CHAPTER IV.
Clippings from the "Nebraska Atlas," the "Blue Valley Record," and the "Nebraska Reporter."
We clip from the first number of the Nebraska Atlas the following communications and items which we deem of interest. The date is March 16, 1870:
"The new school-house is to be commenced shortly. We are greatly in need of the building, and hope the committee will prosecute the work with vigor. We trust it will be complete in time for the Bummer school."
This was our first frame school building, and it was afterwards sold, and is yet occupied as a residence by Hugh Hunter.
"There are nearly seven hundred dollars subscribed for the Baptist church edifice. This is most encouraging. Our citizens have taken hold of this matter in earnest, and there is no doubt but this summer will see the church edifice completed. Mr. Moffitt gives three lots on which to erect it."
"A petition is about to be started for the incorporation of our town. We hope to see every name on it."
In the same issue Judge J. D. Maine is credited with having raised on his farm in the Oak Grove settlement one hundred and fourteen bushels of corn to the acre, in the previous summer.
We select the following correspondence, which in the light of subsequent events, reads a little like prophecy:
"SEWARD, March 15, 1870,
"Dear Atlas:
" We are glad to welcome your appearance among us. It makes us feel as if we were getting out of the wilderness. We have been watching and waiting through a long night of anxiety, and now behold a ‘sign of promise.’ The darkness is giving way, the sky is brightening, the clouds that have overshadowed us are disappearing appearing, the day is dawning, and we rejoice. Now let us put our shoulders to the wheel of progress, and these waste places shall be made glad, this ‘wilderness will smile,’ and instead of the yelping of the coyote, or the hoot of the owl, or whoop of the wild man, as in days past, we will behold a city surrounded by thousands of splendid farms. Here we will see springing into life factories, seminaries, churches, and here will concentrate workshops and multitudes of merchants, and here will soon be heard the approaching tread of the iron horse. As the icy fetters of winter are giving way before a genial sun, we can already hear the sound of approaching footsteps from the far-off East, coming to find homes with us, and soon we shall hear the thundering tread of the mighty army that is coming to possess the land. Truly, "W. W. Cox."
We give also a letter from the county, which throws much light on the situation of things in general of that day:
"HICKMANVILLE, March 10, 1870.
"Mr. Editor:
"Presuming that the Atlas is to be published for the general information of the whole country, and the inhabitants of Seward county in particular, I propose to give your readers a few items from this settlement, the ‘land of promise.’ This place lies five miles north of Seward and seven miles from Ulysses, and derived its name from its large influx of Hickmans from the state of Iowa, John D. Hickman being the pioneer, who settled on his land (homestead) in 1868. Since that time immigrants have come so rapidly that all the government land in this immediate vicinity has been taken up, principally as homesteads. Some twenty buildings have already been erected, and several more are in course of erection.
"A school district was organized in the spring of 1869, with Thos. J. Poore as director. A school-house (sod) was built in the fall of that year, and a teacher hired, who commenced his labors January 1, 1870. We learn that the average attendance was twenty. A lyceum was also organized about January, 1st, which was christened the Pioneer Lyceum, and which has been in full blast ever since, meeting weekly, and as far as I can learn, giving general satisfaction. In connection with the lyceum a paper was established (Pioneer Banner)
devoted to literature, fine arts, general news, and advertisements. The paper has been well and ably edited, but an exchange of editors being necessary according to the by-laws, a Poore man was placed in the editorial chair.
"Our school closed its winter term February 25th, with honor to both teacher and scholars, the exhibition—the first in the county— taking place on Monday, the 28th. The house was crowded, and everything passed off harmoniously, and to the entire satisfaction of all, Hon. W. B. Davis delivering the oration.
"Thrift and enterprise seem to prevail. No less than seven wells have been sunk within sixty days, with gratifying results.
"The weather for the past few weeks has been magnificent. Preparations will be made for seeding soon if the weather continues good. We are looking for an early spring.
"Plenty of good land to the north and west of us, but none in this immediate vicinity.
"And now, Mr. Editor, having given you our situation, we trust that your endeavors to establish a first-class county newspaper will prove successful, and that your career may be honorable and prosperous to yourself and those you represent, is the wish of your correspondent. N."
Clippings from old numbers of the Nebraska Atlas: (Only part of the files have been preserved.)
Feb. 27, 1871—.Addie, wife of J. P. Losee, died. Mrs. Losee leaves a husband and a wide circle of friends to mourn her loss. She had been married but a year.
Mrs. Abram Wallick also died same day. She was in her thirtysixth year, and was the mother of thirteen children, and a very estimable Christian lady. Her husband, large family, and a host of friends mourn for her.
July 21st—Warren Clough’s wedding occurred.
July 28th—The first brick dwelling is mentioned, D. C. McKillip’s residence.
Sept. 1st—Notice is given of the appointment of W. W. Cox as statistical correspondent of the Department of Agriculture
Sept. 22d—John Robert’s new farm house is looming tip.
Nov. 3d—Notes the advent of a man, wife, and nine girls, and only one son-in-law.
The Presbyterian church is raised.
June 18, 1878—I. B. Compton has just finished the first tin roof in Seward. (The old post-office building, just west of the Butler block.)
Same date notes that fourteen Bohemians loaded up with building material for their houses, for Hamilton county.
The visit of Thomas Scott, the railroad king, and ex-Gov. Denison, of Ohio, is commented on.
July 2d—Four fights in the streets are mentioned.
Aug. 27th—The Seward grain-buyers get a rough overhauling.
Sept. 3d—$5,000 school bonds were voted by a majority of twenty-one.
July 23d—State Bank is opened for business.
Aug. 13th—The purchase of the Presbyterian bell is noted. Also, that the telegraph is completed to Seward.
Dec. 10th-The Mohawk Lumber Co. have unloaded one hundred and seventy cars of lumber since March 1st.
Jan. 21, 1874—John N. Edwards is advertised for a free lecture at the church.
Jan. 1st—John Tressler and Carrie Olmstead are married. Jan. 28th—The Baptist church was completed. March 4th—The paper is badly nettled by the "crusade movement," and its columns are full of burlesque notices of them. They were evidently making it difficult for him to get his regular drinks.
April 22d—War was declared by Foucet’s saloon against the crusaders, and a shameful scene ensued, which reflected no credit upon the town or its officers.
May 13th—The incoming Midland train ran over a pole-cat, and the passengers need no perfumery for some time.
May 20th—The injunction in the case of Monteith, in regard to planting trees on the square, is yet unsettled.
May 27th—Work on the M. E. church is being pushed with vigor. May 29th—Leroy Moflit, the only son of Lewis Moflit, died.
Leroy was a kind-hearted boy of about twenty years, and the loss is sadly felt by his parents, the friends of the family, and the young people, with whom he was a favorite.
June 3d—Little, Brock & Curson’s elevator is under construction, the first in town.
July 15th—The drowning of Peter Gerken in Blue river, just south of town, is noted. Also, that Pricheau’s block is going up rapidly; that Seward has three select schools; and also, that the comet is visible and growing brighter.
From the Blue Valley Record of December 29, 1870, the first number ever issued, we extract the following interesting items:
The editor opens his paper with a three-column history of the county, in which he claims that Thomas West made the first settlement in 1859, and Daniel Morgan in 1860. He also credits J. L. Davison with being the third settler. This, we are quite sure is a mistake, for we were at Mr. Davison’s house on Salt creek as late as the autumn of. 1861, a little to the south-west of the present town of Roca. Mr. Davison opened his old Camden ranch in the fall of 1862. James West located in 1860, near his brother Thomas; and Orin Johnson as early as 1860.
The editor says that Mr. Davison, with a man by the name of Ellis, located the territorial road from Nebraska City to Fort Kearney, but fails to state the time. We are quite sure this occurred in the spring of 1860, for we distinctly remember that Wm. E. Hill and party, of Nebraska City, went and built the old bridge on the Blue near Camden, just above the forks of the river and just by the county line, in the early summer of 1860. So it is quite probable that the road was then located. The editor says that Mr. Davison as he returned from this trip pre-empted a place near Camden, which was afterwards the ranch. This is undoubtedly correct, but pre-emptors did not have to so carefully watch their claims then as later. There were scarcely any to molest or make afraid. The changing the name of the county is noted, and the building of. the West mills; Parker and Roper’s mill at Camden, and the. Milford, mills are all mentioned, and the agricultural resources and possibilities of the county are discussed at length. It is noted that immigration set in earnest in 1866, and that all the eastern and northern states were represented, and it was claimed that the closing of the year 1870 found full three thousand souls in the county.
It was claimed that in the summer of 1870 there were broken over four thousand acres of land. The average crop report was noted as follows: wheat, twenty bushels per acre; oats, forty; corn, forty-five. Numerous groves had been planted. Osage, plum, cottonwood, and walnut were experimented with for hedges. Our soils are described as rich sandy loam, largely composed of decayed vegetable matter and underlaid with a clay subsoil, and well adapted to withstand drought. The peat deposits west of Milford are noticed. The surface and drainage of the county are favorably commented upon, and it was claimed that the waste lands were all in some other county, which was very correct. The water-powers of the rivers receive favorable mention. The red sandstone of Middle creek, and the white limestone in the southern part of the county, also the shell limestone of the north-east, are all noted. The indications of coal are mentioned.
The school system and first school are mentioned as follows:
"The county being so thinly settled, the formation of a school district was not to be thought of until the year 1867, when a few families combined and formed an independent school at Camden, and employed Miss Eva Hooker as teacher. This we believe to be the first school in the county." In this the editor is mistaken. There was one up near West mills prior to this; also one at Seward as early as the previous winter. ‘The people are represented as wide-awake in educational matters, and every individual was a committee of one to see that there was a school at the earliest possible date, and the result has been a healthy growth of educational interests in the young county. At the (late of writing there are sixteen organized districts and one academical association. The teachers are highly commended, and also the patrons, for their zeal. The Southern Nebraska C. C.. Academy, under the supervision of Hon. Geo. B. France, is spoken of as highly creditable to the county, and as already well spoken of abroad.
Three villages—Camden, Milford, and Seward—are all spoken of in the highest terms; a compliment is paid to the Nebraska Atlas, the pioneer newspaper of the county. Milford was well described as the county seat, and with two good water-powers and splendid possibilities.
In summing up the growth it is noted that from three families in 1862, now three thousand bright intelligent people have united their fortunes with the interests of the county.
The editor claims to have set squarely before the world the county of his choice, and he certainly did it; and even now we remember his efforts with gratitude, as he was so earnestly striving to make this wilderness to smile.
Clippings. "We notice a motto on a prairie schooner as follows: ‘York county or bust.’"
"The apportionment of school money to Seward county for 1870 is $1,452.42 to 782 scholars."
We also note from same table that whole number of scholars in Nebraska was 32,762.
The editor’s salutatory contains these words: "Morally we shall labor for what we believe to be truth and justice, and shall act upon what we profess." Also it says: "We shall labor for the best interests of the republican party, not in a partisan spirit, but in a firm belief that it is the true party of progress and reform."
January 6, 1871.—" J. L. Davison, of Milford, has nearly completed the largest and best dwelling house in the county." The house spoken of is the square house just west of the bridge. It don’t. look the largest or the best in 1888.
"A number of prominent Seward people are in town (Milford) attending probate court." That reads strangely now.
"Wm. G. Keen is recommended for postmaster at Nelden, the new office on Walnut creek ten miles west of Milford."
January 12th.—" Fresh buffalo meat is on sale, at three cents per pound."
From a communication by Fair Play, it is claimed that Miss Agnes Baily (now Mrs. Cornelius West) taught the first school in Saline county, near the county line, and was patronized by citizens of both. counties. This was in the spring of 1861. She also taught a school near West’s mill in 1868. So she has the honor of teaching the first school of both Saline and Seward counties; and Miss Euglehouft taught the West Mills school in 1865—66. In 1866 the residents of Camden district organized under the school law, bought the old building in Saline county and moved it over, and Thomas Graham taught during the winter of 1866—67.
The same article mentions that Thomas Graham has a fine orchard of apple and pear trees which are doing well, and that J. W. Lowrie has peaches of his own planting, probably the first in the county. It is also mentioned that Mrs. Graham, Mrs. Lowrie, and Mrs. Parker are making the prairies blaze with the variety and beauty of their flowers.
The county superrntendent reports the school fund as follows:
1, F. L. Roper, Camden
85.25
2, Orin Johnson, West Mills
44.58
3, Sam Englehaught, on West Blue
51.15
4, W. J. Thompson, on Walnut creek
74.65
5, Rev. T. M. Skinner, Milford
150.67
6, Matthew Hackworth (east of Ruby)
110.00
7, Geo. W. Lesenby, north of Milford
44.58
8, Wm. Anderson, west of Seward
87.32
9, H. L. Boyes, Seward
125.92
10, J. D. Thurman, on Lincoln creek
58.72
11, W. W. Cox, north-west of Seward
44.58
12, Thomas Poore, six miles north of Seward...
76.42
13, 0. 0. Berkey, center of "A "
88.79
14, E. C. Archer, west of Staplehurst
74.65
15, wanting
16, A. Montgomery, north-west of" N"
78.19
17, M. M. Neeves
62.28
18, Sam Strohm, center of "0"
38.96
19, Ed. Healy, south-west of "P"
56.95
20, J. N. McCauley, center of "M "
58.73
21, J. A. Reymer, south-east of "I"
58.42
22, Wolsey Weyant, southern "H "
46.35
28, Thos. Healey, northern "N"
55.19
24, R. J. McCall, west of "M"
44.58
25, Wm. Halle, south-east of "N"
34.10
26, George W. Losy (Batchelor)
51.65
This was done at Milford, January 7, 1881, by George B. France, superintendent.
The reader will please compare the above table with the present showing of the disbursements to ninety districts. It will be noticed that Milford district at that date was the most populous and had the most money, while Seward was second.
In March, 1871, it is noted that James Iler was appointed postmaster at Pleasant Dale.
April 6th—The organization of the American Bible Society by Rev. McCandlish, of Omaha. Messrs. Birge Keyes, S. Brown, and D. C. Tift were elected executive committee. Culver and Parsons were appointed to care for the books.
Editor noting a visit of Geo. McKay, A. D. Sperry, and E. H. Noxon, of the north county, says: "Perhaps we can visit you by rail before another century." The century proved to be a short one. You can do it now, my friend.
April 13th—" S. W. Huston has received his appointment as postmaster at Oak Grove." Now a town.
April 20th—" Wm. Knight has received his appointment as postmaster at Groveland north of Seward."
May 4th—The return of a hunting party consisting of J. W. Hickman, Mr. Davis, Ellis Gandy, Elias Frane, and others, with three loads of buffalo meat. Their game was caught on the Kansas border, south of the Republican.
One hundred and eighty-nine immigrant wagons passed through Milford during April.
Tuesday, May 2d—The second term of the district court met. Judge Lake on the bench. Twenty-four cases on the docket.
We glean from the county superintendent’s report for the year ending April 1st, the following interesting educational statistics:
Whole number of children of school age 1,247
Number attending school 697
Number of teachers employed (male) 19 (female) 20
Average daily attendance 457
Total amount paid teachers during year $3,717.00
We also glean from an editorial note that there are twenty school houses—six frame, four log, seven sod, and three dug-outs. The editor remarks that the people must have an inordinate desire to educate the children, to face winter storms across the blighted railroad lands, long distances to a dug-out or sod shanty to school. We think as much.
From a Seward correspondent of June 1, 1871, that Seward is a bright town of three summers, and has about one hundred and seventy people.
We also note that at that time H. M. Coleman was principal of our school.
The organization of the Odd Fellows’ Lodge, with L. G. Johns as Noble Grand.
Tuesday, June 13th—At Milford the Good Templars organized a lodge. Rev. J. M. Yearnshaw, Dist. D. G. W. C. T., assisted by D. W. Amesbury, of Lincoln. Officers elected were: J. L. Davison, W. C. T.; Miss Mattie Drake, W. V. T.; H. O. Parsons, W. R. Scribe; G. B. France, W. F. Sec; Mrs. J. Laune, W. Tress.; F. J. Culver, W. Chaplain. Onaway was the name chosen.
Beaver Crossing was mentioned as "Nioholsville," and it is reported that work on the mill was progressing finely. Main street is. being surveyed, and everything is bidding fair to make a youthful city in a short time.
June 15th—H. W. Parker’s nomination as registrar of. Beatrice land office is noted.
June 20th—" Corn stands about six feet high in the Blue valley." July 6th—" Jeff Stevens, a resident six miles north-west of here, was found dead under a load of overturned lumber, about four miles east of town, near the bridge on Middle creek. Mr. Stevens. leaves a wife and ten children to mourn his loss."
The June apportionment of school moneys shows $2,021.10, divided among forty districts.
We also notice that in this apportionment Seward leads with $182.90, and Milford takes the second place with $125.25. Fourteen new districts had been formed since January.
This number contains a sharp letter from "Well Wisher," on the county seat embroglio. Also a long editorial on a newly discovered coal mine, which it was claimed had been found by Mr. Stockton, forty-seven feet below the surface, and Mr. S. claimed they had bored four feet and six inches into solid coal.
July 27th—Milford is announced as a money order office.
August 10th—Dr. Woodward is announced for a lecture.
Subject: "Immateriality of the mind and its relation to the body."
August 19th—The Record gives some heavy hits at the Seward liars for reporting small-pox at Milford.
August 24th—Gold is quoted at $1.12.
Same date, we find the report of a railroad meeting at Camden, W. C. Scott, chairman, and Ed. Healy, secretary. Judge Hooker and Gen. Vifquain offered the following resolutions:
WHEREAS, We, citizens of Seward, Saline, York, Hamilton. and Hall counties, have been fraudulently deprived of the benefits that might have arisen out of the construction of the B. & M. R. R. on their original survey; and
WHEREAS, We settled along the line with the full understanding that the road should be built on said survey, according to act of congress, donating to them half our, national inheritance; and
WHEREAS, The said corporation is assisted by Nebraska politicians, in its schemes to plunder the people,
Be it resolved, That we pledge our sacred honors, without any regard to party ties, to send to oblivion by the strength of our ballots any man that comes before us for office who is in any manner connected with said corporation.
Resolved, That we authorize S. M. Boyd to commence proceedings in Nebraska and at Washington against said B. &. M. R. R. Co. for the purpose of compelling them to build a line of railway on their original survey, or that they be deprived of the lands received under this pledge.
Resolved, That the people of the United States, looking for locations in Nebraska, are hereby notified that we hold the purchase on said railroad lands to be a dangerous bargain for the purchaser.
Resolved, That these resolutions be published in all Nebraska papers, and in three in Iowa, and at least two in Illinois.
Resolutions adopted unanimously.
It was a swindle on the people of this and western counties, to give up half their lands to the rapacious corporation, and then not got a mile of the road.
Sept. 7th—The county commissioners order an election on location of county seat, and the editor gives them a terrible scolding.
Report of the election on the new constitution. At this time there were seven precincts, as follows:
Milford, for constitution 122 Against 0
Walnut Creek " 37 0
Beaver Crossing " 86 1
Oak Grove " 83 0
Camden " 30 0
Seward " 68 8
North Blue " 25 3
Total 858 12First number of Nebraska Reporter is received, and is unfavorably commented on, on account of harsh epithets and coarse language used.
Oct. 5th—S. R. Douglas caught a coon.
Oct. 19th—The Record has heard of the county seat election,, and has its war paint on.
Oct 25th—" County commissioners have re-districted the county into eight precincts, as follows: Townships nine and ten, range one, form Beaver Creek; townships eleven and twelve, Lincoln Creek; township twelve, ranges two and three, North Blue; township eleven, ranges two and three, Seward; townships nine and ten, range two, Walnut creek; townships nine and ten, range three, Milford; townships nine and ten, range four, Camden; townships eleven and twelve, range four, Oak Grove."
The editor takes a ride over to Beaver Crossing, and finds the new town flourishing. Ross Nichols, Daniel Millspaw, Roland Reed, John E. Fouse, McCauley, John Leonard, and Osborne, are mentioned as thrifty farmers. The new mill of Mr. Smith ‘is highly spoken of. Thomas Tisdale’s store is noted as one of the best store buildings in the county.
Oct 26th—The election of officers of the county agricultural society, at Seward, is noted as occurring on the 16th inst., when W. W. Cox was elected president; Henry Wortendyke, vice president; James A. Brown, recording secretary, A. L. Strang, corresponding secretary; Robert McCrossan, treasurer; directors—E. B. Shafer, J. W. Lee, George W. Standard, and Thomas Graham.
Nov. 80th—There is a long correspondence from Seward about the court-house location, wherein Croney, Williams (O. T. B.), and Ellsworth, are discussed at large by Mortimer. Wm. Homburg, one of the commissioners, also gets a rub. At that time there was a struggle between Harris on the one side and Cloyd on the other as to where the court-house should be located. We note in the commissioners’ proceedings of Nov. 21st, that a resolution passed the board by the votes of Imlay and Homburg to accept the proposition of W. C. Cloyd, to place the court-house on block 35 in Cloyd’s addition, just west of the M. E. church, provided a good title to the property should be made to the county without expense. This resolution must have been re-considered at some other and later meeting, for the court-house evidently was not placed on that block.
Dec. 7th—Notice is given that a lodge of Good Templars will be instituted at Beaver Crossing, Dec. 16, 1871.
Dec. 14th—Contains a report from County Superintendent France, from which we glean that during the year 102 teachers had been examined, seventy-four of whom obtained certificates, sixty third grades, and fourteen second grades; fifty-two were employed during the year. Superintendent’s salary, $200. A healthy growth and improvement is noted, and many new school-houses were erected. An appropriation is recommended for charts, globes, and other fixtures for the schools.
Jan. 4, 1872—The railroad bond proposition gets an overhauling by the editor.
Jan 11th—There was a wide-awake meeting at Beaver Crossing, wherein the bond proposition receives the following send-off:
Resolved, That the county commissioners have disgraced them. selves in the eyes of the tax-payers, etc., etc.
Resolved, That this scheme to vote bonds is to aid a monopoly, a one-sided railroad affair, a disgrace to the people, and a binding curse upon our county, etc., etc.
This interesting document was signed by W. J. Thompson, T. H. Tisdale, and Daniel Milispaw, committee.
Also notices that Col. Vifquain will stump the county against bonds. Bond meetings, pro and con, will be held throughout the county.
"Monday last a crowded house voted unanimously against bonds.
A committee, consisting of W. H. Reed, D. C. McKillip, P. J. Goodrich, Ed. Healy, and Cummins, were appointed to hold meetings for defeat of the bonds."
The burden of the song for all the weeks prior to the election day, February 22d, is down with the bonds, and on that day they downed them.
We notice among the writers and speakers that were conspicuous in opposition to bonds, was Rev. T. N. Skinner.
Result of the election is noted as follows:
Milford, for bonds 5 votes. Against bonds 147
Camden " 6 " " 138
Walnut Creek " 10 " " 130
Beaver Creek " 2 " " 135
Seward " 232 " " 3
North Blue " 186 " " 0
OakGrove " 47 " " 60
Lincoln Creek " 109 " " 9
Total vote 540 Total 622
Majority against, 82
This ended the first chapter in this desperate sectional struggler with Seward the under dog.
March 7th—The first issue of the Beaver Tribune, a semi-monthly paper at Beaver Crossing, is noticed. This was published by V. W. Wilson & Co.
March 11th—A mass meeting of the people of Camden is held, in which the county commissioners are handled without gloves for disfranchising Camden precinct in the bond matter. It has always been supposed that a young Seward lawyer stole from the clerk’s office the returns from Camden precinct, and when the canvass of the vote was made, there were no returns from Camden, so the commissioners felt obliged to ignore the Camden election, and this Camden mass meeting was ready to take up arms, as it seemed that ballots had failed.
Rev. T. N. Skinner heads an epistle to the people, "Ballots or Bullets."
April 4th—Seward correspondent says another bond proposition will be submitted; and also says the commissioners will dismiss their county attorney, because he is such a consummate liar that they can’t believe a word he says; and he is also accused of taking fees on two sides of a case.
Orders issued $2,658.38
Orders paid 961.61
Amount deposited 2,140.00
Total business $5,755.19
April 4th—Also has the minutes of a mass meeting in Seward to express their abhorrence of the idea of stealing an election. The meeting resolved that the people of Seward firmly believe in a free and untrammeled election, and in jealously guarding the purity of the ballot box; and
"Be it further resolved, That we here assembled express our disapprobation of any scheme or plan for the purpose of defeating the expressed will of the county at the late election; and further we are desirous to know the truth or falsity of the charges preferred, and will heartily engage in any movement to ascertain who are the guilty parties, whether in Seward, Camden, or elsewhere, and to bring them to merited punishment." Signed by J. N. Beaty, Chairman; T. J. Hamilton, Secretary.
April 18th—Appears a clipping from the Atlas on the bond election, in which Prof. Ingham says: "Blessed, yea, thrice blessed, are the peace-makers, and most benign would be the, labors of any, if only successful in allaying that bitter animosity and uncompromising hostility which excites the different sections of our county. This spirit of .evil which pervades our county, will, we fear, unless exercised by a gentle spirit of forbearance and reconciliation, become so powerful as to utterly ruin the highest prospects of the whole county." The editor of the Atlas takes occasion to charge in this article the blame on the older settlers of both sections, and charges them with being narrow-minded, etc. This waked up a hornet’s nest, and the learned professor soon heard a tremendous buzzing around his ears, and in a subsequent issue lie takes everything back, and gets down on his knees in good shape to the old settlers; not only asks forgiveness, but attempts to" bring forth fruits meet for his repentance," and pitches into Milford like a wild cat, and so the battle rages.
May 2d—It is noted that the commissioners have divided Lincoln Creek, Oak Grove, and Camden precincts, so that there are now eleven. Also, it is noted that Prof. Ingham has retired from the Atlas and assumed the role of instructor.
Atlas, and assumed the role of instructor. It is also noted that the History of Seward County, by O. T. B. Williams, is just out, and was printed at the Record office, which has disgusted many of the Seward people. The county superintendent reports thirty male and twenty-eight female teachers employed, and an expenditure of $4,721.95 between April 8, 1871, and April 1, 1872. Whole number of scholars were 1,731. Approximate number of inhabitants, 5,203.
May 9th—The erection of Tuttle’s new hotel is noticed in the Seward correspondence; also the near completion of the Presbyterian church edifice; also a call for the corporation election of the town of Seward; also that Miss Lizzie McKillip (Mrs. Buck) is engaged for the summer school.
May 16th—It is noted that the injunction suit against commissioners in the railroad bond case is made perpetual by Judge Lake, and everybody is satisfied.
June 13th—Notice of a new railroad bond proposition is given.. The Sc ward correspondent calls Hon. Wm. Imlay the county commissioners. The same gentleman, whoever he was, predicted that the same blunderers would in like manner come to grief again. He remarks, no one has any idea that they will carry. The drowning of Miss Hattie Tift is commented on. She was partially insane. Croney’s sale of the Reporter is noted, and of Prof. Ingham assuming the poet of editor again.
July 4th—The Record says, in flaming head-lines: "Stop the reaper and protect yourselves," thereby meaning that they must stop their work and go and vote against bonds again.
July 11th—The second bond election is reported, in which the famous "Mortimer" is buried under an avalanche of votes, bonds having carried by a majority of 123 votes. It puzzled the editor to know how Seward could swell her vote 81 since last February.
September 19th—The division of Beaver Creek precinct is noted.
September 26th—The removal of D. C. McKillip is commented
October 3d—Specimens of peat from Walnut creek are examined and pronounced good.
October 10th—Reporter has again changed hands.
October 17th—Two wild deer were seen just west of Milford. We also quote: "The second annual fair at Seward was a success, with a fine display, especially of stock, and a large attendance."
December 5th—The Record announces the death of Horace Greely, with a fitting eulogy. Mortimer says in same number that a scandalous story is afloat about one of our county officials. This must mean McPherson, county treasurer.
December 12th—A discovery of free lime, phosphates, and silicon, a vein twenty-two feet thick. This is on West Blue, in sections 7, 8, and 9, in town 9, range 2 east. The French leave taken by our county treasurer is reported, with a probable loss of five or six thousand dollars.
December 26th—The action of the county board in the removal of the treasurer, McPherson, and the appointment of Wm. B. Thorpe, is commented on.
January 9, 1873—It is noted that a silver-headed cane was voted to W. W. Cox, as the homeliest man in the county. The same paper notes the scalding of the child of Thomas Osborne on Lincoln creek; also the resignation of W. J. Thompson as representative; also the removal of E. L. Clark, Jr., from the Seward post-office, for embezzlement. Said defalcation is thought to be about $2,000. L. G. Johns was appointed to the place. The apportionment of school money to Seward county is, to 1,701 scholars, $8,690.07.
January 16th—Announcement of the election of P. C. McKillip, representative, to fill vacancy.
January 23d—School moneys apportioned among fifty-nine-districts. February 13th—it is mentioned that at the commissioners’ meeting held on February 3d, the geographical townships were made into precincts, and were named from the first sixteen letters of the alphabet. The same issue mentions four marriages in Seward, viz.:
Ethan Atwater, Walter Briggs, Mr. Spear, and Andrew Wright.
March 6th—The bill incorporating Seward is noticed by Mortimer, who also says that the railroad track is just being laid into Seward. This letter is dated March 4th. Mortimer made a mistake, as the track was complete and the cars reached Seward on the evening of March 1, 1873. He also notes that Rev. Rockwell preached his fare well sermon to the Methodist congregation.
April 10th—The editor publishes his valedictory.
We have looked through every page of the files of the Record from first to last, and it is our pleasure to say that the paper was a credit to the county and the state. While the editors worked manfully for the interest of Milford in all her battles, yet they manifested a gentlemanly and courteous attitude towards all. We wish the Record had continued its publication. In quoting so liberally from its columns, we feel that we are giving bits of history, both interesting and profitable, and we hereby extend our warmest thanks to Mr. Culver for the use of his files.
The following items are taken from the Nebraska Reporter. We regret to say that the earlier files are only fragmentary, most of them are destroyed, but we are able to get from what we have at command some items of interest:
December 13, 1872—The Baptist church is up and nearly enclosed. A letter from Shoe String Joe complains bitterly of the management of the Seward post-office. He says the P.M. is an inveterate novel reader and don’t like to be bothered by people asking for mail.
January 4, 1878—A mush and milk sociable for the benefit of Fey. J. H. Rockwell was a success, and from fifty to sixty dollars realized.
Also, that homely man getting the cane is noticed.
The organization of the Seward Literary Club is noticed, of which V. Danniels was chairman, and in which Wm. Leese, T. L. Norval, H. C. Page, D. C. McKillip, T. F. Buck, J. W. English, and C. P. Dick each figured.
The New Year’s address, by O. S. Ingham, is also given.
January 11th—Returns show a total vote of 896 in the special election, wherein D. C. McKillip was elected to fill vacancy in this legislative district. D. C. M. received 208 votes and there were three opposing candidates, viz., Elsworth Hamilton, T. J., and Campbell.
January 18th—The editor is impressed with the number of dead tom cats in the streets.
The marriage of E. M. Spear, of Seward, to Miss May R. New-land, of Rochester, N. Y., is noticed.
May 8th—The charter election of the town of Seward is reported as follows: resulting in the election of V. Daniels, Sam Stevenson, Herman Diers, Wm. Hays, and T. L. Norval, as trustees of the village for the coming year. There were 93 votes cast.
May 22d—The air is filled with grasshoppers, also that work is being pushed on Tisliue’s store, and the editor says we may well be proud of such a fine building. Well, we were, but have got bravely over it.
The advent of Claudius Jones is welcomed.
May 29th—The new jail is nearly enclosed.
It is noted that the grasshoppers are doing some damage in a few localities.
June l2th—Sixty buildings in two months, by actual count. June 26th—Ed. Ingham gets eloquent over a little street fight. We quote: "On the morning of the 21st of June the sun in unclouded splendor issued from the pearly portals of the Orient to pursue his daily journey through the shining concave heavens, past the lofty zenith, down to his purple, cloud-draped ocean couch, behind the western hills," etc.
July 8d—The M. P. R. R. depot and water tank are about completed.
Sept. 30th—The county fair is pronounced a success.
Sept. 4th—Says from one to two hundred loads of grain received daily, and threshing hardly commenced.
Feb. 1st, 1873—F. M. McPherson joins the editorial force of the Reporter.
The marriage of Ethan Atwater is noted.
The town council is scored for voting a hundred dollars to W. C. Cloyd for his pamphlet.
Feb. 18th—H. T. Clarke is building a bridge west of town on the river.
The city is full of strangers.
The organization of the Seward cemetery association is noted.
McPherson, our defaulting treasurer, receives encouragement and is assured that he has plenty of friends.
May 8th—The editor complains that the Atlas man calls him a lunatic.
Sept. 4th—Dick Norval is building a cozy cage for his prospective
Jul 31st—School report from district number 9, with J. A. Brown director, shows 189 scholars in district; enrolled 66; present that day 14; average attendance 38.
The following was clipped from the Toledo Blade:
Out at Seward, Neb., they build houses for editors in about eight
days. The editor of the Reporter gave an order for a residence to a building firm, and in less than two weeks the editor moved into the house, and his wife immediately presented him with a fine pair of twin babies. They do things up in a hurry in Nebraska."
The above clippings are not in their regular order, but they were jotted down from miscellaneous papers.
Nov. 15th, 1 887—Total vote cast in G precinct, 286, of which Judge Lake received all but one for judge of supreme court. Total vote of county, 1,156, of which Judge Lake received 1,130.
Nov. 22d—Discusses in detail the street fight at Utica, which occurred some days before, in which railroaders and citizens exercised their pugilistic ability. Also, a stabbing affray north-west of the city, in which the Manning boys stabbed Frank Slonecker five times with a pocket knife. In same paper it is noted that township organization carried by a large majority. Also the result of the liquor damage case of Eliza Perkins, wherein she gains a judgment of $3,000 against three saloons (this is the first case of the kind ever tried in the state) for selling her husband liquor and thereby causing his death.
Dec. 6th—We notice that R. R. Shick sold, in 1878, bonds for school district number 46 (now the Purdam district) $1,000 for $750, in order to build the little frame school-house. We quote the above to show just how our people were bled in the early days by capitalists. These bonds were ten per cent bonds and run for ten years.
April 10th, 1879—School census shows in district number nine (Seward) four hundred and eighty-nine school children. The same census gives the total population of the city at 1,250 and of the entire district at 1,666.
April 17th—Is noted financial condition of the city. Amount on hand April 22, 187s, $68.14; collection to date, $1,101.11; paid out, $885.86; balance on hand, $283.29.
April 24th—Chronicles the arrest of P. B. Thompson for robbing the mails in Seward post-office.
May 15th—Gives Orlando J. Cassler’s autobiography. We will not quote it.
May 22d—A full history of the execution is given.
May 29th—Is noticed the purchase of the fire apparatus.
Also the shooting of McIntosh by Gordon on the road from the Cassler execution. Whiskey is charged with being the cause.
June 6th—The triumph of the A. & N. bond election is dwelt on at large. The total vote cast on county bonds was 1,798.
The commencement of Goehner block, on the corner of 7th and Seward streets, is noted. Also Henigan & Ashton’s meat market on the east side.
June 26th—The injunction suit commenced by Claudius Jones against the commissioners in the matter of issuing railroad bonds to the Lincoln & Northwestern company is fully commented on, with severe strictures.
The arrest of Isaac Whitman for making counterfeit fifty cent pieces is announced. His factory was a dugout near West Mills, He worked over pewter and ground glass into silver half dollars, and was doing a thriving business.
July 10th—We clip the following from the description of the Fourth of July celebration parade. It speaks for itself; and shows to what extremes people can be led in hours of wild excitement. We trust those responsible for this scene have long since become ashamed of it.
"An immense hog, which some of the people mistook for an African elephant instead of a Seward county swine, on each side of its back were hung large letters ‘B. & M.’ A gaudily arrayed man was leading this hog by a strong rope, and this disguised personage was labeled ‘U. P.’ Following the hog came a man with a large shovel on his shoulder, with his hat festooned ‘Banker,’ and carrying a banner on which was inscribed the device, ‘I do the dirty work for this bog, but it pays.’
"A large caricature representing first the figure of a man striking a lively gait, holding in his hand a roll inscribed ‘Injunction,’ which he is handing to an attendant near, accompanied with the exclamation, ‘My only refuge is Salt Lake—serve this.’ Following comes a woman with a carpet sack, and hanging to the coat-tails of the first described figure, exclaiming,’ Run, I smell tar!’ In hot pursuit comes a crowd in the distance carrying buckets marked tar and feather beds. On the other end of this large standard was a large sleek man who had ‘U. P.’ on his hat, and held a rope that had been tied around a partly finished man inscribed ‘A. & N.,’ but the rope was broken in trying to hold the ‘A. & N.’ man, and the ‘U. P.’ figure exclaiming ‘the A. & N. must be stopped at all hazards."
Also, the departure of Claudius Jones and family for Salt Lake is noted.
July 24th—It is noted that Fred D. Grant, a young lad living in N precinct, was killed by being dragged by a runaway horse.
July 31st—Says the contracts for the Norval block are completed.
Also, the death of Mrs. M. W. Warner, in M precinct, which occurred July 23d, 1879. This lady was the former wife of our late school superintendent.
Aug. 7th—It is reported that $60,000 had been received for freight at the B. & M. depot in Seward during the year ending July 31st, 1879.
Oct. 16th—Is noticed at length the shooting by accident of Miss Lizzie Welty, which resulted in the death of a noble young woman.
Also the completion of the railroad to Milford.
Oct. 23d—The visit and speech of Hon. De La Matyr is commented on.
Nov. 6th—Is noted the completion of the A. & N. road, and the visit of fifty distinguished citizens of Lincoln.
Nov. 13th—It is mentioned that the following two-story brick buildings have been erected during the season: Henigan & Ash-ton’s, John Cattle, Sen., Goehner Bros.’ engine house, Bisohof’s, John Roberts’, and Norval Bros.
Dec. 15th—We find an estimate of the corn crop of that year as follows: 2,800,000 bushels. The highest reported yield was eighty-five bushels per acre. In the same article it was estimated that the reduction in freight, consequent upon the building of the A. & N. B.. B.., was three cents .per bushel, or $69,000 on the crop of that year. According to our memory the estimate was rather low than high. It was a noteworthy fact that the Seward grain dealers of that fall and winter were able to pay from three to five cents more for corn than any town on the main line of the B. & M. west of Lincoln.
Jan. 8, 1888—The founding of Staplehurst and the shipment of eight cars of corn is recorded. Also the death of Mrs. Thomas Best, at Pleasant Dale, which occurred Dec. 18, 1879, aged sixty years.
We also append from its columns the following useful information:
"Edmund McIntyre has made the following statement for the B. & M. Land Department of the acreage and yield of cultivated lands in Seward county for 1879:
"Total acres in county, 868,640; under cultivation, 109,590 acres:
in rye, 1,283 acres, yield 1,924 bushels; in spring wheat, 43,82& acres, yield 482, 862 bushels; in barley (must be a mistake, too many acres or not enough barley), 8,900 acres, yield 17,800 bushels; in oats, 5,718 acres, yield 227,720 bushels; in buckwheat, 112 acres, yield 2,240 bushels; in flax, 2,109 acres, yield 18,981 bushels; in. broom corn, 160 acres, yield 53 1/3 tons; in corn, 46,584 acres, yield 2,096,280 bushels; in potatoes, 966 acres, yield 36,840 bushels; in turnips, 28 acres, yield 4,200 bushels; in blue grass, 17 acres; in timothy, 1,272 acres; clover, 1,189 acres; cultivated timber, 4,500 acres. Number of apple trees 80,500, pears 800, peaches 26,450, plums 8,000, cherries 16,000, grapes 83,000 vines; 175 miles of hedges.
"These estimates are made on the returns of 1877 and estimates of the proportionate increase."
Sept. 9th—Is recorded the death of E. N. Wingfield, of "K precinct, aged seventy-five years. His death occurred Sept 4, 1880. Mr. W. was a worthy Christian, and a member of the M. P. church.
Aug. 12th—The dedication of the U. B. church by Bishop Wright is favorably mentioned.
Also the death of Robert Walker, at the residence of his son. James, aged seventy-seven years. The deceased was one of our old settlers, and was the father of W. H. Walker of our city. He was well known and highly respected.
Also, in D precinct, Aug. 2d, Henry Newjahr, of cancer, aged fifty-five years. He was one of the first settlers of that part of the. county.
Aug. 25th—The editor, speaking of his contemporary, calls him "the bay-windowed, brazen-faced liar."
July 29th—Is recorded the death of Mrs. L. E. Tisdale, of Beaver Crossing, aged forty-five years. Mrs. Tisdale settled in Seward county in 1869. Her death occurred July 28d. Also the death of John S. Bartlett, at Milford, on July 25th, aged thirty-six years, of quick consumption.
June 10th—Records the freaks of the wind, the heaviest gale in many years, in which the Catholic church was partially wrecked, and many buildings damaged.
Feb. 19, 1880—Is recorded the death of Wilber McNall, by accidental shooting.
April 8, 1880—Records the result of city election, in which the anti-license party elects the whole ticket.
April 22d—Records the suicide of Chas. L. Docken. It was the result of unappreciated love.
April 22d—Also records the death of Ira Wendall, caused by getting his hand caught in machinery at West’s mill. Deceased leaves a wife and two children to mourn his sad fate.
May 6, 1880—Is recorded the death of Mrs. Joseph H. Ballard, after a long and painful illness. Mrs. Ballard was an estimable Christian lady.
The visit and lecture of ex-Vice President Colfax is discussed at large.
The small-pox scare with its attendant results is noted.