USA > Nebraska > Buffalo County > Buffalo County, Nebraska, and its people : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 4
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"Experience Estabrook had thirty-eight votes for member of Congress.
"William C. Wyman had thirty-eight votes for territorial treasurer.
"Robert C. Jordan had thirty-eight votes for auditor.
"Alonzo D. Luce had thirty-eight votes for librarian.
"William C. Harvy had thirty-eight votes for commissioner of common schools.
"James G. Chapman had thirty-seven votes for district attorney for First Judicial District.
"Richard C. Barnard had thirty-eight votes for member of the Legislature.
"JOHN HAMILTON, "MORRISON M. MILLER,
"CONSTAN B. REYNOLDS, "Judges of Election.
"ROBERT J. JOHNSON,
"SAMUEL HOOD, "Clerks of Election.
"I do hereby certify that this is a true copy of the poll books for the Precinct of Nebraska Centre, in Buffalo County.
"GEORGE MILLER,
"County Clerk for Buffalo County, Nebraska Territory."
NAMES OF VOTERS IN POLL BOOK
I. Smith Kinsey
20. James Tierney
2. P. S. Gibbs
21. Carby Gooderman
3. Harvy Estere
22. James Mername
4. J. J. Lester
23. Alexander Givyneny
5. James E. Boyd
24. John W. Britt
6. Charles Wilson
25. Peter Kinney
7. John H. Young
26. Milo Tourend
8. George Miller
27. David Narcy
28. Jeremiah Cox
9. C. H. Swits
29. J. C. Dorman
IO. M. Tory
II. William Mixlow
30. John Lux
12. John Hamilton
31. T. Brown
13. R. S. Johnson 32. B. Norman
14. Morrison McMillen
33. Gustavus Stout
15. Samuel Hood
34. W. L. Brinton
16. S. R. Brown
35. T. J. Dorlan
17. Anan Henry
36. David Anderson
18. Henry Wilson
37. John Davis
19. John Hamphill
38. B. F. Brown
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY
"At an election held at the house of J. H. Johnson, in the Precinct of Cen- tralia, and County of Buffalo, and Territory of Nebraska, on Tuesday, October II, A. D. 1859, the following named persons received the number of votes annexed to their respective names for the following described offices :
"Experience Estabrook, sixteen votes for member of Congress.
"William W. Wyman, sixteen votes for territorial treasurer.
"Robert C. Jordan, sixteen votes for auditor.
"Alonzo D. Luce, sixteen votes for librarian.
"William E. Harvy, sixteen votes for commissioner of common schools.
"James G. Chapman, sixteen votes for district attorney for First Judicial District.
"Richard C. Barnard, sixteen votes for member of Legislature.
"JOEL W. JOHNSON, "THOMAS PAGE, "JOHN EAMES, "Judges of Election.
"J. W. WILSON, "JOHN THORP,
"Clerks of Election."
NAMES OF VOTERS ON POLL BOOK
I. Henry Peck
9. John B. McCallister
2. Thomas Page
Io. James McCallister
3. John Eames
II. George Gurney
4. J. H. Johnson
12. John Cramer
5. J. B. Lewis
13. Andrew Berry
6. John Thorp
14. Oliver M. Anderson
7. J. W. Wilson
15. Joseph Houff
S. Henry Sharp
16. Patrick Carroll
"I do hereby certify that this is a truc copy of the poll books for the Pre- cinct of Centralia, in Buffalo County.
"GEORGE MILLER,
"County Clerk for Buffalo County, Nebraska Territory."
As bearing upon the question of the exact location of Nebraska Centre, we copy from "Collections, Volume 16," of the State Historical Society, page 193, as follows :
"THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF THE PLATTE VALLEY "By David Anderson
"(Paper read before the annual meeting of the Nebraska State Historical Society, January 18, 1910)
"In the fall of 1859, after spending an exciting and adventurous summer in the newborn City of Denver, and the Rocky Mountains, in company with some old Pennsylvania friends with whom I had crossed the plains from Leavenworth City over the Smoky Hill route in the early spring, our party started from Denver with a mule team bound for Omaha. Vol. 1-2
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY
"We followed the Pike's Peak trail, south of the south fork of the Platte River, to Julesburgh, thence down the old California trail to Fort Kearney. Great herds of buffalo, deer, elk and antelope were constantly in view. The Cheyenne Indians, who roamed over the plains between Fort Kearney and Den- ver, were furiously engaged in attacking emigrant trains, burning ranches and murdering the occupants. We had several skirmishes with the red devils who followed our trail many days.
"Ten miles west of Dobytown was the famous Keeler ranch. Here we met the notorious Tom Keeler, the terror of the plains and especially of the Cheyenne Indians. With all his native rudeness and roughness, however, Mr. Keeler was one of the most hospitable and generous men that I ever met. His buildings were all of sod, and the dwelling house was tidy and inviting. Mr. Keeler was loyally and lovingly attached to his wife and children.
"One day during the war period a cavalcade of rebels who were fleeing from the draft in Missouri stopped at his wells to obtain water for themselves and animals. Their mules were decorated with flags of the Confederacy, and the men were lustily hurrahing for Jeff Davis. This exhibition aroused Tom Keeler's Union feelings so intensely that he stood before the well with a gun in each hand, demanding that the rebel bunting be removed before any Union Nebraska water should be drawn. His wife stood at the door, armed with a double-barreled shotgun. After very acrimonious discussion the demand was complied with and the boisterous fugitives congratulated Keeler and his wife upon their courage and loyalty.
"A few weeks after we passed this ranch Mr. Keeler's stables, containing forty head of horses, together with 200 tons of hay, were wantonly set on fire by the Cheyenne Indians and totally destroyed. In later years Mr. Keeler re- moved to Eastern Nebraska and settled on the Elkhorn River, near Elkhorn City. In 1878 he met his death in a shotgun duel with Daniel Parmalee, a prominent citizen of Omaha.
"Dobytown, two miles west of Fort Kearney, contained about three hun- dred people. The houses were built of adobe or sod, one story high. It was on the extreme western verge of civilization and was a great rendezvous for out- laws and gamblers, who practiced their nefarious arts on the unsophisticated pilgrims.
"At a point opposite the fort the Platte River was three miles wide, contain- ing numerous small islands and many deep and treacherous channels; yet this was the only real safe fording place between Julesburgh and the Missouri River.
"On arrival at the Boyd ranch, eleven miles east of the fort, our team was so fatigued that we were compelled to rest for three days. Here James E. Boyd operated a small trading post and ranch, carrying on a large traffic with the officers and soldiers of the fort, making profitable contracts for supplying wood from the margin of the river and from islands which had been reserved by the Government for military purposes; also for hay that grew abundantly on the Platte bottoms. While we tarried here the territorial election was held for choosing a delegate to Congress. This was the only polling place between Grand Island and Fort Kearney, a distance of thirty miles. The democratic candidate was Experience Estabrook of Omaha, and the republican candidate was Samuel
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY
G. Daily. There were twenty-two votes cast at the Boyd ranch, eleven of them by officers and soldiers from the fort. Great interest was manifested in the con- test. I speak with emphasis and pleasure of the strenuous and useful career of Mr. Boyd. He assisted in the construction of the Union Pacific roadbed, pro- jected the first railway north from Omaha, established the first large pork pack- ing plant at Omaha and erected the first large theater in the city.
"The Wood River plain, which we followed a distance of twenty miles, pre- sented a magnificent view ; but there were only half a dozen settlers in that long stretch. At Wood River Crossing 'Pap' Lamb, well known along the Platte Valley, was operating a ranch and stage station. About this time the Western Stage Company, which was operating lines in Iowa, Wisconsin and other border states, established a route between Omaha and Pike's Peak-the name by which the Denver region was generally known-and stations were established from ten to fifteen miles apart. . Mr. Lambs' ranch was one of them, and he drove to the next station west."
In a footnote to Mr. Anderson's paper (in part here quoted), Albert Watkins, historian for the State Historical Society, writes as follows :
"John K. Lamb, writing from Fort Kearney, April 11, 1860, to the Omaha Republican of April 18, 1860, remarked that Kearney City 'is better known as Adobe Town.' And he observed that Doctor Henry was doing a large business there. (Dr. Charles A. Henry was the father of Mrs. James E. Boyd.) Testi- mony taken by Samuel G. Daily in his contest against Experience Estabrook for a seat in Congress tended to show that at the time of the election of October 11, 1859, there were at Kearney City not over eight houses, not over fifteen resi- dents, and not one acre of cultivated land or a farmhouse in the neighborhood of Kearney City. It also showed that at Nebraska Centre, the place named as the county seat (of Buffalo County), there was but one dwelling house, one storehouse and one warehouse. (Statement of Representative Campbell of Pennsylvania on behalf of Daily. Congressional Globe, first session, Thirty-sixth Congress, part 3, page 2180.) The returns of the election show that 238 of the 292 votes of Buffalo County were cast at Kearney City. These were rejected because Kearney City, being situated south of the Platte River, was not within Buffalo County."
Albert Watkins, historian of the State Historical Society, writing in refer- ence to the location of both "Centralia" and "Nebraska Centre" says :
"Relevant to the footnote on page 196, 'Collections of the Nebraska State Historical Society,' Volume XVI: Stephen H. Wattles, a witness for Daily, testified that 'There is no such town as Centralia, but [it] is the name given to a precinct. The election purports to have been held at the house of Mr. Johnson, on Wood River.'
"The witness testified also, of Nebraska Centre, that 'It has one dwelling house, one storehouse, one barn or stable and one warehouse.' He said that he was at Nebraska Centre about eighteen hours and saw only three persons there who appeared to be residents. He testified further that Nebraska Centre and Centralia 'are on the direct line of thoroughfare from the Missouri River to the mines.' At Centralia he saw only four, five or six houses. He saw none any- where except on Wood River."
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY
The question of the definite location of Nebraska Centre was referred to Joseph Owen of Shelton. In explanation let it be said Mr. Owen came to Buffalo County in 1863 and has since resided here. Mr. Owen has served as treasurer of School District No. I since its organization in 1870 to date (1916). He has also served as a member and as chairman of the county board of supervisors. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Ann Oliver, is a sister of Ed Oliver. Ed Oliver, also mentioned, came to Buffalo County in 1860. He worked for Joseph E. Johnson at Wood River Centre in 1860-61. He has served as county treasurer in 1871-72 and as a member of the board of county commissioners.
Mr. Joseph Owen, under date of January 28, 1916, writes, in substance, as follows: "I have always known that the J. E. Boyd place, when I came here in 1863, was known as Nebraska Centre, and Mr. Ed Oliver, who worked for J. E. Johnson (at Wood River Centre), never heard of Centralia Precinct. My wife (maiden name, Sarah Ann Oliver) was acquainted with the Wilsons (Charles and Henry) and Boyd, as she worked for Mrs. Boyd when a girl. Henry Wilson lived on the Kelsey place (this the northeast one-quarter section No. 13, town No. 9, range No. 14, in Gibbon Township). His father was drowned in the Platte River and his body never recovered, before I came here. Jolin Britt and George Burke bought out Henry Peck in 1863. This land is now a part of the Village of Shelton. All the other people named as voting at the Boyd place (Nebraska Centre) are entirely unknown to the Olivers, and we are at a loss to know where they all lived. They certainly did not live along Wood River.
"Mrs. Owen says she was acquainted with Henry Peck, Thomas Page, John Eames, J. E. Johnson, Henry Sharp, John B. and James McCallister, Joseph Houff and Patrick Carroll. They all lived at Wood River Centre."
The Boyd ranch has a definite location. It was the first land filed upon in Buffalo County by Joseph Boyd in 1868. There seems no question but what the Boyd ranch was at Nebraska Centre.
CHAPTER V
HUNTSMAN'S ECHIO, FIRST NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED IN BUFFALO COUNTY-COPIES ON FILE IN LIBRARY OF STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY-SKETCH OF JOSEPH E. JOHN- SON, NEBRASKA'S FIRST EDITOR-ACCOMPANIES EXPLORERS WHO LOCATE LINE OF UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD-BUFFALO DESTROY MR. JOHNSON'S GARDEN AND CROPS-GRASSHOPPERS DESTROY CROPS IN BUFFALO COUNTY IN 1860-BUILDING OF TELEGRAPH LINE TO FORT KEARNEY IN 1860-STAGE LINE MAKES A RECORD TRIP, FORT KEARNEY TO OMAHA, 33 HOURS-MR. JOHNSON VISITS PAWNEE INDIANS WINTER 1860-61-A SAW MILL IN OPERATION AT WOOD RIVER CENTRE -A ONE-HORSE GRIST MILL IN OPERATION-GRAIN AND VEGETABLES GROW TO PERFECTION-FIRST POSTOFFICE IN BUFFALO COUNTY.
JOSEPH E. JOHNSON
The first postmaster in Buffalo County and editor of the first paper published in Buffalo County and in the territory of Nebraska west of Omaha.
TIIE FIRST NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED IN BUFFALO COUNTY
The first newspaper published in the territory now embraced in Buffalo County was The Huntsman's Echo at Wood River Center (now Shelton) from April, 1860, to August 1, 1861. The editor was Joseph E. Johnson, who also appears to have been one of Nebraska's first editors.
Several copies of The Huntsman's Echo are on file in the library of the State Historical Society and in consulting this file one learns much of the history of the county and its people in territorial days. The Huntsman's Echo carried a quite full line of advertising, discussed men and measures of public importance in the free and breezy western style but of necessity had little of local news. The editor was a most pronounced democrat, a warm friend of J. Sterling Morton, who seems to have been a standing candidate for office and from the columns of The Huntsman's Echo we learn that Mr. Morton, in the interests of his candidacy for office, visited Buffalo County and spoke on the streets of Wood River Center, and, at the June election in the year 1866, received thirty-two of the forty-two votes cast in the county for governor and in the October election in the same year, Mr. Morton being a candidate for Congress, received seventeen of the twenty-nine votes cast in the county.
There seems no question that Mr. Johnson was a man of much more than ordinary abilities and the writer has been inclined to question just why a man of his attainments should have located and engaged in the publication of a news- paper at a point where in those days there was no local patronage for its support.
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY
Mr. Johnson had been a strong advocate of the building of the Union Pacific Railroad and of its location on the north side of the Platte River and as the location had been determined previous to his arrival at Wood River Center, possibly he had in mind that in the near future a city might be established, when the road was built, at the point where he had located. There is every reason to believe that had he remained at Wood River Center during the building of the road, that with the influence exerted by an ably edited newspaper, the division station of the Union Pacific, now at Grand Island, might have been located at Wood River Center instead; possibly the state capital, who can tell? While Mr. Johnson was editing a newspaper at Council Bluffs and Omaha, there had been established by the general government, a military road described as follows : "From Florence, (about five miles north of the present City of Omaha) via Elkhorn City, Fremont, North Bend, Emerson, Buchanan, Columbus and Nebraska Center to New Fort Kearney." Also at the same date, June 14, 1858, there was established a military road from Bellevue, via Hazelton connecting with the first mentioned at Elkhorn City. As Mr. Johnson had traveled the Platte River trail to Utah and return in 1850 there seems little question that he foresaw that when the Union Pacific was constructed it must pass in the imme- diate vicinity of Wood River Center and that possibly an important city might be established at that point. Mr. Johnson was a Mormon, having two wives and numerous children on his arrival at Wood River Center in 1859. In 1860, it is related, another woman came from an lowa point to whom later, in Utah, he was married, and possibly the increasing prejudice against the Mormons and especially polygamy caused Mr. Johnson to abandon this suggested financial venture and remove to Utah, there to dwell among a people more in sympathy with his beliefs and practices.
By permission we copy from the Morton History the following brief sketch of Joseph E. Johnson, Nebraska's first editor, as prepared by his son, C. E. Johnson, a resident of Salt Lake City: "Joseph Ellis Johnson was born April 28, 1817, at Pomfret, New York, being one of a family of sixteen children. At the age of sixteen, he moved with his parents, who had been converted to the faith of the Latter Day Saints, to Kirtland, Ohio. After this he followed the fate of the Saints through their various persecutions till he got as far west as Council Bluffs, Iowa. At Nauvoo, Illinois, he was married to Harriet Snyder, the ceremony being performed by the Mormon prophet, Joseph Smith. At the time he went to Council Bluffs in 1848 it was known as 'Miller's Hollow,' afterwards 'Kanesville.'
"Here he built the first house in Pottawattamie County, was postmaster for five years and obtained the change of name from 'Kanesville' to 'Council Bluffs.' Here he was a member of the first city council for many years. He established and published the Council Bluffs Bugle in 1852. The Bugle had much to do with getting the capital of Nebraska Territory established at Omaha. Here he opened the first store on the site of Omaha, and from here sent the first train (ox team) load of goods to the Denver, Colorado, (then known as Cherry Creek) mines. In 1854 he published the Omaha Arrow, the first paper published on Nebraska soil. In the same year he accompanied the first party of explorers for a railroad crossing on the Missouri River and the Loup Fork of the
RICE H. EATON
Editor of the Central Nebraska Press, established at Kearney in 1873
(By courtesy of C. S. Paine, Lincoln)
JOSEPH E. JOHNSON
First postmaster in Buffalo County at Wood River Center, 1860. Editor of the Huntsman's Echo, 1860-61, first news- paper published in Nebraska Territory west of Omaha.
LYMAN B. CUNNINGHAM
Pioneer settler of Buffalo County. Editor of the first newspaper published in Kearney-Kearney Junction Times. One of the founders of Kearney who, at a publie meeting held in a coal and lum- ber office, helped give the future city its name.
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY
Platte River. He wrote the first article published favoring the North Platte route for the Pacific Railroad and contended for the same until so located. He crossed the plains in 1850 and went to Utah, in order to see the country, return- ing shortly with intention of soon removing to Utah. In 1857 he published the Crescent City (Iowa) Oracle, and laid out the town of that name. In 1858 he published the Council Bluffs Press. In 1859 he moved to Wood River (Center), Nebraska, and for three years published the Huntsman's Echo. At this point he had a large outfitting store for the accommodation of the many who were rushing to the gold fields of California. He had also a printing office, bakery, hotel, daguerreotype studio, etc. In 1861 moved to Utah, bringing a long train of teams loaded with all manner of goods and chattels. On November 6, 1882, he was taken sick with pneumonia, from which he died December 17, 1882. He had three wives, all of whom survived him and were present at his deathbed. He had twenty-seven children and many grand children."-(C. E. Johnson, Salt Lake City, Utah, October 16, 1905.) To be historically correct and give due justice it is perhaps best to state that the Omaha Arrow was doubtless the first newspaper published for, but not in, Nebraska Territory, as the Arrow appears to have been printed at Council Bluffs, the first issue bearing date of July 28, 1854. The first paper printed in the territory appears to have been the Nebraska Palladium, at Bellevue, and the first issue on November 14, 1854. On the last page of this issue appeared the following: "This is the first column of reading matter set in the Territory of Nebraska. This was put in type on the 14th day of November, 1854, by Thomas Morton."
Early settlers in the county state that the store of Mr. Johnson was not extensive in character and that in connection with the store and newspaper he also conducted a blacksmith shop and repair shop for wagons and that the repair shops were much the more profitable as a business. In one of his newspapers Mr. Johnson advertises himself as follows: "General outfitting commission merchant, keeper of Council Bluffs Mansion; as carrying on wagonmaking and blacksmithing and keeper of a bakery and eating saloon." The following, some wholly, some in substance, are taken from the Huntsman's Echo, July 26, 1860: "A few miles above on the Platte and Wood rivers, there are numerous herds of buffalo. Across the river it is said, they are coming over from the Republican in innumerable multitudes, and many, famishing for food or water-whilst making for the Platte for a drink, are frightened back by emigrants and travelers, yet make immediate efforts to gain the water, but are again driven back by the report of fire arms, and, we are told, many thus perish before they reach the water." * On September 6, 1860: "Buffalo are continually coming about our farm, ranch and office, bothering us by eating our vegetables, cropping the grass, bellowing and kicking up a dust generally; and not being able to stand it longer we sent the boys and Doctor (Doctor Farner of Council Bluffs, Iowa, who was en route for Denver with a stock of drugs) out to drive them away. This resulted in prostrating the carcasses of two, and as dogs and wolves are scarce we had to breakfast, dine and sup from their flesh since. We shan't try to stand it, and give timely notice that the echo of fire arms will be a common thing in this neck of the woods, unless these fearfully, frightful looking creatures desist from peeking into our office, and dis-composing our printer. At (Fort) Kearney, it
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO COUNTY
seems, they almost came into town. The driver of the express from Denver, was compelled to bring his team to a walking pace near ( Fort) Kearney because of the buffalo thronging the road."
September 6, 1860, "The Huntsman's Echo regrets to learn that clouds of grasshoppers migrating south have for several days been doing considerable damage at some of the ranches above."
September, 1860, "It is reported that a band of thirty Cheyennes (Sioux) had recently made a descent on the Pawnee camps, but were routed with the loss of much of their own equipage."
September 6, 1860, describing a trip along Wood River it is said, "there was found rich, brown clusters of grapes-large, juicy and sweet, though in a state of nature. Of plums we never saw as large, or quality better, growing wild; we enjoyed them to a fullness. Trees cut by beaver and numerous paths, slides and dams are found along Wood River. The editor has received a present of the largest and finest watermelon of the season from J. E. Boyd, who has a most delightful and eligible farm seven miles above-comfortable buildings, several hundred acres fenced and near two hundred acres in crops, a pleasant and agree- able lady and a pretty baby."
On September 13 the editor again notes that buffalo are destroying his garden and says, "we could not stand it longer, but started Sam, who intercepted his progress before he had done much damage to our garden, and banging away --
" 'The well-aimed lead pursues the certain sight, And death in thunder overtook his flight.'
"The flesh being secured our t'other half, self and the balance, have been regaling on roast, broil, fry and stew, ever since."
On November 2d: "Last week on two occasions, from our office, we wit- nessed the playful pranks of several antelope, and again a sprightly red fox came up near the enclosure, but cut and run when Towser came in sight. A nice race they had but Reynard made the best time. A week ago three large white wolves hove in sight, and played around on the prairie at a safe distance-the same chaps, probably, that made a tender meal from a good-sized calf of ours that had been running out. The buffalo have taken our caution and for two weeks have not troubled us or annoyed our printer." On this date the editor also says: "Yesterday Messrs. Kountze and Porter called on us whilst on their trip providing for the distribution of the balance of the telegraph poles along the route. Come on with your forked lightning! Strike for the great western ocean, the land of gold and glittering stones and ore." Reference is here had to the telegraph line being constructed from Omaha to Fort Kearney and which was completed to Wood River Center November 2d and to Fort Kearney November 4, 1860.
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