USA > Nebraska > Dodge County > History of Dodge and Washington Counties, Nebraska, and their people, Volume I > Part 39
USA > Nebraska > Washington County > History of Dodge and Washington Counties, Nebraska, and their people, Volume I > Part 39
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THE CITY HOSPITAL
A few years since the old two-story brick school building in the central part of the city was purchased and converted into a private hos- pital. Different ones had charge until 1917, when it passed into the hands of Mrs. F. A. Washburn, who continues to conduct it. While it is not large, it does supply the demand for any ordinary hospital cases. Local physicians may take patients there and operate on them, in most cases as well as though they were operated on in Omaha.
CHAPTER VIII
BANKING IN WASHINGTON COUNTY
EARLY BANKS IN NEBRASKA-FIRST BANKING IN WASHINGTON COUNTY -PLATEAU STATE BANK-THE HERMAN STATE BANK-WASHING- TON STATE BANK-FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANK, KENNARD- HOME STATE BANK-ARLINGTON STATE BANK-FIRST NATIONAL BANK-WASHINGTON COUNTY BANK-CITIZENS STATE BANK- FORT CALHOUN STATE BANK-STATE BANK, BLAIR-FARMERS STATE BANK, BLAIR-BANK SUMMARY.
The early banks in Nebraska were established by specific acts of the Legislature, naming the incorporate powers, capital and place of busi- ness. June, 1856, the Legislature chartered the Platte Valley Bank of Nebraska City, the Fontanelle Bank of Bellevue, the Bank of Florence, the Bank of Nebraska at Omaha and the Nemaha Valley Bank at Browns- ville. There was great hostility, even here in the wilds of frontier Nebraska, against "wild-cat banks" and foremost among the men who fought them hard was the late Hon. J. Sterling Morton.
The first general regulatory banking law was that approved March 29, 1889. An act approved April 8, 1895, created a banking board composed of the state auditor, state treasurer and attorney-general. This act provided for the chartering of all banks operating under state law by the banking board. A general banking law approved March 25, 1909, repealed the existing laws and provided for the banking board to consist of the governor, as chairman, the auditor and attorney-general.
The first State Bankers' Convention of Nebraska assembled at Omaha January 22, 1890. The complete organization, however, was not effected until 1900, so far as the present group system obtains.
FIRST BANK IN WASHINGTON COUNTY
"The Banking House of A. Castetter" at Blair, a private bank owned by A. Castetter, was incorporated in 1898, but had been doing business as a private concern since 1869. When incorporated its first president was A. Castetter, its manager was F. M. Castetter and F. H. Claridge, cashier. The present officers are: F. H. Claridge, president ; Mary J. Cook and Clarkson Haller, assistant cashiers.
At first the capital was $60,000, but its present capital is $100,000. It also now carries a surplus of $32,000, with resources and liabilities amounting to $1,240,000. Its recent deposits are $970,000.
This concern is located in a brick bank building erected in 1877 and now valued at $8,000, besides fixtures, etc., amounting to $6,000 more. It has been stated by some that this was the earliest bank in Washington County, but its own officers do not so affirm, but say the earliest attempt at banking in this county was at De Soto in 1858, when the "Waubeek Bank of De Soto" was established. About that date the same village had two other banks (so-called)-the Bank of De Soto and Corn Exchange Bank-but all three were short lived, the Waubeek lasting longer than the other two mentioned. Nothing definite is now to be had of the founders and final outcome of their pioneer projects. De Soto
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went down eventually and all early history, if ever recorded, went down too! But to keep history straight it should be understood that the Wau- beek Bank at De Soto was Bank No. 1 of Washington County and the next and first to become a permanent fixture in the county was the bank- ing house of A. Castetter, established in 1869 at Blair.
THE PLATEAU STATE BANK
This bank is situated at the Village of Herman and was established in 1888 by G. C. Latta, president, and W. H. Clark, cashier.
The 1920 officers are: G. C. Latta, president; E. W. Burdic, vice- president ; Earl C. Burdic, cashier ; George W. Stangel, assistant cashier ; La Verne Lowe, assistant cashier.
This bank at first had a capital of $20,000, which has been increased to $50,000, with a surplus of $10,000. Its recent deposits amounted to $600,000.
The statement issued by this bank May 15, 1920, shows resources and liabilities amounting to $762,388.70. At that date its deposits were $593,457.78 and its undivided profits were $24,325.71. Amount of cash on hand was then $80,611.31.
THE HERMAN STATE BANK
This bank was established at Herman in September, 1907, and its first officers were: E. P. Hanson, president ; Charles Nelson, vice-presi- dent, and Charles Bott, second vice-president. The same officers still serve in their respective capacities and to the list should be added Fred Robertson, cashier, and assistant cashier, T. R. Swanson.
The original capital was $15,000, which is now $30,000, with a sur- plus of $2,000. Its recent deposits were $257,000.
This bank owns its own building erected of Bedford stone in 1919 at a cost of $18,000.
On September 2, 1916, at noon, an attempt was made to hold up this bank. The bank's officers armed themselves and with the assistance of the county sheriff the robbers were arrested and sentenced to two years in the penitentiary at Lincoln.
WASHINGTON STATE BANK
The Washington State Bank at the Village of Washington was estab- lished April 5, 1904. Its first officers were: H. B. Waldron, president ; Henry Simonson, vice-president ; W. T. Waldron, cashier.
The officers of today (1920) are as follows: Jabe B. Gibson, presi- dent ; George T. Hedelund, cashier, and H. E. Lyons, director.
This bank was established on a capital of $10,000, which has increased to $15,000, with a surplus of $3,000. Its recent deposits amounted to $190,000.
FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANK-KENNARD
This bank was established April 16, 1898, by officers as follows: Magnus Johnson, president ; John Japp, vice-president ; W. H. Harrison, cashier.
The 1920 officers are: Magnus Johnson, president ; C. A. Schmidt, vice-president ; G. E. Krongberg, cashier ; F. W. Vybiral, assistant cashier.
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The original capital was $10,000; present capital is $30,000, and a surplus is carried of $7,000.
Recent reports show deposits to the amount of $290,000. The resources and liabilities are now $412,000.
In 1911 a red brick building was erected as the home for this bank. Its value is more than $6,000.
In 1904 in the old building this bank lost $3,000 by yeggmen blowing open the safe.
HOME STATE BANK
This banking house is situated at the Town of Kennard, and was organized in 1915 by John Blaco, J. C. Neal, A. L. Cook and others. The first officers were: John Blaco, president; William Jahnel, vice- president ; J. C. Neal, cashier, who died in the spring of 1917.
The present or 1920 officers are: William Jahnel, president; J. F. McCann, vice-president; M. T. Cederlind, cashier.
The first and present capital is $15,000; present surplus, $2,500; resources and liabilities amount to $140,000.
In the spring of 1915 a brick bank building was constructed and is valued at about $6,000.
The deposits in this bank in the month of June, 1920, were $100,000.
ARLINGTON STATE BANK
The Arlington State Bank whose charter number is 12, was organized in the month of April, 1890, by T. E. Stevens, president ; H. Chapman, vice-president ; H. W. Schoettger, cashier.
The present officers are: C. C. Marshall, president ; H. W. Schoett- ger, vice-president; R. E. Planck, cashier; L. E. Peterson, assistant cashier.
This bank started on a capital of $25,000 but now has $30,000, with a surplus of $30,000.
Its reports show recent deposits amounting to $542,416.15 and resources and liabilities amounting to $671,732.29.
In June, 1891, a brick bank building was finished and is valued at $6,000.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK-ARLINGTON
This bank was established May 26, 1891, with officers as follows : George H. Jewett, president ; J. T. May, vice-president ; Otis M. Dye, cashier.
The present officials are: J. T. May, president ; Fred De Weber, vice-president ; G. I. Pfeiffer, cashier; F. W. Pfeiffer, assistant cashier.
This bank started on a $50,000 capital but reduced to $25,000, with a surplus of $6,000. Its resources and liabilities are $250,000 and recent deposits were $200,000.
A fine bank building was erected in 1913 and is valued at $5,000. This bank succeeded to the old Bell Creek Valley Bank, a private bank, at Arlington when the town was known as Bell Creek. It was the first bank of this vicinity.
WASHINGTON COUNTY BANK-FORT CALHOUN
This bank was established in 1889 on a capital of $5,000, but today it has $30,000, with a surplus of $6,000. Its recent reports show deposits to the amount of $250,000.
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This bank was established or started by Henry Rix. The present officers are as follows: Henry Rix, president; Ernest Rix, cashier ; May Rix, vice-president.
In 1905 a $20,000 brick bank building was constructed for this concern in which a general banking business is transacted after a modern method.
THE CITIZENS STATE BANK-BLAIR
The Citizens State Bank at the City of Blair was organized May 18, 1904, by F. H. Matthiesen and D. Z. Mummert.
The first officers of this banking house were: F. H. Matthiesen, president ; M. Matthiesen, vice-president ; D. Z. Mummert, cashier.
The present (1920) officers are: A. R. Brock, president ; George Bruse, cashier ; E. R. Brock, assistant cashier.
The capital at first was the same as today-$50,000. It now has a surplus of $10,000. Recent reports show deposits amounting to $504,178.47.
The present resources and liabilities are $579,812.38.
In conjunction with this bank is also the Citizens Savings Bank, whose charter is numbered 989; has a capital of $12,500; surplus of $2,500.
The combined statement of these two banks shows resources and liabilities amounting to $836,128.79. Their combined loans amount to $571,601.10; they carry $35,000 in Liberty Bonds and have cash and sight exchange to the amount of $202,174.71. Total deposits in the combined concerns is $728,389.75.
FORT CALHOUN STATE BANK
This bank was organized at the Village of Fort Calhoun, December 14, 1914. The first officers were Henry Rohwer, president; William P. Cook, cashier. The same persons hold the same positions today.
The first capital was same as today-$20,000, but now they have a surplus of $4,000. Recent reports show this bank to have deposits in the sum of $225,000.
The present resources and liabilities are $287,496.31.
The loans and discounts amount to $176,288.50.
One special feature in this bank is the fact that they are carrying undivided profits amounting to $40,644.50.
This bank moved into the new brick building they had erected on December 14, 1914. The building and fixtures are valued at about $7,800.
THE STATE BANK-BLAIR
The State Bank at Blair is the successor of the old Blair National Bank, and was organized January 3, 1916, with officers as follows: C. A. Schmidt, T. E. Stevens, Thomas Finnell, A. C. Roberts and C. J. Schmidt.
This bank carries the same stock as when organized-$50,000, but to this they have the use of $50,000 more in surplus and undivided profits, which makes them a financially strong concern. Their resources and liabilities amount to $1,219,962.61. Recent deposits are $980,635.72.
A most excellent brick bank building is owned by this company; its value is about $11,000.
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The present (1920) officers are as follows: C. A. Schmidt, president ; T. E. Stevens, vice president; A. C. Roberts, director; C. J. Schmidt, director ; Thomas Finnell, cashier; C. J. Schmidt and D. J. Hundahl, assistant cashiers.
FARMERS STATE BANK-BLAIR
The Farmers State Bank at the City of Blair was organized Septem- ber 27, 1919, with first officers as follows: John H. Gibson, president ; E. B. Redfield, vice-president ; W. F. Gutschow, assistant cashier.
The same set of officials are still holding their respective positions. The original and present capital stock is $35,000. The surplus and undivided profits amount to $10,716.13.
The present resources and liabilities amount to $153,848.42.
The deposits in July, 1920, were $97,221.28, but one month earlier the bank had deposits amounting to $108,382.11.
This bank has the confidence of the entire community in which it operates and stands high in banking circles of Nebraska.
COUNTY SUMMARY OF BANKS
The following is a summary of all banks in Washington County, Nebraska, showing the name, date of organizing, present capital and surplus ; also present (recent) amount in deposits.
Date Capital Surplus Deposits
The Banking House of A. Castetter, Blair
.1869 $100,000 $ 32,000 $ 970,000
The Plateau State Bank, Herman. ... 1888
50,000
10,000
660,000
The Herman State Bank, Herman. . . 1907
30,000
2,000
257,000
Washington State Bank, Washington Village
1904
15,000
3,000
190,000
Farmers & Merchants Bank, Kennard.1898
30,000
7,000
290,000
Home State Bank, Kennard. .
1915
15,000
2,500
140,000
Arlington State Bank, Arlington. .
1890
30,000
30,000
542,416
First National Bank, Arlington. ..
1891
25,000
6,000
200,000
Washington County Bank, Fort Cal- houn
1889
30,000
6,000
250,000
Citizens State Bank, Blair
1904
50,000
10,000
504,178
Fort Calhoun State Bank, Fort Cal-
houn
1914
20,000
4,000
225,000
The State Bank, Blair.
1916
50,000
50,000
980,635
Farmers State Bank, Blair
1919
35,000
10,716
97,221
Totals
$480,000 $172,716 $5,306,450
CHAPTER IX
WASHINGTON COUNTY NEWSPAPERS
NEWSPAPERS OF BLAIR-THE REGISTER-WASHINGTON DEMOCRAT (DEFUNCT)-THE PILOT-THE ENTERPRISE-THE TRIBUNE-THE TIMES-THE COURIER-KENNARD WEEKLY NEWS-HERMAN RECORD -THE CALHOUN CHRONICLE-THE COUNTY'S EARLIEST NEWSPAPERS -THE DE SOTO BUGLE-DE SOTO PILOT-THE SUN-ENQUIRER- REGISTER-NEBRASKA PIONEER-CUMING STAR.
NEWSPAPERS OF BLAIR
1
From what seems to be reliable sources it is believed that the first newspaper in Blair was the Register, established in May, 1869, by Hilton & Son. January 1, 1870, L. F. Hilton, junior member of the firm, became editor and proprietor, publishing the paper until the following spring, having an actual circulation of 1,200 paying subscribers in Wash- ington, Burt and Douglas counties. At this time the publication was suspended and the material sold under foreclosure of mortgage.
The next paper established in Blair was the Republican, started in June or July, 1870, as the Blair Times, by a stock company consisting of W. H. B. Stout and other citizens of Blair. Its first editor was J. C. Lillie. Gen. John S. Bowen succeeded Lillie as editor and edited a most excellent paper. After numerous changes in proprietorship the property passed into the hands of C. B. Sprague in August, 1880, he succeeding Vic Lantry and others. Sprague changed the name from Times to Republican, also changed it to a republican organ. In 1904 it was purchased by Theo. T. Osterman and changed to a democratic paper and called the Democrat; it was merged with the Courier in 1907, and absorbed the Tribune in 1917 and the name "Democrat" dropped. The Tribune was founded by W. R. Williams in 1907 and has been in the hands of the present owner, Thomas T. Osterman, since 1917. Then the Tribune derives its ancestry from the old Times, established in 1870. Politically, it is democratic. Subscription rate $2 in advance. It circulates mostly in Washington County; is a six-column, eight to twenty-page all home print paper. It is published every Thursday. The office from which it issues is equipped with a linotype, drum cylinder press, folder, gordon jobber, etc.
The building is owned by Thomas T. Osterman, and it is a frame structure.
THE BLAIR PILOT
It is believed generally by the newspaper craft of Washington County that the first newspaper published in this county was the one known as the Register, just prior to the Pilot of today. It appears that what is now known as the Pilot was established at Tekamah, Burt County, in 1871, by J. Y. Lambert, but it was removed by him to Blair in 1874. In 1875 George Sutherland purchased it and L. F. Hilton became its editor. In 1879 Mr. Sutherland sold to B. F. Hilton, and son, L. F. Hilton. Finally it became the property of the Pilot Printing
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DODGE AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES
Company, with L. A. Williams as its editor. The present owner, Don C. Van Deusen, purchased the paper July 1, 1907. This was at one time a progressive republican journal, but at present does not advertise its politics, but is supposedly "independent."
The Pilot circulates mostly in Washington County; is printed each week on Wednesday and its subscription rate is $2 per year in advance.
It is well equipped as a modern printing office, with a modern linotype, propelled by an electric motor; a Standard Babcock six- column quarto cylinder press, purchased in the summer of 1919. It also has a folding machine, two jobbers, a paper cutter, a stapler, and everything found in offices in places the size of Blair at this date.
Mr. Van Deusen, proprietor, owns the brick building in which his plant is kept ; it is a good brick structure.
THE WASHINGTON DEMOCRAT-DEFUNCT
This newspaper was established by Blue and Sampson, September 22, 1881, in Blair, but November 28, that year, it was moved to Bell Creek (now Arlington), where after a five-months struggle it ceased to exist. Politically, this was a democratic organ, but in those times demo- crats were not very numerous in Washington County!
THE BLAIR ENTERPRISE
This newspaper was established at Kennard in 1896 by E. L. Tiffany, of Kennard, who sold in 1913 to L. F. Hilton, of Kennard, who moved into Blair in August, 1913. Politically, it is an independent republican journal with a circulation in Washington County, mostly. In form and size it is of the eight-page six-column size. It is published each Thurs- day (originally on Friday). Its yearly subscription rate is $1.50 in advance.
This office is equipped with up-to-date machinery, including a lino- type, job presses, paper press, paper cutter, imposing stones and proof press. Local news, of course is the main object of newspapers in this sized towns and cities. This paper a few years ago, published por- tions of Bell's History of Washington County, written in 1876, and from its columns, containing such historical items, the publishers of this later history are greatly indebted.
THE BLAIR COURIER
The Courier was established at Blair the summer of 1889, Vol. 1, No. 18 bears date November 2 of that year. It was established by the Blair Publishing Company with W. H. Eller, associate editor, S. L. Hamilton, secretary and B. C. Maynard, manager. It was a six-column folio, and politically, it was democratic. It was a well edited paper and had an excellent circulation. It was merged in 1907 with the Democrat.
THE KENNARD WEEKLY NEWS
This enterprising local newspaper was established at the Village of Kennard, June 14, 1916, and is an independent local journal with no special political trend. The paper was started by its present owner and editor, Otto F. Olsen. It is an eight-page, six-column paper and circulates within a radius of about six miles of Kennard. Its sub-
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scription rate is $1.50 per year in advance. Its publication day is Wednesday of each week.
The equipment of the News office consists of modern appliances including one 10 by 15 Chandler & Price jobber; one Diamond cylinder news press and one 13-horsepower Mogul kerosine engine, with such other fixtures as make up a modern printing office.
The News aims to give the local happenings within the radius of its circulation and to have the same in readable shape such as will be interesting and instructive to the subscribers.
THE HERMAN RECORD
The Herman Record was established October 14, 1908, and among its publishers and owners have been: F. L. Fassett, Paul E. Hubbell, and present owner, H. L. Swan.
It is non-political; circulates in Washington County mostly; is an eight-page, six-column paper with six pages home print. It is pub- lished every Thursday at $1.50 per year in advance.
This newspaper is published in Rooms 1, 2 and 3 in Plateau Bank Building. Its outfit includes a good cylinder press, two jobbers and J modern linotype.
The Record is a well edited and neatly printed paper and is duly appreciated by the large list of well satisfied patrons who find all the news of the community each week.
DANISH LUTHERAN PUBLISHING HOUSE PAPERS
The Danish Lutheran Publishing House at Blair publish and print the following publications that go broadcast all over the United States and Canada :
Danish Lutheran Kirkeblad is now 50 years old-published in Blair for 30 years.
The Danskeren (a newspaper) was published in Wisconsin until 1899 since which it has been published in Blair, Nebraska. Since 1903 its editor has been Rev. A. M. Andersen. Subscription rate is $2 a year. Our Lutheran Youth-(for young people) a semi-monthly is now 15 years old.
Bornebladet is now in its thirty-first year of publication. This is a Danish Sunday school paper.
The Little Lutheran-(a Sunday School in English) in its eighth year of publication.
Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Blair, Nebraska, are the only two points in America where church papers are published by the Danish Lutheran Church. Their mailing list is immense-their postage bills are more than $800 per year, all told.
WASHINGTON COUNTY'S FIRST NEWSPAPERS
The first newspaper published in Washington County, Nebraska, was the De Soto Bugle, established in 1856 at the little pioneer Village of De Soto, by Hon. Isaac Parrish, who in a speech over in Harrison County in 1859 declared that there would be railroads over the Rocky Mountains to the far off Pacific Coast within a score of years. The people called him "daffy," but it was only half that length of time before the Union Pacific Railroad was completed.
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DODGE AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES
The next newspaper started in this county was the De Soto Pilot, established in 1857 by Merrick and Maguire; the third paper was the Washington County Sun, established in 1858 by Potter C. Sullivan, and the fourth paper was the De Soto Enquirer, established in 1858 by Z. Jackson. No other attempt at starting a newspaper in this county was made until 1869, when the Register was established at Blair, by B. F. Hilton and son. In 1870 the publication of the Blair Times was undertaken by a company made up of a number of citizens of the county, as will be seen by reference to the history of that paper else- where in this chapter.
The Nebraska Pioneer, a weekly newspaper was started under the management of a Mr. Dimmick, at Cuming City in 1857, and soon was numbered among the dead enterprises of the young "city."
The Cuming City Star flashed out and made the second newspaper attempt in Cuming City, the date of its issue being 1858. It was a good weekly paper edited by L. M. Kline. This paper remained as long as there were any hopes for the town's future greatness.
THE CALHOUN CHRONICLE
Fort Calhoun's present local newspaper is the Chronicle, established about 1914 and is now conducted by its owner, Frank C. Adams. It is a six-column folio sheet, published each Thursday at a subscription rate of $1.50 in advance. Further data concerning this publication was not furnished the historians.
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CHAPTER X POLITICAL AFFAIRS OF COUNTY
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS-SPECIAL ELECTIONS-LISTS OF SENATORS- REPRESENTATIVES IN STATE GOVERNMENT, ETC.
AT SPECIAL ELECTIONS
In 1883 at a special election the issue was on "Township organiza- tion" and it stood as follows: For "Township organization," 994; against the measure, 436.
In 1886 a special election was held on the question of voting on courthouse bonds and the result was: For bonds, 500; against bonds, 1,256.
In 1894 the question again came up before the people at a special election as to whether Washington County should be governed under the township system or not. The votes stood: For organization, 1,165; against township organization, 601.
In 1889 a special election was held in this county on the question of selling the Poor Farm. The result at that election was for sale of County Farm, 501; against sale of County Farm, 1,528.
POLITICS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
Without entering into a detailed account of the various political campaigns had in Washington County since its organization, the follow- ing election statistics will show the general politics of the county and results at the presidential election, beginning with centennial year-1876:
1876-The Republican candidate, Rutherford B. Hayes, received a majority of 512 in the county.
1880-James A. Garfield, republican candidate, received a majority of 790.
1884-James G. Blaine, republican candidate, carried the county.
1888-Benjamin Harrison, republican candidate, carried this county by 331.
1892-Benjamin Harrison, republican candidate, carried the county by 340.
1896-William McKinley, republican, carried the county by a hand- some majority.
1900 -- William McKinley, republican, again carried the county over William Jennings Bryan.
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