USA > Nebraska > Antelope County > A history of Antelope County, Nebraska, from its first settlement in 1868 to the close of the year 1883 > Part 1
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History of Antelope County 1868-1883 SA.J-Leach
Gc 978.201 Ange 1492464
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
Huffing Kollar
A HISTORY
OF
ANTELOPE COUNTY
NEBRASKA
FROM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT IN 1868 TO THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR 1883. 1868-1883
BY A. J. LEACH
SECRETARY AND HISTORIAN OF THE ANTELOPE COUNTY PIONEERS.
Corrected and revised by the advice of a committee of five elected for that purpose.
DECEMBER, 1909
The Lakesite Press R. R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY CHICAGO
1492464
Dedicated
TO THE PIONEERS, WHO WERE NOT DISMAYED BY WINTER STORMS NOR SUMMER DROUGHTS; BY INDIAN RAIDS NOR THE SCOURGE OF GRASSHOPPERS; BUT WHO HAD THE GRIT AND COURAGE TO ENDURE UNTIL THEY HAD CONVERTED THE GREAT AMERICAN DESERT INTO A FRUITFUL FIELD.
I have carefully examined the statements of historical facts of a general nature in this volume; and, some changes having been made at my suggestion, I believe that they are substantially correct according to the best available data and authority. The painstaking industry of the author in collecting and compiling the local data of the history and the scope and form of his work are, in my opinion, highly commendable.
ALBERT WATKINS,
Historian of the Nebraska State Historical Society. LINCOLN, NEB., November 2, 1909.
INTRODUCTION
L N the month of January, 1886, a number of old settlers held an informal meeting in Neligh for the purpose of taking into consideration the feasibility of organizing an old settlers' association.
After considerable consultation it was deemed advisable to organize without unnecessary delay, and the 22d day of February, 1886, was named as the date for another meet- ing, and a committee was appointed to draw up a set of rules to be presented at that meeting, for the government of the proposed association.
Accordingly, on the 22d of February, 1886, a large num- ber of the Pioneers met at the court-room in Neligh and proceeded to organize by adopting certain Rules of Govern- ment, and by electing a full set of officers. These Rules of Government have been amended slightly from time to time as occasion required. At the present date - October, 1909,- they stand as follows:
RULES FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION OF ANTELOPE COUNTY, NEBRASKA-
ADOPTED AT THE MEETING FOR ORGANIZATION, FEBRUARY 22, 1886
ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this Association shall be "THE PIONEERS."
ARTICLE II - OBJECTS
The objects of this society shall be to establish and maintain fraternal relations between the citizens of different parts of the county, to promote good-will, to revive and cherish old associa- tions and recollections, to work for the general good, and to compile and preserve a correct history of the county from its first settlement to all future time.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP AND QUALIFICATIONS OF MEMBERS
Any person of either sex, who is a resident of the county, and has attained the age of 18 years, may become a member of this
I
2
HISTORY OF ANTELOPE COUNTY
society by paying into the treasury thereof such a sum as shall be hereafter designated, to whom a certificate of membership shall be issued, which shall entitle the holder to all the rights and privileges of membership, except as in such cases as hereinafter provided.
No person shall be required to forfeit his membership during life, except by persistent neglect or refusal to pay his annual dues, or by removal from the county. Any member removing from the county may by a vote of the society retain an honorary member- ship, but shall not be entitled to a vote in any meeting of the society.
Any member neglecting or refusing to pay his annual dues for a period of three months after such shall have become due, shall not be eligible to office, nor allowed to vote until such dues shall have been paid, but he shall not forfeit his membership until he shall have allowed his dues to remain unpaid for two consecutive years, and then only by a vote of the society.
All members who have attained the age of 70 years, and have resided in the county at least 10 years, shall be excused from pay- ing membership fees and dues, and shall always occupy seats of honor in all meetings of the society.
All resident members who have paid their dues as specified above, shall be entitled to vote upon all questions that come before the society, except upon additions to these RULES OF GOVERNMENT, or amendments thereto, which shall be voted upon only by mem- bers who have resided at least ten years in the county.
ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS AND HOW ELECTED
The officers shall consist of one President and three Vice-Presi- dents.
One Secretary, who shall also act as Historian.
One Treasurer, and an Executive Committee of five; all of whom shall hold office for the term of one year, except the secretary, who shall hold office for the term of three years. They shall be elected by ballot, a majority of all the votes cast being necessary to elect.
ARTICLE V - DUTIES OF OFFICERS
President .- It shall be the duty of the president to preside at all meetings of the society, and discharge all the duties usually devolving upon the presiding officer.
Vice-Presidents .- It shall be the duty of vice-presidents to assist the president in the discharge of his duties, and in the absence of the president the vice-president who is the senior of the others in years shall act as presiding officer.
Secretary .- It shall be the duty of the secretary to keep a care- ful and accurate record of the proceedings of the society in a book kept for that purpose, to be present at, and record the proceedings of the meetings of the executive committee, to fill out and counter-
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INTRODUCTION
sign certificates of membership, and receipts for dues, and to make a full and accurate report to the society at its annual meeting of its proceedings for the past year.
As Historian .- As historian he shall compile a history of the county from its earliest settlement to the close of the year 1885, which shall be read at the Annual Encampment of 1886; and there- after each year he shall make such additions to said history as will make it complete to the close of each succeeding year, and such additions shall be read to the society at each annual encampment after the year 1886.
At the expiration of his term of office, he shall turn over to his successor all books, papers, and other property in his hands be- longing to the society.
Treasurer .- It shall be the duty of the treasurer to take charge of all the funds belonging to the society, to sign certificates of mem- bership and receipts for dues, and to report to the society at each annual meeting in writing a full and accurate statement of its financial condition. At the expiration of his term of office he shall turn over to his successor all funds, books, papers, and other property of the society in his possession.
Executive Committee .- The executive committee shall consist of five members, three of whom shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. It shall be their duty to have the general oversight of the affairs of the society, to make the necessary arrange- ments for holding the annual meeting, to call special meetings when they deem it necessary, to fill vacancies caused by the death, resignation, or removal of any of the officers except the president; to audit accounts, issue warrants on the treasury for the disburse- ment of funds, and settle at each annual meeting with the treasurer; to make arrangements for holding the annual encampment, and to attend to such other duties as shall be assigned them from time to time by a vote of the society. In the discharge of these duties they shall have authority to appoint from among the members such committees as may be necessary, and they shall appoint the marshal and his assistants for duty on encampment days.
ARTICLE VI - ELIGIBILITY OF MEMBERS TO OFFICE
The president and three vice-presidents shall always be chosen from members who have resided in the county at least ten years. The secretary, treasurer, and members of the executive com- mittee shall be chosen from members who have resided in the county at least five years.
The members of the executive committee shall be chosen from different localities as follows: One from range 5; one from range 6; one from range 7; one from range 8: and one from the county at large.
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HISTORY OF ANTELOPE COUNTY
ARTICLE VII - ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETINGS
The first annual meeting shall be held on the 22d day of Feb- ruary, A. D. 1887, and thereafter on the 22d day of February of each succeeding year, except when the 22d falls on Sunday, in which case the annual meeting shall be held on the following Mon- day. At the annual meeting in 1907 the date of holding the annual meeting was changed to the first Saturday of September. Special meetings may be called at any time by the secretary on the order of the executive committee.
Annual Encampment .- There shall annually be a gathering of the members with their families and friends at such time and place as may be designated at the annual meeting, or by the ex- ecutive committee, which shall be called the Annual Encampment. It shall be arranged for by the executive committee and shall be conducted under their supervision.
Notice of Meetings .- Notice of the annual or special meetings, and of the annual encampment shall be published in the different newspapers of the county for at least three successive weeks before such meetings are held.
ARTICLE VIII - FEES AND DUES
Every member except those exempted in Article III, shall, upon joining the society, pay to the treasurer the sum of one dollar, and shall thereafter at each annual encampment pay the sum of fifty cents, as annual dues.
ARTICLE IX - ORDERS FOR THE GOOD OF THE SOCIETY
Special orders for the good of the society may be adopted at any regular or special meeting of the society, or may be issued by the executive committee, provided they do not conflict with these fundamental general rules of government.
ARTICLE X - COMPENSATION
All officers shall discharge their duties gratuitously, except the secretary and treasurer. The secretary shall receive a compen- sation of $50, and the treasurer $10 for the year 1886, but there- after the compensation shall be determined by the executive com- mittee.
ARTICLE XI - AMENDMENTS
These General Rules of Government may be amended only at the regular annual meeting, by a vote of two thirds of those entitled to vote on such questions, present and voting.
ARTICLE XII - CHAPLAIN
It shall be the duty of the chaplain to take charge of the religious exercises of the association on encampment days, and at other public gatherings of the association, to keep a record of deaths and
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INTRODUCTION
removals, and report the same at each annual encampment, and in such report to give as far as practicable a short obituary notice of any member who has been removed by death during the year .- · Adopted March 16, 1889.
By these rules it is made the duty of the secretary, who is also the historian, to "compile a history of the county from its earliest settlement to the close of the year 1885, which shall be read at the annual encampment of 1886; and thereafter, each year, he shall make such additions to said history as will make it complete to the close of each succeeding year, and such additions shall be read to the society at each annual encampment after the year 1886."
In compliance with the foregoing rule, the historian did prepare a brief history of the county, which was read at the annual encampment held September 20, 21, 1886, and a continuation of the same was read at the annual encamp- ment held September 20, 21, 1887, Since the last date, however, no part of the history has been prepared and read before the members of the association, but the work of collecting the material for the history has continually gone forward.
Mr. A. J. Leach held the office of secretary and historian until 1892, and during that time he traveled over nearly all parts of the county, collecting material for the history by having conversations with the old settlers, taking notes on matters of interest, and also taking copious notes from the records of the various county offices and of the United States Land Office.
At the annual meeting in 1892 Mr. William B. Lambert was chosen secretary and historian, and at once set out to carry on the historical work begun by Mr. Leach. Mr. Lambert held the office until the time of his death in Jan- uary, 1908, when Mr. Leach was again elected.
Mr. Lambert was a very careful, painstaking man, and a very diligent worker as historian. Without his work in this line the labor of preparing the present history would have been greatly augmented. Had he lived to complete the history himself, it is probable that a much more ex-
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HISTORY OF ANTELOPE COUNTY
tensive work than the present one, and one of greater value, would have been presented to the public.
The present volume is intended to give a history of events from the first settlement in 1868 to the close of the year 1883. Rev. Charles H. Frady, however, in his chap- ter giving the Experiences of a Sunday School Missionary, brings his work down to the close of 1886, and Mr. F. L. Putney, in the four chapters on the District and County Courts, brings his history down to a recent date. It was intended at first to treat of some subjects that have been necessarily omitted. There was to have been one chapter on the mammals of the county, another on the birds, one giving a history of Gates Academy, and one chapter each to the various religious denominations represented in the county. These all had to be given up for the reason that those persons best qualified to write upon these topics were unable to give the time and work necessary for their preparation. Much work, however, has been done along these lines and should another volume appear later these subjects will then be taken up. Several chapters have been contributed by others, and these tell the stories of the early days for themselves, and better than could be done in any other way.
In order to make the work as nearly accurate as possible a committee of five was chosen by the executive com- mittee to assist the historian in revising the work. This committee consisted of William Campbell, Robert Wilson, George H. McGee, Allen Hopkins, and John Hunt. They met at Neligh with the historian on October 4, 1909, and continued the work of revision until it was completed.
It is believed by the historian, and the committee that assisted in the revision, that the History of Antelope County from 1868 to 1883, as now presented, is as nearly perfect as care and diligence can make it.
Scores of Pioneers have assisted in this work by giving valuable information and brotherly encouragement - the newspapers, besides publishing a chapter from week to week as the history was written, have also been liberal
INTRODUCTION
7
in publishing friendly notices, and the county officials have been courteous and accommodating in assisting to look up old records. Without these helps the work could not have been done. To all who have spoken encouraging words, or who have in any way given valuable help, the author returns sincere thanks.
OAKDALE, NEBRASKA, October 12, 1909.
A. J. LEACH.
HISTORY OF ANTELOPE COUNTY
CHAPTER I
LOCATION, AREA, ALTITUDE, TOPOGRAPHY, STREAMS, NATIVE TIMBER, SOIL
I F the state of Nebraska were divided into four equal parts by drawing a line through the center of the state north and south, and another line through the cen- ter of the state east and west, Antelope County would occupy the exact center of the northeast quarter of the state. From Neligh, the county seat of Antelope County, it is forty-four miles due north to the South Dakota line, eighty-nine miles east to the Iowa line, and one hundred forty-seven miles south to the Kansas line. The forty- second parallel of latitude is about five miles north of the south line of the county, and the ninety-eighth meridian of longitude runs through the county about one mile east of the center. Antelope County is thirty-six miles long north and south and twenty-four miles wide east and west, consisting of twenty-four townships, being townships 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28 north of the base line, and ranges 5, 6, 7, and 8 west of the sixth principal meridian, con- taining eight hundred and sixty-four square miles, or about 552,960 acres of land. The general surface of the county is an undulating or gently rolling slope, highest on the western border, and with a grade of about six feet to the mile, thus making the western part about one hundred and forty-four or perhaps one hundred and fifty feet higher than the eastern part. The elevation above sea level at Neligh, as given by the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Company, is 1,761 feet. The uplands throughout the county are from about fifty to about two hundred and
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HISTORY OF ANTELOPE COUNTY
fifty feet higher than the valley of the Elkhorn at Neligh, making the average altitude of the county probably from eighteen hundred and fifty to nineteen hundred feet above tide water. About one quarter of the surface is valley land, lying adjacent to the streams, and about three fourths is upland. The valley of the Elkhorn varies in width from about one and one-half to three miles. The valleys of the smaller streams are generally from one- fourth of a mile to one mile in width, excepting towards the head, where they broaden out to two miles, and in some cases four miles in width. The valleys appear to be almost level, the slope from the hills to the streams being so gradual as to be almost imperceptible. The uplands in some parts are nearly level, in others gently rolling, and in other places somewhat hilly, but not often rough or broken.
There are no broken, rough lands, cut up by cañons and deep ravines, such as are found in some parts of the state. The nearest approach to this condition is found among the hills bordering the streams, where the land, though not extremely rough, is often too hilly for easy farming. In traveling through the county by railroad, a stranger would get the impression that the whole surface is either level or gently rolling, but in traveling by wagon road he would find generally a smooth, somewhat rolling country, with an occasional hill of considerable height, but of mod- erate slope.
The Elkhorn River, with a number of small branches, waters and drains about seven-ninths of the county, while Bazile and Verdigris creeks drain about two-ninths. The Elkhorn takes its rise in Rock County, about ten miles south of Newport. It runs thence northeasterly about fifteen miles to Stuart, in Holt County, thence southeasterly through Holt County about fifty-five miles and enters Antelope County, on the west line of section 7 in Frenchtown township. Continuing its southeasterly course through Antelope County, it leaves the county on the east line of section 12, Burnett township. Continu-
II
HISTORY OF ANTELOPE COUNTY
ing in an easterly course after leaving Antelope County, through Madison and Stanton counties, thence south- easterly through Cuming and Dodge counties and south through Douglas County, it enters the Platte River on the west line of Sarpy County, being about two hundred and twenty miles long from its source in Rock County to its mouth in Sarpy County. The Elkhorn River has five small tributaries in the county, on the north side, known as Al. Hopkins Creek, Crandall Hopkins Creek, Trueblood Creek, Belmer Creek, and Hall Creek. These are all small streams, some of them being mere rivulets, and con- tain running water only from two to four miles back from the river, but they generally have valleys of considerable size. On the south side are found seven tributary streams : Giles Creek, Ives Creek, St. Clair Creek, Cedar Creek, An- telope Creek, Clearwater Creek, and Cache Creek. Cache Creek, however, comes in on the west line of the county and flows only about half a mile in the county before it enters the Elkhorn. These are all small streams, excepting the Cedar and Clearwater, both of which are good-sized mill streams. The valleys, especially of Giles, Ives, and St. Clair creeks, are very fine and contain some of the best farming portions of the county. In addition to these streams there are three or four little creeks that have per- manent running water in the hills, but that sink into the ground on reaching the Elkhorn valley. Cedar Creek heads in Cedar township and has running water for only about ten miles, but it is fed by hundreds of springs and is very uniform in its flow. Clearwater Creek rises in northern Wheeler and southern Holt counties, and flowing northeasterly enters Antelope County on section 30, Clearwater township, and empties into the Elkhorn River near the line of section 6, Ord township. The Clearwater is about twenty-four miles in length and is the largest tributary of the Elkhorn in the county. Bazile Creek is a fine stream that drains all of Bazile and a part of Eden and Crawford townships, and flowing north through Knox County enters the Missouri River a short distance east of
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HISTORY OF ANTELOPE COUNTY
Niobrara. The Verdigris is a large, rapid creek that flows into the Niobrara River near the mouth of the latter stream. Three of its main branches rise in Antelope County, draining all of Sherman and Verdigris townships and parts of Garfield, Royal, and Eden. It is a clear, beautiful stream of pure, soft water flowing over a gravelly bed, and abounds in trout. Trout are also found in one or two of the little tributaries of Clearwater Creek, but there are no trout in the county excepting those found in the Verdigris and the Clearwater. The Verdigris affords abundant water-power, which has been improved only to a very limited extent. Big Springs, in the northern part of Royal township, is the head of one of the main branches of Verdigris Creek, and in early days was a famous camping ground for immigrants, hunters, and ex- plorers. Crawford and Willow townships are each drained by small branches of Willow Creek, which flows eastward to the north fork of the Elkhorn. Nearly all the streams of the county are fed by springs and are of a permanent character, never failing in dry seasons.
The early settlers found in the country now called Antelope County, a handsome, inviting, rolling, prairie land, well watered by numerous streams, and a belt of timber skirting the Elkhorn River and most of the creeks, with occasional groves of considerable size. There was no timber, however, excepting in the immediate vicinity of the streams and along some of the ravines and pockets in the rough hills bordering the valleys. Some of the creeks also, as Antelope, Clearwater, and Willow creeks, were nearly destitute of trees. The native timber along the Elkhorn was mostly cottonwood, white elm, ash, and several kinds of willow. Along most of the creeks, in addition to the varieties named, were also found burr oak, red elm, hackberry, box elder, and linn or basswood. Wild plums, choke cherry, and sumach were abundant. There was plenty of timber to furnish the early settlers with logs for building log houses and stables, also for fuel and other necessary purposes. When a saw-mill was
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HISTORY OF ANTELOPE COUNTY
started, lumber in considerable quantities was made from the cottonwood and oak timber.
Antelope County is strictly agricultural. It has two kinds of soil, known respectively as clay loam and sandy loam, both of which are very fertile and productive. Nine tenths of the land of the county is composed of either the one or the other of these two kinds of soil mentioned. About one tenth of the surface is strictly sandy land, too sandy for profitable farming, but this part has considerable value as pasture land. The largest tract of this kind is found on the south side of the Elkhorn River, opposite Neligh, and extending from near Cedar Creek, west of Oak- dale, nearly to the Clearwater Creek, and is from two to four miles in width. The next largest tract of sandy, pasture land, consisting of about ten or twelve sections, is found in the northeastern part of Elm and southeastern part of Willow townships. Clay-loam soil is found ex- clusively in Grant and Cedar townships and in nearly all of Logan, Burnett, and Elm townships. It covers also the greater part of Oakdale township, the southeastern half of Elgin, the central part of Neligh, that part of Ord north of the river, and the extreme southern part of Blaine township. £ A large part of Bazile township and that part of Clearwater township south of the creek have mostly clay-loam land. The remaining parts of the county have mostly a sandy-loam soil, but not exclusively so, there being frequent tracts of clay soil in nearly every township.
CHAPTER II
LOCATION OF INDIAN TRIBES - TREATIES CEDING ANTELOPE COUNTY TO THE UNITED STATES - INDIAN RELICS - INDIAN GRAVES - GRAVE OF PAWNEE WARRIOR - INTERVIEW WITH BAND OF PAWNEES - BUFFALO - BUFFALO TRAILS - BUF- FALO WALLOWS
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