USA > Nebraska > Seward County > History of Seward County, Nebraska, and reminiscenses of territorial history > Part 15
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There was something very curious about the terrible crime that passes our understanding. It was never investi- gated by the courts. It seems very curious such a scene of lawless butchery with such far reaching consequences should not have been thoroughly sifted by the courts and the re- sponsibility placed where it belongs. The grand jury tried to investigate the matter, but somehow they did not seem com- petent to place the blame and the matter was dropped. In these bloody pages must also be recorded another wretched murder at "Grover," then known as East Milford. £ Samuel Bowker and Milton and John Granger (two brothers) were the chief actors. The trouble grew out of the marriage of one of Old Mr. Granger's daughters. The old man Granger and Bowker got into a quarrel about the matter and Bowker
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was somewhat of a pugilist and ready to fight "at the drop of the hat." He knocked Mr. Granger down. This incident led up to the murder. Some days later Mr. Bowker was passing the store of the Granger boys and was invited to alight from his wagon which invitation he promptly accept- ed, and pulled his coat and announced himself ready for the Granger brothers. Some hot words passed and quickly fol- lowed with blows, when Milton Granger drew a revolver and fired twice at Bowker when his antagonist knocked the gun from his hands. When John Granger opened fire and sent five or six shots at Bowker, two of which took effect, one striking near the shoulder blade and passing down the spine and caused his death. Grangers were put on trial and pleaded guilty of manslaughter. The plea was accepted and they were sentenced to the State prison for ten years, which term they served.
With all these troubles on our hands Seward had a genu- ine small pox scare which worked mischief. In the south- eastern part of town a family were reported to be stricken with the dread malady. Physicians went and made a thor- ough diagnosis of the case and pronounced it genuine small- pox. Unfortunately the place was located near our high school and it resulted in closing the school, and created such a panic that it nearly paralyzed business for a time. It would be most unreasonable to discredit the finding of skilled phy- sicians in such matter, but their views were brought into dis- credit and scores of people believe to this day (and with pret- ty good reason) that it was a genuine case of itch in its worst form, and that the poor victim was just rotting with it. It was currently reported that the patient broke away from the guards and left the city in hot haste. He was careful to take the malady, small pox, or itch all along with him as there were no traces of it left behind. This panic worked a serious hardship to the first graduating class, who had earned their degree. The examinations were in progress when the school was broken up. We have always thought that some means should have been devised to have furnished this bright class of young people the diplomas which they had so full earned.
A small pox scare that was more than a scare:
In "H" precinct, in the winter and spring of 1882, small-
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pox did break out for certain and worked ruin to a large set- tlement. Many people died and many more were stricken, but by good nursing were saved from death. The county authorities furnished medical and pecuniary assistance, and kept a close surveillance, and it was confined to the one set- tlement. Drs. Hastings and Monteith were given charge of the patients, with proper police powers. This terrible scourge nearly ruined the settlement for a time. There were reported by Dr. Hastings sixty-two cases and seven deaths in all.
In June, 1882, a peculiar accident occurred near Marys- ville. A young man by the name of Mentz was plowing corn near the river bank. His team became frightened and by some means dragged the young man into the mill-pond, where man and team were drowned.
Scarcely had the excitement attending the horrible Bates tragedy died away when, in the spring of 1882, the same locality was called to witness another scene of horror and bloodshed. It was a most unfortunate occurrence that one neighborhood should be the scene of two such terrible catas- trophies within two short years, but in justice to the people we can truthfully say that the masses of B and A precincts are just as worthy and law-abiding citizens as are to be found anywhere.
This last trouble grew out of a family wrangle, in which the father, mother, and children were at variance. Just who were most to blame for the beginning of the trouble no- body knows. Mr. Patrick and wife and some other members of the family were returning from Seward and a quarrel arose on the way home, which resulted in the old lady being shot to death. It seems that several members of the family were mixed into the affair. Many shots were fired at the old man by the boys, and he fired several shots, one of which killed his wife and the mother of his children. There being some discrepancy in the evidence in regard to the condition of af- fairs, and the embroglio that led to the shooting, etc., the old man's life was spared, and he was given a sentence in the state's prison for life. The murder occurred in the first days of April, 1882.
The old man served a number of years of his sentence when the governor pardoned him.
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One of the stormy winters:
In the month of February, 1881, this western country ex- perienced a series of terrible storms of drifting snow. The wagon roads were all blocked, railroad traffic was abandoned. Seward was eight days without mail. The loss of mail was a serious inconvenience, but was nothing compared to the want of fuel. In city and country the people were put to straits for fuel, and had no relief reached us just as it did, very much suffering would have occurred.
The year 1881 was rather dull and monotonous, but fair crops and a gradual advance in price once again revived the drooping spirits of the people, and as 1882 was ushered in there were brighter skies and cheering promises of better days, which put a new phase on all interests.
New people flocked in, property began to change hands freely, and soon prices advanced, slowly at first, but later, · as the demand increased, prices ran up in many cases over a hundred per cent. Good crops in 1882 set things fairly boom- ing, which continued to the fall of 1884.
Much valuable improvement was accomplished in both town and country. Prices of property reached the maximum in the winter and spring of 1884. After the presidential elec- tion in the fall of 1884, all property matters were at a stand- still. But few immigrants came among us, and great num- bers of our people were violently attacked with western fever, and in the spring of 1885 multitudes pushed for the frontier. While this seemed to work to our disadvantage for a time, it will prove a great blessing to us.
It has now been demonstrated in a measure the value of western lands for agricultural purposes, and thus practically expunged from the map the last vestige of the great Ameri can desert, which was such a bugaboo to us during all our younger years. It has helped to plant farms all the way to the foot of the Rockies, and scores and even hundreds of bright towns and cities to-day dot the great plains, where the credulous thought a few years ago that white men would never attempt to make homes. This all adds stability and value to this region. Any and every improvement in the West can but add value to our homes and lands.
Since 1880 many individuals have turned their attention
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to feeding cattle and hogs, also to the production of the tame grasses.
Feeding is carried on quite extensively now, there being many herds fed in various parts of the county, and this in- dustry adds largely to the value of our staple, the corn crop.
Timothy and clover are rapidly taking the place of the wild meadows, and blue grass that of the wild pastures. The soils and climate are especially well adapted to the produc- tion of grasses.
Within a few years, also, the honey bee is receiving at- tention, and honey is produced profitably on many farms, and the industrious little servants find our luxuriant mead- ows and cornfields just the place for them to thrive.
In the fall election of 1886, by popular vote the people determined to try township organization, and during 1887 we had a board of supervisors, consisting of one member from each of the sixteen towns and two member from the city.
For some years our people had been looking anxiously for an opportunity to secure to the county a competing line of railroad. We had parleyed with the U. P. folks, but could get no definite answer from them, but finally when the Northwestern company were building their Lincoln branch, fortunately, Mr. Goehner, being a senator, while at Lincoln formed the acquaintance of some of the officials, and secured a hearing, which resulted in further negotiations, and finally a proposition was submitted to build during 1887 the F. E. & M. V. branch through our county; provided sixty thous-
and dollars in twenty year, six per cent bonds were voted to the company. The propositions were submitted to the city and B, G, K, and M towns, as follows: City, $15,000; B, G, K, and M, $10,000 each, and L, $5,000. The propositions were voted by large majorities in each township, and the road was completed in the fall of 1887 and regular trains run- ning in connection with the great system in the East and North. We are happy to say that the road is well built in every particular, and we believe the people have made a good bargain in securing it. Since it was opened for business there has been a marked change in the freight tariffs for the better. We are all satisfied that we now have a road that the B. & M.
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cannot swallow, for it would be like Jonah attempting to swallow the whale.
Now we have three railroads, because while two are under one management they give us additional outlets, and the new line will hold prices down just as well as if both its con- petitors were in different hands. The new road adds directly a large amount of taxable property to the county, opens up a vast new field for enterprise, and gives a new impetus to all classes of business.
On the completion of this new rail road there were three new towns located via. Bee in "B" precinct, Goehner in "K" precinct and Cordovia in the southwestern portion of "M" precinct which are all bright villages with good shipping facilities.
Beaver Crossing had been a little cross-road trading point for many years. It had a very creditable flour mill and a rich agricultural country surrounding it but it never had a chance to make much of a show in competition with rail road towns. Now after a long Rip Van Winkle sleep, Beaver Crossing arouses herself, brushes the cobwebs off that had accumulated during the years and concluded to take her proper place with our other business towns. The village is situated in the valley of the South Blue in one of the favored spots of all our western country. It is strange what a revolution the shrill whistle of the locomotive can accomplish in a community.
All the good people of the community had been cons- cientiously opposed to voting rail road bonds up to 1887, and many times they with one accord cast their votes against the hateful propositions. But when they heard the glad news that a locomotive was headed their way of course there came a sudden change over the spirit of their dreams and they received a change of heart and it did them good 'you know." Like most new converts they rolled up their sleeves and went to work with a "will," not only to get the road. but to make the best of an opportunity.
It has resulted in the building of a most beautiful vil- lage with large and flourishing business interests. The village had not long been awake while stirring around try- ing to turn something up as all live towns do, when she
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made a most wonderful discovery of value beyond compre- hension. She learned that underneath this grand valley there flows a great subterraneous river that is ready and anx- ious to leap to the surface whereever it is invited and ready to give an abundance of pure life giving water to ir- rigate the thirsty fields. At this writing there are in active operation over four hundred flowing wells yeilding an ample supply for man and beast in town and country for many miles up and down this broad valley. The supply is suffi- cient to irrigate all the valley land for ten miles up and down the river. The water is uniformly of excellent quality. Beaver Crossing has an ample water supply without great expense, but the greatest value is to the field and garden which are independent of rainfall. The flowing wells have added immensely to the value of the lands that can be irrigated. That tract of land has now become one of the best potato fields in the Northwest. They never
fail to have a potato crop at Beaver Crossing. During the season of 1904 there was shipped from their station ninety- six car-loads of five hundred bushels each to the different markets. Every class of vegetables and the grasses can also be brought to the greatest degree of perfection. Beav- er Crossing has a bonanza in her flowing wells. The water is struck at the depth of a hundred and twenty feet in the valley and rises accordingly to the altitude of the land. Some places it just rises to the surface and in others it rises to a height of twenty feet.
The village has grown and is now growing quite rapid- ly. It contains the largest store in the county and we be- lieve in the state outside the large cities. All business in- terests are fairly represented. There are a goodly number of merchantile establishments, such as dry goods, groceries, hardware, furniture and many other shops. A good sub- stantial bank that has just found a new home in a beautiful brick structure, a very neat hotel, two livery barns, two grain elevators, a large lumber yard and scores of beautiful new cottages. The printing office and the Pride. Beaver Crossing "Pride" must not be forgotten, neither their splen- did schools and the numerous churches. A splendid village of prosperous and happy people counting 500 souls.
CHAPTER XII
Double Murder 1890-1892-Conditions-Panic of 1893-Political changes -- Sheriff the principal salesman-Brighter days-Property advances -Improvements-Farmers prosper-Bank deposits-General pros- perity has become a resident-Good health-Happy homes-Great things in store.
DOUBLE MURDER AND SUICIDE
The year 1889 brought another horrible tragedy. This time it was in the northwestern part of the county. In the southern part of "D" precinct there lived a family by the name of Leavitt. They were old residents, but unfortunate- ly they were not popular with their neighbors. There had been much trouble and contention about their stock and various matters. Mr. Leavitt was a man in general bad re- pute, and it made against him in this terribly trying hour. As appeared in the evidence before the grand jury, of which the author was a member, Mr. and Mrs. Leavitt had an er- rand one evening at Gresham, about five or six miles dis- tant, leaving their two young daughters in charge of the house. Upon their return late in the evening, they found the two little girls (one about eleven and the other thirteen years old) lying in the yard with their throats cut.
Suspicions were aroused against different parties. A grand jury was speedily summoned and a vast number of witnesses were summoned. The jury was in session for ten days and every avenue was searched diligently. It developed that there was a deadly enmity exisiting against the Leavitts in the community, and some were ready to believe that the old couple had murdered their own children; but there was no evidence to justify such a suspicion, only that their gen- eral reputation as citizens was not of a high order. There was no evidence of any possible motive to commit such a deed. Some of the neighbors seemed very little concerned
HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA 185
in the matter, according to their own testimony. We will give a few questions and the answers.
Ques. "Mr. , where were you when you heard of the murder?"
Ans. "Attending to my own business."
Ques. "How did it affect you?"
Ans. "I didn't care, it was none of my business."
Ques. "Did you go down there?"
Ans. "No."
Ques. "How far do you live from the Leavitt's?"
Ans. "About three-quarters of a mile."
Ques. "Why did you not go down and see the murdered children?"
Ans. "I did not care, and I was busy at my work."
This is the way the evidence ran with one neighbor, and yet scarcely no suspicion was placed at his door, only a sus- picion that he was brutal.
On an adjoining farm was a man by the name of Gerd Stienblack who had had much trouble with Leavitt about unruly stock, and there was much bad blood existing When he was told of the murder, he did not care enough to go and see, although less than half a mile distant. However he seemed agitated, but gave vent to the idea that it was no concern of his. Stienblack was summoned before the jury, and when closely and sharply cross questioned, he became much excited, and as the old saying is, "He danced like a chicken on a hot griddle." He was on the witness stand a half day, and became so frightened or maddened that he went home and hanged himself in his own barn.
There was a widespread suspicion in the jury room and among the people that he knew all about the murder, but the jury was not able to agree or to fix the awful crime at the door of any person, and with many it remains a mystery to this day. But now after the long years have passed, we are free to say that we have never had occasion to change our mind that at least one of the guilty parties met his God before that jury closed its session. Below we give a letter left by Mr. Stienblack, in German, but translated by Rev. Father Gruber. The original translation is now in the hands of R. P. Anderson, who was prosecuting attorney at the time
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of the tragedy and suicide. The letter is without date, and reads as follows:
"I do not want to have spread my name town. There- fore, greeting once more. I am not guilty of the deed. This . my wife and daughter know as well as I, for I dared to tell the truth. But it is too late now. And so has the deed been attributed also to me, of which nevertheless I am quite innocent. My beloved wife and daughter, God will give that we see each other in eternity again. Gerd Stienblack."
The years 1890-92 were uneventful. Everthing went smoothly. The people were in a fairly prosperous condition. There was but little property changing hands, but prices of lands were steadily increasing in value. There were some good improvements made both in country and city as well as in the villages. Things looked fairly bright up to the fall election of 1892.
The change in political matters may or may not have been the canse for the change in financial affairs. Be that as it may, a change came in 1893 that was most disastrous to all interests. There came a general stagnation of business and prices fell rapidly. About all the property sales were by the sheriff. Improvements were discontinued. Lands did not decrease much in value, but there was no demand, and holders were forced to hang on until brighter days should come. Crops were very slim all through the panic years, and prices were not satisfactory. Wheat was often quoted from 35 to 45 cts., corn from 9 to 15 cts,, while hogs and all kinds of stock were low. £ Horses seemed to have lost their value, and in some instances were killed to get them out of the way.
There was no change for the better until 1896, when things began to brighten up. Land buyers began to look around and make inquiries. In 1897, prices of all kinds of property began to advance and become salable. From that time to the present, landed property has steadily advanced in value until it has about doubled in price in all parts of the county. Improvements have kept pace with the general prosperity. The towns have improved greatly, and hun- dreds of good houses and barns have been erected. The bank deposits have steadily increased until they now contain near
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$2,000,000. The whole face of the county has changed for the better. Our farmers are nearly all very prosperous, and so are the business people of the towns and city. Labor has been in great demand at good prices. Mechanics are overcrowded with work. The business of the railroads has been very satisfactory. (See papers on freight in and out of Seward.)
Certainly "Gen. Prosperity" has sojourned with our people for the past seven years, and we hope he may make this his permanent abiding place. There has no great ca- lamity befallen our people for a number of years. We have been free from pestilential diseases. No violent storms ex- cept a few streaks of hail have laid waste our county. Our crops have not always been full, but enough has blessed the people so that want has been a stranger to us. Our varied products have averaged quite satisfactory so that every pru- dent and industrious farmer has made headway. One year, 1901, the egg crop was destroyed by the extreme heat of the summer, which precluded the shipment to market.
The egg and poultry interests have grown to immense proportions. The reader may be astonished at the figures, but the egg product reached $200,000 for the last year, and the poultry nearly as much. For two years wheat has been exceedingly high, ranging from 90 cts. to $1.00. Corn has also bourne a high price, ranging from 30 to 45 cts. Hogs have ranged from $4.50 to $5.50 per cwt., and other products in proportion. Common labor in the city has been in great demand at from $1.75 to $2.00 per day, and mechanics have plenty of calls at from $3.00 to $5.00 per day. Good farm hands command $25 per month with excellent board and washing. There seems to be no valid reason why these prosperous times should not continue. Everything looks favorable. Vast improvements are projected and the de- mands for labor and labor's products are steadily increasing.
Seward county, the home of our choice, chosen when we were in the prime of our manhood's strength, the home where the most of our children were born, the home of pleas- ant memories, and where peace and plenty have generally rewarded our efforts, but where at times we have been over-
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shadowed with dark clouds of want and sorrow; when first we set foot on thy soil we loved thee, and now when long years have passed and we are on the shadowy side of the hill of life, we love thee still. God bless Seward county and all her people, is our humble prayer.
CHAPTER XIII
HISTORIC LETTERS
As a part and a most valuable one of our history, we are glad to be able to give the reader the benefit of the following interesting and in- structive letters. Several of them were contributed to the first edition of my work, but they are of such value that we deem it the proper thing to give them a place in these pages. Some of the writers have gone to their long homes "but their works do follow them." They acted well their part and we cherish their memory.
Many of these contributions are from our young people that have grown up among us. They are worthy of careful reading and as the years come and go, they will grow in public favor. In them will be found many landmarks of history and they will be quoted by the com- ing historians through all time.
"My Wilderness Home in Childhood"-Mrs. Nettie M. Cox Pingree.
"From Memories Walls"-Prof. Margaret E. Thompson.
"Indian Scares"-Mrs. Sarah F. Imlay Anderson.
"Recollections of Frontier Life in Boyhood."-Prof. A. E. Sheldon.
"Our old dog Mike Stole the Meat. "- - H. A. Brisbin.
"Snakes in the Kitchen. "-Mrs. M. Frink.
" Village of Bee."-E. H. Noxan.
"Ugly Bachelor Jumped our Claim. "-Mr. and Mrs. M. S. McCallister.
"Democratic Newspapers."-W. H. Smith.
"Orchards and Tree Planting, "-Elisha Kinney.
"Groves and Orchards. "-Samnel J. Welch.
"My Success With Fruit."-J. B. Courtright.
"Pioneering in Childhood."-Miss Lydia Dillenbeck.
"Milford Schools. "-Mrs. A. C. Rawls.
"Hardships and Privations of Pioneers. "-Miss Inez Frink.
"Oak Grove Settlement. "-E. W. Olney.
"Camden Settlement."-Mrs. H. W. Parker.
"West Mills Settlement."-I. M. K. Johnson.
"B" Precinct Settlement."-F. M. Timbiln.
"G" Precinct Settlement."- James A. Brown.
"Grasses. "-Hon. Calvin J. Wright.
"Schools of the County."-Superintendent E. Koch.
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THE WILDERNESS HOME OF MY CHILDHOOD
NETTIE M. COX PINGREE
"The hills are dearest which our childish feet
Have climbed the earliest; and the streams most sweet Are ever those at which our young lips drank,
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