USA > Nebraska > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. I > Part 89
USA > Nebraska > Clay County > History of Hamilton and Clay counties, Nebraska, Vol. I > Part 89
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Later Mr. Bushnell and a group of Hastings college students came out and organized a Christian Endeavor Society. Mr. D. L. Smith was influential in this organization. When the Methodist Church came into existence the Sunday school came under the supervision of this church, but the Endeavor Society remained until more recent years when it was changed to the Epworth League, the Methodist organization for young people. After the building of the church these two societies were housed there.
The dedieation took place in September. The sermon was preached by Doetor Briek of Hastings. The remaining indebtedness was eleared at that service.
In elosing Mr. Lathrop paid tribute to the sacrifices of the Sunday school teachers and ministers. To them he gave much of the credit for the wiping out of the saloon. But he said that the battle is not ended yet, and he challenged the Sunday schools at Inland and all over the nation to combat this evil and abolish it from the land.
Special musie was furnished by Mrs. Alla Scherich and son Clarence, and Miss Grace Ingalsbe. A chorus choir and the congregation joined in the singing of the old hymns.
CHAPTER XII
THE PRESS AND PROFESSIONS
CLAY COUNTY PRESS-BENCH AND BAR OF THE COUNTY-REVIEW OF BAR OF CLAY COUNTY-THE MEDICAL PROFESSION-DOCTORS IN RECENT YEARS-DENTISTS- T. E. CASTERLINE-A. R. RAY.
CLAY COUNTY PRESS
It seldom rains but it pours over those great prairies. A look over the census statistics will be sufficient to confirm this conclusion, for after the tide of immi- gration began to flow over the land in 1870-71, it never ebbed, but continued to grow deeper, year by year, until the county was literally covered with substantial farmers and the villages filled with enterprising citizens. Among the pioneers came the typesetter. He came to grow up with, and aid in building up the interests of, the new country, and he succeeded in the last named object. He was a martyr pioneer. He felt like Macdonough, the poet of the Press Association, who wrote as follows:
"Then we can wake the echoes of these prairies, 'Round to antipodean lands or waters; And make the gaping world ask us, where is Nebraska, fairest of Columbia's daughters ? Where Indians erewhile lifted pale-face hair, is Now for progress and intelligence, headquarters, And all the boons that our young State possesses, Owe their appearance to the mighty presses."
HARVARD
The Harvard Champion was established in 1872, as the pioneer journal of the county, by Julius Eaton, who removed the office at the close of the year. Prior to this time, however, a manuscript news-sheet was issued by the I. O. G. T., G. W. Bemis being a contributor.
The Harvard Leader was issued in the spring of 1873, by Webster Eaton, con- tinued publication for seven months, and wilted under the frosts of adversity.
The Harvard Advocate was founded in January, 1874, by W. A. Connell.
Although a man of some ability as an editor, yet he, like many of his craft, loved ardent drink, and gave too much of his time to spirits to be successful. Losing his patronage, mainly on account of his intemperate habits, his paper. after an existence of about two years. "passed in its types." and the editor emigrated to other fields of labor. After Connell had taken his departure, he was succeeded in the enterprise of journalism by D. T. Sherman, who established a paper in the fall
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
of 1876, called the Harvard Sentinel. This sheet, however, like all the others, had a somewhat limited existence, but enjoyed a reasonable share of prosperity. After running for about two years, he removed the material to Sterling, Nebraska. Cap- tain G. W. Limbocker purchased the Sentinel subscription list, and had already begun the publication of the Clay County Journal, beginning March 18, 1879. The Journal had an existence of around two decades, James Salisbury being its manager in the middle nineties.
The Courier was established by Southworth & Colvin, January 1, 1885, and is still running in 1921, its history being more carefully detailed in the Harvard chapter.
The Sutton Times was issued June 20, 1873, by Wellman & Brakeman, fol- lowed by Wellman & White, then Wellman Brothers, and in 1886 Frank E. Well- man was sole owner. He moved the office to York and established the York Repub- lican.
The Clay County Herald was issued June 21, 1873, by J. M. Sechler and W. J. Cowan, and continued publication until the fall of that year.
Clay County Globe was established July 14, 1875, by F. M. Comstock and J. S. LeHew. On October 1st, that year E. H. White became proprietor. He sold to I. D. Evans, who, in 1880, merged the name into the Sutton Register. The Globe was a semi-weekly republican journal.
The Democrat was founded February 1, 1884, by Steinmetz & Brainard. Brainard's interest was sold to W. A. Nelson, and he with Mr. Steinmetz pub- lished this journal until 1889, after the latter was appointed receiver at MeCook.
The Nebraska Citizen was published at Sutton, in 1884, by Mr. Locke, but its life was of short duration.
The Sutton Advertiser was established August 26, 1887, by J. W. Johnson, with William Nance as foreman. In September, J. L. Paschal took that position. During the middle nineties, Judge E. P. Burnett took charge of this paper and ran it for a decade or so, then it was issued by the Sutton Printing Co., L. B. Stiner editor, and for a few years by W. H. Carson. S. A. Fischer, its present energetic editor, took charge about 1909, and has consistently issued a creditable paper since then.
The Fairfield News was started in Fairfield on June 7, 1877, by J. H. Case and O. G. Maury. The first issue of the paper was made on the 7th of that month. The establishment of the paper was attended with the most liberal encouragement of the citizens of the town, who guaranteed for it a list of 300 subscribers, eight columns of advertisements, and a bonus of $300. The paper was a six-column quarto size, republican in politics, and had a circulation of about 350. After about two years' operation, Case retired from the concern, and it was controlled by Maury for about one year, when it was sold to J. W. Small. G. M. Prentice was editor of the Fairfield News in October, 1883.
The Register was established February 20, 1880, by I. D. Evans. On June 3. 1886, Mr. Evans issued his valedictory. In this paper he says: "For more than six years, each week, without a single skip, it has appeared under the man- agement now retiring." F. M. Brown issued his salutatory. The latter was then a resident of fifteen years' standing. A notice from the Register of July 15, 1886, gives a very clear idea of the estimation in which the immigrants were held : "Monday last about forty-six Russians, big and little, old and young, with their
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
bags and baggage, were congregated on the platform at the depot, and when No. 2 came in they took their departure for other pastures. There was scarcely a dry eye in Sutton when the train pulled out, but our modesty prevented us from inquiring whether those eyes were wet with the tears of sorrow or joy. We hope those people will come back to see us after we are dead." F. M. Brown ran the Register during the remainder of his life, assisted by his son, Charles M. Brown. who is the present editor and publisher.
1. E. Beery, who in January, 1885, settled at Fairfield and assumed editoria! charge of the News, died August 12, 1886. A. R. Degge took his position at once, and carried on the News until Mr. Randall assumed the editorship. On May 5, 1882. W. S. Randall issued his salutatory as editor of the News. On January 2. 1890, he wrote as follows: "With this issue the News enters upon its four- teenth volume, being the oldest paper in Clay County. There were other papers in the county before the News was established, but they have removed to other parts. There are papers in the county that have been under one management longer than the News, but we claim for it the oldest in the county."
The later title, News-Herald, of the '90s indicates that the ultimate fate of the News was fusion with its younger rival, the Herald, with W. S. Randall as editor.
The Fairfield Herald was founded in December, 1881, by J. L. Oliver, On account of the opinions promulgated by the News on county seat and local matters, much dissatisfaction and enmity was aroused against it by those holding adverse - opinions. So far were these petty disagreements carried that in opposition to the News a second paper was begun by a stock company composed of a number of the citizens of the town, to which they gave the name of the Fairfield Herald, the company being known as the Herald Publishing Company. The capital stock of the concern is $1,000. and is divided into 100 shares of $10 each. The com- pany is operated by the thirty-seven stockholders, who meet quarterly and choose an editor, two assistants and a business manager .. With the first starting W. T. Newcomb was chosen editor, and later, about 1890, S. G. Wilcox, until its title was merged into the dual "News-Herald." In 1897 A. J. Mercer & Son were conducting the News-Herald; in 1899, G. A. Hobson: 1901, L. R. Jones: 1903, Wm. M. Wheeler; 1907, Herald Printing Co., F. C. Scott : and 1910-1914. I. W. Evans.
The Fairfield Methodist was issued from the News office by Rev. C. E. Lewis in September, 1886. This was a monthly journal, but continued only six months.
The Fairfield Tribune started about 1891, but in a few years joined the pro- cession of "ex-journals" of Fairfield's press history.
The Call, a college monthly, was issued in 1888 from the News office by Messrs. N. M. Graham, William Hilton, A. C. Epperson and L. W. Smith. The latter was editor. The last number was issued in March, 1888.
The Fairfield Saturday Call was published in April, 1889, by Maupin and Burkhalter.
The Fairfield Tribune was operated through the '90s by F. M. Coleman, who has been a veteran newspaper man of Fairfield. In 1898, Joe Nau took this journal over. In 1900, another Fairfield journal was appearing, the Fairfield Messenger, labeled as a consolidation of the "True Light" and "Tribune." This was then conducted by Coleman & Corey, but later F. C. Scott edited it.
The culmination of the checkered career of the Fairfield press is that
HOME-MADE CARTOON OF EDGAR BROWN OF HARVARD USED IN A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN IN THE EARLY '80S. PRINTED IN THE SUTTON REGISTER
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
while the town for many years had two or more papers at a time, for the last few years it has had but one, the Fairfield Auxiliary. Under the title of this paper appears the explanatory caption, "Webster Says: 'Auxiliary, a Helper; An Assistant.' That Is What We'll Try To Be." This paper is conducted by F. M. & H. W. Coleman. It bears the distinction of probably being the only local weekly publication or newspaper of that title in the country, its only rival so far as it knows to share the name being the Publisher's Auxiliary, the national trade journal of the printing trade and general press, which expressed itself that it certainly had no strings on the name.
In November, 1875, F. M. Comstock established a journal at Edgar, but the office fell into the hands of W. J. Waite, and altogether the publication was not carried on over one year. One night the office was entered and the material carried away, one humorist having remarked that some subscriber who didn't want to pay for his paper evidently entered the office one night with a gripsack, picked the thing up and carried it away.
The Edgar Leader was founded in 1877 by H. A. Day and C. E. Keith. In 1878 S. T. Caldwell and E. E. Howard bought the material, which they sold to M. J. Hull. With this material he began the Review in May, 1878.
The World was established in October, 1886, by Shafe Kautzman. After a little while the office was sold to Smith & Ward, who established the Gazette at Clay Center. He then purchased the Post, and changed the name to the Post- World. After a few months Dr. T. E. Casterline became owner, and published it as the Post. During the early part of the campaign of 1888 the World was revived as a daily paper at Edgar by Mr. Kautzman, who equipped the office anew. This he moved to Superior, Nebraska, in Angust of that year. He con- ducted the Daily World there until the spring of 1889.
The Edgar Post was established March 5, 1885, by Dr. T. E. Casterline, who has been owner much of the time since. Shortly after he sold a half interest to Alfred Bates, who removed to Davenport, Nebraska, leaving the doctor sole owner until the World was established, when the offices were consolidated under the title of Post-World. Later the office became Dr. Casterline's property, when the name World was dropped. In July, 1889, W. H. Gates and F. M. Coleman leased the office. On January 1, 1890, Mr. Gates returned to the service of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company, leaving Mr. Coleman in charge. James McNally ran the Post about 1894. The Post is still running in 1921 by Earl C. Rickel, who has been its editor for a decade or so last past.
The Edgar Times was founded in May, 1878, under the name Review, by M. J. Hull. The journal subsequently passed into the hands of Kautzman & Bar- rington, who in July, 1884, sold the office to H. G. Lyon and F. L. Harman. On January 1, 1885, Mr. Harman retired, and in November, 1885, W. B. Good became partner, and continued so until June 18, 1886, when he moved to California. With the exception of the short terms of Messrs. Harman & Good's connection with the Times, Mr. Lyon has been owner continuously since 1884. In May, 1885, Rebecca Dare took charge of the woman's department of the Times.
The Edgar Sun was purchased in 1907 of Mr. Harvey Rousey by Dr. T. E. Casterline, and is in 1921 still owned by R. W. E. Casterline of Edgar, though operated on a lease by Editor Donohoe. Asa D. Scott was editor for several years up until 1919. During his encumbency, following the example of the Chicago
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Tribune which modestly admits it is the greatest newspaper in the world. the Sun carried the caption, "Has the largest circulation in Edgar and vicinity of any newspaper published in the world."
The Clay County Call was issued at Edgar by Kautzman & Barrington, December 25, 1884. It continued publication only a few months, when the office was sold to Dr. C'asterline.
The Clay Center Citizen was established in February, 1881, by W. A. Connell, who carried it, at a loss for six months, and left the place condemning all but the county officials, who, he stated, were the only citizens who had any self respect or intelligence. The office was sold to a stock company, who continued publica- tion for a short time, and in November, 1881, sold the material, which was moved at once to Fairfield and used in the office of the Fairfield Herald.
The Sun was founded August 22, 1884, by W. L. Palmer, as a republican jour- nal. It is a very well conducted journal, and has become one of the very best weekly papers in Nebraska. In 1921 Fred B. Howard is editor and publisher and to The Sun is due credit for much of the material recorded in the World War Chap- ter of this work and this chapter speaks graphically for its comprehensive and excellence in style and quality.
The following short tribute appeared at the time of Editor Palmer's death in March, 1910:
W. L. Palmer, editor of the Clay Center Sun died suddenly and unexpectedly Sunday night about 10 o'clock. He and Mrs. Palmer had been to church, and, after returning home, Mr. Palmer sat down by the stove and Mrs. Palmer busied herself preparing for retiring. When all was ready she spoke to Mr. Palmer, who did not reply and on going to him she found that he was dead. Mr. Palmer was a successful newspaper man and has done good work in his field at Clay Center, during his twenty years or more residence there.
The Democratic Publishing Company was organized in December. 1888, and pur- chased the Gazette office at Clay Center. The organized members of the company were F. C. Matteson and F. J. Hoerger, of Sutton, W. T. Perry and G. A. Herzog, of Harvard, L. L. Johnson, of Inland, J. G. Glazier and Otis Holmes, of Edgar. S. R. Barnett and C. J. Furer, of Fairfield. J. G. Glazier was chosen president and F. J. Hoerger treasurer; C. J. Furer, G. A. Herzog and L. L. Johnson, direc- tors. Otis Holmes and S. R. Baruett were employed to edit the proposed journal. which was issued in January, 1889.
The Clay Center Gazette was issued in April, 1887, by Smith & Ward.
The Clay County Patriot, an independent republican newspaper has been con- ducted since 1893 or 1894 as the second paper in Clay Center. Henry B. Funk was an early publisher. In 1908, J. G. Jessup was editor. In 1910. Paul T. Seely took the editorial desk and held it for almost a decade. During 1919 and 1920, V. L. Chipman was editor and early in 1921, Chas. Epperson, son of Judge .A. C. Epperson, a rising young Clay County attorney, took over the establishment and changed its name to the Clay County Republican.
This same office published each week an attractive little paper, the Ong Sentinel. Another enterprising Clay County press venture was the Glenville Bee.
The Deweese Recorder was issued in July, 1886, by Dr. L. J. Forney. The paper was printed in the News office, at Fairfield, but continued publication for only a few weeks.
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
The Student was issued in October, 1888, and the fourth number was issued on the day of the Presidential inauguration. May Martin was editor; Blanche Dalton, Mand Mohler, Zilla David and Joe G. Fell, associate editors; Clyde Babcock, solicitor, and A. V. Storm, manager. The little journal was printed in the Journal office.
THE BENCH AND BAR OF CLAY COUNTY
The law travels hand in hand with the first encroaches of civilization upon the wild, barren prairie. Of course, in the first seven years of the settlement and existence of Clay County, the machinery of the state courts had not reached this young community.
In most instances, the touch of the citizens with the courts starts with the lower, or local courts. This was true to even a greater extent in the earlier days of the community. The history of the State Supreme Court, the highest in Nebraska, has been sketched in the State Historical section of this work. The history of the District Court has likewise been briefly touched upon therein, but the story of the District Court of Clay County will be treated in more detail in this chapter. Next below the District Court, coming down the ladder of justice, is the County or oftentimes called the Probate Court. This Court has jurisdiction of all probate matters, the settlement of estates, handling of matters of guardian- ship, civil matters involving amounts up to $1,000 and concurrent justice of peace jurisdiction.
A picturesque cornerstone in the history of justice of any county, is the Justice of Peace Court. In more modern times, since automobiles have rendered access to the county seat towns less difficult in both time consumed for travel and ease in making the trip, the importance of this local court has dwindled, as the county and district courts have gradually absorbed its business. But in the "horse and buggy" period, a man with a grievance would file it with his local justice, for in those days the law permitting the selection of a justice of peace, or two, if chosen, for each township, was more carefully carried out. The local magistrate perhaps carried his cases and trials with more informality, but no doubt with greater interest than the county court trials of the present day generally present.
The first record of the district court of Clay County dates back to May 16, 1873, when Sheriff Kearney and Clerk Brown opened court in the usual form. Judge Gantt's letter stating: "The Legislature having made some confusion in amending the act fixing terms of court in this district, adjourn court till Friday, May 23, 1873, at which time I will be there to hold your court." In accordance with this instruction court was adjourned to the day named. On May 23d Judge Gantt was present and the first grand jury was impanelled: Daniel Cronin, W. F. Guthrie, William Todd, G. T. Warren, C. M. Turner, R. N. Brown, Richard Bayly, Leroy S. Winters, Louis N. Bryant, J. Rowley, F. Northrop, Jocl Long- streth, T. Weed, R. S. Balliett, George W. Bemis and I. N. Clark. A committee comprised H. W. Gray, A. J. Weaver and J. D. Hayes. On their report W. H. Mitchell, H. (. Griffith and Jones M. McCall were admitted. The first suit tried here was that entitled Percey Reed vs. J. R. Maltby. Judgment was rendered for $384.22. This was followed by Jordan & Ruffner vs. Robbins & Marthis & Weston vs. Cheeney & Farmer, and the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Company vs. Clay County. The first criminal case was that of the State vs. Lorenzo Snow, for assault and battery, tried by B. F. Hockett, Ezra Brown, P. H. Manchester, Isaiah Alley, S. C. Sloat, A. Hardy, J. M. Ramsey, A. B. Smith, E. E. Lake, Alex Weston, A. M. Lathrop and J. F. Sawtell, the first petit jury. Snow was sentenced to pay $10 and all costs, and to be held in Fillmore County jail until such sums were paid.
The indictment of Daniel A. Smith for assault with intent to kill came next. He was next indicted for manslaughter, but the trial was continued. Dr. M. V. B. Clarke and Attorney H. W. Gray were appointed commissioners of insanity.
The second term of court was opened in May, 1874. Robert G. Brown and A. A. McCoy were admitted to the bar, and D. G. Hull, W. H. Morris and R. G. Brown were appointed a committee to examine future applicants for admission. The first petition for divorce was presented by Charles J. Martin, followed by E. G. Glazier, Susan Dunnell, Hosea W. Gray and Charles Church, who based the cause of action on the desertion by or continued absence of the defendants. William A. Farmer, E. H. White and George W. Bemis were admitted to the bar. The first declaration of citizenship was made at this session, by John W. Price, who came to the United States with his father when a child.
In February, 1875, a special term of court was held. Marion S. Edgington and I. J. Starrbuck were admitted as members of the bar. A few petitions for divorces were presented; the trial of D. A. Smith was continued, and a number of indictments for selling liquor without license and for gaming returned. The injunction suit entered by the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company against the commissioners was decided in favor of the latter, and the railroad company mulcted in costs. Joseph S. Le Hew was admitted to the bar.
In June, 1876, Judge S. B. Pound presided at the court house in Sutton. The terms was given up to civil business, of which foreclosures of mortgages formed a large part. A forgery case, and the trials of Sorgenson and Masterson for un- nameable offenses occupied some time; while the trial of D. A. Smith resulted in a verdict of not guilty.
The fall term of 1816 was opened October 2d, by Judge A. J. Weaver. A number of persons were admitted to citizenship; the effort to have school taxes equitably adjusted between the county and Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company was successful, but the company had the tax for mill bonds perpetually cnjoined.
The summer term of 1887 commenced May 30th; A. L. Lemont, of Wisconsin, was permitted to practice here, also S. H. Sedgwick. The business was entirely of a civil character as was also the calendar presented in November of that year.
On May 20, 1878, Judge Gaslin opened court in the Odd Fellows Hall, at Sutton. James R. Candy was indicted for assaulting Edmund Coen, but his trial was continued to the next term, when a jury returned a verdict of not guilty. T. A. Barbour was admitted to the bar. In November Candy was subjected to a second trial, found guilty and sentenced to a one year's term in State's prison.
In May, 1879, Judge Weaver presided. The suit of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company against the commissioners was successful, in that the court decided that the taxes complained of were illegal, except in the amount of $3,000, and the defendants were enjoined from collecting the taxes of 1875, except
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
such sum of $3,000. In November Frank A. Sweezy was admitted to the bar, and also George W. Lienbocker.
In November, 1880, S. G. Wilcox and R. W. Christy were admitted to the bar, and an indictment against James Moore, a negro, for an attempt to murder Johanna Donohue was returned; indictments were also returned against John Urbaur, for an attempt to kill Henry Krann. Both were found guilty. Urbaur was sentenced to a three years' term, and Moore to a twelve years' term in the penitentiary ; while the comparatively innocuous horse stealer, Foreman, received six years' imprisonment. B. C. Oyler, Arthur Williams and F. W. Burdick were admitted to the bar in May, 1881, and E. W. Lewis in November. Andres M. Anderson was indicted for murder (poisoning John Johnson) ; a jury of whom H. J. Grant was foreman, returned a verdict of "not guilty" in May, 1882, and the prisoner was discharged.
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