USA > Nebraska > Seward County > History of Seward county, Nebraska, together with a chapter of reminiscenses of the early settlement of Lancaster county > Part 16
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Prior to 1879, the county clerk performed the duties of district clerk. H. P. Lewis was appointed in 1879, and elected in 1880 and re-elected in 1882, after which Geo. A. Merriam was elected, and was re-elected in November, 1887.
OLD SETTLERS' REUNIONS.
The first meeting of the reunion of old settlers was held in the public square at Seward in October, 1884, with W. W. Cox as presi- dent. The meeting was not largely attended, but was of great inter- est. Many touching incidents of early times were related. In 1885
173
HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
there was no meeting, but in October, 1886, the society was reorgan- ized and placed on a more permanent basis. Officers elected were: W. W. Cox, president, Geo. A. Merriam, secretary, and Mrs. Thos. Graham, treasurer. The society that year opened a registry of the old settlers, giving name, time of settlement, where located, age, etc. Great numbers availed themselves of that privilege. A very large and enthusiastic meeting was held in Roberts' grove, west of the city. The officers for 1887 were: J. H. Culver, of Milford, presi- dent ; George A. Merriam, secretary, and Mrs. Thos. Graham, treas- urer. In October, 1887, the annual meeting was held at Milford, was very largely attended, and a very enjoyable meeting was held. Gov. Thayer made the address of the day. Many new names were added to the registry. Officers elected for 1888 were: W. R. Davis, president, and Geo. A. Merriam and Mrs. Graham were again re- elected, and Seward was chosen as the place of the meeting of 1888. These meetings bid fair to grow in interest from year to year, and in the long years to come the registry will become of priceless value.
The four counties of Butler, Polk, York, and Seward have held conjointly three reunions, at Lord's grove, near the four corners, where vast numbers of the people of all these counties have held very profitable meetings.
At the meeting in 1886 it was estimated that over four thousand were present. The meeting of 1887 was postponed on account of a heavy rain storm, and the adjourned meeting met with same obstacle, when it was determined to defer the meeting to the summer of 1888.
EXTRACT FROM AN ADDRESS DELIVERED BY W. W. COX AT AN OLD SETTLERS' REUNION AT LORD'S GROVE, NEAR THE FOUR CORNERS OF BUTLER, POLK, YORK, AND SEWARD COUNTIES, 1886.
Young friends, children of the pioneers, we would ask you to bear in kind remembrance the hardships and struggles that these grey- headed fathers and mothers have endured in other years to provide homes of comfort and luxury for you. Their heads are fast becom- ing silvered with age. Their steps are not so elastic as in other years. The great duties with which they so manfully grappled in the prime of their manhood's strength must now be accepted by you. Will you accept them like men and women, worthy the honored names you bear ?
174
HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
The improvements on these prairies, these houses and barns, these groves and orchards, these smiling fields, these churches and 'school- houses, these thrifty towns and cities, that, like jewels of a crown, are scattered over the plain, all attest that the pioneers have not lived in vain. They have laid well and firmly these foundations. You must go on with the superstructure.
There is yet plenty of work for you. These beneficent institutions are to be guarded, and great undertakings are yet to develop into achievements that will bless mankind. This vast empire must in the near future teem with its millions of people, and it will require great wisdom to guide them to a proper destiny, and upon you, our sons and daughters, must devolve the duty of going forward wisely and energetically to complete the task we have so well begun. Oh, for the glory of the future of our native land !
May you, fathers and mothers, spend your declining years amidst peace and plenty, surrounded by earnest, loving, and intelligent chil- dren, carrying forward with master hands the enterprises that are so dear to your hearts, and may he who shall stand here in the far-off years to come, to tell the stories of our first settlement, of our joys and sorrows, of our labors, trials, and discouragements, and the final triumphs, "be able to still look around upon a great, intelligent, free, and happy people." May he with all the enthusiasm of poesy exclaim :
" Here is still my country, Zealons yet modest, Innocent though free, Patient of toil, Serene amidst alarms, Inflexible in faith, Invincible in arms."
THE WILDERNESS HOME OF MY CHILDHOOD.
FROM THE PEN OF NETTIE M. 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, Stooped to their waters o'er the grassy bank." - Whittier.
Though years have passed since our last visit to the old home- stead, visions come to us of the woods and valleys by the sparkling. waters of the beautiful Blue.
175
HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
The river winds its crooked way through the valley with many a curve, forming broad acres of woodland which were a perfect para- dise to us during the whole year. There, in the spring-time, the green grass and violets formed a beautiful carpet for our feet, while around us the alder and wild plum blossoms made fragrant the air with their sweet scented odor.
Down the garden path bordered with moss roses and morning glo- ries, we would speed away to the river, bait our hooks for fish, and cross the foot log and follow the path through the woods to the school-house. That little rough board shanty, sodded all around, and the home-made, knife-marked desks have given place to new and better ones. The children upon the playground are strange to us, but the same games of "blind man's buff" and "drop the handker- chief" are played by them as we played long years since.
The grape-vine swing must not be forgotten, for there, with choicest flowers, was crowned the queen of May, and also, in childish sport, were wedded two schoolmates, just twenty years ago.
Under the welcome shade of the old walnut tree by the ford we studied our Sunday-school lessons, and were often lulled to sleep by the merry song of the wild birds.
During the long summer days, wading around the sand-bars and gathering shells afforded us a most delightful pastime, and as the sun was seeking the western horizon we would mount old Ned, the family horse, ford the river, and go to the farther pasture after the cows.
Each land hath its shadows, and each home hath its ghosts, and ours was not an exception. The " Big grove" was the most beautiful of all the " bends," on account of the heavy timber and dense foliage. There the sugar maple trees abounded, and there grew the most ber- ries, the latter being very important, for many a new dress and coat were bought with the profits realized from their sale.
One evening at dusk something large and white, resembling a great bear, was seen to come out of those woods, and although we afterward learned that it was only a neighbor boy with a bed-tick over his head, we never ventured again into that grove without company.
When the autumn suns changed the foliage and ripened the fruits, then was our harvest. It would be difficult to decide who worked the harder to store away the winter's supply of walnuts and acorns, we children or the squirrels. Perhaps we tired of the labor more
176
HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
quickly than our little forest friends, for frequently the restful shade of the great oaks would be too tempting, and we seated ourselves by their roots and weaved wreathes of the brilliant-hued leaves, while the autumn winds sighed and rustled the branches overhead, making a beautiful accompaniment to our fancies. But when winter came with its hoary frosts and covered the earth with its blanket of snow, and the cold winds whistled through the barren timber, then, like all the children of the woods, the most comfortable place for us was home. That little log cabin, with its great fireplace and clay-chinked walls, is the most cherished of all places. The dove-cote upon its roof, the cave behind it, the box-alder and cottonwood trees, and the old-fash- ioned well will always be remembered.
It seems but yesterday that father brought in the huge back-log and built a brilliant fire in front of it, then popped the corn for our first Christmas eve in our new home. He took us children on his knee and told us of Santa Claus, and how he would come down that huge chimney and fill our stockings, if we would hurry off to bed. Mother tucked the covers carefully about us and resumed her knitting, while father read aloud, by the light of the blazing brushwood, the latest news of the rebellion, which was then raging with all its horrors.
We watched the shadows cast by the flickering light of the burn- ing embers upon the hearth till we fell asleep, dreaming, as all chil- dren do, of Chris Kringle and his sleighful of toys. In the morning, when the sun's first rays peeped through the curtains of the one window in the cabin, with a bright Christmas greeting, we hastened to our stockings, to find them overflowing with popcorn and dough- nuts. Away down in the toe we found a stick of candy and a pair of lovely red mittens with little snowflakes all over them. We were a happy little band, and though many Christmases have come and gone, and Santa Claus has filled our stockings with a far more lavish hand, yet none will have the same place in our memory as the one of '64.
But now, far removed from those loved scenes of childhood, and looking out upon a broad expanse of prairie and corn land, our minds will naturally wander back to the old homestead, and decide that, though home is home where'er it may be, vet that halo cannot be taken away from our father's hearthstone.
177
HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
CHAPTER IX.
FRUITS OF SEWARD COUNTY-SNOW STORMS-STOCK FEEDERS-STOCK BREED- ERS-IMPORTERS OF FINE HORSES-FIRE DEPARTMENT OF SEWARD-MONEY PAID TEACHERS BY VARIOUS DISTRICTS IN 1887-MILFORD NEWSPAPERS- TROOP A, NEBRASKA NATIONAL GUARDS-NOTES FROM DIARIES OF E. L. ELLIS AND HON THOS. GRAHAM, KEPT IN 1858 TO 1863.
THE FRUITS OF SEWARD COUNTY.
FROM THE PEN OF J. B. COURTWRIGHT.
The county is yet in its infancy so far as fruits are concerned, but it can be readily seen that it compares favorably with other counties of the state. We have a good climate, our winters are not so cold as many of the older states of our latitude, and the fruits already raised are of better flavor and more free from specks than in Illinois, Iowa, or many of the more eastern states. It is true that many of our pres- ent varieties are not as hardy here as in the eastern states. However, they had many failures there until they learned what trees were adapted to their soil and climate, and we must learn by their expe- rience, and not plant such as have been proven to be worthless. Hardy trees of apple or plum will do well here if the proper varieties are selected and properly cared for. I have seen as fine apples raised here as I ever saw anywhere. We cannot grow an orchard in one or two years; it takes time and watchful care, but when grown, there is nothing that an enterprising man feels more pride in than showing his orchard to his friends. Then, what is more delicious than a finely flavored apple, or a nice bunch of grapes, or a fine peach ?
We think that he who plants and prunes an orchard is a true bene- factor, and no citizen of Seward county can do a more praiseworthy act than by planting an orchard and doing his part in making Seward the best fruit county of our noble state. If we only do our duty we will soon have plenty of both large and small fruits. The following varieties we have found to be hardy and prolific: For
12
178
HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
summer apples-Red Astrachan, Duchess of Oldenburg, Early Pen- nock, Early Harvest. I would recommend as fall apples-Snow, Maiden's Blush, Bailey Sweet, Hass, Roman Stem, Cole's Quince, Fallsware. And for winter-Ben Davis, White Pippin, Winesap, Rawle's Genett, Jonathan, and Mann apple. There are many others that will do well.
There are a few varieties of tame plum that do very well, but I have succeeded best with wild varieties. I hardly ever fail of getting a good crop the third year from planting the pits, and they have always proved to be of an excellent quality. I have had but partial snecess with tame plums.
Have succeeded well with strawberries, goose and raspberries, and grapes. In fact I have never seen a failure here. I think the grape merits a more extensive cultivation in our county. The grape rot is unknown with us. The Concord and Clinton are the leading varie- ties. Have seen Catawbas do well, but they are not as hardy as some others. I prune in February.
Peaches are very uncertain, but have had some to measure seven inches in circumference. I get a crop every few years, which pays me well for all my trouble. I think the trees and buds kill in the fall, as they grow too late and they have too much sap in the tree. I had peaches this year, and they grew on the topmost limbs, with none on the lower branches. The fruit was from ten to fifteen feet from the ground, and of course in the most exposed condition. Some of the fruit was very nice.
I am hopeful of the future. I found my hope in the belief in the old adage, " What has been done can be done again." Orchards planted by the early settlers have done well, and are producing good results in both quality and quantity. Care should be taken in pro- curing healthy trees, and then good judgment in setting and pruning, and also planting at proper distances, say from 25 to 30 feet apart, and last, but not least, secure of the hardy varieties, and only ex- periment with other and more costly kinds than those mentioned.
We predict that in a few years our people will be feasting on apples of the best quality, the products of our own soil. Consider- ing everything, the outlook is most encouraging, and the observer can see a marked improvement in the interest manifest in starting and caring for orchards. The exhibit at our fair in September last,
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
and the two previous years, would put the blush to the cheeks of our sister counties in the eastern part of the state.
Notwithstanding the frequent warnings, unprincipled and irre- sponsible agents-" tree peddlers "-are from year to year beating people out of thousands of dollars, that are virtually thrown away, by getting worthless stock. But for all this we are making progress and no one familiar with the business can doubt that our county can become a very successful fruit county. Very many orchards have been so loaded that it was necessary to prop the branches.
SNOW STORMS.
Since the stormy winter of 1866 and 1867, we have had only oc- casional storms of great severity. In April, 1873, a rain commenced in the early morning, which turned to sleet during the day, and raged so fiercely that man nor beast could hardly withstand it. As night approached it turned to snow, and the night and following day were appalling. The whirling and drifting snow drove the un- sheltered stock before it to destruction. Mr. A. D. Richie had a large herd of sheep drift with the storm until they rushed over the bank into Lincoln creek, where they perished. Peter Henegen, of Butler county, lost a herd of cattle in the same way. They took shelter under a high bank on the upper Blue, and the snow drifted entirely over them.
The worst snow storm of this generation struck this county a little after 3 P.M. on the 12th day of January, 1888. A damp snow had been falling since near midnight previous. The weather was quite warm and pleasant, and up to 3 o'clock the snow fell in great feathery flakes, such as school children rejoice to see, with no breath of wind; and while we were all watching the beautiful snow coming so gently, little did we think of the terrors of the night, when all at once, as if some demon had been turned loose upon the world, there came a blast from the north-west, such as was never seen before in this fair land. All hearts were terror-stricken at the fury of the storm. The atmosphere was so thick with drifting snow that nothing could be seen, and the mercury immediately fell near fifty degrees, and it seemed for a time that no mortal exposed to its terrors could survive its fearful ravages. This continued till near midnight.
So far there has been no loss of life recorded in Seward county,
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
but there were numerous hair-breadth escapes. We have two victims in this county, who suffered more than death : Lena Webbeke, of " I" precinct, a girl of eleven years, undertook to make her home from the school-house, and became bewildered and remained out in an open field, partially drifted under the snow, and was rescued in the morning. This is one of the most remarkable incidents of record. That she should survive seems a miracle. At this writing one of her legs has been amputated, and she bids fair to recover. Miss Ettie Shattuck, who was away in Holt county, teaching, was caught in the storm, and by chance ran on to a hay stack and burrowed into it, remaining there seventy-two hours, and was accidentally found. She was brought to her home in Seward, and it was found necessary to have both feet amputated. She is now slowly recovering. She remains cheerful under the terrible ordeal. Her case has created a wide-spread sympathy, and large amounts of money have been raised at Seward, Omaha, Fremont, Nebraska City, and among the travel- ing men on trains, and at many other places in the state. Poor Ettie died February 6, 1888.
The State Journal started a subscription also for the Webbeke girl, which was caught up at Seward and other places, and will result in ample funds for her proper care and education. All that willing hands and loving hearts can do will be done for her relief aud tender care.
The storm was of such short duration that the stock stood it through with scarcely no loss in this county, but in the great north- land it swept men and beasts to destruction by thousands. The people of our county are very grateful for the generous contributions from all parts of the state ..
STOCK FEEDERS.
Stock feeding has grown to be an important industry in this county. There are being fed at present from thirty-five hundred to four thousand cattle, and a corresponding amount of hogs. The principal feeders are Phillip Unitt, Simeon True and Brown, General True, Marsh B. Palmer, David Palmer, H. Nabb, E. M. Hickman, C. J. Wright, C. M. Gorden, Frank W. Upton, Jacob Mundhenke, Joseph D. Speltz, John Williams, Lewis Anderson, E. M. Olney, John D. Olney, Warren W. Brown, and J. N. Edwards.
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
FINE STOCK BREEDERS.
This business is assuming importance, and there are many fine herds in the county. We mention among the leading fine stock breeders, Claudius Jones and Son, Friesian-Holstein and Short-horns ; J. N. Edwards, Short-horns; G. W. Bartow, Herefords; E. M. Hickman, Short-horns.
The fine horse breeders are led by A. Rogy, an importer and breeder who has done much to improve the horses of this and adjoin- ing counties. Other breeders are Geo. Abott, Frank W. Upton, and others. The Norman and Clydesdale are the leading breeds.
THE FIREMEN OF SEWARD
deserve honorable mention in these pages for valuable services ren- dered. The organization dates back to 1879, when the engines and hooks and ladders were purchased by the city. The organization is divided into three companies-Engine companies No. 1 and No. 2, and the Hook and Ladder company. When duty calls the boys are always ready, and have been instrumental in saving much valuable property. They maintain a reading room, and have about 500 volumes in the library, besides valuable periodicals, papers, etc.
W'e would gladly give a full history of the Association, but the records were unattainable.
SCHOOLS.
Below is the amount of money paid teachers in Seward county for the year ending July 11, 1887 :
DIST.
AMOUNT.
DIST.
AMOUNT.
1.
$160 50
12
210 00
2
220 00
13
220 00
3
120 00
14
360 00
4.
388 00
15
315 00
5 (Milford)
1985 00
16
210 00
6.
304 00
17
210 00
7
305 00
18
265 00
8.
180 00
19
215 00
9 (Seward).
5561 00
20
320 00
10
195 00
21.
180 00
11
280 00
22
210 00
182
HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
DIST. AMOUNT.
DIST.
AMOUNT. 23.
425 00
58.
294 00
24
305 00
59
304 00
25.
307 00
60
(Utica, all
female
teachers) 1395 00 27
277 50 , 61
340 00
62
180 00
29
265 00
63
200 00
30
195 00
64
190 00
31
247 50
142 00 65
210 00 33
210 00
34.
233 00
68.
130 00
35
180 00 69
210 00
36
250 00
70
180 00
71
260 00 72.
245 00
39
300 00
73
40
333 00
74
175 00
41
335 00 75
84 00
42
350 00
76
160 00
43
259 00
77
200 00
44.
330 00 78
198 50
45
105 00
260 00 79
46
315 00
80. 210 00 81 305 00
48
221 00
82 (Germantown).
345 00
49.
254 00
83 (Staplehurst).
735 00
50.
210 00
84.
257 50
51 (Malcolm P. O.)
531 00
210 00 85.
86. 245 00 52
53
260 00
87.
265 00
270 00 54
88. 156 00
227 50 55
89 150 00
56
235 00
90 (Tamora)
417 50
225 00 57.
265 00 28
32
240 00
66
218 00 67
37
240 00
38.
195 00
197 00
47
290 00
280 00
26.
275 00
The teachers employed are fully three-fourths ladies, and outside the city of Seward the wages are fully equal to that paid gentlemen.
183
HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
One of the graded schools (Utica) is presided over by a lady. In the city of Seward eleven of the twelve teachers are ladies.
MILFORD NEWSPAPERS.
From the time that the Record ceased to exist, in April, 1873, which able and valuable paper has already been very fully noticed, Milford had no paper until February, 1882, when the Seward County Democrat, a seven-column folio, was issued by Alexander Brothers. It was true to its name, a straight-out democratic paper, and had a successful business for two years, when its proprietors sold it out to Prof. Geo. F. Burkett, of Michigan. The professor, changed its name to that of Milford Ozone, and its political career thenceforward was republican. A few months later, the editor having been elected principal of the Milford high school took in as partner an erratic in- dividual by the name of Horace Boyle, who played a brief engage- ment of three months, when his interest was purchased by H. C. Hensel, of Omaha, the present editor and proprietor. An amicable partnership of two months ensued, when Prof. Burkett's interest was purchased, and then the name was changed to that of Milford Ne- braskan. Its politics remained republican.
Ed. Hansel has had twelve years' experience in newspaper work, and has become quite efficient as a public writer and editor. He continues the successful publication of the Nebraskan, an eight-page, seven-column paper, and long may it live to disseminate light and truth among the people of the county. The Nebraskan is to be en- larged January 1, 1888.
TROOP A, NEBRASKA NATIONAL GUARDS.
In pursuance to special order No. 3, issued by Gov. John M. Thayer to J. H. Culver, of Milford, Troop A of the Nebraska Na- tional Guards was organized and mustered into service by Adjt. Gen. A. V. Cole, on July 22, 1887.
The company then elected J. H. Culver, captain; Wolsey Weyant, Jr., Ist Lieut .; and C. L. Smith. 2d Lieut .; who were duly com- missioned. The following non-commissioned officers and privates complete the personnel of the company :
S. B. Laune, 1st sergeant; Jas. A. Haselwood, Q. M. sergeant; John R. Handy, 2d sergeant; W. A. Morgan, 3d sergeant; J. J.
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
Dunnegan, 4th sergeant ; J. Luebben, 5th sergeant; Craven Stream, 6th sergeant; W. S. Kinney, 1st Corp .; Scott Garland, 2d Corp .; Geo. C. Fosler, 3d Corp .; John W. Wykoff, 4th Corp.
Privates-Chas. H. Anderson, Richard Armstrong, Edmund J. Ashton, Wm. G. Ashton, John Armstrong, Lauren Brown, A. F. Brooking, H. Blackburn, A. T. Baldwin, Robt. G. Cox, Ralph E. Deniston, Chas. E. Hans, George Leger. Louis Leger, Roscoe Langley, W. G. Morgan, J. C. Morford, A. E. Patrick, Geo. H. Paisley, Geo. A. Suddith, Robt. W. Stall, Geo. Stueck, M. R. Sharp, W. J. Vosburg, Henry Weyant, Chas. Weyant, John Wright, Simon D. Yordy.
This troop was assigned to the First Brigade, and ordered in camp at Lincoln on August 29, 1887.
The company took up the line of march August 30th, in the midst of a drizzling rain storm, camping the first night at the Quick farm, near Emerald, and reaching "Camp Thayer" the next morning at 9 A.M. The week was spent in drill and camp discipline. The troop performed excellent service on vidette duty in keeping the dis- orderly in camp, receiving the highest compliments for their appear- ance and soldierly bearing on grand review by Gen. Wheaton, of the regular army, who was detailed by the war department to inspect the . Nebraska National Guards. Breaking camp on Saturday, September 3d, the troop marched to its rendezvous at Milford, a distance of twenty miles, in six hours, which would be considered rapid enough for a forced march in military parlance.
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