USA > Nebraska > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. I > Part 42
USA > Nebraska > Clay County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. I > Part 42
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Kansas-Nebraska Boundary Line. George W. Martin. Ms. Library of Nebraska State Historical Society.
Organization of Parties.
Ilistory of Nebraska, v. 1. chap. 12.
TERRITORIAL BANKING.
Illustrated History of Nebraska, v. 2, chap. 1, and references.
Banking in Nebraska. Henry W. Yates. Illustrated History of Nebraska, v. 2, chap. 8.
Wild Cat Banks. A. G. Warner. Transactions Nebraska State His- torical Society, v. 2. p. 22.
Early Nebraska Currency and Per Capita Circulation. Henry W. Yates. Transactions Nebraska State Historical Society, v. 1, 2d series, p. 67. Some Financial Fallacies among the Pioneers of Nebraska. J. Sterling Morton. Ibid., v. 1. 2d series. p. 201.
SLAVERY IN NEBRASKA.
Illustrated History of Nebraska, v. 2, chap. 2. Transactions Nebraska Stato Historical Society, v. 1, 2d series, p. 109. Underground Railroad in Nebraska. Alice A. Minick. Transactions Nebraska State Historical Society, v. 2, 20 series, p. 70.
THE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD.
Illustrated History of Nebraska. v. 2, chap. 3. Western Incidents Connected With the Union Pacific Railroad. Seymour. History of Union Pacific Railroad. Davis. How We Built Union Pacific. Gen. G. M. Dodge.
327
HISTORY OF NEBRASKA
MORMONS IN NEBRASKA.
Illustrated llistory of Nebraska, v. 2, chap. 4. Mormon Settlements in the Missouri Valley. AAitchison. Transactions Nebraska State Historical Society, v. 10. 2d series, p. 7.
MILITARY HISTORY.
Illustrated Ilistory of Nebraska, v. 2, chap, 5. Colonel Leavenworth's Arikara Expedition. Ibid., p. 141. Explorations in Nebraska. Lient. G. K. Warren. Executive Docu- ments, 1858-59, v. 2, Doc. 2, p. 669.
First session 18th Congress, v. 1, Doc. 2, p. 90. In the Library of Chicago University.
Indian Wars on the Nebraska Plains, 1864-1880. Albert Watkins. Ms. Library of Nebraska State Ilistorical Society.
Pewnee expedition, 1859. John M. Thayer. Transactions Nebraska State Historical Society, v. 5, 2d series, p. 232.
The Indian Campaign of 1864. Eugene F. Ware. Ms. Library of Nebraska State Historical Society.
Adventures of Major Frank North. Ms. Library Nebraska State His- torical Society.
History of Nebraska. Andreas, p. 227. The Utah Mormon Expedition, 1857. Capt. John I. Ginn.
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.
Illustrated History of Nebraska, v. 2, chap. 7. Address of J. Sterling Morton, ibid., v. 1, p. 390, foot note. First Territorial Fair, ibid., v. 1, p. 387. Salt Works, ibid., v. 2, p. 275. Salt Works, Transactions State Historical Society, v. 3, p. 87. History of the Lincoln Salt Basin. Ames. Ibid., v. 15, p. 83.
TERRITORIAL PRESS.
Illustrated llistory of Nebraska, v. 2, chap. 9.
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.
Illustrated Ilistory of Nebraska, v. 2, chaps. 12-21. Life and Labors of Reuben Gaylord. Gaylord. History of Nebraska Methodism. David Marquette. Ms. by Samuel Allis. Library of Nebraska State Historical Society. Ms. by John Dunbar. Library of Nebraska State Historical Society. Sketch and Diary of Moses Merrill. Transactions Nebraska State Ilis- torical Society, v. 4, pp. 157-191.
Illustrated History of Nebraska, v. 1, p. 72, foot note 3.
Ibid., v. 2, p. 244 foot note 4. Ibid., v. 2. p. 249, foot note 5.
HISTORY OF NEBRASKA
Ibid., v. 1, p. 222, foot note 2 and cut. Ibid., v. 2, p. 253, foot note 2. Life, Letters and Travels of Father Pierre-Jean De Smet. S. J. 1801-1843. De Smet, according to index.
Congregational Church in Nebraska. Miscellaneous Documents. State Law Library. Solitary Places Made Glad. Henry T. Davis.
Four Years of Cooperation. A. D. Williams. Congregational Nebraska. Motier A. Bullock. The First Catholic Priest in Nebraska. Michael A. Shine. Ms. Library of Nebraska State Historical Society.
ADMISSION TO STATEHOOD.
Illustrated History of Nebraska. v. 1. chaps. 14-15. Admission of Nebraska into the Union. Charles H. Gere. Transactions Nebraska State Historical Society, v. 1. p. 162.
CAPITAL REMOVAL.
Illustrated History of Nebraska, forthcoming v. 3, chap. 1.
THE FOUNDING OF LINCOLN.
Illustrated History of Nebraska, v. 3.
GRASSHOPPER INVASION.
Report of the Secretary of the Interior. 1864. Executive Documents, 1864-65, v. 5, pp. 492, 526. Ibid., Executive Documents, 1868-69, p. 689. Transactions Nebraska State Historical Society. v. 10, 2d series. p. 122. Illustrated History of Nebraska, v. 3. Indian Wars on the Nebraska Plains, 1864-1880. Albert Watkins. Ms. Library of Nebraska State Historical Society, pp. 65. 11. 85. 90, 139, 144. Reminiscences. Edgar Reynolds. Ms. Library of Nebraska State His- torical Society. Laws of Nebraska, 1825. p. 173. Ibid., 1872, pp. 63, 154, 253. Nebraska Senate Journal, 1875. pp. 54, 88. 91, 93. Ibid., 1876. p. 104. Clippings. Library of Nebraska State Historical Society.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS, 1821, 1825.
Official Report Debates and Proceedings in the Nebraska Constitutional Convention, 1871. Addison E. Sheldon. Nebraska State Historical Society Publications, v. 11, 12. Illustrated History of Nebraska, v. 3. The Nebraska Constitution. Charles S. Lobingier. Transactions Nebraska State Ilistorical Society, v. 5, 2d series, p. 96.
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HISTORY OF NEBRASKA
LIQUOR TRAFFIC IN NEBRASKA.
Regulation of the Liquor Traffic in Nebraska. Albert Watkins. Ms. Library of Nebraska State Historical Society. First Prohibition Law in America. Melvin R. Gilmore. Journal of American History, v. 4, No. 3, p. 397.
TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES,
History of Nebraska, p. 210. Andreas. History of the Nebraska W. C. T. U. Ada M. Bittenbender.
STATE UNIVERSITY.
Illustrated Ilistory of Nebraska, v. 3. History of the University of Nebraska. Albert Watkins. Report Superintendent Publie Instruction, Nebraska, 1910, p. 630. A Brief History of the University of Nebraska. II. W. Caldwell. Transactions Nebraska State Historical Society, v. 3, p. 201.
INVESTIGATIONS OF STATE ADMINISTRATION AND IMPEACHMENT OF STATE OFFICERS.
Senate and House Journals, 1893. Illustrated History of Nebraska, v. 3.
MIIE FARMERS' ALLIANCE MOVEMENT.
Illustrated Ilistory of Nebraska, v. 3. The Farmers' Alliance in Nebraska. Thompson. Transactions Nebraska State Historical Society, v. 5, 2d series, p. 199.
THE GOLD-SILVER SCHISM.
Illustrated Ilistory of Nebraska, v. 3.
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE STATE.
Illustrated Ilistory of Nebraska, v. 3. Biennial Reports Bureau of Labor and Statistics, v. 1-10. Bulletins Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 1902 to date. Address of Governor Ashton (. Shallenberger at the Astorian Centennial Celebration, Bellevue, June 23, 1910.
Historical Sketch. A. E. Sheldon. Semi-Centennial History of Nebraska. p. 114. Clippings, Library of Nebraska State Historical Society. Bulletins of Nebraska Conservation and Welfare Commission.
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Vol. 1-22
U
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE L. BURR
CHAPTER I
THE SETTLEMENT OF HAMILTON COUNTY
LOCATION OF THE COUNTY-CLIMATE-EARLY RANCHES-COMING OUT WEST- EARLIEST SETTLERS-INDIAN DAYS-HEALTH-WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU-EDUCA- TIONAL-STOCKHAM MILLS-INHABITANTS, WEALTH- SHEEP, SWINE AND GAR- DENS-STOCK BREEDING- SMALL VEGETABLES-SMALL GRAINS-CORN-GRASSES -TIMBER CULTURE-FRUIT- RAINFALL-CLIMATE-TOPOGRAPHICAL AND SOIL.
Hamilton county is located in the finest agricultural section of the state, and is bounded on the east by Polk and York, on the south by Clay, on the west by Hall and on the north by Merrick counties, the Platte river flowing in a north- easterly direction, forming the boundary line between Merrick and Hamilton counties and contains three hundred and fifty-seven thousand, one hundred and twenty acres of the most fertile lands of the state, of which two hundred and thirty-seven thousand eight hundred and six acres are taxable.
It ineludes the territory lying between the east line of range 5, and the west line of range 8, and the south line of township 9, and the Platte river, and con- tains 345,045 acres of land, of unsurpassed fertility and productiveness. The surface is gently undulating, rising in long, gradual "slopes," from the valleys of the streams, to the tops of the "divides," separating them. Four principal streams have their sourees in this county, and flow in an easterly direction through it. The North Blue heads in town 12, range 7, and flows in a north- eastern direction; Lincoln creek, rising in the north part of town 10, range 8, follows closely along the town line, between towns 10 and 11, to the east side of the county; Beaver creek heads in the southwest part of town 10, range 8, and also flows in nearly a direct easterly course through the entire breadth of the county; and the Blue river flows eastwardly through the southern tier of townships. The latter stream is the most important, always containing a plentiful supply of running water, and having some excellent mill sites. The soil is a rich, dark loam, from one to four feet deep, with an alluvial sub-soil extending to a depth of from ten to twenty-five feet. This sub-soil is strongly charged with comminuted silica, and is virtually identical with the celebrated loess deposit of the Nile valley. So long as this alluvial shall endure the fertility of Hamilton county's broad aeres will be undiminished. Underlying this deposit is a bed of sand, which contains a never-failing supply of pure fresh water, which is easily reached by "boring," or by "driving." This water is of the greatest imaginable benefit, as it is carried to the surface by capillary attraction, and sustains vegetation through long periods of drouth, and keeps it green and vig- orous under conditions which would utterly destroy it in most sections of the country.
('LIMATE
The climate is unsurpassed by that of any section of the country in this lati- tude. Spring and summer are characterized by frequent showers of rain which
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
seem to fall at just the right time. The summers are delightful, the warm rays of the sun being tempered hy cool breezes that never fail in their coming, while the harvest season cannot be surpassed by any country. The winters are mild and dry, with but little snow, and the bright warm sunshine makes them as com- pared to the vigorous snow and frost bound winters of the eastern states very mild and pleasant seasons. The extreme dryness of the atmosphere makes the winters much more endurable here than in other portions of the country. Occa- sionally a severe storm of snow or a destruetive wind visits this locality, but the history of the past records but few. No miasmatie influences prevail and malaria is comparatively unknown. The soil from two to three fect in depth and in many places much deeper, resembles a composite of artificial monld somewhat different from the prevailing natural soil, and is in all appearances like the finest garden mould, dark in color, easily worked, and eminently productive. It is not too porons, so that it will not hold water for the sustenance of vegetation, nor is it too compaet or solid, holding all the water that falls upon it at the surface. It is of such a nature that the fibrous roots of trees and plants are found at a depth varying from five to twenty feet, and possesses the many good qualities which enable the husbandman to produce a variety of crops, and it never dis- appoints him where properly tilled.
At the periods of the county's history when the Indian tribes, not then reduced by the encroachments of a more powerful race, passed their time in the hunt and chase, or in measuring their prowess with other tribes, this was a vast unexplored region with no inhabitants but the red men, and the buffalo, deer, elk and antelope. The wild gazelle, with silvery feet of romance and song. still roamed in happy freedom over the trackless oceans of grasses, and held undisputed sway over the mighty meadows of the boundless West.
EARLY RANCHES
"Ranches" were established along the trail for the accommodation of freighters. The first of these ranches established in this county was that of David Millspaw, on Section 11, Town 10, Range 5, in the year 1861. The next year, 1862, John Harris and Alfred Ble established the famous "Deep Well Ranch," on the Beaver, two miles and a half north of the site of the town of Bromfield. In 1863 an overland stage line was put in operation between Nebraska City and Fort Kearney, and "Prairie Camp," a relay station, was established six miles west of the Millspaw raneh. A second trail crossed the county following the Platte bottom. This was first traveled by the military, and subsequently by the "forty-niners," and was called the "Old Fort Kearney," or "Pike's Peak Trail." Abont 1862, J. T. Briggs established a ranch on this trail near the Platte. These several ranches flourished until 1867, when the advent of the iron horse supplanted the ox and mule team of the freighter. Traces of these old trails ean be seen at this day. but they are rapidly disappearing under the plow of the husbandman.
The first white men to eneroach on the domain of the savage was the Indian expedition of Gen. Kearney, in 1835, which crossed this county on the line of the old trail between Lincoln and Beaver creeks. J. P. Elliott, one
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
of the first settlers of Aurora Precinet, accompanied that expedition. In 1842 the exploring party of Gen. John C. Fremont crossed the county, and they were followed five or six years later by the Mormons, in their long weary journey from Nauvoo, Illinois, to Salt Lake. A deep, wide "trail" marked the course of their march. This was known as the "Old Mormon Trail," and was the route traveled by the freight and stage lines, between Nebraska City and Fort Kearney, until the building of the Union Pacific Railroad superseded these modes of conveyance. One of these transportation companies tried the experi- ment of drawing the freight wagons by a steam road engine. The experiment proved a failure, but it served to give the old trail a new name, that of the "Steam Wagon Trail."
Occasionally the county has been visited by severe snow storms termed "blizzards," which usually continue from twelve to forty-eight hours. They are characterized by a high north wind, while air is filled with a whirling, driving, sifting mass of snow. Probably the most severe of these storms was the celebrated "Easter Storm" of April 13, 1873, which raged with great fury during three days. The air was filled with a blinding cloud of snow, which was so dense as to render objects at a few yards distance entirely invis- ible. The weather was not cold and the snow was wet and heavy. Considerable stock perished during this storm, but no lives were lost in this county, although some of the adjoining counties were not so fortunate. The storm was very seriously felt by the settlers, as they were in many cases poorly provided, not only with proper shelter for stoek, but even in the matter of shelter for their families. One can hardly appreciate the hardships to which the early settlers of this county were exposed, certainly not one who has come here within the last decade. The conditions now are so entirely different that it is difficult to realize that scarce a score of years ago this was a boundless plain, unmarked by the hand of civilization.
Where now are seen peaceful farms and hamlets, with herds of cattle and horses quietly feeding in the green meadows, vast herds of buffalo, elk, deer and antelope were wont to roam, when first the feet of the settler trod these plains. These herds contributed liberally to supply the larder of the pioneer, however, and were highly appreciated at a time when the nearest trading point was Nebraska City. They soon disappeared, however before the advance of civili- zation, and the last great herd of buffalo left in 1869 to return no more. Elk, Deer and antelope remained a little longer, and ten years after the disappearance of the buffalo, occasional bands of antelopes could be seen.
Thus Hamilton County of to-day, whose beautiful farms, and busy, thriving cities and villages, was but a generation ago the hunting grounds of the Indian, who "untrameled by law" pursued the immense herds of buffalo, elk, deer and antelope which fed on the luxuriant grasses, with which bountiful nature had carpeted her valleys, hills and sloping plains.
THE EARLIEST SETTLERS
The first frame house was erected by F. II. Clark in 1870, the lumber being hauled from Grand Island.
The first birth in the county took place at the Millspaw Ranch, a son to
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
John and Rosy MeClellan and grandson to David Millspaw. This transpired in the fall of 1861 and two years later the first death took place at this same ranch in the removal of the above mentioned child in the summer of 1863, and was buried on the prairie near the site of the old ranch.
The first birth on record was a son to C. O. Wescott (Orville Wescott) from whom the town of Orville, received its name.
The first marriage was that of Phillip Hart to Elizabeth Ellen Verley, August 21. 1870, by Robert Lamont, Probate Judge. The first death was that of the wife of J. D. Wescott.
The first election was held at the house of John Harris on the Blue, May 3, 1870.
The first case tried in the district court was a divorce suit at a term of this court, presided over by Hon. George B. Lake. Mr. E. W. Denio and Mr. Darnell were the counsel retained, and were the first lawyers who practised in the county.
The first Fourth of July celebration was held, in the year 1870, in a grove on the south side of the Blue, the property of Mr. J. D. Wescott. The oration was delivered by B. D. Brown, the orator of the day, it being his first attempt, and also the first oration listened to in the county.
The first crime committed was the murder of a Mr. Johnson, of Illinois, in August, 1870. In company with Mr. F. Sawyer, of Lincoln, Nebraska, he had been looking at the county, and it is supposed Sawyer murdered him for his money, while they were returning to Lincoln.
Johnson's body was found several days after, lying on the prairie in this county, and Sawyer was arrested on suspicion at Lincoln and brought back to Hamilton County for preliminary examination, which took place before Justice of the Peace John Brown, at the house of James Waddle, about the 1st of September. Ile was bound over, and sent to Lincoln for safe keeping, where he was discharged from custody on a writ of habeas corpus.
.In the winter of 1870 Mr. James Rollo had the misfortune to temporarily lose his eyesight. At this time he was living in a small dng-out, on the Blue River. The winter being quite severe. the settlers in the immediate vicinity proposed to make a chopping-bee, and ent, score and hew the logs for a new house. Mr. Rollo decided to celebrate the event by giving his friends what was considered a rare treat in those days of bachelorhood, a huge cake. Mr. John Harris was solicited, and accepted the appointment of cook, and one Sunday morning found him hard at work in Mr. Rollo's dug-ont, fulfilling the duties of his appointment. The ingredients used in preparing the cake were: two pounds and.a half of sugar, two dozen eggs and flour in proportion. They were stirred together with all the skill he possessed and put to bake in an old bake oven at 9 A. M. After six hours of careful watching it came out in all its greatness fully as large as a half-bushel.
On Monday the settlers gathered and soon their busy axes made the little timber-grove ring. At noon the work was well under way and all hands sus- pended operations to sample the cake. A gallon of sorghum was served as a relish, brought on in an old coffee-pot, and all made a hearty meal, carrying the fragments to their several homes.
In later years, in many of the dwellings of those who participated in the
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
.
event, may be found a well-kept and cherished relie, a piece of this well remem- bered cake.
INDIAN DAYS
While the early settlers were never really molested by the Indians, they were in constant apprehension of a visit from those turbulent denizens of the plains, and the slightest indication of their advent served to call the little band of brave men together, armed for the fray. One or two incidents will serve to illustrate this.
In the fall of 1868 a stranger dashed up to the door of "Jarv." Chaffee's dug-out, his horse covered by foam, and said he had been chased six miles by a band of Indians. The alarm was at once spread down the river, and in a short time a dozen men were assembled, well armed and mounted. Among them were Charles White, Robert Ilendersson, Alex Salmon, Hugh Ketchum, Robert Waddle, Norris M. Bray, C. O. Weseott, Dan George, R. Fairbanks, John Harris and Alex Laurie. They at once started up the river to meet the foe. After riding for several hours, seouring the "draws" along the river, night overtook them, without having seen any traees of Indians. They had reached what is now Scoville Preeinet, and concluded to camp there till morning, which they did, sitting down on the prairie and holding their horses. During the night they were disturbed by observing some kind of animal prowling around through their camp. Investigation revealed the fact that it was one of their own number, Alex Salmon, moving around on his hands and knees. Asked what he was looking for, he replied that he was "hunting a hole in which to put his pieket pin so he could go to sleep."
The next morning, no signs of Indians being seen, they decided that the stranger had been lying and returned to their homes. The same day a party of Indians attacked the raneh of Mr. Wall, a few miles farther west, in Hall County.
On another occasion Mrs. James Waddle was alone at her home with her children, when she observed a party of horsemen eoming over the hill toward the house. As this was off the line of travel, she concluded at onee that the strangers were Indians, and determined to defend her home and little ones to the death. The house consisted of two rooms, the front or main room being built of logs, and the rear being a "dug-out" with a door conneeting them. Instantly putting the children in the dug-out, she placed a large meat barrel in the open doorway, then arming herself with several revolvers, and Bob's rifle, she eoneealed herself in the barrel and awaited the attack. When the party eame up she was relieved to find they were whites, a band of "gold-diggers," on their way to California. With her characteristie hospitality, for which she is so deservedly famous, she supplied their inner wants, and sent them on their way rejoicing.
The first post-offiee was established on the Blue, at the house of Robert Lamont, who was appointed postmaster. The post-office was named Verona, and continued under that name until its removal to Orville City. In the spring of 1871, a second post-offiee was established on Lineoln Creek, at the house of S. W. Spafford, with S. W. Spafford as postmaster. A weekly mail route was
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
established, L. W. Hastings, contractor, from Seward to Grand island, via York and Spafford's Grove, and in the spring of 1872 another office, called Williams- port, was established at William Werth's place. Later this office was moved to the house of G. W. Hiatt on the "State Road" the town line between Town- ships 10 and 11.
Mr. Hastings being the first mail carrier had quite an amusing incident occur on one of his trips.
It happened upon one dark night in the winter of 1871 and 1872, as he was journeying westward from New York to Aurora, that he lost his way. The roads were travelled but little, and the snow blown by the winds filled the tracks as fast as they were made. After groping about in the dark for some time, he took a star for his guide, hoping to reach Lincoln Creek and follow it home. All at once the horses came to a full stop, and refused to go any farther. He urged them, applied his whip with vigor, but still they refused to move. He got out of his buggy, and found he had been trying to make his horses climb a dug-out, owned by Mrs. Fodge. He found the steps leading down and knocked at the door; a voice within called out, "Who's there?" "Answer me, where am I?"
From inside-"You are there at the door." "Yes, I know, but where am I?" "At the door, I say." "Yes, but what part of the country, I mean?" "In Nebraska." "Yes, I know, but which way from Aurora?" "Oh, you are east from Aurora." The mail carrier, getting desperate, cried out, "Well, open this door and see if you can tell me the road to Aurora." "Oh, you are lost, are you?" Whereupon they put him upon his course, so that after being started twice, he went on his way, rejoicing.
From the little handful of eighteen sturdy pioneers who assembled at the house of John Harris barely twenty years ago to organize the county, their followers have increased to a population of nearly or quite 15,000, and their possessions to an assessed valuation of over $2,000,000.
T. A. McKay, retired, Hamilton (served as treasurer from 1878 to 1882) ; Rob- ert Waddle, meat market, Aurora ; E. J. Waddle, banker, Aurora ; T. B. Johnson, editor and publisher, Stoekham (served as Representative in 1877 and 1878, and in 1881 and 1882); Joseph Stockham (was commissioner from 1882 to 1885) ; Gen. Delevan Bates, banker, Aurora (served as superintendent in 1876 and 1877, has also served the city of Aurora as treasurer, councilman and mayor) ; R. W. Graybill, attorney at law, Aurora (was Representative in 1879 and 1880).
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