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 63

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, The Goodspeed publishing co.
Number of Pages: 820

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 63
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 63
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 63
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 63

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Company, and laid off into 600 lots. The first build- ing erected on the site was a large one-story frame, belonging to W. D. Young, and used by the county for a court house, and was built in May, 1879. The next building was a restaurant belonging to J. N. Mills, erected in June, 1879. and in July the post- office was brought from Marshall, about two miles east, and established at the center, and was kept by the present incumbent, Mrs. Sophia Cruickshank, in a small house, the front part of which is used as a postofflee and the back part as a residence. About the first of the next year G. E. Birge and L. D. Fowler built an abstract and loan office, in which business they are still engaged, having the only set of abstract books in the county. The firm also car- ried on a banking business. In August, 1881, a new firm was formed and incorporated, succeeding that of Birge & Fowler, known as the Clay County Abstract and Loan Company, and having a capital stock paid up of $15,000. The company is com- posed of G. H. Cowles, president; L. D. Fowler, vice-president, and G. E. Birge, manager.

In January, 1881, W. D. Young built a carpen- ter shop, which was occupied June 1, by Mrs. E. C. Tout, and in which she kept a general store, eon- tinuing in the business until December, and was suc-

CLAY COUNTY.

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ceeded by D. Leitch, who keeps a general store in the same room, in which also Mrs. A. L. Strong keeps a stock of millinery goods. G. S. and J. C. Ward, before the town started, had opened a black- smith shop just outside of where it was laid off, and in Jannary, 1880, they moved their shop into the town, where they continued the trade of blacksmith- ing and repairing. A church edifice was erected in December, 1880, by the Christians, who had hitherto been holding services in a country school house, south of where the town now stands, and is a 24x46 frame house, costing aboat $1,200. A school house was built in July, 1881, in which was taught the first school in the town by Mrs. Charles Wagner. A second church was established in February, 1882. by the Congregationalists, with thirty members, and Rev. G. A. Taylor, pastor. Services are held in the court room, but active steps are being taken for the building of a regular church house at an early date. Following this, in the immediate order of time, was the erection of a hotel by C. L. Holbrook, which he ran as a public house until August of the same year, when it was rented to P. T. Walton, and used for the same purpose up to February, 1881, at which time it was sold to J. B. and S. S. Tuttle, the pres- ent owners and proprietors. The next building was a law office, which was built in March, 1880, by S. A. Searle, and following this was the erection of a storeroom by S. A. Allen, in which for a short time he kept a stock of drugs. The business, however, ceased, and the house was sold and is now used for a residence. In March C. N. Green built a house for a saloon; H. L. Corey and J. H. Davis built a livery barn and residence, and also a residence by C. J. Martin was built during that month. In No- vember, 1880, E. P. Burnett put up a residence, as also Mrs. D. C. Marsh, the latter being used for a short time for a boarding-house while the court house was in process of erection. The contract for the erection of the court house was given to W. D. Young, in February, 1880, and in the following May work was commeneed on the building, which was completed by the first of November, according to the terms of the contract.

In 1873 the Marshall postoffice was established on Section 6, Township 6. Range 6, at the house of

James Cruickshank, with the owner as postmaster. He continued to hold the office there until about 1878, when Mrs. Sophia Cruickshank was appointed and carried on the office at Marshall for about one year, when the othee was changed to the new county seat. The salary at that time was $1 per month; but as the new town grew this small consideration increased, and the office is paid by ordinary com- mission to-day. Mrs. t'ruickshank has held the office continuously since 1879, and prior to that time carried on the office for her brother-in-law. For the three months ending December 31, 1889. the sale of stamps amounted to $329, while the money orders issued amount to about $800 per year.

The first annual meeting of school district No. 70 was organized April 4. 1881, C. J. Martin pre- siding. Charles Lunn was chosen treasurer; A. J. MePeak, J. F. Thompson and L. J. Forney building committee. The vote of the district in favor of building was 24, and against 9, the amount in ques- tion being $280. John Damon presided in 1882, J. P. Nixon and C. J. Martin in 1883-4. In 1885 H. H. Hendee and wife were engaged to teach the school here for $700 per annum. In 1886 William M. Walters was a director. In April, 1887, he and J. M. Jones were chosen trustees for one year, D. Leitch and P. Cruickshank for two years, Jacob Hayward and N. M. Moulton for three years. In April, 1888, the question of issuing bonds for $3,000, the proceeds to be expended on a school building, was ordered to be submitted. This propo- sition was carried and the two-story frame buikling erected. The school board, in February, 1890, comprises H. E. MeDowell. D. Leitch, J. M. Lyons. Jacob Hagar, N. M. Moulton, and Secretary Stien. Minnie Bayly was employed as teacher in September, 1880; C. S. Detwieler in August, 1881; Emma Me- Kee, 1882; William M. Walters, 1883; H. B. Strong and H. H. Hendee, 1884; B. G. Moulton, Josie L. Noble, L. J. Cowen, 1885. In 1888, J. K. McKee, „osie Noble and Jennie Forbes were teachers, while in 1889 the name of N. M. Graham appears as teacher, and he with Misses Noble and Price preside over the schools in 1890. The number of pupils enrolled is 145, and the total number in the county, 5,877. of whom 3,110 are males and 2,767 females.

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HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

George E. Birge, E. P. Burnett, George F. Dick- son, Louis F. Fryar, Charles J. Martin, Jonas P. Nixon, (). H. Parsons, George H. Van Duyne and Justus E. Wheeler are credited with being the only owners of books in 1881-82 at Clay Center.

Clay Center was incorporated February 19, 1887. on petition of Peter Cruickshank and eighty-two others, with Dugald Leitch, N. M. Moulton, C. S. Detwieler, John C. Ward and H. E. Goodall, trustees. This board organized February 23, with D. Leitch, president; John M. Jones, clerk; B. F. Pollock, treasurer; B. F. MeLoney, attorney. In April, J. C. Ward, J. W. Irish, B. F. Pollock, J. M. Jones and J. Harrison were chosen trustees; L. F. Fryar, treasurer; Charles Athey, marshall, and B. F. Me- Loney, clerk and attorney; Messrs. Fryar & McLo- ney hold these positions still. In 1888, C. S. Detweiler, Lee Burlingame, J. M. Jones, C. L. Woodward and H. B. Strong, were chosen trustees and L. Gardner, marshall; in 1889, Jacob Hagar, George S. Ward, Lee Burlingame, George E. Birge and H. E. Mc- Dowell, trustees; B. F. MeLoney, clerk and attorney; L. F. Fryar, treasurer; J. W. Crouse, street com- missioner; L. Gardner, marshal.

In December, 1886, a number of persons from Fairfield visited Clay Center on the first passenger train that entered the town. Conductor Miller and engineer Gordon were in charge of the train. Two hundred and ten persons formed the party.

On March 1, 1887, the depot at Clay Center was opened with S. M. Wallace, agent. He is still in that position. The record of business for the year ending March 1, 1888 shows a total business of $37,709.47. The heavy business of that year must be credited to the large amount of corn cribbed here awaiting the completion of the road for shipment, so that the fact of the business of the two last years not showing an increase over that of the first year must be credited to this source.

The telephone line between Clay Center and Fair- field was completed April 30, 1887, the credit being given to L. F. Fryar and Jesse Eller of Clay Center, and C. J. Furer, E. J. Jenkins, J. C. Hedge and J. L. Epperson, of Fairfield.

The Commercial State Bank at Clay Center, was established February 11, 1887. with O. G. Smith,

president; J. M. Sewell, vice-president; Horace N. Jones, cashier, and H. E. MeDowell, assistant cash- ier. The capital paid up is $30,000.

The State Bank of Clay Center suceeded the First National Bank. The new organization was effected August 7. 1889, the corporators being G. W. Clawson, S. A. Walker, C. F. MeGrew, George A. Tenney, Frank Knox, George E. Birge, L. D. Fowler, W. J. Gardiner, W. L. Wilson and William M. Walters. G. W. Clawson was chosen president, and W. J. Gardiner cashier.

The State Bank building was erected in 1887 by Jesse F. Eller. This and the court house are the only brick buildings in town.

The Clay County Abstract and Trust Company was organized in January, 1888, with L. F. Fryar, president; George E. Birge, vice-president; H. E. Stein, manager, and they with L. D. Fowler formed the board of director.

The Methodist Society completed organization in 1884, with J. M. Markle, preacher, and the fol- lowing named members: Mrs. Markwell, H. O. Skike and wife, G. W. Fate and wife, Caroline McClanahan, Nancy McClanahan and William Wal- ters and wife. This society erected a neat frame church building, which was dedicated November 11, 1888, and in other directions shows signs of pro- gress. The Ladies' Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church elected the following officers for 1890: Mrs. D. Fetz, president; Mrs. Mead, vice- president; Mrs. George Ward, secretary; Mrs. N. E. Perry, treasurer.

The Congregational Church of Clay Center was organized February 4, 1882, with Peter McMartin, E. P. Burnett and Peter Cruickshank, trustees. In September C. Wagner took Mr. MeMartin's place. Mrs. A. L. Strong was elected January 17, 1883, John Weir, October, 1883, E. P. Burnett and Peter Cruickshank were re-elected in January, 1884, and N. M. Moulton, vice Burnett, in September of that year. Early in the year steps were taken to build a church-house, and in September, 1884, the dedi- cation took place. In January, 1885, Mr. Cruick- shank was chosen to fill vacancy; M. S. Price was elected in January, 1886; George E. Birge and D. Leitch, in January, 1887, and George E. Birge was

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re-elected in Jannary, 1888. The members, on March 7. 1882, were D. D. Noble, wife and three daughters: Cora Noble, Sarah S. Tuttle, F. t). Markwell, Annie L. Strong, Peter and Sophia Cruickshank, Peter McMartin, J. G. and I. P. Grym, Emily L. Noyes, George E. Birge, Mrs. Ward, Charles Il. and Fannie Wanger, S. A. and Hattie Allen, A. Cosselman, the MePecks, Sarah and Jen- nie Leitch, Mrs. Stayker, Dan Wilkinson and wife, Charlotte Wheeler and a few others. One hundred and five names were enrolled up to January, 1890, of whom twenty-two were dismissed and two were removed by death. The first preacher was George E. Taylor, who was succeeded in August, 1886, by Mr. Southworth. Miss Emma K. Henry was ap- pointed pastor April 3, 1887, and on January 8, 1888, Rev. R. R. Williams was called. H. E. McDowell succeeded E. E. Benton as clerk, in Sep- tember, 1888.

The Christian Church was organized January 11. 1875. with Daniel, Susannah and Lavina Troxel, Abraham and Mary Davis, Walter and Harriet Gantz, Annie Eller, Rebecca Wileman, Olander and Amanda MeKay, J. Artrup and John Sperry, mem- bers. The preachers have been W. T. and T. J. Neweomb, George Lobinger, William Sumpter, C. B. Lotspeich, O. C. Hubbell, J. H. Stark and A. K. Wright. The office of clerk has been filled hy J. F. Eller and M. E. Thomas, while Messrs. Eller. Allbee and MeAdams formed the building commit- tee in 1881, under whose direction the house of worship was completed in the fall of that year. The present membership is 121.

The members of the Catholic congregation as- semble at intervals, to take part in the ceremonies of the church; but there is no resident pastor.

Of the secret and benevolent societies at Clay Center the following are deserving of especial men- tion: Clay Center Lodge No. 139, A. F. & A. M .. was organized December 15, A. L. 5884, under dis- pensation granted by M. W. . John J. Wemple, G. M., on December 6. A. L. 5884. The charter was granted June 24, A. L. 5885. to George Cinnamon, James Cummins, William C. Dye, Jesse F. Eller, James S. Foulon, Lonis F. Fryar, JJames Leitch, Hugh Loudin, Charles J. Martin, Jeremiah J. Mil-

ler, Guy W. Secord, William D. Shike, William D. Stone. II. B. Strong, William M. Walters. Justus E. Wheeler and George A. Shike, and the lodge was constituted July 21, A. L. 5885, by W. B., Mel- ville W. Stone, proxie of M. W. . Manoah B. Reese, G. M. The Worshipful Masters of this lodge are named as follows in the order of service: L. F. Fryar, U. D .: L. F. Fryar, July 21, 1885, to June 24, 1886; II. B. Strong. June 24, 1886, to June 24. 1887: E. F. Fryar. June 24, 1887, to June 21. 1888; II. E. Stein, JJune 24. 1888. to June 21, 1889, and re-elected for term ending June 21. 1890.

The office of secretaries has been filled by the following named members: C. J. Martin, U. D .. C. J. Martin, July 21, 1885, to June 24. 1886: W. M. Walters, June, 24. 1886, to Jime 24, 1887; J. J. Miller, June 24. 1887, to June 24, 1888; C. H. Keyes, June 24, 1888, to June 24, 1889; George F. Dickson, June 24. 1889, for term ending June 24. 1890. The only death was that of John L. Burt, who was buried March 23, A. L. 5885, U. D. The present membership is twenty-seven.

The officers in 1889 were: II. E. Stein, master; G. W. Secord. C. f. Blanchard, George F. Dick- son. C. H. Keyes, H. B. Loudin, J. B. Eller, G. A. Shike and George Cinnamon.

Of Excelsior Lodge No. 15, K. of P., it may be said that on October 21, 1873, a preliminary meet- ing was held at Brownville, Neb. , for the pupose of petitioning for charter. On November 19, 1873, a charter was granted to John Blake, L. A. Bergman, E. Huddart, A. J. MeFall. J. C. McNaughton, II. H. Dolen, H. L. Crist, John B. MeCabe. W. T. Rogers and T. D. Shurtz to organize at Brownville. Neb., a lodge of Knights of Pythias to be known as Excelsior Lodge No. 15, K. of P., Nebraska. On November 19, 1873, the lodge was instituted by .I. W. Carter, G. C., and on March 2, 1887. moved to Clay Center and opened by John Morrison, G. C. The chancellor commanders at Brownville were: John Blake, J. C. MeNaughton. J. B. Docker, D. B. Calhapp, B. F. Sanders, J. B. MeCabe. E. Hud- dart, I. II. Bower, W. M. Kanffman, J. C. Me- Naughton, F. E. Johnson, Isaac Williams and W. T. Moore, while at Clay Center the office was held by John M. Jones and George E. Birge. W. B.

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HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

Smith holds that office at present. The keepers of record and seal at Brownville were: H. H. Dolen, J. M. Hacker, F. E. Johnson, W. M. Kauffman. E. Lowman, D. D. Adams, George W. Fairbrother, Jr. , S. Seeman, J. B. Docker, T. C. Hacker, W. M. Kanffman, C. S. Chatfield, J. C. McNaughton, W. M. Kauffman, and at Clay Center: W. B. Smith, B. F. Meloney, H. E. Stein and S. A. D. Hinton, who hoks that office at present. The only death oc- eurred July 28, 1888, when Harry C. Beach died at Whitten, Iowa. The present membership is twenty- seven.

Jordan Post, G. A. R., was organized during the winter of 1886-87, and the charter was granted March 11, 1887, to the following named comrades: Robert J. Wilson, Twenty-sixth Illinois Infantry; Joseph L. Myer, Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania Infan- try; Jacob Hagar, Company K, Thirty-sixth Iowa Infantry; Joseph. Burt, Company A, Eighth Iowa Cavalry; Charles Latour, Company C., Forty-sixth Illinois Infantry; Samnel Williams, Company K, Seventy-third New York Infantry; J. J. Miller, Com- pany D, Eleventh łowa Infantry; J. W. Irish, Com- pany A, Second United States Artillery; Nathaniel Graham, Company A, Twenty-seventh Ohio Infan- try; S. M. Elder, Company H, One Hundred and Forty-third Illinois Infantry; Eli Golding, Company I, One Hundred and Eighteenth, and Company I, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Indiana Infantry; B. F. Graham, Company D, Third Illinois Cavalry; Ephraim Sumner, Company C, Thirty-sixth Iowa Infantry; L. F. Fryar, Company A, Thirty-seventh Illinois Infantry; G. W. Marsh, Company C, Six- tieth New York Infantry; Thomas Sumner, Com- pany D, Sixth Iowa Infantry; William Seelig, Com- pany I, One Hundred and Thirtieth Indiana Infan- try; John M. Jones, Company F, Thirty-third Iowa Infantry.

The past post-commanders are: Jacob Hagar, L. F. Fryer and J. J. Miller; while S. M. Elder is the present commander. John M. Jones has served as adjutant from beginning. The present member- ship is twenty-eight, with place of meeting in Union Hall. The name of regiment of members of this Post are contained in the rosters of resident soldiers of the county.

The Woman's Relief Corps was organized Janu- ary 4, 1888, with sixteen members, of whom the following named were chosen offleers in order of corps rank: Mesdames Walters, Miller, Seelig, Mead, Jacob Hagar, Graham, MeLean and Wilson,

The A. O. IT. W. was chartered here March 21, 1889. The following were charter members. [* after name of first officers. ] Joseph Spear, L. F. Fryar*, Arthur E. Nye, John M. Jones*, Edward D. Davis*, James L. Campbell, Lee Burlingame*, Julius M. McLeod, G. E. Birge*, S. A. D. Ilinton*, O. C. Williams*, F. A. Thompson*, H. E. Stein*, M. P. Leitch, O. P. Shoemaker*, F. Stanton*, J. C. Ward*, C. C. Blanchard*, L. F. Fryar, P. M. W .; J. C. Ward, M. W .; E. D. Davis, F .; H. E. Stein, O .: O. C. Williams, rec'd; F. A. Thompson, fin .; G. E. Birge, receiver. The names of Past Master Workman and present Master Workman are L. F. Fryar and Master Workman J. C. Ward. O. C. Williams is recorder. There are twenty-four active members of this lodge.

The old cornet band in August, 1884, comprised J. F. Eller, Walter MeKinley, J. M. Jones, Jacob Eller, Ed. Underwood, George Ward, Joseph Price, L. F. Fryar, Harry Goodall, C. S. Detweiler and B. H. Markwell. In March, 1887, a re-organization was effected under the title of Knights of Pythias Band, with H. C. Beach, leader.

The press at Clay Center is represented by the Sun and Democrat. The former is the official paper of the county, and is very well conducted.

The Democrat is a new journal, and thoroughly what its name indicates. To it is credited the in- quiry which led to the examination of the record hooks of the treasurer's office back to 1880.

Sutton is the center of new associations. It borrows no propelling power from venerated anti- quareanism since the spot where it now stands was but yesterday the prairie. Her first settlers were iron-souled men, who determined to hew out a town and build up a prosperous community. They had a mission which they performed, and so effectually done was the work that it appears to grow in solidity with the years and to be done for all time. Sutton is the oldest town in Clay County, the largest in point of population and business, and the lowest in

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CLAY COUNTY.

elevation above sea level. Its early history is inter- esting in every particular and instructive in many. It leaped within twenty-one months from a traet of wild prairie into a pretentious county seat, and within that time entered the lists against the Bur- lington & Missouri River Railroad legions. Through- out this war against a powerful corporation, the peo- ple conducted themselves with remarkable modera- tion, and justice won for once against oppression. This victory became the theme of George W. Bemis, and in the fall of 1872 he sent the following poem, "Grafton to Sutton, " to the M. S. S. Journal, then issued by the members of the I. O. G. T. Lodge, and published in the State Journal in 1873:

"What a clanking of hammers and ringing of saws; How they sound through the valleys and ring in the draws; Oh! Sutton is growing, in the midst of the fray, With the city of Grafton only four miles away.

"How the B. & M. engines shriek, whistle and squall, And send forth the order that Sutton must fall; How they thunder and mutter and groan night and day, With the city of Grafton only three miles away.

"Then came Mr. Marthis, and thus he did say,

. I am tired of Grafton: if only I may, I'll come down to Sutton, without delay.' Soon, Grafton will be only two miles away.

"Then started the wagons and horses and men, The steeds, how they foamed, as a whip now and then. Came down on their sides, near the close of the day, With the city of Grafton only one mile away.

" Then rushed down the hill the black and the gray, Close followed the crowd to have sport on the way; And the shout that went up at the end of the fray, Said ' The city of Grafton is in Sutton to-day.""

The town site, named after Sutton, Mass. , was entered as a homestead, March 14, 1870, by Luther Freneh, a native of Painesville, Ohio. On June 5. that year, he located on Section 2, Township 7, Range 5, and, before the close of that month, fin- ished the first house in old School Creek precinct, on the bank of the creek. , Meantime he broke six acres of the prairie and showed evidenees that the requirements of the homestead law would be fulfilled on his part, and surveyed the town site August 10, 1871, into 600 lots. He was followed by James C. Vroman, who loeated a soldier's homestead south of the French claim. Early in 1871, French put in

four acres of wheat, which he threshed that fall by the treading-out process, and winnowed in the wind. The grain was hauled forty-eight miles to Milford, to be ground.

The Gray settlement was made May 4, 1871, by W. H. Gray, John M. Gray, G. W. Bemis, and W. Cunning and wife, the latter being the first white woman who settled near town. A few days later MeTighe ereeted a board shanty between the homes of H. W. Gray and A. A. McCoy (as they stood in 1882), and opened the first business house, continu- ing there until the re-location near the railroad. Kearney & Kelley started a saloon, using a tent as store-house, and P. II. Curran and Martin Hig- gins also established saloons. As the work of rail- road building progressed the saloons moved west.

In June, 1871, Andrew Sherwood established his blacksmith shop in a sod-house, below Mr. French's dug-out. J. R. Maltby, of Crete, and William A. Way also eame, and, jumping Vroman's elaim, succeeded in getting it canceled and a title issued to themselves. This old Vroman claim they surveyed in February, 1873, as the first addition to the town of Sutton. Thurlow Weed brought a car- load of lumber from Lincoln to this point, August 23, 1871, and opened the first lumber yard. John M. Gray arrived with another ear-load on August 24, and started another yard.

Asa Tracy kept the first hotel and later con- dneted a store. Charles Calkins was similarly en- gaged here. Mr. Lynch's grocery was in the build- ing occupied by Bagley & Bemis, in 1882. Thorn- ton R. Linton established the first livery September 20, 1871; and, on October 14, an election held at Campbell's house, near Harvard, deeided in favor of Sutton as the county seat.

The post office was established in June, 1871, with Luther French post master, whose coat-pocket was used as a post office. Rev. A. Burlingame, who was at one time a Methodist preacher, suc- ceeded French January 1, 1872, and on July 1, that year, the salary of the office was increased from $12 to $400. On July 1, 1873, it was created a money order office, and on the 7th the first order, for $10.50, was issued to Russell Merrill in favor of Burns, the Omaha merchant. During the war be.

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tween the town and the railroad, Post Master Gen- eral Cresswell favored the claims of Sutton and forced the railroad company to deliver the mail at the office, which was just within the eighty rods limit. This was changed and the train men were ordered not to stop at Sutton, thus compelling the mail agent to snatch the sack from the postmaster. On August 19, 1872, Burlingame refused to so de- liver the sacks, leaving them in the office. The rail- road company introduced a war against the local postmaster, who reported matters and the company was compelled to carry the mail from Grafton to Sutton. T. R. Linton, the freighter, was hired to do this work, and performed it at $100 per three months, until the company grew tired of the ex- pense, and petitioned for leave to deliver at Sutton. This was granted and a mail crane was erected oppo- site Gray's lumber yard, in the fall of 1872. Some- times pranks would be indulged in, one of which was the hanging of a dead dog on the crane, which the mail agent canght at, supposing it to be the mail sack. The crane was cut down subsequently, and, by some railroad influence, a United States carrier was appointed, who served until the little war was ended and a depot established here. In March, 1877, A. C. Burlingame was appointed post- master. A. C. Burlingame served after the death of his father until W. T. Stone was appointed post- master by the Arthur administration. W. T. Keller came in in 1887, and J. W. Johnson, appointed in vacation in the fall of 1889, and was confirmed as postmaster in 1890.

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Author: Goodspeed Brothers Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago, The Goodspeed publishing co. Number of Pages: 820

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago, The Goodspeed publishing co.
Number of Pages: 820