USA > Nebraska > Buffalo County > Buffalo County, Nebraska, and its people : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 28
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CITY HALL, KEARNEY
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY
the room first occupied by the Hub, which was removed to another part of the block. The office remained in this small room until 1911, badly cramped for space, until removing to the new Federal Building in September, 1911."
Following M. A. Brown, C. C. Carrig was appointed postmaster by President Wilson in 1915. Phil Lambert served as deputy postmaster under M. A. Brown's administration, and was continuing to so serve in the year 1916, under Postmaster Carrig.
THE POSTOFFICE BUILDING AT KEARNEY
The following description of the postoffice building at Kearney is from the silver anniversary edition of the Daily Hub-1913 :
"The finest postoffice building in any city of its class in the United States," is the general admission made by those who are informed, and so understood in the office of the supervising architect at Washington. The entire cost of the building and fixtures was approximately $120,000. It is located at the corner of Central Avenue and Twenty-fourth Street, facing west, with a side entrance to the lock-box corridor on Twenty-fourth Street, facing south.
In general the style of the building is classic, with Corinthian details, although touches of Italian renaissance are discernible, especially on the interior, while many noticeable features of the American fireproof, steel-frame building were visible in the building in the course of its construction. The architect's drawings and plans were, indeed, intended to show a model office building of a new type which the supervising architect had in mind, and the Kearney building was one of the first and apparently is the best of this new type of building produced.
The building rests on foundations 93 feet long and 65 feet wide. Above ground, basement walls of New Hampshire granite blocks rise to 5 feet above the surface of the lawn, and above this the superstructure walls are of the best quality and a very beautiful tint of Bedford sandstone. The elevation from the basement to the roof is 52 feet, while the cornice extends 6 feet above the roof line, and the top of the flag-pole is 75 feet above the basement line.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INTERIOR
Entering the lock-box corridor, entrance is through a commodious vestibule with revolving doors. Inside, you are confronted by the lock-box compartment, in bronze, with Yale and Towne locks. The postmaster's office is at the right. The surrounding woodwork is of quarter-sawed white oak. The walls are of solid white Vermont marble highly polished, and ceiling of the same in the lock- box corridor, making a very striking effect.
Turning to the left, there is a splendid view of the main corridor approached from the Central Avenue entrance, with wide, easy-rising granite steps. The vestibule here is very beautiful, and on either side are the writing desks topped with heavy plate glass. Facing this vestibule are the mailing openings, with the general delivery window at the farther end. On the angle at the left of the general delivery window are the stamp, registry, money order and postal sav- ings windows.
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The floor of the main rotunda and the lock-box corridor is composed of terrazza composed of white and sienna marble in cement, with pattern blocks of Tennessee marble interspersed. The walls and casings are all highly polished marble and the ceilings are a pure white stucco.
On this floor are a large, well lighted and perfectly ventilated workroom, the assistant and postmaster's room, and money order and postal savings clerk, in northwest corner; postmaster's room in southeast corner ; ladies' toilet ; and rear vestibule for forwarding and receiving mail.
The stairway is very beautiful, leading to the second story, which is allotted for office purposes. There are five of these rooms. The long corridor on this floor is chaste, simple and exquisite. Two toilet rooms are located in the north- east corner.
The basement is complete, with very large boiler room, janitor's storeroom, sitting room or waiting room for employes, and a capacious coal room. The steam plant is the best in the city. The building is lighted with electricity. Gas is used for emergency lighting and also for heating water in summer. Con- venience and comfort are fully provided for.
Two employes have the entire care of the building. The postmaster is the custodian of the building.
Length of foundation, 93 feet.
Width of foundation, 65 feet.
Height of building, 58 feet.
Height of top of flag pole, 75 feet.
Number of rooms, exclusive of halls and lobby, seventeen.
Material of basement, New Hampshire granite.
Material of building, Bedford sandstone.
Material of floors, Terraza and Tennessee marble.
Material of walls of first floor, White Vermont granite.
Material of woodwork, quarter-sawed white oak.
Material of floors, maple.
FIRST FREE DELIVERY SERVICE
The first free delivery service was established in the early part of the term of Postmaster Eaton. There were four carriers, viz: Charles Mott, Alex Everson, Amos L. Graham and William Crawford. The first substitute carrier was E. S. Dorsey, who afterward became a carrier and died while in the service.
There are now five regular carriers where six could be used to advantage.
The work of the office now requires six clerks, as against four clerks eight years ago.
Rural free delivery has grown until there are six carriers, serving approxi- mately one hundred families each.
The growth of the business has been steady but not phenomenal. Receipts in 1903 were $10,214.34 annually. In 1913 they will be (estimated) $23,000.
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY
KEARNEY VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES
Dr. M. A. Hoover
In the year 1883, during Mayor Webb's administration, the Kearney Volun- teer Fire Department was organized. On July 11, 1883, the Kearney Hook and Ladder Company was incorporated, and on November 7, 1883, was incor- porated the Wide Awake Hose Company.
From this small beginning, over a third of a century ago, has developed the splendid organizations of today (1916) with their up-to-date equipments, second to none in the state under volunteer firemen.
Now, as at the time of its organization, it has the best young blood in the city in its ranks. Much property has been saved by its efficient work and deeds of valor beyond description have been performed. .
This organization from its formation to the present time has had the support of the city officials, the moral, and frequently, the financial support of its citi- zens. Kearney is indeed proud of the records of her fire fighters.
BANKS.
The City National Bank was established in 1889 with a capital stock of $100,000. Its first officers were F. G. Keens, president; J. S. Adair, cashier. Among the directors were J. S. Adair, W. R. Adair, H. C. Andrews, Henry Gibbons, K. O. Holmes.
Later the capital stock was reduced to $50,000. In the year 1916 it had a capital stock of $50,000; surplus, $66,000; deposits $1,100,000.
Its officers are: . Dan Morris, president; George Burgert, vice president ; C. W. Norton, cashier ; F. W. Turner, assistant cashier ; directors, K. O. Holmes, chairman ; Dan Morris, George Burgert, C. W. Norton.
The Farmers Bank of Kearney was organized under the laws of Nebraska in 1890, with a capital stock of $50,000, of which $25,000 was paid in. Its offi- cers were Lew Robertson, president; B. H. Goodell, vice president; James A. Boyd, cashier. In 1915 Mr. Boyd was still serving as cashier. In 1897 John G. Lowe succeeded to the presidency and W. O. King became vice president.
On its twenty-fifth anniversary, April 2, 1915, the bank had a capital stock of $25,000 ; surplus, $10,000; deposits, $294,386.
The officers are: John G. Lowe, president; W. O. King, vice president ; James A. Boyd, cashier; Leslie R. Prior, assistant cashier; directors, John G. Lowe, James A. Boyd, Wm. Schramm, W. O. King.
The Central National Bank of Kearney was organized in January, 1903, with a capital of $50,000. The officers were W. T. Auld, president; A. U. Dann, cashier. In 1912 Mr. Dann retired and J. S. Donnell was elected cashier.
On May 1, 1915, the bank had a capital of $50,000; surplus and profits, $32,- 041 ; deposits, $237,340. The officers were J. S. Donnell, president; D. T. Mc- Donald, cashier; directors, John Lowenstien, W. L. Stickle, J. S. Donnell, D. T. McDonald. In the year 1912 the Central National Bank took over and absorbed the Commercial National Bank of Kearney. This latter bank was organized in 1897 with a capital of $100,000. Its officers and directors were T. B. Garrison,
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY
Sr., president ; A. E. Waldron, vice president ; R. D. Garrison, cashier ; directors, R. F. Cruit, J. E. Lowenstien, J. F. Saup, D. Wort.
"The Commercial National Bank paid dollar for dollar and quit business with clean hands."
KEARNEY MILLING COMPANY
In the year 1886 a stock company was formed to erect a flouring mill at Kearney. James H. Davis was president of the company, and among the stock- holders, as recalled from memory, were H. F. Flint, C. Putnam, W. C. Tillson, John J. Bartlett. C. Putnam superintended the erection of the mill, a sufficient guarantee that it was well built and all material and equipment first class and up-to-date for the times.
About the year 1898 Frank H. Roby purchased the property from the United States court, since which time the mill has several times been enlarged and made modern in every respect. When built the capacity of the mill was 150 barrels of flour per day. In 1915 the capacity was 500 barrels. Its grain storage capacity was 160,000 bushels and the approximate grain milled in the year 500,000 bushels.
The owner is Frank F. Roby.
THE KEARNEY ELECTRIC PLANT
The first plant of the Electric Company was constructed in 1887, in connec- tion with the Kearney Canal, and was designed to use water from that canal for power purposes. The water wheels had a capacity of 366 horse power, and the electrical equipment consisted of a generator to develop current for arc lights to light the streets of Kearney, and a small direct-current generator for domestic lighting. This equipment was added to from time to time, and in 1894 addi- tional water wheels, having approximately Soo horse power capacity, were installed. These wheels operated electrical generators to nearly their capacity, and the current was distributed about the city for light and power, as well as the operation of an electric street railway.
As the art of developing and transmitting electrical energy advanced all of the original equipment at the power house was abandoned and new machinery of the latest type replaced it. Before 1905 the character of the electrical equip- ment was twice changed, and the machinery then installed has again yielded to the advances made in constructing such apparatus, and now the equipment of the electric plant consists of the latest designed and most efficient water wheel generators ever produced, and a steam turbine of 2,000 horse power capacity, operating with quadruple steam expansion, condensing, furnishes a supplemental steam unit for use in case of emergency. This steam turbine generator set operates at 3,600 revolutions per minute. The boiler setting consists of three large Kewanee boilers, fire tube type, the boiler water being the condensed steam water, which is used over and over again, after first passing through feed-water heaters that bring the temperature to 204° before the water enters the boilers.
The water wheel generator equipment consists of a pair of Leffell wheels,
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY
operating under a 56-foot head, having 1,350 horse power capacity, which are direct-connected to a general electric generator of 1,000 kilowatt capacity. The steam turbine set, and the water wheel generators can be operated either sepa- rately or together, and they develop an amount of electric energy largely in excess of the present requirements of the City of Kearney.
During the year 1916 the company will erect transmission lines to send electri- cal energy to the adjacent villages, and for use in the farming districts.
This property is owned by The Kearney Water & Electrical Powers Co., of which C. M. Scoutt is president and Will J. Scoutt secretary-treasurer.
(Note-Contributed by W. J. Scoutt.)
THE KEARNEY GAS PLANT
In 1868 three brothers of the name of Maxwell, of Beatrice, Neb., erected a small gas plant and laid about four miles of gas mains.
This plant was operated in a small way and at a financial loss for many years, the plant changing hands a number of times, and the service was never very good.
In the year 1908 the Midway Gas Company acquired the property and entirely rebuilt it and extended the gas mains to all of the more densely populated dis- tricts of the city.
The plant now has complete duplicate settings, each with a capacity of approxi- mately two million feet of gas per month, and a storage capacity of 75,000 cubic feet.
Inl 1915 there are thirteen miles of gas mains and nearly six hundred cus- tomers, and the yearly output of the company is about ten million cubic feet.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION IN BUFFALO COUNTY
Dr. M. A. Hoover
The records disclose that from 1875 to 1916, 115 doctors have registered in the county clerk's office. Of these twenty-six are dead.
As regards the class or school of medicine to which they belonged, the records disclose 26 as eclectic, 42 as regular, 6 as homeopathy, 8 as osteopath, 3 as mid- wives, 28 the school not given. Thirteen are now practicing in Kearney of the regular, homeopathy and eclectic, 4 osteopath, and 14 others in the county. Of the remaining 58, they are scattered from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from Can- ada to the gulf. There are no records available as to their present locations, and no way of finding out how many of these 58 have died since leaving the county.
The old doctors who served as pioneers and suffered the hardships and did the greater service to humanity are dead. All were great men in the upbuilding of the country. Drs. J. T. Brown, John C. Hull, Theo E. Webb, C. T. Dildine, Henry Baker, J. J. Saville, C. A. Jackson, M. Saville, E. Bodman, S. D. Steere, D. H. Hite, Josiah Slick and E. L. Smith in their day and generation were great men and endured physical suffering owing to the immense field covered by them. The storms of winter, hot blasts of summer, the wind and sand storms then prev- alent, many times going from forty-eight to seventy-two hours without sleep,
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very little to eat and drink, picking their way over the trackless prairie, for there were no roads, oftentimes lost for hours, exposed to all kinds of infections and contagions, very little to work with, entire families frequently living in sod houses with but one room, often as many as seven persons occupying this; no difference what the sickness or injury, these doctors had to and did meet the conditions and did noble work for humanity. All honor and praise be to each and all of these pioneer doctors.
DENTISTS
The records in the office of the county clerk disclose the registration of thirty- four dentists from 1887 to date (1916). Of this number seven are engaged in active practice in Kearney. These dentists are especially well qualified and equipped with up-to-date methods and instruments.
HOSPITALS
The Hospital Benefit Association at Kearney was incorporated October 24, 1902, the incorporators being A. J. Galentine, W. S. Clapp, H. A. Webbert, J. A. Boyd, J. S. Adair, F. F. Roby.
On March 9, 1912, through the efforts of Bishop Beecher, the hospital was taken over by the Episcopal Diocese, under the name of St. Luke's Hospital, the incorporators being Bishop G. A. Beecher, F. J. Everson, E. C. Calkins, since which time it has been in active operation, is fully modern in all its departments and is entitled to all the patronage tributary to it.
The W. C. T. U. or "Mother Hull" Hospital at Kearney was incorporated April 5, 1889, with Mrs. Nancy Hull as president. The board of trustees: Mrs. Mary C. Barnd, Mrs. Helen H. Dryden, Mrs. Nancy Hull. Mrs. L. M. Parish secretary.
This institution was doing good work long before the date of incorporation under the name of the W. C. T. U. The good it has done can not be measured by dollars and cents. It was an institution that admitted any and all, with or with- out price, and were given every care at the command of those in authority. Their spiritual illness was looked after as well as their physical. It is supported by charity or donations, and by what money the inmates are able to pay.
The names of this band of noble women will be remembered as long as the history of Nebraska endures, for their work was of and for love of humanity.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION IN KEARNEY
Recognizing the great services to humanity by members of the medical pro- fession, an attempt was made to have prepared for this history a history of the medical profession in Buffalo County, but the brief period of time at disposal in the gathering, compiling and preparing of copy, and the further fact that those who could best prepare such a history are men busy in the practice of the pro- fession, has not made this feature of the county history as complete as is to be desired.
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For the following brief history of those who have practiced the profession of medicine in the City of Kearney the editor is largely indebted to the kindness and courtesy of Mrs. C. V. D. Basten.
The editor could learn of no official records to refer to, hence it is possible the names of practicing physicians have been omitted ; if so, it has not been inten- tional. To the editor of this history it has been a source of great pleasure to record herein the name of every person, in so far as possible, who has rendered valuable service to the general public.
"Are you a doctor?" was the anxious question asked Mr. Frantz by a young woman, wife of the proprietor of the Commercial Hotel at Kearney. This was on the morning of February 13, 1873. Mr. Frantz had come with his family to start a drug store and the young woman was in dire need of a physician. This seems to establish the fact that the first doctor was E. S. Perkins, M. D., whose sojourn in the little pioneer town was short and inconspicuous. The recollec- tions of him were that he had suffered a blight, and wore a crape sleeve band for a lost sweetheart. A mother used to write anxious letters to Rev. Nahum Gould and ask him to have a care for her boy. (In the first issue of the Kearney Junc- tion Times, October 12, 1872, mention is made that Kearney has four doctors, only one of whom is named, Dr. E. S. Perkins.)
Dr. Noble Holton came to Kearney during the summer of 1873 and practiced his profession until 1877. His office was in the drug store of Holton and Barlow. Mr. Barlow was Doctor Holton's brother-in-law. Both ladies were sisters of Curtis A. Greenman. All of them came originally from Tiskilwa, Ill. Mrs. Holton was also a medical practitioner. Both families, Holton and Barlow, moved to Peoria, Ill., in 1877. Mrs. Holton died in 1887. Doctor Holton died in a soldiers' home in Illinois in 1901.
Dr. J. T. Brown came to Kearney in the summer of 1873. He was born in Berkshire County, Mass. Practiced his profession for seventeen years near Rochester, N. Y. He served as regimental surgeon of the Ninety-fourth New York Volunteer Infantry two years; served as staff surgeon to General Barnes two years; and practiced in Belvidere, Quincy and Galesburg, Ill., for six years. In the spring of 1874 Doctor Brown's horse ran away, throwing him under a culvert, where he lay unconscious for a long time. The weather was severely cold and his health was greatly impaired by his cruel experience. He continued to practice until 1886, when he moved to Belvidere, Ill. His daughter Minnie married James Harron of the firm of Roberts and Harron, who came to Kearney from St. Joseph, Mo.
An incident is recalled in which Doctor Brown was called to attend a patient living in the country twenty miles from Kearney. When Doctor Brown arrived he found the father of the family had died. Doctor Brown remained to comfort the family, read from the Bible and offered prayer, and did not leave until arrangements had been made for the funeral. Doctor Brown was a charter mcm- ber of the Presbyterian Church, organized at Kearney in 1873. and chosen one of its elders. He was a lovable man, one of God's noblemen, of sainted memory to many of the early settlers of Buffalo County.
Charles T. Dildine, best known of the early physicians, was born at Dansville, N. Y., in 1849. He graduated from Buffalo Medical College in 1872. He married
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Miss Flora Evers and after practicing at Almond and Dansville, N. Y., came to Kearney, April 1, 1874. He commanded a large practice and was successful and greatly respected. He died at the early age of thirty-seven years July 13, 1886, and is buried at Danville, N. Y.
Dr. John C. Hull was born in Mount Vernon, Ohio, in 1827. Graduated from Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1853. He married Miss Nancy Updegraff in 1855. He practiced for nineteen years in Henry County, Ohio, and came to Kearney in 1875, where he practiced until his death, November 14, 1900. His widow, of blessed memory, lived until March 16, 1911.
Dr. Henry Baker, active and prominent in the medical profession at Kearney for about ten years dating from 1876, was born in Northamptonshire, England, and was a graduate of the American Medical College of St. Louis, Mo.
Dr. Carl A. Jackson was born in Sweden and graduated from Carolmska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. He practiced in Sweden, Chicago, and in towns in Nebraska, for eighteen years before coming to Kearney in 1878.
Dr. Maurice A. Hoover was born in Marion County, Ind. A graduate of the Medical College of Indiana. Practiced in Mount Jackson and Indianapolis, Ind., before coming to Kearney in April 1883, since which time he has been extensively engaged in the practice of his profession.
In addition to his professional duties, Doctor Hoover has interested himself in the various activities of city life, serving many years as a member of the board of education.
Dr. Cornelius Van Dyke Basten was born of Dutch-Revolutionary ancestry at Kingston, N. Y., May 25, 1859. Graduate of Kingston Academy. Studied medicine for three years in Philadelphia, and graduated from University of Iowa Medical College, Iowa City, in 1883. Settled in Kearney, April 31, 1883. Married Miss Adah Seamen November 24, 1885. Has practiced continuously since at Kearney, taking post-graduate work in New York, Chicago, Omaha, Kansas City and New Orleans.
Dr. George M. Hull, youngest son of Dr. John C. Hull, was born in Trenton, Iowa, in 1863. Graduated from Omaha Medical College in 1885. Settled in Kearney and began the practice of his profession in 1885. Married Miss Blanche Harrington, of Geneseo, Ill., in 1887. His death occurred in 1907.
Dr. George W. Kern, graduate of Hahnemann Medical College of Philadel- phia, Pa., in 1878. Practiced in Newton, Elizabeth and Mckeesport, Pa., and came to Kearney in 1886. Removed to Mckeesport, where he now (1915) resides.
Dr. James Porter was born in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, in 1847. He gradu- ated from the medical department of the University of Michigan. Began the practice of medicine at Trenton, Iowa. December 13, 1876, was married to Miss Martha A. Wilson. Settled in Kearney in 1887, where he practiced his profession until his death, which occurred February 14, 1897.
Dr. John James Cameron, born at Montreal, Canada. Graduated from Mc- Gill University, Montreal, in 1887. Practiced one year in Ontario and settled in Kearney December 29, 1888.
Dr. Frank E. Duckworth was born in Chariton County, Iowa, and graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago. Came to Kearney in
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February, 1888. He was a partner for some time of Dr. M. A. Hoover. Is not living.
Dr. Benjamin Franklin Jones was born in Ohio. A graduate of Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pa. Settled in Kearney in 1888. Was a partner for some years of Dr. L. P. Woodworth.
Dr. Henry Slaughter Bell was born in Kentucky. Graduated from Bellevue Hospital Medical College, N. Y., in 1878. He practiced in Knox County, Ind., and at Paris, Ill., and in the year 1889 located at Kearney.
Dr. John L. Bennett was born at Howell, Mich. Graduate of Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati in 1874. Practiced his profession in Iowa and settled in Kearney July 15, 1890.
Dr. Charles K. Gibbons was born in Kearney, December 13, 1876. He gradu- ated from the Shattuck Military Academy, Fairbault, Minn., and entered North- western Medical College, Chicago, from which he graduated in 1902. He began his medical practice at Los Angeles, Cal., but removed to Kearney to engage in the practice of his profession in 1903. He married Miss Nellie J. Downing June 25, 1902.
Dr. F. L. Blanchard was born in Peacham, Vt., in 1857. He graduated from Ann Arbor Medical College, Mich., and served as acting dean of the medical college after the death of President Palmer. He practiced his profession both at Albion and Jackson, Mich., coming to Kearney in 1902. His death occurred March 27, 1915.
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