USA > Nebraska > Douglas County > Omaha > History of Omaha from the pioneer days to the present time > Part 6
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A fair idea of the activity and progress of Omaha, at this particular period, may be obtained from the following extract from the Arrow of September 8th, 1854: "The sound of axe, hammer and other tools are daily heard in and around this eligible city site. Two stores, both doing a good business, are in successful operation, and in a few weeks one of the best steam saw-mills in the west will be in full blast by us here. In connection therewith, the en- terprising company propose starting a good flouring mill ; the engine ordered for the saw-mill will be of sufficient power for both. A good substantial hotel will soon be ready for the reception of visitors and boarders. The work on the other prominent buildings is progressing rapidly. It really does one's heart good to see the young American pro- gress and go-aheaditiveness which characterize Omaha City."
The same paper informs us that "Mr. J. A. Jackson will in a few days be in reception of a large amount of good lumber for building purposes ;" also, "some ten or twelve buildings are going up in Omaha City next week. Hurrah ! for the march of civilization is playing wild with this glori- ous country. But we need mechanics prodigiously to push along with railroad speed," says the sanguine and enthusi- astic editor, who in another place goes into ecstacies over Mr. Winchester's brick. He had seen a good many brick in his day, but none better than those manufactured by Winchester.
"Our friends, the Omahas," says the Arrow, "express a willingness to be removed to their new hunting ground, and we sincerely trust steps will be immediately taken to secure the much-desired object."
T. Jefferys & Co. announce that their "steam saw-mill, two and a half miles from the city, on the bottom, is now in successful operation."
William Clancy, in a card, respectfully informs the set-
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tlers in and around Omaha City, that he is prepared at the sign of the "Big 6," near the spring, to accommodate them with any article, provisions, &c .- we suppose the "&c." meant liquid refreshments-at as reasonable rates as may be secured elsewhere, and as a special inducement he adds that "a good fresh drink of sulphur water, from his cele- brated spring, can at all times be obtained there." We suppose the sulphur water was bottled and brought down from the spring, as the "Big 6" was located on the north side of Chicago, between Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets, and was a popular resort for the pioneers of Omaha who met there to discuss matters of public importance and in- terest, to hold public meetings, and to sample Mr. Clancy's liquids, especially the sulphur water.
The Arrow of September 22d notices the arrival of "W. N. Byers, formerly of Muscatine, Iowa. He is an old stager on the Oregon frontier and brings with him one of the best solar compasses for field surveying in the west. He pur- poses making our soil his home."
. In 1856 or 1857 we find Mr. Byers associated with Hon. A. J. Poppleton as a lawyer, the firm being Poppleton & Byers. It was in 1859, during the Pike's Peak excitement, that Mr. Byers departed for Colorado. Mr. Poppleton still resides in Omaha, and is one of the ablest lawyers in the country.
From the Arrow of September 29th we learn that M. W. Robinson had put on a tri-weekly line of stages between Council Bluffs and Omaha; and we are informed "that persons may receive the Omaha City mail matter for the present from the P. M., A. D. Jones, at Mr. Clancy's pro- vision establishment every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings, shortly after the arrival of the Council Bluffs and Omaha City stage."
Mr. Jones, our first postmaster, be it remembered, used to carry the mail in his hat, and was a sort of walking post- office. He was liable to be stopped at any moment by some person inquiring for a letter, and then off would come his capacious stove-pipe, and he would examine the letters contained therein.
Mr. Jones, who still resides in Omaha, often reverts to this fact with a great deal of pleasure, especially when he compares the stove-pipe post-office of 1854 with the four-
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story stone edifice, costing about $300.000, that now stands at the southwest corner of Dodge and Fifteenth streets, and which was completed in 1874. This building is now too small to accommodate the public, so rapid has been the growth of the city during the last ten years.
The history of Omaha's early post-office, as given by Mr. Jones, who is undoubtedly the best authority on that subject, is quite interesting. After carrying it around in his hat for some little time he deposited the office in a building which was being erected for a hotel, afterwards called the Douglas house. The front portion of this house was built in the fall of 1854 by David Lindley, who acted as deputy postmaster for Mr. Jones. An axe-box was pro- cured and divided into four pigeon-holes. It was then nailed up on the west side of the front room, and became the first regular post-office in Omaha. A Mormon named Frank, who had fled from Florence in consequence of an Indian scare, managed the office for Lindley. Frank kept all the mail in a bushel basket in the middle of the floor, and each man handled the mail at his pleasure, to see if there were any letters for him. Mr. Jones, who still held the commission of postmaster, finally resigned in favor of Mr. Lindley, who refused to accept the position. The Mor- mon Frank was then appointed, but he soon sold out his business to W. W. Wyman, who was then commissioned as postmaster. Mr. Wyman added a room to each end of Frank's house, in one of which the office was kept. The first regular set of letter-boxes was then put into the post- office. This building, a small frame structure, stood on the south side of Harney street, between Eleventh and Twelfth. It was destroyed by fire in 1876 .*
" The new and excellent steam saw-mill of Messrs. Sam- uel S. Bayliss & Co., will be in operation in a very short time near the city site," says the Arrow of September 29th: also, that "the foundation of the new state house will be com-
*Mr. Wyman held the postmastership from 1856 to 1864. He moved the office from Harney street to his own building, a brick structure at the northwest corner of Thir- teenth and Douglas. That building has recently been replaced by a three-story block, owned by George Giacomini. In 1864, George R. Smith became postmaster. The suc- cession of postmasters since Smith's term is as follows: Joel T. Griffin, Caspar E. Yost, Thomas F. Hall, Charles K. Coutant, and C. V. Gallagher. Prior to the erection of the government building, the post-office was located from time to time in various quarters of the city. Hon. A. J. Poppleton, in his speech December 3rd, 1863 at the breaking of the ground for the Union Pacific, referred, by way of comparison as to Omaha's growth, to the time when A. D. Jones used to carry the post office in his hat. Mr. Poppleton thus first gave the fact a notoriety which has increased with the progress of the city since that date.
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pleted in a few days;" and that the " new brick hotel will also be finished as fast as brick can be put together .- Other build- ings are progressing finely .- Some two or three fine brick houses will ere long be started upon the site."
The Arrow of October 6th contains a full report of the citizens' meeting at the " Big 6," September 20th, to prepare a reception for Governor Burt, and just beneath this report, it has the following personal item:
"DISTINGUISHED ARRIVAL .- We stop the press to an- nounce the arrival of the Hon. Secretary. Mr. T B. Cuming arrived to-day. His Excellency, Governor Burt, is also expected to arrive to day."
The next number, October 13. says: "His Excellency. F. H. Burt, Governor of Nebraska, reached Bellevue on the 6th inst., in a feeble condition. and since that time has been under careful medical treatment," and in the same item the paper announces the postponement of the contemplated reception at Omaha.
The next number, October 20, is draped in mourning for the death of Governor Burt. and contains a long obituary and resolutions. both of which had appeared in an extra on Wednesday, October 18, the day on which the sad event occurred.
The following item from this number, will interest Methodist readers:
" M. E. CHURCH IN OMAHA CITY .- In the late session of the Iowa conference, a new district known as the Nebraska and Kansas missionary district was established, at present under the presiding eldership of Rev. M. F. Shinn, of Council Bluff City, Iowa. The stations are as follows: Omaha City, Old Fort Kearney, Waukaressa and Ft. Leavenworth."
Two proclamations by Acting-Governor Cuming are also found in the Arrow of this date-the first being in respect to the governor's death, and the second ordering the taking of the census, &c.
The Arrow of November 3rd announces the arrival of B. B. Chapman thus : " A few days since with pleasure we met with B. B. Chapman, Esq., from Lorian county, Ohio. A staunch democrat of the right stamp, and one in whom the administration has placed implicit confidence. His talent, energy and gentlemanly deportment will make him scarce of friends. &c."
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Whether this gentleman considered this a compliment- ary notice or not, this historian has not been able to ascer- tain. But we imagine that he felt like making that editor very scarce about that time for not having seen the error and corrected it by putting in the word "scores."
Notice is made of the sale of the " Big 6" by Mr. Clancy to Mr. Goodwill, " lately from New York."
The arrival of Dr. G. L. Miller, Omaha's first physician, is mentioned in this number as follows : " We were agree- ably surprised to see the sign of Dr. G. L. Miller hanging out at Mr. E. Buddel's residence, in this place a few days since. Although but little sickness pervades our prairie land, we can but congratulate our citizens upon the acqui- sition of a young and apparently well-qualified physician to our society. He comes kindly recommended from his late practice in the city of Syracuse, N. Y."
"The work of the state house goes on briskly," says the Arrow, "and but a few days more will elapse ere the entire wall and roof will be completed. It will be ready for the accommodation of the body for which it was in- tended, before the middle of next month."
"The large brick hotel commenced here a short time ago by Jesse Lowe, Esq., will now go rapidly on to com- pletion," says the Arrow.
The Arrow of November 10th asks in a long editorial, " Who will be appointed governor of Nebraska ?" It also notices the departure of Marshal Izard for his family in Arkansas, and thinks he would make a good successor to Governor Burt.
The Arrow is assured by Mr. Davis, the contractor, that the state house will be ready December 1st, and in the same connection says, "Our friend, J. M. Thayer, is erecting a neat dwelling near by, and to the society of Omaha City his agreeable family will shortly be a pleasant addition. Friend Parker is putting up an excellent house for his family, and a host of others are doing likewise."
The Fontenelle house receives a good notice : "This is the name of the large and beautiful brick hotel, now in process of erection at this place. It is appropriately named after the head chief of the Omaha Indian tribe, whose hunting grounds, by purchase on the part of the United States, we now occupy, and after whose tribe this pros- perous place is named."
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"We hope to lay before our readers in the next number of the Arrow," says the editor, "the full census returns of the territory, also the arrangements of the districts and the amount of representation to which each is entitled."
But the next number never appeared ; for what reason this historian knows not. The Nebraskian succeeded it and was run in the interest of Bird B. Chapman, who, as already mentioned, was elected as Nebraska's second dele- gate to congress.
CHAPTER XI.
OMAHA WINS THE CAPITAL PRIZE.
FIRST TERRITORIAL OFFICERS-DEATH OF GOVERNOR BURT- CUMING BECOMES ACTING GOVERNOR-HE CALLS AN ELEC- TION AND DESIGNATES OMAHA AS THE PLACE FOR HOLDING THE FIRST LEGISLATURE-THE CAPITAL FIGHT-OMAHA VIC- TORIOUS-SCENES AND INCIDENTS OF THE SESSION-"SCRIP- TOWN "-JAMES C. MITCHELL LOCATES THE CAPITOL BUILD- ING-AN INDIGNATION MEETING AT GLENWOOD, IOWA-OMA- HA'S CHAMPIONS-IZARD RECOMES GOVERNOR -- EXECUTIVE BALL IN HIS HONOR.
Francis H. Burt, of South Carolina, was the first terri- torial governor of Nebraska, he having been appointed in the place of General William G. Butler, of Kentucky, who had declined the honor. The other first territorial officers were : Thomas B. Cuming, of Iowa, secretary ; Fenner Ferguson, of Michigan, chief justice; James Bradley: of Indiana, and Edward R. Hardin, of Georgia, associate jus- tices ; Mark W. Izard, of Arkansas, marshal; and Experi- ence Estabrook, of Wisconsin, attorney.
It was on the 6th day of October, 1854, that Governor Burt and Secretary Cuming arrived in the territory and stopped at Bellevue. The other territorial officers came at different times during the following few months.
A grand reception had been arranged at Omaha for the - governor and secretary. The committee of reception was composed of Charles B. Smith, A. D. Jones. W. R. Rogers, R. B. Whitted, Michael Murphy, Wm. Clancy, S A. Lewis, C. H. Downs, Wm. N. Byers, and Wm. Right; and the
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committee of arrangements consisted of T. Allen, C. B. Smith, David Lindley, Alex. Davis, and C. H. Downs.
But the reception never came off. owing to the illness and death of Governor Burt. He came to Nebraska in poor health, and continued to fail rapidly until, on the morning of Wednesday, October 18th, 1854, at half past three o'clock, he died at the old Presbyterian mission house at Bellevue, of which the Rev. William J. Hamilton was the missionary in charge. The sad event cast a deep gloom over the entire territory.
Governor Burt was a native of Pendleton, South Caroli- na. and was about forty-five years of age. He left a wife, two sons and four daughters. His remains were sent back to South Carolina, being accompanied thither by his son, Armsted Burt, and an escort of four pall-bearers.
Secretary Cuming, by virtue of his office, became gov- ernor, and at once took hold of the executivereins. His first act was to issue a proclamation in reference to the death of Governor Burt. ordering that the national colors be draped in mourning, and that the territorial officers wear crape upon the left arm for thirty days.
His second act was the issuance of a proclamation on the 21st day of October, 1854, for a census or an enumera- tion of the inhabitants of the territory, to commence Octo- ber 24th. 1854, under officers instructed to complete the same. as nearly as possible, within four weeks, after which notices were to be distributed for the election of a delegate to congress, and of a territorial legislature to convene that winter.
The object of the proclamation was to give notice to persons who had removed temporarily from the territory, to return in time for the census, as "in no case would names be enrolled except of actual and permanent resi- dents of the territory." The census was completed Novem- ber 20. 1854, and showed a total of 2,732 persons in the terri- tory. excluding the Indians, of course. Among these were thirteen slaves .*
Governor Cuming next issued a proclamation, Novem- ber 21st, for an election, which took place December 12th. At this election members of the legislature and a delegate
*The first formal consus of the territory was taken in 1855 in order that a read- justment of legislative representatives might be made. This gave the population as 4,491, of which Douglas county contained 1,028.
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to congress were elected. Napoleon B. Gidding, who was elected to congress, received 377 votes, Hadley D. Johnson 266, Bird B. Chapman 114, Joseph Dyson 23, and Abner W. Hollister 14. Douglas county, which was then composed of Omaha City precinct and Bellevue precinct. cast a total voteof 203, of which Johnson received 198 and Chapman 5.
It was the duty of the governor to convene the legis- lature at some point of his own selection, and the first legis- lature was to fix the location of the capital. He designated Omaha as the place for the holding of the first legislature, notwithstanding the opposition of the representatives of other points. all of whom where straining every nerve and using every means to induce him to designate their own favorite town. A deep resentment towards the governor on the part of the disappointed applicants was the natural con- sequence. Especially was this the case among the citizens of Bellevue. That place could probably have secured the capital had the donation of land, which had been demanded for the site of the capitol buildings, been made. The Presby- terian board of missions had a reserve of four quarter- sections at Bellevue, and it was this land that was wanted for the capitol. Rev. Mr. Hamilton refused to give his consent to the purchase of the property for less than $50,000. He was offered $25,000 by one of the parties interested in the capital location, but he referred the gentleman to the board in New York. This man attempted to make the purchase, but failed to secure the money to complete the transfer. Old settlers say that Bellevue could have captured the capital had proper inducements been given to those who held the matter in their hands.
The first territorial legislature met at Omaha on the 16th of January, 1855, in the state house, which had been built by the ferry company in anticipation of this event.
A large number of men who had been disappointed in their endeavors to secure this first meeting of the legislature at other towns, in which they were interested, flocked to Omaha at this time in an angry and revengeful mood.
Hon. J. M. Woolworth, in his "Nebraska in 1857," in referring to this first legislature, says in regard to this mob, that "they arrayed themselves in the red blankets of the savages and loudly proclaimed their design of breaking up the assembly. At the hour for the convening of the houses,
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their halls were filled with these excited and desperate men. But before they were aware of it. resolutions assembling the two houses in a joint session were passed; and the mo- ment they had met, the governor entered, and without pro- logue, delivered to each member elect the certificate of his election, pronounced his message, and declared the assembly organized, directed each house to withdraw to complete its organization, and vanquished, in half an hour, every design either upon himself or the legislature. It was a time when anything less than the executive energy of Andrew Jackson would have involved the governor in inextricable difficul- ties, and the territory in anarchy."
THE OLD STATE HOUSE.
In his inaugural message to the legislature Governor Cuming said that "one of the principal subjects of gen- eral interest, to which, next to the enactment of your laws, your attention will be directed this winter, is that of a Pacific railroad. You have acquired, in respect to this, an acknowledged precedence: and the expression, in your representative capacity of the wishes of your constituents, throughout the vast extent of your territory, may have a potent influence, together with the influence of your friends, in promoting the construction of such a road up the valley of the Platte. Many reasons lead to the conclu- sion that such a memorial from you will be of practical efficacy in contributing to the speedy consummation of such an enterprise-an enterprise of such absolute neces- sity as a means of inter-communication between the Atlan-
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tic and Pacific states, and as a purveyor of a lucrative com- merce with India, China, and the Pacific islands. Among these are the facts that the valley of the Platte is on the nearest and most direct continuous line from the commer- cial metropolis of the east, by railroad and the great lakes, through the most practical mountain passes. to the metro- plis of the west: that it is fitted by nature for an easy grade; and that it is central and convenient to a great majority of grain-growing states." In conclusion upon this subject, Governor Cuming urged immediate actio in the selection of routes, and he hoped and believed that a legislative memorial to congress would have its legitimate weight in the decision of aquestion of such momentous interest.
The location of the territorial capital was the principal and most important business before the legislature. oc- cupying a large portion of the time that that august body was in session, which was from the 16th day of January to the 17th day of March. 1855. The remainder of the ses- sion, after the settlement of the capital question, was de- voted to the organization of counties, the location of the county seats, the granting of toll-bridge and ferry priv- ileges, and the passage of a complete code of laws for the territory.
The difficult capital question caused even more bitter feeling than had Acting Governor Cuming's designation of Omaha as the point at which the legislature should assem- ble. The scenes and incidents that ensued during this session were exciting as well as amusing, and often, at this present day, form the most interesting portion of the reminiscences of some of the old settlers, who took a most active part in everything that then transpired. They entered into public affairs with a spirit that was bound to win. Their brains and hands were diligent andactive- the former in hatching up schemes to thwart the designs of the enemy upon Omaha, and the latter in going down into their own pockets and handing out both money and town-lot stock to those who were willing to receive such favors and reciprocate for the same by voting for Omaha.
The legislature was largely made up of men who, although claiming a residence here, had their homes else- where, and who had acquired their residence by one night's
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sleep in the district they represented. Such men talked the loudest about their fidelity to their beloved and confid- ing constituents, whose interests were ever dearest to their hearts. They thus amused themselves as well as others, for their constituents were scattered all over the United States. On the other hand there were a few, and only a few, who actually did reside in the territory.
Mr. D. M. Johnson, of Ohio, who was the "member from Archer." had a political ambition that knew no bounds. Elated with his success in Nebraska-and wish- ing to ride two legislative horses at the same time-he obtained ten days' leave of absence, and going down to Kansas he ran for representative there, and was only de- feated by a very close vote.
But the fact that non-residents largely made up the first legislature was only one of those incidents which are witnessed in all new countries.
The following gentlemen composed the first legislature -the Italics show the places represented, while the orig- inal place of residence follows the names of each member in Roman letters :
Council. - Archer, Richardson county, J. L. Sharp, president. Tennessee. Nebraska City, Pierce now Otoe county, A. H. Bradford, Maine ; H. P. Bennett, Maine : C. H. Cowles, New York. Brownville, Forney now Nemaha county, Richard Brown, Tennessee. Fontenelle, then in Dodge, but now in Washington county, M. H. Clark. New York. Tekamah, Burt county, B. R. Folsom, New York. Omaha, Douglas county, T. G. Goodwill, New York ; A. D. Jones, Pennsylvania : O. D. Richardson, Michigan : S. E. Rogers. Kentucky. Plattsmouth, Cass county, Luke Nuck- olls, Virginia. Florence, then in Washington county, J. C. Mitchell, Florence.
Officers of the Council .- Dr. G. L. Miller, chief clerk, Omaha : O. F. Lake, assistant clerk. Brownville; S. A. Lewis, Omaha, sergeant-at-arms; N. R. Folsom, of Teka- mah, door-keeper.
House of Representatives .- Omaha, Douglas county, A. J. Hanscom. speaker. Michigan : W. N. Byers, Ohio : Wm. Clancy, Michigan : F. Davidson. Virginia : Thomas Davis, England : A. D. Goyer, Michigan ; A. J. Poppleton, Michi- gan : Robert Whitted, Tennessee. Fort Calhoun. Wash-
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ington county, A. Archer, Vermont. Florence. Washing- ton county, A. J. Smith, Pennsylvania. Nebraska City, in Pierce now Otoe county, G. Bennett, Virginia; J. H. Cowles, Ohio ; J. H. Decker, Kentucky ; W. H. Hail, Vir- ginia ; Wm. Maddox, Indiana. Brownville. in Forney now Nemaha county, W. A. Finney, Ohio : J. M. Wood. Ken- tucky. Fontenelle, then in Dodge, now in Washington county, E. R. Doyle, South Carolina. Wm. A. Richardson, New York. Archer, Richardson county. D. M. Johnson, Ohio ; J. A. Singleton, Pennsylvania. Rock Bluff, Cass county, Wm. Kempton, Pennsylvania. Plattsmouth, Cass county, J. M. Latham, Virginia. De Soto, Burt county, J. B. Robertson, Ohio. Tekamah, Burt county, A. C. Purple, Massachusetts. Kenosha, Cass county, J. D. H. Thompson, Tennessee.
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