while his of the state from Harrison to Falls father, Jacob S. Hunt, was in City, and from South Sioux City to service in the Mexican war. He was Haigler. Besides the regular also captain of Company G, Fifth newspapers, all classes of people Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry in and societies are represented, such the Civil War. The Hunt family came as the Lincoln Trade Review, the to Nebraska in December, 1862, and Omaha Trade Exhibit. the Western settled in Saline county on the Banker, the Philatelic West, of Blue River below Wilber. Captain Superior, devoting its pages to the Hunt was the first probate judge of interest of the coin collector. Saline county, elected in 1867, and There are several farm magazines, a member of the House of and there are children's Representatives of the third publications, such as Every Child's legislature - which met in regular Magazine, and Homeless Children's session in 1869 - from the tenth Advocate; and we have teachers district comprising the counties of magazines, religious and political Saline, Lincoln and Kearney. publications - Indian, Danish, George A. Hunt was employed at German, Jewish and Catholic; and the Comstock or Oak Grove ranch, on the Christian Record, of College the Little Blue River, when it was View. published in the point system attacked by Indians on August 7, for the blind. 1864. He was wounded in the thigh by a rifle ball. On October 18, 1862, he enlisted at Bellevue, as a private, in Company D, Second Regiment, Nebraska Cavalry Volunteers, and was discharged on September 18, 1863. Mr. Hunt freighted across the plains with an ox team and carried mail on horseback between Camden and Swan City, Nebraska, in the early '60s. He married Mary A. Bickle of Crete, April 5, 1868; in 1875 moved to Wilber, engaging in a general merchandise business continuously for nineteen years. In 1899 he moved to Crete, where he lived until his death. Mrs. Hunt died in 1901, and in 1907 Mr. Hunt was married to Mrs. Mary Sampson. He was a commissioner of Saline county from 1862-1883 and from 1909 to 1915, and a member of the House of Representatives of the 27th and 28th legislatures - of 1917 and 1919. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 Nebraska History and Record of Pioneer Days ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE FORT ATKINSON CENTENNIAL --------------- Six Thousand People Celebrate the Founding of the First Fort and White Settlement in Nebraska, October 11. --------------- Colonel B. W. Atkinson, Grandson of the Founder, and Colonel G. L. Townsend, of the Sixth Infantry - - Omaha Indians, U. S. Soldiers from Fort Omaha, Pioneers of Washington and Douglas Counties; Patriotic Societies, Join in Observation of the Day. [Image] (handwritten below picture - "See D 173") Col. B. W. Atkinson in foreground Background panoramic painting used in pageant of founding of Fort Atkinson at centennial celebration. Saturday, October 11, about six At three o'clock the pageant, thousand people assembled on the "Landing of the United States Army historic plateau, sixteen miles and Greeting by Omaha Indians," north of Omaha where now stands the under direction of Curator E. E. village of Fort Calhoun. In the Blackman of the State Historical assembly were: U. S. 20th Infantry Society. This was given in the open band, Fort Crook; Blair Military air with a large background, twelve Band; Balloon Corps, U. S. army, feet high by sixty feet in length, Fort Omaha; Omaha Chapter Daughters painted by Charles Plein, showing of American Revolution; Isaac the keel boats, the steamboat Sadler Chapter Daughters of 1812; Western Engineer and the river Soldiers of Civil War, Spanish War front along the Council Bluffs a and World War; Uniform Rank Modern century ago. Woodmen of America; Washington At five o'clock the U. S. county pioneers; Douglas county balloon corps staged the balloon pioneers; delegation of Omaha ascension from the hillside near Indians (some of them in the park. A gentle breeze from the automobiles); board of governors southwest carried the balloon over Omaha Ak-Sar- Ben; school children; the plateau where stood old Fort citizens of Washington, Douglas and Atkinson, above the military other counties of Nebraska and burying ground, above the site of Iowa. the first cantonment built by the Col. F. A. Grant, U. S. army, soldiers in 1819 on the Missouri was marshal of the day. In the River bottom and the rich fields parade which marched about the town where so much successful Nebraska were floats representing the farming was done in those early old-time ox team, the prairie years. An aeroplane whirled in the schooner, the Indian pony and sky at the same time. What travois, the soldiers and Missouri contrasts between the early river trappers of 1819, the frontier post on the border of the pioneers of Washington county, and western wilderness and the rich the soldiers of the World War. farms and flourishing cities of The park at Fort Calhoun is at today! the foot of the hill where stood the signal station of Fort Atkinson The Lewis and Clark Marker. a century ago. Here the exercises On August 3, 1904, the first of the day were held, with the centennial celebration was held on following program: the Council Bluffs plateau at Fort Music by Band. Calhoun. A glacial stone was placed President Everett Buckingham on the high school grounds by the waived the honor of introducing the Nebraska D. A. R., S. A. R., and speakers in favor of Secretary State Historical Society. The site Sheldon of the State Historical was not well chosen and part of the Society. program of the Fort Atkinson "The Historical Significance of centennial was the removal of the the Celebration," Albert Watkins. boulder to a better site in the "The Sixth Infantry Regiment, U. park. S. Army," Col. G. L. Townsend. "The Founders of Fort Atkinson," Reunion of Pioneers. Col. B. W. Atkinson. The pioneers of Washington and "The Grand Army of the Republic Douglas counties held their annual and Our Western Frontier," Captain reunion. Dancing on the platform in C. E. Adams. the grove was a magnet for the "The Pioneers of Nebraska," Mrs. young people during the afternoon Philip Potter. and evening. "The Sons of the American Revolution," Dr. B. F. Bailey. The Fort Calhoun Committee. Basket picnic dinner. The Fort Calhoun members of the celebration committee deserve warm recognition for the splendid teamwork done to make ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Nebraska History and Record of Pioneer Days 3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ their part of the centennial Publicity - Frank Adams, Fred H. celebration a success. They Frahm. D. C. Van Deusen. include, on the general committee, Transportation - D. W. Marr, J. D. Vaughan, H. J. Livingston, F. Merlin Wagers. J. Wolf, Rev. A. E. Hutchinson, The total amount of money raised Fred H. Frahm. in Washington county was $1,500; besides this $200 was donated by On the local committees: Everett Buckingham, $100 by Randall Local Committee - Rev. A. S. Brown and $10 by Dr. Harold Hutcheson, Frank Adams, H. J. Gifford, all of Omaha. In time and Livingston, Henry Rohwer, Fred H. service much more was given by the Frahm. military commanders at Forts Crook Concessions - H. J. Livingston, and Omaha and the men and women of Otto Kruse, Win. Sievers, Dr. E. S. all classes who cannot be named B. Geesaman, V. A. Boggs. here. Entertainment - Claus H. Jipp, ------- Merlin Wagers, Roy Slader. Parade - Frank Wolff, J. Howard COUNTY MEMORIAL BUILDINGS Beales, H. L. Morse, G. V. Beadle, Saunders county has organized a Mrs. D. W. Marr, Mrs. J. W. memorial and historical association Trisler. one of whose purposes is the Finance - Henry Rohwer, Wm. erection of a suitable memorial for Sievers, Otto Kruse, Ernest Rix, W. the soldiers and sailors of that P. Cook, A. W. Krambeck, Walter county in the World War. Delegates Goll from every part of the county were Grounds - Rev. A. S. Hutcheson, present at the organization J. D. Vaughan, Ira Dixon, H. J. meeting. It is proposed to make Livingston, Richard Sievers, Chas. this a permanent historical Snuffin, Claus Mehrens, Ira Wagers. building with the names of all Program - Mrs. Elsie Rix Cook, Saunders county soldiers upon its Miss Mary Enyart, Mrs. A. S. walls. The State Historical Society Hutcheson. will be glad to see such a memorial building in every county of the state. [Image] (handwritten below picture - "See D 173") Landing at Fort Atkinson Pageant. Foreground, a group of Omaha Indians and Soldiers in Uniform of old Regular Army. Background, pageant picture. [Image] (handwritten below - "See C 1298") ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4 Nebraska History and Record of Pioneer Days ------------------------------------------------------------------------ WHY FORT ATKINSON WAS ESTABLISHED guard against the hostility of By Albert Watkins Indians, who were "open to the influence of a foreign power," In my address at the centennial measures had been taken "to celebration of the event, on establish strong posts at the October 11, I undertook to answer Council Bluffs and the Mandan that question comprehensively - to village on the Missouri . . . " In show that the post was established the meantime the secretary, and on account of international presumably the president also, had complications which had an intimate discovered that relation to the titanic struggle of The position at the Council England with France and Spain Bluff is a very important one, and during more than two hundred years the post will consequently be the American phase of which began rendered strong. . . . It is at the to culminate in the conquest by point on the Missouri which England of the vast French domain approaches the nearest to the post called Canada in 1762; that the at the mouth of the St. Peters, other English colonies conquered with which, in the event of independence and then got rid of hostilities, it may cooperate. France and Spain by acquiring from Being but "180 miles in advance France what is called the Louisiana of settlements on the Missouri and Purchase, in 1803, and Florida from in the center of the most numerous Spain in 1819-21. Rightfully, and powerful Indian population west Louisiana belonged to Spain, for of the Mississippi," the secretary the Great Napoleon had acquired it believed it "to be the best only in trust in 1800. position on the Missouri," and Thus the United States finished aside from other objects, "ought to what England had left undone - did be established for that purpose just as England would have done if alone." But other considerations she had not lost her colonies by soon developed which superseded the revolution. About the time that these superior advantages. On the Spain lost Florida, Mexico, by 7th of March, 1827, an order was achieving independence, gained all issued by the war department for the rest of her territory in North establishing a post near the mouth America. of the Little Platte River, and on Even after the war of 1812, the eighth of May, Colonel Henry between England and the United Leavenworth reported the selection States, British fur traders of the site for the famous fort continued to trespass upon our which has always borne his name. On territory, and her powerful the 6th of June a flotilla of three organizations, the Mackinaw keel boats and four barges started Company, the Northwest Company of with the garrison and equipment of Montreal, and the Hudson Bay Fort Atkinson on the way to Company, controlled the business Cantonment Leavenworth. along our entire northern border The principal reasons for thus (which then extended not farther changing the location of the post west than the Rocky Mountains), and were, that it should be nearer the they skillfully induced the Indians Indians, who in great numbers were to aid them in the aggression. soon to be removed from their homes Immediately after the peace of east of the Mississippi River to 1815, Monroe, then secretary of territory now included in Kansas war, recommended that a military and Nebraska, and to the Santa Fe post be established at the mouth of Trail, whose traffic had lately the Yellowstone River. In 1816 become important. The report of Monroe was elected president, and Colonel Croghan, inspector general in 1817 John C. Calhoun, his of the army, after an examination secretary of war, undertook the of Fort Atkinson in 1826, that the great enterprise of establishing a Indians were at peace and "nothing chain of posts along the entire is likely to disturb the present northern border, to guard against quiet," and the almost fantastic the hostility of the Indians who, theory of General Jacob Brown, he declared, were "open to the commander-in-chief of the army, influence of a foreign power." An formulated in a letter to the act of Congress passed April 29, secretary of war, dated January 11, 1816, prohibited persons not 1826, that large bodies of savages citizens from going into territory could not find a secure retreat in held by Indians within the United the open country between the States without passports, and the Missouri River and the Rocky issue of licenses to such persons Mountains; that "Without the refuge to trade with Indians within the and protection of forests they United States. The posts were would not venture in the needed to enforce this act. prosecution of hostilities against In his annual message to us"; and even if they should, "it Congress on November 16, 1818, would not require a large command President Monroe explained the of well trained mounted infantry, status as follows: with a few pieces of light or With a view to the security of flying artillery, to disperse any our inland frontiers, it has been force of savages which might be thought expedient to establish collected to oppose them and, if it strong posts at the mouth of the should be necessary, sweep them to Yellow Stone River and at the the Rocky Mountains." Mandan village on the Missouri and Such fatuous misapprehension and at the mouth of St. Peters on the the interruption of the Civil War Mississippi, at no great distance prepared a proof of the pudding in from our northern boundaries. It sanguinary contrast to the pleasant can hardly be presumed while such fancy. As late as 1841, the posts are maintained in the rear of secretary of war expressed in his the Indian tribes that they will report his belief that a line of venture to attack our peaceable stockaded forts, with log inhabitants. A strong hope is blockhouses, advanced into the entertained that this measure will Indian country, "would afford likewise be productive of much good sufficient protection against an to the tribes themselves, enemy unprovided with artillery," especially in promoting the great and his "plan of defense" object of their civilization. contemplated no post at all west of Instead, there was intermittent Forts Snelling and Leavenworth. The warfare between whites and Indians practical opening of the Oregon "in all the wide border" in Trail the very next year, which was question up to the beginning of the so soon to compel construction of a sixties, and from that time almost chain of posts along its line, was continuous war, with many evidently, and it seems massacres, until by about 1879 all incomprehensibly, unforeseen. Lewis the tribes had been forced onto and Clark traveled about 3, 670 circumscribed reservations, where miles from the point which became their remnants still remain. the eastern terminal of the Oregon In his annual message of trail to Fort Vancouver, opposite December 7, 1819, the president the mouth of the Willamette. The reported that Trail cut-off reduced the distance The troops intended to occupy a some 1,700 or 1,800 miles. As the station at the mouth of the St. fur fields were extended southward Peters, on the Mississippi, have from the headwaters of the Missouri established themselves there and to the headwaters of the Platte, those who were ordered to the mouth traders more and more followed the of the Yellow Stone, on the valley of the great Nebraska river, Missouri, have ascended that river the best natural road of its length to the Council Bluff, where they in the world, to get to them. will remain until the next spring, Presently emigrants to Oregon when they will proceed to the place discovered that the rest of the of their destination. route beyond the Platte was Distance continued to enchant practicable, though difficult. the president's expectations At first, then, Fort Snelling, touching the Indians. "I have the high up on the Mississippi, and satisfaction to state," he Fort Atkinson and its successor, continues, "that this measure has Fort Leavenworth, were the western been executed in amity with the or rather, north western military Indian tribes, and that it promises outposts. Then, for the reasons to produce, in regard to them, all above indicated, in 1848 and 1849, the advantages which were the line - Forts Kearny, Laramie, contemplated by it." In less than and Hall - cut into the heart of four years - the spring of 1823 - the country. Until the Oregon there was a bloody clash between question arose - between the United American traders and the States and England - American chronically hostile Blackfeet, and interest in the northwest had been also with the Arikari. confined to the Nebraska country, There had always been jealous but it then crossed the Rocky opposition in the East to expansion Mountains into the Oregon country. in the West - against the Accordingly, President Monroe in acquisition of Louisiana, for his last message to Congress, in example; but in this case it was 1824, recommended the construction most strenuous in the Southwest. of a fort on the Columbia River, The scandals attending the for the purpose of protecting and Yellowstone Expedition, which was forwarding American interests in sent up the Missouri in 1819 to that debatable region. The dispute establish the proposed posts, so had become acute by 1841, and in strengthened this opposition that his annual report for that year the it was able to force the secretary of war recommended the abandonment of the principal part construction of a chain of posts of the enterprise and confine it to "from the Council Bluffs to the maintenance of but one post, at mouth of the Columbia, so as to Council Bluff, far below the two command the avenues by which the sites at first projected. On Indians pass from the north to the December 29, less than a month south, and at the same time after the president's announcement maintain a communication with the that the original plan would be territories which belong to us on carried out the secretary of war, the Pacific." Probably the in answer to an inquisitorial secretary had consulted Colonel J. letter from the chairman of the J. Abert, topographical engineer House committee on military affairs, said that "to ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Nebraska History and Record of Pioneer Days 5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ of high standing who in his report The site of 1855 was claimed of January 15, 1842, maintained at under the preemption act of 1841 length that the most practicable amended by the act of July 22,1854, route lay through the pass in the which permitted settlement on Black Hills at about latitude 44° unsurveyed lands. Lands in this 30', thence between the Hills and district were not surveyed until Big Horn Mountain, proceeding 1856. The Omaha Indians had ceded across the Three Forks of the this territory to the United States Missouri, down the Bitter Root on March 16, 1854. This first site River to its junction with Salmon comprised approximately the east or Lewis's river, and down that two-thirds of the northeast quarter river to the Columbia. The point of and the southeast quarter of the departure from the river, the southwest quarter, the northwest engineer said, should be somewhere quarter and the southwest quarter between the mouth of White River of the southeast quarter, the and the great bend - both now in northeast quarter and the southeast Dyman county, South Dakota. quarter of the southeast quarter of President Tyler approved the section 11; the northwest quarter, secretary's recommendation and gave the southwest quarter and the the same reasons for the enterprise southeast quarter of the southwest as Monroe and Calhoun had given quarter of section 12, and the part some twenty-five years before for west of a line running diagonally constructing the chain of posts from southeast to northwest across east of the mountains treating the the centers of the northeast Oregon feature of it in diplomatic quarter of the southwest quarter phrase - "establishing the means of and the southwest quarter of the safe intercourse between the southeast quarter of section 12, American settlements at the mouth all in township 17, range 12 east of the Columbia River and those on of the sixth principal meridian. this side of the Rocky Mountains . The extreme length of the site on . . " In 1842 the president the south side was about a mile and repeated the recommendations and 5" -12'; of the north side about said that while he would propose half a mile less; the width was nothing inconsistent with friendly half a mile, excepting the part negotiations to settle the extent affected by the diagonal eastern of our claims in that region, yet boundary. prudent forecast points out the The town of Fort Calhoun was necessity of such measures as may first incorporated by an act of the enable us to maintain our rights. fifth legislative assembly, But while science proposed the approved November 4, 1858. The site emigrant's instinct for moving comprised the east half of section along the line of least resistance 11 and the west half of section 12, disposed. In 1843 the great Oregon so that its northeastern corner colony demonstrated the boundary was approximately the same practicability of taking loaded as that of the original site, while wagons from Fort Hall to the its southeastern corner was more Columbia, which ended the projected than a quarter of a mile west of higher line and also Colonel the original corner. Abert's incidental plan of putting There is no reliable information back Fort Leavenworth to the touching the reason for applying original site at the Council Bluff. the name to the town, but possibly The first Fort Kearny was someone among its promoters knew established at Table Creek, now that the famous statesman of the Nebraska City, on May 23, 1846; for south had been instrumental in the ostensible reasons that it establishing the abandoned military would probably become the starting post and sought to commemorate the point from the Missouri River for event in this way. Oregon emigration and that it was The Santa Fe trail, which at in a dangerous Indian country; but first started from Franklin, Mo., the selection turned out to have and soon after from the same point been ill-considered, and at the end as the beginning of the Oregon of about ten months the post was Trail, leaving it about forty miles removed to the site on the Platte, beyond, was protected by Fort the first of the chain on the Gibson and Fort Towson, both Oregon Trail. It afterward became established in 1824. Fort Gibson necessary to cover the region west was situated on the east bank of of the line between the first the Neosho River, two miles and a principal posts on the border - half from its confluence with the Fort Snelling and Fort Atkinson - Arkansas. The site is about five with many military posts for the miles northeast of the city of protection of settlers and Muskogee, Okla. Fort Towson was travelers from hostile Indians. situated six miles west of Red Through scandalous mismanagement River and the same distance south the Yellowstone Expedition, which and east of the Kamichi, now in the ought to have started from its southern part of Choctaw county, rendezvous near the mouth of the Oklahoma. The town of Fort Towson Missouri in early June at the is situated about five miles north latest, did not leave until July of the confluence of the rivers, on 4th and 5th. Consequently it did the St. Louis & San Francisco not arrive at the Council Bluff railroad. Fort Gibson was named for until September 29th, too late to Colonel George Gibson, who was proceed any farther. So the plan commissary general of subsistence was changed and on the first of at the time the post was October the site was chosen for a established, and Fort Townson for post at the Council Bluff and it Colonel Nathan Towson, who was was occupied on the second. On that paymaster-general at the same time. day Colonel Atkinson issued the ------- following order: "A military post is to be THE HISTORICAL LIBRARY established at this place and is to The following books, through be called and officially known as purchase, gift or exchange, have soon as barracks are erected, by been received by this library the name of Cantonment Missouri." during the past three months: On January 5th, 1821, the name was Welsh Settlement of changed to Fort Atkinson by order Pennsylvania. of the secretary of war. Adam and Anne Mott, Their Fort Snelling is situated at the Ancestors and Their Descendants. confluence of the Minnesota and History of Hillsborough County, Mississippi rivers. Lieutenant N. H. Colonel Henry Leavenworth arrived History of Temple, N. H. there with the Fifth Regiment Year Books of the Holland Dutch Infantry, comprising 414 men, of Society for the Years 1887, 1888, which he was commander, on the 24th 1889, 1918. of August, 1819, and he selected Records of the Reformed Dutch the site on that day. Temporary Church of New Platz, barracks were immediately erected. N. Y. That the importance of the location The Kinnears and Their Kin, had been appreciated for many years 1165-1916. is shown by the fact that Chronicles of Pennsylvania. Lieutenant Zebulon M. Pike, the The George Catlin Indian famous military explorer, purchased Gallery. the site from the Indians on Catlin's Ojibbeway and Iowa September 23rd, 1805. Colonel Indians. Leavenworth named the post Fort St. Civilization Among the Sioux Anthony, but General Winfield Scott Indians. visited it in 1824 and soon Report of Visit to the Great afterward recommended that the name Sioux Reserve. be changed to Fort Snelling in Sioux and Ponca Indians. honor of Colonel Josiah Snelling, The Cheyenne. who was in command at that time. The Hawk Chief and a Tale of the The order for changing the name was Indian Country. issued January 7, 1825. Fort The Rescue of Kansas from Snelling was an important training Slavery. camp in the world war. Harman's Station. For many years the name Fort Violette's History of Missouri. Calhoun has been applied to the The Story of General Pershing. military post, but quite From Vauquois Hill to Exermont. erroneously. From the day it was With the Yankee Division in established until January 5th, France. 1821, its official name was Col. Benjamin W. Atkinson of New Cantonment Missouri and thenceforth York has presented to this Society until it was abandoned its official a handsome photograph of his and only name was Fort Atkinson. In grandfather, General Henry his proclamation of November 23, Atkinson. 1854, Acting Governor Cuming Dr. M. E. Vance has given this described the boundaries of the library a number of program eight counties in which the first pamphlets and badges relating to elections should be held and in the proceedings of the Nebraska outlining Washington county he State Dental Society. mentioned a place called Fort Miss Ida Robins recently turned Calhoun, but when a company platted over to the Nebraska State a town site by that name early in Historical Society library a number the year 1855, the settlement of books, some of which were a part comprised on two or three cabins. of the collection of the late Mrs. The act of the first legislative Mary A. Gibson. assembly establishing Washington county, approved February 22, 1855, designated Fort Calhoun as the county seat, and it soon became the most important town in the county. The county capital was removed to Blair in 1869. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6 Nebraska History and Record of Pioneer Days ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PIONEERS PASSED ON --------------- A Long List of Men and Women Who Have Made Nebraska and Their Reward. --- Gleaned from Nebraska History Exchanges. --------------- Mrs. Elizabeth O'Neill Herold, a Mrs. Mary Garvey died august 28; resident of Plattsmouth for resident of Omaha since 1857. sixty-five years, died July 14 at F. M. Scoggin, Beatrice, died the age of 78. Her father, James August 29; resided in Nebraska over O'Neill, Samuel Martin and Joseph sixty years, most of that time in L. Sharp built a trading house on Gage county; for some years carried the site now occupied by mail between Beatrice and Lincoln Plattsmouth in 1853, which was before the railroads were built. probably the first settlement by Thomas Weatherhogg, born in white men, though it is said that England, May 2, 1829, died in such an establishment was placed Douglas, Nebraska, August 31; there in 1851. emigrated to America in 1857; Henry Stanford, pioneer of Cass settled in Nebraska in 1865 and county, died in Elmwood on July 19, lived an extremely active life born in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, until only a few weeks before his February 2, 1852; settled in death at the age of 90 years. Nebraska in 1860. Mrs. Orpha Hoschour, wife of John W. Patterson, Peru, Abraham Hoschour, of Friend, Nebraska, born in Davies county, Nebraska, died September 2; born in Indiana, April 10, 1838, died July Girard township, Branch county, 3. He married Lucy Ann Grubwell Michigan, February 3, 1842; settled February 11, 1857, and settled in in Saline county in 1863 and became Richardson county, where he resided the mother of thirteen children. until 1913. Charles Perky, Wahoo, born in Hans Behrens, a resident of Hall Georgetown, Ohio, December 17, county since 1865, born February 1841, died September 5; served 15, 1836, died July 3, age 83 fifteen months in Company H, years. Seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Mary Harris Cox, Nebraska Infantry, reenlisted in Company A, pioneer, born in Nodaway county, 104th Regiment; mustered out at Missouri, December 15, 1843, died close of war with rank of July 4 in St. Louis; married Edmund lieutenant; came to De Soto, Cox in 1858 and settled in Nebraska, in 1866; in 1868 moved to Richardson county, Nebraska. In Saunders county, where he continued 1903 they moved to Fairbury, where to reside; deputy county treasurer Mr. Cox died in 1910. Mrs. Cox was and county treasurer for several the mother of sixteen children, terms; also mayor of Wahoo. nine of whom are living. Edward Oliver died in Shelton, Mortimer N. Kress, Hastings, Nebraska, September 6; born in died July 4, having homesteaded in Manchester, England, June 3 1836, Adams county in 1871. He passed in 1860 settled in Buffalo county through Nebraska in 1865 on his way at Wood River Center, now Shelton, to Colorado but did not become a and remained during the Indian permanent settler until six years trouble of 1864 when almost all later. Mr. Kress, generally known settlers were driven out; county as "Wild Bill," was a frontiersman, treasurer in 1879-1881, also held Indian fighter and scout and was public offices in Shelton at associated in the early days with various times. Buffalo Bill and other well known Jacob Hunzeker, pioneer of plainsmen. He was a veteran of the Richardson county since 1857, died Civil War. in Falls City, September 9. He was Dempsey C. West, Wyoming, the father of ten children. Nebraska, died July 5; born in Ohio Mary Frances Carter Brunton died May 31, 1844; settled in Otoe in Blair September 10; born August county in 1857, where he lived 12, 1853, in Adams county, Ohio; until his death. came with her parents to Nebraska John E. Douglass, Madison, died in 1856. She was the mother of July 5; was born at Uniontown, fifteen children. Her mother, Mrs. Pennsylvania, October 19, 1838; Jacob Carter, 91 years old, is enlisted in the Fifth Battery living in Blair. Indiana Volunteers for service in Mrs. Juliane D. Sierk, a the Civil War, was in the battles resident of Washington county since of Perryville, Stone River, 1865, died September 17. Chickamauga, and Chattanooga, and Lewis Wladter, of Wymore, killed took part in the siege of Atlanta. by a train September 18; settled in He reenlisted in Hancock's Veteran Brownville, Nebraska, in 1854; Corps and was stationed at moved to Humboldt, later to Wymore. Washington when Lincoln was He was a soldier in the Civil War. assassinated and was on duty during Lucinda Billis Loomis, pioneer the trial of the conspirators. Mr. teacher in Nebraska schools, died Douglass settled in Nebraska in September 18, age 76; daughter of 1866 and had been a farmer, Israel Loomis, who settled in merchant and banker. Nebraska City in 1856. Miss Loomis Jefferson Brawner, Fairbury, began teaching in that city, later born in Atchison county, Kansas, was instructor in Brownell Hall of February 20 1863, died July 6. He Omaha. She taught continuously in came with his parents to Jefferson Nebraska for sixty years. county, Nebraska, in August, 1863; Robert Emmett Countryman, for married Alice McVey in 1887 and sixty years a resident of Cass became the father of six children. county, died in Weeping Water Mrs. Elizabeth Stukenholtz, September 24, aged 86 years. Julian, Nebraska, died July 9; was Henderson W. Ward, Cass county born in Germany, December 24, 1831; pioneer, died in weeping Water, came to New York in 1852; married September 24; born near Frederick Stukenholtz; settled in Plattsmouth, January 16, 1862. Nebraska in 1859, where she lived William Frederick Malchow, until her death. pioneer Cuming county since 1864, John Robert Hall, pioneer of died September 24, aged 86. Nemaha county, born in Rutherford Hiram S. Barnum, resident of county, Tennessee, July 9, 1836; Gage county since 1859, died in died July 13 at the Soldiers Home Beatrice, September 30, aged 82; he in Milford; came with his parents was a veteran of the Civil War. to Nebraska in 1855 and settled ------- near Brownville; freighted across the plains both before and after DEATH OF MORMON HISTORIAN the Civil War; enlisted in the Heman Conoman Smith, general Second Regiment Missouri Infantry historian of the Reorganized Church and participated in several of Latter Day Saints, Lamoni, Iowa, engagements with Quantrell's died at Independence, Missouri, guerillas near Westport; reenlisted April 17, 1919. Though born in the in the Second Kansas Battery and South, in Gillespie county, Texas, took part in the Red River on September 27, 1860, he was of campaign; in 1868 married Luisa New England stock and Mayflower Whitlow and became the father of ancestry. twelve children, all of whom Heman C. Smith was a recognized survive. authority upon the history of the Marion Baker, Brownville, born Mormons, having been identified in Rockport, Missouri, January 8, with the Reorganized Church of 1862, died July 20; came with his Latter Day Saints from the age of parents to Nemaha county in 1863 twelve. He devoted his life to the and with the exception of a few work of the church and of recent years spent most of his life in years to its history, as editor of Brownville; he was mayor of the the Journal of History. He was the town in 1916. author of the Church History, Truth Joseph W. Ponn, Brownville, born Defended, The True Succession in in Lorraine, Virginia, May 31, Church Presidency, also many 1844; died July 31; served in the articles of general historical confederate army; settled in Nemaha interest. Since the history of the county at the close of the Civil Mormon church is closely connected War. with the early history of Nebraska, James Emory Neal, pioneer of Mr. Smith's work was of value Nemaha county, died in Boise, outside of his own denomination. Idaho, August 12; born near Urbana, ------- Ohio, October 26, 1831; homesteaded near Peru in 1863. A FINE HISTORICAL ALBUM Jesse Jeffries, Nebraska City, On the wall of the public born in Andrew county, Missouri, library in the city of Kearney is a April 29, 1850, died August 13; beautiful case with folding leaves, moved to Nebraska City in 1865, containing the photographs of 387 where he became a cabinet maker and of the early settlers of Buffalo wheelwright. county and attached to the case for Mrs. John Lee Webster, Omaha, reference is a brief biographical died August 20; before marriage was sketch of each person whose Josephine Watson of Belle Vernon, photograph is in the case, these Pennsylvania. They settled in Omaha arranged in alphabetical order. in 1869. Mr. Webster was president This collection of photographs of of the Nebraska State Historical early settlers of the county was Society for six years. made by Robert Haines, who settled Mrs. G. Fred Elsasser died in the county in 1872, both the August 14; born in Omaha in 1857; case and collection being presented is survived by her husband, who was to the library by Mr. Haines. This twice county treasurer of Douglas is an exceedingly valuable county, and nine of her fourteen historical collection and Mr. children. Haines is entitled to great credit Mrs. Mahala Pearl Graves died for this public spirited effort on August 27 in Peru aged 98 years and his part. 11 month; born in Knox county, Tennessee, September 24, 1820; married to William Graves in 1837; settled in Plattsmouth, Nebraska in 1863; a few years later removed to Rock Bluffs. She was the mother of eleven children. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Nebraska History and Record of Pioneer Days 7 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ FIRST NEBRASKA UNIVERSITY REGENTS on the use of terms they said marked me a sport. My association The act of the legislature which with the board was pleasant and established the University of profitable to me, and I greatly Nebraska provided that the board of regretted it was so short. I was regents should comprise twelve called out of the state by the members, three of them ex officio lingering fatal sickness of my and the others to be chosen by the father and never returned. two houses of the legislature in While pastor in Nebraska City I joint session - except the first organized the First Presbyterian nine, who should be appointed by church in Lincoln and was the governor. They were apportioned associated with Sheldon Jackson and equally among the three judicial T. H. Cleland in the great districts of the state. Incidental aggressive work for the church at to the pending celebration of the the time that the Presbyterian fiftieth anniversary of the general assembly, in 1900, starting of the university, I have authorized the erection of a taken much pains to ascertain the memorial monument on Prospect Hill, sort of men these first regents Sioux City. The city gave the lot, were, all that was practicable the monument was erected, our three about their careers, and the names were engraved upon it, and it present whereabouts of the few who was unveiled in 1912. are still living. One of the I am grateful for this results of this inquiry is the appreciation of my early church following very interesting enterprise and work. I have autobiography of Rev. John C. continued my church work through my Elliott, the short term - two years long life, mostly in Ohio and - member from the first judicial Oregon. My last was as supply in district. the Metropolitan-Presbyterian church, Washington, D. C., two ALBERT WATKINS. summers ago, and my very last in the Eckington church, also in the Seville, Ohio, March 27, 1919. District of Columbia, last summer. You see I have preached from ocean Mr. Albert Watkins, Historian. to ocean. Moreover I was with my My Dear Sir. Your letter of the son for a time while he was a 10th inst. is received in which you chaplain on the canal zone during requested my record before I was a the building of the canal. I regent of the State University, my preached back and forth across the conduct, while a regent and how I Isthmus several times. I have have occupied myself since. I shall preached on the Pacific in the comply with your request so far as morning and on the Atlantic in the I can recall, but I have lived a evening. Many men have preached long time and memory is treacherous across the continent but not many and I have no written notes to are privileged to preach on the assist me. tide water of the Pacific and the I was born on a farm in Wayne tide water of the Atlantic on the county, Ohio, July 18, 1839, of same day. Scotch-Irish stock and my parents' While in Nebraska City I was religious faith may be ____ from active in organizing a school which the fact that they named me after we called Otoe University. We the great reformer John Calvin. I secured for it an experienced went to the country school and sat educator from the east, but after a on the slab bench supported by four few years he became discouraged and round legs inserted in four augur resigned. Hoping to save it, I took holes. I was promoted to teacher of charge one year; but without funds that school when I was only 18 it was impossible to continue, and years old, for one year. I went the school was closed. In Ohio I immediately to Vermillion Institute was for fifteen years a trustee of at Hayesville, Ohio, to prepare for Wooster University and attended college. I finished my course in every meeting. I was the committee Western Reserve College (then at on the medical department and Hudson, but now Western Reserve prepared and delivered lectures on University in Cleveland) in the medical ethics. While in Oregon I class of 1863. During the year 1862 was a trustee of Albany College, the whole college went into the which is owned and controlled by Civil war for about five months. I the Presbyterian synod of Oregon. I was a private in the Eighty-fifth have managed to send all my Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, children, four boys and two girls, discharged in October, 1862. to college. Having decided while in college I am sending you a small book to enter the Presbyterian ministry, which I wrote on the demonitization I went, directly after graduation, of silver. I was pastor in Akron, to the theological seminary at Ohio, in 1893. Akron was a hive of Princeton, New Jersey. In April, industry, everybody had a job and 1865, I was licensed by the was _______ within three days, all presbytery to preach. In March, was changed. Practically all the 1866, I received a call by telegram shops and factories closed and five to become pastor of the church in thousand idle men were walking the Nebraska City. None of my sixty-two streets. They held a meeting in a classmates had thought of going so hall every day to discuss the far west, and to arrange such a situation and to discover, if matter by telegram was unusual at possible, what was wrong. They sent that time. a request to the ministerial I graduated from the theological association to meet with them and seminary in April, 1866 and was help them solve the mysterious married, on May 24, to Miss Marie problem. I was appointed on a Antoinette Stanley. I have taken committee and I met with them and good care of her for fifty-three bent all my powers to solving the years; so she is yet living and in puzzle. The result was this little a good state of preservation. We book which I called "These Hard arrived in Nebraska City by boat in Times." It had a wide circulation June and at once began our work. It from Maine to California but its was then a great freighting point largest distribution was in with corrals of oxen and mules and Colorado. This book was written covered wagons. There were forty before silver became a political saloons on one street leading party question. The editor of the straight west from the river. The Republican paper and I agreed good people gave us a hearty perfectly and he gave me full welcome. publicity. William McKinley, then governor of Ohio, sent me a letter (1) This was a "three months" in agreement. Mark Hanna had not regiment, organized in June. It was yet cracked his whip. kept for guard duty within the I am sending you also a larger state. Delay in mustering out was book, "Usury," which in a manner is caused by lack of money to pay the a sequence of "These Hard Times." troops. - Official Records, third Thoughtful friends and coworkers series, II, pp. 145, 549. - W. suggested there must be some wrong deeper than the silver crime, for When Nebraska became a state the if coinage of silver was restored governor appointed me visitor to the domination and oppressions of the state normal school at Peru. I wealth would remain. The do not recall the date, but I had restoration of silver would only be no associate in this service. I a temporary check. . . . I was only reported my own findings and work. encouraged to go on and demonstrate Neither do I recall the date of its wrong when I found that all appointment as regent of the good ____ since Moses up through university. My appointment as seventeen hundred years of the regent was a surprise to me as I Christian era had regarded it a had no personal acquaintance with sin, condemning and avoiding it. . the governor. Afterward I learned . . that my good friend Howard Kennedy Excuse me if I have written more had suggested and commended me. than you care to know, but when I This was a great gratification for got wound up and started I could he was an accomplished scholar and not stop until my story was gentleman, a graduate of Williams, told. Sincerely yours, and Nebraska had no worthier citien [sic]. I cannot recall the number JOHN CALVIN ELLIOTT. nor dates of the meetings I attended and I only recall vaguely ------- the proceedings. The plan and organization were copied from the WELL DIGGING RELICS University of Michigan, the most When in Scotts Bluff county last successful of our state summer the editor of this magazine universities at that time. They received from Grant L. Shumway two were carefully prepared by Mr. Gus very highly valued relics for the Harvey, an editor, who was made museum of the Historical Society. clerk of the board of regents, and They are a pick and shovel used by we later made him librarian of the Nels Christensen for more than university for the careful work he thirty years in digging wells on had done. (2) the high table lands between the The governor received plans for Lodge Pole and the Niobrara. The the first building from competing first of these wells is 300 feet architects; he made his selection deep on the farm of Charles Lundin and promised the architect to award about seven miles north of Potter. him the contract for construction. It was finished in January, 1889, He presented the competing plans and is still in use. Mr. for our inspection and approval. Christensen dug more than two miles The regents found they could not of wells, perpendicular measure, approve of the governor's with these implements. This preference, nor were they willing magazine has heretofore commented to endorse his promise of upon the moral heroism of the men construction. This was the first who dug the deep wells in Nebraska difficulty and struggle with the - a heroism fully equal to that of governor. I recall this so any soldier in any war. These wells distinctly because I was made the were absolutely necessary for the spokesman in the disagreeable duty settlement of the high divides. The of informing the governor that we editor of this department has dug did not approve his selection and at the bottom of a hundred foot had selected another. The most of well. That was deep enough for him. the irritations between the regents When it comes to 300 feet he takes and the governor arose from the off his hat to the man with the fact that being appointed by pick and shovel. Mr. Christensen had two narrow escapes from death (2) The records of the university in these deep wells. Once he was do not show that Mr. Harvey was 280 feet down when the rope broke named as librarian. The plan of with a bucket of dirt nearly at the government was adapted from the top and the loaded bucket fell. Mr. State University of Iowa, so that Christensen heard the noise, only the working organization could straightened up close to the wall, have been copied from the and the falling bucket shaved the University of Michigan. - W. skin from his nose, tore the clothing and skin from his chest the governor, the regents were and landed with a mighty thud at suspicious that the governor his feet. The man at the top was expected them unfailingly to agree sure Christensen was killed. He with him and approve his plans. left the windlass and went to a I do not recall that there were neighbor to secure help to get the any suggestions made as to the dead body out. When he returned religious character of the with help he was amazed to hear university. The regents were a Christensen calling from the genial and agreeable company of bottom. Many of these brave diggers gentlemen but religion did not come in Nebraska have been smothered to under discussion. Language was not death by caving walls. A man can always reverent, but never profane. think more serious thoughts (if he I was the only clergyman in the stops digging to think them) at the bunch, and they rallied me bottom of a deep well than any other place in Nebraska. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8 Nebraska History and Record of Pioneer Days ------------------------------------------------------------------------ A NEBRASKA BUFFALO HUNT ADVERTISED FORT ATKINSON CENTENNIAL IN ENGLAND By E. E. Blackman. The Historical Society has The calm and placid waters of the received a copy of a poster printed river's muddy flow in England in 1871. At that time Bore up the boats which brought the Burlington road had completed them to the land of sunset glow. its track from Plattsmouth to Their spirits rose in rapture at Kearney. Its land department was the scenes which they beheld - carrying a big advertising program The home thoughts of their loved in Europe as well as in America to ones in a rapturous chorus swelled. induce people to visit Nebraska. The sun, in golden splendor, sank One of the inducements was this behind the western hills poster designed to bring wealthy And the rolling prairie's verdure people from England to the Nebraska was a posy pot of thrills, plains. The poster reads as The scented air of autumn like a follows: tonic shook their frame "A grand buffalo hunt will be As the toil worn soldier climbed held in September next on the the bluff which still remains the prairies of Nebraska and Colorado, same. U. S. A., and through the magnificent valley of the The bison fled before them and the Republican river, the rich alluvial dust cloud hid the sky, feeding grounds of the buffalo. As back beyond the hilltops the "The Burlington & Missouri River bellowing thunders die. Railroad company owns millions of The speckled deer with antlers and acres, is one of the most wealthy the mild-eyed dapper fawn corporations in the western states Drank by the crystal lakeside - hid of America, and will assist this by the mist of dawn. hunting party in every way in order The eagle screamed above them and that the sportsmen of England may left his dead tree perch see the western country, and on Which towered above the forest like their return be able to corroborate the spire of an ancient church. the statements as to climate, The turtle dove in the distance resources and the gigantic mourned forth his doleful lay advancement made in so new a As the evening shadows lengthened country. on that eventful day. "There are no hostile Indians in Nebraska whatever; friendly chiefs The coyote barked his welcome, and of the Otoes, Pawnees and other the whippoorwill's delight tribes will accompany the party. Broke forth to greet the soldiers "Sportsmen will be provided with through the mantle of the night. army tents and beds during the The sleepy stars peeped forth as hunt. There will be servants to now and twinkled out their glee; take care of the horses, and in The katydid chimed in a song from fact all arrangements have been shrubs beneath the tree; made to give the hunting party the The tree toad sang his glad greatest amount of pleasure with refrain, the crickets caught their the least possible trouble. notes, "Wagons will be provided for the While bullfrogs near the river bank conveyance of any trophies of the all nearly split their throats. chase, such as buffalo skins, elk So, who could ask a welcome with horns and antlers in limited more of hearty show quantity. Than the soldiers met a Atkinson a "The sportsman has there a field hundred years ago? of nature's own planting on which to roam in pursuit of his healthy The council bluff, that autumn day, and invigorating pleasures; and sublime in green and gold, where can the lover of scenery find Beheld the scene the pageant grand greater, grander, lovelier view a century later told, than are to be found on the Beheld the coming millions which continent of America? rolled the century by, "Fare for the round trip of Beheld the red man perish, the deer about seven weeks, including every and bison die; expense except wines, liquors, Beheld the church spire rising cigars, guns, rifles and above the school and shop, ammunition, 90 guineas. The fields of corn, and golden "The arrangements will be such grain which reached its very top; as to admit of ladies joining the Beheld the green sward waving in party, but the charge for ladies splendor to and fro, will be 100 guineas each." When soldiers came to Atkinson one ------- hundred years ago. RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM Through another hundred summers Howard R. Peterson, former what scenes will it behold? member of the A. E. F., brought in Through another hundred winters sixty-one coins which have been what pageant will unfold? mounted in one of the oak cases and Ah! poets with your pictures and placed in the museum. Most of these artists with your brush were gathered overseas and Can you now paint the splendor on represent many European mints. coming with a rush? Ben Terry, of Alexandria, has Can you now catch the tracings of donated some interesting pageantry sublime? photographs of historic spots near Record for us the vision to be his home. produced by time, Sergeant John A. Ejnau?, of Or see the future changes as years Omaha, contributed an interesting flit to and fro collection which he gathered As soldiers did at Atkinson a overseas, while serving in A. E. F. hundred years ago. Mrs. Howard J. Hill, of Lincoln, ------- contributed a collection of heirlooms and other interesting RELATED TO JOHN COLTER articles, among which is a fine A very interesting letter has collection of horns. recently been received from Mrs. Mrs. Cather, of 1525 H Street, Mary Colter McAllister, regent of Lincoln, has loaned the suit worn Platte Chapter, Daughters of the by her brother, C. W. Kaley, of Red American Revolution, Columbus, Cloud, when he was on the staff of Nebraska. Mrs. McAllister is Governor Mickey. descended from the Colters, a Mrs. Peter Mortensen, of Ord, Scotch-Irish family who were among has given a large portrait of her the first settlers of Virginia. husband, Peter Mortensen, one of Members of the family served in the the pioneers of Valley county and Revolutionary War and the War of twice elected state treasurer. 1812. Her grandfather was a brother A leaf from the metal wreath on of John Colter, who was with the the tomb of General LaFayette was Lewis and Clark Expedition, joining brought by Secretary Sheldon from them at St. Louis. He left the overseas and deposited in the party on the return trip to hunt museum. and trap in the Yellowstone region. A. H. Ware, of Lincoln, Nebr., He and a companion by the name of has presented to the Society a Potts were captured by the number of interesting curios. Blackfeet Indians. Potts was killed Dr. Miles J. Breuer has but Colter had a miraculous escape, presented a number of maps and returned to St. Louis and told of photographs. the beauty and wonders of the A. M. Roberts, of 1700 No. 31st Yellowstone. Some of his stories of St., presented some ancient spouting geysers and sulphurous telephone instruments and other gases were so uncanny that the relics. place was familiarly spoken of as The Fort Atkinson centennial "Colter's Hell." celebration resulted in a large ------- number of photographs which have been added to the museum. NEBRASKA AMBULANCES The fact that exhibit room in The Nebraska Women's Relief the museum is no longer available Corps and Grand Army of the prevents many large and valuable Republic presented ambulances to collections from being deposited General John J. Pershing for use here. Every new article added must overseas. The presentation plates crowd out some specimen of less attached to these ambulances were interest, into storage. Even returned by General Pershing to storage room is at a premium, and Mrs. Jennie Rodgers of the Women's little advancement in the growth of Relief Corps and will find a our museum can be expected until resting place in the Historical adequate expansion room is provided Society museum. by the state. ------- ------- On July 27 rededication services THE FIRST HALL COUNTY SETTLERS of the First Methodist church were Editor A. F. Buechler, of the held in Brownville. The building Grand Island Independent, sends was erected for a college more than this magazine the following note sixty years ago. The college concerning one of Hall county's project failed and the building was pioneers. purchased by the Methodists. Thomas Word has just been received of Weston Tipton, United States the death of Hall county's first senator for Nebraska, 1867-75, was sheriff, Herman E. Vasold, at his the first minister. home in Saginaw, Mich., at the age ------- of 84 years. He was one of the first colony of twenty-five STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, Americans of German birth that CIRCULATION, ETC. located and developed Hall county Of Nebraska History and Record and was appointed its first sheriff of Pioneer Days, published by acting governor for the quarterly, at Lincoln, Nebraska, territory, J. Sterling Morton. The for April 1, 1919 colony was located on July 4th, State of Nebraska, County of 1857, the appointment as sheriff Lancaster, as. came in 1859 and Mr. Vasold has the Before me, a notary public in record of serving a full term and for the state and county without making an arrest. He left aforesaid, personally appeared in 1860 with a team of oxen and Addison E. Sheldon, who, having covered wagon for Pike's Peak and been duly sworn according to law, then to California, later returning deposes and says that he is the to his former home in Saginaw. He editor of the Nebraska History and was a nephew of Fred Hedde, founder Record of Pioneer Days and that the of the Daily Independent and one of following is, to the best of his the three men to plant the American knowledge and belief, a true flag on Hall county soil, and aided statement of the ownership, in building one of the first log management, etc., of the aforesaid houses in the county, for his publication for the date shown in uncle. His jurisdiction as sheriff, the above caption, required by the at the time, extended as far east Act of August 24, 1912, embodied in as Columbus. He has made three section 443, Postal laws and visits to the colony he assisted in Regulations, printed on the reverse locating, in 1882, when the side of this form, to-wit: twenty-fifth anniversary was 1. That the names and addresses celebrated; in 1907, at the time of of the publisher, editor, managing the semicentennial anniversary, and editor and business managers are: in 1912. Publisher, Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln, Nebr. Editor, Addison E. Sheldon, Lincoln, Nebr. Managing Editor, None. Business Managers, None. 2. That the owner is the Nebraska State Historical Society. 3. That the known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding 1 per cent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other securities are: None. ADDISON E. SHELDON Sworn to and subscribed before me this 28th day of March, 1919. (SEAL) MAX WESTERMAN, Notary Public. (My commission expires August 4, 1921.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Produced for NEGenWeb, 1998 by Ted & Carole Miller