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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
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1800
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BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF 1895. (See names in index. )
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HISTORY
-OF - -
DIXON COUNTY,
NEBRASKA.
ITS PIONEERS, SETTLEMENT, GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND ITS PRESENT CONDITION - ITS VILLAGES, TOWNSHIPS, ENTERPRISES AND LEADING CITIZENS.
TOGETHER WITH PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF SOME OF ITS PROMINENT MEN, INCIDENTS OF PIONEER LIFE, ETC.
- BY -
WILLIAM HUSE, 11
PONCA, NEBRASKA.
1896: Press of THE DAILY NEWS, NORFOLK.
F6Yz . D) 58 Hg
22.318
PREFATORY.
The following book of the county's history, early incidents, legends, stories, etc., hopes to meet with approval. That there are some errors, there can be no doubt, but the bulk is as correct as the memories of old settlers will permit.
The book is much larger than it was expected to be. The material on hand would have made a thousand pages, and hence to bring the size within reasonable bounds, it was necessary to abridge and cut down whenever it could be done. Especially so in our notices of the citizens of the county, which we have been compelled to shorten to one- fonrth the length we had intended.
We have been greatly helped in the history of old times by the valuable memories of C. F. Putnam. A Davis, S. B. Stough. N. S. Porter. Dr. Porter, L. T. Hill, and other pio- neers, such memories being about the only sources of information to consult on such matters. For matters per- taining to the several townships and their present residents. we are greatly indebted to the friendly assistance of the citizens and especially the supervisors of such townships. Without such aid it would have been impossible to have given the many brief notices of citizens, and it is likely that even with all such assistance, some mistakes and omissions have occurred, especially in the south half of the county. To Wm. Wheeler. P. Kerwin. T. Hoy, W. Jenkins, J. Martin, A. D. Morgan and Geo. Herrick, we are also under great obligations for information in relation to the several vil- lages of the county.
Without further words we will now introduce it to readers.
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TEACHERS AT THE DIXON COUNTY INSTITUTE, AUGUST, 1895.
1
CONTENTS.
PART FIRST.
CHAPTER I.
Introductory-Brief Preliminary Survey of Frontier Life in Northeast Nebraska Thirty-five to Forty Years Ago
9
CHAPTER II.
The Organization of the Territory of Nebraska -The First White Settlers in Dixon County and the Re- linquishment of Indian Claims -Names, Dates of Arrival and Where From, as Near as Can be Ascer- tained of Pioneers From the First Arrival in May. 1856. to the Time When Dixon County was Organized in the Fall of 1858.
14
CHAPTER III.
Particulars and Experiences of First Settlement of County-The Rapid and Increasing Tide of Pioneers -The Birth of Ponca-Paper Towns and the Town- site Business in 1856 and 1857-Concord, North Bend, Dixon and Ionia-The Desire for County Or- ganization-Attending Election at St. Johns-The First Grasshopper Raid Seen by the Pioneers-Or- ganization of County and Location of County Seat -- First Election of County Officers.
24
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IV.
Dixon County's Progress-Its Officials and Their Methods of Doing Business-First Board of Commissioners, Their Proceedings and Records, and the Many Dif- ficulties They Had to Encounter The First Assess- ment of Property and the Poverty-stricken Display of Wealth Hard Times and Few Improvements- First School in County-Call for Troops in 1862 and Enlistment in Dixon County-Ed. Freeman Killed in Battle of Whitestone Hill-Indian Scares in 1863 -Stampede of Settlers from the Niobrara Country- The Drouth in 1864 and the Great Crops in 1865 The Growth of Ponca and the Rise and Fall of lonia. 40
CHAPTER V.
Indian Scares and Annoyances-N. S. Porter's Interview With "Smoker" of "Little Rabbit's" Band-L. T. Hill's Experience with Indians at Ionia-J. Murphy of South Creek has an Unpleasant Visit -- Indian Pow-wows and Dances The Ancient Indian Tribes and Legends
53
CHAPTER VI.
Courts and Crimes of Dixon County in 1870 Indians Brought Before the District Court for the Murder of Munson in Wayne County - The Court of Judge Lynch and the Trial and Conviction of Mat Miller for the Murder of Mr. Dunn-Mysterious Fate of James Bigley
64
CHAPTER VII.
Story of a Rascally Little Railroad The Covington, Columbus and Black Hills Narrow Gauge Enter- prise-Its Rise and Career-Its Exploits in Finance and Building and its Final Sale by a Receiver. .
73
CHAPTER VIII.
The Growth of the County Continued The South Half ot the County Commences Settling Up Martins- burg Started in 1872 Blizzards and Loss of Life in
.
79
CONTENTS.
1872-Grasshoppers in 1874. 1875 and 1876 The Black Hills Excitement of 1875 and the C. C. & B. H. R. R. The Increase in Size and Business of Ponca, Martinsburg and New Castle The Earthquake of 1877-First Steps Toward an Agricultural Society Terrible Prairie Fires in March. 1879
CHAPTER IX.
The Coal Discoveries and the Ups and Downs of Mining In Dixon County During the Past 38 Years The Al- leged Immense Beds of Black Diamonds in the River Bluffs and the Determined Efforts to Find Them Have Seductive Hope Before and Black Disappoint- ment Following After -Every Attempt to Find a Paying Vein is a Total Failure-"Old Joe Brewer" and his Discovery of the Plesiosaurus His Mound Building Theories The Ionia Volcano and Indian Superstitions Regarding it.
CHAPTER X.
90
The Building of the Railroad up the Logan Valley and its Great Help in Settling up the Southern Part of the County The Terrible Winter of 1880-81-The Spring Break-up of the Ice in the Missouri and the Damage and Loss of Life Ensuing Great Bend is Cut off From Dixon County by a Change of the River and Becomes a Part of Dakota Territory-The Flood at Ponca and Along the Aoway and Logan- The Starting of Wakefield in ISSI -- A Tragedy Near New Castle-The Agricultural Society Project Revived and the First County Fair in September, 1882 Record of General Growth -Indian Raid on Emer- son- Organization of the First G. A. R. Post in County-Brief Review at End of 1882
CHAPTER XI.
From 1883 to 1886 -- The Agricultural Society Holds its Annual Fairs-Talk of a Railroad Bridge-Robbery of the County Treasury-Treasurer Knapp and His Bondsmen Township Organization Voted on in 1883 and Goes into Effect in 1886 Another County
99
CONTENTS.
Seat Project Voted on-Great Storm in June, 1885 -Murder of Alexander by Blair in ISS5.
108
CHAPTER XII.
Railroad Rumblings The Building of the Short Line -The Extension of the Ponca Branch to New Castle-The Burning of the Mill at Ponca The Failure of the First National Bank-The Starting of Allen, Concord. Waterbury and New Castle . . 117
CHAPTER XIII.
Assessments, Population, Improved Land. Fruit and Forest Trees -Marriages, Births and Deaths from the Organization of the County to the Present Time Lists of County Officers, Clerks, Treasurers, Commissioners and Supervisors, Probate and County Judges, Sheriffs and Superintendents of Public In- struction. County Attorneys, Clerks of Court and Surveyors, from the First until Now 128
CHAPTER XIV.
Members of the Legislature Sent from Dixon Connty District Judges J. B. Barnes and W. F. Norris Schools and Scholars-The First Deed Recorded in County - Grist Mills. Saw Mills and other Manu- factories. 140
CHAPTER XV.
Ponca City-Its Past and Present.
CHAPTER XVI. 146
Ionia and Ponca Townships Their Citizens. etc .. etc ... 199 CHAPTER XVII.
Silver Creek. Daily, Hooker. Clark and New Castle Townships, and New Castle Village. 215
CHAPTER XVIII.
Otter Creek. Galena, Springbank and Emerson. 233
CONTENTS. CHAPTER XIX.
Logan. Wakefield and Concord 251
List of names of teachers whose portraits are given .. .. . 226
PART SECOND.
LEGENDS, STORIES, ETC.
Among the Indians-Adventures in the Dixon County Country in 1810. . 273
The Sacred Rock of the Arapahoes-A Legend of the Ionia Volcano 280
Indian Cruelty -- The Murder of the Wiseman Family .. . 288
THE REALM OF FICTION.
The Brazilian Traveler and the Narrow Gauge Railroad 292
Dixon County's Caves. and Professor Perrigoue's Re- markable Discoveries Therein 299
Volcanic Phenomena- Thrilling Adventures of a Party while Making Investigations. 309
Indian Scare and Massacre 321
SHORT SKETCHES.
A Surveying Expedition 329
Story of Adventures with a Drove of Wild Beasts 334
Reminiscences. and How We Ran for Office
338
A Bull Fight 342
An Irrepressible Conflict Concerning a Hog Trough
344
A Confidence Game
347
CONTENTS.
Prof. Perrigoues Fight with Fire 349
Burglars in Town 351
An Indian Dnel 354
The General's Jollification Meeting 356
Index 361
LIST OF ENGRAVINGS.
The board of supervisors, fronting title page.
Portraits of teachers, following prefatory.
Map of county, facing page 9.
First house in county, May. 1856, by Adam Smith, facing page 16.
Lutheran church, Ponca, facing page 149.
Dr. S. B. Stough's residence, Ponca, page 149.
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Huse, following page 152.
J. W. Porter, between 154 and 157.
J. J. McCarthy's residence, Ponca. between 154 and 157. John Stough 162
Mrs. John Stough
163
J. M. Davey 168
Mrs. J. M. Davey
R. H. Pomeroy 169
174
Mrs. R. H. Pomeroy 175
Judge A. W. Rose.
180
Mrs. Carrie L. Rose
181
S. P. Mikesell
186
S. P. Mikesell's residence 187
T. J. Sheibley 192
Miss Anna Sheibley 193
Miss Harriet A. Pomeroy 193
W. W. Cooper 197
Prof. B. H. Culver 197
L. T. Hill. 204
Mrs. L. T. Hill 205
C. F. Putnam 212
CONTENTS.
A. Davis 212
O. M. Childs.
218
W. P. Logan. 227
Patrick Scollard. 236
H. H. Hart and family 245
C. T. Barto 254
Mrs. C. T. Barto 254
H. P. Shumway. 258
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HISTORY
-- OF
DIXON COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
PART FIRST.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTORY - BRIEF PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF FRONTIER LIFE IN NORTHEAST NEBRASKA THIRTY-FIVE TO FORTY YEARS AGO.
The rich land. pure water and healthy climate of Nebraska. together with its rapidly growing cities and towns, its rail- roads, markets, schools, churches and innumerable enter- prises and improvements, present a wonderful contrast to its condition thirty-five to forty years ago. In many respects it is now regarded one of the best states in the union, but at that time it was hardly known. Then it was generally be- lieved that Nebraska (and especially that part of it where Dixon county is, was chiefly a desert, with little good land. having an atmosphere laden with malaria, without timber. and with water abominable to the taste and smell. Those who desired to make a home in this part of the west, were liable to be discouraged when they looked at the map and saw "Great American Desert" written across it, and especially when they listened to tales which asserted that in Nebraska the face of the country was a succession of sand hills, that its few white inhabitants were hardly superior to savages, and that an existence here would be unhappy and useless.
Prior to 1850. Nebraska was principally inhabited by In- dians. The dusky tribes who made Dixon county their
10
HISTORY OF DIXON COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
stamping ground the Omahas, Poncas, Sioux, etc., - were generally not the kind of noble red men immortalized by Cooper. They hunted. fished and stole ponies, and occasion- ally when a trader came and supplied them, they drank fire- water and fought with one another. The numerous Indian graves on the bluffs along the Missouri are about the only mementoes we now have of our copper colored predecessors.
It will be seen that the pioneers who first braved the perils of frontier life in Dixon county had no easy lot for awhile. nor were the times considered any too safe in the presence of the Indians, who deemed this their especial country and regarded the whites with aversion. In view of this unpleas- ant fact, settlers often had to follow the New England enstom of two hundred years ago, and go about their work, guns in hand, and with eyes and ears ever open.
Most of those who ventured into this country. thirty to thirty-nine years ago, were poor in cash, but they usually had what was better, viz: a good supply of practical sense. and plenty of energy and perseverance. Some began life here as farmers, others hung out their shingles and announced themselves as blacksmiths, carpenters. lawyers, doctors or land agents. In all the trades and professions to which they applied themselves, grit and good judgment usually con- ducted them to the top. One might commence anything if he only bad brains and assurance enough, and apparently with flattering prospects of success, whether keeping cattle. raising corn and potatoes, selling farms and town lots or scalp- ing Indians, and finally, if he could in the meanwhile keep out of the penitentiary, he might expect to go to the legislature or to congress. All were ambitious to succeed. and concern- ing state and county affairs every man was a politician.
In 1859, the Pike's Peak fever carried away a large number of inhabitants, and in 1862 the Indian troubles drove away many more. Afterwards, for several years, improvements were slow. Those who remained in spite of the hard times which stuck to them like a brother, saw the tide finally turn. and to-day have no cause for regret. Of those first settlers now living. who had the grit to stay and see the dark side of life during the first few years of this country. there are few who are not in prosperous circumstances.
Prior to the time Nebraska became a state, Dixon county
11
HISTORY OF DIXON COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
was exceedingly slow moving. With no railroads and few markets, and with poor postal facilities and little news of what was going on in the world, life here was peculiarly humdrum. Among the few exciting occasions on the frontier were the raisings. when the settlers met and helped up a house or barn of logs or sod, and generally wound up the propitions event with a royal time of joy. Again, excitement brewed and bubbled up when an election took place. Then the citizens in determined and friendly contest, showed the merits or demerits of the respective candidates, argued the pros and cons, made the air vibrate with eloquence, and car- ried the day one way or the other with as much fervor as though the fate of Rome was to be decided.
In those primitive days, official business was not as heavy as it is now, and state and county officers had little except- ing their official dignity to sustain them. Not as now were counties compelled to build offices for their clerks, treasurers, judges and sheriffs, nor was much room required for records, nor iron safes for a county's money. Then, county officials were not troubled to find office room. An empty cracker box or nail keg was deemed good enough for papers of minor im- portance: valuable records, however, were more carefully protected, and clerks and treasurers for safety and convenience usually carried them around in their hats. And in that age of Arcadian simplicity, he who, in obedience to the voice of his fellow citizens, donned the judicial ermine, administered jus- tice in a manner as patriarchal as was practiced in the days of Abraham. A stump or a surveyor's quarter section mound often became the seat of justice, and a much thumbed book of Ohio or Pennsylvania forms, the only legal compass to guide the decisions from the bench. Law suits were often settled by the court and constable giving off their costs, and in extreme cases the bystanders would chip in and make up the amount in dispute.
The most violent disturbances of public quiet took place at the time of county seat contests. Then it was that embryo metropolitan cities, whose log houses and corner groceries could have been counted on the fingers. entered the lists, and like young. untamed colts, furiously competed and ran against each other for the coveted prize. Such elections were always elose and amid great excitement. Very often
12
HISTORY OF DIXON COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
the official count showed more votes polled than there were white men. Indians, horses, buffaloes, coyotes and prairie dogs in the county. This habit of extensive voting never prevailed in any other kind of a contest, and in this was not confined to any one voting precinet, but was practiced equally and impartially at all of them. Hence, no serions harm could ensue. It increased the excitement and fun of the voters, and the result was generally the same as if no such extreme methods had been adopted.
Society showed some curious features during those primi- tive times. People came here from all parts of the east and south, and brought to the common stock, the habits, laws. customs, notions of religion and methods of business prevail- ing at their old homes. The bracing air and boundless prairies around them expanded their minds and hearts. If they brought with them littleness of soul, they were soon seen to be forgetting narrow and selfish views of life and developing generosity and nobility of character. As in all new and thinly settled countries, the people became acquaint- ed and friendly, and their social and business intercourse. though sharp. was not often tinged with meanness. If a family was in distress, its neighbors gave relief if they could. They had probably been there themselves. Settlers might differ with each other on politics and perhaps feel justly sore over a land or horse trade, but if one were sick or hard up. his neighbors forgot past differences and became unselfish and generous.
A Nebraska man might wink at an attempt to steal a county seat, but he would strictly stand by his friends and insist on fair play for the community in which he lived. re- dress their wrongs with promptness and vigor, and if the courts were lax. as was often the case, he would not hesi- tate in extreme cases of wrong doing, to usurp the functions of the highest tribunals.
Such was frontier life during the infancy of Dixon County as well as elsewhere in Nebraska. Though the country was thinly settled and its wealth could excite neither vanity nor envy, the people, even with all their privations, had many grounds for contentment. Nearly every one had good health. Occasional good erops and profitable ventures sustained am- bition. In this prolific atmosphere the often advent of heirs
18
HISTORY OF DIXON COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
increased the joy of households and helped to swell the cen- sus. No man or woman gave special heed to fashion books or to the cut of their garments. There were no bickerings. back-bitings or jealousies. All were equally rich and equally poor. As a consequence early settlers were, in the main, a harmonious brotherhood, and now are worthy of the remen- brance and respect of those who follow them.
14
HISTORY OF DIXON COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
CHAPTER II.
THE ORGANIZATION OF THE TERRITORY OF NEBRASKA THE FIRST WHITE SETTLERS IN DIXON COUNTY AND THE RELIN- QUISHMENT OF INDIAN CLAIMS - - NAMES, DATES OF ARRIVAL AND WHERE FROM, AS NEAR AS CAN BE ASCERTAINED OF PIONEERS FROM THE FIRST ARRIVAL IN MAY, 1856, TO THE TIME WHEN DIXON COUNTY WAS ORGANIZED IN THE FALL OF 1858.
In 1803. the country which is now the state of Nebraska. was a part of the province of Louisiana and under the domin- ion of France. In 1854, this country, (which during the in- terval between 1803 and 1854, had been ceded to the United States and had successively been part of the territories of Louisiana and Missouri,) was organized by an act of congress. as the territory of Nebraska. As thus organized, Nebraska territory was of vast dimensions, including not only the pres- ent state of Nebraska but also the great region to the north and west now occupied by the Dakotas, Wyoming and Mon- tana.
Prior to the formation of Nebraska territory in 1854, as well as for two years afterwards, that part of it now known as Dixon County had never had a permanent white settler. (Indeed, white settlers in Nebraska were few and far between in those early times, there being in the whole territory in 1855 only about 3,500.) From time to time, people had pass- ed through on their way to the far west. or had visited it to purchase furs of the Indians or for the perilous excitement of hunting and trapping on Indian lands. In 1847 and the following year several large companies of Mormons went across the country on their way to Salt Lake. and their various routes, the "Old Mormon Trails" as they are now called, hard and worn like turnpikes and devoid of grass, are in many places plain to be seen.
This country, then claimed by the Indians, was a region little known and its reputation as being a part of the "Great
15
HISTORY OF DIXON COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
American Desert" rendered it far from inviting to settlers. Soon after the territory was organized, the Omaha Indians ceded to the government a large part of their lands west of the Missouri amounting to about 485 square miles. This great tract embraced what is now known as Dakota county and extended up the river to Aoway Creek (now known as South Creek, in Dixon County. West of that creek and be- tween it and Fort Randall. the country was claimed by the Ponca Indians. Hence a pioneer could by virtue of the treaty with the Omahas. come in peace and safety up the country as far as the Aoway, but to cross that stream and go farther into the promised land laid him liable to ineur the high displeasure of the Poncas. Such Indian title was often disputed by pioneers, who. looking across the Aoway and seeing beautiful valleys and plains beyond, longed to cross and in fact often did cross and braving opposition. occupy claims on the forbidden ground. This disputed region was as yet unsurveyed. and the uncertainty of title and the pres- ence of the copper colored majority -- naturally unfriendly under the circumstances- rendered the position of the ven- turesome pioneers anything but pleasant or secure. Fortun- ately this insecure and chaotic condition of things lasted but a couple of years, and when Dixon County was organized in 1858. all differences between the whites and the Ponca In- dians had been happily settled by the latter ceding to the general government all claim to land west of the Aoway ex- cepting a tract west of the Niobrara river. to which reserva- tion they soon after removed.
Dakota county which was organized in 1855. (three years before Dixon County.) was bounded on the west by the line between ranges 5 and 6. Thus, as will be see nby reference to the map. Ponca and Ponca township as well as a strip run- ning north and south and three miles wide. now embraced in Dixon County, was at the start a part of Dakota county.
The first white people who made homes in what after- wards became Dixon County. came in May. 1856. and an in- creasing tide of pioneers rapidly followed. The first settle- ments were at or near Ponca and from thence extended up South Creek and West Creek. In the main they came from the eastern states, and were hardy. resolute and industrious men, else they would not have come. They had their pick
HISTORY OF DIXON COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
of the lands and selected wisely. They were mostly poor but to their joy they found rich land and a genial climate. Here they built their homes, cultivated their lands and reared their families. It was a venture, thus entering a new and almost unknown country, but their faith was well founded and though the road to wealth has been long and not one of entire sunshine. yet as they now look back over it and see how the start was and how things are now, none can say they are not content.
We have endeavored to obtain the names of all who came here from the first settlement to the time the county was organized and the first election of officers was held in the fall of 1858. Between May. 1856. and the year 1858. there was no organization, no surveys of land, nothing in faet but a sort of "squatter sovereignty." and the uncertainty of the future and the possibility of losing all the fruits of their in- dustry. required the pioneers to be men of unbounded hope and perseverance. That they came and remained rendered them worthy of remembrance. Hence we have prepared a list of those pioneers, desiring not to omit a single one. Pos- sibly there may be three or four omissions, but there cannot be more. To obtain this list of names, where they came from. when they came and where they located in the county. we have been compelled to rely on the memory of those old pioneers who now remain. The help especially of Messrs. S. B. Stough. C. F. Putnam. A. Davis. L. T. Hill and N. S. Porter. has been invaluable, and their excellent memories of pioneers and pioneer days, have enabled us to accomplish far more than we had at first expected.
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