USA > Nebraska > Adams County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties > Part 124
USA > Nebraska > Clay County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties > Part 124
USA > Nebraska > Hall County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties > Part 124
USA > Nebraska > Hamilton County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton counties, Nebraska, comprising a condensed history of the state, a number of biographies of distinguished citizens of the same, a brief descriptive history of each of the counties mentioned, and numerous biographical sketches of the citizens of such counties > Part 124
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that the ballots had not been protected, he was in favor of a new count. He made affidavit that he had not dis- turbed the ballots, but did not swear that no one else had. It was left to the convention, and they decided to re- count. They found two ballots more than was found the night before, and two more than there were names on the poll list, and also found a majority of two for the Shenberger delegation. The Moore delegation were kicked out of the convention, and the regular ring dele- gates chosen. The Louisiana returning board could have done no more, and the result caused great applause from the ring supporters.
Mr. Cox, urged by many of his friends, an- nounced himself as an independent candidate for treasurer.
The Democratic convention met at Aurora on Saturday, October 12, 1889, and put in nomina- tion a straight Democratic ticket, except for the offices of county judge and surveyor, endorsing the Republican nominees for those positions.
The campaign which ensued was hard fought and earnest. There was comparatively little pub- lic speaking, the tactics on both sides being of the " still hunt" order.
The "Farmers' Alliance " movement had been growing very strong throughout the county dur- ing the past year, and while the organization itself did not declare in favor of either ticket, its influ- ence was strongly felt in the campaign, and doubt- less was a potent factor in producing the result of the election held November 5, 1889, and which was as shown in the following statistics:
For member of Congress, Second District- G. L. Laws (R.): Farmers' Valley, 64, Orville, 94, Scovill, 52, Union, 111, Beaver, 52, Aurora, 295, Hamilton, 45, Deepwell, 51, Valley, 150, Grant, 104, Monroe, 114, Phillips, 50, Otis, 54, South Platte, 90, Bluff, 76, Cedar Valley, 11; total, 1,413; majority, 317. C. D. Casper (D.): Farmers' Val- ley, 25, Orville, 76, Scovill, 75, Union, 57, Beaver, 25, Aurora, 229, Hamilton, 80, Deepwell, 89, Val- ley, 89, Grant, 57, Monroe, 45, Phillips, 73, Otis, 62, South Platte, 82, Bluff, 18, Cedar Valley, 14; total, 1,096. C. E. Bentley (P.): Union, 1, Aurora, 17, Hamilton, 7, Deepwell, 13, Grant, 3, Phillips, 4, Otis, 1, South Platte, 8, Bluff, 11, Cedar Val- ley, 2; total, 57.
For Supreme Judge-T. L. Norval (R.): Far-
737
HAMILTON COUNTY.
·
mers' Valley, 67, Orville, 96, Scovill, 57, Union, 114, Beaver, 52, Aurora, 308, Hamilton, 50, Deep- well, 54, Valley, 157, Grant, 104, Monroe, 116, Phillips, 62, Otis, 54, South Platte, 96, Bluff, 78. Cedar Valley, 12; total, 1,477; majority, 441. John H. Ames (D.): Farmers' Valley, 22, Orville, 75, Scovill, 72, Union, 54, Beaver 22, Aurora, 219, Hamilton, 77, Deepwell, 82, Valley, 83, Grant, 56, Monroe, 42, Phillips, 63, Otis, 61, South Platte, 77, Bluff 18, Cedar Valley, 13; total, 1,036. F. P. Wigton (P.): Union, 1, Aurora, 18, Hamilton 6, Deepwell, 7, Grant 3, Phillips, 4, Otis, 2, South Platte, 8, Bluff, 10, Cedar Valley, 2; total 61.
Sheriff-W. W. Shenberger (R.): Farmers' Val. ley, 62, Orville, 83, Scovill, 39, Union, 93, Beaver, 43, Aurora, 225, Hamilton, 46, Deepwell, 54, Val- ley, 119, Grant, 95, Monroe, 73, Phillips, 48, Otis, 53, South Platte, 92, Bluff, 58, Cedar Valley, 14; total, 1,197. W. H. Fall (D.): Farmers' Valley, 37, Orville, 85, Scovill, 87, Union, 74, Beaver, 32, Aurora, 314, Hamilton, 88, Deepwell, 91, Valley, 120, Grant, 68, Monroe, 84, Phillips, 80, Otis, 64, South Platte, 85, BInff, 46, Cedar Valley, 13, total, 1,368, majority, 171.
Treasurer-W. S. Harlan (R.): Farmers' Val- ley, 54, Orville, 89, Scovill, 31, Union, 80, Beaver, 46, Aurora, 216, Hamilton, 23, Deepwell, 16, Val- ley, 79, Grant, 84, Monroe, 50, Phillips, 12, Otis, 45, South Platte, 94, Bluff, 54, Cedar Valley, 13; total, 986. Peter Farney (D.): Farmers' Valley. 32, Orville, 80, Scovill, 89, Union, 62, Beaver, 20, Aurora, 303, Hamilton, 102, Deepwell, 61, · Valley, 52, Grant, 67, Monroe, 72, Phillips 9, Otis, 67, South Platte, 58, Bluff, 22, Cedar Valley, 14; total, 1,110; majority, 124. Levi Cox (Ind. Rep.): Farmers' Valley, 3, Orville, 2, Scovill, 8, Union, 26, Beaver, 11, Aurora, 28, Hamilton, 9, Deepwell, 68, Valley, 108, Grant, 10, Monroe, 35, Phillips, 108, Otis, 5, South Platte, 28, Bluff, 24; total, 473.
County Clerk-R. H. Peard (R.): Farmers' Val- ley, 66, Orville, 95, Scovill, 54, Union, 111, Beaver, 53, Aurora, 316, Hamilton, 52, Deepwell, 54, Val- ley, 154, Grant, 107, Monroe, 84, Phillips, 59, Otis, 57, South Platte, 100, Bluff, 80, Cedar Valley, 13; total, 1,455; majority, 359. G. P. Brahm (D.):
Farmers' Valley, 23, Orville, 76, Scovill, 74, Union, 57, Beaver. 25, Aurora, 218, Hamilton, 78, Deep- well, 89, Valley, 85, Grant, 54, Monroe, 75, Phil- lips, 70, Otis, 60, South Platte, 79, Bluff, 20, Cedar Valley, 13; total, 1,096.
Commissioner, Second District B. F. Isaman (R.): Farmers' Valley, 66, Orville, 97, Scovill, 35, Union, 46, Beaver, 57, Aurora, 302, Hamilton, 49, Deepwell, 32, Valley, 156, Grant, 105, Monroe, 101, Phillips, 40, Otis, 56, South Platte, 98, Bluff, 77, Cedar Valley, 12; total, 1,329; majority, 130. John Detamore (D.): Farmers' Valley, 23, Orville, 74, Scovill, 93, Union, 120, Beaver, 21, Aurora, 236, Hamilton, 82, Deepwell, 112, Valley, 84, Grant, 56, Monroe, 51, Phillips, 72, Otis, 61, Sonth Platte, 82, Bluff, 19, Cedar Valley, 13; total, 1,199.
County Judge W. L. Stark (R.): Farmers' Valley, 88, Orville, 169, Scovill, 129, Union, 16S, Beaver, 78, Aurora, 544, Hamilton, 134, Deep- well, 141, Valley, 240, Grant, 163, Monroe, 158, Phillips, 129, Otis, 116, South Platte, 173, Bluff, 89, Cedar Valley, 26; total, 2,554.
County Superintendent-F. M. Stanley (R.): Farmers' Valley, 67, Orville, 85, Scovill, 55, Union, 113, Beaver, 56, Aurora, 281, Hamilton, 52, Deepwell, 56, Valley, 165, Grant, 107, Monroe, 124, Phillips, 52, Otis, 62, South Platte, 102, Bluff, 95, Cedar Valley, 17; total, 1,489; majority, 416. J. H. N. Cobb (D.): Farmers' Valley, 22, Orville, 83, Scovill, 73, Union, 56, Beaver, 21, Aurora, 257, Hamilton, 79, Deepwell, 88, Valley, 75. Grant, 54, Monroe, 36, Phillips, 76, Otis, 55, South Platte, 79, Bluff, 9, Cedar Valley, 10; total, 1,073.
Surveyor- D. B. Parks (R.): Farmers' Valley, 88, Orville, 171, Scovill, 128, Union, 168, Beaver, 78, Aurora, 529, Hamilton, 131, Deepwell, 144, Valley, 239, Grant, 164, Monroe, 158, Phillips, 127, Otis, 117, South Platte, 174, Bluff, 100, Ce- dar Valley, 25; total, 2,541.
Coroner E. A. Steenburg: Farmers' Valley, 67, Orville, 95, Scovill, 56, Union, 113, Beaver, 55, Anrora, 279, Hamilton, 57, Deepwell, 79, Val- ley, 156, Grant, 107, Monroe, 117, Phillips, 68, Otis, 56, South Platte, 102, BInff, 80, Cedar Val-
738
HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.
ley, 12; total, 1,499; majority, 491. A. M. Glover (D.): Farmers' Valley, 22, Orville, 75, Scovill, 71, Union, 55, Beaver, 23, Aurora, 233, Hamilton, 75, Deepwell, 63, Valley, 84, Grant, 57, Monroe, 42, Phillips, 40, Otis, 61, South Platte, 75, Bluff, 19, Cedar Valley, 13; total, 1,008.
The accompanying figures give the vote of the county officers at each election from 1875, the first election in the county at which two parties con- tended for supremacy, until 1889, the last election held:
County clerk: 1875, J. H. Helms, 527; A. W. Conner, 312; S. R. Cowgill, 1. 1877, T. C. Klumb (G.), 328; Walter Chambers (R.), 297. 1879, W. L. Whittemore (R.), 576; T. C. Klumb (G.), 559; V. D. Cass (D.), 96; scattering, 5. 1881, W. F. Peck (A.), 741; W. L. Whittemore (R.), 631; J. H. Faris, 1. 1883, W. F. Peck (A.), 1,271; T. B. Johnson (R.), 490. 1885, J. M. Laurie (D.), 1,109; William M. Thomas (R.), 1,090; scat- tering, 4. 1887, R. H. Peard (R.), 1,409; Charles L. Crane (D.), 587; D. E. Price (P.), 47; scatter- ing. 3. 1889, R. H. Peard (R.), 1,455; G. P. Brahm (D.), 1,096.
Treasurer: 1875, J. H. Faris, 818. 1877, T. A. Mckay (G.), 327; Jesse Evans (R.), 311; J. H. Faris, 0. 1879, T. A. McKay (G.), 599; W. H. Streeter (R.), 594; George Wildish (D.), 41; scat- tering, 16. 1881, J. H. Faris (A.), 838; M. J. Peterson (R.), 533. 1883, J. H. Faris (A.), 1,164; John Raben (R), 575; scattering, 2. 1885, Harvey Cole (R.), 1,033; W. F. Peck (A.), 997; William Glover (D.), 182; Thomas, 1. 1887, Harvey Cole (R.), 1,291; Frank Stevens (D.), 728; John Litzen- berg, 32; C. L. Crane, 1. 1889, Peter Farney (D.), 1,110; W. S. Harlan (R.), 986; Levi Cox (Ind. R.), 474.
Sheriff: 1875, D. A. Scovill, 803; J. M. Fodge, ' 51; W. Hickman, 1. 1877, James M. Fodge (R.), 338; James Taggart (G.), 240; N. B. Payne, 49; 1879, R. H. Peard (R.). 544; W. Z. Pollard (D.), 324; J. M. Fodge, 157; Simon Snow, 137; J. M. Zentbauer, 140. 1881, W. Z. Pollard (D.), 890; M. L. Vandewalker (R.), 493. 1883, W. Z. Pollard (D.), 1,100; W. W. VanMeter (R.), 673; W. K. Ream, 1. 1885, W. Z. Pollard (D.), 1,011; F. E.
Valentine, 1,194; J. Kirk, 1. 1887, W. W. Shen- berger (R.), 1,167; W. Z. Pollard (D.), 895; W. B. Mccullough, 38; scattering, 3. 1889, W. H. Fall (D.), 1,368; W. W. Shenberger (R.), 1,197; scattering, 2.
County judge: 1875, W. L. Whittemore, 482; W. W. Hickox, 301; scattering, 5. 1877, W. L. Whittemore (R.), 455; S. Whitesides (G.), 182. 1879, W. L. Stark (R.), 731; T. H. Glover (G.), 308; R. Lamont (D.). 192; scattering, 4. 1881, W. K. Ream (A.), 717; J. H. Sauls (R.), 615; scat- tering, 15. 1883, W. K. Ream (A.), 923: J. H. Sauls (R.), 821; scattering 3. 1885, J. H. Lincoln (R.), 1,283; W. K. Ream (A.), 773; scattering, 2. 1887, W. L. Stark (R.), 1,360; D. M. Waite (D.), 611; scattering, 42. 1889, W. L. Stark (R.), 2,554; B. Hiatt, 1.
Superintendent of schools: 1875, Delevan Bates, 873; scattering, 2. 1877, E. B. Barton (R.), 354; H. G. Cass (G.), 267; H. J. Cass, 9. 1879, E. B. Barton (R.), 759; Sarah J. Price, (G.), 368; W. K. Ream, 4. 1881, E. B. Barton (R.), 692; S. A. Holcomb (A.), 655. 1883, J. A. Kirk (A.), 867; E. B. Barton (R.), 841. 1885, E. B. Barton (R.), 1,180; J. A. Kirk (A.), 1,018; scatter- ing, 3. 1887, E. B. Barton (R.), 1,185; Lou Armel (D.), 809; scattering, 28. 1889, M. F. Stanley (R.), 1,489; J. H. N. Cobb (D.), 1,073; G. Carter, 1.
Surveyor: 1875, G. M. Hollenbach, 872. 1877, S. B. Parks (G.), 427; G. M. Hollenbach (R.), 213; E. B. Barton, 1. 1879, D. B. Parks, 823; W. B. Hargus, 170; scattering, 5. 1881, G. M. Simpson, * 718; D. B. Parks, 647. 1883, D. B. Parks (A.), 933; M. M. Halleck (R.), 847; scatter- ing. 3. 1885, M. M. Halleck (R.), 1,291; D. B. Parks (A.), 919; scattering, 2. 1887, D. B. Parks, 1,974; Frank Wood, 52. 1889, D. B. Parks, 2,541; J. H. N. Cobb, 1.
Coroner: 1875, Ira Westbrook, 874. 1877, James Duncanson (R.), 381; Jacob Rathgeb (G.), 234; scattering, 25. 1879, F. H. Clark (R.), 765; Ira Westbrook (G.), 300; J. M. Champe (D.), 166. 1881, J. W. Elarton (R.), 755; scattering, 40. 1883, T. H. Line (R.), 881; J. W. Elarton (A.), 877; scattering, 25. 1885, George A. Blakeley
* Failed to qualify and commissioners appointed D. B. Parks.
739
HAMILTON COUNTY.
(R.), 1,315; D. S. Woodward (D.), 785; scattering, 3. 1887, J. W. Elarton (R.), 1,295; W. F. Gooden, 714; scattering, 31. 1889, *E. A Steenburg (R.), 1,499; A. M. Glover (D.), 1,008; scattering, 34.
The following is a roster of county officials from the organization of the county to the present time:
Clerk district court: Josias D. Westcott, May 20, 1870, to November 30, 1871: John H. Helms, January 3, 1876, to January 3, 1878; L. W. Shu- man, January 1, 1884; William P. Hellings, Jan- nary 1. 1888, to January 1. 1892.
County clerk: Josias D. Westcott, May 20, 1870, to November 30, 1873; William R. Mitchell, No- vember 30, 1873; John H. Helms, October 13, 1875; Thomas C. Klumb, Jannary 3, 1878; W. L. Whit- temore, January 1, 1880; W. F. Peck, January 1, 1882, to January 1, 1886; James M. Laurie, Jan- uary 1, 1886 (died, and R. H. Peard appointed); R. H. Peard, January 1, 1888, to January 1, 1892.
Treasurer: Clarence O. Westcott, May 20, 1870, to November 30, 1873; James H. Faris, November 30, 1873, to January 3, 1878; T. A. McKay, Jan- uary 3, 1878, to January 1, 1882; J. H. Faris, January 1, 1882, to January 1. 1886; Harvey Cole, January 1, 1886, to January 1, 1890; Peter Far- ney, January 1, 1890, to Jannary 1, 1892.
Sheriff: George F. Dickson, May 20, 1870, to November 30, 1873; J. M. Smith, November 30, 1873, to October 13, 1875 (resigned, and E. D. Preston appointed); D. A. Scovill, October 13, 1875, to January 3, 1878; J. M. Fodge, January 3, 1878, to January 1, 1880; R. H. Peard, January 1, 1880, to January 1, 1882; W. Z. Pollard, January 1, 1882, to January 1, 1886; F. E. Valentine, Jan- uary 1, 1886, to January 1. 1888; W. W. Shen- berger, January 1, 1888, to January 1, 1890; W. H. Fall, January 1, 1890, to January 1, 1892.
Probate judge: Robert Lamont, May 20, 1870. to November 30, 1871; S. M. Hunter, November 30, 1871. to October 13, 1875; W. L. Whittemore, January 3, 1876, to January 1, 1880; W. L. Stark, January 1, 1880, to January 1, 1882; W. K. Ream, January 1, 1882, to January 1, 1886; J. H. Lin- coln, January 1. 1886, to January 1, ISSS; W. L. Stark, January 1, 1888, to January 1, 1892.
* Failed to qualify and commissioners appointed J. W. Elarton.
Superintendent of schools: John Laurie, May 20, 1870, to November 30, 1871; Byron D. Brown, November 30, 1871, to November 30, 1873; J. T. l'rice, November 30, 1873, to October 13, 1875; Delevan Bates, November 30, 1875, to January 2, 1878; E. B. Barton, January 3, 1878, to January 1, 1884; J. A. Kirk, January 1, 1884, to Jannary 1. 1886; E. B. Barton, January 1, 1886, to Jan- uary 1, 1890; M. F. Stanley, Jannary 1, 1890, to January 1, 1892.
Surveyor: John E. Harris, May 20, 1870, to November 30, 1871; E. J. Lewis, November 30, 1871, to November 30, 1873; W. H. Epla, Novem- ber 30, 1873, to October 13, 1875; George B. Hol- lenback, October 13, 1875, to January 3, 1878; D). B. Parks, January 3, 1878, to January 1, 1892.
Coroner: James Rollo, May 20, 1870, to No. vember 30, 1871; Alex Salmon, November 30, 1871, to November 30, 1873; J. L. Trobee, November 30, 1873, to October 13, 1875; Ira Westbrook, No- vember 1, 1875, to January 3, 1878; James Dun- canson, January 3, 1878, to January 1, 1880; F. H. Clark, January 1. 1880, to January 1, 1882; J. W. Elarton, January 1, 1SS2, to January 1, 1884; T. H. Line, January 1, 1884, to January 1, 1886; George A. Blakely, January 1, 1886, to January 1, 1888; J. W. Elarton, January 1, 1888, to January 1, 1892.
County commissioners: William D. Young, May 30, 1870, to May 30, 1871; Norris MI. Bray, May 30, 1870, to November 30, 1871; Alex Laurie, May 30, 1870, to November 30, 1870; J. F. Glover, November 30, 1871, to November 30, 1872; Norris M. Bray, November 30, 1871, to November 30, 1874; William Werth, November 30, 1871, to No- vember 30, 1874; P. C. Honsel, November 30, 1873, to October 13, 1875; B. F. Isaman, Novem- ber 30, 1874, to January 3, 1875; Edward Nugent. November 30, 1873, to October 13, 1876; William Steele, October 13, 1875, to January 3, 1879; Ed- ward Nugent, October 13, 1876, to January 1, 1880 (resigned, and J. Foster appointed); A. V. B. l'eck, January 3. 1878, to January 1, 1SS1 (re signed, and S. H. Fry appointed); Jonathan Foster, January 1. 18SO, to January 1, ISSI; George Lieb- hart, January 1, ISSO, to January 1, 1883; E.
G
740
HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.
Huling, January 1, 1879, to January 1, 1882; George W. Pierce, January 1, 1881, to January 1, 1884 (resigned, and J. F. Adams appointed); Joseph Stockham, January 1, 1882, to January 1, 1885; S. N. Case, January 1, 1884, to January 1, 1887; John Martel, January 1, 1883, to January 1, 1889; E. Huling, January 1, 1885, to January 1, 1891; F. C. Putnam, January 1, 1887, to January 1, 1890; B. F. Isaman, January 1, 1890, to January 1, 1893; O. D. Shankland, January 1, 1889, to January 1, 1892.
County attorney: H. M. Kellogg, January 1, 1887, to January 1, 1889; J. H. Smith, January 1, 1889, to January 1, 1891 (resigned, and J. A. Whitmore appointed).
State Senator: N. K. Griggs, October 13, 1873, to October 13, 1876; William M. Knapp, January 2, 1877, to January 2, 1879; D. A. Scovill, Jan- uary 2, 1879, to January 1, 1881; Martin Burns, January 1, 1881, to January 1, 1883; T. O. C.
Harrison, January 1, 1883, to January 1, 1885; F. C. Putnam, January 1, 1885, to January 1, 1887; S. N. Wolbach, January 1, 1887, to Jan- uary 1, 1889; L. G. Hurd, January 1, 1889, to January 1, 1891.
Representatives: I. E. Cramer, 1873-74; Albi- . nus Nance, October 13, 1874, to October 13, 1876; T. B. Johnson, January 2, 1877, to January 2, 1879; R. W. Graybill, January 2, 1879, to Jan- uary 1, 1881; J. H. Helms, January 1, 1881, to January 1, 1883; T. B. Johnson, January 1, 1881, to January 1, 1883; Joshua Cox, January 1, 1883, to January 1, 1887; A. J. Spanogle, January 1, 1883, to January 1, 1885; George Liebhart, January 1, 1885, to January 1, 1887; A. W. Agee, January 1, 1887, to January 1, 1889; Albert E. Wilsey, Jan- uary 1, 1887, to January 1, 1889; D. A. Scovill, January 1, 1889, to January 1, 1891; John J. Farley, from January 1, 1889, to January 1, 1891.
O
741
HAMILTON COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXXI.
JOURNALISM AND JOURNALISTS-FIRST EFFORTS-NEWSPAPERS IN HAMILTON COUNTY-STYLE OF PUBLICATION- PERIODICALS-PRESENT NEWSPAPER MEN-OFFICE EQUIPMENTS-AFFAIRS OF MILITARY IMPORTANCE- HISTORICAL SKETCH-G. A. R. POSTS-VETERANS-SOCIETIES-AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIA. TIONS-GRANGE-FIRST FAIR-FARMERS' ALLIANCE-HAMILTON COUNTY MED- ICAL SOCIETY-SCHOLASTIC AFFAIRS-ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS-FIRST SCHOOL-GRADES, ETC. - SUPERIN- TENDENT'S REPORT OF 1889.
" Things done well, And with a care, exempt themselves from fear."
ANY ventures have | editor and proprietor, bought the interest of F. M. been made on the field of journalism in this county, but only a very few have been successful.
In the spring of 1873 J. M. Sechler began the publication of a newspaper, called the Hamiltonian, at Orville. The paper was non-political, being devoted to "booming" the new county. £ It was published in the county clerk's office in the court-house-the building now occupied by Mrs. Rudd as a resi- dence. The paper was issued for about three months and was then moved to Sutton, Clay County. The second paper started in the county was the Aurora Republican, owned by F. M. Ellsworth and Thomas Darnall, but edited by Mr. Fox. Soon after D. T. Sherman bought Mr. Darnall's interest and took personal charge of the paper. In 1874 Mr. L. W. Hastings, the present
Ellsworth, taking personal charge of the paper in 1876, and in 1878 buying out the entire plant, since which time he has been the sole owner and editor. In 1879 he erected a fine two-story and basement brick building on the south side of the square, the first floor and basement being occupied as stores and offices, and the second floor being devoted to editorial and publishing rooms. The office is well equipped with steam power and hent- ing apparatus, and all the machinery, presses and appliances of a first-class newspaper and job. printing office. The paper has always been Re- publican in politics.
The Hamilton County News was established in July, 1873, by George W. Bailey and E. J. Lewis at Orville. They were succeeded by Bailey & Hickox, who moved the plant to Hamilton in the spring of 1874, where it was edited by Mr. Bailey until the fall of 1875, when it suspended. In March, 1876, Mr. C. P. Whitesides revived it, con- ducting it till August, 1877, when Mr. Bailey again became interested in the enterprise, and he and Mr. Whiteside's conducted it until August,
742
HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.
9
1878. Mr. Bailey then became the sole owner and moved the office to Aurora in the winter of 1878- 79, where he continued its publication till August, 1884, when he sold it to W. R. Ratcliff, under whose management it remained until August, 1885, at which date William P. Hellings and Jeff Stone became its proprietors.
Up to this date the politics of the paper had been anti-Republican, supporting the various com- binations of the Greenback, anti Monopoly and Democratic parties, in their efforts to defeat the Republican party. Upon its change of ownership in 1885 it underwent a radical change in politics, Mr. Hellings becoming the editor and converting it into a straight-out red-hot Republican journal. During the short period in which it remained un- der this management it was one of the best county papers ever published west of the Missouri River, being of a high literary character and pure in tone and expression. In June, 1886, Mr. Hellings became the sole owner, and continued as such until August, 1886, when he sold the outfit to W. T. Hastings, who published it for about a year and then sold to L. W. Hastings, when it became merged in the Republican.
The next venture on the attractive, but uncer- tain sea, was in 1877 by J. W. Shepherd, who published the Aurora Telegraph, a Republican paper, for about a year, and was succeeded by Shepherd & Fritz in 1878. A few months later the outfit was sold to parties iu Harvard, Clay County. The Aurora Weekly Journal, another Republican paper edited by Agee & Callegan, at about the same time as the Telegraph, or prob- ably a little earlier, had an ephemeral existence- five or six months-and suffered the fate of the Hamiltonian and Telegraph.
The Western Nebraska Land Register was the name of a five-column folio, issued quarterly in 1882-83, by William P. Hellings. It was de- voted to the interests of immigration and advertis- ing the county, and had a free circulation of 5, 000 copies.
The Hampton Herald was started in the town of Hampton in 1884 by H. L. Hellen. He was succeeded at his death in 1885 by Mrs. Hellen
and her sister, Miss Smith, who continued its pub- lication for about a year, when they sold it to · Whitmore & Addis. After four months' experience . in the newspaper business Mr. Whitmore retired, and Mr. Addis conducted it alone for about a year, when it expired. Politics, Republican.
The Marquette Independent was published at Marquette in 1884-85 by Dr. T. H. Line, but discontinned after a brief existence. The Stock- ham Reporter was established at Stockham in August, 1888, by T. P. Corrick. It is Republican in politics. The present editor is J. S. Louns- bury.
The Hampton Independent, published at Hamp. ton during the fall of 1889, was devoted to the independent candidate for county treasurer.
The Hamilton County Leader, edited at Mar- quette in 1889 by Mr. Barngrover, and the Brom- field News, published at Bromfield in 1888-89, had a small local circulation, but have departed to seek a more appreciative public.
Among the men who have contributed most largely to the advancement of journalism and who, through that medinm, have exerted the greatest in- fluence in moulding public opinion in the county, George W. Bailey, L. W. Hastings, William P. Hellings and E. W. Hurlbut occupy a front rank. Mr. Bailey is now and has been for several years engaged in farming in Hitchcock County, this State; Mr. Hellings ocenpies the position of clerk of the district court in this county, while Messrs. Hastings and Hurlbut continue to ply the editorial shears, the former as chief of the Aurora Republican, and the latter of the Aurora Sun.
The county having been settled soon after the close of the Rebellion a very large percentage of the early settlers were old soldiers.
Six G. A. R. posts have been organized in the county: Zach Chandler Post No. 44, at Aurora, April 16, 1880; Baldwin Post No. 167, at St. Joe, August 21, 1883; Putnam Post No. 142, at Mar- quette, March 12, 1883; Star Post No. 71, at Brom- field; August 6, 1881; Griffin Post No. 87, at Stockham, March 29, 1882. and Stephen A. Hul- burt Post No. 93, at Hampton, May 8, 1882. The great crowd which annually convenes at Aurora on
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HAMILTON COUNTY.
Memorial Day attests with what profound respect the memory of the fallen heroes is regarded, not alone by the old soldier, but by the entire com- munity. Following is a list of the veterans of the Mexican, Black Hawk and Civil Wars:
Benj. Abbott, 6th Cal. Inf. | J. J. Douglas, 8th Ind. Inf. Chas. Wiles, 1st Colo. Cav. O. D. Shankland, 10th Ind. Inf. S. R. Lounsbury. 19th Conn. Inf.
Ira H. Wildman, 1st Ia. Cav. C. H. Kimball, 1st la. Inf. James Madison, 2d Ia. C'av. Samuel Reyner, 2d Ia. Inf. C. H. Evans, 2d la. Inf. John Z. Williams, 2d Ia. Inf. John W. Hobbs, 2d In. Cav. Alex Coleman, 3d Ia. Cav. G. W. Grosvenor, 3d Ia. Cav.' Alex Rodgers, 4th la. Cav. J. F. Houseman, 4th la. Cav. Chas. M. Jewett, 4th Ia. Cav. Geo. L. Levee, 4th Ia. Cav. S. E. Bebb, 4th Ia. Cav.
L. A. Franklin, 5th Ia. Cav. John R. Pritchard, 6th Ia. Cav.
L. W. Hastings, 6th Ia. Inf. A. J. Hickman, 7th Ia. Inf. J. T. Spellman, 9th Ia. Inf. J. W. Elarton, 15th Ia. Inf. Lafayette Isaman, 14th Ia. Inf.
B. F. Isaman, 14th Ia. Inf. W. W. Trohee, 14th Ia. Inf. Henry Vancleave, 15th la. Inf.
S. B. Youst. 15th Ia. Inf. Geo. Crumrine, 16th Ia. Inf. J. M. Hewitt, 19th Ia. Cav. Martin Smith, 21st Ia. Cav. E. W. Meyers, 22d Ia. Inf. John J. Green, 25th Ia. Inf. J. M. Lowder, 30th Ia. In1. Gilbert Yeoman, 30th Ia. Inf.
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