USA > Nebraska > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. I > Part 76
USA > Nebraska > Clay County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. I > Part 76
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965
1,065
590
Dewesse village
144
Edgar eity
996
1,080
1,040
Fairfield city
784
1,054
1,203
Glenville village
400
304
246
Harvard city
991
1,102
849
Ong village
265
285
Saronville village
141
Sutton city
1,603
1,702
1,365
Trumbull village (part of)*
232
. .
Rivers: The Little Blue enters the county at a point west of Spring Ranche, flows in a general course southeast, and leaves the county at Section 84, of Fairfield Township, about five miles south of the town of that name. The west fork of Big Sandy Creek rises in Glenville Township, and flowing south- east, through Fairfield, leaves the county in Section 34 of Logan Township.
The head waters of the west branch of the Big Blue wander through Leicester and Harvard Township, and feeders of this stream run through Lincoln and School Creek Townships. The south branch of the Big Blue rises in Lynn Township, with one stream coming down from Harvard City, and flows in a general eastern course to Sutton, where it follows a northwestern channel to its junction with the west branch south of Lushton. In every section of the county pure water is found at from forty to 100 feet; while numerous streams run through depressions in the prairie.
Soil: The soil is very produetive, requiring only little labor from the husbandman to show most satisfactory results. It is related that during the terrible year of 1874, land which cost $10 per acre and $9.07 per acre for breaking, cross-plowing, seeding, harvesting, stacking and threshing, almost paid for itself that year. The soil is heavier and richer than that of adjoining counties, and every resident agriculturist points to Clay County as the paradise of the farmer. Tests of sugar beets grown near Fairfield in 1889 shows 4.27 per cent of snerose; while a very early test by L. E. Wales, of Edgar, of beets grown in that section of the county, indicates 6.54 per cent.
Grasshoppers: The grasshopper plague of 1874, described in the State history, did not overlook Clay. Every crop, except the wheat and barley, then harvested, was eaten up, leaving the settlers in a condition almost approaching poverty. Aid rendered by Congress and the State, as well as by the people, poured in to alleviate the distress, and in the fall of 1874 a committee of citizens was formed at Sutton to make an equitable distribution of this aid, namely : C. M. Turner, F. W. Hohman, R. G. Merrill, George Stewart and J. Steinmetz. Sutton was selected as the depot for the district which included parts of Fiil- more, York and Hamilton Counties, and all Clay County. W. A. Gunn was
"In Adams and Clay counties. Combined population, 1920-236.
661
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
president and M. J. Hull, vice-president of the sub-committee at Edgar, in the district of which Harvard was the depot. One-half a carload of United States army clothing was distributed from Harvard, while from this point and Sutton, several carloads of coal and provisions were given out.
The people of necessity suffered much from the result of the insects' visita- tion, but they recovered in a surprisingly short time, and the following year found them in a position of comparative prosperity.
Early Traffic: The distance from the great grain markets of Chicago, coupled with the high charges of the railroad companies, militated in early days against the agriculturists, not only of this section, but also throughont the whole State. The land produced abundantly, enough to supply twenty times the number of inhabitants of Nebraska; but the prices obtainable for grain and other products have been so low as almost to oppose the idea of marketing farm produce. In February, 1890, Gov. Thayer and the people cried ont for better terms from the railroads, and the railroad magnates con- sented reluctantly to a 10 per cent reduction in carrying charges. Throughout the country, in February, 1890, great heaps of golden grain waiting shipment near every depot and farm house, told very plainly of the bounteons harvest of the year before.
As forest countries claim celebrated choppers; hemlock countries, famons bark-peelers; and mountain countries, hunters notorious and otherwise; so also do the rich corn fields of Nebraska claim heroic workers. In 1889-90, Albert Walters picked and cribbed 1,750 bushels of corn in seventeen days for Hugh Londin, and for Davis, superintendent of the poor farm, 3,994 bushels in thirty- three days.
Blizzard: The blizzards of 1857-58 do not seem to have damaged personal property in this county. In November, 1871, a severe snow storm swept over this section. During its progress a settler named MeGoon, and his son, living three and a half miles south of Harvard, started for the village, and had almost arrived there, when the older MeGoon became dazed with the cold and failed to keep up with the son. After the storm a search was instituted, and his frozen body was found at the edge of the village corporation.
The blizzard of April 13, 1873, commenced with a heavy, cold rain, which during the night, changed to sleet. On the 14th the air was filled with a heavy, watery snow, and this, driven by the strong wind, penetrated the heaviest clothing. The storm continned with abated violence until the morning of the 16th. Snow banks were as high as the house tops in many places, and the ravines and creeks were packed full of this peenliar snowy substance. Cattle growers suffered heavily, their stock being driven to death before the gale. A Mrs. Kelly, of School Creek precinct, ventured to a neighbor's, a few rods away, saying as she started ont that she would die with her baby. Both were lost and were frozen to death. In the transactions of the commissioners the names of many other sufferers are given.
Hail Storm: The hail storm of 1881 was as phenomenal as it was disastrons. It swept across the northern sections from the northwest in the summer time, pounding into the earth the growing crops. This storm cleared a five mile course, and during its forty-five minutes advance through the northern town- ships of the county left nothing in the way of erops untouched.
662
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
The storm of May 6, 1889, destroyed a good deal of property in and around Fairfield. Anawalt's new house in Canada was blown down.
Prairie Fire: The prairie fire of the same year was started by the Bur- lington & Missouri River Railroad section men on the south side of the track. Some cinders were carried across the track by the wind, the tall grass caught fire, and from this very small beginning the blaze spread out until it had licked up the prairie grasses almost to the banks of the Platte River. Many residents lost heavily in this fire, but the losses were partly met by the railroad company.
In July, 1884, sparks from a St. Joseph & Western Railroad locomotive set fire to the prairie one mile south of Fairfield, and spreading to the farms of Horace Tibbits, John Palmer and A. B. Palmer, destroyed their crops, orchards, hay and other property.
The prairie fire of April, 1885, originated on the Lewis farm five miles south of Edgar. The people turned out in large number and organized to fight the fire, and at the bridge, near M. H. Cushing's honse, elected A. G. Jacobs captain. The work of back-firing, plowing and wet sacking the prairie was carried out systematically and with success. In the chapters devoted to local history references are made to smaller prairie fires.
Homesteaders: The homesteaders or the pioneers of 1871 to 1873, who resided on their original claims in 1888, were named as follows and the location of their lands given: Mrs. A. S. Harding (husband deceased), from Illinois, settled on Section 22; J. W. Smith, from Illinois, on Section 28; Riley Thurber, from Ohio, on Section 34; J. W. Stacy, from Ohio, on Section 34; James Wood- head, from Wisconsin, on Section 8: Albert and William Woodhead, from Wis- consin, on Section 2; Mrs. Charles Hurlbut (husband deceased), from Michigan, on Section 14; Charles Ashley, from Wisconsin, on Section 8; Charles Bump, from Illinois, on Section 21; Peter Bures, from Illinois, on Section 32; (all the foregoing in Township 4, Range 6) ; Mason Hungerford, from Michigan, on Section 4; Township 5, Range 6; J. Sanderson, from Wisconsin, on Section 22; J. J. and O. W. MeCloughen, from Wisconsin, on Section 24; C. A. Bush, from Illinois, on Section 14; H. H. Perry, from Michigan, on Section 10; S. D. Beck, from Illinois, on Section 10; H. Linseott, from Maine, on Section 12; Otto Sirini, from Illinois, on Section 10 (all in Township 5, Range 5) ; J. N. Johnson, from Illinois, on Section 4; A. Wiggins, from Michigan, on Section 9; R. Culp, from Illinois, on Section 10; John Marshall, from Illinois, on Section 22; William Trent, from Illinois, on Section 9 (all in Township 5, Range 5) ; J. G. Graham, from Illniois, on Section 2; Range 4, Township 5; S. T. Caldwell, from Illinois, on Section 4, Township 4, Range 6; William Prouty, from Michigan, on Section 32, Township 4, Range 6; Mrs. Daniel Lenfest (husband deceased), from Maine, on Section 4, Township 5, Range 5; David Smith, from Missouri, on Section 22, Township 6, Range 6; J. H. Hazlett, from Illinois, on Section 22, Township 6, Range 6; B. F. Nall, from Illinois, on Section 22, Township 6, Range 6; Mrs. L. Graham, from Illinois, on Section 12, Township 4, Range 5; Jeff Adcock, from Illinois, on Section 34, Township 5, Range 6; F. Northrop, from Illinois, on Section 34, Township 5, Range 6; D. B. Sanburn, from Illinois, on Section 4, Township 5; Range 6; Jesse Dalton, from Illinois, on Section 32, Township 4, Range 6; A. G. Jacobs, from Ohio, on Section 12, Township 5, Range 6; E. S. Smith, from Illinois, on Section 12, Township 5, Range 6; A. J.
663
IHISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Long, from Indiana, on Section 20, Township 5, Range 5; C. Isham, from Ohio, on Section 4, Township 5, Range 5; S. Northrop, from Illinois, on Section 34, Township 5, Range 6; D. Essinger, from Illinois, on Section 2, Township 5, Range 6.
The Clay County Agricultural Society was organized April 15, 1872, at the court house in Sutton. A. K. Marsh was chosen president, and J. M. Ramsey, secretary. Ammal fairs were held After its establishment, until 1881, when the exhibition took place at Clay Center. The fair grounds embracing forty acres of land, were owned by a stock company composed of about fifty of the most wealthy citizens of the county, the use of these grounds being extended to the society for making their exhibits. Up to 1882 the society did not fail to make a creditable exhibition, even during the disastrous years of the grass- hopper plague, always paying the premium list in full, and at present has a balance in the treasury. A meeting of the society was held March 4, 1882, at Clay Center, at which the following officers were selected: D. Leitch, J. E. Kenyon, E. Austin, M. G. Perryman, A. P. Randall, C. Shetler, A. J. McPeak, G. H. VanDuyne, T. R. Elder and Jesse Eller. Some seventeen directors were chosen. In March, 1884, Jesse F. Eller was re-elected president, and H. B. Strong, secretary. At this time the proposition to grant a fifteen years mem- bership to holders of $10 stock certificates was carried and a life membership conferred on G. H. VanDuyne for services rendered as treasurer. The fair was held at Clay Center this year. In March, 1885, M. S. Price was chosen president, and H. B. Strong, secretary. Those officers re-elected in 1886 and in 1887, when George E. Birge was chosen treasurer. M. S. Price was re-elected president in 1888 with W. B. Smith, secretary and H. E. McDowell, treasurer, while, in 1889, the president and treasurer were re-elected, George F. Dixon chosen secretary, and B. H. Dunn, Clive Eller, John C. Ward, G. F. Warren and John H. Tower, vice-presidents. The elections of 1890 resulted in the choice of Charles Hoevet, president; W. B. Smith, secretary; W. J. Gardner, treasurer ; D. T. Phillips, general superintendent ; Guy Secord, assistant super- intendent ; A. M. Perry, marshall.
The Swine Breeders Association was presided over in 1889 by W. J. Cox with S. McKelvie, secretary. The association elected the following named officers in February, 1890: W. J. Cox, president ; Cleveland Eller, vice-presi dent ; S. MeKelvie, secretary, and W. E. Spicer, treasurer.
Pursuant to call, delegates from five Farmers' Alliances of Clay County met at East Fairfield, November 23, 1889, to organize a county alliance. After speeches by J. H. Powers, president of the State Alliance, and some of the delegates, a county alliance was organized with L. MeReynolds, of Fairfield, as president ; J. L. Hodges, of Edgar, vice-president ; W. T. Dalton, of Edgar, secretary; L. R. Chapman, treasurer. East Fairfield was chosen as the place of meeting, December 14, 1889.
During the years 1870-71 agricultural life in Clay County was primitive in every sense. The pioneers of that period erected their sod houses, and made the faint beginnings of progress. During the fall of 1875 there were 412 cars of grain shipped from Harvard, 330 cars from Sutton, and 500 from Fairfield, Edgar and Glenville. Wheat averaged sixty-five cents, and the total yield of Clay County was worth $600,000. As the years rolled by the area of cultivated
664
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
land was increased, and today the county holds a first place among the great productive divisions of Nebraska.
The area of her progress has been marked also by the growth of towns. Harvard and Sutton in the north, and Fairfield and Edgar in the south, are evidences of this remarkable growth.
CHAPTER V MODERN FARM ORGANIZATIONS
GOOD ROADS IN CLAY COUNTY-MATERIAL ASSETS OF CLAY COUNTY.
MODERN FARM ORGANIZATIONS
Clay County has participated very strongly in the modern Farmer's Union movement, having local unions in almost every preginct and village, and farmer's elevators and stores scattered throughout the county. The Clay County Farm Bureau with well over a thousand members is one of the most active in the state, and one of the first to adopt its own paper and to secure from the press throughout the county weekly space and keep its activities and suggestions before the people. J. H. Claybaugh, the county agent is a splendid worker along these lines. The following two short excerpts have been selected from among a great many available ones to briefly set forth the variety and scope of this institution's work.
The campaign for membership in the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation started on October 25th and continued with a one week intermission until December 18th. In that short period approximately 15,000 members have been obtained in the seventeen counties canvassed, or an average of about 852 to the county. As you know, many counties are constantly turning in additional members from among the farmers whom the canvassers were unable to see during the initial campaign, and it is safe to predict that eventually the average membership should be 1000 per county, or about 70,000 for the entire state, as of course, some twenty Nebraska counties are not highly agricultural territory. The counties so far canvassed produced the following memberships: Buffalo, 1337; Hamilton, 1189; Dawson, 1129; Seward, 1007; Richardson, 998; Cass, 835; Polk, 826; Clay, 804; Lancaster, 765; Fillmore, 746; Red Willow, 710; Thurston, 653; Hall, 610; Madison, 545; Dakota, 495; Frontier not complete at this writing, 725.
At the second annual convention of the American Farm Burean Federation held at Indianapolis, Indiana, December 6, President Howard told of the work of the American Federation in keeping down railroad rate increases and in working the National Industrial Conference Board to prevent legislation being passed that would impose heavy taxes on the common citizens rather than the powerful business interests.
Mr. Mckenzie represented agriculture while serving on this board. This is the first time this conference has ever recognized the organized farmer.
665
666
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Report from December 1, 1918 to November 22, 1919.
The following statistical report of the Farm Bureau office tells many of the agents' activities for the second year of the Farm Bureau:
Letters received, 2,262; letters written, 2,711; phone calls, 1,640; calls on agent, 810; days in field, 1661/2; days in office, 1151%; farm visits, 621; press articles, 516; miles by auto, 6.705; miles by rail, 1,003; hogs vaccinated, 3,416; calves vaccinated, 584; meetings, 182; attendance, 1,737.
Meetings at plowing contests and tours not eonnted.
The 1919 Farm Burean expenses from December 1, 1918 to November 22, 1919, are as follows :
Gas, $177.97: oil, $16.00; garage, $9.00; repairs, $70.12; tires, $166.64; car equipment, $9.50; sundry for car, $128.35; offiee help, $329.01; printing, $33.35 ; office supplies, $74.98; equipment, office, $71.70; sundry, office, $47.24; agent's salary, $600.00; total. $1,733.86.
The following are the 1920 officers: Walter Burgess, president; A. L. Hoydar, vice-president : Walter Hogue, seeretary-treasurer; of Fairfield. The following directors were re-elected : H. L. Boge. A. L. Lamp, H. L. MeKelvie, E. P. MeReynolds and D. C. Hinds.
J. H. Clayhangh, County Agricultural Agent ; P. W. Proetor, Junior Club Leader : Phone, 43, office in Court House, Clay Center, Nebraska.
Officers for 1921: Walter Burgess, president ; H. L. MeKelvie, viee-presi- dent ; O. MeKelvie, secretary-treasurer. Executive Committee : J. V. Dieringer, Harvard, Lynn Township; H. L. Boge, Harvard, Eldorado Township; O. B. Percival, Sutton, Sutton Township ; J. L. Burt, Glenville, Glenville Township ; J. W. Robb, Ong. Logan Township. Other Township Representatives on Exeentive Board : W. D. Phelps, Trumbull. Leicester Township: Will Matteson, Sutton, School Creek Township: C. W. MeClanahan, Clay Center, Lewis Township ; Gilbert Holt, Inland, Inland Twonship; J. A. Swigart, Clay Center, Marshall Township: Will Blaney, Edgar, Sheridan Township; H. V. Mallory, Edgar, Edgar Township; Clarence Pomery, Spring Ranch, Spring Ranch Township; Nels Torstenson, Harvard, Harvard Township.
GOOD ROADS
The greatest achievement of the past few years has been the wonderful several million dollars per annum program for the establishment of permanently surfaced and well-graded and maintained good roads, and state highways. The expense on these is shared in certain proportions by the Federal Government. the State Departments and the taxes raised from the various counties and the antomobile license taxes.
In this work, Clay County is playing its particular part. The excerpt selected which follows shows the status of the plans early in 1921. When all of the present plans are completed there will be the Denver-Lincoln-Detroit (formerly O-L-D: road, across the county via Sutton and Harvard, and by a south eross line via Edgar and Fairfield, and roads to Clay Center.
The wonderful development of the automobile within the past two decades has hastened this changed condition of the highways beyond measure, and Clay County is keeping up the pace with other counties.
All parts of Clay County were well represented at the county board meet- ing in the court house last Friday, February 20. 1921. Many came expecting
667
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
to see a big fight between various sections of the county over which road would be constructed first. But these went away disappointed, for as far as we have been able to learn, every one there got what he wanted and in getting it received the unanimous support of the rest of the county. Edgar and Fairfield were especially well represented, and their actions left no doubt in the minds of the board as to where the south side of the county stands on the matter of a federal road. The south side expected opposition from Clay Center, but were pleased to find us boosting for their road, just as we are always ready to boost for any proposition that means more prosperity to any part of the county.
The Clay Center crowd, being the first to arrive on the scene, was given the first opportunity to be heard. The Chamber of Commerce selected as its spokesman, Judge Ray, because he and Ernest Frisch had been sent down to Lincoln previously to find out just where we stand in this matter. It was soon evident that the Judge was well posted in his subject, and in a brief and con- cise manner outlined the situation, and recommended to the board that the road through the south of the county be designated at once, and that the board pass the resolution demanded by the state department for securing the state machinery for the Geneva road. The latter was the only thing requested by the Clay Center Chamber of Commerce.
By the time Judge Ray had finished the Edgar people had arrived and presented their side of the case. In support of their views, they asked all who were from the south side of the county to stand. About half of the audience arose. All Clay Center men who were in favor of the south road were then asked to stand, and every man from Clay Center in the room did so. With this manifestation of public sentiment, the board could do but one thing, and that was to grant the request.
In the afternoon session the details of the plans were discussed and definite arrangements decided upon. As finally adopted, the new south road will extend as follows :
It will enter Clay County one mile north of the southeast corner of the county. From there it will run seven miles straight west, at which place it will strike the St. Joseph and Grand Island railroad track, which it will follow into Edgar. It will leave Edgar on the half mile road and run straight west to the present federal road from Clay Center to Superior. It will then go north three and one-half miles on the present federal road to the road running south of Fairfield. Thence two miles west and one-half mile north and through Fair- field to the west to the section line, thence north to the township line. From here it will run seven miles west to the southwest corner of Section 33 of Glen- ville Township, and. from there north to the southeast corner of the section con- taining Glenville. It will then run west one-half mile and north one mile through Glenville, and then one-half mile west. From there it will run five miles north to the D. L. D.
The first road declared was from where the present federal road meets the D. L. D. north to the county line. This is only six miles, and was declared in accordance with the previous plans of the board. After that the south road was declared. The board then passed the resolution requested by Clay Center, with sufficient safeguards to guarantee that it would be ineffective unless properly supported by the townships.
Vol. 1-48
668
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
CLAY COUNTY'S ASSETS
A great deal of space could be devoted to discussing Clay County's agri- cultural and material assets, but the following extract taken from Editor Howard's annual discussion of tax lists, while done. slightly in a light vein and treating upon undervaluation so commonly practiced tends to throw a good deal of light upon the assets of the county in 1920.
In this county we have 2,168 yearling steers of an actual value of $24.25 each and they have 2,958 sisters that average $20.88. In the two year old class we find 521 steers averaging $40.39 and 1,549 heifers valued at $31.94 each. We have less than a carload (42) three year old steers valued at $48.21 each and cows of the same age are priced at $42.28, and there are 1,159 of them. The assessors found 1,657 dry eows and placed an average actual value on them of $50.70 each while the 5,618 milk cows average $64.77. That the Pure Bred Sires campaign is registering is evident from the fact that we have in this county 215 registered bulls of an average value of $64.18 (don't langh, you registered bull men), and the 512 grade bulls are valued at $45.18 each. There are 1,329 head of fat eattle in the county and they are worth $74.66 apiece. The total number of cattle of all descriptions in the county is 17,741 with an actual value of $821,130.
Yearling colts are worth $26.26 apiece and we have of them 646. The two year olds are priced at $41.56 and we doubt if any one of the 673 we own could be bought for the actual cash value as given, although some of the 741 three year olds might be dear at the average of $63.81. That "old Dobbin" is not entirely serapped in this county is proven by the fact that we have 6,488 work horses valued at $82.13 each while 111 "range" horses are worth $61.84. We don't know who admitted that they had a "plug" but it is a fact that under the head of "Ponies and Plugs" there is listed 2,038 animals and they carry an average price of $34.39. The actual cash value of the stallions in this county is given at $7,750 and we have 38 of them.
Baalam's historic animal is represented in this county in the improved form by 269 yearling mules worth $40.61 each while the two and three year olds are worth respectively $75.76 and $96.83 and of them we have 253 of the first and 185 of the second. 1,160 work mules are valued at $110.83 and their sires, morning song included, are priced at $202.63 each for the 38. All above values are actual.
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