USA > Nebraska > Seward County > History of Seward County, Nebraska, and reminiscenses of territorial history > Part 30
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Captain J. H. Culver was installed as first commander with his son, Lieutenant Elvin E. Culver, as Adjutant with- out salary. Isaac Brockin was the first soldier admitted October 1, 1895. J. F. Adams was next admitted same day. Up to November 19th, there had been received ten addition- al soldiers, as follows: Lorenzo S. Miller, W. Shultz, John S. Patton, J. A. Littlefield, B. F. Culp, John Resh and Felix Cornabe, (still members) David Daud, J. W. Cleney and Joy Wagner. On Christmas day Francis Jourden was admitted in time to partake of the feast of turkey. As commander, J. N. Fowler succeeded Culver and Charles Penn, the pres- ent commander succeeded Fowler. J. H. Perkinsen was the second adjutant, the first to receive pay from the state as adjutant, who was succeeded by Joseph Brooks, the present incumbent, who was appointed in 1901. There are one hun- dred and ten men and two women on the roll of membership.
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The officers inform us that it is possible to care for one hun- dred and twenty-five in present quarters, and that when the building under construction is complete, the capacity will be sufficient for two hundred. The old building is in a good state of repair and everything has been done by the state to make the place a pleasant dwelling place for the old boys.
In our numerous visits to the Home we have sought in- formation from the inmates and officers as to the actual con- ditions. Nearly all of the boys express themselves as well satisfied. They are generally cheerful and as happy and contented as we could hope to see them. considering that many of them are very feeble and some almost helpless. We found most of them with smiles upon their faces, and our greeting among them has always been hearty. The boys about all agree that the officers are very attentive to the wants of all the inmates and that kindness rules every hour. We were pleased to sit at the table with the boys and then with the officers, and we found that all fared alike. The tables are supplied with all the necessaries and many luxuries. Am glad totell the readers that our dear old boys are kindly cared for.
The grounds of the Home are ideal. Situated on the crown of a beautiful little hill, furnishing perfect drainage, over looking a vast stretch of the Blue River valley, with its long line of timber forming graceful semi-circles up and down the broad valley, with the western slope of the plain to the eastward which is crowned by the buildings of the Industrial Home, with clusters of timber and orchards, with green fields and meadows, unsurpassed for loveliness, with the bustling village just at the northwest, forming a back ground too beautiful for my poor pen to describe. The grounds have a gentle incline to the eastward and south ward. The grand river comes sweeping by around a gentle curve, rushing over riffles of rocky bed and the little creek joining it just to the southeast, all beautiful with native trees, what could be more delightful? The old building is stately and majestic and the new one is said to be the best specimen of architecture in Nebraska and will be fitted up with all mod- ern appliances for the care of the sick and disableed. They are now inaugurating a power plant to supply water, light
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and heat to every part of the buildings. Have a new power house 27x45 fitted with a Kewanee boiler and splendid dina- mo. These have been constructed under the supervision of James Tyler, state architect and J. J. Butler, superintendent. The new buildings are so thoroughly substantial that it is possible for them to stand and be useful a thousand years. Many members of the Home testify as to the value of the mineral springs of refreshing water that comes gushing from the rocky banks of the river. Many cases of rheumatism and kidney diseases are reputed to be greatly benefited or cured by the use of them. The state and Seward county can justly be proud of the Soldier's Home at Milford.
Rev. Dr. Joseph Presson was appointed commander, Feb- ruary 6, 1905, and assumed duties of the office, March 16, 1905,and he appointed M. R. Persinger adjutant. Comman- dant Presson is making many valuable improvements in and around the Home.
INDUSTRIAL HOME AT MILFORD
By an act of the legislature this humane institution was established and the Home was founded in 1887. It was lo- cated on forty acres of beautiful land one mile east of Milford in a sightly location, overlooking the splendid valley of the Blue for many miles northward and southward and having in its front the handsome village with its great mill and the fine edifices of the Soldiers Home. For a back ground it has an array of farms magnificent, with the rail road skirting near its northern border. Under the guiding hands of the Board of public lands and buildings, two com- modious structures have been erected with all modern ap- pliances for the proper care of the inmates, each containing twenty-five neat and thoroughly furnished rooms besides closets, bath rooms, etc. A fine power house to furnish water, heat and light to every appartment. Beautiful trees furnish ample shade and the place would seem a little Para- dise. So far as we could see, it looks like a little Heaven below. The Home was dedicated in 1888 and the first in- mate was admitted May 1, 1889. At the present writing the number of women (rather girls) in the Home is twenty-eight.
Hospital, Soldiers' Home
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
Present capacity is about fifty. In this enumeration children are not counted. Five hundred and seventy-six girls have been admitted to this date. Babes are furnished homes in respectable families as soon as possible, but are under the watchful care of lady managers, of whom Mrs. Thos. Gra- ham, of Seward, is one.
In the first biennial report we glean the following facts: The first board of trustees consisted of sixteen ladies of high standing, as follows: Mesdames G. W. Clark, C. E. Cas- caden, W. B. Smith, N. W. Harlan, L. H. Russell, T. L. Norval, Todd, L. W. Roehne, M. M. Davison, G. McDowel C. H. Gere, O. N. Humphry, E. E. Brown, Dr. Froeder Lankton, M. I. Band, and W. S. Latta.
First officers were Mrs. E. M. Perkins, superintendent; Mrs. E. Kent, matron; Mrs. E. L. Smith, teacher; Mrs. U. A. Whitaker, dress-maker; M. Williams, cook; Minnie Johnson, laundress; A. W. Patterson, engineer; Geo. Mar- greum, farmer.
We scan from first report the following interesting facts: The whole number admitted up to November 30, 1890, was 57; of American parentage, 38; of foreign parentage, 19; number honorably discharged, 14; adults in Home, 21; num- ber of children born, 45; total number for whom homes were found, 16; number of children sent to Home of Friendless, 2.
The institution is intended to be reformatory as well as charatable in character. Each inmate, when in good health, is required to perform useful labor, and are instructed in cooking, dress-making, general house work and nursing. A school is maintained in which the common English branches are taught. Religious services are held every Sabbath. The whole atmosphere of the Home is moral and the poor inmates are pointed to a higher and better life and many leave the Home with high resolves to lead noble lives, and we learn that many have gone out to become worthy and valuable women in the world.
The last biennial report issued November 30, 1902, gives many interesting facts; we quote as far as our space will allow: Total number of adults at the Home Dec. 1, 1900, 29; number admitted to Dec. 1, 1902, 60. Average age of inmates is 193 years. Number returned to friends, 41; num-
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Industrial Home
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ber married, 14; number placed in homes to work, 28; num- ber in Home Dec. 1, 1902, 53; number of children in Home Dec. 1, 1900, 20; number Dec 1, 1902, 23; number born in the two years, 56; number transferred to Home of Friendless, 3; adopted, 5; total number of adults and children cared for each year, 82, at an average cost of 93 cents per week per capita. We note that the total appropriations for maintain- ance for the two years was $21,150, and the amount paid out was $15,426.29, leaving a balance of $5,723.71.
The present advisory board consists of three ladies, as follows: Mrs. Cullen Thompson, president; Mrs. Dr. Towne, vice-president; Mrs. Burlingame, secretary. Application committee: Mrs. A. J. Sawyer, Lincoln; Mrs. Thos. Graham, Seward. Officers: Miss Margaret Kaely. superintendent; Edith Sanders, physician; Hariet Shoaf, matron. Em- ployees: Etta Brooks, secretary and teacher; Lydia Dillen- beck, sewing teacher; Carn Johnson, nurse; W. G. Beach- ler, engineer; J. O. Kent, farmer.
The Home is truly answering the high object for which it was created; sheltering, protecting and helping to reform the wayward and unfortunate girls that desire a better life. They receive, by moral teaching and training, that uplift that will tend to respectability and usefulness. May the God of love and mercy bless the Industrial Home!
Mrs. A. J. Albright was appointed superintendent in March, 1905.
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
North Side of Square Looking East
CHAPTER XXI.
CITY OF SEWARD AND HER INSTITUTIONS
Schools-Post Office-German College-Water Works-Electric Light Plant-Fire Department-Rail Road Business-Cereal Mills-Flour Mills-Brick Yard-Building and Loan Association.
THE CITY OF SEWARD IN 1905
Seward is not a great city and makes no pretentions in that line. but among the many beautiful cities of Nebraska that are doing nobly, Seward stands without a rival in its class as a city of beautiful homes and of substantial wealth. Nearly every business interest of the city is housed in good substantial brick structures built on modern plans. The streets cross at right angles and are broad and clean. The drainage is as near perfect as nature could make it. The city stands upon a broad plateau sloping westward, south- ward and eastward. Blue river, with its beautiful fringes of timber forms the western and southern boundary, and Plum creek forms the eastern boundary. Lincoln creek, grand and beautiful, joins the river just at the west line of the city and materially helps to form a grand panorama. On this com- manding ground the city stands in a place of scenic beauty overlooking these streams as they meander through verdant fields forming graceful curves and semicircles. The city is nicely shaded throughout with handsome trees. Splendid brick sidewalks grace nearly all streets, there being now over ten miles of these walks that would be an ornament to a city of a hundred thousand people. Nearly all the resi- dence streets are neatly parked along the walks.
About fifty commodious brick structures adorn the business streets where every mercantile interest is repre- sented. Three lovely parks furnish ample play grounds for the people where rest and shade are attractions. These, be-
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
sides the fair grounds, known as the finest and best improved of any in the west. These with scores of palatial residences adorning every street; with gardens of transcendent beauty, with nine churches where the good people may worship, with her splendid high school and growing college, with her great mills, and last but not least, her new grand court house that will adorn our public square. With her excel- lent water and water system, and her electric light plant, with her perfect telephone system. Her well kept public li- brary and thousand other conveniences, with ten daily mails and ten regular passenger trains, and ten regular freight trains reaching out in six directions, with twenty-five hun- dred prosperous and happy people, making Seward like an "apple of gold set in a picture of silver."
It is an ideal home place, growing more and more beau- tiful as the years roll on, surrounded by a farming country equal to the best on this green earth. She will grow in im- portance through all the years to come. She that was known in other years as the "sleeping beauty of the Blue valley" has thoroughly awakened and is now known as the most busy sparkling gem of these western prairies.
SEW ARD SCHOOLS
OUR OLD LOG SCHOOL HOUSE
Away back in 1866 when this land of our was yet new and while Seward had not yet been named, a few pioneers decided that a school was a necessity. Our district was yet without a number and its boundaries were quite indefinite. Its eastern boundary was the east line of the county, its northern and western boundaries were the channel of the Platte river and the southern boundary was a matter of con- tention between we people and the settlement at Milford. Some portions of our district did not take much interest in our school house or our school. The three or four ranch- men along the Platte seemed quite indifferent. The one settler at the Oak Grove, John Scott, had not heard of the arrangement, and those fellows away down the river were looking for something nearer home. So we only had help
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from those living within a radins of about five miles. The interested parties consisted of thirteen familes scattered along Plum Creek, Lincoln Creek and the Blue. A school meeting was called late in the summer of 1866. We met on the prairie near Mrs. Spears' present home. We had no school officers, no school fund, no money and no credit.
The Old Seward School House
We voted no bonds, but we voted a school house. We taxed ourselves each four round logs to be delivered on the ground. Lewis Moffit taxed himself one acre of ground, worth a dollar and a quarter, and we taxed ourselves with the necessary labor to construct the edifice. We searched our premises to find a few 8x10 window glass and a few rough boards to construct a door and a few benches. We made wooden hinges to hang the door. We used the virgin prairie sod for a floor. We cut willows along the river to cover the structure, then we ploughed sod with which to shingle it, and soon we rejoiced that we had a place to send our children to school, and that we had a meeting house, a
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
court house, and an election booth all our own and not a cent in debt. This log shanty served a noble purpose for several years and until the village was on a footing to grap- płe with something better.
The first term of school was commenced in early No- vember and ended into a violent blizzard in January, 1867. There were thirty-two scholars in attendance. As a matter of curiosity we will mention their names as far as memory serves us. Miss Sarah Imlay, later Mrs. A. Anderson, Josephine Imlay, now Mrs. J. Williams, Addison and D. M. Imley, John Clark, James Jasper, Marrian and Douglas Roberts, Mary Moffitt, now Mrs. D. P. Imlay, Elsie Clark, now Mrs. C. Boyes, Mirum Clark, now Mrs. Stubb, Moulton and Vietor Clark, Leroy Moffitt, Fred Garner, Kate J. Cox, now Mrs. J. A. Ruly, Nettie M. Cox, later Mrs. F. Pingree, Rolla Cooper, Lucy Clark, two other Cooper boys, names forgotten. The balance of the little flock are lost to us in the hurrying crowds of the world. Many of that company have gone to their long home, yet it is a source of pride and pleasure that so many scholars that waded snow drifts across bleak prairies that dread- ful winter to that humble cabin, have made honorable marks in the world. Among them we count two ministers. four business men, two successful teachers, both gone to their reward, one doctor, some good farmers, some noble mothers and some grand mothers. We are glad that we had the honor of being the first teacher in the long line of honora- ble men and women who have led the youth of our communi- ty along the plain to higher ground.
As stated in the above, the old log cabin served the people until the fall of 1870. Mr. Cox was succeeded by S. C. Ross and Miss Ella Tuttle, now Mrs. Martin Ligett. Then the old cabin was pulled down and moved away, and what was known for years as the old swaybacked house, which occupied the lot where H. Vanderhoof's house now stands, was rented and Miss Mattie Boyes, now Mrs. K. Olm- stead, taught. Next L. G. Johns built a little building on Butler block corner and taught and was followed by Miss McKillip, now Mr. Johns' good wife.
In about 1871, Dist. No. 9 was organized and built a small
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New Seward High School Building
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
school house on the grounds now occupied by the high school buildings and H. M. Coleman taught the first term in it, and was followed by J. D. Messenger. About this time Prof. O. S. Ingham taught several terms of private school in the old court house, and was followed by Miss Ella Benson, now Mrs. C. L. Lewis. This lady was employed in various de- partments in our schools twelve consecutive years. The old high school building (brick) was erected in 1874 and Prof. Ingham was principal for two years with Mrs. A. S. Padock, Mrs. Merrill and Miss Benson as assistants. Since that time (1876) the following persons have superin- tended the schools: Mr. Phillips, H. H. Wilson, J. M. Scott, H. Cummins, W. J. Wise, N. F. Daun, J. F. Burkett. J. S. Van Eaton, W. W. Stoner and F. C. Williams.
Among the noble teachers that finished their work and gone to their reward were, A. A. Dershimer, Miss Berge, Miss June Taylor and Miss Nettie M. Cox.
The board of education soon found a lack of room for the growing school and added a large addition to the high school building, and added from time to time frame build- ings for the lower grades until they had five of these frame buildings in different parts of the city. In 1904 these frame structures were disposed of and a large new brick was erected at a cost of thirteen thousand dollars. It is a beauti- fulstructure, built on modern plans with all useful furnish- ings. It contains one audience room with seating capacity for five hundred guests. It was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies in September, 1904. This is considered one of the finest school buildings in the state. In 1888 there had been ten classes graduated and at that time the cost of main- tainance was $5,600 per annum. In 1905 they graduated the 23d class. The present corps of teachers are 13; scho- lars enrolled in 1905, is about 500. Cost of maintainance in 1904 was about $9,000.
The school is progressive and ranks high among the schools of the state. Among the many prominet members of the school boards of the past, Claudius Jones, H. L. Boyes, G. Babson, all now dead, and R. S. Norval, Mrs. S. C. Langworthy, Mrs. E. M. Spear, A. J. Calender, and D. C.
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Work. The present board is composed of Dr. F. A. Marsh, L. J. Anderson, R. E. Dumphey, H. M. Miller, William Moore and D. E. Holland.
HISTORY OF THE SEWARD POST OFFICE
In 1864, 1865, 1866, the settlers of this vicinity got their mail in a sort of a hap-hazard way. Some of it was directed to Camden, some to Lancaster, some to Nebraska City, and perhaps some to Plattsmouth; and it was the custom for ev ery person visiting any of the offices to enquire for all the neighborhood.
In the winter of 1866-67, the citizens met and consulted about getting a postoffice. It was urged that Lewis Moffitt ought to take the office as he lives on the prospective town site, but he declined the honor, and the settlement was non- plussed and did not know just what to do.
During the winter the writer took it into his head that he would try to find a solution to the question, and wrote to our delegate in congress (John Taffe) and begged him to go over to the department and secure the appointment of Lewis Moffitt as postmaster for Seward, Nebr., which he imme- diately proceeded to do, and all of a sudden Mr. Moffitt re- ceived his appointment. He felt sold, but it would not do to back square out, so he qualified and accepted the inev- itable; and when he fully realized the munificent salary of $1 per month or twelve dollars per year, he became fully reconciled. Now we had a postoffine but no mail route. The government allowed two dollars per quarter for mail service, but men were not quite so anxious for place then as now, and we had to hold out other and better inducements. So we made up a pony purse sufficient to pay one dollar and fifty cents per week, and hired E. L. Clark, a one-armed sol- dier, to make the trip once a week to Camden at the freight road. Mr. Clark made his trips on foot and carried the mail in an old haversack, so we were pretty well supplied with mail, but it cost many of us pretty dearly. Mr. Moffitt re- tained the office until July, 1868, when he resigned his lucra- tive trust to W. R. Davis. Mr. Davis held the office in the store of Beaty & Davis. His salary was twelve dollars per
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
year at first, but under fine manipulation an advance to twenty-five dollars was soon secured. At that time the pay of the postmaster was gauged by the amount of postage sold, and friend Davis urged every one to take just as many post- age stamps as possible in the way of change, etc. He had to make a good showing, and he did. Postage stamps were good property and everybody had plenty of them.
Our first government mail route was established in July, 1869, between here and Lincoln, via the Oak Groves. At first it was a weekly concern, and within the following year it became a semi-weekly, and finally a tri-weekly. Some said it was a tri-weekly because they tried every week to get mail through but frequently failed. Mr. Davis retained the office until the spring of 1871, when he resigned and E. L. Clark secured the appointment. The salary had advanced to fifty dollars per year under Mr. Davis' administration, and his last quarter had shown such an increase of business that the salary was raised to $240 per year, and in 1872 it was further advanced to $320. L. G. Johns was appointed in January, 1873, and held the office until January, 1877. His salary was increased by degrees until it reached $1300 per annum and $240 per year for clerk hire. When he took pos- session, there was only one daily mail from Lincoln. Dur- ing 1873, railroad mail service was introduced. There were established during his administration, star routes as follows: to York, tri-weekly; Crete to Columbus, tri-weekly; Orton and Stromsburg, semi-weekly; Seward and Dorchester, tri- weekly.
Money order office was established in July, 1872. The largest money order business was done in 1873, prior to the opening of our first bank.
When Mr. Johns took possession, the fixtures of the office consisted of a desk and a case of pigeon holes worth about $20. He placed $300 worth of fixtures in the office.
Redford received his appointment in January 1877, and held the place about four years, when Chas. Vanpelt re- ceived the appointment, in 1881. During Mr. V's tenure, the Morris keyless lock was introduced into the office. During his term the salary was at its maximum; or $1700 per annum.
HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
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East Side of Square Looking South
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
There were two semi-weekly star routes until 1884, and there were during his whole term four daily mails by rail.
John Kettle received his appointment July 1, 1885. Star routes all closed Six daily mails and arrangements nearly perfected for two more. Value of fixtures, about $2,000 hav- ing just put in a new and complete outfit of improved Mor- ris lock boxes, which is said to be one of the finest in the west. Box rent amounts to $170 per quarter. Money order business is about $2,000 per quarter.
E. A. Polley succeeded Mr. Kettle in 1889 and C. S. Al. ling succeeded Polley in 1893. Died in office and was suc- ceeded by Joseph Dupin in the summer of 1894, and in 1897, F. G. Simmons succeeded Dupin, and he resigned in Februa- ry, 1900, and Wm. Royer, the present incumbent, was ap- pointed in April, 1900. Seward is now served with ten mails six days in the week and four on Sunday. There are at the present writing six rural routes out of Seward. There are nineteen in the county. The county has twelve postoffices. Seward is yet in the list of third class offices, but almost ready to enter the second class list. Her showing of busi- ness during 1904 was $6,594.30, and only lacking less than $1,500 to place it on the second class list. Salary now paid the postmaster is $1,800, with office rent. fuel and lights fur- nished. The government pays $450 per annum rent with fuel and lights. Box rent collected in 1904 was $493.23. Money orders sold in 1904 were 6,595, aggregating approxi- mately $20,000.
The rural routes have a tendency to cut down receipts from box rent. During the fall of 1904, the location of the office was changed to new and more commodious quarters. Nasby used to have much to say about the postoffice at the corners, but Seward can talk about her postoffice on the al- ley. The present quarters are quite an improvement on the old, yet it is nothing for our flourishing city to be proud of. The room is cramped and narrowly constructed to say the least: It is not up to the needs of a growing and pros- perons city like this. The office at Milford, probably less than half the patronage of this, maintains an office that would make any citizen of Seward ashamed of his town, or rather his postoffice at the alley. What Seward needs and
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