USA > Nebraska > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. I > Part 20
USA > Nebraska > Clay County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. I > Part 20
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 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93
149
HISTORY OF NEBRASKA
promptly vetoed a bill proposing to establish it at a town to be named "Donglas." He also vetoed the most striking piece of legislation advanced by this session, the repeal of the criminal code, but they passed it over his veto and left the territory without any criminal laws.
Fourth Legislature. This session began on December 8, 1857. Hon. George L. Miller of Omaha was elected president of the Council, Washburn Safford, chief clerk, and of the House, Ilon. J. H. Decker, of Otoe, was speaker and S. M. ('nrran, chief clerk. The memorable event of this session was the secession of a portion of its membership, who attempted to set up a separate assembly at Florence. This division resulted from further attempts to remove the capital from Omaha. This ruption blocked all further attempts to accomplish anything at this session, and it expired on January 16th, by limitation. For a second time Thomas B. C'uming had been acting governor, since the resignation of Governor Izard.
GOVERNOR RICHARDSON. Gov. William A. Richardson arrived on January 12th, 1858. His official career was short, as he resigned within a few months and left the territory upon December 5th, whereupon Sec. J. Sterling Morton became acting governor. In the period of sixteen months, from Governor Richardson's accession until Governor Black took office, political lines began to form themselves. The first political convention in the territory had taken place on January 8, 1858, in Omaha, as a democratie mass convention. The republicans followed suit on Jannary 18th at Omaha. A special legislative session was convened on September 21, 1858.
Fifth Legislatire Session. Bowen and Curran were president and chief elerk of the Conneil, and H. P. Bennet, was speaker and E. G. McNeely, chief elerk of the House. A committee consisting of Hons. R. W. Furnas, W. E. Moore and Geo. W. Doane, reported resolutions upon the death of Sec. Thomas B. Cum- ing, which had oceurred on March 23, 1858. Representative S. G. Daily introduced a bill on November 1, to "abolish slavery in the Territory of Nebraska." It was referred to a special committee, consisting of S. G. Daily, James Stewart, John Taffe, D. P. Rankin, and William C. Fleming. Two reports, with the majority report being favorable, were returned, but the measure was finally laid upon the table.
Gov. S. W. BLACK. Gov. Samuel W. Black, arrived on May 2, 1859, and re- lieved Acting Gov. (Secretary) J. Sterling Morton of the reins of office. In the first months of his administration, events of interest that transpired were, among, of course, many others not detailed here :- The action in June, of advocates of annexation to Kansas who visited the Kansas constitutional convention. That body allowed them to be heard, but took no action toward extending the boundaries of that state; in August, the democratie convention at Plattsmouth, nominated the first democratic tieket, and the republicans followed with a similar convention nine days later, at Plattsmouth. From September 21-24, the first territorial agricultural and mechanical fair was held at Nebraska City. October 11, Chief Justice Fenner Ferguson died.
Sixth Session of Legislature. Convened at Omaha, December 5, 1859. Of the Council, E. A. Donelan, was president and S. M. Curran remained chief elerk; and in the House, Silas A. Strickland was speaker, and James W. Moore, chief elerk. In Governor Black's message he called attention to the fact that since 1854 the territory had expanded from eight counties, to twenty-three with representative there and thirty-five organized or their boundaries fixed by law. The fight over
150
HISTORY OF NEBRASKA
slavery -prang forth as the main issue in this session. William H. Taylor introduced a bill to abolish slavery in Nebraska, citing that the census of 1854 had shown thirteen slaves living in Nebraska, and gave the names of men who held slaves at the time he was pushing his measure. George L. Miller argued that the measure was not of sufficient importance to warrant the agitation it created, that Nebraska was in no danger of becoming either a slave territory or state, and George W. Doane concurred in his views. Similar attempts appeared in the House, but in the end they were all voted down for the time being. Another notable feature of this session was the first active attempt to raise Nebraska to statehood. A bill was passed at this session, submitting the proposition to the people of the state, and at an election on March 5, 1860. it was rejected by a vote of 2,373 to 2,094.
Seventh Legislature. This session convened on December 3, 1860, with Gov- ernor Black still in office. W. H. Taylor was president, and E. P. Brewster, chief elerk of the Council, and in the House. 11. W. DePuy was speaker and George L. Seybolt was chief clerk. During this session, slavery received its final quietus. John M. Thayer in the Council and Representative Mathias introduced bills, and when the House Bill was passed, then vetoed by the governor, it received passage over the veto. Governor Blaek was the last of the sneeession of demoeratie gov- ernors who had presided over the territory since 1854. He left the territory on May 2, 1861, and died on the field of battle in defense of the Union, in the second year of the war.
GOVERNOR SAUNDERS. Alvin Saunders, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, was ap- pointed governor, by President Lincoln, and with him, in May, 1861, came Alger- non S. Paddock, as secretary. Governor Saunders held the mantle of office until the actual installation of statehood in 1867, and during mueh of this time, See- retary Paddock was acting-governor at intervals. It was, of course, during Gover- nor Saunders' administration that the period of the Civil war, and Nebraska's height of Indian depredations took place, and he had a busy administration. Also, another important event of his administration was the projection into a reality, the Pacific Railroad. In his message to the Eighth Session of the Legislature, which convened December 2, 1861, the governor said :
"A mere glance at the map of the country will convince every intelligent mind that the great Platte Valley, which passes through the heart and runs nearly the entire length of Nebraska, is to furnish the route for the great central railroad, which is to connect the Atlantic and Pacific States and Territories."
The apportionment of $19.312 as Nebraska's share of the tax necessitated by the breaking out of the war was endorsed by the governor, and this session like- wise passed resolutions renewing Nebraska's vows of allegianee to the federal govern- ment, branding secession and nullification as treason against the general government and stamping Nebraska's position in the great struggle over the preservation of the Union, beyond doubt.
Nebraska's Part in the War. With a population of less than 30,000, Nebraska sent 3,304 men to fight for the preservation of the Union. Under the proclamation of President Lincoln calling for three years' volunteers, one regiment was assigned to Nebraska. Governor Saunders immediately called for volunteers to fill Nebraska's contingent. The first company was formed June 3, 1861, and the regiment was tilled within fifty days, by organization of the tenth company. July 22.
The officers who served this regiment were Colonels John M. Thayer (pro-
151
HISTORY OF NEBRASKA
moted to brigadier general October 4, 1862) and Robt. R. Livingston of Plattsmouth. Besides Colonel Livingston, the lieutenant colonels were Hiram P. Downs, of Nebraska City; Wm. D. MeCord, of Plattsmouth, and Win. Baumer of Omaha. Besides McCord, Livingston and Baumer, who had been promoted, the Majors were Allen Blacker, of Nebraska City, Geo. Armstrong, Omaha, and Thos. J. Majors of Brownville. The regiment composed of Companies A to K, inclusive. This regiment embarked at Omaha for the field of action on July 30, 1861, and were stationed in Missouri, going into winter quarters at Georgetown, February 2, 1862, they left for Tennessee, and from Fort Henry went to Fort Donelson, where in that siege they participated in their first real engagement, with General Lew Wallace as their division commander. They participated at Corinth, and scouted in the southwestern states in 1862 and 1863, coming to St. Louis in fall, and participating in numerous memorable occasions in the western field during 1863 and 1864. They assisted in Indian excursions prior to being mustered out of service on July 1, 1866.
The Second Regiment, Nebraska Cavalry, was organized in the fall of 1862, as a nine months regiment, and served about one year. Its activities were mainly in Nebraska, and Dakota in the Indian skirmishes. Colonel Robert W. Furnas of Brownville was in command, with W. F. Sapp of Omaha, as lieutenant colonel and Majors George Armstrong of Omaha, John Taffe, of Omaha, and John W. Pearman, of Nebraska City. When this Second Regiment was mustered out of service, in Sep- tember, 1863, Major George Armstrong was commissioned by Governor Saunders to raise an independent battalion cavalry from its veterans. This battalion, con- sisting mainly of Companies A, B, (' and D, were mustered into service as the First Battalion, Nebraska Veteran Cavalry, and assigned to duty on the plains. In July, 1865, this battalion was consolidated with the First Regiment, Nebraska Veteran Cavalry, and mustered out of service a year later.
When, in August, 1861, a call was issued for two companies of cavalry to join the First Nebraska Regiment (Infantry) two Companies, "A" at Omaha under Capt. M. T. Patrick, and "B" at Omaha, under Capt. J. T. Croft, were formed. They did not join the First Nebraska, but with two other companies, one from Nebraska City recruited around there and from Page County, lowa, under Capt. J. M. Young, and one recruited under Lient. Wm. Curl of St. Louis, were merged into the Fifth lowa Cavalry, under which name they went through the war, although also called the "Curtis Horse." They served their time in the Southwestern Army.
During the Indian outbreaks, centering around August, 1864, in addition to the handful of regulars available at the regular military posts, and the First Nebraska Veteran Volunteer Cavalry, and the many unofficial, hurried local organi- zations of settlers, along military plan, there were numerous companies of militia organized and called out by Governor Saunders. These included Companies A, B and C, First Regiment, Second Brigade, Company A, First Regiment, First Brigade, a detachment of thirteen men, artillery militia under Capt. Edward P. Childs ; and Company "A," Pawnee Scouts, under Capt. Frank North, and a com- pany of Omaha Indians, under Capt. Edwin R. Nash.
Ninth Session of Legislature. This session convened at Omaha, January 7, 1864. E. A. Allen was President and J. W. Hollingshead as Chief Clerk of the Council, and in the House, George B. Lake was Speaker and R. Streeter, Chief Clerk. Governor Saunders in his message referred to the prosperous condition of
Vol. 1 -11
152
HISTORY OF NEBRASKA
the territory, and paid high tribute to the courage and high patriotism of the Nebraska Volunteers.
Tenth Session of Legislature. Convened at Omaha, January 5, 1865, and elected O. P. Mason, President and John S. Bowen, Chief Clerk of the Council, and in the Ilouse, S. M. Kirkpatrick was Speaker and John Taffe, Chief Clerk. Governor Saunders had desired only one term, but in February, 1865, joint resolutions were passed urging his re-appointment, and that of Secretary Paddock.
The Eleventh Session met at Omaha, January 4, 1866. O. P. Mason remained as President and W. E. Harvey was chosen as Chief Clerk of the Council. Jas. G. Megeath was speaker and George May, chief clerk of the House. This session author- ized the people of the Territory to vote upon the question of statehood.
The Twelfth and Last Territorial Legislature. This session convened January 10, 1867, after the first provisional (state) Legislature had convened on the preced- ing .July 4th. E. H. Rogers was President and O. B. Hewitt, Chief Clerk of this session's Council, and in the House, W. F. Chapin was speaker and J. S. Bowen remained as Chief Clerk. This was an uneventful, valedictory session, as statehood was now virtually an accomplished fact.
THE EVOLUTION INTO STATEHOOD
1862-3. During this session of Congress, a bill was introduced, authorizing the territories of Nebraska, Colorado and Nevada to take the preliminary steps toward admission into the Union as states. This measure did not reach final action during the life of that session.
1864. On April 19th, an act of Congress was approved by the President and became a law, enabling the people of Nebraska to form a State constitution and government. But the continuance of the war, the Indian trouble pending about that time, and concurrent conditions rendered immediate action upon this permis- sion inexpedient.
1866. February 9, the action of the Territorial Legislature made local provision for carrying that law into effect.
June 2, an election was held to decide the question. The tabulation of this vote will serve to show the closeness of the question even then, and also the develop- ment of the state, illustrating what counties were then formed.
Counties
For
Against
Burt
42
Buffalo
1
41
('edar
12
39
Cuming
31
41
C'ass
233
480
Dixon
34
36
Dakota
106
32
Douglas
491
572
Dodge
96
15
Gage
96
61
Hall
2
29
Johnson
108
69
153
HISTORY OF NEBRASKA
Counties
For
Against
Jones
32
13
Kearney
21
L'Eau-qui-Court (now Knox) no returns
. .
Laneaster
95
23
Lincoln
30
20
Merrick
16
8
Nemaha
346
489
Otoe
432
870
Platte
123
55
Pawnee
233
31
Richardson
503
373
Sarpy
109
231
Seward
23
24
Saline
5
54
Washington
404
89
Soldiers' vote
134
34
3938
3838
The closeness of this vote might be puzzling, viewed fifty or sixty years in the retrospective were not the explanation made that considerable politics was injected into this question. The republican party in President Johnson's administration was somewhat divided, and a coalition of the Johnson or liberal wing of that party, with the democrats, especially for patronage and like purposes, alarmed such of the republicans as those in Nebraska. The republicans of Nebraska desired the adoption of the constitution and to secure two senators and a representative to help sway the narrow margin at Washington ; while the democrats worked almost as hard against the adoption of the statehood instrument as for their own ticket.
July 4, 1866. According to the provision of the new Constitution therefor, the first provisional (state) legislature met on this date, at Omaha. F. Weleh was President and C. E. Yost, Chief Clerk of the Council, and W. A. Pollock, Speaker, and J. H. Brown, Chief Clerk of the House. Perhaps the most remarkable achieve- ment of this session was the election of two men to the U. S. Senate, both of whom had won their military spurs, Maj .- Gen. John M. Thayer, being elected "the senator from the North Platte" and Chaplain Thomas W. Tipton, "the senator from the South Platte" and the "state of Nebraska" being disregarded in the designations. Hon. T. M. Marquette had been elected as the first representative.
July 18. 1866. A bill was introduced into the National Congress to provide for the admission of Nebraska, and passed on July 28th, but owing to the near approach of the end of the session, the quiet pocketing of that bill by President Johnson was all that was needed to prevent its becoming a law at that time. Congress adjourned and left the embryo state out in the cold, with a set of state officials, legislature and everything elected ready to function ; but its charter not issued yet.
December, 1866. When Congress convened, somewhat new conditions had taken place and the republicans, with their solidarity strengthened were not worrying so much about new accessions of numerical membership. While the Fifteenth amendment had not yet been adopted, the stalwart feeling in favor of a franchise
154
HISTORY OF NEBRASKA
unlimited in the color line was rapidly growing. The conservative gentlemen who framed the new Nebraska constitution had inserted the word "white" in the franchising qualifications, and as this was a factor not provided for in the enabling act, opened the path for further obstacles. Then the representatives of the older states were now more interested in preserving their sectional and individual weight then granting accessions to the rapidly growing and menacing Northwest. But in January, 1867, a bill looking to the admission of Nebraska received the indorse- ment of Congress. But it was promptly vetoed by the President, on the ground it embraced the conditions referred to not covered in the enabling act: that the proceedings attending the formation of the constitution were different from those prescribed, and that the population of the territory did not justify its becoming a state. The bill, however, was passed over the President's veto, by a vote of 30 to 9 in the Senate and by a vote, the day following, in the House, of 120 to 44. But the provision was added that the act was not to take effect,
"Except upon the fundamental condition that within the State of Nebraska there shall be no denial of the elective franchise, or any other right, to any person by reason of race or color, except Indians not taxed : and upon the further fundamental condition that the Legislature of said State, by a solemn public act, shall declare the assent of said State to the said fundamental condition."
February 14, 1861. Territorial Governor Sannders, still the Chief Executive of Nebraska issued a proclamation calling together the newly elected state legislature to comply with the conditions above set forth.
February 20, 1861. Immediate action was taken upon this subject, and a bill was passed by the Senate, by a vote of seven to three, and by the House, twenty to six, and approved by the governor. The Legislature provided for the formal notifieation of the President of the United States of the acceptance of the conditions preseribed, and then adjourned.
March 1, 1867. President Andrew Johnson issued the proclamation declaring Nebraska a state. The next day, Hon. T. M. Marquette presented his credentials in the national House of Representatives and consummated the bond. The two senators, by waiting two days lengthened their terms a couple of years, but Marquette was tired of Washington, so he qualified, cast a few votes in two days and came home.
OFFICIAL KOSTER OF THE TERRITORY
Governors. Francis Burt, October 16, 1854; died October 18th. (Acting Gov. Thomas B. Cuming served in the following interim. ) 2nd. Governor Mark W. Izard, Feb. 20, 1855; (AActing Gov. Thos. B. Onming, served again after Gov- ernor Izard's resignation October 25, 1857). 3d. Wm. A. Richardson, January 12, 1858 (Secretary J. Sterling Morton, acting governor from December 5, 1858, to May 2. 1859). 4th. Samnel W. Black, May 2, 1859 (with Morton aeting governor again in 1861. February to May). 5th. Alvin Saunders, May 15, 1861 (with Sec- retary A. S. Paddock, as acting governor for a portion of the time from 1861-1867).
Secretaries. Thomas B. Cuming, August 13, 1854; John B. Motley, acting March 23-July 12, 1858, until the arrival of J. Sterling Morton, who served from July 12. 1858, until May 6, 1861, and Algernon S. Paddock, May 6, 1861, until 1867.
155
HISTORY OF NEBRASKA
Auditors. Chas, B. Smith, Mar. 16, 1855; Samuel S. Campbell, Aug. 3, 1857; Wm. E. Moore, June 1, 1858 : Robert (. Jordon, August 2, 1858; Wm. E. Harvey, Oct. 8, 1861; John Gillespie. Oct. 10, 1865.
Treasurer. B. P. Rankin, Mar. 16, 1855; Wm. W. Wyman, Nov. 6, 1855; Augustus Kountze, Oct. 8, 1861.
Librarians. James S. Izard, Mar. 16, 1855: H. C. Anderson, Nov. 6, 1855; John H. Kellom, Aug. 3, 1857 : Alonzo D. Luce, Nov. 7, 1859 ; Robt. S. Knox. 1861.
Judiciary. Chief Justices were. Fenner Ferguson, October 12, 1854; Augustus Hall, March 15, 1858 : William Pitt Kellogg, May 27, 1861 ; William Kellogg, May 8, 1865; William A. Little, who died in office, 1866.
Associate Justices, James Bradley, Oct. 25, 1854: Edward R. Ilarden, Dec. 4, 1854: Sammel W. Black, 1857: Eleazer Wakely, April 22, 1857; Joseph Miller, April 9, 1859; Wm. E. Loekwood, May 16, 1861; Joseph E. Streeter, Nov. 18, 1861; Elmer S. Dundy, June 22, 1863.
Clerks were H. C. Anderson, 1856; Charles S. Salisbury, 1858; E. B. Chandler, 1859 ; John H. Kellom, 1861; William Kellogg, Jr., 1865.
District Attorneys were S. A. Strickland, June 11, 1855: Jonathan H. Smith, June 9, 1855; D. S. MeGary, May 10, 1855; John M. Latham, Jacob Safford, William Kline, Nov. 6, 1855; Jas. G. Chapman, William McLennan, George W. Doane, Aug. 3, 1857, U. C. Johnson, October 11, 1859.
Delegates to Congress. Napoleon B. Gidding, December 12, 1854; Bird B. Chapman, November 6, 1855, who defeated Hiram P. Bennett by a vote of 380 to 292; Fenner Ferguson, Angust 3, 1857, who had received 1,642 votes to Chapman, 1,559 ; Benj. P. Rankin, 1,241, John M. Thayer, 1,171 and 21 scattering in a total of 5,634. Experience Estabrook, October 11, 1859, whose vote of 3,100 defeated Samuel G. Daily with 2,800; J. Sterling Morton, in 1860, with 2,957 votes, defeated Samuel G. Daily, who had 2,943; Samuel G. Daily, in election of 1862, with 2,331 votes this time won out over John F. Kinney, who polled 2,180 votes; Phineas W. Hitchcock polled 3,421 over George L. Miller, 2,399 votes in the election of 1864.
U. S. Marshals. Mark W. Izard, Oct. 28, 1854; Eli R. Doyle, April 7, 1855; Benjamin P. Rankin, March 29, 1856: Phineas W. Hitcheoek, Sept. 19, 1861; andi Casper E. Yost, April 1, 1865.
CHAPTER VII
NEBRASKA'S GOVERNMENT AS A STATE
.
GOVERNOR BUTLER'S FIRST ADMINISTRATION (1867-9)-CHANGE IN CAPITAL- BUTLER'S SECOND ADMINISTRATION-BUTLER'S THIRD ADMINISTRATION 1871- THIE IMPEACHMENT OF A GOVERNOR- GOVERNOR FURNAS'S ADMINISTRATION (1873-5)-GOVERNOR GARBER'S ADMINISTRATION (1875-7)-THE CONSTITUTION OF 1875-GOVERNOR GARBER'S SECOND ADMINISTRATION (1877-9)-GOVERNOR NANCE'S ADMINISTRATIONS (1879-1883)-GOVERNOR DAWES' ADMINISTRATIONS (1883-1887)-GOVERNOR THAYER'S ADMINISTRATIONS (1887-1891)-GOVERNOR BOYD'S ADMINISTRATION (1891-3)-GOVERNOR CROUNSE'S ADMINISTRATION (1893-5)-GOVERNOR HOLCOMB'S ADMINISTRATION (1895-1899) -NEBRASKA IN THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR-GOVERNOR POYNTER'S ADMINISTRATION (1899- 1901)-GOVERNORS DIETRICHI-SAVAGE ADMINISTRATION (1901-3)-GOVERNOR MICKEY'S ADMINISTRATIONS (1903-1907)-GOVERNOR SHELDON'S ADMINISTRATION (1907-1909)- GOVERNOR SHALLENBERGER'S ADMINISTRATION (1909-1911)- GOVERNOR ALDRICH'S ADMINISTRATION (1911-13)-GOVERNOR MOREHEAD'S AD- MINISTRATIONS (1913-1917)- GOVERNOR NEVILLE'S ADMINISTRATION (1917-1919) -SEMI-CENTENNIAL STATEHOOD CELEBRATION, 1917 -- NEBRASKA IN THE WORLD WAR-GOVERNOR MO KELVIE'S ADMINISTRATION (1919-1921)-CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF 1920-STATE INSTITUTIONS-ROSTER OF STATE OFFICERS.
The territorial survey has brought Nebraska down to the point of her estab- lishment as a separate state. From this point on, March, 1867, we will make a brief survey of the State Government, first; dividing it into the units of the admin- istrations of her various governors, perhaps as expedient as any other arrangement, and at the same time, carrying along the progression of the various activities, both chronologically and topically.
GOVERNOR BUTLER'S FIRST ADMINISTRATION. The new Constitution (1866) provided that the senators and representatives, and the state officers should be chosen at biennial elections on the second Tuesday in October. But the election of the first set of officers took place on June 2, 1866. It was at that time Hon. T. M. Marquette was elected representative in Congress, over J. Sterling Morton, by a vote of 4,821 to 4,105. But the first regular election was held in October, 1866, even though the young state was still out of the Union, and it was then that Hon. John Taffe secured 4,820 votes while A. S. Paddock received but 4.022 and the brilliant but cecentrie George Francis Train but 30. The first state governor, David Butler by a vote of 4,093 defeated J. Sterling Morton with 3,948. Associated with this first governor, furnished by Pawnee County, as the other state officers for the young state were: Thomas P. Kennard, secretary of state and librarian : John Gillespie, elected to pass from territorial to state official
156
157
HISTORY OF NEBRASKA
family, as auditor; Augustus Kountze, treasurer, another of the territorial official family who was retained; Champion S. Chase, chosen for the new office of attorney- general. Governor Butler, a native of Indiana, who had lived in Nebraska since 1858, had a public record of service in both houses of the Territorial Legislature. Ile at once called a special session of the Legislature, in his proclamation of April 4th, and that session convened May 18, 1867. This session was called for the purpose of enacting laws and amending of existing statutes to harmonize with the new order of government.
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.