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527
Beaver City, C. S. 348
Burton's Bend. 349
Beatrice, C. S.
.356
Blue Springs
.357
Gibbon. 229
Blyville . 430
Bazille Mills 431
Geneva, C. S. 338
Bennett . 451
Grafton.
.339
Battle Creek .. 455
Brownville, C. S. 462
Bellevue .550
Beaver Crossing 559
Guide Rock.
5SS
Belvidere 568
581
Bell Creek .583
Hooper
.319
Halifax. .361
Hamilton .379
Helena. .413
465
Culbertson, C. S.
.388
Coatesfield
399
Centoria .. 423
Creighton 430
Central City, C. S. 473
Clarksville 473
Chapman . 475
Columbus, C. S. 501
Ionia. .
.332
Indianola, C. S. 533
Juniata. 198
Jackson. 333
501
Kenesaw .. 198
Kearney, C. S. 229
423
Kemma.
212
Linwood.
.225
Daviesville, C. S. 363
Dannebrog .. 398
Denton. 451
Dunbar. 493
Dawson's Mill 528
De Witt. 555
Dorchester 554
De Soto .578
Elm Creek. 230
Edgar ..
.270
Elkhorn Station 310
Exeter 339
Lamartine .360
Lincoln Valley
.380
Lowell . 423
Lincoln, C. S. 448
Leslie. 573
London 465
La Platte. . 350
Loup City, C. S. 362
La Porte, C. S.
373
.521
Humboldt. .527
Hebron, C. S .568
Herman. 585
Inland. 198
Irvington
311
Clear Creek 542
Cuming City. .579
Crete. 554
Camden 559
Carleton 568
Decatur 211
David City, C. S 225 Keene.
Dixon .. 332
Dakota City, C. S. 333
Lyons. .
.430
Louisville 244
Logan . .320
413
Alma City, C. S. 385
Atkinson. 392
Ashland. .540
Alexandria 568
Friendville. 555
Fort Calhoun 576
Fontenelle.
.577
Greenwood. 245
Grand Island, C. S. 373
Genoa. 279
Gilmore .. 550
Hastings, C. S. 197
Blair, C. S.
Harvard. 270
Custer, C. S. .274
Cozad . 323
Covington. .334
Howard.
Hopeville.
Jackson U. P.
Elk Creek
xvi
CITIES AND TOWNS IN NEBRASKA.
PAGE.
Millard.
309
Reidsville
431
Martinsburgh 331
Rulo.
52S
Minden, C. S. 423
Mirage. ..
425
Red Cloud, C. S.
587
Millersboro 431
McPherson .
435
Savannah.
224
Madison, C. S. 455
Shelton ..
230
South Bend.
245
Neligh. 204
St. Helena, C. S.
249
St. James.
250
North Bend. 319
320
New Castle.
.331
Naponee.
.344
New Era.
.349
Niobrara, C. S.
430
North Platte, C. S.
434
Newton . 451
Norfolk 455
St. Paul, C. S.
398
Newman's Grove 456
464
Sterling.
411
Nelson, C. S.
477
Nebraska City, C. S. 492
Silver Creek. 473
465
Oakdale, C. S.
203
St. Deroin.
465
Oakland. .213
Omaha, C. S.
299
Overton
324
St. Barnabas
502
Omadi .
334
O'Conner, C. S.
.361
Orville City
.379
Orleans .
.386
.
O'Neil City
391
Ogalalla ..
416
Osco 425
Osceola, C. S.
519
Tecumseh, C. S.
410
Ulysses 225
Unadilla.
493
Plum Creek, C. S.
323
Ponca, C. S. .
331
Valley 310
Vesta. . 413
Plum Valley.
431
Peru.
463
Palmyra. 493
501
Pawnee City, C. S.
.509
Pierce, C. S. .513
Webster.
.320
Willow Island
.324
Papillion, C. S 549
Pleasant Hill .555
Warsaw. 399
Walnut Grove.
431
Waverly ... 451
Williamsburg 521
Wahoo, C. S. 540
Wilber, C. S. 554
Richmond. 350
Republican City.
386
Rose Creek City .404
Waco. .
591
York, C. S. 591
521
Salem. . 528
Sarpy Center .550
Seward, C. S.
.558
Stanton, C. S .. 565
Tekamah, C S.
210
Ord, C. S ... .
570 237
Pebble . .320
Paddock, C. S.
692
Valparaiso .. .541
Weeping Water. 244
West Point, C. S. 263
Wisner. 263
Waterloo.
310
Plainview. .514
Wilsonville. 349
Riverside. .213
Rock Bluffs 245
Rogers. 255
Richland. 255
Riverton .. 344
St. Edwards. 207
Milford .559
Newton 213
Strahmsburg. 250
Schuyler, C. S 253
Sutton, C. S. 269
Sidney, C. S. 272
Scribner 320
Summit. 334
345
Stockville, C. S. Scotia.
360
Steele City.
404
Saltillo.
451
North Loup. 570
Sheridan.
Superior. 477
Syracuse 493
Strohmsburg. 519
Sherwood
Table Rock. 510
Plattsmouth, C. S.
Utica . 559
Platte Center.
PAGE.
Red Willow ... .533
Nickerson.
Nemaha City.
.
CHAPTER I.
LEWIS AND CLARKE'S EXPEDITION -- NEBRASKA AS A TERRITORY- NEBRASKA ADMITTED AS A STATE-POPULAR VOTE FOR GOVER- NOR AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.
HISTORICAL.
About the middle of the seventeenth century Canadian traders visited the Indian tribes then inhabiting the northern part of the country now embraced within the limits of Nebraska, and estab- lished a profitable trade with them for their rich robes and furs, which was continued for long years thereafter. In 1673, Mar- quette, the famous French missionary among the Indians, visited this part of the country and explored and mapped out the prin- cipal streams. At that time all of this Northwestern country was claimed by Spain, and formed part of the great Province of Louisiana; but in 1683, La Salle took possession of the country in the name of the King of France, and the French held it until formally ceded to Spain in 1762. It was ceded back to the French in 1800, and was by them sold to the United States for $15,000,000.
The purchase was accomplished during the administration of President Jefferson, by treaty at Paris, April 30th, 1803, and ratified by the United States Senate on the 31st of October of the same year. An act was immediately passed by Congress by which the President was authorized to take possession of the Territory. in conformity with the treaty; on the 20th of December, 1803, the formal transfer was made to William C. C. Claiborne and James
3
34
JOHNSON'S HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.
Wilkinson, commissioners of the United States, by M. Laussat, the colonial prefect, at New Orleans, of the French Republic. On the 26th of March, 1804, Congress passed an act dividing the province into two Territories, denominating the southern "The Territory of Orleans," and the northern "The District of Louis- iana." The latter included within its boundaries all of the Terri- tory now embraced by the States of Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and Oregon, and the largest parts of Minnesota, Kansas and Colorado, also the Territories of Washington, Montana, Idaho, Dakota, and parts of Wyoming and Indian, containing altogether, about 1,122,975 square miles.
The District of Louisiana, thus defined, was regularly organ- ized as the Territory of Louisiana, by an act of Congress passed on the 3rd of March, 1805, and President Jefferson immediately appointed General James Wilkinson, Governor, and Frederick Bates, Secretary. The Governor, with Judges Return J. Meigs and John B. C. Lucas, of the Superior Court, constituted the Legislature of the Territory. St. Louis was made the Capital.
LEWIS AND CLARKE'S EXPEDITION.
Shortly after the acquisition of this vast Territory, an expedi- tion for the exploration of the Missouri and Columbia Rivers, and to ascertain the most practicable route across the Continent to the Pacific Ocean, was organized under the auspices of Presi- dent Jefferson and placed in command of Captains Merriweather Lewis and William Clarke, both young and intelligent officers in the army.
The corps consisted of forty-three men, including the officers, and was made up of regular soldiers, who had volunteered for the enterprise, several Kentuckians, two French interpreters, some hunters, and a colored servant belonging to Captain Clarke.
On Monday, May 14th, 1804, the expedition left its encamp- ment on the Mississippi River, one mile below the mouth of the Missouri, and, embarking on board of three boats, proceeded up the latter stream on their world-famed tour of discovery. The largest boat was a Keel boat, fifty-five feet long, carrying a large square sail and twenty-two oars, and having a deck of ten feet each in the bow and stern, while the covering of the middle was so
35
JOHNSON'S HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.
arranged that it could be raised for breastworks in case of attack. The two smaller boats were open, carrying six and seven oars respectively. The stores consisted mainly of Indian goods, such as knives, tomahawks, gaily colored cloths, paint, beads, etc .; besides a large quantity of clothing, provisions, tools, powder, balls, gun-flints and other articles for use of the officers and men.
The expedition reached the mouth of the Platte River, Satur- day, July 21st, where they encamped for the night, and proceeded on their journey early the following morning, making a distance of about ten miles that day, and going into camp near the present townsite of Bellevue, Sarpy County. Five days were spent at this camp in making necessary repairs to the outfit, dressing skins, and airing the provisions, baggage and stores; and from here two men were sent to the Indians then living up the Platte river to notify them of the recent change in the Government, and of the desire of the commanding officers to meet their Chiefs in council for treaty. July 27th the expedition proceeded up the river, and on the 30th it reached the point which had previously been agreed upon for holding a council with the Indians. This is the exact spot where, in 1819, the Government established Fort Atkinson-afterwards called Fort Calhoun-which was abandoned as a military post in 1827. The old town of Fort Calhoun, Washington County, now occupies the site. It is about sixteen miles in a straight line above Omaha, or forty by the river. The place is described as follows in the Journal of Lewis and Clarke:
" The land here consists of a plain, above the high water level, the soil of which is fertile and covered with a grass from five to eight feet high, interspersed with copses of large plums and a cur- rant like those of the United States. It also furnishes two species of honeysuckle, one growing to a kind of a shrub common about Harrisburg, Kentucky, and the other not so high. The flowers grow in clusters, are short and of a light pink color. The leaves, too, are distinct, and do not surround the stem as do those of the United States. Back of this plain is a woody ridge about seventy feet above it, at the end of which we formed our camp. This ridge separates the lower from a higher prairie of a good quality, with grass of ten or twenty inches in height, and extending back about a mile to another elevation of eighty or ninety feet, beyond
1142532
36
JOHNSON'S IIISTORY OF NEBRASKA.
which is one continuous plain. Near our camp we enjoy from the bluffs a most beautiful view of the river and the adjoining country. At a distance varying from four to ten miles, and of a height between seventy and three hundred feet, two parallel ranges of high land afford a passage to the Missouri, which enriches the low grounds between them. In its winding course it nourishes the willow islands, the scattered cottonwood, elm, syca- more, lynn, and ash; and the groves are interspersed with hickory, walnut, coffeenut, and oak. The hunters supplied us with deer, turkeys, geese, and beaver. Catfish are abundant in the river, and we have also seen a buffalo-fish. One of our men brought in yes- terday an animal called by the Pawnees, chocantoosh, and by the French, blairvau, or badger."
Of the council with the Indians held at this camp the report says:
"We waited with much anxiety the return of our messenger to the Ottoes. Our apprehensions were at last relieved by the ar- rival of a party of about fourteen Ottoe and Missouri Indians who came at sunset on the second of August, accompanied by a French- man who resided among them and interpreted for us. Captains Lewis and Clarke went out to meet them and told them that we would hold a council in the morning. In the meantime we sent them some roasted meats, pork, flour and meal, in the return for which they made us a present of watermelons.
"The next morning, the Indians, with their six Chiefs, were all assembled under an awning formed with the mainsail, and in the presence of all of our party, paraded for the occasion. A speech was then made announcing to them the change in the Gov- ernment, our promises of protection, and advice as to their future conduct. All the six Chiefs replied to our speech, each in his turn, according to rank. They expressed their joy at the change in the government, their hopes that we would recommend them to their great father (the President) that they might obtain trade and necessaries. They wanted arms as well for hunting as for defence, and asked our mediation between them and the Mahas (Omahas), with whom they are now at war. We promised to do so, and wished some of them to accompany us to that nation, which they declined, for fear of being killed by them. We then proceeded to
37
JOHNSON'S HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.
distribute our presents. The Grand Chief of the nation, not being of the party, we sent him a flag, a medal and some ornaments for clothing. To the six Chiefs who were present we gave a medal of the second grade to one Ottoe Chief and a Missouri Chief, and a medal of the third grade to two inferior Chiefs of each nation; the customary mode of recognizing a Chief being to place a medal around his neck, which is considered among his tribe a proof of his consideration abroad. Each of these medals was accompanied by a present of paint, garters and cloth ornaments of dress, and to this we added a canister of powder, a bottle of whisky, and a few presents to the whole, which appeared to make them perfectly satisfied. The air gun, too, was fired and astonished them greatly. The absent Grand Chief was an Ottoe, named Wahrushhah, which, in English, degenerates into Little Thief. The two principal Chiefs present were Shongolongs, or Big Horse, and Wethea, or Hospi- tality; also, Shosgusean, or White Horse, an Ottoe. The incidents just related induced us to give to this place the name of Council- bluff. The situation of it is exceedingly favorable for a fort and trading factory, as the soil is well calculated for bricks, and there is an abundance of wood in the neighborhood, and the air being pure and healthy. It is also central to the chief resorts of the Indians, being one day's journey to the Ottoes; one and a half to the great Pawnees; two days from the Mahas; two and a quarter from the Pawnee Loups village; convenient to the hunting grounds of the Sioux, and twenty-five days' journey to Sante Fe. The ceremonies of the council being concluded, we set sail in the afternoon and encamped at the distance of five miles on the south side, where we found the musquitoes very troublesome."
On August 19th, at a point on the river a few miles below where Sioux City, Iowa, now stands, Sergeant Floyd, one of the party, was taken violently ill with colie, and notwithstanding every effort possible was made by his comrades to save his life, he died on the following day. His remains were interred on the high bluffs overlooking the river, on the Iowa side, which have ever since been known as Floyd's Bluffs. After the burial the party proceeded a mile further to a small stream on the same side, and encamped. The commanding officers named this stream Floyd's
38
JOHNSON'S HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.
River, to perpetuate the memory of the first man who had fallen in this important expedition.
On Tuesday, the 4th day of September, the expedition reached the mouth of the Rapidwater, or Niobrara River, as now called, which was their last camping place on Nebraska soil, on their out- ward course.
Here we will leave the voyagers to pursue their long and hazardous journey across the continent, which was so successfully accomplished, notwithstanding the great difficulties, privations and dangers which they had to endure and overcome. The computed distance traveled by the expedition, from its starting point at the mouth of the Missouri River, to the farthest point of discovery on the Pacific ocean, is four thousand, one hundred and thirty-three miles, and the time consumed in making the journey was two years, four months and ten days, reaching St. Louis, on its return on the 23d day of September, 1806.
Clarke and Lewis found the country inhabited by numerous tribes of Indians, of whom the Pawnees, Otoes, (then called Ottoe), Missouris, and Omahas, (or Mahas), are spoken of as the principal nations living within what are now the limits of Nebraska. The Pawnees at that time occupied the country south of the Platte, with their principal villages along the Republican river, and are mentioned as being a very powerful and warlike nation, and the most skillful horsemen of the plains. The Otoes and Missouris lived in the eastern part of the Territory, with their villages on the south bank of the Platte River, while the Omnahas, with whom they were at war, were located still further north, near the mouth of the Niobrara River.
At the time the territory was opened for settlement by the whites, all of these tribes had become greatly reduced in numbers by disease, privation and incessant warfare. The Sioux-of which tribe there were several branches-dominated the plains, being by far the most numerous and savage. They resided chiefly in the northwestern part of the Territory and were almost constantly at war. They frequently extended their hunting expeditions to the villages of the weaker tribes in the eastern part of the Territory, especially those of their hereditary enemy, the Pawnees, whom they fell upon and slaughtered without mercy. The Pawnees came
39
JOHNSON'S HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.
next, in point of numbers, to the Sioux, then the Omahas, Otoes and Missouris, but all were mere remnants of the once powerful tribes they represented.
The first to encroach upon the Indian sovereignty were the traders, who dealt with the Indians for their furs and skins.
The first white settlement in the Territory was made at Belle- vue, Sarpy County, where, in 1810, the American Fur Company established a trading post. At its head, at the time of the organi- zation of the Territory, was Col. Peter A. Sarpy, a French gentle- man, well known on the frontier, and distinguished for his enter- prise, sagacity and courage. In 1834 a Baptist mission was estab- lished near the trading post, but discontinued the following year on account of the death of the missionary, Rev. Moses Merrill. In 1847 the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions erected build- ings at Bellevue for a Mission House and School, which was kept up until the removal of the Indians. In 1848, the Government established Fort Kearney, on the site now covered by Nebraska City, but soon afterward removed it to Fort Childs, then established on the Platte River, in the present Kearney County, the name of Fort Childs being changed to Kearney. With the exception of the few persons living at these posts, there were no white settle- ments in the Territory until the passage of the organic Act.
General John C. Fremont's surveying expedition passed up the Platte Valley in 1842, and in 1847 the Mormons made a large trail across the State in their march to Salt Lake, but it was not until about 1850, after the great tide of emigration had set in to California, and people had traveled over and seen the rich and beautiful country lying between the Missouri River and the Rocky Mountains, which had hitherto been thought only a barren waste, that schemes for its organization into a Territory began to be agi- tated.
A bill was shortly afterwards introduced into Congress pro- viding for the organization of one large Territory, embracing all of Kansas as at present bounded, and extending as far north as the Platte River. This, however, did not meet the wishes of the people of Iowa, who were desirous of having the country lying immedi- ately west of them speedily opened up for white settlement, also; neither did it suit the thousands of emigrants who had flocked to
40
JOHNSON'S HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.
the eastern banks of the Missouri, and were anxiously waiting the permission of the General Government to cross over and settle in the new Territory. And to that end, in the fall of 1853, a consider- able number of persons crossed the Missouri from Iowa, and as- sembling at Bellevue and Old Fort Kearney, proceeded to hold an election for a delegate to represent their interests at Washington in securing a territorial organization. Said election was held on the 11th day of October, 1853, and resulted in the unanimous choice of Hon. Hadley D. Johnson, a prominent lawyer and leading citizen of Council Bluffs, Iowa.
When Mr. Johnson reached Washington, abont the first of January, 1854, he found that a bill was then in the hands of the Committee on Territories, providing for the organization of the single Territory of Nebraska, embracing, as before stated, all of present Kansas, and that portion of Nebraska lying south of the Platte river; and although Mr. Johnson was not entitled to a seat on the floor of the House, it was chiefly through his instrumentali- ty and cogent arguments before the Committee on Territories, that a substitute for the original bill was reported, which substitute provided for the organization of two Territories instead of one, and which, with amendments, became the famous Kansas-Nebraska bill.
As a preliminary measure to the opening up of the country to white settlement, Colonel Manypenny, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and Major James M. Gatewood, Indian Agent, held a conn- cil at Bellevue, in February, 1854, with the Chiefs of the Omahas, and the confederate tribes of Otoe and Missouri Indians, in refer- ence to selling their lands to the United States. Logan Fontenelle, Chief of the Omahas-a half-breed Indian, who was educated at St. Louis, and understood the English language perfectly-was chosen by the different tribes as head Chief in the negotiation of the treaty, and a delegation of Chiefs, headed by Fontenelle, proceeded to Washington. A treaty was made with the Otoes and Missouris on the 15th, and with the Omahas on the 16th day of March, 1854, and ratified June 21, following, which extinguished the Indian title to a large portion of the lands bordering on the west bank of the Missouri River. A proclamation of these treaties was made by President Pierce on the 24th of June, 1854.
41
JOHNSON'S HISTORY OF NEBRASKA.
NEBRASKA AS A TERRITORY.
Nebraska was organized as a Territory on the 30th day of May, 1854, at which time it contained 351,558 square miles, extending from the fortieth parallel of north latitude to the British Posses- sions, and from the Missouri River west to the summit of the Rocky Mountains. On February 28, 1861, 16,035 square miles were set off to the Territory of Colorado; and on March 2d, 228,907 square miles to Dakota. At the latter date Nebraska received from Washington and Utah Territories a triangular tract of 15,378 square miles, lying on the southwest slope of the Rocky Mountains, north of the forty-first parallel, and east of the one hundred and tenth meridian. This, however, was included in the 45,999 square miles taken from Nebraska, March 3d, 1863, to form the Territory of Idaho. Nebraska was thus reduced to its present limits.
The first Territorial officers appointed by President Pierce, were as follows: Franeis Burt, of South Carolina, Governor; Thomas B. Cuming, of Iowa, Secretary; Fenner Furguson, of Michigan, Chief Justice; James Bradley, of Indiana, and Edward R. Hardin, of Georgia, Associate Justices; Mark W. Izard, of Arkansas, Mar- shal, and Experience Estabrook, of Wisconsin, Attorney.
Governor Burt reached the Territory in ill-health, on the 6th day of October, 1854, and proceeded to Bellevue, where he was the guest of Rev. Wm. J. Hamilton, at the old Mission House. His illness proved of a fatal character, and he sank rapidly until on the morning of Wednesday, October 18th, 1854, he died.
With the death of Governor Burt the duties of organizing the Territorial government devolved upon Secretary Cuming, who, by . virtue of his office, became the Acting Governor.
THE FIRST OFFICIAL ACT IN THE TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT-PROCLA-
MATION OF GOVERNOR CUMING.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, NEBRASKA TERRITORY, October 18th, 1854.
It has seemed good to an Allwise Providence to remove from the Territory by the hand of death, its Chief Magistrate, Governor FRANCIS BURT. He departed this life this morning, at the Mission House, in Bellevue, after an illness protracted since his arrival,
42
JOHNSON'S IIISTORY OF NEBRASKA.
during which he received the most faithful medical aid and assidu- ous attention. His remains will be conveyed, on Friday next, to his home in Pendleton, South Carolina, attended by a suitable es- cort.
In this afflictive dispensation, as a mark of respect and affec- tion for the lamented and distinguished Executive, and a sign of the public sorrow, the national colors within the Territory will be draped in mourning, and the Territorial officers will wear crape upon the left arm, for thirty days from date.
Given under my hand, at Bellevue, Nebraska Territory, this 18th day of October, A. D., 1854.
T. B. CUMING,
Acting Governor of Nebraska.
The Territory was divided into eight Counties, viz: Burt, Washington, Dodge, Douglas, Cass, Pierce, Forney and Richard- son.
BURT COUNTY was bounded as follows: Commencing at a point. on the Missouri River, two miles above Fort Calhoun, thence west- wardly, crossing the Elkhorn River, 120 miles, to the west boundary of lands ceded to the United States, thence northerly to Mauvaise River, and along the east bank of the same, to the Eau Qui Court, or Running Water, thence easterly to the Aaoway River, and along the south bank of it, to its mouth, and thence southerly along the Missouri River to the place of beginning.
Precincts-There were two precincts or places of voting in Burt County, viz: One in Tekamah Precinct, at the house of General John B. Robinson; and the second, in Blackbird Precinct, at the Blackbird House. J. B. Robinson, W. N. Byers and B. R. Folsom were appointed judges of the first election precinct, and W. W. Maynard and H. C. Purple clerks of the same; Frederick Buck, Dr. Shelley and John A. Lafferty judges of election in the second election precinct, and Lorenzo Driggs and William Sherman clerks of said precinct.
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