History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 34

Author: Buechler, A. F. (August F.), 1869- editor
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Pub. and Engraving Co.
Number of Pages: 1011

USA > Nebraska > Hall County > History of Hall County, Nebraska > Part 34

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).

Mr. Tagge does not plan to retire from farming entirely. He has purchased 80 acres

one mile north of his present farm from Mrs. Lachenmaker for $140 an arce or $11,200. He is to get possession March 1 The present owner lives on the place. Mr. Tagge plans to leave in several months for a visit to the coast where he will spend perhaps five months. He will be accompanied by his family and by Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Boldt. On his return he will settle on the 80.

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CHAPTER XIII

AGRICULTURAL AND LIVE STOCK INDUSTRIES

WHEN THE COUNTY WAS TWENTY-ONE YEARS OLD - GROWTH IN ACREAGE CULTIVATED - INTRODUCTION OF ALFALFA INTO NEBRASKA - SURPLUS CROPS SHIPPED OUT, 1917 - EARLY AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS - THE GRANGE MOVEMENT - LIVE STOCK AND DAIRYINC - ORGANIZATION - EXPEDITION OF 1876 - HALL COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY - STATE FAIR PROPOSITION - ASSOCIATION REORGANIZED - THE BEET SUGAR INDUSTRY -- HALL COUNTY FARM BUREAU - FARMERS' UNIONS - ELEVATOR ENTERPRISES

The early farming in Hall County con- sisted mainly of the growing of corn and wheat. Cattle raising was carried on, but ranching was not as important as in more western areas of the state. The reminiscences and narratives of the earliest settlers re- counted in foregoing chapters offer scattered but unauthentic details of the earliest farming enterprises in the county. From the first, corn has always been a more staple crop than wheat here, but wheat has been grown mainly as a cash crop and has fluctuated widely in acreage, varying with market conditions.

WHEN TWENTY-ONE YEARS OLD

Dating from the farming operations of the first colony of settlers in 1857, a review of conditions as reported in 1877-78, twenty or twenty-one years after agriculture began in Hall County on a systematic, tangible basis, will show what has been accomplished by the poineers of the county. Reports then showed 34,759 acres in cultivation (of a total area of 337,920 acres). The 1877 production was 226,088 bushels of wheat ; 407,209 bushels of corn, 2,114 horses, 256 mules, 7,980 cattle, 461 sheep, 5,460 swine. Wild land was priced at $4 to $10 an acre and improved from $7 to $26 an acre.

The federal land grants to railroads in Nebraska aggregated over 4,000,000 acres, of which 2,049,000 acres were contiguous to the

Union Pacific system, and of this 120,000 acres were in Hall County. In 1878 prices of Union Pacific land for Hall, Buffalo, and Howard counties ranged from $3 to $6 an acre, and usual terms were 10% down and balance carried yearly at 6% interest, with a 10% discount to parties paying all cash down.

GROWTH IN ACREAGE CULTIVATED

The census of 1880 reported 41,609 acres in wheat and 19,408 acres in corn. By 1889 there was a decrease in the wheat area to 3,988 acres, while corn had increased to 85,354 acres. In 1899 the area in wheat was 20,346 acres, and in corn 95,225 acres. By 1909 corn dropped to 77,981 acres, while wheat steadily increased and occupied a total area of 74 per cent as large. Oats were grown on 24,162 acres in 1909. Alfalfa has greatly increased in acreage during the last 15 years, and has become one of the staple crops. The growing of sugar beets became an important industry following the estab- lishment of a beet-sugar factory at Grand Island in 1890. A history of that industry will be treated separately hereafter.

The present agriculture consists mainly of grain and hay production, with wheat, corn, oats, and alfalfa as the principal crops. Most of the farmers keep some live stock and a small number are engaged in the feeding of stock on an extensive scale.

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Wheat is the principal income crop. Its total area in 1909 was about 15,000 acres less than that of corn, but there has been such an increase in the wheat area during the last few years, on account of the prevailing high prices and good yields, that it is now probably grown more extensively than any other crop. Wheat is grown on practically all the differ- ent soil types. It is a little more certain in yield than corn, since it matures sufficiently early to avoid the severe droughts and hot winds which may occur later in the summer. On soils of average productiveness the yield is commonly about 20 bushels per acre. Hard winter wheat is grown almost exclusively, Turkey Red being the principal variety.

The census of 1910 reports 77,981 acres in corn, with a production of 1,783,784 bushels. The average yield on the soils best adapted to corn is about 30 bushels per acre, but yields on all types are subject to wide variations from year to year, largely on account of late summer droughts and hot winds. Strains of Reid's Yellow Dent and Silver Mine are the principal varieties grown. Thorough cultiva- tion is practised, but little attention is given . grain, and alfalfa. to seed selection. Most of the corn is fed to cattle and hogs, but a large number of farm- ers, especially tenants, sell the greater part of their crop.

The area in oats in 1910 was 24,162 acres, and the production 537,452 bushels. Oats, although grown on practically all farms and on all soil types, are not generally regarded as very profitable. They are grown principally because they fit conveniently in rotations, fol- lowing corn when it is desired to change the land to wheat. The crop is seldom grown for more than one year on the same field. The grain is fed principally to work stock, but is used to some extent in feeding sheep.

Alfalfa is one of the staple crops, occupying 17,669 acres in 1909. The acreage has stead- ily increased since that year, principally at the expense of corn and oats. It is grown on practically all the soils except those that are continuously wet and poorly drained. Yields range from 2 to 4 tons per acre per season. Four cuttings a year are ordinarily obtained

on the soils best adapted to the crop. Alfalfa is grown mainly for winter feed and forage, but it is used extensively as a soiling crop and for hog pasture. On soils which give the heavier yields it is ordinarily a profitable income crop.

Chas. Hofman states that he was one of the first, if not the first, man in Hall county to advocate the raising and use of alfalfa. He knew something. of its qualities and re- turns from prior experience before he came to this country. In those days it was called, "lucerne" or "Swiss Clover," but is the same product. At Ernest Blunk's mill in 1884 a warm discussion pro and con was held as to the advisability of trying such a crop ; but the first crop was planted in 1885, in the Midway Grove, as it is known now, and harvested a short time later. From then on its progress has been steady, until now the farmer here no longer puts all his eggs in one basket, and does not rely alone on either corn or wheat, but distributes his chance for a good crop season and his risk from lack of rain or hail or hot winds between wheat, corn, and small

INTRODUCTION OF ALFALFA INTO NEBRASKA

Dr. C. E. Bessey, in writing concerning this plant, in 1890, remarked: "It is said the Greeks and Romans grew it, and that to these countries it was brought from Persia, and possibly from regions still farther east. Its cultivation certainly dates back two thousand or twenty-five hundred years."

It is claimed that S. P. Parker, of Curtis, Frontier County, grew alfalfa in 1876; in 1878, it was tried in Harlan County by J. C. Mitchell, J. P. Nead of Riverton grew it in 1882; a field was tried at Guide Rock, Ne- braska, in 1877. Martin Slattery of Shelton, Buffalo County, tried it in 1887, and H. D. Watson on his ranch found 20 acres growing there when he took charge in 1889, so while not the first, Hall County was among the pioneer counties in introducing alfalfa into Nebraska.

There is still a comparatively large acreage of wild-hay land, mainly on the bottom land

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but also in the more poorly drained depres- sions in the uplands and terraces. The yield of wild hay is commonly about 11/2 tons per acre. The census of 1910 reports wild hay cut from 25,374 acres.

The yield of wild hay keeps a lead in Hall County over alfalfa, no doubt because of the large acreage adapted to it, owing to the man- ner in which the Platte river with its various channels cuts through this county.

Minor crops of the county include sorghum, kaffir, millet, barley, sweet clover, and Irish potatoes. Most farmers grow vegetables in a small way, mainly for home use. Water- melons, cantaloupes, and other truck crops are grown to a small extent near Grand Island for a local canning factory. There are small or- chards, principally of apples, on most farms, but tree fruits are not an important source of income and the trees are seldom given much care.

As a more recent indication of the relative proportion of the various products of Hall County, mainly agriculture and some manu- factured and industrial, the table given by the Sixteenth Annual Report of the Nebraska Department of Labor for 1917-1918 showing surplus products shipped out of Hall County. is hereto appended. The fact that the number of agricultural products outnumbers the com- mercial and industrial products, such as ce- ment blocks, sand, and gravel, brick, and stone illustrates the remarkable proportion of the county's resources, the agricultural interests bear a responsibility for success or failure :

Products

Head

Cattle

13,049

Hogs

29,038

Horses and Mules

37,372

Sheep

26,714

Products

Bushels

Apples

Barley

2,275

Corn

351,868

Oats

133,681

Potatoes

1,765

Rye

7,500

Wheat

248,480

Fresh fruit

62,500

Products

Tons

Alfalfa

650

Cement Blocks

650

Hay

6,702

Ice

5,795

Sand and gravel

99,192

Stone

Straw

500

Sugar beets

242

Products

Number

Brick

7,015,000

Products

Gallons

Cream

42,250

Milk

500

Sorghum and syrup

30,270

Vinegar

3,000

Products

Cases

Canned goods

2,980

Products

Pounds

Alfalfa seed

38,920

Butter

3,400,687

Cane Seed

12,000

Clover seed

6,500

Dressed meat

600

Dressed poultry

362,881

Fertilizer

900,000

Flour

17,981,589 .

Furs

Garden seeds

440

Hides and pelts

1,218,123

Live poultry

614,200

Mill feed

685,740

Sugar

1,647,895

Tallow

1,760

Vegetables

68,000

Wool

96,250

Products

Baskets

Peaches

462

Products

Dozens

Eggs

786,492

EARLY AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS

Prior to 1870 there was practically nothing done toward organization of the agricultural interests of Hall County, for each settler was too busy providing for the daily wants of his family to let his thoughts wander away from home, and any thoughts of banding with his neighbors in any society, unless to repel mutual attacks of Indians upon their homes or of timber scalpers upon their premises, were too intangible to gather force.

The Hall County Immigration Board was formed March 22, 1871, with Henry A. Koe- nig, president ; S. P. Mobley, secretary, W. H. Platt, H. P. Handy, John Wallichs, Fred A.

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Weibe, Peter Peterson, W. M. Spiker, H. Wrage and E. W. Arnold members.

Later during the month N. J. Paul stopped in Hall County enroute to the Middle Loup Valley with thirty-one colonists. In the pre- ceeding December, Nicholas Paul, one of the well known Paul brothers -the surveyors and colonists - with a Mr. Moeller, vice consul from Denmark to Milwaukee, had camped around the South Loup, and upon their re- port a locating committee, N. J. Paul, Major Frank North, A. J. Hoge, Ira Mullen, Joseph Tiffany, Luther H. North, J. E. North, Enos Johnson, S. W. Smith, Gus Cox, and Charles Morse ascended the Loup from the Pawnee reservation in Nance County and explored the section of country now in Howard County. This led to the founding of the settlement of "Athens," later changed to St. Paul, in honor of its founders, since there was already an- other "Athens" in the state. This event, while only an incident in Hall County history, marks the beginning of the spread of Hall County's trade territory, an accomplishment that has been a determining factor in giving Hall County the third city in the state.

This immigration board backed the Orchard and Vineyard issued at the county seat and used the Independent as an advertising me- dium for the county.

THE GRANGE MOVEMENT

Hall County was well represented in the growth and accomplishments of that first or- ganized achievement of Nebraska agricultur- alists, The Patrons of Husbandry, commonly called "The Grange."

Grand Island Grange No. 6 was organized in April, 1872, with S. P. Mobley, master, and Robert Mitchell, secretary.

The State Grange was organized August 2, 1872 with W. B. Porter, master, and Willim McCaig, secretary.

Central Star Grange No. 518 was estab- lished in April, 1874, with S. P. Mobley, master, and N. A. Lord, secretary. In 1875 it was in fact consolidated with Grange No. 6.

The Co-Operative Association of Patrons of Husbandry was organized in April, 1874,

with D. C. Smith, president, S. P. Mobley, secretary and agent. In 1876 there were nine granges in Hall County, comprising 500 mem- bers. Peter Harrison was president of the association, E. S. Searson, secretary and William Stolley, agent.

OTHER GRANGES IN THE COUNTY

Wood River Grange was organized March 31, 1873, with Rufus Mitchell, J. F. Walker, C. E. Towne, James White, J. Osbon, Isaac King, B. F. Odell, F. P. Welch, Mrs. Ella Warner, Miss A. Odell, Mrs. E. Mitchell, and Mrs. L. Osbon, members.

Alda Grange was formed July 18, 1873, with F. B. Stoddard, E. W. Brown, John Leckenby, William Powell, L. Powell, Mrs. Stoddard, Mrs. Sweet, Mrs. L. Brown, and Mrs. L. Powell, officials.

Platte Valley Grange was organized in April, 1873, at the house of Charles Dufford, south of the river, with M. Stump, Henry Denman, W. J. Burger, D. O. Grice, A. J. Price, A. R. Thorn, S. S. Shultz, D. Beidel- man, Charles Dufford, Mrs. Thorn, Mrs, Robb and Miss Creason, officials.

Advance Grange was organized in school district No. 23, west of Alda, February 7, 1873, with the following members: P. Harri- son, D. C. Smith, Sarah Smith, A. V. Smith, Mrs. R, E. Smith, W. H. Norton, M. E. Nor- ton, C. E. Harrison, Kate Harrison, J. S. Donaldson, Delia Donaldson, H. M. Jones, Mrs. B. M. Jones, J. H. Andrews, J. L. Gray, Stephen Jones, Maggie Jones, G. F. Dodge, Annie Trout, J. M. Cummings, J. A Connor, J. M. Howe, Clara Trout, Charles Streeter, Alice Streeter, M. B. Heitman, T. E. Harri- son, T. H. Trout, Amelia Trout and Mary Jones.

Highland Grange was organized at Union Chapel, March 7, 1874, with the following members : Wesley, Lucinda, George, and Phoebe Dempster, John and James Creason, James A. and Lizzie Williams, S. Lineback, Miles Martha and Laura Humphrey, Naomi French, Mary J. Linsacum, Mrs. S. B. Poe, C. J. Rhodes and S. Brooks.

Elm Island Grange was organized at Union

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School, March 6, 1874, with the following members: W. H. Austin, E. J. Morse, S. Uhrig, William E. Tyler, R. G. Hackett, G. H. and Orilla E. Wilcox, O. D. and Malinda Foote, Ira and Mary A. Wilson, S. W. and Hattie Wilson, George H. and Mary E. Wil- cox, J. A. and Mary A. Mattick, William Lehrich, E. N. and Mary A. Adams, Ira Wil- son, Walter and Sarah Miller, James H. and H. M. Sweeting.

Prairie Creek Grange was organized about this same time.

North Loup Grange was organized March 12, 1874. Its members were : S. A., G. A. and Ella and Mrs. G. A. Pease, S. and A. H. Holman, J. P. and E. A. Gordon, W. W. George, Mrs. H. and Mrs. G. Kendall, P. Hirst, B. F. Manuel, C. M. and Elizabeth Robinson, Walter and Mrs. W. A. Hill, J. Fleming, John and Mrs. K. Marigold, C. O. and Mrs. . Woodruff and Lawrence Mitchell.

True Blue Grange was organized at Prairie Creek school house, March 16, 1874, with the following members : Lester and A. A. Hough- ton, W. W. Dubbs, S. D. and A. Deyoe, A. S. Donaldson, O. A. Hoyt, F. M. and Sarah Adams, N. P. and Harriet Dickenson, George Smith, James E. Peebles, James Ewing, I. W. White, M. Burkerd, Ed. S. Towne, J. H. Newton, J. W. Hanold, Cyrus Miner, and G. E. Crawford.

True Blue Grange of South Loup Precinct was organized a year or so later, April 1875, with J. E. Peebles, master.

Mount Moriah Grange south of Platte, was organized in July 1874, with Martin Ennis, master and William Whitecar, secretary. There were twenty-two members enrolled ..

The County Council, P. of H., was organ- ized in April 1874, with A. V. Potter, master, S. P. Mobley, secretary; William Stolley, treasurer; Mrs. Mobley, lady assistant stew- ard, Mrs. Leavitt, Flora and Mrs. Gilbert, pomona.

The State Grange met here in convention in December, 1887.

LIVE STOCK AND DAIRYING

The feeding of live stock is an important

industry, commonly carried on in combination with grain farming. Most farmers keep a small number of hogs and cattle and there are a few farmers in each neighborhood who feed stock on an extensive scale, purchasing the surplus grain and hay of other farmers. Ten- ants as a rule keep less live stock than farm owners. Corn and alfalfa are the principal stock feeds. Most of the beef cattle sold are raised in the county, but the more extensive feeders generally buy a considerable part or all of their stock. Most of the sheep are shipped into the county from western ranches. According to the census, the total number of cattle in the county in 1910 was 27,928, of hogs 35,091, of sheep 14,133, and of horses 11,085.

The raising of horses, principally of the draft type, is an industry of some importance. Most of the farm owners raise their own work stock and generally have a few animals for sale.

Dairying is carried on to some extent. On most farms it is incidental to grain growing. Most farmers keep a few cows to supply milk and butter for home use, and a large number sell small quantities of milk or cream to local dairies and creameries. There are, however, only a few large dairy herds in the county.

The staple farm crops are grown on all the different soil types, and on about the same proportional acreage. Most of the farmers, however, recognized that the silt loams of the .Grand Island terrace and the upland, with campact and calcareous subsoils, are best adapted to alfalfa. The bottom-land soils are preferred for corn, although the average yields are but slightly above those obtained on the more productive upland soils. The silt loams of the terraces and upland are generally be- lieved to give best results with wheat aind oats.

Farm methods are nearly uniform through- out the county, as there is little variation in climatic conditions, topography, and market- ing facilities. Plowing for wheat begins as soon as possible after the removal of the oat crop, generally about the middle of July or early in August. Most of the soils require

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HISTORY OF HALL COUNTY NEBRASKA

only harrowing, and the wheat is drilled in in September or October. Many farmers seed wheat between the cornrows before the corn is harvested, using a one-horse drill. Both binders and headers are used in cutting the grain. The greater part of the crop is thrashed from the shock, and most of the grain is sold directly from the thrashing machine. The straw is not valued highly, and many farmers burn it.

Corn is generally given level cultivation, but on some of the more poorly drained land the ridge method is preferred. Listing is common on the sandy soils. On the heavier soils the plowing is usually done in the fall. Most farmers snap the corn and later pasture the stalk land. Only a very small percentage of the corn crop is used for silage. Oats are com- monly sown broadcast in April or early May, on disked land previously occupied by corn. Less frequentily the grain is drilled in. Alfal- fa hay is generally stacked in the field. The hay sold is generally disposed of locally with- out baling.

Commercial fertilizers have never been used in growing the staple crops. Most farmers use the manure produced on the farm, and rotted wheat and oat straw is often applied to the fields.

Practically all the farms are equipped with modern, labor-saving machinery. Tractors are beginning to be used extensively in fall plow- ing for wheat. The work stock consists mainly of horses, 6 to 8 head being kept on the average farm. The farmhouses are for the most part well built, and the barns are large and substantial. The value of all farm property in the county in 1910 is reported as $28,768,614, averaging $17,682 per farm.

Wheat, corn, and oats are commonly grown in succssion, but no definite or uniform system of rotation is adhered to. Land is usually kept in wheat for 2 to 5 years. In some cases this crop is grown for 8 or 9 years in succes- sion by both the renters and owners. Wheat land is generally changed to corn, and this crop may also be grown several years on the same field. Oats, which follow corn, are not

often grown for more than one year. Alfalfa may be seeded after wheat or oats. The land is left to this crop as long as the yields are profitable, generally 5 to 7 years, and then put in wheat and corn.

Most of the farm labor is performed by the operator and his family, except during har- vest. Laborers hired by the year receive $25 to $30 a month, with board. During wheat harvest $3 to $3.50 a day is paid for temporary help. In 1919 wages have gone beyond $40 and $50 per month and in harvest to $5 and $6 per day.

The average size of farms, according to the census of 1910, is 196.5 acres. There are very few farms as small as 40 acres and only a comparatively small number larger than 320 acres. The prevailing size of the grain farms is 160 acres. There are several individual holdings of more than 1,000 acres, but usually in these cases much of the land is valuable only for pasture or for wild-hay production.

The census of 1910 reports 94.6 per cent of the area of the county in farms, and 87.3 per cent of the farm land as improved. The total number of farms is reported as 1,627. About 42 per cent of the farms are operated by tenants. Under the most common system of share rental the landowner receives two- fifths of the crops, the tenant furnishing the stock, labor, and implements. Very few farms are rented for cash.

The selling price of land has varied hereto- fore from $20 or $40 an acre for land suitable only for pasture or for wild-hay production to $150 an acre of the most productive land. The average price of farm land has until recently been about $100 an acre.

COLONIZATION

The settlement of the county and the com- munity of Grand Island began with the colony of 1857, which has been described in minute detail in the narratives of Frederick Hedde, Christian Menck, and William Stolley.

But within fifteen years after this small colony had laid the foundations of the county. and braved the perils and hardships until Hall

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County became an established fact, Grand Island became such a colonizer as to reach out to further realms.

So early as 1872-73 citizens of the village conceived the idea of settling in the Middle Loup Valley and acted at once on this con- ception. The great storm of April, 1873, caused some suffering and much inconveni- ence, and it is related that sixty men were crowded into a little store building of Frank Ingram for three days. At that time there were only four women in the Loup Valley - Mrs. Al. Brown, Misses Clara and Alice Ben- schoter and Lizzie Hayes, all of Grand Island.

EXPEDITION OF 1876

In February, 1876, expedition parties for the Black Hills were organized at Grand Is- land, Wood River, and other places. The Wood River party comprised Patrick Nevills, J. Nolan, C. J. S. Trout, P. Dugan, J. Dunn, A. A. Baker, J. O'Connor, George Williamson, John Lyons, Miles Lyons, Mark Lyons, J. Haverly and P. Brady. Major Foote, of the Grand Island party, returned in March and reported a route between Grand Island and the hills open and guideboards erected. His report published in the Grand Island papers on March 10, 1876, indicated that his expedi- tion had been successful in laying out and establishing an excellent route to Custer City which it would be possible to traverse in twelve to fifteen days from Grand Island, with light loads, and the trip could be made without much difficulty under some circum- stances in eight to ten days. He indicated the presence of plenty of good water, and suffi- cient wood along the route.

He reported that no Indians were seen along the route on the entire trip, but that the route was well guarded with military posts. There were then in Custer City 468 houses complete or in process of erection. Corn was selling then for 9c a pound, flour at $10 to $12 a sack, bacon at 30c a pound.

THE HALL COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

This organization was formed in the sum- mer of 1874 at a call of Peter Harrison, and

with Mr. Harrison as president when the organization was completed. Hon. William Platt was the author of the constitution and by-laws. The first two fairs were held in the court-room. The proposition to hold a fair in 1875 was scarcely noticed, as the grasshoppers destroyed the crops, and thus left nothing to exhibit in the agricultural depart- ment.

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History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 34

Author: Buechler, A. F. (August F.), 1869- editor Publication date: 1920 Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Pub. and Engraving Co. Number of Pages: 1011

Author: Buechler, A. F. (August F.), 1869- editor
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Pub. and Engraving Co.
Number of Pages: 1011