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 65

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 65
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 65
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 65
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 65

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).

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HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

at Patrick Fitzgerald's house near Sutton. In 1886 Rev. N. A. Martin was pastor and in 1887-88 Mr. Randall was preacher-in-charge.

The first Catholic service was celebrated by Father Kelley in a tent, June 15, 1871, with eight members, most of whom were railroad men, building the road-bed of the Burlington & Missouri River Railway. Meetings were held at the house of M. McVey, in Sheridan precinet. Work began upon the erection of a church in the fall of 1878, and was completed in the following spring. The building is a large frame, 30x60 feet in dimensions, and cost together with furniture about $2,000. The building first used by the congregation was a small frame, which has since been removed, and is now in use as a county school-house. The congregation had a membership of fifty-five families in 1882, and was under charge of Father J. Jenette, of Exeter. In later years the church was attached to the parish of Hastings, and was attended by Father English, or the assistant priests of the parish.

The German Reformed Church was established at Sutton in the fall of 1874 by immigrants from Russia. The preliminary meetings were held in Grosshans' Hall. The organization was effected by Rev. Dickeman, and the congregation had about twenty-five members. From Grosshans' Hall they removed to the Odd Fellows' Hall, where they re- mained until the regular church house was built in the fall of 1878. The building is frame, and is 30x60 feet in size. There were in 1882 about eighty-three families in the congregation and about 300 members, with the Rev. William Bonekemper as pastor.

A congregation was started by the German Con- gregationalists in November, 1880. The work of organizing was under the special charge of Rev. W. Sess, of Crete, assisted by the Rev. E. Jose and others. The church began with sixteen members, and the early services were held in the old court . house and were conducted by Rev. Mr. Jose, who has since remained with the charge from its organ- ization. There are at present twenty members. A Sunday-school was organized at the same time with fifteen members. Mr. Bentz was the successor of Mr. Jose as pastor.

Evening Star Lodge, A. F. & A. M., was or- ganized under dispensation December 22, 1873, with J. Arnot, master; M. W. Wilcox, S. W., and J. C. Merrill, J. W. The charter was granted . June 28, 1874, to R. L. Gaw, J. B. Dinsmore, A. K. Marsh, C. L. Henny, F. M. Brown, J. C. Mer- rill, M. W. Wilcox, C. M. Turner, James Arnot, M. J. Hull, John M. Gray, I. N. Clark, W. D. Young, J. J. Melvin and M. V. B. Clark. The members who held the master's chair are named as follows: James Arnot, M. W. Wilcox, J. B. Mer- rill, A. K. Marsh, G. H. Van Duyne, J. C. Merrill, J. B. Dinsmore, R. G. Brown, J. C. Merrill, F. M. Brown, J. C. Merrill and G. H. Van Duyne. The present master (February, 1890), is A. K. Marsh. The secretaries were: F. M. Brown, J. B. Dins- more, James Melvin, A. C. Burlingame, J. E. Bagley, K. T. Jones, F. A. Alexander, J. H. John- son, George Mitchell, F. M. Brown, J. M. Borkner. The present secretary is J. M. Borkner, and the present number of members, sixty-eight.

Lebanon Chapter, R. A. M., No. 14, Sutton, Neb., was created under Dispensation from the Grand Chapter of Nebraska, December 21, 1875, by the following masons: M. J. Hull, A. K. Marsh, W. W. Young, M. W. Wilcox, F. A. Pyle, J. C. Mer- rill, C. B. Crittenden, J. D. Berrin, H. R. Wheeler, G. H. Van Duyne and G. S. Harrington. The High Priests of this Chapter were as follows: M. J. Hull, A. K. Marsh, G. H. Van Duyne, R. G. Brown, F. A. Pyle, R. G. Brown, G. H. Van Duyne, Henry Lehrmann and J. C. Merrill. The present High Priest is John B. Dinsmore; the present secretary is J. M. Borkner; J. C. Merrill, King; W. H. Davis, Scribe; I. N. Clark, treasurer. The present number of members is fifty-six.

Sutton Lodge No. 53, I. O. O. F., was instituted at Grosshans' Hall, in Sutton, on the evening of No- vember 15, 1874, by the Grand Master, Ira A. Gallup, assisted by brothers from Crete, York and Fairmont lodges. Charter members were W. A. Way, George Stewart, J. F. Evans, I. B. Tyrrell, E. P. Church and George Kreiger, all fifth degree members; Evans and Church, Past Grands. W. A. Way was elected N. G .; I. B. Tyrrell, V. G .; George Stewart, Sec., and George Kreiger, Treas.

385

CLAY COUNTY.

Following the installation of officers by the Grand Master, came petitions from R. G. Merrill, S. B. Montgomery, W. J. Keller, S. Carney and J. Grice, to join by initiation, and D. J. Towslee as an Ancient Odd Fellow, all of whom were made members the same evening. The Grand Master assigned Clay and Hamilton Counties as District No. 28, appoint- ing E. P. Church District Deputy. In the summer of 1878 the lodge began the erection of a building, which was completed in the spring of the following year. The officers in 1882 were J. W. Shirley, N. G .; G. W. Bemis, V. G .; J. B. Royce, See., and A. G. Sherwood, Treas. William Stewart, F. J. Hoerger, John Beurman and John Segrist have been prominent members of the lodge in later days.

The Wildey Encampment, I. O. O. F., was organ- ized in May, 1877. The charter members were J. W. Shirley, W. J. Keller, George Stewart, Fred Hoerger and Dr. A. O. Kendall. The officers of the lodge in 1882 were W. J. Keller, C. P .; H. Lehrmann, Il. P .; W. D. Young, J. W .; J. S. LeIlew, S. W .; Paul Braitsch, Treas., and H. Nagle, Sen. J. T. Mollyneaux and J. S. LeHew have served in recent years as officers of this encampment.

The G. A. R. was established on April 28, 1879, with twenty members. The first meetings were held in the Odd Fellows' Hall. The officers elected at that time were W. S. Randall, P. C .; J. C. Merrill, V. C .; A. K. Marsh, J. V. C .; Dr. M. V. B. Clark, surgeon; 1. N. Clark, Q. M .; I. B. Tyrrell, chaplain; E. H. White, Q. M. S .; W. T. MeKnight, adjutant; E. E. Howard, S. M. About two years after the society removed from the Odd Fellows' Ilall into their armory. The organization is known as the George G. Meade Post No. 19, and numbered

forty-two members in 1882. The officers for that year were C. W. Walther, P. C .; Dr. M. V. B. Clark. S. V. C .; C. Newman, J. V. C .; 1. N. Clark, Q. M .: R. A. Ilawley, chaplain; R. H. Stewart, adjutant; W. J. Keller, O. D .; Dr. M. V. B. Clark, surgeon. The names of the members of this post are included in the general roster of ex-soldiers and sailors, given in the general history.

Company B. First N. N. G., was organized No- vember 15, 1878, with W. J. Keller, captain; J. S. Le Hew, first lieutenant; George W. Bemis, second

lientenant. In 1882 Capt. Keller was lieutenant- colonel of the regiment, and Lient. Le Hew, judge advocate general. In recognition of the company's drill and equipment it was given the title "Governor's Guards." This was the first uniformed and equipped militia company in Nebraska. In 1880 the com- mand aided in quelling the riot at the Omaha smelt- ing works, and on March 8, 1882, was present dur- ing the graders' riot on the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad at Omaha. In 1882 W. D. Young was captain; F. C. Matteson, first lieutenant; G. C. Roys, second lieutenant; J. Il. Johnson, first ser- geant. The company is still in active existence. Capt. W. J. Keller is one of the most active mem- bers of this organization, as he is of the G. A. R.

Grove Lodge No. 1,477, K. of II., was insti- tuted at Sutton, on the 19th day of March, 1879. The first officers elected were: W. J. Keller, D .; F. J. Hoerger, R .; J. W. Johnson, F. R .; E. II. White, Treas; J. T. Mollyneaux, P. D., and also representative of the Grand Lodge of the Knights of Honor. At the organization the lodge had a membership of twenty-two. Many changes have been made in the membership of the lodge since it began, sometimes falling below the original number, and again increasing above it. The officers chosen in 1882 were: Paul Braitsch, D .; I. D. Smith, V. D .; R. H. Stewart, A. D .; J. M. Ramsey, R .; JJ. W. Shirley, F. R .; F. J. Hoerger, Treas .; J. B. Dinsmore and A. C. Clyde, representatives to Grand Lodge. Only one regular member of the lodge died prior to 1882. This was Thomas Davis, Jr., who died October 25, 1879, to whose widow the lodge paid a benefit of $2,000. The total expenditure per member, including all dues and assessments, for the three years ending in 1882, amounted to but $46. or an average annual tax on each member of $15.33g.

The Scientific Association was organized in 1881, with Dr. M. V. B. Clark, president; E. II. White, vice-president; U. Il. Malick, secretary; H. W. Gray, treasurer. In 1882 Dr. Clark proved before this association that Mrs. C. B. Evans, formerly Zuleina Platt, invented the lucifer match, on June 27, 1828, at Waterford, N. Y., thus correcting the old story which credited this match to John Walker, of Stockton-upon-Tees, England, in 1829.

386

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

The Knights of Pythias on November 26 elected the following officers for 1890. J. E. Marsh, C. C .; W. J. Legg, V. C .; P. T. Walton, M. of F. and K. of R. and S .; N. A. Tyler, P .; George Lerch, M. of A .; Dr. J. M. Borkner, M. of E. Although the Sutton lodge has been crippled to some extent by so many of the members moving away, there has been a determination manifested on the part of the re- maining members to build up the lodge, and they now have the order in a prosperous and flourishing condition.

Rosa Division No. 19, K. of P., was instituted October 3, 1887, by John Morrison, G. C., and Col H. Downs, First Regiment U. R., K. of P. The offi- cers elected were L. N. Rosa, A. A. Callahan, J. T. Mollyneaux, Frank Conn, F. J. Hoerger and C. F. Knapp, holding positions in order of division rank.

The Grand Order of the Orients Lodge was or- ganized at Sutton, August 20, 1887, with J. T. Mollyneaux, G. O .; W. W. Stewart. V. G. O .; A. A. Callahan, G. H. P .: J. Il. Beurman, G. V .; E. M. Clift, secretary; Theo. Wentz, treasurer, and C. F. Knapp. G. A. P. J. A. Davis was G. O. in 1888, and William Gold in Angust, 1889.

The Clark. Le Hew, Case & Britsch brick yard was established June 1, 1876, and during the ensu- ing year 120,000 bricks were manufactured. In 1880 a patent brick machine was introduced.

The Sutton creamery buiklings were burned May 2, 1887, the total loss being $6,000, and the insur- ance $2,000. The present creamery soon succeeded that destroyed, and it is probable that it manufac-

tures more butter than any other like institution in the State. Its output last year was 368,893 pounds. This was an increase of about 20,000 pounds over 1888, and the company expects to make a propor- tionate increase this year. Over $92,000 were paid out during the year.

The Sutton steam roller mill was ereeted in 1885 for Alexander & Russell, the Oakland House, the First National Bank office, R. G. Brown's brick block on the south side, and I. N. Clark's on the north side, were also erected.

In other pages references are made to railroad and other accidents in and around Sutton.

The freight collision of December 20, 1889, on the Burlington & Missouri, fortunately wanting in a record of loss of life, entailed heavy losses on the railroad company. Ten loaded cars of merchandise were smashed into splinters, and piled up in the very center of the town. One car plunged through the bay window of the depot where the operator sat, demolishing the telegraph instruments and working general havoc in the business office. The depot platform for 200 feet was piled high with splintered timber, car wheels and merchandise.

In December. 1887, work on the Kansas City & Omaha Railroad depot was commenced. On Janu- ary 20, 1887, the first train from Fairfield arrived with the bands of that town and Clay Center. 1 reception was held at the Opera House, and several addresses were delivered. A free lunch was one of the leading events of the celebration. The train of six coaches and a caboose was in the charge of Con- ductor Barry.

387

CLAY COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXII.

HARVARD AND FAIRFIELD-BEGINNING-PRE-EMPTION OF TOWN SITES-ORIGINAL. SURVEYS -- INCORPORATIONS -. EARLY MERCHANTS-PIONEER BUSINESS MEN -- FIRST BUILDINGS-MAYORS, TRUSTEES, ALDERMEN, ETC .- OFFICIAL DIRECTORY-VOTERS OF 1836-40-COMMERCIAL INTERESTS-FINANCIAL-FIRES -- WATER SYSTEM-EDUCATIONAL AND RELIGIOUS MATTERS-SECRET AND BENEVOLENT OR- GANIZATIONS-GENERAL HISTORY,

Who would excel, when few can make a test Betwixt indifferent writing and the best ?-- Dryden.

ARVARD village and vi- cinity may be termed the site of some of the parent settlements of the county; for here many of the pio- neers pitched their tents and made some of the first material improvements. When the first settlers came to this okdl camping ground of the tribes, there was spread out before them one of nature's grandest panoramas-the : prairie extending to the horizon. In 1871 the site of Harvard was pre- empted by N. W. Brass, E. J. Stone, Bartholomew Mosher (or Moger) and G. W. Van Guikder, and patented to them in Septem- ber of that year. A formal transfer of their title to the South Platte Town Company was made shortly after. and the location surveyed. Within view of the sur- veyors were the statutory homes of the pre-empters. built more to comply with the too easy conditions of the rules of pre-emption than to shelter the pre- emptors. Before the grairie grasses were cut down by winter the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad depot was built, and in February. 1872. a store-

house was erected by E. H. Birdsall, in which he placed a general stock of merchandise. The Peck & Meston lumber yard was established soon after. followed by the feed store of F. Mann and J. Decker: the shoe shop of William Rowe, and the general store of L. J. Keeny, The Harvard House was opened hy Dimick & Stone at this time. The little settlement was fully established when W. F. Gue, land agent for the Burlington & Missouri River Rail- road located an office here. Then came the second land agent, I. J. Starbuck, and in the summer the blacksmith shops of W. E. Welton and A. Il. Myers were opened. C. K. Morrill opened a drug store in the Estes building, and there E. J. Stone kept the postoffice. In July J. D. Todd's furniture store and E. P. Burnett's law office were opened, followed by Sawtell's office.

In the fall of 1872 Strickland's grocery store was opened, and by the close of November about thirty houses marked the progress of Harvard's first year. Mr. Strickland did not enjoy pioneer privileges and hardships, nor did he reap the rewards of pioneer life. It appears he was a Methodist preacher in Michigan, and though married and the father of five children. fled with another woman, and sought a cover for his crime here. Until he was discovered

388

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

he was popular in church circles and was regarded as one of the founders of the Methodist Church of the settlement. For four months this happy condi- tion of things existed; but a letter from the aban- doned family and a photograph of the sinning hus- band and father arrived, and in the darkness of the night the adulterer and widow fled from the justice which the morrow would bring.

Among the leading men of the village in 1882 were John D. Bain, who settled here in 1873, and with E. H. Birdsall established a lumber yard, and with M. J. Pike established a store in 1880; T. A. Barbour settled here in June, 1872, as carpenter, pre-empted 160 acres, opened a real estate office in 1874 and a law office in 1878; R. A. Brown settled on a pre-emption elaim near Sutton in 1871, and in the fall began law practice at Sutton; Thomas J. Dowd settled at Harvard in 1873, and established his jewelry store, subsequently founding branch stores at Hastings, Aurora, and other places; A. T. Gilchrist established a grocery store at Harvard in 1879; John D. Hayes, a law office in 1873; Henry J. Keller, a shoe store in 1873; D. T. Phillips, a store in 1878 and hotel in 1881; L. A. Payne, a bank in 1878; James Richard, a blacksmith shop in 1877; J. F. Sawtell, a store in 1877; C. J. Scott, a building office in 1877; S. C. Sloat, book and stationary store in 1876; Lewis Stein, grocery store in 1873; L. J. Titus and E. Updike, their loan business in 1879; G. H. Washburn, agency for Spring Ranche Mills in 1879; Dr. Wilcox in 1879; T. R. Wyckoff, his farm in 1872.

A post office was established at Harvard in De- cember, 1871, and E. J. Stone was appointed to the position of postmaster. Upon its first establishment, the office was kept in a storeroom erected by M. Es- tes, which was also occupied by C. K. Morrill with a stock of drugs. The office at first was somewhat migratory, and the location depended largely upon the whereabouts of the postmaster, as he was accus- tomed to carry the mail in his plug hat. Previous to its establishment at this place, settlers usually ob- tained their mail at Grand Island, at a distance of about thirty miles. Stone held the position of post- master until June 1, 1872, and was succeeded by M. Estes, whose appointment lasted until January

29, 1877, when the commission was given to S. C. Sloat. The office was made a money order office in July, 1875. T. L. Wind was commissioned post- master by President Cleveland, but held the office only ten months when G. W. Martin was confirmed December 20, 1889. Prior to this his appointment was made and, on November 5, he entered upon his duties. He re-established the office on Clay Ave- nue. S. C. Sloat was his deputy and Miss Martin assistant.

The railroad depot was established here in the fall of 1871. A Mr. Harney served as agent for about eight years. J. J. Cox, T. J. Cox, Gates and Sharp followed in succession and then came A. A. Armitage, the present agent.

In the fall of 1888, there resided at or near Har- vard the following named voters of 1836-40: W. H. Hammond, Charles Church, Erastus Austin, Joseph Megrue, Wm. Mercer, Silas Moore, V. L. Carr, Geo. W. Brown and Andrew Kennedy.

The petition of E. H. Birdsall and others praying that Harvard be declared an incorporated town was granted July 1, 1873. E. P. Burnett, E. H. Bird- sall, W. A. Farmer, G. W. Howard and J. D. Bain were named as trustees.

At a meeting of the board July 19, 1873, E. H. Birdsall was chosen chairman; E. P. Burnett, clerk, William Mulliken, treasurer; W. F. Gue, assessor; C. W. Gardner, marshal and S. M. Risley, pound master. E. P. Davison was appointed pound master.

The following shows the names of those who have held official position in the village government since its incorporation up to the present time, with the date of service: 1873-Trustees, E. H. Birdsall, chairman; E. P. Burnett, clerk; J. D. Bain, W. A. Farmer, G. W. Howard, (succeeded by B. F. Havi- land), treasurer, William Mulliken; marshal, C. W. Gardner; assessor, W. F. Gue; pound master, S. M. Risley, (succeeded by Mr. Davison).

1874-Trustees, W. H. Hammond, chairman; W. A. Mulliken, C. W. Gardner, E. P. Burnett; clerk, W. R. Mulliken; treasurer, J. F. Sawtell, assessor, C. K. Morrill, (succeeded by E. C. Morse); pound master, E. P. Davison; marshal, L. Webster, (sneceeded by Jos. Spotts). W. A. Farmer was elected as the fifth member of the board.

389

CLAY COUNTY.

1875-Trustees, W. H. Hammond, chairman; M. Estes, L. Stein. C. D. Moore, T. J. Dowd; clerk T. J. Dowd, (succeeded by O. W. Birmingham); mar- shal, Joe Spotts; assessor, E. C. Morse. T. A. Bar- bour was appointed treasurer June 9, and W. A. Farmer was appointed attorney. T. A. Barbour was appointed assessor in place of E. C. Morse, who moved away.

1876-Trustees, M. Estes, chairman; M. D. Kel- logg, C. D. Moore, L. Stein and G. W. Howard; elerk, G. W. Howard; treasurer, W. H. Hammond, (succeeded hy C. D. Moore); marshal, Joseph Spotts: assesssor, T. A. Barbour.

1877-Trustees, T. A. Barhour, chairman; C. D. Moore, P. M. Culvard, L. C. Howard; clerk, L. G. Hurd; treasurer. H. R. Wheeler; marshal, Joseph Spotts.

1878-Trustees, E. J, Moger, chairman; W. . I. Turner, A. D. Davidson and W. H. Disbrow; clerk, . L. G. Hurd; marshal. Joseph Spotts.

1879-It was during this year that the organiza- tion as a city of the second class took place, with the following officers: Mayor. W. J. Turner, clerk. T. R. Hall (succeeded by L. A. Varner); treasurer, L. A. Payne; police judge. T. A. Barbour, (sue- ceeded by D. T, Phillips); engineer, J, T. Fleming; councilmen of the First Ward, W. H. Hammond and Ezra Brown; councilmen of the Second Ward, C. J. Scott and P. B. Lyons.

1880-After the existence as a city of the sec- ond elass, and the place again became a village the following officers were elected: Trustees. W. J. Turner, chairman, Ezra Brown, Il. G. Starkey, HI. R. Wheeler and J. A. Swope; clerk, I. B. Littler; treasurer, L. A. Payne; attorney. L. A. Varner; marshal, C. W. Gardner (succeeded by Joseph Spotts). William Gallap held the position of night patrolman.

1881-Trustees, W. T. Perry. chairman; L. G. Hurd, B. C. Oyler; attorney, L. A. Varner; clerk. F. W. Burdiek; treasurer, L. A. Payne.

On August 1, 1878 the board of trustees of the town of Harvard petitioned for the correction of the act of incorporation and in accordance with their prayer the correction was made, showing that the former act was made on petition of a majority of taxable male inhabitants thereof. A petition by

Jolin D. Hayes and 198 other taxpayers of Harvard precinet, asking the commissioners to fix a date for voting on the following proposition, was presented December 16, 1878: " Shall the commissioners of Clay County issue bonds of Howard Precinct to the amount of $5,000. to be placed in the hands of E. P. Burnett, W. S. Randall and E. E. Howard, officers of the county, as trustees, to be delivered to the commissioners of, Clay County, in the event of the location of the county seat at Harvard, proceeds to be devoted to the erection of county buildings at Harvard within six months of re-location of seat of justice." This petition was granted and a date made for election.

In April, 1882, J. D. Bain, B. C. Oyler, L. A. Payne, C. D. Moore and C. W. Gardner were nominated for village trustees; L. A. Varner was chosen clerk and W. H. Canfield, treasurer.

T. R. Wyckoff, John Hill, William Newton, Louis Stein (the lwo last rice JJ. E. Wheeler and M. Estes), were chosen members of the school board in 1882. In 1883 Louis Stein was re-elected, and W. H. Canfield took the place of Ezra Brown on the board. H. C. Brown was chosen moderator of the new board.

The trustees of Harvard clected in 1883 were Messrs. Payne, Bain and Gardner, of the old board. with S. S. Dunn and L. J. Titus. William Shackle- ford was appointed marshal.

In 1884, the anti-license candidates for village trustees received from 100 to 112 votes, and the license candidates from 45 to 52. C. H. De Groff received 152 votes, being nominated by both parties. The trustees elected were C. D. Moore, L. J. Titus, J. D. Bain, C. H. De Groff and C. J. Scott. C. K. Morrill was chosen clerk; W. H. Canfield, treasurer; S. M. Risley, marshal, and M. Estes, superinten- dent of cemetery.

The village elections of 1885 were mainly car- ried by the Citizens party. L. A. Payne, B. S. Harrington, Ezra Brown, John Morrow and Melvin Estes were elected trustees.

In April, 1885, L. T. Clark and A. P. Hess were elected members of the school board cice John Hill and T. R. Wyckoff.

In 1886, M. W. Wilcox was elected mayor; L.

390

HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.

P. Crouch, police judge; S. W. Wistrom, clerk; L. J. Titus, treasurer: H. S. Freeman, engineer; M. V. Corey, G. W. Gardner, C: Rockhill and R. Don- nelly, aklermen. The vote east for license was 69; against license, 143. The Citizens ticket was beaten.

In April, 1887, G. W. Limbocker was chosen mayor. G. W. Updike, treasurer: G. D. Webster, clerk; John T. Fleming, engineer; T. H. Bennett, and B. R. Sloat, aldermen.

In April, 1888, G. W. Updike was elected mayor by 117 votes against 92 votes for James Don- nelly; I. R. Littler, treasurer; W. H. Payne, clerk; Ezra Brown, police judge; J. T. Fleming, engineer; G. A. Herzog and M. V. Cory, councilmen, with al- dermen Sloat and Bennett holding over.

. In April, 1889, James Donnelly was elected mayor: John T. Fleming, clerk; L. J. Titus. treas- nrer: G. W. Limbocker, engineer; B. S. Harrington and Samnel Martin, councilmen; L. G. Hurd was appointed attorney: Dr. Rose, physician; J. F. Hickman, marshal; O. C. Clark, member of board of health; J. A. Rupiper, superintendent of cemetery; J. R. Corey, weighmaster, and C. D. Moore, foreman of fire company; L. J. Titus, J. L. Misner, I. L. Yoman and H. E. Belling were elected members of the board of education. A vote on choice of postmaster shows 153 for G. W. Mar- tin. 102 for O. W. Birmingham, 73 for S. C. Sloat and 25 for G. L. Pike.

Not until spring of 1880 did the all-consuming conflagration arouse the people to the cry of fire. At that time. a building occupied by P. Lyons and J. W. Wigman as a hardware store, was burned. Hav- ing no means by which to extinguish the fire, all the people could do was to stand aside and watch the darting flames as they fitfully played through the frail timbers of the wooden structure. During the same spring, a residence belonging to Henry Dis- brow was burned. Again in the month of January, 1882, the fiery demon set about the work of destruc- tion, and a large grain elevator, belonging to W, J. Turner, was completely consumed. Shortly after this steps were taken to organize a fire department, and bonds for $3.000 were ordered to be issued, the proceeds to be applied on the construction of cisterns and in the purchase of a fire engine.

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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