USA > Nebraska > Buffalo County > Buffalo County, Nebraska, and its people : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 31
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Following Doctor Clark's address Mrs. Joseph Steadman sang a solo, "Birds in Dreamland Sleep," by White, with Miss Anna Caldwell, pianist, Harry Black violinist, Professor Porter clarinet, and Lewis Pierce, cornet, accompanying.
Followed a brief address by Mrs. Oreal S. Ward, of Lincoln, Nebraska State Regent, D. A. R. At the outset Mrs. Ward stated that our ancestors for the first 100 years were too busy making history, in conquering savage foes and subduing wildernesses to appreciate the importance of their own work which we are now perpetuating. Then followed a statement of the objects of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a great patriotic society, the work of which is so little understood, and closing with a tribute to the pioneers and congratulations to the Kearney Chapter of the D. A. R.
Mrs. Andrew Gault, of Omaha, vice president general of the National Society, D. A. R., was next introduced. Mrs. Gault denied that the society was organized for pink teas and to show good clothes. The society is organized for patriotic purposes and for marking historic spots, and will go forward in the fulfilment of that purpose. Relevantly, it was announced that the ladies of the Omaha Chapter would within a few weeks dedicate the second monument to the Old Oregon Trail in Nebraska.
Miss Elise Green sang very charmingly, "Awake, 'Tis Dawn," by Hamley; accompaniment by Miss Leota Mollring.
S. C. Bassett, secretary of the Buffalo County Historical Society, spoke briefly of what the monument meant to him-a mark of the trail and a marker for the thousands of graves of those who died in the wilderness. Incidents of the trail were related by Mr. Bassett.
Hon. John L. Webster, of Omaha, president of the Nebraska State Historical Society, was introduced amid great enthusiasm. Reverting to the central theme, General Webster said the exact location of the trail and the unveiling of the monument was of little significance compared with the fact itself. Another important thing in connection with the event is the fact that it is part of our written history. We are making history and others are writing it. Blot from your memory what happened yesterday and you will have no conception of what will happen tomorrow. The spirit of patriotism is preserved in history. This monument is a marking of history, of the manhood of the pioneers who opened the trail to the Oregon country, to the great Northwest. .
The memories of those we talk about today who were our pilgrims and our
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cavaliers, will 100 years hence have equal place with the Pilgrims of New Eng- land and the Cavaliers of Virginia. Followed a history of the first journeyings through this wilderness, then a desert, describing the transformation through succeeding geological changes. Followed again the emigrant caravans on the marking of the trail. Then the building of the Overland Iron Trail and the development of this wonderful country, and the importance of the West in its relation to the East.
Miss Agnes Mowry Tabor sang "I Hid My Love," by Dhardlot, very beauti- fully, with accompaniment by Miss Isabel A. Tabor.
The closing address by Governor A. C. Shallenberger complained that he had been left with practically "nothing to say," but might be able to pick up a few fragments. As to the monument-"As all roads lead to Rome, so all trails lead to Kearney"-hence the appropriateness of setting up this first stone to mark the great trail at Kearney, and how wonderful the great overland railway should follow that trail. The erection of this monument marks an epoch and signifies patriotic pride and love of home, and the governor added his congratulations to all who have participated in such a historic event.
The program in the opera house closed with the singing of "America," by the audience, led by Mrs. Steadman, and dismissal by Rev. C. B. Stephens.
So were the exercises concluded but the monument itself will stand by the road where thousands and thousands will read its message and feel the greatness of the West as they have never felt it before. It will translate its mute mes- sage to generations who will never have known the real West as it was when the great Oregon Trail was blazed; it will give to future generations the power to appreciate what the pioneers did, the manner in which they did it, and the innate worth of the pioneers themselves.
THE SOLDIERS' MONUMENT AT KEARNEY
(Note-The editor is greatly indebted to State Superintendent A. O. Thomas and Comrade F. J. Switz of Kearney for the history of the erection of this monument and of the unveiling ceremonies.)
In the year 1906, on the 12th day of February (Lincoln's birthday), Mrs. A. H. Boltin, president of Sedgwick Woman's Relief Corps No. I of Kearney, called a joint meeting of all patriotic and soldiers' organizations in the city with a view of securing the erection, by the city, of a soldiers' monument. Past Post Commander Capt. Joseph Black served as chairman of the meeting. Pres. A. O. Thomas of the State Normal School delivered an inspiring address appropriate to such an occasion.
On motion of Comrade F. J. Switz a monument committee was appointed, rep- resenting the two G. A. R. posts of the city and the citizens, with authority to request the city to erect a suitable soldiers' monument.
The members of the committee thus appointed were A. O. Thomas, chairman, and representing the citizens of Kearney, and Comrades F. J. Switz, Edwin Thomas, J. A. Larimer and James Larimer as representing Sedgwick Post No. I and Smith Gavitt Post No. 299, Grand Army of the Republic.
When the matter was brought before the city council it was learned that the
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city had no authority of law to expend public funds for such a purpose and it became necessary to secure the enactment of a statute providing that cities might legally expend money for such a purpose. A bill to this end was drawn by City Attorney H. M. Sinclair, introduced in the Legislature by Hon. George W. Bar- rett, of Buffalo County, and became a law.
An ordinance providing for the erection of a soldiers' monument at the ex- pense of the City of Kearney was passed June 7, 1909; the members of the city council being C. W. Hoxie, W. H. Knaggs, Charles Smithy, C. A. Barts, W. S. Freeman, C. W. Kibler, Robert Haines (a veteran soldier of the Civil war) and M. E. Chidester. John W. Patterson, mayor. After advertising for bids the contract for the monument was awarded to Troup & Cruit, of Kearney, at $4,300.
UNVEILING CEREMONIES OCTOBER 25, 1910
To arrange for the unveiling ceremonies E. B. Finch and C. H. Gregg were added to the monument committee.
In carrying out the general arrangements the following committees were ap- pointed : Bands-Geo. N. Porter, Harry Black; Committee on Finance-James Boyd, Dan Morris, C. W. Norton and Robert Garrison ; Seating and Platform- W. F. Crossley, W. S. Freeman, E. Schuler and Frank Major; Flags and Deco- rations-E. B. Finch, W. O. King and L. L. Wernert; Parade-John Wilson, Gilbert Haase and Maj. Walter Sammons ; Arrangement of Monument for Un- veiling-C. A. Bessie and E. E. Piper; Publicity-This committee consisted of the same members as the Publicity Committee of the Kearney Commercial Club; Ushers-Dean W. A. Clark, Prof. H. N. Russell, Supt. H. E. Bradford, Supt. C. B. Manual, Ben Olson and Arthur Scoutt. The lumber for the seats, speakers' and band stands was furnished gratis by Mr. W. L. Stickle.
The lateness of the season produced considerable anxiety on the part of the committee in trying to select a good day in advance. October 27th, Roosevelt's birthday anniversary, was first selected, but it was suggested by Mr. F. J. Switz of the general committee that a storm was billed for that date. Mr. Switz was therefore made chairman of the Weather Committee and the date changed to October 25th. It was a delightful day. Delegations came from Holdrege, Funk, Axtell, Minden, Kenesaw, Grand Island, Wood River, Shelton, Gibbon, Elm Creek, Lexington, Overton, and the towns along the K. & B. H. Railroad. Long before the appointed hour for the ceremony had arrived the multitude had gatlı- ered, and it became evident that the 3,000 seats provided for the occasion would be entirely inadequate. But Central Avene and wide Twenty-fifth Street pro- vided standing room for the throng of 12,000 visitors.
The drapery which had veiled the monument since its erection was loosened. The statue of a volunteer soldier of the Civil war surmounting the shaft was draped with the Stars and Stripes. The speakers' stand was decorated with flags and bunting. Everything was in readiness for the unveiling ceremony. About the city hall were gathered the various organizations that were to take part in the parade. The Second Regiment Band heading the procession was located on Avenue A and Railroad Street. Immediately back of them came more than one
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thousand students of the city schools. These were followed by 400 representa- tives of the State Normal. Next came the Kearney Military Academy cadets with arms, while Company A of the Nebraska National Guard under Capt. H. N. Jones formed the special escort of the guests of honor, the members of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Woman's Relief Corps, and the various ladies' auxil- iaries, together with the Spanish-American war veterans. As the band opened with a military march all organizations fell in line. It was a grand spectacle. The procession filled Central Avenue from the railroad to the monument. As the advance guard reached the monument the ranks opened and the old soldiers and other guests of honor marched through. Along the line the crowds took up the cheering, banners and flags were waving everywhere.
The program began promptly at 2 o'clock. The presiding officer was Chair- man A. O. Thomas. Seated upon the platform was the acting mayor and mem- bers of the city council; the Monument Committee; Past Department Com- manders Eli A. Barnes, J. H. Maxon and C. E. Adams ; officials representing the Woman's Relief Corps, Daughters of the American Revolution, Ladies of the G. A. R .; clergymen of the city ; a few representative business and professional men of the city together with those having a place on the program.
The Second Regiment Band, N. N. G., under the leadership of George N. Porter, took up "America" and the multitude, standing with uncovered heads, joined in the song, after which Rev. Erastus Smith, a pioneer Methodist min- ister, a veteran soldier of the Civil war, delivered a prayer full of thankfulness for the blessings of a free and united country.
After the band had played the "Star Spangled Banner," Comrades Robert Haines and Joseph Black drew aside the veil, lifted the flag and the monument stood out in all its beauty. Constructed of the finest Barre granite, it stands thirty-three feet high. On the south of the die is the inscription "Erected in honor of the defenders of our country, 1861-1865 and 1898-1900. On the die to the north is the legend: "Erected by the City of Kearney, 1910." On the east and the west are the emblems of the Woman's Relief Corps and Ladies of the G. A. R. On the shaft to the south is the badge of the Grand Army of the Republic, while on the north is a crown of olives denoting victory. Surmounting the shaft is the volunteer soldier of the Civil war, with arms at rest, proclaiming peace. It is safe to say that this monument is not surpassed in beauty by any in the country. It is of artistic design and well wrought.
Following the unveiling, Acting Mayor Chas. W. Hoxie presented the monu- ment to the old soldiers for dedication. The receiving ceremony was conducted by the Rev. Henry Wood, commander of Sedgwick Post No. I, and Chaplain S. W. Thornton, of Smith Gavitt Post No. 299. In a brief address, Comrade F. J. Switz thanked the city officials and the citizens in general for this fitting memorial, and expressed the appreciation of the old soldiers for the honor thus conferred. The salute to the flag was led by Fort Kearney Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, Mrs. Charles O. Norton, regent, after which the band played an overture consisting of fragments of patriotic airs.
The orators for the occasion were United States Senator Norris Brown and Past Department Commander C. E. Adams.
Letters of congratulation were read from Major Arnold, Chancellor Samuel
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UNVEILING OF SOLDIERS' MONUMENT, KEARNEY, OCTOBER 25, 1910 United States Senator Norris Brown delivering an address
BANK.
CENTRAL AVENUE, KEARNEY
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Avery, Prof. Joseph Sparks, Past Department Commander John E. Evans, Presi- dent John Lee Webster of the State Historical Society, and ex-President Theo- dore Roosevelt, who sent "the best wishes in the world."
The monument stands at the intersection of Central Avenue and Lincoln Highway, located at this point by the city authorities in response to a petition to this effect signed by ninety-three soldiers of the Civil war.
STATE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL AT KEARNEY
At the fifteenth session of the State Legislature (1879) an act was passed providing for the establishment of a state reform school in conformity with the provisions of section 12, article S, of the constitution of the state. Ten thousand dollars was the amount appropriated for the establishment and maintenance of the school. Citizens of Kearney offered 320 acres of land as a site for the school, which was accepted, Senator John D. Seaman and Representative James H. Davis, members of the State Legislature, and Nathan Campbell and F. G. Keens, on behalf of the citizens of Kearney, being active in securing the location of the school at Kearney.
Both boys and girls were admitted to the school until the year 1890, when the Industrial School for Girls was established at Geneva and about this date the name of the school was changed from Reform School to Industrial School.
The school was ready for occupancy in July, 1881. The first superintendent, Dr. G. W. Collins, of Pawnee City, was appointed April 29, 1881. He was suc- ceeded by S. C. Mullin, who served from January 1, 1884, until May 7, 1885, and was succeeded by John T. Mallalieu.
On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the school it was stated: "During the past ten years, 590 boys and 180 girls have been placed under the control of the school. Of this number 384 boys and 120 girls have passed out into active life. Good homes have been provided for many of them ; others have gone out and secured homes for themselves."
The superintendents of the school in the order of service have been: J. T. Mallalieu, C. W. Hoxie, J. N. Campbell, J. T. Mallalieu. J. V. Beghtol, B. D. Ilayward, E. B. Sherman, C. B. Manuel, R. V. Clark.
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL AT KEARNEY
The State Normal School at Kearney was located by act of the Legislature in the year 1903 and opened to students in the year 1905, in charge of Dr. A. O. Thomas as president.
From a silver anniversary edition of the Kearney Daily Hub, October 29. 1913, is taken a brief summary of the establishment of the school, a financial statement and reports as to enrollment and graduation of students.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
231/2 acres of land, valued at .$10,000
Green Terrace Hall for dormitory, valued at. 50,000
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Perpetual water right from Kearney Canal, valued at ... 10,000 Water and sewer connections brought to buildings, which if necessary to be built would cost. 20,000
Cash donated by City of Kearney. 5,000
Total
$95,000
LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATIONS FOR BUILDINGS
Session of 1913, for buildings $ 50,000
Session of 1905, for heating plant 15,000
Session of 1909, for north wing 50,000
Session of 1911, for south wing 55,000
Total for buildings and heating plant $170,000
THE NORMAL SCHOOL'S RECORD TO 1913
The total appropriations by the Legislature for the support of the school have averaged each year, $50,504.50. This includes all funds for water, fuel, lights, furniture, equipment, office supplies, printing, salaries, wages, etc.
No institution of the country has made a more enviable record. Members of the Legislature who have visited the school have repeatedly made statements that nowhere have greater results been achieved with funds appropriated. They have repeatedly complimented the management upon the conditions found and upon the conservation of funds set apart for its support.
The matriculation, which counts each student enrolled in the institution in the eight years but once, amounts to 4,695
Graduated from higher courses 522
Life certificates issued 301
Elementary certificates issued 467
Diplomas from department of commerce. 20
Total enrollment, not including model schools and counting each student but once, during the year closing May, 1913. 1,303
Average annual enrollment, about 1,100
ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF KEARNEY MILITARY ACADEMY
(From an address by Bishop Anson Graves, December 18, 1906)
On my second visit to Broken Bow, in the year 1890, I had gone to my room for a little rest on Sunday afternoon. Soon after, my hostess called me, saying that a caller had come to see me. Supposing that some prominent churchman had come to pay his respects to the new bishop, I went down to the parlor. I found there a lad about twelve years of age. I was pleased that a boy should be so thoughtful as to call on his bishop. After a little talk together, he looked earnestly at me and said, "When can the church take me?" I supposed that he was think-
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MILITARY ACADEMY, KEARNEY
NURSES HOME AND PAVILION, NEBRASKA STATE SANATORIUM, KEARNEY
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ing of confirmation, so I asked him if he knew his catechism and what preparation he had had. He replied, "Oh, I don't mean that, when can the church take me and educate me for the ministry?" That question was a poser to me. 1 could not make any promises, but it set me to thinking very seriously. I knew that there must be many boys like him on the farms and lonely ranches of Nebraska.
Some time after this a committee of the United Brethren Church came to Kearney with the intention of starting a school there. They canvassed the town to see what could be raised for the purpose. They got the promise of twenty-five acres of land in the eastern part of town and a promise to put up one large build- ing costing $7,500. The committee then went to York, Neb., and succeeded in getting a better offer there, so they declined the offer at Kearney. Some of the citizens then came to me and asked me to take up with the offer made to the United Brethren. I did not see how I could do so then, but promised that on my trip East I would see if I could get sufficient help to enable me to found a school.
On my first trip East to raise money for our missionary work in October of 1890, I was invited to address a branch of the woman's auxiliary of a church in Yonkers, N. Y. There were about thirty ladies present. I told them of our mis- sionary work and then I told them of the little boy at Broken Bow and the offer made me by the people of Kearney. I said I needed $3,000 to build a dormitory and with that help I thought I could found a church school. After the meeting had adjourned, a lady whom I had never seen came to me and said, "I will give you the $3,000." I almost broke down with emotion. Something for which I had pleaded before several wealthy congregations was now put into my hands without much effort. This lady was Mrs. Eva Cochran, who became a mother to the school and gave to its upbuilding at one time or another about thirty-five thousand dollars.
On my return to Kearney I told the people that I was ready to go ahead with the school and directed them to go on and put up the large central building. At the same time the contract was let for the dormitory of forty rooms. It was slow work getting the buildings finished and furnished, so we were not able to open the school until the September of 1892. At first we had both boys and girls in the school and it ran in this way for about seven years. Gradually the boys increased in number and the girls became fewer and fewer until the girls were reluctant to come at all among so many boys. About this time, 1898, the Spanish war broke out, and taking advantage of the military spirit which per- vaded the country, we changed the school from a co-educational institution to a boys' military academy. At this time the name was changed from Platte Collegi- ate Institute to the Kearney Military Academy.
The year we opened the school there was a good attendance of boys and girls, mostly from the country. Soon after came years of drought and famine, so the country people had no money for schooling and the children had to work the year round to fend off starvation. It was a hard time for the school, but sympa- thizing friends in the East helped us to keep it going.
Prof. C. A. Murch took charge of the school for the first three years and then Mr. H. N. Russell for the next three years. Both gave up discouraged on account of the hard times. Then the Rev. E. P. Chittenden took the school, having like Vol. 1-17
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the others, the whole plant free on condition that the tuition should be kept so low as to reach the needs of our plainer people. The first year Mr. Chittenden did very well, but in the midst of the second year, on account of neglect and complications, the school nearly broke up entirely. I then induced Mr. Russell to become headmaster and I took the general management of the school myself. I might then have given up the school in despair if just at that time an endow- ment of $36,000 had not come to the school from the estate of Mr. Felix R. Brunot. This sum I carefully set aside, determined to use only the interest on it to keep the school going and to help the poorer boy's with scholarships. After I had managed the school for several years and put it fairly on its feet, Mr. Russell was again willing to take the school plant, rent free, and assume the financial responsibilities. This greatly crowded our buildings, and there became great need of a large, permanent, fireproof building.
At this juncture Mr. F. G. Keens, of Kearney, came to me and offered to raise $25,000 of it himself in the East for a fine new building. I laid the propo- sition before the "mother of the school," Mrs. Eva S. Cochran, and after careful investigation she promised the other $25,000. The building was to be of rein- forced concrete, the walls filled in with pressed brick and hollow tile and the whole entirely fireproof.
I would here add that in due time the building was completed and occupied. Mr. Russell remained in charge as long as I was bishop there and deserves great credit for the upbuilding of the school. The school became in every way a blessed success and a helpful adjunct to the church's work in the District of Kearney and the neighboring diocese. I would also add that the little boy at Broken Bow was a free pupil in the school for several years, although he did not finally study for the ministry. Some other pupils of the school, however, are now in the ministry and others became teachers there and elsewhere.
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GUNS
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STOVES
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STREET SCENES IN RAVENNA
CHAPTER XXXVI
RAVENNA-FORT BANISHMENT-ERASTUS SMITH, THE FIRST SETTLER-BURLINGTON RAILROAD COMPLETED IN 1886-INDIAN RELICS-VILLAGE OF RAVENNA INCOR- PORATED IN 1886-VILLAGE OFFICERS-WATERWORKS INSTALLED-SEWERAGE INSTALLED-POSTOFFICE ESTABLISHED IN 1878-LIST OF POSTMASTERS-LIST OF PHYSICIANS-CEMETERY ESTABLISHED IN 1886-THE PUBLIC SCHOOL-RAVENNA NEWS-THE RAVENNA CREAMERY-THE DAIRY INDUSTRY IN BUFFALO COUNTY- THE RAVENNA MILLS-CHURCHES-BANKS-FRATERNAL LODGES.
RAVENNA
In the early days in the history of the land beyond the Missouri River there were many trails across the territory, one much traveled being up the Platte River on the north side. This trail crossed the Loup River at or near where is now the City of Columbus. It was a difficult crossing for the Loup was deep, with a strong current. To cross at that point emigrants swam their oxen across. Out of the wagon box they made a boat, some of them covering the box with skins of animals, others using a tent cloth, and in this improvised boat they ferried over their families and goods. In order to avoid this crossing many emigrants continued up the Loup River on the east bank, crossing to the west bank in the locality of where is now Nance County, and continued their journey up the South Loup across what is now Buffalo County when they crossed the low divide to the Platte River and continued the journey along the Platte River Trail. Thus it was that there were numerous wagon trails up the South Loup River and no doubt thousands of emigrants, traveling over this trail, have camped in the immediate vicinity of Ravenna, as here was to be found luxurious pasture for the stock of the emigrants, as well as an ideal camping place-timber and plenty of good water. These trails were plainly in evidence in the 'zos when settlers living in the south- ern part of the county came to the Loup for wood. Many of these wagon trails were worn so deep that oxen could no longer travel them and then a new wagon trail was made beside the old one.
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