History of Gage County, Nebraska; a narrative of the past, with special emphasis upon the pioneer period of the county's history, its social, commercial, educational, religious, and civic development from the early days to the present time, Part 28

Author: Dobbs, Hugh Jackson, 1849-
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Publishing and Engraving Company
Number of Pages: 1120

USA > Nebraska > Gage County > History of Gage County, Nebraska; a narrative of the past, with special emphasis upon the pioneer period of the county's history, its social, commercial, educational, religious, and civic development from the early days to the present time > Part 28

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Yours very truly, Dempster Mill Mfg. Co. C. B. Dempster, Pres.

At a special election held in the city May 5, 1910, the voters of the municipality had au- thorized the issuance of $70,000 of the bonds of the city, the proceeds thereof to be used in constructing, maintaining and operating a sys- tem of waterworks for Beatrice. On Oc- tober 10th of that year these bonds had been issued and sold, and the money realized from their sale had been applied by the city au- thorities in enlarging the building and plant of the waterworks, installing additional ma- chinery, including an electric pumping plant and lighting system, and in covering the ex- pense of the various efforts put forth by the commissioners in trying to develop a sufficient water supply by the system of wells. After the development of the Zimmerman Springs proposition as set forth in the foregoing let- ter of the Dempster Company, it became necessary to raise money to cover the cost of acquiring the spring and the ten-acre tract where it is situated, as set out in the letter. For this purpose the special election was held in the city on the 5th day of November, 1913, at which the issuance of $30,000 of the bonds of the city was authorized, the proceeds

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thereof to be used to complete the waterworks system of the city by acquiring title to the spring and the ten-acre tract of land where it is located and of connecting it to the existing waterworks system of the city.

By these various steps Beatrice has finally acquired a supply of pure spring water suffi-

cient, as far as tried, for the demands of the city, at a total cost of approximately $225,000 to the taxpayers of the municipality. After many years of operation at a steady loss, which was annually met by additional taxa- tion, the Beatrice city water plant has reached a point where it is easily self-supporting.

CHAPTER XXI

BEATRICE CONTINUED

THE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY - FIRST BOARD OF DIRECTORS - CARNEGIE LIBRARY BUILDING - FIRST LIBRARIAN - PUBLIC PARKS - THE OLD STONE CHURCH - THE NEW METHODIST CHURCH - THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH - FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH - UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH - TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH -- FIRST CATHOLIC CHURCH - FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH - ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH -GERMAN METHODIST CHURCH - LASALLE STREET CHURCH - SEV- ENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH - FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST - FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH - MENNONITE CHURCH - BEATRICE SCHOOL DISTRICT - OLD FRAME SCHOOL HOUSE - FIRST HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING - SECOND HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING - THIRD HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING - GRADE SCHOOL BUILDINGS - CITY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

The public library of the city of Beatrice, which in the afflux of time has become a fac- tor of inestimable importance in the intellect- ual life of the city, is the direct outgrowth of the activities of an organization known as the Beatrice Literary Club, founded about the year 1890, by Carroll G. Pearse (superintend- ent of the Beatrice city schools), Ossian H. Brainard, Alexander R. Dempster, Edward Sinclair Smith, Dr. Edward Bates, Leander M. Pemberton, Samuel S. Peters, Joseph E. Cobbey, Jr., Marion T. Cummings, Hugh J. Dobbs, and others. Prior to the founding of the library, the ladies of the Woman's Chris- tian Temperance Union of Beatrice had for many years maintained a small circulating li- brary in the city, this being poorly supported by voluntary contributions and paid subscrip- tions. It had a very limited use, on account of the small number of books of value and of the expense to patrons using it. For several years its sponsors had frequently endeavored to persuade the city to take their library and, with it as nucleus, found a municipal library suported by public tax ; in this, however, they had been uniformly unsuccessful.

In the spring of 1893 the Beatrice Literary

Club found itself in the possession of a con- siderable sum of money, the product of some very successful lecture courses given under its auspices, and resolved to undertake the service to the community of inducing the city council to acept the offer of the ladies of the Wo- man's Christian Temperance Union, to relieve them of the burden of carrying on a library which met the demands of the community to a very limited degree, and to found a munic- ipal library to which every citizen of Beatrice might, under proper regulations, have full and free access. As a slight inducement to favor- able action on the part of the city council, the members of the Literary Club proposed to turn over to the city the money in its treasury, to be used for library purposes. The city council gave ear to the persuasive eloquence of Carroll G. Pearse, president of the Liter- ary Club, and, after canvassing the matter, de- cided to act favorably upon his suggestions. The money tendered by the club was accepted, the books and library effects of the ladies of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union were taken over by the city, and, in June, 1893, the city council, formally and in the manner provided by law, established a free

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public library for the citizens of Beatrice. A board of directors was thereupon appointed and for the support of the library a levy of two mills on the dollar was made upon the grand assessment roll of the city. The first board of directors was composed of the fol- lowing well known citizens of the city of Beatrice: Jefferson B. Weston, three years ; Cornelius Jansen, three years; Leander M. Pemberton, one year; Joseph E. Cobbey, one year; Samuel Rinaker, two years; LeRoy F. LaSelle, three years; George P. Marvin, two years ; Charles G. Gilespie, one year ; Hugh J. Dobbs, three years.

This board of driectors organized by choos- ing Jefferson B. Weston, president ; Leander M. Pemberton, vice-president ; and Cornelius Jansen, secretary. Mary E. Abell, who had been prominent in the affairs of the former library, was elected by the board of directors as the first librarian of the municipal library. Quarters for the new library, together with a reading room, were secured on the upper floor of the new postoffice building on its comple- tion, in October, 1893, and the Beatrice Free Public Library was formally opened to public patronage.

In December, 1902, application was made by the library board to Andrew Carnegie for an allowance out of his millions for the pur- pose of erecting a suitable building for the library. The application was favorably re- ceived by the great iron master, who offered to donate to the city of Beatrice the sum of $20,- 000 for the erection of a library building, pro- vided a suitable site were procured and the city council would agree to make an annual levy upon the taxable valuation of the prop- erty of the city for the purpose of supporting the library. The money to purchase the pres- ent site of the library building was raised by private subscription, and lots 5 and 6 in block 36 of the original town of Beatrice, the present site of the library, were purchased for $1,600.

George A. Burlinghof, an architect then re- siding at Beatrice, was selected to draft plans and specifications for the library building. Contracts were let for its construction and the

work entered upon in the spring of 1903, al- most exactly ten years from the date of found- ing the library. The work progressed rap- idly. The material used was Warrensburg, Missouri, sandstone and terra cotta. While not fire-proof, the building is constructed on the principle known as slow combustion. This building, with its grounds, is now practically included in the Charles Park, and together they form perhaps the most interesting and beautiful spot in Beatrice.

On the completion of the building, Mr. Carnegie, being again appealed to, contributed $3,000 to be used in the purchase of suitable furniture, shelving and other fixtures for the library. The book stacks and furniture were bought of the American Library Association and were duly installed. On the first day of January, 1904, the Beatrice Free Public Li- brary was opened to public patronage in its new and beautiful building.

Since its founding, the patrons of the li- brary have been served by a number of effi- cient librarians, but by none more able or devoted than the first, Mary E. Abell. This good lady, who had been a citizen of Beatrice for many years, died while serving as libra- rian, on Saturday, April 4, 1903, and of the original library board, Weston, Cobbey, La- Selle, Marvin and Gillespie also have passed away. But the institution which they were instrumental in organizing remains and will long remain to radiate its beneficent influence throughout the beautiful city which it serves.

The public parks of Beatrice are Charles Park, Nichols Park, the Athletic Park, and the Chautauqua Park.

Charles Park is situated between Fifth and Sixth streets, immediately south of the old high-school building. It was purchased in part with a bequest in the will of James Charles, a pioneer resident of Beatrice and vi- cinity, the purchased lots being 1, 2, 3 and 4 in block 36 of the original town of Beatrice. To these were added lots 5 and 6, where the public library stands, and also Elk street be- tween Fifth and Sixth streets, which was va- cated by the city council for park purposes, and all that part of the school-house square

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south of the walks about the old high-school building.

Nichols Park is located a little west of the Court street bridge across the Big Blue river. It is a beautiful spot, comprising about three acres of ground between Court street and the river. Most of the land forming it was do- nated by Martin V. Nichols, an old and highly esteemed resident of Beatrice.

The Athletic Park is an adjunct of the city school system. The founders of this play

large assembly hall and the other structures now found there were placed on the grounds by this organization. For a dozen years or more the programs given at this place were well patronized by the people of southeastern Nebraska. Many eminent men and women have here contributed to the instruction, amusement and entertainment of large au- diences. Amongst these were Thomas De Witt Talmage, a noted clergyman of the past generation ; ex-President Hayes; Sam Jones ;

ATHLETIC PARK BEATRICE

ground were the late Daniel Wolford Cook, the Kilpatrick Brothers and S. W. Collins. After its completion, it was donated and by warranty deed conveyed to the Beatrice school district, to be forever dedicated to wholesome school sport, and other scholastic and public gatherings.

The Chautauqua Park comprises about thirty acres of land, for many years known and used as Chautauqua grounds. Beginning about 1888, the Chautauqua organization, composed of several public-spirited citizens of Beatrice, annually for several years gave a Chautauqua program on these grounds. The

Bishop Vincent; Frank Robinson, the trav- elouge entertainer ; William J. Bryan ; Frances Willard; Congressman Horr; Mary Ellen Lease; Edward Rosewater; Dr. Robert Mc- Intyre; Susan B. Anthony; Dr. Henson, a noted Baptist clergyman, of Chicago; Robert LaFollette ; and many others of wide reputa- tion as speakers, lecturers, and entertainers.

After an interesting and profitable record covering many years, the organization, on ac- count of the decrease in attendance, finally suspended operations in debt, and an action was brought against it in the district court of Gage county to foreclose a mortgage on its

Boating on the Blue River

cene on the Blue River

PowerDam at Black's Mill

Frize Cande an Venetian Night

Dave Way in Chautauqua Park

In the

od's noor Bestrice

HISTORY OF GAGE COUNTY, NEBRASKA

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property, when, by an arrangement with the board of directors, the city of Beatrice inter- vened, paid the indebtedness, took over the property and converted it into a beautiful city park.

An important adjunct to the public-park system of the city is the use which has re- cently been made of the Big Blue river as a source of recreation. While always a favored means of entertainment it has grown in favor since W. E. Garrett, in August, 1907, acquired riparian rights on the river above Black Brothers' mill dam and installed a line of pleasure boats, including flat boats for pic- nickers. For a number of years he has given an annual evening festival on the river locally known as "Venetian Night" which attracts large and appreciative crowds, many coming from considerable distances.

The Nehaunchee canoeing club is an or- ganization of canoe enthusiasts whose purpose is to develop a taste for this fine sport and in- crease the usefulness of the river as a pleasure resort.

Nothing perhaps shows the steady growth of Beatrice from a mere village of a few hun- dred inhabitants to a modern city of probably 12,000 people more than its church history. No movement to erect a church building in the village was inaugurated prior to the year 1868. The Methodist Episcopal denomination had possessed organizations in Beatrice, Blue Springs and other localities in the county prior to that time. Early that year steps were taken to erect in Beatrice a church for general use. The idea seemed to be that it should be open and free to all denominations ; it was in effect a citizens' movement for a free church build- ing. The location for this structure was fixed at the corner of Fourth and Elk streets, lots 7, 8, block 20 of the original town of Beatrice, and work was begun probably in the late spring of 1868. The building planned was to be a stone edifice, approximately twenty-five by fifty feet in dimensions, with a single room,-a plain building both inside and out. The stone was hauled from the quary of Hurd & Guffey, at what is now Holmesville, and the work appears to have progressed rapidly,

as things went in those days. Under date of October 28, 1868, the Blue Valley Record says "Our free church edifice is beginning to loom up. Carr, the contractor, is a smasher to drive business. However it is no wonder, for he has the best material in the world to use in his contract." The same paper an- nounces also that Mr. Carr, who superin- tended the stone work at the capitol building at Lincoln, had located permanently in Be- atrice.

As the church approached completion the plan of a free church building was abandoned and the property turned over to the Methodist church organization, which completed it and occupied it for religious services in the early part of 1869. May 17, 1870, to the trustees of the church a deed was given to lot 8, block 20, by J. W. and J. B. Mumford, and on May 23, 1871, J. B. Weston conveyed to the trus- tees of the church lot 7 in this block, which was afterward occupied by a parsonage. This old stone structure was the first building in Gage county erected for church purposes and dedicated to the worship of Almighty God. For many years, with the parsonage, it stood at the corner of Fourth and Elk streets. Re- cently both lots have been purchased by the Beatrice school district and the old stone church, which had fallen into disuse, was wrecked, the parsonage moved away and the lots included in the high-school grounds. This old pioneer church building played a most in- teresting and useful part in the religious and social life of Beatrice for many years. In ad- dition to the services of the church, Sunday school was held within its walls, marriages performed at its altar, the dead buried from its doors, and many a penitent found rest for a troubled heart through confession of sin and profession of faith.

The old church delighted to open its doors in hospitable welcome to religious, social and educational gatherings. The first confirma- tion service of the Episcopal church was held here, in April, 1871, and the first meetings of the Presbyterians were in this building, in 1869. Here the writer himself, in the unfor- gotten past, attended not only the religious

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services of the church but also debates, lec- tures, educational meetings, social gatherings. When its rugged walls were taken down, stone by stone, much of the past history of Beatrice may be said to have disappeared for- ever.

The first Methodist minister to hold service in the church as pastor was W. A. Presson, a veteran of the Civil war. After him, not strictly in order perhaps, were Revs. J. W. Wilson, David Hart, John W. Stewart, and Wesley K. Bean.

The congregation grew rapidly from the first, and the old building became inadequate to its needs. Under the ministry of Rev. Wesley K. Bean, in 1885, steps were taken to erect a new church edifice and parsonage, and as a result of that movement the fine brick house of worship located at the corner of Sixth and Elk streets, known as the Centen- ary Methodist Episcopal church, was erected, and it was dedicated to the worship of God in the spring of 1886.

About the year 1906 a fine pipe organ was installed in the church, the gift of Mrs. Ra- chael Kilpatrick and Mrs. Margaret Constance Blakely, both pioneer residents of our county. In 1915 the church was enlarged and other- wise extensively improved. The membership of this church has grown from a mere hand- ful in 1869 to a body of nine hundred com- municants. Amongst its organizations are the Ladies' Aid Society, Epworth League, the Home and Foreign Missionary Societies and the Standard Bearers.

Amongst the ministers who have occupied the pulpit of this church and given it power and influence are Wesley K. Bean, John W. Stewart, C. S. Dudley, Duke Slavens, H. T. Davis, L. J. Guild, B. F. Thomas, N. A. Mar- tin, Ulysses G. Brown, and Benjamin F. Gaither. The present pastor is Rev. Clyde Clay Cissell.

The First Presbyterian Church of Beatrice was organized March 12, 1859, under the au- spices of the Missouri River Presbytery. The charter members in the organization were Mrs. Sarah Ann Blodgett, Mrs. Mary T. Griggs, Miss Anna Griggs, Robert H. Weed-

en and Mrs. Lydia Weeden. Of these Mrs. Blodgett is the only survivor. The first board of trustees comprised Henry A. La- Selle, Robert H. Weeden and R. L. Blodgett. Mr. LaSelle was also clerk and treasurer of the church. In 1869 a church edifice thirty- seven by thirty-seven feet in dimensions, brick, two stories, was erected on the southwest corner of Fifth and High streets. It was completed at a cost of about $10,000 and was dedicated as a house of public worship some time in 1870. The first minister of this pio- neer church was Benjamin F. McNeil, who was also county superintendent of schools. Following him there came James A. Griffith, Thomas S. Hale, L. W. B. Shryock, W. H. McMeen, H. F. White, A. B. Irving, John W. Mills, William H. Hood, John D. Counter- mine, William H. Kearns, L. D. Young, N. P. Patterson, and E. C. Lucas, the present pas- tor. Perhaps no church in the west has been served by an abler, more learned or more de- voted line of ministerial leaders. Some of them, having acquired reputation and in- fluence in Beatrice, have been called to broader fields of labor, while the present pas- tor, with patriotic self-denial, will soon en- gage in the work of his calling in distant France, during the great world war.

In 1893 the present beautiful church and parsonage were erected, at a cost of $24,000. The membership now exceeds five hundred, the attendance at Sunday school averages two hundred and fifty. The present bench of elders are: Rev. Edgar C. Lucas, Moderator ; F. B. Sheldon, clerk; E. F. Kimmerly, trea- surer ; Dr. W. C. Purviance, G. H. Van Horn, Charles Elliott, Paul D. Marvin, J. W. Beard, J. R. Spicer, J. E. T. Dickinson, H. A. LaSelle, and Dr. C. A. Spellman. The ac- tivities of the church are many and varied. Its societies are the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, Intermediate and Junior Christian Endeavor Societies, Wo- men's Missionary Society, Ladies' Aid So- ciety, Delta Alpha Chapter of Westminster Guild, Life Bearers and Mission Band.

In Arpil, 1871, the first confirmation of the Episcopal church was held at the old stone

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Methodist church and the general services of the church began in that year. The parish was organized and admitted to the union of the diocese in 1873. The minutes of the meeting at which the parish was organized show that S. C. B. Dean was elected senior warden and John E. Smith junior warden ; vestrymen, J. W. Carter, Alfred Hazlett, and A. G. Spellman. Of the incorporators only one is now identified with the parish, Mr. John E. Smith, who in 1874 was elected sen- ior warden and who has been annually re- elected since that time. The first record in the parish register is the baptism of Sarah Isabella Landy, August 13, 1871, by the Rev. Arthur E. Wilson.

The first rector of the parish was the Rev. Joseph F. Cotton, who continued in charge until 1876. The Rev. Robert W. Jones served as rector from 1877 to 1880, the Rev. Wil- liam G. Hawkins served from 1880 to 1882 and was succeeded by Rev. C. L. Fulforth, who remained until 1885; the Rev. Robert Scott took charge of the parish at the begin- ning of 1886 and remained until 1891 ; Rev. J. O. Davis became rector that year and served until 1895; the Rev. W. P. N. J. Wharton served one year and was succeeded by the present rector, Rev. W. A. Mulligan, in 1896.

At the time of the organization, a wooden church was built on the site where the pres- ent church now stands. Prior to this the congregation worshiped in a small wooden school-house which stood on the block where the Central ward school now stands. During the rectorship of the Rev. Robert Scott, the present handsome stone church was built, at a cost of about $40,000. The corner stone was laid in 1889 and the church opened for service on Easter Day, 1890. In the year 1892 an excellent pipe organ was installed in the church, this being the first pipe organ in Beatrice. In 1904 the present commodious rectory was built, at a cost approximately of $5,000. In 1908 the parish was cleared of in- debtedness, and the church was consecrated June 16th of that year. In 1916 a handsome stone chapel was built in the rear of the church edifice, at a cost of $6,000.

The organizations of the church are the Altar Guild, Daughters of the King, Junior Auxilliary, St. Mary's Auxilliary, Red Cross Auxilliary, and Women's Auxilliary.

The following are men of Christ Church parish who have enlisted in the present world war: J. Edmund C. Fisher, Philip W. Clancy, Allen B. Ellis, Robert J. Emery, Royal Green, Edward Hackstadt, Fulton Jack, Jr., Ernest D. Kees, Clarence F. Kil- patrick, Russell A. Phelps, Samuel L. Roe, Herbert T. Schaeffer, William T. Rogers, John F. Schiek, Ralph C. Scott, Frank Hobbs, Donald N. Van Arsdale, George St. Clair Preston, Harold R. Mulligan, Clifford Rock- hold, John J. Kilpatrick, Allen W. Mulligan, George W. Maurer, and Harold D. Burgess

The Episcopalians have contributed to the beauty of the city of Beatrice in a memorable way by the erection of their stone church. No building in the city compares with it in architectural grace and churchly character. From the surrounding country on every hand, the white, beautiful spire of this sacred edi- fice forms the most impressive object in the landscape.

The First Christian Church of Beatrice, Nebraska, was organized the first Lord's Day in October, 1872. Rev. R. C. Barrow, labor- ing under the General Christian Missionary Convention, had visited the place at intervals prior to this date and baptized a few persons. Among the number thus brought together were Dr. H. M. Reynolds and wife and Mrs. Emily O. Snow, and these with a few others formed the nucleus of the congregation. Among these were John C. Past and wife, from Newcastle, Indiana; William Bradt and wife, from Rockford, Illinois; and John L. Rhodes and wife, from North English, Iowa. In the fall of 1872 John C. Past attended the state missionary convention, at Lincoln, to se- cure aid in holding a meeting and through this means effect an organization ; the state board recommended that the brethren at Beatrice proceed to hold a meeting and if possible es- tablish an organization, and the services of John W. Allen were secured to hold a pro- tracted meeting, which was commenced at

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EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

METHODIST CHURCH.

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once. After about two weeks a church was organized with about twenty members. They were J. C. Past, Mrs. J. C. Past, William Bradt, Mrs. William Bradt, Dr. H. M. Rey- nolds, Mrs. Reynolds, John L. Rhodes, Mrs. John L. Rhodes, Edwin Pheasant, Mrs. Ed- win Pheasant, Mr. and Mrs. Headley, G. W. Hinkle, John Ellis, Mrs. Dr. C. C. Sprague, Mrs. Chesney, Mrs. A. L. Snow, A. W. Bradt, Mrs. A. W. Bradt, and Miss Maggie Murga- troyd. J. C. Past and William Bradt were elected elders, and Dr. H. M. Reynolds and John L. Rhodes were made deacons. The elders and deacons constituted the official board. The first meetings were held in Rey- nolds & Townsend's Hall, in the second story of the building at the northwest corner of Court and Fifth streets.

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History of Gage County, Nebraska; a narrative of the past, with special emphasis upon the pioneer period of the county's history, its social, commercial, educational, religious, and civic development from the early days to the present time, Part 28

Author: Dobbs, Hugh Jackson, 1849- Publication date: 1918 Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Publishing and Engraving Company Number of Pages: 1120

Author: Dobbs, Hugh Jackson, 1849-
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Publishing and Engraving Company
Number of Pages: 1120