USA > Nebraska > Congregational Nebraska > Part 8
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19
CONGREGATIONALISM IN THE REPUBLICAN VALLEY
The Republican valley is known for its rich alfalfa fields. It is a veritable garden spot. A good alfalfa farm in this valley is a fortune. The towns are not large, but are well located to accommodate the settlers. In this valley Franklin Academy, which is doing such noble service, is located. Congregationalism, as well as alfalfa, has here found con- genial soil. Two men, Rev. W. S. Hampton and Rev. George E. Taylor, commissioned as general missionaries, had a large share in laying the foundations of Congrega- tionalism in southwestern Nebraska. They have kindly con- sented to tell in brief something of their work.
Rev. W. S. Hampton writes :
"In April, 1880, I was commissioned as General Mission- ary for southwest Nebraska. West of Franklin county there were very few people who had been resident more than two years except along the streams. The country was filling rapidly with homesteaders and small tradesmen in the growing towns. The railroad was just completed to Indianola. The Texas cattle trail entered the state near where the Driftwood creek crosses the state line. Culbert-
I35
PHASES OF CHURCH GROWTH
son was the objective point for all cattlemen for that region. Thousands of cattle were driven across the valley annually on their way to the ranches of the big cattlemen of Ne- braska, Wyoming, and the regions farther north. A church organized on the Driftwood not far from the trail was scattered to the four winds by the severe drouth and the sharp hoofs of the cattle. I have seen a large herd turned aside from the old trail to trample out the scant crop of a poor homesteader. The homesteaders would ruin the busi- ness of the cattle king. The prairies were covered with cattle. At the spring round-up a large number of cowboys were in town. A stranger just arrived with broadcloth suit, polished boots, a gold headed cane, and a shining silk hat. Offended at the conduct of some of the cowboys he re- buked them. Soon after, when crossing the street, he was surprised by the crack of a revolver, the whiz of a bullet and a little cloud of dust at his feet. This was followed by another, and still others from different directions, keeping him jumping to escape the bullet striking at his feet, until almost breathless, hatless, and covered with perspiration and dust he was given a rest. He purchased a new hat, hired a livery team to drive to Indianola, vowing that he had enough of the cattle business.
"Better listeners I never had than those same cowboys. I preached the first sermon ever preached in the village of Cambridge in early May, 1880. The only building avail- able was an unfinished store building. I obtained permis- sion to use it for Sunday services. Saturday evening after the men had finished their day's work, with coat off and broom in hand, I was doing my best to get it ready for next morning. I was reinforced by a young man engaged in Sunday school missionary work who was also looking for a place to hold service and organize a Sunday school. He introduced himself as N. D. Hillis, and wished to secure
I36
CONGREGATIONAL NEBRASKA
the use of the building. A few words of explanation re- sulted in his taking off his coat and assisting in arranging seats as best we could with boxes, nail kegs, and boards. I preached the next morning, and N. D. Hillis in the evening. At that time I believe I could preach as well as he. He is now pastor of Plymouth Church, Brooklyn.
"My next service in Cambridge was in an unfinished blacksmith shop with roof partly shingled, dirt floor, and improvised seats as before. For the winter we used the 'barracks,' as the building was called. It was three stories long, the west sod, the center log, and the east boards, all on the ground. We occupied the log story. It had been used for a dwelling, and sometimes called a hotel. All the inhabitants had not moved out. The warm spring days seemed to bring them forth, and their gamboling up and down the walls and elsewhere compelled us to seek other quarters. A frame building was secured for a school house, and we used that until better accommodations could be had.
"I preached the first sermon in Oxford in an unfinished store building. The next time I was there the services were held in a grove where a platform had been erected for Fourth of July celebration. We used that until cold weather forbade. We then accepted the offer of a Mr. Mugg of the space between the counters of his drug store, which we used till spring. Mr. Mugg furnished fuel and seats.
"I preached in sod dwelling houses, in dugouts and in the open air, wherever there was need and people could be gathered together.
"At one place we found a novel Sunday school. Chris- tians were scarce, but the people wanted a school. Several men, only one of them claiming to be a Christian, agreed to superintend one month each, thus distributing the burden. It was a success. We now have a Congregational church in the town. I think N. D. Hillis assisted the school when
REV. HENRY BATES
I38
CONGREGATIONAL NEBRASKA
on his way up the valley. I do not know that the plan was his.
"When Franklin was first seen by me there were three buildings on the present town site, a dugout, a log cabin, and a small frame building unoccupied. I preached there in October, 1880, in a schoolhouse, part dugout and part log, with sod roof. In company with Rev. J. M. Strong I took dinner at the home of A. E. Rice, now of Hillsboro, Oregon. Our conversation drifted naturally to the subject of Christian education. Mr. Rice was anxious to give his children as good an education as possible. He was ac- quainted with the history and work of Denmark Academy, Iowa. The need of an academy for the Republican valley was considered, and from that time plans were thought out which resulted in Franklin Academy. My plans were for the institution to be further west in the valley, but I was content with the location, as at the time that seemed best. Everywhere I went parents were discussing the educational problem. Young people were anxious to have better ad- vantages than the sod schoolhouse afforded. It was not strange that the first term of Franklin Academy opened with fifty-five students.
"My experiences during my work as general missionary were an inspiration to me. The strong faith of the people in the possibilities of the valley, and their determination to win victory out of every seeming defeat were worthy the heroes of any age. The gracious revival in Franklin in January, 1882, followed by constant revival in the Academy, the campaign of Mrs. S. M. I. Henry at Riverton, Alma, Bloomington, Franklin, and Red Cloud in the winter of 1884-85, have left their impress upon all that region, and have reached to far distant places through the immigration of converts.
"These seasons of spiritual refreshing have been among the most precious remembrances of my life."
.
REV. S. C. DEAN
140
CONGREGATIONAL NEBRASKA
Rev. George E. Taylor writes as follows:
"The year 1880 was notable in the development of south- western Nebraska. The region was reviving after the pro- longed drouth that had discouraged all but the most per- sistent of the early settlers. The B. & M. railroad was extending its line up the Republican valley. The flickering churches at Guide Rock, Red Cloud, Riverton, and Franklin were being fanned to increased ardor under the new leader- ship of Rev. George Bent at Red Cloud, and Rev. J. M. Strong at Riverton.
"At the uttermost frontier in Red Willow county, the venerable Amos Dresser was heroically at work. In the north part of Franklin county a little church had gathered about that herculean Verinonter, the Rev. S. N. Grout, 'hold- ing down' a homestead at Macon. In the spring of 1880 Rev. W. S. Hampton of Arborville was commissioned for general missionary work in the Republican valley with head- quarters at Cambridge. During the year eight churches were organized, mostly under his care.
"In the northwest corner of Franklin county Amos N. Dean was one of the sod house dwellers. In his Iowa home he had served as county superintendent of schools, also as an elder in the Presbyterian church. In his new prairie home he was an efficient teacher in Sunday school. With no minister in the region he could not resist the call to unfold the Word of God to the congregations which crowded the schoolhouses at Freewater and Morning Star. Churches were soon formed at both these points. Mr. Dean, well passed his fiftieth year, responded to the invitation of the two churches to become their pastor, and was ordained by council. In 1881 Mr. Dean was called to Cambridge, where for nearly ten years he was a beloved and effective pastor and an esteemed brother and father in the association.
141
PHASES OF CHURCH GROWTH
"In the autumn of 1880 some seventeen churches united in forming the Republican Valley Association of Congrega- tional Churches. Early in 1881 the association founded Franklin Academy. From the first this school has been a loved and loving child of the churches, a bond of fellowship, a force for spiritual and intellectual life. The men who have wrought themselves into the school are those who have most effectually built up the Kingdom of Christ from Hastings and Red Cloud to the Colorado line.
"Rev. Amos Dresser, then pastor at Indianola, prayed, toiled, and won for the academy a constituency extending to the eastern seaboard. Rev. W. S. Hampton relinquished the pastorate of six frontier churches to become the first principal. Rev. C. S. Harrison, pastor at York, assisted Republican valley pastors in evangelistic work and gave tremendous impulse to the academy movement. Later, in 1884, Mr. Harrison accepted the call of the Franklin church to become its pastor. As pastor of the church and 'father of the academy,' he toiled with masterful efficiency till 1892, when he devoted himself to the wider academy interests.
"Mr. Harrison was succeeded by Rev. G. W. Mitchell, less massive in form but mighty in faith, love, and capacity for effective work. As pastor, as chairman of academy trustees, as member of association, he made his impress on every church and on nearly every Congregational house- hold in southwestern Nebraska through a period of ten years.
"Since 1888 Alexis C. Hart has been headmaster of the academy. Peerless as administrator, as teacher of youth, as trainer of teachers, he has proven not less a spiritual father and wise counselor. It is doubtful whether there is a church in the Republican valley and Frontier associations that has not been helped by his kind and timely influence.
142
CONGREGATIONAL NEBRASKA
"The construction of the 'Kenesaw Cut-off' in 1884; of the DeWitt-Holdrege-Cheyenne divisions in 1885 and 1886, and later the Frenchman valley line of the Burlington & Missouri railroad opened many fields for aggressive work. At its fall meeting in 1887 the Republican Valley Associa- tion adopted a memorial to the State Board presenting the urgent need and asking the appointment of a general mis- sionary. The proposition was cordially approved at Lincoln and New York. Rev. George E. Taylor, pastor at Indianola, was appointed for the work. The association authorized its home missionary committee to hold monthly sessions in conference with the general missionary. The following years were marked by careful oversight of feeble churches, prompt occupation of new and needy fields, constant en- deavor to secure effective ministers, the equipment of each church with a commodious house of worship and progress of churches in careful and forceful administration.
"In 1890 the churches along the Holdrege-Cheyenne divi- sions of the Burlington railroad withdrew from the Republi- can Valley Association to form the Frontier Association.
"The limits of this review do not permit appreciative men- tion of many worthy ministers and laymen whose sustained devotion, faithful and wise labors have built up churches and established Christian institutions in southwestern Ne- braska. Some are yet there, some are in other fields, and some have gone to their reward."
From these reports of the work in southwestern Ne- braska it would seem that the foundations of our Congrega- tional work are well laid; that Congregationalism is a growing tree whose roots, like the alfalfa of the region, strike down deep to the springs of living water.
The Republican valley represents a strong and aggressive force in Congregational Nebraska.
143
PHASES OF CHURCH GROWTH
WESTERN NEBRASKA .
Rev. A. E. Ricker, who has had much to do with the pioneer work in western Nebraska, has kindly furnished the following account of our work in western Nebraska :
"In the autumn of 1883 a little company of Christian people met in the parsonage of the Methodist minister in the town of Sidney. It was a very small company, per- haps not more than six or eight persons, including the Methodist pastor, Rev. Leslie Stevens, now departed hence, and his devoted wife. The occasion of that meeting was the regular prayer-meeting of the Methodist-Episcopal Church of Sidney. In those days the people of Sidney, however pious they may have been, did not manifest their religious proclivities by excessive attendance upon the week- day meeting of the church.
"Though this particular meeting was so small its influence has been large. Among the number present were Rev. C. W. Merrill, then Superintendent of the A. H. M. S. for Nebraska, a young Congregational preacher who was that year teaching the Sidney high school, Rev. L. E. Brown, and the writer of these words, who was just about to begin study for the ministry.
"During the evening, conversation naturally turned to the religious needs of the surrounding regions of western Ne- braska. The town of Ogalalla, especially, was mentioned as a point of a few hundred people where there was no regular preaching and almost no religious work on foot.
"Superintendent Merrill turned to Mr. Brown with the question, 'Why couldn't you go down to Ogalalla and preach for them occasionally, during the time you are teaching here?' Little more was said on the subject, and presently the little company scattered. Although it is probable no definite agreement was made, I think there was an under-
I44
CONGREGATIONAL NEBRASKA
standing between Superintendent Merrill and Mr. Brown, at the close of the prayer-meeting, that the latter should visit Ogalalla and establish a preaching station. This was the real origin of the Congregational Church of Ogalalla, Keith county, Nebraska, for shortly after that hint of Mr. Merrill's Mr. Brown went down from Sidney to Ogalalla, a distance of seventy miles, and preached, leaving an ap- pointment for another preaching service in two weeks. This appointment was filled, the writer himself being present at one of these services, which was held, as were the other meetings of that period, in the old frame schoolhouse. And I am nearly certain that Mr. Brown kept up preaching ser- vices every two weeks during that winter-1883-84-and the following summer, and quite so that he preached fre- quently, even if not so often during this time. For to meet one of these preaching appointments the writer made his first effort in the pulpit; this was June 9, 1884, in the schoolhouse of Ogalalla.
"I can say from personal knowledge that Mr. Brown came to Ogalalla as a Congregationalist, and that his work was the first regular and permanent work ever taken up in the town. The school board of Ogalalla employed Mr. Brown to teach the town school for the year beginning September, 1884, and in connection with his work as teacher of the village school, he kept up stated preaching services. He was presently ordained to the Gospel ministry, and in due time a Congregational church was organized, and recognized by an ecclesiastical council in the orderly Con- gregational way.
"These facts are of considerable importance because the Ogalalla church has since become a center of evangelistic movements that have affected the town and the regions about for many miles. Following Mr. Brown's work have been the labors of Rev. J. A. Thome, closing about 1887,
-
I45
PHASES OF CHURCH GROWTH
Rev. A. E. Ricker, 1888-91; Rev. W. E. Pease, 1892-93 perhaps ; Rev. W. S. Hampton for several years; then Rev. G. W. Knapp, and the present pastor, Rev. Mr. Duncan.
"During Mr. Hampton's pastorate wide-reaching revivals occurred, and the work was pushed into outlying rural re- gions, resulting in the organization of at least three churches which now cluster about Ogalalla as a center.
"JULESBURG, COLORADO
"While, strictly speaking, it is not a part of the history of Nebraska, the beginning of the work in Julesburg was the outgrowth of Nebraska influences, and indeed during Superintendent Maile's time, by agreement with the Colo- rado superintendent, this town was reckoned as a part of the Nebraska field.
"In the spring of 1885, returning from Chicago Seminary to my parents' home in Sidney, I called on Superintendent Maile in Omaha, and he suggested that during my summer vacation I look about in that western part of the state, and if I found a needy field, establish a preaching station, and see what I could do. So early in May, going down from Sidney, I visited the town of Julesburg. It was in the midst of the liveliest boom and buildings were going up everywhere. Perhaps there were 300 people then in the town and 'land agents' were doing a thriving business 'locating' new corners on their claims. I succeeded in find- ing some Christian people and others who were interested in having preaching services. Finding accommodation in the dining room of a hotel, I held the first religious meet- ing in the history of the town, and continued preaching statedly through that summer, going down from Sidney and preaching once in two weeks.
"A Sabbath school was organized in an empty saloon building, and toward the latter part of the summer, a Con-
10
146
CONGREGATIONAL NEBRASKA
gregational church was organized of about twelve mem- bers. Rev. H. P. Case, now Sunday school missionary in southern California, was present and assisted in the or- ganization of the church. The meeting for the organization was held in the waiting room of the Union Pacific depot, and I remember that the meeting had to be hurried a bit to get out of the way and remove all evidences of the meet- ing before a passenger train went through toward evening.
"This first organization was suffered to lapse, but at a later date was revived and the Julesburg church has main- tained a continued existence.
"It was my privilege again to minister to this church for about a year from the summer of 1890, preaching every alternate Sabbath there while pastor at Ogalalla. Two or three weeks of special meetings were held during the winter of 1890-91, several converts resulted, part of them joining the Congregational church, and part of them the M. E. church, which at that time was without a pastor."
This rapid survey of Congregationalism in western Ne- braska completes the survey of church extension as we have seen it, beginning with Omaha and eastern Nebraska, ex- tending up the Elkhorn valley and into the sandhills and cattle ranges of the northwest, in the Republican valley and the western part of the state.
In much of this territory pioneer work is going on to-day, and western Nebraska is especially home missionary ground. Whenever irrigation is extended in western Nebraska, there we find rich farms and growing settlements, and there is a fieid for home missionary enterprise. With the extension of irrigation canals there will be an enlargement of mis- sionary work. In other parts of the western half of the state we find the large cattle ranches, with few settlers, and correspondingly small opportunities for church growth.
I47
PIONEER EXPERIENCES
XX
PIONEER EXPERIENCES
Years before Father Gaylord came to the territory of Ne- braska, Congregationalism had a Congregational teacher among the Pawnee Indians, Mrs. E. G. Platt, now of Ober- lin, Ohio.
Though hardly recovered from a severe illness during which for days she was supposed to be lying on the border- land between this and the life beyond, she has kindly con- sented to give a brief account of her experiences among the Pawnees. It is fortunate that we can have these remi- niscences from the pen of Mrs. Platt herself. The oppor- tunity to hear from any of the first pioneers will soon be gone. But few of thení remain.
Mrs. Platt writes :
"OBERLIN, OHIO, November 29, 1904.
"In 1843 I went with my husband, L. W. Platt, to the Pawnee villages situated in the Indian territory, in that part of the land now known as Nebraska. We went in response to a request made by the missionaries of the A. B. C. F. M. who were stationed there. In a treaty which these Indians made with our government they were promised teachers, and the missionaries, wishing to secure those who would cooperate with them in their work, had invited us to join them. We were successful in learning to converse with the Pawnees, won their confidence, and in 1846, when they started on their summer hunt, they left twenty of their chil- dren with us to teach.
"But the Sioux came down upon us that season, often making war-like demonstrations, thus hindering the work
MRS. E. G. PLATT
149
PIONEER EXPERIENCES
of the men in the field, and at last firing upon some of the company, and so it was deemed unsafe to remain, and all, both missionaries and government employees, left the sta- tion, going to Bellevue, the seat of Council Bluffs agency for the Otoes, Omahas, and Pawnees.
"The missionaries were requested by their board to leave the field, but we remained with our school.
"There was no agent there at that time, as our good tem- perance agent had been dismissed through the influence of the fur traders, as he had given orders to his employees to destroy all liquors they found designed for sale to the Indians.
"Finding an old log building infested with fleas and rats, we made it our school home and reported to the superin- tendent of western Indians who was in St. Louis, the build- ing being a government storehouse. There, under many difficulties, I taught the children, having great pleasure in my work, as they learned their English lessons well, de- lighting to perform any work given them to do, and when given a play time, asking for Bible stories instead.
"When the new agent arrived, he proved to be a man with whom whisky lovers and dealers readily affiliated, per- mitting the Indians near the agency to ride through its streets with bottles of the vile stuff in their hands, giving their drunken yell, thus so alarming us at the school it seemed wise to draw curtains, lock the door, and go to the second floor where we would not be seen.
"The winter was very cold which we spent in that store- room, and we hailed the warmth of spring joyfully. But our joy was of short duration, as the new agent decided on appointing a teacher more in harmony with him, and in May, 1847, I delivered my charge with aching heart to those who, I knew, would not do duty by them; and cross- ing the Missouri river Mr. Platt and I went down and
-
PAWNEE INDIAN VILLAGE ON THE PLATTE RIVER THREE MILES SOUTH OF FREMONT, 1854
15[
PIONEER EXPERIENCES
made our home four miles above old Ft. Kearney, now Ne- braska City, still keeping a friendly communication with the Pawnees by visiting them, receiving them as guests, and keeping one or more of them in our family.
"In 1857 the Pawnces made a new treaty with our govern- ment, as they had wandered hither and thither during the years of our separation.
"Again they were pledged teachers, and after waiting four years to learn of the establishment of a school, and finding none had been given them, in 1861 we returned, I being appointed as teacher and Mr. Platt as trader, a posi- tion which, through treachery, he never filled on the reser- vation, and it was months before I was permitted to have a room in which I could open a school.
"This was not accomplished till a company of the em- ployees to whom the agent had failed to fulfil his pledges united and so proved their case at Washington that he was removed, and one sent who permitted the gatherinig of the school. This was not difficult to do as we spoke Pawnee and many of our old friends were left.
"My work was pleasant and all went prosperously till a young Methodist minister was sent to assist in the school. The Methodists of Nebraska, learning there was an appro- priation for schools for the Pawnees, wished to obtain it to establish a mission among them, and as there was one of their society at the head of the Indian Department at that time they felt quite sure of obtaining it.
"Good Congregationalist as I tried to be, I made an effort to harmonize with my associate teacher, but in 1864 it seemed wise for us to separate, lest those who had come to that savage people in the name of the Prince of Peace should dishonor their Leader ; and I left my beloved school, going to work in the Christian Commission till the close of the war, and then acting as matron for the Iowa Soldiers'
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.